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diff --git a/old/files/38801-h/38801-h.htm b/old/files/38801-h/38801-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4c2180 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/files/38801-h/38801-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11868 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Volume 1 (of 12) by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 1 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 1 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Lectures + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38801] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The Destroyer Of Weeds, Thistles And Thorns Is A Benefactor, Whether He + Soweth Grain Or Not." + </p> + </blockquote> + <h3> + IN TWELVE VOLUMES, VOLUME I. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + LECTURES + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1901 + </h3> + <h4> + THE DRESDEN EDITION + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + TO EVA A. INGERSOLL, MY WIFE, A WOMAN WITHOUT SUPERSTITION, THIS VOLUME<br /> + IS DEDICATED. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. FOR THE USE OF MAN, + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38801/old/orig38801-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Titlepage (64K)" src="images/Titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Birthplace (64K)" src="images/Birthplace.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Portrait (62K)" src="images/Portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Frontispiece (64K)" src="images/Frontispiece.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">PUBLISHER'S PREFACE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">THE GODS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">HUMBOLDT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">THOMAS PAINE</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">INDIVIDUALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">HERETICS AND HERESIES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">THE GHOSTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">THE LIBERTY OF MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">LIBERTY OF WOMAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">THE LIBERTY OF CHILDREN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkCONC">CONCLUSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">ABOUT FARMING IN ILLINOIS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0016">I. WHAT WE MUST DO TO BE SAVED</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0017">II. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0018">III. THE GOSPEL OF MARK</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0019">IV. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0020">V. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0021">VI. THE CATHOLICS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0022">VII. THE EPISCOPALIANS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0023">VIII. THE METHODISTS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0024">IX. THE PRESBYTERIANS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0025">X. THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="#link0026">XI. WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">THE GODS.</a> + </p> + <p> + THE GODS.<br /> (1872.)<br /> An Honest God is the Noblest Work of Man—Resemblance + of Gods to<br /> their Creators—Manufacture and Characteristics of + Deities—Their<br /> Amours—Deficient in many Departments of + Knowledge—Pleased with the<br /> Butchery of Unbelievers—A + Plentiful Supply—Visitations—One God's<br /> Laws of War—The + Book called the Bible—Heresy of Universalism—Faith<br /> an + unhappy mixture of Insanity and Ignorance—Fallen Gods, or<br /> + Devils—Directions concerning Human Slavery—The first + Appearance of<br /> the Devil—The Tree of Knowledge—Give me + the Storm and Tempest of<br /> Thought—Gods and Devils Natural + Productions—Personal Appearance<br /> of Deities—All Man's + Ideas suggested by his Surroundings—Phenomena<br /> Supposed to be + Produced by Intelligent Powers—Insanity and Disease<br /> + attributed to Evil Spirits—Origin of the Priesthood—Temptation + of<br /> Christ—Innate Ideas—Divine Interference—Special + Providence—The<br /> Crane and the Fish—Cancer as a proof of + Design—Matter and<br /> Force—Miracle—Passing the Hat + for just one Fact—Sir William Hamilton<br /> on Cause and Effect—The + Phenomena of Mind—Necessity and Free Will—The<br /> Dark Ages—The + Originality of Repetition—Of what Use have the Gods been<br /> to + Man?—Paley and Design—Make Good Health Contagious—Periodicity + of<br /> the Universe and the Commencement of Intellectual Freedom—Lesson + of<br /> the ineffectual attempt to rescue the Tomb of Christ from the<br /> + Mohammedans—The Cemetery of the Gods—Taking away Crutches—Imperial<br /> + Reason<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">HUMBOLDT.</a> + </p> + <p> + HUMBOLDT.<br /> (1869.)<br /> The Universe is Governed by Law—The + Self-made Man—Poverty generally<br /> an Advantage—Humboldt's + Birth-place—His desire for Travel—On what<br /> Humboldt's + Fame depends—His Companions and Friends—Investigations<br /> + in the New World—A Picture—Subjects of his Addresses—Victory + of the<br /> Church over Philosophy—Influence of the discovery that + the World is<br /> governed by Law—On the term Law—Copernicus—Astronomy—Aryabhatta—<br /> + Descartes—Condition of the World and Man when the morning of + Science<br /> Dawned—Reasons for Honoring Humboldt—The World + his Monument<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p> + THOMAS PAINE.<br /> (1870.)<br /> With his Name left out the History of + Liberty cannot be Written—Paine's<br /> Origin and Condition—His + arrival in America with a Letter of<br /> Introduction by Franklin—Condition + of the Colonies—"Common Sense"—A<br /> new Nation Born—Paine + the Best of Political Writers—The "Crisis"—War<br /> not to + the Interest of a trading Nation—Paine's Standing at the Close<br /> + of the Revolution—Close of the Eighteenth Century in France-The<br /> + "Rights of Man"—Paine Prosecuted in England—"The World is my<br /> + Country"—Elected to the French Assembly—Votes against the + Death of<br /> the King—Imprisoned—A look behind the Altar—The + "Age of Reason"—His<br /> Argument against the Bible as a + Revelation—Christianity of Paine's<br /> Day—A Blasphemy Law + in Force in Maryland—The Scotch "Kirk"—Hanging<br /> of + Thomas Aikenhead for Denying the Inspiration of the<br /> Scriptures—"Cathedrals + and Domes, and Chimes and Chants"—Science—"He<br /> Died in + the Land his Genius Defended,"<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">INDIVIDUALITY.</a> + </p> + <p> + INDIVIDUALITY.<br /> (1873.)<br /> "His Soul was like a Star and Dwelt + Apart"—Disobedience one of the<br /> Conditions of Progress.—Magellan—The + Monarch and the Hermit-Why<br /> the Church hates a Thinker—The + Argument from Grandeur and<br /> Prosperity-Travelers and Guide-boards—A + Degrading Saying—Theological<br /> Education—Scotts, Henrys + and McKnights—The Church the Great<br /> Robber—Corrupting + the Reason of Children—Monotony of Acquiescence: For<br /> God's + sake, say No—Protestant Intolerance: Luther and Calvin—Assertion<br /> + of Individual Independence a Step toward Infidelity—Salute to<br /> + Jupiter—The Atheistic Bug-Little Religious Liberty in America—God + in<br /> the Constitution, Man Out—Decision of the Supreme Court of + Illinois<br /> that an Unbeliever could not testify in any Court—Dissimulation—Nobody<br /> + in this Bed—The Dignity of a Unit<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">HERETICS AND HERESIES.</a> + </p> + <p> + HERETICS AND HERESIES.<br /> (1874.)<br /> Liberty, a Word without which + all other Words are Vain—The Church, the<br /> Bible, and + Persecution—Over the wild Waves of War rose and fell<br /> the + Banner of Jesus Christ—Highest Type of the Orthodox<br /> Christian—Heretics' + Tongues and why they should be Removed before<br /> Burning—The + Inquisition Established—Forms of Torture—Act of Henry<br /> + VIII for abolishing Diversity of Opinion—What a Good Christian was<br /> + Obliged to Believe—The Church has Carried the Black Flag—For + what Men<br /> and Women have been Burned—John Calvin's Advent into + the<br /> World—His Infamous Acts—Michael Servetus—Castalio—Spread + of<br /> Presbyterianism—Indictment of a Presbyterian Minister in + Illinois for<br /> Heresy—Specifications—The Real Bible<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">THE GHOSTS.</a> + </p> + <p> + THE GHOSTS.<br /> (1877.)<br /> Dedication to Ebon C. Ingersoll—Preface—Mendacity + of the Religious<br /> Press—"Materialism"—Ways of Pleasing + the Ghosts—The Idea of<br /> Immortality not Born of any Book—Witchcraft + and Demon-ology—Witch<br /> Trial before Sir Matthew Hale—John + Wesley a Firm Believer in<br /> Ghosts—"Witch-spots"—Lycanthropy—Animals + Tried and Convicted—The<br /> Governor of Minnesota and the + Grasshoppers—A Papal Bull against<br /> Witchcraft—Victims of + the Delusion—Sir William Blackstone's<br /> Affirmation—Trials + in Belgium—Incubi and Succubi—A Bishop<br /> Personated by + the Devil—The Doctrine that Diseases are caused by<br /> Ghosts—Treatment—Timothy + Dwight against Vaccination—Ghosts as<br /> Historians—The + Language of Eden—Leibnitz, Founder of the Science<br /> of Language—Cosmas + on Astronomy—Vagaries of Kepler and Tycho<br /> Brahe—Discovery + of Printing, Powder, and America—Thanks to the<br /> Inventors—The + Catholic Murderer and the Meat—Let the Ghosts Go<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">THE LIBERTY OF MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD.</a> + </p> + <p> + THE LIBERTY OF MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD.<br /> (1877.)<br /> Liberty sustains + the same Relation to Mind that Space does to<br /> Matter—The + History of Man a History of Slavery—The Infidel Our<br /> Fathers + in the good old Time—The iron Arguments that Christians<br /> Used—Instruments + of Torture—A Vision of the Inquisition—Models of<br /> Man's + Inventions—Weapons, Armor, Musical Instruments, Paintings,<br /> + Books, Skulls—The Gentleman in the Dug-out—Homage to Genius + and<br /> Intellect—Abraham Lincoln—What I mean by Liberty—The + Man who cannot<br /> afford to Speak his Thought is a Certificate of the + Meanness of the<br /> Community in which he Resides—Liberty of + Woman—Marriage and the<br /> Family—Ornaments the Souvenirs + of Bondage-The Story of the Garden of<br /> Eden—Adami and Heva—Equality + of the Sexes-The word "Boss"—The Cross<br /> Man-The Stingy Man—Wives + who are Beggars—How to Spend Money—By<br /> the Tomb of the + Old Napoleon—The Woman you Love will never Grow<br /> Old—Liberty + of Children—When your Child tells a Lie—Disowning<br /> + Children—Beating your own Flesh and Blood—Make Home Pleasant—Sunday<br /> + when I was a Boy—The Laugh of a Child—The doctrine of + Eternal<br /> Punishment—Jonathan Edwards on the Happiness of + Believing Husbands<br /> whose Wives are in Hell—The Liberty of + Eating and Sleeping—Water in<br /> Fever—Soil and Climate + necessary to the production of Genius—Against<br /> Annexing Santo + Domingo—Descent of Man—Conclusion<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">ABOUT FARMING IN ILLINOIS.</a> + </p> + <p> + ABOUT FARMING IN ILLINOIS.<br /> (1877.)<br /> To Plow is to Pray; to + Plant is to Prophesy, and the Harvest Answers and<br /> Fulfills—The + Old Way of Farming—Cooking an Unknown Art-Houses, Fuel,<br /> and + Crops—The Farmer's Boy—What a Farmer should Sell—Beautifying<br /> + the Home—Advantages of Illinois as a Farming State—Advantages + of the<br /> Farmer over the Mechanic—Farm Life too Lonely-On Early + Rising—Sleep<br /> the Best Doctor—Fashion—Patriotism + and Boarding Houses—The Farmer and<br /> the Railroads—Money + and Confidence—Demonetization of Silver-Area of<br /> Illinois—Mortgages + and Interest—Kindness to Wives and Children—How<br /> a + Beefsteak should be Cooked—Decorations and Comfort—Let the + Children<br /> Sleep—Old Age<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED?</a> + </p> + <p> + WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED?<br /> (1880.)<br /> Preface—The + Synoptic Gospels—Only Mark Knew of the Necessity of<br /> Belief—Three + Christs Described—The Jewish Gentleman and the Piece of<br /> Bacon—Who + Wrote the New Testament?—Why Christ and the Apostles wrote<br /> + Nothing—Infinite Respect for the Man Christ—Different + Feeling for<br /> the Theological Christ—Saved from What?—Chapter + on the Gospel of<br /> Matthew—What this Gospel says we must do to + be Saved—Jesus and the<br /> Children—John Calvin and + Jonathan Edwards conceived of as Dimpled<br /> Darlings—Christ and + the Man who inquired what Good Thing he should<br /> do that he might + have Eternal Life—Nothing said about Belief—An<br /> + Interpolation—Chapter on the Gospel of Mark—The Believe or + be Damned<br /> Passage, and why it was written—The last + Conversation of Christ with<br /> his Disciples—The Signs that + Follow them that Believe—Chapter on<br /> the Gospel of Luke—Substantial + Agreement with Matthew and Mark—How<br /> Zaccheus achieved + Salvation—The two Thieves on the Cross—Chapter<br /> on the + Gospel of John—The Doctrine of Regeneration, or the New<br /> Birth—Shall + we Love our Enemies while God Damns His?—Chapter on the<br /> + Catholics—Communication with Heaven through Decayed Saints—Nuns + and<br /> Nunneries—Penitentiaries of God should be Investigated—The<br /> + Athanasian Creed expounded—The Trinity and its Members—Chapter + on the<br /> Episcopalians—Origin of the Episcopal Church—Apostolic + Succession<br /> an Imported Article—Episcopal Creed like the + Catholic, with a<br /> few Additional Absurdities—Chapter on the + Methodists—Wesley and<br /> Whitfield—Their Quarrel about + Predestination—Much Preaching for Little<br /> Money—Adapted + to New Countries—Chapter on the Presbyterians—John<br /> + Calvin, Murderer—Meeting between Calvin and Knox—The Infamy + of<br /> Calvinism—Division in the Church—The Young + Presbyterian's Resignation<br /> to the Fate of his Mother—A + Frightful, Hideous, and Hellish<br /> Creed—Chapter on the + Evangelical Alliance—Jeremy Taylor's Opinion of<br /> Baptists—Orthodoxy + not Dead—Creed of the Alliance—Total Depravity,<br /> Eternal + Damnation—What do You Propose?—The Gospel of + Good-fellowship,<br /> Cheerfulness, Health, Good Living, Justice—No + Forgiveness—God's<br /> Forgiveness Does not Pay my Debt to Smith—Gospel + of Liberty, of<br /> Intelligence, of Humanity—One World at a Time—"Upon + that Rock I<br /> Stand"<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + IN presenting to the public this edition of the late Robert G. Ingersoll's + works, it has been the aim of the publisher to make it worthy of the + author and a pleasure to his friends and admirers. No one can be more + conscious than he of the magnitude of the task undertaken, or more keenly + feel how far short it must fall of adequate accomplishment. + </p> + <p> + When it is remembered that countless utterances of the author were never + caught from his eloquent lips, it is matter for congratulation that so + much has been preserved. The authorized addresses, arguments and articles + that have already appeared in print and passed the review of the authors + more or less careful inspection, will be readily recognized as accurate + and complete; but in this latest and fullest compilation are many + emanations from his heart and brain that have never had his scrutiny, were + not revised by him, and that yet, by general judgment, should not be lost + to the world. + </p> + <p> + These unedited sundries consist of fragments of speeches and incompleted + articles discovered amongst the authors literary remains and for unknown + reasons left in more or less unfinished form. It has been the publisher's + ambition to gather these fugitive pieces and place them in this edition by + the side of the saved treasures. Whether the work has been well or ill + done a generous public must decide, while the sole responsibility must + rest with, as it has been assumed by, the publisher. + </p> + <p> + In carrying out the design of the present edition, the publisher + gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Mr. Ingersoll's family, who have + freely placed at his disposal many papers, inscriptions, monographs, + memoranda and pages of valuable material. + </p> + <p> + Recognition is also here made of the kind courtesy of the press and of + publishers of magazines who have generously permitted the publication of + articles originally written for them. + </p> + <p> + Finally, the publisher gives his thanks to all the devoted friends of the + author who in many ways, by suggestion and unselfish labor, have aided in + getting out this work. Of these, none have been more unremitting in + service, and to none is the publisher more indebted, than to Mr. I. Newton + Baker, Mr. Ingersoll's former private secretary, to Dr. Edgar C. Beall, + and to Mr. George E. Macdonald for the fine Tables of Contents and the + very valuable Index to this edition. + </p> + <p> + C. P. FARRELL. + </p> + <p> + New York, July, 1900. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GODS + </h2> + <h3> + An Honest God is the Noblest Work of Man. + </h3> + <p> + EACH nation has created a god, and the god has always resembled his + creators. He hated and loved what they hated and loved, and he was + invariably found on the side of those in power. Each god was intensely + patriotic, and detested all nations but his own. All these gods demanded + praise, flattery, and worship. Most of them were pleased with sacrifice, + and the smell of innocent blood has ever been considered a divine perfume. + All these gods have insisted upon having a vast number of priests, and the + priests have always insisted upon being supported by the people, and the + principal business of these priests has been to boast about their god, and + to insist that he could easily vanquish all the other gods put together. + </p> + <p> + These gods have been manufactured after numberless models, and according + to the most grotesque fashions. Some have a thousand arms, some a hundred + heads, some are adorned with necklaces of living snakes, some are armed + with clubs, some with sword and shield, some with bucklers, and some have + wings as a cherub; some were invisible, some would show themselves entire, + and some would only show their backs; some were jealous, some were + foolish, some turned themselves into men, some into swans, some into + bulls, some into doves, and some into Holy Ghosts, and made love to the + beautiful daughters of men. Some were married—all ought to have been—and + some were considered as old bachelors from all eternity. Some had + children, and the children were turned into gods and worshiped as their + fathers had been. Most of these gods were revengeful, savage, lustful, and + ignorant. As they generally depended upon their priests for information, + their ignorance can hardly excite our astonishment. + </p> + <p> + These gods did not even know the shape of the worlds they had created, but + supposed them perfectly flat Some thought the day could be lengthened by + stopping the sun, that the blowing of horns could throw down the walls of + a city, and all knew so little of the real nature of the people they had + created, that they commanded the people to love them. Some were so + ignorant as to suppose that man could believe just as he might desire, or + as they might command, and that to be governed by observation, reason, and + experience was a most foul and damning sin. None of these gods could give + a true account of the creation of this little earth. All were wofully + deficient in geology and astronomy. As a rule, they were most miserable + legislators, and as executives, they were far inferior to the average of + American presidents. + </p> + <p> + These deities have demanded the most abject and degrading obedience. In + order to please them, man must lay his very face in the dust Of course, + they have always been partial to the people who created them, and have + generally shown their partiality by assisting those people to rob and + destroy others, and to ravish their wives and daughters. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is so pleasing to these gods as the butchery of unbelievers. + Nothing so enrages them, even now, as to have some one deny their + existence. + </p> + <p> + Few nations have been so poor as to have but one god. Gods were made so + easily, and the raw material cost so little, that generally the god market + was fairly glutted, and heaven crammed with these phantoms. These gods not + only attended to the skies, but were supposed to interfere in all the + affairs of men. They presided over everybody and everything. They attended + to every department. All was supposed to be under their immediate control. + Nothing was too small—nothing too large; the falling of sparrows and + the motions of the planets were alike attended to by these industrious and + observing deities. From their starry thrones they frequently came to the + earth for the purpose of imparting information to man. It is related of + one that he came amid thunderings and lightnings in order to tell the + people that they should not cook a kid in its mother's milk. Some left + their shining abodes to tell women that they should, or should not, have + children, to inform a priest how to cut and wear his apron, and to give + directions as to the proper manner of cleaning the intestines of a bird. + </p> + <p> + When the people failed to worship one of these gods, or failed to feed and + clothe his priests, (which was much the same thing,) he generally visited + them with pestilence and famine. Sometimes he allowed some other nation to + drag them into slavery—to sell their wives and children; but + generally he glutted his vengeance by murdering their first-born. The + priests always did their whole duty, not only in predicting these + calamities, but in proving, when they did happen, that they were brought + upon the people because they had not given quite enough to them. + </p> + <p> + These gods differed just as the nations differed; the greatest and most + powerful had the most powerful gods, while the weaker ones were obliged to + content themselves with the very off-scourings of the heavens. Each of + these gods promised happiness here and hereafter to all his slaves, and + threatened to eternally punish all who either disbelieved in his existence + or suspected that some other god might be his superior; but to deny the + existence of all gods was, and is, the crime of crimes. Redden your hands + with human blood; blast by slander the fair fame of the innocent; strangle + the smiling child upon its mother's knees; deceive, ruin and desert the + beautiful girl who loves and trusts you, and your case is not hopeless. + For all this, and for all these you may be forgiven. For all this, and for + all these, that bankrupt court established by the gospel, will give you a + discharge; but deny the existence of these divine ghosts, of these gods, + and the sweet and tearful face of Mercy becomes livid with eternal hate. + Heaven's golden gates are shut, and you, with an infinite curse ringing in + your ears, with the brand of infamy upon your brow, commence your endless + wanderings in the lurid gloom of hell—an immortal vagrant—an + eternal outcast—a deathless convict. + </p> + <p> + One of these gods, and one who demands our love, our admiration and our + worship, and one who is worshiped, if mere heartless ceremony is worship, + gave to his chosen people for their guidance, the following laws of war: + "When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, <i>then proclaim + peace unto it</i>. And it shall be if it make thee answer of peace, and + open unto thee, then it shall be that all the people that is found therein + shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will + make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt + besiege it. + </p> + <p> + "And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thy hands, thou shalt + smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword. But the women and the + little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the + spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself, and thou shalt eat the spoil + of thine enemies which the Lord thy God hath given thee. Thus shalt thou + do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of + the cities of these nations. But of the cities of these people which the + Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, <i>thou shalt save alive + nothing that breatheth</i>" + </p> + <p> + Is it possible for man to conceive of anything more perfectly infamous? + Can you believe that such directions were given by any being except an + infinite fiend? Remember that the army receiving these instructions was + one of invasion. Peace was offered upon condition that the people + submitting should be the slaves of the invader; but if any should have the + courage to defend their homes, to fight for the love of wife and child, + then the sword was to spare none—not even the prattling, dimpled + babe. + </p> + <p> + And we are called upon to worship such a God; to get upon our knees and + tell him that he is good, that he is merciful, that he is just, that he is + love. We are asked to stifle every noble sentiment of the soul, and to + trample under foot all the sweet charities of the heart. Because we refuse + to stultify ourselves—refuse to become liars—we are denounced, + hated, traduced and ostracized here, and this same god threatens to + torment us in eternal fire the moment death allows him to fiercely clutch + our naked helpless souls. Let the people hate, let the god threaten—we + will educate them, and we will despise and defy him. + </p> + <p> + The book, called the Bible, is filled with passages equally horrible, + unjust and atrocious. This is the book to be read in schools in order to + make our children loving, kind and gentle! This is the book to be + recognized in our Constitution as the source of all authority and justice! + </p> + <p> + Strange! that no one has ever been persecuted by the church for believing + God bad, while hundreds of millions have been destroyed for thinking him + good. The orthodox church never will forgive the Universalist for saying + "God is love." It has always been considered as one of the very highest + evidences of true and undefiled religion to insist that all men, women and + children deserve eternal damnation. It has always been heresy to say, "God + will at last save all." + </p> + <p> + We are asked to justify these frightful passages, these infamous laws of + war, because the Bible is the word of God. As a matter of fact, there + never was, and there never can be, an argument, even tending to prove the + inspiration of any book whatever. In the absence of positive evidence, + analogy and experience, argument is simply impossible, and at the very + best, can amount only to a useless agitation of the air. + </p> + <p> + The instant we admit that a book is too sacred to be doubted, or even + reasoned about, we are mental serfs. It is infinitely absurd to suppose + that a god would address a communication to intelligent beings, and yet + make it a crime, to be punished in eternal flames, for them to use their + intelligence for the purpose of understanding his communication. If we + have the right to use our reason, we certainly have the right to act in + accordance with it, and no god can have the right to punish us for such + action. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine that future happiness depends upon belief is monstrous. It is + the infamy of infamies. The notion that faith in Christ is to be rewarded + by an eternity of bliss, while a dependence upon reason, observation, and + experience merits everlasting pain, is too absurd for refutation, and can + be relieved only by that unhappy mixture of insanity and ignorance, called + "faith." What man, who ever thinks, can believe that blood can appease + God? And yet, our entire system of religion is based upon that belief. The + Jews pacified Jehovah with the blood of animals, and according to the + Christian system, the blood of Jesus softened the heart of God a little, + and rendered possible the salvation of a fortunate few. It is hard to + conceive how the human mind can give assent to such terrible ideas, or how + any sane man can read the Bible and still believe in the doctrine of + inspiration. + </p> + <p> + Whether the Bible is true or false, is of no consequence in comparison + with the mental freedom of the race. + </p> + <p> + Salvation through slavery is worthless. Salvation from slavery is + inestimable. + </p> + <p> + As long as man believes the Bible to be infallible, that book is his + master. The civilization of this century is not the child of faith, but of + unbelief—the result of free thought. + </p> + <p> + All that is necessary, as it seems to me, to convince any reasonable + person that the Bible is simply and purely of human invention—of + barbarian invention—is to read it Read it as you would any other + book; think of it as you would of any other; get the bandage of reverence + from your eyes; drive from your heart the phantom of fear; push from the + throne of your brain the cowled form of superstition—then read the + Holy Bible, and you will be amazed that you ever, for one moment, supposed + a being of infinite wisdom, goodness and purity, to be the author of such + ignorance and of such atrocity. + </p> + <p> + Our ancestors not only had their god-factories, but they made devils as + well. These devils were generally disgraced and fallen gods. Some had + headed unsuccessful revolts; some had been caught sweetly reclining in the + shadowy folds of some fleecy cloud, kissing the wife of the god of gods. + These devils generally sympathized with man. There is in regard to them a + most wonderful fact: In nearly all the theologies, mythologies and + religions, the devils have been much more humane and merciful than the + gods. No devil ever gave one of his generals an order to kill children and + to rip open the bodies of pregnant women. Such barbarities were always + ordered by the good gods. The pestilences were sent by the most merciful + gods. The frightful famine, during which the dying child with pallid lips + sucked the withered bosom of a dead mother, was sent by the loving gods. + No devil was ever charged with such fiendish brutality. + </p> + <p> + One of these gods, according to the account, drowned an entire world, with + the exception of eight persons. The old, the young, the beautiful and the + helpless were remorsely devoured by the shoreless sea. This, the most + fearful tragedy that the imagination of ignorant priests ever conceived, + was the act, not of a devil, but of a god, so-called, whom men ignorantly + worship unto this day. What a stain such an act would leave upon the + character of a devil! One of the prophets of one of these gods, having in + his power a captured king, hewed him in pieces in the sight of all the + people. Was ever any imp of any devil guilty of such savagery? + </p> + <p> + One of these gods is reported to have given the following directions + concerning human slavery: "If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years shall + he serve, and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came + in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he were married, then his + wife shall go out with him. If his master have given him a wife, and she + have borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her + master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly + say, I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out free. + Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him + unto the door, or unto the door-post; and his master shall bore his ear + through with an awl; and he shall serve him forever." + </p> + <p> + According to this, a man was given liberty upon condition that he would + desert forever his wife and children. Did any devil ever force upon a + husband, upon a father, so cruel and so heartless an alternative? Who can + worship such a god? Who can bend the knee to such a monster? Who can pray + to such a fiend? + </p> + <p> + All these gods threatened to torment forever the souls of their enemies. + Did any devil ever make so infamous a threat? The basest thing recorded of + the devil, is what he did concerning Job and his family, and that was done + by the express permission of one of these gods, and to decide a little + difference of opinion between their serene highnesses as to the character + of "my servant Job." The first account we have of the devil is found in + that purely scientific book called Genesis, and is as follows: "Now the + serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God + had made, and he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat + of the fruit of the trees of the garden? And the woman said unto the + serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the + fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden God hath said, Ye + shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the + serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. For God doth know + that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened and ye + shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the + tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree + to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, + and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.... And the Lord + God said, Behold the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; + and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life and + eat, and live forever. Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the + Garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So he drove out + the man, and he placed at the east of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a + flaming sword, which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of + life." + </p> + <p> + According to this account the promise of the devil was fulfilled to the + very letter. Adam and Eve did not die, and they did become as gods, + knowing good and evil. + </p> + <p> + The account shows, however, that the gods dreaded education and knowledge + then just as they do now. The church still faithfully guards the dangerous + tree of knowledge, and has exerted in all ages her utmost power to keep + mankind from eating the fruit thereof. The priests have never ceased + repeating the old falsehood and the old threat: "Ye shall not eat of it, + neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." From every pulpit comes the same + cry, born of the same fear: "Lest they eat and become as gods, knowing + good and evil." For this reason, religion hates science, faith detests + reason, theology is the sworn enemy of philosophy, and the church with its + flaming sword still guards the hated tree, and like its supposed founder, + curses to the lowest depths the brave thinkers who eat and become as gods. + </p> + <p> + If the account given in Genesis is really true, ought we not, after all, + to thank this serpent? He was the first schoolmaster, the first advocate + of learning, the first enemy of ignorance, the first to whisper in human + ears the sacred word liberty, the creator of ambition, the author of + modesty, of inquiry, of doubt, of investigation, of progress and of + civilization. + </p> + <p> + Give me the storm and tempest of thought and action, rather than the dead + calm of ignorance and faith! Banish me from Eden when you will; but first + let me eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge! + </p> + <p> + Some nations have borrowed their gods; of this number, we are compelled to + say, is our own. The Jews having ceased to exist as a nation, and having + no further use for a god, our ancestors appropriated him and adopted their + devil at the same time. This borrowed god is still an object of some + adoration, and this adopted devil still excites the apprehensions of our + people. He is still supposed to be setting his traps and snares for the + purpose of catching our unwary souls, and is still, with reasonable + success, waging the old war against our God. + </p> + <p> + To me, it seems easy to account for these ideas concerning gods and + devils. They are a perfectly natural production. Man has created them all, + and under the same circumstances would create them again. Man has not only + created all these gods, but he has created them out of the materials by + which he has been surrounded. Generally he has modeled them after himself, + and has given them hands, heads, feet, eyes, ears, and organs of speech. + Each nation made its gods and devils speak its language not only, but put + in their mouths the same mistakes in history, geography, astronomy, and in + all matters of fact, generally made by the people. No god was ever in + advance of the nation that created him. The negroes represented their + deities with black skins and curly hair. The Mongolian gave to his a + yellow complexion and dark almond-shaped eyes. The Jews were not allowed + to paint theirs, or we should have seen Jehovah with a full beard, an oval + face, and an aquiline nose. Zeus was a perfect Greek, and Jove looked as + though a member of the Roman senate. The gods of Egypt had the patient + face and placid look of the loving people who made them. The gods of + northern countries were represented warmly clad in robes of fur; those of + the tropics were naked. The gods of India were often mounted upon + elephants; those of some islanders were great swimmers, and the deities of + the Arctic zone were passionately fond of whale's blubber. Nearly all + people have carved or painted representations of their gods, and these + representations were, by the lower classes, generally treated as the real + gods, and to these images and idols they addressed prayers and offered + sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + In some countries? even at this day, if the people after long praying do + not obtain their desires, they turn their images off as impotent gods, or + upbraid them in a most reproachful manner, loading them with blows and + curses. 'How now, dog of a spirit,' they say, 'we give you lodging in a + magnificent temple, we gild you with gold, feed you with the choicest + food, and offer incense to you; yet, after all this care, you are so + ungrateful as to refuse us what we ask.' + </p> + <p> + Hereupon they will pull the god down and drag him through the filth of the + street. If, in the meantime, it happens that they obtain their request, + then, with a great deal of ceremony, they wash him clean, carry him back + and place him in his temple again, where they fall down and make excuses + for what they have done. 'Of a truth,' they say, 'we were a little too + hasty, and you were a little too long in your grant. Why should you bring + this beating on yourself. But what is done cannot be undone. Let us not + think of it any more. If you will forget what is past, we will gild you + over brighter again than before. + </p> + <p> + Man has never been at a loss for gods. He has worshiped almost everything, + including the vilest and most disgusting beasts. He has worshiped fire, + earth, air, water, light, stars, and for hundreds of ages prostrated + himself before enormous snakes. Savage tribes often make gods of articles + they get from civilized people. The Todas worship a cow-bell. The Kotas + worship two silver plates, which they regard as husband and wife, and + another tribe manufactured a god out of a king of hearts. + </p> + <p> + Man, having always been the physical superior of woman, accounts for the + fact that most of the high gods have been males. Had woman been the + physical superior, the powers supposed to be the rulers of Nature would + have been women, and instead of being represented in the apparel of man, + they would have luxuriated in trains, lownecked dresses, laces and + back-hair. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be plainer than that each nation gives to its god its peculiar + characteristics, and that every individual gives to his god his personal + peculiarities. + </p> + <p> + Man has no ideas, and can have none, except those suggested by his + surroundings. He cannot conceive of anything utterly unlike what he has + seen or felt. He can exaggerate, diminish, combine, separate, deform, + beautify, improve, multiply and compare what he sees, what he feels, what + he hears, and all of which he takes cognizance through the medium of the + senses; but he cannot create. Having seen exhibitions of power, he can + say, omnipotent. Having lived, he can say, immortality. Knowing something + of time, he can say, eternity. Conceiving something of intelligence, he + can say, God. Having seen exhibitions of malice, he can say, devil. A few + gleams of happiness having fallen athwart the gloom of his life, he can + say, heaven. Pain, in its numberless forms, having been experienced, he + can say, hell. Yet all these ideas have a foundation in fact, and only a + foundation. The superstructure has been reared by exaggerating, + diminishing, combining, separating, deforming, beautifying, improving or + multiplying realities, so that the edifice or fabric is but the + incongruous grouping of what man has perceived through the medium of the + senses. It is as though we should give to a lion the wings of an eagle, + the hoofs of a bison, the tail of a horse, the pouch of a kangaroo, and + the trunk of an elephant. We have in imagination created an impossible + monster. And yet the various parts of this monster really exist So it is + with all the gods that man has made. + </p> + <p> + Beyond nature man cannot go even in thought—above nature he cannot + rise—below nature he cannot fall. + </p> + <p> + Man, in his ignorance, supposed that all phenomena were produced by some + intelligent powers, and with direct reference to him. To preserve friendly + relations with these powers was, and still is, the object of all + religions. Man knelt through fear and to implore assistance, or through + gratitude for some favor which he supposed had been rendered. He + endeavored by supplication to appease some being who, for some reason, + had, as he believed, become enraged. The lightning and thunder terrified + him. In the presence of the volcano he sank upon his knees. The great + forests filled with wild and ferocious beasts, the monstrous serpents + crawling in mysterious depths, the boundless sea, the flaming comets, the + sinister eclipses, the awful calmness of the stars, and, more than all, + the perpetual presence of death, convinced him that he was the sport and + prey of unseen and malignant powers. The strange and frightful diseases to + which he was subject, the freezings and burnings of fever, the contortions + of epilepsy, the sudden palsies, the darkness of night, and the wild, + terrible and fantastic dreams that filled his brain, satisfied him that he + was haunted and pursued by countless spirits of evil. For some reason he + supposed that these spirits differed in power—that they were not all + alike malevolent—that the higher controlled the lower, and that his + very existence depended upon gaining the assistance of the more powerful. + For this purpose he resorted to prayer, to flattery, to worship and to + sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + These ideas appear to have been almost universal in savage man. + </p> + <p> + For ages all nations supposed that the sick and insane were possessed by + evil spirits. For thousands of years the practice of medicine consisted in + frightening these spirits away. Usually the priests would make the loudest + and most discordant noises possible. They would blow horns, beat upon rude + drums, clash cymbals, and in the meantime utter the most unearthly yells. + If the noise-remedy failed, they would implore the aid of some more + powerful spirit. + </p> + <p> + To pacify these spirits was considered of infinite importance. The poor + barbarian, knowing that men could be softened by gifts, gave to these + spirits that which to him seemed of the most value. With bursting heart he + would offer the blood of his dearest child. It was impossible for him to + conceive of a god utterly unlike himself, and he naturally supposed that + these powers of the air would be affected a little at the sight of so + great and so deep a sorrow. It was with the barbarian then as with the + civilized now—one class lived upon and made merchandise of the fears + of another. Certain persons took it upon themselves to appease the gods, + and to instruct the people in their duties to these unseen powers. This + was the origin of the priesthood. The priest pretended to stand between + the wrath of the gods and the helplessness of man. He was man's attorney + at the court of heaven. He carried to the invisible world a flag of truce, + a protest and a request. He came back with a command, with authority and + with power. Man fell upon his knees before his own servant, and the + priest, taking advantage of the awe inspired by his supposed influence + with the gods, made of his fellow-man a cringing hypocrite and slave. Even + Christ, the supposed son of God, taught that persons were possessed of + evil spirits, and frequently, according to the account, gave proof of his + divine origin and mission by frightening droves of devils out of his + unfortunate countrymen. Casting out devils was his principal employment, + and the devils thus banished generally took occasion to acknowledge him as + the true Messiah; which was not only very kind of them, but quite + fortunate for him. The religious people have always regarded the testimony + of these devils as perfectly conclusive, and the writers of the New + Testament quote the words of these imps of darkness with great + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + The fact that Christ could withstand the temptations of the devil was + considered as conclusive evidence that he was assisted by some god, or at + least by some being superior to man. St. Matthew gives an account of an + attempt made by the devil to tempt the supposed son of God; and it has + always excited the wonder of Christians that the temptation was so nobly + and heroically withstood. The account to which I refer is as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of + the devil. And when the tempter came to him, he said: 'If thou be the son + of God, command that these stones be made bread.' But he answered, and + said: 'It is written: man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word + that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' Then the devil taketh him up + into the holy city and setteth him upon a pinnacle of the temple and saith + unto him: 'If thou be the son of God, cast thyself down; for it is + written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, lest at any time + thou shalt dash thy foot against a stone,'Jesus said unto him: 'It is + written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.' Again the devil + taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain and sheweth him all the + kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and saith unto him: 'All + these will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me.'" + </p> + <p> + The Christians now claim that Jesus was God. If he was God, of course the + devil knew that fact, and yet, according to this account, the devil took + 'the omnipotent God and placed him upon a pinnacle of the temple, and + endeavored to induce him to dash himself against the earth. Failing in + that, he took the creator, owner and governor of the universe up into an + exceeding high mountain, and offered him this world—this grain of + sand—if he, the God of all the worlds, would fall down and worship + him, a poor devil, without even a tax title to one foot of dirt! Is it + possible the devil was such an idiot? Should any great credit be given to + this deity for not being caught with such chaff? Think of it! The devil—the + prince of sharpers—the king of cunning—the master of finesse, + trying to bribe God with a grain of sand that belonged to God! + </p> + <p> + Is there in all the religious literature of the world anything more + grossly absurd than this? + </p> + <p> + These devils, according to the Bible, were of various kinds—some + could speak and hear, others were deaf and dumb. All could not be cast out + in the same way. The deaf and dumb spirits were quite difficult to deal + with. St. Mark tells of a gentleman who brought his son to Christ. The + boy, it seems, was possessed of a dumb spirit, over which the disciples + had no control. "Jesus said unto the spirit: 'Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I + charge thee come out of him, and enter no more into him.'" Whereupon, the + deaf spirit (having heard what was said) cried out (being dumb) and + immediately vacated the premises. The ease with which Christ controlled + this deaf and dumb spirit excited the wonder of his disciples, and they + asked him privately why they could not cast that spirit out. To whom he + replied: "This kind can come forth by nothing but prayer and fasting." Is + there a Christian in the whole world who would believe such a story if + found in any other book? The trouble is, these pious people shut up their + reason, and then open their Bible. + </p> + <p> + In the olden times the existence of devils was universally admitted. The + people had no doubt upon that subject, and from such belief it followed as + a matter of course, that a person, in order to vanquish these devils, had + either to be a god, or to be assisted by one. All founders of religions + have established their claims to divine origin by controlling evil spirits + and suspending the laws of nature. Casting out devils was a certificate of + divinity. A prophet, unable to cope with the powers of darkness was + regarded with contempt The utterance of the highest and noblest + sentiments, the most blameless and holy life, commanded but little + respect, unless accompanied by power to work miracles and command spirits. + </p> + <p> + This belief in good and evil powers had its origin in the fact that man + was surrounded by what he was pleased to call good and evil phenomena. + Phenomena affecting man pleasantly were ascribed to good spirits, while + those affecting him unpleasantly or injuriously, were ascribed to evil + spirits. It being admitted that all phenomena were produced by spirits, + the spirits were divided according to the phenomena, and the phenomena + were good or bad as they affected man. + </p> + <p> + Good spirits were supposed to be the authors of good phenomena, and evil + spirits of the evil—so that the idea of a devil has been as + universal as the idea of a god. + </p> + <p> + Many writers maintain that an idea to become universal must be true; that + all universal ideas are innate, and that innate ideas cannot be false. If + the fact that an idea has been universal proves that it is innate, and if + the fact that an idea is innate proves that it is correct, then the + believers in innate ideas must admit that the evidence of a god superior + to nature, and of a devil superior to nature, is exactly the same, and + that the existence of such a devil must be as self-evident as the + existence of such a god. The truth is, a god was inferred from good, and a + devil from bad, phenomena. And it is just as natural and logical to + suppose that a devil would cause happiness as to suppose that a god would + produce misery. Consequently, if an intelligence, infinite and supreme, is + the immediate author of all phenomena, it is difficult to determine + whether such intelligence is the friend or enemy of man. If phenomena were + all good, we might say they were all produced by a perfectly beneficent + being. If they were all bad, we might say they were produced by a + perfectly malevolent power; but, as phenomena are, as they affect man, + both good and bad, they must be produced by different and antagonistic + spirits; by one who is sometimes actuated by kindness, and sometimes by + malice; or all must be produced of necessity, and without reference to + their consequences upon man. + </p> + <p> + The foolish doctrine that all phenomena can be traced to the interference + of good and evil spirits, has been, and still is, almost universal. That + most people still believe in some spirit that can change the natural order + of events, is proven by the fact that nearly all resort to prayer. + Thousands, at this very moment, are probably imploring some supposed power + to interfere in their behalf. Some want health restored; some ask that the + loved and absent be watched over and protected, some pray for riches, some + for rain, some want diseases stayed, some vainly ask for food, some ask + for revivals, a few ask for more wisdom, and now and then one tells the + Lord to do as he may think best. Thousands ask to be protected from the + devil; some, like David, pray for revenge, and some implore even God, not + to lead them into temptation. All these prayers rest upon, and are + produced by, the idea that some power not only can, but probably will, + change the order of the universe. This belief has been among the great + majority of tribes and nations. All sacred books are filled with the + accounts of such interferences, and our own Bible is no exception to this + rule. + </p> + <p> + If we believe in a power superior to nature, it is perfectly natural to + suppose that such power can and will interfere in the affairs of this + world. If there is no interference, of what practical use can such power + be? The Scriptures give us the most wonderful accounts of divine + interference: Animals talk like men; springs gurgle from dry bones; the + sun and moon stop in the heavens in order that General Joshua may have + more time to murder; the shadow on a dial goes back ten degrees to + convince a petty king of a barbarous people that he is not going to die of + a boil; fire refuses to burn; water positively declines to seek its level, + but stands up like a wall; grains of sand become lice; common + walking-sticks, to gratify a mere freak, twist themselves into serpents, + and then swallow each other by way of exercise; murmuring streams, + laughing at the attraction of gravitation, run up hill for years, + following wandering tribes from a pure love of frolic; prophecy becomes + altogether easier than history; the sons of God become enamored of the + world's girls; women are changed into salt for the purpose of keeping a + great event fresh in the minds of men; an excellent article of brimstone + is imported from heaven free of duty; clothes refuse to wear out for forty + years; birds keep restaurants and feed wandering prophets free of expense; + bears tear children in pieces for laughing at old men without wigs; + muscular development depends upon the length of one's hair; dead people + come to life, simply to get a joke on their enemies and heirs; witches and + wizards converse freely with the souls of the departed, and God himself + becomes a stone-cutter and engraver, after having been a tailor and + dressmaker. + </p> + <p> + The veil between heaven and earth was always rent or lifted. The shadows + of this world, the radiance of heaven, and the glare of hell mixed and + mingled until man became uncertain as to which country he really + inhabited. Man dwelt in an unreal world. He mistook his ideas, his dreams, + for real things. His fears became terrible and malicious monsters. He + lived in the midst of furies and fairies, nymphs and naiads, goblins and + ghosts, witches and wizards, sprites and spooks, deities and devils. The + obscure and gloomy depths were filled with claw and wing—with beak + and hoof—with leering looks and sneering mouths—with the + malice of deformity—with the cunning of hatred, and with all the + slimy forms that fear can draw and paint upon the shadowy canvas of the + dark. + </p> + <p> + It is enough to make one almost insane with pity to think what man in the + long night has suffered; of the tortures he has endured, surrounded, as he + supposed, by malignant powers and clutched by the fierce phantoms of the + air. No wonder that he fell upon his trembling knees—that he built + altars and reddened them even with his own blood. No wonder that he + implored ignorant priests and impudent magicians for aid. No wonder that + he crawled groveling in the dust to the temple's door, and there, in the + insanity of despair, besought the deaf gods to hear his bitter cry of + agony and fear. + </p> + <p> + The savage as he emerges from a state of barbarism, gradually loses faith + in his idols of wood and stone, and in their place puts a multitude of + spirits. As he advances in knowledge, he generally discards the petty + spirits, and in their stead believes in one, whom he supposes to be + infinite and supreme. Supposing this great spirit to be superior to + nature, he offers worship or flattery in exchange for assistance. At last, + finding that he obtains no aid from this supposed deity—: finding + that every search after the absolute must of necessity end in failure—finding + that man cannot by any possibility conceive of the conditionless—he + begins to investigate the facts by which he is surrounded, and to depend + upon himself. + </p> + <p> + The people are beginning to think, to reason and to investigate. Slowly, + painfully, but surely, the gods are being driven from the earth. Only upon + rare occasions are they, even by the most religious, supposed to interfere + in the affairs of men. In most matters we are at last supposed to be free. + Since the invention of steamships and railways, so that the products of + all countries can be easily interchanged, the gods have quit the business + of producing famine. Now and then they kill a child because it is idolized + by its parents. As a rule they have given up causing accidents on + railroads, exploding boilers, and bursting kerosene lamps. Cholera, yellow + fever, and small-pox are still considered heavenly weapons; but measles, + itch and ague are now attributed to natural causes. As a general thing, + the gods have stopped drowning children, except as a punishment for + violating the Sabbath. They still pay some attention to the affairs of + kings, men of genius and persons of great wealth; but ordinary people are + left to shirk for themselves as best they may. In wars between great + nations, the gods still interfere; but in prize fights, the best man with + an honest referee, is almost sure to win. + </p> + <p> + The church cannot abandon the idea of special providence. To give up that + doctrine is to give up all. The church must insist that prayer is answered—that + some power superior to nature hears and grants the request of the sincere + and humble Christian, and that this same power in some mysterious way + provides for all. + </p> + <p> + A devout clergyman sought every opportunity to impress upon the mind of + his son the fact, that God takes care of all his creatures; that the + falling sparrow attracts his attention, and that his loving kindness is + over all his works. Happening, one day, to see a crane wading in quest of + food, the good man pointed out to his son the perfect adaptation of the + crane to get his living in that manner. "See," said he, "how his legs are + formed for wading! What a long slender bill he has! Observe how nicely he + folds his feet when putting them in or drawing them out of the water! He + does not cause the slightest ripple. He is thus enabled to approach the + fish without giving them any notice of his arrival." "My son," said he, + "it is impossible to look at that bird without recognizing the design, as + well as the goodness of God, in thus providing the means of subsistence." + "Yes," replied the boy, "I think I see the goodness of God, at least so + far as the crane is concerned; but after all, father, don't you think the + arrangement a little tough on the fish?" + </p> + <p> + Even the advanced religionist, although disbelieving in any great amount + of interference by the gods in this age of the world, still thinks, that + in the beginning, some god made the laws governing the universe. He + believes that in consequence of these laws a man can lift a greater weight + with, than without, a lever; that this god so made matter, and so + established the order of things, that two bodies cannot occupy the same + space at the same time; so that a body once put in motion will keep moving + until it is stopped; so that it is a greater distance around, than across + a circle; so that a perfect square has four equal sides, instead of five + or seven. He insists that it took a direct interposition of Providence to + make the whole greater than a part, and that had it not been for this + power superior to nature, twice one might have been more than twice two, + and sticks and strings might have had only one end apiece. Like the old + Scotch divine, he thanks God that Sunday comes at the end instead of in + the middle of the week, and that death comes at the close instead of at + the commencement of life, thereby giving us time to prepare for that holy + day and that most solemn event These religious people see nothing but + design everywhere, and personal, intelligent interference in everything. + They insist that the universe has been created, and that the adaptation of + means to ends is perfectly apparent. They point us to the sunshine, to the + flowers, to the April rain, and to all there is of beauty and of use in + the world. Did it ever occur to them that a cancer is as beautiful in its + development as is the reddest rose? That what they are pleased to call the + adaptation of means to ends, is as apparent in the cancer as in the April + rain? How beautiful the process of digestion! By what ingenious methods + the blood is poisoned so that the cancer shall have food! By what + wonderful contrivances the entire system of man is made to pay tribute to + this divine and charming cancer! See by what admirable instrumentalities + it feeds itself from the surrounding quivering, dainty flesh! See how it + gradually but surely expands and grows! By what marvelous mechanism it is + supplied with long and slender roots that reach out to the most secret + nerves of pain for sustenance and life! What beautiful colors it presents! + Seen through the microscope it is a miracle of order and beauty. All the + ingenuity of man cannot stop its growth. Think of the amount of thought it + must have required to invent a way by which the life of one man might be + given to produce one cancer? Is it possible to look upon it and doubt that + there is design in the universe, and that the inventor of this wonderful + cancer must be infinitely powerful, ingenious and good? + </p> + <p> + We are told that the universe was designed and created, and that it is + absurd to suppose that matter has existed from eternity, but that it is + perfectly self-evident that a god has. + </p> + <p> + If a god created the universe, then, there must have been a time when he + commenced to create. Back of that time there must have been an eternity, + during which there had existed nothing—absolutely nothing—except + this supposed god. According to this theory, this god spent an eternity, + so to speak, in an infinite vacuum, and in perfect idleness. + </p> + <p> + Admitting that a god did create the universe, the question then arises, of + what did he create it? It certainly was not made of nothing. Nothing, + considered in the light of a raw material, is a most decided failure. It + follows, then, that the god must have made the universe out of himself, he + being the only existence. The universe is material, and if it was made of + god, the god must have been material. With this very thought in his mind, + Anaximander of Miletus said: "Creation is the decomposition of the + infinite." + </p> + <p> + It has been demonstrated that the earth would fall to the sun, only for + the fact, that it is attracted by other worlds, and those worlds must be + attracted by other worlds still beyond them, and so on, without end. This + proves the material universe to be infinite. If an infinite universe has + been made out of an infinite god, how much of the god is left? + </p> + <p> + The idea of a creative deity is gradually being abandoned, and nearly all + truly scientific minds admit that matter must have existed from eternity. + It is indestructible, and the indestructible cannot be created. It is the + crowning glory of our century to have demonstrated the indestructibility + and the eternal persistence of force. Neither matter nor force can be + increased nor diminished. Force cannot exist apart from matter. Matter + exists only in connection with force, and consequently, a force apart from + matter, and superior to nature, is a demonstrated impossibility. + </p> + <p> + Force, then, must have also existed from eternity, and could not have been + created. Matter in its countless forms, from dead earth to the eyes of + those we love, and force, in all its manifestations, from simple motion to + the grandest thought, deny creation and defy control. + </p> + <p> + Thought is a form of force. We walk with the same force with which we + think. Man is an organism, that changes several forms of force into + thought-force. Man is a machine into which we put what we call food, and + produce what we call thought. Think of that wonderful chemistry by which + bread was changed into the divine tragedy of Hamlet! + </p> + <p> + A god must not only be material, but he must be an organism, capable of + changing other forms of force into thought-force. This is what we call + eating. Therefore, if the god thinks, he must eat, that is to say, he must + of necessity have some means of supplying the force with which to think. + It is impossible to conceive of a being who can eternally impart force to + matter, and yet have no means of supplying the force thus imparted. + </p> + <p> + If neither matter nor force were created, what evidence have we, then, of + the existence of a power superior to nature? The theologian will probably + reply, "We have law and order, cause and effect, and beside all this, + matter could not have put itself in motion." + </p> + <p> + Suppose, for the sake of the argument, that there is no being superior to + nature, and that matter and force have existed from eternity. Now, suppose + that two atoms should come together, would there be an effect? Yes. + Suppose they came in exactly opposite directions with equal force, they + would be stopped, to say the least. This would be an effect. If this is + so, then you have matter, force and effect without a being superior to + nature. Now, suppose that two other atoms, just like the first two, should + come together under precisely the same circumstances, would not the effect + be exactly the same? Yes. Like causes, producing like effects, is what we + mean by law and order. Then we have matter, force, effect, law and order + without a being superior to nature. Now, we know that every effect must + also be a cause, and that every cause must be an effect. The atoms coming + together did produce an effect, and as every effect must also be a cause, + the effect produced by the collision of the atoms, must as to something + else have been a cause. Then we have matter, force, law, order, cause and + effect without a being superior to nature. Nothing is left for the + supernatural but empty space. His throne is a void, and his boasted realm + is without matter, without force, without law, without cause, and without + effect. + </p> + <p> + But what put all this matter in motion? If matter and force have existed + from eternity, then matter must have always been in motion. There can be + no force without motion. Force is forever active, and there is, and there + can be no cessation. If, therefore, matter and force have existed from + eternity, so has motion. In the whole universe there is not even one atom + in a state of rest. + </p> + <p> + A deity outside of nature exists in nothing, and is nothing. Nature + embraces with infinite arms all matter and all force. That which is beyond + her grasp is destitute of both, and can hardly be worth the worship and + adoration even of a man. + </p> + <p> + There is but one way to demonstrate the existence of a power independent + of and superior to nature, and that is by breaking, if only for one + moment, the continuity of cause and effect Pluck from the endless chain of + existence one little link; stop for one instant the grand procession, and + you have shown beyond all contradiction that nature has a master. Change + the fact, just for one second, that matter attracts matter, and a god + appears. + </p> + <p> + The rudest savage has always known this fact, and for that reason always + demanded the evidence of miracle. The founder of a religion must be able + to turn water into wine—cure with a word the blind and lame, and + raise with a simple touch the dead to life. It was necessary for him to + demonstrate to the satisfaction of his barbarian disciple, that he was + superior to nature. In times of ignorance this was easy to do. The + credulity of the savage was almost boundless. To him the marvelous was the + beautiful, the mysterious was the sublime. Consequently, every religion + has for its foundation a miracle—that is to say, a violation of + nature—that is to say, a falsehood. + </p> + <p> + No one, in the world's whole history, ever attempted to substantiate a + truth by a miracle. Truth scorns the assistance of miracle. Nothing but + falsehood ever attested itself by signs and wonders. No miracle ever was + performed, and no sane man ever thought he had performed one, and until + one is performed, there can be no evidence of the existence of any power + superior to and independent of nature. + </p> + <p> + The church wishes us to believe. Let the church, or one of its + intellectual saints, perform a miracle, and we will believe. We are told + that nature has a superior. Let this superior, for one single instant, + control nature, and we will admit the truth of your assertions. + </p> + <p> + We have heard talk enough. We have listened to all the drowsy, idealess, + vapid sermons that we wish to hear. We have read your Bible and the works + of your best minds. We have heard your prayers, your solemn groans and + your reverential amens. All these amount to less than nothing. We want one + fact. We beg at the doors of your churches for just one little fact We + pass our hats along your pews and under your pulpits and implore you for + just one fact We know all about your mouldy wonders and your stale + miracles. We want a this year's fact. We ask only one. Give us one fact + for charity. Your miracles are too ancient. The witnesses have been dead + for nearly two thousand years. Their reputation for "truth and veracity" + in the neighborhood where they resided is wholly unknown to us. Give us a + new miracle, and substantiate it by witnesses who still have the cheerful + habit of living in this world. Do not send us to Jericho to hear the + winding horns, nor put us in the fire with Shadrach, Meshech, and + Abednego. Do not compel us to navigate the sea with Captain Jonah, nor + dine with Mr. Ezekiel. There is no sort of use in sending us fox-hunting + with Samson. We have positively lost all interest in that little speech so + eloquently delivered by Balaam's inspired donkey. It is worse than useless + to show us fishes with money in their mouths, and call our attention to + vast multitudes stuffing themselves with five crackers and two sardines. + We demand a new miracle, and we demand it now. Let the church furnish at + least one, or forever after hold her peace. + </p> + <p> + In the olden time, the church, by violating the order of nature, proved + the existence of her God. At that time miracles were performed with the + most astonishing ease. They became so common that the church ordered her + priests to desist. And now this same church—the people having found + some little sense—admits, not only, that she cannot perform a + miracle, but insists that the absence of miracle—the steady, + unbroken march of cause and effect, proves the existence of a power + superior to nature. The fact is, however, that the indissoluble chain of + cause and effect proves exactly the contrary. + </p> + <p> + Sir William Hamilton, one of the pillars of modern theology, in discussing + this very subject, uses the following language: "The phenomena of matter + taken by themselves, so far from warranting any inference to the existence + of a god, would on the contrary ground even an argument to his negation. + The phenomena of the material world are subjected to immutable laws; are + produced and reproduced in the same invariable succession, and manifest + only the blind force of a mechanical necessity." + </p> + <p> + Nature is but an endless series of efficient causes. She cannot create, + but she eternally transforms. There was no beginning, and there can be no + end. + </p> + <p> + The best minds, even in the religious world, admit that in material nature + there is no evidence of what they are pleased to call a god. They find + their evidence in the phenomena of intelligence, and very innocently + assert that intelligence is above, and in fact, opposed to nature. They + insist that man, at least, is a special creation; that he has somewhere in + his brain a divine spark, a little portion of the "Great First Cause." + They say that matter cannot produce thought; but that thought can produce + matter. They tell us that man has intelligence, and therefore there must + be an intelligence greater than his. Why not say, God has intelligence, + therefore there must be an intelligence greater than his? So far as we + know, there is no intelligence apart from matter. We cannot conceive of + thought, except as produced within a brain. + </p> + <p> + The science, by means of which they demonstrate the existence of an + impossible intelligence, and an incomprehensible power is called, + metaphysics or theology. The theologians admit that the phenomena of + matter tend, at least, to disprove the existence of any power superior to + nature, because in such phenomena we see nothing but an endless chain of + efficient causes—nothing but the force of a mechanical necessity. + They therefore appeal to what they denominate the phenomena of mind to + establish this superior power. + </p> + <p> + The trouble is, that in the phenomena of mind we find the same endless + chain of efficient causes; the same mechanical necessity. Every thought + must have had an efficient cause. Every motive, every desire, every fear, + hope and dream must have been necessarily produced. There is no room in + the mind of man for providence or chance. The facts and forces governing + thought are as absolute as those governing the motions of the planets. A + poem is produced by the forces of nature, and is as necessarily and + naturally produced as mountains and seas. You will seek in vain for a + thought in man's brain without its efficient cause. Every mental operation + is the necessary result of certain facts and conditions. Mental phenomena + are considered more complicated than those of matter, and consequently + more mysterious. Being more mysterious, they are considered better + evidence of the existence of a god. No one infers a god from the simple, + from the known, from what is understood, but from the complex, from the + unknown, and, incomprehensible. Our ignorance is God; what we know is + science. + </p> + <p> + When we abandon the doctrine that some infinite being created matter and + force, and enacted a code of laws for their government, the idea of + interference will be lost. The real priest will then be, not the + mouth-piece of some pretended deity, but the interpreter of nature. From + that moment the church ceases to exist. The tapers will die out upon the + dusty altar; the moths will eat the fading velvet of pulpit and pew; the + Bible will take its place with the Shastras, Puranas, Vedas, Eddas, Sagas + and Korans, and the fetters of a degrading faith will fall from the minds + of men. + </p> + <p> + "But," says the religionist, "you cannot explain everything; you cannot + understand everything; and that which you cannot explain, that which you + do not comprehend, is my God." + </p> + <p> + We are explaining more every day. We are understanding more every day; + consequently your God is growing smaller every day. + </p> + <p> + Nothing daunted, the religionist then insists that nothing can exist + without a cause, except cause, and that this uncaused cause is God. + </p> + <p> + To this we again reply: Every cause must produce an effect, because until + it does produce an effect, it is not a cause. Every effect must in its + turn become a cause. Therefore, in the nature of things, there cannot be a + last cause, for the reason that a so-called last cause would necessarily + produce an effect, and that effect must of necessity becomes a cause. The + converse of these propositions must be true. Every effect must have had a + cause, and every cause must have been an effect. Therefore there could + have been no first cause. A first cause is just as impossible as a last + effect. + </p> + <p> + Beyond the universe there is nothing, and within the universe the + supernatural does not and cannot exist. + </p> + <p> + The moment these great truths are understood and admitted, a belief in + general or special providence become impossible. From that instant men + will cease their vain efforts to please an imaginary being, and will give + their time and attention to the affairs of this world. They will abandon + the idea of attaining any object by prayer and supplication. The element + of uncertainty will, in a great measure, be removed from the domain of the + future, and man, gathering courage from a succession of victories over the + obstructions of nature, will attain a serene grandeur unknown to the + disciples of any superstition. The plans of mankind will no longer be + interfered with by the finger of a supposed omnipotence, and no one will + believe that nations or individuals are protected or destroyed by any + deity whatever. Science, freed from the chains of pious custom and + evangelical prejudice, will, within her sphere, be supreme. The mind will + investigate without reverence, and publish its conclusions without fear. + Agassiz will no longer hesitate to declare the Mosaic cosmogony utterly + inconsistent with the demonstrated truths of geology, and will cease + pretending any reverence for the Jewish Scriptures. The moment science + succeeds in rendering the church powerless for evil, the real thinkers + will be outspoken. The little flags of truce carried by timid philosophers + will disappear, and the cowardly parley will give place to victory—lasting + and universal. + </p> + <p> + If we admit that some infinite being has controlled the destinies of + persons and peoples, history becomes a most cruel and bloody farce. Age + after age, the strong have trampled upon the weak; the crafty and + heartless have ensnared and enslaved the simple and innocent, and nowhere, + in all the annals of mankind, has any god succored the oppressed. + </p> + <p> + Man should cease to expect aid from on high. By this time he should know + that heaven has no ear to hear, and no hand to help. The present is the + necessary child of all the past. There has been no chance, and there can + be no interference. + </p> + <p> + If abuses are destroyed, man must destroy them. If slaves are freed, man + must free them. If new truths are discovered, man must discover them. If + the naked are clothed; if the hungry are fed; if justice is done; if labor + is rewarded; if superstition is driven from the mind; if the defenceless + are protected and if the right finally triumphs, all must be the work of + man. The grand victories of the future must be won by man, and by man + alone. + </p> + <p> + Nature, so far as we can discern, without passion and without intention, + forms, transforms, and retransforms forever. She neither weeps nor + rejoices. She produces man without purpose, and obliterates him without + regret. She knows no distinction between the beneficial and the hurtful. + Poison and nutrition, pain and joy, life and death, smiles and tears are + alike to her. She is neither merciful nor cruel. She cannot be flattered + by worship nor melted by tears. She does not know even the attitude of + prayer. She appreciates no difference between poison in the fangs of + snakes and mercy in the hearts of men. Only through man does nature take + cognizance of the good, the true, and the beautiful; and, so far as we + know, man is the highest intelligence. + </p> + <p> + And yet man continues to believe that there is some power independent of + and superior to nature, and still endeavors, by form, ceremony, + supplication, hypocrisy and sacrifice, to obtain its aid. His best + energies have been wasted in the service of this phantom. The horrors of + witchcraft were all born of an ignorant belief in the existence of a + totally depraved being superior to nature, acting in perfect independence + of her laws; and all religious superstition has had for its basis a belief + in at least two beings, one good and the other bad, both of whom could + arbitrarily change the order of the universe. The history of religion is + simply the story of man's efforts in all ages to avoid one of these + powers, and to pacify the other. Both powers have inspired little else + than abject fear. The cold, calculating sneer of the devil, and the frown + of God, were equally terrible. In any event, man's fate was to be + arbitrarily fixed forever by an unknown power superior to all law, and to + all fact. Until this belief is thrown aside, man must consider himself the + slave of phantom masters—neither of whom promise liberty in this + world nor in the next. + </p> + <p> + Man must learn to rely upon himself. Reading bibles will not protect him + from the blasts of winter, but houses, fires, and clothing will. To + prevent famine, one plow is worth a million sermons, and even patent + medicines will cure more diseases than all the prayers uttered since the + beginning of the world. + </p> + <p> + Although many eminent men have endeavored to harmonize necessity and free + will, the existence of evil, and the infinite power and good ness of God, + they have succeeded only in producing learned and ingenious failures. + Immense efforts have been made to reconcile ideas utterly inconsistent + with the facts by which we are surrounded, and all persons who have failed + to perceive the pretended reconciliation, have been denounced as infidels, + atheists and scoffers. The whole power of the church has been brought to + bear against philosophers and scientists in order to compel a denial of + the authority of demonstration, and to induce some Judas to betray Reason, + one of the saviors of mankind. + </p> + <p> + During that frightful period known as the "Dark Ages," Faith reigned, with + scarcely a rebellious subject. Her temples were "carpeted with knees," and + the wealth of nations adorned her countless shrines. The great painters + prostituted their genius to immortalize her vagaries, while the poets + enshrined them in song. At her bidding, man covered the earth with blood. + The scales of Justice were turned with her gold, and for her use were + invented all the cunning instruments of pain. She built cathedrals for + God, and dungeons for men. She peopled the clouds with angels and the + earth with slaves. For centuries the world was retracing its steps—going + steadily back toward barbaric night! A few infidels—a few heretics + cried, "Halt!" to the great rabble of ignorant devotion, and made it + possible for the genius of the nineteenth century to revolutionize the + cruel creeds and superstitions of mankind. + </p> + <p> + The thoughts of man, in order to be of any real worth, must be free. Under + the influence of fear the brain is paralyzed, and instead of bravely + solving a problem for itself, tremblingly adopts the solution of another. + As long as a majority of men will cringe to the very earth before some + petty prince or king, what must be the infinite abjectness of their little + souls in the presence of their supposed creator and God? Under such + circumstances, what can their thoughts be worth? + </p> + <p> + The originality of repetition, and the mental vigor of acquiescence, are + all that we have any right to expect from the Christian world. As long as + every question is answered by the word "God," scientific inquiry is simply + impossible. As fast as phenomena are satisfactorily explained the domain + of the power, supposed to be superior to nature must decrease, while the + horizon of the known must as constantly continue to enlarge. + </p> + <p> + It is no longer satisfactory to account for the fall and rise of nations + by saying, "It is the will of God." Such an explanation puts ignorance and + education upon an exact equality, and does away with the idea of really + accounting for anything whatever. + </p> + <p> + Will the religionist pretend that the real end of science is to ascertain + how and why God acts? Science, from such a standpoint would consist in + investigating the law of arbitrary action, and in a grand endeavor to + ascertain the rules necessarily obeyed by infinite caprice. + </p> + <p> + From a philosophical point of view, science is knowledge of the laws of + life; of the conditions of happiness; of the facts by which we are + surrounded, and the relations we sustain to men and things—by means + of which, man, so to speak, subjugates nature and bends the elemental + powers to his will, making blind force the servant of his brain. + </p> + <p> + A belief in special providence does away with the spirit of investigation, + and is inconsistent with personal effort. Why should man endeavor to + thwart the designs of God? Which of you, by taking thought, can add one + cubit to his stature? Under the influence of this belief, man, basking in + the sunshine of a delusion, considers the lilies of the field and refuses + to take any thought for the morrow. Believing himself in the power of an + infinite being, who can, at any moment, dash him to the lowest hell or + raise him to the highest heaven, he necessarily abandons the idea of + accomplishing anything by his own efforts. As long as this belief was + general, the world was filled with ignorance, superstition and misery. The + energies of man were wasted in a vain effort to obtain the aid of this + power, supposed to be superior to nature. For countless ages, even men + were sacrificed upon the altar of this impossible god. To please him, + mothers have shed the blood of their own babes; martyrs have chanted + triumphant songs in the midst of flame; priests have gorged themselves + with blood; nuns have forsworn the ecstasies of love; old men have + tremblingly implored; women have sobbed and entreated; every pain has been + endured, and every horror has been perpetrated. + </p> + <p> + Through the dim long years that have fled, humanity has suffered more than + can be conceived. Most of the misery has been endured by the weak, the + loving and the innocent Women have been treated like poisonous beasts, and + little children trampled upon as though they had been vermin. Numberless + altars have been reddened, even with the blood of babes; beautiful girls + have been given to slimy serpents; whole races of men doomed to centuries + of slavery, and everywhere there has been outrage beyond the power of + genius to express. During all these years the suffering have supplicated; + the withered lips of famine have prayed; the pale victims have implored, + and Heaven has been deaf and blind. + </p> + <p> + Of what use have the gods been to man? + </p> + <p> + It is no answer to say that some god created the world, established + certain laws, and then turned his attention to other matters, leaving his + children weak, ignorant and unaided, to fight the battle of life alone. It + is no solution to declare that in some, other world this god will render a + few, or even all, his subjects happy. What right have we to expect that a + perfectly wise, good and powerful being will ever do better than he has + done, and is doing? The world is filled with imperfections. If it was made + by an infinite being, what reason have we for saying that he will render + it nearer perfect than it now is? If the infinite "Father" allows a + majority of his children to live in ignorance and wretchedness now, what + evidence is there that he will ever improve their condition? Will God have + more power? Will he become more merciful? Will his love for his poor + creatures increase? Can the conduct of infinite wisdom, power and love + ever change? Is the infinite capable of any improvement whatever? + </p> + <p> + We are informed by the clergy that this world is a kind of school; that + the evils by which we are surrounded are for the purpose of developing our + souls, and that only by suffering can men become pure, strong, virtuous + and grand. + </p> + <p> + Supposing this to be true, what is to become of those who die in infancy? + The little children, according to this philosophy, can never be developed. + They were so unfortunate as to escape the ennobling influences of pain and + misery, and as a consequence, are doomed to an eternity of mental + inferiority. If the clergy are right on this question, none are so + unfortunate as the happy, and we should envy only the suffering and + distressed. If evil is necessary to the development of man, in this life, + how is it possible for the soul to improve in the perfect joy of Paradise? + </p> + <p> + Since Paley found his watch, the argument of "design" has been relied upon + as unanswerable. The church teaches that this world, and all that it + contains, were created substantially as we now see them; that the grasses, + the flowers, the trees, and all animals, including man, were special + creations, and that they sustain no necessary relation to each other. The + most orthodox will admit that some earth has been washed into the sea; + that the sea has encroached a little upon the land, and that some + mountains may be a trifle lower than in the morning of creation. The + theory of gradual development was unknown to our fathers; the idea of + evolution did not occur to them. Our fathers looked upon the then + arrangement of things as the primal arrangement. The earth appeared to + them fresh from the hands of a deity. They knew nothing of the slow + evolutions of countless years, but supposed that the almost infinite + variety of vegetable and animal forms had existed from the first. + </p> + <p> + Suppose that upon some island we should find a man a million years of age, + and suppose that we should find him in the possession of a most beautiful + carriage, constructed upon the most perfect model. And suppose, further, + that he should tell us that it was the result of several hundred thousand + years of labor and of thought; that for fifty thousand years he used as + flat a log as he could find, before it occurred to him, that by splitting + the log, he could have the same surface with only half the weight; that it + took him many thousand years to invent wheels for this log; that the + wheels he first used were solid, and that fifty thousand years of thought + suggested the use of spokes and tire; that for many centuries he used the + wheels without linch-pins; that it took a hundred thousand years more to + think of using four wheels, instead of two; that for ages he walked behind + the carriage, when going down hill, in order to hold it back, and that + only by a lucky chance he invented the tongue; would we conclude that this + man, from the very first, had been an infinitely ingenious and perfect + mechanic? Suppose we found him living in an elegant mansion, and he should + inform us that he lived in that house for five hundred thousand years + before he thought of putting on a roof, and that he had but recently + invented windows and doors; would we say that from the beginning he had + been an infinitely accomplished and scientific architect? + </p> + <p> + Does not an improvement in the things created, show a corresponding + improvement in the creator? + </p> + <p> + Would an infinitely wise, good and powerful God, intending to produce man, + commence with the lowest possible forms of life; with the simplest + organism that can be imagined, and during immeasurable periods of time, + slowly and almost imperceptibly improve upon the rude beginning, until man + was evolved? Would countless ages thus be wasted in the production of + awkward forms, afterwards abandoned? Can the intelligence of man discover + the least wisdom in covering the earth with crawling, creeping horrors, + that live only upon the agonies and pangs of others? Can we see the + propriety of so constructing the earth, that only an insignificant portion + of its surface is capable of producing an intelligent man? Who can + appreciate the mercy of so making the world that all animals devour + animals; so that every mouth is a slaughterhouse, and every stomach a + tomb? Is it possible to discover infinite intelligence and love in + universal and eternal carnage? + </p> + <p> + What would we think of a father, who should give a farm to his children, + and before giving them possession should plant upon it thousands of deadly + shrubs and vines; should stock it with ferocious beasts, and poisonous + reptiles; should take pains to put a few swamps in the neighborhood to + breed malaria; should so arrange matters, that the ground would + occasionally open and swallow a few of his darlings, and besides all this, + should establish a few volcanoes in the immediate vicinity, that might at + any moment overwhelm his children with rivers of fire? Suppose that this + father neglected to tell his children which of the plants were deadly; + that the reptiles were poisonous; failed to say anything about the + earthquakes, and kept the volcano business a profound secret; would we + pronounce him angel or fiend? + </p> + <p> + And yet this is exactly what the orthodox God has done. + </p> + <p> + According to the theologians, God prepared this globe expressly for the + habitation of his loved children, and yet he filled the forests with + ferocious beasts; placed serpents in every path; stuffed the world with + earthquakes, and adorned its surface with mountains of flame. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all this, we are told that the world is perfect; that it + was created by a perfect being, and is therefore necessarily perfect. The + next moment, these same persons will tell us that the world was cursed; + covered with brambles, thistles and thorns, and that man was doomed to + disease and death, simply because our poor, dear mother ate an apple + contrary to the command of an arbitrary God. + </p> + <p> + A very pious friend of mine, having heard that I had said the world was + full of imperfections, asked me if the report was true. Upon being + informed that it was, he expressed great surprise that any one could be + guilty of such presumption. He said that, in his judgment, it was + impossible to point out an imperfection. "Be kind enough," said he, "to + name even one improvement that you could make, if you had the power." + "Well," said I, "I would make good health catching, instead of disease." + The truth is, it is impossible to harmonize all the ills, and pains, and + agonies of this world with the idea that we were created by, and are + watched over and protected by an infinitely wise, powerful and beneficent + God, who is superior to and independent of nature. + </p> + <p> + The clergy, however, balance all the real ills of this life with the + expected joys of the next. We are assured that all is perfection in heaven—there + the skies are cloudless—there all is serenity and peace. Here + empires may be overthrown; dynasties may be extinguished in blood; + millions of slaves may toil 'neath the fierce rays of the sun, and the + cruel strokes of the lash; yet all is happiness in heaven. Pestilences may + strew the earth with corpses of the loved; the survivors may bend above + them in agony—yet the placid bosom of heaven is unruffled. Children + may expire vainly asking for bread; babes may be devoured by serpents, + while the gods sit smiling in the clouds. The innocent may languish unto + death in the obscurity of dungeons; brave men and heroic women may be + changed to ashes at the bigot's stake, while heaven is filled with song + and joy. Out on the wide sea, in darkness and in storm, the shipwrecked + struggle with the cruel waves while the angels play upon their golden + harps. The streets of the world are filled with the diseased, the deformed + and the helpless; the chambers of pain are crowded with the pale forms of + the suffering, while the angels float and fly in the happy realms of day. + In heaven they are too happy to have sympathy; too busy singing to aid the + imploring and distressed. Their eyes are blinded; their ears are stopped + and their hearts are turned to stone by the infinite selfishness of joy. + The saved mariner is too happy when he touches the shore to give a + moment's thought to his drowning brothers. With the indifference of + happiness, with the contempt of bliss, heaven barely glances at the + miseries of earth. Cities are devoured by the rushing lava; the earth + opens and thousands perish; women raise their clasped hands towards + heaven, but the gods are too happy to aid their children. The smiles of + the deities are unacquainted with the tears of men. The shouts of heaven + drown the sobs of earth. + </p> + <p> + Having shown how man created gods, and how he became the trembling slave + of his own creation, the questions naturally arise: How did he free + himself even a little, from these monarchs of the sky, from these despots + of the clouds, from this aristocracy of the air? How did he, even to the + extent that he has, outgrow his ignorant, abject terror, and throw off the + yoke of superstition? + </p> + <p> + Probably, the first thing that tended to disabuse his mind was the + discovery of order, of regularity, of periodicity in the universe. From + this he began to suspect that everything did not happen purely with + reference to him. He noticed, that whatever he might do, the motions of + the planets were always the same; that eclipses were periodical, and that + even comets came at certain intervals. This convinced him that eclipses + and comets had nothing to do with him, and that his conduct had nothing to + do with them. He perceived that they were not caused for his benefit or + injury. He thus learned to regard them with admiration instead of fear. He + began to suspect that famine was not sent by some enraged and revengeful + deity, but resuited often from the neglect and ignorance of man. He + learned that diseases were not produced by evil spirits. He found that + sickness was occasioned by natural causes, and could be cured by natural + means. He demonstrated, to his own satisfaction at least, that prayer is + not a medicine. He found by sad experience that his gods were of no + practical use, as they never assisted him, except when he was perfectly + able to help himself. At last, he began to discover that his individual + action had nothing whatever to do with strange appearances in the heavens; + that it was impossible for him to be bad enough to cause a whirlwind, or + good enough to stop one. After many centuries of thought, he about half + concluded that making mouths at a priest would not necessarily cause an + earthquake. He noticed, and no doubt with considerable astonishment, that + very good men were occasionally struck by lightning, while very bad ones + escaped. He was frequently forced to the painful conclusion (and it is the + most painful to which any human being ever was forced) that the right did + not always prevail. He noticed that the gods did not interfere in behalf + of the weak and innocent. He was now and then astonished by seeing an + unbeliever in the enjoyment of most excellent health. He finally + ascertained that there could be no possible connection between an + unusually severe winter and his failure to give a sheep to a priest. He + began to suspect that the order of the universe was not constantly being + changed to assist him because he repeated a creed. He observed that some + children would steal after having been regularly baptized. He noticed a + vast difference between religion and justice, and that the worshipers of + the same god, took delight in cutting each other's throats. He saw that + these religious disputes filled the world with hatred and slavery. At last + he had the courage to suspect, that no god at any time interferes with the + order of events. He learned a few facts, and these facts positively + refused to harmonize with the ignorant superstitions of his fathers. + Finding his sacred books incorrect and false in some particulars, his + faith in their authenticity began to be shaken; finding his priests + ignorant upon some points, he began to lose respect for the cloth. This + was the commencement of intellectual freedom. + </p> + <p> + The civilization of man has increased just to the same extent that + religious power has decreased. The intellectual advancement of man depends + upon how often he can exchange an old superstition for a new truth. The + church never enabled a human being to make even one of these exchanges; on + the contrary, all her power has been used to prevent them. In spite, + however, of the church, man found that some of his religious conceptions + were wrong. By reading his Bible, he found that the ideas of his God were + more cruel and brutal than those of the most depraved savage. He also + discovered that this holy book was filled with ignorance, and that it must + have been written by persons wholly unacquainted with the nature of the + phenomena by which we are surrounded; and now and then, some man had the + goodness and courage to speak his honest thoughts. In every age some + thinker, some doubter, some investigator, some hater of hypocrisy, some + despiser of sham, some brave lover of the right, has gladly, proudly and + heroically braved the ignorant fury of superstition for the sake of man + and truth. These divine men were generally torn in pieces by the + worshipers of the gods. Socrates was poisoned because he lacked reverence + for some of the deities. Christ was crucified by a religious rabble for + the crime of blasphemy. Nothing is more gratifying to a religionist than + to destroy his enemies at the command of God. Religious persecution + springs from a due admixture of love towards God and hatred towards man. + </p> + <p> + The terrible religious wars that inundated the world with blood tended at + least to bring all religion into disgrace and hatred. Thoughtful people + began to question the divine origin of a religion that made its believers + hold the rights of others in absolute contempt. A few began to compare + Christianity with the religions of heathen people, and were forced to + admit that the difference was hardly worth dying for. They also found that + other nations were even happier and more prosperous than their own. They + began to suspect that their religion, after all, was not of much real + value. + </p> + <p> + For three hundred years the Christian world endeavored to rescue from the + "Infidel" the empty sepulchre of Christ. For three hundred years the + armies of the cross were baffled and beaten by the victorious hosts of an + impudent impostor. This immense fact sowed the seeds of distrust + throughout all Christendom, and millions began to lose confidence in a God + who had been vanquished by Mohammed. The people also found that commerce + made friends where religion made enemies, and that religious zeal was + utterly incompatible with peace between nations or individuals. They + discovered that those who loved the gods most were apt to love men least; + that the arrogance of universal forgiveness was amazing; that the most + malicious had the effrontery to pray for their enemies, and that humility + and tyranny were the fruit of the same tree. + </p> + <p> + For ages, a deadly conflict has been waged between a few brave men and + women of thought and genius upon the one side, and the great ignorant + religious mass on the other. This is the war between Science and Faith. + The few have appealed to reason, to honor, to law, to freedom, to the + known, and to happiness here in this world. The many have appealed to + prejudice, to fear, to miracle, to slavery, to the unknown, and to misery + hereafter. The few have said, "Think!" The many have said, "Believe!" + </p> + <p> + The first doubt was the womb and cradle of progress, and from the first + doubt, man has continued to advance. Men began to investigate, and the + church began to oppose. The astronomer scanned the heavens, while the + church branded his grand forehead with the word, "Infidel;" and now, not a + glittering star in all the vast expanse bears a Christian name. In spite + of all religion, the geologist penetrated the earth, read her history in + books of stone, and found, hidden within her bosom, souvenirs of all the + ages. Old ideas perished in the retort of the chemist, and useful truths + took their places. One by one religious conceptions have been placed in + the crucible of science, and thus far, nothing but dross has been found. A + new world has been discovered by the microscope; everywhere has been found + the infinite; in every direction man has investigated and explored and + nowhere, in earth or stars, has been found the footstep of any being + superior to or independent of nature. Nowhere has been discovered the + slightest evidence of any interference from without. + </p> + <p> + These are the sublime truths that enabled man to throw off the yoke of + superstition. These are the splendid facts that snatched the sceptre of + authority from the hands of priests. + </p> + <p> + In that vast cemetery, called the past, are most of the religions of men, + and there, too, are nearly all their gods. The sacred temples of India + were ruins long ago. Over column and cornice; over the painted and + pictured walls, cling and creep the trailing vines. Brahma, the golden, + with four heads and four arms; Vishnu, the sombre, the punisher of the + wicked, with his three eyes, his crescent, and his necklace of skulls; + Siva, the destroyer, red with seas of blood; Kali, the goddess; Draupadi, + the white-armed, and Chrishna, the Christ, all passed away and left the + thrones of heaven desolate. Along the banks of the sacred Nile, Isis no + longer wandering weeps, searching for the dead Osiris. The shadow of + Typhons scowl falls no more upon the waves. The sun rises as of yore, and + his golden beams still smite the lips of Memnon, but Mem-non is as + voiceless as the Sphinx. The sacred fanes are lost in desert sands; the + dusty mummies are still waiting for the resurrection promised by their + priests, and the old beliefs, wrought in curiously sculptured stone, sleep + in the mystery of a language lost and dead. Odin, the author of life and + soul, Vili and Ve, and the mighty giant Ymir, strode long ago from the icy + halls of the North; and Thor, with iron glove and glittering hammer, + dashes mountains to the earth no more. Broken are the circles and + cromlechs of the ancient Druids; fallen upon the summits of the hills, and + covered with the centuries' moss, are the sacred cairns. The divine fires + of Persia and of the Aztecs, have died out in the ashes of the past, and + there is none to rekindle, and none to feed the holy flames. The harp of + Orpheus is still; the drained cup of Bacchus has been thrown aside; Venus + lies dead in stone, and her white bosom heaves no more with love. The + streams still murmur, but no naiads bathe; the trees still wave, but in + the forest aisles no dryads dance. The gods have flown from high Olympus. + Not even the beautiful women can lure them back, and Danæ lies + unnoticed, naked to the stars. Hushed forever are the thunders of Sinai; + lost are the voices of the prophets, and the land once flowing with milk + and honey, is but a desert waste. One by one, the myths have faded from + the clouds: one by one, the phantom host has disappeared, and one by one, + facts, truths and realities have taken their places. The supernatural has + almost gone, but the natural remains. The gods have fled, but man is here. + </p> + <p> + Nations, like individuals, have their periods of youth, of manhood and + decay. Religions are the same. The same inexorable destiny awaits them + all. The gods created by the nations must perish with their creators. They + were created by men, and like men, they must pass away. The deities of one + age are the by-words of the next The religion of our day, and country, is + no more exempt from the sneer of the future than the others have been. + When India was supreme, Brahma sat upon the world's throne. When the + sceptre passed to Egypt, Isis and Osiris received the homage of mankind. + Greece, with her fierce valor, swept to empire, and Zeus put on the purple + of authority. The earth trembled with the tread of Rome's intrepid sons, + and Jove grasped with mailed hand the thunderbolts of heaven. Rome fell, + and Christians from her territory, with the red sword of war, carved out + the ruling nations of the world, and now Christ sits upon the old throne. + Who will be his successor? + </p> + <p> + Day by day, religious conceptions grow less and less intense. Day by day, + the old spirit dies out of book and creed. The burning enthusiasm, the + quenchless zeal of the early church have gone, never, never to return. The + ceremonies remain, but the ancient faith is fading out of the human heart. + The worn-out arguments fail to convince, and denunciations that once + blanched the faces of a race, excite in us only derision and disgust. As + time rolls on, the miracles grow mean and small, and the evidences our + fathers thought conclusive utterly fail to satisfy us. There is an + "irrepressible conflict" between religion and science, and they cannot + peaceably occupy the same brain nor the same world. + </p> + <p> + While utterly discarding all creeds, and denying the truth of all + religions, there is neither in my heart nor upon my lips a sneer for the + hopeful, loving and tender souls who believe that from all this discord + will result a perfect harmony; that every evil will in some mysterious way + become a good, and that above and over all there is a being who, in some + way, will reclaim and glorify every one of the children of men; but for + those who heartlessly try to prove that salvation is almost impossible; + that damnation is almost certain; that the highway of the universe leads + to hell; who fill life with fear and death with horror; who curse the + cradle and mock the tomb, it is impossible to entertain other than + feelings of pity, contempt and scorn. + </p> + <p> + Reason, Observation and Experience—the Holy Trinity of Science—have + taught us that happiness is the only good; that the time to be happy is + now, and the way to be happy is to make others so. This is enough for us. + In this belief we are content to live and die. If by any possibility the + existence of a power superior to, and independent of, nature shall be + demonstrated, there will then be time enough to kneel. Until then, let us + stand erect. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the fact that infidels in all ages have battled for the + rights of man, and have at all times been the fearless advocates of + liberty and justice, we are constantly charged by the church with tearing + down without building again. The church should by this time know that it + is utterly impossible to rob men of their opinions. The history of + religious persecution fully establishes the fact that the mind necessarily + resists and defies every attempt to control it by violence. The mind + necessarily clings to old ideas until prepared for the new. The moment we + comprehend the truth, all erroneous ideas are of necessity cast aside. + </p> + <p> + A surgeon once called upon a poor cripple and kindly offered to render him + any assistance in his power. The surgeon began to discourse very learnedly + upon the nature and origin of disease; of the curative properties of + certain medicines; of the advantages of exercise, air and light, and of + the various ways in which health and strength could be restored. These + remarks were so full of good sense, and discovered so much profound + thought and accurate knowledge, that the cripple, becoming thoroughly + alarmed, cried out, "Do not, I pray you, take away my crutches. They are + my only support, and without them I should be miserable indeed!" "I am not + going," said the surgeon, "to take away your crutches. I am going to cure + you, and then you will throw the crutches away yourself." + </p> + <p> + For the vagaries of the clouds the infidels propose to substitute the + realities of earth; for superstition, the splendid demonstrations and + achievements of science; and for theological tyranny, the chainless + liberty of thought. + </p> + <p> + We do not say that we have discovered all; that our doctrines are the all + in all of truth. We know of no end to the development of man. We cannot + unravel the infinite complications of matter and force. The history of one + monad is as unknown as that of the universe; one drop of water is as + wonderful as all the seas; one leaf, as all the forests; and one grain of + sand, as all the stars. + </p> + <p> + We are not endeavoring to chain the future, but to free the present. We + are not forging fetters for our children, but we are breaking those our + fathers made for us. We are the advocates of inquiry, of investigation and + thought This of itself, is an admission that we are not perfectly + satisfied with all our conclusions. Philosophy has not the egotism of + faith. While superstition builds walls and creates obstructions, science + opens all the highways of thought. We do not pretend to have + circumnavigated everything, and to have solved all difficulties, but we do + believe that it is better to love men than to fear gods; that it is + grander and nobler to think and investigate for yourself than to repeat a + creed. We are satisfied that there can be but little liberty on earth + while men worship a tyrant in heaven. We do not expect to accomplish + everything in our day; but we want to do what good we can, and to render + all the service possible in the holy cause of human progress. We know that + doing away with gods and supernatural persons and powers is not an end. It + is a means to an end: the real end being the happiness of man. + </p> + <p> + Felling forests is not the end of agriculture. Driving pirates from the + sea is not all there is of commerce. + </p> + <p> + We are laying the foundations of the grand temple of the future—not + the temple of all the gods, but of all the people—wherein, with + appropriate rites, will be celebrated the religion of Humanity. We are + doing what little we can to hasten the coming of the day when society + shall cease producing millionaires and mendicants—gorged indolence + and famished industry—truth in rags, and superstition robed and + crowned. We are looking for the time when the useful shall be the + honorable; and when Reason, throned upon the world's brain, shall be the + King of Kings, and God of Gods. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0003" id="link0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HUMBOLDT. + </h2> + <h3> + The Universe is Governed by Law. + </h3> + <p> + GREAT men seem to be a part of the infinite—brothers of the + mountains and the seas. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt was one of these. He was one of those serene men, in some + respects like our own Franklin, whose names have all the lustre of a star. + He was one of the few, great enough to rise above the superstition and + prejudice of his time, and to know that experience, observation, and + reason are the only basis of knowledge. + </p> + <p> + He became one of the greatest of men in spite of having been born rich and + noble—in spite of position. I say in spite of these things, because + wealth and position are generally the enemies of genius, and the + destroyers of talent. + </p> + <p> + It is often said of this or that man, that he is a self-made man—that + he was born of the poorest and humblest parents, and that with every + obstacle to overcome he became great. This is a mistake. Poverty is + generally an advantage. Most of the intellectual giants of the world have + been nursed at the sad and loving breast of poverty. Most of those who + have climbed highest on the shining ladder of fame commenced at the lowest + round. They were reared in the straw-thatched cottages of Europe; in the + log-houses of America; in the factories of the great cities; in the midst + of toil; in the smoke and din of labor, and on the verge of want. They + were rocked by the feet of mothers whose hands, at the same time, were + busy with the needle or the wheel. + </p> + <p> + It is hard for the rich to resist the thousand allurements of pleasure, + and so I say, that Humboldt, in spite of having been born to wealth and + high social position, became truly and grandly great. + </p> + <p> + In the antiquated and romantic castle of Tegel, by the side of the pine + forest, on the shore of the charming lake, near the beautiful city of + Berlin, the great Humboldt, one hundred years ago to-day, was born, and + there he was educated after the method suggested by Rousseau,—Campe, + the philologist and critic, and the intellectual Kunth being his tutors. + There he received the impressions that determined his career; there the + great idea that the universe is governed by law, took possession of his + mind, and there he dedicated his life to the demonstration of this sublime + truth. + </p> + <p> + He came to the conclusion that the source of man's unhappiness is his + ignorance of nature. + </p> + <p> + After having received the most thorough education at that time possible, + and having determined to what end he would devote the labors of his life, + he turned his attention to the sciences of geology, mining, mineralogy, + botany, the distribution of plants, the distribution of animals, and the + effect of climate upon man. All grand physical phenomena were investigated + and explained. From his youth he had felt a great desire for travel. He + felt, as he says, a violent passion for the sea, and longed to look upon + nature in her wildest and most rugged forms. He longed to give a physical + description of the universe—a grand picture of nature; to account + for all phenomena; to discover the laws governing the world; to do away + with that splendid delusion called special providence, and to establish + the fact that the universe is governed by law. + </p> + <p> + To establish this truth was, and is, of infinite importance to mankind. + That fact is the death-knell of superstition; it gives liberty to every + soul, annihilates fear, and ushers in the Age of Reason. + </p> + <p> + The object of this illustrious man was to comprehend the phenomena of + physical objects in their general connection, and to represent nature as + one great whole, moved and animated by internal forces. + </p> + <p> + For this purpose he turned his attention to descriptive botany, traversing + distant lands and mountain ranges to ascertain with certainty the + geographical distribution of plants. He investigated the laws regulating + the differences of temperature and climate, and the changes of the + atmosphere. He studied the formation of the earth's crust, explored the + deepest mines, ascended the highest mountains, and wandered through the + craters of extinct volcanoes. + </p> + <p> + He became thoroughly acquainted with chemistry, with astronomy, with + terrestrial magnetism; and as the investigation of one subject leads to + all others, for the reason that there is a mutual dependence and a + necessary connection between all facts, so Humboldt became acquainted with + all the known sciences. + </p> + <p> + His fame does not depend so much upon his discoveries (although he + discovered enough to make hundreds of reputations) as upon his vast and + splendid generalizations. + </p> + <p> + He was to science what Shakespeare was to the drama. + </p> + <p> + He found, so to speak, the world full of unconnected facts—all + portions of a vast system—parts of a great machine; he discovered + the connection that each bears to all; put them together, and demonstrated + beyond all contradiction that the earth is governed by law. + </p> + <p> + He knew that to discover the connection of phenomena is the primary aim of + all natural investigation. He was infinitely practical. + </p> + <p> + Origin and destiny were questions with which he had nothing to do. + </p> + <p> + His surroundings made him what he was. + </p> + <p> + In accordance with a law not fully comprehended, he was a production of + his time. + </p> + <p> + Great men do not live alone; they are surrounded by the great; they are + the instruments used to accomplish the tendencies of their generation; + they fulfill the prophecies of their age. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all of the scientific men of the eighteenth century had the same + idea entertained by Humboldt, but most of them in a dim and confused way. + There was, however, a general belief among the intelligent that the world + is governed by law, and that there really exists a connection between all + facts, <i>or that all facts are simply the different aspects of a general + fact</i>, and that the task of science is to discover this connection; to + comprehend this general fact or to announce the laws of things. + </p> + <p> + Germany was full of thought, and her universities swarmed with + philosophers and grand thinkers in every department of knowledge. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt was the friend and companion of the greatest poets, historians, + philologists, artists, statesmen, critics, and logicians of his time. + </p> + <p> + He was the companion of Schiller, who believed that man would be + regenerated through the influence of the Beautiful; of Goethe, the grand + patriarch of German literature; of Weiland, who has been called the + Voltaire of Germany; of Herder, who wrote the outlines of a philosophical + history of man; of Kotzebue, who lived in the world of romance; of + Schleiermacher, the pantheist; of Schlegel, who gave to his countrymen the + enchanted realm of Shakespeare; of the sublime Kant, author of the first + work published in Germany on Pure Reason; of Fichte, the infinite + idealist; of Schopenhauer, the European Buddhist who followed the great + Gautama to the painless and dreamless Nirwana, and of hundreds of others, + whose names are familiar to and honored by the scientific world. + </p> + <p> + The German mind had been grandly roused from the long lethargy of the dark + ages of ignorance, fear, and faith. Guided by the holy light of reason, + every department of knowledge was investigated, enriched and illustrated. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt breathed the atmosphere of investigation; old ideas were + abandoned; old creeds, hallowed by centuries, were thrown aside; thought + became courageous; the athlete, Reason, challenged to mortal combat the + monsters of superstition. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that under these influences Humboldt formed the great purpose of + presenting to the world a picture of Nature, in order that men might, for + the first time, behold the face of their Mother. + </p> + <p> + Europe becoming too small for his genius, he visited the tropics in the + new world, where in the most circumscribed limits he could find the + greatest number of plants, of animals, and the greatest diversity of + climate, that he might ascertain the laws governing the production and + distribution of plants, animals and men, and the effects of climate upon + them all. He sailed along the gigantic Amazon—the mysterious Orinoco—traversed + the Pampas—climbed the Andes until he stood upon the crags of + Chimborazo, more than eighteen thousand feet above the level of the sea, + and climbed on until blood flowed from his eyes and lips. For nearly five + years he pursued his investigations in the new world, accompanied by the + intrepid Bonpland. Nothing escaped his attention. He was the best + intellectual organ of these new revelations of science. He was calm, + reflective and eloquent; filled with a sense of the beautiful, and the + love of truth. His collections were immense, and valuable beyond + calculation to every science. He endured innumerable hardships, braved + countless dangers in unknown and savage lands, and exhausted his fortune + for the advancement of true learning. + </p> + <p> + Upon his return to Europe he was hailed as the second Columbus; as the + scientific discoverer of America; as the revealer of a new world; as the + great demonstrator of the sublime truth, that the universe is governed by + law. + </p> + <p> + I have seen a picture of the old man, sitting upon a mountain side—above + him the eternal snow—below, the smiling valley of the tropics, + filled with vine and palm; his chin upon his breast, his eyes deep, + thoughtful and calm—his forehead majestic—grander than the + mountain upon which he sat—crowned with the snow of his whitened + hair, he looked the intellectual autocrat of this world. + </p> + <p> + Not satisfied with his discoveries in America, he crossed the steppes of + Asia, the wastes of Siberia, the great Ural range, adding to the knowledge + of mankind at every step. His energy acknowledged no obstacle, his life + knew no leisure; every day was filled with labor and with thought. + </p> + <p> + He was one of the apostles of science, and he served his divine master + with a self-sacrificing zeal that knew no abatement; with an ardor that + constantly increased, and with a devotion unwavering and constant as the + polar star. + </p> + <p> + In order that the people at large might have the benefit of his numerous + discoveries, and his vast knowledge, he delivered at Berlin a course of + lectures, consisting of sixty-one free addresses, upon the following + subjects: + </p> + <p> + Five, upon the nature and limits of physical geography. + </p> + <p> + Three, were devoted to a history of science. + </p> + <p> + Two, to inducements to a study of natural science. + </p> + <p> + Sixteen, on the heavens. + </p> + <p> + Five, on the form, density, latent heat, and magnetic power of the earth, + and to the polar light. + </p> + <p> + Four, were on the nature of the crust of the earth, on hot springs + earthquakes, and volcanoes. + </p> + <p> + Two, on mountains and the type of their formation. + </p> + <p> + Two, on the form of the earth's surface, on the connection of continents, + and the elevation of soil over ravines. + </p> + <p> + Three, on the sea as a globular fluid surrounding the earth. + </p> + <p> + Ten, on the atmosphere as an elastic fluid surrounding the earth, and on + the distribution of heat. + </p> + <p> + One, on the geographic distribution of organ ized matter in general. + </p> + <p> + Three, on the geography of plants. + </p> + <p> + Three, on the geography of animals, and + </p> + <p> + Two, on the races of men. + </p> + <p> + These lectures are what is known as the Cosmos, and present a scientific + picture of the world—of infinite diversity in unity—of + ceaseless motion in the eternal grasp of law. + </p> + <p> + These lectures contain the result of his investigation, observation, and + experience; they furnish the connection between phenomena; they disclose + some of the changes through which the earth has passed in the countless + ages; the history of vegetation, animals and men, the effects of climate + upon individuals and nations, the relation we sustain to other worlds, and + demonstrate that all phenomena, whether insignificant or grand, exist in + accordance with inexorable law. + </p> + <p> + There are some truths, however, that we never should forget: Superstition + has always been the relentless enemy of science; faith has been a hater of + demonstration; hypocrisy has been sincere only in its dread of truth, and + all religions are inconsistent with mental freedom. + </p> + <p> + Since the murder of Hypatia in the fifth century, when the polished blade + of Greek philosophy was broken by the club of ignorant Catholicism, until + to-day, superstition has detested every effort of reason. + </p> + <p> + It is almost impossible to conceive of the completeness of the victory + that the church achieved over philosophy. For ages science was utterly + ignored; thought was a poor slave; an ignorant priest was master of the + world; faith put out the eyes of the soul; the reason was a trembling + coward; the imagination was set on fire of hell; every human feeling was + sought to be suppressed; love was considered infinitely sinful; pleasure + was the road to eternal fire, and God was supposed to be happy only when + his children were miserable. The world was governed by an Almighty's whim; + prayers could change the order of things, halt the grand procession of + nature, could produce rain, avert pestilence, famine and death in all its + forms. There was no idea of the certain; all depended upon divine pleasure + or displeasure rather; heaven was full of inconsistent malevolence, and + earth of ignorance. Everything was done to appease the divine wrath; every + public calamity was caused by the sins of the people; by a failure to pay + tithes, or for having, even in secret, felt a disrespect for a priest. To + the poor multitude, the earth was a kind of enchanted forest, full of + demons ready to devour, and theological serpents lurking with infinite + power to fascinate and torture the unhappy and impotent soul. Life to them + was a dim and mysterious labyrinth, in which they wandered weary, and + lost, guided by priests as bewildered as themselves, without knowing that + at every step the Ariadne of reason offered them the long lost clue. + </p> + <p> + The very heavens were full of death; the lightning was regarded as the + glittering vengeance of God, and the earth was thick with snares for the + unwary feet of man. The soul was supposed to be crowded with the wild + beasts of desire; the heart to be totally corrupt, prompting only to + crime; virtues were regarded as deadly sins in disguise; there was a + continual warfare being waged between the Deity and the Devil, for the + possession of every soul; the latter generally being considered + victorious. The flood, the tornado, the volcano, were all evidences of the + displeasure of heaven, and the sinfulness of man. The blight that + withered, the frost that blackened, the earthquake that devoured, were the + messengers of the Creator. + </p> + <p> + The world was governed by Fear. + </p> + <p> + Against all the evils of nature, there was known only the defence of + prayer, of fasting, of credulity, and devotion. <i>Man in his helplessness + endeavored to soften the heart of God</i>. The faces of the multitude were + blanched with fear, and wet with tears; they were the prey of hypocrites, + kings and priests. + </p> + <p> + My heart bleeds when I contemplate the sufferings endured by the millions + now dead; of those who lived when the world appeared to be insane; when + the heavens were filled with an infinite Horror who snatched babes with + dimpled hands and rosy cheeks from the white breasts of mothers, and + dashed them into an abyss of eternal flame. + </p> + <p> + Slowly, beautifully, like the coming of the dawn, came the grand truth, + that the universe is governed by law; that disease fastens itself upon the + good and upon the bad; that the tornado cannot be stopped by counting + beads; that the rushing lava pauses not for bended knees, the lightning + for clasped and uplifted hands, nor the cruel waves of the sea for prayer; + that paying tithes causes, rather than prevents famine; that pleasure is + not sin; that happiness is the only good; that demons and gods exist only + in the imagination; that faith is a lullaby sung to put the soul to sleep; + that devotion is a bribe that fear offers to supposed power; that offering + rewards in another world for obedience in this, is simply buying a soul on + credit; that knowledge consists in ascertaining the laws of nature, and + that wisdom is the science of happiness. Slowly, grandly, beautifully, + these truths are dawning upon mankind. + </p> + <p> + From Copernicus we learned that this earth is only a grain of sand on the + infinite shore of the universe; that everywhere we are surrounded by + shining worlds vastly greater than our own, all moving and existing in + accordance with law. True, the earth began to grow small, but man began to + grow great. + </p> + <p> + The moment the fact was, established that other worlds are governed by + law, it was only natural to conclude that our little world was also under + its dominion. The old theological method of accounting for physical + phenomena by the pleasure and displeasure of the Deity was, by the + intellectual, abandoned. They found that disease, death, life, thought, + heat, cold, the seasons, the winds, the dreams of man, the instinct of + animals,—in short, that all physical and mental phenomena are + governed by law, absolute, eternal and inexorable. + </p> + <p> + Let it be understood that by the term Law is meant the same invariable + relations of succession and resemblance predicated of all facts springing + from like conditions. Law is a fact—not a cause. It is a fact, that + like conditions produce like results: this fact is Law. When we say that + the universe is governed by law, we mean that this fact, called law, is + incapable of change; that it is, has been, and forever will be, the same + inexorable, immutable Fact, inseparable from all phenomena. Law, in this + sense, was not enacted or made. It could not have been otherwise than as + it is. That which necessarily exists has no creator. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago this earth was considered the real center of the + universe; all the stars were supposed to revolve around this insignificant + atom. The German mind, more than any other, has done away with this piece + of egotism. Purbach and Mullerus, in the fifteenth century, contributed + most to the advancement of astronomy in their day. To the latter, the + world is indebted for the introduction of decimal fractions, which + completed our arithmetical notation, and formed the second of the three + steps by which, in modern times, the science of numbers has been so + greatly improved; and yet, both of these men believed in the most childish + absurdities, at least in enough of them, to die without their orthodoxy + having ever been suspected. + </p> + <p> + Next came the great Copernicus, and he stands at the head of the heroic + thinkers of his time, who had the courage and the mental strength to break + the chains of prejudice, custom, and authority, and to establish truth on + the basis of experience, observation and reason. He removed the earth, so + to speak, from the centre of the universe, and ascribed to it a two-fold + motion, and demonstrated the true position which it occupies in the solar + system. + </p> + <p> + At his bidding the earth began to revolve. At the command of his genius it + commenced its grand flight mid the eternal constellations round the sun. + </p> + <p> + For fifty years his discoveries were disregarded. All at once, by the + exertions of Galileo, they were kindled into so grand a conflagration as + to consume the philosophy of Aristotle, to alarm the hierarchy of Rome, + and to threaten the existence of every opinion not founded upon + experience, observation, and reason. + </p> + <p> + The earth was no longer considered a universe, governed by the caprices of + some revengeful Deity, who had made the stars out of what he had left + after completing the world, and had stuck them in the sky simply to adorn + the night. + </p> + <p> + I have said this much concerning astronomy because it was the first + splendid step forward! The first sublime blow that shattered the lance and + shivered the shield of superstition; the first real help that man received + from heaven; because it was the first great lever placed beneath the altar + of a false religion; the first revelation of the infinite to man; the + first authoritative declaration, that the universe is governed by law; the + first science that gave the lie direct to the cosmogony of barbarism, and + because it is the sublimest victory that the reason has achieved. + </p> + <p> + In speaking of astronomy, I have confined myself to the discoveries made + since the revival of learning. Long ago, on the banks of the Ganges, ages + before Copernicus lived, Aryabhatta taught that the earth is a sphere, and + revolves on its own axis. This, however, does not detract from the glory + of the great German. The discovery of the Hindu had been lost in the + midnight of Europe—in the age of faith, and Copernicus was as much a + discoverer as though Aryabhatta had never lived. + </p> + <p> + In this short address there is no time to speak of other sciences, and to + point out the particular evidence furnished by each, to establish the + dominion of law, nor to more than mention the name of Descartes, the first + who undertook to give an explanation of the celestial motions, or who + formed the vast and philosophic conception of reducing all the phenomena + of the universe to the same law; of Montaigne, one of the heroes of common + sense; of Galvani, whose experiments gave the telegraph to the world; of + Voltaire, who contributed more than any other of the sons of men to the + destruction of religious intolerance; of August Comte, whose genius + erected to itself a monument that still touches the stars; of Guttenberg, + Watt, Stephenson, Arkwright, all soldiers of science, in the grand army of + the dead kings. + </p> + <p> + The glory of science is, that it is freeing the soul—breaking the + mental manacles—getting the brain out of bondage—giving + courage to thought—filling the world with mercy, justice, and joy. + </p> + <p> + Science found agriculture plowing with a stick reaping with a sickle—commerce + at the mercy of the treacherous waves and the inconstant winds—a + world without books—without schools man denying the authority of + reason, employing his ingenuity in the manufacture of instruments of + torture, in building inquisitions and cathedrals. It found the land filled + with malicious monks—with persecuting Protestants, and the burners + of men. It found a world full of fear; ignorance upon its knees; credulity + the greatest virtue; women treated like beasts of burden; cruelty the only + means of reformation. + </p> + <p> + It found the world at the mercy of disease and famine; men trying to read + their fates in the stars, and to tell their fortunes by signs and wonders; + generals thinking to conquer their enemies by making the sign of the + cross, or by telling a rosary. It found all history full of petty and + ridiculous falsehood, and the Almighty was supposed to spend most of his + time turning sticks into snakes, drowning boys for swimming on Sunday, and + killing little children for the purpose of converting their parents. It + found the earth filled with slaves and tyrants, the people in all + countries downtrodden, half naked, half starved, without hope, and without + reason in the world. + </p> + <p> + Such was the condition of man when the morning of science dawned upon his + brain, and before he had heard the sublime declaration that the universe + is governed by law. + </p> + <p> + For the change that has taken place we are indebted solely to science—the + only lever capable of raising mankind. Abject faith is barbarism; reason + is civilization. To obey is slavish; to act from a sense of obligation + perceived by the reason, is noble. Ignorance worships mystery; Reason + explains it: the one grovels, the other soars. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that fable is the enemy of knowledge. A man with a false diamond + shuns the society of lapidaries, and it is upon this principle that + superstition abhors science. + </p> + <p> + In all ages the people have honored those who dishonored them. They have + worshiped their destroyers; they have canonized the most gigantic liars, + and buried the great thieves in marble and gold. Under the loftiest + monuments sleeps the dust of murder. + </p> + <p> + Imposture has always worn a crown. + </p> + <p> + The world is beginning to change because the people are beginning to + think. To think is to advance. Everywhere the great minds are + investigating the creeds and the superstitions of men—the phenomena + of nature, and the laws of things. At the head of this great army of + investigators stood Humboldt—the serene leader of an intellectual + host—a king by the suffrage of Science, and the divine right of + Genius. + </p> + <p> + And to-day we are not honoring some butcher called a soldier—some + wily politician called a statesman—some robber called a king, nor + some malicious metaphysician called a saint We are honoring the grand + Humboldt, whose victories were all achieved in the arena of thought; who + destroyed prejudice, ignorance and error—not men; who shed light—not + blood, and who contributed to the knowledge, the wealth, and the happiness + of all mankind. + </p> + <p> + His life was pure, his aims lofty, his learning varied and profound, and + his achievements vast. + </p> + <p> + We honor him because he has ennobled our race, because he has contributed + as much as any man living or dead to the real prosperity of the world. We + honor him because he honored us—because he labored for others—because + he was the most learned man of the most learned nation—because he + left a legacy of glory to every human being. For these reasons he is + honored throughout the world. Millions are doing homage to his genius at + this moment, and millions are pronouncing his name with reverence and + recounting what he accomplished. + </p> + <p> + We associate the name of Humboldt with oceans, continents, mountains, and + volcanoes—with the great palms—the wide deserts—the + snow-lipped craters of the Andes—with primeval forests and European + capitals—with wildernesses and universities—with savages and + savans—with the lonely rivers of unpeopled wastes—with peaks + and pampas, and steppes, and cliffs and crags—with the progress of + the world—with every science known to man, and with every star + glittering in the immensity of space. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt adopted none of the soul-shrinking creeds of his day; wasted none + of his time in the stupidities, inanities and contradictions of + theological metaphysics; he did not endeavor to harmonize the astronomy + and geology of a barbarous people with the science of the nineteenth + century. Never, for one moment, did he abandon the sublime standard of + truth; he investigated, he studied, he thought, he separated the gold from + the dross in the crucible of his grand brain. He was never found on his + knees before the altar of superstition. He stood erect by the grand + tranquil column of Reason. He was an admirer, a lover, an adorer of + Nature, and at the age of ninety, bowed by the weight of nearly a century, + covered with the insignia of honor, loved by a nation, respected by a + world, with kings for his servants, he laid his weary head upon her bosom—upon + the bosom of the universal Mother—and with her loving arms around + him, sank into that slumber called Death. + </p> + <p> + History added another name to the starry scroll of the immortals. + </p> + <p> + The world is his monument; upon the eternal granite of her hills he + inscribed his name, and there upon everlasting stone his genius wrote + this, the sublimest of truths: + </p> + <p> + "The Universe is Governed by Law!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THOMAS PAINE + </h2> + <h3> + With His Name Left Out, the History of Liberty Cannot be Written. + </h3> + <p> + TO speak the praises of the brave and thoughtful dead, is to me a labor of + gratitude and love. + </p> + <p> + Through all the centuries gone, the mind of man has been beleaguered by + the mailed hosts of superstition. Slowly and painfully has advanced the + army of deliverance. Hated by those they wished to rescue, despised by + those they were dying to save, these grand soldiers, these immortal + deliverers, have fought without thanks, labored without applause, suffered + without pity, and they have died execrated and abhorred. For the good of + mankind they accepted isolation, poverty, and calumny. They gave up all, + sacrificed all, lost all but truth and self-respect. + </p> + <p> + One of the bravest soldiers in this army was Thomas Paine; and for one, I + feel indebted to him for the liberty we are enjoying this day. Born among + the poor, where children are burdens; in a country where real liberty was + unknown; where the privileges of class were guarded with infinite + jealousy, and the rights of the individual trampled beneath the feet of + priests and nobles; where to advocate justice was treason; where + intellectual freedom was Infidelity, it is wonderful that the idea of true + liberty ever entered his brain. . + </p> + <p> + Poverty was his mother—Necessity his master. + </p> + <p> + He had more brains than books; more sense than education; more courage + than politeness; more strength than polish. He had no veneration for old + mistakes—no admiration for ancient lies. He loved the truth for the + truth's sake, and for man's sake. He saw oppression on every hand; + injustice everywhere; hypocrisy at the altar, venality on the bench, + tyranny on the throne; and with a splendid courage he espoused the cause + of the weak against the strong—of the enslaved many against the + titled few. + </p> + <p> + In England he was nothing. He belonged to the lower classes. There was no + avenue open for him. The people hugged their chains, and the whole power + of the government was ready to crush any man who endeavored to strike a + blow for the right. + </p> + <p> + At the age of thirty-seven, Thomas Paine left England for America, with + the high hope of being instrumental in the establishment of a free + government. In his own country he could accomplish nothing. Those two + vultures—Church and State—were ready to tear in pieces and + devour the heart of any one who might deny their divine right to enslave + the world. + </p> + <p> + Upon his arrival in this country, he found himself possessed of a letter + of introduction, signed by another Infidel, the illustrious Franklin. + This, and his native genius, constituted his entire capital; and he needed + no more. He found the colonies clamoring for justice; whining about their + grievances; upon their knees at the foot of the throne, imploring that + mixture of idiocy and insanity, George the III., by the grace of God, for + a restoration of their ancient privileges. They were not endeavoring to + become free men, but were trying to soften the heart of their master. They + were perfectly willing to make brick if Pharaoh would furnish the straw. + The colonists wished for, hoped for, and prayed for reconciliation They + did not dream of independence. + </p> + <p> + Paine gave to the world his "Common Sense." It was the first argument for + separation, the first assault upon the British form of government, the + first blow for a republic, and it aroused our fathers like a trumpet's + blast. + </p> + <p> + He was the first to perceive the destiny of the New World. + </p> + <p> + No other pamphlet ever accomplished such wonderful results. It was filled + with argument, reason, persuasion, and unanswerable logic. It opened a new + world. It filled the present with hope and the future with honor. + Everywhere the people responded, and in a few months the Continental + Congress declared the colonies free and independent States. + </p> + <p> + A new nation was born. + </p> + <p> + It is simple justice to say that Paine did more to cause the Declaration + of Independence than any other man. Neither should it be forgotten that + his attacks upon Great Britain were also attacks upon monarchy; and while + he convinced the people that the colonies ought to separate from the + mother country, he also proved to them that a free government is the best + that can be instituted among men. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, Thomas Paine was the best political writer that ever + lived. "What he wrote was pure nature, and his soul and his pen ever went + together." Ceremony, pageantry, and all the paraphernalia of power, had no + effect upon him. He examined into the why and wherefore of things. He was + perfectly radical in his mode of thought. Nothing short of the bed-rock + satisfied him. His enthusiasm for what he believed to be right knew no + bounds. During all the dark scenes of the Revolution, never for one moment + did he despair. Year after year his brave words were ringing through the + land, and by the bivouac fires the weary soldiers read the inspiring words + of "Common Sense," filled with ideas sharper than their swords, and + consecrated themselves anew to the cause of Freedom. + </p> + <p> + Paine was not content with having aroused the spirit of independence, but + he gave every energy of his soul to keep that spirit alive. He was with + the army. He shared its defeats, its dangers, and its glory. When the + situation became desperate, when gloom settled upon all, he gave them the + "Crisis." It was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, leading the + way to freedom, honor, and glory. He shouted to them, "These are the times + that try men's souls. The summer soldier, and the sunshine patriot, will, + in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands + it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." + </p> + <p> + To those who wished to put the war off to some future day, with a lofty + and touching spirit of self-sacrifice he said: "Every generous parent + should say, 'If there must be war let it be in my day, that my child may + have peace.'" To the cry that Americans were rebels, he replied: "He that + rebels against reason is a real rebel; but he that in defence of reason + rebels against tyranny, has a better title to 'Defender of the Faith' than + George the Third." + </p> + <p> + Some said it was not to the interest of the colonies to be free. Paine + answered this by saying, "To know whether it be the interest of the + continent to be independent, we need ask only this simple, easy question: + 'Is it the interest of a man to be a boy all his life?'" He found many who + would listen to nothing, and to them he said, "That to argue with a man + who has renounced his reason is like giving medicine to the dead." This + sentiment ought to adorn the walls of every orthodox church. + </p> + <p> + There is a world of political wisdom in this: "England lost her liberty in + a long chain of right reasoning from wrong principles"; and there is real + discrimination in saying, "The Greeks and Romans were strongly possessed + of the spirit of liberty, but not the principles, for at the time that + they were determined not to be slaves themselves, they employed their + power to enslave the rest of mankind." + </p> + <p> + In his letter to the British people, in which he tried to convince them + that war was not to their interest, occurs the following passage brimful + of common sense: "War never can be the interest of a trading nation any + more than quarreling can be profitable to a man in business. But to make + war with those who trade with us is like setting a bull-dog upon a + customer at the shop-door." + </p> + <p> + The writings of Paine fairly glitter with simple, compact, logical + statements, that carry conviction to the dullest and most prejudiced. He + had the happiest possible way of putting the case; in asking questions in + such a way that they answer themselves, and in stating his premises so + clearly that the deduction could not be avoided. + </p> + <p> + Day and night he labored for America; month after month, year after year, + he gave himself to the Great Cause, until there was "a government of the + people and for the people," and until the banner of the stars floated over + a continent redeemed, and consecrated to the happiness of mankind. + </p> + <p> + At the close of the Revolution, no one stood higher in America than Thomas + Paine. The best, the wisest, the most patriotic, were his friends and + admirers; and had he been thinking only of his own good he might have + rested from his toils and spent the remainder of his life in comfort and + in ease. He could have been what the world is pleased to call + "respectable." He could have died surrounded by clergymen, warriors and + statesmen. At his death there would have been an imposing funeral, miles + of carriages, civic societies, salvos of artillery, a nation in mourning, + and, above all, a splendid monument covered with lies. + </p> + <p> + He chose rather to benefit mankind. + </p> + <p> + At that time the seeds sown by the great Infidels were beginning to bear + fruit in France. The people were beginning to think. + </p> + <p> + The Eighteenth Century was crowning its gray hairs with the wreath of + Progress. + </p> + <p> + On every hand Science was bearing testimony against the Church. Voltaire + had filled Europe with light; D'Holbach was giving to the <i>élite</i> + of Paris the principles contained in his "System of Nature." The + Encyclopedists had attacked superstition with information for the masses. + The foundation of things began to be examined. A few had the courage to + keep their shoes on and let the bush burn. Miracles began to get scarce. + Everywhere the people began to inquire. America had set an example to the + world. The word Liberty was in the mouths of men, and they began to wipe + the dust from their knees. + </p> + <p> + The dawn of a new day had appeared. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine went to France. Into the new movement he threw all his + energies. His fame had gone before him, and he was welcomed as a friend of + the human race, and as a champion of free government. + </p> + <p> + He had never relinquished his intention of pointing out to his countrymen + the defects, absurdities and abuses of the English government For this + purpose he composed and published his greatest political work, "The Rights + of Man." This work should be read by every man and woman. It is concise, + accurate, natural, convincing, and unanswerable. It shows great thought; + an intimate knowledge of the various forms of government; deep insight + into the very springs of human action, and a courage that compels respect + and admiration. The most difficult political problems are solved in a few + sentences. The venerable arguments in favor of wrong are refuted with a + question—answered with a word. For forcible illustration, apt + comparison, accuracy and clearness of statement, and absolute + thoroughness, it has never been excelled. + </p> + <p> + The fears of the administration were aroused, and Paine was prosecuted for + libel and found guilty; and yet there is not a sentiment in the entire + work that will not challenge the admiration of every civilized man. It is + a magazine of political wisdom, an arsenal of ideas, and an honor, not + only to Thomas Paine, but to human nature itself. It could have been + written only by the man who had the generosity, the exalted patriotism, + the goodness to say, "The world is my country, and to do good my + religion." + </p> + <p> + There is in all the utterances of the world no grander, no sublimer + sentiment. There is no creed that can be compared with it for a moment. It + should be wrought in gold, adorned with jewels, and impressed upon every + human heart: "The world is my country, and to do good my religion." + </p> + <p> + In 1792, Paine was elected by the department of Calais as their + representative in the National Assembly. So great was his popularity in + France that he was selected about the same time by the people of no less + than four departments. + </p> + <p> + Upon taking his place in the Assembly he was appointed as one of a + committee to draft a constitution for France. Had the French people taken + the advice of Thomas Paine there would have been no "reign of terror." The + streets of Paris would not have been filled with blood The Revolution + would have been the grandest success of the world. The truth is that Paine + was too conservative to suit the leaders of the French Revolution. They, + to a great extent, were carried away by hatred, and a desire to destroy. + They had suffered so long, they had borne so much, that it was impossible + for them to be moderate in the hour of victory. + </p> + <p> + Besides all this, the French people had been so robbed by the government, + so degraded by the church, that they were not fit material with which to + construct a republic. Many of the leaders longed to establish a beneficent + and just government, but the people asked for revenge. + </p> + <p> + Paine was filled with a real love for mankind. His philanthropy was + boundless. He wished to destroy monarchy—not the monarch. He voted + for the destruction of tyranny, and against the death of the king. He + wished to establish a government on a new basis; one that would forget the + past; one that would give privileges to none, and protection to all. + </p> + <p> + In the Assembly, where nearly all were demanding the execution of the king—where + to differ from the majority was to be suspected, and, where to be + suspected was almost certain death Thomas Paine had the courage, the + goodness and the justice to vote against death. To vote against the + execution of the king was a vote against his own life. This was the + sublimity of devotion to principle. For this he was arrested, imprisoned, + and doomed to death. + </p> + <p> + Search the records of the world and you will find but few sublimer acts + than that of Thomas Paine voting against the kings death. He, the hater of + despotism, the abhorrer of monarchy, the champion of the rights of man, + the republican, accepting death to save the life of a deposed tyrant—of + a throneless king. This was the last grand act of his political life—the + sublime conclusion of his political career. + </p> + <p> + All his life he had been the disinterested friend of man. He had labored—not + for money, not for fame, but for the general good. He had aspired to no + office; had asked no recognition of his services, but had ever been + content to labor as a common soldier in the army of Progress. Confining + his efforts to no country, looking upon the world as his field of action, + filled with a genuine love for the right, he found himself imprisoned by + the very people he had striven to save. + </p> + <p> + Had his enemies succeeded in bringing him to the block, he would have + escaped the calumnies and the hatred of the Christian world. In this + country, at least, he would have ranked with the proudest names. On the + anniversary of the Declaration his name would have been upon the lips of + all the orators, and his memory in the hearts of all the people. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine had not finished his career. + </p> + <p> + He had spent his life thus far in destroying the power of kings, and now + he turned his attention to the priests. He knew that every abuse had been + embalmed in Scripture—that every outrage was in partnership with + some holy text. He knew that the throne skulked behind the altar, and both + behind a pretended revelation from God. By this time he had found that it + was of little use to free the body and leave the mind in chains. He had + explored the foundations of despotism, and had found them infinitely + rotten. He had dug under the throne, and it occurred to him that he would + take a look behind the altar. + </p> + <p> + The result of his investigations was given to the world in the "Age of + Reason." From the moment of its publication he became infamous. He was + calumniated beyond measure. To slander him was to secure the thanks of the + church. All his services were instantly forgotten, disparaged or denied. + He was shunned as though he had been a pestilence. Most of his old friends + forsook him. He was regarded as a moral plague, and at the bare mention of + his name the bloody hands of the church were raised in horror. He was + denounced as the most despicable of men. + </p> + <p> + Not content with following him to his grave, they pursued him after death + with redoubled fury, and recounted with infinite gusto and satisfaction + the supposed horrors of his death-bed; gloried in the fact that he was + forlorn and friendless, and gloated like fiends over what they supposed to + be the agonizing remorse of his lonely death. + </p> + <p> + It is wonderful that all his services were thus forgotten. It is amazing + that one kind word did not fall from some pulpit; that some one did not + accord to him, at least—honesty. Strange, that in the general + denunciation some one did not remember his labor for liberty, his devotion + to principle, his zeal for the rights of his fellow-men. He had, by brave + and splendid effort, associated his name with the cause of Progress. He + had made it impossible to write the history of political freedom with his + name left out He was one of the creators of light; one of the heralds of + the dawn. He hated tyranny in the name of kings, and in the name of God, + with every drop of his noble blood. He believed in liberty and justice, + and in the sacred doctrine of human equality. Under these divine banners + he fought the battle of his life. In both worlds he offered his blood for + the good of man. In the wilderness of America, in the French Assembly, in + the sombre cell waiting for death, he was the same unflinching, unwavering + friend of his race; the same undaunted champion of universal freedom. And + for this he has been hated; for this the church has violated even his + grave. + </p> + <p> + This is enough to make one believe that nothing is more natural than for + men to devour their benefactors. The people in all ages have crucified and + glorified. Whoever lifts his voice against abuses, whoever arraigns the + past at the bar of the present, whoever asks the king to show his + commission, or questions the authority of the priest, will be denounced as + the enemy of man and God. In all ages reason has been regarded as the + enemy of religion. Nothing has been considered so pleasing to the Deity as + a total denial of the authority of your own mind. Self-reliance has been + thought a deadly sin; and the idea of living and dying without the aid and + consolation of superstition has always horrified the church. By some + unaccountable infatuation, belief has been and still is considered of + immense importance. All religions have been based upon the idea that God + will forever reward the true believer, and eternally damn the man who + doubts or denies. Belief is regarded as the one essential thing. To + practice justice, to love mercy, is not enough. You must believe in some + incomprehensible creed. You must say, "Once one is three, and three times + one is one." The man who practiced every virtue, but failed to believe, + was execrated. Nothing so outrages the feelings of the church as a moral + unbeliever—nothing so horrible as a charitable Atheist. + </p> + <p> + When Paine was born, the world was religious, the pulpit was the real + throne, and the churches were making every effort to crush out of the + brain the idea that it had the right to think. + </p> + <p> + The splendid saying of Lord Bacon, that "the inquiry of truth, which is + the love-making or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the + presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, are + the sovereign good of human nature," has been, and ever will be, rejected + by religionists. Intellectual liberty, as a matter of necessity, forever + destroys the idea that belief is either praise or blame-worthy, and is + wholly inconsistent with every creed in Christendom. Paine recognized this + truth. He also saw that as long as the Bible was considered inspired, this + infamous doctrine of the virtue of belief would be believed and preached. + He examined the Scriptures for himself, and found them filled with + cruelty, absurdity and immorality. + </p> + <p> + He again made up his mind to sacrifice himself for the good of his + fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + He commenced with the assertion, "That any system of religion that has + anything in it that shocks the mind of a child cannot be a true system." + What a beautiful, what a tender sentiment! No wonder the church began to + hate him. He believed in one God, and no more. After this life he hoped + for happiness. He believed that true religion consisted in doing justice, + loving mercy, in endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy, and in + offering to God the fruit of the heart. He denied the inspiration of the + Scriptures. This was his crime. + </p> + <p> + He contended that it is a contradiction in terms to call anything a + revelation that comes to us second-hand, either verbally or in writing. He + asserted that revelation is necessarily limited to the first + communication, and that after that it is only an account of something + which another person says was a revelation to him. We have only his word + for it, as it was never made to us. This argument never has been and + probably never will be answered. He denied the divine origin of Christ, + and showed conclusively that the pretended prophecies of the Old Testament + had no reference to him whatever; and yet he believed that Christ was a + virtuous and amiable man; that the morality he taught and practiced was of + the most benevolent and elevated character, and that it had not been + exceeded by any. Upon this point he entertained the same sentiments now + held by the Unitarians, and in fact by all the most enlightened + Christians. + </p> + <p> + In his time the church believed and taught that every word in the Bible + was absolutely true. Since his day it has been proven false in its + cosmogony, false in its astronomy, false in its chronology, false in its + history, and so far as the Old Testament is concerned, false in almost + everything. There are but few, if any, scientific men who apprehend that + the Bible is literally true. Who on earth at this day would pretend to + settle any scientific question by a text from the Bible? The old belief is + confined to the ignorant and zealous. The church itself will before long + be driven to occupy the position of Thomas Paine. The best minds of the + orthodox world, to-day, are endeavoring to prove the existence of a + personal Deity. All other questions occupy a minor place. You are no + longer asked to swallow the Bible whole, whale, Jonah and all; you are + simply required to believe in God, and pay your pew-rent. There is not now + an enlightened minister in the world who will seriously contend that + Samson's strength was in his hair, or that the necromancers of Egypt could + turn water into blood, and pieces of wood into serpents. These follies + have passed away, and the only reason that the religious world can now + have for disliking Paine is that they have been forced to adopt so many of + his opinions. + </p> + <p> + Paine thought the barbarities of the Old Testament inconsistent with what + he deemed the real character of God. He believed that murder, massacre and + indiscriminate slaughter had never been commanded by the Deity. He + regarded much of the Bible as childish, unimportant and foolish The + scientific world entertains the same opinion. Paine attacked the Bible + precisely in the same spirit in which he had attacked the pretensions of + kings. He used the same weapons. All the pomp in the world could not make + him cower. His reason knew no "Holy of Holies," except the abode of Truth. + The sciences were then in their infancy. The attention of the really + learned had not been directed to an impartial examination of our pretended + revelation. It was accepted by most as a matter of course. The church was + all-powerful, and no one, unless thoroughly imbued with the spirit of + self-sacrifice, thought for a moment of disputing the fundamental + doctrines of Christianity. The infamous doctrines that salvation depends + upon belief—upon a mere intellectual conviction—was then + believed and preached. To doubt was to secure the damnation of your soul. + This absurd and devilish doctrine shocked the common sense of Thomas + Paine, and he denounced it with the fervor of honest indignation. This + doctrine, although infinitely ridiculous, has been nearly universal, and + has been as hurtful as senseless. For the overthrow of this infamous + tenet, Paine exerted all his strength. He left few arguments to be used by + those who should come after him, and he used none that have been refuted. + The combined wisdom and genius of all mankind cannot possibly conceive of + an argument against liberty of thought. Neither can they show why any one + should be punished, either in this world or another, for acting honestly + in accordance with reason; and yet a doctrine with every possible argument + against it has been, and still is, believed and defended by the entire + orthodox world. Can it be possible that we have been endowed with reason + simply that our souls may be caught in its toils and snares, that we may + be led by its false and delusive glare out of the narrow path that leads + to joy into the broad way of everlasting death? Is it possible that we + have been given reason simply that we may through faith ignore its + deductions, and avoid its conclusions? Ought the sailor to throw away his + compass and depend entirely upon the fog? If reason is not to be depended + upon in matters of religion, that is to say, in respect of our duties to + the Deity, why should it be relied upon in matters respecting the rights + of our fellows? Why should we throw away the laws given to Moses by God + himself and have the audacity to make some of our own? How dare we drown + the thunders of Sinai by calling the ayes and noes in a petty legislature? + If reason can determine what is merciful, what is just, the duties of man + to man, what more do we want either in time or eternity? + </p> + <p> + Down, forever down, with any religion that requires upon its ignorant + altar the sacrifice of the goddess Reason, that compels her to abdicate + forever the shining throne of the soul, strips from her form the imperial + purple, snatches from her hand the sceptre of thought and makes her the + bond-woman of a senseless faith! + </p> + <p> + If a man should tell you that he had the most beautiful painting in the + world, and after taking you where it was should insist upon having your + eyes shut, you would likely suspect, either that he had no painting or + that it was some pitiable daub. Should he tell you that he was a most + excellent performer on the violin, and yet refuse to play unless your ears + were stopped, you would think, to say the least of it, that he had an odd + way of convincing you of his musical ability. But would his conduct be any + more wonderful than that of a religionist who asks that before examining + his creed you will have the kindness to throw away your reason? The first + gentleman says, "Keep your eyes shut, my picture will bear everything but + being seen;" "Keep your ears stopped, my music objects to nothing but + being heard." The last says, "Away with your reason, my religion dreads + nothing but being understood." + </p> + <p> + So far as I am concerned, I most cheerfully admit that most Christians are + honest, and most ministers sincere. We do not attack them; we attack their + creed. We accord to them the same rights that we ask for ourselves. We + believe that their doctrines are hurtful. We believe that the frightful + text, "He that believes shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be + damned," has covered the earth with blood. It has filled the heart with + arrogance, cruelty and murder. It has caused the religious wars; bound + hundreds of thousands to the stake; founded inquisitions; filled dungeons; + invented instruments of torture; taught the mother to hate her child; + imprisoned the mind; filled the world with ignorance; persecuted the + lovers of wisdom; built the monasteries and convents; made happiness a + crime, investigation a sin, and self-reliance a blasphemy. It has poisoned + the springs of learning; misdirected the energies of the world; filled all + countries with want; housed the people in hovels; fed them with famine; + and but for the efforts of a few brave Infidels it would have taken the + world back to the midnight of barbarism, and left the heavens without a + star. + </p> + <p> + The maligners of Paine say that he had no right to attack this doctrine, + because he was unacquainted with the dead languages; and for this reason, + it was a piece of pure impudence in him to investigate the Scriptures. + </p> + <p> + Is it necessary to understand Hebrew in order to know that cruelty is not + a virtue, that murder is inconsistent with infinite goodness, and that + eternal punishment can be inflicted upon man only by an eternal fiend? Is + it really essential to conjugate the Greek verbs before you can make up + your mind as to the probability of dead people getting out of their + graves? Must one be versed in Latin before he is entitled to express his + opinion as to the genuineness of a pretended revelation from God? Common + sense belongs exclusively to no tongue. Logic is not confined to, nor has + it been buried with, the dead languages. Paine attacked the Bible as it is + translated. If the translation is wrong, let its defenders correct it. + </p> + <p> + The Christianity of Paine's day is not the Christianity of our time. There + has been a great improvement since then. One hundred and fifty years ago + the foremost preachers of our time would have perished at the stake. A + Universalist would have been torn in pieces in England, Scotland, and + America. Unitarians would have found themselves in the stocks, pelted by + the rabble with dead cats, after which their ears would have been cut off, + their tongues bored, and their foreheads branded. Less than one hundred + and fifty years ago the following law was in force in Maryland: + </p> + <p> + "Be it enacted by the Right Honorable, the Lord Proprietor, by and with + the advice and consent of his Lordship's governor, and the upper and lower + houses of the Assembly, and the authority of the same: + </p> + <p> + "That if any person shall hereafter, within this province, wittingly, + maliciously, and advisedly, by writing or speaking, blaspheme or curse + God, or deny our Saviour, Jesus Christ, to be the Son of God, or shall + deny the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, or the Godhead of + any of the three persons, or the unity of the Godhead, or shall utter any + profane words concerning the Holy Trinity, or any of the persons thereof, + and shall thereof be convict by verdict, shall, for the first offence, be + bored through the tongue, and fined twenty pounds to be levied of his + body. And for the second offence, the offender shall be stigmatized by + burning in the forehead with the letter B, and fined forty pounds. And + that for the third offence the offender shall suffer death without the + benefit of clergy." + </p> + <p> + The strange thing about this law is, that it has never been repealed, and + is still in force in the District of Columbia. Laws like this were in + force in most of the colonies, and in all countries where the church had + power. + </p> + <p> + In the Old Testament, the death penalty is attached to hundreds of + offences. It has been the same in all Christian countries. To-day, in + civilized governments, the death penalty is attached only to murder and + treason; and in some it has been entirely abolished. What a commentary + upon the divine systems of the world! + </p> + <p> + In the day of Thomas Paine, the church was ignorant, bloody and + relentless. In Scotland the "Kirk" was at the summit of its power. It was + a full sister of the Spanish Inquisition. It waged war upon human nature. + It was the enemy of happiness, the hater of joy, and the despiser of + religious liberty. It taught parents to murder their children rather than + to allow them to propagate error. If the mother held opinions of which the + infamous "Kirk" disapproved, her children were taken from her arms, her + babe from her very bosom, and she was not allowed to see them, or to write + them a word. It would not allow shipwrecked sailors to be rescued from + drowning on Sunday. It sought to annihilate pleasure, to pollute the heart + by filling it with religious cruelty and gloom, and to change mankind into + a vast horde of pious, heartless fiends. One of the most famous Scotch + divines said: "The Kirk holds that religious toleration is not far from + blasphemy." And this same Scotch Kirk denounced, beyond measure, the man + who had the moral grandeur to say, "The world is my country, and to do + good my religion." And this same Kirk abhorred the man who said, "Any + system of religion that shocks the mind of a child cannot be a true + system." + </p> + <p> + At that time nothing so delighted the church as the beauties of endless + torment, and listening to the weak wailings of damned infants struggling + in the slimy coils and poison-folds of the worm that never dies. + </p> + <p> + About the beginning of the nineteenth century, a boy by the name of Thomas + Aikenhead, was indicted and tried at Edinburgh for having denied the + inspiration of the Scriptures, and for having, on several occasions, when + cold, wished himself in hell that he might get warm. Notwithstanding the + poor boy recanted and begged for mercy, he was found guilty and hanged. + His body was thrown in a hole at the foot of the scaffold and covered with + stones. + </p> + <p> + Prosecutions and executions like this were common in every Christian + country, and all of them were based upon the belief that an intellectual + conviction is a crime. + </p> + <p> + No wonder the church hated and traduced the author of the "Age of Reason." + </p> + <p> + England was filled with Puritan gloom and Episcopal ceremony. All + religious conceptions were of the grossest nature. The ideas of crazy + fanatics and extravagant poets were taken as sober facts. Milton had + clothed Christianity in the soiled and faded finery of the gods—had + added to the story of Christ the fables of Mythology. He gave to the + Protestant Church the most outrageously material ideas of the Deity. He + turned all the angels into soldiers—made heaven a battlefield, put + Christ in uniform, and described God as a militia general. His works were + considered by the Protestants nearly as sacred as the Bible itself, and + the imagination of the people was thoroughly polluted by the horrible + imagery, the sublime absurdity of the blind Milton. + </p> + <p> + Heaven and hell were realities—the judgment-day was expected—books + of account would be opened. Every man would hear the charges against him + read. God was supposed to sit on a golden throne, surrounded by the + tallest angels, with harps in their hands and crowns on their heads. The + goats would be thrust into eternal fire on the left, while the orthodox + sheep, on the right, were to gambol on sunny slopes forever and forever. + </p> + <p> + The nation was profoundly ignorant, and consequently extremely religious, + so far as belief was concerned. + </p> + <p> + In Europe, Liberty was lying chained in the Inquisition—her white + bosom stained with blood. In the New World the Puritans had been hanging + and burning in the name of God, and selling white Quaker children into + slavery in the name of Christ, who said, "Suffer little children to come + unto me." + </p> + <p> + Under such conditions progress was impossible. Some one had to lead the + way. The church is, and always has been, incapable of a forward movement. + Religion always looks back. The church has already reduced Spain to a + guitar, Italy to a hand-organ, and Ireland to exile. + </p> + <p> + Some one not connected with the church had to attack the monster that was + eating out the heart of the world. Some one had to sacrifice himself for + the good of all. The people were in the most abject slavery; their manhood + had been taken from them by pomp, by pageantry and power. Progress is born + of doubt and inquiry. + </p> + <p> + The church never doubts—never inquires. To doubt is heresy—to + inquire is to admit that you do not know—the church does neither. + </p> + <p> + More than a century ago Catholisism, wrapped in robes red with the + innocent blood of millions, holding in her frantic clutch crowns and + scepters, honors and gold, the keys of heaven and hell, trampling beneath + her feet the liberties of nations, in the proud moment of almost universal + dominion, felt within her heartless breast the deadly dagger of Voltaire. + From that blow the church never can recover. Livid with hatred she + launched her eternal anathema at the great destroyer, and ignorant + Protestants have echoed the curse of Rome. + </p> + <p> + In our country the church was all-powerful, and although divided into many + sects, would instantly unite to repel a common foe. + </p> + <p> + Paine struck the first grand blow. + </p> + <p> + The "Age of Reason" did more to undermine the power of the Protestant + Church than all other books then known. It furnished an immense amount of + food for thought. It was written for the average mind, and is a + straightforward, honest investigation of the Bible, and of the Christian + system. + </p> + <p> + Paine did not falter, from the first page to the last. He gives you his + candid thought, and candid thoughts are always valuable. + </p> + <p> + The "Age of Reason" has liberalized us all. It put arguments in the mouths + of the people; it put the church on the defensive; it enabled somebody in + every village to corner the parson; it made the world wiser, and the + church better; it took power from the pulpit and divided it among the + pews. + </p> + <p> + Just in proportion that the human race has advanced, the church has lost + power. There is no exception to this rule. + </p> + <p> + No nation ever materially advanced that held strictly to the religion of + its founders. + </p> + <p> + No nation ever gave itself wholly to the control of the church without + losing its power, its honor, and existence. + </p> + <p> + Every church pretends to have found the exact truth. This is the end of + progress. Why pursue that which you have? Why investigate when you know? + </p> + <p> + Every creed is a rock in running water: humanity sweeps by it. Every creed + cries to the universe, "Halt!" A creed is the ignorant Past bullying the + enlightened Present. + </p> + <p> + The ignorant are not satisfied with what can be demonstrated. Science is + too slow for them, and so they invent creeds. They demand completeness. A + sublime segment, a grand fragment, are of no value to them. They demand + the complete circle—the entire structure. + </p> + <p> + In music they want a melody with a recurring accent at measured periods. + In religion they insist upon immediate answers to the questions of + creation and destiny. The alpha and omega of all things must be in the + alphabet of their superstition. A religion that cannot answer every + question, and guess every conundrum is, in their estimation, worse than + worthless. They desire a kind of theological dictionary—a religious + ready reckoner, together with guide-boards at all crossings and turns. + They mistake impudence for authority, solemnity for wisdom, and bathos for + inspiration. The beginning and the end are what they demand. The grand + flight of the eagle is nothing to them. They want the nest in which he was + hatched, and especially the dry limb upon which he roosts. Anything that + can be learned is hardly worth knowing. The present is considered of no + value in itself. Happiness must not be expected this side of the clouds, + and can only be attained by self-denial and faith; not selfdenial for the + good of others, but for the salvation of your own sweet self. + </p> + <p> + Paine denied the authority of bibles and creeds; this was his crime, and + for this the world shut the door in his face, and emptied its slops upon + him from the windows. + </p> + <p> + I challenge the world to show that Thomas Paine ever wrote one line, one + word in favor of tyranny—in favor of immorality; one line, one word + against what he believed to be for the highest and best interest of + mankind; one line, one word against justice, charity, or liberty, and yet + he has been pursued as though he had been a fiend from hell. His memory + has been execrated as though he had murdered some Uriah for his wife; + driven some Hagar into the desert to starve with his child upon her bosom; + defiled his own daughters; ripped open with the sword the sweet bodies of + loving and innocent women; advised one brother to assassinate another; + kept a harem with seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, or had + persecuted Christians even unto strange cities. + </p> + <p> + The church has pursued Paine to deter others. No effort has been in any + age of the world spared to crush out opposition. The church used painting, + music and architecture, simply to degrade mankind. But there are men that + nothing can awe. There have been at all times brave spirits that dared + even the gods. Some proud head has always been above the waves. In every + age some Diogenes has sacrificed to all the gods. True genius never + cowers, and there is always some Samson feeling for the pillars of + authority. + </p> + <p> + Cathedrals and domes, and chimes and chants.—temples frescoed and + groined and carved, and gilded with gold—altars and tapers, and + paintings of virgin and babe—censer and chalice—chasuble, + paten and alb—organs, and anthems and incense rising to the winged + and blest—maniple, amice and stole—crosses and crosiers, + tiaras and crowns—mitres and missals and masses—rosaries, + relics and robes—martyrs and saints, and windows stained as with the + blood of Christ—never, never for one moment awed the brave, proud + spirit of the Infidel. He knew that all the pomp and glitter had been + purchased with Liberty—that priceless jewel of the soul. In looking + at the cathedral he remembered the dungeon. The music of the organ was not + loud enough to drown the clank of fetters. He could not forget that the + taper had lighted the fagot. He knew that the cross adorned the hilt of + the sword, and so where others worshiped, he wept and scorned. + </p> + <p> + The doubter, the investigator, the Infidel, have been the saviors of + liberty. This truth is beginning to be realized, and the truly + intellectual are honoring the brave thinkers of the past. + </p> + <p> + But the church is as unforgiving as ever, and still wonders why any + Infidel should be wicked enough to endeavor to destroy her power. + </p> + <p> + I will tell the church why. + </p> + <p> + You have imprisoned the human mind; you have been the enemy of liberty; + you have burned us at the stake—wasted us upon slow fires—torn + our flesh with iron; you have covered us with chains—treated us as + outcasts; you have filled the world with fear; you have taken our wives + and children from our arms; you have confiscated our property; you have + denied us the right to testify in courts of justice; you have branded us + with infamy; you have torn out our tongues; you have refused us burial. In + the name of your religion, you have robbed us of every right; and after + having inflicted upon us every evil that can be inflicted in this world, + you have fallen upon your knees, and with clasped hands implored your God + to torment us forever. + </p> + <p> + Can you wonder that we hate your doctrines—that we despise your + creeds—that we feel proud to know that we are beyond your power—that + we are free in spite of you—that we can express our honest thought, + and that the whole world is grandly rising into the blessed light? + </p> + <p> + Can you wonder that we point with pride to the fact that Infidelity has + ever been found battling for the rights of man, for the liberty of + conscience, and for the happiness of all? + </p> + <p> + Can you wonder that we are proud to know that we have always been + disciples of Reason, and soldiers of Freedom; that we have denounced + tyranny and superstition, and have kept our hands unstained with human + blood? + </p> + <p> + We deny that religion is the end or object of this life. When it is so + considered it becomes destructive of happiness—the real end of life. + It becomes a hydra-headed monster, reaching in terrible coils from the + heavens, and thrusting its thousand fangs into the bleeding, quivering + hearts of men. It devours their substance, builds palaces for God, (who + dwells not in temples made with hands,) and allows his children to die in + huts and hovels. It fills the earth with mourning, heaven with hatred, the + present with fear, and all the future with despair. + </p> + <p> + Virtue is a subordination of the passions to the intellect. It is to act + in accordance with your highest convictions. It does not consist in + believing, but in doing. This is the sublime truth that the Infidels in + all ages have uttered. They have handed the torch from one to the other + through all the years that have fled. Upon the altar of Reason they have + kept the sacred fire, and through the long midnight of faith they fed the + divine flame. + </p> + <p> + Infidelity is liberty; all religion is slavery. In every creed man is the + slave of God—woman is the slave of man and the sweet children are + the slaves of all. + </p> + <p> + We do not want creeds; we want knowledge—we want happiness. + </p> + <p> + And yet we are told by the church that we have accomplished nothing; that + we are simply destroyers; that we tear down without building again. + </p> + <p> + Is it nothing to free the mind? Is it nothing to civilize mankind? Is it + nothing to fill the world with light, with discovery, with science? Is it + nothing to dignify man and exalt the intellect? Is it nothing to grope + your way into the dreary prisons, the damp and dropping dungeons, the dark + and silent cells of superstition, where the souls of men are chained to + floors of stone; to greet them like a ray of light, like the song of a + bird, the murmur of a stream; to see the dull eyes open and grow slowly + bright; to feel yourself grasped by the shrunken and unused hands, and + hear yourself thanked by a strange and hollow voice? + </p> + <p> + Is it nothing to conduct these souls gradually into the blessed light of + day—to let them see again the happy fields, the sweet, green earth, + and hear the everlasting music of the waves? Is it nothing to make men + wipe the dust from their swollen knees, the tears from their blanched and + furrowed cheeks? Is it a small thing to reave the heavens of an insatiate + monster and write upon the eternal dome, glittering with stars, the grand + word—Freedom? + </p> + <p> + Is it a small thing to quench the flames of hell with the holy tears of + pity—to unbind the martyr from the stake—break all the chains—put + out the fires of civil war—stay the sword of the fanatic, and tear + the bloody hands of the Church from the white throat of Science? + </p> + <p> + Is it a small thing to make men truly free—to destroy the dogmas of + ignorance, prejudice and power—the poisoned fables of superstition, + and drive from the beautiful face of the earth the fiend of Fear? + </p> + <p> + It does seem as though the most zealous Christian must at times entertain + some doubt as to the divine origin of his religion. For eighteen hundred + years the doctrine has been preached. For more than a thousand years the + church had, to a great extent, the control of the civilized world, and + what has been the result? Are the Christian nations patterns of charity + and forbearance? On the contrary, their principal business is to destroy + each other. More than five millions of Christians are trained, educated, + and drilled to murder their fellow-christians. Every nation is groaning + under a vast debt incurred in carrying on war against other Christians, or + defending itself from Christian assault. The world is covered with forts + to protect Christians from Christians, and every sea is covered with iron + monsters ready to blow Christian brains into eternal froth. Millions upon + millions are annually expended in the effort to construct still more + deadly and terrible engines of death. Industry is crippled, honest toil is + robbed, and even beggary is taxed to defray the expenses of Christian + warfare. There must be some other way to reform this world. We have tried + creed, and dogma and fable, and they have failed; and they have failed in + all the nations dead. + </p> + <p> + The people perish for the lack of knowledge. + </p> + <p> + Nothing but education—scientific education—can benefit + mankind. We must find out the laws of nature and conform to them. + </p> + <p> + We need free bodies and free minds,—free labor and free thought,—chainless + hands and fetterless brains. Free labor will give us wealth. Free thought + will give us truth. + </p> + <p> + We need men with moral courage to speak and write their real thoughts, and + to stand by their convictions, even to the very death. We need have no + fear of being too radical. The future will verify all grand and brave + predictions. Paine was splendidly in advance of his time; but he was + orthodox compared with the Infidels of to-day. + </p> + <p> + Science, the great Iconoclast, has been busy since 1809, and by the + highway of Progress are the broken images of the Past. + </p> + <p> + On every hand the people advance. The Vicar of God has been pushed from + the throne of the Caesars, and upon the roofs of the Eternal City falls + once more the shadow of the Eagle. + </p> + <p> + All has been accomplished by the heroic few. The men of science have + explored heaven and earth, and with infinite patience have furnished the + facts. The brave thinkers have used them. The gloomy caverns of + superstition have been transformed into temples of thought, and the demons + of the past are the angels of to-day. + </p> + <p> + Science took a handful of sand, constructed a telescope, and with it + explored the starry depths of heaven. Science wrested from the gods their + thunderbolts; and now, the electric spark, freighted with thought and + love, flashes under all the waves of the sea. Science took a tear from the + cheek of unpaid labor, converted it into steam, created a giant that turns + with tireless arm, the countless wheels of toil. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine was one of the intellectual heroes—one of the men to + whom we are indebted. His name is associated forever with the Great + Republic. As long as free government exists he will be remembered, admired + and honored. + </p> + <p> + He lived a long, laborious and useful life. The world is better for his + having lived. For the sake of truth he accepted hatred and reproach for + his portion. He ate the bitter bread of sorrow. His friends were untrue to + him because he was true to himself, and true to them. He lost the respect + of what is called society, but kept his own. His life is what the world + calls failure and what history calls success. + </p> + <p> + If to love your fellow-men more than self is goodness, Thomas Paine was + good. + </p> + <p> + If to be in advance of your time—to be a pioneer in the direction of + right—is greatness, Thomas Paine was great. + </p> + <p> + If to avow your principles and discharge your duty in the presence of + death is heroic, Thomas Paine was a hero. + </p> + <p> + At the age of seventy-three, death touched his tired heart. He died in the + land his genius defended—under the flag he gave to the skies. + Slander cannot touch him now—hatred cannot reach him more. He sleeps + in the sanctuary of the tomb, beneath the quiet of the stars. + </p> + <p> + A few more years—a few more brave men—a few more rays of + light, and mankind will venerate the memory of him who said: + </p> + <p> + "ANY SYSTEM OF RELIGION THAT SHOCKS THE MIND OF A CHILD CANNOT BE A TRUE + SYSTEM;" + </p> + <p> + "The world is my Country, and to do good my Religion." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + INDIVIDUALITY. + </h2> + <h3> + "His Soul was like a Star and dwelt apart." + </h3> + <p> + ON every hand are the enemies of individuality and mental freedom. Custom + meets us at the cradle and leaves us only at the tomb. Our first questions + are answered by ignorance, and our last by superstition. We are pushed and + dragged by countless hands along the beaten track, and our entire training + can be summed up in the word—suppression. Our desire to have a thing + or to do a thing is considered as conclusive evidence that we ought not to + have it, and ought not to do it. At every turn we run against cherubim and + a flaming sword guarding some entrance to the Eden of our desire. We are + allowed to investigate all subjects in which we feel no particular + interest, and to express the opinions of the majority with the utmost + freedom. We are taught that liberty of speech should never be carried to + the extent of contradicting the dead witnesses of a popular superstition. + Society offers continual rewards for self-betrayal, and they are nearly + all earned and claimed, and some are paid. + </p> + <p> + We have all read accounts of Christian gentlemen remarking, when about to + be hanged, how much better it would have been for them if they had only + followed a mother's advice. But after all, how fortunate it is for the + world that the maternal advice has not always been followed. How fortunate + it is for us all that it is somewhat unnatural for a human being to obey. + Universal obedience is universal stagnation; disobedience is one of the + conditions of progress. Select any age of the world and tell me what would + have been the effect of implicit obedience. Suppose the church had had + absolute control of the human mind at any time, would not the words + liberty and progress have been blotted from human speech? In defiance of + advice, the world has advanced. + </p> + <p> + Suppose the astronomers had controlled the science of astronomy; suppose + the doctors had controlled the science of medicine; suppose kings had been + left to fix the forms of government; suppose our fathers had taken the + advice of Paul, who said, "be subject to the powers that be, because they + are ordained of God;" suppose the church could control the world to-day, + we would go back to chaos and old night. Philosophy would be branded as + infamous; Science would again press its pale and thoughtful face against + the prison bars, and round the limbs of liberty would climb the bigot's + flame. + </p> + <p> + It is a blessed thing that in every age some one has had individuality + enough and courage enough to stand by his own convictions,—some one + who had the grandeur to say his say. I believe it was Magellan who said, + "The church says the earth is flat; but I have seen its shadow on the + moon, and I have more confidence even in a shadow than in the church." On + the prow of his ship were disobedience, defiance, scorn, and success. + </p> + <p> + The trouble with most people is, they bow to what is called authority; + they have a certain reverence for the old because it is old. They think a + man is better for being dead, especially if he has been dead a long time. + They think the fathers of their nation were the greatest and best of all + mankind. All these things they implicitly believe because it is popular + and patriotic, and because they were told so when they were very small, + and remember distinctly of hearing mother read it out of a book. It is + hard to over-estimate the influence of early training in the direction of + superstition. You first teach children that a certain book is true—that + it was written by God himself—that to question its truth is a sin, + that to deny it is a crime, and that should they die without believing + that book they will be forever damned without benefit of clergy. The + consequence is, that long before they read that book, they believe it to + be true. When they do read it their minds are wholly unfitted to + investigate its claims. They accept it as a matter of course. + </p> + <p> + In this way the reason is overcome, the sweet instincts of humanity are + blotted from the heart, and while reading its infamous pages even justice + throws aside her scales, shrieking for revenge, and charity, with bloody + hands, applauds a deed of murder. In this way we are taught that the + revenge of man is the justice of God; that mercy is not the same + everywhere. In this way the ideas of our race have been subverted. In this + way we have made tyrants, bigots, and inquisitors. In this way the brain + of man has become a kind of palimpsest upon which, and over the writings + of nature, superstition has scrawled her countless lies. One great trouble + is that most teachers are dishonest. They teach as certainties those + things concerning which they entertain doubts. They do not say, "we <i>think</i> + this is so," but "we <i>know</i> this is so." They do not appeal to the + reason of the pupil, but they command his faith. They keep all doubts to + themselves; they do not explain, they assert. All this is infamous. In + this way you may make Christians, but you cannot make men; you cannot make + women. You can make followers, but no leaders; disciples, but no Christs. + You may promise power, honor, and happiness to all those who will blindly + follow, but you cannot keep your promise. + </p> + <p> + A monarch said to a hermit, "Come with me and I will give you power." + </p> + <p> + "I have all the power that I know how to use" replied the hermit. + </p> + <p> + "Come," said the king, "I will give you wealth." + </p> + <p> + "I have no wants that money can supply," said the hermit. + </p> + <p> + "I will give you honor," said the monarch. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, honor cannot be given, it must be earned," was the hermit's answer. + </p> + <p> + "Come," said the king, making a last appeal, "and I will give you + happiness." + </p> + <p> + "No," said the man of solitude, "there is no happiness without liberty, + and he who follows cannot be free." + </p> + <p> + "You shall have liberty too," said the king. + </p> + <p> + "Then I will stay where I am," said the old man. + </p> + <p> + And all the king's courtiers thought the hermit a fool. + </p> + <p> + Now and then somebody examines, and in spite of all keeps his manhood, and + has the courage to follow where his reason leads. Then the pious get + together and repeat wise saws, and exchange knowing nods and most + prophetic winks. The stupidly wise sit owl-like on the dead limbs of the + tree of knowledge, and solemnly hoot. Wealth sneers, and fashion laughs, + and respectability passes by on the other side, and scorn points with all + her skinny fingers, and all the snakes of superstition writhe and hiss, + and slander lends her tongue, and infamy her brand, and perjury her oath, + and the law its power, and bigotry tortures, and the church kills. + </p> + <p> + The church hates a thinker precisely for the same reason a robber dislikes + a sheriff, or a thief despises the prosecuting witness. Tyranny likes + courtiers, flatterers, followers, fawners, and superstition wants + believers, disciples, zealots, hypocrites, and subscribers. The church + demands worship—the very thing that man should give to no being, + human or divine. To worship another is to degrade yourself. Worship is awe + and dread and vague fear and blind hope. It is the spirit of worship that + elevates the one and degrades the many; that builds palaces for robbers, + erects monuments to crime, and forges manacles even for its own hands. The + spirit of worship is the spirit of tyranny. The worshiper always regrets + that he is not the worshiped. We should all remember that the intellect + has no knees, and that whatever the attitude of the body may be, the brave + soul is always found erect. Whoever worships, abdicates. Whoever believes + at the command of power, tramples his own individuality beneath his feet, + and voluntarily robs himself of all that renders man superior to the + brute. + </p> + <p> + The despotism of faith is justified upon the ground that Christian + countries are the grandest and most prosperous of the world. At one time + the same thing could have been truly said in India, in Egypt, in Greece, + in Rome, and in every other country that has, in the history of the world, + swept to empire. This argument proves too much not only, but the + assumption upon which it is based is utterly false. Numberless + circumstances and countless conditions have produced the prosperity of the + Christian world. The truth is, we have advanced in spite of religious + zeal, ignorance, and opposition. The church has won no victories for the + rights of man. Luther labored to reform the church—Voltaire, to + reform men. Over every fortress of tyranny has waved, and still waves, the + banner of the church. Wherever brave blood has been shed, the sword of the + church has been wet. On every chain has been the sign of the cross. The + altar and throne have leaned against and supported each other. + </p> + <p> + All that is good in our civilization is the result of commerce, climate, + soil, geographical position, industry, invention, discovery, art, and + science. The church has been the enemy of progress, for the reason that it + has endeavored to prevent man thinking for himself. To prevent thought is + to prevent all advancement except in the direction of faith. + </p> + <p> + Who can imagine the infinite impudence of a church assuming to think for + the human race? Who can imagine the infinite impudence of a church that + pretends to be the mouthpiece of God, and in his name threatens to inflict + eternal punishment upon those who honestly reject its claims and scorn its + pretensions? By what right does a man, or an organization of men, or a + god, claim to hold a brain in bondage? When a fact can be demonstrated, + force is unnecessary; when it cannot be demonstrated, an appeal to force + is infamous. In the presence of the unknown all have an equal right to + think. + </p> + <p> + Over the vast plain, called life, we are all travelers, and not one + traveler is perfectly certain that he is going in the right direction. + True it is that no other plain is so well supplied with guide-boards. At + every turn and crossing you will find them, and upon each one is written + the exact direction and distance. One great trouble is, however, that + these boards are all different, and the result is that most travelers are + confused in proportion to the number they read. Thousands of people are + around each of these signs, and each one is doing his best to convince the + traveler that his particular board is the only one upon which the least + reliance can be placed, and that if his road is taken the reward for so + doing will be infinite and eternal, while all the other roads are said to + lead to hell, and all the makers of the other guide-boards are declared to + be heretics, hypocrites and liars. "Well," says a traveler, "you may be + right in what you say, but allow me at least to read some of the other + directions and examine a little into their claims. I wish to rely a little + upon my own judgment in a matter of so great importance." "No, sir," + shouts the zealot, "that is the very thing you are not allowed to do. You + must go my way without investigation, or you are as good as damned + already." "Well," says the traveler, "if that is so, I believe I had + better go your way." And so most of them go along, taking the word of + those who know as little as themselves. Now and then comes one who, in + spite of all threats, calmly examines the claims of all, and as calmly + rejects them all. These travelers take roads of their own, and are + denounced by all the others, as infidels and atheists. + </p> + <p> + Around all of these guide-boards, as far as the eye can reach, the ground + is covered with mountains of human bones, crumbling and bleaching in the + rain and sun. They are the bones of murdered men and women—fathers, + mothers and babes. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, every human being should take a road of his own. Every + mind should be true to itself—should think, investigate and conclude + for itself. This is a duty alike incumbent upon pauper and prince. Every + soul should repel dictation and tyranny, no matter from what source they + come—from earth or heaven, from men or gods. Besides, every traveler + upon this vast plain should give to every other traveler his best idea as + to the road that should be taken. Each is entitled to the honest opinion + of all. And there is but one way to get an honest opinion upon any subject + whatever. The person giving the opinion must be free from fear. The + merchant must not fear to lose his custom, the doctor his practice, nor + the preacher his pulpit There can be no advance without liberty. + Suppression of honest inquiry is retrogression, and must end in + intellectual night. The tendency of orthodox religion to-day is toward + mental slavery and barbarism. Not one of the orthodox ministers dare + preach what he thinks if he knows a majority of his congregation think + otherwise. He knows that every member of his church stands guard over his + brain with a creed, like a club, in his hand. He knows that he is not + expected to search after the truth, but that he is employed to defend the + creed. Every pulpit is a pillory, in which stands a hired culprit, + defending the justice of his own imprisonment. + </p> + <p> + Is it desirable that all should be exactly alike in their religious + convictions? Is any such thing possible? Do we not know that there are no + two persons alike in the whole world? No two, trees, no two leaves, no two + anythings that are alike? Infinite diversity is the law. Religion tries to + force all minds into one mould. Knowing that all cannot believe, the + church endeavors to make all say they believe. She longs for the unity of + hypocrisy, and detests the splendid diversity of individuality and + freedom. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all people stand in great horror of annihilation, and yet to give + up your individuality is to annihilate yourself. Mental slavery is mental + death, and every man who has given up his intellectual freedom is the + living coffin of his dead soul. In this sense, every church is a cemetery + and every creed an epitaph. + </p> + <p> + We should all remember that to be like other people is to be unlike + ourselves, and that nothing can be more detestable in character than + servile imitation. The great trouble with imitation is, that we are apt to + ape those who are in reality far below us. After all, the poorest bargain + that a human being can make, is to give his individuality for what is + called respectability. + </p> + <p> + There is no saying more degrading than this: "It is better to be the tail + of a lion than the head of a dog." It is a responsibility to think and act + for yourself. Most people hate responsibility; therefore they join + something and become the tail of some lion. They say, "My party can act + for me—my church can do my thinking. It is enough for me to pay + taxes and obey the lion to which I belong, without troubling myself about + the right, the wrong, or the why or the wherefore of anything whatever." + These people are respectable. They hate reformers, and dislike exceedingly + to have their minds disturbed. They regard convictions as very + disagreeable things to have. They love forms, and enjoy, beyond everything + else, telling what a splendid tail their lion has, and what a troublesome + dog their neighbor is. Besides this natural inclination to avoid personal + responsibility, is and always has been, the fact, that every religionist + has warned men against the presumption and wickedness of thinking for + themselves. The reason has been denounced by all Christendom as the only + unsafe guide. The church has left nothing undone to prevent man following + the logic of his brain. The plainest facts have been covered with the + mantle of mystery. The grossest absurdities have been declared to be + self-evident facts. The order of nature has been, as it were, reversed, + that the hypocritical few might govern the honest many. The man who stood + by the conclusion of his reason was denounced as a scorner and hater of + God and his holy church. From the organization of the first church until + this moment, to think your own thoughts has been inconsistent with + membership. Every member has borne the marks of collar, and chain, and + whip. No man ever seriously attempted to reform a church without being + cast out and hunted down by the hounds of hypocrisy. The highest crime + against a creed is to change it. Reformation is treason. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of young men are being educated at this moment by the various + churches. What for? In order that they may be prepared to investigate the + phenomena by which we are surrounded? No! The object, and the only object, + is that they may be prepared to defend a creed; that they may learn the + arguments of their respective churches, and repeat them in the dull ears + of a thoughtless congregation. If one, after being thus trained at the + expense of the Methodists, turns Presbyterian or Baptist, he is denounced + as an ungrateful wretch. Honest investigation is utterly impossible within + the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is + right you will not investigate, and if you think it wrong, the church will + investigate you. The consequence of this is, that most of the theological + literature is the result of suppression, of fear, tyranny and hypocrisy. + </p> + <p> + Every orthodox writer necessarily said to himself, "If I write that, my + wife and children may want for bread. I will be covered with shame and + branded with infamy; but if I write this, I will gain position, power, and + honor. My church rewards defenders, and burns reformers." + </p> + <p> + Under these conditions all your Scotts, Hen-rys, and McKnights have + written; and weighed in these scales, what are their commentaries worth? + They are not the ideas and decisions of honest judges, but the sophisms of + the paid attorneys of superstition. Who can tell what the world has lost + by this infamous system of suppression? How many grand thinkers have died + with the mailed hand of superstition upon their lips? How many splendid + ideas have perished in the cradle of the brain, strangled in the + poison-coils of that python, the Church! + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years a thinker was hunted down like an escaped convict. + To him who had braved the church, every door was shut, every knife was + open. To shelter him from the wild storm, to give him a crust when dying, + to put a cup of water to his cracked and bleeding lips; these were all + crimes, not one of which the church ever did forgive; and with the justice + taught of her God, his helpless children were exterminated as scorpions + and vipers. + </p> + <p> + Who at the present day can imagine the courage, the devotion to principle, + the intellectual and moral grandeur it once required to be an infidel, to + brave the church, her racks, her fagots, her dungeons, her tongues of + fire,—to defy and scorn her heaven and her hell—her devil and + her God? They were the noblest sons of earth. They were the real saviors + of our race, the destroyers of superstition and the creators of Science. + They were the real Titans who bared their grand foreheads to all the + thunderbolts of all the gods. + </p> + <p> + The church has been, and still is, the great robber. She has rifled not + only the pockets but the brains of the world. She is the stone at the + sepulchre of liberty; the upas tree, in whose shade the intellect of man + has withered; the Gorgon beneath whose gaze the human heart has turned to + stone. Under her influence even the Protestant mother expects to be happy + in heaven, while her brave boy, who fell fighting for the rights of man, + shall writhe in hell. + </p> + <p> + It is said that some of the Indian tribes place the heads of their + children between pieces of bark until the form of the skull is permanently + changed. To us this seems a most shocking custom; and yet, after all, is + it as bad as to put the souls of our children in the strait-jacket of a + creed? to so utterly deform their minds that they regard the God of the + Bible as a being of infinite mercy, and really consider it a virtue to + believe a thing just because it seems unreasonable? Every child in the + Christian world has uttered its wondering protest against this outrage. + All the machinery of the church is constantly employed in corrupting the + reason of children. In every possible way they are robbed of their own + thoughts and forced to accept the statements of others. Every Sunday + school has for its object the crushing out of every germ of individuality. + The poor children are taught that nothing can be more acceptable to God + than unreasoning obedience and eyeless faith, and that to believe God did + an impossible act, is far better than to do a good one yourself. They are + told that all religions have been simply the John-the-Baptists of ours; + that all the gods of antiquity have withered and shrunken into the Jehovah + of the Jews; that all the longings and aspirations of the race are + realized in the motto of the Evangelical Alliance, "Liberty in + non-essentials", that all there is, or ever was, of religion can be found + in the apostles' creed; that there is nothing left to be discovered; that + all the thinkers are dead, and all the living should simply be believers; + that we have only to repeat the epitaph found on the grave of wisdom; that + grave-yards are the best possible universities, and that the children must + be forever beaten with the bones of the fathers. + </p> + <p> + It has always seemed absurd to suppose that a god would choose for his + companions, during all eternity, the dear souls whose highest and only + ambition is to obey. He certainly would now and then be tempted to make + the same remark made by an English gentleman to his poor guest. The + gentleman had invited a man in humble circumstances to dine with him. The + man was so overcome with the honor that to everything the gentleman said + he replied "Yes." Tired at last with the monotony of acquiescence, the + gentleman cried out, "For God's sake, my good man, say 'No,' just once, so + there will be two of us." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that an infinite God created this world simply to be the + dwelling-place of slaves and serfs? simply for the purpose of raising + orthodox Christians? That he did a few miracles to astonish them; that all + the evils of life are simply his punishments, and that he is finally going + to turn heaven into a kind of religious museum filled with Baptist + barnacles, petrified Presbyterians and Methodist mummies? I want no heaven + for which I must give my reason; no happiness in exchange for my liberty, + and no immortality that demands the surrender of my individuality. Better + rot in the windowless tomb, to which there is no door but the red mouth of + the pallid worm, than wear the jeweled collar even of a god. + </p> + <p> + Religion does not, and cannot, contemplate man as free. She accepts only + the homage of the prostrate, and scorns the offerings of those who stand + erect. She cannot tolerate the liberty of thought. The wide and sunny + fields belong not to her domain. The star-lit heights of genius and + individuality are above and beyond her appreciation and power. Her + subjects cringe at her feet, covered with the dust of obedience. + </p> + <p> + They are not athletes standing posed by rich life and brave endeavor like + antique statues, but shriveled deformities, studying with furtive glance + the cruel face of power. + </p> + <p> + No religionist seems capable of comprehending this plain truth. There is + this difference between thought and action: for our actions we are + responsible to ourselves and to those injuriously affected; for thoughts, + there can, in the nature of things, be no responsibility to gods or men, + here or hereafter. And yet the Protestant has vied with the Catholic in + denouncing freedom of thought; and while I was taught to hate Catholicism + with every drop of my blood, it is only justice to say, that in all + essential particulars it is precisely the same as every other religion. + Luther denounced mental liberty with all the coarse and brutal vigor of + his nature; Calvin despised, from the very bottom of his petrified heart, + anything that even looked like religious toleration, and solemnly declared + that to advocate it was to crucify Christ afresh. All the founders of all + the orthodox churches have advocated the same infamous tenet. The truth + is, that what is called religion is necessarily inconsistent with free + thought A believer is a bird in a cage, a Freethinker is an eagle parting + the clouds with tireless wing. + </p> + <p> + At present, owing to the inroads that have been made by liberals and + infidels, most of the churches pretend to be in favor of religious + liberty. Of these churches, we will ask this question: How can a man, who + conscientiously believes in religious liberty, worship a God who does not? + They say to us: "We will not imprison you on account of your belief, but + our God will." "We will not burn you because you throw away the sacred + Scriptures, but their author will." "We think it an infamous crime to + persecute our brethren for opinion's sake,—but the God, whom we + ignorantly worship, will on that account, damn his own children forever." + </p> + <p> + Why is it that these Christians not only detest the infidels, but + cordially despise each other? Why do they refuse to worship in the temples + of each other? Why do they care so little for the damnation of men, and so + much for the baptism of children? Why will they adorn their churches with + the money of thieves and flatter vice for the sake of subscriptions? Why + will they attempt to bribe Science to certify to the writings of God? Why + do they torture the words of the great into an acknowledgment of the truth + of Christianity? Why do they stand with hat in hand before presidents, + kings, emperors, and scientists, begging, like Lazarus, for a few crumbs + of religious comfort? Why are they so delighted to find an allusion to + Providence in the message of Lincoln? Why are they so afraid that some one + will find out that Paley wrote an essay in favor of the Epicurean + philosophy, and that Sir Isaac Newton was once an infidel? Why are they so + anxious to show that Voltaire recanted; that Paine died palsied with fear; + that the Emperor Julian cried out "Galilean, thou hast conquered"; that + Gibbon died a Catholic; that Agassiz had a little confidence in Moses; + that the old Napoleon was once complimentary enough to say that he thought + Christ greater than himself or Cæsar; that Washington was caught on + his knees at Valley Forge; that blunt old Ethan Allen told his child to + believe the religion of her mother; that Franklin said, "Don't unchain the + tiger," and that Volney got frightened in a storm at sea? + </p> + <p> + Is it because the foundation of their temple is crumbling, because the + walls are cracked, the pillars leaning, the great dome swaying to its + fall, and because Science has written over the high altar its mene, mene, + tekel, upharsin—the old words, destined to be the epitaph of all + religions? + </p> + <p> + Every assertion of individual independence has been a step toward + infidelity. Luther started toward Humboldt,—Wesley, toward John + Stuart Mill. To really reform the church is to destroy it. Every new + religion has a little less superstition than the old, so that the religion + of Science is but a question of time. + </p> + <p> + I will not say the church has been an unmitigated evil in all respects. + Its history is infamous and glorious. It has delighted in the production + of extremes. It has furnished murderers for its own martyrs. It has + sometimes fed the body, but has always starved the soul. It has been a + charitable highwayman—a profligate beggar—a generous pirate. + It has produced some angels and a multitude of devils. It has built more + prisons than asylums. It made a hundred orphans while it cared for one. In + one hand it has carried the alms-dish and in the other a sword. It has + founded schools and endowed universities for the purpose of destroying + true learning. It filled the world with hypocrites and zealots, and upon + the cross of its own Christ it crucified the individuality of man. It has + sought to destroy the independence of the soul and put the world upon its + knees. This is its crime. The commission of this crime was necessary to + its existence. In order to compel obedience it declared that it had the + truth, and all the truth; that God had made it the keeper of his secrets; + his agent and his vicegerent. It declared that all other religions were + false and infamous. It rendered all compromise impossible and all thought + superfluous. Thought was its enemy, obedience was its friend. + Investigation was fraught with danger; therefore investigation was + suppressed. The holy of holies was behind the curtain. All this was upon + the principle that forgers hate to have the signature examined by an + expert, and that imposture detests curiosity. + </p> + <p> + "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," has always been the favorite + text of the church. + </p> + <p> + In short, Christianity has always opposed every forward movement of the + human race. Across the highway of progress it has always been building + breastworks of Bibles, tracts, commentaries, prayer-books, creeds, dogmas + and platforms, and at every advance the Christians have gathered together + behind these heaps of rubbish and shot the poisoned arrows of malice at + the soldiers of freedom. + </p> + <p> + And even the liberal Christian of to-day has his holy of holies, and in + the niche of the temple of his heart has his idol. He still clings to a + part of the old superstition, and all the pleasant memories of the old + belief linger in the horizon of his thoughts like a sunset. We associate + the memory of those we love with the religion of our childhood. It seems + almost a sacrilege to rudely destroy the idols that our fathers worshiped, + and turn their sacred and beautiful truths into the fables of barbarism. + Some throw away the Old Testament and cling to the New, while others give + up everything except the idea that there is a personal God, and that in + some wonderful way we are the objects of his care. + </p> + <p> + Even this, in my opinion, as Science, the great iconoclast, marches + onward, will have to be abandoned with the rest. The great ghost will + surely share the fate of the little ones. They fled at the first + appearance of the dawn, and the other will vanish with the perfect day. + Until then the independence of man is little more than a dream. + Overshadowed by an immense personality, in the presence of the + irresponsible and the infinite, the individuality of man is lost, and he + falls prostrate in the very dust of fear. Beneath the frown of the + absolute, man stands a wretched, trembling slave,—beneath his smile + he is at best only a fortunate serf. Governed by a being whose arbitrary + will is law, chained to the chariot of power, his destiny rests in the + pleasure of the unknown. Under these circumstances, what wretched object + can he have in lengthening out his aimless life? + </p> + <p> + And yet, in most minds, there is a vague fear of the gods—a + shrinking from the malice of the skies. Our fathers were slaves, and + nearly all their children are mental serfs. The enfranchisement of the + soul is a slow and painful process. Superstition, the mother of those + hideous twins, Fear and Faith, from her throne of skulls, still rules the + world, and will until the mind of woman ceases to be the property of + priests. + </p> + <p> + When women reason, and babes sit in the lap of philosophy, the victory of + reason over the shadowy host of darkness will be complete. + </p> + <p> + In the minds of many, long after the intellect has thrown aside as utterly + fabulous the legends of the church, there still remains a lingering + suspicion, born of the mental habits contracted in childhood, that after + all there may be a grain of truth in these mountains of theological mist, + and that possibly the superstitious side is the side of safety. + </p> + <p> + A gentleman, walking among the ruins of Athens, came upon a fallen statue + of Jupiter; making an exceedingly low bow he said: "O Jupiter! I salute + thee." He then added: "Should you ever sit upon the throne of heaven + again, do not, I pray you, forget that I treated you politely when you + were prostrate." + </p> + <p> + We have all been taught by the church that nothing is so well calculated + to excite the ire of the Deity as to express a doubt as to his existence, + and that to deny it is an unpardonable sin. Numerous well-attested + instances are referred to of atheists being struck dead for denying the + existence of God. According to these religious people, God is infinitely + above us in every respect, infinitely merciful, and yet he cannot bear to + hear a poor finite man honestly question his existence. Knowing, as he + does, that his children are groping in darkness and struggling with doubt + and fear; knowing that he could enlighten them if he would, he still holds + the expression of a sincere doubt as to his existence, the most infamous + of crimes. According to orthodox logic, God having furnished us with + imperfect minds, has a right to demand a perfect result. + </p> + <p> + Suppose Mr. Smith should overhear a couple of small bugs holding a + discussion as to the existence of Mr. Smith, and suppose one should have + the temerity to declare, upon the honor of a bug, that he had examined the + whole question to the best of his ability, including the argument based + upon design, and had come to the conclusion that no man by the name of + Smith had ever lived. Think then of Mr. Smith flying into an ecstasy of + rage, crushing the atheist bug beneath his iron heel, while he exclaimed, + "I will teach you, blasphemous wretch, that Smith is a diabolical fact!" + What then can we think of a God who would open the artillery of heaven + upon one of his own children for simply expressing his honest thought? And + what man who really thinks can help repeating the words of Ennius: "If + there are gods they certainly pay no attention to the affairs of man." + </p> + <p> + Think of the millions of men and women who have been destroyed simply for + loving and worshiping this God. Is it possible that this God, having + infinite power, saw his loving and heroic children languishing in the + darkness of dungeons; heard the clank of their chains when they lifted + their hands to him in the agony of prayer; saw them stretched upon the + bigot's rack, where death alone had pity; saw the serpents of flame crawl + hissing round their shrinking forms—-saw all this for sixteen + hundred years, and sat as silent as a stone? + </p> + <p> + From such a God, why should man expect assistance? Why should he waste his + days in fruitless prayer? Why should he fall upon his knees and implore a + phantom—a phantom that is deaf, and dumb, and blind? + </p> + <p> + Although we live in what is called a free government,—and + politically we are free,—there is but little religious liberty in + America. Society demands, either that you belong to some church, or that + you suppress your opinions. It is contended by many that ours is a + Christian government, founded upon the Bible, and that all who look upon + that book as false or foolish are destroying the foundation of our + country. The truth is, our government is not founded upon the rights of + gods, but upon the rights of men. Our Constitution was framed, not to + declare and uphold the deity of Christ, but the sacredness of humanity. + Ours is the first government made by the people and for the people. It is + the only nation with which the gods have had nothing to do. And yet there + are some judges dishonest and cowardly enough to solemnly decide that this + is a Christian country, and that our free institutions are based upon the + infamous laws of Jehovah. Such judges are the Jeffries of the church. They + believe that decisions, made by hirelings at the bidding of kings, are + binding upon man forever. They regard old law as far superior to modern + justice. They are what might be called orthodox judges. They spend their + days in finding out, not what ought to be, but what has been. With their + backs to the sunrise they worship the night. There is only one future + event with which they concern themselves, and that is their reelection. No + honest court ever did, or ever will, decide that our Constitution is + Christian. The Bible teaches that the powers that be, are ordained of God. + The Bible teaches that God is the source of all authority, and that all + kings have obtained their power from him. Every tyrant has claimed to be + the agent of the Most High. The Inquisition was founded, not in the name + of man, but in the name of God. All the governments of Europe recognize + the greatness of God, and the littleness of the people. In all ages, + hypocrites, called priests, have put crowns upon the heads of thieves, + called kings. + </p> + <p> + The Declaration of Independence announces the sublime truth, that all + power comes from the people. This was a denial, and the first denial of a + nation, of the infamous dogma that God confers the right upon one man to + govern others. It was the first grand assertion of the dignity of the + human race. It declared the governed to be the source of power, and in + fact denied the authority of any and all gods. Through the ages of slavery—through + the weary centuries of the lash and chain, God was the acknowledged ruler + of the world. To enthrone man, was to dethrone him. + </p> + <p> + To Paine, Jefferson, and Franklin, are we indebted, more than to all + others, for a human government, and for a Constitution in which no God is + recognized superior to the legally expressed will of the people. + </p> + <p> + They knew that to put God in the Constitution was to put man out. They + knew that the recognition of a Deity would be seized upon by fanatics and + zealots as a pretext for destroying the liberty of thought. They knew the + terrible history of the church too well to place in her keeping, or in the + keeping of her God, the sacred rights of man. They intended that all + should have the right to worship, or not to worship; that our laws should + make no distinction on account of creed. They intended to found and frame + a government for man, and for man alone. They wished to preserve the + individuality and liberty of all; to prevent the few from governing the + many, and the many from persecuting and destroying the few. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all this, the spirit of persecution still lingers in our + laws. In many of the States, only those who believe in the existence of + some kind of God, are under the protection of the law. + </p> + <p> + The supreme court of Illinois decided, in the year of grace 1856, that an + unbeliever in the existence of an intelligent First Cause could not be + allowed to testify in any court. His wife and children might have been + murdered before his very face, and yet in the absence of other witnesses, + the murderer could not have even been indicted. The atheist was a legal + outcast. To him, Justice was not only blind, but deaf. He was liable, like + other men, to support the Government, and was forced to contribute his + share towards paying the salaries of the very judges who decided that + under no circumstances could his voice be heard in any court. This was the + law of Illinois, and so remained until the adoption of the new + Constitution. By such infamous means has the church endeavored to chain + the human mind, and protect the majesty of her God. The fact is, we have + no national religion, and no national God; but every citizen is allowed to + have a religion and a God of his own, or to reject all religions and deny + the existence of all gods. The church, however, never has, and never will + understand and appreciate the genius of our Government. + </p> + <p> + Last year, in a convention of Protestant bigots, held in the city of New + York for the purpose of creating public opinion in favor of a religious + amendment to the Federal Constitution, a reverend doctor of divinity, + speaking of atheists, said: "What are the rights of the atheist? I would + tolerate him as I would tolerate a poor lunatic. I would tolerate him as I + would tolerate a conspirator. He may live and go free, hold his lands and + enjoy his home—he may even vote; but for any higher or more advanced + citizenship, he is, as I hold, utterly disqualified." These are the + sentiments of the church to-day. + </p> + <p> + Give the church a place in the Constitution, let her touch once more the + sword of power, and the priceless fruit of all the ages will turn to ashes + on the lips of men. + </p> + <p> + In religious ideas and conceptions there has been for ages a slow and + steady development At the bottom of the ladder (speaking of modern times) + is Catholicism, and at the top is Science. The intermediate rounds of this + ladder are occupied by the various sects, whose name is legion. + </p> + <p> + But whatever may be the truth upon any subject has nothing to do with-our + right to investigate that subject, and express any opinion we may form. + All that I ask, is the same right I freely accord to all others. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago a Methodist clergyman took it upon himself to give me a + piece of friendly advice. "Although you may disbelieve the Bible," said + he, "you ought not to say so. That, you should keep to yourself." + </p> + <p> + "Do you believe the Bible," said I. + </p> + <p> + He replied, "Most assuredly". + </p> + <p> + To which I retorted, "Your answer conveys no information to me. You may be + following your own advice. You told me to suppress my opinions. Of course + a man who will advise others to dissimulate will not always be particular + about telling the truth himself." + </p> + <p> + There can be nothing more utterly subversive of all that is really + valuable than the suppression of honest thought. No man, worthy of the + form he bears, will at the command of church or state solemnly repeat a + creed his reason scorns. + </p> + <p> + It is the duty of each and every one to maintain his individuality. "This + above all, to thine ownself be true, and it must follow as the night the + day, thou canst not then be false to any man." It is a magnificent thing + to be the sole proprietor of yourself. It is a terrible thing to wake up + at night and say, "There is nobody in this bed." It is humiliating to know + that your ideas are all borrowed; that you are indebted to your memory for + your principles; that your religion is simply one of your habits, and that + you would have convictions if they were only contagious. It is mortifying + to feel that you belong to a mental mob and cry "crucify him," because the + others do; that you reap what the great and brave have sown, and that you + can benefit the world only by leaving it. + </p> + <p> + Surely every human being ought to attain to the dignity of the unit. + Surely it is worth something to be one, and to feel that the census of the + universe would be incomplete without counting you. Surely there is + grandeur in knowing that in the realm of thought, at least, you are + without a chain; that you have the right to explore all heights and all + depths; that there are no walls nor fences, nor prohibited places, nor + sacred corners in all the vast expanse of thought; that your intellect + owes no allegiance to any being, human or divine; that you hold all in fee + and upon no condition and by no tenure whatever; that in the world of mind + you are relieved from all personal dictation, and from the ignorant + tyranny of majorities. Surely it is worth something to feel that there are + no priests, no popes, no parties, no governments, no kings, no gods, to + whom your intellect can be compelled to pay a reluctant homage. Surely it + is a joy to know that all the cruel ingenuity of bigotry can devise no + prison, no dungeon, no cell in which for one instant to confine a thought; + that ideas cannot be dislocated by racks, nor crushed in iron boots, nor + burned with fire. Surely it is sublime to think that the brain is a + castle, and that within its curious bastions and winding halls the soul, + in spite of all worlds and all beings, is the supreme sovereign of itself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0006" id="link0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HERETICS AND HERESIES. + </h2> + <h3> + Liberty, a Word without which all other Words are Vain. + </h3> + <p> + WHOEVER has an opinion of his own, and honestly expresses it, will be + guilty of heresy. Heresy is what the minority believe; it is the name + given by the powerful to the doctrine of the weak. This word was born of + the hatred, arrogance and cruelty of those who love their enemies, and + who, when smitten on one cheek, turn the other. This word was born of + intellectual slavery in the feudal ages of thought It was an epithet used + in the place of argument. From the commencement of the Christian era, + every art has been exhausted and every conceivable punishment inflicted to + force all people to hold the same religious opinions. This effort was born + of the idea that a certain belief was necessary to the salvation of the + soul. Christ taught, and the church still teaches, that unbelief is the + blackest of crimes. God is supposed to hate with an infinite and + implacable hatred, every heretic upon the earth, and the heretics who have + died are supposed at this moment to be suffering the agonies of the + damned. The church persecutes the living and her God burns the dead. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed that God wrote a book called the Bible, and it is generally + admitted that this book is somewhat difficult to understand. As long as + the church had all the copies of this book, and the people were not + allowed to read it, there was comparatively little heresy in the world; + but when it was printed and read, people began honestly to differ as to + its meaning. A few were independent and brave enough to give the world + their real thoughts, and for the extermination of these men the church + used all her power. Protestants and Catholics vied with each other in the + work of enslaving the human mind. For ages they were rivals in the + infamous effort to rid the earth of honest people. They infested every + country, every city, town, hamlet and family. They appealed to the worst + passions of the human heart They sowed the seeds of discord and hatred in + every land. Brother denounced brother, wives informed against their + husbands, mothers accused their children, dungeons were crowded with the + innocent; the flesh of the good and true rotted in the clasp of chains; + the flames devoured the heroic, and in the name of the most merciful God, + his children were exterminated with famine, sword, and fire. Over the wild + waves of battle rose and fell the banner of Jesus Christ. For sixteen + hundred years the robes of the church were red with innocent blood. The + ingenuity of Christians was exhausted in devising punishment severe enough + to be inflicted upon other Christians who honestly and sincerely differed + with them upon any point whatever. + </p> + <p> + Give any orthodox church the power, and to-day they would punish heresy + with whip, and chain, and fire. As long as a church deems a certain belief + essential to salvation, just so long it will kill and burn if it has the + power. Why should the church pity a man whom her God hates? Why should she + show mercy to a kind and noble heretic whom her God will burn in eternal + fire? Why should a Christian be better than his God? It is impossible for + the imagination to conceive of a greater atrocity than has been + perpetrated by the church. Every nerve in the human body capable of pain + has been sought out and touched by the church. + </p> + <p> + Let it be remembered that all churches have persecuted heretics to the + extent of their power. Toleration has increased only when and where the + power of the church has diminished. From Augustine until now the spirit of + the Christians has remained the same. There has been the same intolerance, + the same undying hatred of all who think for themselves, and the same + determination to crush out of the human brain all knowledge inconsistent + with an ignorant creed. + </p> + <p> + Every church pretends that it has a revelation from God, and that this + revelation must be given to the people through the church; that the church + acts through its priests, and that ordinary mortals must be content with a + revelation—not from God—but from the church. Had the people + submitted to this preposterous claim, of course there could have been but + one church, and that church never could have advanced. It might have + retrograded, because it is not necessary to think or investigate in order + to forget. Without heresy there could have been no progress. + </p> + <p> + The highest type of the orthodox Christian does not forget; neither does + he learn. He neither advances nor recedes. He is a living fossil embedded + in that rock called faith. He makes no effort to better his condition, + because all his strength is exhausted in keeping other people from + improving theirs. The supreme desire of his heart is to force all others + to adopt his creed, and in order to accomplish this object he denounces + free thinking as a crime, and this crime he calls heresy. When he had + power, heresy was the most terrible and formidable of words. It meant + confiscation, exile, imprisonment, torture, and death. + </p> + <p> + In those days the cross and rack were inseparable companions. Across the + open Bible lay the sword and fagot. Not content with burning such heretics + as were alive, they even tried the dead, in order that the church might + rob their wives and children. The property of all heretics was + confiscated, and on this account they charged the dead with being + heretical—indicted, as it were, their dust—to the end that the + church might clutch the bread of orphans. Learned divines discussed the + propriety of tearing out the tongues of heretics before they were burned, + and the general opinion was, that this ought to be done so that the + heretics should not be able, by uttering blasphemies, to shock the + Christians who were burning them. With a mixture of ferocity and + Christianity, the priests insisted that heretics ought to be burned at a + slow fire, giving as a reason that more time was given them for + repentance. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that Jesus Christ said, "I came not to bring peace, but a + sword." + </p> + <p> + Every priest regarded himself as the agent of God. He answered all + questions by authority, and to treat him with disrespect was an insult + offered to God. No one was asked to think, but all were commanded to obey. + </p> + <p> + In 1208 the Inquisition was established. Seven years afterward, the fourth + council of the Lateran enjoined all kings and rulers to swear an oath that + they would exterminate heretics from their dominions. The sword of the + church was unsheathed, and the world was at the mercy of ignorant and + infuriated priests, whose eyes feasted upon the agonies they inflicted. + Acting, as they believed, or pretended to believe, under the command of + God; stimulated by the hope of infinite reward in another world—hating + heretics with every drop of their bestial blood; savage beyond + description; merciless beyond conception,—these infamous priests, in + a kind of frenzied joy, leaped upon the helpless victims of their rage. + They crushed their bones in iron boots; tore their quivering flesh with + iron hooks and pincers; cut off their lips and eyelids; pulled out their + nails, and into the bleeding quick thrust needles; tore out their tongues; + extinguished their eyes; stretched them upon racks; flayed them alive; + crucified them with their heads downward; exposed them to wild beasts; + burned them at the stake; mocked their cries and groans; ravished their + wives; robbed their children, and then prayed God to finish the holy work + in hell. + </p> + <p> + Millions upon millions were sacrificed upon the altars of bigotry. The + Catholic burned the Lutheran, the Lutheran burned the Catholic, the + Episcopalian tortured the Presbyterian, the Presbyterian tortured the + Episcopalian. Every denomination killed all it could of every other; and + each Christian felt in duty bound to exterminate every other Christian who + denied the smallest fraction of his creed. + </p> + <p> + In the reign of Henry VIII.—that pious and moral founder of the + apostolic Episcopal Church,—there was passed by the parliament of + England an act entitled "An act for abolishing of diversity of opinion." + And in this act was set forth what a good Christian was obliged to + believe: First, That in the sacrament was the real body and blood of Jesus + Christ. + </p> + <p> + Second, That the body and blood of Jesus Christ was in the bread, and the + blood and body of Jesus Christ was in the wine. + </p> + <p> + Third, That priests should not marry. + </p> + <p> + Fourth, That vows of chastity were of perpetual obligation. + </p> + <p> + Fifth, That private masses ought to be continued; and, + </p> + <p> + Sixth, That auricular confession to a priest must be maintained. + </p> + <p> + This creed was made by law, in order that all men might know just what to + believe by simply reading the statute. The church hated to see the people + wearing out their brains in thinking upon these subjects. It was thought + far better that a creed should be made by parliament, so that whatever + might be lacking in evidence might be made up in force. The punishment for + denying the first article was death by fire. For the denial of any other + article, imprisonment, and for the second offence—death. + </p> + <p> + Your attention is called to these six articles, established during the + reign of Henry VIII., and by the Church of England, simply because not one + of these articles is believed by that church to-day. If the law then made + by the church could be enforced now, every Episcopalian would be burned at + the stake. + </p> + <p> + Similar laws were passed in most Christian countries, as all orthodox + churches firmly believed that mankind could be legislated into heaven. + According to the creed of every church, slavery leads to heaven, liberty + leads to hell. It was claimed that God had founded the church, and that to + deny the authority of the church was to be a traitor to God, and + consequently an ally of the devil. To torture and destroy one of the + soldiers of Satan was a duty no good Christian cared to neglect. Nothing + can be sweeter than to earn the gratitude of God by killing your own + enemies. Such a mingling of profit and revenge, of heaven for yourself and + damnation for those you dislike, is a temptation that your ordinary + Christian never resists. + </p> + <p> + According to the theologians, God, the Father of us all, wrote a letter to + his children. The children have always differed somewhat as to the meaning + of this letter. In consequence of these honest differences, these brothers + began to cut out each other's hearts. In every land, where this letter + from God has been read, the children to whom and for whom it was written + have been filled with hatred and malice. They have imprisoned and murdered + each other, and the wives and children of each other. In the name of God + every possible crime has been committed, every conceivable outrage has + been perpetrated. Brave men, tender and loving women, beautiful girls, and + prattling babes have been exterminated in the name of Jesus Christ. For + more than fifty generations the church has carried the black flag. Her + vengeance has been measured only by her power. During all these years of + infamy no heretic has ever been forgiven. With the heart of a fiend she + has hated; with the clutch of avarice she has grasped; with the jaws of a + dragon she has devoured; pitiless as famine, merciless as fire, with the + conscience of a serpent: such is the history of the Church of God. + </p> + <p> + I do not say, and I do not believe, that Christians are as bad as their + creeds. In spite of church and dogma, there have been millions and + millions of men and women true to the loftiest and most generous + promptings of the human heart. They have been true to their convictions, + and, with a self-denial and fortitude excelled by none, have labored and + suffered for the salvation of men. Imbued with the spirit of + self-sacrifice, believing that by personal effort they could rescue at + least a few souls from the infinite shadow of hell, they have cheerfully + endured every hardship and scorned every danger. And yet, notwithstanding + all this, they believed that honest error was a crime. They knew that the + Bible so declared, and they believed that all unbelievers would be + eternally lost. They believed that religion was of God, and all heresy of + the devil. They killed heretics in defence of their own souls and the + souls of their children. They killed them because, according to their + idea, they were the enemies of God, and because the Bible teaches that the + blood of the unbeliever is a most acceptable sacrifice to heaven. + </p> + <p> + Nature never prompted a loving mother to throw her child into the Ganges. + Nature never prompted men to exterminate each other for a difference of + opinion concerning the baptism of infants. These crimes have been produced + by religions filled with all that is illogical, cruel and hideous. These + religions were produced for the most part by ignorance, tyranny and + hypocrisy. Under the impression that the infinite ruler and creator of the + universe had commanded the destruction of heretics and infidels, the + church perpetrated all these crimes. + </p> + <p> + Men and women have been burned for thinking there is but one God; that + there was none; that the Holy Ghost is younger than God; that God was + somewhat older than his son; for insisting that good works will save a man + without faith; that faith will do without good works; for declaring that a + sweet babe will not be burned eternally, because its parents failed to + have its head wet by a priest; for speaking of God as though he had a + nose; for denying that Christ was his own father; for contending that + three persons, rightly added together, make more than one; for believing + in purgatory; for denying the reality of hell; for pretending that priests + can forgive sins; for preaching that God is an essence; for denying that + witches rode through the air on sticks; for doubting the total depravity + of the human heart; for laughing at irresistible grace, predestination and + particular redemption; for denying that good bread could be made of the + body of a dead man; for pretending that the pope was not managing this + world for God, and in the place of God; for disputing the efficacy of a + vicarious atonement; for thinking the Virgin Mary was born like other + people; for thinking that a man's rib was hardly sufficient to make a + good-sized woman; for denying that God used his finger for a pen; for + asserting that prayers are not answered, that diseases are not sent to + punish unbelief; for denying the authority of the Bible; for having a + Bible in their possession; for attending mass, and for refusing to attend; + for wearing a surplice; for carrying a cross, and for refusing; for being + a Catholic, and for being a Protestant; for being an Episcopalian, a + Presbyterian, a Baptist, and for being a Quaker. In short, every virtue + has been a crime, and every crime a virtue. The church has burned honesty + and rewarded hypocrisy. And all this, because it was commanded by a book—a + book that men had been taught implicitly to believe, long, before they + knew one word that was in it They had been taught that to doubt the truth + of this book—to examine it, even—was a crime of such enormity + that it could not be forgiven, either in this world or in the next The + Bible was the real persecutor. The Bible burned heretics, built dungeons, + founded the Inquisition, and trampled upon all the liberties of men. + </p> + <p> + How long, O how long will mankind worship a book? How long will they + grovel in the dust before the ignorant legends of the barbaric past? How + long, O how long will they pursue phantoms in a darkness deeper than + death? + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately for the world, about the beginning of the sixteenth century, + a man by the name of Gerard Chauvin was married to Jeanne Lefranc, and + still more unfortunately for the world, the fruit of this marriage was a + son, called John Chauvin, who afterwards became famous as John Calvin, the + founder of the Presbyterian Church. + </p> + <p> + This man forged five fetters for the brain. These fetters he called + points. That is to say, predestination, particular redemption, total + depravity, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. About + the neck of each follower he put a collar bristling with these five iron + points. The presence of all these points on the collar is still the test + of orthodoxy in the church he founded. This man, when in the flush of + youth, was elected to the office of preacher in Geneva. He at once, in + union with Farel, drew up a condensed statement of the Presbyterian + doctrine, and all the citizens of Geneva, on pain of banishment, were + compelled to take an oath that they believed this statement. Of this + proceeding Calvin very innocently remarked that it produced great + satisfaction. A man named Caroli had the audacity to dispute with Calvin. + For this outrage he was banished. + </p> + <p> + To show you what great subjects occupied the attention of Calvin, it is + only necessary to state that he furiously discussed the question as to + whether the sacramental bread should be leavened or unleavened. He drew up + laws regulating the cut of the citizens' clothes, and prescribing their + diet, and all those whose garments were not in the Calvin fashion were + refused the sacrament. At last, the people becoming tired of this petty + theological tyranny, banished Calvin. In a few years, however, he was + recalled and received with great enthusiasm. After this he was supreme, + and the will of Calvin became the law of Geneva. + </p> + <p> + Under his benign administration, James Gruet was beheaded because he had + written some profane verses. The slightest word against Calvin or his + absurd doctrines was punished as a crime. + </p> + <p> + In 1553 a man was tried at Vienne by the Catholic Church for heresy. He + was convicted and sentenced to death by burning. It was apparently his + good fortune to escape. Pursued by the sleuth hounds of intolerance he + fled to Geneva for protection. A dove flying from hawks, sought safety in + the nest of a vulture. This fugitive from the cruelty of Rome asked + shelter from John Calvin, who had written a book in favor of religious + toleration. Servetus had forgotten that this book was written by Calvin + when in the minority; that it was written in weakness to be forgotten in + power; that it was produced by fear instead of principle. He did not know + that Calvin had caused his arrest at Vienne, in France, and had sent a + copy of his work, which was claimed to be blasphemous, to the archbishop. + He did not then know that the Protestant Calvin was acting as one of the + detectives of the Catholic Church, and had been instrumental in procuring + his conviction for heresy. Ignorant of all this unspeakable infamy, he put + himself in the power of this very Calvin. The maker of the Presbyterian + creed caused the fugitive Serve-tus to be arrested for blasphemy. He was + tried. Calvin was his accuser. He was convicted and condemned to death by + fire. On the morning of the fatal day, Calvin saw him, and Servetus, the + victim, asked forgiveness of Calvin, the murderer. Servetus was bound to + the stake, and the fagots were lighted. The wind carried the flames + somewhat away from his body, so that he slowly roasted for hours. Vainly + he implored a speedy death. At last the flames climbed round his form; + through smoke and fire his murderers saw a white heroic face. And there + they watched until a man became a charred and shriveled mass. + </p> + <p> + Liberty was banished from Geneva, and nothing but Presbyterianism was + left. Honor, justice, mercy, reason and charity were all exiled, but the + five points of predestination, particular redemption, irresistible grace, + total depravity, and the certain perseverance of the saints remained + instead. + </p> + <p> + Calvin founded a little theocracy, modeled after the Old Testament, and + succeeded in erecting the most detestable government that ever existed, + except the one from which it was copied. + </p> + <p> + Against all this intolerance, one man, a minister, raised his voice. The + name of this man should never be forgotten. It was Castalio. This brave + man had the goodness and the courage to declare the innocence of honest + error. He was the first of the so-called reformers to take this noble + ground. I wish I had the genius to pay a fitting tribute to his memory. + Perhaps it would be impossible to pay him a grander compliment than to + say, Castalio was in all things the opposite of Calvin. To plead for the + right of individual judgment was considered a crime, and Castalio was + driven from Geneva by John Calvin. By him he was denounced as a child of + the devil, as a dog of Satan, as a beast from hell, and as one who, by + this horrid blasphemy of the innocence of honest error, crucified Christ + afresh, and by him he was pursued until rescued by the hand of death. + </p> + <p> + Upon the name of Castalio, Calvin heaped every epithet, until his malice + was nearly satisfied and his imagination entirely exhausted. It is + impossible to conceive how human nature can become so frightfully + perverted as to pursue a fellow-man with the malignity of a fiend, simply + because he is good, just, and generous. + </p> + <p> + Calvin was of a pallid, bloodless complexion, thin, sickly, irritable, + gloomy, impatient, egotistic, tyrannical, heartless, and infamous. He was + a strange compound of revengeful morality, malicious forgiveness, + ferocious charity, egotistic humility, and a kind of hellish justice. In + other words, he was as near like the God of the Old Testament as his + health permitted. + </p> + <p> + The best thing, however, about the Presbyterians of Geneva was, that they + denied the power of the Pope, and the best thing about the Pope was, that + he was not a Presbyterian. + </p> + <p> + The doctrines of Calvin spread rapidly, and were eagerly accepted by + multitudes on the continent; but Scotland, in a few years, became the real + fortress of Presbyterianism. The Scotch succeeded in establishing the same + kind of theocracy that flourished in Geneva. The clergy took possession + and control of everybody and everything. It is impossible to exaggerate + the mental degradation, the abject superstition of the people of Scotland + during the reign of Presbyterianism. Heretics were hunted and devoured as + though they had been wild beasts. The gloomy insanity of Presbyterianism + took possession of a great majority of the people. They regarded their + ministers as the Jews did Moses and Aaron. They believed that they were + the especial agents of God, and that whatsoever they bound in Scotland + would be bound in heaven. There was not one particle of intellectual + freedom. No man was allowed to differ with the church, or to even + contradict a priest. Had Presbyterianism maintained its ascendency, + Scotland would have been peopled by savages to-day. + </p> + <p> + The revengeful spirit of Calvin took possession of the Puritans, and + caused them to redden the soil of the New World with the brave blood of + honest men. Clinging to the five points of Calvin, they too established + governments in accordance with the teachings of the Old Testament. They + too attached the penalty of death to the expression of honest thought. + They too believed their church supreme, and exerted all their power to + curse this continent with a spiritual despotism as infamous as it was + absurd. They believed with Luther that universal toleration is universal + error, and universal error is universal hell. Toleration was denounced as + a crime. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately for us, civilization has had a softening effect even upon the + Presbyterian Church. To the ennobling influence of the arts and sciences + the savage spirit of Calvinism has, in some slight degree, succumbed. + True, the old creed remains substantially as it was written, but by a kind + of tacit understanding it has come to be regarded as a relic of the past. + The cry of "heresy" has been growing fainter and fainter, and, as a + consequence, the ministers of that denomination have ventured, now and + then, to express doubts as to the damnation of infants, and the doctrine + of total depravity. The fact is, the old ideas became a little monotonous + to the people. The fall of man, the scheme of redemption and irresistible + grace, began to have a familiar sound. The preachers told the old stories + while the congregations slept Some of the ministers became tired of these + stories themselves. The five points grew dull, and they felt that nothing + short of irresistible grace could bear this endless repetition. The + outside world was full of progress, and in every direction men advanced, + while this church, anchored to a creed, idly rotted at the shore. Other + denominations, imbued some little with the spirit of investigation, were + springing up on every side, while the old Presbyterian ark rested on the + Ararat of the past, filled with the theological monsters of another age. + </p> + <p> + Lured by the splendors of the outer world, tempted by the achievements of + science, longing to feel the throb and beat of the mighty march of the + human race, a few of the ministers of this conservative denomination were + compelled, by irresistible sense, to say a few words in harmony with the + splendid ideas of to-day. + </p> + <p> + These utterances have upon several occasions so nearly wakened some of the + members that, rubbing their eyes, they have feebly inquired whether these + grand ideas were not somewhat heretical. These ministers found that just + in the proportion that their orthodoxy decreased, their congregations + increased. Those who dealt in the pure unadulterated article found + themselves demonstrating the five points to a less number of hearers than + they had points. Stung to madness by this bitter truth, this galling + contrast, this harassing fact, the really orthodox have raised the cry of + heresy, and expect with this cry to seal the lips of honest men. One of + the Presbyterian ministers, and one who has been enjoying the luxury of a + little honest thought, and the real rapture of expressing it, has already + been indicted, and is about to be tried by the Presbytery of Illinois. He + is charged— + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>. With having neglected to preach that most comforting and + consoling truth, the eternal damnation of the soul. + </p> + <p> + Surely, that man must be a monster who could wish to blot this blessed + doctrine out and rob earth's wretched children of this blissful hope! + </p> + <p> + Who can estimate the misery that has been caused by this most infamous + doctrine of eternal punishment? Think of the lives it has blighted—of + the tears it has caused—of the agony it has produced. Think of the + millions who have been driven to insanity by this most terrible of dogmas. + This doctrine renders God the basest and most cruel being in the universe. + Compared with him, the most frightful deities of the most barbarous and + degraded tribes are miracles of goodness and mercy. There is nothing more + degrading than to worship such a god. Lower than this the soul can never + sink. If the doctrine of eternal damnation is true, let me share the fate + of the unconverted; let me have my portion in hell, rather than in heaven + with a god infamous enough to inflict eternal misery upon any of the sons + of men. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>. With having spoken a few kind words of Robert Collyer and + John Stuart Mill. + </p> + <p> + I have the honor of a slight acquaintance with Robert Collyer. I have read + with pleasure some of his exquisite productions. He has a brain full of + the dawn, the head of a philosopher, the imagination of a poet and the + sincere heart of a child. + </p> + <p> + Is a minister to be silenced because he speaks fairly of a noble and + candid adversary? Is it a crime to compliment a lover of justice, an + advocate of liberty; one who devotes his life to the elevation of man, the + discovery of truth, and the promulgation of what he believes to be right? + </p> + <p> + Can that tongue be palsied by a presbytery that praises a self-denying and + heroic life? Is it a sin to speak a charitable word over the grave of John + Stuart Mill? Is it heretical to pay a just and graceful tribute to + departed worth? Must the true Presbyterian violate the sanctity of the + tomb, dig open the grave and ask his God to curse the silent dust? Is + Presbyterianism so narrow that it conceives of no excellence, of no purity + of intention, of no spiritual and moral grandeur outside of its barbaric + creed? Does it still retain within its stony heart all the malice of its + founder? Is it still warming its fleshless hands at the flames that + consumed Servetus? Does it still glory in the damnation of infants, and + does it still persist in emptying the cradle in order that perdition may + be filled? Is it still starving the soul and famishing the heart? Is it + still trembling and shivering, crouching and crawling before its ignorant + Confession of Faith? + </p> + <p> + Had such men as Robert Collyer and John Stuart Mill been present at the + burning of Servetus, they would have extinguished the flames with their + tears. Had the presbytery of Chicago been there, they would have quietly + turned their backs, solemnly divided their coat tails, and warmed + themselves. + </p> + <p> + <i>Third</i>. With having spoken disparagingly of the doctrine of + predestination. + </p> + <p> + If there is any dogma that ought to be protected by law, predestination is + that doctrine. Surely it is a cheerful, joyous thing, to one who is + laboring, struggling, and suffering in this weary world, to think that + before he existed; before the earth was; before a star had glittered in + the heavens; before a ray of light had left the quiver of the sun, his + destiny had been irrevocably fixed, and that for an eternity before his + birth he had been doomed to bear eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fourth.</i> With failing to preach the efficacy of a "vicarious + sacrifice." + </p> + <p> + Suppose a man had been convicted of murder, and was about to be hanged—the + governor acting as the executioner; and suppose that just as the doomed + man was about to suffer death some one in the crowd should step forward + and say, "I am willing to die in the place of that murderer. He has a + family, and I have none." And suppose further, that the governor should + reply, "Come forward, young man, your offer is accepted. A murder has been + committed and somebody must be hung, and your death will satisfy the law + just as well as the death of the murderer." What would you then think of + the doctrine of "vicarious sacrifice"? + </p> + <p> + This doctrine is the consummation of two outrages—forgiving one + crime and committing another. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fifth</i>. With having inculcated a phase of the doctrine commonly + known as "evolution," or "development". + </p> + <p> + The church believes and teaches the exact opposite of this doctrine. + According to the philosophy of theology, man has continued to degenerate + for six thousand years. To teach that there is that in nature which impels + to higher forms and grander ends, is heresy, of course. The Deity will + damn Spencer and his "Evolution," Darwin and his "Origin of Species," + Bastian and his "Spontaneous Generation," Huxley and his "Protoplasm," + Tyndall and his "Prayer Gauge," and will save those, and those only, who + declare that the universe has been cursed, from the smallest atom to the + grandest star; that everything tends to evil and to that only, and that + the only perfect thing in nature is the Presbyterian Confession of Faith. + </p> + <p> + <i>Sixth</i>. With having intimated that the reception of Socrates and + Penelope at heaven's gate was, to say the least, a trifle more cordial + than that of Catharine II. + </p> + <p> + Penelope, waiting patiently and trustfully for her lord's return, delaying + her suitors, while sadly weaving and unweaving the shroud of Laertes, is + the most perfect type of wife and woman produced by the civilization of + Greece. + </p> + <p> + Socrates, whose life was above reproach and whose death was beyond all + praise, stands to-day, in the estimation of every thoughtful man, at least + the peer of Christ. + </p> + <p> + Catharine II. assassinated her husband. Stepping upon his corpse, she + mounted the throne. She was the murderess of Prince Iwan, grand nephew of + Peter the Great, who was imprisoned for eighteen years, and who during all + that time saw the sky but once. Taken all in all, Catharine was probably + one of the most intellectual beasts that ever wore a crown. + </p> + <p> + Catharine, however, was the head of the Greek Church, Socrates was a + heretic and Penelope lived and died without having once heard of + "particular redemption" or of "irresistible grace." + </p> + <p> + <i>Seventh</i>. With repudiating the idea of a "call" to the ministry, and + pretending that men were "called" to preach as they were to the other + avocations of life. + </p> + <p> + If this doctrine is true, God, to say the least of it, is an exceedingly + poor judge of human nature. It is more than a century since a man of true + genius has been found in an orthodox pulpit. Every minister is heretical + just to the extent that intellect is above the average. The Lord seems to + be satisfied with mediocrity; but the people are not. + </p> + <p> + An old deacon, wishing to get rid of an unpopular preacher, advised him to + give up the ministry and turn his attention to something else. The + preacher replied that he could not conscientiously desert the pulpit, as + he had had a "call" to the ministry. To which the deacon replied, "That + may be so, but it's very unfortunate for you, that when God called you to + preach, he forgot to call anybody to hear you." + </p> + <p> + There is nothing more stupidly egotistic than the claim of the clergy that + they are, in some divine sense set apart to the service of the Lord; that + they have been chosen, and sanctified; that there is an infinite + difference between them and persons employed in secular affairs. They + teach us that all other professions must take care of themselves; that God + allows anybody to be a doctor, a lawyer, statesman, soldier, or artist; + that the Motts and Coopers—the Mansfields and Marshalls—the + Wilberforces and Sumners—the Angelos and Raphaels, were never + honored by a "call." They chose their professions and won their laurels + without the assistance of the Lord. All these men were left free to follow + their own inclinations, while God was busily engaged selecting and + "calling" priests, rectors, elders, ministers and exhorters. + </p> + <p> + <i>Eighth</i>. With having doubted that God was the author of the 109th + Psalm. + </p> + <p> + The portion of that psalm which carries with it the clearest and most + satisfactory evidences of inspiration, and which has afforded almost + unspeakable consolation to the Presbyterian Church, is as follows: + </p> + <p> + Set thou a wicked man over him; and let Satan stand at his right hand. + </p> + <p> + When he shall be judged, let him be condemned; and let his prayer become + sin. + </p> + <p> + Let his days be few; and let another take his office. + </p> + <p> + Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. + </p> + <p> + Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg; let them seek their + bread also out of their desolate places. + </p> + <p> + Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the stranger spoil his + labor. + </p> + <p> + Let there be none to extend mercy unto him; neither let there be any to + favor his fatherless children. + </p> + <p> + Let his posterity be cut off: and in the generation following let their + name be blotted out. + </p> + <p> + But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for Thy name's sake; because Thy mercy + is good, deliver Thou me.... I will greatly praise the Lord with my <i>mouth</i>. + </p> + <p> + Think of a God wicked and malicious enough to inspire this prayer. Think + of one infamous enough to answer it. + </p> + <p> + Had this inspired psalm been found in some temple erected for the worship + of snakes, or in the possession of some cannibal king, written with blood + upon the dried skins of babes, there would have been a perfect harmony + between its surroundings and its sentiments. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that the author of this inspired psalm coldly received Socrates + and Penelope, and reserved his sweetest smiles for Catharine the Second. + </p> + <p> + <i>Ninth.</i> With having said that the battles in which the Israelites + engaged, with the approval and command of Jehovah, surpassed in cruelty + those of Julius Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + Was it Julius Cæsar who said, "And the Lord our God delivered him + before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people. And we took + all his cities, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the + little ones, of every city, we left none to remain"? + </p> + <p> + Did Julius Cæsar send the following report to the Roman senate? "And + we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took + not from them, three-score cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of + Og in Bashan. All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and + bars; beside unwalled towns a great many. And we utterly destroyed them, + as we did unto Sihon, king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, + and children of every city." + </p> + <p> + Did Cæsar take the city of Jericho "and utterly destroy all that was + in the city, both men and women, young and old"? Did he smite "all the + country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the + springs, and all their kings, and leave none remaining that breathed, as + the Lord God had commanded"? + </p> + <p> + Search the records of the whole world, find out the history of every + barbarous tribe, and you can find no crime that touched a lower depth of + infamy than those the Bible's God commanded and approved. For such a God I + have no words to express my loathing and contempt, and all the words in + all the languages of man would scarcely be sufficient. Away with such a + God! Give me Jupiter rather, with Io and Europa, or even Siva with his + skulls and snakes. + </p> + <p> + <i>Tenth</i>. With having repudiated the doctrine of "total depravity." + </p> + <p> + What a precious doctrine is that of the total depravity of the human + heart! How sweet it is to believe that the lives of all the good and great + were continual sins and perpetual crimes; that the love a mother bears her + child is, in the sight of God, a sin; that the gratitude of the natural + heart is simple meanness; that the tears of pity are impure; that for the + unconverted to live and labor for others is an offence to heaven; that the + noblest aspirations of the soul are low and groveling in the sight of God; + that man should fall upon his knees and ask forgiveness, simply for loving + his wife and child, and that even the act of asking forgiveness is in fact + a crime! + </p> + <p> + Surely it is a kind of bliss to feel that every woman and child in the + wide world, with the exception of those who believe the five points, or + some other equally cruel creed, and such children as have been baptized, + ought at this very moment to be dashed down to the lowest glowing gulf of + hell. + </p> + <p> + Take from the Christian the history of his own church—leave that + entirely out of the question—and he has no argument left with which + to substantiate the total depravity of man. + </p> + <p> + <i>Eleventh</i>. With having doubted the "perseverance of the saints." + </p> + <p> + I suppose the real meaning of this doctrine is, that Presbyterians are + just as sure of going to heaven as all other folks are of going to hell. + The real idea being, that it all depends upon the will of God, and not + upon the character of the person to be damned or saved; that God has the + weakness to send Presbyterians to Paradise, and the justice to doom the + rest of mankind to eternal fire. + </p> + <p> + It is admitted that no unconverted brain can see the least particle of + sense in this doctrine; that it is abhorrent to all who have not been the + recipients of a "new heart;" that only the perfectly good can justify the + perfectly infamous. + </p> + <p> + It is contended that the saints do not persevere of their own free will—that + they are entitled to no credit for persevering; but that God forces them + to persevere, while on the other hand, every crime is committed in + accordance with the secret will of God, who does all things for his own + glory. + </p> + <p> + Compared with this doctrine, there is no other idea, that has ever been + believed by man, that can properly be called absurd. + </p> + <p> + <i>Twelfth</i>. With having spoken and written somewhat lightly of the + idea of converting the heathen with doctrinal sermons. + </p> + <p> + Of all the failures of which we have any history or knowledge, the + missionary effort is the most conspicuous. The whole question has been + decided here, in our own country, and conclusively settled. We have nearly + exterminated the Indians, but we have converted none. From the days of + John Eliot to the execution of the last Modoc, not one Indian has been the + subject of irresistible grace or particular redemption. The few red men + who roam the western wilderness have no thought or care concerning the + five points of Calvin. They are utterly oblivious to the great and vital + truths contained in the Thirty-nine Articles, the Saybrook platform, and + the resolutions of the Evangelical Alliance. No Indian has ever scalped + another on account of his religious belief. This of itself shows + conclusively that the missionaries have had no effect Why should we + convert the heathen of China and kill our own? Why should we send + missionaries across the seas, and soldiers over the plains? Why should we + send Bibles to the east and muskets to the west? If it is impossible to + convert Indians who have no religion of their own; no prejudice for or + against the "eternal procession of the Holy Ghost," how can we expect to + convert a heathen who has a religion; who has plenty of gods and Bibles + and prophets and Christs, and who has a religious literature far grander + than our own? Can we hope with the story of Daniel in the lions' den to + rival the stupendous miracles of India? Is there anything in our Bible as + lofty and loving as the prayer of the Buddhist? Compare your "Confession + of Faith" with the following: "Never will I seek nor receive private + individual salvation—never enter into final peace alone; but forever + and everywhere will I live and strive for the universal redemption of + every creature throughout all worlds. Until all are delivered, never will + I leave the world of sin, sorrow, and struggle, but will remain where I + am." + </p> + <p> + Think of sending an average Presbyterian to convert a man who daily offers + this tender, this infinitely generous, this incomparable prayer. Think of + reading the 109th Psalm to a heathen who has a Bible of his own in which + is found this passage: "Blessed is that man and beloved of all the gods, + who is afraid of no man, and of whom no man is afraid." + </p> + <p> + Why should you read even the New Testament to a Hindu, when his own + Chrishna has said, "If a man strike thee, and in striking drop his staff, + pick it up and hand it to him again"? Why send a Presbyterian to a Sufi, + who says, "Better one moment of silent contemplation and inward love, than + seventy thousand years of outward worship"? "Whoso would carelessly tread + one worm that crawls on earth, that heartless one is darkly alienate from + God; but he that, living, embraceth all things in his love, to live with + him God bursts all bounds above, below." Why should we endeavor to thrust + our cruel and heartless theology upon one who prays this prayer: "O God, + show pity toward the wicked; for on the good thou hast already bestowed + thy mercy by having created them virtuous"? + </p> + <p> + Compare this prayer with the curses and cruelties of the Old Testament—with + the infamies commanded and approved by the being whom we are taught to + worship as a God—and with the following tender product of + Presbyterianism: "It may seem absurd to human wisdom that God should + harden, blind, and deliver up some men to a reprobate sense; that he + should first deliver them over to evil, and then condemn them for that + evil; but the believing spiritual man sees no absurdity in all this, + knowing that God would be never a whit less good even though he should + destroy all men." + </p> + <p> + Of all the religions that have been produced by the egotism, the malice, + the ignorance and ambition of man, Presbyterianism is the most hideous. + </p> + <p> + But what shall I say more, for the time would fail me to tell of + Sabellianism, of a "Modal Trinity," and the "Eternal Procession of the + Holy Ghost"? + </p> + <p> + Upon these charges, a minister is to be tried, here in Chicago; in this + city of pluck and progress—this marvel of energy—this miracle + of nerve. The cry of "heresy," here, sounds like a wail from the Dark Ages—a + shriek from the Inquisition, or a groan from the grave of Calvin. + </p> + <p> + Another effort is being made to enslave a man. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed that every member of the church has solemnly agreed never to + outgrow the creed; that he has pledged himself to remain an intellectual + dwarf. Upon this condition the church agrees to save his soul, and he + hands over his brains to bind the bargain. Should a fact be found + inconsistent with the creed, he binds himself to deny the fact and curse + the finder. With scraps of dogmas and crumbs of doctrine, he agrees that + his soul shall be satisfied forever. What an intellectual feast the + Confession of Faith must be! It reminds one of the dinner described by + Sydney Smith, where everything was cold except the water, and everything + sour except the vinegar. + </p> + <p> + Every member of a church promises to remain orthodox, that is to say—stationary. + Growth is heresy. Orthodox ideas are the feathers that have been moulted + by the eagle of progress. They are the dead leaves under the majestic + palm, while heresy is the bud and blossom at the top. + </p> + <p> + Imagine a vine that grows at one end and decays at the other. The end that + grows is heresy, the end that rots is orthodox The dead are orthodox, and + your cemetery is the most perfect type of a well regulated church. No + thought, no progress, no heresy there. Slowly and silently, side by side, + the satisfied members peacefully decay. There is only this difference—the + dead do not persecute. + </p> + <p> + And what does a trial for heresy mean? It means that the church says to a + heretic, "Believe as I do, or I will withdraw my support. I will not + employ you. I will pursue you until your garments are rags; until your + children cry for bread; until your cheeks are furrowed with tears. I will + hunt you to the very portals of the tomb, and then my God will do the rest + I will not imprison you. I will not burn you. The law prevents my doing + that. I helped make the law, not however to protect you, nor to deprive me + of the right to exterminate you but in order to keep other churches from + exterminating me." A trial for heresy means that the spirit of persecution + still lingers in the church; that it still denies the right of private + judgment; that it still thinks more of creed than truth, and that it is + still determined to prevent the intellectual growth of man. It means that + churches are shambles in which are bought and sold the souls of men. It + means that the church is still guilty of the barbarity of opposing thought + with force. It means that if it had the power, the mental horizon would be + bounded by a creed; that it would bring again the whips and chains and + dungeon keys, the rack and fagot of the past. + </p> + <p> + But let me tell the church it lacks the power. There have been, and still + are, too many men who own themselves—too much thought, too much + knowledge for the church to grasp again the sword of power. The church + must abdicate. For the Eglon of superstition Science has a message from + Truth. + </p> + <p> + The heretics have not thought and suffered and died in vain. Every heretic + has been, and is, a ray of light. Not in vain did Voltaire, that great + man, point from the foot of the Alps the finger of scorn at every + hypocrite in Europe. Not in vain were the splendid utterances of the + infidels, while beyond all price are the discoveries of science. + </p> + <p> + The church has impeded, but it has not and it cannot stop the onward march + of the human race. Heresy cannot be burned, nor imprisoned, nor starved. + It laughs at presbyteries and synods, at ecumenical councils and the + impotent thunders of Sinai. Heresy is the eternal dawn, the morning star, + the glittering herald of the day. Heresy is the last and best thought. It + is the perpetual New World, the unknown sea, toward which the brave all + sail. It is the eternal horizon of progress. + </p> + <p> + Heresy extends the hospitalities of the brain to a new thought. + </p> + <p> + Heresy is a cradle; orthodoxy, a coffin. + </p> + <p> + Why should man be afraid to think, and why should he fear to express his + thoughts? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that an infinite Deity is unwilling that a man should + investigate the phenomena by which he is surrounded? Is it possible that a + god delights in threatening and terrifying men? What glory, what honor and + renown a god must win on such a field! The ocean raving at a drop; a star + envious of a candle; the sun jealous of a fire-fly. + </p> + <p> + Go on, presbyteries and synods, go on! Thrust the heretics out of the + church—that is to say, throw away your brains,—put out your + eyes. The infidels will thank you. They are willing to adopt your exiles. + Every deserter from your camp is a recruit for the army of progress. Cling + to the ignorant dogmas of the past; read the 109th Psalm; gloat over the + slaughter of mothers and babes; thank God for total depravity; shower your + honors upon hypocrites, and silence every minister who is touched with + that heresy called genius. + </p> + <p> + Be true to your history. Turn out the astronomers, the geologists, the + naturalists, the chemists, and all the honest scientists. With a whip of + scorpions, drive them all out. We want them all. Keep the ignorant, the + superstitious, the bigoted, and the writers of charges and specifications. + </p> + <p> + Keep them, and keep them all. Repeat your pious platitudes in the drowsy + ears of the faithful, and read your Bible to heretics, as kings read some + forgotten riot-act to stop and stay the waves of revolution. You are too + weak to excite anger. We forgive your efforts as the sun forgives a cloud—as + the air forgives the breath you waste. + </p> + <p> + How long, O how long, will man listen to the threats of God, and shut his + eyes to the splendid possibilities of Nature? How long, O how long will + man remain the cringing slave of a false and cruel creed? + </p> + <p> + By this time the whole world should know that the real Bible has not yet + been written, but is being written, and that it will never be finished + until the race begins its downward march, or ceases to exist. + </p> + <p> + The real Bible is not the work of inspired men, nor prophets, nor + apostles, nor evangelists, nor of Christs. Every man who finds a fact, + adds, as it were, a word to this great book. It is not attested by + prophecy, by miracles or signs. It makes no appeal to faith, to ignorance, + to credulity or fear. It has no punishment for unbelief, and no reward for + hypocrisy. It appeals to man in the name of demonstration. It has nothing + to conceal. It has no fear of being read, of being contradicted, of being + investigated and understood. It does not pretend to be holy, or sacred; it + simply claims to be true. It challenges the scrutiny of all, and implores + every reader to verify every line for himself. It is incapable of being + blasphemed. This book appeals to all the surroundings of man. Each thing + that exists testifies of its perfection. The earth, with its heart of fire + and crowns of snow; with its forests and plains, its rocks and seas; with + its every wave and cloud; with its every leaf and bud and flower, confirms + its every word, and the solemn stars, shining in the infinite abysses, are + the eternal witnesses of its truth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0007" id="link0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GHOSTS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + TO + EBON C. INGERSOLL, + MY BROTHER, + FROM WHOSE LIPS I HEARD THE FIRST APPLAUSE, + AND WITH WHOSE NAME I WISH MY OWN + ASSOCIATED UNTIL BOTH ARE FORGOTTEN, + THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED. +</pre> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + These lectures have been so maimed and mutilated by orthodox malice; have + been made to appear so halt, crutched and decrepit by those who mistake + the pleasures of calumny for the duties of religion, that in simple + justice to myself I concluded to publish them. + </p> + <p> + Most of the clergy are, or seem to be, utterly incapable of discussing + anything in a fair and catholic spirit. They appeal, not to reason, but to + prejudice; not to facts, but to passages of Scripture. They can conceive + of no goodness, of no spiritual exaltation beyond the horizon of their + creed. Whoever differs with them upon what they are pleased to call + "fundamental truths," is, in their opinion, a base and infamous man. To + re-enact the tragedies of the sixteenth century, they lack only the power. + Bigotry in all ages has been the same. Christianity simply transferred the + brutality of the Colosseum to the Inquisition. For the murderous combat of + the gladiators, the saints substituted the <i>auto de fe</i>. What has + been called religion is, after all, but the organization of the wild beast + in man. The perfumed blossom of arrogance is heaven. Hell is the + consummation of revenge. + </p> + <p> + The chief business of the clergy has always been to destroy the joy of + life, and multiply and magnify the terrors and tortures of death and + perdition. They have polluted the heart and paralyzed the brain; and upon + the ignorant altars of the Past and the Dead, they have endeavored to + sacrifice the Present and the Living. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can exceed the mendacity of the religious press. I have had some + little experience with political editors, and am forced to say, that until + I read the religious papers, I did not know what malicious and slimy + falsehoods could be constructed from ordinary words. The ingenuity with + which the real and apparent meaning can be tortured out of language, is + simply amazing. The average religious editor is intolerant and insolent; + he knows nothing of affairs; he has the envy of failure, the malice of + impotence, and always accounts for the brave and generous actions of + unbelievers, by low, base and unworthy motives. + </p> + <p> + By this time, even the clergy should know that the intellect of the + nineteenth century needs no guardian. They should cease to regard + themselves as shepherds defending flocks of weak, silly and fearful sheep + from the claws and teeth of ravening wolves. By this time they should know + that the religion of the ignorant and brutal Past no longer satisfies the + heart and brain; that the miracles have become contemptible; that the + "evidences" have ceased to convince; that the spirit of investigation + cannot be stopped nor stayed; that the church is losing her power; that + the young are holding in a kind of tender contempt the sacred follies of + the old; that the pulpit and pews no longer represent the culture and + morality of the world, and that the brand of intellectual inferiority is + upon the orthodox brain. + </p> + <p> + Men should be liberated from the aristocracy of the air. Every chain of + superstition should be broken. The rights of men and women should be equal + and sacred—marriage should be a perfect partnership—children + should be governed by kindness,—every family should be a republic—every + fireside a democracy. + </p> + <p> + It seems almost impossible for religious people to really grasp the idea + of intellectual freedom. They seem to think that man is responsible for + his honest thoughts; that unbelief is a crime; that investigation is + sinful; that credulity is a virtue, and that reason is a dangerous guide. + They cannot divest themselves of the idea that in the realm of thought + there must be government—authority and obedience—laws and + penalties—rewards and punishments, and that somewhere in the + universe there is a penitentiary for the soul. + </p> + <p> + In the republic of mind, <i>one</i> is a majority. There, all are + monarchs, and all are equals. The tyranny of a majority even is unknown. + Each one is crowned, sceptered and throned. Upon every brow is the tiara, + and around every form is the imperial purple. Only those are good citizens + who express their honest thoughts, and those who persecute for opinion's + sake, are the only traitors. There, nothing is considered infamous except + an appeal to brute force, and nothing sacred but love, liberty, and joy. + The church contemplates this republic with a sneer. From the teeth of + hatred she draws back the lips of scorn. She is filled with the spite and + spleen born of intellectual weakness. Once she was egotistic; now she is + envious. + </p> + <p> + Once she wore upon her hollow breast false gems, supposing them to be + real. They have been shown to be false, but she wears them still. She has + the malice of the caught, the hatred of the exposed. + </p> + <p> + We are told to investigate the Bible for ourselves, and at the same time + informed that if we come to the conclusion that it is not the inspired + word of God, we will most assuredly be damned. Under such circumstances, + if we believe this, investigation is impossible. Whoever is held + responsible for his conclusions cannot weigh the evidence with impartial + scales. Fear stands at the balance, and gives to falsehood the weight of + its trembling hand. + </p> + <p> + I oppose the church because she is the enemy of liberty; because her + dogmas are infamous and cruel; because she humiliates and degrades woman; + because she teaches the doctrines of eternal torment and the natural + depravity of man; because she insists upon the absurd, the impossible, and + the senseless; because she resorts to falsehood and slander; because she + is arrogant and revengeful; because she allows men to sin on a credit; + because she discourages self-reliance, and laughs at good works; because + she believes in vicarious virtue and vicarious vice—vicarious + punishment and vicarious reward; because she regards repentance of more + importance than restitution, and because she sacrifices the world we have + to one we know not of. + </p> + <p> + The free and generous, the tender and affectionate, will understand me. + Those who have escaped from the grated cells of a creed will appreciate my + motives. The sad and suffering wives, the trembling and loving children + will thank me: This is enough. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C., + </p> + <p> + April 13, 1878. + </p> + <p> + THE GHOSTS, + </p> + <p> + LET THEM COVER THEIR EYELESS SOCKETS WITH THEIR FLESHLESS HANDS AND FADE + FOREVER FROM THE IMAGINATION OF MEN. + </p> + <p> + HERE are three theories by which men account for all phenomena, for + everything that happens: First, the Supernatural; Second, the Supernatural + and Natural; Third, the Natural. Between these theories there has been, + from the dawn of civilization, a continual conflict. In this great war, + nearly all the soldiers have been in the ranks of the supernatural. The + believers in the supernatural insist that matter is controlled and + directed entirely by powers from without; while naturalists maintain that + Nature acts from within; that Nature is not acted upon; that the universe + is all there is; that Nature with infinite arms embraces everything that + exists, and that all supposed powers beyond the limits of the material are + simply ghosts. You say, "Oh, this is materialism!" What is matter? I take + in my hand some earth:—in this dust put seeds. Let the arrows of + light from the quiver of the sun smite upon it; let the rain fall upon it. + The seeds will grow and a plant will bud and blossom. Do you understand + this? Can you explain it better than you can the production of thought? + Have you the slightest conception of what it really is? And yet you speak + of matter as though acquainted with its origin, as though you had torn + from the clenched hands of the rocks the secrets of material existence. Do + you know what force is? Can you account for molecular action? Are you + really familiar with chemistry, and can you account for the loves and + hatreds of the atoms? Is there not something in matter that forever + eludes? After all, can you get beyond, above or below appearances? Before + you cry "materialism!" had you not better ascertain what matter really is? + Can you think even of anything without a material basis? Is it possible to + imagine the annihilation of a single atom? Is it possible for you to + conceive of the creation of an atom? Can you have a thought that was not + suggested to you by what you call matter? + </p> + <p> + Our fathers denounced materialism, and accounted for all phenomena by the + caprice of gods and devils. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years it was believed that ghosts, good and bad, + benevolent and malignant, weak and powerful, in some mysterious way, + produced all phenomena; that disease and health, happiness and misery, + fortune and misfortune, peace and war, life and death, success and + failure, were but arrows from the quivers of these ghosts; that shadowy + phantoms rewarded and punished mankind; that they were pleased and + displeased by the actions of men; that they sent and withheld the snow, + the light, and the rain; that they blessed the earth with harvests or + cursed it with famine; that they fed or starved the children of men; that + they crowned and uncrowned kings; that they took sides in war; that they + controlled the winds; that they gave prosperous voyages, allowing the + brave mariner to meet his wife and child inside the harbor bar, or sent + the storms, strewing the sad shores with wrecks of ships and the bodies of + men. + </p> + <p> + Formerly, these ghosts were believed to be almost innumerable. Earth, air, + and water were filled with these phantom hosts. In modern times they have + greatly decreased in number, because the second theory,—a mingling + of the supernatural and natural,—has generally been adopted. The + remaining ghosts, however, are supposed to perform the same offices as the + hosts of yore. + </p> + <p> + It has always been believed that these ghosts could in some way be + appeased; that they could be flattered by sacrifices, by prayer, by + fasting, by the building of temples and cathedrals, by the blood of men + and beasts, by forms and ceremonies, by chants, by kneelings and + prostrations, by flagellations and maimings, by renouncing the joys of + home, by living alone in the wide desert, by the practice of celibacy, by + inventing instruments of torture, by destroying men, women and children, + by covering the earth with dungeons, by burning unbelievers, by putting + chains upon the thoughts and manacles upon the limbs of men, by believing + things without evidence and against evidence, by disbelieving and denying + demonstration, by despising facts, by hating reason, by denouncing + liberty, by maligning heretics, by slandering the dead, by subscribing to + senseless and cruel creeds, by discouraging investigation, by worshiping a + book, by the cultivation of credulity, by observing certain times and + days, by counting beads, by gazing at crosses, by hiring others to repeat + verses and prayers, by burning candles and ringing bells, by enslaving + each other and putting out the eyes of the soul. All this has been done to + appease and flatter these monsters of the air. + </p> + <p> + In the history of our poor world, no horror has been omitted, no infamy + has been left undone by the believers in ghosts,—by the worshipers + of these fleshless phantoms. And yet these shadows were born of cowardice + and malignity. They were painted by the pencil of fear upon the canvas of + ignorance by that artist called superstition. + </p> + <p> + From these ghosts, our fathers received information. They were the + schoolmasters of our ancestors. They were the scientists and philosophers, + the geologists, legislators, astronomers, physicians, metaphysicians and + historians of the past. For ages these ghosts were supposed to be the only + source of real knowledge. They inspired men to write books, and the books + were considered sacred. If facts were found to be inconsistent with these + books, so much the worse for the facts, and especially for their + discoverers. It was then, and still is, believed that these books are the + basis of the idea of immortality; that to give up these volumes, or rather + the idea that they are inspired, is to renounce the idea of immortality. + This I deny. + </p> + <p> + The idea of immortality, that like a sea has ebbed and flowed in the human + heart, with its countless waves of hope and fear, beating against the + shores and rocks of time and fate, was not born of any book, nor of any + creed, nor of any religion. It was born of human affection, and it will + continue to ebb and flow beneath the mists and clouds of doubt and + darkness as long as love kisses the lips of death. It is the rainbow—Hope + shining upon the tears of grief. + </p> + <p> + From the books written by the ghosts we have at last ascertained that they + knew nothing about the world in which we live. Did they know anything + about the next? Upon every point where contradiction is possible, they + have been contradicted. + </p> + <p> + By these ghosts, by these citizens of the air, the affairs of government + were administered; all authority to govern came from them. The emperors, + kings and potentates all had commissions from these phantoms. Man was not + considered as the source of any power whatever. To rebel against the king + was to rebel against the ghosts, and nothing less than the blood of the + offender could appease the invisible phantom or the visible tyrant. + Kneeling was the proper position to be assumed by the multitude. The + prostrate were the good. Those who stood erect were infidels and traitors. + In the name and by the authority of the ghosts, man was enslaved, crushed, + and plundered. The many toiled wearily in the storm and sun that the few + favorites of the ghosts might live in idleness. The many lived in huts, + and caves, and dens, that the few might dwell in palaces. The many covered + themselves with rags, that the few might robe themselves in purple and in + gold. The many crept, and cringed, and crawled, that the few might tread + upon their flesh with iron feet. + </p> + <p> + From the ghosts men received, not only authority, but information of every + kind. They told us the form of this earth. They informed us that eclipses + were caused by the sins of man; that the universe was made in six days; + that astronomy, and geology were devices of wicked men, instigated by + wicked ghosts; that gazing at the sky with a telescope was a dangerous + thing; that digging into the earth was sinful curiosity; that trying to be + wise above what they had written was born of a rebellious and irreverent + spirit. + </p> + <p> + They told us there was no virtue like belief, and no crime like doubt; + that investigation was pure impudence, and the punishment therefor, + eternal torment. They not only told us all about this world, but about two + others; and if their statements about the other worlds are as true as + about this, no one can estimate the value of their information. + </p> + <p> + For countless ages the world was governed by ghosts, and they spared no + pains to change the eagle of the human intellect into a bat of darkness. + To accomplish this infamous purpose; to drive the love of truth from the + human heart; to prevent the advancement of mankind; to shut out from the + world every ray of intellectual light; to pollute every mind with + superstition, the power of kings, the cunning and cruelty of priests, and + the wealth of nations were exhausted. + </p> + <p> + During these years of persecution, ignorance, superstition and slavery, + nearly all the people, the kings, lawyers, doctors, the learned and the + unlearned, believed in that frightful production of ignorance, fear, and + faith, called witchcraft. They believed that man was the sport and prey of + devils. They really thought that the very air was thick with these enemies + of man. With few exceptions, this hideous and infamous belief was + universal. Under these conditions, progress was almost impossible. + </p> + <p> + Fear paralyzes the brain. Progress is born of courage. Fear believes—courage + doubts. Fear falls upon the earth and prays—courage stands erect and + thinks. Fear retreats—courage advances. Fear is barbarism—courage + is civilization. Fear believes in witchcraft, in devils and in ghosts. + Fear is religion—courage is science. + </p> + <p> + The facts, upon which this terrible belief rested, were proved over and + over again in every court of Europe. Thousands confessed themselves guilty—admitted + that they had sold themselves to the devil. They gave the particulars of + the sale; told what they said and what the devil replied. They confessed + this, when they knew that confession was death; knew that their property + would be confiscated, and their children left to beg their bread. This is + one of the miracles of history—one of the strangest contradictions + of the human mind. Without doubt, they really believed themselves guilty. + In the first place, they believed in witchcraft as a fact, and when + charged with it, they probably became insane. In their insanity they + confessed their guilt. They found themselves abhorred and deserted—charged + with a crime that they could not disprove. Like a man in quicksand, every + effort only sunk them deeper. Caught in this frightful web, at the mercy + of the spiders of superstition, hope fled, and nothing remained but the + insanity of confession. The whole world appeared to be insane. + </p> + <p> + In the time of James the First, a man was executed for causing a storm at + sea with the intention of drowning one of the royal family. How could he + disprove it? How could he show that he did not cause the storm? All storms + were at that time generally supposed to be caused by the devil—the + prince of the power of the air—and by those whom he assisted. + </p> + <p> + I implore you to remember that the believers in such impossible things + were the authors of our creeds and confessions of faith. + </p> + <p> + A woman was tried and convicted before Sir Matthew Hale, one of the great + judges and lawyers of England, for having caused children to vomit crooked + pins. She was also charged with having nursed devils. The learned judge + charged the intelligent jury that there was no doubt as to the existence + of witches; that it was established by all history, and expressly taught + by the Bible. + </p> + <p> + The woman was hanged and her body burned. + </p> + <p> + Sir Thomas More declared that to give up witchcraft was to throw away the + sacred Scriptures. In my judgment, he was right. + </p> + <p> + John Wesley was a firm believer in ghosts and witches, and insisted upon + it, years after all laws upon the subject had been repealed in England. I + beg of you to remember that John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist + Church. + </p> + <p> + In New England, a woman was charged with being a witch, and with having + changed herself into a fox. While in that condition she was attacked and + bitten by some dogs. A committee of three men, by order of the court, + examined this woman. They removed her clothing and searched for "witch + spots." That is to say, spots into which needles could be thrust without + giving her pain. They reported to the court that such spots were found. + She denied, however, that she ever had changed herself into a fox. Upon + the report of the committee she was found guilty and actually executed. + This was done by our Puritan fathers, by the gentlemen who braved the + dangers of the deep for the sake of worshiping God and persecuting their + fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + In those days people believed in what was known as lycanthropy—that + is, that persons, with the assistance of the devil, could assume the form + of wolves. An instance is given where a man was attacked by a wolf. He + defended himself, and succeeded in cutting off one of the animal's paws. + The wolf ran away. The man picked up the paw, put it in his pocket and + carried it home. There he found his wife with one of her hands gone. He + took the paw from his pocket. It had changed to a human hand. He charged + his wife with being a witch. She was tried. She confessed her guilt, and + was burned. + </p> + <p> + People were burned for causing frosts in summer—for destroying crops + with hail—for causing storms—for making cows go dry, and even + for souring beer. There was no impossibility for which some one was not + tried and convicted. The life of no one was secure. To be charged, was to + be convicted. Every man was at the mercy of every other. This infamous + belief was so firmly seated in the minds of the people, that to express a + doubt as to its truth was to be suspected. Whoever denied the existence of + witches and devils was denounced as an infidel. + </p> + <p> + They believed that animals were often taken possession of by devils, and + that the killing of the animal would destroy the devil. They absolutely + tried, convicted, and executed dumb beasts. + </p> + <p> + At Basle, in 1470, a rooster was tried upon the charge of having laid an + egg. Rooster eggs were used only in making witch ointment,—this + everybody knew. The rooster was convicted and with all due solemnity was + burned in the public square. So a hog and six pigs were tried for having + killed and partially eaten a child. The hog was convicted,—but the + pigs, on account probably of their extreme youth, were acquitted. As late + as 1740, a cow was tried and convicted of being possessed by a devil. + </p> + <p> + They used to exorcise rats, locusts, snakes and vermin. They used to go + through the alleys, streets, and fields, and warn them to leave within a + certain number of days. In case they disobeyed, they were threatened with + pains and penalties. + </p> + <p> + But let us be careful how we laugh at these things. Let us not pride + ourselves too much on the progress of our age. We must not forget that + some of our people are yet in the same intelligent business. Only a little + while ago, the governor of Minnesota appointed a day of fasting and + prayer, to see if some power could not be induced to kill the + grasshoppers, or send them into some other state. + </p> + <p> + About the close of the fifteenth century, so great was the excitement with + regard to the existence of witchcraft that Pope Innocent VIII. issued a + bull directing the inquisitors to be vigilant in searching out and + punishing all guilty of this crime. Forms for the trial were regularly + laid down in a book or a pamphlet called the "Malleus Maleficorum" (Hammer + of Witches), which was issued by the Roman See. Popes Alexander, Leo, and + Adrian, issued like bulls. For two hundred and fifty years the church was + busy in punishing the impossible crime of witchcraft; in burning, hanging + and torturing men, women, and children. Protestants were as active as + Catholics, and in Geneva five hundred witches were burned at the stake in + a period of three months. About one thousand were executed in one year in + the diocese of Como. At least one hundred thousand victims suffered in + Germany alone: the last execution (in Wurtzburg) taking place as late as + 1749. Witches were burned in Switzerland as late as 1780. + </p> + <p> + In England the same frightful scenes were enacted. Statutes were passed + from Henry VI. to James I., defining the crime and its punishment. The + last act passed by the British parliament was when Lord Bacon was a member + of the House of Commons; and this act was not repealed until 1736. + </p> + <p> + Sir William Blackstone, in his Commentaries on the Laws of England, says: + "To deny the possibility, nay, actual existence of witchcraft and sorcery, + is at once flatly to contradict the word of God in various passages both + of the Old and New Testament; and the thing itself is a truth to which + every nation in the world hath in its turn borne testimony, either by + examples seemingly well attested, or by prohibitory laws, which at least + suppose the possibility of a commerce with evil spirits." + </p> + <p> + In Brown's Dictionary of the Bible, published at Edinburg, Scotland, in + 1807, it is said that: "A witch is a woman that has dealings with Satan. + That such persons are among men is abundantly plain from Scripture, and + that they ought to be put to death." + </p> + <p> + This work was re-published in Albany, New York, in 1816. No wonder the + clergy of that city are ignorant and bigoted even unto this day. + </p> + <p> + In 1716, Mrs. Hicks and her daughter, nine years of age, were hanged for + selling their souls to the devil, and raising a storm by pulling off their + stockings and making a lather of soap. + </p> + <p> + In England it has been estimated that at least thirty thousand were hanged + and burned. The last victim executed in Scotland, perished in 1722. "She + was an innocent old woman, who had so little idea of her situation as to + rejoice at the sight of the fire which was destined to consume her. She + had a daughter, lame both of hands and of feet—a circumstance + attributed to the witch having been used to transform her daughter into a + pony and getting her shod by the devil." + </p> + <p> + In 1692, nineteen persons were executed and one pressed to death in Salem, + Massachusetts, for the crime of witchcraft. + </p> + <p> + It was thought in those days that men and women made compacts with the + devil, orally and in writing. That they abjured God and Jesus Christ, and + dedicated themselves wholly to the devil. The contracts were confirmed at + a general meeting of witches and ghosts, over which the devil himself + presided; and the persons generally signed the articles of agreement with + their own blood. These contracts were, in some instances, for a few years; + in others, for life. General assemblies of the witches were held at least + once a year, at which they appeared entirely naked, besmeared with an + ointment made from the bodies of unbaptized infants. "To these meetings + they rode from great distances on broomsticks, pokers, goats, hogs, and + dogs. Here they did homage to the prince of hell, and offered him + sacrifices of young children, and practiced all sorts of license until the + break of day." + </p> + <p> + "As late as 1815, Belgium was disgraced by a witch trial; and guilt was + established by the water ordeal." "In 1836, the populace of Hela, near + Dantzic, twice plunged into the sea a woman reputed to be a sorceress; and + as the miserable creature persisted in rising to the surface, she was + pronounced guilty, and beaten to death." + </p> + <p> + "It was believed that the bodies of devils are not like those of men and + animals, cast in an unchangeable mould. It was thought they were like + clouds, refined and subtle matter, capable of assuming any form and + penetrating into any orifice. The horrible tortures they endured in their + place of punishment rendered them extremely sensitive to suffering, and + they continually sought a temperate and somewhat moist warmth in order to + allay their pangs. It was for this reason they so frequently entered into + men and women." + </p> + <p> + The devil could transport men, at his will, through the air. He could + beget children; and Martin Luther himself had come in contact with one of + these children. He recommended the mother to throw the child into the + river, in order to free their house from the presence of a devil. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that the devil could transform people into any shape he + pleased. + </p> + <p> + Whoever denied these things was denounced as an infidel. All the believers + in witchcraft confidently appealed to the Bible. Their mouths were filled + with passages demonstrating the existence of witches and their power Over + human beings. By the Bible they proved that innumerable evil spirits were + ranging over the world endeavoring to ruin mankind; that these spirits + possessed a power and wisdom far transcending the limits of human + faculties; that they delighted in every misfortune that could befall the + world; that their malice was superhuman. That they caused tempests was + proved by the action of the devil toward Job; by the passage in the book + of Revelation describing the four angels who held the four winds, and to + whom it was given to afflict the earth. They believed the devil could + carry persons hundreds of miles, in a few seconds, through the air. They + believed this, because they knew that Christ had been carried by the devil + in the same manner and placed on a pinnacle of the temple. "The prophet + Habakkuk had been transported by a spirit from Judea to Babylon; and + Philip, the evangelist, had been the object of a similar miracle; and in + the same way Saint Paul had been carried in the body into the third + heaven." + </p> + <p> + "In those pious days, they believed that <i>Incubi</i> and <i>Succubi</i> + were forever wandering among mankind, alluring, by more than human charms, + the unwary to their destruction, and laying plots, which were too often + successful, against the virtue of the saints. Sometimes the witches + kindled in the monastic priest a more terrestrial fire. People told, with + bated breath, how, under the spell of a vindictive woman, four successive + abbots in a German monastery had been wasted away by an unholy flame." + </p> + <p> + An instance is given in which the devil not only assumed the appearance of + a holy man, in order to pay his addresses to a lady, but when discovered, + crept under the bed, suffered himself to be dragged out, and was impudent + enough to declare that he was the veritable bishop. So perfectly had he + assumed the form and features of the prelate that those who knew the + bishop best were deceived. + </p> + <p> + One can hardly imagine the frightful state of the human mind during these + long centuries of darkness and superstition. To them, these things were + awful and frightful realities. Hovering above them in the air, in their + houses, in the bosoms of friends, in their very bodies, in all the + darkness of night, everywhere, around, above and below, were innumerable + hosts of unclean and malignant devils. + </p> + <p> + From the malice of those leering and vindictive vampires of the air, the + church pretended to defend mankind. Pursued by these phantoms, the + frightened multitudes fell upon their faces and implored the aid of robed + hypocrisy and sceptered theft. + </p> + <p> + Take from the orthodox church of to-day the threat and fear of hell, and + it becomes an extinct volcano. + </p> + <p> + Take from the church the miraculous, the supernatural, the + incomprehensible, the unreasonable, the impossible, the unknowable, and + the absurd, and nothing but a vacuum remains. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all the infamous things justly laid to the charge of the + church, we are told that the civilization of to-day is the child of what + we are pleased to call the superstition of the past. + </p> + <p> + Religion has not civilized man—man has civilized religion. God + improves as man advances. + </p> + <p> + Let me call your attention to what we have received from the followers of + the ghosts. Let me give you an outline of the sciences as taught by these + philosophers of the clouds. + </p> + <p> + All diseases were produced, either as a punishment by the good ghosts, or + out of pure malignity by the bad ones. There were, properly speaking, no + diseases. The sick were possessed by ghosts. The science of medicine + consisted in knowing how to persuade these ghosts to vacate the premises. + For thousands of years the diseased were treated with incantations, with + hideous noises, with drums and gongs. Everything was done to make the + visit of the ghost as unpleasant as possible, and they generally succeeded + in making things so disagreeable that if the ghost did not leave, the + patient did. These ghosts were supposed to be of different rank, power and + dignity. Now and then a man pretended to have won the favor of some + powerful ghost, and that gave him power over the little ones. Such a man + became an eminent physician. + </p> + <p> + It was found that certain kinds of smoke, such as that produced by burning + the liver of a fish, the dried skin of a serpent, the eyes of a toad, or + the tongue of an adder, were exceedingly offensive to the nostrils of an + ordinary ghost. With this smoke, the sick room would be filled until the + ghost vanished or the patient died. + </p> + <p> + It was also believed that certain words,—the names of the most + powerful ghosts,—when properly pronounced, were very effective + weapons. It was for a long time thought that Latin words were the best,—Latin + being a dead language, and known by the clergy. Others thought that two + sticks laid across each other and held before the wicked ghost would cause + it instantly to flee in dread away. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years, the practice of medicine consisted in driving + these evil spirits out of the bodies of men. + </p> + <p> + In some instances, bargains and compromises were made with the ghosts. One + case is given where a multitude of devils traded a man for a herd of + swine. In this transaction the devils were the losers, as the swine + immediately drowned themselves in the sea. This idea of disease appears to + have been almost universal, and is by no means yet extinct. + </p> + <p> + The contortions of the epileptic, the strange twitchings of those + afflicted with chorea, the shakings of palsy, dreams, trances, and the + numberless frightful phenomena produced by diseases of the nerves, were + all seized upon as so many proofs that the bodies of men were filled with + unclean and malignant ghosts. + </p> + <p> + Whoever endeavored to account for these things by natural causes, whoever + attempted to cure diseases by natural means, was denounced by the church + as an infidel. To explain anything was a crime. It was to the interest of + the priest that all phenomena should be accounted for by the will and + power of gods and devils. The moment it is admitted that all phenomena are + within the domain of the natural, the necessity for a priest has + disappeared. Religion breathes the air of the supernatural. Take from the + mind of man the idea of the supernatural, and religion ceases to exist. + For this, reason, the church has always despised the man who explained the + wonderful. Upon this principle, nothing was left undone to stay the + science of medicine. As long as plagues and pestilences could be stopped + by prayer, the priest was useful. The moment the physician found a cure, + the priest became an extravagance. The moment it began to be apparent that + prayer could do nothing for the body, the priest shifted his ground and + began praying for the soul. + </p> + <p> + Long after the devil idea was substantially abandoned in the practice of + medicine, and when it was admitted that God had nothing to do with + ordinary coughs and colds, it was still believed that all the frightful + diseases were sent by him as punishments for the wickedness of the people. + It was thought to be a kind of blasphemy to even try, by any natural + means, to stay the ravages of pestilence. Formerly, during the prevalence + of plague and epidemics, the arrogance of the priest was boundless. He + told the people that they had slighted the clergy, that they had refused + to pay tithes, that they had doubted some of the doctrines of the church, + and that God was now taking his revenge. The people for the most part, + believed this infamous tissue of priestcraft. They hastened to fall upon + their knees; they poured out their wealth upon the altars of hypocrisy; + they abased and debased themselves; from their minds they banished all + doubts, and made haste to crawl in the very dust of humility. + </p> + <p> + The church never wanted disease to be under the control of man. Timothy + Dwight, president of Yale College, preached a sermon against vaccination. + His idea was, that if God had decreed from all eternity that a certain man + should die with the small-pox, it was a frightful sin to avoid and annul + that decree by the trick of vaccination. Small-pox being regarded as one + of the heaviest guns in the arsenal of heaven, to spike it was the height + of presumption. Plagues and pestilences were instrumentalities in the + hands of God with which to gain the love and worship of mankind. To find a + cure for disease was to take a weapon from the church. No one tries to + cure the ague with prayer. Quinine has been found altogether more + reliable. Just as soon as a specific is found for a disease, that disease + will be left out of the list of prayer. The number of diseases with which + God from time to time afflicts mankind, is continually decreasing. In a + few years all of them will be under the control of man, the gods will be + left unarmed, and the threats of their priests will excite only a smile. + </p> + <p> + The science of medicine has had but one enemy—religion. Man was + afraid to save his body for fear he might lose his soul. + </p> + <p> + Is it any wonder that the people in those days believed in and taught the + infamous doctrine of eternal punishment—a doctrine that makes God a + heartless monster and man a slimy hypocrite and slave? + </p> + <p> + The ghosts were historians, and their histories were the grossest + absurdities. "Tales told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying + nothing." In those days the histories were written by the monks, who, as a + rule, were almost as superstitious as they were dishonest. They wrote as + though they had been witnesses of every occurrence they related. They + wrote the history of every country of importance. They told all the past + and predicted all the future with an impudence that amounted to sublimity. + "They traced the order of St. Michael, in France, to the archangel + himself, and alleged that he was the founder of a chivalric order in + heaven itself. They said that Tartars originally came from hell, and that + they were called Tartars because Tartarus was one of the names of + perdition. They declared that Scotland was so named after Scota, a + daughter of Pharaoh, who landed in Ireland, invaded Scotland, and took it + by force of arms. This statement was made in a letter addressed to the + Pope in the fourteenth century, and was alluded to as a well-known fact. + The letter was written by some of the highest dignitaries, and by the + direction of the King himself." + </p> + <p> + These gentlemen accounted for the red on the breasts of robins, from the + fact that these birds carried water to unbaptized infants in hell. + </p> + <p> + Matthew, of Paris, an eminent historian of the fourteenth century, gave + the world the following piece of information: "It is well known that + Mohammed was once a cardinal, and became a heretic because he failed in + his effort to be elected pope;" and that having drank to excess, he fell + by the roadside, and in this condition was killed by swine. "And for that + reason, his followers abhor pork even unto this day." + </p> + <p> + Another eminent historian informs us that Nero was in the habit of + vomiting frogs. When I read this, I said to myself: Some of the croakers + of the present day against Progress would be the better for such a vomit. + </p> + <p> + The history of Charlemagne was written by Turpin, of Rheims. He was a + bishop. He assures us that the walls of a city fell down in answer to + prayer. That there were giants in those days who could take fifty ordinary + men under their arms and walk away with them. "With the greatest of these, + a direct descendant of Goliath, one Orlando had a theological discussion, + and that in the heat of the debate, when the giant was overwhelmed with + the argument, Orlando rushed forward and inflicted a fatal stab." + </p> + <p> + The history of Britain, written by the archdeacons of Monmouth and Oxford, + was wonderfully popular. According to them, Brutus conquered England and + built the city of London. During his time, it rained pure blood for three + days. At another time, a monster came from the sea, and, after having + devoured great multitudes of people, swallowed the king and disappeared. + They tell us that King Arthur was not born like other mortals, but was the + result of a magical contrivance; that he had great luck in killing giants; + that he killed one in France that had the cheerful habit of eating some + thirty men a day. That this giant had clothes woven of the beards of the + kings he had devoured. To cap the climax, one of the authors of this book + was promoted for having written the only reliable history of his country. + </p> + <p> + In all the histories of those days there is hardly a single truth. Facts + were considered unworthy of preservation. Anything that really happened + was not of sufficient interest or importance to be recorded. The great + religious historian, Eusebius, ingenuously remarks that in his history he + carefully omitted whatever tended to discredit the church, and that he + piously magnified all that conduced to her glory. + </p> + <p> + The same glorious principle was scrupulously adhered to by all the + historians of that time. + </p> + <p> + They wrote, and the people believed, that the tracks of Pharoah's chariots + were still visible on the sands of the Red Sea, and that they had been + miraculously preserved from the winds and waves as perpetual witnesses of + the great miracle there performed. + </p> + <p> + It is safe to say that every truth in the histories of those times is the + result of accident or mistake. + </p> + <p> + They accounted for everything as the work of good and evil spirits. With + cause and effect they had nothing to do. Facts were in no way related to + each other. God, governed by infinite caprice, filled the world with + miracles and disconnected events. From the quiver of his hatred came the + arrows of famine, pestilence, and death. + </p> + <p> + The moment that the idea is abandoned that all is natural; that all + phenomena are the necessary links in the endless chain of being, the + conception of history becomes impossible. With the ghosts, the present is + not the child of the past, nor the mother of the future. In the domain of + religion all is chance, accident, and caprice. + </p> + <p> + Do not forget, I pray you, that our creeds were written by the + cotemporaries of these historians. + </p> + <p> + The same idea was applied to law. It was believed by our intelligent + ancestors that all law derived its sacredness and its binding force from + the fact that it had been communicated to man by the ghosts. Of course it + was not pretended that the ghosts told everybody the law; but they told it + to a few, and the few told it to the people, and the people, as a rule, + paid them exceedingly well for their trouble. It was thousands of ages + before the people commenced making laws for themselves, and strange as it + may appear, most of these laws were vastly superior to the ghost article. + Through the web and woof of human legislation began to run and shine and + glitter the golden thread of justice. + </p> + <p> + During these years of darkness it was believed that rather than see an act + of injustice done; rather than see the innocent suffer; rather than see + the guilty triumph, some ghost would interfere. This belief, as a rule, + gave great satisfaction to the victorious party, and as the other man was + dead, no complaint was heard from him. + </p> + <p> + This doctrine was the sanctification of brute force and chance. They had + trials by battle, by fire, by water, and by lot. Persons were made to + grasp hot iron, and if it burned them their guilt was established. Others, + with tied hands and feet, were cast into the sea, and if they sank, the + verdict of guilty was unanimous,—if they did not sink, they were in + league with devils. + </p> + <p> + So in England, persons charged with crime could appeal to the corsned. The + corsned was a piece of the sacramental bread. If the defendant could + swallow this piece he went acquit. Godwin, Earl of Kent, in the time of + Edward the Confessor, appealed to the corsned. He failed to swallow it and + was choked to death. + </p> + <p> + The ghosts and their followers always took delight in torture, in cruel + and unusual punishments. For the infraction of most of their laws, death + was the penalty—death produced by stoning and by fire. Sometimes, + when man committed only murder, he was allowed to flee to some city of + refuge. Murder was a crime against man. But for saying certain words, or + denying certain doctrines, or for picking up sticks on certain days, or + for worshiping the wrong ghost, or for failing to pray to the right one, + or for laughing at a priest, or for saying that wine was not blood, or + that bread was not flesh, or for failing to regard ram's horns as + artillery, or for insisting that a dry bone was scarcely sufficient to + take the place of water works, or that a raven, as a rule, made a poor + landlord:—death, produced by all the ways that the ingenuity of + hatred could devise, was the penalty. + </p> + <p> + Law is a growth—it is a science. Right and wrong exist in the nature + of things. Things are not right because they are commanded, nor wrong + because they are prohibited. There are real crimes enough without creating + artificial ones. All progress in legislation has for centuries consisted + in repealing the laws of the ghosts. + </p> + <p> + The idea of right and wrong is born of man's capacity to enjoy and suffer. + If man could not suffer, if he could not inflict injury upon his fellow, + if he could neither feel nor inflict pain, the idea of right and wrong + never would have entered his brain. But for this, the word conscience + never would have passed the lips of man. + </p> + <p> + There is one good—happiness. There is but one sin—selfishness. + All law should be for the preservation of the one and the destruction of + the other. + </p> + <p> + Under the regime of the ghosts, laws were not supposed to exist in the + nature of things. They were supposed to be simply the irresponsible + command of a ghost. These commands were not supposed to rest upon reason, + they were the product of arbitrary will. + </p> + <p> + The penalties for the violation of these laws were as cruel as the laws + were senseless and absurd. Working on the Sabbath and murder were both + punished with death. The tendency of such laws is to blot from the human + heart the sense of justice. + </p> + <p> + To show you how perfectly every department of knowledge, or ignorance + rather, was saturated with superstition, I will for a moment refer to the + science of language. + </p> + <p> + It was thought by our fathers, that Hebrew was the original language; that + it was taught to Adam in the Garden of Eden by the Almighty, and that + consequently all languages came from, and could be traced to, the Hebrew. + Every fact inconsistent with that idea was discarded. According to the + ghosts, the trouble at the tower of Babel accounted for the fact that all + people did not speak Hebrew. The Babel business settled all questions in + the science of language. + </p> + <p> + After a time, so many facts were found to be inconsistent with the Hebrew + idea that it began to fall into disrepute, and other languages began to + compete for the honor of being the original. + </p> + <p> + Andre Kempe, in 1569, published a work on the language of Paradise, in + which he maintained that God spoke to Adam in Swedish; that Adam answered + in Danish; and that the serpent—which appears to me quite probable—spoke + to Eve in French. Erro, in a work published at Madrid, took the ground + that Basque was the language spoken in the Garden of Eden; but in 1580 + Goropius published his celebrated work at Antwerp, in which he put the + whole matter at rest by showing, beyond all doubt, that the language + spoken in Paradise was neither more nor less than plain Holland Dutch. + </p> + <p> + The real founder of the science of language was Liebnitz, a cotemporary of + Sir Isaac Newton. He discarded the idea that all languages could be traced + to one language. He maintained that language was a natural growth. + Experience teaches us that this must be so. Words are continually dying + and continually being born. Words are naturally and necessarily produced. + Words are the garments of thought, the robes of ideas. Some are as rude as + the skins of wild beasts, and others glisten and glitter like silk and + gold. They have been born of hatred and revenge; of love and + self-sacrifice; of hope and fear, of agony and joy. These words are born + of the terror and beauty of nature. The stars have fashioned them. In them + mingle the darkness and the dawn. From everything they have taken + something. Words are the crystalizations of human history, of all that man + has enjoyed and suffered—his victories and defeats—all that he + has lost and won. Words are the shadows of all that has been—the + mirrors of all that is. + </p> + <p> + The ghosts also enlightened our fathers in astronomy and geology. + According to them the earth was made out of nothing, and a little more + nothing having been taken than was used in the construction of this world, + the stars were made out of what was left over. Cosmas, in the sixth + century, taught that the stars were impelled by angels, who either carried + them on their shoulders, rolled them in front of them, or drew them after. + He also taught that each angel that pushed a star took great pains to + observe what the other angels were doing, so that the relative distances + between the stars might always remain the same. He also gave his idea as + to the form of the world. + </p> + <p> + He stated that the world was a vast parallelogram; that on the outside was + a strip of land, like the frame of a common slate; that then there was a + strip of water, and in the middle a great piece of land; that Adam and Eve + lived on the outer strip; that their descendants, with the exception of + the Noah family, were drowned by a flood on this outer strip; that the ark + finally rested on the middle piece of land where we now are. He accounted + for night and day by saying that on the outside strip of land there was a + high mountain, around which the sun and moon revolved, and that when the + sun was on the other side of the mountain, it was night; and when on this + side, it was day. + </p> + <p> + He also declared that the earth was flat. This he proved by many passages + from the Bible. Among other reasons for believing the earth to be flat, he + brought forward the following: We are told in the New Testament that + Christ shall come again in glory and power, and all the world shall see + him. Now, if the world is round, how are the people on the other side + going to see Christ when he comes? That settled the question, and the + church not only endorsed the book, but declared that whoever believed less + or more than stated by Cosmas, was a heretic. + </p> + <p> + In those blessed days, Ignorance was a king and Science an outcast. + </p> + <p> + They knew the moment this earth ceased to be the centre of the universe, + and became a mere speck in the starry heaven of existence, that their + religion would become a childish fable of the past. + </p> + <p> + In the name and by the authority of the ghosts, men enslaved their + fellow-men; they trampled upon the rights of women and children. In the + name and by the authority of ghosts, they bought and sold and destroyed + each other; they filled heaven with tyrants and earth with slaves, the + present with despair and the future with horror. In the name and by the + authority of the ghosts, they imprisoned the human mind, polluted the + conscience, hardened the heart, subverted justice, crowned robbery, + sainted hypocrisy, and extinguished for a thousand years the torch of + reason. + </p> + <p> + I have endeavored, in some faint degree, to show you what has happened, + and what always will happen when men are governed by superstition and + fear; when they desert the sublime standard of reason; when they take the + words of others and do not investigate for themselves. + </p> + <p> + Even the great men of those days were nearly as weak in this matter as the + most ignorant. Kepler, one of the greatest men of the world, an astronomer + second to none, although he plucked from the stars the secrets of the + universe, was an astrologer, and really believed that he could predict the + career of a man by finding what star was in the ascendant at his birth. + This great man breathed, so to speak, the atmosphere of his time. He + believed in the music of the spheres, and assigned alto, bass, tenor, and + treble to certain stars. + </p> + <p> + Tycho Brahe, another astronomer, kept an idiot, whose disconnected and + meaningless words he carefully set down, and then put them together in + such manner as to make prophecies, and then waited patiently to see them + fulfilled. Luther believed that he had actually seen the devil, and had + discussed points of theology with him. The human mind was in chains. Every + idea almost was a monster. Thought was deformed. Facts were looked upon as + worthless. Only the wonderful was worth preserving. Things that actually + happened were not considered worth recording;—real occurrences were + too common. Everybody expected the miraculous. + </p> + <p> + The ghosts were supposed to be busy; devils were thought to be the most + industrious things in the universe, and with these imps, every occurrence + of an unusual character was in some way connected. There was no order, no + serenity, no certainty in anything. Everything depended upon ghosts and + phantoms. Man was, for the most part, at the mercy of malevolent spirits. + He protected himself as best he could with holy water and tapers and + wafers and cathedrals. He made noises and rung bells to frighten the + ghosts, and he made music to charm them. He used smoke to choke them, and + incense to please them. He wore beads and crosses. He said prayers, and + hired others to say them. He fasted when he was hungry, and feasted when + he was not. He believed everything that seemed unreasonable, just to + appease the ghosts. He humbled himself. He crawled in the dust. He shut + the doors and windows, and excluded every ray of light from the temple of + the soul. He debauched and polluted his own mind, and toiled night and day + to repair the walls of his own prison. From the garden of his heart he + plucked and trampled upon the holy flowers of pity. + </p> + <p> + The priests reveled in horrible descriptions of hell. Concerning the wrath + of God, they grew eloquent. They denounced man as totally depraved. They + made reason blasphemy, and pity a crime. Nothing so delighted them as + painting the torments and sufferings of the lost. Over the worm that never + dies they grew poetic; and the second death filled them with a kind of + holy delight. According to them, the smoke and cries ascending from hell + were the perfume and music of heaven. + </p> + <p> + At the risk of being tiresome, I have said what I have to show you the + productions of the human mind, when enslaved; the effects of wide-spread + ignorance—the results of fear. I want to convince you that every + form of slavery is a viper, that, sooner or later, will strike its poison + fangs into the bosoms of men. + </p> + <p> + The first great step towards progress, is, for man to cease to be the + slave of man; the second, to cease to be the slave of the monsters of his + own creation—of the ghosts and phantoms of the air. + </p> + <p> + For ages the human race was imprisoned. + </p> + <p> + Through the bars and grates came a few struggling rays of light. Against + these grates and bars Science pressed its pale and thoughtful face, wooed + by the holy dawn of human advancement. + </p> + <p> + Men found that the real was the useful; that what a man knows is better + than what a ghost says; that an event is more valuable than a prophecy. + They found that diseases were not produced by spirits, and could not be + cured by frightening them away. They found that death was as natural as + life. They began to study the anatomy and chemistry of the human body, and + found that all was natural and within the domain of law. + </p> + <p> + The conjurer and sorcerer were discarded, and the physician and surgeon + employed. They found that the earth was not flat; that the stars were not + mere specks. They found that being born under a particular planet had + nothing to do with the fortunes of men. + </p> + <p> + The astrologer was discharged and the astronomer took his place. + </p> + <p> + They found that the earth had swept through the constellations for + millions of ages. They found that good and evil were produced by natural + causes, and not by ghosts; that man could not be good enough or bad enough + to stop or cause a rain; that diseases were produced as naturally as + grass, and were not sent as punishments upon man for failing to believe a + certain creed. They found that man, through intelligence, could take + advantage of the forces of nature—that he could make the waves, the + winds, the flames, and the lightnings of heaven do his bidding and + minister to his wants. They found that the ghosts knew nothing of benefit + to man; that they were utterly ignorant of geology—of astronomy—of + geography;—that they knew nothing of history;—that they were + poor doctors and worse surgeons;—that they knew nothing of law and + less of justice; that they were without brains, and utterly destitute of + hearts; that they knew nothing of the rights of men; that they were + despisers of women, the haters of progress, the enemies of science, and + the destroyers of liberty. + </p> + <p> + The condition of the world during the Dark Ages shows exactly the result + of enslaving the bodies and souls of men. In those days there was no + freedom. Labor was despised, and a laborer was considered but little above + a beast. Ignorance, like a vast cowl, covered the brain of the world, and + superstition ran riot with the imagination of man. The air was filled with + angels, with demons and monsters. Credulity sat upon the throne of the + soul, and Reason was an exiled king. A man to be distinguished must be a + soldier or a monk. War and theology, that is to say, murder and hypocrisy, + were the principal employments of man. Industry was a slave, theft was + commerce; murder was war, hypocrisy was religion. + </p> + <p> + Every Christian country maintained that it was no robbery to take the + property of Mohammedans by force, and no murder to kill the owners. Lord + Bacon was the first man of note who maintained that a Christian country + was bound to keep its plighted faith with an infidel nation. Reading and + writing were considered dangerous arts. Every layman who could read and + write was suspected of being a heretic. All thought was discouraged. They + forged chains of superstition for the minds, and manacles of iron for the + bodies of men. The earth was ruled by the cowl and sword,—by the + mitre and scepter,—by the altar and throne,—by Fear and Force,—by + Ignorance and Faith,—by ghouls and ghosts. + </p> + <p> + In the fifteenth century the following law was in force in England: + </p> + <p> + "That whosoever reads the Scriptures in the mother tongue, shall forfeit + land, cattle, life, and goods from their heirs forever, and so be + condemned for heretics to God, enemies to the crown, and most arrant + traitors to the land." + </p> + <p> + During the first year this law was in force thirty-nine were hanged for + its violation and their bodies burned. + </p> + <p> + In the sixteenth century men were burned because they failed to kneel to a + procession of monks. + </p> + <p> + The slightest word uttered against the superstition of the time was + punished with death. + </p> + <p> + Even the reformers, so-called, of those days, had no idea of intellectual + liberty—no idea even of toleration. Luther, Knox, Calvin, believed + in religious liberty only when they were in the minority. The moment they + were clothed with power they began to exterminate with fire and sword. + </p> + <p> + Castalio was the first minister who advocated the liberty of the soul. He + was regarded by the reformers as a criminal, and treated as though he had + committed the crime of crimes. + </p> + <p> + Bodinus, a lawyer of France, about the same time, wrote a few words in + favor of the freedom of conscience, but public opinion was overwhelmingly + against him. The people were ready, anxious, and willing, with whip, and + chain, and fire, to drive from the mind of man the heresy that he had a + right to think. + </p> + <p> + Montaigne, a man blest with so much common sense that he was the most + uncommon man of his time, was the first to raise a voice against torture + in France. But what was the voice of one man against the terrible cry of + ignorant, infatuated, superstitious and malevolent millions? It was the + cry of a drowning man in the wild roar of the cruel sea. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the efforts of the brave few the infamous war against the + freedom of the soul was waged until at least one hundred millions of human + beings—fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters—with hopes, loves, + and aspirations like ourselves, were sacrificed upon the cruel altar of an + ignorant faith. They perished in every way by which death can be produced. + Every nerve of pain was sought out and touched by the believers in ghosts. + </p> + <p> + For my part I glory in the fact, that here in the New World,—in the + United States,—liberty of conscience was first guaranteed to man, + and that the Constitution of the United States was the first great decree + entered in the high court of human equity forever divorcing church and + state,—the first injunction granted against the interference of the + ghosts. This was one of the grandest steps ever taken by the human race in + the direction of Progress. + </p> + <p> + You will ask what has caused this wonderful change in three hundred years. + And I answer—the inventions and discoveries of the few;—the + brave thoughts, the heroic utterances of the few;—the acquisition of + a few facts. + </p> + <p> + Besides, you must remember that every wrong in some way tends to abolish + itself. It is hard to make a lie stand always. A lie will not fit a fact. + It will only fit another lie made for the purpose. The life of a lie is + simply a question of time. Nothing but truth is immortal. The nobles and + kings quarreled;—the priests began to dispute;—the ideas of + government began to change. + </p> + <p> + In 1441 printing was discovered. At that time the past was a vast cemetery + with hardly an epitaph. The ideas of men had mostly perished in the brain + that produced them. The lips of the human race had been sealed. Printing + gave pinions to thought. It preserved ideas. It made it possible for man + to bequeath to the future the riches of his brain, the wealth of his soul. + At first, it was used to flood the world with the mistakes of the + ancients, but since that time it has been flooding the world with light. + </p> + <p> + When people read they begin to reason, and when they reason they progress. + This was another grand step in the direction of Progress. + </p> + <p> + The discovery of powder, that put the peasant almost upon a par with the + prince;—that put an end to the so-called age of chivalry;—that + released a vast number of men from the armies;—that gave pluck and + nerve a chance with brute strength. + </p> + <p> + The discovery of America, whose shores were trod by the restless feet of + adventure;—that brought people holding every shade of superstition + together;—that gave the world an opportunity to compare notes, and + to laugh at the follies of each other. Out of this strange mingling of all + creeds, and superstitions, and facts, and theories, and countless + opinions, came the Great Republic. + </p> + <p> + Every fact has pushed a superstition from the brain and a ghost from the + clouds. Every mechanic art is an educator. Every loom, every reaper and + mower, every steamboat, every locomotive, every engine, every press, every + telegraph, is a missionary of Science and an apostle of Progress. Every + mill, every furnace, every building with its wheels and levers, in which + something is made for the convenience, for the use, and for the comfort + and elevation of man, is a church, and every school-house is a temple. + </p> + <p> + Education is the most radical thing in the world. + </p> + <p> + To teach the alphabet is to inaugurate a revolution. + </p> + <p> + To build a schoolhouse is to construct a fort. + </p> + <p> + Every library is an arsenal filled with the weapons and ammunition of + Progress, and every fact is a monitor with sides of iron and a turret of + steel. + </p> + <p> + I thank the inventors, the discoverers, the thinkers. I thank Columbus and + Magellan. I thank Galileo, and Copernicus, and Kepler, and Descartes, and + Newton, and Laplace. I thank Locke, and Hume, and Bacon, and Shakespeare, + and Kant, and Fichte, and Leibnitz, and Goethe. I thank Fulton, and Watts, + and Volta, and Galvani, and Franklin, and Morse, who made lightning the + messenger of man. I thank Humboldt, the Shakespeare of science. I thank + Crompton and Arkwright, from whose brains leaped the looms and spindles + that clothe the world. I thank Luther for protesting against the abuses of + the church, and I denounce him because he was the enemy of liberty. I + thank Calvin for writing a book in favor of religious freedom, and I abhor + him because he burned Servetus. I thank Knox for resisting Episcopal + persecution, and I hate him because he persecuted in his turn. I thank the + Puritans for saying "Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God," and yet I + am compelled to say that they were tyrants themselves. I thank Thomas + Paine because he was a believer in liberty, and because he did as much to + make my country free as any other human being. I thank Voltaire, that + great man who, for half a century, was the intellectual emperor of Europe, + and who, from his throne at the foot of the Alps, pointed the finger of + scorn at every hypocrite in Christendom. I thank Darwin, Haeckel and Büchner, + Spencer, Tyndall and Huxley, Draper, Lecky and Buckle. + </p> + <p> + I thank the inventors, the discoverers, the thinkers, the scientists, the + explorers, I thank the honest millions who have toiled. + </p> + <p> + I thank the brave men with brave thoughts. They are the Atlases upon whose + broad and mighty shoulders rests the grand fabric of civilization. They + are the men who have broken, and are still breaking, the chains of + Superstition. They are the Titans who carried Olympus by assault, and who + will soon stand victors upon Sinai's crags. + </p> + <p> + We are beginning to learn that to exchange a mistake for the truth—a + superstition for a fact—to ascertain the real—is to progress. + </p> + <p> + Happiness is the only possible good, and all that tends to the happiness + of man is right, and is of value. All that tends to develop the bodies and + minds of men; all that gives us better houses, better clothes, better + food, better pictures, grander music, better heads, better hearts; all + that renders us more intellectual and more loving, nearer just; that makes + us better husbands and wives, better children, better citizens—all + these things combined produce what I call Progress. + </p> + <p> + Man advances only as he overcomes the obstructions of Nature, and this can + be done only by labor and by thought. Labor is the foundation of all. + Without labor, and without great labor, progress is impossible. The + progress of the world depends upon the men who walk in the fresh furrows + and through the rustling corn; upon those who sow and reap; upon those + whose faces are radiant with the glare of furnace fires; upon the delvers + in the mines, and the workers in shops; upon those who give to the winter + air the ringing music of the axe; upon those who battle with the + boisterous billows of the sea; upon the inventors and discoverers; upon + the brave thinkers. + </p> + <p> + From the surplus produced by labor, schools and universities are built and + fostered. From this surplus the painter is paid for the productions of the + pencil; the sculptor for chiseling shapeless rock into forms divinely + beautiful, and the poet for singing the hopes, the loves, the memories, + and the aspirations of the world. This surplus has given us the books in + which we converse with the dead and living kings of the human race. It has + given us all there is of beauty, of elegance, and of refined happiness. + </p> + <p> + I am aware that there is a vast difference of opinion as to what progress + really is; that many denounce the ideas of to-day as destructive of all + happiness—of all good, I know that there are many worshipers of the + past. They venerate the ancient because it is ancient. They see no beauty + in anything from which they do not blow the dust of ages with the breath + of praise. They say, no masters like the old; no religion, no governments + like the ancient; no orators, no poets, no statesmen like those who have + been dust for two thousand years. Others love the modern simply because it + is modern. + </p> + <p> + We should have gratitude enough to acknowledge the obligations we are + under to the great and heroic of antiquity, and independence enough not to + believe what they said simply because they said it. + </p> + <p> + With the idea that labor is the basis of progress goes the truth that + labor must be free. The laborer must be a free man. + </p> + <p> + The free man, working for wife and child, gets his head and hands in + partnership. + </p> + <p> + To do the greatest amount of work in the shortest space of time, is the + problem of free labor. + </p> + <p> + Slavery does the least work in the longest space of time. + </p> + <p> + Free labor will give us wealth. Free thought will give us truth. + </p> + <p> + Slowly but surely man is freeing his imagination of these sexless + phantoms, of these cruel ghosts. Slowly but surely he is rising above the + superstitions of the past. He is learning to rely upon himself. He is + beginning to find that labor is the only prayer that ought to be answered, + and that hoping, toiling, aspiring, suffering men and women are of more + importance than all the ghosts that ever wandered through the fenceless + fields of space. + </p> + <p> + The believers in ghosts claim still, that they are the only wise and + virtuous people upon the earth; claim still, that there is a difference + between them and unbelievers so vast, that they will be infinitely + rewarded, and the others infinitely punished. + </p> + <p> + I ask you to-night, do the theories and doctrines of the theologians + satisfy the heart or brain of the nineteenth century? + </p> + <p> + Have the churches the confidence of mankind? + </p> + <p> + Does the merchant give credit to a man because he belongs to a church? + </p> + <p> + Does the banker loan money to a man because he is a Methodist or Baptist? + </p> + <p> + Will a certificate of good standing in any church be taken as collateral + security for one dollar? + </p> + <p> + Will you take the word of a church member, or his note, or his oath, + simply because he is a church member? + </p> + <p> + Are the clergy, as a class, better, kinder and more generous to their + families—to their fellow-men—than doctors, lawyers, merchants + and farmers? + </p> + <p> + Does a belief in ghosts and unreasonable things necessarily make people + honest? + </p> + <p> + When a man loses confidence in Moses, must the people lose confidence in + him? + </p> + <p> + Does not the credit system in morals breed extravagance in sin? + </p> + <p> + Why send missionaries to other lands while every penitentiary in ours is + filled with criminals? + </p> + <p> + Is it philosophical to say that they who do right carry a cross? + </p> + <p> + Is it a source of joy to think that perdition is the destination of nearly + all of the children of men? + </p> + <p> + Is it worth while to quarrel about original sin—when there is so + much copy? + </p> + <p> + Does it pay to dispute about baptism, and the Trinity, and predestination, + and apostolic succession and the infallibility of churches, of popes and + of books? Does all this do any good? + </p> + <p> + Are the theologians welcomers of new truths? Are they noted for their + candor? Do they treat an opponent with common fairness? Are they + investigators? Do they pull forward, or do they hold back? + </p> + <p> + Is science indebted to the church for a solitary fact? + </p> + <p> + What church is an asylum for a persecuted truth? + </p> + <p> + What great reform has been inaugurated by the church? + </p> + <p> + Did the church abolish slavery? + </p> + <p> + Has the church raised its voice against war? + </p> + <p> + I used to think that there was in religion no real restraining force. Upon + this point my mind has changed. Religion will prevent man from committing + artificial crimes and offences. + </p> + <p> + A man committed murder. The evidence was so conclusive that he confessed + his guilt. + </p> + <p> + He was asked why he killed his fellow-man. + </p> + <p> + He replied: "For money." + </p> + <p> + "Did you get any?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "How much?" + </p> + <p> + "Fifteen cents." + </p> + <p> + "What did you do with this money?" + </p> + <p> + "Spent it." + </p> + <p> + "What for?" + </p> + <p> + "Liquor." + </p> + <p> + "What else did you find upon the dead man?" "He had his dinner in a bucket—some + meat and bread." + </p> + <p> + "What did you do with that?" + </p> + <p> + "I ate the bread." + </p> + <p> + "What did you do with the meat?" + </p> + <p> + "I threw it away." + </p> + <p> + "Why?" + </p> + <p> + "It was Friday." + </p> + <p> + Just to the extent that man has freed himself from the dominion of ghosts + he has advanced. Just to the extent that he has freed himself from the + tyrants of his own creation he has progressed. Just to the extent that he + has investigated for himself he has lost confidence in superstition. + </p> + <p> + With knowledge obedience becomes intelligent acquiescence—it is no + longer degrading. Acquiescence in the understood—in the known—is + the act of a sovereign, not of a slave. It ennobles, it does not degrade. + </p> + <p> + Man has found that he must give liberty to others in order to have it + himself. He has found that a master is also a slave;—that a tyrant + is himself a serf. He has found that governments should be founded and + administered by man and for man; that the rights of all are equal; that + the powers that be are not ordained by God; that woman is at least the + equal of man; that men existed before books; that religion is one of the + phases of thought through which the world is passing; that all creeds were + made by man; that everything is natural; that a miracle is an + impossibility; that we know nothing of origin and destiny; that concerning + the unknown we are all equally ignorant; that the pew has the right to + contradict what the pulpit asserts; that man is responsible only to + himself and those he injures, and that all have a right to think. + </p> + <p> + True religion must be free. Without perfect liberty of the mind there can + be no true religion. Without liberty the brain is a dungeon—the mind + a convict. The slave may bow and cringe and crawl, but he cannot adore—he + cannot love. + </p> + <p> + True religion is the perfume of a free and grateful heart. True religion + is a subordination of the passions to the perceptions of the intellect. + True religion is not a theory—it is a practice. It is not a creed—it + is a life. + </p> + <p> + A theory that is afraid of investigation is undeserving a place in the + human mind. + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to tell what all the truth is. I do not pretend to have + fathomed the abyss, nor to have floated on outstretched wings level with + the dim heights of thought. I simply plead for freedom. I denounce the + cruelties and horrors of slavery. I ask for light and air for the souls of + men. I say, take off those chains—break those manacles—free + those limbs—release that brain! I plead for the right to think—to + reason—to investigate. I ask that the future may be enriched with + the honest thoughts of men. I implore every human being to be a soldier in + the army of progress. + </p> + <p> + I will not invade the rights of others. You have no right to erect your + toll-gate upon the highways of thought. You have no right to leap from the + hedges of superstition and strike down the pioneers of the human race. You + have no right to sacrifice the liberties of man upon the altars of ghosts. + Believe what you may; preach what you desire; have all the forms and + ceremonies you please; exercise your liberty in your own way but extend to + all others the same right. + </p> + <p> + I will not attack your doctrines nor your creeds if they accord liberty to + me. If they hold thought to be dangerous—if they aver that doubt is + a crime, then I attack them one and all, because they enslave the minds of + men. + </p> + <p> + I attack the monsters, the phantoms of imagination that have ruled the + world. I attack slavery. I ask for room—room for the human mind. + </p> + <p> + Why should we sacrifice a real world that we have, for one we know not of? + Why should we enslave ourselves? Why should we forge fetters for our own + hands? Why should we be the slaves of phantoms. The darkness of barbarism + was the womb of these shadows. In the light of science they cannot cloud + the sky forever. They have reddened the hands of man with innocent blood. + They made the cradle a curse, and the grave a place of torment. + </p> + <p> + They blinded the eyes and stopped the ears of the human race. They + subverted all ideas of justice by promising infinite rewards for finite + virtues, and threatening infinite punishment for finite offences. + </p> + <p> + They filled the future with heavens and with hells, with the shining peaks + of selfish joy and the lurid abysses of flame. For ages they kept the + world in ignorance and awe, in want and misery, in fear and chains. + </p> + <p> + I plead for light, for air, for opportunity. I plead for individual + independence. I plead for the rights of labor and of thought. I plead for + a chainless future. Let the ghosts go—justice remains. Let them + disappear—men and women and children are left. Let the monsters fade + away—the world is here with its hills and seas and plains, with its + seasons of smiles and frowns, its spring of leaf and bud, its summer of + shade and flower and murmuring stream; its autumn with the laden boughs, + when the withered banners of the corn are still, and gathered fields are + growing strangely wan; while death, poetic death, with hands that color + what they touch, weaves in the Autumn wood her tapestries of gold and + brown. + </p> + <p> + The world remains with its winters and homes and firesides, where grow and + bloom the virtues of our race. All these are left; and music, with its sad + and thrilling voice, and all there is of art and song and hope and love + and aspiration high. All these remain. Let the ghosts go—we will + worship them no more. + </p> + <p> + Man is greater than these phantoms. Humanity is grander than all the + creeds, than all the books. Humanity is the great sea, and these creeds, + and books, and religions, are but the waves of a day. Humanity is the sky, + and these religions and dogmas and theories are but the mists and clouds + changing continually, destined finally to melt away. + </p> + <p> + That which is founded upon slavery, and fear, and ignorance, cannot + endure. In the religion of the future there will be men and women and + children, all the aspirations of the soul, and all the tender humanities + of the heart. + </p> + <p> + Let the ghosts go. We will worship them no more. Let them cover their + eyeless sockets with their fleshless hands and fade forever from the + imaginations of men. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009" id="link0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LIBERTY OF MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD. + </h2> + <h3> + Liberty sustains the same Relation to Mind that Space does to Matter. + </h3> + <p> + THERE is no slavery but ignorance. Liberty is the child of intelligence. + </p> + <p> + The history of man is simply the history of slavery, of injustice and + brutality, together with the means by which he has, through the dead and + desolate years, slowly and painfully advanced. He has been the sport and + prey of priest and king, the food of superstition and cruel might. Crowned + force has governed ignorance through fear. Hypocrisy and tyranny—two + vultures—have fed upon the liberties of man. From all these there + has been, and is, but one means of escape—intellectual development. + Upon the back of industry has been the whip. Upon the brain have been the + fetters of superstition. Nothing has been left undone by the enemies of + freedom. Every art and artifice, every cruelty and outrage has been + practiced and perpetrated to destroy the rights of man. In this great + struggle every crime has been rewarded and every virtue has been punished. + Reading, writing, thinking and investigating have all been crimes. + </p> + <p> + Every science has been an outcast. + </p> + <p> + All the altars and all the thrones united to arrest the forward march of + the human race. The king said that mankind must not work for themselves. + The priest said that mankind must not think for themselves. One forged + chains for the hands, the other for the soul. Under this infamous <i>regime</i> + the eagle of the human intellect was for ages a slimy serpent of + hypocrisy. + </p> + <p> + The human race was imprisoned. Through some of the prison bars came a few + struggling rays of light. Against these bars Science pressed its pale and + thoughtful face, wooed by the holy dawn of human advancement. Bar after + bar was broken away. A few grand men escaped and devoted their lives to + the liberation of their fellows. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago there was a great awakening of the human mind. Men + began to inquire by what right a crowned robber made them work for him? + The man who asked this question was called a traitor. Others asked by what + right does a robed hypocrite rule my thought? Such men were called + infidels. The priest said, and the king said, where is this spirit of + investigation to stop? They said then and they say now, that it is + dangerous for man to be free. I deny it. Out on the intellectual sea there + is room enough for every sail. In the intellectual air there is space + enough for every wing. + </p> + <p> + The man who does not do his own thinking is a slave, and is a traitor to + himself and to his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Every man should stand under the blue and stars, under the infinite flag + of nature, the peer of every other man. + </p> + <p> + Standing in the presence of the Unknown, all have the same right to think, + and all are equally interested in the great questions of origin and + destiny. All I claim, all I plead for, is liberty of thought and + expression. That is all. I do not pretend to tell what is absolutely true, + but what I think is true. I do not pretend to tell all the truth. + </p> + <p> + I do not claim that I have floated level with the heights of thought, or + that I have descended to the very depths of things. I simply claim that + what ideas I have, I have a right to express; and that any man who denies + that right to me is an intellectual thief and robber. That is all. + </p> + <p> + Take those chains from the human soul. Break those fetters. If I have no + right to think, why have I a brain? If I have no such right, have three or + four men, or any number, who may get together, and sign a creed, and build + a house, and put a steeple upon it, and a bell in it—have they the + right to think? The good men, the good women are tired of the whip and + lash in the realm of thought. They remember the chain and fagot with a + shudder. They are free, and they give liberty to others. Whoever claims + any right that he is unwilling to accord to his fellow-men is dishonest + and infamous. + </p> + <p> + In the good old times, our fathers had the idea that they could make + people believe to suit them. Our ancestors, in the ages that are gone, + really believed that by force you could convince a man. You cannot change + the conclusion of the brain by torture; nor by social ostracism. But I + will tell you what you can do by these, and what you have done. You can + make hypocrites by the million. You can make a man say that he has changed + his mind; but he remains of the same opinion still. Put fetters all over + him; crush his feet in iron boots; stretch him to the last gasp upon the + holy rack; burn him, if you please, but his ashes will be of the same + opinion still. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers in the good old times—and the best thing I can say about + them is, that they have passed away—had an idea that they could + force men to think their way. That idea is still prevalent in many parts, + even of this country. Even in our day some extremely religious people say, + "We will not trade with that man; we will not vote for him; we will not + hire him if he is a lawyer; we will die before we will take his medicine + if he is a doctor; we will not invite him to dinner; we will socially + ostracise him; he must come to our church; he must believe our doctrines; + he must worship our god or we will not in any way contribute to his + support." + </p> + <p> + In the old times of which I have spoken, they desired to make all men + think exactly alike. All the mechanical ingenuity of the world cannot make + two clocks run exactly alike, and how are you going to make hundreds of + millions of people, differing in brain and disposition, in education and + aspiration, in conditions and surroundings, each clad in a living robe of + passionate flesh—how are you going to make them think and feel + alike? If there is an infinite god, one who made us, and wishes us to + think alike, why did he give a spoonful of brains to one, and a + magnificent intellectual development to another? Why is it that we have + all degrees of intelligence, from orthodoxy to genius, if it was intended + that all should think and feel alike? + </p> + <p> + I used to read in books how our fathers persecuted mankind. But I never + appreciated it. I read it, but it did not burn itself into my soul. I did + not really appreciate the infamies that have been committed in the name of + religion, until I saw the iron arguments that Christians used. I saw the + Thumbscrew—two little pieces of iron, armed on the inner surfaces + with protuberances, to prevent their slipping; through each end a screw + uniting the two pieces. And when some man denied the efficacy of baptism, + or may be said, "I do not believe that a fish ever swallowed a man to keep + him from drowning," then they put his thumb between these pieces of iron + and in the name of love and universal forgiveness, began to screw these + pieces together. When this was done most men said, "I will recant." + Probably I should have done the same. Probably I would have said: "Stop; I + will admit anything that you wish; I will admit that there is one god or a + million, one hell or a billion; suit yourselves; but stop." + </p> + <p> + But there was now and then a man who would not swerve the breadth of a + hair. There was now and then some sublime heart, willing to die for an + intellectual conviction. Had it not been for such men, we would be savages + to-night. Had it not been for a few brave, heroic souls in every age, we + would have been cannibals, with pictures of wild beasts tattooed upon our + flesh, dancing around some dried snake fetich. + </p> + <p> + Let us thank every good and noble man who stood so grandly, so proudly, in + spite of opposition, of hatred and death, for what he believed to be the + truth. + </p> + <p> + Heroism did not excite the respect of our fathers. The man who would not + recant was not forgiven. They screwed the thumbscrews down to the last + pang, and then threw their victim into some dungeon, where, in the + throbbing silence and darkness, he might suffer the agonies of the fabled + damned. This was done in the name of love—in the name of mercy—in + the name of the compassionate Christ. + </p> + <p> + I saw, too, what they called the Collar of Torture. Imagine a circle of + iron, and on the inside a hundred points almost as sharp as needles. This + argument was fastened about the throat of the sufferer. Then he could not + walk, nor sit down, nor stir without the neck being punctured, by these + points. In a little while the throat would begin to swell, and suffocation + would end the agonies of that man. This man, it may be, had committed the + crime of saying, with tears upon his cheeks, "I do not believe that God, + the father of us all, will damn to eternal perdition any of the children + of men." + </p> + <p> + I saw another instrument, called the Scavenger's Daughter. Think of a pair + of shears with handles, not only where they now are, but at the points as + well, and just above the pivot that unites the blades, a circle of iron. + In the upper handles the hands would be placed; in the lower, the feet; + and through the iron ring, at the centre, the head of the victim would be + forced. In this condition, he would be thrown prone upon the earth, and + the strain upon the muscles produced such agony that insanity would in + pity end his pain. + </p> + <p> + This was done by gentlemen who said: "Whosoever smiteth thee upon one + cheek turn to him the other also." + </p> + <p> + I saw the Rack. This was a box like the bed of a wagon, with a windlass at + each end, with levers, and ratchets to prevent slipping; over each + windlass went chains; some were fastened to the ankles of the sufferer; + others to his wrists. And then priests, clergymen, divines, saints, began + turning these windlasses, and kept turning, until the ankles, the knees, + the hips, the shoulders, the elbows, the wrists of the victim were all + dislocated, and the sufferer was wet with the sweat of agony. And they had + standing by a physician to feel his pulse. What for? To save his life? + Yes. In mercy? No; simply that they might rack him once again. + </p> + <p> + This was done, remember, in the name of civilization; in the name of law + and order; in the name of mercy; in the name of religion; in the name of + the most merciful Christ. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes, when I read and think about these frightful things, it seems to + me that I have suffered all these horrors myself. It seems sometimes, as + though I had stood upon the shore of exile and gazed with tearful eyes + toward home and native land; as though my nails had been torn from my + hands, and into the bleeding quick needles had been thrust; as though my + feet had been crushed in iron boots; as though I had been chained in the + cell of the Inquisition and listened with dying ears for the coming + footsteps of release; as though I had stood upon the scaffold and had seen + the glittering axe fall upon me; as though I had been upon the rack and + had seen, bending above me, the white faces of hypocrite priests; as + though I had been taken from my fireside, from my wife and children, taken + to the public square, chained; as though fagots had been piled about me; + as though the flames had climbed around my limbs and scorched my eyes to + blindness, and as though my ashes had been scattered to the four winds, by + all the countless hands of hate. And when I so feel, I swear that while I + live I will do what little I can to preserve and to augment the liberties + of man, woman, and child. + </p> + <p> + It is a question of justice, of mercy, of honesty, of intellectual + development. If there is a man in the world who is not willing to give to + every human being every right he claims for himself, he is just so much + nearer a barbarian than I am. It is a question of honesty. The man who is + not willing to give to every other the same intellectual rights he claims + for himself, is dishonest, selfish, and brutal. + </p> + <p> + It is a question of intellectual development. Whoever holds another man + responsible for his honest thought, has a deformed and distorted brain. It + is a question of intellectual development. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago I saw models of nearly everything that man has made. I + saw models of all the water craft, from the rude dug-out in which floated + a naked savage—one of our ancestors—a naked savage, with teeth + two inches in length, with a spoonful of brains in the back of his head—I + saw models of all the water craft of the world, from that dug-out up to a + man-of-war, that carries a hundred guns and miles of canvas—from + that dug-out to the steamship that turns its brave prow from the port of + New York, with a compass like a conscience, crossing three thousand miles + of billows without missing a throb or beat of its mighty iron heart. + </p> + <p> + I saw at the same time the weapons that man has made, from a club, such as + was grasped by that same savage, when he crawled from his den in the + ground and hunted a snake for his dinner; from that club to the boomerang, + to the sword, to the cross-bow, to the blunderbuss, to the flint-lock, to + the cap-lock, to the needle-gun, up to a cannon cast by Krupp, capable of + hurling a ball weighing two thousand pounds through eighteen inches of + solid steel. + </p> + <p> + I saw, too, the armor from the shell of a turtle, that one of our brave + ancestors lashed upon his breast when he went to fight for his country; + the skin of a porcupine, dried with the quills on, which this same savage + pulled over his orthodox head, up to the shirts of mail, that were worn in + the Middle Ages, that laughed at the edge of the sword and defied the + point of the spear; up to a monitor clad in complete steel. + </p> + <p> + I saw at the same time, their musical instruments, from the tom-tom—that + is, a hoop with a couple of strings of raw hide drawn across it—from + that tom-tom, up to the instruments we have to-day, that make the common + air blossom with melody. + </p> + <p> + I saw, too, their paintings, from a daub of yellow mud, to the great works + which now adorn the galleries of the world. I saw also their sculpture, + from the rude god with four legs, a half dozen arms, several noses, and + two or three rows of ears, and one little, contemptible, brainless head, + up to the figures of to-day—to the marbles that genius has clad in + such a personality that it seems almost impudent to touch them without an + introduction. + </p> + <p> + I saw their books—books written upon skins of wild beasts—upon + shoulder-blades of sheep—books written upon leaves, upon bark, up to + the splendid volumes that enrich the libraries of our day. When I speak of + libraries, I think of the remark of Plato: "A house that has a library in + it has a soul." + </p> + <p> + I saw their implements of agriculture, from a crooked stick that was + attached to the horn of an ox by some twisted straw, to the agricultural + implements of this generation, that make it possible for a man to + cultivate the soil without being an ignoramus. + </p> + <p> + While looking upon these things I was forced to say that man advanced only + as he mingled his thought with his labor,—only as he got into + partnership with the forces of nature,—only as he learned to take + advantage of his surroundings—only as he freed himself from the + bondage of fear,—only as he depended upon himself—only as he + lost confidence in the gods. + </p> + <p> + I saw at the same time a row of human skulls, from the lowest skull that + has been found, the Neanderthal skull—skulls from Central Africa, + skulls from the Bushmen of Australia—skulls from the farthest isles + of the Pacific sea—up to the best skulls of the last generation;—and + I noticed that there was the same difference between those skulls that + there was between the products of those skulls, and I said to myself, + "After all, it is a simple question of intellectual development." There + was the same difference between those skulls, the lowest and highest + skulls, that there was between the dug-out and the man-of-war and the + steamship, between the club and the Krupp gun, between the yellow daub and + the landscape, between the tom-tom and an opera by Verdi. + </p> + <p> + The first and lowest skull in this row was the den in which crawled the + base and meaner instincts of mankind, and the last was a temple in which + dwelt joy, liberty, and love. + </p> + <p> + It is all a question of brain, of intellectual development. + </p> + <p> + If we are nearer free than were our fathers, it is because we have better + heads upon the average, and more brains in them. + </p> + <p> + Now, I ask you to be honest with me. It makes no difference to you what I + believe, nor what I wish to prove. I simply ask you to be honest. Divest + your minds, for a moment at least, of all religious prejudice. Act, for a + few moments, as though you were men and women. + </p> + <p> + Suppose the king, if there was one, and the priest, if there was one, at + the time this gentleman floated in the dug-out, and charmed his ears with + the music of the tom-tom, had said: "That dug-out is the best boat that + ever can be built by man; the pattern of that came from on high, from the + great god of storm and flood, and any man who says that he can improve it + by putting a mast in it, with a sail upon it, is an infidel, and shall be + burned at the stake;" what, in your judgment—honor bright—would + have been the effect upon the circumnavigation of the globe? + </p> + <p> + Suppose the king, if there was one, and the priest, if there was one—and + I presume there was a priest, because it was a very ignorant age—suppose + this king and priest had said: "That tom-tom is the most beautiful + instrument of music of which any man can conceive; that is the kind of + music they have in heaven; an angel sitting upon the edge of a fleecy + cloud, golden in the setting sun, playing upon that tom-tom, became so + enraptured, so entranced with her own music, that in a kind of ecstasy she + dropped it—that is how we obtained it; and any man who says that it + can be improved by putting a back and front to it, and four strings, and a + bridge, and getting a bow of hair with rosin, is a blaspheming wretch, and + shall die the death,"—I ask you, what effect would that have had + upon music? If that course had been pursued, would the human ears, in your + judgment, ever have been enriched with the divine symphonies of Beethoven? + </p> + <p> + Suppose the king, if there was one, and the priest, had said: "That + crooked stick is the best plow that can be invented: the pattern of that + plow was given to a pious farmer in a holy dream, and that twisted straw + is the <i>ne plus ultra</i> of all twisted things, and any man who says he + can make an improvement upon that plow, is an atheist;" what, in your + judgment, would have been the effect upon the science of agriculture? + </p> + <p> + But the people said, and the king and priest said: "We want better weapons + with which to kill our fellow-Christians; we want better plows, better + music, better paintings, and whoever will give us better weapons, and + better music, better houses to live in, better clothes, we will robe him + in wealth, and crown him with honor." Every incentive was held out to + every human being to improve these things. That is the reason the club has + been changed to a cannon, the dug-out to a steamship, the daub to a + painting; that is the reason that the piece of rough and broken stone + finally became a glorified statue. + </p> + <p> + You must not, however, forget that the gentleman in the dug-out, the + gentleman who was enraptured with the music of the tom-tom, and cultivated + his land with a crooked stick, had a religion of his own. That gentlemen + in the dug-out was orthodox. He was never troubled with doubts. He lived + and died settled in his mind. He believed in hell; and he thought he would + be far happier in heaven, if he could just lean over and see certain + people who expressed doubts as to the truth of his creed, gently but + everlastingly broiled and burned. + </p> + <p> + It is a very sad and unhappy fact that this man has had a great many + intellectual descendants. It is also an unhappy fact in nature, that the + ignorant multiply much faster than the intellectual. This fellow in the + dug-out believed in a personal devil. His devil had a cloven hoof, a long + tail, armed with a fiery dart; and his devil breathed brimstone. This + devil was at least the equal of God; not quite so stout but a little + shrewder. And do you know there has not been a patentable improvement made + upon that devil for six thousand years. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman in the dug-out believed that God was a tyrant; that he + would eternally damn the man who lived in accordance with his highest and + grandest ideal. He believed that the earth was flat. He believed in a + literal, burning, seething hell of fire and sulphur. He had also his idea + of politics; and his doctrine was, might makes right. And it will take + thousands of years before the world will reverse this doctrine, and + believingly say, "Right makes might." + </p> + <p> + All I ask is the same privilege to improve upon that gentleman's theology + as upon his musical instrument; the same right to improve upon his + politics as upon his dug-out. That is all. I ask for the human soul the + same liberty in every direction. That is the only crime I have committed. + I say, let us think. Let each one express his thought. Let us become + investigators, not followers, not cringers and crawlers. If there is in + heaven an infinite being, he never will be satisfied with the worship of + cowards and hypocrites. Honest unbelief, honest infidelity, honest + atheism, will be a perfume in heaven when pious hypocrisy, no matter how + religious it may be outwardly, will be a stench. + </p> + <p> + This is my doctrine: Give every other human being every right you claim + for yourself. Keep your mind open to the influences of nature. Receive new + thoughts with hospitality. Let us advance. + </p> + <p> + The religionist of to-day wants the ship of his soul to lie at the wharf + of orthodoxy and rot in the sun. He delights to hear the sails of old + opinions flap against the masts of old creeds. He loves to see the joints + and the sides open and gape in the sun, and it is a kind of bliss for him + to repeat again and again: "Do not disturb my opinions. Do not unsettle my + mind; I have it all made up, and I want no infidelity. Let me go backward + rather than forward." + </p> + <p> + As far as I am concerned I wish to be out on the high seas. I wish to take + my chances with wind, and wave, and star. And I had rather go down in the + glory and grandeur of the storm, than to rot in any orthodox harbor + whatever. + </p> + <p> + After all, we are improving from age to age. The most orthodox people in + this country two hundred years ago would have been burned for the crime of + heresy. The ministers who denounce me for expressing my thought would have + been in the Inquisition themselves. Where once burned and blazed the + bivouac fires of the army of progress, now glow the altars of the church. + The religionists of our time are occupying about the same ground occupied + by heretics and infidels of one hundred years ago. The church has advanced + in spite, as it were, of itself. It has followed the army of progress + protesting and denouncing, and had to keep within protesting and + denouncing distance. If the church had not made great progress I could not + express my thoughts. + </p> + <p> + Man, however, has advanced just exactly in the proportion with which he + has mingled his thought with his labor. The sailor, without control of the + wind and wave, knowing nothing or very little of the mysterious currents + and pulses of the sea, is superstitious. So also is the agriculturist, + whose prosperity depends upon something he cannot control. But the + mechanic, when a wheel refuses to turn, never thinks of dropping on his + knees and asking the assistance of some divine power. He knows there is a + reason. He knows that something is too large or too small; that there is + something wrong with his machine; and he goes to work and he makes it + larger or smaller, here or there, until the wheel will turn. Now, just in + proportion as man gets away from being, as it were, the slave of his + surroundings, the serf of the elements,—of the heat, the frost, the + snow, and the lightning,—just to the extent that he has gotten + control of his own destiny, just to the extent that he has triumphed over + the obstacles of nature, he has advanced physically and intellectually. As + man develops, he places a greater value upon his own rights. Liberty + becomes a grander and diviner thing. As he values his own rights, he + begins to value the rights of others. And when all men give to all others + all the rights they claim for themselves, this world will be civilized. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago the people were afraid to question the king, afraid to + question the priest, afraid to investigate a creed, afraid to deny a book, + afraid to denounce a dogma, afraid to reason, afraid to think. Before + wealth they bowed to the very earth, and in the presence of titles they + became abject. All this is slowly but surely changing. We no longer bow to + men simply because they are rich. Our fathers worshiped the golden calf. + The worst you can say of an American now is, he worships the gold of the + calf. Even the calf is beginning to see this distinction. + </p> + <p> + It no longer satisfies the ambition of a great man to be king or emperor. + The last Napoleon was not satisfied with being the emperor of the French. + He was not satisfied with having a circlet of gold about his head. He + wanted some evidence that he had something of value within his head. So he + wrote the life of Julius Cæsar, that he might become a member of the + French Academy. The emperors, the kings, the popes, no longer tower above + their fellows. Compare King William with the philosopher Haeckel. The king + is one of the anointed by the most high, as they claim—one upon + whose head has been poured the divine petroleum of authority. Compare this + king with Haeckel, who towers an intellectual colossus above the crowned + mediocrity. Compare George Eliot with Queen Victoria. The Queen is clothed + in garments given her by blind fortune and unreasoning chance, while + George Eliot wears robes of glory woven in the loom of her own genius. + </p> + <p> + The world is beginning to pay homage to intellect, to genius, to heart. + </p> + <p> + We have advanced. We have reaped the benefit of every sublime and heroic + self-sacrifice, of every divine and brave act; and we should endeavor to + hand the torch to the next generation, having added a little to the + intensity and glory of the flame. + </p> + <p> + When I think of how much this world has suffered; when I think of how long + our fathers were slaves, of how they cringed and crawled at the foot of + the throne, and in the dust of the altar, of how they abased themselves, + of how abjectly they stood in the presence of superstition robed and + crowned, I am amazed. + </p> + <p> + This world has not been fit for a man to live in fifty years. It was not + until the year 1808 that Great Britain abolished the slave trade. Up to + that time her judges, sitting upon the bench in the name of justice, her + priests, occupying her pulpits, in the name of universal love, owned stock + in the slave ships, and luxuriated upon the profits of piracy and murder. + It was not until the same year that the United States of America abolished + the slave trade between this and other countries, but carefully preserved + it as between the States. It was not until the 28th day of August, 1833, + that Great Britain abolished human slavery in her colonies; and it was not + until the 1st day of January, 1863, that Abraham Lincoln, sustained by the + sublime and heroic North, rendered our flag pure as the sky in which it + floats. + </p> + <p> + Abraham Lincoln was, in my judgment, in many respects, the grandest man + ever President of the United States. Upon his monument these words should + be written: "Here sleeps the only man in the history of the world, who, + having been clothed with almost absolute power, never abused it, except + upon the side of mercy." + </p> + <p> + Think how long we clung to the institution of human slavery, how long + lashes upon the naked back were a legal tender for labor performed. Think + of it. The pulpit of this country deliberately and willingly, for a + hundred years, turned the cross of Christ into a whipping post. + </p> + <p> + With every drop of my blood I hate and execrate every form of tyranny, + every form of slavery. I hate dictation. I love liberty. + </p> + <p> + What do I mean by liberty? By physical liberty I mean the right to do + anything which does not interfere with the happiness of another. By + intellectual liberty I mean the right to think right and the right to + think wrong. Thought is the means by which we endeavor to arrive at truth. + If we know the truth already, we need not think. All that can be required + is honesty of purpose. You ask my opinion about anything; I examine it + honestly, and when my mind is made up, what should I tell you? Should I + tell you my real thought? What should I do? There is a book put in my + hands. I am told this is the Koran; it was written by inspiration. I read + it, and when I get through, suppose that I think in my heart and in my + brain, that it is utterly untrue, and you then ask me, what do you think? + Now, admitting that I live in Turkey, and have no chance to get any office + unless I am on the side of the Koran, what should I say? Should I make a + clean breast and say, that upon my honor I do not believe it? What would + you think then of my fellow-citizens if they said: "That man is dangerous, + he is dishonest." + </p> + <p> + Suppose I read the book called the Bible, and when I get through I make up + my mind that it was written by men. A minister asks me, "Did you read the + Bible?" I answer, that I did. "Do you think it divinely inspired?" What + should I reply? Should I say to myself, "If I deny the inspiration of the + Scriptures, the people will never clothe me with power." What ought I to + answer? Ought I not to say like a man: "I have read it; I do not believe + it." Should I not give the real transcript of my mind? Or should I turn + hypocrite and pretend what I do not feel, and hate myself forever after + for being a cringing coward. For my part I would rather a man would tell + me what he honestly thinks. I would rather he would preserve his manhood. + I had a thousand times rather be a manly unbeliever than an unmanly + believer. And if there is a judgment day, a time when all will stand + before some supreme being, I believe I will stand higher, and stand a + better chance of getting my case decided in my favor, than any man + sneaking through life pretending to believe what he does not. + </p> + <p> + I have made up my mind to say my say. I shall do it kindly, distinctly; + but I am going to do it. I know there are thousands of men who + substantially agree with me, but who are not in a condition to express + their thoughts. They are poor; they are in business; and they know that + should they tell their honest thought, persons will refuse to patronize + them—to trade with them; they wish to get bread for their little + children; they wish to take care of their wives; they wish to have homes + and the comforts of life. Every such person is a certificate of the + meanness of the community in which he resides. And yet I do not blame + these people for not expressing their thought. I say to them: "Keep your + ideas to yourselves; feed and clothe the ones you love; I will do your + talking for you. The church can not touch, can not crush, can not starve, + cannot stop or stay me; I will express your thoughts." + </p> + <p> + As an excuse for tyranny, as a justification of slavery, the church has + taught that man is totally depraved. Of the truth of that doctrine, the + church has furnished the only evidence there is. The truth is, we are both + good and bad. The worst are capable of some good deeds, and the best are + capable of bad. The lowest can rise, and the highest may fall. That + mankind can be divided into two great classes, sinners and saints, is an + utter falsehood. In times of great disaster, called it may be, by the + despairing voices of women, men, denounced by the church as totally + depraved, rush to death as to a festival. By such men, deeds are done so + filled with self-sacrifice and generous daring, that millions pay to them + the tribute, not only of admiration, but of tears. Above all creeds, above + all religions, after all, is that divine thing,—Humanity; and now + and then in shipwreck on the wide, wild sea, or 'mid the rocks and + breakers of some cruel shore, or where the serpents of flame writhe and + hiss, some glorious heart, some chivalric soul does a deed that glitters + like a star, and gives the lie to all the dogmas of superstition. All + these frightful doctrines have been used to degrade and to enslave + mankind. + </p> + <p> + Away, forever away with the creeds and books and forms and laws and + religions that take from the soul liberty and reason. Down with the idea + that thought is dangerous! Perish the infamous doctrine that man can have + property in man. Let us resent with indignation every effort to put a + chain upon our minds. If there is no God, certainly we should not bow and + cringe and crawl. If there is a God, there should be no slaves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0010" id="link0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LIBERTY OF WOMAN. + </h2> + <p> + Women have been the slaves of slaves; and in my judgment it took millions + of ages for woman to come from the condition of abject slavery up to the + institution of marriage. Let me say right here, that I regard marriage as + the holiest institution among men. Without the fireside there is no human + advancement; without the family relation there is no life worth living. + Every good government is made up of good families. The unit of good + government is the family, and anything that tends to destroy the family is + perfectly devilish and infamous. I believe in marriage, and I hold in + utter contempt the opinions of those long-haired men and short-haired + women who denounce the institution of marriage. + </p> + <p> + The grandest ambition that any man can possibly have, is to so live, and + so improve himself in heart and brain, as to be worthy of the love of some + splendid woman; and the grandest ambition of any girl is to make herself + worthy of the love and adoration of some magnificent man. That is my idea. + There is no success in life without love and marriage. You had better be + the emperor of one loving and tender heart, and she the empress of yours, + than to be king of the world. The man who has really won the love of one + good woman in this world, I do not care if he dies in the ditch a beggar, + his life has been a success. + </p> + <p> + I say it took millions of years to come from the condition of abject + slavery up to the condition of marriage. Ladies, the ornaments you wear + upon your persons to-night are but the souvenirs of your mother's bondage. + The chains around your necks, and the bracelets clasped upon your white + arms by the thrilled hand of love, have been changed by the wand of + civilization from iron to shining, glittering gold. + </p> + <p> + But nearly every religion has accounted for all the devilment in this + world by the crime of woman. What a gallant thing that is! And if it is + true, I had rather live with the woman I love in a world full of trouble, + than to live in heaven with nobody but men. + </p> + <p> + I read in a book—and I will say now that I cannot give the exact + language, as my memory does not retain the words, but I can give the + substance—I read in a book that the Supreme Being concluded to make + a world and one man; that he took some nothing and made a world and one + man, and put this man in a garden. In a little while he noticed that the + man got lonesome; that he wandered around as if he was waiting for a + train. There was nothing to interest him; no news; no papers; no politics; + no policy; and, as the devil had not yet made his appearance, there was no + chance for reconciliation; not even for civil service reform. Well, he + wandered about the garden in this condition, until finally the Supreme + Being made up his mind to make him a companion. + </p> + <p> + Having used up all the nothing he originally took in making the world and + one man, he had to take a part of the man to start a woman with. So he + caused a sleep to fall on this man—now understand me, I do not say + this story is true. After the sleep fell upon this man, the Supreme Being + took a rib, or as the French would call it, a cutlet, out of this man, and + from that he made a woman. And considering the amount of raw material + used, I look upon it as the most successful job ever performed. Well, + after he got the woman done, she was brought to the man; not to see how + she liked him, but to see how he liked her. He liked her, and they started + housekeeping; and they were told of certain things they might do and of + one thing they could not do—and of course they did it. I would have + done it in fifteen minutes, and I know it. There wouldn't have been an + apple on that tree half an hour from date, and the limbs would have been + full of clubs. And then they were turned out of the park and extra + policemen were put on to keep them from getting back. + </p> + <p> + Devilment commenced. The mumps, and the measles, and the whooping-cough, + and the scarlet fever started in their race for man. They began to have + the toothache, roses began to have thorns, snakes began to have poisoned + teeth, and people began to divide about religion and politics, and the + world has been full of trouble from that day to this. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all of the religions of this world account for the existence of + evil by such a story as that! + </p> + <p> + I read in another book what appeared to be an account of the same + transaction. It was written about four thousand years before the other. + All commentators agree that the one that was written last was the + original, and that the one that was written first was copied from the one + that was written last. But I would advise you all not to allow your creed + to be disturbed by a little matter of four or five thousand years. In this + other story, Brahma made up his mind to make the world and a man and + woman. He made the world, and he made the man and then the woman, and put + them on the island of Ceylon. According to the account it was the most + beautiful island of which man can conceive. Such birds, such songs, such + flowers and such verdure! And the branches of the trees were so arranged + that when the wind swept through them every tree was a thousand �?olian + harps. + </p> + <p> + Brahma, when he put them there, said: "Let them have a period of + courtship, for it is my desire and will that true love should forever + precede marriage." When I read that, it was so much more beautiful and + lofty than the other, that I said to myself, "If either one of these + stories ever turns out to be true, I hope it will be this one." + </p> + <p> + Then they had their courtship, with the nightingale singing, and the stars + shining, and the flowers blooming, and they fell in love. Imagine that + courtship! No prospective fathers or mothers-in-law; no prying and + gossiping neighbors; nobody to say, "Young man, how do you expect to + support her?" Nothing of that kind. They were married by the Supreme + Brahma, and he said to them: "Remain here; you must never leave this + island." Well, after a little while the man—and his name was Adami, + and the woman's name was Heva—said to Heva: "I believe I'll look + about a little." He went to the northern extremity of the island where + there was a little narrow neck of land connecting it with the mainland, + and the devil, who is always playing pranks with us, produced a mirage, + and when he looked over to the mainland, such hills and vales, such dells + and dales, such mountains crowned with snow, such cataracts clad in bows + of glory did he see there, that he went back and told Heva: "The country + over there is a thousand times better than this; let us migrate." She, + like every other woman that ever lived, said: "Let well enough alone; we + have all we want; let us stay here." But he said "No, let us go;" so she + followed him, and when they came to this narrow neck of land, he took her + on his back like a gentleman, and carried her over. But the moment they + got over they heard a crash, and looking back, discovered that this narrow + neck of land had fallen into the sea. The mirage had disappeared, and + there were naught but rocks and sand; and then the Supreme Brahma cursed + them both to the lowest hell. + </p> + <p> + Then it was that the man spoke,—and I have liked him ever since for + it—"Curse me, but curse not her, it was not her fault, it was mine." + </p> + <p> + That's the kind of man to start a world with. + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Brahma said: "I will save her, but not thee." And then she + spoke out of her fullness of love, out of a heart in which there was love + enough to make all her daughters rich in holy affection, and said: "If + thou wilt not spare him, spare neither me; I do not wish to live without + him; I love him." Then the Supreme Brahma said—and I have liked him + ever since I read it—"I will spare you both and watch over you and + your children forever." + </p> + <p> + Honor bright, is not that the better and grander story? + </p> + <p> + And from that same book I want to show you what ideas some of these + miserable heathen had; the heathen we are trying to convert. We send + missionaries over yonder to convert heathen there, and we send soldiers + out on the plains to kill heathen here. If we can convert the heathen, why + not convert those nearest home? Why not convert those we can get at? Why + not convert those who have the immense advantage of the example of the + average pioneer? But to show you the men we are trying to convert: In this + book it says: "Man is strength, woman is beauty; man is courage, woman is + love. When the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one + man, the very angels leave heaven and come and sit in that house and sing + for joy." + </p> + <p> + They are the men we are converting. Think of it! I tell you, when I read + these things, I say that love is not of any country; nobility does not + belong exclusively to any race, and through all the ages, there have been + a few great and tender souls blossoming in love and pity. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, the woman is the equal of the man. She has all the rights + I have and one more, and that is the right to be protected. That is my + doctrine. You are married; try and make the woman you love happy. Whoever + marries simply for himself will make a mistake; but whoever loves a woman + so well that he says "I will make her happy," makes no mistake. And so + with the woman who says, "I will make him happy." There is only one way to + be happy, and that is to make somebody else so, and you cannot be happy by + going cross lots; you have got to go the regular turnpike road. + </p> + <p> + If there is any man I detest, it is the man who thinks he is the head of a + family—the man who thinks he is "boss!" The fellow in the dug-out + used that word "boss;" that was one of his favorite expressions. + </p> + <p> + Imagine a young man and a young woman courting, walking out in the + moonlight, and the nightingale singing a song of pain and love, as though + the thorn touched her heart—imagine them stopping there in the + moonlight and starlight and song, and saying, "Now, here, let us settle + who is 'boss!'" I tell you it is an infamous word and an infamous feeling—I + abhor a man who is "boss," who is going to govern in his family, and when + he speaks orders all the rest to be still as some mighty idea is about to + be launched from his mouth. Do you know I dislike this man unspeakably? + </p> + <p> + I hate above all things a cross man. What right has he to murder the + sunshine of a day? What right has he to assassinate the joy of life? + </p> + <p> + When you go home you ought to go like a ray of light—so that it + will, even in the night, bursty out of the doors and windows and + illuminate the darkness. Some men think their mighty brains have been in a + turmoil; they have been thinking about who will be alderman from the fifth + ward; they have been thinking about politics; great and mighty questions + have been engaging their minds; they have bought calico at five cents or + six, and want to sell it for seven. Think of the intellectual strain that + must have been upon that man, and when he gets home everybody else in the + house must look out for his comfort. A woman who has only taken care of + five or six children, and one or two of them sick, has been nursing them + and singing to them, and trying to make one yard of cloth do the work of + two, she, of course, is fresh and fine and ready to wait upon this + gentleman—the head of the family—the boss! + </p> + <p> + Do you know another thing? I despise a stingy man. I do not see how it is + possible for a man to die worth fifty million of dollars, or ten million + of dollars, in a city full of want, when he meets almost every day the + withered hand of beggary and the white lips of famine. How a man can + withstand all that, and hold in the clutch of his greed twenty or thirty + million of dollars, is past my comprehension. I do not see how he can do + it. I should not think he could do it any more than he could keep a pile + of lumber on the beach, where hundreds and thousands of men were drowning + in the sea. + </p> + <p> + Do you know that I have known men who would trust their wives with their + hearts and their honor but not with their pocketbook; not with a dollar. + When I see a man of that kind, I always think he knows which of these + articles is the most valuable. Think of making your wife a beggar! Think + of her having to ask you every day for a dollar, or for two dollars or + fifty cents! "What did you do with that dollar I gave you last week?" + Think of having a wife that is afraid of you! What kind of children do you + expect to have with a beggar and a coward for their mother? Oh, I tell you + if you have but a dollar in the world, and you have got to spend it, spend + it like a king; spend it as though it were a dry leaf and you the owner of + unbounded forests! That's the way to spend it! I had rather be a beggar + and spend my last dollar like a king, than be a king and spend my money + like a beggar! If it has got to go, let it go! + </p> + <p> + Get the best you can for your family—try to look as well as you can + yourself. When you used to go courting, how elegantly you looked! Ah, your + eye was bright, your step was light, and you looked like a prince. Do you + know that it is insufferable egotism in you to suppose a woman is going to + love you always looking as slovenly as you can! Think of it! Any good + woman on earth will be true to you forever when you do your level best. + </p> + <p> + Some people tell me, "Your doctrine about loving, and wives, and all that, + is splendid for the rich, but it won't do for the poor." I tell you + to-night there is more love in the homes of the poor than in the palaces + of the rich. The meanest hut with love in it is a palace fit for the gods, + and a palace without love is a den only fit for wild beasts. That is my + doctrine! You cannot be so poor that you cannot help somebody. Good nature + is the cheapest commodity in the world; and love is the only thing that + will pay ten per cent, to borrower and lender both. Do not tell me that + you have got to be rich! We have a false standard of greatness in the + United States. We think here that a man must be great, that he must be + notorious; that he must be extremely wealthy, or that his name must be + upon the putrid lips of rumor. It is all a mistake. It is not necessary to + be rich or to be great, or to be powerful, to be happy. The happy man is + the successful man. + </p> + <p> + Happiness is the legal tender of the soul. + </p> + <p> + Joy is wealth. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago, I stood by the grave of the old Napoleon—a + magnificent tomb of gilt and gold, fit almost for a dead deity—and + gazed upon the sarcophagus of rare and nameless marble, where rest at last + the ashes of that restless man. I leaned over the balustrade and thought + about the career of the greatest soldier of the modern world. + </p> + <p> + I saw him walking upon the banks of the Seine, contemplating suicide. I + saw him at Toulon—I saw him putting down the mob in the streets of + Paris—I saw him at the head of the army of Italy—I saw him + crossing the bridge of Lodi with the tri-color in his hand—I saw him + in Egypt in the shadows of the pyramids—I saw him conquer the Alps + and mingle the eagles of France with the eagles of the crags. I saw him at + Marengo—at Ulm and Austerlitz. I saw him in Russia, where the + infantry of the snow and the cavalry of the wild blast scattered his + legions like winter's withered leaves. I saw him at Leipsic in defeat and + disaster—driven by a million bayonets back upon Paris—clutched + like a wild beast—banished to Elba. I saw him escape and retake an + empire by the force of his genius. I saw him upon the frightful field of + Waterloo, where Chance and Fate combined to wreck the fortunes of their + former king. And I saw him at St. Helena, with his hands crossed behind + him, gazing out upon the sad and solemn sea. + </p> + <p> + I thought of the orphans and widows he had made—of the tears that + had been shed for his glory, and of the only woman who ever loved him, + pushed from his heart by the cold hand of ambition. And I said I would + rather have been a French peasant and worn wooden shoes. I would rather + have lived in a hut with a vine growing over the door, and the grapes + growing purple in the kisses of the autumn sun. I would rather have been + that poor peasant with my loving wife by my side, knitting as the day died + out of the sky—with my children upon my knees and their arms about + me—I would rather have been that man and gone down to the tongueless + silence of the dreamless dust, than to have been that imperial + impersonation of force and murder, known as "Napoleon the Great." + </p> + <p> + It is not necessary to be great to be happy; it is not necessary to be + rich to be just and generous and to have a heart filled with divine + affection. No matter whether you are rich or poor, treat your wife as + though she were a splendid flower, and she will fill your life with + perfume and with joy. + </p> + <p> + And do you know, it is a splendid thing to think that the woman you really + love will never grow old to you. Through the wrinkles of time, through the + mask of years, if you really love her, you will always see the face you + loved and won. And a woman who really loves a man does not see that he + grows old; he is not decrepit to her; he does not tremble; he is not old; + she always sees the same gallant gentleman who won her hand and heart. I + like to think of it in that way; I like to think that love is eternal. And + to love in that way and then go down the hill of life together, and as you + go down, hear, perhaps, the laughter of grandchildren, while the birds of + joy and love sing once more in the leafless branches of the tree of age. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the fireside. I believe in the democracy of home. I believe + in the republicanism of the family. I believe in liberty, equality and + love. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0011" id="link0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LIBERTY OF CHILDREN. + </h2> + <p> + If women have been slaves, what shall I say of children; of the little + children in alleys and sub-cellars; the little children who turn pale when + they hear their fathers' footsteps; little children who run away when they + only hear their names called by the lips of a mother; little children—the + children of poverty, the children of crime, the children of brutality, + wherever they are—flotsam and jetsam upon the wild, mad sea of life—my + heart goes out to them, one and all. + </p> + <p> + I tell you the children have the same rights that we have, and we ought to + treat them as though they were human beings. They should be reared with + love, with kindness, with tenderness, and not with brutality. That is my + idea of children. + </p> + <p> + When your little child tells a lie, do not rush at him as though the world + were about to go into bankruptcy. Be honest with him. A tyrant father will + have liars for his children; do you know that? + </p> + <p> + A lie is born of tyranny upon the one hand and weakness upon the other, + and when you rush at a poor little boy with a club in your hand, of course + he lies. + </p> + <p> + I thank thee, Mother Nature, that thou hast put ingenuity enough in the + brain of a child, when attacked by a brutal parent, to throw up a little + breastwork in the shape of a lie. + </p> + <p> + When one of your children tells a lie, be honest with him; tell him that + you have told hundreds of them yourself. Tell him it is not the best way; + that you have tried it. Tell him as the man did in Maine when his boy left + home: "John, honesty is the best policy; I have tried both." Be honest + with him. Suppose a man as much larger than you as you are larger than a + child five years old, should come at you with a liberty pole in his hand, + and in a voice of thunder shout, "Who broke that plate?" There is not a + solitary one of you who would not swear you never saw it, or that it was + cracked when you got it. Why not be honest with these children? Just + imagine a man who deals in stocks whipping his boy for putting false + rumors afloat! Think of a lawyer beating his own flesh and blood for + evading the truth when he makes half of his own living that way! Think of + a minister punishing his child for not telling all he thinks! Just think + of it! + </p> + <p> + When your child commits a wrong, take it in your arms; let it feel your + heart beat against its heart; let the child know that you really and truly + and sincerely love it. Yet some Christians, good Christians, when a child + commits a fault, drive it from the door and say: "Never do you darken this + house again." Think of that! And then these same people will get down on + their knees and ask God to take care of the child they have driven from + home. I will never ask God to take care of my children unless I am doing + my level best in that same direction. + </p> + <p> + But I will tell you what I say to my children: "Go where you will; commit + what crime you may; fall to what depth of degradation you may; you can + never commit any crime that will shut my door, my arms, or my heart to + you. As long as I live you shall have one sincere friend." + </p> + <p> + Do you know that I have seen some people who acted as though they thought + that when the Savior said "Suffer little children to come unto me, for of + such is the kingdom of heaven," he had a raw-hide under his mande, and + made that remark simply to get the children within striking distance? + </p> + <p> + I do not believe in the government of the lash, if any one of you ever + expects to whip your children again, I want you to have a photograph taken + of yourself when you are in the act, with your face red with vulgar anger, + and the face of the little child, with eyes swimming in tears and the + little chin dimpled with fear, like a piece of water struck by a sudden + cold wind. Have the picture taken. If that little child should die, I + cannot think of a sweeter way to spend an autumn afternoon than to go out + to the cemetery, when the maples are clad in tender gold, and little + scarlet runners are coming, like poems of regret, from the sad heart of + the earth—and sit down upon the grave and look at that photograph, + and think of the flesh now dust that you beat. I tell you it is wrong; it + is no way to raise children! Make your home happy. Be honest with them. + Divide fairly with them in everything. + </p> + <p> + Give them a little liberty and love, and you can not drive them out of + your house. They will want to stay there. Make home pleasant. Let them + play any game they wish. Do not be so foolish as to say: "You may roll + balls on the ground, but you must not roll them on a green cloth. You may + knock them with a mallet, but you must not push them with a cue. You may + play with little pieces of paper which have 'authors' written on them, but + you must not have 'cards.'" Think of it! "You may go to a minstrel show + where people blacken themselves and imitate humanity below them, but you + must not go to a theatre and see the characters created by immortal genius + put upon the stage." Why? Well, I can't think of any reason in the world + except "minstrel" is a word of two syllables, and "theatre" has three. + </p> + <p> + Let children have some daylight at home if you want to keep them there, + and do not commence at the cradle and shout "Don't!" "Don't!" "Stop!" That + is nearly all that is said to a child from the cradle until he is + twenty-one years old, and when he comes of age other people begin saying + "Don't!" And the church says "Don't!" and the party he belongs to says + "Don't!" + </p> + <p> + I despise that way of going through this world. Let us have liberty—just + a little. Call me infidel, call me atheist, call me what you will, I + intend so to treat my children, that they can come to my grave and + truthfully say: "He who sleeps here never gave us a moment of pain. From + his lips, now dust, never came to us an unkind word." + </p> + <p> + People justify all kinds of tyranny toward children upon the ground that + they are totally depraved. At the bottom of ages of cruelty lies this + infamous doctrine of total depravity. Religion contemplates a child as a + living crime—heir to an infinite curse—doomed to eternal fire. + </p> + <p> + In the olden time, they thought some days were too good for a child to + enjoy himself. When I was a boy Sunday was considered altogether too holy + to be happy in. Sunday used to commence then when the sun went down on + Saturday night. We commenced at that time for the purpose of getting a + good ready, and when the sun fell below the horizon on Saturday evening, + there was a darkness fell upon the house ten thousand times deeper than + that of night. Nobody said a pleasant word; nobody laughed; nobody smiled; + the child that looked the sickest was regarded as the most pious. That + night you could not even crack hickory nuts. If you were caught chewing + gum it was only another evidence of the total depravity of the human + heart. It was an exceedingly solemn night. + </p> + <p> + Dyspepsia was in the very air you breathed. Everybody looked sad and + mournful. I have noticed all my life that many people think they have + religion when they are troubled with dyspepsia. If there could be found an + absolute specific for that disease, it would be the hardest blow the + church has ever received. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday morning the solemnity had simply increased. Then we went to + church. The minister was in a pulpit about twenty feet high, with a little + sounding-board above him, and he commenced at "firstly" and went on and on + and on to about "twenty-thirdly." Then he made a few remarks by way of + application; and then took a general view of the subject, and in about two + hours reached the last chapter in Revelation. + </p> + <p> + In those days, no matter how cold the weather was, there was no fire in + the church. It was thought to be a kind of sin to be comfortable while you + were thanking God. The first church that ever had a stove in it in New + England, divided on that account. So the first church in which they sang + by note, was torn in fragments. + </p> + <p> + After the sermon we had an intermission. Then came the catechism with the + chief end of man. We went through with that. We sat in a row with our feet + coming in about six inches of the floor. The minister asked us if we knew + that we all deserved to go to hell, and we all answered "Yes." Then we + were asked if we would be willing to go to hell if it was God's will, and + every little liar shouted "Yes." Then the same sermon was preached once + more, commencing at the other end and going back. After that, we started + for home, sad and solemn—overpowered with the wisdom displayed in + the scheme of the atonement. When we got home, if we had been good boys, + and the weather was warm, sometimes they would take us out to the + graveyard to cheer us up a little. It did cheer me. When I looked at the + sunken tombs and the leaning stones, and read the half-effaced + inscriptions through the moss of silence and forgetfulness, it was a great + comfort. The reflection came to my mind that the observance of the Sabbath + could not last always. Sometimes they would sing that beautiful hymn in + which occurs these cheerful lines: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Where congregations ne'er break up, + And Sabbaths never end." +</pre> + <p> + These lines, I think, prejudiced me a little against even heaven. Then we + had good books that we read on Sundays by way of keeping us happy and + contented. There were Milners' "History of the Waldenses," Baxter's "Call + to the Unconverted," Yahn's "Archaeology of the Jews," and Jenkyns' "On + the Atonement." I used to read Jenkyns' "On the Atonement." I have often + thought that an atonement would have to be exceedingly broad in its + provisions to cover the case of a man who would write a book like that for + a boy. + </p> + <p> + But at last the Sunday wore away, and the moment the sun went down we were + free. Between three and four o'clock we would go out to see how the sun + was coming on. Sometimes it seemed to me that it was stopping from pure + meanness. But finally it went down. It had to. And when the last rim of + light sank below the horizon, off would go our caps, and we would give + three cheers for liberty once more. + </p> + <p> + Sabbaths used to be prisons. Every Sunday was a Bastile. Every Christian + was a kind of turnkey, and every child was a prisoner,—a convict. In + that dungeon, a smile was a crime. + </p> + <p> + It was thought wrong for a child to laugh upon this holy day. Think of + that! + </p> + <p> + A little child would go out into the garden, and there would be a tree + laden with blossoms, and the little fellow would lean against it, and + there would be a bird on one of the boughs, singing and swinging, and + thinking about four little speckled eggs, warmed by the breast of its + mate,—singing and swinging, and the music in happy waves rippling + out of its tiny throat, and the flowers blossoming, the air filled with + perfume and the great white clouds floating in the sky, and the little boy + would lean up against that tree and think about hell and the worm that + never dies. + </p> + <p> + I have heard them preach, when I sat in the pew and my feet did not touch + the floor, about the final home of the unconverted. In order to impress + upon the children the length of time they would probably stay if they + settled in that country, the preacher would frequently give us the + following illustration: "Suppose that once in a billion years a bird + should come from some far-distant planet, and carry off in its little bill + a grain of sand, a time would finally come when the last atom composing + this earth would be carried away; and when this last atom was taken, it + would not even be sun up in hell." Think of such an infamous doctrine + being taught to children! + </p> + <p> + The laugh of a child will make the holiest day-more sacred still. Strike, + with hand of fire, O weird musician, thy harp strung with Apollo's golden + hair; fill the vast cathedral aisles with symphonies sweet and dim, deft + toucher of the organ keys; blow, bugler, blow, until thy silver notes do + touch and kiss the moonlit waves, and charm the lovers wandering 'mid the + vine-clad hills. But know, your sweetest strains are discords all, + compared with childhood's happy laugh—the laugh that fills the eyes + with light and every heart with joy. O rippling river of laughter, thou + art the blessed boundary line between the beasts and men; and every + wayward wave of thine doth drown some fretful fiend of care. O Laughter, + rose-lipped daughter of Joy, there are dimples enough in thy cheeks to + catch and hold and glorify all the tears of grief. + </p> + <p> + And yet the minds of children have been polluted by this infamous doctrine + of eternal punishment. I denounce it to-day as a doctrine, the infamy of + which no language is sufficient to express. + </p> + <p> + Where did that doctrine of eternal punishment for men and women and + children come from? It came from the low and beastly skull of that wretch + in the dug-out. Where did he get it? It was a souvenir from the animals. + The doctrine of eternal punishment was born in the glittering eyes of + snakes—snakes that hung in fearful coils watching for their prey. It + was born of the howl and bark and growl of wild beasts. It was born of the + grin of hyenas and of the depraved chatter of unclean baboons. I despise + it with every drop of my blood. Tell me there is a God in the serene + heavens that will damn his children for the expression of an honest + belief! More men have died in their sins, judged by your orthodox creeds, + than there are leaves on all the forests in the wide world ten thousand + times over. Tell me these men are in hell; that these men are in torment; + that these children are in eternal pain, and that they are to be punished + forever and forever! I denounce this doctrine as the most infamous of + lies. + </p> + <p> + When the great ship containing the hopes and aspirations of the world, + when the great ship freighted with mankind goes down in the night of + death, chaos and disaster, I am willing to go down with the ship. I will + not be guilty of the ineffable meanness of paddling away in some orthodox + canoe. I will go down with the ship, with those who love me, and with + those whom I have loved. If there is a God who will damn his children + forever, I would rather go to hell than to go to heaven and keep the + society of such an infamous tyrant. I make my choice now. I despise that + doctrine. It has covered the cheeks of this world with tears. It has + polluted the hearts of children, and poisoned the imaginations of men. It + has been a constant pain, a perpetual terror to every good man and woman + and child. It has filled the good with horror and with fear; but it has + had no effect upon the infamous and base. It has wrung the hearts of the + tender; it has furrowed the cheeks of the good. This doctrine never should + be preached again. What right have you, sir, Mr. clergyman, you, minister + of the gospel, to stand at the portals of the tomb, at the vestibule of + eternity, and fill the future with horror and with fear? I do not believe + this doctrine: neither do you. If you did, you could not sleep one moment. + Any man who believes it, and has within his breast a decent, throbbing + heart, will go insane. A man who believes that doctrine and does not go + insane has the heart of a snake and the conscience of a hyena. + </p> + <p> + Jonathan Edwards, the dear old soul, who, if his doctrine is true, is now + in heaven rubbing his holy hands with glee, as he hears the cries of the + damned, preached this doctrine; and he said: "Can the believing husband in + heaven be happy with his unbelieving wife in hell? Can the believing + father in heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in hell? Can the + loving wife in heaven be happy with her unbelieving husband in hell?" And + he replies: "I tell you, yea. Such will be their sense of justice, that it + will increase rather than diminish their bliss." There is no wild beast in + the jungles of Africa whose reputation would not be tarnished by the + expression of such a doctrine. + </p> + <p> + These doctrines have been taught in the name of religion, in the name of + universal forgiveness, in the name of infinite love and charity. Do not, I + pray you, soil the minds of your children with this dogma. Let them read + for themselves; let them think for themselves. + </p> + <p> + Do not treat your children like orthodox posts to be set in a row. Treat + them like trees that need light and sun and air. Be fair and honest with + them; give them a chance. Recollect that their rights are equal to yours. + Do not have it in your mind that you must govern them; that they must + obey. Throw away forever the idea of master and slave. + </p> + <p> + In old times they used to make the children go to bed when they were not + sleepy, and get up when they were sleepy. I say let them go to bed when + they are sleepy, and get up when they are not sleepy. + </p> + <p> + But you say, this doctrine will do for the rich but not for the poor. + Well, if the poor have to waken their children early in the morning it is + as easy to wake them with a kiss as with a blow. Give your children + freedom; let them preserve their individuality. Let your children eat what + they desire, and commence at the end of a dinner they like. That is their + business and not yours. They know what they wish to eat. If they are given + their liberty from the first, they know what they want better than any + doctor in the world can prescribe. Do you know that all the improvement + that has ever been made in the practice of medicine has been made by the + recklessness of patients and not by the doctors? For thousands and + thousands of years the doctors would not let a man suffering from fever + have a drop of water. Water they looked upon as poison. But every now and + then some man got reckless and said, "I had rather die than not to slake + my thirst." Then he would drink two or three quarts of water and get well. + And when the doctor was told of what the patient had done, he expressed + great surprise that he was still alive, and complimented his constitution + upon being able to bear such a frightful strain. The reckless men, + however, kept on drinking the water, and persisted in getting well. And + finally the doctors said: "In a fever, water is the very best thing you + can take." So, I have more confidence in the voice of nature about such + things than I have in the conclusions of the medical schools. + </p> + <p> + Let your children have freedom and they will fall into your ways; they + will do substantially as you do; but if you try to make them, there is + some magnificent, splendid thing in the human heart that refuses to be + driven. And do you know that it is the luckiest thing that ever happened + for this world, that people are that way. What would have become of the + people five hundred years ago if they had followed strictly the advice of + the doctors? They would have all been dead. What would the people have + been, if at any age of the world they had followed implicitly the + direction of the church? They would have all been idiots. It is a splendid + thing that there is always some grand man who will not mind, and who will + think for himself. + </p> + <p> + I believe in allowing the children to think for themselves. I believe in + the democracy of the family. If in this world there is anything splendid, + it is a home where all are equals. + </p> + <p> + You will remember that only a few years ago parents would tell their + children to "let their victuals stop their mouths." They used to eat as + though it were a religious ceremony—a very solemn thing. Life should + not be treated as a solemn matter. I like to see the children at table, + and hear each one telling of the wonderful things he has seen and heard. I + like to hear the clatter of knives and forks and spoons mingling with + their happy voices. I had rather hear it than any opera that was ever put + upon the boards. Let the children have liberty. Be honest and fair with + them; be just; be tender, and they will make you rich in love and joy. + </p> + <p> + Men are oaks, women are vines, children are flowers. + </p> + <p> + The human race has been guilty of almost countless crimes; but I have some + excuse for mankind. This world, after all, is not very well adapted to + raising good people. In the first place, nearly all of it is water. It is + much better adapted to fish culture than to the production of folks. Of + that portion which is land not one-eighth has suitable soil and climate to + produce great men and women. You cannot raise men and women of genius, + without the proper soil and climate, any more than you can raise corn and + wheat upon the ice fields of the Arctic sea. You must have the necessary + conditions and surroundings. Man is a product; you must have the soil and + food. The obstacles presented by nature must not be so great that man + cannot, by reasonable industry and courage, overcome them. There is upon + this world only a narrow belt of land, circling zigzag the globe, upon + which you can produce men and women of talent. In the Southern Hemisphere + the real climate that man needs falls mostly upon the sea, and the result + is, that the southern half of our world has never produced a man or woman + of great genius. In the far north there is no genius—it is too cold. + In the far south there is no genius—it is too warm. There must be + winter, and there must be summer. In a country where man needs no coverlet + but a cloud, revolution is his normal condition. Winter is the mother of + industry and prudence. Above all, it is the mother of the family relation. + Winter holds in its icy arms the husband and wife and the sweet children. + If upon this earth we ever have a glimpse of heaven, it is when we pass a + home in winter, at night, and through the windows, the curtains drawn + aside, we see the family about the pleasant hearth; the old lady knitting; + the cat playing with the yarn; the children wishing they had as many dolls + or dollars or knives or somethings, as there are sparks going out to join + the roaring blast; the father reading and smoking, and the clouds rising + like incense from the altar of domestic joy. I never passed such a house + without feeling that I had received a benediction. + </p> + <p> + Civilization, liberty, justice, charity, intellectual advancement, are all + flowers that blossom in the drifted snow. + </p> + <p> + I do not know that I can better illustrate the great truth that only part + of the world is adapted to the production of great men and women than by + calling your attention to the difference between vegetation in valleys and + upon mountains. In the valley you find the oak and elm tossing their + branches defiantly to the storm, and as you advance up the mountain side + the hemlock, the pine, the birch, the spruce, the fir, and finally you + come to little dwarfed trees, that look like other trees seen through a + telescope reversed—every limb twisted as though in pain—getting + a scanty subsistence from the miserly crevices of the rocks. You go on and + on, until at last the highest crag is freckled with a kind of moss, and + vegetation ends. You might as well try to raise oaks and elms where the + mosses grow, as to raise great men and great women where their + surroundings are unfavorable. You must have the proper climate and soil. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago we were talking about the annexation of Santo Domingo to + this country. I was in Washington at the time. I was opposed to it I was + told that it was a most delicious climate; that the soil produced + everything. But I said: "We do not want it; it is not the right kind of + country in which to raise American citizens. Such a climate would debauch + us. You might go there with five thousand Congregational preachers, five + thousand ruling elders, five thousand professors in colleges, five + thousand of the solid men of Boston and their wives; settle them all in + Santo Domingo, and you will see the second generation riding upon a mule, + bareback, no shoes, a grapevine bridle, hair sticking out at the top of + their sombreros, with a rooster under each arm, going to a cock fight on + Sunday." Such is the influence of climate. + </p> + <p> + Science, however, is gradually widening the area within which men of + genius can be produced. We are conquering the north with houses, clothing, + food and fuel. We are in many ways overcoming the heat of the south. If we + attend to this world instead of another, we may in time cover the land + with men and women of genius. + </p> + <p> + I have still another excuse. I believe that man came up from the lower + animals. I do not say this as a fact. I simply say I believe it to be a + fact. Upon that question I stand about eight to seven, which, for all + practical purposes, is very near a certainty. When I first heard of that + doctrine I did not like it. My heart was filled with sympathy for those + people who have nothing to be proud of except ancestors. I thought, how + terrible this will be upon the nobility of the Old World. Think of their + being forced to trace their ancestry back to the duke Orang Outang, or to + the princess Chimpanzee. After thinking it all over, I came to the + conclusion that I liked that doctrine. I became convinced in spite of + myself. I read about rudimentary bones and muscles. I was told that + everybody had rudimentary muscles extending from the ear into the cheek. I + asked "What are they?" I was told: "They are the remains of muscles; that + they became rudimentary from lack of use; they went into bankruptcy. They + are the muscles with which your ancestors used to flap their ears." I do + not now so much wonder that we once had them as that we have outgrown + them. + </p> + <p> + After all I had rather belong to a race that started from the skull-less + vertebrates in the dim Laurentian seas, vertebrates wiggling without + knowing why they wiggled, swimming without knowing where they were going, + but that in some way began to develop, and began to get a little higher + and a little higher in the scale of existence; that came up by degrees + through millions of ages through all the animal world, through all that + crawls and swims and floats and climbs and walks, and finally produced the + gentleman in the dug-out; and then from this man, getting a little + grander, and each one below calling every one above him a heretic, calling + every one who had made a little advance an infidel or an atheist—for + in the history of this world the man who is ahead has always been called a + heretic—I would rather come from a race that started from that + skull-less vertebrate, and came up and up and up and finally produced + Shakespeare, the man who found the human intellect dwelling in a hut, + touched it with the wand of his genius and it became a palace domed and + pinnacled; Shakespeare, who harvested all the fields of dramatic thought, + and from whose day to this, there have been only gleaners of straw and + chaff—I would rather belong to that race that commenced a skull-less + vertebrate and produced Shakespeare, a race that has before it an infinite + future, with the angel of progress leaning from the far horizon, beckoning + men forward, upward and onward forever—I had rather belong to such a + race, commencing there, producing this, and with that hope, than to have + sprung from a perfect pair upon which the Lord has lost money every moment + from that day to this. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkCONC" id="linkCONC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONCLUSION. + </h2> + <p> + I have given you my honest thought. Surely investigation is better than + unthinking faith. Surely reason is a better guide than fear. This world + should be controlled by the living, not by the dead. The grave is not a + throne, and a corpse is not a king. Man should not try to live on ashes. + </p> + <p> + The theologians dead, knew no more than the theologians now living. More + than this cannot be said. About this world little is known,—about + another world, nothing. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers were intellectual serfs, and their fathers were slaves. The + makers of our creeds were ignorant and brutal. Every dogma that we have, + has upon it the mark of whip, the rust of chain, and the ashes of fagot. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers reasoned with instruments of torture. They believed in the + logic of fire and sword. They hated reason. They despised thought. They + abhorred liberty. + </p> + <p> + Superstition is the child of slavery. Free thought will give us truth. + When all have the right to think and to express their thoughts, every + brain will give to all the best it has. The world will then be filled with + intellectual wealth. + </p> + <p> + As long as men and women are afraid of the church, as long as a minister + inspires fear, as long as people reverence a thing simply because they do + not understand it, as long as it is respectable to lose your self-respect, + as long as the church has power, as long as mankind worship a book, just + so long will the world be filled with intellectual paupers and vagrants, + covered with the soiled and faded rags of superstition. + </p> + <p> + As long as woman regards the Bible as the charter of her rights, she will + be the slave of man. The Bible was not written by a woman. Within its lids + there is nothing but humiliation and shame for her. She is regarded as the + property of man. She is made to ask forgiveness for becoming a mother. She + is as much below her husband, as her husband is below Christ. She is not + allowed to speak. The gospel is too pure to be spoken by her polluted + lips. Woman should learn in silence. + </p> + <p> + In the Bible will be found no description of a civilized home. The free + mother surrounded by free and loving children, adored by a free man, her + husband, was unknown to the inspired writers of the Bible. They did not + believe in the democracy of home—in the republicanism of the + fireside. + </p> + <p> + These inspired gentlemen knew nothing of the rights of children. They were + the advocates of brute force—the disciples of the lash. They knew + nothing of human rights. Their doctrines have brutalized the homes of + millions, and filled the eyes of infancy with tears. + </p> + <p> + Let us free ourselves from the tyranny of a book, from the slavery of dead + ignorance, from the aristocracy of the air. + </p> + <p> + There has never been upon the earth a generation of free men and women. It + is not yet time to write a creed. Wait until the chains are broken—until + dungeons are not regarded as temples. Wait until solemnity is not mistaken + for wisdom—until mental cowardice ceases to be known as reverence. + Wait until the living are considered the equals of the dead—until + the cradle takes precedence of the coffin. Wait until what we know can be + spoken without regard to what others may believe. Wait until teachers take + the place of preachers—until followers become investigators. Wait + until the world is free before you write a creed. + </p> + <p> + In this creed there will be but one word—Liberty. + </p> + <p> + Oh Liberty, float not forever in the far horizon—remain not forever + in the dream of the enthusiast, the philanthropist and poet, but come and + make thy home among the children of men! + </p> + <p> + I know not what discoveries, what inventions, what thoughts may leap from + the brain of the world. I know not what garments of glory may be woven by + the years to come. I cannot dream of the victories to be won upon the + fields of thought; but I do know, that coming from the infinite sea of the + future, there will never touch this "bank and shoal of time" a richer + gift, a rarer blessing than liberty for man, for woman, and for child. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0013" id="link0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ABOUT FARMING IN ILLINOIS + </h2> + <p> + To Plow is to Pray—to Plant is to Prophesy, and the Harvest Answers + and Fulfills. + </p> + <p> + I AM not an old and experienced farmer, nor a tiller of the soil, nor one + of the hard-handed sons of labor. I imagine, however, that I know + something about cultivating the soil, and getting happiness out of the + ground. + </p> + <p> + I know enough to know that agriculture is the basis of all wealth, + prosperity and luxury. I know that in a country where the tillers of the + fields are free, everybody is free and ought to be prosperous. Happy is + that country where those who cultivate the land own it. Patriotism is born + in the woods and fields—by lakes and streams—by crags and + plains. + </p> + <p> + The old way of farming was a great mistake. Everything was done the wrong + way. It was all work and waste, weariness and want. They used to fence a + hundred and sixty acres of land with a couple of dogs. Everything was left + to the protection of the blessed trinity of chance, accident and mistake. + </p> + <p> + When I was a farmer they used to haul wheat two hundred miles in wagons + and sell it for thirty-five cents a bushel. They would bring home about + three hundred feet of lumber, two bunches of shingles, a barrel of salt, + and a cook-stove that never would draw and never did bake. + </p> + <p> + In those blessed days the people lived on corn and bacon. Cooking was an + unknown art. Eating was a necessity, not a pleasure. It was hard work for + the cook to keep on good terms even with hunger. + </p> + <p> + We had poor houses. The rain held the roofs in perfect contempt, and the + snow drifted joyfully on the floors and beds. They had no barns. The + horses were kept in rail pens surrounded with straw. Long before spring + the sides would be eaten away and nothing but roofs would be left. Food is + fuel. When the cattle were exposed to all the blasts of winter, it took + all the corn and oats that could be stuffed into them to prevent actual + starvation. + </p> + <p> + In those times most farmers thought the best place for the pig-pen was + immediately in front of the house. There is nothing like sociability. + </p> + <p> + Women were supposed to know the art of making fires without fuel. The wood + pile consisted, as a general thing, of one log upon which an axe or two + had been worn out in vain. There was nothing to kindle a fire with. + Pickets were pulled from the garden fence, clap-boards taken from the + house, and every stray plank was seized upon for kindling. Everything was + done in the hardest way. Everything about the farm was disagreeable. + Nothing was kept in order. Nothing was preserved. The wagons stood in the + sun and rain, and the plows rusted in the fields. There was no leisure, no + feeling that the work was done. It was all labor and weariness and + vexation of spirit. The crops were destroyed by wandering herds, or they + were put in too late, or too early, or they were blown down, or caught by + the frost, or devoured by bugs, or stung by flies, or eaten by worms, or + carried away by birds, or dug up by gophers, or washed away by floods, or + dried up by the sun, or rotted in the stack, or heated in the crib, or + they all run to vines, or tops, or straw, or smut, or cobs. And when in + spite of all these accidents that lie in wait between, the plow and the + reaper, they did succeed in raising a good crop and a high price was + offered, then the roads would be impassable. And when the roads got good, + then the prices went down. Everything worked together for evil. + </p> + <p> + Nearly every farmer's boy took an oath that he never would cultivate the + soil. The moment they arrived at the age of twenty-one they left the + desolate and dreary farms and rushed to the towns and cities. They wanted + to be bookkeepers, doctors, merchants, railroad men, insurance agents, + lawyers, even preachers, anything to avoid the drudgery of the farm. + Nearly every boy acquainted with the three R's—reading, writing, and + arithmetic—imagined that he had altogether more education than ought + to be wasted in raising potatoes and corn. They made haste to get into + some other business. Those who stayed upon the farm envied those who went + away. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago the times were prosperous, and the young men went to the + cities to enjoy the fortunes that were waiting for them. They wanted to + engage in something that promised quick returns. They built railways, + established banks and insurance companies. They speculated in stocks in + Wall Street, and gambled in grain at Chicago. They became rich. They lived + in palaces. They rode in carriages. They pitied their poor brothers on the + farms, and the poor brothers envied them. + </p> + <p> + But time has brought its revenge. The farmers have seen the railroad + president a bankrupt, and the road in the hands of a receiver. They have + seen the bank president abscond, and the insurance company a wrecked and + ruined fraud. The only solvent people, as a class, the only independent + people, are the tillers of the soil. + </p> + <p> + Farming must be made more attractive. The comforts of the town must be + added to the beauty of the fields. The sociability of the city must be + rendered possible in the country. + </p> + <p> + Farming has been made repulsive. The farmers have been unsociable and + their homes have been lonely. They have been wasteful and careless. They + have not been proud of their business. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, farming ought to be reasonably profitable. The farmers + have not attended to their own interests. They have been robbed and + plundered in a hundred ways. + </p> + <p> + No farmer can afford to raise corn and oats and hay to sell. He should + sell horses, not oats; sheep, cattle and pork, not corn. He should make + every profit possible out of what he produces. So long as the farmers of + Illinois ship their corn and oats, so long they will be poor,—just + so long will their farms be mortgaged to the insurance companies and banks + of the East,—just so long will they do the work and others reap the + benefit,—just so long will they be poor, and the money lenders grow + rich,—just so long will cunning avarice grasp and hold the net + profits of honest toil. When the farmers of the West ship beef and pork + instead of grain,—when we manufacture here,—when we cease + paying tribute to others, ours will be the most prosperous country in the + world. + </p> + <p> + Another thing—It is just as cheap to raise a good as a poor breed of + cattle. Scrubs will eat just as much as thoroughbreds. If you are not able + to buy Durhams and Alderneys, you can raise the corn breed. By "corn + breed" I mean the cattle that have, for several generations, had enough to + eat, and have been treated with kindness. Every farmer who will treat his + cattle kindly, and feed them all they want, will, in a few years, have + blooded stock on his farm. All blooded stock has been produced in this + way. You can raise good cattle just as you can raise good people. If you + wish to raise a good boy you must give him plenty to eat, and treat him + with kindness. In this way, and in this way only, can good cattle or good + people be produced. + </p> + <p> + Another thing—You must beautify your homes. + </p> + <p> + When I was a farmer it was not fashionable to set out trees, nor to plant + vines. + </p> + <p> + When you visited the farm you were not welcomed by flowers, and greeted by + trees loaded with fruit. Yellow dogs came bounding over the tumbled fence + like wild beasts. There is no sense—there is no profit in such a + life. It is not living. The farmers ought to beautify their homes. There + should be trees and grass and flowers and running vines. Everything should + be kept in order—gates should be on their hinges, and about all + there should be the pleasant air of thrift. In every house there should be + a bath-room. The bath is a civilizer, a refiner, a beautifier. When you + come from the fields tired, covered with dust, nothing is so refreshing. + Above all things, keep clean. It is not necessary to be a pig in order to + raise one. In the cool of the evening, after a day in the field, put on + clean clothes, take a seat under the trees, 'mid the perfume of flowers, + surrounded by your family, and you will know what it is to enjoy life like + a gentleman. + </p> + <p> + In no part of the globe will farming pay better than in Illinois. You are + in the best portion of the earth. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, there + is no such country as yours. The East is hard and stony; the soil is + stingy. The far West is a desert parched and barren, dreary and desolate + as perdition would be with the fires out. It is better to dig wheat and + corn from the soil than gold. Only a few days ago, I was where they wrench + the precious metals from the miserly clutch of the rocks. When I saw the + mountains, treeless, shrub-less, flowerless, without even a spire of + grass, it seemed to me that gold had the same effect upon the country that + holds it, as upon the man who lives and labors only for that. It affects + the land as it does the man. It leaves the heart barren without a flower + of kindness—without a blossom of pity. + </p> + <p> + The farmer in Illinois has the best soil—the greatest return for the + least labor—more leisure—more time for enjoyment than any + other farmer in the world. His hard work ceases with autumn. He has the + long winters in which to become acquainted with his family—with his + neighbors—in which to read and keep abreast with the advanced + thought of his day. He has the time and means for self-culture. He has + more time than the mechanic, the merchant or the professional man. If the + farmer is not well informed it is his own fault. Books are cheap, and + every farmer can have enough to give him the outline of every science, and + an idea of all that has been accomplished by man. + </p> + <p> + In many respects the farmer has the advantage of the mechanic. In our time + we have plenty of mechanics but no tradesmen. In the sub-division of labor + we have a thousand men working upon different parts of the same thing, + each taught in one particular branch, and in only one. We have, say, in a + shoe factory, hundreds of men, but not one shoemaker. It takes them all, + assisted by a great number of machines, to make a shoe. Each does a + particular part, and not one of them knows the entire trade. The result is + that the moment the factory shuts down these men are out of employment. + Out of employment means out of bread—out of bread means famine and + horror. The mechanic of to-day has but little independence. His prosperity + often depends upon the good will of one man. He is liable to be discharged + for a look, for a word. He lays by but little for his declining years. He + is, at the best, the slave of capital. + </p> + <p> + It is a thousand times better to be a whole farmer than part of a + mechanic. It is better to till the ground and work for yourself than to be + hired by corporations. Every man should endeavor to belong to himself. + </p> + <p> + About seven hundred years ago, Khayyam, a Persian, said: "Why should a man + who possesses a piece of bread securing life for two days, and who has a + cup of water—why should such a man be commanded by another, and why + should such a man serve another?" + </p> + <p> + Young men should not be satisfied with a salary. Do not mortgage the + possibilities of your future. Have the courage to take life as it comes, + feast or famine. Think of hunting a gold mine for a dollar a day, and + think of finding one for another man. How would you feel then? + </p> + <p> + We are lacking in true courage, when, for fear of the future, we take the + crusts and scraps and niggardly salaries of the present. I had a thousand + times rather have a farm and be independent, than to be President of the + United States without independence, filled with doubt and trembling, + feeling of the popular pulse, resorting to art and artifice, enquiring + about the wind of opinion, and succeeding at last in losing my + self-respect without gaining the respect of others. + </p> + <p> + Man needs more manliness, more real independence. We must take care of + ourselves. This we can do by labor, and in this way we can preserve our + independence. We should try and choose that business or profession the + pursuit of which will give us the most happiness. Happiness is wealth. We + can be happy without being rich—without holding office—without + being famous. I am not sure that we can be happy with wealth, with office, + or with fame. + </p> + <p> + There is a quiet about the life of a farmer, and the hope of a serene old + age, that no other business or profession can promise. A professional man + is doomed sometime to feel that his powers are waning. He is doomed to see + younger and stronger men pass him in the race of life. He looks forward to + an old age of intellectual mediocrity. He will be last where once he was + the first. But the farmer goes, as it were, into partnership with nature—he + lives with trees and flowers—he breathes the sweet air of the + fields. There is no constant and frightful strain upon his mind. His + nights are filled with sleep and rest. He watches his flocks and herds as + they feed upon the green and sunny slopes. He hears the pleasant rain + falling upon the waving corn, and the trees he planted in youth rustle + above him as he plants others for the children yet to be. + </p> + <p> + Our country is filled with the idle and unemployed, and the great question + asking for an answer is: What shall be done with these men? What shall + these men do? To this there is but one answer: They must cultivate the + soil. Farming must be rendered more attractive. Those who work the land + must have an honest pride in their business. They must educate their + children to cultivate the soil. They must make farming easier, so that + their children will not hate it—so that they will not hate it + themselves. The boys must not be taught that tilling the ground is a curse + and almost a disgrace. They must not suppose that education is thrown away + upon them unless they become ministers, merchants, lawyers, doctors, or + statesmen. It must be understood that education can be used to advantage + on a farm. We must get rid of the idea that a little learning unfits one + for work. There is no real conflict between Latin and labor. There are + hundreds of graduates of Yale and Harvard and other colleges, who are + agents of sewing machines, solicitors for insurance, clerks, copyists, in + short, performing a hundred varieties of menial service. They seem willing + to do anything that is not regarded as work—anything that can be + done in a town, in the house, in an office, but they avoid farming as they + would a leprosy. Nearly every young man educated in this way is simply + ruined. Such an education ought to be called ignorance. It is a thousand + times better to have common sense without education, than education + without the sense. Boys and girls should be educated to help themselves. + They should be taught that it is disgraceful to be idle, and dishonorable + to be useless. + </p> + <p> + I say again, if you want more men and women on the farms, something must + be done to make farm life pleasant. One great difficulty is that the farm + is lonely. People write about the pleasures of solitude, but they are + found only in books. He who lives long alone becomes insane. A hermit is a + madman. Without friends and wife and child, there is nothing left worth + living for. The unsocial are the enemies of joy. They are filled with + egotism and envy, with vanity and hatred. People who live much alone + become narrow and suspicious. They are apt to be the property of one idea. + They begin to think there is no use in anything. They look upon the + happiness of others as a kind of folly. They hate joyous folks, because, + way down in their hearts, they envy them. + </p> + <p> + In our country, farm-life is too lonely. The farms are large, and + neighbors are too far apart. In these days, when the roads are filled with + "tramps," the wives and children need protection. When the farmer leaves + home and goes to some distant field to work, a shadow of fear is upon his + heart all day, and a like shadow rests upon all at home. + </p> + <p> + In the early settlement of our country the pioneer was forced to take his + family, his axe, his dog and his gun, and go into the far wild forest, and + build his cabin miles and miles from any neighbor. He saw the smoke from + his hearth go up alone in all the wide and lonely sky. + </p> + <p> + But this necessity has passed away, and now, instead of living so far + apart upon the lonely farms, you should live in villages. With the + improved machinery which you have—with your generous soil—with + your markets and means of transportation, you can now afford to live + together. + </p> + <p> + It is not necessary in this age of the world for the farmer to rise in the + middle of the night and begin his work. This getting up so early in the + morning is a relic of barbarism. It has made hundreds and thousands of + young men curse the business. There is no need of getting up at three or + four o'clock in the winter morning. The farmer who persists in doing it + and persists in dragging his wife and children from their beds ought to be + visited by a missionary. It is time enough to rise after the sun has set + the example. For what purpose do you get up? To feed the cattle? Why not + feed them more the night before? It is a waste of life. In the old times + they used to get up about three o'clock in the morning, and go to work + long before the sun had risen with "healing upon his wings," and as a just + punishment they all had the ague; and they ought to have it now. The man + who cannot get a living upon Illinois soil without rising before daylight + ought to starve. Eight hours a day is enough for any farmer to work except + in harvest time. When you rise at four and work till dark what is life + worth? Of what use are all the improvements in farming? Of what use is all + the improved machinery unless it tends to give the farmer a little more + leisure? What is harvesting now, compared with what it was in the old + time? Think of the days of reaping, of cradling, of raking and binding and + mowing. Think of threshing with the flail and winnowing with the wind. And + now think of the reapers and mowers, the binders and threshing machines, + the plows and cultivators, upon which the farmer rides protected from the + sun. If, with all these advantages, you cannot get a living without rising + in the middle of the night, go into some other business. You should not + rob your families of sleep. Sleep is the best medicine in the world. It is + the best doctor upon the earth. There is no such thing as health without + plenty of sleep. Sleep until you are thoroughly rested and restored. When + you work, work; and when you get through take a good, long, and refreshing + rest. + </p> + <p> + You should live in villages, so that you can have the benefits of social + life. You can have a reading-room—you can take the best papers and + magazines—you can have plenty of books, and each one can have the + benefit of them all. Some of the young men and women can cultivate music. + You can have social gatherings—you can learn from each other—you + can discuss all topics of interest, and in this way you can make farming a + delightful business. You must keep up with the age. The way to make + farming respectable is for farmers to become really intelligent. They must + live intelligent and happy lives. They must know something of books and + something of what is going on in the world. They must not be satisfied + with knowing something of the affairs of a neighborhood and nothing about + the rest of the earth. The business must be made attractive, and it never + can be until the farmer has prosperity, intelligence and leisure. + </p> + <p> + Another thing—I am a believer in fashion. It is the duty of every + woman to make herself as beautiful and attractive as she possibly can. + </p> + <p> + "Handsome is as handsome does," but she is much handsomer if well dressed. + Every man should look his very best. I am a believer in good clothes. The + time never ought to come in this country when you can tell a farmer's wife + or daughter simply by the garments she wears. I say to every girl and + woman, no matter what the material of your dress may be, no matter how + cheap and coarse it is, cut it and make it in the fashion. I believe in + jewelry. Some people look upon it as barbaric, but in my judgment, wearing + jewelry is the first evidence the barbarian gives of a wish to be + civilized. To adorn ourselves seems to be a part of our nature, and this + desire seems to be everywhere and in everything. I have sometimes thought + that the desire for beauty covers the earth with flowers. It is this + desire that paints the wings of moths, tints the chamber of the shell, and + gives the bird its plumage and its song. Oh daughters and wives, if you + would be loved, adorn yourselves—if you would be adored, be + beautiful! + </p> + <p> + There is another fault common with the farmers of our country—they + want too much land. You cannot, at present, when taxes are high, afford to + own land that you do not cultivate. Sell it and let others make farms and + homes. In this way what you keep will be enhanced in value. Farmers ought + to own the land they cultivate, and cultivate what they own. Renters can + hardly be called farmers. There can be no such thing in the highest sense + as a home unless you own it. There must be an incentive to plant trees, to + beautify the grounds, to preserve and improve. It elevates a man to own a + home. It gives a certain independence, a force of character that is + obtained in no other way. A man without a home feels like a passenger. + There is in such a man a little of the vagrant. Homes make patriots. He + who has sat by his own fireside with wife and children will defend it. + When he hears the word country pronounced, he thinks of his home. + </p> + <p> + Few men have been patriotic enough to shoulder a musket in defence of a + boarding house. + </p> + <p> + The prosperity and glory of our country depend upon the number of our + people who are the owners of homes. Around the fireside cluster the + private and the public virtues of our race. Raise your sons to be + independent through labor—to pursue some business for themselves and + upon their own account—to be self-reliant—to act upon their + own responsibility, and to take the consequences like men. Teach them + above all things to be good, true and tender husbands—winners of + love and builders of homes. + </p> + <p> + A great many farmers seem to think that they are the only laborers in the + world. This is a very foolish thing. Farmers cannot get along without the + mechanic. You are not independent of the man of genius. Your prosperity + depends upon the inventor. The world advances by the assistance of all + laborers; and all labor is under obligations to the inventions of genius. + The inventor does as much for agriculture as he who tills the soil. All + laboring men should be brothers. You are in partnership with the mechanics + who make your reapers, your mowers and your plows; and you should take + into your granges all the men who make their living by honest labor. The + laboring people should unite and should protect themselves against all + idlers. You can divide mankind into two classes: the laborers and the + idlers, the supporters and the supported, the honest and the dishonest. + Every man is dishonest who lives upon the unpaid labor of others, no + matter if he occupies a throne. All laborers should be brothers. The + laborers should have equal rights before the world and before the law. And + I want every farmer to consider every man who labors either with hand or + brain as his brother. Until genius and labor formed a partnership there + was no such thing as prosperity among men. Every reaper and mower, every + agricultural implement, has elevated the work of the farmer, and his + vocation grows grander with every invention. In the olden time the + agriculturist was ignorant; he knew nothing of machinery, he was the slave + of superstition. He was always trying to appease some imaginary power by + fasting and prayer. He supposed that some being actuated by malice, sent + the untimely frost, or swept away with the wild wind his rude abode. To + him the seasons were mysteries. The thunder told him of an enraged god—the + barren fields of the vengeance of heaven. The tiller of the soil lived in + perpetual and abject fear. He knew nothing of mechanics, nothing of order, + nothing of law, nothing of cause and effect. He was a superstitious + savage. He invented prayers instead of plows, creeds instead of reapers + and mowers. He was unable to devote all his time to the gods, and so he + hired others to assist him, and for their influence with the gentlemen + supposed to control the weather, he gave one-tenth of all he could + produce. + </p> + <p> + The farmer has been elevated through science and he should not forget the + debt he owes to the mechanic, to the inventor, to the thinker. He should + remember that all laborers belong to the same grand family—that they + are the real kings and queens, the only true nobility. + </p> + <p> + Another idea entertained by most farmers is that they are in some + mysterious way oppressed by every other kind of business—that they + are devoured by monopolies, especially by railroads. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the railroads are indebted to the farmers for their prosperity, + and the farmers are indebted to the railroads. Without them Illinois would + be almost worthless. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago you endeavored to regulate the charges of railroad + companies. The principal complaint you had was that they charged too much + for the transportation of corn and other cereals to the East. You should + remember that all freights are paid by the consumer; and that it made + little difference to you what the railroad charged for transportation to + the East, as that transportation had to be paid by the consumers of the + grain. You were really interested in transportation from the East to the + West and in local freights. The result is that while you have put down + through freights you have not succeeded so well in local freights. The + exact opposite should be the policy of Illinois. Put down local freights; + put them down, if you can, to the lowest possible figure, and let through + rates take care of themselves. If all the corn raised in Illinois could be + transported to New York absolutely free, it would enhance but little the + price that you would receive. What we want is the lowest possible local + rate. Instead of this you have simply succeeded in helping the East at the + expense of the West. The railroads are your friends. They are your + partners. They can prosper only where the country through which they run + prospers. All intelligent railroad men know this. They know that present + robbery is future bankruptcy. They know that the interest of the farmer + and of the railroad is the same. We must have railroads. What can we do + without them? + </p> + <p> + When we had no railroads, we drew, as I said before, our grain two hundred + miles to market. + </p> + <p> + In those days the farmers did not stop at hotels. They slept under their + wagons—took with them their food—fried their own bacon, made + their coffee, and ate their meals in the snow and rain. Those were the + days when they received ten cents a bushel for corn—when they sold + four bushels of potatoes for a quarter—thirty-three dozen eggs for a + dollar, and a hundred pounds of pork for a dollar and a half. + </p> + <p> + What has made the difference? + </p> + <p> + The railroads came to your door and they brought with them the markets of + the world. They brought New York and Liverpool and London into Illinois, + and the State has been clothed with prosperity as with a mantle. It is the + interest of the farmer to protect every great interest in the State. You + should feel proud that Illinois has more railroads than any other State in + this Union. Her main tracks and side tracks would furnish iron enough to + belt the globe. In Illinois there are ten thousand miles of railways. In + these iron highways more than three hundred million dollars have been + invested—a sum equal to ten times the original cost of all the land + in the State. To make war upon the railroads is a short-sighted and + suicidal policy. They should be treated fairly and should be taxed by the + same standard that farms are taxed, and in no other way. If we wish to + prosper we must act together, and we must see to it that every form of + labor is protected. + </p> + <p> + There has been a long period of depression in all business. The farmers + have suffered least of all. Your land is just as rich and productive as + ever. Prices have been reasonable. The towns and cities have suffered. + Stocks and bonds have shrunk from par to worthless paper. Princes have + become paupers, and bankers, merchants and millionaires have passed into + the oblivion of bankruptcy. The period of depression is slowly passing + away, and we are entering upon better times. + </p> + <p> + A great many people say that a scarcity of money is our only difficulty. + In my opinion we have money enough, but we lack confidence in each other + and in the future. + </p> + <p> + There has been so much dishonesty, there have been so many failures, that + the people are afraid to trust anybody. There is plenty of money, but + there seems to be a scarcity of business. If you were to go to the owner + of a ferry, and, upon seeing his boat lying high and dry on the shore, + should say, "There is a superabundance of ferryboat," he would probably + reply, "No, but there is a scarcity of water." So with us there is not a + scarcity of money, but there is a scarcity of business. And this scarcity + springs from lack of confidence in one another. So many presidents of + savings banks, even those belonging to the Young Men's Christian + Association, run off with the funds; so many railroad and insurance + companies are in the hands of receivers; there is so much bankruptcy on + every hand, that all capital is held in the nervous clutch of fear. + Slowly, but surely we are coming back to honest methods in business. + Confidence will return, and then enterprise will unlock the safe and money + will again circulate as of yore; the dollars will leave their hiding + places and every one will be seeking investment. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I do not ask any interference on the part of the Government + except to undo the wrong it has done. I do not ask that money be made out + of nothing. I do not ask for the prosperity born of paper. But I do ask + for the remonetization of silver. Silver was demonetized by fraud. It was + an imposition upon every solvent man; a fraud upon every honest debtor in + the United States. It assassinated labor. It was done in the interest of + avarice and greed, and should be undone by honest men. + </p> + <p> + The farmers should vote only for such men as are able and willing to guard + and advance the interests of labor. We should know better than to vote for + men who will deliberately put a tariff of three dollars a thousand upon + Canada lumber, when every farmer in Illinois is a purchaser of lumber. + People who live upon the prairies ought to vote for cheap lumber. We + should protect ourselves. We ought to have intelligence enough to know + what we want and how to get it. The real laboring men of this country can + succeed if they are united. By laboring men, I do not mean only the + farmers. I mean all who contribute in some way to the general welfare. + They should forget prejudices and party names, and remember only the best + interests of the people. Let us see if we cannot, in Illinois, protect + every department of industry. Let us see if all property cannot be + protected alike and taxed alike, whether owned by individuals or + corporations. + </p> + <p> + Where industry creates and justice protects, prosperity dwells. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you something more about Illinois. We have fifty-six thousand + square miles of land—nearly thirty-six million acres. Upon these + plains we can raise enough to feed and clothe twenty million people. + Beneath these prairies were hidden millions of ages ago, by that old + miser, the sun, thirty-six thousand square miles of coal. The aggregate + thickness of these veins is at least fifteen feet. Think of a column of + coal one mile square and one hundred miles high! All this came from the + sun. What a sunbeam such a column would be! Think of the engines and + machines this coal will run and turn and whirl! Think of all this force, + willed and left to us by the dead morning of the world! Think of the + firesides of the future around which will sit the fathers, mothers and + children of the years to be! Think of the sweet and happy faces, the + loving and tender eyes that will glow and gleam in the sacred light of all + these flames! + </p> + <p> + We have the best country in the world, and Illinois is the best State in + that country. Is there any reason that our farmers should not be + prosperous and happy men? They have every advantage, and within their + reach are all the comforts and conveniences of life. + </p> + <p> + Do not get the land fever and think you must buy all that joins you. Get + out of debt as soon as you possibly can. A mortgage casts a shadow on the + sunniest field. There is no business under the sun that can pay ten per + cent. + </p> + <p> + Ainsworth R. Spofford gives the following facts about interest: "One + dollar loaned for one hundred years at six per cent., with the interest + collected annually and added to the principal, will amount to three + hundred and forty dollars. At eight per cent, it amounts to two thousand + two hundred and three dollars. At three per cent, it amounts only to + nineteen dollars and twenty-five cents. At ten per cent, it is thirteen + thousand eight hundred and nine dollars, or about seven hundred times as + much. At twelve per cent, it amounts to eighty-four thousand and + seventy-five dollars, or more than four thousand times as much. At + eighteen per cent, it amounts to fifteen million one hundred and + forty-five thousand and seven dollars. At twenty-four per cent, (which we + sometimes hear talked of) it reaches the enormous sum of two billion five + hundred and fifty-one million seven hundred and ninety-nine thousand four + hundred and four dollars." + </p> + <p> + One dollar at compound interest, at twenty-four per cent., for one hundred + years, would produce a sum equal to our national debt. + </p> + <p> + Interest eats night and day, and the more it eats the hungrier it grows. + The farmer in debt, lying awake at night, can, if he listens, hear it + gnaw. If he owes nothing, he can hear his corn grow. Get out of debt as + soon as you possibly can. You have supported idle avarice and lazy economy + long enough. + </p> + <p> + Above all let every farmer treat his wife and children with infinite + kindness. Give your sons and daughters every advantage within your power. + In the air of kindness they will grow about you like flowers. They will + fill your homes with sunshine and all your years with joy. Do not try to + rule by force. A blow from a parent leaves a scar on the soul. I should + feel ashamed to die surrounded by children I had whipped. Think of feeling + upon your dying lips the kiss of a child you had struck. + </p> + <p> + See to it that your wife has every convenience. Make her life worth + living. Never allow her to become a servant. Wives, weary and worn, + mothers, wrinkled and bent before their time, fill homes with grief and + shame. If you are not able to hire help for your wives, help them + yourselves. See that they have the best utensils to work with. + </p> + <p> + Women cannot create things by magic. Have plenty of wood and coal—good + cellars and plenty in them. Have cisterns, so that you can have plenty of + rain water for washing. Do not rely on a barrel and a board. When the rain + comes the board will be lost or the hoops will be off the barrel. + </p> + <p> + Farmers should live like princes. Eat the best things you raise and sell + the rest. Have good things to cook and good things to cook with. Of all + people in our country, you should live the best. Throw your miserable + little stoves out of the window. Get ranges, and have them so built that + your wife need not burn her face off to get you a breakfast. Do not make + her cook in a kitchen hot as the orthodox perdition. The beef, not the + cook, should be roasted. It is just as easy to have things convenient and + right as to have them any other way. + </p> + <p> + Cooking is one of the fine arts. Give your wives and daughters things to + cook, and things to cook with, and they will soon become most excellent + cooks. Good cooking is the basis of civilization. The man whose arteries + and veins are filled with rich blood made of good and well cooked food, + has pluck, courage, endurance and and noble impulses. The inventor of a + good soup did more for his race than the maker of any creed. The doctrines + of total depravity and endless punishment were born of bad cooking and + dyspepsia. Remember that your wife should have the things to cook with. + </p> + <p> + In the good old days there would be eleven children in the family and only + one skillet. Everything was broken or cracked or loaned or lost. + </p> + <p> + There ought to be a law making it a crime, punishable by imprisonment, to + fry beefsteak. Broil it; it is just as easy, and when broiled it is + delicious. Fried beefsteak is not fit for a wild beast. You can broil even + on a stove. Shut the front damper—open the back one—then take + off a griddle. There will then be a draft downwards through this opening. + Put on your steak, using a wire broiler, and not a particle of smoke will + touch it, for the reason that the smoke goes down. If you try to broil it + with the front damper open, the smoke will rise. For broiling, coal, even + soft coal, makes a better fire than wood. + </p> + <p> + There is no reason why farmers should not have fresh meat all the year + round. There is certainly no sense in stuffing yourself full of salt meat + every morning, and making a well or a cistern of your stomach for the rest + of the day. Every farmer should have an ice house. Upon or near every farm + is some stream from which plenty of ice can be obtained, and the long + summer days made delightful. Dr. Draper, one of the world's greatest + scientists, says that ice water is healthy, and that it has done away with + many of the low forms of fever in the great cities. Ice has become one of + the necessaries of civilized life, and without it there is very little + comfort. + </p> + <p> + Make your homes pleasant. Have your houses warm and comfortable for the + winter. Do not build a story-and-a-half house. The half story is simply an + oven in which, during the summer, you will bake every night, and feel in + the morning as though only the rind of yourself was left. + </p> + <p> + Decorate your rooms, even if you do so with cheap engravings. The cheapest + are far better than none. Have books—have papers, and read them. You + have more leisure than the dwellers in cities. Beautify your grounds with + plants and flowers and vines. Have good gardens. Remember that everything + of beauty tends to the elevation of man. Every little morning-glory whose + purple bosom is thrilled with the amorous kisses of the sun, tends to put + a blossom in your heart. Do not judge of the value of everything by the + market reports. Every flower about a house certifies to the refinement of + somebody. Every vine climbing and blossoming, tells of love and joy. + </p> + <p> + Make your houses comfortable. Do not huddle together in a little room + around a red-hot stove, with every window fastened down. Do not live in + this poisoned atmosphere, and then, when one of your children dies, put a + piece in the papers commencing with, "Whereas, it has pleased divine + Providence to remove from our midst—." Have plenty of air, and + plenty of warmth. Comfort is health. Do not imagine anything is unhealthy + simply because it is pleasant. That is an old and foolish idea. + </p> + <p> + Let your children sleep. Do not drag them from their beds in the darkness + of night. Do not compel them to associate all that is tiresome, irksome + and dreadful with cultivating the soil. In this way you bring farming into + hatred and disrepute. Treat your children with infinite kindness—treat + them as equals. There is no happiness in a home not filled with love. + Where the husband hates his wife—where the wife hates the husband; + where children hate their parents and each other—there is a hell + upon earth. + </p> + <p> + There is no reason why farmers should not be the kindest and most + cultivated of men. There is nothing in plowing the fields to make men + cross, cruel and crabbed. To look upon the sunny slopes covered with + daisies does not tend to make men unjust. Whoever labors for the happiness + of those he loves, elevates himself, no matter whether he works in the + dark and dreary shops, or in the perfumed fields. To work for others is, + in reality, the only way in which a man can work for himself. Selfishness + is ignorance. Speculators cannot make unless somebody loses. In the realm + of speculation, every success has at least one victim. The harvest reaped + by the farmer benefits all and injures none. For him to succeed, it is not + necessary that some one should fail. The same is true of all producers—of + all laborers. + </p> + <p> + I can imagine no condition that carries with it such a promise of joy as + that of the farmer in the early winter. He has his cellar filled—he + has made every preparation for the days of snow and storm—he looks + forward to three months of ease and rest; to three months of + fireside-content; three months with wife and children; three months of + long, delightful evenings; three months of home; three months of solid + comfort. + </p> + <p> + When the life of the farmer is such as I have described, the cities and + towns will not be filled with want—the streets will not be crowded + with wrecked rogues, broken bankers, and bankrupt speculators. The fields + will be tilled, and country villages, almost hidden by trees and vines and + flowers, filled with industrious and happy people, will nestle in every + vale and gleam like gems on every plain. + </p> + <p> + The idea must be done away with that there is something intellectually + degrading in cultivating the soil. Nothing can be nobler than to be + useful. Idleness should not be respectable. + </p> + <p> + If farmers will cultivate well, and without waste; if they will so build + that their houses will be warm in winter and cool in summer; if they will + plant trees and beautify their homes; if they will occupy their leisure in + reading, in thinking, in improving their minds and in devising ways and + means to make their business profitable and pleasant; if they will live + nearer together and cultivate sociability; if they will come together + often; if they will have reading rooms and cultivate music; if they will + have bath-rooms, ice-houses and good gardens; if their wives can have an + easy time; if their sons and daughters can have an opportunity to keep in + line with the thoughts and discoveries of the world; if the nights can be + taken for sleep and the evenings for enjoyment, everybody will be in love + with the fields. Happiness should be the object of life, and if life on + the farm can be made really happy, the children will grow up in love with + the meadows, the streams, the woods and the old home. Around the farm will + cling and cluster the happy memories of the delighful years. + </p> + <p> + Remember, I pray you, that you are in partnership with all labor—that + you should join hands with all the sons and daughters of toil, and that + all who work belong to the same noble family. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I envy the man who has lived on the same broad acres from his + boyhood, who cultivates the fields where in youth he played, and lives + where his father lived and died. + </p> + <p> + I can imagine no sweeter way to end one's life + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0014" id="link0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED? + </h2> + <p> + <a name="linkPREF" id="linkPREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + If what is known as the Christian Religion is true, nothing can be more + wonderful than the fact that Matthew, Mark and Luke say nothing about + "salvation by faith;" that they do not even hint at the doctrine of the + atonement, and are as silent as empty tombs as to the necessity of + believing anything to secure happiness in this world or another. + </p> + <p> + For a good many years it has been claimed that the writers of these + gospels knew something about the teachings of Christ, and had, at least, a + general knowledge of the conditions of salvation. It now seems to be + substantiated that the early Christians did not place implicit confidence + in the gospels, and did not hesitate to make such changes and additions as + they thought proper. Such changes and additions are about the only + passages in the New Testament that the Evangelical Churches now consider + sacred. That portion of the last chapter of Mark, in which unbelievers are + so cheerfully and promptly damned, has been shown to be an interpolation, + and it is asserted that in the revised edition of the New Testament, soon + to be issued, the infamous passages will not appear. With these expunged, + there is not one word in Matthew, Mark, or Luke, even tending to show that + belief in Christ has, or can have, any effect upon the destiny of the + soul. + </p> + <p> + The four gospels are the four corner-stones upon which rests the fabric of + orthodox Christianity. Three of these stones have crumbled, and the fourth + is not likely to outlast this generation. The gospel of John cannot alone + uphold the infinite absurdity of vicarious virtue and vice, and it cannot, + without the aid of "interpolation," sustain the illogical and immoral + dogma of salvation by faith. These frightful doctrines must be abandoned; + the miraculous must be given up, the wonderful stories must be expunged, + and from the creed of noble deeds the forgeries of superstition must be + blotted out. From the temple of Morality and Truth—from the great + windows towards the sun—the parasitic and poisonous vines of faith + and fable must be torn. + </p> + <p> + The church will be compelled at last to rest its case, not upon the + wonders Christ is said to have performed, but upon the system of morality + he taught. All the miracles, including the resurrection and ascension, + are, when compared with portions of the "Sermon on the Mount," but dust + and darkness. + </p> + <p> + The careful reader of the New Testament will find three Christs described:—One + who wished to preserve Judaism—one who wished to reform it, and one + who built a system of his own. The apostles and their disciples, utterly + unable to comprehend a religion that did away with sacrifices, churches, + priests, and creeds, constructed a Christianity for themselves, so that + the orthodox churches of to-day rest—first, upon what Christ + endeavored to destroy—second, upon what he never said, and, third, + upon a misunderstanding of what he did say. + </p> + <p> + If a certain belief is necessary to insure the salvation of the soul, the + church ought to explain, and without any unnecessary delay, why such an + infinitely important fact was utterly ignored by Matthew, Mark and Luke. + There are only two explanations possible. Either belief is unnecessary, or + the writers of these three gospels did not understand the Christian + system. The "sacredness" of the subject cannot longer hide the absurdity + of the "scheme of salvation," nor the failure of Matthew, Mark and Luke to + mention, what is now claimed to have been, the entire mission of Christ. + The church must take from the New Testament the supernatural'; the idea + that an intellectual conviction can subject an honest man to eternal pain—the + awful doctrine that the innocent can justly suffer for the guilty, and + allow the remainder to be discussed, denied or believed without punishment + and without reward. No one will object to the preaching of kindness, + honesty and justice. To preach less is a crime, and to practice more is + impossible. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing that ought to be again impressed upon the average + theologian, and that is the utter futility of trying to answer arguments + with personal abuse. It should be understood once for all that these + questions are in no sense personal. If it should turn out that all the + professed Christians in the world are sinless saints, the question of how + Matthew, Mark, and Luke, came to say nothing about the atonement and the + scheme of salvation by faith, would still be asked. And if it should then + be shown that all the doubters, deists, and atheists, are vile and vicious + wretches, the question still would wait for a reply. + </p> + <p> + The origin of all religions, creeds, and sacred books, is substantially + the same, and the history of one, is, in the main, the history of all. + Thus far these religions have been the mistaken explanations of our + surroundings. The appearances of nature have imposed upon the ignorance + and fear of man. But back of all honest creeds was, and is, the desire to + know, to understand, and to explain, and that desire will, as I most + fervently hope and earnestly believe, be gratified at last by the + discovery of the truth. Until then, let us bear with the theories, hopes, + dreams, mistakes, and honest thoughts of all. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C., + </p> + <p> + October, 1880. + </p> + <p> + WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED? + </p> + <p> + "THE NUREMBERG MAN WAS OPERATED BY A COMBINATION OF PIPES AND LEVERS, AND + THOUGH HE COULD BREATHE AND DIGEST PERFECTLY, AND EVEN REASON AS WELL AS + MOST THEOLOGIANS, WAS MADE OF NOTHING BUT WOOD AND LEATHER." + </p> + <p> + THE whole world has been filled with fear. + </p> + <p> + Ignorance has been the refuge of the soul. For thousands of years the + intellectual ocean was ravaged by the buccaneers of reason. Pious souls + clung to the shore and looked at the lighthouse. The seas were filled with + monsters and the islands with sirens. The people were driven in the middle + of a narrow road while priests went before, beating the hedges on either + side to frighten the robbers from their lairs. The poor followers seeing + no robbers, thanked their brave leaders with all their hearts. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0016" id="link0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. WHAT WE MUST DO TO BE SAVED + </h2> + <p> + Huddled in folds they listened with wide eyes while the shepherds told of + ravening wolves. With great gladness they exchanged their fleeces for + security. Shorn and shivering, they had the happiness of seeing their + protectors comfortable and warm. + </p> + <p> + Through all the years, those who plowed divided with those who prayed. + Wicked industry supported pious idleness, the hut gave to the cathedral, + and frightened poverty gave even its rags to buy a robe for hypocrisy. + </p> + <p> + Fear is the dungeon of the mind, and superstition is a dagger with which + hypocrisy assassinates the soul. Courage is liberty. I am in favor of + absolute freedom of thought. In the realm of mind every one is monarch; + every one is robed, sceptered, and crowned, and every one wears the purple + of authority. I belong to the republic of intellectual liberty, and only + those are good citizens of that republic who depend upon reason and upon + persuasion, and only those are traitors who resort to brute force. + </p> + <p> + Now, I beg of you all to forget just for a few moments that you are + Methodists or Baptists or Catholics or Presbyterians, and let us for an + hour or two remember only that we are men and women. And allow me to say + "man" and "woman" are the highest titles that can be bestowed upon + humanity. + </p> + <p> + Let us, if possible, banish all fear from the mind. Do not imagine that + there is some being in the infinite expanse who is not willing that every + man and woman should think for himself and herself. Do not imagine that + there is any being who would give to his children the holy torch of + reason, and then damn them for following that sacred light. Let us have + courage. + </p> + <p> + Priests have invented a crime called "blasphemy," and behind that crime + hypocrisy has crouched for thousands of years. There is but one blasphemy, + and that is injustice. There is but one worship, and that is justice! + </p> + <p> + You need not fear the anger of a god that you cannot injure. Rather fear + to injure your fellow-men. Do not be afraid of a crime you can not commit. + Rather be afraid of the one that you may commit. The reason that you + cannot injure God is that the Infinite is conditionless. You cannot + increase or diminish the happiness of any being without changing that + being's condition. If God is conditionless, you can neither injure nor + benefit him. + </p> + <p> + There was a Jewish gentleman went into a restaurant to get his dinner, and + the devil of temptation whispered in his ear: "Eat some bacon." He knew if + there was anything in the universe calculated to excite the wrath of an + infinite being, who made every shining star, it was to see a gentleman + eating bacon. He knew it, and he knew the infinite being was looking, that + he was the eternal eavesdropper of the universe. But his appetite got the + better of his conscience, as it often has with us all, and he ate that + bacon. He knew it was wrong, and his conscience felt the blood of shame in + its cheek. When he went into that restaurant the weather was delightful, + the sky was as blue as June, and when he came out the sky was covered with + angry clouds, the lightning leaping from one to the other, and the earth + shaking beneath the voice of the thunder. He went back into that + restaurant with a face as white as milk, and he said to one of the + keepers: + </p> + <p> + "My God, did you ever hear such a fuss about a little piece of bacon?" + </p> + <p> + As long as we harbor such opinions of infinity; as long as we imagine the + heavens to be filled with such tyranny, just so long the sons of men will + be cringing, intellectual cowards. Let us think, and let us honestly + express our thought. + </p> + <p> + Do not imagine for a moment that I think people who disagree with me are + bad people. I admit, and I cheerfully admit, that a very large proportion + of mankind, and a very large majority, a vast number are reasonably + honest. I believe that most Christians believe what they teach; that most + ministers are endeavoring to make this world better. I do not pretend to + be better than they are. It is an intellectual question. It is a question, + first, of intellectual liberty, and after that, a question to be settled + at the bar of human reason. I do not pretend to be better than they are. + Probably I am a good deal worse than many of them, but that is not the + question. The question is: Bad as I am, have I the right to think? And I + think I have for two reasons: First, I cannot help it. And secondly, I + like it. The whole question is right at a point. If I have not a right to + express my thoughts, who has? + </p> + <p> + "Oh," they say, "we will allow you to think, we will not burn you." + </p> + <p> + "All right; why won't you burn me?" + </p> + <p> + "Because we think a decent man will allow others to think and to express + his thought." + </p> + <p> + "Then the reason you do not persecute me for my thought is that you + believe it would be infamous in you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "And yet you worship a God who will, as you declare, punish me forever?" + </p> + <p> + Surely an infinite God ought to be as just as man. Surely no God can have + the right to punish his children for being honest. He should not reward + hypocrisy with heaven, and punish candor with eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + The next question then is: Can I commit a sin against God by thinking? If + God did not intend I should think, why did he give me a thinker? For one, + I am convinced, not only that I have the right to think, but that it is my + duty to express my honest thoughts. Whatever the gods may say we must be + true to ourselves. + </p> + <p> + We have got what they call the Christian system of religion, and thousands + of people wonder how I can be wicked enough to attack that system. + </p> + <p> + There are many good things about it, and I shall never attack anything + that I believe to be good! I shall never fear to attack anything I + honestly believe to be wrong! We have what they call the Christian + religion, and I find, just in proportion that nations have been religious, + just in the proportion they have clung to the religion of their founders, + they have gone back to barbarism. I find that Spain, Portugal, Italy, are + the three worst nations in Europe. I find that the nation nearest infidel + is the most prosperous—France. + </p> + <p> + And so I say there can be no danger in the exercise of absolute + intellectual freedom. I find among ourselves the men who think are at + least as good as those who do not. + </p> + <p> + We have, I say, a Christian system, and that system is founded upon what + they are pleased to call the "New Testament." Who wrote the New Testament? + I do not know. Who does know? Nobody. We have found many manuscripts + containing portions of the New Testament. Some of these manuscripts leave + out five or six books—many of them. Others more; others less. No two + of these manuscripts agree. Nobody knows who wrote these manuscripts. They + are all written in Greek. The disciples of Christ, so far as we know, knew + only Hebrew. Nobody ever saw so far as we know, one of the original Hebrew + manuscripts. + </p> + <p> + Nobody ever saw anybody who had seen anybody who had heard of anybody that + had ever seen anybody that had ever seen one of the original Hebrew + manuscripts. No doubt the clergy of your city have told you these facts + thousands of times, and they will be obliged to me for having repeated + them once more. These manuscripts are written in what are called capital + Greek letters. They are called Uncial manuscripts, and the New Testament + was not divided into chapters and verses, even, until the year of grace + 1551. In the original the manuscripts and gospels are signed by nobody. + The epistles are addressed to nobody; and they are signed by the same + person. All the addresses, all the pretended ear-marks showing to whom + they were written, and by whom they were written, are simply + interpolations, and everybody who has studied the subject knows it. + </p> + <p> + It is further admitted that even these manuscripts have not been properly + translated, and they have a syndicate now making a new translation; and I + suppose that I can not tell whether I really believe the New Testament or + not until I see that new translation. + </p> + <p> + You must remember, also, one other thing. Christ never wrote a solitary + word of the New Testament—not one word. There is an account that he + once stooped and wrote something in the sand, but that has not been + preserved. He never told anybody to write a word. He never said: "Matthew, + remember this. Mark, do not forget to put that down. Luke, be sure that in + your gospel you have this. John, do not forget it." Not one word. And it + has always seemed to me that a being coming from another world, with a + message of infinite importance to mankind, should at least have verified + that message by his own signature. Is it not wonderful that not one word + was written by Christ? Is it not strange that he gave no orders to have + his words preserved—words upon which hung the salvation of a world? + </p> + <p> + Why was nothing written? I will tell you. In my judgment they expected the + end of the world in a few days. That generation was not to pass away until + the heavens should be rolled up as a scroll, and until the earth should + melt with fervent heat. That was their belief. They believed that the + world was to be destroyed, and that there was to be another coming, and + that the saints were then to govern the earth. And they even went so far + among the apostles, as we frequently do now before election, as to divide + out the offices in advance. This Testament, as it now is, was not written + for hundreds of years after the apostles were dust. Many of the pretended + facts lived in the open mouth of credulity. They were in the wastebaskets + of forgetfulness. They depended upon the inaccuracy of legend, and for + centuries these doctrines and stories were blown about by the inconstant + winds. And when reduced to writing, some gentleman would write by the side + of the passage his idea of it, and the next copyist would put that in as a + part of the text. And, when it was mostly written, and the church got into + trouble, and wanted a passage to help it out, one was interpolated to + order. So that now it is among the easiest things in the world to pick out + at least one hundred interpolations in the Testament. And I will pick some + of them out before I get through. + </p> + <p> + And let me say here, once for all, that for the man Christ I have infinite + respect. Let me say, once for all, that the place where man has died for + man is holy ground. And let me say, once for all, that to that great and + serene man I gladly pay, I gladly pay, the tribute of my admiration and my + tears. He was a reformer in his day. He was an infidel in his time. He was + regarded as a blasphemer, and his life was destroyed by hypocrites, who + have, in all ages, done what they could to trample freedom and manhood out + of the human mind. Had I lived at that time I would have been his friend, + and should he come again he will not find a better friend than I will be. + </p> + <p> + That is for the man. For the theological creation I have a different + feeling. If he was, in fact, God, he knew there was no such thing as + death. He knew that what we called death was but the eternal opening of + the golden gates of everlasting joy; and it took no heroism to face a + death that was eternal life. + </p> + <p> + But when a man, when a poor boy sixteen years of age, goes upon the field + of battle to keep his flag in heaven, not knowing but that death ends all; + not knowing but that when the shadows creep over him, the darkness will be + eternal, there is heroism. For the man who, in the darkness, said: "My + God, why hast thou forsaken me?"—for that man I have nothing but + respect, admiration, and love. Back of the theological shreds, rags, and + patches, hiding the real Christ, I see a genuine man. + </p> + <p> + A while ago I made up my mind to find out what was necessary for me to do + in order to be saved. If I have got a soul, I want it saved. I do not wish + to lose anything that is of value. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years the world has been asking that question: + </p> + <p> + "What must we do to be saved?" + </p> + <p> + Saved from poverty? No. Saved from crime? No. Tyranny? No. But "What must + we do to be saved from the eternal wrath of the God who made us all?" + </p> + <p> + If God made us, he will not destroy us. Infinite wisdom never made a poor + investment. Upon all the works of an infinite God, a dividend must finally + be declared. Why should God make failures? Why should he waste material? + Why should he not correct his mistakes, instead of damning them? The + pulpit has cast a shadow over even the cradle. The doctrine of endless + punishment has covered the cheeks of this world with tears. I despise it, + and I defy it. + </p> + <p> + I made up my mind, I say, to see what I had to do in order to save my soul + according to the Testament, and thereupon I read it. I read the gospels, + Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and found that the church had been + deceiving me. I found that the clergy did not understand their own book; + that they had been building upon passages that had been interpolated; upon + passages that were entirely untrue, and I will tell you why I think so. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0017" id="link0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW + </h2> + <p> + ACCORDING to the church, the first gospel was written by Matthew. As a + matter of fact he never wrote a word of it—never saw it, never heard + of it and probably never will. But for the purposes of this lecture I + admit that he wrote years; that he was his constant companion; that he + shared his sorrows and his triumphs; that he heard his words by the lonely + lakes, the barren hills, in synagogue and street, and that he knew his + heart and became acquainted with his thoughts and aims. + </p> + <p> + Now let us see what Matthew says we must do in order to be saved. And I + take it that, if this is true, Matthew is as good authority as any + minister in the world. + </p> + <p> + I will admit that he was with Christ for three years. + </p> + <p> + The first thing I find upon the subject of salvation is in the fifth + chapter of Matthew, and is embraced in what is commonly known as the + Sermon on the Mount. It is as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." + Good! + </p> + <p> + "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Good! Whether + they belonged to any church or not; whether they believed the Bible or + not? + </p> + <p> + "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Good! + </p> + <p> + "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the + peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are + they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the + kingdom of heaven." Good! + </p> + <p> + In the same sermon he says: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law + or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." And then he + makes use of this remarkable language, almost as applicable to-day as it + was then: "For I say unto you that except your righteousness shall exceed + the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no wise enter + into the kingdom of heaven." Good! + </p> + <p> + In the sixth chapter I find the following, and it comes directly after the + prayer known as the Lord's prayer: + </p> + <p> + "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also + forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your + father forgive your trespasses." + </p> + <p> + I accept the condition. There is an offer; I accept it. If you will + forgive men that trespass against you, God will forgive your trespasses + against him. I accept the terms, and I never will ask any God to treat me + better than I treat my fellow-men. There is a square promise. There is a + contract. If you will forgive others God will forgive you. And it does not + say you must believe in the Old Testament, or be baptized, or join the + church, or keep Sunday; that you must count beads, or pray, or become a + nun, or a priest; that you must preach sermons or hear them, build + churches or fill them. Not one word is said about eating or fasting, + denying or believing. It simply says, if you forgive others God will + forgive you; and it must of necessity be true. No god could afford to damn + a forgiving man. Suppose God should damn to everlasting fire a man so + great and good, that he, looking from the abyss of hell, would forgive + God,—how would a god feel then? + </p> + <p> + Now let me make myself plain upon one subject, perfectly plain. For + instance, I hate Presbyterianism, but I know hundreds of splendid + Presbyterians. Understand me. I hate Methodism, and yet I know hundreds of + splendid Methodists. I hate Catholicism, and like Catholics. I hate + insanity but not the insane. + </p> + <p> + I do not war against men. I do not war against persons. I war against + certain doctrines that I believe to be wrong. But I give to every other + human being every right that I claim for myself. + </p> + <p> + The next thing that I find is in the seventh chapter and the second verse: + "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what + measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Good! That suits me! + </p> + <p> + And in the twelfth chapter of Matthew: "For whosoever shall do the will of + my Father that is in heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother. + For the son of man shall come in the glory of his father with his angels, + and then he shall reward every man according.... To the church he belongs + to? No. To the manner in which he was baptized? No. According to his + creed? No. Then he shall reward every man according to his works." Good! I + subscribe to that doctrine. + </p> + <p> + And in the eighteenth chapter: "And Jesus called a little child to him and + stood him in the midst; and said, 'Verily I say unto you, except ye be + converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the + kingdom of heaven.'" I do not wonder that in his day, surrounded by + scribes and Pharisees, he turned lovingly to little children. + </p> + <p> + And yet, see what children the little children of God have been. What an + interesting dimpled darling John Calvin was. Think of that prattling babe, + Jonathan Edwards! Think of the infants that founded the Inquisition, that + invented instruments of torture to tear human flesh. They were the ones + who had become as little children. They were the children of faith. + </p> + <p> + So I find in the nineteenth chapter: "And behold, one came and said unto + him: 'Good master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal + life?' And he said unto him, 'Why callest thou me good? There is none good + but one, that is God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the + commandments.' He saith unto him, 'which?'" + </p> + <p> + Now, there is a fair issue. Here is a child of God asking God what is + necessary for him to do in order to inherit eternal life. And God said to + him: Keep the commandments. And the child said to the Almighty: "Which?" + Now, if there ever has been an opportunity given to the Almighty to + furnish a man of an inquiring mind with the necessary information upon + that subject, here was the opportunity. "He said unto him, which? And + Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder; thou shalt not commit adultery; thou + shalt not steal; thou shalt not bear false witness; honor thy father and + mother; and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." + </p> + <p> + He did not say to him: "You must believe in me—that I am the only + begotten son of the living God." He did not say: "You must be born again." + He did not say: "You must believe the Bible." He did not say: "You must + remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." He simply said: "Thou shalt do + no murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou + shalt not bear false witness. Honor thy father and thy mother; and thou + shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." And thereupon the young man, who I + think was mistaken, said unto him: "All these things have I kept from my + youth up." + </p> + <p> + What right has the church to add conditions of salvation? Why should we + suppose that Christ failed to tell the young man all that was necessary + for him to do? Is it possible that he left out some important thing simply + to mislead? Will some minister tell us why he thinks that Christ kept back + the "scheme"? + </p> + <p> + Now comes an interpolation. + </p> + <p> + In the old times when the church got a little scarce of money, they always + put in a passage praising poverty. So they had this young man ask: "What + lack I yet? And Jesus said unto him: If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell + that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in + heaven." + </p> + <p> + The church has always been willing to swap off treasures in heaven for + cash down. And when the next verse was written the church must have been + nearly bankrupt. "And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go + through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom + of God." Did you ever know a wealthy disciple to unload on account of that + verse? + </p> + <p> + And then comes another verse, which I believe is an interpolation: "And + everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or + mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive + an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life." + </p> + <p> + Christ never said it. Never. "Whosoever shall forsake father and mother." + </p> + <p> + Why, he said to this man that asked him, "What shall I do to inherit + eternal life?" among other things, he said: "Honor thy father and thy + mother." And we turn over the page and he says again: "If you will desert + your father and mother you shall have everlasting life." It will not do. + If you will desert your wife and your little children, or your lands—the + idea of putting a house and lot on equality with wife and children! Think + of that! I do not accept the terms. I will never desert the one I love for + the promise of any god. + </p> + <p> + It is far more important to love your wife than to love God, and I will + tell you why. You cannot help him, but you can help her. You can fill her + life with the perfume of perpetual joy. It is far more important that you + love your children than that you love Jesus Christ. And why? If he is God + you cannot help him, but you can plant a little flower of happiness in + every footstep of the child, from the cradle until you die in that child's + arms. Let me tell you to-day it is far more important to build a home than + to erect a church. The holiest temple beneath the stars is a home that + love has built. And the holiest altar in all the wide world is the + fireside around which gather father and mother and the sweet babes. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when people believed the infamy commanded in this + frightful passage. There was a time when they did desert fathers and + mothers and wives and children. St. Augustine says to the devotee: Fly to + the desert, and though your wife put her arms around your neck, tear her + hands away; she is a temptation of the devil. Though your father and + mother throw their bodies athwart your threshold, step over them; and + though your children pursue, and with weeping' eyes beseech you to return, + listen not. It is the temptation of the evil one. Fly to the desert and + save your soul. Think of such a soul being worth saving. While I live I + propose to stand by the ones I love. + </p> + <p> + There is another condition of salvation. I find it in the twenty-fifth + chapter: "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye + blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the + foundation of the world. For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat; I was + thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in; naked + and ye clothed me; I was sick and ye visited me; I was in prison and ye + came unto me." Good! + </p> + <p> + I tell you to-night that God will not punish with eternal thirst the man + who has put the cup of cold water to the lips of his neighbor. God will + not leave in the eternal nakedness of pain the man who has clothed his + fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + For instance, here is a shipwreck, and here is some brave sailor who + stands aside and allows a woman whom he never saw before to take his place + in the boat, and he stands there, grand and serene as the wide sea, and he + goes down. Do you tell me that there is any God who will push the lifeboat + from the shore of eternal life, when that man wishes to step in? Do you + tell me that God can be unpitying to the pitiful, that he can be + unforgiving to the forgiving? I deny it; and from the aspersions of the + pulpit I seek to rescue the reputation of the Deity. + </p> + <p> + Now, I have read you substantially everything in Matthew on the subject of + salvation. That is all there is. Not one word about believing anything. It + is the gospel of deed, the gospel of charity, the gospel of self-denial; + and if only that gospel had been preached, persecution never would have + shed one drop of blood. Not one. + </p> + <p> + According to the testimony Matthew was well acquainted with Christ. + According to the testimony, he had been with him, and his companion for + years, and if it was necessary to believe anything in order to get to + heaven, Matthew should have told us. But he forgot it, or he did not + believe it, or he never heard of it. You can take your choice. + </p> + <p> + In Matthew, we find that heaven is promised, first, to the poor in spirit. + Second, to the merciful. Third, to the pure in heart. Fourth, to the + peacemakers. Fifth, to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. + Sixth, to those who keep and teach the commandments. Seventh, to those who + forgive men that trespass against them. Eighth, that we will be judged as + we judge others. Ninth, that they who receive prophets and righteous men + shall receive a prophet's reward. Tenth, to those who do the will of God. + Eleventh, that every man shall be rewarded according to his works. + Twelfth, to those who become as little children. Thirteenth, to those who + forgive the trespasses of others. Fourteenth, to the perfect: they who + sell all that they have and give to the poor. Fifteenth, to them who + forsake houses, and brethren, and sisters, and father, and mother, and + wife, and children, and lands for the sake of Christ's name. Sixteenth, to + those who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter to the + stranger, clothes to the naked, comfort to the sick, and who visit the + prisoner. + </p> + <p> + Nothing else is said with regard to salvation in the gospel according to + St. Matthew. Not one word about believing the Old Testament to have been + inspired; not one word about being baptized or joining a church; not one + word about believing in any miracle; not even a hint that it was necessary + to believe that Christ was the son of God, or that he did any wonderful or + miraculous things, or that he was born of a virgin, or that his coming had + been foretold by the Jewish prophets. Not one word about believing in the + Trinity, or in foreordination or predestination. Matthew had not + understood from Christ that any such things were necessary to ensure the + salvation of the soul. + </p> + <p> + According to the testimony, Matthew had been in the company of Christ, + some say three years and some say one, but at least he had been with him + long enough to find out some of his ideas upon this great subject. And yet + Matthew never got the impression that it was necessary to believe + something in order to get to heaven. He supposed that if a man forgave + others God would forgive him; he believed that God would show mercy to the + merciful; that he would not allow those who fed the hungry to starve; that + he would not put in the flames of hell those who had given cold water to + the thirsty; that he would not cast into the eternal dungeon of his wrath + those who had visited the imprisoned; and that he would not damn men who + forgave others. + </p> + <p> + Matthew had it in his mind that God would treat us very much as we treated + other people; and that in the next world he would treat with kindness + those who had been loving and gentle in their lives. It may be the apostle + was mistaken; but evidently that was his opinion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0018" id="link0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + III. THE GOSPEL OF MARK + </h2> + <p> + ET us now see what Mark thought it necessary for a man to do to save his + soul. In the fourth chapter, after Jesus had given to the multitude by the + sea the parable of the sower, his disciples, when they were again alone, + asked him the meaning of the parable. Jesus replied: + </p> + <p> + "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto + them that are without, all these things are done in parables: + </p> + <p> + "That seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, + and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their + sins should be forgiven them." + </p> + <p> + It is a little hard to understand why he should have preached to people + that he did not intend should know his meaning. Neither is it quite clear + why he objected to their being converted. This, I suppose, is one of the + mysteries that we should simply believe without endeavoring to comprehend. + </p> + <p> + With the above exception, and one other that I will mention hereafter, + Mark substantially agrees with Matthew, and says that God will be merciful + to the merciful, that he will be kind to the kind, that he will pity the + pitying, and love the loving. Mark upholds the religion of Matthew until + we come to the fifteenth and sixteenth verses of the sixteenth chapter, + and then I strike an interpolation put in by hypocrisy, put in by priests + who longed to grasp with bloody hands the sceptre of universal power. Let + me read it to you. It is the most infamous passage in the Bible. Christ + never said it. No sensible man ever said it. + </p> + <p> + "And He said unto them" (that is, unto his disciples), "go ye into all the + world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is + baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." + </p> + <p> + That passage was written so that fear would give alms to hypocrisy. Now, I + propose to prove to you that this is an interpolation. How will I do it? + In the first place, not one word is said about belief, in Matthew. In the + next place, not one word about belief, in Mark, until I come to that + verse, and where is that said to have been spoken? According to Mark, it + is a part of the last conversation of Jesus Christ,—just before, + according to the account, he ascended bodily before their eyes. If there + ever was any important thing happened in this world that was it. If there + is any conversation that people would be apt to recollect, it would be the + last conversation with a god before he rose visibly through the air and + seated himself upon the throne of the infinite. We have in this Testament + five accounts of the last conversation happening between Jesus Christ and + his apostles. Matthew gives it, and yet Matthew does not state that in + that conversation Christ said: "Whoso believeth and is baptized shall be + saved, and whoso believeth not shall be damned." And if he did say those + words they were the most important that ever fell from lips. Matthew did + not hear it, or did not believe it, or forgot it. + </p> + <p> + Then I turn to Luke, and he gives an account of this same last + conversation, and not one word does he say upon that subject. Luke does + not pretend that Christ said that whoso believeth not shall be damned. + Luke certainly did not hear it. May be he forgot it. Perhaps he did not + think that it was worth recording. Now, it is the most important thing, if + Christ said it, that he ever said. + </p> + <p> + Then I turn to John, and he gives an account of the last conversation, but + not one solitary word on the subject of belief or unbelief. Not one + solitary word on the subject of damnation. Not one. John might not have + been listening. + </p> + <p> + Then I turn to the first chapter of the Acts, and there I find an account + of the last conversation; and in that conversation there is not one word + upon this subject. This is a demonstration that the passage in Mark is an + interpolation. What other reason have I got? There is not one particle of + sense in it. Why? No man can control his belief. You hear evidence for and + against, and the integrity of the soul stands at the scales and tells + which side rises and which side falls. You can not believe as you wish. + You must believe as you must. And he might as well have said: "Go into the + world and preach the gospel, and whosoever has red hair shall be saved, + and whosoever hath not shall be damned." + </p> + <p> + I have another reason. I am much obliged to the gentleman who interpolated + these passages. I am much obliged to him that he put in some more—two + more. Now hear: + </p> + <p> + "And these signs shall follow them that believe." Good! + </p> + <p> + "In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; + they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall + not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." + </p> + <p> + Bring on your believer! Let him cast out a devil. I do not ask for a large + one. Just a little one for a cent. Let him take up serpents. "And if they + drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them." Let me mix up a dose for + the believer, and if it does not hurt him I will join a church. "Oh! but," + they say, "those things only lasted through the Apostolic age." Let us + see. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel, and whosoever believes + and is baptized shall be saved, and these signs shall follow them that + believe." + </p> + <p> + How long? I think at least until they had gone into all the world. + Certainly those signs should follow until all the world had been visited. + And yet if that declaration was in the mouth of Christ, he then knew that + one-half of the world was unknown, and that he would be dead fourteen + hundred and fifty-nine years before his disciples would know that there + was another continent. And yet he said, "Go into all the world and preach + the gospel," and he knew then that it would be fourteen hundred and + fifty-nine years before anybody could go. Well, if it was worth while to + have signs follow believers in the Old World, surely it was worth while to + have signs follow believers in the New. And the very reason that signs + should follow would be to convince the unbeliever, and there are as many + unbelievers now as ever, and the signs are as necessary to-day as they + ever were. I would like a few myself. + </p> + <p> + This frightful declaration, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be + saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned," has filled the world + with agony and crime. Every letter of this passage has been sword and + fagot; every word has been dungeon and chain. That passage made the sword + of persecution drip with innocent blood through centuries of agony and + crime. That passage made the horizon of a thousand years lurid with the + fagot's flames. That passage contradicts the Sermon on the Mount; + travesties the Lord's prayer; turns the splendid religion of deed and duty + into the superstition of creed and cruelty. I deny it. It is infamous! + Christ never said it! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0019" id="link0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. + </h2> + <p> + IT is sufficient to say that Luke agrees substantially with Matthew and + Mark. + </p> + <p> + "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Good! + </p> + <p> + "Judge not and ye shall not be judged: condemn not and ye shall not be + condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven." Good! + </p> + <p> + "Give and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and + shaken together, and running over." Good! I like it. + </p> + <p> + "For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to + you again." + </p> + <p> + He agrees substantially with Mark; he agrees substantially with Matthew; + and I come at last to the nineteenth chapter. + </p> + <p> + "And Zaccheus stood and said unto the Lord, 'Behold, Lord, the half of my + goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man by + false accusation, I restore him four fold.' And Jesus said unto him, 'this + day is salvation come to this house.'" + </p> + <p> + That is good doctrine. He did not ask Zaccheus what he believed. He did + not ask him, "Do you believe in the Bible? Do you believe in the five + points? Have you ever been baptized—sprinkled? Or immersed?" "Half + of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man + by false accusation, I restore him four fold." "And Christ said, this day + is salvation come to this house." Good! + </p> + <p> + I read also in Luke that Christ when upon the cross forgave his murderers, + and that is considered the shining gem in the crown of his mercy. He + forgave his murderers. He forgave the men who drove the nails in his + hands, in his feet, that plunged a spear in his side; the soldier that in + the hour of death offered him in mockery the bitterness to drink. He + forgave them all freely, and yet, although he would forgive them, he will + in the nineteenth century, as we are told by the orthodox church, damn to + eternal fire a noble man for the expression of his honest thoughts. That + will not do. I find, too, in Luke, an account of two thieves that were + crucified at the same time. The other gospels speak of them. One says they + both railed upon him. Another says nothing about it. In Luke we are told + that one railed upon him, but one of the thieves looked and pitied Christ, + and Christ said to that thief: + </p> + <p> + "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." Why did he say that? Because + the thief pitied him. God can not afford to trample beneath the feet of + his infinite wrath the smallest blossom of pity that ever shed its perfume + in the human heart! + </p> + <p> + Who was this thief? To what church did he belong? I do not know. The fact + that he was a thief throws no light on that question. Who was he? What did + he believe? I do not know. Did he believe in the Old Testament? In the + miracles? I do not know. Did he believe that Christ was God? I do not + know. Why then was the promise made to him that he should meet Christ in + Paradise? Simply because he pitied suffering innocence upon the cross. + </p> + <p> + God can not afford to damn any man who is capable of pitying anybody. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0020" id="link0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + V. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN + </h2> + <h3> + AND now we come to John, and that is where the trouble commences. + </h3> + <p> + The other gospels teach that God will be merciful to the merciful, + forgiving to the forgiving, kind to the kind, loving to the loving, just + to the just, merciful to the good. + </p> + <p> + Now we come to John, and here is another doctrine. And allow me to say + that John was not written until long after the others. John was mostly + written by the church. + </p> + <p> + "Jesus answered and said unto him: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except + a man be born again he can not see the kingdom of God." + </p> + <p> + Why did he not tell Matthew that? Why did he not tell Luke that? Why did + he not tell Mark that? They never heard of it, or forgot it, or they did + not believe it. + </p> + <p> + "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into + the kingdom of God." Why? + </p> + <p> + "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the + Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born + again." "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born + of the Spirit is spirit," and he might have added, that which is born of + water is water. + </p> + <p> + "Marvel not that I said unto thee, 'ye must be born again.'" And then the + reason is given, and I admit I did not understand it myself until I read + the reason, and when you hear the reason, you will understand it as well + as I do; and here it is: "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou + hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and + whither it goeth." So, I find in the book of John the idea of the Real + Presence. + </p> + <p> + "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the + Son of man be lifted up; That whosoever believeth in him should not + perish, but have eternal life." + </p> + <p> + "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that + whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. + </p> + <p> + "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that + the world through him might be saved. + </p> + <p> + "He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is + condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only + begotten Son of God." + </p> + <p> + "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth + not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." + "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on + him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into + condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. + </p> + <p> + "Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the + dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall + live." + </p> + <p> + "And shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of + life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of + damnation."-"And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which + seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will + raise him up at the last day." + </p> + <p> + "No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him; + and I will raise him up at the last day." + </p> + <p> + "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting + life. + </p> + <p> + "I am that bread of life. + </p> + <p> + "Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. + </p> + <p> + "This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat + thereof, and not die. + </p> + <p> + "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this + bread he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, + which I will give for the life of the world." + </p> + <p> + "Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat + the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. + </p> + <p> + "Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I + will raise him up at the last day. + </p> + <p> + "For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. + </p> + <p> + "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in + him. + </p> + <p> + "As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that + eateth me, even he shall live by me. + </p> + <p> + "This is that bread which came down from heaven; not as your fathers did + eat manna, and are dead; he that eateth of this bread shall live forever." + </p> + <p> + "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, + except it were given unto him of my Father." + </p> + <p> + "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life; he that + believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. + </p> + <p> + "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die." + </p> + <p> + "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in + this world, shall keep it unto life eternal." + </p> + <p> + So I find in the book of John, that in order to be saved we must not only + believe in Jesus Christ, but we must eat the flesh and we must drink the + blood of Jesus Christ. If that gospel is true, the Catholic Church is + right. But it is not true. I can not believe it, and yet for all that, it + may be true. But I do not believe it. Neither do I believe there is any + god in the universe who will damn a man simply for expressing his belief. + </p> + <p> + "Why," they say to me, "suppose all this should turn out to be true, and + you should come to the day of judgment and find all these things to be + true. What would you do then?" I would walk up like a man, and say, "I was + mistaken." + </p> + <p> + "And suppose God was about to pass judgment upon you, what would you say?" + I would say to him, "Do unto others as you would that others should do + unto you." Why not? + </p> + <p> + I am told that I must render good for evil. I am told that if smitten on + one cheek I must turn the other. I am told that I must overcome evil with + good. I am told that I must love my enemies; and will it do for this God + who tells me to love my enemies to damn his? No, it will not do. It will + not do. + </p> + <p> + In the book of John all these doctrines of regeneration—that it is + necessary to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; that salvation depends upon + belief—in this book of John all these doctrines find their warrant; + nowhere else. + </p> + <p> + Read Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and then read John, and you will agree with + me that the three first gospels teach that if we are kind and forgiving to + our fellows, God will be kind and forgiving to us. In John we are told + that another man can be good for us, or bad for us, and that the only way + to get to heaven is to believe something that we know is not so. + </p> + <p> + All these passages about believing in Christ, drinking his blood and + eating his flesh, are afterthoughts. They were written by the theologians, + and in a few years they will be considered unworthy of the lips of Christ. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0021" id="link0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI. THE CATHOLICS + </h2> + <p> + NOW, upon these gospels that I have read the churches rest; and out of + these things, mistakes and interpolations, they have made their creeds. + And the first church to make a creed, so far as I know, was the Catholic. + It was the first church that had any power. That is the church that has + preserved all these miracles for us. That is the church that preserved the + manuscripts for us. That is the church whose word we have to take. That + church is the first witness that Protestantism brought to the bar of + history to prove miracles that took place eighteen hundred years ago; and + while the witness is there Protestantism takes pains to say: "You cannot + believe one word that witness says, <i>now</i>." + </p> + <p> + That church is the only one that keeps up a constant communication with + heaven through the instrumentality of a large number of decayed saints. + That church has an agent of God on earth, has a person who stands in the + place of deity; and that church is infallible. That church has persecuted + to the exact extent of her power—and always will. In Spain that + church stands erect, and is arrogant. In the United States that church + crawls; but the object in both countries is the same—and that is the + destruction of intellectual liberty. That church teaches us that we can + make God happy by being miserable ourselves; that a nun is holier in the + sight of God than a loving mother with her child in her thrilled and + thrilling arms; that a priest is better than a father; that celibacy is + better than that passion of love that has made everything of beauty in + this world. That church tells the girl of sixteen or eighteen years of + age, with eyes like dew and light; that girl with the red of health in the + white of her beautiful cheeks—tells that girl, "Put on the veil, + woven of death and night, kneel upon stones, and you will please God." + </p> + <p> + I tell you that, by law, no girl should be allowed to take the veil and + renounce the joys and beauties of this life. + </p> + <p> + I am opposed to allowing these spider-like priests to weave webs to catch + the loving maidens of the world. There ought to be a law appointing + commissioners to visit such places twice a year and release every person + who expresses a desire to be released. I do not believe in keeping the + penitentiaries of God. No doubt they are honest about it. That is not the + question. These ignorant superstitions fill millions of lives with + weariness and pain, with agony and tears. + </p> + <p> + This church, after a few centuries of thought, made a creed, and that + creed is the foundation of the orthodox religion. Let me read it to you: + </p> + <p> + "Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold + the Catholic faith; which faith except every one do keep entire and + inviolate, without doubt, he shall everlastingly perish." Now the faith is + this: "That we worship one God in trinity and trinity in unity." + </p> + <p> + Of course you understand how that is done, and there is no need of my + explaining it. "Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the + substance." You see what a predicament that would leave the deity in if + you divided the substance. + </p> + <p> + "For one is the person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of + the Holy Ghost; but the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the + Holy Ghost is all one"—you know what I mean by Godhead. "In glory + equal, and in majesty coëternal. Such as the Father is, such is the + Son, such is the Holy Ghost. The Father is uncreated, the Son uncreated, + the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father incomprehensible, the Son + incomprehensible, the Holy Ghost incomprehensible." And that is the reason + we know so much about the thing. "The Father is eternal, the Son eternal, + the Holy Ghost eternal, and yet there are not three eternals, only one + eternal, as also there are not three uncreated, nor three + incomprehensibles, only one uncreated, one incomprehensible." + </p> + <p> + "In like manner, the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, the Holy Ghost + almighty. Yet there are not three almighties, only one Almighty. So the + Father is God, the Son God, the Holy Ghost God, and yet not three Gods; + and so, likewise, the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Ghost is + Lord, yet there are not three Lords, for as we are compelled by the + Christian truth to acknowledge every person by himself to be God and Lord, + so we are all forbidden by the Catholic religion to say there are three + Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of no one; not created or + begotten. The Son is from the Father alone, not made, not created, but + begotten. The Holy Ghost is from the Father and the Son, not made nor + begotten, but proceeding." + </p> + <p> + You know what proceeding is. + </p> + <p> + "So there is one Father, not three Fathers." Why should there be three + fathers, and only one Son? "One Son, and not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, + not three Holy Ghosts; and in this Trinity there is nothing before or + afterward, nothing greater or less, but the whole three persons are coëternal + with one another and coëqual, so that in all things the unity is to + be worshiped in Trinity, and the Trinity is to be worshiped in unity. + Those who will be saved must thus think of the Trinity. Furthermore, it is + necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the + incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now the right of this thing is this: + That we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is + both God and man. He is God of the substance of his Father begotten before + the world was." + </p> + <p> + That was a good while before his mother lived. "And he is man of the + substance of his mother, born in this world, perfect God and perfect man, + and the rational soul in human flesh, subsisting equal to the Father + according to his Godhead, but less than the Father according to his + manhood, who being both God and man is not two but one, one not by + conversion of God into flesh, but by the taking of the manhood into God." + You see that is a great deal easier than the other way would be. + </p> + <p> + "One altogether, not by a confusion of substance but by unity of person, + for as the rational soul and the flesh is one man, so God and man is one + Christ, who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again + the third day from the dead, ascended into heaven, and he sitteth at the + right hand of God, the Father Almighty, and He shall come to judge the + living and the dead." In order to be saved it is necessary to believe + this. What a blessing that we do not have to understand it. And in order + to compel the human intellect to get upon its knees before that infinite + absurdity, thousands and millions have suffered agonies; thousands and + thousands have perished in dungeons and in fire; and if all the bones of + all the victims of the Catholic Church could be gathered together, a + monument higher than all the pyramids would rise, in the presence of which + the eyes even of priests would be wet with tears. + </p> + <p> + That church covered Europe with cathedrals and dungeons, and robbed men of + the jewel of the soul. That church had ignorance upon its knees. That + church went in partnership with the tyrants of the throne, and between + those two vultures, the altar and the throne, the heart of man was + devoured. + </p> + <p> + Of course I have met, and cheerfully admit that there are thousands of + good Catholics; but Catholicism is contrary to human liberty. Catholicism + bases salvation upon belief. Catholicism teaches man to trample his reason + under foot. And for that reason it is wrong. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of volumes could not contain the crimes of the Catholic Church. + They could not contain even the names of her victims. With sword and fire, + with rack and chain, with dungeon and whip she endeavored to convert the + world. In weakness a beggar—in power a highwayman,—alms dish + or dagger—tramp or tyrant. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0022" id="link0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII. THE EPISCOPALIANS + </h2> + <p> + THE next church I wish to speak of is the Episcopalian. That was founded + by Henry VIII., now in heaven. He cast off Queen Catherine and Catholicism + together, and he accepted Episcopalianism and Annie Boleyn at the same + time. That church, if it had a few more ceremonies, would be Catholic. If + it had a few less, nothing. We have an Episcopalian Church in this + country, and it has all the imperfections of a poor relation. It is always + boasting of its rich relative. In England the creed is made by law, the + same as we pass statutes here. And when a gentleman dies in England, in + order to determine whether he shall be saved or not, it is necessary for + the power of heaven to read the acts of Parliament. It becomes a question + of law, and sometimes a man is damned on a very nice point. Lost on + demurrer. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago, a gentleman by the name of Seabury, Samuel Seabury, was + sent over to England to get some apostolic succession. We had not a drop + in the house. It was necessary for the bishops of the English Church to + put their hands upon his head. They refused. There was no act of + Parliament justifying it. He had then to go to the Scotch bishops; and, + had the Scotch bishops refused, we never would have had any apostolic + succession in the New World, and God would have been driven out of half + the earth, and the true church never could have been founded upon this + continent. But the Scotch bishops put their hands on his head, and now we + have an unbroken succession of heads and hands from St. Paul to the last + bishop. + </p> + <p> + In this country the Episcopalians have done some good, and I want to thank + that church. Having on an average less religion than the others—on + an average you have done more good to mankind. You preserved some of the + humanities. You did not hate music; you did not absolutely despise + painting, and you did not altogether abhor architecture, and you finally + admitted that it was no worse to keep time with your feet than with your + hands. And some went so far as to say that people could play cards, and + that God would overlook it, or would look the other way. For all these + things accept my thanks. + </p> + <p> + When I was a boy, the other churches looked upon dancing as probably the + mysterious sin against the Holy Ghost; and they used to teach that when + four boys got in a hay-mow, playing seven-up, that the eternal God stood + whetting the sword of his eternal wrath waiting to strike them down to the + lowest hell. That church has done some good. + </p> + <p> + The Episcopal creed is substantially like the Catholic, containing a few + additional absurdities. The Episcopalians teach that it is easier to get + forgiveness for sin after you have been baptized. They seem to think that + the moment you are baptized you become a member of the firm, and as such + are entitled to wickedness at cost. This church is utterly unsuited to a + free people. Its government is tyrannical, supercilious and absurd. + Bishops talk as though they were responsible for the souls in their + charge. They wear vests that button on one side. Nothing is so essential + to the clergy of this denomination as a good voice. The Episcopalians have + persecuted just to the extent of their power. Their treatment of the Irish + has been a crime—a crime lasting for three hundred years. That + church persecuted the Puritans of England and the Presbyterians of + Scotland. In England the altar is the mistress of the throne, and this + mistress has always looked at honest wives with scorn. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0023" id="link0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII. THE METHODISTS + </h2> + <p> + ABOUT a hundred and fifty years ago, two men, John Wesley and George + Whitfield, said, If everybody is going to hell, somebody ought to mention + it. The Episcopal clergy said: Keep still; do not tear your gown. Wesley + and Whitfield said: This frightful truth ought to be proclaimed from the + housetop of every opportunity, from the highway of every occasion. They + were good, honest men. They believed their doctrine. And they said: If + there is a hell, and a Niagara of souls pouring over an eternal precipice + of ignorance, somebody ought to say something. They were right; somebody + ought, if such a thing is true. Wesley was a believer in the Bible. He + believed in the actual presence of the Almighty. + </p> + <p> + God used to do miracles for him; used to put off a rain several days to + give his meeting a chance; used to cure his horse of lameness; used to + cure Mr. Wesley's headaches. + </p> + <p> + And Mr. Wesley also believed in the actual existence of the devil. He + believed that devils had possession of people. He talked to the devil when + he was in folks, and the devil told him that he was going to leave; and + that he was going into another person. That he would be there at a certain + time; and Wesley went to that other person, and there the devil was, + prompt to the minute. He regarded every conversion as warfare between God + and this devil for the possession of that human soul, and that in the + warfare God had gained the victory. Honest, no doubt. Mr. Wesley did not + believe in human liberty. Honest, no doubt. Was opposed to the liberty of + the colonies. Honestly so. Mr. Wesley preached a sermon entitled: "The + Cause and Cure of Earthquakes," in which he took the ground that + earthquakes were caused by sin; and the only way to stop them was to + believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. No doubt an honest man. + </p> + <p> + Wesley and Whitfield fell out on the question of predestination. Wesley + insisted that God invited everybody to the feast. Whitfield said he did + not invite those he knew would not come. Wesley said he did. Whitfield + said: Well, he did not put plates for them, anyway. Wesley said he did. So + that, when they were in hell he could show them that there was a seat left + for them. The church that they founded is still active. And probably no + church in the world has done so much preaching for as little money as the + Methodists. Whitfield believed in slavery, and advocated the slave-trade. + And it was of Whitfield that Whittier made the two lines: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "He bade the slave ships speed from coast to coast, + Fanned by the wings of the Holy Ghost." +</pre> + <p> + We have lately had a meeting of the Methodists, and I find by their + statistics that they believe that they have converted 130,000 folks in a + year. That, in order to do this, they have 26,000 preachers, 226,000 + Sunday school scholars, and about $100,000,000 invested in church + property. I find, in looking over the history of the world, that there are + 40,000,000 or 50,000,000 of people born a year, and if they are saved at + the rate of 130,000 a year, about how long will it take that doctrine to + save this world? Good, honest people; but they are mistaken. + </p> + <p> + In old times they were very simple. Churches used to be like barns. They + used to have them divided—men on that side, and women on this. A + little barbarous. We have advanced since then, and we now find as a fact, + demonstrated by experience, that a man sitting by the woman he loves can + thank God as heartily as though sitting between two men that he has never + been introduced to. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing the Methodists should remember, and that is that + the Episcopalians were the greatest enemies they ever had. And they should + remember that the Freethinkers have always treated them kindly and well. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing about the Methodist Church in the North that I like. + But I find that it is not Methodism that does that. I find that the + Methodist Church in the South is as much opposed to liberty as the + Methodist Church North is in favor of liberty. So it is not Methodism that + is in favor of liberty or slavery. They differ a little in their creed + from the rest. They do not believe that God does everything. They believe + that he does his part, and that you must do the rest, and that getting to + heaven is a partnership business. The Methodist Church is adapted to new + countries—its ministers are generally uncultured, and with them zeal + takes the place of knowledge. They convert people with noise. In the + silence that follows most of the converts backslide. + </p> + <p> + In a little while a struggle will commence between the few who are growing + and the orthodox many. The few will be driven out, and the church will be + governed by those who believe without understanding. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0024" id="link0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX. THE PRESBYTERIANS + </h2> + <p> + THE next church is the Presbyterian, and in my judgment the worst of all, + as far as creed is concerned. This church was founded by John Calvin, a + murderer! + </p> + <p> + John Calvin, having power in Geneva, inaugurated human torture. Voltaire + abolished torture in France. The man who abolished torture, if the + Christian religion be true, God is now torturing in hell, and the man who + inaugurated torture, is now a glorified angel in heaven. It will not do. + </p> + <p> + John Knox started this doctrine in Scotland, and there is this peculiarity + about Presbyterianism—it grows best where the soil is poorest. I + read the other day an account of a meeting between John Knox and John + Calvin. Imagine a dialogue between a pestilence and a famine! Imagine a + conversation between a block and an ax! As I read their conversation it + seemed to me as though John Knox and John Calvin were made for each other; + that they fitted each other like the upper and lower jaws of a wild beast. + They believed happiness was a crime; they looked upon laughter as + blasphemy; and they did all they could to destroy every human feeling, and + to fill the mind with the infinite gloom of predestination and eternal + death. They taught the doctrine that God had a right to damn us because he + made us. That is just the reason that he has not a right to damn us. There + is some dust. Unconscious dust! What right has God to change that + unconscious dust into a human being, when he knows that human being will + sin; when he knows that human being will suffer eternal agony? Why not + leave him in the unconscious dust? What right has an infinite God to add + to the sum of human agony? Suppose I knew that I could change that piece + of furniture into a living, sentient human being, and I knew that that + being would suffer untold agony forever. If I did it, I would be a fiend. + I would leave that being in the unconscious dust. + </p> + <p> + And yet we are told that we must believe such a doctrine or we are to be + eternally damned! It will not do. + </p> + <p> + In 1839 there was a division in this church, and they had a lawsuit to see + which was the church of God. And they tried it by a judge and jury, and + the jury decided that the new school was the church of God, and then they + got a new trial, and the next jury decided that the old school was the + church of God, and that settled it. That church teaches that infinite + innocence was sacrificed for me! I do not want it! I do not wish to go to + heaven unless I can settle by the books, and go there because I ought to + go there. I have said, and I say again, I do not wish to be a charity + angel. I have no ambition to become a winged pauper of the skies. + </p> + <p> + The other day a young gentleman, a Presbyterian who had just been + converted, came to me and he gave me a tract, and he told me he was + perfectly happy. Said I, "Do you think a great many people are going to + hell?" "Oh, yes." "And you are perfectly happy?" Well, he did not know as + he was, quite. "Would not you be happier if they were all going to + heaven?" "Oh, yes." "Well, then, you are not perfectly happy?" No, he did + not think he was. "When you get to heaven, then you will be perfectly + happy?" "Oh, yes." "Now, when we are only going to hell, you are not quite + happy; but when we are in hell, and you in heaven, then you will be + perfectly happy? You will not be as decent when you get to be an angel as + you are now, will you?" "Well," he said, "that was not exactly it." Said + I, "Suppose your mother were in hell, would you be happy in heaven then?" + "Well," he says, "I suppose God would know the best place for mother." And + I thought to myself, then, if I was a woman, I would like to have five or + six boys like that. + </p> + <p> + It will not do. Heaven is where those are we love, and those who love us. + And I wish to go to no world unless I can be accompanied by those who love + me here. Talk about the consolations of this infamous doctrine. The + consolations of a doctrine that makes a father say, "I can be happy with + my daughter in hell;" that makes a mother say, "I can be happy with my + generous, brave boy in hell;" that makes a boy say, "I can enjoy the glory + of heaven with the woman who bore me, the woman <i>who would have died for + me</i>, in eternal agony." And they call that tidings of great joy. + </p> + <p> + No church has done more to fill the world with gloom than the + Presbyterian. Its creed is frightful, hideous, and hellish. The + Presbyterian god is the monster of monsters. He is an eternal executioner, + jailer and turnkey. He will enjoy forever the shrieks of the lost,—the + wails of the damned. Hell is the festival of the Presbyterian god. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0025" id="link0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + X. THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. + </h2> + <p> + I HAVE not time to speak of the Baptists,—that Jeremy Taylor said + were as much to be rooted out as anything that is the greatest pest and + nuisance on the earth. He hated the Baptists because they represented, in + some little degree, the liberty of thought. Nor have I time to speak of + the Quakers, the best of all, and abused by all. + </p> + <p> + I cannot forget that John Fox, in the year of grace 1640, was put in the + pillory and whipped from town to town, scarred, put in a dungeon, beaten, + trampled upon, and what for? Simply because he preached the doctrine: + "Thou shalt not resist evil with evil." "Thou shalt love thy enemies." + </p> + <p> + Think of what the church must have been that day to scar the flesh of that + loving man! Just think of it! I say I have not time to speak of all these + sects—the varieties of Presbyterians and Campbellites. There are + hundreds and hundreds of these sects, all founded upon this creed that I + read, differing simply in degree. + </p> + <p> + Ah! but they say to me: You are fighting something that is dead. Nobody + believes this now. The preachers do not believe what they preach in the + pulpit. The people in the pews do not believe what they hear preached. And + they say to me: You are fighting something that is dead. This is all a + form, we do not believe a solitary creed in the world. We sign them and + swear that we believe them, but we do not. And none of us do. And all the + ministers, they say in private, admit that they do not believe it, not + quite. I do not know whether this is so or not. I take it that they + believe what they preach. I take it that when they meet and solemnly agree + to a creed, they are honest and really believe in that creed. But let us + see if I am waging a war against the ideas of the dead. Let us see if I am + simply storming a cemetery. + </p> + <p> + The Evangelical Alliance, made up of all orthodox denominations of the + world, met only a few years ago, and here is their creed: They believe in + the divine inspiration, authority and sufficiency of the holy Scriptures; + the right and duty of private judgment in the interpretation of the holy + Scriptures, but if you interpret wrong you are damned. They believe in the + unity of the godhead and the Trinity of the persons therein. They believe + in the utter depravity of human nature. There can be no more infamous + doctrine than that. They look upon a little child as a lump of depravity. + I look upon it as a bud of humanity, that will, in the air and light of + love and joy, blossom into rich and glorious life. + </p> + <p> + Total depravity of human nature! Here is a woman whose husband has been + lost at sea; the news comes that he has been drowned by the ever-hungry + waves, and she waits. There is something in her heart that tells her he is + alive. And she waits. And years afterward as she looks down toward the + little gate she sees him; he has been given back by the sea, and she + rushes to his arms, and covers his face with kisses and with tears. And if + that infamous doctrine is true every tear is a crime, and every kiss a + blasphemy. It will not do. According to that doctrine, if a man steals and + repents, and takes back the property, the repentance and the taking back + of the property are two other crimes. It is an infamy. What else do they + believe? "The justification of a sinner by faith alone," without works—just + faith. Believing something that you do not understand. Of course God can + not afford to reward a man for believing anything that is reasonable. God + rewards only for believing something that is unreasonable. If you believe + something that is improbable and unreasonable, you are a Christian; but if + you believe something that you know is not so, then,—you are a + saint. + </p> + <p> + They believe in the eternal blessedness of the righteous, and in the + eternal punishment of the wicked. + </p> + <p> + Tidings of great joy! They are so good that they will not associate with + Universalists. They will not associate with Unitarians; they will not + associate with scientists; they will only associate with those who believe + that God so loved the world that he made up his mind to damn the most of + us. + </p> + <p> + The Evangelical Alliance reiterates the absurdities of the Dark Ages—repeats + the five points of Calvin—replenishes the fires of hell—certifies + to the mistakes and miracles of the Bible—maligns the human race, + and kneels to a god who accepted the agony of the innocent as an atonement + for the guilty. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0026" id="link0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + XI. WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE? + </h2> + <p> + THEN they say to me: "What do you propose? You have torn this down, what + do you propose to give us in place of it?" + </p> + <p> + I have not torn the good down. I have only endeavored to trample out the + ignorant, cruel fires of hell. I do not tear away the passage: "God will + be merciful to the merciful." I do not destroy the promise; "If you will + forgive others, God will forgive you." I would not for anything blot out + the faintest star that shines in the horizon of human despair, nor in the + sky of human hope; but I will do what I can to get that infinite shadow + out of the heart of man. + </p> + <p> + "What do you propose in place of this?" + </p> + <p> + Well, in the first place, I propose good fellowship—good friends all + around. No matter what we believe, shake hands and let it go. That is your + opinion; this is mine: let us be friends. Science makes friends; religion, + superstition, makes enemies. They say: Belief is important. I say: No, + actions are important. Judge by deed, not by creed. Good fellowship—good + friends—sincere men and women—mutual forbearance, born of + mutual respect. We have had too many of these solemn people. Whenever I + see an exceedingly solemn man, I know he is an exceedingly stupid man. No + man of any humor ever founded a religion—never. Humor sees both + sides. While reason is the holy light, humor carries the lantern, and the + man with a keen sense of humor is preserved from the solemn stupidities of + superstition. I like a man who has got good feeling for everybody; good + fellowship. One man said to another: + </p> + <p> + "Will you take a glass of wine?" + </p> + <p> + "I do not drink." + </p> + <p> + "Will you smoke a cigar?" + </p> + <p> + "I do not smoke." + </p> + <p> + "Maybe you will chew something?" + </p> + <p> + "I do not chew." + </p> + <p> + "Let us eat some hay." + </p> + <p> + "I tell you I do not eat hay." + </p> + <p> + "Well, then, good-by, for you are no company for man or beast." + </p> + <p> + I believe in the gospel of Cheerfulness, the gospel of Good Nature; the + gospel of Good Health. Let us pay some attention to our bodies. Take care + of our bodies, and our souls will take care of themselves. Good health! + And I believe the time will come when the public thought will be so great + and grand that it will be looked upon as infamous to perpetuate disease. I + believe the time will come when man will not fill the future with + consumption and insanity. I believe the time will come when we will study + ourselves, and understand the laws of health and then we will say: We are + under obligation to put the flags of health in the cheeks of our children. + Even if I got to heaven, and had a harp, I would hate to look back upon my + children and grandchildren, and see them diseased, deformed, crazed—all + suffering the penalties of crimes I had committed. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the gospel of Good Living. You can not make any god happy by + fasting. Let us have good food, and let us have it well cooked—and + it is a thousand times better to know how to cook than it is to understand + any theology in the world. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the gospel of good clothes; I believe in the gospel of good + houses; in the gospel of water and soap. I believe in the gospel of + intelligence; in the gospel of education. The school-house is my + cathedral. The universe is my Bible. I believe in that gospel of justice, + that we must reap what we sow. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe in forgiveness as it is preached by the church. We do not + need the forgiveness of God, but of each other and of ourselves. If I rob + Mr. Smith and God forgives me, how does that help Smith? If I, by slander, + cover some poor girl with the leprosy of some imputed crime, and she + withers away like a blighted flower and afterward I get the forgiveness of + God, how does that help her? If there is another world, we have got to + settle with the people we have wronged in this. No bankrupt court there. + Every cent must be paid. + </p> + <p> + The Christians say, that among the ancient Jews, if you committed a crime + you had to kill a sheep. Now they say "charge it." "Put it on the slate." + It will not do. For every crime you commit you must answer to yourself and + to the one you injure. And if you have ever clothed another with woe, as + with a garment of pain, you will never be quite as happy as though you had + not done that thing. No forgiveness by the gods. Eternal, inexorable, + everlasting justice, so far as Nature is concerned. You must reap the + result of your acts. Even when forgiven by the one you have injured, it is + not as though the injury had not been done. That is what I believe in. And + if it goes hard with me, I will stand it, and I will cling to my logic, + and I will bear it like a man. + </p> + <p> + And I believe, too, in the gospel of Liberty, in giving to others what we + claim for ourselves. I believe there is room everywhere for thought, and + the more liberty you give away, the more you will have. In liberty + extravagance is economy. Let us be just. Let us be generous to each other. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the gospel of Intelligence. That is the only lever capable of + raising mankind. Intelligence must be the savior of this world. Humanity + is the grand religion, and no God can put a man in hell in another world, + who has made a little heaven in this. God cannot make a man miserable if + that man has made somebody else happy. God cannot hate anybody who is + capable of loving anybody. Humanity—that word embraces all there is. + </p> + <p> + So I believe in this great gospel of Humanity. + </p> + <p> + "Ah! but," they say, "it will not do. You must believe." I say, No. My + gospel of health will bring life. My gospel of intelligence, my gospel of + good living, my gospel of good-fellowship will cover the world with happy + homes. My doctrine will put carpets upon your floors, pictures upon your + walls. My doctrine will put books upon your shelves, ideas in your minds. + My doctrine will rid the world of the abnormal monsters born of ignorance + and superstition. My doctrine will give us health, wealth and happiness. + That is what I want. That is what I believe in. Give us intelligence. In a + little while a man will find that he can not steal without robbing + himself. He will find that he cannot murder without assassinating his own + joy. He will find that every crime is a mistake. He will find that only + that man carries the cross who does wrong, and that upon the man who does + right the cross turns to wings that will bear him upward forever. He will + find that even intelligent self-love embraces within its mighty arms all + the human race. + </p> + <p> + "Oh," but they say to me, "you take away immortality." I do not. If we are + immortal it is a fact in nature, and we are not indebted to priests for + it, nor to bibles for it, and it cannot be destroyed by unbelief. + </p> + <p> + As long as we love we will hope to live, and when the one dies that we + love we will say: "Oh, that we could meet again," and whether we do or not + it will not be the work of theology. It will be a fact in nature. I would + not for my life destroy one star of human hope, but I want it so that when + a poor woman rocks the cradle and sings a lullaby to the dimpled darling, + she will not be compelled to believe that ninety-nine chances in a hundred + she is raising kindling wood for hell. + </p> + <p> + One world at a time is my doctrine. + </p> + <p> + It is said in this Testament, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil + thereof;" and I say: Sufficient unto each world is the evil thereof. + </p> + <p> + And suppose after all that death does end all. Next to eternal joy, next + to being forever with those we love and those who have loved us, next to + that, is to be wrapt in the dreamless drapery of eternal peace. Next to + eternal life is eternal sleep. Upon the shadowy shore of death the sea of + trouble casts no wave. Eyes that have been curtained by the everlasting + dark, will never know again the burning touch of tears. Lips touched by + eternal silence will never speak again the broken words of grief. Hearts + of dust do not break. The dead do not weep. Within the tomb no veiled and + weeping sorrow sits, and in the ray-less gloom is crouched no shuddering + fear. + </p> + <p> + I had rather think of those I have loved, and lost, as having returned to + earth, as having become a part of the elemental wealth of the world—I + would rather think of them as unconscious dust, I would rather dream of + them as gurgling in the streams, floating in the clouds, bursting in the + foam of light upon the shores of worlds, I would rather think of them as + the lost visions of a forgotten night, than to have even the faintest fear + that their naked souls have been clutched by an orthodox god. I will leave + my dead where nature leaves them. Whatever flower of hope springs up in my + heart I will cherish, I will give it breath of sighs and rain of tears. + But I can not believe that there is any being in this universe who has + created a human soul for eternal pain. I would rather that every god would + destroy himself; I would rather that we all should go to eternal chaos, to + black and starless night, than that just one soul should suffer eternal + agony. + </p> + <p> + I have made up my mind that if there is a God, he will be merciful to the + merciful. + </p> + <p> + Upon that rock I stand.— + </p> + <p> + That he will not torture the forgiving.— + </p> + <p> + Upon that rock I stand.— + </p> + <p> + That every man should be true to himself, and that there is no world, no + star, in which honesty is a crime. + </p> + <p> + Upon that rock I stand. + </p> + <p> + The honest man, the good woman, the happy child, have nothing to fear, + either in this world or the world to come. + </p> + <p> + Upon that rock I stand. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. 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Ingersoll, Vol. 2 (of 12) by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 2 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 2 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Lectures + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38802] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + <i>"THE CLERGY KNOW, THAT I KNOW, THAT THEY KNOW, THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW."</i> + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + IN TWELVE VOLUMES, VOLUME II. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + LECTURES + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1900 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + THE DRESDEN EDITION + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> TO MRS. SUE. M. FARRELL, IN LAW MY SISTER, AND IN FACT MY + FRIEND, THIS VOLUME, AS A TOKEN OF RESPECT AND LOVE, IS DEDICATED. <br /><br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38802/old/orig38802-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Titlepage (63K)" src="images/Titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Portrait (63K)" src="images/Portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Contents + </h3> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkPREF">PREFACE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">SOME MISTAKES OF MOSES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">SOME REASONS WHY</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">ORTHODOXY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">MYTH AND MIRACLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">SOME MISTAKES OF MOSES.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1879.)<br /> Preface—I. He who endeavors to control the Mind + by Force is a<br /> Tyrant, and he who submits is a Slave—All I Ask—When + a Religion<br /> is Founded—Freedom for the Orthodox Clergy—Every + Minister an<br /> Attorney—Submission to the Orthodox and the Dead—Bounden + Duty of<br /> the Ministry—The Minister Factory at Andover—II. + Free Schools—No<br /> Sectarian Sciences—Religion and the + Schools—Scientific<br /> Hypocrites—III. The Politicians and + the Churches—IV. Man and Woman the<br /> Highest Possible Titles—Belief + Dependent on Surroundings—Worship of<br /> Ancestors—Blindness + Necessary to Keeping the Narrow Path—The Bible the<br /> Chain that + Binds—A Bible of the Middle Ages and the Awe it Inspired—V.<br /> + The Pentateuch—Moses Not the Author—Belief out of which Grew<br /> + Religious Ceremonies—Egypt the Source of the Information of Moses—VI.<br /> + Monday—Nothing, in the Light of Raw Material—The Story of + Creation<br /> Begun—The Same Story, substantially, Found in the + Records of Babylon,<br /> Egypt, and India—Inspiration Unnecessary + to the Truth—Usefulness of<br /> Miracles to Fit Lies to Facts—Division + of Darkness and Light—VII.<br /> Tuesday—The Firmament and + Some Biblical Notions about it—Laws of<br /> Evaporation Unknown to + the Inspired Writer—VIII. Wednesday—The Waters<br /> Gathered + into Seas—Fruit and Nothing to Eat it—Five Epochs in the<br /> + Organic History of the Earth—Balance between the Total Amounts of<br /> + Animal and Vegetable Life—Vegetation Prior to the Appearance of + the<br /> Sun—IX. Thursday—Sun and Moon Manufactured—Magnitude + of the Solar<br /> Orb—Dimensions of Some of the Planets—Moses' + Guess at the Size of Sun<br /> and Moon—Joshua's Control of the + Heavenly Bodies—A Hypothesis Urged<br /> by Ministers—The + Theory of "Refraction"—Rev. Henry Morey—Astronomical<br /> + Knowledge of Chinese Savants—The Motion of the Earth Reversed by<br /> + Jehovah for the Reassurance of Ahaz—"Errors" Renounced by Button—X.<br /> + "He made the Stars Also"—Distance of the Nearest Star—XI.<br /> + Friday—Whales and Other Living Creatures Produced—XII.<br /> + Saturday—Reproduction Inaugurated—XIII. "Let Us Make Man"—Human<br /> + Beings Created in the Physical Image and Likeness of God—Inquiry + as<br /> to the Process Adopted—Development of Living Forms + According to<br /> Evolution—How Were Adam and Eve Created?—The + Rib Story—Age of<br /> Man Upon the Earth—A Statue Apparently + Made before the World—XIV.<br /> Sunday—Sacredness of the + Sabbath Destroyed by the Theory of Vast<br /> "Periods"—Reflections + on the Sabbath—XV. The Necessity for a Good<br /> Memory—The + Two Accounts of the Creation in Genesis I and II—Order<br /> of + Creation in the First Account—Order of Creation in the Second<br /> + Account—Fastidiousness of Adam in the Choice of a Helpmeet—Dr.<br /> + Adam Clark's Commentary—Dr. Scott's Guess—Dr. Matthew + Henry's<br /> Admission—The Blonde and Brunette Problem—The + Result of Unbelief and<br /> the Reward of Faith—"Give Him a Harp"—XVI. + The Garden—Location of<br /> Eden—The Four Rivers—The + Tree of Knowledge—Andover Appealed<br /> To—XVII. The Fall—The + Serpent—Dr. Adam Clark Gives a Zoological<br /> Explanation—Dr. + Henry Dissents—Whence This Serpent?—XVIII.<br /> Dampness—A + Race of Giants—Wickedness of Mankind—An Ark Constructed—A<br /> + Universal Flood Indicated—Animals Probably Admitted to the Ark—How + Did<br /> They Get There?—Problem of Food and Service—A + Shoreless Sea Covered<br /> with Innumerable Dead—Drs. Clark and + Henry on the Situation—The Ark<br /> Takes Ground—New + Difficulties—Noah's Sacrifice—The Rainbow as a<br /> + Memorandum—Babylonian, Egyptian, and Indian Legends of a Flood—XIX.<br /> + Bacchus and Babel—Interest Attaching to Noah—Where Did Our + First<br /> Parents and the Serpent Acquire a Common Language?—Babel + and the<br /> Confusion of Tongues—XX. Faith in Filth—Immodesty + of Biblical<br /> Diction—XXI. The Hebrews—God's Promises to + Abraham—The Sojourning<br /> of Israel in Egypt—Marvelous + Increase—Moses and Aaron—XXII.<br /> The Plagues—Competitive + Miracle Working—Defeat of the Local<br /> Magicians—XXIII. + The Flight Out of Egypt—Three Million People in a<br /> Desert—Destruction + of Pharaoh ana His Host—Manna—A Superfluity of<br /> Quails—Rev. + Alexander Cruden's Commentary—Hornets as Allies of the<br /> + Israelites—Durability of the Clothing of the Jewish People—An + Ointment<br /> Monopoly—Consecration of Priests—The Crime of + Becoming a Mother—The<br /> Ten Commandments—Medical Ideas of + Jehovah—Character of the God of<br /> the Pentateuch—XXIV. + Confess and Avoid—XXV. "Inspired" Slavery—XXVI.<br /> + "Inspired" Marriage-XXVII. "Inspired" War-XXVIII. "Inspired" Religious<br /> + Liberty—XXIX. Conclusion.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">SOME REASONS WHY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1881.)<br /> I—Religion makes Enemies—Hatred in the + Name of Universal<br /> Benevolence—No Respect for the Rights of + Barbarians—Literal<br /> Fulfillment of a New Testament Prophecy—II. + Duties to God—Can we<br /> Assist God?—An Infinite + Personality an Infinite Impossibility-Ill.<br /> Inspiration—What + it Really Is—Indication of Clams—Multitudinous<br /> Laughter + of the Sea—Horace Greeley and the Mammoth Trees—A Landscape<br /> + Compared to a Table-cloth—The Supernatural is the Deformed—Inspiration<br /> + in the Man as well as in the Book—Our Inspired Bible—IV. + God's<br /> Experiment with the Jews—Miracles of One Religion never + astonish the<br /> Priests of Another—"I am a Liar Myself"—V. + Civilized Countries—Crimes<br /> once regarded as Divine + Institutions—What the Believer in the<br /> Inspiration of the + Bible is Compelled to Say—Passages apparently<br /> written by the + Devil—VI. A Comparison of Books—Advancing a Cannibal<br /> + from Missionary to Mutton—Contrast between the Utterances of + Jehovah<br /> and those of Reputable Heathen—Epictetus, Cicero, + Zeno,<br /> Seneca—the Hindu, Antoninus, Marcus Aurelius—The + Avesta—VII.<br /> Monotheism—Egyptians before Moses taught + there was but One God<br /> and Married but One Wife—Persians and + Hindoos had a Single Supreme<br /> Deity—Rights of Roman Women—Marvels + of Art achieved without the<br /> Assistance of Heaven—Probable + Action of the Jewish Jehovah incarnated<br /> as Man—VIII. The New + Testament—Doctrine of Eternal Pain brought to<br /> Light—Discrepancies—Human + Weaknesses cannot be Predicated of<br /> Divine Wisdom—Why there + are Four Gospels according to Irenæus—The<br /> Atonement—Remission + of Sins under the Mosaic Dispensation—Christians<br /> say, "Charge + it"—God's Forgiveness does not Repair an Injury—Suffering<br /> + of Innocence for the Guilty—Salvation made Possible by Jehovah's<br /> + Failure to Civilize the Jews—Necessity of Belief not taught in the<br /> + Synoptic Gospels—Non-resistance the Offspring of Weakness—IX. + Christ's<br /> Mission—All the Virtues had been Taught before his + Advent—Perfect and<br /> Beautiful Thoughts of his Pagan + Predecessors—St. Paul Contrasted<br /> with Heathen Writers—"The + Quality of Mercy"—X. Eternal Pain—An<br /> Illustration of + Eternal Punishment—Captain Kreuger of the Barque<br /> Tiger—XI. + Civilizing Influence of the Bible—Its Effects on the<br /> Jews—If + Christ was God, Did he not, in his Crucifixion, Reap what<br /> he had + Sown?—Nothing can add to the Misery of a Nation whose King is<br /> + Jehovah<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">ORTHODOXY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1884.)<br /> Orthodox Religion Dying Out—Religious Deaths + and Births—The Religion<br /> of Reciprocity—Every Language + has a Cemetery—Orthodox Institutions<br /> Survive through the + Money invested in them—"Let us tell our Real<br /> Names"—The + Blows that have Shattered the Shield and Shivered the Lance<br /> of + Superstition—Mohammed's Successful Defence of the Sepulchre of<br /> + Christ—The Destruction of Art—The Discovery of America—Although<br /> + he made it himself, the Holy Ghost was Ignorant of the Form of this<br /> + Earth—Copernicus and Kepler—Special Providence—The Man + and the Ship<br /> he did not Take—A Thanksgiving Proclamation + Contradicted—Charles<br /> Darwin—Henry Ward Beecher—The + Creeds—The Latest Creed—God as<br /> a Governor—The + Love of God—The Fall of Man—We are Bound<br /> by + Representatives without a Chance to Vote against Them—The<br /> + Atonement—The Doctrine of Depravity a Libel on the Human Race—The<br /> + Second Birth—A Unitarian Universalist—Inspiration of the<br /> + Scriptures—God a Victim of his own Tyranny—In the New + Testament<br /> Trouble Commences at Death—The Reign of Truth and + Love—The Old<br /> Spaniard who Died without an Enemy—The + Wars it Brought—Consolation<br /> should be Denied to Murderers—At + the Rate at which Heathen are being<br /> Converted, how long will it + take to Establish Christ's Kingdom on<br /> Earth?—The Resurrection—The + Judgment Day—Pious Evasions—"We shall<br /> not Die, but we + shall all be Hanged"—"No Bible, no Civilization"<br /> Miracles of + the New Testament—Nothing Written by Christ or his<br /> + Contemporaries—Genealogy of Jesus—More Miracles—A + Master of<br /> Death—Improbable that he would be Crucified—The + Loaves and Fishes—How<br /> did it happen that the Miracles + Convinced so Few?—The Resurrection—The<br /> Ascension—Was + the Body Spiritual—Parting from the Disciples—Casting<br /> + out Devils—Necessity of Belief—God should be consistent in + the<br /> Matter of forgiving Enemies—Eternal Punishment—Some + Good Men who are<br /> Damned—Another Objection—Love the only + Bow on Life's dark Cloud—"Now<br /> is the accepted Time"—Rather + than this Doctrine of Eternal Punishment<br /> Should be True—I + would rather that every Planet should in its Orbit<br /> wheel a barren + Star—What I Believe—Immortality—It existed long before<br /> + Moses—Consolation—The Promises are so Far Away, and the Dead + are so<br /> Near—Death a Wall or a Door—A Fable—Orpheus + and Eurydice.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">MYTH AND MIRACLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1885.)<br /> I. Happiness the true End and Aim of Life—Spiritual + People and<br /> their Literature—Shakespeare's Clowns superior to + Inspired<br /> Writers—Beethoven's Sixth Symphony Preferred to the + Five Books of<br /> Moses—Venus of Milo more Pleasing than the + Presbyterian Creed—II.<br /> Religions Naturally Produced—Poets + the Myth-makers—The Sleeping<br /> Beauty—Orpheus and + Eurydice—Red Riding Hood—The Golden Age—Elysian<br /> + Fields—The Flood Myth—Myths of the Seasons—III. The + Sun-god—Jonah,<br /> Buddha, Chrisnna, Horus, Zoroaster—December + 25th as a Birthday of<br /> Gods—Christ a Sun-God—The Cross a + Symbol of the Life to Come—When<br /> Nature rocked the Cradle of + the Infant World—IV. Difference between<br /> a Myth and a Miracle—Raising + the Dead, Past and Present—Miracles<br /> of Jehovah—Miracles + of Christ—Everything Told except the Truth—The<br /> Mistake + of the World—V. Beginning of Investigation—The Stars as<br /> + Witnesses against Superstition—Martyrdom of Bruno—Geology—Steam + and<br /> Electricity—Nature forever the Same—Persistence of + Force—Cathedral,<br /> Mosque, and Joss House have the same + Foundation—Science the<br /> Providence of Man—VI. To Soften + the Heart of God—Martyrs—The God was<br /> Silent—Credulity + a Vice—Develop the Imagination—"The Skylark" and<br /> "The + Daisy"—VII. How are we to Civilize the World?—Put Theology + out<br /> of Religion—Divorce of Church and State—Secular + Education—Godless<br /> Schools—VIII. The New Jerusalem—Knowledge + of the Supernatural<br /> possessed by Savages—Beliefs of Primitive + Peoples—Science is<br /> Modest—Theology Arrogant—Torque-mada + and Bruno on the Day of<br /> Judgment—IX. Poison of Superstition + in the Mother's Milk—Ability<br /> of Mistakes to take Care of + Themselves—Longevity of Religious<br /> Lies—Mother's + religion pleaded by the Cannibal—The Religion of<br /> Freedom—O + Liberty, thou art the God of my Idolatry<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkPREF" id="linkPREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + For many years I have regarded the Pentateuch simply as a record of a + barbarous people, in which are found a great number of the ceremonies of + savagery, many absurd and unjust laws, and thousands of ideas inconsistent + with known and demonstrated facts. To me it seemed almost a crime to teach + that this record was written by inspired men; that slavery, polygamy, wars + of conquest and extermination were right, and that there was a time when + men could win the approbation of infinite Intelligence, Justice, and + Mercy, by violating maidens and by butchering babes. To me it seemed more + reasonable that savage men had made these laws; and I endeavored in a + lecture, entitled "Some Mistakes of Moses," to point out some of the + errors, contradictions, and impossibilities contained in the Pentateuch. + The lecture was never written and consequently never delivered twice the + same. On several occasions it was reported and published without consent, + and without revision. All these publications were grossly and glaringly + incorrect As published, they have been answered several hundred times, and + many of the clergy are still engaged in the great work. To keep these + reverend gentlemen from wasting their talents on the mistakes of reporters + and printers, I concluded to publish the principal points in all my + lectures on this subject. And here, it may be proper for me to say, that + arguments cannot be answered by personal abuse; that there is no logic in + slander, and that falsehood, in the long run, defeats itself. People who + love their enemies should, at least, tell the truth about their friends. + Should it turn out that I am the worst man in the whole world, the story + of the flood will remain just as improbable as before, and the + contradictions of the Pentateuch will still demand an explanation. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when a falsehood, fulminated from the pulpit, smote like + a sword; but, the supply having greatly exceeded the demand, clerical + misrepresentation has at last become almost an innocent amusement. + Remembering that only a few years ago men, women, and even children, were + imprisoned, tortured and burned, for having expressed in an exceedingly + mild and gentle way, the ideas entertained by me, I congratulate myself + that calumny is now the pulpit's last resort. The old instruments of + torture are kept only to gratify curiosity; the chains are rusting away, + and the demolition of time has allowed even the dungeons of the + Inquisition to be visited by light. The church, impotent and malicious, + regrets, not the abuse, but the loss of her power, and seeks to hold by + falsehood what she gained by cruelty and force, by fire and fear. + Christianity cannot live in peace with any other form of faith. If that + religion be true, there is but one savior, one inspired book, and but one + little narrow grass-grown path that leads to heaven. Such a religion is + necessarily uncompromising, unreasoning, aggressive and insolent. + Christianity has held all other creeds and forms in infinite contempt, + divided the world into enemies and friends, and verified the awful + declaration of its founder—a declaration that wet with blood the + sword he came to bring, and made the horizon of a thousand years lurid + with the fagots' flames. + </p> + <p> + Too great praise challenges attention, and often brings to light a + thousand faults that otherwise the general eye would never see. Were we + allowed to read the Bible as we do all other books, we would admire its + beauties, treasure its worthy thoughts, and account for all its absurd, + grotesque and cruel things, by saying that its authors lived in rude, + barbaric times. But we are told that it was written by inspired men; that + it contains the will of God; that it is perfect, pure, and true in all its + parts; the source and standard of all moral and religious truth; that it + is the star and anchor of all human hope; the only guide for man, the only + torch in Nature's night. These claims are so at variance with every known + recorded fact, so palpably absurd, that every free unbiased soul is forced + to raise the standard of revolt. + </p> + <p> + We read the pagan sacred books with profit and delight. With myth and + fable we are ever charmed, and find a pleasure in the endless repetition + of the beautiful, poetic, and absurd. We find, in all these records of the + past, philosophies and dreams, and efforts stained with tears, of great + and tender souls who tried to pierce the mystery of life and death, to + answer the eternal questions of the Whence and Whither, and vainly sought + to make, with bits of shattered glass, a mirror that would, in very truth, + reflect the face and form of Nature's perfect self. + </p> + <p> + These myths were born of hopes, and fears, and tears, and smiles, and they + were touched and colored by all there is of joy and grief between the rosy + dawn of birth, and deaths sad night. They clothed even the stars with + passion, and gave to gods the faults and frailties of the sons of men. In + them, the winds and waves were music, and all the lakes, and streams, and + springs,—the mountains, woods and perfumed dells were haunted by a + thousand fairy forms. They thrilled the veins of Spring with tremulous + desire; made tawny Summer's billowed breast the throne and home of love; + filled Autumn's arms with sun-kissed grapes, and gathered sheaves; and + pictured Winter as a weak old king who felt, like Lear upon his withered + face, Cordelia's tears. These myths, though false, are beautiful, and have + for many ages and in countless ways, enriched the heart and kindled + thought. But if the world were taught that all these things are true and + all inspired of God, and that eternal punishment will be the lot of him + who dares deny or doubt, the sweetest myth of all the Fable World would + lose its beauty, and become a scorned and hateful thing to every brave and + thoughtful man. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C., Oct. 7th, 1879. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SOME MISTAKES OF MOSES. + </h2> + <p> + HE WHO ENDEAVORS TO CONTROL THE MIND BY FORCE IS A TYRANT, AND HE WHO + SUBMITS IS A SLAVE. + </p> + <p> + I. + </p> + <p> + I want to do what little I can to make my country truly free, to broaden + the intellectual horizon of our people, to destroy the prejudices born of + ignorance and fear, to do away with the blind worship of the ignoble past, + with the idea that all the great and good are dead, that the living are + totally depraved, that all pleasures are sins, that sighs and groans are + alone pleasing to God, that thought is dangerous, that intellectual + courage is a crime, that cowardice is a virtue, that a certain belief is + necessary to secure salvation, that to carry a cross in this world will + give us a palm in the next, and that we must allow some priest to be the + pilot of our souls. + </p> + <p> + Until every soul is freely permitted to investigate every book, and creed, + and dogma for itself, the world cannot be free. Mankind will be enslaved + until there is mental grandeur enough to allow each man to have his + thought and say. This earth will be a paradise when men can, upon all + these questions differ, and yet grasp each other's hands as friends. It is + amazing to me that a difference of opinion upon subjects that we know + nothing with certainty about, should make us hate, persecute, and despise + each other. Why a difference of opinion upon predestination, or the + Trinity, should make people imprison and burn each other seems beyond the + comprehension of man; and yet in all countries where Christians have + existed, they have destroyed each other to the exact extent of their + power. Why should a believer in God hate an atheist? Surely the atheist + has not injured God, and surely he is human, capable of joy and pain, and + entitled to all the rights of man. Would it not be far better to treat + this atheist, at least, as well as he treats us? + </p> + <p> + Christians tell me that they love their enemies, and yet all I ask is—not + that they love their enemies, not that they love their friends even, but + that they treat those who differ from them, with simple fairness. + </p> + <p> + We do not wish to be forgiven, but we wish Christians to so act that we + will not have to forgive them. + </p> + <p> + If all will admit that all have an equal right to think, then the question + is forever solved; but as long as organized and powerful churches, + pretending to hold the keys of heaven and hell, denounce every person as + an outcast and criminal who thinks for himself and denies their authority, + the world will be filled with hatred and suffering. To hate man and + worship God seems to be the sum of all the creeds. + </p> + <p> + That which has happened in most countries has happened in ours. When a + religion is founded, the educated, the powerful—that is to say, the + priests and nobles, tell the ignorant and superstitious—that is to + say, the people, that the religion of their country was given to their + fathers by God himself; that it is the only true religion; that all others + were conceived in falsehood and brought forth in fraud, and that all who + believe in the true religion will be happy forever, while all others will + burn in hell. For the purpose of governing the people, that is to say, for + the purpose of being supported by the people, the priests and nobles + declare this religion to be sacred, and that whoever adds to, or takes + from it, will be burned here by man, and hereafter by God. The result of + this is, that the priests and nobles will not allow the people to change; + and when, after a time, the priests, having intellectually advanced, wish + to take a step in the direction of progress, the people will not allow + them to change. At first, the rabble are enslaved by the priests, and + afterwards the rabble become the masters. + </p> + <p> + One of the first things I wish to do, is to free the orthodox clergy. I am + a great friend of theirs, and in spite of all they may say against me, I + am going to do them a great and lasting service. Upon their necks are + visible the marks of the collar, and upon their backs those of the lash. + They are not allowed to read and think for themselves. They are taught + like parrots, and the best are those who repeat, with the fewest mistakes, + the sentences they have been taught. They sit like owls upon some dead + limb of the tree of knowledge, and hoot the same old hoots that have been + hooted for eighteen hundred years. Their congregations are not grand + enough, nor sufficiently civilized, to be willing that the poor preachers + shall think for themselves. They are not employed for that purpose. + Investigation regarded as a dangerous experiment, and the ministers are + warned that none of that kind of work will be tolerated. They are notified + to stand by the old creed, and to avoid all original thought, as a mortal + pestilence. Every minister is employed like an attorney—either for + plaintiff or defendant,—and he is expected to be true to his client. + If he changes his mind, he is regarded as a deserter, and denounced, + hated, and slandered accordingly. Every orthodox clergyman agrees not to + change. He contracts not to find new facts, and makes a bargain that he + will deny them if he does. Such is the position of a Protestant minister + in this nineteenth century. His condition excites my pity; and to better + it, I am going to do what little I can. + </p> + <p> + Some of the clergy have the independence to break away, and the intellect + to maintain themselves as free men, but the most are compelled to submit + to the dictation of the orthodox, and the dead. They are not employed to + give their thoughts, but simply to repeat the ideas of others. They are + not expected to give even the doubts that may suggest themselves, but are + required to walk in the narrow, verdureless path trodden by the ignorance + of the past. The forests and fields on either side are nothing to them. + They must not even look at the purple hills, nor pause to hear the babble + of the brooks. They must remain in the dusty road where the guide-boards + are. They must confine themselves to the "fall of man," the expulsion from + the garden, the "scheme of salvation," the "second birth," the atonement, + the happiness of the redeemed, and the misery of the lost. They must be + careful not to express any new ideas upon these great questions. It is + much safer for them to quote from the works of the dead. The more vividly + they describe the sufferings of the unregenerate, of those who attended + theatres and balls, and drank wine in summer gardens on the Sabbath-day, + and laughed at priests, the better ministers they are supposed to be. They + must show that misery fits the good for heaven, while happiness prepares + the bad for hell; that the wicked get all their good things in this life, + and the good all their evil; that in this world God punishes the people he + loves, and in the next, the ones he hates; that happiness makes us bad + here, but not in heaven; that pain makes us good here, but not in hell. No + matter how absurd these things may appear to the carnal mind, they must be + preached and they must be believed. If they were reasonable, there would + be no virtue in believing. Even the publicans and sinners believe + reasonable things. To believe without evidence, or in spite of it, is + accounted as righteousness to the sincere and humble Christian. + </p> + <p> + The ministers are in duty bound to denounce all intellectual pride, and + show that we are never quite so dear to God as when we admit that we are + poor, corrupt and idiotic worms; that we never should have been born; that + we ought to be damned without the least delay; that we are so infamous + that we like to enjoy ourselves; that we love our wives and children + better than our God; that we are generous only because we are vile; that + we are honest from the meanest motives, and that sometimes we have fallen + so low that we have had doubts about the inspiration of the Jewish + Scriptures. In short, they are expected to denounce all pleasant paths and + rustling trees, to curse the grass and flowers, and glorify the dust and + weeds. They are expected to malign the wicked people in the green and + happy fields, who sit and laugh beside the gurgling springs or climb the + hills and wander as they will. They are expected to point out the dangers + of freedom, the safety of implicit obedience, and to show the wickedness + of philosophy, the goodness of faith, the immorality of science and the + purity of ignorance. + </p> + <p> + Now and then a few pious people discover some young man of a religious + turn of mind and a consumptive habit of body, not quite sickly enough to + die, nor healthy enough to be wicked. The idea occurs to them that he + would make a good orthodox minister. They take up a contribution, and send + the young man to some theological school where he can be taught to repeat + a creed and despise reason. Should it turn out that the young man had some + mind of his own, and, after graduating, should change his opinions and + preach a different doctrine from that taught in the school, every man who + contributed a dollar towards his education would feel that he had been + robbed, and would denounce him as a dishonest and ungrateful wretch. + </p> + <p> + The pulpit should not be a pillory. Congregations should allow the + minister a little liberty. They should, at least, permit him to tell the + truth. + </p> + <p> + They have, in Massachusetts, at a place called Andover, a kind of minister + factory, where each professor takes an oath once in five years—that + time being considered the life of an oath—that he has not, during + the last five years, and will not, during the next five years, + intellectually advance. There is probably no oath that they could easier + keep. Probably, since the foundation stone of that institution was laid + there has not been a single case of perjury. The old creed is still + taught. They still insist that God is infinitely wise, powerful and good, + and that all men are totally depraved. They insist that the best man God + ever made, deserved to be damned the moment he was finished. Andover puts + its brand upon every minister it turns out, the same as Sheffield and + Birmingham brand their wares, and all who see the brand know exactly what + the minister believes, the books he has read, the arguments he relies on, + and just what he intellectually is. They know just what he can be depended + on to preach, and that he will continue to shrink and shrivel, and grow + solemnly stupid day by day until he reaches the Andover of the grave and + becomes truly orthodox forever. + </p> + <p> + I have not singled out the Andover factory because it is worse than the + others. They are all about the same. The professors, for the most part, + are ministers who failed in the pulpit and were retired to the seminary on + account of their deficiency in reason and their excess of faith. As a + rule, they know nothing of this world, and far less of the next; but they + have the power of stating the most absurd propositions with faces solemn + as stupidity touched by fear. + </p> + <p> + Something should be done for the liberation of these men. They should be + allowed to grow—to have sunlight and air. They should no longer be + chained and tied to confessions of faith, to mouldy books and musty + creeds. Thousands of ministers are anxious to give their honest thoughts. + The hands of wives and babes now stop their mouths. They must have bread, + and so the husbands and fathers are forced to preach a doctrine that they + hold in scorn. For the sake of shelter, food and clothes, they are obliged + to defend the childish miracles of the past, and denounce the sublime + discoveries of to-day. They are compelled to attack all modern thought, to + point out the dangers of science, the wickedness of investigation and the + corrupting influence of logic. It is for them to show that virtue rests + upon ignorance and faith, while vice impudently feeds and fattens upon + fact and demonstration. It is a part of their business to malign and + vilify the Voltaires, Humes, Paines, Humboldts, Tyndalls, Haeckels, + Darwins, Spencers, and Drapers, and to bow with uncovered heads before the + murderers, adulterers, and persecutors of the world. They are, for the + most part, engaged in poisoning the minds of the young, prejudicing + children against science, teaching the astronomy and geology of the Bible, + and inducing all to desert the sublime standard of reason. + </p> + <p> + These orthodox ministers do not add to the sum of knowledge. They produce + nothing. They live upon alms. They hate laughter and joy. They officiate + at weddings, sprinkle water upon babes, and utter meaningless words and + barren promises above the dead. They laugh at the agony of unbelievers, + mock at their tears, and of their sorrows make a jest. There are some + noble exceptions. Now and then a pulpit holds a brave and honest man. + Their congregations are willing that they should think—willing that + their ministers should have a little freedom. + </p> + <p> + As we become civilized, more and more liberty will be accorded to these + men, until finally ministers will give their best and highest thoughts. + The congregations will finally get tired of hearing about the patriarchs + and saints, the miracles and wonders, and will insist upon knowing + something about the men and women of our day, and the accomplishments and + discoveries of our time. They will finally insist upon knowing how to + escape the evils of this world instead of the next. They will ask light + upon the enigmas of this life. They will wish to know what we shall do + with our criminals instead of what God will do with his—how we shall + do away with beggary and want—with crime and misery—with + prostitution, disease and famine,—with tyranny in all its cruel + forms—with prisons and scaffolds, and how we shall reward the honest + workers, and fill the world with happy homes! These are the problems for + the pulpits and congregations of an enlightened future. If Science cannot + finally answer these questions, it is a vain and worthless thing. + </p> + <p> + The clergy, however, will continue to answer them in the old way, until + their congregations are good enough to set them free. They will still talk + about believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, as though that were the only + remedy for all human ills. They will still teach that retrogression is the + only path that leads to light; that we must go back, that faith is the + only sure guide, and that reason is a delusive glare, lighting only the + road to eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + Until the clergy are free they cannot be intellectually honest. We can + never tell what they really believe until they know that they can safely + speak. They console themselves now by a secret resolution to be as liberal + as they dare, with the hope that they can finally educate their + congregations to the point of allowing them to think a little for + themselves. They hardly know what they ought to do. The best part of their + lives has been wasted in studying subjects of no possible value. Most of + them are married, have families, and know but one way of making their + living. Some of them say that if they do not preach these foolish dogmas, + others will, and that they may through fear, after all, restrain mankind. + Besides, they hate publicly to admit that they are mistaken, that the + whole thing is a delusion, that the "scheme of salvation" is absurd, and + that the Bible is no better than some other books, and worse than most. + </p> + <p> + You can hardly expect a bishop to leave his palace, or the pope to vacate + the Vatican. As long as people want popes, plenty of hypocrites will be + found to take the place. And as long as labor fatigues, there will be + found a good many men willing to preach once a week, if other folks will + work and give them bread. In other words, while the demand lasts, the + supply will never fail. + </p> + <p> + If the people were a little more ignorant, astrology would flourish—if + a little more enlightened, religion would perish! + </p> + <p> + II. FREE SCHOOLS. + </p> + <p> + It is also my desire to free the schools. When a professor in a college + finds a fact, he should make it known, even if it is inconsistent with + something Moses said. Public opinion must not compel the professor to hide + a fact, and, "like the base Indian, throw the pearl away." With the single + exception of Cornell, there is not a college in the United States where + truth has ever been a welcome guest. The moment one of the teachers denies + the inspiration of the Bible, he is discharged. If he discovers a fact + inconsistent with that book, so much the worse for the fact, and + especially for the discoverer of the fact. He must not corrupt the minds + of his pupils with demonstrations. He must beware of every truth that + cannot, in some way be made to harmonize with the superstitions of the + Jews. Science has nothing in common with religion. Facts and miracles + never did, and never will agree. They are not in the least related. They + are deadly foes. What has religion to do with facts? Nothing. Can there be + Methodist mathematics, Catholic astronomy, Presbyterian geology, Baptist + biology, or Episcopal botany? Why, then, should a sectarian college exist? + Only that which somebody knows should be taught in our schools. We should + not collect taxes to pay people for guessing. The common school is the + bread of life for the people, and it should not be touched by the + withering hand of superstition. + </p> + <p> + Our country will never be filled with great institutions of learning until + there is an absolute divorce between Church and School. As long as the + mutilated records of a barbarous people are placed by priest and professor + above the reason of mankind, we shall reap but little benefit from church + or school. + </p> + <p> + Instead of dismissing professors for finding something out, let us rather + discharge those who do not. Let each teacher understand that investigation + is not dangerous for him; that his bread is safe, no matter how much truth + he may discover, and that his salary will not be reduced, simply because + he finds that the ancient Jews did not know the entire history of the + world. + </p> + <p> + Besides, it is not fair to make the Catholic support a Protestant school, + nor is it just to collect taxes from infidels and atheists to support + schools in which any system of religion is taught. + </p> + <p> + The sciences are not sectarian. People do not persecute each other on + account of disagreements in mathematics. Families are not divided about + botany, and astronomy does not even tend to make a man hate his father and + mother. It is what people do not know, that they persecute each other + about. Science will bring, not a sword, but peace. + </p> + <p> + Just as long as religion has control of the schools, science will be an + outcast. Let us free our institutions of learning. Let us dedicate them to + the science of eternal truth. Let us tell every teacher to ascertain all + the facts he can—to give us light, to follow Nature, no matter where + she leads; to be infinitely true to himself and us; to feel that he is + without a chain, except the obligation to be honest; that he is bound by + no books, by no creed, neither by the sayings of the dead nor of the + living; that he is asked to look with his own eyes, to reason for himself + without fear, to investigate in every possible direction, and to bring us + the fruit of all his work. + </p> + <p> + At present, a good many men engaged in scientific pursuits, and who have + signally failed in gaining recognition among their fellows, are + endeavoring to make reputations among the churches by delivering weak and + vapid lectures upon the "harmony of Genesis and Geology." Like all + hypocrites, these men overstate the case to such a degree, and so turn and + pervert facts and words that they succeed only in gaining the applause of + other hypocrites like themselves. Among the great scientists they are + regarded as generals regard sutlers who trade with both armies. + </p> + <p> + Surely the time must come when the wealth of the world will not be wasted + in the propagation of ignorant creeds and miraculous mistakes. The time + must come when churches and cathedrals will be dedicated to the use of + man; when minister and priest will deem the discoveries of the living of + more importance than the errors of the dead; when the truths of Nature + will outrank the "sacred" falsehoods of the past, and when a single fact + will outweigh all the miracles of Holy Writ. + </p> + <p> + Who can over estimate the progress of the world if all the money wasted in + superstition could be used to enlighten, elevate and civilize mankind? + </p> + <p> + When every church becomes a school, every cathedral a university, every + clergyman a teacher, and all their hearers brave and honest thinkers, + then, and not until then, will the dream of poet, patriot, philanthropist + and philosopher, become a real and blessed truth. + </p> + <p> + III. THE POLITICIANS. + </p> + <p> + I would like also to liberate the politician. At present, the successful + office-seeker is a good deal like the centre of the earth; he weighs + nothing himself, but draws everything else to him. There are so many + societies, so many churches, so many isms, that it is almost impossible + for an independent man to succeed in a political career. Candidates are + forced to pretend that they are Catholics with Protestant proclivities, or + Christians with liberal tendencies, or temperance men who now and then + take a glass of wine, or, that although not members of any church their + wives are, and that they subscribe liberally to all. The result of all + this is that we reward hypocrisy and elect men entirely destitute of real + principle; and this will never change until the people become grand enough + to allow each other to do their own thinking, our Government should be + entirely and purely secular. The religious views of a candidate should be + kept entirely out of sight. He should not be compelled to give his opinion + as to the inspiration of the Bible, the propriety of infant baptism, or + the immaculate conception. All these things are private and personal. He + should be allowed to settle such things for himself, and should he decide + contrary to the law and will of God, let him settle the matter with God. + The people ought to be wise enough to select as their officers men who + know something of political affairs, who comprehend the present greatness, + and clearly perceive the future grandeur of our country. If we were in a + storm at sea, with deck wave-washed and masts strained and bent with + storm, and it was necessary to reef the top sail, we certainly would not + ask the brave sailor who volunteered to go aloft, what his opinion was on + the five points of Calvinism. Our Government has nothing to do with + religion. It is neither Christian nor pagan; it is secular. But as long as + the people persist in voting for or against men on account of their + religious views, just so long will hypocrisy hold place and power. Just so + long will the candidates crawl in the dust—hide their opinions, + flatter those with whom they differ, pretend to agree with those whom they + despise; and just so long will honest men be trampled under foot. Churches + are becoming political organizations. Nearly every Catholic is a Democrat; + nearly every Methodist in the North is a Republican. + </p> + <p> + It probably will not be long until the churches will divide as sharply + upon political, as upon theological questions; and when that day comes, if + there are not liberals enough to hold the balance of power, this + Government will be destroyed. The liberty of man is not safe in the hands + of any church. Wherever the Bible and sword are in partnership, man is a + slave. + </p> + <p> + All laws for the purpose of making man worship God, are born of the same + spirit that kindled the fires of the <i>auto da fe</i>, and lovingly built + the dungeons of the Inquisition. All laws defining and punishing blasphemy—making + it a crime to give your honest ideas about the Bible, or to laugh at the + ignorance of the ancient Jews, or to enjoy yourself on the Sabbath, or to + give your opinion of Jehovah, were passed by impudent bigots, and should + be at once repealed by honest men. An infinite God ought to be able to + protect himself, without going in partnership with State Legislatures. + Certainly he ought not so to act that laws become necessary to keep him + from being laughed at. No one thinks of protecting Shakespeare from + ridicule, by the threat of fine and imprisonment. It strikes me that God + might write a book that would not necessarily excite the laughter of his + children. In fact, I think it would be safe to say that a real God could + produce a work that would excite the admiration of mankind. Surely + politicians could be better employed than in passing laws to protect the + literary reputation of the Jewish God. + </p> + <p> + IV. MAN AND WOMAN + </p> + <p> + Let us forget that we are Baptists, Methodists, + </p> + <p> + Catholics, Presbyterians, or Freethinkers, and remember only that we are + men and women. After all, man and woman are the highest possible titles. + All other names belittle us, and show that we have, to a certain extent, + given up our individuality, and have consented to wear the collar of + authority—that we are followers. Throwing away these names, let us + examine these questions not as partisans, but as human beings with hopes + and fears in common. + </p> + <p> + We know that our opinions depend, to a great degree, upon our surroundings—upon + race, country, and education. We are all the result of numberless + conditions, and inherit vices and virtues, truths and prejudices. If we + had been born in England, surrounded by wealth and clothed with power, + most of us would have been Episcopalians, and believed in church and + state. We should have insisted that the people needed a religion, and that + not having intellect enough to provide one for themselves, it was our duty + to make one for them, and then compel them to support it. We should have + believed it indecent to officiate in a pulpit without wearing a gown, and + that prayers should be read from a book. Had we belonged to the lower + classes, we might have been dissenters and protested against the mummeries + of the High Church. Had we been born in Turkey, most of us would have been + Mohammedans and believed in the inspiration of the Koran. We should have + believed that Mohammed actually visited heaven and became acquainted with + an angel by the name of Gabriel, who was so broad between the eyes that it + required three hundred days for a very smart camel to travel the distance. + If some man had denied this story we should probably have denounced him as + a dangerous person, one who was endeavoring to undermine the foundations + of society, and to destroy all distinction between virtue and vice. We + should have said to him, "What do you propose to give us in place of that + angel? We cannot afford to give up an angel of that size for nothing." We + would have insisted that the best and wisest men believed the Koran. We + would have quoted from the works and letters of philosophers, generals and + sultans, to show that the Koran was the best of books, and that Turkey was + indebted to that book and to that alone for its greatness and prosperity. + We would have asked that man whether he knew more than all the great minds + of his country, whether he was so much wiser than his fathers? We would + have pointed out to him the fact that thousands had been consoled in the + hour of death by passages from the Koran; that they had died with glazed + eyes brightened by visions of the heavenly harem, and gladly left this + world of grief and tears. We would have regarded Christians as the vilest + of men, and on all occasions would have repeated "There is but one God, + and Mohammed is his prophet!" + </p> + <p> + So, if we had been born in India, we should in all probability have + believed in the religion of that country. We should have regarded the old + records as true and sacred, and looked upon a wandering priest as better + than the men from whom he begged, and by whose labor he lived. We should + have believed in a god with three heads instead of three gods with one + head, as we do now. + </p> + <p> + Now and then some one says that the religion of his father and mother is + good enough for him, and wonders why anybody should desire a better. + Surely we are not bound to follow our parents in religion any more than in + politics, science or art. China has been petrified by the worship of + ancestors. If our parents had been satisfied with the religion of theirs, + we would be still less advanced than we are. If we are, in any way, bound + by the belief of our fathers, the doctrine will hold good back to the + first people who had a religion; and if this doctrine is true, we ought + now to be believers in that first religion. In other words, we would all + be barbarians. You cannot show real respect to your parents by + perpetuating their errors. Good fathers and mothers wish their children to + advance, to overcome obstacles which baffled them, and to correct the + errors of their education. If you wish to reflect credit upon your + parents, accomplish more than they did, solve problems that they could not + understand, and build better than they knew. To sacrifice your manhood + upon the grave of your father is an honor to neither. Why should a son who + has examined a subject, throw away his reason and adopt the views of his + mother? Is not such a course dishonorable to both? + </p> + <p> + We must remember that this "ancestor" argument is as old at least as the + second generation of men, that it has served no purpose except to enslave + mankind, and results mostly from the fact that acquiescence is easier than + investigation. This argument pushed to its logical conclusion, would + prevent the advance of all people whose parents were not Freethinkers. + </p> + <p> + It is hard for many people to give up the religion in which they were + born; to admit that their fathers were utterly mistaken, and that the + sacred records of their country are but collections of myths and fables. + </p> + <p> + But when we look for a moment at the world, we find that each nation has + its "sacred records"—its religion, and its ideas of worship. + Certainly all cannot be right; and as it would require a life time to + investigate the claims of these various systems, it is hardly fair to damn + a man forever, simply because he happens to believe the wrong one. All + these religions were produced by barbarians. Civilized nations have + contented themselves with changing the religions of their barbaric + ancestors, but they have made none. Nearly all these religions are + intensely selfish. Each one was made by some contemptible little nation + that regarded itself as of almost infinite importance, and looked upon the + other nations as beneath the notice of their god. In all these countries + it was a crime to deny the sacred records, to laugh at the priests, to + speak disrespectfully of the gods, to fail to divide your substance with + the lazy hypocrites who managed your affairs in the next world upon + condition that you would support them in this. In the olden time these + theological people who quartered themselves upon the honest and + industrious, were called soothsayers, seers, charmers, prophets, + enchanters, sorcerers, wizards, astrologers, and impostors, but now, they + are known as clergymen. + </p> + <p> + We are no exception to the general rule, and consequently have our sacred + books as well as the rest. Of course, it is claimed by many of our people + that our books are the only true ones, the only ones that the real God + ever wrote, or had anything whatever to do with. They insist that all + other sacred books were written by hypocrites and impostors; that the Jews + were the only people that God ever had any personal intercourse with, and + that all other prophets and seers were inspired only by impudence and + mendacity. True, it seems somewhat strange that God should have chosen a + barbarous and unknown people who had little or nothing to do with the + other nations of the earth, as his messengers to the rest of mankind. + </p> + <p> + It is not easy to account for an infinite God making people so low in the + scale of intellect as to require a revelation. Neither is it easy to + perceive why, if a revelation was necessary for all, it was made only to a + few. Of course, I know that it is extremely wicked to suggest these + thoughts, and that ignorance is the only armor that can effectually + protect you from the wrath of God. I am aware that investigators with all + their genius, never find the road to heaven; that those who look where + they are going are sure to miss it, and that only those who voluntarily + put out their eyes and implicitly depend upon blindness can surely keep + the narrow path. + </p> + <p> + Whoever reads our sacred book is compelled to believe it or suffer forever + the torments of the lost. We are told that we have the privilege of + examining it for ourselves; but this privilege is only extended to us on + the condition that we believe it whether it appears reasonable or not. We + may disagree with others as much as we please upon the meaning of all + passages in the Bible, but we must not deny the truth of a single word. We + must believe that the book is inspired. If we obey its every precept + without believing in its inspiration we will be damned just as certainly + as though we disobeyed its every word. We have no right to weigh it in the + scales of reason—to test it by the laws of nature, or the facts of + observation and experience. To do this, we are told, is to put ourselves + above the word of God, and sit in judgment on the works of our creator. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I cannot admit that belief is a voluntary thing. It seems to + me that evidence, even in spite of ourselves, will have its weight, and + that whatever our wish may be, we are compelled to stand with fairness by + the scales, and give the exact result. It will not do to say that we + reject the Bible because we are wicked. Our wickedness must be ascertained + not from our belief but from our acts. + </p> + <p> + I am told by the clergy that I ought not to attack the Bible; that I am + leading thousands to perdition and rendering certain the damnation of my + own soul. They have had the kindness to advise me that, if my object is to + make converts, I am pursuing the wrong course. They tell me to use gentler + expressions, and more cunning words. Do they really wish me to make more + converts? If their advice is honest, they are traitors to their trust. If + their advice is not honest, then they are unfair with me. Certainly they + should wish me to pursue the course that will make the fewest converts, + and yet they pretend to tell me how my influence could be increased. It + may be, that upon this principle John Bright advises America to adopt free + trade, so that our country can become a successful rival of Great Britain. + Sometimes I think that even ministers are not entirely candid. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the advice of the clergy, I have concluded to pursue my + own course, to tell my honest thoughts, and to have my freedom in this + world whatever my fate may be in the next. + </p> + <p> + The real oppressor, enslaver and corrupter of the people is the Bible. + That book is the chain that binds, the dungeon that holds the clergy. That + book spreads the pall of superstition over the colleges and schools. That + book puts out the eyes of science, and makes honest investigation a crime. + That book unmans the politician and degrades the people. That book fills + the world with bigotry, hypocrisy and fear. It plays the same part in our + country that has been played by "sacred records" in all the nations of the + world. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago I saw one of the Bibles of the Middle Ages. It was + about two feet in length, and one and a half in width. It had immense + oaken covers, with hasps, and clasps, and hinges large enough almost for + the doors of a penitentiary. It was covered with pictures of winged angels + and aureoled saints. In my imagination I saw this book carried to the + cathedral altar in solemn pomp—heard the chant of robed and kneeling + priests, felt the strange tremor of the organ's peal; saw the colored + light streaming through windows stained and touched by blood and flame—the + swinging censer with its perfumed incense rising to the mighty roof, dim + with height and rich with legend carved in stone, while on the walls was + hung, written in light, and shade, and all the colors that can tell of joy + and tears, the pictured history of the martyred Christ. The people fell + upon their knees. The book was opened, and the priest read the messages + from God to man. To the multitude, the book itself was evidence enough + that it was not the work of human hands. How could those little marks and + lines and dots contain, like tombs, the thoughts of men, and how could + they, touched by a ray of light from human eyes, give up their dead? How + could these characters span the vast chasm dividing the present from the + past, and make it possible for the living still to hear the voices of the + dead? + </p> + <p> + V. THE PENTATEUCH + </p> + <p> + The first five books in our Bible are known as the Pentateuch. For a long + time it was supposed that Moses was the author, and among the ignorant the + supposition still prevails. As a matter of fact, it seems to be well + settled that Moses had nothing to do with these books, and that they were + not written until he had been dust and ashes for hundreds of years. But, + as all the churches still insist that he was the author, that he wrote + even an account of his own death and burial, let us speak of him as though + these books were in fact written by him. As the Christians maintain that + God was the real author, it makes but little difference whom he employed + as his pen. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all authors of sacred books have given an account of the creation + of the universe, the origin of matter, and the destiny of the human race, + all have pointed out the obligation that man is under to his creator for + having placed him upon the earth, and allowed him to live and suffer, and + have taught that nothing short of the most abject worship could possibly + compensate God for his trouble and labor suffered and done for the good of + man. They have nearly all insisted that we should thank God for all that + is good in life; but they have not all informed us as to whom we should + hold responsible for the evils we endure. + </p> + <p> + Moses differed from most of the makers of sacred books by his failure to + say anything of a future life, by failing to promise heaven, and to + threaten hell. Upon the subject of a future state, there is not one word + in the Pentateuch. Probably at that early day God did not deem it + important to make a revelation as to the eternal destiny of man. He seems + to have thought that he could control the Jews, at least, by rewards and + punishments in this world, and so he kept the frightful realities of + eternal joy and torment a profound secret from the people of his choice. + He thought it far more important to tell the Jews their origin than to + enlighten them as to their destiny. + </p> + <p> + We must remember that every tribe and nation has some way in which, the + more striking phenomena of nature are accounted for. These accounts are + handed down by tradition, changed by numberless narrators as intelligence + increases, or to account for newly discovered facts, or for the purpose of + satisfying the appetite for the marvelous. + </p> + <p> + The way in which a tribe or nation accounts for day and night, the change + of seasons, the fall of snow and rain, the flight of birds, the origin of + the rainbow, the peculiarities of animals, the dreams of sleep, the + visions of the insane, the existence of earthquakes, volcanoes, storms, + lightning and the thousand things that attract the attention and excite + the wonder, fear or admiration of mankind, may be called the philosophy of + that tribe or nation. And as all phenomena are, by savage and barbaric man + accounted for as the action of intelligent beings for the accomplishment + of certain objects, and as these beings were supposed to have the power to + assist or injure man, certain things were supposed necessary for man to do + in order to gain the assistance, and avoid the anger of these gods. Out of + this belief grew certain ceremonies, and these ceremonies united with the + belief, formed religion; and consequently every religion has for its + foundation a misconception of the cause of phenomena. + </p> + <p> + All worship is necessarily based upon the belief that some being exists + who can, if he will, change the natural order of events. The savage prays + to a stone that he calls a god, while the Christian prays to a god that he + calls a spirit, and the prayers of both are equally useful. The savage and + the Christian put behind the Universe an intelligent cause, and this cause + whether represented by one god or many, has been, in all ages, the object + of all worship. To carry a fetich, to utter a prayer, to count beads, to + abstain from food, to sacrifice a lamb, a child or an enemy, are simply + different ways by which the accomplishment of the same object is sought, + and are all the offspring of the same error. + </p> + <p> + Many systems of religion must have existed many ages before the art of + writing was discovered, and must have passed through many changes before + the stories, miracles, histories, prophecies and mistakes became fixed and + petrified in written words. After that, change was possible only by giving + new meanings to old words, a process rendered necessary by the continual + acquisition of facts somewhat inconsistent with a literal interpretation + of the "sacred records." In this way an honest faith often prolongs its + life by dishonest methods; and in this way the Christians of to-day are + trying to harmonize the Mosaic account of creation with the theories and + discoveries of modern science. + </p> + <p> + Admitting that Moses was the author of the Pentateuch, or that he gave to + the Jews a religion, the question arises as to where he obtained his + information. We are told by the theologians that he received his knowledge + from God, and that every word he wrote was and is the exact truth. It is + admitted at the same time that he was an adopted son of Pharaoh's + daughter, and enjoyed the rank and privilege of a prince. Under such + circumstances, he must have been well acquainted with the literature, + philosophy and religion of the Egyptians, and must have known what they + believed and taught as to the creation of the world. + </p> + <p> + Now, if the account of the origin of this earth as given by Moses is + substantially like that given by the Egyptians, then we must conclude that + he learned it from them. Should we imagine that he was divinely inspired + because he gave to the Jews what the Egyptians had given him? + </p> + <p> + The Egyptian priests taught <i>first</i>, that a god created the original + matter, leaving it in a state of chaos; <i>second</i>, that a god moulded + it into form; <i>third</i>, that the breath of a god moved upon the face + of the deep; <i>fourth</i>, that a god created simply by saying "Let it + be;" <i>fifth</i>, that a god created light before the sun existed. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be clearer than that Moses received from the Egyptians the + principal parts of his narrative, making such changes and additions as + were necessary to satisfy the peculiar superstitions of his own people. + </p> + <p> + If some man at the present day should assert that he had received from God + the theories of evolution, the survival of the fittest, and the law of + heredity, and we should afterwards find that he was not only an + Englishman, but had lived in the family of Charles Darwin, we certainly + would account for his having these theories in a natural way, So, if + Darwin himself should pretend that he was inspired, and had obtained his + peculiar theories from God, we should probably reply that his grandfather + suggested the same ideas, and that Lamarck published substantially the + same theories the same year that Mr. Darwin was born. + </p> + <p> + Now, if we have sufficient courage, we will, by the same course of + reasoning, account for the story of creation found in the Bible. We will + say that it contains the belief of Moses, and that he received his + information from the Egyptians, and not from God. If we take the account + as the absolute truth and use it for the purpose of determining the value + of modern thought, scientific advancement becomes impossible. And even if + the account of the creation as given by Moses should turn out to be true, + and should be so admitted by all the scientific world, the claim that he + was inspired would still be without the least particle of proof. We would + be forced to admit that he knew more than we had supposed. It certainly is + no proof that a man is inspired simply because he is right. + </p> + <p> + No one pretends that Shakespeare was inspired, and yet all the writers of + the books of the Old Testament put together, could not have produced + Hamlet. + </p> + <p> + Why should we, looking upon some rough and awkward thing, or god in stone, + say that it must have been produced by some inspired sculptor, and with + the same breath pronounce the <i>Venus de Milo</i> to be the work of man? + Why should we, looking at some ancient daub of angel, saint or virgin, say + its painter must have been assisted by a god? + </p> + <p> + Let us account for all we see by the facts we know. If there are things + for which we cannot account, let us wait for light. To account for + anything by supernatural agencies is, in fact to say that we do not know. + Theology is not what we know about God, but what we do not know about + Nature. In order to increase our respect for the Bible, it became + necessary for the priests to exalt and extol that book, and at the same + time to decry and belittle the reasoning powers of man. The whole power of + the pulpit has been used for hundreds of years to destroy the confidence + of man in himself—to induce him to distrust his own powers of + thought, to believe that he was wholly unable to decide any question for + himself, and that all human virtue consists in faith and obedience. The + church has said, "Believe, and obey! If you reason, you will become an + unbeliever, and unbelievers will be lost. If you disobey, you will do so + through vain pride and curiosity, and will, like Adam and Eve, be thrust + from Paradise forever!" + </p> + <p> + For my part, I care nothing for what the church says, except in so far as + it accords with my reason; and the Bible is nothing to me, only in so far + as it agrees with what I think or know. + </p> + <p> + All books should be examined in the same spirit, and truth should be + welcomed and falsehood exposed, no matter in what volume they may be + found. + </p> + <p> + Let us in this spirit examine the Pentateuch; and if anything appears + unreasonable, contradictory or absurd, let us have the honesty and courage + to admit it. Certainly no good can result either from deceiving ourselves + or others. Many millions have implicitly believed this book, and have just + as implicitly believed that polygamy was sanctioned by God. Millions have + regarded this book as the foundation of all human progress, and at the + same time looked upon slavery as a divine institution. Millions have + declared this book to have been infinitely holy, and to prove that they + were right, have imprisoned, robbed and burned their fellow-men. The + inspiration of this book has been established by famine, sword and fire, + by dungeon, chain and whip, by dagger and by rack, by force and fear and + fraud, and generations have been frightened by threats of hell, and bribed + with promises of heaven. + </p> + <p> + Let us examine a portion of this book, not in the darkness of our fear, + but in the light of reason. + </p> + <p> + And first, let us examine the account given of the creation of this world, + commenced, according to the Bible, on Monday morning about five thousand + eight hundred and eighty-three years ago. + </p> + <p> + VI. MONDAY. + </p> + <p> + Moses commences his story by telling us that in the beginning God created + the heaven and the earth. + </p> + <p> + If this means anything, it means that God produced, caused to exist, + called into being, the heaven and the earth. It will not do to say that he + formed the heaven and the earth of previously existing matter. Moses + conveys, and intended to convey the idea that the matter of which the + heaven and the earth are composed, was created. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for me to conceive of something being created from + nothing. Nothing, regarded in the light of a raw material, is a decided + failure. I cannot conceive of matter apart from force. Neither is it + possible to think of force disconnected with matter. You cannot imagine + matter going back to absolute nothing. Neither can you imagine nothing + being changed into something. You may be eternally damned if you do not + say that you can conceive these things, but you cannot conceive them. + </p> + <p> + Such is the constitution of the human mind that it cannot even think of a + commencement or an end of matter, or force. + </p> + <p> + If God created the universe, there was a time when he commenced to create. + Back of that commencement there must have been an eternity. In that + eternity what was this God doing? He certainly did not think. There was + nothing to think about. He did not remember. Nothing had ever happened. + What did he do? Can you imagine anything more absurd than an infinite + intelligence in infinite nothing wasting an eternity? + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to tell how all these things really are; but I do insist + that a statement that cannot possibly be comprehended by any human being, + and that appears utterly impossible, repugnant to every fact of + experience, and contrary to everything that we really know, must be + rejected by every honest man. + </p> + <p> + We can conceive of eternity, because we cannot conceive of a cessation of + time. We can conceive of infinite space because we cannot conceive of so + much matter that our imagination will not stand upon the farthest star, + and see infinite space beyond. In other words, we cannot conceive of a + cessation of time; therefore eternity is a necessity of the mind. Eternity + sustains the same relation to time that space does to matter. + </p> + <p> + In the time of Moses, it was perfectly safe for him to write an account of + the creation of the world. He had simply to put in form the crude notions + of the people. At that time, no other Jew could have written a better + account. Upon that subject he felt at liberty to give his imagination full + play. There was no one who could authoritatively contradict anything he + might say. It was substantially the same story that had been imprinted in + curious characters upon the clay records of Babylon, the gigantic + monuments of Egypt, and the gloomy temples of India. In those days there + was an almost infinite difference between the educated and ignorant. The + people were controlled almost entirely by signs and wonders. By the lever + of fear, priests moved the world. The sacred records were made and kept, + and altered by them. The people could not read, and looked upon one who + could, as almost a god. In our day it is hard to conceive of the influence + of an educated class in a barbarous age. It was only necessary to produce + the "sacred record," and ignorance fell upon its face. The people were + taught that the record was inspired, and therefore true. They were not + taught that it was true, and therefore inspired. + </p> + <p> + After all, the real question is not whether the Bible is inspired, but + whether it is true. If it is true, it does not need to be inspired. If it + is true, it makes no difference whether it was written by a man or a god. + The multiplication table is just as useful, just as true as though God had + arranged the figures himself. If the Bible is really true, the claim of + inspiration need not be urged; and if it is not true, its inspiration can + hardly be established. As a matter of fact, the truth does not need to be + inspired. Nothing needs inspiration except a falsehood or a mistake. Where + truth ends, where probability stops, inspiration begins. A fact never went + into partnership with a miracle. Truth does not need the assistance of + miracle. A fact will fit every other fact in the Universe, because it is + the product of all other facts. A lie will fit nothing except another lie + made for the express purpose of fitting it. After a while the man gets + tired of lying, and then the last lie will not fit the next fact, and then + there is an opportunity to use a miracle. Just at that point, it is + necessary to have a little inspiration. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that reason is the highest attribute of man, and that if + there can be any communication from God to man, it must be addressed to + his reason. It does not seem possible that in order to understand a + message from God it is absolutely essential to throw our reason away. How + could God make known his will to any being destitute of reason? How can + any man accept as a revelation from God that which is unreasonable to him? + God cannot make a revelation to another man for me. He must make it to me, + and until he convinces my reason that it is true, I cannot receive it. + </p> + <p> + The statement that in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, + I cannot accept. It is contrary to my reason, and I cannot believe it. It + appears reasonable to me that force has existed from eternity. Force + cannot, as it appears to me, exist apart from matter. Force, in its + nature, is forever active, and without matter it could not act; and so I + think matter must have existed forever. To conceive of matter without + force, or of force without matter, or of a time when neither existed, or + of a being who existed for an eternity without either, and who out of + nothing created both, is to me utterly impossible. I may be damned on this + account, but I cannot help it. In my judgment, Moses was mistaken. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to say that Moses merely intended to tell what God did, in + making the heavens and the earth out of matter then in existence. He + distinctly states that in the <i>beginning</i> God created them. If this + account is true, we must believe that God, existing in infinite space + surrounded by eternal nothing, naught and void, created, produced, called + into being, willed into existence this universe of countless stars. + </p> + <p> + The next thing we are told by this inspired gentleman is, that God created + light, and proceeded to divide it from the darkness. + </p> + <p> + Certainly, the person who wrote this believed that darkness was a thing, + an entity, a material that could get mixed and tangled up with light, and + that these entities, light and darkness, had to be separated. In his + imagination he probably saw God throwing pieces and chunks of darkness on + one side, and rays and beams of light on the other. It is hard for a man + who has been born but once to understand these things. For my part, I + cannot understand how light can be separated from darkness. I had always + supposed that darkness was simply the absence of light, and that under no + circumstances could it be necessary to take the darkness away from the + light. It is certain, however, that Moses believed darkness to be a form + of matter, because I find that in another place he speaks of a darkness + that could be felt. They used to have on exhibition at Rome a bottle of + the darkness that overspread Egypt. + </p> + <p> + You cannot divide light from darkness any more than you can divide heat + from cold. Cold is an absence of heat, and darkness is an absence of + light. I suppose that we have no conception of absolute cold. We know only + degrees of heat. Twenty degrees below zero is just twenty degrees warmer + than forty degrees below zero. Neither cold nor darkness are entities, and + these words express simply either the absolute or partial absence of heat + or light. I cannot conceive how light can be divided from darkness, but I + can conceive how a barbarian several thousand years ago, writing upon a + subject about which he knew nothing, could make a mistake. The creator of + light could not have written in this way. If such a being exists, he must + have known the nature of that "mode of motion" that paints the earth on + every eye, and clothes in garments seven-hued this universe of worlds. + </p> + <p> + VII. TUESDAY. + </p> + <p> + We are next informed by Moses that "God of the waters, and let it divide + the waters from the waters;" and that "God made the firmament, and divided + the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above + the firmament." What did the writer mean by the word firmament? + Theologians now tell us that he meant an "expanse." This will not do. How + could an expanse divide the waters from the waters, so that the waters + above the expanse would not fall into and mingle with the waters below the + expanse? The truth is that Moses regarded the firmament as a solid affair. + It was where God lived, and where water was kept. It was for this reason + that they used to pray for rain. They supposed that some angel could with + a lever raise a gate and let out the quantity of moisture desired. It was + with the water from this firmament that the world was drowned when the + windows of heaven were opened. It was in this said Let there be a + firmament in the midst firmament that the sons of God lived—the sons + who "saw the daughters of men that they were fair and took them wives of + all which they chose." The issue of such marriages were giants, and "the + same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown." + </p> + <p> + Nothing is clearer than that Moses regarded the firmament as a vast + material division that separated the waters of the world, and upon whose + floor God lived, surrounded by his sons. In no other way could he account + for rain. Where did the water come from? He knew nothing about the laws of + evaporation. He did not know that the sun wooed with amorous kisses the + waves of the sea, and that they, clad in glorified mist rising to meet + their lover, were, by disappointment, changed to tears and fell as rain. + </p> + <p> + The idea that the firmament was the abode of the Deity must have been in + the mind of Moses when he related the dream of Jacob. "And he dreamed, and + behold, a ladder set upon the earth and the top of it reached to heaven; + and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it; and behold + the Lord stood above it and said, I am the Lord God." + </p> + <p> + So, when the people were building the tower of Babel "the Lord came down + to see the city, and the tower which the children of men builded. And the + Lord said, Behold the people is one, and they have all one language: and + this they begin to do; and nothing will be restrained from them which they + imagined to do. Go to, let us go down and confound their language that + they may not understand one another's speech." + </p> + <p> + The man who wrote that absurd account must have believed that God lived + above the earth, in the firmament. The same idea was in the mind of the + Psalmist when he said that God "bowed the heavens and came down." + </p> + <p> + Of course, God could easily remove any person bodily to heaven, as it was + but a little way above the earth. "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, + for God took him." The accounts in the Bible of the ascension of Elijah, + Christ and St. Paul were born of the belief that the firmament was the + dwelling-place of God. It probably never occurred to these writers that if + the firmament was seven or eight miles away, Enoch and the rest would have + been frozen perfectly stiff long before the journey could have been + completed. Possibly Elijah might have made the voyage, as he was carried + to heaven in a chariot of fire "by a whirlwind." + </p> + <p> + The truth is, that Moses was mistaken, and upon that mistake the + Christians located their heaven and their hell. The telescope destroyed + the firmament, did away with the heaven of the New Testament, rendered the + ascension of our Lord and the assumption of his Mother infinitely absurd, + crumbled to chaos the gates and palaces of the New Jerusalem, and in their + places gave to man a wilderness of worlds. + </p> + <p> + VIII. WEDNESDAY. + </p> + <p> + We are next informed by the historian of creation, that after God had + finished making the firmament and had succeeded in dividing the waters by + means of an "expanse," he proceeded "to gather the waters on the earth + together in seas, so that the dry land might appear." + </p> + <p> + Certainly the writer of this did not have any conception of the real form + of the earth. He could not have known anything of the attraction of + gravitation. He must have regarded the earth as flat and supposed that it + required considerable force and power to induce the water to leave the + mountains and collect in the valleys. Just as soon as the water was forced + to run down hill, the dry land appeared, and the grass began to grow, and + the mantles of green were thrown over the shoulders of the hills, and the + trees laughed into bud and blossom, and the branches were laden with + fruit. And all this happened before a ray had left the quiver of the sun, + before a glittering beam had thrilled the bosom of a flower, and before + the Dawn with trembling hands had drawn aside the curtains of the East and + welcomed to her arms the eager god of Day. + </p> + <p> + It does not seem to me that grass and trees could grow and ripen into seed + and fruit without the sun. According to the account, this all happened on + the third day. Now, if, as the Christians say, Moses did not mean by the + word day a period of twenty-four hours, but an immense and almost + measureless space of time, and as God did not, according to this view make + any animals until the fifth day, that is, not for millions of years after + he made the grass and trees, for what purpose did he cause the trees to + bear fruit? + </p> + <p> + Moses says that God said on the third day, "Let the earth bring forth + grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his + kind, whose seed is in itself upon the earth; and it was so. And the earth + brought forth grass and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree + yielding fruit whose seed was in itself after his kind; and God saw that + it was good, and the evening and the morning were the third day." + </p> + <p> + There was nothing to eat this fruit; not an insect with painted wings + sought the honey of the flowers; not a single living, breathing thing upon + the earth. Plenty of grass, a great variety of herbs, an abundance of + fruit, but not a mouth in all the world. If Moses is right, this state of + things lasted only two days; but if the modern theologians are correct, it + continued for millions of ages. + </p> + <p> + "It is now well known that the organic history of the earth can be + properly divided into five epochs—the Primordial, Primary, + Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary. Each of these epochs is characterized + by animal and vegetable life peculiar to itself. In the First will be + found Algæ and Skulless Vertebrates, in the Second, Ferns and + Fishes, in the Third, Pine Forests and Reptiles, in the Fourth, Foliaceous + Forests and Mammals, and in the Fifth, Man." + </p> + <p> + How much more reasonable this is than the idea that the earth was covered + with grass, and herbs, and trees loaded with fruit for millions of years + before an animal existed. + </p> + <p> + There is, in Nature, an even balance forever kept between the total + amounts of animal and vegetable life. "In her wonderful economy she must + form and bountifully nourish her vegetable progeny—twin-brother life + to her, with that of animals. The perfect balance between plant existences + and animal existences must always be maintained, while matter courses + through the eternal circle, becoming each in turn. If an animal be + resolved into its ultimate constituents in a period according to the + surrounding circumstances, say, of four hours, of four months, of four + years, or even of four thousand years,—for it is impossible to deny + that there may be instances of all these periods during which the process + has continued—those elements which assume the gaseous form mingle at + once with the atmosphere and are taken up from it without delay by the + ever-open mouths of vegetable life. By a thousand pores in every leaf the + carbonic acid which renders the atmosphere unfit for animal life is + absorbed, the carbon being separated, and assimilated to form the + vegetable fibre, which, as wood, makes and furnishes our houses and ships, + is burned for our warmth, or is stored up under pressure for coal. All + this carbon has played its part, and many parts in its time, as animal + existences from monad up to man. Our mahogany of to-day has been many + negroes in its turn, and before the African existed, was integral portions + of many a generation of extinct species." + </p> + <p> + It seems reasonable to suppose that certain kinds of vegetation-and + certain kinds of animals should exist together, and that as the character + of the vegetation changed, a corresponding change would take place in the + animal world. It may be that I am led to these conclusions by "total + depravity," or that I lack the necessary humility of spirit to + satisfactorily harmonize Haeckel and Moses; or that I am carried away by + pride, blinded by reason, given over to hardness of heart that I might be + damned, but I never can believe that the earth was covered with leaves, + and buds, and flowers, and fruits before the sun with glittering spear had + driven back the hosts of Night. + </p> + <p> + IX. THURSDAY. + </p> + <p> + After the world was covered with vegetation, it occurred to Moses that it + was about time to make a sun and moon; and so we are told that on the + fourth day God said, "Let there be light in the firmament of the heaven to + divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons, + and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the + heaven to give light upon the earth; and it was so. And God made two great + lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule + the night; he made the stars also." + </p> + <p> + Can we believe that the inspired writer had any idea of the size of the + sun? Draw a circle five inches in diameter, and by its side thrust a pin + through the paper. The hole made by the pin will sustain about the same + relation to the circle that the earth does to the sun. Did he know that + the sun was eight hundred and sixty thousand miles in diameter; that it + was enveloped in an ocean of fire thousands of miles in depth, hotter even + than the Christian's hell, over which sweep tempests of flame moving at + the rate of one hundred miles a second, compared with which the wildest + storm that ever wrecked the forests of this world was but a calm? Did he + know that the sun every moment of time throws out as much heat as could be + generated by the combustion of millions upon millions of tons of coal? Did + he know that the volume of the earth is less than one-millionth of that of + the sun? Did he know of the one hundred and four planets belonging to our + solar system, all children of the sun? Did he know of Jupiter eighty-five + thousand miles in diameter, hundreds of times as large as our earth, + turning on his axis at the rate of twenty-five thousand miles an hour + accompanied by four moons, making the tour of his orbit in fifty years, a + distance of three thousand million miles? Did he know anything about + Saturn, his rings and his eight moons? Did he have the faintest idea that + all these planets were once a part of the sun; that the vast luminary was + once thousands of millions of miles in diameter; that Neptune, Uranus, + Saturn, Jupiter and Mars were all born before our earth, and that by no + possibility could this world have existed three days, nor three periods, + nor three "good whiles" before its source, the sun? + </p> + <p> + Moses supposed the sun to be about three or four feet in diameter and the + moon about half that size. Compared with the earth they were but simple + specks. This idea seems to have been shared by all the "inspired" men. We + find in the book of Joshua that the sun stood still, and the moon stayed + until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. "So the sun + stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a + whole day." + </p> + <p> + We are told that the sacred writer wrote in common speech as we do when we + talk about the rising and setting of the sun, and that all he intended to + say was that the earth ceased to turn on its axis "for about a whole day." + </p> + <p> + My own opinion is that General Joshua knew no more about the motions of + the earth than he did about mercy and justice. If he had known that the + earth turned upon its axis at the rate of a thousand miles an hour, and + swept in its course about the sun at the rate of sixty-eight thousand + miles an hour, he would have doubled the hailstones, spoken of in the same + chapter, that the Lord cast down from heaven, and allowed the sun and moon + to rise and set in the usual way. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to conceive of a more absurd story than this about the + stopping of the sun and moon, and yet nothing so excites the malice of the + orthodox preacher as to call its truth in question. Some endeavor to + account for the phenomenon by natural causes, while others attempt to show + that God could, by the refraction of light have made the sun visible + although actually shining on the opposite side of the earth. The last + hypothesis has been seriously urged by ministers within the last few + months. The Rev. Henry M. Morey of South Bend, Indiana, says "that the + phenomenon was simply optical. The rotary motion of the earth was not + disturbed, but the light of the sun was prolonged by the same laws of + refraction and reflection by which the sun now appears to be above the + horizon when it is really below. The medium through which the sun's rays + passed may have been miraculously influenced so as to have caused the sun + to linger above the horizon long after its usual time for disappearance." + </p> + <p> + This is the latest and ripest product of Christian scholarship upon this + question no doubt, but still it is not entirely satisfactory to me. + According to the sacred account the sun did not linger, merely, above the + horizon, but stood still "in the midst of heaven for about a whole day," + that is to say, for about twelve hours. If the air was miraculously + changed, so that it would refract the rays of the sun while the earth + turned over as usual for "about a whole day," then, at the end of that + time the sun must have been visible in the east, that is, it must by that + time have been the next morning. According to this, that most wonderful + day must have been at least thirty-six hours in length. We have first, the + twelve hours of natural light, then twelve hours of "refracted and + reflected" light. By that time it would again be morning, and the sun + would shine for twelve hours more in the natural way, making thirty-six + hours in all. + </p> + <p> + If the Rev. Morey would depend a little less on "refraction" and a little + more on "reflection," he would conclude that the whole story is simply a + barbaric myth and fable. + </p> + <p> + It hardly seems reasonable that God, if there is one, would either stop + the globe, change the constitution of the atmosphere or the nature of + light simply to afford Joshua an opportunity to kill people on that day + when he could just as easily have waited until the next morning. It + certainly cannot be very gratifying to God for us to believe such childish + things. + </p> + <p> + It has been demonstrated that force is eternal; that it is forever active, + and eludes destruction by change of form. Motion is a form of force, and + all arrested motion changes instantly to heat. The earth turns upon its + axis at about one thousand miles an hour. Let it be stopped and a force + beyond our imagination is changed to heat. It has been calculated that to + stop the world would produce as much heat as the burning of a solid piece + of coal three times the size of the earth. And yet we are asked to believe + that this was done in order that one barbarian might defeat another. Such + stories never would have been written, had not the belief been general + that the heavenly bodies were as nothing compared with the earth. + </p> + <p> + The view of Moses was acquiesced in by the Jewish people and by the + Christian world for thousands of years. It is supposed that Moses lived + about fifteen hundred years before Christ, and although he was "inspired," + and obtained his information directly from God, he did not know as much + about our solar system as the Chinese did a thousand years before he was + born. "The Emperor Chwenhio adopted as an epoch, a conjunction of the + planets Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, which has been shown by M. + Bailly to have occurred no less than 2449 years before Christ." The + ancient Chinese knew not only the motions of the planets, but they could + calculate eclipses. "In the reign of the Emperor Chow-Kang, the chief + astronomers, Ho and Hi were condemned to death for neglecting to announce + a solar eclipse which took place 2169 B. C., a clear proof that the + prediction of eclipses was a part of the duty of the imperial + astronomers." + </p> + <p> + Is it not strange that a Chinaman should find out by his own exertions + more about the material universe than Moses could when assisted by its + Creator? + </p> + <p> + About eight hundred years after God gave Moses the principal facts about + the creation of the "heaven and the earth" he performed another miracle + far more wonderful than stopping the world. On this occasion he not only + stopped the earth, but actually caused it to turn the other way. A Jewish + king was sick, and God, in order to convince him that he would ultimately + recover, offered to make the shadow on the dial go forward, or backward + ten degrees. The king thought it was too easy a thing to make the shadow + go forward, and asked that it be turned back. Thereupon, "Isaiah the + prophet cried unto the Lord, and he brought the shadow ten degrees + backward by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz." I hardly see how + this miracle could be accounted for even by "refraction" and "reflection." + </p> + <p> + It seems, from the account, that this stupendous miracle was performed + after the king had been cured. The account of the shadow going backward is + given in the eleventh verse of the twentieth chapter of Second Kings, + while the cure is given in the seventh verse of the same chapter. "And + Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, + and he recovered." + </p> + <p> + Stopping the world and causing it to turn back ten degrees after that, + seems to have been, as the boil was already cured by the figs, a useless + display of power. + </p> + <p> + The easiest way to account for all these wonders is to say that the + "inspired" writers were mistaken. In this way a fearful burden is lifted + from the credulity of man, and he is left free to believe the evidences of + his own senses, and the demonstrations of science. In this way he can + emancipate himself from the slavery of superstition, the control of the + barbaric dead, and the despotism of the church. + </p> + <p> + Only about a hundred years ago, Buffon, the naturalist, was compelled by + the faculty of theology at Paris to publicly renounce fourteen "errors" in + his work on Natural History because they were at variance with the Mosaic + account of creation. The Pentateuch is still the scientific standard of + the church, and ignorant priests, armed with that, pronounce sentence upon + the vast accomplishments of modern thought. + </p> + <p> + X. "HE MADE THE STARS ALSO." + </p> + <p> + Moses came very near forgetting about the stars, and only gave five words + to all the hosts of heaven. Can it be possible that he knew anything about + the stars beyond the mere fact that he saw them shining above him? + </p> + <p> + Did he know that the nearest star, the one we ought to be the best + acquainted with, is twenty-one billion of miles away, and that it is a sun + shining by its own light? Did he know of the next, that is thirty-seven + billion miles distant? Is it possible that he was acquainted with Sirius, + a sun two thousand six hundred and eighty-eight times larger than our own, + surrounded by a system of heavenly bodies, several of which are already + known, and distant from us eighty-two billion miles? Did he know that the + Polar star that tells the mariner his course and guided slaves to liberty + and joy, is distant from this little world two hundred and ninety-two + billion miles, and that Capella wheels and shines one hundred and + thirty-three billion miles beyond? Did he know that it would require about + seventy-two years for light to reach us from this star? Did he know that + light travels one hundred and eighty-five thousand miles a second? Did he + know that some stars are so far away in the infinite abysses that five + millions of years are required for their light to reach this globe? + </p> + <p> + If this is true, and if as the Bible tells us, the stars were made after + the earth, then this world has been wheeling in its orbit for at least + five million years. + </p> + <p> + It may be replied that it was not the intention of God to teach geology + and astronomy. Then why did he say anything upon these subjects? and if he + did say anything, why did he not give the facts? + </p> + <p> + According to the sacred records God created, on the first day, the heaven + and the earth, "moved upon the face of the waters," and made the light. On + the second day he made the firmament or the "expanse" and divided the + waters. On the third day he gathered the waters into seas, let the dry + land appear and caused the earth to bring forth grass, herbs and fruit + trees, and on the fourth day he made the sun, moon and stars and set them + in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth. This division of + labor is very striking. The work of the other days is as nothing when + compared with that of the fourth. Is it possible that it required the same + time and labor to make the grass, herbs and fruit trees, that it did to + fill with countless constellations the infinite expanse of space? + </p> + <p> + XI. FRIDAY. + </p> + <p> + We are then told that on the next day "God the moving creatures that hath + life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of + heaven. And God created great whales and every living creature which the + waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl + after his kind, and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, + saying, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let + fowl multiply in the earth." + </p> + <p> + Is it true that while the dry land was covered with grass, and herbs, and + trees bearing fruit, the ocean was absolutely devoid of life, and so + remained for millions of years? + </p> + <p> + If Moses meant twenty-four hours by the word day, then it would make but + little difference on which of the six days animals were made; but if the + word said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly day was used to express + millions of ages, during which life was slowly evolved from monad up to + man, then the account becomes infinitely absurd, puerile and foolish. + There is not a scientist of high standing who will say that in his + judgment the earth was covered with fruit-bearing trees before the moners, + the ancestors it may be of the human race, felt in Laurentian seas the + first faint throb of life. Nor is there one who will declare that there + was a single spire of grass before the sun had poured upon the world his + flood of gold. + </p> + <p> + Why should men in the name of religion try to harmonize the contradictions + that exist between Nature and a book? Why should philosophers be denounced + for placing more reliance upon what they know than upon what they have + been told? If there is a God, it is reasonably certain that he made the + world, but it is by no means certain that he is the author of the Bible. + Why then should we not place greater confidence in Nature than in a book? + And even if this God made not only the world but the book besides, it does + not follow that the book is the best part of creation, and the only part + that we will be eternally punished for denying. It seems to me that it is + quite as important to know something of the solar system, something of the + physical history of this globe, as it is to know the adventures of Jonah + or the diet of Ezekiel. For my part, I would infinitely prefer to know all + the results of scientific investigation, than to be inspired as Moses was. + Supposing the Bible to be true; why is it any worse or more wicked for + Freethinkers to deny it, than for priests to deny the doctrine of + evolution, or the dynamic theory of heat? Why should we be damned for + laughing at Samson and his foxes, while others, holding the Nebular + Hypothesis in utter contempt, go straight to heaven? It seems to me that a + belief in the great truths of science are fully as essential to salvation, + as the creed of any church. We are taught that a man may be perfectly + acceptable to God even if he denies the rotundity of the earth, the + Copernican system, the three laws of Kepler, the indestructibility of + matter and the attraction of gravitation. And we are also taught that a + man may be right upon all these questions, and yet, for failing to believe + in the "scheme of salvation," be eternally lost. + </p> + <p> + XII. SATURDAY. + </p> + <p> + On this, the last day of creation, God said;— + </p> + <p> + "Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle and + creeping thing and beast of the earth after his kind; and it was so. And + God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their + kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind; and God + saw that it was good." + </p> + <p> + Now, is it true that the seas were filled with fish, the sky with fowls, + and the earth covered with grass, and herbs, and fruit bearing trees, + millions of ages before there was a creeping thing in existence? Must we + admit that plants and animals were the result of the fiat of some + incomprehensible intelligence independent of the operation of what are + known as natural causes? Why is a miracle any more necessary to account + for yesterday than for to-day or for to-morrow? + </p> + <p> + If there is an infinite Power, nothing can be more certain than that this + Power works in accordance with what we call law, that is, by and through + natural causes. If anything can be found without a pedigree of natural + antecedents, it will then be time enough to talk about the fiat of + creation. There must have been a time when plants and animals did not + exist upon this globe. The question, and the only question is, whether + they were naturally produced. If the account given by Moses is true, then + the vegetable and animal existences are the result of certain special + fiats of creation entirely independent of the operation of natural causes. + This is so grossly improbable, so at variance with the experience and + observation of mankind, that it cannot be adopted without abandoning + forever the basis of scientific thought and action. + </p> + <p> + It may be urged that we do not understand the sacred record correctly. To + this it may be replied that for thousands of years the account of the + creation has, by the Jewish and Christian world, been regarded as + literally true. If it was inspired, of course God must have known just how + it would be understood, and consequently must have intended that it should + be understood just as he knew it would be. One man writing to another, may + mean one thing, and yet be understood as meaning something else. Now, if + the writer knew that he would be misunderstood, and also knew that he + could use other words that would convey his real meaning, but did not, we + would say that he used words on purpose to mislead, and was not an honest + man. + </p> + <p> + If a being of infinite wisdom wrote the Bible, or caused it to be written, + he must have known exactly how his words would be interpreted by all the + world, and he must have intended to convey the very meaning that was + conveyed. He must have known that by reading that book, man would form + erroneous views as to the shape, antiquity, and size of this world; that + he would be misled as to the time and order of creation; that he would + have the most childish and contemptible views of the creator; that the + "sacred word" would be used to support slavery and polygamy; that it would + build dungeons for the good, and light fagots to consume the brave, and + therefore he must have intended that these results should follow. He also + must have known that thousands and millions of men and women never could + believe his Bible, and that the number of unbelievers would increase in + the exact ratio of civilization, and therefore, he must have intended that + result. + </p> + <p> + Let us understand this. An honest finite being uses the best words, in his + judgment, to convey his meaning. This is the best he can do, because he + cannot certainly know the exact effect of his words on others. But an + infinite being must know not only the real meaning of the words, but the + exact meaning they will convey to every reader and hearer. He must know + every meaning that they are capable of conveying to every mind. He must + also know what explanations must be made to prevent misconception. If an + infinite being cannot, in making a revelation to man, use such words that + every person to whom a revelation is essential will understand distinctly + what that revelation is, then a revelation from God through the + instrumentality of language is impossible, or it is not essential that all + should understand it correctly. It may be urged that millions have not the + capacity to understand a revelation, although expressed in the plainest + words. To this it seems a sufficient reply to ask, why a being of infinite + power should create men so devoid of intelligence, that he cannot by any + means make known to them his will? We are told that it is exceedingly + plain, and that a wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein. This + statement is refuted by the religious history of the Christian world. + Every sect is a certificate that God has not plainly revealed his will to + man. To each reader the Bible conveys a different meaning. About the + meaning of this book, called a revelation, there have been ages of war, + and centuries of sword and flame. If written by an infinite God, he must + have known that these results must follow; and thus knowing, he must be + responsible for all. + </p> + <p> + Is it not infinitely more reasonable to say that this book is the work of + man, that it is filled with mingled truth and error, with mistakes and + facts, and reflects, too faithfully perhaps, the "very form and pressure + of its time"? + </p> + <p> + If there are mistakes in the Bible, certainly they were made by man. If + there is anything contrary to nature, it was written by man. If there is + anything immoral, cruel, heartless or infamous, it certainly was never + written by a being worthy of the adoration of mankind. + </p> + <p> + XIII. LET US MAKE MAN. + </p> + <p> + We are next informed by the author of the Pentateuch that God said "Let us + make man in our image, after our likeness," and that "God created man in + his own image, in the image of God created he him—male and female + created he them." + </p> + <p> + If this account means anything, it means that man was created in the + physical image and likeness of God. Moses while he speaks of man as having + been made in the image of God, never speaks of God except as having the + form of a man. He speaks of God as "walking in the garden in the cool of + the day;" and that Adam and Eve "heard his voice." He is constantly + telling what God said, and in a thousand passages he refers to him as not + only having the human form, but as performing actions, such as man + performs. The God of Moses was a God with hands, with feet, with the + organs of speech. + </p> + <p> + A God of passion, of hatred, of revenge, of affection, of repentance; a + God who made mistakes:—in other words, an immense and powerful man. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to say that Moses meant to convey the idea that God made + man in his mental or moral image. Some have insisted that man was made in + the moral image of God because he was made pure. Purity cannot be + manufactured. A moral character cannot be made for man by a god. Every man + must make his own moral character. Consequently, if God is infinitely + pure, Adam and Eve were not made in his image in that respect. Others say + that Adam and Eve were made in the mental image of God. If it is meant by + that, that they were created with reasoning powers like, but not to the + extent of those possessed by a god, then this may be admitted. But + certainly this idea was not in the mind of Moses. He regarded the human + form as being in the image of God, and for that reason always spoke of God + as having that form. No one can read the Pentateuch without coming to the + conclusion that the author supposed that man was created in the physical + likeness of Deity. God said "Go to, let us go down." "God smelled a sweet + savor;" "God repented him that he had made man;" "and God said;" and + "walked;" and "talked;" and "rested." All these expressions are + inconsistent with any other idea than that the person using them regarded + God as having the form of man. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, it is impossible for a man to conceive of a personal + God, other than as a being having the human form. No one can think of an + infinite being having the form of a horse, or of a bird, or of any animal + beneath man. It is one of the necessities of the mind to associate forms + with intellectual capacities. The highest form of which we have any + conception is man's, and consequently, his is the only form that we can + find in imagination to give to a personal God, because all other forms + are, in our minds, connected with lower intelligences. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to think of a personal God as a spirit without form. We + can use these words, but they do not convey to the mind any real and + tangible meaning. Every one who thinks of a personal God at all, thinks of + him as having the human form. Take from God the idea of form; speak of him + simply as an all pervading spirit—which means an all pervading + something about which we know nothing—and Pantheism is the result. + </p> + <p> + We are told that God made man; and the question naturally arises, how was + this done? Was it by a process of "evolution," "development;" the + "transmission of acquired habits;" the "survival of the fittest," or was + the necessary amount of clay kneaded to the proper consistency, and then + by the hands of God moulded into form? Modern science tells that man has + been evolved, through countless epochs, from the lower forms; that he is + the result of almost an infinite number of actions, reactions, + experiences, states, forms, wants and adaptations. Did Moses intend to + convey such a meaning, or did he believe that God took a sufficient amount + of dust, made it the proper shape, and breathed into it the breath of + life? Can any believer in the Bible give any reasonable account of this + process of creation? Is it possible to imagine what was really done? Is + there any theologian who will contend that man was created directly from + the earth? Will he say that man was made substantially as he now is, with + all his muscles properly developed for walking and speaking, and + performing every variety of human action? That all his bones were formed + as they now are, and all the relations of nerve, ligament, brain and + motion as they are to-day? + </p> + <p> + Looking back over the history of animal life from the lowest to the + highest forms, we find that there has been a slow and gradual development; + a certain but constant relation between want and production; between use + and form. The Moner is said to be the simplest form of animal life that + has yet been found. It has been described as "an organism without organs." + It is a kind of structureless structure; a little mass of transparent + jelly that can flatten itself out, and can expand and contract around its + food. It can feed without a mouth, digest without a stomach, walk without + feet, and reproduce itself by simple division. By taking this Moner as the + commencement of animal life, or rather as the first animal, it is easy to + follow the development of the organic structure through all the forms of + life to man himself. In this way finally every muscle, bone and joint, + every organ, form and function may be accounted for. In this way, and in + this way only, can the existence of rudimentary organs be explained. Blot + from the human mind the ideas of evolution, heredity, adaptation, and "the + survival of the fittest," with which it has been enriched by Lamarck, + Goethe, Darwin, Haeckel and Spencer, and all the facts in the history of + animal life become utterly disconnected and meaningless. + </p> + <p> + Shall we throw away all that has been discovered with regard to organic + life, and in its place take the statements of one who lived in the rude + morning of a barbaric day? Will anybody now contend that man was a direct + and independent creation, and sustains and bears no relation to the + animals below him? Belief upon this subject must be governed at last by + evidence. Man cannot believe as he pleases. He can control his speech, and + can say that he believes or disbelieves; but after all, his will cannot + depress or raise the scales with which his reason finds the worth and + weight of facts. If this is not so, investigation, evidence, judgment and + reason are but empty words. + </p> + <p> + I ask again, how were Adam and Eve created? In one account they are + created male and female, and apparently at the same time. In the next + account, Adam is made first, and Eve a long time afterwards, and from a + part of the man. Did God simply by his creative fiat cause a rib slowly to + expand, grow and divide into nerve, ligament, cartilage and flesh? How was + the woman created from a rib? How was man created simply from dust? For my + part, I cannot believe this statement. + </p> + <p> + I may suffer for this in the world to come; and may, millions of years + hence, sincerely wish that I had never investigated the subject, but had + been content to take the ideas of the dead. I do not believe that any + deity works in that way. So far as my experience goes, there is an + unbroken procession of cause and effect. Each thing is a necessary link in + an infinite chain; and I cannot conceive of this chain being broken even + for one instant. Back of the simplest moner there is a cause, and back of + that another, and so on, it seems to me, forever. In my philosophy I + postulate neither beginning nor ending. + </p> + <p> + If the Mosaic account is true, we know how long man has been upon this + earth. If that account can be relied on, the first man was made about five + thousand eight hundred and eighty-three years ago. Sixteen hundred and + fifty-six years after the making of the first man, the inhabitants of the + world, with the exception of eight people, were destroyed by a flood. This + flood occurred only about four thousand two hundred and twenty-seven years + ago. If this account is correct, at that time, only one kind of men + existed. Noah and his family were certainly of the same blood. It + therefore follows that all the differences we see between the various + races of men have been caused in about four thousand years. If the account + of the deluge is true, then since that event all the ancient kingdoms of + the earth were founded, and their inhabitants passed through all the + stages of savage, nomadic, barbaric and semi-civilized life; through the + epochs of Stone, Bronze and Iron; established commerce, cultivated the + arts, built cities, filled them with palaces and temples, invented + writing, produced a literature and slowly fell to shapeless ruin. We must + believe that all this has happened within a period of four thousand years. + </p> + <p> + From representations found upon Egyptian granite made more than three + thousand years ago, we know that the negro was as black, his lips as full, + and his hair as closely curled then as now. If we know anything, we know + that there was at that time substantially the same difference between the + Egyptian and the Negro as now. If we know anything, we know that + magnificent statues were made in Egypt four thousand years before our era—that + is to say, about six thousand years ago. There was at the World's + Exposition, in the Egyptian department, a statue of king Cephren, known to + have been chiseled more than six thousand years ago. In other words, if + the Mosaic account must be believed, this statue was made before the + world. We also know, if we know anything, that men lived in v Europe with + the hairy mammoth, the cave bear, the rhinoceros, and the hyena. Among the + bones of these animals have been found the stone hatchets and flint arrows + of our ancestors. In the caves where they lived have been discovered the + remains of these animals that had been conquered, killed and devoured as + food, hundreds of thousands of years ago. + </p> + <p> + If these facts are true, Moses was mistaken. For my part, I have + infinitely more confidence in the discoveries of to-day, than in the + records of a barbarous people. It will not now do to say that man has + existed upon this earth for only about six thousand years. One can hardly + compute in his imagination the time necessary for man to emerge from the + barbarous state, naked and helpless, surrounded by animals far more + powerful than he, to progress and finally create the civilizations of + India, Egypt and Athens. The distance from savagery to Shakespeare must be + measured not by hundreds, but by millions of years. + </p> + <p> + XIV. SUNDAY. + </p> + <p> + "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made, and he + rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God + blessed the seventh day and sanctified it; because that in it he had + rested from all his work which God created and made." + </p> + <p> + The great work had been accomplished, the world, the sun, and moon, and + all the hosts of heaven were finished; the earth was clothed in green, the + seas were filled with life, the cattle wandered by the brooks—insects + with painted wings were in the happy air, Adam and Eve were making each + others acquaintance, and God was resting from his work. He was + contemplating the accomplishments of a week. + </p> + <p> + Because he rested on that day he sanctified it, and for that reason and + for that alone, it was by the Jews considered a holy day. If he only + rested on that day, there ought to be some account of what he did the + following Monday. Did he rest on that day? What did he do after he got + rested? Has he done anything in the way of creation since Saturday evening + of the first week? + </p> + <p> + It is now claimed by the "scientific" Christians that the "days" of + creation were not ordinary days of twenty-four hours each, but immensely + long periods of time. If they are right, then how long was the seventh + day? Was that, too, a geologic period covering thousands of ages? That + cannot be, because Adam and Eve were created the Saturday evening before, + and according to the Bible that was about five thousand eight hundred and + eighty-three years ago. I cannot state the time exactly, because there + have been as many as one hundred and forty different opinions given by + learned Biblical students as to the time between the creation of the world + and the birth of Christ. We are quite certain, however, that, according to + the Bible, it is not more than six thousand years since the creation of + Adam. From this it would appear that the seventh day was not a geologic + epoch, but was in fact a period of less than six thousand years, and + probably of only twenty-four hours. + </p> + <p> + The theologians who "answer" these things may take their choice. If they + take the ground that the "days" were periods of twenty-four hours, then + geology will force them to throw away the whole account. If, on the other + hand, they admit that the days were vast "periods," then the sacredness of + the Sabbath must be given up. + </p> + <p> + There is found in the Bible no intimation that there was the least + difference in the days. They are all spoken of in the same way. It may be + replied that our translation is incorrect. If this is so, then only those + who understand Hebrew, have had a revelation from God, and all the rest + have been deceived. + </p> + <p> + How is it possible to sanctify a space of time? Is rest holier than labor? + If there is any difference between days, ought not that to be considered + best in which the most useful labor has been performed? + </p> + <p> + Of all the superstitions of mankind, this insanity about the "sacred + Sabbath" is the most absurd. The idea of feeling it a duty to be solemn + and sad one-seventh of the time! To think that we can please an infinite + being by staying in some dark and sombre room, instead of walking in the + perfumed fields! Why should God hate to see a man happy? Why should it + excite his wrath to see a family in the woods, by some babbling stream, + talking, laughing and loving? Nature works on that "sacred" day. The earth + turns, the rivers run, the trees grow, buds burst into flower, and birds + fill the air with song. Why should we look sad, and think about death, and + hear about hell? Why should that day be filled with gloom instead of joy? + </p> + <p> + A poor mechanic, working all the week in dust and noise, needs a day of + rest and joy, a day to visit stream and wood—a day to live with wife + and child; a day in which to laugh at care, and gather hope and strength + for toils to come. And his weary wife needs a breath of sunny air, away + from street and wall, amid the hills or by the margin of the sea, where + she can sit and prattle with her babe, and fill with happy dreams the + long, glad day. + </p> + <p> + The "Sabbath" was born of asceticism, hatred of human joy, fanaticism, + ignorance, egotism of priests and the cowardice of the people. This day, + for thousands of years, has been dedicated to superstition, to the + dissemination of mistakes, and the establishment of falsehoods. Every + Freethinker, as a matter of duty, should violate this day. He should + assert his independence, and do all within his power to wrest the Sabbath + from the gloomy church and give it back to liberty and joy. Freethinkers + should make the Sabbath a day of mirth and music; a day to spend with wife + and child—a day of games, and books, and dreams—a day to put + fresh flowers above our sleeping dead—a day of memory and hope, of + love and rest. + </p> + <p> + Why should we in this age of the world be dominated by the dead? Why + should barbarian Jews who went down to death and dust three thousand years + ago, control the living world? Why should we care for the superstition of + men who began the Sabbath by paring their nails, "beginning at the fourth + finger, then going to the second, then to the fifth, then to the third, + and ending with the thumb?" How pleasing to God this must have been. The + Jews were very careful of these nail parings. They who threw them upon the + ground were wicked, because Satan used them to work evil upon the earth. + They believed that upon the Sabbath, souls were allowed to leave purgatory + and cool their burning souls in water. Fires were neither allowed to be + kindled nor extinguished, and upon that day it was a sin to bind up + wounds. "The lame might use a staff, but the blind could not." So strict + was the Sabbath kept, that at one time "if a Jew on a journey was + overtaken by the 'sacred day' in a wood, or on the highway, no matter + where, nor under what circumstances, he must sit down," and there remain + until the day was gone. "If he fell down in the dirt, there he was + compelled to stay until the day was done." For violating the Sabbath, the + punishment was death, for nothing short of the offender's blood could + satisfy the wrath of God. There are, in the Old Testament, two reasons + given for abstaining from labor on the Sabbath:—the resting of God, + and the redemption of the Jews from the bondage of Egypt. + </p> + <p> + Since the establishment of the Christian religion, the day has been + changed, and Christians do not regard the day as holy upon which God + actually rested, and which he sanctified. The Christian Sabbath, or the + "Lord's day" was legally established by the murderer Constantine, because + upon that day Christ was supposed to have risen from the dead. + </p> + <p> + It is not easy to see where Christians got the right to disregard the + direct command of God, to labor on the day he sanctified, and keep as + sacred, a day upon which he commanded men to labor. The Sabbath of God is + Saturday, and if any day is to be kept holy, that is the one, and not the + Sunday of the Christian. + </p> + <p> + Let us throw away these superstitions and take the higher, nobler ground, + that every day should be rendered sacred by some loving act, by increasing + the happinesss of man, giving birth to noble thoughts, putting in the path + of toil some flower of joy, helping the unfortunate, lifting the fallen, + dispelling gloom, destroying prejudice, defending the helpless and filling + homes with light and love. + </p> + <p> + XV. THE NECESSITY FOR A GOOD MEMORY. + </p> + <p> + It must not be forgotten that there are two accounts of the creation in + Genesis. The first account stops with the third verse of the second + chapter. The chapters have been improperly divided. In the original Hebrew + the Pentateuch was neither divided into chapters nor verses. There was not + even any system of punctuation. It was written wholly with consonants, + without vowels, and without any marks, dots, or lines to indicate them. + </p> + <p> + These accounts are materially different, and both cannot be true. Let us + see wherein they differ. + </p> + <p> + The second account of the creation begins with the fourth verse of the + second chapter, and is as follows: + </p> + <p> + "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were + created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. + </p> + <p> + "And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb + of the field before it grew; for the Lord God had not caused it to rain + upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. + </p> + <p> + "But there went up a mist from the earth and watered the whole face of the + ground. + </p> + <p> + "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into + his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. + </p> + <p> + "And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the + man whom he had formed. + </p> + <p> + "And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is + pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the + midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. + </p> + <p> + "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was + parted and became into four heads. + </p> + <p> + "The name of the first is Pison; that is it which compasseth the whole + land of Havilah, where there is gold. + </p> + <p> + "And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. + </p> + <p> + "And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth + the whole land of Ethiopia. + </p> + <p> + "And the name of the third river is Hiddekel; that is it which goeth + toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates. + </p> + <p> + "And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to + dress it and to keep it. + </p> + <p> + "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden + thou mayest freely eat; But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, + thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou + shalt surely die. + </p> + <p> + "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I + will make him an helpmeet for him. + </p> + <p> + "And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and + every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would + call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the + name thereof. + </p> + <p> + "And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to + every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helpmeet for + him. + </p> + <p> + "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and + he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; + </p> + <p> + "And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman and + brought her unto the man. + </p> + <p> + "And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she + shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave + unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh. + </p> + <p> + "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." + </p> + <p> + Order of creation in the first account: + </p> + <p> + 1. The heaven and the earth, and light were made. + </p> + <p> + 2. The firmament was constructed and the waters divided. + </p> + <p> + 3. The waters gathered into seas—and then came dry land, grass, + herbs and fruit trees. + </p> + <p> + 4. The sun and moon. He made the stars also. + </p> + <p> + 5. Fishes, fowls, and great whales. + </p> + <p> + 6. Beasts, cattle, every creeping thing, man and woman. + </p> + <p> + Order of creation in the second account: + </p> + <p> + 1. The heavens and the earth. + </p> + <p> + 2. A mist went up from the earth, and watered the whole face of the + ground. + </p> + <p> + 3. Created a man out of dust, by the name of Adam. + </p> + <p> + 4. Planted a garden eastward in Eden, and put the man in it. + </p> + <p> + 5. Created the beasts and fowls. + </p> + <p> + 6. Created a woman out of one of the man's ribs. + </p> + <p> + In the second account, man was made <i>before</i> the beasts and fowls. If + this is true, the first account is false. And if the theologians of our + time are correct in their view that the Mosaic day means thousands of + ages, then, according to the second account, Adam existed millions of + years before Eve was formed. He must have lived one Mosaic day before + there were any trees, and another Mosaic day before the beasts and fowls + were created. Will some kind clergymen tell us upon what kind of food Adam + subsisted during these immense periods? + </p> + <p> + In the second account a man is made, and the fact that he was without a + helpmeet did not occur to the Lord God until a couple "of vast periods" + afterwards. The Lord God suddenly coming to an appreciation of the + situation said, "It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make + him an helpmeet for him." + </p> + <p> + Now, after concluding to make "an helpmeet" for Adam, what did the Lord + God do? Did he at once proceed to make a woman? No. What did he do? He + made the beasts, and tried to induce Adam to take one of them for "an + helpmeet." If I am incorrect, read the following account, and tell me what + it means: + </p> + <p> + "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I + will make him an helpmeet for him. + </p> + <p> + "And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and + every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would + call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the + name thereof. + </p> + <p> + "And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to + every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an helpmeet for + him." + </p> + <p> + Unless the Lord God was looking for an helpmeet for Adam, why did he cause + the animals to pass before him? And why did he, after the menagerie had + passed by, pathetically exclaim, "But for Adam there was not found an + helpmeet for him"? + </p> + <p> + It seems that Adam saw nothing that struck his fancy. The fairest ape, the + sprightliest chimpanzee, the loveliest baboon, the most bewitching + orangoutang, the most fascinating gorilla failed to touch with love's + sweet pain, poor Adam's lonely heart. Let us rejoice that this was so. Had + he fallen in love then, there never would have been a Freethinker in this + world. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Adam Clarke, speaking of this remarkable proceeding says:—"God + caused the animals to pass before Adam to show him that no creature yet + formed could make him a suitable companion; that Adam was convinced that + none of these animals could be a suitable companion for him, and that + therefore he must continue in a state that was not good (celibacy) unless + he became a further debtor to the bounty of his maker, for among all the + animals which he had formed, there was not a helpmeet for Adam." + </p> + <p> + Upon this same subject, Dr. Scott informs us "that it was not conducive to + the happiness of the man to remain without the consoling society, and + endearment of tender friendship, nor consistent with the end of his + creation to be without marriage by which the earth might be replenished + and worshipers and servants raised up to render him praise and glory. Adam + seems to have been vastly better acquainted by intuition or revelation + with the distinct properties of every creature than the most sagacious + observer since the fall of man. + </p> + <p> + "Upon this review of the animals, not one was found in outward form his + counterpart, nor one suited to engage his affections, participate in his + enjoyments, or associate with him in the worship of God." + </p> + <p> + Dr. Matthew Henry admits that "God brought all the animals together to see + if there was a suitable match for Adam in any of the numerous families of + the inferior creatures, but there was none. They were all looked over, but + Adam could not be matched among them all. Therefore God created a new + thing to be a helpmeet for him." + </p> + <p> + Failing to satisfy Adam with any of the inferior animals, the Lord God + caused a deep sleep to fall upon him, and while in this sleep took out one + of Adam's ribs and "closed up the flesh instead thereof." And out of this + rib, the Lord God made a woman, and brought her to the man. + </p> + <p> + Was the Lord God compelled to take a part of the man because he had used + up all the original "nothing" out of which the universe was made? Is it + possible for any sane and intelligent man to believe this story? Must a + man be born a second time before this account seems reasonable? + </p> + <p> + Imagine the Lord God with a bone in his hand with which to start a woman, + trying to make up his mind whether to make a blonde or a brunette! + </p> + <p> + Just at this point it may be proper for me to warn all persons from + laughing at or making light of, any stories found in the "Holy Bible." + When you come to die, every laugh will be a thorn in your pillow. At that + solemn moment, as you look back upon the records of your life, no matter + how many men you may have wrecked and ruined; no matter how many women you + have deceived and deserted, all that can be forgiven; but if you remember + then that you have laughed at even one story in God's "sacred book" you + will see through the gathering shadows of death the forked tongues of + devils, and the leering eyes of fiends. + </p> + <p> + These stories must be believed, or the work of regeneration can never be + commenced. No matter how well you act your part, live as honestly as you + may, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, divide your last farthing with the + poor, and you are simply traveling the broad road that leads inevitably to + eternal death, unless at the same time you implicitly believe the Bible to + be the inspired word of God. + </p> + <p> + Let me show you the result of unbelief. Let us suppose, for a moment, that + we are at the Day of Judgment, listening to the trial of souls as they + arrive. The Recording Secretary, or whoever does the cross-examining, says + to a soul: + </p> + <p> + Where are you from? + </p> + <p> + I am from the Earth. + </p> + <p> + What kind of a man were you? + </p> + <p> + Well, I don't like to talk about myself. I suppose you can tell by looking + at your books. + </p> + <p> + No, sir. You must tell what kind of a man you were. + </p> + <p> + Well, I was what you might call a first-rate fellow. I loved my wife and + children. My home was my heaven. My fireside was a paradise to me. To sit + there and see the lights and shadows fall upon the faces of those I loved, + was to me a perfect joy. + </p> + <p> + How did you treat your family? + </p> + <p> + I never said an unkind word. I never caused my wife, nor one of my + children, a moments pain. + </p> + <p> + Did you pay your debts? + </p> + <p> + I did not owe a dollar when I died, and left enough to pay my funeral + expenses, and to keep the fierce wolf of want from the door of those I + loved. + </p> + <p> + Did you belong to any church? + </p> + <p> + No, sir. They were too narrow, pinched and bigoted for me, I never thought + that I could be very happy if other folks were damned. + </p> + <p> + Did you believe in eternal punishment? + </p> + <p> + Well, no. I always thought that God could get his revenge in far less + time. + </p> + <p> + Did you believe the rib story? + </p> + <p> + Do you mean the Adam and Eve business? + </p> + <p> + Yes! Did you believe that? + </p> + <p> + To tell you the God's truth, that was just a little more than I could + swallow. + </p> + <p> + Away with him to hell! + </p> + <p> + Next! + </p> + <p> + Where are you from? + </p> + <p> + I am from the world too. + </p> + <p> + Did you belong to any church? + </p> + <p> + Yes, sir, and to the Young Men's Christian Association besides. + </p> + <p> + What was your business? + </p> + <p> + Cashier in a Savings Bank. + </p> + <p> + Did you ever run away with any money? + </p> + <p> + Where I came from, a witness could not be compelled to criminate himself. + </p> + <p> + The law is different here. Answer the question. Did you run away with any + money? + </p> + <p> + Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + How much? + </p> + <p> + One hundred thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + Did you take anything else with you? + </p> + <p> + Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + Well, what else? + </p> + <p> + I took my neighbor's wife—we sang together in the choir. + </p> + <p> + Did you have a wife and children of your own? Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + And you deserted them? + </p> + <p> + Yes, sir, but such was my confidence in God that I believed he would take + care of them. + </p> + <p> + Have you heard of them since? + </p> + <p> + No, sir. + </p> + <p> + Did you believe in the rib story? + </p> + <p> + Bless your soul, of course I did. A thousand times I regretted that there + were no harder stories in the Bible, so that I could have shown my wealth + of faith. + </p> + <p> + Do you believe the rib story yet? + </p> + <p> + Yes, with all my heart. + </p> + <p> + Give him a harp! + </p> + <p> + Well, as I was saying, God made a woman from Adam's rib. Of course, I do + not know exactly how this was done, but when he got the woman finished, he + presented her to Adam. He liked her, and they commenced house-keeping in + the celebrated Garden of Eden. + </p> + <p> + Must we, in order to be good, gentle and loving in our lives, believe that + the creation of woman was a second thought? That Jehovah really endeavored + to induce Adam to take one of the lower animals as an helpmeet for him? + After all, is it not possible to live honest and courageous lives without + believing these fables? It is said that from Mount Sinai God gave, amid + thunderings and lightnings, ten commandments for the guidance of mankind; + and yet among them is not found—"Thou shalt believe the Bible." + </p> + <p> + XVI. THE GARDEN. + </p> + <p> + In the first account we are told that God made man, male and female, and + said to them "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth and + subdue it." + </p> + <p> + In the second account only the man is made, and he is put in a garden "to + dress it and to keep it." He is not told to subdue the earth, but to dress + and keep a garden. + </p> + <p> + In the first account man is given every herb bearing seed upon the face of + the earth and the fruit of every tree for food, and in the second, he is + given only the fruit of all the trees in the garden with the exception "of + the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" which was a deadly poison. + </p> + <p> + There was issuing from this garden a river that was parted into four + heads. The first of these, Pison, compassed the whole land of Havilah, the + second, Gihon, that compassed the whole land of Ethiopia. + </p> + <p> + The third, Heddekel, that flowed toward the east of Assyria, and the + fourth, the Euphrates. Where are these four rivers now? The brave prow of + discovery has visited every sea; the traveler has pressed with weary feet + the soil of every clime; and yet there has been found no place from which + four rivers sprang. The Euphrates still journeys to the gulf, but where + are Pison, Gihon and the mighty Heddekel? Surely by going to the source of + the Euphrates we ought to find either these three rivers or their ancient + beds. Will some minister when he answers the "Mistakes of Moses" tell us + where these rivers are or were? The maps of the world are incomplete + without these mighty streams. We have discovered the sources of the Nile; + the North Pole will soon be touched by an American; but these three rivers + still rise in unknown hills, still flow through unknown lands, and empty + still in unknown seas. + </p> + <p> + The account of these four rivers is what the Rev. David Swing would call + "a geographical poem." The orthodox clergy cover the whole affair with the + blanket of allegory, while the "scientific" Christian folks talk about + cataclysms, upheavals, earthquakes, and vast displacements of the earth's + crust. + </p> + <p> + The question, then arises, whether within the last six thousand years + there have been such upheavals and displacements? Talk as you will about + the vast "creative periods" that preceded the appearance of man; it is, + according to the Bible, only about six thousand years since man was + created. Moses gives us the generations of men from Adam until his day, + and this account cannot be explained away by calling centuries, days. + </p> + <p> + According to the second account of creation, these four rivers were made + after the creation of man, and consequently they must have been + obliterated by convulsions of Nature within six thousand years. + </p> + <p> + Can we not account for these contradictions, absurdities, and falsehoods + by simply saying that although the writer may have done his level best, he + failed because he was limited in knowledge, led away by tradition, and + depended too implicitly upon the correctness of his imagination? Is not + such a course far more reasonable than to insist that all these things are + true and must stand though every science shall fall to mental dust? + </p> + <p> + Can any reason be given for not allowing man to eat of the fruit of the + tree of knowledge? What kind of tree was that? If it is all an allegory, + what truth is sought to be conveyed? Why should God object to that fruit + being eaten by man? Why did he put it in the midst of the garden? There + was certainly plenty of room outside. If he wished to keep man and this + tree apart, why did he put them together? And why, after he had eaten, was + he thrust out? The only answer that we have a right to give, is the one + given in the Bible. "And the Lord God said, Behold the man has become as + one of us to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand and + take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: Therefore the + Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from + whence he was taken." + </p> + <p> + Will some minister, some graduate of Andover, tell us what this means? Are + we bound to believe it without knowing what the meaning is? If it is a + revelation, what does it reveal? Did God object to education then, and + does that account for the hostile attitude still assumed by theologians + toward all scientific truth? Was there in the garden a tree of life, the + eating of which would have rendered Adam and Eve immortal? Is it true, + that after the Lord God drove them from the garden that he placed upon its + Eastern side "Cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep + the way of the tree of life?" Are the Cherubim and the flaming sword + guarding that tree still, or was it destroyed, or did its rotting trunk, + as the Rev. Robert Collyer suggests, "nourish a bank of violets"? + </p> + <p> + What objection could God have had to the immortality of man? You see that + after all, this sacred record, instead of assuring us of immortality, + shows us only how we lost it. In this there is assuredly but little + consolation. + </p> + <p> + According to this story we have lost one Eden, but nowhere in the Mosaic + books are we told how we may gain another. I know that the Christians tell + us there is another, in which all true believers will finally be gathered, + and enjoy the unspeakable happiness of seeing the unbelievers in hell; but + they do not tell us where it is. + </p> + <p> + Some commentators say that the Garden of Eden was in the third heaven—some + in the fourth, others have located it in the moon, some in the air beyond + the attraction of the earth, some on the earth, some under the earth, some + inside the earth, some at the North Pole, others at the South, some in + Tartary, some in China, some on the borders of the Ganges, some in the + island of Ceylon, some in Armenia, some in Africa, some under the Equator, + others in Mesopotamia, in Syria, Persia, Arabia, Babylon, Assyria, + Palestine and Europe. Others have contended that it was invisible, that it + was an allegory, and must be spiritually understood. + </p> + <p> + But whether you understand these things or not, you must believe them. You + may be laughed at in this world for insisting that God put Adam into a + deep sleep and made a woman out of one of his ribs, but you will be + crowned and glorified in the next. You will also have the pleasure of + hearing the gentlemen howl there, who laughed at you here. While you will + not be permitted to take any revenge, you will be allowed to smilingly + express your entire acquiescence in the will of God. But where is the new + Eden? No one knows. The one was lost, and the other has not been found. + </p> + <p> + Is it true that man was once perfectly pure and innocent, and that he + became degenerate by disobedience? No. The real truth is, and the history + of man shows, that he has advanced. Events, like the pendulum of a clock + have swung forward and back ward, but after all, man, like the hands, has + gone steadily on. Man is growing grander. He is not degenerating. Nations + and individuals fail and die, and make room for higher forms. The + intellectual horizon of the world widens as the centuries pass. Ideals + grow grander and purer; the difference between justice and mercy becomes + less and less; liberty enlarges, and love intensifies as the years sweep + on. The ages of force and fear, of cruelty and wrong, are behind us and + the real Eden is beyond. It is said that a desire for knowledge lost us + the Eden of the past; but whether that is true or not, it will certainly + give us the Eden of the future. + </p> + <p> + XVII. THE FALL. + </p> + <p> + We are told that the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field, + that he had a conversation with Eve, in which he gave his opinion about + the effect of eating certain fruit; that he assured her it was good to + eat, that it was pleasant to the eye, that it would make her wise; that + she was induced to take some; that she persuaded her husband to try it; + that God found it out, that he then cursed the snake; condemning it to + crawl and eat the dust; that he multiplied the sorrows of Eve, cursed the + ground for Adam's sake, started thistles and thorns, condemned man to eat + the herb of the field in the sweat of his face, pronounced the curse of + death, "Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return," made coats of + skins for Adam and Eve, and drove them out of Eden. + </p> + <p> + Who, and what was this serpent? Dr. Adam Clarke says:—"The serpent + must have walked erect, for this is necessarily implied in his punishment. + That he was endued with the gift of speech, also with reason. That these + things were given to this creature. The woman no doubt having often seen + him walking erect, and talking and reasoning, therefore she testifies no + sort of surprise when he accosts her in the language related in the text. + It therefore appears to me that a creature of the ape or orangoutang kind + is here intended, and that Satan made use of this creature as the most + proper instrument for the accomplishment of his murderous purposes against + the life of the soul of man. Under this creature he lay hid, and by this + creature he seduced our first parents. Such a creature answers to every + part of the description in the text. It is evident from the structure of + its limbs and its muscles that it might have been originally designed to + walk erect, and that nothing else than the sovereign controlling power + could induce it to put down hands—in every respect formed like those + of man—and walk like those creatures whose claw-armed parts prove + them to have been designed to walk on all fours. The stealthy cunning, and + endless variety of the pranks and tricks of these creatures show them even + now to be wiser and more intelligent than any other creature, man alone + excepted. Being obliged to walk on all fours and gather their food from + the ground, they are literally obliged to eat the dust; and though + exceeding cunning, and careful in a variety of instances to separate that + part which is wholesome and proper for food from that which is not so, in + the article of cleanliness they are lost to all sense of propriety. Add to + this their utter aversion to walk upright; it requires the utmost + discipline to bring them to it, and scarcely anything offends or irritates + them more than to be obliged to do it. Long observation of these animals + enables me to state these facts. For earnest, attentive watching, and for + chattering and babbling they (the ape) have no fellows in the animal + world. Indeed, the ability and propensity to chatter, is all they have + left of their original gift of speech, of which they appear to have been + deprived at the fall as a part of their punishment." + </p> + <p> + Here then is the "connecting link" between man and the lower creation. The + serpent was simply an orang-outang that spoke Hebrew with the greatest + ease, and had the outward appearance of a perfect gentleman, seductive in + manner, plausible, polite, and most admirably calculated to deceive. + </p> + <p> + It never did seem reasonable' to me that a long, cold and disgusting snake + with an apple in his mouth, could deceive anybody; and I am glad, even at + this late date to know that the something that persuaded Eve to taste the + forbidden fruit was, at least, in the shape of a man. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Henry does not agree with the zoological explanation of Mr. Clark, but + insists that "it is certain that the devil that beguiled Eve is the old + serpent, a malignant by creation, an angel of light, an immediate + attendant upon God's throne, but by sin an apostate from his first state, + and a rebel against God's crown and dignity. He who attacked our first + parents was surely the prince of devils, the ring leader in rebellion. The + devil chose to act his part in a serpent, because it is a specious + creature, has a spotted, dappled skin, and then, went erect. Perhaps it + was a flying serpent which seemed to come from on high, as a messenger + from the upper world, one of the seraphim; because the serpent is a + subtile creature. What Eve thought of this serpent speaking to her, we are + not likely to tell, and, I believe, she herself did not know what to think + of it. At first, perhaps, she supposed it might be a good angel, and yet + afterwards might suspect something amiss. The person tempted was a woman, + now alone, and at a distance from her husband, but near the forbidden + tree. It was the devil's subtlety to assault the weaker vessel with his + temptations, as we may suppose her inferior to Adam in knowledge, strength + and presence of mind. Some think that Eve received the command not + immediately from God, but at second hand from her husband, and might, + therefore, be the more easily persuaded to discredit it. It was the policy + of the devil to enter into discussion with her when she was alone. He took + advantage by finding her near the forbidden tree. God permitted Satan to + prevail over Eve, for wise and holy ends. Satan teaches men first to + doubt, and then to deny. He makes skeptics first, and by degrees makes + them atheists." + </p> + <p> + We are compelled to admit that nothing could be more attractive to a woman + than a snake walking erect, with a "spotted, dappled skin," unless it were + a serpent with wings. Is it not humiliating to know that our ancestors + believed these things? Why should we object to the Darwinian doctrine of + descent after this? + </p> + <p> + Our fathers thought it their duty to believe, thought it a sin to + entertain the slightest doubt, and really supposed that their credulity + was exceedingly, gratifying to God. To them, the story was entirely real. + They could see the garden, hear the babble of waters, smell the perfume of + flowers. They believed there was a tree where knowledge grew like plums or + pears; and they could plainly see the serpent coiled amid its rustling + leaves, coaxing Eve to violate the laws of God. + </p> + <p> + Where did the serpent come from? On which of the six days was he created? + Who made him? Is it possible that God would make a successful rival? He + must have known that Adam and Eve would fall. He knew what a snake with a + "spotted, dappled skin" could do with an inexperienced woman. Why did he + not defend his children? He knew that if the serpent got into the garden, + Adam and Eve would sin, that he would have to drive them out, that + afterwards the world would be destroyed, and that he himself would die + upon the cross. + </p> + <p> + Again, I ask what and who was this serpent? He was not a man, for only one + man had been made. He was not a woman. He was not a beast of the field, + because "he was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord + God had made." He was neither fish nor fowl, nor snake, because he had the + power of speech, and did not crawl upon his belly until after he was + cursed. Where did this serpent come from? Why was he not kept out of the + garden? Why did not the Lord God take him by the tail and snap his head + off? Why did he not put Adam and Eve on their guard about this serpent? + They, of course, were not acquainted in the neighborhood, and knew nothing + about the serpent's reputation for truth and veracity among his neighbors. + Probably Adam saw him when he was looking for "an helpmeet" and gave him a + name, but Eve had never met him before. She was not surprised to hear a + serpent talk, as that was the first one she had ever met. Every thing + being new to her, and her husband not being with her just at that moment, + it need hardly excite our wonder that she tasted the fruit by way of + experiment. Neither should we be surprised that when she saw it was good + and pleasant to the eye, and a fruit to be desired to make one wise, she + had the generosity to divide with her husband. + </p> + <p> + Theologians have filled thousands of volumes with abuse of this serpent, + but it seems that he told the exact truth. We are told that this serpent + was, in fact, Satan, the greatest enemy of mankind, and that he entered + the serpent, appearing to our first parents in its body. If this is so, + why should the serpent have been cursed? Why should God curse the serpent + for what had really been done by the devil? Did Satan remain in the body + of the serpent, and in some mysterious manner share his punishment? Is it + true that when we kill a snake we also destroy an evil spirit, or is there + but one devil, and did he perish at the death of the first serpent? Is it + on account of that transaction in the Garden of Eden, that all the + descendants of Adam and Eve known as Jews and Christians hate serpents? + </p> + <p> + Do you account for the snake-worship in Mexico, Africa and India in the + same way? + </p> + <p> + What was the form of the serpent when he entered the garden, and in what + way did he move from place to place? Did he walk or fly? Certainly he did + not crawl, because that mode of locomotion was pronounced upon him as a + curse. Upon what food did he subsist before his conversation with Eve? We + know that after that he lived upon dust, but what did he eat before? It + may be that this is all poetic; and the truest poetry is, according to + Touchstone, "the most feigning." + </p> + <p> + In this same chapter we are informed that "unto Adam also and to his wife + did the Lord God make coats of skins and clothed them." Where did the Lord + God get those skins? He must have taken them from the animals; he was a + butcher. Then he had to prepare them; he was a tanner. Then he made them + into coats; he was a tailor. How did it happen that they needed coats of + skins, when they had been perfectly comfortable in a nude condition? Did + the "fall" produce a change in the climate? + </p> + <p> + Is it really necessary to believe this account in order to be happy here, + or hereafter? Does it tend to the elevation of the human race to speak of + "God" as a butcher, tanner and tailor? + </p> + <p> + And here, let me say once for all, that when I speak of God, I mean the + being described by Moses; the Jehovah of the Jews. There may be for aught + I know, somewhere in the unknown shoreless vast, some being whose dreams + are constellations and within whose thought the infinite exists. About + this being, if such an one exists, I have nothing to say. He has written + no books, inspired no barbarians, required no worship, and has prepared no + hell in which to burn the honest seeker after truth. + </p> + <p> + When I speak of God, I mean that god who prevented man from putting forth + his hand and taking also of the fruit of the tree of life that he might + live forever; of that god who multiplied the agonies of woman, increased + the weary toil of man, and in his anger drowned a world—of that god + whose altars reeked with human blood, who butchered babes, violated + maidens, enslaved men and filled the earth with cruelty and crime; of that + god who made heaven for the few, hell for the many, and who will gloat + forever and ever upon the writhings of the lost and damned. + </p> + <p> + XVIII. DAMPNESS. + </p> + <p> + "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, + and daughters were born unto them. + </p> + <p> + "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and + they took them wives of all which they chose. + </p> + <p> + "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that + he also is flesh; yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. + </p> + <p> + "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that when + the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children + to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. + </p> + <p> + "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that + every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. + </p> + <p> + "And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it + grieved him at his heart. + </p> + <p> + "And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face + of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls + of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them." + </p> + <p> + From this account it seems that driving Adam and Eve out of Eden did not + have the effect to improve them or their children. On the contrary, the + world grew worse and worse. They were under the immediate control and + government of God, and he from time to time made known his will; but in + spite of this, man continued to increase in crime. + </p> + <p> + Nothing in particular seems to have been done. Not a school was + established. There was no written language. There was not a Bible in the + world. The "scheme of salvation" was kept a profound secret. The five + points of Calvinism had not been taught. Sunday schools had not been + opened. In short, nothing had been done for the reformation of the world. + God did not even keep his own sons at home, but allowed them to leave + their abode in the firmament, and make love to the daughters of men. As a + result of this, the world was filled with wickedness and giants to such an + extent that God regretted "that he had made man on the earth, and it + grieved him at his heart." + </p> + <p> + Of course God knew when he made man, that he would afterwards regret it. + He knew that the people would grow worse and worse until destruction would + be the only remedy. He knew that he would have to kill all except Noah and + his family, and it is hard to see why he did not make Noah and his family + in the first place, and leave Adam and Eve in the original dust. He knew + that they would be tempted, that he would have to drive them out of the + garden to keep them from eating of the tree of life; that the whole thing + would be a failure; that Satan would defeat his plan; that he could not + reform the people; that his own sons would corrupt them, and that at last + he would have to drown them all except Noah and his family. Why was the + Garden of Eden planted? Why was the experiment made? Why were Adam and Eve + exposed to the seductive arts of the serpent? Why did God wait until the + cool of the day before looking after his children? Why was he not on hand + in the morning? + </p> + <p> + Why did he fill the world with his own children, knowing that he would + have to destroy them? And why does this same God tell me how to raise my + children when he had to drown his? + </p> + <p> + It is a little curious that when God wished to reform the ante-diluvian + world he said nothing about hell; that he had no revivals, no + camp-meetings, no tracts, no outpourings of the Holy Ghost, no baptisms, + no noon prayer meetings, and never mentioned the great doctrine of + salvation by faith. If the orthodox creeds of the world are true, all + those people went to hell without ever having heard that such a place + existed. If eternal torment is a fact, surely these miserable wretches + ought to have been warned. They were threatened only with water when they + were in fact doomed to eternal fire! + </p> + <p> + Is it not strange that God said nothing to Adam and Eve about a future + life; that he should have kept these "infinite verities" to himself and + allowed millions to live and die without the hope of heaven, or the fear + of hell? + </p> + <p> + It may be that hell was not made at that time. In the six days of creation + nothing is said about the construction of a bottomless pit, and the + serpent himself did not make his appearance until after the creation of + man and woman. Perhaps he was made on the first Sunday, and from that fact + came, it may be, the old couplet, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And Satan still some mischief finds + For idle hands to do." +</pre> + <p> + The sacred historian failed also to tell us when the cherubim and the + flaming sword were made, and said nothing about two of the persons + composing the Trinity. It certainly would have been an easy thing to + enlighten Adam and his immediate descendants. The world was then only + about fifteen hundred and thirty-six years old, and only about three or + four generations of men had lived. Adam had been dead only about six + hundred and six years, and some of his grandchildren must, at that time, + have been alive and well. + </p> + <p> + It is hard to see why God did not civilize these people. He certainly had + the power to use, and the wisdom to devise the proper means. What right + has a god to fill a world with fiends? Can there be goodness in this? Why + should he make experiments that he knows must fail? Is there wisdom in + this? And what right has a man to charge an infinite being with wickedness + and folly? + </p> + <p> + According to Moses, God made up his mind not only to destroy the people, + but the beasts and the creeping things, and the fowls of the air. What had + the beasts, and the creeping things, and the birds done to excite the + anger of God? Why did he repent having made them? Will some Christian give + us an explanation of this matter? No good man will inflict unnecessary + pain upon a beast; how then can we worship a god who cares nothing for the + agonies of the dumb creatures that he made? + </p> + <p> + Why did he make animals that he knew he would destroy? Does God delight in + causing pain? He had the power to make the beasts, and fowls, and creeping + things in his own good time and way, and it is to be presumed that he made + them according to his wish. Why should he destroy them? They had committed + no sin. They had eaten no forbidden fruit, made no aprons, nor tried to + reach the tree of life. Yet this god, in blind unreasoning wrath destroyed + "all flesh wherein was the breath of life, and every living thing beneath + the sky, and every substance wherein was life that he had made." + </p> + <p> + Jehovah having made up his mind to drown the world, told Noah to make an + Ark of gopher wood three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty + cubits high. A cubit is twenty-two inches; so that the ark was five + hundred and fifty feet long, ninety-one feet and eight inches wide and + fifty-five feet high. This ark was divided into three stories, and had on + top, one window twenty-two inches square. Ventilation must have been one + of Jehovah's hobbies. Think of a ship larger than the Great Eastern with + only one window, and that but twenty-two inches square! + </p> + <p> + The ark also had one door set in the side thereof that shut from the + outside. As soon as this ship was finished, and properly victualed, Noah + received seven days notice to get the animals in the ark. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed by some of the scientific theologians that the flood was + partial, that the waters covered only a small portion of the world, and + that consequently only a few animals were in the ark. It is impossible to + conceive of language that can more clearly convey the idea of a universal + flood than that found in the inspired account. If the flood was only + partial, why did God say he would "destroy all flesh wherein is the breath + of life from under heaven, and that every thing that is in the earth shall + die"? Why did he say "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face + of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping thing and the fowls of + the air"? Why did he say "And every living substance that I have made will + I destroy from off the face of the earth"? Would a partial, local flood + have fulfilled these threats? + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be clearer than that the writer of this account intended to + convey, and did convey the idea that the flood was universal. Why should + Christians try to deprive God of the glory of having wrought the most + stupendous of miracles? Is it possible that the Infinite could not + overwhelm with waves this atom called the earth? Do you doubt his power, + his wisdom or his justice? + </p> + <p> + Believers in miracles should not endeavor to explain them. There is but + one way to explain anything, and that is to account for it by natural + agencies. The moment you explain a miracle, it disappears. You should + depend not upon explanation, but assertion. You should not be driven from + the field because the miracle is shown to be unreasonable. You should + reply that all miracles are unreasonable. Neither should you be in the + least disheartened if it is shown to be impossible. The possible is not + miraculous. You should take the ground that if miracles were reasonable, + and possible, there would be no reward paid for believing them. The + Christian has the goodness to believe, while the sinner asks for evidence. + It is enough for God to work miracles without being called upon to + substantiate them for the benefit of unbelievers. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago, the Christians believed implicitly in the literal + truth of every miracle recorded in the Bible. Whoever tried to explain + them in some natural way, was looked upon as an infidel in disguise, but + now he is regarded as a benefactor. The credulity of the church is + decreasing, and the most marvelous miracles are now either "explained," or + allowed to take refuge behind the mistakes of the translators, or hide in + the drapery of allegory. + </p> + <p> + In the sixth chapter, Noah is ordered to take "of every living thing of + all flesh, two of every sort into the ark—male and female." In the + seventh chapter the order is changed, and Noah is commanded, according to + the Protestant Bible, as follows: "Of every clean beast thou shalt take to + thee by sevens, the male and his female, and of beasts that are not clean, + by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the + male and the female." + </p> + <p> + According to the Catholic Bible, Noah was commanded—-"Of all clean + beasts take seven and seven, the male and the female. But of the beasts + that are unclean two and two, the male and the female. Of the fowls also + of the air seven and seven, the male and the female." + </p> + <p> + For the purpose of belittling this miracle, many commentators have taken + the ground that Noah was not ordered to take seven males and seven females + of each kind of clean beasts, but seven in all. Many Christians contend + that only seven clean beasts of each kind were taken into the ark—three + and a half of each sex. + </p> + <p> + If the account in the seventh chapter means anything, it means <i>first</i>, + that of each kind of clean beasts, fourteen were to be taken, seven males, + and seven females; <i>second</i>, that of unclean beasts should be taken, + two of each kind, one of each sex, and <i>third</i>, that he should take + of every kind of fowls, seven of each sex. + </p> + <p> + It is equally clear that the command in the 19th and 20th verses of the + 6th chapter, is to take two of each sort, one male and one female. And + this agrees exactly with the account in the 7th, 8th, 9th, 14th, 15th, and + 16th verses of the 7th chapter. + </p> + <p> + The next question is, how many beasts, fowls and creeping things did Noah + take into the ark? + </p> + <p> + There are now known and classified at least twelve thousand five hundred + species of birds. There are still vast territories in China, South + America, and Africa unknown to the ornithologist. + </p> + <p> + Of the birds, Noah took fourteen of each species, according to the 3d + verse of the 7th chapter, "Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male + and the female," making a total of 175,000 birds. + </p> + <p> + And right here allow me to ask a question. If the flood was simply a + partial flood, why were birds taken into the ark? It seems to me that most + birds, attending strictly to business, might avoid a partial flood. + </p> + <p> + There are at least sixteen hundred and fifty-eight kinds of beasts. Let us + suppose that twenty-five of these are clean. Of the clean, fourteen of + each kind—seven of each sex—were taken. These amount to 350. + Of the unclean—two of each kind, amounting to 3,266. There are some + six hundred and fifty species of reptiles. Two of each kind amount to + 1,300. And lastly, there are of insects including the creeping things, at + least one million species, so that Noah and his folks had to get of these + into the ark about 2,000,000. + </p> + <p> + Animalculæ have not been taken into consideration. There are + probably many hundreds of thousands of species; many of them invisible; + and yet Noah had to pick them out by pairs. Very few people have any just + conception of the trouble Noah had. + </p> + <p> + We know that there are many animals on this continent not found in the Old + World. These must have been carried from here to the ark, and then brought + back afterwards. Were the peccary, armadillo, ant-eater, sloth, agouti, + vampire-bat, marmoset, howling and prehensile-tailed monkey, the raccoon + and muskrat carried by the angels from America to Asia? How did they get + there? Did the polar bear leave his field of ice and journey toward the + tropics? How did he know where the ark was? Did the kangaroo swim or jump + from Australia to Asia? Did the giraffe, hippopotamus, antelope and + orang-outang journey from Africa in search of the ark? Can absurdities go + farther than this? + </p> + <p> + What had these animals to eat while on the journey? What did they eat + while in the ark? What did they drink? When the rain came, of course the + rivers ran to the seas, and these seas rose and finally covered the world. + The waters of the seas, mingled with those of the flood, would make all + salt. It has been calculated that it required, to drown the world, about + eight times as much water as was in all the seas. To find how salt the + waters of the flood must have been, take eight quarts of fresh water, and + add one quart from the sea. Such water would create instead of allaying + thirst. Noah had to take in his ark fresh water for all his beasts, birds + and living things. He had to take the proper food for all. How long was he + in the ark? Three hundred and seventy-seven days! Think of the food + necessary for the monsters of the ante-diluvian world! + </p> + <p> + Eight persons did all the work. They attended to the wants of 175,000 + birds, 3,616 beasts, 1,300 reptiles, and 2,000,000 insects, saying nothing + of countless animalculæ. + </p> + <p> + Well, after they all got in, Noah pulled down the window, God shut the + door, and the rain commenced. + </p> + <p> + How long did it rain? + </p> + <p> + Forty days. + </p> + <p> + How deep did the water get? + </p> + <p> + About five miles and a half. + </p> + <p> + How much did it rain a day? + </p> + <p> + Enough to cover the whole world to a depth of about seven hundred and + forty-two feet. + </p> + <p> + Some Christians say that the fountains of the great deep were broken up. + Will they be kind enough to tell us what the fountains of the great deep + are? Others say that God had vast stores of water in the center of the + earth that he used on that occasion. How did these waters happen to run up + hill? + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, allow me to tell you once more that you must not try to explain + these things. Your efforts in that direction do no good, because your + explanations are harder to believe than the miracle itself. Take my + advice, stick to assertion, and let explanation alone. + </p> + <p> + Then, as now, Dhawalagiri lifted its crown of snow twenty-nine thousand + feet above the level of the sea, and on the cloudless cliffs of Chimborazo + then, as now, sat the condor; and yet the waters rising seven hundred and + twenty-six feet a day—thirty feet an hour, six inches a minute,—rose + over the hills, over the volcanoes, filled the vast craters, extinguished + all the fires, rose above every mountain peak until the vast world was but + one shoreless sea covered with the innumerable dead. + </p> + <p> + Was this the work of the most merciful God, the father of us all? If there + is a God, can there be the slightest danger of incurring his displeasure + by doubting even in a reverential way, the truth of such a cruel lie? If + we think that God is kinder than he really is, will our poor souls be + burned for that? + </p> + <p> + How many trees can live under miles of water for a year? What became of + the soil washed, scattered, dissolved, and covered with the <i>debris</i> + of a world? How were the tender plants and herbs preserved? How were the + animals preserved after leaving the ark? There was no grass except such as + had been submerged for a year. There were no animals to be devoured by the + carnivorous beasts. What became of the birds that fed on worms and + insects? What became of the birds that devoured other birds? + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered that the pressure of the water when at the highest + point—say twenty-nine thousand feet, would have been about eight + hundred tons on each square foot. Such a pressure certainly would have + destroyed nearly every vestige of vegetable life, so that when the animals + came out of the ark, there was not a mouthful of food in the wide world. + How were they supported until the world was again clothed with grass? How + were those animals taken care of that subsisted on others? Where did the + bees get honey, and the ants seeds? There was not a creeping thing upon + the whole earth; not a breathing creature beneath the whole heavens; not a + living substance. Where did the tenants of the ark get food? + </p> + <p> + There is but one answer, if the story is true. The food necessary not only + during the year of the flood, but sufficient for many months afterwards, + must have been stored in the ark. + </p> + <p> + There is probably not an animal in the world that will not, in a year, eat + and drink ten times its weight. Noah must have provided food and water for + a year while in the ark, and food for at least six months after they got + ashore. It must have required for a pair of elephants, about one hundred + and fifty tons of food and water. A couple of mammoths would have required + about twice that amount. Of course there were other monsters that lived on + trees; and in a year would have devoured quite a forest. + </p> + <p> + How could eight persons have distributed this food, even if the ark had + been large enough to hold it? How was the ark kept clean? We know how it + was ventilated; but what was done with the filth? How were the animals + watered? How were some portions of the ark heated for animals from the + tropics, and others kept cool for the polar bears? How did the animals get + back to their respective countries? Some had to creep back about six + thousand miles, and they could only go a few feet a day. Some of the + creeping things must have started for the ark just as soon as they were + made, and kept up a steady jog for sixteen hundred years. Think of a + couple of the slowest snails leaving a point opposite the ark and starting + for the plains of Shinar, a distance of twelve thousand miles. Going at + the rate of a mile a month, it would take them a thousand years. How did + they get there? Polar bears must have gone several thousand miles, and so + sudden a change in climate must have been exceedingly trying upon their + health. How did they know the way to go? Of course, all the polar bears + did not go. Only two were required. Who selected these? + </p> + <p> + Two sloths had to make the journey from South America. These creatures + cannot travel to exceed three rods a day. At this rate, they would make a + mile in about a hundred days. They must have gone about six thousand five + hundred miles, to reach the ark. Supposing them to have traveled by a + reasonably direct route, in order to complete the journey before Noah + hauled in the plank, they must have started several years before the world + was created. We must also consider that these sloths had to board + themselves on the way, and that most of their time had to be taken up + getting food and water. It is exceedingly doubtful whether a sloth could + travel six thousand miles and board himself in less than three thousand + years. + </p> + <p> + Volumes might be written upon the infinite absurdity of this most + incredible, wicked and foolish of all the fables contained in that + repository of the impossible, called the Bible. To me it is a matter of + amazement, that it ever was for a moment believed by any intelligent human + being. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Adam Clarke says that "the animals were brought to the ark by the + power of God, and their enmities were so removed or suspended, that the + lion could dwell peaceably with the lamb, and the wolf sleep happily by + the side of the kid. There is no positive evidence that animal food was + ever used before the flood. Noah had the first grant of this kind." + </p> + <p> + Dr. Scott remarks, "There seems to have been a very extraordinary miracle, + perhaps by the ministration of angels, in bringing two of every species to + Noah, and rendering them submissive, and peaceful with each other. Yet it + seems not to have made any impression upon the hardened spectators. The + suspension of the ferocity of the savage beasts during their continuance + in the ark, is generally considered as an apt figure of the change that + takes place in the disposition of sinners when they enter the true church + of Christ." + </p> + <p> + He believed the deluge to have been universal. In his day science had not + demonstrated the absurdity of this belief, and he was not compelled to + resort to some theory not found in the Bible. He insisted that "by some + vast convulsion, the very bowels of the earth were forced upwards, and + rain poured down in cataracts and water-spouts, with no intermission for + forty days and nights, and until in every place a universal deluge was + effected. + </p> + <p> + "The presence of God was the only comfort of Noah in his dreary + confinement, and in witnessing the dire devastation of the earth and its + inhabitants, and especially of the human species—of his companions, + his neighbors, his relatives—all those to whom he had preached, for + whom he had prayed and over whom he had wept, and even of many who had + helped to build the ark. + </p> + <p> + "It seems that by a peculiar providential interposition, no animal of any + sort died, although they had been shut up in the ark above a year; and it + does not appear that there had been any increase of them during that time. + </p> + <p> + "The Ark was flat-bottomed—square at each end—roofed like a + house so that it terminated at the top in the breadth of a cubit. It was + divided into many little cabins for its intended inhabitants. Pitched + within and without to keep it tight and sweet, and lighted from the upper + part. But it must, at first sight, be evident that so large a vessel, thus + constructed, with so few persons on board, was utterly unfitted to weather + out the deluge, except it was under the immediate guidance and protection + of the Almighty." + </p> + <p> + Dr. Henry furnished the Christian world with the following:— + </p> + <p> + "As our bodies have in them the humors which, when God pleases, become the + springs and seeds of mortal disease, so the earth had, in its bowels, + those waters which, at God's command, sprung up and flooded it. + </p> + <p> + "God made the world in six days, but he was forty days in destroying it, + because he is slow to anger. + </p> + <p> + "The hostilities between the animals in the ark ceased, and ravenous + creatures became mild and manageable, so that the wolf lay down with the + lamb, and the lion ate straw like an ox. + </p> + <p> + "God shut the door of the ark to secure Noah and to keep him safe, and + because it was necessary that the door should be shut very close lest the + water should break in and sink the ark, and very fast lest others might + break it down. + </p> + <p> + "The waters rose so high that not only the low flat countries were + deluged, but to make sure work and that none might escape, the tops of the + highest mountains were overflowed fifteen cubits. That is, seven and a + half yards, so that salvation was not hoped for from hills or mountains. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps some of the people got to the top of the ark, and hoped to shift + for themselves there. But either they perished there for want of food, or + the dashing rain washed them off the top. Others, it may be, hoped to + prevail with Noah for admission into the ark, and plead old acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + "'Have we not eaten and drank in thy presence? Hast thou not preached in + our streets?' 'Yea,' said Noah, 'many a time, but to little purpose. I + called but ye refused; and now it is not in my power to help you. God has + shut the door and I cannot open it.' + </p> + <p> + "We may suppose that some of those who perished in the deluge had + themselves assisted Noah, or were employed by him in building the ark. + </p> + <p> + "Hitherto, man had been confined to feed only upon the products of the + earth. Fruits, herbs and roots, and all sorts of greens, and milk, which + was the first grant; but the flood having perhaps washed away much of the + fruits of the earth, and rendered them much less pleasant and nourishing, + God enlarged the grant and allowed him to eat flesh, which perhaps man + never thought of until now, that God directed him to it. Nor had he any + more desire to it than the sheep has to suck blood like the wolf. But now, + man is allowed to feed upon flesh as freely and safely as upon the green + herb." + </p> + <p> + Such was the debasing influence of a belief in the literal truth of the + Bible upon these men, that their commentaries are filled with passages + utterly devoid of common sense. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Clarke speaking of the mammoth says: + </p> + <p> + "This animal, an astonishing proof of God's power, he seems to have + produced merely to show what he could do. And after suffering a few of + them to propagate, he extinguished the race by a merciful providence, that + they might not destroy both man and beast. + </p> + <p> + "We are told that it would have been much easier for God to destroy all + the people and make new ones, but he would not want to waste anything and + no power or skill should be lavished where no necessity exists. + </p> + <p> + "The animals were brought to the ark by the power of God." + </p> + <p> + Again gentlemen, let me warn you of the danger of trying to explain a + miracle. Let it alone. Say that you do not understand it, and do not + expect to until taught in the schools of the New Jerusalem. The more + reasons you give, the more unreasonable the miracle will appear. Through + what you say in defence, people are led to think, and as soon as they + really think, the miracle is thrown away. + </p> + <p> + Among the most ignorant nations you will find the most wonders, among the + most enlightened, the least. It is with individuals, the same as with + nations. Ignorance believes, Intelligence examines and explains. + </p> + <p> + For about seven months the ark, with its cargo of men, animals and + insects, tossed and wandered without rudder or sail upon a boundless sea. + At last it grounded on the mountains of Ararat; and about three months + afterward the tops of the mountains became visible. It must not be + forgotten that the mountain where the ark is supposed to have first + touched bottom, was about seventeen thousand feet high. How were the + animals from the tropics kept warm? When the waters were abated it would + be intensely cold at a point seventeen thousand feet above the level of + the sea. May be there were stoves, furnaces, fire places and steam coils + in the ark, but they are not mentioned in the inspired narrative. How were + the animals kept from freezing? It will not do to say that Ararat was not + very high after all. + </p> + <p> + If you will read the fourth and fifth verses of the eight chapter you will + see that although "the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth + day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat, it was not until the first + day of the tenth month that the tops of the mountains could be seen." From + this it would seem that the ark must have rested upon about the highest + peak in that country. Noah waited forty days more, and then for the first + time opened the window and took a breath of fresh air. He then sent out a + raven that did not return, then a dove that returned. He then waited seven + days and sent forth a dove that returned not. From this he knew that the + waters were abated. Is it possible that he could not see whether the + waters had gone? Is it possible to conceive of a more perfectly childish + way of ascertaining whether the earth was dry? + </p> + <p> + At last Noah "removed the covering of the ark, and looked and behold the + face of the ground was dry," and thereupon God told him to disembark. In + his gratitude Noah built an altar and took of every clean beast and of + every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings. And the Lord smelled a + sweet savor and said in his heart that he would not any more curse the + ground for man's sake. For saying this in his heart the Lord gives as a + reason, not that man is, or will be good, but because "the imagination of + man's heart is evil from his youth." God destroyed man because "the + wickedness of man was great in the earth, and <i>because every imagination + of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually</i>." And he + promised for the same reason not to destroy him again. Will some gentleman + skilled in theology give us an explanation? + </p> + <p> + After God had smelled the sweet savor of sacrifice, he seems to have + changed his idea as to the proper diet for man. When Adam and Eve were + created they were allowed to eat herbs bearing seed, and the fruit of + trees. When they were turned out of Eden, God said to them "Thou shalt eat + the herb of the field." In the first chapter of Genesis the "green herb" + was given for food to the beasts, fowls and creeping things. Upon being + expelled from the garden, Adam and Eve, as to their food, were put upon an + equality with the lower animals. According to this, the ante-diluvians + were vegetarians. This may account for their wickedness and longevity. + </p> + <p> + After Noah sacrificed, and God smelled the sweet savor; he said—"Every + moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you, even as the green herb + have I given you all things." Afterward this same God changed his mind + again, and divided the beasts and birds into clean and unclean, and made + it a crime for man to eat the unclean. Probably food was so scarce when + Noah was let out of the ark that Jehovah generously allowed him to eat + anything and everything he could find. + </p> + <p> + According to the account, God then made a covenant with Noah to the effect + that he would not again destroy the world with a flood, and as the + attesting witness of this contract, a rainbow was set in the cloud. This + bow was placed in the sky so that it might perpetually remind God of his + promise and covenant. Without this visible witness and reminder, it would + seem that Jehovah was liable to forget the contract, and drown the world + again. Did the rainbow originate in this way? Did God put it in the cloud + simply to keep his agreement in his memory? + </p> + <p> + For me it is impossible to believe the story of the deluge. It seems so + cruel, so barbaric, so crude in detail, so absurd in all its parts, and so + contrary to all we know of law, that even credulity itself is shocked. + </p> + <p> + Many nations have preserved accounts of a deluge in which all people, + except a family or two, were destroyed. Babylon was certainly a city + before Jerusalem was founded. Egypt was in the height of her power when + there were only seventy Jews in the world, and India had a literature + before the name of Jehovah had passed the lips of superstition. An account + of a general deluge "was discovered by George Smith, translated from + another account that was written about two thousand years before Christ." + Of course it is impossible to tell how long the story had lived in the + memory of tradition before it was reduced to writing by the Babylonians. + According to this account, which is, without doubt, much older than the + one given by Moses, Tamzi built a ship at the command of the god Hea, and + put in it his family and the beasts of the field. He pitched the ship + inside and outside with bitumen, and as soon as it was finished, there + came a flood of rain and "destroyed all life from the face of the whole + earth. On the seventh day there was a calm, and the ship stranded on the + mountain Nizir." Tamzi waited for seven days more, and then let out a + dove. Afterwards, he let out a swallow, and that, as well as the dove + returned. Then he let out a raven, and as that did not return, he + concluded that the water had dried away, and thereupon left the ship. Then + he made an offering to god, or the gods, and "Hea interceded with Bel," so + that the earth might never again be drowned. + </p> + <p> + This is the Babylonian story, told without the contradictions of the + original. For in that, it seems, there are two accounts, as well as in the + Bible. Is it not a strange coincidence that there should be contradictory + accounts mingled in both the Babylonian and Jewish stories? + </p> + <p> + In the Bible there are two accounts. In one account, Noah was to take two + of all beasts, birds, and creeping things into the ark, while in the + other, he was commanded to take of clean beasts, and all birds by sevens + of each kind. According to one account, the flood only lasted one hundred + and fifty days—as related in the third verse of the eighth chapter; + while the other account fixes the time at three hundred and seventy-seven + days. Both of these accounts cannot be true. Yet in order to be saved, it + is not sufficient to believe one of them—you must believe both. + </p> + <p> + Among the Egyptians there was a story to the effect that the great god Ra + became utterly maddened with the people, and deliberately made up his mind + that he would exterminate mankind. Thereupon he began to destroy, and + continued in the terrible work until blood flowed in streams, when + suddenly he ceased, and took an oath that he would not again destroy the + human race. This myth was probably thousands of years old when Moses was + born. + </p> + <p> + So, in India, there was a fable about the flood. A fish warned Manu that a + flood was coming. Manu built a "box" and the fish towed it to a mountain + and saved all hands. + </p> + <p> + The same kind of stories were told in Greece, and among our own Indian + tribes. At one time the Christian pointed to the fact that many nations + told of a flood, as evidence of the truth of the Mosaic account; but now, + it having been shown that other accounts are much older, and equally + reasonable, that argument has ceased to be of any great value. + </p> + <p> + It is probable that all these accounts had a common origin. They were + likely born of something in nature visible to all nations. The idea of a + universal flood, produced by a god to drown the world on account of the + sins of the people, is infinitely absurd. The solution of all these + stories has been supposed to be, the existence of partial floods in most + countries; and for a long time this solution was satisfactory. But the + fact that these stories are greatly alike, that only one man is warned, + that only one family is saved, that a boat is built, that birds are sent + out to find if the water had abated, tend to show that they had a common + origin. Admitting that there were severe floods in all countries; it + certainly cannot follow that in each instance only one family would be + saved, or that the same story would in each instance be told. It may be + urged that the natural tendency of man to exaggerate calamities, might + account for this agreement in all the accounts, and it must be admitted + that there is some force in the suggestion. I believe, though, that the + real origin of all these myths is the same, and that it was originally an + effort to account for the sun, moon and stars. The sun and moon were the + man and wife, or the god and goddess, and the stars were their children. + From a celestial myth, it became a terrestrial one; the air, or + ether-ocean became a flood, produced by rain, and the sun moon and stars + became man, woman and children. + </p> + <p> + In the original story, the mountain was the place where in the far east + the sky was supposed to touch the earth, and it was there that the ship + containing the celestial passengers finally rested from its voyage. But + whatever may be the origin of the stories of the flood, whether told first + by Hindu, Babylonian or Hebrew, we may rest perfectly assured that they + are all equally false. + </p> + <p> + XIX. BACCHUS AND BABEL. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Noah had disembarked, he proceeded to plant a vineyard, and + began to be a husbandman; and when the grapes were ripe he made wine and + drank of it to excess; cursed his grandson, blessed Shem and Japheth, and + after that lived for three hundred and fifty years. What he did during + these three hundred and fifty years, we are not told. We never hear of him + again. For three hundred and fifty years he lived among his sons, and + daughters, and their descendants. He must have been a venerable man. He + was the man to whom God had made known his intention of drowning the + world. By his efforts, the human race had been saved. He must have been + acquainted with Methuselah for six hundred years, and Methuselah was about + two hundred and forty years old, when Adam died. Noah must himself have + known the history of mankind, and must have been an object of almost + infinite interest; and yet for three hundred and fifty years he is neither + directly nor indirectly mentioned. When Noah died, Abraham must have been + more than fifty years old; and Shem, the son of Noah, lived for several + hundred years after the death of Abraham; and yet he is never mentioned. + Noah when he died, was the oldest man in the whole world by about five + hundred years; and everybody living at the time of his death knew that + they were indebted to him, and yet no account is given of his burial. No + monument was raised to mark the spot. This, however, is no more wonderful + than the fact that no account is given of the death of Adam or of Eve, nor + of the place of their burial. This may all be accounted for by the fact + that the language of man was confounded at the building of the tower of + Babel, whereby all tradition may have been lost, so that even the sons of + Noah could not give an account of their voyage in the ark; and, + consequently, some one had to be directly inspired to tell the story, + after new languages had been formed. + </p> + <p> + It has always been a mystery to me how Adam, Eve, and the serpent were + taught the same language. Where did they get it? We know now, that it + requires a great number of years to form a language; that it is of + exceedingly slow growth. We also know that by language, man conveys to his + fellows the impressions made upon him by what he sees, hears, smells and + touches. We know that the language of the savage consists of a few sounds, + capable of expressing only a few ideas or states of the mind, such as + love, desire, fear, hatred, aversion and contempt. Many centuries are + required to produce a language capable of expressing complex ideas. It + does not seem to me that ideas can be manufactured by a deity and put in + the brain of man. These ideas must be the result of observation and + experience. + </p> + <p> + Does anybody believe that God directly taught a language to Adam and Eve, + or that he so made them that they, by intuition spoke Hebrew, or some + language capable of conveying to each other their thoughts? How did the + serpent learn the same language? Did God teach it to him, or did he happen + to overhear God, when he was teaching Adam and Eve? We are told in the + second chapter of Genesis that God caused all the animals to pass before + Adam to see what he would call them. We cannot infer from this that God + named the animals and informed Adam what to call them. Adam named them + himself. Where did he get his words? We cannot imagine a man just made out + of dust, without the experience of a moment, having the power to put his + thoughts in language. In the first place, we cannot conceive of his having + any thoughts until he has combined, through experience and observation, + the impressions that nature had made upon him through the medium of his + senses. We cannot imagine of his knowing anything, in the first instance, + about different degrees of heat, nor about darkness, if he was made in the + day-time, nor about light, if created at night, until the next morning. + Before a man can have what we call thoughts, he must have had a little + experience. Something must have happened to him before he can have a + thought, and before he can express himself in language. Language is a + growth, not a gift. We account now for the diversity of language by the + fact that tribes and nations have had different experiences, different + wants, different surroundings, and, one result of all these differences + is, among other things, a difference in language. Nothing can be more + absurd than to account for the different languages of the world by saying + that the original language was confounded at the tower of Babel. + </p> + <p> + According to the Bible, up to the time of the building of that tower, the + whole earth was of one language and of one speech, and would have so + remained until the present time had not an effort been made to build a + tower whose top should reach into heaven. Can any one imagine what + objection God would have to the building of such a tower? And how could + the confusion of tongues prevent its construction? How could language be + confounded? It could be confounded only by the destruction of memory. Did + God destroy the memory of mankind at that time, and if so, how? Did he + paralyze that portion of the brain presiding over the organs of + articulation, so that they could not speak the words, although they + remembered them clearly, or did he so touch the brain that they could not + hear? Will some theologian, versed in the machinery of the miraculous, + tell us in what way God confounded the language of mankind? + </p> + <p> + Why would the confounding of the language make them separate? Why would + they not stay together until they could understand each other? People will + not separate, from weakness. When in trouble they come together and desire + the assistance of each other. Why, in this instance, did they separate? + What particular ones would naturally come together if nobody understood + the language of any other person? Would it not have been just as hard to + agree when and where to go, without any language to express the agreement, + as to go on with the building of the tower? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that any one now believes that the whole world would be of + one speech had the language not been confounded at Babel? Do we not know + that every word was suggested in some way by the experience of men? Do we + not know that words are continually dying, and continually being born; + that every language has its cradle and its cemetery—its buds, its + blossoms, its fruits and its withered leaves? Man has loved, enjoyed, + hated, suffered and hoped, and all words have been born of these + experiences. + </p> + <p> + Why did "the Lord come down to see the city and the tower"? Could he not + see them from where he lived or from where he was? Where did he come down + from? Did he come in the daytime, or in the night? We are taught now that + God is everywhere; that he inhabits immensity; that he is in every atom, + and in every star. If this is true, why did he "come down to see the city + and the tower?" Will some theologian explain this? + </p> + <p> + After all, is it not much easier and altogether more reasonable to say + that Moses was mistaken, that he knew little of the science of language, + and that he guessed a great deal more than he investigated? + </p> + <p> + XX. FAITH IN FILTH. + </p> + <p> + No light whatever is shed upon what passed in the world after the + confounding of language at Babel, until the birth of Abraham. But, before + speaking of the history of the Jewish people, it may be proper for me to + say that many things are recounted in Genesis, and other books attributed + to Moses, of which I do not wish to speak. There are many pages of these + books unfit to read, many stories not calculated, in my judgment, to + improve the morals of mankind. I do not wish even to call the attention of + my readers to these things, except in a general way. It is to be hoped + that the time will come when such chapters and passages as cannot be read + without leaving the blush of shame upon the cheek of modesty, will be left + out, and not published as a part of the Bible. If there is a God, it + certainly is blasphemous to attribute to him the authorship of pages too + obscene, beastly and vulgar to be read in the presence of men and women. + </p> + <p> + The believers in the Bible are loud in their denunciation of what they are + pleased to call the immoral literature of the world; and yet few books + have been published containing more moral filth than this inspired word of + God. These stories are not redeemed by a single flash of wit or humor. + They never rise above the dull details of stupid vice. For one, I cannot + afford to soil my pages with extracts from them; and all such portions of + the Scriptures I leave to be examined, written upon, and explained by the + clergy. Clergymen may know some way by which they can extract honey from + these flowers. Until these passages are expunged from the Old Testament, + it is not a fit book to be read by either old or young. It contains pages + that no minister in the United States would read to his congregation for + any reward whatever. There are chapters that no gentleman would read in + the presence of a lady. There are chapters that no father would read to + his child. There are narratives utterly unfit to be told; and the time + will come when mankind will wonder that such a book was ever called + inspired. + </p> + <p> + I know that in many books besides the Bible, there are immodest lines. + Some of the greatest writers have soiled their pages with indecent words. + We account for this by saying that the authors were human; that they + catered to the taste and spirit of their times. We make excuses, but at + the same time regret that in their works they left an impure word. But + what shall we say of God? Is it possible that a being of infinite purity—the + author of modesty, would smirch the pages of his book with stories lewd, + licentious and obscene? If God is the author of the Bible, it is, of + course, the standard by which all other books can, and should be measured. + If the Bible is not obscene, what book is? Why should men be imprisoned + simply for imitating God? The Christian world should never say another + word against immoral books until it makes the inspired volume clean. These + vile and filthy things were not written for the purpose of conveying and + enforcing moral truth, but seem to have been written because the author + loved an unclean thing. There is no moral depth below that occupied by the + writer or publisher of obscene books, that stain with lust, the loving + heart of youth. Such men should be imprisoned and their books destroyed. + The literature of the world should be rendered decent, and no book should + be published that cannot be read by, and in the hearing of the best and + purest people. But as long as the Bible is considered as the work of God, + it will be hard to make all men too good and pure to imitate it; and as + long as it is imitated there will be vile and filthy books. The literature + of our country will not be sweet and clean until the Bible ceases to be + regarded as the production of a god. + </p> + <p> + We are continually told that the Bible is the very foundation of modesty + and morality; while many of its pages are so immodest and immoral that a + minister, for reading them in the pulpit, would be instantly denounced as + an unclean wretch. Every woman would leave the church, and if the men + stayed, it would be for the purpose of chastising the minister. + </p> + <p> + Is there any saving grace in hypocrisy? Will men become clean in speech by + believing that God is unclean? Would it not be far better to admit that + the Bible was written by barbarians in a barbarous, coarse and vulgar age? + Would it not be safer to charge Moses with vulgarity, instead of God? Is + it not altogether more probable that some ignorant Hebrew would write the + vulgar words? The Christians tell me that God is the author of these vile + and stupid things? I have examined the question to the best of my ability, + and as to God my verdict is:—Not guilty. Faith should not rest in + filth. + </p> + <p> + Every foolish and immodest thing should be expunged from the Bible. Let us + keep the good. Let us preserve every great and splendid thought, every + wise and prudent maxim, every just law, every elevated idea, and every + word calculated to make man nobler and purer, and let us have the courage + to throw the rest away. The souls of children should not be stained and + soiled. The charming instincts of youth should not be corrupted and + defiled. The girls and boys should not be taught that unclean words were + uttered by "inspired" lips. Teach them that these words were born of + savagery and lust. Teach them that the unclean is the unholy, and that + only the pure is sacred. + </p> + <p> + XXI. THE HEBREWS. + </p> + <p> + After language had been confounded and the people scattered, there + appeared in the land of Canaan a tribe of Hebrews ruled by a chief or + sheik called Abraham. They had a few cattle, lived in tents, practiced + polygamy, wandered from place to place, and were the only folks in the + whole world to whom God paid the slightest attention. At this time there + were hundreds of cities in India filled with temples and palaces; millions + of Egyptians worshiped Isis and Osiris, and had covered their land with + marvelous monuments of industry, power and skill. But these civilizations + were entirely neglected by the Deity, his whole attention being taken up + with Abraham and his family. + </p> + <p> + It seems, from the account, that God and Abraham were intimately + acquainted, and conversed frequently upon a great variety of subjects. By + the twelfth chapter of Genesis it appears that he made the following + promises to Abraham. "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless + thee, and make thy name great: and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will + bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee." + </p> + <p> + After receiving this communication from the Almighty, Abraham went into + the land of Canaan, and again God appeared to him and told him to take a + heifer three years old, a goat of the same age, a sheep of equal + antiquity, a turtle dove and a young pigeon. Whereupon Abraham killed the + animals "and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against + another." And it came to pass that when the sun went down and it was dark, + behold a smoking furnace and a burning lamp that passed between the raw + and bleeding meat. The killing of these animals was a preparation for + receiving a visit from God. Should an American missionary in Central + Africa find a negro chief surrounded by a butchered heifer, a goat and a + sheep, with which to receive a communication from the infinite God, my + opinion is, that the missionary would regard the proceeding as the direct + result of savagery. And if the chief insisted that he had seen a smoking + furnace and a burning lamp going up and down between the pieces of meat, + the missionary would certainly conclude that the chief was not altogether + right in his mind. + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is true, this same God told Abraham to take and sacrifice his + only son, or rather the only son of his wife, and a murder would have been + committed had not God, just at the right moment, directed him to stay his + hand and take a sheep instead. + </p> + <p> + God made a great number of promises to Abraham, but few of them were ever + kept. He agreed to make him the father of a great nation, but he did not. + He solemnly promised to give him a great country, including all the land + between the river of Egypt and the Euphrates, but he did not. + </p> + <p> + In due time Abraham passed away, and his son Isaac took his place at the + head of the tribe. Then came Jacob, who "watered stock" and enriched + himself with the spoil of Laban. Joseph was sold into Egypt by his jealous + brethren, where he became one of the chief men of the kingdom, and in a + few years his father and brothers left their own country and settled in + Egypt. At this time there were seventy Hebrews in the world, counting + Joseph and his children. They remained in Egypt two hundred and fifteen + years. It is claimed by some that they were in that country for four + hundred and thirty years. This is a mistake. Josephus says they were in + Egypt two hundred and fifteen years, and this statement is sustained by + the best biblical scholars of all denominations. According to the 17th + verse of the 3rd chapter of Galatians, it was four hundred and thirty + years from the time the promise was made to Abraham to the giving of the + law, and as the Hebrews did not go to Egypt for two hundred and fifteen + years after the making of the promise to Abraham, they could in no event + have been in Egypt more than two hundred and fifteen years. In our Bible + the 40th verse of the 12th chapter of Exodus, is as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was + four hundred and thirty years." + </p> + <p> + This passage does not say that the sojourning was all done in Egypt; + neither does it say that the children of Israel dwelt in Egypt four + hundred and thirty years; but it does say that the sojourning of the + children of Israel who dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. + The Vatican copy of the Septuagint renders the same passage as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "The sojourning of the children of Israel which they sojourned in Egypt, + and in the land of Canaan, was four hundred and thirty years." + </p> + <p> + The Alexandrian version says:—"The sojourning of the children of + Israel which they and their fathers sojourned in Egypt, and in the land of + Canaan, was four hundred and thirty years." + </p> + <p> + And in the Samaritan Bible we have:—"The sojourning of the children + of Israel and of their fathers which they sojourned in the land of Canaan, + and in the land of Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years." + </p> + <p> + There were seventy souls when they went down into Egypt, and they remained + two hundred and fifteen years, and at the end of that time they had + increased to about three million. How do we know that there were three + million at the end of two hundred and fifteen years? We know it because we + are informed by Moses that "there were six hundred thousand men of war." + Now, to each man of war, there must have been at least five other people. + In every State in this Union there will be to each voter, five other + persons at least, and we all know that there are always more voters than + men of war. If there were six hundred thousand men of war, there must have + been a population of at least three million. Is it possible that seventy + people could increase to that extent in two hundred and fifteen years? You + may say that it was a miracle; but what need was there of working a + miracle? Why should God miraculously increase the number of slaves? If he + wished miraculously to increase the population, why did he not wait until + the people were free? + </p> + <p> + In 1776, we had in the American Colonies about three millions of people. + In one hundred years we doubled four times: that is to say, six, twelve, + twenty-four, forty-eight million,—our present population. + </p> + <p> + We must not forget that during all these years there has been pouring into + our country a vast stream of emigration, and that this, taken in + connection with the fact that our country is productive beyond all others, + gave us only four doubles in one hundred years. Admitting that the Hebrews + increased as rapidly without emigration as we, in this country, have with + it, we will give to them four doubles each century, commencing with + seventy people, and they would have, at the end of two hundred years, a + population of seventeen thousand nine hundred and twenty. Giving them + another double for the odd fifteen years and there would be, provided no + deaths had occurred, thirty-five thousand eight hundred and forty people. + And yet we are told that instead of having this number, they had increased + to such an extent that they had six hundred thousand men of war; that is + to say, a population of more than three millions? + </p> + <p> + Every sensible man knows that this account is not, and cannot be true. We + know that seventy people could not increase to three million in two + hundred and fifteen years. + </p> + <p> + About this time the Hebrews took a census, and found that there were + twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three first-born males. It is + reasonable to suppose that there were about as many first-born females. + This would make forty-four thousand five hundred and forty-six first-born + children. Now, there must have been about as many mothers as there were + first-born children. If there were only about forty-five thousand mothers + and three millions of people, the mothers must have had on an average + about sixty-six children apiece. + </p> + <p> + At this time, the Hebrews were slaves, and had been for two hundred and + fifteen years. A little while before, an order had been made by the + Egyptians that all the male children of the Hebrews should be killed. One, + contrary to this order, was saved in an ark made of bullrushes daubed with + slime. This child was found by the daughter of Pharaoh, and was adopted, + it seems, as her own, and, may be, was. He grew to be a man, sided with + the Hebrews, killed an Egyptian that was smiting a slave, hid the body in + the sand, and fled from Egypt to the land of Midian, became acquainted + with a priest who had seven daughters, took the side of the daughters + against the ill-mannered shepherds of that country, and married Zipporah, + one of the girls, and became a shepherd for her father. Afterward, while + tending his flock, the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush, and + commanded him to go to the king of Egypt and demand from him the + liberation of the Hebrews. In order to convince him that the something + burning in the bush was actually God, the rod in his hand was changed into + a serpent, which, upon being caught by the tail, became again a rod. Moses + was also told to put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out it was + as leprous as snow. Quite a number of strange things were performed, and + others promised. Moses then agreed to go back to Egypt provided his + brother could go with him. Whereupon the Lord appeared to Aaron, and + directed him to meet Moses in the wilderness. They met at the mount of + God, went to Egypt, gathered together all the elders of the children of + Israel, spake all the words which God had spoken unto Moses, and did all + the signs in the sight of the people. The Israelites believed, bowed their + heads and worshiped; and Moses and Aaron went in and told their message to + Pharaoh the king. + </p> + <p> + XXII. THE PLAGUES. + </p> + <p> + Three millions of people were in slavery. They were treated with the + utmost rigor, and so fearful were their masters that they might, in time, + increase in numbers sufficient to avenge themselves, that they took from + the arms of mothers all the male children and destroyed them. If the + account given is true, the Egyptians were the most cruel, heartless and + infamous people of which history gives any record. God finally made up his + mind to free the Hebrews; and for the accomplishment of this purpose he + sent, as his agents, Moses and Aaron, to the king of Egypt. In order that + the king might know that these men had a divine mission, God gave Moses + the power of changing a stick into a serpent, and water into blood. Moses + and Aaron went before the king, stating that the Lord God of Israel + ordered the king of Egypt to let the Hebrews go that they might hold a + feast with God in the wilderness. Thereupon Pharaoh, the king, enquired + who the Lord was, at the same time stating that he had never made his + acquaintance, and knew nothing about him. To this they replied that the + God of the Hebrews had met with them, and they asked to go a three days + journey into the desert and sacrifice unto this God, fearing that if they + did not he would fall upon them with pestilence or the sword. This + interview seems to have hardened Pharaoh, for he ordered the tasks of the + children of Israel to be increased; so that the only effect of the first + appeal was to render still worse the condition of the Hebrews. Thereupon, + Moses returned unto the Lord and said, "Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil + entreated this people? Why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came + to Pharaoh to speak in thy name he hath done evil to this people; neither + hast thou delivered thy people at all." + </p> + <p> + Apparently stung by this reproach, God answered:— + </p> + <p> + "Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharoah; for with a strong hand + shall he let them go; and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of + his land." + </p> + <p> + God then recounts the fact that he had appeared unto Abraham, Isaac and + Jacob, that he had established a covenant with them to give them the land + of Canaan, that he had heard the groanings of the children of Israel in + Egyptian bondage; that their groanings had put him in mind of his + covenant, and that he had made up his mind to redeem the children of + Israel with a stretched-out arm and with great judgments. Moses then spoke + to the children of Israel again, but they would listen to him no more. His + first effort in their behalf had simply doubled their trouble and they + seemed to have lost confidence in his power. Thereupon Jehovah promised + Moses that he would make him a god unto Pharaoh, and that Aaron should be + his prophet, but at the same time informed him that his message would be + of no avail; that he would harden the heart of Pharaoh so that he would + not listen; that he would so harden his heart that he might have an excuse + for destroying the Egyptians. Accordingly, Moses and Aaron again went + before Pharaoh. Moses said to Aaron;—"Cast down your rod before + Pharaoh," which he did, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh not in the + least surprised, called for his wise men and his sorcerers, and they threw + down their rods and changed them into serpents. The serpent that had been + changed from Aaron's rod was, at this time crawling upon the floor, and it + proceeded to swallow the serpents that had been produced by the magicians + of Egypt. What became of these serpents that were swallowed, whether they + turned back into sticks again, is not stated. Can we believe that the + stick was changed into a real living serpent, or did it assume simply the + appearance of a serpent? If it bore only the appearance of a serpent it + was a deception, and could not rise above the dignity of legerdemain. Is + it necessary to believe that God is a kind of prestigiator—a + sleight-of-hand performer, a magician or sorcerer? Can it be possible that + an infinite being would endeavor to secure the liberation of a race by + performing a miracle that could be equally performed by the sorcerers and + magicians of a barbarian king? + </p> + <p> + Not one word was said by Moses or Aaron as to the wickedness of depriving + a human being of his liberty. Not a word was said in favor of liberty. Not + the slightest intimation that a human being was justly entitled to the + product of his own labor. Not a word about the cruelty of masters who + would destroy even the babes of slave mothers. It seems to me wonderful + that this God did not tell the king of Egypt that no nation could enslave + another, without also enslaving itself; that it was impossible to put a + chain around the limbs of a slave, without putting manacles upon the brain + of the master. Why did he not tell him that a nation founded upon slavery + could not stand? Instead of declaring these things, instead of appealing + to justice, to mercy and to liberty, he resorted to feats of jugglery. + Suppose we wished to make a treaty with a barbarous nation, and the + President should employ a sleight-of-hand performer as envoy + extraordinary, and instruct him, that when he came into the presence of + the savage monarch, he should cast down an umbrella or a walking stick, + which would change into a lizard or a turtle; what would we think? Would + we not regard such a performance as beneath the dignity even of a + President? And what would be our feelings if the savage king sent for his + sorcerers and had them perform the same feat? If such things would appear + puerile and foolish in the President of a great republic, what shall be + said when they were resorted to by the creator of all worlds? How small, + how contemptible such a God appears! Pharaoh, it seems, took about this + view of the matter, and he would not be persuaded that such tricks were + performed by an infinite being. + </p> + <p> + Again, Moses and Aaron came before Pharaoh as he was going to the river's + bank, and the same rod which had changed to a serpent, and, by this time + changed back, was taken by Aaron, who, in the presence of Pharaoh, smote + the water of the river, which was immediately turned to blood, as well as + all the water in all the streams, ponds, and pools, as well as all water + in vessels of wood and vessels of stone in the entire land of Egypt. As + soon as all the waters in Egypt had been turned into blood, the magicians + of that country did the same with their enchantments. We are not informed + where they got the water to turn into blood, since all the water in Egypt + had already been so changed. It seems from the account that the fish in + the Nile died, and the river emitted a stench, and there was not a drop of + water in the land of Egypt that had not been changed into blood. In + consequence of this, the Egyptians digged "around about the river" for + water to drink. Can we believe this story? Is it necessary to salvation to + admit that all the rivers, pools, ponds and lakes of a country were + changed into blood, in order that a king might be induced to allow the + children of Israel the privilege of going a three days journey into the + wilderness to make sacrifices to their God? + </p> + <p> + It seems from the account that Pharaoh was told that the God of the + Hebrews would, if he refused to let the Israelites go, change all the + waters of Egypt into blood, and that, upon his refusal, they were so + changed. This had, however, no influence upon him, for the reason that his + own magicians did the same. It does not appear that Moses and Aaron + expressed the least surprise at the success of the Egyptian sorcerers. At + that time it was believed that each nation had its own god. The only claim + that Moses and Aaron made for their God was, that he was the greatest and + most powerful of all the gods, and that with anything like an equal chance + he could vanquish the deity of any other nation. + </p> + <p> + After the waters were changed to blood Moses and Aaron waited for seven + days. At the end of that time God told Moses to again go to Pharaoh and + demand the release of his people, and to inform him that, if he refused, + God would strike all the borders of Egypt with frogs. That he would make + frogs so plentiful that they would go into the houses of Pharaoh, into his + bedchamber, upon his bed, into the houses of his servants, upon his + people, into their ovens, and even into their kneading troughs. This + threat had no effect whatever upon Pharaoh. And thereupon Aaron stretched + out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered + the land. The magicians of Egypt did the same, and with their enchantments + brought more frogs upon the land of Egypt. + </p> + <p> + These magicians do not seem to have been original in their ideas, but so + far as imitation is concerned, were perfect masters of their art. The + frogs seem to have made such an impression upon Pharaoh that he sent for + Moses and asked him to entreat the Lord that he would take away the frogs. + Moses agreed to remove them from the houses and the land, and allow them + to remain only in the rivers. Accordingly the frogs died out of the + houses, and out of the villages, and out of the fields, and the people + gathered them together in heaps. As soon as the frogs had left the houses + and fields, the heart of Pharaoh became again hardened, and he refused to + let the people go. + </p> + <p> + Aaron then, according to the command of God, stretched out his hand, + holding the rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in + man and in beast, and all the dust became lice throughout the land of + Egypt. Pharaoh again sent for his magicians, and they sought to do the + same with their enchantments, but they could not. Whereupon the sorcerers + said unto Pharaoh: "This is the finger of God." + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding this, however, Pharaoh refused to let the Hebrews go. God + then caused a grievous swarm of flies to come into the house of Pharaoh + and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt, to such an + extent that the whole land was corrupted by reason of the flies. But into + that part of the country occupied by the children of Israel there came no + flies. Thereupon Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron and said to them: "Go, + and sacrifice to your God in this land." They were not willing to + sacrifice in Egypt, and asked permission to go on a journey of three days + into the wilderness. To this Pharaoh acceded, and in consideration of this + Moses agreed to use his influence with the Lord to induce him to send the + flies out of the country. He accordingly told the Lord of the bargain he + had made with Pharaoh, and the Lord agreed to the compromise, and removed + the flies from Pharaoh and from his servants and from his people, and + there remained not a single fly in the land of Egypt. As soon as the flies + were gone, Pharaoh again changed his mind, and concluded not to permit the + children of Israel to depart. The Lord then directed Moses to go to + Pharaoh and tell him that if he did not allow the children of Israel to + depart, he would destroy his cattle, his horses, his camels and his sheep; + that these animals would be afflicted with a grievous disease, but that + the animals belonging to the Hebrews should not be so afflicted. Moses did + as he was bid. On the next day all the cattle of Egypt died; that is to + say, all the horses, all the asses, all the camels, all the oxen and all + the sheep; but of the animals owned by the Israelites, not one perished. + This disaster had no effect upon Pharaoh, and he still refused to let the + children of Israel go. The Lord then told Moses and Aaron to take some + ashes out of a furnace, and told Moses to sprinkle them toward the heavens + in the sight of Pharaoh; saying that the ashes should become small dust in + all the land of Egypt, and should be a boil breaking forth with blains + upon man and upon beast throughout all the land. + </p> + <p> + How these boils breaking out with blains, upon cattle that were already + dead, should affect Pharaoh, is a little hard to understand. It must not + be forgotten that all the cattle and all beasts had died with the murrain + before the boils had broken out. + </p> + <p> + This was a most decisive victory for Moses and Aaron. The boils were upon + the magicians to that extent that they could not stand before Moses. But + it had no effect upon Pharaoh, who seems to have been a man of great + firmness. The Lord then instructed Moses to get up early in the morning + and tell Pharaoh that he would stretch out his hand and smite his people + with a pestilence, and would, on the morrow, cause it to rain a very + grievous hail, such as had never been known in the land of Egypt. He also + told Moses to give notice, so that they might get all the cattle that were + in the fields under cover. It must be remembered that all these cattle had + recently died of the murrain, and their dead bodies had been covered with + boils and blains. This, however, had no effect, and Moses stretched forth + his hand toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder, and hail and lightning, + and fire that ran along the ground, and the hail fell upon all the land of + Egypt, and all that were in the fields, both man and beast, were smitten, + and the hail smote every herb of the field, and broke every tree of the + country except that portion inhabited by the children of Israel; there, + there was no hail. + </p> + <p> + During this hail storm Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron and admitted that + he had sinned, that the Lord was righteous, and that the Egyptians were + wicked, and requested them to ask the Lord that there be no more + thunderings and hail, and that he would let the Hebrews go. Moses agreed + that as soon as he got out of the city he would stretch forth his hands + unto the Lord, and that the thunderings should cease and the hail should + stop. But, when the rain and the hail and the thundering ceased, Pharaoh + concluded that he would not let the children of Israel go. + </p> + <p> + Again, God sent Moses and Aaron, instructing them to tell Pharaoh that if + he refused to let the people go, the face of the earth would be covered + with locusts, so that man would not be able to see the ground, and that + these locusts would eat the residue of that which escaped from the hail; + that they would eat every tree out of the field; that they would fill the + houses of Pharaoh and the houses of all his servants, and the houses of + all the Egyptians. Moses delivered the message, and went out from Pharaoh. + Some of Pharaoh's servants entreated their master to let the children of + Israel go. Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron and asked them, who wished to + go into the wilderness to sacrifice. They replied that they wished to go + with the young and old; with their sons and daughters, with flocks and + herds. Pharaoh would not consent to this, but agreed that the men might + go. Thereupon Pharaoh drove Moses and Aaron out of his sight. Then God + told Moses to stretch forth his hand upon the land of Egypt for the + locusts, that they might come up and eat every herb, even all that the + hail had left. "And Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, + and the Lord brought an east wind all that day and all that night; and + when it was morning the east wind brought the locusts; and they came up + over all the land of Egypt and rested upon all the coasts covering the + face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every + herb and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left, and there + remained not any green thing on the trees or in the herbs of the field + throughout the land of Egypt." Pharaoh then called for Moses and Aaron in + great haste, admitted that he had sinned against the Lord their God and + against them, asked their forgiveness and requested them to intercede with + God that he might take away the locusts. They went out from his presence + and asked the Lord to drive the locusts away, "And the Lord made a strong + west wind which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red Sea so + that there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt." + </p> + <p> + As soon as the locusts were gone, Pharaoh changed his mind, and, in the + language of the sacred text, "the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart so that he + would not let the children of Israel go." + </p> + <p> + The Lord then told Moses to stretch out his hand toward heaven that there + might be darkness over the land of Egypt, "even darkness which might be + felt." "And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven, and there was a + thick darkness over the land of Egypt for three days during which time + they saw not each other, neither arose any of the people from their places + for three days; but the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." + </p> + <p> + It strikes me that when the land of Egypt was covered with thick darkness—so + thick that it could be felt, and when light was in the dwellings of the + Israelites, there could have been no better time for the Hebrews to have + left the country. + </p> + <p> + Pharaoh again called for Moses, and told him that his people could go and + serve the Lord, provided they would leave their flocks and herds. Moses + would not agree to this, for the reason that they needed the flocks and + herds for sacrifices and burnt offerings, and he did not know how many of + the animals God might require, and for that reason he could not leave a + single hoof. Upon the question of the cattle, they divided, and Pharaoh + again refused to let the people go. God then commanded Moses to tell the + Hebrews to borrow, each of his neighbor, jewels of silver and gold. By a + miraculous interposition the Hebrews found favor in the sight of the + Egyptians so that they loaned the articles asked for. After this, Moses + again went to Pharaoh and told him that all the first-born in the land of + Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh upon the throne, unto the first-born + of the maid-servant who was behind the mill, as well as the first-born of + beasts, should die. + </p> + <p> + As all the beasts had been destroyed by disease and hail, it is + troublesome to understand the meaning of the threat as to their + first-born. + </p> + <p> + Preparations were accordingly made for carrying this frightful threat into + execution. Blood was put on the door-posts of all houses inhabited by + Hebrews, so that God, as he passed through that land, might not be + mistaken and destroy the first-born of the Jews. "And it came to pass that + at midnight the Lord smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, the + first-born of Pharaoh who sat on the throne, and the first-born of the + captive who was in the dungeon. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, and all + his servants, and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, + for there was not a house where there was not one dead." + </p> + <p> + What had these children done? Why should the babes in the cradle be + destroyed on account of the crime of Pharaoh? Why should the cattle be + destroyed because man had enslaved his brother? In those days women and + children and cattle were put upon an exact equality, and all considered as + the property of the men; and when man in some way excited the wrath of + God, he punished them by destroying all their cattle, their wives, and + their little ones. Where can words be found bitter enough to describe a + god who would kill wives and babes because husbands and fathers had failed + to keep his law? Every good man, and every good woman, must hate and + despise such a deity. + </p> + <p> + Upon the death of all the first-born Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, and + not only gave his consent that they might go with the Hebrews into the + wilderness, but besought them to go at once. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that an infinite God, creator of all worlds and sustainer + of all life, said to Pharaoh, "If you do not let my people go, I will turn + all the water of your country into blood," and that upon the refusal of + Pharaoh to release the people, God did turn all the waters into blood? Do + you believe this? + </p> + <p> + Do you believe that Pharaoh even after all the water was turned to blood, + refused to let the Hebrews go, and that thereupon God told him he would + cover his land with frogs? Do you believe this? + </p> + <p> + Do you believe that after the land was covered with frogs Pharaoh still + refused to let the people go, and that God then said to him, "I will cover + you and all your people with lice?" Do you believe God would make this + threat? + </p> + <p> + Do you also believe that God told Pharaoh, "It you do not let these people + go, I will fill all your houses and cover your country with flies?" Do you + believe God makes such threats as this? + </p> + <p> + Of course God must have known that turning the waters into blood, covering + the country with frogs, infesting all flesh with lice, and filling all + houses with flies, would not accomplish his object, and that all these + plagues would have no effect whatever upon the Egyptian king. + </p> + <p> + Do you believe that, failing to accomplish anything by the flies, God told + Pharaoh that if he did not let the people go he would kill his cattle with + murrain? Does such a threat sound God-like? + </p> + <p> + Do you believe that, failing to effect anything by killing the cattle, + this same God then threatened to afflict all the people with boils, + including the magicians who had been rivaling him in the matter of + miracles; and failing to do anything by boils, that he resorted to hail? + Does this sound reasonable? The hail experiment having accomplished + nothing, do you believe that God murdered the first-born of animals and + men? Is it possible to conceive of anything more utterly absurd, stupid, + revolting, cruel and senseless, than the miracles said to have been + wrought by the Almighty for the purpose of inducing Pharaoh to liberate + the children of Israel? + </p> + <p> + Is it not altogether more reasonable to say that the Jewish people, being + in slavery, accounted for the misfortunes and calamities, suffered by the + Egyptians, by saying that they were the judgments of God? + </p> + <p> + When the Armada of Spain was wrecked and scattered by the storm, the + English people believed that God had interposed in their behalf, and + publicly gave thanks. When the battle of Lepanto was won, it was believed + by the Catholic world that the victory was given in answer to prayer. So, + our fore-fathers in their Revolutionary struggle saw, or thought they saw, + the hand of God, and most firmly believed that they achieved their + independence by the interposition of the Most High. + </p> + <p> + Now, it may be that while the Hebrews were enslaved by the Egyptians, + there were plagues of locusts and flies. It may be that there were some + diseases by which many of the cattle perished. It may be that a pestilence + visited that country so that in nearly every house there was some one + dead. If so, it was but natural for the enslaved and superstitious Jews to + account for these calamities by saying that they were punishments sent by + their God. Such ideas will be found in the history of every country. + </p> + <p> + For a long time the Jews held these opinions, and they were handed from + father to son simply by tradition. By the time a written language had been + produced, thousands of additions had been made, and numberless details + invented; so that we have not only an account of the plagues suffered by + the Egyptians, but the whole woven into a connected story, containing the + threats made by Moses and Aaron, the miracles wrought by them, the + promises of Pharaoh, and finally the release of the Hebrews, as a result + of the marvelous things performed in their behalf by Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + In any event it is infinitely more probable that the author was + misinformed, than that the God of this universe was guilty of these + childish, heartless and infamous things. The solution of the whole matter + is this:—Moses was mistaken. + </p> + <p> + XXIII. THE FLIGHT. + </p> + <p> + Three millions of people, with their flocks and herds, with borrowed + jewelry and raiment, with unleavened dough in kneading troughs bound in + their clothes upon their shoulders, in one night commenced their journey + for the land of promise. We are not told how they were informed of the + precise time to start. With all the modern appliances, it would require + months of time to inform three millions of people of any fact. + </p> + <p> + In this vast assemblage there were six hundred thousand men of war, and + with them were the old, the young, the diseased and helpless. Where were + those people going? They were going to the desert of Sinai, compared with + which Sahara is a garden. Imagine an ocean of lava torn by storm and vexed + by tempest, suddenly gazed at by a Gorgon and changed instantly to stone! + Such was the desert of Sinai. + </p> + <p> + All of the civilized nations of the world could not feed and support three + millions of people on the desert of Sinai for forty years. It would cost + more than one hundred thousand millions of dollars, and would bankrupt + Christendom. They had with them their flocks and herds, and the sheep were + so numerous that the Israelites sacrificed, at one time, more than one + hundred and fifty thousand first-born lambs. How were these flocks + supported? What did they eat? Where were meadows and pastures for them? + There was no grass, no forests—nothing! There is no account of its + having rained baled hay, nor is it even claimed that they were + miraculously fed. To support these flocks, millions of acres of pasture + would have been required. God did not take the Israelites through the land + of the Philistines, for fear that when they saw the people of that country + they would return to Egypt, but he took them by the way of the wilderness + to the Red Sea, going before them by day in a pillar of cloud, and by + night, in a pillar of fire. + </p> + <p> + When it was told Pharaoh that the people had fled, he made ready and took + six hundred chosen chariots of Egypt, and pursued after the children of + Israel, overtaking them by the sea. As all the animals had long before + that time been destroyed, we are not informed where Pharaoh obtained the + horses for his chariots. The moment the children of Israel saw the hosts + of Pharaoh, although they had six hundred thousand men of war, they + immediately cried unto the Lord for protection. It is wonderful to me that + a land that had been ravaged by the plagues described in the Bible, still + had the power to put in the field an army that would carry terror to the + hearts of six hundred thousand men of war. Even with the help of God, it + seems, they were not strong enough to meet the Egyptians in the open + field, but resorted to strategy. Moses again stretched forth his wonderful + rod over the waters of the Red Sea, and they were divided, and the Hebrews + passed through on dry land, the waters standing up like a wall on either + side. The Egyptians pursued them; "and in the morning watch the Lord + looked into the hosts of the Egyptians, through the pillar of fire," and + proceeded to take the wheels off their chariots. As soon as the wheels + were off, God told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea. Moses did + so, and immediately "the waters returned and covered the chariots and + horsemen and all the hosts of Pharaoh that came into the sea, and there + remained not so much as one of them." + </p> + <p> + This account may be true, but still it hardly looks reasonable that God + would take the wheels off the chariots. How did he do it? Did he pull out + the linch-pins, or did he just take them off by main force? + </p> + <p> + What a picture this presents to the mind! God the creator of the universe, + maker of every shining, glittering star, engaged in pulling off the wheels + of wagons, that he might convince Pharaoh of his greatness and power! + </p> + <p> + Where were these people going? They were going to the promised land. How + large a country was that? About twelve thousand square miles. About + one-fifth the size of the State of Illinois. It was a frightful country, + covered with rocks and desolation. How many people were in the promised + land already? Moses tells us there were seven nations in that country + mightier than the Jews. As there were at least three millions of Jews, + there must have been at least twenty-one millions of people already in + that country. These had to be driven out in order that room might be made + for the chosen people of God. + </p> + <p> + It seems, however, that God was not willing to take the children of Israel + into the promised land immediately. They were not fit to inhabit the land + of Canaan; so he made up his mind to allow them to wander upon the desert + until all except two, who had left Egypt, should perish. Of all the slaves + released from Egyptian bondage, only two were allowed to reach the + promised land! + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Hebrews crossed the Red Sea, they found themselves without + food, and with water unfit to drink by reason of its bitterness, and they + began to murmur against Moses, who cried unto the Lord, and "the Lord + showed him a tree." Moses cast this tree into the waters, and they became + sweet. "And it came to pass in the morning the dew lay around about the + camp; and when the dew that lay was gone, behold, upon the face of the + wilderness lay a small round thing, small as the hoar-frost upon the + ground. And Moses said unto them, this is the bread which the Lord hath + given you to eat." This manna was a very peculiar thing. It would melt in + the sun, and yet they could cook it by seething and baking. One would as + soon think of frying snow or of broiling icicles. But this manna had + another remarkable quality. No matter how much or little any person + gathered, he would have an exact omer; if he gathered more, it would + shrink to that amount, and if he gathered less, it would swell exactly to + that amount. What a magnificent substance manna would be with which to + make a currency—shrinking and swelling according to the great laws + of supply and demand! + </p> + <p> + "Upon this manna the children of Israel lived for forty years, until they + came to a habitable land. With this meat were they fed until they reached + the borders of the land of Canaan." We are told in the twenty-first + chapter of Numbers, that the people at last became tired of' the manna, + complained of God, and asked Moses why he brought them out of the land of + Egypt to die in the wilderness. And they said:—"There is no bread, + nor have we any water. Our soul loatheth this light food." + </p> + <p> + We are told by some commentators that the Jews lived on manna for forty + years; by others that they lived upon it for only a short time. As a + matter of fact the accounts differ, and this difference is the opportunity + for commentators. It also allows us to exercise faith in believing that + both accounts are true. If the accounts agreed, and were reasonable, they + would be believed by the wicked and unregenerated. But as they are + different and unreasonable, they are believed only by the good. Whenever a + statement in the Bible is unreasonable, and you believe it, you are + considered quite a good Christian. If the statement is grossly absurd and + infinitely impossible, and you still believe it, you are a saint. + </p> + <p> + The children of Israel were in the desert, and they were out of water. + They had nothing to eat but manna, and this they had had so long that the + soul of every person abhorred it. Under these circumstances they + complained to Moses. Now, as God is infinite, he could just as well have + furnished them with an abundance of the purest and coolest of water, and + could, without the slightest trouble to himself, have given them three + excellent meals a day, with a generous variety of meats and vegetables, it + is very hard to see why he did not do so. It is still harder to conceive + why he fell into a rage when the people mildly suggested that they would + like a change of diet. Day after day, week after week, month after month, + year after year, nothing but manna. No doubt they did the best they could + by cooking it in different ways, but in spite of themselves they began to + loathe its sight and taste, and so they asked Moses to use his influence + to secure a change in the bill of fare. + </p> + <p> + Now, I ask, whether it was unreasonable for the Jews to suggest that a + little meat would be very gratefully received? It seems, however, that as + soon as the request was made, this God of infinite mercy became infinitely + enraged, and instead of granting it, went into partnership with serpents, + for the purpose of punishing the hungry wretches to whom he had promised a + land flowing with milk and honey. + </p> + <p> + Where did these serpents come from? How did God convey the information to + the serpents, that he wished them to go to the desert of Sinai and bite + some Jews? It may be urged that these serpents were created for the + express purpose of punishing the children of Israel for having had the + presumption, like Oliver Twist, to ask for more. + </p> + <p> + There is another account in the eleventh chapter of Numbers, of the people + murmuring because of their food. They remembered the fish, the cucumbers, + the melons, the leeks, the onions and the garlic of Egypt, and they asked + for meat. The people went to the tent of Moses and asked him for flesh. + Moses cried unto the Lord and asked him why he did not take care of the + multitude. God thereupon agreed that they should have meat, not for a day + or two, but for a month, until the meat should come out of their nostrils + and become loathsome to them. He then caused a wind to bring quails from + beyond the sea, and cast them into the camp, on every side of the camp + around about for the space of a days journey. And the people gathered + them, and while the flesh was yet between their teeth the wrath of God + being provoked against them, struck them with an exceeding great plague. + Serpents, also, were sent among them, and thousands perished for the crime + of having been hungry. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Alexander Cruden commenting upon this account says:— + </p> + <p> + "God caused a wind to rise that drove the quails within and about the camp + of the Israelites; and it is in this that the miracle consists, that they + were brought so seasonably to this place, and in so great numbers as to + suffice above a million of persons above a month. Some authors affirm, + that in those eastern and southern countries, quails are innumerable, so + that in one part of Italy within the compass of five miles, there were + taken about an hundred thousand of them every day for a month together; + and that sometimes they fly so thick over the sea, that being weary they + fall into ships, sometimes in such numbers, that they sink them with their + weight." + </p> + <p> + No wonder Mr. Cruden believed the Mosaic account. + </p> + <p> + Must we believe that God made an arrangement with hornets for the purpose + af securing their services in driving the Canaanites from the land of + promise? Is this belief necessary unto salvation? Must we believe that God + said to the Jews that he would send hornets before them to drive out the + Canaanites, as related in the twenty-third chapter of Exodus, and the + second chapter of Deuteronomy? How would the hornets know a Canaanite? In + what way would God put it in the mind of a hornet to attack a Canaanite? + Did God create hornets for that especial purpose, implanting an instinct + to attack a Canaanite, but not a Hebrew? Can we conceive of the Almighty + granting letters of marque and reprisal to hornets? Of course it is + admitted that nothing in the world would be better calculated to make a + man leave his native land than a few hornets. Is it possible for us to + believe that an infinite being would resort to such expedients in order to + drive the Canaanites from their country? He could just as easily have + spoken the Canaanites out of existence as to have spoken the hornets in. + In this way a vast amount of trouble, pain and suffering would have been + saved. Is it possible that there is, in this country, an intelligent + clergyman who will insist that these stories are true; that we must + believe them in in order to be good people in this world, and glorified + souls in the next? + </p> + <p> + We are also told that God instructed the Hebrews to kill the Canaanites + slowly, giving as a reason that the beasts of the field might increase + upon his chosen people. When we take into consideration the fact that the + Holy Land contained only about eleven or twelve thousand square miles, and + was at that time inhabited by at least twenty-one millions of people, it + does not seem reasonable that the wild beasts could have been numerous + enough to cause any great alarm. The same ratio of population would give + to the State of Illinois at least one hundred and twenty millions of + inhabitants. Can anybody believe that, under such circumstances, the + danger from wild beasts could be very great? What would we think of a + general, invading such a State, if he should order his soldiers to kill + the people slowly, lest the wild beasts might increase upon them? Is it + possible that a God capable of doing the miracles recounted in the Old + Testament could not, in some way, have disposed of the wild beasts? After + the Canaanites were driven out, could he not have employed the hornets to + drive out the wild beasts? Think of a God that could drive twenty-one + millions of people out of the promised land, could raise up innumerable + stinging flies, and could cover the earth with fiery serpents, and yet + seems to have been perfectly powerless against the wild beasts of the land + of Canaan! + </p> + <p> + Speaking of these hornets, one of the good old commentators, whose views + have long been considered of great value by the believers in the + inspiration of the Bible, uses the following language:—"Hornets are + a sort of strong flies, which the Lord used as instruments to plague the + enemies of his people. They are of themselves very troublesome and + mischievous, and those the Lord made use of were, it is thought, of an + extraordinary bigness and perniciousness. It is said they live as the + wasps, and that they have a king or captain, and pestilent stings as bees, + and that, if twenty-seven of them sting man or beast, it is certain death + to either. Nor is it strange that such creatures did drive out the + Canaanites from their habitations; for many heathen writers give instances + of some people driven from their seats by frogs, others by mice, others by + bees and wasps. And it is said that a Christian city, being besieged by + Sapores, king of Persia, was delivered by hornets; for the elephants and + beasts being stung by them, waxed unruly, and so the whole army fled." + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago, all such stories were believed by the Christian + world; and it is a historical fact, that Voltaire was the third man of any + note in Europe, who took the ground that the mythologies of Greece and + Rome were without foundation. Until his time, most Christians believed as + thoroughly in the miracles ascribed to the Greek and Roman gods as in + those of Christ and Jehovah. The Christian world cultivated credulity, not + only as one of the virtues, but as the greatest of them all. But, when + Luther and his followers left the Church of Rome, they were compelled to + deny the power of the Catholic Church, at that time, to suspend the laws + of nature, but took the ground that such power ceased with the apostolic + age. They insisted that all things now happened in accordance with the + laws of nature, with the exception of a few special interferences in favor + of the Protestant Church in answer to prayer. They taught their children a + double philosophy: by one, they were to show the impossibility of Catholic + miracles, because opposed to the laws of nature; by the other, the + probability of the miracles of the apostolic age, because they were in + conformity with the statements of the Scriptures. They had two + foundations: one, the law of nature, and the other, the word of God. The + Protestants have endeavored to carry on this double process of reasoning, + and the result has been a gradual increase of confidence in the law of + nature, and a gradual decrease of confidence in the word of God. + </p> + <p> + We are told, in this inspired account, that the clothing of the Jewish + people did not wax old, and that their shoes refused to wear out. Some + commentators have insisted that angels attended to the wardrobes of the + Hebrews, patched their garments, and mended their shoes. Certain it is, + however, that the same clothes lasted them for forty years, during the + entire journey from Egypt to the Holy Land. Little boys starting out with + their first pantaloons, grew as they traveled, and their clothes grew with + them. + </p> + <p> + Can it be necessary to believe a story like this? Will men make better + husbands, fathers, neighbors, and citizens, simply by giving credence to + these childish and impossible things? Certainly an infinite God could have + transported the Jews to the Holy Land in a moment, and could, as easily, + have removed the Canaanites to some other country. Surely there was no + necessity for doing thousands and thousands of petty miracles, day after + day for forty years, looking after the clothes of three millions of + people, changing the nature of wool and linen and leather, so that they + would not "wax old." Every step, every motion, would wear away some part + of the clothing, some part of the shoes. Were these parts, so worn away, + perpetually renewed, or was the nature of things so changed that they + could not wear away? We know that whenever matter comes in contact with + matter, certain atoms, by abrasion, are lost. Were these atoms gathered up + every night by angels, and replaced on the soles of the shoes, on the + elbows of coats, and on the knees of pantaloons, so that the next morning + they would be precisely in the condition they were on the morning before? + There must be a mistake somewhere. + </p> + <p> + Can we believe that the real God, if there is one, ever ordered a man to + be killed simply for making hair oil, or ointment? We are told in the + thirtieth chapter of Exodus, that the Lord commanded Moses to take myrrh, + cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia, and olive oil, and make a holy ointment + for the purpose of anointing the tabernacle, tables, candlesticks and + other utensils, as well as Aaron and his sons; saying, at the same time, + that whosoever compounded any like it, or whoever put any of it on a + stranger, should be put to death. In the same chapter, the Lord furnishes + Moses with a recipe for making a perfume, saying, that whoever should make + any which smelled like it, should be cut off from his people. This, to me, + sounds so unreasonable that I cannot believe it. Why should an infinite + God care whether mankind made ointments and perfumes like his or not? Why + should the Creator of all things threaten to kill a priest who approached + his altar without having washed his hands and feet? These commandments and + these penalties would disgrace the vainest tyrant that ever sat, by + chance, upon a throne. There must be some mistake. I cannot believe that + an infinite Intelligence appeared to Moses upon Mount Sinai having with + him a variety of patterns for making a tabernacle, tongs, snuffers and + dishes. Neither can I believe that God told Moses how to cut and trim a + coat for a priest. Why should a God care about such things? Why should he + insist on having buttons sewed in certain rows, and fringes of a certain + color? Suppose an intelligent civilized man was to overhear, on Mount + Sinai, the following instructions from God to Moses:— + </p> + <p> + "You must consecrate my priests as follows:—You must kill a bullock + for a sin offering, and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands upon the + head of the bullock. Then you must take the blood and put it upon the + horns of the altar round about with your finger, and pour some blood at + the bottom of the altar to make a reconciliation; and of the fat that is + upon the inwards, the caul above the liver and two kidneys, and their fat, + and burn them upon the altar. You must get a ram for a burnt offering, and + Aaron and his sons must lay their hands upon the head of the ram. Then you + must kill it and sprinkle the blood upon the altar, and cut the ram into + pieces, and burn the head, and the pieces, and the fat, and wash the + inwards and the lungs in water and then burn the whole ram upon the altar + for a sweet savor unto me. Then you must get another ram, and have Aaron + and his sons lay their hands upon the head of that, then kill it and take + of its blood, and put it on the top of Aaron's right ear, and on the thumb + of his right hand, and on the great toe of his right foot. And you must + also put a little of the blood upon the top of the right ears of Aaron's + sons, and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the great toes of + their right feet. And then you must take of the fat that is on the + inwards, and the caul above the liver and the two kidneys, and their fat, + and the right shoulder, and out of a basket of unleavened bread you must + take one unleavened cake and another of oil bread, and one wafer, and put + them on the fat of the right shoulder. And you must take of the anointing + oil, and of the blood, and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his garments, and + on his sons' garments, and sanctify them and all their clothes."—Do + you believe that he would have even suspected that the creator of the + universe was talking? + </p> + <p> + Can any one now tell why God commanded the Jews, when they were upon the + desert of Sinai, to plant trees, telling them at the same time that they + must not eat any of the fruit of such trees until after the fourth year? + Trees could not have been planted in that desert, and if they had been, + they could not have lived. Why did God tell Moses, while in the desert, to + make curtains of fine linen? Where could he have obtained his flax? There + was no land upon which it could have been produced. Why did he tell him to + make things of gold, and silver, and precious stones, when they could not + have been in possession of these things? There is but one answer, and that + is, the Pentateuch was written hundreds of years after the Jews had + settled in the Holy Land, and hundreds of years after Moses was dust and + ashes. + </p> + <p> + When the Jews had a written language, and that must have been long after + their flight from Egypt, they wrote out their history and their laws. + Tradition had filled the infancy of the nation with miracles and special + interpositions in their behalf by Jehovah. Patriotism would not allow + these wonders to grow small, and priestcraft never denied a miracle. There + were traditions to the effect that God had spoken face to face with Moses; + that he had given him the tables of the law, and had, in a thousand ways, + made known his will; and whenever the priests wished to make new laws, or + amend old ones, they pretended to have found something more that God said + to Moses at Sinai. In this way obedience was more easily secured. Only a + very few of the people could read, and, as a consequence, additions, + interpolations and erasures had no fear of detection. In this way we + account for the fact that Moses is made to speak of things that did not + exist in his day, and were unknown for hundreds of years after his death. + </p> + <p> + In the thirtieth chapter of Exodus, we are told that the people, when + numbered, must give each one a half shekel after the shekel of the <i>sanctuary</i>. + At that time no such money existed, and consequently the account could + not, by any possibility, have been written until after there was a shekel + of the sanctuary, and there was no such thing until long after the death + of Moses. If we should read that Cæsar paid his troops in pounds, + shillings and pence, we would certainly know that the account was not + written by Cæsar, nor in his time, but we would know that it was + written after the English had given these names to certain coins. + </p> + <p> + So, we find, that when the Jews were upon the desert it was commanded that + every mother should bring, as a sin offering, a couple of doves to the + priests, and the priests were compelled to eat these doves in the most + holy place. At the time this law appears to have been given, there were + three million people, and only three priests, Aaron, Eleazer and Ithamar. + Among three million people there would be, at least, three hundred births + a day. Certainly we are not expected to believe that these three priests + devoured six hundred pigeons every twenty-four hours. + </p> + <p> + Why should a woman ask pardon of God for having been a mother? Why should + that be considered a crime in Exodus, which is commanded as a duty in + Genesis? Why should a mother be declared unclean? Why should giving birth + to a daughter be regarded twice as criminal as giving birth to a son? Can + we believe that such laws and ceremonies were made and instituted by a + merciful and intelligent God? If there is anything in this poor world + suggestive of, and standing for, all that is sweet, loving and pure, it is + a mother holding in her thrilled and happy arms her prattling babe. Read + the twelfth chapter of Leviticus, and you will see that when a woman + became the mother of a boy she was so unclean that she was not allowed to + touch a hallowed thing, nor to enter the sanctuary for forty days. If the + babe was a girl, then the mother was unfit for eighty days, to enter the + house of God, or to touch the sacred tongs and snuffers. These laws, born + of barbarism, are unworthy of our day, and should be regarded simply as + the mistakes of savages. + </p> + <p> + Just as low in the scale of intelligence are the directions given in the + fifth chapter of Numbers, for the trial of a wife of whom the husband was + jealous. This foolish chapter has been the foundation of all appeals to + God for the ascertainment of facts, such as the corsned, trial by battle, + by water, and by fire, the last of which is our judicial oath. It is very + easy to believe that in those days a guilty woman would be afraid to drink + the water of jealousy and take the oath, and that, through fear, she might + be made to confess. Admitting that the deception tended not only to + prevent crime, but to discover it when committed, still, we cannot admit + that an honest god would, for any purpose, resort to dishonest means. In + all countries fear is employed as a means of getting at the truth, and in + this there is nothing dishonest, provided falsehood is not resorted to for + the purpose of producing the fear. Protestants laugh at Catholics because + of their belief in the efficacy of holy water, and yet they teach their + children that a little holy water, in which had been thrown some dust from + the floor of the sanctuary, would, work a miracle in a woman's flesh. For + hundreds of years our fathers believed that a perjurer could not swallow a + piece of sacramental bread. Such stories belong to the childhood of our + race, and are now believed only by mental infants and intellectual babes. + </p> + <p> + I cannot believe that Moses had in his hands a couple of tables of stone, + upon which God had written the Ten Commandments, and that when he saw the + golden calf, and the dancing, that he dashed the tables to the earth and + broke them in pieces. Neither do I believe that Moses took a golden calf, + burnt it, ground it to powder, and made the people drink it with water, as + related in the thirty-second chapter of Exodus. + </p> + <p> + There is another account of the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses, + in the nineteenth and twentieth chapters of Exodus. In this account not + one word is said about the people having made a golden calf, nor about the + breaking of the tables of stone. In the thirty-fourth chapter of Exodus, + there is an account of the renewal of the broken tables of the law, and + the commandments are given, but they are not the same commandments + mentioned in the twentieth chapter. There are two accounts of the same + transaction. Both of these stories cannot be true, and yet both must be + believed. Any one who will take the trouble to read the nineteenth and + twentieth chapters, and the last verse of the thirty-first chapter, the + thirty-second, thirty-third, and thirty-fourth chapters of Exodus, will be + compelled to admit that both accounts cannot be true. + </p> + <p> + From the last account it appears that while Moses was upon Mount Sinai + receiving the commandments from God, the people brought their jewelry to + Aaron and he cast for them a golden calf. This happened before any + commandment against idolatry had been given. A god ought, certainly, to + publish his laws before inflicting penalties for their violation. To + inflict punishment for breaking unknown and unpublished laws is, in the + last degree, cruel and unjust. It may be replied that the Jews knew better + than to worship idols, before the law was given. If this is so, why should + the law have been given? In all civilized countries, laws are made and + promulgated, not simply for the purpose of informing the people as to what + is right and wrong, but to inform them of the penalties to be visited upon + those who violate the laws. When the Ten Commandments were given, no + penalties were attached. Not one word was written on the tables of stone + as to the punishments that would be inflicted for breaking any or all of + the inspired laws. The people should not have been punished for violating + a commandment before it was given. And yet, in this case, Moses commanded + the sons of Levi to take their swords and slay every man his brother, his + companion, and his neighbor. The brutal order was obeyed, and three + thousand men were butchered.. The Levites consecrated themselves unto the + Lord by murdering their sons, and their brothers, for having violated a + commandment before it had been given. + </p> + <p> + It has been contended for many years that the Ten Commandments are the + foundation of all ideas of justice and of law. Eminent jurists have bowed + to popular prejudice, and deformed their works by statements to the effect + that the Mosaic laws are the fountains from which sprang all ideas of + right and wrong. Nothing can be more stupidly false than such assertions. + Thousands of years before Moses was born, the Egyptians had a code of + laws. They had laws against blasphemy, murder, adultery, larceny, perjury, + laws for the collection of debts, the enforcement of contracts, the + ascertainment of damages, the redemption of property pawned, and upon + nearly every subject of human interest. The Egyptian code was far better + than the Mosaic. + </p> + <p> + Laws spring from the instinct of self-preservation. Industry objected to + supporting idleness, and laws were made against theft. Laws were made + against murder, because a very large majority of the people have always + objected to being murdered. All fundamental laws were born simply of the + instinct of self-defence. Long before the Jewish savages assembled at the + foot of Sinai, laws had been made and enforced, not only in Egypt and + India, but by every tribe that ever existed. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for human beings to exist together, without certain rules + of conduct, certain ideas of the proper and improper, of the right and + wrong, growing out of the relation. Certain rules must be made, and must + be enforced. This implies law, trial and punishment. Whoever produces + anything by weary labor, does not need a revelation from heaven to teach + him that he has a right to the thing produced. Not one of the learned + gentlemen who pretend that the Mosaic laws are filled with justice and + intelligence, would live, for a moment, in any country where such laws + were in force. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more wonderful than the medical ideas of Jehovah. He had + the strangest notions about the cause and cure of disease. With him + everything was miracle and wonder. In the fourteenth chapter of Leviticus, + we find the law for cleansing a leper:—"Then shall the priest take + for him that is to be cleansed, two birds, alive and clean, and cedar + wood, and scarlet, and hyssop. And the priest shall command that one of + the birds be killed in an <i>earthen</i> vessel, over <i>running</i> + water. As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and + the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them, and the living bird, in + the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. And he shall + sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy, seven times, + and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into + the open field." + </p> + <p> + We are told that God himself gave these directions to Moses. Does anybody + believe this? Why should the bird be killed in an <i>earthen</i> vessel? + Would the charm be broken if the vessel was of wood? Why over <i>running</i> + water? What would be thought of a physician now, who would give a + prescription like that? + </p> + <p> + Is it not strange that God, although he gave hundreds of directions for + the purpose of discovering the presence of leprosy, and for cleansing the + leper after he was healed, forgot to tell how that disease could be cured? + Is it not wonderful that while God told his people what animals were fit + for food, he failed to give a list of plants that man might eat? Why did + he leave his children to find out the hurtful and the poisonous by + experiment, knowing that experiment, in millions of cases, must be death? + </p> + <p> + When reading the history of the Jewish people, of their flight from + slavery to death, of their exchange of tyrants, I must confess that my + sympathies are all aroused in their behalf. They were cheated, deceived + and abused. Their god was quick-tempered, unreasonable, cruel, revengeful + and dishonest. He was always promising but never performed. He wasted time + in ceremony and childish detail, and in the exaggeration of what he had + done. It is impossible for me to conceive of a character more utterly + detestable than that of the Hebrew god. He had solemnly promised the Jews + that he would take them from Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey. + He had led them to believe that in a little while their troubles would be + over, and that they would soon in the land of Canaan, surrounded by their + wives and little ones, forget, the stripes and tears of Egypt. After + promising the poor wanderers again and again that he would lead them in + safety to the promised land of joy and plenty, this God, forgetting every + promise, said to the wretches in his power:—"Your carcasses shall + fall in this wilderness and your children shall wander until your + carcasses be wasted." This curse was the conclusion of the whole matter. + Into this dust of death and night faded all the promises of God. Into this + rottenness of wandering despair fell all the dreams of liberty and home. + Millions of corpses were left to rot in the desert, and each one certified + to the dishonesty of Jehovah. I cannot believe these things. They are so + cruel and heartless, that my blood is chilled and my sense of justice + shocked. A book that is equally abhorrent to my head and heart, cannot be + accepted as a revelation from God. + </p> + <p> + When we think of the poor Jews, destroyed, murdered, bitten by serpents, + visited by plagues, decimated by famine, butchered by each other, + swallowed by the earth, frightened, cursed, starved, deceived, robbed and + outraged, how thankful we should be that we are not the chosen people of + God. No wonder that they longed for the slavery of Egypt, and remembered + with sorrow the unhappy day when they exchanged masters. Compared with + Jehovah, Pharaoh was a benefactor, and the tyranny of Egypt was freedom to + those who suffered the liberty of God. + </p> + <p> + While reading the Pentateuch, I am filled with indignation, pity and + horror. Nothing can be sadder than the history of the starved and + frightened wretches who wandered over the desolate crags and sands of + wilderness and desert, the prey of famine, sword, and plague. Ignorant and + superstitious to the last degree, governed by falsehood, plundered by + hypocrisy, they were the sport of priests, and the food of fear. God was + their greatest enemy, and death their only friend. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to conceive of a more thoroughly despicable, hateful, and + arrogant being, than the Jewish god. He is without a redeeming feature. In + the mythology of the world he has no parallel. He, only, is never touched + by agony and tears. He delights only in blood and pain. Human affections + are naught to him. He cares neither for love nor music, beauty nor joy. A + false friend, an unjust judge, a braggart, hypocrite, and tyrant, sincere + in hatred, jealous, vain, and revengeful, false in promise, honest in + curse, suspicious, ignorant, and changeable, infamous and hideous:—such + is the God of the Pentateuch. + </p> + <p> + XXIV. CONFESS AND AVOID + </p> + <p> + The scientific Christians now admit that the Bible is not inspired in its + astronomy, geology, botany, zoology, nor in any science. In other words, + they admit that on these subjects, the Bible cannot be depended upon. If + all the statements in the Scriptures were true, there would be no + necessity for admitting that some of them are not inspired. A Christian + will not admit that a passage in the Bible is uninspired, until he is + satisfied that it is untrue. Orthodoxy itself has at last been compelled + to say, that while a passage may be true and uninspired, it cannot be + inspired if false. + </p> + <p> + If the people of Europe had known as much of astronomy and geology when + the Bible was introduced among them, as they do now, there never could + have been one believer in the doctrine of inspiration. If the writers of + the various parts of the Bible had known as much about the sciences as is + now known by every intelligent man, the book never could have been + written. It was produced by ignorance, and has been believed and defended + by its author. It has lost power in the proportion that man has gained + knowledge. A few years ago, this book was appealed to in the settlement of + all scientific questions; but now, even the clergy confess that in such + matters, it has ceased to speak with the voice of authority. For the + establishment of facts, the word of man is now considered far better than + the word of God. In the world of science, Jehovah was superseded by + Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler. All that God told Moses, admitting the + entire account to be true, is dust and ashes compared to the discoveries + of Descartes, Laplace, and Humboldt. In matters of fact, the Bible has + ceased to be regarded as a standard. Science has succeeded in breaking the + chains of theology. A few years ago, Science endeavored to show that it + was not inconsistent with the Bible. The tables have been turned, and now, + Religion is endeavoring to prove that the Bible is not inconsistent with + Science. The standard has been changed. + </p> + <p> + For many ages, the Christians contended that the Bible, viewed simply as a + literary performance, was beyond all other books, and that man without the + assistance of God could not produce its equal. This claim was made when + but few books existed, and the Bible, being the only book generally known, + had no rival. But this claim, like the other, has been abandoned by many, + and soon will be, by all. Com pared with Shakespeare's "book and volume of + the brain," the "sacred" Bible shrinks and seems as feebly impotent and + vain, as would a pipe of Fan, when some great organ, voiced with every + tone, from the hoarse thunder of the sea to the winged warble of a mated + bird, floods and fills cathedral aisles with all the wealth of sound. + </p> + <p> + It is now maintained—and this appears to be the last fortification + behind which the doctrine of inspiration skulks and crouches—that + the Bible, although false and mistaken in its astronomy, geology, + geography, history and philosophy, is inspired in its morality. It is now + claimed that had it not been for this book, the world would have been + inhabited only by savages, and that had it not been for the Holy + Scriptures, man never would have even dreamed of the unity of God. A + belief in one God is claimed to be a dogma of almost infinite importance, + that with out this belief civilization is impossible, and that this fact + is the sun around which all the virtues revolve. For my part, I think it + infinitely more important to believe in man. Theology is a superstition—Humanity + a religion. + </p> + <p> + XXV. "INSPIRED" SLAVERY + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the Bible was inspired upon the subject of human slavery. Is + there, in the civilized world, to-day, a clergyman who believes in the + divinity of slavery? Does the Bible teach man to enslave his brother? If + it does, is it not blasphemous to say that it is inspired of God? If you + find the institution of slavery upheld in a book said to have been written + by God, what would you expect to find in a book inspired by the devil? + Would you expect to find that book in favor of liberty? Modern Christians, + ashamed of the God of the Old Testament, endeavor now to show that slavery + was neither commanded nor opposed by Jehovah. Nothing can be plainer than + the following passages from the twenty-fifth chapter of Leviticus. + "Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of + them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they + begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take + them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a + possession, they shall be your bondmen forever. Both thy bondmen, and thy + bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round + about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen, and bondmaids." + </p> + <p> + Can we believe in this, the Nineteenth Century, that these infamous + passages were inspired by God? that God approved not only of human + slavery, but instructed his chosen people to buy the women, children and + babes of the heathen round about them? If it was right for the Hebrews to + buy, it was also right for the heathen to sell. This God, by commanding + the Hebrews to buy, approved of the selling of sons and daughters. The + Canaanite who, tempted by gold, lured by avarice, sold from the arms of + his wife the dimpled babe, simply made it possible for the Hebrews to obey + the orders of their God. If God is the author of the Bible, the reading of + these passages ought to cover his cheeks with shame. I ask the Christian + world to-day, was it right for the heathen to sell their children? Was it + right for God not only to uphold, but to command the infamous traffic in + human flesh? Could the most revengeful fiend, the most malicious vagrant + in the gloom of hell, sink to a lower moral depth than this? + </p> + <p> + According to this God, his chosen people were not only commanded to buy of + the heathen round about them, but were also permitted to buy each other + for a term of years. The law governing the purchase of Jews is laid down + in the twenty-first chapter of Exodus. "If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six + years shall he serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. + If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, + then his wife shall go out with him. If his master have given him a wife, + and she have borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall + be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall + plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out + free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring + him to the door, or unto the door-post: and his master shall bore his ear + through with an awl: and he shall serve him forever." + </p> + <p> + Do you believe that God was the author of this infamous law? Do you + believe that the loving father of us all, turned the dimpled arms of babes + into manacles of iron? Do you believe that he baited the dungeon of + servitude with wife and child? Is it possible to love a God who would make + such laws? Is it possible not to hate and despise him? + </p> + <p> + The heathen are not spoken of as human beings. Their rights are never + mentioned. They were the rightful food of the sword, and their bodies were + made for stripes and chains. + </p> + <p> + In the same chapter of the same inspired book, we are told that, "if a man + smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he + shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he + shall not be punished, for he is his money." + </p> + <p> + Must we believe that God called some of his children the money of others? + Can we believe that God made lashes upon the naked back, a legal tender + for labor performed? Must we regard the auction block as an altar? Were + blood hounds apostles? Was the slave-pen a temple? Were the stealers and + whippers of babes and women the justified children of God? + </p> + <p> + It is now contended that while the Old Testament is touched with the + barbarism of its time, that the New Testament is morally perfect, and that + on its pages can be found no blot or stain. As a matter of fact, the New + Testament is more decidedly in favor of human slavery than the old. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I never will, I never can, worship a God who upholds the + institution of slavery. Such a God I hate and defy. I neither want his + heaven, nor fear his hell. + </p> + <p> + XXXVI. "INSPIRED" MARRIAGE + </p> + <p> + Is there an orthodox clergyman in the world, who will now declare that he + believes the institution of polygamy to be right? Is there one who will + publicly declare that, in his judgment, that institution ever was right? + Was there ever a time in the history of the world when it was right to + treat woman simply as property? Do not attempt to answer these questions + by saying, that the Bible is an exceedingly good book, that we are + indebted for our civilization to the sacred volume, and that without it, + man would lapse into savagery, and mental night. This is no answer. Was + there a time when the institution of polygamy was the highest expression + of human virtue? Is there a Christian woman, civilized, intelligent, and + free, who believes in the institution of polygamy? Are we better, purer, + and more intelligent than God was four thousand years ago? Why should we + imprison Mormons, and worship God? Polygamy is just as pure in Utah, as it + could have been in the promised land. Love and Virtue are the same the + whole world round, and Justice is the same in every star. All the + languages of the world are not sufficient to express the filth of + polygamy. It makes of man, a beast, of woman, a trembling slave. It + destroys the fireside, makes virtue an outcast, takes from human speech + its sweetest words, and leaves the heart a den, where crawl and hiss the + slimy serpents of most loathsome lust. Civilization rests upon the family. + The good family is the unit of good government. The virtues grow about the + holy hearth of home—they cluster, bloom, and shed their perfume + round the fireside where the one man loves the one woman. Lover—husband—wife—mother—father—child—home!—? + without these sacred words, the world is but a lair, and men and women + merely beasts. + </p> + <p> + Why should the innocent maiden and the loving mother worship the heartless + Jewish God? Why should they, with pure and stainless lips, read the vile + record of inspired lust? + </p> + <p> + The marriage of the one man to the one woman is the citadel and fortress + of civilization. Without this, woman becomes the prey and slave of lust + and power, and man goes back to savagery and crime. From the bottom of my + heart I hate, abhor and execrate all theories of life, of which the pure + and sacred home is not the corner-stone. Take from the world the family, + the fireside, the children born of wedded love, and there is nothing left. + The home where virtue dwells with love is like a lily with a heart of fire—the + fairest flower in all the world. + </p> + <p> + XXVII. "INSPIRED" WAR + </p> + <p> + If the Bible be true, God commanded his chosen people to destroy men + simply for the crime of defending their native land. They were not allowed + to spare trembling and white-haired age, nor dimpled babes clasped in the + mothers' arms. They were ordered to kill women, and to pierce, with the + sword of war, the unborn child. "Our heavenly Father" commanded the + Hebrews to kill the men and women, the fathers, sons and brothers, but to + preserve the girls alive. Why were not the maidens also killed? Why were + they spared? Read the thirty-first chapter of Numbers, and you will find + that the maidens were given to the soldiers and the priests. Is there, in + all the history of war, a more infamous thing than this? Is it possible + that God permitted the violets of modesty, that grow and shed their + perfume in the maiden's heart, to be trampled beneath the brutal feet of + lust? If this was the order of God, what, under the same circumstances, + would have been the command of a devil? When, in this age of the world, a + woman, a wife, a mother, reads this record, she should, with scorn and + loathing, throw the book away. A general, who now should make such an + order, giving over to massacre and rapine a conquered people, would be + held in execration by the whole civilized world. Yet, if the Bible be + true, the supreme and infinite God was once a savage. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago, out upon the western plains, in a little path leading + to a cabin, were found the bodies of two children and their mother. Her + breast was filled with wounds received in the defence of her darlings. + They had been murdered by the savages. Suppose when looking at their + lifeless forms, some one had said, "This was done by the command of God!" + In Canaan there were countless scenes like this. There was no pity in + inspired war. God raised the black flag, and commanded his soldiers to + kill even the smiling infant in its mother's arms. Who is the blasphemer; + the man who denies the existence of God, or he who covers the robes of the + Infinite with innocent blood? + </p> + <p> + We are told in the Pentateuch, that God, the father of us all, gave + thousands of maidens, after having killed their fathers, their mothers, + and their brothers, to satisfy the brutal lusts of savage men. If there be + a God, I pray him to write in his book, opposite my name, that I denied + this lie for him. + </p> + <p> + XXVIII. "INSPIRED" RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. + </p> + <p> + According to the Bible, God selected the Jewish people through whom to + make known the great fact, that he was the only true and living God. For + this purpose, he appeared on several occasions to Moses—came down to + Sinai's top clothed in cloud and fire, and wrought a thousand miracles for + the preservation and education of the Jewish people. In their presence he + opened the waters of the sea. For them he caused bread to rain from + heaven. To quench their thirst, water leaped from the dry and barren rock. + Their enemies were miraculously destroyed; and for forty years, at least, + this God took upon himself the government of the Jews. But, after all + this, many of the people had less confidence in him than in gods of wood + and stone. In moments of trouble, in periods of disaster, in the darkness + of doubt, in the hunger and thirst of famine, instead of asking this God + for aid, they turned and sought the help of senseless things. This God, + with all his power and wisdom, could not even convince a few wandering and + wretched savages that he was more potent than the idols of Egypt. This God + was not willing that the Jews should think and investigate for themselves. + For heresy, the penalty was death. Where this God reigned, intellectual + liberty was unknown. He appealed only to brute force; he collected taxes + by threatening plagues; he demanded worship on pain of sword and fire; + acting as spy, inquisitor, judge and executioner. + </p> + <p> + In the thirteenth chapter of Deuteronomy, we have the ideas of God as to + mental freedom. "If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or the + wife of thy bosom, or thy friend which is as thine own soul, entice thee + secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not + known, thou nor thy fathers; namely of the gods of the people which are + around about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end + of the earth even unto the other end of the earth, Thou shalt not consent + unto him, nor hearken unto him, neither shall thine eye pity him, neither + shalt thou spare him, neither shalt thou conceal him. But thou shalt + surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, + and afterward the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with + stones that he die." + </p> + <p> + This is the religious liberty of God; the toleration of Jehovah. If I had + lived in Palestine at that time, and my wife, the mother of my children, + had said to me, "I am tired of Jehovah, he is always asking for blood; he + is never weary of killing; he is always telling of his might and strength; + always telling what he has done for the Jews, always asking for + sacrifices; for doves and lambs—blood, nothing but blood.—Let + us worship the sun. Jehovah is too revengeful, too malignant, too + exacting. Let us worship the sun. The sun has clothed the world in beauty; + it has covered the earth with flowers; by its divine light I first saw + your face, and my beautiful babe."—If I had obeyed the command of + God, I would have killed her. My hand would have been first upon her, and + after that the hands of all the people, and she would have been stoned + with stones until she died. For my part, I would never kill my wife, even + if commanded so to do by the real God of this universe. Think of taking up + some ragged rock and hurling it against the white bosom filled with love + for you; and when you saw oozing from the bruised lips of the death wound, + the red current of her sweet life—think of looking up to heaven and + receiving the congratulations of the infinite fiend whose commandment you + had obeyed! + </p> + <p> + Can we believe that any such command was ever given by a merciful and + intelligent God? Suppose, however, that God did give this law to the Jews, + and did tell them that whenever a man preached a heresy, or proposed to + worship any other God that they should kill him; and suppose that + afterward this same God took upon himself flesh, and came to this very + chosen people and taught a different religion, and that thereupon the Jews + crucified him; I ask you, did he not reap exactly what he had sown? What + right would this God have to complain of a crucifixion suffered in + accordance with his own command? + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more infamous than intellectual tyranny. To put chains upon + the body is as nothing compared with putting shackles on the brain. No god + is entitled to the worship or the respect of man who does not give, even + to the meanest of his children, every right that he claims for himself. + </p> + <p> + If the Pentateuch be true, religious persecution is a duty. The dungeons + of the Inquisition were temples, and the clank of every chain upon the + limbs of heresy was music in the ear of God. If the Pentateuch was + inspired, every heretic should be destroyed; and every man who advocates a + fact inconsistent with the sacred book, should be consumed by sword and + flame. + </p> + <p> + In the Old Testament no one is told to reason with a heretic, and not one + word is said about relying upon argument, upon education, nor upon + intellectual development—nothing except simple brute force. Is there + to-day a Christian who will say that four thousand years ago, it was the + duty of a husband to kill his wife if she differed with him upon the + subject of religion? Is there one who will now say that, under such + circumstances, the wife ought to have been killed? Why should God be so + jealous of the wooden idols of the heathen? Could he not compete with + Baal? Was he envious of the success of the Egyptian magicians? Was it not + possible for him to make such a convincing display of his power as to + silence forever the voice of unbelief? Did this God have to resort to + force to make converts? Was he so ignorant of the structure of the human + mind as to believe all honest doubt a crime? If he wished to do away with + the idolatry of the Canaanites, why did he not appear to them? Why did he + not give them the tables of the law? Why did he only make known his will + to a few wandering savages in the desert of Sinai? Will some theologian + have the kindness to answer these questions? Will some minister, who now + believes in religious liberty, and eloquently denounces the intolerance of + Catholicism, explain these things; will he tell us why he worships an + intolerant God? Is a god who will burn a soul forever in another world, + better than a Christian who burns the body for a few hours in this? Is + there no intellectual liberty in heaven? Do the angels all discuss + questions on the same side? Are all the investigators in perdition? Will + the penitent thief, winged and crowned, laugh at the honest folks in hell? + Will the agony of the damned increase or decrease the happiness of God? + Will there be, in the universe, an eternal <i>auto da fe?</i> + </p> + <p> + XXIX. CONCLUSION + </p> + <p> + If the Pentateuch is not inspired in its astronomy, geology, geography, + history or philosophy, if it is not inspired concerning slavery, polygamy, + war, law, religious or political liberty, or the rights of men, women and + children, what is it inspired in, or about? The unity of God?—that + was believed long before Moses was born. Special providence?—that + has been the doctrine of ignorance in all ages. The rights of property?—theft + was always a crime. The sacrifice of animals?—that was a custom + thousands of years before a Jew existed. The sacredness of life?—there + have always been laws against murder. The wickedness of perjury?—truthfulness + has always been a virtue. The beauty of chastity?—the Pentateuch + does not teach it. Thou shalt worship no other God?—that has been + the burden of all religions. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that the Pentateuch could not have been written by + uninspired men? that the assistance of God was necessary to produce these + books? Is it possible that Galileo ascertained the mechanical principles + of "Virtual Velocity," the laws of falling bodies and of all motion; that + Copernicus ascertained the true position of the earth and accounted for + all celestial phenomena; that Kepler discovered his three laws—discoveries + of such importance that the 8th of May, 1618, may be called the birthday + of modern science; that Newton gave to the world the Method of Fluxions, + the Theory of Universal Gravitation, and the Decomposition of Light; that + Euclid, Cavalieri, Descartes, and Leibnitz, almost completed the science + of mathematics; that all the discoveries in optics, hydrostatics, + pneumatics and chemistry, the experiments, discoveries, and inventions of + Galvani, Volta, Franklin and Morse, of Trevethick, Watt and Fulton and of + all the pioneers of progress—that all this was accomplished by + uninspired men, while the writer of the Pentateuch was directed and + inspired by an infinite God? Is it possible that the codes of China, + India, Egypt, Greece and Rome were made by man, and that the laws recorded + in the Pentateuch were alone given by God? Is it possible that �?schylus + and Shakespeare, Burns, and Beranger, Goethe and Schiller, and all the + poets of the world, and all their wondrous tragedies and songs, are but + the work of men, while no intelligence except the infinite God could be + the author of the Pentateuch? Is it possible that of all the books that + crowd the libraries of the world, the books of science, fiction, history + and song, that all save only one, have been produced by man? Is it + possible that of all these, the Bible only is the work of God? + </p> + <p> + If the Pentateuch is inspired, the civilization of our day is a mistake + and crime. There should be no political liberty. Heresy should be trodden + out beneath the bigot's brutal feet. Husbands should divorce their wives + at will, and make the mothers of their children houseless and weeping + wanderers. Polygamy ought to be practiced; women should become slaves; we + should buy the sons and daughters of the heathen and make them bondmen and + bondwomen forever. We should sell our own flesh and blood, and have the + right to kill our slaves. Men and women should be stoned to death for + laboring on the seventh day. "Mediums," such as have familiar spirits, + should be burned with fire. Every vestige of mental liberty should be + destroyed, and reason's holy torch extinguished in the martyr's blood. + </p> + <p> + Is it not far better and wiser to say that the Pentateuch while containing + some good laws, some truths, some wise and useful things is, after all, + deformed and blackened by the savagery of its time? Is it not far better + and wiser to take the good and throw the bad away? + </p> + <p> + Let us admit what we know to be true; that Moses was mistaken about a + thousand things; that the story of creation is not true; that the Garden + of Eden is a myth; that the serpent and the tree of knowledge, and the + fall of man are but fragments of old mythologies lost and dead; that woman + was not made out of a rib; that serpents never had the power of speech; + that the sons of God did not marry the daughters of men; that the story of + the flood and ark is not exactly true; that the tower of Babel is a + mistake; that the confusion of tongues is a childish thing; that the + origin of the rainbow is a foolish fancy; that Methuselah did not live + nine hundred and sixty-nine years; that Enoch did not leave this world, + taking with him his flesh and bones; that the story of Sodom and Gomorrah + is somewhat improbable; that burning brimstone never fell like rain; that + Lot's wife was not changed into chloride of sodium; that Jacob did not, in + fact, put his hip out of joint wrestling with God; that the history of + Tamar might just as well have been left out; that a belief in Pharaoh's + dreams is not essential to salvation; that it makes but little difference + whether the rod of Aaron was changed to a serpent or not; that of all the + wonders said to have been performed in Egypt, the greatest is, that + anybody ever believed the absurd account; that God did not torment the + innocent cattle on account of the sins of their owners; that he did not + kill the first born of the poor maid behind the mill because of Pharaoh's + crimes; that flies and frogs were not ministers of God's wrath; that lice + and locusts were not the executors of his will; that seventy people did + not, in two hundred and fifteen years, increase to three million; that + three priests could not eat six hundred pigeons in a day; that gazing at a + brass serpent could not extract poison from the blood; that God did not go + in partnership with hornets; that he did not murder people simply because + they asked for something to eat; that he did not declare the making of + hair oil and ointment an offence to be punished with death; that he did + not miraculously preserve cloth and leather; that he was not afraid of + wild beasts; that he did not punish heresy with sword and fire; that he + was not jealous, revengeful, and unjust; that he knew all about the sun, + moon, and stars; that he did not threaten to kill people for eating the + fat of an ox; that he never told Aaron to draw cuts to see which of two + goats should be killed; that he never objected to clothes made of woolen + mixed with linen; that if he objected to dwarfs, people with flat noses + and too many fingers, he ought not to have created such folks; that he did + not demand human sacrifices as set forth in the last chapter of Leviticus; + that he did not object to the raising of horses; that he never commanded + widows to spit in the faces of their brothers-in-law; that several + contradictory accounts of the same transaction cannot all be true; that + God did not talk to Abraham as one man talks to another; that angels were + not in the habit of walking about the earth eating veal dressed with milk + and butter, and making bargains about the destruction of cities; that God + never turned himself into a flame of fire, and lived in a bush; that he + never met Moses in a hotel and tried to kill him; that it was absurd to + perform miracles to induce a king to act in a certain way and then harden + his heart so that he would refuse; that God was not kept from killing the + Jews by the fear that the Egyptians would laugh at him; that he did not + secretly bury a man and then allow the corpse to write an account of the + funeral; that he never believed the firmament to be solid; that he knew + slavery was and always would be a frightful crime; that polygamy is but + stench and filth; that the brave soldier will always spare an unarmed foe; + that only cruel cowards slay the conquered and the helpless; that no + language can describe the murderer of a smiling babe; that God did not + want the blood of doves and lambs; that he did not love the smell of + burning flesh; that he did not want his altars daubed with blood; that he + did not pretend that the sins of a people could be transferred to a goat; + that he did not believe in witches, wizards, spooks, and devils; that he + did not test the virtue of woman with dirty water; that he did not suppose + that rabbits chewed the cud; that he never thought there were any + four-footed birds; that he did not boast for several hundred years that he + had vanquished an Egyptian king; that a dry stick did not bud, blossom, + and bear almonds in one night; that manna did not shrink and swell, so + that each man could gather only just one omer; that it was never wrong to + "countenance the poor man in his cause;" that God never told a people not + to live in peace with their neighbors; that he did not spend forty days + with Moses on Mount Sinai giving him patterns for making clothes, tongs, + basins, and snuffers; that maternity is not a sin; that physical deformity + is not a crime; that an atonement cannot be made for the soul by shedding + innocent blood; that killing a dove over running water will not make its + blood a medicine; that a god who demands love knows nothing of the human + heart; that one who frightens savages with loud noises is unworthy the + love of civilized men; that one who destroys children on account of the + sins of their fathers is a monster; that an infinite god never threatened + to give people the itch; that he never sent wild beasts to devour babes; + that he never ordered the violation of maidens; that he never regarded + patriotism as a crime; that he never ordered the destruction of unborn + children; that he never opened the earth and swallowed wives and babes + because husbands and fathers had displeased him; that he never demanded + that men should kill their sons and brothers, for the purpose of + sanctifying themselves; that we cannot please God by believing the + improbable; that credulity is not a virtue; that investigation is not a + crime; that every mind should be free; that all religious persecution is + infamous in God, as well as man; that without liberty, virtue is + impossible; that without freedom, even love cannot exist; that every man + should be allowed to think and to express his thoughts; that woman is the + equal of man; that children should be governed by love and reason; that + the family relation is sacred; that war is a hideous crime; that all + intolerance is born of ignorance and hate; that the freedom of today is + the hope of to-morrow; that the enlightened present ought not to fall upon + its knees and blindly worship the barbaric past; and that every free, + brave and enlightened man should publicly declare that all the ignorant, + infamous, heartless, hideous things recorded in the "inspired" Pentateuch + are not the words of God, but simply "Some Mistakes of Moses." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0003" id="link0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SOME REASONS WHY + </h2> + <h3> + I. + </h3> + <p> + RELIGION makes enemies instead of friends. That one word, "religion," + covers all the horizon of memory with visions of war, of outrage, of + persecution, of tyranny, and death. That one word brings to the mind every + instrument with which man has tortured man. In that one word are all the + fagots and flames and dungeons of the past, and in that word is the + infinite and eternal hell of the future. + </p> + <p> + In the name of universal benevolence Christians have hated their + fellow-men. Although they have been preaching universal love, the + Christian nations are the warlike nations of the world. The most + destructive weapons of war have been invented by Christians. The musket, + the revolver, the rifled canon, the bombshell, the torpedo, the explosive + bullet, have been invented by Christian brains. + </p> + <p> + Above all other arts, the Christian world has placed the art of war. + </p> + <p> + A Christian nation has never had the slightest respect for the rights of + barbarians; neither has any Christian sect any respect for the rights of + other sects. Anciently, the sects discussed with fire and sword, and even + now, something happens almost every day to show that the old spirit that + was in the Inquisition still slumbers in the Christian breast. + </p> + <p> + Whoever imagines himself a favorite with God, holds other people in + contempt. + </p> + <p> + Whenever a man believes that he has the exact truth from God, there is in + that man no spirit of compromise. He has not the modesty born of the + imperfections of human nature; he has the arrogance of theological + certainty and the tyranny born of ignorant assurance. Believing himself to + be the slave of God, he imitates his master, and of all tyrants, the worst + is a slave in power. + </p> + <p> + When a man really believes that it is necessary to do a certain thing to + be happy forever, or that a certain belief is necessary to ensure eternal + joy, there is in that man no spirit of concession. He divides the whole + world into saints and sinners, into believers and unbelievers, into God's + sheep and Devil's goats, into people who will be glorified and people who + will be damned. + </p> + <p> + A Christian nation can make no compromise with one not Christian; it will + either compel that nation to accept its doctrine, or it will wage war. If + Christ, in fact, said "I came not to bring peace but a sword," it is the + only prophecy in the New Testament that has been literally fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + II. DUTIES TO GOD. + </p> + <p> + RELIGION is supposed to consist in a discharge of the duties we owe to + God. In other words, we are taught that God is exceedingly anxious that we + should believe a certain thing. For my part, I do not believe that there + is any infinite being to whom we owe anything. The reason I say this is, + we can not owe any duty to any being who requires nothing—to any + being that we cannot possibly help, to any being whose happiness we cannot + increase. If God is infinite, we cannot make him happier than he is. If + God is infinite, we can neither give, nor can he receive, anything. + Anything that we do or fail to do, cannot, in the slightest degree, affect + an infinite God; consequently, no relations can exist between the finite + and the Infinite, if by relations is meant mutual duties and obligations. + </p> + <p> + Some tell us that it is the desire of God that we should worship him. What + for? Why does he desire worship? Others tell us that we should sacrifice + something to him. What for? Is he in want? Can we assist him? Is he + unhappy? Is he in trouble? Does he need human sympathy? We cannot assist + the Infinite, but we can assist our fellow-men. We can feed the hungry and + clothe the naked, and enlighten the ignorant, and we can help, in some + degree at least, toward covering this world with the mantle of joy. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe there is any being in this universe who gives rain for + praise, who gives sunshine for prayer, or who blesses a man simply because + he kneels. + </p> + <p> + The Infinite cannot receive praise or worship. + </p> + <p> + The Infinite can neither hear nor answer prayer. + </p> + <p> + An Infinite personality is an infinite impossibility. + </p> + <p> + III. INSPIRATION. + </p> + <p> + WE are told that we have in our possession the inspired will of God. What + is meant by the word "inspired" is not exactly known; but whatever else it + may mean, certainly it means that the "inspired" must be the true. If it + is true, there is, in fact, no need of its being inspired—the truth + will take care of itself. + </p> + <p> + The church is forced to say that the Bible differs from all other books; + it is forced to say that it contains the actual will of God. Let us then + see what inspiration really is. A man looks at the sea, and the sea says + something to him. It makes an impression upon his mind. It awakens memory, + and this impression depends upon the man's experience—upon his + intellectual capacity. Another looks upon the same sea. He has a different + brain; he has had a different experience. The sea may speak to him of joy, + to the other of grief and tears. The sea cannot tell the same thing to any + two human beings, because no two human beings have had the same + experience. + </p> + <p> + A year ago, while the cars were going from Boston to Gloucester, we passed + through Manchester. As the cars stopped, a lady sitting opposite, speaking + to her husband, looking out of the window and catching, for the first + time, a view of the sea, cried out, "Is it not beautiful!" and the husband + replied, "I'll bet you could dig clams right here!" + </p> + <p> + Another, standing upon the shore, listening to what the great Greek + tragedian called "the multitudinous laughter of the sea," may say: Every + drop has visited all the shores of the earth; every one has been frozen in + the vast and icy North; every one has fallen in snow, has been whirled by + storms around mountain peaks; every one has been kissed to vapor by the + sun; every one has worn the seven-hued garment of light; every one has + fallen in pleasant rain, gurgled from springs and laughed in brooks while + lovers wooed upon the banks, and every one has rushed with mighty rivers + back to the sea's embrace. Everything in nature tells a different story to + all eyes that see and to all ears that hear. + </p> + <p> + Once in my life, and once only, I heard Horace Greeley deliver a lecture. + I think its title was, "Across the Continent." At last he reached the + mammoth trees of California, and I thought "Here is an opportunity for the + old man to indulge his fancy. Here are trees that have outlived a thousand + human governments. There are limbs above his head older than the pyramids. + While man was emerging from barbarism to something like civilization, + these trees were growing. Older than history, every one appeared to be a + memory, a witness, and a prophecy. The same wind that filled the sails of + the Argonauts had swayed these trees." But these trees said nothing of + this kind to Mr. Greeley. Upon these subjects not a word was told to him. + Instead, he took his pencil, and after figuring awhile, remarked: "One of + these trees, sawed into inch-boards, would make more than three hundred + thousand feet of lumber." + </p> + <p> + I was once riding on the cars in Illinois. There had been a violent + thunder-storm. The rain had ceased, the sun was going down. The great + clouds had floated toward the west, and there they assumed most wonderful + architectural shapes. There were temples and palaces domed and turreted, + and they were touched with silver, with amethyst and gold. They looked + like the homes of the Titans, or the palaces of the gods. A man was + sitting near me. I touched him and said, "Did you ever see anything so + beautiful!" He looked out. He saw nothing of the cloud, nothing of the + sun, nothing of the color; he saw only the country and replied, "Yes, it + is beautiful; I always did like rolling land." On another occasion I was + riding in a stage. There had been a snow, and after the snow a sleet, and + all the trees were bent, and all the boughs were arched. Every fence, + every log cabin had been transfigured, touched with a glory almost beyond + this world. The great fields were a pure and perfect white; the forests, + drooping beneath their load of gems, made wonderful caves, from which one + almost expected to see troops of fairies come. The whole world looked like + a bride, jewelled from head to foot. A German on the back seat, hearing + our talk, and our exclamations of wonder leaned forward, looked out of the + stage window and said: "Yes, it looks like a clean table cloth!" + </p> + <p> + So, when we look upon a flower, a painting, a statue, a star, or a violet, + the more we know, the more we have experienced, the more we have thought, + the more we remember, the more the statue, the star, the painting, the + violet has to tell. Nature says to me all that I am capable of + understanding—gives all that I can receive. + </p> + <p> + As with star, or flower, or sea, so with a book. A man reads Shakespeare. + What does he get from him? All that he has the mind to understand. He gets + his little cup full. Let another read him who knows nothing of the drama, + nothing of the impersonations of passion, and what does he get? Almost + nothing. Shakespeare has a different story for each reader. He is a world + in which each recognizes his acquaintances—he may know a few, he may + know all. + </p> + <p> + The impression that nature makes upon the mind, the stories told by sea + and star and flower, must be the natural food of thought. Leaving out for + the moment the impression gained from ancestors, the hereditary fears and + drifts and trends—the natural food of thought must be the impression + made upon the brain by coming in contact through the medium of the five + senses with what we call the outward world. The brain is natural. Its food + is natural. The result, thought, must be natural. The supernatural can be + constructed with no material except the natural. Of the supernatural we + can have no conception. Thought may be deformed, and the thought of one + may be strange to, and denominated as unnatural by, another; but it cannot + be supernatural. It may be weak, it may be insane, but it is not + supernatural. Above the natural man cannot rise, even with the aid of + fancy's wings. There can can be deformed ideas, as there are deformed + persons. There can be religions monstrous and misshapen, but they must be + naturally produced. Some people have ideas about what they are pleased to + call the supernatural; but what they call the supernatural is simply the + deformed. The world is to each man according to each man. It takes the + world as it really is and that man to make that man's world, and that + man's world cannot exist without that man. + </p> + <p> + You may ask, and what of all this? I reply, as with everything in nature, + so with the Bible. It has a different story for each reader. Is then the + Bible a different book to every human being who reads it? It is. Can God + then, through the Bible, make the same revelation to two persons? He + cannot. Why? Because the man who reads it is the man who inspires. + Inspiration is in the man, as well as in the book. God should have + inspired readers as well as writers. + </p> + <p> + You may reply: "God knew that his book would be understood differently by + each one, and that he really intended that it should be understood as it + is understood by each." If this is so, then my understanding of the Bible + is the real revelation to me. If this is so, I have no right to take the + understanding of another. I must take the revelation made to me through my + understanding, and by that revelation I must stand. Suppose then, that I + do read this Bible honestly, fairly, and when I get through I am compelled + to say, "The book is not true." If this is the honest result, then you are + compelled to say, either that God has made no revelation to me, or that + the revelation that it is not true, is the revelation made to me, and by + which I am bound. If the book and my brain are both the work of the same + Infinite God, whose fault is it that the book and the brain do not agree? + Either God should have written a book to fit my brain, or should have made + my brain to fit his book. + </p> + <p> + The inspiration of the Bible depends upon the ignorance of him who reads. + There was a time when its geology, its astronomy, its natural history, + were inspired. That time has passed. There was a time when its morality + satisfied the men who ruled mankind. That time has passed. There was a + time when the tyrant regarded its laws as good; when the master believed + in its liberty; when strength gloried in its passages; but these laws + never satisfied the oppressed, they were never quoted by the slave. + </p> + <p> + We have a sacred book, an inspired Bible, and I am told that this book was + written by the same being who made every star, and who peopled infinite + space with infinite worlds. I am also told that God created man, and that + man is totally depraved. It has always seemed to me that an infinite being + has no right to make imperfect things. I may be mistaken; but this is the + only planet I have ever been on; I live in what might be called one of the + rural districts of this universe, consequently I may be mistaken; I simply + give the best and largest thought I have. + </p> + <p> + IV. GOD'S EXPERIMENT WITH THE JEWS + </p> + <p> + THE Bible tells us that men became so bad that God destroyed them all with + the exception of eight persons; that afterwards he chose Abraham and some + of his kindred, a wandering tribe, for the purpose of seeing whether or no + they could be civilized. He had no time to waste with all the world. The + Egyptians at that time, a vast and splendid nation, having a system of + laws and free schools, believing in the marriage of the one man to the one + woman; believing, too, in the rights of woman—a nation that had + courts of justice and understood the philosophy of damages—these + people had received no revelation from God,—they were left to grope + in Nature's night. He had no time to civilize India, wherein had grown a + civilization that fills the world with wonder still—a people with a + language as perfect as ours, a people who had produced philosophers, + scientists, poets. He had no time to waste on them; but he took a few, the + tribe of Abraham. He established a perfect despotism—with no + schools, with no philosophy, with no art, with no music—nothing but + the sacrifices of dumb beasts—nothing but the abject worship of a + slave. Not a word upon geology, upon astronomy; nothing, even, upon the + science of medicine. Thus God spent hours and hours with Moses upon the + top of Sinai, giving directions for ascertaining the presence of leprosy + and for preventing its spread, but it never occurred to Jehovah to tell + Moses how it could be cured. He told them a few things about what they + might eat—prohibiting among other things four-footed birds, and one + thing upon the subject of cooking. From the thunders and lightnings of + Sinai he proclaimed this vast and wonderful fact: "Thou shalt not seethe a + kid in its mother's milk." He took these people, according to our sacred + Scriptures, under his immediate care, and for the purpose of controlling + them he wrought wonderful miracles in their sight. + </p> + <p> + Is it not a little curious that no priest of one religion has ever been + able to astonish a priest of another religion by telling a miracle? Our + missionaries tell the Hindoos the miracles of the Bible, and the Hindoo + priests, without the movement of a muscle, hear them and then recite + theirs, and theirs do not astonish our missionaries in the least! Is it + not a little curious that the priests of one religion never believe the + priests of another? Is it not a little strange that the believers in + sacred books regard all except their own as having been made by hypocrites + and fools? + </p> + <p> + I heard the other day a story. A gentleman was telling some wonderful + things and the listeners, with one exception, were saying, as he proceeded + with his tale, "Is it possible?" "Did you ever hear anything so + wonderful?" and when he had concluded, there was a kind of chorus of "Is + it possible?" and "Can it be?" One man, however, sat perfectly quiet, + utterly unmoved. Another listener said to him "Did you hear that?" and he + replied "Yes." "Well," said the other, "You did not manifest much + astonishment." "Oh, no," was the answer, "I am a liar myself." + </p> + <p> + I am told by the sacred Scriptures that, as a matter of fact, God, even + with the help of miracles, failed to civilize the Jews, and this shows of + how little real benefit, after all, it is, to have a ruler much above the + people, or to simply excite the wonder of mankind. Infinite wisdom, if the + account be true, could not civilize a single tribe. Laws made by Jehovah + himself were not obeyed, and every effort of Jehovah failed. It is claimed + that God made known his law and inspired men to write and teach his will, + and yet, it was found utterly impossible to reform mankind. + </p> + <p> + V. CIVILIZED COUNTRIES + </p> + <p> + IN all civilized countries, it is now passionately asserted that slavery + is a crime; that a war of conquest is murder; that polygamy enslaves + woman, degrades man and destroys home; that nothing is more infamous than + the slaughter of decrepit men, of helpless mothers, and of prattling + babes; that captured maidens should not be given to their captors; that + wives should not be stoned to death for differing with their husbands on + the subject of religion. We know that there was a time, in the history of + most nations, when all these crimes were regarded as divine institutions. + Nations entertaining this view now are regarded as savage, and, with the + exception of the South Sea Islanders, Feejees, a few tribes in Central + Africa, and some citizens of Delaware, no human beings are found degraded + enough to agree upon these subjects with Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + The only evidence we can have that a nation has ceased to be savage, is + that it has abandoned these doctrines of savagery. + </p> + <p> + To every one except a theologian, it is easy to account for these mistakes + and crimes by saying that civilization is a painful growth; that the moral + perceptions are cultivated through ages of tyranny, of crime, and of + heroism; that it requires centuries for man to put out the eyes of self + and hold in lofty and in equal poise the golden scales of Justice. + Conscience is born of suffering. Mercy is the child of the imagination. + Man advances as he becomes acquainted with his surroundings, with the + mutual obligations of life, and learns to take advantage of the forces of + nature. + </p> + <p> + The believer in the inspiration of the Bible is compelled to say, that + there was a time when slavery was right, when women could sell their + babes, when polygamy was the highest form of virtue, when wars of + extermination were waged with the sword of mercy, when religious + toleration was a crime, and when death was the just penalty for having + expressed an honest thought. He is compelled to insist that Jehovah is as + bad now as he was then; that he is as good now as he was then. Once, all + the crimes that I have mentioned were commanded by God; now they are + prohibited. Once, God was in favor of them all; now the Devil is their + defender. In other words, the Devil entertains the same opinion to-day + that God held four thousand years ago. The Devil is as good now as Jehovah + was then, and God was as bad then as the Devil is now. Other nations + besides the Jews had similar laws and ideas—believed in and + practiced the same crimes, and yet, it is not claimed that they received a + revelation. They had no knowledge of the true God, and yet they practiced + the same crimes, of their own motion, that the Jews did by command of + Jehovah. From this it would seem that man can do wrong without a special + revelation. + </p> + <p> + The passages upholding slavery, polygamy, war and religious persecution + are certainly not evidences of the inspiration of that book. Suppose + nothing had been in the Old Testament upholding these crimes, would the + modern Christian suspect that it was not inspired on that account? Suppose + nothing had been in the Old Testament except laws in favor of these + crimes, would it still be insisted that it was inspired? If the Devil had + inspired a book, will some Christian tell us in what respect, on the + subjects of slavery, polygamy, war and liberty, it would have differed + from some parts of the Old Testament? Suppose we knew that after inspired + men had finished the Bible the Devil had gotten possession of it and had + written a few passages, what part would Christians now pick out as being + probably his work? Which of the following passages would be selected as + having been written by the Devil: "Love thy neighbor as thyself," or "Kill + all the males among the little ones, and kill every woman, but all the + women children keep alive for yourselves"? + </p> + <p> + Is there a believer in the Bible who does not now wish that God, amid the + thunders and lightnings of Sinai, had said to Moses that man should not + own his fellow-man; that women should not sell their babes; that all men + should be allowed to think and investigate for themselves, and that the + sword never should be unsheathed to shed innocent blood? Is there a + believer who would not be delighted to find that every one of the infamous + passages are interpolations, and that the skirts of God were never + reddened by the blood of maiden, wife, or babe? Is there an honest man who + does not regret that God commanded a husband to stone his wife for + suggesting the worship of some other God? Surely we do not need an + inspired book to teach us that slavery is right, that polygamy is virtue, + and that intellectual liberty is a crime. + </p> + <p> + VI. A COMPARISON OF BOOKS + </p> + <p> + LET us compare the gems of Jehovah with Pagan paste. It may be that the + best way to illustrate what I have said, is to compare the supposed + teachings of Jehovah with those of persons who never wrote an inspired + line. In all ages of which any record has been preserved, men have given + their ideas of justice, charity, liberty, love and law. If the Bible is + the work of God, it should contain the sublimest truths, it should excel + the works of man, it should contain the loftiest definitions of justice, + the best conceptions of human liberty, the clearest outlines of duty, the + tenderest and noblest thoughts. Upon every page should be found the + luminous evidence of its divine origin. It should contain grander and more + wonderful things than man has written. + </p> + <p> + It may be said that it is unfair to call attention to bad things in the + Bible. To this it may be replied that a divine being ought not to put bad + things in his book. If the Bible now upholds what we call crimes, it will + not do to say that it is not verbally inspired. If the words are not + inspired, what is? It may be said, that the thoughts are inspired. This + would include only thoughts expressed without words. If ideas are + inspired, they must be expressed by inspired words—that is to say, + by an inspired arrangement of words. If a sculptor were inspired of God to + make a statue, we would not say that the marble was inspired, but the + statue—that is to say, the relation of part to part, the married + harmony of form and function. The language, the words, take the place of + the marble, and it is the arrangement of the words that Christians claim + to be inspired. If there is an uninspired word, or a word in the wrong + place, until that word is known a doubt is cast on every word the book + contains. + </p> + <p> + If it was worth God's while to make a revelation at all, it was certainly + worth his while to see that it was correctly made—that it was + absolutely preserved. + </p> + <p> + Why should God allow an inspired book to be interpolated? If it was worth + while to inspire men to write it, it was worth while to inspire men to + preserve it; and why should he allow another person to interpolate in it + that which was not inspired? He certainly would not have allowed the man + he inspired to write contrary to the inspiration. He should have preserved + his revelation. Neither will it do to say that God adapted his revelation + to the prejudices of man. It was necessary for him to adapt his revelation + to the capacity of man, but certainly God would not confirm a barbarian in + his prejudices. He would not fortify a heathen in his crimes.... + </p> + <p> + If a revelation is of any importance, it is to eradicate prejudice. They + tell us now that the Jews were so ignorant, so bad, that God was compelled + to justify their crimes, in order to have any influence with them. They + say that if he had declared slavery and polygamy to be crimes, the Jews + would have refused to receive the Ten Commandments. They tell us that God + did the best he could; that his real intention was to lead them along + slowly, so that in a few hundred years they would be induced to admit that + larceny and murder and polygamy and slavery were not virtues. I suppose if + we now wished to break a cannibal of the bad habit of devouring + missionaries, we would first induce him to cook them in a certain way, + saying: "To eat cooked missionary is one step in advance of eating your + missionary raw. After a few years, a little mutton could be cooked with + missionary, and year after year the amount of mutton could be increased + and the amount of missionary decreased, until in the fullness of time the + dish could be entirely mutton, and after that the missionaries would be + absolutely safe." + </p> + <p> + If there is anything of value, it is liberty—liberty of body, + liberty of mind. The liberty of body is the reward of labor. Intellectual + liberty is the air of the soul, the sunshine of the mind, and without it, + the world is a prison, the universe a dungeon. + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is really inspired, Jehovah commanded the Jewish people to + buy the children of the strangers that sojourned among them, and ordered + that the children thus bought should be an inheritance for the children of + the Jews, and that they should be bondmen and bondwomen forever. Yet + Epictetus, a man to whom no revelation was ever made, a man whose soul + followed only the light of nature, and who had never heard of the Jewish + God, was great enough to say: "Will you not remember that your servants + are by nature your brothers, the children of God? In saying that you have + bought them, you look down on the earth, and into the pit, on the wretched + law of men long since dead, but you see not the laws of the gods." + </p> + <p> + We find that Jehovah, speaking to his chosen people, assured them that + their bondmen and their bondmaids must be "of the heathen that were round + about them." "Of them," said Jehovah, "shall ye buy bondmen and + bondmaids." And yet Cicero, a pagan, Cicero, who had never been + enlightened by reading the Old Testament, had the moral grandeur to + declare: "They who say that we should love our fellow-citizens but not + foreigners, destroy the universal brotherhood of mankind, with which + benevolence and justice would perish forever." + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is inspired, Jehovah, God of all worlds, actually said: "And + if a man smite his servant or his maid with a rod, and he die under his + hand, he shall be sorely punished; notwithstanding, if he continue a day + or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his money." And yet Zeno, + founder of the Stoics, centuries before Christ was born, insisted that no + man could be the owner of another, and that the title was bad, whether the + slave had become so by conquest or by purchase. + </p> + <p> + Jehovah ordered a Jewish general to make war, and gave, among others, this + command: "When the Lord thy God shall drive them before thee, thou shalt + smite them and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with + them, nor show mercy unto them." And yet Epictetus, whom we have already + quoted, gave this marvelous rule for the guidance of human conduct: "Live + with thy inferiors as thou wouldst have thy superiors live with thee." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible, after all, that a being of infinite goodness and wisdom + said: "I will heap mischief upon them; I will send mine arrows upon them; + they shall be burned with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with + bitter destruction. I will send the tooth of beasts upon them, with the + poison of serpents of the dust. The sword without, and terror within, + shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also, with + the man of gray hairs" while Seneca, an uninspired Roman, said: "The wise + man will not pardon any crime that ought to be punished, but he will + accomplish, in a nobler way, all that is sought in pardoning. He will + spare some and watch over some, because of their youth, and others on + account of their ignorance. His clemency will not fall short of justice, + but will fulfill it perfectly." + </p> + <p> + Can we believe that God ever said to any one: "Let his children be + fatherless and his wife a widow; let his children be continually + vagabonds, and beg; let them seek their bread also out of their desolate + places; let the extortioner catch all that he hath, and let the stranger + spoil his labor; let there be none to extend mercy unto him, neither let + there be any to favor his fatherless children." If he ever said these + words, surely he had never heard this line, this strain of music from the + Hindu: "Sweet is the lute to those who have not heard the prattle of their + own children." + </p> + <p> + Jehovah, "from the clouds and darkness of Sinai," said to the Jews: "Thou + shalt have no other gods before me.... Though shalt not bow down thyself + to them nor serve them; for I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, + visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third + and fourth generation of them that hate me." Contrast this with the words + put by the Hindu in the mouth of Brahma: "I am the same to all mankind. + They who honestly serve other gods involuntarily worship me. I am he who + partakest of all worship, and I am the reward of all worshipers." + </p> + <p> + Compare these passages; the first a dungeon where crawl the things begot + of jealous slime; the other, great as the domed firmament inlaid with + suns. Is it possible that the real God ever said: + </p> + <p> + "And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I, the Lord, + have deceived that prophet; and I will stretch out my hand upon him and + will destroy him from the midst of my people." Compare that passage with + one from a Pagan. + </p> + <p> + "It is better to keep silence for the remainder of your life than to speak + falsely." + </p> + <p> + Can we believe that a being of infinite mercy gave this command: + </p> + <p> + "Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate, + throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his + companion, and every man his neighbor; consecrate yourselves to-day to the + Lord, even every man upon his son and upon his brother, that he may bestow + a blessing upon you this day." + </p> + <p> + Surely, that God was not animated by so great and magnanimous a spirit as + was Antoninus, a Roman emperor, who declared that, "he had rather keep a + single Roman citizen alive than slay a thousand enemies." + </p> + <p> + Compare the laws given to the children of Israel, as it is claimed by the + Creator of us all, with the following from Marcus Aurelius: + </p> + <p> + "I have formed the ideal of a state, in which there is the same law for + all, and equal rights, and equal liberty of speech established; an empire + where nothing is honored so much as the freedom of the citizen." + </p> + <p> + In the Avesta I find this: "I belong to five: to those who think good, to + those who speak good, to those who do good, to those who hear, and to + those who are pure." + </p> + <p> + "Which is the one prayer which in greatness, goodness, and beauty is worth + all that is between heaven and earth and between this earth and the stars? + And he replied: To renounce all evil thoughts and words and works." + </p> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + IT is claimed by the Christian world that one of the great reasons for + giving an inspired book to the Jews was, that through them the world might + learn that there is but one God. This piece of information has been + supposed to be of infinite value. As a matter of fact, long before Moses + was born, the Egyptians believed and taught that there was but one God—that + is to say, that above all intelligences there was the one Supreme. They + were guilty, too, of the same inconsistencies of modern Christians. They + taught the doctrine of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Mother, + and God the Son. God was frequently represented as father, mother and + babe. They also taught that the soul had a divine origin; that after death + it was to be judged according to the deeds done in the body; that those + who had done well passed into perpetual joy, and those who had done evil + into endless pain. In this they agreed with the most approved divine of + the nineteenth century. Women were the equals of men, and Egypt was often + governed by queens. In this, her government was vastly better than the one + established by God. The laws were administered by courts much like ours. + In Egypt there was a system of schools that gave the son of poverty a + chance of advancement, and the highest offices were open to the successful + scholar. The Egyptian married one wife. The wife was called "the lady of + the house." The women were not secluded. The people were not divided into + castes. There was nothing to prevent the rise of able and intelligent + Egyptians. But like the Jehovah of the Jews, they made slaves of the + captives of war. + </p> + <p> + The ancient Persians believed in one God; and women helped to found the + Parsee religion. Nothing can exceed some of the maxims of Zoroaster. The + Hindoos taught that above all, and over all, was one eternal Supreme. They + had a code of laws. They understood the philosophy of evidence and of + damages. They knew better than to teach the doctrine of an eye for an eye, + and a tooth for a tooth. + </p> + <p> + They knew that when one man maimed another, it was not to the interest of + society to have that man maimed, thus burdening the people with two + cripples, but that it was better to make the man who maimed the other work + to support him. In India, upon the death of a father, the daughters + received twice as much from the estate as the sons. + </p> + <p> + The Romans built temples to Truth, Faith, Valor, Concord, Modesty, and + Charity, in which they offered sacrifices to the highest conceptions of + human excellence. Women had rights; they presided in the temple; they + officiated in holy offices; they guarded the sacred fires upon which the + safety of Rome depended; and when Christ came, the grandest figure in the + known world was the Roman mother. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to say that some rude statue was made by an inspired + sculptor, and that the Apollo of Belvidere, Venus de Milo, and the + Gladiator were made by unaided men; that the daubs of the early ages were + painted by divine assistance, while the Raphaels, the Angelos, and the + Rembrandts did what they did without the help of heaven. It will not do to + say, that the first hut was built by God, and the last palace by degraded + man; that the hoarse songs of the savage tribes were made by the Deity, + but that Hamlet and Lear were written by man; that the pipes of Pan were + invented in heaven, and all other musical instruments on the earth. + </p> + <p> + If the Jehovah of the Jews had taken upon himself flesh, and dwelt as a + man among the people had he endeavored to govern, had he followed his own + teachings, he would have been a slaveholder, a buyer of babes, and a + beater of women. He would have waged wars of extermination. He would have + killed grey-haired and trembling age, and would have sheathed his sword, + in prattling, dimpled babes. He would have been a polygamist, and would + have butchered his wife for differing with him on the subject of religion. + </p> + <p> + VIII. THE NEW TESTAMENT. + </p> + <p> + NE great objection to the Old Testament is the cruelty said to have been + commanded by God. All these cruelties ceased with death. The vengeance of + Jehovah stopped at the tomb. He never threatened to punish the dead; and + there is not one word, from the first mistake in Genesis to the last curse + of Malachi, containing the slightest intimation that God will take his + revenge in another world. It was reserved for the New Testament to make + known the doctrine of eternal pain. The teacher of universal benevolence + rent the veil between time and eternity, and fixed the horrified gaze of + man upon the lurid gulf of hell. Within the breast of non-resistance + coiled the worm that never dies. Compared with this, the doctrine of + slavery, the wars of extermination, the curses, the punishments of the Old + Testament were all merciful and just. + </p> + <p> + There is no time to speak of the conflicting statements in the various + books composing the New Testament—no time to give the history of the + manuscripts, the errors in translation, the interpolations made by the + fathers and by their successors, the priests, and only time to speak of a + few objections, including some absurdities and some contradictions. + </p> + <p> + Where several witnesses testify to the same transaction, no matter how + honest they may be, they will disagree upon minor matters, and such + testimony is generally considered as evidence that the witnesses have not + conspired among themselves. The differences in statement are accounted for + from the facts that all do not see alike, and that all have not equally + good memories; but when we claim that the witnesses are inspired, we must + admit that he who inspired them did know exactly what occurred, and + consequently there should be no disagreement, even in the minutest detail. + The accounts should not only be substantially, but they should be + actually, the same. The differences and contradictions can be accounted + for by the weaknesses of human nature, but these weaknesses cannot be + predicated of divine wisdom. + </p> + <p> + And here let me ask: Why should there have been more than one correct + account of what really happened? Why were four gospels necessary? It seems + to me that one inspired gospel, containing all that happened, was enough. + Copies of the one correct one could have been furnished to any extent. + According to Doctor Davidson, Irenæus argues that the gospels were + four in number, because there are four universal winds, four corners of + the globe. Others have said, because there are four seasons; and these + gentlemen might have added, because a donkey has four legs. For my part, I + cannot even conceive of a reason for more than one gospel. + </p> + <p> + According to one of these gospels, and according to the prevalent + Christian belief, the Christian religion rests upon the doctrine of the + atonement. If this doctrine is without foundation, the fabric falls; and + it is without foundation, for it is repugnant to justice and mercy. The + church tells us that the first man committed a crime for which all others + are responsible. This absurdity was the father and mother of another—that + a man can be rewarded for the good action of another. We are told that God + made a law, with the penalty of eternal death. All men, they tell us, have + broken this law. The law had to be vindicated. This could be done by + damning everybody, but through what is known as the atonement the + salvation of a few was made possible. They insist that the law demands the + extreme penalty, that justice calls for its victim, that mercy ceases to + plead, and that God by allowing the innocent to suffer in the place of the + guilty settled satisfactory with the law. To carry out this scheme God was + born as a babe, grew in stature, increased in knowledge, and at the age of + thirty-three years having lived a life filled with kindness, having + practiced every virtue, he was sacrificed as an atonement for man. It is + claimed that he took our place, bore our sins, our guilt, and in this way + satisfied the justice of God. + </p> + <p> + Under the Mosaic dispensation there was no remission of sin except through + the shedding of blood. When a man sinned he must bring to the priest a + lamb, a bullock, a goat, or a pair of turtle-doves. + </p> + <p> + The priest would lay his hand upon the animal and the sin of the man would + be transferred to the beast. Then the animal would be killed in place of + the sinner, and the blood thus shed would be sprinkled upon the altar. In + this way Jehovah was satisfied. The greater the crime, the greater the + sacrifice. There was a ratio between the value of the animal and the + enormity of the sin. + </p> + <p> + The most minute directions were given as to the killing of these animals. + Every priest became a butcher, every synagogue a slaughter-house. Nothing + could be more utterly shocking to a refined soul, nothing better + calculated to harden the heart, than the continual shedding of innocent + blood. This terrible system culminated in the sacrifice of Christ. His + blood took the place of all other. It is not necessary to shed any more. + The law at last is satisfied, satiated, surfeited. + </p> + <p> + The idea that God wants blood is at the bottom of the atonement, and rests + upon the most fearful savagery; and yet the Mosaic dispensation was better + adapted to prevent the commission of sin than the Christian system. Under + that dispensation, if you committed a sin, you had to bring a sacrifice—dove, + sheep, or bullock, now, when a sin is committed, the Christian says, + "Charge it," "Put it on the slate, If I don't pay it the Savior will." In + this way, rascality is sold on a credit, and the credit system of religion + breeds extravagance in sin. The Mosaic dispensation was based upon far + better business principles. The debt had to be paid, and by the man who + owed it. We are told that the sinner is in debt to God, and that the + obligation is discharged by the Savior. The best that can be said of such + a transaction is that the debt is transferred, not paid. As a matter of + fact, the sinner is in debt to the person he has injured. If you injure a + man, it is not enough to get the forgiveness of God—you must get the + man's forgiveness, you must get your own. If a man puts his hand in the + fire and God forgives him, his hand will smart just as badly. You must + reap what you sow. No God can give you wheat when you sow tares, and no + Devil can give you tares when you sow wheat. We must remember that in + nature there are neither rewards nor punishments—there are + consequences. The life and death of Christ do not constitute an atonement. + They are worth the example, the moral force, the heroism of benevolence, + and in so far as the life of Christ produces emulation in the direction of + goodness, it has been of value to mankind. + </p> + <p> + To make innocence suffer is the greatest sin, and it may be the only sin. + How, then, is it possible to make the consequences of sin an atonement for + sin, when the consequences of sin are to be borne by one who has not + sinned, and the one who has sinned is to reap the reward of virtue? No + honorable man should be willing that another should suffer for him. No + good law can accept the sufferings of innocence as an atonement for the + guilty; and besides, if there was no atonement until the crucifixion of + Christ, what became of the countless millions who died before that time? + We must remember that the Jews did not kill animals for the Gentiles. + Jehovah hated foreigners. There was no way provided for the forgiveness of + a heathen. What has become of the millions who have died since, without + having heard of the atonement? What becomes of those who hear and do not + believe? Can there be a law that demands that the guilty be rewarded. And + yet, to reward the guilty is far nearer justice than to punish the + innocent. If the doctrine of the atonement is true, there would have been + no heaven had no atonement been made. + </p> + <p> + If Judas had understood the Christian system, if he knew that Christ must + be betrayed, and that God was depending on him to betray him, and that + without the betrayal no human soul could be saved, what should Judas have + done? + </p> + <p> + Jehovah took special charge of the Jewish people. He did this for the + purpose of civilizing them. If he had succeeded in civilizing them, he + would have made the damnation of the entire human race a certainty; + because if the Jews had been a civilized people when Christ appeared—a + people who had not been hardened by the laws of Jehovah—they would + not have crucified Christ, and as a consequence, the world would have been + lost. If the Jews had believed in religious freedom, in the rights of + thought and speech, if the Christian religion is true, not a human soul + ever could have been saved. If, when Christ was on his way to Calvary, + some brave soul had rescued him from the pious mob, he would not only have + been damned for his pains, but would have rendered impossible the + salvation of any human being. + </p> + <p> + The Christian world has been trying for nearly two thousand years to + explain the atonement, and every effort has ended in an admission that it + cannot be understood, and a declaration that it must be believed. Has the + promise and hope of forgiveness ever prevented the commission of a sin? + Can men be made better by being taught that sin gives happiness here; that + to live a virtuous life is to bear a cross; that men can repent between + the last sin and the last breath; and that repentance washes every stain + of the soul away? Is it good to teach that the serpent of regret will not + hiss in the ear of memory; that the saved will not even pity the victims + of their crimes; and that sins forgiven cease to affect the unhappy + wretches sinned against? + </p> + <p> + Another objection is, that a certain belief is necessary to save the soul. + This doctrine, I admit, is taught in the gospel according to John, and in + many of the epistles; I deny that it is taught in Matthew, Mark, or Luke. + It is, however, asserted by the church that to believe is the only safe + way. To this, I reply: Belief is not a voluntary thing. A man believes or + disbelieves in spite of himself. They tell us that to believe is the safe + way; but I say, the safe way is to be honest. Nothing can be safer than + that. No man in the hour of death ever regretted having been honest. No + man when the shadows of the last day were gathering about the pillow of + death, ever regretted that he had given to his fellow-man his honest + thought. No man, in the presence of eternity, ever wished that he had been + a hypocrite. No man ever then regretted that he did not throw away his + reason. It certainly cannot be necessary to throw away your reason to save + your soul, because after that, your soul is not worth saving. The soul has + a right to defend itself. My brain is my castle; and when I waive the + right to defend it, I become an intellectual serf and slave. + </p> + <p> + I do not admit that a man by doing me an injury can place me under + obligations to do him a service. To render benefits for injuries is to + ignore all distinctions between actions. He who treats friends and enemies + alike has neither love nor justice. The idea of non-resistance never + occurred to a man with power to defend himself. The mother of this + doctrine was weakness. To allow a crime to be committed, even against + yourself, when you can prevent it, is next to committing the crime + yourself. The church has preached the doctrine of non-resistance, and + under that banner has shed the blood of millions. In the folds of her + sacred vestments have gleamed for centuries the daggers of assassination. + With her cunning hands she wove the purple for hypocrisy and placed the + crown upon the brow of crime. For more than a thousand years larceny held + the scales of justice, hypocrisy wore the mitre and tiara, while beggars + scorned the royal sons of toil, and ignorant fear denounced the liberty of + thought. + </p> + <p> + XI. CHRIST'S MISSION. + </p> + <p> + HE came, they tell us, to make a revelation, and what did he reveal? "Love + thy neighbor as thyself"? That was in the Old Testament. "Love God with + all thy heart"? That was in the Old Testament. "Return good for evil"? + That was said by Buddha, seven hundred years before Christ was born. "Do + unto others as ye would that they should do unto you"? That was the + doctrine of Lao-tsze. Did he come to give a rule of action? Zoroaster had + done this long before: "Whenever thou art in doubt as to whether an action + is good or bad, abstain from it." Did he come to tell us of another world? + The immortality of the soul had been taught by the Hindoos, Egyptians, + Greeks, and Romans hundreds of years before he was born. What argument did + he make in favor of immortality? What facts did he furnish? What star of + hope did he put above the darkness of this world? Did he come simply to + tell us that we should not revenge ourselves upon our enemies? Long + before, Socrates had said: "One who is injured ought not to return the + injury, for on no account can it be right to do an injustice; and it is + not right to return an injury, or to do evil to any man, however much we + have suffered from him." And Cicero had said: "Let us not listen to those + who think we ought to be angry with our enemies, and who believe this to + be great and manly. Nothing is so praiseworthy, nothing so clearly shows a + great and noble soul, as clemency and readiness to forgive." Is there + anything in the literature of the world more nearly perfect than this + thought? + </p> + <p> + Was it from Christ the world learned the first lesson of forbearance, when + centuries and centuries before, Chrishna had said, "If a man strike thee, + and in striking drop his staff, pick it up and hand it to him again?" Is + it possible that the son of God threatened to say to a vast majority, of + his children, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared + for the devil and his angels," while the Buddhist was great and tender + enough to say: + </p> + <p> + "Never will I seek nor receive private individual salvation; never enter + into final peace alone; but forever and everywhere will I live and strive + for the universal redemption of every creature throughout all worlds. + Never will I leave this world of sin and sorrow and struggle until all are + delivered. Until then, I will remain and suffer where I am?" + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in the New Testament as beautiful as this, from a Sufi?—"Better + one moment of silent contemplation and inward love than seventy thousand + years of outward worship." + </p> + <p> + Is there anything comparable to this?—"Whoever carelessly treads on + a worm that crawls on the earth, that heartless one is darkly alienate + from God." + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in the New Testament more beautiful than the story of + the Sufi? + </p> + <p> + For seven years a Sufi practised every virtue, and then he mounted the + three steps that lead to the doors of Paradise. He knocked and a voice + said: "Who is there?" The Sufi replied: "Thy servant, O God." But the + doors remained closed. + </p> + <p> + Yet seven other years the Sufi engaged in every good work. He comforted + the sorrowing and divided his substance with the poor. Again he mounted + the three steps, again knocked at the doors of Paradise, and again the + voice asked: "Who is there?" and the Sufi replied: "Thy slave, O God."—But + the doors remained closed. + </p> + <p> + Yet seven other years the Sufi spent in works of charity, in visiting the + imprisoned and the sick. Again he mounted the steps, again knocked at the + celestial doors. Again he heard the question: "Who is there?" and he + replied: "Thyself, O God."—The gates wide open flew. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that St. Paul was inspired of God, when he said: "Let the + women learn in silence, with all subjection."—"Neither was the man + created for the woman, but the woman for the man?" + </p> + <p> + And is it possible that Epictetus, without the slightest aid from heaven, + gave to the world this gem of love: + </p> + <p> + "What is more delightful than to be so dear to your wife, as to be on that + account dearer to yourself?" + </p> + <p> + Did St. Paul express the sentiments of God when he wrote— + </p> + <p> + "But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the + head of every woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. Wives, + submit yourselves unto your husbands as unto the Lord?" + </p> + <p> + And was the author of this, a poor despised heathen?— + </p> + <p> + "In whatever house the husband is contented with the wife, and the wife + with the husband, in that house will fortune dwell; but upon the house + where women are not honored, let a curse be pronounced. Where the wife is + honored, there the gods are truly worshiped." + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in the New Testament as beautiful as this?— + </p> + <p> + "Shall I tell thee where nature is most blest and fair? It is where those + we love abide. Though that space be small, it is ample above kingdoms; + though it be a desert, through it run the rivers of Paradise." + </p> + <p> + After reading the curses pronounced in the Old + </p> + <p> + Testament upon Jew and heathen, the descriptions of slaughter, of + treachery and of death, the destruction of women and babes; after you + shall have read all the chapters of horror in the New Testament, the + threatenings of fire and flame, then read this, from the greatest of human + beings: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The quality of mercy is not strained: + It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven + Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed; + It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. + 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes + The throned monarch better than his crown." +</pre> + <p> + X. ETERNAL PAIN + </p> + <p> + UPON passages in the New Testament rests the doctrine of eternal pain. + This doctrine subverts every idea of justice. A finite being can neither + commit an infinite sin, nor a sin against the Infinite. A being of + infinite goodness and wisdom has no right to create any being whose life + is not a blessing. Infinite wisdom has no right to create a failure, and + surely a man destined to everlasting failure is not a conspicuous success. + The doctrine of eternal punishment is the most infamous of all doctrines—born + of ignorance, cruelty and fear. Around the angel of immortality, + Christianity has coiled this serpent. + </p> + <p> + Upon Love's breast the church has placed the eternal asp. And yet in the + same book in which is taught this most frightful of dogmas, we are assured + that "the Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his + works." + </p> + <p> + A few days ago upon the wide sea, was found a barque called "The Tiger," + Captain Kreuger, in command. The vessel had been one hundred and + twenty-six days upon the sea. For days the crew had been without water, + without food, and were starving. For nine days not a drop had passed their + lips. The crew consisted of the captain, a mate, and eleven men. At the + end of one hundred and eighteen days from Liverpool they killed the + captain's Newfoundland dog. This lasted them four days. During the next + five days they had nothing. For weeks they had had no light and were + unable to see the compass at night. On the one hundred and twenty-fifth + day Captain Kreuger, a German, took a revolver in his hand, stood up + before the men, and placing the weapon at his temple said: "Boys, we can't + stand this much longer, and to save you all, I am willing to die." The + mate grasped the revolver and begged the captain to wait another day. The + next day, upon the horizon of their despair, they saw the smoke of the + steamship Nebo. They were rescued. + </p> + <p> + Suppose that Captain Kreuger was not a Christian, and suppose that he had + sent the ball crashing through his brain, and had done so simply to keep + the crew from starvation, do you tell me that a God of infinite mercy + would forever damn that man? + </p> + <p> + Do not misunderstand me. I insist that every passage in the Bible + upholding crime was written by savage man. I insist that if there is a + God, he is not, never was, and never will be in favor of slavery, + polygamy, wars of extermination, or religious persecution. Does any + Christian believe that if the real God were to write a book now, he would + uphold the crimes commanded in the Old Testament? Has Jehovah improved? + Has infinite mercy become more merciful? Has infinite wisdom + intellectually advanced? + </p> + <p> + WILL any one claim that the passages upholding slavery have liberated + mankind? Are we indebted to polygamy for our modern homes? Was religious + liberty born of that infamous verse in which the husband is commanded to + kill his wife for worshiping an unknown God? + </p> + <p> + The usual answer to these objections is, that no country has ever been + civilized without a Bible. The Jews were the only people to whom Jehovah + made his will directly known. Were they better than other nations? They + read the Old Testament and one of the effects of such reading was, that + they crucified a kind, loving, and perfectly innocent man. Certainly they + could not have done worse, without a Bible. In crucifying Christ the Jews + followed the teachings of his Father. If Jehovah was in fact God, and if + that God took upon himself flesh and came among the Jews, and preached + what the Jews understood to be blasphemy; and if the Jews in accordance + with the laws given by this same Jehovah to Moses, crucified him, then I + say, and I say it with infinite reverence, he reaped what he had sown. He + became the victim of his own injustice. + </p> + <p> + But I insist that these things are not true. I insist that the real God, + if there is one, never commanded man to enslave his fellow-man, never told + a mother to sell her babe, never established polygamy, never urged one + nation to exterminate another, and never told a husband to kill his wife + because she suggested the worship of another God. + </p> + <p> + From the aspersions of the pulpit, from the slanders of the church, I seek + to rescue the reputation of the Deity. I insist that the Old Testament + would be a better book with all these passages left out; and whatever may + be said of the rest of the Bible, the passages to which I have called + attention can, with vastly more propriety, be attributed to a devil than + to a god. + </p> + <p> + Take from the New Testament the idea that belief is necessary to + salvation; that Christ was offered as an atonement for the sins of + mankind; that heaven is the reward of faith, and hell the penalty of + honest investigation, and that the punishment of the human soul will go on + forever; take from it all miracles and foolish stories, and I most + cheerfully admit that the good passages are true. If they are true, it + makes no difference whether they are inspired or not. Inspiration is only + necessary to give authority to that which is repugnant to human reason. + Only that which never happened needs to be substantiated by a miracle. + </p> + <p> + The universe is natural. + </p> + <p> + The church must cease to insist that passages upholding the institutions + of savage men were inspired of God. The dogma of atonement must be + abandoned. Good deeds must take the place of faith. The savagery of + eternal punishment must be renounced. It must be admitted that credulity + is not a virtue, and that investigation is not a crime. It must be + admitted that miracles are the children of mendacity, and that nothing can + be more wonderful than the majestic, unbroken, sublime, and eternal + procession of causes and effects. Reason must be the arbiter. Inspired + books attested by miracles cannot stand against a demonstrated fact. A + religion that does not command the respect of the greatest minds will, in + a little while, excite the mockery of all. + </p> + <p> + A man who does not believe in intellectual liberty is a barbarian. Is it + possible that God is intolerant? Could there be any progress, even in + heaven, without intellectual liberty? Is the freedom of the future to + exist only in perdition? Is it not, after all, barely possible that a man + acting like Christ can be saved? Is a man to be eternally rewarded for + believing according to evidence, without evidence, or against evidence? + Are we to be saved because we are good, or because another was virtuous? + Is credulity to be winged and crowned, whilst honest doubt is chained and + damned. + </p> + <p> + If Jehovah, was in fact God, he knew the end from the beginning. He knew + that his Bible would be a breast-work behind which all tyranny and + hypocrisy would crouch. He knew that his Bible would be the auction-block + on which women would stand while their babes were sold from their arms. He + knew that this Bible would be quoted by tyrants; that it would be the + defence of robbers called kings, and of hypocrites called priests. He knew + that he had taught the Jewish people nothing of importance. He knew that + he had found them free and left them slaves. He knew that he had never + fulfilled a single promise made to them. He knew that while other nations + had advanced in art and science his chosen people were savage still. He + promised them the world, and gave them a desert. He promised them liberty + and he made them slaves. He promised them victory and he gave them defeat. + He said they should be kings and he made them serfs. He promised them + universal empire and gave them exile. When one finishes the Old Testament + he is compelled to say: "Nothing can add to the misery of a nation whose + king is Jehovah!" + </p> + <p> + The Old Testament filled this world with tyranny and injustice, and the + New gives us a future filled with pain for nearly all of the sons of men. + </p> + <p> + The Old Testament describes the hell of the past, and the New the hell of + the future. + </p> + <p> + The Old Testament tells us the frightful things that God has done, the New + the frightful things that he will do. + </p> + <p> + These two books give us the sufferings of the past and the future—the + injustice, the agony and the tears of both worlds. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ORTHODOXY. + </h2> + <h3> + A LECTURE. + </h3> + <p> + IT is utterly inconceivable that any man believing in the truth of the + Christian religion should publicly deny it, because he who believes in + that religion would believe that, by a public denial, he would peril the + eternal salvation of his soul. It is conceivable, and without any great + effort of the mind, that millions who do not believe in the Christian + religion should openly say that they did. In a country where religion is + supposed to be in power—where it has rewards for pretence, where it + pays a premium upon hypocrisy, where it at least is willing to purchase + silence—it is easily conceivable that millions pretend to believe + what they do not. And yet I believe it has been charged against myself not + only that I was insincere, but that I took the side I am on for the sake + of popularity; and the audience to-night goes far toward justifying the + accusation. + </p> + <p> + Orthodox Religion Dying Out. + </p> + <p> + It gives me immense pleasure to say to this audience that orthodox + religion is dying out of the civilized world. It is a sick man. It has + been attacked with two diseases—softening of the brain and + ossification of the heart. It is a religion that no longer satisfies the + intelligence of this country; that no longer satisfies the brain; a + religion against which the heart of every civilized man and woman + protests. It is a religion that gives hope only to a few; that puts a + shadow upon the cradle; that wraps the coffin in darkness and fills the + future of mankind with flame and fear. It is a religion that I am going to + do what little I can while I live to destroy. In its place I want + humanity, I want good fellowship, I want intellectual liberty—free + lips, the discoveries and inventions of genius, the demonstrations of + science—the religion of art, music and poetry—of good houses, + good clothes, good wages—that is to say, the religion of this world. + </p> + <p> + Religious Deaths and Births. + </p> + <p> + We must remember that this is a world of progress, a world of perpetual + change—a succession of coffins and cradles. There is perpetual + death, and there is perpetual birth. By the grave of the old, forever + stand youth and joy; and when an old religion dies, a better one is born. + When we find out that an assertion is a falsehood a shining truth takes + its place, and we need not fear the destruction of the false. The more + false we destroy the more room there will be for the true. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when the astrologer sought to read in the stars the fate + of men and nations. The astrologer has faded from the world, but the + astronomer has taken his place. There was a time when the poor alchemist, + bent and wrinkled and old, over his crucible endeavored to find some + secret by which he could change the baser metals into purest gold. The + alchemist has gone; the chemist took his place; and, although he finds + nothing to change metals into gold, he finds something that covers the + earth with wealth. There was a time when the soothsayer and augur + flourished. After them came the parson and the priest; and the parson and + the priest must go. The preacher must go, and in his place must come the + teacher—the real interpreter of Nature. We are done with the + supernatural. We are through with the miraculous and the impossible. There + was once the prophet who pretended to read the book of the future. His + place has been taken by the philosopher, who reasons from cause to effect—who + finds the facts by which we are surrounded and endeavors to reason from + these premises and to tell what in all probability will happen. The + prophet has gone, the philosopher is here. There was a time when man + sought aid from heaven—when he prayed to the deaf sky. There was a + time when everything depended on the supernaturalist. That time in + Christendom is passing away. We now depend upon the naturalist—not + upon the believer in ancient falsehoods, but on the discoverer of facts—on + the demonstrater of truths. At last we are beginning to build on a solid + foundation, and as we progress, the supernatural dies. The leaders of the + intellectual world deny the existence of the supernatural. They take from + all superstition its foundation. + </p> + <p> + The Religion of Reciprocity. + </p> + <p> + Supernatural religion will fade from this world, and in its place we shall + have reason. In the place of the worship of something we know not of, will + be the religion of mutual love and assistance—the great religion of + reciprocity. Superstition must go. Science will remain. The church dies + hard. The brain of the world is not yet developed. There are intellectual + diseases as well as physical—there are pestilences and plagues of + the mind. + </p> + <p> + Whenever the new comes the old protests, and fights for its place as long + as it has a particle of power. We are now having the same warfare between + superstition and science that there was between the stage coach and the + locomotive. But the stage coach had to go. It had its day of glory and + power, but it is gone. It went West. In a little while it will be driven + into the Pacific. So we find that there is the same conflict between the + different sects and different schools not only of philosophy but of + medicine. + </p> + <p> + Recollect that everything except the demonstrated truth is liable to die. + That is the order of Nature. Words die. Every language has a cemetery. + Every now and then a word dies and a tombstone is erected, and across it + is written "obsolete." New words are continually being born. There is a + cradle in which a word is rocked. A thought is married to a sound, and a + child-word is born. And there comes a time when the word gets old, and + wrinkled, and expressionless, and is carried mournfully to the grave. So + in the schools of medicine. You can remember, so can I, when the old + allopathists, the bleeders and blisterers, reigned supreme. If there was + anything the matter with a man they let out his blood. Called to the + bedside, they took him on the point of a lancet to the edge of eternity, + and then practiced all their art to bring him back. One can hardly imagine + how perfect a constitution it took a few years ago to stand the assault of + a doctor. And long after the old practice was found to be a mistake + hundreds and thousands of the ancient physicians clung to it, carried + around with them, in one pocket a bottle of jalap, and in the other a + rusty lancet, sorry that they could not find some patient with faith + enough to allow the experiment to be made again. + </p> + <p> + So these schools, and these theories, and these religions die hard. What + else can they do? Like the paintings of the old masters, they are kept + alive because so much money has been invested in them. Think of the amount + of money that has been invested in superstition! Think of the schools that + have been founded for the more general diffusion of useless knowledge! + Think of the colleges wherein men are taught that it is dangerous to + think, and that they must never use their brains except in the act of + faith! Think of the millions and billions of dollars that have been + expended in churches, in temples, and in cathedrals! Think of the + thousands and thousands of men who depend for their living upon the + ignorance of mankind! Think of those who grow rich on credulity and who + fatten on faith! Do you suppose they are going to die without a struggle? + What are they to do? From the bottom of my heart I sympathize with the + poor clergyman that has had all his common sense educated out of him, and + is now to be thrown upon the cold and unbelieving world. His prayers are + not answered; he gets no help from on high, and the pews are beginning to + criticise the pulpit. What is the man to do? If he suddenly changes he is + gone. If he preaches what he really believes he will get notice to quit. + And yet, if he and the congregation would come together and be perfectly + honest, they would all admit that they believe little and know nothing. + </p> + <p> + Only a little while ago a couple of ladies were riding together from a + revival, late at night, and one said to the other, as they rode along: "I + am going to say something that will shock you, and I beg of you never to + tell it to anybody else. I am going to tell it to you." "Well, what is + it?" Said she: "I do not believe the Bible." The other replied: "Neither + do I." + </p> + <p> + I have often thought how splendid it would be if the ministers could but + come together and say: "Now, let us be honest. Let us tell each other, + honor bright"—like Dr. Curry, of Chicago, did in the meeting the + other day—"just what we believe." They tell a story that in the old + time a lot of people, about twenty, were in Texas in a little hotel, and + one fellow got up before the fire, put his hands behind him, and said: + "Boys, let us all tell our real names." If the ministers and their + congregations would only tell their real thoughts they would find that + they are nearly as bad as I am, and that they believe as little. + </p> + <p> + Orthodoxy dies hard, and its defenders tell us that this fact shows that + it is of divine origin. Judaism dies hard. It has lived several thousand + years longer than Christianity. The religion of Mohammed dies hard. + </p> + <p> + Buddhism dies hard. Why do all these religions die hard? Because + intelligence increases slowly. + </p> + <p> + Let me whisper in the ear of the Protestant: Catholicism dies hard. What + does that prove? It proves that the people are ignorant and that the + priests are cunning. + </p> + <p> + Let me whisper in the ear of the Catholic: Protestantism dies hard. What + does that prove? It proves that the people are superstitious and the + preachers stupid. + </p> + <p> + Let me whisper in all your ears: Infidelity is not dying—it is + growing—it increases every day. And what does that prove? It proves + that the people are learning more and more—that they are advancing—that + the mind is getting free, and that the race is being civilized. + </p> + <p> + The clergy know that I know that they know that they do not know. + </p> + <p> + The Blows That Have Shattered the Shield and Shivered the Lance of + Superstition. + </p> + <p> + Mohammed. + </p> + <p> + Mohammed wrested from the disciples of the cross the fairest part of + Europe. It was known that he was an impostor, and that fact sowed the + seeds of distrust and infidelity in the Christian world. Christians made + an effort to rescue from the infidels the empty sepulchre of Christ. That + commenced in the eleventh century and ended at the close of the + thirteenth. Europe was almost depopulated. The fields were left waste, the + villages were deserted, nations were impoverished, every man who owed a + debt was discharged from payment if he put a cross upon his breast and + joined the Crusades. No matter what crime he had committed, the doors of + the prison were open for him to join the hosts of the cross. They believed + that God would give them victory, and they carried in front of the first + Crusade a goat and a goose, believing that both those animals were blessed + by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. And I may say that those same animals + are in the lead to-day in the orthodox world. Until the year 1291 they + endeavored to gain possession of that sepulchre, and finally the hosts of + Christ were driven back, baffled and beaten,—a poor, miserable, + religious rabble. They were driven back, and that fact sowed the seeds of + distrust in Christendom. You know that at that time the world believed in + trial by battle—that God would take the side of the right—and + there had been a trial by battle between the cross and the crescent, and + Mohammed had been victorious. Was God at that time governing the world? + Was he endeavoring to spread his gospel? + </p> + <p> + The Destruction of Art. + </p> + <p> + You know that when Christianity came into power it destroyed every statue + it could lay its ignorant hands upon. It defaced and obliterated every + painting; it destroyed every beautiful building; it burned the + manuscripts, both Greek and Latin; it destroyed all the history, all the + poetry, all the philosophy it could find, and reduced to ashes every + library that it could reach with its torch. And the result was, that the + night of the Middle Ages fell upon the human race. But by accident, by + chance, by oversight, a few of the manuscripts escaped the fury of + religious zeal; and these manuscripts became the seed, the fruit of which + is our civilization of to-day. A few statues had been buried; a few forms + of beauty were dug from the earth that had protected them, and now the + civilized world is filled with art, the walls are covered with paintings, + and the niches filled with statuary. A few manuscripts were found and + deciphered. The old languages were learned, and literature was again born. + A new day dawned upon mankind. Every effort at mental improvement had been + opposed by the church, and yet, the few things saved from the general + wreck—a few poems, a few works of the ancient thinkers, a few forms + wrought in stone, produced a new civilization destined to overthrow and + destroy the fabric of superstition. + </p> + <p> + The Discovery of America. + </p> + <p> + What was the next blow that this church received? The discovery of + America. The Holy Ghost who inspired men to write the Bible did not know + of the existence of this continent, never dreamed of the Western + Hemisphere. The Bible left out half the world. The Holy Ghost did not know + that the earth is round. He did not dream that the earth is round. He + believed it was flat, although he made it himself. At that time heaven was + just beyond the clouds. It was there the gods lived, there the angels + were, and it was against that heaven that Jacob's ladder leaned when the + angels went up and down. It was to that heaven that Christ ascended after + his resurrection. It was up there that the New Jerusalem was, with its + streets of gold, and under this earth was perdition. There was where the + devils lived; where a pit was dug for all unbelievers, and for men who had + brains. I say that for this reason: Just in proportion that you have + brains, your chances for eternal joy are lessened, according to this + religion. And just in proportion that you lack brains your chances are + increased. At last they found that the earth is round. It was + circumnavigated by Magellan. In 1519 that brave man set sail. The church + told him: "The earth is flat, my friend; don't go, you may fall off the + edge." Magellan said: "I have seen the shadow of the earth upon the moon, + and I have more confidence in the shadow than I have in the church." The + ship went round. The earth was circumnavigated. Science passed its hand + above it and beneath it, and where was the old heaven and where was the + hell? Vanished forever! And they dwell now only in the religion of + superstition. We found there was no place there for Jacob's ladder to lean + against; no place there for the gods and angels to live; no place to hold + the waters of the deluge; no place to which Christ could have ascended. + The foundations of the New Jerusalem crumbled. The towers and domes fell, + and in their places infinite space, sown with an infinite number of stars; + not with New Jerusalems, but with countless constellations. + </p> + <p> + Copernicus and Kepler. + </p> + <p> + Then man began to grow great, and with that came Astronomy, In 1473 + Copernicus was born. In 1543 his great work appeared. In 1616 the system + of Copernicus was condemned by the pope, by the infallible Catholic + Church, and the church was about as near right upon that subject as upon + any other. The system of Copernicus was denounced. And how long do you + suppose the church fought that? Let me tell you. It was revoked by Pius + VII. in the year of grace 1821. For two hundred and seventy-eight years + after the death of Copernicus the church insisted that his system was + false, and that the old Bible astronomy was true. Astronomy is the first + help that we ever received from heaven. Then came Kepler in 1609, and you + may almost date the birth of science from the night that Kepler discovered + his first law. That was the break of the day. His first law, that the + planets do not move in circles but in ellipses; his second law, that they + describe equal spaces in equal times; his third law, that the squares of + their periodic times are proportional to the cubes of their distances. + That man gave us the key to the heavens. He opened the infinite book, and + in it read three lines. + </p> + <p> + I have not time to speak of Galileo, of Leonardo da Vinci, of Bruno, and + of hundreds of others who contributed to the intellectual wealth of the + world. + </p> + <p> + Special Providence. + </p> + <p> + The next thing that gave the church a blow was Statistics. We found by + taking statistics that we could tell the average length of human life; + that this human life did not depend upon infinite caprice; that it + depended upon conditions, circumstances, laws and facts, and that these + conditions, circumstances, and facts were during long periods of time + substantially the same. And now, the man who depends entirely upon special + providence gets his life insured. He has more confidence even in one of + these companies than he has in the whole Trinity. We found by statistics + that there were just so many crimes on an average committed; just so many + crimes of one kind and so many of another; just so many suicides, so many + deaths by drowning, so many accidents on an average, so many men marrying + women, for instance, older than themselves; so many murders of a + particular kind; just the same number of mistakes; and I say to-night, + statistics utterly demolish the idea of special providence. + </p> + <p> + Only the other day a gentleman was telling me of a case of special + providence. He knew it. He had been the subject of it. A few years ago he + was about to go on a ship when he was detained. He did not go, and the + ship was lost with all on board. + </p> + <p> + "Yes!" I said, "Do you think the people who were drowned believed in + special providence?" Think of the infinite egotism of such a doctrine. + Here is a man that fails to go upon a ship with five hundred passengers + and they go down to the bottom of the sea—fathers, mothers, + children, and loving husbands and wives waiting upon the chores of + expectation. Here is one poor little wretch that did not happen to go! And + he thinks that God, the Infinite Being, interfered in his poor little + withered behalf and let the rest all go. That is special providence. Why + does special providence allow all the crimes? Why are the wife-beaters + protected, and why are the wives and children left defenceless if the hand + of God is over us all? Who protects the insane? Why does Providence permit + insanity? But the church cannot give up special providence. If there is no + such thing, then no prayers, no worship, no churches, no priests. What + would become of National Thanksgiving? + </p> + <p> + You know we have a custom every year of issuing a proclamation of + thanksgiving. We say to God, "Although you have afflicted all the other + countries, although you have sent war, and desolation, and famine on + everybody else, we have been such good children that you have been kind to + us, and we hope you will keep on." It does not make a bit of difference + whether we have good times or not—the thanksgiving is always exactly + the same. I remember a few years ago a governor of Iowa got out a + proclamation of that kind. He went on to tell how thankful the people were + and how prosperous the State had been. There was a young fellow in that + State who got out another proclamation, saying that he feared the Lord + might be misled by official correspondence; that the governor's + proclamation was entirely false; that the State was not prosperous; that + the crops had been an almost utter failure; that nearly every farm in the + State was mortgaged, and that if the Lord did not believe him, all he + asked was that he would send some angel in whom he had confidence, to look + the matter over and report. + </p> + <p> + Charles Darwin. + </p> + <p> + This century will be called Darwin's century. He was one of the greatest + men who ever touched this globe. He has explained more of the phenomena of + life than all of the religious teachers. Write the name of Charles Darwin + on the one hand and the name of every theologian who ever lived on the + other, and from that name has come more light to the world than from all + of those. His doctrine of evolution, his doctrine of the survival of the + fittest, his doctrine of the origin of species, has removed in every + thinking mind the last vestige of orthodox Christianity. He has not only + stated, but he has demonstrated, that the inspired writer knew nothing of + this world, nothing of the origin of man, nothing of geology, nothing of + astronomy, nothing of nature; that the Bible is a book written by + ignorance—at the instigation of fear. Think of the men who replied + to him. Only a few years ago there was no person too ignorant to + successfully answer Charles Darwin; and the more ignorant he was the more + cheerfully he undertook the task. He was held up to the ridicule, the + scorn and contempt of the Christian world, and yet when he died, England + was proud to put his dust with that of her noblest and her grandest. + Charles Darwin conquered the intellectual world, and his doctrines are now + accepted facts. His light has broken in on some of the clergy, and the + greatest man who to-day occupies the pulpit of one of the orthodox: + churches, Henry Ward Beecher, is a believer in the theories of Charles + Darwin—a man of more genius than all the clergy of that entire + church put together. + </p> + <p> + And yet we are told in this little creed that orthodox religion is about + to conquer the world! It will be driven to the wilds of Africa. It must go + to some savage country; it has lost its hold upon civilization. It is + unfortunate to have a religion that cannot be accepted by the intellect of + a nation. It is unfortunate to have a religion against which every good + and noble heart protests. Let us have a good religion or none. My pity has + been excited by seeing these ministers endeavor to warp and twist the + passages of Scripture to fit the demonstrations of science. Of course, I + have not time to recount all the discoveries and events that have assisted + in the destruction of superstition. Every fact is an enemy of the church. + Every fact is a heretic. Every demonstration is an infidel. Everything + that ever really happened testifies against the supernatural. + </p> + <p> + The church teaches that man was created perfect, and that for six thousand + years he has degenerated. Darwin demonstrated the falsity of this dogma. + He shows that man has for thousands of ages steadily advanced; that the + Garden of Eden is an ignorant myth; that the doctrine of original sin has + no foundation in fact; that the atonement is an absurdity; that the + serpent did not tempt, and that man did not "fall." + </p> + <p> + Charles Darwin destroyed the foundation of orthodox Christianity. There is + nothing left but faith in what we know could not and did not happen. + Religion and science are enemies. One is a superstition; the other is a + fact. One rests upon the false, the other upon the true. One is the result + of fear and faith, the other of investigation and reason. + </p> + <p> + The Creeds. + </p> + <p> + I have been talking a great deal about the orthodox religion. Often, after + having delivered a lecture, I have met some good, religious person who has + said to me: + </p> + <p> + "You do not tell it as we believe it." + </p> + <p> + "Well, but I tell it as you have it written in your creed." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, we don't mind the creed any more." + </p> + <p> + "Then, why do you not change it?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, well, we understand it as it is, and if we tried to change it, maybe + we would not agree." + </p> + <p> + Possibly the creeds are in the best condition now. There is a tacit + understanding that they do not believe them, that there is a way to get + around them, and that they can read between the lines; that if they should + meet now to form new creeds they would fail to agree; and that now they + can say as they please, except in public. Whenever they do so in public + the church, in self-defence, must try them; and I believe in trying every + minister that does not preach the doctrine he agrees to. I have not the + slightest sympathy with a Presbyterian preacher who endeavors to preach + infidelity from a Presbyterian pulpit and receives Presbyterian money. + When he changes his views he should step down and out like a man, and say, + "I do not believe your doctrine, and I will not preach it. You must hire + some other man." The Latest Creed. + </p> + <p> + But I find that I have correctly interpreted the creeds. There was put + into my hands the new Congregational creed. I have read it, and I will + call your attention to it to-night, to find whether that church has made + any advance; to find whether the sun of science has risen in the heavens + in vain; whether they are still the children of intellectual darkness; + whether they still consider it necessary for you to believe something that + you by no possibility can understand, in order to be a winged angel + forever. Now, let us see what their creed is. I will read a little of it. + </p> + <p> + They commence by saying that they + </p> + <p> + "<i>Believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, + and of all things visible and invisible</i>." + </p> + <p> + They say, now, that there is the one personal God; that he is the maker of + the universe and its ruler. I again ask the old question, Of what did he + make it? If matter has not existed through eternity, then this God made + it. Of what did he make it? What did he use for the purpose? There was + nothing in the universe except this God. What had the God been doing for + the eternity he had been living? He had made nothing—called nothing + into existence; never had had an idea, because it is impossible to have an + idea unless there is something to excite an idea. What had he been doing? + Why does not the Congregational Church tell us? How do they know about + this Infinite Being? And if he is infinite how can they comprehend him? + What good is it to believe in something that you know you do not + understand, and that you never can understand? + </p> + <p> + In the Episcopalian creed God is described as follows: + </p> + <p> + "<i>There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts + or passions</i>." + </p> + <p> + Think of that!—without body, parts, or passions. + </p> + <p> + I defy any man in the world to write a better description of nothing. You + cannot conceive of a finer word-painting of a vacuum than "without body, + parts, or passions." And yet this God, without passions, is angry at the + wicked every day; this God, without passions, is a jealous God, whose + anger burneth to the lowest hell. This God, without passions, loves the + whole human race; and this God, without passions, damns a large majority + of mankind. This God without body, walked in the Garden of Eden, in the + cool of the day. This God, without body, talked with Adam and Eve. This + God, without body, or parts met Moses upon Mount Sinai, appeared at the + door of the tabernacle, and talked with Moses face to face as a man + speaketh to his friend. This description of God is simply an effort of the + church to describe a something of which it has no conception. + </p> + <p> + God as a Governor. + </p> + <p> + So, too, I find the following: + </p> + <p> + "<i>We believe that the Providence of God, by which he executes his + eternal purposes in the government of the world, is in and over all + events.</i>" + </p> + <p> + Is God the governor of the world? Is this established by the history of + nations? What evidence can you find, if you are absolutely honest and not + frightened, in the history of the world, that this universe is presided + over by an infinitely wise and good God? + </p> + <p> + How do you account for Russia? How do you account for Siberia? How do you + account for the fact that whole races of men toiled beneath the master's + lash for ages without recompense and without reward? How do you account + for the fact that babes were sold from the arms of mothers—arms that + had been reached toward God in supplication? How do you account for it? + How do you account for the existence of martyrs? How do you account for + the fact that this God allows people to be burned simply for loving him? + Is justice always done? Is innocence always acquitted? Do the good + succeed? Are the honest fed? Are the charitable clothed? Are the virtuous + shielded? How do you account for the fact that the world has been filled + with pain, and grief, and tears? How do you account for the fact that + people have been swallowed by earthquakes, overwhelmned by volcanoes, and + swept from the earth by storms? Is it easy to account for famine, for + pestilence and plague if there be above us all a Ruler infinitely good, + powerful and wise? + </p> + <p> + I do not say there is none. I do not know. As I have said before, this is + the only planet I was ever on. I live in one of the rural districts of the + universe, and do not know about these things as much as the clergy pretend + to, but if they know no more about the other world than they do about + this, it is not worth mentioning. + </p> + <p> + How do they answer all this? They say that God "permits" it. What would + you say to me if I stood by and saw a ruffian beat out the brains of a + child, when I had full and perfect power to prevent it? You would say + truthfully that I was as bad as the murderer. Is it possible for this God + to prevent it? Then, if he does not he is a fiend; he is no god. But they + say he "permits" it. What for? So that we may have freedom of choice. What + for? So that God may find, I suppose, who are good and who are bad. Did he + not know that when he made us? Did he not know exactly just what he was + making? Why should he make those whom he knew would be criminals? If I + should make a machine that would walk your streets and take the lives of + people you would hang me. And if God made a man whom he knew would commit + murder, then God is guilty of that murder. If God made a man knowing that + he would beat his wife, that he would starve his children, that he would + strew on either side of his path of life the wrecks of ruined homes, then + I say the being who knowingly called that wretch into existence is + directly responsible. And yet we are to find the providence of God in the + history of nations. What little I have read shows me that when man has + been helped, man has done it; when the chains of slavery have been broken, + they have been broken by man; when something bad has been done in the + government of mankind, it is easy to trace it to man, and to fix the + responsibility upon human beings. You need not look to the sky; you need + throw neither praise nor blame upon gods; you can find the efficient + causes nearer home—right here. + </p> + <p> + The Love of God. + </p> + <p> + What is the next thing I find in this creed? + </p> + <p> + "<i>We believe that man was made in the image of God, that he might know, + love, and obey God, and enjoy him forever.</i>" + </p> + <p> + I do not believe that anybody ever did love God, because nobody ever knew + anything about him. We love each other. We love something that we know. We + love something that our experience tells us is good and great and + beautiful. We cannot by any possibility love the unknown. We can love + truth, because truth adds to human happiness. We can love justice, because + it preserves human joy. We can love charity. We can love every form of + goodness that we know, or of which we can conceive, but we cannot love the + infinitely unknown. And how can we be made in the image of something that + has neither body, parts, nor passions? + </p> + <p> + The Fall of Man. + </p> + <p> + The Congregational Church has not outgrown the doctrine of "original sin." + We are told that: + </p> + <p> + "<i>Our first parents, by disobedience, fell under the condemnation of + God, and that all men are so alienated from God that there is no salvation + from the guilt and power of sin except through God's redeeming power.</i>" + </p> + <p> + Is there an intelligent man or woman now in the world who believes in the + Garden of Eden story? If you find any man who believes it, strike his + forehead and you will hear an echo. Something is for rent. Does any + intelligent man now believe that God made man of dust, and woman of a rib, + and put them in a garden, and put a tree in the midst of it? Was there not + room outside of the garden to put his tree, if he did not want people to + eat his apples? + </p> + <p> + If I did not want a man to eat my fruit, I would not put him in my + orchard. + </p> + <p> + Does anybody now believe in the story of the serpent? I pity any man or + woman who, in this nineteenth century, believes in that childish fable. + Why did Adam and Eve disobey? Why, they were tempted. By whom? The devil. + Who made the devil? God. What did God make him for? Why did he not tell + Adam and Eve about this serpent? Why did he not watch the devil, instead + of watching Adam and Eve? Instead of turning them out, why did he not keep + him from getting in? Why did he not have his flood first, and drown the + devil, before he made a man and woman. + </p> + <p> + And yet, people who call themselves intelligent—professors in + colleges and presidents of venerable institutions—teach children and + young men that the Garden of Eden story is an absolute historical fact. I + defy any man to think of a more childish thing. This God, waiting around + Eden—knowing all the while what would happen—having made them + on purpose so that it would happen, then does what? Holds all of us + responsible, and we were not there. Here is a representative before the + constituency had been born. Before I am bound by a representative I want a + chance to vote for or against him; and if I had been there, and known all + the circumstances, I should have voted "No!" And yet, I am held + responsible. + </p> + <p> + We are told by the Bible and by the churches that through this fall of man + "<i>Sin and death entered the world?</i>" + </p> + <p> + According to this, just as soon as Adam and Eve had partaken of the + forbidden fruit, God began to contrive ways by which he could destroy the + lives of his children. He invented all the diseases—all the fevers + and coughs and colds—all the pains and plagues and pestilences—all + the aches and agonies, the malaria and spores; so that when we take a + breath of air we admit into our lungs unseen assassins; and, fearing that + some might live too long, even under such circumstances, God invented the + earthquake and volcano, the cyclone and lightning, animalcules to infest + the heart and brain, so small that no eye can detect—no instrument + reach. This was all owing to the disobedience of Adam and Eve! + </p> + <p> + In his infinite goodness, God invented rheumatism and gout and dyspepsia, + cancers and neuralgia, and is still inventing new diseases. Not only + this', but he decreed the pangs of mothers, and that by the gates of love + and life should crouch the dragons of death and pain. Fearing that some + might, by accident, live too long, he planted poisonous vines and herbs + that looked like food. He caught the serpents he had made and gave them + fangs and curious organs, ingeniously devised to distill and deposit the + deadly drop. He changed the nature of the beasts, that they might feed on + human flesh. He cursed a world, and tainted every spring and source of + joy. He poisoned every breath of air; corrupted even light, that it might + bear disease on every ray; tainted every drop of blood in human veins; + touched every nerve, that it might bear the double fruit of pain and joy; + decreed all accidents and mistakes that maim and hurt and kill, and set + the snares of life-long grief, baited with present pleasure,—with a + moment's joy. Then and there he foreknew and foreordained all human tears. + And yet all this is but the prelude, the introduction, to the infinite + revenge of the good God. Increase and multiply all human griefs until the + mind has reached imagination's farthest verge, then add eternity to time, + and you may faintly tell, but never can conceive, the infinite horrors of + this doctrine called "The Fall of Man." The Atonement. + </p> + <p> + We are further told that: + </p> + <p> + "<i>All men are so alienated from God that there is no alleviation from + the guilt and power of sin except through God's redeeming grace;</i>" + </p> + <p> + And that: + </p> + <p> + "<i>We believe that the love of God to sinful man has found its highest + expression in the redemptive work of his Son, who became man, uniting his + divine nature with our human nature in one person; who was tempted like + other men and yet without sin, and by his humiliation, his holy obedience, + his sufferings, his death on the cross, and his resurrection, became a + perfect redeemer; whose sacrifice of himself for the sins of the world + declares the righteousness of God, and is the sole and sufficient ground + of forgiveness and of reconciliation with him</i>." + </p> + <p> + The absurdity of the doctrine known as "The Fall of Man," gave birth to + that other absurdity known as "The Atonement." So that now it is insisted + that, as we are rightfully charged with the sin of somebody else, we can + rightfully be credited with the virtues of another. Let us leave out of + our philosophy both these absurdities. Our creed will read a great deal + better with both of them out, and will make far better sense. + </p> + <p> + Now, in consequence of Adam's sin, everybody is alienated from God. How? + Why? Oh, we are all depraved, you know; we all do wrong. Well, why? Is + that because we are depraved? No. Why do we make so many mistakes? Because + there is only one right way, and there is an almost infinite number of + wrong ways; and as long as we are not perfect in our intellects we must + make mistakes. "There is no darkness but ignorance," and alienation, as + they call it, from God, is simply a lack of intellect. Why were we not + given better brains? That may account for the alienation. + </p> + <p> + The church teaches that every soul that finds its way to the shore of this + world is against God—naturally hates God; that the little dimpled + child in the cradle is simply a chunk of depravity. Everybody against God! + It is a libel upon the human race; it is a libel upon all the men who have + worked for wife and child; upon all mothers who have suffered and labored, + wept and worked; upon all the men who have died for their country; upon + all who have fought for human liberty. Leave out the history of religion + and there is little left to prove the depravity of man. + </p> + <p> + Everybody that comes is against God! Every soul, they think, is like the + wrecked Irishman, who drifted to an unknown island, and as he climbed the + shore saw a man and said to him, "Have you a Government here?" The man + replied "We have." "Well," said he, "I'm forninst it!" + </p> + <p> + The church teaches us that such is the attitude of every soul in the + universe of God. Ought a god to take any credit to himself for making + depraved people? A god that cannot make a soul that is not totally + depraved, I respectfully suggest, should retire from the business. And if + a god has made us, knowing that we are totally depraved, why should we go + to the same being to be "born again?" + </p> + <p> + The Second Birth. + </p> + <p> + The church insists that we must be "born again" and that all who are not + the subjects of this second birth are heirs of everlasting fire. Would it + not have been much better to have made another Adam and Eve? Would it not + have been better to change Noah and his people, so that after that a + second birth would not have been necessary? Why not purify the fountain of + all human life? Why allow the earth to be peopled with depraved and + monstrous beings, each one of whom must be re-made, re-formed, and born + again? + </p> + <p> + And yet, even reformation is not enough. If the man who steals becomes + perfectly honest, that is not enough; if the man who hates his fellow-man, + changes and loves his fellow-man, that is not enough; he must go through + that mysterious thing called the second birth; he must be born again. He + must have faith; he must believe something that he does not understand, + and experience what they call "conversion." According to the church, + nothing so excites the wrath of God—nothing so corrugates the brows + of Jehovah with hatred—as a man relying on his own good works. He + must admit that he ought to be damned, and that of the two he prefers it, + before God will consent to save him. + </p> + <p> + I met a man the other day, who said to me, "I am a Unitarian + Universalist." "What do you mean by that?" I asked. "Well," said he, "this + is what I mean: the Unitarian thinks he is too good to be damned, and the + Universalist thinks God is too good to damn him, and I believe them both." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that the sacrifice of a perfect being was acceptable to + God? Will he accept the agony of innocence for the punishment of guilt? + Will he release Barabbas and crucify Christ? + </p> + <p> + Inspiration. + </p> + <p> + What is the next thing in this great creed? + </p> + <p> + "<i>We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the + record of God's revelation of Himself, the work of redemption; that they + were written by men under the special guidance of the holy spirit; that + they are able to make wise unto salvation; and that they constitute an + authoritative standard by which religious teaching and human conduct are + to be regulated and judged.</i>" + </p> + <p> + This is the creed of the Congregational Church; that is, the result + reached by a high-joint commission appointed to draw up a creed for their + churches; and there we have the statement that the Bible was written "by + men under the special guidance of the Holy Spirit." + </p> + <p> + What part of the Bible? All of it? All of it. And yet what is this Old + Testament that was written by an infinitely good God? The being who wrote + it did not know the shape of the world he had made; knew nothing of human + nature. He commands men to love him, as if one could love upon command. + The same God upheld the institution of human slavery; and the church says + that the Bible that upholds that institution was written by men under the + guidance of the Holy Spirit. Then I disagree with the Holy Spirit. + </p> + <p> + This church tells us that men under the guidance of the Holy Spirit upheld + the institution of polygamy—I deny it; that under the guidance of + the Holy Spirit these men upheld wars of extermination and conquest—I + deny it; that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit these men wrote that + it was right for a man to destroy the life of his wife if she happened to + differ with him on the subject of religion—I deny it. And yet that + is the book now upheld in this creed of the Congregational Church. + </p> + <p> + If the devil had written upon the subject of slavery, which side would he + have taken? Let every minister answer. If you knew the devil had written a + work on human slavery, in your judgment, would he uphold slavery, or + denounce it? Would you regard it as any evidence that he ever wrote it, if + it upheld slavery? And yet, here you have a work upholding slavery, and + you say that it was written by an infinitely good God! If the devil upheld + polygamy, would you be surprised? If the devil wanted to kill men for + differing with him would you be astonished? If the devil told a man to + kill his wife, would you be shocked? And yet, you say, that is exactly + what God did. If there be a God, then that creed is blasphemy. That creed + is a libel upon him who sits on heaven's throne. If there be a God, I ask + him to write in the book in which my account is kept, that I denied these + lies for him. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe in a slaveholding God! I do not worship a polygamous Holy + Ghost, nor a Son who threatens eternal pain; I will not get upon my knees + before any being who commands a husband to slay his wife because she + expresses her honest thought. Suppose a book should be found old as the + Old Testament in which slavery, polygamy and war are all denounced, would + Christians think that it was written by the devil? + </p> + <p> + Did it ever occur to you that if God wrote the Old Testament, and told the + Jews to crucify or kill anybody that disagreed with them on religion, and + that this God afterward took upon himself flesh and came to Jerusalem, and + taught a different religion, and the Jews killed him—did it ever + occur to you that he reaped exactly what he had sown? Did it ever occur to + you that he fell a victim to his own tyranny, and was destroyed by his own + hand? Of course I do not believe that any God ever was the author of the + Bible, or that any God was ever crucified, or that any God was ever + killed, or ever will be, but I want to ask you that question. + </p> + <p> + Take this Old Testament, then, with all its stories of murder and + massacre; with all its foolish and cruel fables; with all its infamous + doctrines; with its spirit of caste; with its spirit of hatred, and tell + me whether it was written by a good God. If you will read the maledictions + and curses of that book, you will think that God, like Lear, had divided + heaven among his daughters, and then, in the insanity of despair, had + launched his curses on the human race. + </p> + <p> + And yet, I must say—I must admit—that the Old Testament is + better than the New. In the Old Testament, when God had a man dead, he let + him alone. When he saw him quietly in his grave he was satisfied. The + muscles relaxed, and the frown gave place to a smile. But in the New + Testament the trouble commences at death. In the New Testament God is to + wreak his revenge forever and ever. It was reserved for one who said, + "Love your enemies," to tear asunder the veil between time and eternity + and fix the horrified gaze of man upon the gulfs of eternal fire. The New + Testament is just as much worse than the Old, as hell is worse than sleep; + just as much worse, as infinite cruelty is worse than dreamless rest; and + yet, the New Testament is claimed to be a gospel of love and peace. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that: "<i>The Scriptures constitute the authoritative + standard by which religious teaching and human conduct are to be regulated + and judged"?</i> + </p> + <p> + Are we to judge of conduct by the Old Testament, by the New, or by both? + According to the Old, the slaveholder was a just and generous man; a + polygamist was a model of virtue. According to the New, the worst can be + forgiven and the best can be lost. How can any book be a standard, when + the standard itself must be measured by human reason? Is there a standard + of a standard? Must not the reason be convinced? and, if so, is not the + reason of each man the final arbiter of that man? If he takes a book as a + standard, does he so take it because it is to him reasonable? In what way + is the human reason to be ignored? Why should a book take its place, + unless the reason has been convinced that the book is the proper standard? + If this is so, the book rests upon the reason of those who adopt it. Are + they to be saved because they act in accordance with their reason, and are + others to be damned because they act by the same standard—their + reason? No two are alike. Can we demand of all the same result? Suppose + the compasses were not constant to the pole—no two compasses exactly + alike—would you expect all ships to reach the same harbor? + </p> + <p> + The Reign of Truth and Love. + </p> + <p> + I also find in this creed the following: + </p> + <p> + "<i>We believe that Jesus Christ came to establish among men the Kingdom + of God, the reign of truth and love, of righteousness and peace!</i>" + </p> + <p> + Well, that may have been the object of Jesus Christ. I do not deny it. But + what was the result? The Christian world has caused more war than all the + rest of the world beside. Most of the cunning instruments of death have + been devised by Christians. All the wonderful machinery by which the life + is blown from men, by which nations are conquered and enslaved—all + these machines have been born in Christian brains. And yet he came to + bring peace, they say; but the Testament says otherwise: "I came not to + bring peace, but a sword." And the sword was brought. What are the + Christian nations doing to-day in Europe? Is there a solitary Christian + nation that will trust any other? How many millions of Christians are in + the uniform of forgiveness, armed with the muskets of love? + </p> + <p> + There was an old Spaniard on the bed of death, who sent for a priest, and + the priest told him that he would have to forgive his enemies before he + died. He said, "I have none." "What! no enemies?" "Not one," said the + dying man; "I killed the last one three months ago." + </p> + <p> + How many millions of Christians are now armed and equipped to destroy + their fellow-Christians? Who are the men in Europe crying against war? Who + wishes to have the nations disarmed? Is it the church? No; the men who do + not believe in what they call this religion of peace. When there is a war, + and when they make a few thousand widows and orphans; when they strew the + plain with dead patriots, Christians assemble in their churches and sing + "Te Deum Laudamus." Why? Because he has enabled a few of his children to + kill some others of his children. This is the religion of peace—the + religion that invented the Krupp gun, that will hurl a ball weighing two + thousand pounds through twenty-four inches of solid steel. This is the + religion of peace that covers the sea with men-of-war, clad in mail, in + the name of universal forgiveness. This is the religion that drills and + uniforms five millions of men to kill their fellows. + </p> + <p> + The Wars It Brought. + </p> + <p> + What effect has this religion had upon the nations of the earth? What have + the nations been fighting about? What was the Thirty Years' War in Europe + for? What was the war in Holland for? Why was it that England persecuted + Scotland? Why is it that England persecutes Ireland even to this day? At + the bottom of every one of these conflicts you will find a religious + question. The religion of Jesus Christ, as preached by his church, causes + war, bloodshed, hatred, and all uncharitableness; and why? Because, they + say, a certain belief is necessary to salvation. They do not say, if you + behave yourself you will get there; they do not say, if you pay your debts + and love your wife and love your children, and are good to your friends, + and your neighbors, and your country, you will get there; that will do you + no good; you have got to believe a certain thing. No matter how bad you + are, you can instantly be forgiven; and no matter how good you are, if you + fail to believe that which you cannot understand, the moment you get to + the day of judgment nothing is left but to damn you, and all the angels + will shout "hallelujah." + </p> + <p> + What do they teach to-day? Nearly every murderer goes to heaven; there is + only one step from the gallows to God, only one jerk between the halter + and heaven. That is taught by this church. + </p> + <p> + I believe there ought to be a law to prevent the giving of the slightest + religious consolation to any man who has been found guilty of murder. Let + a Catholic understand that if he imbrues his hands in his brother's blood, + he can have no extreme unction. Let it be understood that he can have no + forgiveness through the church; and let the Protestant understand that + when he has committed that crime the community will not pray him into + heaven. Let him go with his victim. The victim, dying in his sins, goes to + hell, and the murderer has the happiness of seeing him there. If heaven + grows dull and monotonous, the murderer can again give life to the nerve + of pleasure by watching the agony of his victim. + </p> + <p> + The truth is, Christianity has not made friends; it has made enemies. It + is not, as taught, the religion of peace, it is the religion of war. Why + should a Christian hesitate to kill a man that his God is waiting to damn? + Why should a Christian not destroy an infidel who is trying to assassinate + his soul? Why should a Christian pity an unbeliever—one who has + rejected the Bible—when he knows that God will be pitiless forever? + And yet we are told, in this creed, that "<i>we believe in the ultimate + prevalence of the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth.</i>" + </p> + <p> + What makes you? Do you judge from the manner in which you are getting + along now? How many people are being born a year? About fifty millions. + How many are you converting a year, really, truthfully? Five or six + thousand. I think I have overstated the number. Is orthodox Christianity + on the increase? No. There are a hundred times as many unbelievers in + orthodox Christianity as there were ten years ago. What are you doing in + the missionary world? How long is it since you converted a Chinaman? A + fine missionary religion, to send missionaries with their Bibles and + tracts to China, but if a Chinaman comes here, mob him, simply to show him + the difference between the practical and theoretical workings of the + Christian religion. How long since you have had an intelligent convert in + India? In my judgment, never; there never has been an intelligent Hindoo + converted from the time the first missionary put his foot on that soil; + and never, in my judgment, has an intelligent Chinaman been converted + since the first missionary touched that shore. Where are they? We hear + nothing of them, except in the reports. They get money from poor old + ladies, trembling on the edge of the grave, and go and tell them stories, + how hungry the average Chinaman is for a copy of the New Testament, and + paint the sad condition of a gentleman in the interior of Africa without + the works of Dr. McCosh, longing for a copy of <i>The Princeton Review</i>,—in + my judgment, a pamphlet that would suit a savage. Thus money is scared + from the dying, and frightened from the old and feeble. + </p> + <p> + About how long is it before this kingdom is to be established? No one + objects to the establishment of peace and good will. Every good man longs + for the time when war shall cease. We are all hoping for a day of + universal justice—a day of universal freedom—when man shall + control himself, when the passions shall become obedient to the + intelligent will. But the coming of that day will not be hastened by + preaching the doctrines of total depravity and eternal revenge. That sun + will not rise the quicker for preaching salvation by faith. The star that + shines above that dawn, the herald of that day, is Science, not + superstition,—Reason, not religion. + </p> + <p> + To show you how little advance has been made, how many intellectual bats + and mental owls still haunt the temple, still roost above the altar, I + call your attention to the fact that the Congregational Church, according + to this creed; still believes in the resurrection of the dead, and in + their Confession of Faith, attached to the creed, I find that they also + believe in the literal resurrection of the body. + </p> + <p> + The Resurrection. + </p> + <p> + Does anybody believe that, who has the courage to think for himself? Here + is a man, for instance, that weighs 200 pounds and gets sick and dies + weighing 120; how much will he weigh in the morning of the resurrection? + Here is a cannibal, who eats another man; and we know that the atoms you + eat go into your body and become a part of you. After the cannibal has + eaten the missionary, and appropriated his atoms to himself, and then + dies, to whom will the atoms belong in the morning of the resurrection? + Could the missionary maintain an action of replevin, and if so, what would + the cannibal do for a body? It has been demonstrated, in so far as logic + can demonstrate anything, that there is no creation and no destruction in + Nature. It has been demonstrated, again and again, that the atoms in us + have been in millions of other beings; have grown in the forests and in + the grass, have blossomed in flowers, and been in the metals. In other + words, there are atoms in each one of us that have been in millions of + others; and when we die, these atoms return to the earth, again appear in + grass and trees, are again eaten by animals, and again devoured by + countless vegetable mouths and turned into wood; and yet this church, in + the nineteenth century,'in a council composed of, and presided over by, + professors and presidents of colleges and theologians, solemnly tells us + that it believes in the literal resurrection of the body. This is almost + enough to make one despair of the future—almost enough to convince a + man of the immortality of the absurd. They know better. There is not one + so ignorant but knows better. + </p> + <p> + The Judgment-Day. + </p> + <p> + And what is the next thing? + </p> + <p> + "<i>We believe in a final judgment, the issues of which are everlasting + punishment and everlasting life!</i>" + </p> + <p> + At the final judgment all of us will be there. The thousands, and + millions, and billions, and trillions, and quadrillions that have died + will be there. The books will be opened, and each case will be called. The + sheep and the goats will be divided. The unbelievers will be sent to the + left, while the faithful will proudly walk to the right. The saved, + without a tear, will bid an eternal farewell to those who loved them here—to + those they loved. Nearly all the human race will go away to everlasting + punishment, and the fortunate few to eternal life. This is the consolation + of the Congregational Church! This is the hope that dispels the gloom of + life! + </p> + <p> + Pious Evasions. + </p> + <p> + When the clergy are caught, they give a different meaning to the words and + say the world was not made in seven days. They say "good whiles"—"epochs." + </p> + <p> + And in this same Confession of Faith and in this creed they say that the + Lord's day is holy—every seventh day. Suppose you lived near the + North Pole where the day is three months long. Then which day would you + keep? If you could get to the North Pole you could prevent Sunday from + ever overtaking you. You could walk around the other way faster than the + world could revolve. How would you keep Sunday then? Suppose we invent + something that can go one thousand miles an hour? We can chase Sunday + clear around the globe. Is there anything that can be more perfectly + absurd than that a space of time can be holy? You might as well talk about + a virtuous vacuum. We are now told that the Bible is not a scientific + book, and that after all we cannot depend on what God said four thousand + years ago—that his ways are not as our ways—that we must + accept without evidence, and believe without understanding. + </p> + <p> + I heard the other night of an old man. He was not very well educated, and + he got into the notion that he must have reading of the Bible and family + worship. There was a bad boy in the family, and they were reading the + Bible by course. In the fifteenth chapter of Corinthians is this passage: + "Behold, brethren, I show you a mystery; we shall not all die, but we + shall all be changed." This boy had rubbed out the "c" in "changed." So + when the old man put on his spectacles, and got down his Bible, he read: + "Behold, brethren, I show you a mystery, we shall not all die, but we + shall all be hanged." The old lady said, "Father, I don't think it reads + that way." He said, "Who is reading this?" "Yes mother, it says 'hanged,' + and, more than that, I see the sense of it. Pride is the besetting sin of + the human heart, and if there is anything calculated to take the pride out + of a man it is hanging." It is in this way that ministers avoid and + explain the discoveries of Science. + </p> + <p> + People ask me, if I take away the Bible what are we going to do? How can + we get along without the revelation that no one understands? What are we + going to do if we have no Bible to quarrel about What are we to do without + hell? What are we going to do with our enemies? What are we going to do + with the people we love but don't like? + </p> + <p> + "No Bible, No Civilization." + </p> + <p> + They tell me that there never would have been any civilization if it had + not been for this Bible. The Jews had a Bible; the Romans had not. Which + had the greater and the grander government? Let us be honest. Which of + those nations produced the greatest poets, the greatest soldiers, the + greatest orators, the greatest statesmen, the greatest sculptors? Rome had + no Bible. God cared nothing for the Roman Empire. He let the men come up + by chance. His time was taken up with the Jewish people. And yet Rome + conquered the world, including the chosen people of God. The people who + had the Bible were defeated by the people who had not. How was it possible + for Lucretius to get along without the Bible?—how did the great and + glorious of that empire? And what shall we say of Greece? No Bible. + Compare Athens with Jerusalem. From Athens come the beauty and + intellectual grace of the world. Compare the mythology of Greece with the + mythology of Judea; one covering the earth with beauty, and the other + filling heaven with hatred and injustice. The Hindoos had no Bible; they + had been forsaken by the Creator, and yet they became the greatest + metaphysicians of the world. Egypt had no Bible. Compare Egypt with Judea. + What are we to do without the Bible? What became of the Jews who had a + Bible? Their temple was destroyed and their city was taken; and they never + found real prosperity until their God deserted them. The Turks attributed + all their victories to the Koran. The Koran gave them their victories over + the believers in the Bible. The priests of each nation have accounted for + the prosperity of that nation by its religion. + </p> + <p> + The Christians mistake an incident for a cause, and honestly imagine that + the Bible is the foundation of modern liberty and law. They forget + physical conditions, make no account of commerce, care nothing for + inventions and discoveries, and ignorantly give the credit to their + inspired book. + </p> + <p> + The foundations of our civilization were laid centuries before + Christianity was known. The intelligence of courage, of self-government, + of energy, of industry, that uniting made the civilization of this + century, did not come alone from Judea, but from every nation of the + ancient world. + </p> + <p> + Miracles of the New Testament. + </p> + <p> + There are many things in the New Testament that I cannot accept as true. + </p> + <p> + I cannot believe in the miraculous origin of Jesus Christ. I believe he + was the son of Joseph and Mary; that Joseph and Mary had been duly and + legally married; that he was the legitimate offspring of that union. + Nobody ever believed the contrary until he had been dead at least one + hundred and fifty years. Neither Matthew, Mark, nor Luke ever dreamed that + he was of divine origin. He did not say to either Matthew, Mark, or Luke, + or to any one in their hearing, that he was the Son of God, or that he was + miraculously conceived. He did not say it. It may be asserted that he said + it to John, but John did not write the gospel that bears his name. The + angel Gabriel, who, they say, brought the news, never wrote a word upon + the subject. The mother of Christ never wrote a word upon the subject. His + alleged father never wrote a word upon the subject, and Joseph never + admitted the story. We are lacking in the matter of witnesses. I would not + believe such a story now. I cannot believe that it happened then. I would + not believe people I know, much less would I believe people I do not know. + </p> + <p> + At that time Matthew and Luke believed that Christ was the son of Joseph + and Mary. And why? they say he descended from David, and in order to show + that he was of the blood of David, they gave the genealogy of Joseph. And + if Joseph was not his father, why did they not give the genealogy of + Pontius Pilate or of Herod? Could they, by giving the genealogy of Joseph, + show that he was of the blood of David if Joseph was in no way related to + Christ? And yet that is the position into which the Christian world is + driven. In the New Testament we find that in giving the genealogy of + Christ it says, "who was the son of Joseph?" and the church has + interpolated the words "as was supposed." Why did they give a supposed + genealogy? It will not do. And that is a thing that cannot in any way, by + any human testimony, be established. + </p> + <p> + If it is important for us to know that he was the Son of God, I say, then, + that it devolves upon God to give us the evidence. Let him write it across + the face of the heavens, in every language of mankind. If it is necessary + for us to believe it, let it grow on every leaf next year. No man should + be damned for not believing, unless the evidence is overwhelming. And he + ought not to be made to depend upon say so, or upon "as was supposed." He + should have it directly, for himself. A man says that God told him a + certain thing, and he tells me, and I have only his word. He may have been + deceived. If God has a message for me he ought to tell it to me, and not + to somebody that has been dead four or five thousand years, and in another + language. + </p> + <p> + Besides, God may have changed his mind on many things; he has on slavery, + and polygamy at least, according to the church; and yet his church now + wants to go and destroy polygamy in Utah with the sword. Why do they not + send missionaries there with copies of the Old Testament? By reading the + lives of Abraham and Isaac, and Lot, and a few other patriarchs who ought + to have been in the penitentiary, maybe they can soften their hearts. + </p> + <p> + More Miracles. + </p> + <p> + There is another miracle I do not believe,—the resurrection. I want + to speak about it as we would about any ordinary transaction. In the first + place, I do not believe that any miracle was ever performed, and if there + was, you cannot prove it. Why? Because it is altogether more reasonable to + believe that the people were mistaken about it than that it happened. And + why? Because, according to human experience, we know that people will not + always tell the truth, and we never saw a miracle ourselves, and we must + be governed by our experience; and if we go by our experience, we must say + that the miracle never happened—that the witnesses were mistaken. + </p> + <p> + A man comes into Jerusalem, and the first thing he does is to cure the + blind. He lets the light of day visit the night of blindness. The eyes are + opened, and the world is again pictured upon the brain. Another man is + clothed with leprosy. He touches him and the disease falls from him, and + he stands pure, and clean, and whole. Another man is deformed, wrinkled, + and bent. He touches him, and throws around him again the garment of + youth. A man is in his grave, and he says, "Come forth!" And the man walks + in life, feeling his heart throb and his blood going joyously through his + veins. They say that actually happened. I do not know. + </p> + <p> + There is one wonderful thing about the dead people that were raised—we + do not hear of them any more. What became of them? If there was a man in + this city who had been raised from the dead, I would go to see him + to-night. I would say, "Where were you when you got the notice to come + back? What kind of a country is it? What kind of opening there for a young + man? How did you like it? Did you meet there the friends you had lost? Is + there a world without death, without pain, without a tear? Is there a land + without a grave, and where good-bye is never heard?" Nobody ever paid the + slightest attention to the dead who had been raised. They did not even + excite interest when they died the second time. Nobody said, "Why, that + man is not afraid. He has been there once. He has walked through the + valley of the shadow." Not a word. They pass quietly away. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe these miracles. There is something wrong somewhere about + that business. I may suffer eternal punishment for all this, but I cannot, + I do not, believe. + </p> + <p> + There was a man who did all these things, and thereupon they crucified + him. Let us be honest. Suppose a man came into this city and should meet a + funeral procession, and say, "Who is dead?" and they should reply, "The + son of a widow; her only support." Suppose he should say to the + procession, "Halt!" and to the undertaker, "Take out that coffin, unscrew + that lid. Young man, I say unto thee, arise!" and the dead should step + from the coffin and in a moment afterward hold his mother in his arms. + Suppose this stranger should go to your cemetery and find some woman + holding a little child in each hand, while the tears fell upon a new-made + grave, and he should say to her, "Who lies buried here?" and she should + reply, "My husband;" and he should cry, "I say unto thee, oh grave, give + up thy dead!" and the husband should rise, and in a moment after have his + lips upon his wife's, and the little children with their arms around his + neck; do you think that the people of this city would kill him? Do you + think any one would wish to crucify him? Do you not rather believe that + every one who had a loved one out in that cemetery would go to him, even + upon their knees, and beg him to give back their dead? Do you believe that + any man was ever crucified who was the master of death? + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you to-night if there shall ever appear upon this earth the + master, the monarch, of death, all human knees will touch the earth. He + will not be crucified. All the living who fear death; all the living who + have lost a loved one, will bow to him. And yet we are told that this + worker of miracles, this man who could clothe the dead dust in the + throbbing flesh of life, was crucified. I do not believe that he worked + the miracles, I do not believe that he raised the dead, I do not believe + that he claimed to be the Son of God, These things were told long after he + was dead; told because the ignorant multitude demanded mystery and wonder; + told, because at that time the miraculous was believed of all the + illustrious dead. Stories that made Christianity powerful then, weaken it + now. He who gains a triumph in a conflict with a devil, will be defeated + by science. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing about these foolish miracles. All could have been + imitated. Men could pretend to be blind; confederates could feign + sickness, and even death. + </p> + <p> + It is not very difficult to limp or to hold an arm as though it were + paralyzed; or to say that one is afflicted with "an issue of blood." It is + easy to say that the son of a widow was raised from the dead, and if you + fail to give the name of the son, or his mother, or the time and place + where the wonder occurred, it is quite difficult to show that it did not + happen. + </p> + <p> + No one can be called upon to disprove anything that has not apparently + been established. I say apparently, because there can be no real evidence + in support of a miracle. + </p> + <p> + How could we prove, for instance, the miracle of the loaves and fishes? + There were plenty of other loaves and other fishes in the world? Each one + of the five thousand could have had a loaf and a fish with him. We would + have to show that there was no other possible way for the people to get + the bread and fish except by miracle, and then we are only half through. + We must then show that they did, in fact, get enough to feed five thousand + people, and that more was left than was had in the beginning. + </p> + <p> + Of course this is simply impossible. And let me ask, why was not the + miracle substantiated by some of the multitude? + </p> + <p> + Would it not have been a greater wonder if Christ had <i>created</i> + instead of multiplied the loaves and fishes? + </p> + <p> + How can we now prove that a certain person more than eighteen hundred + years ago was possessed by seven devils? + </p> + <p> + How was it ever possible to prove a thing like that? + </p> + <p> + How can it be established that some evil spirits could talk while others + were dumb, and that the dumb ones were the hardest to control? + </p> + <p> + If Christ wished to convince his fellow-men by miracles, why did he not do + something that could not by any means have been a counterfeit? + </p> + <p> + Instead of healing a withered arm, why did he not find some man whose arm + had been cut off, and make another grow? + </p> + <p> + If he wanted to raise the dead, why did he not raise some man of + importance, some one known to all? + </p> + <p> + Why did he do his miracles in the obscurity of the village, in the + darkness of the hovel? + </p> + <p> + Why call back to life people so insignificant that the public did not know + of their death? + </p> + <p> + Suppose that in May, 1865, a man had pretended to raise some person by the + name of Smith from the dead, and suppose a religion had been founded on + that miracle, would it not be natural for people, hundreds of years after + the pretended miracle, to ask why the founder of that religion did not + raise from the dead Abraham Lincoln, instead of the unknown and obscure + Mr. Smith? + </p> + <p> + How could any man now, in any court, by any known rule of evidence, + substantiate one of the miracles of Christ? + </p> + <p> + Must we believe anything that cannot in any way be substantiated? + </p> + <p> + If miracles were necessary to convince men eighteen centuries ago, are + they not necessary now? + </p> + <p> + After all, how many men did Christ convince with his miracles? How many + walked beneath the standard of the master of Nature? + </p> + <p> + How did it happen that so many miracles convinced so few? I will tell you. + The miracles were never performed. No other explanation is possible. + </p> + <p> + It is infinitely absurd to say that a man who cured the sick, the halt and + blind, raised the dead, cast out devils, controlled the winds and waves, + created food and held obedient to his will the forces of the world, was + put to death by men who knew his superhuman power and who had seen his + wondrous works. If the crucifixion was public, the miracles were private. + If the miracles had been public, the crucifixion could not have been. Do + away with the miracles, and the superhuman character of Christ is + destroyed. He becomes what he really was—a man. Do away with the + wonders, and the teachings of Christ cease to be authoritative. They are + then worth the reason, the truth that is in them, and nothing more. Do + away with the miracles, and then we can measure the utterances of Christ + with the standard of our reason. We are no longer intellectual serfs, + believing what is unreasonable in obedience to the command of a supposed + god. We no longer take counsel of our fears, of our cowardice, but boldly + defend what our reason maintains. + </p> + <p> + Christ takes his appropriate place with the other teachers of mankind. His + life becomes reasonable and admirable. We have a man who hated oppression; + who despised and denounced superstition and hypocrisy; who attacked the + heartless church of his time; who excited the hatred of bigots and + priests, and who rather than be false to his conception of truth, met and + bravely suffered even death. + </p> + <p> + The Resurrection. + </p> + <p> + The miracle of the resurrection I do not and cannot believe. If it was the + fact, if the dead Christ rose from the grave, why did he not appear to his + enemies? Why did he not visit Pontius Pilate? Why did he not call upon + Caiaphas, the high priest? upon Herod? Why did he not again enter the + temple and end the old dispute with demonstration? Why did he not confront + the Roman soldiers who had taken money to falsely swear that his body had + been stolen by his friends? Why did he not make another triumphal entry + into Jerusalem? Why did he not say to the multitude: "Here are the wounds + in my feet, and in my hands, and in my side. I am the one you endeavored + to kill, but Death is my slave"? Simply because the resurrection is a + myth. It makes no difference with his teachings. They are just as good + whether he wrought miracles or not. Twice two are four; that needs no + miracle. Twice two are five—a miracle can not help that. Christ's + teachings are worth their effect upon the human race. It makes no + difference about miracle or wonder. In that day every one believed in the + impossible. Nobody had any standing as teacher, philosopher, governor, + king, general, about whom there was not supposed to be something + miraculous. The earth was covered with the sons and daughters of gods and + goddesses. + </p> + <p> + In Greece, in Rome, in Egypt, in India, every great man was supposed to + have had either a god for his father, or a goddess for his mother. They + accounted for genius by divine origin. Earth and heaven were at that time + near together. It was but a step for the gods from the blue arch to the + green earth. Every lake and valley and mountain top was made rich with + legends of the loves of gods. How could the early Christians have made + converts to a man, among a people who believed so thoroughly in gods—in + gods that had lived upon the earth; among a people who had erected temples + to the sons and daughters of gods? Such people could not have been induced + to worship a man—a man born among barbarous people, citizen of a + nation weak and poor and paying tribute to the Roman power. The early + Christians therefore preached the gospel of a god. + </p> + <p> + The Ascension. + </p> + <p> + I cannot believe in the miracle of the ascension, in the bodily ascension + of Jesus Christ. Where was he going? In the light shed upon this question + by the telescope, I again ask, where was he going? + </p> + <p> + The New Jerusalem is not above us. The abode of the gods is not there. + Where was he going? Which way did he go? Of course that depends upon the + time of day he left. If he left in the evening, he went exactly the + opposite way from that he would have gone had he ascended in the morning. + What did he do with his body? How high did he go? In what way did he + overcome the intense cold? The nearest station is the moon, two hundred + and forty thousand miles away. Again I ask, where did he go? He must have + had a natural body, for it was the same body that died. His body must have + been material, otherwise he would not as he rose have circled with the + earth, and he would have passed from the sight of his disciples at the + rate of more than a thousand miles per hour. + </p> + <p> + It may be said that his body was "spiritual." Then what became of the body + that died? Just before his ascension we are told that he partook of + broiled fish with his disciples. Was the fish "spiritual?" + </p> + <p> + Who saw this miracle? + </p> + <p> + They say the disciples saw it. Let us see what they say. Matthew did not + think it was worth mentioning. He does not speak of it. On the contrary, + he says that the last words of Christ were: + </p> + <p> + "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Is it possible + that Matthew saw this, the most miraculous of miracles, and yet forgot to + put it in his life of Christ? Think of the little miracles recorded by + this saint, and then determine whether it is probable that he witnessed + the ascension of Jesus Christ. + </p> + <p> + Mark says: "So, then, after the Lord had spoken unto them he was received + up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God." This is all he says + about the most wonderful vision that ever astonished human eyes, a miracle + great enough to have stuffed credulity to bursting; and yet all we have is + this one, poor, meagre verse. We know now that most of the last chapter of + Mark is an interpolation, and as a matter of fact, the author of Mark's + gospel said nothing about the ascension one way or the other. + </p> + <p> + Luke says: "And it came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from + them and was carried up into Heaven." + </p> + <p> + John does not mention it. He gives as Christ's last words this address to + Peter: "Follow thou Me." Of course, he did not say that as he ascended. It + seems to have made very little impression upon him; he writes the account + as though tired of the story. He concludes with an impatient wave of the + hand. + </p> + <p> + In the Acts we have another account. A conversation is given not spoken of + in any of the others, and we find there two men clad in white apparel, who + said: "Ye men of Galilee why stand ye here gazing up into heaven? This + same Jesus that was taken up into heaven shall so come in like manner as + ye have seen him go up into heaven." + </p> + <p> + Matthew did not see the men in white apparel, did not see the ascension. + Mark forgot the entire transaction, and Luke did not think the men in + white apparel worth mentioning. John had not confidence enough in the + story to repeat it. And yet, upon such evidence, we are bound to believe + in the bodily ascension, or suffer eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + And here let me ask, why was not the ascension in public? + </p> + <p> + Casting out Devils. + </p> + <p> + Most of the miracles said to have been wrought by Christ were recorded to + show his power over evil spirits. On many occasions, he is said to have + "cast out devils"—devils who could speak, and devils who were dumb. + </p> + <p> + For many years belief in the existence of evil spirits has been fading + from the mind, and as this belief grew thin, ministers endeavored to give + new meanings to the ancient words. They are inclined now to put "disease" + in the place of "devils," and most of them say, that the poor wretches + supposed to have been the homes of fiends, were simply suffering from + epileptic fits! We must remember that Christ and these devils often + conversed together. Is it possible that fits can talk? These devils often + admitted that Christ was God. Can epilepsy certify to divinity? On one + occasion the fits told their name, and made a contract to leave the body + of a man provided they would be permitted to take possession of a herd of + swine. Is it possible that fits carried Christ himself to the pinnacle of + a temple? Did fits pretend to be the owner of the whole earth? Is Christ + to be praised for resisting such a temptation? Is it conceivable that fits + wanted Christ to fall down and worship them? + </p> + <p> + The church must not abandon its belief in devils. Orthodoxy cannot afford + to put out the fires of hell. Throw away a belief in the devil, and most + of the miracles of the New Testament become impossible, even if we admit + the supernatural. If there is no devil, who was the original tempter in + the garden of Eden? If there is no hell, from what are we saved; to what + purpose is the atonement? Upon the obverse of the Christian shield is God, + upon the reverse, the devil. No devil, no hell. No hell, no atonement. No + atonement, no preaching, no gospel. + </p> + <p> + Necessity of Belief. + </p> + <p> + Does belief depend upon evidence? I think it does somewhat in some cases. + How is it when a jury is sworn to try a case, hearing all the evidence, + hearing both sides, hearing the charge of the judge, hearing the law, are + upon their oaths equally divided, six for the plaintiff and six for the + defendant? Evidence does not have the same effect upon all people. Why? + Our brains are not alike. They are not the same shape. We have not the + same intelligence, or the same experience, the same sense. And yet I am + held accountable for my belief. I must believe in the Trinity—three + times one is one, once one is three, and my soul is to be eternally damned + for failing to guess an arithmetical conundrum. That is the poison part of + Christianity—that salvation depends upon belief. That is the + accursed part, and until that dogma is discarded Christianity will be + nothing but superstition. + </p> + <p> + No man can control his belief. If I hear certain evidence I will believe a + certain thing. If I fail to hear it I may never believe it. If it is + adapted to my mind I may accept it; if it is not, I reject it. And what am + I to go by? My brain. That is the only light I have from Nature, and if + there be a God it is the only torch that this God has given me to find my + way through the darkness and night called life. I do not depend upon + hearsay for that. I do not have to take the word of any other man nor get + upon my knees before a book. Here in the temple of the mind I consult the + God, that is to say my reason, and the oracle speaks to me and I obey the + oracle. What should I obey? Another man's oracle? Shall I take another + man's word—not what he thinks, but what he says some God has said to + him? + </p> + <p> + I would not know a god if I should see one. I have said before, and I say + again, the brain thinks in spite of me, and I am not responsible for my + thoughts. I cannot control the beating of my heart. I cannot stop the + blood that flows through the rivers of my veins. And yet I am held + responsible for my belief. Then why does not God give me the evidence? + They say he has. In what? In an inspired book. But I do not understand it + as they do. Must I be false to my understanding? They say: "When you come + to die you will be sorry if you do not." Will I be sorry when I come to + die that I did not live a hypocrite? Will I be sorry that I did not say I + was a Christian when I was not? Will the fact that I was honest put a + thorn in the pillow of death? Cannot God forgive me for being honest? They + say that when he was in Jerusalem he forgave his murderers, but now he + will not forgive an honest man for differing from him on the subject of + the Trinity. + </p> + <p> + They say that God says to me, "Forgive your enemies." I say, "I do;" but + he says, "I will damn mine." God should be consistent. If he wants me to + forgive my enemies he should forgive his. I am asked to forgive enemies + who can hurt me. God is only asked to forgive enemies who cannot hurt him. + He certainly ought to be as generous as he asks us to be. And I want no + God to forgive me unless I am willing to forgive others, and unless I do + forgive others. All I ask, if that be true, is that this God should act + according to his own doctrine. If I am to forgive my enemies, I ask him to + forgive his. I do not believe in the religion of faith, but of kindness, + of good deeds. The idea that man is responsible for his belief is at the + bottom of religious intolerance and persecution. + </p> + <p> + How inconsistent these Christians are! In St. Louis the other day I read + an interview with a Christian minister—one who is now holding a + revival. They call him the boy preacher—a name that he has borne for + fifty or sixty years. The question was whether in these revivals, when + they were trying to rescue souls from eternal torture, they would allow + colored people to occupy seats with white people; and that revivalist, + preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ, said he would not allow the + colored people to sit with white people; they must go to the back of the + church. These same Christians tell us that in heaven there will be no + distinction. That Christ cares nothing for the color of the skin. That in + Paradise white and black will sit together, swap harps, and cry hallelujah + in chorus; yet this minister, believing as he says he does, that all men + who fail to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will eternally perish, was + not willing that a colored man should sit by a white man and hear the + gospel of everlasting peace. + </p> + <p> + According to this revivalist, the ship of the world is going down; Christ + is the only life-boat; and yet he is not willing that a colored man, with + a soul to save, shall sit by the side of a white brother, and be rescued + from eternal death. He admits that the white brother is totally depraved; + that if the white brother had justice done him he would be damned; that it + is only through the wonderful mercy of God that the white man is not in + hell; and yet such a being, totally depraved, is too good to sit by a + colored man! Total depravity becomes arrogant; total depravity draws the + color line in religion, and an ambassador of Christ says to the black man, + "Stand away; let your white brother hear first about the love of God." + </p> + <p> + I believe in the religion of humanity. It is far better to love our + fellow-men than to love God. We can help them. We cannot help him. We had + better do what we can than to be always pretending to do what we cannot. + </p> + <p> + Virtue is of no color; kindness, justice and love, of no complexion. + </p> + <p> + Eternal Punishment. + </p> + <p> + Now I come to the last part of this creed—the doctrine of eternal + punishment. I have concluded that I will never deliver a lecture in which + I will not attack the doctrine of eternal pain. That part of the + Congregational creed would disgrace the lowest savage that crouches and + crawls in the jungles of Africa. The man who now, in the nineteenth + century, preaches the doctrine of eternal punishment, the doctrine of an + eternal hell, has lived in vain. Think of that doctrine! The eternity of + punishment! I find in this same creed—in this latest utterance of + Congregationalism—that Christ is finally going to triumph in this + world and establish his kingdom. This creed declares that "we believe in + the ultimate prevalence of the kingdom of God over all the earth." If + their doctrine is true he will never triumph in the other world. The + Congregational Church does not believe in the ultimate prevalence of the + kingdom of Christ in the world to come. There he is to meet with eternal + failure. He will have billions in hell forever. + </p> + <p> + In this world we never will be perfectly civilized as long as a gallows + casts its shadow upon the earth. As long as there is a penitentiary, + within the walls of which a human being is immured, we are not a perfectly + civilized people. We shall never be perfectly civilized until we do away + with crime. And yet, according to this Christian religion, God is to have + an eternal penitentiary; he is to be an everlasting jailer, an everlasting + turnkey, a warden of an infinite dungeon, and he is going to keep + prisoners there forever, not for the purpose of reforming them—because + they are never going to get any better, only worse—but for the + purpose of purposeless punishment. And for what? For something they failed + to believe in this world. Born in ignorance, supported by poverty, caught + in the snares of temptation, deformed by toil, stupefied by want—and + yet held responsible through the countless ages of eternity! No man can + think of a greater horror; no man can dream of a greater absurdity. For + the growth of that doctrine ignorance was soil and fear was rain. It came + from the fanged mouths of serpents, and yet it is called "glad tidings of + great joy." Some Who are Damned. + </p> + <p> + We are told "God so loved the world" that he is going to damn almost + everybody. If this orthodox religion be true, some of the greatest, and + grandest, and best who ever lived are suffering God's torments to-night. + It does not appear to make much difference with the members of the church. + They go right on enjoying themselves about as well as ever. If this + doctrine is true, Benjamin Franklin, one of the wisest and best of men, + who did so much to give us here a free government, is suffering the + tyranny of God to-night, although he endeavored to establish freedom among + men. If the churches were honest, their preachers would tell their + hearers: "Benjamin Franklin is in hell, and we warn all the youth not to + imitate Benjamin Franklin. Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of + Independence, with its self-evident truths, has been damned these many + years." + </p> + <p> + That is what all the ministers ought to have the courage to say. Talk as + you believe. Stand by your creed, or change it. I want to impress it upon + your minds, because the thing I wish to do in this world is to put out the + fires of hell. I will keep on as long as there is one little red coal left + in the bottomless pit. As long as the ashes are warm I shall denounce this + infamous doctrine. + </p> + <p> + I want you to know that according to this creed the men who founded this + great and splendid Government are in hell to-night. Most of the men who + fought in the Revolutionary war, and wrested from the clutch of Great + Britain this continent, have been rewarded by the eternal wrath of God. + Thousands of the old Revolutionary soldiers are in torment tonight. Let + the preachers have the courage to say so. The men who fought in 1812, and + gave to the United States the freedom of the seas, have nearly all been + damned. Thousands of heroes who served our country in the Civil war, + hundreds who starved in prisons, are now in the dungeons of God, compared + with which, Andersonville was Paradise. The greatest of heroes are there; + the greatest of poets, the greatest scientists, the men who have made the + world beautiful—they are all among the damned if this creed is true. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt, who shed light, and who added to the intellectual wealth of + mankind; Goethe, and Schiller, and Lessing, who almost created the German + language—all gone—all suffering the wrath of God tonight, and + every time an angel thinks of one of those men he gives his harp an extra + twang. Laplace, who read the heavens like an open book—he is there. + Robert Burns, the poet of human love—he is there. He wrote the + "Prayer of Holy Willie." He fastened on the cross the Presbyterian creed, + and there it is, a lingering crucifixion. Robert Burns increased the + tenderness of the human heart. Dickens put a shield of pity before the + flesh of childhood—God is getting even with him. Our own Ralph Waldo + Emerson, although he had a thousand opportunities to hear Methodist + clergymen, scorned the means of grace, lived to his highest ideal, gave to + his fellow-men his best and truest thought, and yet his spirit is the + sport and prey of fiends to-night. + </p> + <p> + Longfellow, who has refined thousands of homes, did not believe in the + miraculous origin of the Savior, doubted the report of Gabriel, loved his + fellow-men, did what he could to free the slaves, to increase the + happiness of man, yet God was waiting for his soul—waiting to cast + him out and down forever. Thomas Paine, author of the "Rights of Man;" + offering his life in both hemispheres for the freedom of the human race; + one of the founders of this Republic, is now among the damned; and yet it + seems to me that if he could only get God's attention long enough to point + him to the American flag he would let him out. Auguste Comte, author of + the "Positive Philosophy," who loved his fellow-men to that degree that he + made of humanity a god, who wrote his great work in poverty, with his face + covered with tears—they are getting their revenge on him now. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire, who abolished torture in France; who did more for human liberty + than any other man, living or dead; who was the assassin of superstition, + and whose dagger still rusts in the heart of Catholicism—he is with + the rest. All the priests who have been translated have had their + happiness increased by looking at Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + Giordano Bruno, the first star of the morning after the long night; + Benedict Spinoza, the pantheist, the metaphysician, the pure and generous + man; Diderot, the encyclopedist, who endeavored to get all knowledge in a + small compass, so that he could put the peasant on an equality + intellectually with the prince; Diderot, who wished to sow all over the + world the seed of knowledge, and loved to labor for mankind, while the + priests wanted to burn; who did all he could to put out the fires—he + was lost, long, long ago. His cry for water has become so common that his + voice is now recognized through all the realms of heaven, and the angels + laughing, say to one another, "That is Diderot." + </p> + <p> + David Hume, the Scotch philosopher, is there, with his inquiry about the + "Human Understanding" and his argument against miracles. Beethoven, master + of music, and Wagner, the Shakespeare of harmony, who made the air of this + world rich forever, they are there; and to-night they have better music in + hell than in heaven! + </p> + <p> + Shelley, whose soul, like his own "Skylark," was a winged joy, has been + damned for many, many years; and Shakespeare, the greatest of the human + race, who did more to elevate mankind than all the priests who ever lived + and died, he is there; but founders of inquisitions, builders of dungeons, + makers of chains, inventors of instruments of torture, tearers, and + burners, and branders of human flesh, stealers of babes, and sellers of + husbands and wives and children, and they who kept the horizon lurid with + the fagot's flame for a thousand years—are in heaven to-night. I + wish heaven joy! + </p> + <p> + That is the doctrine with which we are polluting the souls of children. + That is the doctrine that puts a fiend by the dying bed and a prophecy of + hell over every cradle. That is "glad tidings of great joy." + </p> + <p> + Only a little while ago, when the great flood came upon the Ohio, sent by + him who is ruling the world and paying particular attention to the affairs + of nations, just in the gray of the morning they saw a house floating down + and on its top a human being. A few men went out to the rescue. They found + there a woman, a mother, and they wished to save her life. She said: "No, + I am going to stay where I am. In this house I have three dead babes; I + will not desert them." Think of a love so limitless—stronger and + deeper than despair and death! And yet, the Christian religion says, that + if that woman, that mother, did not happen to believe in their creed God + would send her soul to eternal fire! If there is another world, and if in + heaven they wear hats, when such a woman climbs the opposite bank of the + Jordan, Christ should lift his to her. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of eternal pain is my trouble with this Christian religion. I + reject it on account of its infinite heartlessness. I cannot tell them too + often, that during our last war Christians, who knew that if they were + shot they would go right to heaven, went and hired wicked men to take + their places, perfectly willing that these men should go to hell provided + they could stay at home. You see they are not honest in it, or they do not + believe it, or as the people say, "they don't sense it." They have not + imagination enough to conceive what it is they believe, and what a + terrific falsehood they assert. And I beg of every one who hears me + to-night, I beg, I implore, I beseech you, never to give another dollar to + build a church in which that lie is preached. Never give another cent to + send a missionary with his mouth stuffed with that falsehood to a foreign + land. Why, they say, the heathen will go to heaven, any way, if you let + them alone. What is the use of sending them to hell by enlightening them? + Let them alone. The idea of going and telling a man a thing that if he + does not believe, he will be damned, when the chances are ten to one that + he will not believe it, is monstrous. Do not tell him here, and as quick + as he gets to the other world and finds it is necessary to believe, he can + say "Yes." Give him a chance. + </p> + <p> + Another Objection. + </p> + <p> + My objection to orthodox religion is that it destroys human love, and + tells us that the love of this world is not necessary to make a heaven in + the next. + </p> + <p> + No matter about your wife, your children, your brother, your sister—no + matter about all the affections of the human heart—when you get + there, you will be with the angels. I do not know whether I would like the + angels. I do not know whether the angels would like me. I would rather + stand by the ones who have loved me and whom I know; and I can conceive of + no heaven without the loved of this earth. That is the trouble with this + Christian relief-ion. Leave your father, leave your mother, leave your + wife, leave your children, leave everything and follow Jesus Christ. I + will not. I will stay with my people. I will not sacrifice on the altar of + a selfish fear all the grandest and noblest promptings of my heart. + </p> + <p> + Do away with human love and what are we? What would we be in another + world, and what would we be here? Can any one conceive of music without + human love? Of art, or joy? Human love builds every home. Human love is + the author of all beauty. Love paints every picture, and chisels every + statue. Love builds every fireside. What could heaven be without human + love? And yet that is what we are promised—a heaven with your wife + lost, your mother lost, some of your children gone. And you expect to be + made happy by falling in with some angel! Such a religion is infamous. + Christianity holds human love for naught; and yet Love is the only bow on + Life's dark cloud. It is the morning and the evening star. It shines upon + the babe, and sheds its radiance on the quiet tomb. It is the mother of + art, inspirer of poet, patriot and philosopher. It is the air and light of + every heart—builder of every home, kindler of every fire on every + hearth. It was the first to dream of immortality. It fills the world with + melody—for music is the voice of love. Love is the magician, the + enchanter, that changes worthless things to joy, and makes right royal + kings and queens of common clay. It is the perfume of that wondrous + flower, the heart, and without that sacred passion, that divine swoon, we + are less than beasts; but with it, earth is heaven, and we are gods. + </p> + <p> + And how are you to get to this heaven? On the efforts of another. You are + to be a perpetual heavenly pauper, and you will have to admit through all + eternity that you never would have been there if you had not been + frightened. "I am here," you will say, "I have these wings, I have this + musical instrument, because I was scared. I am here. The ones who loved me + are among the damned; the ones I loved are also there—but I am here, + that is enough." + </p> + <p> + What a glorious' world heaven must be! No reformation in that world—not + the slightest. If you die in Arkansas that is the end of you! Think of + telling a boy in the next world, who lived and died in Delaware, that he + had been fairly treated! Can anything be more infamous? + </p> + <p> + All on an equality—the rich and the poor, those with parents loving + them, those with every opportunity for education, on an equality with the + poor, the abject and the ignorant—and this little day called life, + this moment with a hope, a shadow and a tear, this little space between + your mother's arms and the grave, balances eternity. + </p> + <p> + God can do nothing for you when you get there. A Methodist preacher can do + more for the soul here than its creator can there. The soul goes to + heaven, where there is nothing but good society; no bad examples; and they + are all there, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and yet they can do nothing for + that poor unfortunate except to damn him. Is there any sense in that? + </p> + <p> + Why should this be a period of probation? It says in the Bible, I believe, + "Now is the accepted time." When does that mean? That means whenever the + passage is pronounced. "Now is the accepted time." It will be the same + to-morrow, will it not? And just as appropriate then as to-day, and if + appropriate at any time, appropriate through all eternity. + </p> + <p> + What I say is this: There is no world—there can be no world—in + which every human being will not have the eternal opportunity of doing + right. + </p> + <p> + That is my objection to this Christian religion; and if the love of earth + is not the love of heaven, if those we love here are to be separated from + us there, then I want eternal sleep. Give me a good cool grave rather than + the furnace of Jehovah's wrath. I pray the angel of the resurrection to + let me sleep. Gabriel, do not blow! Let me alone! If, when the grave + bursts, I am not to meet the faces that have been my sunshine in this + life, let me sleep. Rather than that this doctrine of endless punishment + should be true, I would gladly see the fabric of our civilization + crumbling fall to unmeaning chaos and to formless dust, where oblivion + broods and even memory forgets. I would rather that the blind Samson of + some imprisoned force, released by chance, should so wreck and strand the + mighty world that man in stress and strain of want and fear should + shudderingly crawl back to savage and barbaric night. I would rather that + every planet should in its orbit wheel a barren star! + </p> + <p> + What I Believe. + </p> + <p> + I think it is better to love your children than to love God, a thousand + times better, because you can help them, and I am inclined to think that + God can get along without you. Certainly we cannot help a being without + body, parts, or passions! + </p> + <p> + I believe in the religion of the family. I believe that the roof-tree is + sacred, from the smallest fibre that feels the soft cool clasp of earth, + to the topmost flower that spreads its bosom to the sun, and like a + spendthrift gives its perfume to the air. The home where virtue dwells + with love is like a lily with a heart of fire—the fairest flower in + all the world. And I tell you God cannot afford to damn a man in the next + world who has made a happy family in this. God cannot afford to cast over + the battlements of heaven the man who has a happy home upon this earth. + God cannot afford to be unpitying to a human heart capable of pity. God + cannot clothe with fire the man who has clothed the naked here; and God + cannot send to eternal pain a man who has done something toward improving + the condition of his fellow-man. If he can, I had rather go to hell than + to heaven and keep the company of such a god. + </p> + <p> + Immortality. + </p> + <p> + They tell me that the next terrible thing I do is to take away the hope of + immortality! I do not, I would not, I could not. Immortality was first + dreamed of by human love; and yet the church is going to take human love + out of immortality. We love, therefore we wish to live. A loved one dies + and we wish to meet again; and from the affection of the human heart grew + the great oak of the hope of immortality. Around that oak has climbed the + poisonous vines of superstition. Theologians, pretenders, soothsayers, + parsons, priests, popes, bishops, have taken advantage of that. They have + stood by graves and promised heaven. They have stood by graves and + prophesied a future filled with pain. They have erected their toll-gates + on the highway of life and have collected money from fear. + </p> + <p> + Neither the Bible nor the church gave us the idea of immortality. The Old + Testament tells us how we lost immortality, and it does not say a word + about another world, from the first mistake in Genesis to the last curse + in Malachi. There is not in the Old Testament a burial service. + </p> + <p> + No man in the Old Testament stands by the dead and says, "We shall meet + again." From the top of Sinai came no hope of another world. + </p> + <p> + And when we get to the New Testament, what do we find? "They that are + accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection of the dead." + As though some would be counted unworthy to obtain the resurrection of the + dead. And in another place. "Seek for honor, glory, immortality." If you + have it, why seek it? And in another place, "God, who alone hath + immortality." Yet they tell us that we get our idea of immortality from + the Bible. I deny it. + </p> + <p> + I would not destroy the faintest ray of human hope, but I deny that we got + our idea of immortality from the Bible. It existed long before Moses. We + find it symbolized through all Egypt, through all India. Wherever man has + lived he has made another world in which to meet the lost of this. + </p> + <p> + The history of this belief we find in tombs and temples wrought and carved + by those who wept and hoped. Above their dead they laid the symbols of + another life. + </p> + <p> + We do not know. We do not prophesy a life of pain. We leave the dead with + Nature, the mother of us all. Under the bow of hope, under the seven-hued + arch, let the dead sleep. + </p> + <p> + If Christ was in fact God, why did he not plainly say there is another + life? Why did he not tell us something about it? Why did he not turn the + tear-stained hope of immortality into the glad knowledge of another life? + Why did he go dumbly to his death and leave the world in darkness and in + doubt? Why? Because he was a man and did not know. + </p> + <p> + What consolation has the orthodox religion for the widow of the + unbeliever, the widow of a good, brave, kind man? What can the orthodox + minister say to relieve the bursting heart of that woman? What can he say + to relieve the aching hearts of the orphans as they kneel by the grave of + that father, if that father did not happen to be an orthodox Christian? + What consolation have they? When a Christian loses a friend the tears + spring from his eyes as quickly as from the eyes of others. Their tears + are as bitter as ours. Why? The echoes of the words spoken eighteen + hundred years ago are so low, and the sounds of the clods upon the coffin + are so loud; the promises are so far away, and the dead are so near. + </p> + <p> + We do not know, we cannot say, whether death is a wall or a door; the + beginning or end of a day; the spreading of pinions to soar, or the + folding forever of wings; the rise or the set of a sun, or an endless life + that brings the rapture of love to everyone. A Fable. + </p> + <p> + There is the fable of Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice had been captured and + taken to the infernal regions, and Orpheus went after her, taking with him + his harp and playing as he went. When he came to Pluto's realm he began to + play, and Sysiphus, charmed by the music, sat down upon the stone that he + had been heaving up the mountain's side for so many years, and which + continually rolled back upon him; Ixion paused upon his wheel of fire; + Tantalus ceased his vain efforts for water; the daughters of the Danaides + left off trying to fill their sieves with water; Pluto smiled, and for the + first time in the history of hell the cheeks of the Furies were wet with + tears. The god relented, and said, "Eurydice may go with you, but you must + not look back." So Orpheus again threaded the caverns, playing as he went, + and as he reached the light he failed to hear the footsteps of Eurydice. + He looked back, and in a moment she was gone. Again and again Orpheus + sought his love. Again and again looked back. + </p> + <p> + This fable gives the idea of the perpetual effort made by the human mind + to rescue truth from the clutch of error. + </p> + <p> + Some time Orpheus will not look back. Some day Eurydice will reach the + blessed light, and at last there will fade from the memory of men the + monsters of superstition. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MYTH AND MIRACLE. + </h2> + <h3> + I. + </h3> + <p> + HAPPINESS is the true end and aim of life. It is the task of intelligence + to ascertain the conditions of happiness, and when found the truly wise + will live in accordance with them. By happiness is meant not simply the + joy of eating and drinking—the gratification of the appetite—but + good, wellbeing, in the highest and noblest forms. The joy that springs + from obligation discharged, from duty done, from generous acts, from being + true to the ideal, from a perception of the beautiful in nature, art and + conduct. The happiness that is born of and gives birth to poetry and + music, that follows the gratification of the highest wants. + </p> + <p> + Happiness is the result of all that is really right and sane. + </p> + <p> + But there are many people who regard the desire to be happy as a very low + and degrading ambition. These people call themselves spiritual. They + pretend to care nothing for the pleasures of "sense." They hold this + world, this life, in contempt. They do not want happiness in this world—but + in another. Here, happiness degrades—there, it purifies and + ennobles. + </p> + <p> + These spiritual people have been known as prophets, apostles, augurs, + hermits, monks, priests, popes, bishops and parsons. They are devout and + useless. They do not cultivate the soil. They produce nothing. They live + on the labor of others. They are pious and parasitic. They pray for + others, if the others will work for them. They claim to have been selected + by the Infinite to instruct and govern mankind. They are "meek" and + arrogant, "long-suffering" and revengeful. + </p> + <p> + They ever have been, now are, and always will be the enemies of liberty, + of investigation and science. They are believers in the supernatural, the + miraculous and the absurd. They have filled the world with hatred, bigotry + and fear. In defence of their creeds they have committed every crime and + practiced every cruelty. + </p> + <p> + They denounce as worldly and sensual those who are gross enough to love + wives and children, to build homes, to fell the forests, to navigate the + seas, to cultivate the earth, to chisel statues, to paint pictures and + fill the world with love and art. + </p> + <p> + They have denounced and maligned the thinkers, the poets, the dramatists, + the composers, the actors, the orators, the workers—those who have + conquered the world for man. + </p> + <p> + According to them this world is only the vestibule of the next, a kind of + school, an ordeal, a place of probation. They have always insisted that + this life should be spent in preparing for the next; that those who + supported and obeyed the "spiritual guides"—the shepherds, would be + rewarded with an eternity of joy, and that all others would suffer eternal + pain. + </p> + <p> + These spiritual people have always hated labor. They have added nothing to + the wealth of the world. They have always lived on alms—on the labor + of others. They have always been the enemies of innocent pleasure, and of + human love. + </p> + <p> + These spiritual people have produced a literature. The books they have + written are called sacred. Our sacred books are called the Bible. The + Hindoos have the Vedas and many others, the Persians the Zend Avesta—the + Egyptians had the Book of the Dead—the Aztecs the Popol Vuh, and the + Mohammedans have the Koran. + </p> + <p> + These books, for the most part, treat of the unknowable. They describe + gods and winged phantoms of the air. They give accounts of the origin of + the universe, the creation of man and the worlds beyond this. They contain + nothing of value. Millions and millions of people have wasted their lives + studying these absurd and ignorant books. + </p> + <p> + The "spiritual people" in each country claimed that their books had been + written by inspired men—that God was the real author, and that all + men and women who denied this would be, after death, tormented forever. + </p> + <p> + And yet, the worldly people, the uninspired, the wicked, have produced a + far greater literature than the spiritual and the inspired. + </p> + <p> + Not all the sacred books of the world equal Shakespeare's "volume of the + brain." A purer philosophy, grander, nobler, fell from the lips of + Shakespeare's clowns than the Old Testament, or the New, contains. + </p> + <p> + The Declaration of Independence is nobler far than all the utterances from + Sinai's cloud and flame. "A Man's a Man for a' That," by Robert Burns, is + better than anything the sacred books contain. For my part, I would rather + hear Beethoven's Sixth Symphony than to read the five books of Moses. Give + me the Sixth Symphony—this sound-wrought picture of the fields and + woods, of flowering hedge and happy home, where thrushes build and + swallows fly, and mothers sing to babes; this echo of the babbled lullaby + of brooks that, dallying, wind and fall where meadows bare their daisied + bosoms to the sun; this joyous mimicry of summer rain, the laugh of + children, and the rhythmic rustle of the whispering leaves; this strophe + of peasant life; this perfect poem of content and love. + </p> + <p> + I would rather listen to Tristan and Isolde—that Mississippi of + melody—where the great notes, winged like eagles, lift the soul + above the cares and griefs of this weary world—than to all the + orthodox sermons ever preached. I would rather look at the Venus de Milo + than to read the Presbyterian creed. + </p> + <p> + The spiritual have endeavored to civilize the world through fear and faith—by + the promise of reward and the threat of pain in other worlds. They taught + men to hate and persecute their fellow-men. In all ages they have appealed + to force. During all the years they have practiced fraud. They have + pretended to have influence with the gods—that their prayers gave + rain, sunshine and harvest—that their curses brought pestilence and + famine, and that their blessings filled the world with plenty. They have + subsisted on the fears their falsehoods created. Like poisonous vines, + they have lived on the oak of labor. They have praised charity, but they + never gave. They have denounced revenge, but they never forgave. + </p> + <p> + Whenever the spiritual have had power, art has died, learning has + languished, science has been despised, liberty destroyed, the thinkers + have been imprisoned, the intelligent and honest have been outcasts, and + the brave have been murdered. + </p> + <p> + The "spiritual" have been, are, and always will be the enemies of the + human race. + </p> + <p> + For all the blessings that we now enjoy—for progress in every form, + for science and art—for all that has lengthened life, that has + conquered disease, that has lessened pain, for raiment, roof and food, for + music in its highest forms—for the poetry that has ennobled and + enriched our lives—for the marvellous machines now working for the + world—for all this we are indebted to the worldly—to those who + turned their attention to the affairs of this life. They have been the + only benefactors of our race. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + AND yet all of these religions—these "sacred books," these priests, + have been naturally produced. From the dens and caves of savagery to the + palaces of civilization men have traveled by the necessary paths and + roads. Back of every step has been the efficient cause. In the history of + the world there has been no chance, no interference from without, nothing + miraculous. Everything in accordance with and produced by the facts in + nature. + </p> + <p> + We need not blame the hypocritical and cruel. They thought and acted as + they were compelled to think and act. + </p> + <p> + In all ages man has tried to account for himself and his surroundings. He + did the best he could. He wondered why the water ran, why the trees grew, + why the clouds floated, why the stars shone, why the sun and moon + journeyed through the heavens. He was troubled about life and death, about + darkness and dreams. The seas, the volcanoes, the lightning and thunder, + the earthquake and cyclone, filled him with fear. Behind all life and + growth and motion, and even inanimate things, he placed a spirit—an + intelligent being—a fetich, a person, something like himself—a + god, controlled by love and hate. To him causes and effects became gods—supernatural + beings. The Dawn was a maiden, wondrously fair, the Sun, a warrior and + lover; the Night, a serpent, a wolf—the Wind, a musician; Winter, a + wild beast; Autumn, Proserpine gathering flowers. + </p> + <p> + Poets were the makers of these myths. They were the first to account for + what they saw and felt. The great multitude mistook these fancies for + facts. Myths strangely alike, were produced by most nations, and gradually + took possession of the world. + </p> + <p> + The Sleeping Beauty, a myth of the year, has been found among most + peoples. In this myth, the Earth was a maiden—the Sun was her lover, + She had fallen asleep in winter. Her blood was still and her breath had + gone. In the Spring the lover came, clasped her in his arms, covered her + lips and cheeks with kisses. She was thrilled, her heart began to beat, + she breathed, her blood flowed, and she awoke to love and joy. This myth + has made the circuit of the globe. + </p> + <p> + So, Red Riding-Hood is the history of a day. Little Red Riding-Hood—the + morning, touched with red, goes to visit her kindred, a day that is past. + She is attacked by the wolf of night and is rescued by the hunter, Apollo, + who pierces the heart of the beast with an arrow of light. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is the story of the year. + Eurydice has been captured and carried to the infernal world. Orpheus, + playing upon his harp, goes after her. Such is the effect of his music + when he reaches the realm of Pluto, the laughterless, that Tantalus ceases + his efforts to slake his thirst. He listens and forgets his withered lips, + the daughters of the Danaides cease their vain efforts to fill the sieve + with water, Sisyphus sits down on the stone that he so often had heaved + against the mountain's misty side, Ixion pauses upon his wheel of fire, + even Pluto smiles, and for the first time in the history of hell the + cheeks of the Furies are wet with tears. + </p> + <p> + "Give me back Eurydice," cried Orpheus, and Pluto said: "Take her, but + look not back." Orpheus led the way and Eurydice followed. Just as he + reached the upper world, he missed her footsteps, turned, looked, and she + vanished. + </p> + <p> + And thus the summer comes, is lost, and comes again through all the years. + </p> + <p> + So, our ancestors believed in the Garden of Eden, in the Golden Age, in + the blessed time when all were good and pure—when nature satisfied + the wants of all. The race, like the old man, has golden dreams of youth. + The morning was filled with light and life and joy, and the evening is + always sad. When the old man was young, girls were beautiful and men were + honest. He remembers his Eden. And so the whole world has had its age of + gold. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers were believers in the Elysian Fields. They were in the far, + far West. They saw them at the setting of the sun. They saw the floating + isles of gold in sapphire seas; the templed mist with spires and domes of + emerald and amethyst; the magic caverns of the clouds, resplendent with + the rays of every gem. And as they looked, they thought the curtain had + been drawn aside and that their eyes had for a moment feasted on the + glories of another world. + </p> + <p> + The myth of the Flood has also been universal. Finding shells of the seas + on plain and mountain, and everywhere some traces of the waves, they + thought the world had been submerged—that God in wrath had drowned + the race, except a few his mercy saved. + </p> + <p> + The Hindus say that Menu, a holy man, dipped from the Ganges some water, + and in the basin saw a little fish. The fish begged him to throw him back + into the river, and Menu, having pity, cast him back. The fish then told + Menu that there was to be a flood—told him to build an ark, to take + on board, people, animals and food, and that when the flood came, he, the + fish, would save him. The saint did as he was told, the flood came, the + fish returned. By that time he had grown to be a whale with a horn in his + head. About this horn Menu fastened a rope, attached the other end to the + ark, and the fish towed the boat across the raging waves to a mountain's + top, where it rested until the waters subsided. The name of this wonderful + fish was Matsaya. + </p> + <p> + Many other nations told similar stories of floods and arks and the sending + forth of doves. + </p> + <p> + In all these myths and legends of the past we find philosophies and dreams + and efforts, stained with tears, of great and tender souls who tried to + pierce the mysteries of life and death, to answer the questions of the + whence and whither, and who vainly sought with bits of shattered glass to + make a mirror that would in very truth reflect the face and form of + Nature's perfect self. These myths were born of hopes and fears, of tears + and smiles, and they were touched and colored by all there is of joy and + grief between the rosy dawn of birth and death's sad night. They clothed + even the stars with passion, and gave to gods the faults and frailties of + the sons of men. In them the winds and waves were music, and all the + springs, the mountains, woods and perfumed dells were haunted by a + thousand fairy forms. They thrilled the veins of Spring with tremulous + desire, made tawny Summer's billowy breast the throne and home of love, + filled Autumn's arms with sun-kissed grapes and gathered sheaves, and + pictured Winter as a weak old king, who felt, like Lear, upon his withered + face, Cordelia's tears. + </p> + <p> + These myths, though false in fact, are beautiful and true in thought, and + have for many ages and in countless ways enriched the heart and kindled + thought. + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + IN all probability the first religion was Sun-worship. Nothing could have + been more natural. Light was life and warmth and love. The sun was the + fireside of the world. The sun was the "all-seeing"—the "Sky + Father." Darkness was grief and death, and in the shadows crawled the + serpents of despair and fear. + </p> + <p> + The sun was a great warrior, fighting the hosts of Night. Apollo was the + sun, and he fought and conquered the serpent of Night. Agni, the generous, + who loved the lowliest and visited the humblest, was the sun. He was the + god of fire, and the crossed sticks that by friction leaped into flame + were his emblem. It was said that, in spite of his goodness, he devoured + his father and mother, the two pieces of wood being his parents. Baldur + was the sun. He was in love with the Dawn—a maiden—he deserted + her and traveled through the heavens alone. At the twilight they met, were + reconciled, and the drops of dew were the tears of joy they shed. + </p> + <p> + Chrishna was the sun. At his birth the Ganges thrilled from its source to + the sea. All the trees, the dead as well as the living, burst into leaf + and bud and flower. + </p> + <p> + Hercules was a sun-god. + </p> + <p> + Jonah the same, rescued from the fiends of Night and carried by the fish + through the under world. Samson was a sun-god. His strength was in his + hair—in his beams. He was shorn of his strength by Delilah, the + shadow—the darkness. So, Osiris, Bacchus, Mithra, Hermes, Buddha, + Quelzalcoatle, Prometheus, Zoroaster, Perseus, Codom Lao-tsze Fo-hi, Horus + and Rameses were all sun-gods. + </p> + <p> + All these gods had gods for fathers and all their mothers were virgins. + </p> + <p> + The births of nearly all were announced by stars. + </p> + <p> + When they were born there was celestial music—voices declared that a + blessing had come upon the earth. + </p> + <p> + When Buddha was born, the celestial choir sang: "This day is born for the + good of men Buddha, and to dispel the darkness of their ignorance—to + give joy and peace to the world." + </p> + <p> + Chrishna was born in a cave, and protected by shepherds. Bacchus, Apollo, + Mithra and Hermes were all born in caves. Buddha was born in an inn—according + to some, under a tree. + </p> + <p> + Tyrants sought to kill all of these gods when they were babes. + </p> + <p> + When Chrishna was born, a tyrant killed the babes of the neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + Buddha was the child of Maya, a virgin, in the kingdom of Madura. The king + arrested Maya before the child was born, imprisoned her in a tower. During + the night when the child was born, a great wind wrecked the tower, and + carried mother and child to a place of safety. The next morning the king + sent his soldiers to kill the babes, and when they came to Buddha and his + mother, the babe appeared to be about twelve years of age, and the + soldiers passed on. + </p> + <p> + So Typhon sought in many ways to destroy the babe Horus. The king pursued + the infant Zoroaster. Cadmus tried to kill the infant Bacchus. + </p> + <p> + All of these gods were born on the 25th of December. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all were worshiped by "wise men." + </p> + <p> + All of them fasted for forty days. + </p> + <p> + All met with a violent death. + </p> + <p> + All rose from the dead. + </p> + <p> + The history of these gods is the history of our Christ. He had a god for a + father, a virgin for a mother. He was born in a manger, or a cave—on + the 2 5th of December. His birth was announced by angels. He was worshiped + by wise men, guided by a star. Herod, seeking his life, caused the death + of many babes. Christ fasted for forty days. So, it rained for forty days + before the flood—Moses was on Mt. Sinai for forty days. The temple + had forty pillars and the Jews wandered in the wilderness for forty years. + Christ met with a violent death, and rose from the dead. + </p> + <p> + These things are not accidents—not coincidences. Christ was a + sun-god. All religions have been born of sun-worship. To-day, when priests + pray, they shut their eyes. This is a survival of sun-worship. When men + worshiped the sun, they had to shut their eyes. Afterwards, to flatter + idols, they pretended that the glory of their faces was more than the eyes + could bear. + </p> + <p> + In the religion of our day there is nothing original. All of its + doctrines, its symbols and ceremonies are but the survivals of creeds that + perished long ago. Baptism is far older than Christianity—than + Judaism. The Hindus, the Egyptians, the Greeks and Romans had holy water. + The eucharist was borrowed from the Pagans. Ceres was the goddess of the + fields, Bacchus the god of the vine. At the harvest festival they made + cakes of wheat and said: "These are the flesh of the goddess." They drank + wine and cried: "This is the blood of our god." + </p> + <p> + The cross has been a symbol for many thousands of years. It was a symbol + of immortality—of life, of the god Agni, the form of the grave of a + man. An ancient people of Italy, who lived long before the Romans, long + before the Etruscans, so long that not one word of their language is + known, used the cross, and beneath that emblem, carved on stone, their + dead still rest. In the forests of Central America, ruined temples have + been found, and on the walls the cross with the bleeding victim. On + Babylonian cylinders is the impression of the cross. The Trinity came from + Egypt. Osiris, Isis and Horus were worshiped thousands of years before our + Father, Son and Holy Ghost were thought of. So the Tree of Life grew in + India, China and among the Aztecs long before the Garden of Eden was + planted. Long before our Bible was known, other nations had their sacred + books, temples and altars, sacrifices, ceremonies and priests. The "Fall + of Man" is far older than our religion, and so are the "Atonement" and the + Scheme of Redemption. + </p> + <p> + In our blessed religion there is nothing new, nothing original. + </p> + <p> + Among the Egyptians the cross was a symbol of the life to come. And yet + the first religion was, and all religions growing out of that, were + naturally produced. Every brain was a field in which Nature sowed the + seeds of thought. The rise and set of sun, the birth and death of day, the + dawns of silver and the dusks of gold, the wonders of the rain and snow, + the shroud of Winter and the many colored robe of Spring, the lonely moon + with nightly loss or gain, the serpent lightning and the thunder's voice, + the tempest's fury and the zephyr's sigh, the threat of storm and promise + of the bow, cathedral clouds with dome and spire, earthquake and strange + eclipse, frost and fire, the snow-crowned mountains with their tongues of + flame, the fields of space sown thick with stars, the wandering comets + hurrying past the fixed and sleepless sentinels of night, the marvels of + the earth and air, the perfumed flower, the painted wing, the waveless + pool that held within its magic breast the image of the startled face, the + mimic echo that made a record in the viewless air, the pathless forests + and the boundless seas, the ebb and flow of tides—the slow, deep + breathing of some vague and monstrous life—the miracle of birth, the + mystery of dream and death, and over all the silent and immeasurable dome. + These were the warp and woof, and at the loom sat Love and Fancy, Hope and + Fear, and wove the wondrous tapestries whereon we find pictures of gods + and fairy lands and all the legends that were told when Nature rocked the + cradle of the infant world. + </p> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + WE must remember that there is a great difference. Myth is the + idealization of a fact. A miracle is the counterfeit of a fact. There is + the same difference between a myth and a miracle that there is between + fiction and falsehood—between poetry and perjury. Miracles belong to + the far past and the far future. The little line of sand, called the + present, between the seas, belongs to common sense, to the natural. + </p> + <p> + If you should tell a man that the dead were raised two thousand years ago, + he would probably say: "Yes, I know that." If you should say that a + hundred thousand years from now all the dead will be raised, he might say: + "Probably they will." But if you should tell him that you saw a dead man + raised and given life that day, he would likely ask the name of the insane + asylum from which you had escaped. + </p> + <p> + Our Bible is filled with accounts of miracles and yet they always fail to + convince. + </p> + <p> + Jehovah, according to the Scriptures, wrought hundreds of miracles for the + benefit of the Jews. With many miracles he rescued them from slavery, + guided them on their journey with a miraculous cloud by day and a + miraculous pillar of fire by night—divided the sea that they might + escape from the Egyptians, fed them with miraculous manna and supernatural + quails, raised up hornets to attack their enemies, caused water to follow + them wherever they wandered and in countless ways manifested his power, + and yet the Jews cared nothing for these wonders. Not one of them seems to + have been convinced that Jehovah had done anything for the people. + </p> + <p> + In spite of all these miracles, the Jews had more confidence in a golden + calf, made by themselves, than in Jehovah. The reason of this is, that the + miracles were never performed, and never invented until hundreds of years + after those, who had wandered over the desert of Sinai, were dust. + </p> + <p> + The miracles attributed to Christ had no effect. No human being seems to + have been convinced by them. Those whom he raised from the dead, cured of + leprosy, or blindness, failed to become his followers. Not one of them + appeared at his trial. Not one offered to bear witness of his miraculous + power. + </p> + <p> + To this there is but one explanation: The miracles were never performed. + These stories were the growth of centuries. The casting out of devils, the + changing of water into wine, feeding the multitude with a few loaves and + fishes, resisting the devil, using a fish for a pocketbook, curing the + blind with clay and saliva, stilling the tempest, walking on the water, + the resurrection and ascension, happened and only happened, in the + imaginations of men, who were not born until several generations after + Christ was dead. + </p> + <p> + In those days the world was filled with ignorance and fear. Miracles + happened every day. The supernatural was expected. Gods were continually + interfering with the affairs of this world. Everything was told except the + truth, everything believed except the facts. History was a circumstantial + account of occurrences that never occurred. Devils and goblins and ghosts + were as plentiful as saints. The bones of the dead were used to cure the + living. Cemeteries were hospitals and corpses were physicians. The saints + practiced magic, the pious communed with God in dreams, and the course of + events was changed by prayer. The credulous demanded the marvelous, the + miraculous, and the priests supplied the demand. The sky was full of + signs, omens of death and disaster, and the darkness thick with devils + endeavoring to mislead and enslave the souls of men. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers thought that everything had been made for man, and that demons + and gods gave their entire attention to this world. The people believed + that they were the sport and prey, the favorites or victims, of these + phantoms. And they also believed that the Creator, the God, could be + influenced by sacrifice, by prayers and ceremonies. + </p> + <p> + This has been the mistake of the world. All the temples have been reared, + all the altars erected, all the sacrifices offered, all the prayers + uttered in vain. No god has interfered, no prayer has been answered, no + help received from heaven. Nothing was created, nothing has happened for, + or with reference to man. If not a human being lived,—if all Were + in' their graves, the sun would continue to shine, the wheeling world + would still pursue its flight, violets would spread their velvet bosoms to + the day, the spendthrift roses give their perfume to the air, the climbing + vines would hide with leaf and flower the fallen and the dead, the + changing seasons would come-and go,-time would repeat the poem of the + year, storms would wreck and whispering rains repair, Spring with deft and + unseen hands would weave her robes of green, life with countless lips + would seek fair Summer's swelling breasts, Autumn would reap the wealth of + leaf and fruit and seed, Winter, the artist, would etch in frost the pines + and ferns, while Wind and Wave and Fire, old architects, with ceaseless + toil would still destroy and build, still wreck and change, and from the + dust of death produce again the throb and breath of life. + </p> + <p> + V. + </p> + <p> + A FEW years ago a few men began to think, to investigate, to reason. They + began to doubt the legends of the church, the miracles of the past. They + began to notice what happened. They found that eclipses came at certain + intervals and that their coming could be foretold. They became satisfied + that the conduct of men had nothing to do with eclipses—and that the + stars moved in their orbits unconscious of the sons of men. Galileo, + Copernicus, and Kepler' destroyed the astronomy of the Bible, and + demonstrated that the "inspired" story of creation could not be true, and + that the church was as ignorant as the priests were dishonest. + </p> + <p> + They found that the myth-makers were mistaken, that the sun and stars did + not revolve about the earth, that the firmament was not solid, that the + earth was not flat, and that the so-called philosophy of the theologians + was absurd and idiotic. + </p> + <p> + The stars became witnesses against the creeds of superstition. + </p> + <p> + With the telescope the heavens were explored. The New Jerusalem could not + be found. + </p> + <p> + It had faded away. + </p> + <p> + The church persecuted the astronomers and denied the facts. In February, + in the year of grace sixteen hundred, the Catholic Church, the "Triumphant + Beast," having in her hands, her paws, the keys of heaven and hell, + accused Giordano Bruno of having declared that there were other worlds + than this. He was tried, convicted, imprisoned in a dungeon for seven + years. He was offered his liberty if he would recant. Bruno, the atheist, + the philosopher, refused to stain his soul by denying what he believed to + be true. He was taken from his cell by the priests, by those who loved + their enemies, led to the place of execution. He was clad in a robe on + which representations of devils had been painted—the devils that + were soon to claim his soul. He was chained to a stake and about his body + the wood was piled. Then priests, followers of Christ, lighted the fagots + and flames consumed the greatest, the most perfect martyr, that ever + suffered death. + </p> + <p> + And yet the Italian agent of God, the infallible Leo XIII., only a few + years ago, denounced Bruno, the "bravest of the brave," as a coward. + </p> + <p> + The church murdered him, and the pope maligned his memory. Fagot and + falsehood—two weapons of the church. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago a few men began to examine rocks and soils, mountains, + islands, reefs and seas. They noticed the valleys and deltas that had been + formed by rivers, the many strata of lava that had been changed to soil, + the vast deposits of metals and coal, the immense reefs that the coral had + formed, the work of glaciers in the far past, the production of soil by + the disintegration of rock, by the growth and decay of vegetation and the + countless evidences of the countless ages through which the Earth has + passed. The geologists read the history of the world written by wave and + flame, attested by fossils, by the formation of rocks, by mountain ranges, + by volcanoes, by rivers, islands, continents and seas. + </p> + <p> + The geology of the Bible—of the "divinely inspired" church, of the + "infallible" pope, was found to be utterly false and foolish. + </p> + <p> + The Earth became a witness against the creeds of superstition. + </p> + <p> + Then came Watt and Galvani with the miracles of steam and electricity, + while countless inventors created the wonderful machines that do the work + of the world. Investigation took the place of credulity. Men became + dissatisfied with huts and rags, with crusts and creeds. They longed for + the comforts, the luxuries of life. The intellectual horizon enlarged, new + truths were discovered, old ideas were thrown aside, the brain was + developed, the heart civilized and science was born. Humboldt, Laplace and + hundreds of others explained the phenomena of nature, called attention to + the ancient and venerable mistakes of sanctified ignorance and added to + the sum of knowledge. Darwin and Haeckel gave their conclusions to the + world. Men began to really think, the myths began to fade, the miracles to + grow mean and small, and the great structure, known as theology, fell with + a crash. + </p> + <p> + Science denies the truth of myth and miracle, denies that human testimony + can substantiate the miraculous, denies the existence of the supernatural. + Science asserts the absolute, the unvarying uniformity of nature. Science + insists that the present is the child of all the past,—that no power + can change the past, and that nature is forever the same. + </p> + <p> + The chemist has found that just so many atoms of one kind unite with just + so many of another—no more, no less, always the same. No caprice in + chemistry; no interference from without. + </p> + <p> + The astronomers know that the planets remain in their orbits—that + their forces are constant. They know that light is forever the same, + always obeying the angle of incidence, traveling with the same rapidity,—casting + the same shadow, under the same circumstances in all worlds. They know + that the eclipses will occur at the times foretold—neither hastening + nor delaying. They know that the attraction of gravitation is always the + same, always in perfect proportion to mass and distance, neither weaker + nor stronger, unvarying forever. They know that the facts in nature cannot + be changed or destroyed, and that the qualities of all things are eternal. + </p> + <p> + The men of science know that the atomic integrity of the metals is always + the same, that each metal is true to its nature and that the particles + cling to each other with the same tenacity,—the same force. They + have demonstrated the persistence of force, that it is forever active, + forever the same, and that it cannot be destroyed. + </p> + <p> + These great truths have revolutionized the thought of the world. + </p> + <p> + Every art, every employment, all study, all experiment, the value of + experience, of judgment, of hope, all rest on a belief in the uniformity + of nature, on the eternal persistence and indestructibility of force. + </p> + <p> + Break one link in the infinite chain of cause and effect, and the Master + of Nature appears. The broken link would become the throne of a god. + </p> + <p> + The uniformity of Nature denies the supernatural and demonstrates that + there is no interference from without. There is no place, no office left + for gods. Ghosts fade from the brain and the shrivelled deities fall + palsied from their thrones. + </p> + <p> + The uniformity of Nature renders a belief in "special providence" + impossible. Prayer becomes a useless agitation of the air, and religious + ceremonies are but motions, pantomimes, mindless and meaningless. + </p> + <p> + The naked savage, worshiping a wooden god, is the religious equal of the + robed pope kneeling before an image of the Virgin. The poor African who + carries roots and bark to protect himself from evil spirits is on the same + intellectual plane of one who sprinkles his body with "holy water." + </p> + <p> + All the creeds of Christendom, all the religions of the heathen world are + equally absurd. The cathedral, the mosque and the joss house have the same + foundation. Their builders do not believe in the uniformity of Nature, and + the business of all priests is to induce a so-called infinite being to + change the order of events, to make causes barren of effects and to + produce effects without, and in spite of, natural causes. They all believe + in the unthinkable and pray for the impossible. + </p> + <p> + Science teaches us that there was no creation and that there can be no + destruction. The infinite denies creation and defies destruction. An + infinite person, an "infinite being" is an infinite impossibility. To + conceive of such a being is beyond the power of the mind. Yet all + religions rest upon the supposed existence of the unthinkable, the + inconceivable. And the priests of these religions pretend to be perfectly + familiar with the designs, will, and wishes of this unthinkable, this + inconceivable. + </p> + <p> + Science teaches that that which really is has always been, that behind + every effect is the efficient and necessary cause, that there is in the + universe neither chance nor interference, and that energy is eternal. Day + by day the authority of the theologian grows weaker and weaker. As the + people become intelligent they care less for preachers and more for + teachers. Their confidence in knowledge, in thought and investigation + increases. They are eager to know the discoveries, the useful truths, the + important facts made, ascertained and demonstrated by the explorers in the + domain of the natural. They are no longer satisfied with the platitudes of + the pulpit, and the assertions of theologians. They are losing confidence + in the "sacred Scriptures" and in the protecting power and goodness of the + supernatural. They are satisfied that credulity is not a virtue and that + investigation is not a crime. + </p> + <p> + Science is the providence of man, the worker of true miracles, of real + wonders. Science has "read a little in Nature's infinite book of secrecy." + Science knows the circuits of the winds, the courses of the stars. Fire is + his servant, and lightning his messenger. Science freed the slaves and + gave liberty to their masters. Science taught man to enchain, not his + fellows, but the forces of nature, forces that have no backs to be + scarred, no limbs for chains to chill and eat, forces that have no hearts + to break, forces that never know fatigue, forces that shed no tears. + Science is the great physician. His touch has given sight. He has made the + lame to leap, the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak, and in the pallid face + his hand has set the rose of health. Science has given his beloved sleep + and wrapped in happy dreams the throbbing nerves of pain. Science is the + destroyer of disease, builder of happy homes, the preserver of life and + love. Science is the teacher of every virtue, the enemy of every vice. + Science has given the true basis of morals, the origin and office of + conscience, revealed the nature of obligation, of duty, of virtue in its + highest, noblest forms, and has demonstrated that true happiness is the + only possible good. Science has slain the monsters of superstition, and + destroyed the authority of inspired books. Science has read the records of + the rocks, records that priestcraft cannot change, and on his wondrous + scales has weighed the atom and the star. + </p> + <p> + Science has founded the only true religion. Science is the only Savior of + this world. + </p> + <p> + VI. + </p> + <p> + FOR many ages religion has been tried. For countless centuries man has + sought for help from heaven. To soften the heart of God, mothers + sacrificed their babes! but the God did not hear, did not see, and did not + help. Naked savages were devoured by beasts, bitten by serpents, killed by + flood and frost. They prayed for help, but their God was deaf. They built + temples and altars, employed priests and gave of their substance, but the + volcano destroyed and the famine came. For the sake of God millions + murdered their fellow-men, but the God was silent. Millions of martyrs + died for the honor of God, but the God was blind. He did not see the + flames, the scaffolds. He did not hear the prayers, the groans. Thousands + of priests in the name of God tortured their fellow-men, stretched them on + racks, crushed their feet in iron boots, tore out their tongues, + extinguished their eyes. The victims implored the protection of God, but + their god did not hear, did not see. He was deaf and blind. He was willing + that his enemies should torture his friends. + </p> + <p> + Nations tried to destroy each other for the sake of God, and the banner of + the cross dripping with blood floated over a thousand fields—but the + god was silent. He neither knew nor cared. Pestilence covered the earth + with dead, the priests prayed, the altars were heaped with sacrifices, but + the god did not see, did not hear. The miseries of the world did not + lessen the joys of heaven. The clouds gave no rain, the famine came, + withered babes with pallid lips sought the breasts of dead mothers, while + starving fathers knelt and prayed, but the god did not hear. Through many + centuries millions were enslaved, babes were sold from mothers, husbands + from wives, backs were scarred with the lash. The poor wretches lifted + their clasped hands toward heaven and prayed for justice, for liberty—but + their god did not hear. He cared nothing for the sufferings of slaves, + nothing for the tears of wives and mothers, nothing for the agony of men. + He answered no prayers. He broke no chains. He freed no slaves. + </p> + <p> + The miserable wretches appealed to the priests of God, but they were on + the other side. They defended the masters. The slaves had nothing to give. + </p> + <p> + During all these years it was claimed by the theologians that their God + was governing the world, that he was infinitely powerful, wise and good—and + that the "powers" of the earth were "ordained" by him. During all these + years the church was the enemy of progress. It hated all physicians and + told the people to rely on prayer, amulets and relics. It persecuted the + astronomers and geologists, denounced them as infidels and atheists, as + enemies of the human race. It poisoned the fountains of learning and + insisted that teachers should distort the facts in nature to the end that + they might harmonize with the "inspired" book. During all these years the + church misdirected the energies of man, and when it reached the zenith of + its power, darkness fell upon the world. + </p> + <p> + In all nations and in all ages, religion has failed. The gods have never + interfered. Nature has produced and destroyed without mercy and without + hatred. She has cared no more for man than for the leaves of the forest, + no more for nations than for hills of ants, nothing for right or wrong, + for life or death, for pain or joy. + </p> + <p> + Man through his intelligence must protect himself. He gets no help from + any other world. The church has always claimed and still claims that it is + the only reforming power, that it makes men honest, virtuous and merciful, + that it prevents violence and war, and that without its influence the race + would return to barbarism. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can exceed the absurdity of these claims. + </p> + <p> + If we wish to improve the condition of mankind—if we wish for nobler + men and women we must develop the brain, we must encourage thought and + investigation. We must convince the world that credulity is a vice,—that + there is no virtue in believing without, or against evidence, and that the + really honest man is true to himself. We must fill the world with + intellectual light. We must applaud mental courage. We must educate the + children, rescue them from ignorance and crime. School-houses are the real + temples, and teachers are the true priests. We must supply the wants of + the mind, satisfy the hunger of the brain. The people should be familiar + with the great poets, with the tragedies of �?schylus, the dramas + of Shakespeare, with the poetry of Homer and Virgil. Shakespeare should be + taught in every school, found in every house. + </p> + <p> + Through photography the whole world may become acquainted with the great + statues, the great paintings, the victories of art. In this way the mind + is enlarged, the sympathies quickened, the appreciation of the beautiful + intensified, the taste refined and the character ennobled. + </p> + <p> + The great novels should be read by all. All should be acquainted with the + men and women of fiction, with the ideal world. The imagination should be + developed, trained and strengthened. Superstition has degraded art and + literature. It gave us winged monsters, scenes from heaven and hell, + representations of gods and devils, sculptured the absurd and painted the + impossible in the name of Art. It gave us the dreams of the insane, the + lives of fanatical saints, accounts of miracles and wonders, of cures + wrought by the bones of the dead, descriptions of Paradise, purgatory and + the eternal dungeon, discourses on baptism, on changing wine and wafers + into the the blood and flesh of God, on the forgiveness of sins by + priests, on fore-ordination and accountability, predestination and free + will, on devils, ghosts and goblins, the ministrations of guardian angels, + the virtue of belief and the wickedness of doubt. And this was called + "sacred literature." + </p> + <p> + The church taught that those who believed, counted beads, mumbled prayers, + and gave their time or property for the support of the gospel were the + good and that all others were traveling the "broad road" to eternal pain. + According to the theologians, the best people, the saints, were dead, and + real beauty was to be found only in heaven. They denounced the joys of + life as husks and filthy rags, declared that the world had been cursed, + and that it brought forth thistles and thorns because of the sins of man. + They regarded the earth as a kind of dock, running out into the sea of + eternity,—on which the pious waited for the ship on which they were + to be transported to another world. + </p> + <p> + But the real poets and the real artists clung to this world, to this life. + They described and represented things that exist. They expressed thoughts + of the brain, emotions of the heart, the griefs and joys, the hope and + despair of men and women. They found strength and beauty on every hand. + They found their angels here. They were true to human experience and they + touched the brain and heart of the world. In the tragedies and comedies of + life, in the smiles and tears, in the ecstasies of love, in the darkness + of death, in the dawn of hope, they found their materials for statue and + song, for poem and painting. Poetry and art are the children of this + world, born and nourished here. They are human. They have left the winged + monsters of heaven, the malicious deformities of hell, and have turned + their attention to men and women, to the things of this life. + </p> + <p> + There is a poem called "The Skylark," by Shelley, graceful as the motions + of flames. Another by Robert Burns, called "The Daisy," exquisite, perfect + as the pearl of virtue in the beautiful breast of a loving girl. Between + this lark and this daisy, neither above nor below, you will find all the + poetry of the world. Eloquence, sublimity, poetry and art must have the + foundation of fact, of reality. Imaginary worlds and beings are nothing to + us. + </p> + <p> + At last the old creeds are becoming cruel and vulgar. We now have + imagination enough to put ourselves in the place of others. Believers in + hell, in eternal pain, like murderers, lack imagination. The murderer has + not imagination enough to see his victim dead. He does not see the + sightless and pathetic eyes. He does not see the widow's arms about the + corpse, her lips upon the dead. He does not hear the sobs of children. He + does not see the funeral. He does not hear the clods as they fall on the + coffin. He does not feel the hand of arrest, the scene of the trial is not + before him. He does not hear the awful verdict, the sentence of the court, + the last words. He does not see the scaffold, nor feel about his throat + the deadly noose. + </p> + <p> + Let us develop the brain, civilize the heart, and give wings to the + imagination. + </p> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + IF we abandon myth and miracle, if we discard the supernatural and the + scheme of redemption, how are we to civilize the world? + </p> + <p> + Is falsehood a reforming power? Is credulity the mother of virtue? Is + there any saving grace in the impossible and absurd? Did wisdom perish + with the dead? Must the civilized accept the religion of savages? + </p> + <p> + If we wish to reform the world we must rely on truth, on fact, on reason. + We must teach men that they are good or bad for themselves, that others + cannot be good or bad for them, that they cannot be charged with the + crimes, or credited with the virtues of others. We must discard the + doctrine of the atonement, because it is absurd and immoral. We are not + accountable for the sins of "Adam" and the virtues of Christ cannot be + transferred to us. There can be no vicarious virtue, no vicarious vice. + Why should the sufferings of the innocent atone for the crimes of the + guilty. According to the doctrine of the atonement right and wrong do not + exist in the nature of things, but in the arbitrary will of the Infinite. + This is a subversion of all ideas of justice and mercy. + </p> + <p> + An act is good, bad, or indifferent, according to its consequences. No + power can step between an act and its natural consequences. A governor may + pardon the criminal, but the natural consequences of the crime remain + untouched. A god may forgive, but the consequences of the act forgiven, + are still the same. We must teach the world that the consequences of a bad + action cannot be avoided, that they are the invisible police, the unseen + avengers, that accept no gifts, that hear no prayers, that no cunning can + deceive. + </p> + <p> + We do not need the forgiveness of gods, but of ourselves and the ones we + injure. Restitution without repentance is far better than repentance + without restitution. + </p> + <p> + We know nothing of any god who rewards, punishes or forgives. + </p> + <p> + We must teach our fellow-men that honor comes from within, not from + without, that honor must be earned, that it is not alms, that even an + infinite God could not enrich the beggar's palm with the gem of honor. + </p> + <p> + Teach them also that happiness is the bud, the blossom and the fruit of + good and noble actions, that it is not the gift of any god; that it must + be earned by man—must be deserved. + </p> + <p> + In this world of ours there is no magic, no sleight-of-hand, by which + consequences can be made to punish the good and reward the bad. + </p> + <p> + Teach men not to sacrifice this world for some other, but to turn their + attention to the natural, to the affairs of this life. Teach them that + theology has no known foundation, that it was born of ignorance and fear, + that it has hardened the heart, polluted the imagination and made fiends + of men. + </p> + <p> + Theology is not for this world. It is no part of real religion. It has + nothing to do with goodness or virtue. Religion does not consist in + worshiping gods, but in adding to the well-being, the happiness of man. No + human being knows whether any god exists or not, and all that has been + said and written about "our god," or the gods of other people, has no + known fact for a foundation. Words without thoughts, clouds without rain. + </p> + <p> + Let us put theology out of religion. + </p> + <p> + Church and state should be absolutely divorced. Priests pretend that they + have been selected by, and that they get their power from God. Kings + occupy their thrones in accordance with the will of God. The pope declares + that he is the agent, the deputy of God and that by right he should rule + the world. All these pretentions and assertions are perfectly absurd and + yet they are acknowledged and believed by millions. Get theology out of + government and kings will descend from their thrones. All will admit that + governments get their powers from the consent of the governed, and that + all persons in office are the servants of the people. Get theology out of + government and chaplains will be dismissed from Legislatures, from + Congress, from the army and navy. Get theology out of government and + people will be allowed to express their honest thoughts about "inspired + books" and superstitious creeds. Get theology out of government and + priests will no longer steal a seventh of our time. Get theology out of + government and the clergy will soon take their places with augurs and + soothsayers, with necromancers and medicine-men. + </p> + <p> + Get theology out of education. Nothing should be taught in a school that + somebody does not know. + </p> + <p> + There are plenty of things to be learned about this world, about this + life. Every child should be taught to think, and that it is dangerous not + to think. Children should not be taught the absurdities, the cruelties and + imbecilities of superstition. No church should be allowed to control the + common school, and public money should not be divided between the hateful + and warring sects. The public school should be secular, and only the + useful should be taught. Many of our colleges are under the control of + churches. Presidents and professors are mostly ministers of the gospel and + the result is that all facts inconsistent with the creeds are either + suppressed or denied. Only those professors who are naturally stupid or + mentally dishonest can retain their places. Those who tell the truth, who + teach the facts, are discharged. + </p> + <p> + In every college truth should be a welcome guest. Every professor should + be a finder, and every student a learner, of facts. Theology and + intellectual dishonesty go together. The teacher of children should be + intelligent and perfectly sincere. + </p> + <p> + Let us get theology out of education. + </p> + <p> + The pious denounce the secular schools as godless. They should be. The + sciences are all secular, all godless. Theology bears the same relation to + science that the black art does to chemistry, that magic does to + mathematics. It is something that cannot be taught, because it cannot be + known. It has no foundation in fact. It neither produces, nor accords + with, any image in the mind. It is not only unknowable but unthinkable. + Through hundreds and thousands of generations men have been discussing, + wrangling and fighting about theology. No advance has been made. The robed + priest has only reached the point from which the savage tried to start. + </p> + <p> + We know that theology always has and always will make enemies. It sows the + seeds of hatred in families and nations. It is selfish, cruel, revengeful + and malicious. It has heaven for the few and perdition for the many. We + now know that credulity is not a virtue and that intellectual courage is. + We must stop rewarding hypocrisy and bigotry. We must stop persecuting the + thinkers, the investigators, the creators of light, the civilizers of the + world. + </p> + <p> + VIII. + </p> + <p> + WILL the unknown, the mysteries of life and itiations of the mind, forever + furnish food for superstition? Will the gods and ghosts perish or simply + retreat before the advancing hosts of science, and continue to crouch and + lurk just beyond the horizon of the known? Will darkness forever be the + womb and mother of the supernatural? + </p> + <p> + A little while ago priests told peasants that the New Jerusalem, the + celestial city was just above the clouds. They said that its walls and + domes and spires were just beyond the reach of human sight. The telescope + was invented and those who looked at the wilderness of stars, saw no city, + no throne. They said to the priests: "Where is your New Jerusalem?" The + priests cheerfully and confidently replied. "It is just beyond where you + see." + </p> + <p> + At one time it was believed that a race of men existed "with their heads + beneath their shoulders." Returning travelers from distant lands were + asked about these wonderful people and all replied that they had not seen + them. "Oh," said the believers in the monsters, "the men with heads + beneath their shoulders live in a country that you did not visit." And so + the monsters lived and flourished until all the world was known. We cannot + know the universe. We cannot travel infinite distances, and so, somewhere + in shoreless space there will always be room for gods and ghosts, for + heavens and hells. And so it may be that superstition will live and linger + until the world becomes intelligent enough to build upon the foundation of + the known, to keep the imagination within the domain of the probable, and + to believe in the natural—<i>until the supernatural shall have been + demonstrated</i>. + </p> + <p> + Savages knew all about gods, about heavens and hells before they knew + anything about the world in which they lived. They were perfectly familiar + with evil spirits, with the invisible phantoms of the air, long before + they had any true conception of themselves. So, they knew all about the + origin and destiny of the human race. They were absolutely certain about + the problems, the solution of which, philosophers know, is beyond the + limitations of the mind. They understood astrology, but not astronomy, + knew something of magic, but nothing about chemistry. They were wise only + as to those things about which nothing can be known. + </p> + <p> + The poor Indian believed in the "Great Spirit" and saw "design" on every + hand.—Trees were made that he might have bows and arrows, wood for + his fire and bark for his wigwam—rivers and lakes to give him fish, + wild beasts and corn that he might have food, and the animals had skins + that he might have clothes. + </p> + <p> + Primitive peoples all reasoned in the same way, and modern Christians + follow their example. They knew but little of the world and thought that + it had been made expressly for the use of man. They did not know that it + was mostly water, that vast regions were locked in eternal ice and that in + most countries the conditions were unfavorable to human life. They knew + nothing of the countless enemies of man that live unseen in water, food + and air. Back of the little good they knew they put gods and back of the + evil, devils. They thought it of the greatest importance to gain the good + will of the gods, who alone could protect them from the devils. Those who + worshiped these gods, offered sacrifices, and obeyed priests, were + considered loyal members of the tribe or community, and those who refused + to worship were regarded as enemies and traitors. The believers, in order + to protect themselves from the anger of the gods, exiled or destroyed the + infidels. + </p> + <p> + Believing as they did, the course they pursued was natural. They not only + wished to protect themselves from disease and death, from pestilence and + famine in this world but the souls of their children from eternal pain in + the next. Their gods were savages who demanded flattery and worship not + only, but the acceptance of a certain creed. As long as Christians believe + in eternal punishment they will be the enemies of those who investigate + and contend for the authority of reason, of those who demand evidence, who + care nothing for the unsupported assertions of the dead or the illogical + inferences of the living. + </p> + <p> + Science always has been, is, and always will be modest, thoughtful, + truthful. It has but one object: The ascertainment of truth. It has no + prejudice, no hatred. It is in the realm of the intellect and cannot be + swayed or changed by passion. It does not try to please God, to gain + heaven or avoid hell. It is for this world, for the use of man. It is + perfectly candid. It does not try to conceal, but to reveal. It is the + enemy of mystery, of pretence and canc. It does not ask people to be + solemn, but sensible. It calls for and insists on the use of all the + senses, of all the faculties of the mind. It does not pretend to be "holy" + or "inspired." It courts investigation, criticism and even denial. It asks + for the application of every test, for trial by every standard. It knows + nothing of blasphemy and does not ask for the imprisonment of those who + ignorantly or knowingly deny the truth. The good that springs from a + knowledge of the truth is the only reward it offers, and the evil + resulting from ignorance is the only punishment it threatens. Its effort + is to reform the world through intelligence. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand theology is, always has been, and always will be, + ignorant, arrogant, puerile and cruel. When the church had power, + hypocrisy was crowned and honesty imprisoned. Fraud wore the tiara and + truth was a convict, Liberty was in chains, Theology has always sent the + worst to heaven, the best to hell. + </p> + <p> + Let me give you a scene from the day of judgment. Christ is upon his + throne, his secretary by his side. A soul appears. This is what happens— + </p> + <p> + "What is your name?" + </p> + <p> + Torquemada. + </p> + <p> + "Were you a Christian?" + </p> + <p> + I was. + </p> + <p> + "Did you endeavor to convert your fellow-men?" + </p> + <p> + I did. I tried to convert them by persuasion, by preaching and praying and + even by force. + </p> + <p> + "What did you do?" + </p> + <p> + I put the heretics in prison, in chains. I tore out their tongues, put out + their eyes, crushed their bones, stretched them upon racks, roasted their + feet, and if they remained obdurate I flayed them alive or burned them at + the stake. + </p> + <p> + "And did you do all this for my glory?" + </p> + <p> + Yes, all for you. I wanted to save some, I wanted to protect the young and + the weak minded. + </p> + <p> + "Did you believe the Bible, the miracles—that I was God, that I was + born of a virgin and kept money in the mouth of a fish?" + </p> + <p> + Yes, I believed it all. My reason was the slave of faith. + </p> + <p> + "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy + Lord. I was hungry and you gave me meat, naked and you clothed me.." + Another soul arises. + </p> + <p> + "What is your name?" + </p> + <p> + Giordano Bruno. + </p> + <p> + "Were you a Christian?" + </p> + <p> + At one time I was, but for many years I was a philosopher, a seeker after + truth. + </p> + <p> + "Did you seek to convert your fellow-men?" + </p> + <p> + Not to Christianity, but to the religion of reason. I tried to develop + their minds, to free them from the slavery of ignorance and superstition. + In my day the church taught the holiness of credulity—the virtue of + unquestioning obedience, and in your name tortured and destroyed the + intelligent and courageous. I did what I could to civilize the world, to + make men tolerant and merciful, to soften the hearts of priests, and + banish torture from the world. I expressed my honest thoughts and walked + in the light of reason. + </p> + <p> + "Did you believe the Bible, the miracles? Did you believe that I was God, + that I was born of a virgin and that I suffered myself to be killed by the + Jews to appease the wrath of God—that is, of myself—so that + God could save the souls of a few?" + </p> + <p> + "No, I did not. I did not believe that God was ever born into my world, or + that God learned the trade of a carpenter, or that he 'increased in + knowledge,' or that he cast devils out of men, or that his garments could + cure diseases, or that he allowed himself to be murdered, and in the hour + of death "forsook" himself. These things I did not and could not believe. + But I did all the good I could. I enlightened the ignorant, comforted the + afflicted, defended the innocent, divided even my poverty with the poor, + and did the best I could to increase the happiness of my fellow-men. I was + a soldier in the army of progress.—I was arrested, imprisoned, tried + and convicted by the church—by the 'Triumphant Beast.' I was burned + at the stake by ignorant and heartless priests and my ashes given to the + winds." + </p> + <p> + Then Christ, his face growing dark, his brows contracted with wrath, with + uplifted hands, with half averted face, cries or rather shrieks: "Depart + from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his + angels." + </p> + <p> + This is the justice of God—the mercy of the compassionate Christ. + This is the belief, the dream and hope of the orthodox theologian—"the + consummation devoutly to be wished." + </p> + <p> + Theology makes God a monster, a tyrant, a savage; makes man a servant, a + serf, a slave; promises heaven to the obedient, the meek, the frightened, + and threatens the self-reliant with the tortures of hell. + </p> + <p> + It denounces reason and appeals to the passions—to hope and fear. It + does not answer the arguments of those who attack, but resorts to + sophistry, falsehood and slander. It is incapable of advancement. It keeps + its back to the sunrise, lives on myth and miracle, and guards with a + misers care the "sacred" superstitions of the past. + </p> + <p> + In the great struggle between the supernatural and the natural, between + gods and men, we have passed midnight. All the forces of civilization, all + the facts that have been found, all the truths that have been discovered + are the allies of science—the enemies of the supernatural. + </p> + <p> + We need no myths, no miracles, no gods, no devils. + </p> + <p> + IX. + </p> + <p> + FOR thousands of generations the myths have been taught and the miracles + believed. Every mother was a missionary and told with loving care the + falsehoods of "faith" to her babe. The poison of superstition was in the + mother's milk. She was honest and affectionate and her character, her + goodness, her smiles and kisses, entered into, mingled with, and became a + part of the superstition that she taught. Fathers, friends and priests + united with the mothers, and the children thus taught, became the teachers + of their children and so the creeds were kept alive. + </p> + <p> + Childhood loves the romantic, the mysterious, the monstrous. It lives in a + world where cause has nothing to do with effect, where the fairy waves her + hand and the prince appears. Where wish creates the thing desired and + facts become the slaves of amulet and charm. The individual lives the life + of the race, and the child is charmed with what the race in its infancy + produced. + </p> + <p> + There seems to be the same difference between mistakes and facts that + there is between weeds and corn. Mistakes seem to take care of themselves, + while the facts have to be guarded with all possible care. Falsehoods like + weeds flourish without care. Weeds care nothing for soil or rain. They not + only ask no help but they almost defy destruction. In the minds of + children, superstitions, legends, myths and miracles find a natural, and + in most instances a lasting home. Thrown aside in manhood, forgotten or + denied, in old age they oft return and linger to the end. + </p> + <p> + This in part accounts for the longevity of religious lies. Ministers with + clasped hands and uplifted eyes ask the man who is thinking for himself + how he can be wicked and heartless enough to attack the religion of his + mother. This question is regarded by the clergy as unanswerable. Of course + it is not to be asked by the missionaries, of the Hindus and the Chinese. + The heathen are expected to desert the religion of their mothers as Christ + and his apostles deserted the religion of their mothers. It is right for + Jews and heathen, but not for thinkers and philosophers. + </p> + <p> + A cannibal was about to kill a missionary for food. + </p> + <p> + The missionary objected and asked the cannibal how he could be so cruel + and wicked. + </p> + <p> + The cannibal replied that he followed the example of his mother. "My + mother," said he, "was good enough for me. Her religion is my religion. + The last time I saw her she was sitting, propped up against a tree, eating + cold missionary." + </p> + <p> + But now the mother argument has mostly lost its force, and men of mind are + satisfied with nothing less than truth. + </p> + <p> + The phenomena of nature have been investigated and the supernatural has + not been found. The myths have faded from the imagination, and of them + nothing remains but the poetic. The miraculous has become the absurd, the + impossible. Gods and phantoms have been driven from the earth and sky. We + are living in a natural world. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers, some of them, demanded the freedom of religion. We have taken + another step. We demand the Religion of Freedom. + </p> + <p> + O Liberty, thou art the god of my idolatry! Thou art the only deity that + hateth bended knees. In thy vast and unwalled temple, beneath the roofless + dome, star-gemmed and luminous with suns, thy worshipers stand erect! They + do not cringe, or crawl, or bend their foreheads to the earth. The dust + has never borne the impress of their lips. Upon thy altars mothers do not + sacrifice their babes, nor men their rights. Thou askest naught from man + except the things that good men hate—the whip, the chain, the + dungeon key. Thou hast no popes, no priests, who stand between their + fellow-men and thee. Thou carest not for foolish forms, or selfish + prayers. At thy sacred shrine hypocrisy does not bow, virtue does not + tremble, superstition's feeble tapers do not burn, but Reason holds aloft + her inextinguishable torch whose holy light will one day flood the world. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. +2 (of 12), by Robert G. 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Ingersoll, Volume 3 (of 12) By Robert G. 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Ingersoll, Vol. 3 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 3 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Lectures + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38803] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + "GIVE ME THE STORM AND TEMPEST OF THOUGHT AND ACTION, RATHER THAN THE + DEAD CALM OF IGNORANCE AND FAITH. BANISH ME FROM EDEN WHEN YOU WILL; BUT + FIRST LET ME EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + IN TWELVE VOLUMES, VOLUME III. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + LECTURES + </h4> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1900 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + THE DRESDEN EDITION + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38803/old/orig38803-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage (64K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="portrait (64K)" src="images/portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Contents + </h3> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">CONTENTS OF VOLUME III.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">SHAKESPEARE</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">ROBERT BURNS.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">ABRAHAM LINCOLN</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">VOLTAIRE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">LIBERTY IN LITERATURE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">THE GREAT INFIDELS.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkCONC">CONCLUSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">WHICH WAY?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">ABOUT THE HOLY BIBLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF VOLUME III. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">SHAKESPEARE</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1891.)<br /> I. The Greatest Genius of our World—Not of + Supernatural Origin or<br /> of Royal Blood—Illiteracy of his + Parents—Education—His Father—His<br /> Mother a Great + Woman—Stratford Unconscious of the Immortal<br /> Child—Social + Position of Shakespeare—Of his Personal<br /> Peculiarities—Birth, + Marriage, and Death—What we Know of Him—No Line<br /> written + by him to be Found—The Absurd Epitaph—II. Contemporaries<br /> + by whom he was Mentioned—III. No direct Mention of any of his<br /> + Contemporaries in the Plays—Events and Personages of his Time—IV.<br /> + Position of the Actor in Shakespeare's Time—Fortunately he was Not<br /> + Educated at Oxford—An Idealist—His Indifference to + Stage-carpentry<br /> and Plot—He belonged to All Lands—Knew + the Brain and Heart of Man—An<br /> Intellectual Spendthrift—V. + The Baconian Theory—VI. Dramatists before<br /> and during the Time + of Shakespeare—Dramatic Incidents Illustrated in<br /> Passages + from "Macbeth" and "Julius Cæsar"—VII. His Use of the Work + of<br /> Others—The Pontic Sea—A Passage from "Lear"—VIII. + Extravagance that<br /> touches the Infinite—The Greatest + Compliment—"Let me not live after<br /> my flame lacks oil"—Where + Pathos almost Touches the Grotesque—IX.<br /> An Innovator and + Iconoclast—Disregard of the "Unities"—Nature<br /> Forgets—Violation + of the Classic Model—X. Types—The Secret of<br /> Shakespeare—Characters + who Act from Reason and Motive—What they Say<br /> not the Opinion + of Shakespeare—XI. The Procession that issued from<br /> + Shakespeare's Brain—His Great Women—Lovable Clowns—His + Men—Talent<br /> and Genius—XII. The Greatest of all + Philosophers—Master of the<br /> Human Heart—Love—XIII. + In the Realm of Comparison—XIV. Definitions:<br /> Suicide, Drama, + Death, Memory, the Body, Life, Echo, the<br /> World, Rumor—The + Confidant of Nature—XV. Humor and<br /> Pathos—Illustrations—XVI. + Not a Physician, Lawyer, or Botanist—He was<br /> a Man of + Imagination—He lived the Life of All—The Imagination had a<br /> + Stage in Shakespeare's Brain.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">ROBERT BURNS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1878.)<br /> Poetry and Poets—Milton, Dante, Petrarch—Old-time + Poetry in<br /> Scotland—Influence of Scenery on Literature—Lives + that are<br /> Poems—Birth of Burns—Early Life and Education—Scotland + Emerging from<br /> the Gloom of Calvinism—A Metaphysical Peasantry—Power + of the Scotch<br /> Preacher—Famous Scotch Names—John + Barleycorn vs. Calvinism—Why Robert<br /> Burns is Loved—His + Reading—Made Goddesses of Women—Poet of Love: His<br /> + "Vision," "Bonnie Doon," "To Mary in Heaven"—Poet of Home:<br /> + "Cotter's Saturday Night," "John Anderson, My Jo"—Friendship: + "Auld<br /> Lang-Syne"—Scotch Drink: "Willie brew'd a peck o' maut"—Burns + the<br /> Artist: The "Brook," "Tam O'Shanter"—A Real Democrat: "A + man's a man<br /> for a' that"—His Theology: The Dogma of Eternal + Pain, "Morality,"<br /> "Hypocrisy," "Holy Willie's Prayer"—On the + Bible—A Statement of his<br /> Religion—Contrasted with + Tennyson—From Cradle to Coffin—His Last<br /> words—Lines + on the Birth-place of Burns.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">ABRAHAM LINCOLN.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1894.)<br /> I. Simultaneous Birth of Lincoln and Darwin—Heroes + of Every<br /> Generation—Slavery—Principle Sacrificed to + Success—Lincoln's<br /> Childhood—His first Speech—A + Candidate for the Senate against<br /> Douglass—II. A Crisis in the + Affairs of the Republic—The South Not<br /> Alone Responsible for + Slavery—Lincoln's Prophetic Words—Nominated for<br /> + President and Elected in Spite of his Fitness—III. Secession and<br /> + Civil War—The Thought uppermost in his Mind—IV. A Crisis in + the<br /> North—Proposition to Purchase the Slaves—V. The + Proclamation of<br /> Emancipation—His Letter to Horace Greeley—Waited + on by Clergymen—VI.<br /> Surrounded by Enemies—Hostile + Attitude of Gladstone, Salisbury,<br /> Louis Napoleon, and the Vatican—VII. + Slavery the Perpetual<br /> Stumbling-block—Confiscation—VIII. + His Letter to a Republican<br /> Meeting in Illinois—Its Effect—IX. + The Power of His Personality—The<br /> Embodiment of Mercy—Use + of the Pardoning Power—X. The Vallandigham<br /> Affair—The + Horace Greeley Incident—Triumphs of Humor—XI. Promotion of<br /> + General Hooker—A Prophecy and its Fulfillment—XII.—States + Rights vs.<br /> Territorial Integrity—XIII. His Military Genius—The + Foremost Man in<br /> all the World: and then the Horror Came—XIV. + Strange Mingling of Mirth<br /> and Tears—Deformation of Great + Historic Characters—Washington now<br /> only a Steel Engraving—Lincoln + not a Type—Virtues Necessary in a<br /> New Country—Laws of + Cultivated Society—In the Country is the Idea<br /> of Home—Lincoln + always a Pupil—A Great Lawyer—Many-sided—Wit and<br /> + Humor—As an Orator—His Speech at Gettysburg contrasted with + the<br /> Oration of Edward Everett—Apologetic in his Kindness—No + Official<br /> Robes—The gentlest Memory of our World.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">VOLTAIRE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1894.)<br /> I. Changes wrought by Time—Throne and Altar + Twin Vultures—The King and<br /> the Priest—What is + Greatness?—Effect of Voltaire's Name on Clergyman<br /> and Priest—Born + and Baptized—State of France in 1694—The Church<br /> at the + Head—Efficacy of Prayers and Dead Saints—Bells and Holy<br /> + Water—Prevalence of Belief in Witches, Devils, and Fiends—Seeds + of<br /> the Revolution Scattered by Noble and Priest—Condition in + England—The<br /> Inquisition in full Control in Spain—Portugal + and Germany burning<br /> Women—Italy Prostrate beneath the + Priests, the Puritans in America<br /> persecuting Quakers, and stealing + Children—II. The Days of Youth—His<br /> Education—Chooses + Literature as a Profession and becomes a Diplomat—In<br /> Love and + Disinherited—Unsuccessful Poem Competition—Jansenists<br /> + and Molinists—The Bull Unigenitus—Exiled to Tulle—Sent + to the<br /> Bastile—Exiled to England—Acquaintances made + there—III. The Morn<br /> of Manhood—His Attention turned to + the History of the Church—The<br /> "Triumphant Beast" Attacked—Europe + Filled with the Product of his<br /> Brain—What he Mocked—The + Weapon of Ridicule—His Theology—His<br /> "Retractions"—What + Goethe said of Voltaire—IV. The Scheme of<br /> Nature—His + belief in the Optimism of Pope Destroyed by the Lisbon<br /> Earthquake—V. + His Humanity—Case of Jean Calas—The Sirven Family—The<br /> + Espenasse Case—Case of Chevalier de la Barre and D'Etallonde—Voltaire<br /> + Abandons France—A Friend of Education—An Abolitionist—Not<br /> + a Saint—VI. The Return—His Reception—His Death—Burial + at<br /> Romilli-on-the-Seine—VII. The Death-bed Argument—Serene + Demise of<br /> the Infamous—God has no Time to defend the Good and + protect the<br /> Pure—Eloquence of the Clergy on the Death-bed + Subject—The<br /> Second Return—Throned upon the Bastile—The + Grave Desecrated by<br /> Priests—Voltaire.<br /> A Testimonial to + Walt Whitman—Let us put Wreaths on the Brows of the<br /> Living—Literary + Ideals of the American People in 1855—"Leaves of<br /> Grass"—Its + reception by the Provincial Prudes—The Religion of the<br /> Body—Appeal + to Manhood and Womanhood—Books written for the<br /> Market—The + Index Expurgatorius—Whitman a believer in<br /> Democracy—Individuality—Humanity—An + Old-time Sea-fight—What is<br /> Poetry?—Rhyme a Hindrance to + Expression—Rhythm the Comrade of<br /> the Poetic—Whitman's + Attitude toward Religion—Philosophy—The Two<br /> Poems—"A + Word Out of the Sea"—"When Lilacs Last in the Door"—"A Chant<br /> + for Death"—<br /> The History of Intellectual Progress is written + in the Lives of<br /> Infidels—The King and the Priest—The + Origin of God and Heaven, of<br /> the Devil and Hell—The Idea of + Hell born of Ignorance, Brutality,<br /> Cowardice, and Revenge—The + Limitations of our Ancestors—The Devil<br /> and God—Egotism + of Barbarians—The Doctrine of Hell not an Exclusive<br /> + Possession of Christianity—The Appeal to the Cemetery—Religion + and<br /> Wealth, Christ and Poverty—The "Great" not on the Side of + Christ and<br /> his Disciples—Epitaphs as Battle-cries—Some + Great Men in favor of<br /> almost every Sect—Mistakes and + Superstitions of Eminent Men—Sacred<br /> Books—The Claim + that all Moral Laws came from God through<br /> the Jews—Fear—Martyrdom—God's + Ways toward Men—The Emperor<br /> Constantine—The Death Test—Theological + Comity between Protestants and<br /> Catholics—Julian—A + childish Fable still Believed—Bruno—His Crime,<br /> his + Imprisonment.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">LIBERTY IN LITERATURE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1890.)<br /> "Old Age"—"Leaves of Grass" + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">THE GREAT INFIDELS.*</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1881.)<br /> Martyrdom—The First to die for Truth without + Expectation of Reward—The<br /> Church in the Time of Voltaire—Voltaire—Diderot—David + Hume—Benedict<br /> Spinoza—Our Infidels—Thomas Paine—Conclusion.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">WHICH WAY?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1884.)<br /> I. The Natural and the Supernatural—Living for + the Benefit of<br /> your Fellow-Man and Living for Ghosts—The + Beginning of Doubt—Two<br /> Philosophies of Life—Two + Theories of Government—II. Is our God<br /> superior to the Gods of + the Heathen?—What our God has done—III. Two<br /> Theories + about the Cause and Cure of Disease—The First Physician—The<br /> + Bones of St. Anne Exhibited in New York—Archbishop Corrigan and<br /> + Cardinal Gibbons Countenance a Theological Fraud—A Japanese Story—The<br /> + Monk and the Miraculous Cures performed by the Bones of a Donkey<br /> + represented as those of a Saint—IV.—Two Ways of accounting + for Sacred<br /> Books and Religions—V-Two Theories about Morals—Nothing + Miraculous<br /> about Morality—The Test of all Actions—VI. + Search for the<br /> Impossible—Alchemy—"Perpetual Motion"—Astrology—Fountain + of Perpetual<br /> Youth—VII. "Great Men" and the Superstitions in + which they have<br /> Believed—VIII. Follies and Imbecilities of + Great Men—We do not know<br /> what they Thought, only what they + Said—Names of Great Unbelievers—Most<br /> Men Controlled by + their Surroundings—IX. Living for God in Switzerland,<br /> + Scotland, New England—In the Dark Ages—Let us Live for Man—X. + The<br /> Narrow Road of Superstition—The Wide and Ample Way—Let + us Squeeze the<br /> Orange Dry—This Was, This Is, This Shall Be.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">ABOUT THE HOLY BIBLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1894.)<br /> The Truth about the Bible Ought to be Told—I. The + Origin of the<br /> Bible—Establishment of the Mosaic Code—Moses + not the Author of the<br /> Pentateuch—Some Old Testament Books of + Unknown Origin—II. Is the Old<br /> Testament Inspired?—What + an Inspired Book Ought to Be—What the Bible<br /> Is—Admission + of Orthodox Christians that it is not Inspired as to<br /> Science—The + Enemy of Art—III. The Ten Commandments—Omissions and<br /> + Redundancies—The Story of Achan—The Story of Elisha—The + Story of<br /> Daniel—The Story of Joseph—IV. What is it all + Worth?—Not True, and<br /> Contradictory—Its Myths Older than + the Pentateuch—Other Accounts<br /> of the Creation, the Fall, etc.—Books + of the Old Testament Named<br /> and Characterized—V. Was Jehovah a + God of Love?—VI. Jehovah's<br /> Administration—VII. The New + Testament—Many Other Gospels besides<br /> our Four—Disagreements—Belief + in Devils—Raising of the Dead—Other<br /> Miracles—Would + a real Miracle-worker have been Crucified?—VIII.<br /> The + Philosophy of Christ—Love of<br /> Enemies—Improvidence—Self-Mutilation—The + Earth as a<br /> Footstool—Justice—A Bringer of War—Division + of Families—IX. Is Christ<br /> our Example?—X. Why should we + place Christ at the Top and Summit of the<br /> Human Race?—How did + he surpass Other Teachers?—What he left Unsaid,<br /> and Why—Inspiration—Rejected + Books of the New Testament—The Bible and<br /> the Crimes it has + Caused.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SHAKESPEARE + </h2> + <h3> + I. + </h3> + <p> + WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE was the greatest genius of our world. He left to us + the richest legacy of all the dead—the treasures of the rarest soul + that ever lived and loved and wrought of words the statues, pictures, + robes and gems of thought. + </p> + <p> + It is hard to overstate the debt we owe to the men and women of genius. + Take from our world what they have given, and all the niches would be + empty, all the walls naked—meaning and connection would fall from + words of poetry and fiction, music would go back to common air, and all + the forms of subtle and enchanting Art would lose proportion and become + the unmeaning waste and shattered spoil of thoughtless Chance. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare is too great a theme. I feel as though endeavoring to grasp a + globe so large that the hand obtains no hold. He who would worthily speak + of the great dramatist should be inspired by "a muse of fire that should + ascend the brightest heaven of invention"—he should have "a kingdom + for a stage, and monarchs to behold the swelling scene." + </p> + <p> + More than three centuries ago, the most intellectual of the human race was + born. He was not of supernatural origin. At his birth there were no + celestial pyrotechnics. His father and mother were both English, and both + had the cheerful habit of living in this world. The cradle in which he was + rocked was canopied by neither myth nor miracle, and in his veins there + was no drop of royal blood. + </p> + <p> + This babe became the wonder of mankind. Neither of his parents could read + or write. He grew up in a small and ignorant village on the banks of the + Avon, in the midst of the common people of three hundred years ago. There + was nothing in the peaceful, quiet landscape on which he looked, nothing + in the low hills, the cultivated and undulating fields, and nothing in the + murmuring stream, to excite the imagination—nothing, so far as we + can see, calculated to sow the seeds of the subtlest and sublimest + thought. + </p> + <p> + So there is nothing connected with his education, or his lack of + education, that in any way accounts for what he did. It is supposed that + he attended school in his native town—but of this we are not + certain. Many have tried to show that he was, after all, of gentle blood, + but the fact seems to be the other way. Some of his biographers have + sought to do him honor by showing that he was patronized by Queen + Elizabeth, but of this there is not the slightest proof. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, there never sat on any throne a king, queen, or + emperor who could have honored William Shakespeare. + </p> + <p> + Ignorant people are apt to overrate the value of what is called education. + The sons of the poor, having suffered the privations of poverty, think of + wealth as the mother of joy. On the other hand, the children of the rich, + finding that gold does not produce happiness, are apt to underrate the + value of wealth. So the children of the educated often care but little for + books, and hold all culture in contempt. The children of great authors do + not, as a rule, become writers. + </p> + <p> + Nature is filled with tendencies and obstructions. Extremes beget + limitations, even as a river by its own swiftness creates obstructions for + itself. + </p> + <p> + Possibly, many generations of culture breed a desire for the rude joys of + savagery, and possibly generations of ignorance breed such a longing for + knowledge, that of this desire, of this hunger of the brain, Genius is + born. It may be that the mind, by lying fallow, by remaining idle for + generations, gathers strength. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare's father seems to have been an ordinary man of his time and + class. About the only thing we know of him is that he was officially + reported for not coming monthly to church. This is good as far as it goes. + We can hardly blame him, because at that time Richard Bifield was the + minister at Stratford, and an extreme Puritan, one who read the Psalter by + Sternhold and Hopkins. + </p> + <p> + The church was at one time Catholic, but in John Shakespeare's day it was + Puritan, and in 1564, the year of Shakespeare's birth, they had the images + defaced. It is greatly to the honor of John Shakespeare that he refused to + listen to the "tidings of great joy" as delivered by the Puritan Bifield. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is known of his mother, except her beautiful name—Mary + Arden. In those days but little attention was given to the biographies of + women. They were born, married, had children, and died. No matter how + celebrated their sons became, the mothers were forgotten. In old times, + when a man achieved distinction, great pains were taken to find out about + the father and grandfather—the idea being that genius is inherited + from the father's side. The truth is, that all great men have had great + mothers. Great women have had, as a rule, great fathers. + </p> + <p> + The mother of Shakespeare was, without doubt, one of the greatest of + women. She dowered her son with passion and imagination and the higher + qualities of the soul, beyond all other men. It has been said that a man + of genius should select his ancestors with great care—and yet there + does not seem to be as much in heredity as most people think. The children + of the great are often small. Pigmies are born in palaces, while over the + children of genius is the roof of straw. Most of the great are like + mountains, with the valley of ancestors on one side and the depression of + posterity on the other. + </p> + <p> + In his day Shakespeare was of no particular importance. It may be that his + mother had some marvelous and prophetic dreams, but Stratford was + unconscious of the immortal child. He was never engaged in a reputable + business. Socially he occupied a position below servants. The law + described him as "a sturdy vagabond." He was neither a noble, a soldier, + nor a priest. Among the half-civilized people of England, he who amused + and instructed them was regarded as a menial. Kings had their clowns, the + people their actors and musicians. Shakespeare was scheduled as a servant. + It is thus that successful stupidity has always treated genius. Mozart was + patronized by an Archbishop—lived in the palace,—but was + compelled to eat with the scullions. + </p> + <p> + The composer of divine melodies was not fit to sit by the side of the + theologian, who long ago would have been forgotten but for the fame of the + composer. + </p> + <p> + We know but little of the personal peculiarities, of the daily life, or of + what may be called the outward Shakespeare, and it may be fortunate that + so little is known. He might have been belittled by friendly fools. What + silly stories, what idiotic personal reminiscences, would have been + remembered by those who scarcely saw him! We have his best—his + sublimest—and we have probably lost only the trivial and the + worthless. All that is known can be written on a page. + </p> + <p> + We are tolerably certain of the date of his birth, of his marriage and of + his death. We think he went to London in 1586, when he was twenty-two + years old. We think that three years afterward he was part owner of + Blackfriars' Theatre. We have a few signatures, some of which are supposed + to be genuine. We know that he bought some land—that he had two or + three law-suits. We know the names of his children. We also know that this + incomparable man—so apart from, and so familiar with, all the world—lived + during his literary life in London—that he was an actor, dramatist + and manager—that he returned to Stratford, the place of his birth,—that + he gave his writings to negligence, deserted the children of his brain—that + he died on the anniversary of his birth at the age of fifty-two, and that + he was buried in the church where the images had been defaced, and that on + his tomb was chiseled a rude, absurd and ignorant epitaph. + </p> + <p> + No letter of his to any human being has been found, and no line written by + him can be shown. + </p> + <p> + And here let me give my explanation of the epitaph. Shakespeare was an + actor—a disreputable business—but he made money—always + reputable. He came back from London a rich man. He bought land, and built + houses. Some of the supposed great probably treated him with deference. + When he died he was buried in the church. Then came a reaction. The pious + thought the church had been profaned. They did not feel that the ashes of + an actor were fit to lie in holy ground. The people began to say the body + ought to be removed. Then it was, as I believe, that Dr. John Hall, + Shakespeare's son-in-law, had this epitaph cut on the tomb: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbeare + To digg the dust enclosed heare: + Blest be ye man yt spares thes stones, + And curst be he yt moves my bones." +</pre> + <p> + Certainly Shakespeare could have had no fear that his tomb would be + violated. How could it have entered his mind to have put a warning, a + threat and a blessing, upon his grave? But the ignorant people of that day + were no doubt convinced that the epitaph was the voice of the dead, and so + feeling they feared to invade the tomb. In this way the dust was left in + peace. + </p> + <p> + This epitaph gave me great trouble for years. It puzzled me to explain why + he, who erected the intellectual pyramids,—great ranges of mountains—should + put such a pebble at his tomb. But when I stood beside the grave and read + the ignorant words, the explanation I have given flashed upon me. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + IT has been said that Shakespeare was hardly mentioned by his + contemporaries, and that he was substantially unknown. This is a mistake. + In 1600 a book was published called <i>England's Parnassus</i>, and it + contained ninety extracts from Shakespeare. In the same year was published + the <i>Garden of the Muses</i>, containing several pieces from + Shakespeare, Chapman, Marston and Ben Jonson. <i>England's Helicon</i> was + printed in the same year, and contained poems from Spenser, Greene, Harvey + and Shakespeare. + </p> + <p> + In 1600 a play was acted at Cambridge, in which Shakespeare was alluded to + as follows: "Why, here's our fellow Shakespeare who puts them all down." + John Weaver published a book of poems in 1595, in which there was a sonnet + to Shakespeare. In 1598 Richard Bamfield wrote a poem to Shakespeare. + Francis Meres, "clergyman, master of arts in both universities, compiler + of school books," was the author of the <i>Wits Treasury</i>. In this he + compares the ancient and modern tragic poets, and mentions Marlowe, Peele, + Kyd and Shakespeare. So he compares the writers of comedies, and mentions + Lilly, Lodge, Greene and Shakespeare. He speaks of elegiac poets, and + names Surrey, Wyatt, Sidney, Raleigh and Shakespeare. He compares the + lyric poets, and names Spenser, Drayton, Shakespeare and others. This same + writer, speaking of Horace, says that England has Sidney, Shakespeare and + others, and that "as the soul of Euphorbus was thought to live in + Pythagoras, so the sweet-wittie soul of Ovid lives in the mellifluous and + honey-tongued Shakespeare." He also says: "If the Muses could speak + English, they would speak in Shakespeare's phrase." This was in 1598. In + 1607, John Davies alludes in a poem to Shakespeare. + </p> + <p> + Of course we are all familiar with what rare Ben Jonson wrote. Henry + Chettle took Shakespeare to task because he wrote nothing on the death of + Queen Elizabeth. + </p> + <p> + It may be wonderful that he was not better known. But is it not wonderful + that he gained the reputation that he did in so short a time, and that + twelve years after he began to write he stood at least with the first? + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + BUT there is a wonderful fact connected with the writings of Shakespeare: + In the Plays there is no direct mention of any of his contemporaries. We + do not know of any poet, author, soldier, sailor, statesman, priest, + nobleman, king, or queen, that Shakespeare directly mentioned. + </p> + <p> + Is it not marvelous that he, living in an age of great deeds, of + adventures in far-off lands and unknown seas—in a time of religious + wars—in the days of the Armada—the massacre of St. Bartholomew—the + Edict of Nantes—the assassination of Henry III.—the victory of + Lepanto—the execution of Marie Stuart—did not mention the name + of any man or woman of his time? Some have insisted that the paragraph + ending with the lines: "The imperial votress passed on in maiden + meditation fancy-free," referred to Queen Elizabeth; but it is impossible + for me to believe that the daubed and wrinkled face, the small black eyes, + the cruel nose, the thin lips, the bad teeth, and the red wig of Queen + Elizabeth could by any possibility have inspired these marvelous lines. + </p> + <p> + It is perfectly apparent from Shakespeare's writings that he knew but + little of the nobility, little of kings and queens. He gives to these + supposed great people great thoughts, and puts great words in their mouths + and makes them speak—not as they really did—but as Shakespeare + thought such people should. This demonstrates that he did not know them + personally. + </p> + <p> + Some have insisted that Shakespeare mentions Queen Elizabeth in the last + scene of Henry VIII. The answer to this is that Shakespeare did not write + the last scene in that Play. The probability is that Fletcher was the + author. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare lived during the great awakening of the world, when Europe + emerged from the darkness of the Middle Ages, when the discovery of + America had made England, that blossom of the Gulf-Stream, the centre of + commerce, and during a period when some of the greatest writers, thinkers, + soldiers and discoverers were produced. + </p> + <p> + Cervantes was born in 1547, dying on the same day that Shakespeare died. + He was undoubtedly the greatest writer that Spain has produced. Rubens was + born in 1577. Camoens, the Portuguese, the author of the <i>Lusiad</i>, + died in 1597. Giordano Bruno—greatest of martyrs—was born in + 1548—visited London in Shakespeare's time—delivered lectures + at Oxford, and called that institution "the widow of learning." Drake + circled the globe in 1580. Galileo was born in 1564—the same year + with Shakespeare. Michael Angelo died in 1563. Kepler—he of the + Three Laws—born in 1571. Calderon, the Spanish dramatist, born in + 1601. Corneille, the French poet, in 1606. Rembrandt, greatest of + painters, 1607. Shakespeare was born in 1564. In that year John Calvin + died. What a glorious exchange! + </p> + <p> + Seventy-two years after the discovery of America Shakespeare was born, and + England was filled with the voyages and discoveries written by Hakluyt, + and the wonders that had been seen by Raleigh, by Drake, by Frobisher and + Hawkins. London had become the centre of the world, and representatives + from all known countries were in the new metropolis. The world had been + doubled. The imagination had been touched and kindled by discovery. In the + far horizon were unknown lands, strange shores beyond untraversed seas. + Toward every part of the world were turned the prows of adventure. All + these things fanned the imagination into flame, and this had its effect + upon the literary and dramatic world. And yet Shakespeare—the master + spirit of mankind—in the midst of these discoveries, of these + adventures, mentioned no navigator, no general, no discoverer, no + philosopher. + </p> + <p> + Galileo was reading the open volume of the sky, but Shakespeare did not + mention him. This to me is the most marvelous thing connected with this + most marvelous man. + </p> + <p> + At that time England was prosperous—was then laying the foundation + of her future greatness and power. + </p> + <p> + When men are prosperous, they are in love with life. Nature grows + beautiful, the arts begin to flourish, there is work for painter and + sculptor, the poet is born, the stage is erected—and this life with + which men are in love, is represented in a thousand forms. + </p> + <p> + Nature, or Fate, or Chance prepared a stage for Shakespeare, and + Shakespeare prepared a stage for Nature. + </p> + <p> + Famine and faith go together. In disaster and want the gaze of man is + fixed upon another world. He that eats a crust has a creed. Hunger falls + upon its knees, and heaven, looked for through tears, is the mirage of + misery. But prosperity brings joy and wealth and leisure—and the + beautiful is born. + </p> + <p> + One of the effects of the world's awakening was Shakespeare. We account + for this man as we do for the highest mountain, the greatest river, the + most perfect gem. We can only say: He was. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "It hath been taught us from the primal state + That he which is was wished until he were." +</pre> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + IN Shakespeare's time the actor was a vagabond, the dramatist a + disreputable person—and yet the greatest dramas were then written. + In spite of law, and social ostracism, Shakespeare reared the many-colored + dome that fills and glorifies the intellectual heavens. + </p> + <p> + Now the whole civilized world believes in the theatre—asks for some + great dramatist—is hungry for a play worthy of the century, is + anxious to give gold and fame to any one who can worthily put our age upon + the stage—and yet no great play has been written since Shakespeare + died. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare pursued the highway of the right. He did not seek to put his + characters in a position where it was right to do wrong. He was sound and + healthy to the centre. It never occurred to him to write a play in which a + wife's lover should be jealous of her husband. + </p> + <p> + There was in his blood the courage of his thought. He was true to himself + and enjoyed the perfect freedom of the highest art. He did not write + according to rules—but smaller men make rules from what he wrote. + </p> + <p> + How fortunate that Shakespeare was not educated at Oxford—that the + winged god within him never knelt to the professor. How fortunate that + this giant was not captured, tied and tethered by the literary + Lilliputians of his time. + </p> + <p> + He was an idealist. He did not—like most writers of our time—take + refuge in the real, hiding a lack of genius behind a pretended love of + truth. All realities are not poetic, or dramatic, or even worth knowing. + The real sustains the same relation to the ideal that a stone does to a + statue—or that paint does to a painting. Realism degrades and + impoverishes. In no event can a realist be more than an imitator and + copyist. According to the realist's philosophy, the wax that receives and + retains an image is an artist. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare did not rely on the stage-carpenter, or the scenic painter. He + put his scenery in his lines. There you will find mountains and rivers and + seas, valleys and cliffs, violets and clouds, and over all "the firmament + fretted with gold and fire." He cared little for plot, little for + surprise. He did not rely on stage effects, or red fire. The plays grow + before your eyes, and they come as the morning comes. Plot surprises but + once. There must be something in a play besides surprise. Plot in an + author is a kind of strategy—that is to say, a sort of cunning, and + cunning does not belong to the highest natures. + </p> + <p> + There is in Shakespeare such a wealth of thought that the plot becomes + almost immaterial—and such is this wealth that you can hardly know + the play—there is too much. After you have heard it again and again, + it seems as pathless as an untrodden forest. + </p> + <p> + He belonged to all lands. "Timon of Athens" is as Greek as any tragedy of + Eschylus. "Julius Cæsar" and "Coriolanus" are perfect Roman, and as + you read, the mighty ruins rise and the Eternal City once again becomes + the mistress of the world. No play is more Egyptian than "Antony and + Cleopatra"—the Nile runs through it, the shadows of the pyramids + fall upon it, and from its scenes the Sphinx gazes forever on the + outstretched sands. + </p> + <p> + In "Lear" is the true pagan spirit. "Romeo and Juliet" is Italian—everything + is sudden, love bursts into immediate flower, and in every scene is the + climate of the land of poetry and passion. + </p> + <p> + The reason of this is that Shakespeare dealt with elemental things, with + universal man. He knew that locality colors without changing, and that in + all surroundings the human heart is substantially the same. + </p> + <p> + Not all the poetry written before his time would make his sum—not + all that has been written since, added to all that was written before, + would equal his. + </p> + <p> + There was nothing within the range of human thought, within the horizon of + intellectual effort, that he did not touch. He knew the brain and heart of + man—the theories, customs, superstitions, hopes, fears, hatreds, + vices and virtues of the human race. + </p> + <p> + He knew the thrills and ecstasies of love, the savage joys of hatred and + revenge. He heard the hiss of envy's snakes and watched the eagles of + ambition soar. There was no hope that did not put its star above his head—no + fear he had not felt—no joy that had not shed its sunshine on his + face. He experienced the emotions of mankind. He was the intellectual + spendthrift of the world. He gave with the generosity, the extravagance, + of madness. + </p> + <p> + Read one play, and you are impressed with the idea that the wealth of the + brain of a god has been exhausted—that there are no more + comparisons, no more passions to be expressed, no more definitions, no + more philosophy, beauty, or sublimity to be put in words—and yet, + the next play opens as fresh as the dewy gates of another day. + </p> + <p> + The outstretched wings of his imagination filled the sky. He was the + intellectual crown o' the earth. + </p> + <p> + V. + </p> + <p> + THE plays of Shakespeare show so much knowledge, thought and learning, + that many people—those who imagine that universities furnish + capacity—contend that Bacon must have been the author. + </p> + <p> + We know Bacon. We know that he was a scheming politician, a courtier, a + time-server of church and king, and a corrupt judge. We know that he never + admitted the truth of the Copernican system—that he was doubtful + whether instruments were of any advantage in scientific investigation—that + he was ignorant of the higher branches of mathematics, and that, as a + matter of fact, he added but little to the knowledge of the world. When he + was more than sixty years of age he turned his attention to poetry, and + dedicated his verses to George Herbert. + </p> + <p> + If you will read these verses you will say that the author of "Lear" and + "Hamlet" did not write them. + </p> + <p> + Bacon dedicated his work on the <i>Advancement of Learning, Divine and + Human</i>, to James I., and in his dedication he stated that there had not + been, since the time of Christ, any king or monarch so learned in all + erudition, divine or human. He placed James the First before Marcus + Aurelius and all other kings and emperors since Christ, and concluded by + saying that James the First had "the power and fortune of a king, the + illumination of a priest, the learning and universality of a philosopher." + This was written of James the First, described by Macaulay as a + "stammering, slobbering, trembling coward, whose writings were deformed by + the grossest and vilest superstitions—witches being the special + objects of his fear, his hatred, and his persecution." + </p> + <p> + It seems to have been taken for granted that if Shakespeare was not the + author of the great dramas, Lord Bacon must have been. + </p> + <p> + It has been claimed that Bacon was the greatest philosopher of his time. + And yet in reading his works we find that there was in his mind a strange + mingling of foolishness and philosophy. He takes pains to tell us, and to + write it down for the benefit of posterity, that "snow is colder than + water, because it hath more spirit in it, and that quicksilver is the + coldest of all metals, because it is the fullest of spirit." + </p> + <p> + He stated that he hardly believed that you could contract air by putting + opium on top of the weather glass, and gave the following reason: + </p> + <p> + "I conceive that opium and the like make spirits fly rather by malignity + than by cold." + </p> + <p> + This great philosopher gave the following recipe for staunching blood: + </p> + <p> + "Thrust the part that bleedeth into the body of a capon, new ripped and + bleeding. This will staunch the blood. The blood, as it seemeth, sucking + and drawing up by similitude of substance the blood it meeteth with, and + so itself going back." + </p> + <p> + The philosopher also records this important fact: "Divers witches among + heathen and Christians have fed upon man's flesh to aid, as it seemeth, + their imagination with high and foul vapors." + </p> + <p> + Lord Bacon was not only a philosopher, but he was a biologist, as appears + from the following: + </p> + <p> + "As for living creatures, it is certain that their vital spirits are a + substance compounded of an airy and flamy matter, and although air and + flame being free will not mingle, yet bound in by a body that hath some + fixing, will." + </p> + <p> + Now and then the inventor of deduction reasons by analogy. He says: + </p> + <p> + "As snow and ice holpen, and their cold activated by nitre or salt, will + turn water into ice, so it may be it will turn wood or stiff clay into + stone." + </p> + <p> + Bacon seems to have been a believer in the transmutation of metals, and + solemnly gives a formula for changing silver or copper into gold. He also + believed in the transmutation of plants, and had arrived at such a height + in entomology that he informed the world that "insects have no blood." + </p> + <p> + It is claimed that he was a great observer, and as evidence of this he + recorded the wonderful fact that "tobacco cut and dried by the fire loses + weight" that "bears in the winter wax fat in sleep, though they eat + nothing" that "tortoises have no bones" that "there is a kind of stone, if + ground and put in water where cattle drink, the cows will give more milk" + that "it is hard to cure a hurt in a Frenchman's head, but easy in his + leg;" that "it is hard to cure a hurt in an Englishman's leg, but easy in + his head;" that "wounds made with brass weapons are easier to cure than + those made with iron;" that "lead will multiply and increase, as in + statues buried in the ground" and that "the rainbow touching anything + causeth a sweet smell." + </p> + <p> + Bacon seems also to have turned his attention to ornithology, and says + that "eggs laid in the full of the moon breed better birds," and that "you + can make swallows white by putting ointment on the eggs before they are + hatched." + </p> + <p> + He also informs us "that witches cannot hurt kings as easily as they can + common people" that "perfumes dry and strengthen the brain" that "any one + in the moment of triumph can be injured by another who casts an envious + eye, and the injury is greatest when the envious glance comes from the + oblique eye." + </p> + <p> + Lord Bacon also turned his attention to medicine, and he states that + "bracelets made of snakes are good for curing cramps" that "the skin of a + wolf might cure the colic, because a wolf has great digestion" that + "eating the roasted brains of hens and hares strengthens the memory" that + "if a woman about to become a mother eats a good many quinces and + considerable coriander seed, the child will be ingenious," and that "the + moss which groweth on the skull of an unburied dead man is good for + staunching blood." + </p> + <p> + He expresses doubt, however, "as to whether you can cure a wound by + putting ointment on the weapon that caused the wound, instead of on the + wound itself." + </p> + <p> + It is claimed by the advocates of the Baconian theory that their hero + stood at the top of science; and yet "it is absolutely certain that he was + ignorant of the law of the acceleration of falling bodies, although the + law had been made known and printed by Galileo thirty years before Bacon + wrote upon the subject. Neither did this great man understand the + principle of the lever. He was not acquainted with the precession of the + equinoxes, and as a matter of fact was ill-read in those branches of + learning in which, in his time, the most rapid progress had been made." + </p> + <p> + After Kepler discovered his third law, which was on the 15th of May, 1618, + Bacon was more than ever opposed to the Copernican system. This great man + was far behind his own time, not only in astronomy, but in mathematics. In + the preface to the "De-scriptio Globi Intellectualis," it is admitted + either that Bacon had never heard of the correction of the parallax, or + was unable to understand it. He complained on account of the want of some + method for shortening mathematical calculations; and yet "Napier's + Logarithms" had been printed nine years before the date of his complaint. + </p> + <p> + He attempted to form a table of specific gravities by a rude process of + his own, a process that no one has ever followed; and he did this in spite + of the fact that a far better method existed. + </p> + <p> + We have the right to compare what Bacon wrote with what it is claimed + Shakespeare produced. I call attention to one thing—to Bacon's + opinion of human love. It is this: + </p> + <p> + "The stage is more beholding to love than the life of man. As to the + stage, love is ever matter of comedies and now and then of tragedies, but + in life it doth much mischief—sometimes like a siren, sometimes like + a fury. Amongst all the great and worthy persons there is not one that + hath been transported to the mad degree of love, which shows that great + spirits and great business do keep out this weak passion." + </p> + <p> + The author of "Romeo and Juliet" never wrote that. + </p> + <p> + It seems certain that the author of the wondrous Plays was one of the + noblest of men. + </p> + <p> + Let us see what sense of honor Bacon had. + </p> + <p> + In writing commentaries on certain passages of Scripture, Lord Bacon tells + a courtier, who has committed some offence, how to get back into the + graces of his prince or king. Among other things he tells him not to + appear too cheerful, but to assume a very grave and modest face; not to + bring the matter up himself; to be extremely industrious, so that the + prince will see that it is hard to get along without him; also to get his + friends to tell the prince or king how badly he, the courtier, feels; and + then he says, all these failing, "let him contrive to transfer the fault + to others." + </p> + <p> + It is true that we know but little of Shakespeare, and consequently do not + positively know that he did not have the ability to write the Plays—but + we do know Bacon, and we know that he could not have written these Plays—consequently, + they must have been written by a comparatively unknown man—that is + to say, by a man who was known by no other writings. The fact that we do + not know Shakespeare, except through the Plays and Sonnets, makes it + possible for us to believe that he was the author. + </p> + <p> + Some people have imagined that the Plays were written by several—but + this only increases the wonder, and adds a useless burden to credulity. + </p> + <p> + Bacon published in his time all the writings that he claimed. Naturally, + he would have claimed his best. Is it possible that Bacon left the + wondrous children of his brain on the door-step of Shakespeare, and kept + the deformed ones at home? Is it possible that he fathered the failures + and deserted the perfect? + </p> + <p> + Of course, it is wonderful that so little has been found touching + Shakespeare—but is it not equally wonderful, if Bacon was the + author, that not a line has been found in all his papers, containing a + suggestion, or a hint, that he was the writer of these Plays? Is it not + wonderful that no fragment of any scene—no line—no word—has + been found? + </p> + <p> + Some have insisted that Bacon kept the authorship secret because it was + disgraceful to write Plays. This argument does not cover the Sonnets—and + besides, one who had been stripped of the robes of office for receiving + bribes as a judge, could have borne the additional disgrace of having + written "Hamlet." The fact that Bacon did not claim to be the author, + demonstrates that he was not. Shakespeare claimed to be the author, and no + one in his time or day denied the claim. This demonstrates that he was. + </p> + <p> + Bacon published his works, and said to the world: This is what I have + done. + </p> + <p> + Suppose you found in a cemetery a monument erected to John Smith, inventor + of the Smith-churn, and suppose you were told that Mr. Smith provided for + the monument in his will, and dictated the inscription—would it be + possible to convince you that Mr. Smith was also the inventor of the + locomotive and telegraph? + </p> + <p> + Bacon's best can be compared with Shakespeare's common, but Shakespeare's + best rises above Bacon's best, like a domed temple above a beggar's hut. + </p> + <p> + VI. + </p> + <p> + OF course it is admitted that there were many dramatists before and during + the time of Shakespeare—but they were only the foot hills of that + mighty peak the top of which the clouds and mists still hide. Chapman and + Marlowe, Heywood and Jonson, Webster, Beaumont and Fletcher wrote some + great lines, and in the monotony of declamation now and then is found a + strain of genuine music—but all of them together constituted only a + herald of Shakespeare. In all these Plays there is but a hint, a prophecy, + of the great drama destined to revolutionize the poetic thought of the + world. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare was the greatest of poets. What Greece and Rome produced was + great until his time. "Lions make leopards tame." + </p> + <p> + The great poet is a great artist. He is painter and sculptor. The greatest + pictures and statues have been painted and chiseled with words. They + outlast all others. All the galleries of the world are poor and cheap + compared with the statues and pictures in Shakespeare's book. + </p> + <p> + Language is made of pictures represented by sounds. The outer world is a + dictionary of the mind, and the artist called the soul uses this + dictionary of things to express what happens in the noiseless and + invisible world of thought. First a sound represents something in the + outer world, and afterwards something in the inner, and this sound at last + is represented by a mark, and this mark stands for a picture, and every + brain is a gallery, and the artists—that is to say, the souls—exchange + pictures and statues. + </p> + <p> + All art is of the same parentage. The poet uses words—makes pictures + and statues of sounds. The sculptor expresses harmony, proportion, + passion, in marble; the composer, in music; the painter in form and color. + The dramatist expresses himself not only in words, not only paints these + pictures, but he expresses his thought in action. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare was not only a poet, but a dramatist, and expressed the ideal, + the poetic, not only in words, but in action. There are the wit, the + humor, the pathos, the tragedy of situation, of relation. The dramatist + speaks and acts through others—his personality is lost. The poet + lives in the world of thought and feeling, and to this the dramatist adds + the world of action. He creates characters that seem to act in accordance + with their own natures and independently of him. He compresses lives into + hours, tells us the secrets of the heart, shows us the springs of action—how + desire bribes the judgment and corrupts the will—how weak the reason + is when passion pleads, and how grand it is to stand for right against the + world. + </p> + <p> + It is not enough to say fine things,—great things, dramatic things, + must be done. + </p> + <p> + Let me give you an illustration of dramatic incident accompanying the + highest form of poetic expression: + </p> + <p> + Macbeth having returned from the murder of Duncan says to his wife: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Methought I heard a voice cry: Sleep no more, + Macbeth does murder sleep; the innocent sleep; + Sleep, that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care, + The death of each day's life, sore labor's bath, + Balm of hurt minds, great Nature's second course, + Chief nourisher in life's feast."... + + "Still it cried: Sleep no more, to all the house, + Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor + Shall sleep no more—Macbeth shall sleep no more." +</pre> + <p> + She exclaims: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Who was it that thus cried? + Why, worthy Thane, you do unbend your noble strength + To think so brain-sickly of things; get some water, + And wash this filthy witness from your hand. + Why did you bring the daggers from the place?" +</pre> + <p> + Macbeth was so overcome with horror at his own deed, that he not only + mistook his thoughts for the words of others, but was so carried away and + beyond himself that he brought with him the daggers—the evidence of + his guilt—the daggers that he should have left with the dead. This + is dramatic. + </p> + <p> + In the same play, the difference of feeling before and after the + commission of a crime is illustrated to perfection. When Macbeth is on his + way to assassinate the king, the bell strikes, and he says, or whispers: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell." +</pre> + <p> + Afterward, when the deed has been committed, and a knocking is heard at + the gate, he cries: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst." +</pre> + <p> + Let me give one more instance of dramatic action. When Antony speaks above + the body of Cæsar he says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "You all do know this mantle: + I remember The first time ever Cæsar put it on— + 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent, + That day he overcame the Nervii: + Look! In this place ran Cassius' dagger through: + See what a rent the envious Casca made! + Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabbed, + And as he plucked his cursed steel away, + Mark how the blood of Cæsar followed it." +</pre> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + THERE are men, and many of them, who are always trying to show that + somebody else chiseled the statue or painted the picture,—that the + poem is attributed to the wrong man, and that the battle was really won by + a subordinate. + </p> + <p> + Of course Shakespeare made use of the work of others—and, we might + almost say, of all others. Every writer must use the work of others. The + only question is, how the accomplishments of other minds are used, whether + as a foundation to build higher, or whether stolen to the end that the + thief may make a reputation for himself, without adding to the great + structure of literature. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of people have stolen stones from the Coliseum to make huts for + themselves. So thousands of writers have taken the thoughts of others with + which to adorn themselves. These are plagiarists. But the man who takes + the thought of another, adds to it, gives it intensity and poetic form, + throb and life,—is in the highest sense original. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare found nearly all of his facts in the writings of others, and + was indebted to others for most of the stories of his plays. The question + is not: Who furnished the stone, or who owned the quarry, but who chiseled + the statue? + </p> + <p> + We now know all the books that Shakespeare could have read, and + consequently know many of the sources of his information. We find in + Pliny's <i>Natural History</i>, published in 1601, the following: "The sea + Pontis evermore floweth and runneth out into the Propontis; but the sea + never retireth back again with the Impontis." This was the raw material, + and out of it Shakespeare made the following: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Like to the Pontic Sea, + Whose icy current and compulsive course + Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on + To the Propontic and the Hellespont— + Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace, + Shall ne'er turn back, ne'er ebb to humble love, + Till that a capable and wide revenge Swallow them up." +</pre> + <p> + Perhaps we can give an idea of the difference between Shakespeare and + other poets, by a passage from "Lear." When Cordelia places her hand upon + her father's head and speaks of the night and of the storm, an ordinary + poet might have said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "On such a night, a dog + Should have stood against my fire." +</pre> + <p> + A very great poet might have gone a step further and exclaimed: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "On such a night, mine enemy's dog + Should have stood against my fire." +</pre> + <p> + But Shakespeare said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Mine enemy's dog, though he had bit me, + Should have stood, that night, against my fire." +</pre> + <p> + Of all the poets—of all the writers—Shakespeare is the most + original. He is as original as Nature. + </p> + <p> + It may truthfully be said that "Nature wants stuff to vie strange forms + with fancy, to make another." + </p> + <p> + VIII. + </p> + <p> + THERE is in the greatest poetry a kind of extravagance that touches the + infinite, and in this Shakespeare exceeds all others. + </p> + <p> + You will remember the description given of the voyage of Paris in search + of Helen: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The seas and winds, old wranglers, made a truce, + And did him service; he touched the ports desired, + And for an old aunt, whom the Greeks held captive, + He brought a Grecian queen whose youth and freshness + Wrinkles Apollo, and makes stale the morning." +</pre> + <p> + So, in Pericles, when the father finds his daughter, he cries out: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O Helicanus! strike me, honored sir; + Give me a gash, put me to present pain, + Lest this great sea of joys, rushing upon me, + O'erbear the shores of my mortality." +</pre> + <p> + The greatest compliment that man has ever paid to the woman he adores is + this line: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Eyes that do mislead the morn." +</pre> + <p> + Nothing can be conceived more perfectly poetic. In that marvelous play, + the "Midsummer Night's Dream," is one of the most extravagant things in + literature: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Thou rememberest Since once I sat upon a promontory, + And heard a mermaid on a dolphin's back + Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath + That the rude sea grew civil at her song, + And certain stars shot madly from their spheres + To hear the sea-maid's music." +</pre> + <p> + This is so marvelously told that it almost seems probable. + </p> + <p> + So the description of Mark Antony: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "For his bounty + There was no winter in't—an autumn t'was + That grew the more by reaping. + + His delights + Were dolphin-like—they showed his back above + The element they lived in." +</pre> + <p> + Think of the astronomical scope and amplitude of this: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Her bed is India—there she lies a pearl." +</pre> + <p> + Is there anything more intense than these words of Cleopatra? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Rather on Nilus mud lay me stark naked + And let the water-flies blow me into abhorring." +</pre> + <p> + Or this of Isabella: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The impression of keen whips I'd wear as rubies, + And strip myself to death as to a bed + That longing I've been sick for, ere I yield + My body up to shame." +</pre> + <p> + Is there an intellectual man in the world who will not agree with this? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Let me not live + After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff + Of younger spirits." +</pre> + <p> + Can anything exceed the words of Troilus when parting with Cressida: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "We two, that with so many thousand sighs + Did buy each other, most poorly sell ourselves + With the rude brevity and discharge of one. + Injurious time now with a robber's haste + Crams his rich thievery up, he knows not how; + As many farewells as be stars in heaven, + With distinct breath and consigned kisses to them, + He fumbles up into a loos'e adieu, + And scants us with a single famished kiss, + Distasted with the salt of broken tears." +</pre> + <p> + Take this example, where pathos almost touches the grotesque. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O dear Juliet, why art thou yet so fair? + Shall I believe that unsubstantial death is amorous, + And that the lean, abhorred monster keeps thee here. + I' the dark, to be his paramour?" +</pre> + <p> + Often when reading the marvelous lines of Shakespeare, I feel that his + thoughts are "too subtle potent, tuned too sharp in sweetness, for the + capacity of my ruder powers." Sometimes I cry out, "O churl!—write + all, and leave no thoughts for those who follow after." + </p> + <p> + IX. + </p> + <p> + SHAKESPEARE was an innovator, an iconoclast. He cared nothing for the + authority of men or of schools. He violated the "unities," and cared + nothing for the models of the ancient world. + </p> + <p> + The Greeks insisted that nothing should be in a play that did not tend to + the catastrophe. They did not believe in the episode—in the sudden + contrasts of light and shade—in mingling the comic and the tragic. + The sunlight never fell upon their tears, and darkness did not overtake + their laughter. They believed that nature sympathized or was in harmony + with the events of the play. When crime was about to be committed—some + horror to be perpetrated—the light grew dim, the wind sighed, the + trees shivered, and upon all was the shadow of the coming event. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare knew that the play had little to do with the tides and + currents of universal life—that Nature cares neither for smiles nor + tears, for life nor death, and that the sun shines as gladly on coffins as + on cradles. + </p> + <p> + The first time I visited the Place de la Concorde, where during the French + Revolution stood the guillotine, and where now stands an Egyptian obelisk—a + bird, sitting on the top, was singing with all its might.—Nature + forgets. + </p> + <p> + One of the most notable instances of the violation by Shakespeare of the + classic model, is found in the 6th scene of the I. Act of Macbeth. + </p> + <p> + When the King and Banquo approach the castle in which the King is to be + murdered that night, no shadow falls athwart the threshold. So beautiful + is the scene that the King says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air + Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself + Unto our gentle senses." +</pre> + <p> + And Banquo adds: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "This guest of summer, + The temple-haunting martlet, does approve + By his loved mansionry that the heaven's breath + Smells wooingly here; no jutty, frieze, + Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird + Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle. + Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed + The air is delicate." +</pre> + <p> + Another notable instance is the porter scene immediately following the + murder. So, too, the dialogue with the clown who brings the asp to + Cleopatra just before the suicide, illustrates my meaning. + </p> + <p> + I know of one paragraph in the Greek drama worthy of Shakespeare. This is + in "Medea." When Medea kills her children she curses Jason, using the + ordinary Billingsgate and papal curse, but at the conclusion says: "I pray + the gods to make him virtuous, that he may the more deeply feel the pang + that I inflict." + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare dealt in lights and shadows. He was intense. He put noons and + midnights side by side. No other dramatist would have dreamed of adding to + the pathos—of increasing our appreciation of Lear's agony, by + supplementing the wail of the mad king with the mocking laughter of a + loving clown. + </p> + <p> + X. + </p> + <p> + THE ordinary dramatists—the men of talent—(and there is the + same difference between talent and genius that there is between a + stone-mason and a sculptor) create characters that become types. Types are + of necessity caricatures—actual men and women are to some extent + contradictory in their actions. Types are blown in the one direction by + the one wind—characters have pilots. + </p> + <p> + In real people, good and evil mingle. Types are all one way, or all the + other—all good, or all bad, all wise, or all foolish. + </p> + <p> + Pecksniff was a perfect type, a perfect hypocrite—and will remain a + type as long as language lives—a hypocrite that even drunkenness + could not change. Everybody understands Pecksniff, and compared with him + Tartuffe was an honest man. + </p> + <p> + Hamlet is an individual, a person, an actual being—and for that + reason there is a difference of opinion as to his motives and as to his + character. We differ about Hamlet as we do about Cæsar, or about + Shakespeare himself. + </p> + <p> + Hamlet saw the ghost of his father and heard again his fathers voice, and + yet, afterward, he speaks of "the undiscovered country from whose bourne + no traveler returns." + </p> + <p> + In this there is no contradiction. The reason outweighs the senses. If we + should see a dead man rise from his grave, we would not, the next day, + believe that we did. No one can credit a miracle until it becomes so + common that it ceases to be miraculous. + </p> + <p> + Types are puppets—controlled from without—characters act from + within. There is the same difference between characters and types that + there is between springs and water-works, between canals and rivers, + between wooden soldiers and heroes. + </p> + <p> + In most plays and in most novels the characters are so shadowy that we + have to piece them out with the imagination. + </p> + <p> + One waking in the morning sometimes sees at the foot of his bed a strange + figure—it may be of an ancient lady with cap and ruffles and with + the expression of garrulous and fussy old age—but when the light + gets stronger, the figure gradually changes and he sees a few clothes on a + chair. + </p> + <p> + The dramatist lives the lives of others, and in order to delineate + character must not only have imagination but sympathy with the character + delineated. The great dramatist thinks of a character as an entirety, as + an individual. + </p> + <p> + I once had a dream, and in this dream I was discussing a subject with + another man. It occurred to me that I was dreaming, and I then said to + myself: If this is a dream, I am doing the talking for both sides—consequently + I ought to know in advance what the other man is going to say. In my dream + I tried the experiment. I then asked the other man a question, and before + he answered made up my mind what the answer was to be. To my surprise, the + man did not say what I expected he would, and so great was my astonishment + that I awoke. + </p> + <p> + It then occurred to me that I had discovered the secret of Shakespeare. He + did, when awake, what I did when asleep—that is, he threw off a + character so perfect that it acted independently of him. + </p> + <p> + In the delineation of character Shakespeare has no rivals. He creates no + monsters. His characters do not act without reason, without motive. + </p> + <p> + Iago had his reasons. In Caliban, nature was not destroyed—and Lady + Macbeth certifies that the woman still was in her heart, by saying: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done it." +</pre> + <p> + Shakespeare's characters act from within. They are centres of energy. They + are not pushed by unseen hands, or pulled by unseen strings. They have + objects, desires. They are persons—real, living beings. + </p> + <p> + Few dramatists succeed in getting their characters loose from the canvas—their + backs stick to the wall—they do not have free and independent action—they + have no background, no unexpressed motives—no untold desires. They + lack the complexity of the real. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare makes the character true to itself. Christopher Sly, + surrounded by the luxuries of a lord, true to his station, calls for a pot + of the smallest ale. + </p> + <p> + Take one expression by Lady Macbeth. You remember that after the murder is + discovered—after the alarm bell is rung—she appears upon the + scene wanting to know what has happened. Macduff refuses to tell her, + saying that the slightest word would murder as it fell. At this moment + Banquo comes upon the scene and Macduff cries out to him: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Our royal master's murdered." +</pre> + <p> + What does Lady Macbeth then say? She in fact makes a confession of guilt. + The weak point in the terrible tragedy is that Duncan was murdered in + Macbeth's castle. So when Lady Macbeth hears what they suppose is news to + her, she cries: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "What! In our house!" +</pre> + <p> + Had she been innocent, her horror of the crime would have made her forget + the place—the venue. Banquo sees through this, and sees through her. + </p> + <p> + Her expression was a light, by which he saw her guilt—and he + answers: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Too cruel anywhere." +</pre> + <p> + No matter whether Shakespeare delineated clown or king, warrior or maiden—no + matter whether his characters are taken from the gutter or the throne—each + is a work of consummate art, and when he is unnatural, he is so splendid + that the defect is forgotten. + </p> + <p> + When Romeo is told of the death of Juliet, and thereupon makes up his mind + to die upon her grave, he gives a description of the shop where poison + could be purchased. He goes into particulars and tells of the alligators + stuffed, of the skins of ill-shaped fishes, of the beggarly account of + empty boxes, of the remnants of pack-thread, and old cakes of roses—and + while it is hardly possible to believe that under such circumstances a man + would take the trouble to make an inventory of a strange kind of + drug-store, yet the inventory is so perfect—the picture is so + marvelously drawn—that we forget to think whether it is natural or + not. + </p> + <p> + In making the frame of a great picture—of a great scene—Shakespeare + was often careless, but the picture is perfect. In making the sides of the + arch he was negligent, but when he placed the keystone, it burst into + blossom. Of course there are many lines in Shakespeare that never should + have been written. In other words, there are imperfections in his plays. + But we must remember that Shakespeare furnished the torch that enables us + to see these imperfections. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare speaks through his characters, and we must not mistake what + the characters say, for the opinion of Shakespeare. No one can believe + that Shakespeare regarded life as "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound + and fury, signifying nothing." That was the opinion of a murderer, + surrounded by avengers, and whose wife—partner in his crimes—troubled + with thick-coming fancies—had gone down to her death. + </p> + <p> + Most actors and writers seem to suppose that the lines called "The Seven + Ages" contain Shakespeare's view of human life. Nothing could be further + from the truth. The lines were uttered by a cynic, in contempt and scorn + of the human race. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare did not put his characters in the livery and uniform of some + weakness, peculiarity or passion. He did not use names as tags or brands. + He did not write under the picture, "This is a villain." His characters + need no suggestive names to tell us what they are—we see them and we + know them for ourselves. + </p> + <p> + It may be that in the greatest utterances of the greatest characters in + the supreme moments, we have the real thoughts, opinions and convictions + of Shakespeare. + </p> + <p> + Of all writers Shakespeare is the most impersonal. He speaks through + others, and the others seem to speak for themselves. The didactic is lost + in the dramatic. He does not use the stage as a pulpit to enforce some + maxim. He is as reticent as Nature. + </p> + <p> + He idealizes the common and transfigures all he touches—but he does + not preach. He was interested in men and things as they were. He did not + seek to change them—but to portray. He was Natures mirror—and + in that mirror Nature saw herself. + </p> + <p> + When I stood amid the great trees of California that lift their spreading + capitals against the clouds, looking like Nature's columns to support the + sky, I thought of the poetry of Shakespeare. + </p> + <p> + IX. + </p> + <p> + THAT a procession of men and women—statesmen and warriors—kings + and clowns—issued from Shakespeare's brain! What women! + </p> + <p> + <i>Isabella</i>—in whose spotless life love and reason blended into + perfect truth. + </p> + <p> + <i>Juliet</i>—within whose heart passion and purity met like white + and red within the bosom of a rose. + </p> + <p> + <i>Cordelia</i>—who chose to suffer loss, rather than show her + wealth of love with those who gilded lies in hope of gain. + </p> + <p> + <i>Hermione</i>—"tender as infancy and grace"—who bore with + perfect hope and faith the cross of shame, and who at last forgave with + all her heart. + </p> + <p> + <i>Desdemona</i>—so innocent, so perfect, her love so pure, that she + was incapable of suspecting that another could suspect, and who with dying + words sought to hide her lover's crime—and with her last faint + breath uttered a loving lie that burst into a perfumed lily between her + pallid lips. + </p> + <p> + <i>Perdita</i>—"a violet dim, and sweeter than the lids of Juno's + eyes"—"The sweetest low-born lass that ever ran on the green sward." + And + </p> + <p> + <i>Helena</i>—who said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I know I love in vain, strive against hope— + Yet in this captious and intenable sieve + I still pour in the waters of my love, + And lack not to lose still, + Thus, Indian-like, + Religious in mine error, I adore + The sun that looks upon his worshiper, + But knows of him no more." +</pre> + <p> + <i>Miranda</i>—who told her love as gladly as a flower gives its + bosom to the kisses of the sun. And <i>Cordelia</i>—whose kisses + cured and whose tears restored. And stainless + </p> + <p> + <i>Imogen</i>—who cried: "What is it to be false?" And here is the + description of the perfect woman: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "To feed for aye her lamp and flames of love; + To keep her constancy in plight and youth— + Outliving beauty's outward with a mind + That doth renew swifter than blood decays." +</pre> + <p> + Shakespeare has done more for woman than all the other dramatists of the + world. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I love the Clowns. I love <i>Launce</i> and his dog Crabb, + and <i>Gobbo</i>, whose conscience threw its arms around the neck of his + heart, and <i>Touchstone</i>, with his lie seven times removed; and dear + old <i>Dogberry</i>—a pretty piece of flesh, tedious as a king. And + <i>Bottom</i>, the very paramour for a sweet voice, longing to take the + part to tear a cat in; and <i>Autolycus</i>, the snapper-up of + unconsidered trifles, sleeping out the thought for the life to come. And + great <i>Sir John</i>, without conscience, and for that reason unblamed + and enjoyed—and who at the end babbles of green fields, and is + almost loved. And ancient <i>Pistol</i>, the world his oyster. And <i>Bardolph</i>, + with the flea on his blazing nose, putting beholders in mind of a damned + soul in hell. And the poor <i>Pool</i>, who followed the mad king, and + went "to bed at noon." And the clown who carried the worm of Nilus, whose + "biting was immortal." And <i>Corin</i>, the shepherd—who described + the perfect man: "I am a true laborer: I earn that I eat—get that I + wear—owe no man aught—envy no man's happiness—glad of + other men's good—content." + </p> + <p> + And mingling in this motley throng, Lear, within whose brain a tempest + raged until the depths were stirred, and the intellectual wealth of a life + was given back to memory?—and then by madness thrown to storm and + night—and when I read the living lines I feel as though I looked + upon the sea and saw it wrought by frenzied whirlwinds, until the buried + treasures and the sunken wrecks of all the years were cast upon the + shores. + </p> + <p> + And <i>Othello</i>—who like the base Indian threw a pearl away + richer than all his tribe. + </p> + <p> + And <i>Hamlet</i>—thought-entangled—hesitating between two + worlds. + </p> + <p> + And <i>Macbeth</i>—strange mingling of cruelty and conscience, + reaping the sure harvest of successful crime—"Curses not loud but + deep—mouth-honor—breath." + </p> + <p> + And <i>Brutus</i>, falling on his sword that Cæsar might be still. + </p> + <p> + And <i>Romeo</i>, dreaming of the white wonder of Juliet's hand. And <i>Ferdinand</i>, + the patient log-man for Miranda's sake. And <i>Florizel</i>, who, "for all + the sun sees, or the close earth wombs, or the profound seas hide," would + not be faithless to the low-born lass. And <i>Constance</i>, weeping for + her son, while grief "stuffs out his vacant garments with his form." + </p> + <p> + And in the midst of tragedies and tears, of love and laughter and crime, + we hear the voice of the good friar, who declares that in every human + heart, as in the smallest flower, there are encamped the opposed hosts of + good and evil—and our philosophy is interrupted by the garrulous old + nurse, whose talk is as busily useless as the babble of a stream that + hurries by a ruined mill. + </p> + <p> + From every side the characters crowd upon us—the men and women born + of Shakespeare's brain. They utter with a thousand voices the thoughts of + the "myriad-minded" man, and impress themselves upon us as deeply and + vividly as though they really lived with us. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare alone has delineated love in every possible phase—has + ascended to the very top, and actually reached heights that no other has + imagined. I do not believe the human mind will ever produce or be in a + position to appreciate, a greater love-play than "Romeo and Juliet." It is + a symphony in which all music seems to blend. The heart bursts into + blossom, and he who reads feels the swooning intoxication of a divine + perfume. + </p> + <p> + In the alembic of Shakespeare's brain the baser metals were turned to gold—passions + became virtues—weeds became exotics from some diviner land—and + common mortals made of ordinary clay outranked the Olympian Gods. In his + brain there was the touch of chaos that suggests the infinite—that + belongs to genius. Talent is measured and mathematical—dominated by + prudence and the thought of use. Genius is tropical. The creative instinct + runs riot, delights in extravagance and waste, and overwhelms the mental + beggars of the world with uncounted gold and unnumbered gems. + </p> + <p> + Some things are immortal: The plays of Shakespeare, the marbles of the + Greeks, and the music of Wagner. + </p> + <p> + XII. + </p> + <p> + SHAKESPEARE was the greatest of philosophers. He knew the conditions of + success—of happiness—the relations that men sustain to each + other, and the duties of all. He knew the tides and currents of the heart—the + cliffs and caverns of the brain. He knew the weakness of the will, the + sophistry of desire—and + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "That pleasure and revenge have ears more deaf than + Adders to the voice of any true decision." +</pre> + <p> + He knew that the soul lives in an invisible world—that flesh is but + a mask, and that + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "There is no art to find the mind's construction + In the face." +</pre> + <p> + He knew that courage should be the servant of judgment, and that + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "When valor preys on reason it eats the sword + It fights with." +</pre> + <p> + He knew that man is never master of the event, that he is to some extent + the sport or prey of the blind forces of the world, and that + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "In the reproof of chance lies the true proof of men." +</pre> + <p> + Feeling that the past is unchangeable, and that that which must happen is + as much beyond control as though it had happened, he says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Let determined things to destiny + Hold unbewailed their way." +</pre> + <p> + Shakespeare was great enough to know that every human being prefers + happiness to misery, and that crimes are but mistakes. Looking in pity + upon the human race, upon the pain and poverty, the crimes and cruelties, + the limping travelers on the thorny paths, he was great and good enough to + say: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "There is no darkness but ignorance." +</pre> + <p> + In all the philosophies there is no greater line. This great truth fills + the heart with pity. + </p> + <p> + He knew that place and power do not give happiness—that the crowned + are subject as the lowest to fate and chance. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "For within the hollow crown, + That rounds the mortal temples of a king, + Keeps death his court; and there the antick sits, + Scoffing his state, and grinning at his pomp; + Allowing him a breath, a little scene + To monarchize, be fear'd, and kill with looks; + Infusing him with self and vain conceit.— + As if this flesh, which walls about our life, + Were brass impregnable; and, humour'd thus; + Comes at the last, and with a little pin + Bores through his castle wall, and—farewell king!" +</pre> + <p> + So, too, he knew that gold could not bring joy—that death and + misfortune come alike to rich and poor, because: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "If thou art rich thou art poor; + For like an ass whose back with ingots bows + Thou bearest thy heavy riches but a journey, + And death unloads thee." +</pre> + <p> + In some of his philosophy there was a kind of scorn—a hidden meaning + that could not in his day and time have safely been expressed. You will + remember that Laertes was about to kill the king, and this king was the + murderer of his own brother, and sat upon the throne by reason of his + crime—and in the mouth of such a king Shakespeare puts these words: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "There's such divinity doth hedge a king." +</pre> + <p> + So, in Macbeth: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "How he solicits + Heaven himself best knows; but strangely visited people + All swollen and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye, + The mere despairs of surgery, he cures; + Hanging a golden stamp about their necks, + Put on with holy prayers; and 'tis spoken + To the succeeding royalty—he leaves + The healing benediction. + + With this strange virtue + He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy, + And sundry blessings hang about his throne, + That speak him full of grace." +</pre> + <p> + Shakespeare was the master of the human heart—knew all the hopes, + fears, ambitions and passions that sway the mind of man; and thus knowing, + he declared that + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Love is not love that alters + When it alteration finds." +</pre> + <p> + This is the sublimest declaration in the literature of the world. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare seems to give the generalization—the result—without + the process of thought. He seems always to be at the conclusion—standing + where all truths meet. + </p> + <p> + In one of the Sonnets is this fragment of a line that contains the highest + possible truth: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Conscience is born of love." +</pre> + <p> + If man were incapable of suffering, the words right and wrong never could + have been spoken. If man were destitute of imagination, the flower of pity + never could have blossomed in his heart. + </p> + <p> + We suffer—we cause others to suffer—those that we love—and + of this fact conscience is born. + </p> + <p> + Love is the many-colored flame that makes the fireside of the heart. It is + the mingled spring and autumn—the perfect climate of the soul. + </p> + <p> + XIII. + </p> + <p> + IN the realm of comparison Shakespeare seems to have exhausted the + relations, parallels and similitudes of things, He only could have said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Tedious as a twice-told tale + Vexing the ears of a drowsy man." + "Duller than a great thaw. + Dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage." +</pre> + <p> + In the words of Ulysses, spoken to Achilles, we find the most wonderful + collection of pictures and comparisons ever compressed within the same + number of lines: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back, + Wherein he puts alms for oblivion,— + A great-sized monster of ingratitudes— + Those scraps are good deeds past; which are devoured + As fast as they are made, forgot as soon + As done; perseverance, dear my lord, + Keeps honor bright: to have done is to hang + Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail + In monumental mockery. Take the instant way; + For honor travels in a strait so narrow + Where one but goes abreast; keep then the path; + For emulation hath a thousand sons + That one by one pursue; if you give way, + Or hedge aside from the direct forthright, + Like to an entered tide, they all rush by + And leave you hindmost: + Or, like a gallant horse fallen in first rank, + Lie there for pavement to the abject rear, + O'errun and trampled on: then what they do in present, + Tho' less than yours in past, must o'ertop yours; + For time is like a fashionable host + That slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand, + And with his arms outstretched as he would fly, + Grasps in the comer: Welcome ever smiles, + And Farewell goes out sighing." +</pre> + <p> + So the words of Cleopatra, when Charmain speaks: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Peace, peace: + Dost thou not see my baby at my breast + That sucks the nurse asleep?" +</pre> + <p> + XIV. + </p> + <p> + NOTHING is more difficult than a definition—a crystallization of + thought so perfect that it emits light. Shakespeare says of suicide: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "It is great to do that thing + That ends all other deeds, + Which shackles accident, and bolts up change." +</pre> + <p> + He defines drama to be: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Turning the accomplishments of many years + Into an hour glass." +</pre> + <p> + Of death: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "This sensible warm motion to become a kneaded clod, + To lie in cold obstruction and to rot." +</pre> + <p> + Of memory: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The warder of the brain." +</pre> + <p> + Of the body: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "This muddy vesture of decay." +</pre> + <p> + And he declares that + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Our little life is rounded with a sleep." +</pre> + <p> + He speaks of Echo as: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The babbling gossip of the air"— +</pre> + <p> + Romeo, addressing the poison that he is about to take, says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Come, bitter conduct, come unsavory guide, + Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on + The dashing rocks thy sea-sick, weary bark." +</pre> + <p> + He describes the world as + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "This bank and shoal of time." +</pre> + <p> + He says of rumor— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "That it doubles, like the voice and echo." +</pre> + <p> + It would take days to call attention to the perfect definitions, + comparisons and generalizations of Shakespeare. He gave us the deeper + meanings of our words—taught us the art of speech. He was the lord + of language—master of expression and compression. + </p> + <p> + He put the greatest thoughts into the shortest words—made the poor + rich and the common royal. + </p> + <p> + Production enriched his brain. Nothing exhausted him. The moment his + attention was called to any subject—comparisons, definitions, + metaphors and generalizations filled his mind and begged for utterance. + His thoughts like bees robbed every blossom in the world, and then with + "merry march" brought the rich booty home "to the tent royal of their + emperor." + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare was the confidant of Nature. To him she opened her "infinite + book of secrecy," and in his brain were "the hatch and brood of time." + </p> + <p> + XV. + </p> + <p> + THERE is in Shakespeare the mingling of laughter and tears, humor and + pathos. Humor is the rose, wit the thorn. Wit is a crystallization, humor + an efflorescence. Wit comes from the brain, humor from the heart. Wit is + the lightning of the soul. + </p> + <p> + In Shakespeare's nature was the climate of humor. He saw and felt the + sunny side even of the saddest things. You have seen sunshine and rain at + once. So Shakespeare's tears fell oft upon his smiles. In moments of peril—on + the very darkness of death—there comes a touch of humor that falls + like a fleck of sunshine. + </p> + <p> + Gonzalo, when the ship is about to sink, having seen the boatswain, + exclaims: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I have great comfort from this fellow; + Methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him; + His complexion is perfect gallows." +</pre> + <p> + Shakespeare is filled with the strange contrasts of grief and laughter. + While poor Hero is supposed to be dead—wrapped in the shroud of + dishonor—Dogberry and Verges unconsciously put again the wedding + wreath upon her pure brow. + </p> + <p> + The soliloquy of Launcelot—great as Hamlet's—offsets the + bitter and burning words of Shylock. + </p> + <p> + There is only time to speak of Maria in "Twelfth Night," of Autolycus in + the "Winter's Tale," of the parallel drawn by Fluellen between Alexander + of Macedon and Harry of Monmouth, or of the marvelous humor of Falstaff, + who never had the faintest thought of right or wrong—or of Mercutio, + that embodiment of wit and humor—or of the gravediggers who lamented + that "great folk should have countenance in this world to drown and hang + themselves, more than their even Christian," and who reached the + generalization that "the gallows does well because it does well to those + who do ill." + </p> + <p> + There is also an example of grim humor—an example without a parallel + in literature, so far as I know. Hamlet having killed Polonius is asked: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Where's Polonius?" + + "At supper." + + "At supper! where?" + + "Not where he eats, but where he is eaten." +</pre> + <p> + Above all others, Shakespeare appreciated the pathos of situation. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is more pathetic than the last scene in "Lear." No one has ever + bent above his dead who did not feel the words uttered by the mad king,—words + born of a despair deeper than tears: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Oh, that a horse, a dog, a rat hath life + And thou no breath!" +</pre> + <p> + So Iago, after he has been wounded, says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I bleed, sir; but not killed." +</pre> + <p> + And Othello answers from the wreck and shattered remnant of his life: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I would have thee live; + For in my sense it is happiness to die." +</pre> + <p> + When Troilus finds Cressida has been false, he cries: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Let it not be believed for womanhood; + Think! we had mothers." +</pre> + <p> + Ophelia, in her madness, "<i>the sweet bells jangled out o' tune,</i>" + says softly: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I would give you some violets; + But they withered all when my father died." +</pre> + <p> + When Macbeth has reaped the harvest, the seeds of which were sown by his + murderous hand, he exclaims,—and what could be more pitiful? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I 'gin to be aweary of the sun." +</pre> + <p> + Richard the Second feels how small a thing it is to be, or to have been, a + king, or to receive honors before or after power is lost; and so, of those + who stood uncovered before him, he asks this piteous question: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I live with bread, like you; feel want, + Taste grief, need friends; subjected thus, + How can you say to me I am a king?" +</pre> + <p> + Think of the salutation of Antony to the dead Cæsar: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Pardon me, thou piece of bleeding earth." +</pre> + <p> + When Pisanio informs Imogen that he had been ordered by Posthumus to + murder her, she bares her neck and cries: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The lamb entreats the butcher: + Where is thy knife? Thou art too slow + To do thy master's bidding when I desire it." +</pre> + <p> + Antony, as the last drops are falling from his self-inflicted wound, + utters with his dying breath to Cleopatra, this: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I here importune death awhile, until + Of many thousand kisses the poor last + I lay upon thy lips." +</pre> + <p> + To me, the last words of Hamlet are full of pathos: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I die, Horatio. + The potent poison quite o' er crows my spirit... + The rest is silence." +</pre> + <p> + XVI. + </p> + <p> + SOME have insisted that Shakespeare must have been a physician, for the + reason that he shows such knowledge of medicine—of the symptoms of + disease and death—was so familiar with the brain, and with insanity + in all its forms. + </p> + <p> + I do not think he was a physician. He knew too much—his + generalizations were too splendid. He had none of the prejudices of that + profession in his time. We might as well say that he was a musician, a + composer, because we find in "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" nearly every + musical term known in Shakespeare's time. + </p> + <p> + Others maintain that he was a lawyer, perfectly acquainted with the forms, + with the expressions familiar to that profession—yet there is + nothing to show that he was a lawyer, or that he knew more about law than + any intelligent man should know. + </p> + <p> + He was not a lawyer. His sense of justice was never dulled by reading + English law. + </p> + <p> + Some think that he was a botanist, because he named nearly all known + plants. Others, that he was an astronomer, a naturalist, because he gave + hints and suggestions of nearly all discoveries. + </p> + <p> + Some have thought that he must have been a sailor, for the reason that the + orders given in the opening of "The Tempest" were the best that could, + under the circumstances, have been given to save the ship. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I think there is nothing in the plays to show that he was a + lawyer, doctor, botanist or scientist. He had the observant eyes that + really see, the ears that really hear, the brain that retains all + pictures, all thoughts, logic as unerring as light,-the imagination that + supplies defects and builds the perfect from a fragment. And these + faculties, these aptitudes, working together, account for what he did. + </p> + <p> + He exceeded all the sons of men in the splendor of his imagination. To him + the whole world paid tribute, and nature poured her treasures at his feet. + In him all races lived again, and even those to be were pictured in his + brain. + </p> + <p> + He was a man of imagination—that is to say, of genius, and having + seen a leaf, and a drop of water, he could construct the forests, the + rivers, and the seas—and in his presence all the cataracts would + fall and foam, the mists rise, the clouds form and float. + </p> + <p> + If Shakespeare knew one fact, he knew its kindred and its neighbors. + Looking at a coat of mail, he instantly imagined the society, the + conditions, that produced it and what it, in turn, produced. He saw the + castle, the moat, the draw-bridge, the lady in the tower, and the knightly + lover spurring across the plain. He saw the bold baron and the rude + retainer, the trampled serf, and all the glory and the grief of feudal + life. + </p> + <p> + He lived the life of all. + </p> + <p> + He was a citizen of Athens in the days of Pericles. He listened to the + eager eloquence of the great orators, and sat upon the cliffs, and with + the tragic poet heard "the multitudinous laughter of the sea." He saw + Socrates thrust the spear of question through the shield and heart of + falsehood. He was present when the great man drank hemlock, and met the + night of death, tranquil as a star meets morning. He listened to the + peripatetic philosophers, and was unpuzzled by the sophists. He watched + Phidias as he chiseled shapeless stone to forms of love and awe. + </p> + <p> + He lived by the mysterious Nile, amid the vast and monstrous. He knew the + very thought that wrought the form and features of the Sphinx. He heard + great Memnon's morning song when marble lips were smitten by the sun. He + laid him down with the embalmed and waiting dead, and felt within their + dust the expectation of another life, mingled with cold and suffocating + doubts—the children born of long delay. + </p> + <p> + He walked the ways of mighty Rome, and saw great Cæsar with his + legions in the field. He stood with vast and motley throngs and watched + the triumphs given to victorious men, followed by uncrowned kings, the + captured hosts, and all the spoils of ruthless war. He heard the shout + that shook the Coliseum's roofless walls, when from the reeling + gladiator's hand the short sword fell, while from his bosom gushed the + stream of wasted life. + </p> + <p> + He lived the life of savage men. He trod the forests' silent depths, and + in the desperate game of life or death he matched his thought against the + instinct of the beast. + </p> + <p> + He knew all crimes and all regrets, all virtues and their rich rewards. He + was victim and victor, pursuer and pursued, outcast and king. He heard the + applause and curses of the world, and on his heart had fallen all the + nights and noons of failure and success. + </p> + <p> + He knew the unspoken thoughts, the dumb desires, the wants and ways of + beasts. He felt the crouching tiger's thrill, the terror of the ambushed + prey, and with the eagles he had shared the ecstasy of flight and poise + and swoop, and he had lain with sluggish serpents on the barren rocks + uncoiling slowly in the heat of noon. + </p> + <p> + He sat beneath the bo-tree's contemplative shade, wrapped in Buddha's + mighty thought, and dreamed all dreams that light, the alchemist, has + wrought from dust and dew, and stored within the slumbrous poppy's subtle + blood. + </p> + <p> + He knelt with awe and dread at every shrine—he offered every + sacrifice, and every prayer—felt the consolation and the shuddering + fear—mocked and worshiped all the gods—enjoyed all heavens, + and felt the pangs of every hell. + </p> + <p> + He lived all lives, and through his blood and brain there crept the shadow + and the chill of every death, and his soul, like Mazeppa, was lashed naked + to the wild horse of every fear and love and hate. + </p> + <p> + The Imagination had a stage in. Shakespeare's brain, whereon were set all + scenes that lie between the morn of laughter and the night of tears, and + where his players bodied forth the false and true, the joys and griefs, + the careless shallows and the tragic deeps of universal life. + </p> + <p> + From Shakespeare's brain there poured a Niagara of gems spanned by Fancy's + seven-hued arch. He was as many-sided as clouds are many-formed. To him + giving was hoarding—sowing was harvest—and waste itself the + source of wealth. Within his marvelous mind were the fruits of all thought + past, the seeds of all to be. As a drop of dew contains the image of the + earth and sky, so all there is of life was mirrored forth in Shakespeare's + brain. + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare was an intellectual ocean, whose waves touched all the shores + of thought; within which were all the tides and waves of destiny and will; + over which swept all the storms of fate, ambition and revenge; upon which + fell the gloom and darkness of despair and death and all the sunlight of + content and love, and within which was the inverted sky lit with the + eternal stars—an intellectual ocean—towards which all rivers + ran, and from which now the isles and continents of thought receive their + dew and rain. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ROBERT BURNS.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This lecture is printed from notes found among Colonel + Ingersoll's papers, but was not revised by him for + publication. +</pre> + <p> + A facsimile of the original manuscript as written by Colonel Ingersoll in + the Burns' cottage at Ayr, August 19, 1878. + </p> + <p> + <a name="image-0001" id="image-0001"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/facsimile.jpg" alt="Burn's Manuscript" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + WE have met to-night to honor the memory of that has ever written in our + language. I would place one above him, and only one—Shakespeare. + </p> + <p> + It may be well enough at the beginning to inquire, What is a poet? What is + poetry? + </p> + <p> + Every one has some idea of the poetic, and this idea is born of his + experience—of his education—of his surroundings. + </p> + <p> + There have been more nations than poets. + </p> + <p> + Many people suppose that poetry is a kind of art depending upon certain + rules, and that it is only necessary to find out these rules to be a poet. + But these rules have never been found. The great poet follows them + unconsciously. The great poet seems as unconscious as Nature, and the + product of the highest art seems to have been felt instead of thought. + </p> + <p> + The finest definition perhaps that has been given is this: a poet—possibly + the next to the greatest. + </p> + <p> + "As nature unconsciously produces that which appears to be the result of + consciousness, so the greatest artist consciously produces that which + appears the unconscious result." + </p> + <p> + Poetry must rest on the experience of men—the history of heart and + brain. It must sit by the fireside of the heart. It must have to do with + this world, with the place in which we live, with the men and women we + know, with their loves, their hopes, their fears and their joys. + </p> + <p> + After all, we care nothing about gods and goddesses, or folks with wings. + </p> + <p> + The cloud-compelling Jupiters, the ox-eyed Junos, the feather-heeled + Mercurys, or the Minervas that leaped full-armed from the thick skull of + some imaginary god, are nothing to us. We know nothing of their fears or + loves, and for that reason, the poetry that deals with them, no matter how + ingenious it may be, can never touch the human heart. + </p> + <p> + I was taught that Milton was a wonderful poet, and above all others + sublime. I have read Milton once. Few have read him twice. + </p> + <p> + With splendid words, with magnificent mythological imagery, he musters the + heavenly militia—puts epaulets on the shoulders of God, and + describes the Devil as an artillery officer of the highest rank. + </p> + <p> + Then he describes the battles in which immortals undertake the impossible + task of killing each other. + </p> + <p> + Take this line: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Flying with indefatigable wings over the vast abrupt." +</pre> + <p> + This is called sublime, but what does it mean? + </p> + <p> + We have been taught that Dante was a wonderful poet. + </p> + <p> + He described with infinite minuteness the pangs and agonies endured by the + damned in the torture—dungeons of God. + </p> + <p> + The vicious twins of superstition—malignity and solemnity—struggle + for the mastery in his revengeful lines. + </p> + <p> + But there was one good thing about Dante: he had the courage, and what + might be called the religious democracy, to see a pope in hell. + </p> + <p> + That is something to be thankful for. + </p> + <p> + So, the sonnets of Petrarch are as unmeaning as the promises of + candidates. They are filled not with genuine passion, but with the + feelings that lovers are supposed to have. + </p> + <p> + Poetry cannot be written by rule; it is nota trade, or a profession. Let + the critics lay down the laws, and the true poet will violate them all. + </p> + <p> + By rule you can make skeletons, but you cannot clothe them with flesh, put + blood in their veins, thoughts in their eyes, and passions in their + hearts. + </p> + <p> + This can be done only by following the impulses of the heart, the winged + fancies of the brain—by wandering from paths and roads, keeping step + with the rhythmic ebb and flow of the throbbing blood. + </p> + <p> + In the olden time in Scotland, most of the so-called poetry was written by + pedagogues and parsons—gentlemen who found out what little they knew + of the living world by reading the dead languages—by studying + epitaphs in the cemeteries of literature. + </p> + <p> + They knew nothing of any life that they thought poetic. They kept as far + from the common people as they could. They wrote countless verses, but no + poems. They tried to put metaphysics, that is to say, Calvinism, in + poetry. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, a Calvinist cannot be a poet. Calvinism takes all the + poetry out of the world. + </p> + <p> + If the existence of the Calvinistic, the Christian, hell could be + demonstrated, another poem never could be written. . + </p> + <p> + In those days they made poetry about geography, and the beauties of the + Scotch Kirk, and even about law. + </p> + <p> + The critics have always been looking for mistakes, not beauties—not + for the perfection of expression and feeling. They would object to the + lark and nightingale because they do not sing by note—to the clouds + because they are not square. + </p> + <p> + At one time it was thought that scenery, the grand in nature, made the + poet. We now know that the poet makes the scenery. Holland has produced + far more genius than the Alps. Where nature is prodigal—where the + crags tower above the clouds—man is overcome, or overawed. In + England and Scotland the hills are low, and there is nothing in the + scenery calculated to rouse poetic blood, and yet these countries have + produced the greatest literature of all time. + </p> + <p> + The truth is that poets and heroes make the scenery. The place where man + has died for man is grander than all the snow-crowned summits of the + world. + </p> + <p> + A poem is something like a mountain stream that flashes in light, then + lost in shadow, leaps with a kind of wild joy into the abyss, emerges + victorious, and winding runs amid meadows, lingers in quiet places, + holding within its breast the hills and vales and clouds—then + running by the cottage door, babbling of joy, and murmuring delight, then + sweeping on to join its old mother, the sea. + </p> + <p> + Thousands, millions of men live poems, but do not write them; but every + great poem has been lived. + </p> + <p> + I say to-night that every good and self-denying man, every one who lives + and labors for those he loves, for wife and child, is living a poem. The + loving mother rocking a cradle, singing the slumber song, lives a poem + pure and tender as the dawn; the man who bares his breast to shot and + shell lives a poem, and all the great men of the world, and all the brave + and loving women have been poets in action, whether they have written one + word or not. The poor woman of the tenement, sewing, blinded by tears, + lives a poem holier, it may be, than the fortunate can know. The pioneers—the + home builders, the heroes of toil, are all poets, and their deeds are + filled with the pathos and perfection of the highest art. + </p> + <p> + But to-night we are going to talk of a poet—one who poured out his + soul in song. How does a country become great? By producing great poets. + Why is it that Scotland, when the roll of nations is called, can stand up + and proudly answer "here"? Because Robert Burns has lived. It is Robert + Burns that put Scotland in the front rank. + </p> + <p> + On the 25th of January, 1759, Robert Burns was born. William Burns, a + gardener, his father; Agnes Brown, his mother. He was born near the little + town of Ayr, in a little cottage made of mud and thatched with straw. From + the first, poverty was his portion,—"Poverty, the half-sister of + Death." The father struggled as best he could, but at last overcome more + by misfortunes than by disease, died in 1784, at the age of 63. Robert + attended school at Alloway Mill, and had been taught a little by John + Murdock, and some by his father. That was his education—with this + exception, that whenever nature produces a genius, the old mother holds + him close to her heart and whispers secrets to his ears that others do not + know. + </p> + <p> + He had spent most of his time working on a farm, raising very poor crops, + getting deeper and deeper into debt, until finally the death of his father + left him to struggle as best he might for himself. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1759, Scotland was emerging from the darkness and gloom of + Calvinism. The attention of the people had been drawn from the other + world, or rather from the other worlds, to the affairs of this. The + commercial spirit, the interests of trade, were winning men from the + discussion of predestination and the sacred decrees of God. Mechanics and + manufacturers were undermining theology. The influence of the clergy was + gradually diminishing, and the beggarly elements of this life were + beginning to attract the attention of the Scotch. The people at that time + were mostly poor. They had made but little progress in art and science. + They had been engaged for many years fighting for their political or + theological rights, or to destroy the rights of others. They had great + energy, great natural sense, and courage without limit, and it may be well + enough to add that they were as obstinate as brave. + </p> + <p> + Several countries have had a metaphysical peasantry. It is true of parts + of Switzerland about the time of Calvin. In Holland, after the people had + suffered all the cruelties that Spain could inflict, they began to discuss + as to foreordination and free will, and upon these questions destroyed + each other. The same is true of New England, and peculiarly true of + Scotland—a metaphysical peasantry—men who lived in mud houses + thatched with straw and discussed the motives of God and the means by + which the Infinite Being was to accomplish his ends. + </p> + <p> + For many years the Scotch had been ruled by the clergy. The power of the + Scotch preacher was unlimited. It so happened that the religion of + Scotland became synonymous with patriotism, and those who were fighting + Scotland were also fighting her religion. This drew priest and people + together; and the priest naturally took advantage of the situation. They + not only determined upon the policy to be pursued by the people, but they + went into every detail of life. And in this world there has never been + established a more odious tyranny or a more odious form of government than + that of the Scotch Kirk. + </p> + <p> + A few men had made themselves famous—David Hume, Adam Smith, Doctor + Hugh Blair, he of the grave, Beattie and Ramsay, Reid and Robertson—but + the great body of the people were orthodox to the last drop of their + blood. Nothing seemed to please them like attending church, like hearing + sermons. Before Communion Sabbath they frequently met on Friday, having + two or three sermons on that day, three or four on Saturday, more if + possible on Sunday, and wound up with a kind of gospel spree on Monday. + They loved it. I think it was Heinrich Heine who said, "It is not true, it + is not true that the damned in hell are compelled to hear all the sermons + preached on earth." He says this is not true. This shows that there is + some mercy even in hell. They were infinitely interested in these + questions. + </p> + <p> + And yet, the people were social, fond of games, of outdoor sports, full of + song and story, and no folks ever passed the cup with a happier smile. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes I have thought that they were saved from the gloom of Calvinism + by the use of intoxicating liquors. It may be that John Barleycorn + redeemed the Scotch and saved them from the divine dyspepsia of the + Calvinistic creed. So, too, it may be that the Puritan was saved by rum, + and the Hollander by schnapps. Yet, in spite of the gloom of the creed, in + spite of the climate of mists and fogs, and the maniac winters, the songs + of Scotland are the sweetest and the tenderest in all the world. + </p> + <p> + Robert Burns was a peasant—a ploughman—a poet. Why is it that + millions and millions of men and women love this man? He was a Scotchman, + and all the tendrils of his heart struck deep in Scotland's soil. He + voiced the ideals of the best and greatest of his race and blood. And yet + he is as dear to the citizens of this great Republic as to Scotia's sons + and daughters. + </p> + <p> + All great poetry has a national flavor. It tastes of the soil. No matter + how great it is, how wide, how universal, the flavor of locality is never + lost. Burns made common life beautiful. He idealized the sun-burnt girls + who worked in the fields. He put honest labor above titled idleness. He + made a cottage far more poetic than a palace. He painted the simple joys + and ecstasies and raptures of sincere love. He put native sense above the + polish of schools. + </p> + <p> + We love him because he was independent, sturdy, self-poised, social, + generous, susceptible, thrilled by a look, by a touch, full of pity, + carrying the sorrows of others in his heart, even those of animals; hating + to see anybody suffer, and lamenting the death of everything—even of + trees and flowers. We love him because he was a natural democrat, and + hated tyranny in every form. + </p> + <p> + We love him because he was always on the side of the people, feeling the + throb of progress. + </p> + <p> + Burns read but little, had but few books; had but a little of what is + called education; had only an outline of history, a little of philosophy, + in its highest sense. His library consisted of the <i>Life of Hannibal</i>, + the <i>History of Wallace</i>, Ray's <i>Wisdom of God</i>, Stackhouse's <i>History + of the Bible</i>; two or three plays of Shakespeare, Ferguson's <i>Scottish + Poems</i>, Pope's <i>Homer</i>, Shenstone, McKenzie's <i>Man of Feeling</i> + and Ossian. + </p> + <p> + Burns was a man of genius. He was like a spring—something that + suggests no labor. + </p> + <p> + A spring seems to be a perpetual free gift of nature. There is no thought + of toil. The water comes whispering to the pebbles without effort. There + is no machinery, no pipes, no pumps, no engines, no water-works, nothing + that suggests expense or trouble. So a natural poet is, when compared with + the educated, with the polished, with the industrious. + </p> + <p> + Burns seems to have done everything without effort. His poems wrote + themselves. He was overflowing with sympathies, with suggestions, with + ideas, in every possible direction. There is no midnight oil. There is + nothing of the student—no suggestion of their having been re-written + or re-cast. There is in his heart a poetic April and May, and all the + poetic seeds burst into sudden life. In a moment the seed is a plant, and + the plant is in blossom, and the fruit is given to the world. + </p> + <p> + He looks at everything from a natural point of view; and he writes of the + men and women with whom he was acquainted. He cares nothing for mythology, + nothing for the legends of the Greeks and Romans. He draws but little from + history. Everything that he uses is within his reach, and he knows it from + centre to circumference. All his figures and comparisons are perfectly + natural. He does not endeavor to make angels of fine ladies. + </p> + <p> + He takes the servant girls with whom he is acquainted, the dairy maids + that he knows. He puts wings upon them and makes the very angels envious. + </p> + <p> + And yet this man, so natural, keeping his cheek so close to the breast of + nature, strangely enough thought that Pope and Churchill and Shenstone and + Thomson and Lyttelton and Beattie were great poets. + </p> + <p> + His first poem was addressed to Nellie Kilpatrick, daughter of the + blacksmith. He was in love with Ellison Begbie, offered her his heart and + was refused. She was a servant, working in a family and living on the + banks of the Cessnock. Jean Armour, his wife, was the daughter of a + tailor, and Highland Mary, a servant—a milk-maid. + </p> + <p> + He did not make women of goddesses, but he made goddesses of women. + </p> + <p> + POET OF LOVE. + </p> + <p> + Burns was the poet of love. To him woman was divine. In the light of her + eyes he stood transfigured. Love changed this peasant to a king; the plaid + became a robe of purple; the ploughman became a poet; the poor laborer an + inspired lover. + </p> + <p> + In his "Vision" his native Muse tells the story of his verse: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "When youthful Love, warm-blushing strong, + Keen-shivering shot thy nerves along, + Those accents, grateful to thy tongue, + Th' adored Name, + I taught thee how to pour in song, + To soothe thy flame." +</pre> + <p> + Ah, this light from heaven: how it has purified the heart of man! + </p> + <p> + Was there ever a sweeter song than "Bonnie Doon"? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Thou'lt break my heart thou bonnie bird + That sings beside thy mate, + For sae I sat and sae I sang, + And wist na o' my fate." +</pre> + <p> + or, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O, my luve's like a red, red rose + That's newly sprung in June; + O, my luve's like the melodie + That's sweetly play'd in tune." +</pre> + <p> + It would consume days to give the intense and tender lines—lines wet + with the heart's blood, lines that throb and sigh and weep, lines that + glow like flames, lines that seem to clasp and kiss. + </p> + <p> + But the most perfect love-poem that I know—pure the tear of + gratitude—is "To Mary in Heaven:" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Thou lingering star, with less'ning ray, + That lov'st to greet the early morn, + Again thou usher'st in the day + My Mary from my soul was torn. + O Mary! dear departed shade! + Where is thy place of blissful rest? + Seest thou thy lover lowly laid? + Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast? + + "That sacred hour can I forget? + Can I forget the hallow'd grove + Where, by the winding Ayr, we met, + To live one day of parting love? + Eternity will not efface + Those records dear of transports past; + Thy image at our last embrace; + Ah! little thought we 'twas our last! + + "Ayr, gurgling, kiss'd his pebbled shore, + O'erhung with wild woods, thick'ning green; + The fragrant birch, and hawthorn hoar, + Twin'd am'rous round the raptur'd scene. + The flowers sprang wanton to be prest, + The birds sang love on ev'ry spray, + Till too, too soon, the glowing west + Proclaim'd the speed of wingèd day. + + "Still o'er these scenes my mem'ry wakes, + And fondly broods with miser care! + Time but the impression stronger makes, + As streams their channels deeper wear. + My Mary, dear departed shade! + Where is thy blissful place of rest? + Seest thou thy lover lowly laid? + Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast?" +</pre> + <p> + Above all the daughters of luxury and wealth, above all of Scotland's + queens rises this pure and gentle girl made deathless by the love of + Robert Burns. + </p> + <p> + POET OF HOME + </p> + <p> + He was the poet of the home—of father, mother, child—of the + purest wedded love. + </p> + <p> + In the "Cotter's Saturday Night," one of the noblest and sweetest poems in + the literature of the world, is a description of the poor cotter going + from his labor to his home: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "At length his lonely cot appears in view, + Beneath the shelter of an aged tree; + Th' expectant wee-things, toddlin', stacher through + To meet their Dad, wi' flichterin' noise and glee. + + His wee bit ingle, blinkin' bonnilie, + His clean hearth-stane, his thrifty wifie's smile, + The lisping infant prattling on his knee, + Does a' his weary carking cares beguile, + And makes him quite forget his labour an' his toil." +</pre> + <p> + And in the same poem, after having described the courtship, Burns bursts + into this perfect flower: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O happy love! where love like this is found! + O heart-felt raptures! bliss beyond compare! + I've pacèd much this weary, mortal round, + And sage experience bids me this declare: + If Heaven a draught of heavenly pleasure spare + One cordial in this melancholy vale, + 'Tis when a youthful, loving, modest pair, + In other's arms, breathe out the tender tale + Beneath the milk-white thorn that scents the ev'ning gale." +</pre> + <p> + Is there in the world a more beautiful—a more touching picture than + the old couple sitting by the ingleside with clasped hands, and the pure, + patient, loving old wife saying to the white-haired man who won her heart + when the world was young: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "John Anderson, my jo, John, + When we were first acquent; + Your locks were like the raven, + Your bonnie brow was brent; + But now your brow is beld, John, + Your locks are like the snaw; + But blessings on your frosty pow, + John Anderson, my jo. + + "John Anderson, my jo, John, + We clamb the hill thegither; + And monie a canty day, John, + We've had wi' ane anither; + Now we maun totter down, John, + But hand in hand we'll go, + And sleep thegither at the foot, + John Anderson, my jo." +</pre> + <p> + Burns taught that the love of wife and children was the highest—that + to toil for them was the noblest. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The sacred lowe o' weel placed love, + Luxuriantly indulge it; + But never tempt the illicit rove, + Though naething should divulge it." + + "I waine the quantum of the sin, + The hazzard o'concealing; + But och! it hardens all within, + And petrifies the feeling." + + "To make a happy fireside clime + To weans and wife, + That's the true pathos, and sublime, + Of human life." +</pre> + <p> + FRIENDSHIP. + </p> + <p> + He was the poet of friendship: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, + And never brought to min'? + Should auld acquaintance be forgot, + And days o' auld lang syne?" +</pre> + <p> + Wherever those who speak the English language assemble—wherever the + Anglo-Saxon people meet with clasp and smile—these words are given + to the air. + </p> + <p> + SCOTCH DRINK. + </p> + <p> + The poet of good Scotch drink, of merry meetings, of the cup that cheers, + author of the best drinking song in the world: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O, Willie brew'd a peck o' maut, + And Rob and Allen came to see; + Three blyther hearts, that lee-lang night, + Ye wadna find in Christendie. + + Chorus. + + "We are na fou, we're no that fou, + But just a drappie in our ee; + The cock may craw, the day may daw, + And aye we'll taste the barley bree. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Here are we met, three merry boys, + Three merry boys, I trow, are we; + And monie a night we've merry been, + And monie mae we hope to be! + + We are na fou, &c. + + "It is the moon, I ken her horn, + That's blinkin in the lift say hie; + She shines sae bright to wyle us hame, + But by my sooth she'll wait a wee! + + We are na fou, &c. + + "Wha first shall rise to gang awa, + A cuckold, coward loun is he! + Wha last beside his chair shall fa', + He is the King amang us three! + + We are na fou, &c." +</pre> + <p> + POETS BORN, NOT MADE. + </p> + <p> + He did not think the poet could be made—that colleges could furnish + feeling, capacity, genius. He gave his opinion of these manufactured + minstrels: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "A set o' dull, conceited hashes, + Confuse their brains in college classes! + They gang in stirks, and come out asses, + Plain truth to speak; + An' syne they think to climb Parnassus + By dint o' Greek!" + + "Gie me ane spark o' Nature's fire, + That's a' the learning I desire; + Then tho' I drudge thro' dub an' mire + At pleugh or cart, + My Muse, though hamely in attire, + May touch the heart." +</pre> + <p> + BURNS, THE ARTIST. + </p> + <p> + He was an artist—a painter of pictures. + </p> + <p> + This of the brook: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Whyles owre a linn the burnie plays, + As thro' the glen it wimpl't; + Whyles round a rocky scaur it strays; + Whyles in a wiel it dimpl't; + Whyles glitter's to the nightly rays, + Wi' bickering, dancing dazzle; + Whyles cookit underneath the braes, + Below the spreading hazel, + Unseen that night." +</pre> + <p> + Or this from Tam O'Shanter: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "But pleasures are like poppies spread, + You seize the flow'r, its bloom is shed, + Or, like the snow falls in the river, + A moment white—then melts forever; + Or, like the borealis race, + That flit ere you can point their place; + Or, like the rainbow's lovely form, + Evanishing amid the storm." +</pre> + <p> + This: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "As in the bosom of the stream + The moon-beam dwells at dewy e'en; + So, trembling, pure, was tender love, + Within the breast o' bonnie Jean." + + "The sun had clos'd the winter day, + The Curlers quat their roarin play, + An' hunger's Maukin ta'en her way + To kail-yards green, + While faithless snaws ilk step betray + Whare she had been." + + "O, sweet are Coila's haughs an' woods, + When lintwhites chant amang the buds, + And jinkin' hares, in amorous whids, + Their loves enjoy, + While thro' the braes the cushat croons + Wi' wailfu' cry!" + + "Ev'n winter bleak has charms to me + When winds rave thro' the naked tree; + Or frosts on hills of Ochiltree + Are hoary gray; + Or blinding drifts wild-furious flee, + Dark'ning the day!" +</pre> + <p> + This of the lark and daisy—the daintiest and nearest perfect in our + language: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Alas! it's no' thy neebor sweet, + The bonnie Lark, companion meet! + Bending thee 'mang the dewy weet! + Wi' spreckl'd breast, + When upward-springing, blythe, to greet + The purpling east." +</pre> + <p> + A REAL DEMOCRAT. + </p> + <p> + He was in every fibre of his being a sincere democrat. He was a believer + in the people—in the sacred rights of man. He believed that honest + peasants were superior to titled parasites. He knew the so-called "gentrv" + of his time. + </p> + <p> + In one of his letters to Dr. Moore is this passage: "It takes a few dashes + into the world to give the young great man that proper, decent, unnoticing + disregard for the poor, insignificant, stupid devils—the mechanics + and peasantry around him—who were born in the same village." + </p> + <p> + He knew the infinitely cruel spirit of caste—a spirit that despises + the useful—the children of toil—those who bear the burdens of + the world. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "If I'm design'd yon lordling's slave, + By nature's law design'd, + Why was an independent wish + E'er planted in my mind? + + If not, why am I subject to . + His cruelty, or scorn? + Or why has man the will and pow'r + To make his fellow mourn?" +</pre> + <p> + Against the political injustice of his time—against the artificial + distinctions among men by which the lowest were regarded as the highest—he + protested in the great poem, "A man's a man for a' that," every line of + which came like lava from his heart. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Is there, for honest poverty, + That hangs his head, and a' that? + The coward-slave, we pass him by, + We dare be poor for a' that! + For a' that, and a' that, + Our toils obscure, and a' that; + The rank is but the guinea stamp; + The man's the gowd for a' that." + + "What tho' on hamely fare we dine, + Wear hodden-gray, and a' that; + Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, + A man's a man for a' that. + For a' that, and a' that, + Their tinsel show, and a' that; + The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor, + Is king o' men for a' that." + + "Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord, + Wha struts, and stares, and a' that; + Tho' hundreds worship at his word, + He's but a coof for a' that; + For a' that, and a' that, + His riband, star, and a' that, + The man' o' independent mind, + He looks and laughs at a' that." + + "A prince can mak' a belted knight, + A marquis, duke, and a' that; + But an honest man's aboon his might, + Guid faith he mauna fa' that! + For a' that, and a' that, + Their dignities, and a' that, + The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth, + Are higher ranks than a' that. + + "Then let us pray that come it may, + As come it will for a' that; + That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, + May bear the gree and a' that. + For a' that, and a' that; + It's cornin' yet for a' that + That man to man, the warld o'er, + Shall brithers be for a' that." +</pre> + <p> + No grander declaration of independence was ever uttered. It stirs the + blood like a declaration of war. It is the apotheosis of honesty, + independence, sense and worth. And it is a prophecy of that better day + when men will be brothers the world over. + </p> + <p> + HIS THEOLOGY. + </p> + <p> + Burns was superior in heart and brain to the theologians of his time. He + knew that the creed of Calvin was infinitely cruel and absurd, and he + attacked it with every weapon that his brain could forge. + </p> + <p> + He was not awed by the clergy, and he cared nothing for what was called + "authority." He insisted on thinking for himself. Sometimes he faltered, + and now and then, fearing that some friend might take offence, he would + say or write a word in favor of the Bible, and sometimes he praised the + Scriptures in words of scorn. + </p> + <p> + He laughed at the dogma of eternal pain—at hell as described by the + preacher: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "A vast, unbottom'd, boundless pit, + Fill'd fou o' lowin' brunstane, + Wha's ragin' flame an' scorchin' heat + Wad melt the hardest whun-stane! + The half asleep start up wi' fear, + An' think they hear it roarin', + When presently it does appear, + 'Twas but some neebor snorin'. + Asleep that day." +</pre> + <p> + The dear old doctrine that man is totally depraved, that morality is a + snare—a flowery path leading to perdition—excited the + indignation of Burns. He put the doctrine in verse: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Morality, thou deadly bane, + Thy tens o' thousands thou hast slain! + Vain is his hope, whose stay and trust is + In moral mercy, truth and justice." + He understood the hypocrites of his day: + "Hypocrisy, in mercy spare it! + That holy robe, O dinna tear it! + Spare't for their sakes wha aften wear it, + The lads in black; + But your curst wit, when it comes near it, + Rives't aff their back." + + "Then orthodoxy yet may prance, + And Learning in a woody dance, + And that fell cur ca'd Common Sense, + That bites sae sair, + Be banish'd owre the seas to France; + Let him bark there." + + "They talk religion in their mouth; + They talk o' mercy, grace, an' truth, + For what? to gie their malice skouth On some puir wight, + An' hunt him down, o'er right an' ruth, + To ruin straight." + + "Doctor Mac, Doctor Mac, + Ye should stretch on a rack, + To strike evil doers wi' terror; + To join faith and sense Upon any pretence, + Was heretic damnable error, + Doctor Mac, + Was heretic damnable error." +</pre> + <p> + But the greatest, the sharpest, the deadliest, the keenest, the wittiest + thing ever said or written against Calvinism is Holy Willie's Prayer:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O Thou, wha in the Heavens dost dwell, + Wha, as it pleases best thysel', + Sends ane to heaven and ten to hell, + A' for thy glory, + And no for onie guid or ill + They've done afore thee! + + "I bless and praise thy matchless might, + When thousands thou has left in night, + That I am here afore thy sight + For gifts an' grace, + A burnin' an' a shinin' light, + To a' this place. + + "What was I, or my generation, + That I should get sic exaltation? + I, wha deserve sic just damnation, + For broken laws, + Five thousand years 'fore my creation, + Thro' Adam's cause? + + "When frae my mither's womb I fell, + Thou might hae plunged me into hell, + To gnash my gums, to weep and wail, + In burnin' lake, + Where damnèd devils roar and yell, + Chained to a stake. + + "Yet I am here a chosen sample, + To show Thy grace is great and ample; + I'm here a pillar in Thy temple, + Strong as a rock, + A guide, a buckler, an example + To a' Thy flock." +</pre> + <p> + In this poem you will find the creed stated just as it is—with + fairness and accuracy—and at the same time stated so perfectly that + its absurdity fills the mind with inextinguishable laughter. + </p> + <p> + In this poem Burns nailed Calvinism to the cross, put it on the rack, + subjected it to every instrument of torture, flayed it alive, burned it at + the stake, and scattered its ashes to the winds. + </p> + <p> + In 1787 Burns wrote this curious letter to Miss Chalmers: + </p> + <p> + "I have taken tooth and nail to the Bible, and have got through the five + books of Moses and half way in Joshua. + </p> + <p> + "It is really a glorious book." + </p> + <p> + This must have been written in the spirit of Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + Think of Burns, with his loving, tender heart, half way in Joshua, + standing in blood to his knees, surrounded by the mangled bodies of old + men, women and babes, the swords of the victors dripping with innocent + blood, shouting—"This is really a glorious sight." + </p> + <p> + A letter written on the seventh of March, 1788, contains the clearest, + broadest and most philosophical statement of the religion of Burns to be + found in his works: + </p> + <p> + "An honest man has nothing to fear. If we lie down in the grave, the whole + man a piece of broken machinery, to moulder with the clods of the valley—be + it so; at least there is an end of pain and care, woes and wants. If that + part of us called Mind does survive the apparent destruction of the man, + away with old-wife prejudices and tales! + </p> + <p> + "Every age and every nation has a different set of stories; and, as the + many are always weak, of consequence they have often, perhaps always, been + deceived. + </p> + <p> + "A man conscious of having acted an honest part among his fellow + creatures, even granting that he may have been the sport at times of + passions and instincts, he goes to a great Unknown Being, who could have + had no other end in giving him existence but to make him happy; who gave + him those passions and instincts and well knows their force. + </p> + <p> + "These, my worthy friend, are my ideas. + </p> + <p> + "It becomes a man of sense to think for himself, particularly in a case + where all men are equally interested, and where, indeed, all men are + equally in the dark." + </p> + <p> + "Religious nonsense is the most nonsensical nonsense." + </p> + <p> + "Why has a religious turn of mind always a tendency to narrow and harden + the heart?" + </p> + <p> + "All my fears and cares are for this world." + </p> + <p> + We have grown tired of gods and goddesses in art. Milton's heavenly + militia excites our laughter. Light-houses have driven sirens from the + dangerous coasts. We have found that we do not depend on the imagination + for wonders—there are millions of miracles under our feet. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more marvelous than the common and everyday facts of life. + The phantoms have been cast aside. Men and women are enough for men and + women. In their lives is all the tragedy and all the comedy that they can + comprehend. + </p> + <p> + The painter no longer crowds his canvas with the winged and impossible—he + paints life as he sees it, people as he knows them, and in whom he is + interested. "The Angelus," the perfection of pathos, is nothing but two + peasants bending their heads in thankfulness as they hear the solemn sound + of the distant bell—two peasants, who have nothing to be thankful + for—nothing but weariness and want, nothing but the crusts that they + soften with their tears—nothing. And yet as you look at that picture + you feel that they have something besides to be thankful for—that + they have life, love, and hope—and so the distant bell makes music + in their simple hearts. + </p> + <p> + Let me give you the difference between culture and nature—between + educated talent and real genius. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago one of the great poets died. I was reading some of his + volumes and during the same period was reading a little from Robert Burns. + And the difference between these two poets struck me forcibly. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson was a piece of rare china decorated by the highest art. + </p> + <p> + Burns was made of honest, human clay, moulded by sympathy and love. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson dwelt in his fancy, for the most part, with kings and queens, + with lords and ladies, with knights and nobles. + </p> + <p> + Burns lingered by the fireside of the poor and humble, in the thatched + cottage of the peasant, with the imprisoned and despised. He loved men and + women in spite of their titles, and without regard to the outward. Through + robes and rags he saw and loved the man. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson was touched by place and power, the insignia given by chance or + birth. As he grew old he grew narrower, lost interest in the race, and + gave his heart to the class to which he had been lowered as a reward for + melodious flattery. + </p> + <p> + Burns broadened and ripened with the flight of his few years. His + sympathies widened and increased to the last. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson had the art born of intellectual taste, of the sense of mental + proportion, knowing the color of adjectives and the gradations of + emphasis. His pictures were born in his brain, exquisitely shaded by + details, carefully wrought by painful and conscious art. + </p> + <p> + Burns's brain was the servant of his heart. His melody was a rhythm taught + by love. He was touched by the miseries, the injustice, the agony of his + time. While Tennyson wrote of the past—of kings long dead, of ladies + who had been dust for many centuries, Burns melted with his love the walls + of caste—the cruel walls that divide the rich and the poor. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson celebrated the birth of royal babes, the death of the titled + useless; gave wings to degraded dust, wearing the laurels given by those + who lived upon the toil of men whom they despised. Burns poured poems from + his heart, filled with tears and sobs for the suffering poor; poems that + helped to break the chains of millions; poems that the enfranchised love + to repeat; poems that liberty loves to hear. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson was the poet of the past, of the twilight, of the sunset, of + decorous regret, of the vanished glories of barbarous times, of the age of + chivalry in which great nobles clad in steel smote to death with battle + axe and sword the unarmed peasants of the field. + </p> + <p> + Burns was the poet of the dawn, glad that the night was fading from the + east. He kept his face toward the sunrise, caring nothing for the midnight + of the past, but loved with all the depth and sincerity of his nature the + few great souls—the lustrous stars—that darkness cannot + quench. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson was surrounded with what gold can give, touched with the + selfishness of wealth. He was educated at Oxford, and had what are called + the advantages of his time, and in maturer years was somewhat swayed by + the spirit of caste, by the descendants of the ancient Pharisees, and at + last became a lord. + </p> + <p> + Burns had but little knowledge of the world. What he knew was taught him + by his sympathies. Being a genius, he absorbed the good and noble of which + he heard or dreamed, and thus he happily outgrew the smaller things with + which he came in contact, and journeyed toward the great—the wider + world, until he reached the end. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson was what is called religious. He believed in the divinity of + decorum, not falling on his face before the Eternal King, but bowing + gracefully, as all lords should, while uttering thanks for favors partly + undeserved, and thanks more fervid still for those to come. + </p> + <p> + Burns had the deepest and the tenderest feelings in his heart. The winding + stream, the flowering shrub, the shady vale—these were trysting + places where the real God met those he loved, and where his spirit + prompted thoughts and words of thankfulness and praise, took from their + hearts the dross of selfishness and hate, leaving the gold of love. + </p> + <p> + In the religion of Burns, form was nothing, creed was nothing, feeling was + everything. He had the religious climate of the soul, the April that + receives the seed, the June of blossom, and the month of harvest. + </p> + <p> + Burns was a real poet of nature. He put fields and woods in his lines. + There were principles like oaks, and there were thoughts, hints and + suggestions as shy as violets beneath the withered leaves. There were the + warmth of home, the social virtues born of equal state, that touched the + heart and softened grief; that make breaches in the cruel walls of pride; + that make the rich and poor clasp hands and feel like comrades, warm and + true. + </p> + <p> + The house in which his spirit lived was not large. It enclosed only space + enough for common needs, built near the barren land of want; but through + the open door the sunlight streamed, and from its windows all the stars + were seen, while in the garden grew the common flowers—the flowers + that all the ages through have been the messengers of honest love; and in + the fields were heard the rustling corn, and reapers songs, telling of + well-requited toil; and there were trees whose branches rose and fell and + swayed while birds filled all the air with music born of joy. He read with + tear-filled eyes the human page, and found within his breast the history + of hearts. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson's imagination lived in a palace ample, wondrous fair, with dome + and spire and galleries, where eyes of proud old pedigree grew dim with + gazing at the portraits of the worthless dead; and there were parks and + labyrinths of walks and ways and artificial lakes where sailed the "double + swans;" and there were flowers from far-off lands with strange perfume, + and men and women of the grander sort, telling of better days and nobler + deeds than men in these poor times of commerce, trade and toil have hearts + to do; and, yet, from this fair dwelling—too vast, too finely + wrought, to be a home—he uttered wondrous words, painting pictures + that will never fade, and told, with every aid of art, old tales of love + and war, sometimes beguiling men of tears, enchanting all with melody of + speech, and sometimes rousing blood and planting seeds of high resolve and + noble deeds; and sometimes thoughts were woven like tapestries in patterns + beautiful, involved and strange, where dreams and fancies interlaced like + tendrils of a vine, like harmonies that wander and return to catch the + music of the central theme, yet cold as traceries in frost wrought on + glass by winter's subtle art. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson was ingenious—Burns ingenuous. One was exclusive, and in + his exclusiveness a little disdain. The other pressed the world against + his heart. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson touched art on many sides, dealing with vast poetic themes, and + satisfied in many ways the intellectual tastes of cultured men. + </p> + <p> + Tennyson is always perfectly self-possessed. He has poetic sympathy, but + not the fire and flame. No one thinks of him as having been excited, as + being borne away by passion's storm. His pulse never rises. In artistic + calm, he turns, polishes, perfects, embroiders and beautifies. In him + there is nothing of the storm and chaos, nothing of the creative genius, + no sea wrought to fury, filling the heavens with its shattered cry. + </p> + <p> + Burns dwelt with simple things—with those that touch the heart; that + tell of joy; that spring from labor done; that lift the burdens of despair + from fainting souls; that soften hearts until the pearls of pity fall from + eyes unused to weep. + </p> + <p> + To illustrate his thought, he used the things he knew—the things + familiar to the world—not caring for the vanished things—the + legends told by artful tongues to artless ears—but clinging to the + common things of life and love and death, adorning them with countless + gems; and, over all, he placed the bow of hope. + </p> + <p> + With him the man was greater than the king, the woman than the queen. The + greatest were the noblest, and the noblest were those who loved their + fellow-men the best, the ones who filled their lives with generous deeds. + Men admire Tennyson. Men love Robert Burns. + </p> + <p> + He was a believer in God, and had confidence that this God was sitting at + the loom weaving with warp and woof of cause and effect, of fear and + fancy, pain and hope, of dream and shadows, of despair and death, mingled + with the light of love, the tapestries in which at last all souls will see + that all was perfect from the first. He believed or hoped that the spirit + of infinite goodness, soft as the autumn air, filled all of heaven's dome + with love. + </p> + <p> + Such a religion is easy to understand when it includes all races through + all times. It is consistent, if not with the highest thought, with the + deepest and the tenderest feelings of the heart. + </p> + <p> + FROM CRADLE TO COFFIN. + </p> + <p> + There is no time to follow the steps of Burns from old Alloway, by the + Bonnie Doon in the clay-built hut, where the January wind blew hansel in + on Robin—to Mt. Oliphant, with its cold and stingy soil, the hard + factor, whose letters made the children weep—working in the fields, + or tired with "The thresher's weary flinging tree," where he was thrilled, + for the first time with love's sweet pain that set his heart to music. + </p> + <p> + To Lochlea, still giving wings to thought—still working in the + unproductive fields, Lochlea where his father died, and reached the rest + that life denied. + </p> + <p> + To Mossgiel, where Burns reached the top and summit of his art and wrote + like one enrapt, inspired. Here he met and loved and gave to immortality + his Highland Mary. + </p> + <p> + To Edinburgh and fame, and back to Mauchline to Jean Armour and honor, the + noblest deed of all his life. + </p> + <p> + To Ellisland, by the winding Nith. + </p> + <p> + To Dumfries, a poor exciseman, wearing out his heart in the disgusting + details of degrading drudgery—suspected of treason because he + preferred Washington to Pitt—because he sympathized with the French + Revolution—because he was glad that the American colonies had become + a free nation. + </p> + <p> + At a banquet once, being asked to drink the health of Pitt, Burns said: "I + will give you a better toast—George Washington." A little while + after, when they wanted him to drink to the success of the English arms, + Burns said: "No; I will drink this: May their success equal the justice of + their cause." He sent three or four little cannon to the French + Convention, because he sympathized with the French Revolution, and because + of these little things, his love of liberty, of freedom and justice, at + Dumfries he was suspected of being a traitor, and, as a result of these + trivial things, as a result of that suspicion, Burns was obliged to join + the Dumfries volunteers. + </p> + <p> + How pitiful that the author of "Scots wha hae with Wallace bled," should + be thought an enemy of Scotland! + </p> + <p> + Poor Burns! Old and broken before his time—surrounded by the walking + lumps of Dumfries' clay! + </p> + <p> + To appease the anger of his fellow-citizens—to convince them that he + was a patriot, he actually joined the Dumfries volunteers,—bought + his uniform on credit—amount about seven pounds—was unable to + pay—was threatened with arrest and a jail by Matthew Penn. + </p> + <p> + These threats embittered his last hours. + </p> + <p> + A little while before his death, he said: "Do not let that awkward squad—the + Dumfries volunteers—fire over my grave." We have a true insight into + what his feelings were. But they fired. They were bound to fire or die. + </p> + <p> + The last words uttered by Robert Burns were these: "That damned scoundrel + Matthew Penn." + </p> + <p> + Burns had another art, the art of ending—of stopping at the right + place. Nothing is more difficult than this. It is hard to end a play—to + get the right kind of roof on a house. Not one story-teller in a thousand + knows just the spot where the rocket should explode. They go on talking + after the stick has fallen. + </p> + <p> + Burns wrote short poems, and why? All great poems are short. There cannot + be a long poem any more than there can be a long joke. I believe the best + example of an ending perfectly accomplished you will find in his "Vision." + </p> + <p> + There comes into his house, into that "auld clay biggin," his muse, the + spirit of a beautiful woman, and tells him what he can do, and what he + can't do, as a poet. He has a long talk with her and now the thing is how + to get her out of the house. You may think that it is an easy thing. It is + easy to get yourself into difficulty, but not to get out. + </p> + <p> + I was struck with the beautiful manner in which Burns got that angel out + of the house. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be happier than the ending of the "Vision"—the + leave-taking of the Muse: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And wear thou this, she solemn said, + And bound the holly round my head: + The polished leaves and berries red + Did rustling play; + And, like a passing thought she fled. + In light away." +</pre> + <p> + How that man rose above all his fellows in death! Do you know, there is + something wonderful in death. What a repose! What a piece of sculpture! + The common man dead looks royal; a genius dead, sublime. + </p> + <p> + When a few years ago I visited all the places where Burns had been, from + the little house of clay with one room where he was born, to the little + house with one room where he now sleeps, I thought of this. Yes, I visited + them all, all the places made immortal by his genius, the field where love + first touched his heart, the field where he ploughed up the home of the + Mouse. I saw the cottage where Robert and Jean first lived as man and + wife, and walked on "the banks and braes of Bonnie Doon." And when I stood + by his grave, I said: This man was a radical, a real genuine man. This man + believed in the dignity of labor, in the nobility of the useful. This man + believed in human love, in making a heaven here, in judging men by their + deeds instead of creeds and titles. This man believed in the liberty of + the soul, of thought and speech. This man believed in the sacred rights of + the individual; he sympathized with the suffering and oppressed. This man + had the genius to change suffering and toil into song, to enrich poverty, + to make a peasant feel like a prince of the blood, to fill the lives of + the lowly with love and light. This man had the genius to make robes of + glory out of squalid rags. This man had the genius to make Cleopatras, and + Sapphos and Helens out of the freckled girls of the villages and fields—and + he had the genius to make Auld Ayr, and Bonnie Doon, and Sweet Afton and + the Winding Nith murmur the name of Robert Burns forever. + </p> + <p> + This man left a legacy of glory to Scotland and the whole world; he + enriched our language, and with a generous hand scattered the gems of + thought. This man was the companion of poverty, and wept the tears of + grief, and yet he has caused millions to shed the happy tears of joy. + </p> + <p> + His heart blossomed in a thousand songs—songs for all times and all + seasons—suited to every experience of the heart—songs for the + dawn of love—for the glance and clasp and kiss of courtship—for + "favors secret, sweet and precious"—for the glow and flame, the + ecstasy and rapture of wedded life—songs of parting and despair—songs + of hope and simple joy—songs for the vanished days—songs for + birth and burial—songs for wild war's deadly blast, and songs for + gentle peace—songs for the dying and the dead—songs for labor + and content—songs for the spinning wheel, the sickle and the plow—songs + for sunshine and for storm, for laughter and for tears—songs that + will be sung as long as language lives and passion sways the heart of man. + </p> + <p> + And when I was at his birth-place, at that little clay house where he was + born, standing in that sacred place, I wrote these lines: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Though Scotland boasts a thousand names, + Of patriot, king and peer, + The noblest, grandest of them all, + Was loved and cradled here. + Here lived the gentle peasant-prince, + The loving cotter-king, + Compared with whom the greatest lord + Is but a titled thing. + + 'Tis but a cot roofed in with straw, + A hovel made of clay; + One door shuts out the snow and storm, + One window greets the day; + And yet I stand within this room, + And hold all thrones in scorn; + For here beneath this lowly thatch, + Love's sweetest bard was born. + + Within this hallowed hut I feel + Like one who clasps a shrine, + When the glad lips at last have touched + The something deemed divine. + And here the world through all the years, + As long as day returns, + The tribute of its love and tears, + Will pay to Robert Burns. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0003" id="link0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ABRAHAM LINCOLN + </h2> + <h3> + I. + </h3> + <p> + ON the 12th of February, 1809, two babes were born—one in the woods + of Kentucky, amid the hardships and poverty of pioneers; one in England, + surrounded by wealth and culture. One was educated in the University of + Nature, the other at Cambridge. + </p> + <p> + One associated his name with the enfranchisement of labor, with the + emancipation of millions, with the salvation of the Republic. He is known + to us as Abraham Lincoln. + </p> + <p> + The other broke the chains of superstition and filled the world with + intellectual light, and he is known as Charles Darwin. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is grander than to break chains from the bodies of men—nothing + nobler than to destroy the phantoms of the soul. + </p> + <p> + Because of these two men the nineteenth century is illustrious. + </p> + <p> + A few men and women make a nation glorious—Shakespeare made England + immortal, Voltaire civilized and humanized France; Goethe, Schiller and + Humboldt lifted Germany into the light. Angelo, Raphael, Galileo and Bruno + crowned with fadeless laurel the Italian brow, and now the most precious + treasure of the Great Republic is the memory of Abraham Lincoln. + </p> + <p> + Every generation has its heroes, its iconoclasts, its pioneers, its + ideals. The people always have been and still are divided, at least into + classes—the many, who with their backs to the sunrise worship the + past, and the few, who keep their faces toward the dawn—the many, + who are satisfied with the world as it is; the few, who labor and suffer + for the future, for those to be, and who seek to rescue the oppressed, to + destroy the cruel distinctions of caste, and to civilize mankind. + </p> + <p> + Yet it sometimes happens that the liberator of one age becomes the + oppressor of the next. His reputation becomes so great—he is so + revered and worshiped—that his followers, in his name, attack the + hero who endeavors to take another step in advance. + </p> + <p> + The heroes of the Revolution, forgetting the justice for which they + fought, put chains upon the limbs of others, and in their names the lovers + of liberty were denounced as ingrates and traitors. + </p> + <p> + During the Revolution our fathers to justify their rebellion dug down to + the bed-rock of human rights and planted their standard there. They + declared that all men were entitled to liberty and that government derived + its power from the consent of the governed. But when victory came, the + great principles were forgotten and chains were put upon the limbs of men. + Both of the great political parties were controlled by greed and + selfishness. Both were the defenders and protectors of slavery. For nearly + three-quarters of a century these parties had control of the Republic. The + principal object of both parties was the protection of the infamous + institution. Both were eager to secure the Southern vote and both + sacrificed principle and honor upon the altar of success. + </p> + <p> + At last the Whig party died and the Republican was born. This party was + opposed to the further extension of slavery. The Democratic party of the + South wished to make the "divine institution" national—while the + Democrats of the North wanted the question decided by each territory for + itself. + </p> + <p> + Each of these parties had conservatives and extremists. The extremists of + the Democratic party were in the rear and wished to go back; the + extremists of the Republican party were in the front, and wished to go + forward. The extreme Democrat was willing to destroy the Union for the + sake of slavery, and the extreme Republican was willing to destroy the + Union for the sake of liberty. + </p> + <p> + Neither party could succeed without the votes of its extremists. + </p> + <p> + This was the condition in 1858-60. + </p> + <p> + When Lincoln was a child his parents removed from Kentucky to Indiana. A + few trees were felled—a log hut open to the south, no floor, no + window, was built—a little land plowed and here the Lincolns lived. + Here the patient, thoughtful, silent, loving mother died—died in the + wide forest as a leaf dies, leaving nothing to her son but the memory of + her love. + </p> + <p> + In a few years the family moved to Illinois. Lincoln then almost grown, + clad in skins, with no woven stitch upon his body—walking and + driving the cattle. Another farm was opened—a few acres subdued and + enough raised to keep the wolf from the door. Lincoln quit the farm—went + down the Ohio and Mississippi as a hand on a flat-boat—afterward + clerked in a country store—then in partnership with another bought + the store—failed. Nothing left but a few debts—learned the art + of surveying—made about half a living and paid something on the + debts—read law—admitted to the bar—tried a few small + cases—nominated for the Legislature and made a speech. + </p> + <p> + This speech was in favor of a tariff, not only for revenue, but to + encourage American manufacturers and to protect American workingmen. + Lincoln knew then as well as we do now, that everything, to the limits of + the possible, that Americans use should be produced by the energy, skill + and ingenuity of Americans. He knew that the more industries we had, the + greater variety of things we made, the greater would be the development of + the American brain. And he knew that great men and great women are the + best things that a nation can produce,—the finest crop a country can + possibly raise. + </p> + <p> + He knew that a nation that sells raw material will grow ignorant and poor, + while the people who manufacture will grow intelligent and rich. To dig, + to chop, to plow, requires more muscle than mind, more strength than + thought. + </p> + <p> + To invent, to manufacture, to take advantage of the forces of nature—this + requires thought, talent, genius. This develops the brain and gives wings + to the imagination. + </p> + <p> + It is better for Americans to purchase from Americans, even if the things + purchased cost more. + </p> + <p> + If we purchase a ton of steel rails from England for twenty dollars, then + we have the rails and England the money; But if we buy a ton of steel + rails from an American for twenty-five dollars, then America has both the + rails and the money. + </p> + <p> + Judging from the present universal depression and the recent elections, + Lincoln, in his first speech, stood on solid rock and was absolutely + right. Lincoln was educated in the University of Nature—educated by + cloud and star—by field and winding stream—by billowed plains + and solemn forests—by morning's birth and death of day—by + storm and night—by the ever eager Spring—by Summer's wealth of + leaf and vine and flower—the sad and transient glories of the Autumn + woods—and Winter, builder of home and fireside, and whose storms + without, create the social warmth within. + </p> + <p> + He was perfectly acquainted with the political questions of the day—heard + them discussed at taverns and country stores, at voting places and courts + and on the stump. He knew all the arguments for and against, and no man of + his time was better equipped for intellectual conflict. He knew the + average mind—the thoughts of the people, the hopes and prejudices of + his fellow-men. He had the power of accurate statement. He was logical, + candid and sincere. In addition, he had the "touch of nature that makes + the whole world kin." + </p> + <p> + In 1858 he was a candidate for the Senate against Stephen A. Douglas. + </p> + <p> + The extreme Democrats would not vote for Douglas, but the extreme + Republicans did vote for Lincoln. Lincoln occupied the middle ground, and + was the compromise candidate of his own party. He had lived for many years + in the intellectual territory of compromise—in a part of our country + settled by Northern and Southern men—where Northern and Southern + ideas met, and the ideas of the two sections were brought together and + compared. + </p> + <p> + The sympathies of Lincoln, his ties of kindred, were with the South. His + convictions, his sense of justice, and his ideals, were with the North. He + knew the horrors of slavery, and he felt the unspeakable ecstasies and + glories of freedom. He had the kindness, the gentleness, of true + greatness, and he could not have been a master; he had the manhood and + independence of true greatness, and he could not have been a slave. He was + just, and was incapable of putting a burden upon others that he himself + would not willingly bear. + </p> + <p> + He was merciful and profound, and it was not necessary for him to read the + history of the world to know that liberty and slavery could not live in + the same nation, or in the same brain. Lincoln was a statesman.. And there + is this difference between a politician and a statesman. A politician + schemes and works in every way to make the people do something for him. A + statesman wishes to do something for the people. With him place and power + are means to an end, and the end is the good of his country. + </p> + <p> + In this campaign Lincoln demonstrated three things—first, that he + was the intellectual superior of his opponent; second, that he was right; + and third, that a majority of the voters of Illinois were on his side. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + IN 1860 the Republic reached a crisis. The conflict between liberty and + slavery could no longer be delayed. For three-quarters of a century the + forces had been gathering for the battle. + </p> + <p> + After the Revolution, principle was sacrificed for the sake of gain. The + Constitution contradicted the Declaration. Liberty as a principle was held + in contempt. Slavery took possession of the Government. Slavery made the + laws, corrupted courts, dominated Presidents and demoralized the people. + </p> + <p> + I do not hold the South responsible for slavery any more than I do the + North. The fact is, that individuals and nations act as they must. There + is no chance. Back of every event—of every hope, prejudice, fancy + and dream—of every opinion and belief—of every vice and virtue—of + every smile and curse, is the efficient cause. The present moment is the + child, and the necessary child, of all the past. + </p> + <p> + Northern politicians wanted office, and so they defended slavery; Northern + merchants wanted to sell their goods to the South, and so they were the + enemies of freedom. The preacher wished to please the people who paid his + salary, and so he denounced the slave for not being satisfied with the + position in which the good God had placed him. + </p> + <p> + The respectable, the rich, the prosperous, the holders of and the seekers + for office, held liberty in contempt. They regarded the Constitution as + far more sacred than the rights of men. Candidates for the presidency were + applauded because they had tried to make slave States of free territory, + and the highest court solemnly and ignorantly decided that colored men and + women had no rights. Men who insisted that freedom was better than + slavery, and that mothers should not be robbed of their babes, were hated, + despised and mobbed. Mr. Douglas voiced the feelings of millions when he + declared that he did not care whether slavery was voted up or down. Upon + this question the people, a majority of them, were almost savages. Honor, + manhood, conscience, principle—all sacrificed for the sake of gain + or office. + </p> + <p> + From the heights of philosophy—standing above the contending hosts, + above the prejudices, the sentimentalities of the day—Lincoln was + great enough and brave enough and wise enough to utter these prophetic + words: + </p> + <p> + "A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this Government + cannot permanently endure half slave and half free. I do not expect the + Union to be dissolved; I do not expect the house to fall; but I do expect + it will cease to be divided. It will become all the one thing or the + other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of + it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is + in the course of ultimate extinction, or its advocates will push it + further until it becomes alike lawful in all the States, old as well as + new, North as well as South." + </p> + <p> + This declaration was the standard around which gathered the grandest + political party the world has ever seen, and this declaration made Lincoln + the leader of that vast host. + </p> + <p> + In this, the first great crisis, Lincoln uttered the victorious truth that + made him the foremost man in the Republic. + </p> + <p> + The Republican party nominated him for the presidency and the people + decided at the polls that a house divided against itself could not stand, + and that slavery had cursed soul and soil enough. + </p> + <p> + It is not a common thing to elect a really great man to fill the highest + official position. I do not say that the great Presidents have been chosen + by accident. Probably it would be better to say that they were the + favorites of a happy chance. + </p> + <p> + The average man is afraid of genius. He feels as an awkward man feels in + the presence of a sleight-of-hand performer. He admires and suspects. + Genius appears to carry too much sail—to lack prudence, has too much + courage. The ballast of dullness inspires confidence. + </p> + <p> + By a happy chance Lincoln was nominated and elected in spite of his + fitness—and the patient, gentle, just and loving man was called upon + to bear as great a burden as man has ever borne. + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + THEN came another crisis—the crisis of Secession and Civil war. + </p> + <p> + Again Lincoln spoke the deepest feeling and the highest thought of the + Nation. In his first message he said: + </p> + <p> + "The central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy." + </p> + <p> + He also showed conclusively that the North and South, in spite of + secession, must remain face to face—that physically they could not + separate—that they must have more or less commerce, and that this + commerce must be carried on either between the two sections as friends, or + as aliens. + </p> + <p> + This situation and its consequences he pointed out to absolute perfection + in these words: + </p> + <p> + "Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can make laws? Can treaties + be more faithfully enforced between aliens than laws among friends?" + </p> + <p> + After having stated fully and fairly the philosophy of the conflict, after + having said enough to satisfy any calm and thoughtful mind, he addressed + himself to the hearts of America. Probably there are few finer passages in + literature than the close of Lincoln's inaugural address: + </p> + <p> + "I am loth to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be + enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break, our bonds of + affection. The mystic chords of memory stretching from every battlefield + and patriotic grave to every loving heart and hearthstone all over this + broad land, will swell the chorus of the Union when again touched, as + surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." + </p> + <p> + These noble, these touching, these pathetic words, were delivered in the + presence of rebellion, in the midst of spies and conspirators—surrounded + by but few friends, most of whom were unknown, and some of whom were + wavering in their fidelity—at a time when secession was arrogant and + organized, when patriotism was silent, and when, to quote the expressive + words of Lincoln himself, "Sinners were calling the righteous to + repentance." + </p> + <p> + When Lincoln became President, he was held in contempt by the South—underrated + by the North and East—not appreciated even by his cabinet—and + yet he was not only one of the wisest, but one of the shrewdest of + mankind. Knowing that he had the right to enforce the laws of the Union in + all parts of the United States, and Territories—knowing, as he did, + that the secessionists were in the wrong, he also knew that they had + sympathizers not only in the North, but in other lands. + </p> + <p> + Consequently, he felt that it was of the utmost importance that the South + should fire the first shot, should do some act that would solidify the + North, and gain for us the justification of the civilized world. + </p> + <p> + He proposed to give food to the soldiers at Sumter. He asked the advice of + all his cabinet on this question, and all, with the exception of + Montgomery Blair, answered in the negative, giving their reasons in + writing. In spite of this, Lincoln took his own course—endeavored to + send the supplies, and while thus engaged, doing his simple duty, the + South commenced actual hostilities and fired on the fort. The course + pursued by Lincoln was absolutely right, and the act of the South to a + great extent solidified the North, and gained for the Republic the + justification of a great number of people in other lands. + </p> + <p> + At that time Lincoln appreciated the scope and consequences of the + impending conflict. Above all other thoughts in his mind was this: + </p> + <p> + "This conflict will settle the question, at least for centuries to come, + whether man is capable of governing himself, and consequently is of + greater importance to the free than to the enslaved." + </p> + <p> + He knew what depended on the issue and he said: "We shall nobly save, or + meanly lose, the last, best hope of earth." + </p> + <p> + HEN came a crisis in the North. It became clearer and clearer to Lincoln's + mind, day by day, that the Rebellion was slavery, and that it was + necessary to keep the border States on the side of the Union. For this + purpose he proposed a scheme of emancipation and colonization—a + scheme by which the owners of slaves should be paid the full value of what + they called their "property." + </p> + <p> + He knew that if the border States agreed to gradual emancipation, and + received compensation for their slaves, they would be forever lost to the + Confederacy, whether secession succeeded or not. It was objected at the + time, by some, that the scheme was far too expensive; but Lincoln, wiser + than his advisers—far wiser than his enemies—demonstrated that + from an economical point of view, his course was best. + </p> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + He proposed that $400 be paid for slaves, including men, women and + children. This was a large price, and yet he showed how much cheaper it + was to purchase than to carry on the war. + </p> + <p> + At that time, at the price mentioned, there were about $750,000 worth of + slaves in Delaware. The cost of carrying on the war was at least two + millions of dollars a day, and for one-third of one day's expenses, all + the slaves in Delaware could be purchased. He also showed that all the + slaves in Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri could be bought, at + the same price, for less than the expense of carrying on the war for + eighty-seven days. + </p> + <p> + This was the wisest thing that could have been proposed, and yet such was + the madness of the South, such the indignation of the North, that the + advice was unheeded. + </p> + <p> + Again, in July, 1862, he urged on the Representatives of the border States + a scheme of gradual compensated emancipation; but the Representatives were + too deaf to hear, too blind to see. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln always hated slavery, and yet he felt the obligations and duties + of his position. In his first message he assured the South that the laws, + including the most odious of all—the law for the return of fugitive + slaves—would be enforced. The South would not hear. Afterward he + proposed to purchase the slaves of the border States, but the proposition + was hardly discussed—hardly heard. Events came thick and fast; + theories gave way to facts, and everything was left to force. + </p> + <p> + The extreme Democrat of the North was fearful that slavery might be + destroyed, that the Constitution might be broken, and that Lincoln, after + all, could not be trusted; and at the same time the radical Republican + feared that Lincoln loved the Union more than he did liberty. + </p> + <p> + The fact is, that he tried to discharge the obligations of his great + office, knowing from the first that slavery must perish. The course + pursued by Lincoln was so gentle, so kind and persistent, so wise and + logical, that millions of Northern Democrats sprang to the defence, not + only of the Union, but of his administration. Lincoln refused to be led or + hurried by Fremont or Hunter, by Greeley or Sumner. From first to last he + was the real leader, and he kept step with events. + </p> + <p> + V. + </p> + <p> + ON the 22d of July, 1862, Lincoln sent word to the members of his cabinet + that he wished to see them. It so happened that Secretary Chase was the + first to arrive. He found Lincoln reading a book. Looking up from the + page, the President said: "Chase, did you ever read this book?" "What book + is it?" asked Chase. "Artemus Ward," replied Lincoln. "Let me read you + this chapter, entitled '<i>Wax Wurx in Albany</i>.'" And so he began + reading while the other members of the cabinet one by one came in. At last + Stanton told Mr. Lincoln that he was in a great hurry, and if any business + was to be done he would like to do it at once. Whereupon Mr. Lincoln laid + down the open book, opened a drawer, took out a paper and said: + "Gentlemen, I have called you together to notify you what I have + determined to do. I want no advice. Nothing can change my mind." + </p> + <p> + He then read the Proclamation of Emancipation. Chase thought there ought + to be something about God at the close, to which Lincoln replied: "Put it + in, it won't hurt it." It was also agreed that the President would wait + for a victory in the field before giving the Proclamation to the world. + </p> + <p> + The meeting was over, the members went their way. Mr. Chase was the last + to go, and as he went through the door looked back and saw that Mr. + Lincoln had taken up the book and was again engrossed in the <i>Wax Wurx + at Albany.</i> + </p> + <p> + This was on the 22d of July, 1862. On the 22d of August of the same year—after + Lincoln wrote his celebrated letter to Horace Greeley, in which he stated + that his object was to save the Union; <i>that he would save it with + slavery if he could</i>; that if it was necessary to destroy slavery in + order to save the Union, he would; in other words, he would do what was + necessary to save the Union. + </p> + <p> + This letter disheartened, to a great degree, thousands and millions of the + friends of freedom. They felt that Mr. Lincoln had not attained the moral + height upon which they supposed he stood. And yet, when this letter was + written, the Emancipation Proclamation was in his hands, and had been for + thirty days, waiting only an opportunity to give it to the world. + </p> + <p> + Some two weeks after the letter to Greeley, Lincoln was waited on by a + committee of clergymen, and was by them informed that it was God's will + that he should issue a Proclamation of Emancipation. He replied to them, + in substance, that the day of miracles had passed. He also mildly and + kindly suggested that if it were God's will this Proclamation should be + issued, certainly God would have made known that will to him—to the + person whose duty it was to issue it. + </p> + <p> + On the 22d day of September, 1862, the most glorious date in the history + of the Republic, the Proclamation of Emancipation was issued. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln had reached the generalization of all argument upon the question + of slavery and freedom—a generalization that never has been, and + probably never will be, excelled: + </p> + <p> + "In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free." + </p> + <p> + This is absolutely true. Liberty can be retained, can be enjoyed, only by + giving it to others. The spendthrift saves, the miser is prodigal. In the + realm of Freedom, waste is husbandry. He who puts chains upon the body of + another shackles his own soul. The moment the Proclamation was issued the + cause of the Republic became sacred. From that moment the North fought for + the human race. + </p> + <p> + From that moment the North stood under the blue and stars, the flag of + Nature, sublime and free. + </p> + <p> + In 1831, Lincoln went down the Mississippi on a flat-boat. He received the + extravagant salary of ten dollars a month. When he reached New Orleans, he + and some of his companions went about the city. + </p> + <p> + Among other places, they visited a slave market, where men and women were + being sold at auction. A young colored girl was on the block. Lincoln + heard the brutal words of the auctioneer—the savage remarks of + bidders. The scene filled his soul with indignation and horror. + </p> + <p> + Turning to his companions, he said, "Boys, if I ever get a chance to hit + slavery, by God I'll hit it hard!" + </p> + <p> + The helpless girl, unconsciously, had planted in a great heart the seeds + of the Proclamation. + </p> + <p> + Thirty-one years afterward the chance came, the oath was kept, and to four + millions of slaves, of men, women and children, was restored liberty, the + jewel of the soul. + </p> + <p> + In the history, in the fiction of the world, there is nothing more + intensely dramatic than this. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln held within his brain the grandest truths, and he held them as + unconsciously, as easily, as naturally, as a waveless pool holds within + its stainless breast a thousand stars. + </p> + <p> + In these two years we had traveled from the Ordinance of Secession to the + Proclamation of Emancipation. + </p> + <p> + VI. + </p> + <p> + WE were surrounded by enemies. Many of the so-called great in Europe and + England were against us. They hated the Republic, despised our + institutions, and sought in many ways to aid the South. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gladstone announced that Jefferson Davis had made a nation, and that + he did not believe the restoration of the American Union by force + attainable. + </p> + <p> + From the Vatican came words of encouragement for the South. + </p> + <p> + It was declared that the North was fighting for empire and the South for + independence. + </p> + <p> + The Marquis of Salisbury said: "The people of the South are the natural + allies of England. The North keeps an opposition shop in the same + department of trade as ourselves." + </p> + <p> + Not a very elevated sentiment—but English. + </p> + <p> + Some of their statesmen declared that the subjugation of the South by the + North would be a calamity to the world. + </p> + <p> + Louis Napoleon was another enemy, and he endeavored to establish a + monarchy in Mexico, to the end that the great North might be destroyed. + But the patience, the uncommon common sense, the statesmanship of Lincoln—in + spite of foreign hate and Northern division—triumphed over all. And + now we forgive all foes. Victory makes forgiveness easy. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln was by nature a diplomat. He knew the art of sailing against the + wind. He had as much shrewdness as is consistent with honesty. He + understood, not only the rights of individuals, but of nations. In all his + correspondence with other governments he neither wrote nor sanctioned a + line which afterward was used to tie his hands. In the use of perfect + English he easily rose above all his advisers and all his fellows. + </p> + <p> + No one claims that Lincoln did all. He could have done nothing without the + generals in the field, and the generals could have done nothing without + their armies. The praise is due to all—to the private as much as to + the officer; to the lowest who did his duty, as much as to the highest. + </p> + <p> + My heart goes out to the brave private as much as to the leader of the + host. + </p> + <p> + But Lincoln stood at the centre and with infinite patience, with + consummate skill, with the genius of goodness, directed, cheered, consoled + and conquered. + </p> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + SLAVERY was the cause of the war, and slavery was the perpetual + stumbling-block. As the war went on, question after question arose—questions + that could not be answered by theories. Should we hand back the slave to + his master, when the master was using his slave to destroy the Union? If + the South was right, slaves were property, and by the laws of war anything + that might be used to the advantage of the enemy might be confiscated by + us. Events did not wait for discussion. General Butler denominated the + negro as "a contraband." Congress provided that the property of the rebels + might be confiscated. + </p> + <p> + The extreme Democrats of the North regarded the slave as more sacred than + life. It was no harm to kill the master—to burn his house, to ravage + his fields—but you must not free his slave. If in war a nation has + the right to take the property of its citizens—of its friends—certainly + it has the right to take the property of those it has the right to kill. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln was wise enough to know that war is governed by the laws of war, + and that during the conflict constitutions are silent. All that he could + do he did in the interests of peace. He offered to execute every law—including + the most infamous of all—to buy the slaves in the border States—to + establish gradual, compensated emancipation; but the South would not hear. + Then he confiscated the property of rebels—treated the slaves as + contraband of war, used them to put down the Rebellion, armed them and + clothed them in the uniform of the Republic—was in favor of making + them citizens and allowing them to stand on an equality with their white + brethren under the flag of the Nation. During these years Lincoln moved + with events, and every step he took has been justified by the considerate + judgment of mankind. + </p> + <p> + VIII. + </p> + <p> + LINCOLN not only watched the war, but kept his hand on the political + pulse. In 1863 a tide set in against the administration. A Republican + meeting was to be held in Springfield, Illinois, and Lincoln wrote a + letter to be read at this convention. It was in his happiest vein. It was + a perfect defence of his administration, including the Proclamation of + Emancipation. Among other things he said: + </p> + <p> + "But the proclamation, as law, either is valid or it is not valid. If it + is not valid it needs no retraction, but if it is valid it cannot be + retracted, any more than the dead can be brought to life." + </p> + <p> + To the Northern Democrats who said they would not fight for negroes, + Lincoln replied: + </p> + <p> + "Some of them seem willing to fight for you—but no matter." + </p> + <p> + Of negro soldiers: + </p> + <p> + "But negroes, like other people, act upon motives. Why should they do + anything for us if we will do nothing for them? If they stake their lives + for us they must be prompted by the strongest motive—even the + promise of freedom. And the promise, being made, must be kept." + </p> + <p> + There is one line in this letter that will give it immortality: + </p> + <p> + "The Father of waters again goes unvexed to the sea." + </p> + <p> + This line is worthy of Shakespeare. + </p> + <p> + Another: + </p> + <p> + "Among free men there can be no successful appeal from the ballot to the + bullet." + </p> + <p> + He draws a comparison between the white men against us and the black men + for us: + </p> + <p> + "And then there will be some black men who can remember that with silent + tongue and clenched teeth and steady eye and well-poised bayonet they have + helped mankind on to this great consummation; while I fear there will be + some white ones unable to forget that with malignant heart and deceitful + speech they strove to hinder it." + </p> + <p> + Under the influence of this letter, the love of country, of the Union, and + above all, the love of liberty, took possession of the heroic North. + </p> + <p> + There was the greatest moral exaltation ever known. + </p> + <p> + The spirit of liberty took possession of the people. The masses became + sublime. + </p> + <p> + To fight for yourself is natural—to fight for others is grand; to + fight for your country is noble—to fight for the human race—for + the liberty of hand and brain—is nobler still. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the defenders of slavery had sown the seeds of their + own defeat. They dug the pit in which they fell. Clay and Webster and + thousands of others had by their eloquence made the Union almost sacred. + The Union was the very tree of life, the source and stream and sea of + liberty and law. + </p> + <p> + For the sake of slavery millions stood by the Union, for the sake of + liberty millions knelt at the altar of the Union; and this love of the + Union is what, at last, overwhelmed the Confederate hosts. + </p> + <p> + It does not seem possible that only a few years ago our Constitution, our + laws, our Courts, the Pulpit and the Press defended and upheld the + institution of slavery—that it was a crime to feed the hungry—to + give water to the lips of thirst—shelter to a woman flying from the + whip and chain! + </p> + <p> + The old flag still flies—the stars are there—the stains have + gone. + </p> + <p> + IX. + </p> + <p> + LINCOLN always saw the end. He was unmoved by the storms and currents of + the times. He advanced too rapidly for the conservative politicians, too + slowly for the radical enthusiasts. He occupied the line of safety, and + held by his personality—by the force of his great character, by his + charming candor—the masses on his side. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers thought of him as a father. + </p> + <p> + All who had lost their sons in battle felt that they had his sympathy—felt + that his face was as sad as theirs. They knew that Lincoln was actuated by + one motive, and that his energies were bent to the attainment of one end—the + salvation of the Republic. + </p> + <p> + They knew that he was kind, sincere and merciful. They knew that in his + veins there was no drop of tyrants' blood. They knew that he used his + power to protect the innocent, to save reputation and life—that he + had the brain of a philosopher—the heart of a mother. + </p> + <p> + During all the years of war, Lincoln stood the embodiment of mercy, + between discipline and death. He pitied the imprisoned and condemned. He + took the unfortunate in his arms, and was the friend even of the convict. + He knew temptation's strength—the weakness of the will—and how + in fury's sudden flame the judgment drops the scales, and passion—blind + and deaf—usurps the throne. + </p> + <p> + One day a woman, accompanied by a Senator, called on the President. The + woman was the wife of one of Mosby's men. Her husband had been captured, + tried and condemned to be shot. She came to ask for the pardon of her + husband. The President heard her story and then asked what kind of man her + husband was. "Is he intemperate, does he abuse the children and beat you?" + "No, no," said the wife, "he is a good man, a good husband, he loves me + and he loves the children, and we cannot live without him. The only + trouble is that he is a fool about politics—I live in the North, + born there, and if I get him home, he will do no more fighting for the + South." "Well," said Mr. Lincoln, after examining the papers, "I will + pardon your husband and turn him over to you for safe keeping." The poor + woman, overcome with joy, sobbed as though her heart would break. + </p> + <p> + "My dear woman," said Lincoln, "if I had known how badly it was going to + make you feel, I never would have pardoned him." "You do not understand + me," she cried between her sobs. "You do not understand me." "Yes, yes, I + do," answered the President, "and if you do not go away at once I shall be + crying with you." + </p> + <p> + On another occasion, a member of Congress, on his way to see Lincoln, + found in one of the anterooms of the White House an old white-haired man, + sobbing—his wrinkled face wet with tears. The old man told him that + for several days he had tried to see the President—that he wanted a + pardon for his son. The Congressman told the old man to come with him and + he would introduce him to Mr. Lincoln. On being introduced, the old man + said: "Mr. Lincoln, my wife sent me to you. We had three boys. They all + joined your army. One of 'em has been killed, one's a fighting now, and + one of 'em, the youngest, has been tried for deserting and he's going to + be shot day after to-morrow. He never deserted. He's wild, and he may have + drunk too much and wandered off, but he never deserted. 'Taint in the + blood. He's his mother's favorite, and if he's shot, I know she'll die." + The President, turning to his secretary, said: "Telegraph General Butler + to suspend the execution in the case of————[giving + the name] until further orders from me, and ask him to answer————." + </p> + <p> + The Congressman congratulated the old man on his success—but the old + man did not respond. He was not satisfied. "Mr. President," he began, "I + can't take that news home. It won't satisfy his mother. How do I know but + what you'll give further orders to-morrow?" "My good man," said Mr. + Lincoln, "I have to do the best I can. The generals are complaining + because I pardon so many. They say that my mercy destroys discipline. Now, + when you get home you tell his mother what you said to me about my giving + further orders, and then you tell her that I said this: 'If your son lives + until they get further orders from me, that when he does die people will + say that old Methusaleh was a baby compared to him.'" + </p> + <p> + The pardoning power is the only remnant of absolute sovereignty that a + President has. Through all the years, Lincoln will be known as Lincoln the + loving, Lincoln the merciful. + </p> + <p> + X. + </p> + <p> + LINCOLN had the keenest sense of humor, and always saw the laughable side + even of disaster. In his humor there was logic and the best of sense. No + matter how complicated the question, or how embarrassing the situation, + his humor furnished an answer and a door of escape. + </p> + <p> + Vallandigham was a friend of the South, and did what he could to sow the + seeds of failure. In his opinion everything, except rebellion, was + unconstitutional. + </p> + <p> + He was arrested, convicted by a court martial, and sentenced to + imprisonment. + </p> + <p> + There was doubt about the legality of the trial, and thousands in the + North denounced the whole proceeding as tyrannical and infamous. At the + same time millions demanded that Vallandigham should be punished. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln's humor came to the rescue. He disapproved of the findings of the + court, changed the punishment, and ordered that Mr. Vallandigham should be + sent to his friends in the South. + </p> + <p> + Those who regarded the act as unconstitutional almost forgave it for the + sake of its humor. + </p> + <p> + Horace Greeley always had the idea that he was greatly superior to + Lincoln, because he lived in a larger town, and for a long time insisted + that the people of the North and the people of the South desired peace. He + took it upon himself to lecture Lincoln. Lincoln, with that wonderful + sense of humor, united with shrewdness and profound wisdom, told Greeley + that, if the South really wanted peace, he (Lincoln) desired the same + thing, and was doing all he could to bring it about. Greeley insisted that + a commissioner should be appointed, with authority to negotiate with the + representatives of the Confederacy. This was Lincoln's opportunity. He + authorized Greeley to act as such commissioner. The great editor felt that + he was caught. For a time he hesitated, but finally went, and found that + the Southern commissioners were willing to take into consideration any + offers of peace that Lincoln might make, consistent with the independence + of the Confederacy. + </p> + <p> + The failure of Greeley was humiliating, and the position in which he was + left, absurd. + </p> + <p> + Again the humor of Lincoln had triumphed. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln, to satisfy a few fault-finders in the North, went to Grant's + headquarters and met some Confederate commissioners. He urged that it was + hardly proper for him to negotiate with the representatives of rebels in + arms—that if the South wanted peace, all they had to do was to stop + fighting. One of the commissioners cited as a precedent the fact that + Charles the First negotiated with rebels in arms. To which Lincoln replied + that Charles the First lost his head. + </p> + <p> + The conference came to nothing, as Mr. Lincoln expected. + </p> + <p> + The commissioners, one of them being Alexander H. Stephens, who, when in + good health, weighed about ninety pounds, dined with the President and + Gen. Grant. After dinner, as they were leaving, Stephens put on an English + ulster, the tails of which reached the ground, while the collar was + somewhat above the wearer's head. + </p> + <p> + As Stephens went out, Lincoln touched Grant and said: "Grant, look at + Stephens. Did you ever see as little a nubbin with as much shuck?" + </p> + <p> + Lincoln always tried to do things in the easiest way. He did not waste his + strength. He was not particular about moving along straight lines. He did + not tunnel the mountains. He was willing to go around, and reach the end + desired as a river reaches the sea. + </p> + <p> + XI. + </p> + <p> + One of the most wonderful things ever done by Lincoln was the promotion of + General Hooker. After the battle of Fredericksburg, General Burnside found + great fault with Hooker, and wished to have him removed from the Army of + the Potomac. Lincoln disapproved of Burnside's order, and gave Hooker the + command. He then wrote Hooker this memorable letter: + </p> + <p> + "I have placed you at the head of the Army of the Potomac. Of course I + have done this upon what appears to me to be sufficient reasons, and yet I + think it best for you to know that there are some things in regard to + which I am not quite satisfied with you. I believe you to be a brave and + skillful soldier—which, of course, I like. I also believe you do not + mix politics with your profession—in which you are right. You have + confidence—which is a valuable, if not an indispensable, quality. + You are ambitious, which, within reasonable bounds, does good rather than + harm; but I think that during General Burnside's command of the army you + have taken counsel of your ambition to thwart him as much as you could—in + which you did a great wrong to the country and to a most meritorious and + honorable brother officer. I have heard, in such a way as to believe it, + of your recently saying that both the army and the Government needed a + dictator. Of course it was not for this, but in spite of it, that I have + given you command. Only those generals who gain successes can set up + dictators. What I now ask of you is military successes, and I will risk + the dictatorship. The Government will support you to the utmost of its + ability, which is neither more nor less than it has done and will do for + all commanders. I much fear that the spirit which you have aided to infuse + into the army, of criticising their commander and withholding confidence + in him, will now turn upon you. I shall assist you, so far as I can, to + put it down. Neither you, nor Napoleon, if he were alive, can get any good + out of an army while such a spirit prevails in it. And now beware of + rashness. Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go + forward and give us victories." + </p> + <p> + This letter has, in my judgment, no parallel. The mistaken magnanimity is + almost equal to the prophecy: + </p> + <p> + "I much fear that the spirit which you have aided to infuse into the army, + of criticising their command and withholding confidence in him, will now + turn upon you." + </p> + <p> + Chancellorsville was the fulfillment. + </p> + <p> + XII. + </p> + <p> + MR. LINCOLN was a statesman. The great stumbling-block—the great + obstruction—in Lincoln's way, and in the way of thousands, was the + old doctrine of States Rights. + </p> + <p> + This doctrine was first established to protect slavery. It was clung to to + protect the inter-State slave trade. It became sacred in connection with + the Fugitive Slave Law, and it was finally used as the corner-stone of + Secession. + </p> + <p> + This doctrine was never appealed to in defence of the right—always + in support of the wrong. For many years politicians upon both sides of + this question endeavored to express the exact relations existing between + the Federal Government and the States, and I know of no one who succeeded, + except Lincoln. In his message of 1861, delivered on July the 4th, the + definition is given, and it is perfect: + </p> + <p> + "Whatever concerns the whole should be confided to the whole—to the + General Government. Whatever concerns only the State should be left + exclusively to the State." + </p> + <p> + When that definition is realized in practice, this country becomes a + Nation. Then we shall know that the first allegiance of the citizen is not + to his State, but to the Republic, and that the first duty of the Republic + is to protect the citizen, not only when in other lands, but at home, and + that this duty cannot be discharged by delegating it to the States. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln believed in the sovereignty of the people—in the supremacy + of the Nation—in the territorial integrity of the Republic. + </p> + <p> + XIII. + </p> + <p> + A GREAT actor can be known only when he has assumed the principal + character in a great drama. Possibly the greatest actors have never + appeared, and it may be that the greatest soldiers have lived the lives of + perfect peace. Lincoln assumed the leading part in the greatest drama ever + enacted upon the stage of this continent. + </p> + <p> + His criticisms of military movements, his correspondence with his generals + and others on the conduct of the war, show that he was at all times master + of the situation—that he was a natural strategist, that he + appreciated the difficulties and advantages of every kind, and that in + "the still and mental" field of war he stood the peer of any man beneath + the flag. + </p> + <p> + Had McClellan followed his advice, he would have taken Richmond. + </p> + <p> + Had Hooker acted in accordance with his suggestions, Chancellorsville + would have been a victory for the Nation. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln's political prophecies were all fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + We know now that he not only stood at the top, but that he occupied the + centre, from first to last, and that he did this by reason of his + intelligence, his humor, his philosophy, his courage and his patriotism. + </p> + <p> + In passion's storm he stood, unmoved, patient, just and candid. In his + brain there was no cloud, and in his heart no hate. He longed to save the + South as well as North, to see the Nation one and free. + </p> + <p> + He lived until the end was known. + </p> + <p> + He lived until the Confederacy was dead—until Lee surrendered, until + Davis fled, until the doors of Libby Prison were opened, until the + Republic was supreme. + </p> + <p> + He lived until Lincoln and Liberty were united forever. + </p> + <p> + He lived to cross the desert—to reach the palms of victory—to + hear the murmured music of the welcome waves. + </p> + <p> + He lived until all loyal hearts were his—until the history of his + deeds made music in the souls of men—until he knew that on + Columbia's Calendar of worth and fame his name stood first. + </p> + <p> + He lived until there remained nothing for him to do as great as he had + done. + </p> + <p> + What he did was worth living for, worth dying for. + </p> + <p> + He lived until he stood in the midst of universal + </p> + <p> + Joy, beneath the outstretched wings of Peace—the foremost man in all + the world. + </p> + <p> + And then the horror came. Night fell on noon. The Savior of the Republic, + the breaker of chains, the liberator of millions, he who had "assured + freedom to the free," was dead. + </p> + <p> + Upon his brow Fame placed the immortal wreath, and for the first time in + the history of the world a Nation bowed and wept. + </p> + <p> + The memory of Lincoln is the strongest, tenderest tie that binds all + hearts together now, and holds all States beneath a Nation's flag. + </p> + <p> + XIV. + </p> + <p> + ABRAHAM LINCOLN—strange mingling of mirth and tears, of the tragic + and grotesque, of cap and crown, of Socrates and Democritus, of �?sop + and Marcus Aurelius, of all that is gentle and just, humorous and honest, + merciful, wise, laughable, lovable and divine, and all consecrated to the + use of man; while through all, and over all, were an overwhelming sense of + obligation, of chivalric loyalty to truth, and upon all, the shadow of the + tragic end. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all the great historic characters are impossible monsters, + disproportioned by flattery, or by calumny deformed. We know nothing of + their peculiarities, or nothing but their peculiarities. About these oaks + there clings none of the earth of humanity. + </p> + <p> + Washington is now only a steel engraving. About the real man who lived and + loved and hated and schemed, we know but little. The glass through which + we look at him is of such high magnifying power that the features are + exceedingly indistinct. + </p> + <p> + Hundreds of people are now engaged in smoothing out the lines of Lincoln's + face—forcing all features to the common mould—so that he may + be known, not as he really was, but, according to their poor standard, as + he should have been. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln was not a type. He stands alone—no ancestors, no fellows, + and no successors. + </p> + <p> + He had the advantage of living in a new country, of social equality, of + personal freedom, of seeing in the horizon of his future the perpetual + star of hope. He preserved his individuality and his self-respect. He knew + and mingled with men of every kind; and, after all, men are the best + books. He became acquainted with the ambitions and hopes of the heart, the + means used to accomplish ends, the springs of action and the seeds of + thought. He was familiar with nature, with actual things, with common + facts. He loved and appreciated the poem of the year, the drama of the + seasons. + </p> + <p> + In a new country a man must possess at least three virtues—honesty, + courage and generosity. In cultivated society, cultivation is often more + important than soil. A well-executed counterfeit passes more readily than + a blurred genuine. It is necessary only to observe the unwritten laws of + society—to be honest enough to keep out of prison, and generous + enough to subscribe in public—where the subscription can be defended + as an investment. + </p> + <p> + In a new country, character is essential; in the old, reputation is + sufficient. In the new, they find what a man really is; in the old, he + generally passes for what he resembles. People separated only by distance + are much nearer together, than those divided by the walls of caste. + </p> + <p> + It is no advantage to live in a great city, where poverty degrades and + failure brings despair. The fields are lovelier than paved streets, and + the great forests than walls of brick. Oaks and elms are more poetic than + steeples and chimneys. + </p> + <p> + In the country is the idea of home. There you see the rising and setting + sun; you become acquainted with the stars and clouds. The constellations + are your friends. You hear the rain on the roof and listen to the rhythmic + sighing of the winds. You are thrilled by the resurrection called Spring, + touched and saddened by Autumn—the grace and poetry of death. Every + field is a picture, a landscape; every landscape a poem; every flower a + tender thought, and every forest a fairy-land. In the country you preserve + your identity—your personality. There you are an aggregation of + atoms, but in the city you are only an atom of an aggregation. + </p> + <p> + In the country you keep your cheek close to the breast of Nature. You are + calmed and ennobled by the space, the amplitude and scope of earth and sky—by + the constancy of the stars. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln never finished his education. To the night of his death he was a + pupil, a learner, an inquirer, a seeker after knowledge. You have no idea + how many men are spoiled by what is called education. For the most part, + colleges are places where pebbles are polished and diamonds are dimmed. If + Shakespeare had graduated at Oxford, he might have been a quibbling + attorney, or a hypocritical parson. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln was a great lawyer. There is nothing shrewder in this world than + intelligent honesty. Perfect candor is sword and shield. + </p> + <p> + He understood the nature of man. As a lawyer he endeavored to get at the + truth, at the very heart of a case. He was not willing even to deceive + himself. No matter what his interest said, what his passion demanded, he + was great enough to find the truth and strong enough to pronounce judgment + against his own desires. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln was a many-sided man, acquainted with smiles and tears, complex in + brain, single in heart, direct as light; and his words, candid as mirrors, + gave the perfect image of his thought. He was never afraid to ask—never + too dignified to admit that he did not know. No man had keener wit, or + kinder humor. + </p> + <p> + It may be that humor is the pilot of reason. People without humor drift + unconsciously into absurdity. Humor sees the other side—stands in + the mind like a spectator, a good-natured critic, and gives its opinion + before judgment is reached. Humor goes with good nature, and good nature + is the climate of reason. In anger, reason abdicates and malice + extinguishes the torch. Such was the humor of Lincoln that he could tell + even unpleasant truths as charmingly as most men can tell the things we + wish to hear. + </p> + <p> + He was not solemn. Solemnity is a mask worn by ignorance and hypocrisy—it + is the preface, prologue, and index to the cunning or the stupid. + </p> + <p> + He was natural in his life and thought—master of the story-teller's + art, in illustration apt, in application perfect, liberal in speech, + shocking Pharisees and prudes, using any word that wit could disinfect. + </p> + <p> + He was a logician. His logic shed light. In its presence the obscure + became luminous, and the most complex and intricate political and + metaphysical knots seemed to untie themselves. Logic is the necessary + product of intelligence and sincerity. It cannot be learned. It is the + child of a clear head and a good heart. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln was candid, and with candor often deceived the deceitful. He had + intellect without arrogance, genius without pride, and religion without + cant—that is to say, without bigotry and without deceit. + </p> + <p> + He was an orator—clear, sincere, natural. He did not pretend. He did + not say what he thought others thought, but what he thought. + </p> + <p> + If you wish to be sublime you must be natural—you must keep close to + the grass. You must sit by the fireside of the heart; above the clouds it + is too cold. You must be simple in your speech; too much polish suggests + insincerity. + </p> + <p> + The great orator idealizes the real, transfigures the common, makes even + the inanimate throb and thrill, fills the gallery of the imagination with + statues and pictures perfect in form and color, brings to light the gold + hoarded by memory the miser, shows the glittering coin to the spendthrift + hope, enriches the brain, ennobles the heart, and quickens the conscience. + Between his lips words bud and blossom. + </p> + <p> + If you wish to know the difference between an orator and an elocutionist—between + what is felt and what is said—between what the heart and brain can + do together and what the brain can do alone—read Lincoln's wondrous + speech at Gettysburg, and then the oration of Edward Everett. + </p> + <p> + The speech of Lincoln will never be forgotten. It will live until + languages are dead and lips are dust. The oration of Everett will never be + read. + </p> + <p> + The elocutionists believe in the virtue of voice, the sublimity of syntax, + the majesty of long sentences, and the genius of gesture. + </p> + <p> + The orator loves the real, the simple, the natural. He places the thought + above all. He knows that the greatest ideas should be expressed in the + shortest words—that the greatest statues need the least drapery. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln was an immense personality—firm but not obstinate. Obstinacy + is egotism—firmness, heroism. He influenced others without effort, + unconsciously; and they submitted to him as men submit to nature—unconsciously. + He was severe with himself, and for that reason lenient with others. + </p> + <p> + He appeared to apologize for being kinder than his fellows. + </p> + <p> + He did merciful things as stealthily as others committed crimes. + </p> + <p> + Almost ashamed of tenderness, he said and did the noblest words and deeds + with that charming confusion, that awkwardness, that is the perfect grace + of modesty. + </p> + <p> + As a noble man, wishing to pay a small debt to a poor neighbor, + reluctantly offers a hundred-dollar bill and asks for change, fearing that + he may be suspected either of making a display of wealth or a pretence of + payment, so Lincoln hesitated to show his wealth of goodness, even to the + best he knew. + </p> + <p> + A great man stooping, not wishing to make his fellows feel that they were + small or mean. + </p> + <p> + By his candor, by his kindness, by his perfect freedom from restraint, by + saying what he thought, and saying it absolutely in his own way, he made + it not only possible, but popular, to be natural. He was the enemy of mock + solemnity, of the stupidly respectable, of the cold and formal. + </p> + <p> + He wore no official robes either on his body or his soul. He never + pretended to be more or less, or other, or different, from what he really + was. + </p> + <p> + He had the unconscious naturalness of Nature's self. + </p> + <p> + He built upon the rock. The foundation was secure and broad. The structure + was a pyramid, narrowing as it rose. Through days and nights of sorrow, + through years of grief and pain, with unswerving purpose, "with malice + towards none, with charity for all," with infinite patience, with + unclouded vision, he hoped and toiled. Stone after stone was laid, until + at last the Proclamation found its place. On that the Goddess stands. + </p> + <p> + He knew others, because perfectly acquainted with himself. He cared + nothing for place, but everything for principle; little for money, but + everything for independence. Where no principle was involved, easily + swayed—willing to go slowly, if in the right direction—sometimes + willing to stop; but he would not go back, and he would not go wrong. + </p> + <p> + He was willing to wait. He knew that the event was not waiting, and that + fate was not the fool of chance. He knew that slavery had defenders, but + no defence, and that they who attack the right must wound themselves. + </p> + <p> + He was neither tyrant nor slave. He neither knelt nor scorned. + </p> + <p> + With him, men were neither great nor small—they were right or wrong. + </p> + <p> + Through manners, clothes, titles, rags and race he saw the real—that + which is. Beyond accident, policy, compromise and war he saw the end. + </p> + <p> + He was patient as Destiny, whose undecipherable hieroglyphs were so deeply + graven on his sad and tragic face. + </p> + <p> + Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the + weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know + what a man really is, give him power. This is the supreme test. It is the + glory of Lincoln that, having almost absolute power, he never abused it, + except on the side of mercy. + </p> + <p> + Wealth could not purchase, power could not awe, this divine, this loving + man. + </p> + <p> + He knew no fear except the fear of doing wrong. Hating slavery, pitying + the master—seeking to conquer, not persons, but prejudices—he + was the embodiment of the self-denial, the courage, the hope and the + nobility of a Nation. + </p> + <p> + He spoke not to inflame, not to upbraid, but to convince. + </p> + <p> + He raised his hands, not to strike, but in benediction. + </p> + <p> + He longed to pardon. + </p> + <p> + He loved to see the pearls of joy on the cheeks of a wife whose husband he + had rescued from death. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln was the grandest figure of the fiercest civil war. He is the + gentlest memory of our world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLTAIRE. + </h2> + <h3> + I. + </h3> + <p> + THE infidels of one age have often been the aureoled saints of the next. + </p> + <p> + The destroyers of the old are the creators of the new. + </p> + <p> + As time sweeps on the old passes away and the new in its turn becomes old. + </p> + <p> + There is in the intellectual world, as in the physical, decay and growth, + and ever by the grave of buried age stand youth and joy. + </p> + <p> + The history of intellectual progress is written in the lives of infidels. + </p> + <p> + Political rights have been preserved by traitors, the liberty of mind by + heretics. + </p> + <p> + To attack the king was treason; to dispute the priest was blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + For many centuries the sword and cross were allies. Together they attacked + the rights of man. They defended each other. + </p> + <p> + The throne and altar were twins—two vultures from the same egg. + </p> + <p> + James I. said: "No bishop, no king." He might have added: "No cross, no + crown." The king owned the bodies of men; the priest, the souls. One lived + on taxes collected by force, the other on alms collected by fear—both + robbers, both beggars. + </p> + <p> + These robbers and these beggars controlled two worlds. The king made laws, + the priest made creeds. Both obtained their authority from God, both were + the agents of the Infinite. + </p> + <p> + With bowed backs the people carried the burdens of one, and with wonder's + open mouth received the dogmas of the other. + </p> + <p> + If the people aspired to be free, they were crushed by the king, and every + priest was a Herod who slaughtered the children of the brain. + </p> + <p> + The king ruled by force, the priest by fear, and both by both. + </p> + <p> + The king said to the people: "God made you peasants, and He made me king; + He made you to labor, and me to enjoy; He made rags and hovels for you, + robes and palaces for me. He made you to obey, and me to command. Such is + the justice of God." + </p> + <p> + And the priest said: "God made you ignorant and vile; He made me holy and + wise; you are the sheep, I am the shepherd; your fleeces belong to me. If + you do not obey me here, God will punish you now and torment you forever + in another world. Such is the mercy of God." + </p> + <p> + "You must not reason. Reason is a rebel. You must not contradict—contradiction + is born of egotism; you must believe. He that hath ears to hear let him + hear." Heaven was a question of ears. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately for us, there have been traitors and there have been heretics, + blasphemers, thinkers, investigators, lovers of liberty, men of genius who + have given their lives to better the condition of their fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + It may be well enough here to ask the question: What is greatness? + </p> + <p> + A great man adds to the sum of knowledge, extends the horizon of thought, + releases souls from the Bastile of fear, crosses unknown and mysterious + seas, gives new islands and new continents to the domain of thought, new + constellations to the firmament of mind. A great man does not seek applause + or place; he seeks for truth; he seeks the road to happiness, and what he + ascertains he gives to others. + </p> + <p> + A great man throws pearls before swine, and the swine are sometimes + changed to men. If the great had always kept their pearls, vast multitudes + would be barbarians now. + </p> + <p> + A great man is a torch in the darkness, a beacon in superstition's night, + an inspiration and a prophecy. + </p> + <p> + Greatness is not the gift of majorities; it cannot be thrust upon any man; + men cannot give it to another; they can give place and power, but not + greatness. + </p> + <p> + The place does not make the man, nor the sceptre the king. Greatness is + from within. + </p> + <p> + The great men are the heroes who have freed the bodies of men; they are + the philosophers and thinkers who have given liberty to the soul; they are + the poets who have transfigured the common and filled the lives of many + millions with love and song. + </p> + <p> + They are the artists who have covered the bare walls of weary life with + the triumphs of genius. + </p> + <p> + They are the heroes who have slain the monsters of ignorance and fear, who + have outgazed the Gorgon and driven the cruel gods from their thrones. + </p> + <p> + They are the inventors, the discoverers, the great mechanics, the kings of + the useful who have civilized this world. + </p> + <p> + At the head of this heroic army, foremost of all, stands Voltaire, whose + memory we are honoring tonight. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire! a name that excites the admiration of men, the malignity of + priests. Pronounce that name in the presence of a clergyman, and you will + find that you have made a declaration of war. Pronounce that name, and + from the face of the priest the mask of meekness will fall, and from the + mouth of forgiveness will pour a Niagara of vituperation and calumny. And + yet Voltaire was the greatest man of his century, and did more to free the + human race than any other of the sons of men. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, the 21st of November, 1694, a babe was born—a babe so + exceedingly frail that the breath hesitated about remaining, and the + parents had him baptized as soon as possible. They were anxious to save + the soul of this babe, and they knew that if death came before baptism the + child would be doomed to an eternity of pain. They knew that God despised + an unsprinkled child. The priest who, with a few drops of water, gave the + name of Francois-Marie Arouet to this babe and saved his soul—little + thought that before him, wrapped in many folds, weakly wailing, scarcely + breathing, was the one destined to tear from the white throat of Liberty + the cruel, murderous claws of the "Triumphant Beast." + </p> + <p> + When Voltaire came to this "great stage of fools," his country had been + Christianized—not civilized—for about fourteen hundred years. + For a thousand years the religion of peace and good-will had been supreme. + The laws had been given by Christian kings, and sanctioned by "wise and + holy men." Under the benign reign of universal love, every court had its + chamber of torture, and every priest relied on the thumb-screw and rack. + </p> + <p> + Such had been the success of the blessed gospel that every science was an + outcast. + </p> + <p> + To speak your honest thoughts, to teach your fellow-men, to investigate + for yourself, to seek the truth, these were all crimes, and the + "holy-mother church" pursued the criminals with sword and flame. + </p> + <p> + The believers in a God of love—an infinite father—punished + hundreds of offences with torture and death. Suspected persons were + tortured to make them confess. Convicted persons were tortured to make + them give the names of their accomplices. Under the leadership of the + church, cruelty had become the only reforming power. + </p> + <p> + In this blessed year, 1694, all authors were at the mercy of king and + priest. The most of them were cast into prisons, impoverished by fines and + costs, exiled or executed. + </p> + <p> + The little time that hangmen could snatch from professional duties was + occupied in burning books. + </p> + <p> + The courts of justice were traps, in which the innocent were caught. The + judges were almost as malicious and cruel as though they had been bishops + or saints. There was no trial by jury, and the rules of evidence allowed + the conviction of the supposed criminal by the proof of suspicion or + hearsay. + </p> + <p> + The witnesses, being liable to be tortured, generally told what the judges + wished to hear. + </p> + <p> + The supernatural and the miraculous controlled the world. Everything was + explained, but nothing was understood. The church was at the head. The + sick bought from monks little amulets of consecrated paper. They did not + send for a doctor, but for a priest, and the priest sold the diseased and + the dying these magical amulets. These little pieces of paper with the + help of some saint would cure diseases of every kind. If you would put one + in a cradle, it would keep the child from being bewitched. If you would + put one in the barn, the rats would not eat your corn. If you would keep + one in the house, evil spirits would not enter your doors, and if you + buried them in the fields, you would have good weather, the frost would be + delayed, rain would come when needed, and abundant crops would bless your + labor. The church insisted that all diseases could be cured in the name of + God, and that these cures could be effected by prayers, exorcism, by + touching bones of saints, pieces of the true cross; by being sprinkled + with holy water or with sanctified salt, or touched with magical oil. + </p> + <p> + In that day the dead saints were the best physicians; St. Valentine cured + the epilepsy; St. Gervasius was exceedingly good for rheumatism; St. + Michael for cancer; St. Judas for coughs and colds; St. Ovidius restored + the hearing; St. Sebastian was good for the bites of snakes and the stings + of poisonous insects; St. Apollonia for toothache; St. Clara for any + trouble with the eyes; and St. Hubert for hydrophobia. It was known that + doctors reduced the revenues of the church; that was enough—science + was the enemy of religion. + </p> + <p> + The church thought that the air was filled with devils; that every sinner + was a kind of tenement house inhabited by evil spirits; that angels were + on one side of men and evil spirits on the other, and that God would, when + the subscriptions and donations justified the effort, drive the evil + spirits from the field. + </p> + <p> + Satan had power over the air; consequently he controlled the frost, the + mildew, the lightning and the flood; and the principal business of the + church was with bells, and holy water, and incense, and crosses, to defeat + the machinations of that prince of the power of the air. + </p> + <p> + Great reliance was placed upon the bells; they were sprinkled with holy + water, and their clangor cleared the air of imps and fiends. And bells + also protected the people from storms and lightning. In that day the + church used to anathematize insects. Suits were commenced against rats, + and judgment rendered. Every monastery had its master magician, who sold + incense and salt and tapers and consecrated palms and relics. Every + science was regarded as an enemy; every fact held the creed of the church + in scorn. Investigators were regarded as dangerous; thinkers were + traitors, and the church exerted its vast power to prevent the + intellectual progress of man. + </p> + <p> + There was no real liberty, no real education, no real philosophy, no real + science—-nothing but credulity and superstition. The world was under + the control of Satan and the church. + </p> + <p> + The church firmly believed in the existence of witches and devils and + fiends. In this way the church had every enemy within her power. It simply + had to charge him with being a wizard, of holding communications with + devils, and the ignorant mob were ready to tear him to pieces. So + prevalent was this belief, this belief in the supernatural, that the poor + people were finally driven to make the best possible terms they could with + the spirit of evil. This frightful doctrine filled every friend with + suspicion of his friend; it made the husband denounce the wife, children + their parents, parents their children. It destroyed the amenities of + humanity; it did away with justice in courts; it broke the bond of + friendship; it filled with poison the golden cup of life; it turned earth + into a very perdition peopled with abominable, malicious and hideous + fiends. Such was the result of a belief in the supernatural; such was the + result of giving up the evidence of their own senses and relying upon + dreams, visions and fears. Such was the result of the attack upon the + human reason; such the result of depending on the imagination, on the + supernatural; such the result of living in this world for another; of + depending upon priests instead of upon ourselves. The Protestants vied + with Catholics; Luther stood side by side with the priests he had deserted + in promoting this belief in devils and fiends. To the Catholic every + Protestant was possessed by a devil; to the Protestant every Catholic was + the home of a fiend. All order, all regular succession of causes and + effects were known no more; the natural ceased to exist; the learned and + the ignorant were on a level. The priest was caught in the net he had + spread for the peasant, and Christendom became a vast madhouse, with the + insane for keepers. + </p> + <p> + When Voltaire was born the church ruled and owned France. It was a period + of almost universal corruption. The priests were mostly libertines, the + judges cruel and venal. The royal palace was a house of prostitution. The + nobles were heartless, proud, arrogant and cruel to the last degree. The + common people were treated as beasts. It took the church a thousand years + to bring about this happy condition of things. + </p> + <p> + The seeds of the Revolution unconsciously were being scattered by every + noble and by every priest. + </p> + <p> + They were germinating slowly in the hearts of the wretched; they were + being watered by the tears of agony; blows began to bear interest. There + was a faint longing for blood. Workmen, blackened by the sun, bowed by + labor, deformed by want, looked at the white throats of scornful ladies + and thought about cutting them. + </p> + <p> + In those days witnesses were cross-examined with instruments of torture; + the church was the arsenal of superstition; miracles, relics, angels and + devils were as common as lies. + </p> + <p> + In order to appreciate a great man we must know his surroundings. We must + understand the scope of the drama in which he played—the part he + acted, and we must also know his audience. + </p> + <p> + In England George I. was disporting with the "May-pole" and "Elephant," + and then George II., jealous and choleric, hating the English and their + language, making, however, an excellent image or idol before whom the + English were glad to bow—snobbery triumphant—the criminal code + getting bloodier every day—223 offences punishable with death—the + prisons filled and the scaffolds crowded—efforts on every hand to + repress the ambition of men to be men—the church relying on + superstition and ceremony to make men good—and the state dependent + on the whip, the rope and axe to make men patriotic. + </p> + <p> + In Spain the Inquisition in full control—all the instruments of + torture used to prevent the development of the mind, Spain, that had + driven out the Jews, that is to say, her talent; that had driven out the + Moors, that is to say, her taste and her industry, was still endeavoring + by all religious means to reduce the land to the imbecility of the true + faith. + </p> + <p> + In Portugal they were burning women and children for having eaten meat on + a holy day, and this to please the most merciful God. + </p> + <p> + In Italy the nation prostrate, covered with swarms of cardinals and + bishops and priests and monks and nuns and every representative of holy + sloth. The Inquisition there also—while hands that were clasped in + prayer or stretched for alms, grasped with eagerness and joy the lever of + the rack, or gathered fagots for the holy flame. + </p> + <p> + In Germany they were burning men and women charged with having made a + compact with the enemy of man. + </p> + <p> + And in our own fair land, persecuting Quakers, stealing men and women from + another shore, stealing children from their mother's breasts, and paying + labor with the cruel lash. + </p> + <p> + Superstition ruled the world! + </p> + <p> + There is but one use for law, but one excuse for government—the + preservation of liberty—to give to each man his own, to secure to + the farmer what he produces from the soil, the mechanic what he invents + and makes, to the artist what he creates, to the thinker the right to + express his thoughts. Liberty is the breath of progress. + </p> + <p> + In France, the people were the sport of a king's caprice. Everywhere was + the shadow of the Bastile. + </p> + <p> + It fell upon the sunniest field, upon the happiest home. With the king + walked the headsman; back of the throne was the chamber of torture. The + Church appealed to the rack, and Faith relied on the fagot. Science was an + outcast, and Philosophy, so-called, was the pander of superstition. + </p> + <p> + Nobles and priests were sacred. Peasants were vermin. Idleness sat at the + banquet, and Industry gathered the crumbs and the crusts. + </p> + <p> + II. THE DAYS OF YOUTH. + </p> + <p> + VOLTAIRE was of the people. In the language of that day, he had no + ancestors. His real name was Francois-Marie Arouet. His mother was + Marguerite d'Aumard. This mother died when he was seven years of age. He + had an elder brother, Armand, who was a devotee, very religious and + exceedingly disagreeable. This brother used to present offerings to the + church, hoping to make amends for the unbelief of his brother. So far as + we know, none of his ancestors were literary people. + </p> + <p> + The Arouets had never written a line. The Abbe de Chaulieu was his + godfather, and, although an abbe, was a Deist who cared nothing about + religion except in connection with his salary. Voltaire's father wanted to + make a lawyer of him, but he had no taste for law. At the age of ten he + entered the college of Louis Le Grand. This was a Jesuit school, and here + he remained for seven years, leaving at seventeen, and never attending any + other school. According to Voltaire, he learned nothing at this school but + a little Greek, a good deal of Latin and a vast amount of nonsense. + </p> + <p> + In this college of Louis Le Grand they did not teach geography, history, + mathematics or any science. This was a Catholic institution, controlled by + the Jesuits. In that day the religion was defended, was protected or + supported by the state. Behind the entire creed were the bayonet, the axe, + the wheel, the fagot and the torture chamber. + </p> + <p> + While Voltaire was attending the college of Louis Le Grand the soldiers of + the king were hunting Protestants in the mountains of Cevennes for + magistrates to hang on gibbets, to put to torture, to break on the wheel, + or to burn at the stake. + </p> + <p> + At seventeen Voltaire determined to devote his life to literature. The + father said, speaking of his two sons Armand and Francois, "I have a pair + of fools for sons, one in verse and the other in prose." + </p> + <p> + In 1713, Voltaire, in a small way, became a diplomat. He went to The Hague + attached to the French minister, and there he fell in love. The girl's + mother objected. Voltaire sent his clothes to the young lady that she + might visit him. Everything was discovered and he was dismissed. To this + girl he wrote a letter, and in it you will find the key note of Voltaire: + "Do not expose yourself to the fury of your mother. You know what she is + capable of. You have experienced it too well. Dissemble; it is your only + chance. Tell her that you have forgotten me, that you hate me; then after + telling her, love me all the more." + </p> + <p> + On account of this episode Voltaire was formally disinherited by his + father. The father procured an order of arrest and gave his son the choice + of going to prison or beyond the seas. He finally consented to become a + lawyer, and says: "I have already been a week at work in the office of a + solicitor learning the trade of a pettifogger." + </p> + <p> + About this time he competed for a prize, writing a poem on the king's + generosity in building the new choir in the Cathedral Notre Dame. He did + not win it. After being with the solicitor a little while, he hated the + law, began to write poetry and the outlines of tragedy. Great questions + were then agitating the public mind, questions that throw a flood of light + upon that epoch. + </p> + <p> + In 1552 Dr. Baius took it into his head to sustain a number of + propositions touching predestination to the prejudice of the doctrine of + free will. The Cordelian monks selected seventy-six of the propositions + and denounced them to the Pope as heretical, and from the Pope obtained + what was called a Bull. This Bull contained a doubtful passage, the + meaning of which was dependent upon the position of a comma. The friends + of Dr. Baius wrote to Rome to find where the comma ought to be placed. + Rome, busy with other matter, sent as an answer a copy of the Bull in + which the doubtful sentence was left without any comma. So the dispute + continued. + </p> + <p> + Then there was the great controversy between the Jansenists and Molinists. + Molini was a Spanish Jesuit, who sustained the doctrine of free will with + a subtlety of his own, "man's will is free, but God sees exactly how he + will use it." The Presbyterians of our country are still wrestling with + this important absurdity. + </p> + <p> + Jansenius was a French Jesuit who carried the doctrine of predestination + to the extreme, asserting that God commands things that are impossible, + and that Christ did not die for all. + </p> + <p> + In 1641 the Jesuits obtained a Bull condemning five propositions of + Jansenius. The Jansenists there upon denied that the five propositions—or + any of them—were found in the works of Jansenius. + </p> + <p> + This question of Jansenism and Molinism occupied France for about two + hundred years. + </p> + <p> + In Voltaire's time the question had finally dwindled down to whether the + five propositions condemned by the Papal Bull were in fact in the works of + Jansenius. The Jansenists proved that the five propositions were not in + his book, because a niece of Pascal had a diseased eye cured by the + application of a thorn from the crown of Christ. + </p> + <p> + The Bull Unigenitus was launched in 1713, and then all the prisons were + filled with Jansenists. This great question of predestination and free + will, of free moral agency and accountability, and being saved by the + grace of God, and damned for the glory of God, have occupied the mind of + what we call the civilized world for many centuries. All these questions + were argued pro and con through Switzerland; all of them in Holland for + centuries; in Scotland and England and New England, and millions of people + are still busy harmonizing foreordination and free will, necessity and + morality, predestination and accountability. + </p> + <p> + Louis XIV. having died, the Regent took possession, and then the prisons + were opened. The Regent called for a list of all persons then in the + prisons sent there at the will of the king. He found that, as to many + prisoners, nobody knew any cause why they had been in prison. They had + been forgotten. Many of the prisoners did not know themselves, and could + not guess why they had been arrested. One Italian had been in the Bastile + thirty-three years without ever knowing why. On his arrival in Paris, + thirty-three years before, he was arrested and sent to prison. He had + grown old. He had survived his family and friends. When the rest were + liberated he asked to remain where he was, and lived there the rest of his + life. The old prisoners were pardoned, but in a little while their places + were taken by new ones. + </p> + <p> + At this time Voltaire was not interested in the great world—knew + very little of religion or of government. He was busy writing poetry, busy + thinking of comedies and tragedies. He was full of life. All his fancies + were winged like moths. + </p> + <p> + He was charged with having written some cutting epigrams. He was exiled to + Tulle, three hundred miles away. From this place he wrote in the true vein—"I + am at a chateau, a place that would be the most agreeable in the world if + I had not been exiled to it, and where there is nothing wanting for my + perfect happiness except the liberty of leaving. It would be delicious to + remain, if I only were allowed to go." + </p> + <p> + At last the exile was allowed to return. Again he was arrested; this time + sent to the Bastile, where he remained for nearly a year. While in prison + he changed his name from Francois-Marie Arouet to Voltaire, and by that + name he has since been known. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire, as full of life as summer is full of blossoms, giving his ideas + upon all subjects at the expense of prince and king, was exiled to + England. From sunny France he took his way to the mists and fogs of + Albion. He became acquainted with the highest and the best in Britain. He + met Pope, a most wonderful verbal mechanic, a maker of artificial flowers, + very much like natural ones, except that they lack perfume and the seeds + of suggestion. He made the acquaintance of Young, who wrote the "Night + Thoughts;" Young, a fine old hypocrite with a virtuous imagination, a + gentleman who electioneered with the king's mistress that he might be made + a bishop. He became acquainted with Chesterfield—all manners, no + man; with Thomson, author of "The Seasons," who loved to see the sun rise + in bed and visit the country in town; with Swift, whose poisoned arrows + were then festering in the flesh of Mr. Bull—Swift, as wicked as he + was witty, and as heartless as he was humorous—with Swift, a dean + and a devil; with Congreve, whom Addison thought superior to Shakespeare, + and who never wrote but one great line, "The cathedral looking + tranquillity." + </p> + <p> + III. THE MORN OF MANHOOD. + </p> + <p> + VOLTAIRE began to think, to doubt, to inquire. He studied the history of + the church, of the creed. He found that the religion of his time rested on + the inspiration of the Scriptures—the infallibility of the church—the + dreams of insane hermits—the absurdities of the Fathers—the + mistakes and falsehoods of saints—the hysteria of nuns—the + cunning of priests and the stupidity of the people. He found that the + Emperor Constantine, who lifted Christianity into power, murdered his wife + Fausta and his eldest son Crispus, the same year that he convened the + Council of Nice, to decide whether Christ was a man or the Son of God. The + Council decided, in the year 325, that Christ was consubstantial with the + Father. He found that the church was indebted to a husband who + assassinated his wife—a father who murdered his son, for settling + the vexed question of the divinity of the Savior. He found that Theodosius + called a council at Constantinople in 381, by which it was decided that + the Holy Ghost proceeded from the Father—that Theodosius, the + younger, assembled a council at Ephesus in 431, that declared the Virgin + Mary to be the mother of God—that the Emperor Marcian called another + council at Chalcedon in 451, that decided that Christ had two wills—that + Pognatius called another in 680, that declared that Christ had two natures + to go with his two wills—and that in 1274, at the council of Lyons, + the important fact was found that the Holy Ghost "proceeded," not only + from the Father, but also from the Son at the same time. + </p> + <p> + So, it took about 1,300 years to find out a few things that had been + revealed by an infinite God to his infallible church. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire found that this insane creed had filled the world with cruelty + and fear. He found that vestments were more sacred than virtues—that + images and crosses—pieces of old bones and bits of wood were more + precious than the rights and lives of men, and that the keepers of these + relics were the enemies of the human race. + </p> + <p> + With all the energy of his nature—with every faculty of his mind—he + attacked this "Triumphant Beast." + </p> + <p> + Voltaire was the apostle of common sense. He knew that there could have + been no primitive or first language from which all other languages had + been formed. He knew that every language had been influenced by the + surroundings of the people. He knew that the language of snow and ice was + not the language of palm and flower. He knew also that there had been no + miracle in language. He knew that it was impossible that the story of the + Tower of Babel should be true. He knew that everything in the whole world + had been natural. He was the enemy of alchemy, not only in language but in + science. One passage from him is enough to show his philosophy in this + regard. He says; "To transmute iron into gold, two things are necessary: + first, the annihilation of the iron; second, the creation of gold." + </p> + <p> + Voltaire gave us the philosophy of history. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire was a man of humor, of good nature, of cheerfulness. He despised + with all his heart the philosophy of Calvin, the creed of the sombre, of + the severe, of the unnatural. He pitied those who needed the aid of + religion to be honest, to be cheerful. He had the courage to enjoy the + present and the philosophy to bear what the future might bring. + </p> + <p> + And yet for more than a hundred and fifty years the Christian world has + fought this man and has maligned his memory. In every Christian pulpit his + name has been pronounced with scorn, and every pulpit has been an arsenal + of slander. He is one man of whom no orthodox minister has ever told the + truth. He has been denounced equally by Catholics and Protestants. + </p> + <p> + Priests and ministers, bishops and exhorters, presiding elders and popes + have filled the world with slanders, with calumnies about Voltaire. I am + amazed that ministers will not or cannot tell the truth about an enemy of + the church. As a matter of fact, for more than one thousand years, almost + every pulpit has been a mint in which slanders have been coined. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire made up his mind to destroy the superstition of his time. + </p> + <p> + He fought with every weapon that genius could devise or use. He was the + greatest of all caricaturists, and he used this wonderful gift without + mercy. For pure crystallized wit, he had no equal. The art of flattery was + carried by him to the height of an exact science. He knew and practiced + every subterfuge. He fought the army of hypocrisy and pretence, the army + of faith and falsehood. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire was annoyed by the meaner and baser spirits of his time, by the + cringers and crawlers, by the fawners and pretenders, by those who wished + to gain the favor of priests, the patronage of nobles. Sometimes he + allowed himself to be annoyed by these wretches; sometimes he attacked + them. And, but for these attacks, long ago they would have been forgotten. + In the amber of his genius Voltaire preserved these insects, these + tarantulas, these scorpions. + </p> + <p> + It is fashionable to say that he was not profound. This is because he was + not stupid. In the presence of absurdity he laughed, and was called + irreverent. He thought God would not damn even a priest forever—this + was regarded as blasphemy. He endeavored to prevent Christians from + murdering each other, and did what he could to civilize the disciples of + Christ. Had he founded a sect, obtained control of some country, and + burned a few heretics at slow fires, he would have won the admiration, + respect and love of the Christian world. Had he only pretended to believe + all the fables of antiquity, had he mumbled Latin prayers, counted beads, + crossed himself, devoured now and then the flesh of God, and carried + fagots to the feet of Philosophy in the name of Christ, he might have been + in heaven this moment, enjoying a sight of the damned. + </p> + <p> + If he had only adopted the creed of his time—if he had asserted that + a God of infinite power and mercy had created millions and billions of + human beings to suffer eternal pain, and all for the sake of his glorious + justice—that he had given his power of attorney to a cunning and + cruel Italian Pope, authorizing him to save the soul of his mistress and + send honest wives to hell—if he had given to the nostril's of this + God the odor of burning flesh—the incense of the fagot—if he + had filled his ears with the shrieks of the tortured—the music of + the rack, he would now be known as Saint Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + For many years this restless man filled Europe with the product of his + brain. Essays, epigrams, epics, comedies, tragedies, histories, poems, + novels, representing every phase and every faculty of the human mind. At + the same time engrossed in business, full of speculation, making money + like a millionaire, busy with the gossip of courts, and even with the + scandals of priests. At the same time alive to all the discoveries of + science and the theories of philosophers, and in this Babel never + forgetting for one moment to assail the monster of superstition. + </p> + <p> + Sleeping and waking he hated the church. With the eyes of Argus he + watched, and with the arms of Briareus he struck. For sixty years he waged + continuous and unrelenting war, sometimes in the open field, sometimes + striking from the hedges of opportunity—taking care during all this + time to remain independent of all men. He was in the highest sense + successful. He lived like a prince, became one of the powers of Europe, + and in him, for the first time, literature was crowned. + </p> + <p> + It has been claimed by the Christian critics that Voltaire was irreverent; + that he examined sacred things without solemnity; that he refused to + remove his shoes in the presence of the Burning Bush; that he smiled at + the geology of Moses, the astronomical ideas of Joshua, and that the + biography of Jonah filled him with laughter. They say that these stories, + these sacred impossibilities, these inspired falsehoods, should be read + and studied with a believing mind in humbleness of spirit; that they + should be examined prayerfully, asking God at the same time to give us + strength to triumph over the conclusions of our reason. These critics + imagine that a falsehood can be old enough to be venerable, and that to + stand covered in its presence is the act of an irreverent scoffer. + Voltaire approached the mythology of the Jews precisely as he did the + mythology of the Greeks and Romans, or the mythology of the Chinese or the + Iroquois Indians. There is nothing in this world too sacred to be + investigated, to be understood. The philosopher does not hide. Secrecy is + not the friend of truth. No man should be reverent at the expense of his + reason. Nothing should be worshiped until the reason has been convinced + that it is worthy of worship. + </p> + <p> + Against all miracles, against all holy superstition, against sacred + mistakes, he shot the arrows of ridicule. + </p> + <p> + These arrows, winged by fancy, sharpened by wit, poisoned by truth, always + reached the centre. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed by many that anything, the best and holiest, can be + ridiculed. As a matter of fact, he who attempts to ridicule the truth, + ridicules himself. He becomes the food of his own laughter. + </p> + <p> + The mind of man is many-sided. Truth must be and is willing to be tested + in every way, tested by all the senses. + </p> + <p> + But in what way can the absurdity of the "real presence" be answered, + except by banter, by raillery, by ridicule, by persiflage? How are you + going to convince a man who believes that when he swallows the sacred + wafer he has eaten the entire Trinity, and that a priest drinking a drop + of wine has devoured the Infinite? How are you to reason with a man who + believes that if any of the sacred wafers are left over they should be put + in a secure place, so that mice should not eat God? + </p> + <p> + What effect will logic have upon a religious gentleman who firmly believes + that a God of infinite compassion sent two bears to tear thirty or forty + children in pieces for laughing at a bald-headed prophet? + </p> + <p> + How are such people to be answered? How can they be brought to a sense of + their absurdity? They must feel in their flesh the arrows of ridicule.. + </p> + <p> + So Voltaire has been called a mocker. + </p> + <p> + What did he mock? He mocked kings that were unjust; kings who cared + nothing for the sufferings of their subjects. He mocked the titled fools + of his day. He mocked the corruption of courts; the meanness, the tyranny + and the brutality of judges. He mocked the absurd and cruel laws, the + barbarous customs. He mocked popes and cardinals and bishops and priests, + and all the hypocrites on the earth. He mocked historians who filled their + books with lies, and philosophers who defended superstition. He mocked the + haters of liberty, the persecutors of their fellow-men. He mocked the + arrogance, the cruelty, the impudence, and the unspeakable baseness of his + time. + </p> + <p> + He has been blamed because he used the weapon of ridicule. + </p> + <p> + Hypocrisy has always hated laughter, and always will. Absurdity detests + humor, and stupidity despises wit. Voltaire was the master of ridicule. He + ridiculed the absurd, the impossible. He ridiculed the mythologies and the + miracles, the stupid lives and lies of the saints. He found pretence and + mendacity crowned by credulity. He found the ignorant many controlled by + the cunning and cruel few. He found the historian, saturated with + superstition, filling his volumes with the details of the impossible, and + he found the scientists satisfied with "they say." + </p> + <p> + Voltaire had the instinct of the probable. He knew the law of average, the + sea level; he had the idea of proportion, and so he ridiculed the mental + monstrosities and deformities—the <i>non sequiturs</i>—of his + day. Aristotle said women had more teeth than men. This was repeated again + and again by the Catholic scientists of the eighteenth century. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire counted the teeth. The rest were satisfied with "they say." + </p> + <p> + Voltaire for many years, in spite of his surroundings, in spite of almost + universal tyranny and oppression, was a believer in God and what he was + pleased to call the religion of Nature. He attacked the creed of his time + because it was dishonorable to his God. He thought of the Deity as a + father, as the fountain of justice, intelligence and mercy, and the creed + of the Catholic Church made him a monster of cruelty and stupidity. He + attacked the Bible with all the weapons at his command. He assailed its + geology, its astronomy, its ideas of justice, its laws and customs, its + absurd and useless miracles, its foolish wonders, its ignorance on all + subjects, its insane prophecies, its cruel threats and its extravagant + promises. + </p> + <p> + At the same time he praised the God of nature, the God who gives us rain + and light and food and flowers and health and happiness—who fills + the world with youth and beauty. + </p> + <p> + Attacked on every side, he fought with every weapon that wit, logic, + reason, scorn, contempt, laughter, pathos and indignation could sharpen, + form, devise or use. He often apologized, and the apology was an insult. + He often recanted, and the recantation was a thousand times worse than the + thing recanted. He took it back by giving more. In the name of eulogy he + flayed his victim. In his praise there was poison. He often advanced by + retreating, and asserted by retraction. + </p> + <p> + He did not intend to give priests the satisfaction of seeing him burn or + suffer. Upon this very point of recanting he wrote: + </p> + <p> + "They say I must retract. Very willingly. I will declare that Pascal is + always right. That if St. Luke and St. Mark contradict one another, it is + only another proof of the truth of religion to those who know how to + understand such things; and that another lovely proof of religion is that + it is unintelligible. I will even avow that all priests are gentle and + disinterested; that Jesuits are honest people; that monks are neither + proud nor given to intrigue, and that their odor is agreeable; that the + Holy Inquisition is the triumph of humanity and tolerance. In a word, I + will say all that may be desired of me, provided they leave me in repose, + and will not persecute a man who has done harm to none." + </p> + <p> + He gave the best years of his wondrous life to succor the oppressed, to + shield the defenceless, to reverse infamous decrees, to rescue the + innocent, to reform the laws of France, to do away with torture, to soften + the hearts of priests, to enlighten judges, to instruct kings, to civilize + the people, and to banish from the heart of man the love and lust of war. + </p> + <p> + You may think that I have said too much; that I have placed this man too + high. Let me tell you what Goethe, the great German, said of this man: + </p> + <p> + "If you wish depth, genius, imagination, taste, reason, sensibility, + philosophy, elevation, originality, nature, intellect, fancy, rectitude, + facility, flexibility, precision, art, abundance, variety, fertility, + warmth, magic, charm, grace, force, an eagle sweep of vision, vast + understanding, instruction rich, tone excellent, urbanity, suavity, + delicacy, correctness, purity, clearness, eloquence, harmony, brilliancy, + rapidity, gaiety, pathos, sublimity and universality, perfection indeed, + behold Voltaire." + </p> + <p> + Even Carlyle, that old Scotch terrier, with the growl of a grizzly bear, + who attacked shams, as I have sometimes thought, because he hated rivals, + was forced to admit that Voltaire gave the death stab to modern + superstition. + </p> + <p> + It is the duty of every man to destroy the superstitions of his time, and + yet there are thousands of men and women, fathers and mothers, who + repudiate with their whole hearts the creeds of superstition, and still + allow their children to be taught these lies. They allow their + imaginations to be poisoned with the dogma of eternal pain. They allow + arrogant and ignorant parsons, meek and foolish teachers, to sow the seeds + of barbarism in the minds of their children—seeds that will fill + their lives with fear and pain. Nothing can be more important to a human + being than to be free and to live without fear. + </p> + <p> + It is far better to be a mortal free man than an immortal slave. + </p> + <p> + Fathers and mothers should do their utmost to make their children free. + They should teach them to doubt, to investigate, to inquire, and every + father and mother should know that by the cradle of every child, as by the + cradle of the infant Hercules, crawls the serpent of superstition. + </p> + <p> + IV. THE SCHEME OF NATURE. + </p> + <p> + AT that time it was pretended by the believers in God that the plan, or + the scheme of nature, was not cruel; that the lower was sacrificed for the + benefit of the higher; that while life lived upon life, while animals + lived upon each other, and while man was the king or sovereign of all, + still the higher lived upon the lower. Consequently, a lower life was + sacrificed that a higher life might exist. This reasoning satisfied many. + Yet there were thousands that could not see why the lower should be + sacrificed, or why all joy should be born of pain. But, since the + construction of the microscope, since man has been allowed to look toward + the infinitely small, as well as toward the infinitely great, he finds + that our fathers were mistaken when they laid down the proposition that + only the lower life was sacrificed for the sake of the higher. + </p> + <p> + Now we find that the lives of all visible animals are liable to be, and in + countless cases are, destroyed by a far lower life; that man himself is + destroyed by the microbes, the bacilli, the infinitesimal. We find that + for the sake of preserving the yellow fever germs millions and millions + have died, and that whole nations have been decimated for the sake of the + little beast that gives us the cholera. We have also found that there are + animals, call them what you please, that live on the substance of the + human heart, others that prefer the lungs, others again so delicate in + their palate that they insist on devouring the optic nerve, and when they + have destroyed the sight of one eye have sense enough to bore through the + cartilage of the nose to attack the other. Thus we find the other side of + this proposition. At first sight the lower seemed to be sacrificed for the + sake of the higher, but on closer inspection the highest are sacrificed + for the sake of the lowest. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire was, for a long time, a believer in the optimism of Pope—"All + partial evil, universal good." This is a very fine philosophy for the + fortunate. It suits the rich. It is flattering to kings and priests. It + sounds well. It is a fine stone to throw at a beggar. It enables you to + bear with great fortitude the misfortunes of others. + </p> + <p> + It is not the philosophy for those who suffer—for industry clothed + in rags, for patriotism in prison, for honesty in want, or for virtuous + outcasts. It is a philosophy of a class, of a few, and of the few who are + fortunate; and, when misfortune overtakes them, this philosophy fades and + withers. + </p> + <p> + In 1755 came the earthquake at Lisbon. This frightful disaster became an + immense interrogation. The optimist was compelled to ask, "What was my God + doing? Why did the Universal Father crush to shapelessness thousands of + his poor children, even at the moment when they were upon their knees + returning thanks to him?" + </p> + <p> + What could be done with this horror? If earthquake there must be, why did + it not occur in some uninhabited desert, on some wide waste of sea? This + frightful fact changed the theology of Voltaire. He became convinced that + this is not the best possible of all worlds. He became convinced that evil + is evil here, now, and forever. + </p> + <p> + The Theist was silent. The earthquake denied the existence of God. + </p> + <p> + V. HIS HUMANITY. + </p> + <p> + TOULOUSE was a favored town. It was rich in relics. The people were as + ignorant as wooden images, but they had in their possession the dried + bodies of seven apostles—the bones of many of the infants slain by + Herod—part of a dress of the Virgin Mary, and lots of skulls and + skeletons of the infallible idiots known as saints. + </p> + <p> + In this city the people celebrated every year with great joy two holy + events: The expulsion of the Huguenots, and the blessed massacre of St. + Bartholomew. The citizens of Toulouse had been educated and civilized by + the church. + </p> + <p> + A few Protestants, mild because in the minority, lived among these jackals + and tigers. + </p> + <p> + One of these Protestants was Jean Calas—a small dealer in dry goods. + For forty years he had been in this business, and his character was + without a stain. He was honest, kind and agreeable. He had a wife and six + children—four sons and two daughters. One of the sons became a + Catholic. The eldest son, Marc Antoine, disliked his father's business and + studied law. He could not be allowed to practice unless he became a + Catholic. He tried to get his license by concealing that he was a + Protestant. He was discovered—grew morose. Finally he became + discouraged and committed suicide, by hanging himself one evening in his + father's store. + </p> + <p> + The bigots of Toulouse started the story that his parents had killed him + to prevent his becoming a Catholic. + </p> + <p> + On this frightful charge the father, mother, one son, a servant, and one + guest at their house, were arrested. + </p> + <p> + The dead son was considered a martyr, the church taking possession of the + body. + </p> + <p> + This happened in 1761. + </p> + <p> + There was what was called a trial. There was no evidence, not the + slightest, except hearsay. All the facts were in favor of the accused. + </p> + <p> + The united strength of the defendants could not have done the deed. + </p> + <p> + Jean Calas was doomed to torture and to death upon the wheel. This was on + the 9th of March, 1762, and the sentence was to be carried out the next + day. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the 10th the father was taken to the torture room. The + executioner and his assistants were sworn on the cross to administer the + torture according to the judgment of the court. + </p> + <p> + They bound him by the wrists to an iron ring in the stone wall four feet + from the ground, and his feet to another ring in the floor. Then they + shortened the ropes and chains until every joint in his arms and legs was + dislocated. Then he was questioned. He declared that he was innocent. Then + the ropes were again shortened until life fluttered in the torn body; but + he remained firm. + </p> + <p> + This was called "the question ordinaire." + </p> + <p> + Again the magistrates exhorted the victim to confess, and again he + refused, saying that there was nothing to confess. + </p> + <p> + Then came "the question extraordinaire." + </p> + <p> + Into the mouth of the victim was placed a horn holding three pints of + water. In this way thirty pints of water were forced into the body of the + sufferer. The pain was beyond description, and yet Jean Calas remained + firm. + </p> + <p> + He was then carried to the scaffold in a tumbril. + </p> + <p> + He was bound to a wooden cross that lay on the scaffold. The executioner + then took a bar of iron, broke each leg and each arm in two places, + striking eleven blows in all. He was then left to die if he could. He + lived for two hours, declaring his innocence to the last. He was slow to + die, and so the executioner strangled him. Then his poor lacerated, + bleeding and broken body was chained to a stake and burned. + </p> + <p> + All this was a spectacle—a festival for the savages of Toulouse. + What would they have done if their hearts had not been softened by the + glad tidings of great joy—peace on earth and good will to men? + </p> + <p> + But this was not all. The property of the family was confiscated; the son + was released on condition that he become a Catholic; the servant if she + would enter a convent. The two daughters were consigned to a convent, and + the heart-broken widow was allowed to wander where she would. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire heard of this case. In a moment his soul was on fire. He took one + of the sons under his roof. He wrote a history of the case. He + corresponded with kings and queens, with chancellors and lawyers. If money + was needed, he advanced it. For years he filled Europe with the echoes of + the groans of Jean Calas. He succeeded. The horrible judgment was annulled—the + poor victim declared innocent and thousands of dollars raised to support + the mother and family. + </p> + <p> + This was the work of Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + THE SIRVEN FAMILY. + </p> + <p> + Sirven, a Protestant, lived in Languedoc with his wife and three + daughters. The housekeeper of the bishop wanted to make one of the + daughters a Catholic. + </p> + <p> + The law allowed the bishop to take the child of Protestants from their + parents for the sake of its soul. This little girl was so taken and placed + in a convent. She ran away and came back to her parents. Her poor little + body was covered with the marks of the convent whip. + </p> + <p> + "Suffer little children to come unto me." + </p> + <p> + The child was out of her mind—suddenly she disappeared, and a few + days after her little body was found in a well, three miles from home. + </p> + <p> + The cry was raised that her folks had murdered her to keep her from + becoming a Catholic. + </p> + <p> + This happened only a little way from the Christian City of Toulouse while + Jean Calas was in prison. The Sirvens knew that a trial would end in + conviction. They fled. In their absence they were convicted, their + property confiscated, the parents sentenced to die by the hangman, the + daughters to be under the gallows during the execution of their mother, + and then to be exiled. + </p> + <p> + The family fled in the midst of winter; the married daughter gave birth to + a child in the snows of the Alps; the mother died, and, at last reaching + Switzerland, the father found himself without means of support. + </p> + <p> + They went to Voltaire. He espoused their cause. He took care of them, gave + them the means to live, and labored to annul the sentence that had been + pronounced against them for nine long and weary years. He appealed to + kings for money, to Catharine II. of Russia, and to hundreds of others. He + was successful. He said of this case: The Sirvens were tried and condemned + in two hours in January, 1762, and now in January, 1772, after ten years + of effort, they have been restored to their rights. + </p> + <p> + This was the work of Voltaire. Why should the worshipers of God hate the + lovers of men? + </p> + <p> + THE ESPENASSE CASE. + </p> + <p> + Espenasse was a Protestant, of good estate. In 1740 he received into his + house a Protestant clergyman, to whom he gave supper and lodging. + </p> + <p> + In a country where priests repeated the parable of the "Good Samaritan," + this was a crime. + </p> + <p> + For this crime Espenasse was tried, convicted and sentenced to the galleys + for life. + </p> + <p> + When he had been imprisoned for twenty-three years his case came to the + knowledge of Voltaire, and he was, through the efforts of Voltaire, + released and restored to his family. + </p> + <p> + This was the work of Voltaire. There is not time to tell of the case of + General Lally, of the English General Byng, of the niece of Corneille, of + the Jesuit Adam, of the writers, dramatists, actors, widows and orphans + for whose benefit he gave his influence, his money and his time. But I + will tell another case: + </p> + <p> + In 1765, at the town of Abbeville, an old wooden cross on a bridge had + been mutilated—whittled with a knife—a terrible crime. Sticks, + when crossing each other, were far more sacred than flesh and blood. Two + young men were suspected—the Chevalier de la Barre and D'Etallonde. + D'Etallonde fled to Prussia and enlisted as a common soldier. + </p> + <p> + La Barre remained and stood his trial. + </p> + <p> + He was convicted without the slightest evidence, and he and D'Etallonde + were both sentenced: + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>, to endure the torture, ordinary and extraordinary. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>, to have their tongues torn out by the roots with pincers of + iron. + </p> + <p> + <i>Third</i>, to have their right hands cut off at the door of the church. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fourth</i>, to be bound to stakes by chains of iron and burned to death + by a slow fire. + </p> + <p> + "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." + </p> + <p> + Remembering this, the judges mitigated the sentence by providing that + their heads should be cut off before their bodies were given to the + flames. + </p> + <p> + The case was appealed to Paris; heard by a court composed of twenty-five + judges, learned in the law, and the judgment was confirmed. + </p> + <p> + The sentence was carried out on the first day of July, 1766. + </p> + <p> + When Voltaire heard of this judicial infamy he made up his mind to abandon + France. He wished to leave forever a country where such cruelties were + possible. + </p> + <p> + He wrote a pamphlet, giving the history of the case. + </p> + <p> + He ascertained the whereabouts of D'Etallonde, wrote in his behalf to the + King of Prussia; got him released from the army; took him to his own + house; kept him for a year and a half; saw that he was instructed in + drawing, mathematics, engineering, and had at last the happiness of seeing + him a captain of engineers in the army of Frederick the Great. + </p> + <p> + Such a man was Voltaire. He was the champion of the oppressed and the + helpless. He was the Cæsar to whom the victims of church and state + appealed. He stood for the intellect and heart of his time. + </p> + <p> + And yet for a hundred and fifty years those who love their enemies have + exhausted the vocabulary of hate, the ingenuity of malice and mendacity, + in their efforts to save their stupid creeds from the genius of Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + From a great height he surveyed the world. His horizon was large. He had + some vices—these he shared in common with priests—his virtues + were his own. + </p> + <p> + He was in favor of universal education—of the development of the + brain. The church despised him. He wished to put the knowledge of the + whole world within the reach of all. Every priest was his enemy. He wished + to drive from the gate of Eden the cherubim of superstition, so that the + children of Adam might return and eat of the fruit of the tree of + knowledge. The church opposed this because it had the fruit of the tree of + ignorance for sale. + </p> + <p> + He was one of the foremost friends of the Encyclopedia—of Diderot, + and did all in his power to give information to all. So far as principles + were concerned, he was the greatest lawyer of his time. I do not mean that + he knew the terms and decisions, but that he clearly perceived not only + what the law should be, but its application and administration. He + understood the philosophy of evidence, the difference between suspicion + and proof, between belief and knowledge, and he did more to reform the + laws of the kingdom and the abuses at courts than all the lawyers and + statesmen of his time. + </p> + <p> + At school, he read and studied the works of Cicero—the lord of + language—probably the greatest orator that has uttered speech, and + the words of the Roman remained in his brain. He became, in spite of the + spirit of caste, a believer in the equality of men. He said: + </p> + <p> + "Men are born equal." + </p> + <p> + "Let us respect virtue and merit." + </p> + <p> + "Let us have it in the heart that men are equal." He was an abolitionist—the + enemy of slavery in all its forms. He did not think that the color of one + man gave him the right to steal from another man on account of that man's + color. He was the friend of serf and peasant, and did what he could to + protect animals, wives and children from the fury of those who loved their + neighbors as themselves. + </p> + <p> + It was Voltaire who sowed the seeds of liberty in the heart and brain of + Franklin, of Jefferson and Thomas Paine. + </p> + <p> + Pufendorf had taken the ground that slavery was, in part, founded on + contract. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire said: "Show me the contract, and if it is signed by the party to + be the slave, I may believe." + </p> + <p> + He thought it absurd that God should drown the fathers, and then come and + die for the children. This is as good as the remark of Diderot: "If Christ + had the power to defend himself from the Jews and refused to use it, he + was guilty of suicide." + </p> + <p> + He had sense enough to know that the flame of the fagot does not enlighten + the mind. He hated the cruel and pitied the victims of church and state. + He was the friend of the unfortunate—the helper of the striving. He + laughed at the pomp of kings—the pretensions of priests. He was a + believer in the natural and abhorred with all his heart the miraculous and + absurd. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire was not a saint. He was educated by the Jesuits. He was never + troubled about the salvation of his soul. All the theological disputes + excited his laughter, the creeds his pity, and the conduct of bigots his + contempt. He was much better than a saint. + </p> + <p> + Most of the Christians in his day kept their religion not for every day + use but for disaster, as ships carry life boats to be used only in the + stress of storm. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire believed in the religion of humanity—of good and generous + deeds. For many centuries the church had painted virtue so ugly, sour and + cold, that vice was regarded as beautiful. Voltaire taught the beauty of + the useful, the hatefulness and hideousness of superstition. + </p> + <p> + He was not the greatest of poets, or of dramatists, but he was the + greatest man of his time, the greatest friend of freedom and the deadliest + foe of superstition. + </p> + <p> + He did more to break the chains of superstition—to drive the + phantoms of fear from the heart and brain, to destroy the authority of the + church and to give liberty to the world than any other of the sons of men. + In the highest, the holiest sense he was the most profoundly religious man + of his time. + </p> + <p> + VI. THE RETURN. + </p> + <p> + AFTER an exile of twenty-seven years, occupying during all that time a + first place in the civilized world, Voltaire returned to Paris. His + journey was a triumphal march. He was received as a conqueror. The + Academy, the Immortals, came to meet him—a compliment that had never + been paid to royalty. His tragedy of "Irene" was performed. At the theatre + he was crowned with laurel, covered with flowers; he was intoxicated with + perfume and with incense of worship. He was the supreme French poet, + standing above them all. Among the literary men of the world he stood + first—a monarch by the divine right of genius. There were three + mighty forces in France—the throne, the altar and Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + The king was the enemy of Voltaire. The court could have nothing to do + with him. The church, malign and morose, was waiting for her revenge, and + yet, such was the reputation of this man—such the hold he had upon + the people—that he became, in spite of Throne, in spite of Church, + the idol of France. + </p> + <p> + He was an old man of eighty-four. He had been surrounded with the + comforts, the luxuries of life. He was a man of great wealth, the richest + writer that the world had known. Among the literary men of the earth he + stood first. He was an intellectual king—one who had built his own + throne and had woven the purple of his own power. He was a man of genius. + The Catholic God had allowed him the appearance of success. His last years + were filled with the intoxication of flattery—of almost worship. He + stood at the summit of his age. + </p> + <p> + The priests became anxious. They began to fear that God would forget, in a + multiplicity of business, to make a terrible example of Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + Towards the last of May, 1778, it was whispered in Paris that Voltaire was + dying. Upon the fences of expectation gathered the unclean birds of + superstition, impatiently waiting for their prey. + </p> + <p> + "Two days before his death, his nephew went to seek the Curé of + Saint Sulpice and the Abbé Gautier, and brought them into his + uncle's sick chamber. 'Ah, well!' said Voltaire, 'give them my compliments + and my thanks.' The Abbé spoke some words to him, exhorting him to + patience. The curé of Saint Sulpice then came forward, having + announced himself, and asked of Voltaire, elevating his voice, if he + acknowledged the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The sick man pushed + one of his hands against the curés coif, shoving him back and + cried, turning abruptly to the other side, 'Let me die in peace.' The curé + seemingly considered his person soiled and his coif dishonored by the + touch of a philosopher. He made the nurse give him a little brushing and + went out with the Abbé Gautier." + </p> + <p> + He expired, says Wagnière, on the 30th of May, 1778, at about a + quarter-past eleven at night, with the most perfect tranquillity. A few + minutes before his last breath he took the hand of Morand, his <i>valet de + chambre</i>, who was watching by him, pressed it, and said: "Adieu, my + dear Morand, I am gone." These were his last words. Like a peaceful river + with green and shaded banks, he flowed without a murmur into the waveless + sea, where life is rest. + </p> + <p> + From this death, so simple and serene, so kind, so philosophic and tender, + so natural and peaceful; from these words, so utterly destitute of cant or + dramatic touch, all the frightful pictures, all the despairing utterances, + have been drawn and made. From these materials, and from these alone, or + rather, in spite of these facts, have been constructed by priests and + clergymen and their dupes all the shameless lies about the death of this + great and wonderful man. A man, compared with whom all of his + calumniators, dead and living, were, and are, but dust and vermin. + </p> + <p> + Let us be honest. Did all the priests of Rome increase the mental wealth + of man as much as Bruno? Did all the priests of France do as great a work + for the civilization of the world as Voltaire or Diderot? Did all the + ministers of Scotland add as much to the sum of human knowledge as David + Hume? Have all the clergymen, monks, friars, ministers, priests, bishops, + cardinals and popes, from the day of Pentecost to the last election, done + as much for human liberty as Thomas Paine? + </p> + <p> + What would the world be if infidels had never been? + </p> + <p> + The infidels have been the brave and thoughtful men; the flower of all the + world; the pioneers and heralds of the blessed day of liberty and love; + the generous spirits of the unworthy past; the seers and prophets of our + race; the great chivalric souls, proud victors on the battlefields of + thought, the creditors of all the years to be. + </p> + <p> + Why should it be taken for granted that the men who devoted their lives to + the liberation of their fellow-men should have been hissed at in the hour + of death by the snakes of conscience, while men who defended slavery—practiced + polygamy—-justified the stealing of babes from the breasts of + mothers, and lashed the naked back of unpaid labor, are supposed to have + passed smilingly from earth to the embraces of the angels? Why should we + think that the brave thinkers, the investigators, the honest men, must + have left the crumbling shore of time in dread and fear, while the + instigators of the massacre of St. Bartholomew; the inventors and users of + thumb-screws, of iron boots and racks; the burners and tearers of human + flesh; the stealers, the whippers and the enslavers of men; the buyers and + beaters of maidens, mothers and babes; the founders of the Inquisition; + the makers of chains; the builders of dungeons; the calumniators of the + living; the slanderers of the dead, and even the murderers of Jesus + Christ, all died in the odor of sanctity, with white, forgiven hands + folded upon the breasts of peace, while the destroyers of prejudice, the + apostles of humanity, the soldiers of liberty, the breakers of fetters, + the creators of light, died surrounded by the fierce fiends of God? + </p> + <p> + In those days the philosophers—that is to say, the thinkers—were + not buried in holy ground. It was feared that their principles might + contaminate the ashes of the just. And they also feared that on the + morning of the resurrection they might, in a moment of confusion, slip + into heaven. Some were burned, and their ashes scattered; and the bodies + of some were thrown naked to beasts, and others buried in unholy earth. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire knew the history of Adrienne Le Couvreur, a beautiful actress, + denied burial. + </p> + <p> + After all, we do feel an interest in what is to become of our bodies. + There is a modesty that belongs to death. Upon this subject Voltaire was + infinitely sensitive. It was that he might be buried that he went through + the farce of confession, of absolution, and of the last sacrament. The + priests knew that he was not in earnest, and Voltaire knew that they would + not allow him to be buried in any of the cemeteries of Paris. + </p> + <p> + His death was kept a secret. The Abbé Mignot made arrangements for + the burial at Romilli-on-the-Seine, more than 100 miles from Paris. On + Sunday evening, on the last day of May, 1778, the body of Voltaire, clad + in a dressing gown, clothed to resemble an invalid, posed to simulate + life, was placed in a carriage; at its side, a servant, whose business it + was to keep it in position. To this carriage were attached six horses, so + that people might think a great lord was going to his estates. Another + carriage followed, in which were a grand nephew and two cousins of + Voltaire. All night they traveled, and on the following day arrived at the + courtyard of the Abbey. The necessary papers were shown, the mass was + performed in the presence of the body, and Voltaire found burial. A few + moments afterwards, the prior, who "for charity had given a little earth," + received from his bishop a menacing letter forbidding the burial of + Voltaire. It was too late. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire was dead. The foundations of State and Throne had been sapped. + The people were becoming acquainted with the real kings and with the + actual priests. Unknown men born in misery and want, men whose fathers and + mothers had been pavement for the rich, were rising toward the light, and + their shadowy faces were emerging from darkness. Labor and thought became + friends. That is, the gutter and the attic fraternized. The monsters of + the Night and the angels of the Dawn—the first thinking of revenge, + and the others dreaming of equality, liberty and fraternity. + </p> + <p> + VII. THE DEATH-BED ARGUMENT. + </p> + <p> + ALL kinds of criminals, except infidels, meet death with reasonable + serenity. As a rule, there is nothing in the death of a pirate to cast any + discredit on his profession. The murderer upon the scaffold, with a priest + on either side, smilingly exhorts the multitude to meet him in heaven. The + man who has succeeded in making his home a hell, meets death without a + quiver, provided he has never expressed any doubt as to the divinity of + Christ, or the eternal "procession" of the Holy Ghost. The king who has + waged cruel and useless war, who has filled countries with widows and + fatherless children, with the maimed and diseased, and who has succeeded + in offering to the Moloch of ambition the best and bravest of his + subjects, dies like a saint. + </p> + <p> + All the believing kings are in heaven—all the doubting philosophers + in perdition. All the persecutors sleep in peace, and the ashes of those + who burned their brothers, sleep in consecrated ground. Libraries could + hardly contain the names of the Christian wretches who have filled the + world with violence and death in defence of book and creed, and yet they + all died the death of the righteous, and no priest, no minister, describes + the agony and fear, the remorse and horror with which their guilty souls + were filled in the last moments of their lives. These men had never + doubted—they had never thought—they accepted the creed as they + did the fashion of their clothes. They were not infidels, they could not + be—they had been baptized, they had not denied the divinity of + Christ, they had partaken of the "last supper." They respected priests, + they admitted that Christ had two natures and the same number of wills; + they admitted that the Holy Ghost had "proceeded," and that, according to + the multiplication table of heaven, once one is three, and three times one + is one, and these things put pillows beneath their heads and covered them + with the drapery of peace. + </p> + <p> + They admitted that while kings and priests did nothing worse than to make + their fellows wretched, that so long as they only butchered and burnt the + innocent and helpless, God would maintain the strictest neutrality; but + when some honest man, some great and tender soul, expressed a doubt as to + the truth of the Scriptures, or prayed to the wrong God, or to the right + one by the wrong name, then the real God leaped like a wounded tiger upon + his victim, and from his quivering flesh tore his wretched soul. + </p> + <p> + There is no recorded instance where the uplifted hand of murder has been + paralyzed—no truthful account in all the literature of the world of + the innocent child being shielded by God. Thousands of crimes are being + committed every day—men are at this moment lying in wait for their + human prey—wives are whipped and crushed, driven to insanity and + death—little children begging for mercy, lifting imploring, + tear-filled eyes to the brutal faces of fathers and mothers—sweet + girls are deceived, lured and outraged, but God has no time to prevent + these things—no time to defend the good and protect the pure. He is + too busy numbering hairs and watching sparrows. He listens for blasphemy; + looks for persons who laugh at priests; examines baptismal registers; + watches professors in college who begin to doubt the geology of Moses and + the astronomy of Joshua. He does not particularly object to stealing, if + you won't swear. A great many persons have fallen dead in the act of + taking God's name in vain, but millions of men, women and children have + been stolen from their homes and used as beasts of burden, but no one + engaged in this infamy has ever been touched by the wrathful hand of God. + </p> + <p> + Now and then a man of genius, of sense, of intellectual honesty, has + appeared. Such men have denounced the superstitions of their day. They + have pitied the multitude. To see priests devour the substance of the + people—priests who made begging one of the learned professions—filled + them with loathing and contempt. These men were honest enough to tell + their thoughts, brave enough to speak the truth. Then they were denounced, + tried, tortured, killed by rack or flame. But some escaped the fury of the + fiends who love their enemies, and died naturally in their beds. It would + not do for the church to admit that they died peacefully. That would show + that religion was not essential at the last moment. Superstition gets its + power from the terror of death. It would not do to have the common people + understand that a man could deny the Bible—refuse to kiss the cross—contend + that Humanity was greater than Christ, and then die as sweetly as + Torquemada did, after pouring molten lead into the ears of an honest man; + or as calmly as Calvin after he had burned Servetus; or as peacefully as + King David after advising with his last breath one son to assassinate + another. + </p> + <p> + The church has taken great pains to show that the last moments of all + infidels (that Christians did not succeed in burning) were infinitely + wretched and despairing. It was alleged that words could not paint the + horrors that were endured by a dying infidel. Every good Christian was + expected to, and generally did, believe these accounts. They have been + told and retold in every pulpit of the world. Protestant ministers have + repeated the lies invented by Catholic priests, and Catholics, by a kind + of theological comity, have sworn to the lies told by the Protestants. + Upon this point they have always stood together, and will as long as the + same falsehood can be used by both. + </p> + <p> + Instead of doing these things, Voltaire wilfully closed his eyes to the + light of the gospel, examined the Bible for himself, advocated + intellectual liberty, struck from the brain the fetters of an arrogant + faith, assisted the weak, cried out against the torture of man, appealed + to reason, endeavored to establish universal toleration, succored the + indigent, and defended the oppressed. + </p> + <p> + He demonstrated that the origin of all religions is the same—the + same mysteries—the same miracles—the same imposture—the + same temples and ceremonies—the same kind of founders, apostles and + dupes—the same promises and threats—the same pretence of + goodness and forgiveness and the practice of the same persecution and + murder. He proved that religion made enemies—philosophy friends—and + that above the rights of Gods were the rights of man. + </p> + <p> + These were his crimes. Such a man God would not suffer to die in peace. If + allowed to meet death with a smile, others might follow his example, until + none would be left to light the holy fires of the <i>auto da fe</i>. It + would not do for so great, so successful, an enemy of the church to die + without leaving some shriek of fear, some shudder of remorse, some ghastly + prayer of chattered horror uttered by lips covered with blood and foam. + </p> + <p> + For many centuries the theologians have taught that an unbeliever—an + infidel—one who spoke or wrote against their creed, could not meet + death with composure; that in his last moments God would fill his + conscience with the serpents of remorse. + </p> + <p> + For a thousand years the clergy have manufactured the facts to fit this + theory—this infamous conception of the duty of man and the justice + of God. + </p> + <p> + The theologians have insisted that crimes against man were, and are, as + nothing compared with crimes against God. + </p> + <p> + Upon the death-bed subject the clergy grow eloquent. When describing the + shudderings and shrieks of the dying unbeliever, their eyes glitter with + delight. + </p> + <p> + It is a festival. + </p> + <p> + They are no longer men. They become hyenas. They dig open graves. They + devour the dead. + </p> + <p> + It is a banquet. + </p> + <p> + Unsatisfied still, they paint the terrors of hell. They gaze at the souls + of the infidels writhing in the coils of the worm that never dies. They + see them in flames—in oceans of fire—in gulfs of pain—in + abysses of despair. They shout with joy. They applaud. + </p> + <p> + It is an <i>auto da fe</i>, presided over by God. + </p> + <p> + VIII. THE SECOND RETURN. + </p> + <p> + FOR four hundred years the Bastile had been the outward symbol of + oppression. Within its walls the noblest had perished. It was a perpetual + threat. It was the last, and often the first, argument of king and priest. + Its dungeons, damp and rayless, its massive towers, its secret cells, its + instruments of torture, denied the existence of God. + </p> + <p> + In 1789, on the 14th of July, the people, the multitude, frenzied by + suffering, stormed and captured the Bastile. The battle-cry was "Vive + Voltaire." + </p> + <p> + In 1791 permission was given to place in the Pantheon the ashes of + Voltaire. He had been buried 110 miles from Paris. Buried by stealth, he + was to be removed by a nation. A funeral procession of a hundred miles; + every village with its flags and arches; all the people anxious to honor + the philosopher of France—the Savior of Calas—the Destroyer of + Superstition. + </p> + <p> + On reaching Paris the great procession moved along the Rue St. Antoine. + Here it paused, and for one night upon the ruins of the Bastile rested the + body of Voltaire—rested in triumph, in glory—rested on fallen + wall and broken arch, on crumbling stone still damp with tears, on rusting + chain and bar and useless bolt—above the dungeons dark and deep, + where light had faded from the lives of men and hope had died in breaking + hearts. + </p> + <p> + The conqueror resting upon the conquered.—Throned upon the Bastile, + the fallen fortress of Night, the body of Voltaire, from whose brain had + issued the Dawn. + </p> + <p> + For a moment his ashes must have felt the Promethean fire, and the old + smile must have illumined once more the face of death. + </p> + <p> + The vast multitude bowed in reverence, hushed with love and awe heard + these words uttered by a priest: "God shall be avenged." + </p> + <p> + The cry of the priest was a prophecy. Priests skulking in the shadows with + faces sinister as night, ghouls in the name of the gospel, desecrated the + grave. They carried away the ashes of Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + The tomb is empty. + </p> + <p> + God is avenged. + </p> + <p> + The world is filled with his fame. + </p> + <p> + Man has conquered. + </p> + <p> + Was there in the eighteenth century, a man wearing the vestments of the + church, the equal of Voltaire? + </p> + <p> + What cardinal, what bishop, what priest in France raised his voice for the + rights of men? What ecclesiastic, what nobleman, took the side of the + oppressed—of the peasant? Who denounced the frightful criminal code—the + torture of suspected persons? What priest pleaded for the liberty of the + citizen? What bishop pitied the victims of the rack? Is there the grave of + a priest in France on which a lover of liberty would now drop a flower or + a tear? Is there a tomb holding the ashes of a saint from which emerges + one ray of light? + </p> + <p> + If there be another life—a day of judgment, no God can afford to + torture in another world the man who abolished torture in this. If God be + the keeper of an eternal penitentiary, he should not imprison there the + men who broke the chains of slavery here. He cannot afford to make an + eternal convict of Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire was a perfect master of the French language, knowing all its + moods, tenses and declinations, in fact and in feeling—playing upon + it as skillfully as Paganini on his violin, finding expression for every + thought and fancy, writing on the most serious subjects with the gayety of + a harlequin, plucking jests from the crumbling mouth of death, graceful as + the waving of willows, dealing in double meanings that covered the asp + with flowers and flattery—master of satire and compliment—mingling + them often in the same line, always interested himself, and therefore + interesting others—handling thoughts, questions, subjects as a + juggler does balls, keeping them in the air with perfect ease—dressing + old words in new meanings, charming, grotesque, pathetic, mingling mirth + with tears, wit and wisdom, and sometimes wickedness, logic and laughter. + With a woman's instinct knowing the sensitive nerves—just where to + touch—hating arrogance of place, the stupidity of the solemn—snatching + masks from priest and king, knowing the springs of action and ambition's + ends—perfectly familiar with the great world—the intimate of + kings and their favorites, sympathizing with the oppressed and imprisoned, + with the unfortunate and poor, hating tyranny, despising superstition, and + loving liberty with all his heart. Such was Voltaire writing "Odipus" at + seventeen, "Irene" at eighty-three, and crowding between these two + tragedies the accomplishment of a thousand lives. + </p> + <p> + From his throne at the foot of the Alps, he pointed the finger of scorn at + every hypocrite in Europe. For half a century, past rack and stake, past + dungeon and cathedral, past altar and throne, he carried with brave hands + the sacred torch of Reason, whose light at last will flood the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LIBERTY IN LITERATURE. + </h2> + <h3> + (A TESTIMONIAL TO WALT WHITMAN.) + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * An address delivered in Philadelphia, Oct. 21, 1890. Used + by permission of the Truth Seeker Co. +</pre> + <p> + I. LET US PUT WREATHS ON THE BROWS OF THE LIVING. + </p> + <p> + IN the year 1855 the American people knew but little of books. Their + ideals, their models, were English. Young and Pollok, Addison and Watts, + were regarded as great poets. Some of the more reckless read Thomson's + "Seasons" and the poems and novels of Sir Walter Scott. A few, not quite + orthodox, delighted in the mechanical monotony of Pope, and the really + wicked—those lost to all religious shame—were worshipers of + Shakespeare. The really orthodox Protestant, untroubled by doubts, + considered Milton the greatest poet of them all. Byron and Shelley were + hardly respectable—not to be read by young persons. It was admitted + on all hands that Burns was a child of nature of whom his mother was + ashamed and proud. + </p> + <p> + In the blessed year aforesaid, candor, free and sincere speech, were under + the ban. Creeds at that time were entrenched behind statutes, prejudice, + custom, ignorance, stupidity, Puritanism and slavery; that is to say, + slavery of mind and body. + </p> + <p> + Of course it always has been, and forever will be, impossible for slavery, + or any kind or form of injustice, to produce a great poet. There are + hundreds of verse makers and writers on the side of wrong—enemies of + progress—but they are not poets, they are not men of genius. + </p> + <p> + At this time a young man—he to whom this testimonial is given—he + upon whose head have fallen the snows of more than seventy winters—this + man, born within the sound of the sea, gave to the world a book, "Leaves + of Grass." This book was, and is, the true transcript of a soul. The man + is unmasked. No drapery of hypocrisy, no pretence, no fear. The book was + as original in form as in thought. All customs were forgotten or + disregarded, all rules broken—nothing mechanical—no imitation—spontaneous, + running and winding like a river, multitudinous in its thoughts as the + waves of the sea—nothing mathematical or measured—in + everything a touch of chaos; lacking what is called form, as clouds lack + form, but not lacking the splendor of sunrise or the glory of sunset. It + was a marvelous collection and aggregation of fragments, hints, + suggestions, memories, and prophecies, weeds and flowers, clouds and + clods, sights and sounds, emotions and passions, waves, shadows and + constellations. + </p> + <p> + His book was received by many with disdain, with horror, with indignation + and protest—by the few as a marvelous, almost miraculous, message to + the world—full of thought, philosophy, poetry and music. + </p> + <p> + In the republic of mediocrity genius is dangerous. A great soul appears + and fills the world with new and marvelous harmonies. In his words is the + old Promethean flame. The heart of nature beats and throbs in his line. + The respectable prudes and pedagogues sound the alarm, and cry, or rather + screech: "Is this a book for a young person?" + </p> + <p> + A poem true to life as a Greek statue—candid as nature—fills + these barren souls with fear. + </p> + <p> + They forget that drapery about the perfect was suggested by immodesty. + </p> + <p> + The provincial prudes, and others of like mold, pretend that love is a + duty rather than a passion—a kind of self-denial—not an + over-mastering joy. They preach the gospel of pretence and pantalettes, In + the presence of sincerity, of truth, they cast down their eyes and + endeavor to feel immodest. To them, the most beautiful thing is hypocrisy + adorned with a blush. + </p> + <p> + They have no idea of an honest, pure passion, glorying in its strength—intense, + intoxicated with the beautiful, giving even to inanimate things pulse and + motion, and that transfigures, ennobles, and idealizes the object of its + adoration. + </p> + <p> + They do not walk the streets of the city of life—they explore the + sewers; they stand in the gutters and cry "Unclean!" They pretend that + beauty is a snare; that love is a Delilah; that the highway of joy is the + broad road, lined with flowers and filled with perfume, leading to the + city of eternal sorrow. + </p> + <p> + Since the year 1855 the American people have developed; they are somewhat + acquainted with the literature of the world. They have witnessed the most + tremendous of revolutions, not only upon the fields of battle, but in the + world of thought. The American citizen has concluded that it is hardly + worth while being a sovereign unless he has the right to think for + himself. + </p> + <p> + And now, from this height, with the vantage-ground of to-day, I propose to + examine this book and to state, in a general way, what Walt Whitman has + done, what he has accomplished, and the place he has won in the world of + thought. + </p> + <p> + II. THE RELIGION OF THE BODY. + </p> + <p> + WALT WHITMAN stood when he published his book, where all stand to-night, + on the perpetually moving line where history ends and prophecy begins. He + was full of life to the very tips of his fingers—brave, eager, + candid, joyous with health. He was acquainted with the past. He knew + something of song and story, of philosophy and art; much of the heroic + dead, of brave suffering, of the thoughts of men, the habits of the people—rich + as well as poor—familiar with labor, a friend of wind and wave, + touched by love and friendship, liking the open road, enjoying the fields + and paths, the crags, friend of the forest—feeling that he was free—neither + master nor slave; willing that all should know his thoughts; open as the + sky, candid as nature, and he gave his thoughts, his dreams, his + conclusions, his hopes and his mental portrait to his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Walt Whitman announced the gospel of the body. He confronted the people. + He denied the depravity of man. He insisted that love is not a crime; that + men and women should be proudly natural; that they need not grovel on the + earth and cover their faces for shame, He taught the dignity and glory of + the father and mother; the sacredness of maternity. + </p> + <p> + Maternity, tender and pure as the tear of pity, holy as suffering—the + crown, the flower, the ecstasy of love! + </p> + <p> + People had been taught from Bibles and from creeds that maternity was a + kind of crime; that the woman should be purified by some ceremony in some + temple built in honor of some god. This barbarism was attacked in "Leaves + of Grass." + </p> + <p> + The glory of simple life was sung; a declaration of independence was made + for each and all. + </p> + <p> + And yet this appeal to manhood and to womanhood was misunderstood. It was + denounced simply because it was in harmony with the great trend of nature. + To me, the most obscene word in our language is celibacy. + </p> + <p> + It was not the fashion for people to speak or write their thoughts. We + were flooded with the literature of hypocrisy. The writers did not + faithfully describe the worlds in which they lived. They endeavored to + make a fashionable world. They pretended that the cottage or the hut in + which they dwelt was a palace, and they called the little area in which + they threw their slops their domain, their realm, their empire. They were + ashamed of the real, of what their world actually was. They imitated; that + is to say, they told lies, and these lies filled the literature of most + lands. + </p> + <p> + Walt Whitman defended the sacredness of love, the purity of passion—the + passion that builds every home and fills the world with art and song. + </p> + <p> + They cried out: "He is a defender of passion—he is a libertine! He + lives in the mire. He lacks spirituality!" + </p> + <p> + Whoever differs with the multitude, especially with a led multitude—that + is to say, with a multitude of taggers—will find out from their + leaders that he has committed an unpardonable sin. It is a crime to travel + a road of your own, especially if you put up guide-boards for the + information of others. + </p> + <p> + Many, many centuries ago Epicurus, the greatest man of his century, and of + many centuries before and after, said: "Happiness is the only good; + happiness is the supreme end." This man was temperate, frugal, generous, + noble—and yet through all these years he has been denounced by the + hypocrites of the world as a mere eater and drinker. + </p> + <p> + It was said that Whitman had exaggerated the importance of love—that + he had made too much of this passion. Let me say that no poet—not + excepting Shakespeare—has had imagination enough to exaggerate the + importance of human love—a passion that contains all heights and all + depths—ample as space, with a sky in which glitter all + constellations, and that has within it all storms, all lightnings, all + wrecks and ruins, all griefs, all sorrows, all shadows, and all the joy + and sunshine of which the heart and brain are capable. + </p> + <p> + No writer must be measured by a word or paragraph. He is to be measured by + his work—by the tendency, not of one line, but by the tendency of + all. + </p> + <p> + Which way does the great stream tend? Is it for good or evil? Are the + motives high and noble, or low and infamous? + </p> + <p> + We cannot measure Shakespeare by a few lines, neither can we measure the + Bible by a few chapters, nor "Leaves of Grass" by a few paragraphs. In + each there are many things that I neither approve nor believe—but in + all books you will find a mingling of wisdom and foolishness, of + prophecies and mistakes—in other words, among the excellencies there + will be defects. The mine is not all gold, or all silver, or all diamonds—there + are baser metals. The trees of the forest are not all of one size. On some + of the highest there are dead and useless limbs, and there may be growing + beneath the bushes weeds, and now and then a poisonous vine. + </p> + <p> + If I were to edit the great books of the world, I might leave out some + lines and I might leave out the best. I have no right to make of my brain + a sieve and say that only that which passes through belongs to the rest of + the human race. I claim the right to choose. I give that right to all. + </p> + <p> + Walt Whitman had the courage to express his thought—the candor to + tell the truth. And here let me say it gives me joy—a kind of + perfect satisfaction—to look above the bigoted bats, the satisfied + owls and wrens and chickadees, and see the great eagle poised, circling + higher and higher, unconscious of their existence. And it gives me joy, a + kind of perfect satisfaction, to look above the petty passions and + jealousies of small and respectable people, above the considerations of + place and power and reputation, and see a brave, intrepid man. + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered that the American people had separated from the Old + World—that we had declared not only the independence of colonies, + but the independence of the individual. We had done more—we had + declared that the state could no longer be ruled by the church, and that + the church could not be ruled by the state, and that the individual could + not be ruled by the church. + </p> + <p> + These declarations were in danger of being forgotten. We needed a new + voice, sonorous, loud and clear, a new poet for America, for the new + epoch, somebody to chant the morning song of the new day. + </p> + <p> + The great man who gives a true transcript of his mind, fascinates and + instructs. Most writers suppress individuality. They wish to please the + public. They flatter the stupid and pander to the prejudice of their + readers. They write for the market, making books as other mechanics make + shoes. They have no message, they bear no torch, they are simply the + slaves of customers. + </p> + <p> + The books they manufacture are handled by "the trade;" they are regarded + as harmless. The pulpit does not object; the young person can read the + monotonous pages without a blush—or a thought. + </p> + <p> + On the title pages of these books you will find the imprint of the great + publishers; on the rest of the pages, nothing. These books might be + prescribed for insomnia. + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + Men of talent, men of business, touch life upon few sides. They travel but + the beaten path. The creative spirit is not in them. They regard with + suspicion a poet who touches life on every side. They have little + confidence in that divine thing called sympathy, and they do not and + cannot understand the man who enters into the hopes, the aims and the + feelings of all others. + </p> + <p> + In all genius there is the touch of chaos—a little of the vagabond; + and the successful tradesman, the man who buys and sells, or manages a + bank, does not care to deal with a person who has only poems for + collaterals; they have a little fear of such people, and regard them as + the awkward countryman does a sleight-of-hand performer. + </p> + <p> + In every age in which books have been produced the governing class, the + respectable, have been opposed to the works of real genius. If what are + known as the best people could have had their way, if the pulpit had been + consulted—the provincial moralists—the works of Shakespeare + would have been suppressed. Not a line would have reached our time. And + the same may be said of every dramatist of his age. + </p> + <p> + If the Scotch Kirk could have decided, nothing would have been known of + Robert Burns. If the good people, the orthodox, could have had their say, + not one line of Voltaire would now be known. All the plates of the French + Encyclopedia would have been destroyed with the thousands that were + destroyed. Nothing would have been known of D'Alembert, Grimm, Diderot, or + any of the Titans who warred against the thrones and altars and laid the + foundation of modern literature not only, but what is of far greater + moment, universal education. + </p> + <p> + It is not too much to say that every book now held in high esteem would + have been destroyed, if those in authority could have had their will. + Every book of modern times that has a real value, that has enlarged the + intellectual horizon of mankind, that has developed the brain, that has + furnished real food for thought, can be found in the Index Expurgatorius + of the Papacy, and nearly every one has been commended to the free minds + of men by the denunciations of Protestants. + </p> + <p> + If the guardians of society, the protectors of "young persons," could have + had their way, we should have known nothing of Byron or Shelley. The + voices that thrill the world would now be silent. If authority could have + had its way, the world would have been as ignorant now as it was when our + ancestors lived in holes or hung from dead limbs by their prehensile + tails. + </p> + <p> + But we are not forced to go very far back. If Shakespeare had been + published for the first time now, those divine plays—greater than + continents and seas, greater even than the constellations of the midnight + sky—would be excluded from the mails by the decision of the present + enlightened postmaster-general. + </p> + <p> + The poets have always lived in an ideal world, and that ideal world has + always been far better than the real world. As a consequence, they have + forever roused, not simply the imagination, but the energies—the + enthusiasm of the human race. + </p> + <p> + The great poets have been on the side of the oppressed—of the + downtrodden. They have suffered with the imprisoned and the enslaved, and + whenever and wherever man has suffered for the right, wherever the hero + has been stricken down—whether on field or scaffold—some man + of genius has walked by his side, and some poet has given form and + expression, not simply to his deeds, but to his aspirations. + </p> + <p> + From the Greek and Roman world we still hear the voices of a few. The + poets, the philosophers, the artists and the orators still speak. + Countless millions have been covered by the waves of oblivion, but the few + who uttered the elemental truths, who had sympathy for the whole human + race, and who were great enough to prophesy a grander day, are as alive + to-night as when they roused, by their bodily presence, by their living + voices, by their works of art, the enthusiasm of their fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Think of the respectable people, of the men of wealth and position, those + who dwelt in mansions, children of success, who went down to the grave + voiceless, and whose names we do not know. Think of the vast multitudes, + the endless processions, that entered the caverns of eternal night, + leaving no thought, no truth as a legacy to mankind! + </p> + <p> + The great poets have sympathized with the people. They have uttered in all + ages the human cry. Unbought by gold, unawed by power, they have lifted + high the torch that illuminates the world. + </p> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + Walt Whitman is in the highest sense a believer in democracy. He knows + that there is but one excuse for government—the preservation of + liberty, to the end that man may be happy. He knows that there is but one + excuse for any institution, secular or religious—the preservation of + liberty; and that there is but one excuse for schools, lor universal + education, for the ascertainment of facts, namely, the preservation of + liberty. He resents the arrogance and cruelty of power. He has sworn never + to be tyrant or slave. He has solemnly declared: + </p> + <p> + "<i>I speak the pass-word primeval, I give the sign of democracy, By God! + I will accept nothing which all cannot have their counterpart of on the + same terms</i>." + </p> + <p> + This one declaration covers the entire ground. It is a declaration of + independence, and it is also a declaration of justice, that is to say, a + declaration of the independence of the individual, and a declaration that + all shall be free. The man who has this spirit can truthfully say: + </p> + <p> + "<i>I have taken off my hat to nothing known or unknown. I am for those + that have never been master'd.</i>" + </p> + <p> + There is in Whitman what he calls "The boundless impatience of restraint," + together with that sense of justice which compelled him to say, "Neither a + servant nor a master am I." + </p> + <p> + He was wise enough to know that giving others the same rights that he + claims for himself could not harm him, and he was great enough to say: "As + if it were not indispensable to my own rights that others possess the + same." + </p> + <p> + He felt as all should feel, that the liberty of no man is safe unless the + liberty of each is safe. + </p> + <p> + There is in our country a little of the old servile spirit, a little of + the bowing and cringing to others. Many Americans do not understand that + the officers of the government are simply the servants of the people. + Nothing is so demoralizing as the worship of place. Whitman has reminded + the people of this country that they are supreme, and he has said to them: + </p> + <p> + "<i>The President is there in the White House for you, it is not you who + are here for him, The Secretaries act in their bureaus for you, not you + here for them. Doctrines, politics and civilization exurge from you, + Sculpture and monuments and any thing inscribed anywhere are tallied in + you</i>." + </p> + <p> + He describes the ideal American citizen—the one who + </p> + <p> + "<i>Says indifferently and alike 'How are you, friend?' to the President + at his levee, And he says 'Good-day, my brother,' to Cudge that hoes in + the sugar-field</i>." + </p> + <p> + Long ago, when the politicians were wrong, when the judges were + subservient, when the pulpit was a coward, Walt Whitman shouted: + </p> + <p> + "<i>Man shall not hold property in man.</i>" + </p> + <p> + "<i>The least develop'd person on earth is just as important and sacred to + himself or herself as the most develop'd person is to himself or herself.</i>" + </p> + <p> + This is the very soul of true democracy. + </p> + <p> + Beauty is not all there is of poetry. It must contain the truth. It is not + simply an oak, rude and grand, neither is it simply a vine. It is both. + Around the oak of truth runs the vine of beauty. + </p> + <p> + Walt Whitman utters the elemental truths and is the poet of democracy. He + is also the poet of individuality. + </p> + <p> + V. INDIVIDUALITY. + </p> + <p> + IN order to protect the liberties of a nation, we must protect the + individual. A democracy is a nation of free individuals. The individuals + are not to be sacrificed to the nation. The nation exists only for the + purpose of guarding and protecting the individuality of men and women. + Walt Whitman has told us that: "The whole theory of the universe is + directed unerringly to one single individual—namely to You." + </p> + <p> + And he has also told us that the greatest city—the greatest nation—is + "where the citizen is always the head and ideal." + </p> + <p> + And that + </p> + <p> + "<i>A great city is that which has the greatest men and women, If it be a + few ragged huts it is still the greatest city in the whole world.</i>" + </p> + <p> + By this test maybe the greatest city on the continent to-night is Camden. + </p> + <p> + This poet has asked of us this question: + </p> + <p> + "<i>What do you suppose will satisfy the soul, except to walk free and own + no superior?</i>" + </p> + <p> + The man who asks this question has left no impress of his lips in the + dust, and has no dirt upon his knees. + </p> + <p> + He was great enough to say: + </p> + <p> + "<i>The soul has that measureless pride which revolts from every lesson + but its own.</i>" + </p> + <p> + He carries the idea of individuality to its utmost height: + </p> + <p> + "<i>What do you suppose I would intimate to you in a hundred ways, but + that man or woman is as good as God? And that there is no God any more + divine than Yourself?</i>" + </p> + <p> + Glorying in individuality, in the freedom of the soul, he cries out: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O to struggle against great odds, to meet enemies undaunted! + To be entirely alone with them, to find how much one can stand! + To look strife, torture, prison, popular odium, face to face! + To mount the scaffold, to advance to the muzzles of guns with perfect nonchalance! + To be indeed a God!" +</pre> + <p> + And again: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O the joy of a manly self-hood! + To be servile to none, to defer to none, not to any tyrant known or unknown, + + To walk with erect carriage, a step springy and elastic, + To look with calm gaze or with a flashing eye, + + To speak with full and sonorous voice out of a broad chest, + To confront with your personality all the other personalities of the earth." +</pre> + <p> + Walt Whitman is willing to stand alone. He is sufficient unto himself, and + he says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune. + Strong and content I travel the open road." +</pre> + <p> + He is one of + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Those that look carelessly in the faces of Presidents and Governors, + as to say 'Who are you? '" +</pre> + <p> + And not only this, but he has the courage to say: "Nothing, not God, is + greater to one than one's self." Walt Whitman is the poet of Individuality—the + defender of the rights of each for the sake of all—and his + sympathies are as wide as the world. He is the defender of the whole race. + </p> + <p> + VI. HUMANITY. + </p> + <p> + THE great poet is intensely human, infinitely sympathetic, entering into + the joys and griefs of others, bearing their burdens, knowing their + sorrows. Brain without heart is not much; they must act together. When the + respectable people of the North, the rich, the successful, were willing to + carry out the Fugitive Slave Law, Walt Whitman said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I am the hounded slave, I wince at the bite of the dogs, + Hell and despair are upon me, crack and again crack the marksmen, + I clutch the rails of the fence, my gore dribs, thinn'd with the ooze of my skin, + I fall on the weeds and stones, + The riders spur their unwilling horses, haul close, + Taunt my dizzy ears, and beat me violently over the head with whip-stocks. + Agonies are one of my changes of garments, + I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, + I myself become the wounded person.... + I... see myself in prison shaped like another man, + And feel the dull unintermitted pain. + For me the keepers of convicts shoulder their carbines and keep watch, + It is I let out in the morning and barr'd at night. + Not a mutineer walks handcuff'd to jail but I am handcuff'd to him and walk by his side. + Judge not as the judge judges, but as the sun falling upon a helpless thing." +</pre> + <p> + Of the very worst he had the infinite tenderness to say: "Not until the + sun excludes you will I exclude you." + </p> + <p> + In this age of greed when houses and lands and stocks and bonds outrank + human life; when gold is of more value than blood, these words should be + read by all: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "When the psalm sings instead of the singer, + When the script preaches instead of the preacher, + When the pulpit descends and goes instead of the carver that carved the supporting desk, + When I can touch the body of books by night or day, and when they touch my body back again," + When a university course convinces like a slumbering woman and child convince, + When the minted gold in the vault smiles like the night-watchman's daughter, + When warrantee deeds loaf in chairs opposite and are my friendly companions, + I intend to reach them my hand, and make as much of them as I do of men and women like you." +</pre> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + The poet is also a painter, a sculptor—he, too, deals in form and + color. The great poet is of necessity a great artist. With a few words he + creates pictures, filling his canvas with living men and women—with + those who feel and speak. Have you ever read the account of the + stage-driver's funeral? Let me read it: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Cold dash of waves at the ferry-wharf, posh and ice in the river, half-frozen mud in the streets, + A gray discouraged sky overhead, the short, last daylight of December, + A hearse and stages, the funeral of an old Broadway stage-driver, the cortege mostly drivers. + Steady the trot to the cemetery, duly rattles the death-bell, The gate is pass'd, the new-dug grave is halted at, the living alight, the hearse uncloses. + The coffin is pass'd out, lower'd and settled, the whip is laid on the coffin, the earth is swiftly shovel'd in, + The mound above is flatted with the spades—silence, + A minute—no one moves or speaks—it is done, + He is decently put away—is there anything more? + He was a good fellow, free-mouth'd, quick-temper'd, not bad-looking, + Ready with life or death for a friend, fond of women, gambled, ate hearty, drank hearty, + Had known what it was to be flush, grew low-spirited toward the last, sicken'd, was helped by a contribution, Died, aged forty-one years—and that was his funeral." +</pre> + <p> + Let me read you another description, one of a woman: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Behold a woman! + She looks out from her quaker cap, her face is clearer and more beautiful than the sky. + She sits in an armchair under the shaded porch of the farmhouse, + The sun just shines on her old white head. + Her ample gown is of cream-hued linen, + Her grandsons raised the flax, and her granddaughters spun it with the distaff and the wheel. + The melodious character of the earth. + The finish beyond which philosophy cannot go and does not wish to go, + The justified mother of men." +</pre> + <p> + Would you hear of an old-time sea-fight? + </p> + <p> + "Would you learn who won by the light of the moon and stars? List to the + yarn, as my grandmother's father the sailor told it to me. Our foe was no + skulk in his ship I tell you, (said he,) His was the surly English pluck, + and there is no tougher or truer, and never was, and never will be; Along + the lower'd eve he came horribly raking us. We closed with him, the yards + entangled, the cannon touch'd, My captain lash'd fast with his own hands. + We had receiv'd some eighteen pound shots under the water, On our lower + gun-deck two large pieces had burst at the first fire, killing all around + and blowing up overhead. Fighting at sun-down, fighting at dark, Ten + o'clock at night, the full moon well up, our leaks on the gain, and five + feet of water reported, The master-at-arms loosing the prisoners confined + in the after-hold to give them a chance for themselves. The transit to and + from the magazine is now stopt by the sentinels, They see so many strange + faces they do not know whom to trust. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Our frigate takes fire, + The other asks if we demand quarter? + If our colors are struck and the fighting done? + Now I laugh content, for I hear the voice of my little captain, + 'We have not struck,' he composedly cries, 'we have just begun our part of the fighting.' + Only three guns are in use, + One is directed by the captain himself against the enemy's mainmast, + Two well serv'd with grape and canister silence his musketry and clear his decks. + The tops alone second the fire of this little battery, especially the main-top, + They hold out bravely during the whole of the action. + Not a moment's cease, + The leaks gain fast on the pumps, the fire eats toward the powder-magazines. + One of the pumps has been shot away, it is generally thought we are sinking. + Serene stands the little captain, + He is not hurried, his voice is neither high nor low, + His eyes give more light to us than our battle-lanterns. + Toward twelve there in the beams of the moon the surrender to us. + Stretch'd and still lies the midnight, + Two great hulls motionless on the breast of the darkness. Our vessel riddled and slowly sinking, preparations to pass to the one we have conquer'd, + The captain on the quarter-deck coldly giving his orders through a countenance white as a sheet, + Near by the corpse of the child that serv'd in the cabin, The dead face of an old salt with long white hair and carefully curl'd whiskers, + The flames spite of all that can be done flickering aloft and below, + The husky voices of the two or three officers yet fit for duty, Formless stacks of bodies and bodies by themselves, dabs of flesh upon the masts and spars, + Cut of cordage, dangle of rigging, slight shock of the soothe of waves, + Black and impassive guns, litter of powder-parcels, strong scent, + A few large stars overhead, silent and mournful shining, Delicate sniffs of sea-breeze, smells of sedgy grass and fields by the shore, death-messages given in charge to survivors, + The hiss of the surgeon's knife, the gnawing teeth of his saw, + Wheeze, cluck, swash of falling blood, short wild scream, and long, dull, tapering groan." +</pre> + <p> + Some people say that this is not poetry—that it lacks measure and + rhyme. + </p> + <p> + VIII. WHAT IS POETRY? + </p> + <p> + THE whole world is engaged in the invisible commerce of thought. That is + to say, in the exchange of thoughts by words, symbols, sounds, colors and + forms. The motions of the silent, invisible world, where feeling glows and + thought flames—that contains all seeds of action—are made + known only by sounds and colors, forms, objects, relations, uses and + qualities, so that the visible universe is a dictionary, an aggregation of + symbols, by which and through which is carried on the invisible commerce + of thought. Each object is capable of many meanings, or of being used in + many ways to convey ideas or states of feeling or of facts that take place + in the world of the brain. + </p> + <p> + The greatest poet is the one who selects the best, the most appropriate + symbols to convey the best, the highest, the sublimest thoughts. Each man + occupies a world of his own. He is the only citizen of his world. He is + subject and sovereign, and the best he can do is to give the facts + concerning the world in which he lives to the citizens of other worlds. No + two of these worlds are alike. They are of all kinds, from the flat, + barren, and uninteresting—from the small and shriveled and worthless—to + those whose rivers and mountains and seas and constellations belittle and + cheapen the visible world. The inhabitants of these marvelous worlds have + been the singers of songs, utterers of great speech—the creators of + art. + </p> + <p> + And here lies the difference between creators and imitators: the creator + tells what passes in his own world—the imitator does not. The + imitator abdicates, and by the fact of imitation falls upon his knees. He + is like one who, hearing a traveler talk, pretends to others that he has + traveled. + </p> + <p> + In nearly all lands, the poet has been privileged. For the sake of beauty, + they have allowed him to speak, and for that reason he has told the story + of the oppressed, and has excited the indignation of honest men and even + the pity of tyrants. He, above all others, has added to the intellectual + beauty of the world. He has been the true creator of language, and has + left his impress on mankind. + </p> + <p> + What I have said is not only true of poetry—it is true of all + speech. All are compelled to use the visible world as a dictionary. Words + have been invented and are being invented, for the reason that new powers + are found in the old symbols, new qualities, relations, uses and meanings. + The growth of language is necessary on account of the development of the + human mind. The savage needs but few symbols—the civilized many—the + poet most of all. + </p> + <p> + The old idea was, however, that the poet must be a rhymer. Before printing + was known, it was said: the rhyme assists the memory. That excuse no + longer exists. + </p> + <p> + Is rhyme a necessary part of poetry? In my judgment, rhyme is a hindrance + to expression. The rhymer is compelled to wander from his subject, to say + more or less than he means, to introduce irrelevant matter that interferes + continually with the dramatic action and is a perpetual obstruction to + sincere utterance. + </p> + <p> + All poems, of necessity, must be short. The highly and purely poetic is + the sudden bursting into blossom of a great and tender thought. The + planting of the seed, the growth, the bud and flower must be rapid. The + spring must be quick and warm, the soil perfect, the sunshine and rain + enough—everything should tend to hasten, nothing to delay. In + poetry, as in wit, the crystallization must be sudden. + </p> + <p> + The greatest poems are rhythmical. While rhyme is a hindrance, rhythm + seems to be the comrade of the poetic. Rhythm has a natural foundation. + Under emotion the blood rises and falls, the muscles contract and relax, + and this action of the blood is as rhythmical as the rise and fall of the + sea. In the highest form of expression the thought should be in harmony + with this natural ebb and flow. + </p> + <p> + The highest poetic truth is expressed in rhythmical form. I have sometimes + thought that an idea selects its own words, chooses its own garments, and + that when the thought has possession, absolutely, of the speaker or + writer, he unconsciously allows the thought to clothe itself. + </p> + <p> + The great poetry of the world keeps time with the winds and the waves. + </p> + <p> + I do not mean by rhythm a recurring accent at accurately measured + intervals. Perfect time is the death of music. There should always be room + for eager haste and delicious delay, and whatever change there may be in + the rhythm or time, the action itself should suggest perfect freedom. + </p> + <p> + A word more about rhythm. I believe that certain feelings and passions—-joy, + grief, emulation, revenge, produce certain molecular movements in the + brain—that every thought is accompanied by certain physical + phenomena. Now, it may be that certain sounds, colors, and forms produce + the same molecular action in the brain that accompanies certain feelings, + and that these sounds, colors and forms produce first the molecular + movements and these in their turn reproduce the feelings, emotions and + states of mind capable of producing the same or like molecular movements. + So that what we call heroic music produces the same molecular action in + the brain—the same physical changes—that are produced by the + real feeling of heroism; that the sounds we call plaintive produce the + same molecular movement in the brain that grief, or the twilight of grief, + actually produces. There may be a rhythmical molecular movement belonging + to each state of mind, that accompanies each thought or passion, and it + may be that music, or painting, or sculpture, produces the same state of + mind or feeling that produces the music or painting or sculpture, by + producing the same molecular movements. + </p> + <p> + All arts are born of the same spirit, and express like thoughts in + different ways—that is to say, they produce like states of mind and + feeling. The sculptor, the painter, the composer, the poet, the orator, + work to the same end, with different materials. The painter expresses + through form and color and relation; the sculptor through form and + relation. The poet also paints and chisels—his words give form, + relation and color. His statues and his paintings do not crumble, neither + do they fade, nor will they as long as language endures. The composer + touches the passions, produces the very states of feeling produced by the + painter and sculptor, the poet and orator. In all these there must be + rhythm—that is to say, proportion—that is to say, harmony, + melody. + </p> + <p> + So that the greatest poet is the one who idealizes the common, who gives + new meanings to old symbols, who transfigures the ordinary things of life. + He must deal with the hopes and fears, and with the experiences of the + people. + </p> + <p> + The poetic is not the exceptional. A perfect poem is like a perfect day. + It has the undefinable charm of naturalness and ease. It must not appear + to be the result of great labor. We feel, in spite of ourselves, that man + does best that which he does easiest. + </p> + <p> + The great poet is the instrumentality, not always of his time, but of the + best of his time, and he must be in unison and accord with the ideals of + his race. The sublimer he is, the simpler he is. The thoughts of the + people must be clad in the garments of feeling—the words must be + known, apt, familiar. The height must be in the thought, in the sympathy. + </p> + <p> + In the olden time they used to have May day parties, and the prettiest + child was crowned Queen of May. Imagine an old blacksmith and his wife + looking at their little daughter clad in white and crowned with roses. + They would wonder while they looked at her, how they ever came to have so + beautiful a child. It is thus that the poet clothes the intellectual + children or ideals of the people. They must not be gemmed and garlanded + beyond the recognition of their parents. Out from all the flowers and + beauty must look the eyes of the child they know. + </p> + <p> + We have grown tired of gods and goddesses in art. Milton's heavenly + militia excites our laughter. Light-houses have driven sirens from the + dangerous coasts. We have found that we do not depend on the imagination + for wonders—there are millions of miracles under our feet. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more marvelous than the common and everyday facts of life. + The phantoms have been cast aside. Men and women are enough for men and + women. In their lives is all the tragedy and all the comedy that they can + comprehend. + </p> + <p> + The painter no longer crowds his canvas with the winged and impossible—he + paints life as he sees it, people as he knows them, and in whom he is + interested. "The Angelus," the perfection of pathos, is nothing but two + peasants bending their heads in thankfulness as they hear the solemn sound + of the distant bell—two peasants, who have nothing to be thankful + for, nothing but weariness and want, nothing but the crusts that they + soften with their tears—nothing. And yet as you look at that picture + you feel that they have something besides to be thankful for—that + they have life, love, and hope—and so the distant bell makes music + in their simple hearts. + </p> + <p> + IX. + </p> + <p> + The attitude of Whitman toward religion has not been understood. Toward + all forms of worship, toward all creeds, he has maintained the attitude of + absolute fairness. He does not believe that Nature has given her last + message to man. He does not believe that all has been ascertained. He + denies that any sect has written down the entire truth. He believes in + progress, and so believing he says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "We consider Bibles and religions divine—I do not say they are not divine, + I say they have all grown out of you, and may grow out of you still, + It is not they who give the life, it is you who give the life." + + "His [the poet's] thoughts are the hymns of the praise of things, + In the dispute on God and eternity he is silent." + + "Have you thought there could be but a single supreme? + There can be any number of supremes—one does not countervail another + anymore than one eyesight countervails another." +</pre> + <p> + Upon the great questions, as to the great problems, he feels only the + serenity of a great and well-poised soul: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "No array of terms can say how much I am at peace about God and about death. + I hear and behold God in every object, yet understand God not in the least, + Nor do I understand who there can be more wonderful than myself.... + In the faces of men and women I see God, and in my own face in the glass, + I find letters from God dropt in the street, and every one is sign'd by God's name." +</pre> + <p> + The whole visible world is regarded by him as a revelation, and so is the + invisible world, and with this feeling he writes: + </p> + <p> + "Not objecting to special revelations—considering a curl of smoke or + a hair on the back of my hand just as curious as any revelation." + </p> + <p> + The creeds do not satisfy, the old mythologies are not enough; they are + too narrow at best, giving only hints and suggestions; and feeling this + lack in that which has been written and preached, Whitman says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Magnifying and applying come I, + Outbidding at the start the old cautious hucksters, + Taking myself the exact dimensions of Jehovah, Lithographing Kronos, + Zeus his son, and Hercules his grandson, + Buying drafts of Osiris, Isis, Belus, Brahma, Buddha, + In my portfolio placing Manito loose, Allah on a leaf, the crucifix engraved, + With Odin and the hideous-faced Mexitli, and every idol and image, + Taking them all for what they are worth, and not a cent more." +</pre> + <p> + Whitman keeps open house. He is intellectually hospitable. He extends his + hand to a new idea. He does not accept a creed because it is wrinkled and + old and has a long white beard. He knows that hypocrisy has a venerable + look, and that it relies on looks and masks, on stupidity and fear. + Neither does he reject or accept the new because it is new. He wants the + truth, and so he welcomes all until he knows just who and what they are. + </p> + <p> + X. PHILOSOPHY. + </p> + <p> + WALT WHITMAN is a philosopher. The more a man has thought, the more he has + studied, the more he has traveled intellectually, the less certain he is. + Only the very ignorant are perfectly satisfied that they know. To the + common man the great problems are easy. He has no trouble in accounting + for the universe. He can tell you the origin and destiny of man and the + why and the wherefore of things. As a rule, he is a believer in special + providence, and is egotistic enough to suppose that everything that + happens in the universe happens in reference to him. + </p> + <p> + A colony of red ants lived at the foot of the Alps. It happened one day + that an avalanche destroyed the hill; and one of the ants was heard to + remark: "Who could have taken so much trouble to destroy our home?" + </p> + <p> + Walt Whitman walked by the side of the sea "where the fierce old mother + endlessly cries for her castaways," and endeavored to think out, to fathom + the mystery of being; and he said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I too but signify at the utmost a little wash'd-up drift, + A few sands and dead leaves to gather, + Gather, and merge myself as part of the sands and drift. + Aware now that amid all that blab whose echoes recoil upon me + I have not once had the least idea who or what I am, + But that before all my arrogant poems the real Me stands yet untouch'd, + untold, altogether unreach'd, + Withdrawn far, mocking me with mock-congratulatory signs and bows, + With peals of distant ironical laughter at every word I have written, + Pointing in silence to these songs, and then to the sand beneath.... + I perceive I have not really understood any thing, not a single object, + and that no man ever can." +</pre> + <p> + There is in our language no profounder poem than the one entitled + "Elemental Drifts." + </p> + <p> + The effort to find the origin has ever been, and will forever be, + fruitless. Those who endeavor to find the secret of life resemble a man + looking in the mirror, who thinks that if he only could be quick enough he + could grasp the image that he sees behind the glass. + </p> + <p> + The latest word of this poet upon this subject is as follows: + </p> + <p> + "To me this life with all its realities and functions is finally a + mystery, the real something yet to be evolved, and the stamp and shape and + life here somehow giving an important, perhaps the main outline to + something further. Somehow this hangs over everything else, and stands + behind it, is inside of all facts, and the concrete and material, and the + worldly affairs of life and sense. That is the purport and meaning behind + all the other meanings of Leaves of Grass." + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the questions of origin and destiny are beyond the + grasp of the human mind. We can see a certain distance; beyond that, + everything is indistinct; and beyond the indistinct is the unseen. In the + presence of these mysteries—and everything is a mystery so far as + origin, destiny, and nature are concerned—the intelligent, honest + man is compelled to say, "I do not know." + </p> + <p> + In the great midnight a few truths like stars shine on forever, and from + the brain of man come a few struggling gleams of light, a few momentary + sparks. + </p> + <p> + Some have contended that everything is spirit; others that everything is + matter; and again, others have maintained that a part is matter and a part + is spirit; some that spirit was first and matter after; others that matter + was first and spirit after; and others that matter and spirit have existed + together. + </p> + <p> + But none of these people can by any possibility tell what matter is, or + what spirit is, or what the difference is between spirit and matter. + </p> + <p> + The materialists look upon the spiritualists as substantially crazy; and + the spiritualists regard the materialists as low and groveling. These + spiritualistic people hold matter in contempt; but, after all, matter is + quite a mystery. Y ou take in your hand a little earth—a little + dust. Do you know what it is? In this dust you put a seed; the rain falls + upon it; the light strikes it; the seed grows; it bursts into blossom; it + produces fruit. + </p> + <p> + What is this dust—this womb? Do you understand it? Is there anything + in the wide universe more wonderful than this? + </p> + <p> + Take a grain of sand, reduce it to powder, take the smallest possible + particle, look at it with a microscope, contemplate its every part for + days, and it remains the citadel of a secret—an impregnable + fortress. Bring all the theologians, philosophers, and scientists in + serried ranks against it; let them attack on every side with all the arts + and arms of thought and force. The citadel does not fall. Over the + battlements floats the flag, and the victorious secret smiles at the + baffled hosts. + </p> + <p> + Walt Whitman did not and does not imagine that he has reached the limit—the + end of the road traveled by the human race. He knows that every victory + over nature is but the preparation for another battle. This truth was in + his mind when he said: "Understand me well; it is provided in the essence + of things, that from any fruition of success, no matter what, shall come + forth something to make a greater struggle necessary." + </p> + <p> + This is the generalization of all history. + </p> + <p> + XI. THE TWO POEMS. + </p> + <p> + THERE are two of these poems to which I will call special attention. The + first is entitled, "A Word Out of the Sea." + </p> + <p> + The boy, coming out of the rocked cradle, wandering over the sands and + fields, up from the mystic play of shadows, out of the patches of briers + and blackberries—from the memories of birds—from the thousand + responses of his heart—goes back to the sea and his childhood, and + sings a reminiscence. + </p> + <p> + Two guests from Alabama—two birds—build their nest, and there + were four light green eggs, spotted with brown, and the two birds sang for + joy: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Shine! shine! shine! + Pour down your warmth, great sun! + While we bask, we two together. + Two together! + Winds blow south, or winds blow north, + Day come white, or night come black, . + Home, or rivers and mountains from home, + Singing all time, minding no time, + While we two keep together." +</pre> + <p> + In a little while one of the birds is missed and never appeared again, and + all through the summer the mate, the solitary guest, was singing of the + lost: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Blow! blow! blow! + Blow up sea-winds along Paumanok's shore; + I wait and I wait till you blow my mate to me." +</pre> + <p> + And the boy that night, blending himself with the shadows, with bare feet, + went down to the sea, where the white arms out in the breakers were + tirelessly tossing; listening to the songs and translating the notes. + </p> + <p> + And the singing bird called loud and high for the mate, wondering what the + dusky spot was in the brown and yellow, seeing the mate whichever way he + looked, piercing the woods and the earth with his song, hoping that the + mate might hear his cry; stopping that he might not lose her answer; + waiting and then crying again: "Here I am! And this gentle call is for + you. Do not be deceived by the whistle of the wind; those are the + shadows;" and at last crying: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O past! O happy life! O songs of joy! + In the air, in the woods, over fields, + Loved! loved! loved! loved! loved! + But my mate no more, no more with me! + We two together no more." +</pre> + <p> + And then the 'boy, understanding the song that had awakened in his breast + a thousand songs clearer and louder and more sorrowful than the birds, + knowing that the cry of unsatisfied love would never again be absent from + him; thinking then of the destiny of all, and asking of the sea the final + word, and the sea answering, delaying not and hurrying not, spoke the low + delicious word "Death!" "ever Death!" + </p> + <p> + The next poem, one that will live as long as our language, entitled: "When + Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom'd," is on the death of Lincoln, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The sweetest, wisest soul of all my days and lands." +</pre> + <p> + One who reads this will never forget the odor of the lilac, "the lustrous + western star" and "the gray-brown bird singing in the pines and cedars." + </p> + <p> + In this poem the dramatic unities are perfectly preserved, the atmosphere + and climate in harmony with every event. + </p> + <p> + Never will he forget the solemn journey of the coffin through day and + night, with the great cloud darkening the land, nor the pomp of inlooped + flags, the processions long and winding, the flambeaus of night, the + torches' flames, the silent sea of faces, the unbared heads, the thousand + voices rising strong and solemn, the dirges, the shuddering organs, the + tolling bells—and the sprig of lilac. + </p> + <p> + And then for a moment they will hear the gray-brown bird singing in the + cedars, bashful and tender, while the lustrous star lingers in the west, + and they will remember the pictures hung on the chamber walls to adorn the + burial house—pictures of spring and farms and homes, and the gray + smoke lucid and bright, and the floods of yellow gold—of the + gorgeous indolent sinking sun—the sweet herbage under foot—the + green leaves of the trees prolific—the breast of the river with the + wind-dapple here and there, and the varied and ample land—and the + most excellent sun so calm and haughty—the violet and purple morn + with just-felt breezes—the gentle soft-born measureless light—the + miracle spreading, bathing all—the fulfill'd noon—the coming + eve delicious, and the welcome night and the stars. + </p> + <p> + And then again they will hear the song of the gray-brown bird in the + limitless dusk amid the cedars and pines. Again they will remember the + star, and again the odor of the lilac. + </p> + <p> + But most of all, the song of the bird translated and becoming the chant + for death: + </p> + <p> + A CHANT FOR DEATH. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Come lovely and soothing death, + Undulate round the world, serenely arriving, arriving, + In the day, in the night, to all, to each, + Sooner or later delicate death. + Prais'd be the fathomless universe, + For life and joy, and for objects and knowledge curious, + And for love, sweet love—but praise! praise! praise! + For the sure-enwinding arms of cool-enfolding death. + Dark mother always gliding near with soft feet, + Have none chanted for thee a chant of fullest welcome? + Then I chant it for thee, I glorify thee above all, + I bring thee a song that when thou must indeed come, come unfalteringly. + Approach strong deliveress, + When it is so, when thou hast taken them I joyously sing the dead, + Lost in the loving floating ocean of thee, + Laved in the flood of thy bliss, O death. + From me to thee glad serenades, + Dances for thee I propose saluting thee, adornments and 'feastings for thee, + And the sights of the open landscape and the high spread sky are fitting, + And life and the fields, and the huge and thoughtful night. + The night in silence under many a star, + The ocean shore and the husky whispering wave whose voice I know, + And the soul turning to thee O vast and well-veil'd death, + And the body gratefully nestling close to thee. + Over the tree-tops I float thee a song, + Over the rising and sinking waves, over the myriad fields and the prairies wide, + Over the dense-pack'd cities all and the teeming wharves and ways, + I float this carol with joy, with joy to thee O death." +</pre> + <p> + This poem, in memory of "the sweetest, wisest soul of all our days and + lands," and for whose sake lilac and star and bird entwined, will last as + long as the memory of Lincoln. + </p> + <p> + XII. OLD AGE. + </p> + <p> + WALT WHITMAN is not only the poet of childhood, of youth, of manhood, but, + above all, of old age. He has not been soured by slander or petrified by + prejudice; neither calumny nor flattery has made him revengeful or + arrogant. Now sitting by the fireside, in the winter of life, + </p> + <p> + "His jocund heart still beating in his breast," he is just as brave and + calm and kind as in his manhood's proudest days, when roses blossomed in + his cheeks. + </p> + <p> + He has taken life's seven steps. Now, as the gamester might say, "on + velvet," he is enjoying "old age, expanded, broad, with the haughty + breadth of the universe; old age, flowing free, with the delicious near-by + freedom of death; old age, superbly rising, welcoming the ineffable + aggregation of dying days." + </p> + <p> + He is taking the "loftiest look at last," and before he goes he utters + thanks: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "For health, the midday sun, the impalpable air—for life, mere life, + For precious ever-lingering memories, + (of you my mother dear—you, father—you, brothers, sisters, friends,) + For all my days—not those of peace alone—the days of war the same, + For gentle words, caresses, gifts from foreign lands, + For shelter, wine and meat—for sweet appreciation, + (You distant, dim unknown—or young or old—countless, unspecified, + readers belov'd, + We never met, and ne'er shall meet—and yet our souls embrace, + long, close and long;) + For beings, groups, love, deeds, words, books—for colors, forms, + For all the brave strong men—devoted, hardy men—who've forward + sprung in freedom's help, all years, all lands, + For braver, stronger, more devoted men—(a special laurel ere I go, + to life's war's chosen ones, + The cannoneers of song and thought—the great artillerists— + the foremost leaders, captains of the soul:" +</pre> + <p> + It is a great thing to preach philosophy—far greater to live it. The + highest philosophy accepts the inevitable with a smile, and greets it as + though it were desired. + </p> + <p> + To be satisfied: This is wealth—success. + </p> + <p> + The real philosopher knows that everything has happened that could have + happened—consequently he accepts. He is glad that he has lived—glad + that he has had his moment on the stage. In this spirit Whitman has + accepted life. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I shall go forth, + I shall traverse the States awhile, but I cannot tell whither or how long, + Perhaps soon some day or night while I am singing my v + voice will suddenly cease. + O book, O chants! must all then amount to but this? + Must we barely arrive at this beginning of us?—and yet it is enough, O soul; + O soul, we have positively appear'd—that is enough." +</pre> + <p> + Yes, Walt Whitman has appeared. He has his place upon the stage. The drama + is not ended. His voice is still heard. He is the Poet of Democracy—of + all people. He is the poet of the body and soul. He has sounded the note + of Individuality. He has given the pass-word primeval. He is the Poet of + Humanity—of Intellectual Hospitality. He has voiced the aspirations + of America—and, above all, he is the poet of Love and Death. + </p> + <p> + How grandly, how bravely he has given his thought, and how superb is his + farewell—his leave-taking: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "After the supper and talk—after the day is done, + As a friend from friends his final withdrawal prolonging, + Good-bye and Good-bye with emotional lips repeating, + (So hard for his hand to release those hands—no more will they meet, + No more for communion of sorrow and joy, of old and young, + A far-stretching journey awaits him, to return no more,) + Shunning, postponing severance—seeking to ward off the last word ever so little, + E'en at the exit-door turning—charges superfluous calling back— + e'en as he descends the steps, + Something to eke out a minute additional—shadows of nightfall deepening, + Farewells, messages lessening—dimmer the forthgoer's visage and form, + Soon to be lost for aye in the darkness—loth, O so loth to depart!" +</pre> + <p> + And is this all? Will the forthgoer be lost, and forever? Is death the + end? Over the grave bends Love sobbing, and by her side stands Hope and + whispers: + </p> + <p> + We shall meet again. Before all life is death, and after all death is + life. The falling leaf, touched with the hectic flush, that testifies of + autumn's death, is, in a subtler sense, a prophecy of spring. + </p> + <p> + Walt Whitman has dreamed great dreams, told great truths and uttered + sublime thoughts. He has held aloft the torch and bravely led the way. + </p> + <p> + As you read the marvelous book, or the person, called "Leaves of Grass," + you feel the freedom of the antique world; you hear the voices of the + morning, of the first great singers—voices elemental as those of sea + and storm. The horizon enlarges, the heavens grow ample, limitations are + forgotten—the realization of the will, the accomplishment of the + ideal, seem to be within your power. Obstructions become petty and + disappear. The chains and bars are broken, and the distinctions of caste + are lost. The soul is in the open air, under the blue and stars—the + flag of Nature. Creeds, theories and philosophies ask to be examined, + contradicted, reconstructed. Prejudices disappear, superstitions vanish + and custom abdicates. The sacred places become highways, duties and + desires clasp hands and become comrades and friends. Authority drops the + scepter, the priest the mitre, and the purple falls from kings. The + inanimate becomes articulate, the meanest and humblest things utter + speech, and the dumb and voiceless burst into song. A feeling of + independence takes possession of the soul, the body expands, the blood + flows full and free, superiors vanish, flattery is a lost art, and life + becomes rich, royal, and superb. The world becomes a personal possession, + and the oceans, the continents, and constellations belong to you. You are + in the center, everything radiates from you, and in your veins beats and + throbs the pulse of all life. You become a rover, careless and free. You + wander by the shores of all seas and hear the eternal psalm. You feel the + silence of the wide forest, and stand beneath the intertwined and + over-arching boughs, entranced with symphonies of winds and woods. You are + borne on the tides of eager and swift rivers, hear the rush and roar of + cataracts as they fall beneath the seven-hued arch, and watch the eagles + as they circling soar. You traverse gorges dark and dim, and climb the + scarred and threatening cliffs. You stand in orchards where the blossoms + fall like snow, where the birds nest and sing, and painted moths make + aimless journeys through the happy air. You live the lives of those who + till the earth, and walk amid the perfumed fields, hear the reapers' song, + and feel the breadth and scope of earth and sky. You are in the great + cities, in the midst of multitudes, of the endless processions. You are on + the wide plains—the prairies—with hunter and trapper, with + savage and pioneer, and you feel the soft grass yielding under your feet. + You sail in many ships, and breathe the free air of the sea. You travel + many roads, and countless paths. You visit palaces and prisons, hospitals + and courts; you pity kings and convicts, and your sympathy goes out to all + the suffering and insane, the oppressed and enslaved, and even to the + infamous. You hear the din of labor, all sounds of factory, field, and + forest, of all tools, instruments and machines. You become familiar with + men and women of all employments, trades and professions—with birth + and burial, with wedding feast and funeral chant. You see the cloud and + flame of war, and you enjoy the ineffable perfect days of peace. + </p> + <p> + In this one book, in these wondrous "Leaves of Grass," you find hints and + suggestions, touches and fragments, of all there is of life that lies + between the babe, whose rounded cheeks dimple beneath his mother's + laughing, loving eyes, and the old man, snow-crowned, who, with a smile, + extends his hand to death. + </p> + <p> + We have met to-night to honor ourselves by honoring the author of "Leaves + of Grass." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0006" id="link0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GREAT INFIDELS.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This lecture is printed from notes found among Colonel + Ingersoll's papers, but was not revised by him for + publication. +</pre> + <p> + I HAVE sometimes thought that it will not make great and splendid + character to rock children in the cradle of hypocrisy. I do not believe + that the tendency is to make men and women brave and glorious when you + tell them that there are certain ideas upon certain subjects that they + must never express; that they must go through life with a pretence as a + shield; that their neighbors will think much more of them if they will + only keep still; and that above all is a God who despises one who honestly + expresses what he believes. For my part, I believe men will be nearer + honest in business, in politics, grander in art—in everything that + is good and grand and beautiful, if they are taught from the cradle to the + coffin to tell their honest opinion. + </p> + <p> + Neither do I believe thought to be dangerous. + </p> + <p> + It is incredible that only idiots are absolutely sure of salvation. It is + incredible that the more brain you have the less your chance is. There can + be no danger in honest thought, and if the world ever advances beyond what + it is to-day, it must be led by men who express their real opinions. + </p> + <p> + We have passed midnight in the great struggle between Fact and Faith, + between Science and Superstition. The brand of intellectual inferiority is + now upon the orthodox brain. There is nothing grander than to rescue from + the leprosy of slander the reputation of a good and generous man. Nothing + can be nearer just than to benefit our benefactors. + </p> + <p> + The Infidels of one age have been the aureoled saints of the next. The + destroyers of the old are the creators of the new. The old passes away, + and the new becomes old. There is in the intellectual world, as in the + material, decay and growth, and ever by the grave of buried age stand + youth and joy. + </p> + <p> + The history of intellectual progress is written in the lives of Infidels. + Political rights have been preserved by traitors—the liberty of the + mind by heretics. To attack the king was treason—to dispute the + priest was blasphemy. The sword and cross were allies. They defended each + other. The throne and altar were twins—vultures from the same egg. + </p> + <p> + It was James I. who said: "No bishop, no king." He might have said: "No + cross, no crown." + </p> + <p> + The king owned the bodies, and the priest the souls, of men. One lived on + taxes, the other on alms. One was a robber, the other a beggar, and each + was both. + </p> + <p> + These robbers and beggars controlled two worlds. The king made laws, the + priest made creeds. With bowed backs the people received the burdens of + the one, and with wonder's open mouth the dogmas of the other. If any + aspired to be free they were crushed by the king, and every priest was a + Herod who slaughtered the children of the brain. The king ruled by force, + the priest by fear, and both by both. + </p> + <p> + The king said to the people: "God made you peasants, and he made me king. + He made rags and hovels for you, robes and palaces for me. Such is the + justice of God." And the priest said: "God made you ignorant and vile. He + made me holy and wise. If you do not obey me, God will punish you here and + torment you hereafter. Such is the mercy of God." + </p> + <p> + Infidels are intellectual discoverers. They sail the unknown seas and find + new isles and continents in the infinite realms of thought. + </p> + <p> + An Infidel is one who has found a new fact, who has an idea of his own, + and who in the mental sky has seen another star. + </p> + <p> + He is an intellectual capitalist, and for that reason excites the envy and + hatred of the theological pauper. + </p> + <p> + The Origin of god and Heaven, Of the Devil and Hell. + </p> + <p> + IN the estimation of good orthodox Christians I am a criminal, because I + am trying to take from loving mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, + husbands, wives, and lovers the consolations naturally arising from a + belief in an eternity of grief and pain. I want to tear, break, and + scatter to the winds the God that priests erected in the fields of + innocent pleasure—a God made of sticks called creeds, and of old + clothes called myths. I shall endeavor to take from the coffin its horror, + from the cradle its curse, and put out the fires of revenge kindled by an + infinite fiend. + </p> + <p> + Is it necessary that Heaven should borrow its light from the glare of + Hell? + </p> + <p> + Infinite punishment is infinite cruelty, endless injustice, immortal + meanness. To worship an eternal goaler hardens, debases, and pollutes even + the vilest soul. While there is one sad and breaking heart in the + universe, no good being can be perfectly happy. + </p> + <p> + Against the heartlessness of the Christian religion every grand and tender + soul should enter solemn protest. The God of Hell should be held in + loathing, contempt and scorn. A God who threatens eternal pain should be + hated, not loved—cursed, not worshiped. A heaven presided over by + such a God must be below the lowest hell. I want no part in any heaven in + which the saved, the ransomed and redeemed will drown with shouts of joy + the cries and sobs of hell—in which happiness will forget misery, + where the tears of the lost only increase laughter and double bliss. + </p> + <p> + The idea of hell was born of ignorance, brutality, fear, cowardice, and + revenge. This idea testifies that our remote ancestors were the lowest + beasts. Only from dens, lairs, and caves, only from mouths filled with + cruel fangs, only from hearts of fear and hatred, only from the conscience + of hunger and lust, only from the lowest and most debased could come this + most cruel, heartless and bestial of all dogmas. + </p> + <p> + Our barbarian ancestors knew but little of nature. They were too + astonished to investigate. They could not divest themselves of the idea + that everything happened with reference to them; that they caused storms + and earthquakes; that they brought the tempest and the whirlwind; that on + account of something they had done, or omitted to do, the lightning of + vengeance leaped from the darkened sky. They made up their minds that at + least two vast and powerful beings presided over this world; that one was + good and the other bad; that both of these beings wished to get control of + the souls of men; that they were relentless enemies, eternal foes; that + both welcomed recruits and hated deserters; that both demanded praise and + worship; that one offered rewards in this world, and the other in the + next. The Devil has paid cash—God buys on credit. + </p> + <p> + Man saw cruelty and mercy in nature, because he imagined that phenomena + were produced to punish or to reward him. When his poor hut was torn and + broken by the wind, he thought it a punishment. When some town or city was + swept away by flood or sea, he imagined that the crimes of the inhabitants + had been avenged. When the land was filled with plenty, when the seasons + were kind, he thought that he had pleased the tyrant of the skies. + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered that both gods and devils were supposed to be + presided over by the greatest God and the greatest Devil. The God could + give infinite rewards and could inflict infinite torments. The Devil could + assist man here; could give him wealth and place in this world, in + consideration of owning his soul hereafter. Each human soul was a prize + contended for by these deities. Of course this God and this Devil had + innumerable spirits at their command, to execute their decrees. The God + lived in heaven and the Devil in hell. Both were mon-archs and were + infinitely jealous of each other. The priests pretended to be the agents + and recruiting sergeants of this God, and they were duly authorized to + promise and threaten in his name; they had power to forgive and curse. + These priests sought to govern the world by force and fear. Believing that + men could be frightened into obedience, they magnified the tortures and + terrors of perdition. Believing also that man could in part be influenced + by the hope of reward, they magnified the joys of heaven. In other words, + they promised eternal joy and threatened everlasting pain. Most of these + priests, born of the ignorance of the time, believed what they taught. + They proved that God was good by sunlight and harvest, by health and + happiness; that he was angry, by disease and death. Man, according to this + doctrine, was led astray by the Devil, who delighted only in evil. It was + supposed that God demanded worship; that he loved to be flattered; that he + delighted in sacrifice; that nothing made him happier than to see ignorant + faith upon its knees; that above all things he hated and despised doubters + and heretics, and that he regarded all investigation as rebellion. + </p> + <p> + Now and then believers in these ideas, those who had gained great + reputation for learning and sanctity, or had enjoyed great power, wrote + books, and these books after a time were considered sacred. Most of them + were written to frighten mankind, and were filled with threatenings and + curses for unbelievers and promises for the faithful. The more frightful + the curses, the more extravagant the promises, the more sacred the books + were considered. All of the gods were cruel and vindictive, unforgiving + and relentless, and the devils were substantially the same. + </p> + <p> + It was also believed that certain things must be accepted as true, no + matter whether they were reasonable or not; that it was pleasing to God to + believe a certain creed, especially if it happened to be the creed of the + majority. Each community felt it a duty to see that the enemies of God + were converted or killed. To allow a heretic to live in peace was to + invite the wrath of God. Every public evil—every misfortune—was + accounted for by something the community had permitted or done. When + epidemics appeared, brought by ignorance and welcomed by filth, the + heretic was brought out and sacrificed to appease the vengeance of God. + From the knowledge they had—from their premises—they reasoned + well. They said, if God will inflict such frightful torments upon us here, + simply for allowing a few heretics to live, what will he do with the + heretics? Of course the heretics would be punished forever. They knew how + cruel was the barbarian king when he had the traitor in his power. They + had seen every horror that man could inflict on man. Of course a God could + do more than a king. He could punish forever. The fires he would kindle + never could be quenched. The torments he would inflict would be eternal. + They thought the amount of punishment would be measured only by the power + of God. + </p> + <p> + These ideas were not only prevalent in what are called barbarous times, + but they are received by the religious world of to-day. + </p> + <p> + No death could be conceived more horrible than that produced by flames. To + these flames they added eternity, and hell was produced. They exhausted + the idea of personal torture. + </p> + <p> + By putting intention behind what man called good, God was produced. By + putting intention behind what man called bad, the Devil was created. Leave + this "intention" out, and gods and devils fade away. + </p> + <p> + If not a human being existed the sun would continue to shine, and tempests + now and then would devastate the world; the rain would fall in pleasant + showers, and the bow of promise would adorn the cloud; violets would + spread their velvet bosoms to the sun, and the earthquake would devour; + birds would sing, and daisies bloom, and roses blush, and the volcanoes + would fill the heavens with their lurid glare; the procession of the + seasons would not be broken, and the stars would shine just as serenely as + though the world was filled with loving hearts and happy homes. But in the + olden time man thought otherwise. He imagined that he was of great + importance. Barbarians are always egotistic. They think that the stars are + watching them; that the sun shines on their account; that the rain falls + for them, and that gods and devils are really troubling themselves about + their poor and ignorant souls. + </p> + <p> + In those days men fought for their God as they did for their king. They + killed the enemies of both. For this their king would reward them here, + and their God hereafter. With them it was loyalty to destroy the disloyal. + They did not regard God as a vague "spirit," nor as an "essence" without + body or parts, but as a being, a person, an infinite man, a king, the + monarch of the universe, who had garments of glory for believers and robes + of flame for the heretic and infidel. + </p> + <p> + Do not imagine that this doctrine of hell belongs to Christianity alone. + Nearly all religions have had this dogma for a corner-stone. Upon this + burning foundation nearly all have built. Over the abyss of pain rose the + glittering dome of pleasure. This world was regarded as one of trial. Here + a God of infinite wisdom experimented with man. Between the outstretched + paws of the Infinite the mouse, man, was allowed to play. Here man had the + opportunity of hearing priests and kneeling in temples. Here he could read + and hear read the sacred books. Here he could have the example of the + pious and the counsels of the holy. Here he could build churches and + cathedrals. Here he could burn incense, fast, wear haircloth, deny himself + all the pleasures of life, confess to priests, count beads, be miserable + one day in seven, make creeds, construct instruments of torture, bow + before pictures and images, eat little square pieces of bread, sprinkle + water on the heads of babes, shut his eyes and say words to the clouds, + and slander and defame all who have the courage to despise superstition, + and the goodness to tell their honest thoughts. After death, nothing could + be done to make him better. When he should come into the presence of God, + nothing was left except to damn him. Priests might convert him here, but + God could do nothing there,—all of which shows how much more a + priest can do for a soul than its creator; how much more potent is the + example of your average Christian than that of all the angels, and how + much superior earth is to heaven for the moral development of the soul. In + heaven the Devil is not allowed to enter. There all are pure and perfect, + yet they cannot influence a soul for good. + </p> + <p> + Only here, on the earth, where the Devil is constantly active, only where + his agents attack every soul, is there the slightest hope of moral + improvement. + </p> + <p> + Strange! that a world cursed by God, filled with temptations and thick + with fiends, should be the only place where hope exists, the only place + where man can repent, the only place where reform is possible! Strange! + that heaven, filled with angels and presided over by God, is the only + place where reformation is utterly impossible! Yet these are the teachings + of all the believers in the eternity of punishment. + </p> + <p> + Masters frightened slaves with the threat of hell, and slaves got a kind + of shadowy revenge by whispering back the threat. The poor have damned the + rich and the rich the poor. The imprisoned imagined a hell for their + gaolers; the weak built this place for the strong; the arrogant for their + rivals; the vanquished for their victors; the priest for the thinker, + religion for reason, superstition for science. + </p> + <p> + All the meanness, all the revenge, all the selfishness, all the cruelty, + all the hatred, all the infamy of which the heart of man is capable, grew, + blossomed and bore fruit in this one word—Hell. + </p> + <p> + For the nourishment of this dogma cruelty was soil, ignorance was rain, + and fear was light. + </p> + <p> + Christians have placed upon the throne of the universe a God of eternal + hate. I cannot worship a being whose vengeance is boundless, whose cruelty + is shoreless, and whose malice is increased by the agonies he inflicts. + </p> + <p> + THE APPEAL TO THE CEMETERY. + </p> + <p> + WHOEVER attacks a custom or a creed, will be confronted with a list of the + names of the dead who upheld the custom, or believed the creed. He is + asked in a very triumphant and sneering way, if he knows more than all the + great and honored of the past Every defender of a creed has graven upon + his memory the names of all "great" men whose actions or words can be + tortured into evidence for his doctrine. The church is always anxious to + have some king or president certify to the moral character of Christ, the + authority of the Scriptures, and the justice of the Jewish God. Of late + years, confessions of gentlemen about to be hanged have been considered of + great value, and the scaffold is regarded as a means of grace. + </p> + <p> + All the churches of our day seek the rich. They are no longer the friends + and defenders of the poor. Poverty no longer feels at home in the house of + God. In the Temple of the Most High, garments out of fashion are + considered out of place. People now, before confessing to God what + worthless souls they have, enrich their bodies. Now words of penitence + mingle with the rustle of silk, and light thrown from diamonds adorns the + repentant tear. We are told that the rich, the fortunate, the holders of + place and office, the fashionable, the respectable, are all within the + churches. And yet all these people grow eloquent over the poverty of + Christ—boast that he was born in a manger—that the Holy Ghost + passed by all the ladies of titled wealth and fashion and selected the + wife of a poor and unknown mechanic for the Mother of God. + </p> + <p> + They admit that all the men of Jerusalem who held high positions—all + the people of wealth, influence and power—were the enemies of the + Savior and held his pretensions in contempt. They admit that he had + influence only with the poor, and that he was so utterly unknown—so + indigent in acquaintance, that it was necessary to bribe one of his + disciples to point him out to the police. They assert that he had done a + great number of miracles—had cured the sick, and raised the dead—that + he had preached to vast multitudes—had made a kind of triumphal + entry into Jerusalem—had scourged from the temple the changers of + money—had disputed with the doctors—and yet, notwithstanding + all these things, he remained in the very depths of obscurity. Surely he + and his disciples could have been met with the argument that the "great" + dead were opposed to the new religion. + </p> + <p> + The apostles, it is claimed, preached the doctrines of Christ in Rome and + Athens, and the people of those cities could have used the arguments + against Christianity that Christians now use in its support. They could + have asked the apostles if they were wiser than all the philosophers, + poets, orators, and statesmen dead—if they knew more, coming as they + did from a weak and barbarous nation, than the greatest men produced by + the highest civilization of the known world. With what scorn would the + Greeks listen to a barbarian's criticisms upon Socrates and Plato. How a + Roman would laugh to hear a vagrant Hebrew attack a mythology that had + been believed by Cato and Virgil. + </p> + <p> + Every new religion has to overcome this argument of the cemetery—this + logic of the grave. Old ideas take shelter behind a barricade of corpses + and tombstones. They have epitaphs for battle-cries, and malign the living + in the name of the dead. The moment, however, that a new religion + succeeds, it becomes the old religion and uses the same argument against a + new idea that it once so gallantly refuted. The arguments used to-day + against what they are pleased to call infidelity would have shut the mouth + of every religious reformer, from Christ to the founder of the last sect. + The general objection to the new is, that it differs somewhat from the + old, and the fact that it does differ is urged as an argument against its + truth. + </p> + <p> + Every man is forced to admit that he does not agree with all the great + men, living or dead. The average Catholic, if not a priest, as a rule will + admit that Sir Isaac Newton was in some things his superior, that + Demosthenes had the advantage of him in expressing his ideas in public, + and that as a sculptor he is far below the unknown man of whose hand and + brain was born the Venus de Milo, but he will not, on account of these + admissions, change his views upon the important question of + transubstantiation. + </p> + <p> + Most Protestants will cheerfully admit that they are inferior in brain and + genius to some men who have lived and died in the Catholic Church; that in + the matter of preaching funeral sermons they do not pretend to equal + Bossuet; that their letters are not so interesting and polished as those + of Pascal; that Torquemada excelled them in the genius of organization, + and that for planning a massacre they would not for a moment dispute the + palm with Catherine de Medici. + </p> + <p> + And yet, after all these admissions, they would insist that the Pope is an + unblushing impostor, and that the Catholic Church is a vampire fattened by + the best blood of a thousand years. + </p> + <p> + The truth is, that in favor of almost every sect, the names of some great + men can be pronounced. In almost every church there have been men whose + only weakness was their religion, and who in other directions achieved + distinction. If you call men great because they were emperors, kings, + noblemen, statesmen, millionaires—because they commanded vast armies + and wielded great influence in their day, then more names can be found to + support and prop the Church of Rome than any other Christian sect. + </p> + <p> + Is Protestantism willing to rest its claims upon the "great man" argument? + Give me the ideas, the religions, not that have been advanced and believed + by the so-called great of the past, but that will be defended and believed + by the great souls of the future. + </p> + <p> + It gives me pleasure to say that Lord Bacon was a great man; but I do not + for that reason abandon the Copernican system of astronomy, and insist + that the earth is stationary. Samuel Johnson was an excellent writer of + latinized English, but I am confident that he never saw a real ghost. + Matthew Hale was a reasonably good judge of law, but he was mistaken about + witches causing children to vomit crooked pins. John Wesley was quite a + man, in a kind of religious way, but in this country few people sympathize + with his hatred of republican government, or with his contempt for the + Revolutionary Fathers. Sir Isaac Newton, in the domain of science, was the + colossus of his time, but his commentary on the book of Revelation would + hardly excite envy, even in the breast of a Spurgeon or a Talmage. Upon + many questions, the opinions of Napoleon were of great value, and yet + about his bed, when dying, he wanted to see burning the holy candles of + Rome. John Calvin has been called a logician, and reasoned well from his + premises, but the burning of Servetus did not make murder a virtue. Luther + weakened somewhat the power of the Catholic Church, and to that extent was + a reformer, and yet Lord Brougham affirmed that his "Table Talk" was so + obscene that no respectable English publisher would soil paper with a + translation. He was a kind of religious Rabelais; and yet a man can defend + Luther in his attack upon the church without justifying his obscenity. If + every man in the Catholic Church was a good man, that would not convince + me that Ignatius Loyola ever met and conversed with the Virgin Mary. The + fact is, very few men are right in everything. Great virtues may draw + attention from defects, but they cannot sanctify them. A pebble surrounded + by diamonds remains a common stone, and a diamond surrounded by pebbles is + still a gem. No one should attempt to refute an argument by pronouncing + the name of some man, unless he is willing to adopt all the ideas and + beliefs of that man. It is better to give reasons and facts than names. An + argument should not depend for its force upon the name of its author. + Facts need no pedigree; logic has no heraldry, and the living should not + be awed by the mistakes of the dead. + </p> + <p> + The greatest men the world has produced have known but little. They had a + few facts, mingled with mistakes without number. In some departments they + towered above their fellows, while in others they fell below the common + level of mankind. + </p> + <p> + Daniel Webster had great respect for the Scriptures, but very little for + the claims of his creditors. Most men are strangely inconsistent. Two + propositions were introduced into the Confederate Congress by the same + man. One was to hoist the black flag, and the other was to prevent + carrying the mails on Sunday. George Whitefield defended the slave trade, + because it brought the negroes within the sound of the gospel, and gave + them the advantage of associating with the gentlemen who stole them. And + yet this same Whitefield believed and taught the dogma of predestination. + Volumes might be written upon the follies and imbecilities of great men. A + full rounded man—a man of sterling sense and natural logic—is + just as rare as a great painter, poet, or sculptor. If you tell your + friend that he is not a painter, that he has no genius for poetry, he will + probably admit the truth of what you say, without feeling that he has been + insulted in the least. But if you tell him that he is not a logician, that + he has but little idea of the value of a fact, that he has no real + conception of what evidence is, and that he never had an original thought + in his life, he will cut your acquaintance. Thousands of men are most + wonderful in mechanics, in trade, in certain professions, keen in + business, knowing well the men among whom they live, and yet satisfied + with religions infinitely stupid, with politics perfectly senseless, and + they will believe that wonderful things were common long ago, such things + as no amount of evidence could convince them had happened in their day. A + man may be a successful merchant, lawyer, doctor, mechanic, statesman, or + theologian without one particle of originality, and almost without the + ability to think logically upon any subject whatever. Other men display in + some directions the most marvelous intellectual power, astonish mankind + with their grasp and vigor, and at the same time, upon religious subjects + drool and drivel like David at the gates of Gath. + </p> + <p> + SACRED BOOKS. + </p> + <p> + WE have found, at last, that other nations have sacred books much older + than our own, and that these books and records were and are substantiated + by traditions and monuments, by miracles and martyrs, christs and + apostles, as well as by prophecies fulfilled. In all of these nations + differences of opinion as to the authenticity and meaning of these books + arose from time to time, precisely as they have done and still do with us, + and upon these differences were founded sects that manufactured creeds. + These sects denounced each other, and preached with the sword and + endeavored to convince with the fagot. Our theologians were greatly + astonished to find in other bibles the same stories, precepts, laws, + customs and commands that adorn and stain our own. At first they accounted + for this, by saying that these books were in part copies of the Jewish + Scriptures, mingled with barbaric myths. To such an extent did they impose + upon and insult probability, that they declared that all the morality of + the world, all laws commanding right and prohibiting wrong, all ideas + respecting the unity of a Supreme Being, were borrowed from the Jews, who + obtained them directly from God. The Christian world asserts with warmth, + not always born of candor, that the Bible is the source, origin, and + fountain of law, liberty, love, charity, and justice; that it is the + intellectual and moral sun of the world; that it alone gives happiness + here, and alone points out the way to joy hereafter; that it contains the + only revelation from the Infinite; that all others are the work of + dishonest and mistaken men. They say these things in spite of the fact + that the Jewish nation was one of the weakest and most barbaric of the + past; in spite of the fact that the civilization of Egypt and India had + commenced to wane before that of Palestine existed. To account for all the + morality contained in the sacred books of the Hindus, by saying that it + was borrowed from the wanderers in the Desert of Sinai, from the escaped + slaves of the Egyptians, taxes to the utmost the credulity of ignorance, + bigotry, and zeal. + </p> + <p> + The men who make these assertions are not superior to other men. They have + only the facts common to all, and they must admit that these facts do not + force the same conclusions upon all. They must admit that men equally + honest, equally well informed as themselves, deny their premises and + conclusions. They must admit that had they been born and educated in some + other country, they would have had a different religion, and would have + regarded with reverence and awe the books they now hold as false and + foolish. Most men are followers, and implicitly rely upon the judgment of + others. They mistake solemnity for wisdom, and regard a grave countenance + as the titlepage and preface to a most learned volume. So they are easily + imposed upon by forms, strange garments, and solemn ceremonies. And when + the teaching of parents, the customs of neighbors, and the general tongue + approve and justify a belief or creed, no matter how absurd, it is hard + even for the strongest to hold the citadel of his soul. In each country, + in defence of each religion, the same arguments would be urged. There is + the same evidence in favor of the inspiration of the Koran and Bible. Both + are substantiated in exactly the same way. It is just as wicked and + unreasonable to be a heretic in Constantinople as in New York. To deny the + claims of Christ and Mohammed is alike blasphemous. It all depends upon + where you are when you make the denial. No religion has ever fallen that + carried with it down to dumb death a solitary fact. Mistakes moulder with + the temples in which they were taught, and countless superstitions sleep + with their dead priests. + </p> + <p> + Yet Christians insist that the religions of all nations that have fallen + from wealth and power were false, with of course the solitary exception of + the Jewish, simply because the nations teaching them dropped from their + dying hands the swords of power. This argument drawn from the fate of + nations proves no more than would one based upon the history of persons. + With nations as with individuals, the struggle for life is perpetual, and + the law of the survival of the fittest applies equally to both. + </p> + <p> + It may be that the fabric of our civilization will crumbling fall to + unmeaning chaos and to formless dust, where oblivion broods and even + memory forgets. Perhaps the blind Samson of some imprisoned force, + released by thoughtless chance, may so wreck and strand the world that + man, in stress and strain of want and fear, will shudderingly crawl back + to savage and barbaric night. The time may come in which this thrilled and + throbbing earth, shorn of all life, will in its soundless orbit wheel a + barren star, on which the light will fall as fruitlessly as falls the gaze + of love upon the cold, pathetic face of death. + </p> + <p> + FEAR. + </p> + <p> + 'T'HERE is a view quite prevalent, that in some way you can prove whether + the theories defended or advanced by a man are right or not, by showing + what kind of man he was, what kind of life he lived, and what manner of + death he died. + </p> + <p> + A man entertains certain opinions; he is persecuted. He refuses to change + his mind; he is burned, and in the midst of flames cries out that he dies + without change. Hundreds then say that he has sealed his testimony with + his blood, and his doctrines must be true. + </p> + <p> + All the martyrs in the history of the world are not sufficient to + establish the correctness of an opinion. Martyrdom, as a rule, establishes + the sincerity of the martyr,—never the correctness of his thought. + Things are true or false in themselves. Truth cannot be affected by + opinions; it cannot be changed, established, or affected by martyrdom. An + error cannot be believed sincerely enough to make it a truth. + </p> + <p> + No Christian will admit that any amount of heroism displayed by a Mormon + is sufficient to prove that Joseph Smith was divinely inspired. All the + courage and culture, all the poetry and art of ancient Greece, do not even + tend to establish the truth of any myth. + </p> + <p> + The testimony of the dying concerning some other world, or in regard to + the supernatural, cannot be any better, to say the least, than that of the + living. In the early days of Christianity a serene and intrepid death was + regarded as a testimony in favor of the church. At that time Pagans were + being converted to Christianity—were throwing Jupiter away and + taking the Hebrew God instead. In the moment of death many of these + converts, without doubt, retraced their steps and died in the faith of + their ancestors. But whenever one died clinging to the cross of the new + religion, this was seized upon as an evidence of the truth of the gospel. + After a time the Christians taught that an unbeliever, one who spoke or + wrote against their doctrines, could not meet death with composure—that + the infidel in his last moments would necessarily be a prey to the serpent + of remorse. For more than a thousand years they have made the "facts" to + fit this theory. Crimes against men have been considered as nothing when + compared with a denial of the truth of the Bible, the divinity of Christ, + or the existence of God. + </p> + <p> + According to the theologians, God has always acted in this way. As long as + men did nothing except to render their fellows wretched; as long as they + only butchered and burnt the innocent and helpless, God maintained the + strictest and most heartless neutrality; but when some honest man, some + great and tender soul expressed a doubt as to the truth of the Scriptures, + or prayed to the wrong God, or to the right one by the wrong name, then + the real God leaped like a wounded tiger upon his victim, and from his + quivering flesh tore his wretched soul. + </p> + <p> + There is no recorded instance where the uplifted hand of murder has been + paralyzed—no truthful account in all the literature of the world of + the innocent being shielded by God. Thousands of crimes are committed + every day—men are this moment lying in wait for their human prey—wives + are whipped and crushed, driven to insanity and death—little + children begging for mercy, lifting imploring, tear-filled eyes to the + brutal faces of fathers and mothers—sweet girls are deceived, lured, + and outraged, but God has no time to prevent these things—no time to + defend the good and to protect the pure. He is too busy numbering hairs + and watching sparrows. + </p> + <p> + He listens for blasphemy; looks for persons who laugh at priests; examines + baptismal registers; watches professors in colleges who begin to doubt the + geology of Moses and the astronomy of Joshua. He does not particularly + object to stealing if you won't swear. A great many persons have fallen + dead in the act of taking God's name in vain, but millions of men, women, + and children have been stolen from their homes and used as beasts of + burden, but no one engaged in this infamy has ever been touched by the + wrathful hand of God. + </p> + <p> + All kinds of criminals, except infidels, meet death with reasonable + serenity. As a rule, there is nothing in the death of a pirate to cast any + discredit on his profession. The murderer upon the scaffold, with a priest + on either side, smilingly exhorts the multitude to meet him in heaven. The + man who has succeeded in making his home a hell, meets death without a + quiver, provided he has never expressed any doubt as to the divinity of + Christ, or the eternal "procession" of the Holy Ghost. The king who has + waged cruel and useless war, who has filled countries with widows and + fatherless children, with the maimed and diseased, and who has succeeded + in offering to the Moloch of ambition the best and bravest of his + subjects, dies like a saint. + </p> + <p> + The Emperor Constantine, who lifted Christianity into power, murdered his + wife Fausta, and his eldest son Crispus, the same year that he convened + the Council of Nice to decide whether Jesus Christ was a man or the Son of + God. The council decided that Christ was consubstantial with the Father. + This was in the year 325. We are thus indebted to a wife-murderer for + settling the vexed question of the divinity of the Savior. Theodosius + called a council at Constantinople in 381, and this council decided that + the Holy Ghost proceeded from the Father. Theodosius, the younger, + assembled another council at Ephesus to ascertain who the Virgin Mary + really was, and it was solemnly decided in the year 431 that she was the + Mother of God. In 451 it was decided by a council held at Chalcedon, + called together by the Emperor Marcian, that Christ had two natures—the + human and divine. In 680, in another general council, held at + Constantinople, convened by order of Pognatius, it was also decided that + Christ had two wills, and in the year 1274 it was decided at the Council + of Lyons, that the Holy Ghost proceeded not only from the Father, but from + the Son as well. Had it not been for these councils, we might have been + without a Trinity even unto this day. When we take into consideration the + fact that a belief in the Trinity is absolutely essential to salvation, + how unfortunate it was for the world that this doctrine was not + established until the year 1274. Think of the millions that dropped into + hell while these questions were being discussed. + </p> + <p> + This, however, is a digression. Let us go back to Constantine. This + Emperor, stained with every crime, is supposed to have died like a + Christian. We hear nothing of fiends leering at him in the shadows of + death. He does not see the forms of his murdered wife and son covered with + the blood he shed. From his white and shrivelled lips issued no shrieks of + terror. He does not cover his glazed eyes with thin and trembling hands to + shut out the visions of hell. His chamber is filled with the rustle of + wings—of wings waiting to bear his soul to the thrilling realms of + joy. + </p> + <p> + Against the Emperor Constantine the church has hurled no anathema. She has + accepted the story of his vision in the clouds, and his holy memory has + been guarded by priest and pope. All the persecutors sleep in peace, and + the ashes of those who burned their brothers in the name of Christ rest in + consecrated ground. Whole libraries could not contain even the names of + the wretches who have filled the world with violence and death in defence + of book and creed, and yet they all died the death of the righteous, and + no priest or minister describes the agony and fear, the remorse and + horror, with which their guilty souls were filled in the last moments of + their lives. These men had never doubted—they accepted the creed—they + were not infidels—they had not denied the divinity of Christ—they + had been baptized—they had partaken of the Last Supper—they + had respected priests—they admitted that the Holy Ghost had + "proceeded," and these things put pillows beneath their dying heads, and + covered them with the drapery of peace. + </p> + <p> + Now and then, in the history of this world, a man of genius, of sense, of + intellectual honesty has appeared. These men have denounced the + superstitions of their day. They pitied the multitude. To see priests + devour the substance of the people filled them with indignation. These men + were honest enough to tell their thoughts. Then they were denounced, + tried, condemned, executed. Some of them escaped the fury of the people + who loved their enemies, and died naturally in their beds. + </p> + <p> + It would not do for the church to admit that they died peacefully. That + would show that religion was not actually necessary in the last moment. + Religion got much of its power from the terror of death. + </p> + <p> + THE DEATH TEST. + </p> + <p> + YOU had better live well and die wicked. + </p> + <p> + You had better live well and die cursing than live badly and die praying. + </p> + <p> + It would not do to have the common people understand that a man could deny + the Bible, refuse to look at the cross, contend that Christ was only a + man, and yet die as calmly as Calvin did after he had murdered Servetus, + or as did King David after advising one son to kill another. + </p> + <p> + The church has taken great pains to show that the last moments of all + infidels (that Christians did not succeed in burning) were infinitely + wretched and despairing. It was alleged that words could not paint the + horrors that were endured by a dying infidel. Every good Christian was + expected to, and generally did, believe these accounts. They have been + told and retold in every pulpit of the world. Protestant ministers have + repeated the inventions of Catholic priests, and Catholics, by a kind of + theological comity, have sworn to the falsehoods told by Protestants. Upon + this point they have always stood together, and will as long as the same + calumny can be used by both. + </p> + <p> + Upon the death-bed subject the clergy grow eloquent. When describing the + shudderings and shrieks of the dying unbeliever, their eyes glitter with + delight. + </p> + <p> + It is a festival. + </p> + <p> + They are no longer men. They become hyenas. They dig open graves. They + devour the reputations of the dead. + </p> + <p> + It is a banquet. + </p> + <p> + Unsatisfied still, they paint the terrors of hell. They gaze at the souls + of the infidels writhing in the coils of the worm that never dies. They + see them in flames—in oceans of fire—in gulfs of pain—in + abysses of despair. They shout with joy. They applaud. + </p> + <p> + It is an <i>auto da fe</i>, presided over by God and his angels. + </p> + <p> + The men they thus describe were not atheists; they were all believers in + God, in special providence, and in the immortality of the soul. They + believed in the accountability of man—in the practice of virtue, in + justice, and liberty, but they did not believe in that collection of + follies and fables called the Bible. + </p> + <p> + In order to show that an infidel must die overwhelmed with remorse and + fear, they have generally selected from all the "unbelievers" since the + day of Christ five men—the Emperor Julian, Spinoza, Voltaire, + Diderot, David Hume, and Thomas Paine. + </p> + <p> + Hardly a minister in the United States has attempted to "answer" me + without referring to the death of one or more of these men. + </p> + <p> + In vain have these calumniators of the dead been called upon to prove + their statements. In vain have rewards been offered to any priestly + maligner to bring forward the evidence. + </p> + <p> + Let us once for all dispose of these slanders—of these pious + calumnies. + </p> + <p> + JULIAN. + </p> + <p> + THEY say that the Emperor Julian was an apostate that he was once a + Christian; that he fell from grace, and that in his last moments, throwing + some of his own blood into the air, he cried out to Jesus Christ, + "Galilean, thou hast conquered!" + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered that the Christians had persecuted and imprisoned + this very Julian; that they had exiled him; that they had threatened him + with death. Many of his relatives were murdered by the Christians. He + became emperor, and Christians conspired to take his life. The + conspirators were discovered and they were pardoned. He did what he could + to prevent the Christians from destroying each other. He held pomp and + pride and luxury in contempt, and led his army on foot, sharing the + privations of the meanest soldier. + </p> + <p> + Upon ascending the throne he published an edict proclaiming universal + religious toleration. He was then a Pagan. It is claimed by some that he + never did entirely forget his Christian education. In this I am inclined + to think there is some truth, because he revoked his edict of toleration, + and for a time was nearly as unjust as though he had been a saint. He was + emperor one year and seven months. In a battle with the Persians he was + mortally wounded. "Brought back to his tent, and feeling that he had but a + short time to live, he spent his last hours in discoursing with his + friends on the immortality of the soul. He reviewed his reign and declared + that he was satisfied with his conduct, and had neither penitence nor + remorse to express for anything that he had done." His last words were: "I + submit willingly to the eternal decrees of heaven, convinced that he who + is captivated with life, when his last hour has arrived is more weak and + pusillanimous than he who would rush to voluntary death when it is his + duty still to live." + </p> + <p> + When we remember that a Christian emperor murdered Julian's father and + most of his kindred, and that he narrowly escaped the same fate, we can + hardly blame him for having a little prejudice against a church whose + members were fierce, ignorant, and bloody—whose priests were + hypocrites, and whose bishops were assassins. If Julian had said he was a + Christian—no matter what he actually was, he would have satisfied + the church. + </p> + <p> + The story that the dying emperor acknowledged that he was conquered by the + Galilean was originated by some of the so-called Fathers of the Church, + probably by Gregory or Theodoret. They are the same wretches who said that + Julian sacrificed a woman to the moon, tearing out her entrails with his + own hands. We are also informed by these hypocrites that he endeavored to + rebuild the temple of Jerusalem, and that fire came out of the earth and + consumed the laborers employed in the sacrilegious undertaking. + </p> + <p> + I did not suppose that an intelligent man could be found in the world who + believed this childish fable, and yet in the January number for 1880, of + the <i>Princeton Review</i>, the Rev. Stuart Robinson (whoever he may be) + distinctly certifies to the truth of this story. He says: "Throughout the + entire era of the planting of the Christian Church, the gospel preached + was assailed not only by the malignant fanaticism of the Jew and the + violence of Roman statecraft, but also by the intellectual weapons of + philosophers, wits, and poets. Now Celsus denounced the new religion as + base imposture. Now Tacitus described it as but another phase of the <i>odium + generis humani. Now Julian proposed to bring into contempt the prophetic + claims of its founder by the practical test of rebuilding the Temple</i>." + Here then in the year of grace 1880 is a Presbyterian preacher, who really + believes that Julian tried to rebuild the Temple, and that God caused fire + to issue from the earth and consume the innocent workmen. + </p> + <p> + All these stories rest upon the same foundation—the mendacity of + priests. + </p> + <p> + Julian changed the religion of the Empire, and diverted the revenues of + the church. Whoever steps between a priest and his salary, will find that + he has committed every crime. No matter how often the slanders may be + refuted, they will be repeated until the last priest has lost his body and + found his wings. These falsehoods about Julian were invented some fifteen + hundred years ago, and they are repeated to-day by just as honest and just + as respectable people as those who told them at first. Whenever the church + cannot answer the arguments of an opponent, she attacks his character. She + resorts to falsehood, and in the domain of calumny she has stood for + fifteen hundred years without a rival. + </p> + <p> + The great Empire was crumbling to its fall. The literature of the world + was being destroyed by priests. The gods and goddesses were driven from + the earth and sky. The paintings were torn and defaced. The statues were + broken. The walls were left desolate, and the niches empty. Art, like + Rachel, wept for her children, and would not be comforted. The streams and + forests were deserted by the children of the imagination, and the whole + earth was barren, poor and mean. + </p> + <p> + Christian ignorance, bigotry and hatred, in blind unreasoning zeal, had + destroyed the treasures of our race. Art was abhorred, Knowledge was + despised, Reason was an outcast. The sun was blotted from the intellectual + heaven, every star extinguished, and there fell upon the world that shadow—that + midnight,—known as "The Dark Ages." + </p> + <p> + This night lasted for a thousand years. + </p> + <p> + The First Great Star—Herald of the Dawn—was Bruno. + </p> + <p> + BRUNO. + </p> + <p> + THE night of the Middle Ages lasted for a thousand years. The first star + that enriched the horizon of this universal gloom was Giordano Bruno. He + was the herald of the dawn. + </p> + <p> + He was born in 1550, was educated for a priest, became a Dominican friar. + At last his reason revolted against the doctrine of transubstantiation. He + could not believe that the entire Trinity was in a wafer, or in a swallow + of wine. He could not believe that a man could devour the Creator of the + universe by eating a piece of bread. This led him to investigate other + dogmas of the Catholic Church, and in every direction he found the same + contradictions and impossibilities supported, not by reason, but by faith. + </p> + <p> + Those who loved their enemies threatened his life. He was obliged to flee + from his native land, and he became a vagabond in nearly every nation of + Europe. He declared that he fought, not what priests believed, but what + they pretended to believe. He was driven from his native country because + of his astronomical opinions. He had lost confidence in the Bible as a + scientific work. He was in danger because he had discovered a truth. + </p> + <p> + He fled to England. He gave some lectures at Oxford. He found that + institution controlled by priests. He found that they were teaching + nothing of importance—only the impossible and the hurtful. He called + Oxford "the widow of true learning." There were in England, at that time, + two men who knew more than the rest of the world. Shakespeare was then + alive. + </p> + <p> + Bruno was driven from England. He was regarded as a dangerous man,—he + had opinions, he inquired after reasons, he expressed confidence in facts. + He fled to France. He was not allowed to remain in that country. He + discussed things—that was enough. The church said, "move on." He + went to Germany. He was not a believer—he was an investigator. The + Germans wanted believers; they regarded the whole Christian system as + settled; they wanted witnesses; they wanted men who would assert. So he + was driven from Germany. + </p> + <p> + He returned at last to his native land. He found himself without friends, + because he had been true, not only to himself, but to the human race. But + the world was false to him because he refused to crucify the Christ of his + own soul between the two thieves of hypocrisy and bigotry. He was arrested + for teaching that there are other worlds than this; that many of the stars + are suns, around which other worlds revolve; that Nature did not exhaust + all her energies on this grain of sand called the earth. He believed in a + plurality of worlds, in the rotation of this, in the heliocentric theory. + For these crimes, and for these alone, he was imprisoned for six years. He + was kept in solitary confinement. He was allowed no books, no friends, no + visitors. He was denied pen and paper. In the darkness, in the loneliness, + he had time to examine the great questions of origin, of existence, of + destiny. He put to the test what is called the goodness of God. He found + that he could neither depend upon man nor upon any deity. At last, the + Inquisition demanded him. He was tried, condemned, excommunicated and + sentenced to be burned. According to Professor Draper, he believed that + this world is animated by an intelligent soul—the cause of forms, + but not of matter; that it lives in all things, even in such as seem not + to live; that everything is ready to become organized; that matter is the + mother of forms, and then their grave; that matter and the soul of things, + together, constitute God. He was a pantheist—that is to say, an + atheist. He was a lover of Nature,—a reaction from the asceticism of + the church. He was tired of the gloom of the monastery. He loved the + fields, the woods, the streams. He said to his brother-priests: Come out + of your cells, out of your dungeons: come into the air and light. + </p> + <p> + Throw away your beads and your crosses. Gather flowers; mingle with your + fellow-men; have wives and children; scatter the seeds of joy; throw away + the thorns and nettles of your creeds; enjoy the perpetual miracle of + life. + </p> + <p> + On the sixteenth day of February, in the year of grace 1600, by "the + triumphant beast," the Church of Rome, this philosopher, this great and + splendid man, was burned. He was offered his liberty if he would recant. + There was no God to be offended by his recantation, and yet, as an apostle + of what he believed to be the truth, he refused this offer. To those who + passed the sentence upon him he said: "It is with greater fear that ye + pass this sentence upon me than I receive it." This man, greater than any + naturalist of his day; grander than the martyr of any religion, died + willingly in defence of what he believed to be the sacred truth. He was + great enough to know that real religion will not destroy the joy of life + on earth; great enough to know that investigation is not a crime—that + the really useful is not hidden in the mysteries of faith. He knew that + the Jewish records were below the level of the Greek and Roman myths; that + there is no such thing as special providence; that prayer is useless; that + liberty and necessity are the same, and that good and evil are but + relative. + </p> + <p> + He was the first real martyr,—neither frightened by perdition, nor + bribed by heaven. He was the first of all the world who died for truth + without expectation of reward. He did not anticipate a crown of glory. His + imagination had not peopled the heavens with angels waiting for his soul. + He had not been promised an eternity of joy if he stood firm, nor had he + been threatened with the fires of hell if he wavered and recanted. He + expected as his reward an eternal nothing! Death was to him an everlasting + end—nothing beyond but a sleep without a dream, a night without a + star, without a dawn—nothing but extinction, blank, utter, and + eternal. No crown, no palm, no "well done, good and faithful servant," no + shout of welcome, no song of praise, no smile of God, no kiss of Christ, + no mansion in the fair skies—not even a grave within the earth—nothing + but ashes, wind-blown and priest-scattered, mixed with earth and trampled + beneath the feet of men and beasts. + </p> + <p> + The murder of this man will never be completely and perfectly avenged + until from Rome shall be swept every vestige of priest and pope, until + over the shapeless ruin of St. Peter's, the crumbled Vatican and the + fallen cross, shall rise a monument to Bruno,—the thinker, + philosopher, philanthropist, atheist, martyr. + </p> + <p> + THE CHURCH IN THE TIME OF VOLTAIRE. + </p> + <p> + WHEN Voltaire was born, the natural was about the only thing in which the + church did not believe. The monks sold little amulets of consecrated + paper. They would cure diseases. If laid in a cradle they would prevent a + child being bewitched. So, they could be put into houses and barns to keep + devils away, or buried in a field to prevent bad weather, to delay frost, + and to insure good crops. There was a regular formulary by which they were + made, ending with a prayer, after which the amulets were sprinkled with + holy water. The church contended that its servants were the only + legitimate physicians. The priests cured in the name of the church, and in + the name of God, by exorcism, relics, water, salt, and oil. St. Valentine + cured epilepsy, St. Gervasius was good for rheumatism, St. Michael de + Sanatis for cancer, St. Judas for coughs, St. Ovidius for deafness, St. + Sebastian for poisonous bites, St. Apollonia for toothache, St. Clara for + rheum in the eye, St. Hubert for hydrophobia. Devils were driven out with + wax tapers, with incense, with holy water, by pronouncing prayers. The + church, as late as the middle of the twelfth century, prohibited good + Catholics from having anything to do with physicians. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that the devils produced storms of wind, of rain and of + fire from heaven; that the atmosphere was a battlefield between angels and + devils; that Lucifer had power to destroy fields and vineyards and + dwellings, and the principal business of the church was to protect the + people from the Devil. This was the origin of church bells. These bells + were sprinkled with holy water, and their clangor cleared the air of imps + and fiends. The bells also prevented storms and lightning. The church used + to anathematize insects. In the sixteenth century, regular suits were + commenced against rats, and judgment was rendered. Every monastery had its + master magician, who sold magic incense, salt, and tapers, consecrated + palms and relics. + </p> + <p> + Every science was regarded as an outcast, an enemy. Every fact held the + creed of the church in scorn. Investigators were enemies in disguise. + Thinkers were traitors, and the church exerted its vast power for + centuries to prevent the intellectual progress of man. There was no + liberty, no education, no philosophy, no science; nothing but credulity, + ignorance, and superstition. The world was really under the control of + Satan and his agents. The church, for the purpose of increasing her power, + exhausted every means to convince the people of the existence of witches, + devils, and fiends. In this way the church had every enemy within her + power. She simply had to charge him with being a wizard, of holding + communication with devils, and the ignorant mob were ready to tear him to + pieces. + </p> + <p> + To such an extent was this frightful course pursued, and such was the + prevalence of the belief in the supernatural, that the worship of the + devil was absolutely established. The poor people, brutalized by the + church, filled with fear of Satanic influence, finding that the church did + not protect, as a last resort began to worship the Devil. The power of the + Devil was proven by the Bible. The history of Job, the temptation of + Christ in the desert, the carrying of Christ to the top of the temple, and + hundreds of other instances, were relied upon as establishing his power; + and when people laughed about witches riding upon anointed sticks in the + air, invisible, they were reminded of a like voyage when the Devil carried + Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple. + </p> + <p> + This frightful doctrine filled every friend with suspicion of his friend. + It the husband denounce the wife, the children the parents, and the + parents the children It destroyed all the sweet relations of humanity. It + did away with justice in the courts. It destroyed the charity of religion. + It broke the bond of friendship. It filled with poison the golden cup of + life. It turned earth into a very hell, peopled with ignorant, tyrannical, + and malicious demons. + </p> + <p> + Such was the result of a few centuries of Christianity. Such was the + result of a belief in the supernatural. Such was the result of giving up + the evidence of our own senses, and relying upon dreams, visions, and + fears. Such was the result of destroying human reason, of depending upon + the supernatural, of living here for another world instead of for this, of + depending upon priests instead of upon ourselves. The Protestants vied + with the Catholics. Luther stood side by side with the priests he had + deserted, in promoting this belief in devils and fiends. To the Catholic, + every Protestant was possessed by a devil. To the Protestant, every + Catholic was the homestead of a fiend. All order, all regular succession + of causes and effects, were known no more. The natural ceased to exist. + The learned and the ignorant were on a level. The priest had been caught + in the net spread for the peasant, and Christendom was a vast madhouse, + with insane priests for keepers. + </p> + <p> + VOLTAIRE + </p> + <p> + WHEN Voltaire was born, the church ruled and owned France. It was a period + of almost universal corruption. The priests were mostly libertines. The + judges were nearly as cruel as venal. The royal palace was simply a house + of assignation. The nobles were heartless, proud, arrogant, and cruel to + the last degree. The common people were treated as beasts. It took the + church a thousand years to bring about this happy condition of things. + </p> + <p> + The seeds of the revolution unconsciously were being scattered by every + noble and by every priest. They germinated in the hearts of the helpless. + They were watered by the tears of agony. Blows began to bear interest. + There was a faint longing for blood. Workmen, blackened by the sun, bent + by labor, looked at the white throats of scornful ladies and thought about + cutting them. + </p> + <p> + In those days witnesses were cross-examined with instruments of torture. + The church was the arsenal of superstition. Miracles, relics, angels and + devils were as common as rags. Voltaire laughed at the evidences, attacked + the pretended facts, held the Bible up to ridicule, and filled Europe with + indignant protests against the cruelty, bigotry, and injustice of the + time. + </p> + <p> + He was a believer in God, and in some ingenious way excused this God for + allowing the Catholic Church to exist. He had an idea that, originally, + mankind were believers in one God, and practiced all the virtues. Of + course this was a mistake. He imagined that the church had corrupted the + human race. In this he was right. + </p> + <p> + It may be that, at one time, the church relatively stood for progress, but + when it gained power, it became an obstruction. The system of Voltaire was + contradictory. He described a being of infinite goodness, who not only + destroyed his children with pestilence and famine, but allowed them to + destroy each other. While rejecting the God of the Bible, he accepted + another God, who, to say the least, allowed the innocent to be burned for + love of him. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire hated tyranny, and loved liberty. His arguments to prove the + existence of a God were just as groundless as those of the reverend + fathers of his day to prove the divinity of Christ, or that Mary was the + mother of God. The theologians of his time maligned and feared him. He + regarded them as a spider does flies. He spread nets for them. They were + caught, and he devoured them for the amusement and benefit of the public. + He was educated by the Jesuits, and sometimes acted like one. + </p> + <p> + It is fashionable to say that he was not profound, This is because he was + not stupid. In the presence of absurdity he laughed, and was called + irreverent. He thought God would not damn even a priest forever: this was + regarded as blasphemy. He endeavored to prevent Christians from murdering + each other and did what he could to civilize the disciples of Christ. Had + he founded a sect, obtained control of some country, and burned a few + heretics at slow fires, he would have won the admiration, respect and love + of the Christian world. Had he only pretended to believe all the fables of + antiquity, had he mumbled Latin prayers, counted beads, crossed himself, + devoured the flesh of God, and carried fagots to the feet of philosophy in + the name of Christ, he might have been in heaven this moment, enjoying a + sight of the damned. + </p> + <p> + Instead of doing these things, he willfully closed his eyes to the light + of the gospel, examined the Bible for himself, advocated intellectual + liberty, struck from the brain the fetters of an arrogant faith, assisted + the weak, cried out against the torture of man, appealed to reason, + endeavored to establish universal toleration, succored the indigent, and + defended the oppressed. + </p> + <p> + These were his crimes. Such a man God would not suffer to die in peace. If + allowed to meet death with a smile, others might follow his example, until + none would be left to light the holy fires of the auto da fe. It would not + do for so great, so successful an enemy of the church, to die without + leaving some shriek of fear, some shudder of remorse, some ghastly prayer + of chattered horror, uttered by lips covered with blood and foam. + </p> + <p> + He was an old man of eighty-four. He had been surrounded with the comforts + of life; he was a man of wealth, of genius. Among the literary men of the + world he stood first. God had allowed him to have the appearance of + success. His last years were filled with the intoxication of flattery. He + stood at the summit of his age. + </p> + <p> + The priests became anxious. They began to fear that God would forget, in a + multiplicity of business, to make a terrible example of Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + Toward the last of May, 1778, it was whispered in Paris that Voltaire was + dying. Upon the fences of expectation gathered the unclean birds of + superstition, impatiently waiting for their prey. + </p> + <p> + "Two days before his death, his nephew went to seek the curé of + Saint Sulpice and the Abbé Gautier and brought them into his + uncle's sick chamber, who was informed that they were there. 'Ah, well!' + said Voltaire, 'give them my compliments and my thanks.' The Abbé + spoke some words to him, exhorting him to patience. The curé of + Saint Sulpice then came forward, having announced himself, and asked of + Voltaire, elevating his voice, if he acknowledged the divinity of our Lord + Jesus Christ. The sick man pushed one of his hands against the curé's + coif, shoving him back, and cried, turning abruptly to the other side, + 'Let me die in peace.' The curé seemingly considered his person + soiled, and his coif dishonored, by the touch of the philosopher. He made + the nurse give him a little brushing, and went out with the Abbé + Gautier." + </p> + <p> + He expired, says Wagniere, on the 30th of May, 1778, at about a quarter + past eleven at night, with the most perfect tranquillity. Ten minutes + before his last breath he took the hand of Morand, his <i>valet de chambre</i>, + who was watching by him, pressed it and said: "Adieu, my dear Morand, I am + gone." These were his last words. + </p> + <p> + From this death, so simple and serene, so natural and peaceful; from these + words so utterly destitute of cant or dramatic touch, all the frightful + pictures, all the despairing utterances, have been drawn and made. From + these materials, and from these alone, have been constructed all the + shameless lies about The death of this great and wonderful man, compared + with whom all of his calumniators, dead and living, were and are but dust + and vermin. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire was the intellectual autocrat of his time. From his throne at the + foot of the Alps he pointed the finger of scorn at every hypocrite in + Europe. He was the pioneer of his century. He was the assassin of + superstition. He left the quiver of ridicule without an arrow. Through the + shadows of faith and fable, through the darkness of myth and miracle, + through the midnight of Christianity, through the blackness of bigotry, + past cathedral and dungeon, past rack and stake, past altar and throne, he + carried, with chivalric hands, the sacred torch of reason. + </p> + <p> + DIDEROT. DOUBT IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD TRUTH. + </p> + <p> + DIDEROT was born in 1713. His parents were in what may be called the + humbler walks of life. Like Voltaire he was educated by the Jesuits. He + had in him something of the vagabond, and was for several years almost a + beggar in Paris. He was endeavoring to live by his pen. In that day and + generation, a man without a patron, endeavoring to live by literature, was + necessarily almost a beggar. He nearly starved—frequently going for + days without food. Afterward, when he had something himself, he was as + generous as the air. No man ever was more willing to give, and no man less + willing to receive, than Diderot. + </p> + <p> + He wrote upon all conceivable subjects, that he might have bread. He even + wrote sermons, and regretted it all his life. He and D'Alembert were the + life and soul of the Encyclopaedia. With infinite enthusiasm he helped to + gather the knowledge of the world for the use of each and all. He + harvested the fields of thought, separated the grain from the straw and + chaff, and endeavored to throw away the seeds and fruit of superstition. + His motto was, "<i>Incredulity is the first step towards philosophy</i>." + </p> + <p> + He had the vices of most Christians—was nearly as immoral as the + majority of priests. His vices he shared in common, his virtues were his + own. All who knew him united in saying that he had the pity of a woman, + the generosity of a prince, the self-denial of an anchorite, the courage + of Cæsar, and the enthusiasm of a poet. He attacked with every power + of his mind the superstition of his day. He said what he thought. The + priests hated him. He was in favor of universal education—the church + despised it. He wished to put the knowledge of the whole world within + reach of the poorest. + </p> + <p> + He wished to drive from the gate of the Garden of Eden the cherubim of + superstition, so that the child of Adam might return to eat once more the + fruit of the tree of knowledge. Every Catholic was his enemy. His poor + little desk was ransacked by the police searching for manuscripts in which + something might be found that would justify the imprisonment of such a + dangerous man. Whoever, in 1750, wished to increase the knowledge of + mankind was regarded as the enemy of social order. + </p> + <p> + The intellectual superstructure of France rests upon the Encyclopaedia. + The knowledge given to the people was the impulse, the commencement, of + the revolution that left the church without an altar and the king without + a throne. Diderot thought for himself, and bravely gave his thoughts to + others. For this reason he was regarded as a criminal. He did not expect + his reward in another world. He did not do what he did to please some + imaginary God. He labored for mankind. He wished to lighten the burdens of + those who should live after him. Hear these noble words: + </p> + <p> + "The more man ascends through the past, and the more he launches into the + future, the greater he will be, and all these philosophers and ministers + and truth-telling men who have fallen victims to the stupidity of nations, + the atrocities of priests, the fury of tyrants, what consolation was left + for them in death? This: That prejudice would pass, and that posterity + would pour out the vial of ignominy upon their enemies. O Posterity! Holy + and sacred stay of the unhappy and the oppressed; thou who art just, thou + who art incorruptible, thou who findest the good man, who unmaskest the + hypocrite, who breakest down the tyrant, may thy sure faith, thy consoling + faith never, never abandon me!" Posterity is for the philosopher what the + other world is for the devotee. + </p> + <p> + Diderot took the ground that, if orthodox religion be true Christ was + guilty of suicide. Having the power to defend himself he should have used + it. + </p> + <p> + Of course it would not do for the church to allow a man to die in peace + who had added to the intellectual wealth of the world. The moment Diderot + was dead, Catholic priests began painting and recounting the horrors of + his expiring moments. They described him as overcome with remorse, as + insane with fear; and these falsehoods have been repeated by the + Protestant world, and will probably be repeated by thousands of ministers + after we are dead. The truth is, he had passed his three-score years and + ten. He had lived for seventy-one years. He had eaten his supper. He had + been conversing with his wife. He was reclining in his easy chair. His + mind was at perfect rest. He had entered, without knowing it, the twilight + of his last day. Above the horizon was the evening star, telling of sleep. + The room grew still and the stillness was lulled by the murmur of the + street. There were a few moments of perfect peace. The wife said, "He is + asleep." She enjoyed his repose, and breathed softly that he might not be + disturbed. The moments wore on, and still he slept. Lovingly, softly, at + last she touched him. Yes, he was asleep. He had become a part of the + eternal silence. + </p> + <p> + DAVID HUME. + </p> + <p> + THE worst religion of the world was the Presbyterianism of Scotland as it + existed in the beginning of the eighteenth century. The Kirk had all the + faults of the Church of Rome without a redeeming feature. The Kirk hated + music, painting, statuary, and architecture. Anything touched with + humanity—with the dimples of joy—was detested and accursed. + God was to be feared—not loved. + </p> + <p> + Life was a long battle with the Devil. Every desire was of Satan. + Happiness was a snare, and human love was wicked, weak and vain. The + Presbyterian priest of Scotland was as cruel, bigoted and heartless as the + familiar of the Inquisition. + </p> + <p> + One case will tell it all: + </p> + <p> + In the beginning of this, the nineteenth century, a boy seventeen years of + age, Thomas Aikenhead, was indicted and tried at Edinburgh for blasphemy. + He had denied the inspiration of the Bible. He had on several occasions, + when cold, jocularly wished himself in hell that he might get warm. The + poor, frightened boy recanted—begged for mercy; but he was found + guilty, hanged, thrown in a hole at the foot of the scaffold, and his + weeping mother vainly begged that his bruised and bleeding body might be + given to her. + </p> + <p> + This one case, multiplied again and again, gives you the condition of + Scotland when, on the 26th of April, 1711, David Hume was born. + </p> + <p> + David Hume was one of the few Scotchmen of his day who were not owned by + the church. He had the manliness to examine historical and religious + questions for himself, and the courage to give his conclusions to the + world. He was singularly capable of governing himself. He was a + philosopher, and lived a calm and cheerful life, unstained by an unjust + act, free from all excess, and devoted in a reasonable degree to + benefiting his fellow-men. After examining the Bible he became convinced + that it was not true. For failing to suppress his real opinion, for + failing to tell a deliberate falsehood, he brought upon himself the hatred + of the church. + </p> + <p> + Intellectual honesty is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and whether God + will forgive this sin or not his church has not, and never will. + </p> + <p> + Hume took the ground that a miracle could not be used as evidence until + the fact that it had happened was established. But how can a miracle be + established? Take any miracle recorded in the Bible, and how could it be + established now? You may say: Upon the testimony of those who wrote the + account. Who were they? No one knows. How could you prove the resurrection + of Lazarus? Or of the widow's son? How could you substantiate, today, the + ascension of Jesus Christ? In what way could you prove that the river + Jordan was divided upon being struck by the coat of a prophet? How is it + possible now to establish the fact that the fires of a furnace refused to + burn three men? Where are the witnesses? Who, upon the whole earth, has + the slightest knowledge upon this subject? + </p> + <p> + He insisted that at the bottom of all good was the useful; that human + happiness was an end worth working and living for; that origin and destiny + were alike unknown; that the best religion was to live temperately and to + deal justly with our fellow-men; that the dogma of inspiration was absurd, + and that an honest man had nothing to fear. Of course the Kirk hated him. + He laughed at the creed. + </p> + <p> + To the lot of Hume fell ease, respect, success, and honor. While many + disciples of God were the sport and prey of misfortune, he kept steadily + advancing. + </p> + <p> + Envious Christians bided their time. They waited as patiently as possible + for the horrors of death to fall upon the heart and brain of David Hume. + They knew that all the furies would be there, and that God would get his + revenge. + </p> + <p> + Adam Smith, author of the "Wealth of Nations," speaking of Hume in his + last sickness, says that in the presence of death "his cheerfulness was so + great, and his conversation and amusements ran so much in the usual + strain, that, notwithstanding all his bad symptoms, many people could not + believe he was dying. A few days before his death Hume said: 'I am dying + as fast as my enemies—if I have any—could wish, and as easily + and tranquilly as my best friends could desire.'" + </p> + <p> + Col. Edmondstoune shortly afterward wrote Hume a letter, of which the + following is an extract: + </p> + <p> + "My heart is full. I could not see you this morning. I thought it was + better for us both. You cannot die—you must live in the memory of + your friends and acquaintances; and your works will render you immortal. I + cannot conceive that it was possible for any one to dislike you, or hate + you. He must be more than savage who could be an enemy to a man with the + best head and heart and the most amiable manners." + </p> + <p> + Adam Smith happened to go into his room while he was reading the above + letter, which he immediately showed him. Smith said to Hume that he was + sensible of how much he was weakening, and that appearances were in many + respects bad; yet, that his cheerfulness was so great and the spirit of + life still seemed to be so strong in him, that he could not keep from + entertaining some hopes. + </p> + <p> + Hume answered, "When I lie down in the evening I feel myself weaker than + when I arose in the morning; and when I rise in the morning, weaker than + when I lay down in the evening. I am sensible, besides, that some of my + vital parts are affected so that I must soon die." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Mr. Smith, "if it must be so, you have at least the + satisfaction of leaving all your friends, and the members of your + brother's family in particular, in great prosperity." + </p> + <p> + He replied that he was so sensible of his situation that when he was + reading Lucian's Dialogues of the Dead, among all the excuses which are + alleged to Charon for not entering readily into his boat, he could not + find one that fitted him. He had no house to finish; he had no daughter to + provide for; he had no enemies upon whom he wished to revenge himself; + "and I could not well," said he, "imagine what excuse I could make to + Charon in order to obtain a little delay. I have done everything of + consequence which I ever meant to do, and I could, at no time expect to + leave my relations and friends in a better situation than that in which I + am now likely to leave them; and I have, therefore, every reason to die + contented." + </p> + <p> + "Upon further consideration," said he, "I thought I might say to him, + 'Good Charon, I have been correcting my works for a new edition. Allow me + a little time that I may see how the public receives the alterations.' + 'But,' Charon would answer, 'when you have seen the effect of this, you + will be for making other alterations. There will be no end to such + excuses; so, my honest friend, please step into the boat.' 'But,' I might + still urge, 'have a little patience, good Charon; I have been endeavoring + to open the eyes of the public; if I live a few years longer, I may have + the satisfaction of seeing the downfall of some of the prevailing systems + of superstition.' And Charon would then lose all temper and decency, and + would cry out, 'You loitering rogue, that will not happen these many + hundred years. Do you fancy I will grant you a lease for so long a time? + Get into the boat this instant.'" + </p> + <p> + To the Comtesse de Boufflers, the dying man, with the perfect serenity + that springs from an honest and loving life, writes: + </p> + <p> + "I see death approach gradually without any anxiety or regret.... I salute + you with great affection and regard, for the last time." + </p> + <p> + On the 25th of August, 1776, the philosopher, the historian, the infidel, + the honest man, and a benefactor of his race, in the composure born of a + noble life, passed quietly and panglessly away. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Black wrote the following account of his death: + </p> + <p> + "Monday, 26 August, 1776. + </p> + <p> + "Dear Sir: Yesterday, about four o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Hume + expired. The near approach of his death became evident on the evening + between Thursday and Friday, when his disease became exhaustive, and soon + weakened him so much that he could no longer rise from his bed. He + continued to the last perfectly sensible, and free from much pain or + feeling of distress. He never dropped the smallest expression of + impatience; but when he had occasion to speak to the people about him, + always did it with affection and tenderness.... When he became very weak, + it cost him an effort to speak, and he died in such happy composure of + mind that nothing could exceed it." + </p> + <p> + Dr. Cullen writes Dr. Hunter on the 17th of September, 1776, from which + the following extracts are made: + </p> + <p> + "You desire an account of Mr. Hume's last days, and I give it to you with + great pleasure.... It was truly an example <i>des grands hommes qui sont + morts en plaisantant</i>; and to me, who have been so often shocked with + the horrors of superstition, the reflection on such a death is truly + agreeable. For many weeks before his death he was very sensible of his + gradual decay; and his answer to inquiries after his health was, several + times, that he was going as fast as his enemies could wish, and as easily + as his friends could desire. He passed most of the time in his + drawing-room, admitting the visits of his friends, and with his usual + spirit conversed with them upon literature and politics and whatever else + was started. In conversation he seemed to be perfectly at ease; and to the + last abounded with that pleasantry and those curious and entertaining + anecdotes which ever distinguished him.... His senses and judgment did not + fail him to the last hour of his life. He constantly discovered a strong + sensibility of the attention and care of his friends; and midst great + uneasiness and languor never betrayed any peevishness or impatience." + (Here follows the conversation with Charon.) "These are a few particulars + which may, perhaps, appear trivial; but to me, no particulars seem trivial + which relate to so great a man. It is perhaps from trifles that we can + best distinguish the tranquilness and cheerfulness of the philosopher at a + time when the most part of mankind are under disquiet, and sometimes even + horror. I consider the sacrifice of the cock as a more certain evidence of + the tranquillity of Socrates than his discourse on immortality." + </p> + <p> + The Christians took it for granted that this serene and placid man died + filled with remorse for having given his real opinions, and proceeded to + describe, with every incident and detail of horror, the terrors of his + last moments. Brainless clergymen, incapable of understanding what Hume + had written, knowing only in a general way that he had held their creeds + in contempt, answered his arguments by maligning his character. + </p> + <p> + Christians took it for granted that he died in horror and recounted the + terrible scenes. + </p> + <p> + When the facts of his death became generally known to intelligent men, the + ministers redoubled their efforts to maintain the old calumnies, and most + of them are in this employment even unto this day. Finding it impossible + to tell enough falsehoods to hide the truth, a few of the more intelligent + among the priests admitted that Hume not only died without showing any + particular fear, but was guilty of unbecoming levity. The first charge was + that he died like a coward; the next that he did not care enough, and went + through the shadowy doors of the dread unknown with a smile upon his lips. + The dying smile of David Hume scandalized the believers in a God of love. + They felt shocked to see a man dying without fear who denied the miracles + of the Bible; who had spent a life investigating the opinions of men; in + endeavoring to prove to the world that the right way is the best way; that + happiness is a real and substantial good, and that virtue is not a + termagant with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes. + </p> + <p> + Christians hated to admit that a philosopher had died serenely without the + aid of superstition—one who had taught that man could not make God + happy by making himself miserable, and that a useful life, after all, was + the best possible religion. They imagined that death would fill such a man + with remorse and terror. He had never persecuted his fellow-men for the + honor of God, and must needs die in despair. They were mistaken. + </p> + <p> + He died as he had lived. Like a peaceful river with green and shaded banks + he passed, without a murmur, into that waveless sea where life at last is + rest. + </p> + <p> + BENEDICT SPINOZA. + </p> + <p> + ONE of the greatest thinkers was Benedict Spinoza, a Jew, born at + Amsterdam, in 1632. He studied medicine and afterward theology. He + endeavored to understand what he studied. In theology he necessarily + failed. Theology is not intended to be understood,—it is only to be + believed. It is an act, not of reason, but of faith. Spinoza put to the + rabbis so many questions, and so persistently asked for reasons, that he + became the most troublesome of students. When the rabbis found it + impossible to answer the questions, they concluded to silence the + questioner. He was tried, found guilty, and excommunicated from the + synagogue. + </p> + <p> + By the terrible curse of the Jewish religion, he was made an outcast from + every Jewish home. His father could not give him shelter. His mother could + not give him bread—could not speak to him, without becoming an + outcast herself. All the cruelty of Jehovah, all the infamy of the Old + Testament, was in this curse. In the darkness of the synagogue the rabbis + lighted their torches, and while pronouncing the curse, extinguished them + in blood, imploring God that in like manner the soul of Benedict Spinoza + might be extinguished. + </p> + <p> + Spinoza was but twenty-four years old when he found himself without + kindred, without friends, surrounded only by enemies. He uttered no + complaint. + </p> + <p> + He earned his bread with willing hands, and cheerfully divided his crust + with those still poorer than himself. + </p> + <p> + He tried to solve the problem of existence. To him, the universe was One. + The Infinite embraced the All. The All was God. According to his belief, + the universe did not commence to be. It is; from eternity it was; to + eternity it will be. + </p> + <p> + He was right. The universe is all there is, or was, or will be. It is both + subject and object, contemplator and contemplated, creator and created, + destroyer and destroyed, preserver and preserved, and hath within itself + all causes, modes, motions and effects. + </p> + <p> + In this there is hope. This is a foundation and a star. The Infinite is + the All. Without the All, the Infinite cannot be. I am something. Without + me, the Infinite cannot exist. + </p> + <p> + Spinoza was a naturalist—that is to say, a pantheist. He took the + ground that the supernatural is, and forever will be, an infinite + impossibility. His propositions are luminous as stars, and each of his + demonstrations is a Gibraltar, behind which logic sits and smiles at all + the sophistries of superstition. + </p> + <p> + Spinoza has been hated because he has not been answered. He was a real + republican. He regarded the people as the true and only source of + political power. He put the state above the church, the people above the + priest. He believed in the absolute liberty of worship, thought and + speech. In every relation of life he was just, true, gentle, patient, + modest and loving. He respected the rights of others, and endeavored to + enjoy his own, and yet he brought upon himself the hatred of the Jewish + and the Christian world. In his day, logic was blasphemy, and to think was + the unpardonable sin. The priest hated the philosopher, revelation reviled + reason, and faith was the sworn foe of every fact. + </p> + <p> + Spinoza was a philosopher, a philanthropist. He lived in a world of his + own. He avoided men. His life was an intellectual solitude. He was a + mental hermit. Only in his own brain he found the liberty he loved. And + yet the rabbis and the priests, the ignorant zealot and the cruel bigot, + feeling that this quiet, thoughtful, modest man was in some way forging + weapons to be used against the church, hated him with all their hearts. + </p> + <p> + He did not retaliate. He found excuses for their acts. Their ignorance, + their malice, their misguided and revengeful zeal excited only pity in his + breast. He injured no man. He did not live on alms. He was poor—and + yet, with the wealth of his brain, he enriched the world. On Sunday, + February 21, 1677, Spinoza, one of the greatest and subtlest of + metaphysicians—one of the noblest and purest of human beings,—at + the age of forty-four, passed tranquilly away; and notwithstanding the + curse of the synagogue under which he had lived and most lovingly labored, + death left upon his lips the smile of perfect peace. + </p> + <p> + OUR INFIDELS. + </p> + <p> + IN our country there were three infidels—Paine, Franklin and + Jefferson. The colonies were filled with superstition, the Puritans with + the spirit of persecution. Laws savage, ignorant and malignant had been + passed in every colony, for the purpose of destroying intellectual + liberty. Mental freedom was absolutely unknown. The Toleration Acts of + Maryland tolerated only Christians—not infidels, not thinkers, not + investigators. The charity of Roger Williams was not extended to those who + denied the Bible, or suspected the divinity of Christ. It was not based + upon the rights of man, but upon the rights of believers, who differed in + non-essential points. + </p> + <p> + The moment the colonies began to deny the rights of the king they + suspected the power of the priest. In digging down to find an excuse for + fighting George the Third, they unwittingly undermined the church. They + went through the Revolution together. They found that all denominations + fought equally well. They also found that persons without religion had + patriotism and courage, and were willing to die that a new nation might be + born. As a matter of fact the pulpit was not in hearty sympathy with our + fathers. Many priests were imprisoned because they would not pray for the + Continental Congress. After victory had enriched our standard, and it + became necessary to make a constitution—to establish a government—the + infidels—the men like Paine, like Jefferson, and like Franklin, saw + that the church must be left out; that a government deriving its just + powers from the consent of the governed could make no contract with a + church pretending to derive its powers from an infinite God. + </p> + <p> + By the efforts of these infidels, the name of God was left out of the + Constitution of the United States. They knew that if an infinite being was + put in, no room would be left for the people. They knew that if any church + was made the mistress of the state, that mistress, like all others, would + corrupt, weaken, and destroy. Washington wished a church established by + law in Virginia. He was prevented by Thomas Jefferson. It was only a + little while ago that people were compelled to attend church by law in the + Eastern States, and taxes were raised for the support of churches the same + as for the construction of highways and bridges. The great principle + enunciated in the Constitution has silently repealed most of these laws. + In the presence of this great instrument, the constitutions of the States + grew small and mean, and in a few years every law that puts a chain upon + the mind, except in Delaware, will be repealed, and for these our children + may thank the Infidels of 1776. + </p> + <p> + The church never has pretended that Jefferson or Franklin died in fear. + Franklin wrote no books against the fables of the ancient Jews. He thought + it useless to cast the pearls of thought before the swine of ignorance and + fear. Jefferson was a statesman. He was the father of a great party. He + gave his views in letters and to trusted friends. He was a Virginian, + author of the Declaration of Independence, founder of a university, father + of a political party, President of the United States, a statesman and + philosopher. He was too powerful for the divided churches of his day. + Paine was a foreigner, a citizen of the world. He had attacked Washington + and the Bible. He had done these things openly, and what he had said could + not be answered. His arguments were so good that his character was bad. + </p> + <p> + THOMAS PAINE + </p> + <p> + THOMAS PAINE was born in Thetford, England. He came from the common + people. At the age of thirty-seven he left England for America. He was the + first to perceive the destiny of the New World. He wrote the pamphlet + "Common Sense," and in a few months the Continental Congress declared the + colonies free and independent States—a new nation was born. Paine + having aroused the spirit of independence, gave every energy of his soul + to keep the spirit alive. He was with the army. He shared its defeats and + its glory. When the situation became desperate, he gave them "The Crisis." + It was a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night, leading the way to + freedom, honor, and to victory. + </p> + <p> + The writings of Paine are gemmed with compact statements that carry + conviction to the dullest. Day and night he labored for America, until + there was a government of the people and for the people. At the close of + the Revolution, no one stood higher than Thomas Paine. Had he been willing + to live a hypocrite, he would have been respectable, he at least could + have died surrounded by other hypocrites, and at his death there would + have been an imposing funeral, with miles of carriages, filled with + hypocrites, and above his hypocritical dust there would have been a + hypocritical monument covered with lies. + </p> + <p> + Having done so much for man in America, he went to France. The seeds sown + by the great infidels were bearing fruit in Europe. The eighteenth century + was crowning its gray hairs with the wreath of progress. Upon his arrival + in France he was elected a member of the French Convention—in fact, + he was selected about the same time by the people of no less than four + Departments. He was one of the committee to draft a constitution for + France. In the Assembly, where nearly all were demanding the execution of + the king, he had the courage to vote against death. To vote against the + death of the king was to vote against his own life. This was the sublimity + of devotion to principle. For this he was arrested, imprisoned, and doomed + to death. While under sentence of death, while in the gloomy cell of his + prison, Thomas Paine wrote to Washington, asking him to say one word to + Robespierre in favor of the author of "Common Sense." Washington did not + reply. He wrote again. Washington, the President, paid no attention to + Thomas Paine, the prisoner. The letter was thrown into the wastebasket of + forgetfulness, and Thomas Paine remained condemned to death. Afterward he + gave his opinion of Washington at length, and I must say, that I have + never found it in my heart to greatly blame him. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine, having done so much for political liberty, turned his + attention to the superstitions of his age. He published "The Age of + Reason;" and from that day to this, his character has been maligned by + almost every priest in Christendom. He has been held up as the terrible + example. Every man who has expressed an honest thought, has been warningly + referred to Thomas Paine. All his services were forgotten. No kind word + fell from any pulpit. His devotion to principle, his zeal for human + rights, were no longer remembered. Paine simply took the ground that it is + a contradiction to call a thing a revelation that comes to us second-hand. + There can be no revelation beyond the first communication. All after that + is hearsay. He also showed that the prophecies of the Old Testament had no + relation whatever to Jesus Christ, and contended that Jesus Christ was + simply a man. In other words, Paine was an enlightened Unitarian. Paine + thought the Old Testament too barbarous to have been the work of an + infinitely benevolent God. He attacked the doctrine that salvation depends + upon belief. He insisted that every man has the right to think. + </p> + <p> + After the publication of these views every falsehood that malignity could + coin and malice pass was given to the world. On his return to America, + after the election to the presidency of another infidel, Thomas Jefferson, + it was not safe for him to appear in the public streets. He was in danger + of being mobbed. Under the very flag he had helped to put in heaven his + rights were not respected. Under the Constitution that he had suggested, + his life was insecure. He had helped to give liberty to more than three + millions of his fellow-citizens, and they were willing to deny it unto + him. He was deserted, ostracized, shunned, maligned, and cursed. He + enjoyed the seclusion of a leper; but he maintained through it all his + integrity. He stood by the convictions of his mind. Never for one moment + did he hesitate or waver. + </p> + <p> + He died almost alone. The moment he died Christians commenced + manufacturing horrors for his death-bed. They had his chamber filled with + devils rattling chains, and these ancient lies are annually certified to + by the respectable Christians of the present day. The truth is, he died as + he had lived. Some ministers were impolite enough to visit him against his + will. Several of them he ordered from his room. A couple of Catholic + priests, in all the meekness of hypocrisy, called that they might enjoy + the agonies of a dying friend of man. Thomas Paine, rising in his bed, the + few embers of expiring life blown into flame by the breath of indignation, + had the goodness to curse them both. His physician, who seems to have been + a meddling fool, just as the cold hand of death was touching the patriot's + heart, whispered in the dull ear of the dying man: "Do you believe, or do + you wish to believe, that Jesus Christ is the son of God?" And the reply + was: "I have no wish to believe on that subject." + </p> + <p> + These were the last remembered words of Thomas Paine. He died as serenely + as ever Christian passed away. He died in the full possession of his mind, + and on the very brink and edge of death proclaimed the doctrines of his + life. + </p> + <p> + Every Christian, every philanthropist, every believer in human liberty, + should feel under obligation to Thomas Paine for the splendid service + rendered by him in the darkest days of the American Revolution. In the + midnight of Valley Forge, "The Crisis" was the first star that glittered + in the wide horizon of despair. Every good man should remember with + gratitude the brave words spoken by Thomas Paine in the French Convention + against the death of Louis. He said: "We will kill the king, but not the + man. We will destroy monarchy, not the monarch." + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine was a champion, in both hemispheres, of human liberty; one of + the founders and fathers of this Republic; one of the foremost men of his + age. He never wrote a word in favor of injustice. He was a despiser of + slavery. He abhorred tyranny in every form. He was, in the widest and best + sense, a friend of all his race. His head was as clear as his heart was + good, and he had the courage to speak his honest thought. + </p> + <p> + He was the first man to write these words: "The United States of America." + He proposed the present Federal Constitution. He furnished every thought + that now glitters in the Declaration of Independence. + </p> + <p> + He believed in one God and no more. He was a believer even in special + providence, and he hoped for immortality. + </p> + <p> + How can the world abhor the man who said: + </p> + <p> + "I believe in the equality of man, and that religious duties consist in + doing justice, in loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our + fellow-creatures happy."— + </p> + <p> + "It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to + himself."— + </p> + <p> + "The word of God is the creation which we behold."— + </p> + <p> + "Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man."— + </p> + <p> + "My opinion is, that those whose lives have been spent in doing good and + endeavoring to make their fellow-mortals happy, will be happy hereafter."— + </p> + <p> + "One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests."— + </p> + <p> + "I believe in one God, and no more, and I hope for happiness beyond this + life."— + </p> + <p> + "Man has no property in man"—and "The key of heaven is not in the + keeping of any sect!" + </p> + <p> + Had it not been for Thomas Paine I could not deliver this lecture here + to-night.. + </p> + <p> + It is still fashionable to calumniate this man—and yet Channing, + Theodore Parker, Longfellow, Emerson, and in fact all the liberal + Unitarians and Universalists of the world have adopted the opinions of + Thomas Paine. + </p> + <p> + Let us compare these Infidels with the Christians of their time: + </p> + <p> + Compare Julian with Constantine,—the murderer of his wife,—the + murderer of his son,—and who established Christianity with the same + sword he had wet with their blood. Compare him with all the Christian + emperors—with all the robbers and murderers and thieves—the + parricides and fratricides and matricides that ever wore the imperial + purple on the banks of the Tiber or the shores of the Bosphorus. + </p> + <p> + Let us compare Bruno with the Christians who burned him; and we will + compare Spinoza, Voltaire, Diderot, Hume, Jefferson, Paine—with the + men who it is claimed have been the visible representatives of God. + </p> + <p> + Let it be remembered that the popes have committed every crime of which + human nature is capable, and that not one of them was the friend of + intellectual liberty—that not one of them ever shed one ray of + light. + </p> + <p> + Let us compare these Infidels with the founders of sectarian churches; you + will see how narrow, how bigoted, how cruel were their founders, and how + broad, how generous, how noble, were these infidels. + </p> + <p> + Let us be honest. The great effort of the human mind is to ascertain the + order of facts by which we are surrounded—the history of things. + </p> + <p> + Who has accomplished the most in this direction—the church, or the + unbelievers? Upon one side write all that the church has discovered—every + phenomenon that has been explained by a creed, every new fact in Nature + that has been discovered by a church, and on the other side write the + discoveries of Humboldt, and the observations and demonstrations of + Darwin! + </p> + <p> + Who has made Germany famous—her priests, or her scientists? + </p> + <p> + Goethe. + </p> + <p> + Kant: That immortal man who said: "Whoever thinks that he can please God + in any way except by discharging his obligations to his fellows, is + superstitious." + </p> + <p> + And that greatest and bravest of thinkers, Ernst + </p> + <p> + Haeckel. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt. + </p> + <p> + Italy:—Mazzini. Garibaldi. + </p> + <p> + In France who are and were the friends of freedom—the Catholic + priests, or Renan? the bishops, or Gambetta?—Dupanloup, or Victor + Hugo? + </p> + <p> + Michelet—Taine—Auguste Comte. + </p> + <p> + England:—Let us compare her priests with John Stuart Mill,—Harriet + Martineau, that "free rover on the breezy common of the universe."—George + Eliot—with Huxley and Tyndall, with Holyoake and Harrison—and + above and over all—with Charles Darwin. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkCONC" id="linkCONC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONCLUSION. + </h2> + <p> + LET us be honest. Did all the priests of Rome increase the mental wealth + of man as much as Bruno? Did all the priests of France do as great a work + for the civilization of the world as Diderot and Voltaire? Did all the + ministers of Scotland add as much to the sum of human knowledge as David + Hume? Have all the clergymen, monks, friars, ministers, priests, bishops, + cardinals and popes, from the day of Pentecost to the last election, done + as much for human liberty as Thomas Paine?—as much for science as + Charles Darwin? + </p> + <p> + What would the world be if infidels had never been? + </p> + <p> + The infidels have been the brave and thoughtful men; the flower of all the + world; the pioneers and heralds of the blessed day of liberty and love; + the generous spirits of the unworthy past; the seers and prophets of our + race; the great chivalric souls, proud victors on the battlefields of + thought, the creditors of all the years to be. + </p> + <p> + Why should it be taken for granted that the men who devoted their lives to + the liberation of their fellow-men should have been hissed at in the hour + of death by the snakes of conscience, while men who defended slavery, + practiced polygamy, justified the stealing of babes from the breasts of + mothers, and lashed the naked back of unpaid labor are supposed to have + passed smilingly from earth to the embraces of the angels? Why should we + think that the brave thinkers, the investigators, the honest men, must + have left the crumbling shore of time in dread and fear, while the + instigators of the massacre of St. Bartholomew; the inventors and users of + thumbscrews, of iron boots and racks; the burners and tearers of human + flesh; the stealers, the whippers and the enslavers of men; the buyers and + beaters of maidens, mothers, and babes; the founders of the Inquisition; + the makers of chains; the builders of dungeons; the calumniators of the + living; the slanderers of the dead, and even the murderers of Jesus + Christ, all died in the odor of sanctity, with white, forgiven hands + folded upon the breasts of peace, while the destroyers of prejudice, the + apostles of humanity, the soldiers of liberty, the breakers of fetters, + the creators of light, died surrounded by the fierce fiends of God? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0008" id="link0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHICH WAY? + </h2> + <h3> + I. + </h3> + <p> + THERE are two ways,—the natural and the supernatural. + </p> + <p> + One way is to live for the world we are in, to develop the brain by study + and investigation, to take, by invention, advantage of the forces of + nature, to the end that we may have good houses, raiment and food, to the + end that the hunger of the mind may be fed through art and science. + </p> + <p> + The other way is to live for another world that we expect, to sacrifice + this life that we have for another that we know not of. The other way is + by prayer and ceremony to obtain the assistance, the protection of some + phantom above the clouds. + </p> + <p> + One way is to think—to investigate, to observe, and follow the light + of reason. The other way is to believe, to accept, to follow, to deny the + authority of your own senses, your own reason, and bow down to those who + are impudent enough to declare that they know. + </p> + <p> + One way is to live for the benefit of your fellow-men—for your wife + and children—to make those you love happy and to shield them from + the sorrows of life. + </p> + <p> + The other way is to live for ghosts, goblins, phantoms and gods with the + hope that they will reward you in another world. + </p> + <p> + One way is to enthrone reason and rely on facts, the other to crown + credulity and live on faith. + </p> + <p> + One way is to walk by the light within—by the flame that illumines + the brain, verifying all by the senses—by touch and sight and sound. + </p> + <p> + The other way is to extinguish the sacred light and follow blindly the + steps of another. + </p> + <p> + One way is to be an honest man, giving to others your thought, standing + erect, intrepid, careless of phantoms and hells. + </p> + <p> + The other way is to cringe and crawl, to betray your nobler self, and to + deprive others of the liberty that you have not the courage to enjoy. + </p> + <p> + Do not imagine that I hate the ones who have taken the wrong side and + traveled the wrong road. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers did the best they could. They believed in the Supernatural, + and they thought that sacrifices and prayer, fasting and weeping, would + induce the Supernatural to give them sunshine, rain and harvest—long + life in this world and eternal joy in another. To them, God was an + absolute monarch, quick to take offence, sudden in anger, terrible in + punishment, jealous, hateful to his enemies, generous to his favorites. + They believed also in the existence of an evil God, almost the equal of + the other God in strength, and a little superior in cunning. Between these + two Gods was the soul of man like a mouse between two paws. + </p> + <p> + Both of these Gods inspired fear. Our fathers did not quite love God, nor + quite hate the Devil, but they were afraid of both. They really wished to + enjoy themselves with God in the next world and with the Devil in this. + They believed that the course of Nature was affected by their conduct; + that floods and storms, diseases, earthquakes and tempests were sent as + punishments, and that all good phenomena were rewards. + </p> + <p> + Everything was under the direction and control of supernatural powers. The + air, the darkness, were filled with angels and devils; witches and wizards + planned and plotted against the pious—against the true believers. + Eclipses were produced by the sins of the people, and the unusual was + regarded as the miraculous. In the good old times Christendom was an + insane asylum, and insane priests and prelates were the keepers. There was + no science. The people did not investigate—did not think. They + trembled and believed. Ignorance and superstition ruled the Christian + world. + </p> + <p> + At last a few began to observe, to make records, and to think. + </p> + <p> + It was found that eclipses came at certain intervals, and that their + coming could be foretold. This demonstrated that the actions of men had + nothing to do with eclipses. A few began to suspect that earthquakes and + storms had natural causes, and happened without the slightest reference to + mankind. + </p> + <p> + Some began to doubt the existence of evil spirits, or the interference of + good ones in the affairs of the world. Finding out something about + astronomy, the great number of the stars, the certain and continuous + motions of the planets, and the fact that many of them were vastly larger + than the earth; ascertaining something about the earth, the slow + development of forms, the growth and distribution of plants, the formation + of islands and continents, the parts played by fire, water and air through + countless centuries; the kinship of all life; fixing the earth's place in + the constellation of the sun; by experiment and research discovering a few + secrets of chemistry; by the invention of printing, and the preservation + and dissemination of facts, theories and thoughts, they were enabled to + break a few chains of superstition, to free themselves a little from the + dominion of the supernatural, and to set their faces toward the light. + Slowly the number of investigators and thinkers increased, slowly the real + facts were gathered, the sciences began to appear, the old beliefs grew a + little absurd, the supernatural retreated and ceased to interfere in the + ordinary affairs of men. + </p> + <p> + Schools were founded, children were taught, books were printed and the + thinkers increased. Day by day confidence lessened in the supernatural, + and day by day men were more and more impressed with the idea that man + must be his own protector, his own providence. From the mists and darkness + of savagery and superstition emerged the dawn of the Natural. A sense of + freedom took possession of the mind, and the soul began to dream of its + power. On every side were invention and discovery, and bolder thought. The + church began to regard the friends of science as its foes: Theologians + resorted to chain and fagot—to mutilation and torture. + </p> + <p> + The thinkers were denounced as heretics and Atheists—as the minions + of Satan and the defamers of Christ. All the ignorance, prejudice and + malice of superstition were aroused and all united for the destruction of + investigation and thought. For centuries this conflict was waged. Every + outrage was perpetrated, every crime committed by the believers in the + supernatural. But, in spite of all, the disciples of the Natural + increased, and the power of the church waned. Now the intelligence of the + world is on the side of the Natural. Still the conflict goes on—the + supernatural constantly losing, and the Natural constantly gaining. In a + few years the victory of science over superstition will be complete and + universal. + </p> + <p> + So, there have been for many centuries two philosophies of life; one in + favor of the destruction of the passions—the lessening of wants,—and + absolute reliance on some higher power; the other, in favor of the + reasonable gratification of the passions, the increase of wants, and their + supply by industry, ingenuity and invention, and the reliance of man on + his own efforts. Diogenes, Epictetus, Socrates to some extent, Buddha and + Christ, all taught the first philosophy. All despised riches and luxury, + all were the enemies of art and music, the despisers of good clothes and + good food and good homes. They were the philosophers of poverty and rags, + of huts and hovels, of ignorance and faith. They preached the glories of + another world and the miseries of this. They derided the prosperous, the + industrious, those who enjoyed life, and reserved heaven for beggars. + </p> + <p> + This philosophy is losing authority, and now most people are anxious to be + happy here in this life. Most people want food and roof and raiment—books + and pictures, luxury and leisure. They believe in developing the brain—in + making servants and slaves of the forces of Nature. + </p> + <p> + Now the intelligent men of the world have cast aside the teachings, the + philosophy of the ascetics. They no longer believe in the virtue of + fasting and self-torture. They believe that happiness is the only good, + and that the time to be happy is now—here, in this world. They no + longer believe in the rewards and punishments of the supernatural. They + believe in consequences, and that the consequences of bad actions are + evil, and the consequences of good actions are good. + </p> + <p> + They believe that man by investigation, by reason, should find out the + conditions of happiness, and then live and act in accordance with such + conditions. They do not believe that earthquakes, or tempests, or + volcanoes, or eclipses are caused by the conduct of men. They no longer + believe in the supernatural. They do not regard themselves as the serfs, + servants, or favorites of any celestial king. They feel that many evils + can be avoided by knowledge, and for that reason they believe in the + development of the brain. The schoolhouse is their church and the + university their cathedral. + </p> + <p> + So, there have been for some centuries two theories of government,—one + theological, the other secular. + </p> + <p> + The king received his power directly from God. It was the business of the + people to obey. The priests received their creeds from God and it was the + duty of the people to believe. + </p> + <p> + The theological government is growing somewhat unpopular. In England, + Parliament has taken the place of God, and in the United States, + government derives its powers from the consent of the governed. + </p> + <p> + Probably Emperor William is the only man in Germany who really believes + that God placed him on the throne and will keep him there whether the + German people are satisfied or not. Italy has retired the Catholic God + from politics, France belongs to and is governed by the French, and even + in Russia there are millions who hold the Czar and all his divine + pretensions in contempt. + </p> + <p> + The theological governments are passing away and the secular are slowly + taking their places. Man is growing greater and the Gods are becoming + vague and indistinct. These "divine" governments rest on the fear and + ignorance of the many, the cunning, the impudence and the mendacity of the + few. A secular government is born of the intelligence, the honesty and the + courage, not only of the few, but of the many. + </p> + <p> + We have found that man can govern himself without the assistance of priest + or pope, of ghost or God. We have found that religion is not self-evident, + and that to believe without evidence is not a praiseworthy action. We know + that the self-evident is the square and compass of the brain, the polar + star in the firmament of mind. And we know that no one denies the + self-evident. We also know that there is no particular goodness in + believing when the evidence is sufficient, and certainly there is' none in + saying; that you believe when the evidence is insufficient. + </p> + <p> + The believers have not all been good. Some of the worst people in the + whole world have been believers. The gentlemen who made Socrates drink + hemlock were believers. The Jews who crucified Christ were believers in + and worshipers of God. The devil believes in the Trinity, the Father, Son + and Holy Ghost, and yet it does not seem to have affected his moral + character. According to the Bible, he trembles, but he does not reform. At + last we have concluded that we have a right to examine the religion of our + fathers. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + ALL Christians know that all the gods, except Jehovah, were created by + man; that they were, and are, false, foolish and monstrous; that all the + heathen temples were built and all their altars erected in vain; that the + sacrifices were wasted, that the priests were hypocrites, that their + prayers were unanswered and that the poor people were deceived, robbed and + enslaved. But after all, is our God superior to the gods of the heathen? + </p> + <p> + We can ask this question now because we are prosperous, and prosperity + gives courage. If we should have a few earthquakes or a pestilence we + might fall on our knees, shut our eyes and ask the forgiveness of God for + ever having had a thought. We know that famine is the friend of faith and + that calamity is the sunshine of superstition. But as we have no + pestilence or famine, and as the crust of the earth is reasonably quiet, + we can afford to examine into the real character of our God. + </p> + <p> + It must be admitted that the use of power is an excellent test of + character. + </p> + <p> + Would a good God appeal to prejudice, the armor, fortress, sword and + shield of ignorance? to credulity, the ring in the priest-led nose of + stupidity? to fear, the capital stock of imposture, the lever of + hypocrisy? Would a good God frighten or enlighten his children? Would a + good God appeal to reason or ignorance, to justice or selfishness, to + liberty or the lash? + </p> + <p> + To our first parents in the Garden of Eden, our God said nothing about the + sacredness of love, nothing about children, nothing about education, about + justice or liberty. + </p> + <p> + After they had violated his command he became ferocious as a wild beast. + He cursed the earth and to Eve he said:—"I will greatly multiply thy + sorrow. In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children. Thy husband shall rule + over thee." + </p> + <p> + Our God made love the slave of pain, made wives serfs, and brutalized the + firesides of the world. + </p> + <p> + Our God drowned the whole world, with the exception of eight people; made + the earth one vast and shoreless sea covered with corpses. + </p> + <p> + Why did he cover the world with men, women and children knowing that he + would destroy them? + </p> + <p> + Why did he not try to reform them? Why would he create people, knowing + that they could not be reformed? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that our God was intelligent and good? + </p> + <p> + After the flood our God selected the Jews and abandoned the rest of his + children. He paid no attention to the Hindoos, neglected the Egyptians, + ignored the Persians, forgot the Assyrians and failed to remember the + Greeks. And yet he was the father of them all. For many centuries he was + only a tribal God, protecting the few and despising the many. Our God was + ignorant, knew nothing of astronomy or geology. He did not even know the + shape of the earth, and thought the stars were only specks. + </p> + <p> + He knew nothing of disease. He thought that the blood of a bird that had + been killed over running water was good medicine. He was revengeful and + cruel, and assisted some of his children to butcher and destroy others. He + commanded them to murder men, wives and children, and to keep alive the + maidens and distribute them among his soldiers. + </p> + <p> + Our God established slavery—commanded men to buy their fellow-men, + to make merchandise of wives and babes. Our God sanctioned polygamy and + made wives the property of their husbands. Our God murdered the people for + the crimes of kings. + </p> + <p> + No man of intelligence, no one whose brain has not been poisoned by + superstition, paralyzed by fear, can read the Old Testament without being + forced to the conclusion that our God was, a wild beast. + </p> + <p> + If we must have a god, let him be merciful. Let us remember that "the + quality of mercy is not strained." Let us remember that when the sword of + Justice becomes a staff to support the weak, it bursts into blossom, and + that the perfume of that flower is the only incense, the only offering, + the only sacrifice that mercy will accept. + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + SO, there have been two theories about the cause and cure of disease. One + is the theological, the other the scientific. + </p> + <p> + According to the theological idea, diseases were produced by evil spirits, + by devils who entered into the bodies of people. + </p> + <p> + These devils could be cast out by prophets, inspired men and priests. + </p> + <p> + While Christ was upon earth his principal business was to cast out evil + spirits. + </p> + <p> + For many centuries the priests followed his example, and during the Middle + Ages millions of devils were driven from the bodies of men. Diseases were + cured with little images of consecrated pewter, with pieces of paper, with + crosses worn about the neck—by having plaster of Paris Virgins and + clay Christs at the head of the bed, by touching the bones of dead saints, + or pieces of the true cross, or one of the nails that was driven through + the flesh of Christ, or a garment that had been worn by the Virgin Mary, + or by sprinkling the breast with holy water, or saying prayers, or + counting beads, or making the stations of the cross, or by going without + meat, or wearing haircloth, or in some way torturing the body. All + diseases were supposed to be of supernatural origin and all cures were of + the same nature. Pestilences were stopped by processions, led by priests + carrying the Host. + </p> + <p> + Nothing was known of natural causes and effects. Everything was miraculous + and mysterious. The priests were cunning and the people credulous. + </p> + <p> + Slowly another theory as to the cause and cure of disease took possession + of the mind. A few discarded the idea of devils, and took the ground that + diseases were naturally produced, and that many of them could be cured by + natural means. + </p> + <p> + At first the physician was exceedingly ignorant, but he knew more than the + priest. Slowly but surely he pushed the priest from the bedside. Some + people finally became intelligent enough to trust their bodies to the + doctors, and remained ignorant enough to leave the care of their souls + with the priests. Among civilized people the theological theory has been + cast aside, and the miraculous, the supernatural, no longer has a place in + medicine. In Catholic countries the peasants are still cured by images, + prayers, holy water and the bones of saints, but when the priests are sick + they send for a physician, and now even the Pope, God's agent, gives his + sacred body to the care of a doctor. + </p> + <p> + The scientific has triumphed to a great extent over the theological. + </p> + <p> + No intelligent person now believes that devils inhabit the bodies of men. + No intelligent person now believes that devils are trying to control the + actions of men. No intelligent person now believes that devils exist. + </p> + <p> + And yet, at the present time, in the city of New York, Catholic priests + are exhibiting a piece of one of the bones of Saint Anne, the supposed + mother of the Virgin Mary. Some of these priests may be credulous + imbeciles and some may be pious rogues. If they have any real intelligence + they must know that there is no possible way of proving that the piece of + bone ever belonged to Saint Anne. And if they have any real intelligence + they must know that even the bones of Saint Anne were substantially like + the bones of other people, made of substantially the same material, and + that the medical and miraculous qualities of all human bones must be + substantially the same. And yet these priests are obtaining from their + credulous dupes thousands and thousands of dollars for the privilege of + seeing this bone and kissing the box that contains the "sacred relic." + </p> + <p> + Archbishop Corrigan knows that no one knows who the mother of the Virgin + Mary was, that no one knows about any of the bones of this unknown mother, + knows that the whole thing is a theological fraud, knows that his priests, + or priests under his jurisdiction, are obtaining money under false + pretences. Cardinal Gibbons knows the same, but neither of these pious + gentlemen has one word to say against this shameless crime. They are + willing that priests for the benefit of the church should make merchandise + of the hopes and fears of ignorant believers; willing that fraud that + produces revenue should live and thrive. + </p> + <p> + This is the honesty of the theologian. If these gentlemen should be taken + sick they would not touch the relic. They would send for a physician. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you a Japanese story that is exactly in point: + </p> + <p> + An old monk was in charge of a monastery that had been built above the + bones of a saint. These bones had the power to cure diseases and they were + so placed that by thrusting the arm through an orifice they could be + touched by the hand of the pilgrim. Many people, afflicted in many ways, + came and touched these bones. Many thought they had been benefited or + cured, and many in gratitude left large sums of money with the monk. One + day the old monk addressed his assistant as follows: "My dear son, + business has fallen off, and I can easily attend to all who come. You will + have to find another place. I will give you the white donkey, a little + money, and my blessing." + </p> + <p> + So the young man mounted upon the beast and went his way. In a few days + his money was gone and the white donkey died. An idea took possession of + the young man's mind. By the side of the road he buried the donkey, and + then to every passer-by held out his hands and said in solemn tones: "I + pray thee give me a little money to build a temple above the bones of the + sinless one." + </p> + <p> + Such was his success that he built the temple, and then thousands came to + touch the bones of the sinless one. The young man became rich, gave + employment to many assistants and lived in the greatest luxury. + </p> + <p> + One day he made up his mind to visit his old master. Taking with him a + large retinue of servants he started for the old home. When he reached the + place the old monk was seated by the doorway. With great astonishment he + looked at the young man and his retinue. The young man dismounted and made + himself known, and the old monk cried: "Where hast thou been? Tell me, I + pray thee, the story of thy success." + </p> + <p> + "Ah," the young man replied, "old age is stupid, but youth has thoughts. + Wait until we are alone and I will tell you all." + </p> + <p> + So that night the young man told his story, told about the death and + burial of the donkey, the begging of money to build a temple over the + bones of the sinless one, and of the sums of money he had received for the + cures the bones had wrought. + </p> + <p> + When he finished a satisfied smile crept over his pious face as he added: + "Old age is stupid, but youth has thoughts." + </p> + <p> + "Be not so fast," said the old monk, as he placed his trembling hand on + the head of his visitor, "Young man, this monastery in which your youth + was passed, in which you have seen so many miracles performed, so many + diseases cured, was built above the sacred bones of the mother of your + little jackass." + </p> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + THERE are two ways of accounting for the sacred books and religions of the + world. + </p> + <p> + One is to say that the sacred books were written by inspired men, and that + our religion was revealed to us by God. + </p> + <p> + The other is to say that all books have been written by men, without any + aid from supernatural powers, and that all religions have been naturally + produced. + </p> + <p> + We find that other races and peoples have sacred books and prophets, + priests and Christs; we find too that their sacred books were written by + men who had the prejudices and peculiarities of the race to which they + belonged, and that they contain the mistakes and absurdities peculiar to + the people who produced them. + </p> + <p> + Christians are perfectly satisfied that all the so-called sacred books, + with the exception of the Old and New Testaments, were written by men, and + that the claim of inspiration is perfectly absurd. So they believe that + all religions, except Judaism and Christianity, were invented by men. The + believers in other religions take the ground that their religion was + revealed by God, and that all others, including Judaism and Christianity, + were made by men. All are right and all are wrong. When they say that + "other" religions were produced by men, they are right; when they say that + their religion was revealed by God, they are wrong. + </p> + <p> + Now we know that all tribes and nations have had some kind of religion; + that they have believed in the existence of good and evil beings, spirits + or powers, that could be softened by gifts or prayer. Now we know that at + the foundation of every religion, of all worship, is the pale and + bloodless face of fear. Now we know that all religions and all sacred + books have been naturally produced—all born of ignorance, fear and + cunning. + </p> + <p> + Now we know that the gifts, sacrifices and prayers were all in vain; that + no god received and that no god heard or answered. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago prayers decided the issue of battle, and priests, through + their influence with God, could give the victory. Now no intelligent man + expects any answer to prayer. He knows that nature pursues her course + without reference to the wishes of men, that the clouds float, the winds + blow, the rain falls and the sun shines without regard to the human race. + Yet millions are still praying, still hoping that they can gain the + protection of some god, that some being will guard them from accident and + disease. Year after year the ministers make the same petitions, pray for + the same things, and keep on in spite of the fact that nothing is + accomplished. + </p> + <p> + Whenever good men do some noble thing the clergy give their God the + credit, and when evil things are done they hold the men who did the evil + responsible, and forget to blame their God. + </p> + <p> + Praying has become a business, a profession, a trade, A minister is never + happier than when praying in public. Most of them are exceedingly familiar + with their God. Knowing that he knows everything, they tell him the needs + of the nation and the desires of the people, they advise him what to do + and when to do it. They appeal to his pride, asking him to do certain + things for his own glory. They often pray for the impossible. In the House + of Representatives in Washington I once heard a chaplain pray for what he + must have known was impossible. Without a change of countenance, without a + smile, with a face solemn as a sepulchre, he said: "I pray thee, O God, to + give Congress wisdom." It may be that ministers really think that their + prayers do good and it may be that frogs imagine that their croaking + brings spring. + </p> + <p> + The men of thought now know that all religions and all sacred books have + been made by men; that no revelation has come from any being superior to + nature; that all the prophecies were either false or made after the event; + that no miracle ever was or ever will be performed; that no God wants the + worship or the assistance of man; that no-prayer has ever coaxed one drop + of rain from the sky, one ray of light from the sun; that no prayer has + stayed the flood, or the tides of the sea, or folded the wings of the + storm; that no prayer has given water to the cracked and bleeding lips of + thirst, or food to the famishing; that no prayer has stopped the + pestilence, stilled the earthquake or quieted the volcano; that no prayer + has shielded the innocent, succored the oppressed, unlocked the dungeon's + door, broke the chains of slaves, rescued the good and noble from the + scaffold, or extinguished the fagot's flame. + </p> + <p> + The intelligent man now knows that we live in a natural world, that gods + and devils and the sons of God are all phantoms, that our religion and our + Deity are much like the religion and deities of other nations, and that + the stone god of a savage answers prayer and protects his worshipers + precisely the same, and to just the same extent, as the Father, Son and + Holy Ghost. + </p> + <p> + V. + </p> + <p> + THERE are two theories about morals. One theory is that the moral man + obeys the commands of a supposed God, without stopping to think whether + the commands are right or wrong. He believes that the will of the God is + the source and fountain of right. He thinks a thing is wrong because the + God prohibits it, not that the God prohibits it because it is wrong. This + theory calls not for thought, but for obedience. It does not appeal to + reason, but to the fear of punishment, the hope of reward. God is a king + whose will is law, and men are serfs and slaves. + </p> + <p> + Many contend that without a belief in the existence of God morality is + impossible and that virtue would perish from the earth. + </p> + <p> + This absurd theory, with its "Thus saith the Lord" has been claimed to be + independent of and superior to reason. + </p> + <p> + The other theory is that right and wrong exist in the nature of things; + that certain actions preserve or increase the happiness of man, and that + other actions cause sorrow and misery; that all those actions that cause + happiness are moral, and that all others are evil, or indifferent. Right + and wrong are not revelations from some supposed god, but have been + discovered through the experience and intelligence of man. There is + nothing miraculous or supernatural about morality. Neither has morality + anything to do with another world, or with an infinite being. It applies + to conduct here, and the effect of that conduct on ourselves and others + determines its nature. + </p> + <p> + In this world people are obliged to supply their wants by labor. Industry + is a necessity, and those who work are the natural enemies of those who + steal. + </p> + <p> + It required no revelation from God to make larceny unpopular. Human beings + naturally object to being injured, maimed, or killed, and so everywhere, + and at all times, they have tried to protect themselves. + </p> + <p> + Men did not require a revelation from God to put in their minds the + thought of self-preservation. To defend yourself when attacked is as + natural as to eat when you are hungry. + </p> + <p> + To determine the quality of an action by showing that it is in accordance + with, or contrary to the command of some supposed God, is superstition + pure and simple. To test all actions by their consequences is scientific + and in accord with reason. + </p> + <p> + According to the supernatural theory, natural consequences are not taken + into consideration. Actions are wrong because they have been prohibited + and right because they have been commanded. According to the Catholic + Church, eating meat on Friday is a sin that deserves eternal punishment. + And yet, in the nature of things, the consequences of eating meat on that + day must be exactly the same as eating meat on any other. So, all the + churches teach that unbelief is a crime, not in the nature of things, but + by reason of the will of God. + </p> + <p> + Of course this is absurd and idiotic. If there be an infinite God he + cannot make that wrong which in the nature of things is right. Neither can + he make an action good the natural consequences of which are evil. Even an + infinite God cannot change a fact. In spite of him the relation between + the diameter and circumference of a circle would remain the same. + </p> + <p> + All the relations of things to things, of forces to forces, of acts to + acts, of causes to effects in the domain of what is called matter, and in + the realm of what is called mind, are just as certain, just as + unchangeable as the relation between the diameter and circumference of a + circle. + </p> + <p> + An infinite God could not make ingratitude a virtue any easier than he + could make a square triangle. + </p> + <p> + So, the foundations of the moral and the immoral are in the nature of + things—in the necessary relation between conduct and well-being, and + an infinite God cannot change these foundations, and cannot increase or + diminish the natural consequences of actions. + </p> + <p> + In this world there is neither chance nor caprice, neither magic nor + miracle. Behind every event, every thought and dream, is the efficient, + the natural and necessary cause. + </p> + <p> + The effort to make the will of a supposed God the foundation of morality, + has filled the world with misery and crime, extinguished in millions of + minds the light of reason, and in countless ways hindered and delayed the + progress of our race. + </p> + <p> + Intelligent men now know, that if there be an infinite God, man cannot in + any way increase or decrease the happiness of such a being. They know that + man can only commit crimes against sentient beings who, to some extent at + least, are within his power, and that a crime by a finite being against an + infinite being is an infinite impossibility. + </p> + <p> + VI. + </p> + <p> + FOR many thousands of years man has believed in and sought for the + impossible. In chemistry he has searched for a universal solvent, for some + way in which to change the baser metals into gold. Even Lord Bacon was a + believer in this absurdity. Thousands of men, during many centuries, in + thousands of ways, sought to change the nature of lead and iron so that + they might be transformed to gold. They had no conception of the real + nature of things. They supposed that they had originally been created by a + kind of magic, and could by the same kind of magic be changed into + something else. They were all believers in the supernatural. So, in + mechanics, men sought for the impossible. They were believers in perpetual + motion and they tried to make machines that would through a combination of + levers furnish the force that propelled them. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of ingenious men wasted their lives in the vain effort to + produce machines that would in some wonderful way create a force. They did + not know that force is eternal, that it can neither be created nor + destroyed. They did not know that a machine having perpetual motion would + necessarily be a universe within itself, or independent of this, and in + which the force called friction would be necessarily changed, without + loss, into the force that propelled,—the machine itself causing or + creating the original force that put it in motion. And yet in spite of all + the absurdities involved, for many centuries men, regarded by their + fellows as intelligent and learned, tried to discover the great principle + of "perpetual motion." + </p> + <p> + Our ancestors studied the stars because in them they thought it possible + to learn the fate of nations, the life and destiny of the individual. + Eclipses, wandering comets, the relations of certain stars were the + forerunners or causes of prosperity or disaster, of the downfall or + upbuilding of kingdoms. Astrology was believed to be a science, and those + who studied the stars were consulted by warriors, statesmen and kings. The + account of the star that led the wise men of the East to the infant Christ + was written by a believer in astrology. It would be hard to overstate the + time and talent wasted in the study of this so-called science. The men who + believed in astrology thought that they lived in a supernatural world—a + world in which causes and effects had no necessary connection with each + other—in which all events were the result of magic and necromancy. + </p> + <p> + Even now, at the close of the nineteenth century, there are hundreds and + hundreds of men who make their living by casting the horoscopes of idiots + and imbeciles. + </p> + <p> + The "perpetual motion" of the mechanic, the universal solvent of the + chemist, the changing of lead into gold, the foretelling events by the + relations of stars were all born of the same ignorance of nature that + caused the theologian to imagine an uncaused cause as the cause of all + causes and effects. + </p> + <p> + The theologian insisted that there was something superior to nature, and + that that something was the creator and preserver of nature. + </p> + <p> + Of course there is no more evidence of the existence of that "something" + than there is of the philosopher's stone. + </p> + <p> + The mechanics who now believe in perpetual motion are insane, so are the + chemists who seek to change one metal into another, so are the honest + astrologers, and in a few more years the same can truthfully be said of + the honest theologians. + </p> + <p> + Many of our ancestors believed in the existence of and sought for the + Fountain of Perpetual Youth. They believed that an old man could stoop and + drink from this fountain and that while he drank his gray hairs would + slowly change, that the wrinkles would disappear, that his dim eyes would + brighten and grow clear, his heart throb with manhood's force and rhythm, + while in his pallid cheeks would burst into blossom the roses of health. + </p> + <p> + They were believers in the supernatural, the miraculous, and nothing + seemed more probable than the impossible. + </p> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + MOST people use names in place of arguments. They are satisfied to be + disciples, followers of the illustrious dead. Each church, each party has + a list of "great men," and they throw the names of these men at each other + when discussing their dogmas and creeds. + </p> + <p> + Men prove the inspiration of the Bible, the divinity of Christ by the + admissions of soldiers, statesmen and kings. And in the same way they + establish the existence of heaven and hell. Dispute one of their dogmas + and you will instantly be told that Isaac Newton or Matthew Hale was on + the other side, and you will be asked whether you claim to be superior to + Newton or Hale. In our own country the ministers, to establish their + absurdities, quote the opinions of Webster and of other successful + politicians as though such opinions were demonstrations. + </p> + <p> + Most Protestants will cheerfully admit that they are inferior in brain and + genius to some men who have lived and died in the Catholic faith; that in + the matter of preaching funeral sermons they are not equal to Bossuet; + that their letters are not as interesting and polished as those written by + Pascal; that Torquemada excelled them in the genius of organization, and + that for planning a massacre they would not for a moment claim the palm + from Catherine de Medici, and yet after these admissions, these same + Protestants would insist that the Pope is an unblushing impostor, and the + Catholic Church a vampire. + </p> + <p> + The so-called "great men" of the world have been mistaken in many things. + Lord Bacon denied the Copernican system of astronomy and believed to the + day of his death that the sun and stars journeyed about this little earth. + Matthew Hale was a firm believer in the existence of witches and wizards. + John Wesley believed that earthquakes were caused by sin and that they + could be prevented by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. John Calvin + regarded murder as one of the means to preserve the purity of the gospel. + Martin Luther denounced Galileo as a fool because he was opposed to the + astronomy of Moses. Webster was in favor of the Fugitive Slave Law and + held the book of Job in high esteem. He wanted votes and he knelt to the + South. He wanted votes and he flattered the church. + </p> + <p> + VIII. + </p> + <p> + VOLUMES might be written on the follies and imbecilities of "great" men. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago the really great men were persecuted, imprisoned or + burned. In this way the church was enabled to keep the "great" men on her + side. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact it is impossible to tell what the "great" men really + thought. We only know what they said. These "great" men had families to + support, they had a prejudice against prisons and objected to being + burned, and it may be that they thought one way and talked another. + </p> + <p> + The priests said to these men: "Agree with the creed, talk on our side, or + you will be persecuted to the death." Then the priests turned to the + people and cried: "Hear what the great men say." + </p> + <p> + For a few years we have had something like liberty of speech and many men + have told their thoughts. Now the theologians are not quite so apt to + appeal to names as formerly. The really great are not on their side. The + leaders of modern thought are not Christians. Now the unbelievers can + repeat names—names that stand for intellectual triumphs. Humboldt, + Helmholtz, Haeckel and Huxley, Darwin, Spencer and Tyndall and many + others, stand for investigation, discovery, for vast achievements in the + world of thought. These men were and are thinkers and they had and have + the courage to express their thoughts. They were not and are not puppets + of priests, or the trembling worshipers of ghosts. + </p> + <p> + For many years, most of the presidents of American colleges have been + engaged in the pious work of trying to prevent the intellectual + advancement of the race. To such an extent have they succeeded that none + of their students have been or are great scientists. + </p> + <p> + For the purpose of bolstering their creed the orthodox do not now repeat + the names of the living, their witnesses are in the cemetery. All the + "great" Christians are dead. + </p> + <p> + To-day we want arguments, not names, reasons, not opinions. It is + degrading to blindly follow a man, or a church. Nothing is nobler than to + be governed by reason. To be vanquished by the truth is to be a victor. + The man who follows is a slave. The man who thinks is free. + </p> + <p> + We must remember that most men have been controlled by their surroundings. + Most of the intelligent men in Turkey are followers of Mahomet. They were + rocked in the cradle of the Koran, they received their religious opinions + as they did their features—from their parents. Their opinion on the + subject of religion is of no possible value. The same may be said of the + Christians of our country. Their belief is the result, not of thought, of + investigation, but of surroundings. + </p> + <p> + All religions have been the result of ignorance, and the seeds were sown + and planted in the long night of savagery. + </p> + <p> + In the decline of the Roman power, in the times when prosperity died, when + commerce almost ceased, when the sceptre of authority fell from weak and + nerveless hands, when arts were lost and the achievements of the past + forgotten or unknown, then Christians came, and holding in contempt all + earthly things, told their fellows of another world—of joy eternal + beyond the clouds. + </p> + <p> + If learning had not been lost, if the people had been educated, if they + had known the literature of Greece and Rome, if they had been familiar + with the tragedies of �?schylus, Sophocles and Euripides, with the + philosophy of Zeno and Epicurus, with the orations of Demosthenes; if they + had known the works of art, the miracles of genius, the passions in + marble, the dreams in stone; if they had known the history of Rome; if + they had understood Lucretius, Cicero and Cæsar; if they had studied + the laws, the decisions of the Prætors; if they had known the + thoughts of all the mighty dead, there would have been no soil on which + the seeds of Christian superstition could have taken root and grown. + </p> + <p> + But the early Christians hated art, and song, and joy. They slandered and + maligned the human race, insisted that the world had been blighted by the + curse of God, that this life should be used only in making preparation for + the next, that education filled the mind with doubt, and science led the + soul from God. + </p> + <p> + IX. + </p> + <p> + THERE are two ways. One is to live for God. That has been tried, and the + result has always been the same. It was tried in Palestine many years ago + and the people who tried it were not protected by their God. They were + conquered, overwhelmed and exiled. They lost their country and were + scattered over the earth. For many centuries they expected assistance from + their God. They believed that they would be gathered together again, that + their cities and temples and altars would be rebuilt, that they would + again be the favorites of Jehovah, that with his help they would overcome + their enemies and rule the world. Century by century the hope has grown + weaker and weaker, until now it is regarded by the intelligent as a + foolish dream. + </p> + <p> + Living for God was tried in Switzerland and it ended in slavery and + torture. Every avenue that led to improvement, to progress, was closed. + Only those in authority were allowed to express their thoughts. No one + tried to increase the happiness of people in this world. Innocent pleasure + was regarded as sin, laughter was suppressed, all natural joy despised, + and love itself denounced as sin. + </p> + <p> + They amused themselves with fasting and prayer, hearing sermons, talking + about endless pain, committing to memory the genealogies in the Old + Testament, and now and then burning one of their fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Living for God was tried in Scotland. The people became the serfs and + slaves of the blessed Kirk. The ministers became petty tyrants. They + poisoned the very springs of life. They interfered with every family, + invaded the privacy of every home, sowed the seeds of superstition and + fear, and filled the darkness with devils. They claimed to be divinely + inspired, that they delivered the messages of God, that to deny their + authority was blasphemy, and that all who refused to do their bidding + would suffer eternal pain. Under their government Scotland was a land of + sighing and sorrow, of grief and pain. The people were slaves. + </p> + <p> + Living for God was tried in New England. A government was formed in + accordance with the Old Testament. The laws, for the most part, were petty + and absurd, the penalties cruel and bloody to the last degree. Religious + liberty was regarded as a crime, as an insult to God. Persons differing in + belief from those in power, were persecuted, whipped, maimed and exiled. + People supposed to be in league with the devil were imprisoned or killed. + A theological government was established, ministers were the agents of + God, they dictated the laws and fixed the penalties. Everything was under + the supervision of the clergy. They had no pity, no mercy. With all their + hearts they hated the natural. They promised happiness in another world, + and did all they could to destroy the pleasures of this. + </p> + <p> + Their greatest consolation, their purest joy was found in their belief + that all who failed to obey their words, to wear their yoke, would suffer + infinite torture in the eternal dungeons of hell. + </p> + <p> + Living for God was tried in the Dark Ages. Thousands of scaffolds were wet + with blood, countless swords were thrust through human hearts. The flames + of fagots consumed the flesh of men, dungeons became the homes of those + who thought. In the name of God every cruelty was practiced, every crime + committed, and liberty perished from the earth. Everywhere the result has + been the same. Living for God has filled the world with blood and flame. + </p> + <p> + There is another way. Let us live for man, for this world. Let us develop + the brain and civilize the heart. Let us ascertain the conditions of + happiness and live in accordance with them. Let us do what we can for the + destruction of ignorance, poverty and crime. Let us do our best to supply + the wants of the body, to satisfy the hunger of the mind, to ascertain the + secrets of nature, to the end that we may make the invisible forces the + tireless servants of the human race, and fill the world with happy homes. + </p> + <p> + Let the gods take care of themselves. Let us live for man. Let us remember + that those who have sought for the truths of nature have never persecuted + their fellow-men. The astronomers and chemists have forged no chains, + built no dungeons. The geologists have invented no instrument of torture. + The philosophers have not demonstrated the truth of their theories by + burning their neighbors. The great infidels, the thinkers, have lived for + the good of man. + </p> + <p> + It is noble to seek for truth, to be intellectually honest, to give to + others a true transcript of your mind, a photograph of your thoughts in + honest words. + </p> + <p> + X. + </p> + <p> + HERE are two ways: The narrow way along which the selfish go in single + file, not wide enough for husband and wife to walk side by side while + children clasp their hands. The narrow road over the desert of + superstition "with here and there a traveler." The narrow grass-grown + path, filled with flints and broken glass, bordered by thistles and + thorns, where the twice-born limping walk with bleeding feet. If by this + path you see a flower, do not pick it. It is a temptation. Beneath its + leaves a serpent lies. Keep your eyes on the New Jerusalem. Do not look + back for wife or child or friend. Think only of saving your own soul. You + will be just as happy in heaven with all you love in hell. Believe, have + faith, and you will be rewarded for the goodness of another. Look neither + to the right nor left. Keep on, straight on, and you will save your + worthless, withered, selfish soul. + </p> + <p> + This is the narrow road that leads from earth to the Christian's heartless + heaven. + </p> + <p> + There is another way—the broad road. + </p> + <p> + Give me the wide and ample way, the way broad enough for us all to go + together. The broad way where the birds sing, where the sun shines and the + streams murmur. The broad way, through the fields where the flowers grow, + over the daisied slopes where sunlight, lingering, seems to sleep and + dream. + </p> + <p> + Let us go the broad way with the great world, with science and art, with + music and the drama, with all that gladdens, thrills, refines and calms. + </p> + <p> + Let us go the wide road with husband and wife, with children and friends + and with all there is of joy and love between the dawn and dusk of life's + strange day. + </p> + <p> + This world is a great orange tree filled with blossoms, with ripening and + ripened fruit, while, underneath the bending boughs, the fallen slowly + turn to dust. + </p> + <p> + Each orange is a life. Let us squeeze it dry, get all the juice there is, + so that when death comes we can say; "There is nothing left but withered + peel." + </p> + <p> + Let us travel the broad and natural way. Let us live for man. + </p> + <p> + To think of what the world has suffered from superstition, from religion, + from the worship of beast and stone and god, is almost enough to make one + insane. Think of the long, long night of ignorance and fear! Think of the + agony, the sufferings of the past, of the days that are dead! + </p> + <p> + I look. In gloomy caves I see the sacred serpents coiled, waiting for + their sacrificial prey. I see their open jaws, their restless tongues, + their glittering eyes, their cruel fangs. I see them seize and crush in + many horrid folds the helpless children given by fathers and mothers to + appease the Serpent-God. I look again. I see temples wrought of stone and + gilded with barbaric gold. I see altars red with human blood. I see the + solemn priests thrust knives in the white breasts of girls. I look again. + I see other temples and other altars, where greedy flames devour the flesh + and blood of babes. I see other temples and other priests and other altars + dripping with the blood of oxen, lambs and doves. + </p> + <p> + I look again. I see other temples and other priests and other altars on + which are sacrificed the liberties of man. I look. I see the cathedrals of + God, the huts of peasants, the robes of priests and kings, the rags of + honest men. I look again. The lovers of God are the murderers of men. I + see dungeons filled with the noblest and the best. I see exiles, + wanderers, outcasts, millions of martyrs, widows and orphans. I see the + cunning instruments of torture and hear the shrieks and sobs and moans of + millions dead. + </p> + <p> + I see the dungeon's gloom, I hear the clank of chains. I see the fagot's + flames, the scorched and blackened face, the writhing limbs. I hear the + jeers and scoffs of pious fiends. I see the victim on the rack, I hear the + tendons as they break. I see a world beneath the feet of priests, liberty + in chains, every virtue a crime, every crime a virtue, intelligence + despised, stupidity sainted, hypocrisy crowned and the white forehead of + honor wearing the brand of shame. This was. + </p> + <p> + I look again, and in the East of hope's fair sky the first pale light shed + by the herald star gives promise of another dawn. I look, and from the + ashes, blood and tears the heroes leap to bless the future and avenge the + past. I see a world at war, and in the storm and chaos of the deadly + strife thrones crumble, altars fall, chains break, creeds change. + </p> + <p> + The highest peaks are touched with holy light. The dawn has blossomed. I + look again. I see discoverers sailing across mysterious seas. I see + inventors cunningly enslave the forces of the world. I see the houses + being built for schools. Teachers, interpreters of nature, slowly take the + place of priests. Philosophers arise, thinkers give the world their wealth + of brain, and lips grow rich with words of truth. This is. + </p> + <p> + I look again, but toward the future now. The popes and priests and kings + are gone,—the altars and the thrones have mingled with the dust,—the + aristocracy of land and cloud have perished from the earth and-air, and + all the gods are dead. A new religion sheds its glory on mankind. It is + the gospel of this world, the religion of the body, of the heart and + brain, the evangel of health and joy. I see a world at peace, where labor + reaps its true reward, a world without prisons, without workhouses, + without asylums for the insane, a world on which the gibbets shadow does + not fall, a world where the poor girl, trying to win bread with the + needle, the needle that has been called "the asp for the breast of the + poor," is not driven to the desperate choice of crime or death, of suicide + or shame. I see a world without the beggar's outstretched palm, the + miser's heartless, stony stare, the piteous wail of want, the pallid face + of crime, the livid lips of lies, the cruel eyes of scorn. I see a race + without disease of flesh or brain, shapely and fair, the married harmony + of form and use, and as I look life lengthens, fear dies, joy deepens, + love intensifies. The world is free. This shall be. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009" id="link0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ABOUT THE HOLY BIBLE. + </h2> + <p> + SOMEBODY ought to tell the truth about the Bible. The preachers dare not, + because they would be driven from their pulpits. Professors in colleges + dare not, because they would lose their salaries. Politicians dare not. + They would be defeated. Editors dare not. They would lose subscribers. + Merchants dare not, because they might lose customers. Men of fashion dare + not, fearing that they would lose caste. Even clerks dare not, because + they might be discharged. And so I thought I would do it myself. + </p> + <p> + There are many millions of people who believe the Bible to be the inspired + word of God—millions who think that this book is staff and guide, + counselor and consoler; that it fills the present with peace and the + future with hope—millions who believe that it is the fountain of + law, justice and mercy, and that to its wise and benign teachings the + world is indebted for its liberty, wealth and civilization—millions + who imagine that this book is a revelation from the wisdom and love of God + to the brain and heart of man—millions who regard this book as a + torch that conquers the darkness of death, and pours its radiance on + another world—a world without a tear. + </p> + <p> + They forget its ignorance and savagery, its hatred of liberty, its + religious persecution; they remember heaven, but they forget the dungeon + of eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + They forget that it imprisons the brain and corrupts the heart. They + forget that it is the enemy of intellectual freedom. Liberty is my + religion. Liberty of hand and brain—of thought and labor. + </p> + <p> + Liberty is a word hated by kings—loathed by popes. It is a word that + shatters thrones and altars—that leaves the crowned without + subjects, and the outstretched hand of superstition without alms. Liberty + is the blossom and fruit of justice—the perfume of mercy. Liberty is + the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love + and joy. + </p> + <p> + I. THE ORIGIN OF THE BIBLE. + </p> + <p> + A FEW wandering families—poor, wretched, without education, art or + power; descendants of those who had been enslaved for four hundred years; + ignorant as the inhabitants of Central Africa, had just escaped from their + masters to the desert of Sinai. + </p> + <p> + Their leader was Moses, a man who had been raised in the family of Pharaoh + and had been taught the law and mythology of Egypt. For the purpose of + controlling his followers he pretended that he was instructed and assisted + by Jehovah, the God of these wanderers. + </p> + <p> + Everything that happened was attributed to the interference of this God. + Moses declared that he met this God face to face; that on Sinai's top from + the hands of this God he had received the tables of stone on which, by the + finger of this God, the Ten Commandments had been written, and that, in + addition to this, Jehovah had made known the sacrifices and ceremonies + that were pleasing to him and the laws by which the people should be + governed. + </p> + <p> + In this way the Jewish religion and the Mosaic Code were established. + </p> + <p> + It is now claimed that this religion and these laws were and are revealed + and established for all mankind. + </p> + <p> + At that time these wanderers had no commerce with other nations, they had + no written language, they could neither read nor write. They had no means + by which they could make this revelation known to other nations, and so it + remained buried in the jargon of a few ignorant, impoverished and unknown + tribes for more than two thousand years. + </p> + <p> + Many centuries after Moses, the leader, was dead—many centuries + after all his followers had passed away—the Pentateuch was written, + the work of many writers, and to give it force and authority it was + claimed that Moses was the author. + </p> + <p> + We now know that the Pentateuch was not written by Moses. + </p> + <p> + Towns are mentioned that were not in existence when Moses lived. + </p> + <p> + Money, not coined until centuries after his death, is mentioned. + </p> + <p> + So, many of the laws were not applicable to wanderers on the desert—laws + about agriculture, about the sacrifice of oxen, sheep and doves, about the + weaving of cloth, about ornaments of gold and silver, about the + cultivation of land, about harvest, about the threshing of grain, about + houses and temples, about cities of refuge, and about many other subjects + of no possible application to a few starving wanderers over the sands and + rocks. + </p> + <p> + It is now not only admitted by intelligent and honest theologians that + Moses was not the author of the Pentateuch, but they all admit that no one + knows who the authors were, or who wrote any one of these books, or a + chapter or a line. We know that the books were not written in the same + generation; that they were not all written by one person; that they are + filled with mistakes and contradictions. + </p> + <p> + It is also admitted that Joshua did not write the book that bears his + name, because it refers to events that did not happen until long after his + death. + </p> + <p> + No one knows, or pretends to know, the author of Judges; all we know is + that it was written centuries after all the judges had ceased to exist. No + one knows the author of Ruth, nor of First and Second Samuel; all we know + is that Samuel did not write the books that bear his name. In the 25th + chapter of First Samuel is an account of Samuel's death, and in the 27th + chapter is an account of the raising of Samuel by the Witch of Endor. + </p> + <p> + No one knows the author of First and Second Kings or First and Second + Chronicles; all we know is that these books are of no value. + </p> + <p> + We know that the Psalms were not written by David. In the Psalms the + Captivity is spoken of, and that did not happen until about five hundred + years after David slept with his fathers. + </p> + <p> + We know that Solomon did not write the Proverbs or the Song; that Isaiah + was not the author of the book that bears his name; that no one knows the + author of Job, Ecclesiastes, or Esther, or of any book in the Old + Testament, with the exception of Ezra. + </p> + <p> + We know that God is not mentioned or in any way referred to in the book of + Esther. We know, too, that the book is cruel, absurd and impossible. + </p> + <p> + God is not mentioned in the Song of Solomon, the best book in the Old + Testament. + </p> + <p> + And we know that Ecclesiastes was written by an unbeliever. + </p> + <p> + We know, too, that the Jews themselves had not decided as to what books + were inspired—were authentic—until the second century after + Christ. + </p> + <p> + We know that the idea of inspiration was of slow growth, and that the + inspiration was determined by those who had certain ends to accomplish. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + IF it is, it should be a book that no man—no number of men—could + produce. + </p> + <p> + It should contain the perfection of philosophy. + </p> + <p> + It should perfectly accord with every fact in nature. + </p> + <p> + There should be no mistakes in astronomy, geology, or as to any subject or + science. + </p> + <p> + Its morality should be the highest, the purest. + </p> + <p> + Its laws and regulations for the control of conduct should be just, wise, + perfect, and perfectly adapted to the accomplishment of the ends desired. + </p> + <p> + It should contain nothing calculated to make man cruel, revengeful, + vindictive or infamous. + </p> + <p> + It should be filled with intelligence, justice, purity, honesty, mercy and + the spirit of liberty. + </p> + <p> + It should be opposed to strife and war, to slavery and lust, to ignorance, + credulity and superstition. + </p> + <p> + It should develop the brain and civilize the heart. + </p> + <p> + It should satisfy the heart and brain of the best and wisest. + </p> + <p> + It should be true. + </p> + <p> + Does the Old Testament satisfy this standard? + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in the Old Testament—in history, in theory, in + law, in government, in morality, in science—above and beyond the + ideas, the beliefs, the customs and prejudices of its authors and the + people among whom they lived? + </p> + <p> + Is there one ray of light from any supernatural source? + </p> + <p> + The ancient Hebrews believed that this earth was the centre of the + universe, and that the sun, moon and stars were specks in the sky. + </p> + <p> + With this the Bible agrees. + </p> + <p> + They thought the earth was flat, with four corners; that the sky, the + firmament, was solid—the floor of Jehovah's house. + </p> + <p> + The Bible teaches the same. + </p> + <p> + They imagined that the sun journeyed about the earth, and that by stopping + the sun the day could be lengthened. + </p> + <p> + The Bible agrees with this. + </p> + <p> + They believed that Adam and Eve were the first man and woman; that they + had been created but a few years before, and that they, the Hebrews, were + their direct descendants. + </p> + <p> + This the Bible teaches. + </p> + <p> + If anything is, or can be, certain, the writers of the Bible were mistaken + about creation, astronomy, geology; about the causes of phenomena, the + origin of evil and the cause of death. + </p> + <p> + Now, it must be admitted that if an Infinite Being is the author of the + Bible, he knew all sciences, all facts, and could not have made a mistake. + </p> + <p> + If, then, there are mistakes, misconceptions, false theories, ignorant + myths and blunders in the Bible, it must have been written by finite + beings; that is to say, by ignorant and mistaken men. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be clearer than this. + </p> + <p> + For centuries the church insisted that the Bible was absolutely true; that + it contained no mistakes; that the story of creation was true; that its + astronomy and geology were in accord with the facts; that the scientists + who differed with the Old Testament were infidels and atheists. + </p> + <p> + Now this has changed. The educated Christians admit that the writers of + the Bible were not inspired as to any science. They now say that God, or + Jehovah, did not inspire the writers of his book for the purpose of + instructing the world about astronomy, geology, or any science. They now + admit that the inspired men who wrote the Old Testament knew nothing about + any science, and that they wrote about the earth and stars, the sun and + moon, in accordance with the general ignorance of the time. + </p> + <p> + It required many centuries to force the theologians to this admission. + Reluctantly, full of malice and hatred, the priests retired from the + field, leaving the victory with science. + </p> + <p> + They took another position: + </p> + <p> + They declared that the authors, or rather the writers, of the Bible were + inspired in spiritual and moral things; that Jehovah wanted to make known + to his children his will and his infinite love for his children; that + Jehovah, seeing his people wicked, ignorant and depraved, wished to make + them merciful and just, wise and spiritual, and that the Bible is inspired + in its laws, in the religion it teaches and in its ideas of government. + </p> + <p> + This is the issue now. Is the Bible any nearer right in its ideas of + justice, of mercy, of morality or of religion than in its conception of + the sciences? + </p> + <p> + Is it moral? + </p> + <p> + It upholds slavery—it sanctions polygamy. + </p> + <p> + Could a devil have done worse? + </p> + <p> + Is it merciful? + </p> + <p> + In war it raised the black flag; it commanded the destruction, the + massacre, of all—of the old, infirm, and helpless—of wives and + babes. + </p> + <p> + Were its laws inspired? + </p> + <p> + Hundreds of offences were punished with death. To pick up sticks on + Sunday, to murder your father on Monday, were equal crimes. There is in + the literature of the world no bloodier code. The law of revenge—of + retaliation—was the law of Jehovah. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a + tooth, a limb for a limb. + </p> + <p> + This is savagery—not philosophy. + </p> + <p> + Is it just and reasonable? + </p> + <p> + The Bible is opposed to religious toleration—to religious liberty. + Whoever differed with the majority was stoned to death. Investigation was + a crime. Husbands were ordered to denounce and to assist in killing their + unbelieving wives. + </p> + <p> + It is the enemy of Art. "Thou shalt make no graven image." This was the + death of Art. + </p> + <p> + Palestine never produced a painter or a sculptor. + </p> + <p> + Is the Bible civilized? + </p> + <p> + It upholds lying, larceny, robbery, murder, the selling of diseased meat + to strangers, and even the sacrifice of human beings to Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + Is it philosophical? + </p> + <p> + It teaches that the sins of a people can be transferred to an animal—to + a goat. It makes maternity an offence for which a sin offering had to be + made. + </p> + <p> + It was wicked to give birth to a boy, and twice as wicked to give birth to + a girl. + </p> + <p> + To make hair-oil like that used by the priests was an offence punishable + with death. + </p> + <p> + The blood of a bird killed over running water was regarded as medicine. + </p> + <p> + Would a civilized God daub his altars with the blood of oxen, lambs and + doves? Would he make all his priests butchers? Would he delight in the + smell of burning flesh? + </p> + <p> + III. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS + </p> + <p> + SOME Christian lawyers—some eminent and stupid judges—have + said and still say, that the Ten Commandments are the foundation of all + law. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be more absurd. Long before these commandments were given + there were codes of laws in India and Egypt—laws against murder, + perjury, larceny, adultery and fraud. Such laws are as old as human + society; as old as the love of life; as old as industry; as the idea of + prosperity; as old as human love. + </p> + <p> + All of the Ten Commandments that are good were old; all that were new are + foolish. If Jehovah had been civilized he would have left out the + commandment about keeping the Sabbath, and in its place would have said: + "Thou shalt not enslave thy fellow-men." He would have omitted the one + about swearing, and said: "The man shall have but one wife, and the woman + but one husband." He would have left out the one about graven images, and + in its stead would have said: "Thou shalt not wage wars of extermination, + and thou shalt not unsheathe the sword except in self-defence." + </p> + <p> + If Jehovah, had been civilized, how much grander the Ten Commandments + would have been. + </p> + <p> + All that we call progress—the enfranchisement of man, of labor, the + substitution of imprisonment for death, of fine for imprisonment, the + destruction of polygamy, the establishing of free speech, of the rights of + conscience; in short, all that has tended to the development and + civilization of man; all the results of investigation, observation, + experience and free thought; all that man has accomplished for the benefit + of man since the close of the Dark Ages—has been done in spite of + the Old Testament. + </p> + <p> + Let me further illustrate the morality, the mercy, the philosophy and + goodness of the Old Testament: + </p> + <p> + THE STORY OF ACHAN. + </p> + <p> + Joshua took the City of Jericho. Before the fall of the city he declared + that all the spoil taken should be given to the Lord. + </p> + <p> + In spite of this order Achan secreted a garment, some silver and gold. + </p> + <p> + Afterward Joshua tried to take the city of Ai. He failed and many of his + soldiers were slain. + </p> + <p> + Joshua sought for the cause of his defeat and he found that Achan had + secreted a garment, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold. To + this Achan confessed. + </p> + <p> + And thereupon Joshua took Achan, his sons and his daughters, his oxen and + his sheep—stoned them all to death and burned their bodies. + </p> + <p> + There is nothing to show that the sons and Daughters had committed any + crime. Certainly, the oxen and sheep should not have been stoned to death + for the crime of their owner. This was the justice, the mercy, of Jehovah! + </p> + <p> + After Joshua had committed this crime, with the help of Jehovah he + captured the city of Ai. + </p> + <p> + THE STORY OF ELISHA. + </p> + <p> + "And he went up thence unto Bethel, and as he was going up by the way + there came forth little children out of the city and mocked him, and said + unto him, 'Go up, thou baldhead.' + </p> + <p> + "And he turned back and looked at them, and cursed them in the name of the + Lord. And there came forth two she-bears out of the wood and tore forty + and two children of them." + </p> + <p> + This was the work of the good God—the merciful Jehovah! + </p> + <p> + THE STORY OF DANIEL. + </p> + <p> + King Darius had honored and exalted Daniel, and the native princes were + jealous. So they induced the king to sign a decree to the effect that any + man who should make a petition to any god or man except to King Darius, + for thirty days, should be cast into the den of lions. + </p> + <p> + Afterward these men found that Daniel, with his face toward Jerusalem, + prayed three times a day to Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Daniel was cast into the den of lions; a stone was placed at the + mouth of the den and sealed with the king's seal. + </p> + <p> + The king passed a bad night. The next morning he went to the den and cried + out to Daniel. Daniel answered and told the king that God had sent his + angel and shut the mouths of the lions. + </p> + <p> + Daniel was taken out alive and well, and the king was converted and + believed in Daniel's God. + </p> + <p> + Darius, being then a believer in the true God, sent for the men who had + accused Daniel, and for their wives and their children, and cast them all + into the lions' den. + </p> + <p> + "And the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in + pieces, or ever they came at the bottom of the pit." + </p> + <p> + What had the wives and little children done? How had they offended King + Darius, the believer in Jehovah? Who protected Daniel? Jehovah! Who failed + to protect the innocent wives and children? Jehovah! + </p> + <p> + THE STORY OF JOSEPH. + </p> + <p> + Pharaoh had a dream, and this dream was interpreted by Joseph. + </p> + <p> + According to this interpretation there was to be in Egypt seven years of + plenty, followed by seven years of famine. Joseph advised Pharaoh to buy + all the surplus of the seven plentiful years and store it up against the + years of famine. + </p> + <p> + Pharaoh appointed Joseph as his minister or agent, and ordered him to buy + the grain of the plentiful years. + </p> + <p> + Then came the famine. The people came to the king for help. He told them + to go to Joseph and do as he said. + </p> + <p> + Joseph sold corn to the Egyptians until all their money was gone—until + he had it all. + </p> + <p> + When the money was gone the people said: "Give us corn and we will give + you our cattle." + </p> + <p> + Joseph let them have corn until all their cattle, their horses and their + flocks had been given to him. + </p> + <p> + Then the people said: "Give us corn and we will give you our lands." + </p> + <p> + So Joseph let them have corn until all their lands were gone. + </p> + <p> + But the famine continued, and so the poor wretches sold themselves, and + they became the servants of Pharoah. + </p> + <p> + Then Joseph gave them seed, and made an agreement with them that they + should forever give one-fifth of all they raised to Pharaoh. + </p> + <p> + Who enabled Joseph to interpret the dream of Pharaoh? Jehovah! Did he know + at the time that Joseph would use the information thus given to rob and + enslave the people of Egypt? Yes. Who produced the famine? Jehovah! + </p> + <p> + It is perfectly apparent that the Jews did not think of Jehovah as the God + of Egypt—the God of all the world. He was their God, and theirs + alone. Other nations had gods, but Jehovah was the greatest of all. He + hated other nations and other gods, and abhorred all religions except the + worship of himself. + </p> + <p> + IV. WHAT IS IT ALL WORTH? + </p> + <p> + WILL some Christian scholar tell us the value of Genesis? + </p> + <p> + We know that it is not true—that it contradicts itself. There are + two accounts of the creation in the first and second chapters. In the + first account birds and beasts were created before man. + </p> + <p> + In the second, man was created before the birds and beasts. + </p> + <p> + In the first, fowls are made out of the water. + </p> + <p> + In the second, fowls are made out of the ground. + </p> + <p> + In the first, Adam and Eve are created together. + </p> + <p> + In the second, Adam is made; then the beasts and birds, and then Eve is + created from one of Adam's ribs. + </p> + <p> + These stories are far older than the Pentateuch. + </p> + <p> + Persian: God created the world in six days, a man called Adama, a woman + called Evah, and then rested. + </p> + <p> + The Etruscan, Babylonian, Phoenician, Chaldean and the Egyptian stories + are much the same. + </p> + <p> + The Persians, Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese and + </p> + <p> + Hindus have their Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life. + </p> + <p> + So the Persians, the Babylonians, the Nubians, the people of Southern + India, all had the story of the fall of man and the subtle serpent. + </p> + <p> + The Chinese say that sin came into the world by the disobedience of woman. + And even the Tahitians tell us that man was created from the earth, and + the first woman from one of his bones. + </p> + <p> + All these stories are equally authentic and of equal value to the world, + and all the authors were equally inspired. + </p> + <p> + We know also that the story of the flood is much older than the book of + Genesis, and we know besides that it is not true. + </p> + <p> + We know that this story in Genesis was copied from the Chaldean. There you + find all about the rain, the ark, the animals, the dove that was sent out + three times, and the mountain on which the ark rested. + </p> + <p> + So the Hindus, Chinese, Parsees, Persians, Greeks, Mexicans and + Scandinavians have substantially the same story. + </p> + <p> + We also know that the account of the Tower of Babel is an ignorant and + childish fable. + </p> + <p> + What then is left in this inspired book of + </p> + <p> + Genesis? Is there a word calculated to develop the heart or brain? Is + there an elevated thought—any great principle—anything poetic—any + word that bursts into blossom? + </p> + <p> + Is there anything except a dreary and detailed statement of things that + never happened? + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in Exodus calculated to make men generous, loving and + noble? + </p> + <p> + Is it well to teach children that God tortured the innocent cattle of the + Egyptians—bruised them to death with hailstones—on account of + the sins of Pharoah? + </p> + <p> + Does it make us merciful to believe that God killed the firstborn of the + Egyptians—the firstborn of the poor and suffering people—of + the poor girl working at the mill—because of the wickedness of the + king? + </p> + <p> + Can we believe that the gods of Egypt worked miracles? Did they change + water into blood, and sticks into serpents? + </p> + <p> + In Exodus there is not one original thought or line of value. + </p> + <p> + We know, if we know anything, that this book was written by savages—savages + who believed in slavery, polygamy and wars of extermination. We know that + the story told is impossible, and that the miracles were never performed. + This book admits that there are other gods besides Jehovah. In the 17th + chapter is this verse: "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, + for, in the thing wherein they dealt proudly, he was above them." + </p> + <p> + So, in this blessed book is taught the duty of human sacrifice—the + sacrifice of babes. + </p> + <p> + In the 22d chapter is this command: "Thou shalt not delay to offer the + first of thy ripe fruits and of thy liquors: the first-born of thy sons + thou shalt give unto me." + </p> + <p> + Has Exodus been a help or a hindrance to the human race? + </p> + <p> + Take from Exodus the laws common to all nations, and is there anything of + value left? + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in Leviticus of importance? Is there a chapter worth + reading? What interest have we in the clothes of priests, the curtains and + candles of the tabernacle, the tongs and shovels of the altar or the + hair-oil used by the Levites? + </p> + <p> + Of what use the cruel code, the frightful punishments, the curses, the + falsehoods and the miracles of this ignorant and infamous book? + </p> + <p> + And what is there in the book of Numbers—with its sacrifices and + water of jealousy, with its shew-bread and spoons, its kids and fine + flour, its oil and candlesticks, its cucumbers, onions and manna—to + assist and instruct mankind? What interest have we in the rebellion of + Korah, the water of separation, the ashes of a red heifer, the brazen + serpent, the water that followed the people uphill and down for forty + years, and the inspired donkey of the prophet Balaam? Have these + absurdities and cruelties—these childish, savage superstitions—helped + to civilize the world? + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in Joshua—with its wars, its murders and + massacres, its swords dripping with the blood of mothers and babes, its + tortures, maimings and mutilations, its fraud and fury, its hatred and + revenge—calculated to improve the world? + </p> + <p> + Does not every chapter shock the heart of a good man? Is it a book to be + read by children? + </p> + <p> + The book of Joshua is as merciless as famine, as ferocious as the heart of + a wild beast. It is a history—a justification—a sanctification + of nearly every crime. + </p> + <p> + The book of Judges is about the same, nothing but war and bloodshed; the + horrible story of Jael and Sisera; of Gideon and his trumpets and + pitchers; of Jephtha and his daughter, whom he murdered to please Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + Here we find the story of Samson, in which a sun-god is changed to a + Hebrew giant. + </p> + <p> + Read this book of Joshua—read of the slaughter of women, of wives, + of mothers and babes—read its impossible miracles, its ruthless + crimes, and all done according to the commands of Jehovah, and tell me + whether this book is calculated to make us forgiving, generous and loving. + </p> + <p> + I admit that the history of Ruth is in some respects a beautiful and + touching story; that it is naturally told, and that her love for Naomi was + deep and pure. But in the matter of courtship we would hardly advise our + daughters to follow the example of Ruth. Still, we must remember that Ruth + was a widow. + </p> + <p> + Is there anything worth reading in the first and second books of Samuel? + Ought a prophet of God to hew a captured king in pieces? Is the story of + the ark, its capture and return of importance to us? Is it possible that + it was right, just and merciful to kill fifty thousand men because they + had looked into a box? Of what use to us are the wars of Saul and David, + the stories of Goliath and the Witch of Endor? Why should Jehovah have + killed Uzzah for putting forth his hand to steady the ark, and forgiven + David for murdering Uriah and stealing his wife? + </p> + <p> + According to "Samuel," David took a census of the people. This excited the + wrath of Jehovah, and as a punishment he allowed David to choose seven + years of famine, a flight of three months from pursuing enemies, or three + days of pestilence. David, having confidence in God, chose the three days + of pestilence; and, thereupon, God, the compassionate, on account of the + sin of David, killed seventy thousand innocent men! + </p> + <p> + Under the same circumstances, what would a devil have done? + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in First and Second Kings that suggests the idea of + inspiration? + </p> + <p> + When David is dying he tells his son Solomon to murder Joab—not to + let his hoar head go down to the grave in peace. With his last breath he + commands his son to bring down the hoar head of Shimei to the grave with + blood. Having uttered these merciful words, the good David, the man after + God's heart, slept with his fathers. + </p> + <p> + Was it necessary to inspire the man who wrote the history of the building + of the temple, the story of the visit of the Queen of Sheba, or to tell + the number of Solomon's wives? + </p> + <p> + What care we for the withering of Jereboam's hand, the prophecy of Jehu, + or the story of Elijah and the ravens? + </p> + <p> + Can we believe that Elijah brought flames from heaven, or that he went at + last to Paradise in a chariot of fire? + </p> + <p> + Can we believe in the multiplication of the widow's oil by Elisha, that an + army was smitten with blindness, or that an axe floated in the water? + </p> + <p> + Does it civilize us to read about the beheading of the seventy sons of + Ahab, the putting out of the eyes of Zedekiah and the murder of his sons? + Is there one word in First and Second Kings calculated to make men better? + </p> + <p> + First and Second Chronicles is but a re-telling of what is told in First + and Second Kings. The same old stories—a little left out, a little + added, but in no respect made better or worse. + </p> + <p> + The book of Ezra is of no importance. He tells us that Cyrus, King of + Persia, issued a proclamation for building a temple at Jerusalem, and that + he declared Jehovah to be the real and only God. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be more absurd. Ezra tells us about the return from + captivity, the building of the temple, the dedication, a few prayers, and + this is all. This book is of no importance, of no use. + </p> + <p> + Nehemiah is about the same, only it tells of the building of the wall, the + complaints of the people about taxes, a list of those who returned from + Babylon, a catalogue of those who dwelt at Jerusalem, and the dedication + of the walls. + </p> + <p> + Not a word in Nehemiah worth reading. + </p> + <p> + Then comes the book of Esther: + </p> + <p> + In this we are told that King Ahasueras was intoxicated; that he sent for + his Queen, Vashti, to come and show herself to him and his guests. Vashti + refused to appear. + </p> + <p> + This maddened the king, and he ordered that from every province the most + beautiful girls should be brought before him that he might choose one in + place of Vashti. + </p> + <p> + Among others was brought Esther, a Jewess. She was chosen and became the + wife of the king. Then a gentleman by the name of Haman wanted to have all + the Jews killed, and the king, not knowing that Esther was of that race, + signed a decree that all the Jews should be killed. + </p> + <p> + Through the efforts of Mordecai and Esther the decree was annulled and the + Jews were saved. + </p> + <p> + Haman prepared a gallows on which to have Mordecai hanged, but the good + Esther so managed matters that Haman and his ten sons were hanged on the + gallows that Haman had built, and the Jews were allowed to murder more + than seventy-five thousand of the king's subjects. + </p> + <p> + This is the inspired story of Esther. + </p> + <p> + In the book of Job we find some elevated sentiments, some sublime and + foolish thoughts, something of the wonder and sublimity of nature, the + joys and sorrows of life; but the story is infamous. + </p> + <p> + Some of the Psalms are good, many are indifferent, and a few are infamous. + In them are mingled the vices and virtues. There are verses that elevate, + verses that degrade. There are prayers for forgiveness and revenge. In the + literature of the world there is nothing more heartless, more infamous, + than the 109th Psalm. + </p> + <p> + In the Proverbs there is much shrewdness, many pithy and prudent maxims, + many wise sayings. The same ideas are expressed in many ways—the + wisdom of economy and silence, the dangers of vanity and idleness. Some + are trivial, some are foolish, and many are wise. These proverbs are not + generous—not altruistic. Sayings to the same effect are found among + all nations. + </p> + <p> + Ecclesiastes is the most thoughtful book in the Bible. It was written by + an unbeliever—a philosopher—an agnostic. Take out the + interpolations, and it is in accordance with the thought of the nineteenth + century. In this book are found the most philosophic and poetic passages + in the Bible. + </p> + <p> + After crossing the desert of death and crime—after reading the + Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings and Chronicles—it is + delightful to reach this grove of palms, called the "Song of Solomon." A + drama of love—of human love; a poem without Jehovah—a poem + born of the heart and true to the divine instincts of the soul. + </p> + <p> + "I sleep, but my heart waketh." + </p> + <p> + Isaiah is the work of several. Its swollen words, its vague imagery, its + prophecies and curses, its ravings against kings and nations, its laughter + at the wisdom of man, its hatred of joy, have not the slightest tendency + to increase the well-being of man. + </p> + <p> + In this book is recorded the absurdest of all miracles. The shadow on the + dial is turned back ten degrees, in order to satisfy Hezekiah that Jehovah + will add fifteen years to his life. + </p> + <p> + In this miracle the world, turning from west to east at the rate of more + than a thousand miles an hour, is not only stopped, but made to turn the + other way until the shadow on the dial went back ten degrees! Is there in + the whole world an intelligent man or woman who believes this impossible + falsehood? + </p> + <p> + Jeremiah contains nothing of importance—no facts of value; nothing + but fault-finding, lamentations, croakings, wailings, curses and promises; + nothing but famine and prayer, the prosperity of the wicked, the ruin of + the Jews, the captivity and return, and at last Jeremiah, the traitor, in + the stocks and in prison. + </p> + <p> + And Lamentations is simply a continuance of the ravings of the same insane + pessimist; nothing but dust and sackcloth and ashes, tears and howls, + railings and revilings. + </p> + <p> + And Ezekiel—eating manuscripts, prophesying siege and desolation, + with visions of coals of fire, and cherubim, and wheels with eyes, and the + type and figure of the boiling pot, and the resurrection of dry bones—is + of no use, of no possible value. + </p> + <p> + With Voltaire, I say that any one who admires Ezekiel should be compelled + to dine with him. + </p> + <p> + Daniel is a disordered dream—a nightmare. + </p> + <p> + What can be made of this book with its image with a golden head, with + breast and arms of silver, with belly and thighs of brass, with legs of + iron, and with feet of iron and clay; with its writing on the wall, its + den of lions, and its vision of the ram and goat? + </p> + <p> + Is there anything to be learned from Hosea and his wife? Is there anything + of use in Joel, in Amos, in Obadiah? Can we get any good from Jonah and + his gourd? Is it possible that God is the real author of Micah and Nahum, + of Habakkuk and Zephaniah, of Haggai and Malachi and Zechariah, with his + red horses, his four horns, his four carpenters, his flying roll, his + mountains of brass and the stone with four eyes? + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in these "inspired" books that has been of benefit to + man? + </p> + <p> + Have they taught us how to cultivate the earth, to build houses, to weave + cloth, to prepare food? Have they taught us to paint pictures, to chisel + statues, to build bridges, or ships, or anything of beauty or of use? Did + we get our ideas of government, of religious freedom, of the liberty of + thought, from the Old Testament? Did we get from any of these books a hint + of any science? Is there in the "sacred volume" a word, a line, that has + added to the wealth, the intelligence and the happiness of mankind? Is + there one of the books of the Old Testament as entertaining as "Robinson + Crusoe," "The Travels of Gulliver," or "Peter Wilkins and his Flying + Wife"? Did the author of Genesis know as much about nature as Humboldt, or + Darwin, or Haeckel? Is what is called the Mosaic Code as wise or as + merciful as the code of any civilized nation? Were the writers of Kings + and Chronicles as great historians, as great writers, as Gibbon and + Draper? Is Jeremiah, or Habakkuk equal to Dickens or Thackeray? Can the + authors of Job and the Psalms be compared with Shakespeare? Why should we + attribute the best to man and the worst to God? + </p> + <p> + V. WAS JEHOVAH A GOD OF LOVE? + </p> + <p> + Did these words come from the heart of love?— + </p> + <p> + "When the Lord thy God shall drive them before thee, thou shalt smite them + and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, or show + mercy unto them." + </p> + <p> + "I will heap mischief upon them. I will send mine arrows upon them; they + shall be burned with hunger and devoured with burning heat and with bitter + destruction." + </p> + <p> + "I will send the tooth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of + the dust." + </p> + <p> + "The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man + and the virgin; the suckling also with the man of gray hairs." + </p> + <p> + "Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow; let his children be + continually vagabonds and beg; let them seek their bread also out of their + desolate places; let the extortioner catch all that he hath, and let the + stranger spoil his labor; let there be none to extend mercy unto him, + neither let there be any to favor his fatherless children." + </p> + <p> + "And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body—the flesh of thy + sons and daughters." + </p> + <p> + "And the heaven that is over thee shall be brass, and the earth that is + under thee shall be iron." + </p> + <p> + "Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field." + </p> + <p> + "I will make my arrows drunk with blood." + </p> + <p> + "I will laugh at their calamity.". + </p> + <p> + Did these curses, these threats, come from the heart of love or from the + mouth of savagery? + </p> + <p> + Was Jehovah god or devil? + </p> + <p> + Why should we place Jehovah above all the gods? + </p> + <p> + Has man in his ignorance and fear ever imagined a greater monster? + </p> + <p> + Have the barbarians of any land, in any time, worshiped a more heartless + god? + </p> + <p> + Brahma was a thousand times nobler, and so was Osiris and Zeus and + Jupiter. So was the supreme god of the Aztecs, to whom they offered only + the perfume of flowers. The worst god of the Hindus, with his necklace of + skulls and his bracelets of living snakes, was kind and merciful compared + with Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + Compared with Marcus Aurelius, how small Jehovah seems. Compared with + Abraham Lincoln, how cruel, how contemptible, is this god. + </p> + <p> + VI. JEHOVAH'S ADMINISTRATION. + </p> + <p> + HE created the world, the hosts of heaven, a man and woman—placed + them in a garden. Then the serpent deceived them, and they were cast out + and made to earn their bread. + </p> + <p> + Jehovah had been thwarted. + </p> + <p> + Then he tried again. He went on for about sixteen hundred years trying to + civilize the people. + </p> + <p> + No schools, no churches, no Bible, no tracts—nobody taught to read + or write. No Ten Commandments. The people grew worse and worse, until the + merciful Jehovah sent the flood and drowned all the people except Noah and + his family, eight in all. + </p> + <p> + Then he started again, and changed their diet. At first Adam and Eve were + vegetarians. After the flood Jehovah said: "Every moving thing that liveth + shall be meat for you"—snakes and buzzards. + </p> + <p> + Then he failed again, and at the Tower of Babel he dispersed and scattered + the people. + </p> + <p> + Finding that he could not succeed with all the people, he thought he would + try a few, so he selected Abraham and his descendants. Again he failed, + and his chosen people were captured by the Egyptians and enslaved for four + hundred years. + </p> + <p> + Then he tried again—rescued them from Pharaoh and started for + Palestine. + </p> + <p> + Then he changed their diet, allowing them to eat only the beasts that + parted the hoof and chewed the cud. Again he failed. The people hated him, + and preferred the slavery of Egypt to the freedom of Jehovah. So he kept + them wandering until nearly all who came from Egypt had died. Then he + tried again—took them into Palestine and had them governed by + judges. + </p> + <p> + This, too, was a failure—no schools, no Bible. Then he tried kings, + and the kings were mostly idolaters. + </p> + <p> + Then the chosen people were conquered and carried into captivity by the + Babylonians. + </p> + <p> + Another failure. + </p> + <p> + Then they returned, and Jehovah tried prophets—howlers and wailers—but + the people grew worse and worse. No schools, no sciences, no arts, no + commerce. Then Jehovah took upon himself flesh, was born of a woman, and + lived among the people that he had been trying to civilize for several + thousand years. Then these people, following the law that Jehovah had + given them in the wilderness, charged this Jehovah-man—this Christ—with + blasphemy; tried, convicted and killed him. + </p> + <p> + Jehovah had failed again. + </p> + <p> + Then he deserted the Jews and turned his attention to the rest of the + world. + </p> + <p> + And now the Jews, deserted by Jehovah, persecuted by Christians, are the + most prosperous people on the earth. Again has Jehovah failed. + </p> + <p> + What an administration! + </p> + <p> + VII. THE NEW TESTAMENT. + </p> + <p> + WHO wrote the New Testament? + </p> + <p> + Christian scholars admit that they do not know. They admit that, if the + four gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, they must have + been written in Hebrew. And yet a Hebrew manuscript of any one of these + gospels has never been found. All have been and are in Greek. So, educated + theologians admit that the Epistles, James and Jude, were written by + persons who had never seen one of the four gospels. In these Epistles—in + James and Jude—no reference is made to any of the gospels, nor to + any miracle recorded in them. + </p> + <p> + The first mention that has been found of one of our gospels was made about + one hundred and eighty years after the birth of Christ, and the four + gospels were first named and quoted from at the beginning of the third + century, about one hundred and seventy years after the death of Christ. + </p> + <p> + We now know that there were many other gospels besides our four, some of + which have been lost. + </p> + <p> + There were the gospels of Paul, of the Egyptians, of the Hebrews, of + Perfection, of Judas, of Thaddeus, of the Infancy, of Thomas, of Mary, of + Andrew, of Nicodemus, of Marcion and several others. + </p> + <p> + So there were the Acts of Pilate, of Andrew, of Mary, of Paul and Thecla + and of many others; also a book called the Shepherd of Hermas. + </p> + <p> + At first not one of all the books was considered as inspired. The Old + Testament was regarded as di vine; but the books that now constitute the + New Testament were regarded as human productions. We now know that we do + not know who wrote the four gospels. + </p> + <p> + The question is, Were the authors of these four gospels inspired? + </p> + <p> + If they were inspired, then the four gospels must be true. If they are + true, they must agree. + </p> + <p> + The four gospels do not agree. + </p> + <p> + Matthew, Mark and Luke knew nothing of the atonement, nothing of salvation + by faith. They knew only the gospel of good deeds—of charity. They + teach that if we forgive others God will forgive us. + </p> + <p> + With this the gospel of John does not agree. + </p> + <p> + In that gospel we are taught that we must believe on the Lord Jesus + Christ; that we must be born again; that we must drink the blood and eat + the flesh of Christ. In this gospel we find the doctrine of the atonement + and that Christ died for us and suffered in our place. + </p> + <p> + This gospel is utterly at variance with, the other three. If the other + three are true, the gospel of John is false. If the gospel of John was + written by an inspired man, the writers of the other three were + uninspired. From this there is no possible escape. The four cannot be + true. + </p> + <p> + It is evident that there are many interpolations in the four gospels. + </p> + <p> + For instance, in the 28th chapter of Matthew is an account to the effect + that the soldiers at the tomb of Christ were bribed to say that the + disciples of Jesus stole away his body while they, the soldiers, slept. + </p> + <p> + This is clearly an interpolation. It is a break in the narrative. + </p> + <p> + The 10th verse should be followed by the 16th. The 10th verse is as + follows: + </p> + <p> + "Then Jesus said unto them, 'Be not afraid; go tell my brethren that they + go unto Galilee and there shall they see me.'" + </p> + <p> + The 16th verse: + </p> + <p> + "Then the eleven disciples went away unto Galilee into a mountain, where + Jesus had appointed them." + </p> + <p> + The story about the soldiers contained in the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and + 15th verses is an interpolation—an afterthought—long after. + The 15th verse demonstrates this. + </p> + <p> + Fifteenth verse: "So they took the money and did as they were taught. And + this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day." + </p> + <p> + Certainly this account was not in the original gospel, and certainly the + 15th verse was not written by a Jew. No Jew could have written this: "And + this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day." + </p> + <p> + Mark, John and Luke never heard that the soldiers had been bribed by the + priests; or, if they had, did not think it worth while recording. So the + accounts of the Ascension of Jesus Christ in Mark and Luke are + interpolations. Matthew says nothing about the Ascension. + </p> + <p> + Certainly there never was a greater miracle, and yet Matthew, who was + present—who saw the Lord rise, ascend and disappear—did not + think it worth mentioning. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, the last words of Christ, according to Matthew, + contradict the Ascension: "Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of + the world." John, who was present, if Christ really ascended, says not one + word on the subject. + </p> + <p> + As to the Ascension, the gospels do not agree. Mark gives the last + conversation that Christ had with his disciples, as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that + believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall + be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name + shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall + take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt + them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. So, then, + after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven and + sat on the right hand of God." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that this description was written by one who witnessed this + miracle? + </p> + <p> + This miracle is described by Luke as follows: "And it came to pass while + he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into heaven." + </p> + <p> + "Brevity is the soul of wit." + </p> + <p> + In the Acts we are told that: "When he had spoken, while they beheld, he + was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight." + </p> + <p> + Neither Luke, nor Matthew, nor John, nor the writer of the Acts, heard one + word of the conversation attributed to Christ by Mark. The fact is that + the Ascension of Christ was not claimed by his disciples. + </p> + <p> + At first Christ was a man—nothing more. Mary was his mother, Joseph + his father. The genealogy of his father, Joseph, was given to show that he + was of the blood of David. + </p> + <p> + Then the claim was made that he was the son of God, and that his mother + was a virgin, and that she remained a virgin until her death. + </p> + <p> + Then the claim was made that Christ rose from the dead and ascended bodily + to heaven. + </p> + <p> + It required many years for these absurdities to take possession of the + minds of men. + </p> + <p> + If Christ rose from the dead, why did he not appear to his enemies? Why + did he not call on Caiaphas, the high priest? Why did he not make another + triumphal entry into Jerusalem? + </p> + <p> + If he really ascended, why did he not do so in public, in the presence of + his persecutors? Why should this, the greatest of miracles, be done in + secret, in a corner? + </p> + <p> + It was a miracle that could have been seen by a vast multitude—a + miracle that could not be simulated—one that would have convinced + hundreds of thousands. + </p> + <p> + After the story of the Resurrection, the Ascension became a necessity. + They had to dispose of the body. + </p> + <p> + So there are many other interpolations in the gospels and epistles. + </p> + <p> + Again I ask: Is the New Testament true? Does anybody now believe that at + the birth of Christ there was a celestial greeting; that a star led the + Wise Men of the Bast; that Herod slew the babes of Bethlehem of two years + old and under? + </p> + <p> + The gospels are filled with accounts of miracles. Were they ever + performed? + </p> + <p> + Matthew gives the particulars of about twenty-two miracles, Mark of about + nineteen, Luke of about eighteen and John of about seven. + </p> + <p> + According to the gospels, Christ healed diseases, cast out devils, rebuked + the sea, cured the blind, fed multitudes with five loaves and two fishes, + walked on the sea, cursed a fig tree, turned water into wine and raised + the dead. + </p> + <p> + Matthew is the only one that tells about the Star and the Wise Men—the + only one that tells about the murder of babes. + </p> + <p> + John is the only one who says anything about the resurrection of Lazarus, + and Luke is the only one giving an account of the raising from the dead + the widow of Nain's son. + </p> + <p> + How is it possible to substantiate these miracles? + </p> + <p> + The Jews, among whom they were said to have been performed, did not + believe them. The diseased, the palsied, the leprous, the blind who were + cured, did not become followers of Christ. Those that were raised from the + dead were never heard of again. + </p> + <p> + Does any intelligent man believe in the existence of devils? The writer of + three of the gospels certainly did. John says nothing about Christ having + cast out devils, but Matthew, Mark and Luke give many instances. + </p> + <p> + Does any natural man now believe that Christ cast out devils? If his + disciples said he did, they were mistaken. If Christ said he did, he was + insane or an impostor. + </p> + <p> + If the accounts of casting out devils are false, then the writers were + ignorant or dishonest. If they wrote through ignorance, then they were not + inspired. If they wrote what they knew to be false, they were not + inspired. If what they wrote is untrue, whether they knew it or not, they + were not inspired. + </p> + <p> + At that time it was believed that palsy, epilepsy, deafness, insanity and + many other diseases were caused by devils; that devils took possession of + and lived in the bodies of men and women. Christ believed this, taught + this belief to others, and pretended to cure diseases by casting devils + out of the sick and insane. We know now, if we know anything, that + diseases are not caused by the presence of devils. We know, if we know + anything, that devils do not reside in the bodies of men. + </p> + <p> + If Christ said and did what the writers of the three gospels say he said + and did, then Christ was mistaken. If he was mistaken, certainly he was + not God. And if he was mistaken, certainly he was not inspired. + </p> + <p> + Is it a fact that the Devil tried to bribe Christ? + </p> + <p> + Is it a fact that the Devil carried Christ to the top of the temple and + tried to induce him to leap to the ground? + </p> + <p> + How can these miracles be established? + </p> + <p> + The principals have written nothing, Christ has written nothing, and the + Devil has remained silent. + </p> + <p> + How can we know that the Devil tried to bribe Christ? Who wrote the + account? We do not know. How did the writer get his information? We do not + know. + </p> + <p> + Somebody, some seventeen hundred years ago, said that the Devil tried to + bribe God; that the Devil carried God to the top of the temple and tried + to induce him to leap to the earth and that God was intellectually too + keen for the Devil. + </p> + <p> + This is all the evidence we have. + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in the literature of the world more perfectly idiotic? + </p> + <p> + Intelligent people no longer believe in witches, wizards, spooks and + devils, and they are perfectly satisfied that every word in the New + Testament about casting out devils is utterly false. + </p> + <p> + Can we believe that Christ raised the dead? + </p> + <p> + A widow living in Nain is following the body of her son to the tomb. + Christ halts the funeral procession and raises the young man from the dead + and gives him back to the arms of his mother. + </p> + <p> + This young man disappears. He is never heard of again. No one takes the + slightest interest in the man who returned from the realm of death. Luke + is the only one who tells the story. Maybe Matthew, Mark and John never + heard of it, or did not believe it and so failed to record it. + </p> + <p> + John says that Lazarus was raised from the dead; Matthew, Mark and Luke + say nothing about it. + </p> + <p> + It was more wonderful than the raising of the widow's son. He had not been + laid in the tomb for days. He was only on his way to the grave, but + Lazarus was actually dead. He had begun to decay. + </p> + <p> + Lazarus did not excite the least interest. No one asked him about the + other world. No one inquired of him about their dead friends. + </p> + <p> + When he died the second time no one said: "He is not afraid. He has + traveled that road twice and knows just where he is going." + </p> + <p> + We do not believe in the miracles of Mohammed, and yet they are as well + attested as this. We have no confidence in the miracles performed by + Joseph Smith, and yet the evidence is far greater, far better. + </p> + <p> + If a man should go about now pretending to raise the dead, pretending to + cast out devils, we would regard him as insane. What, then, can we say of + Christ? If we wish to save his reputation we are compelled to say that he + never pretended to raise the dead; that he never claimed to have cast out + devils. + </p> + <p> + We must take the ground that these ignorant and impossible things were + invented by zealous disciples, who sought to deify their leader. + </p> + <p> + In those ignorant days these falsehoods added to the fame of Christ. But + now they put his character in peril and belittle the authors of the + gospels. + </p> + <p> + Can we now believe that water was changed into wine? John tells of this + childish miracle, and says that the other disciples were present, yet + Matthew, Mark and Luke say nothing about it. + </p> + <p> + 'Take the miracle of the man cured by the pool of Bethseda. John says that + an angel troubled the waters of the pool of Bethseda, and that whoever got + into the pool first after the waters were troubled was healed. + </p> + <p> + Does anybody now believe that an angel went into the pool and troubled the + waters? Does anybody now think that the poor wretch who got in first was + healed? Yet the author of the gospel according to John believed and + asserted these absurdities. If he was mistaken about that he may have been + about all the miracles he records. + </p> + <p> + John is the only one who tells about this pool of Bethseda. Possibly the + other disciples did not believe the story. + </p> + <p> + How can we account for these pretended miracles? + </p> + <p> + In the days of the disciples, and for many centuries after, the world was + filled with the supernatural. Nearly everything that happened was regarded + as miraculous. God was the immediate governor of the world. If the people + were good, God sent seed time and harvest; but if they were bad he sent + flood and hail, frost and famine. If anything wonderful happened it was + exaggerated until it became a miracle. + </p> + <p> + Of the order of events—of the unbroken and the unbreakable chain of + causes and effects—the people had no knowledge and no thought. + </p> + <p> + A miracle is the badge and brand of fraud. No miracle ever was performed. + No intelligent, honest man ever pretended to perform a miracle, and never + will. + </p> + <p> + If Christ had wrought the miracles attributed to him; if he had cured the + palsied and insane; if he had given hearing to the deaf, vision to the + blind; if he had cleansed the leper with a word, and with a touch had + given life and feeling to the withered limb; if he had given pulse and + motion, warmth and thought, to cold and breathless clay; if he had + conquered death and rescued from the grave its pallid prey—no word + would have been uttered, no hand raised, except in praise and honor. In + his presence all heads would have been uncovered—all knees upon the + ground. + </p> + <p> + Is it not strange that at the trial of Christ no one was found to say a + word in his favor? No man stood forth and said: "I was a leper, and this + man cured me with a touch." No woman said: "I am the widow of Nain and + this is my son whom this man raised from the dead." + </p> + <p> + No man said: "I was blind, and this man gave me sight." + </p> + <p> + All silent + </p> + <p> + VIII. THE PHILOSOPHY OF CHRIST + </p> + <p> + MILLIONS assert that the philosophy of Christ is perfect—that he was + the wisest that ever littered speech. + </p> + <p> + Let us see: + </p> + <p> + <i>Resist not evil. If smitten on one cheek turn the other</i>. + </p> + <p> + Is there any philosophy, any wisdom in this? Christ takes from goodness, + from virtue, from the truth, the right of self-defence. Vice becomes the + master of the world, and the good become the victims of the infamous. + </p> + <p> + No man has the right to protect himself, his property, his wife and + children. Government becomes impossible, and the world is at the mercy of + criminals. Is there any absurdity beyond this? + </p> + <p> + <i>Love your enemies</i>. + </p> + <p> + Is this possible? Did any human being ever love his enemies? Did Christ + love his, when he denounced them as whited sepulchers, hypocrites and + vipers? + </p> + <p> + We cannot love those who hate us. Hatred in the hearts of others does not + breed love in ours. Not to resist evil is absurd; to love your enemies is + impossible. + </p> + <p> + <i>Take no thought for the morrow</i>. + </p> + <p> + The idea was that God would take care of us as he did of sparrows and + lilies. Is there the least sense in that belief? + </p> + <p> + Does God take care of anybody? + </p> + <p> + Can we live without taking thought for the morrow? To plow, to sow, to + cultivate, to harvest, is to take thought for the morrow. We plan and work + for the future, for our children, for the unborn generations to come. + Without this forethought there could be no progress, no civilization. The + world would go back to the caves and dens of savagery. + </p> + <p> + <i>If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out. If thy right hand offend + thee, cut it off.</i> + </p> + <p> + Why? Because it is better that one of our members should perish than that + the whole body should be cast into hell. + </p> + <p> + Is there any wisdom in putting out your eyes or cutting off your hands? Is + it possible to extract from these extravagant sayings the smallest grain + of common sense? + </p> + <p> + <i>Swear not at all; neither by Heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the + Earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is his holy city.</i> + </p> + <p> + Here we find the astronomy and geology of Christ. Heaven is the throne of + God, the monarch; the earth is his footstool. A footstool that turns over + at the rate of a thousand miles an hour, and sweeps through space at the + rate of over a thousand miles a minute! + </p> + <p> + Where did Christ think heaven was? Why was Jerusalem a holy city? Was it + because the inhabitants were ignorant, cruel and superstitious? + </p> + <p> + <i>If any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat let him have + thy cloak also</i>. + </p> + <p> + Is there any philosophy, any good sense, in that commandment? Would it not + be just as sensible to say: "If a man obtains a judgment against you for + one hundred dollars, give him two hundred." + </p> + <p> + Only the insane could give or follow this advice. + </p> + <p> + <i>Think not I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, + but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, + and the daughter against her mother.</i> + </p> + <p> + If this is true, how much better it would have been had he remained away. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that he who said, "Resist not evil," came to bring a sword? + That he who said, "Love your enemies," came to destroy the peace of the + world? + </p> + <p> + To set father against son, and daughter against father—what a + glorious mission! + </p> + <p> + He did bring a sword, and the sword was wet for a thousand years with + innocent blood. In millions of hearts he sowed the seeds of hatred and + revenge. He divided nations and families, put out the light of reason, and + petrified the hearts of men. + </p> + <p> + <i>And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or + father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, + shall receive an hundredfold, shall inherit everlasting life.</i> + </p> + <p> + According to the writer of Matthew, Christ, the compassionate, the + merciful, uttered these terrible words. Is it possible that Christ offered + the bribe of eternal joy to those who would desert their fathers, their + mothers, their wives and children? Are we to win the happiness of heaven + by deserting the ones we love? Is a home to be ruined here for the sake of + a mansion there? + </p> + <p> + And yet it is said that Christ is an example for all the world. Did he + desert his father and mother? He said, speaking to his mother: "Woman, + what have I to do with, thee?" + </p> + <p> + The Pharisees said unto Christ: "Is it lawful to pay tribute unto Cæsar?" + </p> + <p> + Christ said: "Show me the tribute money." They brought him a penny. And he + saith unto them: "Whose is the image and the superscription?" They said: + "Cæsar's." And Christ said: "Render unto Cæsar the things that + are Cæsar's." + </p> + <p> + Did Christ think that the money belonged to Cæsar because his image + and superscription were stamped upon it? Did the penny belong to Cæsar + or to the man who had earned it? Had Cæsar the right to demand it + because it was adorned with his image? + </p> + <p> + Does it appear from this conversation that Christ understood the real + nature and use of money? + </p> + <p> + Can we now say that Christ was the greatest of philosophers? + </p> + <p> + IX. IS CHRIST OUR EXAMPLE? + </p> + <p> + HE never said a word in favor of education. He never even hinted at the + existence of any science. He never uttered a word in favor of industry, + economy or of any effort to better our condition in this world. He was the + enemy of the successful, of the wealthy. Dives was sent to hell, not + because he was bad, but because he was rich. Lazarus went to heaven, not + because he was good, but because he was poor. + </p> + <p> + Christ cared nothing for painting, for sculpture, for music—nothing + for any art. He said nothing about the duties of nation to nation, of king + to subject; nothing about the rights of man; nothing about intellectual + liberty or the freedom of speech. He said nothing about the sacredness of + home; not one word for the fireside; not a word in favor of marriage, in + honor of maternity. + </p> + <p> + He never married. He wandered homeless from place to place with a few + disciples. None of them seem to have been engaged in any useful business, + and they seem to have lived on alms. . + </p> + <p> + All human ties were held in contempt; this world was sacrificed for the + next; all human effort was discouraged. God would support and protect. + </p> + <p> + At last, in the dusk of death, Christ, finding that he was mistaken, cried + out: "My God! My God! Why hast thou forsaken me?" + </p> + <p> + We have found that man must depend on himself. He must clear the land; he + must build the home; he must plow and plant; he must invent; he must work + with hand and brain; he must overcome the difficulties and obstructions; + he must conquer and enslave the forces of nature to the end that they may + do the work of the world. + </p> + <p> + X. WHY SHOULD WE PLACE CHRIST AT THE TOP AND SUMMIT OF THE HUMAN RACE? + </p> + <p> + AS he kinder, more forgiving, more self-sacrificing than Buddha? Was he + wiser, did he meet death with more perfect calmness, than Socrates? Was he + more patient, more charitable, than Epictetus? Was he a greater + philosopher, a deeper thinker, than Epicurus? In what respect was he the + superior of Zoroaster? Was he gentler than Lao-tsze, more universal than + Confucius? Were his ideas of human rights and duties superior to those of + Zeno? Did he express grander truths than Cicero? Was his mind subtler than + Spinoza's? Was his brain equal to Kepler's or Newton's? Was he grander in + death—a sublimer martyr than Bruno? Was he in intelligence, in the + force and beauty of expression, in breadth and scope of thought, in wealth + of illustration, in aptness of comparison, in knowledge of the human brain + and heart, of all passions, hopes and fears, the equal of Shakespeare, the + greatest of the human race? + </p> + <p> + If Christ was in fact God, he knew all the future. + </p> + <p> + Before Him like a panorama moved the history yet to be. He knew how his + words would be interpreted. He knew what crimes, what horrors, what + infamies, would be committed in his name. He knew that the hungry flames + of persecution would climb around the limbs of countless martyrs. He knew + that thousands and thousands of brave men and women would languish in + dungeons in darkness, filled with pain. He knew that his church would + invent and use instruments of torture; that his followers would appeal to + whip and fagot, to chain and rack. He saw the horizon of the future lurid + with the flames of the auto da fe. He knew what creeds would spring like + poisonous fungi from every text. He saw the ignorant sects waging war + against each other. He saw thousands of men, under the orders of priests, + building prisons for their fellow-men. He saw thousands of scaffolds + dripping with the best and bravest blood. He saw his followers using the + instruments of pain. He heard the groans—saw the faces white with + agony. He heard the shrieks and sobs and cries of all the moaning, + martyred multitudes. He knew that commentaries would be written on his + words with swords, to be read by the light of fagots. He knew that the + Inquisition would be born of the teachings attributed to him. + </p> + <p> + He saw the interpolations and falsehoods that hypocrisy would write and + tell. He saw all wars that would be waged, and-he knew that above these + fields of death, these dungeons, these rackings, these burnings, these + executions, for a thousand years would float the dripping banner of the + cross. + </p> + <p> + He knew that hypocrisy would be robed and crowned—that cruelty and + credulity would rule the world; knew that liberty would perish from the + earth; knew that popes and kings in his name would enslave the souls and + bodies of men; knew that they would persecute and destroy the discoverers, + thinkers and inventors; knew that his church would extinguish reason's + holy light and leave the world without a star. + </p> + <p> + He saw his disciples extinguishing the eyes of men, flaying them alive, + cutting out their tongues, searching for all the nerves of pain. + </p> + <p> + He knew that in his name his followers would trade in human flesh; that + cradles would be robbed and women's breasts unbabed for gold. + </p> + <p> + And yet he died with voiceless lips. + </p> + <p> + Why did he fail to speak? Why did he not tell his disciples, and through + them the world: "You shall not burn, imprison and torture in my name. You + shall not persecute your fellow-men." + </p> + <p> + Why did he not plainly say: "I am the Son of God," or, "I am God"? Why did + he not explain the Trinity? Why did he not tell the mode of baptism that + was pleasing to him? Why did he not write a creed? Why did he not break + the chains of slaves? Why did he not say that the Old Testament was or was + not the inspired word of God? Why did he not write the New Testament + himself? Why did he leave his words to ignorance, hypocrisy and chance? + Why did he not say something positive, definite and satisfactory about + another world? Why did he not turn the tear-stained hope of heaven into + the glad knowledge of another life? Why did he not tell us something of + the rights of man, of the liberty of hand and brain? + </p> + <p> + Why did he go dumbly to his death, leaving the world to misery and to + doubt? + </p> + <p> + I will tell you why. He was a man, and did not know. + </p> + <p> + XI. INSPIRATION + </p> + <p> + NOT before about the third century was it claimed or believed that the + books composing the New Testament were inspired. + </p> + <p> + It will be remembered that there were a great number of books of Gospels, + Epistles and Acts, and that from these the "inspired" ones were selected + by "uninspired" men. + </p> + <p> + Between the "Fathers" there were great differences of opinion as to which + books were inspired; much discussion and plenty of hatred. Many of the + books now deemed spurious were by many of the "Fathers" regarded as + divine, and some now regarded as inspired were believed to be spurious. + Many of the early Christians and some of the "Fathers" repudiated the + Gospel of John, the Epistle to the Hebrews, Jude, James, Peter, and the + Revelation of St. John. On the other hand, many of them regarded the + Gospel of the Hebrews, of the Egyptians, the Preaching ol Peter, the + Shepherd of Hermas, the Epistle of Barnabas, the Pastor of Hermas, the + Revelation of Peter, the Revelation of Paul, the Epistle of Clement, the + Gospel of Nicodemus, inspired Books, equal to the very best. + </p> + <p> + From all these books, and many others, the Christians selected the + inspired ones. + </p> + <p> + The men who did the selecting were ignorant and superstitious. They were + firm believers in the miraculous. They thought that diseases had been + cured by the aprons and handkerchiefs of the apostles, by the bones of the + dead. They believed in the fable of the Phoenix, and that the hyenas + changed their sex every year. + </p> + <p> + Were the men who through many centuries made the selections inspired? Were + they—ignorant, credulous, stupid and malicious—as well + qualified to judge of "inspiration" as the students of our time? How are + we bound by their opinion? Have we not the right to judge for ourselves? + </p> + <p> + Erasmus, one of the leaders of the Reformation, declared that the Epistle + to the Hebrews was not written by Paul, and he denied the inspiration of + Second and Third John, and also of Revelation. Luther was of the same + opinion. He declared James to be an epistle of straw, and denied the + inspiration of Revelation. Zwinglius rejected the book of Revelation, and + even Calvin denied that Paul was the author of Hebrews. + </p> + <p> + The truth is that the Protestants did not agree as to what books are + inspired until 1647, by the Assembly of Westminster. + </p> + <p> + To prove that a book is inspired you must prove the existence of God. You + must also prove that this God thinks, acts, has objects, ends and aims. + This Is somewhat difficult. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to conceive of an infinite being. Having no conception of + an infinite being, it is impossible to tell whether all the facts we know + tend to prove or disprove the existence of such a being. + </p> + <p> + God is a guess. If the existence of God is admitted, how are we to prove + that he inspired the writers of the books of the Bible? + </p> + <p> + How can one man establish the inspiration of another? How can an inspired + man prove that he is inspired? How can he know himself that he is + inspired? There is no way to prove the fact of inspiration. The only + evidence is the word of some man who could by no possibility know anything + on the Subject. + </p> + <p> + What is inspiration? Did God use men as instruments? Did he cause them to + write his thoughts? Did he take possession of their minds and destroy + their wills? + </p> + <p> + Were these writers only partly controlled, so that their mistakes, their + ignorance and their prejudices were mingled with the wisdom of God? + </p> + <p> + How are we to separate the mistakes of man from the thoughts of God? Can + we do this without being inspired ourselves? If the original writers were + inspired, then the translators should have been, and so should be the men + who tell us what the Bible means. + </p> + <p> + How is it possible for a human being to know that he is inspired by an + infinite being? But of one thing we may be certain: An inspired book + should certainly excel all the books produced by uninspired men. It + should, above all, be true, filled with wisdom, blossoming in beauty—perfect. + </p> + <p> + Ministers wonder how I can be wicked enough to attack the Bible. + </p> + <p> + I will tell them: + </p> + <p> + This book, the Bible, has persecuted, even unto death, the wisest and the + best. This book stayed and stopped the onward movement of the human race. + This book poisoned the fountains of learning and misdirected the energies + of man. + </p> + <p> + This book is the enemy of freedom, the support of slavery. This book sowed + the seeds of hatred in families and nations, fed the flames of war, and + impoverished, the world. This book is the breastwork of kings and tyrants—the + enslaver of women and children. This book has corrupted parliaments and + courts. This book has made colleges and, universities the teachers of + error and the haters of science. This book has filled Christendom with + hateful, cruel, ignorant and warring sects. This book taught men to kill + their fellows for religion's sake. This book founded the Inquisition, + invented the instruments of torture, built the dungeons in which the good + and loving languished, forged the chains that rusted in their flesh, + erected the scaffolds whereon they died. This book piled fagots about the + feet of the just. This book drove reason from the minds of millions and + filled the asylums with the insane. + </p> + <p> + This book has caused fathers and mothers to shed the blood of their babes. + This book was the auction block on which the slave-mother stood when she + was sold from her child. This book filled the sails of the slave-trader + and made merchandise of human flesh. This book lighted the fires that, + burned "witches" and "wizards." This book filled the darkness with ghouls + and ghosts, and the bodies of men and women with devils. This book + polluted the souls of men with the infamous dogma of eternal pain. This + book made credulity the greatest of virtues, and investigation the + greatest of crimes. This book filled nations with hermits, monks and nuns—with + the pious and the useless. This book placed the ignorant and unclean saint + above the philosopher and philanthropist. This book taught man to despise + the joys of this life, that he might be happy in another—to waste + this world for the sake of the next. + </p> + <p> + I attack this book because it is the enemy of human liberty—the + greatest obstruction across the highway of human progress. + </p> + <p> + Let me ask the ministers one question: How can you be wicked enough to + defend this book? + </p> + <p> + XII. THE REAL BIBLE. + </p> + <p> + OR thousands of years men have been writing the real Bible, and it is + being written from day to day, and it will never be finished while man has + life. All the facts that we know, all the truly recorded events, all the + discoveries and inventions, all the wonderful machines whose wheels and + levers seem to think, all the poems, crystals from the brain, flowers from + the heart, all the songs of love and joy, of smiles and tears, the great + dramas of Imagination's world, the wondrous paintings, miracles of form + and color, of light and shade, the marvelous marbles that seem to live and + breathe, the secrets told by rock and star, by dust and flower, by rain + and snow, by frost and flame, by winding stream and desert sand, by + mountain range and billowed sea. + </p> + <p> + All the wisdom that lengthens and ennobles life—all that avoids or + cures disease, or conquers pain—all just and perfect laws and rules + that guide and shape our lives, all thoughts that feed the flames of love, + the music that transfigures, enraptures and enthralls, the victories of + heart and brain, the miracles that hands have wrought, the deft and + cunning hands of those who worked for wife and child, the histories of + noble deeds, of brave and useful men, of faithful loving wives, of + quenchless mother-love, of conflicts for the right, of sufferings for the + truth, of all the best that all the men and women of the world have said, + and thought and done through all the years. + </p> + <p> + These treasures of the heart and brain—these are the Sacred + Scriptures of the human race. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. 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Ingersoll, Volume 4 (of 12) by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 4 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 4 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Lectures + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38804] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + "The Hands That Help Are Better Far Than Lips That Pray." + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + In Twelve Volumes, Volume IV. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + LECTURES + </h2> + <h3> + 1900 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + THE DRESDEN EDITION + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38804/old/orig38804-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a></big></big> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage (63K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="portrait (61K)" src="images/portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Contents + </h3> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">CONTENTS OF VOLUME IV.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">WHY I AM AN AGNOSTIC.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">THE TRUTH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">HOW TO REFORM MANKIND.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">A THANKSGIVING SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">A LAY SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">THE FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">SUPERSTITION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">THE DEVIL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">PROGRESS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">WHAT IS RELIGION?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF VOLUME IV. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">WHY I AM AN AGNOSTIC.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1896.)<br /> I. Influence of Birth in determining Religious Belief—Scotch, + Irish,<br /> English, and Americans Inherit their Faith—Religions + of Nations<br /> not Suddenly Changed—People who Knew—What + they were Certain<br /> About—Revivals—Character of Sermons + Preached—Effect of Conversion—A<br /> Vermont Farmer for whom + Perdition had no Terrors—The Man and his<br /> Dog—Backsliding + and Re-birth—Ministers who were Sincere—A Free Will<br /> + Baptist on the Rich Man and Lazarus—II. The Orthodox God—The<br /> + Two Dispensations—The Infinite Horror—III. Religious Books—The<br /> + Commentators—Paley's Watch Argument—Milton, Young, and + Pollok—IV.<br /> Studying Astronomy—Geology—Denial and + Evasion by the Clergy—V. The<br /> Poems of Robert Burns—Byron, + Shelley, Keats, and Shakespeare—VI.<br /> Volney, Gibbon, and + Thomas Paine—Voltaire's Services to Liberty—Pagans<br /> + Compared with Patriarchs—VII. Other Gods and Other Religions—Dogmas,<br /> + Myths, and Symbols of Christianity Older than our Era—VIII. The + Men<br /> of Science, Humboldt, Darwin, Spencer, Huxley, Haeckel—IX. + Matter and<br /> Force Indestructible and Uncreatable—The Theory of + Design—X. God an<br /> Impossible Being—The Panorama of the + Past—XI. Free from Sanctified<br /> Mistakes and Holy Lies.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">THE TRUTH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1897.)<br /> I. The Martyrdom of Man—How is Truth to be + Found—Every Man should be<br /> Mentally Honest—He should be + Intellectually Hospitable—Geologists,<br /> Chemists, Mechanics, + and Professional Men are Seeking for the Truth—II.<br /> Those who + say that Slavery is Better than Liberty—Promises are not<br /> + Evidence—Horace Greeley and the Cold Stove—III. "The Science + of<br /> Theology" the only Dishonest Science—Moses and Brigham + Young—Minds<br /> Poisoned and Paralyzed in Youth—Sunday + Schools and Theological<br /> Seminaries—Orthodox Slanderers of + Scientists—Religion has nothing<br /> to do with Charity—Hospitals + Built in Self-Defence—What Good has the<br /> Church Accomplished?—Of + what use are the Orthodox Ministers, and<br /> What are they doing for + the Good of Mankind—The Harm they are<br /> Doing—Delusions + they Teach—Truths they Should Tell about the<br /> Bible—Conclusions—Our + Christs and our Miracles.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">HOW TO REFORM MANKIND.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1896.)<br /> I. "There is no Darkness but Ignorance"—False + Notions Concerning<br /> All Departments of Life—Changed Ideas + about Science, Government and<br /> Morals—II. How can we Reform + the World?—Intellectual Light the First<br /> Necessity—Avoid + Waste of Wealth in War—III. Another Waste—Vast Amount<br /> + of Money Spent on the Church—IV. Plow can we Lessen Crime?—Frightful<br /> + Laws for the Punishment of Minor Crimes—A Penitentiary should be a<br /> + School—Professional Criminals should not be Allowed to Populate + the<br /> Earth—V. Homes for All-Make a Nation of Householders—Marriage<br /> + and Divorce-VI. The Labor Question—Employers cannot Govern<br /> + Prices—Railroads should Pay Pensions—What has been + Accomplished<br /> for the Improvement of the Condition of Labor—VII. + Educate the<br /> Children—Useless Knowledge—Liberty cannot + be Sacrificed for the Sake<br /> of Anything—False worship of + Wealth—VIII. We must Work and Wait.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">A THANKSGIVING SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1897.)<br /> I. Our fathers Ages Ago—From Savagery to + Civilization—For the<br /> Blessings we enjoy, Whom should we + Thank?—What Good has the Church<br /> Done?-Did Christ add to the + Sum of Useful Knowledge—The Saints—What<br /> have the + Councils and Synods Done?—What they Gave us, and What they<br /> + did Not—Shall we Thank them for the Hell Here and for the Hell of<br /> + the Future?—II. What Does God Do?—The Infinite Juggler and + his<br /> Puppets—What the Puppets have Done—Shall we Thank + these<br /> Gods?—Shall we Thank Nature?—III. Men who deserve + our Thanks—The<br /> Infidels, Philanthropists and Scientists—The + Discoverers and<br /> Inventors—Magellan—Copernicus—Bruno—Galileo—Kepler, + Herschel,<br /> Newton, and LaPlace—Lyell—What the Worldly + have Done—Origin and<br /> Vicissitudes of the Bible—The + Septuagint—Investigating the Phenomena<br /> of Nature—IV. We + thank the Good Men and Good Women of the Past—The<br /> Poets, + Dramatists, and Artists—The Statesmen—Paine, Jefferson,<br /> + Ericsson, Lincoln. Grant—Voltaire, Humboldt, Darwin.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">A LAY SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1886.)<br /> Prayer of King Lear—When Honesty wears a Rag + and Rascality a Robe-The<br /> Nonsense of "Free Moral Agency "—Doing + Right is not Self-denial-Wealth<br /> often a Gilded Hell—The Log + House—Insanity of Getting<br /> More—Great Wealth the Mother + of Crime—Separation of Rich and<br /> Poor—Emulation—Invention + of Machines to Save Labor—Production and<br /> Destitution—The + Remedy a Division of the Land—Evils of Tenement<br /> Houses—Ownership + and Use—The Great Weapon is the Ballot—Sewing<br /> Women—Strikes + and Boycotts of No Avail—Anarchy, Communism, and<br /> Socialism—The + Children of the Rich a Punishment for Wealth—Workingmen<br /> Not a + Danger—The Criminals a Necessary Product—Society's Right<br /> + to Punish—The Efficacy of Kindness—Labor is Honorable—Mental<br /> + Independence.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">THE FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1895.)<br /> I. The Old Testament—Story of the Creation—Age + of the Earth and<br /> of Man—Astronomical Calculations of the + Egyptians—The Flood—The<br /> Firmament a Fiction—Israelites + who went into Egypt—Battles of the<br /> Jews—Area of + Palestine—Gold Collected by David for the Temple—II. The<br /> + New Testament—Discrepancies about the Birth of Christ—Herod + and<br /> the Wise Men—The Murder of the Babes of Bethlehem—When + was Christ<br /> born—Cyrenius and the Census of the World—Genealogy + of Christ<br /> according to Matthew and Luke—The Slaying of + Zacharias—Appearance of<br /> the Saints at the Crucifixion—The + Death of Judas Iscariot—Did<br /> Christ wish to be Convicted?—III. + Jehovah—IV. The Trinity—The<br /> Incarnation—Was + Christ God?—The Trinity Expounded—"Let us pray"—V.<br /> + The Theological Christ—Sayings of a Contradictory Character—Christ + a<br /> Devout Jew—An ascetic—His Philosophy—The + Ascension—The Best that Can<br /> be Said about Christ—The + Part that is beautiful and Glorious—The Other<br /> Side—VI. + The Scheme of Redemption—VII. Belief—Eternal Pain—No + Hope<br /> in Hell, Pity in Heaven, or Mercy in the Heart of God—VIII. + Conclusion.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">SUPERSTITION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1898.)<br /> I. What is Superstition?—Popular Beliefs about + the Significance<br /> of Signs, Lucky and Unlucky Numbers, Days, + Accidents, Jewels,<br /> etc.—Eclipses, Earthquakes, and Cyclones + as Omens—Signs and Wonders<br /> of the Heavens—Efficacy of + Bones and Rags of Saints—Diseases and<br /> Devils—II. + Witchcraft—Necromancers—What is a Miracle?—The + Uniformity<br /> of Nature—III. Belief in the Existence of Good + Spirits or Angels—God<br /> and the Devil—When Everything was + done by the Supernatural—IV. All<br /> these Beliefs now Rejected + by Men of Intelligence—The Devil's Success<br /> Made the Coming of + Christ a Necessity—"Thou shalt not Suffer a Witch<br /> to Live"—Some + Biblical Angels—Vanished Visions—V. Where are Heaven<br /> + and Hell?—Prayers Never Answered—The Doctrine of Design—Why + Worship<br /> our Ignorance?—Would God Lead us into Temptation?—President + McKinley's<br /> Thanks giving for the Santiago Victory—VI. What + Harm Does Superstition<br /> Do?—The Heart Hardens and the Brain + Softens—What Superstition has Done<br /> and Taught—Fate of + Spain—Of Portugal, Austria, Germany—VII. Inspired<br /> Books—Mysteries + added to by the Explanations of Theologians—The<br /> Inspired + Bible the Greatest Curse of Christendom—VIII. Modifications<br /> + of Jehovah—Changing the Bible—IX. Centuries of Darkness—The + Church<br /> Triumphant—When Men began to Think—X. Possibly + these Superstitions are<br /> True, but We have no Evidence—We + Believe in the Natural—Science is the<br /> Real Redeemer.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">THE DEVIL.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1899.)<br /> I. If the Devil should Die, would God Make Another?—How + was the Idea<br /> of a Devil Produced—Other Devils than Ours—Natural + Origin of these<br /> Monsters—II. The Atlas of Christianity is The + Devil—The Devil of the<br /> Old Testament—The Serpent in + Eden—"Personifications" of Evil—Satan<br /> and Job—Satan + and David—III. Take the Devil from the Drama<br /> of Christianity + and the Plot is Gone—Jesus Tempted by the Evil<br /> One—Demoniac + Possession—Mary Magdalene—Satan and Judas—Incubi<br /> + and Succubi—The Apostles believed in Miracles and Magic—The + Pool of<br /> Bethesda—IV. The Evidence of the Church—The + Devil was forced to<br /> Father the Failures of God—Belief of the + Fathers of the Church<br /> in Devils—Exorcism at the Baptism of an + Infant in the Sixteenth<br /> Century—Belief in Devils made the + Universe a Madhouse presided over by<br /> an Insane God—V. + Personifications of the Devil—The Orthodox Ostrich<br /> Thrusts + his Head into the Sand—If Devils are Personifications so are<br /> + all the Other Characters of the Bible—VI. Some Queries about the<br /> + Devil, his Place of Residence, his Manner of Living, and his Object in<br /> + Life—Interrogatories to the Clergy—VII. The Man of Straw the + Master<br /> of the Orthodox Ministers—His recent Accomplishments—VIII. + Keep the<br /> Devils out of Children—IX. Conclusion.—Declaration + of the Free.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">PROGRESS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1860-64.)<br /> The Prosperity of the World depends upon its + Workers—Veneration for the<br /> Ancient—Credulity and Faith + of the Middle Ages—Penalty for Reading<br /> the Scripture in the + Mother Tongue—Unjust, Bloody, and Cruel Laws—The<br /> + Reformers too were Persecutors—Bigotry of Luther and Knox—Persecution<br /> + of Castalio—Montaigne against Torture in France—"Witchcraft" + (chapter<br /> on)—Confessed Wizards—A Case before Sir + Matthew Hale—Belief<br /> in Lycanthropy—Animals Tried and + Executed—Animals received<br /> as Witnesses—The Corsned or + Morsel of Execution—Kepler an<br /> Astrologer—Luther's + Encounter with the Devil—Mathematician<br /> Stoefflers, + Astronomical Prediction of a Flood—Histories Filled with<br /> + Falsehood—Legend about the Daughter of Pharaoh invading Scotland + and<br /> giving the Country her name—A Story about Mohammed—A + History of the<br /> Britains written by Archdeacons—Ingenuous + Remark of Eusebius—Progress<br /> in the Mechanic Arts—England + at the beginning of the Eighteenth<br /> Century—Barbarous + Punishments—Queen Elizabeth's Order Concerning<br /> Clergymen and + Servant Girls—Inventions of Watt, Arkwright, and<br /> Others—Solomon's + Deprivations—Language (chapter on)—Belief that the<br /> + Hebrew was< the original Tongue—Speculations about the Language<br /> + of Paradise—Geography (chapter on)—The Works of Cosmas—Printing<br /> + Invented—Church's Opposition to Books—The Inquisition—The<br /> + Reformation—"Slavery" (chapter on)—Voltaire's Remark on + Slavery as<br /> a Contract—White Slaves in Greece, Rome, England, + Scotland, and<br /> France—Free minds make Free Bodies—Causes + of the Abolition of White<br /> Slavery in Europe—The French + Revolution—The African Slave Trade,<br /> its Beginning and End—Liberty + Triumphed (chapter head)—Abolition of<br /> Chattel Slavery—Conclusion.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">WHAT IS RELIGION?</a> + </p> + <p> + (1899.)<br /> I. Belief in God and Sacrifice—Did an Infinite God + Create the Children<br /> of Men and is he the Governor of the Universe?—II. + If this God Exists,<br /> how do we Know he is Good?—Should both + the Inferior and the Superior<br /> thank God for their Condition?—III. + The Power that Works for<br /> Righteousness—What is this Power?—The + Accumulated Experience of the<br /> World is a Power Working for Good?—Love + the Commencement of the Higher<br /> Virtues—IV. What has our + Religion Done?—Would Christians have been<br /> Worse had they + Adopted another Faith?—V. How Can Mankind be Reformed<br /> Without + Religion?—VI. The Four Corner-stones of my Theory—VII. + Matter<br /> and Force Eternal—Links in the Chain of Evolution—VIII. + Reform—The<br /> Gutter as a Nursery—Can we Prevent the Unfit + from Filling the World<br /> with their Children?—Science must make + Woman the Owner and Mistress<br /> of Herself—Morality Born of + Intelligence—IX. Real Religion and Real<br /> Worship.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHY I AM AN AGNOSTIC. + </h2> + <p> + I. + </p> + <p> + FOR the most part we inherit our opinions. We are the heirs of habits and + mental customs. Our beliefs, like the fashion of our garments, depend on + where we were born. We are moulded and fashioned by our surroundings. + </p> + <p> + Environment is a sculptor—a painter. + </p> + <p> + If we had been born in Constantinople, the most of us would have said: + "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet." If our parents + had lived on the banks of the Ganges, we would have been worshipers of + Siva, longing for the heaven of Nirvana. + </p> + <p> + As a rule, children love their parents, believe what they teach, and take + great pride in saying that the religion of mother is good enough for them. + </p> + <p> + Most people love peace. They do not like to differ with their neighbors. + They like company. They are social. They enjoy traveling on the highway + with the multitude. They hate to walk alone. + </p> + <p> + The Scotch are Calvinists because their fathers were. The Irish are + Catholics because their fathers were. The English are Episcopalians + because their fathers were, and the Americans are divided in a hundred + sects because their fathers were. This is the general rule, to which there + are many exceptions. Children sometimes are superior to their parents, + modify their ideas, change their customs, and arrive at different + conclusions. But this is generally so gradual that the departure is + scarcely noticed, and those who change usually insist that they are still + following the fathers. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed by Christian historians that the religion of a nation was + sometimes suddenly changed, and that millions of Pagans were made into + Christians by the command of a king. Philosophers do not agree with these + historians. Names have been changed, altars have been overthrown, but + opinions, customs and beliefs remained the same. A Pagan, beneath the + drawn sword of a Christian, would probably change his religious views, and + a Christian, with a scimitar above his head, might suddenly become a + Mohammedan, but as a matter of fact both would remain exactly as they were + before—except in speech. + </p> + <p> + Belief is not subject to the will. Men think as they must. Children do + not, and cannot, believe exactly as they were taught. They are not exactly + like their parents. They differ in temperament, in experience, in + capacity, in surroundings. And so there is a continual, though almost + imperceptible change. There is development, conscious and unconscious + growth, and by comparing long periods of time we find that the old has + been almost abandoned, almost lost in the new. Men cannot remain + stationary. The mind cannot be securely anchored. If we do not advance, we + go backward. If we do not grow, we decay. If we do not develop, we shrink + and shrivel. + </p> + <p> + Like the most of you, I was raised among people who knew—who were + certain. They did not reason or investigate. They had no doubts. They knew + that they had the truth. In their creed there was no guess—no + perhaps. They had a revelation from God. They knew the beginning of + things. They knew that God commenced to create one Monday morning, four + thousand and four years before Christ. They knew that in the eternity—back + of that morning, he had done nothing. They knew that it took him six days + to make the earth—all plants, all animals, all life, and all the + globes that wheel in space. They knew exactly what he did each day and + when he rested. They knew the origin, the cause of evil, of all crime, of + all disease and death. + </p> + <p> + They not only knew the beginning, but they knew the end. They knew that + life had one path and one road. They knew that the path, grass-grown and + narrow, filled with thorns and nettles, infested with vipers, wet with + tears, stained by bleeding feet, led to heaven, and that the road, broad + and smooth, bordered with fruits and flowers, filled with laughter and + song and all the happiness of human love, led straight to hell. They knew + that God was doing his best to make you take the path and that the Devil + used every art to keep you in the road. + </p> + <p> + They knew that there was a perpetual battle waged between the great Powers + of good and evil for the possession of human souls. They knew that many + centuries ago God had left his throne and had been born a babe into this + poor world—that he had suffered death for the sake of man—for + the sake of saving a few. They also knew that the human heart was utterly + depraved, so that man by nature was in love with wrong and hated God with + all his might. + </p> + <p> + At the same time they knew that God created man in his own image and was + perfectly satisfied with his work. They also knew that he had been + thwarted by the Devil, who with wiles and lies had deceived the first of + human kind. They knew that in consequence of that, God cursed the man and + woman; the man with toil, the woman with slavery and pain, and both with + death; and that he cursed the earth itself with briers and thorns, + brambles and thistles. All these blessed things they knew. They knew too + all that God had done to purify and elevate the race. They knew all about + the Flood—knew that God, with the exception of eight, drowned all + his children—the old and young—the bowed patriarch and the + dimpled babe—the young man and the merry maiden—the loving + mother and the laughing child—because his mercy endureth forever. + They knew too, that he drowned the beasts and birds—everything that + walked or crawled or flew—because his loving kindness is over all + his works. They knew that God, for the purpose of civilizing his children, + had devoured some with earthquakes, destroyed some with storms of fire, + killed some with his lightnings, millions with famine, with pestilence, + and sacrificed countless thousands upon the fields of war. They knew that + it was necessary to believe these things and to love God. They knew that + there could be no salvation except by faith, and through the atoning blood + of Jesus Christ. + </p> + <p> + All who doubted or denied would be lost. To live a moral and honest life—to + keep your contracts, to take care of wife and child—to make a happy + home—to be a good citizen, a patriot, a just and thoughtful man, was + simply a respectable way of going to hell. + </p> + <p> + God did not reward men for being honest, generous and brave, but for the + act of faith. Without faith, all the so-called virtues were sins, and the + men who practiced these virtues, without faith, deserved to suffer eternal + pain. + </p> + <p> + All of these comforting and reasonable things were taught by the ministers + in their pulpits—by teachers in Sunday schools and by parents at + home. The children were victims. They were assaulted in the cradle—in + their mother's arms. Then, the schoolmaster carried on the war against + their natural sense, and all the books they read were filled with the same + impossible truths. The poor children were helpless. The atmosphere they + breathed was filled with lies—lies that mingled with their blood. + </p> + <p> + In those days ministers depended on revivals to save souls and reform the + world. + </p> + <p> + In the winter, navigation having closed, business was mostly suspended. + There were no railways and the only means of communication were wagons and + boats. Generally the roads were so bad that the wagons were laid up with + the boats. There were no operas, no theatres, no amusement except parties + and balls. The parties were regarded as worldly and the balls as wicked. + For real and virtuous enjoyment the good people depended on revivals. + </p> + <p> + The sermons were mostly about the pains and agonies of hell, the joys and + ecstasies of heaven, salvation by faith, and the efficacy of the + atonement. The little churches, in which the services were held, were + generally small, badly ventilated, and exceedingly warm. The emotional + sermons, the sad singing, the hysterical amens, the hope of heaven, the + fear of hell, caused many to lose the little sense they had. They became + substantially insane. In this condition they flocked to the "mourners + bench"—asked for the prayers of the faithful—had strange + feelings, prayed and wept and thought they had been "born again." Then + they would tell their experience—how wicked they had been—how + evil had been their thoughts, their desires, and how good they had + suddenly become. + </p> + <p> + They used to tell the story of an old woman who, in telling her + experience, said:—"Before I was converted, before I gave my heart to + God, I used to lie and steal, but now, thanks to the grace and blood of + Jesus Christ, I have quit 'em both, in a great measure." + </p> + <p> + Of course all the people were not exactly of one mind. There were some + scoffers, and now and then some man had sense enough to laugh at the + threats of priests and make a jest of hell. Some would tell of unbelievers + who had lived and died in peace. + </p> + <p> + When I was a boy I heard them tell of an old farmer in Vermont. He was + dying. The minister was at his bedside—asked him if he was a + Christian —if he was prepared to die. The old man answered that he + had made no preparation, that he was not a Christian—that he had + never done anything but work. The preacher said that he could give him no + hope unless he had faith in Christ, and that if he had no faith his soul + would certainly be lost. + </p> + <p> + The old man was not frightened. He was perfectly calm. In a weak and + broken voice he said: "Mr. Preacher, I suppose you noticed my farm. My + wife and I came here more than fifty years ago. We were just married. It + was a forest then and the land was covered with stones. I cut down the + trees, burned the logs, picked up the stones and laid the walls. My wife + spun and wove and worked every moment. We raised and educated our children—denied + ourselves. During all these years my wife never had a good dress, or a + decent bonnet. I never had a good suit of clothes. We lived on the + plainest food. Our hands, our bodies are deformed by toil. We never had a + vacation. We loved each other and the children. That is the only luxury we + ever had. Now I am about to die and you ask me if I am prepared. Mr. + Preacher, I have no fear of the future, no terror of any other world. + There may be such a place as hell—but if there is, you never can + make me believe that it's any worse than old Vermont." + </p> + <p> + So, they told of a man who compared himself with his dog. "My dog," he + said, "just barks and plays—has all he wants to eat. He never works—has + no trouble about business. In a little while he dies, and that is all. I + work with all my strength. I have no time to play. I have trouble every + day. In a little while I will die, and then I go to hell. I wish that I + had been a dog." + </p> + <p> + Well, while the cold weather lasted, while the snows fell, the revival + went on, but when the winter was over, when the steamboat's whistle was + heard, when business started again, most of the converts "backslid" and + fell again into their old ways. But the next winter they were on hand, + ready to be "born again." They formed a kind of stock company, playing the + same parts every winter and backsliding every spring. + </p> + <p> + The ministers, who preached at these revivals, were in earnest. They were + zealous and sincere. They were not philosophers. To them science was the + name of a vague dread—a dangerous enemy. They did not know much, but + they believed a great deal. To them hell was a burning reality—they + could see the smoke and flames. The Devil was no myth. He was an actual + person, a rival of God, an enemy of mankind. They thought that the + important business of this life was to save your soul—that all + should resist and scorn the pleasures of sense, and keep their eyes + steadily fixed on the golden gate of the New Jerusalem. They were + unbalanced, emotional, hysterical, bigoted, hateful, loving, and insane. + They really believed the Bible to be the actual word of God—a book + without mistake or contradiction. They called its cruelties, justice—its + absurdities, mysteries—its miracles, facts, and the idiotic passages + were regarded as profoundly spiritual. They dwelt on the pangs, the + regrets, the infinite agonies of the lost, and showed how easily they + could be avoided, and how cheaply heaven could be obtained. They told + their hearers to believe, to have faith, to give their hearts to God, + their sins to Christ, who would bear their burdens and make their souls as + white as snow. + </p> + <p> + All this the ministers really believed. They were absolutely certain. In + their minds the Devil had tried in vain to sow the seeds of doubt. + </p> + <p> + I heard hundreds of these evangelical sermons—heard hundreds of the + most fearful and vivid descriptions of the tortures inflicted in hell, of + the horrible state of the lost. I supposed that what I heard was true and + yet I did not believe it. I said: "It is," and then I thought: "It cannot + be." + </p> + <p> + These sermons made but faint impressions on my mind. I was not convinced. + </p> + <p> + I had no desire to be "converted," did not want a "new heart" and had no + wish to be "born again." + </p> + <p> + But I heard one sermon that touched my heart, that left its mark, like a + scar, on my brain. + </p> + <p> + One Sunday I went with my brother to hear a Free Will Baptist preacher. He + was a large man, dressed like a farmer, but he was an orator. He could + paint a picture with words. + </p> + <p> + He took for his text the parable of "the rich man and Lazarus." He + described Dives, the rich man—his manner of life, the excesses in + which he indulged, his extravagance, his riotous nights, his purple and + fine linen, his feasts, his wines, and his beautiful women. + </p> + <p> + Then he described Lazarus, his poverty, his rags and wretchedness, his + poor body eaten by disease, the crusts and crumbs he devoured, the dogs + that pitied him. He pictured his lonely life, his friendless death. + </p> + <p> + Then, changing his tone of pity to one of triumph—leaping from tears + to the heights of exultation—from defeat to victory—he + described the glorious company of angels, who with white and outspread + wings carried the soul of the despised pauper to Paradise—to the + bosom of Abraham. + </p> + <p> + Then, changing his voice to one of scorn and loathing, he told of the rich + man's death. He was in his palace, on his costly couch, the air heavy with + perfume, the room filled with servants and physicians. His gold was + worthless then. He could not buy another breath. He died, and in hell he + lifted up his eyes, being in torment. + </p> + <p> + Then, assuming a dramatic attitude, putting his right hand to his ear, he + whispered, "Hark! I hear the rich man's voice. What does he say? Hark! + 'Father Abraham! Father Abraham! I pray thee send Lazarus that he may dip + the tip of his finger in water and cool my parched tongue, for I am + tormented in this flame.'" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, my hearers, he has been making that request for more than eighteen + hundred years. And millions of ages hence that wail will cross the gulf + that lies between the saved and lost and still will be heard the cry: + 'Father Abraham! Father Abraham! I pray thee send Lazarus that he may dip + the tip of his finger in water and cool my parched tongue, for I am + tormented in this flame.'" + </p> + <p> + For the first time I understood the dogma of eternal pain—appreciated + "the glad tidings of great joy." For the first time my imagination grasped + the height and depth of the Christian horror. Then I said: "It is a lie, + and I hate your religion. If it is true, I hate your God." + </p> + <p> + From that day I have had no fear, no doubt. For me, on that day, the + flames of hell were quenched. From that day I have passionately hated + every orthodox creed. That Sermon did some good. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + FROM my childhood I had heard read and read the Bible. Morning and evening + the sacred volume was opened and prayers were said. The Bible was my first + history, the Jews were the first people, and the events narrated by Moses + and the other inspired writers, and those predicted by prophets were the + all important things. In other books were found the thoughts and dreams of + men, but in the Bible were the sacred truths of God. + </p> + <p> + Yet in spite of my surroundings, of my education, I had no love for God. + He was so saving of mercy, so extravagant in murder, so anxious to kill, + so ready to assassinate, that I hated him with all my heart. At his + command, babes were butchered, women violated, and the white hair of + trembling age stained with blood. This God visited the people with + pestilence—filled the houses and covered the streets with the dying + and the dead—saw babes starving on the empty breasts of pallid + mothers, heard the sobs, saw the tears, the sunken cheeks, the sightless + eyes, the new made graves, and remained as pitiless as the pestilence. + </p> + <p> + This God withheld the rain—caused the famine—saw the fierce + eyes of hunger—the wasted forms, the white lips, saw mothers eating + babes, and remained ferocious as famine. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me impossible for a civilized man to love or worship, or + respect the God of the Old Testament. A really civilized man, a really + civilized woman, must hold such a God in abhorrence and contempt. + </p> + <p> + But in the old days the good people justified Jehovah in his treatment of + the heathen. The wretches who were murdered were idolaters and therefore + unfit to live. + </p> + <p> + According to the Bible, God had never revealed himself to these people and + he knew that without a revelation they could not know that he was the true + God. Whose fault was it then that they were heathen? + </p> + <p> + The Christians said that God had the right to destroy them because he + created them. What did he create them for? He knew when he made them that + they would be food for the sword. He knew that he would have the pleasure + of seeing them murdered. + </p> + <p> + As a last answer, as a final excuse, the worshipers of Jehovah said that + all these horrible things happened under the "old dispensation" of + unyielding law, and absolute justice, but that now under the "new + dispensation," all had been changed—the sword of justice had been + sheathed and love enthroned. In the Old Testament, they said, God is the + judge—but in the New, Christ is the merciful. As a matter of fact, + the New Testament is infinitely worse than the Old. In the Old there is no + threat of eternal pain. Jehovah had no eternal prison—no everlasting + fire. His hatred ended at the grave. His revenge was satisfied when his + enemy was dead. + </p> + <p> + In the New Testament, death is not the end, but the beginning of + punishment that has no end. In the New Testament the malice of God is + infinite and the hunger of his revenge eternal. + </p> + <p> + The orthodox God, when clothed in human flesh, told his disciples not to + resist evil, to love their enemies, and when smitten on one cheek to turn + the other, and yet we are told that this same God, with the same loving + lips, uttered these heartless, these fiendish words: "Depart ye cursed + into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." + </p> + <p> + These are the words of "eternal love." + </p> + <p> + No human being has imagination enough to conceive of this infinite horror. + </p> + <p> + All that the human race has suffered in war and want, in pestilence and + famine, in fire and flood,—all the pangs and pains of every disease + and every death—all this is as nothing compared with the agonies to + be endured by one lost soul. + </p> + <p> + This is the consolation of the Christian religion. This is the justice of + God—the mercy of Christ. + </p> + <p> + This frightful dogma, this infinite lie, made me the implacable enemy of + Christianity. The truth is that this belief in eternal pain has been the + real persecutor. It founded the Inquisition, forged the chains, and + furnished the fagots. It has darkened the lives of many millions. It made + the cradle as terrible as the coffin. It enslaved nations and shed the + blood of countless thousands. It sacrificed the wisest, the bravest and + the best. It subverted the idea of justice, drove mercy from the heart, + changed men to fiends and banished reason from the brain. + </p> + <p> + Like a venomous serpent it crawls and coils and hisses in every orthodox + creed. + </p> + <p> + It makes man an eternal victim and God an eternal fiend. It is the one + infinite horror. Every church in which it is taught is a public curse. + Every preacher who teaches it is an enemy of mankind. Below this Christian + dogma, savagery cannot go. It is the infinite of malice, hatred, and + revenge. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could add to the horror of hell, except the presence of its + creator, God. + </p> + <p> + While I have life, as long as I draw breath, I shall deny with all my + strength, and hate with every drop of my blood, this infinite lie. + </p> + <p> + Nothing gives me greater joy than to know that this belief in eternal pain + is growing weaker every day—that thousands of ministers are ashamed + of it. It gives me joy to know that Christians are becoming merciful, so + merciful that the fires of hell are burning low—flickering, choked + with ashes, destined in a few years to die out forever. + </p> + <p> + For centuries Christendom was a madhouse. Popes, cardinals, bishops, + priests, monks and heretics were all insane. + </p> + <p> + Only a few—four or five in a century were sound in heart and brain. + Only a few, in spite of the roar and din, in spite of the savage cries, + heard reason's voice. Only a few in the wild rage of ignorance, fear and + zeal preserved the perfect calm that wisdom gives. + </p> + <p> + We have advanced. In a few years the Christians will become—let us + hope—humane and sensible enough to deny the dogma that fills the + endless years with pain. They ought to know now that this dogma is utterly + inconsistent with the wisdom, the justice, the goodness of their God. They + ought to know that their belief in hell, gives to the Holy Ghost—the + Dove—the beak of a vulture, and fills the mouth of the Lamb of God + with the fangs of a viper. + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + IN my youth I read religious books—books about God, about the + atonement—about salvation by faith, and about the other worlds. I + became familiar with the commentators—with Adam Clark, who thought + that the serpent seduced our mother Eve, and was in fact the father of + Cain. He also believed that the animals, while in the ark, had their + natures' changed to that degree that they devoured straw together and + enjoyed each other's society—thus prefiguring the blessed + millennium. I read Scott, who was such a natural theologian that he really + thought the story of Phaeton—of the wild steeds dashing across the + sky—corroborated the story of Joshua having stopped the sun and + moon. So, I read Henry and MacKnight and found that God so loved the world + that he made up his mind to damn a large majority of the human race. I + read Cruden, who made the great Concordance, and made the miracles as + small and probable as he could. + </p> + <p> + I remember that he explained the miracle of feeding the wandering Jews + with quails, by saying that even at this day immense numbers of quails + crossed the Red Sea, and that sometimes when tired, they settled on ships + that sank beneath their weight. The fact that the explanation was as hard + to believe as the miracle made no difference to the devout Cruden. + </p> + <p> + To while away the time I read Calvin's Institutes, a book calculated to + produce, in any natural mind, considerable respect for the Devil. + </p> + <p> + I read Paley's Evidences and found that the evidence of ingenuity in + producing the evil, in contriving the hurtful, was at least equal to the + evidence tending to show the use of intelligence in the creation of what + we call good. + </p> + <p> + You know the watch argument was Paley's greatest effort. A man finds a + watch and it is so wonderful that he concludes that it must have had a + maker. He finds the maker and he is so much more wonderful than the watch + that he says he must have had a maker. Then he finds God, the maker of the + man, and he is so much more wonderful than the man that he could <i>not</i> + have had a maker. This is what the lawyers call a departure in pleading. + </p> + <p> + According to Paley there can be no design without a designer—but + there can be a designer without a design. The wonder of the watch + suggested the watchmaker, and the wonder of the watchmaker, suggested the + creator, and the wonder of the creator demonstrated that he was not + created—but was uncaused and eternal. + </p> + <p> + We had Edwards on The Will, in which the reverend author shows that + necessity has no effect on accountability—and that when God creates + a human being, and at the same time determines and decrees exactly what + that being shall do and be, the human being is responsible, and God in his + justice and mercy has the right to torture the soul of that human being + forever. Yet Edwards said that he loved God. + </p> + <p> + The fact is that if you believe in an infinite God, and also in eternal + punishment, then you must admit that Edwards and Calvin were absolutely + right. There is no escape from their conclusions if you admit their + premises. They were infinitely cruel, their premises infinitely absurd, + their God infinitely fiendish, and their logic perfect. + </p> + <p> + And yet I have kindness and candor enough to say that Calvin and Edwards + were both insane. + </p> + <p> + We had plenty of theological literature. There was Jenkyn on the + Atonement, who demonstrated the wisdom of God in devising a way in which + the sufferings of innocence could justify the guilty. He tried to show + that children could justly be punished for the sins of their ancestors, + and that men could, if they had faith, be justly credited with the virtues + of others. Nothing could be more devout, orthodox, and idiotic. But all of + our theology was not in prose. We had Milton with his celestial militia—with + his great and blundering God, his proud and cunning Devil—his wars + between immortals, and all the sublime absurdities that religion wrought + within the blind man's brain. + </p> + <p> + The theology taught by Milton was dear to the Puritan heart. It was + accepted by New England, and it poisoned the souls and ruined the lives of + thousands. The genius of Shakespeare could not make the theology of Milton + poetic. In the literature of the world there is nothing, outside of the + "sacred books," more perfectly absurd. + </p> + <p> + We had Young's Night Thoughts, and I supposed that the author was an + exceedingly devout and loving follower of the Lord. Yet Young had a great + desire to be a bishop, and to accomplish that end he electioneered with + the king's mistress. In other words, he was a fine old hypocrite. In the + "Night Thoughts" there is scarcely a genuinely honest, natural line. It is + pretence from beginning to end. He did not write what he felt, but what he + thought he ought to feel. + </p> + <p> + We had Pollok's Course of Time, with its worm that never dies, its + quenchless flames, its endless pangs, its leering devils, and its gloating + God. This frightful poem should have been written in a madhouse. In it you + find all the cries and groans and shrieks of maniacs, when they tear and + rend each other's flesh. It is as heartless, as hideous, as hellish as the + thirty-second chapter of Deuteronomy. + </p> + <p> + We all know the beautiful hymn commencing with the cheerful line: "Hark + from the tombs, a doleful sound." Nothing could have been more appropriate + for children. It is well to put a coffin where it can be seen from the + cradle. When a mother nurses her child, an open grave should be at her + feet. This would tend to make the babe serious, reflective, religious and + miserable. + </p> + <p> + God hates laughter and despises mirth. To feel free, untrammeled, + irresponsible, joyous,—to forget care and death—to be flooded + with sunshine without a fear of night—to forget the past, to have no + thought of the future, no dream of God, or heaven, or hell—to be + intoxicated with the present—to be conscious only of the clasp and + kiss of the one you love—this is the sin against the Holy Ghost. + </p> + <p> + But we had Cowper's poems. Cowper was sincere. He was the opposite of + Young. He had an observing eye, a gentle heart and a sense of the + artistic. He sympathized with all who suffered—with the imprisoned, + the enslaved, the outcasts. He loved the beautiful. No wonder that the + belief in eternal punishment made this loving soul insane. No wonder that + the "tidings of great joy" quenched Hope's great star and left his broken + heart in the darkness of despair. + </p> + <p> + We had many volumes of orthodox sermons, filled with wrath and the terrors + of the judgment to come—sermons that had been delivered by savage + saints. + </p> + <p> + We had the Book of Martyrs, showing that Christians had for many centuries + imitated the God they worshiped. + </p> + <p> + W|e had the history of the Waldenses—of the Reformation of the + Church. We had Pilgrim's Progress, Baxter's Call and Butler's Analogy. + </p> + <p> + To use a Western phrase or saying, I found that Bishop Butler dug up more + snakes than he killed—suggested more difficulties than he explained—more + doubts than he dispelled. + </p> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + AMONG such books my youth was passed. All the seeds of Christianity—of + superstition, were sown in my mind and cultivated with great diligence and + care. + </p> + <p> + All that time I knew nothing of any science—nothing about the other + side—nothing of the objections that had been urged against the + blessed Scriptures, or against the perfect Congregational creed. Of course + I had heard the ministers speak of blasphemers, of infidel wretches, of + scoffers who laughed at holy things. They did not answer their arguments, + but they tore their characters into shreds and demonstrated by the fury of + assertion that they had done the Devil's work. And yet in spite of all I + heard—of all I read, I could not quite believe. My brain and heart + said No. + </p> + <p> + For a time I left the dreams, the insanities, the illusions and delusions, + the nightmares of theology. I studied astronomy, just a little—I + examined maps of the heavens—learned the names of some of the + constellations—of some of the stars—found something of their + size and the velocity with which they wheeled in their orbits—obtained + a faint conception of astronomical spaces—found that some of the + known stars were so far away in the depths of space that their light, + traveling at the rate of nearly two hundred thousand miles a second, + required many years to reach this little world—found that, compared + with the great stars, our earth was but a grain of sand—an atom—found + that the old belief that all the hosts of heaven had been created for the + benefit of man, was infinitely absurd. + </p> + <p> + I compared what was really known about the stars with the account of + creation as told in Genesis. I found that the writer of the inspired book + had no knowledge of astronomy—that he was as ignorant as a Choctaw + chief—as an Eskimo driver of dogs. Does any one imagine that the + author of Genesis knew anything about the sun—its size? that he was + acquainted with Sirius, the North Star, with Capella, or that he knew + anything of the clusters of stars so far away that their light, now + visiting our eyes, has been traveling for two million years? + </p> + <p> + If he had known these facts would he have said that Jehovah worked nearly + six days to make this world, and only a part of the afternoon of the + fourth day to make the sun and moon and all the stars? + </p> + <p> + Yet millions of people insist that the writer of Genesis was inspired by + the Creator of all worlds. + </p> + <p> + Now, intelligent men, who are not frightened, whose brains have not been + paralyzed by fear, know that the sacred story of creation was written by + an ignorant savage. The story is inconsistent with all known facts, and + every star shining in the heavens testifies that its author was an + uninspired barbarian. + </p> + <p> + I admit that this unknown writer was sincere, that he wrote what he + believed to be true—that he did the best he could. He did not claim + to be inspired—did not pretend that the story had been told to him + by Jehovah. He simply stated the "facts" as he understood them. + </p> + <p> + After I had learned a little about the stars I concluded that this writer, + this "inspired" scribe, had been misled by myth and legend, and that he + knew no more about creation than the average theologian of my day. In + other words, that he knew absolutely nothing. + </p> + <p> + And here, allow me to say that the ministers who are answering me are + turning their guns in the wrong direction. These reverend gentlemen should + attack the astronomers. They should malign and vilify Kepler, Copernicus, + Newton, Herschel and Laplace. These men were the real destroyers of the + sacred story. Then, after having disposed of them, they can wage a war + against the stars, and against Jehovah himself for having furnished + evidence against the truthfulness of his book. + </p> + <p> + Then I studied geology—not much, just a little—just enough to + find in a general way the principal facts that had been discovered, and + some of the conclusions that had been reached. I learned something of the + action of fire—of water—of the formation of islands and + continents—of the sedimentary and igneous rocks—of the coal + measures—of the chalk cliffs, something about coral reefs—about + the deposits made by rivers, the effect of volcanoes, of glaciers, and of + the all surrounding sea—just enough to know that the Laurentian + rocks were millions of ages older than the grass beneath my feet—just + enough to feel certain that this world had been pursuing its flight about + the sun, wheeling in light and shade, for hundreds of millions of years—just + enough to know that the "inspired" writer knew nothing of the history of + the earth—nothing of the great forces of nature—of wind and + wave and fire—forces that have destroyed and built, wrecked and + wrought through all the countless years. + </p> + <p> + And let me tell the ministers again that they should not waste their time + in answering me. They should attack the geologists. They should deny the + facts that have been discovered. They should launch their curses at the + blaspheming seas, and dash their heads against the infidel rocks. + </p> + <p> + Then I studied biology—not much—just enough to know something + of animal forms, enough to know that life existed when the Laurentian + rocks were made—just enough to know that implements of stone, + implements that had been formed by human hands, had been found mingled + with the bones of extinct animals, bones that had been split with these + implements, and that these animals had ceased to exist hundreds of + thousands of years before the manufacture of Adam and Eve. + </p> + <p> + Then I felt sure that the "inspired" record was false—that many + millions of people had been deceived and that all I had been taught about + the origin of worlds and men was utterly untrue. I felt that I knew that + the Old Testament was the work of ignorant men—that it was a + mingling of truth and mistake, of wisdom and foolishness, of cruelty and + kindness, of philosophy and absurdity—that it contained some + elevated thoughts, some poetry,—-a good deal of the solemn and + commonplace,—some hysterical, some tender, some wicked prayers, some + insane predictions, some delusions, and some chaotic dreams. + </p> + <p> + Of course the theologians fought the facts found by the geologists, the + scientists, and sought to sustain the sacred Scriptures. They mistook the + bones of the mastodon for those of human beings, and by them proudly + proved that "there were giants in those days." They accounted for the + fossils by saying that God had made them to try our faith, or that the + Devil had imitated the works of the Creator. + </p> + <p> + They answered the geologists by saying that the "days" in Genesis were + long periods of time, and that after all the flood might have been local. + They told the astronomers that the sun and moon were not actually, but + only apparently, stopped. And that the appearance was produced by the + reflection and refraction of light. + </p> + <p> + They excused the slavery and polygamy, the robbery and murder upheld in + the Old Testament by saying that the people were so degraded that Jehovah + was compelled to pander to their ignorance and prejudice. + </p> + <p> + In every way the clergy sought to evade the facts, to dodge the truth, to + preserve the creed. + </p> + <p> + At first they flatly denied the facts—then they belittled them—then + they harmonized them—then they denied that they had denied them. + Then they changed the meaning of the "inspired" book to fit the facts. + </p> + <p> + At first they said that if the facts, as claimed, were true, the Bible was + false and Christianity itself a superstition. Afterward they said the + facts, as claimed, were true and that they established beyond all doubt + the inspiration of the Bible and the divine origin of orthodox religion. + </p> + <p> + Anything they could not dodge, they swallowed, and anything they could not + swallow, they dodged. + </p> + <p> + I gave up the Old Testament on account of its mistakes, its absurdities, + its ignorance and its cruelty. I gave up the New because it vouched for + the truth of the Old. I gave it up on account of its miracles, its + contradictions, because Christ and his disciples believed in the existence + of devils—talked and made bargains with them, expelled them from + people and animals. + </p> + <p> + This, of itself, is enough. We know, if we know anything, that devils do + not exist—that Christ never cast them out, and that if he pretended + to, he was either ignorant, dishonest or insane. These stories about + devils demonstrate the human, the ignorant origin of the New Testament. I + gave up the New Testament because it rewards credulity, and curses brave + and honest men, and because it teaches the infinite horror of eternal + pain. + </p> + <p> + V. + </p> + <p> + HAVING spent my youth in reading books about religion—about the "new + birth"—the disobedience of our first parents, the atonement, + salvation by faith, the wickedness of pleasure, the degrading consequences + of love, and the impossibility of getting to heaven by being honest and + generous, and having become somewhat weary of the frayed and raveled + thoughts, you can imagine my surprise, my delight when I read the poems of + Robert Burns. + </p> + <p> + I was familiar with the writings of the devout and insincere, the pious + and petrified, the pure and heartless. Here was a natural honest man. I + knew the works of those who regarded all nature as depraved, and looked + upon love as the legacy and perpetual witness of original sin. Here was a + man who plucked joy from the mire, made goddesses of peasant girls, and + enthroned the honest man. One whose sympathy, with loving arms, embraced + all forms of suffering life, who hated slavery of every kind, who was as + natural as heaven's blue, with humor kindly as an autumn day, with wit as + sharp as Ithuriel's spear, and scorn that blasted like the simoon's + breath. A man who loved this world, this life, the things of every day, + and placed above all else the thrilling ecstasies of human love. + </p> + <p> + I read and read again with rapture, tears and smiles, feeling that a great + heart was throbbing in the lines. + </p> + <p> + The religious, the lugubrious, the artificial, the spiritual poets were + forgotten or remained only as the fragments, the half remembered horrors + of monstrous and distorted dreams. + </p> + <p> + I had found at last a natural man, one who despised his country's cruel + creed, and was brave and sensible enough to say: "All religions are auld + wives' fables, but an honest man has nothing to fear, either in this world + or the world to come." + </p> + <p> + One who had the genius to write Holy Willie's Prayer—a poem that + crucified Calvinism and through its bloodless heart thrust the spear of + common sense—a poem that made every orthodox creed the food of scorn—of + inextinguishable laughter. + </p> + <p> + Burns had his faults, his frailties. He was intensely human. Still, I + would rather appear at the "Judgment Seat" drunk, and be able to say that + I was the author of "A man's a man for 'a that," than to be perfectly + sober and admit that I had lived and died a Scotch Presbyterian. + </p> + <p> + I read Byron—read his Cain, in which, as in Paradise Lost, the Devil + seems to be the better god—read his beautiful, sublime and bitter + lines—read his Prisoner of Chillon—his best—a poem that + filled my heart with tenderness, with pity, and with an eternal hatred of + tyranny. + </p> + <p> + I read Shelley's Queen Mab—a poem filled with beauty, courage, + thought, sympathy, tears and scorn, in which a brave soul tears down the + prison walls and floods the cells with light. I read his Skylark—a + winged flame—passionate as blood—tender as tears—pure as + light. + </p> + <p> + I read Keats, "whose name was writ in water"—read St. Agnes Eve, a + story told with such an artless art that this poor common world is changed + to fairy land—the Grecian Urn, that fills the soul with ever eager + love, with all the rapture of imagined song—the Nightingale—a + melody in which there is the memory of morn—a melody that dies away + in dusk and tears, paining the senses with its perfectness. + </p> + <p> + And then I read Shakespeare, the plays, the sonnets, the poems—read + all. I beheld a new heaven and a new earth; Shakespeare, who knew the + brain and heart of man—the hopes and fears, the loves and hatreds, + the vices and the virtues of the human race; whose imagination read the + tear-blurred records, the blood-stained pages of all the past, and saw + falling athwart the outspread scroll the light of hope and love; + Shakespeare, who sounded every depth—while on the loftiest peak + there fell the shadow of his wings. + </p> + <p> + I compared the Plays with the "inspired" books—Romeo and Juliet with + the Song of Solomon, Lear with Job, and the Sonnets with the Psalms, and I + found that Jehovah did not understand the art of speech. I compared + Shakespeare's women—his perfect women—with the women of the + Bible. I found that Jehovah was not a sculptor, not a painter—not an + artist—that he lacked the power that changes clay to flesh—the + art, the plastic touch, that moulds the perfect form—the breath that + gives it free and joyous life—the genius that creates the faultless. + </p> + <p> + The sacred books of all the world are worthless dross and common stones + compared with Shakespeare's glittering gold and gleaming gems. + </p> + <p> + VI. + </p> + <p> + UP to this time I had read nothing against our blessed religion except + what I had found in Burns, Byron and Shelley. By some accident I read + Volney, who shows that all religions are, and have been, established in + the same way—that all had their Christs, their apostles, miracles + and sacred books, and then asked how it is possible to decide which is the + true one. A question that is still waiting for an answer. + </p> + <p> + I read Gibbon, the greatest of historians, who marshaled his facts as + skillfully as Cæsar did his legions, and I learned that Christianity + is only a name for Paganism—for the old religion, shorn of its + beauty—that some absurdities had been exchanged for others—that + some gods had been killed—a vast multitude of devils created, and + that hell had been enlarged. + </p> + <p> + And then I read the Age of Reason, by Thomas Paine. Let me tell you + something about this sublime and slandered man. He came to this country + just before the Revolution. He brought a letter of introduction from + Benjamin Franklin, at that time the greatest American. + </p> + <p> + In Philadelphia, Paine was employed to write for the <i>Pennsylvania + Magazine</i>. We know that he wrote at least five articles. The first was + against slavery, the second against duelling, the third on the treatment + of prisoners—showing that the object should be to reform, not to + punish and degrade—the fourth on the rights of woman, and the fifth + in favor of forming societies for the prevention of cruelty to children + and animals. + </p> + <p> + From this you see that he suggested the great reforms of our century. + </p> + <p> + The truth is that he labored all his life for the good of his fellow-men, + and did as much to found the Great Republic as any man who ever stood + beneath our flag. + </p> + <p> + He gave his thoughts about religion—about the blessed Scriptures, + about the superstitions of his time. He was perfectly sincere and what he + said was kind and fair. + </p> + <p> + The Age of Reason filled with hatred the hearts of those who loved their + enemies, and the occupant of every orthodox pulpit became, and still is, a + passionate maligner of Thomas Paine. + </p> + <p> + No one has answered—no one will answer, his argument against the + dogma of inspiration—his objections to the Bible. + </p> + <p> + He did not rise above all the superstitions of his day. While he hated + Jehovah, he praised the God of Nature, the creator and preserver of all. + In this he was wrong, because, as Watson said in his Reply to Paine, the + God of Nature is as heartless, as cruel as the God of the Bible. + </p> + <p> + But Paine was one of the pioneers—one of the Titans, one of the + heroes, who gladly gave his life, his every thought and act, to free and + civilize mankind. + </p> + <p> + I read Voltaire—Voltaire, the greatest man of his century, and who + did more for liberty of thought and speech than any other being, human or + "divine." Voltaire, who tore the mask from hypocrisy and found behind the + painted smile the fangs of hate. Voltaire, who attacked the savagery of + the law, the cruel decisions of venal courts, and rescued victims from the + wheel and rack. Voltaire, who waged war against the tyranny of thrones, + the greed and heartlessness of power. Voltaire, who filled the flesh of + priests with the barbed and poisoned arrows of his wit and made the pious + jugglers, who cursed him in public, laugh at themselves in private. + Voltaire, who sided with the oppressed, rescued the unfortunate, + championed the obscure and weak, civilized judges, repealed laws and + abolished torture in his native land. + </p> + <p> + In every direction this tireless man fought the absurd, the miraculous, + the supernatural, the idiotic, the unjust. He had no reverence for the + ancient. He was not awed by pageantry and pomp, by crowned Crime or + mitered Pretence. Beneath the crown he saw the criminal, under the miter, + the hypocrite. + </p> + <p> + To the bar of his conscience, his reason, he summoned the barbarism and + the barbarians of his time. He pronounced judgment against them all, and + that judgment has been affirmed by the intelligent world. Voltaire lighted + a torch and gave to others the sacred flame. The light still shines and + will as long as man loves liberty and seeks for truth. + </p> + <p> + I read Zeno, the man who said, centuries before our Christ was born, that + man could not own his fellow-man. + </p> + <p> + "No matter whether you claim a slave by purchase or capture, the title is + bad. They who claim to own their fellow-men, look down into the pit and + forget the justice that should rule the world." + </p> + <p> + I became acquainted with Epicurus, who taught the religion of usefulness, + of temperance, of courage and wisdom, and who said: "Why should I fear + death? If I am, death is not. If death is, I am not. Why should I fear + that which cannot exist when I do?" + </p> + <p> + I read about Socrates, who when on trial for his life, said, among other + things, to his judges, these wondrous words: "I have not sought during my + life to amass wealth and to adorn my body, but I have sought to adorn my + soul with the jewels of wisdom, patience, and above all with a love of + liberty." + </p> + <p> + So, I read about Diogenes, the philosopher who hated the superfluous—the + enemy of waste and greed, and who one day entered the temple, reverently + approached the altar, crushed a louse between the nails of his thumbs, and + solemnly said: "The sacrifice of Diogenes to all the gods." This parodied + the worship of the world—satirized all creeds, and in one act put + the essence of religion. + </p> + <p> + Diogenes must have know of this "inspired" passage—"Without the + shedding of blood there is no remission of sins." + </p> + <p> + I compared Zeno, Epicurus and Socrates, three heathen wretches who had + never heard of the Old Testament or the Ten Commandments, with Abraham, + Isaac and Jacob, three favorites of Jehovah, and I was depraved enough to + think that the Pagans were superior to the Patriarchs—and to Jehovah + himself. + </p> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + MY attention was turned to other religions, to the sacred books, the + creeds and ceremonies of other lands—of India, Egypt, Assyria, + Persia, of the dead and dying nations. + </p> + <p> + I concluded that all religions had the same foundation—a belief in + the supernatural—a power above nature that man could influence by + worship—by sacrifice and prayer. + </p> + <p> + I found that all religions rested on a mistaken conception of nature—that + the religion of a people was the science of that people, that is to say, + their explanation of the world—of life and death—of origin and + destiny. + </p> + <p> + I concluded that all religions had substantially the same origin, and that + in fact there has never been but one religion in the world. The twigs and + leaves may differ, but the trunk is the same. + </p> + <p> + The poor African that pours out his heart to his deity of stone is on an + exact religious level with the robed priest who supplicates his God. The + same mistake, the same superstition, bends the knees and shuts the eyes of + both. Both ask for supernatural aid, and neither has the slightest thought + of the absolute uniformity of nature. + </p> + <p> + It seems probable to me that the first organized ceremonial religion was + the worship of the sun. The sun was the "Sky Father," the "All Seeing," + the source of life—the fireside of the world. The sun was regarded + as a god who fought the darkness, the power of evil, the enemy of man. + </p> + <p> + There have been many sun-gods, and they seem to have been the chief + deities in the ancient religions. They have been worshiped in many lands—by + many nations that have passed to death and dust. + </p> + <p> + Apollo was a sun-god and he fought and conquered the serpent of night. + Baldur was a sun-god. He was in love with the Dawn—a maiden. + Chrishna was a sun-god. At his birth the Ganges was thrilled from its + source to the sea, and all the trees, the dead as well as the living, + burst into leaf and bud and flower. Hercules was a sun-god and so was + Samson, whose strength was in his hair—that is to say, in his beams. + He was shorn of his strength by Delilah, the shadow—the darkness. + Osiris, Bacchus, and Mithra, Hermes, Buddha, and Quetzalcoatl, Prometheus, + Zoroaster, and Perseus, Cadom, Lao-tsze, Fo-hi, Horus and Rameses, were + all sun-gods. + </p> + <p> + All of these gods had gods for fathers and their mothers were virgins. The + births of nearly all were announced by stars, celebrated by celestial + music, and voices declared that a blessing had come to the poor world. All + of these gods were born in humble places—in caves, under trees, in + common inns, and tyrants sought to kill them all when they were babes. All + of these sun-gods were born at the winter solstice—on Christmas. + Nearly all were worshiped by "wise men." All of them fasted for forty days—all + of them taught in parables—all of them wrought miracles—all + met with a violent death, and all rose from the dead. + </p> + <p> + The history of these gods is the exact history of our Christ. + </p> + <p> + This is not a coincidence—an accident. Christ was a sun-god. Christ + was a new name for an old biography—a survival—the last of the + sun-gods. Christ was not a man, but a myth—not a life, but a legend. + </p> + <p> + I found that we had not only borrowed our Christ—but that all our + sacraments, symbols and ceremonies were legacies that we received from the + buried past. There is nothing original in Christianity. + </p> + <p> + The cross was a symbol thousands of years before our era. It was a symbol + of life, of immortality—of the god Agni, and it was chiseled upon + tombs many ages before a line of our Bible was written. + </p> + <p> + Baptism is far older than Christianity—than Judaism. The Hindus, + Egyptians, Greeks and Romans had Holy Water long before a Catholic lived. + The eucharist was borrowed from the Pagans. Ceres was the goddess of the + fields—Bacchus of the vine. At the harvest festival they made cakes + of wheat and said: "This is the flesh of the goddess." They drank wine and + cried: "This is the blood of our god." + </p> + <p> + The Egyptians had a Trinity. They worshiped Osiris, Isis and Horus, + thousands of years before the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost were known. + </p> + <p> + The Tree of Life grew in India, in China, and among the Aztecs, long + before the Garden of Eden was planted. + </p> + <p> + Long before our Bible was known, other nations had their sacred books. + </p> + <p> + The dogmas of the Fall of Man, the Atonement and Salvation by Faith, are + far older than our religion. + </p> + <p> + In our blessed gospel,—in our "divine scheme,"—there is + nothing new—nothing original. All old—all borrowed, pieced and + patched. + </p> + <p> + Then I concluded that all religions had been naturally produced, and that + all were variations, modifications of one,—then I felt that I knew + that all were the work of man. + </p> + <p> + VIII. + </p> + <p> + THE theologians had always insisted that their God was the creator of all + living things—that the forms, parts, functions, colors and varieties + of animals were the expressions of his fancy, taste and wisdom—that + he made them all precisely as they are to-day—that he invented fins + and legs and wings—that he furnished them with the weapons of + attack, the shields of defence—that he formed them with reference to + food and climate, taking into consideration all facts affecting life. + </p> + <p> + They insisted that man was a special creation, not related in any way to + the animals below him. They also asserted that all the forms of + vegetation, from mosses to forests, were just the same to-day as the + moment they were made. + </p> + <p> + Men of genius, who were for the most part free from religious prejudice, + were examining these things—were looking for facts. They were + examining the fossils of animals and plants—studying the forms of + animals—their bones and muscles—the effect of climate and food—the + strange modifications through which they had passed. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt had published his lectures—filled with great thoughts—with + splendid generalizations—with suggestions that stimulated the spirit + of investigation, and with conclusions that satisfied the mind. He + demonstrated the uniformity of Nature—the kinship of all that lives + and grows—that breathes and thinks. + </p> + <p> + Darwin, with his Origin of Species, his theories about Natural Selection, + the Survival of the Fittest, and the influence of environment, shed a + flood of light upon the great problems of plant and animal life. + </p> + <p> + These things had been guessed, prophesied, asserted, hinted by many + others, but Darwin, with infinite patience, with perfect care and candor, + found the facts, fulfilled the prophecies, and demonstrated the truth of + the guesses, hints and assertions. He was, in my judgment, the keenest + observer, the best judge of the meaning and value of a fact, the greatest + Naturalist the world has produced. + </p> + <p> + The theological view began to look small and mean. + </p> + <p> + Spencer gave his theory of evolution and sustained it by countless facts. + He stood at a great height, and with the eyes of a philosopher, a profound + thinker, surveyed the world. He has influenced the thought of the wisest. + </p> + <p> + Theology looked more absurd than ever. + </p> + <p> + Huxley entered the lists for Darwin. No man ever had a sharper sword—a + better shield. He challenged the world. The great theologians and the + small scientists—those who had more courage than sense, accepted the + challenge. Their poor bodies were carried away by their friends. + </p> + <p> + Huxley had intelligence, industry, genius, and the courage to express his + thought. He was absolutely loyal to what he thought was truth. Without + prejudice and without fear, he followed the footsteps of life from the + lowest to the highest forms. + </p> + <p> + Theology looked smaller still. + </p> + <p> + Haeckel began at the simplest cell, went from change to change—from + form to form—followed the line of development, the path of life, + until he reached the human race. It was all natural. There had been no + interference from without. + </p> + <p> + I read the works of these great men—of many others—and became + convinced that they were right, and that all the theologians—all the + believers in "special creation" were absolutely wrong. + </p> + <p> + The Garden of Eden faded away, Adam and Eve fell back to dust, the snake + crawled into the grass, and Jehovah became a miserable myth. + </p> + <p> + IX. + </p> + <p> + I TOOK another step. What is matter—substance? Can it be destroyed—annihilated? + Is it possible to conceive of the destruction of the smallest atom of + substance? It can be ground to powder—changed from a solid to a + liquid—from a liquid to a gas—but it all remains. Nothing is + lost—nothing destroyed. + </p> + <p> + Let an infinite God, if there be one, attack a grain of sand—attack + it with infinite power. It cannot be destroyed. It cannot surrender. It + defies all force. Substance cannot be destroyed. + </p> + <p> + Then I took another step. + </p> + <p> + If matter cannot be destroyed, cannot be annihilated, it could not have + been created. + </p> + <p> + The indestructible must be uncreateable. + </p> + <p> + And then I asked myself: What is force? + </p> + <p> + We cannot conceive of the creation of force, or of its destruction. Force + may be changed from one form to another—from motion to heat—but + it cannot be destroyed—annihilated. + </p> + <p> + If force cannot be destroyed it could not have been created. It is + eternal. + </p> + <p> + Another thing—matter cannot exist apart from force. Force cannot + exist apart from matter. Matter could not have existed before force. Force + could not have existed before matter. Matter and force can only be + conceived of together. This has been shown by several scientists, but most + clearly, most forcibly by Büchner. + </p> + <p> + Thought is a form of force, consequently it could not have caused or + created matter. Intelligence is a form of force and could not have existed + without or apart from matter. Without substance there could have been no + mind, no will, no force in any form, and there could have been no + substance without force. + </p> + <p> + Matter and force were not created. They have existed from eternity. They + cannot be destroyed. + </p> + <p> + There was, there is, no creator. Then came the question: Is there a God? + Is there a being of infinite intelligence, power and goodness, who governs + the world? + </p> + <p> + There can be goodness without much intelligence—but it seems to me + that perfect intelligence and perfect goodness must go together. + </p> + <p> + In nature I see, or seem to see, good and evil—intelligence and + ignorance—goodness and cruelty—care and carelessness—economy + and waste. I see means that do not accomplish the ends—designs that + seem to fail. + </p> + <p> + To me it seems infinitely cruel for life to feed on life—to create + animals that devour others. + </p> + <p> + The teeth and beaks, the claws and fangs, that tear and rend, fill me with + horror. What can be more frightful than a world at-war? Every leaf a + battle-field—every flower a Golgotha—in every drop of water + pursuit, capture and death. Under every piece of bark, life lying in wait + for life. On every blade of grass, something that kills,—something + that suffers. Everywhere the strong living on the weak—the superior + on the inferior. Everywhere the weak, the insignificant, living on the + strong—the inferior on the superior—the highest food for the + lowest—man sacrificed for the sake of microbes. Murder universal. + Everywhere pain, disease and death—death that does not wait for bent + forms and gray hairs, but clutches babes and happy youths. Death that + takes the mother from her helpless, dimpled child—death that fills + the world with grief and tears. + </p> + <p> + How can the orthodox Christian explain these things? + </p> + <p> + I know that life is good. I remember the sunshine and rain. Then I think + of the earthquake and flood. I do not forget health and harvest, home and + love—but what of pestilence and famine? I cannot harmonize all these + contradictions—these blessings and agonies—with the existence + of an infinitely good, wise and powerful God. + </p> + <p> + The theologian says that what we call evil is for our benefit—that + we are placed in this world of sin and sorrow to develop character. If + this is true I ask why the infant dies? Millions and millions draw a few + breaths and fade away in the arms of their mothers. They are not allowed + to develop character. + </p> + <p> + The theologian says that serpents were given fangs to protect themselves + from their enemies. Why did the God who made them, make enemies? Why is it + that many species of serpents have no fangs? + </p> + <p> + The theologian says that God armored the hippopotamus, covered his body, + except the under part, with scales and plates, that other animals could + not pierce with tooth or tusk. But the same God made the rhinoceros and + supplied him with a horn on his nose, with which he disembowels the + hippopotamus. + </p> + <p> + The same God made the eagle, the vulture, the hawk, and their helpless + prey. + </p> + <p> + On every hand there seems to be design to defeat design. + </p> + <p> + If God created man—if he is the father of us all, why did he make + the criminals, the insane, the deformed and idiotic? + </p> + <p> + Should the inferior man thank God? Should the mother, who clasps to her + breast an idiot child, thank God? Should the slave thank God? + </p> + <p> + The theologian says that God governs the wind, the rain, the lightning. + How then can we account for the cyclone, the flood, the drought, the + glittering bolt that kills? + </p> + <p> + Suppose we had a man in this country who could control the wind, the rain + and lightning, and suppose we elected him to govern these things, and + suppose that he allowed whole States to dry and wither, and at the same + time wasted the rain in the sea. Suppose that he allowed the winds to + destroy cities and to crush to shapelessness thousands of men and women, + and allowed the lightnings to strike the life out of mothers and babes. + What would we say? What would we think of such a savage? + </p> + <p> + And yet, according to the theologians, this is exactly the course pursued + by God. + </p> + <p> + What do we think of a man, who will not, when he has the power, protect + his friends? Yet the Christian's God allowed his enemies to torture and + burn his friends, his worshipers. + </p> + <p> + Who has ingenuity enough to explain this? + </p> + <p> + What good man, having the power to prevent it, would allow the innocent to + be imprisoned, chained in dungeons, and sigh against the dripping walls + their weary lives away? + </p> + <p> + If God governs the world, why is innocence not a perfect shield? Why does + injustice triumph? + </p> + <p> + Who can answer these questions? + </p> + <p> + In answer, the intelligent, honest man must say: I do not know. + </p> + <p> + X. + </p> + <p> + THIS God must be, if he exists, a person—a conscious being. Who can + imagine an infinite personality? This God must have force, and we cannot + conceive of force apart from matter. This God must be material. He must + have the means by which he changes force to what we call thought. When he + thinks he uses force, force that must be replaced. Yet we are told that he + is infinitely wise. If he is, he does not think. Thought is a ladder—a + process by which we reach a conclusion. He who knows all conclusions + cannot think. He cannot hope or fear. When knowledge is perfect there can + be no passion, no emotion. If God is infinite he does not want. He has + all. He who does not want does not act. The infinite must dwell in eternal + calm. + </p> + <p> + It is as impossible to conceive of such a being as to imagine a square + triangle, or to think of a circle without a diameter. + </p> + <p> + Yet we are told that it is our duty to love this God. Can we love the + unknown, the inconceivable? Can it be our duty to love anybody? It is our + duty to act justly, honestly, but it cannot be our duty to love. We cannot + be under obligation to admire a painting—to be charmed with a poem—or + thrilled with music. Admiration cannot be controlled. Taste and love are + not the servants of the will. Love is, and must be free. It rises from the + heart like perfume from a flower. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of ages men and women have been trying to love the gods—trying + to soften their hearts—trying to get their aid. + </p> + <p> + I see them all. The panorama passes before me. I see them with + outstretched hands—with reverently closed eyes—worshiping the + sun. I see them bowing, in their fear and need, to meteoric stones—imploring + serpents, beasts and sacred trees—praying to idols wrought of wood + and stone. I see them building altars to the unseen powers, staining them + with blood of child and beast. I see the countless priests and hear their + solemn chants. I see the dying victims, the smoking altars, the swinging + censers, and the rising clouds. I see the half-god men—the mournful + Christs, in many lands. I see the common things of life change to miracles + as they speed from mouth to mouth. I see the insane prophets reading the + secret book of fate by signs and dreams. I see them all—the + Assyrians chanting the praises of Asshur and Ishtar—the Hindus + worshiping Brahma, Vishnu and Draupadi, the whitearmed—the Chaldeans + sacrificing to Bel and Hea—the Egyptians bowing to Ptah and Ra, + Osiris and Isis—the Medes placating the storm, worshiping the fire—the + Babylonians supplicating Bel and Morodach—I see them all by the + Euphrates, the Tigris, the Ganges and the Nile. I see the Greeks building + temples for Zeus, Neptune and Venus. I see the Romans kneeling to a + hundred gods. I see others spurning idols and pouring out their hopes and + fears to a vague image in the mind. I see the multitudes, with open + mouths, receive as truths the myths and fables of the vanished years. I + see them give their toil, their wealth to robe the priests, to build the + vaulted roofs, the spacious aisles, the glittering domes. I see them clad + in rags, huddled in dens and huts, devouring crusts and scraps, that they + may give the more to ghosts and gods. I see them make their cruel creeds + and fill the world with hatred, war, and death. I see them with their + faces in the dust in the dark days of plague and sudden death, when cheeks + are wan and lips are white for lack of bread. I hear their prayers, their + sighs, their sobs. I see them kiss the unconscious lips as their hot tears + fall on the pallid faces of the dead. I see the nations as they fade and + fail. I see them captured and enslaved. I see their altars mingle with the + common earth, their temples crumble slowly back to dust. I see their gods + grow old and weak, infirm and faint. I see them fall from vague and misty + thrones, helpless and dead. The worshipers receive no help. Injustice + triumphs. Toilers are paid with the lash,—babes are sold,—the + innocent stand on scaffolds, and the heroic perish in flames. I see the + earthquakes devour, the volcanoes overwhelm, the cyclones wreck, the + floods destroy, and the lightnings kill. + </p> + <p> + The nations perished. The gods died. The toil and wealth were lost. The + temples were built in vain, and all the prayers died unanswered in the + heedless air. + </p> + <p> + Then I asked myself the question: Is there a supernatural power—an + arbitrary mind—an enthroned God—a supreme will that sways the + tides and currents of the world—to which all causes bow? + </p> + <p> + I do not deny. I do not know—but I do not believe. I believe that + the natural is supreme—that from the infinite chain no link can be + lost or broken—that there is no supernatural power that can answer + prayer—no power that worship can persuade or change—no power + that cares for man. + </p> + <p> + I believe that with infinite arms Nature embraces the all—that there + is no interference—no chance—that behind every event are the + necessary and countless causes, and that beyond every event will be and + must be the necessary and countless effects. + </p> + <p> + Man must protect himself. He cannot depend upon the supernatural—upon + an imaginary father in the skies. He must protect himself by finding the + facts in Nature, by developing his brain, to the end that he may overcome + the obstructions and take advantage of the forces of Nature. + </p> + <p> + Is there a God? + </p> + <p> + I do not know. + </p> + <p> + Is man immortal? + </p> + <p> + I do not know. + </p> + <p> + One thing I do know, and that is, that neither hope, nor fear, belief, nor + denial, can change the fact. It is as it is, and it will be as it must be. + </p> + <p> + We wait and hope. + </p> + <p> + XI. + </p> + <p> + WHEN I became convinced that the Universe is natural—that all the + ghosts and gods are myths, there entered into my brain, into my soul, into + every drop of my blood, the sense, the feeling, the joy of freedom. The + walls of my prison crumbled and fell, the dungeon was flooded with light + and all the bolts, and bars, and manacles became dust. I was no longer a + servant, a serf or a slave. There was for me no master in all the wide + world—not even in infinite space. I was free—free to think, to + express my thoughts—free to live to my own ideal—free to live + for myself and those I loved—free to use all my faculties, all my + senses—free to spread imagination's wings—free to investigate, + to guess and dream and hope—free to judge and determine for myself—free + to reject all ignorant and cruel creeds, all the "inspired" books that + savages have produced, and all the barbarous legends of the past—free + from popes and priests—free from all the "called" and "set apart"—free + from sanctified mistakes and holy lies—free from the fear of eternal + pain—free from the winged monsters of the night—free from + devils, ghosts and gods. For the first time I was free. There were no + prohibited places in all the realms of thought—no air, no space, + where fancy could not spread her painted wings—no chains for my + limbs—no lashes for my back—no fires for my flesh—no + master's frown or threat—no following another's steps—no need + to bow, or cringe, or crawl, or utter lying words. I was free. I stood + erect and fearlessly, joyously, faced all worlds. + </p> + <p> + And then my heart was filled with gratitude, with thankfulness, and went + out in love to all the heroes, the thinkers who gave their lives for the + liberty of hand and brain—for the freedom of labor and thought—to + those who fell on the fierce fields of war, to those who died in dungeons + bound with chains—to those who proudly mounted scaffold's stairs—to + those whose bones were crushed, whose flesh was scarred and torn—to + those by fire consumed—to all the wise, the good, the brave of every + land, whose thoughts and deeds have given freedom to the sons of men. And + then I vowed to grasp the torch that they had held, and hold it high, that + light might conquer darkness still. + </p> + <p> + Let us be true to ourselves—true to the facts we know, and let us, + above all things, preserve the veracity of our souls. + </p> + <p> + If there be gods we cannot help them, but we can assist our fellow-men. We + cannot love the inconceivable, but we can love wife and child and friend. + </p> + <p> + We can be as honest as we are ignorant. If we are, when asked what is + beyond the horizon of the known, we must say that we do not know. We can + tell the truth, and we can enjoy the blessed freedom that the brave have + won. We can destroy the monsters of superstition, the hissing snakes of + ignorance and fear. We can drive from our minds the frightful things that + tear and wound with beak and fang. We can civilize our fellow-men. We can + fill our lives with generous deeds, with loving words, with art and song, + and all the ecstasies of love. We can flood our years with sunshine—with + the divine climate of kindness, and we can drain to the last drop the + golden cup of joy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TRUTH. + </h2> + <p> + I. + </p> + <p> + THROUGH millions of ages, by countless efforts to satisfy his wants, to + gratify his passions, his appetites, man slowly developed his brain, + changed two of his feet into hands and forced into the darkness of his + brain a few gleams and glimmerings of reason. He was hindered by + ignorance, by fear, by mistakes, and he advanced only as he found the + truth—the absolute facts. Through countless years he has groped and + crawled and struggled and climbed and stumbled toward the light. He has + been hindered and delayed and deceived by augurs and prophets—by + popes and priests. He has been betrayed by saints, misled by apostles and + Christs, frightened by devils and ghosts—enslaved by chiefs and + kings—robbed by altars and thrones. In the name of education his + mind has been filled with mistakes, with miracles, and lies, with the + impossible, the absurd and infamous. In the name of religion he has been + taught humility and arrogance, love and hatred, forgiveness and revenge. + </p> + <p> + But the world is changing. We are tired of barbarian bibles and savage + creeds. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is greater, nothing is of more importance, than to find amid the + errors and darkness of this life, a shining truth. + </p> + <p> + Truth is the intellectual wealth of the world. + </p> + <p> + The noblest of occupations is to search for truth. + </p> + <p> + Truth is the foundation, the superstructure, and the glittering dome of + progress. + </p> + <p> + Truth is the mother of joy. Truth civilizes, ennobles, and purifies. The + grandest ambition that can enter the soul is to know the truth. + </p> + <p> + Truth gives man the greatest power for good. Truth is sword and shield. It + is the sacred light of the soul. + </p> + <p> + The man who finds a truth lights a torch. + </p> + <p> + How is Truth to be Found? + </p> + <p> + By investigation, experiment and reason. + </p> + <p> + Every human being should be allowed to investigate to the extent of his + desire—his ability. The literature of the world should be open to + him—nothing prohibited, sealed or hidden. No subject can be too + sacred to be understood. Each person should be allowed to reach his own + conclusions and to speak his honest thought. + </p> + <p> + He who threatens the investigator with punishment here, or hereafter, is + an enemy of the human race. And he who tries to bribe the investigator + with the promise of eternal joy is a traitor to his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + There is no real investigation without freedom—freedom from the fear + of gods and men. + </p> + <p> + So, all investigation—all experiment—should be pursued in the + light of reason. + </p> + <p> + Every man should be true to himself—true to the inward light. Each + man, in the laboratory of his own mind, and for himself alone, should test + the so-called facts—the theories of all the world. Truth, <i>in + accordance with his reason</i>, should be his guide and master. + </p> + <p> + To love the truth, thus perceived, is mental virtue—intellectual + purity. This is true manhood. This is freedom. + </p> + <p> + To throw away your reason at the command of churches, popes, parties, + kings or gods, is to be a serf, a slave. + </p> + <p> + It is not simply the right, but it is the duty of every man to think—to + investigate for himself—and every man who tries to prevent this by + force or fear, is doing all he can to degrade and enslave his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Every Man Should be Mentally Honest. + </p> + <p> + He should preserve as his most precious jewel the perfect veracity of his + soul. + </p> + <p> + He should examine all questions presented to his mind, without prejudice,—unbiased + by hatred or love—by desire or fear. His object and his only object + should be to find the truth. He knows, if he listens to reason, that truth + is not dangerous and that error is. He should weigh the evidence, the + arguments, in honest scales—scales that passion or interest cannot + change. He should care nothing for authority—nothing for names, + customs or creeds—nothing for anything that his reason does not say + is true. + </p> + <p> + Of his world he should be the sovereign, and his soul should wear the + purple. From his dominions should be banished the hosts of force and fear. + </p> + <p> + He Should be Intellectually Hospitable. + </p> + <p> + Prejudice, egotism, hatred, contempt, disdain, are the enemies of truth + and progress. + </p> + <p> + The real searcher after truth will not receive the old because it is old, + or reject the new because it is new. He will not believe men because they + are dead, or contradict them because they are alive. With him an utterance + is worth the truth, the reason it contains, without the slightest regard + to the author. He may have been a king or serf—a philosopher or + servant,—but the utterance neither gains nor loses in truth or + reason. Its value is absolutely independent of the fame or station of the + man who gave it to the world. + </p> + <p> + Nothing but falsehood needs the assistance of fame and place, of robes and + mitres, of tiaras and crowns. + </p> + <p> + The wise, the really honest and intelligent, are not swayed or governed by + numbers—by majorities. + </p> + <p> + They accept what they really believe to be true. They care nothing for the + opinions of ancestors, nothing for creeds, assertions and theories, unless + they satisfy the reason. + </p> + <p> + In all directions they seek for truth, and when found, accept it with joy—accept + it in spite of preconceived opinions—in spite of prejudice and + hatred. + </p> + <p> + This is the course pursued by wise and honest men, and no other course is + possible for them. + </p> + <p> + In every department of human endeavor men are seeking for the truth—for + the facts. The statesman reads the history of the world, gathers the + statistics of all nations to the end that his country may avoid the + mistakes of the past. The geologist penetrates the rocks in search of + facts—climbs mountains, visits the extinct craters, traverses + islands and continents that he may know something of the history of the + world. He wants the truth. + </p> + <p> + The chemist, with crucible and retort, with countless experiments, is + trying to find the qualities of substances—to ravel what nature has + woven. + </p> + <p> + The great mechanics dwell in the realm of the real. They seek by natural + means to conquer and use the forces of nature. They want the truth—the + actual facts. + </p> + <p> + The physicians, the surgeons, rely on observation, experiment and reason. + They become acquainted with the human body—with muscle, blood and + nerve—with the wonders of the brain. They want nothing but the + truth. + </p> + <p> + And so it is with the students of every science. On every hand they look + for facts, and it is of the utmost importance that they give to the world + the facts they find. + </p> + <p> + Their courage should equal their intelligence. No matter what the dead + have said, or the living believe, they should tell what they know. They + should have intellectual courage. + </p> + <p> + If it be good for man to find the truth—good for him to be + intellectually honest and hospitable, then it is good for others to know + the truths thus found. + </p> + <p> + Every man should have the courage to give his honest thought. This makes + the finder and publisher of truth a public benefactor. + </p> + <p> + Those who prevent, or try to prevent, the expression of honest thought, + are the foes of civilization—the enemies of truth. Nothing can + exceed the egotism and impudence of the man who claims the right to + express his thought and denies the same right to others. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to say that certain ideas are sacred, and that man has not + the right to investigate and test these ideas for himself. + </p> + <p> + Who knows that they are sacred? Can anything be sacred to us that we do + not know to be true? + </p> + <p> + For many centuries free speech has been an insult to God. Nothing has been + more blasphemous than the expression of honest thought. For many ages the + lips of the wise were sealed. The torches that truth had lighted, that + courage carried and held aloft, were extinguished with blood. + </p> + <p> + Truth has always been in favor of free speech—has always asked to be + investigated—has always longed to be known and understood. Freedom, + discussion, honesty, investigation and courage are the friends and allies + of truth. Truth loves the light and the open field. It appeals to the + senses—to the judgment, the reason, to all the higher and nobler + faculties and powers of the mind. It seeks to calm the passions, to + destroy prejudice and to increase the volume and intensity of reason's + flame. + </p> + <p> + It does not ask man to cringe or crawl. It does not desire the worship of + the ignorant or the prayers and praises of the frightened. It says to + every human being, "Think for yourself. Enjoy the freedom of a god, and + have the goodness and the courage to express your honest thought." + </p> + <p> + Why should we pursue the truth? and why should we investigate and reason? + and why should we be mentally honest and hospitable? and why should we + express our honest thoughts? To this there is but one answer: for the + benefit of mankind. + </p> + <p> + The brain must be developed. The world must think. Speech must be free. + The world must learn that credulity is not a virtue and that no question + is settled until reason is fully satisfied. + </p> + <p> + By these means man will overcome many of the obstructions of nature. He + will cure or avoid many diseases. He will lessen pain. He will lengthen, + ennoble and enrich life. In every direction he will increase his power. He + will satisfy his wants, gratify his tastes. He will put roof and raiment, + food and fuel, home and happiness within the reach of all. + </p> + <p> + He will drive want and crime from the world. He will destroy the serpents + of fear, the monsters of superstition. He will become intelligent and + free, honest and serene. + </p> + <p> + The monarch of the skies will be dethroned—the flames of hell will + be extinguished. Pious beggars will become honest and useful men. + Hypocrisy will collect no tolls from fear, lies will not be regarded as + sacred, this life will not be sacrificed for another, human beings will + love each other instead of gods, men will do right, not for the sake of + reward in some other world, but for the sake of happiness here. Man will + find that Nature is the only revelation, and that he, by his own efforts, + must learn to read the stories told by star and cloud, by rock and soil, + by sea and stream, by rain and fire, by plant and flower, by life in all + its curious forms, and all the things and forces of the world. + </p> + <p> + When he reads these stories, these records, he will know that man must + rely on himself,—that the supernatural does not exist, and that man + must be the providence of man. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to conceive of an argument against the freedom of thought—against + maintaining your self-respect and preserving the spotless and stainless + veracity of the soul. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + ALL that I have said seems to be true—almost self-evident,—and + you may ask who it is that says slavery is better than liberty. Let me + tell you. + </p> + <p> + All the popes and priests, all the orthodox churches and clergymen, say + that they have a revelation from God. + </p> + <p> + The Protestants say that it is the duty of every person to read, to + understand, and to believe this revelation—that a man should use his + reason; but if he honestly concludes that the Bible is not a revelation + from God, and dies with that conclusion in his mind, he will be tormented + forever. They say:—"Read," and then add: "Believe, or be damned." + </p> + <p> + "No matter how unreasonable the Bible may appear to you, you must believe. + No matter how impossible the miracles may seem, you must believe. No + matter how cruel the laws, your heart must approve them all!" + </p> + <p> + This is what the church calls the liberty of thought. We read the Bible + under the scowl and threat of God. We read by the glare of hell. On one + side is the devil, with the instruments of torture in his hands. On the + other, God, ready to launch the infinite curse. And the church says to the + readers: "You are free to decide. God is good, and he gives you the + liberty to choose." + </p> + <p> + The popes and the priests say to the poor people: "You need not read the + Bible. You cannot understand it. That is the reason it is called a + revelation. We will read it for you, and you must believe what we say. We + carry the key of hell. Contradict us and you will become eternal convicts + in the prison of God." + </p> + <p> + This is the freedom of the Catholic Church. + </p> + <p> + And all these priests and clergymen insist that the Bible is superior to + human reason—that it is the duty of man to accept it—to + believe it, whether he really thinks it is true or not, and without the + slightest regard to evidence or reason. + </p> + <p> + It is his duty to cast out from the temple of his soul the goddess Reason, + and bow before the coiled serpent of Fear. + </p> + <p> + This is what the church calls virtue. + </p> + <p> + Under these conditions what can thought be worth? The brain, swept by the + sirocco of God's curse, becomes a desert. + </p> + <p> + But this is not all. To compel man to desert the standard of Reason, the + church does not entirely rely on the threat of eternal pain to be endured + in another world, but holds out the reward of everlasting joy. + </p> + <p> + To those who believe, it promises the endless ecstasies of heaven. If it + cannot frighten, it will bribe. It relies on fear and hope. + </p> + <p> + A religion, to command the respect of intelligent men, should rest on a + foundation of established facts. It should appeal, not to passion, not to + hope and fear, but to the judgment. It should ask that all the faculties + of the mind, all the senses, should assemble and take counsel together, + and that its claims be passed upon and tested without prejudice, without + fear, in the calm of perfect candor. + </p> + <p> + But the church cries: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be + saved." Without this belief there is no salvation. Salvation is the reward + for belief. + </p> + <p> + Belief is, and forever must be, the result of evidence. A promised reward + is not evidence. It sheds no intellectual light. It establishes no fact, + answers no objection, and dissipates no doubt. + </p> + <p> + Is it honest to offer a reward for belief? + </p> + <p> + The man who gives money to a judge or juror for a decision or verdict is + guilty of a crime. Why? Because he induces the judge, the juror, to + decide, not according to the law, to the facts, the right, but according + to the bribe. + </p> + <p> + The bribe is not evidence. + </p> + <p> + So, the promise of Christ to reward those who will believe is a bribe. It + is an attempt to make a promise take the place of evidence. He who says + that he believes, and does this for the sake of the reward, corrupts his + soul. + </p> + <p> + Suppose I should say that at the center of the earth there is a diamond + one hundred miles in diameter, and that I would give ten thousand dollars + to any man who would believe my statement. Could such a promise be + regarded as evidence? + </p> + <p> + Intelligent people would ask not for rewards, but reasons. Only hypocrites + would ask for the money. + </p> + <p> + Yet, according to the New Testament, Christ offered a reward to those who + would believe, and this promised reward was to take the place of evidence. + When Christ made this promise he forgot, ignored, or held in contempt the + rectitude of a brave, free and natural soul. + </p> + <p> + The declaration that salvation is the reward for belief is inconsistent + with mental freedom, and could have been made by no man who thought that + evidence sustained the slightest relation to belief. + </p> + <p> + Every sermon in which men have been told that they could save their souls + by believing, has been an injury. Such sermons dull the moral sense and + subvert the true conception of virtue and duty. + </p> + <p> + The true man, when asked to believe, asks for evidence. The true man, who + asks another to believe, offers evidence. + </p> + <p> + But this is not all. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the threat of eternal pain—of the promise of everlasting + joy, unbelievers increased, and the churches took another step. + </p> + <p> + The churches said to the unbelievers, the heretics: "Although our God will + punish you forever in another world—in his prison—the doors of + which open only to receive, we, unless you believe, will torment you now." + </p> + <p> + And then the members of these churches, led by priests, popes, and + clergymen, sought out their unbelieving neighbors—chained them in + dungeons, stretched them on racks, crushed their bones, cut out their + tongues, extinguished their eyes, flayed them alive and consumed their + poor bodies in flames. + </p> + <p> + All this was done because these Christian savages believed in the dogma of + eternal pain. Because they believed that heaven was the reward for belief. + So believing, they were the enemies of free thought and speech—they + cared nothing for conscience, nothing for the veracity of a soul,—nothing + for the manhood of a man. In all ages most priests have been heartless and + relentless. They have calumniated and tortured. In defeat they have + crawled and whined. In victory they have killed. The flower of pity never + blossomed in their hearts and in their brain. Justice never held aloft the + scales. Now they are not as cruel. They have lost their power, but they + are still trying to accomplish the impossible. They fill their pockets + with "fool's gold" and think they are rich. They stuff their minds with + mistakes and think they are wise. They console themselves with legends and + myths, have faith in fiction and forgery—give their hearts to ghosts + and phantoms and seek the aid of the non-existent. + </p> + <p> + They put a monster—a master—a tyrant in the sky, and seek to + enslave their fellow-men. They teach the cringing virtues of serfs. They + abhor the courage of manly men. They hate the man who thinks. They long + for revenge. + </p> + <p> + They warm their hands at the imaginary fires of hell. + </p> + <p> + I show them that hell does not exist and they denounce me for destroying + their consolation. + </p> + <p> + Horace Greeley, as the story goes, one cold day went into a country store, + took a seat by the stove, unbuttoned his coat and spread out his hands. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes, a little boy who clerked in the store said: "Mr. + Greeley, there aint no fire in that stove." + </p> + <p> + "You d——d little rascal," said Greeley, "What did you tell me + for, I was getting real warm." + </p> + <p> + III. "THE SCIENCE OF THEOLOGY." + </p> + <p> + ALL the sciences—except Theology—are eager for facts—hungry + for the truth. On the brow of a finder of a fact the laurel is placed. + </p> + <p> + In a theological seminary, if a professor finds a fact inconsistent with + the creed, he must keep it secret or deny it, or lose his place. Mental + veracity is a crime, cowardice and hypocrisy are virtues. + </p> + <p> + A fact, inconsistent with the creed, is denounced as a lie, and the man + who declares or announces the fact is a blasphemer. Every professor + breathes the air of insincerity. Every one is mentally dishonest. Every + one is a pious fraud. Theology is the only dishonest science—the + only one that is based on belief—on credulity,—the only one + that abhors investigation, that despises thought and denounces reason. + </p> + <p> + All the great theologians in the Catholic Church have denounced reason as + the light furnished by the enemy of mankind—as the road that leads + to perdition. All the great Protestant theologians, from Luther to the + orthodox clergy of our time, have been the enemies of reason. All orthodox + churches of all ages have been the enemies of science. They attacked the + astronomers as though they were criminals—the geologists as though + they were assassins. They regarded physicians as the enemies of God—as + men who were trying to defeat the decrees of Providence. The biologists, + the anthropologists, the archaeologists, the readers of ancient + inscriptions, the delvers in buried cities, were all hated by the + theologians. They were afraid that these men might find something + inconsistent with the Bible. + </p> + <p> + The theologians attacked those who studied other religions. They insisted + that Christianity was not a growth—not an evolution—but a + revelation. They denied that it was in any way connected with any natural + religion. + </p> + <p> + The facts now show beyond all doubt that all religions came from + substantially the same source—but there is not an orthodox Christian + theologian who will admit the facts. He must defend his creed—his + revelation. He cannot afford to be honest. He was not educated in an + honest school. He was not taught to be honest. He was taught to believe + and to defend his belief, not only against argument but against facts. + </p> + <p> + There is not a theologian in the whole world who can produce the + slightest, the least particle of evidence tending to show that the Bible + is the inspired word of God. + </p> + <p> + Where is the evidence that the book of Ruth was written by an inspired + man? Where is the evidence that God is the author of the Song of Solomon? + Where is the evidence that any human being has been inspired? Where is the + evidence that Christ was and is God? Where is the evidence that the places + called heaven and hell exist? Where is the evidence that a miracle was + ever wrought? + </p> + <p> + There is none. + </p> + <p> + Theology is entirely independent of evidence. + </p> + <p> + Where is the evidence that angels and ghosts—that devils and gods + exist? Have these beings been seen or touched? Does one of our senses + certify to their existence? + </p> + <p> + The theologians depend on assertions. They have no evidence. They claim + that their inspired book is superior to reason and independent of + evidence. + </p> + <p> + They talk about probability—analogy—inferences—but they + present no evidence. They say that they know that Christ lived, in the + same way that they know that Cæsar lived. They might add that they + know Moses talked with Jehovah on Sinai the same way they know that + Brigham Young talked with God in Utah. The evidence in both cases is the + same,—none in either. + </p> + <p> + How do they prove that Christ rose from the dead? They find the account in + a book. Who wrote the book? They do not know. What evidence is this? None, + unless all things found in books are true. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to establish one miracle except by another—and that + would have to be established by another still, and so on without end. + Human testimony is not sufficient to establish a miracle. Each human + being, to be really convinced, must witness the miracle for himself. + </p> + <p> + They say that Christianity was established, proven to be true, by miracles + wrought nearly two thousand years ago. Not one of these miracles can be + established except by impudent and ignorant assertion—except by + poisoning and deforming the minds of the ignorant and the young. To + succeed, the theologians invade the cradle, the nursery. In the brain of + innocence they plant the seeds of superstition. They pollute the minds and + imaginations of children. They frighten the happy with threats of pain—they + soothe the wretched with gilded lies. + </p> + <p> + This perpetual insincerity stamps itself on the face—affects every + feature. We all know the theological countenance,—cold, + unsympathetic, cruel, lighted with a pious smirk,—no line of + laughter—no dimpled mirth—no touch of humor—nothing + human. + </p> + <p> + This face is a rebuke, a reprimand to natural joy. It says to the happy: + "Beware of the dog"—"Prepare for death." This face, like the fabled + Gorgon, turns cheerfulness to stone. It is a protest against pleasure—a + warning and a threat. + </p> + <p> + You see every soul is a sculptor that fashions the features, and in this + way reveals itself. + </p> + <p> + Every thought leaves its impress. + </p> + <p> + The student of this science of theology must be taught in youth,—in + his mother's arms. These lies must be sown and planted in his brain the + first of all. He must be taught to believe, to accept without question. He + must be told that it is wicked to doubt, that it is sinful to inquire—that + Faith is a virtue and unbelief a crime. + </p> + <p> + In this way his mind is poisoned, paralyzed. On all other subjects he has + liberty—and in all other directions he is urged to study and think. + From his mother's arms he goes to the Sunday school. His poor little mind + is filled with miracles and wonders. He is told about a God who made the + world and who rewards and punishes. He is told that this God is the author + of the Bible—that Christ is his son. He is told about original sin + and the atonement, and he believes what he hears. No reasons are given—no + facts—no evidence is presented—nothing but assertion. If he + asks questions, he is silenced by more solemn assertions and warned + against the devices of the evil one. Every Sunday school is a kind of + inquisition where they torture and deform the minds of children—where + they force their souls into Catholic or Protestant moulds—and do all + they can to destroy the originality, the individuality, and the veracity + of the soul. In the theological seminary the destruction is complete. + </p> + <p> + When the minister leaves the seminary, he is not seeking the truth. He has + it. He has a revelation from God, and he has a creed in exact accordance + with that revelation. His business is to stand by that revelation and to + defend that creed. Arguments against the revelation and the creed he will + not read, he will not hear. All facts that are against his religion he + will deny. It is impossible for him to be candid. The tremendous + "verities" of eternal joy, of everlasting pain are in his creed, and they + result from believing the false and denying the true. + </p> + <p> + Investigation is an infinite danger, unbelief is an infinite offence and + deserves and will receive infinite punishment. In the shadow of this + tremendous "fact" his courage dies, his manhood is lost, and in his fear + he cries out that he believes, whether he does or not. + </p> + <p> + He says and teaches that credulity is safe and thought dangerous. Yet he + pretends to be a teacher—a leader, one selected by God to educate + his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + These orthodox ministers have been the slanderers of the really great men + of our century. They denounced Lyell, the great geologist, for giving + facts to the world. They hated and belittled Humboldt, one of the greatest + and most intellectual of the race. They ridiculed and derided Darwin, the + greatest naturalist, the keenest observer, the best judge of the value of + a fact, the most wonderful discoverer of truth that the world has + produced. + </p> + <p> + In every orthodox pulpit stood a traducer of the greatest of scientists—of + one who filled the world with intellectual light. + </p> + <p> + The church has been the enemy of every science, of every real thinker, and + for many centuries has used her power to prevent intellectual progress. + </p> + <p> + Ministers ought to be free. They should be the heralds of the ever coming + day, but they are the bats, the owls that inhabit ruins, that hate the + light. They denounce honest men who express their thoughts, as + blasphemers, and do what they can to close their mouths. For their Bible + they ask the protection of law. They wish to be shielded from laughter by + the Legislature. They ask that the arguments of their opponents be + answered by the courts. This is the result of a due admixture of + cowardice, hypocrisy and malice. + </p> + <p> + What valuable fact has been proclaimed from an orthodox pulpit? What + ecclesiastical council has added to the intellectual wealth of the world? + </p> + <p> + Many centuries ago the church gave to Christendom a code of laws, stupid, + unphilosophic and brutal to the last degree. + </p> + <p> + The church insists that it has made man merciful and just. Did it do this + by torturing heretics—by extinguishing their eyes—by flaying + them alive? Did it accomplish this result through the Inquisition—by + the use of the thumb-screw, the rack and the fagot? Of what science has + the church been the friend and champion? What orthodox church has opened + its doors to a persecuted truth? Of what use has Christianity been to man? + </p> + <p> + They tell us that the church has been and is the friend of education. I + deny it. The church founded colleges not to educate men, but to make + proselytes, converts, defenders. This was in accordance with the instinct + of self-preservation. No orthodox church ever was, or ever will be in + favor of real education. A Catholic is in favor of enough education to + make a Catholic out of a savage, and the Protestant is in favor of enough + education to make a Protestant out of a Catholic, but both are opposed to + the education that makes free and manly men. + </p> + <p> + So, ministers say that they teach charity. This is natural. They live on + alms. All beggars teach that others should give. + </p> + <p> + So, they tell us that the church has built hospitals. This is not true. + Men have not built hospitals because they were Christians, but because + they were men. They have not built them for charity—but in + self-defence. + </p> + <p> + If a man comes to your door with the smallpox, you cannot let him in, you + cannot kill him. As a necessity, you provide a place for him. And you do + this to protect yourself. With this Christianity has had nothing to do. + </p> + <p> + The church cannot give, because it does not produce. It is claimed that + the church has made men and women forgiving. I admit that the church has + preached forgiveness, but it has never forgiven an enemy—never. + Against the great and brave thinkers it has coined and circulated + countless lies. Never has the church told, or tried to tell, the truth + about an honest foe. + </p> + <p> + The church teaches the existence of the supernatural. It believes in the + divine sleight-of-hand—in the "presto" and "open sesame" of the + Infinite; in some invisible Being who produces effects without causes and + causes without effects; whose caprice governs the world and who can be + persuaded by prayer, softened by ceremony, and who will, as a reward for + faith, save men from the natural consequences of their actions. + </p> + <p> + The church denies the eternal, inexorable sequence of events. + </p> + <p> + What Good has the Church Accomplished? + </p> + <p> + It claims to have preached peace because its founder said, "I came not to + bring peace but a sword." + </p> + <p> + It claims to have preserved the family because its founder offered a + hundred-fold here and life everlasting to those who would desert wife and + children. + </p> + <p> + So, it claims to have taught the brotherhood of man and that the gospel is + for all the world, because Christ said to the woman of Samaria that he + came only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and declared that it + was not meet to take the bread of the children and cast it unto dogs. + </p> + <p> + In the name of Christ, who threatened eternal revenge, it has preached + forgiveness. + </p> + <p> + Of what Use are the Orthodox Ministers? + </p> + <p> + They are the enemies of pleasure. They denounce dancing as one of the + deadly sins. They are shocked at the wickedness of the waltz—the + pollution of the polka. They are the enemies of the theatre. They slander + actors and actresses. They hate them because they are rivals. They are + trying to preserve the sacredness of the Sabbath. It fills them with + malice to see the people happy on that day. They preach against excursions + and picnics—against those who seek the woods and the sea, the + shadows and the waves. They are filled with holy wrath against bicycles + and bloomers. They are opposed to divorces. They insist that for the glory + of God, husbands and wives who loathe each other should be compelled to + live together. They abhor all works of fiction, and love the Bible. They + declare that the literary master-pieces of the world are unfit to be read. + They think that the people should be satisfied with sermons and poems + about death and hell. They hate art—abhor the marbles of the Greeks, + and all representations of the human form. They want nothing painted or + sculptured but hands, faces and clothes. Most of the priests are prudes, + and publicly denounce what they secretly admire and enjoy. In the presence + of the nude they cover their faces with their holy hands, but keep their + fingers apart. They pretend to believe in moral suasion, and want + everything regulated by law. If they had the power, they would prohibit + everything that men and women really enjoy. They want libraries, museums + and art galleries closed on the Sabbath. They would abolish the Sunday + paper—stop the running of cars and all public conveyances on the + holy day, and compel all the people to enjoy sermons, prayers and psalms. + </p> + <p> + These dear ministers, when they have poor congregations, thunder against + trusts, syndicates, and corporations—against wealth, fashion and + luxury. They tell about Dives and Lazarus, paint rich men in hell and + beggars in heaven. If their congregations are rich they turn their guns in + the other direction. + </p> + <p> + They have no confidence in education—in the development of the + brain. They appeal to hopes and fears. They ask no one to think—to + investigate. They insist that all shall believe. Credulity is the greatest + of virtues, and doubt the deadliest of sins. + </p> + <p> + These men are the enemies of science—of intellectual progress. They + ridicule and calumniate the great thinkers. They deny everything that + conflicts with the "sacred Scriptures." They still believe in the + astronomy of Joshua and the geology of Moses. They believe in the miracles + of the past, and deny the demonstrations of the present. They are the foes + of facts—the enemies of knowledge. A desire to be happy here, they + regard as wicked and worldly—but a desire to be happy in another + world, as virtuous and spiritual. + </p> + <p> + Every orthodox church is founded on mistake and falsehood. Every good + orthodox minister asserts what he does not know, and denies what he does + know. + </p> + <p> + What are the Orthodox Clergy Doing for the Good of Mankind? + </p> + <p> + Absolutely nothing. + </p> + <p> + What harm are they doing? + </p> + <p> + On every hand they sow the seeds of superstition. They paralyze the minds, + and pollute the imaginations of children. They fill their hearts with + fear. By their teachings, thousands become insane. With them, hypocrisy is + respectable and candor infamous. + </p> + <p> + They enslave the minds of men. Under their teachings men waste and + misdirect their energies, abandon the ends that can be accomplished, + dedicate their lives to the impossible, worship the unknown, pray to the + inconceivable, and become the trembling slaves of a monstrous myth born of + ignorance and fashioned by the trembling hands of fear. + </p> + <p> + Superstition is the serpent that crawls and hisses in every Eden and + fastens its poisonous fangs in the hearts of men. + </p> + <p> + It is the deadliest foe of the human race. + </p> + <p> + Superstition is a beggar—a robber, a tyrant. + </p> + <p> + Science is a benefactor. + </p> + <p> + Superstition sheds blood. + </p> + <p> + Science sheds light. + </p> + <p> + The dear preachers must give up the account of creation—the Garden + of Eden, the mud-man, the rib-woman, and the walking, talking, snake. They + must throw away the apple, the fall of man, the expulsion, and the gate + guarded by angels armed with swords. They must give up the flood and the + tower of Babel and the confusion of tongues. They must give up Abraham and + the wrestling match between Jacob and the Lord. So, the story of Joseph, + the enslavement of the Hebrews by the Egyptians, the story of Moses in the + bullrushes, the burning bush, the turning of sticks into serpents, of + water into blood, the miraculous creation of frogs, the killing of cattle + with hail and changing dust into lice, all must be given up. The sojourn + of forty years in the desert, the opening of the Red Sea, the clothes and + shoes that refused to wear out, the manna, the quails and the serpents, + the water that ran up hill, the talking of Jehovah with Moses face to + face, the giving of the Ten Commandments, the opening of the earth to + swallow the enemies of Moses—all must be thrown away. + </p> + <p> + These good preachers must admit that blowing horns could not throw down + the walls of a city, that it was horrible for Jephthah to sacrifice his + daughter, that the day was not lengthened and the moon stopped for the + sake of Joshua, that the dead Samuel was not raised by a witch, that a man + was not carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, that the river Jordan was + not divided by the stroke of a cloak, that the bears did not destroy + children for laughing at a prophet, that a wandering soothsayer did not + collect lightnings from heaven to destroy the lives of innocent men, that + he did not cause rain and make iron float, that ravens did not keep a + hotel where preachers got board and lodging free, that the shadow on a + dial was not turned back ten degrees to show that a king was going to + recover from a boil, that Ezekiel was not told by God how to prepare a + dinner, that Jonah did not take cabin passage in a fish—and that all + the miracles in the old Testament are not allegories, or poems, but just + old-fashioned lies. And the dear preachers will be compelled to admit that + there never was a miraculous babe without a natural father, that Christ, + if he lived, was a man and nothing more. That he did not cast devils out + of folks—that he did not cure blindness with spittle and clay, nor + turn water into wine, nor make fishes and loaves of bread out of nothing—that + he did not know where to catch fishes with money in their mouths—that + he did not take a walk on the water—that he did not at will become + invisible—that he did not pass through closed doors—that he + did not raise the dead—that angels never rolled stones from a + sepulchre—that Christ did not rise from the dead and did not ascend + to heaven. + </p> + <p> + All these mistakes and illusions and delusions—all these miracles + and myths must fade from the minds of intelligent men. + </p> + <p> + My dear preachers, I beg you to tell the truth. Tell your congregations + that Moses was not the author of the Pentateuch. Tell them that nobody + knows who wrote the five books. Tell them that Deuteronomy was not written + until about six hundred years before Christ. Tell them that nobody knows + who wrote Joshua, or Judges, or Ruth, Samuel, Kings, or Chronicles, Job, + or the Psalms, or the Song of Solomon. Be honest, tell the truth. Tell + them that nobody knows who wrote Esther—that Ecclesiastes was + written long after Christ—that many of the prophecies were written + after the events pretended to be foretold had happened. Tell them that + Ezekiel and Daniel were insane. Tell them that nobody knows who wrote the + gospels, and tell them that no line about Christ written by a contemporary + has been found. Tell them it is all guess—and may be, and perhaps. + Be honest. Tell the truth, develop your brains, use all your senses and + hold high the torch of Reason. + </p> + <p> + In a few years the pulpits will be filled with teachers instead of + preachers—with thoughtful, brave, and honest men. The congregations + will be civilized—intellectually honest and hospitable. + </p> + <p> + Now, most of the ministers insist that the old falsehoods shall be treated + with reverence—that ancient lies with long white beards—wrinkled + and bald-headed frauds—round-shouldered and toothless miracles, and + palsied mistakes on crutches, shall be called allegories, parables, + oriental imagery, inspired poems. In their presence the ungodly should + remove their hats. They should respect the mould and moss of antiquity. + They should remember that these lies, these frauds, the miracles and + mistakes, have for thousands of years ruled, enslaved, and corrupted the + human race. + </p> + <p> + These ministers ought to know that their creeds are based on imagined + facts and demonstrated by assertion. + </p> + <p> + They ought to know that they have no evidence,—nothing but promises + and threats. They ought to know that it is impossible to conceive of force + existing without and before matter—that it is equally impossible to + conceive of matter without force—that it is impossible to conceive + of the creation or destruction of matter or force,—that it is + impossible to conceive of infinite intelligence dwelling from eternity in + infinite space, and that it is impossible to conceive of the creator, or + creation, of substance. + </p> + <p> + The God of the Christian is an enthroned guess—a perhaps—an + inference. + </p> + <p> + No man, and no body of men, can answer the questions of the Whence and + Whither. The mystery of existence cannot be explained by the intellect of + man. + </p> + <p> + Back of life, of existence, we cannot go—beyond death we cannot see. + All duties, all obligations, all knowledge, all experience, are for this + life, for this world. + </p> + <p> + We know that men and women and children exist. We know that happiness, for + the most part, depends on conduct. + </p> + <p> + We are satisfied that all the gods are phantoms and that the supernatural + does not exist. + </p> + <p> + We know the difference between hope and knowledge, we hope for happiness + here and we dream of joy hereafter, but we do not know. We cannot assert, + we can only hope. We can have our dream. In the wide night our star can + shine and shed its radiance on the graves of those we love. We can bend + above our pallid dead and say that beyond this life there are no sighs—no + tears—no breaking hearts. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkCONC" id="linkCONC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONCLUSION. + </h2> + <p> + LET us be honest. Let us preserve the veracity of our souls. Let education + commence in the cradle—in the lap of the loving mother. This is the + first school. The teacher, the mother, should be absolutely honest. + </p> + <p> + The nursery should not be an asylum for lies. + </p> + <p> + Parents should be modest enough to be truthful—honest enough to + admit their ignorance. Nothing should be taught as true that cannot be + demonstrated. + </p> + <p> + Every child should be taught to doubt, to inquire, to demand reasons. + Every soul should defend itself—should be on its guard against + falsehood, deceit, and mistake, and should beware of all kinds of + confidence men, including those in the pulpit. + </p> + <p> + Children should be taught to express their doubts—to demand reasons. + The object of education should be to develop the brain, to quicken the + senses. Every school should be a mental gymnasium. The child should be + equipped for the battle of life. Credulity, implicit obedience, are the + virtues of slaves and the enslavers of the free. All should be taught that + there is nothing too sacred to be investigated—too holy to be + understood. + </p> + <p> + Each mind has the right to lift all curtains, withdraw all veils, scale + all walls, explore all recesses, all heights, all depths for itself, in + spite of church or priest, or creed or book. + </p> + <p> + The great volume of Nature should be open to all. None but the intelligent + and honest can really read this book. Prejudice clouds and darkens every + page. Hypocrisy reads and misquotes, and credulity accepts the quotation. + Superstition cannot read a line or spell the shortest word. And yet this + volume holds all knowledge, all truth, and is the only source of thought. + Mental liberty means the right of all to read this book. Here the Pope and + Peasant are equal. Each must read for himself—and each ought + honestly and fearlessly to give to his fellow-men what he learns. + </p> + <p> + There is no authority in churches or priests—no authority in numbers + or majorities. The only authority is Nature—the facts we know. Facts + are the masters, the enemies of the ignorant, the servants and friends of + the intelligent. + </p> + <p> + Ignorance is the mother of mystery and misery, of superstition and sorrow, + of waste and want. + </p> + <p> + Intelligence is the only light. It enables us to keep the highway, to + avoid the obstructions, and to take advantage of the forces of nature. It + is the only lever capable of raising mankind. To develop the brain is to + civilize the world. Intelligence reaves the heavens of winged and + frightful monsters—drives ghosts and leering fiends from the + darkness, and floods with light the dungeons of fear. + </p> + <p> + All should be taught that there is no evidence of the existence of the + supernatural—that the man who bows before an idol of wood or stone + is just as foolish as the one who prays to an imagined God,—that all + worship has for its foundation the same mistake—the same ignorance, + the same fear—that it is just as foolish to believe in a personal + god as in a personal devil—just as foolish to believe in great + ghosts as little ones. + </p> + <p> + So, all should be taught that the forces, the facts in Nature, cannot be + controlled or changed by prayer or praise, by supplication, ceremony, or + sacrifice; that there is no magic, no miracle; that force can be overcome + only by force, and that the whole world is natural. + </p> + <p> + All should be taught that man must protect himself—that there is no + power superior to Nature that cares for man—that Nature has neither + pity nor hatred—that her forces act without the slightest regard for + man—that she produces without intention and destroys without regret. + </p> + <p> + All should be taught that usefulness is the bud and flower and fruit of + real religion. The popes and cardinals, the bishops, priests and parsons + are all useless. They produce nothing. They live on the labor of others. + They are parasites that feed on the frightened. They are vampires that + suck the blood of honest toil. Every church is an organized beggar. Every + one lives on alms—on alms collected by force and fear. Every + orthodox church promises heaven and threatens hell, and these promises and + threats are made for the sake of alms, for revenue. Every church cries: + "Believe and give." + </p> + <p> + A new era is dawning on the world. We are beginning to believe in the + religion of usefulness. + </p> + <p> + The men who felled the forests, cultivated the earth, spanned the rivers + with bridges of steel, built the railways and canals, the great ships, + invented the locomotives and engines, supplying the countless wants of + man; the men who invented the telegraphs and cables, and freighted the + electric spark with thought and love; the men who invented the looms and + spindles that clothe the world, the inventors of printing and the great + presses that fill the earth with poetry, fiction and fact, that save and + keep all knowledge for the children yet to be; the inventors of all the + wonderful machines that deftly mould from wood and steel the things we + use; the men who have explored the heavens and traced the orbits of the + stars—who have read the story of the world in mountain range and + billowed sea; the men who have lengthened life and conquered pain; the + great philosophers and naturalists who have filled the world with light; + the great poets whose thoughts have charmed the souls, the great painters + and sculptors who have made the canvas speak, the marble live; the great + orators who have swayed the world, the composers who have given their + souls to sound, the captains of industry, the producers, the soldiers who + have battled for the right, the vast host of useful men—these are + our Christs, our apostles and our saints. The triumphs of science are our + miracles. The books filled with the facts of Nature are our sacred + scriptures, and the force that is in every atom and in every star—in + everything that lives and grows and thinks, that hopes and suffers, is the + only possible god. + </p> + <p> + The absolute we cannot know—beyond the horizon of the Natural we + cannot go. All our duties are within our reach—all our obligations + must be discharged here, in this world. Let us love and labor. Let us wait + and work. Let us cultivate courage and cheerfulness—open our hearts + to the good—our minds to the true. Let us live free lives. Let us + hope that the future will bring peace and joy to all the children of men, + and above all, let us preserve the veracity of our souls. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HOW TO REFORM MANKIND. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This address was delivered before the Militant Church at + the Columbia Theatre, Chicago, Ills., April 12, 1896. +</pre> + <p> + I. + </p> + <p> + "THERE is no darkness but ignorance." Every human being is a necessary + product of conditions, and every one is born with defects for which he + cannot be held responsible. Nature seems to care nothing for the + individual, nothing for the species. + </p> + <p> + Life pursuing life and in its turn pursued by death, presses to the snow + line of the possible, and every form of life, of instinct, thought and + action is fixed and determined by conditions, by countless antecedent and + co-existing facts. The present is the child, and the necessary child, of + all the past, and the mother of all the future. + </p> + <p> + Every human being longs to be happy, to satisfy the wants of the body with + food, with roof and raiment, and to feed the hunger of the mind, according + to his capacity, with love, wisdom, philosophy, art and song. + </p> + <p> + The wants of the savage are few; but with civilization the wants of the + body increase, the intellectual horizon widens and the brain demands more + and more. + </p> + <p> + The savage feels, but scarcely thinks. The passion of the savage is + uninfluenced by his thought, while the thought of the philosopher is + uninfluenced by passion. Children have wants and passions before they are + capable of reasoning. So, in the infancy of the race, wants and passions + dominate. + </p> + <p> + The savage was controlled by appearances, by impressions; he was mentally + weak, mentally indolent, and his mind pursued the path of least + resistance. Things were to him as they appeared to be. He was a natural + believer in the supernatural, and, finding himself beset by dangers and + evils, he sought in many ways the aid of unseen powers. His children + followed his example, and for many ages, in many lands, millions and + millions of human beings, many of them the kindest and the best, asked for + supernatural help. Countless altars and temples have been built, and the + supernatural has been worshiped with sacrifice and song, with self-denial, + ceremony, thankfulness and prayer. + </p> + <p> + During all these ages, the brain of man was being slowly and painfully + developed. Gradually mind came to the assistance of muscle, and thought + became the friend of labor. Man has advanced just in the proportion that + he has mingled thought with his work, just in the proportion that he has + succeeded in getting his head and hands into partnership. All this was the + result of experience. + </p> + <p> + Nature, generous and heartless, extravagant and miserly as she is, is our + mother and our only teacher, and she is also the deceiver of men. Above + her we cannot rise, below her we cannot fall. In her we find the seed and + soil of all that is good, of all that is evil. Nature originates, + nourishes, preserves and destroys. + </p> + <p> + Good deeds bear fruit, and in the fruit are seeds that in their turn bear + fruit and seeds. Great thoughts are never lost, and words of kindness do + not perish from the earth. + </p> + <p> + Every brain is a field where nature sows the seeds of thought, and the + crop depends upon the soil. + </p> + <p> + Every flower that gives its fragrance to the wandering air leaves its + influence on the soul of man. The wheel and swoop of the winged creatures + of the air suggest the flowing lines of subtle art. The roar and murmur of + the restless sea, the cataract's solemn chant, the thunder's voice, the + happy babble of the brook, the whispering leaves, the thrilling notes of + mating birds, the sighing winds, taught man to pour his heart in song and + gave a voice to grief and hope, to love and death. + </p> + <p> + In all that is, in mountain range and billowed plain, in winding stream + and desert sand, in cloud and star, in snow and rain, in calm and storm, + in night and day, in woods and vales, in all the colors of divided light, + in all there is of growth and life, decay and death, in all that flies and + floats and swims, in all that moves, in all the forms and qualities of + things, man found the seeds and symbols of his thoughts; and all that man + has wrought becomes a part of nature's self, forming the lives of those to + be. The marbles of the Greeks, like strains of music, suggest the perfect, + and teach the melody of life. The great poems, paintings, inventions, + theories and philosophies, enlarge and mould the mind of man. All that is + is natural. All is naturally produced. Beyond the horizon of the natural + man cannot go. + </p> + <p> + Yet, for many ages, man in all directions has relied upon, and sincerely + believed in, the existence of the supernatural. He did not believe in the + uniformity of nature; he had no conception of cause and effect, of the + indestructibility of force. + </p> + <p> + In medicine he believed in charms, magic, amulets, and incantations. It + never occurred to the savage that diseases were natural. + </p> + <p> + In chemistry he sought for the elixir of life, for the philosopher's + stone, and for some way of changing the baser metals into gold. + </p> + <p> + In mechanics he searched for perpetual motion, believing that he, by some + curious combinations of levers, could produce, could create a force. + </p> + <p> + In government, he found the source of authority in the will of the + supernatural. + </p> + <p> + For many centuries his only conception of morality was the idea of + obedience, not to facts as they exist in nature, but to the supposed + command of some being superior to nature. During all these years religion + consisted in the praise and worship of the invisible and infinite, of some + vast and incomprehensible power, that is to say, of the supernatural. + </p> + <p> + By experience, by experiment, possibly by accident, man found that some + diseases could be cured by natural means; that he could be relieved in + many instances of pain by certain kinds of leaves or bark. + </p> + <p> + This was the beginning. Gradually his confidence increased in the + direction of the natural, and began to decrease in charms and amulets, The + war was waged for many centuries, but the natural gained the victory. Now + we know that all diseases are naturally produced, and that all remedies, + all curatives, act in accordance with the facts in nature. Now we know + that charms, magic, amulets and incantations are just as useless in the + practice of medicine as they would be in solving a problem in mathematics. + We now know that there are no supernatural remedies. + </p> + <p> + In chemistry the war was long and bitter; but we now no longer seek for + the elixir of life, and no one is trying to find the philosopher's stone. + We are satisfied that there is nothing supernatural in all the realm of + chemistry. We know that substances are always true to their natures; we + know that just so many atoms of one substance will unite with just so many + of another. The miraculous has departed from chemistry; in that science + there is no magic, no caprice and no possible use for the supernatural. We + are satisfied that there can be no change, that we can absolutely rely on + the uniformity of nature; that the attraction of gravitation will always + remain the same; and we feel that we know this as certainly as we know + that the relation between the diameter and circumference of a circle can + never change. + </p> + <p> + We now know that in mechanics the natural is supreme. We know that man can + by no possibility create a force; that by no possibility can he destroy a + force. No mechanic dreams of depending upon or asking for any supernatural + aid. He knows that he works in accordance with certain facts that no power + can change. + </p> + <p> + So we in the United States believe that the authority to govern, the + authority to make and execute laws, comes from the consent of the governed + and not from any supernatural source. We do not believe that the king + occupied his throne because of the will of the supernatural. Neither do we + believe that others are subjects or serfs or slaves by reason of any + supernatural will. + </p> + <p> + So, our ideas of morality have changed, and millions now believe that + whatever produces happiness and well-being is in the highest sense moral. + Unreasoning obedience is not the foundation or the essence of morality. + That is the result of mental slavery. To act in accordance with obligation + perceived is to be free and noble. To simply obey is to practice what + might be called a slave virtue; but real morality is the flower and fruit + of liberty and wisdom. + </p> + <p> + There are very many who have reached the conclusion that the supernatural + has nothing to do with real religion. Religion does not consist in + believing without evidence or against evidence. It does not consist in + worshiping the unknown or in trying to do something for the Infinite. + Ceremonies, prayers and inspired books, miracles, special providence, and + divine interference all belong to the supernatural and form no part of + real religion. + </p> + <p> + Every science rests on the natural, on demonstrated facts. So, morality + and religion must find their foundations in the necessary nature of + things. + </p> + <p> + II. HOW CAN WE REFORM THE WORLD? + </p> + <p> + IGNORANCE being darkness, what we need is intellectual light. The most + important things to teach, as the basis of all progress, are that the + universe is natural; that man must be the providence of man; that, by the + development of the brain, we can avoid some of the dangers, some of the + evils, overcome some of the obstructions, and take advantage of some of + the facts and forces of nature; that, by invention and industry, we can + supply, to a reasonable degree, the wants of the body, and by thought, + study and effort, we can in part satisfy the hunger of the mind. + </p> + <p> + Man should cease to expect any aid from any supernatural source. By this + time he should be satisfied that worship has not created wealth, and that + prosperity is not the child of prayer. He should know that the + supernatural has not succored the oppressed, clothed the naked, fed the + hungry, shielded the innocent, stayed the pestilence, or freed the slave. + </p> + <p> + Being satisfied that the supernatural does not exist, man should turn his + entire attention to the affairs of this world, to the facts in nature. + </p> + <p> + And, first of all, he should avoid waste—waste of energy, waste of + wealth. Every good man, every good woman, should try to do away with war, + to stop the appeal to savage force. Man in a savage state relies upon his + strength, and decides for himself what is right and what is wrong. + Civilized men do not settle their differences by a resort to arms. They + submit the quarrel to arbitrators and courts. This is the great difference + between the savage and the civilized. Nations, however, sustain the + relations of savages to each other. There is no way of settling their + disputes. Each nation decides for itself, and each nation endeavors to + carry its decision into effect. This produces war. Thousands of men at + this moment are trying to invent more deadly weapons to destroy their + fellow-men. For eighteen hundred years peace has been preached, and yet + the civilized nations are the most warlike of the world. There are in + Europe to-day between eleven and twelve millions of soldiers, ready to + take the field, and the frontiers of every civilized nation are protected + by breastwork and fort. The sea is covered with steel clad ships, filled + with missiles of death. + </p> + <p> + The civilized world has impoverished itself, and the debt of Christendom, + mostly for war, is now nearly thirty thousand million dollars. The + interest on this vast sum has to be paid; it has to be paid by labor, much + of it by the poor, by those who are compelled to deny themselves almost + the necessities of life. This debt is growing year by year. There must + come a change, or Christendom will become bankrupt. + </p> + <p> + The interest on this debt amounts at least to nine hundred million dollars + a year; and the cost of supporting armies and navies, of repairing ships, + of manufacturing new engines of death, probably amounts, including the + interest on the debt, to at least six million dollars a day. Allowing ten + hours for a day, that is for a working day, the waste of war is at least + six hundred thousand dollars an hour, that is to say, ten thousand dollars + a minute. + </p> + <p> + Think of all this being paid for the purpose of killing and preparing to + kill our fellow-men. Think of the good that could be done with this vast + sum of money; the schools that could be built, the wants that could be + supplied. Think of the homes it would build, the children it would clothe. + </p> + <p> + If we wish to do away with war, we must provide for the settlement of + national differences by an international court. This court should be in + perpetual session; its members should be selected by the various + governments to be affected by its decisions, and, at the command and + disposal of this court, the rest of Christendom being disarmed, there + should be a military force sufficient to carry its judgments into effect. + There should be no other excuse, no other business for an army or a navy + in the civilized world. + </p> + <p> + No man has imagination enough to paint the agonies, the horrors and + cruelties of war. Think of sending shot and shell crashing through the + bodies of men! Think of the widows and orphans! Think of the maimed, the + mutilated, the mangled! + </p> + <p> + III. ANOTHER WASTE. + </p> + <p> + LET us be perfectly candid with each other. We are seeking the truth, + trying to find what ought to be done to increase the well-being of man. I + must give you my honest thought. You have the right to demand it, and I + must maintain the integrity of my soul. + </p> + <p> + There is another direction in which the wealth and energies of man are + wasted. From the beginning of history until now man has been seeking the + aid of the supernatural. For many centuries the wealth of the world was + used to propitiate the unseen powers. In our own country, the property + dedicated to this purpose is worth at least one thousand million dollars. + The interest on this sum is fifty million dollars a year, and the cost of + employing persons, whose business it is to seek the aid of the + supernatural and to maintain the property, is certainly as much more. So + that the cost in our country is about two million dollars a week, and, + counting ten hours as a working day, this amounts to about five hundred + dollars a minute. + </p> + <p> + For this vast amount of money the returns are remarkably small. The good + accomplished does not appear to be great. There is no great diminution in + crime. The decrease of immorality and poverty is hardly perceptible. In + spite, however, of the apparent failure here, a vast sum of money is + expended every year to carry our ideas of the supernatural to other races. + Our churches, for the most part, are closed during the week, being used + only a part of one day in seven. No one wishes to destroy churches or + church organizations. The only desire is that they shall accomplish + substantial good for the world. In many of our small towns—towns of + three or four thousand people—will be found four or five churches, + sometimes more. These churches are founded upon immaterial differences; a + difference as to the mode of baptism; a difference as to who shall be + entitled to partake of the Lord's supper; a difference of ceremony; of + government; a difference about fore-ordination; a difference about fate + and free will. And it must be admitted that all the arguments on all sides + of these differences have been presented countless millions of times. Upon + these subjects nothing new is produced or anticipated, and yet the + discussion is maintained by the repetition of the old arguments. + </p> + <p> + Now, it seems to me that it would be far better for the people of a town, + having a population of four or five thousand, to have one church, and the + edifice should be of use, not only on Sunday, but on every day of the + week. In this building should be the library of the town. It should be the + clubhouse of the people, where they could find the principal newspapers + and periodicals of the world. Its auditorium should be like a theatre. + Plays should be presented by home talent; an orchestra formed, music + cultivated. The people should meet there at any time they desire. The + women could carry their knitting and sewing; and connected with it should + be rooms for the playing of games, billiards, cards, and chess. Everything + should be made as agreeable as possible. The citizens should take pride in + this building. They should adorn its niches with statues and its walls + with pictures. It should be the intellectual centre. They could employ a + gentleman of ability, possibly of genius, to address them on Sundays, on + subjects that would be of real interest, of real importance. They could + say to this minister: + </p> + <p> + "We are engaged in business during the week; while we are working at our + trades and professions, we want you to study, and on Sunday tell us what + you have found out." + </p> + <p> + Let such a minister take for a series of sermons the history, the + philosophy, the art and the genius of the Greeks. Let him tell of the + wondrous metaphysics, myths and religions of India and Egypt. Let him make + his congregation conversant with the philosophies of the world, with the + great thinkers, the great poets, the great artists, the great actors, the + great orators, the great inventors, the captains of industry, the soldiers + of progress. Let them have a Sunday school in which the children shall be + made acquainted with the facts of nature; with botany, entomology, + something of geology and astronomy. + </p> + <p> + Let them be made familiar with the greatest of poems, the finest + paragraphs of literature, with stories of the heroic, the self-denying and + generous. + </p> + <p> + Now, it seems to me that such a congregation in a few years would become + the most intelligent people in the United States. + </p> + <p> + The truth is that people are tired of the old theories. They have lost + confidence in the miraculous, in the supernatural, and they have ceased to + take interest in "facts" that they do not quite believe. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "There is no darkness but ignorance." + There is no light but intelligence, +</pre> + <p> + As often as we can exchange a mistake for a fact, a falsehood for a truth, + we advance. We add to the intellectual wealth of the world, and in this + way, and in this way alone, can be laid the foundation for the future + prosperity and civilization of the race. + </p> + <p> + I blame no one; I call in question the motives of no person; I admit that + the world has acted as it must. + </p> + <p> + But hope for the future depends upon the intelligence of the present. Man + must husband his resources. He must not waste his energies in endeavoring + to accomplish the impossible. + </p> + <p> + He must take advantage of the forces of nature. He must depend on + education, on what he can ascertain by the use of his senses, by + observation, by experiment and reason. He must break the chains of + prejudice and custom. He must be free to express his thoughts on all + questions. He must find the conditions of happiness and become wise enough + to live in accordance with them. + </p> + <p> + IV. HOW CAN WE LESSEN CRIME? + </p> + <p> + IN spite of all that has been done for the reformation of the world, in + spite of all the inventions, in spite of all the forces of nature that are + now the tireless slaves of man, in spite of all improvements in + agriculture, in mechanics, in every department of human labor, the world + is still cursed with poverty and with crime. + </p> + <p> + The prisons are full, the courts are crowded, the officers of the law are + busy, and there seems to be no material decrease in crime. + </p> + <p> + For many thousands of years man has endeavored to reform his fellow-men by + imprisonment, torture, mutilation and death, and yet the history of the + world shows that there has been and is no reforming power in punishment. + It is impossible to make the penalty great enough, horrible enough to + lessen crime. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago, in civilized countries, larceny and many offences + even below larceny, were punished by death; and yet the number of thieves + and criminals of all grades increased. Traitors were hanged and quartered + or drawn into fragments by horses; and yet treason flourished. + </p> + <p> + Most of these frightful laws have been repealed, and the repeal certainly + did not increase crime. In our own country we rely upon the gallows, the + penitentiary and the jail. When a murder is committed, the man is hanged, + shocked to death by electricity, or lynched, and in a few minutes a new + murderer is ready to suffer a like fate. Men steal; they are sent to the + penitentiary for a certain number of years, treated like wild beasts, + frequently tortured. At the end of the term they are discharged, having + only enough money to return to the place from which they were sent. They + are thrown upon the world without means—without friends—they + are convicts. They are shunned, suspected and despised. If they obtain a + place, they are discharged as soon as it is found that they were in + prison. They do the best they can to retain the respect of their + fellow-men by denying their imprisonment and their identity. In a little + while, unable to gain a living by honest means, they resort to crime, they + again appear in court, and again are taken within the dungeon walls. No + reformation, no chance to reform, nothing to give them bread while making + new friends. + </p> + <p> + All this is infamous. Men should not be sent to the pentitentiary as a + punishment, because we must remember that men do as they must. Nature does + not frequently produce the perfect. In the human race there is a large + percentage of failures. Under certain conditions, with certain appetites + and passions and with a certain quality, quantity and shape of brain, men + will become thieves, forgers and counterfeiters. The question is whether + reformation is possible, whether a change can be produced in the person by + producing a change in the conditions. The criminal is dangerous and + society has the right to protect itself. The criminal should be confined, + and, if possible, should be reformed. A pentitentiary should be a school; + the convicts should be educated. So, prisoners should work, and they + should be paid a reasonable sum for their labor. The best men should have + charge of prisons. They should be philanthropists and philosophers; they + should know something of human nature. The prisoner, having been taught, + we will say, for five years—taught the underlying principles of + conduct, of the naturalness and harmony of virtue, of the discord of + crime; having been convinced that society has no hatred, that nobody + wishes to punish, to degrade, or to rob him; and being at the time of his + discharge paid a reasonable price for his labor; being allowed by law to + change his name, so that his identity will not be preserved, he could go + out of the prison a friend of the government. He would have the feeling + that he had been made a better man; that he had been treated with justice, + with mercy, and the money he carried with him would be a breastwork behind + which he could defy temptation, a breastwork that would support and take + care of him until he could find some means by which to support himself. + And this man, instead of making crime a business, would become a good, + honorable and useful-citizen. + </p> + <p> + As it is now, there is but little reform. The same faces appear again and + again at the bar; the same men hear again and again the verdict of guilty + and the sentence of the court, and the same men return again and again to + the prison cell. Murderers, those belonging to the dangerous classes, + those who are so formed by nature that they rush to the crimes of + desperation, should be imprisoned for life; or they should be put upon + some island, some place where they can be guarded, where it may be that by + proper effort they could support themselves; the men on one island, the + women on another. And to these islands should be sent professional + criminals, those who have deliberately adopted a life of crime for the + purpose of supporting themselves, the women upon one island, the men upon + another. Such people should not populate the earth. + </p> + <p> + Neither the diseases nor the deformities of the mind or body should be + perpetuated. Life at the fountain should not be polluted. + </p> + <p> + V. HOMES FOR ALL. + </p> + <p> + THE home is the unit of the nation. The more homes the broader the + foundation of the nation and the more secure. + </p> + <p> + Everything that is possible should be done to keep this from being a + nation of tenants. The men who cultivate the earth should own it. + Something has already been done in our country in that direction, and + probably in every State there is a homestead exemption. This exemption has + thus far done no harm to the creditor class. When we imprisoned people for + debt, debts were as insecure, to say the least, as now. By the homestead + laws, a home of a certain value or of a certain extent, is exempt from + forced levy or sale; and these laws have done great good. Undoubtedly they + have trebled the homes of the nation. + </p> + <p> + I wish to go a step further. I want, if possible, to get the people out of + the tenements, out of the gutters of degradation, to homes where there can + be privacy, where these people can feel that they are in partnership with + nature; that they have an interest in good government. With the means we + now have of transportation, there is no necessity for poor people being + huddled in festering masses in the vile, filthy and loathsome parts of + cities, where poverty breeds rags, and the rags breed diseases. I would + exempt a homestead of a reasonable value, say of the value of two or three + thousand dollars, not only from sale under execution, but from sale for + taxes of every description. These homes should be absolutely exempt; they + should belong to the family, so that every mother should feel that the + roof above her head was hers; that her house was her castle, and that in + its possession she could not be disturbed, even by the nation. Under + certain conditions I would allow the sale of this homestead, and exempt + the proceeds of the sale for a certain time, during which they might be + invested in another home; and all this could be done to make a nation of + householders, a nation of land-owners, a nation of home-builders. + </p> + <p> + I would invoke the same power to preserve these homes, and to acquire + these homes, that I would invoke for acquiring lands for building + railways. Every State should fix the amount of land that could be owned by + an individual, not liable to be taken from him for the purpose of giving a + home to another, and when any man owned more acres than the law allowed, + and another should ask to purchase them, and he should refuse, I would + have the law so that the person wishing to purchase could file his + petition in court. The court would appoint commissioners, or a jury would + be called, to determine the value of the land the petitioner wished for a + home, and, upon the amount being paid, found by such commission, or jury, + the land should vest absolutely in the petitioner. + </p> + <p> + This right of eminent domain should be used not only for the benefit of + the person wishing a home, but for the benefit of all the people. Nothing + is more important to America than that the babes of America should be born + around the firesides of homes. + </p> + <p> + There is another question in which I take great interest, and it ought, in + my judgment, to be answered by the intelligence and kindness of our + century. + </p> + <p> + We all know that for many, many ages, men have been slaves, and we all + know that during all these years, women have, to some extent been the + slaves of slaves. It is of the utmost importance to the human race that + women, that mothers, should be free. Without doubt, the contract of + marriage is the most important and the most sacred that human beings can + make. Marriage is the most important of all institutions. Of course, the + ceremony of marriage is not the real marriage. It is only evidence of the + mutual flames that burn within. There can be no real marriage without + mutual love. So I believe in the ceremony of marriage, that it should be + public; that records should be kept. Besides, the ceremony says to all the + world that those who marry are in love with each other. + </p> + <p> + Then arises the question of divorce. Millions of people imagine that the + married are joined together by some supernatural power, and that they + should remain together, or at least married, during life. If all who have + been married were joined together by the supernatural, we must admit that + the supernatural is not infinitely wise. + </p> + <p> + After all, marriage is a contract, and the parties to the contract are + bound to keep its provisions; and neither should be released from such a + contract unless, in some way, the interests of society are involved. I + would have the law so that any husband could obtain a divorce when the + wife had persistently and flagrantly violated the contract; such divorce + to be granted on equitable terms. I would give the wife a divorce if she + requested it, if she wanted it. + </p> + <p> + And I would do this, not only for her sake, but for the sake of the + community, of the nation. All children should be children of love. All + that are born should be sincerely welcomed. The children of mothers who + dislike, or hate, or loathe the fathers, will fill the world with insanity + and crime. No woman should by law, or by public opinion, be forced to live + with a man whom she abhors. There is no danger of demoralizing the world + through divorce. Neither is there any danger of destroying in the human + heart that divine thing called love. As long as the human race exists, men + and women will love each other, and just so long there will be true and + perfect marriage. Slavery is not the soil or rain of virtue. + </p> + <p> + I make a difference between granting divorce to a man and to a woman, and + for this reason: A woman dowers her husband with her youth and beauty. He + should not be allowed to desert her because she has grown wrinkled and + old. Her capital is gone; her prospects in life lessened; while, on the + contrary, he may be far better able to succeed than when he married her. + As a rule, the man can take care of himself, and as a rule, the woman + needs help. So, I would not allow him to cast her off unless she had + flagrantly violated the contract. But, for the sake of the community, and + especially for the sake of the babes, I would give her a divorce for the + asking. + </p> + <p> + There will never be a generation of great men until there has been a + generation of free women—of free mothers. + </p> + <p> + The tenderest word in our language is maternity. In this word is the + divine mingling of ecstasy and agony—of love and self-sacrifice. + This word is holy! + </p> + <p> + VI. THE LABOR QUESTION. + </p> + <p> + HERE has been for many years ceaseless discussion upon what is called the + labor question; the conflict between the workingman and the capitalist. + Many ways have been devised, some experiments have been tried for the + purpose of solving this question. Profit-sharing would not work, because + it is impossible to share profits with those who are incapable of sharing + losses. Communities have been formed, the object being to pay the expenses + and share the profits among all the persons belonging to the society. For + the most part these have failed. + </p> + <p> + Others have advocated arbitration. And, while it may be that the employers + could be bound by the decision of the arbitrators, there has been no way + discovered by which the employees could be held by such decision. In other + words, the question has not been solved. + </p> + <p> + For my own part, I see no final and satisfactory solution except through + the civilization of employers and employed. The question is so + complicated, the ramifications are so countless, that a solution by law, + or by force, seems at least improbable. Employers are supposed to pay + according to their profits. They may or may not. Profits may be destroyed + by competition. The employer is at the mercy of other employers, and as + much so as his employees are at his mercy. The employers cannot govern + prices; they cannot fix demand; they cannot control supply; and at + present, in the world of trade, the laws of supply and demand, except when + interfered with by conspiracy, are in absolute control. + </p> + <p> + Will the time arrive, and can it arrive, except by developing the brain, + except by the aid of intellectual light, when the purchaser will wish to + give what a thing is worth, when the employer will be satisfied with a + reasonable profit, when the employer will be anxious to give the real + value for raw material; when he will be really anxious to pay the laborer + the full value of his labor? Will the employer ever become civilized + enough to know that the law of supply and demand should not absolutely + apply in the labor market of the world? Will he ever become civilized + enough not to take advantage of the necessities of the poor, of the hunger + and rags and want of poverty? Will he ever become civilized enough to say: + "I will pay the man who labors for me enough to give him a reasonable + support, enough for him to assist in taking care of wife and children, + enough for him to do this, and lay aside something to feed and clothe him + when old age comes; to lay aside something, enough to give him house and + hearth during the December of his life, so that he can warm his worn and + shriveled hands at the fire of home"? + </p> + <p> + Of course, capital can do nothing without the assistance of labor. All + there is of value in the world is the product of labor. The laboring man + pays all the expenses. No matter whether taxes are laid on luxuries or on + the necessaries of life, labor pays every cent. + </p> + <p> + So we must remember that, day by day, labor is becoming intelligent. So, I + believe the employer is gradually becoming civilized, gradually becoming + kinder; and many men who have made large fortunes from the labor of their + fellows have given of their millions to what they regarded as objects of + charity, or for the interests of education. This is a kind of penance, + because the men that have made this money from the brain and muscle of + their fellow-men have ever felt that it was not quite their own. Many of + these employers have sought to balance their accounts by leaving something + for universities, for the establishment of libraries, drinking fountains, + or to build monuments to departed greatness. It would have been, I think, + far better had they used this money to better the condition of the men who + really earned it. + </p> + <p> + So, I think that when we become civilized, great corporations will make + provision for men who have given their lives to their service. I think the + great railroads should pay pensions to their worn out employees. They + should take care of them in old age. They should not maim and wear out + their servants and then discharge them, and allow them to be supported in + poorhouses. These great companies should take care of the men they maim; + they should look out for the ones whose lives they have used and whose + labor has been the foundation of their prosperity. Upon this question, + public sentiment should be aroused to such a degree that these + corporations would be ashamed to use a human life and then throw away the + broken old man as they would cast aside a rotten tie. + </p> + <p> + It may be that the mechanics, the workingmen, will finally become + intelligent enough to really unite, to act in absolute concert. Could this + be accomplished, then a reasonable rate of compensation could be fixed and + enforced. Now such efforts are local, and the result up to this time has + been failure. But, if all could unite, they could obtain what is + reasonable, what is just, and they would have the sympathy of a very large + majority of their fellow-men, provided they were reasonable. + </p> + <p> + But, before they can act in this way, they must become really intelligent, + intelligent enough to know what is reasonable and honest enough to ask for + no more. + </p> + <p> + So much has already been accomplished for the workingman that I have hope, + and great hope, of the future. The hours of labor have been shortened, and + materially shortened, in many countries. There was a time when men worked + fifteen and sixteen hours a day. Now, generally, a day's work is not + longer than ten hours, and the tendency is to still further decrease the + hours. + </p> + <p> + By comparing long periods of time, we more clearly perceive the advance + that has been made. In 1860, the average amount earned by the laboring + men, workmen, mechanics, per year, was about two hundred and eighty-five + dollars. It is now about five hundred dollars, and a dollar to-day will + purchase more of the necessaries of life, more food, clothing and fuel, + than it would in 1860. These facts are full of hope for the future. + </p> + <p> + All our sympathies should be with the men who work, who toil; for the + women who labor for themselves and children; because we know that labor is + the foundation of all, and that those who labor are the Caryatides that + support the structure and glittering dome of civilization and progress. + </p> + <p> + VII. EDUCATE THE CHILDREN. + </p> + <p> + EVERY child should be taught to be self-supporting, and every one should + be taught to avoid being a burden on others, as they would shun death. + </p> + <p> + Every child should be taught that the useful are the honorable, and that + they who live on the labor of others are the enemies of society. Every + child should be taught that useful work is worship and that intelligent + labor is the highest form of prayer. + </p> + <p> + Children should be taught to think, to investigate, to rely upon the light + of reason, of observation and experience; should be taught to use all + their senses; and they should be taught only that which in some sense is + really useful. They should be taught the use of tools, to use their hands, + to embody their thoughts in the construction of things. Their lives should + not be wasted in the acquisition of the useless, or of the almost useless. + Years should not be devoted to the acquisition of dead languages, or to + the study of history which, for the most part, is a detailed account of + things that never occurred. It is useless to fill the mind with dates of + great battles, with the births and deaths of kings. They should be taught + the philosophy of history, the growth of nations, of philosophies, + theories, and, above all, of the sciences. + </p> + <p> + So, they should be taught the importance, not only of financial, but of + mental honesty; to be absolutely sincere; to utter their real thoughts, + and to give their actual opinions; and, if parents want honest children, + they should be honest themselves. It may be that hypocrites transmit their + failing to their offspring. Men and women who pretend to agree with the + majority, who think one way and talk another, can hardly expect their + children to be absolutely sincere. + </p> + <p> + Nothing should be taught in any school that the teacher does not know. + Beliefs, superstitions, theories, should not be treated like demonstrated + facts. The child should be taught to investigate, not to believe. Too much + doubt is better than too much credulity. So, children should be taught + that it is their duty to think for themselves, to understand, and, if + possible, to know. + </p> + <p> + Real education is the hope of the future. The development of the brain, + the civilization of the heart, will drive want and crime from the world. + The schoolhouse is the real cathedral, and science the only possible + savior of the human race. Education, real education, is the friend of + honesty, of morality, of temperance. + </p> + <p> + We cannot rely upon legislative enactments to make people wise and good; + neither can we expect to make human beings manly and womanly by keeping + them out of temptation. Temptations are as thick as the leaves of the + forest, and no one can be out of the reach of temptation unless he is + dead. The great thing is to make people intelligent enough and strong + enough, not to keep away from temptation, but to resist it. All the forces + of civilization are in favor of morality and temperance. Little can be + accomplished by law, because law, for the most part, about such things, is + a destruction of personal liberty. Liberty cannot be sacrificed for the + sake of temperance, for the sake of morality, or for the sake of anything. + It is of more value than everything else. Yet some people would destroy + the sun to prevent the growth of weeds. Liberty sustains the same relation + to all the virtues that the sun does to life. The world had better go back + to barbarism, to the dens, the caves and lairs of savagery; better lose + all art, all inventions, than to lose liberty. Liberty is the breath of + progress; it is the seed and soil, the heat and rain of love and joy. + </p> + <p> + So, all should be taught that the highest ambition is to be happy, and to + add to the well-being of others; that place and power are not necessary to + success; that the desire to acquire great wealth is a kind of insanity. + They should be taught that it is a waste of energy, a waste of thought, a + waste of life, to acquire what you do not need and what you do not really + use for the benefit of yourself or others. + </p> + <p> + Neither mendicants nor millionaires are the happiest of mankind. The man + at the bottom of the ladder hopes to rise; the man at the top fears to + fall. The one asks; the other refuses; and, by frequent refusal, the heart + becomes hard enough and the hand greedy enough to clutch and hold. + </p> + <p> + Few men have intelligence enough, real greatness enough, to own a great + fortune. As a rule, the fortune owns them. Their fortune is their master, + for whom they work and toil like slaves. The man who has a good business + and who can make a reasonable living and lay aside something for the + future, who can educate his children and can leave enough to keep the wolf + of want from the door of those he loves, ought to be the happiest of men. + </p> + <p> + Now, society bows and kneels at the feet of wealth. Wealth gives power. + Wealth commands flattery and adulation. And so, millions of men give all + their energies, as well as their very souls, for the acquisition of gold. + And this will continue as long as society is ignorant enough and + hypocritical enough to hold in high esteem the man of wealth without the + slightest regard to the character of the man. + </p> + <p> + In judging of the rich, two things should be considered: How did they get + it, and what are they doing with it? Was it honestly acquired? Is it being + used for the benefit of mankind? When people become really intelligent, + when the brain is really developed, no human being will give his life to + the acquisition of what he does not need or what he cannot intelligently + use. + </p> + <p> + The time will come when the truly intelligent man cannot be happy, cannot + be satisfied, when millions of his fellow-men are hungry and naked. The + time will come when in every heart will be the perfume of pity's sacred + flower. The time will come when the world will be anxious to ascertain the + truth, to find out the conditions of happiness, and to live in accordance + with such conditions; and the time will come when in the brain of every + human being will be the climate of intellectual hospitality. + </p> + <p> + Man will be civilized when the passions are dominated by the intellect, + when reason occupies the throne, and when the hot blood of passion no + longer rises in successful revolt. + </p> + <p> + To civilize the world, to hasten the coming of the Golden Dawn of the + Perfect Day, we must educate the children, we must commence at the cradle, + at the lap of the loving mother. + </p> + <p> + VIII. WE MUST WORK AND WAIT. + </p> + <p> + THE reforms that I have mentioned cannot be accomplished in a day, + possibly not for many centuries; and in the meantime there is much crime, + much poverty, much want, and consequently something must be done now. + </p> + <p> + Let each human being, within the limits of the possible be + self-supporting; let every one take intelligent thought for the morrow; + and if a human being supports himself and acquires a surplus, let him use + a part of that surplus for the unfortunate; and let each one to the extent + of his ability help his fellow-men. Let him do what he can in the circle + of his own acquaintance to rescue the fallen, to help those who are trying + to help themselves, to give work to the idle. Let him distribute kind + words, words of wisdom, of cheerfulness and hope. In other words, let + every human being do all the good he can, and let him bind up the wounds + of his fellow-creatures, and at the same time put forth every effort, to + hasten the coming of a better day. + </p> + <p> + This, in my judgment, is real religion. To do all the good you can is to + be a saint in the highest and in the noblest sense. To do all the good you + can; this is to be really and truly spiritual. To relieve suffering, to + put the star of hope in the midnight of despair, this is true holiness. + This is the religion of science. The old creeds are too narrow, they are + not for the world in which we live. The old dogmas lack breadth and + tenderness; they are too cruel, too merciless, too savage. We are growing + grander and nobler. + </p> + <p> + The firmament inlaid with suns is the dome of the real cathedral. The + interpreters of nature are the true and only priests. In the great creed + are all the truths that lips have uttered, and in the real litany will be + found all the ecstasies and aspirations of the soul, all dreams of joy, + all hopes for nobler, fuller life. The real church, the real edifice, is + adorned and glorified with all that Art has done. In the real choir is all + the thrilling music of the world, and in the star-lit aisles have been, + and are, the grandest souls of every land and clime. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "There is no darkness but ignorance." + Let us flood the world with intellectual light. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A THANKSGIVING SERMON. + </h2> + <p> + MANY ages ago our fathers were living in dens and caves. Their bodies, + their low foreheads, were covered with hair. They were eating berries, + roots, bark and vermin. They were fond of snakes and raw fish. They + discovered fire and, probably by accident, learned how to cause it by + friction. They found how to warm themselves—to fight the frost and + storm. They fashioned clubs and rude weapons of stone with which they + killed the larger beasts and now and then each other. Slowly, painfully, + almost imperceptibly they advanced. They crawled and stumbled, staggered + and struggled toward the light. To them the world was unknown. On every + hand was the mysterious, the sinister, the hurtful. The forests were + filled with monsters, and the darkness was crowded with ghosts, devils, + and fiendish gods. + </p> + <p> + These poor wretches were the slaves of fear, the sport of dreams. + </p> + <p> + Now and then, one rose a little above his fellows—used his senses—the + little reason that he had—found something new—some better way. + Then the people killed him and afterward knelt with reverence at his + grave. Then another thinker gave his thought—was murdered—another + tomb became sacred—another step was taken in advance. And so through + countless years of ignorance and cruelty—of thought and crime—of + murder and worship, of heroism, suffering, and self-denial, the race has + reached the heights where now we stand. + </p> + <p> + Looking back over the long and devious roads that lie between the + barbarism of the past and the civilization of to-day, thinking of the + centuries that rolled like waves between these distant shores, we can form + some idea of what our fathers suffered—of the mistakes they made—some + idea of their ignorance, their stupidity—and some idea of their + sense, their goodness, their heroism. + </p> + <p> + It is a long road from the savage to the scientist—from a den to a + mansion—from leaves to clothes—from a flickering rush to the + arc-light—from a hammer of stone to the modern mill—a long + distance from the pipe of Pan to the violin—to the orchestra—from + a floating log to the steamship—from a sickle to a reaper—from + a flail to a threshing machine—-from a crooked stick to a plow—from + a spinning wheel to a spinning jenny—from a hand loom to a Jacquard—a + Jacquard that weaves fair forms and wondrous flowers beyond Arachne's + utmost dream—from a few hieroglyphics on the skins of beasts—on + bricks of clay—to a printing press, to a library—a long + distance from the messenger, traveling on foot, to the electric spark—from + knives and tools of stone to those of steel—a long distance from + sand to telescopes—from echo to the phonograph, the phonograph that + buries in indented lines and dots the sounds of living speech, and then + gives back to life the very words and voices of the dead—a long way + from the trumpet to the telephone, the telephone that transports speech as + swift as thought and drops the words, perfect as minted coins, in + listening ears—a long way from a fallen tree to the suspension + bridge—from the dried sinews of beasts to the cables of steel—from + the oar to the propeller—from the sling to the rifle—from the + catapult to the cannon—a long distance from revenge to law—from + the club to the Legislature—from slavery to freedom—from + appearance to fact—from fear to reason. + </p> + <p> + And yet the distance has been traveled by the human race. Countless + obstructions have been overcome—numberless enemies have been + conquered—thousands and thousands of victories have been won for the + right, and millions have lived, labored and died for their fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + For the blessings we enjoy—for the happiness that is ours, we ought + to be grateful. Our hearts should blossom with thankfulness. + </p> + <p> + Whom, what, should we thank? + </p> + <p> + Let us be honest—generous. + </p> + <p> + Should we thank the church? + </p> + <p> + Christianity has controlled Christendom for at least fifteen hundred + years. + </p> + <p> + During these centuries what have the orthodox churches accomplished, for + the good of man? + </p> + <p> + In this life man needs raiment and roof, food and fuel. He must be + protected from heat and cold, from snow and storm. He must take thought + for the morrow. In the summer of youth he must prepare for the winter of + age. He must know something of the causes of disease—of the + conditions of health. If possible he must conquer pain, increase happiness + and lengthen life. He must supply the wants of the body—and feed the + hunger of the mind. + </p> + <p> + What good has the church done? + </p> + <p> + Has it taught men to cultivate the earth? to build homes? to weave cloth + to cure or prevent disease? to build ships, to navigate the seas? to + conquer pain, or to lengthen life? + </p> + <p> + Did Christ or any of his apostles add to the sum of useful knowledge? Did + they say one word in favor of any science, of any art? Did they teach + their fellow-men how to make a living, how to overcome the obstructions of + nature, how to prevent sickness—how to protect themselves from pain, + from famine, from misery and rags? + </p> + <p> + Did they explain any of the phenomena of nature? any of the facts that + affect the life of man? Did they say anything in favor of investigation—of + study—of thought? Did they teach the gospel of self-reliance, of + industry—of honest effort? Can any farmer, mechanic, or scientist + find in the New Testament one useful fact? Is there anything in the sacred + book that can help the geologist, the astronomer, the biologist, the + physician, the inventor—the manufacturer of any useful thing? + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + From the very first it taught the vanity—the worthlessness of all + earthly things. It taught the wickedness of wealth, the blessedness of + poverty. It taught that the business of this life was to prepare for + death. It insisted that a certain belief was necessary to insure + salvation, and that all who failed to believe, or doubted in the least + would suffer eternal pain. According to the church the natural desires, + ambitions and passions of man were all wicked and depraved. + </p> + <p> + To love God, to practice self-denial, to overcome desire, to despise + wealth, to hate prosperity, to desert wife and children, to live on roots + and berries, to repeat prayers, to wear rags, to live in filth, and drive + love from the heart—these, for centuries, were the highest and most + perfect virtues, and those who practiced them were saints. + </p> + <p> + The saints did not assist their fellow-men. Their fellow-men assisted + them. They did not labor for others. They were beggars—parasites—vermin. + They were insane. They followed the teachings of Christ. They took no + thought for the morrow. They mutilated their bodies—scarred their + flesh and destroyed their minds for the sake of happiness in another + world. During the journey of life they kept their eyes on the grave. They + gathered no flowers by the way—they walked in the dust of the road—avoided + the green fields. Their moans made all the music they wished to hear. The + babble of brooks, the songs of birds, the laughter of children, were + nothing to them. Pleasure was the child of sin, and the happy needed a + change of heart. They were sinless and miserable—but they had faith—they + were pious and wretched—but they were limping towards heaven. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + It has denounced pride and luxury—all things that adorn and enrich + life—all the pleasures of sense—the ecstasies of love—the + happiness of the hearth—the clasp and kiss of wife and child. + </p> + <p> + And the church has done this because it regarded this life as a period of + probation—a time to prepare—to become spiritual—to + overcome the natural—to fix the affections on the invisible—to + become passionless—to subdue the flesh—to congeal the blood—to + fold the wings of fancy—to become dead to the world—so that + when you appeared before God you would be the exact opposite of what he + made you. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + It pretended to have a revelation from God. It knew the road to eternal + joy, the way to death. It preached salvation by faith, and declared that + only orthodox believers could become angels, and all doubters would be + damned. It knew this, and so knowing it became the enemy of discussion, of + investigation, of thought. Why investigate, why discuss, why think when + you know? It sought to enslave the world. It appealed to force. It + unsheathed the sword, lighted the fagot, forged the chain, built the + dungeon, erected the scaffold, invented and used the instruments of + torture. It branded, maimed and mutilated—it imprisoned and tortured—it + blinded and burned, hanged and crucified, and utterly destroyed millions + and millions of human beings. It touched every nerve of the body—produced + every pain that can be felt, every agony that can be endured. + </p> + <p> + And it did all this to preserve what it called the truth—to destroy + heresy and doubt, and to save, if possible, the souls of a few. It was + honest. It was necessary to prevent the development of the brain—to + arrest all progress—and to do this the church used all its power. If + men were allowed to think and express their thoughts they would fill their + minds and the minds of others with doubts. If they were allowed to think + they would investigate, and then they might contradict the creed, dispute + the words of priests and defy the church. The priests cried to the people: + "It is for us to talk. It is for you to hear. Our duty is to preach and + yours is to believe." + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + There have been thousands of councils and synods—thousands and + thousands of occasions when the clergy have met and discussed and + quarreled—when pope and cardinals, bishops and priests have added to + or explained their creeds—and denied the rights of others. What + useful truth did they discover? What fact did they find? Did they add to + the intellectual wealth of the world? Did they increase the sum of + knowledge? + </p> + <p> + I admit that they looked over a number of Jewish books and picked out the + ones that Jehovah wrote. + </p> + <p> + Did they find the medicinal virtue that dwells in any weed or flower? + </p> + <p> + I know that they decided that the Holy Ghost was not created—not + begotten—but that he proceeded. + </p> + <p> + Did they teach us the mysteries of the metals and how to purify the ores + in furnace flames? + </p> + <p> + They shouted: "Great is the mystery of Godliness." + </p> + <p> + Did they show us how to improve our condition in this world? + </p> + <p> + They informed us that Christ had two natures and two wills. + </p> + <p> + Did they give us even a hint as to any useful thing? + </p> + <p> + They gave us predestination, foreordination and just enough "free will" to + go to hell. + </p> + <p> + Did they discover or show us how to produce anything for food? + </p> + <p> + Did they produce anything to satisfy the hunger of man? + </p> + <p> + Instead of this they discovered that a peasant girl who lived in + Palestine, was the mother of God. This they proved by a book, and to make + the book evidence they called it inspired. + </p> + <p> + Did they tell us anything about chemistry—how to combine and + separate substances—how to subtract the hurtful—how to produce + the useful? + </p> + <p> + They told us that bread, by making certain motions and mumbling certain + prayers, could be changed into the flesh of God, and that in the same way + wine could be changed to his blood. And this, notwithstanding the fact + that God never had any flesh or blood, but has always been a spirit + without body, parts or passions. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + It gave us the history of the world—of the stars, and the beginning + of all things. It taught the geology of Moses—the astronomy of + Joshua and Elijah. It taught the fall of man and the atonement—proved + that a Jewish peasant was God—established the existence of hell, + purgatory and heaven. + </p> + <p> + It pretended to have a revelation from God—the Scriptures, in which + could be found all knowledge—everything that man could need in the + journey of life. Nothing outside of the inspired book—except legends + and prayers—could be of any value. Books that contradicted the Bible + were hurtful, those that agreed with it—useless. Nothing was of + importance except faith, credulity—belief. The church said: "Let + philosophy alone, count your beads. Ask no questions, fall upon your + knees. Shut your eyes, and save your souls." + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + For centuries it kept the earth flat, for centuries it made all the hosts + of heaven travel around this world—for centuries it clung to + "sacred" knowledge, and fought facts with the ferocity of a fiend. For + centuries it hated the useful. It was the deadly enemy of medicine. + Disease was produced by devils and could be cured only by priests, + decaying bones, and holy water. Doctors were the rivals of priests. They + diverted the revenues. + </p> + <p> + The church opposed the study of anatomy—was against the dissection + of the dead. Man had no right to cure disease—God would do that + through his priests. + </p> + <p> + Man had no right to prevent disease—diseases were sent by God as + judgments. + </p> + <p> + The church opposed inoculation—vaccination, and the use of + chloroform and ether. It was declared to be a sin, a crime for a woman to + lessen the pangs of motherhood. The church declared that woman must bear + the curse of the merciful Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + It taught that the insane were inhabited by devils. Insanity was not a + disease. It was produced by demons. It could be cured by prayers—gifts, + amulets and charms. All these had to be paid for. This enriched the + church. These ideas were honestly entertained by Protestants as well as + Catholics—by Luther, Calvin, Knox and Wesley. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + It taught the awful doctrine of witchcraft. It filled the darkness with + demons—the air with devils, and the world with grief and shame. It + charged men, women and children with being in league with Satan to injure + their fellows. Old women were convicted for causing storms at sea—for + preventing rain and for bringing frost. Girls were convicted for having + changed themselves into wolves, snakes and toads. These witches were + burned for causing diseases—for selling their souls and for souring + beer. All these things were done with the aid of the Devil who sought to + persecute the faithful, the lambs of God. Satan sought in many ways to + scandalize the church. He sometimes assumed the appearance of a priest and + committed crimes. + </p> + <p> + On one occasion he personated a bishop—a bishop renowned for his + sanctity—allowed himself to be discovered and dragged from the room + of a beautiful widow. So perfectly did he counterfeit the features and + form of the bishop, that many who were well acquainted with the prelate, + were actually deceived, and the widow herself thought her lover was the + bishop. All this was done by the Devil to bring reproach upon holy men. + </p> + <p> + Hundreds of like instances could be given, as the war waged between demons + and priests was long and bitter. + </p> + <p> + These popes and priests—these clergymen, were not hypocrites. They + believed in the New Testament—in the teachings of Christ, and they + knew that the principal business of the Savior was casting out devils. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + It made the wife a slave—the property of the husband, and it placed + the husband as much above the wife as Christ was above the husband. It + taught that a nun is purer, nobler than a mother. It induced millions of + pure and conscientious girls to renounce the joys of life—to take + the veil woven of night and death, to wear the habiliments of the dead—made + them believe that they were the brides of Christ. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I would as soon be a widow as the bride of a man who had been + dead for eighteen hundred years. + </p> + <p> + The poor deluded girls imagined that they, in some mysterious way, were in + spiritual wedlock united with God. All worldly desires were driven from + their hearts. They filled their lives with fastings—with prayers—with + self-accusings. They forgot fathers and mothers and gave their love to the + invisible. They were the victims, the convicts of superstition—prisoners + in the penitentiaries of God. Conscientious, good, sincere—insane. + </p> + <p> + These loving women gave their hearts to a phantom, their lives to a dream. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago, at a revival, a fine buxom girl was "converted," "born + again." In her excitement she cried, "I'm married to Christ—I'm + married to Christ." In her delirium she threw her arms around the neck of + an old man and again cried, "I'm married to Christ." The old man, who + happened to be a kind of skeptic, gently removed her hands, saying at the + same time: "I don't know much about your husband, but I have great respect + for your father-in-law." + </p> + <p> + Priests, theologians, have taken advantage of women—of their + gentleness—their love of approbation. They have lived upon their + hopes and fears. Like vampires, they have sucked their blood. They have + made them responsible for the sins of the world. They have taught them the + slave virtues—meekness, humility—implicit obedience. They have + fed their minds with mistakes, mysteries and absurdities. They have + endeavored to weaken and shrivel their brains, until, to them, there would + be no possible connection between evidence and belief—between fact + and faith. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + It was the enemy of commerce—of business. It denounced the taking of + interest for money. Without taking interest for money, progress is + impossible. The steamships, the great factories, the railroads have all + been built with borrowed money, money on which interest was promised and + for the most part paid. + </p> + <p> + The church was opposed to fire insurance—to life insurance. It + denounced insurance in any form as gambling, as immoral. To insure your + life was to declare that you had no confidence in God—that you + relied on a corporation instead of divine providence. It was declared that + God would provide for your widow and your fatherless children. + </p> + <p> + To insure your life was to insult heaven. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + The church regarded epidemics as the messengers of the good God. The + "Black Death" was sent by the eternal Father, whose mercy spared some and + whose justice murdered the rest. To stop the scourge, they tried to soften + the heart of God by kneelings and prostrations—by processions and + prayers—by burning incense and by making vows. They did not try to + remove the cause. The cause was God. They did not ask for pure water, but + for holy water. Faith and filth lived or rather died together. Religion + and rags, piety and pollution kept company. Sanctity kept its odor. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + It was the enemy of art and literature. It destroyed the marbles of Greece + and Rome. Beauty was Pagan. It destroyed so far as it could the best + literature of the world. It feared thought—but it preserved the + Scriptures, the ravings of insane saints, the falsehoods of the Fathers, + the bulls of popes, the accounts of miracles performed by shrines, by + dried blood and faded hair, by pieces of bones and wood, by rusty nails + and thorns, by handkerchiefs and rags, by water and beads and by a finger + of the Holy Ghost. + </p> + <p> + This was the literature of the church. + </p> + <p> + I admit that the priests were honest—as honest as ignorant. More + could not be said. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + Christianity claims, with great pride, that it established asylums for the + insane. Yes, it did. But the insane were treated as criminals. They were + regarded as the homes—as the tenement-houses of devils. They were + persecuted and tormented. They were chained and flogged, starved and + killed. The asylums were prisons, dungeons, the insane were victims and + the keepers were ignorant, conscientious, pious fiends. They were not + trying to help men, they were fighting devils—destroying demons. + They were not actuated by love—but by hate and fear. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + It founded schools where facts were denied, where science was denounced + and philosophy despised. Schools, where priests were made—where they + were taught to hate reason and to look upon doubts as the suggestions of + the Devil. Schools where the heart was hardened and the brain shriveled. + Schools in which lies were sacred and truths profane. Schools for the more + general diffusion of ignorance—schools to prevent thought—to + suppress knowledge. Schools for the purpose of enslaving the world. + Schools in which teachers knew less than pupils. + </p> + <p> + What has the church done? + </p> + <p> + It has used its influence with God to get rain and sunshine—to stop + flood and storm—to kill insects, rats, snakes and wild beasts—to + stay pestilence and famine—to delay frost and snow—to lengthen + the lives of kings and queens—to protect presidents—to give + legislators wisdom—to increase collections and subscriptions. In + marriages it has made God the party of the third part. It has sprinkled + water on babes when they were named. It has put oil on the dying and + repeated prayers for the dead. It has tried to protect the people from the + malice of the Devil—from ghosts and spooks, from witches and wizards + and all the leering fiends that seek to poison the souls of men. It has + endeavored to protect the sheep of God from the wolves of science—from + the wild beasts of doubt and investigation. It has tried to wean the lambs + of the Lord from the delights, the pleasures, the joys, of life. According + to the philosophy of the church, the virtuous weep and suffer, the vicious + laugh and thrive, the good carry a cross, and the wicked fly. But in the + next life this will be reversed. Then the good will be happy, and the bad + will be damned. + </p> + <p> + The church filled the world with faith and crime. + </p> + <p> + It polluted the fountains of joy. It gave us an ignorant, jealous, + revengeful and cruel God—sometimes merciful—sometimes + ferocious. Now just, now infamous—sometimes wise—generally + foolish. It gave us a Devil, cunning, malicious, almost the equal of God, + not quite as strong—but quicker—not as profound—but + sharper. + </p> + <p> + It gave us angels with wings—cherubim and seraphim and a heaven with + harps and hallelujahs—with streets of gold and gates of pearl. + </p> + <p> + It gave us fiends and imps with wings like bats. It gave us ghosts and + goblins, spooks and sprites, and little devils that swarmed in the bodies + of men, and it gave us hell where the souls of men will roast in eternal + flames. Shall we thank the church? Shall we thank the orthodox churches? + </p> + <p> + Shall we thank them for the hell they made here? Shall we thank them for + the hell of the future? + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + WE must remember that the church was founded and has been protected by + God, that all the popes, and cardinals, all the bishops, priests and + monks, all the ministers and exhorters were selected and set apart—all + sanctified and enlightened by the infinite God—that the Holy + Scriptures were inspired by the same Being, and that all the orthodox + creeds were really made by him. + </p> + <p> + We know what these men—filled with the Holy Ghost—have done. + We know the part they have played. We know the souls they have saved and + the bodies they have destroyed. We know the consolation they have given + and the pain they have inflicted—the lies they have defended—the + truths they have denied. We know that they convinced millions that + celibacy is the greatest of all virtues—that women are perpetual + temptations, the enemies of true holiness—that monks and priests are + nobler than fathers, that nuns are purer than mothers. We know that they + taught the blessed absurdity of the Trinity—that God once worked at + the trade of a carpenter in Palestine. We know that they divided knowledge + into sacred and profane—taught that Revelation was sacred—that + Reason was blasphemous—that faith was holy and facts false. That the + sin of Adam and Eve brought disease and pain, vice and death into the + world. We know that they have taught the dogma of special providence—that + all events are ordered and regulated by God—that he crowns and + uncrowns kings—preserves and destroys—guards and kills—that + it is the duty of man to submit to the divine will, and that no matter how + much evil there may be—no matter how much suffering—how much + pain and death, man should pour out-his heart in thankfulness that it is + no worse. + </p> + <p> + Let me be understood. I do not say and I do not think that the church was + dishonest, that the clergy were insincere. I admit that all religions, all + creeds, all priests, have been naturally produced. I admit, and cheerfully + admit, that the believers in the supernatural have done some good—not + because they believed in gods and devils—but in spite of it. + </p> + <p> + I know that thousands and thousands of clergymen are honest, self-denying + and humane—that they are doing what they believe to be their duty—doing + what they can to induce men and women to live pure and noble lives. This + is not the result of their creeds—it is because they are human. + </p> + <p> + What I say is that every honest teacher of the supernatural has been and + is an unconscious enemy of the human race. + </p> + <p> + What is the philosophy of the church—of those who believe in the + supernatural? + </p> + <p> + Back of all that is—back of all events—Christians put an + infinite Juggler who with a wish creates, preserves, destroys. The world + is his stage and mankind his puppets. He fills them with wants and + desires, with appetites and ambitions—with hopes and fears—with + love and hate. He touches the springs. He pulls the strings—baits + the hooks, sets the traps and digs the pits. + </p> + <p> + The play is a continuous performance. + </p> + <p> + He watches these puppets as they struggle and fail. Sees them outwit each + other and themselves—leads them to every crime, watches the births + and deaths—hears lullabies at cradles and the fall of clods on + coffins. He has no pity. He enjoys the tragedies—the desperation—the + despair—the suicides. He smiles at the murders, the assassinations,—the + seductions, the desertions—the abandoned babes of shame. He sees the + weak enslaved—mothers robbed of babes—the innocent in dungeons—on + scaffolds. He sees crime crowned and hypocrisy robed. + </p> + <p> + He withholds the rain and his puppets starve. He opens the earth and they + are devoured. He sends the flood and they are drowned. He empties the + volcano and they perish in fire. He sends the cyclone and they are torn + and mangled. With quick lightnings they are dashed to death. He fills the + air and water with the invisible enemies of life—the messengers of + pain, and watches the puppets as they breathe and drink. He creates + cancers to feed upon their flesh—their quivering nerves—serpents, + to fill their veins with venom,—beasts to crunch their bones—to + lap their blood. + </p> + <p> + Some of the poor puppets he makes insane—makes them struggle in the + darkness with imagined monsters with glaring eyes and dripping jaws, and + some are made without the flame of thought, to drool and drivel through + the darkened days. He sees all the agony, the injustice, the rags of + poverty, the withered hands of want—the motherless babes—the + deformed—the maimed—the leprous, knows the tears that flow—hears + the sobs and moans—sees the gleam of swords, hears the roar of the + guns—sees the fields reddened with blood—the white faces of + the dead. But he mocks when their fear cometh, and at their calamity he + fills the heavens with laughter. And the poor puppets who are left alive, + fall on their knees and thank the Juggler with all their hearts. + </p> + <p> + But after all, the gods have not supported the children of men, men have + supported the gods. They have built the temples. They have sacrificed + their babes, their lambs, their cattle. They have drenched the altars with + blood. They have given their silver, their gold, their gems. They have fed + and clothed their priests—but the gods have given nothing in return. + Hidden in the shadows they have answered no prayer—heard no cry—given + no sign—extended no hand—uttered no word. Unseen and unheard + they have sat on their thrones, deaf and dumb—paralyzed and blind. + In vain the steeples rise—in vain the prayers ascend. + </p> + <p> + And think what man has done to please the gods. He has renounced his + reason—extinguished the torch of his brain, he has believed without + evidence and against evidence. He has slandered and maligned himself. He + has fasted and starved. He has mutilated his body—scarred his flesh—given + his blood to vermin. He has persecuted, imprisoned and destroyed his + fellows. He has deserted wife and child. He has lived alone in the desert. + He has swung-censers and burned incense, counted beads and sprinkled + himself with holy water—shut his eyes, clasped his hands—fallen + upon his knees and groveled in the dust—but the gods have been + silent—silent as stones. + </p> + <p> + Have these cringings and crawlings—these cruelties and absurdities—this + faith and foolishness pleased the gods? + </p> + <p> + We do not know. + </p> + <p> + Has any disaster been averted—any blessing obtained? We do not know. + </p> + <p> + Shall we thank these gods? + </p> + <p> + Shall we thank the church's God? + </p> + <p> + Who and what is he? + </p> + <p> + They say that he is the creator and preserver of all that has been—of + all that is—of all that will be—that he is the father of + angels and devils, the architect of heaven and hell—that he made the + earth—a man and woman—that he made the serpent who tempted + them, made his own rival—gave victory to his enemy—that he + repented of what he had done—that he sent a flood and destroyed all + of the children of men with the exception of eight persons—that he + tried to civilize the survivors and their children—tried to do this + with earthquakes and fiery serpents —with pestilence and famine. But + he failed. He intended to fail. Then he was born into the world, preached + for three years, and allowed some savages to kill him. Then he rose from + the dead and went back to heaven. + </p> + <p> + He knew that he would fail, knew that he would be killed. In fact he + arranged everything himself and brought everything to pass just as he had + predestined it an eternity before the world was. All who believe these + things will be saved and they who doubt or deny will be lost. + </p> + <p> + Has this God good sense? + </p> + <p> + Not always. He creates his own enemies and plots against himself. Nothing + lives, except in accordance with his will, and yet the devils do not die. + </p> + <p> + What is the matter with this God? Well, sometimes he is foolish—sometimes + he is cruel and sometimes he is insane. + </p> + <p> + Does this God exist? Is there any intelligence back of Nature? Is there + any being anywhere among the stars who pities the suffering children of + men? + </p> + <p> + We do not know. + </p> + <p> + Shall we thank Nature? + </p> + <p> + Does Nature care for us more than for leaves, or grass, or flies? + </p> + <p> + Does Nature know that we exist? We do not know. + </p> + <p> + But we do know that Nature is going to murder us all. + </p> + <p> + Why should we thank Nature? If we thank God or Nature for the sunshine and + rain, for health and happiness, whom shall we curse for famine and + pestilence, for earthquake and cyclone—for disease and death? + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + IF we cannot thank the orthodox churches—if we cannot thank the + unknown, the incomprehensible, the supernatural—if we cannot thank + Nature—if we can not kneel to a Guess, or prostrate ourselves before + a Perhaps—whom shall we thank? + </p> + <p> + Let us see what the worldly have done—what has been accomplished by + those not "called," not "set apart," not "inspired," not filled with the + Holy Ghost—by those who were neglected by all the Gods. + </p> + <p> + Passing over the Hindus, the Egyptians, the Greeks and Romans, their + poets, philosophers and metaphysicians—we will come to modern times. + </p> + <p> + In the 10th century after Christ the Saracens—governors of a vast + empire—"established colleges in Mongolia, Tartary, Persia, + Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt, North Africa, Morocco, Fez and in Spain." The + region owned by the Saracens was greater than the Roman Empire. They had + not only colleges—but observatories. The sciences were taught. They + introduced the ten numerals—taught algebra and trigonometry—understood + cubic equations—knew the art of surveying—they made catalogues + and maps of the stars—gave the great stars the names they still bear—they + ascertained the size of the earth—determined the obliquity of the + ecliptic and fixed the length of the year. They calculated eclipses, + equinoxes, solstices, conjunctions of planets and occultations of stars. + They constructed astronomical instruments. They made clocks of various + kinds and were the inventors of the pendulum. They originated chemistry—discovered + sulphuric and nitric acid and alcohol. + </p> + <p> + "They were the first to publish pharmacopoeias and dispensatories. + </p> + <p> + "In mechanics they determined the laws of falling bodies. They understood + the mechanical powers, and the attraction of gravitation. + </p> + <p> + "They taught hydrostatics and determined the specific gravities of bodies. + </p> + <p> + "In optics they discovered that a ray of light did not proceed from the + eye to an object—but from the object to the eye." + </p> + <p> + "They were manufacturers of cotton, leather, paper and steel. + </p> + <p> + "They gave us the game of chess. + </p> + <p> + "They produced romances and novels and essays on many subjects. + </p> + <p> + "In their schools they taught the modern doctrines of evolution and + development." They anticipated Darwin and Spencer. + </p> + <p> + These people were not Christians. They were the followers, for the most + part, of an impostor—of a pretended prophet of a false God. And yet + while the true Christians, the men selected by the true God and filled + with the Holy Ghost were tearing out the tongues of heretics, these + wretches were irreverently tracing the orbits of the stars. While the true + believers were flaying philosophers and extinguishing the eyes of + thinkers, these godless followers of Mohammed were founding colleges, + collecting manuscripts, investigating the facts of nature and giving their + attention to science. Afterward the followers of Mohammed became the + enemies of science and hated facts as intensely and honestly as + Christians. Whoever has a revelation from God will defend it with all his + strength—will abhor reason and deny facts. + </p> + <p> + But it is well to know that we are indebted to the Moors—to the + followers of Mohammed—for having laid the foundations of modern + science. It is well to know that we are not indebted to the church, to + Christianity, for any useful fact. + </p> + <p> + It is well to know that the seeds of thought were sown in our minds by the + Greeks and Romans, and that our literature came from those seeds. The + great literature of our language is Pagan in its thought—Pagan in + its beauty—Pagan in its perfection. It is well to know that when + Mohammedans were the friends of science, Christians were its enemies. How + consoling it is to think that the friends of science—the men who + educated their fellows—are now in hell, and that the men who + persecuted and killed philosophers are now in heaven! Such is the justice + of God. + </p> + <p> + The Christians of the Middle Ages, the men who were filled with the Holy + Ghost, knew all about the worlds beyond the grave, but nothing about the + world in which they lived. They thought the earth was flat—a little + dishing if anything—that it was about five thousand years old, and + that the stars were little sparkles made to beautify the night. + </p> + <p> + The fact is that Christianity was in existence for fifteen hundred years + before there was an astronomer in Christendom. No follower of Christ knew + the shape of the earth. + </p> + <p> + The earth was demonstrated to be a globe, not by a pope or cardinal—not + by a collection of clergymen—not by the "called" or the "set apart," + but by a sailor. Magellan left Seville, Spain, August 10th, 1519, sailed + west and kept sailing west, and the ship reached Seville, the port it + left, on Sept. 7th, 1522. + </p> + <p> + The world had been circumnavigated. The earth was known to be round. There + had been a dispute between the Scriptures and a sailor. The fact took the + sailor's side. + </p> + <p> + In 1543 Copernicus published his book, "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly + Bodies." + </p> + <p> + He had some idea of the vastness of the stars—of the astronomical + spaces—of the insignificance of this world. + </p> + <p> + Toward the close of the sixteenth century, Bruno, one of the greatest men + this world has produced, gave his thoughts to his fellow-men. He taught + the plurality of worlds. He was a Pantheist, an Atheist, an honest man. He + called the Catholic Church the "Triumphant Beast." He was imprisoned for + many years, tried, convicted, and on the 16th day of February, 1600, + burned in Rome by men filled with the Holy Ghost, burned on the spot where + now his monument rises. Bruno, the noblest, the greatest of all the + martyrs. The only one who suffered death for what he believed to be the + truth. The only martyr who had no heaven to gain, no hell to shun, no God + to please. He was nobler than inspired men, grander than prophets, greater + and purer than apostles. Above all the theologians of the world, above the + makers of creeds, above the founders of religions rose this serene, + unselfish and intrepid man. + </p> + <p> + Yet Christians, followers of Christ, murdered this incomparable man. These + Christians were true to their creed. They believed that faith would be + rewarded with eternal joy, and doubt punished with eternal pain. They were + logical. They were pious and pitiless—devout and devilish—meek + and malicious—religious and revengeful—Christ-like and cruel—loving + with their mouths and hating with their hearts. And yet, honest victims of + ignorance and fear. + </p> + <p> + What have the wordly done? + </p> + <p> + In 1608, Lippersheim, a Hollander, so arranged lenses that objects were + exaggerated. + </p> + <p> + He invented the telescope. + </p> + <p> + He gave countless worlds to our eyes, and made us citizens of the + Universe. + </p> + <p> + In 1610, on the night of January 7th, Galileo demonstrated the truth of + the Copernican system, and in 1632, published his work on "The System of + the World." + </p> + <p> + What did the church do? + </p> + <p> + Galileo was arrested, imprisoned, forced to fall upon his knees, put his + hand on the Bible, and recant. For ten years he was kept in prison—for + ten years until released by the pity of death. Then the church—men + filled with the Holy Ghost—denied his body burial in consecrated + ground. It was feared that his dust might corrupt the bodies of those who + had persecuted him. + </p> + <p> + In 1609, Kepler published his book "Motions of the Planet Mars." He, too, + knew of the attraction of gravitation and that it acted in proportion to + mass and distance. Kepler announced his Three Laws. He found and + mathematically expressed the relation of distance, mass, and motion. + Nothing greater has been accomplished by the human mind. + </p> + <p> + Astronomy became a science and Christianity a superstition. + </p> + <p> + Then came Newton, Herscheland Laplace. The astronomy of Joshua and Elijah + faded from the minds of intelligent men, and Jehovah became an ignorant + tribal god. + </p> + <p> + Men began to see that the operations of Nature were not subject to + interference. That eclipses were not caused by the wrath of God—that + comets had nothing to do with the destruction of empires or the death of + kings, that the stars wheeled in their orbits without regard to the + actions of men. In the sacred East the dawn appeared. + </p> + <p> + What have the wordly done? + </p> + <p> + A few years ago a few men became wicked enough to use their senses. They + began to look and listen. They began to really see and then they began to + reason. They forgot heaven and hell long enough to take some interest in + this world. They began to examine soils and rocks. They noticed what had + been done by rivers and seas. They found out something about the crust of + the earth. They found that most of the rocks had been deposited and + stratified in the water—rocks 70,000 feet in thickness. They found + that the coal was once vegetable matter. They made the best calculations + they could of the time required to make the coal, and concluded that it + must have taken at least six or seven millions of years. They examined the + chalk cliffs, found that they were composed of the microscopic shells of + minute organisms, that is to say, the dust of these shells. This dust + settled over areas as large as Europe and in some places the chalk is a + mile in depth. This must have required many millions of years. + </p> + <p> + Lyell, the highest authority on the subject, says that it must have + required, to cause the changes that we know, at least two hundred million + years. Think of these vast deposits caused by the slow falling of + infinitesimal atoms of impalpable dust through the silent depths of + ancient seas! Think of the microscopical forms of life, constructing their + minute houses of lime, giving life to others, leaving their mansions + beneath the waves, and so through countless generations building the + foundations of continents and islands. + </p> + <p> + Go back of all life that we now know—back of all the flying lizards, + the armored monsters, the hissing serpents, the winged and fanged horrors—back + to the Laurentian rocks—to the eozoon, the first of living things + that we have found—back of all mountains, seas and rivers—back + to the first incrustation of the molten world—back of wave of fire + and robe of flame—back to the time when all the substance of the + earth blazed in the glowing sun with all the stars that wheel about the + central fire. + </p> + <p> + Think of the days and nights that lie between!—think of the + centuries, the withered leaves of time, that strew the desert of the past! + </p> + <p> + Nature does not hurry. Time cannot be wasted—cannot be lost. The + future remains eternal and all the past is as though it had not been—as + though it were to be. The infinite knows neither loss nor gain. + </p> + <p> + We know something of the history of the world—something of the human + race; and we know that man has lived and struggled through want and war, + through pestilence and famine, through ignorance and crime, through fear + and hope, on the old earth for millions and millions of years. + </p> + <p> + At last we know that infallible popes, and countless priests and + clergymen, who had been "called," filled with the Holy Ghost, and + presidents of colleges, kings, emperors and executives of nations had + mistaken the blundering guesses of ignorant savages for the wisdom of an + infinite God. + </p> + <p> + At last we know that the story of creation, of the beginning of things, as + told in the "sacred book," is not only untrue, but utterly absurd and + idiotic. Now we know that the inspired writers did not know and that the + God who inspired them did not know. + </p> + <p> + We are no longer misled by myths and legends. We rely upon facts. The + world is our witness and the stars testify for us. + </p> + <p> + What have the worldly done? + </p> + <p> + They have investigated the religions of the world—have read the + sacred books, the prophecies, the commandments, the rules of conduct. They + have studied the symbols, the ceremonies, the prayers and sacrifices. And + they have shown that all religions are substantially the same—produced + by the same causes—that all rest on a misconception of the facts in + nature—that all are founded on ignorance and fear, on mistake and + mystery. + </p> + <p> + They have found that Christianity is like the rest—that it was not a + revelation, but a natural growth—that its gods and devils, its + heavens and hells, were borrowed—that its ceremonies and sacraments + were souvenirs of other religions—that no part of it came from + heaven, but that it was all made by savage man. They found that Jehovah + was a tribal god and that his ancestors had lived on the banks of the + Euphrates, the Tigris, the Ganges and the Nile, and these ancestors were + traced back to still more savage forms. + </p> + <p> + They found that all the sacred books were filled with inspired mistake and + sacred absurdity. + </p> + <p> + But, say the Christians, we have the only inspired book. We have the Old + Testament and the New. Where did you get the Old Testament? From the Jews?—Yes. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you about it. + </p> + <p> + After the Jews returned from Babylon, about 400 years before Christ, Ezra + commenced making the Bible. You will find an account of this in the Bible. + </p> + <p> + We know that Genesis was written after the Captivity—because it was + from the Babylonians that the Jews got the story of the creation—of + Adam and Eve, of the Garden—of the serpent, and the tree of life—of + the flood—and from them they learned about the Sabbath. + </p> + <p> + You find nothing about that holy day in Judges, Joshua, Samuel, Kings or + Chronicles—nothing in Job, the Psalms, in Esther, Solomon's Song or + Ecclesiastes. Only in books written by Ezra after the return from Babylon. + </p> + <p> + When Ezra finished the inspired book, he placed it in the temple. It was + written on the skins of beasts, and, so far as we know, there was but one. + </p> + <p> + What became of this Bible? + </p> + <p> + Jerusalem was taken by Titus about 70 years after Christ. The temple was + destroyed and, at the request of Josephus, the Holy Bible was sent to + Vespasian the Emperor, at Rome. + </p> + <p> + And this Holy Bible has never been seen or heard of since. So much for + that. + </p> + <p> + Then there was a copy, or rather a translation, called the Septuagint. + </p> + <p> + How was that made? + </p> + <p> + It is said that Ptolemy Soter and his son Ptolemy Philadelphus obtained a + translation of the Jewish Bible. This translation was made by seventy + persons. + </p> + <p> + At that time the Jewish Bible did not contain Daniel, Ecclesiastes, but + few of the Psalms and only a part of Isaiah. + </p> + <p> + What became of this translation known as the Septuagint? + </p> + <p> + It was burned in the Bruchium Library forty-seven years before Christ. + </p> + <p> + Then there was another so-called copy of part of the Bible, known as the + Samaritan Roll of the Pentateuch. + </p> + <p> + But this is not considered of any value. + </p> + <p> + Have we a true copy of the Bible that was in the temple at Jerusalem—the + one sent to Vespasian? + </p> + <p> + Nobody knows. + </p> + <p> + Have we a true copy of the Septuagint? + </p> + <p> + Nobody knows. + </p> + <p> + What is the oldest manuscript of the Bible we have in Hebrew? + </p> + <p> + The oldest manuscript we have in Hebrew was written in the 10th century + after Christ. The oldest pretended copy we have of the Septuagint written + in Greek was made in the 5th century after Christ. + </p> + <p> + If the Bible was divinely inspired, if it was the actual word of God, we + have no authenticated copy. The original has been lost and we are left in + the darkness of Nature. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for us to show that our Bible is correct. We have no + standard. Many of the books in our Bible contradict each other. Many + chapters appear to be incomplete and parts of different books are written + in the same words, showing that both could not have been original. The + 19th and 20th chapters of 2nd Kings and the 37th and 38th chapters of + Isaiah are exactly the same. So is the 36th chapter of Isaiah from the 2nd + verse the same as the 18th chapter of 2nd Kings from the 2nd verse. + </p> + <p> + So, it is perfectly apparent that there could have been no possible + propriety in inspiring the writers of Kings and the writers of Chronicles. + The books are substantially the same, differing in a few mistakes—in + a few falsehoods. The same is true of Leviticus and Numbers. The books do + not agree either in facts or philosophy. They differ as the men differed + who wrote them. + </p> + <p> + What have the worldly done? + </p> + <p> + They have investigated the phenomena of nature. They have invented ways to + use the forces of the world, the weight of falling water—of moving + air. They have changed water to steam, invented engines—the tireless + giants that work for man. They have made lightning a messenger and slave. + They invented movable type, taught us the art of printing and made it + possible to save and transmit the intellectual wealth of the world. They + connected continents with cables, cities and towns with the telegraph—brought + the world into one family—made intelligence independent of distance. + They taught us how to build homes, to obtain food, to weave cloth. They + covered the seas with iron ships and the land with roads and steeds of + steel. They gave us the tools of all the trades—the implements of + labor. They chiseled statues, painted pictures and "witched the world" + with form and color. They have found the cause of and the cure for many + maladies that afflict the flesh and minds of men. They have given us the + instruments of music and the great composers and performers have changed + the common air to tones and harmonies that intoxicate, exalt and purify + the soul. + </p> + <p> + They have rescued us from the prisons of fear, and snatched our souls from + the fangs and claws of superstition's loathsome, crawling, flying beasts. + They have given us the liberty to think and the courage to express our + thoughts. They have changed the frightened, the enslaved, the kneeling, + the prostrate into men and women—clothed them in their right minds + and made them truly free. They have uncrowned the phantoms, wrested the + scepters from the ghosts and given this world to the children of men. They + have driven from the heart the fiends of fear and extinguished the flames + of hell. + </p> + <p> + They have read a few leaves of the great volume—deciphered some of + the records written on stone by the tireless hands of time in the dim + past. They have told us something of what has been done by wind and wave, + by fire and frost, by life and death, the ceaseless workers, the pauseless + forces of the world. + </p> + <p> + They have enlarged the horizon of the known, changed the glittering specks + that shine above us to wheeling worlds, and filled all space with + countless suns. + </p> + <p> + They have found the qualities of substances, the nature of things—how + to analyze, separate and combine, and have enabled us to use the good and + avoid the hurtful. + </p> + <p> + They have given us mathematics in the higher forms, by means of which we + measure the astronomical spaces, the distances to stars, the velocity at + which the heavenly bodies move, their density and weight, and by which the + mariner navigates the waste and trackless seas. They have given us all we + have of knowledge, of literature and art. They have made life worth + living. They have filled the world with conveniences, comforts and + luxuries. + </p> + <p> + All this has been done by the worldly—by those, who were not + "called" or "set apart" or filled with the Holy Ghost or had the slightest + claim to "apostolic succession." The men who accomplished these things + were not "inspired." They had no revelation—no supernatural aid. + They were not clad in sacred vestments, and tiaras were not upon their + brows. They were not even ordained. They used their senses, observed and + recorded facts. They had confidence in reason. They were patient searchers + for the truth. They turned their attention to the affairs of this world. + They were not saints. They were sensible men. They worked for themselves, + for wife and child and for the benefit of all. + </p> + <p> + To these men we are indebted for all we are, for all we know, for all we + have. They were the creators of civilization—the founders of free + states—the saviors of liberty—the destroyers of superstition + and the great captains in the army of progress. + </p> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + WHOM shall we thank? Standing here at the close of the 19th century—amid + the trophies of thought—the triumphs of genius—here under the + flag of the Great Republic—knowing something of the history of man—here + on this day that has been set apart for thanksgiving, I most reverently + thank the good men, the good women of the past, I thank the kind fathers, + the loving mothers of the savage days. I thank the father who spoke the + first gentle word, the mother who first smiled upon her babe. I thank the + first true friend. I thank the savages who hunted and fished that they and + their babes might live. I thank those who cultivated the ground and + changed the forests into farms—those who built rude homes and + watched the faces of their happy children in the glow of fireside flames—those + who domesticated horses, cattle and sheep—those who invented wheels + and looms and taught us to spin and weave—those who by cultivation + changed wild grasses into wheat and corn, changed bitter things to fruit, + and worthless weeds to flowers, that sowed within our souls the seeds of + art. I thank the poets of the dawn—the tellers of legends—the + makers of myths—the singers of joy and grief, of hope and love. I + thank the artists who chiseled forms in stone and wrought with light and + shade the face of man. I thank the philosophers, the thinkers, who taught + us how to use our minds in the great search for truth. I thank the + astronomers who explored the heavens, told us the secrets of the stars, + the glories of the constellations—the geologists who found the story + of the world in fossil forms, in memoranda kept in ancient rocks, in lines + written by waves, by frost and fire—the anatomists who sought in + muscle, nerve and bone for all the mysteries of life—the chemists + who unraveled Nature's work that they might learn her art—the + physicians who have laid the hand of science on the brow of pain, the hand + whose magic touch restores—the surgeons who have defeated Nature's + self and forced her to preserve the lives of those she labored to destroy. + </p> + <p> + I thank the discoverers of chloroform and ether, the two angels who give + to their beloved sleep, and wrap the throbbing brain in the soft robes of + dreams. I thank the great inventors—those who gave us movable type + and the press, by means of which great thoughts and all discovered facts + are made immortal—the inventors of engines, of the great ships, of + the railways, the cables and telegraphs. I thank the great mechanics, the + workers in iron and steel, in wood and stone. I thank the inventors and + makers of the numberless things of use and luxury. + </p> + <p> + I thank the industrious men, the loving mothers, the useful women. They + are the benefactors of our race. + </p> + <p> + The inventor of pins did a thousand times more good than all the popes and + cardinals, the bishops and priests—than all the clergymen and + parsons, exhorters and theologians that ever lived. + </p> + <p> + The inventor of matches did more for the comfort and convenience of + mankind than all the founders of religions and the makers of all creeds—than + all malicious monks and selfish saints. + </p> + <p> + I thank the honest men and women who have expressed their sincere + thoughts, who have been true to themselves and have preserved the veracity + of their souls. + </p> + <p> + I thank the thinkers of Greece and Rome, Zeno and Epicurus, Cicero and + Lucretius. I thank Bruno, the bravest, and Spinoza, the subtlest of men. + </p> + <p> + I thank Voltaire, whose thought lighted a flame in the brain of man, + unlocked the doors of superstition's cells and gave liberty to many + millions of his fellow-men. Voltaire—a name that sheds light. + Voltaire—a star that superstition's darkness cannot quench. + </p> + <p> + I thank the great poets—the dramatists. I thank Homer and Aeschylus, + and I thank Shakespeare above them all. I thank Burns for the heart-throbs + he changed into songs, for his lyrics of flame. I thank Shelley for his + Skylark, Keats for his Grecian Urn and Byron for his Prisoner of Chillon. + I thank the great novelists. I thank the great sculptors. I thank the + unknown man who moulded and chiseled the Venus de Milo. I thank the great + painters. I thank Rembrandt and Corot. I thank all who have adorned, + enriched and ennobled life—all who have created the great, the + noble, the heroic and artistic ideals. + </p> + <p> + I thank the statesmen who have preserved the rights of man. I thank Paine + whose genius sowed the seeds of independence in the hearts of '76. I thank + Jefferson whose mighty words for liberty have made the circuit of the + globe. I thank the founders, the defenders, the saviors of the Republic. I + thank Ericsson, the greatest mechanic of his century, for the monitor. I + thank Lincoln for the Proclamation. I thank Grant for his victories and + the vast host that fought for the right,—for the freedom of man. I + thank them all—the living and the dead. + </p> + <p> + I thank the great scientists—those who have reached the foundation, + the bed-rock—who have built upon facts—the great scientists, + in whose presence theologians look silly and feel malicious. + </p> + <p> + The scientists never persecuted, never imprisoned their fellow-men. They + forged no chains, built no dungeons, erected no scaffolds—tore no + flesh with red hot pincers—dislocated no joints on racks—crushed + no bones in iron boots—extinguished no eyes—tore out no + tongues and lighted no fagots. They did not pretend to be inspired—did + not claim to be prophets or saints or to have been born again. They were + only intelligent and honest men. They did not appeal to force or fear. + They did not regard men as slaves to be ruled by torture, by lash and + chain, nor as children to be cheated with illusions, rocked in the cradle + of an idiot creed and soothed by a lullaby of lies. + </p> + <p> + They did not wound—they healed. They did not kill—they + lengthened life. They did not enslave—they broke the chains and made + men free. They sowed the seeds of knowledge, and many millions have + reaped, are reaping, and will reap the harvest of joy. + </p> + <p> + I thank Humboldt and Helmholtz and Haeckel and Büchner. I thank + Lamarck and Darwin—Darwin who revolutionized the thought of the + intellectual world. I thank Huxley and Spencer. I thank the scientists one + and all. + </p> + <p> + I thank the heroes, the destroyers of prejudice and fear—the + dethroners of savage gods—the extinguishers of hate's eternal fire—the + heroes, the breakers of chains—the founders of free states—the + makers of just laws—the heroes who fought and fell on countless + fields—the heroes whose dungeons became shrines—the heroes + whose blood made scaffolds sacred—the heroes, the apostles of + reason, the disciples of truth, the soldiers of freedom—the heroes + who held high the holy torch and filled the world with light. + </p> + <p> + With all my heart I thank them all. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0006" id="link0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A LAY SERMON. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Delivered before the Congress of the American Secular + Union, at Chickering Hall, New York, Nov. 14, 1885. +</pre> + <p> + LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: In the greatest tragedy that has ever been written + by man—in the fourth scene of the third act—is the best prayer + that I have ever read; and when I say "the greatest tragedy," everybody + familiar with Shakespeare will know that I refer to "King Lear." After he + has been on the heath, touched with insanity, coming suddenly to the place + of shelter, he says: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I'll pray, and then I'll sleep." +</pre> + <p> + And this prayer is my text: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'er you are, + That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, + How shall your unhoused heads, your unfed sides, + Your looped and windowed raggedness, defend you + From seasons such as these? + + Oh, I have ta'en + Too little care of this. + Take physic, pomp; + Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, + That thou may'st shake the superflux to them, + And show the heavens more just." +</pre> + <p> + That is one of the noblest prayers that ever fell from human lips. If + nobody has too much, everybody will have enough! + </p> + <p> + I propose to say a few words upon subjects that are near to us all, and in + which every human being ought to be interested—and if he is not, it + may be that his wife will be, it may be that his orphans will be; and I + would like to see this world, at last, so that a man could die and not + feel that he left his wife and children a prey to the greed, the avarice, + or the cruelties of mankind. There is something wrong in a government + where they who do the most have the least. There is something wrong, when + honesty wears a rag, and rascality a robe; when the loving, the tender, + eat a crust, while the infamous sit at banquets. I cannot do much, but I + can at least sympathize with those who suffer. There is one thing that we + should remember at the start, and if I can only teach you that, to-night—unless + you know it already—I shall consider the few words I may have to say + a wonderful success. + </p> + <p> + I want you to remember that everybody is as he <i>must</i> be. I want you + to get out of your minds the old nonsense of "free moral agency;" and then + you will have charity for the whole human race. When you know that they + are not responsible for their dispositions, any more than for their + height; not responsible for their acts, any more than for their dreams; + when you finally understand the philosophy that everything exists as the + result of an efficient cause, and that the lightest fancy that ever + fluttered its painted wings in the horizon of hope was as necessarily + produced as the planet that in its orbit wheels about the sun—when + you understand this, I believe you will have charity for all mankind—including + even yourself. + </p> + <p> + Wealth is not a crime; poverty is not a virtue—although the virtuous + have generally been poor. There is only one good, and that is human + happiness; and he only is a wise man who makes himself and others happy. + </p> + <p> + I have heard all my life about self-denial. There never was anything more + idiotic than that. No man who does right practices self-denial. To do + right is the bud and blossom and fruit of wisdom. To do right should + always be dictated by the highest possible selfishness and the most + perfect generosity. No man practices self-denial unless he does wrong. To + inflict an injury upon yourself is an act of self-denial. He who denies + justice to another denies it to himself. To plant seeds that will forever + bear the fruit of joy, is not an act of self-denial. So this idea of doing + good to others only for their sake is absurd. You want to do it, not + simply for their sake, but for your own; because a perfectly civilized man + can never be perfectly happy while there is one unhappy being in this + universe. + </p> + <p> + Let us take another step. The barbaric world was to be rewarded in some + other world for acting sensibly in this. They were promised rewards in + another world, if they would only have self-denial enough to be virtuous + in this. If they would forego the pleasures of larceny and murder; if they + would forego the thrill and bliss of meanness here, they would be rewarded + hereafter for that self-denial. I have exactly the opposite idea. Do + right, not to deny yourself, but because you love yourself and because you + love others. Be generous, because it is better for you. Be just, because + any other course is the suicide of the soul. Whoever does wrong plagues + himself, and when he reaps that harvest, he will find that he was not + practicing self-denial when he did right. + </p> + <p> + If you want to be happy yourself, if you are truly civilized, you want + others to be happy. Every man ought, to the extent of his ability, to + increase the happiness of mankind, for the reason that that will increase + his own. No one can be really prosperous unless those with whom he lives + share the sunshine and the joy. + </p> + <p> + The first thing a man wants to know and be sure of is when he has got + enough. Most people imagine that the rich are in heaven, but, as a rule, + it is only a gilded hell. There is not a man in the city of New York with + genius enough, with brains enough, to own five millions of dollars. Why? + The money will own him. He becomes the key to a safe. That money will get + him up at daylight; that money will separate him from his friends; that + money will fill his heart with fear; that money will rob his days of + sunshine and his nights of pleasant dreams. He cannot own it. He becomes + the property of that money. And he goes right on making more. What for? He + does not know. It becomes a kind of insanity. No one is happier in a + palace than in a cabin. I love to see a log house. It is associated in my + mind always with pure, unalloyed happiness. It is the only house in the + world that looks as though it had no mortgage on it. It looks as if you + could spend there long, tranquil autumn days; the air filled with + serenity; no trouble, no thoughts about notes, about interest—nothing + of the kind; just breathing free air, watching the hollyhocks, listening + to the birds and to the music of the spring that comes like a poem from + the earth. + </p> + <p> + It is an insanity to get more than you want. Imagine a man in this city, + an intelligent man, say with two or three millions of coats, eight or ten + millions of hats, vast warehouses full of shoes, billions of neckties, and + imagine that man getting up at four o'clock in the morning, in the rain + and snow and sleet, working like a dog all day to get another necktie! Is + not that exactly what the man of twenty or thirty millions, or of five + millions, does to-day? Wearing his life out that somebody may say, "How + rich he is!" What can he do with the surplus? Nothing. Can he eat it? No. + Make friends? No. Purchase flattery and lies? Yes. Make all his poor + relations hate him? Yes. And then, what worry! Annoyed, nervous, + tormented, until his poor little brain becomes inflamed, and you see in + the morning paper, "Died of apoplexy." This man finally began to worry for + fear he would not have enough neckties to last him through. + </p> + <p> + So we ought to teach our children that great wealth is a curse. Great + wealth is the mother of crime. On the other hand are the abject poor. And + let me ask, to-night: Is the world forever to remain as it was when Lear + made his prayer? Is it ever to remain as it is now? I hope not. Are there + always to be millions whose lips are white with famine? Is the withered + palm to be always extended, imploring from the stony heart of respectable + charity, alms? Must every man who sits down to a decent dinner always + think of the starving? Must every one sitting by the fireside think of + some poor mother, with a child strained to her breast, shivering in the + storm? I hope not. Are the rich always to be divided from the poor,—not + only in fact, but in feeling? And that division is growing more and more + every day The gulf between Lazarus and Dives widens year by year, only + their positions are changed—Lazarus is in hell, and he thinks Dives + is in the bosom of Abraham. + </p> + <p> + And there is one thing that helps to widen this gulf. In nearly every city + of the United States you will find the fashionable part, and the poor + part. The poor know nothing of the fashionable part, except the outside + splendor; and as they go by the palaces, that poison plant called envy, + springs and grows in their poor hearts. The rich know nothing of the poor, + except the squalor and rags and wretchedness, and what they read in the + police records, and they say, "Thank God, we are not like those people!" + Their hearts are filled with scorn and contempt, and the hearts of the + others with envy and hatred. There must be some way devised for the rich + and poor to get acquainted. The poor do not know how many well-dressed + people sympathize with them, and the rich do not know how many noble + hearts beat beneath the rags. If we can ever get the loving poor + acquainted with the sympathizing rich, this question will be nearly + solved. + </p> + <p> + In a hundred other ways they are divided. If anything should bring mankind + together it ought to be a common belief. In Catholic countries, that does + have a softening influence upon the rich and upon the poor. They believe + the same. So in Mohammedan countries they can kneel in the same mosque, + and pray to the same God. But how is it with us? The church is not free. + There is no welcome in the velvet for the velveteen. Poverty does not feel + at home there, and the consequence is, the rich and poor are kept apart, + even by their religion. I am not saying anything against religion. I am + not on that question; but I would think more of any religion, provided + that even for one day in the week, or for one hour in the year, it allowed + wealth to clasp the hand of poverty and to have, for one moment even, the + thrill of genuine friendship. + </p> + <p> + In the olden times, in barbaric life, it was a simple' thing to get a + living. A little hunting, a little fishing, pulling a little fruit, and + digging for roots—all simple; and they were nearly all on an + equality, and comparatively there were fewer failures. Living has at last + become complex. All the avenues are filled with men struggling for the + accomplishment of the same thing: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "For emulation hath a thousand sons + That one by one pursue: if you give way, + Or hedge aside from the direct forthright, + Like to an entered tide, they all rush by, + And leave you hindmost;— + Or, like a gallant horse, fallen in first rank, + Lie there for pavement to the abject rear." +</pre> + <p> + The struggle is so hard. And just exactly as we have risen in the scale of + being, the per cent, of failures has increased. It is so that all men are + not capable of getting a living. They have not cunning enough, intellect + enough, muscle enough—they are not strong enough. They are too + generous, or they are too negligent; and then some people seem to have + what is called "bad luck"—that is to say, when anything falls, they + are under it; when anything bad happens, it happens to them. + </p> + <p> + And now there is another trouble. Just as life becomes complex and as + everyone is trying to accomplish certain objects, all the ingenuity of the + brain is at work to get there by a shorter way, and, in consequence, this + has become an age of invention. Myriads of machines have been invented—every + one of them to save labor. If these machines helped the laborer, what a + blessing they would be! + </p> + <p> + But the laborer does not own the machine; the machine owns him. That is + the trouble. In the olden time, when I was a boy, even, you know how it + was in the little towns. There was a shoemaker—two of them—a + tailor or two, a blacksmith, a wheelwright. I remember just how the shops + used to look. I used to go to the blacksmith shop at night, get up on the + forge, and hear them talk about turning horse-shoes. Many a night have I + seen the sparks fly and heard the stories that were told. There was a + great deal of human nature in those days! Everybody was known. If times + got hard, the poor little shoemakers made a living mending, half-soling, + straightening up the heels. The same with the blacksmith; the same with + the tailor. They could get credit—they did not have to pay till the + next January, and if they could not pay then, they took another year, and + they were happy enough. Now one man is not a shoemaker. There is a great + building—several hundred thousand dollars' worth of machinery, three + or four thousand people—not a single mechanic in the whole building. + One sews on straps, another greases the machines, cuts out soles, waxes + threads. And what is the result? When the machines stop, three thousand + men are out of employment. Credit goes. Then come want and famine, and if + they happen to have a little child die, it would take them years to save + enough of their earnings to pay the expense of putting away that little + sacred piece of flesh. And yet, by this machinery we can produce enough to + flood the world. By the inventions in agricultural machinery the United + States can feed all the mouths upon the earth. There is not a thing that + man uses that can not instantly be over-produced to such an extent as to + become almost worthless; and yet, with all this production, with all this + power to create, there are millions and millions in abject want. Granaries + bursting, and famine looking into the doors of the poor! Millions of + everything, and yet millions wanting everything and having substantially + nothing! + </p> + <p> + Now, there is something wrong there. We have got into that contest between + machines-and men, and if extravagance does not keep pace with ingenuity, + it is going to be the most terrible question that man has ever settled. I + tell you, to-night, that these things are worth thinking about. Nothing + that touches the future of our race, nothing that touches the happiness of + ourselves or our children, should be beneath our notice. We should think + of these things—must think of them—and we should endeavor to + see that justice is finally done between man and man. + </p> + <p> + My sympathies are with the poor. My sympathies are with the workingmen of + the United States. Understand me distinctly. I am not an Anarchist. + Anarchy is the reaction from tyranny. I am not a Socialist. I am not a + Communist. I am an Individualist. I do not believe in tyranny of + government, but I do believe in justice as between man and man. + </p> + <p> + What is the remedy? Or, what can we think of—for do not imagine that + I think I know. It is an immense, an almost infinite, question, and all we + can do is to guess. You have heard a great deal lately upon the land + subject. Let me say a word or two upon that. In the first place I do not + want to take, and I would not take, an inch of land from any human being + that belonged to him. If we ever take it, we must pay for it—condemn + it and take it—do not rob anybody. Whenever any man advocates + justice, and robbery as the means, I suspect him. + </p> + <p> + No man should be allowed to own any land that he does not use. Everybody + knows that—I do not care whether he has thousands or millions. I + have owned a great deal of land, but I know just as well as I know I am + living that I should not be allowed to have it unless I use it. And why? + Don't you know that if people could bottle the air, they would? Don't you + know that there would be an American Air-bottling Association? And don't + you know that they would allow thousands and millions to die for want of + breath, if they could not pay for air? I am not blaming anybody. I am just + telling how it is. Now, the land belongs to the children of Nature. Nature + invites into this world every babe that is born. And what would you think + of me, for instance, to-night, if I had invited you here—nobody had + charged you anything, but you had been invited—and when you got here + you had found one man pretending to occupy a hundred seats, another fifty, + and another seventy-five, and thereupon you were compelled to stand up—what + would you think of the invitation? It seems to me that every child of + Nature is entitled to his share of the land, and that he should not be + compelled to beg the privilege to work the soil, of a babe that happened + to be born before him. And why do I say this? Because it is not to our + interest to have a few landlords and millions of tenants. + </p> + <p> + The tenement house is the enemy of modesty, the enemy of virtue, the enemy + of patriotism. + </p> + <p> + Home is where the virtues grow. I would like to see the law so that every + home, to a small amount, should be free not only from sale for debts, but + should be absolutely free from taxation, so that every man could have a + home. Then we will have a nation of patriots. + </p> + <p> + Now, suppose that every man were to have all the land he is able to buy. + The Vanderbilts could buy to-day all the land that is in farms in the + State of Ohio—every foot of it. Would it be for the best interest of + that State to have a few landlords and four or five millions of serfs? So, + I am in favor of a law finally to be carried out—not by robbery, but + by compensation, under the right, as the lawyers call it, of eminent + domain—so that no person would be allowed to own more land than he + uses. I am not blaming these rich men for being rich. I pity the most of + them. I had rather be poor, with a little sympathy in my heart, than to be + rich as all the mines of earth and not have that little flower of pity in + my breast. I do not see how a man can have hundreds of millions and pass + every day people that have not enough to eat. I do not understand it. I + might be just the same way myself. There is something in money that dries + up the sources of affection, and the probability is, it is this: the + moment a man gets money, so many men are trying to get it away from him + that in a little while he regards the whole human race as his enemy, and + he generally thinks that they could be rich, too, if they would only + attend to business as he has. Understand, I am not blaming these people. + There is a good deal of human nature in us all. You remember the story of + the man who made a speech at a Socialist meeting, and closed it by saying, + "Thank God, I am no monopolist," but as he sank to his seat said, "But I + wish to the Lord I was!" We must remember that these rich men are + naturally produced. Do not blame them. Blame the system! + </p> + <p> + Certain privileges have been granted to the few by the Government, + ostensibly for the benefit of the many; and whenever that grant is not for + the good of the many, it should be taken from the few—not by force, + not by robbery, but by estimating fairly the value of that property, and + paying to them its value; because everything should be done according to + law and order. + </p> + <p> + What remedy, then, is there? First, the great weapon in this country is + the ballot. Each voter is a sovereign. There the poorest is the equal of + the richest. His vote will count just as many as though the hand that cast + it controlled millions. The poor are in the majority in this country. If + there is any law that oppresses them, it is their fault. They have + followed the fife and drum of some party. They have been misled by others. + No man should go an inch with a party—no matter if that party is + half the world and has in it the greatest intellects of the earth—unless + that party is going his way. No honest man should ever turn round to join + anything. If it overtakes him, good. If he has to hurry up a little to get + to it, good. But do not go with anything that is not going your way; no + matter whether they call it Republican, or Democrat, or Progressive + Democracy—do not go with it unless it goes your way. + </p> + <p> + The ballot is the power. The law should settle many of these questions + between capital and labor. But I expect the greatest good to come from + civilization, from the growth of a sense of justice; for I tell you + to-night, a civilized man will never want anything for less than it is + worth—a civilized man, when he sells a thing, will never want more + than it is worth—a really and truly civilized man, would rather be + cheated than to cheat. And yet, in the United States, good as we are, + nearly everybody wants to get everything for a little less than it is + worth, and the man that sells it to him wants to get a little more than it + is worth? and this breeds rascality on both sides. That ought to be done + away with. There is one step toward it that we will take: we will finally + say that human flesh, human labor, shall not depend entirely on "supply + and demand." That is infinitely cruel. Every man should give to another + according to his ability to give—and enough that he may make his + living and lay something by for the winter of old age. + </p> + <p> + Go to England. Civilized country they call it. It is not. It never was. I + am afraid it never will be. Go to London, the greatest city of this world, + where there is the most wealth—the greatest glittering piles of + gold. And yet, one out of every six in that city dies in a hospital, a + workhouse or a prison. Is that the best that we are ever to know? Is that + the last word that civilization has to say? Look at the women in this town + sewing for a living, making cloaks for less than forty-five cents, that + sell for $45! Right here—here, amid all the palaces, amid the + thousands of millions of property—here! Is that all that + civilization can do? Must a poor woman support herself, or her child, or + her children, by that kind of labor, and with such pay—and do we + call ourselves civilized? + </p> + <p> + Did you ever read that wonderful poem about the sewing woman? Let me tell + you the last verse: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Winds that have sainted her, tell ye the story + Of the young life by the needle that bled, + Making a bridge over death's soundless waters + Out of a swaying, and soul-cutting thread— + Over it going, all the world knowing + That thousands have trod it, foot-bleeding, before: + God protect all of us! God pity all of us, + Should she look back from the opposite shore!" +</pre> + <p> + I cannot call this civilization. There must be something nearer a fairer + division in this world. + </p> + <p> + You can never get it by strikes. Never. The first strike that is a great + success will be the last, because the people who believe in law and order + will put the strikers down. The strike is no remedy. Boycotting is no + remedy. Brute force is no remedy. These questions have to be settled by + reason, by candor, by intelligence, by kindness; and nothing is + permanently settled in this world that has not for its corner-stone + justice, and is not protected by the profound conviction of the human + mind. + </p> + <p> + This is no country for Anarchy, no country for Communism, no country for + the Socialist. Why? Because the political power is equally divided. What + other reason? Speech is free. What other? The press is untrammeled. And + that is all that the right should ever ask—a free press, free + speech, and the protection of person. That is enough. That is all I ask. + In a country like Russia, where every mouth is a bastile and every tongue + a convict, there may be some excuse. Where the noblest and the best are + driven to Siberia, there may be a reason for the Nihilist. In a country + where no man is allowed to petition for redress, there is a reason, but + not here. This—say what you will against it—this is the best + Government ever founded by the human race! Say what you will of parties, + say what you will of dishonesty, the holiest flag that ever kissed the air + is ours! + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago morally we were a low people—before we + abolished slavery—but now, when there is no chain except that of + custom, when every man has an opportunity, this is the grandest Government + of the earth. There is hardly a man in the United States to-day, of any + importance, whose voice anybody cares to hear, who was not nursed at the + loving breast of poverty. Look at the children of the rich. My God, what a + punishment for being rich! So, whatever happens, let every man say that + this Government, and this form of government, shall stand. + </p> + <p> + "But," say some, "these workingmen are dangerous." I deny it. We are all + in their power. They run all the cars. Our lives are in their hands almost + every day. They are working in all our homes. They do the labor of this + world. We are all at their mercy, and yet they do not commit more crimes, + according to number, than the rich. Remember that. I am not afraid of + them. Neither am I afraid of the monopolists, because, under our + institutions, when they become hurtful to the general good, the people + will stand it just to a certain point, and then comes the end—not in + anger, not in hate, but from a love of liberty and justice. + </p> + <p> + Now, we have in this country another class. We call them "criminals." Let + me take another step: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, + But to support him after." +</pre> + <p> + Recollect what I said in the first place—that every man is as he + must be. Every crime is a necessary product. The seeds were all sown, the + land thoroughly plowed, the crop well attended to, and carefully + harvested. Every crime is born of necessity. If you want less crime, you + must change the conditions. Poverty makes crime. Want, rags, crusts, + failure, misfortune—all these awake the wild beast in man, and + finally he takes, and takes contrary to law, and becomes a criminal. And + what do you do with him? You punish him. Why not punish a man for having + the consumption? The time will come when you will see that that is just as + logical. What do you do with the criminal? You send him to the + penitentiary. Is he made better? Worse. The first thing you do is to try + to trample out his manhood, by putting an indignity upon him. You mark + him. You put him in stripes. At night you put him in darkness. His feeling + for revenge grows. You make a wild beast of him, and he comes out of that + place branded in body and soul, and then you won't let him reform if he + wants to. You put on airs above him, because he has been in the + penitentiary. The next time you look with scorn upon a convict, let me beg + of you to do one thing. Maybe you are not as bad as I am, but do one + thing: think of all the crimes you have wanted to commit; think of all the + crimes you would have committed if you had had the opportunity; think of + all the temptations to which you would have yielded had nobody been + looking; and then put your hand on your heart and say whether you can + justly look with contempt even upon a convict. + </p> + <p> + None but the noblest should inflict punishment, even on the basest. + </p> + <p> + Society has no right to punish any man in revenge—no right to punish + any man except for two objects—one, the prevention of crime; the + other, the reformation of the criminal. How can you reform him? Kindness + is the sunshine in which virtue grows. Let it be understood by these men + that there is no revenge; let it be understood, too, that they can reform. + Only a little while ago I read of a case of a young man who had been in a + penitentiary and came out. He kept it a secret, and went to work for a + farmer. He got in love with the daughter, and wanted to marry her. He had + nobility enough to tell the truth—he told the father that he had + been in the penitentiary. The father said, "You cannot have my daughter, + because it would stain her life." The young man said, "Yes, it would stain + her life, therefore I will not marry her." He went out. In a few moments + afterward they heard the report of a pistol, and he was dead. He left just + a little note saying: "I am through. There is no need of my living longer, + when I stain with my life the one I love." And yet we call our society + civilized. There is a mistake. + </p> + <p> + I want that question thought of. I want all my fellow-citizens to think of + it. I want you to do what you can to do away with all cruelty. There are, + of course, some cases that have to be treated with what might be called + almost cruelty; but if there is the smallest seed of good in any human + heart, let kindness fall upon it until it grows, and in that way I know, + and so do you, that the world will get better and better day by day. + </p> + <p> + Let us, above all things, get acquainted with each other. Let every man + teach his son, teach his daughter, that labor is honorable. Let us say to + our children: It is your business to see that you never become a burden on + others. Your first duty is to take care of yourselves, and if there is a + surplus, with that surplus help your fellow-man. You owe it to yourself + above all things not to be a burden upon others. Teach your son that it is + his duty not only, but his highest joy, to become a home-builder, a + home-owner. Teach your children that the fireside is the happiest place in + this world. Teach them that whoever is an idler, whoever lives upon the + labor of others, whether he is a pirate or a king, is a dishonorable + person. Teach them that no civilized man wants anything for nothing, or + for less than it is worth; that he wants to go through this world paying + his way as he goes, and if he gets a little ahead, an extra joy, it should + be divided with another, if that other is doing something for himself. + Help others help themselves. + </p> + <p> + And let us teach that great wealth is not great happiness; that money will + not purchase love; it never did and never can purchase respect; it never + did and never can purchase the highest happiness. I believe with Robert + Burns: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "If happiness have not her seat + And center in the breast, + We may be wise, or rich, or great, + But never can be blest." +</pre> + <p> + We must teach this, and let our fellow-citizens know that we give them + every right that we claim for ourselves. We must discuss these questions + and have charity—and we will have it whenever we have the philosophy + that all men are as they must be, and that intelligence and kindness are + the only levers capable of raising mankind. + </p> + <p> + Then there is another thing. Let each one be true to himself. No matter + what his class, no matter what his circumstances, let him tell his + thought. Don't let his class bribe him. Don't let him talk like a banker + because he is a banker. Don't let him talk like the rest of the merchants + because he is a merchant. Let him be true to the human race instead of to + his little business—be true to the ideal in his heart and brain, + instead of to his little present and apparent selfishness—let him + have a larger and more intelligent selfishness—a generous + philosophy, that includes not only others but himself. + </p> + <p> + So far as I am concerned, I have made up my mind that no organization, + secular or religious, shall be my master. I have made up my mind that no + necessity of bread, or roof, or raiment shall ever put a padlock on my + lips. I have made up my mind that no hope of preferment, no honor, no + wealth, shall ever make me for one moment swerve from what I really + believe, no matter whether it is to my immediate interest, as one would + think, or not. And while I live, I am going to do what little I can to + help my fellow-men who have not been as fortunate as I have been. I shall + talk on their side, I shall vote on their side, and do what little I can + to convince men that happiness does not lie in the direction of great + wealth, but in the direction of achievement for the good of themselves and + for the good of their fellow-men. I shall do what little I can to hasten + the day when this earth shall be covered with homes, and when by countless + firesides shall sit the happy and the loving families of the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0007" id="link0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH. + </h2> + <p> + I. THE OLD TESTAMENT. + </p> + <p> + ONE of the foundation stones of our faith is the Old Testament. If that + book is not true, if its authors were unaided men, if it contains blunders + and falsehoods, then that stone crumbles to dust. + </p> + <p> + The geologists demonstrated that the author of Genesis was mistaken as to + the age of the world, and that the story of the universe having been + created in six days, about six thousand years ago could not be true. + </p> + <p> + The theologians then took the ground that the "days" spoken of in Genesis + were periods of time, epochs, six "long whiles," and that the work of + creation might have been commenced millions of years ago. + </p> + <p> + The change of days into epochs was considered by the believers of the + Bible as a great triumph over the hosts of infidelity. The fact that + Jehovah had ordered the Jews to keep the Sabbath, giving as a reason that + he had made the world in six days and rested on the seventh, did not + interfere with the acceptance of the "epoch" theory. + </p> + <p> + But there is still another question. How long has man been upon the earth? + </p> + <p> + According to the Bible, Adam was certainly the first man, and in his case + the epoch theory cannot change the account. The Bible gives the age at + which Adam died, and gives the generations to the flood—then to + Abraham and so on, and shows that from the creation of Adam to the birth + of Christ it was about four thousand and four years. + </p> + <p> + According to the sacred Scriptures man has been on this earth five + thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine years and no more. + </p> + <p> + Is this true? + </p> + <p> + Geologists have divided a few years of the worlds history into periods, + reaching from the azoic rocks to the soil of our time. With most of these + periods they associate certain forms of life, so that it is known that the + lowest forms of life belonged with the earliest periods, and the higher + with the more recent. It is also known that certain forms of life existed + in Europe many ages ago, and that many thousands of years ago these forms + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + For instance, it is well established that at one time there lived in + Europe, and in the British Islands some of the most gigantic mammals, the + mammoth, the woolly-haired rhinoceros, the Irish elk, elephants and other + forms that have in those countries become extinct. Geologists say that + many thousands of years have passed since these animals ceased to inhabit + those countries. + </p> + <p> + It was during the Drift Period that these forms of life existed in Europe + and England, and that must have been hundreds of thousands of years ago. + </p> + <p> + In caves, once inhabited by men, have been found implements of flint and + the bones of these extinct animals. With the flint tools man had split the + bones of these beasts that he might secure the marrow for food. + </p> + <p> + Many such caves and hundreds of such tools, and of such bones have been + found. And we now know that in the Drift Period man was the companion of + these extinct monsters. + </p> + <p> + It is therefore certain that many, many thousands of years before Adam + lived, men, women and children inhabited the earth. + </p> + <p> + It is certain that the account in the Bible of the creation of the first + man is a mistake. It is certain that the inspired writers knew nothing + about the origin of man. + </p> + <p> + Let me give you another fact: + </p> + <p> + The Egyptians were astronomers. A few years ago representations of the + stars were found on the walls of an old temple, and it was discovered by + calculating backward that the stars did occupy the exact positions as + represented about seven hundred and fifty years before Christ. Afterward + another representation of the stars was found, and by calculating in the + same way, it was found that the stars did occupy the exact positions + represented about three thousand eight hundred years before Christ. + </p> + <p> + According to the Bible the first man was created four thousand and four + years before Christ If this is true then Egypt was founded, its language + formed, its arts cultivated, its astronomical discoveries made and + recorded about two hundred years after the creation of the first man. + </p> + <p> + In other words, Adam was two or three hundred years old when the Egyptian + astronomers made these representations. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more absurd. + </p> + <p> + Again I say that the writers of the Bible were mistaken. + </p> + <p> + How do I know? + </p> + <p> + According to that same Bible there was a flood some fifteen or sixteen + hundred years after Adam was created that destroyed the entire human race + with the exception of eight persons, and according to the Bible the + Egyptians descended from one of the sons of Noah. How then did the + Egyptians represent the stars in the position they occupied twelve hundred + years before the flood? + </p> + <p> + No one pretends that Egypt existed as a nation before the flood. Yet the + astronomical representations found, must have been made more than a + thousand years before the world was drowned. + </p> + <p> + There is another mistake in the Bible. + </p> + <p> + According to that book the sun was made after the earth was created. + </p> + <p> + Is this true? + </p> + <p> + Did the earth exist before the sun? + </p> + <p> + The men of science are believers in the exact opposite. They believe that + the earth is a child of the sun—that the earth, as well as the other + planets belonging to our constellation, came from the sun. + </p> + <p> + The writers of the Bible were mistaken. + </p> + <p> + There is another point: + </p> + <p> + According to the Bible, Jehovah made the world in six days, and the work + done each day is described. What did Jehovah do on the second day? + </p> + <p> + This is the record: + </p> + <p> + "And God said: Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and + let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament and + divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which + were above the firmament. And it was so, and God called the firmament + heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day." + </p> + <p> + The writer of this believed in a solid firmament—the floor of + Jehovah's house. He believed that the waters had been divided, and that + the rain came from above the firmament. He did not understand the fact of + evaporation—did not know that the rain came from the water on the + earth. + </p> + <p> + Now we know that there is no firmament, and we know that the waters are + not divided by a firmament. Consequently we know that, according to the + Bible, Jehovah did nothing on the second day. He must have rested on + Tuesday. This being so, we ought to have two Sundays a week. + </p> + <p> + Can we rely on the historical parts of the Bible? + </p> + <p> + Seventy souls went down into Egypt, and in two hundred and fifteen years + increased to three millions. They could not have doubled more than four + times a century. Say nine times in two hundred and fifteen years. + </p> + <p> + This makes thirty-five thousand eight hundred and forty, (35,840.) instead + of three millions. + </p> + <p> + Can we believe the accounts of the battles? + </p> + <p> + Take one instance: + </p> + <p> + Jereboam had an army of eight hundred thousand men, Abijah of four hundred + thousand. They fought. The Lord was on Abijah's side, and he killed five + hundred thousand of Jereboam's men. + </p> + <p> + All these soldiers were Jews—all lived in Palestine, a poor + miserable little country about one-quarter as large as the State of New + York. Yet one million two hundred thousand soldiers were put in the field. + This required a population in the country of ten or twelve millions. Of + course this is absurd. Palestine in its palmiest days could not have + supported two millions of people. + </p> + <p> + The soil is poor. + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is inspired, is it true? + </p> + <p> + We are told by this inspired book of the gold and silver collected by King + David for the temple—the temple afterward completed by the virtuous + Solomon. + </p> + <p> + According to the blessed Bible, David collected about two thousand million + dollars in silver, and five thousand million dollars in gold, making a + total of seven thousand million dollars. + </p> + <p> + Is this true? + </p> + <p> + There is in the bank of France at the present time (1895) nearly six + hundred million dollars, and so far as we know, it is the greatest amount + that was ever gathered together. All the gold now known, coined and in + bullion, does not amount to much more than the sum collected by David. + </p> + <p> + Seven thousand millions. Where did David get this gold? The Jews had no + commerce. They owned no ships. They had no great factories, they produced + nothing for other countries. There were no gold or silver mines in + Palestine. Where then was this gold, this silver found? I will tell you: + In the imagination of a writer who had more patriotism than intelligence, + and who wrote, not for the sake of truth, but for the glory of the Jews. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that David collected nearly eight thousand tons of gold—that + he by economy got together about sixty thousand tons of silver, making a + total of gold and silver of sixty-eight thousand tons? + </p> + <p> + The average freight car carries about fifteen tons—David's gold and + silver would load about four thousand five hundred and thirty-three cars, + making a train about thirty-two miles in length. And all this for the + temple at Jerusalem, a building ninety feet long and forty-five feet high + and thirty wide, to which was attached a porch thirty feet wide, ninety + feet long and one hundred and eighty feet high. + </p> + <p> + Probably the architect was inspired. + </p> + <p> + Is there a sensible man in the world who believes that David collected + seven thousand million dollars worth of gold or silver? + </p> + <p> + There is hardly five thousand million dollars of gold now used as money in + the whole world. Think of the millions taken from the mines of California, + Australia and Africa during the present century and yet the total scarcely + exceeds the amount collected by King David more than a thousand years + before the birth of Christ. Evidently the inspired historian made a + mistake. + </p> + <p> + It required a little imagination and a few ciphers to change seven million + dollars or seven hundred thousand dollars into seven thousand million + dollars. Drop four ciphers and the story becomes fairly reasonable. + </p> + <p> + The Old Testament must be thrown aside. It is no longer a foundation. It + has crumbled. + </p> + <p> + II. THE NEW TESTAMENT + </p> + <p> + BUT we have the New Testament, the sequel of the Old, in which Christians + find the fulfillment of prophecies made by inspired Jews. + </p> + <p> + The New Testament vouches for the truth, the inspiration, of the Old, and + if the old is false, the New cannot be true. + </p> + <p> + In the New Testament we find all that we know about the life and teachings + of Jesus Christ. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed that the writers were divinely inspired, and that all they + wrote is true. + </p> + <p> + Let us see if these writers agree. + </p> + <p> + Certainly there should be no difference about the birth of Christ. From + the Christian's point of view, nothing could have been of greater + importance than that event. + </p> + <p> + Matthew says: "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days + of Herod the King, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + "Saying, where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his + star in the east and are come to worship him." + </p> + <p> + Matthew does not tell us who these wise men were, from what country they + came, to what race they belonged. He did not even know their names. + </p> + <p> + We are also informed that when Herod heard these things he was troubled + and all Jerusalem with him; that he gathered the chief priests and asked + of them where Christ should be born and they told him that he was to be + born in Bethlehem. + </p> + <p> + Then Herod called the wise men and asked them when the star appeared, and + told them to go to Bethlehem and report to him. + </p> + <p> + When they left Herod, the star again appeared and went before them until + it stood over the place where the child was. + </p> + <p> + When they came to the child they worshiped him,—gave him gifts, and + being warned by God in a dream, they went back to their own country + without calling on Herod. + </p> + <p> + Then the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to + take Mary and the child into Egypt for fear of Herod. + </p> + <p> + So Joseph took Mary and the child to Egypt and remained there until the + death of Herod. + </p> + <p> + Then Herod, finding that he was mocked by the wise men, "sent forth and + slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof + from two years old and under." + </p> + <p> + After the death of Herod an angel again appeared in a dream to Joseph and + told him to take mother and child and go back to Palestine. + </p> + <p> + So he went back and dwelt in Nazareth. + </p> + <p> + Is this story true? Must we believe in the star and the wise men? Who were + these wise men? From what country did they come? What interest had they in + the birth of the King of the Jews? What became of them and their star? + </p> + <p> + Of course I know that the Holy Catholic Church has in her keeping the + three skulls that belonged to these wise men, but I do not know where the + church obtained these relics, nor exactly how their genuineness has been + established. + </p> + <p> + Must we believe that Herod murdered the babes of Bethlehem? + </p> + <p> + Is it not wonderful that the enemies of Herod did not charge him with this + horror? Is it not marvelous that Mark and Luke and John forgot to mention + this most heartless of massacres? + </p> + <p> + Luke also gives an account of the birth of Christ. He says that there went + out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be taxed; + that this was when Cyrenius was governor of Syria; that in accordance with + this decree, Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to be taxed; that at that + place Christ was born and laid in a manger. He also says that shepherds, + in the neighborhood, were told of the birth by an angel, with whom was a + multitude of the heavenly host; that these shepherds visited Mary and the + child, and told others what they had seen and heard. + </p> + <p> + He tells us that after eight days the child was named, Jesus; that forty + days after his birth he was taken by Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem, and + that after they had performed all things according to the law they + returned to Nazareth. Luke also says that the child grew and waxed strong + in spirit, and that his parents went every year to Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + Do the accounts in Matthew and Luke agree? Can both accounts be true? + </p> + <p> + Luke never heard of the star, and Matthew knew nothing of the heavenly + host. Luke never heard of the wise men, nor Matthew of the shepherds. Luke + knew nothing of the hatred of Herod, the murder of the babes or the flight + into Egypt. According to Matthew, Joseph, warned by an angel, took Mary + and the child and fled into Egypt. According to Luke they all went to + Jerusalem, and from there back to Nazareth. + </p> + <p> + Both of these accounts cannot be true. Will some Christian scholar tell us + which to believe? + </p> + <p> + When was Christ born? + </p> + <p> + Luke says that it took place when Cyrenius was governor. Here is another + mistake. Cyrenius was not appointed governor until after the death of + Herod, and the taxing could not have taken place until ten years after the + alleged birth of Christ. + </p> + <p> + According to Luke, Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, and for the purpose + of getting them to Bethlehem, so that the child could be born in the right + place, the taxing under Cyrenius was used, but the writer, being + "inspired" made a mistake of about ten years as to the time of the taxing + and of the birth. + </p> + <p> + Matthew says nothing about the date of the birth, except that he was born + when Herod was king. It is now known that Herod had been dead ten years + before the taxing under Cyrenius. So, if Luke tells the truth, Joseph, + being warned by an angel, fled from the hatred of Herod ten years after + Herod was dead. If Matthew and Luke are both right Christ was taken to + Egypt ten years before he was born, and Herod killed the babes ten years + after he was dead. + </p> + <p> + Will some Christian scholar have the goodness to harmonize these + "inspired" accounts? + </p> + <p> + There is another thing. + </p> + <p> + Matthew and Luke both try to show that Christ was of the blood of David, + that he was a descendant of that virtuous king. + </p> + <p> + As both of these writers were inspired and as both received their + information from God, they ought to agree. + </p> + <p> + According to Matthew there was between David and Jesus twenty-seven + generations, and he gives all the names. + </p> + <p> + According to Luke there were between David and Jesus forty-two + generations, and he gives all the names. + </p> + <p> + In these genealogies—both inspired—there is a difference + between David and Jesus, a difference of some fourteen or fifteen + generations. + </p> + <p> + Besides, the names of all the ancestors are different, with two + exceptions. + </p> + <p> + Matthew says that Joseph's father was Jacob. Luke says that Heli was + Joseph's father. + </p> + <p> + Both of these genealogies cannot be true, and the probability is that both + are false. + </p> + <p> + There is not in all the pulpits ingenuity enough to harmonize these + ignorant and stupid contradictions. + </p> + <p> + There are many curious mistakes in the words attributed to Christ. + </p> + <p> + We are told in Matthew, chapter xxiii, verse 35, that Christ said: + </p> + <p> + "That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from + the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, + whom ye slew between the temple and the altar." + </p> + <p> + It is certain that these words were not spoken by Christ. He could not by + any possibility have known that the blood of Zacharias had been shed. As a + matter of fact, Zacharias was killed by the Jews, during the seige of + Jerusalem by Titus, and this seige took place seventy-one years after the + birth of Christ, thirty-eight years after he was dead. + </p> + <p> + There is still another mistake. + </p> + <p> + Zacharias was not the son of Barachias—no such + </p> + <p> + Zacharias was killed. The Zacharias that was slain was the son of Baruch. + </p> + <p> + But we must not expect the "inspired" to be accurate. + </p> + <p> + Matthew says that at the time of the crucifixion—"the graves were + opened and that many bodies of the saints which slept arose and came out + of their graves <i>after</i> his resurrection, and went into the holy city + and appeared unto many." + </p> + <p> + According to this the graves were opened at the time of the crucifixion, + but the dead did not arise and come out until after the resurrection of + Christ. + </p> + <p> + They were polite enough to sit in their open graves and wait for Christ to + rise first. + </p> + <p> + To whom did these saints appear? What became of them? Did they slip back + into their graves and commit suicide? + </p> + <p> + Is it not wonderful that Mark, Luke and John never heard of these saints? + </p> + <p> + What kind of saints were they? Certainly they were not Christian saints. + </p> + <p> + So, the inspired writers do not agree in regard to Judas. + </p> + <p> + Certainly the inspired writers ought to have known what happened to Judas, + the betrayer. Matthew being duly "inspired" says that when Judas saw that + Jesus had been condemned, he repented and took back the money to the chief + priests and elders, saying that he had sinned in betraying the innocent + blood. They said to him: "What is that to us? See thou to that." Then + Judas threw down the pieces of silver and went and hanged himself. + </p> + <p> + The chief priests then took the pieces of silver and bought the potter's + field to bury strangers in, and it is called the field of blood. + </p> + <p> + We are told in Acts of the apostles that Peter stood up in the midst of + the disciples and said: "Now this man, (Judas) purchased a field with the + reward of iniquity—and falling headlong he burst asunder and all his + bowels gushed out—that field is called the field of blood." + </p> + <p> + Matthew says Judas repented and gave back the money. + </p> + <p> + Peter says that he bought a field with the money. + </p> + <p> + Matthew says that Judas hanged himself. Peter says that he fell down and + burst asunder. Which of these accounts is true? + </p> + <p> + Besides, it is hard to see why Christians hate, loathe and despise Judas. + According to their scheme of salvation, it was absolutely necessary that + Christ should be killed—necessary that he should be betrayed, and + had it not been for Judas, all the world, including Christ's mother, and + the part of Christ that was human, would have gone to hell. + </p> + <p> + Yet, according to the New Testament, Christ did not know that one of his + disciples was to betray him. + </p> + <p> + Jesus, when on his way to Jerusalem, for the last time, said, speaking to + the twelve disciples, Judas being present, that they, the disciples should + thereafter sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. + </p> + <p> + Yet, more than a year before this journey, John says that Christ said, + speaking to the twelve disciples: "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one + of you is a devil." And John adds: "He spake of Judas Iscariot, for it was + he that should betray him." + </p> + <p> + Why did Christ a year afterward, tell Judas that he should sit on a throne + and judge one of the tribes of Israel? + </p> + <p> + There is still another trouble. + </p> + <p> + Paul says that Jesus after his resurrection appeared to the twelve + disciples. According to Paul, Jesus appeared to Judas with the rest. + </p> + <p> + Certainly Paul had not heard the story of the betrayal. + </p> + <p> + Why did Christ select Judas as one of his disciples, knowing that he would + betray him? Did he desire to be betrayed? Was it his intention to be put + to death? + </p> + <p> + Why did he fail to defend himself before Pilate? + </p> + <p> + According to the accounts, Pilate wanted to save him. Did Christ wish to + be convicted? + </p> + <p> + The Christians are compelled to say that Christ intended to be sacrificed—that + he selected Judas with that end in view, and that he refused to defend + himself because he desired to be crucified. All this is in accordance with + the horrible idea that without the shedding of blood there is no remission + of sin. + </p> + <p> + III. JEHOVAH. + </p> + <p> + GOD the Father. + </p> + <p> + The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the God of the Christians. + </p> + <p> + He it was who created the Universe, who made all substance, all force, all + life, from nothing. He it is who has governed and still governs the world. + He has established and destroyed empires and kingdoms, despotisms and + republics. He has enslaved and liberated the sons of men. He has caused + the sun to rise on the good and on the evil, and his rain to fall on the + just and the unjust. + </p> + <p> + This shows his goodness. + </p> + <p> + He has caused his volcanoes to devour the good and the bad, his cyclones + to wreck and rend the generous and the cruel, his floods to drown the + loving and the hateful, his lightning to kill the virtuous and the + vicious, his famines to starve the innocent and criminal and his plagues + to destroy the wise and good, the ignorant and wicked. He has allowed his + enemies to imprison, to torture and to kill his friends. He has permitted + blasphemers to flay his worshipers alive, to dislocate their joints upon + racks, and to burn them at the stake. He has allowed men to enslave their + brothers and to sell babes from the breasts of mothers. + </p> + <p> + This shows his impartiality. + </p> + <p> + The pious negro who commenced his prayer: "O thou great and unscrupulous + God," was nearer right than he knew. + </p> + <p> + Ministers ask: Is it possible for God to forgive man? + </p> + <p> + And when I think of what has been suffered—of the centuries of agony + and tears, I ask: Is it possible for man to forgive God? + </p> + <p> + How do Christians prove the existence of their God? Is it possible to + think of an infinite being? Does the word God correspond with any image in + the mind? Does the word God stand for what we know or for what we do not + know? + </p> + <p> + Is not this unthinkable God a guess, an inference? + </p> + <p> + Can we think of a being without form, without body, without parts, without + passions? Why should we speak of a being without body as of the masculine + gender? + </p> + <p> + Why should the Bible speak of this God as a man?—of his walking in + the garden in the cool of the evening—of his talking, hearing and + smelling? If he has no passions why is he spoken of as jealous, + revengeful, angry, pleased and loving? + </p> + <p> + In the Bible God is spoken of as a person in the form of man, journeying + from place to place, as having a home and occupying a throne. These ideas + have been abandoned, and now the Christian's God is the infinite, the + incomprehensible, the formless, bodiless and passionless. + </p> + <p> + Of the existence of such a being there can be, in the nature of things, no + evidence. + </p> + <p> + Confronted with the universe, with fields of space sown thick with stars, + with all there is of life, the wise man, being asked the origin and + destiny of all, replies: "I do not know. These questions are beyond the + powers of my mind." The wise man is thoughtful and modest. He clings to + facts. Beyond his intellectual horizon he does not pretend to see. He does + not mistake hope for evidence or desire for demonstration. He is honest. + He neither deceives himself nor others. + </p> + <p> + The theologian arrives at the unthinkable, the inconceivable, and he calls + this God. The scientist arrives at the unthinkable, the inconceivable, and + calls it the Unknown. + </p> + <p> + The theologian insists that his inconceivable governs the world, that it, + or he, or they, can be influenced by prayers and ceremonies, that it, or + he, or they, punishes and rewards, that it, or he, or they, has priests + and temples. + </p> + <p> + The scientist insist that the Unknown is not changed so far as he knows by + prayers of people or priests. He admits that he does not know whether the + Unknown is good or bad—whether he, or it, wants or whether he, or + it, is worthy of worship. He does not say that the Unknown is God, that it + created substance and force, life and thought. He simply says that of the + Unknown he knows nothing. + </p> + <p> + Why should Christians insist that a God of infinite wisdom, goodness and + power governs the world? + </p> + <p> + Why did he allow millions of his children to be enslaved? Why did he allow + millions of mothers to be robbed of their babes? Why has he allowed + injustice to triumph? Why has he permitted the innocent to be imprisoned + and the good to be burned? Why has he withheld his rain and starved + millions of the children of men? Why has he allowed the volcanoes to + destroy, the earthquakes to devour, and the tempest to wreck and rend? + </p> + <p> + IV. THE TRINITY + </p> + <p> + THE New Testament informs us that Christ was the son of Joseph and the son + of God, and that Mary was his mother. + </p> + <p> + How is it established that Christ was the son of God? + </p> + <p> + It is said that Joseph was told so in a dream by an angel. + </p> + <p> + But Joseph wrote nothing on that subject—said nothing so far as we + know. Mary wrote nothing, said nothing. The angel that appeared to Joseph + or that informed Joseph said nothing to anybody else. Neither has the Holy + Ghost, the supposed father, ever said or written one word. We have + received no information from the parties who could have known anything on + the subject. We get all our facts from those who could not have known. + </p> + <p> + How is it possible to prove that the Holy Ghost was the father of Christ? + </p> + <p> + Who knows that such a being as the Holy Ghost ever existed? + </p> + <p> + How was it possible for Mary to know anything about the Holy Ghost? + </p> + <p> + How could Joseph know that he had been visited by an angel in a dream? + </p> + <p> + Could he know that the visitor was an angel? It all occurred in a dream + and poor Joseph was asleep. What is the testimony of one who was asleep + worth? + </p> + <p> + All the evidence we have is that somebody who wrote part of the New + Testament says that the Holy Ghost was the father of Christ, and that + somebody who wrote another part of the New Testament says that Joseph was + the father of Christ. + </p> + <p> + Matthew and Luke give the genealogy and both show that Christ was the son + of Joseph. + </p> + <p> + The "Incarnation" has to be believed without evidence. There is no way in + which it can be established. It is beyond the reach and realm of reason. + It defies observation and is independent of experience. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed not only that Christ was the Son of God, but that he was, + and is, God. + </p> + <p> + Was he God before he was born? Was the body of Mary the dwelling place of + God? + </p> + <p> + What evidence have we that Christ was God? + </p> + <p> + Somebody has said that Christ claimed that God was his father and that he + and his father were one. We do not know who this somebody was and do not + know from whom he received his information. + </p> + <p> + Somebody who was "inspired" has said that Christ was of the blood of David + through his father Joseph. + </p> + <p> + This is all the evidence we have. + </p> + <p> + Can we believe that God, the creator of the Universe, learned the trade of + a carpenter in Palestine, that he gathered a few disciples about him, and + after teaching for about three years, suffered himself to be crucified by + a few ignorant and pious Jews? + </p> + <p> + Christ, according to the faith, is the second person in the Trinity, the + Father being the first and the Holy Ghost the third. Each of these three + persons is God. Christ is his own father and his own son. The Holy Ghost + is neither father nor son, but both. The son was begotten by the father, + but existed before he was begotten—just the same before as after. + Christ is just as old as his father, and the father is just as young as + his son. The Holy Ghost proceeded from the Father and Son, but was equal + to the Father and Son before he proceeded, that is to say, before he + existed, but he is of the same age of the other two. + </p> + <p> + So, it is declared that the Father is God, and the Son God and the Holy + Ghost God, and that these three Gods make one God. + </p> + <p> + According to the celestial multiplication table, once one is three, and + three times one is one, and according to heavenly subtraction if we take + two from three, three are left. The addition is equally peculiar, if we + add two to one we have but one. Each one is equal to himself and the other + two. Nothing ever was, nothing ever can be more perfectly idiotic and + absurd than the dogma of the Trinity. + </p> + <p> + How is it possible to prove the existence of the Trinity? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible for a human being, who has been born but once, to + comprehend, or to imagine the existence of three beings, each of whom is + equal to the three? + </p> + <p> + Think of one of these beings as the father of one, and think of that one + as half human and all God, and think of the third as having proceeded from + the other two, and then think of all three as one. Think that after the + father begot the son, the father was still alone, and after the Holy Ghost + proceeded from the father and the son, the father was still alone—because + there never was and never will be but one God. + </p> + <p> + At this point, absurdity having reached its limit, nothing more can be + said except: "Let us pray." + </p> + <p> + V. THE THEOLOGICAL CHRIST + </p> + <p> + IN the New Testament we find the teachings and sayings of Christ. If we + say that the book is inspired, then we must admit that Christ really said + all the things attributed to him by the various writers. If the book is + inspired we must accept it all. We have no right to reject the + contradictory and absurd and accept the reasonable and good. We must take + it all just as it is. + </p> + <p> + My own observation has led me to believe that men are generally consistent + in their theories and inconsistent in their lives. + </p> + <p> + So, I think that Christ in his utterances was true to his theory, to his + philosophy. + </p> + <p> + If I find in the Testament sayings of a contradictory character, I + conclude that some of those sayings were never uttered by him. The sayings + that are, in my judgment, in accordance with what I believe to have been + his philosophy, I accept, and the others I throw away. + </p> + <p> + There are some of his sayings which show him to have been a devout Jew, + others that he wished to destroy Judaism, others showing that he held all + people except the Jews in contempt and that he wished to save no others, + others showing that he wished to convert the world, still others showing + that he was forgiving, self-denying and loving, others that he was + revengeful and malicious, others, that he was an ascetic, holding all + human ties in utter contempt. + </p> + <p> + The following passages show that Christ was a devout Jew. + </p> + <p> + "Swear not, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by the earth + for it is his footstool, neither by Jerusalem for it is his holy city." + </p> + <p> + "Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets, I am not + come to destroy, but to fulfill." "For after all these things, (clothing, + food and drink) do the Gentiles seek." + </p> + <p> + So, when he cured a leper, he said: "Go thy way, show thyself unto the + priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded." + </p> + <p> + Jesus sent his disciples forth saying: "Go not into the way of the + Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not, but go rather + to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." + </p> + <p> + A woman came out of Canaan and cried to Jesus: "Have mercy on me, my + daughter is sorely vexed with a devil"—but he would not answer. Then + the disciples asked him to send her away, and he said: "I am not sent but + unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." + </p> + <p> + Then the woman worshiped him and said: "Lord help me." But he answered and + said: "It is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it unto dogs." + Yet for her faith he cured her child. + </p> + <p> + So, when the young man asked him what he must do to be saved, he said: + "Keep the commandments." + </p> + <p> + Christ said: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, all + therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do." + </p> + <p> + "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law + to fail." + </p> + <p> + Christ went into the temple and cast out them that sold and bought there, + and said: "It is written, my house is the house of prayer: but ye have + made it a den of thieves." + </p> + <p> + "We know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews." + </p> + <p> + Certainly all these passages were written by persons who regarded Christ + as the Messiah. + </p> + <p> + Many of the sayings attributed to Christ show that he was an ascetic, that + he cared nothing for kindred, nothing for father and mother, nothing for + brothers or sisters, and nothing for the pleasures of life. + </p> + <p> + Christ said to a man: "Follow me." The man said: "Suffer me first to go + and bury my father." Christ answered: "Let the dead bury their dead." + Another said: "I will follow thee, but first let me go bid them farewell + which are at home." + </p> + <p> + Jesus said: "No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is + fit for the kingdom of God. If thine right eye offend thee pluck it out. + If thy right hand offend thee cut it off." + </p> + <p> + One said unto him: "Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, + desiring to speak with thee." And he answered: "Who is my mother, and who + are my brethren?" Then he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples + and said: "Behold my mother and my brethren." + </p> + <p> + "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren or sisters, or + father or mother, or wife or children, or lands for my name's sake shall + receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life." + </p> + <p> + "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he + that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." + </p> + <p> + Christ it seems had a philosophy. + </p> + <p> + He believed that God was a loving father, that he would take care of his + children, that they need do nothing except to rely implicitly on God. + </p> + <p> + "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." + </p> + <p> + "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate + you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you." + </p> + <p> + "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, + nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.... For your heavenly Father + knoweth that ye have need of all these things." + </p> + <p> + "Ask and it shall be given you. Whatsoever ye would that men should do to + you, do ye even so to them. If ye forgive men their trespasses your + heavenly Father will also forgive you. The very hairs of your head are all + numbered." + </p> + <p> + Christ seemed to rely absolutely on the protection of God until the + darkness of death gathered about him, and then he cried: "My God! my God! + why hast thou forsaken me?" + </p> + <p> + While there are many passages in the New Testament showing Christ to have + been forgiving and tender, there are many others, showing that he was + exactly the opposite. + </p> + <p> + What must have been the spirit of one who said: "I am come to send fire on + the earth? Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, + nay, but rather division. For from henceforth there shall be five in one + house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall + be divided against the son, and the son against the father, the mother + against the daughter and the daughter against the mother, the + mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against + her mother-in-law." + </p> + <p> + "If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother, and wife, and + children and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot + be my disciple." + </p> + <p> + "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, + bring hither and slay them before me." + </p> + <p> + This passage built dungeons and lighted fagots. + </p> + <p> + "Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his + angels." + </p> + <p> + "I came not to bring peace but a sword." + </p> + <p> + All these sayings could not have been uttered by the same person. They are + inconsistent with each other. Love does not speak the words of hatred. The + real philanthropist does not despise all nations but his own. The teacher + of universal forgiveness cannot believe in eternal torture. + </p> + <p> + From the interpolations, legends, accretions, mistakes and falsehoods in + the New Testament is it possible to free the actual man? Clad in mist and + myth, hidden by the draperies of gods, deformed, indistinct as faces in + clouds, is it possible to find and recognize the features, the natural + face of the actual Christ? + </p> + <p> + For many centuries our fathers closed their eyes to the contradictions and + inconsistencies of the Testament and in spite of their reason harmonized + the interpolations and mistakes. + </p> + <p> + This is no longer possible. The contradictions are too many, too glaring. + There are contradictions of fact not only, but of philosophy, of theory. + </p> + <p> + The accounts of the trial, the crucifixion, and ascension of Christ do not + agree. They are full of mistakes and contradictions. + </p> + <p> + According to one account Christ ascended the day of, or the day after his + resurrection. According to another he remained forty days after rising + from the dead. According to one account, he was seen after his + resurrection only by a few women and his disciples. According to another + he was seen by the women, by his disciples on several occasions and by + hundreds of others. + </p> + <p> + According to Matthew, Luke and Mark, Christ remained for the most part in + the country, seldom going to Jerusalem. According to John he remained + mostly in Jerusalem, going occasionally into the country, and then + generally to avoid his enemies. + </p> + <p> + According to Matthew, Mark and Luke, Christ taught that if you would + forgive others God would forgive you. According to John, Christ said that + the only way to get to heaven was to believe on him and be born again. + </p> + <p> + These contradictions are gross and palpable and demonstrate that the New + Testament is not inspired, and that many of its statements must be false. + </p> + <p> + If we wish to save the character of Christ, many of the passages must be + thrown away. + </p> + <p> + We must discard the miracles or admit that he was insane or an impostor. + We must discard the passages that breathe the spirit of hatred and + revenge, or admit that he was malevolent. + </p> + <p> + If Matthew was mistaken about the genealogy of Christ, about the wise men, + the star, the flight into Egypt and the massacre of the babes by Herod,—then + he may have been mistaken in many passages that he put in the mouth of + Christ. + </p> + <p> + The same may be said in regard to Mark, Luke and John. + </p> + <p> + The church must admit that the writers of the New Testament were + uninspired men—that they made many mistakes, that they accepted + impossible legends as historical facts, that they were ignorant and + superstitious, that they put malevolent, stupid, insane and unworthy words + in the mouth of Christ, described him as the worker of impossible miracles + and in many ways stained and belittled his character. + </p> + <p> + The best that can be said about Christ is that nearly nineteen centuries + ago he was born in the land of Palestine in a country without wealth, + without commerce, in the midst of a people who knew nothing of the greater + world—a people enslaved, crushed by the mighty power of Rome. That + this babe, this child of poverty and want grew to manhood without + education, knowing nothing of art, or science, and at about the age of + thirty began wandering about the hills and hamlets of his native land, + discussing with priests, talking with the poor and sorrowful, writing + nothing, but leaving his words in the memory or forgetfulness of those to + whom he spoke. + </p> + <p> + That he attacked the religion of his time because it was cruel. That this + excited the hatred of those in power, and that Christ was arrested, tried + and crucified. + </p> + <p> + For many centuries this great Peasant of Palestine has been worshiped as + God. + </p> + <p> + Millions and millions have given their lives to his service. The wealth of + the world was lavished on his shrines. His name carried consolation to the + diseased and dying. His name dispelled the darkness of death, and filled + the dungeon with light. His name gave courage to the martyr, and in the + midst of fire, with shriveling lips the sufferer uttered it again, and + again. The outcasts, the deserted, the fallen, felt that Christ was their + friend, felt that he knew their sorrows and pitied their sufferings. + </p> + <p> + The poor mother, holding her dead babe in her arms, lovingly whispered his + name. His gospel has been carried by millions to all parts of the globe, + and his story has been told by the self-denying and faithful to countless + thousands of the sons of men. In his name have been preached charity,—forgiveness + and love. + </p> + <p> + He it was, who according to the faith, brought immortality to light, and + many millions have entered the valley of the shadow with their hands in + his. + </p> + <p> + All this is true, and if it were all, how beautiful, how touching, how + glorious it would be. But it is not all. There is another side. + </p> + <p> + In his name millions and millions of men and women have been imprisoned, + tortured and killed. In his name millions and millions have been enslaved. + In his name the thinkers, the investigators, have been branded as + criminals, and his followers have shed the blood of the wisest and best. + In his name the progress of many nations was stayed for a thousand years. + In his gospel was found the dogma of eternal pain, and his words added an + infinite horror to death. His gospel filled the world with hatred and + revenge; made intellectual honesty a crime; made happiness here the road + to hell, denounced love as base and bestial, canonized credulity, crowned + bigotry and destroyed the liberty of man. + </p> + <p> + It would have been far better had the New Testament never been written—far + better had the theological Christ never lived. Had the writers of the + Testament been regarded as uninspired, had Christ been thought of only as + a man, had the good been accepted and the absurd, the impossible, and the + revengeful thrown away, mankind would have escaped the wars, the tortures, + the scaffolds, the dungeons, the agony and tears, the crimes and sorrows + of a thousand years. + </p> + <p> + VI. THE "SCHEME" + </p> + <p> + WE have also the scheme of redemption. + </p> + <p> + According to this "scheme," by the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of + Eden, human nature became evil, corrupt and depraved. It became impossible + for human beings to keep, in all things, the law of God. In spite of this, + God allowed the people to live and multiply for some fifteen hundred + years, and then on account of their wickedness drowned them all with the + exception of eight persons. + </p> + <p> + The nature of these eight persons was evil, corrupt and depraved, and in + the nature of things their children would be cursed with the same nature. + Yet God gave them another trial, knowing exactly what the result would be. + A few of these wretches he selected and made them objects of his love and + care, the rest of the world he gave to indifference and neglect. To + civilize the people he had chosen, he assisted them in conquering and + killing their neighbors, and gave them the assistance of priests and + inspired prophets. For their preservation and punishment he wrought + countless miracles, gave them many laws and a great deal of advice. He + taught them to sacrifice oxen, sheep, and doves, to the end that their + sins might be forgiven. The idea was inculcated that there was a certain + relation between the sin and the sacrifice,—the greater the sin, the + greater the sacrifice. He also taught the savagery that without the + shedding of blood there was no remission of sin. + </p> + <p> + In spite of all his efforts, the people grew gradually worse. They would + not, they could not keep his laws. + </p> + <p> + A sacrifice had to be made for the sins of the people. The sins were too + great to be washed out by the blood of animals or men. It became necessary + for. God himself to be sacrificed. All mankind were under the curse of the + law. Either all the world must be lost or God must die. + </p> + <p> + In only one way could the guilty be justified, and that was by the death, + the sacrifice of the innocent. And the innocent being sacrificed must be + great enough to atone for the world; There was but one such being—God. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon God took upon himself flesh, was born into the world—was + known as Christ—was murdered, sacrificed by the Jews, and became an + atonement for the sins of the human race. + </p> + <p> + This is the scheme of Redemption,—the atonement. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to conceive of anything more utterly absurd. + </p> + <p> + A man steals, and then sacrifices a dove, or gives a lamb to a priest. His + crime remains the same. He need not kill something. Let him give back the + thing stolen, and in future live an honest life. + </p> + <p> + A man slanders his neighbor and then kills an ox. What has that to do with + the slander. Let him take back his slander, make all the reparation that + he can, and let the ox alone. + </p> + <p> + There is no sense in sacrifice, never was and never will be. + </p> + <p> + Make restitution, reparation, undo the wrong and you need shed no blood. + </p> + <p> + A good law, one springing from the nature of things, cannot demand, and + cannot accept, and cannot be satisfied with the punishment, or the agony + of the innocent. A god could not accept his own sufferings in + justification of the guilty.—This is a complete subversion of all + ideas of justice and morality. A god could not make a law for man, then + suffer in the place of the man who had violated it, and say that the law + had been carried out, and the penalty duly enforced. A man has committed + murder, has been tried, convicted and condemned to death. Another man goes + to the governor and says that he is willing to die in place of the + murderer. The governor says: "All right, I accept your offer, a murder has + been committed, somebody must be hung and your death will satisfy the + law." + </p> + <p> + But that is not the law. The law says, not that somebody shall be hanged, + but that the murderer shall suffer death. + </p> + <p> + Even if the governor should die in the place of the criminal, it would be + no better. There would be two murders instead of one, two innocent men + killed, one by the first murderer and one by the State, and the real + murderer free. + </p> + <p> + This, Christians call, "satisfying the law." + </p> + <p> + VII. BELIEF. + </p> + <p> + WE are told that all who believe in this scheme of redemption and have + faith in the redeemer will be rewarded with eternal joy. Some think that + men can be saved by faith without works, and some think that faith and + works are both essential, but all agree that without faith there is no + salvation. If you repent and believe on Jesus Christ, then his goodness + will be imputed to you and the penalty of the law, so far as you are + concerned, will be satisfied by the sufferings of Christ. + </p> + <p> + You may repent and reform, you may make restitution, you may practice all + the virtues, but without this belief in Christ, the gates of heaven will + be shut against you forever. + </p> + <p> + Where is this heaven? The Christians do not know. + </p> + <p> + Does the Christian go there at death, or must he wait for the general + resurrection? + </p> + <p> + They do not know. + </p> + <p> + The Testament teaches that the bodies of the dead are to be raised? Where + are their souls in the meantime? They do not know. + </p> + <p> + Can the dead be raised? The atoms composing their bodies enter into new + combinations, into new forms, into wheat and corn, into the flesh of + animals and into the bodies of other men. Where one man dies, and some of + his atoms pass into the body of another man and he dies, to whom will + these atoms belong in the day of resurrection? + </p> + <p> + If Christianity were only stupid and unscientific, if its God was ignorant + and kind, if it promised eternal joy to believers and if the believers + practiced the forgiveness they teach, for one I should let the faith + alone. + </p> + <p> + But there is another side to Christianity. It is not only stupid, but + malicious. It is not only unscientific, but it is heartless. Its god is + not only ignorant, but infinitely cruel. It not only promises the faithful + an eternal reward, but declares that nearly all of the children of men, + imprisoned in the dungeons of God will suffer eternal pain. This is the + savagery of Christianity. This is why I hate its unthinkable God, its + impossible Christ, its inspired lies, and its selfish, heartless heaven. + </p> + <p> + Christians believe in infinite torture, in eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + Eternal Pain! + </p> + <p> + All the meanness of which the heart of man is capable is in that one word—Hell. + </p> + <p> + That word is a den, a cave, in which crawl the slimy reptiles of revenge. + </p> + <p> + That word certifies to the savagery of primitive man. + </p> + <p> + That word is the depth, the dungeon, the abyss, from which civilized man + has emerged. + </p> + <p> + That word is the disgrace, the shame, the infamy, of our revealed + religion. + </p> + <p> + That word fills all the future with the shrieks of the damned. + </p> + <p> + That word brutalizes the New Testament, changes the Sermon on the Mount to + hypocrisy and cant, and pollutes and hardens the very heart of Christ. + </p> + <p> + That word adds an infinite horror to death, and makes the cradle as + terrible as the coffin. + </p> + <p> + That word is the assassin of joy, the mocking murderer of hope. That word + extinguishes the light of life and wraps the world in gloom. That word + drives reason from his throne, and gives the crown to madness. + </p> + <p> + That word drove pity from the hearts of men, stained countless swords with + blood, lighted fagots, forged chains, built dungeons, erected scaffolds, + and filled the world with poverty and pain. + </p> + <p> + That word is a coiled serpent in the mother's breast, that lifts its + fanged head and hisses in her ear:—"Your child will be the fuel of + eternal fire." + </p> + <p> + That word blots from the firmament the star of hope and leaves the heavens + black. + </p> + <p> + That word makes the Christian's God an eternal torturer, an everlasting + inquisitor—an infinite wild beast. + </p> + <p> + This is the Christian prophecy of the eternal future: + </p> + <p> + No hope in hell. + </p> + <p> + No pity in heaven. + </p> + <p> + No mercy in the heart of God. + </p> + <p> + VIII. CONCLUSION + </p> + <p> + THE Old Testament is absurd, ignorant and cruel,—the New Testament + is a mingling of the false and true—it is good and bad. + </p> + <p> + The Jehovah of the Jews is an impossible monster. The Trinity absurd and + idiotic, Christ is a myth or a man. + </p> + <p> + The fall of man is contradicted by every fact concerning human history + that we know. The scheme of redemption—through the atonement—is + immoral and senseless. Hell was imagined by revenge, and the orthodox + heaven is the selfish dream of heartless serfs and slaves. The foundations + of the faith have crumbled and faded away. They were miracles, mistakes, + and myths, ignorant and untrue, absurd, impossible, immoral, unnatural, + cruel, childish, savage. Beneath the gaze of the scientist they vanished, + confronted by facts they disappeared. The orthodox religion of our day has + no foundation in truth. Beneath the superstructure can be found no fact. + </p> + <p> + Some may ask, "Are you trying to take our religion away?" + </p> + <p> + I answer, No—superstition is not religion. Belief without evidence + is not religion. Faith without facts is not religion. + </p> + <p> + To love justice, to long for the right, to love mercy, to pity the + suffering, to assist the weak, to forget wrongs and remember benefits—to + love the truth, to be sincere, to utter honest words, to love liberty, to + wage relentless war against slavery in all its forms, to love wife and + child and friend, to make a happy home, to love the beautiful in art, in + nature, to cultivate the mind, to be familiar with the mighty thoughts + that genius has expressed, the noble deeds of all the world, to cultivate + courage and cheerfulness, to make others happy, to fill life with the + splendor of generous acts, the warmth of loving words, to discard error, + to destroy prejudice, to receive new truths with gladness, to cultivate + hope, to see the calm beyond the storm, the dawn beyond the night, to do + the best that can be done and then to be resigned this is the religion of + reason, the creed of science. This satisfies the brain and heart. + </p> + <p> + But, says the prejudiced priest, the malicious minister, "You take away a + future life." + </p> + <p> + I am not trying to destroy another world, but I am endeavoring to prevent + the theologians from destroying this. + </p> + <p> + If we are immortal it is a fact in nature, and that fact does not depend + on bibles, or Christs, or priests or creeds. + </p> + <p> + The hope of another life was in the heart, long before the "sacred books" + were written, and will remain there long after all the "sacred books" are + known to be the work of savage and superstitious men. Hope is the + consolation of the world. + </p> + <p> + The wanderers hope for home.—Hope builds the house and plants the + flowers and fills the air with song. + </p> + <p> + The sick and suffering hope for health.—Hope gives them health and + paints the roses in their cheeks. + </p> + <p> + The lonely, the forsaken, hope for love.—Hope brings the lover to + their arms. They feel the kisses on their eager lips. + </p> + <p> + The poor in tenements and huts, in spite of rags and hunger hope for + wealth.—Hope fills their thin and trembling hands with gold. + </p> + <p> + The dying hopes that death is but another birth, and Love leans above the + pallid face and whispers, "We shall meet again." + </p> + <p> + Hope is the consolation of the world. + </p> + <p> + Let us hope, if there be a God that he is wise and good. + </p> + <p> + Let us hope that if there be another life it will bring peace and joy to + all the children of men. + </p> + <p> + And let us hope that this poor earth on which we live, may be a perfect + world—a world without a crime—without a tear. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0008" id="link0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SUPERSTITION. + </h2> + <p> + I. WHAT IS SUPERSTITION? + </p> + <p> + To believe in spite of evidence or without evidence. To account for one + mystery by another. + </p> + <p> + To believe that the world is governed by chance or caprice. + </p> + <p> + To disregard the true relation between cause and effect. + </p> + <p> + To put thought, intention and design back of nature. + </p> + <p> + To believe that mind created and controls matter. To believe in force + apart from substance, or in substance apart from force. + </p> + <p> + To believe in miracles, spells and charms, in dreams and prophecies. + </p> + <p> + To believe in the supernatural. + </p> + <p> + The foundation of superstition is ignorance, the superstructure is faith + and the dome is a vain hope. + </p> + <p> + Superstition is the child of ignorance and the mother of misery. + </p> + <p> + In nearly every brain is found some cloud of superstition. + </p> + <p> + A woman drops a cloth with which she is washing dishes, and she exclaims: + "That means company." + </p> + <p> + Most people will admit that there is no possible connection between + dropping the cloth and the coming of visitors. The falling cloth could not + have put the visit desire in the minds of people not present, and how + could the cloth produce the desire to visit the particular person who + dropped it? There is no possible connection between the dropping of the + cloth and the anticipated effects. + </p> + <p> + A man catches a glimpse of the new moon over his left shoulder, and he + says: "This is bad luck." + </p> + <p> + To see the moon over the right or left shoulder, or not to see it, could + not by any possibility affect the moon, neither could it change the effect + or influence of the moon on any earthly thing. Certainly the left-shoulder + glance could in no way affect the nature of things. All the facts in + nature would remain the same as though the glance had been over the right + shoulder. We see no connection between the left-shoulder glance and any + possible evil effects upon the one who saw the moon in this way. + </p> + <p> + A girl counts the leaves of a flower, and she says: "One, he comes; two, + he tarries; three, he courts; four, he marries; five, he goes away." + </p> + <p> + Of course the flower did not grow, and the number of its leaves was not + determined with reference to the courtship or marriage of this girl, + neither could there have been any intelligence that guided her hand when + she selected that particular flower. So, count' ing the seeds in an apple + cannot in any way determine whether the future of an individual is to be + happy or miserable. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of persons believe in lucky and unlucky days, numbers, signs and + jewels. + </p> + <p> + Many people regard Friday as an unlucky day—as a bad day to commence + a journey, to marry, to make any investment. The only reason given is that + Friday is an unlucky day. + </p> + <p> + Starting across the sea on Friday could have no possible effect upon the + winds, or waves, or tides, any more than starting on any other day, and + the only possible reason for thinking Friday unlucky is the assertion that + it is so. + </p> + <p> + So it is thought by many that it is dangerous for thirteen people to dine + together. Now, if thirteen is a dangerous number, twenty-six ought to be + twice as dangerous, and fifty-two four times as terrible. + </p> + <p> + It is said that one of the thirteen will die in a year. Now, there is no + possible relation between the number and the digestion of each, between + the number and the individual diseases. If fourteen dine together there is + greater probability, if we take into account only the number, of a death + within the year, than there would be if only thirteen were at the table. + </p> + <p> + Overturning the salt is very unlucky, but spilling the vinegar makes no + difference. + </p> + <p> + Why salt should be revengeful and vinegar forgiving has never been told. + </p> + <p> + If the first person who enters a theatre is crosseyed, the audience will + be small and the "run" a failure. + </p> + <p> + How the peculiarity of the eyes of the first one who enters, changes the + intention of a community, or how the intentions of a community cause the + cross-eyed man to go early, has never been satisfactorily explained. + Between this so-called cause and the so-called effect there is, so far as + we can see, no possible relation. + </p> + <p> + To wear an opal is bad luck, but rubies bring health. How these stones + affect the future, how they destroy causes and defeat effects, no one + pretends to know. + </p> + <p> + So, there are thousands of lucky and unlucky tilings, warnings, omens and + prophecies, but all sensible, sane and reasoning human beings know that + every one is an absurd and idiotic superstition. + </p> + <p> + Let us take another step: + </p> + <p> + For many centuries it was believed that eclipses of the sun and moon were + prophetic of pestilence or famine, and that comets foretold the death of + kings, or the destruction of nations, the coming of war or plague. All + strange appearances in the heavens—the Northern Lights, circles + about the moon, sun dogs, falling stars—filled our intelligent + ancestors with terror. They fell upon their knees—did their best + with sacrifice and prayer to avoid the threatened disaster. Their faces + were ashen with fear as they closed their eyes and cried to the heavens + for help. The clergy, who were as familiar with God then as the orthodox + preachers are now, knew exactly the meaning of eclipses and sun dogs and + Northern Lights; knew that God's patience was nearly exhausted; that he + was then whetting the sword of his wrath, and that the people could save + themselves only by obeying the priests, by counting their beads and + doubling their subscriptions. + </p> + <p> + Earthquakes and cyclones filled the coffers of the church. In the midst of + disasters the miser, with trembling hands, opened his purse. In the gloom + of eclipses thieves and robbers divided their booty with God, and poor, + honest, ignorant girls, remembering that they had forgotten to say a + prayer, gave their little earnings to soften the heart of God. + </p> + <p> + Now we know that all these signs and wonders in the heavens have nothing + to do with the fate of kings, nations or individuals; that they had no + more reference to human beings than to colonies of ants, hives of bees or + the eggs of insects. We now know that the signs and eclipses, the comets, + and the falling stars, would have been just the same if not a human being + had been upon the earth. We know now that eclipses come at certain times + and that their coming can be exactly foretold. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago the belief was general that there were certain healing + virtues in inanimate things, in the bones of holy men and women, in the + rags that had been tom from the foul clothing of still fouler saints, in + hairs from martyrs, in bits of wood and rusty nails from the true cross, + in the teeth and finger nails of pious men, and in a thousand other sacred + things. + </p> + <p> + The diseased were cured by kissing a box in which was kept some bone, or + rag, or bit of wood, some holy hairs, provided the kiss was preceded or + followed by a gift—a something for the church. + </p> + <p> + In some mysterious way the virtue in the bone, or rag, or piece of wood, + crept or flowed from the box, took possession of the sick who had the + necessary faith, and in the name of God drove out the devils who were the + real disease. + </p> + <p> + This belief in the efficacy of bones or rags and holy hair was born of + another belief—the belief that all diseases were produced by evil + spirits. The insane were supposed to be possessed by devils. Epilepsy and + hysteria were produced by the imps of Satan. In short, every human + affliction was the work of the malicious emissaries of the god of hell. + This belief was almost universal, and even in our time the sacred bones + are believed in by millions of people. + </p> + <p> + But to-day no intelligent man believes in the existence of devils—no + intelligent man believes that evil spirits cause disease—consequently, + no intelligent person believes that holy bones or rags, sacred hairs or + pieces of wood, can drive disease out, or in any way bring back to the + pallid cheek the rose of health. + </p> + <p> + Intelligent people now know that the bone of a saint has in it no greater + virtue than the bone of any animal. That a rag from a wandering beggar is + just as good as one from a saint, and that the hair of a horse will cure + disease just as quickly and surely as the hair of a martyr. We now know + that all the sacred relics are religious rubbish; that those who use them + are for the most part dishonest, and that those who rely on them are + almost idiotic. + </p> + <p> + This belief in amulets and charms, in ghosts and devils, is superstition, + pure and simple. + </p> + <p> + Our ancestors did not regard these relics as medicine, having a curative + power, but the idea was that evil spirits stood in dread of holy things—that + they fled from the bone of a saint, that they feared a piece of the true + cross, and that when holy water was sprinkled on a man they immediately + left the premises. So, these devils hated and dreaded the sound of holy + bells, the light of sacred tapers, and, above all, the ever-blessed cross. + </p> + <p> + In those days the priests were fishers for money, and they used these + relics for bait. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + Let us take another step: + </p> + <p> + This belief in the Devil and evil spirits laid the foundation for another + belief: Witchcraft. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that the devil had certain things to give in exchange for + a soul. The old man, bowed and broken, could get back his youth—the + rounded form, the brown hair, the leaping heart of life's morning—if + he would sign and seal away his soul. So, it was thought that the + malicious could by charm and spell obtain revenge, that the poor could be + enriched, and that the ambitious could rise to place and power. All the + good things of this life were at the disposal of the Devil. For those who + resisted the temptations of the Evil One, rewards were waiting in another + world, but the Devil rewarded here in this life. No one has imagination + enough to paint the agonies that were endured by reason of this belief in + witchcraft. Think of the families destroyed, of the fathers and mothers + cast in prison, tortured and burned, of the firesides darkened, of the + children murdered, of the old, the poor and helpless that were stretched + on racks mangled and flayed! + </p> + <p> + Think of the days when superstition and fear were in every house, in every + mind, when accusation was conviction, when assertion of innocence was + regarded as a confession of guilt, and when Christendom was insane! + </p> + <p> + Now we know that all of these horrors were the result of superstition. Now + we know that ignorance was the mother of all the agonies endured. Now we + know that witches never lived, that human beings never bargained with any + devil, and that our pious savage ancestors were mistaken. + </p> + <p> + Let us take another step: + </p> + <p> + Our fathers believed in miracles, in signs and wonders, eclipses and + comets, in the virtues of bones, and in the powers attributed to evil + spirits. All these belonged to the miraculous. The world was supposed to + be full of magic; the spirits were sleight-of-hand performers—necromancers. + There were no natural causes behind events. A devil wished, and it + happened. One who had sold his soul to Satan made a few motions, uttered + some strange words, and the event was present. Natural causes were not + believed in. Delusion and illusion, the monstrous and miraculous, ruled + the world. The foundation was gone—reason had abdicated. Credulity + gave tongues and wings to lies, while the dumb and limping facts were left + behind—were disregarded and remained untold. + </p> + <p> + WHAT IS A MIRACLE? + </p> + <p> + An act performed by a master of nature without reference to the facts in + nature. This is the only honest definition of a miracle. + </p> + <p> + If a man could make a perfect circle, the diameter of which was exactly + one-half the circumference, that would be a miracle in geometry. If a man + could make twice four, nine, that would be a miracle in mathematics. If a + man could make a stone, falling in the air, pass through a space of ten + feet the first second, twenty-five feet the second second, and five feet + the third second, that would be a miracle in physics. If a man could put + together hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen and produce pure gold, that would + be a miracle in chemistry. If a minister were to prove his creed, that + would be a theological miracle. If Congress by law would make fifty cents + worth of silver worth a dollar, that would be a financial miracle. To make + a square triangle would be a most wonderful miracle. To cause a mirror to + reflect the faces of persons who stand behind it, instead of those who + stand in front, would be a miracle. To make echo answer a question would + be a miracle. In other words, to do anything contrary to or without regard + to the facts in nature is to perform a miracle. + </p> + <p> + Now we are convinced of what is called the "uniformity of nature." We + believe that all things act and are acted upon in accordance with their + nature; that under like conditions the results will always be + substantially the same; that like ever has and ever will produce like. We + now believe that events have natural parents and that none die childless. + </p> + <p> + Miracles are not simply impossible, but they are unthinkable by any man + capable of thinking. + </p> + <p> + Now an intelligent man cannot believe that a miracle ever was, or ever + will be, performed. + </p> + <p> + Ignorance is the soil in which belief in miracles grows. + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + Let us take another step: + </p> + <p> + While our ancestors filled the darkness with evil spirits, enemies of + mankind, they also believed in the existence of good spirits. These good + spirits sustained the same relation to God that the evil ones did to the + Devil. These good spirits protected the faithful from the temptations and + snares of the Evil One. They took care of those who carried amulets and + charms, of those who repeated prayers and counted beads, of those who + fasted and performed ceremonies. These good spirits would turn aside the + sword and arrow from the breast of the faithful. They made poison + harmless, they protected the credulous, and in a thousand ways defended + and rescued the true believer. They drove doubts from the minds of the + pious, sowed the seeds of credulity and faith, saved saints from the wiles + of women, painted the glories of heaven for those who fasted and prayed, + made it possible for the really good to dispense with the pleasures of + sense and to hate the Devil. + </p> + <p> + These angels watched over infants who had been baptized, over persons who + had made holy vows, over priests and nuns and wandering beggars who + believed. + </p> + <p> + These spirits were of various kinds: Some had once been men or women, some + had never lived in this world, and some had been angels from the + commencement. Nobody pretended to know exactly what they were, or exactly + how they looked, or in what way they went from place to place, or how they + affected or controlled the minds of men. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that the king of all these evil spirits was the Devil, and + that the king of all the good spirits was God. It was also believed that + God was in fact the king of all, and that the Devil himself was one of the + children of this God. This God and this Devil were at war, each trying to + secure the souls of men. God offered the rewards of eternal joy and + threatened eternal pain. The Devil baited his traps with present pleasure, + with the gratification of the senses, with the ecstasies of love, and + laughed at the joys of heaven and the pangs of hell. With malicious hand + he sowed the seeds of doubt—induced men to investigate, to reason, + to call for evidence, to rely upon themselves; planted in their hearts the + love of liberty, assisted them to break their chains, to escape from their + prisons and besought them to think. In this way he corrupted the children + of men. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers believed that they could by prayer, by sacrifice, by fasting, + by performing certain ceremonies, gain the assistance of this God and of + these good spirits. They were not quite logical. They did not believe that + the Devil was the author of all evil. They thought that flood and famine, + plague and cyclone, earthquake and war, were sometimes sent by God as + punishment for unbelief. They fell upon their knees and with white lips, + prayed the good God to stay his hand. They humbled themselves, confessed + their sins, and filled the heavens with their vows and cries. With priests + and prayers they tried to stay the plague. They kissed the relics, fell at + shrines, besought the Virgin and the saints, but the prayers all died in + the heartless air, and the plague swept on to its natural end. Our poor + fathers knew nothing of any science. Back of all events they put spirits, + good or bad, angels or demons, gods or devils. To them nothing had what we + call a natural cause. Everything was the work of spirits. All was done by + the supernatural, and everything was done by evil spirits that they could + do to ruin, punish, mislead and damn the children of men. This world was a + field of battle, and here the hosts of heaven and hell waged war. + </p> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + Now no man in whose brain the torch of reason bums, no man who + investigates, who really thinks, who is capable of weighing evidence, + believes in signs, in lucky or unlucky days, in lucky or unlucky numbers. + He knows that Fridays and Thursdays are alike; that thirteen is no more + deadly than twelve. He knows that opals affect the wearer the same as + rubies, diamonds or common glass. He knows that the matrimonial chances of + a maiden are not increased or decreased by the number of leaves of a + flower or seeds in an apple. He knows that a glance at the moon over the + left shoulder is as healthful and lucky as one over the right. He does not + care whether the first comer to a theatre is crosseyed or hump-backed, + bow-legged, or as well-proportioned as Apollo. He knows that a strange cat + could be denied asylum without bringing any misfortune to the family. He + knows that an owl does not hoot in the full of the moon because a + distinguished man is about to die. He knows that comets and eclipses would + come if all the folks were dead. He is not frightened by sun dogs, or the + Morning of the North when the glittering lances pierce the shield of + night. + </p> + <p> + He knows that all these things occur without the slightest reference to + the human race. He feels certain that floods would destroy and cyclones + rend and earthquakes devour; that the stars would shine; that day and + night would still pursue each other around the world; that flowers would + give their perfume to the air, and light would paint the seven-hued arch + upon the dusky bosom of the cloud if every human being was unconscious + dust. + </p> + <p> + A man of thought and sense does not believe in the existence of the Devil. + He feels certain that imps, goblins, demons and evil spirits exist only in + the imagination of the ignorant and frightened. He knows how these + malevolent myths were made. He knows the part they have played in all + religions. He knows that for many centuries a belief in these devils, + these evil spirits, was substantially universal. He knows that the priest + believed as firmly as the peasant. In those days the best educated and the + most ignorant were equal dupes. Kings and courtiers, ladies and clowns, + soldiers and artists, slaves and convicts, believed as firmly in the Devil + as they did in God. + </p> + <p> + Back of this belief there is no evidence, and there never has been. This + belief did not rest on any fact. It was supported by mistakes, + exaggerations and lies. The mistakes were natural, the exaggerations were + mostly unconscious and the lies were generally honest. Back of these + mistakes, these exaggerations, these lies, was the love of the marvelous. + Wonder listened with greedy ears, with wide eyes, and ignorance with open + mouth. + </p> + <p> + The man of sense knows the history of this belief, and he knows, also, + that for many centuries its truth was established by the Holy Bible. He + knows that the Old Testament is filled with allusions to the Devil, to + evil spirits, and that the New Testament is the same. He knows that Christ + himself was a believer in the Devil, in evil spirits, and that his + principal business was casting out devils from the bodies of men and + women. He knows that Christ himself, according to the New Testament, was + not only tempted by the Devil, but was carried by his Satanic Highness to + the top of the temple. If the New Testament is the inspired word of God, + then I admit that these devils, these imps, do actually exist and that + they do take possession of human beings. + </p> + <p> + To deny the existence of these evil spirits, to deny the existence of the + Devil, is to deny the truth of the New Testament. To deny the existence of + these imps of darkness is to contradict the words of Jesus Christ. If + these devils do not exist, if they do not cause disease, if they do not + tempt and mislead their victims, then Christ was an ignorant, + superstitious man, insane, an impostor, or the New Testament is not a true + record of what he said and what he pretended to do. If we give up the + belief in devils, we must give up the inspiration of the Old and New + Testament. We must give up the divinity of Christ. To deny the existence + of evil spirits is to utterly destroy the foundation of Christianity. + There is no half-way ground. Compromise is impossible. If all the accounts + in the New Testament of casting out devils are false, what part of the + Blessed Book is true? + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the success of the Devil in the Garden of Eden made + the coming of Christ a necessity, laid the foundation for the atonement, + crucified the Savior and gave us the Trinity. + </p> + <p> + If the Devil does not exist, the Christian creeds all crumble, and the + superstructure known as "Christianity," built by the fathers, by popes, by + priests and theologians—built with mistakes and falsehoods, with + miracles and wonders, with blood and flame, with lies and legends borrowed + from the savage world, becomes a shapeless ruin. + </p> + <p> + If we give up the belief in devils and evil spirits, we are compelled to + say that a witch never lived. No sensible human being now believes in + witchcraft. We know that it was a delusion. We now know that thousands and + thousands of innocent men, women and children were tortured and burned for + having been found guilty of an impossible crime, and we also know, if our + minds have not been deformed by faith, that all the books in which the + existence of witches is taught were written by ignorant and superstitious + men. We also know that the Old Testament asserted the existence of + witches. According to that Holy Book, Jehovah was a believer in + witchcraft, and said to his chosen people: "Thou shalt not suffer a witch + to live." + </p> + <p> + This one commandment—this simple line—demonstrates that + Jehovah was not only not God, but that he was a poor, ignorant, + superstitious savage. This one line proves beyond all possible doubt that + the Old Testament was written by men, by barbarians. + </p> + <p> + John Wesley was right when he said that to give up a belief in witchcraft + was to give up the Bible. + </p> + <p> + Give up the Devil, and what can you do with the Book of Job? How will you + account for the lying spirits that Jehovah sent to mislead Ahab? + </p> + <p> + Ministers who admit that witchcraft is a superstition will read the story + of the Witch of Endor—will read it in a solemn, reverential voice—with + a theological voice—and will have the impudence to say that they + believe it. + </p> + <p> + It would be delightful to know that angels hover in the air; that they + guard the innocent, protect the good; that they bend over the cradles and + give health and happy dreams to pallid babes; that they fill dungeons with + the light of their presence and give hope to the imprisoned; that they + follow the fallen, the erring, the outcasts, the friendless, and win them + back to virtue, love and joy. But we have no more evidence of the + existence of good spirits than of bad. The angels that visited Abraham and + the mother of Samson are as unreal as the ghosts and goblins of the Middle + Ages. The angel that stopped the donkey of Balaam, the one who walked in + the furnace flames with Meshech, Shadrack and Abed-nego, the one who slew + the Assyrians and the one who in a dream removed the suspicions of Joseph, + were all created by the imagination of the credulous, by the lovers of the + marvelous, and they have been handed down from dotage to infancy, from + ignorance to ignorance, through all the years. Except in Catholic + countries, no winged citizen of the celestial realm has visited the world + for hundreds of years. Only those who are blind to facts can see these + beautiful creatures, and only those who reach conclusions without the + assistance of evidence can believe in their existence. It is told that the + great Angelo, in decorating a church, painted some angels wearing sandals. + A cardinal looking at the picture said to the artist: "Whoever saw angels + with sandals?" Angelo answered with another question: "Whoever saw an + angel barefooted?" + </p> + <p> + The existence of angels has never been established. Of course, we know + that millions and millions have believed in seraphim and cherubim; have + believed that the angel Gabriel contended with the Devil for the body of + Moses; that angels shut the mouths of the lions for the protection of + Daniel; that angels ministered unto Christ, and that countless angels will + accompany the Savior when he comes to take possession of the world. And we + know that all these millions believe through blind, unreasoning faith, + holding all evidence and all facts in theological contempt. + </p> + <p> + But the angels come no more. They bring no balm to any wounded heart. Long + ago they folded their pinions and faded from the earth and air. These + winged guardians no longer protect the innocent; no longer cheer the + suffering; no longer whisper words of comfort to the helpless. They have + become dreams—vanished visions. + </p> + <p> + V. + </p> + <p> + In the dear old religious days the earth was flat—a little dishing, + if anything—and just above it was Jehovah's house, and just below it + was where the Devil lived. God and his angels inhabited the third story, + the Devil and his imps the basement, and the human race the second floor. + </p> + <p> + Then they knew where heaven was. They could almost hear the harps and + hallelujahs. They knew where hell was, and they could almost hear the + groans and smell the sulphurous fumes. They regarded the volcanoes as + chimneys. They were perfectly acquainted with the celestial, the + terrestrial and the infernal. They were quite familiar with the New + Jerusalem, with its golden streets and gates of pearl. Then the + translation of Enoch seemed reasonable enough, and no one doubted that + before the flood the sons of God came down and made love to the daughters + of men. The theologians thought that the builders of Babel would have + succeeded if God had not come down and caused them to forget the meaning + of words. + </p> + <p> + In those blessed days the priests knew all about heaven and hell. They + knew that God governed the world by hope and fear, by promise and threat, + by reward and punishment. The reward was to be eternal and so was the + punishment. It was not God's plan to develop the human brain, so that man + would perceive and comprehend the right and avoid the wrong. He taught + ignorance nothing but obedience, and for obedience he offered eternal joy. + He loved the submissive—the kneelers and crawlers. He hated the + doubters, the investigators, the thinkers, the philosophers. For them he + created the eternal prison where he could feed forever the hunger of his + hate. He loved the credulous—those who believed without evidence—and + for them he prepared a home in the realm of fadeless light. He delighted + in the company of the questionless. + </p> + <p> + But where is this heaven, and where is this hell? We now know that heaven + is not just above the clouds and that hell is not just below the earth. + The telescope has done away with the ancient heaven, and the revolving + world has quenched the flames of the ancient hell. These theological + countries, these imagined worlds, have disappeared. No one knows, and no + one pretends to know, where heaven is; and no one knows, and no one + pretends to know, the locality of hell. Now the theologians say that hell + and heaven are not places, but states of mind—conditions. + </p> + <p> + The belief in gods and devils has been substantially universal. Back of + the good, man placed a god; back of the evil, a devil; back of health, + sunshine and harvest was a good deity; back of disease, misfortune and + death he placed a malicious fiend. + </p> + <p> + Is there any evidence that gods and devils exist? The evidence of the + existence of a god and of a devil is substantially the same. Both of these + deities are inferences; each one is a perhaps. They have not been seen—they + are invisible—and they have not ventured within the horizon of the + senses. The old lady who said there must be a devil, else how could they + make pictures that looked exactly like him, reasoned like a trained + theologian—like a doctor of divinity. + </p> + <p> + Now no intelligent man believes in the existence of a devil—no + longer fears the leering fiend. Most people who think have given up a + personal God, a creative deity. They now talk about the "Unknown," the + "Infinite Energy," but they put Jehovah with Jupiter. They regard them + both as broken dolls from the nursery of the past. + </p> + <p> + The men or women who ask for evidence—who desire to know the truth—care + nothing for signs; nothing for what are called wonders; nothing for lucky + or unlucky jewels, days or numbers; nothing for charms or amulets; nothing + for comets or eclipses, and have no belief in good or evil spirits, in + gods or devils. They place no reliance on general or special providence—on + any power that rescues, protects and saves the good or punishes the vile + and vicious. They do not believe that in the whole history of mankind a + prayer has been answered. They think that all the sacrifices have been + wasted, and that all the incense has ascended in vain. They do not believe + that the world was created and prepared for man any more than it was + created and prepared for insects. They do not think it probable that + whales were invented to supply the Eskimo with blubber, or that flames + were created to attract and destroy moths. On every hand there seems to be + evidence of design—design for the accomplishment of good, design for + the accomplishment of evil. On every side are the benevolent and malicious—something + toiling to preserve, something laboring to destroy. Everything surrounded + by friends and enemies—by the love that protects, by the hate that + kills. Design is as apparent in decay, as in growth; in failure, as in + success; in grief, as in joy. Nature with one hand building, with one hand + tearing down, armed with sword and shield—slaying and protecting, + and protecting but to slay. All life journeying toward death, and all + death hastening back to life. Everywhere waste and economy, care and + negligence. + </p> + <p> + We watch the flow and ebb of life and death—the great drama that + forever holds the stage, where players act their parts and disappear; the + great drama in which all must act—ignorant and learned, idiotic and + insane—without rehearsal and without the slightest knowledge of a + part, or of any plot or purpose in the play. The scene shifts; some actors + disappear and others come, and again the scene shifts; mystery everywhere. + We try to explain, and the explanation of one fact contradicts another. + Behind each veil removed, another. All things equal in wonder. One drop of + water as wonderful as all the seas; one grain of sand as all the world; + one moth with painted wings as all the things that live; one egg from + which warmth, in darkness, woos to life an organized and breathing form—a + form with sinews, bones and nerves, with blood and brain, with instincts, + passions, thoughts and wants—as all the stars that wheel in space. + </p> + <p> + The smallest seed that, wrapped in soil, has dreams of April rains and + days of June, withholds its secret from the wisest men. The wisdom of the + world cannot explain one blade of grass, the faintest motion of the + smallest leaf. And yet theologians, popes, priests, parsons, who + speechless stand before the wonder of the smallest thing that is, know all + about the origin of worlds, know when the beginning was, when the end will + be, know all about the God who with a wish created all, know what his plan + and purpose was, the means he uses and the end he seeks. To them all + mysteries have been revealed, except the mystery of things that touch the + senses of a living man. + </p> + <p> + But honest men do not pretend to know; they are candid and sincere; they + love the truth; they admit their ignorance, and they say, "We do not + know." + </p> + <p> + After all, why should we worship our ignorance, why should we kneel to the + Unknown, why should we prostrate ourselves before a guess? + </p> + <p> + If God exists, how do we know that he is good, that he cares for us? The + Christians say that their God has existed from eternity; that he forever + has been, and forever will be, infinite, wise and good. Could this God + have avoided being God? Could he have avoided being good? Was he wise and + good without his wish or will? + </p> + <p> + Being from eternity, he was not produced. He was back of all cause. What + he is, he was, and will be, unchanged, unchangeable. He had nothing to do + with the making or developing of his character. + </p> + <p> + Nothing to do with the development of his mind. What he was, he is. He has + made no progress. What he is, he will be, there can be no change. Why + then, I ask, should we praise him? He could not have been different from + what he was and is. Why should we pray to him? He cannot change. + </p> + <p> + And yet Christians implore their God not to do wrong. + </p> + <p> + The meanest thing charged against the Devil is that he leads the children + of men into temptation, and yet, in the Lord's Prayer, God is insultingly + asked not to imitate the king of fiends. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Lead us not into temptation." +</pre> + <p> + Why should God demand praise? He is as lie was. He has never learned + anything; has never practiced any self-denial; was never tempted, never + touched by fear or hope, and never had a want. Why should he demand our + praise? + </p> + <p> + Does anyone know that this God exists; that he ever heard or answered any + prayer? Is it known that he governs the world; that he interferes in the + affairs of men; that he protects the good or punishes the wicked? Can + evidence of this be found in the history of mankind? If God governs the + world, why should we credit him for the good and not charge him with the + evil? To justify this God we must say that good is good and that evil is + also good. If all is done by this God we should make no distinction + between his actions—between the actions of the infinitely wise, + powerful and good. If we thank him for sunshine and harvest we should also + thank him for plague and famine. If we thank him for liberty, the slave + should raise his chained hands in worship and thank God that he toils + unpaid with the lash upon his naked back. If we thank him for victory we + should thank him for defeat. + </p> + <p> + Only a few days ago our President, by proclamation, thanked God for giving + us the victory at Santiago. He did not thank him for sending the yellow + fever. To be consistent the President should have thanked him equally for + both. + </p> + <p> + The truth is that good and evil spirits—gods and devils—are + beyond the realm of experience; beyond the horizon of our senses; beyond + the limits of our thoughts; beyond imagination's utmost flight. + </p> + <p> + Man should think; he should use all his senses; he should examine; he + should reason. The man who cannot think is less than man; the man who will + not think is traitor to himself; the man who fears to think is + superstition's slave. + </p> + <p> + VI. + </p> + <p> + What harm does superstition do? What harm in believing in fables, in + legends? + </p> + <p> + To believe in signs and wonders, in amulets, charms and miracles, in gods + and devils, in heavens and hells, makes the brain an insane ward, the + world a madhouse, takes all certainty from the mind, makes experience a + snare, destroys the kinship of effect and cause—the unity of nature—and + makes man a trembling serf and slave. With this belief a knowledge of + nature sheds no light upon the path to be pursued. Nature becomes a puppet + of the unseen powers. The fairy, called the supernatural, touches with her + wand a fact, it disappears. Causes are barren of effects, and effects are + independent of all natural causes. Caprice is king. The foundation is + gone. The great dome rests on air. There is no constancy in qualities, + relations or results. Reason abdicates and superstition wears her crown. + </p> + <p> + The heart hardens and the brain softens. + </p> + <p> + The energies of man are wasted in a vain effort to secure the protection + of the supernatural. Credulity, ceremony, worship, sacrifice and prayer + take the place of honest work, of investigation, of intellectual effort, + of observation, of experience. Progress becomes impossible. + </p> + <p> + Superstition is, always lias been, and forever will be, the enemy of + liberty. + </p> + <p> + Superstition created all the gods and angels, all the devils and ghosts, + all the witches, demons and goblins, gave us all the augurs, soothsayers + and prophets, filled the heavens with signs and wonders, broke the chain + of cause and effect, and wrote the history of man in miracles and lies. + Superstition made all the popes, cardinals, bishops and priests, all the + monks and nuns, the begging friars and the filthy saints, all the + preachers and exhorters, all the "called" and "set apart." Superstition + made men fall upon their knees before beasts and stones, caused them to + worship snakes and trees and insane phantoms of the air, beguiled them of + their gold and toil, and made them shed their children's blood and give + their babes to flames. Superstition built the cathedrals and temples, all + the altars, mosques and churches, filled the world with amulets and + charms, with images and idols, with sacred bones and holy hairs, with + martyrs' blood and rags, with bits, of wood that frighten devils from the + breasts of men. Superstition invented and used the instruments of torture, + flayed men and women alive, loaded millions, with chains and destroyed + hundreds of thousands with fire. Superstition mistook insanity for + inspiration and the ravings of maniacs for prophesy, for the wisdom of + God. Superstition imprisoned the virtuous, tortured the thoughtful, killed + the heroic, put chains on the body, manacles on the brain, and utterly + destroyed the liberty of speech. Superstition gave us all the prayers and + ceremonies; taught all the kneelings, genuflections and prostrations; + taught men to hate themselves, to despise pleasure, to scar their flesh, + to grovel in the dust, to desert their wives and children, to shun their + fellow-men, and to spend their lives in useless pain and prayer. + Superstition taught that human love is degrading, low and vile; taught + that monks are purer than fathers, that nuns are holier than mothers, that + faith is superior to fact, that credulity leads to heaven, that doubt is + the road to hell, that belief is better than knowledge, and that to ask + for evidence is to insult God. Superstition is, always has been, and + forever will be, the foe of progress, the enemy of education and the + assassin of freedom. It sacrifices the known to the unknown, the present + to the future, this actual world to the shadowy next. It has given us a + selfish heaven, and a hell of infinite revenge; it has filled the world + with hatred, war and crime, with the malice of meekness and the arrogance + of humility. Superstition is the only enemy of science in all the world. + </p> + <p> + Nations, races, have been destroyed by this monster. For nearly two + thousand years the infallible agent of God has lived in Italy. That + country has been covered with nunneries, monasteries, cathedrals and + temples—filled with all varieties of priests and holy men. For + centuries Italy was enriched with the gold of the faithful. All roads led + to Rome, and these roads were filled with pilgrims bearing gifts, and yet + Italy, in spite of all the prayers, steadily pursued the downward path, + died and was buried, and would at this moment be in her grave had it not + been for Cavour, Mazzini and Garibaldi. For her poverty, her misery, she + is indebted to the holy Catholic Church, to the infallible agents of God. + For the life she has she is indebted to the enemies of superstition. A few + years ago Italy was great enough to build a monument to Giordano Bruno—Bruno, + the victim of the "Triumphant Beast;"—Bruno, the sublimest of her + sons. + </p> + <p> + Spain was at one time owner of half the earth, and held within her greedy + hands the gold and silver of the world. At that time all nations were in + the darkness of superstition. At that time the world was governed by + priests. Spain clung to her creed. Some nations began to think, but Spain + continued to believe. In some countries, priests lost power, but not in + Spain. The power behind her throne was the cowled monk. In some countries + men began to interest themselves in science, but not in Spain. Spain told + her beads and continued to pray to the Virgin. Spain was busy-saving her + soul. In her zeal she destroyed herself. She relied on the supernatural; + not on knowledge, but superstition. Her prayers were never answered. The + saints were dead. They could not help, and the Blessed Virgin did not + hear. Some countries were in the dawn of a new day, but Spain gladly + remained in the night. With fire and sword she exterminated the men who + thought. Her greatest festival was the <i>Auto da Fe</i>. Other nations + grew great while Spain grew small. Day by day her power waned, but her + faith increased. One by one her colonies were lost, but she kept her + creed. She gave her gold to superstition, her brain to priests, but she + faithfully counted her beads. Only a few days ago, relying on her God and + his priests, on charms and amulets, on holy water and pieces of the true + cross, she waged war against the great Republic. Bishops blessed her + armies and sprinkled holy water on her ships, and yet her armies were + defeated and captured, lier ships battered, beached and burned, and in her + helplessness she sued for peace. But she has her creed; her superstition + is not lost. Poor Spain, wrecked by faith, the victim of religion! + </p> + <p> + Portugal, slowly dying, growing poorer every day, still clings to the + faith. Her prayers are never answered, but she makes them still. Austria + is nearly gone, a victim of superstition. Germany is traveling toward the + night. God placed her Kaiser on the throne. The people must obey. + Philosophers and scientists fall upon, their knees and become the puppets + of the divinely crowned. + </p> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + The believers in the supernatural, in a power superior to nature, in God, + have what they call "inspired books." These books contain the absolute + truth. They must be believed. He who denies them will be punished with + eternal pain. These books are not addressed to human reason. They are + above reason. They care nothing for what a man calls "facts." Facts that + do not agree with these books are mistakes. These books are independent of + human experience, of human reason. + </p> + <p> + Our inspired books constitute what we call the "Bible." The man who reads + this inspired book, looking for contradictions, mistakes and + interpolations, imperils the salvation of his soul. While he reads he has + no right to think, no right to reason. To believe is his only duty. + </p> + <p> + Millions of men have wasted their lives in the study of this book—in + trying to harmonize contradictions and to explain the obscure and + seemingly absurd. In doing this they have justified nearly every crime and + every cruelty. In its follies they have found the profoundest wisdom. + Hundreds of creeds have been constructed from its inspired passages. + </p> + <p> + Probably no two of its readers have agreed as to its meaning. Thousands + have studied Hebrew and Greek that they might read the Old and New + Testament in the languages in which they were written. The more they + studied, the more they differed. By the same book they proved that nearly + everybody is to be lost, and that all are to be saved; that slavery is a + divine institution, and that all men should be free; that polygamy is + right, and that no man should have more than one wife; that the powers + that be are ordained of God, and that the people have a right to overturn + and destroy the powers that be; that all the actions of men were + predestined—preordained from eternity, and yet that man is free; + that all the heathen will be lost; that all the heathen will be saved; + that all men who live according to the light of nature will be damned for + their pains; that you must be baptized by sprinkling; that you must be + baptized by immersion; that there is no salvation without baptism; that + baptism is useless; that you must believe in the Trinity; that it is + sufficient to believe in God; that you must believe that a Hebrew peasant + was God; that at the same time he was half man, that he was of the blood + of David through his supposed father Joseph, who was not his father, and + that it is not necessary to believe that Christ was God; that you must + believe that the Holy Ghost proceeded; that it makes no difference whether + you do or not; that you must keep the Sabbath holy; that Christ taught + nothing of the kind; that Christ established a church; that he established + no church; that the dead are to be raised; that there is to be no + resurrection; that Christ is coming again; that he has made his last + visit; that Christ went to hell and preached to the spirits in prison; + that he did nothing of the kind; that all the Jews are going to perdition; + that they are all going to heaven; that all the miracles described in the + Bible were performed; that some of them were not, because they are + foolish, childish and idiotic; that all the Bible is inspired; that some + of the books are not inspired; that there is to be a general judgment, + when the sheep and goats are to be divided; that there never will be any + general judgment; that the sacramental bread and wine are changed into the + flesh and blood of God and the Trinity; that they are not changed; that + God has no flesh or blood; that there is a place called "purgatory;" that + there is no such place; that unbaptized infants will be lost; that they + will be saved; that we must believe the Apostles' Creed; that the apostles + made no creed; that the Holy Ghost was the father of Christ; that Joseph + was his father; that the Holy Ghost had the form of a dove; that there is + no Holy Ghost; that heretics should be killed; that you must not resist + evil; that you should murder unbelievers; that you must love your enemies; + that you should take no thought for the morrow, but should be diligent in + business; that you should lend to all who ask, and that One who does not + provide for his own household is worse than an infidel. + </p> + <p> + In defence of all these creeds, all these contradictions, thousands of + volumes have been written, millions of sermons have been preached, + countless swords reddened with blood, and thousands and thousands of + nights made lurid with the faggot's flames. + </p> + <p> + Hundreds and hundreds of commentators have obscured and darkened the + meaning of the plainest texts, spiritualized dates, names, numbers and + even genealogies. They have degraded the poetic, changed parables to + history, and imagery to stupid and impossible facts. They have wrestled + with rhapsody and prophecy, with visions and dreams, with illusions and + delusions, with myths and miracles, with the blunders of ignorance, the + ravings of insanity and the ecstasy of hysterics. Millions of priests and + preachers have added to the mysteries of the inspired book by explanation, + by showing the wisdom of foolishness, the foolishness of wisdom, the mercy + of cruelty and the probability of the impossible. + </p> + <p> + The theologians made the Bible a master and the people its slaves. With + this book they destroyed intellectual veracity, the natural manliness of + man. With this book they banished pity from the heart, subverted all ideas + of justice and fairness, imprisoned the soul in the dungeon of fear and + made honest doubt a crime. + </p> + <p> + Think of what the world has suffered from fear. Think of the millions who + were driven to insanity. Think of the fearful nights—nights filled + with phantoms, with flying, crawling monsters, with hissing serpents that + slowly uncoiled, with vague and formless horrors, with burning and + malicious eyes. + </p> + <p> + Think of the fear of death, of infinite wrath, of everlasting revenge in + the prisons of fire, of an eternity, of thirst, of endless regret, of the + sobs and sighs, the shrieks and groans of eternal pain! + </p> + <p> + Think of the hearts hardened, of the hearts broken, of the cruelties + inflicted, of the agonies endured, of the lives darkened. + </p> + <p> + The inspired Bible has been and is the greatest curse of Christendom, and + will so remain as long as it is held to be inspired. + </p> + <p> + VIII. + </p> + <p> + Our God was made by men, sculptured by savages who did the best they + could. They made our God somewhat like themselves, and gave to him their + passions, their ideas of right and wrong. + </p> + <p> + As man advanced he slowly changed his God—took a little ferocity + from his heart, and put the light of kindness in his eyes. As man + progressed he obtained a wider view, extended the intellectual horizon, + and again he changed his God, making him as nearly perfect as he could, + and yet this God was patterned after those who made him. As man became + civilized, as he became merciful, he began to love justice, and as his + mind expanded his ideal became purer, nobler, and so his God became more + merciful, more loving. + </p> + <p> + In our day Jehovah has been outgrown. He is no longer the perfect. Now + theologians talk, not about Jehovah, but about a God of love, call him the + Eternal Father and the perpetual friend and providence of man. But, while + they talk about this God of love, cyclones wreck and rend, the earthquake + devours, the flood destroys, the red bolt leaping from the cloud still + crashes the life out of men, and plague and fever still are tireless + reapers in the harvest fields of death. + </p> + <p> + They tell us now that all is good; that evil is but blessing in disguise, + that pain makes strong and virtuous men—makes character—while + pleasure enfeebles and degrades. If this be so, the souls in hell should + grow to greatness, while those in heaven should shrink and shrivel. + </p> + <p> + But we know that good is good. We know that good is not evil, and that + evil is not good. We know that light is not darkness, and that darkness is + not light. But we do not feel that good and evil were planned and caused + by a supernatural God. We regard them both as necessities. We neither + thank nor curse. We know that some evil can be avoided and that the good + can be increased. We know that this can be done by increasing knowledge, + by developing the brain. + </p> + <p> + As Christians have changed their God, so they have accordingly changed + their Bible. The impossible and absurd, the cruel and the infamous, have + been mostly thrown aside, and thousands are now engaged in trying to save + the inspired word. Of course, the orthodox still cling to every word, and + still insist that every line is true. They are literalists. + </p> + <p> + To them the Bible means exactly what it says. + </p> + <p> + They want no explanation. They care nothing for commentators. + Contradictions cannot disturb their faith. They deny that any + contradictions exist. They loyally stand by the sacred text, and they give + it the narrowest possible interpretation. They are like the janitor of an + apartment house who refused to rent a flat to a gentleman because he said + he had children. "But," said the gentleman, "my children are both married + and live in Iowa." "That makes no difference," said the janitor, "I am not + allowed to rent a flat to any man who has children." + </p> + <p> + All the orthodox churches are obstructions on the highway of progress. + Every orthodox creed is a chain, a dungeon. Every believer in the + "inspired book" is a slave who drives reason from her throne, and in her + stead crowns fear. + </p> + <p> + Reason is the light, the sun, of the brain. It is the compass of the mind, + the ever-constant Northern Star, the mountain peak that lifts itself above + all clouds. + </p> + <p> + IX. + </p> + <p> + There were centuries of darkness when religion had control of Christendom. + Superstition was almost universal. Not one in twenty thousand could read + or write. During these centuries the people lived with their back to the + sunrise, and pursued their way toward the dens of ignorance and faith. + There was no progress, no invention, no discovery. On every hand cruelty + and worship, persecution and prayer. The priests were the enemies of + thought, of investigation. They were the shepherds, and the people were + their sheep and it was their business to guard the flock from the wolves + of thought and doubt. This world was of no importance compared with the + next. This life was to be spent in preparing for the life to come. The + gold and labor of men were wasted in building cathedrals and in supporting + the pious and the useless. During these Dark Ages of Christianity, as I + said before, nothing was invented, nothing was discovered, calculated to + increase the well-being of men. The energies of Christendom were wasted in + the vain effort to obtain assistance from the supernatural. + </p> + <p> + For centuries the business of Christians was to wrest from the followers + of Mohammed the empty sepulcher of Christ. Upon the altar of this folly + millions of lives were sacrificed, and yet the soldiers of the impostor + were victorious, and the wretches who carried the banner of Christ were + scattered like leaves before the storm. + </p> + <p> + There was, I believe, one invention during these ages. It is said that, in + the thirteenth century, Roger Bacon, a Franciscan monk, invented + gunpowder, but this invention was without a fellow. Yet we cannot give + Christianity the credit, because Bacon was an infidel, and was great + enough to say that in all things reason must be the standard. He was + persecuted and imprisoned, as most sensible men were in those blessed + days. The church was triumphant. The sceptre and mitre were in her hands, + and yet her success was the result of force and fraud, and it carried + within itself the seeds of its defeat. The church attempted the + impossible. It endeavored to make the world of one belief; to force all + minds to a common form, and utterly destroy the individuality of man. To + accomplish this it employed every art and artifice that cunning could + suggest It inflicted every cruelty by every means that malice could + invent. + </p> + <p> + But, in spite of all, a few men began to think. + </p> + <p> + They became interested in the affairs of this world—in the great + panorama of nature. They began to seek for causes, for the explanations of + phenomena. They were not satisfied with the assertions of the church. + These thinkers withdrew their gaze from the skies and looked at their own + surroundings. They were unspiritual enough to desire comfort here. They + became sensible and secular, worldly and wise. + </p> + <p> + What was the result? They began to invent, to discover, to find the + relation between facts, the conditions of happiness and the means that + would increase the well-being of their fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Movable types were invented, paper was borrowed from the Moors, books + appeared, and it became possible to save the intellectual wealth so that + each generation could hand it to the next. History began to take the place + of legend and rumor. The telescope was invented. The orbits of the stars + were traced, and men became citizens of the universe. The steam engine was + constructed, and now steam, the great slave, does the work of hundreds of + millions of men. The Black Art, the impossible, was abandoned, and + chemistry, the useful, took its place. Astrology became astronomy. Kepler + discovered the three great laws, one of the greatest triumphs of human + genius, and our constellation became a poem, a symphony. Newton gave us + the mathematical expression of the attraction of gravitation. Harvey + discovered the circulation of the blood. He gave us the fact, and Draper + gave us the reason. Steamships conquered the seas and railways covered the + land. Houses and streets were lighted with gas. Through the invention of + matches fire became the companion of man. The art of photography became + known; the sun became an artist. Telegraphs and cables were invented. The + lightning became a carrier of thought, and the nations became neighbors. + Anaesthetics were discovered and pain was lost in sleep. Surgery became a + science. The telephone was invented—the telephone that carries and + deposits in listening ears the waves of words. The phonograph, that + catches and retains in marks and dots and gives again the echoes of our + speech. + </p> + <p> + Then came electric light that fills the night with day, and all the + wonderful machines that use the subtle force—the same force that + leaps from the summer cloud to ravage and destroy. + </p> + <p> + The Spectrum Analysis that tells us of the substance of the sun; the Röntgen + rays that change the opaque to the transparent. The great thinkers + demonstrated the indestructibility of force and matter—demonstrated + that the indestructible could not have been created. The geologist, in + rocks and deposits and mountains and continents, read a little of the + story of the world—of its changes, of the glacial epoch—the + story of vegetable and animal life. + </p> + <p> + The biologists, through the fossil forms of life, established the + antiquity of man and demonstrated the worthlessness of Holy Writ. Then + came evolution, the survival of the fittest and natural selection. + Thousands of mysteries were explained and science wrested the sceptre from + superstition. The cell theory was advanced, and embryology was studied; + the microscope discovered germs of disease and taught us how to stay the + plague. These great theories and discoveries, together with countless + inventions, are the children of intellectual liberty. + </p> + <p> + X. + </p> + <p> + After all we know but little. In the darkness of life there are a few + gleams of light. Possibly the dropping of a dishcloth prophesies the + coming of company, but we have no evidence. Possibly it is dangerous for + thirteen to dine together, but we have no evidence. Possibly a maiden's + matrimonial chances are determined by the number of seeds in an apple, or + by the number of leaves on a flower, but we have no evidence. Possibly + certain stones give good luck to the wearer, while the wearing of others + brings loss and death. Possibly a glimpse of the new moon over the left + shoulder brings misfortune. Possibly there are curative virtues in old + bones, in sacred rags and holy hairs, in images and bits of wood, in rusty + nails and dried blood, but the trouble is we have no evidence. Possibly + comets, eclipses and shooting stars foretell the death of kings, the + destruction of nations or the coming of plague. Possibly devils take + possession of the bodies and minds of men. Possibly witches, with the + Devil's help, control the winds, breed storms on sea and land, fill + summer's lap with frosts and snow, and work with charm and spell against + the public weal, but of this we have no evidence. It may be that all the + miracles described in the Old and New Testament were performed; that the + pallid flesh of the dead felt once more the thrill of life; that the + corpse arose and felt upon his smiling lips the kiss of wife and child. + Possibly water was turned into wine, loaves and fishes increased, and + possibly devils were expelled from men and women; possibly fishes were + found with money in their mouths; possibly clay and spittle brought back + the light to sightless eyes, and possibly words cured disease and made the + leper clean, but of this we have no evidence. + </p> + <p> + Possibly iron floated, rivers divided, waters burst from dry bones, birds + carried food to prophets and angels flourished drawn swords, but of this + we have no evidence. + </p> + <p> + Possibly Jehovah employed lying spirits to deceive a king, and all the + wonders of the savage world may have happened, but the trouble is there is + no proof. + </p> + <p> + So there may be a Devil, almost infinite in cunning and power, and he may + have a countless number of imps whose only business is to sow the seeds of + evil and to vex, mislead, capture and imprison in eternal flames the souls + of men. All this, so far as we know, is possible. All we know is that we + have no evidence except the assertions of ignorant priests. + </p> + <p> + Possibly there is a place called "hell," where all the devils live—a + hell whose flames are waiting for, all the men who think and have the + courage to express their thoughts, for all who fail to credit priests and + sacred books, for all who walk the path that reason lights, for all the + good and brave who lack credulity and faith—but of this, I am happy + to say, there is no proof. + </p> + <p> + And so there may be a place called "heaven," the home of God, where angels + float and fly and play on harps and hear with joy the groans and shrieks + of the lost in hell, but of this there is no evidence. + </p> + <p> + It all rests on dreams and visions of the insane. + </p> + <p> + There may be a power superior to nature, a power that governs and directs + all things, but the existence of this power has not been established. + </p> + <p> + In the presence of the mysteries of life and thought, of force and + substance, of growth and decay, of birth and death, of joy and pain, of + the sufferings of the good, the triumphs of wrong, the intelligent honest + man is compelled to say: "I do not know." + </p> + <p> + But we do know how gods and devils, heavens and hells, have been made. We + know the history of inspired books—the origin of religions. We know + how the seeds of superstition were planted and what made them grow. We + know that all superstitions, all creeds, all follies and mistakes, all + crimes and cruelties, all virtues, vices, hopes and fears, all discoveries + and inventions, have been naturally produced. By the light of reason we + divide the useful from the hurtful, the false from the true. + </p> + <p> + We know the past—the paths that man has traveled—his mistakes, + his triumphs. We know a few facts, a few fragments, and the imagination, + the artist of the mind, with these facts, these fragments, rebuilds the + past, and on the canvas of the future deftly paints the things to be. + </p> + <p> + We believe in the natural, in the unbroken and unbreakable succession of + causes and effects. We deny the existence of the supernatural. We do not + believe in any God who can be pleased with incense, with kneeling, with + bell-ringing, psalm-singing, bead-counting, fasting or prayer—in any + God who can be flattered by words of faith or fear. + </p> + <p> + We believe in the natural. We have no fear of devils, ghosts or hells. We + believe that Mahatmas, astral bodies, materializations of spirits, crystal + gazing, seeing the future, telepathy, mind reading and Christian Science + are only cunning frauds, the genuineness of which is established by the + testimony of incompetent, honest witnesses. We believe that Cunning plates + fraud with the gold of honesty, and veneers vice with virtue. + </p> + <p> + We know that millions are seeking the impossible—trying to secure + the aid of the supernatural—to solve the problem of life—to + guess the riddle of destiny, and to pluck from the future its secret. We + know that all their efforts are in vain. + </p> + <p> + We believe in the natural. We believe in home and fireside—in wife + and child and friend—in the realities of this world. We have faith + in facts—in knowledge—in the development of the brain. We + throw away superstition and welcome science. We banish the phantoms, the + mistakes and lies and cling to the truth. We do not enthrone the unknown + and crown our ignorance. We do not stand with our backs to the sun and + mistake our shadow for God. + </p> + <p> + We do not create a master and thankfully wear his chains. We do not + enslave ourselves. We want no leaders—no followers. Our desire is + that every human being shall be true to himself, to his ideal, unbribed by + promises, careless of threats. We want no tyrant on the earth or in the + air. + </p> + <p> + We know that superstition has given us delusions and illusions, dreams and + visions, ceremonies and cruelties, faith and fanaticism, beggars and + bigots, persecutions and prayers, theology and torture, piety and poverty, + saints and slaves, miracles and mummeries, disease and death. + </p> + <p> + We know that science has given us all we have of value. Science is the + only civilizer. It has freed the slave, clothed the naked, fed the hungry, + lengthened life, given us homes and hearths, pictures and books, ships and + railways, telegraphs and cables, engines that tirelessly turn the + countless wheels, and it has destroyed the monsters, the phantoms, the + winged horrors that filled the savage brain. + </p> + <p> + Science is the real redeemer. It will put honesty above hypocrisy; mental + veracity above all belief. It will teach the religion of usefulness. It + will destroy bigotry in all its forms. It will put thoughtful doubt above + thoughtless faith. It will give us philosophers, thinkers and savants, + instead of priests, theologians and saints. It will abolish poverty and + crime, and greater, grander, nobler than all else, it will make the whole + world free. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009" id="link0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DEVIL. + </h2> + <p> + IF THE DEVIL SHOULD DIE WOULD GOD MAKE ANOTHER? + </p> + <p> + A little while ago I delivered a lecture on "Superstition," in which, + among other things, I said that the Christian world could not deny the + existence of the Devil; that the Devil was really the keystone of the + arch, and that to take him away was to destroy the entire system. + </p> + <p> + A great many clergymen answered or criticised this statement. Some of + these ministers avowed their belief in the existence of his Satanic + Majesty, while others actually denied his existence; but some, without + stating their own position, said that others believed, not in the + existence of a personal devil, but in the personification of evil, and + that all references to the Devil in the Scriptures could be explained on + the hypothesis that the Devil thus alluded to was simply a personification + of evil. + </p> + <p> + When I read these answers I thought of this line from Heine: "Christ rode + on an ass, but now asses ride on Christ." + </p> + <p> + Now, the questions are, first, whether the Devil does really exist; + second, whether the sacred Scriptures teach the existence of the Devil and + of unclean spirits, and third, whether this belief in devils is a + necessary part of what is known as "orthodox Christianity." + </p> + <p> + Now, where did the idea that a Devil exists come from? How was it + produced? + </p> + <p> + Fear is an artist—a sculptor—a painter. All tribes and + nations, having suffered, having been the sport and prey of natural + phenomena, having been struck by lightning, poisoned by weeds, overwhelmed + by volcanoes, destroyed by earthquakes, believed in the existence of a + Devil, who was the king—the ruler—of innumerable smaller + devils, and all these devils have been from time immemorial regarded as + the enemies of men. + </p> + <p> + Along the banks of the Ganges wandered the Asuras, the most powerful of + evil spirits. Their business was to war against the Devas—that is to + say, the gods—and at the same time against human beings. There, too, + were the ogres, the Jakshas and many others who killed and devoured human + beings. + </p> + <p> + The Persians turned this around, and with them the Asuras were good and + the Devas bad. Ormuzd was the good—the god—Ahriman the evil—the + devil —and between the god and the devil was waged a perpetual war. + Some of the Persians thought that the evil would finally triumph, but + others insisted that the good would be the victor. + </p> + <p> + In Egypt the devil was Set—or, as usually called, Typhon—and + the good god was Osiris. Set and his legions fought against Osiris and + against the human race. + </p> + <p> + Among the Greeks, the Titans were the enemies of the gods. Ate was the + spirit that tempted, and such was her power that at one time she tempted + and misled the god of gods, even Zeus himself. + </p> + <p> + These ideas about gods and devils often changed, because in the days of + Socrates a demon was not a devil, but a guardian angel. + </p> + <p> + We obtain our Devil from the Jews, and they got him from Babylon. The Jews + cultivated the science of Demonology, and at one time it was believed that + there were nine kinds of demons: Beelzebub, prince of the false gods of + the other nations; the Pythian Apollo, prince of liars; Belial, prince of + mischief-makers; Asmodeus, prince of revengeful devils; Satan, prince of + witches and magicians; Meresin, prince of aerial devils, who caused + thunderstorms and plagues; Abaddon, who caused wars, tumults and + combustions; Diabolus, who drives to despair, and Mammon, prince of the + tempters. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that demons and sorcerers frequently came together and + held what were called "Sabbats;" that is to say, orgies. It was also known + that sorcerers and witches had marks on their bodies that had been + imprinted by the Devil. + </p> + <p> + Of course these devils were all made by the people, and in these devils we + find the prejudices of their makers. The Europeans always represent their + devils as black, while the Africans believed that theirs were white. + </p> + <p> + So, it was believed that people by the aid of the Devil could assume any + shape that they wished. Witches and wizards were changed into wolves, + dogs, cats and serpents. This change to animal form was exceedingly + common. + </p> + <p> + Within two years, between 1598 and 1600, in one district of France, the + district of Jura, more than six hundred men and women were tried and + convicted before one judge of having changed themselves into wolves, and + all were put to death. + </p> + <p> + This is only one instance. There are thousands. + </p> + <p> + There is no time to give the history of this belief in devils. It has been + universal. The consequences have been terrible beyond the imagination. + Millions and millions of men, women and children, of fathers and mothers, + have been sacrificed upon the altar of this ignorant and idiotic belief. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the Christians of to-day do not believe that the devils of the + Hindus, Egyptians, Persians or Babylonians existed. They think that those + nations created their own devils, precisely the same as they did their own + gods. But the Christians of to-day admit that for many centuries + Christians did believe in the existence of countless devils; that the + Fathers of the church believed as sincerely in the Devil and his demons as + in God and his angels; that they were just as sure about hell as heaven. + </p> + <p> + I admit that people did the best they could to account for what they saw, + for what they experienced. I admit that the devils as well as the gods + were naturally produced—the effect of nature upon the human brain. + The cause of phenomena filled our ancestors not only with wonder, but with + terror. The miraculous, the supernatural, was not only believed in, but + was always expected. + </p> + <p> + A man walking in the woods at night—just a glimmering of the moon—everything + uncertain and shadowy—sees a monstrous form. One arm is raised. His + blood grows cold, his hair lifts. In the gloom he sees the eyes of an ogre—eyes + that flame with malice. He feels that the something is approaching. He + turns, and with a cry of horror takes to his heels. He is afraid to look + back. Spent, out of breath, shaking with fear, he reaches his hut and + falls at the door. When he regains consciousness, he tells his story and, + of course, the children believe. When they become men and women they tell + father's story of having seen the Devil to their children, and so the + children and grandchildren not only believe, but think they know, that + their father—their grandfather—actually saw a devil. + </p> + <p> + An old woman sitting by the fire at night—a storm raging without—hears + the mournful sough of the wind. To her it becomes a voice. Her imagination + is touched, and the voice seems to utter words. Out of these words she + constructs a message or a warning from the unseen world. If the words are + good, she has heard an angel; if they are threatening and malicious, she + has heard a devil. She tells this to her children and they believe. They + say that mother's religion is good enough for them. A girl suffering from + hysteria falls into a trance—has visions of the infernal world. The + priest sprinkles holy water on her pallid face, saying: "She hath a + devil." A man utters a terrible cry; falls to the ground; foam and blood + issue from his mouth; his limbs are convulsed. The spectators say: "This + is the Devil's work." + </p> + <p> + Through all the ages people have mistaken dreams and visions of fear for + realities. To them the insane were inspired; epileptics were possessed by + devils; apoplexy was the work of an unclean spirit. For many centuries + people believed that they had actually seen the malicious phantoms of the + night, and so thorough was this belief—so vivid—that they made + pictures of them. They knew how they looked. They drew and chiseled their + hoofs, their horns—all their malicious deformities. + </p> + <p> + Now, I admit that all these monsters were naturally produced. The people + believed that hell was their native land; that the Devil was a king, and + that lie and his imps waged war against the children of men. Curiously + enough some of these devils were made out of degraded gods, and, naturally + enough, many devils were made out of the gods of other nations. So that + frequently the gods of one people were the devils of another. + </p> + <p> + In nature there are opposing forces. Some of the forces work for what man + calls good; some for what he calls evil. Back of these forces our + ancestors put will, intelligence and design. They could not believe that + the good and evil came from the same being. So back of the good they put + God; back of the evil, the Devil. + </p> + <p> + II. THE ATLAS OF CHRISTIANITY IS THE DEVIL. + </p> + <p> + The religion known as "Christianity" was invented by God himself to repair + in part the wreck and ruin that had resulted from the Devil's work. + </p> + <p> + Take the Devil from the scheme of salvation—from the atonement—from + the dogma of eternal pain—and the foundation is gone. + </p> + <p> + The Devil is the keystone of the arch. + </p> + <p> + He inflicted the wounds that Christ came to heal. He corrupted the human + race. + </p> + <p> + The question now is: Does the Old Testament teach the existence of the + Devil? + </p> + <p> + If the Old Testament teaches anything, it does teach the existence of the + Devil, of Satan, of the Serpent, of the enemy of God and man, the deceiver + of men and women. + </p> + <p> + Those who believe the Scriptures are compelled to say that this Devil was + created by God, and that God knew when he created him just what he would + do—the exact measure of his success; knew that he would be a + successful rival; knew that he would deceive and corrupt the children of + men; knew that, by reason of this Devil, countless millions of human + beings would suffer eternal torment in the prison of pain. And this God + also knew when he created the Devil, that he, God, would be compelled to + leave his throne, to be bom a babe in Palestine, and to suffer a cruel + death. All this he knew when he created the Devil. Why did he create him? + </p> + <p> + It is no answer to say that this Devil was once an angel of light and fell + from his high estate because he was free. God knew what he would do with + his freedom when he made him and gave him liberty of action, and as a + matter of fact must have made him with the intention that he should rebel; + that he should fall; that he should become a devil; that he should tempt + and corrupt the father and mother of the human race; that he should make + hell a necessity, and that, in consequence of his creation, countless + millions of the children of men would suffer eternal pain. Why did he + create him? + </p> + <p> + Admit that God is infinitely wise. Has he ingenuity enough to frame an + excuse for the creation of the Devil? + </p> + <p> + Does the Old Testament teach the existence of a real, living Devil? + </p> + <p> + The first account of this being is found in Genesis, and in that account + he is called the "Serpent." He is declared to have been more subtle than + any beast of the field. According to the account, this Serpent had a + conversation with Eve, the first woman. We are not told in what language + they conversed, or how they understood each other, as this was the first + time they had met. Where did Eve get her language? Where did the Serpent + get his? Of course, such questions are impudent, but at the same time they + are natural. + </p> + <p> + The result of this conversation was that Eve ate the forbidden fruit and + induced Adam to do the same. This is what is called the "Fall," and for + this they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. + </p> + <p> + On account of this, God cursed the earth with weeds and thorns and + brambles, cursed man with toil, made woman a slave, and cursed maternity + with pain and sorrow. + </p> + <p> + How men—good men—can worship this God; how women—good + women—can love this Jehovah, is beyond my imagination. + </p> + <p> + In addition to the other curses the Serpent was cursed—condemned to + crawl on his belly and to eat dust. We do not know by what means, before + that time, he moved from place to place—whether he walked or flew; + neither do we know on what food he lived; all we know is that after that + time he crawled and lived on dust. Jehovah told him that this he should do + all the days of his life. It would seem from this that the Serpent was not + at that time immortal—that there was somewhere in the future a + milepost at which the life of this Serpent stopped. Whether he is living + yet or not, I am not certain. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to say that this is allegory, or a poem, because this + proves too much. If the Serpent did not in fact exist, how do we know that + Adam and Eve existed? Is all that is said about God allegory, and poetic, + or mythical? Is the whole account, after all, an ignorant dream? + </p> + <p> + Neither will it do to say that the Devil—the Serpent—was a + personification of evil. Do personifications of evil talk? Can a + personification of evil crawl on its belly? Can a personification of evil + eat dust? If we say that the Devil was a personification of evil, are we + not at the same time compelled to say that Jehovah was a personification + of good; that the Garden of Eden was the personification of a place, and + that the whole story is a personification of something that did not + happen? Maybe that Adam and Eve were not driven out of the Garden; they + may have suffered only the personification of exile. And maybe the + cherubim placed at the gate of Eden, with flaming swords, were only + personifications of policemen. + </p> + <p> + There is no escape. If the Old Testament is true, the Devil does exist, + and it is impossible to explain him away without at the same time + explaining God away. + </p> + <p> + So there are many references to devils, and spirits of divination and of + evil which I have not the time to call attention to; but, in the Book of + Job, Satan, the Devil has a conversation with God. It is this Devil that + brings the sorrows and losses on the upright man. It is this Devil that + raises the storm that wrecks the homes of Job's children. It is this Devil + that kills the children of Job. Take this Devil from that book, and all + meaning, plot and purpose fade away. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible to say that the Devil in Job was only a personification of + evil? + </p> + <p> + In Chronicles we are told that Satan provoked David to number Israel. For + this act of David, caused by the Devil, God did not smite the Devil, did + not punish David, but he killed 70,000 poor innocent Jews who had done + nothing but stand up and be counted. + </p> + <p> + Was this Devil who tempted David a personification of evil, or was Jehovah + a personification of the devilish? + </p> + <p> + In Zachariah we are told that Joshua stood before the angel of the Lord, + and that Satan stood at his right hand to resist him, and that the Lord + rebuked Satan. + </p> + <p> + If words convey any meaning, the Old Testament teaches the existence of + the Devil. + </p> + <p> + All the passages about witches and those having familiar spirits were born + of a belief in the Devil. + </p> + <p> + When a man who loved Jehovah wanted revenge on his enemy he fell on his + holy knees, and from a heart full of religion he cried: "Let Satan stand + at his right hand." + </p> + <p> + III. TAKE THE DEVIL FROM THE DRAMA OF CHRISTIANITY AND THE PLOT IS GONE. + </p> + <p> + The next question is: Does the New Testament teach the existence of the + Devil? + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the New Testament is far more explicit than the Old. + The Jews, believing that Jehovah was God, had very little business for a + devil. Jehovah was wicked enough and malicious enough to take the Devil's + place. + </p> + <p> + The first reference in the New Testament to the Devil is in the fourth + chapter of Matthew. We are told that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the + wilderness to be tempted of the Devil. + </p> + <p> + It seems that he was not led by the Devil into the wilderness, but by the + Spirit; that the Spirit and the Devil were acting together in a kind of + pious conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + In the wilderness Jesus fasted forty days, and then the Devil asked him to + turn stones into bread. The Devil also took him to Jerusalem and set him + on a pinnacle of the temple, and tried to induce him to leap to the earth. + The Devil also took him to the top of a mountain and showed him all the + kingdoms of the world and offered them all to him in exchange for his + worship. Jesus refused. The Devil went away and angels came and ministered + to Christ. + </p> + <p> + Now, the question is: Did the author of this account believe in the + existence of the Devil, or did he regard this Devil as a personification + of evil, and did he intend that his account should be understood as an + allegory, or as a poem, or as a myth. + </p> + <p> + Was Jesus tempted? If he was tempted, who tempted him? Did anybody offer + him the kingdoms of the world? + </p> + <p> + Did the writer of the account try to convey to the reader the thought that + Christ was tempted by the Devil? + </p> + <p> + If Christ was not tempted by the Devil, then the temptation was bom in his + own heart. If that be true, can it be said that he was divine? If these + adders, these vipers, were coiled in his bosom, was he the son of God? Was + he pure? + </p> + <p> + In the same chapter we are told that Christ healed "those which were + possessed of devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the + palsy." From this it is evident that a distinction was made between those + possessed with devils and those whose minds were affected and those who + were afflicted with diseases. + </p> + <p> + In the eighth chapter we are told that people brought unto Christ many + that were possessed with devils, and that he cast out the spirits with his + word. Now, can we say that these people were possessed with + personifications of evil, and that these personifications of evil were + cast out? Are these personifications entities? Have they form and shape? + Do they occupy space? + </p> + <p> + Then comes the story of the two men possessed with devils who came from + the tombs, and were exceeding fierce. It is said that when they saw Jesus + they cried out: "What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art + thou come hither to torment us before the time?" + </p> + <p> + If these were simply personifications of evil, how did they know that + Jesus was the Son of God, and how can a personification of evil be + tormented? + </p> + <p> + We are told that at the same time, a good way off, many swine were + feeding, and that the devils besought Christ, saying: "If thou cast us + out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine." And he said unto them: + "Go." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that personifications of evil would desire to enter the + bodies of swine, and is it possible that it was necessary for them to have + the consent of Christ before they could enter the swine? The question + naturally arises: How did they enter into the body of the man? Did they do + that without Christ's consent, and is it a fact that Christ protects swine + and neglects human beings? Can personifications have desires? + </p> + <p> + In the ninth chapter of Matthew there was a dumb man brought to Jesus, + possessed with a devil. Jesus cast out the devil and the dumb man spake. + </p> + <p> + Did a personification of evil prevent the dumb man from talking? Did it in + some way paralyze his organs of speech? Could it have done this had it + only been a personification of evil? + </p> + <p> + In the tenth chapter Jesus gives his twelve disciples power to cast out + unclean spirits. What were unclean spirits supposed to be? Did they really + exist? Were they shadows, impersonations, allegories? + </p> + <p> + When Jesus sent his disciples forth on the great mission to convert the + world, among other things he told them to heal the sick, to raise the dead + and to cast out devils. Here a distinction is made between the sick and + those who were possessed by evil spirits. + </p> + <p> + Now, what did Christ mean by devils? + </p> + <p> + In the twelfth chapter we are told of a very remarkable case. There was + brought unto Jesus one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb, and Jesus + healed him. The blind and dumb both spake and saw. Thereupon the Pharisees + said: "This fellow doth not cast out devils but by Beelzebub, the prince + of devils." + </p> + <p> + Jesus answered by saying: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought + to desolation. If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself." + </p> + <p> + Why did not Christ tell the Pharisees that he did not cast out devils—only + personifications of evil; and that with these personifications Beelzebub + had nothing to do? + </p> + <p> + Another question: Did the Pharisees believe in the existence of devils, or + had they the personification idea? + </p> + <p> + At the same time Christ said: "If I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, + then the kingdom of God is come unto you." + </p> + <p> + If he meant anything by these words he certainly intended to convey the + idea that what he did demonstrated the superiority of God over the Devil. + </p> + <p> + Did Christ believe in the existence of the Devil? + </p> + <p> + In the fifteenth chapter is the account of the woman of Canaan who cried + unto Jesus, saying: "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David. My + daughter is sorely vexed with a devil." On account of her faith Christ + made the daughter whole. + </p> + <p> + In the sixteenth chapter a man brought his son to Jesus. The boy was a + lunatic, sore vexed, oftentimes falling in the fire and water. The + disciples had tried to cure him and had failed. Jesus rebuked the devil, + and the devil departed out of him and the boy was cured. Was the devil in + this case a personification of evil? + </p> + <p> + The disciples then asked Jesus why they could not cast that devil out. + Jesus told them that it was because of their unbelief, and then added: + "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." From this it + would seem that some personifications were easier to expel than others. + </p> + <p> + The first chapter of Mark throws a little light on the story of the + temptation of Christ. Matthew tells us that Jesus was led up of the Spirit + into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil. In Mark we are told who + this Spirit was: + </p> + <p> + "And straightway coming up out of the water he saw the heavens opened, and + the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. + </p> + <p> + "And there came a voice from heaven, saying: 'Thou art my beloved Son, in + whom I am well pleased.' + </p> + <p> + "And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness." + </p> + <p> + Why the Holy Ghost should hand Christ over to the tender mercies of the + Devil is not explained. And it is all the more wonderful when we remember + that the Holy Ghost was the third person in the Trinity and Christ the + second, and that this Holy Ghost was, in fact, God, and that Christ also + was, in fact, God, so that God led God into the wilderness to be tempted + of the Devil. + </p> + <p> + We are told that Christ was in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan, + and was with the wild beasts, and that the angels ministered unto him. + </p> + <p> + Were these angels real angels, or were they personifications of good, of + comfort? + </p> + <p> + So we see that the same Spirit that came out of heaven, the same Spirit + that said "This is my beloved son," drove Christ into the wilderness to be + tempted of Satan. + </p> + <p> + Was this Devil a real being? Was this Spirit who claimed to be the father + of Christ a real being, or was he a personification? Are the heavens a + real place? Are they a personification? Did the wild beasts live and did + the angels minister unto Christ? In other words, is the story true, or is + it poetry, or metaphor, or mistake, or falsehood? + </p> + <p> + It might be asked: Why did God wish to be tempted by the Devil? Was God + ambitious to obtain a victory over Satan? Was Satan foolish enough to + think that he could mislead God, and is it possible that the Devil offered + to give the world as a bribe to its creator and owner, knowing at the same + time that Christ was the creator and owner, and also knowing that he + (Christ) knew that he (the Devil) knew that he (Christ) was the creator + and owner? + </p> + <p> + Is not the whole story absurdly idiotic? The Devil knew that Christ was + God, and knew that Christ knew that the tempter was the Devil. + </p> + <p> + It may be asked how I know that the Devil knew that Christ was God. My + answer is found in the same chapter. There is an account of what a devil + said to Christ: + </p> + <p> + "Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art + thou come to destroy us? I know thee. Thou art the holy one of God." + Certainly, if the little devils knew this, the Devil himself must have had + like information. Jesus rebuked this devil and said to him: "Hold thy + peace, and come out of him." And when the unclean spirit had torn him and + cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. + </p> + <p> + So we are told that Jesus cast out many devils, and suffered not the + devils to speak because they knew him. So it is said in the third chapter + that "unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him and cried, + saying, 'Thou art the son of God.'" + </p> + <p> + In the fifth chapter is an account of casting out the devils that went + into the swine, and we are told that "all the devils besought him saying, + 'Send us into the swine.' And Jesus gave them leave." + </p> + <p> + Again I ask: Was it necessary for the devils to get the permission of + Christ before they could enter swine? Again I ask: By whose permission did + they enter into the man? + </p> + <p> + Could personifications of evil enter a herd of swine, or could + personifications of evil make a bargain with Christ? + </p> + <p> + In the sixth chapter we are told that the disciples "cast out many devils + and anointed with oil many that were sick." Here again the distinction is + made between those possessed by devils and those afflicted by disease. It + will not do to say that the devils were diseases or personifications. + </p> + <p> + In the seventh chapter a Greek woman whose daughter was possessed by a + devil besought Christ to cast this devil out. At last Christ said: "The + devil is gone out of thy daughter." + </p> + <p> + In the ninth chapter one of the multitude said unto Christ: "I have + brought unto thee my son which hath a dumb spirit. I spoke unto thy + disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not." + </p> + <p> + So they brought this boy before Christ, and when the boy saw him, the + spirit tare him, and he fell on the ground and "wallowed, foaming." + </p> + <p> + Christ asked the father: "How long is it ago since this came unto him?" + And he answered: "Of a child, and ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire + and into the waters to destroy him." + </p> + <p> + Then Christ said: "Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of + him, and enter no more into him." + </p> + <p> + "And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him; and he was + as one dead; insomuch that many said, 'He is dead.'" + </p> + <p> + Then the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast them out, and Jesus + said: "This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting." + </p> + <p> + Is there any doubt about the belief of the man who wrote this account? Is + there any allegory, or poetry, or myth in this story? The devil, in this + case, was not an ordinary, every-day devil. He was dumb and deaf; it was + no use to order him out, because he could not hear. The only way was to + pray and fast. + </p> + <p> + Is there such a thing as a dumb and deaf devil? If so, the devils must be + organized. They must have ears and organs of speech, and they must be dumb + because there is something the matter with the apparatus of speaking, and + they must be deaf because something is the matter with their ears. It + would seem from this that they are not simply spiritual beings, but + organized on a physical basis. Now, we know that the ears do not hear. It + is the brain that hears. So these devils must have brains; that is to say, + they must have been what we call "organized beings." + </p> + <p> + Now, it is hardly possible that personifications of evil are dumb or deaf. + That is to say, that they have physical imperfections. + </p> + <p> + In the same chapter John tells Christ that he saw one casting out devils + in Christ's name who did not follow with them, and Jesus said: "Forbid him + not." + </p> + <p> + By this he seemed to admit that some one, not a follower of his, was + casting out devils in his name, and he was willing that he should go on, + because, as he said: "For there is no man which shall do a miracle in my + name that can lightly speak evil of me." In the fourth chapter of Luke the + story of the temptation of Christ by the Devil is again told with a few + additions. All the writers, having been inspired, did not remember exactly + the same things. + </p> + <p> + Luke tells us that the Devil said unto Christ, having shown him all the + kingdoms of the world in a moment of time: "All this power will I give + thee and the glory of them, for that is delivered unto me, and to + whomsoever I will I give it. If thou wilt worship me, all shall be thine." + </p> + <p> + We are also told that when the Devil had ended all the temptation he + departed from him for a season. The date of his return is not given. + </p> + <p> + In the same chapter we are told that a man in the synagogue had a "spirit + of an unclean devil." This devil recognized Jesus and admitted that he was + the Holy One of God. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the apostles seemed to have relied upon the evidence + of devils to substantiate the divinity of their Lord. + </p> + <p> + Jesus said to this devil: "Hold thy peace and come out of him." And the + devil, after throwing the man down, came out. + </p> + <p> + In the forty-first verse of the same chapter it is said: "And devils also + came out of many, crying out and saying, 'Thou art Christ, the Son of + God.'" + </p> + <p> + It is also said that Christ rebuked them and suffered them not to speak, + for they knew that he was Christ. + </p> + <p> + Now, it will not do to say that these devils were diseases, because + diseases could not talk, and diseases would not recognize Christ as the + Son of God. After all, epilepsy is not a theologian. I admit that lunacy + comes nearer. + </p> + <p> + In the eighth chapter is told again the story of the devils and the swine. + In this account, Jesus asked the devil his name, and the devil replied + "Legion." In the ninth chapter is told the story of the devil that the + disciples could not cast out, but was cast out by Christ, and in the + thirteenth chapter it is said that the Pharisees came to Jesus, telling + him to go away, because Herod would kill him, and Jesus said unto these + Pharisees; "Go ye, and tell that fox, behold, I cast out devils." + </p> + <p> + What did he mean by this? Did he mean that he cured diseases? No. Because + in the same sentence he says, "And I do cures to-day," making a + distinction between devils and diseases. + </p> + <p> + In the twenty-second chapter an account of the betrayal of Christ by Judas + is given in these words: + </p> + <p> + "Then entered Satan into Judas Iscariot, being of the number of the + twelve." + </p> + <p> + "And he went his way and communed with the chief priests and captains how + he might betray him unto them. + </p> + <p> + "And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money." + </p> + <p> + According to Christ the little devils knew that he was the Son of God. + Certainly, then, Satan, king of all the fiends, knew that Christ was + divine. And he not only knew that, but he knew all about the scheme of + salvation. He knew that Christ wished to make an atonement of blood by the + sacrifice of himself. + </p> + <p> + According to Christian theologians, the Devil has always done his utmost + to gain possession of the souls of men. At the time he entered into Judas, + persuading him to betray Christ, he knew that if Christ was betrayed he + would be crucified, and that he would make an atonement for all believers, + and that, as a result, he, the Devil, would lose all the souls that Christ + gained. + </p> + <p> + What interest had the Devil in defeating himself? If he could have + prevented the betrayal, then Christ would not have been crucified. No + atonement would have been made, and the whole world would have gone to + hell. The success of the Devil would have been complete. But, according to + this story, the Devil outwitted himself. + </p> + <p> + How thankful we should be to his Satanic Majesty. He opened for us the + gates of Paradise and made it possible for us to obtain eternal life. + Without Satan, without Judas, not a single human being could have become + an angel of light. All would have been wingless devils in the prison of + flame. In Jerusalem, to the extent of his power, Satan repaired the wreck + and ruin he had wrought in the Garden of Eden. + </p> + <p> + Certainly the writers of the New Testament believed in the existence of + the Devil. + </p> + <p> + In the eighth chapter it is said that out of Mary Magdalene were cast + seven devils. To me Mary Magdalene is the most beautiful character in the + New Testament. She is the one true disciple. In the darkness of the + crucifixion she lingered near. She was the first at the sepulcher. Defeat, + disaster, disgrace, could not conquer her love. And yet, according to the + account, when she met the risen Christ, he said: "Touch me not." This was + the reward of her infinite devotion. + </p> + <p> + In the Gospel of John we are told that John the Baptist said that he saw + the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and that it abode upon + Christ. But in the Gospel of John nothing is said about the Spirit driving + Christ into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Possibly John never + heard of that, or forgot it, or did not believe it. But in the thirteenth + chapter I find this: + </p> + <p> + "And supper being ended, the Devil having now put into the heart of Judas + Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him."... + </p> + <p> + In John there are no accounts of the casting out of devils by Christ or + his apostles. On that subject there is no word. Possibly John had his + doubts. + </p> + <p> + In the fifth chapter of Acts we are told that the people brought the sick + and those which were vexed with unclean spirits to the apostles, and the + apostles healed them. Here again there is made a clear distinction between + the sick and those possessed by devils. And in the eighth chapter we are + told that "unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of them." + </p> + <p> + In the thirteen chapter Paul calls Elymas the child of the Devil, and in + the sixteenth chapter an account is given of "a damsel possessed with a + spirit of divination, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying." + </p> + <p> + Paul and Silas, it would seem, cast out this spirit, and by reason of that + suffered great persecution. + </p> + <p> + In the nineteenth chapter certain vagabond Jews pronounced over those who + had evil spirits the name of Jesus, and the evil spirits answered: "Jesus + I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?" + </p> + <p> + "And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them so that they fled + naked and wounded." + </p> + <p> + Paul, writing to the Corinthians, in the eighth chapter says; "I would not + that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the + Lord and the cup of devils. Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and + the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?" + </p> + <p> + In the eleventh chapter he says that long hair is the glory of woman, but + that she ought to keep her head covered because of the angels. + </p> + <p> + In those intellectual days people believed in what were called the Incubi + and the Succubi. The Incubi were male angels and the Succubi were female + angels, and according to the belief of that time nothing so attracted the + Incubi as the beautiful hair of women, and for this reason Paul said that + women should keep their heads covered. Paul calls the Devil the "prince of + the power of the air." + </p> + <p> + So in Jude we are told "that Michael, the archangel, when contending with + the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him + a railing accusation, but said, 'The Lord rebuke thee.'" Was this devil + with whom Michael contended a personification of evil, or a poem, or a + myth? + </p> + <p> + In First Peter we are told to be sober, vigilant, "because your adversary, + the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." + </p> + <p> + Are people devoured by personifications or myths? Has an allegory an + appetite, or is a poem a cannibal? + </p> + <p> + So in Ephesians we are warned not to give place to the Devil, and in the + same book we are told: "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able + to stand against the wiles of the Devil." + </p> + <p> + And in Hebrews it is said that "him that had the power of death—that + is, the Devil;" showing that the Devil has the power of death. + </p> + <p> + And in James it is said that if we resist the Devil he will flee from us; + and in First John we are told that he that committeth sin is of the Devil, + for the reason that the Devil sinneth from the beginning; and we are also + told that "for this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that he may + destroy the works of the Devil." + </p> + <p> + No Devil—no Christ. + </p> + <p> + In Revelation, the insanest of all books, I find the following: "And there + was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and + the dragon fought and his angels. + </p> + <p> + "And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. + </p> + <p> + "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, + and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the + earth, and his angels were cast out with him. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore, rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the + inhabiters of the earth and of the sea; for the devil is come down unto + you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short + time." + </p> + <p> + From this it would appear that the Devil once lived in heaven, raised a + rebellion, was defeated and cast out, and the inspired writer + congratulates the angels that they are rid of him and commiserates us that + we have him. + </p> + <p> + In the twentieth chapter of Revelation is the following: + </p> + <p> + "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the + bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. + </p> + <p> + "And he laid Hold on the dragon—that old serpent, which is the Devil + and Satan—and bound him a thousand years. + </p> + <p> + "And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal + upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand + years should be fulfilled; and after he must be loosed a little season." + </p> + <p> + It is hard to understand how one could be confined in a pit without a + bottom, and how a chain of iron could hold one in eternal fire, or what + use there would be to lock a bottomless pit; but these are questions + probably suggested by the Devil. + </p> + <p> + We are further told that "when the thousand years are expired Satan shall + be loosed out of his prison." + </p> + <p> + "And the Devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the + beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night + forever." + </p> + <p> + In the light of the passages that I have read we can clearly see what the + writers of the New Testament believed. About this there can be no honest + difference. If the gospels teach the existence of God—of Christ—they + teach the existence of the Devil. If the Devil does not exist—if + little devils do not enter the bodies of men—the New Testament may + be inspired, but it is not true. + </p> + <p> + The early Christians proved that Christ was divine because he cast out + devils. The evidence they offered was more absurd than the statement they + sought to prove. They were like the old man who said that he saw a + grindstone floating down the river. Some one said that a grindstone would + not float. "Ah," said the old man, "but the one I saw had an iron crank in + it." + </p> + <p> + Of course, I do not blame the authors of the gospels. They lived in' a + superstitious age, at a time when Rumor was the historian, when Gossip + corrected the "proof," and when everything was believed except the facts. + </p> + <p> + The apostles, like their fellows, believed in miracles and magic. + Credulity was regarded as a virtue. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Parkhurst denounces the apostles as worthless cravens. + Certainly I do not agree with him. I think that they were good men. I do + not believe that any one of them ever tried to reform Jerusalem on the + Parkhurst plan. I admit that they honestly believed in devils—that + they were credulous and superstitious. + </p> + <p> + There is one story in the New Testament that illustrates my meaning. + </p> + <p> + In the fifth chapter of John is the following: + </p> + <p> + "Now, there is at Jerusalem, by the sheep market, a pool, which is called + in the Hebrew tongue 'Bethesda,' having five porches. + </p> + <p> + "In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk—of blind, halt, + withered—waiting for the moving of the water. + </p> + <p> + "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool and troubled the + water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in + was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. + </p> + <p> + "And a certain man was there which had an infirmity thirty and eight + years. + </p> + <p> + "When Jesus saw him he and knew that he had been now a long time in that + case, he saith unto him: 'Wilt thou be made whole??' + </p> + <p> + "The impotent man answered him: 'Sir, I have no man when the water is + troubled to put me into the pool; but while I am coming another steppeth + down before me.' + </p> + <p> + "Jesus saith unto him: 'Rise, take up thy bed and walk.' + </p> + <p> + "And immediately the man was made whole and took up his bed and walked." + </p> + <p> + Does any sensible human being now believe this story? Was the water of + Bethesda troubled by an angel? Where did the angel come from? Where do + angels live? Did the angel put medicine in the water—just enough to + cure one? Did he put in different medicines for different diseases, or did + he have a medicine, like those that are patented now, that cured all + diseases just the same? + </p> + <p> + Was the water troubled by an angel? Possibly, what apostles and + theologians call an angel a scientist knows as carbonic acid gas. + </p> + <p> + John does not say that the people thought the water was troubled by an + angel, but he states it as a fact. And he tells us, also, as a fact, that + the first invalid that got in the water after it had been troubled was + cured of what disease he had. + </p> + <p> + What is the evidence of John worth? + </p> + <p> + Again I say that if the Devil does not exist the gospels are not inspired. + If devils do not exist Christ was either honestly mistaken, insane or an + impostor. + </p> + <p> + If devils do not exist the fall of man is a mistake and the atonement an + absurdity. If devils do not exist hell becomes only a dream of revenge. + </p> + <p> + Beneath the structure called "Christianity" are four corner-stones—the + Father, Son, Holy Ghost and Devil. + </p> + <p> + IV. THE EVIDENCE OF THE CHURCH. + </p> + <p> + The Devil, was Forced to Father the Failures of God. + </p> + <p> + All the fathers of the church believed in devils. All the saints won their + crowns by overcoming devils. All the popes and cardinals, bishops and + priests, believed in devils. Most of their time was occupied in fighting + devils. The whole Catholic world, from the lowest layman to the highest + priest, believed in devils. They proved the existence of devils by the New + Testament. They knew that these devils were citizens of hell. They knew + that Satan was their king. They knew that hell was made for the Devil and + his angels. + </p> + <p> + The founders of all the Protestant churches—the makers of all the + orthodox creeds—all the leading Protestant theologians, from Luther + to the president of Princeton College—were, and are, firm believers + in the Devil. All the great commentators believed in the Devil as firmly + as they did in God. + </p> + <p> + Under the "Scheme of Salvation" the Devil was a necessity. Somebody had to + be responsible for the thorns and thistles, for the cruelties and crimes. + Somebody had to father the mistakes of God. The Devil was the scapegoat of + Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + For hundreds of years, good, honest, zealous Christians contended against + the Devil. They fought him day and night, and the thought that they had + beaten him gave to their dying lips the smile of victory. + </p> + <p> + For centuries the church taught that the natural man was totally depraved; + that he was by nature a child of the Devil, and that new-born babes were + tenanted by unclean spirits. + </p> + <p> + As late as the middle of the sixteenth century, every infant that was + baptized was, by that ceremony, freed from a devil. When the holy water + was applied the priest said: "I command thee, thou unclean spirit, in the + name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that thou come out + and depart from this infant, whom our Lord Jesus Christ has vouchsafed to + call to his holy baptism, to be made a member of his body, and of his holy + congregation." + </p> + <p> + At that time the fathers—the theologians, the commentators—agreed + that unbaptized children, including those that were born dead, went to + hell. + </p> + <p> + And these same fathers—theologians and commentators—said: "God + is love." + </p> + <p> + These babes were pure as Pity's tears, innocent as their mother's loving + smiles, and yet the makers of our creeds believed and taught that leering, + unclean fiends inhabited their dimpled flesh. O, the unsearchable riches + of Christianity! + </p> + <p> + For many centuries the church filled the world with devils—with + malicious spirits that caused storm and tempest, disease, accident and + death—that filled the night with visions of despair; with prophecies + that drove the dreamers mad. These devils assumed a thousand forms—countless + disguises in their efforts to capture souls and destroy the church. They + deceived sometimes the wisest and the best; made priests forget their + vows. They melted virtue's snow in passion's fire, and in cunning ways + entrapped and smirched the innocent and good. These devils gave witches + and wizards their supernatural powers, and told them the secrets of the + future. + </p> + <p> + Millions of men and women were destroyed because they had sold themselves + to the Devil. + </p> + <p> + At that time Christians really believed the New Testament. They knew it + was the inspired word of God, and so believing, so knowing—as they + thought—they became insane. + </p> + <p> + No man has genius enough to describe the agonies that have been inflicted + on innocent men and women because of this absurd belief. How it darkened + the mind, hardened the heart, and poisoned life! It made the Universe a + madhouse presided over by an insane God. + </p> + <p> + Think! Why would a merciful God allow his children to be the victims of + devils? Why would a decent God allow his worshipers to believe in devils, + and by reason of that belief to persecute, torture and burn their + fellow-men? + </p> + <p> + Christians did not ask these questions. They believed the Bible; they had + confidence in the words of Christ. + </p> + <p> + V. PERSONIFICATIONS OF EVIL. + </p> + <p> + The Orthodox Ostrich Thrusts His Head into the Sand. + </p> + <p> + Many of the clergy are now ashamed to say that they believe in devils. The + belief has become ignorant and vulgar. They are ashamed of the lake of + fire and brimstone. It is too savage. + </p> + <p> + At the same time they do not wish to give up the inspiration of the Bible. + They give new meanings to the inspired words. Now they say that devils + were only personifications of evil. If the devils were only + personifications of evil, what were the angels? Was the angel who told + Joseph who the father of Christ was, a personification? Was the Holy Ghost + only the personification of a father? Was the angel who told Joseph that + Herod was dead a personification of news? + </p> + <p> + Were the angels who rolled away the stone and sat clothed in shining + garments in the empty sepulcher of Christ a couple of personifications? + Were all the angels described in the Old Testament imaginary shadows—bodiless + personifications? If the angels of the Bible are real angels, the devils + are real devils. + </p> + <p> + Let us be honest with ourselves and each other and give to the Bible its + natural, obvious meaning. Let us admit that the writers believed what they + wrote. If we believe that they were mistaken, let us have the honesty and + courage to say so. Certainly we have no right to change or avoid their + meaning, or to dishonestly correct their mistakes. Timid preachers sully + their own souls when they change what the writers of the Bible believed to + be facts to allegories, parables, poems and myths. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for any man who believes in the inspiration of the Bible + to explain away the Devil. + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is true the Devil exists. There is no escape from this. + </p> + <p> + If the Devil does not exist the Bible is not true. There is no escape from + this. + </p> + <p> + I admit that the Devil of the Bible is an impossible contradiction; an + impossible being. + </p> + <p> + This Devil is the enemy of God and God is his. Now, why should this Devil, + in another world, torment sinners, who are his friends, to please God, his + enemy? + </p> + <p> + If the Devil is a personification, so is hell and the lake of fire and + brimstone. All these horrors fade into allegories; into ignorant lies. + </p> + <p> + Any clergyman who can read the Bible and then say that devils are + personifications of evil is himself a personification of stupidity or + hypocrisy. + </p> + <p> + VI. + </p> + <p> + Does any intelligent man now, whose brain has not been deformed by + superstition, believe in the existence of the Devil? What evidence have we + that he exists? Where does this Devil live? What does he do for a + livelihood? What does he eat? If he does not eat, he cannot think. He + cannot think without the expenditure of force. He cannot create force; he + must borrow it—that is to say, he must eat. How does lie move from + place to place? Does he walk or does he fly, or has he invented some + machine? What object has he in life? What idea of success? This Devil, + according to the Bible, knows that he is to be defeated; knows that the + end is absolute and eternal failure; knows that every step he takes leads + to the infinite catastrophe. Why does he act as he does? + </p> + <p> + Our fathers thought that everything in this world came from some other + realm; that all ideas of right and wrong came from above; that conscience + dropped from the clouds; that the darkness was filled with imps from + perdition, and the day with angels from heaven; that souls had been + breathed into man by Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + What there is in this world that lives and breathes was produced here. + Life was not imported. Mind is not an exotic. Of this planet man is a + native. This world is his mother. The maker did not descend from the + heavens. The maker was and is here. Matter and force in their countless + forms, affinities and repulsions produced the living, breathing world. + </p> + <p> + How can we account for devils? Is it possible that they creep into the + bodies of men and swine? Do they stay in the stomach or brain, in the + heart or liver? + </p> + <p> + Are these devils immortal or do they multiply and die? Were they all + created at the same time or did they spring from a single pair? If they + are subject to death what becomes of them after death? Do they go to some + other world, are they annihilated, or can they get to heaven by believing + on Christ? + </p> + <p> + In the brain of science the devils have never lived. There you will find + no goblins, ghosts, wraiths or imps—no witches, spooks or sorcerers. + There the supernatural does not exist. No man of sense in the whole world + believes in devils any more than he does in mermaids, vampires, gorgons, + hydras, naiads, dryads, nymphs, fairies or the anthropophagi—any + more than he does in the Fountain of Youth, the Philosopher's Stone, + Perpetual Motion or Fiat Money. + </p> + <p> + There is the same difference between religion and science that there is + between a madhouse and a university—between a fortune teller and a + mathematician—between emotion and philosophy—between guess and + demonstration. + </p> + <p> + The devils have gone, and with them they have taken the miracles of + Christ. They have carried away our Lord. They have taken away the + inspiration of the Bible, and we are left in the darkness of nature + without the consolation of hell. + </p> + <p> + But let me ask the clergy a few questions: + </p> + <p> + How did your Devil, who was at one time an angel of light, come to sin? + There was no other devil to tempt him. He was in perfectly good society—in + the company of God—of the Trinity. All of his associates were + perfect. How did he fall? He knew that God was infinite, and yet he waged + war against him and induced about a third of the angels to volunteer. He + knew that he could not succeed; knew that he would be defeated and cast + out; knew that he was fighting for failure. + </p> + <p> + Why was God so unpopular? Why were the angels so bad? + </p> + <p> + According to the Christians, these angels were spirits. They had never + been corrupted by flesh—by the passion of love. Why were they so + wicked? + </p> + <p> + Why did God create those angels, knowing that they would rebel? Why did he + deliberately sow the seeds of discord in heaven, knowing that he would + cast them into the lake of eternal fire—knowing that for them he + would create the eternal prison, whose dungeons would echo forever the + sobs and shrieks of endless pain? + </p> + <p> + How foolish is infinite wisdom! + </p> + <p> + How malicious is mercy! + </p> + <p> + How revengeful is boundless love! + </p> + <p> + Again, I say that no sensible man in all the world believes in devils. + </p> + <p> + Why does God allow these devils to enjoy themselves at the expense of his + ignorant children? Why does he allow them to leave their prison? Does he + give them furloughs or tickets-of-leave? + </p> + <p> + Does he want his children misled and corrupted so that he can have the + pleasure of damning their souls? + </p> + <p> + VII. THE MAN OF STRAW. + </p> + <p> + Some of the preachers who have answered me say that I am fighting a man of + straw. + </p> + <p> + I am fighting the supernatural—the dogma of inspiration—the + belief in devils—the atonement, salvation by faith—the + forgiveness of sins and the savagery of eternal pain. I am fighting the + absurd,-the monstrous, the cruel. + </p> + <p> + The ministers pretend that they have advanced—that they do not + believe the things that I attack. In this they are not honest. + </p> + <p> + Who is the "man of straw"? + </p> + <p> + The man of straw is their master. In every orthodox pulpit stands this man + of straw—stands beside the preacher—stands with a club, called + a "creed," in his upraised hand. The shadow of this club falls athwart the + open Bible—falls upon the preacher's brain, darkens the light of his + reason and compels him to betray himself. + </p> + <p> + The man of straw rules every sectarian school and college—every + orthodox church. He is the censor who passes on every sermon. Now and then + some minister puts a little sense in his discourse—tries to take a + forward step. Down comes the club, and the man of straw demands an + explanation—a retraction. If the minister takes it back—good. + If he does not, he is brought to book. The man of straw put the plaster of + silence on the lips of Prof. Briggs, and he was forced to leave the church + or remain dumb. + </p> + <p> + The man of straw closed the mouth of Prof. Smith, and he has not opened it + since. + </p> + <p> + The man of straw would not allow the Presbyterian creed to be changed. + </p> + <p> + The man of straw took Father McGlynn by the collar, forced him to his + knees, made him take back his words and ask forgiveness for having been + abused. + </p> + <p> + The man of straw pitched Prof. Swing out of the pulpit and drove the Rev. + Mr. Thomas from the Methodist Church. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell the orthodox ministers that they are trying to cover their + retreat. + </p> + <p> + You have given up the geology and astronomy of the Bible. You have + admitted that its history is untrue. You are retreating still. You are + giving up the dogma of inspiration; you have your doubts about the flood + and Babel; you have given up the witches and wizards; you are beginning to + throw away the miraculous; you have killed the little devils, and in a + little while you will murder the Devil himself. + </p> + <p> + In a few years you will take the Bible for what it is worth. The good and + true will be treasured in the heart; the foolish, the infamous, will be + thrown away. + </p> + <p> + The man of straw will then be dead. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the real old petrified, orthodox Christian will cling to the + Devil. He expects to have all of his sins charged to the Devil, and at the + same time he will be credited with all the virtues of Christ. Upon this + showing on the books, upon this balance, he will be entitled to his halo + and harp. What a glorious, what an equitable, transaction! The sorcerer + Superstition changes debt to credit. He waves his wand, and he who + deserves the tortures of hell receives an eternal reward. + </p> + <p> + But if a man lacks faith the scheme is exactly reversed. While in one case + a soul is rewarded for the virtues of another, in the other case a soul is + damned for the sins of another. This is justice when it blossoms in mercy. + </p> + <p> + Beyond this idiocy cannot go. + </p> + <p> + VIII. KEEP THE DEVILS OUT OF CHILDREN. + </p> + <p> + William Kingdon Clifford, one of the greatest men of this century, said: + "If there is one lesson that history forces upon us in every page, it is + this: Keep your children away from the priest, or he will make them the + enemies of mankind." + </p> + <p> + In every orthodox Sunday school children are taught to believe in devils. + Every little brain becomes a menagerie, filled with wild beasts from hell. + The imagination is polluted with the deformed, the monstrous and + malicious. To fill the minds of children with leering fiends—with + mocking devils—is one of the meanest and basest of crimes. In these + pious prisons—these divine dungeons—these Protestant and + Catholic inquisitions—children are tortured with these cruel lies. + Here they are taught that to really think is wicked; that to express your + honest thought is blasphemy; and that to live a free and joyous life, + depending on fact instead of faith, is the sin against the Holy Ghost. + </p> + <p> + Children thus taught—thus corrupted and deformed—become the + enemies of investigation—of progress. They are no longer true to + themselves. They have lost the veracity of the soul. In the language of + Prof. Clifford, "they are the enemies of the human race." + </p> + <p> + So I say to all fathers and mothers, keep your children away from priests; + away from orthodox Sunday schools; away from the slaves of superstition. + </p> + <p> + They will teach them to believe in the Devil; in hell; in the prison of + God; in the eternal dungeon, where the souls of men are to suffer forever. + These frightful things are a part of Christianity. Take these lies from + the creed and the whole scheme falls into shapeless ruin. This dogma of + hell is the infinite of savagery—the dream of insane revenge. It + makes God a wild beast—an infinite hyena. It makes Christ as + merciless as the fangs of a viper. Save poor children from the pollution + of this horror. Protect them from this infinite lie. + </p> + <p> + IX. CONCLUSION. + </p> + <p> + I admit that there are many good and beautiful passages in the Old and New + Testament; that from the lips of Christ dropped many pearls of kindness—of + love. Every verse that is true and tender I treasure in my heart. Every + thought, behind which is the tear of pity, I appreciate and love. But I + cannot accept it all. Many utterances attributed to Christ shock my brain + and heart. They are absurd and cruel. + </p> + <p> + Take from the New Testament the infinite savagery, the shoreless + malevolence of eternal pain, the absurdity of salvation by faith, the + ignorant belief in the existence of devils, the immorality and cruelty of + the atonement, the doctrine of non-resistance that denies to virtue the + right of self-defence, and how glorious it would be to know that the + remainder is true! Compared with this knowledge, how everything else in + nature would shrink and shrivel! What ecstasy it would be to know that God + exists; that he is our father and that he loves and cares for the children + of men! To know that all the paths that human beings travel, turn and wind + as they may, lead to the gates of stainless peace! How the heart would + thrill and throb to know that Christ was the conqueror of Death; that at + his grave the all-devouring monster was baffled and beaten forever; that + from that moment the tomb became the door that opens on eternal life! To + know this would change all sorrow into gladness. Poverty, failure, + disaster, defeat, power, place and wealth would become meaningless sounds. + To take your babe upon your knee and say: "Mine and mine forever!" What + joy! To clasp the woman you love in your arms and to know that she is + yours and forever—yours though suns darken and constellations + vanish! This is enough: To know that the loved and dead are not lost; that + they still live and love and wait for you. To know that Christ dispelled + the darkness of death and filled the grave with eternal light. To know + this would be all that the heart could bear. Beyond this joy cannot go. + Beyond this there is no place for hope. + </p> + <p> + How beautiful, how enchanting, Death would be! How we would long to see + his fleshless skull! What rays of glory would stream from his sightless + sockets, and how the heart would long for the touch of his stilling hand! + The shroud would become a robe of glory, the funeral procession a harvest + home, and the grave would mark the end of sorrow, the beginning of eternal + joy. + </p> + <p> + And yet it were better far that all this should be false than that all of + the New Testament should be true. + </p> + <p> + It is far better to have no heaven than to have heaven and hell; better to + have no God than God and Devil; better to rest iii eternal sleep than to + be an angel and know that the ones you love are suffering eternal pain; + better to live a free and loving life—a life that ends forever at + the grave—than to be an immortal slave. + </p> + <p> + The master cannot be great enough to make slavery sweet. I have no + ambition to become a winged servant, a winged slave. Better eternal sleep. + But they say, "If you give up these superstitions, what have you left?" + </p> + <p> + Let me now give you the declaration of a creed. + </p> + <p> + DECLARATION OF THE FREE + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + We have no falsehoods to defend— + We want the facts; + Our force, our thought, we do not spend + In vain attacks. + And we will never meanly try + To save some fair and pleasing lie. + + The simple truth is what we ask, + Not the ideal; + We've set ourselves the noble task + To find the real. + If all there is is naught but dross, + We want to know and bear our loss. + + We will not willingly be fooled, + By fables nursed; + Our hearts, by earnest thought, are schooled + To bear the worst; + And we can stand erect and dare + All things, all facts that really are. + + We have no God to serve or fear, + No hell to shun, + No devil with malicious leer. + When life is done + An endless sleep may close our eyes, + A sleep with neither dreams nor sighs. + + We have no master on the land— + No king in air— + Without a manacle we stand, + Without a prayer, + Without a fear of coming night, + We seek the truth, we love the light. + + We do not bow before a guess, + A vague unknown; + A senseless force we do not bless + In solemn tone. + When evil comes we do not curse, + Or thank because it is no worse. + + When cyclones rend—when lightning blights, + 'Tis naught but fate; + There is no God of wrath who smites + In heartless hate. + Behind the things that injure man + There is no purpose, thought, or plan. + + We waste no time in useless dread, + In trembling fear; + The present lives, the past is dead, + And we are here, + All welcome guests at life's great feast— + We need no help from ghost or priest. + + Our life is joyous, jocund, free— + Not one a slave + Who bends in fear the trembling knee, + And seeks to save + A coward soul from future pain; + Not one will cringe or crawl for gain. + + The jeweled cup of love we drain, + And friendship's wine + Now swiftly flows in every vein + With warmth divine. + And so we love and hope and dream + That in death's sky there is a gleam. + + We walk according to our light, + Pursue the path + That leads to honor's stainless height, + Careless of wrath + Or curse of God, or priestly spite, + Longing to know and do the right. + + We love our fellow-man, our kind, + Wife, child, and friend. + To phantoms we are deaf and blind, + But we extend + The helping hand to the distressed; + By lifting others we are blessed. + + Love's sacred flame within the heart + And friendship's glow; + While all the miracles of art + Their wealth bestow + Upon the thrilled and joyous brain, + And present raptures banish pain. + + We love no phantoms of the skies, + But living flesh, + With passion's soft and soulful eyes, + Lips warm and fresh, + And cheeks with health's red flag unfurled, + The breathing angels of this world. + + The hands that help are better far + Than lips that pray. + Love is the ever gleaming star + That leads the way, + That shines, not on vague worlds of bliss, + But on a paradise in this. + + We do not pray, or weep, or wail; + We have no dread, + No fear to pass beyond the veil + That hides the dead. + And yet we question, dream, and guess, + But knowledge we do not possess. + + We ask, yet nothing seems to know; + We cry in vain. + There is no "master of the show" + Who will explain, + Or from the future tear the mask; + And yet we dream, and still we ask + + Is there beyond the silent night + An endless day? + Is death a door that leads to light? + We cannot say. + The tongueless secret locked in fate + We do not know.— + + We hope and wait. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0010" id="link0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROGRESS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This is the first lecture ever delivered by Mr. Ingersoll. + The stars indicate the words missing in the manuscript. It + was delivered in Pekin, 111., in 1860, and again in + Bloomington, 111., in 1804. +</pre> + <p> + IT is admitted by all that happiness is the only good, happiness in its + highest and grandest sense and the most * * springs * * of * * refined * * + generous * * + </p> + <p> + Conscience * * tends * * indirectly * * truly we * * physically * * to + develop the wonderful powers of the mind is progress. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for men to become educated and refined without leisure + and there can be no leisure without wealth and all wealth is produced by + labor, nothing else. Nothing can * * the hands * * and * * fabrics * + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + America labor is not honored as it deserves. + </p> + <p> + We should remember that the prosperity of the world depends upon the men + who walk in the fresh furrows and through the rustling corn, upon those + whose faces are radiant with the glare of furnaces, upon the delvers in + dark mines, the workers in shops, upon those who give to the wintry air + the ringing music of the axe, and upon those who wrestle with the wild + waves of the raging sea. + </p> + <p> + And it is from the surplus produced by labor that schools are built, that + colleges and universities are founded and endowed. From this surplus the + painter is paid for the immortal productions of the pencil. This pays the + sculptor for chiseling the shapeless rock into forms of beauty almost + divine, and the poet for singing the hopes, the loves and aspirations of + the world. + </p> + <p> + This surplus has erected all the palaces and temples, all the galleries of + art, has given to us all the books in which we converse, as it were, with + the dead kings of the human race, and has supplied us with all there is of + elegance, of beauty and of refined happiness in the world. + </p> + <p> + I am aware that the subject chosen by me is almost infinite and that in + its broadest sense it is absolutely beyond the present comprehension of + man. + </p> + <p> + I am also aware that there are many opinions as to what progress really + is, that what one calls progress, another denominates barbarism; that many + have a wonderful veneration for all that is ancient, merely because it is + ancient, and they see no beauty in anything from which they do not have to + blow the dust of ages with the breath of praise. + </p> + <p> + They say, no masters like the old, no governments like the ancient, no + orators, no poets, no statesmen like those who have been dust for two + thousand years. Others despise antiquity and admire only the modern, + merely because it is modern. They find so much to condemn in the past, + that they condemn all. I hope, however, that I have gratitude enough to + acknowledge the obligations I am under to the great and heroic minds of + antiquity, and that I have manliness and independence enough not to + believe what they said merely because they said it, and that I have moral + courage enough to advocate ideas, however modern they may be, if I believe + that they are right. Truth is neither young nor old, is neither ancient + nor modern, but is the same for all times and places and should be sought + for with ceaseless activity, eagerly acknowledged, loved more than life, + and abandoned—never. In accordance with the idea that labor is the + basis of all prosperity and happiness, is another idea or truth, and that + is, that labor in order to make the laborer and the world at large happy, + must be free. That the laborer must be a free man, the thinker must be + free. I do not intend in what I may say upon this subject to carry you + back to the remotest antiquity,—back to Asia, the cradle of the + world, where we could stand in the ashes and ruins of a civilization so + old that history has not recorded even its decay. It will answer my + present purpose to commence with the Middle Ages. In those times there was + no freedom of either mind or body in Europe. Labor was despised, and a + laborer was considered as scarcely above the beasts. Ignorance like a + mantle covered the world, and superstition ran riot with the human + imagination. The air was filled with angels, demons and monsters. + Everything assumed the air of the miraculous. Credulity occupied the + throne of reason and faith put out the eyes of the soul. A man to be + distinguished had either to be a soldier or a monk. He could take his + choice between killing and lying. You must remember that in those days + nations carried on war as an end, not as a means. War and theology were + the business of mankind. No man could win more than a bare existence by + industry, much less fame and glory. Comparatively speaking, there was no + commerce. Nations instead of buying and selling from and to each other, + took what they wanted by brute force. And every Christian country + maintained that it was no robbery to take the property of Mohammedans, and + no murder to kill the owners with or without just cause of quarrel. Lord + Bacon was the first man of note who maintained that a Christian country + was bound to keep its plighted faith with an Infidel one. In those days + reading and writing were considered very dangerous arts, and any layman + who had acquired the art of reading was suspected of being a heretic or a + wizard. + </p> + <p> + It is almost impossible for us to conceive of the ignorance, the cruelty, + the superstition and the mental blindness of that period. In reading the + history of those dark and bloody years, I am amazed at the wickedness, the + folly and presumption of mankind. And yet, the solution of the whole + matter is, they despised liberty; they hated freedom of mind and of body. + They forged chains of superstition for the one and of iron for the other. + They were ruled by that terrible trinity, the cowl, the sword and chain. + </p> + <p> + You cannot form a correct opinion of those ages without reading the + standard authors, so to speak, of that time, the laws then in force, and + by ascertaining the habits and customs of the people, their mode of + administering the laws, and the ideas that were commonly received as + correct. No one believed that honest error could be innocent; no one + dreamed of such a thing as religious freedom. In the fifteenth century the + following law was in force in England: "That whatsoever they were that + should read the Scriptures in the mother tongue, they should forfeit land, + cattle, body, life, and goods from their heirs forever, and so be + condemned for heretics to God, enemies to the crown, and most arrant + traitors to the land." The next year after this law was in force, in one + day thirty-nine were hanged for its violation and their bodies afterward + burned. + </p> + <p> + Laws equally unjust, bloody and cruel were in force in all parts of + Europe. In the sixteenth century a man was burned in France because he + refused to kneel to a procession of dirty monks. I could enumerate + thousands of instances of the most horrid cruelty perpetrated upon men, + women and even little children, for no other reason in the world than for + a difference of opinion upon a subject that neither party knew anything + about. But you are all, no doubt, perfectly familiar with the history of + religious persecution. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing, however, that is strange indeed, and that is that the + reformers of those days, the men who rose against the horrid tyranny of + the times, the moment they attained power, persecuted with a zeal and + bitterness never excelled. Luther, one of the grand men of the world, cast + in the heroic mould, although he gave utterance to the following sublime + sentiment: "Every one has the right to read for himself that he may + prepare himself to live and to die," still had no idea of what we call + religious freedom. He considered universal toleration an error, so did + Melancthon, and Erasmus, and yet, strange as it may appear, they were + exercising the very right they denied to others, and maintaining their + right with a courage and energy absolutely sublime. + </p> + <p> + John Knox was only in favor of religious freedom when he was in the + minority, and Baxter entertained the same sentiment. Castalio, a professor + at Geneva, in Switzerland, was the first clergyman in Europe who declared + the innocence of honest error, and who proclaimed himself in favor of + universal toleration. The name of this man should never be forgotten. He + had the goodness, the courage, although surrounded with prisons and + inquisitions, and in the midst of millions of fierce bigots, to declare + the innocence of honest error, and that every man had a right to worship + the good God in his own way. + </p> + <p> + For the utterance of this sublime sentiment his professorship was taken + from him, he was driven from Geneva by John Calvin and his adherents, + although he had belonged to their sect. + </p> + <p> + He was denounced as a child of the Devil, a dog of Satan, as a murderer of + souls, as a corrupter of the faith, and as one who by his doctrines + crucified the Savior afresh. Not content with merely driving him from his + home, they pursued him absolutely to the grave, with a malignity that + increased rather than diminished. You must not think that Calvin was alone + in this; on the contrary he was fully sustained by public opinion, and + would have been sustained even though he had procured the burning of the + noble Castalio at the stake. I cite this instance not merely for the + purpose of casting odium upon Calvin, but to show you what public opinion + was at that time, when such things were ordinary transactions. Bodi-nus, a + lawyer in France, about the same time advocated something like religious + liberty, but public opinion was overwhelmingly against him and the people + were at all times ready with torch and brand, chain, and fagot to get the + abominable heresy out of the human mind, that a man had a right to think + for himself. And yet Luther, Calvin, Knox and Baxter, in spite, as it + were, of themselves, conferred a great and lasting benefit upon mankind; + for what they did was at least in favor of individual judgment, and one + successful stand against the church produced others, all of which tended + to establish universal toleration. In those times you will remember that + failing to convert a man or woman by the ordinary means, they resorted to + every engine of torture that the ingenuity of bigotry could devise; they + crushed their feet in what they called iron boots; they roasted them upon + slow fires; they plucked out their nails, and then into the bleeding quick + thrust needles; and all this to convince them of the truth. I suppose that + we should love our neighbor as ourselves. + </p> + <p> + Montaigne was the first man who raised his voice against torture in + France; a man blessed with so much common sense, that he was the most + uncommon man of the age in which he lived. But what was one voice against + the terrible cry of ignorant millions?—a drowning man in the wild + roar of the infinite sea. It is impossible to read the history of the long + and seemingly hopeless war waged for religious freedom, without being + filled with horror and disgust. Millions of men, women and children, at + least one hundred millions of human beings with hopes and loves and + aspirations like ourselves, have been sacrificed upon the altar of + bigotry. They have perished at the stake, in prisons, by famine and by + sword; they have died wandering, homeless, in deserts, groping in caves, + until their blood cried from the earth for vengeance. But the principle, + gathering strength from their weakness, nourished by blood and flame, + rendered holier still by their sufferings—grander by their heroism, + and immortal by their death, triumphed at last, and is now acknowledged by + the whole civilized world. Enormous as the cost has been the principle is + worth a thousand times as much. There must be freedom in religion, for + without freedom there can be no real religion. And as for myself I glory + in the fact that upon American soil that principle was first firmly + established, and that the Constitution of the United States was the first + of any great nation in which religious toleration was made one of the + fundamental laws of the land. And it is not only the law of our country + but the law is sustained by an enlightened public opinion. Without liberty + there is no religion—no worship. What light is to the eyes—what + air is to the lungs—what love is to the heart, liberty is to the + soul of man. Without liberty, the brain is a dungeon, where the chained + thoughts die with their pinions pressed against the hingeless doors. + </p> + <p> + WITCHCRAFT + </p> + <p> + THE next fact to which I call your attention is, that during the Middle + Ages the people, the whole people, the learned and the ignorant, the + masters and the slaves, the clergy, the lawyers, doctors and statesmen, + all believed in witchcraft—in the evil eye, and that the devil + entered into people, into animals and even into insects to accomplish his + dark designs. And all the people believed it their solemn duty to thwart + the devil by all means in their power, and they accordingly set themselves + at work hanging and burning everybody suspected of being in league with + the Enemy of mankind. If you grant their premises, you justify their + actions. If these persons had actually entered into partnership with the + devil for the purpose of injuring their neighbors, the people would have + been justified in exterminating them all. And the crime of witchcraft was + proven over and over again in court after court in every town of Europe. + Thousands of people who were charged with being in league with the devil + confessed the crime, gave all the particulars of the bargain, told just + what the devil said and what they replied, and exactly how the bargain was + consummated, admitted in the presence of death, on the very edge of the + grave, when they knew that the confession would confiscate all their + property and leave their children homeless wanderers, and render their own + names infamous after death. + </p> + <p> + We can account for a man suffering death for what he believes to be right. + He knows that he has the sympathy of all the truly good, and he hopes that + his name will be gratefully remembered in the far future, and above all, + he hopes to win the approval of a just God. But the man who confessed + himself guilty of being a wizard, knew that his memory would be execrated + and expected that his soul would be eternally lost. What motive could then + have induced so many to confess? Strange as it is, I believe that they + actually believed themselves guilty. They considered their case hopeless; + they confessed and died without a prayer. These things are enough to make + one think that sometimes the world becomes insane and that the earth is a + vast asylum without a keeper. I repeat that I am convinced that the people + that confessed themselves guilty believed that they were so. In the first + place, they believed in witchcraft and that people often were possessed of + Satan, and when they were accused the fright and consternation produced by + the accusation, in connection with their belief, often produced insanity + or something akin to it, and the poor creatures charged with a crime that + it was impossible to disprove, deserted and abhorred by their friends, + left alone with their superstitions and fears, driven to despair, looked + upon death as a blessed relief from a torture that you and I cannot at + this day understand. People were charged with the most impossible crimes. + In the time of James the First, a man was burned in Scotland for having + produced a storm at sea for the purpose of drowning one of the royal + family. A woman was tried before Sir Matthew Hale, one of the most learned + and celebrated lawyers of England, for having caused children to + vomit-crooked pins. She was also charged with nursing demons. Of course + she was found guilty, and the learned Judge charged the jury that there + was no doubt as to the existence of witches, that all history, sacred and + profane, and that the experience of every country proved it beyond any + manner of doubt. And the woman was either hanged or burned for a crime for + which it was impossible for her to be guilty. In those times they also + believed in Lycanthropy—that is, that persons of whom the devil had + taken possession could assume the appearance of wolves. + </p> + <p> + One instance is related where a man was attacked by what appeared to be a + wolf. He defended himself and succeeded in cutting off one of the wolf's + paws, whereupon the wolf ran and the man picked up the paw and putting it + in his pocket went home. When he took the paw out of his pocket it had + changed to a human hand, and his wife sat in the house with one of her + hands gone and the stump of her arm bleeding. He denounced his wife as a + witch, she confessed the crime and was burned at the stake. People were + burned for causing frosts in the summer, for destroying crops with hail, + for causing cows to become dry, and even for souring beer. The life of no + one was secure, malicious enemies had only to charge one with witchcraft, + prove a few odd sayings and queer actions to secure the death of their + victim. And this belief in witchcraft was so intense that to express a + doubt upon the subject was to be suspected and probably executed. + Believing that animals were also taken possession of by evil spirits and + also believing that if they killed an animal containing one of the evil + spirits that they caused the death of the spirit, they absolutely tried + animals, convicted and executed them. At Basle, in 1474, a rooster was + tried, charged with having laid an egg, and as rooster eggs were used only + in making witch ointment it was a serious charge, and everyone of course + admitted that the devil must have been the cause, as roosters could not + very well lay eggs without some help. And the egg having been produced in + court, the rooster was duly convicted and he together with his miraculous + egg were publicly and with all due solemnity burned in the public square. + So a hog and six pigs were tried for having killed, and partially eaten a + child, the hog was convicted and executed, but the pigs were acquitted on + the ground of their extreme youth. Asiate as 1740 a cow was absolutely + tried on a charge of being possessed of the devil. Our forefathers used to + rid themselves of rats, leeches, locusts and vermin by pronouncing what + they called a public exorcism. + </p> + <p> + On some occasions animals were received as witnesses in judicial + proceedings. + </p> + <p> + The law was in some of the countries of Europe, that if a man's house was + broken into between sunset and sunrise and the owner killed the intruder, + it should be considered justifiable homicide. + </p> + <p> + But it was also considered that it was just possible that a man living + alone might entice another to his house in the night-time, kill him and + then pretend that his victim was a robber. In order to prevent this, it + was enacted that when a person was killed by a man living alone and under + such circumstances, the solitary householder should not be held innocent + unless he produced in court some animal, a dog or a cat, that had been an + inmate of the house and had witnessed the death of the person killed. The + prisoner was then compelled in the presence of such animal to make a + solemn declaration of his innocence, and if the animal failed to + contradict him, he was declared guiltless,—the law taking it for + granted that the Deity would cause a miraculous manifestation by a dumb + animal, rather than allow a murderer to escape. It was the law in England + that any one convicted of a crime, could appeal to what was called corsned + or morsel of execration. This was a piece of cheese or bread of about an + ounce in weight, which was first consecrated with a form of exorcism + desiring that the Almighty, if the man were guilty, would cause + convulsions and paleness, and that it might stick in his throat, but that + it might if the man were innocent, turn to health and nourishment. Godwin, + the Earl of Kent, during the reign of Edward the Confessor, appealed to + the corsned, which sticking in his throat, produced death. There were also + trials by water and by fire. Persons were made to handle red hot iron, and + if it burned them their guilt was established; so their hands and feet + were tied, and they were thrown into the water, and if they sank they were + pronounced guilty and allowed to drown. I give these instances to show you + what has happened, and what always will happen, in countries where + ignorance prevails, and people abandon the great standard of reason. And + also to show to you that scarcely any man, however great, can free himself + of the superstitions of his time. Kepler, one of the greatest men of the + world, and an astronomer second to none, although he plucked from the + stars the secrets of the universe, was an astrologer and thought he could + predict the career of any man by finding what star was in the ascendant at + his birth. This infinitely foolish stuff was religiously believed by him, + merely because he had been raised in an atmosphere of boundless credulity. + Tycho Brahe, another astronomer who has been, and is called the prince of + astronomers—not only believed in astrology, but actually kept an + idiot in his service, whose disconnected and meaningless words he + carefully wrote down and then put them together in such a manner as to + make prophecies, and then he patiently and confidently awaited their + fulfillment. + </p> + <p> + Luther believed that he had actually seen the devil not only, but that he + had had discussions with him upon points of theology. On one occasion + getting excited, he threw an inkstand at his majesty's head, and the ink + stain is still to be seen on the wall where the stand was broken. The + devil I believe, was untouched, he probably having an inkling of Luther's + intention, made a successful dodge. + </p> + <p> + In the time of Charles the Fifth, Emperor of Germany, Stoefflerer, a noted + mathematician and astronomer, a man of great learning, made an + astronomical calculation according to the great science of astrology and + ascertained that the world was to be visited by another deluge. This + prediction was absolutely believed by the leading men of the empire not + only, but of all Europe. The commissioner general of the army of Charles + the Fifth recommended that a survey be made of the country by competent + men in order to find out the highest land. But as it was uncertain how + high the water would rise this idea was abandoned. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of people left their homes in low lands, by the rivers and near + the sea and sought the more elevated ground. Immense suffering was + produced. People in some instances abandoned the aged, the sick and the + infirm to the tender mercies of the expected flood, so anxious were they + to reach some place of security. + </p> + <p> + At Toulouse, in France, the people actually built an ark and stocked it + with provisions, and it was not till long after the day upon which the + flood was to have come, had passed, that the people recovered from their + fright and returned to their homes. About the same time it was currently + reported and believed that a child had been born in Silesia with a golden + tooth. The people were again filled with wonder and consternation. They + were satisfied that some great evil was coming upon mankind. At last it + was solved by some chapter in Daniel wherein is predicted somebody with a + golden head. Such stories would never have gained credence only for the + reason that the supernatural was expected. Anything in the ordinary course + of nature was not worth telling. The human mind was in chains; it had been + deformed by slavery. Reason was a trembling coward, and every production + of the mind was deformed, every idea was a monster. Almost every law was + unjust. Their religion was nothing more or less than monsters worshiping + an imaginary monster. Science could not, properly speaking, exist. Their + histories were the grossest and most palpable falsehoods, and they filled + all Europe with the most shocking absurdities. The histories were all + written by the monks and bishops, all of whom were intensely + superstitious, and equally dishonest. Everything they did was a pious + fraud. They wrote as if they had been eye-witnesses of every occurrence + that they related. They entertained, and consequently expressed, no doubt + as to any particular, and in case of any difficulty they always had a few + miracles ready just suited for the occasion, and the people never for an + instant doubted the absolute truth of every statement that they made. They + wrote the history of every country of any importance. They related all the + past and present, and predicted nearly all the future, with an ignorant + impudence actually sublime. They traced the order of St. Michael in France + back to the Archangel himself, and alleged that he was the founder of a + chivalric order in heaven itself. They also said that the Tartars + originally came from hell, and that they were called Tartars because + Tartarus was one of the names of perdition. They declared that Scotland + was so called after Scota, a daughter of Pharaoh, who landed in Ireland + and afterward invaded Scotland and took it by force of arms. This + statement was made in a letter addressed to the Pope in the 14th century + and was alluded to as a well-known fact. The letter was written by some of + the highest dignitaries of the church and by direction of the king + himself. Matthew, of Paris, an eminent historian of the 13th century, gave + the world the following piece of valuable information: "It is well known + that Mohammed originally was a Cardinal and became a heretic because he + failed in his design of being elected Pope." + </p> + <p> + The same gentleman informs us that Mohammed having drank to excess fell + drunk by the roadside, and in that condition was killed by pigs. And this + is the reason, says he, that his followers abhor pork even unto this day. + Another historian of about the same period, tells us that one of the popes + cut off his hand because it had been kissed by an improper person, and + that the hand was still in the Lateran at Rome, where it had been + miraculously preserved from corruption for over five hundred years. After + that occurrence, says he, the Pope's toe was substituted, which accounts + for this practice. He also has the goodness to inform his readers that + Nero was in the habit of vomiting frogs. Some of the croakers of the + present day against progress would, I think, be the better of such a + vomit. The history of Charlemagne was written by Turpin the Archbishop of + Rheims, and received the formal approbation of the Pope. In this it is + asserted that the walls of a city fell down in answer to prayer; that + Charlemagne was opposed by a giant called Fenacute who was a descendant of + the ancient Goliath; that forty men were sent to attack this giant, and + that he took them under his arms and quietly carried them away. At last + Orlando engaged him singly; not meeting with the success that he + anticipated, he changed his tactics and commenced a theological + discussion; warming with his subject he pressed forward and suddenly + stabbed his opponent, inflicting a mortal wound. After the death of the + giant, Charlemagne easily conquered the whole country and divided it among + his sons. + </p> + <p> + The history of the Britons, written by the Archdeacons of Monmouth and + Oxford, was immensely popular. According to their account, Brutus, a + Roman, conquered England, built London, called the country Britain after + himself. During his time it rained blood for three days. At another time a + monster came from the sea, and after having devoured a great many common + people, finally swallowed the king himself. They say that King Arthur was + not born like ordinary mortals, but was formed by a magical contrivance + made by a wizard. That he was particularly lucky in killing giants, that + he killed one in France who used to eat several people every day, and that + this giant was clothed with garments made entirely of the beards of kings + that he had killed and eaten. To cap the climax, one of the authors of + this book was promoted for having written an authentic history of his + country. Another writer of the 15th century says that after Ignatius was + dead they found impressed upon his heart the Greek word Theos. In all + historical compositions there was an incredible want of common honesty. + The great historian Eusebius ingenuously remarks that in his history he + omitted whatever tended to discredit the church and magnified whatever + conduced to her glory. The same glorious principle was adhered to by most, + if not all, of the writers of those days. They wrote and the people + believed that the tracks of Pharaoh's chariot wheels, were still impressed + upon the sands of the Red Sea and could not be obliterated either by the + winds or waves. + </p> + <p> + The next subject to which I call your attention is the wonderful progress + in the mechanical arts. Animals use the weapons nature has furnished, and + those only—the beak, the claw, the tusk, the teeth. The barbarian + uses a club, a stone. As man advances he makes tools with which to fashion + his weapons; he discovers the best material to be used in their + construction. The next thing was to find some power to assist him—that + is to say, the weight of falling water, or the force of the wind. He then + creates a force, so to speak, by changing water to steam, and with that he + impels machines that can do almost everything but think. You will observe + that the ingenuity of man is first exercised in the construction of + weapons. There were splendid Damascus blades when plowing was done with a + crooked stick. There were complete suits of armor on backs that had never + felt a shirt. The world was full of inventions to destroy life before + there were any to prolong it or make it endurable. Murder was always a + science—medicine is not one yet. Scalping was known and practiced + long before Barret discovered the Hair Regenerator. The destroyers have + always been honored. The useful have always been despised. In ancient + times agriculture was known only to slaves. The low, the ignorant, the + contemptible, cultivated the soil. To work was to be nobody. Mechanics + were only one degree above the farmer. In short, labor was disgraceful. + Idleness was the badge of gentle blood. The fields being poorly cultivated + produced but little at the best. Only a few kinds of crops were raised. + The result was frequent famine and constant suffering. One country could + not be supplied from another as now; the roads were always horrible, and + besides all this, every country was at war with nearly every other. This + state of things lasted until a few years ago. + </p> + <p> + Let me show you the condition of England at the beginning of the + eighteenth century. At that time London was the most populous capital in + Europe, yet it was dirty, ill built, without any sanitary provisions + whatever. The deaths were one in 23 each year. Now in a much more crowded + population they are not one in forty. Much of the country was then heath + and swamp. Almost within sight of London there was a tract, twenty-five + miles round, almost in a state of nature; there were but three houses upon + it. In the rainy season the roads were almost impassable. Through gullies + filled with mud, carriages were dragged by oxen. Between places of great + importance the roads were little known, and a principal mode of transport + was by pack horses, of which passengers took advantage by stowing + themselves away between the packs. The usual charge for freight was 30 + cents per ton a mile. After a while, what they were pleased to call flying + coaches were established. They could move from thirty to fifty miles a + day. Many persons thought the risk so great that it was tempting + Providence to get into one of them. The mail bag was carried on horseback + at five miles an hour. A penny post had been established in the city, but + many long-headed men, who knew what they were saying, denounced it as a + popish contrivance. Only a few years before, Parliament had resolved that + all pictures in the royal collection which contained representations of + Jesus or the Virgin Mary should be burned. Greek statues were handed over + to Puritan stone masons to be made decent. Lewis Meggleton had given + himself out as the last and the greatest of the prophets, having power to + save or damn. He had also discovered that God was only six feet high and + the sun four miles off. There were people in England as savage as our + Indians. The women, half naked, would chant some wild measure, while the + men would brandish their dirks and dance. There were thirty-four counties + without a printer. Social discipline was wretched. The master flogged his + apprentice, the pedagogue his scholar, the husband his wife; and I am + ashamed to say that whipping has not been abolished in our schools. It is + a relic of barbarism and should not be tolerated one moment. It is brutal, + low and contemptible. The teacher that administers such punishment is no + more to blame than the parents that allow it. Every gentleman and lady + should use his or her influence to do away with this vile and infamous + practice. In those days public punishments were all brutal. Men and women + were put in the pillory and then pelted with brick-bats, rotten eggs and + dead cats, by the rabble. The whipping-post was then an institution in + England as it is now in the enlightened State of Delaware. Criminals were + drawn and quartered; others were disemboweled and hung and their bodies + suspended in chains to rot in the air. The houses of the people in the + country were huts, thatched with straw. Anybody who could get fresh meat + once a week was considered rich. Children six years old had to labor. In + London the houses were of wood or plaster, the streets filthy beyond + expression, even muddier than Bloomington is now. After nightfall a + passenger went about at his peril, for chamber windows were opened and + slop pails unceremoniously emptied. There were no lamps in the streets, + but plenty of highwaymen and robbers. + </p> + <p> + The morals of the people corresponded, as they generally do, to their + physical condition. It is said that the clergy did what they could to make + the people pious, but they could not accomplish much. You cannot convert a + man when he is hungry. He will not accept better doctrines until he gets + better clothes, and he won't have more faith till he gets more food. + Besides this, the clergy were a little below par, so much so that Queen + Elizabeth issued an order that no clergyman should presume to marry a + servant girl without the consent of her master or mistress. During the + same time the condition of France and indeed of all Europe was even worse + than England. What has changed the condition of Great Britain? More than + any and everything else, the inventions of her mechanics. The old moral + method was and always will be a failure. If you wish to better the + condition of a people morally, better them physically. About the close of + the 18th Century, Watt, Arkwright, Hargreave, Crompton, Cartwright, + invented the steam engine, the spring frame, the jenny, the mule, the + power loom, the carding machine and a hundred other minor inventions, and + put it in the power of England to monopolize the markets of the world. Her + machinery soon became equal to 30,000,000 of men. In a few years the + population was doubled and the wealth quadrupled; and England became the + first nation of the world through her inventors, her merchants, her + mechanics, and in spite of her statesmen, her priests and her nobles. + England began to spin for the world, cotton began to be universally worn, + clean shirts began to be seen. The most cunning spinners of India could + make a thread over 100 miles long from one pound of cotton. The machines + of England have produced one over 1000 miles in length from the same + quantity. In a short time Stephenson invented the locomotive. Railroads + began to be built. Fulton gave to the world the steamboat, and commerce + became independent of the winds. There are already railroads enough in the + United States to make a double track around the world. Man has lengthened + his arms. He reaches to every country and takes what he wants; the world + is before him; he helps himself. There can be no more famine. If there is + no food in this country, the boat and the car will bring it from another. + </p> + <p> + We can have the luxuries of every climate. A majority of the people now + live better than the king used to do. Poor Solomon with his thousand + wives, and no carpets, his great temple, and no gas light! A thousand + women, and not a pin in the house; no stoves, no cooking range, no baking + powder, no potatoes—think of it! Breakfast without potatoes! Plenty + of wisdom and old saws—but no green corn; never heard of succotash + in his whole life. No clean clothes, no music, if you except a jew's-harp, + no ice water, no skates, no carriages, because there was not a decent road + in all his dominions. Plenty of theology but no tobacco, no books, no + pictures, not a picture in all Palestine, not a piece of statuary, not a + plough that would scour. No tea, no coffee; he never heard of any place of + amusement, never was at a theatre, or a circus. "Seven up" was then + unknown to the world. He couldn't even play billiards, with all his + knowledge, never had an idea of woman's rights, or universal suffrage; + never went to school a day in his life, and cared no more about the will + of the people than Andy Johnson. + </p> + <p> + The inventors have helped more than any other class to make the world what + it is; the workers and the thinkers, the poor and the grand; labor and + learning, industry and intelligence; Watt and Descartes, Fulton and + Montaigne, Stephenson and Kepler, Crompton and Comte, Franklin and + Voltaire, Morse and Buckle, Draper and Spencer, and hundreds more that I + could mention. The inventors, the workers, the thinkers, the mechanics, + the surgeons, the philosophers—these are the Atlases upon whose + shoulders rests the great fabric of modern civilization. + </p> + <p> + LANGUAGE. + </p> + <p> + IN order to show you that the most abject superstition pervaded every + department of human knowledge, or of ignorance rather, allow me to give + you a few of their ideas upon language. It was universally believed that + all languages could be traced back to the Hebrew; that the Hebrew was the + original language, and every fact inconsistent with that idea was + discarded. In consequence of this belief all efforts to investigate the + science of language were utterly fruitless. After a time, the Hebrew idea + falling into disrepute, other languages claimed the honor of being the + original ones. + </p> + <p> + André Kempe published a work in 1569, on the language of Paradise, + in which he maintained that God spoke to Adam in Swedish; that Adam + answered in Danish and that the serpent (which appears quite probable) + spoke to Eve in French. Erro, in a book published at Madrid, took the + ground that Basque was the language spoken in the Garden of Eden. But in + 1580, Goropius published his celebrated work at Antwerp, in which he put + the whole matter at rest by proving that the language spoken in Paradise + was nothing more or less than plain Holland Dutch. The real founder of the + present science of language was a German, Leibnitz—a contemporary of + Sir Isaac Newton. He discarded the idea that all language could be traced + to an original one. That language was, so to speak, a natural growth. + Actual experience teaches us that this must be true. The ancient sages of + Egypt had a vocabulary, according to Bunsen, of only about six hundred and + eighty-five words, exclusive of proper names. The English language has at + least one hundred thousand. + </p> + <p> + GEOGRAPHY. + </p> + <p> + IN the 6th century a monk by the name of Cosmas wrote a kind of orthodox + geography and astronomy combined. He pretended that it was all in + accordance with the Bible. According to him, the world was composed, + first, of a flat piece of land and circular; this piece of land was + entirely surrounded by water which was the ocean, and beyond the strip of + water was another circle of land; this outside circle was the land + inhabited by the old world before the flood; Noah crossed the strip of + water and landed on the central piece where we now are; on the outside + land was a high mountain around which the sun and moon revolved; when the + sun was behind the mountain it was night, and when on the side next us it + was day. He also taught that on the outer edge of the outside circle of + land the firmament or sky was fastened, that it was made of some solid + material and turned over the world like an immense kettle. And it was + declared at that time that anyone who believed either more or less on that + subject than that book contained was a heretic and deserved to be + exterminated from the face of the earth. This was authority until the + discovery of America by Columbus. Cosmas said the earth was flat; if it + was round how could men on the other side at the day of judgment see the + coming of the Lord? At the risk of being tiresome, I have said what I + have, to show you the productions of the mind when enslaved—the + consequences of abandoning judgment and reason—the effects of wide + spread ignorance and universal bigotry. + </p> + <p> + I want to convince you that every wrong is a viper that will sooner or + later strike with poisoned fangs the bosom that nourishes it. You will ask + what has produced this wonderful change in only three hundred years. You + will remember that in those days it was said that all ghosts vanished at + the dawn of day; that the sprites, the spooks, the hobgoblins and all the + monsters of the imagination fled from the approaching sun. In 1441, + printing was invented. In the next century it became a power, and it has + been flooding the world with light from that time to this. The Press has + been the true Prometheus. + </p> + <p> + It has been, so to speak, the trumpet blown by the Gabriel of Progress, + until, from the graves of ignorance and superstition, the people have + leaped to grand and glorious life, spurning with swift feet the dust of an + infamous past. + </p> + <p> + When people read, they reason, when they reason they progress. You must + not think that the enemies of progress allowed books to be published or + read when they had the power to prevent it. The whole power of the church, + of the government, was arrayed upon the side of ignorance. People found in + the possession of books were often executed. Printing, reading and writing + were crimes. Anathemas were hurled from the Vatican against all who dared + to publish a word in favor of liberty or the sacred rights of man. The + Inquisition was founded on purpose to crush out every noble aspiration of + the heart. It was a war of darkness against light, of slavery against + liberty, of superstition against reason. I shall not attempt to recount + the horrors and tortures of the Inquisition. Suffice it to say that they + were equal to the most terrible and vivid pictures even of Hell, and the + Inquisitors were even more horrid fiends than even a real Perdition could + boast. But in spite of priests, in spite of kings, in spite of mitres, in + spite of crowns, in spite of Cardinals and Popes, books were published and + books were read. Beam after beam of light penetrated the darkness. Star + after star arose in the firmament of ignorance. The morning of Freedom + began to dawn. Driven to madness by the prospect of ultimate defeat, the + enemies of light persecuted with redoubled fury. + </p> + <p> + People were burned for saying that the earth was round, for saying that + the sun was the center of a system. A woman was executed because she + endeavored to allay the pains of a fever by singing. The very name of + Philosopher became a title of proscription, and the slightest offences + were punished by death. About the beginning of the sixteenth century + Luther and Jerome, of Prague, inaugurated the great Reformation in + Germany, Ziska was at work in Hungary, Zwinglius in Switzerland. The grand + work went forward in Denmark, in Sweden and in England. All this was + accomplished as early as 1534. They unmasked the corruption and withstood + the tyranny of the church. + </p> + <p> + With a zeal amounting to enthusiasm, with a courage that was heroic, with + an energy that never flagged, a determination that brooked no opposition, + with a firmness that defied torture and death, this sublime band of + reformers sprang to the attack. Stronghold after stronghold was carried, + and in a few short but terrible years, the banner of the Reformation waved + in triumph over the bloody ensign of Saint Peter. The soul roused from the + slumbers of a thousand years began to think. When slaves begin to reason, + slavery begins to die. The invention of powder had released millions from + the army, and left them to prosecute the arts of peace. Industry began to + be remunerative and respectable. + </p> + <p> + Science began to unfold the wings that will finally fill the heavens. + Descartes announced to the world the sublime truth that the Universe is + governed by law. + </p> + <p> + Commerce began to unfold her wings. People of different countries began to + get acquainted. Christians found that Mohammedan gold was not the less + valuable on account of the doctrines of its owners. Telescopes began to be + pointed toward the stars. The Universe was getting immense. The Earth was + growing small. It was discovered that a man could be healthy without being + a Catholic. Innumerable agencies were at work dispelling darkness and + creating light. The supernatural began to be abandoned, and mankind + endeavored to account for all physical phenomena by physical laws. The + light of reason was irradiating the world, and from that light, as from + the approach of the sun, the ghosts and spectres of superstition wrapped + their sheets around their attenuated bodies and vanished into thin air. + Other inventions rapidly followed. The wonderful power of steam was made + known to the world by Watts and by Fulton. Neptune was frightened from the + sea. The locomotive was given to mankind by Stephenson; the telegraph by + Franklin and Morse. The rush of the ship, the scream of the locomotive, + and the electric flash have frightened the monsters of ignorance from the + world, and have left nothing above us but the heaven's eternal blue, + filled with glittering planets wheeling through immensity in accordance + with <i>Law</i>. True religion is a subordination of the passions and + interests to the perceptions of the intellect. But when religion was + considered the end of life instead of a means of happiness, it + overshadowed all other interests and became the destroyer of mankind. It + became a hydra-headed monster—a serpent reaching in terrible coils + from the heavens and thrusting its thousand fangs into the bleeding, + quivering hearts of men. + </p> + <p> + SLAVERY. + </p> + <p> + I HAVE endeavored thus far to show you some of the results produced by + enslaving the human mind. I now call your attention to another terrible + phase of this subject; the enslavement of the body. Slavery is a very + ancient institution, yes, about as ancient as robbery, theft and murder, + and is based upon them all. + </p> + <p> + Springing from the same fountain, that a man is not the owner of his soul, + is the doctrine that he is not the owner of his body. The two are always + found together, supported by precisely the same arguments, and attended by + the same infamous acts of cruelty. From the earliest time, slavery has + existed in all countries, and among all people until recently. Pufendorf + said that slavery was originally established by contract. Voltaire + replied, "Show me the original contract, and if it is signed by the party + that was to be a slave I will believe you." You will bear in mind that the + slavery of which I am now speaking is white slavery. + </p> + <p> + Greeks enslaved one another as well as those captured in war. Coriolanus + scrupled not to make slaves of his own countrymen captured in civil war. + </p> + <p> + Julius Cæsar sold to the highest bidder at onetime fifty-three + thousand prisoners of war all of whom were white. Hannibal exposed to sale + thirty thousand captives at one time, all of whom were Roman citizens. In + Rome, men were sold into bondage in order to pay their debts. In Germany, + men often hazarded their freedom on the throwing of dice. The Barbary + States held white Christians in slavery in this, the 19th century. There + were white slaves in England as late as 1574. There were white slaves in + Scotland until the end of the 18th century. + </p> + <p> + These Scotch slaves were colliers and salters. They were treated as real + estate and passed with a deed to the mines in which they worked. + </p> + <p> + It was also the law that no collier could work in any mine except the one + to which he belonged. It was also the law that their children could follow + no other occupation than that of their fathers. This slavery absolutely + existed in Scotland until the beginning of the glorious 19th century. + </p> + <p> + Some of the Roman nobles were the owners of as many as twenty thousand + slaves. + </p> + <p> + The common people of France were in slavery for fourteen hundred years. + They were transferred with land, and women were often seen assisting + cattle to pull the plough, and yet people have the impudence to say that + black slavery is right, because the blacks have always been slaves in + their own country. I answer, so have the whites until very recently. In + the good old days when might was right and when kings and popes stood by + the people, and protected the people, and talked about "holy oil and + divine right," the world was filled with slaves. The traveler standing + amid the ruins of ancient cities and empires, seeing on every side the + fallen pillar and the prostrate wall, asks why did these cities fall, why + did these empires crumble? And the Ghost of the Past, the wisdom of ages, + answers: These temples, these palaces, these cities, the ruins of which + you stand upon were built by tyranny and injustice. The hands that built + them were unpaid. The backs that bore the burdens also bore the marks of + the lash. They were built by slaves to satisfy the vanity and ambition of + thieves and robbers. For these reasons they are dust. + </p> + <p> + Their civilization was a lie. Their laws merely regulated robbery and + established theft. They bought and sold the bodies and souls of men, and + the mournful winds of desolation, sighing amid their crumbling ruins, is a + voice of prophetic warning to those who would repeat the infamous + experiment. From the ruins of Babylon, of Carthage, of Athens, of Palmyra, + of Thebes, of Rome, and across the great desert, over that sad and solemn + sea of sand, from the land of the pyramids, over the fallen Sphinx and + from the lips of Memnon the same voice, the same warning and uttering the + great truth, that no nation founded upon slavery, either of body or mind, + can stand. + </p> + <p> + And yet, to-day, there are thousands upon thousands endeavoring to build + the temples and cities and to administer our Government upon the old plan. + They are makers of brick without straw. They are bowing themselves beneath + hods of untempered mortar. They are the babbling builders of another + Babel, a Babel of mud upon a foundation of sand. + </p> + <p> + Nothwithstanding the experience of antiquity as to the terrible effects of + slavery, bondage was the rule, and liberty the exception, during the + Middle Ages not only, but for ages afterward. + </p> + <p> + The same causes that led to the liberation of mind also liberated the + body. Free the mind, allow men to write and publish and read, and one by + one the shackles will drop, broken, in the dust. This truth was always + known, and for that reason slaves have never been allowed to read. It has + always been a crime to teach a slave. The intelligent prefer death to + slavery. Education is the most radical abolitionist in the world. To teach + the alphabet is to inaugurate revolution. To build a schoolhouse is to + construct a fort. Every library is an arsenal, and every truth is a + monitor, iron-clad and steel-plated. + </p> + <p> + Do not think that white slavery was abolished without a struggle. The men + who opposed white slavery were ridiculed, were persecuted, driven from + their homes, mobbed, hanged, tortured and burned. They were denounced as + having only one idea, by men who had none. They were called fanatics by + men who were so insane as to suppose that the laws of a petty prince were + greater than those of the Universe. Crime made faces at virtue, and + honesty was an outcast beggar. In short, I cannot better describe to you + the manner in which the friends of slavery acted at that time, than by + saying that they acted precisely as they used to do in the United States. + White slavery, established by kidnapping and piracy, sustained by torture + and infinite cruelty, was defended to the very last. + </p> + <p> + Let me now call your attention to one of the most immediate causes of the + abolition of white slavery in Europe. There were during the Middle Ages + three great classes of people: the common people, the clergy and the + nobility. All these people could, however, be divided into two classes, + namely, the robbed and the robbers. The feudal lords were jealous of the + king, the king afraid of the lords, the clergy always siding with the + stronger party. The common people had only to do the work, the fighting, + and to pay the taxes, as by the law the property of the nobles was exempt + from taxation. The consequence was, in every war between the nobles and + the king, each party endeavored by conciliation to get the peasants upon + their side. When the clergy were on the side of the king they created + dissension between the people and the nobles by telling them that the + nobles were tyrants. When they were on the side of the nobles they told + the people that the king was a tyrant. At last the people believed both, + and the old adage was verified, that when thieves fall out honest men get + their dues. + </p> + <p> + By virtue of the civil and religious wars of Europe, slavery was + abolished, and the French Revolution, one of the grandest pages in all + history, was, so to speak, the exterminator of white slavery. In that + terrible period the people who had borne the yoke for fourteen hundred + years, rising from the dust, casting their shackles from them, fiercely + avenged their wrongs. A mob of twenty millions driven to desperation, in + the sublimity of despair, in the sacred name of Liberty cried for + vengeance. They reddened the earth with the blood of their masters. They + trampled beneath their feet the great army of human vermin that had lived + upon their labor. They filled the air with the ruins of temples and + thrones, and with bloody hands tore in pieces the altar upon which their + rights had been offered by an impious church. They scorned the + superstitions of the past not only, but they scorned the past; for the + past to them was only wrong, imposition and outrage. The French Revolution + was the inauguration of a new era. The lava of freedom long buried beneath + a mountain of wrong and injustice at last burst forth, overwhelming the + Pompeii and Herculaneum of priestcraft and tyranny. As soon as white + slavery began to decay in Europe, and while the condition of the white + slaves was improving about the middle of the 16th century in 1541, Alonzo + Gonzales, of Portugal, pointed out to his countrymen a new field of + operations, a new market for human flesh, and in a short time the African + slave-trade with all its unspeakable horrors was inaugurated. + </p> + <p> + This trade has been the great crime of modern times. It is almost + impossible to conceive that nations who professed to be Christian, or even + in any degree civilized, should have engaged in this infamous traffic. Yet + nearly all of the nations of Europe engaged in the slave-trade, legalized + it, protected it, fostered the practice, and vied with each other in acts, + the bare recital of which is enough to make the heart stand still. + </p> + <p> + It has been calculated that for years, at least 400,000 Africans were + either killed or enslaved annually. They crammed their ships so full of + these unfortunate wretches, that, as a general thing, about ten per cent, + died of suffocation on the voyage. They were treated like wild beasts. In + times of danger they were thrown into the sea. Remember that this horrible + traffic commenced in the middle of the 16th century, was carried on by + nations pretending to Christian civilization, and when do you think it was + abolished by some of the principal countries? In England, Wilberforce and + Clarkson dedicated their lives to the abolition of the slave-trade. They + were hated and despised. They persevered for twenty years, and it was not + until the 25th of March, 1808, that England pronounced the infamous + traffic in human flesh illegal, and the rejoicing in England was redoubled + on receiving the news that the United States had done the same thing. + After a time, those engaged in the slave-trade were declared pirates. + </p> + <p> + On the 28th day of August, 1833, England abolished slavery throughout the + British Colonies, thus giving liberty to nearly one million slaves. + </p> + <p> + The United States was then the greatest slave-holding power in the + civilized world. + </p> + <p> + We are all acquainted with the history of slavery in this country. We know + that it corrupted our people, that it has drenched our land in fraternal + blood, that it has clad our country in mourning for the loss of 300,000 of + her bravest sons; that it carried us back to the darkest ages of the + world, that it led us to the very brink of destruction, forced us to the + shattered gates of eternal ruin, death and annihilation. But Liberty + rising above party prejudice, Freedom lifting itself above all other + considerations, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, + Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,— + Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, + Eternal sunshine settles on its head." +</pre> + <p> + And on the 1st day of January, 1863, the grandest New Year that ever + dawned upon this continent, in accordance with the will of the heroic + North, by the sublime act of one whose name will be sacred through all the + coming years, the justice so long delayed was accomplished, and four + millions of slaves became chainless. + </p> + <p> + LIBERTY TRIUMPHED. + </p> + <p> + LIBERTY, that most sacred word, without which all other words are vain, + without which, life is worse than death, and men are beasts! I never see + the word Liberty without seeing a halo of glory around it. It is a word + worthy of the lips of a God. Can you realize the fact that only a few + years ago, the most shocking system of slavery—the most barbarous—existed + in our country, and that you and I were bound by the laws of the United + States to stand between a human being and his liberty? That we were + absolutely compelled by law to hand back that human being to the lash and + chain? That by our laws children were sold from the arms of mothers, wives + sold from their husbands? That we executed our laws with the assistance of + bloodhounds, owned and trained by human bloodhounds fiercer still, and + that all this was not only upheld by politicians, but by the pretended + ministers of Christ? That the pulpit was in partnership with the auction + block—that the bloodhound's bark was only an echo from many of the + churches? And that this was all done under the sacred name of Liberty, by + a republican government that was founded upon the sublime declaration that + all men are equal? This all seems to me like a horrible dream, a nightmare + of terror, a hellish impossibility. And yet, with cheeks glowing and + burning with shame, before the bar of history, we are forced to plead + guilty to this terrible charge. We made a whip-ping-post of the cross of + Christ. It is true that in a great degree we have atoned for this national + crime. Our bravest and our best have been sacrificed. We have borne the + bloody burden of war. The good and the true have been with us, and the + women of the North have won glory imperishable. They robbed war of half + its terrors. Not content with binding the wreath of victory upon the + leader's brow, they bandaged the soldiers' wounds, they nerved the living, + comforted the dying, and smiled upon the great victory through their + tears. + </p> + <p> + They have consoled the hero's widow and are educating his orphans. They + have erected a monument to enlightened charity to which time can add only + grandeur. There is much, however, to be accomplished still. Slavery has + been abolished, but Progress requires more. We are called upon to make + this a free government in the broadest sense, to give liberty to all. + Standing in the presence of all history, knowing the experience of + mankind, knowing that the earth is covered with countless wrecks of cruel + failures; appealed to by the great army of martyrs and heroes who have + gone before; by the sacred dust filling innumerable graves; by the memory + of our own noble dead; by all the suffering of the past; by all the hopes + for the future; by all the glorious dead and the countless millions yet to + be, I pray, I beseech, I implore the American people to lay the foundation + of the Government upon the principles of eternal justice. I pray, I + beseech, I implore them to take for the corner-stone, Universal Human + Liberty—the stone which has been heretofore rejected by all the + builders of nations. The Government will then stand, and the swelling dome + of the temple will touch the stars. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkCONC2" id="linkCONC2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONCLUSION + </h2> + <p> + I HAVE thus endeavored to show you some of the effects of slavery, and to + prove to you that a step in order to be in the direction of progress must + be in the direction of freedom; that slavery either of body or mind is + barbarism and is practiced and defended only by infamous tyrants or their + dupes. I have endeavored to point out some of the causes of the abolition + of slavery, both of body and mind. There is one truth, however, that you + must not forget, and that is, that every evil tends to correct and abolish + itself. I believe, however, that the diffusion of knowledge, more than + everything else combined, has ameliorated the condition of mankind. When + there was no freedom of speech and no press, then every idea perished in + the brain that gave it birth. One man could not profit by the thought of + another. The experience of the past was in a great degree unknown. And + this state of things produced the same effect in the mental world, that + confining all the water to the springs would in the physical. Confine the + water to the springs, the rivulets would cease to murmur, the rivers to + flow, and the ocean itself would become a desert of sand. But with the + invention of printing, ideas began to circulate, born of the busy brain of + the million—little rivulets of facts running into rivers of + information, and they all flowing into the great ocean of human knowledge. + </p> + <p> + This exchange of ideas, this comparison of thought, has given to each + generation the advantage of all the past. This, more than all else, has + enabled man to improve his condition. It is by this that from the log or + piece of bark on which a naked savage floated, we have by successive + improvements created a man-of-war carrying a hundred guns and miles of + canvas. By these means we have changed a handful of sand into a telescope. + In the hands of science a drop of water has become a giant, turning with + swift and tireless arm the countless wheels. The sun has become an artist + painting with shining beams the very thoughts within our eyes. The + elements have been taught to do our bidding, and the electric spark, + freighted with human thought and love, defies distance, and devours time + as it sweeps under all the waves of the sea. + </p> + <p> + These are some of the results of free thought and free labor. I have + barely alluded to a few—where is improvement to stop? Science is + only in its infancy. It has accomplished all this and is in its cradle + still. + </p> + <p> + We are standing on the shore of an infinite ocean whose countless waves, + freighted with blessings, are welcoming our adventurous feet. Progress has + been written on every soul. The human race is advancing. + </p> + <p> + Forward, oh sublime army of progress, forward until law is justice, + forward until ignorance is unknown, forward while there is a spiritual or + temporal throne, forward until superstition is a forgotten dream, forward + until the world is free, forward until human reason, clothed in the purple + of authority, is king of kings. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0012" id="link0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT IS RELIGION? + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This was Col. Ingersoll's last public address, delivered + before the American Free Religious Association, in the + Hollis Street Theatre, Boston, June 2, 1899. +</pre> + <p> + IT is asserted that an infinite God created all things, governs all + things, and that the creature should be obedient and thankful to the + creator; that the creator demands certain things, and that the person who + complies with these demands is religious. This kind of religion has been + substantially universal. + </p> + <p> + For many centuries and by many peoples it was believed that this God + demanded sacrifices; that he was pleased when parents shed the blood of + their babes. Afterward it was supposed that he was satisfied with the + blood of oxen, lambs and doves, and that in exchange for or on account of + these sacrifices, this God gave rain, sunshine and harvest. It was also + believed that if the sacrifices were not made, this God sent pestilence, + famine, flood and earthquake. + </p> + <p> + The last phase of this belief in sacrifice was, according to the Christian + doctrine, that God accepted the blood of his son, and that after his son + had been murdered, he, God, was satisfied, and wanted no more blood. + </p> + <p> + During all these years and by all these peoples it was believed that this + God heard and answered prayer, that he forgave sins and saved the souls of + true believers. This, in a general way, is the definition of religion. + </p> + <p> + Now, the questions are, Whether religion was founded on any known fact? + Whether such a being as God exists? Whether he was the creator of yourself + and myself? Whether any prayer was ever answered? Whether any sacrifice of + babe or ox secured the favor of this unseen God? + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>.—Did an infinite God create the children of men? + </p> + <p> + Why did he create the intellectually inferior? + </p> + <p> + Why did he create the deformed and helpless? + </p> + <p> + Why did he create the criminal, the idiotic, the insane? + </p> + <p> + Can infinite wisdom and power make any excuse for the creation of + failures? + </p> + <p> + Are the failures under obligation to their creator? + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>.—Is an infinite God the governor of this world? + </p> + <p> + Is he responsible for all the chiefs, kings, emperors, and queens? + </p> + <p> + Is he responsible for all the wars that have been waged, for all the + innocent blood that has been shed? + </p> + <p> + Is he responsible for the centuries of slavery, for the backs that have + been scarred with the lash, for the babes that have been sold from the + breasts of mothers, for the families that have been separated and + destroyed? + </p> + <p> + Is this God responsible for religious persecution, for the Inquisition, + for the thumb-screw and rack, and for all the instruments of torture? + </p> + <p> + Did this God allow the cruel and vile to destroy the brave and virtuous? + Did he allow tyrants to shed the blood of patriots? + </p> + <p> + Did he allow his enemies to torture and burn his friends? + </p> + <p> + What is such a God worth? + </p> + <p> + Would a decent man, having the power to prevent it, allow his enemies to + torture and burn his friends? + </p> + <p> + Can we conceive of a devil base enough to prefer his enemies to his + friends? + </p> + <p> + If a good and infinitely powerful God governs this world, how can we + account for cyclones, earthquakes, pestilence and famine? + </p> + <p> + How can we account for cancers, for microbes, for diphtheria and the + thousand diseases that prey on infancy? + </p> + <p> + How can we account for the wild beasts that devour human beings, for the + fanged serpents whose bite is death? + </p> + <p> + How can we account for a world where life feeds on life? + </p> + <p> + Were beak and claw, tooth and fang, invented and produced by infinite + mercy? + </p> + <p> + Did infinite goodness fashion the wings of the eagles so that their + fleeing prey could be overtaken? + </p> + <p> + Did infinite goodness create the beasts of prey with the intention that + they should devour the weak and helpless? + </p> + <p> + Did infinite goodness create the countless worthless living things that + breed within and feed upon the flesh of higher forms? + </p> + <p> + Did infinite wisdom intentionally produce the microscopic beasts that feed + upon the optic nerve? + </p> + <p> + Think of blinding a man to satisfy the appetite of a microbe! + </p> + <p> + Think of life feeding on life! Think of the victims! Think of the Niagara + of blood pouring over the precipice of cruelty! + </p> + <p> + In view of these facts, what, after all, is religion? + </p> + <p> + It is fear. + </p> + <p> + Fear builds the altar and offers the sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + Fear erects the cathedral and bows the head of man in worship. + </p> + <p> + Fear bends the knees and utters the prayer. + </p> + <p> + Fear pretends to love. + </p> + <p> + Religion teaches the slave-virtues—obedience, humility, self-denial, + forgiveness, non-resistance. + </p> + <p> + Lips, religious and fearful, tremblingly repeat this passage: "Though he + slay me, yet will I trust him." This is the abyss of degradation. + </p> + <p> + Religion does not teach self-reliance, independence, manliness, courage, + self-defence. Religion makes God a master and man his serf. The master + cannot be great enough to make slavery sweet. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + IF this God exists, how do we know that he is-I good? How can we prove + that he is merciful, that he cares for the children of men? If this God + exists, he has on many occasions seen millions of his poor children + plowing the fields, sowing and planting the grain, and when he saw them he + knew that they depended on the expected crop for life, and yet this good + God, this merciful being, withheld the rain. He caused the sun to rise, to + steal all moisture from the land, but gave no rain. He saw the seeds that + man had planted wither and perish, but he sent no rain. He saw the people + look with sad eyes upon the barren earth, and he sent no rain. He saw them + slowly devour the little that they had, and saw them when the days of + hunger came—saw them slowly waste away, saw their hungry, sunken + eyes, heard their prayers, saw them devour the miserable animals that they + had, saw fathers and mothers, insane with hunger, kill and eat their + shriveled babes, and yet the heaven above them was as brass and the earth + beneath as iron, and he sent no rain. Can we say that in the heart of this + God there blossomed the flower of pity? Can we say that he cared for the + children of men? Can we say that his mercy endureth forever? + </p> + <p> + Do we prove that this God is good because he sends the cyclone that wrecks + villages and covers the fields with the mangled bodies of fathers, mothers + and babes? Do we prove his goodness by showing that he has opened the + earth and swallowed thousands of his helpless children, or that with the + volcanoes he has overwhelmed them with rivers of fire? Can we infer the + goodness of God from the facts we know? + </p> + <p> + If these calamities did not happen, would we suspect that God cared + nothing for human beings? If there were no famine, no pestilence, no + cyclone, no earthquake, would we think that God is not good? + </p> + <p> + According to the theologians, God did not make all men alike. He made + races differing in intelligence, stature and color. Was there goodness, + was there wisdom in this? + </p> + <p> + Ought the superior races to thank God that they are not the inferior? If + we say yes, then I ask another question: Should the inferior races thank + God that they are not superior, or should they thank God that they are not + beasts? + </p> + <p> + When God made these different races he knew that the superior would + enslave the inferior, knew that the inferior would be conquered, and + finally destroyed. + </p> + <p> + If God did this, and knew the blood that would be shed, the agonies that + would be endured, saw the countless fields covered with the corpses of the + slain, saw all the bleeding backs of slaves, all the broken hearts of + mothers bereft of babes, if he saw and knew all this, can we conceive of a + more malicious fiend? + </p> + <p> + Why, then, should we say that God is good? + </p> + <p> + The dungeons against whose dripping walls the brave and generous have + sighed their souls away, the scaffolds stained and glorified with noble + blood, the hopeless slaves with scarred and bleeding backs, the writhing + martyrs clothed in flame, the virtuous stretched on racks, their joints + and muscles torn apart, the flayed and bleeding bodies of the just, the + extinguished eyes of those who sought for truth, the countless patriots + who fought and died in vain, the burdened, beaten, weeping wives, the + shriveled faces of neglected babes, the murdered millions of the vanished + years, the victims of the winds and waves, of flood and flame, of + imprisoned forces in the earth, of lightning's stroke, of lava's molten + stream, of famine, plague and lingering pain, the mouths that drip with + blood, the fangs that poison, the beaks that wound and tear, the triumphs + of the base, the rule and sway of wrong, the crowns that cruelty has worn + and the robed hypocrites, with clasped and bloody hands, who thanked their + God—a phantom fiend—that liberty had been banished from the + world, these souvenirs of the dreadful past, these horrors that still + exist, these frightful facts deny that any God exists who has the will and + power to guard and bless the human race. + </p> + <p> + III. THE POWER THAT WORKS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. + </p> + <p> + MOST people cling to the supernatural. If they give up one God, they + imagine another. Having outgrown Jehovah, they talk about the power that + works for righteousness. + </p> + <p> + What is this power? + </p> + <p> + Man advances, and necessarily advances through experience. A man wishing + to go to a certain place comes to where the road divides. He takes the + left hand, believing it to be the right road, and travels until he finds + that it is the wrong one. He retraces his steps and takes the right hand + road and reaches the place desired. The next time he goes to the same + place, he does not take the left hand road. He has tried that road, and + knows that it is the wrong road. He takes the right road, and thereupon + these theologians say, "There is a power that works for righteousness." + </p> + <p> + A child, charmed by the beauty of the flame, grasps it with its dimpled + hand. The hand is burned, and after that the child keeps its hand out of + the fire. The power that works for righteousness has taught the child a + lesson. + </p> + <p> + The accumulated experience of the world is a power and force that works + for righteousness. This force is not conscious, not intelligent. It has no + will, no purpose. It is a result. + </p> + <p> + So thousands have endeavored to establish the existence of God by the fact + that we have what is called the moral sense; that is to say, a conscience. + </p> + <p> + It is insisted by these theologians, and by many of the so-called + philosophers, that this moral sense, this sense of duty, of obligation, + was imported, and that conscience is an exotic. Taking the ground that it + was not produced here, was not produced by man, they then imagine a God + from whom it came. + </p> + <p> + Man is a social being. We live together in families, tribes and nations. + </p> + <p> + The members of a family, of a tribe, of a nation, who increase the + happiness of the family, of the tribe or of the nation, are considered + good members. They are praised, admired and respected. They are regarded + as good; that is to say, as moral. + </p> + <p> + The members who add to the misery of the family, the tribe or the nation, + are considered bad members. + </p> + <p> + They are blamed, despised, punished. They are regarded as immoral. + </p> + <p> + The family, the tribe, the nation, creates a standard of conduct, of + morality. There is nothing supernatural in this. + </p> + <p> + The greatest of human beings has said, "Conscience is born of love." + </p> + <p> + The sense of obligation, of duty, was naturally produced. + </p> + <p> + Among savages, the immediate consequences of actions are taken into + consideration. As people advance, the remote consequences are perceived. + The standard of conduct becomes higher. The imagination is cultivated. A + man puts himself in the place of another. The sense of duty becomes + stronger, more imperative. Man judges himself. + </p> + <p> + He loves, and love is the commencement, the foundation of the highest + virtues. He injures one that he loves. Then comes regret, repentance, + sorrow, conscience. In all this there is nothing supernatural. + </p> + <p> + Man has deceived himself. Nature is a mirror in which man sees his own + image, and all supernatural religions rest on the pretence that the image, + which appears to be behind this mirror, has been caught. + </p> + <p> + All the metaphysicians of the spiritual type, from Plato to Swedenborg, + have manufactured their facts, and all founders of religion have done the + same. + </p> + <p> + Suppose that an infinite God exists, what can we do for him? Being + infinite, he is conditionless; being conditionless, he cannot be benefited + or injured. He cannot want. He has. + </p> + <p> + Think of the egotism of a man who believes that an infinite being wants + his praise! + </p> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + WHAT has our religion done? Of course, it is admitted by Christians that + all other religions are false, and consequently we need examine only our + own. + </p> + <p> + Has Christianity done good? Has it made men nobler, more merciful, nearer + honest? When the church had control, were men made better and happier? + </p> + <p> + What has been the effect of Christianity in Italy, in Spain, in Portugal, + in Ireland? + </p> + <p> + What has religion done for Hungary or Austria? What was the effect of + Christianity in Switzerland, in Holland, in Scotland, in England, in + America? Let us be honest. Could these countries have been worse without + religion? Could they have been worse had they had any other religion than + Christianity? + </p> + <p> + Would Torquemada have been worse had he been a follower of Zoroaster? + Would Calvin have been more bloodthirsty if he had believed in the + religion of the South Sea Islanders? Would the Dutch have been more + idiotic if they had denied the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and worshiped + the blessed trinity of sausage, beer and cheese? Would John Knox have been + any worse had he deserted Christ and become a follower of Confucius? + </p> + <p> + Take our own dear, merciful Puritan Fathers? What did Christianity do for + them? They hated pleasure. On the door of life they hung the crape of + death. They muffled all the bells of gladness. They made cradles by + putting rockers on coffins. In the Puritan year there were twelve + Decembers. They tried to do away with infancy and youth, with prattle of + babes and the song of the morning. + </p> + <p> + The religion of the Puritan was an unadulterated curse. The Puritan + believed the Bible to be the word of God, and this belief has always made + those who held it cruel and wretched. Would the Puritan have been worse if + he had adopted the religion of the North American Indians? + </p> + <p> + Let me refer to just one fact showing the influence of a belief in the + Bible on human beings. + </p> + <p> + "On the day of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth she was presented with a + Geneva Bible by an old man representing Time, with Truth standing by his + side as a child. The Queen received the Bible, kissed it, and pledged + herself to diligently read therein. In the dedication of this blessed + Bible the Queen was piously exhorted to put all Papists to the sword." + </p> + <p> + In this incident we see the real spirit of Protestant lovers of the Bible. + In other words, it was just as fiendish, just as infamous as the Catholic + spirit. + </p> + <p> + Has the Bible made the people of Georgia kind and merciful? Would the + lynchers be more ferocious if they worshiped gods of wood and stone? + </p> + <p> + VII. HOW CAN MANKIND BE REFORMED WITHOUT RELIGION? + </p> + <p> + RELIGION has been tried, and in all countries, in all times, has failed. + </p> + <p> + Religion has never made man merciful. + </p> + <p> + Remember the Inquisition. + </p> + <p> + What effect did religion have on slavery? + </p> + <p> + What effect upon Libby, Saulsbury and Andersonville? + </p> + <p> + Religion has always been the enemy of science, of investigation and + thought. + </p> + <p> + Religion has never made man free. + </p> + <p> + It has never made man moral, temperate, industrious and honest. + </p> + <p> + Are Christians more temperate, nearer virtuous, nearer honest than + savages? + </p> + <p> + Among savages do we not find that their vices and cruelties are the fruits + of their superstitions? + </p> + <p> + To those who believe in the Uniformity of Nature, religion is impossible. + </p> + <p> + Can we affect the nature and qualities of substance by prayer? Can we + hasten or delay the tides by worship? Can we change winds by sacrifice? + Will kneelings give us wealth? Can we cure disease by supplication? Can we + add to our knowledge by ceremony? Can we receive virtue or honor as alms? + </p> + <p> + Are not the facts in the mental world just as stubborn—just as + necessarily produced—as the facts in the material world? Is not what + we call mind just as natural as what we call body? + </p> + <p> + Religion rests on the idea that Nature has a master and that this master + will listen to prayer; that this master punishes and rewards; that he + loves praise and flattery and hates the brave and free. + </p> + <p> + Has man obtained any help from heaven? + </p> + <p> + VI. + </p> + <p> + IF we have a theory, we must have facts for the foundation. We must have + corner-stones. We must not build on guesses, fancies, analogies or + inferences. The structure must have a basement. If we build, we must begin + at the bottom. + </p> + <p> + I have a theory and I have four corner-stones. + </p> + <p> + The first stone is that matter—substance—cannot be destroyed, + cannot be annihilated. + </p> + <p> + The second stone is that force cannot be destroyed, cannot be annihilated. + </p> + <p> + The third stone is that matter and force cannot exist apart—no + matter without force—no force without matter. + </p> + <p> + The fourth stone is that that which cannot be destroyed could not have + been created; that the indestructible is the uncreatable. + </p> + <p> + If these corner-stones are facts, it follows as a necessity that matter + and force are from and to eternity; that they can neither be increased nor + diminished. + </p> + <p> + It follows that nothing has been or can be created; that there never has + been or can be a creator. + </p> + <p> + It follows that there could not have been any intelligence, any design + back of matter and force. + </p> + <p> + There is no intelligence without force. There is no force without matter. + Consequently there could not by any possibility have been any + intelligence, any force, back of matter. + </p> + <p> + It therefore follows that the supernatural does not and cannot exist. If + these four corner-stones are facts, Nature has no master. If matter and + force are from and to eternity, it follows as a necessity that no God + exists; that no God created or governs the universe; that no God exists + who answers prayer; no God who succors the oppressed; no God who pities + the sufferings of innocence; no God who cares for the slaves with scarred + flesh, the mothers robbed of their babes; no God who rescues the tortured, + and no God that saves a martyr from the flames. In other words, it proves + that man has never received any help from heaven; that all sacrifices have + been in vain, and that all prayers have died unanswered in the heedless + air. I do not pretend to know. I say what I think. + </p> + <p> + If matter and force have existed from eternity, it then follows that all + that has been possible has happened, all that is possible is happening, + and all that will be possible will happen. + </p> + <p> + In the universe there is no chance, no caprice. Every event has parents. + </p> + <p> + That which has not happened, could not. The present is the necessary + product of all the past, the necessary cause of all the future. + </p> + <p> + In the infinite chain there is, and there can be, no broken, no missing + link. The form and motion of every star, the climate of every world, all + forms of vegetable and animal life, all instinct, intelligence and + conscience, all assertions and denials, all vices and virtues, all + thoughts and dreams, all hopes and fears, are necessities. Not one of the + countless things and relations in the universe could have been different. + </p> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + IF matter and force are from eternity, then we can say that man had no + intelligent creator—that man was not a special creation. + </p> + <p> + We now know, if we know anything, that Jehovah, the divine potter, did not + mix and mould clay into the forms of men and women, and then breathe the + breath of life into these forms. + </p> + <p> + We now know that our first parents were not foreigners. We know that they + were natives of this world, produced here, and that their life did not + come from the breath of any god. We now know, if we know anything, that + the universe is natural, and that men and women have been naturally + produced. We now know our ancestors, our pedigree. We have the family + tree. + </p> + <p> + We have all the links of the chain, twenty-six links inclusive from moner + to man. + </p> + <p> + We did not get our information from inspired books. We have fossil facts + and living forms. + </p> + <p> + From the simplest creatures, from blind sensation, from organism from one + vague want, to a single cell with a nucleus, to a hollow ball filled with + fluid, to a cup with double walls, to a flat worm, to a something that + begins to breathe, to an organism that has a spinal chord, to a link + between the invertebrate to the vertebrate, to one that has a cranium—a + house for a brain—to one with fins, still onward to one with fore + and hinder fins, to the reptile mammalia, to the marsupials, to the + lemures, dwellers in trees, to the simiæ, to the pithecanthropi, and + lastly, to man. + </p> + <p> + We know the paths that life has traveled. We know the footsteps of + advance. They have been traced. The last link has been found. For this we + are indebted, more than to all others, to the greatest of biologists, + Ernst Haeckel. + </p> + <p> + We now believe that the universe is natural and we deny the existence of + the supernatural. + </p> + <p> + VIII. Reform. + </p> + <p> + FOR thousands of years men and women have been trying to reform the world. + They have created gods and devils, heavens and hells; they have written + sacred books, performed miracles, built cathedrals and dungeons; they have + crowned and uncrowned kings and queens; they have tortured and imprisoned, + flayed alive and burned; they have preached and prayed; they have tried + promises and threats; they have coaxed and persuaded; they have preached + and taught, and in countless ways have endeavored to make people honest, + temperate, industrious and virtuous; they have built hospitals and + asylums, universities and schools, and seem to have done their very best + to make mankind better and happier, and yet they have not succeeded. + </p> + <p> + Why have the reformers failed? I will tell them why. + </p> + <p> + Ignorance, poverty and vice are populating the world. The gutter is a + nursery. People unable even to support themselves fill the tenements, the + huts and hovels with children. They depend on the Lord, on luck and + charity. They are not intelligent enough to think about consequences or to + feel responsibility. At the same time they do not want children, because a + child is a curse, a curse to them and to itself. The babe is not welcome, + because it is a burden. These unwelcome children fill the jails and + prisons, the asylums and hospitals, and they crowd the scaffolds. A few + are rescued by chance or charity, but the great majority are failures, + They become vicious, ferocious. They live by fraud and violence, and + bequeath their vices to their children. + </p> + <p> + Against this inundation of vice the forces of reform are helpless, and + charity itself becomes an unconscious promoter of crime. + </p> + <p> + Failure seems to be the trademark of Nature. Why? Nature has no design, no + intelligence. Nature produces without purpose, sustains without intention + and destroys without thought. Man has a little intelligence, and he should + use it. Intelligence is the only lever capable of raising mankind. + </p> + <p> + The real question is, can we prevent the ignorant, the poor, the vicious, + from filling the world with their children? + </p> + <p> + Can we prevent this Missouri of ignorance and vice from emptying into the + Mississippi of civilization? + </p> + <p> + Must the world forever remain the victim of ignorant passion? Can the + world be civilized to that degree that consequences will be taken into + consideration by all? + </p> + <p> + Why should men and women have children that they cannot take care of, + children that are burdens and curses? Why? Because they have more passion + than intelligence, more passion than conscience, more passion than reason. + </p> + <p> + You cannot reform these people with tracts and talk. You cannot reform + these people with preach and creed. Passion is, and always has been, deaf. + These weapons of reform are substantially useless. Criminals, tramps, + beggars and failures are increasing every day. The prisons, jails, + poorhouses and asylums are crowded. Religion is helpless. Law can punish, + but it can neither reform criminals nor prevent crime. The tide of vice is + rising. The war that is now being waged against the forces of evil is as + hopeless as the battle of the fireflies against the darkness of night. + </p> + <p> + There is but one hope. Ignorance, poverty and vice must stop populating + the world. This cannot be done by moral suasion. This cannot be done by + talk or example. This cannot be done by religion or by law, by priest or + by hangman. This cannot be done by force, physical or moral. + </p> + <p> + To accomplish this there is but one way. Science must make woman the + owner, the mistress of herself. Science, the only possible savior of + mankind, must put it in the power of woman to decide for herself whether + she will or will not become a mother. + </p> + <p> + This is the solution of the whole question. This frees woman. The babes + that are then born will be welcome. They will be clasped with glad hands + to happy breasts. They will fill homes with light and joy. + </p> + <p> + Men and women who believe that slaves are purer, truer, than the free, who + believe that fear is a safer guide than knowledge, that only those are + really good who obey the commands of others, and that ignorance is the + soil in which the perfect, perfumed flower of virtue grows, will with + protesting hands hide their shocked faces. + </p> + <p> + Men and women who think that light is the enemy of virtue, that purity + dwells in darkness, that it is dangerous for human beings to know + themselves and the facts in Nature that affect their well being, will be + horrified at the thought of making intelligence the master of passion. + </p> + <p> + But I look forward to the time when men and women by reason of their + knowledge of consequences, of the morality born of intelligence, will + refuse to perpetuate disease and pain, will refuse to fill the world with + failures. + </p> + <p> + When that time comes the prison walls will fall, the dungeons will be + flooded with light, and the shadow of the scaffold will cease to curse the + earth. Poverty and crime will be childless. The withered hands of want + will not be stretched for alms. They will be dust. The whole world will be + intelligent, virtuous and free. + </p> + <p> + IX. + </p> + <p> + RELIGION can never reform mankind because religion is slavery. + </p> + <p> + It is far better to be free, to leave the forts and barricades of fear, to + stand erect and face the future with a smile. + </p> + <p> + It is far better to give yourself sometimes to negligence, to drift with + wave and tide, with the blind force of the world, to think and dream, to + forget the chains and limitations of the breathing life, to forget purpose + and object, to lounge in the picture gallery of the brain, to feel once + more the clasps and kisses of the past, to bring life's morning back, to + see again the forms and faces of the dead, to paint fair pictures for the + coming years, to forget all Gods, their promises and threats, to feel + within your veins life's joyous stream and hear the martial music, the + rhythmic beating of your fearless heart. + </p> + <p> + And then to rouse yourself to do all useful things, to reach with thought + and deed the ideal in your brain, to give your fancies wing, that they, + like chemist bees, may find art's nectar in the weeds of common things, to + look with trained and steady eyes for facts, to find the subtle threads + that join the distant with the now, to increase knowledge, to take burdens + from the weak, to develop the brain, to defend the right, to make a palace + for the soul. + </p> + <p> + This is real religion. This is real worship. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. +4 (of 12), by Robert G. 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Ingersoll, Volume 5 (of 12) by Robert G. 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Ingersoll, Vol. 5 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 5 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Discussions + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38805] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF<br /> ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <h3> + "There Can Be But Little Liberty On Earth<br /> While Men Worship A Tyrant + In Heaven." + </h3> + <h3> + In Twelve Volumes, Volume V. + </h3> + <h2> + DISCUSSIONS + </h2> + <h3> + 1900 + </h3> + <h3> + DRESDEN EDITION + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38805/old/orig38805-h/main.htm"> + This eBook has been formatted to match the format of the original + printed volume with the line breaks as in the original. This + formatting allows the retention of the unusual method the author has + used when marking long quotations. Those wishing to view this eBook + in a more appealing format for laptops and other computers may click + on this line.</a></big></big> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage (57K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="portrait (58K)" src="images/portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents. + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">CONTENTS OF VOLUME V.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkPREF">PREFACE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">INGERSOLL'S INTERVIEWS ON TALMAGE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">FIRST INTERVIEW.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">SECOND INTERVIEW.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">THIRD INTERVIEW.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">FOURTH INTERVIEW.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">FIFTH INTERVIEW,</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">SIXTH INTERVIEW.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">THE TALMAGIAN CATECHISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">A VINDICATION OF THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">THE OBSERVER'S SECOND ATTACK</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">INGERSOLL'S SECOND REPLY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"></a><br /> <br /> <big><b>CONTENTS + OF VOLUME V.</b></big><br /> <br /> SIX INTERVIEWS ON TALMAGE.<br /> <br /> + (1882.)<br /> <br /> Preface—First Interview: Great Men as Witnesses<br /> + to the Truth of the Gospel—No man should quote<br /> the Words of + Another unless he is willing to<br /> Accept all the Opinions of that Man—Reasons + of<br /> more Weight than Reputations—Would a general<br /> Acceptance + of Unbelief fill the Penitentiaries?—<br /> My Creed—Most + Criminals Orthodox—Relig-ion and<br /> Morality not Necessarily + Associates—On the<br /> Creation of the Universe out of Omnipotence—Mr.<br /> + Talmage's Theory about the Pro-duction of Light<br /> prior to the Creation + of the Sun—The Deluge and<br /> the Ark—Mr. Talmage's tendency + to Belittle the<br /> Bible Miracles—His Chemical, Geological, and<br /> + Agricultural Views—His Disregard of Good Manners-<br /> -Second + Interview: An Insulting Text—God's Design<br /> in Creating Guiteau + to be the Assassin of<br /> Garfield—Mr. Talmage brings the Charge of<br /> + Blasphemy—Some Real Blasphemers—The Tabernacle<br /> Pastor + tells the exact Opposite of the Truth about<br /> Col. Ingersoll's Attitude + toward the Circulation<br /> of Immoral Books—"Assassinating" God—Mr.<br /> + Talmage finds Nearly All the Invention of Modern<br /> Times Mentioned in + the Bible—The Reverend<br /> Gentleman corrects the Translators of + the Bible in<br /> the Matter of the Rib Story—Denies that Polygamy<br /> + is permitted by the Old Testament—His De-fence of<br /> Queen + Victoria and Violation of the Grave of<br /> George Eliot—Exhibits a + Christian Spirit—Third<br /> Interview: Mr. Talmage's Partiality in + the<br /> Bestowal of his Love—Denies the Right of Laymen<br /> to + Examine the Scriptures—Thinks the Infidels<br /> Victims of + Bibliophobia —He explains the Stopping<br /> of the Sun and Moon at + the Command of Joshua—<br /> Instances a Dark Day in the Early Part + of the<br /> Century—Charges that Holy Things are Made Light<br /> of—Reaffirms + his Confidence in the Whale and<br /> Jonah Story—The Commandment + which Forbids the<br /> making of Graven Images—Affirmation that the<br /> + Bible is the Friend of Woman—The Present<br /> Condition of Woman—Fourth + Interview: Colonel<br /> Ingersoll Compared by Mr. Talmage tojehoiakim, who<br /> + Consigned Writings of Jeremiah to the Flames—An<br /> Intimation that + Infidels wish to have all copies<br /> of the Bible Destroyed by Fire—Laughter<br /> + Deprecated—Col. Ingersoll Accused of Denouncing<br /> his Father—Mr. + Talmage holds that a Man may be<br /> Perfectly Happy in Heaven with His + Mother in Hell-<br /> -Challenges the Infidel to Read a Chapter from St.<br /> + John—On the "Chief Solace of the World"—Dis-<br /> covers an + Attempt is being made to Put Out the<br /> Light-houses of the Farther + Shore—Affirms our<br /> Debt to Christianity for Schools, Hospitals,<br /> + etc.—Denies that Infidels have ever Done any<br /> Good—<br /> + <br /> Fifth Interview: Inquiries if Men gather Grapes of<br /> Thorns, or + Figs of Thistles, and is Answered in<br /> the Negative—Resents the + Charge that the Bible is<br /> a Cruel Book—Demands to Know where the + Cruelty of<br /> the Bible Crops out in the Lives of Christians—<br /> + Col. Ingersoll Accused of saying that the Bible<br /> is a Collection of + Polluted Writings—Mr. Talmage<br /> Asserts the Orchestral Harmony of + the Scriptures<br /> from Genesis to Revelation, and Repudiates the<br /> + Theory of Contradictions—His View of Mankind<br /> Indicated in + Quotations from his Confession of<br /> Faith—He Insists that the + Bible is Scientific—<br /> Traces the New Testament to its Source + with St.<br /> John—Pledges his Word that no Man ever Died for a<br /> + Lie Cheerfully and Triumphantly—As to Prophecies<br /> and + Predictions—Alleged "Prophetic" Fate of the<br /> Jewish People—Sixth + Interview: Dr. Talmage takes<br /> the Ground that the Unrivalled + Circulation of the<br /> Bible Proves that it is Inspired—Forgets' + that a<br /> Scientific Fact does not depend on the Vote of<br /> Numbers—Names + some Christian Millions—His<br /> Arguments Characterized as the + Poor-est, Weakest,<br /> and Best Possible in Support of the Doctrine of<br /> + Inspira-tion—Will God, in Judging a Man, take<br /> into + Consideration the Cir-cumstances of that<br /> Man's Life?—Satisfactory + Reasons for Not Believ-<br /> ing that the Bible is inspired.<br /> <br /> + <br /> THE TALMAGIAN CATECHISM.<br /> <br /> The Pith and Marrow of what Mr. + Talmage has been<br /> Pleased to Say, set forth in the form of a Shorter<br /> + Catechism.<br /> <br /> <br /> A VINDICATION OF THOMAS PAINE.<br /> <br /> + (1877.)<br /> <br /> Letter to the New York Observer—An Offer to Pay<br /> + One Thousand Dollars in Gold for Proof that Thomas<br /> Paine or Voltaire + Died in Terror because of any<br /> Religious Opinions Either had Expressed—<br /> + Proposition to Create a Tribunal to Hear the<br /> Evidence—The + Ob-server, after having Called upon<br /> Col. Ingersoll to Deposit the + Money, and<br /> Characterized his Talk as "Infidel 'Buncombe,'"<br /> + Denies its Own Words, but attempts to Prove them—<br /> Its Memory + Refreshed by Col. Ingersoll and the<br /> Slander Refuted—Proof that + Paine did Not Recant -<br /> -Testimony of Thomas Nixon, Daniel Pelton, Mr.<br /> + Jarvis, B. F. Has-kin, Dr. Manley, Amasa<br /> Woodsworth, Gilbert Vale, + Philip Graves, M. D.,<br /> Willet Hicks, A. C. Hankinson, John Hogeboom, + W.<br /> J. Hilton, Tames Cheetham, Revs. Milledollar and<br /> Cunningham, + Mrs. Hedden, Andrew A. Dean, William<br /> Carver,—The Statements of + Mary Roscoe and Mary<br /> Hindsdale Examined—William Cobbett's + Account of a<br /> Call upon Mary Hinsdale—Did Thomas Paine live the<br /> + Life of a Drunken Beast, and did he Die a Drunken,<br /> Cowardly, and + Beastly Death?—Grant Thorbum's<br /> Charges Examined—Statement + of the Rev. J. D.<br /> Wickham, D.D., shown to be Utterly False—False<br /> + Witness of the Rev. Charles Hawley, D.D.—W. H.<br /> Ladd, James + Cheetham, and Mary Hinsdale—Paine's<br /> Note to Cheetham—Mr-Staple, + Mr. Purdy, Col. John<br /> Fellows, James Wilburn, Walter Morton, Clio<br /> + Rickman, Judge Herttell, H. Margary, Elihu Palmer,<br /> Mr.<br /> <br /> XV<br /> + <br /> Lovett, all these Testified that Paine was a<br /> Temperate Man—Washington's + Letter to Paine—<br /> Thomas Jefferson's—Adams and Washing-ton + on<br /> "Common Sense"—-James Monroe's Tribute—<br /> + Quotations from Paine—Paine's Estate and His<br /> Will—The + Observer's Second Attack (p. 492):<br /> Statements of Elkana Watson, + William Carver, Rev.<br /> E. F. Hatfield, D.D., James Cheetham, Dr. J. W.<br /> + Francis, Dr. Manley, Bishop Fenwick—Ingersoll's<br /> Second Reply + (p. 516): Testimony Garbled by the<br /> Editor of the Observer—Mary + Roscoeand Mary Hins-<br /> dale the Same Person—Her Reputation for + Veracity-<br /> -Letter from Rev. A. W. Cornell—Grant Thorburn<br /> + Exposed by James Parton—The Observer's Admission<br /> that Paine did + not Recant—Affidavit of<br /> <br /> William B. Barnes.<br /> <br /> + <br /> <a name="linkPREF" id="linkPREF"></a><br /> <br /> <big><b>PREFACE</b></big><br /> + <br /> SEVERAL people, having read the sermons of<br /> Mr. Talmage in which + he reviews some of my<br /> lectures, have advised me not to pay the + slightest<br /> attention to the Brooklyn divine. They think that<br /> no + new arguments have been brought forward, and<br /> they have even gone so + far as to say that some of<br /> the best of the old ones have been left + out.<br /> <br /> After thinking the matter over, I became satisfied<br /> + that my friends were mistaken, that they had been car-<br /> ried away by + the general current of modern thought,<br /> and were not in a frame of + mind to feel the force<br /> of the arguments of Mr. Talmage, or to clearly + see<br /> the candor that characterizes his utterances.<br /> <br /> At the + first reading, the logic of these sermons does<br /> not impress you. The + style is of a character calculated<br /> <br /> VI<br /> <br /> to throw the + searcher after facts and arguments off<br /> his guard. The imagination of + the preacher is so<br /> lurid; he is so free from the ordinary forms of + ex-<br /> pression; his statements are so much stranger than<br /> truth, + and his conclusions so utterly independent of<br /> his premises, that the + reader is too astonished to<br /> be convinced. Not until I had read with + great care<br /> the six discourses delivered for my benefit had I any<br /> + clear and well-defined idea of the logical force of<br /> Mr. Talmage. I + had but little conception of his<br /> candor, was almost totally ignorant + of his power to<br /> render the simple complex and the plain obscure by<br /> + the mutilation of metaphor and the incoherence<br /> of inspired + declamation. Neither did I know the<br /> generous accuracy with which he + states the position<br /> of an opponent, and the fairness he exhibits in a<br /> + religious discussion.<br /> <br /> He has without doubt studied the Bible as + closely<br /> and critically as he has the works of Buckle and<br /> Darwin, + and he seems to have paid as much attention<br /> to scientific subjects as + most theologians. His theory<br /> of light and his views upon geology are + strikingly<br /> original, and his astronomical theories are certainly as<br /> + profound as practical. If his statements can be relied<br /> upon, he has + successfully refuted the teachings of<br /> <br /> VII<br /> <br /> Humboldt + and Haeckel, and exploded the blunders of<br /> Spencer and Tyndall. + Besides all this, he has the<br /> courage of his convictions—he does + not quail before a<br /> fact, and he does not strike his colors even to a + dem-<br /> onstration. He cares nothing for human experience.<br /> He + cannot be put down with statistics, nor driven<br /> from his position by + the certainties of science. He<br /> cares neither for the persistence of + force, nor the<br /> indestructibility of matter.<br /> <br /> He believes in + the Bible, and he has the bravery<br /> to defend his belief. In this, he + proudly stands<br /> almost alone. He knows that the salvation of the<br /> + world depends upon a belief in his creed. He<br /> knows that what are + called "the sciences" are of<br /> no importance in the other world. He + clearly sees<br /> that it is better to live and die ignorant here, if you<br /> + can wear a crown of glory hereafter. He knows it<br /> is useless to be + perfectly familiar with all the sciences<br /> in this world, and then in + the next "lift up your eyes,<br /> being in torment." He knows, too, that + God will<br /> not punish any man for denying a fact in science.<br /> A man + can deny the rotundity of the earth, the<br /> attraction of gravitation, + the form of the earths orbit,<br /> or the nebular hypothesis, with perfect + impunity.<br /> He is not bound to be correct upon any philo-<br /> <br /> + VIII<br /> <br /> sophical subject. He is at liberty to deny and ridi-<br /> + cule the rule of three, conic sections, and even the<br /> multiplication + table. God permits every human<br /> being to be mistaken upon every + subject but one.<br /> No man can lose his soul by denying physical facts.<br /> + Jehovah does not take the slightest pride in his geology,<br /> <br /> or in + his astronomy, or in mathematics, or in<br /> any school of philosophy—he + is jealous only of his<br /> reputation as the author of the Bible. You may + deny<br /> everything else in the universe except that book.<br /> This + being so, Mr. Talmage takes the safe side, and<br /> insists that the Bible + is inspired. He knows that at<br /> the day of judgment, not a scientific + question will be<br /> asked. He knows that the Hæckels and Huxleys<br /> + will, on that terrible day, regret that they ever<br /> learned to read. He + knows that there is no "saving<br /> grace" in any department of human + knowledge; that<br /> mathematics and all the exact sciences and all the<br /> + philosophies will be worse than useless. He knows<br /> that inventors, + discoverers, thinkers and investigators,<br /> have no claim upon the mercy + of Jehovah; that the<br /> educated will envy the ignorant, and that the + writers<br /> and thinkers will curse their books.<br /> <br /> He knows that + man cannot be saved through<br /> what he knows—but only by means of + what he<br /> <br /> IX<br /> <br /> believes. Theology is not a science. If + it were,<br /> God would forgive his children for being mistaken<br /> about + it. If it could be proved like geology, or<br /> astronomy, there would be + no merit in believing it.<br /> From a belief in the Bible, Mr. Talmage is + not to be<br /> driven by uninspired evidence. He knows that his<br /> logic + is liable to lead him astray, and that his reason<br /> cannot be depended + upon. He believes that scien-<br /> tific men are no authority in matters + concerning<br /> which nothing can be known, and he does not wish<br /> to + put his soul in peril, by examining by the light of<br /> reason, the + evidences of the supernatural.<br /> <br /> He is perfectly consistent with + his creed. What<br /> happens to us here is of no consequence compared<br /> + with eternal joy or pain. The ambitions, honors,<br /> glories and triumphs + of this world, compared with<br /> eternal things, are less than naught.<br /> + <br /> Better a cross here and a crown there, than a feast<br /> here and a + fire there.<br /> <br /> Lazarus was far more fortunate than Dives. The<br /> + purple and fine linen of this short life are as nothing<br /> compared with + the robes of the redeemed.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage knows that philosophy is + unsafe—<br /> that the sciences are sirens luring souls to eternal<br /> + wreck. He knows that the deluded searchers after<br /> <br /> X<br /> <br /> + facts are planting thorns in their own pillows—that<br /> the + geologists are digging pits for themselves, and<br /> that the astronomers + are robbing their souls of the<br /> heaven they explore. He knows that + thought, capa-<br /> city, and intellectual courage are dangerous, and this<br /> + belief gives him a feeling of personal security.<br /> <br /> The Bible is + adapted to the world as it is. Most<br /> people are ignorant, and but few + have the capacity to<br /> comprehend philosophical and scientific + subjects, and<br /> if salvation depended upon understanding even one<br /> + of the sciences, nearly everybody would be lost.<br /> Mr. Talmage sees + that it was exceedingly merciful in<br /> God to base salvation on belief + instead of on brain.<br /> Millions can believe, while only a few can + understand.<br /> Even the effort to understand is a kind of treason<br /> + born of pride and ingratitude. This being so, it is far<br /> safer, far + better, to be credulous than critical. You are<br /> offered an infinite + reward for believing the Bible. If<br /> you examine it you may find it + impossible for you to<br /> believe it. Consequently, examination is + dangerous.<br /> Mr. Talmage knows that it is not necessary to under-<br /> + stand the Bible in order to believe it. You must be-<br /> lieve it first. + Then, if on reading it you find anything<br /> that appears false, absurd, + or impossible, you may<br /> be sure that it is only an appearance, and + that the real<br /> <br /> XI<br /> <br /> fault is in yourself. It is certain + that persons wholly<br /> incapable of reasoning are absolutely safe, and + that<br /> to be born brainless is to be saved in advance.<br /> <br /> Mr. + Talmage takes the ground,—and certainly from<br /> his point of view + nothing can be more reasonable<br /> —that thought should be avoided, + after one has<br /> "experienced religion" and has been the subject of<br /> + "regeneration." Every sinner should listen to ser-<br /> mons, read + religious books, and keep thinking, until<br /> he becomes a Christian. + Then he should stop. After<br /> that, thinking is not the road to heaven. + The real<br /> point and the real difficulty is to stop thinking just at<br /> + the right time. Young Christians, who have no idea<br /> of what they are + doing, often go on thinking after<br /> joining the church, and in this way + heresy is born, and<br /> heresy is often the father of infidelity. If + Christians<br /> would follow the advice and example of Mr. Talmage<br /> + all disagreements about doctrine would be avoided.<br /> In this way the + church could secure absolute in-<br /> tellectual peace and all the + disputes, heartburnings,<br /> jealousies and hatreds born of thought, + discussion<br /> and reasoning, would be impossible.<br /> <br /> In the + estimation of Mr. Talmage, the man who<br /> doubts and examines is not fit + for the society of<br /> angels. There are no disputes, no discussions in<br /> + <br /> XII<br /> <br /> heaven. The angels do not think; they believe,<br /> + they enjoy. The highest form of religion is re-<br /> pression. We should + conquer the passions and<br /> destroy desire. We should control the mind + and<br /> stop thinking. In this way we "offer ourselves a<br /> "living + sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God." When<br /> desire dies, when thought + ceases, we shall be pure.<br /> —This is heaven.<br /> <br /> Robert G. + Ingersoll.<br /> <br /> Washington, D. C,<br /> <br /> April; 1882.<br /> <br /> + <br /> <a name="link0002" id="link0002"></a><br /> <br /> <big><b>INGERSOLL'S + INTERVIEWS ON TALMAGE.</b></big><br /> <a name="link0003" id="link0003"></a><br /> + <br /> <big><b>FIRST INTERVIEW.</b></big><br /> <br /> <i>Polonius. My lord, + I will use them according to<br /> their desert.<br /> <br /> Hamlet. God's + bodikins, man, much better: use<br /> every man after his desert, and who + should 'scape<br /> whipping? Use them after your own honor and<br /> + dignity: the less they deserve, the more merit is<br /> in your bounty.</i><br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Have you read the sermon of<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage, + in which he exposes your mis-<br /> representations?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + I have read such reports as appeared in<br /> some of the New York papers.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do you think of what he has<br /> to say?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Some time ago I gave it as my opinion<br /> of Mr. + Talmage that, while he was a man of most<br /> excellent judgment, he was + somewhat deficient in<br /> imagination. I find that he has the disease + that seems<br /> <br /> 16<br /> <br /> to afflict most theologians, and that + is, a kind of intel-<br /> lectual toadyism, that uses the names of + supposed great<br /> men instead of arguments. It is perfectly astonishing<br /> + to the average preacher that any one should have the<br /> temerity to + differ, on the subject of theology, with<br /> Andrew Jackson, Daniel + Webster, and other gentlemen<br /> eminent for piety during their lives, + but who,<br /> as a rule, expressed their theological opinions a few<br /> + minutes before dissolution. These ministers are per-<br /> fectly delighted + to have some great politician, some<br /> judge, soldier, or president, + certify to the truth of the<br /> Bible and to the moral character of Jesus + Christ.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage insists that if a witness is false in one<br /> + particular, his entire testimony must be thrown away.<br /> Daniel Webster + was in favor of the Fugitive Slave<br /> Law, and thought it the duty of + the North to capture<br /> the poor slave-mother. He was willing to stand<br /> + between a human being and his freedom. He was<br /> willing to assist in + compelling persons to work without<br /> any pay except such marks of the + lash as they might<br /> receive. Yet this man is brought forward as a + witness<br /> for the truth of the gospel. If he was false in his<br /> + testimony as to liberty, what is his affidavit worth as<br /> to the value + of Christianity? Andrew Jackson was a<br /> brave man, a good general, a + patriot second to none,<br /> <br /> 17<br /> <br /> an excellent judge of + horses, and a brave duelist. I<br /> admit that in his old age he relied + considerably upon<br /> the atonement. I think Jackson was really a very + great<br /> man, and probably no President impressed himself<br /> more + deeply upon the American people than the hero<br /> of New Orleans, but as + a theologian he was, in my<br /> judgment, a most decided failure, and his + opinion as<br /> to the authenticity of the Scriptures is of no earthly<br /> + value. It was a subject upon which he knew probably<br /> as little as Mr. + Talmage does about modern infidelity.<br /> Thousands of people will quote + Jackson in favor of<br /> religion, about which he knew nothing, and yet + have<br /> no confidence in his political opinions, although he<br /> + devoted the best part of his life to politics.<br /> <br /> No man should + quote the words of another, in place<br /> of an argument, unless he is + willing to accept all the<br /> opinions of that man. Lord Bacon denied the + Copernican<br /> <br /> system of astronomy, and, according to Mr.<br /> + Talmage, having made that mistake, his opinions upon<br /> other subjects + are equally worthless. Mr. Wesley<br /> believed in ghosts, witches, and + personal devils, yet<br /> upon many subjects I have no doubt his opinions + were<br /> correct. The truth is, that nearly everybody is right<br /> about + some things and wrong about most things; and<br /> if a man's testimony is + not to be taken until he is<br /> <br /> 18<br /> <br /> right on every + subject, witnesses will be extremely<br /> scarce.<br /> <br /> Personally, I + care nothing about names. It makes<br /> no difference to me what the + supposed great men of<br /> the past have said, except as what they have + said<br /> contains an argument; and that argument is worth to<br /> me the + force it naturally has upon my mind. Chris-<br /> tians forget that in the + realm of reason there are no<br /> serfs and no monarchs. When you submit + to an<br /> argument, you do not submit to the man who made it.<br /> + Christianity demands a certain obedience, a certain<br /> blind, + unreasoning faith, and parades before the eyes<br /> of the ignorant, with + great pomp and pride, the names<br /> of kings, soldiers, and statesmen who + have admitted<br /> the truth of the Bible. Mr. Talmage introduces as a<br /> + witness the Rev. Theodore Parker. This same The-<br /> odore Parker + denounced the Presbyterian creed as<br /> the most infamous of all creeds, + and said that the worst<br /> heathen god, wearing a necklace of live + snakes, was a<br /> representation of mercy when compared with the God<br /> + of John Calvin. Now, if this witness is false in any<br /> particular, of + course he cannot be believed, according<br /> to Mr. Talmage, upon any + subject, and yet Mr.<br /> Talmage introduces him upon the stand as a good<br /> + witness.<br /> <br /> 19<br /> <br /> Although I care but little for names, + still I will sug-<br /> gest that, in all probability, Humboldt knew more + upon<br /> this subject than all the pastors in the world. I cer-<br /> + tainly would have as much confidence in the opinion<br /> of Goethe as in + that of William H. Seward; and as<br /> between Seward and Lincoln, I + should take Lincoln;<br /> and when you come to Presidents, for my part, if + I<br /> were compelled to pin my faith on the sleeve of any-<br /> body, I + should take Jefferson's coat in preference to<br /> Jackson's. I believe + that Haeckel is, to say the least,<br /> the equal of any theologian we + have in this country,<br /> and the late John W. Draper certainly knew as + much<br /> upon these great questions as the average parson. I<br /> believe + that Darwin has investigated some of these<br /> things, that Tyndall and + Huxley have turned their<br /> minds somewhat in the same direction, that + Helmholtz<br /> has a few opinions, and that, in fact, thousands of able,<br /> + intelligent and honest men differ almost entirely with<br /> Webster and + Jackson.<br /> <br /> So far as I am concerned, I think more of reasons<br /> + than of reputations, more of principles than of persons,<br /> more of + nature than of names, more of facts, than of<br /> faiths.<br /> <br /> It is + the same with books as with persons. Proba-<br /> bly there is not a book + in the world entirely destitute<br /> <br /> 20<br /> <br /> of truth, and not + one entirely exempt from error.<br /> The Bible is like other books. There + are mistakes in<br /> it, side by side with truths,—passages + inculcating<br /> murder, and others exalting mercy; laws devilish and<br /> + tyrannical, and others filled with wisdom and justice.<br /> It is foolish + to say that if you accept a part, you must<br /> accept the whole. You must + accept that which com-<br /> mends itself to your heart and brain. There + never was<br /> a doctrine that a witness, or a book, should be thrown<br /> + entirely away, because false in one particular. If in<br /> any particular + the book, or the man, tells the truth, to<br /> that extent the truth + should be accepted.<br /> <br /> Truth is made no worse by the one who tells + it,<br /> and a lie gets no real benefit from the reputation of its<br /> + author.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the statement<br /> + that a general belief in your teachings would fill all<br /> the + penitentiaries, and that in twenty years there<br /> would be a hell in + this world worse than the one<br /> expected in the other?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + My creed is this:<br /> <br /> 1. Happiness is the only good.<br /> <br /> 2. + The way to be happy, is to make others happy.<br /> <br /> 21<br /> <br /> + Other things being equal, that man is happiest who is<br /> nearest just—who + is truthful, merciful and intelligent—<br /> in other words, the one + who lives in accordance with<br /> the conditions of life.<br /> <br /> 3. + The time to be happy is now, and the place to<br /> be happy, is here.<br /> + <br /> 4. Reason is the lamp of the mind—the only torch<br /> of + progress; and instead of blowing that out and de-<br /> pending upon + darkness and dogma, it is far better to<br /> increase that sacred light.<br /> + <br /> 5. Every man should be the intellectual proprietor<br /> of himself, + honest with himself, and intellectually<br /> hospitable; and upon every + brain reason should be<br /> enthroned as king.<br /> <br /> 6. Every man + must bear the consequences, at<br /> least of his own actions. If he puts + his hands in<br /> the fire, his hands must smart, and not the hands of<br /> + another. In other words: each man must eat the<br /> fruit of the tree he + plants.<br /> <br /> I can not conceive that the teaching of these doc-<br /> + trines would fill penitentiaries, or crowd the gallows.<br /> The doctrine + of forgiveness—the idea that somebody<br /> else can suffer in place + of the guilty—the notion that<br /> just at the last the whole + account can be settled—<br /> these ideas, doctrines, and notions are + calculated to fill<br /> <br /> 22<br /> <br /> penitentiaries. Nothing breeds + extravagance like the<br /> credit system.<br /> <br /> Most criminals of the + present day are orthodox be-<br /> lievers, and the gallows seems to be the + last round of<br /> the ladder reaching from earth to heaven. The Rev.<br /> + Dr. Sunderland, of this city, in his sermon on the assas-<br /> sination of + Garfield, takes the ground that God per-<br /> mitted the murder for the + purpose of opening the eyes<br /> of the people to the evil effects of + infidelity. Accord-<br /> ing to this minister, God, in order to show his + hatred<br /> of infidelity, "inspired," or allowed, one Christian to<br /> + assassinate another.<br /> <br /> Religion and morality do not necessarily + go together.<br /> Mr. Talmage will insist to-day that morality is not<br /> + sufficient to save any man from eternal punishment.<br /> As a matter of + fact, religion has often been the enemy<br /> of morality. The moralist has + been denounced by the<br /> theologians. He sustains the same relation to + Chris-<br /> tianity that the moderate drinker does to the total-<br /> + abstinence society. The total-abstinence people say<br /> that the example + of the moderate drinker is far worse<br /> upon the young than that of the + drunkard—that the<br /> drunkard is a warning, while the moderate + drinker is<br /> a perpetual temptation. So Christians say of moral-<br /> + ists. According to them, the moralist sets a worse<br /> <br /> 23<br /> + <br /> example than the criminal. The moralist not only in-<br /> sists that + a man can be a good citizen, a kind husband,<br /> an affectionate father, + without religion, but demon-<br /> strates the truth of his doctrine by his + own life;<br /> whereas the criminal admits that in and of himself he<br /> + is nothing, and can do nothing, but that he needs<br /> assistance from the + church and its ministers.<br /> <br /> The worst criminals of the modern + world have been<br /> Christians—I mean by that, believers in + Christianity—<br /> and the most monstrous crimes of the modern world<br /> + have been committed by the most zealous believers.<br /> There is nothing + in orthodox religion, apart from the<br /> morality it teaches, to prevent + the commission oF crime.<br /> On the other hand, the perpetual proffer of + forgiveness<br /> is a direct premium upon what Christians are pleased<br /> + to call the commission of sin.<br /> <br /> Christianity has produced no + greater character than<br /> Epictetus, no greater sovereign than Marcus + Aurelius.<br /> The wickedness of the past was a good deal like that<br /> + of the present. As a rule, kings have been wicked in<br /> direct + proportion to their power—their power having<br /> been lessened, + their crimes have decreased. As a<br /> matter of fact, paganism, of + itself, did not produce any<br /> great men; neither has Christianity. + Millions of in-<br /> fluences determine individual character, and the re-<br /> + <br /> 24<br /> <br /> ligion of the country in which a man happens to be<br /> + born may determine many of his opinions, without<br /> influencing, to any + great extent, his real character.<br /> <br /> There have been brave, + honest, and intelligent men<br /> in and out of every church.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Mr. Talmage says that you insist that,<br /> according to the Bible, the + universe was made out of<br /> nothing, and he denounces your statement as + a gross<br /> misrepresentation. What have you stated upon that<br /> + subject?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. What I said was substantially this: "We<br /> + "are told in the first chapter of Genesis, that in the<br /> "beginning God + created the heaven and the earth.<br /> "If this means anything, it means + that God pro-<br /> "duced—caused to exist, called into being—the<br /> + "heaven and the earth. It will not do to say that<br /> "God formed the + heaven and the earth of previously<br /> "existing matter. Moses conveys, + and intended to<br /> "convey, the idea that the matter of which the<br /> + "universe is composed was created."<br /> <br /> This has always been my + position. I did not sup-<br /> pose that nothing was used as the raw + material; but<br /> <br /> if the Mosaic account means anything, it means + that<br /> whereas there was nothing, God caused something to<br /> <br /> 25<br /> + <br /> exist—created what we know as matter. I can not<br /> conceive + of something being made, created, without<br /> anything to make anything + with. I have no more<br /> confidence in fiat worlds than I have in fiat + money.<br /> Mr. Talmage tells us that God did not make the uni-<br /> verse + out of <i>nothing</i>, but out of "omnipotence."<br /> Exactly how God + changed "omnipotence" into matter<br /> is not stated. If there was <i>nothing</i> + in the universe,<br /> <i>omnipotence</i> could do you no good. The weakest + man<br /> in the world can lift as much <i>nothing</i> as God.<br /> <br /> + Mr. Talmage seems to think that to create something<br /> from nothing is + simply a question of strength—that it<br /> requires infinite muscle—that + it is only a question of<br /> biceps. Of course, omnipotence is an + attribute, not an<br /> entity, not a raw material; and the idea that + something<br /> can be made out of omnipotence—using that as the<br /> + raw material—is infinitely absurd. It would have<br /> been equally + logical to say that God made the universe<br /> out of his omniscience, or + his omnipresence, or his<br /> unchangeableness, or out of his honesty, his + holiness,<br /> or his incapacity to do evil. I confess my utter in-<br /> + ability to understand, or even to suspect, what the<br /> reverend + gentleman means, when he says that God<br /> created the universe out of + his "omnipotence."<br /> <br /> I admit that the Bible does not tell when + God created<br /> <br /> 26<br /> <br /> the universe. It is simply said that + he did this "in the<br /> beginning." We are left, however, to infer that + "the<br /> beginning" was Monday morning, and that on the<br /> first Monday + God created the matter in an exceedingly<br /> chaotic state; that on + Tuesday he made a firmament<br /> to divide the waters from the waters; + that on Wednes-<br /> day he gathered the waters together in seas and<br /> + allowed the dry land to appear. We are also told that<br /> on that day + "the earth brought forth grass and herb<br /> "yielding seed after his + kind, and the tree yielding<br /> "fruit, whose seed was in itself, after + his kind." This<br /> was before the creation of the sun, but Mr. Talmage<br /> + takes the ground that there are many other sources of<br /> light; that + "there may have been volcanoes in active<br /> operation on other planets." + I have my doubts,<br /> however, about the light of volcanoes being + sufficient<br /> to produce or sustain vegetable life, and think it a<br /> + little doubtful about trees growing only by "volcanic<br /> glare." Neither + do I think one could depend upon<br /> "three thousand miles of liquid + granite" for the pro-<br /> duction of grass and trees, nor upon "light + that rocks<br /> might emit in the process of crystallization." I doubt<br /> + whether trees would succeed simply with the assistance<br /> of the "Aurora + Borealis or the Aurora Australis."<br /> There are other sources of light, + not mentioned by<br /> <br /> 27<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage—lightning-bugs, + phosphorescent beetles,<br /> and fox-fire. I should think that it would be + humili-<br /> ating, in this age, for an orthodox preacher to insist<br /> + that vegetation could exist upon this planet without the<br /> light of the + sun—that trees could grow, blossom and<br /> bear fruit, having no + light but the flames of volcanoes,<br /> or that emitted by liquid granite, + or thrown off by the<br /> crystallization of rocks.<br /> <br /> There is + another thing, also, that should not be for-<br /> gotten, and that is, + that there is an even balance for-<br /> ever kept between the totals of + animal and vegetable<br /> life—that certain forms of animal life go + with certain<br /> forms of vegetable life. Mr. Haeckel has shown that<br /> + "in the first epoch, algæ and skull-less vertebrates<br /> were found + together; in the second, ferns and fishes;<br /> in the third, pines and + reptiles; in the fourth, foliaceous<br /> <br /> forests and mammals." + Vegetable and animal<br /> life sustain a necessary relation; they exist + together;<br /> they act and interact, and each depends upon the other.<br /> + The real point of difference between Mr. Talmage and<br /> myself is this: + He says that God made the universe<br /> out of his "omnipotence," and I + say that, although I<br /> know nothing whatever upon the subject, my + opinion<br /> is, that the universe has existed from eternity—that it<br /> + continually changes in form, but that it never was<br /> <br /> 28<br /> + <br /> created or called into being by any power. I think<br /> that all + that is, is all the God there is.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage + charges you with having<br /> misrepresented the Bible story of the deluge. + Has he<br /> correctly stated your position?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Mr. + Talmage takes the ground that the<br /> flood was only partial, and was, + after all, not much of a<br /> flood. The Bible tells us that God said he + would<br /> "destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life from<br /> + "under heaven, and that everything that is in the<br /> "earth shall die;" + that God also said: "I will destroy<br /> "man, whom I have created, from + the face of the<br /> "earth; both man and beast and the creeping thing<br /> + "and the fowls of the air, and every living substance<br /> "that I have + made will I destroy from off the face of<br /> "the earth."<br /> <br /> I + did not suppose that there was any miracle in the<br /> Bible larger than + the credulity of Mr. Talmage. The<br /> flood story, however, seems to be a + little more than<br /> he can bear. He is like the witness who stated that<br /> + he had read <i>Gullivers Travels</i>, the <i>Stories of Mun-<br /> chausen</i>, + and the <i>Flying Wife</i>, including <i>Robinson<br /> Crusoe</i>, and + believed them all; but that Wirt's <i>Life of<br /> Patrick Henry</i> was a + litde more than he could stand.<br /> <br /> 29<br /> <br /> It is strange + that a man who believes that God<br /> created the universe out of + "omnipotence" should<br /> believe that he had not enough omnipotence left + to<br /> drown a world the size of this. Mr. Talmage seeks<br /> to make the + story of the flood reasonable. The<br /> moment it is reasonable, it ceases + to be miraculous.<br /> Certainly God cannot afford to reward a man with<br /> + eternal joy for believing a reasonable story. Faith is<br /> only necessary + when the story is unreasonable, and if<br /> the flood only gets small + enough, I can believe it<br /> myself. I ask for evidence, and Mr. Talmage + seeks<br /> to make the story so little that it can be believed<br /> + without evidence. He tells us that it was a kind of<br /> "local option" + flood—a little wet for that part of the<br /> country.<br /> <br /> Why + was it necessary to save the birds? They<br /> certainly could have gotten + out of the way of a real<br /> small flood. Of the birds, Noah took + fourteen of each<br /> species. He was commanded to take of the fowls of + the<br /> air by sevens—seven of each sex—and, as there are<br /> + at least 12,500 species, Noah collected an aviary of<br /> about 175,000 + birds, provided the flood was general.<br /> If it was local, there are no + means of determining the<br /> number. But why, if the flood was local, + should he<br /> have taken any of the fowls of the air into his ark?<br /> + <br /> 30<br /> <br /> All they had to do was to fly away, or "roost high;"<br /> + and it would have been just as easy for God to have<br /> implanted in + them, for the moment, the instinct of<br /> getting out of the way as the + instinct of hunting the ark.<br /> It would have been quite a saving of + room and pro-<br /> visions, and would have materially lessened the labor<br /> + and anxiety of Noah and his sons.<br /> <br /> Besides, if it had been a + partial flood, and great<br /> enough to cover the highest mountains in + that country,<br /> the highest mountain being about seventeen thousand<br /> + feet, the flood would have been covered with a sheet<br /> of ice several + thousand feet in thickness. If a column<br /> of water could have been + thrown seventeen thousand<br /> feet high and kept stationary, several + thousand feet<br /> of the upper end would have frozen. If, however,<br /> + the deluge was general, then the atmosphere would<br /> have been forced + out the same on all sides, and the<br /> climate remained substantially + normal.<br /> <br /> Nothing can be more absurd than to attempt to<br /> + explain the flood by calling it partial.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage also says + that the window ran clear<br /> round the ark, and that if I had only known + as much<br /> Hebrew as a man could put on his little finger, I<br /> would + have known that the window went clear round.<br /> To this I reply that, if + his position is correct, then the<br /> <br /> 31<br /> <br /> original + translators of King James' edition did not<br /> know as much Hebrew as + they could have put on<br /> their little fingers; and yet I am obliged to + believe<br /> their translation or be eternally damned. If the<br /> window + went clear round, the inspired writer should<br /> have said so, and the + learned translators should have<br /> given us the truth. No one pretends + that there was<br /> more than one door, and yet the same language is<br /> + used about the door, except this—that the exact size<br /> of the + window is given, and the only peculiarity men-<br /> tioned as to the door + is that it shut from the outside.<br /> For any one to see that Mr. Talmage + is wrong on the<br /> window question, it is only necessary to read the + story<br /> of the deluge.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage also endeavors to + decrease the depth<br /> of the flood. If the flood did not cover the + highest<br /> hills, many people might have been saved. He also<br /> + insists that all the water did not come from the rains,<br /> but that "the + fountains of the great deep were broken<br /> "up." What are "the fountains + of the great deep"?<br /> How would their being "broken up" increase the<br /> + depth of the water? He seems to imagine that these<br /> "fountains" were + in some way imprisoned—anxious<br /> to get to the surface, and that, + at that time, an oppor-<br /> tunity was given for water to run up hill, or + in some<br /> <br /> 32<br /> <br /> mysterious way to rise above its level. + According to<br /> the account, the ark was at the mercy of the waves for<br /> + at least seven months. If this flood was only partial,<br /> it seems a + little curious that the water did not seek its<br /> level in less than + seven months. With anything like<br /> a fair chance, by that time most of + it would have<br /> found its way to the sea again.<br /> <br /> There is in + the literature of ignorance no more<br /> perfectly absurd and cruel story + than that of the<br /> deluge.<br /> <br /> I am very sorry that Mr. Talmage + should disagree<br /> with some of the great commentators. Dr. Scott<br /> + tells us that, in all probability, the angels assisted in<br /> getting the + animals into the ark. Dr. Henry insists<br /> that the waters in the bowels + of the earth, at God's<br /> command, sprung up and flooded the earth. Dr.<br /> + Clark tells us that it would have been much easier<br /> for God to have + destroyed all the people and made<br /> some new ones, but that he did not + want to waste<br /> anything. Dr. Henry also tells us that the lions, while<br /> + in the ark, ate straw like oxen. Nothing could be<br /> more amusing than + to see a few lions eating good,<br /> dry straw. This commentator assures + us that the<br /> waters rose so high that the loftiest mountains were<br /> + overflowed fifteen cubits, so that salvation was not<br /> <br /> 33<br /> + <br /> hoped for from any hills or mountains. He tells us<br /> that some of + the people got on top of the ark, and<br /> hoped to shift for themselves, + but that, in all proba-<br /> bility, they were washed off by the rain. + When we<br /> consider that the rain must have fallen at the rate of<br /> + about eight hundred feet a day, I am inclined to think<br /> that they were + washed off.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage has clearly misrepresented the Bible.<br /> + He is not prepared to believe the story as it is told.<br /> The seeds of + infidelity seem to be germinating in his<br /> mind. His position no doubt + will be a great relief to<br /> most of his hearers. After this, their + credulity will<br /> not be strained. They can say that there was probably<br /> + quite a storm, some rain, to an extent that rendered it<br /> necessary for + Noah and his family—his dogs, cats,<br /> and chickens—to get + in a boat. This would not be<br /> unreasonable. The same thing happens + almost every<br /> year on the shores of great rivers, and consequently<br /> + the story of the flood is an exceedingly reasonable<br /> one.<br /> <br /> + Mr. Talmage also endeavors to account for the<br /> miraculous collection + of the animals in the ark by<br /> the universal instinct to get out of the + rain. There<br /> are at least two objections to this: 1. The animals<br /> + went into the ark before the rain commenced; 2. I<br /> <br /> 34<br /> <br /> + have never noticed any great desire on the part of<br /> ducks, geese, and + loons to get out of the water. Mr.<br /> Talmage must have been misled by a + line from an old<br /> nursery book that says: "And the little fishes got<br /> + "under the bridge to keep out of the rain." He tells<br /> us that Noah + described what he saw. He is the first<br /> theologian who claims that + Genesis was written by<br /> Noah, or that Noah wrote any account of the + flood.<br /> Most Christians insist that the account of the flood<br /> was + written by Moses, and that he was inspired to<br /> write it. Of course, it + will not do for me to say that<br /> Mr. Talmage has misrepresented the + facts.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. You are also charged with misrepresen-<br /> + tation in your statement as to where the ark at last<br /> rested. It is + claimed by Mr. Talmage that there is<br /> nothing in the Bible to show + that the ark rested on<br /> the highest mountains.<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Of course I have no knowledge as to<br /> where the ark really came to + anchor, but after it struck<br /> bottom, we are told that a dove was sent + out, and<br /> that the dove found no place whereon to rest her<br /> foot. + If the ark touched ground in the low country,<br /> surely the mountains + were out of water, and an or-<br /> dinary mountain furnishes, as a rule, + space enough<br /> <br /> 35<br /> <br /> for a dove's foot. We must infer + that the ark rested<br /> on the only land then above water, or near enough<br /> + above water to strike the keel of Noah's boat. Mount<br /> Ararat is about + seventeen thousand feet high; so I<br /> take it that the top of that + mountain was where Noah<br /> ran aground—otherwise, the account + means nothing.<br /> <br /> Here Mr. Talmage again shows his tendency to<br /> + belittle the miracles of the Bible. I am astonished<br /> that he should + doubt the power of God to keep an<br /> ark on a mountain seventeen + thousand feet high.<br /> He could have changed the climate for that + occasion.<br /> He could have made all the rocks and glaciers pro-<br /> + duce wheat and corn in abundance. Certainly God,<br /> who could overwhelm + a world with a flood, had the<br /> power to change every law and fact in + nature.<br /> <br /> I am surprised that Mr. Talmage is not willing to<br /> + believe the story as it is told. What right has he to<br /> question the + statements of an inspired writer? Why<br /> should he set up his judgment + against the Websters<br /> and Jacksons? Is it not infinitely impudent in + him<br /> to contrast his penny-dip with the sun of inspiration?<br /> What + right has he to any opinion upon the subject?<br /> He must take the Bible + as it reads. He should<br /> remember that the greater the miracle the + greater<br /> should be his faith.<br /> <br /> 36<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + You do not seem to have any great<br /> opinion of the chemical, + geological, and agricultural<br /> views expressed by Mr. Talmage?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. You must remember that Mr. Talmage<br /> has a certain + thing to defend. He takes the Bible as<br /> actually true, and with the + Bible as his standard, he<br /> compares and measures all sciences. He does + not<br /> study geology to find whether the Mosaic account is<br /> true, + but he reads the Mosaic account for the purpose<br /> of showing that + geology can not be depended upon.<br /> His idea that "one day is as a + thousand years with<br /> "God," and that therefore the "days" mentioned in + the<br /> Mosaic account are not days of twenty-four hours, but<br /> long + periods, is contradicted by the Bible itself. The<br /> great reason given + for keeping the Sabbath day is, that<br /> "God rested on the seventh day + and was refreshed."<br /> Now, it does not say that he rested on the + "seventh<br /> "period," or the "seventh good—while," or the<br /> + "seventh long-time," but on the "seventh day." In<br /> imitation of this + example we are also to rest—not on<br /> the seventh good-while, but + on the seventh day.<br /> Nothing delights the average minister more than + to<br /> find that a passage of Scripture is capable of several<br /> + interpretations. Nothing in the inspired book is so<br /> <br /> 37<br /> + <br /> dangerous as accuracy. If the holy writer uses<br /> general terms, + an ingenious theologian can harmonize<br /> a seemingly preposterous + statement with the most<br /> obdurate fact. An "inspired" book should + contain<br /> neither statistics nor dates—as few names as possible,<br /> + and not one word about geology or astronomy. Mr.<br /> Talmage is doing the + best he can to uphold the fables<br /> of the Jews. They are the foundation + of his faith.<br /> He believes in the water of the past and the fire of + the<br /> future—in the God of flood and flame—the eternal<br /> + torturer of his helpless children.<br /> <br /> It is exceedingly + unfortunate that Mr. Talmage does<br /> not appreciate the importance of + good manners, that<br /> he does not rightly estimate the convincing power + of<br /> kindness and good nature. It is unfortunate that a<br /> Christian, + believing in universal forgiveness, should<br /> exhibit so much of the + spirit of detraction, that he<br /> should run so easily and naturally into + epithets, and<br /> that he should mistake vituperation for logic. Thou-<br /> + sands of people, knowing but little of the mysteries of<br /> Christianity—never + having studied theology,—may<br /> become prejudiced against the + church, and doubt the<br /> divine origin of a religion whose defenders + seem to<br /> rely, at least to a great degree, upon malignant per-<br /> + sonalities. Mr. Talmage should remember that in a<br /> <br /> 38<br /> <br /> + discussion of this kind, he is supposed to represent a<br /> being of + infinite wisdom and goodness. Surely, the<br /> representative of the + infinite can afford to be candid,<br /> can afford to be kind. When he + contemplates the<br /> condition of a fellow-being destitute of religion, a<br /> + fellow-being now travelling the thorny path to eternal<br /> fire, he + should be filled with pity instead of hate.<br /> Instead of deforming his + mouth with scorn, his eyes<br /> should be filled with tears. He should + take into<br /> consideration the vast difference between an infidel<br /> + and a minister of the gospel,—knowing, as he does,<br /> that a crown + of glory has been prepared for the<br /> minister, and that flames are + waiting for the soul<br /> of the unbeliever. He should bear with + philosophic<br /> fortitude the apparent success of the skeptic, for a<br /> + few days in this brief life, since he knows that in a<br /> little while + the question will be eternally settled in<br /> his favor, and that the + humiliation of a day is as<br /> nothing compared with the victory of + eternity. In<br /> this world, the skeptic appears to have the best<br /> of + the argument; logic seems to be on the side<br /> of blasphemy; common + sense apparently goes hand<br /> in hand with infidelity, and the few + things we are<br /> absolutely certain of, seem inconsistent with the<br /> + Christian creeds.<br /> <br /> 39<br /> <br /> This, however, as Mr. Talmage + well knows, is but<br /> apparent. God has arranged the world in this way<br /> + for the purpose of testing the Christian's faith.<br /> Beyond all these + facts, beyond logic, beyond reason,<br /> Mr. Talmage, by the light of + faith, clearly sees the<br /> eternal truth. This clearness of vision + should give<br /> him the serenity of candor and the kindness born of<br /> + absolute knowledge. He, being a child of the light,<br /> should not expect + the perfect from the children of<br /> darkness. He should not judge + Humboldt and<br /> Wesley by the same standard. He should remember<br /> + that Wesley was especially set apart and illuminated<br /> by divine + wisdom, while Humboldt was left to grope<br /> in the shadows of nature. He + should also remember<br /> that ministers are not like other people. They + have<br /> been "called." They have been "chosen" by infinite<br /> wisdom. + They have been "set apart," and they<br /> have bread to eat that we know + not of. While<br /> other people are forced to pursue the difficult paths<br /> + of investigation, they fly with the wings of faith.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage + is perfectly aware of the advantages<br /> he enjoys, and yet he deems it + dangerous to be fair.<br /> This, in my judgment, is his mistake. If he + cannot<br /> easily point out the absurdities and contradictions in<br /> + infidel lectures, surely God would never have selected<br /> <br /> 40<br /> + <br /> him for that task. We cannot believe that imperfect<br /> instruments + would be chosen by infinite wisdom.<br /> Certain lambs have been entrusted + to the care of Mr.<br /> Talmage, the shepherd. Certainly God would not<br /> + select a shepherd unable to cope with an average<br /> wolf. Such a + shepherd is only the appearance of<br /> protection. When the wolf is not + there, he is a<br /> useless expense, and when the wolf comes, he goes.<br /> + I cannot believe that God would select a shepherd<br /> of that kind. + Neither can the shepherd justify his<br /> selection by abusing the wolf + when out of sight.<br /> The fear ought to be on the other side. A divinely<br /> + appointed shepherd ought to be able to convince his<br /> sheep that a wolf + is a dangerous animal, and ought<br /> to be able to give his reasons. It + may be that the<br /> shepherd has a certain interest in exaggerating the<br /> + cruelty and ferocity of the wolf, and even the number<br /> of the wolves. + Should it turn out that the wolves<br /> exist only in the imagination of + the shepherd, the<br /> sheep might refuse to pay the salary of their pro-<br /> + tector. It will, however, be hard to calculate the<br /> extent to which + the sheep will lose confidence in a<br /> shepherd who has not even the + courage to state the<br /> facts about the wolf. But what must be the + result<br /> when the sheep find that the supposed wolf is, in<br /> <br /> + 41<br /> <br /> fact, their friend, and that he is endeavoring to rescue<br /> + them from the exactions of the pretended shepherd,<br /> who creates, by + falsehood, the fear on which he<br /> lives?<br /> <br /> <br /> <a + name="link0004" id="link0004"></a><br /> <br /> <big><b>SECOND INTERVIEW.</b></big><br /> + <br /> <br /> <i>Por. Why, man, what's the matter? Don't tear<br /> your + hair.<br /> <br /> Sir Hugh. I have been beaten in a discussion,<br /> + overwhelmed and humiliated.<br /> <br /> Por. Why didn't you call your + adversary a fool?<br /> <br /> Sir Hugh. My God! I forgot it!</i><br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. I want to ask you a few questions<br /> about the second + sermon of Mr. Talmage;<br /> have you read it, and what do you think of it?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The text taken by the reverend gentle-<br /> man is an + insult, and was probably intended as such:<br /> "The fool hath said in his + heart, there is no God."<br /> Mr. Talmage seeks to apply this text to any + one<br /> who denies that the Jehovah of the Jews was and is<br /> the + infinite and eternal Creator of all. He is per-<br /> fectly satisfied that + any man who differs with him on<br /> this question is a "fool," and he has + the Christian<br /> forbearance and kindness to say so. I presume he<br /> + <br /> 46<br /> <br /> is honest in this opinion, and no doubt regards Bruno,<br /> + Spinoza and Humboldt as driveling imbeciles. He<br /> entertains the same + opinion of some of the greatest,<br /> wisest and best of Greece and Rome.<br /> + <br /> No man is fitted to reason upon this question who<br /> has not the + intelligence to see the difficulties in all<br /> theories. No man has yet + evolved a theory that<br /> satisfactorily accounts for all that is. No + matter<br /> what his opinion may be, he is beset by a thousand<br /> + difficulties, and innumerable things insist upon an<br /> explanation. The + best that any man can do is to<br /> take that theory which to his mind + presents the<br /> fewest difficulties. Mr. Talmage has been educated<br /> + in a certain way—has a brain of a certain quantity,<br /> quality and + form—and accepts, in spite it may be,<br /> of himself, a certain + theory. Others, formed differ-<br /> ently, having lived under different + circumstances,<br /> cannot accept the Talmagian view, and thereupon he<br /> + denounces them as fools. In this he follows the<br /> example of David the + murderer; of David, who<br /> advised one of his children to assassinate + another;<br /> of David, whose last words were those of hate and<br /> + crime. Mr. Talmage insists that it takes no especial<br /> brain to reason + out a "design" in Nature, and in a<br /> moment afterward says that "when + the world slew<br /> <br /> 47<br /> <br /> "Jesus, it showed what it would do + with the eternal<br /> "God, if once it could get its hands on Him." Why<br /> + should a God of infinite wisdom create people who<br /> would gladly murder + their Creator? Was there any<br /> particular "design" in that? Does the + existence<br /> of such people conclusively prove the existence of a<br /> + good Designer? It seems to me—and I take it that<br /> my thought is + natural, as I have only been born<br /> once—that an infinitely wise + and good God would<br /> naturally create good people, and if he has not, + cer-<br /> tainly the fault is his. The God of Mr. Talmage<br /> knew, when + he created Guiteau, that he would<br /> assassinate Garfield. Why did he + create him? Did<br /> he want Garfield assassinated? Will somebody be<br /> + kind enough to show the "design" in this trans-<br /> action? Is it + possible to see "design" in earth-<br /> quakes, in volcanoes, in + pestilence, in famine, in<br /> ruthless and relentless war? Can we find + "design" in<br /> the fact that every animal lives upon some other—<br /> + that every drop of every sea is a battlefield where<br /> the strong devour + the weak? Over the precipice<br /> of cruelty rolls a perpetual Niagara of + blood. Is<br /> there "design" in this? Why should a good God<br /> people a + world with men capable of burning their<br /> fellow-men—and capable + of burning the greatest and<br /> <br /> 48<br /> <br /> best? Why does a good + God permit these things?<br /> It is said of Christ that he was infinitely + kind and<br /> generous, infinitely merciful, because when on earth<br /> he + cured the sick, the lame and blind. Has he not<br /> as much power now as + he had then? If he was and<br /> is the God of all worlds, why does he not + now give<br /> back to the widow her son? Why does he with-<br /> hold light + from the eyes of the blind? And why<br /> does one who had the power + miraculously to feed<br /> thousands, allow millions to die for want of + food?<br /> Did Christ only have pity when he was part human?<br /> Are we + indebted for his kindness to the flesh that<br /> clothed his spirit? Where + is he now? Where has he<br /> been through all the centuries of slavery and + crime?<br /> If this universe was "designed," then all that<br /> happens + was "designed." If a man constructs an<br /> engine, the boiler of which + explodes, we say either<br /> that he did not know the strength of his + materials, or<br /> that he was reckless of human life. If an infinite + being<br /> should construct a weak or imperfect machine, he must<br /> be + held accountable for all that happens. He cannot<br /> be permitted to say + that he did not know the strength<br /> of the materials. He is directly + and absolutely re-<br /> sponsible. So, if this world was designed by a + being<br /> of infinite power and wisdom, he is responsible for<br /> <br /> + 49<br /> <br /> the result of that design. My position is this: I do<br /> + not know. But there are so many objections to the<br /> personal-God + theory, that it is impossible for me to<br /> accept it. I prefer to say + that the universe is all the<br /> God there is. I prefer to make no being + responsible.<br /> I prefer to say: If the naked are clothed, man<br /> must + clothe them; if the hungry are fed, man must<br /> feed them. I prefer to + rely upon human endeavor,<br /> upon human intelligence, upon the heart and + brain<br /> of man. There is no evidence that God has ever<br /> interfered + in the affairs of man. The hand of earth<br /> is stretched uselessly + toward heaven. From the<br /> clouds there comes no help. In vain the + shipwrecked<br /> cry to God. In vain the imprisoned ask for liberty<br /> + and light—the world moves on, and the heavens are<br /> deaf and dumb + and blind. The frost freezes, the fire<br /> burns, slander smites, the + wrong triumphs, the good<br /> suffer, and prayer dies upon the lips of + faith.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage charges you with being<br /> + "the champion blasphemer of America"—what do<br /> you understand + blasphemy to be?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Blasphemy is an epithet + bestowed by su-<br /> perstition upon common sense. Whoever investi-<br /> + gates a religion as he would any department of<br /> <br /> 50<br /> <br /> + science, is called a blasphemer. Whoever contradicts<br /> a priest, + whoever has the impudence to use his own<br /> reason, whoever is brave + enough to express his<br /> honest thought, is a blasphemer in the eyes of + the<br /> religionist. When a missionary speaks slightingly of<br /> the + wooden god of a savage, the savage regards him<br /> as a blasphemer. To + laugh at the pretensions of<br /> Mohammed in Constantinople is blasphemy. + To say<br /> in St. Petersburg that Mohammed was a prophet of<br /> God is + also blasphemy. There was a time when to<br /> acknowledge the divinity of + Christ in Jerusalem was<br /> blasphemy. To deny his divinity is now + blasphemy<br /> in New York. Blasphemy is to a considerable extent<br /> a + geographical question. It depends not only on what<br /> you say, but where + you are when you say it. Blas-<br /> phemy is what the old calls the new,—what + last<br /> year's leaf says to this year's bud. The founder of<br /> every + religion was a blasphemer. The Jews so re-<br /> garded Christ, and the + Athenians had the same<br /> opinion of Socrates. Catholics have always + looked<br /> upon Protestants as blasphemers, and Protestants have<br /> + always held the same generous opinion of Catholics.<br /> To deny that Mary + is the Mother of God is blas-<br /> phemy. To say that she is the Mother of + God is<br /> blasphemy. Some savages think that a dried snake-<br /> <br /> + 51<br /> <br /> skin stuffed with leaves is sacred, and he who thinks<br /> + otherwise is a blasphemer. It was once blasphemy<br /> to laugh at Diana, + of the Ephesians. Many people<br /> think that it is blasphemous to tell + your real opinion<br /> of the Jewish Jehovah. Others imagine that words<br /> + can be printed upon paper, and the paper bound into<br /> a book covered + with sheepskin, and that the book is<br /> sacred, and that to question its + sacredness is blas-<br /> phemy. Blasphemy is also a crime against God, but<br /> + nothing can be more absurd than a crime against<br /> God. If God is + infinite, you cannot injure him. You<br /> cannot commit a crime against + any being that you<br /> cannot injure. Of course, the infinite cannot be + in-<br /> jured. Man is a conditioned being. By changing<br /> his + conditions, his surroundings, you can injure him;<br /> but if God is + infinite, he is conditionless. If he is<br /> conditionless, he cannot by + any possibility be injured.<br /> You can neither increase, nor decrease, + the well-being<br /> of the infinite. Consequently, a crime against God<br /> + is a demonstrated impossibility. The cry of blasphemy<br /> means only that + the argument of the blasphemer can-<br /> not be answered. The + sleight-of-hand performer,<br /> when some one tries to raise the curtain + behind which<br /> he operates, cries "blasphemer!" The priest, find-<br /> + ing that he has been attacked by common sense,—<br /> <br /> 52<br /> + <br /> by a fact,—resorts to the same cry. Blasphemy is the<br /> + black flag of theology, and it means: No argument<br /> and no quarter! It + is an appeal to prejudice, to<br /> passions, to ignorance. It is the last + resort of a<br /> defeated priest. Blasphemy marks the point where<br /> + argument stops and slander begins. In old times, it<br /> was the signal + for throwing stones, for gathering<br /> fagots and for tearing flesh; now + it means falsehood<br /> and calumny.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Then you + think that there is no such<br /> thing as the crime of blasphemy, and that + no such<br /> offence can be committed?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Any one + who knowingly speaks in favor<br /> of injustice is a blasphemer. Whoever + wishes to<br /> destroy liberty of thought,—the honest expression of<br /> + ideas,—is a blasphemer. Whoever is willing to malign<br /> his + neighbor, simply because he differs with him upon<br /> a subject about + which neither of them knows anything<br /> for certain, is a blasphemer. If + a crime can be com-<br /> mitted against God, he commits it who imputes to<br /> + God the commission of crime. The man who says<br /> that God ordered the + assassination of women and<br /> babes, that he gave maidens to satisfy the + lust of<br /> soldiers, that he enslaved his own children,—that man<br /> + <br /> 53<br /> <br /> is a blasphemer. In my judgment, it would be far<br /> + better to deny the existence of God entirely. It<br /> seems to me that + every man ought to give his honest<br /> opinion. No man should suppose + that any infinite<br /> God requires him to tell as truth that which he + knows<br /> nothing about.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage, in order to make a point + against<br /> infidelity, states from his pulpit that I am in favor of<br /> + poisoning the minds of children by the circulation of<br /> immoral books. + The statement is entirely false. He<br /> ought to have known that I + withdrew from the Liberal<br /> League upon the very question whether the + law should<br /> be repealed or modified. I favored a modification<br /> of + that law, so that books and papers could not be<br /> thrown from the mails + simply because they were<br /> "infidel."<br /> <br /> I was and am in favor + of the destruction of<br /> every immoral book in the world. I was and am<br /> + in favor, not only of the law against the circulation<br /> of such filth, + but want it executed to the letter in every<br /> State of this Union. Long + before he made that state-<br /> ment, I had introduced a resolution to + that effect, and<br /> supported the resolution in a speech. Notwithstand-<br /> + ing these facts, hundreds of clergymen have made<br /> haste to tell the + exact opposite of the truth. This<br /> <br /> 54<br /> <br /> they have done + in the name of Christianity, under the<br /> pretence of pleasing their + God. In my judgment, it<br /> is far better to tell your honest opinions, + even upon<br /> the subject of theology, than to knowingly tell a false-<br /> + hood about a fellow-man. Mr. Talmage may have<br /> been ignorant of the + truth. He may have been misled<br /> by other ministers, and for his + benefit I make this ex-<br /> planation. I wanted the laws modified so that + bigotry<br /> could not interfere with the literature of intelligence;<br /> + but I did not want, in any way, to shield the writers or<br /> publishers + of immoral books. Upon this subject I<br /> used, at the last meeting of + the Liberal League that<br /> I attended, the following language:<br /> + <br /> "But there is a distinction wide as the Mississippi,<br /> "yes, + wider than the Atlantic, wider than all oceans,<br /> "between the + literature of immorality and the litera-<br /> "ture of free thought. One + is a crawling, slimy lizard,<br /> "and the other an angel with wings of + light. Let us<br /> "draw this distinction. Let us understand ourselves.<br /> + "Do not make the wholesale statement that all these<br /> "laws ought to be + repealed. They ought not to be<br /> "repealed. Some of them are good, and + the law<br /> "against sending instruments of vice through the<br /> "mails + is good. The law against sending obscene<br /> "pictures and books is good. + The law against send-<br /> <br /> 55<br /> <br /> "ing bogus diplomas through + the mails, to allow a<br /> "lot of ignorant hyenas to prey upon the sick + people<br /> "of the world, is a good law. The law against rascals<br /> + "who are getting up bogus lotteries, and sending their<br /> "circulars in + the mails is a good law. You know, as<br /> "well as I, that there are + certain books not fit to go<br /> "through the mails. You know that. You + know there<br /> "are certain pictures not fit to be transmitted, not fit<br /> + "to be delivered to any human being. When these<br /> "books and pictures + come into the control of the<br /> "United States, I say, burn them up! And + when any<br /> "man has been indicted who has been trying to make<br /> + "money by pandering to the lowest passions in the<br /> "human breast, then + I say, prosecute him! let the<br /> "law take its course."<br /> <br /> I can + hardly convince myself that when Mr.<br /> Talmage made the charge, he was + acquainted with<br /> the facts. It seems incredible that any man, pre-<br /> + tending to be governed by the law of common<br /> honesty, could make a + charge like this knowing<br /> it to be untrue. Under no circumstances, + would<br /> I charge Mr. Talmage with being an infamous<br /> man, unless + the evidence was complete and over-<br /> whelming. Even then, I should + hesitate long before<br /> making the charge. The side I take on + theological<br /> <br /> 56<br /> <br /> questions does not render a resort to + slander or<br /> calumny a necessity. If Mr. Talmage is an honor-<br /> able + man, he will take back the statement he has<br /> made. Even if there is a + God, I hardly think that<br /> he will reward one of his children for + maligning<br /> another; and to one who has told falsehoods about<br /> + "infidels," that having been his only virtue, I doubt<br /> whether he will + say: "Well done good and faithful<br /> "servant."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + What have you to say to the charge<br /> that you are endeavoring to + "assassinate God,"<br /> and that you are "far worse than the man who at-<br /> + "tempts to kill his father, or his mother, or his sister,<br /> "or his + brother"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Well, I think that is about as reason-<br /> + able as anything he says. No one wishes, so far as I<br /> know, to + assassinate God. The idea of assassinating<br /> an infinite being is of + course infinitely absurd. One<br /> would think Mr. Talmage had lost his + reason! And<br /> yet this man stands at the head of the Presbyterian<br /> + clergy. It is for this reason that I answer him. He<br /> is the only + Presbyterian minister in the United<br /> States, so far as I know, able to + draw an audience.<br /> He is, without doubt, the leader of that + denomination.<br /> <br /> 57<br /> <br /> He is orthodox and conservative. He + believes im-<br /> plicitly in the "Five Points" of Calvin, and says<br /> + nothing simply for the purpose of attracting attention.<br /> He believes + that God damns a man for his own glory;<br /> that he sends babes to hell + to establish his mercy,<br /> and that he filled the world with disease and + crime<br /> simply to demonstrate his wisdom. He believes that<br /> + billions of years before the earth was, God had made<br /> up his mind as + to the exact number that he would<br /> eternally damn, and had counted his + saints. This<br /> doctrine he calls "glad tidings of great joy." He<br /> + really believes that every man who is true to himself<br /> is waging war + against God; that every infidel is a<br /> rebel; that every Freethinker is + a traitor, and that<br /> only those are good subjects who have joined the<br /> + Presbyterian Church, know the Shorter Catechism by<br /> heart, and + subscribe liberally toward lifting the mort-<br /> gage on the Brooklyn + Tabernacle. All the rest are<br /> endeavoring to assassinate God, plotting + the murder<br /> of the Holy Ghost, and applauding the Jews for the<br /> + crucifixion of Christ. If Mr. Talmage is correct in<br /> his views as to + the power and wisdom of God, I<br /> imagine that his enemies at last will + be overthrown,<br /> that the assassins and murderers will not succeed, and<br /> + that the Infinite, with Mr. Talmage s assistance, will<br /> <br /> 58<br /> + <br /> finally triumph. If there is an infinite God, certainly<br /> he + ought to have made man grand enough to have<br /> and express an opinion of + his own. Is it possible<br /> that God can be gratified with the applause + of moral<br /> cowards? Does he seek to enhance his glory by<br /> receiving + the adulation of cringing slaves? Is God<br /> satisfied with the adoration + of the frightened?<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. You notice that Mr. Talmage + finds<br /> nearly all the inventions of modern times mentioned<br /> in the + Bible?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>: Yes; Mr. Talmage has made an ex-<br /> + ceedingly important discovery. I admit that I am<br /> somewhat amazed at + the wisdom of the ancients.<br /> This discovery has been made just in the + nick of<br /> time. Millions of people were losing their respect<br /> for + the Old Testament. They were beginning to<br /> think that there was some + discrepancy between the<br /> prophecies of Ezekiel and Daniel and the + latest devel-<br /> opments in physical science. Thousands of preachers<br /> + were telling their flocks that the Bible is not a<br /> scientific book; + that Joshua was not an inspired as-<br /> tronomer, that God never + enlightened Moses about<br /> geology, and that Ezekiel did not understand + the<br /> entire art of cookery. These admissions caused<br /> <br /> 59<br /> + <br /> some young people to suspect that the Bible, after all,<br /> was not + inspired; that the prophets of antiquity did<br /> not know as much as the + discoverers of to-day. The<br /> Bible was falling into disrepute. Mr. + Talmage has<br /> rushed to the rescue. He shows, and shows conclu-<br /> + sively as anything can be shown from the Bible, that<br /> Job understood + all the laws of light thousands of<br /> years before Newton lived; that he + anticipated the<br /> discoveries of Descartes, Huxley and Tyndall; that<br /> + he was familiar with the telegraph and telephone;<br /> that Morse, Bell + and Edison simply put his discov-<br /> eries in successful operation; that + Nahum was, in<br /> fact, a master-mechanic; that he understood perfectly<br /> + the modern railway and described it so accurately<br /> that Trevethick, + Foster and Stephenson had no diffi-<br /> culty in constructing a + locomotive. He also has<br /> discovered that Job was well acquainted with + the<br /> trade winds, and understood the mysterious currents,<br /> tides + and pulses of the sea; that Lieutenant Maury<br /> was a plagiarist; that + Humboldt was simply a biblical<br /> student. He finds that Isaiah and + Solomon were<br /> far in advance of Galileo, Morse, Meyer and Watt.<br /> + This is a discovery wholly unexpected to me. If<br /> Mr. Talmage is right, + I am satisfied the Bible is an<br /> inspired book. If it shall turn out + that Joshua was<br /> <br /> 60<br /> <br /> superior to Laplace, that Moses + knew more about<br /> geology than Humboldt, that Job as a scientist was<br /> + the superior of Kepler, that Isaiah knew more than<br /> Copernicus, and + that even the minor prophets ex-<br /> celled the inventors and discoverers + of our time—<br /> then I will admit that infidelity must become + speech-<br /> less forever. Until I read this sermon, I had never<br /> even + suspected that the inventions of modern times<br /> were known to the + ancient Jews. I never supposed<br /> that Nahum knew the least thing about + railroads, or<br /> that Job would have known a telegraph if he had seen<br /> + it. I never supposed that Joshua comprehended the<br /> three laws of + Kepler. Of course I have not read<br /> the Old Testament with as much care + as some other<br /> people have, and when I did read it, I was not looking<br /> + for inventions and discoveries. I had been told so<br /> often that the + Bible was no authority upon scientific<br /> questions, that I was lulled + into a state of lethargy.<br /> What is amazing to me is, that so many men + did<br /> read it without getting the slightest hint of the<br /> smallest + invention. To think that the Jews read that<br /> book for hundreds and + hundreds of years, and yet<br /> went to their graves without the slightest + notion of<br /> astronomy, or geology, of railroads, telegraphs, or<br /> + steamboats! And then to think that the early fathers<br /> <br /> 61<br /> + <br /> made it the study of their lives and died without in-<br /> venting + anything! I am astonished that Mr. Talmage<br /> himself does not figure in + the records of the Patent<br /> Office. I cannot account for this, except + upon the<br /> supposition that he is too honest to infringe on the<br /> + patents of the patriarchs. After this, I shall read<br /> the Old Testament + with more care.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you see that Mr. Talmage + endeav-<br /> ors to convict you of great ignorance in not knowing<br /> + that the word translated "rib" should have been<br /> translated "side," + and that Eve, after all, was not<br /> made out of a rib, but out of Adam's + side?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I may have been misled by taking the<br /> + Bible as it is translated. The Bible account is simply<br /> this: "And the + Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall<br /> "upon Adam, and he slept. And he + took one of<br /> "his ribs and closed up the flesh instead thereof;<br /> + "and the rib which the Lord God had taken from<br /> "man made he a woman, + and brought her unto the<br /> "man. And Adam said: This is now bone of my<br /> + "bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called<br /> "woman, because + she was taken out of man." If<br /> Mr. Talmage is right, then the account + should be as<br /> follows: "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep<br /> + <br /> 62<br /> <br /> "to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one<br /> + "of his sides, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;<br /> "and the side + which the Lord God had taken from<br /> "man made he a woman, and brought + her unto the<br /> "man. And Adam said: This is now side of my<br /> "side, + and flesh of my flesh." I do not see that the<br /> story is made any + better by using the word "side"<br /> instead of "rib." It would be just as + hard for God<br /> to make a woman out of a man's side as out of a<br /> + rib. Mr. Talmage ought not to question the power<br /> of God to make a + woman out of a bone, and he must<br /> recollect that the less the material + the greater the<br /> miracle.<br /> <br /> There are two accounts of the + creation of man,<br /> in Genesis, the first being in the twenty-first + verse<br /> of the first chapter and the second being in the<br /> + twenty-first and twenty-second verses of the sec-<br /> ond chapter.<br /> + <br /> According to the second account, "God formed<br /> "man of the dust + of the ground, and breathed into<br /> "his nostrils the breath of life." + And after this,<br /> "God planted a garden eastward in Eden and put<br /> + "the man" in this garden. After this, "He made<br /> "every tree to grow + that was good for food and<br /> "pleasant to the sight," and, in addition, + "the tree<br /> <br /> 63<br /> <br /> "of life in the midst of the garden," + beside "the tree<br /> "of the knowledge of good and evil." And he "put<br /> + "the man in the garden to dress it and keep it,"<br /> telling him that he + might eat of everything he saw<br /> except of "the tree of the knowledge + of good and<br /> "evil."<br /> <br /> After this, God having noticed that it + "was not<br /> "good for man to be alone, formed out of the ground<br /> + "every beast of the field, every fowl of the air, and<br /> "brought them + to Adam to see what he would call<br /> "them, and Adam gave names to all + cattle, and to<br /> "the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field.<br /> + "But for Adam there was not found an helpmeet for<br /> "him."<br /> <br /> + We are not told how Adam learned the language,<br /> or how he understood + what God said. I can hardly<br /> believe that any man can be created with + the know-<br /> ledge of a language. Education cannot be ready<br /> made + and stuffed into a brain. Each person must<br /> learn a language for + himself. Yet in this account we<br /> find a language ready made for man's + use. And not<br /> only man was enabled to speak, but a serpent also<br /> + has the power of speech, and the woman holds a<br /> conversation with this + animal and with her husband;<br /> and yet no account is given of how any + language was<br /> <br /> 64<br /> <br /> learned. God is described as walking + in the garden<br /> in the cool of the day, speaking like a man—holding<br /> + conversations with the man and woman, and occa-<br /> sionally addressing + the serpent.<br /> <br /> In the nursery rhymes of the world there is<br /> + nothing more childish than this "inspired" account<br /> of the creation of + man and woman.<br /> <br /> The early fathers of the church held that woman<br /> + was inferior to man, because man was not made for<br /> woman, but woman + for man; because Adam was<br /> made first and Eve afterward. They had not + the<br /> gallantry of Robert Burns, who accounted for the<br /> beauty of + woman from the fact that God practiced<br /> on man first, and then gave + woman the benefit of<br /> his experience. Think, in this age of the world,<br /> + of a well-educated, intelligent gentleman telling his<br /> little child + that about six thousand years ago a<br /> mysterious being called God made + the world out of<br /> his "omnipotence;" then made a man out of some<br /> + dust which he is supposed to have moulded into<br /> form; that he put this + man in a garden for the pur-<br /> pose of keeping the trees trimmed; that + after a little<br /> while he noticed that the man seemed lonesome, not<br /> + particularly happy, almost homesick; that then it oc-<br /> curred to this + God, that it would be a good thing for<br /> <br /> 65<br /> <br /> the man to + have some company, somebody to help<br /> him trim the trees, to talk to + him and cheer him up<br /> on rainy days; that, thereupon, this God caused<br /> + a deep sleep to fall on the man, took a knife, or a<br /> long, sharp piece + of "omnipotence," and took out one<br /> of the man's sides, or a rib, and + of that made a<br /> woman; that then this man and woman got along<br /> + real well till a snake got into the garden and induced<br /> the woman to + eat of the tree of the knowledge of<br /> good and evil; that the woman got + the man to take<br /> a bite; that afterwards both of them were detected by<br /> + God, who was walking around in the cool of the<br /> evening, and thereupon + they were turned out of the<br /> garden, lest they should put forth their + hands and eat<br /> of the tree of life, and live forever.<br /> <br /> This + foolish story has been regarded as the sacred,<br /> inspired truth; as an + account substantially written by<br /> God himself; and thousands and + millions of people<br /> have supposed it necessary to believe this + childish<br /> falsehood, in order to save their souls. Nothing<br /> more + laughable can be found in the fairy tales and<br /> folk-lore of savages. + Yet this is defended by the<br /> leading Presbyterian divine, and those + who fail to<br /> believe in the truth of this story are called "brazen<br /> + "faced fools," "deicides," and "blasphemers."<br /> <br /> 66<br /> <br /> By + this story woman in all Christian countries was<br /> degraded. She was + considered too impure to preach<br /> the gospel, too impure to distribute + the sacramental<br /> bread, too impure to hand about the sacred wine,<br /> + too impure to step within the "holy of holies," in the<br /> Catholic + Churches, too impure to be touched by a<br /> priest. Unmarried men were + considered purer than<br /> husbands and fathers. Nuns were regarded as su-<br /> + perior to mothers, a monastery holier than a home, a<br /> nunnery nearer + sacred than the cradle. And through<br /> all these years it has been + thought better to love<br /> God than to love man, better to love God than + to<br /> love your wife and children, better to worship an<br /> imaginary + deity than to help your fellow-men.<br /> <br /> I regard the rights of men + and women equal. In<br /> Love's fair realm, husband and wife are king and<br /> + queen, sceptered and crowned alike, and seated on<br /> the self-same + throne.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you still insist that the Old + Testa-<br /> ment upholds polygamy? Mr. Talmage denies this<br /> charge, + and shows how terribly God punished those<br /> who were not satisfied with + one wife.<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I see nothing in what Mr. Talmage has<br /> + said calculated to change my opinion. It has been<br /> <br /> 67<br /> <br /> + admitted by thousands of theologians that the Old<br /> Testament upholds + polygamy. Mr. Talmage is<br /> among the first to deny it. It will not do + to say that<br /> David was punished for the crime of polygamy<br /> or + concubinage. He was "a man after God's own<br /> "heart." He was made a + king. He was a successful<br /> general, and his blood is said to have + flowed in the<br /> veins of God. Solomon was, according to the ac-<br /> + count, enriched with wisdom above all human beings.<br /> Was that a + punishment for having had so many<br /> wives? Was Abraham pursued by the + justice of<br /> God because of the crime against Hagar, or for the<br /> + crime against his own wife? The verse quoted by<br /> Mr. Talmage to show + that God was opposed to<br /> polygamy, namely, the eighteenth verse of the + eight-<br /> eenth chapter of Leviticus, cannot by any ingenuity<br /> be + tortured into a command against polygamy. The<br /> most that can be + possibly said of it is, that you shall<br /> not marry the sister of your + wife, while your wife is<br /> living. Yet this passage is quoted by Mr. + Talmage<br /> as "a thunder of prohibition against having more<br /> "than + one wife." In the twentieth chapter of<br /> Leviticus it is enacted: "That + if a man take a wife<br /> "and her mother they shall be burned with fire." + A<br /> commandment like this shows that he might take his<br /> <br /> 68<br /> + <br /> wife and somebody else's mother. These passages<br /> have nothing to + do with polygamy. They show<br /> whom you may marry, not how many; and + there is<br /> not in Leviticus a solitary word against polygamy—<br /> + not one. Nor is there such a word in Genesis, nor<br /> Exodus, nor in the + entire Pentateuch—not one<br /> word. These books are filled with the + most minute<br /> directions about killing sheep, and goats and doves;<br /> + about making clothes for priests, about fashioning<br /> tongs and + snuffers; and yet, they contain not one<br /> word against polygamy. It + never occurred to the in-<br /> spired writers that polygamy was a crime. + Polygamy<br /> was accepted as a matter of course. Women were<br /> simple + property.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage, however, insists that, although God<br /> + was against polygamy, he permitted it, and at the<br /> same time threw his + moral influence against it.<br /> Upon this subject he says: "No doubt God + per-<br /> "mitted polygamy to continue for sometime, just<br /> "as he + permits murder and arson, theft and gam-<br /> "bling to-day to continue, + although he is against<br /> "them." If God is the author of the Ten Com-<br /> + mandments, he prohibited murder and theft, but<br /> he said nothing about + polygamy. If he was so<br /> terribly against that crime, why did he forget + to<br /> <br /> 69<br /> <br /> mention it? Was there not room enough on the<br /> + tables of stone for just one word on this subject?<br /> Had he no time to + give a commandment against<br /> slavery? Mr. Talmage of course insists + that God<br /> had to deal with these things gradually, his idea being<br /> + that if God had made a commandment against them all<br /> at once, the Jews + would have had nothing more to do<br /> with him.<br /> <br /> For instance: + if we wanted to break cannibals<br /> of eating missionaries, we should not + tell them all<br /> at once that it was wrong, that it was wicked, to<br /> + eat missionaries raw; we should induce them first<br /> to cook the + missionaries, and gradually wean them<br /> from raw flesh. This would be + the first great step.<br /> We would stew the missionaries, and after a + time<br /> put a little mutton in the stew, not enough to excite<br /> the + suspicion of the cannibal, but just enough to get<br /> him in the habit of + eating mutton without knowing it.<br /> Day after day we would put in more + mutton and less<br /> missionary, until finally, the cannibal would be + perfectly<br /> satisfied with clear mutton. Then we would tell him<br /> + that it was wrong to eat missionary. After the can-<br /> nibal got so that + he liked mutton, and cared nothing<br /> for missionary, then it would be + safe to have a law<br /> upon the subject.<br /> <br /> 70<br /> <br /> Mr. + Talmage insists that polygamy cannot exist<br /> among people who believe + the Bible. In this he is<br /> mistaken. The Mormons all believe the Bible. + There<br /> is not a single polygamist in Utah who does not insist<br /> + upon the inspiration of the Old and New Testaments.<br /> <br /> The Rev. + Mr. Newman, a kind of peripatetic consu-<br /> lar theologian, once had a + discussion, I believe, with<br /> Elder Orson Pratt, at Salt Lake City, + upon the question<br /> of polygamy. It is sufficient to say of this + discussion<br /> that it is now circulated by the Mormons as a campaign<br /> + document. The elder overwhelmed the parson.<br /> Passages of Scripture in + favor of polygamy were<br /> quoted by the hundred. The lives of all the + patriarchs<br /> were brought forward, and poor parson Newman was<br /> + driven from the field. The truth is, the Jews at that<br /> time were much + like our forefathers. They were<br /> barbarians, and many of their laws + were unjust<br /> and cruel. Polygamy was the right of all; practiced,<br /> + as a matter of fact, by the rich and powerful, and the<br /> rich and + powerful were envied by the poor. In such<br /> esteem did the ancient Jews + hold polygamy, that the<br /> number of Solomons wives was given, simply to + en-<br /> hance his glory. My own opinion is, that Solomon<br /> had very + few wives, and that polygamy was not<br /> general in Palestine. The + country was too poor, and<br /> <br /> 71<br /> <br /> Solomon, in all his + glory was hardly able to support<br /> one wife. He was a poor barbarian + king with a<br /> limited revenue, with a poor soil, with a sparse popu-<br /> + lation, without art, without science and without power.<br /> He sustained + about the same relation to other kings<br /> that Delaware does to other + States. Mr. Talmage<br /> says that God persecuted Solomon, and yet, if he + will<br /> turn to the twenty-second chapter of First Chronicles,<br /> he + will find what God promised to Solomon. God,<br /> speaking to David, says: + "Behold a son shall be born<br /> "to thee, who shall be a man of rest, and + I will give him<br /> "rest from his enemies around about; for his name + shall<br /> "be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness<br /> "unto + Israel in his days. He shall build a house in my<br /> "name, and he shall + be my son and I will be his father,<br /> "and I will establish the throne + of his kingdom over<br /> "Israel forever." Did God keep his promise?<br /> + <br /> So he tells us that David was persecuted by<br /> God, on account of + his offences, and yet I find in<br /> the twenty-eighth verse of the + twenty-ninth chapter<br /> of First Chronicles, the following account of + the death<br /> of David: "And he died in a good old age, full of<br /> + "days, riches and honor." Is this true?<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What + have you to say to the charge<br /> that you were mistaken in the number of + years that<br /> <br /> 72<br /> <br /> the Hebrews were in Egypt? Mr. Talmage + says that<br /> they were there 430 years, instead of 215 years.<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. If you will read the third chapter of<br /> Galatians, + sixteenth and seventeenth verses, you will<br /> find that it was 430 years + from the time God made the<br /> promise to Abraham to the giving of the + law from<br /> Mount Sinai. The Hebrews did not go to Egypt for<br /> 215 + years after the promise was made to Abraham,<br /> and consequently did not + remain in Egypt more than<br /> 215 years. If Galatians is true, I am + right.<br /> <br /> Strange that Mr. Talmage should belittle the mira-<br /> + cles. The trouble with this defender of the faith is that<br /> he cares + nothing for facts. He makes the strangest<br /> statements, and cares the + least for proof, of any<br /> man I know. I can account for what he says of + me<br /> only upon the supposition that he has not read my<br /> lectures. + He may have been misled by the pirated<br /> editions; Persons have stolen + my lectures, printed the<br /> same ones under various names, and filled + them with<br /> mistakes and things I never said. Mr. C. P. Farrell,<br /> + of Washington, is my only authorized publisher.<br /> Yet Mr. Talmage + prefers to answer the mistakes of<br /> literary thieves, and charge their + ignorance to me.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did you ever attack the + character of<br /> Queen Victoria, or did you draw any parallel between<br /> + <br /> 73<br /> <br /> her and George Eliot, calculated to depreciate the<br /> + reputation of the Queen?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I never said a word + against Victoria.<br /> The fact is, I am not acquainted with her—never + met<br /> her in my life, and know but little of her. I never<br /> happened + to see her "in plain clothes, reading the<br /> "Bible to the poor in the + lane,"—neither did I ever<br /> hear her sing. I most cheerfully + admit that her<br /> reputation is good in the neighborhood where she<br /> + resides. In one of my lectures I drew a parallel<br /> between George Eliot + and Victoria. I was showing<br /> the difference between a woman who had + won her<br /> position in the world of thought, and one who was<br /> queen + by chance. This is what I said:<br /> <br /> "It no longer satisfies the + ambition of a great man<br /> "to be a king or emperor. The last Napoleon + was<br /> "not satisfied with being the Emperor of the French.<br /> "He was + not satisfied with having a circlet of gold<br /> "about his head—he + wanted some evidence that he<br /> "had something of value in his head. So + he wrote<br /> "the life of Julius Cæsar that he might become a<br /> + "member of the French Academy. The emperors,<br /> "the kings, the popes, + no longer tower above their<br /> "fellows. Compare King William with the + philoso-<br /> "pher Hæckel. The king is one of the 'anointed<br /> + <br /> 74<br /> <br /> "'of the Most High'—as they claim—one upon<br /> + "whose head has been poured the divine petroleum<br /> "of authority. + Compare this king with Hæckel, who<br /> "towers an intellectual + Colossus above the crowned<br /> "mediocrity. Compare George Eliot with + Queen<br /> "Victoria. The queen is clothed in garments given<br /> "her by + blind fortune and unreasoning chance, while<br /> "George Eliot wears robes + of glory, woven in the<br /> "loom of her own genius. The world is + beginning<br /> "to pay homage to intellect, to genius, to heart."<br /> I + said not one word against Queen Victoria, and did<br /> not intend to even + intimate that she was not an ex-<br /> cellent woman, wife and mother. I + was simply trying<br /> to show that the world was getting great enough to<br /> + place a genius above an accidental queen. Mr. Tal-<br /> mage, true to the + fawning, cringing spirit of ortho-<br /> doxy, lauds the living queen and + cruelly maligns the<br /> genius dead. He digs open the grave of George + Eliot,<br /> and tries to stain the sacred dust of one who was the<br /> + greatest woman England has produced. He calls her<br /> "an adultress." He + attacks her because she was an<br /> atheist—because she abhorred + Jehovah, denied the<br /> inspiration of the Bible, denied the dogma of + eternal<br /> pain, and with all her heart despised the Presbyterian<br /> + creed. He hates her because she was great and brave<br /> <br /> 75<br /> + <br /> and free—because she lived without "faith" and died<br /> + without fear—because she dared to give her honest<br /> thought, and + grandly bore the taunts and slanders of<br /> the Christian world.<br /> + <br /> George Eliot tenderly carried in her heart the<br /> burdens of our + race. She looked through pity's tears<br /> upon the faults and frailties + of mankind. She knew<br /> the springs and seeds of thought and deed, and + saw,<br /> with cloudless eyes, through all the winding ways of<br /> greed, + ambition and deceit, where folly vainly plucks<br /> with thorn-pierced + hands the fading flowers of selfish<br /> joy—the highway of eternal + right. Whatever her<br /> relations may have been—no matter what I + think, or<br /> others say, or how much all regret the one mistake in<br /> + all her self-denying, loving life—I feel and know that<br /> in the + court where her own conscience sat as judge, she<br /> stood acquitted—pure + as light and stainless as a star.<br /> <br /> How appropriate here, with + some slight change,<br /> the wondrously poetic and pathetic words of + Laertes<br /> at Ophelia's grave:<br /> <br /> <i>Leave her i' the earth;<br /> + And from her fair and unpolluted flesh<br /> May violets spring!<br /> I + tell thee, churlish priest,<br /> A ministering angel shall this woman be,<br /> + When thou liest howling!</i><br /> <br /> I have no words with which to tell + my loathing for<br /> a man who violates a noble woman's grave.<br /> <br /> + 76<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the spirit in which<br /> + Mr. Talmage reviews your lectures is in accordance<br /> with the teachings + of Christianity?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I think that he talks like a + true Presby-<br /> terian. If you will read the arguments of Calvin<br /> + against the doctrines of Castalio and Servetus, you will<br /> see that Mr. + Talmage follows closely in the footsteps<br /> of the founder of his + church. Castalio was such a<br /> wicked and abandoned wretch, that he + taught the<br /> innocence of honest error. He insisted that God<br /> would + not eternally damn a man for being honestly<br /> mistaken. For the + utterance of such blasphemous<br /> sentiments, abhorrent to every + Christian mind, Calvin<br /> called him "a dog of Satan, and a child of + hell." In<br /> short, he used the usual arguments. Castalio was<br /> + banished, and died in exile. In the case of Servetus,<br /> after all the + epithets had been exhausted, an appeal<br /> was made to the stake, and the + blasphemous wretch<br /> was burned to ashes.<br /> <br /> If you will read + the life of John Knox, you will find<br /> that Mr. Talmage is as orthodox + in his methods of<br /> dealing with infidels, as he is in his creed. In my<br /> + opinion, he would gladly treat unbelievers now, as the<br /> Puritans did + the Quakers, as the Episcopalians did the<br /> Presbyterians, as the + Presbyterians did the Baptists,<br /> <br /> 77<br /> <br /> and as the + Catholics have treated all heretics. Of<br /> course, all these sects will + settle their differences in<br /> heaven. In the next world, they will + laugh at the<br /> crimes they committed in this.<br /> <br /> The course + pursued by Mr. Talmage is consistent.<br /> The pulpit cannot afford to + abandon the weapons of<br /> falsehood and defamation. Candor sows the + seeds of<br /> doubt. Fairness is weakness. The only way to suc-<br /> + cessfully uphold the religion of universal love, is to<br /> denounce all + Freethinkers as blasphemers, adulterers,<br /> and criminals. No matter how + generous they may<br /> appear to be, no matter how fairly they may deal + with<br /> their fellow-men, rest assured that they are actuated<br /> by + the lowest and basest motives. Infidels who out-<br /> wardly live honest + and virtuous lives, are inwardly<br /> vicious, virulent and vile. After + all, morality is only<br /> a veneering. God is not deceived with the + varnish of<br /> good works. We know that the natural man is<br /> totally + depraved, and that until he has been regene-<br /> rated by the spirit of + God, he is utterly incapable of a<br /> good action. The generosity of the + unbeliever is, in<br /> fact, avarice. His honesty is only a form of + larceny.<br /> His love is only hatred. No matter how sincerely<br /> he may + love his wife,—how devoted he may be to<br /> his children,—no + matter how ready he may be 'to<br /> <br /> 78<br /> <br /> sacrifice even his + life for the good of mankind, God,<br /> looking into his very heart, finds + it only a den of<br /> hissing snakes, a lair of wild, ferocious beasts, a + cage<br /> of unclean birds.<br /> <br /> The idea that God will save a man + simply because<br /> he is honest and generous, is almost too preposterous<br /> + for serious refutation. No man should rely upon his<br /> own goodness. He + should plead the virtue of another.<br /> God, in his infinite justice, + damns a good man on his<br /> own merits, and saves a bad man on the merits + of<br /> another. The repentant murderer will be an angel<br /> of light, + while his honest and unoffending victim will<br /> be a fiend in hell.<br /> + <br /> A little while ago, a ship, disabled, was blown about<br /> the + Atlantic for eighty days. Everything had been<br /> eaten. Nothing remained + but bare decks and hunger.<br /> The crew consisted of Captain Kruger and + nine others.<br /> For nine days, nothing had been eaten. The captain,<br /> + taking a revolver in his hand, said: "Mates, some<br /> "one must die for + the rest. I am willing to sacrifice<br /> "myself for you." One of his + comrades grasped his<br /> hand, and implored him to wait one more day. The<br /> + next morning, a sail was seen upon the horizon, and<br /> the dying men + were rescued.<br /> <br /> To an ordinary man,—to one guided by the + light of<br /> <br /> 79<br /> <br /> reason,—it is perfectly clear that + Captain Kruger was<br /> about to do an infinitely generous action. Yet Mr.<br /> + Talmage will tell us that if that captain was not a<br /> Christian, and if + he had sent the bullet crashing<br /> through his brain in order that his + comrades might eat<br /> his body, and live to reach their wives and homes,—<br /> + his soul, from that ship, would have gone, by dark<br /> and tortuous ways, + down to the prison of eternal pain.<br /> <br /> Is it possible that Christ + would eternally damn a<br /> man for doing exactly what Christ would have + done,<br /> had he been infinitely generous, under the same cir-<br /> + cumstances? Is not self-denial in a man as praise-<br /> worthy as in a + God? Should a God be worshiped,<br /> and a man be damned, for the same + action?<br /> <br /> According to Mr. Talmage, every soldier who fought<br /> + for our country in the Revolutionary war, who was<br /> not a Christian, is + now in hell. Every soldier, not a<br /> Christian, who carried the flag of + his country to vic-<br /> tory—either upon the land or sea, in the + war of 1812,<br /> is now in hell. Every soldier, not a Christian, who<br /> + fought for the preservation of this Union,—to break<br /> the chains + of slavery—to free four millions of people<br /> —to keep the + whip from the naked back—every man<br /> who did this—every one + who died at Andersonville<br /> and Libby, dreaming that his death would + help make<br /> <br /> 80<br /> <br /> the lives of others worth living, is + now a lost and<br /> wretched soul. These men are now in the prison of<br /> + God,—a prison in which the cruelties of Libby and<br /> Andersonville + would be regarded as mercies,—in<br /> which famine would be a joy.<br /> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link0005" id="link0005"></a><br /> <br /> <big><b>THIRD + INTERVIEW.</b></big><br /> <br /> <i>Sinner. Is God infinite in wisdom and + power?<br /> <br /> Parson. He is.<br /> <br /> Sinner. Does he at all times + know just what ought<br /> to be done?<br /> <br /> Parson. He does.<br /> + <br /> Sinner. Does he always do just what ought to be<br /> done?<br /> + <br /> Parson. He does.<br /> <br /> Sinner. Why do you pray to him?<br /> + <br /> Parson. Because he is unchangeable.</i><br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + I want to ask you a few questions<br /> about Mr. Talmage's third sermon. + What do<br /> you think of it?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I often ask myself + the questions: Is<br /> there anything in the occupation of a minister,—any-<br /> + thing in his surroundings, that makes him incapable<br /> of treating an + opponent fairly, or decently? Is there<br /> anything in the doctrine of + universal forgiveness that<br /> compels a man to speak of one who differs + with him<br /> only in terms of disrespect and hatred? Is it neces-<br /> + sary for those who profess to love the whole world,<br /> to hate the few + they come in actual contact with?<br /> <br /> 84<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage, no + doubt, professes to love all man-<br /> kind,—Jew and Gentile, + Christian and Pagan. No<br /> doubt, he believes in the missionary effort, + and thinks<br /> we should do all in our power to save the soul of the<br /> + most benighted savage; and yet he shows anything<br /> but affection for + the "heathen" at home. He loves<br /> the ones he never saw,—is real + anxious for their wel-<br /> fare,—but for the ones he knows, he + exhibits only<br /> scorn and hatred. In one breath, he tells us that<br /> + Christ loves us, and in the next, that we are "wolves<br /> "and dogs." We + are informed that Christ forgave<br /> even his murderers, but that now he + hates an honest<br /> unbeliever with all his heart. He can forgive the<br /> + ones who drove the nails into his hands and feet,—<br /> the one who + thrust the spear through his quivering<br /> flesh,—but he cannot + forgive the man who entertains<br /> an honest doubt about the "scheme of + salvation."<br /> He regards the man who thinks, as a "mouth-maker<br /> "at + heaven." Is it possible that Christ is less for-<br /> giving in heaven + than he was in Jerusalem? Did he<br /> excuse murderers then, and does he + damn thinkers<br /> now? Once he pitied even thieves; does he now<br /> + abhor an intellectually honest man?<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. + Talmage seems to think that you<br /> have no right to give your opinion + about the Bible.<br /> <br /> 85<br /> <br /> Do you think that laymen have + the same right as<br /> ministers to examine the Scriptures?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + If God only made a revelation for<br /> preachers, of course we will have + to depend on the<br /> preachers for information. But the preachers have<br /> + made the mistake of showing the revelation. They<br /> ask us, the laymen, + to read it, and certainly there is<br /> no use of reading it, unless we + are permitted to think<br /> for ourselves while we read. If after reading + the Bible<br /> we believe it to be true, we will say so, if we are<br /> + honest. If we do not believe it, we will say so, if we<br /> are honest.<br /> + <br /> But why should God be so particular about our<br /> believing the + stories in his book? Why should God<br /> object to having his book + examined? We do not<br /> have to call upon legislators, or courts, to + protect<br /> Shakespeare from the derision of mankind. Was not<br /> God + able to write a book that would command the<br /> love and admiration of + the world? If the God of<br /> Mr. Talmage is infinite, he knew exactly how + the<br /> stories of the Old Testament would strike a gentle-<br /> man of + the nineteenth century. He knew that many<br /> would have their doubts,—that + thousands of them—<br /> and I may say most of them,—would + refuse to believe<br /> that a miracle had ever been performed.<br /> <br /> + 86<br /> <br /> Now, it seems to me that he should either have left<br /> the + stories out, or furnished evidence enough to con-<br /> vince the world. + According to Mr. Talmage, thou-<br /> sands of people are pouring over the + Niagara of<br /> unbelief into the gulf of eternal pain. Why does not<br /> + God furnish more evidence? Just in proportion as<br /> man has developed + intellectually, he has demanded<br /> additional testimony. That which + satisfies a barbarian,<br /> excites only the laughter of a civilized man. + Cer-<br /> tainly God should furnish evidence in harmony with<br /> the + spirit of the age. If God wrote his Bible for the<br /> average man, he + should have written it in such a way<br /> that it would have carried + conviction to the brain and<br /> heart of the average man; and he should + have<br /> made no man in such a way that he could not, by any<br /> + possibility, believe it. There certainly should be a<br /> harmony between + the Bible and the human brain. If<br /> I do not believe the Bible, whose + fault is it? Mr.<br /> Talmage insists that his God wrote the Bible for me.<br /> + and made me. If this is true, the book and the man<br /> should agree. + There is no sense in God writing<br /> a book for me and then making me in + such a way that<br /> I cannot believe his book.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + But Mr. Talmage says the reason why<br /> you hate the Bible is, that your + soul is poisoned; that<br /> <br /> 87<br /> <br /> the Bible "throws you into + a rage precisely as pure<br /> "water brings on a paroxysm of hydrophobia."<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Is it because the mind of the infidel is<br /> + poisoned, that he refuses to believe that an infinite<br /> God commanded + the murder of mothers, maidens and<br /> babes? Is it because their minds + are impure, that<br /> they refuse to believe that a good God established<br /> + the institution of human slavery, or that he protected<br /> it when + established? Is it because their minds are<br /> vile, that they refuse to + believe that an infinite God<br /> established or protected polygamy? Is it + a sure<br /> sign of an impure mind, when a man insists that<br /> God never + waged wars of extermination against his<br /> helpless children? Does it + show that a man has<br /> been entirely given over to the devil, because he<br /> + refuses to believe that God ordered a father to sacri-<br /> fice his son? + Does it show that a heart is entirely<br /> without mercy, simply because a + man denies the<br /> justice of eternal pain?<br /> <br /> I denounce many + parts of the Old Testament<br /> because they are infinitely repugnant to + my sense<br /> of justice,—because they are bloody, brutal and in-<br /> + famous,—because they uphold crime and destroy<br /> human liberty. It + is impossible for me to imagine<br /> a greater monster than the God of the + Old Testa-<br /> <br /> 88<br /> <br /> ment. He is unworthy of my worship. He + com-<br /> mands only my detestation, my execration, and my<br /> passionate + hatred. The God who commanded the<br /> murder of children is an infamous + fiend. The God<br /> who believed in polygamy, is worthy only of con-<br /> + tempt. The God who established slavery should be<br /> hated by every free + man. The Jehovah of the Jews<br /> was simply a barbarian, and the Old + Testament is<br /> mostly the barbarous record of a barbarous people.<br /> + <br /> If the Jehovah of the Jews is the real God, I do<br /> not wish to be + his friend. From him I neither ask,<br /> nor expect, nor would I be + willing to receive, even an<br /> eternity of joy. According to the Old + Testament,<br /> he established a government,—a political state,—and<br /> + yet, no civilized country to-day would re-enact these<br /> laws of God.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the explanation<br /> given by + Mr. Talmage of the stopping of the sun and<br /> moon in the time of + Joshua, in order that a battle<br /> might be completed?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Of course, if there is an infinite God,<br /> he could have stopped the sun + and moon. No one<br /> pretends to prescribe limits to the power of the<br /> + infinite. Even admitting that such a being existed,<br /> the question + whether he did stop the sun and moon,<br /> <br /> 89<br /> <br /> or not, + still remains. According to the account, these<br /> planets were stopped, + in order that Joshua might con-<br /> tinue the pursuit of a routed enemy. + I take it for<br /> granted that a being of infinite wisdom would not<br /> + waste any force,—that he would not throw away any<br /> + "omnipotence," and that, under ordinary circum-<br /> stances, he would + husband his resources. I find that<br /> this spirit exists, at least in + embryo, in Mr. Talmage.<br /> He proceeds to explain this miracle. He does + not<br /> assert that the earth was stopped on its axis, but sug-<br /> + gests "refraction" as a way out of the difficulty. Now,<br /> while the + stopping of the earth on its axis accounts for<br /> the sun remaining in + the same relative position, it does<br /> not account for the stoppage of + the moon. The moon<br /> has a motion of its own, and even if the earth had + been<br /> stopped in its rotary motion, the moon would have gone<br /> on. + The Bible tells us that the moon was stopped. One<br /> would suppose that + the sun would have given sufficient<br /> light for all practical purposes. + Will Mr. Talmage be<br /> kind enough to explain the stoppage of the moon?<br /> + Every one knows that the moon is somewhat obscure<br /> when the sun is in + the midst of the heavens. The moon<br /> when compared with the sun at such + a time, is much<br /> like one of the discourses of Mr. Talmage side by + side<br /> with a chapter from Humboldt;—it is useless.<br /> <br /> 90<br /> + <br /> In the same chapter in which the account of the<br /> stoppage of the + sun and moon is given, we find that<br /> God cast down from heaven great + hailstones on<br /> Joshua's enemies. Did he get out of hailstones?<br /> + Had he no "omnipotence" left? Was it necessary<br /> for him to stop the + sun and moon and depend entirely<br /> upon the efforts of Joshua? Would + not the force<br /> employed in stopping the rotary motion of the earth<br /> + have been sufficient to destroy the enemy? Would<br /> not a millionth part + of the force necessary to stop the<br /> moon, have pierced the enemy's + centre, and rolled up<br /> both his flanks? A resort to lightning would + have<br /> been, in my judgment, much more economical and<br /> rather more + effective. If he had simply opened the<br /> earth, and swallowed them, as + he did Korah and his<br /> company, it would have been a vast saving of<br /> + "omnipotent" muscle. Yet, the foremost orthodox<br /> minister of the + Presbyterian Church,—the one who<br /> calls all unbelievers "wolves + and dogs," and "brazen<br /> "fools," in his effort to account for this + miracle, is<br /> driven to the subterfuge of an "optical illusion."<br /> + We are seriously informed that "God probably<br /> "changed the nature of + the air," and performed this<br /> feat of ledgerdemain through the + instrumentality of<br /> "refraction." It seems to me it would have been + fully<br /> <br /> 91<br /> <br /> as easy to have changed the nature of the + air breathed<br /> by the enemy, so that it would not have supported<br /> + life. He could have accomplished this by changing<br /> only a little air, + in that vicinity; whereas, according<br /> to the Talmagian view, he + changed the atmosphere<br /> of the world. Or, a small "local flood" might + have<br /> done the work. The optical illusion and refraction<br /> view, + ingenious as it may appear, was not original<br /> with Mr. Talmage. The + Rev. Henry M. Morey, of<br /> South Bend, Indiana, used, upon this subject, + the fol-<br /> lowing language; "The phenomenon was simply<br /> "optical. + The rotary motion of the earth was not<br /> "disturbed, but the light of + the sun was prolonged by<br /> "the same laws of refraction and reflection + by which<br /> "the sun now appears to be above the horizon when<br /> "it + is really below. The medium through which the<br /> "sun's rays passed, + might have been miraculously<br /> "influenced so as to have caused the sun + to linger<br /> "above the horizon long after its usual time for dis-<br /> + "appearance."<br /> <br /> I pronounce the opinion of Mr. Morey to be the<br /> + ripest product of Christian scholarship. According to<br /> the + Morey-Talmage view, the sun lingered somewhat<br /> above the horizon. But + this is inconsistent with the<br /> Bible account. We are not told in the + Scriptures that<br /> <br /> 92<br /> <br /> the sun "lingered above the + horizon," but that it "stood<br /> "still in the midst of heaven for about + a whole day."<br /> The trouble about the optical-illusion view is, that it<br /> + makes the day too long. If the air was miraculously<br /> changed, so that + it refracted the rays of the sun, while<br /> the earth turned over as + usual for about a whole day,<br /> then, at the end of that time, the sun + must have been<br /> again visible in the east. It would then naturally<br /> + shine twelve hours more, so that this miraculous day<br /> must have been + at least thirty-six hours in length.<br /> There were first twelve hours of + natural light, then<br /> twelve hours of refracted and reflected light, + and then<br /> twelve hours more of natural light. This makes the<br /> day + too long. So, I say to Mr. Talmage, as I said to<br /> Mr. Morey: If you + will depend a little less on<br /> refraction, and a little more on + reflection, you will see<br /> that the whole story is a barbaric myth and + foolish<br /> fable.<br /> <br /> For my part, I do not see why God should be<br /> + pleased to have me believe a story of this character.<br /> I can hardly + think that there is great joy in heaven<br /> over another falsehood + swallowed. I can imagine<br /> that a man may deny this story, and still be + an excel-<br /> lent citizen, a good father, an obliging neighbor, and<br /> + in all respects a just and truthful man. I can also<br /> <br /> 93<br /> + <br /> imagine that a man may believe this story, and yet<br /> assassinate + a President of the United States.<br /> <br /> I am afraid that Mr. Talmage + is beginning to be<br /> touched, in spite of himself, with some new ideas. + He<br /> tells us that worlds are born and that worlds die.<br /> This is + not exactly the Bible view. You would think<br /> that he imagined that a + world was naturally pro-<br /> duced,—that the aggregation of atoms + was natural,<br /> and that disintegration came to worlds, as to men,<br /> + through old age. Yet this is not the Bible view.<br /> According to the + Bible, these worlds were not born,—<br /> they were created out of + "nothing," or out of<br /> "omnipotence," which is much the same. According<br /> + to the Bible, it took this infinite God six days to make<br /> this atom + called earth; and according to the account,<br /> he did not work nights,—he + worked from the morn-<br /> ings to the evenings,—and I suppose + rested nights,<br /> as he has since that time on Sundays.<br /> <br /> + Admitting that the battle which Joshua fought<br /> was exceedingly + important—which I do not think—<br /> is it not a little + strange that this God, in all subse-<br /> quent battles of the world's + history, of which we<br /> know anything, has maintained the strictest neu-<br /> + trality? The earth turned as usual at Yorktown,<br /> and at Gettysburg the + moon pursued her usual<br /> <br /> 94<br /> <br /> course; and so far as I + know, neither at Waterloo<br /> nor at Sedan were there any peculiar freaks + of "re-<br /> "fraction" or "reflection."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. + Talmage tells us that there was in<br /> the early part of this century a + dark day, when<br /> workmen went home from their fields, and legis-<br /> + latures and courts adjourned, and that the darkness<br /> of that day has + not yet been explained. What is<br /> your opinion about that?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. My opinion is, that if at that time we<br /> had been at war + with England, and a battle had<br /> been commenced in the morning, and in + the after-<br /> noon the American forces had been driven from their<br /> + position and were hard pressed by the enemy, and<br /> if the day had + become suddenly dark, and so dark<br /> that the Americans were thereby + enabled to escape,<br /> thousands of theologians of the calibre of Mr. + Tal-<br /> mage would have honestly believed that there had<br /> been an + interposition of divine Providence. No<br /> battle was fought that day, + and consequently, even<br /> the ministers are looking for natural causes. + In<br /> olden times, when the heavens were visited by<br /> comets, war, + pestilence and famine were predicted.<br /> If wars came, the prediction + was remembered; if<br /> <br /> 95<br /> <br /> nothing happened, it was + forgotten. When eclipses<br /> visited the sun and moon, the barbarian fell + upon his<br /> knees, and accounted for the phenomena by the<br /> + wickedness of his neighbor. Mr. Talmage tells us<br /> that his father was + terrified by the meteoric shower<br /> that visited our earth in 1833. The + terror of the<br /> father may account for the credulity of the son.<br /> + Astronomers will be surprised to read the declaration<br /> of Mr. Talmage + that the meteoric shower has never<br /> been explained. Meteors visit the + earth every year<br /> of its life, and in a certain portion of the orbit + they<br /> are always expected, and they always come. Mr.<br /> Newcomb has + written a work on astronomy that<br /> all ministers ought to read.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage also charges you with<br /> "making + light of holy things," and seems to be aston-<br /> ished that you should + ridicule the anointing oil of<br /> Aaron?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I find + that the God who had no time to<br /> say anything on the subject of + slavery, and who found<br /> no room upon the tables of stone to say a word<br /> + against polygamy, and in favor of the rights of<br /> woman, wife and + mother, took time to give a recipe<br /> for making hair oil. And in order + that the priests<br /> <br /> 96<br /> <br /> might have the exclusive right + to manufacture this oil,<br /> decreed the penalty of death on all who + should<br /> infringe. I admit that I am incapable of seeing the<br /> + beauty of this symbol. Neither could I ever see the<br /> necessity of + Masons putting oil on the corner-stone<br /> of a building. Of course, I do + not know the exact<br /> chemical effect that oil has on stone, and I see + no harm<br /> in laughing at such a ceremony. If the oil does good,<br /> + the laughter will do no harm; and if the oil will do no<br /> harm, the + laughter will do no good. Personally, I am<br /> willing that Masons should + put oil on all stones; but,<br /> if Masons should insist that I must + believe in the effi-<br /> cacy of the ceremony, or be eternally damned, I<br /> + would have about the same feeling toward the<br /> Masons that I now have + toward Mr. Talmage. I<br /> presume that at one time the putting of oil on + a<br /> corner-stone had some meaning; but that it ever did<br /> any good, + no sensible man will insist. It is a custom<br /> to break a bottle of + champagne over the bow of<br /> a newly-launched ship, but I have never + considered<br /> this ceremony important to the commercial interests<br /> + of the world.<br /> <br /> I have the same opinion about putting oil on<br /> + stones, as about putting water on heads. For my<br /> part, I see no good + in the rite of baptism. Still, it<br /> <br /> 97<br /> <br /> may do no harm, + unless people are immersed during<br /> cold weather. Neither have I the + slightest objection<br /> to the baptism of anybody; but if people tell me + that<br /> I must be baptized or suffer eternal agony, then I deny<br /> it. + If they say that baptism does any earthly good, I<br /> deny it. No one + objects to any harmless ceremony;<br /> but the moment it is insisted that + a ceremony is neces-<br /> sary, the reason of which no man can see, then + the<br /> practice of the ceremony becomes hurtful, for the<br /> reason + that it is maintained only at the expense of<br /> intelligence and + manhood.<br /> <br /> It is hurtful for people to imagine that they can<br /> + please God by any ceremony whatever. If there is<br /> any God, there is + only one way to please him, and<br /> that is, by a conscientious discharge + of your obliga-<br /> tions to your fellow-men. Millions of people imagine<br /> + that they can please God by wearing certain kinds<br /> of cloth. Think of + a God who can be pleased with<br /> a coat of a certain cut! Others, to + earn a smile of<br /> heaven, shave their heads, or trim their beards, or<br /> + perforate their ears or lips or noses. Others maim<br /> and mutilate their + bodies. Others think to please<br /> God by simply shutting their eyes, by + swinging<br /> censers, by lighting candles, by repeating poor Latin,<br /> + by making a sign of the cross with holy water, by<br /> <br /> 98<br /> <br /> + ringing bells, by going without meat, by eating fish,<br /> by getting + hungry, by counting beads, by making<br /> themselves miserable Sundays, by + looking solemn,<br /> by refusing to marry, by hearing sermons; and<br /> + others imagine that they can please God by calumni-<br /> ating + unbelievers.<br /> <br /> There is an old story of an Irishman who, when<br /> + dying, sent for a priest. The reputation of the<br /> dying man was so + perfectly miserable, that the priest<br /> refused to administer the rite + of extreme unction.<br /> The priest therefore asked him if he could + recollect<br /> any decent action that he had ever done. The dying<br /> man + said that he could not. "Very well," said the<br /> priest, "then you will + have to be damned." In a<br /> moment, the pinched and pale face + brightened, and<br /> he said to the priest: "I have thought of one good<br /> + "action." "What is it?" asked the priest. And the<br /> dying man said, + "Once I killed a gauger."<br /> <br /> I suppose that in the next world some + ministers,<br /> driven to extremes, may reply: "Once I told a lie<br /> + "about an infidel."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. You see that Mr. Talmage + still sticks to<br /> the whale and Jonah story. What do you think of<br /> + his argument, or of his explanation, rather, of that<br /> miracle?<br /> + <br /> 99<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The edge of his orthodoxy seems to be<br /> + crumbling. He tells us that "there is in the mouth<br /> "of the common + whale a cavity large enough for a<br /> "man to live in without descent + into his stomach,"—<br /> and yet Christ says, that Jonah was in the + whale's<br /> belly, not in his mouth. But why should Mr. Tal-<br /> mage + say that? We are told in the sacred account<br /> that "God prepared a + great fish" for the sole pur-<br /> pose of having Jonah swallowed. The + size of the<br /> present whale has nothing to do with the story. No<br /> + matter whether the throat of the whale of to-day is<br /> large or small,—that + has nothing to do with it. The<br /> simple story is, that God prepared a + fish and had<br /> Jonah swallowed. And yet Mr. Talmage throws out<br /> the + suggestion that probably this whale held Jonah<br /> in his mouth for three + days and nights. I admit that<br /> Jonah's chance for air would have been + a little better<br /> in his mouth, and his chance for water a little + worse.<br /> Probably the whale that swallowed Jonah was the<br /> same fish + spoken of by Procopius,—both accounts<br /> being entitled, in my + judgment, to equal credence.<br /> I am a little surprised that Mr. Talmage + forgot<br /> to mention the fish spoken of by Munchausen—an<br /> + equally reliable author,—and who has given, not<br /> simply the bald + fact that a fish swallowed a ship, but<br /> <br /> 100<br /> <br /> was good + enough to furnish the details. Mr. Talmage<br /> should remember that out + of Jonah's biography<br /> grew the habit of calling any remarkable lie, "a + fish<br /> "story." There is one thing that Mr. Talmage<br /> should not + forget; and that is, that miracles should<br /> not be explained. Miracles + are told simply to be<br /> believed, not to be understood.<br /> <br /> + Somebody suggested to Mr. Talmage that, in<br /> all probability, a person + in the stomach of a whale<br /> would be digested in less than three days. + Mr. Tal-<br /> mage, again showing his lack of confidence in God,<br /> + refusing to believe that God could change the nature<br /> of gastric + juice,—having no opportunity to rely<br /> upon "refraction or + reflection," frankly admits that<br /> Jonah had to save himself by keeping + on the<br /> constant go and jump. This gastric-juice theory of<br /> Mr. + Talmage is an abandonment of his mouth hy-<br /> pothesis. I do not wonder + that Mr. Talmage thought<br /> of the mouth theory. Possibly, the two + theories had<br /> better be united—so that we may say that Jonah,<br /> + when he got tired of the activity necessary to<br /> avoid the gastric + juice, could have strolled into<br /> the mouth for a rest. What a picture! + Jonah<br /> sitting on the edge of the lower jaw, wiping the<br /> + perspiration and the gastric juice from his anxious<br /> <br /> 101<br /> + <br /> face, and vainly looking through the open mouth<br /> for signs of + land!<br /> <br /> In this story of Jonah, we are told that "the Lord<br /> + "spake unto the fish." In what language? It must<br /> be remembered that + this fish was only a few hours<br /> old. He had been prepared during the + storm, for<br /> the sole purpose of swallowing Jonah. He was a<br /> fish + of exceedingly limited experience. He had no<br /> hereditary knowledge, + because he did not spring<br /> from ancestors; consequently, he had no + instincts.<br /> Would such a fish understand any language? It<br /> may be + contended that the fish, having been made<br /> for the occasion, was given + a sufficient knowledge<br /> of language to understand an ordinary command-<br /> + ment; but, if Mr. Talmage is right, I think an order<br /> to the fish + would have been entirely unnecessary.<br /> When we take into consideration + that a thing the<br /> size of a man had been promenading up and down<br /> + the stomach of this fish for three days and three<br /> nights, + successfully baffling the efforts of gastric<br /> juice, we can readily + believe that the fish was as<br /> anxious to have Jonah go, as Jonah was + to leave.<br /> <br /> But the whale part is, after all, not the most won-<br /> + derful portion of the book of Jonah. According to<br /> this wonderful + account, "the word of the Lord came<br /> <br /> 102<br /> <br /> "to Jonah," + telling him to "go and cry against the<br /> "city of Nineveh;" but Jonah, + instead of going,<br /> endeavored to evade the Lord by taking ship for<br /> + Tarshish. As soon as the Lord heard of this, he<br /> "sent out a great + wind into the sea," and frightened<br /> the sailors to that extent that + after assuring them-<br /> selves, by casting lots, that Jonah was the man, + they<br /> threw him into the sea. After escaping from the<br /> whale, he + went to Nineveh, and delivered his pre-<br /> tended message from God. In + consequence of his<br /> message, Jonah having no credentials from God,—<br /> + nothing certifying to his official character, the King<br /> of Nineveh + covered himself with sack-cloth and sat<br /> down in some ashes. He then + caused a decree to<br /> be issued that every man and beast should abstain<br /> + from food and water; and further, that every man and<br /> beast should be + covered with sack-cloth. This was<br /> done in the hope that Jonah's God + would repent, and<br /> turn away his fierce anger. When we take into con-<br /> + sideration the fact that the people of Nineveh were<br /> not Hebrews, and + had not the slightest confidence in<br /> the God of the Jews—knew no + more of, and cared no<br /> more for, Jehovah than we now care for Jupiter, + or<br /> Neptune; the effect produced by the proclamation of<br /> Jonah is, + to say the least of it, almost incredible.<br /> <br /> 103<br /> <br /> We + are also informed, in this book, that the<br /> moment God saw all the + people sitting in the ashes,<br /> and all the animals covered with + sack-cloth, he<br /> repented. This failure on the part of God to destroy<br /> + the unbelievers displeased Jonah exceedingly, and<br /> he was very angry. + Jonah was much like the<br /> modern minister, who seems always to be + personally<br /> aggrieved if the pestilence and famine prophesied by<br /> + him do not come. Jonah was displeased to that<br /> degree, that he asked + God to kill him. Jonah then<br /> went out of the city, even after God had + repented,<br /> made him a booth and sat under it, in the shade,<br /> + waiting to see what would become of the city. God<br /> then "prepared a + gourd, and made it to come up<br /> "over Jonah that it might be a shadow + over his<br /> "head to deliver him from his grief." And then we<br /> have + this pathetic line: "So Jonah was exceedingly<br /> "glad of the gourd."<br /> + <br /> God having prepared a fish, and also prepared<br /> a gourd, proposed + next morning to prepare a worm.<br /> And when the sun rose next day, the + worm that<br /> God had prepared, "smote the gourd, so that<br /> "it + withered." I can hardly believe that an in-<br /> finite being prepared a + worm to smite a gourd<br /> so that it withered, in order to keep the sun + from<br /> <br /> 104<br /> <br /> the bald head of a prophet. According to + the<br /> account, after sunrise, and after the worm had<br /> smitten the + gourd, "God prepared a vehement east<br /> "wind." This was not an ordinary + wind, but one<br /> prepared expressly for that occasion. After the wind<br /> + had been prepared, "the sun beat upon the head of<br /> "Jonah, and he + fainted, and wished in himself to<br /> "die." All this was done in order + to convince<br /> Jonah that a man who would deplore the loss of a<br /> + gourd, ought not to wish for the destruction of a city.<br /> <br /> Is it + possible for any intelligent man now to<br /> believe that the history of + Jonah is literally true?<br /> For my part, I cannot see the necessity + either of<br /> believing it, or of preaching it. It has nothing to do<br /> + with honesty, with mercy, or with morality. The<br /> bad may believe it, + and the good may hold it in<br /> contempt. I do not see that civilization + has the<br /> slightest interest in the fish, the gourd, the worm, or<br /> + the vehement east wind.<br /> <br /> Does Mr. Talmage think that it is + absolutely neces-<br /> sary to believe <i>all</i> the story? Does he not + think it<br /> probable that a God of infinite mercy, rather than<br /> damn + the soul of an honest man to hell forever, would<br /> waive, for instance, + the worm,—provided he believed<br /> in the vehement east wind, the + gourd and the fish?<br /> <br /> 105<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage, by insisting on + the literal truth of<br /> the Bible stories, is doing Christianity great + harm.<br /> Thousands of young men will say: "I can't become<br /> "a + Christian if it is necessary to believe the adven-<br /> "tures of Jonah." + Mr. Talmage will put into the<br /> paths of multitudes of people willing + to do right,<br /> anxious to make the world a little better than it is,—<br /> + this stumbling block. He could have explained it,<br /> called it an + allegory, poetical license, a child of the<br /> oriental imagination, a + symbol, a parable, a poem, a<br /> dream, a legend, a myth, a divine + figure, or a great<br /> truth wrapped in the rags and shreds and patches + of<br /> seeming falsehood. His efforts to belittle the miracle,<br /> to + suggest the mouth instead of the stomach,—to<br /> suggest that Jonah + took deck passage, or lodged in<br /> the forecastle instead of in the + cabin or steerage,—<br /> to suggest motion as a means of avoiding + digestion,<br /> is a serious theological blunder, and may cause the<br /> + loss of many souls.<br /> <br /> If Mr. Talmage will consult with other + ministers,<br /> they will tell him to let this story alone—that he + will<br /> simply "provoke investigation and discussion"—two<br /> + things to be avoided. They will tell him that they<br /> are not willing + their salary should hang on so slender<br /> a thread, and will advise him + not to bother his gourd<br /> <br /> 106<br /> <br /> about Jonah's. They will + also tell him that in this<br /> age of the world, arguments cannot be + answered by<br /> "a vehement east wind."<br /> <br /> Some people will think + that it would have been<br /> just as easy for God to have pulled the gourd + up, as<br /> to have prepared a worm to bite it.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Mr. Talmage charges that you have<br /> said there are indecencies in the + Bible. Are you<br /> still of that opinion?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Mr. + Talmage endeavors to evade the<br /> charge, by saying that "there are + things in the Bible<br /> "not intended to be read, either in the family + circle,<br /> "or in the pulpit, but nevertheless they are to be<br /> + "read." My own judgment is, that an infinite being<br /> should not inspire + the writing of indecent things.<br /> It will not do to say, that the Bible + description of sin<br /> "warns and saves." There is nothing in the history<br /> + of Tamar calculated to "warn and save and the<br /> same may be said of + many other passages in the<br /> Old Testament. Most Christians would be + glad<br /> to know that all such passages are interpolations.<br /> I regret + that Shakespeare ever wrote a line that<br /> could not be read any where, + and by any person.<br /> But Shakespeare, great as he was, did not rise en-<br /> + <br /> 107<br /> <br /> tirely above his time. So of most poets. Nearly all<br /> + have stained their pages with some vulgarity; and I<br /> am sorry for it, + and hope the time will come when<br /> we shall have an edition of all the + great writers and<br /> poets from which every such passage is elimi-<br /> + nated.<br /> <br /> It is with the Bible as with most other books. It<br /> + is a mingling of good and bad. There are many<br /> exquisite passages in + the Bible,—many good laws,—<br /> many wise sayings,—and + there are many passages<br /> that should never have been written. I do not + pro-<br /> pose to throw away the good on account of the<br /> bad, neither + do I propose to accept the bad on<br /> account of the good. The Bible need + not be taken<br /> as an entirety. It is the business of every man who<br /> + reads it, to discriminate between that which is good<br /> and that which + is bad. There are also many passages<br /> neither good nor bad,—wholly + and totally indifferent<br /> —conveying 110 information—utterly + destitute of<br /> ideas,—and as to these passages, my only objection<br /> + to them is that they waste time and paper.<br /> <br /> I am in favor of + every passage in the Bible that<br /> conveys information. I am in favor of + every wise<br /> proverb, of every verse coming from human ex-<br /> + perience and that appeals to the heart of man. I am<br /> <br /> 108<br /> + <br /> in favor of every passage that inculcates justice,<br /> generosity, + purity, and mercy. I am satisfied that<br /> much of the historical part is + false. Some of it<br /> is probably true. Let us have the courage to take<br /> + the true, and throw the false away. I am satisfied<br /> that many of the + passages are barbaric, and many of<br /> them are good. Let us have the + wisdom to accept<br /> the good and to reject the barbaric.<br /> <br /> No + system of religion should go in partnership<br /> with barbarism. Neither + should any Christian feel<br /> it his duty to defend the savagery of the + past. The<br /> philosophy of Christ must stand independently of the<br /> + mistakes of the Old Testament. We should do jus-<br /> tice whether a woman + was made from a rib or from<br /> "omnipotence." We should be merciful + whether<br /> the flood was general, or local. We should be kind<br /> and + obliging whether Jonah was swallowed by a fish<br /> or not. The miraculous + has nothing to do with the<br /> moral. Intelligence is of more value than + inspiration.<br /> Brain is better than Bible. Reason is above all<br /> + religion. I do not believe that any civilized human<br /> being clings to + the Bible on account of its barbaric<br /> passages. I am candid enough to + believe that every<br /> Christian in the world would think more of the + Bible,<br /> if it had not upheld slavery, if it had denounced<br /> <br /> + 109<br /> <br /> polygamy, if it had cried out against wars of exter-<br /> + mination, if it had spared women and babes, if it had<br /> upheld + everywhere, and at all times, the standard of<br /> justice and mercy. But + when it is claimed that the<br /> book is perfect, that it is inspired, + that it is, in fact,<br /> the work of an infinitely wise and good God,—then<br /> + it should be without a defect. There should not be<br /> within its lids an + impure word; it should not express<br /> an impure thought. There should + not be one word<br /> in favor of injustice, not one word in favor of + slavery,<br /> not one word in favor of wars of extermination.<br /> There + must be another revision of the Scriptures.<br /> The chaff must be thrown + away. The dross must<br /> be rejected; and only that be retained which is + in<br /> exact harmony with the brain and heart of the<br /> greatest and + the best.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage charges you with unfair-<br /> + ness, because you account for the death of art in<br /> Palestine, by the + commandment which forbids the<br /> making of graven images.<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + I have said that that commandment was<br /> the death of art, and I say so + still. I insist that by<br /> reason of that commandment, Palestine + produced no<br /> painter and no sculptor until after the destruction of<br /> + <br /> 110<br /> <br /> Jerusalem. Mr. Talmage, in order to answer that<br /> + statement, goes on to show that hundreds and thou-<br /> sands of pictures + were produced in the Middle Ages.<br /> That is a departure in pleading. + Will he give us the<br /> names of the painters that existed in Palestine + from<br /> Mount Sinai to the destruction of the temple? Will<br /> he give + us the names of the sculptors between those<br /> times? Mohammed + prohibited his followers from<br /> making any representation of human or + animal life,<br /> and as a result, Mohammedans have never produced<br /> a + painter nor a sculptor, except in the portrayal and<br /> chiseling of + vegetable forms. They were confined<br /> to trees and vines, and flowers. + No Mohammedan<br /> has portrayed the human face or form. But the<br /> + commandment of Jehovah went farther than that of<br /> Momammed, and + prevented portraying the image of<br /> anything. The assassination of art + was complete.<br /> <br /> There is another thing that should not be + forgotten.<br /> <br /> We are indebted for the encouragement of<br /> art, + not to the Protestant Church; if indebted to any,<br /> it is to the + Catholic. The Catholic adorned the cathedral<br /> <br /> with painting and + statue—not the Protestant.<br /> The Protestants opposed music and + painting, and<br /> refused to decorate their temples. But if Mr. Tal-<br /> + mage wishes to know to whom we are indebted for<br /> <br /> 111<br /> <br /> + art, let him read the mythology of Greece and Rome.<br /> The early + Christians destroyed paintings and statues.<br /> They were the enemies of + all beauty. They hated<br /> and detested every expression of art. They + looked<br /> upon the love of statues as a form of idolatry. They<br /> + looked upon every painting as a remnant of Pagan-<br /> ism. They destroyed + all upon which they could lay<br /> their ignorant hands. Hundred of years + afterwards,<br /> the world was compelled to search for the fragments<br /> + that Christian fury had left. The Greeks filled the<br /> world with + beauty. For every stream and mountain<br /> and cataract they had a god or + goddess. Their<br /> sculptors impersonated every dream and hope, and<br /> + their mythology feeds, to-day, the imagination of<br /> mankind. The Venus + de Milo is the impersonation<br /> of beauty, in ruin—the sublimest + fragment of the<br /> ancient world. Our mythology is infinitely unpoetic<br /> + and barren—our deity an old bachelor from eternity,<br /> who once + believed in indiscriminate massacre. Upon<br /> the throne of our heaven, + woman finds no place.<br /> Our mythology is destitute of the maternal.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage denies your statement<br /> that the Old + Testament humiliates woman. He also<br /> denies that the New Testament + says anything<br /> against woman. How is it?<br /> <br /> 112<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Of course, I never considered a book up-<br /> holding polygamy to be the + friend of woman. Eve,<br /> according to that book, is the mother of us + all, and<br /> yet the inspired writer does not tell us how long she<br /> + lived,—does not even mention her death,—makes<br /> not the + slightest reference as to what finally became<br /> of her. Methuselah + lived nine hundred and sixty-<br /> nine years, and yet, there is not the + slightest mention<br /> made of Mrs. Methuselah. Enoch was translated,<br /> + and his widow is not mentioned. There is not a<br /> word about Mrs. Seth, + or Mrs. Enos, or Mrs. Cainan,<br /> or Mrs. Mahalaleel, or Mrs. Jared. We + do not<br /> know the name of Mrs. Noah, and I believe not the<br /> name of + a solitary woman is given from the creation<br /> of Eve—with the + exception of two of Lamech's<br /> wives—until Sarai is mentioned as + being the wife<br /> of Abram.<br /> <br /> If you wish really to know the + Bible estimation of<br /> woman, turn to the fourth and fifth verses of the<br /> + twelfth chapter of Leviticus, in which a woman, for<br /> the crime of + having borne a son, is unfit to touch a<br /> hallowed thing, or to come in + the holy sanctuary for<br /> thirty-three days; but if a woman was the + mother<br /> of a girl, then she became totally unfit to enter the<br /> + sanctuary, or pollute with her touch a hallowed thing,<br /> <br /> 113<br /> + <br /> for sixty-six days. The pollution was twice as great<br /> when she + had borne a daughter.<br /> <br /> It is a little difficult to see why it is + a greater crime<br /> to give birth to a daughter than to a son. Surely, a<br /> + law like that did not tend to the elevation of woman.<br /> You will also + find in the same chapter that a woman<br /> had to offer a pigeon, or a + turtle-dove, as a sin offer-<br /> ing, in order to expiate the crime of + having become a<br /> mother. By the Levitical law, a mother was unclean.<br /> + The priest had to make an atonement for her.<br /> <br /> If there is, + beneath the stars, a figure of complete<br /> and perfect purity, it is a + mother holding in her arms<br /> her child. The laws respecting women, + given by<br /> commandment of Jehovah to the Jews, were born of<br /> + barbarism, and in this day and age should be re-<br /> garded only with + detestation and contempt. The<br /> twentieth and twenty-first verses of + the nineteenth<br /> chapter of Leviticus show that the same punishment<br /> + was not meted to men and women guilty of the<br /> same crime.<br /> <br /> + The real explanation of what we find in the Old<br /> Testament degrading + to woman, lies in the fact, that<br /> the overflow of Love's mysterious + Nile—the sacred<br /> source of life—was, by its savage + authors, deemed<br /> unclean.<br /> <br /> 114<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + But what have you to say about the<br /> women of the Bible, mentioned by + Mr. Talmage,<br /> and held up as examples for all time of all that is<br /> + sweet and womanly?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I believe that Esther is his + principal<br /> heroine. Let us see who she was.<br /> <br /> According to + the book of Esther, Ahasuerus who<br /> was king of Persia, or some such + place, ordered<br /> Vashti his queen to show herself to the people<br /> + and the princes, because she was "exceedingly fair<br /> "to look upon." + For some reason—modesty per-<br /> haps—she refused to appear. + And thereupon the<br /> king "sent letters into all his provinces and to + every<br /> "people after their language, that every man should<br /> "bear + rule in his own house;" it being feared that<br /> if it should become + public that Vashti had disobeyed,<br /> all other wives might follow her + example. The king<br /> also, for the purpose of impressing upon all women<br /> + the necessity of obeying their husbands, issued a<br /> decree that "Vashti + should come no more before<br /> "him," and that he would "give her royal + estate<br /> "unto another." This was done that "all the<br /> "wives should + give to their husbands honor, both to<br /> "great and small."<br /> <br /> + After this, "the king appointed officers in all the<br /> <br /> 115<br /> + <br /> "provinces of his kingdom that they might gather<br /> "together all + the fair young virgins," and bring<br /> them to his palace, put them in + the custody of<br /> his chamberlain, and have them thoroughly washed.<br /> + Then the king was to look over the lot and take<br /> each day the one that + pleased him best until he found<br /> the one to put in the place of + Vashti. A fellow by<br /> the name of Mordecai, living in that part of the<br /> + country, hearing of the opportunity to sell a girl,<br /> brought Esther, + his uncle's daughter,—she being an<br /> orphan, and very beautiful—to + see whether she<br /> might not be the lucky one.<br /> <br /> The remainder + of the second chapter of this<br /> book, I do not care to repeat. It is + sufficient to say<br /> that Esther at last was chosen.<br /> <br /> The king + at this time did not know that Esther<br /> was a Jewess. Mordecai her + kinsman, however,<br /> discovered a plot to assassinate the king, and + Esther<br /> told the king, and the two plotting gentlemen were<br /> hanged + on a tree.<br /> <br /> After a while, a man by the name of Haman was<br /> + made Secretary of State, and everybody coming in<br /> his presence bowed + except Mordecai. Mordecai was<br /> probably depending on the influence of + Esther.<br /> Haman finally became so vexed, that he made up<br /> <br /> 116<br /> + <br /> his mind to have all the Jews in the kingdom<br /> destroyed. (The + number of Jews at that time<br /> in Persia must have been immense.) Haman + there-<br /> upon requested the king to have an order issued to<br /> + destroy all the Jews, and in consideration of the<br /> order, proposed to + pay ten thousand talents of silver.<br /> And thereupon, letters were + written to the governors<br /> of the various provinces, sealed with the + king's ring,<br /> sent by post in all directions, with instructions to + kill<br /> all the Jews, both young and old—little children and<br /> + women,—in one day. (One would think that the<br /> king copied this + order from another part of the Old<br /> Testament, or had found an + original by Jehovah.) The<br /> people immediately made preparations for + the killing.<br /> Mordecai clothed himself with sack-cloth, and Esther<br /> + called upon one of the king's chamberlains, and she<br /> finally got the + history of the affair, as well as a copy<br /> of the writing, and + thereupon made up her mind to<br /> go in and ask the king to save her + people.<br /> <br /> At that time, Bismarck's idea of government being<br /> + in full force, any one entering the king's presence with-<br /> out an + invitation, was liable to be put to death. And<br /> in case any one did go + in to see the king, if the king<br /> failed to hold out his golden + sceptre, his life was not<br /> spared. Notwithstanding this order, Esther + put on<br /> <br /> 117<br /> <br /> her best clothes, and stood in the inner + court of the<br /> king's house, while the king sat on his royal throne.<br /> + When the king saw her standing in the court, he<br /> held out his sceptre, + and Esther drew near, and he<br /> asked her what she wished; and thereupon + she<br /> asked that the king and Haman might take dinner<br /> with her + that day, and it was done. While they were<br /> feasting, the king again + asked Esther what she<br /> wanted; and her second request was, that they<br /> + would come and dine with her once more. When<br /> Haman left the palace + that day, he saw Mordecai<br /> again at the gate, standing as stiffly as + usual, and it<br /> filled Haman with indignation. So Haman, taking<br /> + the advice of his wife, made a gallows fifty cubits<br /> high, for the + special benefit of Mordecai. The next<br /> day, when Haman went to see the + king, the king,<br /> having the night before refreshed his memory in<br /> + respect to the service done him by Mordecai, asked<br /> Haman what ought + to be done for the man whom<br /> the king wished to honor. Haman, + supposing of<br /> course that the king referred to him, said that royal<br /> + purple ought to be brought forth, such as the king<br /> wore, and the + horse that the king rode on, and the<br /> crown-royal should be set on the + man's head;—that<br /> one of the most noble princes should lead the + horse,<br /> <br /> 118<br /> <br /> and as he went through the streets, + proclaim: "Thus<br /> "shall it be done to the man whom the king de-<br /> + "lighteth to honor."<br /> <br /> Thereupon the king told Haman that + Mordecai<br /> was the man that the king wished to honor. And<br /> Haman + was forced to lead this horse, backed by<br /> Mordecai, through the + streets, shouting: "This shall<br /> "be done to the man whom the king + delighteth to<br /> "honor." Immediately afterward, he went to the<br /> + banquet that Esther had prepared, and the king<br /> again asked Esther her + petition. She then asked<br /> for the salvation of her people; stating at + the same<br /> time, that if her people had been sold into slavery,<br /> + she would have held her tongue; but since they<br /> were about to be + killed, she could not keep silent.<br /> The king asked her who had done + this thing; and<br /> Esther replied that it was the wicked Haman.<br /> + <br /> Thereupon one of the chamberlains, remembering<br /> the gallows that + had been made for Mordecai, men-<br /> tioned it, and the king immediately + ordered that<br /> Haman be hanged thereon; which was done. And<br /> + Mordecai immediately became Secretary of State.<br /> The order against the + Jews was then rescinded; and<br /> Ahasuerus, willing to do anything that + Esther de-<br /> sired, hanged all of Haman's folks. He not only did<br /> + <br /> 119<br /> <br /> this, but he immediately issued an order to all the<br /> + Jews allowing them to kill the other folks. And the<br /> Jews got together + throughout one hundred and<br /> twenty-seven provinces, "and such was + their power,<br /> "that no man could stand against them; and there-<br /> + "upon the Jews smote all their enemies with the<br /> "stroke of the sword, + and with slaughter and de-<br /> "struction, and did whatever they pleased + to those<br /> "who hated them." And in the palace of the king,<br /> the + Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men, besides<br /> ten sons of Haman; + and in the rest of the provinces,<br /> they slew seventy-five thousand + people. And after<br /> this work of slaughter, the Jews had a day of glad-<br /> + ness and feasting.<br /> <br /> One can see from this, what a beautiful + Bible<br /> character Esther was—how filled with all that is<br /> + womanly, gentle, kind and tender!<br /> <br /> This story is one of the most + unreasonable, as well<br /> as one of the most heartless and revengeful, in + the<br /> whole Bible. Ahasuerus was a monster, and Esther<br /> equally + infamous; and yet, this woman is held up for<br /> the admiration of + mankind by a Brooklyn pastor.<br /> There is this peculiarity about the + book of Esther:<br /> the name of God is not mentioned in it, and the<br /> + deity is not referred to, directly or indirectly;—yet<br /> <br /> 120<br /> + <br /> it is claimed to be an inspired book. If Jehovah<br /> wrote it, he + certainly cannot be charged with<br /> egotism.<br /> <br /> I most + cheerfully admit that the book of Ruth is<br /> quite a pleasant story, and + the affection of Ruth for<br /> her mother-in-law exceedingly touching, but + I am of<br /> opinion that Ruth did many things that would be re-<br /> + garded as somewhat indiscreet, even in the city of<br /> Brooklyn.<br /> + <br /> All I can find about Hannah is, that she made a<br /> little coat for + her boy Samuel, and brought it to him<br /> from year to year. Where he got + his vest and<br /> pantaloons we are not told. But this fact seems<br /> + hardly enough to make her name immortal.<br /> <br /> So also Mr. Talmage + refers us to the wonderful<br /> woman Abigail. The story about Abigail, + told in<br /> plain English, is this: David sent some of his fol-<br /> + lowers to Nabal, Abigail's husband, and demanded<br /> food. Nabal, who + knew nothing about David, and<br /> cared less, refused. Abigail heard + about it, and took<br /> food to David and his servants. She was very much<br /> + struck, apparently, with David and David with her.<br /> A few days + afterward Nabal died—supposed to have<br /> been killed by the Lord—but + probably poisoned;<br /> and thereupon David took Abigail to wife. The<br /> + <br /> 121<br /> <br /> whole matter should have been investigated by the<br /> + grand jury.<br /> <br /> We are also referred to Dorcas, who no doubt was a<br /> + good woman—made clothes for the poor and gave<br /> alms, as millions + have done since then. It seems<br /> that this woman died. Peter was sent + for, and there-<br /> upon raised her from the dead, and she is never men-<br /> + tioned any more. Is it not a little strange that a<br /> woman who had been + actually raised from the dead,<br /> should have so completely passed out + of the memory<br /> of her time, that when she died the second time, she<br /> + was entirely unnoticed?<br /> <br /> Is it not astonishing that so little is + in the New<br /> Testament concerning the mother of Christ? My<br /> own + opinion is, that she was an excellent woman, and<br /> the wife of Joseph; + and that Joseph was the actual<br /> father of Christ. I think there can be + no reasonable<br /> doubt that such was the opinion of the authors of the<br /> + original gospels. Upon any other hypothesis, it is<br /> impossible to + account for their having given the<br /> genealogy of Joseph to prove that + Christ was of the<br /> blood of David. The idea that he was the Son of<br /> + God, or in any way miraculously produced, was an<br /> afterthought, and is + hardly entitled now to serious<br /> consideration. The gospels were + written so long after<br /> <br /> 122<br /> <br /> the death of Christ, that + very little was known of him,<br /> and substantially nothing of his + parents. How is it<br /> that not one word is said about the death of Mary—<br /> + not one word about the death of Joseph? How did<br /> it happen that Christ + did not visit his mother after his<br /> resurrection? The first time he + speaks to his mother<br /> is when he was twelve years old. His mother + having<br /> told him that she and his father had been seeking<br /> him, he + replied: "How is it that ye sought me: wist<br /> "ye not that I must be + about my Father s business?"<br /> <br /> The second time was at the + marriage feast in Cana,<br /> when he said to her: "Woman, what have I to + do<br /> "with thee?" And the third time was at the cross,<br /> when + "Jesus, seeing his mother standing by the<br /> "disciple whom he loved, + said to her: Woman, be-<br /> "hold thy son;" and to the disciple: "Behold + thy<br /> "mother." And this is all.<br /> <br /> The best thing about the + Catholic Church is<br /> the deification of Mary,—and yet this is + denounced<br /> by Protestantism as idolatry. There is something<br /> in + the human heart that prompts man to tell his faults<br /> more freely to + the mother than to the father. The<br /> cruelty of Jehovah is softened by + the mercy of<br /> Mary.<br /> <br /> Is it not strange that none of the + disciples of Christ<br /> <br /> 123<br /> <br /> said anything about their + parents,—that we know<br /> absolutely nothing of them? Is there any + evidence<br /> that they showed any particular respect even for the<br /> + mother of Christ?<br /> <br /> Mary Magdalen is, in many respects, the + tenderest<br /> and most loving character in the New Testament.<br /> + According to the account, her love for Christ knew<br /> no abatement,—no + change—true even in the hopeless<br /> shadow of the cross. Neither + did it die with his<br /> death. She waited at the sepulchre; she hasted in<br /> + the early morning to his tomb, and yet the only<br /> comfort Christ gave + to this true and loving soul lies<br /> in these strangely cold and + heartless words: "Touch<br /> "me not."<br /> <br /> There is nothing tending + to show that the women<br /> spoken of in the Bible were superior to the + ones we<br /> know. There are to-day millions of women making<br /> coats + for their sons,—hundreds of thousands of<br /> women, true not simply + to innocent people, falsely<br /> accused, but to criminals. Many a loving + heart is<br /> as true to the gallows as Mary was to the cross.<br /> There + are hundreds of thousands of women accept-<br /> ing poverty and want and + dishonor, for the love they<br /> bear unworthy men; hundreds and + thousands, hun-<br /> dreds and thousands, working day and night, with<br /> + <br /> 124<br /> <br /> strained eyes and tired hands, for husbands and<br /> + children,—clothed in rags, housed in huts and hovels,<br /> hoping + day after day for the angel of death. There are<br /> thousands of women in + Christian England, working in<br /> iron, laboring in the fields and + toiling in mines. There<br /> are hundreds and thousands in Europe, + everywhere,<br /> doing the work of men—deformed by toil, and who<br /> + would become simply wild and ferocious beasts,<br /> except for the love + they bear for home and child.<br /> <br /> You need not go back four + thousand years for<br /> heroines. The world is filled with them to-day.<br /> + They do not belong to any nation, nor to any religion,<br /> nor + exclusively to any race. Wherever woman is<br /> found, they are found.<br /> + <br /> There is no description of any women in the Bible<br /> that equal + thousands and thousands of women known<br /> to-day. The women mentioned by + Mr. Talmage fall<br /> almost infinitely below, not simply those in real + life, but<br /> the creations of the imagination found in the world of<br /> + fiction. They will not compare with the women born<br /> of Shakespeare's + brain. You will find none like<br /> Isabella, in whose spotless life, love + and reason<br /> blended into perfect truth; nor Juliet, within whose<br /> + heart passion and purity met, like white and red within<br /> the bosom of + a rose; nor Cordelia, who chose to<br /> <br /> 125<br /> <br /> suffer loss + rather than show her wealth of love with<br /> those who gilded dross with + golden words in hope<br /> of gain; nor Miranda, who told her love as + freely<br /> as a flower gives its bosom to the kisses of the sun;<br /> nor + Imogene, who asked: "What is it to be false?"<br /> nor Hermione, who bore + with perfect faith and hope<br /> the cross of shame, and who at last + forgave with all<br /> her heart; nor Desdemona, her innocence so perfect<br /> + and her love so pure, that she was incapable of sus-<br /> pecting that + another could suspect, and sought with<br /> dying words to hide her + lover's crime.<br /> <br /> If we wish to find what the Bible thinks of<br /> + woman, all that is necessary to do is to read it.<br /> We will find that + everywhere she is spoken of<br /> simply as property,—as belonging + absolutely to the<br /> man. We will find that whenever a man got tired<br /> + of his wife, all he had to do was to give her a writing<br /> of + divorcement, and that then the mother of his<br /> children became a + houseless and a homeless wanderer.<br /> We will find that men were allowed + to have as<br /> many wives as they could get, either by courtship,<br /> + purchase, or conquest. The Jewish people in the<br /> olden time were in + many respects like their barbarian<br /> neighbors.<br /> <br /> If we read + the New Testament, we will find in the<br /> <br /> 126<br /> <br /> epistle + of Paul to Timothy, the following gallant<br /> passages:<br /> <br /> "Let + the woman learn in silence, with all<br /> "subjection."<br /> <br /> "But I + suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp<br /> "authority over the man, + but to be in silence."<br /> <br /> And for these kind, gentle and civilized + remarks,<br /> the apostle Paul gives the following reasons:<br /> <br /> + "For Adam was first formed, then Eve."<br /> <br /> "And Adam was not + deceived, but the woman<br /> "being deceived was in the transgression."<br /> + <br /> Certainly women ought to feel under great obli-<br /> gation to the + apostle Paul.<br /> <br /> In the fifth chapter of the same epistle, Paul,<br /> + advising Timothy as to what kind of people he<br /> should admit into his + society or church, uses the<br /> following language:<br /> <br /> "Let not a + widow be taken into the number under<br /> "threescore years old, having + been the wife of one<br /> "man."<br /> <br /> "But the younger widows + refuse, for when they<br /> "have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they + will<br /> "marry."<br /> <br /> This same Paul did not seem to think + polygamy<br /> wrong, except in a bishop. He tells Timothy that:<br /> <br /> + 127<br /> <br /> "A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one<br /> + "wife."<br /> <br /> He also lays down the rule that a deacon should be<br /> + the husband of one wife, leaving us to infer that the<br /> other members + might have as many as they could get.<br /> <br /> In the second epistle to + Timothy, Paul speaks of<br /> "grandmother Lois," who was referred to in + such<br /> extravagant language by Mr. Talmage, and nothing<br /> is said + touching her character in the least. All her<br /> virtues live in the + imagination, and in the imagina-<br /> tion alone.<br /> <br /> Paul, also, + in his epistle to the Ephesians, says:<br /> <br /> "Wives, submit + yourselves unto your own hus-<br /> "bands, as unto the Lord. For the + husband is the<br /> "head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the<br /> + "church."<br /> <br /> "Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ,<br /> + "so let the wives be to their own husbands, in<br /> "everything."<br /> + <br /> You will find, too, that in the seventh chapter of<br /> First + Corinthians, Paul laments that all men are not<br /> bachelors like + himself, and in the second verse of<br /> that chapter he gives the only + reason for which he<br /> was willing that men and women should marry. He<br /> + advised all the unmarried, and all widows, to remain<br /> <br /> 128<br /> + <br /> as he was. In the ninth verse of this same chapter<br /> is a slander + too vulgar for repetition,—an estimate<br /> of woman and of woman's + love so low and vile, that<br /> every woman should hold the inspired + author in<br /> infinite abhorrence.<br /> <br /> Paul sums up the whole + matter, however, by telling<br /> those who have wives or husbands, to stay + with<br /> them—as necessary evils only to be tolerated—but<br /> + sincerely regrets that anybody was ever married;<br /> and finally says + that:<br /> <br /> "They that have wives should be as though they<br /> "had + none;" because, in his opinion:<br /> <br /> "He that is unmarried careth + for the things that<br /> "belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord;<br /> + "but he that is married careth for the things that are<br /> "of the world, + how he may please his wife."<br /> <br /> "There is this difference also," + he tells us, "be-<br /> "tween a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman<br /> + "careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be<br /> "holy both in + body and in spirit; but she that is<br /> "married careth for the things of + the world, how she<br /> " may please her husband."<br /> <br /> Of course, + it is contended that these things have<br /> tended to the elevation of + woman.<br /> <br /> The idea that it is better to love the Lord than to<br /> + <br /> 129<br /> <br /> love your wife, or your husband, is infinitely + absurd.<br /> Nobody ever did love the Lord,—nobody can—until<br /> + he becomes acquainted with him.<br /> <br /> Saint Paul also tells us that + "Man is the image<br /> "and glory of God; but woman is the glory of<br /> + "man;" and for the purpose of sustaining this posi-<br /> tion, says:<br /> + <br /> "For the man is not of the woman, but the woman<br /> "of the man; + neither was the man created for the<br /> "woman, but the woman for the + man."<br /> <br /> Of course, we can all see that man could have<br /> gotten + along well enough without woman, but woman,<br /> by no possibility, could + have gotten along without<br /> man. And yet, this is called "inspired;" + and this<br /> apostle Paul is supposed to have known more than<br /> all + the people now upon the earth. No wonder Paul<br /> at last was constrained + to say: "We are fools for<br /> "Christ's sake."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How do you account for the present<br /> condition of woman in what is + known as "the civilized<br /> "world," unless the Bible has bettered her + condition?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. We must remember that thousands of<br /> + things enter into the problem of civilization. Soil,<br /> climate, and + geographical position, united with count-<br /> <br /> 130<br /> <br /> less + other influences, have resulted in the civilization<br /> of our time. If + we want to find what the influence of<br /> the Bible has been, we must + ascertain the condition<br /> of Europe when the Bible was considered as + abso-<br /> lutely true, and when it wielded its greatest influence.<br /> + <br /> Christianity as a form of religion had actual posses-<br /> sion of + Europe during the Middle Ages. At that<br /> time, it exerted its greatest + power. Then it had the<br /> opportunity of breaking the shackles from the + limbs<br /> of woman. Christianity found the Roman matron a<br /> free + woman. Polygamy was never known in Rome;<br /> and although divorces were + allowed by law, the<br /> Roman state had been founded for more than five<br /> + hundred years before either a husband or a wife<br /> asked for a divorce. + From the foundation of Chris-<br /> tianity,—I mean from the time it + became the force in<br /> the Roman state,—woman, as such, went down + in<br /> the scale of civilization. The sceptre was taken from<br /> her + hands, and she became once more the slave and<br /> serf of man. The men + also were made slaves, and<br /> woman has regained her liberty by the same + means<br /> that man has regained his,—by wresting authority<br /> + from the hands of the church. While the church had<br /> power, the wife + and mother was not considered as<br /> good as the begging nun; the husband + and father<br /> was far below the vermin-covered monk; homes<br /> were of + no value compared with the cathedral; for<br /> God had to have a house, no + matter how many of<br /> his children were wanderers. During all the years + in<br /> which woman has struggled for equal liberty with<br /> man, she has + been met with the Bible doctrine that<br /> she is the inferior of the man; + that Adam was made<br /> first, and Eve afterwards; that man was not made + for<br /> woman, but that woman was made for man.<br /> <br /> I find that in + this day and generation, the meanest<br /> men have the lowest estimate of + woman; that the<br /> greater the man is, the grander he is, the more he<br /> + thinks of mother, wife and daughter. I also find that<br /> just in the + proportion that he has lost confidence in the<br /> polygamy of Jehovah and + in the advice and philosophy<br /> of Saint Paul, he believes in the rights + and liberties of<br /> woman. As a matter of fact, men have risen from a<br /> + perusal of the Bible, and murdered their wives. They<br /> have risen from + reading its pages, and inflicted cruel<br /> and even mortal blows upon + their children. Men<br /> have risen from reading the Bible and torn the + flesh<br /> of others with red-hot pincers. They have laid<br /> down the + sacred volume long enough to pour molten<br /> lead into the ears of + others. They have stopped<br /> reading the sacred Scriptures for a + sufficient time to<br /> <br /> 132<br /> <br /> incarcerate their fellow-men, + to load them with chains,<br /> and then they have gone back to their + reading,<br /> allowing their victims to die in darkness and despair.<br /> + Men have stopped reading the Old Testament long<br /> enough to drive a + stake into the ground and collect a<br /> few fagots and burn an honest + man. Even ministers<br /> have denied themselves the privilege of reading + the<br /> sacred book long enough to tell falsehoods about<br /> their + fellow-men. There is no crime that Bible<br /> readers and Bible believers + and Bible worshipers and<br /> Bible defenders have not committed. There is + no<br /> meanness of which some Bible reader, believer, and<br /> defender, + has not been guilty. Bible believers and<br /> Bible defenders have filled + the world with calumnies<br /> and slanders. Bible believers and Bible + defenders<br /> have not only whipped their wives, but they have<br /> + murdered them; they have murdered their children.<br /> I do not say that + reading the Bible will necessarily<br /> make men dishonest, but I do say, + that reading the<br /> Bible will not prevent their committing crimes. I do<br /> + not say that believing the Bible will necessarily make<br /> men commit + burglary, but I do say that a belief in the<br /> Bible has caused men to + persecute each other, to<br /> imprison each other, and to burn each other.<br /> + <br /> Only a little while ago, a British clergyman mur-<br /> <br /> 133<br /> + <br /> dered his wife. Only a little while ago, an American<br /> Protestant + clergyman whipped his boy to death be-<br /> cause the boy refused to say a + prayer.<br /> <br /> The Rev. Mr. Crowley not only believed the Bible,<br /> + but was licensed to expound it. He had been<br /> "called" to the ministry, + and upon his head had<br /> been laid the holy hands; and yet, he + deliberately<br /> starved orphans, and while looking upon their<br /> + sunken eyes and hollow cheeks, sung pious hymns<br /> and quoted with great + unction: "Suffer little chil-<br /> "dren to come unto me."<br /> <br /> As a + matter of fact, in the last twenty years,<br /> more money has been stolen + by Christian cashiers,<br /> Christian presidents, Christian directors, + Christian<br /> trustees and Christian statesmen, than by all other<br /> + convicts in all the penitentiaries in all the Christian<br /> world.<br /> + <br /> The assassin of Henry the Fourth was a Bible reader<br /> and a Bible + believer. The instigators of the massacre<br /> of St. Bartholomew were + believers in your sacred<br /> Scriptures. The men who invested their money + in the<br /> slave-trade believed themselves filled with the Holy<br /> + Ghost, and read with rapture the Psalms of David and<br /> the Sermon on + the Mount. The murderers of Scotch<br /> Presbyterians were believers in + Revelation, and the<br /> <br /> 134<br /> Presbyterians, when they murdered + others, were also<br /> believers. Nearly every man who expiates a crime<br /> + upon the gallows is a believer in the Bible. For a<br /> thousand years, + the daggers of assassination and the<br /> swords of war were blest by + priests—by the believers<br /> in the sacred Scriptures. The assassin + of President<br /> Garfield is a believer in the Bible, a hater of + infidelity,<br /> a believer in personal inspiration, and he expects in a<br /> + few weeks to join the winged and redeemed in<br /> heaven.<br /> <br /> If a + man would follow, to-day, the teachings of the<br /> Old Testament, he + would be a criminal. If he would<br /> follow strictly the teachings of the + New, he would be<br /> insane.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="link0006" + id="link0006"></a><br /> <br /> <big><b>FOURTH INTERVIEW.</b></big><br /> + <br /> <br /> <i>Son. There is no devil.<br /> <br /> Mother. I know there is.<br /> + <br /> Son. How do you know?<br /> <br /> Mother. Because they make pictures + that look just<br /> like him.<br /> <br /> Son. But, mother—<br /> + <br /> Mother. Don't "mother" me! You are trying to<br /> disgrace your + parents.</i><br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. I want to ask you a few questions + about<br /> Mr. Talmage's fourth sermon against you, entitled:<br /> "The + Meanness of Infidelity," in which he compares<br /> you to Jehoiakim, who + had the temerity to throw<br /> some of the writings of the weeping + Jeremiah into<br /> the fire?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. So far as I am + concerned, I really re-<br /> gret that a second edition of Jeremiah's roll + was<br /> gotten out. It would have been far better for us all,<br /> if it + had been left in ashes. There was nothing but<br /> curses and prophecies + of evil, in the sacred roll that<br /> <br /> 138<br /> <br /> Jehoiakim + burned. The Bible tells us that Jehovah<br /> became exceedingly wroth + because of the destruction<br /> of this roll, and pronounced a curse upon + Jehoiakim<br /> and upon Palestine. I presume it was on account of<br /> the + burning of that roll that the king of Babylon<br /> destroyed the chosen + people of God. It was on<br /> account of that sacrilege that the Lord said + of<br /> Jehoiakim: "He shall have none to sit upon the<br /> "throne of + David; and his dead body shall be cast<br /> "out in the day to the heat, + and in the night to the<br /> "frost." Any one can see how much a dead body<br /> + would suffer under such circumstances. Imagine an<br /> infinitely wise, + good and powerful God taking ven-<br /> geance on the corpse of a barbarian + king! What<br /> joy there must have been in heaven as the angels<br /> + watched the alternate melting and freezing of the<br /> dead body of + Jehoiakim!<br /> <br /> Jeremiah was probably the most accomplished<br /> + croaker of all time. Nothing satisfied him. He was<br /> a prophetic + pessimist,—an ancient Bourbon. He<br /> was only happy when + predicting war, pestilence and<br /> famine. No wonder Jehoiakim despised + him, and<br /> hated all he wrote.<br /> <br /> One can easily see the + character of Jeremiah from<br /> the following occurrence: When the + Babylonians<br /> <br /> 139<br /> <br /> had succeeded in taking Jerusalem, + and in sacking<br /> the city, Jeremiah was unfortunately taken prisoner;<br /> + but Captain Nebuzaradan came to Jeremiah, and told<br /> him that he would + let him go, because he had pro-<br /> phesied against his own country. He + was regarded<br /> as a friend by the enemy.<br /> <br /> There was, at that + time, as now, the old fight<br /> between the church and the civil power. + Whenever<br /> a king failed to do what the priests wanted, they<br /> + immediately prophesied overthrow, disaster, and de-<br /> feat. Whenever + the kings would hearken to their<br /> voice, and would see to it that the + priests had plenty<br /> to eat and drink and wear, then they all declared<br /> + that Jehovah would love that king, would let him live<br /> out all his + days, and allow his son to reign in his<br /> stead. It was simply the old + conflict that is still being<br /> waged, and it will be carried on until + universal civil-<br /> ization does away with priestcraft and superstition.<br /> + <br /> The priests in the days of Jeremiah were the same<br /> as now. They + sought to rule the State. They pre-<br /> tended that, at their request, + Jehovah would withhold<br /> or send the rain; that the seasons were within + their<br /> power; that they with bitter words could blight the<br /> fields + and curse the land with want and death. They<br /> gloried then, as now, in + the exhibition of God's wrath.<br /> <br /> 140<br /> <br /> In prosperity, + the priests were forgotten. Success<br /> scorned them; Famine flattered + them; Health laughed<br /> at them; Pestilence prayed to them; Disaster was<br /> + their only friend.<br /> <br /> These old prophets prophesied nothing but + evil,<br /> and consequently, when anything bad happened, they<br /> claimed + it as a fulfillment, and pointed with pride to<br /> the fact that they + had, weeks or months, or years<br /> before, foretold something of that + kind. They were<br /> really the originators of the phrase, "I told you + so!"<br /> <br /> There was a good old Methodist class-leader that<br /> + lived down near a place called Liverpool, on the<br /> Illinois river. In + the spring of 1861 the old man,<br /> telling his experience, among other + things said, that he<br /> had lived there by the river for more than + thirty<br /> years, and he did not believe that a year had passed<br /> that + there were not hundreds of people during the<br /> hunting season shooting + ducks on Sunday; that he<br /> had told his wife thousands of times that no + good<br /> would come of it; that evil would come of it; "And<br /> "now, + said the old man, raising his voice with the<br /> importance of the + announcement, "war is upon us!"<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you wish, + as Mr. Talmage says, to de-<br /> stroy the Bible—to have all the + copies burned to ashes?<br /> What do you wish to have done with the Bible?<br /> + <br /> 141<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I want the Bible treated exactly as we<br /> + treat other books—preserve the good and throw<br /> away the foolish + and the hurtful. I am fighting the<br /> doctrine of inspiration. As long + as it is believed that<br /> the Bible is inspired, that book is the master—no<br /> + mind is free. With that belief, intellectual liberty is<br /> impossible. + With that belief, you can investigate<br /> only at the risk of losing your + soul. The Catholics<br /> have a pope. Protestants laugh at them, and yet + the<br /> pope is capable of intellectual advancement. In<br /> addition to + this, the pope is mortal, and the church<br /> cannot be afflicted with the + same idiot forever. The<br /> Protestants have a book for their pope. The + book<br /> cannot advance. Year after year, and century after<br /> century, + the book remains as ignorant as ever. It is<br /> only made better by those + who believe in its inspira-<br /> tion giving better meanings to the words + than their<br /> ancestors did. In this way it may be said that the<br /> + Bible grows a little better.<br /> <br /> Why should we have a book for a + master? That<br /> which otherwise might be a blessing, remains a curse.<br /> + If every copy of the Bible were destroyed, all that is<br /> good in that + book would be reproduced in a single<br /> day. Leave every copy of the + Bible as it is, and<br /> have every human being believe in its + inspiration,<br /> <br /> 142<br /> <br /> and intellectual liberty would + cease to exist. The<br /> whole race, from that moment, would go back to-<br /> + ward the night of intellectual death.<br /> <br /> The Bible would do more + harm if more people<br /> really believed it, and acted in accordance with + its<br /> teachings. Now and then a Freeman puts the knife<br /> to the + heart of his child. Now and then an assassin<br /> relies upon some sacred + passage; but, as a rule, few<br /> men believe the Bible to be absolutely + true.<br /> <br /> There are about fifteen hundred million people in<br /> + the world. There are not two million who have read<br /> the Bible through. + There are not two hundred<br /> million who ever saw the Bible. There are + not five<br /> hundred million who ever heard that such a book<br /> exists.<br /> + <br /> Christianity is claimed to be a religion for all<br /> mankind. It + was founded more than eighteen cen-<br /> turies ago; and yet, not one + human being in three<br /> has ever heard of it. As a matter of fact, for + more<br /> than fourteen centuries and-a-half after the crucifixion<br /> of + Christ, this hemisphere was absolutely unknown.<br /> There was not a + Christian in the world who knew<br /> there was such a continent as ours, + and all the<br /> inhabitants of this, the New World, were deprived<br /> of + the gospel for fourteen centuries and-a-half, and<br /> <br /> 143<br /> + <br /> knew nothing of its blessings until they were in-<br /> formed by + Spanish murderers and marauders. Even<br /> in the United States, + Christianity is not keeping pace<br /> with the increase of population. + When we take<br /> into consideration that it is aided by the momentum<br /> + of eighteen centuries, is it not wonderful that it is not<br /> to-day + holding its own? The reason of this is, that<br /> we are beginning to + understand the Scriptures. We<br /> are beginningto see, and to see + clearly, that they are<br /> simply of human origin, and that the Bible + bears<br /> the marks of the barbarians who wrote it. The best<br /> + educated among the clergy admit that we know but<br /> little as to the + origin of the gospels; that we do not<br /> positively know the author of + one of them; that it is<br /> really a matter of doubt as to who wrote the + five<br /> books attributed to Moses. They admit now, that<br /> Isaiah was + written by more than one person; that<br /> Solomon's Song was not written + by that king; that<br /> Job is, in all probability, not a Jewish book; + that<br /> Ecclesiastes must have been written by a Freethinker,<br /> and + by one who had his doubts about the immortality<br /> of the soul. The best + biblical students of the so-<br /> called orthodox world now admit that + several stories<br /> were united to make the gospel of Saint Luke; that<br /> + Hebrews is a selection from many fragments, and<br /> <br /> 144<br /> <br /> + that no human being, not afflicted with delirium<br /> tremens, can + understand the book of Revelation.<br /> <br /> I am not the only one + engaged in the work of<br /> destruction. Every Protestant who expresses a + doubt<br /> as to the genuineness of a passage, is destroying the<br /> + Bible. The gentlemen who have endeavored to treat<br /> hell as a question + of syntax, and to prove that eternal<br /> punishment depends upon grammar, + are helping to<br /> bring the Scriptures into contempt. Hundreds of<br /> + years ago, the Catholics told the Protestant world that<br /> it was + dangerous to give the Bible to the people.<br /> The Catholics were right; + the Protestants were<br /> wrong. To read is to think. To think is to + investi-<br /> gate. To investigate is, finally, to deny. That book<br /> + should have been read only by priests. Every copy<br /> should have been + under the lock and key of bishop,<br /> cardinal and pope. The common + people should have<br /> received the Bible from the lips of the ministers.<br /> + The world should have been kept in ignorance. In<br /> that way, and in + that way only, could the pulpit have<br /> maintained its power. He who + teaches a child<br /> the alphabet sows the seeds of heresy. I have lived<br /> + to see the schoolhouse in many a village larger than<br /> the church. + Every man who finds a fact, is the<br /> enemy of theology. Every man who + expresses an<br /> <br /> 145<br /> <br /> honest thought is a soldier in the + army of intellectual<br /> liberty.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage + thinks that you laugh too<br /> much,—that you exhibit too much + mirth, and that no<br /> one should smile at sacred things?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + The church has always feared ridicule.<br /> The minister despises + laughter. He who builds upon<br /> ignorance and awe, fears intelligence + and mirth. The<br /> theologians always begin by saying: "Let us be<br /> + "solemn." They know that credulity and awe are<br /> twins. They also know + that while Reason is the<br /> pilot of the soul, Humor carries the lamp. + Whoever<br /> has the sense of humor fully developed, cannot, by<br /> any + possibility, be an orthodox theologian. He would<br /> be his own laughing + stock. The most absurd stories,<br /> the most laughable miracles, read in + a solemn, stately<br /> way, sound to the ears of ignorance and awe like<br /> + truth. It has been the object of the church for<br /> eighteen hundred + years to prevent laughter.<br /> <br /> A smile is the dawn of a doubt.<br /> + <br /> Ministers are always talking about death, and<br /> coffins, and + dust, and worms,—the cross in this life,<br /> and the fires of + another. They have been the<br /> enemies of human happiness. They hate to + hear<br /> <br /> 146<br /> <br /> even the laughter of children. There seems + to have<br /> been a bond of sympathy between divinity and<br /> dyspepsia, + between theology and indigestion. There<br /> is a certain pious hatred of + pleasure, and those who<br /> have been "born again" are expected to + despise<br /> "the transitory joys of this fleeting life." In this,<br /> + they follow the example of their prophets, of whom<br /> they proudly say: + "They never smiled."<br /> <br /> Whoever laughs at a holy falsehood, is + called a<br /> "scoffer." Whoever gives vent to his natural feel-<br /> ings + is regarded as a "blasphemer," and whoever<br /> examines the Bible as he + examines other books, and<br /> relies upon his reason to interpret it, is + denounced<br /> as a "reprobate."<br /> <br /> Let us respect the truth, let + us laugh at miracles,<br /> and above all, let us be candid with each + other.<br /> <br /> 'Question. Mr. Talmage charges that you have, in<br /> + your lectures, satirized your early home; that you<br /> have described + with bitterness the Sundays that were<br /> forced upon you in your youth; + and that in various<br /> ways you have denounced your father as a + "tyrant,"<br /> or a "bigot," or a "fool"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I have + described the manner in which<br /> Sunday was kept when I was a boy. My + father for<br /> <br /> 147<br /> <br /> many years regarded the Sabbath as a + sacred day.<br /> We kept Sunday as most other Christians did. I think<br /> + that my father made a mistake about that day. I<br /> have no doubt he was + honest about it, and really<br /> believed that it was pleasing to God for + him to keep<br /> the Sabbath as he did.<br /> <br /> I think that Sunday + should not be a day of gloom,<br /> of silence and despair, or a day in + which to hear that<br /> the chances are largely in favor of your being + eternally<br /> damned. That day, in my opinion, should be one of<br /> joy; + a day to get acquainted with your wife and<br /> children; a day to visit + the woods, or the sea, or the<br /> murmuring stream; a day to gather + flowers, to visit<br /> the graves of your dead, to read old poems, old<br /> + letters, old books; a day to rekindle the fires of<br /> friendship and + love.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage says that my father was a Christian,<br /> and + he then proceeds to malign his memory. It<br /> seems to me that a living + Christian should at least<br /> tell the truth about one who sleeps the + silent sleep<br /> of death.<br /> <br /> I have said nothing, in any of my + lectures, about<br /> my father, or about my mother, or about any of my<br /> + relatives. I have not the egotism to bring them<br /> forward. They have + nothing to do with the subject<br /> <br /> 148<br /> <br /> in hand. That my + father was mistaken upon the<br /> subject of religion, I have no doubt. He + was a good,<br /> a brave and honest man. I loved him living, and<br /> I + love him dead. I never said to him an unkind<br /> word, and in my heart + there never was of him an<br /> unkind thought. He was grand enough to say + to<br /> me, that I had the same right to my opinion that he<br /> had to + his. He was great enough to tell me to read<br /> the Bible for myself, to + be honest with myself, and if<br /> after reading it I concluded it was not + the word of<br /> God, that it was my duty to say so.<br /> <br /> My mother + died when I was but a child; and from<br /> that day—the darkest of + my life—her memory has<br /> been within my heart a sacred thing, and + I have felt,<br /> through all these years, her kisses on my lips.<br /> + <br /> I know that my parents—if they are conscious now<br /> —do + not wish me to honor them at the expense of<br /> my manhood. I know that + neither my father nor my<br /> mother would have me sacrifice upon their + graves my<br /> honest thought. I know that I can only please them by<br /> + being true to myself, by defending what I believe is<br /> good, by + attacking what I believe is bad. Yet this min-<br /> ister of Christ is + cruel enough, and malicious enough,<br /> to attack the reputation of the + dead. What he says<br /> about my father is utterly and unqualifiedly + false.<br /> <br /> 149<br /> <br /> Right here, it may be well enough for me + to say,<br /> that long before my father died, he threw aside, as<br /> + unworthy of a place in the mind of an intelligent<br /> man, the infamous + dogma of eternal fire; that he<br /> regarded with abhorrence many passages + in the Old<br /> Testament; that he believed man, in another world,<br /> + would have the eternal opportunity of doing right,<br /> and that the pity + of God would last as long as the<br /> suffering of man. My father and my + mother were<br /> good, in spite of the Old Testament. They were mer-<br /> + ciful, in spite of the one frightful doctrine in the New.<br /> They did + not need the religion of Presbyterianism.<br /> Presbyterianism never made + a human being better.<br /> If there is anything that will freeze the + generous<br /> current of the soul, it is Calvinism. If there is any<br /> + creed that will destroy charity, that will keep the<br /> tears of pity + from the cheeks of men and women, it<br /> is Presbyterianism. If there is + any doctrine calcu-<br /> lated to make man bigoted, unsympathetic, and<br /> + cruel, it is the doctrine of predestination. Neither<br /> my father, nor + my mother, believed in the damnation<br /> of babes, nor in the inspiration + of John Calvin.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage professes to be a Christian. What<br /> + effect has the religion of Jesus Christ had upon him?<br /> Is he the + product—the natural product—of Chris-<br /> <br /> 150<br /> + <br /> tianity? Does the real Christian violate the sanctity<br /> of death? + Does the real Christian malign the<br /> memory of the dead? Does the good + Christian<br /> defame unanswering and unresisting dust?<br /> <br /> But why + should I expect kindness from a Chris-<br /> tian? Can a minister be + expected to treat with<br /> fairness a man whom his God intends to damn? + If<br /> a good God is going to burn an infidel forever, in<br /> the world + to come, surely a Christian should have<br /> the right to persecute him a + little here.<br /> <br /> What right has a Christian to ask anybody to love<br /> + his father, or mother, or wife, or child? According<br /> to the gospels, + Christ offered a reward to any one<br /> who would desert his father or his + mother. He<br /> offered a premium to gentlemen for leaving their<br /> + wives, and tried to bribe people to abandon their<br /> little children. He + offered them happiness in this<br /> world, and a hundred fold in the next, + if they would<br /> turn a deaf ear to the supplications of a father, the<br /> + beseeching cry of a wife, and would leave the out-<br /> stretched arms of + babes. They were not even<br /> allowed to bury their fathers and their + mothers. At<br /> that time they were expected to prefer Jesus to their<br /> + wives and children. And now an orthodox minister<br /> says that a man + ought not to express his honest<br /> <br /> 151<br /> <br /> thoughts, + because they do not happen to be in accord<br /> with the belief of his + father or mother.<br /> <br /> Suppose Mr. Talmage should read the Bible + care-<br /> fully and without fear, and should come to the honest<br /> + conclusion that it is not inspired, what course would<br /> he pursue for + the purpose of honoring his parents?<br /> Would he say, "I cannot tell the + truth, I must lie,<br /> "for the purpose of shedding a halo of glory + around<br /> "the memory of my mother"? Would he say: "Of<br /> "course, my + father and mother would a thousand<br /> "times rather have their son a + hypocritical Christian<br /> "than an honest, manly unbeliever"? This might<br /> + please Mr. Talmage, and accord perfectly with his<br /> view, but I prefer + to say, that my father wished me to<br /> be an honest man. If he is in + "heaven" now, I am<br /> sure that he would rather hear me attack the<br /> + "inspired" word of God, honestly and bravely, than<br /> to hear me, in the + solemn accents of hypocrisy, defend<br /> what I believe to be untrue.<br /> + <br /> I may be mistaken in the estimate angels put upon<br /> human beings. + It may be that God likes a pretended<br /> follower better than an honest, + outspoken man—one<br /> who is an infidel simply because he does not + under-<br /> stand this God. But it seems to me, in my unregenerate<br /> + condition, touched and tainted as I am by original sin,<br /> <br /> 152<br /> + <br /> that a God of infinite power and wisdom ought to be<br /> able to + make a man brave enough to have an opinion<br /> of his own. I cannot + conceive of God taking any<br /> particular pride in any hypocrite he has + ever made.<br /> Whatever he may say through his ministers, or<br /> + whatever the angels may repeat, a manly devil<br /> stands higher in my + estimation than an unmanly<br /> angel. I do not mean by this, that there + are any<br /> unmanly angels, neither do I pretend that there<br /> are any + manly devils. My meaning is this: If I have<br /> a Creator, I can only + honor him by being true to<br /> myself, and kind and just to my + fellow-men. If I wish<br /> to shed lustre upon my father and mother, I can<br /> + only do so by being absolutely true to myself.<br /> Never will I lay the + wreath of hypocrisy upon the<br /> tombs of those I love.<br /> <br /> Mr. + Talmage takes the ground that we must defend<br /> the religious belief of + our parents. He seems to<br /> forget that all parents do not believe + exactly alike,<br /> and that everybody has at least two parents. Now,<br /> + suppose that the father is an infidel, and the mother<br /> a Christian, + what must the son do? Must he "drive<br /> "the ploughshare of contempt + through the grave of<br /> "the father," for the purpose of honoring the + mother;<br /> or must he drive the ploughshare through the grave<br /> <br /> + 153<br /> <br /> of the mother to honor the father; or must he com-<br /> + promise, and talk one way and believe another? If<br /> Mr. Talmage's + doctrine is correct, only persons who<br /> have no knowledge of their + parents can have liberty<br /> of opinion. Foundlings would be the only + free<br /> people. I do not suppose that Mr. Talmage would<br /> go so far + as to say that a child would be bound by<br /> the religion of the person + upon whose door-steps he<br /> was found. If he does not, then over every + foundling<br /> hospital should be these words: "Home of Intel-<br /> + "lectual Liberty."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you suppose that we will + care<br /> nothing in the next world for those we loved in this?<br /> Is it + worse in a man than in an angel, to care nothing<br /> for his mother?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. According to Mr. Talmage, a man can<br /> be perfectly + happy in heaven, with his mother in hell.<br /> He will be so entranced + with the society of Christ,<br /> that he will not even inquire what has + become of his<br /> wife. The Holy Ghost will keep him in such a state<br /> + of happy wonder, of ecstatic joy, that the names,<br /> even, of his + children will never invade his memory.<br /> It may be that I am lacking in + filial affection, but<br /> I would much rather be in hell, with my parents<br /> + <br /> 154<br /> <br /> in heaven, than be in heaven with my parents in hell.<br /> + I think a thousand times more of my parents than I<br /> do of Christ. They + knew me, they worked for me,<br /> they loved me, and I can imagine no + heaven, no<br /> state of perfect bliss for me, in which they have no<br /> + share. If God hates me, because I love them,<br /> I cannot love him.<br /> + <br /> I cannot truthfully say that I look forward with any<br /> great + degree of joy, to meeting with Haggai and<br /> Habakkuk; with Jeremiah, + Nehemiah, Obadiah,<br /> Zechariah or Zephaniah; with Ezekiel, Micah, or<br /> + Malachi; or even with Jonah. From what little<br /> I have read of their + writings, I have not formed a<br /> very high opinion of the social + qualities of these<br /> gentlemen.<br /> <br /> I want to meet the persons I + have known; and if<br /> there is another life, I want to meet the really + and<br /> the truly great—men who have been broad enough to<br /> be + tender, and great enough to be kind.<br /> <br /> Because I differ with my + parents, because I am<br /> convinced that my father was wrong in some of<br /> + his religious opinions, Mr. Talmage insists that I dis-<br /> grace my + parents. How did the Christian religion<br /> commence? Did not the first + disciples advocate<br /> theories that their parents denied? Were they<br /> + <br /> 155<br /> <br /> not false,—in his sense of the word,—to + their<br /> fathers and mothers? How could there have been<br /> any + progress in this world, if children had not<br /> gone beyond their + parents? Do you consider that<br /> the inventor of a steel plow cast a + slur upon his<br /> father who scratched the ground with a wooden<br /> one? + I do not consider that an invention by the<br /> son is a slander upon the + father; I regard each<br /> invention simply as an improvement; and every<br /> + father should be exceedingly proud of an ingenious<br /> son. If Mr. + Talmage has a son, it will be impossible<br /> for him to honor his father + except by differing with<br /> him.<br /> <br /> It is very strange that Mr. + Talmage, a believer in<br /> Christ, should object to any man for not + loving his<br /> mother and his father, when his Master, according<br /> to + the gospel of Saint Luke, says: "If any man<br /> "come to me, and hate not + his father, and mother,<br /> "and wife, and children, and brethren, and + sis-<br /> "ters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my<br /> + "disciple."<br /> <br /> According to this, I have to make my choice be-<br /> + tween my wife, my children, and Jesus Christ. I have<br /> concluded to + stand by my folks—both in this world,<br /> and in "the world to + come."<br /> <br /> 156<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage asks you + whether, in your<br /> judgment, the Bible was a good, or an evil, to your<br /> + parents?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I think it was an evil. The worst thing<br /> + about my father was his religion. He would have<br /> been far happier, in + my judgment, without it. I<br /> think I get more real joy out of life than + he did.<br /> He was a man of a very great and tender heart. He<br /> was + continually thinking—for many years of his<br /> life—of the + thousands and thousands going down to<br /> eternal fire. That doctrine + filled his days with<br /> gloom, and his eyes with tears. I think that my<br /> + father and mother would have been far happier had<br /> they believed as I + do. How any one can get any<br /> joy out of the Christian religion is past + my compre-<br /> hension. If that religion is true, hundreds of mil-<br /> + lions are now in hell, and thousands of millions yet<br /> unborn will be. + How such a fact can form any part<br /> of the "glad tidings of great joy," + is amazing to me.<br /> It is impossible for me to love a being who would<br /> + create countless millions for eternal pain. It is<br /> impossible for me + to worship the God of the Bible,<br /> or the God of Calvin, or the God of + the Westminster<br /> Catechism.<br /> <br /> 157<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + I see that Mr. Talmage challenges you<br /> to read the fourteenth chapter + of Saint John. Are<br /> you willing to accept the challenge; or have you<br /> + ever read that chapter?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I do not claim to be + very courageous,<br /> but I have read that chapter, and am very glad that<br /> + Mr. Talmage has called attention to it. According<br /> to the gospels, + Christ did many miracles. He healed<br /> the sick, gave sight to the + blind, made the lame<br /> walk, and raised the dead. In the fourteenth + chapter<br /> of Saint John, twelfth verse, I find the following:<br /> + <br /> "Verily, verily, I say unto you: He that believeth<br /> "on me, the + works that I do shall he do also; and<br /> "greater works than these shall + he do, because I go<br /> "unto my Father."<br /> <br /> I am willing to + accept that as a true test of a<br /> believer. If Mr. Talmage really + believes in Jesus<br /> Christ, he ought to be able to do at least as great<br /> + miracles as Christ is said to have done. Will Mr.<br /> Talmage have the + kindness to read the fourteenth<br /> chapter of John, and then give me + some proof, in<br /> accordance with that chapter, that he is a believer in<br /> + Jesus Christ? Will he have the kindness to perform<br /> a miracle?—for + instance, produce a "local flood,"<br /> make a worm to smite a gourd, or + "prepare a fish"?<br /> <br /> 158<br /> <br /> Can he do anything of that + nature? Can he even<br /> cause a "vehement east wind"? What evidence,<br /> + according to the Bible, can Mr. Talmage give of his<br /> belief? How does + he prove that he is a Christian?<br /> By hating infidels and maligning + Christians? Let<br /> Mr. Talmage furnish the evidence, according to the<br /> + fourteenth chapter of Saint John, or forever after<br /> hold his peace.<br /> + <br /> He has my thanks for calling my attention to the<br /> fourteenth + chapter of Saint John.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage charges + that you are at-<br /> tempting to destroy the "chief solace of the world,"<br /> + without offering any substitute. How do you answer<br /> this?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. If he calls Christianity the "chief solace<br /> "of the + world," and if by Christianity he means that all<br /> who do not believe + in the inspiration of the Scrip-<br /> tures, and have no faith in Jesus + Christ, are to be<br /> eternally damned, then I admit that I am doing the<br /> + best I can to take that "solace" from the human<br /> heart. I do not + believe that the Bible, when prop-<br /> erly understood, is, or ever has + been, a comfort to<br /> any human being. Surely, no good man can be<br /> + comforted by reading a book in which he finds that<br /> <br /> 159<br /> + <br /> a large majority of mankind have been sentenced to<br /> eternal + fire. In the doctrine of total depravity there<br /> is no "solace." In the + doctrine of "election" there can<br /> be no joy until the returns are in, + and a majority<br /> found for you.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage + says that you are taking<br /> away the world's medicines, and in place of + anaes-<br /> thetics, in place of laudanum drops, you read an<br /> essay to + the man in pain, on the absurdities of mor-<br /> phine and nervines in + general.<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. It is exactly the other way. I say, let<br /> + us depend upon morphine, not upon prayer. Do<br /> not send for the + minister—take a little laudanum.<br /> Do not read your Bible,—chloroform + is better. Do<br /> not waste your time listening to meaningless ser-<br /> + mons, but take real, genuine soporifics.<br /> <br /> I regard the + discoverer of ether as a benefactor.<br /> I look upon every great surgeon + as a blessing to<br /> mankind. I regard one doctor, skilled in his profes-<br /> + sion, of more importance to the world than all the<br /> orthodox + ministers.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage should remember that for hundreds<br /> + of years, the church fought, with all its power, the<br /> science of + medicine. Priests used to cure diseases<br /> <br /> 160<br /> <br /> by + selling little pieces of paper covered with cabalistic<br /> marks. They + filled their treasuries by the sale of<br /> holy water. They healed the + sick by relics—the teeth<br /> and ribs of saints, the finger-nails + of departed wor-<br /> thies, and the hair of glorified virgins. Infidelity<br /> + said: "Send for the doctor." Theology said: "Stick<br /> "to the priest." + Infidelity,—that is to say, science,—<br /> said: "Vaccinate + him." The priest said: "Pray;—<br /> "I will sell you a charm." The + doctor was regarded<br /> as a man who was endeavoring to take from God his<br /> + means of punishment. He was supposed to spike<br /> the artillery of + Jehovah, to wet the powder of the<br /> Almighty, and to steal the flint + from the musket of<br /> heavenly retribution.<br /> <br /> Infidelity has + never relied upon essays, it has<br /> never relied upon words, it has + never relied upon<br /> prayers, it has never relied upon angels or gods; + it<br /> has relied upon the honest efforts of men and women.<br /> It has + relied upon investigation, observation, experi-<br /> ence, and above all, + upon human reason.<br /> <br /> We, in America, know how much prayers are<br /> + worth. We have lately seen millions of people upon<br /> their knees. What + was the result?<br /> <br /> In the olden times, when a plague made its ap-<br /> + pearance, the people fell upon their knees and died.<br /> <br /> 161<br /> + <br /> When pestilence came, they rushed to their ca-<br /> thedrals, they + implored their priests—and died. God<br /> had no pity upon his + ignorant children. At last,<br /> Science came to the rescue. Science,—not + in the<br /> attitude of prayer, with closed eyes, but in the atti-<br /> + tude of investigation, with open eyes,—looked for and<br /> + discovered some of the laws of health. Science<br /> found that cleanliness + was far better than godliness. It<br /> said: Do not spend your time in + praying;—clean your<br /> houses, clean your streets, clean + yourselves. This pest-<br /> ilence is not a punishment. Health is not + simply a favor<br /> of the gods. Health depends upon conditions, and<br /> + when the conditions are violated, disease is inevitable,<br /> and no God + can save you. Health depends upon<br /> your surroundings, and when these + are favorable,<br /> the roses are in your cheeks.<br /> <br /> We find in + the Old Testament that God gave<br /> to Moses a thousand directions for + ascertaining<br /> the presence of leprosy. Yet it never occurred<br /> to + this God to tell Moses how to cure the disease.<br /> Within the lids of + the Old Testament, we have no<br /> information upon a subject of such + vital importance<br /> to mankind.<br /> <br /> It may, however, be claimed + by Mr. Talmage, that<br /> this statement is a little too broad, and I will + therefore<br /> <br /> 162<br /> <br /> give one recipe that I find in the + fourteenth chapter<br /> of Leviticus:<br /> <br /> "Then shall the priest + command to take for him<br /> " that is to be cleansed two birds alive and + clean, and<br /> "cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop; and the priest<br /> + "shall command that one of the birds be killed in an<br /> "earthen vessel + over running water. As for the<br /> "living bird, he shall take it, and + the cedar wood,<br /> "and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them<br /> + "and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was<br /> "killed over + the running water. And he shall<br /> "sprinkle upon him that is to be + cleansed from the<br /> "leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him + clean,<br /> "and shall let the living bird loose into the open<br /> + "field."<br /> <br /> Prophets were predicting evil—filling the + country<br /> with their wails and cries, and yet it never occurred<br /> to + them to tell one solitary thing of the slightest<br /> importance to + mankind. Why did not these inspired<br /> men tell us how to cure some of + the diseases that<br /> have decimated the world? Instead of spending<br /> + forty days and forty nights with Moses, telling him<br /> how to build a + large tent, and how to cut the gar-<br /> ments of priests, why did God not + give him a little<br /> useful information in respect to the laws of + health?<br /> <br /> 163<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage must remember that the + church has<br /> invented no anodynes, no anaesthetics, no medicines,<br /> + and has affected no cures. The doctors have not<br /> been inspired. All + these useful things men have<br /> discovered for themselves, aided by no + prophet and<br /> by no divine Savior. Just to the extent that man<br /> has + depended upon the other world, he has failed to<br /> make the best of + this. Just in the proportion that he<br /> has depended on his own efforts, + he has advanced.<br /> The church has always said:<br /> <br /> "Consider the + lilies of the field; they toil not,<br /> "neither do they spin." "Take no + thought for the<br /> "morrow." Whereas, the real common sense of this<br /> + world has said: "No matter whether lilies toil and<br /> spin, or not, if + you would succeed, you must work;<br /> you must take thought for the + morrow, you must<br /> look beyond the present day, you must provide for<br /> + your wife and your children."<br /> <br /> What can I be expected to give as + a substitute for<br /> perdition? It is enough to show that it does not<br /> + exist. What does a man want in place of a disease?<br /> Health. And what + is better calculated to increase<br /> the happiness of mankind than to + know that the<br /> doctrine of eternal pain is infinitely and absurdly<br /> + false?<br /> <br /> 164<br /> <br /> Take theology from the world, and natural + Love<br /> remains, Science is still here, Music will not be lost,<br /> the + page of History will still be open, the walls of<br /> the world will still + be adorned with Art, and the<br /> niches rich with Sculpture.<br /> <br /> + Take theology from the world, and we all shall<br /> have a common hope,—and + the fear of hell will be<br /> removed from every human heart.<br /> <br /> + Take theology from the world, and millions of<br /> men will be compelled + to earn an honest living.<br /> Impudence will not tax credulity. The + vampire of<br /> hypocrisy will not suck the blood of honest toil.<br /> + <br /> Take theology from the world, and the churches<br /> can be schools, + and the cathedrals universities.<br /> <br /> Take theology from the world, + and the money<br /> wasted on superstition will do away with want.<br /> + <br /> Take theology from the world, and every brain<br /> will find itself + without a chain.<br /> <br /> There is a vast difference between what is + called<br /> infidelity and theology.<br /> <br /> Infidelity is honest. When + it reaches the confines<br /> of reason, it says: "I know no further."<br /> + <br /> Infidelity does not palm its guess upon an ignorant<br /> world as a + demonstration.<br /> <br /> 165<br /> <br /> Infidelity proves nothing by + slander—establishes<br /> nothing by abuse.<br /> <br /> Infidelity has + nothing to hide. It has no "holy<br /> "of holies," except the abode of + truth. It has no<br /> curtain that the hand of investigation has not the<br /> + right to draw aside. It lives in the cloudless light,<br /> in the very + noon, of human eyes.<br /> <br /> Infidelity has no bible to be blasphemed. + It does<br /> not cringe before an angry God.<br /> <br /> Infidelity says to + every man: Investigate for<br /> yourself. There is no punishment for + unbelief.<br /> <br /> Infidelity asks no protection from legislatures. It<br /> + wants no man fined because he contradicts its doc-<br /> trines.<br /> <br /> + Infidelity relies simply upon evidence—not evi-<br /> dence of the + dead, but of the living.<br /> <br /> Infidelity has no infallible pope. It + relies only<br /> upon infallible fact. It has no priest except the<br /> + interpreter of Nature. The universe is its church.<br /> Its bible is + everything that is true. It implores every<br /> man to verify every word + for himself, and it implores<br /> him to say, if he does not believe it, + that he does<br /> not.<br /> <br /> Infidelity does not fear contradiction. + It is not<br /> afraid of being laughed at. It invites the scrutiny<br /> + <br /> 166<br /> <br /> of all doubters, of all unbelievers. It does not rely<br /> + upon awe, but upon reason. It says to the whole<br /> world: It is + dangerous not to think. It is dan-<br /> gerous not to be honest. It is + dangerous not to<br /> investigate. It is dangerous not to follow where<br /> + your reason leads.<br /> <br /> Infidelity requires every man to judge for + himself.<br /> Infidelity preserves the manhood of man.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Mr. Talmage also says that you are<br /> trying to put out the light-houses + on the coast of the<br /> next world; that you are "about to leave + everybody<br /> "in darkness at the narrows of death"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + There can be no necessity for these<br /> light-houses, unless the God of + Mr. Talmage has<br /> planted rocks and reefs within that unknown sea.<br /> + If there is no hell, there is no need of any light-<br /> house on the + shores of the next world; and only<br /> those are interested in keeping up + these pretended<br /> light-houses who are paid for trimming invisible<br /> + wicks and supplying the lamps with allegorical oil.<br /> Mr. Talmage is + one of these light-house keepers,<br /> and he knows that if it is + ascertained that the coast<br /> is not dangerous, the light-house will be + abandoned,<br /> and the keeper will have to find employment else-<br /> + <br /> 167<br /> <br /> where. As a matter of fact, every church is a use-<br /> + less light-house. It warns us only against breakers<br /> that do not + exist. Whenever a mariner tells one of<br /> the keepers that there is no + danger, then all the<br /> keepers combine to destroy the reputation of + that<br /> mariner.<br /> <br /> No one has returned from the other world to + tell<br /> us whether they have light-houses on that shore or<br /> not; or + whether the light-houses on this shore—one<br /> of which Mr. Talmage + is tending—have ever sent a<br /> cheering ray across the sea.<br /> + <br /> Nature has furnished every human being with<br /> a light more or + less brilliant, more or less powerful.<br /> That light is Reason; and he + who blows that light<br /> out, is in utter darkness. It has been the + business of<br /> the church for centuries to extinguish the lamp of the<br /> + mind, and to convince the people that their own<br /> reason is utterly + unreliable. The church has asked<br /> all men to rely only upon the light + of the church.<br /> <br /> Every priest has been not only a light-house but<br /> + a guide-board. He has threatened eternal damna-<br /> tion to all who + travel on some other road. These<br /> guide-boards have been toll-gates, + and the principal<br /> reason why the churches have wanted people to go<br /> + their road is, that tolls might be collected. They<br /> <br /> 168<br /> + <br /> have regarded unbelievers as the owners of turnpikes<br /> do people + who go 'cross lots. The toll-gate man<br /> always tells you that other + roads are dangerous—<br /> filled with quagmires and quicksands.<br /> + <br /> Every church is a kind of insurance society, and<br /> proposes, for + a small premium, to keep you from<br /> eternal fire. Of course, the man + who tells you that<br /> there is to be no fire, interferes with the + business,<br /> and is denounced as a malicious meddler and blas-<br /> + phemer. The fires of this world sustain the same<br /> relation to + insurance companies that the fires of the<br /> next do to the churches.<br /> + <br /> Mr. Talmage also insists that I am breaking up the<br /> + "life-boats." Why should a ship built by infinite<br /> wisdom, by an + infinite shipbuilder, carry life-boats?<br /> The reason we have life-boats + now is, that we are<br /> not entirely sure of the ship. We know that man<br /> + has not yet found out how to make a ship that can<br /> certainly brave all + the dangers of the deep. For this<br /> reason we carry life-boats. But + infinite wisdom must<br /> surely build ships that do not need life-boats. + Is there<br /> to be a wreck at last? Is God's ship to go down in<br /> + storm and darkness? Will it be necessary at last to<br /> forsake his ship + and depend upon life-boats?<br /> <br /> For my part, I do not wish to be + rescued by a life-<br /> <br /> 169<br /> <br /> boat. When the ship, bearing + the whole world, goes<br /> down, I am willing to go down with it—with + my<br /> wife, with my children, and with those I have loved.<br /> I will + not slip ashore in an orthodox canoe with<br /> somebody else's folks,—I + will stay with my own.<br /> <br /> What a picture is presented by the + church! A few<br /> in life's last storm are to be saved; and the saved,<br /> + when they reach shore, are to look back with joy<br /> upon the great ship + going down to the eternal depths!<br /> This is what I call the unutterable + meanness of or-<br /> thodox Christianity.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage speaks of + the "meanness of in-<br /> "fidelity."<br /> <br /> The meanness of orthodox + Christianity permits the<br /> husband to be saved, and to be ineffably + happy, while<br /> the wife of his bosom is suffering the tortures of hell.<br /> + <br /> The meanness of orthodox Christianity tells the<br /> boy that he can + go to heaven and have an eternity<br /> of bliss, and that this bliss will + not even be clouded<br /> by the fact that the mother who bore him writhes + in<br /> eternal pain.<br /> <br /> The meanness of orthodox Christianity + allows<br /> a soul to be so captivated with the companionship<br /> of + angels as to forget all the old loves and friend-<br /> ships of this + world.<br /> <br /> 170<br /> <br /> The meanness of orthodox Christianity, + its un-<br /> speakable selfishness, allows a soul in heaven to exult<br /> + in the fact of its own salvation, and at the same time<br /> to care + nothing for the damnation of all the rest.<br /> <br /> The orthodox + Christian says that if he can only<br /> save his little soul, if he can + barely squeeze into<br /> heaven, if he can only get past Saint Peter's + gate,<br /> if he can by hook or crook climb up the opposite<br /> bank of + Jordan, if he can get a harp in his hand, it<br /> matters not to him what + becomes of brother or<br /> sister, father or mother, wife or child. He is + willing<br /> that they should burn if he can sing.<br /> <br /> Oh, the + unutterable meanness of orthodox Chris-<br /> tianity, the infinite + heartlessness of the orthodox<br /> angels, who with tearless eyes will + forever gaze upon<br /> the agonies of those who were once blood of their<br /> + blood and flesh of their flesh!<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage describes a picture + of the scourging<br /> of Christ, painted by Rubens, and he tells us that<br /> + he was so appalled by this picture—by the sight of<br /> the naked + back, swollen and bleeding—that he could<br /> not have lived had he + continued to look; yet this<br /> same man, who could not bear to gaze upon + a<br /> painted pain, expects to be perfectly happy in heaven,<br /> while + countiess billions of actual—not painted—men,<br /> <br /> 171<br /> + <br /> women, and children writhe—not in a pictured flame,<br /> but + in the real and quenchless fires of hell.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. + Talmage also claims that we are<br /> indebted to Christianity for schools, + colleges, univer-<br /> sities, hospitals and asylums?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + This shows that Mr. Talmage has not<br /> read the history of the world. + Long before Chris-<br /> tianity had a place, there were vast libraries. + There<br /> were thousands of schools before a Christian existed<br /> on + the earth. There were hundreds of hospitals<br /> before a line of the New + Testament was written.<br /> Hundreds of years before Christ, there were + hospitals<br /> in India,—not only for men, women and children, but<br /> + even for beasts. There were hospitals in Egypt long<br /> before Moses was + born. They knew enough then<br /> to cure insanity with music. They + surrounded the<br /> insane with flowers, and treated them with kindness.<br /> + <br /> The great libraries at Alexandria were not Chris-<br /> tian. The + most intellectual nation of the Middle<br /> Ages was not Christian. While + Christians were<br /> imprisoning people for saying that the earth is + round,<br /> the Moors in Spain were teaching geography with<br /> globes. + They had even calculated the circumference<br /> of the earth by the tides + of the Red Sea.<br /> <br /> Where did education come from? For a thousand<br /> + <br /> 172<br /> <br /> years Christianity destroyed books and paintings and<br /> + statues. For a thousand years Christianity was filled<br /> with hatred + toward every effort of the human mind.<br /> We got paper from the Moors. + Printing had been<br /> known thousands of years before, in China. A few<br /> + manuscripts, containing a portion of the literature of<br /> Greece, a few + enriched with the best thoughts of<br /> the Roman world, had been + preserved from the<br /> general wreck and ruin wrought by Christian hate.<br /> + These became the seeds of intellectual progress.<br /> For a thousand years + Christianity controlled Europe.<br /> The Mohammedans were far in advance + of the<br /> Christians with hospitals and asylums and institutions<br /> of + learning.<br /> <br /> Just in proportion that we have done away with<br /> + what is known as orthodox Christianity, humanity<br /> has taken its place. + Humanity has built all the asy-<br /> lums, all the hospitals. Humanity, + not Christianity,<br /> has done these things. The people of this country<br /> + are all willing to be taxed that the insane may be<br /> cared for, that + the sick, the helpless, and the desti-<br /> tute may be provided for, not + because they are<br /> Christians, but because they are humane; and they<br /> + are not humane because they are Christians.<br /> <br /> The colleges of + this country have been poisoned by<br /> <br /> 173<br /> <br /> theology, and + their usefulness almost destroyed. Just<br /> in proportion that they have + gotten from ecclesiastical<br /> control, they have become a good. That + college, to-<br /> day, which has the most religion has the least true<br /> + learning; and that college which is the nearest free,<br /> does the most + good. Colleges that pit Moses against<br /> modern geology, that undertake + to overthrow the<br /> Copernican system by appealing to Joshua, have<br /> + done, and are doing, very little good in this world.<br /> <br /> Suppose + that in the first century Pagans had said<br /> to Christians: Where are + your hospitals, where are<br /> your asylums, where are your works of + charity, where<br /> are your colleges and universities?<br /> <br /> The + Christians undoubtedly would have replied:<br /> We have not been in power. + There are but few<br /> of us. We have been persecuted to that degree<br /> + that it has been about as much as we could do to<br /> maintain ourselves.<br /> + <br /> Reasonable Pagans would have regarded such an<br /> answer as + perfectly satisfactory. Yet that question<br /> could have been asked of + Christianity after it had<br /> held the reins of power for a thousand + years, and<br /> Christians would have been compelled to say: We<br /> have + no universities, we have no colleges, we have<br /> no real asylums.<br /> + <br /> 174<br /> <br /> The Christian now asks of the atheist: Where<br /> is + your asylum, where is your hospital, where is your<br /> university? And + the atheist answers: There have<br /> been but few atheists. The world is + not yet suffi-<br /> ciently advanced to produce them. For hundreds<br /> + and hundreds of years, the minds of men have been<br /> darkened by the + superstitions of Christianity. Priests<br /> have thundered against human + knowledge, have de-<br /> nounced human reason, and have done all within<br /> + their power to prevent the real progress of mankind.<br /> <br /> You must + also remember that Christianity has<br /> made more lunatics than it ever + provided asylums<br /> for. Christianity has driven more men and women<br /> + crazy than all other religions combined. Hundreds<br /> and thousands and + millions have lost their reason in<br /> contemplating the monstrous + falsehoods of Chris-<br /> tianity. Thousands of mothers, thinking of their<br /> + sons in hell—thousands of fathers, believing their<br /> boys and + girls in perdition, have lost their reason.<br /> <br /> So, let it be + distinctly understood, that Christianity<br /> has made ten lunatics—twenty—one + hundred—<br /> where it has provided an asylum for one.<br /> <br /> + Mr. Talmage also speaks of the hospitals. When<br /> we take into + consideration the wars that have been<br /> waged on account of religion, + the countless thou-<br /> <br /> 175<br /> <br /> sands who have been maimed + and wounded, through<br /> all the years, by wars produced by theology—then + I<br /> say that Christianity has not built hospitals enough<br /> to take + care of her own wounded—not enough to<br /> take care of one in a + hundred. Where Christianity<br /> has bound up the wounds of one, it has + pierced the<br /> bodies of a hundred others with sword and spear,<br /> + with bayonet and ball. Where she has provided<br /> one bed in a hospital, + she has laid away a hundred<br /> bodies in bloody graves.<br /> <br /> Of + course I do not expect the church to do<br /> anything but beg. Churches + produce nothing. They<br /> are like the lilies of the field. "They toil + not, neither<br /> "do they spin, yet Solomon in all his glory was not<br /> + "arrayed like most of them."<br /> <br /> The churches raise no corn nor + wheat. They<br /> simply collect tithes. They carry the alms' dish.<br /> + They pass the plate. They take toll. Of course<br /> a mendicant is not + expected to produce anything.<br /> He does not support,—he is + supported. The church<br /> does not help. She receives, she devours, she<br /> + consumes, and she produces only discord. She ex-<br /> changes mistakes for + provisions, faith for food,<br /> prayers for pence. The church is a + beggar. But we<br /> have this consolation: In this age of the world, this<br /> + <br /> 176<br /> <br /> beggar is not on horseback, and even the walking is<br /> + not good.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage says that infidels have<br /> + done no good?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Well, let us see. In the first + place,<br /> what is an "infidel"? He is simply a man in advance<br /> of + his time. He is an intellectual pioneer. He is<br /> the dawn of a new day. + He is a gentleman with an<br /> idea of his own, for which he gave no + receipt to the<br /> church. He is a man who has not been branded as<br /> + the property of some one else. An "infidel" is one<br /> who has made a + declaration of independence. In<br /> other words, he is a man who has had + a doubt. To<br /> have a doubt means that you have thought upon<br /> the + subject—that you have investigated the question;<br /> and he who + investigates any religion will doubt.<br /> <br /> All the advance that has + been made in the religious<br /> world has been made by "infidels," by + "heretics,"<br /> by "skeptics," by doubters,—that is to say, by<br /> + thoughtful men. The doubt does not come from the<br /> ignorant members of + your congregations. Heresy is<br /> not born of stupidity,—it is not + the child of the brain-<br /> less. He who is so afraid of hurting the + reputation<br /> of his father and mother that he refuses to advance,<br /> + <br /> 177<br /> <br /> is not a "heretic." The "heretic" is not true to<br /> + falsehood. Orthodoxy is. He who stands faithfully<br /> by a mistake is + "orthodox." He who, discovering<br /> that it is a mistake, has the courage + to say so, is an<br /> "infidel."<br /> <br /> An infidel is an intellectual + discoverer—one who<br /> finds new isles, new continents, in the vast + realm of<br /> thought. The dwellers on the orthodox shore de-<br /> nounce + this brave sailor of the seas as a buccaneer.<br /> <br /> And yet we are + told that the thinkers of new<br /> thoughts have never been of value to + the world.<br /> Voltaire did more for human liberty than all the<br /> + orthodox ministers living and dead. He broke a<br /> thousand times more + chains than Luther. Luther<br /> simply substituted his chain for that of + the Catholics.<br /> Voltaire had none. The Encyclopaedists of France<br /> + did more for liberty than all the writers upon theology.<br /> Bruno did + more for mankind than millions of "be-<br /> "lievers." Spinoza contributed + more to the growth<br /> of the human intellect than all the orthodox + theolo-<br /> gians.<br /> <br /> Men have not done good simply because they + have<br /> believed this or that doctrine. They have done good<br /> in the + intellectual world as they have thought and<br /> secured for others the + liberty to think and to ex-<br /> <br /> 178<br /> <br /> press their + thoughts. They have done good in the<br /> physical world by teaching their + fellows how to<br /> triumph over the obstructions of nature. Every<br /> + man who has taught his fellow-man to think, has<br /> been a benefactor. + Every one who has supplied his<br /> fellow-men with facts, and insisted + upon their right<br /> to think, has been a blessing to his kind.<br /> + <br /> Mr. Talmage, in order to show what Christians<br /> have done, points + us to Whitefield, Luther, Oberlin,<br /> Judson, Martyn, Bishop Mcllvaine + and Hannah<br /> More. I would not for one moment compare George<br /> + Whitefield with the inventor of movable type, and<br /> there is no + parallel between Frederick Oberlin and<br /> the inventor of paper; not the + slightest between<br /> Martin Luther and the discoverer of the New World;<br /> + not the least between Adoniram Judson and the in-<br /> ventor of the + reaper, nor between Henry Martyn<br /> and the discoverer of photography. + Of what use to<br /> the world was Bishop Mcllvaine, compared with<br /> the + inventor of needles? Of what use were a<br /> hundred such priests compared + with the inventor<br /> of matches, or even of clothes-pins? Suppose that<br /> + Hannah More had never lived? about the same<br /> number would read her + writings now. It is hardly fair<br /> to compare her with the inventor of + the steamship?<br /> <br /> 179<br /> <br /> The progress of the world—its + present improved<br /> condition—can be accounted for only by the + discov-<br /> eries of genius, only by men who have had the<br /> courage to + express their honest thoughts.<br /> <br /> After all, the man who invented + the telescope<br /> found out more about heaven than the closed eyes of<br /> + prayer had ever discovered. I feel absolutely certain<br /> that the + inventor of the steam engine was a greater<br /> benefactor to mankind than + the writer of the Presby-<br /> terian creed. I may be mistaken, but I + think that<br /> railways have done more to civilize mankind, than any<br /> + system of theology. I believe that the printing press<br /> has done more + for the world than the pulpit. It is<br /> my opinion that the discoveries + of Kepler did a<br /> thousand times more to enlarge the minds of men<br /> + than the prophecies of Daniel. I feel under far<br /> greater obligation to + Humboldt than to Haggai.<br /> The inventor of the plow did more good than + the<br /> maker of the first rosary—because, say what you<br /> will, + plowing is better than praying; we can live by<br /> plowing without + praying, but we can not live by<br /> praying without plowing. So I put my + faith in the<br /> plow.<br /> <br /> As Jehovah has ceased to make garments + for his<br /> children,—as he has stopped making coats of skins,<br /> + <br /> 180<br /> <br /> I have great respect for the inventors of the + spinning-<br /> jenny and the sewing machine. As no more laws<br /> are + given from Sinai, I have admiration for the real<br /> statesmen. As + miracles have ceased, I rely on<br /> medicine, and on a reasonable + compliance with the<br /> conditions of health.<br /> <br /> I have infinite + respect for the inventors, the<br /> thinkers, the discoverers, and above + all, for the un-<br /> known millions who have, without the hope of fame,<br /> + lived and labored for the ones they loved.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a + name="link0007" id="link0007"></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <big><b>FIFTH + INTERVIEW.</b></big><br /> <br /> <i>Parson. You had belter join the church; + it is<br /> the safer way.<br /> <br /> Sinner. I can't live up to your + doctrines, and you<br /> know it.<br /> <br /> Parson. Well, you can come as + near it in the<br /> church as out; and forgiveness<br /> <br /> will be + easier if you join us.<br /> <br /> Sinner. What do you mean by that?<br /> + <br /> Parson. I will tell you. If you join the church,<br /> and happen to + back-slide now and then, Christ will<br /> say to his Father: "That man is + a "friend of mine,<br /> and you may charge his account to me."</i><br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. What have you to say about the<br /> fifth sermon of + the Rev. Mr. Talmage in reply<br /> to you?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The + text from which he preached is:<br /> "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or + figs of thistles?"<br /> I am compelled to answer these questions in the<br /> + negative. That is one reason why I am an infidel.<br /> I do not believe + that anybody can gather grapes of<br /> thorns, or figs of thistles. That + is exactly my doctrine.<br /> But the doctrine of the church is, that you + can. The<br /> <br /> 184<br /> <br /> church says, that just at the last, no + matter if you<br /> have spent your whole life in raising thorns and + thistles,<br /> in planting and watering and hoeing and plowing<br /> thorns + and thistles—that just at the last, if you will<br /> repent, between + hoeing the last thistle and taking the<br /> last breath, you can reach out + the white and palsied<br /> hand of death and gather from every thorn a + cluster<br /> of grapes and from every thistle an abundance of<br /> figs. + The church insists that in this way you can<br /> gather enough grapes and + figs to last you through all<br /> eternity.<br /> <br /> My doctrine is, + that he who raises thorns must<br /> harvest thorns. If you sow thorns, you + must reap<br /> thorns; and there is no way by which an innocent<br /> being + can have the thorns you raise thrust into his<br /> brow, while you gather + his grapes.<br /> <br /> But Christianity goes even further than this. It<br /> + insists that a man can plant grapes and gather thorns.<br /> Mr. Talmage + insists that, no matter how good you<br /> are, no matter how kind, no + matter how much you<br /> love your wife and children, no matter how many<br /> + self-denying acts you do, you will not be allowed to<br /> eat of the + grapes you raise; that God will step be-<br /> tween you and the natural + consequences of your<br /> goodness, and not allow you to reap what you + sow.<br /> <br /> 185<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage insists, that if you have no + faith in the<br /> Lord Jesus Christ, although you have been good<br /> + here, you will reap eternal pain as your harvest; that<br /> the effect of + honesty and kindness will not be peace<br /> and joy, but agony and pain. + So that the church<br /> does insist not only that you can gather grapes + from<br /> thorns, but thorns from grapes.<br /> <br /> I believe exactly the + other way. If a man is a<br /> good man here, dying will not change him, + and he<br /> will land on the shore of another world—if there is<br /> + one—the same good man that he was when he left<br /> this; and I do + not believe there is any God in this<br /> universe who can afford to damn + a good man. This<br /> God will say to this man: You loved your wife,<br /> + your children, and your friends, and I love you.<br /> You treated others + with kindness; I will treat you<br /> in the same way. But Mr. Talmage + steps up to<br /> his God, nudges his elbow, and says: Although he<br /> was + a very good man, he belonged to no church;<br /> he was a blasphemer; he + denied the whale story, and<br /> after I explained that Jonah was only in + the whale's<br /> mouth, he still denied it; and thereupon Mr. Tal-<br /> + mage expects that his infinite God will fly in a<br /> passion, and in a + perfect rage will say: What! did<br /> he deny that story? Let him be + eternally damned!<br /> <br /> 186<br /> <br /> Not only this, but Mr. Talmage + insists that a man<br /> may have treated his wife like a wild beast; may + have<br /> trampled his child beneath the feet of his rage; may<br /> have + lived a life of dishonesty, of infamy, and yet,<br /> having repented on + his dying bed, having made his<br /> peace with God through the + intercession of his Son,<br /> he will be welcomed in heaven with shouts of + joy.<br /> I deny it. I do not believe that angels can be so<br /> quickly + made from rascals. I have but little confi-<br /> dence in repentance + without restitution, and a hus-<br /> band who has driven a wife to + insanity and death by<br /> his cruelty—afterward repenting and + finding himself<br /> in heaven, and missing his wife,—were he worthy + to<br /> be an angel, would wander through all the gulfs of<br /> hell until + he clasped her once again..<br /> <br /> Now, the next question is, What + must be done with<br /> those who are sometimes good and sometimes bad?<br /> + That is my condition. If there is another world, I<br /> expect to have the + same opportunity of behaving<br /> myself that I have here. If, when I get + there, I fail<br /> to act as I should, I expect to reap what I sow. If,<br /> + when I arrive at the New Jerusalem, I go into the<br /> thorn business, I + expect to harvest what I plant. If<br /> I am wise enough to start a + vineyard, I expect to<br /> have grapes in the early fall. But if I do + there as I<br /> <br /> 187<br /> <br /> have done here—plant some + grapes and some thorns,<br /> and harvest them together—I expect to + fare very<br /> much as I have fared here. But I expect year by<br /> year + to grow wiser, to plant fewer thorns every<br /> spring, and more grapes.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage charges that you have<br /> taken the + ground that the Bible is a cruel book, and<br /> has produced cruel people?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I have taken that ground, and I<br /> maintain + it. The Bible was produced by cruel people,<br /> and in its turn it has + produced people like its authors.<br /> The extermination of the Canaanites + was cruel.<br /> Most of the laws of Moses were bloodthirsty and<br /> + cruel. Hundreds of offences were punishable by<br /> death, while now, in + civilized countries, there are only<br /> two crimes for which the + punishment is capital. I<br /> charge that Moses and Joshua and David and + Samuel<br /> and Solomon were cruel. I believe that to read and<br /> + believe the Old Testament naturally makes a man<br /> careless of human + life. That book has produced<br /> hundreds of religious wars, and it has + furnished the<br /> battle-cries of bigotry for fifteen hundred years.<br /> + <br /> The Old Testament is filled with cruelty, but its<br /> cruelty stops + with this world, its malice ends with<br /> <br /> 188<br /> <br /> death; + whenever its victim has reached the grave,<br /> revenge is satisfied. Not + so with the New Testament.<br /> It pursues its victim forever. After + death, comes<br /> hell; after the grave, the worm that never dies. So<br /> + that, as a matter of fact, the New Testament is in-<br /> finitely more + cruel than the Old.<br /> <br /> Nothing has so tended to harden the human + heart<br /> as the doctrine of eternal punishment, and that<br /> passage: + "He that believeth and is baptized shall be<br /> "saved, and he that + believeth not shall be damned,"<br /> has shed more blood than all the + other so-called<br /> "sacred books" of all this world.<br /> <br /> I insist + that the Bible is cruel. The Bible invented<br /> instruments of torture. + The Bible laid the foundations<br /> of the Inquisition. The Bible + furnished the fagots and<br /> the martyrs. The Bible forged chains not + only for the<br /> hands, but for the brains of men. The Bible was at<br /> + the bottom of the massacre of St. Bartholomew.<br /> Every man who has been + persecuted for religion's<br /> sake has been persecuted by the Bible. That + sacred<br /> book has been a beast of prey.<br /> <br /> The truth is, + Christians have been good in spite of<br /> the Bible. The Bible has lived + upon the reputations of<br /> good men and good women,—men and women + who<br /> were good notwithstanding the brutality they found<br /> <br /> + <br /> 189<br /> <br /> upon the inspired page. Men have said: "My mother<br /> + "believed in the Bible; my mother was good; there-<br /> "fore, the Bible + is good," when probably the mother<br /> never read a chapter in it.<br /> + <br /> The Bible produced the Church of Rome, and<br /> Torquemada was a + product of the Bible. Philip of<br /> Spain and the Duke of Alva were + produced by the<br /> Bible. For thirty years Europe was one vast battle-<br /> + field, and the war was produced by the Bible. The re-<br /> vocation of the + Edict of Nantes was produced by the<br /> sacred Scriptures. The + instruments of torture—the<br /> pincers, the thumb-screws, the + racks, were produced<br /> by the word of God. The Quakers of New England<br /> + were whipped and burned by the Bible—their children<br /> were stolen + by the Bible. The slave-ship had for its<br /> sails the leaves of the + Bible. Slavery was upheld in<br /> the United States by the Bible. The + Bible was the<br /> auction-block. More than this, worse than this,<br /> + infinitely beyond the computation of imagination, the<br /> despotisms of + the old world all rested and still rest<br /> upon the Bible. "The powers + that be" were sup-<br /> posed to have been "ordained of God;" and he who<br /> + rose against his king periled his soul.<br /> <br /> In this connection, and + in order to show the state<br /> of society when the church had entire + control of civil<br /> <br /> 190<br /> <br /> and ecclesiastical affairs, it + may be well enough to<br /> read the following, taken from the <i>New York + Sun</i> of<br /> March 21, 1882. From this little extract, it will be<br /> + easy in the imagination to re-organize the government<br /> that then + existed, and to see clearly the state of so-<br /> ciety at that time. This + can be done upon the same<br /> principle that one scale tells of the + entire fish, or one<br /> bone of the complete animal:<br /> <br /> "From + records in the State archives of Hesse-<br /> "Darmstadt, dating back to + the thirteenth century,<br /> "it appears that the public executioner's fee + for boiling<br /> "a criminal in oil was twenty-four florins; for decapi-<br /> + "tating with the sword, fifteen florins and-a-half; for<br /> "quartering, + the same; for breaking on the wheel,<br /> "five florins, thirty kreuzers; + for tearing a man to<br /> "pieces, eighteen florins. Ten florins per head + was<br /> "his charge for hanging, and he burned delinquents<br /> "alive at + the rate of fourteen florins apiece. For ap-<br /> "plying the 'Spanish + boot' his fee was only two<br /> "florins. Five florins were paid to him + every time he<br /> "subjected a refractory witness to the torture of the<br /> + "rack. The same amount was his due for 'branding<br /> "'the sign of the + gallows with a red-hot iron upon<br /> "'the back, forehead, or cheek of a + thief,' as well as<br /> "for 'cutting off the nose and ears of a slanderer + or<br /> <br /> 191<br /> <br /> "'blasphemer.' Flogging with rods was a cheap<br /> + "punishment, its remuneration being fixed at three<br /> "florins, thirty + kreuzers."<br /> <br /> The Bible has made men cruel. It is a cruel book.<br /> + And yet, amidst its thorns, amidst its thistles, amidst<br /> its nettles + and its swords and pikes, there are some<br /> flowers, and these I wish, + in common with all good<br /> men, to save.<br /> <br /> I do not believe + that men have ever been made<br /> merciful in war by reading the Old + Testament. I do<br /> not believe that men have ever been prompted to<br /> + break the chain of a slave by reading the Pentateuch.<br /> The question is + not whether Florence Nightingale and<br /> Miss Dix were cruel. I have said + nothing about<br /> John Howard, nothing about Abbott Lawrence.<br /> I say + nothing about people in this connection. The<br /> question is: Is the + Bible a cruel book? not: Was<br /> Miss Nightingale a cruel woman? There + have been<br /> thousands and thousands of loving, tender and char-<br /> + itable Mohammedans. Mohammedan mothers love<br /> their children as well as + Christian mothers can.<br /> Mohammedans have died in defence of the Koran—<br /> + died for the honor of an impostor. There were<br /> millions of charitable + people in India—millions in<br /> Egypt—and I am not sure that + the world has ever<br /> <br /> 192<br /> <br /> produced people who loved one + another better than<br /> the Egyptians.<br /> <br /> I think there are many + things in the Old Testament<br /> calculated to make man cruel. Mr. Talmage + asks:<br /> "What has been the effect upon your children? As<br /> "they + have become more and more fond of the<br /> "Scriptures have they become + more and more fond<br /> "of tearing off the wings of flies and pinning + grass-<br /> "hoppers and robbing birds' nests?"<br /> <br /> I do not + believe that reading the bible would make<br /> them tender toward flies or + grasshoppers. According<br /> to that book, God used to punish animals for + the<br /> crimes of their owners. He drowned the animals in<br /> a flood. + He visited cattle with disease. He bruised<br /> them to death with + hailstones—killed them by the<br /> thousand. Will the reading of + these things make<br /> children kind to animals? So, the whole system of<br /> + sacrifices in the Old Testament is calculated to harden<br /> the heart. + The butchery of oxen and lambs, the killing<br /> of doves, the perpetual + destruction of life, the con-<br /> tinual shedding of blood—these + things, if they have<br /> any tendency, tend only to harden the heart of + child-<br /> hood.<br /> <br /> The Bible does not stop simply with the + killing of<br /> animals. The Jews were commanded to kill their<br /> <br /> + 193<br /> <br /> neighbors—not only the men, but the women; not<br /> + only the women, but the babes. In accordance with<br /> the command of God, + the Jews killed not only their<br /> neighbors, but their own brothers; and + according to<br /> this book, which is the foundation, as Mr. Talmage<br /> + believes, of all mercy, men were commanded to kill<br /> their wives + because they differed with them on the<br /> subject of religion.<br /> + <br /> Nowhere in the world can be found laws more un-<br /> just and cruel + than in the Old Testament.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage wants + you to tell where<br /> the cruelty of the Bible crops out in the lives of + Chris-<br /> tians?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, millions + of Christians<br /> have been persecutors. Did they get the idea of<br /> + persecution from the Bible? Will not every honest<br /> man admit that the + early Christians, by reading the<br /> Old Testament, became convinced that + it was not<br /> only their privilege, but their duty, to destroy heathen<br /> + nations? Did they not, by reading the same book,<br /> come to the + conclusion that it was their solemn duty<br /> to extirpate heresy and + heretics? According to the<br /> New Testament, nobody could be saved + unless he<br /> believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. The early Chris-<br /> + <br /> 194<br /> <br /> tians believed this dogma. They also believed that<br /> + they had a right to defend themselves and their<br /> children from + "heretics."<br /> <br /> We all admit that a man has a right to defend his<br /> + children against the assaults of a would-be murderer,<br /> and he has the + right to carry this defence to the<br /> extent of killing the assailant. + If we have the right<br /> to kill people who are simply trying to kill the + bodies<br /> of our children, of course we have the right to kill<br /> them + when they are endeavoring to assassinate, not<br /> simply their bodies, + but their souls. It was in this<br /> way Christians reasoned. If the + Testament is right,<br /> their reasoning was correct. Whoever believes the<br /> + New Testament literally—whoever is satisfied that it<br /> is + absolutely the word of God, will become a perse-<br /> cutor. All religious + persecution has been, and is, in<br /> exact harmony with the teachings of + the Old and<br /> New Testaments. Of course I mean with some of<br /> the + teachings. I admit that there are passages in<br /> both the Old and New + Testaments against persecu-<br /> tion. These are passages quoted only in + time of<br /> peace. Others are repeated to feed the flames of<br /> war.<br /> + <br /> I find, too, that reading the Bible and believing the<br /> Bible do + not prevent even ministers from telling false-<br /> <br /> 195<br /> <br /> + hoods about their opponents. I find that the Rev.<br /> Mr. Talmage is + willing even to slander the dead,—<br /> that he is willing to stain + the memory of a Christian,<br /> and that he does not hesitate to give + circulation<br /> to what he knows to be untrue. Mr. Talmage<br /> has + himself, I believe, been the subject of a church<br /> trial. How many of + the Christian witnesses against<br /> him, in his judgment, told the truth? + Yet they were<br /> all Bible readers and Bible believers. What effect, in<br /> + his judgment, did the reading of the Bible have upon<br /> his enemies? Is + he willing to admit that the testi-<br /> mony of a Bible, reader and + believer is true? Is he<br /> willing to accept the testimony even of + ministers?<br /> —of his brother ministers? Did reading the Bible<br /> + make them bad people? Was it a belief in the Bible<br /> that colored their + testimony? Or, was it a belief in<br /> the Bible that made Mr. Talmage + deny the truth of<br /> their statements?<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. + Talmage charges you with having<br /> said that the Scriptures are a + collection of polluted<br /> writings?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I have + never said such a thing. I have<br /> said, and I still say, that there are + passages in the<br /> Bible unfit to be read—passages that never + should<br /> <br /> 196<br /> <br /> have been written—passages, whether + inspired or<br /> uninspired, that can by no possibility do any human<br /> + being any good. I have always admitted that there<br /> are good passages + in the Bible—many good, wise<br /> and just laws—many things + calculated to make men<br /> better—many things calculated to make + men worse.<br /> I admit that the Bible is a mixture of good and bad,<br /> + of truth and falsehood, of history and fiction, of sense<br /> and + nonsense, of virtue and vice, of aspiration and<br /> revenge, of liberty + and tyranny.<br /> <br /> I have never said anything against Solomon's<br /> + Song. I like it better than I do any book that pre-<br /> cedes it, because + it touches upon the human. In the<br /> desert of murder, wars of + extermination, polygamy,<br /> concubinage and slavery, it is an oasis + where the<br /> trees grow, where the birds sing, and where human<br /> love + blossoms and fills the air with perfume. I do<br /> not regard that book as + obscene. There are many<br /> things in it that are beautiful and tender, + and it is<br /> calculated to do good rather than harm.<br /> <br /> Neither + have I any objection to the book of Eccle-<br /> siastes—except a few + interpolations in it. That book<br /> was written by a Freethinker, by a + philosopher.<br /> There is not the slightest mention of God in it, nor<br /> + of another state of existence. All portions in which<br /> <br /> 197<br /> + <br /> God is mentioned are interpolations. With some of<br /> this book I + agree heartily. I believe in the doctrine<br /> of enjoying yourself, if + you can, to-day. I think it<br /> foolish to spend all your years in + heaping up treas-<br /> ures, not knowing but he who will spend them is to<br /> + be an idiot. I believe it is far better to be happy with<br /> your wife + and child now, than to be miserable here,<br /> with angelic expectations + in some other world.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage is mistaken when he supposes + that all<br /> Bible believers have good homes, that all Bible readers<br /> + are kind in their families. As a matter of fact, nearly all<br /> the + wife-whippers of the United States are orthodox.<br /> Nine-tenths of the + people in the penitentiaries are<br /> believers. Scotland is one of the + most orthodox<br /> countries in the world, and one of the most intem-<br /> + perate. Hundreds and hundreds of women are<br /> arrested every year in + Glasgow for drunkenness.<br /> Visit the Christian homes in the + manufacturing dis-<br /> tricts of England. Talk with the beaters of + children<br /> and whippers of wives, and you will find them be-<br /> + lievers. Go into what is known as the "Black<br /> "Country," and you will + have an idea of the Chris-<br /> tian civilization of England.<br /> <br /> + Let me tell you something about the "Black<br /> "Country." There women + work in iron; there women<br /> <br /> 198<br /> <br /> do the work of men. + Let me give you an instance:<br /> A commission was appointed by Parliament + to ex-<br /> amine into the condition of the women in the "Black<br /> + "Country," and a report was made. In that report<br /> I read the + following:<br /> <br /> "A superintendent of a brickyard where women<br /> + "were engaged in carrying bricks from the yard to<br /> "the kiln, said to + one of the women:<br /> <br /> "'Eliza, you don't appear to be very uppish + this<br /> "morning.'"<br /> <br /> "'Neither would you be very uppish, sir,' + she re-<br /> "plied, 'if you had had a child last night.'"<br /> <br /> This + gives you an idea of the Christian civilization<br /> of England.<br /> + <br /> England and Ireland produce most of the prize-<br /> fighters. The + scientific burglar is a product of Great<br /> Britain. There is not the + great difference that Mr.<br /> Talmage supposes, between the morality of + Pekin<br /> and of New York. I doubt if there is a city in<br /> the world + with more crime according to the population<br /> than New York, unless it + be London, or it may be<br /> Dublin, or Brooklyn, or possibly Glasgow, + where<br /> a man too pious to read a newspaper published on<br /> Sunday, + stole millions from the poor.<br /> <br /> I do not believe there is a + country in the world<br /> <br /> 199<br /> <br /> where there is more robbery + than in Christian lands—<br /> no country where more cashiers are + defaulters, where<br /> more presidents of banks take the money of + depositors,<br /> where there is more adulteration of food, where<br /> + fewer ounces make a pound, where fewer inches make<br /> a yard, where + there is more breach of trust, more<br /> respectable larceny under the + name of embezzlement,<br /> or more slander circulated as gospel.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage insists that there are no<br /> + contradictions in the Bible—that it is a perfect har-<br /> mony from + Genesis to Revelation—a harmony as<br /> perfect as any piece of + music ever written by<br /> Beethoven or Handel?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Of course, if God wrote it, the Bible<br /> ought to be perfect. I do not + see why a minister<br /> should be so perfectly astonished to find that an<br /> + inspired book is consistent with itself throughout.<br /> Yet the truth is, + the Bible is infinitely inconsistent.<br /> <br /> Compare the two systems—the + system of Jehovah<br /> and that of Jesus. In the Old Testament the + doctrine<br /> of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" was<br /> + taught. In the New Testament, "forgive your<br /> "enemies," and "pray for + those who despitefully<br /> "use you and persecute you." In the Old + Testament<br /> <br /> 200<br /> <br /> it is kill, burn, massacre, destroy; + in the New forgive.<br /> The two systems are inconsistent, and one is just<br /> + about as far wrong as the other. To live for and<br /> thirst for revenge, + to gloat over the agony of an<br /> enemy, is one extreme; to "resist not + evil" is the<br /> other extreme; and both these extremes are equally<br /> + distant from the golden mean of justice.<br /> <br /> The four gospels do + not even agree as to the terms<br /> of salvation. And yet, Mr. Talmage + tells us that<br /> there are four cardinal doctrines taught in the Bible—<br /> + the goodness of God, the fall of man, the sympathetic<br /> and forgiving + nature of the Savior, and two desti-<br /> nies—one for believers and + the other for unbelievers.<br /> That is to say:<br /> <br /> 1. That God is + good, holy and forgiving.<br /> <br /> 2. That man is a lost sinner.<br /> + <br /> 3. That Christ is "all sympathetic," and ready to<br /> take the + whole world to his heart.<br /> <br /> 4. Heaven for believers and hell for + unbelievers.<br /> <br /> <i>First</i>. I admit that the Bible says that God + is<br /> <br /> good and holy. But this Bible also tells what God<br /> did, + and if God did what the Bible says he did, then I<br /> insist that God is + not good, and that he is not holy,<br /> or forgiving. According to the + Bible, this good<br /> God believed in religious persecution; this good<br /> + <br /> 201<br /> <br /> God believed in extermination, in polygamy, in con-<br /> + cubinage, in human slavery; this good God com-<br /> manded murder and + massacre, and this good God<br /> could only be mollified by the shedding + of blood.<br /> This good God wanted a butcher for a priest. This<br /> good + God wanted husbands to kill their wives—<br /> wanted fathers and + mothers to kill their children.<br /> This good God persecuted animals on + account of the<br /> crimes of their owners. This good God killed the<br /> + common people because the king had displeased him.<br /> This good God + killed the babe even of the maid<br /> behind the mill, in order that he + might get even with<br /> a king. This good God committed every possible<br /> + crime.<br /> <br /> <i>Second</i>. The statement that man is a lost sinner<br /> + is not true. There are thousands and thousands of<br /> magnificent Pagans—men + ready to die for wife, or<br /> child, or even for friend, and the history + of Pagan<br /> countries is filled with self-denying and heroic acts.<br /> + If man is a failure, the infinite God, if there be one,<br /> is to blame. + Is it possible that the God of Mr. Tal-<br /> mage could not have made man + a success? Accord-<br /> ing to the Bible, his God made man knowing that in<br /> + about fifteen hundred years he would have to drown<br /> all his + descendants.<br /> <br /> 202<br /> <br /> Why would a good God create a man + that he<br /> knew would be a sinner all his life, make hundreds<br /> of + thousands of his fellow-men unhappy, and who at<br /> last would be doomed + to an eternity of suffering?<br /> Can such a God be good? How could a + devil have<br /> done worse?<br /> <br /> <i>Third.</i> If God is infinitely + good, is he not fully as<br /> sympathetic as Christ? Do you have to employ<br /> + Christ to mollify a being of infinite mercy? Is Christ<br /> any more + willing to take to his heart the whole world<br /> than his Father is? + Personally, I have not the<br /> slightest objection in the world to + anybody believing<br /> in an infinitely good and kind God—not the + slightest<br /> objection to any human being worshiping an infi-<br /> + nitely tender and merciful Christ—not the slightest<br /> objection + to people preaching about heaven, or about<br /> the glories of the future + state—not the slightest.<br /> <br /> <i>Fourth</i>. I object to the + doctrine of two destinies<br /> for the human race. I object to the + infamous false-<br /> hood of eternal fire. And yet, Mr. Talmage is en-<br /> + deavoring to poison the imagination of men, women<br /> and children with + the doctrine of an eternal hell.<br /> Here is what he preaches, taken from + the "Constitu-<br /> "tion of the Presbyterian Church of the United<br /> + "States:"<br /> <br /> 203<br /> <br /> "By the decrees of God, for the + manifestation of<br /> "his glory, some men and angels are predestinated<br /> + "to everlasting life, and others foreordained to ever-<br /> "lasting + death."<br /> <br /> That is the doctrine of Mr. Talmage. He wor-<br /> ships + a God who damns people "for the manifesta-<br /> "tion of his glory,"—a + God who made men, knowing<br /> that they would be damned—a God who + damns<br /> babes simply to increase his reputation with the<br /> angels. + This is the God of Mr. Talmage. Such a<br /> God I abhor, despise and + execrate.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What does Mr. Talmage think of man-<br /> + kind? What is his opinion of the "unconverted"?<br /> How does he regard + the great and glorious of the<br /> earth, who have not been the victims of + his particular<br /> superstition? What does he think of some of the<br /> + best the earth has produced?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I will tell you how + he looks upon all<br /> such. Read this from his "Confession of Faith:"<br /> + <br /> "Our first parents, being seduced by the subtlety<br /> "of the + tempter, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit.<br /> "By this sin, they + fell from their original righteous-<br /> "ness and communion with God, and + so became<br /> "dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties<br /> + <br /> 204<br /> <br /> "and parts of soul and body; and they being the<br /> + "root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was<br /> "imputed, and the + same death in sin and corrupted<br /> "nature conveyed to all their + posterity. From this<br /> "original corruption—whereby we are + utterly indis-<br /> "posed, disabled, and made opposite to all good,<br /> + "and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual<br /> + "transgressions."<br /> <br /> This is Mr. Talmage's view of humanity.<br /> + <br /> Why did his God make a devil? Why did he<br /> allow the devil to + tempt Adam and Eve? Why did<br /> he leave innocence and ignorance at the + mercy of<br /> subtlety and wickedness? Why did he put "the<br /> "tree of + the knowledge of good and evil" in the<br /> garden? For what reason did he + place temptation<br /> in the way of his children? Was it kind, was it + just,<br /> was it noble, was it worthy of a good God? No<br /> wonder + Christ put into his prayer: "Lead us not<br /> "into temptation."<br /> + <br /> At the time God told Adam and Eve not to eat,<br /> why did he not + tell them of the existence of Satan?<br /> Why were they not put upon their + guard against the<br /> serpent? Why did not God make his appearance<br /> + just before the sin, instead of just after. Why did<br /> he not play the + role of a Savior instead of that of a<br /> <br /> 205<br /> <br /> detective? + After he found that Adam and Eve had<br /> sinned—knowing as he did + that they were then<br /> totally corrupt—knowing that all their + children<br /> would be corrupt, knowing that in fifteen hundred<br /> years + he would have to drown millions of them, why<br /> did he not allow Adam + and Eve to perish in accord-<br /> ance with natural law, then kill the + devil, and make a<br /> new pair?<br /> <br /> When the flood came, why did + he not drown all?<br /> Why did he save for seed that which was "perfectly<br /> + "and thoroughly corrupt in all its parts and facul-<br /> "ties"? If God + had drowned Noah and his sons<br /> and their families, he could have then + made a new<br /> pair, and peopled the world with men not "wholly<br /> + "defiled in all their faculties and parts of soul and<br /> "body."<br /> + <br /> Jehovah learned nothing by experience. He per-<br /> sisted in his + original mistake. What would we think<br /> of a man who finding that a + field of wheat was<br /> worthless, and that such wheat never could be<br /> + raised with profit, should burn all of the field with the<br /> exception + of a few sheaves, which he saved for seed?<br /> Why save such seed? Why + should God have pre-<br /> served Noah, knowing that he was totally + corrupt,<br /> and that he would again fill the world with infamous<br /> + <br /> 206<br /> <br /> people—people incapable of a good action? He<br /> + must have known at that time, that by preserving<br /> Noah, the Canaanites + would be produced, that these<br /> same Canaanites would have to be + murdered, that<br /> the babes in the cradles would have to be strangled.<br /> + Why did he produce them? He knew at that time,<br /> that Egypt would + result from the salvation of Noah,<br /> that the Egyptians would have to + be nearly de-<br /> stroyed, that he would have to kill their first-born,<br /> + that he would have to visit even their cattle with<br /> disease and + hailstones. He knew also that the<br /> Egyptians would oppress his chosen + people for two<br /> hundred and fifteen years, that they would upon the<br /> + back of toil inflict the lash. Why did he preserve<br /> Noah? He should + have drowned all, and started<br /> with a new pair. He should have warned + them<br /> against the devil, and he might have succeeded, in<br /> that + way, in covering the world with gentlemen and<br /> ladies, with real men + and real women.<br /> <br /> We know that most of the people now in the<br /> + world are not Christians. Most who have heard the<br /> gospel of Christ + have rejected it, and the Presby-<br /> terian Church tells us what is to + become of all these<br /> people. This is the "glad tidings of great joy."<br /> + Let us see:<br /> <br /> 207<br /> <br /> "All mankind, by their fall, lost + communion with<br /> "God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made<br /> + "liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself,<br /> "and to + the pains of hell forever."<br /> <br /> According to this good Presbyterian + doctrine, all<br /> that we suffer in this world, is the result of Adam's<br /> + fall. The babes of to-day suffer for the crime of the<br /> first parents. + Not only so; but God is angry at us<br /> for what Adam did. We are under + the wrath of an<br /> infinite God, whose brows are corrugated with eternal<br /> + hatred.<br /> <br /> Why should God hate us for being what we are<br /> and + necessarily must have been? A being that God<br /> made—the devil—for + whose work God is responsible,<br /> according to the Bible wrought this + woe. God of his<br /> own free will must have made the devil. What did<br /> + he make him for? Was it necessary to have a devil<br /> in heaven? God, + having infinite power, can of<br /> course destroy this devil to-day. Why + does he per-<br /> mit him to live? Why did he allow him to thwart his<br /> + plans? Why did he permit him to pollute the inno-<br /> cence of Eden? Why + does he allow him now to<br /> wrest souls by the million from the + redeeming hand<br /> of Christ?<br /> <br /> According to the Scriptures, the + devil has always<br /> <br /> 208<br /> <br /> been successful. He enjoys + himself. He is called<br /> "the prince of the power of the air." He has no<br /> + conscientious scruples. He has miraculous power.<br /> All miraculous power + must come of God, otherwise<br /> it is simply in accordance with nature. + If the devil<br /> can work a miracle, it is only with the consent and<br /> + by the assistance of the Almighty. Is the God of<br /> Mr. Talmage in + partnership with the devil? Do<br /> they divide profits?<br /> <br /> We are + also told by the Presbyterian Church—<br /> I quote from their + Confession of Faith—that "there<br /> "is no sin so small but it + deserves damnation.'' Yet<br /> Mr. Talmage tells us that God is good, that + he is filled<br /> with mercy and loving-kindness. A child nine or ten<br /> + years of age commits a sin, and thereupon it deserves<br /> eternal + damnation. That is what Mr. Talmage calls,<br /> not simply justice, but + mercy; and the sympathetic<br /> heart of Christ is not touched. The same + being who<br /> said: "Suffer little children to come unto me," tells<br /> + us that a child, for the smallest sin, deserves to be<br /> eternally + damned. The Presbyterian Church tells us<br /> that infants, as well as + adults, in order to be saved,<br /> need redemption by the blood of Christ, + and regen-<br /> eration by the Holy Ghost.<br /> <br /> I am charged with + trying to take the consolation<br /> <br /> 209<br /> <br /> of this doctrine + from the world. I am a criminal<br /> because I am endeavoring to convince + the mother<br /> that her child does not deserve eternal punishment.<br /> I + stand by the graves of those who "died in their<br /> "sins," by the tombs + of the "unregenerate," over the<br /> ashes of men who have spent their + lives working for<br /> their wives and children, and over the sacred dust + of<br /> soldiers who died in defence of flag and country,<br /> and I say + to their friends—I say to the living who<br /> loved them, I say to + the men and women for whom<br /> they worked, I say to the children whom + they edu-<br /> cated, I say to the country for which they died:<br /> These + fathers, these mothers, these wives, these<br /> husbands, these soldiers + are not in hell.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Mr. Talmage insists that the + Bible is<br /> scientific, and that the real scientific man sees no<br /> + contradiction between revelation and science; that,<br /> on the contrary, + they are in harmony. What is your<br /> understanding of this matter?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I do not believe the Bible to be a sci-<br /> entific + book. In fact, most of the ministers now admit<br /> that it was not + written to teach any science. They<br /> admit that the first chapter of + Genesis is not geo-<br /> logically true. They admit that Joshua knew + nothing<br /> <br /> 210<br /> <br /> of science. They admit that four-footed + birds did<br /> not exist in the days of Moses. In fact, the only<br /> way + they can avoid the unscientific statements of the<br /> Bible, is to assert + that the writers simply used the<br /> common language of their day, and + used it, not with<br /> the intention of teaching any scientific truth, but + for<br /> the purpose of teaching some moral truth. As a<br /> matter of + fact, we find that moral truths have been<br /> taught in all parts of this + world. They were taught<br /> in India long before Moses lived; in Egypt + long be-<br /> fore Abraham was born; in China thousands of<br /> years + before the flood. They were taught by hundreds<br /> and thousands and + millions before the Garden of<br /> Eden was planted.<br /> <br /> It would + be impossible to prove the truth of a<br /> revelation simply because it + contained moral truths.<br /> If it taught immorality, it would be + absolutely certain<br /> that it was not a revelation from an infinitely + good<br /> being. If it taught morality, it would be no reason<br /> for + even suspecting that it had a divine origin. But<br /> if the Bible had + given us scientific truths; if the<br /> ignorant Jews had given us the + true theory of our<br /> solar system; if from Moses we had learned the<br /> + nature of light and heat; if from Joshua we had<br /> learned something of + electricity; if the minor pro-<br /> <br /> 211<br /> <br /> phets had given + us the distances to other planets;<br /> if the orbits of the stars had + been marked by the<br /> barbarians of that day, we might have admitted + that<br /> they must have been inspired. If they had said any-<br /> thing + in advance of their day; if they had plucked<br /> from the night of + ignorance one star of truth, we<br /> might have admitted the claim of + inspiration; but<br /> the Scriptures did not rise above their source, did<br /> + not rise above their ignorant authors—above the<br /> people who + believed in wars of extermination, in<br /> polygamy, in concubinage, in + slavery, and who taught<br /> these things in their "sacred Scriptures."<br /> + <br /> The greatest men in the scientific world have not<br /> been, and are + not, believers in the inspiration of the<br /> Scriptures. There has been + no greater astronomer<br /> than Laplace. There is no greater name than<br /> + Humboldt. There is no living scientist who stands<br /> higher than Charles + Darwin. All the professors in<br /> all the religious colleges in this + country rolled into<br /> one, would not equal Charles Darwin. All the cow-<br /> + ardly apologists for the cosmogony of Moses do not<br /> amount to as much + in the world of thought as Ernst<br /> Haeckel. There is no orthodox + scientist the equal<br /> of Tyndall or Huxley. There is not one in this<br /> + country the equal of John Fiske. I insist, that the<br /> <br /> 212<br /> + <br /> foremost men to-day in the scientific world reject the<br /> dogma of + inspiration. They reject the science of the<br /> Bible, and hold in utter + contempt the astronomy of<br /> Joshua, and the geology of Moses.<br /> + <br /> Mr. Talmage tells us "that Science is a boy and<br /> "Revelation is + a man." Of course, like the most he<br /> says, it is substantially the + other way. Revelation,<br /> so-called, was the boy. Religion was the + lullaby of<br /> the cradle, the ghost-story told by the old woman,<br /> + Superstition. Science is the man. Science asks for<br /> demonstration. + Science impels us to investigation,<br /> and to verify everything for + ourselves. Most pro-<br /> fessors of American colleges, if they were not + afraid<br /> of losing their places, if they did not know that<br /> + Christians were bad enough now to take the bread<br /> from their mouths, + would tell their students that the<br /> Bible is not a scientific book.<br /> + <br /> I admit that I have said:<br /> <br /> 1. That the Bible is cruel.<br /> + <br /> 2. That in many passages it is impure.<br /> <br /> 3. That it is + contradictory.<br /> <br /> 4. That it is unscientific.<br /> <br /> Let me + now prove these propositions one by one.<br /> <br /> First. The Bible is + cruel.<br /> <br /> I have opened it at random, and the very first<br /> + <br /> 213<br /> <br /> chapter that has struck my eye is the sixth of First<br /> + Samuel. In the nineteenth verse of that chapter, I<br /> find the + following:<br /> <br /> "And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because<br /> + "they had looked into the ark of the Lord; even he<br /> "smote of the + people fifty thousand and three-score<br /> "and ten men."<br /> <br /> All + this slaughter was because some people had<br /> looked into a box that was + carried upon a cart. Was<br /> that cruel?<br /> <br /> I find, also, in the + twenty-fourth chapter of Second<br /> Samuel, that David was moved by God + to number<br /> Israel and Judah. God put it into his heart to take<br /> a + census of his people, and thereupon David said to<br /> Joab, the captain + of his host:<br /> <br /> "Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from<br /> + "Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people,<br /> "that I may know + the number of the people."<br /> <br /> At the end of nine months and twenty + days, Joab<br /> gave the number of the people to the king, and<br /> there + were at that time, according to that census,<br /> "eight hundred thousand + valiant men that drew the<br /> "sword," in Israel, and in Judah, "five + hundred<br /> "thousand men," making a total of thirteen hundred<br /> + thousand men of war. The moment this census was<br /> <br /> 214<br /> <br /> + taken, the wrath of the Lord waxed hot against<br /> David, and thereupon + he sent a seer, by the name of<br /> Gad, to David, and asked him to choose + whether he<br /> would have seven years of famine, or fly three<br /> months + before his enemies, or have three days of<br /> pestilence. David concluded + that as God was so<br /> merciful as to give him a choice, he would be more<br /> + merciful than man, and he chose the pestilence.<br /> <br /> Now, it must be + remembered that the sin of taking<br /> the census had not been committed + by the people,<br /> but by David himself, inspired by God, yet the<br /> + people were to be punished for David's sin. So,,<br /> when David chose the + pestilence, God immediately<br /> killed "seventy thousand men, from Dan + even to<br /> "Beersheba."<br /> <br /> "And when the angel stretched out his + hand upon<br /> "Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of<br /> + "the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the<br /> "people, It is + enough; stay now thine hand."<br /> <br /> Was this cruel?<br /> <br /> Why + did a God of infinite mercy destroy seventy<br /> thousand men? Why did he + fill his land with widows<br /> and orphans, because King David had taken + the cen-<br /> sus? If he wanted to kill anybody, why did he not<br /> kill + David? I will tell you why. Because at that<br /> <br /> 215<br /> <br /> + time, the people were considered as the property of<br /> the king. He + killed the people precisely as he killed<br /> the cattle. And yet, I am + told that the Bible is not a<br /> cruel book.<br /> <br /> In the + twenty-first chapter of Second Samuel, I<br /> find that there were three + years of famine in the days<br /> of David, and that David inquired of the + Lord the<br /> reason of the famine; and the Lord told him that it<br /> was + because Saul had slain the Gibeonites. Why did<br /> not God punish Saul + instead of the people? And<br /> David asked the Gibeonites how he should + make<br /> atonement, and the Gibeonites replied that they<br /> wanted no + silver nor gold, but they asked that seven<br /> of the sons of Saul might + be delivered unto them, so<br /> that they could hang them before the Lord, + in Gibeah.<br /> And David agreed to the proposition, and thereupon<br /> he + delivered to the Gibeonites the two sons of Rizpah,<br /> Saul's concubine, + and the five sons of Michal, the<br /> daughter of Saul, and the Gibeonites + hanged all<br /> seven of them together. And Rizpah, more tender<br /> than + them all, with a woman's heart of love kept<br /> lonely vigil by the dead, + "from the beginning of har-<br /> "vest until water dropped upon them out + of heaven,<br /> "and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest upon<br /> + "them by day, nor the beast of the field by night."<br /> <br /> 216<br /> + <br /> I want to know if the following, from the fifteenth<br /> chapter of + First Samuel, is inspired:<br /> <br /> "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I + remember that<br /> "which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for<br /> + "him in the way when he came up from Egypt. Now<br /> "go and smite Amalek, + and utterly destroy all that<br /> "they have, and spare them not, but slay + both man<br /> "and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep,<br /> "camel + and ass."<br /> <br /> We must remember that those he was commanded<br /> to + slay had done nothing to Israel. It was something<br /> done by their + forefathers, hundreds of years before;<br /> and yet they are commanded to + slay the women and<br /> children and even the animals, and to spare none.<br /> + <br /> It seems that Saul only partially carried into exe-<br /> cution this + merciful command of Jehovah. He spared<br /> the life of the king. He + "utterly destroyed all the<br /> "people with the edge of the sword," but + he kept<br /> alive the best of the sheep and oxen and of the fat-<br /> + lings and lambs. Then God spake unto Samuel and<br /> told him that he was + very sorry he had made Saul<br /> king, because he had not killed all the + animals, and<br /> because he had spared Agag; and Samuel asked<br /> Saul: + "What meaneth this bleating of sheep in mine<br /> "ears, and the lowing of + the oxen which I hear?"<br /> <br /> 217<br /> <br /> Are stories like this + calculated to make soldiers<br /> merciful?<br /> <br /> So I read in the + sixth chapter of Joshua, the fate<br /> of the city of Jericho: "And they + utterly destroyed<br /> "all that was in the city, both man and woman,<br /> + "young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the<br /> "edge of the + sword. And they burnt the city with<br /> "fire, and all that was therein." + But we are told that<br /> one family was saved by Joshua, out of the + general<br /> destruction: "And Joshua saved Rahab, the harlot,<br /> + "alive, and her father's household, and all that she<br /> "had." Was this + fearful destruction an act of<br /> mercy?<br /> <br /> It seems that they + saved the money of their<br /> victims: "the silver and gold and the + vessels of brass<br /> "and of iron they put into the treasury of the house<br /> + "of the Lord."<br /> <br /> After all this pillage and carnage, it appears<br /> + that there was a suspicion in Joshua's mind that<br /> somebody was keeping + back a part of the treasure.<br /> Search was made, and a man by the name + of Achan<br /> admitted that he had sinned against the Lord, that he<br /> + had seen a Babylonish garment among the spoils, and<br /> two hundred + shekels of silver and a wedge of gold of<br /> fifty shekels' weight, and + that he took them and hid<br /> <br /> 2l8<br /> <br /> them in his tent. For + this atrocious crime it seems<br /> that the Lord denied any victories to + the Jews until<br /> they found out the wicked criminal. When they dis-<br /> + covered poor Achan, "they took him and his sons<br /> "and his daughters, + and his oxen and his asses and<br /> "his sheep, and all that he had, and + brought them unto<br /> "the valley of Achor; and all Israel stoned him + with<br /> "stones and burned them with fire after they had<br /> "stoned + them with stones."<br /> <br /> After Achan and his sons and his daughters + and<br /> his herds had been stoned and burned to death, we<br /> are told + that "the Lord turned from the fierceness of<br /> "his anger."<br /> <br /> + And yet it is insisted that this God "is merciful,<br /> "and that his + loving-kindness is over all his works."<br /> In the eighth chapter of this + same book, the infi-<br /> nite God, "creator of heaven and earth and all + that is<br /> "therein," told his general, Joshua, to lay an ambush<br /> + for a city—to "lie in wait against the city, even be-<br /> "hind the + city; go not very far from the city, but be<br /> "ye all ready." He told + him to make an attack and<br /> then to run, as though he had been beaten, + in order<br /> that the inhabitants of the city might follow, and<br /> + thereupon his reserves that he had ambushed might<br /> rush into the city + and set it on fire. God Almighty<br /> <br /> 219<br /> <br /> planned the + battle. God himself laid the snare. The<br /> whole programme was carried + out. Joshua made<br /> believe that he was beaten, and fled, and then the<br /> + soldiers in ambush rose out of their places, enter-<br /> ed the city, and + set it on fire. Then came the<br /> slaughter. They "utterly destroyed all + the inhabit-<br /> "ants of Ai," men and maidens, women and babes,<br /> + sparing only their king till evening, when they<br /> hanged him on a tree, + then "took his carcase down<br /> "from the tree and cast it at the + entering of the<br /> "gate, and raised thereon a great heap of stones<br /> + "which remaineth unto this day." After having<br /> done all this, "Joshua + built an altar unto the Lord<br /> "God of Israel, and offered burnt + offerings unto the<br /> "Lord." I ask again, was this cruel?<br /> <br /> + Again I ask, was the treatment of the Gibeonites<br /> cruel when they + sought to make peace but were<br /> denied, and cursed instead; and + although permitted<br /> to live, were yet made slaves? Read the mandate<br /> + consigning them to bondage: "Now therefore ye<br /> "are cursed, and there + shall none of you be freed<br /> "from being bondmen and hewers of wood and<br /> + "drawers of water for the house of my God."<br /> <br /> Is it possible, as + recorded in the tenth chapter of<br /> Joshua, that the Lord took part in + these battles, and<br /> <br /> 220<br /> <br /> cast down great hail-stones + from the battlements of<br /> heaven upon the enemies of the Israelites, so + that<br /> "they were more who died with hail-stones, than<br /> "they whom + the children of Israel slew with the<br /> "sword"?<br /> <br /> Is it + possible that a being of infinite power would<br /> exercise it in that way + instead of in the interest of<br /> kindness and peace?<br /> <br /> I find, + also, in this same chapter, that Joshua took<br /> Makkedah and smote it + with the edge of the sword,<br /> that he utterly destroyed all the souls + that were<br /> therein, that he allowed none to remain.<br /> <br /> I find + that he fought against Libnah, and smote<br /> it with the edge of the + sword, and utterly destroyed<br /> all the souls that were therein, and + allowed none to<br /> remain, and did unto the king as he did unto the king<br /> + of Jericho.<br /> <br /> I find that he also encamped against Lachish, and<br /> + that God gave him that city, and that he "smote it<br /> "with the edge of + the sword, and all the souls that<br /> "were therein," sparing neither old + nor young, help-<br /> less women nor prattling babes.<br /> <br /> He also + vanquished Horam, King of Gezer, "and<br /> "smote him and his people until + he left him none<br /> "remaining."<br /> <br /> 221<br /> <br /> He encamped + against the city of Eglon, and killed<br /> every soul that was in it, at + the edge of the sword,<br /> just as he had done to Lachish and all the + others.<br /> <br /> He fought against Hebron, "and took it and<br /> "smote + it with the edge of the sword, and the king<br /> "thereof,"—and it + appears that several cities, their<br /> number not named, were included in + this slaughter,<br /> for Hebron "and all the cities thereof and all the<br /> + "souls that were therein," were utterly destroyed.<br /> <br /> He then + waged war against Debir and took it, and<br /> more unnumbered cities with + it, and all the souls that<br /> were therein shared the same horrible fate—he + did<br /> not leave a soul alive.<br /> <br /> And this chapter of horrors + concludes with this<br /> song of victory:<br /> <br /> "So Joshua smote all + the country of the hills, and<br /> "of the south, and of the vale, and of + the springs,<br /> "and all their kings: he left none remaining, but<br /> + "utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord<br /> "God of Israel + commanded. And Joshua smote<br /> "them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, + and all the<br /> "country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon. And all these<br /> + "kings and their land did Joshua take at one time,<br /> "because the Lord + God of Israel fought for Israel."<br /> Was God, at that time, merciful?<br /> + <br /> 222<br /> <br /> I find, also, in the twenty-first chapter that many<br /> + Icings met, with their armies, for the purpose of<br /> overwhelming + Israel, and the Lord said unto Joshua:<br /> "Be not afraid because of + them, for to-morrow about<br /> "this time I will deliver them all slain + before Israel.<br /> "I will hough their horses and burn their chariots<br /> + "with fire." Were animals so treated by the com-<br /> mand of a merciful + God?<br /> <br /> Joshua captured Razor, and smote all the souls<br /> that + were therein with the edge of the sword, there<br /> was not one left to + breathe; and he took all the<br /> cities of all the kings that took up + arms against him,<br /> and utterly destroyed all the inhabitants thereof.<br /> + He took the cattle and spoils as prey unto himself,<br /> and smote every + man with the edge of the sword;<br /> and not only so, but left not a human + being to<br /> breathe.<br /> <br /> I find the following directions given to + the Israel-<br /> ites who were waging a war of conquest. They are<br /> in + the twentieth chapter of Deuteronomy, from the<br /> tenth to the + eighteenth verses:<br /> <br /> "When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight<br /> + "against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it<br /> "shall be, if it + make thee an answer of peace, and<br /> "open unto thee, then it shall be + that all the people<br /> <br /> 223<br /> <br /> "that is found therein shall + be tributaries unto thee,<br /> "and they shall serve thee. And if it will + make no<br /> "peace with thee, but will war against thee, then<br /> "thou + shalt besiege it. And when the Lord thy<br /> "God hath delivered it into + thine hands, thou shalt<br /> "smite every male thereof with the edge of + the<br /> "sword; but the women, and the little ones, and<br /> "the cattle, + and all that is in the city, even the spoil<br /> "thereof, shalt thou take + unto thyself; and thou<br /> "shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which + the<br /> "Lord thy God hath given thee. Thus shalt thou<br /> "do unto all + the cities which are very far off from<br /> "thee, which are not of the + cities of these nations."<br /> It will be seen from this that people could + take<br /> their choice between death and slavery, provided<br /> these + people lived a good ways from the Israelites.<br /> Now, let us see how + they were to treat the inhabit-<br /> ants of the cities near to them:<br /> + <br /> "But of the cities of these people which the Lord<br /> "thy God doth + give thee for an inheritance, thou<br /> "shalt save alive nothing that + breatheth. But thou<br /> "shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the + Hittites,<br /> "and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites,<br /> + "the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the Lord thy God<br /> "hath commanded + thee."<br /> <br /> 224<br /> <br /> It never occurred to this merciful God to + send<br /> missionaries to these people. He built them no<br /> + schoolhouses, taught them no alphabet, gave them<br /> no book; they were + not supplied even with a copy of<br /> the Ten Commandments. He did not say + "Reform,"<br /> but "Kill;" not "Educate," but "Destroy." He gave<br /> them + no Bible, built them no church, sent them no<br /> preachers. He knew when + he made them that he<br /> would have to have them murdered. When he<br /> + created them he knew that they were not fit to live;<br /> and yet, this is + the infinite God who is infinitely<br /> merciful and loves his children + better than an earthly<br /> mother loves her babe.<br /> <br /> In order to + find just how merciful God is, read the<br /> twenty-eighth chapter of + Deuteronomy, and see what<br /> he promises to do with people who do not + keep all of<br /> his commandments and all of his statutes. He curses<br /> + them in their basket and store, in the fruit of their<br /> body, in the + fruit of their land, in the increase of their<br /> cattle and sheep. He + curses them in the city and in<br /> the field, in their coming in and + their going out. He<br /> curses them with pestilence, with consumption, + with<br /> fever, with inflammation, with extreme burning, with<br /> sword, + with blasting, with mildew. He tells them<br /> that the heavens shall be + as brass over their heads<br /> <br /> 225<br /> <br /> and the earth as iron + under their feet; that the rain<br /> shall be powder and dust and shall + come down on<br /> them and destroy them; that they shall flee seven<br /> + ways before their enemies; that their carcasses shall<br /> be meat for the + fowls of the air, and the beasts of the<br /> earth; that he will smite + them with the botch of<br /> Egypt, and with the scab, and with the itch, + and with<br /> madness and blindness and astonishment; that he<br /> will + make them grope at noonday; that they shall be<br /> oppressed and spoiled + evermore; that one shall be-<br /> troth a wife and another shall have her; + that they<br /> shall build a house and not dwell in it; plant a vine-<br /> + yard and others shall eat the grapes; that their<br /> sons and daughters + shall be given to their enemies;<br /> that he will make them mad for the + sight of their<br /> eyes; that he will smite them in the knees and in the<br /> + legs with a sore botch that cannot be healed, and<br /> from the sole of + the foot to the top of the head;<br /> that they shall be a by-word among + all nations; that<br /> they shall sow much seed and gather but little; + that<br /> the locusts shall consume their crops; that they shall<br /> + plant vineyards and drink no wine,—that they shall<br /> gather + grapes, but worms shall eat them; that they<br /> shall raise olives but + have no oil; beget sons and<br /> daughters, but they shall go into + captivity; that all<br /> <br /> 226<br /> <br /> the trees and fruit of the + land shall be devoured by<br /> locusts, and that all these curses shall + pursue them<br /> and overtake them, until they be destroyed; that they<br /> + shall be slaves to their enemies, and be constantly in<br /> hunger and + thirst and nakedness, and in want of all<br /> things. And as though this + were not enough, the<br /> Lord tells them that he will bring a nation + against<br /> them swift as eagles, a nation fierce and savage, that<br /> + will show no mercy and no favor to old or young,<br /> and leave them + neither corn, nor wine, nor oil, nor<br /> flocks, nor herds; and this + nation shall besiege them<br /> in their cities until they are reduced to + the necessity<br /> of eating the flesh of their own sons and daughters;<br /> + so that the men would eat their wives and their<br /> children, and women + eat their husbands and their<br /> own sons and daughters, and their own + babes.<br /> <br /> All these curses God pronounced upon them if they<br /> + did not observe to do all the words of the law that<br /> were written in + his book.<br /> <br /> This same merciful God threatened that he would<br /> + bring upon them all the diseases of Egypt—every<br /> sickness and + every plague; that he would scatter<br /> them from one end of the earth to + the other; that<br /> they should find no rest; that their lives should + hang<br /> in perpetual doubt; that in the morning they would<br /> <br /> + 227<br /> <br /> say: Would God it were evening! and in the even-<br /> ing, + Would God it were morning! and that he would<br /> finally take them back + to Egypt where they should<br /> be again sold for bondmen and bondwomen.<br /> + <br /> This curse, the foundation of the <i>Anathema<br /> maranatha</i>; + this curse, used by the pope of Rome to<br /> prevent the spread of + thought; this curse used even<br /> by the Protestant Church; this curse + born of barba-<br /> rism and of infinite cruelty, is now said to have<br /> + issued from the lips of an infinitely merciful God. One<br /> would suppose + that Jehovah had gone insane; that<br /> he had divided his kingdom like + Lear, and from the<br /> darkness of insanity had launched his curses upon + a<br /> world.<br /> <br /> In order that there may be no doubt as to the<br /> + mercy of Jehovah, read the thirteenth chapter of<br /> Deuteronomy:<br /> + <br /> "If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy<br /> "son, or thy + daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or<br /> "thy friend, which is as thine + own soul, entice thee<br /> "secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other + gods,<br /> "which thou hast not known, thou nor thy fathers;<br /> " * * * + thou shalt not consent unto him, nor<br /> "hearken unto him; neither shall + thine eyes pity him,<br /> "neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou + conceal<br /> <br /> 228<br /> <br /> "him; but thou shalt surely kill him: + thine hand<br /> "shall be first upon him to put him to death, and<br /> + "afterwards the hand of all the people; and thou<br /> "shalt stone him + with stones that he die, because he<br /> "hath sought to entice thee away + from the Lord thy<br /> "God."<br /> <br /> This, according to Mr. Talmage, + is a commandment<br /> of the infinite God. According to him, God ordered<br /> + a man to murder his own son, his own wife, his own<br /> brother, his own + daughter, if they dared even to sug-<br /> gest the worship of some other + God than Jehovah.<br /> For my part, it is impossible not to despise such<br /> + a God—a God not willing that one should worship<br /> what he must. + No one can control his admiration,<br /> and if a savage at sunrise falls + upon his knees and<br /> offers homage to the great light of the East, he + can-<br /> not help it. If he worships the moon, he cannot help<br /> it. If + he worships fire, it is because he cannot control<br /> his own spirit. A + picture is beautiful to me in spite<br /> of myself. A statue compels the + applause of my<br /> brain. The worship of the sun was an exceedingly<br /> + natural religion, and why should a man or woman be<br /> destroyed for + kneeling at the fireside of the world?<br /> <br /> No wonder that this same + God, in the very next<br /> chapter of Deuteronomy to that quoted, says to + his<br /> <br /> 229<br /> <br /> chosen people: "Ye shall not eat of anything + that<br /> "dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger<br /> + "that is within thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou<br /> "mayest sell + it unto an alien: for thou art a holy<br /> "people unto the Lord thy God."<br /> + <br /> What a mingling of heartlessness and thrift—the<br /> religion + of sword and trade!<br /> <br /> In the seventh chapter of Deuteronomy, + Jehovah<br /> gives his own character. He tells the Israelites that<br /> + there are seven nations greater and mightier than<br /> themselves, but + that he will deliver them to his chosen<br /> people, and that they shall + smite them and utterly<br /> destroy them; and having some fear that a drop + of<br /> pity might remain in the Jewish heart, he says:<br /> <br /> "Thou + shalt make no covenant with them, nor<br /> "show mercy unto them. * * * + Know therefore<br /> "that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God,<br /> + "which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that<br /> "love him and keep + his commandments to a thousand<br /> "generations, and repayeth them that + hate him to<br /> "their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to<br /> + "him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face."<br /> This is the + description which the merciful, long-suffer-<br /> ing Jehovah gives of + himself.<br /> <br /> So, he promises great prosperity to the Jews if<br /> + <br /> 230<br /> <br /> they will only obey his commandments, and says:<br /> + "And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness,<br /> "and will put + none of the evil diseases of Egypt<br /> "upon thee, but will lay them upon + all them that<br /> "hate thee. And thou shalt consume all the people<br /> + "which the Lord thy God shall deliver thee; thine<br /> "eye shall have no + pity upon them."<br /> <br /> Under the immediate government of Jehovah,<br /> + mercy was a crime. According to the law of God,<br /> pity was weakness, + tenderness was treason, kindness<br /> was blasphemy, while hatred and + massacre were<br /> virtues.<br /> <br /> In the second chapter of + Deuteronomy we find<br /> another account tending to prove that Jehovah is + a<br /> merciful God. We find that Sihon, king of Heshbon,<br /> would not + let the Hebrews pass by him, and the<br /> reason given is, that "the Lord + God hardened his<br /> "spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might<br /> + "deliver him into the hand" of the Hebrews. Sihon,<br /> his heart having + been hardened by God, came out<br /> against the chosen people, and God + delivered him to<br /> them, and "they smote him, and his sons, and all his<br /> + "people, and took all his cities, and utterly destroyed<br /> "the men and + the women, and the little ones of<br /> "every city: they left none to + remain." And in this<br /> <br /> 231<br /> <br /> same chapter this same God + promises that the dread<br /> and fear of his chosen people should be "upon + all the<br /> "nations that are under the whole heaven," and that<br /> + "they should "tremble and be in anguish because of"<br /> the Hebrews.<br /> + <br /> Read the thirty-first chapter of Numbers, and see<br /> how the + Midianites were slain. You will find that<br /> "the children of Israel + took all the women of Midian<br /> "captives, and their little ones," that + they took "all<br /> "their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their + goods,"<br /> that they slew all the males, and burnt all their cities<br /> + and castles with fire, that they brought the captives<br /> and the prey + and the spoil unto Moses and Eleazar<br /> the priest; that Moses was wroth + with the officers<br /> of his host because they had saved all the women<br /> + alive, and thereupon this order was given: "Kill<br /> "every male among + the little ones, and kill every<br /> "woman, * * * but all the women + children<br /> "keep alive for yourselves."<br /> <br /> After this, God + himself spake unto Moses, and<br /> said: "Take the sum of the prey that + was taken,<br /> "both of man and of beast, thou and Eleazar the<br /> + "priest * * * and divide the prey into two<br /> "parts, between those who + went to war, and between<br /> "all the congregation, and levy a tribute + unto the<br /> <br /> 232<br /> <br /> "Lord, one soul of five hundred of the + persons,<br /> "and the cattle; take it of their half and give it to<br /> + "the priest for an offering * * * and of the<br /> "children of Israel's + half, take one portion of fifty of<br /> "the persons and the animals and + give them unto<br /> "the Levites. * * * And Moses and the priest<br /> "did + as the Lord had commanded." It seems that<br /> they had taken six hundred + and seventy-five thou-<br /> sand sheep, seventy-two thousand beeves, + sixty-one<br /> thousand asses, and thirty-two thousand women<br /> children + and maidens. And it seems, by the fortieth<br /> verse, <i>that the Lord's + tribute of the maidens was thirty-<br /> two</i>,—the rest were given + to the soldiers and to the<br /> congregation of the Lord.<br /> <br /> Was + anything more infamous ever recorded in the<br /> annals of barbarism? And + yet we are told that the<br /> Bible is an inspired book, that it is not a + cruel book,<br /> and that Jehovah is a being of infinite mercy.<br /> <br /> + In the twenty-fifth chapter of Numbers we find<br /> that the Israelites + had joined themselves unto Baal-<br /> Peor, and thereupon the anger of the + Lord was<br /> kindled against them, as usual. No being ever lost<br /> his + temper more frequently than this Jehovah. Upon<br /> this particular + occasion, "the Lord said unto Moses,<br /> "Take all the heads of the + people, and hang them<br /> <br /> 233<br /> <br /> "up before the Lord + against the sun, that the fierce<br /> "anger of the Lord may be turned + away from Israel."<br /> And thereupon "Moses said unto the judges of + Israel,<br /> "Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto<br /> + "Baal-peor."<br /> <br /> Just as soon as these people were killed, and + their<br /> heads hung up before the Lord against the sun, and<br /> a + horrible double murder of a too merciful Israelite<br /> and a Midianitish + woman, had been committed by<br /> Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, "the + plague was stayed<br /> "from the children of Israel." Twenty-four thousand<br /> + had died. Thereupon, "the Lord spake unto Moses<br /> "and said"—and + it is a very merciful commandment<br /> —"Vex the Midianites and + smite them."<br /> <br /> In the twenty-first chapter of Numbers is more + evi-<br /> dence that God is merciful and compassionate.<br /> <br /> The + children of Israel had become discouraged.<br /> They had wandered so long + in the desert that they<br /> finally cried out: "Wherefore have ye brought + us<br /> "up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There<br /> "is no + bread, there is no water, and our soul loatheth<br /> "this light bread." + Of course they were hungry and<br /> thirsty. Who would not complain under + similar cir-<br /> cumstances? And yet, on account of this complaint,<br /> + the God of infinite tenderness and compassion sent<br /> <br /> 234<br /> + <br /> serpents among them, and these serpents bit them—<br /> bit the + cheeks of children, the breasts of maidens,<br /> and the withered faces of + age. Why would a God<br /> do such an infamous thing? Why did he not, as + the<br /> leader of this people, his chosen children, feed them<br /> + better? Certainly an infinite God had the power<br /> to satisfy their + hunger and to quench their thirst.<br /> He who overwhelmed a world with + water, certainly<br /> could have made a few brooks, cool and babbling,<br /> + to follow his chosen people through all their jour-<br /> neying. He could + have supplied them with miracu-<br /> lous food.<br /> <br /> How fortunate + for the Jews that Jehovah was not<br /> revengeful, that he was so slow to + anger, so patient,<br /> so easily pleased. What would they have done had<br /> + he been exacting, easily incensed, revengeful, cruel,<br /> or + blood-thirsty?<br /> <br /> In the sixteenth chapter of Numbers, an account + is<br /> given of a rebellion. It seems that Korah, Dathan<br /> and Abiram + got tired of Moses and Aaron. They<br /> thought the priests were taking a + little too much<br /> upon themselves. So Moses told them to have two<br /> + hundred and fifty of their men bring their censers<br /> and put incense in + them before the Lord, and stand<br /> in the door of the tabernacle of the + congregation<br /> <br /> 235<br /> <br /> with Moses and Aaron. That being + done, the Lord<br /> appeared, and told Moses and Aaron to separate<br /> + themselves from the people, that he might consume<br /> them all in a + moment. Moses and Aaron, having a<br /> little compassion, begged God not + to kill everybody.<br /> The people were then divided, and Dathan and<br /> + Abiram came out and stood in the door of their<br /> tents with their wives + and their sons and their little<br /> children. And Moses said:<br /> <br /> + "Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent<br /> "me to do all these + works; for I have not done them<br /> "of my mine own mind. If these men + die the<br /> "common death of all men, or if they be visited<br /> "after + the common visitation of all men, then the<br /> "Lord hath not sent me. + But if the Lord make a<br /> "new thing, and the earth open her mouth and<br /> + "swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them,<br /> "and they go + down quick into the pit, then ye shall<br /> "understand that these men + have provoked the<br /> "Lord." The moment he ceased speaking, "the<br /> + "ground clave asunder that was under them; and<br /> "the earth opened her + mouth and swallowed them up,<br /> "and their houses, and all the men that + appertained<br /> "unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that<br /> + "appertained to them went down alive into the pit,<br /> <br /> 236<br /> + <br /> "and the earth closed upon them, and they perished<br /> "from among + the congregation."<br /> <br /> This, according to Mr. Talmage, was the act + of an<br /> exceedingly merciful God, prompted by infinite kind-<br /> ness, + and moved by eternal pity. What would he<br /> have done had he acted from + motives of revenge?<br /> What would he Jiave done had he been remorse-<br /> + lessly cruel and wicked?<br /> <br /> In addition to those swallowed by the + earth, the<br /> two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense<br /> + were consumed by "a fire that came out from the<br /> "Lord." And not only + this, but the same merciful<br /> Jehovah wished to consume all the people, + and he<br /> would have consumed them all, only that Moses pre-<br /> vailed + upon Aaron to take a censer and put fire<br /> therein from off the altar + of incense and go quickly<br /> to the congregation and make an atonement + for them.<br /> He was not quick enough. The plague had already<br /> begun; + and before he could possibly get the censers<br /> and incense among the + people, fourteen thousand and<br /> seven hundred had died of the plague. + How many<br /> more might have died, if Jehovah had not been so<br /> slow + to anger and so merciful and tender to his<br /> children, we have no means + of knowing.<br /> <br /> In the thirteenth chapter of the same book of<br /> + <br /> 237<br /> <br /> Numbers, we find that some spies were sent over<br /> + into the promised land, and that they brought back<br /> grapes and figs + and pomegranates, and reported that<br /> the whole land was flowing with + milk and honey, but<br /> that the people were strong, that the cities were<br /> + walled, and that the nations in the promised land<br /> were mightier than + the Hebrews. They reported that<br /> all the people they met were men of a + great stature,<br /> that they had seen "the giants, the sons of Anak<br /> + "which come of giants," compared with whom the<br /> Israelites were "in + their own sight as grasshoppers,<br /> "and so were we in their sight." + Entirely discour-<br /> aged by these reports, "all the congregation lifted + up<br /> "their voice and cried, and the people wept that<br /> "night * * * + and murmured against Moses and<br /> "against Aaron, and said unto them: + Would God<br /> "that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would<br /> "God + we had died in this wilderness!" Some of<br /> them thought that it would + be better to go back,—<br /> that they might as well be slaves in + Egypt as to be<br /> food for giants in the promised land. They did not<br /> + want their bones crunched between the teeth of the<br /> sons of Anak.<br /> + <br /> Jehovah got angry again, and said to Moses:<br /> "How long will + these people provoke me? * * *<br /> <br /> 238<br /> <br /> "I will smite + them with pestilence, and disinherit<br /> "them." But Moses said: Lord, if + you do this,<br /> the Egyptians will hear of it, and they will say that<br /> + you were not able to bring your people into the<br /> promised land. Then + he proceeded to flatter him by<br /> telling him how merciful and + long-suffering he had<br /> been. Finally, Jehovah concluded to pardon the<br /> + people this time, but his pardon depended upon the<br /> violation of his + promise, for he said: "They shall<br /> "not see the land which I sware + unto their fathers,<br /> "neither shall any of them that provoked me see + it;<br /> "but my servant Caleb, * * * him will I bring<br /> "into the + land." And Jehovah said to the people:<br /> "Your carcasses shall fall in + this wilderness, and all<br /> "that were numbered of you according to your<br /> + "whole number, from twenty years old and upward,<br /> "which have murmured + against me, ye shall not<br /> "come into the land concerning which I sware + to<br /> "make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of<br /> "Jephunneh, + and Joshua the son of Nun. But your<br /> "little ones, which ye said + should be a prey, them<br /> "will I bring in, and they shall know the land<br /> + "which ye have despised. But as for you, your<br /> "carcasses shall fall + in this wilderness. And your<br /> "children shall wander in the wilderness + forty<br /> <br /> 239<br /> <br /> "years * * * until your carcasses be + wasted in<br /> "the wilderness."<br /> <br /> And all this because the + people were afraid of<br /> giants, compared with whom they were but as + grass-<br /> hoppers.<br /> <br /> So we find that at one time the people + became<br /> exceedingly hungry. They had no flesh to eat.<br /> There were + six hundred thousand men of war, and<br /> they had nothing to feed on but + manna. They<br /> naturally murmured and complained, and thereupon a<br /> + wind from the Lord went forth and brought quails<br /> from the sea, + (quails are generally found in the sea,)<br /> "and let them fall by the + camp, as it were a day's<br /> "journey on this side, and as it were a + day's journey<br /> "on the other side, round about the camp, and as it<br /> + "were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.<br /> "And the people + stood up all that day, and all that<br /> "night, and all the next day, and + they gathered the<br /> "quails. * * * And while the flesh was yet be-<br /> + "tween their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of<br /> "the Lord was + kindled against the people, and the<br /> "Lord smote the people with a + very great plague."<br /> <br /> Yet he is slow to anger, long-suffering, + merciful<br /> and just.<br /> <br /> In the thirty-second chapter of Exodus, + is the ac-<br /> <br /> 240<br /> <br /> count of the golden calf. It must be + borne in mind<br /> that the worship of this calf by the people was before<br /> + the Ten Commandments had been given to them.<br /> Christians now insist + that these commandments must<br /> have been inspired, because no human + being could<br /> have constructed them,—could have conceived of<br /> + them.<br /> <br /> It seems, according to this account, that Moses had<br /> + been up in the mount with God, getting the Ten Com-<br /> mandments, and + that while he was there the people<br /> had made the golden calf. When he + came down and<br /> saw them, and found what they had done, having in<br /> + his hands the two tables, the work of God, he cast<br /> the tables out of + his hands, and broke them beneath<br /> the mount. He then took the calf + which they had<br /> made, ground it to powder, strewed it in the water,<br /> + and made the children of Israel drink of it. And in the<br /> + twenty-seventh verse we are told what the Lord did:<br /> "Thus saith the + Lord God of Israel: Put every man<br /> "his sword by his side, and go in + and out from gate<br /> "to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man<br /> + "his brother, and every man his companion, and<br /> "every man his + neighbor. And the children of Levi<br /> "did according to the word of + Moses; and there fell<br /> "of the people that day about three thousand + men."<br /> <br /> 241<br /> <br /> The reason for this slaughter is thus + given: "For<br /> "Moses had said: Consecrate yourselves to-day to<br /> + "the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon<br /> " his brother, that + he may bestow upon you a blessing<br /> "this day."<br /> <br /> Now, it must + be remembered that there had not<br /> been as yet a promulgation of the + commandment<br /> u Thou shalt have no other gods before me." This<br /> was + a punishment for the infraction of a law before<br /> the law was known—before + the commandment had<br /> been given. Was it cruel, or unjust?<br /> <br /> + Does the following sound as though spoken by a<br /> God of mercy: "I will + make mine arrows drunk<br /> "with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh"?<br /> + And yet this is but a small part of the vengeance and<br /> destruction + which God threatens to his enemies, as<br /> recorded in the thirty-second + chapter of the book of<br /> Deuteronomy.<br /> <br /> In the sixty-eighth + Psalm is found this merciful<br /> passage: "That thy foot may be dipped in + the blood<br /> "of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the<br /> + "same.<br /> <br /> So we find in the eleventh chapter of Joshua the<br /> + reason why the Canaanites and other nations made<br /> war upon the Jews. + It is as follows: "For it was of<br /> <br /> 242<br /> <br /> "the Lord to + harden their hearts that they should<br /> "come against Israel in battle, + that he might destroy<br /> "them utterly, and that they might have no + favor, but<br /> "that he might destroy them."<br /> <br /> Read the + thirtieth chapter of Exodus and you will<br /> find that God gave to Moses + a recipe for making<br /> the oil of holy anointment, and in the + thirty-second<br /> verse we find that no one was to make any oil like it<br /> + and in the next verse it is declared that whoever<br /> compounded any like + it, or whoever put any of it on<br /> a stranger, should be cut off from + the Lord's people.<br /> <br /> In the same chapter, a recipe is given for + per-<br /> fumery, and it is declared that whoever shall make<br /> any like + it, or that smells like it, shall suffer death.<br /> <br /> In the next + chapter, it is decreed that if any one fails<br /> to keep the Sabbath "he + shall be surely put to death."<br /> <br /> There are in the Pentateuch + hundreds and hun-<br /> dreds of passages showing the cruelty of Jehovah.<br /> + What could have been more cruel than the flood?<br /> What more heartless + than to overwhelm a world?<br /> What more merciless than to cover a + shoreless sea<br /> with the corpses of men, women and children?<br /> <br /> + The Pentateuch is filled with anathemas, with<br /> curses, with words of + vengeance, of jealousy, of<br /> hatred, and brutality. By reason of these + passages,<br /> <br /> 243<br /> <br /> millions of people have plucked from + their hearts the<br /> flowers of pity and justified the murder of women<br /> + and the assassination of babes.<br /> <br /> In the second chapter of Second + Kings we find<br /> that the prophet Elisha was on his way to a place<br /> + called Bethel, and as he was going, there came forth<br /> little children + out of the city and mocked him and<br /> said: "Go up thou bald head; Go up + thou bald<br /> "head! And he turned back and looked on them<br /> "and + cursed them in the name of the Lord. And<br /> "there came forth two she + bears out of the wood and<br /> "tare forty and two children of them."<br /> + <br /> Of course he obtained his miraculous power from<br /> Jehovah; and + there must have been some communi-<br /> cation between Jehovah and the + bears. Why did the<br /> bears come? How did they happen to be there?<br /> + Here is a prophet of God cursing children in the<br /> name of the Lord, + and thereupon these children<br /> are torn in fragments by wild beasts.<br /> + <br /> This is the mercy of Jehovah; and yet I am told<br /> that the Bible + has nothing cruel in it; that it preaches<br /> only mercy, justice, + charity, peace; that all hearts<br /> are softened by reading it; that the + savage nature of<br /> man is melted into tenderness and pity by it, and + that<br /> only the totally depraved can find evil in it.<br /> <br /> 244<br /> + <br /> And so I might go on, page after page, book after<br /> book, in the + Old Testament, and describe the cruelties<br /> committed in accordance + with the commands of<br /> Jehovah.<br /> <br /> But all the cruelties in the + Old Testament are ab-<br /> solute mercies compared with the hell of the + New<br /> Testament. In the Old Testament God stops with<br /> the grave. He + seems to have been satisfied when he<br /> saw his enemies dead, when he + saw their flesh rotting<br /> in the open air, or in the beaks of birds, or + in the teeth<br /> of wild beasts. But in the New Testament, ven-<br /> + geance does not stop with the grave. It begins there,<br /> and stops + never. The enemies of Jehovah are to be<br /> pursued through all the ages + of eternity. There is to<br /> be no forgiveness—no cessation, no + mercy, nothing<br /> but everlasting pain.<br /> <br /> And yet we are told + that the author of hell is a<br /> being of infinite mercy.<br /> <br /> <i>Second</i>; + All intelligent Christians will admit that<br /> there are many passages in + the Bible that, if found in<br /> the Koran, they would regard as impure + and immoral.<br /> <br /> It is not necessary for me to specify the + passages,<br /> nor to call the attention of the public to such things.<br /> + I am willing to trust the judgment of every honest<br /> reader, and the + memory of every biblical student.<br /> <br /> 245<br /> <br /> The Old + Testament upholds polygamy. That is<br /> infinitely impure. It sanctions + concubinage. That<br /> is impure; nothing could or can be worse. Hun-<br /> + dreds of things are publicly told that should have re-<br /> mained unsaid. + No one is made better by reading<br /> the history of Tamar, or the + biography of Lot, or<br /> the memoirs of Noah, of Dinah, of Sarah and<br /> + Abraham, or of Jacob and Leah and Rachel and others<br /> that I do not + care to mention. No one is improved<br /> in his morals by reading these + things.<br /> <br /> All I mean to say is, that the Bible is like other<br /> + books produced by other nations in the same stage<br /> of civilization. + What one age considers pure, the<br /> next considers impure. What one age + may consider<br /> just, the next may look upon as infamous. Civiliza-<br /> + tion is a growth. It is continually dying, and continu-<br /> ally being + born. Old branches rot and fall, new buds<br /> appear. It is a perpetual + twilight, and a perpetual<br /> dawn—the death of the old, and the + birth of the new.<br /> <br /> I do not say, throw away the Bible because + there<br /> are some foolish passages in it, but I say, throw away<br /> the + foolish passages. Don't throw away wisdom<br /> because it is found in + company with folly; but do not<br /> say that folly is wisdom, because it + is found in its<br /> company. All that is true in the Bible is true + whether<br /> <br /> 246<br /> <br /> it is inspired or not. All that is true + did not need to<br /> be inspired. Only that which is not true needs the<br /> + assistance of miracles and wonders. I read the Bible<br /> as I read other + books. What I believe to be good,<br /> I admit is good; what I think is + bad, I say is bad;<br /> what I believe to be true, I say is true, and what + I<br /> believe to be false, I denounce as false.<br /> <br /> <i>Third</i>. + Let us see whether there are any contra-<br /> dictions in the Bible.<br /> + <br /> A little book has been published, called "Self<br /> "Contradictions + of the Bible," by J. P. Mendum, of<br /> The Boston Investigator. I find + many of the apparent<br /> contradictions of the Bible noted in this book.<br /> + <br /> We all know that the Pentateuch is filled with the<br /> commandments + of God upon the subject of sacrificing<br /> animals. We know that God + declared, again and<br /> again, that the smell of burning flesh was a + sweet<br /> savor to him. Chapter after chapter is filled with direc-<br /> + tions how to kill the beasts that were set apart for<br /> sacrifices; what + to do with their blood, their flesh and<br /> their fat. And yet, in the + seventh chapter of Jeremiah,<br /> all this is expressly denied, in the + following language:<br /> "For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded<br /> + "them in the day that I brought them out of the land<br /> "of Egypt, + concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices."<br /> <br /> 247<br /> <br /> And + in the sixth chapter of Jeremiah, the same<br /> Jehovah says; "Your burnt + offerings are not ac-<br /> "ceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me."<br /> + <br /> In the Psalms, Jehovah derides the idea of<br /> sacrifices, and + says: "Will I eat of the flesh of<br /> "bulls, or drink the blood of + goats? Offer unto God<br /> "thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Most<br /> + "High."<br /> <br /> So I find in Isaiah the following: "Bring no more<br /> + "vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me;<br /> "the new moons + and sabbaths, the calling of as-<br /> "semblies, I cannot away with; it is + iniquity, even<br /> "the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your<br /> + "appointed feasts my soul hateth; they are a trouble<br /> "to me; I am + weary to bear them." "To what<br /> "purpose is the multitude of your + sacrifices unto me?<br /> "saith the Lord. I am full of the burnt offerings + of<br /> "rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not<br /> "in the + blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.<br /> "When ye come to + appear before me, who hath re-<br /> "quired this at your hand?"<br /> <br /> + So I find in James: "Let no man say when he is<br /> "tempted: I am tempted + of God; for God cannot be<br /> "tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any + man;"<br /> and yet in the twenty-second chapter of Genesis I<br /> <br /> + 248<br /> <br /> find this: "And it came to pass after these things,<br /> + "that God did tempt Abraham."<br /> <br /> In Second Samuel we see that he + tempted David.<br /> He also tempted Job, and Jeremiah says: "O Lord,<br /> + "thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived." To<br /> such an extent was + Jeremiah deceived, that in the<br /> fourteenth chapter and eighteenth + verse we find him<br /> crying out to the Lord: "Wilt thou be altogether<br /> + "unto me as a liar?"<br /> <br /> So in Second Thessalonians: "For these + things<br /> "God shall send them strong delusions, that they<br /> "should + believe a lie."<br /> <br /> So in First Kings, twenty-second chapter: + "Behold,<br /> "the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all<br /> + "these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil<br /> "concerning thee."<br /> + <br /> So in Ezekiel: "And if the prophet be deceived<br /> "when he hath + spoken a thing, I, the Lord, have de-<br /> "ceived that prophet."<br /> + <br /> So I find: "Thou shalt not bear false witness;"<br /> and in the book + of Revelation: "All liars shall have<br /> "their part in the lake which + burneth with fire and<br /> "brimstone;" yet in First Kings, twenty-second<br /> + chapter, I find the following: "And the Lord said:<br /> "Who shall + persuade Ahab, that he may go up and<br /> <br /> 249<br /> <br /> "fall at + Ramoth-Gilead? And one said on this<br /> "manner, and another said on that + manner. And<br /> "there came forth a spirit and stood before the Lord,<br /> + "and said: I will persuade him. And the Lord said<br /> "unto him: + Wherewith? And he said: I will go<br /> "forth, and I will be a lying + spirit in the mouth of all<br /> "his prophets. And he said: Thou shalt + persuade<br /> "him, and prevail also. Go forth, and do so."<br /> <br /> In + the Old Testament we find contradictory laws<br /> about the same thing, + and contradictory accounts of<br /> the same occurrences.<br /> <br /> In the + twentieth chapter of Exodus we find the first<br /> account of the giving + of the Ten Commandments. In<br /> the thirty-fourth chapter another account + of the same<br /> transaction is given. These two accounts could not<br /> + have been written by the same person. Read them,<br /> and you will be + forced to admit that both of them<br /> cannot by any possibility be true. + They differ in so<br /> many particulars, and the commandments themselves<br /> + are so different, that it is impossible that both can be<br /> true.<br /> + <br /> So there are two histories of the creation. If you<br /> will read + the first and second chapters of Genesis,<br /> you will find two accounts + inconsistent with each<br /> other, both of which cannot be true. The first + account<br /> <br /> 250<br /> <br /> ends with the third verse of the second + chapter of<br /> Genesis. By the first account, man and woman were<br /> + made at the same time, and made last of all. In the<br /> second account, + not to be too critical, all the beasts<br /> of the field were made before + Eve was, and Adam<br /> was made before the beasts of the field; whereas in<br /> + the first account, God made all the animals before he<br /> made Adam. In + the first account there is nothing<br /> about the rib or the bone or the + side,—that is only<br /> found in the second account. In the first + account,<br /> there is nothing about the Garden of Eden, nothing<br /> + about the four rivers, nothing about the mist that<br /> went up from the + earth and watered the whole face<br /> of the ground; nothing said about + making man from<br /> dust; nothing about God breathing into his nostrils<br /> + the breath of life; yet according to the second ac-<br /> count, the Garden + of Eden was planted, and all the<br /> animals were made before Eve was + formed. It is<br /> impossible to harmonize the two accounts.<br /> <br /> + So, in the first account, only the word God is<br /> used—"God said + so and so,—God did so and so."<br /> In the second account he is + called Lord God,—"the<br /> "Lord God formed man,"—"the Lord + God caused<br /> "it to rain,"—"the Lord God planted a garden." It<br /> + is now admitted that the book of Genesis is made up<br /> <br /> 251<br /> + <br /> of two stories, and it is very easy to take them apart<br /> and show + exactly how they were put together.<br /> <br /> So there are two stories of + the flood, differing<br /> almost entirely from each other—that is to + say, so<br /> contradictory that both cannot be true.<br /> <br /> There are + two accounts of the manner in which<br /> Saul was made king, and the + accounts are inconsistent<br /> with each other.<br /> <br /> Scholars now + everywhere admit that the copyists<br /> made many changes, pieced out + fragments, and made<br /> additions, interpolations, and meaningless + repetitions.<br /> It is now generally conceded that the speeches of<br /> + Elihu, in Job, were interpolated, and most of the<br /> prophecies were + made by persons whose names even<br /> are not known.<br /> <br /> The + manuscripts of the Old Testament were not<br /> alike. The Greek version + differed from the Hebrew,<br /> and there was no generally received text of + the Old<br /> Testament until after the beginning of the Christian<br /> + era. Marks and points to denote vowels were in-<br /> vented probably in + the seventh century after Christ;<br /> and whether these marks and points + were put in the<br /> proper places, is still an open question. The Alex-<br /> + andrian version, or what is known as the Septuagint,<br /> translated by + seventy-two learned Jews assisted by<br /> <br /> 252<br /> <br /> miraculous + power, about two hundred years before<br /> Christ, could not, it is now + said, have been translated<br /> from the Hebrew text that we now have. + This can<br /> only be accounted for by supposing that we have a<br /> + different Hebrew text. The early Christians adopted<br /> the Septuagint + and were satisfied for a time; but so<br /> many errors were found, and so + many were scanning<br /> every word in search of something to assist their<br /> + peculiar views, that new versions were produced,<br /> and the new versions + all differed somewhat from the<br /> Septuagint as well as from each other. + These ver-<br /> sions were mostly in Greek. The first Latin Bible<br /> was + produced in Africa, and no one has ever found<br /> out which Latin + manuscript was original. Many were<br /> produced, and all differed from + each other. These<br /> Latin versions were compared with each other and<br /> + with the Hebrew, and a new Latin version was made<br /> in the fifth + century, and the old ones held their own<br /> for about four hundred + years, and no one knows<br /> which version was right. Besides, there were + Ethi-<br /> opie, Egyptian, Armenian and several other ver-<br /> sions, all + differing from each other as well as from all<br /> others. It was not + until the fourteenth century that<br /> the Bible was translated into + German, and not until<br /> the fifteenth that Bibles were printed in the + principal<br /> <br /> 253<br /> <br /> languages of Europe; and most of these + Bibles<br /> differed from each other, and gave rise to endless<br /> + disputes and to almost numberless crimes.<br /> <br /> No man in the world + is learned enough, nor has<br /> he time enough, even if he could live a + thousand<br /> years, to find what books belonged to and consti-<br /> tuted + the Old Testament. He could not ascertain<br /> the authors of the books, + nor when they were written,<br /> nor what they mean. Until a man has + sufficient<br /> time to do all this, no one can tell whether he be-<br /> + lieves the Bible or not. It is sufficient, however, to<br /> say that the + Old Testament is filled with contradic-<br /> tions as to the number of men + slain in battle, as to<br /> the number of years certain kings reigned, as + to the<br /> number of a woman's children, as to dates of events,<br /> and + as to locations of towns and cities.<br /> <br /> Besides all this, many of + its laws are contradictory,<br /> often commanding and prohibiting the same + thing.<br /> <br /> The New Testament also is filled with contradic-<br /> + tions. The gospels do not even agree upon the<br /> terms of salvation. + They do not even agree as to<br /> the gospel of Christ, as to the mission + of Christ.<br /> They do not tell the same story regarding the be-<br /> + trayal, the crucifixion, the resurrection or the ascen-<br /> sion of + Christ. John is the only one that ever heard<br /> <br /> 254<br /> <br /> of + being "born again." The evangelists do not give<br /> the same account of + the same miracles, and the<br /> miracles are not given in the same order. + They do<br /> not agree even in the genealogy of Christ.<br /> <br /> <i>Fourth</i>. + Is the Bible scientific? In my judgment<br /> it is not<br /> <br /> It is + unscientific to say that this world was "cre-<br /> "ated that the universe + was produced by an infinite<br /> being, who had existed an eternity prior + to such<br /> "creation." My mind is such that I cannot possibly<br /> + conceive of a "creation." Neither can I conceive of<br /> an infinite being + who dwelt in infinite space an infi-<br /> nite length of time.<br /> <br /> + I do not think it is scientific to say that the uni-<br /> verse was made + in six days, or that this world is only<br /> about six thousand years old, + or that man has only<br /> been upon the earth for about six thousand + years.<br /> <br /> If the Bible is true, Adam was the first man. The<br /> + age of Adam is given, the age of his children, and<br /> the time, + according to the Bible, was kept and known<br /> from Adam, so that if the + Bible is true, man has only<br /> been in this world about six thousand + years. In my<br /> judgment, and in the judgment of every scientific<br /> + man whose judgment is worth having or quoting,<br /> man inhabited this + earth for thousands of ages prior<br /> <br /> 255<br /> <br /> to the + creation of Adam. On one point the Bible is<br /> at least certain, and + that is, as to the life of Adam.<br /> The genealogy is given, the pedigree + is there, and it<br /> is impossible to escape the conclusion that, + according<br /> to the Bible, man has only been upon this earth<br /> about + six thousand years. There is no chance there<br /> to say "long periods of + time," or "geological ages."<br /> There we have the years. And as to the + time of the<br /> creation of man, the Bible does not tell the truth.<br /> + <br /> What is generally called "The Fall of Man" is<br /> unscientific. God + could not have made a moral<br /> character for Adam. Even admitting the + rest of the<br /> story to be true, Adam certainly had to make char-<br /> + acter for himself.<br /> <br /> The idea that there never would have been + any<br /> disease or death in this world had it not been for the<br /> + eating of the forbidden fruit is preposterously unsci-<br /> entific. + Admitting that Adam was made only six<br /> thousand years ago, death was + in the world millions of<br /> years before that time. The old rocks are + filled with re-<br /> mains of what were once living and breathing animals.<br /> + Continents were built up with the petrified corpses of<br /> animals. We + know, therefore, that death did not enter<br /> the world because of Adam's + sin. We know that life<br /> and death are but successive links in an + eternal chain.<br /> <br /> 256<br /> <br /> So it is unscientific to say that + thorns and brambles<br /> were produced by Adam's sin.<br /> <br /> It is + also unscientific to say that labor was pro-<br /> nounced as a curse upon + man. Labor is not a curse.<br /> Labor is a blessing. Idleness is a curse.<br /> + <br /> It is unscientific to say that the sons of God,<br /> living, we + suppose, in heaven, fell in love with the<br /> daughters of men, and that + on account of this a<br /> flood was sent upon the earth that covered the<br /> + highest mountains.<br /> <br /> The whole story of the flood is + unscientific, and no<br /> scientific man worthy of the name, believes it.<br /> + <br /> Neither is the story of the tower of Babel a scien-<br /> tific + thing. Does any scientific man believe that<br /> God confounded the + language of men for fear they<br /> would succeed in building a tower high + enough to<br /> reach to heaven?<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to say + that angels were in the<br /> habit of walking about the earth, eating veal + dressed<br /> with butter and milk, and making bargains about the<br /> + destruction of cities.<br /> <br /> The story of Lot's wife having been + turned into a<br /> pillar of salt is extremely unscientific.<br /> <br /> It + is unscientific to say that people at one time lived<br /> to be nearly a + thousand years of age. The history<br /> <br /> 257<br /> <br /> of the world + shows that human life is lengthening<br /> instead of shortening.<br /> + <br /> It is unscientific to say that the infinite God<br /> wrestled with + Jacob and got the better of him, put-<br /> ting his thigh out of joint.<br /> + <br /> It is unscientific to say that God, in the likeness of<br /> a flame + of fire, inhabited a bush.<br /> <br /> It is unscientific to say that a + stick could be<br /> changed into a living snake. Living snakes can not<br /> + be made out of sticks. There are not the necessary<br /> elements in a + stick to make a snake.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to say that God + changed water<br /> into blood. All the elements of blood are not in<br /> + water.<br /> <br /> It is unscientific to declare that dust was changed<br /> + into lice.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to say that God caused a thick<br /> + darkness over the land of Egypt, and yet allowed it<br /> to be light in + the houses of the Jews.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to say that about + seventy people<br /> could, in two hundred and fifteen years increase to<br /> + three millions.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to say that an infinitely + good<br /> God would destroy innocent people to get revenge<br /> upon a + king.<br /> <br /> 258<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to say that slavery + was once<br /> right, that polygamy was once a virtue, and that ex-<br /> + termination was mercy.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to assert that a + being of infinite<br /> power and goodness went into partnership with in-<br /> + sects,—granted letters of marque and reprisal to<br /> hornets.<br /> + <br /> It is unscientific to insist that bread was really<br /> rained from + heaven.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to suppose that an infinite being<br /> + spent forty days and nights furnishing Moses with plans<br /> and + specifications for a tabernacle, an ark, a mercy seat,<br /> cherubs of + gold, a table, four rings, some dishes, some<br /> spoons, one candlestick, + several bowls, a few knobs,<br /> seven lamps, some snuffers, a pair of + tongs, some cur-<br /> tains, a roof for a tent of rams' skins dyed red, a + few<br /> boards, an altar with horns, ash pans, basins and flesh<br /> + hooks, shovels and pots and sockets of silver and<br /> ouches of gold and + pins of brass—for all of which this<br /> God brought with him + patterns from heaven.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to say that when a + man commits<br /> a sin, he can settle with God by killing a sheep.<br /> + <br /> It is not scientific to say that a priest, by laying<br /> his hands + on the head of a goat, can transfer the sins<br /> of a people to the + animal.<br /> <br /> 259<br /> <br /> Was it scientific to endeavor to + ascertain whether<br /> a woman was virtuous or not, by compelling her to<br /> + drink water mixed with dirt from the floor of the<br /> sanctuary?<br /> + <br /> Is it scientific to say that a dry stick budded,<br /> blossomed, and + bore almonds; or that the ashes of a<br /> red heifer mixed with water can + cleanse us of sin;<br /> or that a good being gave cities into the hands of + the<br /> Jews in consideration of their murdering all the in-<br /> + habitants?<br /> <br /> Is it scientific to say that an animal saw an angel,<br /> + and conversed with a man?<br /> <br /> Is it scientific to imagine that + thrusting a spear<br /> through the body of a woman ever stayed a plague?<br /> + <br /> Is it scientific to say that a river cut itself in two<br /> and + allowed the lower end to run off?<br /> <br /> Is it scientific to assert + that seven priests blew<br /> seven rams' horns loud enough to blow down + the<br /> walls of a city?<br /> <br /> Is it scientific to say that the sun + stood still in the<br /> midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down for<br /> + about a whole day, and that the moon also stayed?<br /> <br /> Is it + scientifically probable that an angel of the<br /> Lord devoured unleavened + cakes and broth with<br /> fire that came out of the end of a stick, as he + sat<br /> <br /> 260<br /> <br /> under an oak tree; or that God made known + his<br /> will by letting dew fall on wool without wetting the<br /> ground + around it; or that an angel of God appeared<br /> to Manoah in the absence + of her husband, and that<br /> this angel afterwards went up in a flame of + fire, and<br /> as the result of this visit a child was born whose<br /> + strength was in his hair?<br /> <br /> Is it scientific to say that the + muscle of a man de-<br /> pended upon the length of his locks?<br /> <br /> + Is it unscientific to deny that water gushed from a<br /> hollow place in a + dry bone?<br /> <br /> Is it evidence of a thoroughly scientific mind to<br /> + believe that one man turned over a house so large<br /> that three thousand + people were on its roof?<br /> <br /> Is it purely scientific to say that a + man was once<br /> fed by the birds of the air, who brought him bread<br /> + and meat every morning and evening, and that after-<br /> ward an angel + turned cook and prepared two sup-<br /> pers in one night, for the same + prophet, who ate<br /> enough to last him forty days and forty nights?<br /> + <br /> Is it scientific to say that a river divided because<br /> the water + had been struck with a cloak; or that a<br /> man actually went to heaven + in a chariot of fire<br /> drawn by horses of fire; or that a being of + infinite<br /> mercy would destroy children for laughing at a bald-<br /> + <br /> 261<br /> <br /> headed prophet; or curse children and childrens<br /> + children with leprosy for a father's fault; or that he<br /> made iron + float in water; or that when one corpse<br /> touched another it came to + life; or that the sun went<br /> backward in heaven so that the shadow on a + sun-<br /> dial went back ten degrees, as a sign that a miserable<br /> + barbarian king would get well?<br /> <br /> Is it scientific to say that the + earth not only<br /> stopped in its rotary motion, but absolutely turned<br /> + the other way,—that its motion was reversed simply<br /> as a sign to + a petty king?<br /> <br /> Is it scientific to say that Solomon made gold + and<br /> silver at Jerusalem as plentiful as stones, when we<br /> know + that there were kings in his day who could<br /> have thrown away the value + of the whole of Palestine<br /> without missing the amount?<br /> <br /> Is + it scientific to say that Solomon exceeded all<br /> the kings of the earth + in glory, when his country<br /> was barren, without roads, when his people + were<br /> few, without commerce, without the arts, without the<br /> + sciences, without education, without luxuries?<br /> <br /> According to the + Bible, as long as Jehovah attended<br /> to the affairs of the Jews, they + had nothing but war,<br /> pestilence and famine; after Jehovah abandoned + them,<br /> and the Christians ceased, in a measure, to persecute<br /> + <br /> 262<br /> <br /> them, the Jews became the most prosperous of people.<br /> + Since Jehovah in his anger cast them away, they have<br /> produced + painters, sculptors, scientists, statesmen,<br /> composers, soldiers and + philosophers.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to believe that God ever + pre-<br /> vented rain, that he ever caused famine, that he ever<br /> sent + locusts to devour the wheat and corn, that he<br /> ever relied on + pestilence for the government of man-<br /> kind; or that he ever killed + children to get even with<br /> their parents.<br /> <br /> It is not + scientific to believe that the king of Egypt<br /> invaded Palestine with + seventy thousand horsemen<br /> and twelve hundred chariots of war. There + was not,<br /> at that time, a road in Palestine over which a chariot<br /> + could be driven.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to believe that in a + battle between<br /> Jeroboam and Abijah, the army of Abijah slew in<br /> + one day five hundred thousand chosen men.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific + to believe that Zerah, the Ethio-<br /> pian, invaded Palestine with a + million of men who<br /> were overthrown and destroyed; or that Jehoshaphat<br /> + had a standing army of nine hundred and sixty<br /> thousand men.<br /> + <br /> It is unscientific to believe that Jehovah advertised<br /> for a + liar, as is related in Second Chronicles.<br /> <br /> 263<br /> <br /> It is + not scientific to believe that fire refused to<br /> burn, or that water + refused to wet.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to believe in dreams, in + visions,<br /> and in miracles.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to believe + that children have<br /> been born without fathers, that the dead have ever<br /> + been raised to life, or that people have bodily as-<br /> cended to heaven + taking their clothes with them.<br /> <br /> It is not scientific to believe + in the supernatural.<br /> Science dwells in the realm of fact, in the + realm of<br /> demonstration. Science depends upon human ex-<br /> perience, + upon observation, upon reason.<br /> <br /> It is unscientific to say that + an innocent man can<br /> be punished in place of a criminal, and for a + criminal,<br /> and that the criminal, on account of such punishment,<br /> + can be justified.<br /> <br /> It is unscientific to say that a finite sin + deserves<br /> infinite punishment.<br /> <br /> It is unscientific to + believe that devils can inhabit<br /> human beings, or that they can take + possession of<br /> swine, or that the devil could bodily take a man, or<br /> + the Son of God, and carry him to the pinnacle of a<br /> temple.<br /> <br /> + In short, the foolish, the unreasonable, the false,<br /> the miraculous + and the supernatural are unscientific.<br /> <br /> 264<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Mr. Talmage gives his reason for<br /> accepting the New Testament, and + says: "You<br /> "can trace it right out. Jerome and Eusebius in the<br /> + "first century, and Origen in the second century,<br /> "gave lists of the + writers of the New Testament.<br /> "These lists correspond with our list + of the writers<br /> "of the New Testament, showing that precisely as<br /> + "we have it, they had it in the third and fourth cen-<br /> "turies. Where + did they get it? From Irenæus.<br /> "Where did he get it? From + Polycarp. Where did<br /> "Polycarp get it? From Saint John, who was a per-<br /> + "sonal associate of Jesus. The line is just as clear<br /> "as anything + ever was clear." How do you under-<br /> stand this matter, and has Mr. + Talmage stated the<br /> facts?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Let us examine + first the witnesses pro-<br /> duced by Mr. Talmage. We will also call + attention<br /> to the great principle laid down by Mr. Talmage for<br /> + the examination of evidence,—that where a witness<br /> is found + false in one particular, his entire testimony<br /> must be thrown away.<br /> + <br /> Eusebius was born somewhere about two hundred<br /> and seventy years + after Christ. After many vicissi-<br /> tudes he became, it is said, the + friend of Constantine.<br /> He made an oration in which he extolled the + virtues<br /> <br /> 265<br /> <br /> of this murderer, and had the honor of + sitting at the<br /> right hand of the man who had shed the blood of his<br /> + wife and son. In the great controversy with regard<br /> to the position + that Christ should occupy in the Trinity,<br /> he sided with Arius, "and + lent himself to the perse-<br /> "cution of the orthodox with Athanasius." + He in-<br /> sisted that Jesus Christ was not the same as God,<br /> and + that he was not of equal power and glory. Will<br /> Mr. Talmage admit that + his witness told the truth in<br /> this? "He would not even call the Son + co-eternal<br /> "with God."<br /> <br /> Eusebius must have been an + exceedingly truthful<br /> man. He declared that the tracks of Pharaoh's + chariots<br /> were in his day visible upon the shores of the Red<br /> Sea; + that these tracks had been through all the years<br /> miraculously + preserved from the action of wind and<br /> wave, as a supernatural + testimony to the fact that<br /> God miraculously overwhelmed Pharaoh and + his<br /> hosts.<br /> <br /> Eusebius also relates that when Joseph and Mary<br /> + arrived in Eygpt they took up their abode in Hermopolis,<br /> <br /> a city + of Thebæus, in which was the superb<br /> temple of Serapis. When + Joseph and Mary entered<br /> the temple, not only the great idol, but all + the lesser<br /> idols fell down before him.<br /> <br /> 266<br /> <br /> "It + is believed by the learned Dr. Lardner, that<br /> "Eusebius was the one + guilty of the forgery in the<br /> "passage found in Josephus concerning + Christ. Un-<br /> "blushing falsehoods and literary forgeries of the<br /> + "vilest character darkened the pages of his historical<br /> "writings." + (Waites History.)<br /> <br /> From the same authority I learn that Eusebius<br /> + invented an eclipse, and some earthquakes, to agree<br /> with the account + of the crucifixion. It is also be-<br /> lieved that Eusebius quoted from + works that never<br /> existed, and that he pretended a work had been<br /> + written by Porphyry, entitled: "The Philosophy of<br /> "Oracles," and then + quoted from it for the purpose<br /> of proving the truth of the Christian + religion.<br /> <br /> The fact is, Eusebius was utterly destitute of truth.<br /> + He believed, as many still believe, that he could<br /> please God by the + fabrication of lies.<br /> <br /> Irenæus lived somewhere about the + end of the<br /> second century. "Very little is known of his early<br /> + "history, and the accounts given in various biogra-<br /> "phies are for + the most part conjectural." The<br /> writings of Irenæus are known + to us principally<br /> through Eusebius, and we know the value of his<br /> + testimony.<br /> <br /> Now, if we are to take the testimony of Irenæus,<br /> + <br /> 267<br /> <br /> why not take it? He says that the ministry of Christ<br /> + lasted for twenty years, and that Christ was fifty years<br /> old at the + time of his crucifixion. He also insisted<br /> that the "Gospel of Paul" + was written by Luke, "a<br /> "statement made to give sanction to the + gospel of<br /> "Luke."<br /> <br /> Irenæus insisted that there were + four gospels, that<br /> there must be, and "he speaks frequently of these<br /> + "gospels, and argues that they should be four in<br /> "number, neither + more nor less, because there are<br /> "four universal winds, and four + quarters of the<br /> "world;" and he might have added: because<br /> + donkeys have four legs.<br /> <br /> These facts can be found in "The + History of the<br /> "Christian Religion to A. D. 200," by Charles B.<br /> + Waite,—a book that Mr. Talmage ought to read.<br /> <br /> According + to Mr. Waite, Irenæus, in the thirty-<br /> third chapter of his + fifth book, <i>Adversus Hæreses</i>,<br /> cites from Papias the + following sayings of Christ:<br /> "The days will come in which vines shall + grow<br /> "which shall have ten thousand branches, and on<br /> "each + branch ten thousand twigs, and in each twig<br /> "ten thousand shoots, and + in each shoot ten thousand<br /> "clusters, and in every one of the + clusters ten<br /> "thousand grapes, and every grape when pressed<br /> + <br /> 268<br /> <br /> "will give five and twenty metrets of wine." Also<br /> + that "one thousand million pounds of clear, pure, fine<br /> "flour will be + produced from one grain of wheat."<br /> Irenæus adds that "these + things were borne witness<br /> "to by Papias the hearer of John and the + companion<br /> "of Polycarp."<br /> <br /> Is it possible that the eternal + welfare of a human<br /> being depends upon believing the testimony of + Poly-<br /> carp and Irenæus? Are people to be saved or lost<br /> on + the reputation of Eusebius? Suppose a man is<br /> firmly convinced that + Polycarp knew nothing about<br /> Saint John, and that Saint John knew + nothing about<br /> Christ,—what then? Suppose he is convinced that<br /> + Eusebius is utterly unworthy of credit,—what then?<br /> Must a man + believe statements that he has every<br /> reason to think are false?<br /> + <br /> The question arises as to the witnesses named by<br /> Mr. Talmage, + whether they were competent to decide<br /> as to the truth or falsehood of + the gospels. We have<br /> the right to inquire into their mental traits + for the<br /> purpose of giving only due weight to what they have<br /> + said.<br /> <br /> Mr. Bronson C. Keeler is the author of a book<br /> + called: "A Short History of the Bible." I avail<br /> myself of a few of + the facts he has there collected. I<br /> <br /> 269<br /> <br /> find in this + book, that Irenæus, Clement and Origen<br /> believed in the fable of + the Phoenix, and insisted that<br /> God produced the bird on purpose to + prove the<br /> probability of the resurrection of the body. Some<br /> of + the early fathers believed that the hyena changed<br /> its sex every year. + Others of them gave as a reason<br /> why good people should eat only + animals with a<br /> cloven foot, the fact that righteous people lived not<br /> + only in this world, but had expectations in the next.<br /> They also + believed that insane people were pos-<br /> sessed by devils; that angels + ate manna; that some<br /> angels loved the daughters of men and fell; that + the<br /> pains of women in childbirth, and the fact that ser-<br /> pents + crawl on their bellies, were proofs that the<br /> account of the fall, as + given in Genesis, is true; that<br /> the stag renewed its youth by eating + poisonous<br /> snakes; that eclipses and comets were signs of God's<br /> + anger; that volcanoes were openings into hell; that<br /> demons blighted + apples; that a corpse in a cemetery<br /> moved to make room for another + corpse to be placed<br /> beside it. Clement of Alexandria believed that + hail<br /> storms, tempests and plagues were caused by demons.<br /> He also + believed, with Mr. Talmage, that the events<br /> in the life of Abraham + were typical and prophetical<br /> of arithmetic and astronomy.<br /> <br /> + 270<br /> <br /> Origen, another of the witnesses of Mr. Talmage,<br /> said + that the sun, moon and stars were living crea-<br /> tures, endowed with + reason and free will, and occa-<br /> sionally inclined to sin. That they + had free will, he<br /> proved by quoting from Job; that they were rational<br /> + creatures, he inferred from the fact that they moved.<br /> The sun, moon + and stars, according to him, were<br /> "subject to vanity," and he + believed that they prayed<br /> to God through his only begotten son.<br /> + <br /> These intelligent witnesses believed that the blight-<br /> ing of + vines and fruit trees, and the disease and de-<br /> struction that came + upon animals and men, were all<br /> the work of demons; but that when they + had entered<br /> into men, the sign of the cross would drive them out.<br /> + They derided the idea that the earth is round, and<br /> one of them said: + "About the antipodes also, one<br /> "can neither hear nor speak without + laughter. It is<br /> "asserted as something serious that we should be-<br /> + "lieve that there are men who have their feet oppo-<br /> "site to ours. + The ravings of Anaxagoras are more<br /> "tolerable, who said that snow was + black."<br /> <br /> Concerning these early fathers, Professor Davidson,<br /> + as quoted by Mr. Keeler, uses the following lan-<br /> guage: "Of the three + fathers who contributed<br /> "most to the growth of the canon, Irenæus + was<br /> <br /> 271<br /> <br /> "credulous and blundering; Tertullian + passionate<br /> "and one-sided; and Clement of Alexandria, im-<br /> "bued + with the treasures of Greek wisdom, was<br /> "mainly occupied with + ecclesiastical ethics. Their<br /> "assertions show both ignorance and + exaggeration."<br /> These early fathers relied upon by Mr. Talmage,<br /> + quoted from books now regarded as apocryphal—<br /> books that have + been thrown away by the church<br /> and are no longer considered as of the + slightest<br /> authority. Upon this subject I again quote Mr.<br /> Keeler: + "Clement quoted the 'Gospel according to<br /> "'the Hebrews,' which is now + thrown away by the<br /> "church; he also quoted from the Sibylline books<br /> + "and the Pentateuch in the same sentence. Origen<br /> "frequently cited + the Gospel of the Hebrews. Jerome<br /> "did the same, and Clement believed + in the 'Gospel<br /> "'according to the Egyptians.' The Shepherd of<br /> + "Hermas, a book in high repute in the early church,<br /> "and one which + distinctly claims to have been<br /> "inspired, was quoted by Irenæus + as Scripture.<br /> "Clement of Alexandria said it was a divine revela-<br /> + "tion. Origen said it was divinely inspired, and<br /> "quoted it as Holy + Scripture at the same time that<br /> "he cited the Psalms and Epistles of + Paul. Jerome<br /> "quoted the 'Wisdom of Jesus, the Son of Sirach,'<br /> + <br /> 272<br /> <br /> "as divine Scripture. Origen quotes the 'Wisdom<br /> + "of Solomon' as the 'Word of God' and 'the<br /> "'words of Christ + himself.' Eusebius of Cæsarea<br /> "cites it as a * Divine Oracle,' + and St. Chrysostom<br /> "used it as Scripture. So Eusebius quotes the<br /> + "thirteenth chapter of Daniel as Scripture, but as a<br /> "matter of fact, + Daniel has not a thirteenth chapter,—<br /> "the church has taken it + away. Clement spoke of<br /> "the writer of the fourth book of Esdras as a + prophet;<br /> "he thought Baruch as much the word of God as<br /> "any + other book, and he quotes it as divine Scripture.<br /> "Clement cites + Barnabas as an apostle. Origen<br /> "quotes from the Epistle of Barnabas, + calls it 'Holy<br /> " 'Scripture,' and places it on a level with the + Psalms<br /> "and the Epistles of Paul; and Clement of Alexan-<br /> "dria + believed in the 'Epistle of Barnabas,' and the<br /> "'Revelation, of + Peter,' and wrote comments upon<br /> "these holy books."<br /> <br /> + Nothing can exceed the credulity of the early<br /> fathers, unless it may + be their ignorance. They be-<br /> lieved everything that was miraculous. + They believed<br /> everything except the truth. Anything that really<br /> + happened was considered of no importance by them.<br /> They looked for + wonders, miracles, and monstrous<br /> things, and—generally found + them. They revelled<br /> <br /> 273<br /> <br /> in the misshapen and the + repulsive. They did not<br /> think it wrong to swear falsely in a good + cause.<br /> They interpolated, forged, and changed the records to<br /> + suit themselves, for the sake of Christ. They quoted<br /> from persons who + never wrote. They misrepresented<br /> those who had written, and their + evidence is abso-<br /> lutely worthless. They were ignorant, credulous,<br /> + mendacious, fanatical, pious, unreasonable, bigoted,<br /> hypocritical, + and for the most part, insane. Read the<br /> book of Revelation, and you + will agree with me that<br /> nothing that ever emanated from a madhouse + can<br /> more than equal it for incoherence. Most of the<br /> writings of + the early fathers are of the same kind.<br /> <br /> As to Saint John, the + real truth is, that we know<br /> nothing certainly of him. We do not know + that he<br /> ever lived.<br /> <br /> We know nothing certainly of Jesus + Christ. We<br /> know nothing of his infancy, nothing of his youth,<br /> + and we are not sure that such a person ever existed.<br /> <br /> We know + nothing of Polycarp. We do not know<br /> where he was born, or where, or + how he died. We<br /> know nothing for certain about Irenæus. All the<br /> + names quoted by Mr. Talmage as his witnesses<br /> are surrounded by clouds + and doubts, by mist and<br /> darkness. We only know that many of their<br /> + <br /> 274<br /> <br /> statements are false, and do not know that any of<br /> + them are true.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the + following state-<br /> ment by Mr. Talmage: "Oh, I have to tell you that no<br /> + "man ever died for a lie cheerfully and triumphantly"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + There was a time when men "cheerfully<br /> "and triumphantly died" in + defence of the doctrine<br /> of the "real presence" of God in the wafer + and wine.<br /> Does Mr. Talmage believe in the doctrine of "tran-<br /> + "substantiation"? Yet hundreds have died "cheer-<br /> "fully and + triumphantly" for it. Men have died for<br /> the idea that baptism by + immersion is the only<br /> scriptural baptism. Did they die for a lie? If + not,<br /> is Mr. Talmage a Baptist?<br /> <br /> Giordano Bruno was an + atheist, yet he perished at<br /> the stake rather than retract his + opinions. He did<br /> not expect to be welcomed by angels and by God.<br /> + He did not look for a crown of glory. He expected<br /> simply death and + eternal extinction. Does the fact<br /> that he died for that belief prove + its truth?<br /> <br /> Thousands upon thousands have died in defence of<br /> + the religion of Mohammed. Was Mohammed an im-<br /> postor? Thousands have + welcomed death in defence<br /> of the doctrines of Buddha. Is Buddhism + true?<br /> <br /> 275<br /> <br /> So I might make a tour of the world, and + of all<br /> ages of human history, and find that millions and<br /> + millions have died "cheerfully and triumphantly" in<br /> defence of their + opinions. There is not the slightest<br /> truth in Mr. Talmage's + statement.<br /> <br /> A little while ago, a man shot at the Czar of + Russia.<br /> On the day of his execution he was asked if he<br /> wished + religious consolation. He replied that he<br /> believed in no religion. + What did that prove? It<br /> proved only the man's honesty of opinion. All + the<br /> martyrs in the world cannot change, never did<br /> change, a + falsehood into a truth, nor a truth into<br /> a falsehood. Martyrdom + proves nothing but the<br /> sincerity of the martyr and the cruelty and + mean-<br /> ness of his murderers. Thousands and thousands of<br /> people + have imagined that they knew things, that<br /> they were certain, and have + died rather than retract<br /> their honest beliefs.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage + now says that he knows all about the<br /> Old Testament, that the + prophecies were fulfilled,<br /> and yet he does not know when the + prophecies were<br /> made—whether they were made before or after the<br /> + fact. He does not know whether the destruction of<br /> Babylon was told + before it happened, or after. He<br /> knows nothing upon the subject. He + does not know<br /> <br /> 276<br /> <br /> who made the pretended prophecies. + He does not<br /> know that Isaiah, or Jeremiah, or Habakkuk, or<br /> Hosea + ever lived in this world. He does not know<br /> who wrote a single book of + the Old Testament. He<br /> knows nothing on the subject. He believes in + the<br /> inspiration of the Old Testament because ancient<br /> cities + finally fell into decay—were overrun and de-<br /> stroyed by + enemies, and he accounts for the fact that<br /> the Jew does not lose his + nationality by saying that<br /> the Old Testament is true.<br /> <br /> The + Jews have been persecuted by the Christians,<br /> and they are still + persecuted by them; and Mr. Tal-<br /> mage seems to think that this + persecution was a part<br /> of Gods plan, that the Jews might, by + persecution,<br /> be prevented from mingling with other nationalities,<br /> + and so might stand, through the instrumentality of<br /> perpetual hate and + cruelty, the suffering witnesses of<br /> the divine truth of the Bible.<br /> + <br /> The Jews do not testify to the truth of the Bible,<br /> but to the + barbarism and inhumanity of Christians—<br /> to the meanness and + hatred of what we are pleased<br /> to call the "civilized world." They + testify to the fact<br /> that nothing so hardens the human heart as + religion.<br /> <br /> There is no prophecy in the Old Testament fore-<br /> + telling the coming of Jesus Christ. There is not one<br /> <br /> 277<br /> + <br /> word in the Old Testament referring to him in any<br /> way—not + one word. The only way to prove this<br /> is to take your Bible, and + wherever you find these<br /> words: "That it might be fulfilled," and + "which<br /> "was spoken," turn to the Old Testament and<br /> find what was + written, and you will see that it had<br /> not the slightest possible + reference to the thing re-<br /> counted in the New Testament—not the + slightest.<br /> <br /> Let us take some of the prophecies of the Bible,<br /> + and see how plain they are, and how beautiful they<br /> are. Let us see + whether any human being can tell<br /> whether they have ever been + fulfilled or not.<br /> <br /> Here is a vision of Ezekiel: "I looked, and + be-<br /> "hold a whirlwind came out of the north, a great<br /> "cloud, and + a fire infolding itself, and a brightness<br /> "was about it, and out of + the midst thereof as the<br /> "color of amber, out of the midst of the + fire. Also<br /> "out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four<br /> + "living creatures. And this was their appearance;<br /> "they had the + likeness of a man. And every one<br /> "had four faces, and every one had + four wings.<br /> "And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of<br /> + "their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they<br /> "sparkled + like the color of burnished brass. And<br /> "they had the hands of a man + under their wings on<br /> <br /> 278<br /> <br /> "their four sides; and they + four had their faces and<br /> "their wings. Their wings were joined one to<br /> + "another; they turned not when-they went; they<br /> "went every one + straight forward. As for the like-<br /> "ness of their faces, they four + had the face of a man,<br /> "and the face of a lion, on the right side: + and they<br /> "four had the face of an ox on the left side; they<br /> + "four also had the face of an eagle.<br /> <br /> "Thus were their faces: + and their wings were<br /> "stretched upward; two wings of every one were<br /> + "joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.<br /> "And they went + every one straight forward: whither<br /> "the spirit was to go, they went; + and they turned not<br /> "when they went.<br /> <br /> "As for the likeness + of the living creatures, their<br /> "appearance was like burning coals of + fire, and like<br /> "the appearance of lamps: it went up and down<br /> + "among the living creatures; and the fire was bright,<br /> "and out of the + fire went forth lightning. And the<br /> "living creatures ran and returned + as the appearance<br /> "of a flash of lightning.<br /> <br /> "Now as I + beheld the living creatures, behold one<br /> "wheel upon the earth by the + living creatures, with<br /> "his four faces. The appearance of the wheels + and<br /> "their work was like unto the color of a beryl: and<br /> <br /> + 279<br /> <br /> "they four had one likeness: and their appearance<br /> "and + their work was as it were a wheel in the middle<br /> "of a wheel. When + they went, they went upon<br /> "their four sides: and they turned not when + they<br /> "went. As for their rings, they were so high that<br /> "they + were dreadful; and their rings were full of<br /> "eyes round about them + four. And when the living<br /> "creatures went, the wheels went by them: + and<br /> "when the living creatures were lifted up from the<br /> "earth, + the wheels were lifted up. Whithersoever<br /> "the spirit was to go, they + went, thither was their<br /> "spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up + over<br /> "against them: for the spirit of the living creature<br /> "was + in the wheels. When those went, these went;<br /> "and when those stood, + these stood; and when those<br /> "were lifted up from the earth, the + wheels were<br /> "lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the<br /> + "living creature was in the wheels. And the like-<br /> "ness of the + firmament upon the heads of the living<br /> "creature was as the color of + the terrible crystal,<br /> "stretched forth over their heads above. And + under<br /> "the firmament were their wings straight, the one<br /> "toward + the other; every one had two, which<br /> "covered on this side, and every + one had two,<br /> "which covered on that side, their bodies."<br /> <br /> + 280<br /> <br /> Is such a vision a prophecy? Is it calculated<br /> to + convey the slightest information? If so, what?<br /> <br /> So, the + following vision of the prophet Daniel is<br /> exceedingly important and + instructive:<br /> <br /> "Daniel spake and said: I saw in my vision by<br /> + "night, and behold, the four winds of the heaven<br /> "strove upon the + great sea. And four great beasts<br /> "came up from the sea, diverse one + from another.<br /> "The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings:<br /> + "I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it<br /> "was lifted up + from the earth, and made stand upon<br /> "the feet as a man, and a man's + heart was given to<br /> "it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a<br /> + "bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had<br /> "three ribs in + the mouth of it between the teeth of<br /> "it: and they said thus unto it, + Arise, devour much<br /> "flesh.<br /> <br /> "After this I beheld, and lo + another, like a leopard,<br /> "which had upon the back of it four wings of + a fowl;<br /> "the beast had also four heads, and dominion was<br /> "given + to it.<br /> <br /> "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold<br /> + "a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong ex-<br /> "ceedingly; + and it had great iron teeth; it devoured<br /> "and brake in pieces, and + stamped the residue with<br /> <br /> 281<br /> <br /> "the feet of it; and it + was diverse from all the beasts<br /> "that were before it, and it had ten + horns. I con-<br /> "sidered the horns, and, behold, there came up<br /> + "among them another little horn, before whom<br /> "there were three of the + first horns plucked up by<br /> "the roots: and behold, in this horn were + eyes like<br /> "the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great<br /> "things."<br /> + <br /> I have no doubt that this prophecy has been liter-<br /> ally + fulfilled, but I am not at present in condition to<br /> give the time, + place, or circumstances.<br /> <br /> A few moments ago, my attention was + called to<br /> the following extract from <i>The New York Herald</i> of<br /> + the thirteenth of March, instant:<br /> <br /> "At the Fifth Avenue Baptist + Church, Dr. Armi-<br /> "tage took as his text, 'A wheel in the middle of a<br /> + "'wheel'—Ezekiel, i., 16. Here, said the preacher,<br /> "are three + distinct visions in one—the living crea-<br /> "tures, the moving + wheels and the fiery throne. We<br /> "have time only to stop the wheels of + this mystic<br /> "chariot of Jehovah, that we may hold holy converse<br /> + "with Him who rides upon the wings of the wind.<br /> "In this vision of + the prophet we have a minute and<br /> "amplified account of these + magnificent symbols or<br /> "hieroglyphics, this wondrous machinery which + de-<br /> <br /> 282<br /> <br /> "notes immense attributes and agencies and + voli-<br /> "tions, passing their awful and mysterious course of<br /> + "power and intelligence in revolution after revolu-<br /> "tion of the + emblematical mechanism, in steady and<br /> "harmonious advancement to the + object after which<br /> "they are reaching. We are compelled to look<br /> + "upon the whole as symbolical of that tender and<br /> "endearing + providence of which Jesus spoke when<br /> "He said, 'The very hairs of + your head are num-<br /> "* bered.'"<br /> <br /> Certainly, an ordinary + person, not having been<br /> illuminated by the spirit of prophecy, would + never<br /> have even dreamed that there was the slightest re-<br /> ference + in Ezekiel's vision to anything like counting<br /> hairs. As a + commentator, the Rev. Dr. Armitage<br /> has no equal; and, in my judgment, + no rival. He<br /> has placed himself beyond the reach of ridicule. It<br /> + is impossible to say anything about his sermon as<br /> laughable as his + sermon.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Have you no confidence in any pro-<br /> + phecies? Do you take the ground that there never<br /> has been a human + being who could predict the<br /> future?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I admit + that a man of average intelli-<br /> <br /> 283<br /> <br /> gence knows that + a certain course, when pursued<br /> long enough, will bring national + disaster, and it is<br /> perfectly safe to predict the downfall of any and<br /> + every country in the world. In my judgment,<br /> nations, like + individuals, have an average life.<br /> Every nation is mortal. An + immortal nation cannot<br /> be constructed of mortal individuals. A nation + has<br /> a reason for existing, and that reason sustains the<br /> same + relation to the nation that the acorn does to<br /> the oak. The nation + will attain its growth—other<br /> things being equal. It will reach + its manhood and<br /> its prime, but it will sink into old age, and at last<br /> + must die. Probably, in a few thousand years, men<br /> will be able to + calculate the average life of nations,<br /> as they now calculate the + average life of persons.<br /> There has been no period since the morning + of his-<br /> tory until now, that men did not know of dead and<br /> dying + nations. There has always been a national<br /> cemetery. Poland is dead, + Turkey is dying. In<br /> every nation are the seeds of dissolution. Not + only<br /> nations die, but races of men. A nation is born,<br /> becomes + powerful, luxurious, at last grows weak, is<br /> overcome, dies, and + another takes its place, In this<br /> way civilization and barbarism, like + day and night,<br /> alternate through all of history's years.<br /> <br /> + 284<br /> <br /> In every nation there are at least two classes of<br /> men: + First, the enthusiastic, the patriotic, who be-<br /> lieve that the nation + will live forever,—that its flag<br /> will float while the earth has + air; Second, the owls<br /> and ravens and croakers, who are always + predicting<br /> disaster, defeat, and death. To the last class belong<br /> + the Jeremiahs, Ezekiels, and Isaiahs of the Jews.<br /> They were always + predicting the downfall of Jeru-<br /> salem. They revelled in defeat and + captivity. They<br /> loved to paint the horrors of famine and war. For<br /> + the most part, they were envious, hateful, misan-<br /> thropic and unjust.<br /> + <br /> There seems to have been a war between church<br /> and state. The + prophets were endeavoring to pre-<br /> serve the ecclesiastical power. + Every king who would<br /> listen to them, was chosen of God. He instantly<br /> + became the model of virtue, and the prophets assured<br /> him that he was + in the keeping of Jehovah. But if<br /> the king had a mind of his own, the + prophets im-<br /> mediately called down upon him all the curses of<br /> + heaven, and predicted the speedy destruction of his<br /> kingdom.<br /> + <br /> If our own country should be divided, if an empire<br /> should rise + upon the ruins of the Republic, it would<br /> be very easy to find that + hundreds and thousands of<br /> <br /> 285<br /> <br /> people had foretold + that very thing. If you will read<br /> the political speeches of the last + twenty-two years,<br /> you will find prophecies to fit any possible future<br /> + state of affairs in our country. No matter what<br /> happens, you will + find that somebody predicted it.<br /> If the city of London should lose + her trade, if the<br /> Parliament house should become the abode of moles<br /> + and bats, if "the New Zealander should sit upon the<br /> "ruins of London + Bridge," all these things would be<br /> simply the fulfillment of + prophecy. The fall of every<br /> nation under the sun has been predicted + by hundreds<br /> and thousands of people.<br /> <br /> The prophecies of the + Old Testament can be made<br /> to fit anything that may happen, or that + may not<br /> happen. They will apply to the death of a king, or<br /> to + the destruction of a people,—to the loss of com-<br /> merce, or the + discovery of a continent. Each pro-<br /> phecy is a jugglery of words, of + figures, of symbols,<br /> so put together, so used, so interpreted, that + they<br /> can mean anything, everything, or nothing.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do you see anything "prophetic" in<br /> the fate of the Jewish people + themselves? Do you<br /> think that God made the Jewish people wanderers, + so<br /> that they might be perpetual witnesses to the truth<br /> of the + Scriptures?<br /> <br /> 286<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I cannot believe that + an infinitely good<br /> God would make anybody a wanderer. Neither can<br /> + I believe that he would keep millions of people with-<br /> out country and + without home, and allow them to be<br /> persecuted for thousands of years, + simply that they<br /> might be used as witnesses. Nothing could be more<br /> + absurdly cruel than this.<br /> <br /> The Christians justify their + treatment of the Jews<br /> on the ground that they are simply fulfilling + prophecy.<br /> The Jews have suffered because of the horrid story<br /> + that their ancestors crucified the Son of God. Chris-<br /> tianity, coming + into power, looked with horror upon<br /> the Jews, who denied the truth of + the gospel. Each<br /> Jew was regarded as a dangerous witness against<br /> + Christianity. The early Christians saw how neces-<br /> sary it was that + the people who lived in Jerusalem<br /> at the time of Christ should be + convinced that<br /> he was God, and should testify to the miracles he<br /> + wrought. Whenever a Jew denied it, the Christian<br /> was filled with + malignity and hatred, and immediately<br /> excited the prejudice of other + Christians against the<br /> man simply because he was a Jew. They forgot, + in<br /> their general hatred, that Mary, the mother of Christ,<br /> was a + Jewess; that Christ himself was of Jewish<br /> blood; and with an + inconsistency of which, of all<br /> <br /> 287<br /> <br /> religions, + Christianity alone could have been guilty,<br /> the Jew became an object + of especial hatred and<br /> aversion.<br /> <br /> When we remember that + Christianity pretends to<br /> be a religion of love and kindness, of + charity and for-<br /> giveness, must not every intelligent man be shocked<br /> + by the persecution of the Jews? Even now, in learned<br /> and cultivated + Germany, the Jew is treated as though<br /> he were a wild beast. The + reputation of this great<br /> people has been stained by a persecution + spring-<br /> ing only from ignorance and barbarian prejudice.<br /> So in + Russia, the Christians are anxious to shed<br /> every drop of Jewish + blood, and thousands are to-day<br /> fleeing from their homes to seek a + refuge from Chris-<br /> tian hate. And Mr. Talmage believes that all these<br /> + persecutions are kept up by the perpetual intervention<br /> of God, in + order that the homeless wanderers of the<br /> seed of Abraham may testify + to the truth of the Old<br /> and New Testaments. He thinks that every + burning<br /> Jewish home sheds light upon the gospel,—that<br /> + every gash in Jewish flesh cries out in favor of the<br /> Bible,—that + every violated Jewish maiden shows the<br /> interest that God still takes + in the preservation of<br /> his Holy Word.<br /> <br /> I am endeavoring to + do away with religious<br /> <br /> 288<br /> <br /> prejudice. I wish to + substitute humanity for super-<br /> stition, the love of our fellow-men, + for the fear of<br /> God. In the place of ignorant worship, let us put<br /> + good deeds. We should be great enough and grand<br /> enough to know that + the rights of the Jew are pre-<br /> cisely the same as our own. We cannot + trample<br /> upon their rights, without endangering our own; and<br /> no + man who will take liberty from another, is great<br /> enough to enjoy + liberty himself.<br /> <br /> Day by day Christians are laying the + foundation<br /> of future persecution. In every Sunday school little<br /> + children are taught that Jews killed the God of this<br /> universe. Their + little hearts are filled with hatred<br /> against the Jewish people. They + are taught as a<br /> part of the creed to despise the descendants of the<br /> + only people with whom God is ever said to have had<br /> any conversation + whatever.<br /> <br /> When we take into consideration what the Jewish<br /> + people have suffered, it is amazing that every one of<br /> them does not + hate with all his heart and soul and<br /> strength the entire Christian + world. But in spite of<br /> the persecutions they have endured, they are + to-day,<br /> where they are permitted to enjoy reasonable liberty,<br /> + the most prosperous people on the globe. The idea<br /> that their + condition shows, or tends to show, that<br /> <br /> 289<br /> <br /> upon + them abides the wrath of Jehovah, cannot be<br /> substantiated by the + facts.<br /> <br /> The Jews to-day control the commerce of the<br /> world. + They control the money of the world. It is<br /> for them to say whether + nations shall or shall not go<br /> to war. They are the people of whom + nations borrow<br /> money. To their offices kings come with their hats<br /> + in their hands. Emperors beg them to discount their<br /> notes. Is all + this a consequence of the wrath of<br /> God?<br /> <br /> We find upon our + streets no Jewish beggars. It is<br /> a rare sight to find one of these + people standing as<br /> a criminal before a court. They do not fill our + alms-<br /> houses, nor our penitentiaries, nor our jails. In-<br /> + tellectually and morally they are the equal of any<br /> people. They have + become illustrious in every de-<br /> partment of art and science. The old + cry against<br /> them is at last perceived to be ignorant. Only a few<br /> + years ago, Christians would rob a Jew, strip him of<br /> his possessions, + steal his money, declare him an out-<br /> cast, and drive him forth. Then + they would point<br /> to him as a fulfillment of prophecy.<br /> <br /> If + you wish to see the difference between some<br /> Jews and some Christians, + compare the addresses of<br /> Felix Adler with the sermons of Mr. Talmage.<br /> + <br /> 290<br /> <br /> I cannot convince myself that an infinitely good<br /> + and wise God holds a Jewish babe in the cradle of<br /> to-day responsible + for the crimes of Caiaphas the<br /> high priest. I hardly think that an + infinitely good<br /> being would pursue this little babe through all its + life<br /> simply to get revenge on those who died two thou-<br /> sand + years ago. An infinite being ought certainly to<br /> know that the child + is not to blame; and an infinite<br /> being who does not know this, is not + entitled to the<br /> love or adoration of any honest man.<br /> <br /> There + is a strange inconsistency in what Mr. Tal-<br /> mage says. For instance, + he finds great fault with<br /> me because I do not agree with the + religious ideas<br /> of my father; and he finds fault equally with the<br /> + Jews who do. The Jews who were true to the re-<br /> ligion of their + fathers, according to Mr. Talmage,<br /> have been made a by-word and a + hissing and a re-<br /> proach among all nations, and only those Jews were<br /> + fortunate and blest who abandoned the religion of<br /> their fathers. The + real reason for this inconsistency<br /> is this: Mr. Talmage really thinks + that a man can<br /> believe as he wishes. He imagines that evidence de-<br /> + pends simply upon volition; consequently, he holds<br /> every one + responsible for his belief. Being satisfied<br /> that he has the exact + truth in this matter, he meas-<br /> <br /> 291<br /> <br /> ures all other + people by his standard, and if they<br /> fail by that measurement, he + holds them personally<br /> responsible, and believes that his God does the + same.<br /> If Mr. Talmage had been born in Turkey, he would<br /> in all + probability have been a Mohammedan, and<br /> would now be denouncing some + man who had denied<br /> the inspiration of the Koran, as the "champion + blas-<br /> "phemer" of Constantinople. Certainly he would<br /> have been, + had his parents been Mohammedans;<br /> because, according to his doctrine, + he would have<br /> been utterly lacking in respect and love for his father<br /> + and mother had he failed to perpetuate their errors.<br /> So, had he been + born in Utah, of Mormon parents,<br /> he would now have been a defender of + polygamy.<br /> He would not "run the ploughshare of contempt<br /> "through + the graves of his parents," by taking the<br /> ground that polygamy is + wrong.<br /> <br /> I presume that all of Mr. Talmage's forefathers<br /> + were not Presbyterians. There must have been<br /> a time when one of his + progenitors left the faith of<br /> his father, and joined the Presbyterian + Church. Ac-<br /> cording to the reasoning of Mr. Talmage, that particular<br /> + progenitor was an exceedingly bad man; but had it<br /> not been for the + crime of that bad man, Mr. Talmage<br /> might not now have been on the + road to heaven.<br /> <br /> 292<br /> <br /> I hardly think that all the + inventors, the thinkers,<br /> the philosophers, the discoverers, + dishonored their<br /> parents. Fathers and mothers have been made<br /> + immortal by such sons. And yet these sons demon-<br /> strated the errors + of their parents. A good father<br /> wishes to be excelled by his + children.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="link0008" id="link0008"></a><br /> + <br /> <big><b>SIXTH INTERVIEW.</b></big><br /> <br /> <i>It is a + contradiction in terms and ideas to call<br /> anything a revelation that + comes to us at second-<br /> hand, either verbally or in writing. + Revelation is<br /> necessarily limited to the first communication—<br /> + after this, it is only an account of something<br /> which that person says + was a revelation made to<br /> him; and though he may find himself obliged + to<br /> believe it, it cannot be incumbent on me to<br /> believe it in the + same manner; for it was not a<br /> revelation made to me, and I have only + his word<br /> for it that it was made to him.—Thomas Paine.</i><br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the argu-<br /> ments presented + by Mr. Talmage in favor of<br /> the inspiration of the Bible?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. Mr. Talmage takes the ground that<br /> there are more + copies of the Bible than of any<br /> other book, and that consequently it + must be in-<br /> spired.<br /> <br /> It seems to me that this kind of + reasoning proves<br /> entirely too much. If the Bible is the inspired word<br /> + of God, it was certainly just as true when there was<br /> only one copy, + as it is to-day; and the facts con-<br /> tained in it were just as true + before they were<br /> <br /> 296<br /> <br /> written, as afterwards. We all + know that it is a fact<br /> in human nature, that a man can tell a + falsehood so<br /> often that he finally believes it himself; but I never<br /> + suspected, until now, that a mistake could be printed<br /> enough times to + make it true.<br /> <br /> There may have been a time, and probably there<br /> + was, when there were more copies of the Koran<br /> than of the Bible. When + most Christians were ut-<br /> terly ignorant, thousands of Moors were + educated;<br /> and it is well known that the arts and sciences<br /> + flourished in Mohammedan countries in a far greater<br /> degree than in + Christian. Now, at that time, it may<br /> be that there were more copies + of the Koran than of<br /> the Bible. If some enterprising Mohammedan had<br /> + only seen the force of such a fact, he might have<br /> established the + inspiration of the Koran beyond<br /> a doubt; or, if it had been found by + actual count that<br /> the Koran was a little behind, a few years of in-<br /> + dustry spent in the multiplication of copies, might<br /> have furnished + the evidence of its inspiration.<br /> <br /> Is it not simply amazing that + a doctor of divinity,<br /> a Presbyterian clergyman, in this day and age, + should<br /> seriously rely upon the number of copies of the Bible<br /> to + substantiate the inspiration of that book? Is it<br /> possible to conceive + of anything more fig-leaflessly<br /> <br /> 297<br /> <br /> absurd? If there + is anything at all in this argument,<br /> it is, that all books are true + in proportion to the<br /> number of copies that exist. Of course, the same<br /> + rule will work with newspapers; so that the news-<br /> paper having the + largest circulation can consistently<br /> claim infallibility. Suppose + that an exceedingly absurd<br /> statement should appear in <i>The New York + Herald</i>,<br /> and some one should denounce it as utterly without<br /> + any foundation in fact or probability; what would<br /> Mr. Talmage think + if the editor of the Herald, as an<br /> evidence of the truth of the + statement, should rely<br /> on the fact that his paper had the largest + circulation<br /> of any in the city? One would think that the whole<br /> + church had acted upon the theory that a falsehood re-<br /> peated often + enough was as good as the truth.<br /> <br /> Another evidence brought + forward by the reverend<br /> gentleman to prove the inspiration of the + Scriptures,<br /> is the assertion that if Congress should undertake to<br /> + pass a law to take the Bible from the people, thirty,<br /> millions would + rise in defence of that book.<br /> <br /> This argument also seems to me to + prove too much,<br /> and as a consequence, to prove nothing. If Con-<br /> + gress should pass a law prohibiting the reading of<br /> Shakespeare, every + American would rise in defence<br /> of his right to read the works of the + greatest man<br /> <br /> 298<br /> <br /> this world has known. Still, that + would not even<br /> tend to show that Shakespeare was inspired. The<br /> + fact is, the American people would not allow Con-<br /> gress to pass a law + preventing them from reading<br /> any good book. Such action would not + prove the<br /> book to be inspired; it would prove that the American<br /> + people believe in liberty.<br /> <br /> There are millions of people in + Turkey who would<br /> peril their lives in defence of the Koran. A fact + like<br /> this does not prove the truth of the Koran; it simply<br /> + proves what Mohammedans think of that book, and<br /> what they are willing + to do for its preservation.<br /> <br /> It can not be too often repeated, + that martyrdom<br /> does not prove the truth of the thing for which the<br /> + martyr dies; it only proves the sincerity of the martyr<br /> and the + cruelty of his murderers. No matter how<br /> many people regard the Bible + as inspired,—that fact<br /> furnishes no evidence that it is + inspired. Just as many<br /> people have regarded other books as inspired; + just as<br /> many millions have been deluded about the inspiration<br /> of + books ages and ages before Christianity was born.<br /> <br /> The simple + belief of one man, or of millions of men,<br /> is no evidence to another. + Evidence must be based,<br /> not upon the belief of other people, but upon + facts.<br /> A believer may state the facts upon which his belief<br /> + <br /> 299<br /> <br /> is founded, and the person to whom he states them<br /> + gives them the weight that according to the con-<br /> struction and + constitution of his mind he must. But<br /> simple, bare belief is not + testimony. We should build<br /> upon facts, not upon beliefs of others, + nor upon the<br /> shifting sands of public opinion. So much for this<br /> + argument.<br /> <br /> The next point made by the reverend gentleman<br /> + is, that an infidel cannot be elected to any office in<br /> the United + States, in any county, precinct, or ward.<br /> <br /> For the sake of the + argument, let us admit that this<br /> is true. What does it prove? There + was a time<br /> when no Protestant could have been elected to any<br /> + office. What did that prove? There was a time<br /> when no Presbyterian + could have been chosen to fill<br /> any public station. What did that + prove? The<br /> same may be said of the members of each religious<br /> + denomination. What does that prove?<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage says that + Christianity must be true,<br /> because an infidel cannot be elected to + office. Now,<br /> suppose that enough infidels should happen to settle<br /> + in one precinct to elect one of their own number to<br /> office; would + that prove that Christianity was not<br /> true in that precinct? There was + a time when no<br /> man could have been elected to any office, who in-<br /> + <br /> 300<br /> <br /> sisted on the rotundity of the earth; what did that<br /> + prove? There was a time when no man who denied<br /> the existence of + witches, wizards, spooks and devils,<br /> could hold any position of + honor; what did that<br /> prove? There was a time when an abolitionist + could<br /> not be elected to office in any State in this Union;<br /> what + did that prove? There was a time when they<br /> were not allowed to + express their honest thoughts;<br /> what does that prove? There was a time + when a<br /> Quaker could not have been elected to any office;<br /> there + was a time in the history of this country when<br /> but few of them were + allowed to live; what does<br /> that prove? Is it necessary, in order to + ascertain the<br /> truth of Christianity, to look over the election re-<br /> + turns? Is "inspiration" a question to be settled by<br /> the ballot? I + admit that it was once, in the first<br /> place, settled that way. I admit + that books were<br /> voted in and voted out, and that the Bible was + finally<br /> formed in accordance with a vote; but does Mr.<br /> Talmage + insist that the question is not still open?<br /> Does he not know, that a + fact cannot by any possi-<br /> bility be affected by opinion? We make laws + for<br /> the whole people, by the whole people. We agree<br /> that a + majority shall rule, but nobody ever pretended<br /> that a question of + taste could be settled by an appeal<br /> <br /> 301<br /> <br /> to + majorities, or that a question of logic could be<br /> affected by numbers. + In the world of thought, each<br /> man is an absolute monarch, each brain + is a king-<br /> dom, that cannot be invaded even by the tyranny of<br /> + majorities.<br /> <br /> No man can avoid the intellectual responsibility of<br /> + deciding for himself.<br /> <br /> Suppose that the Christian religion had + been put<br /> to vote in Jerusalem? Suppose that the doctrine of<br /> the + "fall" had been settled in Athens, by an appeal<br /> to the people, would + Mr. Talmage have been willing<br /> to abide by their decision? If he + settles the inspira-<br /> tion of the Bible by a popular vote, he must + settle the<br /> meaning of the Bible by the same means. There are<br /> + more Methodists than Presbyterians—why does the<br /> gentleman + remain a Presbyterian? There are more<br /> Buddhists than Christians—why + does he vote against<br /> majorities? He will remember that Christianity + was<br /> once settled by a popular vote—that the divinity of<br /> + Christ was submitted to the people, and the people<br /> said: "Crucify + him!"<br /> <br /> The next, and about the strongest, argument Mr.<br /> + Talmage makes is, that I am an infidel because I was<br /> defeated for + Governor of Illinois.<br /> <br /> When put in plain English, his statement + is this:<br /> <br /> 302<br /> <br /> that I was defeated because I was an + infidel, and that<br /> I am an infidel because I was defeated. This, I be-<br /> + lieve, is called reasoning in a circle. The truth is,<br /> that a good + many people did object to me because I<br /> was an infidel, and the + probability is, that if I had<br /> denied being an infidel, I might have + obtained an<br /> office. The wonderful part is, that any Christian<br /> + should deride me because I preferred honor to po-<br /> litical success. He + who dishonors himself for the<br /> sake of being honored by others, will + find that two<br /> mistakes have been made—one by himself, and the<br /> + other, by the people.<br /> <br /> I presume that Mr.Talmage really thinks + that I was<br /> extremely foolish to avow my real opinions. After<br /> + all, men are apt to judge others somewhat by them-<br /> selves. According + to him, I made the mistake of<br /> preserving my manhood and losing an + office. Now,<br /> if I had in fact been an infidel, and had denied it, for<br /> + the sake of position, then I admit that every Christian<br /> might have + pointed at me the finger of contempt.<br /> But I was an infidel, and + admitted it. Surely, I should<br /> not be held in contempt by Christians + for having<br /> made the admission. I was not a believer in the<br /> + Bible, and I said so. I was not a Christian, and I said<br /> so. I was not + willing to receive the support of any<br /> <br /> 303<br /> <br /> man under + a false impression. I thought it better to<br /> be honestly beaten, than + to dishonestly succeed.<br /> According to the ethics of Mr. Talmage I made + a<br /> mistake, and this mistake is brought forward as<br /> another + evidence of the inspiration of the Scriptures.<br /> If I had only been + elected Governor of Illinois,—that<br /> is to say, if I had been a + successful hypocrite, I might<br /> now be basking in the sunshine of this + gentleman's<br /> respect. I preferred to tell the truth—to be an<br /> + honest man,—and I have never regretted the course<br /> I pursued.<br /> + <br /> There are many men now in office who, had they<br /> pursued a nobler + course, would be private citizens.<br /> Nominally, they are Christians; + actually, they are<br /> nothing; and this is the combination that + generally<br /> insures political success.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage is + exceedingly proud of the fact that<br /> Christians will not vote for + infidels. In other words,<br /> he does not believe that in our Government + the<br /> church has been absolutely divorced from the state.<br /> He + believes that it is still the Christian's duty to<br /> make the religious + test. Probably he wishes to get<br /> his God into the Constitution. My + position is this:<br /> <br /> Religion is an individual matter—a + something for<br /> each individual to settle for himself, and with which<br /> + <br /> 304<br /> <br /> no other human being has any concern, provided the<br /> + religion of each human being allows liberty to every<br /> other. When + called upon to vote for men to fill the<br /> offices of this country, I do + not inquire as to the re-<br /> ligion of the candidates. It is none of my + business.<br /> I ask the questions asked by Jefferson: "Is he<br /> + "honest; is he capable?" It makes no difference to<br /> me, if he is + willing that others should be free, what<br /> creed he may profess. The + moment I inquire into his<br /> religious belief, I found a little + inquisition of my own;<br /> I repeat, in a small way, the errors of the + past, and<br /> reproduce, in so far as I am capable, the infamy of<br /> + the ignorant orthodox years.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage will accept my thanks + for his frankness.<br /> I now know what controls a Presbyterian when he<br /> + casts his vote. He cares nothing for the capacity,<br /> nothing for the + fitness, of the candidate to discharge<br /> the duties of the office to + which he aspires; he<br /> simply asks: Is he a Presbyterian, is he a + Protestant,<br /> does he believe our creed? and then, no matter how<br /> + ignorant he may be, how utterly unfit, he receives the<br /> Presbyterian + vote. According to Mr. Talmage, he<br /> would vote for a Catholic who, if + he had the power,<br /> would destroy all liberty of conscience, rather + than<br /> vote for an infidel who, had he the power, would<br /> <br /> 305<br /> + <br /> destroy all the religious tyranny of the world, and<br /> allow every + human being to think for himself, and<br /> to worship God, or not, as and + how he pleased.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage makes the serious mistake of + placing<br /> the Bible above the laws and Constitution of his<br /> + country. He places Jehovah above humanity. Such<br /> men are not entirely + safe citizens of any republic.<br /> And yet, I am in favor of giving to + such men all the<br /> liberty I ask for myself, trusting to education and + the<br /> spirit of progress to overcome any injury they may<br /> do, or + seek to do.<br /> <br /> When this country was founded, when the Con-<br /> + stitution was adopted, the churches agreed to let the<br /> State alone. + They agreed that all citizens should have<br /> equal civil rights. Nothing + could be more dangerous<br /> to the existence of this Republic than to + introduce<br /> religion into politics. The American theory is, that<br /> + governments are founded, not by gods, but by men,<br /> and that the right + to govern does not come from<br /> God, but "from the consent of the + governed." Our<br /> fathers concluded that the people were sufficiently<br /> + intelligent to take care of themselves—to make good<br /> laws and to + execute them. Prior to that time, all<br /> authority was supposed to come + from the clouds.<br /> Kings were set upon thrones by God, and it was the<br /> + <br /> 306<br /> <br /> business of the people simply to submit. In all + really<br /> civilized countries, that doctrine has been abandoned.<br /> + The source of political power is here, not in heaven.<br /> We are willing + that those in heaven should control<br /> affairs there; we are willing + that the angels should<br /> have a government to suit themselves; but + while we<br /> live here, and while our interests are upon this earth,<br /> + we propose to make and execute our own laws.<br /> <br /> If the doctrine of + Mr. Talmage is the true doctrine,<br /> if no man should be voted for + unless he is a Christian,<br /> then no man should vote unless he is a + Christian. It<br /> will not do to say that sinners may vote, that an + infidel<br /> may be the repository of political power, but must not<br /> + be voted for. A decent Christian who is not willing<br /> that an infidel + should be elected to an office, would<br /> not be willing to be elected to + an office by infidel<br /> votes. If infidels are too bad to be voted for, + they<br /> are certainly not good enough to vote, and no<br /> Christian + should be willing to represent such an<br /> infamous constituency.<br /> + <br /> If the political theory of Mr. Talmage is carried<br /> out, of + course the question will arise in a little while,<br /> What is a + Christian? It will then be necessary to<br /> write a creed to be + subscribed by every person before<br /> he is fit to vote or to be voted + for. This of course<br /> <br /> 307<br /> <br /> must be done by the State, + and must be settled,<br /> under our form of government, by a majority + vote.<br /> Is Mr. Talmage willing that the question, What is<br /> + Christianity? should be so settled? Will he pledge<br /> himself in advance + to subscribe to such a creed? Of<br /> course he will not. He will insist + that he has the<br /> right to read the Bible for himself, and that he must<br /> + be bound by his own conscience. In this he would<br /> be right. If he has + the right to read the Bible for<br /> himself, so have I. If he is to be + bound by his con-<br /> science, so am I. If he honestly believes the Bible + to<br /> be true, he must say so, in order to preserve his man-<br /> hood; + and if I honestly believe it to be uninspired,—<br /> filled with + mistakes,—I must say so, or lose my man-<br /> hood. How infamous I + would be should I endeavor<br /> to deprive him of his vote, or of his + right to be voted<br /> for, because he had been true to his conscience! + And<br /> how infamous he is to try to deprive me of the right<br /> to + vote, or to be voted for, because I am true to my<br /> conscience!<br /> + <br /> When we were engaged in civil war, did Mr. Tal-<br /> mage object to + any man's enlisting in the ranks who<br /> was not a Christian? Was he + willing, at that time,<br /> that sinners should vote to keep our flag in + heaven?<br /> Was he willing that the "unconverted" should cover<br /> <br /> + 308<br /> <br /> the fields of victory with their corpses, that this nation<br /> + might not die? At the same time, Mr. Talmage<br /> knew that every + "unconverted" soldier killed, went<br /> down to eternal fire. Does Mr. + Talmage believe that<br /> it is the duty of a man to fight for a + government in<br /> which he has no rights? Is the man who shoulders<br /> + his musket in the defence of human freedom good<br /> enough to cast a + ballot? There is in the heart of this<br /> priest the safne hatred of real + liberty that drew the<br /> sword of persecution, that built dungeons, that + forged<br /> chains and made instruments of torture.<br /> <br /> Nobody, + with the exception of priests, would be<br /> willing to trust the + liberties of this country in the<br /> hands of any church. In order to + show the political<br /> estimation in which the clergy are held, in order + to<br /> show the confidence the people at large have in the<br /> sincerity + and wisdom of the clergy, it is sufficient to<br /> state, that no priest, + no bishop, could by any possi-<br /> bility be elected President of the + United States. No<br /> party could carry that load. A fear would fall upon<br /> + the mind and heart of every honest man that this<br /> country was about to + drift back to the Middle Ages,<br /> and that the old battles were to be + refought. If the<br /> bishop running for President was of the Methodist<br /> + Church, every other church would oppose him. If<br /> <br /> 309<br /> <br /> + he was a Catholic, the Protestants would as a body<br /> combine against + him. Why? The churches have<br /> no confidence in each other. Why? Because + they<br /> are acquainted with each other.<br /> <br /> As a matter of fact, + the infidel has a thousand<br /> times more reason to vote against the + Christian,<br /> than the Christian has to vote against the infidel.<br /> + The Christian believes in a book superior to the<br /> Constitution—superior + to all Constitutions and all<br /> laws. The infidel believes that the + Constitution and<br /> laws are superior to any book. He is not controlled<br /> + by any power beyond the seas or above the clouds.<br /> He does not receive + his orders from Rome, or Sinai.<br /> He receives them from his + fellow-citizens, legally and<br /> constitutionally expressed. The + Christian believes in<br /> a power greater than man, to which, upon the + peril<br /> of eternal pain, he must bow. His allegiance, to say<br /> the + best of it, is divided. The Christian puts the for-<br /> tune of his own + soul over and above the temporal<br /> welfare of the entire world; the + infidel puts the good<br /> of mankind here and now, beyond and over all.<br /> + <br /> There was a time in New England when only<br /> church members were + allowed to vote, and it may be<br /> instructive to state the fact that + during that time<br /> Quakers were hanged, women were stripped, tied to<br /> + <br /> 310<br /> <br /> carts, and whipped from town to town, and their<br /> + babes sold into slavery, or exchanged for rum. Now<br /> in that same + country, thousands and thousands of<br /> infidels vote, and yet the laws + are nearer just, women<br /> are not whipped and children are not sold.<br /> + <br /> If all the convicts in all the penitentiaries of the<br /> United + States could be transported to some island in<br /> the sea, and there + allowed to make a government for<br /> themselves, they would pass better + laws than John<br /> Calvin did in Geneva. They would have clearer and<br /> + better views of the rights of men, than unconvicted<br /> Christians used + to have. I do not say that these<br /> convicts are better people, but I do + say that, in my<br /> judgment, they would make better laws. They cer-<br /> + tainly could not make worse.<br /> <br /> If these convicts were taken from + the prisons of<br /> the United States, they would not dream of uniting<br /> + church and state. They would have no religious<br /> test. They would allow + every man to vote and to be<br /> voted for, no matter what his religious + views might<br /> be. They would not dream of whipping Quakers, of<br /> + burning Unitarians, of imprisoning or burning Uni-<br /> versalists or + infidels. They would allow all the people<br /> to guess for themselves. + Some of these convicts, of<br /> course, would believe in the old ideas, + and would<br /> insist upon the suppression of free thought. Those<br /> + coming from Delaware would probably repeat with<br /> great gusto the + opinions of Justice Comegys, and<br /> insist that the whipping-post was + the handmaid of<br /> Christianity.<br /> <br /> It would be hard to conceive + of a much worse<br /> government than that founded by the Puritans.<br /> + They took the Bible for the foundation of their<br /> political structure. + They copied the laws given to<br /> Moses from Sinai, and the result was + one of the<br /> worst governments that ever disgraced this world.<br /> + They believed the Old Testament to be inspired.<br /> They believed that + Jehovah made laws for all people<br /> and for all time. They had not + learned the hypoc-<br /> risy that believes and avoids. They did not say:<br /> + This law was once just, but is now unjust; it was<br /> once good, but now + it is infamous; it was given by<br /> God once, but now it can only be + obeyed by the<br /> devil. They had not reached the height of biblical<br /> + exegesis on which we find the modern theologian<br /> perched, and who + tells us that Jehovah has reformed.<br /> The Puritans were consistent. + They did what people<br /> must do who honestly believe in the inspiration + of<br /> the Old Testament. If God gave laws from Sinai<br /> what right + have we to repeal them?<br /> <br /> 312<br /> <br /> As people have gained + confidence in each other,<br /> they have lost confidence in the sacred + Scriptures.<br /> We know now that the Bible can not be used as the<br /> + foundation of government. It is capable of too many<br /> meanings. Nobody + can find out exactly what it<br /> upholds, what it permits, what it + denounces, what it<br /> denies. These things depend upon what part you<br /> + read. If it is all true, it upholds everything bad and<br /> denounces + everything good, and it also denounces<br /> the bad and upholds the good. + Then there are<br /> passages where the good is denounced and the bad<br /> + commanded; so that any one can go to the Bible<br /> and find some text, + some passage, to uphold anything<br /> he may desire. If he wishes to + enslave his fellow-<br /> men, he will find hundreds of passages in his + favor.<br /> If he wishes to be a polygamist, he can find his<br /> + authority there. If he wishes to make war, to exter-<br /> minate his + neighbors, there his warrant can be found.<br /> If, on the other hand, he + is oppressed himself, and<br /> wishes to make war upon his king, he can + find a<br /> battle-cry. And if the king wishes to put him down,<br /> he + can find text for text on the other side. So, too,<br /> upon all questions + of reform. The teetotaler goes<br /> there to get his verse, and the + moderate drinker<br /> finds within the sacred lids his best excuse.<br /> + <br /> 313<br /> <br /> Most intelligent people are now convinced that the<br /> + bible is not a guide; that in reading it you must<br /> exercise your + reason; that you can neither safely<br /> reject nor accept all; that he + who takes one passage<br /> for a staff, trips upon another; that while one + text is<br /> a light, another blows it out; that it is such a ming-<br /> + ling of rocks and quicksands, such a labyrinth of<br /> clews and snares—so + few flowers among so many<br /> nettles and thorns, that it misleads rather + than di-<br /> rects, and taken altogether, is a hindrance and not<br /> a + help.<br /> <br /> Another important point made by Mr. Talmage is,<br /> that + if the Bible is thrown away, we will have nothing<br /> left to swear + witnesses on, and that consequently the<br /> administration of justice + will become impossible.<br /> <br /> There was a time when the Bible did not + exist, and<br /> if Mr. Talmage is correct, of course justice was im-<br /> + possible then, and truth must have been a stranger<br /> to human lips. How + can we depend upon the testi-<br /> mony of those who wrote the Bible, as + there was no<br /> Bible in existence while they were writing, and con-<br /> + sequently there was no way to take their testimony,<br /> and we have no + account of their having been sworn<br /> on the Bible after they got it + finished. It is extremely<br /> sad to think that all the nations of + antiquity were left<br /> <br /> 314<br /> <br /> entirely without the means + of eliciting truth. No<br /> wonder that Justice was painted blindfolded.<br /> + <br /> What perfect fetichism it is, to imagine that a man<br /> will tell + the truth simply because he has kissed an<br /> old piece of sheepskin + stained with the saliva of all<br /> classes. A farce of this kind adds + nothing to the<br /> testimony of an honest man; it simply allows a rogue<br /> + to give weight to his false testimony. This is really<br /> the only result + that can be accomplished by kissing<br /> the Bible. A desperate villain, + for the purpose of<br /> getting revenge, or making money, will gladly go<br /> + through the ceremony, and ignorant juries and su-<br /> perstitious judges + will be imposed upon. The whole<br /> system of oaths is false, and does + harm instead of<br /> good. Let every man walk into court and tell his<br /> + story, and let the truth of the story be judged by its<br /> + reasonableness, taking into consideration the charac-<br /> ter of the + witness, the interest he has, and the posi-<br /> tion he occupies in the + controversy, and then let it<br /> be the business of the jury to ascertain + the real truth<br /> —to throw away the unreasonable and the impossi-<br /> + ble, and make up their verdict only upon what they<br /> believe to be + reasonable and true. An honest man<br /> does not need the oath, and a + rascal uses it simply<br /> to accomplish his purpose. If the history of + courts<br /> <br /> 315<br /> <br /> proved that every man, after kissing the + Bible, told<br /> the truth, and that those who failed to kiss it some-<br /> + times lied, I should be in favor of swearing all people<br /> on the Bible; + but the experience of every lawyer is,<br /> that kissing the Bible is not + always the preface of a<br /> true story. It is often the ceremonial + embroidery<br /> of a falsehood.<br /> <br /> If there is an infinite God who + attends to the<br /> affairs of men, it seems to me almost a sacrilege to<br /> + publicly appeal to him in every petty trial. If one<br /> will go into any + court, and notice the manner in<br /> which oaths are administered,—the + utter lack of<br /> solemnity—the matter-of-course air with which the<br /> + whole thing is done, he will be convinced that it is a<br /> form of no + importance. Mr. Talmage would probably<br /> agree with the judge of whom + the following story is<br /> told:<br /> <br /> A witness was being sworn. + The judge noticed<br /> that he was not holding up his hand. He said to the<br /> + clerk: "Let the witness hold up his right hand."<br /> "His right arm was + shot off," replied the clerk. "Let<br /> "him hold up his left, then." + "That was shot off, too,<br /> "your honor." "Well, then, let him raise one + foot;<br /> "no man can be sworn in this court without holding<br /> + "something up."<br /> <br /> <br /> My own opinion is, that if every copy of + the Bible<br /> in the world were destroyed, there would be some<br /> way + to ascertain the truth in judicial proceedings;<br /> and any other book + would do just as well to swear<br /> witnesses upon, or a block in the + shape of a book<br /> covered with some kind of calfskin could do equally<br /> + well, or just the calfskin would do. Nothing is more<br /> laughable than + the performance of this ceremony,<br /> and I have never seen in court one + calf kissing the<br /> skin of another, that I did not feel humiliated that<br /> + such things were done in the name of Justice.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage has + still another argument in favor<br /> of the preservation of the Bible. He + wants to<br /> know what book could take its place on the centre-<br /> + table.<br /> <br /> I admit that there is much force in this. Suppose<br /> + we all admitted the Bible to be an uninspired book,<br /> it could still be + kept on the centre-table. It would<br /> be just as true then as it is now. + Inspiration can not<br /> add anything to a fact; neither can inspiration + make<br /> the immoral moral, the unjust just, or the cruel merci-<br /> + ful. If it is a fact that God established human slavery,<br /> that does + not prove slavery to be right; it simply<br /> shows that God was wrong. If + I have the right to<br /> use my reason in determining whether the Bible is<br /> + <br /> 317<br /> <br /> inspired or not, and if in accordance with my reason<br /> + I conclude that it is inspired, I have still the right to<br /> use my + reason in determining whether the command-<br /> ments of God are good or + bad. Now, suppose we<br /> take from the Bible every word upholding + slavery,<br /> every passage in favor of polygamy, every verse<br /> + commanding soldiers to kill women and children, it<br /> would be just as + fit for the centre-table as now. Sup-<br /> pose every impure word was + taken from it; suppose<br /> that the history of Tamar was left out, the + biography<br /> of Lot, and all other barbarous accounts of a barbarous<br /> + people, it would look just as well upon the centre-<br /> table as now.<br /> + <br /> Suppose that we should become convinced that<br /> the writers of the + New Testament were mistaken as<br /> to the eternity of punishment, or that + all the passages<br /> now relied upon to prove the existence of perdition<br /> + were shown to be interpolations, and were thereupon<br /> expunged, would + not the book be dearer still to<br /> every human being with a heart? I + would like to<br /> see every good passage in the Bible preserved. I<br /> + would like to see, with all these passages from the<br /> Bible, the + loftiest sentiments from all other books<br /> that have ever been uttered + by men in all ages and<br /> of all races, bound in one volume, and to see + that<br /> <br /> 318<br /> <br /> volume, filled with the greatest, the + purest and the<br /> best, become the household book.<br /> <br /> The + average Bible, on the average centre-table, is<br /> about as much used as + though it were a solid block.<br /> It is scarcely ever opened, and people + who see its<br /> covers every day are unfamiliar with its every page.<br /> + <br /> I admit that some things have happened some-<br /> what hard to + explain, and tending to show that the<br /> Bible is no ordinary book. I + heard a story, not long<br /> ago, bearing upon this very subject.<br /> + <br /> A man was a member of the church, but after a<br /> time, having had + bad luck in business affairs, became<br /> somewhat discouraged. Not + feeling able to con-<br /> tribute his share to the support of the church, + he<br /> ceased going to meeting, and finally became an<br /> average + sinner. His bad luck pursued him until he<br /> found himself and his + family without even a crust to<br /> eat. At this point, his wife told him + that she be-<br /> lieved they were suffering from a visitation of God,<br /> + and begged him to restore family worship, and see if<br /> God would not do + something for them. Feeling that<br /> he could not possibly make matters + worse, he took<br /> the Bible from its resting place on a shelf where<br /> + it had quietly slumbered and collected the dust of<br /> many months, and + gathered his family about him.<br /> <br /> 319<br /> <br /> He opened the + sacred volume, and to his utter as-<br /> tonishment, there, between the + divine leaves, was a<br /> ten-dollar bill. He immediately dropped on his<br /> + knees. His wife dropped on hers, and the children on<br /> theirs, and with + streaming eyes they returned thanks<br /> to God. He rushed to the + butcher's and bought<br /> some steak, to the baker's and bought some + bread,<br /> to the grocer's and got some eggs and butter and tea,<br /> and + joyfully hastened home. The supper was cooked,<br /> it was on the table, + grace was said, and every face<br /> was radiant with joy. Just at that + happy moment a<br /> knock was heard, the door was opened, and a police-<br /> + man entered and arrested the father for passing<br /> counterfeit money.<br /> + <br /> Mr. Talmage is also convinced that the Bible is<br /> inspired and + should be preserved because there is no<br /> other book that à + mother could give her son as he<br /> leaves the old home to make his way + in the world.<br /> <br /> Thousands and thousands of mothers have pre-<br /> + sented their sons with Bibles without knowing really<br /> what the book + contains. They simply followed the<br /> custom, and the sons as a rule + honored the Bible, not<br /> because they knew anything of it, but because + it was<br /> a gift from mother. But surely, if all the passages<br /> + upholding polygamy were out, the mother would give<br /> <br /> 320<br /> + <br /> the book to her son just as readily, and he would re-<br /> ceive it + just as joyfully. If there were not one word<br /> in it tending to degrade + the mother, the gift would cer-<br /> tainly be as appropriate. The fact + that mothers have<br /> presented Bibles to their sons does not prove that + the<br /> book is inspired. The most that can be proved by<br /> this fact + is that the mothers believed it to be inspired.<br /> It does not even tend + to show what the book is,<br /> neither does it tend to establish the truth + of one<br /> miracle recorded upon its pages. We cannot believe<br /> that + fire refused to burn, simply because the state-<br /> ment happens to be in + a book presented to a son by<br /> his mother, and if all the mothers of + the entire world<br /> should give Bibles to all their children, this would + not<br /> prove that it was once right to murder mothers, or to<br /> + enslave mothers, or to sell their babes.<br /> <br /> The inspiration of the + Bible is not a question of<br /> natural affection. It can not be decided + by the love<br /> a mother bears her son. It is a question of fact, to<br /> + be substantiated like other facts. If the Turkish<br /> mother should give + a copy of the Koran to her<br /> son, I would still have my doubts about + the in-<br /> spiration of that book; and if some Turkish soldier<br /> + saved his life by having in his pocket a copy of<br /> the Koran that + accidentally stopped a bullet just<br /> <br /> 321<br /> <br /> opposite his + heart, I should still deny that Mohammed<br /> was a prophet of God.<br /> + <br /> Nothing can be more childish than to ascribe<br /> mysterious powers + to inanimate objects. To imagine<br /> that old rags made into pulp, + manufactured into<br /> paper, covered with words, and bound with the skin<br /> + of a calf or a sheep, can have any virtues when thus<br /> put together + that did not belong to the articles out<br /> of which the book was + constructed, is of course<br /> infinitely absurd.<br /> <br /> In the days + of slavery, negroes used to buy dried<br /> roots of other negroes, and put + these roots in their<br /> pockets, so that a whipping would not give them<br /> + pain. Kings have bought diamonds to give them<br /> luck. Crosses and + scapularies are still worn for the<br /> purpose of affecting the + inevitable march of events.<br /> People still imagine that a verse in the + Bible can step<br /> in between a cause and its effect; really believe that<br /> + an amulet, a charm, the bone of some saint, a piece<br /> of a cross, a + little image of the Virgin, a picture of a<br /> priest, will affect the + weather, will delay frost, will<br /> prevent disease, will insure safety + at sea, and in some<br /> cases prevent hanging. The banditti of Italy have<br /> + great confidence in these things, and whenever they<br /> start upon an + expedition of theft and plunder, they<br /> <br /> 322<br /> <br /> take + images and pictures of saints with them, such<br /> as have been blest by a + priest or pope. They pray<br /> sincerely to the Virgin, to give them luck, + and see not<br /> the slightest inconsistency in appealing to all the<br /> + saints in the calendar to assist them in robbing honest<br /> people.<br /> + <br /> Edmund About tells a story that illustrates the belief<br /> of the + modern Italian. A young man was gambling.<br /> Fortune was against him. In + the room was a little<br /> picture representing the Virgin and her child. + Before<br /> this picture he crossed himself, and asked the assist-<br /> + ance of the child. Again he put down his money<br /> and again lost. + Returning to the picture, he told the<br /> child that he had lost all but + one piece, that he was<br /> about to hazard that, and made a very urgent + request<br /> that he would favor him with divine assistance. He<br /> put + down the last piece. He lost. Going to the<br /> picture and shaking his + fist at the child, he cried out:<br /> "Miserable bambino, I am glad they + crucified you!"<br /> <br /> The confidence that one has in an image, in a + relic,<br /> in a book, comes from the same source,—fetichism.<br /> + To ascribe supernatural virtues to the skin of a snake,<br /> to a picture, + or to a bound volume, is intellectually<br /> the same.<br /> <br /> Mr. + Talmage has still another argument in favor<br /> <br /> 323<br /> <br /> of + the inspiration of the Scriptures. He takes the<br /> ground that the Bible + must be inspired, because so<br /> many people believe it.<br /> <br /> Mr. + Talmage should remember that a scientific<br /> fact does not depend upon + the vote of numbers;—<br /> it depends simply upon demonstration; it + depends<br /> upon intelligence and investigation, not upon an<br /> + ignorant multitude; it appeals to the highest, in-<br /> stead of to the + lowest. Nothing can be settled<br /> by popular prejudice.<br /> <br /> + According to Mr. Talmage, there are about three<br /> hundred million + Christians in the world. Is this true?<br /> In all countries claiming to + be Christian—including<br /> all of civilized Europe, Russia in Asia, + and every<br /> country on the Western hemisphere, we have nearly<br /> four + hundred millions of people. Mr. Talmage claims<br /> that three hundred + millions are Christians. I sup-<br /> pose he means by this, that if all + should perish to-<br /> night, about three hundred millions would wake up<br /> + in heaven—having lived and died good and consist-<br /> ent + Christians.<br /> <br /> There are in Russia about eighty millions of people<br /> + —how many Christians? I admit that they have re-<br /> cently given + more evidence of orthodox Christianity<br /> than formerly. They have been + murdering old men;<br /> <br /> 324<br /> <br /> they have thrust daggers into + the breasts of women;<br /> they have violated maidens—because they + were Jews.<br /> Thousands and thousands are sent each year to the<br /> + mines of Siberia, by the Christian government of<br /> Russia. Girls + eighteen years of age, for having ex-<br /> pressed a word in favor of + human liberty, are to-day<br /> working like beasts of burden, with chains + upon<br /> their limbs and with the marks of whips upon<br /> their backs. + Russia, of course, is considered by Mr.<br /> Talmage as a Christian + country—a country utterly<br /> destitute of liberty—without + freedom of the press,<br /> without freedom of speech, where every mouth is<br /> + locked and every tongue a prisoner—a country filled<br /> with + victims, soldiers, spies, thieves and executioners.<br /> What would Russia + be, in the opinion of Mr. Tal-<br /> mage, but for Christianity? How could + it be worse,<br /> when assassins are among the best people in it?<br /> The + truth is, that the people in Russia, to-day, who<br /> are in favor of + human liberty, are not Christians.<br /> The men willing to sacrifice their + lives for the good<br /> of others, are not believers in the Christian + religion.<br /> The men who wish to break chains are infidels;<br /> the men + who make chains are Christians. Every<br /> good and sincere Catholic of + the Greek Church<br /> is a bad citizen, an enemy of progress, a foe of<br /> + <br /> 325<br /> <br /> human liberty. Yet Mr. Talmage regards Russia<br /> as + a Christian country.<br /> <br /> The sixteen millions of people in Spain + are claimed<br /> as Christians. Spain, that for centuries was the as-<br /> + sassin of human rights; Spain, that endeavored to<br /> spread Christianity + by flame and fagot; Spain, the<br /> soil where the Inquisition flourished, + where bigotry<br /> grew, and where cruelty was worship,—where<br /> + murder was prayer. I admit that Spain is a Chris-<br /> tian nation. I + admit that infidelity has gained no<br /> foothold beyond the Pyrenees. The + Spaniards are<br /> orthodox. They believe in the inspiration of the<br /> + Old and New Testaments. They have no doubts<br /> about miracles—no + doubts about heaven, no doubts<br /> about hell. I admit that the priests, + the highway-<br /> men, the bishops and thieves, are equally true be-<br /> + lievers. The man who takes your purse on the<br /> highway, and the priest + who forgives the robber,<br /> are alike orthodox.<br /> <br /> It gives me + pleasure, however, to say that even in<br /> Spain there is a dawn. Some + great men, some men<br /> of genius, are protesting against the tyranny of + Cath-<br /> olicism. Some men have lost confidence in the<br /> cathedral, + and are beginningto ask the State to erect<br /> the schoolhouse. They are + beginning to suspect<br /> <br /> 326<br /> <br /> that priests are for the + most part impostors and<br /> plunderers.<br /> <br /> According to Mr. + Talmage, the twenty-eight mil-<br /> lions in Italy are Christians. There + the Christian<br /> Church was early established, and the popes are to-<br /> + day the successors of St. Peter. For hundreds and<br /> hundreds of years, + Italy was the beggar of the world,<br /> and to her, from every land, + flowed streams of gold<br /> and silver. The country was covered with + convents,<br /> and monasteries, and churches, and cathedrals filled<br /> + with monks and nuns. Its roads were crowded with<br /> pilgrims, and its + dust was on the feet of the world.<br /> What has Christianity done for + Italy—Italy, its soil a<br /> blessing, its sky a smile—Italy, + with memories great<br /> enough to kindle the fires of enthusiasm in any<br /> + human breast?<br /> <br /> Had it not been for a few Freethinkers, for a few<br /> + infidels, for such men as Garibaldi and Mazzini, the<br /> heaven of Italy + would still have been without a star.<br /> <br /> I admit that Italy, with + its popes and bandits, with<br /> its superstition and ignorance, with its + sanctified<br /> beggars, is a Christian nation; but in a little while,—<br /> + in a few days,—when according to the prophecy of<br /> Garibaldi + priests, with spades in their hands, will<br /> dig ditches to drain the + Pontine marshes; in a little<br /> <br /> 327<br /> <br /> while, when the + pope leaves the Vatican, and seeks<br /> the protection of a nation he has + denounced,—asking<br /> alms of intended victims; when the nuns shall + marry,<br /> and the monasteries shall become factories, and the<br /> whirl + of wheels shall take the place of drowsy prayers<br /> —then, and not + until then, will Italy be,—not a<br /> Christian nation, but great, + prosperous, and free.<br /> <br /> In Italy, Giordano Bruno was burned. Some + day,<br /> his monument will rise above the cross of Rome.<br /> <br /> We + have in our day one example,—and so far as I<br /> know, history + records no other,—of the resurrection<br /> of a nation. Italy has + been called from the grave of<br /> superstition. She is "the first fruits + of them that<br /> "slept."<br /> <br /> I admit with Mr. Talmage that + Portugal is a Chris-<br /> tian country—that she engaged for hundreds + of years<br /> in the slave trade, and that she justified the infamous<br /> + traffic by passages in the Old Testament. I admit,<br /> also, that she + persecuted the Jews in accordance<br /> with the same divine volume. I + admit that all the<br /> crime, ignorance, destitution, and superstition in + that<br /> country were produced by the Catholic Church. I<br /> also admit + that Portugal would be better if it were<br /> Protestant.<br /> <br /> Every + Catholic is in favor of education enough to<br /> <br /> 328<br /> <br /> + change a barbarian into a Catholic; every Protestant<br /> is in favor of + education enough to change a Catholic<br /> into a Protestant; but + Protestants and Catholics alike<br /> are opposed to education that will + lead to any<br /> real philosophy and science. I admit that Portugal<br /> + is what it is, on account of the preaching of the<br /> gospel. I admit + that Portugal can point with pride<br /> to the triumphs of what she calls + civilization within<br /> her borders, and truthfully ascribe the glory to + the<br /> church. But in a litde while, when more railroads<br /> are built, + when telegraphs connect her people with<br /> the civilized world, a spirit + of doubt, of investigation,<br /> will manifest itself in Portugal.<br /> + <br /> When the people stop counting beads, and go to<br /> the study of + mathematics; when they think more of<br /> plows than of prayers for + agricultural purposes; when<br /> they find that one fact gives more light + to the mind<br /> than a thousand tapers, and that nothing can by any<br /> + possibility be more useless than a priest,—then Por-<br /> tugal will + begin to cease to be what is called a<br /> Christian nation.<br /> <br /> I + admit that Austria, with her thirty-seven millions,<br /> is a Christian + nation—including her Croats, Hungar-<br /> ians, Servians, and + Gypsies. Austria was one of the<br /> assassins of Poland. When we remember + that John<br /> <br /> 329<br /> <br /> Sobieski drove the Mohammedans from + the gates of<br /> Vienna, and rescued from the hand of the "infidel"<br /> + the beleagured city, the propriety of calling Austria a<br /> Christian + nation becomes still more apparent. If one<br /> wishes to know exactly how + "Christian" Austria is,<br /> let him read the history of Hungary, let him + read<br /> the speeches of Kossuth. There is one good thing<br /> about + Austria: slowly but surely she is undermining<br /> the church by + education. Education is the enemy<br /> of superstition. Universal + education does away with<br /> the classes born of the tyranny of + ecclesiasticism—<br /> classes founded upon cunning, greed, and brute<br /> + strength. Education also tends to do away with<br /> intellectual + cowardice. The educated man is his<br /> own priest, his own pope, his own + church.<br /> <br /> When cunning collects tolls from fear, the church<br /> + prospers.<br /> <br /> Germany is another Christian nation. Bismarck is<br /> + celebrated for his Christian virtues.<br /> <br /> Only a little while ago, + Bismarck, when a bill was<br /> under consideration for ameliorating the + condition<br /> of the Jews, stated publicly that Germany was a<br /> + Christian nation, that her business was to extend<br /> and protect the + religion of Jesus Christ, and that<br /> being a Christian nation, no laws + should be passed<br /> <br /> 330<br /> <br /> ameliorating the condition of + the Jews. Certainly a<br /> remark like this could not have been made in + any<br /> other than a Christian nation. There is no freedom<br /> of the + press, there is no freedom of speech, in Ger-<br /> many. The Chancellor + has gone so far as to declare<br /> that the king is not responsible to the + people. Ger-<br /> many must be a Christian nation. The king gets his<br /> + right to govern, not from his subjects, but from God.<br /> He relies upon + the New Testament. He is satisfied<br /> that "the powers that be in + Germany are ordained<br /> "of God." He is satisfied that treason against + the<br /> German throne is treason against Jehovah. There<br /> are millions + of Freethinkers in Germany. They are<br /> not in the majority, otherwise + there would be more<br /> liberty in that country. Germany is not an + infidel<br /> nation, or speech would be free, and every man<br /> would be + allowed to express his honest thoughts.<br /> <br /> Wherever I see Liberty + in chains, wherever the<br /> expression of opinion is a crime, I know that + that<br /> country is not infidel; I know that the people are not<br /> + ruled by reason. I also know that the greatest men<br /> of Germany—her + Freethinkers, her scientists, her<br /> writers, her philosophers, are, for + the most part, in-<br /> fidel. Yet Germany is called a Christian nation, + and<br /> ought to be so called until her citizens are free.<br /> <br /> 331<br /> + <br /> France is also claimed as a Christian country. This<br /> is not + entirely true. France once was thoroughly<br /> Catholic, completely + Christian. At the time of the<br /> massacre of Saint Bartholomew, the + French were<br /> Christians. Christian France made exiles of the<br /> + Huguenots. Christian France for years and years<br /> was the property of + the Jesuits. Christian France<br /> was ignorant, cruel, orthodox and + infamous. When<br /> France was Christian, witnesses were cross-examined<br /> + with instruments of torture.<br /> <br /> Now France is not entirely under + Catholic control,<br /> and yet she is by far the most prosperous nation in<br /> + Europe. I saw, only the other day, a letter from a<br /> Protestant bishop, + in which he states that there are<br /> only about a million Protestants in + France, and only<br /> four or five millions of Catholics, and admits, in a<br /> + very melancholy way, that thirty-four or thirty-five<br /> millions are + Freethinkers. The bishop is probably<br /> mistaken in his figures, but + France is the best housed,<br /> the best fed, the best clad country in + Europe.<br /> <br /> Only a little while ago, France was overrun, trampled<br /> + into the very earth, by the victorious hosts of Ger-<br /> many, and France + purchased her peace with the<br /> savings of centuries. And yet France is + now rich and<br /> prosperous and free, and Germany poor, discontented<br /> + <br /> 332<br /> <br /> and enslaved. Hundreds and thousands of Germans,<br /> + unable to find liberty at home, are coming to the<br /> United States.<br /> + <br /> I admit that England is a Christian country. Any<br /> doubts upon + this point can be dispelled by reading<br /> her history—her career + in India, what she has done<br /> in China, her treatment of Ireland, of + the American<br /> Colonies, her attitude during our Civil war; all these<br /> + things show conclusively that England is a Christian<br /> nation.<br /> + <br /> Religion has filled Great Britain with war. The<br /> history of the + Catholics, of the Episcopalians, of<br /> Cromwell—all the burnings, + the maimings, the brand-<br /> ings, the imprisonments, the confiscations, + the civil<br /> wars, the bigotry, the crime—show conclusively that<br /> + Great Britain has enjoyed to the full the blessings of<br /> "our most holy + religion."<br /> <br /> Of course, Mr. Talmage claims the United States<br /> + as a Christian country. The truth is, our country is<br /> not as Christian + as it once was. When heretics were<br /> hanged in New England, when the + laws of Virginia<br /> and Maryland provided that the tongue of any man<br /> + who denied the doctrine of the Trinity should be<br /> bored with hot + iron,, and that for the second offence<br /> he should suffer death, I + admit that this country was<br /> <br /> 333<br /> <br /> Christian. When we + engaged in the slave trade,<br /> when our flag protected piracy and murder + in every<br /> sea, there is not the slightest doubt that the United<br /> + States was a Christian country. When we believed<br /> in slavery, and when + we deliberately stole the labor<br /> of four millions of people; when we + sold women<br /> and babes, and when the people of the North<br /> enacted a + law by virtue of which every Northern<br /> man was bound to turn hound and + pursue a human<br /> being who was endeavoring to regain his liberty, I<br /> + admit that the United States was a Christian nation.<br /> I admit that all + these things were upheld by the Bible<br /> —that the slave trader + was justified by the Old Testa-<br /> ment, that the bloodhound was a kind + of missionary<br /> in disguise, that the auction block was an altar, the<br /> + slave pen a kind of church, and that the whipping-<br /> post was + considered almost as sacred as the cross.<br /> At that time, our country + was a Christian nation.<br /> <br /> I heard Frederick Douglass say that he + lectured<br /> against slavery for twenty years before the doors<br /> of a + single church were opened to him. In New<br /> England, hundreds of + ministers were driven from<br /> their pulpits because they preached + against the<br /> crime of human slavery. At that time, this country<br /> + was a Christian nation.<br /> <br /> 334<br /> <br /> Only a few years ago, + any man speaking in favor<br /> of the rights of man, endeavoring to break + a chain<br /> from a human limb, was in danger of being mobbed<br /> by the + Christians of this country. I admit that Dela-<br /> ware is still a + Christian State. I heard a story about<br /> that State the other day.<br /> + <br /> About fifty years ago, an old Revolutionary soldier<br /> applied for + a pension. He was asked his age, and he<br /> replied that he was fifty + years old. He was told that<br /> if that was his age, he could not have + been in the<br /> Revolutionary War, and consequently was not en-<br /> + titled to any pension. He insisted, however, that he<br /> was only fifty + years old. Again they told him that<br /> there must be some mistake. He + was so wrinkled,<br /> so bowed, had so many marks of age, that he must<br /> + certainly be more than fifty years old. "Well," said<br /> the old man, "if + I must explain, I will: I lived forty<br /> "years in Delaware; but I never + counted that time,<br /> "and I hope God won't."<br /> <br /> The fact is, we + have grown less and less Christian<br /> every year from 1620 until now, + and the fact is that<br /> we have grown more and more civilized, more and<br /> + more charitable, nearer and nearer just.<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage speaks as + though all the people in<br /> what he calls the civilized world were + Christians. Ad-<br /> <br /> 335<br /> <br /> mitting this to be true, I find + that in these countries<br /> millions of men are educated, trained and + drilled to<br /> kill their fellow Christians. I find Europe covered<br /> + with forts to protect Christians from Christians, and<br /> the seas filled + with men-of-war for the purpose of<br /> ravaging the coasts and destroying + the cities of Chris-<br /> tian nations. These countries are filled with + prisons,<br /> with workhouses, with jails and with toiling, ignorant<br /> + and suffering millions. I find that Christians have<br /> invented most of + the instruments of death, that<br /> Christians are the greatest soldiers, + fighters, de-<br /> stroyers. I find that every Christian country is taxed<br /> + to its utmost to support these soldiers; that every<br /> Christian nation + is now groaning beneath the grievous<br /> burden of monstrous debt, and + that nearly all these<br /> debts were contracted in waging war. These + bonds,<br /> these millions, these almost incalculable amounts,<br /> were + given to pay for shot and shell, for rifle and<br /> torpedo, for + men-of-war, for forts and arsenals, and<br /> all the devilish enginery of + death. I find that each<br /> of these nations prays to God to assist it as + against<br /> all others; and when one nation has overrun, ravaged<br /> and + pillaged another, it immediately returns thanks<br /> to the Almighty, and + the ravaged and pillaged kneel<br /> and thank God that it is no worse.<br /> + <br /> 336<br /> <br /> Mr. Talmage is welcome to all the evidence he can<br /> + find in the history of what he is pleased to call the<br /> civilized + nations of the world, tending to show the<br /> inspiration of the Bible.<br /> + <br /> And right here it may be well enough to say again,<br /> that the + question of inspiration can not be settled by<br /> the votes of the + superstitious millions. It can not be<br /> affected by numbers. It must be + decided by each<br /> human being for himself. If every man in this world,<br /> + with one exception, believed the Bible to be the in-<br /> spired word of + God, the man who was the exception<br /> could not lose his right to think, + to investigate, and to<br /> judge for himself.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + You do not think, then, that any of the<br /> arguments brought forward by + Mr. Talmage for the<br /> purpose of establishing the inspiration of the + Bible,<br /> are of any weight whatever?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I do + not. I do not see how it is possible<br /> to make poorer, weaker or better + arguments than he<br /> has made.<br /> <br /> Of course, there can be no + "evidence" of the in-<br /> spiration of the Scriptures. What is + "inspiration"?<br /> Did God use the prophets simply as instruments?<br /> + Did he put his thoughts in their minds, and use their<br /> <br /> 337<br /> + <br /> hands to make a record? Probably few Christians<br /> will agree as + to what they mean by "inspiration."<br /> The general idea is, that the + minds of the writers of<br /> the books of the Bible were controlled by the + divine<br /> will in such a way that they expressed, independently<br /> of + their own opinions, the thought of God. I believe it<br /> is admitted that + God did not choose the exact words,<br /> and is not responsible for the + punctuation or syntax.<br /> It is hard to give any reason for claiming + more for<br /> the Bible than is claimed by those who wrote it.<br /> There + is no claim of "inspiration" made by the writer<br /> of First and Second + Kings. Not one word about the<br /> author having been "inspired" is found + in the book<br /> of Job, or in Ruth, or in Chronicles, or in the Psalms,<br /> + or Ecclesiastes, or in Solomon's Song, and nothing is<br /> said about the + author of the book of Esther having<br /> been "inspired." Christians now + say that Matthew,<br /> Mark, Luke and John were "inspired" to write the<br /> + four gospels, and yet neither Mark, nor Luke, nor<br /> John, nor Matthew + claims to have been "inspired."<br /> If they were "inspired," certainly + they should have<br /> stated that fact. The very first thing stated in + each<br /> of the gospels should have been a declaration by the<br /> writer + that he had been "inspired," and that he was<br /> about to write the book + under the guidance of God,<br /> <br /> 338<br /> <br /> and at the conclusion + of each gospel there should<br /> have been a solemn statement that the + writer had<br /> put down nothing of himself, but had in all things<br /> + followed the direction and guidance of the divine<br /> will. The church + now endeavors to establish the<br /> inspiration of the Bible by force, by + social ostracism,<br /> and by attacking the reputation of every man who<br /> + denies or doubts. In all Christian countries, they<br /> begin with the + child in the cradle. Each infant is<br /> told by its mother, by its + father, or by some of its<br /> relatives, that "the Bible is an inspired + book." This<br /> pretended fact, by repetition "in season and out of<br /> + "season," is finally burned and branded into the<br /> brain to such a + degree that the child of average<br /> intelligence never outgrows the + conviction that the<br /> Bible is, in some peculiar sense, an "inspired" + book.<br /> The question has to be settled for each generation.<br /> The + evidence is not sufficient, and the foundation of<br /> Christianity is + perpetually insecure. Beneath this great<br /> religious fabric there is no + rock. For eighteen centu-<br /> ries, hundreds and thousands and millions + of people<br /> have been endeavoring to establish the fact that the<br /> + Scriptures are inspired, and since the dawn of science,<br /> since the + first star appeared in the night of the<br /> Middle Ages, until this + moment, the number of<br /> <br /> 339<br /> <br /> people who have doubted + the fact of inspiration<br /> has steadily increased. These doubts have not + been<br /> born of ignorance, they have not been suggested by<br /> the + unthinking. They have forced themselves upon<br /> the thoughtful, upon the + educated, and now the ver-<br /> dict of the intellectual world is, that + the Bible is not<br /> inspired. Notwithstanding the fact that the church<br /> + has taken advantage of infancy, has endeavored to<br /> control education, + has filled all primers and spelling-<br /> books and readers and text books + with superstition—<br /> feeding all minds with the miraculous and + super-<br /> natural, the growth toward a belief in the natural<br /> and + toward the rejection of the miraculous has been<br /> steady and sturdy + since the sixteenth century. There<br /> has been, too, a moral growth, + until many passages<br /> in the Bible have become barbarous, inhuman and<br /> + infamous. The Bible has remained the same, while<br /> the world has + changed. In the light of physical and<br /> moral discovery, "the inspired + volume" seems in<br /> many respects absurd. If the same progress is made<br /> + in the next, as in the last, century, it is very easy to<br /> predict the + place that will then be occupied by the<br /> Bible. By comparing long + periods of time, it is easy<br /> to measure the advance of the human race. + Com-<br /> pare the average sermon of to-day with the average<br /> <br /> + 340<br /> <br /> sermon of one hundred years ago. Compare what<br /> + ministers teach to-day with the creeds they profess<br /> to believe, and + you will see the immense distance<br /> that even the church has traveled + in the last century.<br /> <br /> The Christians tell us that scientific men + have<br /> made mistakes, and that there is very little certainty<br /> in + the domain of human knowledge. This I admit.<br /> The man who thought the + world was flat, and who<br /> had a way of accounting for the movement of + the<br /> heavenly bodies, had what he was pleased to call a<br /> + philosophy. He was, in his way, a geologist and an<br /> astronomer. We + admit that he was mistaken; but<br /> if we claimed that the first + geologist and the first<br /> astronomer were inspired, it would not do for + us to<br /> admit that any advance had been made, or that any<br /> errors + of theirs had been corrected. We do not<br /> claim that the first + scientists were inspired. We do<br /> not claim that the last are inspired. + We admit that<br /> all scientific men are fallible. We admit that they do<br /> + not know everything. We insist that they know but<br /> little, and that + even in that little which they are sup-<br /> posed to know, there is the + possibility of error. The<br /> first geologist said: "The earth is flat." + Suppose<br /> that the geologists of to-day should insist that that<br /> + man was inspired, and then endeavor to show that<br /> <br /> 341<br /> <br /> + the word "flat," in the "Hebrew," did not mean<br /> quite flat, but just a + little rounded; what would we<br /> think of their honesty? The first + astronomer in-<br /> sisted that the sun and moon and stars revolved<br /> + around this earth—that this little earth was the centre<br /> of the + entire system. Suppose that the astronomers<br /> of to-day should insist + that that astronomer was in-<br /> spired, and should try to explain, and + say that he<br /> simply used the language of the common people, and<br /> + when he stated that the sun and moon and stars re-<br /> volved around the + earth, he merely meant that they<br /> "apparently revolved," and that the + earth, in fact,<br /> turned over, would we consider them honest men?<br /> + You might as well say that the first painter was in-<br /> spired, or that + the first sculptor had the assistance of<br /> God, as to say that the + first writer, or the first book-<br /> maker, was divinely inspired. It is + more probable<br /> that the modern geologist is inspired than that the an-<br /> + cient one was, because the modern geologist is nearer<br /> right. It is + more probable that William Lloyd Gar-<br /> rison was inspired upon the + question of slavery than<br /> that Moses was. It is more probable that the + author<br /> of the Declaration of Independence spoke by divine<br /> + authority than that the author of the Pentateuch did.<br /> In other words, + if there can be any evidence of<br /> <br /> 342<br /> <br /> "inspiration," + it must lie in the fact of doing or<br /> saying the best possible thing + that could have been<br /> done or said at that time or upon that subject.<br /> + <br /> To make myself clear: The only possible evidence<br /> of + "inspiration" would be perfection—a perfection ex-<br /> celling + anything that man unaided had ever attained.<br /> An "inspired" book + should excel all other books; an<br /> inspired statue should be the best + in this world; an in-<br /> spired painting should be beyond all others. If + the Bible<br /> has been improved in any particular, it was not, in that<br /> + particular, ''inspired." If slavery is wrong, the Bible is<br /> not + inspired. If polygamy is vile and loathsome, the<br /> Bible is not + inspired. If wars of extermination are cruel<br /> and heartless, the Bible + is not "inspired." If there is<br /> within that book a contradiction of + any natural fact; if<br /> there is one ignorant falsehood, if there is one + mistake,<br /> then it is not "inspired." I do not mean mistakes that<br /> + have grown out of translations; but if there was in<br /> the original + manuscript one mistake, then it is not<br /> "inspired." I do not demand a + miracle; I do not<br /> demand a knowledge of the future; I simply demand<br /> + an absolute knowledge of the past. I demand an ab-<br /> solute knowledge + of the then present; I demand a<br /> knowledge of the constitution of the + human mind—<br /> of the facts in nature, and that is all I demand.<br /> + <br /> 343<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If I understand you, you think that + all<br /> political power should come from the people; do you<br /> not + believe in any "special providence," and do you<br /> take the ground that + God does not interest himself<br /> in the affairs of nations and + individuals?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The Christian idea is that God made + the<br /> world, and made certain laws for the government of<br /> matter + and mind, and that he never interferes except<br /> upon special occasions, + when the ordinary laws fail to<br /> work out the desired end. Their notion + is, that the<br /> Lord now and then stops the horses simply to show<br /> + that he is driving. It seems to me that if an infinitely<br /> wise being + made the world, he must have made it<br /> the best possible; and that if + he made laws for the<br /> government of matter and mind, he must have made<br /> + the best possible laws. If this is true, not one of<br /> these laws can be + violated without producing a posi-<br /> tive injury. It does not seem + probable that infinite<br /> wisdom would violate a law that infinite + wisdom had<br /> made.<br /> <br /> Most ministers insist that God now and + then in-<br /> terferes in the affairs of this world; that he has not<br /> + interfered as much lately as he did formerly. When<br /> the world was + comparatively new, it required alto-<br /> gether more tinkering and fixing + than at present.<br /> <br /> 344<br /> <br /> Things are at last in a + reasonably good condition,<br /> and consequently a great amount of + interference is<br /> not necessary. In old times it was found necessary + fre-<br /> quently to raise the dead, to change the nature of fire<br /> and + water, to punish people with plagues and famine,<br /> to destroy cities by + storms of fire and brimstone, to<br /> change women into salt, to cast + hailstones upon<br /> heathen, to interfere with the movements of our<br /> + planetary system, to stop the earth not only, but<br /> sometimes to make + it turn the other way, to arrest<br /> the moon, and to make water stand up + like a wall.<br /> Now and then, rivers were divided by striking them<br /> + with a coat, and people were taken to heaven in<br /> chariots of fire. + These miracles, in addition to curing<br /> the sick, the halt, the deaf + and blind, were in former<br /> times found necessary, but since the + "apostolic age,"<br /> nothing of the kind has been resorted to except in<br /> + Catholic countries. Since the death of the last<br /> apostle, God has + appeared only to members of the<br /> Catholic Church, and all modern + miracles have been<br /> performed for the benefit of Catholicism. There is<br /> + no authentic account of the Virgin Mary having ever<br /> appeared to a + Protestant. The bones of Protestant<br /> saints have never cured a + solitary disease. Protest-<br /> ants now say that the testimony of the + Catholics can<br /> <br /> 345<br /> <br /> not be relied upon, and yet, the + authenticity of every<br /> book in the New Testament was established by + Cath-<br /> olic testimony. Some few miracles were performed<br /> in + Scotland, and in fact in England and the United<br /> States, but they were + so small that they are hardly<br /> worth mentioning. Now and then, a man + was struck<br /> dead for taking the name of the Lord in vain. Now<br /> and + then, people were drowned who were found in<br /> boats on Sunday. Whenever + anybody was about to<br /> commit murder, God has not interfered—the + reason<br /> being that he gave man free-will, and expects to hold<br /> him + accountable in another world, and there is no<br /> exception to this + free-will doctrine, but in cases<br /> where men swear or violate the + Sabbath. They are<br /> allowed to commit all other crimes without any in-<br /> + terference on the part of the Lord.<br /> <br /> My own opinion is, that the + clergy found it neces-<br /> sary to preserve the Sabbath for their own + uses, and<br /> for that reason endeavored to impress the people<br /> with + the enormity of its violation, and for that purpose<br /> gave instances of + people being drowned and suddenly<br /> struck dead for working or amusing + themselves on that<br /> day. The clergy have objected to any other places + of<br /> amusement except their own, being opened on that<br /> day. They + wished to compel people either to go to<br /> <br /> 346<br /> <br /> church + or stay at home. They have also known<br /> that profanity tended to do + away with the feelings<br /> of awe they wished to cultivate, and for that + reason<br /> they have insisted that swearing was one of the most<br /> + terrible of crimes, exciting above all others the wrath<br /> of God.<br /> + <br /> There was a time when people fell dead for having<br /> spoken + disrespectfully to a priest. The priest at that<br /> time pretended to be + the visible representative of<br /> God, and as such, entitled to a degree + of reverence<br /> amounting almost to worship. Several cases are<br /> + given in the ecclesiastical history of Scotland where<br /> men were + deprived of speech for having spoken<br /> rudely to a parson.<br /> <br /> + These stories were calculated to increase the im-<br /> portance of the + clergy and to convince people that<br /> they were under the special care + of the Deity. The<br /> story about the bears devouring the little children<br /> + was told in the first place, and has been repeated<br /> since, simply to + protect ministers from the laughter<br /> of children. There ought to be + carved on each side<br /> of every pulpit a bear with fragments of children + in<br /> its mouth, as this animal has done so much to protect<br /> the + dignity of the clergy.<br /> <br /> Besides the protection of ministers, the + drowning<br /> <br /> 347<br /> <br /> of breakers of the Sabbath, and + striking a few people<br /> dead for using profane language, I think there + is no<br /> evidence of any providential interference in the affairs<br /> + of this world in what may be called modern times.<br /> Ministers have + endeavored to show that great calam-<br /> ities have been brought upon + nations and cities as a<br /> punishment for the wickedness of the people. + They<br /> have insisted that some countries have been visited<br /> with + earthquakes because the people had failed to<br /> discharge their + religious duties; but as earthquakes<br /> happened in uninhabited + countries, and often at sea,<br /> where no one is hurt, most people have + concluded<br /> that they are not sent as punishments. They have<br /> + insisted that cities have been burned as a punish-<br /> ment, and to show + the indignation of the Lord, but<br /> at the same time they have admitted + that if the<br /> streets had been wider, the fire departments better<br /> + organized, and wooden buildings fewer, the design<br /> of the Lord would + have been frustrated.<br /> <br /> After reading the history of the world, + it is some-<br /> what difficult to find which side the Lord is really on.<br /> + He has allowed Catholics to overwhelm and de-<br /> stroy Protestants, and + then he has allowed Protestants<br /> to overwhelm and destroy Catholics. + He has allowed<br /> Christianity to triumph over Paganism, and he allowed<br /> + <br /> 348<br /> <br /> Mohammedans to drive back the hosts of the cross<br /> + from the sepulchre of his son. It is curious that this<br /> God would + allow the slave trade to go on, and yet<br /> punish the violators of the + Sabbath. It is simply<br /> wonderful that he would allow kings to wage + cruel<br /> and remorseless war, to sacrifice millions upon the<br /> altar + of heartless ambition, and at the same time<br /> strike a man dead for + taking his name in vain. It is<br /> wonderful that he allowed slavery to + exist for centu-<br /> ries in the United States; that he allows polygamy<br /> + now in Utah; that he cares nothing for liberty in<br /> Russia, nothing for + free speech in Germany, nothing<br /> for the sorrows of the overworked, + underpaid millions<br /> of the world; that he cares nothing for the + innocent<br /> languishing in prisons, nothing for the patriots con-<br /> + demned to death, nothing for the heart-broken<br /> widows and orphans, + nothing for the starving, and<br /> yet has ample time to note a sparrow's + fall. If he<br /> would only strike dead the would-be murderers; if<br /> he + would only palsy the hands of husbands' uplifted<br /> to strike their + wives; if he would render speechless<br /> the cursers of children, he + could afford to overlook<br /> the swearers and breakers of his Sabbath.<br /> + <br /> For one, I am not satisfied with the government<br /> of this world, + and I am going to do what little I can<br /> <br /> 349<br /> <br /> to make + it better. I want more thought and less<br /> fear, more manhood and less + superstition, less prayer<br /> and more help, more education, more reason, + more<br /> intellectual hospitality, and above all, and over all,<br /> more + liberty and kindness.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you think that God, + if there be one,<br /> when he saves or damns a man, will take into con-<br /> + sideration all the circumstances of the man's life?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Suppose that two orphan boys, James<br /> and John, are given homes. James + is taken into a<br /> Christian family and John into an infidel. James<br /> + becomes a Christian, and dies in the faith. John be-<br /> comes an + infidel, and dies without faith in Christ.<br /> According to the Christian + religion, as commonly<br /> preached, James will go to heaven, and John to + hell.<br /> <br /> Now, suppose that God knew that if James had<br /> been + raised by the infidel family, he would have died<br /> an infidel, and that + if John had been raised by the<br /> Christian family, he would have died a + Christian.<br /> What then? Recollect that the boys did not choose<br /> the + families in which they were placed.<br /> <br /> Suppose that a child, cast + away upon an island in<br /> which he found plenty of food, grew to + manhood;<br /> and suppose that after he had reached mature years,<br /> + <br /> 350<br /> <br /> the island was visited by a missionary who taught a<br /> + false religion; and suppose that this islander was con-<br /> vinced that + he ought to worship a wooden idol; and<br /> suppose, further, that the + worship consisted in sacri-<br /> ficing animals; and suppose the islander, + actuated<br /> only by what he conceived to be his duty and by<br /> + thankfulness, sacrificed a toad every night and every<br /> morning upon + the altar of his wooden god; that<br /> when the sky looked black and + threatening he sacri-<br /> ficed two toads; that when feeling unwell he + sacrificed<br /> three; and suppose that in all this he was honest, that<br /> + he really believed that the shedding of toad-blood<br /> would soften the + heart of his god toward him? And<br /> suppose that after he had become + fully-convinced<br /> of the truth of his religion, a missionary of the<br /> + "true religion" should visit the island, and tell the<br /> history of the + Jews—unfold the whole scheme of<br /> salvation? And suppose that the + islander should<br /> honestly reject the true religion? Suppose he should<br /> + say that he had "internal evidence" not only, but<br /> that many miracles + had been performed by his god,<br /> in his behalf; that often when the sky + was black<br /> with storm, he had sacrificed a toad, and in a few<br /> + moments the sun was again visible, the heavens blue,<br /> and without a + cloud; that on several occasions, having<br /> <br /> 351<br /> <br /> + forgotten at evening to sacrifice his toad, he found<br /> himself unable + to sleep—that his conscience smote<br /> him, he had risen, made the + sacrifice, returned to his<br /> bed, and in a few moments sunk into a + serene and<br /> happy slumber? And suppose, further, that the man<br /> + honestly believed that the efficacy of the sacrifice<br /> depended largely + on the size of the toad? Now<br /> suppose that in this belief the man had + died,—what<br /> then?<br /> <br /> It must be remembered that God knew + when the<br /> missionary of the false religion went to the island;<br /> + and knew that the islander would be convinced of the<br /> truth of the + false religion; and he also knew that the<br /> missionary of the true + religion could not, by any<br /> possibility, convince the islander of the + error of his<br /> way; what then?<br /> <br /> If God is infinite, we cannot + speak of him as<br /> making efforts, as being tired. We cannot con-<br /> + sistently say that one thing is easy to him, and<br /> another thing is + hard, providing both are possible.<br /> This being so, why did not God + reveal himself to<br /> every human being? Instead of having an inspired<br /> + book, why did he not make inspired folks? Instead<br /> of having his + commandments put on tables of stone,<br /> why did he not write them on + each human brain?<br /> <br /> 352<br /> <br /> Why was not the mind of each + man so made that<br /> every religious truth necessary to his salvation was<br /> + an axiom?<br /> <br /> Do we not know absolutely that man is greatly<br /> + influenced by his surroundings? If Mr. Talmage<br /> had been born in + Turkey, is it not probable that<br /> he would now be a whirling Dervish? + If he had<br /> first seen the light in Central Africa, he might now<br /> + have been prostrate before some enormous serpent;<br /> if in India, he + might have been a Brahmin, running a<br /> prayer-machine; if in Spain, he + would probably have<br /> been a priest, with his beads and holy water. Had<br /> + he been born among the North American Indians,<br /> he would speak of the + "Great Spirit," and solemnly<br /> smoke the the pipe of peace.<br /> <br /> + Mr. Talmage teaches that it is the duty of children<br /> to perpetuate the + errors of their parents; conse-<br /> quently, the religion of his parents + determined his<br /> theology. It is with him not a question of reason,<br /> + but of parents; not a question of argument, but of<br /> filial affection. + He does not wish to be a philoso-<br /> pher, but an obedient son. Suppose + his father had<br /> been a Catholic, and his mother a Protestant,—what<br /> + then? Would he show contempt for his mother by<br /> following the path of + his father; or would he show<br /> <br /> 353<br /> <br /> disrespect for his + father, by accepting the religion of<br /> his mother; or would he have + become a Protestant<br /> with Catholic proclivities, or a Catholic with + Protest-<br /> ant leanings? Suppose his parents had both been<br /> + infidels—what then?<br /> <br /> Is it not better for each one to + decide honestly for<br /> himself? Admitting that your parents were good + and<br /> kind; admitting that they were honest in their views,<br /> why + not have the courage to say, that in your opinion,<br /> father and mother + were both mistaken? No one can<br /> honor his parents by being a + hypocrite, or an intellectu-<br /> al coward. Whoever is absolutely true to + himself, is<br /> true to his parents, and true to the whole world. Who-<br /> + ever is untrue to himself, is false to all mankind. Re-<br /> ligion must + be an individual matter. If there is a God,<br /> and if there is a day of + judgment, the church that a man<br /> belongs to will not be tried, but the + man will be tried.<br /> <br /> It is a fact that the religion of most + people was made<br /> for them by others; that they have accepted certain<br /> + dogmas, not because they have examined them, but<br /> because they were + told that they were true. Most of<br /> the people in the United States, + had they been born in<br /> Turkey, would now be Mohammedans, and most of<br /> + the Turks, had they been born in Spain, would now<br /> be Catholics.<br /> + <br /> 354<br /> <br /> It is almost, if not quite, impossible for a man to<br /> + rise entirely above the ideas, views, doctrines and re-<br /> ligions of + his tribe or country. No one expects to<br /> find philosophers in Central + Africa, or scientists<br /> among the Fejees. No one expects to find + philoso-<br /> phers or scientists in any country where the church<br /> has + absolute control.<br /> <br /> If there is an infinitely good and wise God, + of<br /> course he will take into consideration the surround-<br /> ings of + every human being. He understands the<br /> philosophy of environment, and + of heredity. He<br /> knows exactly the influence of the mother, of all<br /> + associates, of all associations. He will also take into<br /> consideration + the amount, quality and form of each<br /> brain, and whether the brain was + healthy or diseased.<br /> He will take into consideration the strength of + the<br /> passions, the weakness of the judgment. He will<br /> know exactly + the force of all temptation—what was<br /> resisted. He will take an + account of every effort<br /> made in the right direction, and will + understand<br /> all the winds and waves and quicksands and shores<br /> and + shallows in, upon and around the sea of every<br /> life.<br /> <br /> My own + opinion is, that if such a being exists, and<br /> all these things are + taken into consideration, we will<br /> <br /> 355<br /> <br /> be absolutely + amazed to see how small the difference<br /> is between the "good" and the + "bad." Certainly<br /> there is no such difference as would justify a being<br /> + of infinite wisdom and benevolence in rewarding one<br /> with eternal joy + and punishing the other with eternal<br /> pain.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + What are the principal reasons that<br /> have satisfied you that the Bible + is not an inspired<br /> book?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The great evils + that have afflicted this<br /> world are:<br /> <br /> <i>First</i>. Human + slavery—where men have bought<br /> and sold their fellow-men—sold + babes from mothers,<br /> and have practiced) every conceivable cruelty + upon<br /> the helpless.<br /> <br /> <i>Second</i>. Polygamy—an + institution that destroys<br /> the home, that treats woman as a simple + chattel, that<br /> does away with the sanctity of marriage, and with all<br /> + that is sacred in love.<br /> <br /> <i>Third</i>. Wars of conquest and + extermination—<br /> by which nations have been made the food of the<br /> + sword.<br /> <br /> <i>Fourth</i>. The idea entertained by each nation that<br /> + all other nations are destitute of rights—in other<br /> <br /> 356<br /> + <br /> words, patriotism founded upon egotism, prejudice,<br /> and love of + plunder.<br /> <br /> <i>Fifth</i>. Religious persecution.<br /> <br /> <i>Sixth</i>. + The divine right of kings—an idea that<br /> rests upon the + inequality of human rights, and insists<br /> that people should be + governed without their con-<br /> sent; that the right of one man to govern + another<br /> comes from God, and not from the consent of the<br /> + governed. This is caste—one of the most odious<br /> forms of + slavery.<br /> <br /> <i>Seventh</i>. A belief in malicious supernatural be-<br /> + ings—devils, witches, and wizards.<br /> <br /> <i>Eighth</i>. A + belief in an infinite being who or-<br /> dered, commanded, established and + approved all<br /> these evils.<br /> <br /> <i>Ninth</i>. The idea that one + man can be good for<br /> another, or bad for another—that is to say, + that one<br /> can be rewarded for the goodness of another, or<br /> justly + punished for the sins of another.<br /> <br /> <i>Tenth</i>. The dogma that + a finite being can commit<br /> an infinite sin, and thereby incur the + eternal dis-<br /> pleasure of an infinitely good being, and be justly<br /> + subjected to eternal torment.<br /> <br /> My principal objection to the + Bible is that it sus-<br /> tains all of these ten evils—that it is + the advocate of<br /> <br /> 357<br /> <br /> human slavery, the friend of + polygamy; that within<br /> its pages I find the command to wage wars of + ex-<br /> termination; that I find also that the Jews were<br /> taught to + hate foreigners—to consider all human<br /> beings as inferior to + themselves; I also find persecu-<br /> tion commanded as a religious duty; + that kings were<br /> seated upon their thrones by the direct act of God,<br /> + and that to rebel against a king was rebellion against<br /> God. I object + to the Bible also because I find within<br /> its pages the infamous spirit + of caste—I see the sons<br /> of Levi set apart as the perpetual + beggars and<br /> governors of a people; because I find the air filled<br /> + with demons seeking to injure and betray the sons<br /> of men; because + this book is the fountain of modern<br /> superstition, the bulwark of + tyranny and the fortress<br /> of caste. This book also subverts the idea + of justice<br /> by threatening infinite punishment for the sins of a<br /> + finite being.<br /> <br /> At the same time, I admit—as I always have + ad-<br /> mitted—that there are good passages in the Bible—<br /> + good laws, good teachings, with now and then a true<br /> line of history. + But when it is asserted that every<br /> word was written by inspiration—that + a being of in-<br /> finite wisdom and goodness is its author,—then<br /> + I raise the standard of revolt.<br /> <br /> 358<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + What do you think of the declaration<br /> of Mr. Talmage that the Bible + will be read in heaven<br /> throughout all the endless ages of eternity?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course I know but very little as to<br /> what is + or will be done in heaven. My knowledge<br /> of that country is somewhat + limited, and it may be<br /> possible that the angels will spend most of + their time<br /> in turning over the sacred leaves of the Old Testa-<br /> + ment. I can not positively deny the statement of the<br /> Reverend Mr. + Talmage as I have but very little idea<br /> as to how the angels manage to + kill time.<br /> <br /> The Reverend Mr. Spurgeon stated in a sermon<br /> + that some people wondered what they would do<br /> through all eternity in + heaven. He said that, as for<br /> himself, for the first hundred thousand + years he<br /> would look at the wound in one of the Savior's<br /> feet, + and for the next hundred thousand years he<br /> would look at the wound in + his other foot, and<br /> for the next hundred thousand years he would<br /> + look at the wound in one of his hands, and for<br /> the next hundred + thousand years he would look at<br /> the wound in the other hand, and for + the next<br /> hundred thousand years he would look at the wound<br /> in + his side.<br /> <br /> Surely, nothing could be more delightful than this<br /> + <br /> 359<br /> <br /> A man capable of being happy in such employment,<br /> + could of course take great delight in reading even<br /> the genealogies of + the Old Testament. It is very<br /> easy to see what a glow of joy would + naturally over-<br /> spread the face of an angel while reading the history<br /> + of the Jewish wars, how the seraphim and cherubim<br /> would clasp their + rosy palms in ecstasy over the fate<br /> of Korah and his company, and + what laughter would<br /> wake the echoes of the New Jerusalem as some one<br /> + told again the story of the children and the bears;<br /> and what happy + groups, with folded pinions, would<br /> smilingly listen to the 109th + Psalm.<br /> <br /> [Illustration: 371]<br /> <br /> An orthodox "state of + mind"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="link0009" id="link0009"></a><br /> + <br /> <big><b>THE TALMAGIAN CATECHISM.</b></big><br /> <br /> <i>As Mr. + Talmage delivered the series of sermons<br /> referred to in these + interviews, for the purpose<br /> of furnishing arguments to the young, so + that they<br /> might not be misled by the sophistry of modern<br /> + infi-delity, I have thought it best to set forth,<br /> for use in Sunday + schools, the pith and marrow of<br /> what he has been pleased to say, in + the form of</i><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <big><b>A SHORTER CATECHISM.</b></big><br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Who made you?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Jehovah, + the original Presbyterian.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What else did he + make?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He made the world and all things.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he make the world out of nothing?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + No.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What did he make it out of?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Out of his "omnipotence." Many infidels<br /> have pretended that if God + made the universe, and if<br /> there was nothing until he did make it, he + had nothing<br /> to make it out of. Of course this is perfectly absurd<br /> + when we remember that he always had his "omnipo-<br /> tence and that is, + undoubtedly, the material used.<br /> <br /> 364<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Did he create his own "omnipotence"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly + not, he was always omnipo-<br /> tent.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Then if + he always had "omnipotence,"<br /> he did not "create" the material of + which the uni-<br /> verse is made; he simply took a portion of his<br /> + "omnipotence" and changed it to "universe"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Certainly, that is the way I under-<br /> stand it.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Is he still omnipotent, and has he as<br /> much "omnipotence" now as he + ever had?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Well, I suppose he has.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How long did it take God to make the<br /> universe?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Six "good-whiles."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How long is a "good-while"?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. That will depend upon the future dis-<br /> coveries + of geologists. "Good-whiles" are of such<br /> a nature that they can be + pulled out, or pushed up;<br /> and it is utterly impossible for any + infidel, or scien-<br /> tific geologist, to make any period that a + "good-while"<br /> won't fit.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do you + understand by "the<br /> "morning and evening" of a "good-while"?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course the words "morning and<br /> <br /> 365<br /> + <br /> "evening" are used figuratively, and mean simply<br /> the beginning + and the ending, of each "good-while."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. On what + day did God make vegetation?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. On the third day.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was that before the sun was made?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Yes; a "good-while" before.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How did vegetation + grow without sun-<br /> light?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. My own opinion is, + that it was either<br /> "nourished by the glare of volcanoes in the moon<br /> + or "it may have gotten sufficient light from rivers<br /> "of molten + granite;" or, "sufficient light might have<br /> "been emitted by the + crystallization of rocks." It<br /> has been suggested that light might + have been fur-<br /> nished by fire-flies and phosphorescent bugs and<br /> + worms, but this I regard as going too far.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do + you think that light emitted by<br /> rocks would be sufficient to produce + trees?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes, with the assistance of the "Aurora<br /> + "Borealis, or even the Aurora Australis;" but with<br /> both, most + assuredly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If the light of which you speak was<br /> + sufficient, why was the sun made?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. To keep time + with.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What did God make man of?<br /> <br /> 366<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He made man of dust and "omnipo-<br /> "tence."<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he make a woman at the same<br /> time that he + made a man?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No; he thought at one time to avoid<br /> + the necessity of making a woman, and he caused all<br /> the animals to + pass before Adam, to see what he<br /> would call them, and to see whether + a fit companion<br /> could be found for him. Among them all, not one<br /> + suited Adam, and Jehovah immediately saw that he<br /> would have to make + an help-meet on purpose.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What was woman made + of?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. She was made out of "man's side, out of<br /> + his right side," and some more "omnipotence." Infi-<br /> dels say that she + was made out of a rib, or a bone, but<br /> that is because they do not + understand Hebrew.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What was the object of + making woman<br /> out of man's side?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. So that a + young man would think more<br /> of a neighbor's girl than of his own uncle + or grand-<br /> father.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What did God do with + Adam and Eve<br /> after he got them done?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He put + them into a garden to see what<br /> they would do.<br /> <br /> 367<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do we know where the Garden of Eden<br /> was, and + have we ever found any place where a<br /> "river parted and became into + four heads"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. We are not certain where this + garden<br /> was, and the river that parted into four heads cannot<br /> at + present be found. Infidels have had a great deal<br /> to say about these + four rivers, but they will wish<br /> they had even one, one of these days.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. What happened to Adam and Eve in<br /> the garden?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. They were tempted by a snake who was<br /> an + exceedingly good talker, and who probably came<br /> in walking on the end + of his tail. This supposition<br /> is based upon the fact that, as a + punishment, he was<br /> condemned to crawl on his belly. Before that time,<br /> + of course, he walked upright.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What happened + then?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Our first parents gave way, ate of the<br /> + forbidden fruit, and in consequence, disease and<br /> death entered the + world. Had it not been for this,<br /> there would have been no death and + no disease.<br /> Suicide would have been impossible, and a man<br /> could + have been blown into a thousand atoms by<br /> dynamite, and the pieces + would immediately have<br /> come together again. Fire would have refused + to<br /> <br /> 368<br /> <br /> burn and water to drown; there could have + been no<br /> hunger, no thirst; all things would have been equally<br /> + healthy.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you mean to say that there would<br /> + have been no death in the world, either of animals,<br /> insects, or + persons?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do you also think that all briers and<br /> thorns sprang from the same + source, and that had<br /> the apple not been eaten, no bush in the world<br /> + would have had a thorn, and brambles and thistles<br /> would have been + unknown?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Would there have been no poisonous<br /> plants, no poisonous reptiles?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No, sir; there would have been none;<br /> there would + have been no evil in the world if Adam<br /> and Eve had not partaken of + the forbidden fruit.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was the snake who tempted + them to<br /> eat, evil?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly. '<br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. Was he in the world before the for-<br /> bidden fruit was + eaten?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course he was; he tempted them to<br /> + eat it<br /> <br /> 369<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How, then, do you + account for the fact<br /> that, before the forbidden fruit was eaten, an + evil<br /> serpent was in the world?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Perhaps + apples had been eaten in other<br /> worlds.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is + it not wonderful that such awful con-<br /> sequences flowed from so small + an act?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. It is not for you to reason about it; + you<br /> should simply remember that God is omnipotent.<br /> There is but + one way to answer these things, and<br /> that is to admit their truth. + Nothing so puts the<br /> Infinite out of temper as to see a human being<br /> + impudent enough to rely upon his reason. The<br /> moment we rely upon our + reason, we abandon God,<br /> and try to take care of ourselves. Whoever + relies<br /> entirely upon God, has no need of reason, and<br /> reason has + no need of him.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Were our first parents under + the im-<br /> mediate protection of an infinite God?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + They were.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why did he not protect them? Why<br /> + did he not warn them of this snake? Why did he<br /> not put them on their + guard? Why did he not<br /> make them so sharp, intellectually, that they + could<br /> not be deceived? Why did he not destroy that<br /> <br /> 370<br /> + <br /> snake; or how did he come to make him; what did<br /> he make him + for?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. You must remember that, although God<br /> + made Adam and Eve perfectly good, still he was very<br /> anxious to test + them. He also gave them the power<br /> of choice, knowing at the same time + exactly what they<br /> would choose, and knowing that he had made them<br /> + so that they must choose in a certain way. A being<br /> of infinite wisdom + tries experiments. Knowing ex-<br /> actly what will happen, he wishes to + see if it will.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What punishment did God + inflict upon<br /> Adam and Eve for the sin of having eaten the for-<br /> + bidden fruit?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He pronounced a curse upon the + woman,<br /> saying that in sorrow she should bring forth children,<br /> + and that her husband should rule over her; that she,<br /> having tempted + her husband, was made his slave;<br /> and through her, all married women + have been de-<br /> prived of their natural liberty. On account of the<br /> + sin of Adam and Eve, God cursed the ground, saying<br /> that it should + bring forth thorns and thistles, and<br /> that man should eat his bread in + sorrow, and that he<br /> should eat the herb of the field.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Did he turn them out of the garden<br /> because of their sin?<br /> <br /> + 371<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No. The reason God gave for turning<br /> + them out of the garden was: "Behold the man is<br /> "become as one of us, + to know good and evil; and<br /> "now, lest he put forth his hand and take + of the<br /> "tree of life and eat and live forever, therefore, the<br /> + "Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden<br /> "to till the ground + from whence he was taken."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If the man had + eaten of the tree of life,<br /> would he have lived forever?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Certainly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was he turned out to prevent his<br /> + eating?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He was.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Then + the Old Testament tells us how we<br /> lost immortality, not that we are + immortal, does it?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes; it tells us how we lost + it.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was God afraid that Adam and Eve<br /> + might get back into the garden, and eat of the fruit<br /> of the tree of + life?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I suppose he was, as he placed "cher-<br /> + "ubim and a flaming sword which turned every<br /> "way to guard the tree + of life."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Has any one ever seen any of these<br /> + cherubim?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Not that I know of.<br /> <br /> 372<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Where is the flaming sword now?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Some angel has it in heaven.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you understand + that God made<br /> coats of skins, and clothed Adam and Eve when<br /> he + turned them out of the garden?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes, sir.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you really believe that the infinite<br /> God + killed some animals, took their skins from them,<br /> cut out and sewed up + clothes for Adam and Eve?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The Bible says so; we + know that he<br /> had patterns for clothes, because he showed some<br /> to + Moses on Mount Sinai.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. About how long did God + continue<br /> to pay particular attention to his children in this<br /> + world?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. For about fifteen hundred years; and<br /> + some of the people lived to be nearly a thousand<br /> years of age.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did this God establish any schools or<br /> + institutions of learning? Did he establish any church?<br /> Did he ordain + any ministers, or did he have any re-<br /> vivals?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + No; he allowed the world to go on<br /> pretty much in its own way. He did + not even keep<br /> his own boys at home. They came down and made<br /> + <br /> 373<br /> <br /> love to the daughters of men, and finally the world<br /> + got exceedingly bad.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What did God do then?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He made up his mind that he would drown<br /> them. + You see they were all totally depraved,—in<br /> every joint and + sinew of their bodies, in every drop<br /> of their blood, and in every + thought of their brains.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he drown them + all?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No, he saved eight, to start with again.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Were these eight persons totally de-<br /> praved?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why did he not kill + them, and start<br /> over again with a perfect pair? Would it not have<br /> + been better to have had his flood at first, before he<br /> made anybody, + and drowned the snake?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. "God's way are not our + ways;" and<br /> besides, you must remember that "a thousand years<br /> + "are as one day" with God.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How did God destroy + the people?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. By water; it rained forty days and + forty<br /> nights, and "the fountains of the great deep were<br /> "broken + up."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How deep was the water?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + About five miles.<br /> <br /> 374<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How much did + it rain each day?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. About eight hundred feet; + though the<br /> better opinion now is, that it was a local flood. In-<br /> + fidels have raised objections and pressed them to that<br /> degree that + most orthodox people admit that the<br /> flood was rather local.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. If it was a local flood, why did they put<br /> + birds of the air into the ark? Certainly, birds could<br /> have avoided a + local flood?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. If you take this away from us, what + do<br /> you propose to give us in its place? Some of the<br /> best people + of the world have believed this story.<br /> Kind husbands, loving mothers, + and earnest patriots<br /> have believed it, and that is sufficient.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. At the time God made these people,<br /> did he know + that he would have to drown them all?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course + he did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he know when he made them that<br /> + they would all be failures?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why, then, did he make them?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + He made them for his own glory, and<br /> no man should disgrace his + parents by denying it.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Were the people after + the flood just as<br /> bad as they were before?<br /> <br /> 375<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. About the same.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did they try to + circumvent God?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. They did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. They got together for the purpose of build-<br /> + ing a tower, the top of which should reach to heaven,<br /> so that they + could laugh at any future floods, and go<br /> to heaven at any time they + desired.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did God hear about this?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. He did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What did he say?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He said: "Go to; let us go down," and<br /> see what + the people are doing; I am satisfied they<br /> will succeed.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How were the people prevented from<br /> succeeding?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + God confounded their language, so that<br /> the mason on top could not cry + "mort'!" to the<br /> hod-carrier below; he could not think of the word<br /> + to use, to save his life, and the building stopped.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + If it had not been for the confusion of<br /> tongues at Babel, do you + really think that all the<br /> people in the world would have spoken just + the same<br /> language, and would have pronounced every word<br /> + precisely the same?<br /> <br /> 376<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. If it had not been, then, for the con-<br /> fusion + of languages, spelling books, grammars and<br /> dictionaries would have + been useless?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I suppose so.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do any two people in the whole world<br /> speak the same language, now?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course they don't, and this is one of<br /> the + great evidences that God introduced confusion<br /> into the languages. + Every error in grammar, every<br /> mistake in spelling, every blunder in + pronunciation,<br /> proves the truth of the Babel story.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + This being so, this miracle is the best<br /> attested of all?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose it is.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you not + think that a confusion of<br /> tongues would bring men together instead of + separa-<br /> ting them? Would not a man unable to converse<br /> with his + fellow feel weak instead of strong; and<br /> would not people whose + language had been con-<br /> founded cling together for mutual support?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. According to nature, yes; according to<br /> theology, + no; and these questions must be answered<br /> according to theology. And + right here, it may be<br /> well enough to state, that in theology the + unnatural<br /> <br /> 377<br /> <br /> is the probable, and the impossible is + what has always<br /> happened. If theology were simply natural, anybody<br /> + could be a theologian.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did God ever make any + other special<br /> efforts to convert the people, or to reform the world?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes, he destroyed the cities of Sodom<br /> and + Gomorrah with a storm of fire and brimstone.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do you suppose it was really brim-<br /> stone?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Undoubtedly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you think this brimstone came + from<br /> the clouds?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Let me tell you that you + have no right<br /> to examine the Bible in the light of what people are<br /> + pleased to call "science." The natural has nothing<br /> to do with the + supernatural. Naturally there would<br /> be no brimstone in the clouds, + but supernaturally<br /> there might be. God could make brimstone out of<br /> + his "omnipotence." We do not know really what<br /> brimstone is, and + nobody knows exactly how brim-<br /> stone is made. As a matter of fact, + all the brimstone<br /> in the world might have fallen at that time.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you think that Lot's wife was<br /> changed into + salt?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course she was. A miracle was per-<br /> + <br /> 378<br /> <br /> formed. A few centuries ago, the statue of salt made<br /> + by changing Lot's wife into that article, was standing.<br /> Christian + travelers have seen it.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why do you think she + was changed<br /> into salt?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. For the purpose of + keeping the event<br /> fresh in the minds of men.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + God having failed to keep people in-<br /> nocent in a garden; having + failed to govern them<br /> outside of a garden; having failed to reform + them by<br /> water; having failed to produce any good result by a<br /> + confusion of tongues; having failed to reform them<br /> with fire and + brimstone, what did he then do?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He concluded + that he had no time to<br /> waste on them all, but that he would have to + select<br /> one tribe, and turn his entire attention to just a few<br /> + folks.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Whom did he select?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + A man by the name of Abram.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What kind of man + was Abram?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. If you wish to know, read the twelfth<br /> + chapter of Genesis; and if you still have any doubts<br /> as to his + character, read the twentieth chapter of the<br /> same book, and you will + see that he was a man who<br /> made merchandise of his wife's body. He had + had<br /> <br /> 379<br /> <br /> such good fortune in Egypt, that he tried + the experi-<br /> ment again on Abimelech.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did + Abraham show any gratitude?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes; he offered to + sacrifice his son, to<br /> show his confidence in Jehovah.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + What became of Abraham and his<br /> people?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. God + took such care of them, that in<br /> about two hundred and fifteen years + they were all<br /> slaves in the land of Egypt.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How long did they remain in slavery?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Two hundred + and fifteen years.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Were they the same people + that God<br /> had promised to take care of?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. They + were.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was God at that time, in favor of<br /> + slavery?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Not at that time. He was angry at the<br /> + Egyptians for enslaving the Jews, but he afterwards<br /> authorized the + Jews to enslave other people.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What means did + he take to liberate<br /> the Jews?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He sent his + agents to Pharaoh, and de-<br /> manded their freedom; and upon Pharaoh s + refusing,<br /> he afflicted the people, who had nothing to do with<br /> + <br /> 380<br /> <br /> it, with various plagues,—killed children, and + tor-<br /> mented and tortured beasts.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was such + conduct Godlike?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly. If you have anything + against<br /> your neighbor, it is perfectly proper to torture his<br /> + horse, or torment his dog. Nothing can be nobler<br /> than this. You see + it is much better to injure his<br /> animals than to injure him. To punish + animals for<br /> the sins of their owners must be just, or God would<br /> + not have done it. Pharaoh insisted on keeping the<br /> people in slavery, + and therefore God covered the<br /> bodies of oxen and cows with boils. He + also bruised<br /> them to death with hailstones. From this we infer,<br /> + that "the loving kindness of God is over all his works."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do you consider such treatment of ani-<br /> mals consistent with divine + mercy?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly. You know that under the<br /> + Mosaic dispensation, when a man did a wrong, he<br /> could settle with God + by killing an ox, or a sheep,<br /> or some doves. If the man failed to + kill them, of<br /> course God would kill them. It was upon this prin-<br /> + ciple that he destroyed the animals of the Egyptians.<br /> They had + sinned, and he merely took his pay.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How was it + possible, under the old dis-<br /> pensation, to please a being of infinite + kindness?<br /> <br /> 381<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. All you had to do was + to take an innocent<br /> animal, bring it to the altar, cut its throat, + and sprinkle<br /> the altar with its blood. Certain parts of it were to be<br /> + given to the butcher as his share, and the rest was to<br /> be burnt on + the altar. When God saw an animal thus<br /> butchered, and smelt the warm + blood mingled with<br /> the odor of burning flesh, he was pacified, and + the<br /> smile of forgiveness shed its light upon his face.<br /> Of + course, infidels laugh at these things; but what<br /> can you expect of + men who have not been "born<br /> "again"? "The carnal mind is enmity with + God."<br /> <i>Question</i>. What else did God do in order to in-<br /> duce + Pharaoh to liberate the Jews?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He had his agents + throw down a cane<br /> in the presence of Pharaoh and thereupon Jehovah<br /> + changed this cane into a serpent.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did this + convince Pharaoh?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No; he sent for his own + magicians.<br /> <i>Question</i>. What did they do?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + They threw down some canes and they<br /> also were changed into serpents.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did Jehovah change the canes of the<br /> Egyptian + magicians into snakes?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I suppose he did, as he + is the only one<br /> capable of performing such a miracle.<br /> <br /> 382<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. If the rod of Aaron was changed into<br /> a serpent + in order to convince Pharaoh that God had<br /> sent Aaron and Moses, why + did God change the<br /> sticks of the Egyptian magicians into serpents—why<br /> + did he discredit his own agents, and render worth-<br /> less their only + credentials?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Well, we cannot explain the conduct + of<br /> Jehovah; we are perfectly satisfied that it was for<br /> the best. + Even in this age of the world God allows<br /> infidels to overwhelm his + chosen people with argu-<br /> ments; he allows them to discover facts that + his<br /> ministers can not answer, and yet we are satisfied<br /> that in + the end God will give the victory to us. All<br /> these things are tests + of faith. It is upon this prin-<br /> ciple that God allows geology to + laugh at Genesis,<br /> that he permits astronomy apparently to contradict<br /> + his holy word.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What did God do with these + people<br /> after Pharaoh allowed them to go?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Finding that they were not fit to settle<br /> a new country, owing to the + fact that when hungry<br /> they longed for food, and sometimes when their + lips<br /> were cracked with thirst insisted on having water,<br /> God in + his infinite mercy had them marched round<br /> and round, back and forth, + through a barren wilder-<br /> <br /> 383<br /> <br /> ness, until all, with + the exception of two persons,<br /> died.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why + did he do this?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Because he had promised these + people<br /> that he would take them "to a land flowing with<br /> "milk and + honey."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was God always patient and kind and<br /> + merciful toward his children while they were in the<br /> wilderness?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes, he always was merciful and kind<br /> and + patient. Infidels have taken the ground that he<br /> visited them with + plagues and disease and famine;<br /> that he had them bitten by serpents, + and now and<br /> then allowed the ground to swallow a few thousands<br /> + of them, and in other ways saw to it that they were<br /> kept as + comfortable and happy as was consistent with<br /> good government; but all + these things were for their<br /> good; and the fact is, infidels have no + real sense of<br /> justice.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How did God happen + to treat the Is-<br /> raelites in this way, when he had promised Abraham<br /> + that he would take care of his progeny, and when he<br /> had promised the + same to the poor wretches while<br /> they were slaves in Egypt?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. Because God is unchangeable in his na-<br /> <br /> 384<br /> + <br /> ture, and wished to convince them that every being<br /> should be + perfectly faithful to his promise.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was God + driven to madness by the<br /> conduct of his chosen people?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Almost.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he know exactly what they would<br /> + do when he chose them?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Exactly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Were the Jews guilty of idolatry?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. They were. + They worshiped other gods<br /> —gods made of wood and stone.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is it not wonderful that they were not<br /> + convinced of the power of God, by the many mira-<br /> cles wrought in + Egypt and in the wilderness?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes, it is very + wonderful; but the Jews,<br /> who must have seen bread rained from heaven; + who<br /> saw water gush from the rocks and follow them up hill<br /> and + down; who noticed that their clothes did not<br /> wear out, and did not + even get shiny at the knees,<br /> while the elbows defied the ravages of + time, and<br /> their shoes remained perfect for forty years; it is<br /> + wonderful that when they saw the ground open<br /> and swallow their + comrades; when they saw God<br /> talking face to face with Moses as a man + talks with<br /> his friend; after they saw the cloud by day and the<br /> + <br /> 385<br /> <br /> pillar of fire by night,—it is absolutely + astonishing<br /> that they had more faith in a golden calf that they<br /> + made themselves, than in Jehovah.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How is it + that the Jews had no confi-<br /> dence in these miracles?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Because they were there and saw them.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you + think that it is necessary for<br /> us to believe all the miracles of the + Old Testament<br /> in order to be saved?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The Old + Testament is the foundation of<br /> the New. If the Old Testament is not + inspired, then<br /> the New is of no value. If the Old Testament is<br /> + inspired, all the miracles are true, and we cannot<br /> believe that God + would allow any errors, or false<br /> statements, to creep into an + inspired volume, and to<br /> be perpetuated through all these years.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Should we believe the miracles, whether<br /> they + are reasonable or not?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly; if they were + reasonable, they<br /> would not be miracles. It is their unreasonableness<br /> + that appeals to our credulity and our faith. It is im-<br /> possible to + have theological faith in anything that<br /> can be demonstrated. It is + the office of faith to<br /> believe, not only without evidence, but in + spite of<br /> evidence. It is impossible for the carnal mind to<br /> <br /> + 386<br /> <br /> believe that Samsons muscle depended upon the<br /> length + of his hair. "God has made the wisdom of<br /> "this world foolishness." + Neither can the uncon-<br /> verted believe that Elijah stopped at a hotel + kept by<br /> ravens. Neither can they believe that a barrel would<br /> in + and of itself produce meal, or that an earthen pot<br /> could create oil. + But to a Christian, in order that a<br /> widow might feed a preacher, the + truth of these<br /> stories is perfectly apparent.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How should we regard the wonderful<br /> stories of the Old Testament?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. They should be looked upon as "types"<br /> and + "symbols." They all have a spiritual signifi-<br /> cance. The reason I + believe the story of Jonah is,<br /> that Jonah is a type of Christ.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you believe the story of Jonah to<br /> be a true + account of a literal fact?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly. You must + remember that<br /> Jonah was not swallowed by a whale. God "pre-<br /> + "pared a great fish" for that occasion. Neither is it by<br /> any means + certain that Jonah was in the belly of<br /> this whale. "He probably + stayed in his mouth."<br /> Even if he was in his stomach, it was very easy<br /> + for him to defy the ordinary action of gastric juice<br /> by rapidly + walking up and down..<br /> <br /> 387<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you + think that Jonah was really in<br /> the whale's stomach?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + My own opinion is that he stayed in his<br /> mouth. The only objection to + this theory is, that it<br /> is more reasonable than the other and + requires less<br /> faith. Nothing could be easier than for God to make<br /> + a fish large enough to furnish ample room for one<br /> passenger in his + mouth. I throw out this suggestion<br /> simply that you may be able to + answer the objections<br /> of infidels who are always laughing at this + story.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you really believe that Elijah went<br /> + to heaven in a chariot of fire, drawn by horses of<br /> fire?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course he did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What was this + miracle performed for?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. To convince the people of + the power of<br /> God.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Who saw the miracle?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Nobody but Elisha.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was he + convinced before that time?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Oh yes; he was one + of God's prophets.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Suppose that in these days + two men<br /> should leave a town together, and after a while one<br /> of + them should come back having on the clothes of<br /> the other, and should + account for the fact that he had<br /> <br /> 388<br /> <br /> his friend's + clothes by saying that while they were<br /> going along the road together + a chariot of fire came<br /> down from heaven drawn by fiery steeds, and + there-<br /> upon his friend got into the carriage, threw him his<br /> + clothes, and departed,—would you believe it?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Of course things like that don't happen<br /> in these days; God does not + have to rely on wonders<br /> now.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you mean + that he performs no<br /> miracles at the present day?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + We cannot say that he does not perform<br /> miracles now, but we are not + in position to call atten-<br /> tion to any particular one. Of course he + supervises<br /> the affairs of nations and men and does whatever in<br /> + his judgment is necessary.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you think that + Samson's strength<br /> depended on the length of his hair?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + The Bible so states, and the Bible is true.<br /> A physiologist might say + that a man could not use<br /> the muscle in his hair for lifting purposes, + but these<br /> same physiologists could not tell you how you move<br /> a + finger, nor how you lift a feather; still, actuated by<br /> the pride of + intellect, they insist that the length of a<br /> man's hair could not + determine his strength. God<br /> says it did; the physiologist says that + it did not; we<br /> <br /> 389<br /> <br /> can not hesitate whom to believe. + For the purpose<br /> of avoiding eternal agony I am willing to believe<br /> + anything; I am willing to say that strength depends<br /> upon the length + of hair, or faith upon the length of<br /> ears. I am perfectly willing to + believe that a man<br /> caught three hundred foxes, and put fire brands + be-<br /> tween their tails; that he slew thousands with a bone,<br /> and + that he made a bee hive out of a lion. I will<br /> believe, if necessary, + that when this man's hair was<br /> short he hardly had strength enough to + stand, and<br /> that when it was long, he could carry away the gates<br /> + of a city, or overthrow a temple filled with people.<br /> If the infidel + is right, I will lose nothing by believing,<br /> but if he is wrong, I + shall gain an eternity of joy.<br /> If God did not intend that we should + believe these<br /> stories, he never would have told them, and why<br /> + should a man put his soul in peril by trying to dis-<br /> prove one of the + statements of the Lord?<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Suppose it should turn + out that some<br /> of these miracles depend upon mistranslations of the<br /> + original Hebrew, should we still believe them?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + The safe side is the best side. It is<br /> far better to err on the side + of belief, than on the<br /> side of infidelity. God does not threaten + anybody<br /> with eternal punishment for believing too much.<br /> <br /> + 390<br /> <br /> Danger lies on the side of investigation, on the<br /> side + of thought. The perfectly idiotic are absolutely<br /> safe. As they + diverge from that point,—as they rise<br /> in the intellectual + scale, as the brain develops, as the<br /> faculties enlarge, the danger + increases. I know that<br /> some biblical students now take the ground + that<br /> Samson caught no foxes,—that he only took sheaves<br /> of + wheat that had been already cut and bound, set<br /> them on fire, and + threw them into the grain still<br /> standing. If this is what he did, of + course there is<br /> nothing miraculous about it, and the value of the<br /> + story is lost. So, others contend that Elijah was not<br /> fed by the + ravens, but by the Arabs. They tell us<br /> that the Hebrew word standing + for "Arab" also<br /> stands for "bird," and that the word really means<br /> + "migratory—going from place to place—homeless."<br /> But I + prefer the old version. It certainly will do no<br /> harm to believe that + ravens brought bread and flesh<br /> to a prophet of God. Where they got + their bread<br /> and flesh is none of my business; how they knew<br /> + where the prophet was, and recognized him; or how<br /> God talks to + ravens, or how he gave them directions,<br /> I have no right to inquire. I + leave these questions<br /> to the scientists, the blasphemers, and + thinkers.<br /> There are many people in the church anxious to<br /> <br /> + 391<br /> <br /> get the miracles out of the Bible, and thousands,<br /> I + have no doubt, would be greatly gratified to learn<br /> that there is, in + fact, nothing miraculous in Scripture;<br /> but when you take away the + miraculous, you take<br /> away the supernatural; when you take away the<br /> + supernatural, you destroy the ministry; and when<br /> you take away the + ministry, hundreds of thousands<br /> of men will be left without + employment.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is it not wonderful that the + Egyptians<br /> were not converted by the miracles wrought in their<br /> + country?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes, they all would have been, if God<br /> + had not purposely hardened their hearts to prevent<br /> it. Jehovah always + took great delight in furnishing<br /> the evidence, and then hardening the + man's heart so<br /> that he would not believe it. After all the miracles<br /> + that had been performed in Egypt,—the most won-<br /> derful that + were ever done in any country, the<br /> Egyptians were as unbelieving as + at first; they pur-<br /> sued the Israelites, knowing that they were + protected<br /> by an infinite God, and failing to overwhelm them,<br /> + came back and worshiped their own false gods just as<br /> firmly as + before. All of which shows the unreason-<br /> ableness of a Pagan, and the + natural depravity of<br /> human nature.<br /> <br /> 392<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How did it happen that the Canaanites<br /> were never convinced that the + Jews were assisted by<br /> Jehovah?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. They must + have been an exceedingly<br /> brave people to contend so many years with + the<br /> chosen people of God. Notwithstanding all their<br /> cities were + burned time and time again; notwith-<br /> standing all the men, women and + children were put<br /> to the edge of the sword; notwithstanding the + taking<br /> of all their cattle and sheep, they went right on<br /> + fighting just as valiantly and desperately as ever.<br /> Each one lost his + life many times, and was just as<br /> ready for the next conflict. My own + opinion is, that<br /> God kept them alive by raising them from the dead<br /> + after each battle, for the purpose of punishing the<br /> Jews. God used + his enemies as instruments for the<br /> civilization of the Jewish people. + He did not wish<br /> to convert them, because they would give him much<br /> + more trouble as Jews than they did as Canaanites.<br /> He had all the Jews + he could conveniently take care<br /> of. He found it much easier to kill a + hundred<br /> Canaanites than to civilize one Jew.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How do you account for the fact that<br /> the heathen were not surprised + at the stopping of the<br /> sun and moon?<br /> <br /> 393<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + They were so ignorant that they had<br /> not the slightest conception of + the real cause of<br /> the phenomenon. Had they known the size of<br /> the + earth, and the relation it sustained to the other<br /> heavenly bodies; + had they known the magnitude of<br /> the sun, and the motion of the moon, + they would,<br /> in all probability, have been as greatly astonished as<br /> + the Jews were; but being densely ignorant of as-<br /> tronomy, it must + have produced upon them not the<br /> slightest impression. But we must + remember that<br /> the sun and moon were not stopped for the purpose<br /> + of converting these people, but to give Joshua more<br /> time to kill + them. As soon as we see clearly the<br /> purpose of Jehovah, we instantly + perceive how ad-<br /> mirable were the means adopted.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do you not consider the treatment<br /> of the Canaanites to have been + cruel and ferocious?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. To a totally depraved man, + it does look<br /> cruel; to a being without any good in him,—to one<br /> + who has inherited the rascality of many generations,<br /> the murder of + innocent women and little children<br /> does seem horrible; to one who is + "contaminated in<br /> "all his parts," by original sin,—who was + "conceived<br /> "in sin, and brought forth in iniquity," the assassina-<br /> + tion of men, and the violation of captive maidens,<br /> <br /> 394<br /> + <br /> do not seem consistent with infinite goodness. But<br /> when one has + been "born again," when "the love<br /> "of God has been shed abroad in his + heart," when<br /> he loves all mankind, when he "overcomes evil with<br /> + "good," when he "prays for those who despite-<br /> "fully use him and + persecute him,"—to such a man,<br /> the extermination of the + Canaanites, the violation<br /> of women, the slaughter of babes, and the + destruc-<br /> tion of countless thousands, is the highest evidence<br /> of + the goodness, the mercy, and the long-suffering<br /> of God. When a man + has been "born again," all<br /> the passages of the Old Testament that + appear so<br /> horrible and so unjust to one in his natural state,<br /> + become the dearest, the most consoling, and the<br /> most beautiful of + truths. The real Christian reads<br /> the accounts of these ancient + battles with the greatest<br /> possible satisfaction. To one who really + loves his<br /> enemies, the groans of men, the shrieks of women,<br /> and + the cries of babes, make music sweeter than the<br /> zephyr's breath.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. In your judgment, why did God destroy<br /> the + Canaanites?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. To prevent their contaminating his<br /> + chosen people. He knew that if the Jews were<br /> allowed to live with + such neighbors, they would<br /> <br /> 395<br /> <br /> finally become as bad + as the Canaanites themselves.<br /> He wished to civilize his chosen + people, and it was<br /> therefore necessary for him to destroy the + heathen.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did God succeed in civilizing the + Jews<br /> after he had "removed" the Canaanites?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Well, not entirely. He had to allow the<br /> heathen he had not destroyed + to overrun the whole<br /> land and make captives of the Jews. This was + done<br /> for the good of his chosen people.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Did he then succeed in civilizing them?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Not quite.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he ever quite succeed in civilizing<br /> them?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Well, we must admit that the experi-<br /> ment never + was a conspicuous success. The Jews<br /> were chosen by the Almighty 430 + years before he<br /> appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai. He was their<br /> + direct Governor. He attended personally to their<br /> religion and + politics, and gave up a great part of his<br /> valuable time for about two + thousand years, to the<br /> management of their affairs; and yet, such was + the<br /> condition of the Jewish people, after they had had all<br /> these + advantages, that when there arose among them<br /> a perfectly kind, just, + generous and honest man, these<br /> people, with whom God had been + laboring for so<br /> <br /> 396<br /> <br /> many centuries, deliberately put + to death that good<br /> and loving man.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you + think that God really endeav-<br /> ored to civilize the Jews?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. This is an exceedingly hard question.<br /> If he had really + tried to do it, of course he could<br /> have done it. We must not think of + limiting the<br /> power of the infinite. But you must remember that<br /> + if he had succeeded in civilizing the Jews, if he had<br /> educated them + up to the plane of intellectual liberty,<br /> and made them just and kind + and merciful, like him-<br /> self, they would not have crucified Christ, + and you<br /> can see at once the awful condition in which we<br /> would + all be to-day. No atonement could have<br /> been made; and if no atonement + had been made,<br /> then, according to the Christian system, the whole<br /> + world would have been lost. We must admit that<br /> there was no time in + the history of the Jews from<br /> Sinai to Jerusalem, that they would not + have put a<br /> man like Christ to death.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. So + you think that, after all, it was not<br /> God's intention that the Jews + should become civilized?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. We do not know. We can + only say<br /> that "God's ways are not our ways." It may be<br /> that God + took them in his special charge, for the<br /> <br /> 397<br /> <br /> purpose + of keeping them bad enough to make the<br /> necessary sacrifice. That may + have been the divine<br /> plan. In any event, it is safer to believe the + explana-<br /> tion that is the most unreasonable.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do you think that Christ knew the<br /> Jews would crucify him?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. Certainly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you think that + when he chose<br /> Judas he knew that he would betray him?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Certainly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he know when Judas went to the<br /> + chief priest and made the bargain for the delivery<br /> of Christ?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why did he + allow himself to be be-<br /> trayed, if he knew the plot?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Infidelity is a very good doctrine to live<br /> by, but you should read + the last words of Paine and<br /> Voltaire.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If + Christ knew that Judas would betray<br /> him, why did he choose him?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Nothing can exceed the atrocities of the<br /> French + Revolution—when they carried a woman<br /> through the streets and + worshiped her as the goddess<br /> of Reason.<br /> <br /> 398<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Would not the mission of Christ have<br /> been a failure had no one + betrayed him?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Thomas Paine was a drunkard, and + re-<br /> canted on his death-bed, and died a blaspheming<br /> infidel + besides.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is it not clear that an atonement was<br /> + necessary; and is it not equally clear that the atone-<br /> ment could not + have been made unless somebody<br /> had betrayed Christ; and unless the + Jews had been<br /> wicked and orthodox enough to crucify him?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course the atonement had to be<br /> made. It was a part + of the "divine plan" that Christ<br /> should be betrayed, and that the + Jews should be<br /> wicked enough to kill him. Otherwise, the world<br /> + would have been lost.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Suppose Judas had + understood the<br /> divine plan, what ought he to have done? Should<br /> + he have betrayed Christ, or let somebody else do it;<br /> or should he + have allowed the world to perish, in-<br /> cluding his own soul?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. If you take the Bible away from the<br /> world, "how + would it be possible to have witnesses<br /> "sworn in courts;" how would + it be possible to ad-<br /> minister justice?<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + If Christ had not been betrayed and<br /> <br /> 399<br /> <br /> crucified, + is it true that his own mother would be in<br /> perdition to-day?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Most assuredly. There was but one<br /> way by which + she could be saved, and that was by<br /> the death of her son—through + the blood of the<br /> atonement. She was totally depraved through the<br /> + sin of Adam, and deserved eternal death. Even her<br /> love for the infant + Christ was, in the sight of God,—<br /> that is to say, of her babe,—wickedness. + It can not<br /> be repeated too often that there is only one way to<br /> + be saved, and that is, to believe in the Lord Jesus<br /> Christ.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Could Christ have prevented the Jews<br /> from + crucifying him?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He could.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + If he could have saved his life and did<br /> not, was he not guilty of + suicide?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No one can understand these questions<br /> + who has not read the prophecies of Daniel, and has<br /> not a clear + conception of what is meant by "the full-<br /> "ness of time."<br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. What became of all the Canaanites, the<br /> Egyptians, + the Hindus, the Greeks and Romans and<br /> Chinese? What became of the + billions who died<br /> before the promise was made to Abraham; of the<br /> + <br /> 400<br /> <br /> billions and billions who never heard of the Bible,<br /> + who never heard the name, even, of Jesus Christ—<br /> never knew of + "the scheme of salvation"? What<br /> became of the millions and billions + who lived in this<br /> hemisphere, and of whose existence Jehovah himself<br /> + seemed perfectly ignorant?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. They were undoubtedly + lost. God<br /> having made them, had a right to do with them as<br /> he + pleased. They are probably all in hell to-day, and<br /> the fact that they + are damned, only adds to the joy<br /> of the redeemed. It is by contrast + that we are able<br /> to perceive the infinite kindness with which God has<br /> + treated us.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is it not possible that something + can<br /> be done for a human soul in another world as well as<br /> in + this?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No; this is the only world in which<br /> + God even attempts to reform anybody. In the<br /> other world, nothing is + done for the purpose of<br /> making anybody better. Here in this world, + where<br /> man lives but a few days, is the only opportunity<br /> for + moral improvement. A minister can do a thou-<br /> sand times more for a + soul than its creator; and this<br /> country is much better adapted to + moral growth than<br /> heaven itself. A person who lived on this earth a<br /> + <br /> 401<br /> <br /> few years, and died without having been converted,<br /> + has no hope in another world. The moment he arrives<br /> at the judgment + seat, nothing remains but to damn<br /> him. Neither God, nor the Holy + Ghost, nor Jesus<br /> Christ, can have the least possible influence with<br /> + him there.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. When God created each human being,<br /> + did he know exactly what would be his eternal fate?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Most assuredly he did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he know that + hundreds and millions<br /> and billions would suffer eternal pain?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly. But he gave them freedom<br /> of choice + between good and evil.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he know exactly how + they would<br /> use that freedom?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he know that billions would use<br /> it wrong?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was it optional with + him whether he<br /> should make such people or not?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Certainly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Had these people any option as to<br /> + whether they would be made or not?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>, No.<br /> + <br /> 402<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Would it not have been far better to<br /> + leave them unconscious dust?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. These questions + show how foolish it is<br /> to judge God according to a human standard. + What<br /> to us seems just and merciful, God may regard in an<br /> exactly + opposite light; and we may hereafter be<br /> developed to such a degree + that we will regard the<br /> agonies of the damned as the highest possible + evi-<br /> dence of the goodness and mercy of God.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How do you account for the fact that<br /> God did not make himself known + except to Abra-<br /> ham and his descendants? Why did he fail to<br /> + reveal himself to the other nations—nations that,<br /> compared with + the Jews, were learned, cultivated<br /> and powerful? Would you regard a + revelation now<br /> made to the Esquimaux as intended for us; and<br /> + would it be a revelation of which we would be<br /> obliged to take notice?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course, God could have revealed him-<br /> self, + not only to all the great nations, but to each<br /> individual. He could + have had the Ten Command-<br /> ments engraved on every heart and brain; or + he<br /> could have raised up prophets in every land; but<br /> he chose, + rather, to allow countless millions of his<br /> children to wander in the + darkness and blackness of<br /> <br /> 403<br /> <br /> Nature; chose, rather, + that they should redden their<br /> hands in each other's blood; chose, + rather, that they<br /> should live without light, and die without hope;<br /> + chose, rather, that they should suffer, not only in this<br /> world, but + forever in the next. Of course we have<br /> no right to find fault with + the choice of God.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Now you can tell a sinner + to "believe<br /> "on the Lord Jesus Christ;" what could a sinner have<br /> + been told in Egypt, three thousand years ago; and<br /> in what language + would you have addressed a Hindu<br /> in the days of Buddha—the + "divine scheme" at that<br /> time being a secret in the divine breast?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. It is not for us to think upon these<br /> questions. + The moment we examine the Christian<br /> system, we begin to doubt. In a + little while, we shall<br /> be infidels, and shall lose the respect of + those who<br /> refuse to think. It is better to go with the majority.<br /> + These doctrines are too sacred to be touched. You<br /> should be satisfied + with the religion of your father<br /> and your mother. "You want some book + on the<br /> "centre-table," in the parlor; it is extremely handy<br /> to + have a Family Record; and what book, other than<br /> the Bible, could a + mother give a son as he leaves the<br /> old homestead?<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Is it not wonderful that all the writers<br /> <br /> 404<br /> <br /> of the + four gospels do not give an account of the<br /> ascension of Jesus Christ?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. This question has been answered long<br /> ago, time + and time again.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Perhaps it has, but would it + not be<br /> well enough to answer it once more? Some may<br /> not have + seen the answer?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Show me the hospitals that + infidels<br /> have built; show me the asylums that infidels<br /> have + founded.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. I know you have given the usual an-<br /> + swer; but after all, is it not singular that a miracle<br /> so wonderful + as the bodily ascension of a man, should<br /> not have been mentioned by + all the writers of that<br /> man's life? Is it not wonderful that some of + them<br /> said that he did ascend, and others that he agreed to<br /> stay + with his disciples always?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. People unacquainted + with the Hebrew,<br /> can have no conception of these things. A story<br /> + in plain English, does not sound as it does in Hebrew.<br /> Miracles seem + altogether more credible, when told in<br /> a dead language.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + What, in your judgment, became of<br /> the dead who were raised by Christ? + Is it not<br /> singular that they were never mentioned afterward?<br /> + <br /> 405<br /> <br /> Would not a man who had been raised from the<br /> + dead naturally be an object of considerable interest,<br /> especially to + his friends and acquaintances? And<br /> is it not also wonderful that + Christ, after having<br /> wrought so many miracles, cured so many lame and<br /> + halt and blind, fed so many thousands miraculously,<br /> and after having + entered Jerusalem in triumph as a<br /> conqueror and king, had to be + pointed out by one<br /> of his own disciples who was bribed for the + purpose?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course, all these things are exceed-<br /> + ingly wonderful, and if found in any other book,<br /> would be absolutely + incredible; but we have no<br /> right to apply the same kind of reasoning + to the<br /> Bible that we apply to the Koran or to the sacred<br /> books + of the Hindus. For the ordinary affairs of<br /> this world, God has given + us reason; but in the<br /> examination of religious questions, we should + de-<br /> pend upon credulity and faith.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If + Christ came to offer himself a sacri-<br /> fice, for the purpose of making + atonement for the<br /> sins of such as might believe on him, why did he<br /> + not make this fact known to all of his disciples?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + He did. This was, and is, the gospel.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How is + it that Matthew says nothing<br /> about "salvation by faith," but simply + says that God<br /> <br /> 406<br /> <br /> will be merciful to the merciful, + that he will forgive<br /> the forgiving, and says not one word about the<br /> + necessity of believing anything?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. But you will + remember that Mark says,<br /> in the last chapter of his gospel, that + "whoso be-<br /> "lieveth not shall be damned."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do you admit that Matthew says<br /> nothing on the subject?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Yes, I suppose I must.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is not that passage in + Mark generally<br /> admitted to be an interpolation?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Some biblical scholars say that it is.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is that + portion of the last chapter of<br /> Mark found in the Syriac version of + the Bible?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. It is not.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + If it was necessary to believe on Jesus<br /> Christ, in order to be saved, + how is it that Matthew<br /> failed to say so?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + "There are more copies of the Bible<br /> "printed to-day, than of any + other book in the world,<br /> "and it is printed in more languages than + any other<br /> "book."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you consider it + necessary to be<br /> "regenerated"—to be "born again"—in order + to be<br /> saved?<br /> <br /> 407<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did Matthew say anything on the sub-<br /> ject of + "regeneration"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Did Mark?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did + Luke?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is Saint + John the only one who speaks<br /> of the necessity of being "born again"?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He is.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you think that + Matthew, Mark and<br /> Luke knew anything about the necessity of "regen-<br /> + "eration"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course they did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Why did they fail to speak of it?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. There is no + civilization without the Bible.<br /> The moment you throw away the sacred + Scriptures,<br /> you are all at sea—you are without an anchor and<br /> + without a compass.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. You will remember that, + according to<br /> Mark, Christ said to his disciples: "Go ye into all<br /> + "the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."<br /> Did he refer to + the gospel set forth by Mark?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course he did.<br /> + <br /> 408<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Well, in the gospel set forth by + Mark,<br /> there is not a word about "regeneration," and no<br /> word + about the necessity of believing anything—ex-<br /> cept in an + interpolated passage. Would it not seem<br /> from this, that + "regeneration" and a "belief in the<br /> "Lord Jesus Christ," are no part + of the gospel?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Nothing can exceed in horror the + last<br /> moments of the infidel; nothing can be more ter-<br /> rible than + the death of the doubter. When the<br /> glories of this world fade from + the vision; when am-<br /> bition becomes an empty name; when wealth turns<br /> + to dust in the palsied hand of death, of what use is<br /> philosophy then? + Who cares then for the pride of<br /> intellect? In that dread moment, man + needs some-<br /> thing to rely on, whether it is true or not.<br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. Would it not have been more con-<br /> vincing if Christ, + after his resurrection, had shown<br /> himself to his enemies as well as + to his friends?<br /> Would it not have greatly strengthened the evidence<br /> + in the case, if he had visited Pilate; had presented<br /> himself before + Caiaphas, the high priest; if he had<br /> again entered the temple, and + again walked the<br /> streets of Jerusalem?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. If + the evidence had been complete and<br /> overwhelming, there would have + been no praise-<br /> <br /> 409<br /> <br /> worthiness in belief; even + publicans and sinners<br /> would have believed, if the evidence had been + suffi-<br /> cient. The amount of evidence required is the test<br /> of the + true Christian spirit.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Would it not also have + been better<br /> had the ascension taken place in the presence of<br /> + unbelieving thousands; it seems such a pity to have<br /> wasted such a + demonstration upon those already<br /> convinced?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + These questions are the natural fruit of<br /> the carnal mind, and can be + accounted for only by<br /> the doctrine of total depravity. Nothing has + given<br /> the church more trouble than just such questions.<br /> Unholy + curiosity, a disposition to pry into the divine<br /> mysteries, a desire + to know, to investigate, to explain<br /> —in short, to understand, + are all evidences of a re-<br /> probate mind.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How can we account for the fact that<br /> Matthew alone speaks of the wise + men of the East<br /> coming with gifts to the infant Christ; that he alone<br /> + speaks of the little babes being killed by Herod? Is<br /> it possible that + the other writers never heard of these<br /> things?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Nobody can get any good out of the<br /> Bible by reading it in a critical + spirit. The contra-<br /> <br /> 410<br /> <br /> dictions and discrepancies + are only apparent, and melt<br /> away before the light of faith. That + which in other<br /> books would be absolute and palpable contradiction,<br /> + is, in the Bible, when spiritually discerned, a perfect<br /> and beautiful + harmony. My own opinion is, that<br /> seeming contradictions are in the + Bible for the pur-<br /> pose of testing and strengthening the faith of + Chris-<br /> tians, and for the further purpose of ensnaring infidels,<br /> + "that they might believe a lie and be damned."<br /> <i>Question</i>. Is it + possible that a good God would<br /> take pains to deceive his children?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The Bible is filled with instances of that<br /> kind, + and all orthodox ministers now know that<br /> fossil animals—that + is, representations of animals in<br /> stone, were placed in the rocks on + purpose to mis-<br /> lead men like Darwin and Humboldt, Huxley and<br /> + Tyndall. It is also now known that God, for the<br /> purpose of misleading + the so-called men of science,<br /> had hairy elephants preserved in ice, + made stomachs<br /> for them, and allowed twigs of trees to be found in<br /> + these stomachs, when, as a matter of fact, no such<br /> elephants ever + lived or ever died. These men who<br /> are endeavoring to overturn the + Scriptures with the<br /> lever of science will find that they have been + de-<br /> ceived. Through all eternity they will regret their<br /> <br /> + 411<br /> <br /> philosophy. They will wish, in the next world, that<br /> + they had thrown away geology and physiology and<br /> all other "ologies" + except theology. The time is<br /> coming when Jehovah will "mock at their + fears and<br /> "laugh at their calamity."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If + Joseph was not the father of Christ,<br /> why was his genealogy given to + show that Christ<br /> was of the blood of David; why would not the<br /> + genealogy of any other Jew have done as well?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + That objection was raised and answered<br /> hundreds of years ago.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. If they wanted to show that Christ was of<br /> the + blood of David, why did they not give the gene-<br /> alogy of his mother + if Joseph was not his father?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. That objection was + answered hundreds<br /> of years ago.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How was + it answered?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. When Voltaire was dying, he sent + for a<br /> priest.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How does it happen that the + two gene-<br /> alogies given do not agree?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Perhaps they were written by different<br /> persons.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Were both these persons inspired by<br /> the same God?<br /> <br /> 412<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why were the + miracles recorded in the<br /> New Testament performed?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + The miracles were the evidence relied<br /> on to prove the supernatural + origin and the divine<br /> mission of Jesus Christ.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Aside from the miracles, is there any<br /> evidence to show the + supernatural origin or character<br /> of Jesus Christ?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Some have considered that his moral<br /> precepts are sufficient, of + themselves, to show that<br /> he was divine.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Had all of his moral precepts been<br /> taught before he lived?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. The same things had been said, but they<br /> did not have + the same meaning.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Does the fact that Buddha + taught the<br /> same tend to show that he was of divine origin?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. Certainly not. The rules of evidence<br /> applicable to the + Bible are not applicable to other<br /> books. We examine other books in + the light of<br /> reason; the Bible is the only exception. So, we<br /> + should not judge of Christ as we do of any other<br /> man.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do you think that Christ wrought<br /> <br /> 413<br /> <br /> many of his + miracles because he was good, charitable,<br /> and filled with pity?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Has he as much + power now as he had<br /> when on earth?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Most + assuredly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is he as charitable and pitiful + now, as<br /> he was then?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Why does he not now cure the lame<br /> and the halt and the blind?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. It is well known that, when Julian the<br /> Apostate + was dying, catching some of his own blood<br /> in his hand and throwing it + into the air he exclaimed:<br /> "Galileean, thou hast conquered!"<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you consider it our duty to love our<br /> + neighbor?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Is virtue the same in all worlds?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Most + assuredly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Are we under obligation to render + good<br /> for evil, and to "pray for those who despitefully use us"?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Will Christians in + heaven love their<br /> neighbors?<br /> <br /> 414<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Y es; if their neighbors are not in hell.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do + good Christians pity sinners in this<br /> world?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Yes.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Because + they regard them as being in<br /> great danger of the eternal wrath of + God.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. After these sinners have died, and<br /> + been sent to hell, will the Christians in heaven then<br /> pity them?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No. Angels have no pity.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + If we are under obligation to love our<br /> enemies, is not God under + obligation to love his?<br /> If we forgive our enemies, ought not God to + forgive<br /> his? If we forgive those who injure us, ought not<br /> God to + forgive those who have not injured him?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. God made + us, and he has therefore the<br /> right to do with us as he pleases. + Justice demands<br /> that he should damn all of us, and the few that he<br /> + will save will be saved through mercy and without<br /> the slightest + respect to anything they may have done<br /> themselves. Such is the + justice of God, that those<br /> in hell will have no right to complain, + and those in<br /> heaven will have no right to be there. Hell is justice,<br /> + and salvation is charity.<br /> <br /> 415<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do + you consider it possible for a law to<br /> be jusdy satisfied by the + punishment of an innocent<br /> person?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Such is + the scheme of the atonement.<br /> As man is held responsible for the sin + of Adam, so<br /> he will be credited with the virtues of Christ; and<br /> + you can readily see that one is exactly as reasonable<br /> as the other.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Suppose a man honestly reads the New<br /> + Testament, and honestly concludes that it is not an<br /> inspired book; + suppose he honestly makes up his<br /> mind that the miracles are not true; + that the devil<br /> never really carried Christ to the pinnacle of the<br /> + temple; that devils were really never cast out of a<br /> man and allowed + to take refuge in swine;—I say,<br /> suppose that he is honestly + convinced that these<br /> things are not true, what ought he to say?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He ought to say nothing.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Suppose that the same man should read<br /> the Koran, and come to the + conclusion that it is not<br /> an inspired book; what ought he to say?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He ought to say that it is not inspired;<br /> his + fellow-men are entitled to his honest opinion, and<br /> it is his duty to + do what he can do to destroy a per-<br /> nicious superstition.<br /> <br /> + 416<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Suppose then, that a reader of the Bible,<br /> + having become convinced that it is not inspired—<br /> honestly + convinced—says nothing—keeps his con-<br /> clusion absolutely + to himself, and suppose he dies in<br /> that belief, can he be saved?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly not.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Has the + honesty of his belief anything<br /> to do with his future condition?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Nothing whatever.,<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Suppose that he tried to believe, that<br /> he hated to disagree with his + friends, and with his<br /> parents, but that in spite of himself he was + forced to<br /> the conclusion that the Bible is not the inspired word<br /> + of God, would he then deserve eternal punishment?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Certainly he would.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Can a man control his + belief?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He cannot—except as to the Bible.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you consider it just in God to<br /> create a man + who cannot believe the Bible, and then<br /> damn him because he does not?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Such is my belief.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is it + your candid opinion that a man<br /> who does not believe the Bible should + keep his<br /> belief a secret from his fellow-men?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + It is.<br /> <br /> 417<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How do I know that you + believe the<br /> Bible? You have told me that if you did not be-<br /> + lieve it, you would not tell me?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. There is no way + for you to ascertain,<br /> except by taking my word for it.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + What will be the fate of a man who<br /> does not believe it, and yet + pretends to believe it?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He will be damned.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Then hypocrisy will not save him?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + No.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. And if he does not believe it, and ad-<br /> + mits that he does not believe it, then his honesty will<br /> not save him?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No. Honesty on the wrong side is no<br /> better than + hypocrisy on the right side.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do we know who + wrote the gospels?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes; we do.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Are we absolutely sure who wrote<br /> them?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of + course; we have the evidence as it<br /> has come to us through the + Catholic Church.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Can we rely upon the Catholic + Church<br /> now?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No; assuredly no! But we have + the<br /> testimony of Polycarp and Irenæus and Clement,<br /> <br /> + 418<br /> <br /> and others of the early fathers, together with that of<br /> + the Christian historian, Eusebius.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do we + really know about Polycarp?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. We know that he + suffered martyrdom un-<br /> der Marcus Aurelius, and that for quite a time + the fire<br /> refused to burn his body, the flames arching over him,<br /> + leaving him in a kind of fiery tent; and we also know<br /> that from his + body came a fragrance like frankincense,<br /> and that the Pagans were so + exasperated at seeing<br /> the miracle, that one of them thrust a sword + through<br /> the body of Polycarp; that the blood flowed out and<br /> + extinguished the flames and that out of the wound<br /> flew the soul of + the martyr in the form of a dove.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is that all + we know about Polycarp?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes, with the exception + of a few more<br /> like incidents.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do we know + that Polycarp ever met<br /> St. John?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes; + Eusebius says so.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Are we absolutely certain + that he ever<br /> lived?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes, or Eusebius could + not have written<br /> about him.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do we know + anything of the character<br /> of Eusebius?<br /> <br /> 419<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Yes; we know that he was untruthful<br /> only when he wished to do good. + But God can use<br /> even the dishonest. Other books have to be sub-<br /> + stantiated by truthful men, but such is the power of<br /> God, that he can + establish the inspiration of the Bible<br /> by the most untruthful + witnesses. If God's witnesses<br /> were honest, anybody could believe, and + what be-<br /> comes of faith, one of the greatest virtues?<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Is the New Testament now the same as<br /> it was in the days of the early + fathers?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly not. Many books now thrown<br /> + out, and not esteemed of divine origin, were esteemed<br /> divine by + Polycarp and Irenæus and Clement and<br /> many of the early + churches. These books are now<br /> called "apocryphal."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Have you not the same witnesses in<br /> favor of their authenticity, that + you have in favor of<br /> the gospels?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Precisely + the same. Except that they<br /> were thrown out.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Why were they thrown out?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Because the Catholic + Church did not es-<br /> teem them inspired.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Did the Catholics decide for us which<br /> are the true gospels and which + are the true epistles?<br /> <br /> 420<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes. The + Catholic Church was then the<br /> only church, and consequently must have + been the<br /> true church.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How did the + Catholic Church select the<br /> true books?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Councils were called, and votes were<br /> taken, very much as we now pass + resolutions in<br /> political meetings.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was + the Catholic Church infallible then?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. It was + then, but it is not now.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If the Catholic + Church at that time<br /> had thrown out the book of Revelation, would it<br /> + now be our duty to believe that book to have been<br /> inspired?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No, I suppose not.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is it + not true that some of these books<br /> were adopted by exceedingly small + majorities?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. It is.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + If the Epistle to the Hebrews and to<br /> the Romans, and the book of + Revelation had been<br /> thrown out, could a man now be saved who honestly<br /> + believes the rest of the books?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. This is + doubtful.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Were the men who picked out the in-<br /> + spired books inspired?<br /> <br /> 421<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. We cannot + tell, but the probability is<br /> that they were.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do we know that they picked out the<br /> right ones?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Well, not exactly, but we believe that<br /> they did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Are we certain that some of the books<br /> that were thrown out were not + inspired?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Well, the only way to tell is to read<br /> + them carefully.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If upon reading these + apocryphal books<br /> a man concludes that they are not inspired, will he + be<br /> damned for that reason?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No. Certainly + not.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If he concludes that some of them are<br /> + inspired, and believes them, will he then be damned<br /> for that belief?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Oh, no! Nobody is ever damned for<br /> believing too + much.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Does the fact that the books now com-<br /> + prising the New Testament were picked out by the<br /> Catholic Church + prevent their being examined now<br /> by an honest man, as they were + examined at the time<br /> they were picked out?<br /> <br /> 422<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. No; not if the man comes to the con-<br /> clusion that they + are inspired.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Does the fact that the Catholic + Church<br /> picked them out and declared them to be inspired,<br /> render + it a crime to examine them precisely as you<br /> would examine the books + that the Catholic Church<br /> threw out and declared were not inspired?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I think it does.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. At the + time the council was held in which<br /> it was determined which of the + books of the New<br /> Testament are inspired, a respectable minority voted<br /> + against some that were finally decided to be inspired.<br /> If they were + honest in the vote they gave, and died<br /> without changing their + opinions, are they now in hell?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Well, they ought + to be.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If those who voted to leave the book<br /> + of Revelation out of the canon, and the gospel of<br /> Saint John out of + the canon, believed honestly that<br /> these were not inspired books, how + should they have<br /> voted?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Well, I suppose a + man ought to vote as<br /> he honestly believes—except in matters of + religion.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If the Catholic Church was not + infal-<br /> lible, is the question still open as to what books are,<br /> + and what are not, inspired?<br /> <br /> 423<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I + suppose the question is still open—<br /> but it would be dangerous + to decide it.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If, then, I examine all the + books again,<br /> and come to the conclusion that some that were<br /> + thrown out were inspired, and some that were ac-<br /> cepted were not + inspired, ought I to say so?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Not if it is + contrary to the faith of your<br /> father, or calculated to interfere with + your own po-<br /> litical prospects.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is it as + great a sin to admit into the<br /> Bible books that are uninspired as to + reject those<br /> that are inspired?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Well, it is + a crime to reject an inspired<br /> book, no matter how unsatisfactory the + evidence is<br /> for its inspiration, but it is not a crime to receive an<br /> + uninspired book. God damns nobody for believing<br /> too much. An excess + of credulity is simply to err in<br /> the direction of salvation.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Suppose a man disbelieves in the inspira-<br /> tion + of the New Testament—believes it to be entirely<br /> the work of + uninspired men; and suppose he also be-<br /> lieves—but not from any + evidence obtained in the New<br /> Testament—that Jesus Christ was + the son of God, and<br /> that he made atonement for his soul, can he then + be<br /> saved without a belief in the inspiration of the Bible?<br /> <br /> + 424<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. This has not yet been decided by<br /> our + church, and I do not wish to venture an<br /> opinion.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Suppose a man denies the inspiration<br /> of the Scriptures; suppose that + he also denies the<br /> divinity of Jesus Christ; and suppose, further, + that<br /> he acts precisely as Christ is said to have acted;<br /> suppose + he loves his enemies, prays for those who<br /> despitefully use him, and + does all the good he pos-<br /> sibly can, is it your opinion that such a + man will be<br /> saved?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No, sir. There is "none + other name<br /> "given under heaven and among men," whereby a<br /> sinner + can be saved but the name of Christ.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Then it + is your opinion that God<br /> would save a murderer who believed in + Christ, and<br /> would damn another man, exactly like Christ, who<br /> + failed to believe in him?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes; because we have + the blessed<br /> promise that, out of Christ, "our God is a consuming<br /> + "fire."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Suppose a man read the Bible care-<br /> + fully and honestly, and was not quite convinced that<br /> it was true, and + that while examining the subject, he<br /> died; what then?<br /> <br /> 425<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I do not believe that God would allow<br /> him to + examine the matter in another world, or to<br /> make up his mind in + heaven. Of course, he would<br /> eternally perish.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Could Christ now furnish evidence<br /> enough to convince every human + being of the truth<br /> of the Bible?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course + he could, because he is in-<br /> finite.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Are + any miracles performed now?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Oh, no!<br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. Have we any testimony, except human<br /> testimony, to + substantiate any miracle?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Only human testimony.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do all men give the same force to the<br /> same + evidence?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. By no means.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Have all honest men who have exam-<br /> ined the Bible believed it to be + inspired?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course they have. Infidels are not<br /> + honest.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Could any additional evidence have<br /> + been furnished?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. With perfect ease.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Would God allow a soul to suffer<br /> <br /> 426<br /> <br /> eternal agony + rather than furnish evidence of the<br /> truth of his Bible?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + God has furnished plenty of evidence,<br /> and altogether more than was + really necessary. We<br /> should read the Bible in a believing spirit.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Are all parts of the inspired books<br /> equally + true?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Necessarily.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + According to Saint Matthew, God<br /> promises to forgive all who will + forgive others; not<br /> one word is said about believing in Christ, or + believ-<br /> ing in the miracles, or in any Bible; did Matthew tell<br /> + the truth?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The Bible must be taken as a whole;<br /> + and if other conditions are added somewhere else,<br /> then you must + comply with those other conditions.<br /> Matthew may not have stated all + the conditions.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. I find in another part of the + New<br /> Testament, that a young man came to Christ and<br /> asked him + what was necessary for him to do in order<br /> that he might inherit + eternal life. Christ did not tell<br /> him that he must believe the Bible, + or that he must<br /> believe in him, or that he must keep the Sabbath-<br /> + day; was Christ honest with that young man?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Well, I suppose he was.<br /> <br /> 427<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. You + will also recollect that Zaccheus<br /> said to Christ, that where he had + wronged any man<br /> he had made restitution, and further, that half his<br /> + goods he had given to the poor; and you will re-<br /> member that Christ + said to Zaccheus: "This day<br /> "hath salvation come to thy house." Why + did not<br /> Christ tell Zaccheus that he "must be born again;"<br /> that + he must "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of + course there are mysteries in our<br /> holy religion that only those who + have been "born<br /> "again" can understand. You must remember that<br /> + "the carnal mind is enmity with God."<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is it + not strange that Christ, in his Ser-<br /> mon on the Mount, did not speak + of "regeneration,"<br /> or of the "scheme of salvation"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Well, it may be.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Can a man be saved now by + living<br /> exactly in accordance with the Sermon on the Mount?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. He can not.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Would then a man, + by following the<br /> course of conduct prescribed by Christ in the Sermon<br /> + on the Mount, lose his soul?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He most certainly + would, because there<br /> is not one word in the Sermon on the Mount about<br /> + believing on the Lord Jesus Christ; not one word<br /> <br /> 428<br /> <br /> + about believing in the Bible; not one word about the<br /> "atonement;" not + one word about "regeneration."<br /> So that, if the Presbyterian Church is + right, it is abso-<br /> lutely certain that a man might follow the + teachings<br /> of the Sermon on the Mount, and live in accordance<br /> + with its every word, and yet deserve and receive the<br /> eternal + condemnation of God. But we must remem-<br /> ber that the Sermon on the + Mount was preached be-<br /> fore Christianity existed. Christ was talking + to Jews.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did Christ write anything himself, in<br /> + the New Testament?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Not a word.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Did he tell any of his disciples to write<br /> any of his words?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. There is no account of it, if he did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do we know whether any of the dis-<br /> ciples wrote anything?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course they did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How do you + know?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Because the gospels bear their names.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Are you satisfied that Christ was abso-<br /> lutely + God?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course he was. We believe that<br /> + Christ and God and the Holy Ghost are all the same,<br /> that the three + form one, and that each one is three.<br /> <br /> 429<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Was Christ the God of the universe at<br /> the time of his birth?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. He certainly was.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Was he + the infinite God, creator<br /> and controller of the entire universe, + before he was<br /> born?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course he was. This + is the mystery<br /> of "God manifest in the flesh." The infidels have<br /> + pretended that he was like any other child, and was<br /> in fact supported + by Nature instead of being the<br /> supporter of Nature. They have + insisted that like<br /> other children, he had to be cared for by his + mother.<br /> Of course he appeared to be cared for by his mother.<br /> It + was a part of the plan that in all respects he should<br /> appear to be + like other children.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did he know just as much + before he<br /> was born as after?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. If he was God + of course he did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How do you account for the + fact that<br /> Saint Luke tells us, in the last verse of the second<br /> + chapter of his gospel, that "Jesus increased in wis-<br /> "dom and + stature"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. That I presume is a figure of speech;<br /> + because, if he was God, he certainly could not have<br /> increased in + wisdom. The physical part of him could<br /> <br /> 430<br /> <br /> increase + in stature, but the intellectual part must have<br /> been infinite all the + time.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you think that Luke was mistaken?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No; I believe what Luke said. If it<br /> appears + untrue, or impossible, then I know that it is<br /> figurative or + symbolical.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did I understand you to say that + Christ<br /> was actually God?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course he was.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Then why did Luke say in the same<br /> verse of the + same chapter that "Jesus increased in<br /> "favor with God"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + I dare you to go into a room by your-<br /> self and read the fourteenth + chapter of Saint John!<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is it necessary to + understand the Bible<br /> in order to be saved?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Certainly not; it is only necessary that<br /> you believe it.<br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. Is it necessary to believe all the<br /> miracles?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. It may not be necessary, but as it is im-<br /> + possible to tell which ones can safely be left out, you<br /> had better + believe them all.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Then you regard belief as + the safe<br /> way?<br /> <br /> 431<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course it + is better to be fooled in this<br /> world than to be damned in the next.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you think that there are any cruel-<br /> ties on + God's part recorded in the Bible?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. At first + flush, many things done by God<br /> himself, as well as by his prophets, + appear to be<br /> cruel; but if we examine them closely, we will find<br /> + them to be exactly the opposite.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How do you + explain the story of Elisha<br /> and the children,—where the two + she-bears destroyed<br /> forty-two children on account of their impudence?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. This miracle, in my judgment, estab-<br /> lishes two + things: 1. That children should be polite<br /> to ministers, and 2. That + God is kind to animals—<br /> "giving them their meat in due season." + These<br /> bears have been great educators—they are the<br /> + foundation of the respect entertained by the young<br /> for theologians. + No child ever sees a minister now<br /> without thinking of a bear.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the story of<br /> Daniel—you + no doubt remember it? Some men<br /> told the king that Daniel was praying + contrary to<br /> law, and thereupon Daniel was cast into a den of<br /> + lions; but the lions could not touch him, their<br /> mouths having been + shut by angels. The next<br /> <br /> 432<br /> <br /> morning, the king, + finding that Daniel was still<br /> intact, had him taken out; and then, + for the purpose<br /> of gratifying Daniels God, the king had all the men<br /> + who had made the complaint against Daniel, and<br /> their wives and their + little children, brought and cast<br /> into the lions' den. According to + the account, the<br /> lions were so hungry that they caught these wives<br /> + and children as they dropped, and broke all their<br /> bones in pieces + before they had even touched the<br /> ground. Is it not wonderful that God + failed to pro-<br /> tect these innocent wives and children?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + These wives and children were heathen;<br /> they were totally depraved. + And besides, they were<br /> used as witnesses. The fact that they were + devoured<br /> with such quickness shows that the lions were<br /> hungry. + Had it not been for this, infidels would<br /> have accounted for the + safety of Daniel by saying<br /> that the lions had been fed.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do you believe that Shadrach, Meshach<br /> and Abednego were cast "into a + burning fiery furnace<br /> "heated one seven times hotter than it was wont + to<br /> "be heated," and that they had on "their coats, their<br /> "hosen + and their hats," and that when they came<br /> out "not a hair of their + heads was singed, nor was<br /> "the smell of fire upon their garments"?<br /> + <br /> 433<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The evidence of this miracle is + exceed-<br /> ingly satisfactory. It resulted in the conversion of<br /> + Nebuchadnezzar.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How do you know he was + converted?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Because immediately after the miracle<br /> + the king issued a decree that "every people, nation<br /> "and language + that spoke anything amiss against<br /> "the God of Shadrach and Company, + should be cut<br /> "in pieces." This decree shows that he had become<br /> + a true disciple and worshiper of Jehovah.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If + God in those days preserved from<br /> the fury of the fire men who were + true to him and<br /> would not deny his name, why is it that he has failed<br /> + to protect thousands of martyrs since that time?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + This is one of the divine mysteries.<br /> God has in many instances + allowed his enemies to<br /> kill his friends. I suppose this was allowed + for the<br /> good of his enemies, that the heroism of the mar-<br /> tyrs + might convert them.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you believe all the + miracles?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I believe them all, because I believe + the<br /> Bible to be inspired.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What makes you + think it is inspired?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I have never seen anybody + who knew<br /> it was not; besides, my father and mother believed it.<br /> + <br /> 434<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Have you any other reasons for be-<br /> + lieving it to be inspired?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes; there are more + copies of the Bible<br /> printed than of any other book; and it is printed + in<br /> more languages. And besides, it would be impossible<br /> to get + along without it.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why could we not get along + without it?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. We would have nothing to swear wit-<br /> + nesses by; no book in which to keep the family<br /> record; nothing for + the centre-table, and nothing for<br /> a mother to give her son. No nation + can be civilized<br /> without the Bible.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Did + God always know that a Bible was<br /> necessary to civilize a country?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly he did.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why did + he not give a Bible to<br /> the Egyptians, the Hindus, the Greeks and the<br /> + Romans?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. It is astonishing what perfect fools in-<br /> + fidels are.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why do you call infidels "fools"?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Because I find in the fifth chapter of the<br /> + gospel according to Matthew the following: "Who-<br /> "soever shall say + 'Thou fool!' shall be in danger of<br /> "hell fire."<br /> <br /> 435<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Have I the right to read the Bible?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Yes. You not only have the right, but<br /> it is your duty.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + In reading the Bible the words make<br /> certain impressions on my mind. + These impressions<br /> depend upon my brain,—upon my intelligence. + Is<br /> not this true?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course, when you read + the Bible, im-<br /> pressions are made upon your mind.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Can I control these impressions?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I do not think + you can, as long as you<br /> remain in a sinful state.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + How am I to get out of this sinful state?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. You + must believe on the Lord Jesus<br /> Christ, and you must read the Bible in + a prayerful<br /> spirit and with a believing heart.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Suppose that doubts force themselves<br /> upon my mind?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Then you will know that you are a sin-<br /> ner, and that you are + depraved.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If I have the right to read the + Bible,<br /> have I the right to try to understand it?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Most assuredly.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you admit that I have the + right to<br /> reason about it and to investigate it?<br /> <br /> 436<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes; I admit that. Of course you can-<br /> not help + reasoning about what you read.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Does the right + to read a book include<br /> the right to give your opinion as to the truth + of what<br /> the book contains?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course,—if + the book is not inspired.<br /> Infidels hate the Bible because it is + inspired, and<br /> Christians know that it is inspired because infidels<br /> + say that it is not.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Have I the right to decide + for myself<br /> whether or not the book is inspired?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + You have no right to deny the truth of<br /> God's Holy Word.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Is God the author of all books?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly not.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Have I the right to say that God did<br /> not write + the Koran?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Because the Koran was written by an<br /> impostor.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. How do you know?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. My + reason tells me so.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Have you the right to be + guided by<br /> your reason?<br /> <br /> 437<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I + must be.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Have you the same right to follow + your<br /> reason after reading the Bible?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No. + The Bible is the standard of reason.<br /> The Bible is not to be judged or + corrected by your<br /> reason. Your reason is to be weighed and measured<br /> + by the Bible. The Bible is different from other<br /> books and must not be + read in the same critical spirit,<br /> nor judged by the same standard.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. What did God give us reason for?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + So that we might investigate other<br /> religions, and examine other + so-called sacred books.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. If a man honestly + thinks that the Bible<br /> is not inspired, what should he say?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. He should admit that he is mistaken.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + When he thinks he is right?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes. The Bible is + different from other<br /> books. It is the master of reason. You read the<br /> + Bible, not to see if that is wrong, but to see<br /> whether your reason is + right. It is the only book<br /> about which a man has no right to reason. + He must<br /> believe. The Bible is addressed, not to the reason,<br /> but + to the ears: "He that hath ears to hear, let<br /> "him hear."<br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think we have the right to tell<br /> <br /> 438<br /> + <br /> what the Bible means—what ideas God intended to<br /> convey, + or has conveyed to us, through the medium<br /> of the Bible?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Well, I suppose you have that right.<br /> Yes, that must be your duty. You + certainly ought<br /> to tell others what God has said to you.<br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. Do all men get the same ideas from<br /> the Bible?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How do you account + for that?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Because all men are not alike; they<br /> + differ in intellect, in education, and in experience.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Who has the right to decide as to the<br /> real ideas that God intended to + convey?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I am a Protestant, and believe in the<br /> + right of private judgment. Whoever does not is a<br /> Catholic. Each man + must be his own judge, but God<br /> will hold him responsible.<br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. Does God believe in the right of private<br /> judgment?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Of course he does.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Is he + willing that I should exercise my<br /> judgment in deciding whether the + Bible is inspired or<br /> not?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. No. He believes + in the exercise of<br /> <br /> 439<br /> <br /> private judgment only in the + examination and rejec-<br /> tion of other books than the Bible.<br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. Is he a Catholic?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. I cannot + answer blasphemy! Let me<br /> tell you that God will "laugh at your + calamity, and<br /> "will mock when your fear cometh." You will be<br /> + accursed.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Why do you curse infidels?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Because I am a Christian.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Did not Christ say that we ought to<br /> "bless those who curse us," and + that we should<br /> "love our enemies"?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes, but + he cursed the Pharisees and<br /> called them "hypocrites" and "vipers."<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. How do you account for that?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + It simply shows the difference between<br /> theory and practice.<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do you consider the best way to<br /> answer + infidels.<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The old way is the best. You should<br /> + say that their arguments are ancient, and have been<br /> answered over and + over again. If this does not<br /> satisfy your hearers, then you should + attack the<br /> character of the infidel—then that of his parents—<br /> + then that of his children.<br /> <br /> 440<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Suppose that the infidel is a good man,<br /> how will you answer him then?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. But an infidel cannot be a good man.<br /> Even if he + is, it is better that he should lose his<br /> reputation, than that + thousands should lose their<br /> souls. We know that all infidels are vile + and infa-<br /> mous. We may not have the evidence, but we know<br /> that + it exists.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. How should infidels be treated? + Should<br /> Christians try to convert them?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + Christians should have nothing to do<br /> with infidels. It is not safe + even to converse with<br /> them. They are always talking about reason, and<br /> + facts, and experience. They are filled with sophistry<br /> and should be + avoided.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Should Christians pray for the con-<br /> + version of infidels?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Yes; but such prayers + should be made<br /> in public and the name of the infidel should be given<br /> + and his vile and hideous heart portrayed so that the<br /> young may be + warned.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. Whom do you regard as infidels?<br /> + <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The scientists—the geologists, the as-<br /> + tronomers, the naturalists, the philosophers. No one<br /> can overestimate + the evil that has been wrought<br /> <br /> 441<br /> <br /> by Laplace, + Humboldt, Darwin, Huxley, Haeckel,<br /> Renan, Emerson, Strauss, Bikhner, + Tyndall, and<br /> their wretched followers. These men pretended to<br /> + know more than Moses and the prophets. They<br /> were "dogs baying at the + moon." They were<br /> "wolves" and "fools." They tried to "assassinate<br /> + "God," and worse than all, they actually laughed<br /> at the clergy,<br /> + <br /> <i>Question</i>. Do you think they did, and are doing<br /> great + harm?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Certainly. Of what use are all the<br /> + sciences, if you lose your own soul? People in hell<br /> will care nothing + about education. The rich man<br /> said nothing about science, he wanted + water.<br /> Neither will they care about books and theories<br /> in + heaven. If a man is perfectly happy, it makes<br /> no difference how + ignorant he is.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. But how can he answer these + scientists?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. Well, my advice is to let their + argu-<br /> ments alone. Of course, you will deny all their<br /> facts; but + the most effective way is to attack their<br /> character.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + But suppose they are good men,—<br /> what then?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + The better they are, the worse they are.<br /> <br /> 442<br /> <br /> We + cannot admit that the infidel is really good. He<br /> may appear to be + good, and it is our duty to strip<br /> the mask of appearance from the + face of unbelief. If<br /> a man is not a Christian, he is totally + depraved, and<br /> why should we hesitate to make a misstatement<br /> + about a man whom God is going to make miserable<br /> forever?<br /> <br /> + <i>Question</i>. Are we not commanded to love our<br /> enemies?<br /> <br /> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, but not the enemies of God.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + Do you fear the final triumph of infi-<br /> delity?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + No. We have no fear. We believe<br /> that the Bible can be revised often + enough to agree<br /> with anything that may really be necessary to the<br /> + preservation of the church. We can always rely<br /> upon revision. Let me + tell you that the Bible is the<br /> most peculiar of books. At the time + God inspired his<br /> holy prophets to write it, he knew exactly what the<br /> + discoveries and demonstrations of the future would<br /> be, and he wrote + his Bible in such a way that the<br /> words could always be interpreted in + accordance with<br /> the intelligence of each age, and so that the words<br /> + used are capable of several meanings, so that, no<br /> matter what may + hereafter be discovered, the Bible<br /> <br /> 443<br /> <br /> will be found + to agree with it,—for the reason that<br /> the knowledge of Hebrew + will grow in the exact<br /> proportion that discoveries are made in other + depart-<br /> ments of knowledge. You will therefore see, that all<br /> + efforts of infidelity to destroy the Bible will simply<br /> result in + giving a better translation.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do you + consider is the strongest<br /> argument in favor of the inspiration of the + Scrip-<br /> tures?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The dying words of + Christians.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. What do you consider the strongest<br /> + argument against the truth of infidelity?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. The + dying words of infidels. You know<br /> how terrible were the death-bed + scenes of Hume,<br /> Voltaire, Paine and Hobbes, as described by hundreds<br /> + of persons who were not present; while all Christians<br /> have died with + the utmost serenity, and with their<br /> last words have testified to the + sustaining power of<br /> faith in the goodness of God.<br /> <br /> <i>Question</i>. + What were the last words of Jesus<br /> Christ?<br /> <br /> <i>Answer</i>. + "My God, my God, why hast thou for-<br /> "saken me?"<br /> <br /> <br /> + <br /> <a name="link0010" id="link0010"></a><br /> <br /> <big><b>A + VINDICATION OF THOMAS PAINE.</b></big><br /> <br /> <br /> <i>"To argue with + a man who has renounced the use and<br /> authority of reason, is like + administering<br /> medicine to the dead."—Thomas Paine.</i><br /> + <br /> <br /> Peoria, October 8, 1877.<br /> <br /> To the Editor of the N Y. + Observer:<br /> <br /> Sir: Last June in San Francisco, I offered a<br /> + thousand dollars in gold—not as a wager, but as a<br /> gift—to + any one who would substantiate the absurd<br /> story that Thomas Paine + died in agony and fear,<br /> frightened by the clanking chains of devils. + I also<br /> offered the same amount to any minister who would<br /> prove + that Voltaire did not pass away as serenely as<br /> the coming of the + dawn. Afterward I was informed<br /> that you had accepted the offer, and + had called upon<br /> me to deposit the money. Acting upon this inform-<br /> + ation, I sent you the following letter:<br /> <br /> Peoria, Ill., August + 31st, 1877.<br /> <br /> To the Editor of the New York Observer:<br /> <br /> + I have been informed that you accepted, in your<br /> paper, an offer made + by me to any clergyman in<br /> San Francisco. That offer was, that I would + pay<br /> <br /> 448<br /> <br /> one thousand dollars in gold to any minister + in that<br /> city who would prove that Thomas Paine died in<br /> terror + because of religious opinions he had ex-<br /> pressed, or that Voltaire + did not pass away serenely<br /> as the coming of the dawn.<br /> <br /> For + many years religious journals and ministers<br /> have been circulating + certain pretended accounts of<br /> the frightful agonies endured by Paine + and Voltaire<br /> when dying; that these great men at the moment of<br /> + death were terrified because they had given their<br /> honest opinions + upon the subject of religion to their<br /> fellow-men. The imagination of + the religious world<br /> has been taxed to the utmost in inventing absurd<br /> + and infamous accounts of the last moments of these<br /> intellectual + giants. Every Sunday school paper,<br /> thousands of idiotic tracts, and + countless stupidities<br /> called sermons, have been filled with these + calumnies.<br /> <br /> Paine and Voltaire both believed in God—both<br /> + hoped for immortality—both believed in special<br /> providence. But + both denied the inspiration of the<br /> Scriptures—both denied the + divinity of Jesus Christ.<br /> While theologians most cheerfully admit + that most<br /> murderers die without fear, they deny the possibility<br /> + of any man who has expressed his disbelief in the<br /> inspiration of the + Bible dying except in an agony of<br /> terror. These stories are used in + revivals and in<br /> <br /> 449<br /> <br /> Sunday schools, and have long + been considered of<br /> great value.<br /> <br /> I am anxious that these + slanders shall cease. I<br /> am desirous of seeing justice done, even at + this late<br /> day, to the dead.<br /> <br /> For the purpose of + ascertaining the evidence upon<br /> which these death-bed accounts really + rest, I make<br /> to you the following proposition:—<br /> <br /> + First.—As to Thomas Paine: I will deposit with<br /> the First + National Bank of Peoria, Illinois, one thou-<br /> sand dollars in gold, + upon the following conditions:<br /> This money shall be subject to your + order when<br /> you shall, in the manner hereinafter provided, sub-<br /> + stantiate that Thomas Paine admitted the Bible to be<br /> an inspired + book, or that he recanted his Infidel<br /> opinions—or that he died + regretting that he had dis-<br /> believed the Bible—or that he died + calling upon<br /> Jesus Christ in any religious sense whatever.<br /> <br /> + In order that a tribunal may be created to try this<br /> question, you may + select one man, I will select<br /> another, and the two thus chosen shall + select a third,<br /> and any two of the three may decide the matter.<br /> + <br /> As there will be certain costs and expenditures on<br /> both sides, + such costs and expenditures shall be paid<br /> by the defeated party.<br /> + <br /> In addition to the one thousand dollars in gold, I<br /> <br /> 450<br /> + <br /> will deposit a bond with good and sufficient security<br /> in the + sum of two thousand dollars, conditioned for<br /> the payment of all costs + in case I am defeated. I<br /> shall require of you a like bond.<br /> <br /> + From the date of accepting this offer you may<br /> have ninety days to + collect and present your testi-<br /> mony, giving me notice of time and + place of taking<br /> depositions. I shall have a like time to take evi-<br /> + dence upon my side, giving you like notice, and you<br /> shall then have + thirty days to take further testimony<br /> in reply to what I may offer. + The case shall then<br /> be argued before the persons chosen; and their<br /> + decisions shall be final as to us.<br /> <br /> If the arbitrator chosen by + me shall die, I shall<br /> have the right to choose another. You shall + have<br /> the same right. If the third one, chosen by our two,<br /> shall + die, the two shall choose another; and all va-<br /> cancies, from whatever + cause, shall be filled upon the<br /> same principle.<br /> <br /> The + arbitrators shall sit when and where a major-<br /> ity shall determine, + and shall have full power to pass<br /> upon all questions arising as to + competency of<br /> evidence, and upon all subjects.<br /> <br /> <i>Second</i>.—As + to Voltaire: I make the same prop-<br /> osition, if you will substantiate + that Voltaire died<br /> expressing remorse or showing in any way that he<br /> + <br /> 451<br /> <br /> was in mental agony because he had attacked Catholi-<br /> + cism—or because he had denied the inspiration of the<br /> Bible—or + because he had denied the divinity of Christ.<br /> <br /> I make these + propositions because I want you<br /> to stop slandering the dead.<br /> + <br /> If the propositions do not suit you in any particu-<br /> lar, please + state your objections, and I will modify<br /> them in any way consistent + with the object in view.<br /> <br /> If Paine and Voltaire died filled with + childish and<br /> silly fear, I want to know it, and I want the world to<br /> + know it. On the other hand, if the believers in<br /> superstition have + made and circulated these cruel<br /> slanders concerning the mighty dead, + I want the<br /> world to know that.<br /> <br /> As soon as you notify me of + the acceptance of<br /> these propositions I will send you the certificate + of<br /> the bank that the money has been deposited upon<br /> the foregoing + conditions, together with copies of<br /> bonds for costs. Yours truly,<br /> + <br /> R. G. Ingersoll.<br /> <br /> In your paper of September 27, 1877, you + acknowl-<br /> edge the receipt of the foregoing letter, and after<br /> + giving an outline of its contents, say: "As not one<br /> of the + affirmations, in the form stated in this letter,<br /> was contained in the + offer we made, we have no<br /> occasion to substantiate them. But we are + prepared<br /> <br /> 452<br /> <br /> to produce the evidence of the truth of + our own<br /> statement, and even to go further; to show not only<br /> that + Tom Paine 'died a drunken, cowardly, and<br /> beastly death,' but that for + many years previous, and<br /> up to that event he lived a drunken and + beastly life."<br /> In order to refresh your memory as to what you<br /> + had published, I call your attention to the following,<br /> which appeared + in the N. Y. Observer, July 19, 1877:<br /> "Put Down the Money.<br /> <br /> + "Col. Bob Ingersoll, in a speech full of ribaldry<br /> and blasphemy, made + in San Francisco recently, said:<br /> "I will give $1,000 in gold coin to + any clergyman<br /> who can substantiate that the death of Voltaire was<br /> + not as peaceful as the dawn; and of Tom Paine whom<br /> they assert died + in fear and agony, frightened by the<br /> clanking chains of devils—in + fact frightened to death<br /> by God. I will give $1,000 likewise to any + one who<br /> can substantiate this 'absurd story'—a story without<br /> + a word of truth in it."<br /> <br /> "We have published the testimony, and + the wit-<br /> nesses are on hand to prove that Tom Paine died a<br /> + drunken, cowardly and beastly death. Let the Colo-<br /> nel deposit the + money with any honest man, and the<br /> absurd story, as he terms it, + shall be shown to be an<br /> ower true tale. But he wont do it. His talk + is Infi-<br /> del 'buncombe' and nothing more."<br /> <br /> 453<br /> <br /> + On the 31st of August I sent you my letter, and<br /> on the 27th of + September you say in your paper:<br /> "As not one of the affirmations in + the form stated<br /> in this letter was contained in the offer we made, we<br /> + have no occasion to substantiate them."<br /> <br /> What were the + affirmations contained in the offer<br /> you made? I had offered a + thousand dollars in gold<br /> to any one who would substantiate "the + absurd story"<br /> that Thomas Paine died in fear and agony,frightened<br /> + by the clanking chains of devils—in fact, frightened to<br /> death + by God.<br /> <br /> In response to this offer you said: "Let the Colo-<br /> + nel deposit the money with an honest man and the<br /> 'absurd story' as he + terms it, shall be shown to be<br /> an 'ower true tale.' But he won't do + it. His talk<br /> is infidel 'buncombe' and nothing more."<br /> <br /> Did + you not offer to prove that Paine died in fear<br /> and agony, frightened + by the clanking chains of<br /> devils? Did you not ask me to deposit the + money<br /> that you might prove the "absurd story" to be an<br /> "ower + true tale" and obtain the money? Did you<br /> not in your paper of the + twenty-seventh of September<br /> in effect deny that you had offered to + prove this<br /> "absurd story"? As soon as I offered to deposit<br /> the + gold and give bonds besides to cover costs, did<br /> you not publish a + falsehood?<br /> <br /> 454<br /> <br /> You have eaten your own words, and, + for my<br /> part, I would rather have dined with Ezekiel than<br /> with + you.<br /> <br /> You have not met the issue. You have know-<br /> ingly + avoided it. The question was not as to the<br /> personal habits of Paine. + The real question was<br /> and is, whether Paine was filled with fear and + horror<br /> at the time of his death on account of his religious<br /> + opinions. That is the question. You avoid this.<br /> In effect, you + abandon that charge and make others.<br /> <br /> To you belongs the honor + of having made the<br /> most cruel and infamous charges against Thomas<br /> + Paine that have ever been made. Of what you<br /> have said you cannot + prove the truth of one word.<br /> <br /> You say that Thomas Paine died a + drunken,<br /> cowardly and beastly death.<br /> <br /> I pronounce this + charge to be a cowardly and<br /> beastly falsehood.<br /> <br /> Have you + any evidence that he was in a drunken<br /> condition when he died?<br /> + <br /> What did he say or do of a cowardly character<br /> just before, or + at about the time of his death?<br /> <br /> In what way was his death + cowardly? You must<br /> answer these questions, and give your proof, or + all<br /> honest men will hold you in abhorrence. You have<br /> made these + charges. The man against whom you<br /> <br /> Vindication of thomas paine.<br /> + <br /> 455<br /> <br /> make them is dead. He cannot answer you. I<br /> can. + He cannot compel you to produce your testi-<br /> mony, or admit by your + silence that you have<br /> cruelly slandered the defenceless dead. I can + and I<br /> will. You say that his death was cowardly. In<br /> what + respect? Was it cowardly in him to hold the<br /> Thirty-Nine Articles in + contempt? Was it cowardly<br /> not to call on your Lord? Was it cowardly + not to<br /> be afraid? You say that his death was beastly.<br /> Again I + ask, in what respect? Was it beastly to<br /> submit to the inevitable with + tranquillity? Was it<br /> beastly to look with composure upon the approach<br /> + of death? Was it beastly to die without a com-<br /> plaint, without a + murmur—to pass from life without<br /> a fear?<br /> <br /> Did Thomas + Paine Recant?<br /> <br /> Mr. Paine had prophesied that fanatics would<br /> + crawl and cringe around him during his last mo-<br /> ments. He believed + that they would put a lie in<br /> the mouth of Death.<br /> <br /> When the + shadow of the coming dissolution was<br /> upon him, two clergymen, Messrs. + Milledollar and<br /> Cunningham, called to annoy the dying man. Mr.<br /> + Cunningham had the politeness to say, "You have<br /> now a full view of + death you cannot live long, and<br /> whosoever does not believe in the + Lord Jesus Christ<br /> <br /> 456<br /> <br /> will asuredly be damned." Mr. + Paine replied, "Let<br /> me have none of your popish stuff. Get away with<br /> + you. Good morning."<br /> <br /> On another occasion a Methodist minister + ob-<br /> truded himself when Willet Hicks was present.<br /> This minister + declared to Mr. Paine "that unless he<br /> repented of his unbelief he + would be damned."<br /> Paine, although at the door of death, rose in his + bed<br /> and indignantly requested the clergyman to leave<br /> his room. + On another occasion, two brothers by<br /> the name of Pigott, sought to + convert him. He was<br /> displeased and requested their departure. After-<br /> + ward Thomas Nixon and Captain Daniel Pelton<br /> visited him for the + express purpose of ascertaining<br /> whether he had, in any manner, + changed his relig-<br /> ious opinions. They were assured by the dying<br /> + man that he still held the principles he had expressed<br /> in his + writings.<br /> <br /> Afterward, these gentlemen hearing that William<br /> + Cobbett was about to write a life of Paine, sent him<br /> the following + note:<br /> <br /> New York, April 24, 1818.<br /> <br /> "Sir: We have been + informed that you have a de-<br /> sign to write a history of the life and + writings of<br /> Thomas Paine. If you have been furnished with<br /> + materials in respect to his religious opinions, or<br /> <br /> 457<br /> + <br /> rather of his recantation of his former opinions before<br /> his + death, all you have heard of his recanting is false.<br /> Being aware that + such reports would be raised after<br /> his death by fanatics who infested + his house at the<br /> time it was expected he would die, we, the subscrib-<br /> + ers, intimate acquaintances of Thomas Paine since<br /> the year 1776, went + to his house. He was sitting<br /> up in a chair, and apparently in full + vigor and use of<br /> all his mental faculties. We interrogated him upon<br /> + his religious opinions, and if he had changed his<br /> mind, or repented + of anything he had said or wrote<br /> on that subject. He answered, "Not + at all," and<br /> appeared rather offended at our supposition that any<br /> + change should take place in his mind. We took<br /> down in writing the + questions put to him and his<br /> answers thereto before a number of + persons then in<br /> his room, among whom were his doctor, Mrs.<br /> + Bonneville, etc. paper is mislaid and cannot<br /> be found at present, but + the above is the substance<br /> which can be attested by many living + witnesses."<br /> <br /> Thomas Nixon.<br /> <br /> Daniel Pelton.<br /> <br /> + Mr. Jarvis, the artist, saw Mr. Paine one or two<br /> days before his + death. To Mr. Jarvis he expressed<br /> his belief in his written opinions + upon the subject of<br /> religion. B. F. Haskin, an attorney of the city + of<br /> <br /> 458<br /> <br /> New York, also visited him and inquired as to + his<br /> religious opinions. Paine was then upon the thresh-<br /> old of + death, but he did not tremble. He was not a<br /> coward. He expressed his + firm and unshaken belief<br /> in the religious ideas he had given to the + world.<br /> <br /> Dr. Manley was with him when he spoke his last<br /> + words. Dr. Manley asked the dying man if he did<br /> not wish to believe + that Jesus was the Son of God,<br /> and the dying philosopher answered: "I + have no<br /> wish to believe on that subject." Amasa Woodsworth<br /> <br /> + sat up with Thomas Paine the night before his<br /> death. In 1839 Gilbert + Vale hearing that Mr.<br /> Woodsworth was living in or near Boston, + visited<br /> him for the purpose of getting his statement. The<br /> + statement was published in the Beacon of June 5,<br /> 1839, while + thousands who had been acquainted with<br /> Mr. Paine were living.<br /> + <br /> The following is the article referred to.<br /> <br /> "We have just + returned from Boston. One ob-<br /> ject of our visit to that city, was to + see a Mr. Amasa<br /> Woodsworth, an engineer, now retired in a hand-<br /> + some cottage and garden at East Cambridge, Boston.<br /> This gentleman + owned the house occupied by Paine<br /> at his death—while he lived + next door. As an act<br /> of kindness Mr. Woodsworth visited Mr. Paine + every<br /> day for six weeks before his death. He frequently<br /> <br /> + 459<br /> <br /> sat up with him, and did so on the last two nights of<br /> + his life. He was always there with Dr. Manley, the<br /> physician, and + assisted in removing Mr. Paine while<br /> his bed was prepared. He was + present when Dr.<br /> Manley asked Mr. Paine "if he wished to believe<br /> + that Jesus Christ was the Son of God," and he de-<br /> scribes Mr. Paine's + answer as animated. He says<br /> that lying on his back he used some + action and with<br /> much emphasis, replied, "I have no wish to believe<br /> + on that subject." He lived some time after this, but<br /> was not known to + speak, for he died tranquilly. He<br /> accounts for the insinuating style + of Dr. Manley's<br /> letter, by stating that that gentleman just after its<br /> + publication joined a church. He informs us that he<br /> has openly + reproved the doctor for the falsity con-<br /> tained in the spirit of that + letter, boldly declaring be-<br /> fore Dr. Manley, who is yet living, that + nothing<br /> which he saw justified the insinuations. Mr. Woods-<br /> + worth assures us that he neither heard nor saw any-<br /> thing to justify + the belief of any mental change in<br /> the opinions of Mr. Paine previous + to his death; but<br /> that being very ill and in pain chiefly arising + from<br /> the skin being removed in some parts by long lying,<br /> he was + generally too uneasy to enjoy conversation<br /> on abstract subjects. + This, then, is the best evidence<br /> that can be procured on this + subject, and we publish<br /> <br /> 460<br /> <br /> it while the + contravening parties are yet alive, and<br /> with the authority of Mr. + Woodsworth.<br /> <br /> Gilbert Vale.<br /> <br /> A few weeks ago I received + the following letter<br /> which confirms the statement of Mr. Vale:<br /> + <br /> Near Stockton, Cal., Green-<br /> wood Cottage, July 9, 1877.<br /> + <br /> Col. Ingersoll: In 1842 I talked with a gentle-<br /> man in Boston. + I have forgotten his name; but he was<br /> then an engineer of the + Charleston navy yard. I am<br /> thus particular so that you can find his + name on the<br /> books. He told me that he nursed Thomas Paine<br /> in his + last illness, and closed his eyes when dead. I<br /> asked him if he + recanted and called upon God to<br /> save him. He replied, "No. He died as + he had<br /> taught. He had a sore upon his side and when we<br /> turned + him it was very painful and he would cry out<br /> 'O God!' or something + like that." "But," said<br /> the narrator, "that was nothing, for he + believed in a<br /> God." I told him that I had often heard it asserted<br /> + from the pulpit that Mr. Paine had recanted in his<br /> last moments. The + gentleman said that it was not<br /> true, and he appeared to be an + intelligent, truthful<br /> man. With respect, I remain, etc.<br /> <br /> + Philip Graves, M. D.<br /> <br /> 461<br /> <br /> The next witness is Willet + Hicks, a Quaker<br /> preacher. He says that during the last illness of<br /> + Mr. Paine he visited him almost daily, and that<br /> Paine died firmly + convinced of the truth of the relig-<br /> ious opinions he had given to + his fellow-men. It<br /> was to this same Willet Hicks that Paine applied + for<br /> permission to be buried in the cemetery of the<br /> Quakers. + Permission was refused. This refusal<br /> settles the question of + recantation. If he had re-<br /> canted, of course there could have been no + objection<br /> to his body being buried by the side of the best<br /> + hypocrites on the earth.<br /> <br /> If Paine recanted why should he be + denied "a<br /> little earth for charity"? Had he recanted, it<br /> would + have been regarded as a vast and splendid<br /> triumph for the gospel. It + would with much noise<br /> and pomp and ostentation have been heralded<br /> + about the world.<br /> <br /> I received the following letter to-day. The<br /> + writer is well know in this city, and is a man of<br /> high character:<br /> + <br /> Peoria, Oct. 8th, 1877.<br /> <br /> Robert G. Ingersoll, Esteemed + Friend: My<br /> parents were Friends (Quakers). My father died<br /> when I + was very young. The elderly and middle-<br /> aged Friends visited at my + mother's house. We<br /> <br /> 462<br /> <br /> lived in the city of New + York. Among the number<br /> I distinctly remember Elias Hicks, Willet + Hicks,<br /> <br /> and a Mr.-Day, who was a bookseller in Pearl<br /> <br /> + street. There were many others, whose names I<br /> do not now remember. + The subject of the recanta-<br /> tion by Thomas Paine of his views about + the Bible<br /> in his last illness, or at any other time, was dis-<br /> + cussed by them in my presence at different times.<br /> I learned from them + that some of them had attended<br /> upon Thomas Paine in his last sickness + and minis-<br /> tered to his wants up to the time of his death.<br /> And + upon the question of whether he did recant<br /> there was but one + expression. They all said that<br /> he did not recant in any manner. I + often heard<br /> them say they wished he had recanted. In fact,<br /> + according to them, the nearer he approached death<br /> the more positive + he appeared to be in his con-<br /> victions.<br /> <br /> These + conversations were from 1820 to 1822. I<br /> was at that time from ten to + twelve years old, but<br /> these conversations impressed themselves upon + me<br /> because many thoughtless people then blamed the<br /> Society of + Friends for their kindness to that "arch<br /> Infidel," Thomas Paine..<br /> + <br /> Truly yours,<br /> <br /> A. C. Hankinson.<br /> <br /> 463<br /> <br /> A + few days ago I received the following letter:<br /> Albany, New York, Sept. + 27, 1877.<br /> <br /> Dear Sir: It is over twenty years ago that pro-<br /> + fessionally I made the acquaintance of John Hogeboom,<br /> <br /> a Justice + of the Peace of the county of<br /> Rensselaer, New York. He was then over + seventy<br /> years of age and had the reputation of being a man<br /> of + candor and integrity. He was a great admirer of<br /> Paine. He told me + that he was personally ac-<br /> quainted with him, and used to see him + frequently<br /> during the last years of his life in the city of New<br /> + York, where Hogeboom then resided. I asked him<br /> if there was any truth + in the charge that Paine was<br /> in the habit of getting drunk. He said + that it was<br /> utterly false; that he never heard of such a thing<br /> + during the life-time of Mr. Paine, and did not believe<br /> any one else + did. I asked him about the recantation<br /> of his religious opinions on + his death-bed, and the<br /> revolting death-bed scenes that the world had + heard<br /> so much about. He said there was no truth in<br /> them, that he + had received his information from<br /> persons who attended Paine in his + last illness, "and<br /> that he passed peacefully away, as we may say, in<br /> + the sunshine of a great soul."...<br /> <br /> Yours truly,<br /> <br /> W. J. + Hilton,<br /> <br /> 464<br /> <br /> The witnesses by whom I substantiate the + fact<br /> that Thomas Paine did not recant, and that he died<br /> holding + the religious opinions he had published, are:<br /> First—Thomas + Nixon, Captain Daniel Pelton,<br /> B. F. Haskin. These gentlemen visited + him during<br /> his last illness for the purpose of ascertaining whether<br /> + he had in any respect changed his views upon relig-<br /> ion. He told them + that he had not.<br /> <br /> Second—James Cheetham. This man was the<br /> + most malicious enemy Mr. Paine had, and yet he<br /> admits that "Thomas + Paine died placidly, and al-<br /> most without a struggle." (See Life of + Thomas<br /> Paine, by James Cheetham).<br /> <br /> Third—The + ministers, Milledollar and Cunning-<br /> ham. These gentlemen told Mr. + Paine that if he<br /> died without believing in the Lord Jesus Christ he<br /> + would be damned, and Paine replied, "Let me have<br /> none of your popish + stuff. Good morning." (See<br /> Sherwin's Life of Paine, p. 220).<br /> + <br /> Fourth—Mrs. Hedden. She told these same<br /> preachers when + they attempted to obtrude them-<br /> selves upon Mr. Paine again, that the + attempt to<br /> convert Mr. Paine was useless—"that if God did not<br /> + change his mind no human power could."<br /> <br /> Fifth—Andrew A. + Dean. This man lived upon<br /> Paine's farm at New Rochelle, and + corresponded<br /> <br /> 465<br /> <br /> with him upon religious subjects. + (See Paine's<br /> Theological Works, p. 308.)<br /> <br /> Sixth—Mr. + Jarvis, the artist with whom Paine<br /> lived. He gives an account of an + old lady coming<br /> to Paine and telling him that God Almighty had<br /> + sent her to tell him that unless he repented and be-<br /> lieved in the + blessed Savior, he would be damned.<br /> Paine replied that God would not + send such a foolish<br /> old woman with such an impertinent message. (See<br /> + Clio Rickman's Life of Paine.)<br /> <br /> Seventh—Wm. Carver, with + whom Paine boarded.<br /> Mr. Carver said again and again that Paine did + not<br /> recant. He knew him well, and had every opportun-<br /> ity of + knowing. (See Life of Paine by Gilbert Vale.)<br /> <br /> Eighth—Dr. + Manley, who attended him in his last<br /> sickness, and to whom Paine + spoke his last words.<br /> Dr. Manley asked him if he did not wish to + believe in<br /> Jesus Christ, and he replied, "I have no wish to<br /> + believe on that subject."<br /> <br /> Ninth—Willet Hicks and Elias + Hicks, who were<br /> with him frequently during his last sickness, and<br /> + both of whom tried to persuade him to recant. Ac-<br /> cording to their + testimony, Mr. Paine died as he had<br /> lived—a believer in God, + and a friend of man.<br /> Willet Hicks was offered money to say something<br /> + false against Thomas Paine. He was even offered<br /> <br /> 466<br /> <br /> + money to remain silent and allow others to slander<br /> the dead. Mr. + Hicks, speaking of Thomas Paine,<br /> said: "He was a good man—an + honest man."<br /> (Vale's Life of Paine.)<br /> <br /> Tenth—Amasa + Woodsworth, who was with him<br /> every day for some six weeks immediately + preceding<br /> his death, and sat up with him the last two nights of<br /> + his life. This man declares that Paine did not recant<br /> and that he + died tranquilly. The evidence of Mr.<br /> Woodsworth is conclusive.<br /> + <br /> Eleventh—Thomas Paine himself. The will of<br /> Thomas Paine, + written by himself, commences as<br /> follows:<br /> <br /> "The last will + and testament of me, the subscriber,<br /> Thomas Paine, reposing + confidence in my creator<br /> God, and in no other being, for I know of no + other,<br /> nor believe in any other;" and closes in these words;<br /> "I + have lived an honest and useful life to mankind;<br /> my time has been + spent in doing good, and I die in<br /> perfect composure and resignation + to the will of my<br /> creator God."<br /> <br /> Twelfth—If Thomas + Paine recanted, why do you<br /> pursue him? If he recanted, he died + substantially<br /> in your belief, for what reason then do you denounce<br /> + his death as cowardly? If upon his death-bed he<br /> renounced the + opinions he had published, the busi-<br /> <br /> 467<br /> <br /> ness of + defaming him should be done by Infidels, not<br /> by Christians.<br /> + <br /> I ask you if it is honest to throw away the testi-<br /> mony of his + friends—the evidence of fair and honor-<br /> able men—and take + the putrid words of avowed and<br /> malignant enemies?<br /> <br /> When + Thomas Paine was dying, he was infested<br /> by fanatics—by the + snaky spies of bigotry. In the<br /> shadows of death were the unclean + birds of prey<br /> waiting to tear with beak and claw the corpse of him<br /> + who wrote the "Rights of Man." And there lurk-<br /> ing and crouching in + the darkness were the jackals<br /> and hyenas of superstition ready to + violate his grave.<br /> <br /> These birds of prey—these unclean + beasts are the<br /> witnesses produced and relied upon by you.<br /> <br /> + One by one the instruments of torture have been<br /> wrenched from the + cruel clutch of the church, until<br /> within the armory of orthodoxy + there remains but<br /> one weapon—Slander.<br /> <br /> Against the + witnesses that I have produced you<br /> can bring just two—Mary + Roscoe and Mary Hins-<br /> dale. The first is referred to in the memoir of<br /> + Stephen Grellet. She had once been a servant in his<br /> house. Grellet + tells what happened between this<br /> girl and Paine. According to this + account Paine<br /> asked her if she had ever read any of his writings,<br /> + <br /> 468<br /> <br /> and on being told that she had read very little of<br /> + them, he inquired what she thought of them, adding<br /> that from such an + one as she he expected a correct<br /> answer.<br /> <br /> Let us examine + this falsehood. Why would Paine<br /> expect a correct answer about his + writings from one<br /> who had read very little of them? Does not such a<br /> + statement devour itself? This young lady further<br /> said that the "Age + of Reason" was put in her hands<br /> and that the more she read in it the + more dark and<br /> distressed she felt, and that she threw the book into<br /> + the fire. Whereupon Mr. Paine remarked, "I wish<br /> all had done as you + did, for if the devil ever had any<br /> agency in any work, he had it in + my writing that book."<br /> <br /> The next is Mary Hinsdale. She was a + servant<br /> in the family of Willet Hicks. She, like Mary Ros-<br /> coe, + was sent to carry some delicacy to Mr. Paine.<br /> To this young lady + Paine, according to her account,<br /> said precisely the same that he did + to Mary Roscoe,<br /> and she said the same thing to Mr. Paine.<br /> <br /> + My own opinion is that Mary Roscoe and Mary<br /> Hinsdale are one and the + same person, or the same<br /> story has been by mistake put in the mouth + of both.<br /> <br /> It is not possible that the same conversation should<br /> + have taken place between Paine and Mary Roscoe,<br /> and between him and + Mary Hinsdale.<br /> <br /> 469<br /> <br /> Mary Hinsdale lived with Willet + Hicks and he<br /> pronounced her story a pious fraud and fabrication.<br /> + He said that Thomas Paine never said any such<br /> thing to Mary Hinsdale. + (See Vale's Life of<br /> Paine.)<br /> <br /> Another thing about this + witness. A woman by<br /> the name of Mary Lockwood, a Hicksite Quaker,<br /> + died. Mary Hinsdale met her brother about that<br /> time and told him that + his sister had recanted, and<br /> wanted her to say so at her funeral. + This turned<br /> out to be false.<br /> <br /> It has been claimed that Mary + Hinsdale made her<br /> statement to Charles Collins. Long after the + alleged<br /> occurrence Gilbert Vale, one of the biographers of<br /> + Paine, had a conversation with Collins concerning<br /> Mary Hinsdale. Vale + asked him what he thought<br /> of her. He replied that some of the Friends + be-<br /> lieved that she used opiates, and that they did not<br /> give + credit to her statements. He also said that he<br /> believed what the + Friends said, but thought that<br /> when a young woman, she might have + told the<br /> truth.<br /> <br /> In 1818 William Cobbett came to New York.<br /> + He began collecting materials for a life of Thomas<br /> Paine. In this he + became acquainted with Mary<br /> Hinsdale and Charles Collins. Mr. Cobbett + gave a<br /> <br /> 470<br /> <br /> full account of what happened in a letter + addressed<br /> to the Norwich Mercury in 1819. From this ac-<br /> count it + seems that Charles Collins told Cobbett that<br /> Paine had recanted. + Cobbett called for the testi-<br /> mony, and told Mr. Collins that he must + give time,<br /> place, and the circumstances. He finally brought a<br /> + statement that he stated had been made by Mary<br /> Hinsdale. Armed with + this document Cobbett, in<br /> October of that year, called upon the said + Mary<br /> Hinsdale, at No. 10 Anthony street, New York, and<br /> showed + her the statement. Upon being questioned<br /> by Mr. Cobbett she said, + "That it was so long ago<br /> that she could not speak positively to any + part of the<br /> matter—that she would not say that any part of the<br /> + paper was true—that she had never seen the paper<br /> —and + that she had never given Charles Collins<br /> authority to say anything + about the matter in her<br /> name." And so in the month of October, in the<br /> + year of grace 1818, in the mist and fog of forgetful-<br /> ness + disappeared forever one Mary Hinsdale—the<br /> last and only witness + against the intellectual honesty<br /> of Thomas Paine.<br /> <br /> <i>Did + Thomas Paine live the life of a drunken beast,<br /> and did he die a + drunken, cowardly and beastly death?</i><br /> <br /> Upon you rests the + burden of substantiating these<br /> infamous charges.<br /> <br /> 471<br /> + <br /> You have, I suppose, produced the best evidence<br /> in your + possession, and that evidence I will now pro-<br /> ceed to examine. Your + first witness is Grant Thor-<br /> burn. He makes three charges against + Thomas<br /> Paine, 1st. That his wife obtained a divorce from<br /> him in + England for cruelty and neglect. 2d. That<br /> he was a defaulter and fled + from England to Amer-<br /> ica. 3d. That he was a drunkard.<br /> <br /> + These three charges stand upon the same evidence<br /> —the word of + Grant Thorburn. If they are not all<br /> true Mr. Thorburn stands + impeached.<br /> <br /> The charge that Mrs. Paine obtained a divorce on<br /> + account of the cruelty and neglect of her husband is<br /> utterly false. + There is no such record in the world,<br /> and never was. Paine and his + wife separated by<br /> mutual consent. Each respected the other. They<br /> + remained friends. This charge is without any foun-<br /> dation in fact. I + challenge the Christian world to<br /> produce the record of this decree of + divorce. Accord-<br /> ing to Mr. Thorburn it was granted in England. In<br /> + that country public records are kept of all such de-<br /> crees. Have the + kindness to produce this decree<br /> showing that it was given on account + of cruelty or<br /> admit that Mr. Thorburn was mistaken.<br /> <br /> Thomas + Paine was a just man. Although sepa-<br /> rated from his wife, he always + spoke of her with<br /> <br /> 472<br /> <br /> tenderness and respect, and + frequently sent her<br /> money without letting her know the source from<br /> + whence it came. Was this the conduct of a drunken<br /> beast?<br /> <br /> + The second charge, that Paine was a defaulter in<br /> England and fled to + America, is equally false. He<br /> did not flee from England. He came to + America,<br /> not as a fugitive, but as a free man. He came with<br /> a + letter of introduction signed by another Infidel,<br /> Benjamin Franklin. + He came as a soldier of Free-<br /> dom—an apostle of Liberty.<br /> + <br /> In this second charge there is not one word of truth.<br /> <br /> He + held a small office in England. If he was a<br /> defaulter the records of + that country will show that<br /> fact.<br /> <br /> Mr. Thorburn, unless the + record can be produced<br /> to substantiate him, stands convicted of at + least two<br /> mistakes.<br /> <br /> Now, as to the third: He says that in + 1802 Paine<br /> was an "old remnant of mortality, drunk, bloated<br /> and + half asleep."<br /> <br /> Can any one believe this to be a true account of<br /> + the personal appearance of Mr. Paine in 1802? He<br /> had just returned + from France. He had been wel-<br /> comed home by Thomas Jefferson, who had + said that<br /> he was entitled to the hospitality of every American.<br /> + <br /> 473<br /> <br /> In 1802 Mr. Paine was honored with a public din-<br /> + ner in the city of New York. He was called upon<br /> and treated with + kindness and respect by such men<br /> as DeWitt Clinton.<br /> <br /> In + 1806 Mr. Paine wrote a letter to Andrew A.<br /> Dean upon the subject of + religion. Read that letter<br /> and then say that the writer of it was an + "old rem-<br /> nant of mortality, drunk, bloated and half asleep."<br /> + Search the files of the New York Observer from the<br /> first issue to the + last, and you will find nothing supe-<br /> rior to this letter.<br /> <br /> + In 1803 Mr. Paine wrote a letter of considerable<br /> length, and of great + force, to his friend Samuel<br /> Adams. Such letters are not written by + drunken<br /> beasts, nor by remnants of old mortality, nor by<br /> + drunkards. It was about the same time that he<br /> wrote his "Remarks on + Robert Hall's Sermons."<br /> <br /> These "Remarks" were not written by a + drunken<br /> beast, but by a clear-headed and thoughtful man.<br /> <br /> + In 1804 he published an essay on the invasion of<br /> England, and a + treatise on gunboats, full of valuable<br /> maritime information:—in + 1805, a treatise on yellow<br /> fever, suggesting modes of prevention. In + short, he<br /> was an industrious and thoughtful man. He sympa-<br /> + thized with the poor and oppressed of all lands. He<br /> looked upon + monarchy as a species of physical<br /> <br /> 474<br /> <br /> slavery. He + had the goodness to attack that form<br /> of government. He regarded the + religion of his day<br /> as a kind of mental slavery. He had the courage + to<br /> give his reasons for his opinion. His reasons filled<br /> the + churches with hatred. Instead of answering his<br /> arguments they + attacked him. Men who were not<br /> fit to blacken his shoes, blackened + his character.<br /> <br /> There is too much religious cant in the + statement<br /> of Mr. Thorburn. He exhibited too much anxiety<br /> to tell + what Grant Thorburn said to Thomas Paine.<br /> He names Thomas Jefferson + as one of the disreputa-<br /> ble men who welcomed Paine with open arms. + The<br /> testimony of a man who regarded Thomas Jefferson<br /> as a + disreputable person, as to the character of any-<br /> body, is utterly + without value. In my judgment, the<br /> testimony of Mr. Thorburn should + be thrown aside<br /> as wholly unworthy of belief.<br /> <br /> Your next + witness is the Rev. J. D. Wickham, D.<br /> D., who tells what an elder in + his church said. This<br /> elder said that Paine passed his last days on + his farm<br /> at New Rochelle with a solitary female attendant.<br /> This + is not true. He did not pass his last days at<br /> New Rochelle. + Consequently this pious elder did<br /> not see him during his last days at + that place. Upon<br /> this elder we prove an alibi. Mr. Paine passed his<br /> + last days in the city of New York, in a house upon<br /> <br /> 475<br /> + <br /> Columbia street. The story of the Rev. J. D. Wick-<br /> ham, D.D., + is simply false.<br /> <br /> The next competent false witness is the Rev.<br /> + Charles Hawley, D.D., who proceeds to state that<br /> the story of the + Rev. J. D. Wickham, D.D., is cor-<br /> roborated by older citizens of New + Rochelle. The<br /> names of these ancient residents are withheld. Ac-<br /> + cording to these unknown witnesses, the account<br /> given by the deceased + elder was entirely correct.<br /> But as the particulars of Mr. Paine's + conduct "were<br /> too loathsome to be described in print," we are left<br /> + entirely in the dark as to what he really did.<br /> <br /> While at New + Rochelle Mr. Paine lived with Mr.<br /> Purdy—with Mr. Dean—with + Captain Pelton, and<br /> with Mr. Staple. It is worthy of note that all of<br /> + these gentlemen give the lie direct to the statements<br /> of "older + residents" and ancient citizens spoken of<br /> by the Rev. Charles Hawley, + D.D., and leave him<br /> with his "loathsome particulars" existing only in + his<br /> own mind.<br /> <br /> The next gentleman you bring upon the stand + is<br /> W. H. Ladd, who quotes from the memoirs of<br /> Stephen Grellet. + This gentleman also has the mis-<br /> fortune to be dead. According to his + account, Mr.<br /> Paine made his recantation to a servant girl of his<br /> + by the name of Mary Roscoe. To this girl, accord-<br /> <br /> 476<br /> + <br /> ing to the account, Mr. Paine uttered the wish that<br /> all who + read his book had burned it. I believe there<br /> is a mistake in the name + of this girl. Her name was<br /> probably Mary Hinsdale, as it was once + claimed that<br /> Paine made the same remark to her, but this point<br /> I + shall notice hereafter. These are your witnesses,<br /> and the only ones + you bring forward, to support<br /> your charge that Thomas Paine lived a + drunken and<br /> beastly life and died a drunken, cowardly and beastly<br /> + death. All these calumnies are found in a life of<br /> Paine by a Mr. + Cheetham, the convicted libeler<br /> already referred to. Mr. Cheetham was + an enemy<br /> of the man whose life he pretended to write.<br /> <br /> In + order to show you the estimation in which Mr.<br /> Cheetham was held by + Mr. Paine, I will give you a<br /> copy of a letter that throws light upon + this point:<br /> <br /> October 28, 1807.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Cheetham: Unless + you make a public apol-<br /> ogy for the abuse and falsehood in your paper + of<br /> Tuesday, October 27th, respecting me, I will prose-<br /> cute you + for lying."<br /> <br /> Thomas Paine.<br /> <br /> In another letter, + speaking of this same man, Mr.<br /> Paine says: "If an unprincipled bully + cannot be re-<br /> formed, he can be punished." "Cheetham has been<br /> so + long in the habit of giving false information, that<br /> truth is to him + like a foreign language."<br /> <br /> 477<br /> <br /> Mr. Cheetham wrote the + life of Paine to gratify<br /> his malice and to support religion. He was + prose-<br /> cuted for libel—was convicted and fined.<br /> <br /> Yet + the life of Paine written by this man is referred<br /> to by the Christian + world as the highest authority.<br /> <br /> As to the personal habits of + Mr. Paine, we have<br /> the testimony of William Carver, with whom he<br /> + lived; of Mr. Jarvis, the artist, with whom he lived;<br /> of Mr. Staple, + with whom he lived; of Mr. Purdy,<br /> who was a tenant of Paine's; of Mr. + Burger, with<br /> whom he was intimate; of Thomas Nixon and<br /> Captain + Daniel Pelton, both of whom knew him<br /> well; of Amasa Woodsworth, who + was with him<br /> when he died; of John Fellows, who boarded at the<br /> + same house; of James Wilburn, with whom he<br /> boarded; of B. F. Haskin, + a lawyer, who was well<br /> acquainted with him and called upon him during + his<br /> last illness; of Walter Morton, a friend; of Clio<br /> Rickman, + who had known him for many years; of<br /> Willet and Elias Hicks, Quakers, + who knew him in-<br /> timately and well; of Judge Herttell, H. Margary,<br /> + Elihu Palmer, and many others. All these testified<br /> to the fact that + Mr. Paine was a temperate man. In<br /> those days nearly everybody used + spirituous liquors.<br /> Paine was not an exception; but he did not drink + to<br /> excess. Mr. Lovett, who kept the City Hotel where<br /> <br /> 478<br /> + <br /> Paine stopped, in a note to Caleb Bingham, declared<br /> that Paine + drank less than any boarder he had.<br /> <br /> Against all this evidence + you produce the story of<br /> Grant Thorburn—the story of the Rev. + J. D. Wick-<br /> ham that an elder in his church told him that Paine<br /> + was a drunkard, corroborated by the Rev. Charles<br /> Hawley, and an + extract from Lossing's history to<br /> the same effect. The evidence is + overwhelmingly<br /> against you. Will you have the fairness to admit it?<br /> + Your witnesses are merely the repeaters of the false-<br /> hoods of James + Cheetham, the convicted libeler.<br /> <br /> After all, drinking is not as + bad as lying. An<br /> honest drunkard is better than a calumniator of the<br /> + dead. "A remnant of old mortality, drunk, bloated<br /> and half asleep" is + better than a perfectly sober<br /> defender of human slavery.<br /> <br /> + To become drunk is a virtue compared with steal-<br /> ing a babe from the + breast of its mother.<br /> <br /> Drunkenness is one of the beatitudes, + compared<br /> with editing a religious paper devoted to the defence<br /> + of slavery upon the ground that it is a divine insti-<br /> tution.<br /> + <br /> Do you really think that Paine was a drunken<br /> beast when he + wrote "Common Sense"—a pamphlet<br /> that aroused three millions of + people, as people were<br /> never aroused by a pamphlet before? Was he a<br /> + <br /> 479<br /> <br /> drunken beast when he wrote the "Crisis"? Was<br /> it + to a drunken beast that the following letter was<br /> addressed:<br /> + <br /> Rocky Hill, September 10, 1783.<br /> <br /> "I have learned since I + have been at this place,<br /> that you are at Bordentown.—Whether + for the sake<br /> of retirement or economy I know not. Be it for<br /> + either or both, or whatever it may, if you will come<br /> to this place + and partake with me I shall be exceed-<br /> ingly happy to see you at it. + Your presence may<br /> remind Congress of your past services to this + country;<br /> and if it is in my power to impress them, command<br /> my + best exertions with freedom, as they will be<br /> rendered cheerfully by + one who entertains a lively<br /> sense of the importance of your works, + and who with<br /> much pleasure subscribes himself,<br /> <br /> "Your + Sincere Friend,<br /> <br /> "George Washington."<br /> <br /> Did any of your + ancestors ever receive a letter<br /> like that?<br /> <br /> Do you think + that Paine was a drunken beast<br /> when the following letter was received + by him?<br /> <br /> "You express a wish in your letter to return to<br /> + America in a national ship; Mr. Dawson, who brings<br /> over the treaty, + and who will present you with this<br /> letter, is charged with orders to + the captain of the<br /> <br /> 480<br /> <br /> Maryland to receive and + accommodate you back, if you<br /> can be ready to depart at such a short + warning. You<br /> will in general find us returned to sentiments worthy<br /> + of former times; <i>in these it will be your glory to have<br /> steadily + labored and with as much effect as any man<br /> living.</i> That you may + live long to continue your<br /> useful labors, and reap the reward in the + <i>thankfulness<br /> of nations</i>, is my sincere prayer. Accept the + assur-<br /> ances of my high esteem and affectionate attachment."<br /> + <br /> Thomas Jefferson.<br /> <br /> Did any of your ancestors ever receive + a letter<br /> like that?<br /> <br /> "It has been very generally propagated + through<br /> the continent that I wrote the pamphlet 'Common<br /> Sense.' + I could not have written anything in so<br /> manly and striking a style."—John + Adams.<br /> <br /> "A few more such flaming arguments as were<br /> + exhibited at Falmouth and Norfolk, added to the<br /> sound doctrine and + unanswerable reasoning con-<br /> tained in the pamphlet 'Common Sense,' + will not<br /> leave numbers at a loss to decide on the propriety of<br /> a + separation."—George Washington.<br /> <br /> "It is not necessary for + me to tell you how<br /> much all your countrymen—I speak of the + great<br /> mass of the people—are interested in your welfare.<br /> + <br /> 481<br /> <br /> They have not forgotten the history of their own<br /> + Revolution and the difficult scenes through which<br /> they passed; nor do + they review its several stages<br /> without reviving in their bosoms a due + sensibility of<br /> the merits of those who served them in that great<br /> + and arduous conflict. The crime of ingratitude has<br /> not yet stained, + and I trust never will stain, our<br /> national character. You are + considered by them as<br /> not only having rendered important services in + our<br /> own Revolution, but as being on a more extensive<br /> scale the + friend of human rights, and a distinguished<br /> and able defender of + public liberty. To the welfare<br /> of Thomas Paine the Americans are not, + nor can<br /> they be indifferent.".. James Monroe.<br /> <br /> Did any of + your ancestors ever receive a letter<br /> like that?<br /> <br /> "No writer + has exceeded Paine in ease and famil-<br /> iarity of style, in perspicuity + of expression, happiness<br /> of elucidation, and in simple and unassuming + lan-<br /> guage."'—Thomas Jefferson.<br /> <br /> Was ever a letter + like that written about an editor<br /> of the <i>New York Observer?</i><br /> + <br /> Was it in consideration of the services of a<br /> drunken beast that + the Legislature of Pennsylvania<br /> presented Thomas Paine with five + hundred pounds<br /> sterling?<br /> <br /> 482<br /> <br /> Did the State of + New York feel indebted to a<br /> drunken beast, and confer upon Thomas + Paine an<br /> estate of several hundred acres?<br /> <br /> "I believe in + the equality of man, and I believe<br /> that religious duties consist in + doing justice, loving<br /> mercy, and endeavoring to make our + fellow-creat-<br /> ures happy."<br /> <br /> "My own mind is my own church."<br /> + <br /> "It is necessary to the happiness of man that he<br /> be mentally + faithful to himself."<br /> <br /> "Any system of religion that shocks the + mind of<br /> a child cannot be a true system."<br /> <br /> "The Word of God + is the creation which we<br /> behold."<br /> <br /> "The age of ignorance + commenced with the<br /> Christian system."<br /> <br /> "It is with a pious + fraud as with a bad action—it<br /> begets a calamitous necessity of + going on."<br /> <br /> "To read the Bible without horror, we must undo<br /> + everything that is tender, sympathizing and benev-<br /> olent in the heart + of man."<br /> <br /> "The man does not exist who can say I have per-<br /> + secuted him, or that I have in any case returned evil<br /> for evil."<br /> + <br /> "Of all tyrannies that afflict mankind, tyranny in<br /> religion is + the worst."<br /> <br /> 483<br /> <br /> "My own opinion is, that those whose + lives have<br /> been spent in doing good and endeavoring to make<br /> + their fellow-mortals happy, will be happy hereafter."<br /> "The belief in + a cruel god makes a cruel man."<br /> "The intellectual part of religion is + a private affair<br /> between every man and his Maker, and in which no<br /> + third party has any right to interfere. The practical<br /> part consists + in our doing good to each other."<br /> <br /> "No man ought to make a + living by religion. One<br /> person cannot act religion for another—every + person<br /> must perform it for himself."<br /> <br /> "One good + schoolmaster is of more use than a<br /> hundred priests."<br /> <br /> "Let + us propagate morality unfettered by super-<br /> stition."<br /> <br /> "God + is the power, or first cause, Nature is the<br /> law, and matter is the + subject acted upon."<br /> <br /> "I believe in one God and no more, and I + hope<br /> for happiness beyond this life."<br /> <br /> "The key of heaven + is not in the keeping of any<br /> sect nor ought the road to it to be + obstructed<br /> by any."<br /> <br /> "My religion, and the whole of it, is + the fear and<br /> love of the Deity and universal philanthropy."<br /> + <br /> "I have yet, I believe, some years in store, for I<br /> have a good + state of health and a happy mind. I<br /> <br /> 484<br /> <br /> take care of + both, by nourishing the first with tem-<br /> perance and the latter with + abundance."<br /> <br /> "He lives immured within the Bastile of a<br /> + word."<br /> <br /> How perfectly that sentence describes you! The<br /> + Bastile in which you are immured is the word<br /> "Calvinism."<br /> <br /> + "Man has no property in man."<br /> <br /> What a splendid motto that would + have made for<br /> the <i>New York Observer</i> in the olden time!<br /> + <br /> "The world is my country; to do good, my<br /> religion."<br /> <br /> + I ask you again whether these splendid utterances<br /> came from the lips + of a drunken beast?<br /> <br /> <br /> <i>Did Thomas Paine die in + destitution and want?</i><br /> <br /> The charge has been made, over and + over again,<br /> that Thomas Paine died in want and destitution—<br /> + that he was an abandoned pauper—an outcast with-<br /> out friends + and without money. This charge is just<br /> as false as the rest.<br /> + <br /> Upon his return to this country in 1802, he was<br /> worth $30,000, + according to his own statement made<br /> at that time in the following + letter addressed to Clio<br /> Rickman:<br /> <br /> "My Dear Friend: Mr. + Monroe, who is appointed<br /> minister extraordinary to France, takes + charge of<br /> <br /> 485<br /> <br /> this, to be delivered to Mr. Este, + banker in Paris, to<br /> be forwarded to you.<br /> <br /> "I arrived at + Baltimore the 30th of October, and<br /> you can have no idea of the + agitation which my<br /> arrival occasioned. From New Hampshire to<br /> + Georgia (an extent of 1,500 miles) every newspaper<br /> was filled with + applause or abuse.<br /> <br /> "My property in this country has been taken + care<br /> of by my friends, and is now worth six thousand<br /> pounds + sterling; which put in the funds will bring<br /> me £400 sterling a + year.<br /> <br /> "Remember me in affection and friendship to your<br /> + wife and family, and in the circle of your friends."<br /> <br /> Thomas + Paine.<br /> <br /> A man in those days worth thirty thousand dol-<br /> lars + was not a pauper. That amount would bring an<br /> income of at least two + thousand dollars per annum.<br /> Two thousand dollars then would be fully + equal to<br /> five thousand dollars now.<br /> <br /> On the 12th of July, + 1809, the year in which he<br /> died, Mr. Paine made his will. From this + instru-<br /> ment we learn that he was the owner of a valuable<br /> farm + within twenty miles of New York. He also<br /> was the owner of thirty + shares in the New York<br /> Phoenix Insurance Company, worth upwards of + fif-<br /> teen hundred dollars. Besides this, some personal<br /> <br /> 486<br /> + <br /> property and ready money. By his will he gave to<br /> Walter Morton, + and Thomas Addis Emmett, brother<br /> of Robert Emmett, two hundred + dollars each, and<br /> one hundred to the widow of Elihu Palmer.<br /> + <br /> Is it possible that this will was made by a pauper<br /> —by a + destitute outcast—by a man who suffered for<br /> the ordinary + necessaries of life?<br /> <br /> But suppose, for the sake of the argument, + that he<br /> was poor and that he died a beggar, does that tend<br /> to + show that the Bible is an inspired book and that<br /> Calvin did not burn + Servetus? Do you really regard<br /> poverty as a crime? If Paine had died + a millionaire,<br /> would you have accepted his religious opinions? If<br /> + Paine had drank nothing but cold water would you<br /> have repudiated the + five cardinal points of Calvin-<br /> ism? Does an argument depend for its + force upon<br /> the pecuniary condition of the person making it?<br /> As a + matter of fact, most reformers—most men and<br /> women of genius, + have been acquainted with poverty.<br /> Beneath a covering of rags have + been found some of<br /> the tenderest and bravest hearts.<br /> <br /> Owing + to the attitude of the churches for the last<br /> fifteen hundred years, + truth-telling has not been a<br /> very lucrative business. As a rule, + hypocrisy has<br /> worn the robes, and honesty the rags. That day is<br /> + passing away. You cannot now answer the argu-<br /> <br /> 487<br /> <br /> + ments of a man by pointing at holes in his coat.<br /> Thomas Paine + attacked the church when it was<br /> powerful—when it had what was + called honors to<br /> bestow—when it was the keeper of the public + con-<br /> science—when it was strong and cruel. The church<br /> + waited till he was dead then attacked his reputation<br /> and his clothes.<br /> + <br /> Once upon a time a donkey kicked a lion. The<br /> lion was dead.<br /> + <br /> Conclusion.<br /> <br /> From the persistence with which the orthodox<br /> + have charged for the last sixty-eight years that<br /> Thomas Paine + recanted, and that when dying he<br /> was filled with remorse and fear; + from the malignity<br /> of the attacks upon his personal character, I had + con-<br /> cluded that there must be some evidence of some<br /> kind to + support these charges. Even with my ideas<br /> of the average honor of + believers in superstition—<br /> the disciples of fear—I did + not quite believe that all<br /> these infamies rested solely upon poorly + attested<br /> lies. I had charity enough to suppose that some-<br /> thing + had been said or done by Thomas Paine capa-<br /> ble of being tortured + into a foundation for these<br /> calumnies. And I was foolish enough to + think that<br /> even you would be willing to fairly examine the pre-<br /> + tended evidence said to sustain these charges, and<br /> <br /> 488<br /> + <br /> give your honest conclusion to the world. I sup-<br /> posed that + you, being acquainted with the history of<br /> your country, felt under a + certain obligation to<br /> Thomas Paine for the splendid services rendered + by<br /> him in the darkest days of the Revolution. It was<br /> only + reasonable to suppose that you were aware that<br /> in the midnight of + Valley Forge the "Crisis," by<br /> Thomas Paine, was the first star that + glittered in the<br /> wide horizon of despair. I took it for granted that<br /> + you knew of the bold stand taken and the brave<br /> words spoken by Thomas + Paine, in the French Con-<br /> vention, against the death of the king. I + thought it<br /> probable that you, being an editor, had read the<br /> + "Rights of Man;" that you knew that Thomas<br /> Paine was a champion of + human liberty; that he was<br /> one of the founders and fathers of this + Republic; that<br /> he was one of the foremost men of his age; that he<br /> + had never written a word in favor of injustice; that<br /> he was a + despiser of slavery; that he abhorred tyr-<br /> anny in all its forms; + that he was in the widest and<br /> highest sense a friend of his race; + that his head was<br /> as clear as his heart was good, and that he had the<br /> + courage to speak his honest thought. Under these<br /> circumstances I had + hoped that you would for the<br /> moment forget your religious prejudices + and submit<br /> to the enlightened judgment of the world the evi-<br /> + <br /> 489<br /> <br /> dence you had, or could obtain, affecting in any way<br /> + the character of so great and so generous a man. This<br /> you have + refused to do. In my judgment, you have<br /> mistaken the temper of even + your own readers. A<br /> large majority of the religious people of this + country<br /> have, to a considerable extent, outgrown the preju-<br /> + dices of their fathers. They are willing to know the<br /> truth and the + whole truth, about the life and death of<br /> Thomas Paine. They will not + thank you for having<br /> presented them the moss-covered, the maimed and + dis-<br /> torted traditions of ignorance, prejudice, and credulity.<br /> + By this course you will convince them not of the<br /> wickedness of Paine, + but of your own unfairness.<br /> <br /> What crime had Thomas Paine + committed that he<br /> should have feared to die? The only answer you<br /> + can give is, that he denied the inspiration of the<br /> Scriptures. If + this is a crime, the civilized world is<br /> filled with criminals. The + pioneers of human thought<br /> —the intellectual leaders of the + world—the foremost<br /> men in every science—the kings of + literature and<br /> art—those who stand in the front rank of + investiga-<br /> tion—the men who are civilizing, elevating, + instruct-<br /> ing, and refining mankind, are to-day unbelievers in<br /> + the dogma of inspiration. Upon this question, the<br /> intellect of + Christendom agrees with the conclusions<br /> reached by the genius of + Thomas Paine. Centuries<br /> <br /> 490<br /> <br /> ago a noise was made for + the purpose of frightening<br /> mankind. Orthodoxy is the echo of that + noise.<br /> <br /> The man who now regards the Old Testament as<br /> in any + sense a sacred or inspired book is, in my judg-<br /> ment, an intellectual + and moral deformity. There is<br /> in it so much that is cruel, ignorant, + and ferocious<br /> that it is to me a matter of amazement that it was<br /> + ever thought to be the work of a most merciful deity.<br /> <br /> Upon the + question of inspiration Thomas Paine<br /> gave his honest opinion. Can it + be that to give an<br /> honest opinion causes one to die in terror and de-<br /> + spair? Have you in your writings been actuated by<br /> the fear of such a + consequence? Why should it be<br /> taken for granted that Thomas Paine, + who devoted<br /> his life to the sacred cause of freedom, should have<br /> + been hissed at in the hour of death by the snakes of<br /> conscience, + while editors of Presbyterian papers who<br /> defended slavery as a divine + institution, and cheer-<br /> fully justified the stealing of babes from + the breasts of<br /> mothers, are supposed to have passed smilingly from<br /> + earth to the embraces of angels? Why should you<br /> think that the heroic + author of the "Rights of Man"<br /> should shudderingly dread to leave this + "bank and<br /> shoal of time," while Calvin, dripping with the blood<br /> + of Servetus, was anxious to be judged of God? Is<br /> it possible that the + persecutors—the instigators of<br /> <br /> 491<br /> <br /> the + massacre of St. Bartholomew—the inventors and<br /> users of + thumb-screws, and iron boots, and racks—<br /> the burners and + tearers of human flesh—the stealers,<br /> whippers and enslavers of + men—the buyers and<br /> beaters of babes and mothers—the + founders of<br /> inquisitions—the makers of chains, the builders of<br /> + dungeons, the slanderers of the living and the calum-<br /> niators of the + dead, all died in the odor of sanctity,<br /> with white, forgiven hands + folded upon the breasts<br /> of peace, while the destroyers of prejudice—the<br /> + apostles of humanity—the soldiers of liberty—the<br /> breakers + of fetters—the creators of light—died sur-<br /> rounded with + the fierce fiends of fear?<br /> <br /> In your attempt to destroy the + character of Thomas<br /> Paine you have failed, and have succeeded only in<br /> + leaving a stain upon your own. You have written<br /> words as cruel, + bitter and heartless as the creed of<br /> Calvin. Hereafter you will stand + in the pillory of<br /> history as a defamer—a calumniator of the + dead.<br /> You will be known as the man who said that Thomas<br /> Paine, + the "Author Hero," lived a drunken, coward-<br /> ly and beastly life, and + died a drunken and beastly<br /> death. These infamous words will be + branded upon<br /> the forehead of your reputation. They will be re-<br /> + membered against you when all else you may have<br /> uttered shall have + passed from the memory of men.<br /> <br /> Robert G. Ingersoll.<br /> <br /> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link0012" id="link0012"></a><br /> <br /> <big><b>THE + OBSERVER'S SECOND ATTACK</b></big><br /> <br /> <i>* From the NY. Observer + of Nov. 1, 1877.</i><br /> <br /> <br /> TOM PAINE AGAIN.<br /> <br /> In the + Observer of September 27th, in response<br /> to numerous calls from + different parts of the country<br /> for information, and in fulfillment of + a promise, we<br /> presented a mass of testimony, chiefly from persons<br /> + with whom we had been personally acquainted,<br /> establishing the truth + of our assertions in regard to<br /> the dissolute life and miserable end + of Paine. It was<br /> not a pleasing subject for discussion, and an + apology,<br /> or at least an explanation, is due to our readers for<br /> + resuming it, and for occupying so much space, or<br /> any space, in + exhibiting the truth and the proofs in<br /> regard to the character of a + man who had become so<br /> debased by his intemperance, and so vile in his<br /> + habits, as to be excluded, for many years before and<br /> up to the time + of his death, from all decent society.<br /> <br /> Our reasons for taking + up the subject at all, and<br /> for presenting at this time so much + additional testi-<br /> mony in regard to the facts of the case, are these:<br /> + At different periods for the last fifty years, efforts<br /> <br /> 493<br /> + <br /> have been made by Infidels to revive and honor the<br /> memory of + one whose friends would honor him most<br /> by suffering his name to sink + into oblivion, if that<br /> were possible. About two years since, Rev. O. + B.<br /> Frothingham, of this city, came to their aid, and<br /> undertook a + sort of championship of Paine, making<br /> in a public discourse this + statement: "No private<br /> character has been more foully calumniated in + the<br /> name of God than that of Thomas Paine." (Mr.<br /> Frothingham, it + will be remembered, is the one who<br /> recently, in a public discourse, + announced the down-<br /> fall of Christianity, although he very kindly + made<br /> the allowance that, "it may be a thousand years<br /> before its + decay will be visible to all eyes." It is<br /> our private opinion that it + will be at least a thousand<br /> and one.) Rev. John W. Chadwick, a + minister of<br /> the same order of unbelief, who signs himself, "Min-<br /> + ister of the Second Unitarian Society in Brooklyn,"<br /> has devoted two + discourses to the same end, eulogiz-<br /> ing Paine. In one of these, + which we have before<br /> us in a handsomely printed pamphlet, entitled,<br /> + "Method and Value of his (Paine's) Religious<br /> Teachings," he says: + "Christian usage has determ-<br /> ined that an Infidel means one who does + not believe<br /> in Christianity as a supernatural religion; in the<br /> + Bible as a Supernatural book; in Jesus as a super-<br /> <br /> 494<br /> + <br /> natural person. And in this sense Paine was an<br /> Infidel, and so, + thank God, am I." It is proper to<br /> add that Unitarians generally + decline all responsibil-<br /> ity for the utterances of both of these men, + and that<br /> they compose a denomination, or rather two denom-<br /> + inations, of their own.<br /> <br /> There is also a certain class of + Infidels who are<br /> not quite prepared to meet the odium that attaches<br /> + to the name; they call themselves Christians, but<br /> their sympathies + are all with the enemies of Chris-<br /> tianity, and they are not always + able to conceal it.<br /> They have not the courage of their opinions, like<br /> + Mr. Frothingham and Mr. Chadwick, and they work<br /> only sideways toward + the same end. We have been<br /> no little amused since our last article on + this subject<br /> appeared, to read some of the articles that have been<br /> + written on the other side, though professedly on no<br /> side, and to + observe how sincerely these men depre-<br /> cate the discussion of the + character of Paine, as an<br /> unprofitable topic. It never appeared to + them un-<br /> profitable when the discussion was on the other side.<br /> + <br /> Then, too, we have for months past been receiving<br /> letters from + different parts of the country, asking<br /> authentic information on the + subject and stating that<br /> the followers of Paine are making + extraordinary<br /> efforts to circulate his writings against the Christian<br /> + <br /> 495<br /> <br /> religion, and in order to give currency to these + writ-<br /> ings they are endeavoring to rescue his name from<br /> the + disgrace into which it sank during the latter<br /> years of his life. + Paine spent several of his last<br /> years in furnishing a commentary upon + his Infidel<br /> principles. This commentary was contained in his<br /> + besotted, degraded life and miserable end, but his<br /> friends do not + wish the commentary to go out in<br /> connection with his writings. They + prefer to have<br /> them read without the comments by their author.<br /> + Hence this anxiety to free the great apostle of<br /> Infidelity from the + obloquy which his life brought<br /> upon his name; to represent him as a + pure, noble,<br /> virtuous man, and to make it appear that he died a<br /> + peaceful, happy death, just like a philosopher.<br /> <br /> But what makes + the publication of the facts in the<br /> case still more imperative at + this time is the whole-<br /> sale accusation brought against the Christian + public<br /> by the friends and admirers of Paine. Christian<br /> ministers + as a class, and Christian journals are<br /> expressly accused of + falsifying history, of defaming<br /> "the mighty dead!" (meaning Paine,) + etc. In<br /> the face of all these accusations it cannot be out of<br /> + place to state the facts and to fortify the statement<br /> by satisfactory + evidence, as we are abundantly able<br /> to do.<br /> <br /> 496<br /> <br /> + The two points on which we proposed to produce<br /> the testimony are, the + character of Paine's life (refer-<br /> ring of course to his last + residence in this country,<br /> for no one has intimated that he had sunk + into such<br /> besotted drunkenness until about the time of his<br /> + return to the United States in 1802), and the real<br /> character of his + death as consistent with such a life,<br /> and as marked further by the + cowardliness, which<br /> has been often exhibited by Infidels in the same<br /> + circumstances.<br /> <br /> It is nothing at all to the purpose to show, as + his<br /> friends are fond of doing, that Paine rendered<br /> important + service to the cause of American Inde-<br /> pendence. This is not the + point under discussion<br /> and is not denied. No one ever called in + question<br /> the valuable service that Benedict Arnold rendered<br /> to + the country in the early part of the Revolutionary<br /> war; but this, + with true Americans, does not suffice<br /> to cast a shade of loveliness + or even to spread a man-<br /> tle of charity over his subsequent career. + Whatever<br /> share Paine had in the personal friendship of the<br /> + fathers of the Revolution he forfeited by his subse-<br /> quent life of + beastly drunkenness and degradation,<br /> and on this account as well as + on account of his<br /> blasphemy he was shunned by all decent people.<br /> + <br /> We wish to make one or two corrections of mis-<br /> <br /> 497<br /> + <br /> statements by Paine's advocates, on which a vast<br /> amount of + argument has been simply wasted. We<br /> have never stated in any form, + nor have we ever<br /> supposed, that Paine actually renounced his Infidel-<br /> + ity. The accounts agree in stating that he died a<br /> blaspheming + Infidel, and his horrible death we regard<br /> as one of the fruits, the + fitting complement of his<br /> Infidelity. We have never seen anything + that<br /> encouraged the hope that he was not abandoned of<br /> God in his + last hours. But we have no doubt, on<br /> the other hand, that having + become a wreck in body<br /> and mind through his intemperance, abandoned + of<br /> God, deserted by his Infidel companions, and de-<br /> pendent upon + Christian charity for the attentions he<br /> received, miserable beyond + description in his condi-<br /> tion, and seeing nothing to hope for in the + future, he<br /> was afraid to die, and was ready to call upon God<br /> and + upon Christ for mercy, and ready perhaps in the<br /> next minute to + blaspheme. This is what we referred<br /> to in speaking of Paine's death + as cowardly. It is<br /> shown in the testimony we have produced, and still<br /> + more fully in that which we now present. The most<br /> wicked men are + ready to call upon God in seasons<br /> of great peril, and sometimes ask + for Christian min-<br /> istrations when in extreme illness; but they are<br /> + often ready on any alleviation of distress to turn to<br /> <br /> 498<br /> + <br /> their wickedness again, in the expressive language<br /> of + Scripture, "as the sow that was washed to her<br /> wallowing in the mire."<br /> + <br /> We have never stated or intimated, nor, so far as<br /> we are aware, + has any one of our correspondents<br /> stated, that Paine died in poverty. + It has been<br /> frequently and truthfully stated that Paine was de-<br /> + pendent on Christian charity for the attentions he<br /> received in his + last days, and so he was. His Infidel<br /> companions forsook him and + Christian hearts and<br /> hands ministered to his wants, notwithstanding + the<br /> blasphemies of his death-bed.<br /> <br /> Nor has one of our + correspondents stated, as<br /> alleged, that Paine died at New Rochelle. + The<br /> Rev. Dr. Wickham, who was a resident of that place<br /> nearly + fifty years ago, and who was perfectly familiar<br /> with the facts of his + life, wrote that Paine spent "his<br /> latter days" on the farm presented + to him by<br /> the State of New York, which was strictly true,<br /> but + made no reference to it as the place of his<br /> death.<br /> <br /> Such + misrepresentations serve to show how much<br /> the advocates of Paine + admire "truth."<br /> <br /> With these explanations we produce further evi-<br /> + dence in regard to the manner of Paine's life and the<br /> character of + his death, both of which we have already<br /> <br /> 499<br /> <br /> + characterized in appropriate terms, as the following<br /> testimony will + show.<br /> <br /> In regard to Paine's "personal habits," even before<br /> + his return to this country, and particularly his aver-<br /> sion to soap + and water, Elkana Watson, a gentleman<br /> of the highest social position, + who resided in France<br /> during a part of the Revolutionary war, and who<br /> + was the personal friend of Washington, Franklin,<br /> and other patriots + of the period, makes some inci-<br /> dental statements in his "Men and + Times of the<br /> Revolution." Though eulogizing Paine's efforts in<br /> + behalf of American Independence, he describes him<br /> as "coarse and + uncouth in his manners, loathsome<br /> in his appearance, and a disgusting + egotist." On<br /> Paine's arrival at Nantes, the Mayor and other dis-<br /> + tinguished citizens called upon him to pay their<br /> respects to the + American patriot. Mr. Watson says:<br /> "He was soon rid of his + respectable visitors, who<br /> left the room with marks of astonishment + and dis-<br /> gust." Mr. W., after much entreaty, and only by<br /> + promising him a bundle of newspapers to read while<br /> undergoing the + operation, succeeded in prevailing<br /> on Paine to "stew, for an hour, in + a hot bath." Mr.<br /> W. accompanied Paine to the bath, and "instructed<br /> + the keeper, in French, (which Paine did not under-<br /> stand,) gradually + to increase the heat of the water<br /> <br /> 500<br /> <br /> until 'le + Monsieur serait bien bouille (until the gentle-<br /> man shall be well + boiled;) and adds that "he became<br /> so much absorbed in his reading + that he was nearly-<br /> parboiled before leaving the bath, much to his + im-<br /> provement and my satisfaction."<br /> <br /> William Carver has + been cited as a witness in be-<br /> half of Paine, and particularly as to + his "personal<br /> habits." In a letter to Paine, dated December 2,<br /> + 1776, he bears the following testimony:<br /> <br /> "A respectable + gentlemen from New Rochelle<br /> called to see me a few days back, and + said that<br /> everybody was tired of you there, and no one would<br /> + undertake to board and lodge you. I thought this<br /> was the case, as I + found you at a tavern in a most<br /> miserable situation. You appeared as + if you had<br /> not been shaved for a fortnight, and as to a shirt, it<br /> + could not be said that you had one on. It was only<br /> the remains of + one, and this, likewise, appeared not<br /> to have been off your back for + a fortnight, and was<br /> nearly the color of tanned leather; and you had + the<br /> most disagreeable smell possible; just like that of<br /> our poor + beggars in England. Do you remember the<br /> pains I took to clean you? + that I got a tub of warm<br /> water and soap and washed you from head to + foot, and<br /> this I had to do three times before I could get you<br /> + clean." (And then follow more disgusting details.)<br /> <br /> 501<br /> + <br /> "You say, also, that you found your own liquors<br /> during the time + you boarded with me; but you<br /> should have said, 'I found only a small + part of the<br /> liquor I drank during my stay with you; this part I<br /> + purchased of John Fellows, which was a demijohn of<br /> brandy containing + four gallons, and this did not serve<br /> me three weeks.' This can be + proved, and I mean<br /> not to say anything that I cannot prove; for I + hold<br /> truth as a precious jewel. It is a well-known fact,<br /> that + you drank one quart of brandy per day, at my<br /> expense, during the + different times that you have<br /> boarded with me, the demijohn above + mentioned<br /> excepted, and the last fourteen weeks you were sick.<br /> + Is not this a supply of liquor for dinner and supper?"<br /> This chosen + witness in behalf of Paine, closes his<br /> letter, which is full of + loathsome descriptions of<br /> Paine's manner of life, as follows:<br /> + <br /> "Now, sir, I think I have drawn a complete por-<br /> trait of your + character; yet to enter upon every<br /> minutiae would be to give a + history of your life, and<br /> to develop the fallacious mask of hypocrisy + and de-<br /> ception under which you have acted in your political<br /> as + well as moral capacity of life."<br /> <br /> (Signed) "William Carver."<br /> + <br /> Carver had the same opinion of Paine to his dying<br /> day. When an + old man, and an Infidel of the Paine<br /> <br /> 502<br /> <br /> type and + habits, he was visited by the Rev. E. F.<br /> Hatfield, D.D., of this + city, who writes to us of his<br /> interview with Carver, under date of + Sept. 27, 1877:<br /> "I conversed with him nearly an hour. I took<br /> + special pains to learn from him all that I could about<br /> Paine, whose + landlord he had been for eighteen<br /> months. He spoke of him as a base + and shameless<br /> drunkard, utterly destitute of moral principle. His<br /> + denunciations of the man were perfectly fearful, and<br /> fully confirmed, + in my apprehension, all that had been<br /> written of Paine's immorality + and repulsiveness."<br /> Cheetham's Life of Paine, which was published<br /> + the year that he died, and which has passed through<br /> several editions + (we have three of them now before<br /> us) describes a man lost to all + moral sensibility and<br /> to all sense of decency, a habitual drunkard, + and it is<br /> simply incredible that a book should have appeared<br /> so + soon after the death of its subject and should have<br /> been so + frequently republished without being at once<br /> refuted, if the + testimony were not substantially true.<br /> Many years later, when it was + found necessary to<br /> bolster up the reputation of Paine, Cheetham's<br /> + Memoirs were called a pack of lies. If only one-<br /> tenth part of what + he publishes circumstantially in<br /> his volume, as facts in regard to + Paine, were true, all<br /> that has been written against him in later + years does<br /> <br /> 503<br /> <br /> not begin to set forth the degraded + character of the<br /> man's life. And with all that has been written on<br /> + the subject we see no good reason to doubt the sub-<br /> stantial accuracy + of Cheetham's portrait of the man<br /> whom he knew so well.<br /> <br /> + Dr. J. W. Francis, well-known as an eminent phy-<br /> sician, of this + city, in his Reminiscences of New York,<br /> says of Paine:<br /> <br /> "He + who, in his early days, had been associated<br /> with, and had received + counsel from Franklin, was,<br /> in his old age, deserted by the humblest + menial; he,<br /> whose pen has proved a very sword among nations,<br /> had + shaken empires, and made kings tremble, now<br /> yielded up the mastery to + the most treacherous of<br /> tyrants, King Alcohol."<br /> <br /> The + physician who attended Paine during his last<br /> illness was Dr. James R. + Manley, a gentleman of the<br /> highest character. A letter of his, + written in Octo-<br /> ber of the year that Paine died, fully corroborates<br /> + the account of his state as recorded by Stephen<br /> Grellet in his + Memoirs, which we have already<br /> printed. He writes:<br /> <br /> "New + York, October 2, 1809: I was called upon<br /> by accident to visit Mr. + Paine, on the 25th of Feb-<br /> ruary last, and found him indisposed with + fever, and<br /> very apprehensive of an attack of apoplexy, as he<br /> + <br /> 504<br /> <br /> stated that he had that disease before, and at this<br /> + time felt a great degree of vertigo, and was unable<br /> to help himself + as he had hitherto done, on account<br /> of an intense pain above the + eyes. On inquiry of<br /> the attendants I was told that three or four days<br /> + previously he had concluded to dispense with his<br /> usual quantity of + accustomed stimulus and that he<br /> had on that day resumed it. To the + want of his<br /> usual drink they attributed his illness, and it is highly<br /> + probable that the usual quantity operating upon a<br /> state of system + more excited from the above priva-<br /> tions, was the cause of the + symptoms of which he<br /> then complained.... And here let me be per-<br /> + mitted to observe (lest blame might attach to those<br /> whose business it + was to pay any particular attention<br /> to his cleanliness of person) + that it was absolutely<br /> impossible to effect that purpose. Cleanliness + ap-<br /> peared to make no part of his comfort; he seemed<br /> to have a + singular aversion to soap and water; he<br /> would never ask to be washed, + and when he was he<br /> would always make objections; and it was not un-<br /> + usual to wash and to dress him clean very much<br /> against his + inclinations. In this deplorable state,<br /> with confirmed dropsy, + attended with frequent cough,<br /> vomiting and hiccough, he continued + growing from<br /> bad to worse till the morning of the 8th of June,<br /> + <br /> 505<br /> <br /> when he died. Though I may remark that during<br /> + the last three weeks of his life his situation was such<br /> that his + decease was confidently expected every day,<br /> his ulcers having assumed + a gangrenous appearance,<br /> being excessively fetid, and discolored + blisters hav-<br /> ing taken place on the soles of his feet without any<br /> + ostensible cause, which baffled the usual attempts to<br /> arrest their + progress; and when we consider his<br /> former habits, his advanced age, + the feebleness of his<br /> constitution, his constant habit of using + ardent spirits<br /> ad libitum till the commencement of his last illness,<br /> + so far from wondering that he died so soon, we are<br /> constrained to + ask, How did he live so long? Con-<br /> cerning his conduct during his + disease I have not<br /> much to remark, though the little I have may be<br /> + somewhat interesting. Mr. Paine professed to be<br /> above the fear of + death, and a great part of his con-<br /> versation was principally + directed to give the impres-<br /> sion that he was perfectly willing to + leave this world,<br /> and yet some parts of his conduct were with + difficulty<br /> reconcilable with his belief. In the first stages of his<br /> + illness he was satisfied to be left alone during the<br /> day, but he + required some person to be with him at<br /> night, urging as his reason + that he was afraid that<br /> he should die when unattended, and at this + period<br /> his deportment and his principle seemed to be con-<br /> <br /> + 506<br /> <br /> sistent; so much so that a stranger would judge from<br /> + some of the remarks he would make that he was an<br /> Infidel. I recollect + being with him at night, watch-<br /> ing; he was very apprehensive of a + speedy dissolu-<br /> tion, and suffered great distress of body, and + perhaps<br /> of mind (for he was waiting the event of an applica-<br /> + tion to the Society of Friends for permission that his<br /> corpse might + be deposited in their grave-ground, and<br /> had reason to believe that + the request might be<br /> refused), when he remarked in these words, 'I + think<br /> I can say what they made Jesus Christ to say—"My<br /> + God, my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" He<br /> went on to observe on the + want of that respect which<br /> he conceived he merited, when I observed + to him<br /> that I thought his corpse should be matter of least<br /> + concern to him; that those whom he would leave<br /> behind him would see + that he was properly interred,<br /> and, further, that it would be of + little consequence to<br /> me where I was deposited provided I was buried;<br /> + upon which he answered that he had nothing else to<br /> talk about, and + that he would as lief talk of his death<br /> as of anything, but that he + was not so indifferent<br /> about his corpse as I appeared to be.<br /> + <br /> "During the latter part of his life, though his con-<br /> versation + was equivocal, his conduct was singular;<br /> he could not be left alone + night or day; he not only<br /> <br /> 507<br /> <br /> required to have some + person with him, but he must<br /> see that he or she was there, and would + not allow<br /> his curtain to be closed at any time; and if, as it<br /> + would sometimes unavoidably happen, he was left<br /> alone, he would + scream and halloo until some person<br /> came to him. When relief from + pain would admit,<br /> he seemed thoughtful and contemplative, his eyes<br /> + being generally closed, and his hands folded upon<br /> his breast, + although he never slept without the assist-<br /> ance of an anodyne. There + was something remark-<br /> able in his conduct about this period (which + comprises<br /> about two weeks immediately preceding his death),<br /> + particularly when we reflect that Thomas Paine was<br /> the author of the + 'Age of Reason.' He would call<br /> out during his paroxysms of distress, + without inter-<br /> mission, 'O Lord help me! God help me! Jesus<br /> + Christ help me! Lord help me!' etc., repeating the<br /> same expressions + without the least variation, in a<br /> tone of voice that would alarm the + house. It was<br /> this conduct which induced me to think that he had<br /> + abandoned his former opinions, and I was more<br /> inclined to that belief + when I understood from his<br /> nurse (who is a very serious and, I + believe, pious<br /> woman), that he would occasionally inquire, when he<br /> + saw her engaged with a book, what she was reading,<br /> and, being + answered, and at the same time asked<br /> <br /> 508<br /> <br /> whether she + should read aloud, he assented, and<br /> would appear to give particular + attention.<br /> <br /> "I took occasion during the nights of the fifth<br /> + and sixth of June to test the strength of his opinions<br /> respecting + revelation. I purposely made him a very<br /> late visit; it was a time + which seemed to suit exactly<br /> with my errand; it was midnight, he was + in great<br /> distress, constantly exclaiming in the words above<br /> + mentioned, when, after a considerable preface, I<br /> addressed him in the + following manner, the nurse<br /> being present: 'Mr. Paine, your opinions, + by a large<br /> portion of the community, have been treated with<br /> + deference, you have never been in the habit of mix-<br /> ing in your + conversation words of coarse meaning;<br /> you have never indulged in the + practice of profane<br /> swearing; you must be sensible that we are ac-<br /> + quainted with your religious opinions as they are<br /> given to the world. + What must we think of your<br /> present conduct? Why do you call upon + Jesus<br /> Christ to help you? Do you believe that he can<br /> help you? + Do you believe in the divinity of Jesus<br /> Christ? Come, now, answer me + honestly. I want<br /> an answer from the lips of a dying man, for I verily<br /> + believe that you will not live twenty-four hours.' I<br /> waited some time + at the end of every question; he<br /> did not answer, but ceased to + exclaim in the above<br /> <br /> 509<br /> <br /> manner. Again I addressed + him; 'Mr. Paine, you<br /> have not answered my questions; will you answer<br /> + them? Allow me to ask again, do you believe? or<br /> let me qualify the + question, do you wish to believe<br /> that Jesus Christ is the Son of + God?' After a pause<br /> of some minutes, he answered, 'I have no wish to<br /> + believe on that subject.' I then left him, and knew<br /> not whether he + afterward spoke to any person on<br /> any subject, though he lived, as I + before observed,<br /> till the morning of the 8th. Such conduct, under<br /> + usual circumstances, I conceive absolutely unaccount-<br /> able, though, + with diffidence, I would remark, not so<br /> much so in the present + instance; for though the first<br /> necessary and general result of + conviction be a sin-<br /> cere wish to atone for evil committed, yet it + may be<br /> a question worthy of able consideration whether<br /> excessive + pride of opinion, consummate vanity, and<br /> inordinate self-love might + not prevent or retard that<br /> otherwise natural consequence. For my own + part,<br /> I believe that had not Thomas Paine been such a<br /> + distinguished Infidel he would have left less equivo-<br /> cal evidences + of a change of opinion. Concerning<br /> the persons who visited Mr. Paine + in his distress as<br /> his personal friends, I heard very little, though + I may<br /> observe that their number was small, and of that<br /> number + there were not wanting those who endeavor-<br /> <br /> 510<br /> <br /> ed to + support him in his deistical opinions, and to<br /> encourage him to 'die + like a man,' to 'hold fast his<br /> integrity,' lest Christians, or, as + they were pleased to<br /> term them, hypocrites, might take advantage of + his<br /> weakness, and furnish themselves with a weapon by<br /> which they + might hope to destroy their glorious sys-<br /> tem of morals. Numbers + visited him from motives<br /> of benevolence and Christian charity, + endeavoring to<br /> effect a change of mind in respect to his religious<br /> + sentiments. The labor of such was apparently lost,<br /> and they pretty + generally received such treatment<br /> from him as none but good men would + risk a second<br /> time, though some of those persons called frequently."<br /> + The following testimony will be new to most of<br /> our readers. It is + from a letter written by Bishop<br /> Fenwick (Roman Catholic Bishop of + Boston), con-<br /> taining a full account of a visit which he paid to<br /> + Paine in his last illness. It was printed in the <i>United<br /> States + Catholic Magazine</i> for 1846; in the <i>Catholic<br /> Herald</i> of + Philadelphia, October 15, 1846; in a sup-<br /> plement to the <i>Hartford + Courant</i>, October 23, 1847;<br /> and in <i>Littell's Living Age</i> for + January 22, 1848,<br /> from which we copy. Bishop Fenwick writes:<br /> + <br /> "A short time before Paine died I was sent for by<br /> him. He was + prompted to this by a poor Catholic<br /> woman who went to see him in his + sickness, and<br /> <br /> 511<br /> <br /> who told him, among other things, + that in his<br /> wretched condition if anybody could do him any<br /> good + it would be a Roman Catholic priest. This<br /> woman was an American + convert (formerly a Shak-<br /> ing Quakeress) whom I had received into the + church<br /> but a few weeks before. She was the bearer of this<br /> + message to me from Paine. I stated this circum-<br /> stance to F. + Kohlmann, at breakfast, and requested<br /> him to accompany me. After some + solicitation on<br /> my part he agreed to do so? at which I was greatly<br /> + rejoiced, because I was at the time quite young and<br /> inexperienced in + the ministry, and was glad to have<br /> his assistance, as I knew, from + the great reputation<br /> of Paine, that I should have to do with one of + the<br /> most impious as well as infamous of men. We<br /> shortly after + set out for the house at Greenwich<br /> where Paine lodged, and on the way + agreed on a<br /> mode of proceeding with him.<br /> <br /> "We arrived at + the house; a decent-looking elderly<br /> woman (probably his housekeeper,) + came to the<br /> door and inquired whether we were the Catholic<br /> + priests, for said she, 'Mr. Paine has been so much<br /> annoyed of late by + other denominations calling upon<br /> him that he has left express orders + with me to admit<br /> no one to-day but the clergymen of the Catholic<br /> + Church. Upon assuring her that we were Catholic<br /> <br /> 512<br /> <br /> + clergymen she opened the door and showed us into<br /> the parlor. She then + left the room and shortly after<br /> returned to inform us that Paine was + asleep, and, at<br /> the same time, expressed a wish that we would not<br /> + disturb him, 'for,' said she, 'he is always in a bad<br /> humor when + roused out of his sleep. It is better we<br /> wait a little till he be + awake.' We accordingly sat<br /> down and resolved to await a more + favorable moment.<br /> 'Gentlemen,' said the lady, after having taken her<br /> + seat also, 'I really wish you may succeed with Mr.<br /> Paine, for he is + laboring under great distress of mind<br /> ever since he was informed by + his physicians that he<br /> cannot possibly live and must die shortly. He + sent<br /> for you to-day because he was told that if any one<br /> could do + him good you might. Possibly he may<br /> think you know of some remedy + which his physicians<br /> are ignorant of. He is truly to be pitied. His + cries<br /> when he is left alone are heart-rending. 'O Lord<br /> help me!' + he will exclaim during his paroxysms of<br /> distress—'God help me—Jesus + Christ help me!'<br /> repeating the same expressions without the least<br /> + variation, in a tone of voice that would alarm the<br /> house. Sometimes + he will say, 'O God, what have<br /> I done to suffer so much!' then, + shortly after, 'But<br /> there is no God,' and again a little after, 'Yet + if<br /> there should be, what would become of me hereafter.'<br /> <br /> + 513<br /> <br /> Thus he will continue for some time, when on a sud-<br /> + den he will scream, as if in terror and agony, and<br /> call out for me by + name. On one of these occasions,<br /> which are very frequent, I went to + him and inquired<br /> what he wanted. 'Stay with me,' he replied, 'for<br /> + God's sake, for I cannot bear to be left alone.' I<br /> then observed that + I could not always be with him,<br /> as I had much to attend to in the + house. 'Then,' said<br /> he, 'send even a child to stay with me, for it is + a<br /> hell to be alone.' 'I never saw,' she concluded, 'a<br /> more + unhappy, a more forsaken man. It seems he<br /> cannot reconcile himself to + die.'<br /> <br /> "Such was the conversation of the woman who<br /> had + received us, and who probably had been employ-<br /> ed to nurse and take + care of him during his illness.<br /> She was a Protestant, yet seemed very + desirous that<br /> we should afford him some relief in his state of<br /> + abandonment, bordering on complete despair. Hav-<br /> ing remained thus + some time in the parlor, we at<br /> length heard a noise in the adjoining + passage-way,<br /> which induced us to believe that Mr. Paine, who was<br /> + sick in that room, had awoke. We accordingly pro-<br /> posed to proceed + thither, which was assented to by<br /> the woman, and she opened the door + for us. On<br /> entering, we found him just getting out of his<br /> + slumber. A more wretched being in appearance I<br /> <br /> 514<br /> <br /> + never beheld. He was lying in a bed sufficiently<br /> decent of itself, + but at present besmeared with filth;<br /> his look was that of a man + greatly tortured in mind;<br /> his eyes haggard, his countenance + forbidding, and<br /> his whole appearance that of one whose better days<br /> + had been one continued scene of debauch. His only<br /> nourishment at this + time, as we were informed, was<br /> nothing more than milk punch, in which + he indulged<br /> to the full extent of his weak state. He had par-<br /> + taken, undoubtedly, but very recently of it, as the<br /> sides and corners + of his mouth exhibited very un-<br /> equivocal traces of it, as well as of + blood, which had<br /> also followed in the track and left its mark on the<br /> + pillow. His face, to a certain extent, had also been<br /> besmeared with + it."<br /> <br /> Immediately upon their making known the object<br /> of + their visit, Paine interrupted the speaker by say-<br /> ing: "That's + enough, sir; that's enough," and again<br /> interrupting him, "I see what + you would be about.<br /> I wish to hear no more from you, sir. My mind is<br /> + made up on that subject. I look upon the whole of<br /> the Christian + scheme to be a tissue of absurdities<br /> and lies, and Jesus Christ to be + nothing more than a<br /> cunning knave and impostor." He drove them out<br /> + of the room, exclaiming: Away with you and your<br /> God, too; leave the + room instantly; all that you<br /> <br /> 515<br /> <br /> have uttered are + lies—filthy lies; and if I had a<br /> little more time I would prove + it, as I did about<br /> your impostor, Jesus Christ."<br /> <br /> This, we + think, will suffice. We have a mass of<br /> letters containing statements + confirmatory of what<br /> we have published in regard to the life and + death of<br /> Paine, but nothing more can be required.<br /> <br /> <br /> + <a name="link0013" id="link0013"></a><br /> <br /> <big><b>INGERSOLL'S + SECOND REPLY.</b></big><br /> <br /> Peoria, Nov. 2d, 1877.<br /> <br /> To + the Editor of the New York Observer:<br /> <br /> You ought to have honesty + enough to admit that<br /> you did, in your paper of July 19th, offer to + prove<br /> that the absurd story that Thomas Paine died in<br /> terror and + agony on account of the religious opinions<br /> he had expressed, was + true. You ought to have<br /> fairness enough to admit that you called upon + me<br /> to deposit one thousand dollars with an honest man,<br /> that you + might, by proving that Thomas Paine did<br /> die in terror, obtain the + money.<br /> <br /> You ought to have honor enough to admit that<br /> you + challenged me and that you commenced the<br /> controversy concerning + Thomas Paine.<br /> <br /> You ought to have goodness enough to admit<br /> + that you were mistaken in the charges you made.<br /> <br /> You ought to + have manhood enough to do what<br /> you falsely asserted that Thomas Paine + did:—you<br /> ought to recant. You ought to admit publicly that<br /> + you slandered the dead; that you falsified history;<br /> that you defamed + the defenceless; that you deliber-<br /> <br /> 517<br /> <br /> ately denied + what you had published in your own<br /> paper. There is an old saying to + the effect that<br /> open confession is good for the soul. To you is<br /> + presented a splendid opportunity of testing the truth<br /> of this saying.<br /> + <br /> Nothing has astonished me more than your lack<br /> of common honesty + exhibited in this controversy. In<br /> your last, you quote from Dr. J. W. + Francis. Why<br /> did you leave out that portion in which Dr. Francis<br /> + says <i>that Cheetham with settled malignity wrote the<br /> life of Paine?</i> + Why did you leave out that part in<br /> which Dr. Francis says that + Cheetham in the same<br /> way <i>slandered Alexander Hamilton and De Witt<br /> + Clinton?</i> Is it your business to suppress the truth?<br /> Why did you + not publish the entire letter of Bishop<br /> Fenwick? Was it because it + proved beyond all<br /> cavil that Thomas Paine did not recant? Was it<br /> + because in the light of that letter Mary Roscoe,<br /> Mary Hinsdale and + Grant Thorburn appeared un-<br /> worthy of belief? Dr. J. W. Francis says + in the<br /> same article from which you quoted, "<i>Paine clung to<br /> + his Infidelity until the last moment of his life!'</i> Why<br /> did you + not publish that? It was the first line im-<br /> mediately above what you + did quote. You must<br /> have seen it. Why did you suppress it? A lawyer,<br /> + doing a thing of this character, is denominated a<br /> <br /> 518<br /> + <br /> shyster. I do not know the appropriate word to<br /> designate a + theologian guilty of such an act.<br /> <br /> You brought forward three + witnesses, pretending<br /> to have personal knowledge about the life and + death<br /> of Thomas Paine: Grant Thorburn, Mary Roscoe<br /> and Mary + Hinsdale. In my reply I took the ground<br /> that Mary Roscoe and Mary + Hinsdale must have<br /> been the same person. I thought it impossible that<br /> + Paine should have had a conversation with Mary<br /> Roscoe, and then one + precisely like it with Mary<br /> Hinsdale. Acting upon this conviction, I + proceeded<br /> to show that the conversation never could have hap-<br /> + pened, that it was absurdly false to say that Paine<br /> asked the opinion + of a girl as to his works who had<br /> never read but little of them. I + then showed by the<br /> testimony of William Cobbett, that he visited Mary<br /> + Hinsdale in 1819, taking with him a statement con-<br /> cerning the + recantation of Paine, given him by Mr.<br /> Collins, and that upon being + shown this statement<br /> she said that "it was so long ago that she could + not<br /> speak positively to any part of the matter—that she<br /> + would not say any part of the paper was true." At<br /> that time she knew + nothing, and remembered noth-<br /> ing. I also showed that she was a kind + of standing<br /> witness to prove that others recanted. Willett Hicks<br /> + denounced her as unworthy of belief.<br /> <br /> 519<br /> <br /> To-day the + following from the New York <i>World</i><br /> was received, showing that I + was right in my<br /> conjecture:<br /> <br /> <br /> Tom Paine's Death-Bed.<br /> + <br /> <i>To the Editor of the World</i>:<br /> <br /> Sir: I see by your + paper that Bob Ingersoll dis-<br /> credits Mary Hinsdale's story of the + scenes which<br /> occurred at the death-bed of Thomas Paine. No<br /> one + who knew that good lady would for one moment<br /> doubt her veracity or + question her testimony. Both<br /> she and her husband were Quaker + preachers, and<br /> well known and respected inhabitants of New York<br /> + City, <i>Ingersoll is right in his conjecture that Mary<br /> Roscoe and + Mary Hinsdale was the same person</i>. Her<br /> maiden name was Roscoe, + and she married Henry<br /> Hinsdale. My mother was a Roscoe, a niece of<br /> + Mary Roscoe, and lived with her for some time. I<br /> have heard her + relate the story of Tom Paine's dying<br /> remorse, as told her by her + aunt, who was a witness<br /> to it. She says (in a letter I have just + received from<br /> her), "he (Tom Paine) suffered fearfully from remorse,<br /> + and renounced his Infidel principles, calling on God<br /> to forgive him, + and wishing his pamphlets and books<br /> to be burned, saying he could not + die in peace until<br /> it was done." (Rev.) A. W. Cornell.<br /> <br /> + Harpersville, New York.<br /> <br /> 520<br /> <br /> You will notice that the + testimony of Mary Hins-<br /> dale has been drawing interest since 1809, + and has<br /> materially increased. If Paine "suffered fearfully<br /> from + remorse, renounced his Infidel opinions and<br /> called on God to forgive + him," it is hardly generous<br /> for the Christian world to fasten the + fangs of malice<br /> in the flesh of his reputation.<br /> <br /> So Mary + Roscoe was Mary Hinsdale, and as<br /> Mary Hinsdale has been shown by her + own admis-<br /> sion to Mr. Cobbett to have known nothing of the<br /> + matter; and as Mary Hinsdale was not, according to<br /> Willet Hicks, + worthy of belief—as she told a false-<br /> hood of the same kind + about Mary Lockwood, and<br /> was, according to Mr. Collins, addicted to + the use of<br /> opium—this disposes of her and her testimony.<br /> + <br /> There remains upon the stand Grant Thorburn.<br /> Concerning this + witness, I received, yesterday, from<br /> the eminent biographer and + essayist, James Parton,<br /> the following epistle:<br /> <br /> + Newburyport, Mass.<br /> <br /> Col. R. G. Ingersoll:<br /> <br /> Touching + Grant Thorburn, I personally know him<br /> to have been a dishonest man. + At the age of ninety-<br /> two he copied, with trembling hand, a piece + from a<br /> newspaper and brought it to the office of the <i>Home<br /> + Journal, as his own</i>. It was I who received it and<br /> <br /> 521<br /> + <br /> detected the deliberate forgery. If you are ever go-<br /> ing to + continue this subject, I will give you the exact<br /> facts.<br /> <br /> + Fervently yours,<br /> <br /> James Parton.<br /> <br /> After this, you are + welcome to what remains of<br /> Grant Thorburn.<br /> <br /> There is one + thing that I have noticed during this<br /> controversy regarding Thomas + Paine. In no instance<br /> that I now call to mind has any Christian + writer<br /> spoken respectfully of Mr. Paine. All have taken<br /> + particular pains to call him "Tom" Paine. Is it not<br /> a little strange + that religion should make men so<br /> coarse and ill-mannered?<br /> <br /> + I have often wondered what these same gentle-<br /> men would say if I + should speak of the men eminent<br /> in the annals of Christianity in the + same way. What<br /> would they say if I should write about "Tim"<br /> + Dwight, old "Ad" Clark, "Tom" Scott, "Jim"<br /> McKnight, "Bill" Hamilton, + "Dick" Whately, "Bill"<br /> Paley, and "Jack" Calvin?<br /> <br /> They + would <i>say</i> of me then, just what I <i>think</i> of<br /> them now.<br /> + <br /> Even if we have religion, do not let us try to get<br /> along + without good manners. Rudeness is exceed-<br /> ingly unbecoming, even in a + saint. Persons who<br /> <br /> 522<br /> <br /> forgive their enemies ought, + to say the least, to<br /> treat with politeness those who have never + injured<br /> them.<br /> <br /> It is exceedingly gratifying to me that I + have com-<br /> pelled you to say that "Paine died a blaspheming<br /> + Infidel." Hereafter it is to be hoped nothing will be<br /> heard about his + having recanted. As an answer to<br /> such slander his friends can + confidently quote the<br /> following from the <i>New York Observer</i> of + November<br /> ist, 1877:<br /> <br /> "WE HAVE NEVER STATED IN ANY FORM, NOR<br /> + HAVE WE EVER SUPPOSED THAT PAINE ACTUALLY RE-<br /> NOUNCED HIS INFIDELITY. + THE ACCOUNTS AGREE IN<br /> STATING THAT HE DIED A BLASPHEMING INFIDEL."<br /> + <br /> This for all coming time will refute the slanders of<br /> the + churches yet to be.<br /> <br /> Right here allow me to ask: If you never + supposed<br /> that Paine renounced his Infidelity, why did you try<br /> to + prove by Mary Hinsdale that which you believed<br /> to be untrue?<br /> + <br /> From the bottom of my heart I thank myself for<br /> having compelled + you to admit that Thomas Paine<br /> did not recant.<br /> <br /> For the + purpose of verifying your own admission<br /> concerning the death of Mr. + Paine, permit me to call<br /> your attention to the following affidavit:<br /> + <br /> 523<br /> <br /> Wabash, Indiana, October 27, 1877.<br /> <br /> Col. R. + G. Ingersoll:<br /> <br /> Dear Sir: The following statement of facts is at<br /> + your disposal. In the year 1833 Willet Hicks made<br /> a visit to Indiana + and stayed over night at my father's<br /> house, four miles east of + Richmond. In the morn-<br /> ing at breakfast my mother asked Willet Hicks + the<br /> following questions:<br /> <br /> "Was thee with Thomas Paine + during his last<br /> sickness?"<br /> <br /> Mr. Hicks said: "I was with him + every day dur-<br /> ing the latter part of his last sickness."<br /> <br /> + "Did he express any regret in regard to writing<br /> the 'Age of Reason,' + as the published accounts say<br /> he did—those accounts that have + the credit of ema-<br /> nating from his Catholic housekeeper?"<br /> <br /> + Mr. Hicks replied: "He did not in any way by<br /> word or action."<br /> + <br /> "Did he call on God or Jesus Christ, asking either<br /> of them to + forgive his sins, or did he curse them or<br /> either of them?"<br /> <br /> + Mr. Hicks answered: "He did not. He died as<br /> easy as any one I ever + saw die, and I have seen<br /> many die in my time." William B Barnes.<br /> + <br /> Subscribed and sworn to before me Oct. 27, 1877.<br /> <br /> Warren + Bigler, Notary Public.<br /> <br /> 524<br /> <br /> You say in your last that + "Thomas Paine was<br /> abandoned of God." So far as this controversy is<br /> + concerned, it seems to me that in that sentence you<br /> have most + graphically described your own condi-<br /> tion.<br /> <br /> Wishing you + success in all honest undertakings, I<br /> remain,<br /> <br /> Yours truly,<br /> + <br /> Robert G. Ingersoll.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. 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Ingersoll, Volume 6 (of 12) by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 6 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 6 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Discussions + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38806] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "ARGUMENTS CANNOT BE ANSWERED WITH INSULTS. KINDNESS IS STRENGTH; ANGER + BLOWS OUT THE LAMP OF THE MIND. IN THE EXAMINATION OF A GREAT AND + IMPORTANT QUESTION, EVERY ONE SHOULD BE SERENE, SLOW-PULSED AND CALM." + </p> + </blockquote> + <h3> + IN TWELVE VOLUMES VOLUME VI. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DISCUSSIONS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + 1900 + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Dresden Edition + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38806/old/orig38806-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a></big></big> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage (63K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="portrait (63K)" src="images/portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">DETAILED CONTENTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION; INGERSOLL'S OPENING PAPER</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BY JEREMIAH S. BLACK.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BY ROBERT G. INGERSOLL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">FAITH OR AGNOSTICISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">THE FIELD-INGERSOLL DISCUSSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">A REPLY TO THE REV. HENRY M. FIELD, D.D.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">A LAST WORD TO ROBERT G. INGERSOLL</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">LETTER TO DR. FIELD.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">CONTROVERSY ON CHRISTIANTY</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">COL. INGERSOLL TO MR. GLADSTONE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">ROME OR REASON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">THE CHURCH ITS OWN WITNESS, By Cardinal Manning.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">ROME OR REASON: A REPLY TO CARDINAL MANNING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">IS DIVORCE WRONG?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0016">DIVORCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0017">IS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT DEGRADING?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.<br /> (1881.)<br /> I. Col. Ingersoll's Opening + Paper—Statement of the Fundamental Truths<br /> of Christianity—Reasons + for Thinking that Portions of the Old Testament<br /> are the Product of + a Barbarous People—Passages upholding<br /> Slavery, Polygamy, War, + and Religious Persecution not Evidences of<br /> Inspiration—If the + Words are not Inspired, What Is?—Commands of<br /> Jehovah compared + with the Precepts of Pagans and Stoics—Epictetus,<br /> Cicero, + Zeno, Seneca, Brahma—II. The New Testament—Why were<br /> + Four Gospels Necessary?—Salvation by Belief—The Doctrine of<br /> + the Atonement—The Jewish System Culminating in the Sacrifice of<br /> + Christ—Except for the Crucifixion of her Son, the Virgin Mary + would be<br /> among the Lost—What Christ must have Known would + Follow the Acceptance<br /> of His Teachings—The Wars of Sects, the + Inquisition, the Fields of<br /> Death—Why did he not Forbid it + All?—The Little that he Revealed—The<br /> Dogma of Eternal + Punishment—Upon Love's Breast the Church has Placed<br /> the + Eternal Asp—III. The "Inspired" Writers—Why did not God + furnish<br /> Every Nation with a Bible?<br /> II. Judge Black's Reply—His + Duty that of a Policeman—The Church not<br /> in Danger—Classes + who Break out into Articulate Blasphemy—The<br /> Sciolist—Personal + Remarks about Col. Ingersoll—Chief-Justice Gibson of<br /> + Pennsylvania Quoted—We have no Jurisdiction or Capacity to Rejudge + the<br /> Justice of God—The Moral Code of the Bible—Civil + Government of the<br /> Jews—No Standard of Justice without Belief + in a God—Punishments for<br /> Blasphemy and Idolatry Defended—Wars + of Conquest—Allusion to Col.<br /> Ingersoll's War Record—Slavery + among the Jews—Polygamy Discouraged by<br /> the Mosaic + Constitution—Jesus of Nazareth and the Establishment of<br /> his + Religion—Acceptance of Christianity and Adjudication upon its<br /> + Divinity—The Evangelists and their Depositions—The + Fundamental Truths<br /> of Christianity—Persecution and Triumph of + the Church—Ingersoll's<br /> Propositions Compressed and the + Compressions Answered—Salvation as a<br /> Reward of Belief—Punishment + of Unbelief—The Second Birth, Atonement,<br /> Redemption, + Non-resistance, Excessive Punishment of Sinners, Christ and<br /> + Persecution, Christianity and Freedom of Thought, Sufficiency of the<br /> + Gospel, Miracles, Moral Effect of Christianity.<br /> III. Col. + Ingersoll's Rejoinder—How this Discussion Came About—Natural<br /> + Law—The Design Argument—The Right to Rejudge the Justice + even of a<br /> God—Violation of the Commandments by Jehovah—Religious + Intolerance<br /> of the Old Testament—Judge Black's Justification + of Wars of<br /> Extermination—His Defence of Slavery—Polygamy + not "Discouraged" by the<br /> Old Testament—Position of Woman + under the Jewish System and under that<br /> of the Ancients—a + "Policeman's" View of God—Slavery under Jehovah<br /> and in Egypt—The + Admission that Jehovah gave no Commandment against<br /> Polygamy—The + Learned and Wise Crawl back in Cribs—Alleged Harmony of<br /> Old + and New Testaments—On the Assertion that the Spread of + Christianity<br /> Proves the Supernatural Origin of the Gospel—The + Argument applicable to<br /> All Religions—Communications from + Angels ana Gods—Authenticity of<br /> the Statements of the + Evangelists—Three Important Manuscripts—Rise<br /> of + Mormonism—Ascension of Christ—The Great Public Events + alleged<br /> as Fundamental Truths of Christianity—Judge Black's + System<br /> of "Compression"—"A Metaphysical Question"—Right + and<br /> Wrong—Justice—Christianity and Freedom of Thought—Heaven + and<br /> Hell—Production of God and the Devil—Inspiration of + the Bible<br /> dependent on the Credulity of the Reader—Doubt of + Miracles—The<br /> World before Christ's Advent—Respect for + the Man Christ—The Dark<br /> Ages—Institutions of Mercy—Civil + Law.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">THE FIELD-INGERSOLL DISCUSSION.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1887.)<br /> An Open Letter to Robert G. Ingersoll—Superstitions—Basis + of<br /> Religion—Napoleon's Question about the Stars—The + Idea of God—Crushing<br /> out Hope—Atonement, Regeneration, + and Future Retribution—Socrates and<br /> Jesus—The Language + of Col. Ingersoll characterized as too Sweeping—The<br /> Sabbath—But + a Step from Sneering at Religion to Sneering at Morality.<br /> A Reply + to the Rev. Henry M. Field, D. D.—Honest Differences of<br /> + Opinion—Charles Darwin—Dr. Field's Distinction between + Superstition<br /> and Religion—The Presbyterian God an Infinite + Torquemada—Napoleon's<br /> Sensitiveness to the Divine Influence—The + Preference of Agassiz—The<br /> Mysterious as an Explanation—The + Certainty that God is not what he<br /> is Thought to Be—Self-preservation + the Fibre of Society—Did<br /> the Assassination of Lincoln + Illustrate the Justice of God's<br /> Judgments?—Immortality—Hope + and the Presbyterian Creed—To a Mother<br /> at the Grave of Her + Son—Theological Teaching of Forgiveness—On<br /> Eternal + Retribution—Jesus and Mohammed—Attacking the Religion of<br /> + Others—Ananias and Sapphira—The Pilgrims and Freedom to + Worship—The<br /> Orthodox Sabbath—Natural Restraints on + Conduct—Religion and<br /> Morality—The Efficacy of Prayer—Respect + for Belief of Father and<br /> Mother—The "Power behind Nature"—Survival + of the Fittest—The Saddest<br /> Fact—"Sober Second Thought."<br /> + A Last Word to Robert G. Ingersoll, by Dr. Field—God not a<br /> + Presbyterian—Why Col. Ingersoll's Attacks on Religion are Resented—God<br /> + is more Merciful than Man—Theories about the Future Life—Retribution<br /> + a Necessary Part of the Divine Law—The Case of Robinson<br /> + Crusoe—Irresistible Proof of Design—Col. Ingersoll's View of<br /> + Immortality—An Almighty Friend.<br /> Letter to Dr. Field—The + Presbyterian God—What the Presbyterians<br /> Claim—The + "Incurably Bad"—Responsibility for not seeing Things<br /> Clearly—Good + Deeds should Follow even Atheists—No Credit in<br /> Belief—Design + Argument that Devours Itself—Belief as a Foundation<br /> of Social + Order—No Consolation in Orthodox Religion—The "Almighty<br /> + Friend" and the Slave Mother—a Hindu Prayer—Calvinism—Christ + not the<br /> Supreme Benefactor of the Race.<br /> COLONEL INGERSOLL ON + CHRISTIANITY.<br /> (1888.)<br /> Some Remarks on his Reply to Dr. Field + by the Hon. Wm. E.<br /> Gladstone—External Triumph and Prosperity + of the Church—A Truth Half<br /> Stated—Col. Ingersoll's + Tumultuous Method and lack of Reverential<br /> Calm—Jephthah's + Sacrifice—Hebrews xii Expounded—The Case of<br /> Abraham—Darwinism + and the Scriptures—Why God demands Sacrifices of<br /> Man—Problems + admitted to be Insoluble—Relation of human Genius<br /> to Human + Greatness—Shakespeare and Others—Christ and the Family<br /> + Relation—Inaccuracy of Reference in the Reply—Ananias and<br /> + Sapphira—The Idea of Immortality—Immunity of Error in Belief + from<br /> Moral Responsibility—On Dishonesty in the Formation of + Opinion—A<br /> Plausibility of the Shallowest kind—The + System of Thuggism—Persecution<br /> for Opinion's Sake—Riding + an Unbroken Horse.<br /> Col. Ingersoll to Mr. Gladstone—On the + "Impaired" State of the human<br /> Constitution—Unbelief not Due + to Degeneracy—Objections to the<br /> Scheme of Redemption—Does + Man Deserve only Punishment?—"Reverential<br /> Calm"—The + Deity of the Ancient Jews—Jephthah and Abraham—Relation<br /> + between Darwinism and the Inspiration of the Scriptures—Sacrifices + to<br /> the Infinite—What is Common Sense?—An Argument that + will Defend every<br /> Superstition—The Greatness of Shakespeare—The + Absolute Indissolubility<br /> of Marriage—Is the Religion of + Christ for this Age?—As to Ananias and<br /> Sapphira—Immortality + and People of Low Intellectual Development—Can<br /> we Control our + Thought?—Dishonest Opinions Cannot be Formed—Some<br /> + Compensations for Riding an "Unbroken Horse."<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">ROME OR REASON.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1888.)<br /> "The Church Its Own Witness," by Cardinal Manning—Evidence<br /> + that Christianity is of Divine Origin—The Universality of the<br /> + Church—Natural Causes not Sufficient to Account for the Catholic<br /> + Church—-The World in which Christianity Arose—Birth of + Christ—From<br /> St Peter to Leo XIII.—The First Effect of + Christianity—Domestic<br /> Life's Second Visible Effect—Redemption + of Woman from traditional<br /> Degradation—Change Wrought by + Christianity upon the Social, Political<br /> and International Relations + of the World—Proof that Christianity is of<br /> Divine Origin and + Presence—St. John and the Christian Fathers—Sanctity<br /> of + the Church not Affected by Human Sins.<br /> A Reply to Cardinal Manning—I. + Success not a Demonstration of either<br /> Divine Origin or Supernatural + Aid—Cardinal Manning's Argument<br /> More Forcible in the Mouth of + a Mohammedan—Why Churches Rise and<br /> Flourish—Mormonism—Alleged + Universality of the Catholic Church—Its<br /> "inexhaustible + Fruitfulness" in Good Things—The Inquisition and<br /> Persecution—Not + Invincible—Its Sword used by Spain—Its Unity not<br /> + Unbroken—The State of the World when Christianity was Established—The<br /> + Vicar of Christ—A Selection from Draper's "History of the + Intellectual<br /> Development of Europe"—Some infamous Popes—Part + II. How the Pope<br /> Speaks—Religions Older than Catholicism and + having the Same Rites<br /> and Sacraments—Is Intellectual + Stagnation a Demonstration of Divine<br /> Origin?—Integration and + Disintegration—The Condition of the World 300<br /> Years Ago—The + Creed of Catholicism—The "One true God" with a Knowledge<br /> of + whom Catholicism has "filled the World"—Did the Catholic Church<br /> + overthrow Idolatry?—Marriage—Celibacy—Human Passions—The + Cardinal's<br /> Explanation of Jehovah's abandonment of the Children of + Men for<br /> four thousand Years—Catholicism tested by Paganism—Canon + Law<br /> and Convictions had Under It—Rival Popes—Importance + of a Greek<br /> "Inflection"—The Cardinal Witnesses.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">IS DIVORCE WRONG?</a> + </p> + <p> + (1889.)<br /> Preface by the Editor of the North American Review—Introduction, + by the<br /> Rev. S. W. Dike, LL. D.—A Catholic View by Cardinal + Gibbons—Divorce<br /> as Regarded by the Episcopal Church, by + Bishop, Henry C. Potter—Four<br /> Questions Answered, by Robert G. + Ingersoll.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0016">DIVORCE.</a> + </p> + <p> + Reply to Cardinal Gibbons—Indissolubility of Marriage a Reaction<br /> + from Polygamy—Biblical Marriage—Polygamy Simultaneous and<br /> + Successive—Marriage and Divorce in the Light of Experience—Reply<br /> + to Bishop Potter—Reply to Mr. Gladstone—Justice Bradley—Senator<br /> + Dolph—The argument Continued in Colloquial Form—Dialogue + between<br /> Cardinal Gibbons and a Maltreated Wife—She Asks the + Advice of Mr.<br /> Gladstone—The Priest who Violated his Vow—Absurdity + of the Divorce<br /> laws of Some States.<br /> REPLY TO DR. LYMAN ABBOTT.<br /> + (1890)<br /> Dr. Abbott's Equivocations—Crimes Punishable by Death + under Mosaic<br /> and English Law—Severity of Moses Accounted for + by Dr. Abbott—The<br /> Necessity for the Acceptance of + Christianity—Christians should be<br /> Glad to Know that the Bible + is only the Work of Man and that the New<br /> Testament Life of Christ + is Untrue—All the Good Commandments, Known<br /> to the World + thousands of Years before Moses—Human Happiness of<br /> More + Consequence than the Truth about God—The Appeal to Great<br /> + Names—Gladstone not the Greatest Statesman—What the Agnostic + Says—The<br /> Magnificent Mistakes of Genesis—The Story of + Joseph—Abraham as a<br /> "self-Exile for Conscience's Sake."<br /> + REPLY TO ARCHDEACON FARRAR.<br /> (1890.)<br /> Revelation as an Appeal to + Man's "Spirit"—What is Spirit and what is<br /> "Spiritual + Intuition"?—The Archdeacon in Conflict with St. Paul—II.<br /> + The Obligation to Believe without Evidence—III. Ignorant Credulity—IV.<br /> + A Definition of Orthodoxy—V. Fear not necessarily Cowardice—Prejudice<br /> + is Honest—The Ola has the Advantage in an Argument—St.<br /> + Augustine—Jerome—the Appeal to Charlemagne—Roger Bacon—Lord + Bacon<br /> a Defender of the Copernican System—The Difficulty of + finding out<br /> what Great Men Believed—Names Irrelevantly Cited—Bancroft + on the<br /> Hessians—Original Manuscripts of the Bible—VI. + An Infinite Personality<br /> a Contradiction in Terms—VII. A + Beginningless Being—VIII. The<br /> Cruelties of Nature not to be + Harmonized with the Goodness of a<br /> Deity—Sayings from the + Indian—Origen, St. Augustine, Dante, Aquinas.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0017">IS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT DEGRADING?</a> + </p> + <p> + (1890.)<br /> A Reply to the Dean of St. Paul—Growing Confidence in + the Power of<br /> Kindness—Crimes against Soldiers and Sailors—Misfortunes + Punished<br /> as Crimes—The Dean's Voice Raised in Favor of the + Brutalities of the<br /> Past—Beating of Children—Of Wives—Dictum + of Solomon.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION; INGERSOLL'S OPENING PAPER + </h2> + <h3> + [Ingersoll-Black] + </h3> + <p> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </p> + <p> + In the presence of eternity the mountains are as transient as the clouds. + </p> + <p> + A PROFOUND change has taken place in the world of thought. The pews are + trying to set themselves somewhat above the pulpit. The layman discusses + theology with the minister, and smiles. Christians excuse themselves for + belonging to the church, by denying a part of the creed. The idea is + abroad that they who know the most of nature believe the least about + theology. The sciences are regarded as infidels, and facts as scoffers. + Thousands of most excellent people avoid churches, and, with few + exceptions, only those attend prayer-meetings who wish to be alone. The + pulpit is losing because the people are growing. + </p> + <p> + Of course it is still claimed that we are a Christian people, indebted to + something called Christianity for all the progress we have made. There is + still a vast difference of opinion as to what Christianity really is, + although many warring sects have been discussing that question, with fire + and sword, through centuries of creed and crime. Every new sect has been + denounced at its birth as illegitimate, as a something born out of + orthodox wedlock, and that should have been allowed to perish on the steps + where it was found. Of the relative merits of the various denominations, + it is sufficient to say that each claims to be right. Among the + evangelical churches there is a substantial agreement upon what they + consider the fundamental truths of the gospel. These fundamental truths, + as I understand them, are: + </p> + <p> + That there is a personal God, the creator of the material universe; that + he made man of the dust, and woman from part of the man; that the man and + woman were tempted by the devil; that they were turned out of the Garden + of Eden; that, about fifteen hundred years afterward, God's patience + having been exhausted by the wickedness of mankind, he drowned his + children with the exception of eight persons; that afterward he selected + from their descendants Abraham, and through him the Jewish people; that he + gave laws to these people, and tried to govern them in all things; that he + made known his will in many ways; that he wrought a vast number of + miracles; that he inspired men to write the Bible; that, in the fullness + of time, it having been found impossible to reform mankind, this God came + upon earth as a child born of the Virgin Mary; that he lived in Palestine; + that he preached for about three years, going from place to place, + occasionally raising the dead, curing the blind and the halt; that he was + crucified—for the crime of blasphemy, as the Jews supposed, but + that, as a matter of fact, he was offered as a sacrifice for the sins of + all who might have faith in him; that he was raised from the dead and + ascended into heaven, where he now is, making intercession for his + followers; that he will forgive the sins of all who believe on him, and + that those who do not believe will be consigned to the dungeons of eternal + pain. These—it may be with the addition of the sacraments of Baptism + and the Last Supper—constitute what is generally known as the + Christian religion. + </p> + <p> + It is most cheerfully admitted that a vast number of people not only + believe these things, but hold them in exceeding reverence, and imagine + them to be of the utmost importance to mankind. They regard the Bible as + the only light that God has given for the guidance of his children; that + it is the one star in nature's sky—the foundation of all morality, + of all law, of all order, and of all individual and national progress. + They regard it as the only means we have for ascertaining the will of God, + the origin of man, and the destiny of the soul. + </p> + <p> + It is needless to inquire into the causes that have led so many people to + believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures. In my opinion, they were and + are mistaken, and the mistake has hindered, in countless ways, the + civilization of man. The Bible has been the fortress and defence of nearly + every crime. No civilized country could re-enact its laws, and in many + respects its moral code is abhorrent to every good and tender man. It is + admitted that many of its precepts are pure, that many of its laws are + wise and just, and that many of its statements are absolutely true. + </p> + <p> + Without desiring to hurt the feeling? of anybody, I propose to give a few + reasons for thinking that a few passages, at least, in the Old Testament + are the product of a barbarous people. + </p> + <p> + In all civilized countries it is not only admitted, but it is passionately + asserted, that slavery is and always was a hideous crime; that a war of + conquest is simply murder; that polygamy is the enslavement of woman, the + degradation of man, and the destruction of home; that nothing is more + infamous than the slaughter of decrepit men, of helpless women, and of + prattling babes; that captured maidens should not be given to soldiers; + that wives should not be stoned to death on account of their religious + opinions, and that the death penalty ought not to be inflicted for a + violation of the Sabbath. We know that there was a time, in the history of + almost every nation, when slavery, polygamy, and wars of extermination + were regarded as divine institutions; when women were looked upon as + beasts of burden, and when, among some people, it was considered the duty + of the husband to murder the wife for differing with him on the subject of + religion. Nations that entertain these views to-day are regarded as + savage, and, probably, with the exception of the South Sea Islanders, the + Feejees, some citizens of Delaware, and a few tribes in Central Africa, no + human beings can be found degraded enough to agree upon these subjects + with the Jehovah of the ancient Jews. The only evidence we have, or can + have, that a nation has ceased to be savage is the fact that it has + abandoned these doctrines. To every one, except the theologian, it is + perfectly easy to account for the mistakes, atrocities, and crimes of the + past, by saying that civilization is a slow and painful growth; that the + moral perceptions are cultivated through ages of tyranny, of want, of + crime, and of heroism; that it requires centuries for man to put out the + eyes of self and hold in lofty and in equal poise the scales of justice; + that conscience is born of suffering; that mercy is the child of the + imagination—of the power to put oneself in the sufferer's place, and + that man advances only as he becomes acquainted with his surroundings, + with the mutual obligations of life, and learns to take advantage of the + forces of nature. + </p> + <p> + But the believer in the inspiration of the Bible is compelled to declare + that there was a time when slavery was right—when men could buy, and + women could sell, their babes. He is compelled to insist that there was a + time when polygamy was the highest form of virtue; when wars of + extermination were waged with the sword of mercy; when religious + toleration was a crime, and when death was the just penalty for having + expressed an honest thought. He must maintain that Jehovah is just as bad + now as he was four thousand years ago, or that he was just as good then as + he is now, but that human conditions have so changed that slavery, + polygamy, religious persecutions, and wars of conquest are now perfectly + devilish. Once they were right—once they were commanded by God + himself; now, they are prohibited. There has been such a change in the + conditions of man that, at the present time, the devil is in favor of + slavery, polygamy, religious persecution, and wars of conquest. That is to + say, the devil entertains the same opinion to-day that Jehovah held four + thousand years ago, but in the meantime Jehovah has remained exactly the + same—changeless and incapable of change. + </p> + <p> + We find that other nations beside the Jews had similar laws and ideas; + that they believed in and practiced slavery and polygamy, murdered women + and children, and exterminated their neighbors to the extent of their + power. It is not claimed that they received a revelation. It is admitted + that they had no knowledge of the true God. And yet, by a strange + coincidence, they practised the same crimes, of their own motion, that the + Jews did by the command of Jehovah. From this it would seem that man can + do wrong without a special revelation. + </p> + <p> + It will hardly be claimed, at this day, that the passages in the Bible + upholding slavery, polygamy, war and religious persecution are evidences + of the inspiration of that book. Suppose that there had been nothing in + the Old Testament upholding these crimes, would any modern Christian + suspect that it was not inspired, on account of the omission? Suppose that + there had been nothing in the Old Testament but laws in favor of these + crimes, would any intelligent Christian now contend that it was the work + of the true God? If the devil had inspired a book, will some believer in + the doctrine of inspiration tell us in what respect, on the subjects of + slavery, polygamy, war, and liberty, it would have differed from some + parts of the Old Testament? Suppose that we should now discover a Hindu + book of equal antiquity with the Old Testament, containing a defence of + slavery, polygamy, wars of extermination, and religious persecution, would + we regard it as evidence that the writers were inspired by an infinitely + wise and merciful God? As most other nations at that time practiced these + crimes, and as the Jews would have practiced them all, even if left to + themselves, one can hardly see the necessity of any inspired commands upon + these subjects. Is there a believer in the Bible who does not wish that + God, amid the thunders and lightnings of Sinai, had distinctly said to + Moses that man should not own his fellow-man; that women should not sell + their babes; that men should be allowed to think and investigate for + themselves, and that the sword should never be unsheathed to shed the + blood of honest men? Is there a believer in the world, who would not be + delighted to find that every one of these infamous passages are + interpolations, and that the skirts of God were never reddened by the + blood of maiden, wife, or babe? Is there a believer who does not regret + that God commanded a husband to stone his wife to death for suggesting the + worship of the sun or moon? Surely, the light of experience is enough to + tell us that slavery is wrong, that polygamy is infamous, and that murder + is not a virtue. No one will now contend that it was worth God's while to + impart the information to Moses, or to Joshua, or to anybody else, that + the Jewish people might purchase slaves of the heathen, or that it was + their duty to exterminate the natives of the Holy Land. The deists have + contended that the Old Testament is too cruel and barbarous to be the work + of a wise and loving God. To this, the theologians have replied, that + nature is just as cruel; that the earthquake, the volcano, the pestilence + and storm, are just as savage as the Jewish God; and to my mind this is a + perfect answer. + </p> + <p> + Suppose that we knew that after "inspired" men had finished the Bible, the + devil got possession of it, and wrote a few passages; what part of the + sacred Scriptures would Christians now pick out as being probably his + work? Which of the following passages would naturally be selected as + having been written by the devil—"Love thy neighbor as thyself," or + "Kill all the males among the little ones, and kill every woman; but all + the women children keep alive for yourselves."? + </p> + <p> + It may be that the best way to illustrate what I have said of the Old + Testament is to compare some of the supposed teachings of Jehovah with + those of persons who never read an "inspired" line, and who lived and died + without having received the light of revelation. Nothing can be more + suggestive than a comparison of the ideas of Jehovah—the inspired + words of the one claimed to be the infinite God, as recorded in the Bible—with + those that have been expressed by men who, all admit, received no help + from heaven. + </p> + <p> + In all ages of which any record has been preserved, there have been those + who gave their ideas of justice, charity, liberty, love and law. Now, if + the Bible is really the work of God, it should contain the grandest and + sublimest truths. It should, in all respects, excel the works of man. + Within that book should be found the best and loftiest definitions of + justice; the truest conceptions of human liberty; the clearest outlines of + duty; the tenderest, the highest, and the noblest thoughts,—not that + the human mind has produced, but that the human mind is capable of + receiving. Upon every page should be found the luminous evidence of its + divine origin. Unless it contains grander and more wonderful things than + man has written, we are not only justified in saying, but we are compelled + to say, that it was written by no being superior to man. It may be said + that it is unfair to call attention to certain bad things in the Bible, + while the good are not so much as mentioned. To this it may be replied + that a divine being would not put bad things in a book. Certainly a being + of infinite intelligence, power, and goodness could never fall below the + ideal of "depraved and barbarous" man. It will not do, after we find that + the Bible upholds what we now call crimes, to say that it is not verbally + inspired. If the words are not inspired, what is? It may be said that the + thoughts are inspired. But this would include only the thoughts expressed + without words. If ideas are inspired, they must be contained in and + expressed only by inspired words; that is to say, the arrangement of the + words, with relation to each other, must have been inspired. For the + purpose of this perfect arrangement, the writers, according to the + Christian world, were inspired. Were some sculptor inspired of God to make + a statue perfect in its every part, we would not say that the marble was + inspired, but the statue—the relation of part to part, the married + harmony of form and function. The language, the words, take the place of + the marble, and it is the arrangement of these words that Christians claim + to be inspired. If there is one uninspired word,—that is, one word + in the wrong place, or a word that ought not to be there,—to that + extent the Bible is an uninspired book. The moment it is admitted that + some words are not, in their arrangement as to other words, inspired, + then, unless with absolute certainty these words can be pointed out, a + doubt is cast on all the words the book contains. If it was worth God's + while to make a revelation to man at all, it was certainly worth his while + to see that it was correctly made. He would not have allowed the ideas and + mistakes of pretended prophets and designing priests to become so mingled + with the original text that it is impossible to tell where he ceased and + where the priests and prophets began. Neither will it do to say that God + adapted his revelation to the prejudices of mankind. Of course it was + necessary for an infinite being to adapt his revelation to the + intellectual capacity of man; but why should God confirm a barbarian in + his prejudices? Why should he fortify a heathen in his crimes? If a + revelation is of any importance whatever, it is to eradicate prejudices + from the human mind. It should be a lever with which to raise the human + race. Theologians Have exhausted their ingenuity in finding excuses for + God. It seems to me that they would be better employed in finding excuses + for men. They tell us that the Jews were so cruel and ignorant that God + was compelled to justify, or nearly to justify, many of their crimes, in + order to have any influence with them whatever. They tell us that if he + had declared slavery and polygamy to be criminal, the Jews would have + refused to receive the Ten Commandments. They insist that, under the + circumstances, God did the best he could; that his real intention was to + lead them along slowly, step by step, so that, in a few hundred years, + they would be induced to admit that it was hardly fair to steal a babe + from its mother's breast. It has always seemed reasonable that an infinite + God ought to have been able to make man grand enough to know, even without + a special revelation, that it is not altogether right to steal the labor, + or the wife, or the child, of another. When the whole question is + thoroughly examined, the world will find that Jehovah had the prejudices, + the hatreds, and superstitions of his day. + </p> + <p> + If there is anything of value, it is liberty. Liberty is the air of the + soul, the sunshine of life. Without it the world is a prison and the + universe an infinite dungeon. + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is really inspired, Jehovah commanded the Jewish people to + buy the children of the strangers that sojourned among them, and ordered + that the children thus bought should be an inheritance for the children of + the Jews, and that they should be bondmen and bondwomen forever. Yet + Epictetus, a man to whom no revelation was made, a man whose soul followed + only the light of nature, and who had never heard of the Jewish God, was + great enough to say: "Will you not remember that your servants are by + nature your brothers, the children of God? In saying that you have bought + them, you look down on the earth, and into the pit, on the wretched law of + men long since dead, but you see not the laws of the gods." + </p> + <p> + We find that Jehovah, speaking to his chosen people, assured them that + their bondmen and their bondmaids must be "of the heathen that were round + about them." "Of them," said Jehovah, "shall ye buy bondmen and + bondmaids." And yet Cicero, a pagan, Cicero, who had never been + enlightened by reading the Old Testament, had the moral grandeur to + declare: "They who say that we should love our fellow-citizens, but not + foreigners, destroy the universal brotherhood of mankind, with which + benevolence and justice would perish forever." + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is inspired, Jehovah, God of all worlds, actually said: "And + if a man smite his servant or his maid with a rod, and he die under his + hand, he shall be surely punished; notwithstanding, if he continue a day + or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his money." And yet Zeno, + founder of the Stoics, centuries before Christ was born, insisted that no + man could be the owner of another, and that the title was bad, whether the + slave had become so by conquest, or by purchase. Jehovah ordered a Jewish + general to make war, and gave, among others, this command: "When the Lord + thy God shall drive them before thee, thou shalt smite them and utterly + destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto + them." And yet Epictetus, whom we have already quoted, gave this marvelous + rule for the guidance of human conduct: "Live with thy inferiors as thou + would'st have thy superiors live with thee." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible, after all, that a being of infinite goodness and wisdom + said: "I will heap mischief upon them: I will spend mine arrows upon them. + They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with + bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with + the poison of serpents of the dust. The sword without, and terror within, + shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also, with + the man of gray hairs"; while Seneca, an uninspired Roman, said: "The wise + man will not pardon any crime that ought to be punished, but he will + accomplish, in a nobler way, all that is sought in pardoning. He will + spare some and watch over some, because of their youth, and others on + account of their ignorance. His clemency will not fall short of justice, + but will fulfill it perfectly." + </p> + <p> + Can we believe that God ever said of any one: "Let his children be + fatherless and his wife a widow; let his children be continually + vagabonds, and beg; let them seek their bread also out of their desolate + places; let the extortioner catch all that he hath and let the stranger + spoil his labor; let there be none to extend mercy unto him, neither let + there be any to favor his fatherless children." If he ever said these + words, surely he had never heard this line, this strain of music, from the + Hindu: "Sweet is the lute to those who have not heard the prattle of their + own children." + </p> + <p> + Jehovah, "from the clouds and darkness of Sinai," said to the Jews: "Thou + shalt have no other Gods before me.... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to + them nor serve them; for I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, visiting + the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth + generation of them that hate me." Contrast this with the words put by the + Hindu into the mouth of Brahma: + </p> + <p> + "I am the same to all mankind. They who honestly serve other gods, + involuntarily worship me. I am he who partaketh of all worship, and I am + the reward of all worshipers." + </p> + <p> + Compare these passages. The first, a dungeon where crawl the things begot + of jealous slime; the other, great as the domed firmament inlaid with + suns. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + WAIVING the contradictory statements in the various books of the New + Testament; leaving out of the question the history of the manuscripts; + saying nothing about the errors in translation and the interpolations made + by the fathers; and admitting, for the time being, that the books were all + written at the times claimed, and by the persons whose names they bear, + the questions of inspiration, probability, and absurdity still remain. + </p> + <p> + As a rule, where several persons testify to the same transaction, while + agreeing in the main points, they will disagree upon many minor things, + and such disagreement upon minor matters is generally considered as + evidence that the witnesses have not agreed among themselves upon the + story they should tell. These differences in statement we account for from + the facts that all did not see alike, that all did not have the same + opportunity for seeing, and that all had not equally good memories. But + when we claim that the witnesses were inspired, we must admit that he who + inspired them did know exactly what occurred, and consequently there + should be no contradiction, even in the minutest detail. The accounts + should be not only substantially, but they should be actually, the same. + It is impossible to account for any differences, or any contradictions, + except from the weaknesses of human nature, and these weaknesses cannot be + predicated of divine wisdom. Why should there be more than one correct + account of anything? Why were four gospels necessary? One inspired record + of all that happened ought to be enough. + </p> + <p> + One great objection to the Old Testament is the cruelty said to have been + commanded by God, but all the cruelties recounted in the Old Testament + ceased with death. The vengeance of Jehovah stopped at the portal of the + tomb. He never threatened to avenge himself upon the dead; and not one + word, from the first mistake in Genesis to the last curse of Malachi, + contains the slightest intimation that God will punish in another world. + It was reserved for the New Testament to make known the frightful doctrine + of eternal pain. It was the teacher of universal benevolence who rent the + veil between time and eternity, and fixed the horrified gaze of man on the + lurid gulfs of hell. Within the breast of non-resistance was coiled the + worm that never dies. + </p> + <p> + One great objection to the New Testament is that it bases salvation upon + belief. This, at least, is true of the Gospel according to John, and of + many of the Epistles. I admit that Matthew never heard of the atonement, + and died utterly ignorant of the scheme of salvation. I also admit that + Mark never dreamed that it was necessary for a man to be born again; that + he knew nothing of the mysterious doctrine of regeneration, and that he + never even suspected that it was necessary to believe anything. In the + sixteenth chapter of Mark, we are told that "He that believeth and is + baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned"; but + this passage has been shown to be an interpolation, and, consequently, not + a solitary word is found in the Gospel according to Mark upon the subject + of salvation by faith. The same is also true of the Gospel of Luke. It + says not one word as to the necessity of believing on Jesus Christ, not + one word as to the atonement, not one word upon the scheme of salvation, + and not the slightest hint that it is necessary to believe anything here + in order to be happy hereafter. + </p> + <p> + And I here take occasion to say, that with most of the teachings of the + Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke I most heartily agree. The miraculous + parts must, of course, be thrown aside. I admit that the necessity of + belief, the atonement, and the scheme of salvation are all set forth in + the Gospel of John,—a gospel, in my opinion, not written until long + after the others. + </p> + <p> + According to the prevailing Christian belief, the Christian religion rests + upon the doctrine of the atonement. If this doctrine is without + foundation, if it is repugnant to justice and mercy, the fabric falls. We + are told that the first man committed a crime for which all his posterity + are responsible,—in other words, that we are accountable, and can be + justly punished for a sin we never in fact committed. This absurdity was + the father of another, namely, that a man can be rewarded for a good + action done by another. God, according to the modern theologians, made a + law, with the penalty of eternal death for its infraction. All men, they + say, have broken that law. In the economy of heaven, this law had to be + vindicated. This could be done by damning the whole human race. Through + what is known as the atonement, the salvation of a few was made possible. + They insist that the law—whatever that is—demanded the extreme + penalty, that justice called for its victims, and that even mercy ceased + to plead. Under these circumstances, God, by allowing the innocent to + suffer, satisfactorily settled with the law, and allowed a few of the + guilty to escape. The law was satisfied with this arrangement. To carry + out this scheme, God was born as a babe into this world. "He grew in + stature and increased in knowledge." At the age of thirty-three, after + having lived a life filled with kindness, charity and nobility, after + having practiced every virtue, he was sacrificed as an atonement for man. + It is claimed that he actually took our place, and bore our sins and our + guilt; that in this way the justice of God was satisfied, and that the + blood of Christ was an atonement, an expiation, for the sins of all who + might believe on him. + </p> + <p> + Under the Mosaic dispensation, there was no remission of sin except + through the shedding of blood. If a man committed certain sins, he must + bring to the priest a lamb, a bullock, a goat, or a pair of turtle-doves. + The priest would lay his hands upon the animal, and the sin of the man + would be transferred. Then the animal would be killed in the place of the + real sinner, and the blood thus shed and sprinkled upon the altar would be + an atonement. In this way Jehovah was satisfied. The greater the crime, + the greater the sacrifice—the more blood, the greater the atonement. + There was always a certain ratio between the value of the animal and the + enormity of the sin. The most minute directions were given about the + killing of these animals, and about the sprinkling of their blood. Every + priest became a butcher, and every sanctuary a slaughter-house. Nothing + could be more utterly shocking to a refined and loving soul. Nothing could + have been better calculated to harden the heart than this continual + shedding of innocent blood. This terrible system is supposed to have + culminated in the sacrifice of Christ. His blood took the place of all + other. It is necessary to shed no more. The law at last is satisfied, + satiated, surfeited. The idea that God wants blood is at the bottom of the + atonement, and rests upon the most fearful savagery. How can sin be + transferred from men to animals, and how can the shedding of the blood of + animals atone for the sins of men? + </p> + <p> + The church says that the sinner is in debt to God, and that the obligation + is discharged by the Savior. The best that can possibly be said of such a + transaction is, that the debt is transferred, not paid. The truth is, that + a sinner is in debt to the person he has injured. If a man injures his + neighbor, it is not enough for him to get the forgiveness of God, but he + must have the forgiveness of his neighbor. If a man puts his hand in the + fire and God forgives him, his hand will smart exactly the same. You must, + after all, reap what you sow. No god can give you wheat when you sow + tares, and no devil can give you tares when you sow wheat. + </p> + <p> + There are in nature neither rewards nor punishments—there are + consequences. The life of Christ is worth its example, its moral force, + its heroism of benevolence. + </p> + <p> + To make innocence suffer is the greatest sin; how then is it possible to + make the suffering of the innocent a justification for the criminal? Why + should a man be willing to let the innocent suffer for him? Does not the + willingness show that he is utterly unworthy of the sacrifice? Certainly, + no man would be fit for heaven who would consent that an innocent person + should suffer for his sin. What would we think of a man who would allow + another to die for a crime that he himself had committed? What would we + think of a law that allowed the innocent to take the place of the guilty? + Is it possible to vindicate a just law by inflicting punishment on the + innocent? Would not that be a second violation instead of a vindication? + </p> + <p> + If there was no general atonement until the crucifixion of Christ, what + became of the countless millions who died before that time? And it must be + remembered that the blood shed by the Jews was not for other nations. + Jehovah hated foreigners. The Gentiles were left without forgiveness What + has become of the millions who have died since, without having heard of + the atonement? What becomes of those who have heard but have not believed? + It seems to me that the doctrine of the atonement is absurd, unjust, and + immoral. Can a law be satisfied by the execution of the wrong person? When + a man commits a crime, the law demands his punishment, not that of a + substitute; and there can be no law, human or divine, that can be + satisfied by the punishment of a substitute. Can there be a law that + demands that the guilty be rewarded? And yet, to reward the guilty is far + nearer justice than to punish the innocent. + </p> + <p> + According to the orthodox theology, there would have been no heaven had no + atonement been made. All the children of men would have been cast into + hell forever. The old men bowed with grief, the smiling mothers, the sweet + babes, the loving maidens, the brave, the tender, and the just, would have + been given over to eternal pain. Man, it is claimed, can make no atonement + for himself. If he commits one sin, and with that exception lives a life + of perfect virtue, still that one sin would remain unexpiated, unatoned, + and for that one sin he would be forever lost. To be saved by the goodness + of another, to be a redeemed debtor forever, has in it something repugnant + to manhood. + </p> + <p> + We must also remember that Jehovah took special charge of the Jewish + people; and we have always been taught that he did so for the purpose of + civilizing them. If he had succeeded in civilizing the Jews, he would have + made the damnation of the entire human race a certainty; because, if the + Jews had been a civilized people when Christ appeared,—a people + whose hearts had not been hardened by the laws and teachings of Jehovah,—they + would not have crucified him, and, as a consequence, the world would have + been lost. If the Jews had believed in religious freedom,—in the + right of thought and speech,—not a human soul could ever have been + saved. If, when Christ was on his way to Calvary, some brave, heroic soul + had rescued him from the holy mob, he would not only have been eternally + damned for his pains, but would have rendered impossible the salvation of + any human being, and, except for the crucifixion of her son, the Virgin + Mary, if the church is right, would be to-day among the lost. + </p> + <p> + In countless ways the Christian world has endeavored, for nearly two + thousand years, to explain the atonement, and every effort has ended in an + admission that it cannot be understood, and a declaration that it must be + believed. Is it not immoral to teach that man can sin, that he can harden + his heart and pollute his soul, and that, by repenting and believing + something that he does not comprehend, he can avoid the consequences of + his crimes? Has the promise and hope of forgiveness ever prevented the + commission of a sin? Should men be taught that sin gives happiness here; + that they ought to bear the evils of a virtuous life in this world for the + sake of joy in the next; that they can repent between the last sin and the + last breath; that after repentance every stain of the soul is washed away + by the innocent blood of another; that the serpent of regret will not hiss + in the ear of memory; that the saved will not even pity the victims of + their own crimes; that the goodness of another can be transferred to them; + and that sins forgiven cease to affect the unhappy wretches sinned + against? + </p> + <p> + Another objection is that a certain belief is necessary to save the soul. + It is often asserted that to believe is the only safe way. If you wish to + be safe, be honest. Nothing can be safer than that. No matter what his + belief may be, no man, even in the hour of death, can regret having been + honest. It never can be necessary to throw away your reason to save your + soul. A soul without reason is scarcely worth saving. There is no more + degrading doctrine than that of mental non-resistance. The soul has a + right to defend its castle—the brain, and he who waives that right + becomes a serf and slave. Neither can I admit that a man, by doing me an + injury, can place me under obligation to do him a service. To render + benefits for injuries is to ignore all distinctions between actions. He + who treats his friends and enemies alike has neither love nor justice. The + idea of non-resistance never occurred to a man with power to protect + himself. This doctrine was the child of weakness, born when resistance was + impossible. To allow a crime to be committed when you can prevent it, is + next to committing the crime yourself. And yet, under the banner of + non-resistance, the church has shed the blood of millions, and in the + folds of her sacred vestments have gleamed the daggers of assassination. + With her cunning hands she wove the purple for hypocrisy, and placed the + crown upon the brow of crime. For a thousand years larceny held the scales + of justice, while beggars scorned the princely sons of toil, and ignorant + fear denounced the liberty of thought. + </p> + <p> + If Christ was in fact God, he knew all the future. Before him, like a + panorama, moved the history yet to be. He knew exactly how his words would + be interpreted. He knew what crimes, what horrors, what infamies, would be + committed in his name. He knew that the fires of persecution would climb + around the limbs of countless martyrs. He knew that brave men would + languish in dungeons, in darkness, filled with pain; that the church would + use instruments of torture, that his followers would appeal to whip and + chain. He must have seen the horizon of the future red with the flames of + the <i>auto da fe</i>. He knew all the creeds that would spring like + poison fungi from every text. He saw the sects waging war against each + other. He saw thousands of men, under the orders of priests, building + dungeons for their fellow-men. He saw them using instruments of pain. He + heard the groans, saw the faces white with agony, the tears, the blood—heard + the shrieks and sobs of all the moaning, martyred multitudes. He knew that + commentaries would be written on his words with swords, to be read by the + light of fagots. He knew that the Inquisition would be born of teachings + attributed to him. He saw all the interpolations and falsehoods that + hypocrisy would write and tell. He knew that above these fields of death, + these dungeons, these burnings, for a thousand years would float the + dripping banner of the cross. He knew that in his name his followers would + trade in human flesh, that cradles would be robbed, and women's breasts + unbabed for gold, and yet he died with voiceless lips. Why did he fail to + speak? Why did he not tell his disciples, and through them the world, that + man should not persecute, for opinion's sake, his fellow-man? Why did he + not cry, You shall not persecute in my name; you shall not burn and + torment those who differ from you in creed? Why did he not plainly say, I + am the Son of God? Why did he not explain the doctrine of the Trinity? Why + did he not tell the manner of baptism that was pleasing to him? Why did he + not say something positive, definite, and satisfactory about another + world? Why did he not turn the tear-stained hope of heaven to the glad + knowledge of another life? Why did he go dumbly to his death, leaving the + world to misery and to doubt? + </p> + <p> + He came, they tell us, to make a revelation, and what did he reveal? "Love + thy neighbor as thyself"? That was in the Old Testament. "Love God with + all thy heart"? That was in the Old Testament. "Return good for evil"? + That was said by Buddha seven hundred years before he was born. "Do unto + others as ye would that they should do unto you"? This was the doctrine of + Lao-tsze. Did he come to give a rule of action? Zoroaster had done this + long before: "Whenever thou art in doubt as to whether an action is good + or bad, abstain from it." Did he come to teach us of another world? The + immortality of the soul had been taught by Hindus, Egyptians, Greeks, and + Romans hundreds of years before he was born. Long before, the world had + been told by Socrates that: "One who is injured ought not to return the + injury, for on no account can it be right to do an injustice; and it is + not right to return an injury, or to do evil to any man, however much we + may have suffered from him." And Cicero had said: + </p> + <p> + "Let us not listen to those who think that we ought to be angry with our + enemies, and who believe this to be great and manly: nothing is more + praiseworthy, nothing so clearly shows a great and noble soul, as clemency + and readiness to forgive." + </p> + <p> + Is there anything nearer perfect than this from Confucius: "For benefits + return benefits; for injuries return justice without any admixture of + revenge"? + </p> + <p> + The dogma of eternal punishment rests upon passages in the New Testament. + This infamous belief subverts every idea of justice. Around the angel of + immortality the church has coiled this serpent. A finite being can neither + commit an infinite sin, nor a sin against the infinite. A being of + infinite goodness and wisdom has no right, according to the human standard + of justice, to create any being destined to suffer eternal pain. A being + of infinite wisdom would not create a failure, and surely a man destined + to everlasting agony is not a success. + </p> + <p> + How long, according to the universal benevolence of the New Testament, can + a man be reasonably punished in the next world for failing to believe + something unreasonable in this? Can it be possible that any punishment can + endure forever? Suppose that every flake of snow that ever fell was a + figure nine, and that the first flake was multiplied by the second, and + that product by the third, and so on to the last flake. And then suppose + that this total should be multiplied by every drop of rain that ever fell, + calling each drop a figure nine; and that total by each blade of grass + that ever helped to weave a carpet for the earth, calling each blade a + figure nine; and that again by every grain of sand on every shore, so that + the grand total would make a line of nines so long that it would require + millions upon millions of years for light, traveling at the rate of one + hundred and eighty-five thousand miles per second, to reach the end. And + suppose, further, that each unit in this almost infinite total stood for + billions of ages—still that vast and almost endless time, measured + by all the years beyond, is as one flake, one drop, one leaf, one blade, + one grain, compared with all the flakes and drops and leaves and blades + and grains. Upon love's breast the church has placed the eternal asp. And + yet, in the same book in which is taught this most infamous of doctrines, + we are assured that "The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are + over all his works." + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + SO FAR as we know, man is the author of all books. If a book had been + found on the earth by the first man, he might have regarded it as the work + of God; but as men were here a good while before any books were found, and + as man has produced a great many books, the probability is that the Bible + is no exception. + </p> + <p> + Most nations, at the time the Old Testament was written, believed in + slavery, polygamy, wars of extermination, and religious persecution; and + it is not wonderful that the book contained nothing contrary to such + belief. The fact that it was in exact accord with the morality of its time + proves that it was not the product of any being superior to man. "The + inspired writers" upheld or established slavery, countenanced polygamy, + commanded wars of extermination, and ordered the slaughter of women and + babes. In these respects they were precisely like the uninspired savages + by whom they were surrounded. They also taught and commanded religious + persecution as a duty, and visited the most trivial offences with the + punishment of death. In these particulars they were in exact accord with + their barbarian neighbors. They were utterly ignorant of geology and + astronomy, and knew no more of what had happened than of what would + happen; and, so far as accuracy is concerned, their history and prophecy + were about equal; in other words, they were just as ignorant as those who + lived and died in nature's night. + </p> + <p> + Does any Christian believe that if God were to write a book now, he would + uphold the crimes commanded in the Old Testament? Has Jehovah improved? + Has infinite mercy-become more merciful? Has infinite wisdom + intellectually-advanced? Will any one claim that the passages upholding + slavery have liberated mankind; that we are indebted for our modern homes + to the texts that made polygamy a virtue; or that religious liberty found + its soil, its light, and rain in the infamous verse wherein the husband is + commanded to stone to death the wife for worshiping an unknown god? + </p> + <p> + The usual answer to these objections is that no country has ever been + civilized without the Bible. + </p> + <p> + The Jews were the only people to whom Jehovah made his will directly + known,—the only people who had the Old Testament. Other nations were + utterly neglected by their Creator. Yet, such was the effect of the Old + Testament on the Jews, that they crucified a kind, loving, and perfectly + innocent man. They could not have done much worse without a Bible. In the + crucifixion of Christ, they followed the teachings of his Father. If, as + it is now alleged by the theologians, no nation can be civilized without a + Bible, certainly God must have known the fact six thousand years ago, as + well as the theologians know it now. Why did he not furnish every nation + with a Bible? + </p> + <p> + As to the Old Testament, I insist that all the bad passages were written + by men; that those passages were not inspired. I insist that a being of + infinite goodness never commanded man to enslave his fellow-man, never + told a mother to sell her babe, never established polygamy, never ordered + one nation to exterminate another, and never told a husband to kill his + wife because she suggested the worshiping of some other God. + </p> + <p> + I also insist that the Old Testament would be a much better book with all + of these passages left out; and, whatever may be said of the rest, the + passages to which attention has been drawn can with vastly more propriety + be attributed to a devil than to a god. + </p> + <p> + Take from the New Testament all passages upholding the idea that belief is + necessary to salvation; that Christ was offered as an atonement for the + sins of the world; that the punishment of the human soul will go on + forever; that heaven is the reward of faith, and hell the penalty of + honest investigation; take from it all miraculous stories,—and I + admit that all the good passages are true. If they are true, it makes no + difference whether they are inspired or not. Inspiration is only necessary + to give authority to that which is repugnant to human reason. Only that + which never happened needs to be substantiated by miracles. The universe + is natural. + </p> + <p> + The church must cease to insist that the passages upholding the + institutions of savage men were inspired of God. The dogma of the + atonement must be abandoned. Good deeds must take the place of faith. The + savagery of eternal punishment must be renounced. Credulity is not a + virtue, and investigation is not a crime. Miracles are the children of + mendacity. Nothing can be more wonderful than the majestic, unbroken, + sublime, and eternal procession of causes and effects. + </p> + <p> + Reason must be the final arbiter. "Inspired" books attested by miracles + cannot stand against a demonstrated fact. A religion that does not command + the respect of the greatest minds will, in a little while, excite the + mockery of all. Every civilized man believes in the liberty of thought. Is + it possible that God is intolerant? Is an act infamous in man one of the + virtues of the Deity? Could there be progress in heaven without + intellectual liberty? Is the freedom of the future to exist only in + perdition? Is it not, after all, barely possible that a man acting like + Christ can be saved? Is a man to be eternally rewarded for believing + according to evidence, without evidence, or against evidence? Are we to be + saved because we are good, or because another was virtuous? Is credulity + to be winged and crowned, while honest doubt is chained and damned? + </p> + <p> + Do not misunderstand me. My position is that the cruel passages in the Old + Testament are not inspired; that slavery, polygamy, wars of extermination, + and religious persecution always have been, are, and forever will be, + abhorred and cursed by the honest, the virtuous, and the loving; that the + innocent cannot justly suffer for the guilty, and that vicarious vice and + vicarious virtue are equally absurd; that eternal punishment is eternal + revenge; that only the natural can happen; that miracles prove the + dishonesty of the few and the credulity of the many; and that, according + to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, salvation does not depend upon belief, nor the + atonement, nor a "second birth," but that these gospels are in exact + harmony with the declaration of the great Persian: "Taking the first + footstep with the good thought, the second with the good word, and the + third with the good deed, I entered paradise." + </p> + <p> + The dogmas of the past no longer reach the level of the highest thought, + nor satisfy the hunger of the heart. While dusty faiths, embalmed and + sepulchered in ancient texts, remain the same, the sympathies of men + enlarge; the brain no longer kills its young; the happy lips give liberty + to honest thoughts; the mental firmament expands and lifts; the broken + clouds drift by; the hideous dreams, the foul, misshapen children of the + monstrous night, dissolve and fade. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BY JEREMIAH S. BLACK. + </h2> + <p> + "Gratiano speaks of an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all + Venice: his reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of + chaff; you shall seek all day ere you find them; and when you have them + they are not worth the search."—<i>Merchant of Venice</i>. + </p> + <p> + THE request to answer the foregoing paper comes to me, not in the form but + with the effect of a challenge, which I cannot decline without seeming to + acknowledge that the religion of the civilized world is an absurd + superstition, propagated by impostors, professed by hypocrites, and + believed only by credulous dupes. + </p> + <p> + But why should I, an unlearned and unauthorized layman, be placed in such + a predicament? The explanation is easy enough. This is no business of the + priests. Their prescribed duty is to preach the word, in the full + assurance that it will commend itself to all good and honest hearts by its + own manifest veracity and the singular purity of its precepts. They cannot + afford to turn away from their proper work, and leave willing hearers + uninstructed, while they wrangle in vain with a predetermined opponent. + They were warned to expect slander, indignity, and insult, and these are + among the evils which they must not resist. + </p> + <p> + It will be seen that I am assuming no clerical function. I am not out on + the forlorn hope of converting Mr. Ingersoll. I am no preacher exhorting a + sinner to leave the seat of the scornful and come up to the bench of the + penitents. My duty is more analogous to that of the policeman who would + silence a rude disturber of the congregation by telling him that his + clamor is false and his conduct an offence against public decency. + </p> + <p> + Nor is the Church in any danger which calls for the special vigilance of + its servants. Mr. Ingersoll thinks that the rock-founded faith of + Christendom is giving way before his assaults, but he is grossly mistaken. + The first sentence of his essay is a preposterous blunder. It is not true + that "<i>a profound change</i> has taken place in the world of <i>thought,</i>" + unless a more rapid spread of the Gospel and a more faithful observance of + its moral principles can be called so. Its truths are everywhere + proclaimed with the power of sincere conviction, and accepted with devout + reverence by uncounted multitudes of all classes. Solemn temples rise to + its honor in the great cities; from every hill-top in the country you see + the church-spire pointing toward heaven, and on Sunday all the paths that + lead to it are crowded with worshipers. In nearly all families, parents + teach their children that Christ is God, and his system of morality + absolutely perfect. This belief lies so deep in the popular heart that, if + every written record of it were destroyed to-day, the memory of millions + could reproduce it to-morrow. Its earnestness is proved by its works. + Wherever it goes it manifests itself in deeds of practical benevolence. It + builds, not churches alone, but almshouses, hospitals, and asylums. It + shelters the poor, feeds the hungry, visits the sick, consoles the + afflicted, provides for the fatherless, comforts the heart of the widow, + instructs the ignorant, reforms the vicious, and saves to the uttermost + them that are ready to perish. To the common observer, it does not look as + if Christianity was making itself ready to be swallowed up by Infidelity. + Thus far, at least, the promise has been kept that "the gates of hell + shall not prevail against it." + </p> + <p> + There is, to be sure, a change in the party hostile to religion—not + "a profound change," but a change entirely superficial—which + consists, not in thought, but merely in modes of expression and methods of + attack. The bad classes of society always hated the doctrine and + discipline which reproached their wickedness and frightened them by + threats of punishment in another world. Aforetime they showed their + contempt of divine authority only by their actions; but now, under new + leadership, their enmity against God breaks out into articulate blasphemy. + They assemble themselves together, they hear with passionate admiration + the bold harangue which ridicules and defies the Maker of the universe; + fiercely they rage against the Highest, and loudly they laugh, alike at + the justice that condemns, and the mercy that offers to pardon them. The + orator who relieves them by assurances of impunity, and tells them that no + supreme authority has made any law to control them, is applauded to the + echo and paid a high price for his congenial labor; he pockets their + money, and flatters himself that he is a great power, profoundly moving + "the world of thought." + </p> + <p> + There is another totally false notion expressed in the opening paragraph, + namely, that "they who know most of nature believe the least about + theology." The truth is exactly the other way. The more clearly one sees + "the grand procession of causes and effects," the more awful his reverence + becomes for the author of the "sublime and unbroken" law which links them + together. Not self-conceit and rebellious pride, but unspeakable humility, + and a deep sense of the measureless distance between the Creator and the + creature, fills the mind of him who looks with a rational spirit upon the + works of the All-wise One. The heart of Newton repeats the solemn + confession of David: "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy + fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained; what is man that + thou art mindful of him or the son of man that thou visitest him?" At the + same time, the lamentable fact must be admitted that "a little learning is + a dangerous thing" to some persons. The sciolist with a mere smattering of + physical knowledge is apt to mistake himself for a philosopher, and + swelling with his own importance, he gives out, like Simon Magus, "that + himself is some great one." His vanity becomes inflamed more and more, + until he begins to think he knows all things. He takes every occasion to + show his accomplishments by finding fault with the works of creation* and + Providence; and this is an exercise in which he cannot long continue + without learning to disbelieve in any Being greater than himself. It was + to such a person, and not to the unpretending simpleton, that Solomon + applied his often quoted aphorism: "The fool hath said in his heart, there + is no God." These are what Paul refers to as "vain babblings and the + opposition of science, falsely so called;" but they are perfectly + powerless to stop or turn aside the great current of human thought on the + subject of Christian theology. That majestic stream, supplied from a + thousand unfailing fountains, rolls on and will roll forever. + </p> + <p> + <i>Labitur et labetur in omne volubilis aevum</i>. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll is not, as some have estimated him, the most formidable + enemy that Christianity has encountered since the time of Julian the + Apostate. But he stands at the head of living infidels, "by merit raised + to that bad eminence." His mental organization has the peculiar defects + which fit him for such a place. He is all imagination and no discretion. + He rises sometimes into a region of wild poetry, where he can color + everything to suit himself. His motto well expresses the character of his + argumentation—"mountains are as unstable as clouds:" a fancy is as + good as a fact, and a high-sounding period is rather better than a logical + demonstration. His inordinate self-confidence makes him at once ferocious + and fearless. He was a practical politician before he "took the stump" + against Christianity, and at all times he has proved his capacity to + "split the ears of the groundlings," and make the unskillful laugh. The + article before us is the least objectionable of all his productions. Its + style is higher, and better suited to the weight of the theme. Here the + violence of his fierce invective is moderated; his scurrility gives place + to an attempt at sophistry less shocking if not more true; and his coarse + jokes are either excluded altogether, or else veiled in the decent + obscurity of general terms. Such a paper from such a man, at a time like + the present, is not wholly unworthy of a grave contradiction. + </p> + <p> + He makes certain charges which we answer by an explicit denial, and thus + an issue is made, upon which, as a pleader would say, we "put ourselves + upon the country." He avers that a certain "something called Christianity" + is a false faith imposed on the world without evidence; that the facts it + pretends to rest on are mere inventions; that its doctrines are + pernicious; that its requirements are unreasonable, and that its sanctions + are cruel. I deny all this, and assert, on the contrary, that its + doctrines are divinely revealed; its fundamental facts incontestably + proved; its morality perfectly free from all taint of error, and its + influence most beneficent upon society in general, and upon all + individuals who accept it and make it their rule of action. + </p> + <p> + How shall this be determined? Not by what we call divine revelation, for + that would be begging the question; not by sentiment, taste, or temper, + for these are as likely to be false as true; but by inductive reasoning + from evidence, of which the value is to be measured according to those + rules of logic which enlightened and just men everywhere have adopted to + guide them in the search for truth. We can appeal only to that rational + love of justice, and that detestation of falsehood, which fair-minded + persons of good intelligence bring to the consideration of other important + subjects when it becomes their duty to decide upon them. In short, I want + a decision upon sound judicial principles. + </p> + <p> + Gibson, the great Chief-Justice of Pennsylvania, once said to certain + skeptical friends of his: "Give Christianity a common-law trial; submit + the evidence <i>pro</i> and <i>con</i> to an impartial jury under the + direction of a competent court, and the verdict will assuredly be in its + favor." This deliverance, coming from the most illustrious judge of his + time, not at all given to expressions of sentimental piety, and quite + incapable of speaking on any subject for mere effect, staggered the + unbelief of those who heard it. I did not know him then, except by his + great reputation for ability and integrity, but my thoughts were strongly + influenced by his authority, and I learned to set a still higher value + upon all his opinions, when, in after life, I was honored with his close + and intimate friendship. + </p> + <p> + Let Christianity have a trial on Mr. Ingersoll's indictment, and give us a + decision <i>secundum allegata et probata</i>. I will confine myself + strictly to the record; that is to say, I will meet the accusations + contained in this paper, and not those made elsewhere by him or others. + </p> + <p> + His first specification against Christianity is the belief of its + disciples "that there is a personal God, the creator of the material + universe." If God made the world it was a most stupendous miracle, and all + miracles, according to Mr. Ingersoll's idea are "the children of + mendacity." To admit the one great miracle of creation would be an + admission that other miracles are at least probable, and that would ruin + his whole case. But you cannot catch the leviathan of atheism with a hook. + The universe, he says, is natural—it came into being of its own + accord; it made its own laws at the start, and afterward improved itself + considerably by spontaneous evolution. It would be a mere waste of time + and space to enumerate the proofs which show that the universe was created + by a pre-existent and self-conscious Being, of power and wisdom to us + inconceivable. Conviction of the fact (miraculous though it be) forces + itself on every one whose mental faculties are healthy and tolerably well + balanced. The notion that all things owe their origin and their harmonious + arrangement to the fortuitous concurrence of atoms is a kind of lunacy + which very few men in these days are afflicted with. I hope I may safely + assume it as certain that all, or nearly all, who read this page will have + sense and reason enough to see for themselves that the plan of the + universe could not have been designed without a Designer or executed + without a Maker. + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Ingersoll asserts that, at all events, this material world had not + a good and beneficent creator; it is a bad, savage, cruel piece of work, + with its pestilences, storms, earthquakes, and volcanoes; and man, with + his liability to sickness, suffering, and death, is not a success, but, on + the contrary, a failure. To defend the Creator of the world against an + arraignment so foul as this would be almost as unbecoming as to make the + accusation. We have neither jurisdiction nor capacity to rejudge the + justice of God. Why man is made to fill this particular place in the scale + of creation—a little lower than the angels, yet far above the + brutes; not passionless and pure, like the former, nor mere machines, like + the latter; able to stand, yet free to fall; knowing the right, and + accountable for going wrong; gifted with reason, and impelled by self-love + to exercise the faculty—these are questions on which we may have our + speculative opinions, but knowledge is out of our reach. Meantime, we do + not discredit our mental independence by taking it for granted that the + Supreme Being has done all things well. Our ignorance of the whole scheme + makes us poor critics upon the small part that comes within our limited + perceptions. Seeming defects in the structure of the world may be its most + perfect ornament—all apparent harshness the tenderest of mercies. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "All discord, harmony not understood, + All partial evil, universal good." +</pre> + <p> + But worse errors are imputed to God as moral ruler of the world than those + charged against him as creator. He made man badly, but governed him worse; + if the Jehovah of the Old Testament was not merely an imaginary being, + then, according to Mr. Ingersoll, he was a prejudiced, barbarous, criminal + tyrant. We will see what ground he lays, if any, for these outrageous + assertions. + </p> + <p> + Mainly, principally, first and most important of all, is the unqualified + assertion that the "moral code" which Jehovah gave to his people "is in + many respects abhorrent to every good and tender man." Does Mr. Ingersoll + know what he is talking about? The moral code of the Bible consists of + certain immutable rules to govern the conduct of all men, at all times and + all places, in their private and personal relations with one another. It + is entirely separate and apart from the civil polity, the religious forms, + the sanitary provisions, the police regulations, and the system of + international law laid down for the special and exclusive observance of + the Jewish people. This is a distinction which every intelligent man knows + how to make. Has Mr. Ingersoll fallen into the egregious blunder of + confounding these things? or, understanding the true sense of his words, + is he rash and shameless enough to assert that the moral code of the Bible + excites the abhorrence of good men? In fact, and in truth, this moral + code, which he reviles, instead of being abhorred, is entitled to, and has + received, the profoundest respect of all honest and sensible persons. The + second table of the Decalogue is a perfect compendium of those duties + which every man owes to himself, his family, and his neighbor. In a few + simple words, which he can commit to memory almost in a minute, it teaches + him to purify his heart from covetousness; to live decently, to injure + nobody in reputation, person, or property, and to give every one his own. + By the poets, the prophets, and the sages of Israel, these great elements + are expanded into a volume of minuter rules, so clear, so impressive, and + yet so solemn and so lofty, that no pre-existing system of philosophy can + compare with it for a moment. If this vain mortal is not blind with + passion, he will see, upon reflection, that he has attacked the Old + Testament precisely where it is most impregnable. + </p> + <p> + Dismissing his groundless charge against the moral code, we come to his + strictures on the civil government of the Jews, which he says was so bad + and unjust that the Lawgiver by whom it was established must have been as + savagely cruel as the Creator that made storms and pestilences; and the + work of both was more worthy of a devil than a God. His language is + recklessly bad, very defective in method, and altogether lacking in + precision. But, apart from the ribaldry of it, which I do not feel myself + bound to notice, I find four objections to the Jewish constitution—not + more than four—which are definite enough to admit of an answer. + These relate to the provisions of the Mosaic law on the subjects of (1) + Blasphemy and Idolatry; (2) War; (3) Slavery; (4) Polygamy. In these + respects he pronounces the Jewish system not only unwise but criminally + unjust. + </p> + <p> + Here let me call attention to the difficulty of reasoning about justice + with a man who has no acknowledged standard of right and wrong. What is + justice? That which accords with law; and the supreme law is the will of + God. But I am dealing with an adversary who does not admit that there is a + God. Then for him there is no standard at all; one thing is as right as + another, and all things are equally wrong. Without a sovereign ruler there + is no law, and where there is no law there can be no transgression. It is + the misfortune of the atheistic theory that it makes the moral world an + anarchy; it refers all ethical questions to that confused tribunal where + chaos sits as umpire and "by decision more embroils the fray." But through + the whole of this cloudy paper there runs a vein of presumptuous egotism + which says as plainly as words can speak it that the author holds <i>himself</i> + to be the ultimate judge of all good and evil; what he approves is right, + and what he dislikes is certainly wrong. Of course I concede nothing to a + claim like that. I will not admit that the Jewish constitution is a thing + to be condemned merely because he curses it. I appeal from his profane + malediction to the conscience of men who have a rule to judge by. Such + persons will readily see that his specific objections to the statesmanship + which established the civil government of the Hebrew people are extremely + shallow, and do not furnish the shade of an excuse for the indecency of + his general abuse. + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>. He regards the punishments inflicted for blasphemy and + idolatry as being immoderately cruel. Considering them merely as religious + offences,—as sins against God alone,—I agree that civil laws + should notice them not at all. But sometimes they affect very injuriously + certain social rights which it is the duty of the state to protect. + Wantonly to shock the religious feelings of your neighbor is a grievous + wrong. To utter blasphemy or obscenity in the presence of a Christian + woman is hardly better than to strike her in the face. Still, neither + policy nor justice requires them to be ranked among the highest crimes in + a government constituted like ours. But things were wholly different under + the Jewish theocracy, where God was the personal head of the state. There + blasphemy was a breach of political allegiance; idolatry was an overt act + of treason; to worship the gods of the hostile heathen was deserting to + the public enemy, and giving him aid and comfort. These are crimes which + every independent community has always punished with the utmost rigor. In + our own very recent history, they were repressed at the cost of more lives + than Judea ever contained at any one time. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll not only ignores these considerations, but he goes the + length of calling God a religious persecutor and a tyrant because he does + not encourage and reward the service and devotion paid by his enemies to + the false gods of the pagan world. He professes to believe that all kinds + of worship are equally meritorious, and should meet the same acceptance + from the true God. It is almost incredible that such drivel as this should + be uttered by anybody. But Mr. Ingersoll not only expresses the thought + plainly—he urges it with the most extravagant figures of his florid + rhetoric. He quotes the first commandment, in which Jehovah claims for + himself the exclusive worship of His people, and cites, in contrast, the + promise put in the mouth of Brahma, that he will appropriate the worship + of all gods to himself, and reward all worshipers alike. These passages + being compared, he declares the first "a dungeon, where crawl the things + begot of jealous slime;" the other, "great as the domed firmament, inlaid + with suns." Why is the living God, whom Christians believe to be the Lord + of liberty and Father of lights, denounced as the keeper of a loathsome + dungeon? Because he refuses to encourage and reward the worship of Mammon + and Moloch, of Belial and Baal; of Bacchus, with its drunken orgies, and + Venus, with its wanton obscenities; the bestial religion which degraded + the soul of Egypt and the "dark idolatries of alienated Judah," polluted + with the moral filth of all the nations round about. + </p> + <p> + Let the reader decide whether this man, entertaining such sentiments and + opinions, is fit to be a teacher, or at all likely to lead us in the way + we should go. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>. Under the constitution which God provided for the Jews, + they had, like every other nation, the war-making power. They could not + have lived a day without it. The right to exist implied the right to + repel, with all their strength, the opposing force which threatened their + destruction. It is true, also, that in the exercise of this power they did + not observe those rules of courtesy and humanity which have been adopted + in modern times by civilized belligerents. Why? Because their enemies, + being mere savages, did not understand and would not practise, any rule + whatever; and the Jews were bound <i>ex necessitate rei</i>—not + merely justified by the <i>lex talionis</i>—to do as their enemies + did. In your treatment of hostile barbarians, you not only may lawfully, + but must necessarily, adopt their mode of warfare. If they come to conquer + you, they may be conquered by you; if they give no quarter, they are + entitled to none; if the death of your whole population be their purpose, + you may defeat it by exterminating theirs. This sufficiently answers the + silly talk of atheists and semi-atheists about the warlike wickedness of + the Jews. + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Ingersoll positively, and with the emphasis of supreme and + all-sufficient authority, declares that "a war of conquest is simply + murder." He sustains this proposition by no argument founded in principle. + He puts sentiment in place of law, and denounces aggressive fighting + because it is offensive to his "tender and refined soul;" the atrocity of + it is therefore proportioned to the sensibilities of his own heart. He + proves war a desperately wicked thing by continually vaunting his own love + for small children. Babes—sweet babes—the prattle of babes—are + the subjects of his most pathetic eloquence, and his idea of music is + embodied in the commonplace expression of a Hindu, that the lute is sweet + only to those who have not heard the prattle of their own children. All + this is very amiable in him, and the more so, perhaps, as these objects of + his affection are the young ones of a race in his opinion miscreated by an + evil-working chance. But his <i>philoprogenitiveness</i> proves nothing + against Jew or Gentile, seeing that all have it in an equal degree, and + those feel it most who make the least parade of it. Certainly it gives him + no authority to malign the God who implanted it alike in the hearts of us + all. But I admit that his benevolence becomes peculiar and ultra when it + extends to beasts as well as babes. He is struck with horror by the + sacrificial solemnities of the Jewish religion. "The killing of those + animals was," he says, "a terrible system," a "shedding of innocent + blood," "shocking to a refined and sensitive soul." There is such a depth + of tenderness in this feeling, and such a splendor of refinement, that I + give up without a struggle to the superiority of a man who merely + professes it. A carnivorous American, full of beef and mutton, who mourns + with indignant sorrow because bulls and goats were killed in Judea three + thousand years ago, has reached the climax of sentimental goodness, and + should be permitted to dictate on all questions of peace and war. Let + Grotius, Vattel, and Pufendorf, as well as Moses and the prophets, hide + their diminished heads. + </p> + <p> + But to show how inefficacious, for all practical purposes, a mere + sentiment is when substituted for a principle, it is only necessary to + recollect that Mr. Ingersoll is himself a warrior who staid not behind the + mighty men of his tribe when they gathered themselves together for a war + of conquest. He took the lead of a regiment as eager as himself to spoil + the Philistines, "and out he went a-coloneling." How many Amale-kites, and + Hittites, and Amorites he put to the edge of the sword, how many wives he + widowed, or how many mothers he "unbabed" cannot now be told. I do not + even know how many droves of innocent oxen he condemned to the slaughter. + </p> + <p> + But it is certain that his refined and tender soul took great pleasure in + the terror, conflagration, blood, and tears with which the war was + attended, and in all the hard oppressions which the conquered people were + made to suffer afterwards. I do not say that the war was either better or + worse for his participation and approval. But if his own conduct (for + which he professes neither penitence nor shame) was right, it was right on + grounds which make it an inexcusable outrage to call the children of + Israel savage criminals for carrying on wars of aggression to save the + life of their government. These inconsistencies are the necessary + consequence of having no rule of action and no guide for the conscience. + When a man throws away the golden metewand of the law which God has + provided, and takes the elastic cord of feeling for his measure of + righteousness, you cannot tell from day to day what he will think or do. + </p> + <p> + <i>Third</i>. But Jehovah permitted his chosen people to hold the captives + they took in war or purchased from the heathen as servants for life. This + was slavery, and Mr. Ingersoll declares that "in all civilized countries + it is not only admitted, but it is passionately asserted, that slavery is, + and always was, a hideous crime," therefore he concludes that Jehovah was + a criminal. This would be a <i>non sequitur</i>, even if the premises were + true. But the premises are false; civilized countries have admitted no + such thing. That slavery is a crime, under all circumstances and at all + times, is a doctrine first started by the adherents of a political faction + in this country, less than forty years ago. They denounced God and Christ + for not agreeing with them, in terms very similar to those used here by + Mr. Ingersoll. But they did not constitute the civilized world; nor were + they, if the truth must be told, a very respectable portion of it. + Politically, they were successful; I need not say by what means, or with + what effect upon the morals of the country. Doubtless Mr. Ingersoll gets a + great advantage by invoking their passions and their interests to his aid, + and he knows how to use it. I can only say that, whether American + Abolitionism was right or wrong under the circumstances in which we were + placed, my faith and my reason both assure me that the infallible God + proceeded upon good grounds when he authorized slavery in Judea. + Subordination of inferiors to superiors is the groundwork of human + society. All improvement of our race, in this world and the next, must + come from obedience to some master better and wiser than ourselves. There + can be no question that, when a Jew took a neighboring savage for his + bond-servant, incorporated him into his family, tamed him, taught him to + work, and gave him a knowledge of the true God, he conferred upon him a + most beneficent boon. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fourth</i>. Polygamy is another of his objections to the Mosaic + constitution. Strange to say, it is not there. It is neither commanded nor + prohibited; it is only discouraged. If Mr. Ingersoll were a statesman + instead of a mere politician, he would see good and sufficient reasons for + the forbearance to legislate directly upon the subject. It would be + improper for me to set them forth here. He knows, probably, that the + influence of the Christian Church alone, and without the aid of state + enactments, has extirpated this bad feature of Asiatic manners wherever + its doctrines were carried. As the Christian faith prevails in any + community, in that proportion precisely marriage is consecrated to its + true purpose, and all intercourse between the sexes refined and purified. + Mr. Ingersoll got his own devotion to the principle of monogamy—his + own respect for the highest type of female character—his own belief + in the virtue of fidelity to one good wife—from the example and + precept of his Christian parents. I speak confidently, because these are + sentiments which do not grow in the heart of the natural man without being + planted. Why, then, does he throw polygamy into the face of the religion + which abhors it? Because he is nothing if not political. The Mormons + believe in polygamy, and the Mormons are unpopular. They are guilty of + having not only many wives but much property, and if a war could be hissed + up against them, its fruits might be more "gaynefull pilladge than wee doe + now conceyve of." It is a cunning maneuver, this, of strengthening atheism + by enlisting anti-Mormon rapacity against the God of the Christians. I can + only protest against the use he would make of these and other political + interests. It is not argument; it is mere stump oratory. + </p> + <p> + I think I have repelled all of Mr. Ingersoll's accusations against the Old + Testament that are worth noticing, and I might stop here. But I will not + close upon him without letting him see, at least, some part of the case on + the other side. + </p> + <p> + I do not enumerate in detail the positive proofs which support the + authenticity of the Hebrew Bible, though they are at hand in great + abundance, because the evidence in support of the new dispensation will + establish the verity of the old—the two being so connected together + that if one is true the other cannot be false. + </p> + <p> + When Jesus of Nazareth announced himself to be Christ, the Son of God, in + Judea, many thousand persons who heard his words and saw his works + believed in his divinity without hesitation. Since the morning of the + creation, nothing has occurred so wonderful as the rapidity with which + this religion spread itself abroad. Men who were in the noon of life when + Jesus was put to death as a malefactor lived to see him worshiped as God + by organized bodies of believers in every province of the Roman empire. In + a few more years it took complete possession of the general mind, + supplanted all other religions, and wrought a radical change in human + society. It did this in the face of obstacles which, according to every + human calculation, were insurmountable. It was antagonized by all the evil + propensities, the sensual wickedness, and the vulgar crimes of the + multitude, as well as the polished vices of the luxurious classes; and was + most violently opposed even by those sentiments and habits of thought + which were esteemed virtuous, such as patriotism and military heroism. It + encountered not only the ignorance and superstition, but the learning and + philosophy, the poetry, eloquence, and art of the time. Barbarism and + civilization were alike its deadly enemies. The priesthood of every + established religion and the authority of every government were arrayed + against it. All these, combined together and roused to ferocious + hostility, were overcome, not by the enticing words of man's wisdom, but + by the simple presentation of a pure and peaceful doctrine, preached by + obscure strangers at the daily peril of their lives. Is it Mr. Ingersoll's + idea that this happened by chance, like the creation of the world? If not, + there are but two other ways to account for it; either the evidence by + which the Apostles were able to prove the supernatural origin of the + gospel was overwhelming and irresistible, or else its propagation was + provided for and carried on by the direct aid of the Divine Being himself. + Between these two, infidelity may make its own choice. + </p> + <p> + Just here another dilemma presents its horns to our adversary. If + Christianity was a human fabrication, its authors must have been either + good men or bad. It is a moral impossibility—a mere contradiction in + terms—to say that good, honest, and true men practised a gross and + willful deception upon the world. It is equally incredible that any + combination of knaves, however base, would fraudulently concoct a + religious system to denounce themselves, and to invoke the curse of God + upon their own conduct. Men that love lies, love not such lies as that. Is + there any way out of this difficulty, except by confessing that + Christianity is what it purports to be—a divine revelation? + </p> + <p> + The acceptance of Christianity by a large portion of the generation + contemporary with its Founder and his apostles was, under the + circumstances, an adjudication as solemn and authoritative as mortal + intelligence could pronounce. The record of that judgment has come down to + us, accompanied by the depositions of the principal witnesses. In the + course of eighteen centuries many efforts have been made to open the + judgment or set it aside on the ground that the evidence was insufficient + to support it. But on every rehearing the wisdom and virtue of mankind + have re-affirmed it. And now comes Mr. Ingersoll, to try the experiment of + another bold, bitter, and fierce reargument. I will present some of the + considerations which would compel me, if I were a judge or juror in the + cause, to decide it just as it was decided originally. + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>. There is no good reason to doubt that the statements of the + evangelists, as we have them now, are genuine. The multiplication of + copies was a sufficient guarantee against any material alteration of the + text. Mr. Ingersoll speaks of interpolations made by the fathers of the + Church. All he knows and all he has ever heard on that subject is that + some of the innumerable transcripts contained errors which were discovered + and corrected. That simply proves the present integrity of the documents. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>. I call these statements <i>depositions</i>, because they + are entitled to that kind of credence which we give to declarations made + under oath—but in a much higher degree, for they are more than sworn + to. They were made in the immediate prospect of death. Perhaps this would + not affect the conscience of an atheist,—neither would an oath,—but + these people manifestly believed in a judgment after death, before a God + of truth, whose displeasure they feared above all things. + </p> + <p> + <i>Third</i>. The witnesses could not have been mistaken. The nature of + the facts precluded the possibility of any delusion about them. For every + averment they had "the sensible and true avouch of their own eyes" and + ears. Besides, they were plain-thinking, sober, unimaginative men, who, + unlike Mr. Ingersoll, always, under all circumstances, and especially in + the presence of eternity, recognized the difference between mountains and + clouds. It is inconceivable how any fact could be proven by evidence more + conclusive than the statement of such persons, publicly given and + steadfastly persisted in through every kind of persecution, imprisonment + and torture to the last agonies of a lingering death. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fourth</i>. Apart from these terrible tests, the more ordinary claims + to credibility are not wanting. They were men of unimpeachable character. + The most virulent enemies of the cause they spoke and died for have never + suggested a reason for doubting their personal honesty. But there is + affirmative proof that they and their fellow-disciples were held by those + who knew them in the highest estimation for truthfulness. Wherever they + made their report it was not only believed, but believed with a faith so + implicit that thousands were ready at once to seal it with their blood. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fifth</i>. The tone and temper of their narrative impress us with a + sentiment of profound respect. It is an artless, unimpassioned, simple + story. No argument, no rhetoric, no epithets, no praises of friends, no + denunciation of enemies, no attempts at concealment. How strongly these + qualities commend the testimony of a witness to the confidence of judge + and jury is well known to all who have any experience in such matters. + </p> + <p> + <i>Sixth</i>. The statements made by the evangelists are alike upon every + important point, but are different in form and expression, some of them + including details which the others omit. These variations make it + perfectly certain that there could have been no previous concert between + the witnesses, and that each spoke independently of the others, according + to his own conscience and from his own knowledge. In considering the + testimony of several witnesses to the same transaction, their substantial + agreement upon the main facts, with circumstantial differences in the + detail, is always regarded as the great characteristic of truth and + honesty. There is no rule of evidence more universally adopted than this—none + better sustained by general experience, or more immovably fixed in the + good sense of mankind. Mr. Ingersoll, himself, admits the rule and + concedes its soundness. The logical consequence of that admission is that + we are bound to take this evidence as incontestably true. But mark the + infatuated perversity with which he seeks to evade it. He says that when + we claim that the witnesses were inspired, the rule does not apply, + because the witnesses then speak what is known to him who inspired them, + and all must speak exactly the same, even to the minutest detail. Mr. + Ingersoll's notion of an inspired witness is that he is no witness at all, + but an irresponsible medium who unconsciously and involuntarily raps out + or writes down whatever he is prompted to say. But this is a false + assumption, not countenanced or even suggested by anything contained in + the Scriptures. The apostles and evangelists are expressly declared to be + witnesses, in the proper sense of the word, called and sent to testify the + truth according to their knowledge. If they had all told the same story in + the same way, without variation, and accounted for its uniformity by + declaring that they were inspired, and had spoken without knowing whether + their words were true or false, where would have been their claim to + credibility? But they testified what they knew; and here comes an infidel + critic impugning their testimony because the impress of truth is stamped + upon its face. + </p> + <p> + <i>Seventh</i>. It does not appear that the statements of the evangelists + were ever denied by any person who pretended to know the facts. Many there + were in that age and afterward who resisted the belief that Jesus was the + Christ, the Son of God, and only Saviour of man; but his wonderful works, + the miraculous purity of his life, the unapproachable loftiness of his + doctrines, his trial and condemnation by a judge who pronounced him + innocent, his patient suffering, his death on the cross, and resurrection + from the grave,—of these not the faintest contradiction was + attempted, if we except the false and feeble story which the elders and + chief priests bribed the guard at the tomb to put in circulation. + </p> + <p> + <i>Eighth</i>. What we call the fundamental truths of Christianity consist + of great public events which are sufficiently established by history + without special proof. The value of mere historical evidence increases + according to the importance of the facts in question, their general + notoriety, and the magnitude of their visible consequences. Cornwallis + surrendered to Washington at Yorktown, and changed the destiny of Europe + and America. Nobody would think of calling a witness or even citing an + official report to prove it. Julius Caesar was assassinated. We do not + need to prove that fact like an ordinary murder. He was master of the + world, and his death was followed by a war with the conspirators, the + battle at Philippi, the quarrel of the victorious triumvirs, Actium, and + the permanent establishment of imperial government under Augustus. The + life and character, the death and resurrection, of Jesus are just as + visibly connected with events which even an infidel must admit to be of + equal importance. The Church rose and armed herself in righteousness for + conflict with the powers of darkness; innumerable multitudes of the best + and wisest rallied to her standard and died in her cause; her enemies + employed the coarse and vulgar machinery of human government against her, + and her professors were brutally murdered in large numbers, her triumph + was complete; the gods of Greece and Rome crumbled on their altars; the + world was revolutionized and human society was transformed. The course of + these events, and a thousand others, which reach down to the present hour, + received its first propulsion from the transcendent fact of Christ's + crucifixion. Moreover, we find the memorial monuments of the original + truth planted all along the way. The sacraments of baptism and the supper + constantly point us back to the author and finisher of our faith. The mere + historical evidence is for these reasons much stronger than what we have + for other occurrences which are regarded as undeniable. When to this is + added the cumulative evidence given directly and positively by + eye-witnesses of irreproachable character, and wholly uncontradicted, the + proof becomes so strong that the disbelief we hear of seems like a kind of + insanity. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "It is the very error of the moon, + Which comes more near the earth than she was wont, + And makes men mad!" +</pre> + <p> + From the facts established by this evidence, it follows irresistibly that + the Gospel has come to us from God. That silences all reasoning about the + wisdom and justice of its doctrines, since it is impossible, even to + imagine that wrong can be done or commanded by that Sovereign Being whose + will alone is the ultimate standard of all justice. + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Ingersoll is still dissatisfied. He raises objections as false, + fleeting, and baseless as clouds, and insists that they are as stable as + the mountains, whose everlasting foundations are laid by the hand of the + Almighty. I will compress his propositions into plain words printed in <i>italics</i>, + and, taking a look at his misty creations, let them roll away and vanish + into air, one after another. + </p> + <p> + <i>Christianity offers eternal salvation as the reward of belief alone</i>. + This is a misrepresentation simple and naked. No such doctrine is + propounded in the Scriptures, or in the creed of any Christian church. On + the contrary, it is distinctly taught that faith avails nothing without + repentance, reformation, and newness of life. + </p> + <p> + <i>The mere failure to believe it is punished in hell</i>. I have never + known any Christian man or woman to assert this. It is universally agreed + that children too young to understand it do not need to believe it. And + this exemption extends to adults who have never seen the evidence, or, + from weakness of intellect, are incapable of weighing it. Lunatics and + idiots are not in the least danger, and for aught I know, this category + may, by a stretch of God's mercy, include minds constitutionally sound, + but with faculties so perverted by education, habit, or passion that they + are incapable of reasoning. I sincerely hope that, upon this or some other + principle, Mr. Ingersoll may escape the hell he talks about so much. But + there is no direct promise to save him in spite of himself. The plan of + redemption contains no express covenant to pardon one who rejects it with + scorn and hatred. Our hope for him rests upon the infinite compassion of + that gracious Being who prayed on the cross for the insulting enemies who + nailed him there. + </p> + <p> + <i>The mystery of the second birth is incomprehensible</i>. Christ + established a new kingdom in the world, but not of it. Subjects were + admitted to the privileges and protection of its government by a process + equivalent to naturalization. To be born again, or regenerated is to be + naturalized. The words all mean the same thing. Does Mr. Ingersoll want to + disgrace his own intellect by pretending that he cannot see this simple + analogy? + </p> + <p> + <i>The doctrine of the atonement is absurd, unjust, and immoral</i>. The + plan of salvation, or any plan for the rescue of sinners from the legal + operation of divine justice, could have been framed only in the councils + of the Omniscient. Necessarily its heights and depths are not easily + fathomed by finite intelligence. But the greatest, ablest, wisest, and + most virtuous men that ever lived have given it their profoundest + consideration, and found it to be not only authorized by revelation, but + theoretically conformed to their best and highest conceptions of infinite + goodness. Nevertheless, here is a rash and superficial man, without + training or habits of reflection, who, upon a mere glance, declares that + it "must be abandoned," because it <i>seems to him</i> "absurd, unjust, + and immoral." I would not abridge his freedom of thought or speech, and + the <i>argumentum ad verecundiam</i> would be lost upon him. Otherwise I + might suggest that, when he finds all authority, human and divine, against + him, he had better speak in a tone less arrogant. + </p> + <p> + <i>He does not comprehend how justice and mercy can be blended together in + the plan of redemption, and therefore it cannot be true</i>. A thing is + not necessarily false because he does not understand it: he cannot + annihilate a principle or a fact by ignoring it. There are many truths in + heaven and earth which no man can see through; for instance, the union of + man's soul with his body, is not only an unknowable but an unimaginable + mystery. Is it therefore false that a connection does exist between matter + and spirit? + </p> + <p> + <i>How, he asks, can the sufferings of an innocent person satisfy justice + for the sins of the guilty?</i> This raises a metaphysical question, which + it is not necessary or possible for me to discuss here. As matter of fact, + Christ died that sinners might be reconciled to God, and in that sense he + died for them; that is, to furnish them with the means of averting divine + justice, which their crimes had provoked.. + </p> + <p> + <i>What, he again asks, would we think of a man who allowed another to die + for a crime which he himself had committed?</i> I answer that a man who, + by any contrivance, causes his own offence to be visited upon the head of + an innocent person is unspeakably depraved. But are Christians guilty of + this baseness because they accept the blessings of an institution which + their great benefactor died to establish? Loyalty to the King who has + erected a most beneficent government for us at the cost of his life—fidelity + to the Master who bought us with his blood—is not the fraudulent + substitution of an innocent person in place of a criminal. + </p> + <p> + <i>The doctrine of non-resistance, forgiveness of injuries, reconciliation + with enemies, as taught in the New Testament, is the child of weakness, + degrading and unjust</i>. This is the whole substance of a long, rambling + diatribe, as incoherent as a sick man's dream. Christianity does not + forbid the necessary defense of civil society, or the proper vindication + of personal rights. But to cherish animosity, to thirst for mere revenge, + to hoard up wrongs, real or fancied, and lie in wait for the chance of + paying them back; to be impatient, unforgiving, malicious, and cruel to + all who have crossed us—these diabolical propensities are checked + and curbed by the authority and spirit of the Christian religion, and the + application of it has converted men from low savages into refined and + civilized beings. + </p> + <p> + <i>The punishment of sinners in eternal hell is excessive</i>. The future + of the soul is a subject on which we have very dark views. In our present + state, the mind takes no idea except what is conveyed to it through the + bodily senses. All our conceptions of the spiritual world are derived from + some analogy to material things, and this analogy must necessarily be very + remote, because the nature of the subjects compared is so diverse that a + close similarity cannot be even supposed. No revelation has lifted the + veil between time and eternity; but in shadowy figures we are warned that + a very marked distinction will be made between the good and the bad in the + next world. Speculative opinions concerning the punishment of the wicked, + its nature and duration, vary with the temper and the imaginations of men. + Doubtless we are many of us in error; but how can Mr. Ingersoll enlighten + us? Acknowledge ing no standard of right and wrong in this world, he can + have no theory of rewards and punishments in the next. The deeds done in + the body, whether good or evil, are all morally alike in his eyes, and if + there be in heaven a congregation of the just, he sees no reason why the + worst rogue should not be a member of it. It is supposed, however, that + man has a soul as well as a body, and that both are subject to certain + laws, which cannot be violated without incurring the proper penalty—or + consequence, if he likes that word better. + </p> + <p> + <i>If Christ was God, he knew that his followers would persecute and + murder men for their opinions; yet he did not forbid it</i>. There is but + one way to deal with this accusation, and that is to contradict it flatly. + Nothing can be conceived more striking than the prohibition, not only of + persecution, but of all the passions which lead or incite to it. No + follower of Christ indulges in malice even to his enemy without violating + the plainest rule of his faith. He cannot love God and hate his brother: + if he says he can, St. John pronounces him a liar. The broadest + benevolence, universal philanthropy, inexhaustible charity, are inculcated + in every line of the New Testament. It is plain that Mr. Ingersoll never + read a chapter of it; otherwise he would not have ventured upon this + palpable falsification of its doctrines. Who told him that the devilish + spirit of persecution was authorized, or encouraged, or not forbidden, by + the Gospel? The person, whoever it was, who imposed upon his trusting + ignorance should be given up to the just reprobation of his + fellow-citizens. + </p> + <p> + <i>Christians in modern times carry on wars of detraction and slander + against one another</i>. The discussions of theological subjects by men + who believe in the fundamental doctrines of Christ are singularly free + from harshness and abuse. Of course I cannot speak with absolute + certainty, but I believe most confidently that there is not in all the + religious polemics of this century as much slanderous invective as can be + found in any ten lines of Mr. Ingersoll's writings. Of course I do not + include political preachers among my models of charity and forbearance. + They are a mendacious set, but Christianity is no more responsible for + their misconduct than it is for the treachery of Judas Iscariot or the + wrongs done to Paul by Alexander the coppersmith. + </p> + <p> + <i>But, says he, Christians have been guilty of wanton and wicked + Persecution</i>. It is true that some persons, professing Christianity, + have violated the fundamental principles of their faith by inflicting + violent injuries and bloody wrongs upon their fellow-men. But the + perpetrators of these outrages were in fact not Christians: they were + either hypocrites from the beginning or else base apostates—infidels + or something worse—hireling wolves, whose gospel was their maw. Not + one of them ever pretended to find a warrant for his conduct in any + precept of Christ or any doctrine of his Church. All the wrongs of this + nature which history records have been the work of politicians, aided + often by priests and ministers who were willing to deny their Lord and + desert to the enemy, for the sake of their temporal interests. Take the + cases most commonly cited and see if this be not a true account of them. + The <i>auto da fé</i> of Spain and Portugal, the burnings at + Smithfield, and the whipping of women in Massachusetts, were the outcome + of a cruel, false, and antichristian policy. Coligny and his adherents + were killed by an order of Charles IX., at the instance of the Guises, who + headed a hostile faction, and merely for reasons of state. Louis XIV. + revoked the edict of Nantes, and banished the Waldenses under pain of + confiscation and death; but this was done on the declared ground that the + victims were not safe subjects. The brutal atrocities of Cromwell and the + outrages of the Orange lodges against the Irish Catholics were not + persecutions by religious people, but movements as purely political as + those of the Know-Nothings, Plug-Uglys, and Blood-Tubs of this country. If + the Gospel should be blamed for these acts in opposition to its + principles, why not also charge it with the cruelties of Nero, or the + present persecution of the Jesuits by the infidel republic of France? + </p> + <p> + <i>Christianity is opposed to freedom of thought</i>. The kingdom of + Christ is based upon certain principles, to which it requires the assent + of every one who would enter therein. If you are unwilling to own his + authority and conform your moral conduct to his laws, you cannot expect + that he will admit you to the privileges of his government. But + naturalization is not forced upon you if you prefer to be an alien. The + Gospel makes the strongest and tenderest appeal to the heart, reason, and + conscience of man—entreats him to take thought for his own highest + interest, and by all its moral influence provokes him to good works; but + he is not constrained by any kind of duress to leave the service or + relinquish the wages of sin. Is there anything that savors of tyranny in + this? A man of ordinary judgment will say, no. But Mr. Ingersoll thinks it + as oppressive as the refusal of Jehovah to reward the worship of demons. + </p> + <p> + <i>The gospel of Christ does not satisfy the hunger of the heart</i>. That + depends upon what kind of a heart it is. If it hungers after + righteousness, it will surely be filled. It is probable, also, that if it + hungers for the filthy food of a godless philosophy it will get what its + appetite demands. That was an expressive phrase which Carlyle used when he + called modern infidelity "the gospel of dirt." Those who are greedy to + swallow it will doubless be supplied satisfactorily. + </p> + <p> + <i>Accounts of miracles are always false</i>. Are miracles impossible? No + one will say so who opens his eyes to the miracles of creation with which + we are surrounded on every hand. You cannot even show that they are <i>a + priori</i> improbable. God would be likely to reveal his will to the + rational creatures who were required to obey it; he would authenticate in + some way the right of prophets and apostles to speak in his name; + supernatural power was the broad seal which he affixed to their + commission. From this it follows that the improbability of a miracle is no + greater than the original improbability of a revelation, and that is not + improbable at all. Therefore, if the miracles of the New Testament are + proved by sufficient evidence, we believe them as we believe any other + established fact. They become deniable only when it is shown that the + great miracle of making the world was never performed. Accordingly Mr. + Ingersoll abolishes creation first, and thus clears the way to his + dogmatic conclusion that <i>all</i> miracles are "the children of + mendacity." + </p> + <p> + <i>Christianity is pernicious in its moral effect, darkens the mind, + narrows the soul, arrests the progress of human society, and hinders + civilization</i>. Mr. Ingersoll, as a zealous apostle of "the gospel of + dirt," must be expected to throw a good deal of mud. But this is too much: + it injures himself instead of defiling the object of his assault. When I + answer that all we have of virtue, justice, intellectual liberty, moral + elevation, refinement, benevolence, and true wisdom came to us from that + source which he reviles as the fountain of evil, I am not merely putting + one assertion against the other; for I have the advantage, which he has + not, of speaking what every tolerably well-informed man knows to be true. + Reflect what kind of a world this was when the disciples of Christ + undertook to reform it, and compare it with the condition in which their + teachings have put it. In its mighty metropolis, the center of its + intellectual and political power, the best men were addicted to vices so + debasing that I could not even allude to them without soiling the paper I + write upon. All manner of unprincipled wickedness was practiced in the + private life of the whole population without concealment or shame, and the + magistrates were thoroughly and universally corrupt. Benevolence in any + shape was altogether unknown. The helpless and the weak got neither + justice nor mercy. There was no relief for the poor, no succor for the + sick, no refuge for the unfortunate. In all pagandom there was not a + hospital, asylum, almshouse, or organized charity of any sort. The + indifference to human life was literally frightful. The order of a + successful leader to assassinate his opponents was always obeyed by his + followers with the utmost alacrity and pleasure. It was a special + amusement of the populace to witness the shows at which men were compelled + to kill one another, to be torn in pieces by wild beasts, or otherwise + "butchered, to make a Roman holiday." In every province paganism enacted + the same cold-blooded cruelties; oppression and robbery ruled supreme; + murder went rampaging and red over all the earth. The Church came, and her + light penetrated this moral darkness like a new sun. She covered the globe + with institutions of mercy, and thousands upon thousands of her disciples + devoted themselves exclusively to works of charity at the sacrifice of + every earthly interest. Her earliest adherents were killed without remorse—beheaded, + crucified, sawn asunder, thrown to the beasts, or covered with pitch, + piled up in great heaps, and slowly burnt to death. But her faith was made + perfect through suffering, and the law of love rose in triumph from the + ashes of her martyrs. This religion has come down to us through the ages, + attended all the way by righteousness, justice, temperance, mercy, + transparent truthfulness, exulting hope, and white-winged charity. Never + was its influence for good more plainly perceptible than now. It has not + converted, purified, and reformed all men, for its first principle is the + freedom of the human will, and there are those who choose to reject it. + But to the mass of mankind, directly and indirectly, it has brought + uncounted benefits and blessings. Abolish it—take away the + restraints which it imposes on evil passions—silence the admonitions + of its preachers—let all Christians cease their labors of charity—blot + out from history the records of its heroic benevolence—repeal the + laws it has enacted and the institutions it has built up—let its + moral principles be abandoned and all its miracles of light be + extinguished—what would we come to? I need not answer this question: + the experiment has been partially tried. The French nation formally + renounced Christianity, denied the existence of the Supreme Being, and so + satisfied the hunger of the infidel heart for a time. What followed? + Universal depravity, garments rolled in blood, fantastic crimes unimagined + before, which startled the earth with their sublime atrocity. The American + people have and ought to have no special desire to follow that terrible + example of guilt and misery. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to discuss this subject within the limits of a review. No + doubt the effort to be short has made me obscure. If Mr. Ingersoll thinks + himself wronged, or his doctrines misconstrued, let him not lay my fault + at the door of the Church, or cast his censure on the clergy. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Adsum qui feci, in me convertite ferrum</i>." + </p> + <p> + J. S. Black. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0003" id="link0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BY ROBERT G. INGERSOLL. + </h2> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + "Apart from moral conduct, all that man thinks himself able to do, in + order to become acceptable to God, is mere superstition and religious + folly." Kant. + </p> + <p> + "Apart from moral conduct, all that man thinks himself able to do, in + order to become acceptable to God, is mere superstition and religious + folly." Kant. + </p> + <p> + SEVERAL months ago, The North American Review asked me to write an + article, saying that it would be published if some one would furnish a + reply. I wrote the article that appeared in the August number, and by me + it was entitled "Is All of the Bible Inspired?" Not until the article was + written did I know who was expected to answer. I make this explanation for + the purpose of dissipating the impression that Mr. Black had been + challenged by me. To have struck his shield with my lance might have given + birth to the impression that I was somewhat doubtful as to the correctness + of my position. I naturally expected an answer from some professional + theologian, and was surprised to find that a reply had been written by a + "policeman," who imagined that he had answered my arguments by simply + telling me that my statements were false. It is somewhat unfortunate that + in a discussion like this any one should resort to the slightest personal + detraction. The theme is great enough to engage the highest faculties of + the human mind, and in the investigation of such a subject vituperation is + singularly and vulgarly out of place. Arguments cannot be answered with + insults. It is unfortunate that the intellectual arena should be entered + by a "policeman," who has more confidence in concussion than discussion. + Kindness is strength. Good-nature is often mistaken for virtue, and good + health sometimes passes for genius. Anger blows out the lamp of the mind. + In the examination of a great and important question, every one should be + serene, slow-pulsed, and calm. Intelligence is not the foundation of + arrogance. Insolence is not logic. Epithets are the arguments of malice. + Candor is the courage of the soul. Leaving the objectionable portions of + Mr. Black's reply, feeling that so grand a subject should not be blown and + tainted with malicious words, I proceed to answer as best I may the + arguments he has urged. + </p> + <p> + I am made to say that "the universe is natural"; that "it came into being + of its own accord"; that "it made its own laws at the start, and afterward + improved itself considerably by spontaneous evolution." + </p> + <p> + I did say that "the universe is natural," but I did not say that "it came + into being of its own accord"; neither did I say that "it made its own + laws and afterward improved itself." The universe, according to my idea, + is, always was, and forever will be. It did not "come into being," it is + the one eternal being,—the only thing that ever did, does, or can + exist. It did not "make its own laws." We know nothing of what we call the + laws of nature except as we gather the idea of law from the uniformity of + phenomena springing from like conditions. To make myself clear: Water + always runs down-hill. The theist says that this happens because there is + behind the phenomenon an active law. As a matter of fact, law is this side + of the phenomenon. Law does not cause the phenomenon, but the phenomenon + causes the idea of law in our minds; and this idea is produced from the + fact that under like circumstances the same phenomenon always happens. Mr. + Black probably thinks that the difference in the weight of rocks and + clouds was created by law; that parallel lines fail to unite only because + it is illegal that diameter and circumference could have been so made that + it would be a greater distance across than around a circle; that a + straight line could enclose a triangle if not prevented by law, and that a + little legislation could make it possible for two bodies to occupy the + same space at the same time. It seems to me that law cannot be the cause + of phenomena, but is an effect produced in our minds by their succession + and resemblance. To put a God back of the universe, compels us to admit + that there was a time when nothing existed except this God; that this God + had lived from eternity in an infinite vacuum, and in absolute idleness. + The mind of every thoughtful man is forced to one of these two + conclusions: either that the universe is self-existent, or that it was + created by a self-existent being. To my mind, there are far more + difficulties in the second hypothesis than in the first. + </p> + <p> + Of course, upon a question like this, nothing can be absolutely known. We + live on an atom called Earth, and what we know of the infinite is almost + infinitely limited; but, little as we know, all have an equal right to + give their honest thought. Life is a shadowy, strange, and winding road on + which we travel for a little way—a few short steps—-just from + the cradle, with its lullaby of love, to the low and quiet way-side inn, + where all at last must sleep, and where the only salutation is—Good-night. + </p> + <p> + I know as little as any one else about the "plan" of the universe; and as + to the "design," I know just as little. It will not do to say that the + universe was designed, and therefore there must be a designer. There must + first be proof that it was "designed." It will not do to say that the + universe has a "plan," and then assert that there must have been an + infinite maker. The idea that a design must have a beginning and that a + designer need not, is a simple expression of human ignorance. We find a + watch, and we say: "So curious and wonderful a thing must have had a + maker." We find the watch-maker, and we say: "So curious and wonderful a + thing as man must have had a maker." We find God, and we then say: "He is + so wonderful that he must <i>not</i> have had a maker." In other words, + all things a little wonderful must have been created, but it is possible + for something to be so wonderful that it always existed. One would suppose + that just as the wonder increased the necessity for a creator increased, + because it is the wonder of the thing that suggests the idea of creation. + Is it possible that a designer exists from all eternity without design? + Was there no design in having an infinite designer? For me, it is hard to + see the plan or design in earthquakes and pestilences. It is somewhat + difficult to discern the design or the benevolence in so making the world + that billions of animals live only on the agonies of others. The justice + of God is not visible to me in the history of this world. When I think of + the suffering and death, of the poverty and crime, of the cruelty and + malice, of the heartlessness of this "design" and "plan," where beak and + claw and tooth tear and rend the quivering flesh of weakness and despair, + I cannot convince myself that it is the result of infinite wisdom, + benevolence, and justice. + </p> + <p> + Most Christians have seen and recognized this difficulty, and have + endeavored to avoid it by giving God an opportunity in another world to + rectify the seeming mistakes of this. Mr. Black, however, avoids the + entire question by saying: "We have neither jurisdiction nor capacity to + rejudge the justice of God." In other words, we have no right to think + upon this subject, no right to examine the questions most vitally + affecting human kind. We are simply to accept the ignorant statements of + barbarian dead. This question cannot be settled by saying that "it would + be a mere waste of time and space to enumerate the proofs which show that + the Universe was created by a preexistent and self-conscious Being." The + time and space should have been "wasted," and the proofs should have been + enumerated. These "proofs" are what the wisest and greatest are trying to + find. Logic is not satisfied with assertion. It cares nothing for the + opinions of the "great,"—nothing for the prejudices of the many, and + least of all for the superstitions of the dead. In the world of Science, a + fact is a legal tender. Assertions and miracles are base and spurious + coins. We have the right to rejudge the justice even of a god. No one + should throw away his reason—the fruit of all experience. It is the + intellectual capital of the soul, the only light, the only guide, and + without it the brain becomes the palace of an idiot king, attended by a + retinue of thieves and hypocrites. + </p> + <p> + Of course it is admitted that most of the Ten Commandments are wise and + just. In passing, it may be well enough to say, that the commandment, + "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of + anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that + is in the water under the earth," was the absolute death of Art, and that + not until after the destruction of Jerusalem was there a Hebrew painter or + sculptor. Surely a commandment is not inspired that drives from the earth + the living canvas and the breathing stone—leaves all walls bare and + all the niches desolate. In the tenth commandment we find woman placed on + an exact equality with other property, which, to say the least of it, has + never tended to the amelioration of her condition. + </p> + <p> + A very curious thing about these commandments is that their supposed + author violated nearly every one. From Sinai, according to the account, he + said: "Thou shalt not kill," and yet he ordered the murder of millions; + "Thou shalt not commit adultery," and yet he gave captured maidens to + gratify the lust of captors; "Thou shalt not steal," and yet he gave to + Jewish marauders the flocks and herds of others; "Thou shalt not covet thy + neighbor's house, nor his wife," and yet he allowed his chosen people to + destroy the homes of neighbors and to steal their wives; "Honor thy father + and thy mother," and yet this same God had thousands of fathers butchered, + and with the sword of war killed children yet unborn; "Thou shalt not bear + false witness against thy neighbor," and yet he sent abroad "lying + spirits" to deceive his own prophets, and in a hundred ways paid tribute + to deceit. So far as we know, Jehovah kept only one of these commandments—he + worshiped no other god. + </p> + <p> + The religious intolerance of the Old Testament is justified upon the + ground that "blasphemy was a breach of political allegiance," that + "idolatry was an act of overt treason," and that "to worship the gods of + the hostile heathen was deserting to the public enemy, and giving him aid + and comfort." According to Mr. Black, we should all have liberty of + conscience except when directly governed by God. In that country where God + is king, liberty cannot exist. In this position, I admit that he is upheld + and fortified by the "sacred" text. Within the Old Testament there is no + such thing as religious toleration. Within that volume can be found no + mercy for an unbeliever. For all who think for themselves, there are + threatenings, curses, and anathemas. Think of an infinite being who is so + cruel, so unjust, that he will not allow one of his own children the + liberty of thought! Think of an infinite God acting as the direct governor + of a people, and yet not able to command their love! Think of the author + of all mercy imbruing his hands in the blood of helpless men, women, and + children, simply because he did not furnish them with intelligence enough + to understand his law! An earthly father who cannot govern by affection is + not fit to be a father; what, then, shall we say of an infinite being who + resorts to violence, to pestilence, to disease, and famine, in the vain + effort to obtain even the respect of a savage? Read this passage, red from + the heart of cruelty: + </p> + <p> + "<i>If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or + the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice + thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods which thou hast not + known, thou nor thy fathers,... thou shalt not consent unto him, nor + hearken unto him, neither shalt thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou + spare, neither shalt thou conceal him, but thou shalt surely kill him; + thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the + hand of all the people; and thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die</i>." + </p> + <p> + This is the religious liberty of the Bible. If you had lived in Palestine, + and if the wife of your bosom, dearer to you than your own soul, had said: + "I like the religion of India better than that of Palestine," it would + have been your duty to kill her. + </p> + <p> + "Your eye must not pity her, your hand must be first upon her, and + afterwards the hand of all the people." If she had said: "Let us worship + the sun—the sun that clothes the earth in garments of green—the + sun, the great fireside of the world—the sun that covers the hills + and valleys with flowers—that gave me your face, and made it + possible for me to look into the eyes of my babe—let us worship the + sun," it was your duty to kill her. You must throw the first stone, and + when against her bosom—a bosom filled with love for you—you + had thrown the jagged and cruel rock, and had seen the red stream of her + life oozing from the dumb lips of death, you could then look up and + receive the congratulations of the God whose commandment you had obeyed. + Is it possible that a being of infinite mercy ordered a husband to kill + his wife for the crime of having expressed an opinion on the subject of + religion? Has there been found upon the records of the savage world + anything more perfectly fiendish than this commandment of Jehovah? This is + justified on the ground that "blasphemy was a breach of political + allegiance, and idolatry an act of overt treason." We can understand how a + human king stands in need of the service of his people. We can understand + how the desertion of any of his soldiers weakens his army; but were the + king infinite in power, his strength would still remain the same, and + under no conceivable circumstances could the enemy triumph. + </p> + <p> + I insist that, if there is an infinitely good and wise God, he beholds + with pity the misfortunes of his children. I insist that such a God would + know the mists, the clouds, the darkness enveloping the human mind. He + would know how few stars are visible in the intellectual sky. His pity, + not his wrath, would be excited by the efforts of his blind children, + groping in the night to find the cause of things, and endeavoring, through + their tears, to see some dawn of hope. Filled with awe by their + surroundings, by fear of the unknown, he would know that when, kneeling, + they poured out their gratitude to some unseen power, even to a visible + idol, it was, in fact, intended for him. An infinitely good being, had he + the power, would answer the reasonable prayer of an honest savage, even + when addressed to wood and stone. + </p> + <p> + The atrocities of the Old Testament, the threatenings, maledictions, and + curses of the "inspired book," are defended on the ground that the Jews + had a right to treat their enemies as their enemies treated them; and in + this connection is this remarkable statement: "In your treatment of + hostile barbarians you not only may lawfully, you must necessarily, adopt + their mode of warfare. If they come to conquer you, they may be conquered + by you; if they give no quarter, they are entitled to none; if the death + of your whole population be their purpose, you may defeat it by + exterminating theirs." + </p> + <p> + For a man who is a "Christian policeman," and has taken upon himself to + defend the Christian religion; for one who follows the Master who said + that when smitten on one cheek you must turn the other, and who again and + again enforced the idea that you must overcome evil with good, it is + hardly consistent to declare that a civilized nation must of necessity + adopt the warfare of savages. Is it possible that in fighting, for + instance, the Indians of America, if they scalp our soldiers we should + scalp theirs? If they ravish, murder, and mutilate our wives, must we + treat theirs in the same manner? If they kill the babes in our cradles, + must we brain theirs? If they take our captives, bind them to the trees, + and if their squaws fill their quivering flesh with sharpened fagots and + set them on fire, that they may die clothed with flame, must our wives, + our mothers, and our daughters follow the fiendish example? Is this the + conclusion of the most enlightened Christianity? Will the pulpits of the + United States adopt the arguments of this "policeman"? Is this the last + and most beautiful blossom of the Sermon on the Mount? Is this the echo of + "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do"? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black justifies the wars of extermination and conquest because the + American people fought for the integrity of their own country; fought to + do away with the infamous institution of slavery; fought to preserve the + jewels of liberty and justice for themselves and for their children. Is it + possible that his mind is so clouded by political and religious prejudice, + by the recollections of an unfortunate administration, that he sees no + difference between a war of extermination and one of self-preservation? + that he sees no choice between the murder of helpless age, of weeping + women and of sleeping babes, and the defence of liberty and nationality? + </p> + <p> + The soldiers of the Republic did not wage a war of extermination. They did + not seek to enslave their fellow-men. They did not murder trembling age. + They did not sheathe their swords in women's breasts. They gave the old + men bread, and let the mothers rock their babes in peace. They fought to + save the world's great hope—to free a race and put the humblest hut + beneath the canopy of liberty and law. + </p> + <p> + Claiming neither praise nor dispraise for the part taken by me in the + Civil war, for the purposes of this argument, it is sufficient to say that + I am perfectly willing that my record, poor and barren as it is, should be + compared with his. + </p> + <p> + Never for an instant did I suppose that any respectable American citizen + could be found willing at this day to defend the institution of slavery; + and never was I more astonished than when I found Mr. Black denying that + civilized countries passionately assert that slavery is and always was a + hideous crime. I was amazed when he declared that "the doctrine that + slavery is a crime under all circumstances and at all times was first + started by the adherents of a political faction in this country less than + forty years ago." He tells us that "they denounced God and Christ for not + agreeing with them," but that "they did not constitute the civilized + world; nor were they, if the truth must be told, a very respectable + portion of it. Politically they were successful; I need not say by what + means, or with what effect upon the morals of the country." + </p> + <p> + Slavery held both branches of Congress, filled the chair of the Executive, + sat upon the Supreme Bench, had in its hands all rewards, all offices; + knelt in the pew, occupied the pulpit, stole human beings in the name of + God, robbed the trundle-bed for love of Christ; incited mobs, led + ignorance, ruled colleges, sat in the chairs of professors, dominated the + public press, closed the lips of free speech, and polluted with its + leprous hand every source and spring of power. The abolitionists attacked + this monster. They were the bravest, grandest men of their country and + their century. Denounced by thieves, hated by hypocrites, mobbed by + cowards, slandered by priests, shunned by politicians, abhorred by the + seekers of office,—these men "of whom the world was not worthy," in + spite of all opposition, in spite of poverty and want, conquered + innumerable obstacles, never faltering for one moment, never dismayed—accepting + defeat with a smile born of infinite hope—knowing that they were + right—insisted and persisted until every chain was broken, until + slave-pens became schoolhouses, and three millions of slaves became free + men, women, and children. They did not measure with "the golden metewand + of God," but with "the elastic cord of human feeling." They were men the + latchets of whose shoes no believer in human slavery was ever worthy to + unloose. And yet we are told by this modern defender of the slavery of + Jehovah that they were not even respectable; and this slander is justified + because the writer is assured "that the infallible God proceeded upon good + grounds when he authorized slavery in Judea." + </p> + <p> + Not satisfied with having slavery in this world, Mr. Black assures us that + it will last through all eternity, and that forever and forever inferiors + must be subordinated to superiors. Who is the superior man? According to + Mr. Black, he is superior who lives upon the unpaid labor of the inferior. + With me, the superior man is the one who uses his superiority in bettering + the condition of the inferior. The superior man is strength for the weak, + eyes for the blind, brains for the simple; he is the one who helps carry + the burden that nature has put upon the inferior. Any man who helps + another to gain and retain his liberty is superior to any infallible God + who authorized slavery in Judea. For my part, I would rather be the slave + than the master. It is better to be robbed than to be a robber. I had + rather be stolen from than to be a thief. + </p> + <p> + According to Mr. Black, there will be slavery in heaven, and fast by the + throne of God will be the auction-block, and the streets of the New + Jerusalem will be adorned with the whipping post, while the music of the + harp will be supplemented by the crack of the driver's whip. If some good + Republican would catch Mr. Black, "incorporate him into his family, tame + him, teach him to think, and give him a knowledge of the true principles + of human liberty and government, he would confer upon him a most + beneficent boon." + </p> + <p> + Slavery includes all other crimes. It is the joint product of the + kidnapper, pirate, thief, murderer, and hypocrite. It degrades labor and + corrupts leisure. To lacerate the naked back, to sell wives, to steal + babes, to breed bloodhounds, to debauch your own soul—this is + slavery. This is what Jehovah "authorized in Judea." This is what Mr. + Black believes in still. He "measures with the golden metewand of God." I + abhor slavery. With me, liberty is not merely a means—it is an end. + Without that word, all other words are empty sounds. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black is too late with his protest against the freedom of his + fellow-man. Liberty is making the tour of the world. Russia has + emancipated her serfs; the slave trade is prosecuted only by thieves and + pirates; Spain feels upon her cheek the burning blush of shame; Brazil + with proud and happy eyes is looking for the dawn of freedom's day; the + people of the South rejoice that slavery is no more, and every good and + honest man (excepting Mr. Black), of every land and clime, hopes that the + limbs of men will never feel again the weary weight of chains. + </p> + <p> + We are informed by Mr. Black that polygamy is neither commanded nor + prohibited in the Old Testament—that it is only "discouraged." It + seems to me that a little legislation on that subject might have tended to + its "discouragement." But where is the legislation? In the moral code, + which Mr. Black assures us "consists of certain immutable rules to govern + the conduct of all men at all times and at all places in their private and + personal relations with others," not one word is found on the subject of + polygamy. There is nothing "discouraging" in the Ten Commandments, nor in + the records of any conversation Jehovah is claimed to have had with Moses + upon Sinai. The life of Abraham, the story of Jacob and Laban, the duty of + a brother to be the husband of the widow of his deceased brother, the life + of David, taken in connection with the practice of one who is claimed to + have been the wisest of men—all these things are probably relied on + to show that polygamy was at least "discouraged." Certainly, Jehovah had + time to instruct Moses as to the infamy of polygamy. He could have spared + a few moments from a description of the patterns of tongs and basins, for + a subject so important as this. A few words in favor of the one wife and + the one husband—in favor of the virtuous and loving home—might + have taken the place of instructions as to cutting the garments of priests + and fashioning candlesticks and ouches of gold. If he had left out simply + the order that rams' skins should be dyed red, and in its place had said, + "A man shall have but one wife, and the wife but one husband," how much + better would it have been. + </p> + <p> + All the languages of the world are not sufficient to express the filth of + polygamy. It makes man a beast, and woman a slave. It destroys the + fireside and makes virtue an outcast. It takes us back to the barbarism of + animals, and leaves the heart a den in which crawl and hiss the slimy + serpents of most loathsome lust. And yet Mr. Black insists that we owe to + the Bible the present elevation of woman. Where will he find in the Old + Testament the rights of wife, and mother, and daughter defined? Even in + the New Testament she is told to "learn in silence, with all subjection;" + that she "is not suffered to teach, nor to usurp any authority over the + man, but to be in silence." She is told that "the head of every man is + Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." + In other words, there is the same difference between the wife and husband + that there is between the husband and Christ. + </p> + <p> + The reasons given for this infamous doctrine are that "Adam was first + formed, and then Eve;" that "Adam was not deceived," but that "the woman + being deceived, was in the transgression." These childish reasons are the + only ones given by the inspired writers. We are also told that "a man, + indeed, ought to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of + God;" but that "the woman is the glory of the man," and this is justified + from the fact, and the remarkable fact, set forth in the very next verse—that + "the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man." And the same + gallant apostle says: "Neither was the man created for the woman, but the + woman for the man;" "Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands as unto + the Lord; for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the + head of the church, and he is the savior of the body. Therefore, as the + church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be subject to their own + husbands in everything." These are the passages that have liberated woman! + </p> + <p> + According to the Old Testament, woman had to ask pardon, and had to be + purified, for the crime of having borne sons and daughters. If in this + world there is a figure of perfect purity, it is a mother holding in her + thrilled and happy arms her child. The doctrine that woman is the slave, + or serf, of man—whether it comes from heaven or from hell, from God + or a demon, from the golden streets of the New Jerusalem or from the very + Sodom of perdition—is savagery, pure and simple. + </p> + <p> + In no country in the world had women less liberty than in the Holy Land, + and no monarch held in less esteem the rights of wives and mothers than + Jehovah of the Jews. The position of woman was far better in Egypt than in + Palestine. Before the pyramids were built, the sacred songs of Isis were + sung by women, and women with pure hands had offered sacrifices to the + gods. Before Moses was born, women had sat upon the Egyptian throne. Upon + ancient tombs the husband and wife are represented as seated in the same + chair. In Persia women were priests, and in some of the oldest + civilizations "they were reverenced on earth, and worshiped afterward as + goddesses in heaven." At the advent of Christianity, in all pagan + countries women officiated at the sacred altars. They guarded the eternal + fire. They kept the sacred books. From their lips came the oracles of + fate. Under the domination of the Christian Church, woman became the + merest slave for at least a thousand years. It was claimed that through + woman the race had fallen, and that her loving kiss had poisoned all the + springs of life. Christian priests asserted that but for her crime the + world would have been an Eden still. The ancient fathers exhausted their + eloquence in the denunciation of woman, and repeated again and again the + slander of St. Paul. The condition of woman has improved just in + proportion that man has lost confidence in the inspiration of the Bible. + </p> + <p> + For the purpose of defending the character of his infallible God, Mr. + Black is forced to defend religious intolerance, wars of extermination, + human slavery, and <i>almost</i> polygamy. He admits that God established + slavery; that he commanded his chosen people to buy the children of the + heathen; that heathen fathers and mothers did right to sell their girls + and boys; that God ordered the Jews to wage wars of extermination and + conquest; that it was right to kill the old and young; that God forged + manacles for the human brain; that he commanded husbands to murder their + wives for suggesting the worship of the sun or moon; and that every cruel, + savage passage in the Old Testament was inspired by him. Such is a + "policeman's" view of God. + </p> + <p> + Will Mr. Black have the kindness to state a few of his objections to the + devil? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black should have answered my arguments, instead of calling me + "blasphemous" and "scurrilous." In the discussion of these questions I + have nothing to do with the reputation of my opponent. His character + throws no light on the subject, and is to me a matter of perfect + indifference. Neither will it do for one who enters the lists as the + champion of revealed religion to say that "we have no right to rejudge the + justice of God." + </p> + <p> + Such a statement is a white flag. The warrior eludes the combat when he + cries out that it is a "metaphysical question." He deserts the field and + throws down his arms when he admits that "no revelation has lifted the + veil between time and eternity." Again I ask, why were the Jewish people + as wicked, cruel, and ignorant with a revelation from God, as other + nations were without? Why were the worshipers of false deities as brave, + as kind, and generous as those who knew the only true and living God? + </p> + <p> + How do you explain the fact that while Jehovah was waging wars of + extermination, establishing slavery, and persecuting for opinion's sake, + heathen philosophers were teaching that all men are brothers, equally + entitled to liberty and life? You insist that Jehovah believed in slavery + and yet punished the Egyptians for enslaving the Jews. Was your God once + an abolitionist? Did he at that time "denounce Christ for not agreeing + with him"? If slavery was a crime in Egypt, was it a virtue in Palestine? + Did God treat the Canaanites better than Pharaoh did the Jews? Was it + right for Jehovah to kill the children of the people because of Pharaoh's + sin? Should the peasant be punished for the king's crime? Do you not know + that the worst thing that can be said of Nero, Caligula, and Commodus is + that they resembled the Jehovah of the Jews? Will you tell me why God + failed to give his Bible to the whole world? Why did he not give the + Scriptures to the Hindu, the Greek, and Roman? Why did he fail to + enlighten the worshipers of "Mammon" and Moloch, of Belial and Baal, of + Bacchus and Venus? After all, was not Bacchus as good as Jehovah? Is it + not better to drink wine than to shed blood? Was there anything in the + worship of Venus worse than giving captured maidens to satisfy the + victor's lust? Did "Mammon" or Moloch do anything more infamous than to + establish slavery? Did they order their soldiers to kill men, women, and + children, and to save alive nothing that had breath? Do not answer these + questions by saying that "no veil has been lifted between time and + eternity," and that "we have no right to rejudge the justice of God." + </p> + <p> + If Jehovah was in fact God, he knew the end from the beginning. He knew + that his Bible would be a breastwork behind which tyranny and hypocrisy + would crouch; that it would be quoted by tyrants; that it would be the + defence of robbers, called kings, and of hypocrites called priests. He + knew that he had taught the Jewish people but little of importance. He + knew that he found them free and left them captives. He knew that he had + never fulfilled the promises made to them. He knew that while other + nations had advanced in art and science, his chosen people were savage + still. He promised them the world, and gave them a desert. He promised + them liberty, and he made them slaves. He promised them victory, and he + gave them defeat. He said they should be kings, and he made them serfs. He + promised them universal empire, and gave them exile. When one finishes the + Old Testament, he is compelled to say: Nothing can add to to the misery of + a nation whose king is Jehovah! + </p> + <p> + And here I take occasion to thank Mr. Black for having admitted that + Jehovah gave no commandment against the practice of polygamy, that he + established slavery, waged wars of extermination, and persecuted for + opinion's sake even unto death. Most theologians endeavor to putty, patch, + and paint the wretched record of inspired crime, but Mr. Black has been + bold enough and honest enough to admit the truth. In this age of fact and + demonstration it is refreshing to find a man who believes so thoroughly in + the monstrous and miraculous, the impossible and immoral—who still + clings lovingly to the legends of the bib and rattle—who through the + bitter experiences of a wicked world has kept the credulity of the cradle, + and finds comfort and joy in thinking about the Garden of Eden, the subtle + serpent, the flood, and Babel's tower, stopped by the jargon of a thousand + tongues—who reads with happy eyes the story of the burning brimstone + storm that fell upon the cities of the plain, and smilingly explains the + transformation of the retrospective Mrs. Lot—who laughs at Egypt's + plagues and Pharaoh's whelmed and drowning hosts—eats manna with the + wandering Jews, warms himself at the burning bush, sees Korah's company by + the hungry earth devoured, claps his wrinkled hands with glee above the + heathens' butchered babes, and longingly looks back to the patriarchal + days of concubines and slaves. How touching when the learned and wise + crawl back in cribs and ask to hear the rhymes and fables once again! How + charming in these hard and scientific times to see old age in + Superstition's lap, with eager lips upon her withered breast! + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black comes to the conclusion that the Hebrew Bible is in exact + harmony with the New Testament, and that the two are "connected together;" + and "that if one is true the other cannot be false." + </p> + <p> + If this is so, then he must admit that if one is false the other cannot be + true; and it hardly seems possible to me that there is a right-minded, + sane man, except Mr. Black, who now believes that a God of infinite + kindness and justice ever commanded one nation to exterminate another; + ever ordered his soldiers to destroy men, women, and babes; ever + established the institution of human slavery; ever regarded the + auction-block as an altar, or a bloodhound as an apostle. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black contends (after having answered my indictment against the Old + Testament by admitting the allegations to be true) that the rapidity with + which Christianity spread "proves the supernatural origin of the Gospel, + or that it was propagated by the direct aid of the Divine Being himself." + </p> + <p> + Let us see. In his efforts to show that the "infallible God established + slavery in Judea," he takes occasion to say that "the doctrine that + slavery is a crime under all circumstances was first started by the + adherents of a political faction in this, country less than forty years + ago;" that "they denounced God and Christ for not agreeing with them;" but + that "they did not constitute the civilized world; nor were they, if the + truth must be told, a very respectable portion of it." Let it be + remembered that this was only forty years ago; and yet, according to Mr. + Black, a few disreputable men changed the ideas of nearly fifty millions + of people, changed the Constitution of the United States, liberated a race + from slavery, clothed three millions of people with political rights, took + possession of the Government, managed its affairs for more than twenty + years, and have compelled the admiration of the civilized world. Is it Mr. + Black's idea that this happened by chance? If not, then according to him, + there are but two ways to account for it; either the rapidity with which + Republicanism spread proves its supernatural origin, "or else its + propagation was provided for and carried on by the direct aid of the + Divine Being himself." Between these two, Mr. Black may make his choice. + He will at once see that the rapid rise and spread of any doctrine does + not even tend to show that it was divinely revealed. + </p> + <p> + This argument is applicable to all religions. Mohammedans can use it as + well as Christians. Mohammed was a poor man, a driver of camels. He was + without education, without influence, and without wealth, and yet in a few + years he consolidated thousands of tribes, and made millions of men + confess that there is "one God, and Mohammed is his prophet." His success + was a thousand times greater during his life than that of Christ. He was + not crucified; he was a conqueror. "Of all men, he exercised the greatest + influence upon the human race." Never in the world's history did a + religion spread with the rapidity of his. It burst like a storm over the + fairest portions of the globe. If Mr. Black is right in his position that + rapidity is secured only by the direct aid of the Divine Being, then + Mohammed was most certainly the prophet of God. As to wars of + extermination and slavery, Mohammed agreed with Mr. Black, and upon + polygamy, with Jehovah. As to religious toleration, he was great enough to + say that "men holding to any form of faith might be saved, provided they + were virtuous." In this, he was far in advance both of Jehovah and Mr. + Black. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to take the ground that the rapid rise and spread of a + religion demonstrates its divine character. Years before Gautama died, his + religion was established, and his disciples were numbered by millions. His + doctrines were not enforced by the sword, but by an appeal to the hopes, + the fears, and the reason of mankind; and more than one-third of the human + race are to-day the followers of Gautama. His religion has outlived all + that existed in his time; and according to Dr. Draper, "there is no other + country in the world except India that has the religion to-day it had at + the birth of Jesus Christ." Gautama believed in the equality of all men; + abhorred the spirit of caste, and proclaimed justice, mercy, and education + for all. + </p> + <p> + Imagine a Mohammedan answering an infidel; would he not use the argument + of Mr Black, simply substituting Mohammed for Christ, just as effectually + as it has been used against me? There was a time when India was the + foremost nation of the world. Would not your argument, Mr. Black, have + been just as good in the mouth of a Brahmin then, as it is in yours now? + Egypt, the mysterious mother of mankind, with her pyramids built + thirty-four hundred years before Christ, was once the first in all the + earth, and gave to us our Trinity, and our symbol of the cross. Could not + a priest of Isis and Osiris have used your arguments to prove that his + religion was divine, and could he not have closed by saying: "From the + facts established by this evidence it follows irresistibly that our + religion came to us from God"? Do you not see that your argument proves + too much, and that it is equally applicable to all the religions of the + world? + </p> + <p> + Again, it is urged that "the acceptance of Christianity by a large portion + of the generation contemporary with its founder and his apostles was, + under the circumstances, an adjudication as solemn and authoritative as + mortal intelligence could pronounce." If this is true, then "the + acceptance of Buddhism by a large portion of the generation contemporary + with its founder was an adjudication as solemn and authoritative as mortal + intelligence could pronounce." The same could be said of Mohammedanism, + and, in fact, of every religion that has ever benefited or cursed this + world. This argument, when reduced to its simplest form, is this: All that + succeeds is inspired. + </p> + <p> + The old argument that if Christianity is a human fabrication its authors + must have been either good men or bad men, takes it for granted that there + are but two classes of persons—the good and the bad. There is at + least one other class—<i>the mistaken</i>, and both of the other + classes may belong to this. Thousands of most excellent people have been + deceived, and the history of the world is filled with instances where men + have honestly supposed that they had received communications from angels + and gods. + </p> + <p> + In thousands of instances these pretended communications contained the + purest and highest thoughts, together with the most important truths; yet + it will not do to say that these accounts are true; neither can they be + proved by saying that the men who claimed to be inspired were good. What + we must say is, that being good men, they were mistaken; and it is the + charitable mantle of a mistake that I throw over Mr. Black, when I find + him defending the institution of slavery. He seems to think it utterly + incredible that any "combination of knaves, however base, would + fraudulently concoct a religious system to denounce themselves, and to + invoke the curse of God upon their own conduct." How did religions other + than Christianity and Judaism arise? Were they all "concocted by a + combination of knaves"? The religion of Gautama is filled with most + beautiful and tender thoughts, with most excellent laws, and hundreds of + sentences urging mankind to deeds of love and self-denial. Was Gautama + inspired? + </p> + <p> + Does not Mr. Black know that thousands of people charged with witchcraft + actually confessed in open court their guilt? Does he not know that they + admitted that they had spoken face to face with Satan, and had sold their + souls for gold and power? Does he not know that these admissions were made + in the presence and expectation of death? Does he not know that hundreds + of judges, some of them as great as the late lamented Gibson, believed in + the existence of an impossible crime? + </p> + <p> + We are told that "there is no good reason to doubt that the statements of + the Evangelists, as we have them now, are genuine." The fact is, no one + knows who made the "statements of the Evangelists." + </p> + <p> + There are three important manuscripts upon which the Christian world + relies. "The first appeared in the catalogue of the Vatican, in 1475. This + contains the Old Testament. Of the New, it contains the four gospels,—the + Acts, the seven Catholic Epistles, nine of the Pauline Epistles, and the + Epistle to the Hebrews, as far as the fourteenth verse of the ninth + chapter,"—and nothing more. This is known as the Codex Vatican. "The + second, the Alexandrine, was presented to King Charles the First, in 1628. + It contains the Old and New Testaments, with some exceptions; passages are + wanting in Matthew, in John, and in II. Corinthians. It also contains the + Epistle of Clemens Romanus, a letter of Athanasius, and the treatise of + Eusebius on the Psalms." The last is the Sinaitic Codex, discovered about + 1850, at the Convent of St. Catherine's, on Mount Sinai. "It contains the + Old and New Testaments, and in addition the entire Epistle of Barnabas, + and a portion of the Shepherd of Hermas—two books which, up to the + beginning of the fourth century, were looked upon by many as Scripture." + In this manuscript, or codex, the gospel of St. Mark concludes with the + eighth verse of the sixteenth chapter, leaving out the frightful passage: + "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He + that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not + shall be damned." + </p> + <p> + In matters of the utmost importance these manuscripts disagree, but even + if they all agreed it would not furnish the slightest evidence of their + truth. It will not do to call the statements made in the gospels + "depositions," until it is absolutely established who made them, and the + circumstances under which they were made. Neither can we say that "they + were made in the immediate prospect of death," until we know who made + them. It is absurd to say that "the witnesses could not have been + mistaken, because the nature of the facts precluded the possibility of any + delusion about them." Can it be pretended that the witnesses could not + have been mistaken about the relation the Holy Ghost is alleged to have + sustained to Jesus Christ? Is there no possibility of delusion about a + circumstance of that kind? Did the writers of the four gospels have "'the + sensible and true avouch of their own eyes' and ears" in that behalf? How + was it possible for any one of the four Evangelists to know that Christ + was the Son of God, or that he was God? His mother wrote nothing on the + subject. Matthew says that an angel of the Lord told Joseph in a dream, + but Joseph never wrote an account of this wonderful vision. Luke tells us + that the angel had a conversation with Mary, and that Mary told Elizabeth, + but Elizabeth never wrote a word. There is no account of Mary or Joseph or + Elizabeth or the angel, having had any conversation with Matthew, Mark, + Luke, or John in which one word was said about the miraculous origin of + Jesus Christ. The persons who knew did not write, so that the account is + nothing but hearsay. Does Mr. Black pretend that such statements would be + admitted as evidence in any court? But how do we know that the disciples + of Christ wrote a word of the gospels? How did it happen that Christ wrote + nothing? How do we know that the writers of the gospels "were men of + unimpeachable character"? + </p> + <p> + All this is answered by saying "that nothing was said by the most virulent + enemies against the personal honesty of the Evangelists." How is this + known? If Christ performed the miracles recorded in the New Testament, why + would the Jews put to death a man able to raise their dead? Why should + they attempt to kill the Master of Death? How did it happen that a man who + had done so many miracles was so obscure, so unknown, that one of his + disciples had to be bribed to point him out? Is it not strange that the + ones he had cured were not his disciples? Can we believe, upon the + testimony of those about whose character we know nothing, that Lazarus was + raised from the dead? What became of Lazarus? We never hear of him again. + It seems to me that he would have been an object of great interest. People + would have said: "He is the man who was once dead." Thousands would have + inquired of him about the other world; would have asked him where he was + when he received the information that he was wanted on the earth. His + experience would have been vastly more interesting than everything else in + the New Testament. A returned traveler from the shores of Eternity—one + who had walked twice through the valley of the shadow—would have + been the most interesting of human beings. When he came to die again, + people would have said: "He is not afraid; he has had experience; he knows + what death is." But, strangely enough, this Lazarus fades into obscurity + with "the wise men of the East," and with the dead who came out of their + graves on the night of the crucifixion. How is it known that it was + claimed, during the life of Christ, that he had wrought a miracle? And if + the claim was made, how is it known that it was not denied? Did the Jews + believe that Christ was clothed with miraculous power? Would they have + dared to crucify a man who had the power to clothe the dead with life? Is + it not wonderful that no one at the trial of Christ said one word about + the miracles he had wrought? Nothing about the sick he had healed, nor the + dead he had raised? + </p> + <p> + Is it not wonderful that Josephus, the best historian the Hebrews + produced, says nothing about the life or death of Christ; nothing about + the massacre of the infants by Herod; not one word about the wonderful + star that visited the sky at the birth of Christ; nothing about the + darkness that fell upon the world for several hours in the midst of day; + and failed entirely to mention that hundreds of graves were opened, and + that multitudes of Jews arose from the dead, and visited the Holy City? Is + it not wonderful that no historian ever mentioned any of these prodigies? + and is it not more amazing than all the rest, that Christ himself + concealed from Matthew, Mark, and Luke the dogma of the atonement, the + necessity of belief, and the mystery of the second birth? + </p> + <p> + Of course I know that two letters were said to have been written by Pilate + to Tiberius, concerning the execution of Christ, but they have been shown + to be forgeries. I also know that "various letters were circulated + attributed to Jesus Christ," and that one letter is said to have been + written by him to Abgarus, king of Edessa; but as there was no king of + Edessa at that time, this letter is admitted to have been a forgery. I + also admit that a correspondence between Seneca and St. Paul was forged. + </p> + <p> + Here in our own country, only a few years ago, men claimed to have found + golden plates upon which was written a revelation from God. They founded a + new religion, and, according to their statement, did many miracles. They + were treated as outcasts, and their leader was murdered. These men made + their "depositions" "in the immediate prospect of death." They were + mobbed, persecuted, derided, and yet they insisted that their prophet had + miraculous power, and that he, too, could swing back the hingeless door of + death. The followers of these men have increased, in these few years, so + that now the murdered prophet has at least two hundred thousand disciples. + It will be hard to find a contradiction of these pretended miracles, + although this is an age filled with papers, magazines, and books. As a + matter of fact, the claims of Joseph Smith were so preposterous that + sensible people did not take the pains to write and print denials. When we + remember that eighteen hundred years ago there were but few people who + could write, and that a manuscript did not become public in any modern + sense, it was possible for the gospels to have been written with all the + foolish claims in reference to miracles without exciting comment or + denial. There is not, in all the contemporaneous literature of the world, + a single word about Christ or his apostles. The paragraph in Josephus is + admitted to be an interpolation, and the letters, the account of the + trial, and several other documents forged by the zeal of the early + fathers, are now admitted to be false. + </p> + <p> + Neither will it do to say that "the statements made by the Evangelists are + alike upon every important point." If there is anything of importance in + the New Testament, from the theological standpoint, it is the ascension of + Jesus Christ. If that happened, it was a miracle great enough to surfeit + wonder. Are the statements of the inspired witnesses alike on this + important point? Let us see. + </p> + <p> + Matthew says nothing upon the subject. Either Matthew was not there, had + never heard of the ascension,—or, having heard of it, did not + believe it, or, having seen it, thought it too unimportant to record. To + this wonder of wonders Mark devotes one verse: "So then, after the Lord + had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the + right-hand of God." Can we believe that this verse was written by one who + witnessed the ascension of Jesus Christ; by one who watched his Master + slowly rising through the air till distance reft him from his tearful + sight? Luke, another of the witnesses, says: "And it came to pass, while + he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." + John corroborates Matthew by saying nothing on the subject. Now, we find + that the last chapter of Mark, after the eighth verse, is an + interpolation; so that Mark really says nothing about the occurrence. + Either the ascension of Christ must be given up, or it must be admitted + that the witnesses do not agree, and that three of them never heard of + that most stupendous event. + </p> + <p> + Again, if anything could have left its "form and pressure" on the brain, + it must have been the last words of Jesus Christ. The last words, + according to Matthew, are: "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, + baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy + Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded + you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." The + last words, according to the inspired witness known as Mark, are: "And + these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out + devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; + and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay + hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Luke tells us that the last + words uttered by Christ, with the exception of a blessing, were: "And + behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in + the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." The + last words, according to John, were: "Peter, seeing Him, saith to Jesus: + Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he + tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." + </p> + <p> + An account of the ascension is also given in the Acts of the Apostles; and + the last words of Christ, according to that inspired witness, are: "But ye + shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye + shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in + Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." In this account of the + ascension we find that two men stood by the disciples in white apparel, + and asked them: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? + This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in + like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Matthew says nothing of + the two men. Mark never saw them. Luke may have forgotten them when + writing his gospel, and John may have regarded them as optical illusions. + </p> + <p> + Luke testifies that Christ ascended on the very day of his resurrection. + John deposes that eight days after the resurrection Christ appeared to the + disciples and convinced Thomas. In the Acts we are told that Christ + remained on earth for forty days after his resurrection. These + "depositions" do not agree. Neither do Matthew and Luke agree in their + histories of the infancy of Christ. It is impossible for both to be true. + One of these "witnesses" must have been mistaken. + </p> + <p> + The most wonderful miracle recorded in the New Testament, as having been + wrought by Christ, is the resurrection of Lazarus. While all the writers + of the gospels, in many instances, record the same wonders and the same + conversations, is it not remarkable that the greatest miracle is mentioned + alone by John? + </p> + <p> + Two of the witnesses, Matthew and Luke, give the genealogy of Christ. + Matthew says that there were forty-two generations from Abraham to Christ. + Luke insists that there were forty-two from Christ to David, while Matthew + gives the number as twenty-eight. It may be said that this is an old + objection. An objection-remains young until it has been answered. Is it + not wonderful that Luke and Matthew do not agree on a single name of + Christ's ancestors for thirty-seven generations? + </p> + <p> + There is a difference of opinion among the "witnesses" as to what the + gospel of Christ is. If we take the "depositions" of Matthew, Mark, and + Luke, then the gospel of Christ amounts simply to this: That God will + forgive the forgiving, and that he will be merciful to the merciful. + According to three witnesses, Christ knew nothing of the doctrine of the + atonement; never heard of the second birth; and did not base salvation, in + whole nor in part, on belief. In the "deposition" of John, we find that we + must be born again; that we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; and + that an atonement was made for us. If Christ ever said these things to, or + in the hearing of, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, they forgot to mention them. + </p> + <p> + To my mind, the failure of the evangelists to agree as tu what is + necessary for man to do in order to insure the salvation of his soul, is a + demonstration that they were not inspired. + </p> + <p> + Neither do the witnesses agree as to the last words of Christ when he was + crucified. Matthew says that he cried: "My God, my God, why hast thou + forsaken me?" Mark agrees with Matthew. Luke testifies that his last words + were: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." John states that he + cried: "It is finished." + </p> + <p> + Luke says that Christ said of his murderers: "Father, forgive them; for + they know not what they do." Matthew, Mark, and John do not record these + touching words. John says that Christ, on the day of his resurrection, + said to his disciples: "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto + them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained." + </p> + <p> + The other disciples do not record this monstrous passage. They did not + hear the abdication of God. They were not present when Christ placed in + their hands the keys of heaven and hell, and put a world beneath the feet + of priests. + </p> + <p> + It is easy to account for the differences and contradictions in these + "depositions" (and there are hundreds of them) by saying that each one + told the story as he remembered it, or as he had heard it, or that the + accounts have been changed, but it will not do to say that the witnesses + were inspired of God. We can account for these contradictions by the + infirmities of human nature; but, as I said before, the infirmities of + human nature cannot be predicated of a divine being. + </p> + <p> + Again, I ask, why should there be more than one inspired gospel? Of what + use were the other three? There can be only one true account of anything. + All other true accounts must simply be copies of that. And I ask again, + why should there have been more than one inspired gospel? That which is + the test of truth as to ordinary witnesses is a demonstration against + their inspiration. It will not do at this late day to say that the + miracles worked by Christ demonstrated his divine origin or mission. The + wonderful works he did, did not convince the people with whom he lived. In + spite of the miracles, he was crucified. He was charged with blasphemy. + "Policemen" denounced the "scurrility" of his words, and the absurdity of + his doctrines. He was no doubt told that it was "almost a crime to utter + blasphemy in the presence of a Jewish woman;" and it may be that he was + taunted for throwing away "the golden metewand" of the "infallible God who + authorized slavery in Judea," and taking the "elastic cord of human + feeling." + </p> + <p> + Christians tell us that the citizens of Mecca refused to believe on + Mohammed because he was an impostor, and that the citizens of Jerusalem + refused to believe on Jesus Christ because he was <i>not</i> an impostor. + </p> + <p> + If Christ had wrought the miracles attributed to him—if he had cured + the maimed, the leprous, and the halt—if he had changed the night of + blindness into blessed day—if he had wrested from the fleshless hand + of avaricious death the stolen jewel of a life, and clothed again with + throbbing flesh the pulseless dust, he would have won the love and + adoration of mankind. If ever there shall stand upon this earth the king + of death, all human knees will touch the ground. + </p> + <p> + We are further informed that "what we call the fundamental truths of + Christianity consist of great public events which are sufficiently + established by history without special proof." + </p> + <p> + Of course, we admit that the Roman Empire existed; that Julius Caesar was + assassinated; and we may admit that Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus; + but will some one be kind enough to tell us how the assassination of + Caesar even tends to prove that Romulus and Remus were suckled by a wolf? + We will all admit that, in the sixth century after Christ, Mohammed was + born at Mecca; that his victorious hosts vanquished half the Christian + world; that the crescent triumphed over the cross upon a thousand fields; + that all the Christians of the earth were not able to rescue from the + hands of an impostor the empty grave of Christ. We will all admit that the + Mohammedans cultivated the arts and sciences; that they gave us our + numerals; taught us the higher mathematics; gave us our first ideas of + astronomy, and that "science was thrust into the brain of Europe on the + point of a Moorish lance;" and yet we will not admit that Mohammed was + divinely inspired, nor that he had frequent conversations with the angel + Gabriel, nor that after his death his coffin was suspended in mid-air. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago, in the city of Chicago, a gentleman addressed a number + of Sunday-school children. In his address, he stated that some people were + wicked enough to deny the story of the deluge; that he was a traveler; + that he had been to the top of Mount Ararat, and had brought with him a + stone from that sacred locality. The children were then invited to form in + procession and walk by the pulpit, for the purpose of seeing this + wonderful stone. After they had looked at it, the lecturer said: "Now, + children, if you ever hear anybody deny the story of the deluge, or say + that the ark did not rest on Mount Ararat, you can tell them that you know + better, because you have seen with your own eyes a stone from that very + mountain." + </p> + <p> + The fact that Christ lived in Palestine does not tend to show that he was + in any way related to the Holy Ghost; nor does the existence of the + Christian religion substantiate the ascension of Jesus Christ. We all + admit that Socrates lived in Athens, but we do not admit that he had a + familiar spirit. I am satisfied that John Wesley was an Englishman, but I + hardly believe that God postponed a rain because Mr. Wesley wanted to + preach. All the natural things in the world are not sufficient to + establish the supernatural. Mr. Black reasons in this way: There was a + hydra-headed monster. We know this, because Hercules killed him. There + must have been such a woman as Proserpine, otherwise Pluto could not have + carried her away. Christ must have been divine, because the Holy Ghost was + his father. And there must have been such a being as the Holy Ghost, + because without a father Christ could not have existed. Those who are + disposed to deny everything because a part is false, reason exactly the + other way. They insist that because there was no hydra-headed monster, + Hercules did not exist. The true position, in my judgment, is that the + natural is not to be discarded because found in the company of the + miraculous, neither should the miraculous be believed because associated + with the probable. There was in all probability such a man as Jesus + Christ. He may have lived in Jerusalem. He may have been crucified, but + that he was the Son of God, or that he was raised from the dead, and + ascended bodily to heaven, has never been, and, in the nature of things, + can never be, substantiated. + </p> + <p> + Apparently tired with his efforts to answer what I really said, Mr. Black + resorted to the expedient of "compressing" my propositions and putting + them in italics. By his system of "compression" he was enabled to squeeze + out what I really said, and substitute a few sentences of his own. I did + not say that "Christianity offers eternal salvation as the reward of + belief alone," but I did say that no salvation is offered <i>without</i> + belief. There must be a difference of opinion in the minds of Mr. Black's + witnesses on this subject. In one place we are told that a man is + "justified by faith without the deeds of the law;" and in another, "to him + that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his + faith is counted to him for righteousness;" and the following passages + seem to show the necessity of belief: + </p> + <p> + "<i>He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not + is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only + begotten Son of God." "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: + and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of + God abideth on him." "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the + life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." + "And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, shall never die." "For the + gifts and calling of God are without repentance." "For by grace are ye + saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." + "Not of works, lest any man should boast." "Whosoever shall confess that + Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." "Whosoever + believeth not shall be damned.</i>" + </p> + <p> + I do not understand that the Christians of to-day insist that simple + belief will secure the salvation of the soul. I believe it is stated in + the Bible that "the very devils believe;" and it would seem from this that + belief is not such a meritorious thing, after all. But Christians do + insist that without belief no man can be saved; that faith is necessary to + salvation, and that there is "none other name under heaven given among men + whereby we can be saved," except that of Christ. My doctrine is that there + is only one way to be saved, and that is to act in harmony with your + surroundings—to live in accordance with the facts of your being. A + Being of infinite wisdom has no right to create a person destined to + everlasting pain. For the honest infidel, according to the American + Evangelical pulpit, there is no heaven. For the upright atheist, there is + nothing in another world but punishment. Mr. Black admits that lunatics + and idiots are in no danger of hell. This being so, his God should have + created only lunatics and idiots. Why should the fatal gift of brain be + given to any human being, if such gift renders him liable to eternal hell? + Better be a lunatic here and an angel there. Better be an idiot in this + world, if you can be a seraph in the next. + </p> + <p> + As to the doctrine of the atonement, Mr. Black has nothing to offer except + the barren statement that it is believed by the wisest and the best. A + Mohammedan, speaking in Constantinople, will say the same of the Koran. A + Brahmin, in a Hindu temple, will make the same remark, and so will the + American Indian, when he endeavors to enforce something upon the young of + his tribe. He will say: "The best, the greatest of our tribe have believed + in this." This is the argument of the cemetery, the philosophy of + epitaphs, the logic of the coffin. Who are the greatest and wisest and + most virtuous of mankind? This statement, that it has been believed by the + best, is made in connection with an admission that it cannot be fathomed + by the wisest. It is not claimed that a thing is necessarily false because + it is not understood, but I do claim that it is not necessarily true + because it cannot be comprehended. I still insist that "the plan of + redemption," as usually preached, is absurd, unjust, and immoral. + </p> + <p> + For nearly two thousand years Judas Iscariot has been execrated by + mankind; and yet, if the doctrine of the atonement is true, upon his + treachery hung the plan of salvation. Suppose Judas had known of this plan—known + that he was selected by Christ for that very purpose, that Christ was + depending on him. And suppose that he also knew that only by betraying + Christ could he save either himself or others; what ought Judas to have + done? Are you willing to rely upon an argument that justifies the + treachery of that wretch? + </p> + <p> + I insisted upon knowing how the sufferings of an innocent man could + satisfy justice for the sins of the guilty. To this, Mr. Black replies as + follows: "This raises a metaphysical question, which it is not necessary + or possible for me to discuss here." Is this considered an answer? Is it + in this way that "my misty creations are made to roll away and vanish into + air one after another?" Is this the best that can be done by one of the + disciples of the infallible God who butchered babes in Judea? Is it + possible for a "policeman" to "silence a rude disturber" in this way? To + answer an argument, is it only necessary to say that it "raises a + metaphysical question"? Again I say: The life of Christ is worth its + example, its moral force, its heroism of benevolence. And again I say: The + effort to vindicate a law by inflicting punishment on the innocent is a + second violation instead of a vindication. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black, under the pretence of "compressing," puts in my mouth the + following: "The doctrine of non-resistance, forgiveness of injuries, + reconciliation with enemies, as taught in the New Testament, is the child + of weakness, degrading and unjust." + </p> + <p> + This is entirely untrue. What I did say is this: "The idea of + non-resistance never occurred to a man who had the power to protect + himself. This doctrine was the child of weakness, born when resistance was + impossible." I said not one word against the forgiveness of injuries, not + one word against the reconciliation of enemies—not one word. I + believe in the reconciliation of enemies. I believe in a reasonable + forgiveness of injuries. But I do not believe in the doctrine of + non-resistance. Mr. Black proceeds to say that Christianity forbids us "to + cherish animosity, to thirst for mere revenge, to hoard up wrongs real or + fancied, and lie in wait for the chance of paying them back; to be + impatient, unforgiving, malicious, and cruel to all who have crossed us." + And yet the man who thus describes Christianity tells us that it is not + only our right, but our duty, to fight savages as savages fight us; + insists that where a nation tries to exterminate us, we have a right to + exterminate them. This same man, who tells us that "the diabolical + propensities of the human heart are checked and curbed by the spirit of + the Christian religion," and that this religion "has converted men from + low savages into refined and civilized beings," still insists that the + author of the Christian religion established slavery, waged wars of + extermination, abhorred the liberty of thought, and practiced the divine + virtues of retaliation and revenge. If it is our duty to forgive our + enemies, ought not God to forgive his? Is it possible that God will hate + his enemies when he tells us that we must love ours? The enemies of God + cannot injure him, but ours can injure us. If it is the duty of the + injured to forgive, why should the uninjured insist upon having revenge? + Why should a being who destroys nations with pestilence and famine expect + that his children will be loving and forgiving? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black insists that without a belief in God there can be no perception + of right and wrong, and that it is impossible for an atheist to have a + conscience. Mr. Black, the Christian, the believer in God, upholds wars of + extermination. I denounce such wars as murder. He upholds the institution + of slavery. I denounce that institution as the basest of crimes. Yet I am + told that I have no knowledge of right and wrong; that I measure with "the + elastic cord of human feeling," while the believer in slavery and wars of + extermination measures with "the golden metewand of God." + </p> + <p> + What is right and what is wrong? Everything is right that tends to the + happiness of mankind, and everything is wrong that increases the sum of + human misery. What can increase the happiness of this world more than to + do away with every form of slavery, and with all war? What can increase + the misery of mankind more than to increase wars and put chains upon more + human limbs? What is conscience? If man were incapable of suffering, if + man could not feel pain, the word "conscience" never would have passed his + lips. The man who puts himself in the place of another, whose imagination + has been cultivated to the point of feeling the agonies suffered by + another, is the man of conscience. But a man who justifies slavery, who + justifies a God when he commands the soldier to rip open the mother and to + pierce with the sword of war the child unborn, is controlled and + dominated, not by conscience, but by a cruel and remorseless superstition. + </p> + <p> + Consequences determine the quality of an action. If consequences are good, + so is the action. If actions had no consequences, they would be neither + good nor bad. Man did not get his knowledge of the consequences of actions + from God, but from experience and reason. If man can, by actual + experiment, discover the right and wrong of actions, is it not utterly + illogical to declare that they who do not believe in God can have no + standard of right and wrong? Consequences are the standard by which + actions are judged. They are the children that testify as to the real + character of their parents. God or no God, larceny is the enemy of + industry—industry is the mother of prosperity—prosperity is a + good, and therefore larceny is an evil. God or no God, murder is a crime. + There has always been a law against larceny, because the laborer wishes to + enjoy the fruit of his toil. As long as men object to being killed, murder + will be illegal. + </p> + <p> + According to Mr. Black, the man who does not believe in a supreme being + acknowledges no standard of right and wrong in this world, and therefore + can have no theory of rewards and punishments in the next. Is it possible + that only those who believe in the God who persecuted for opinion's sake + have any standard of right and wrong? Were the greatest men of all + antiquity without this standard? In the eyes of intelligent men of Greece + and Rome, were all deeds, whether good or evil, morally alike? Is it + necessary to believe in the existence of an infinite intelligence before + you can have any standard of right and wrong? Is it possible that a being + cannot be just or virtuous unless he believes in some being infinitely + superior to himself? If this doctrine be true, how can God be just or + virtuous? Does he believe in some being superior to himself? + </p> + <p> + It may be said that the Pagans believed in a god, and consequently had a + standard of right and wrong. But the Pagans did not believe in the "true" + God. They knew nothing of Jehovah. Of course it will not do to believe in + the wrong God. In order to know the difference between right and wrong, + you must believe in the right God—in the one who established + slavery. Can this be avoided by saying that a false god is better than + none? + </p> + <p> + The idea of justice is not the child of superstition—it was not born + of ignorance; neither was it nurtured by the passages in the Old Testament + upholding slavery, wars of extermination, and religious persecution. Every + human being necessarily has a standard of right and wrong; and where that + standard has not been polluted by superstition, man abhors slavery, + regards a war of extermination as murder, and looks upon religious + persecution as a hideous crime. If there is a God, infinite in power and + wisdom, above him, poised in eternal calm, is the figure of Justice. At + the shrine of Justice the infinite God must bow, and in her impartial + scales the actions even of Infinity must be weighed. There is no world, no + star, no heaven, no hell, in which gratitude is not a virtue and where + slavery is not a crime. + </p> + <p> + According to the logic of this "reply," all good and evil become mixed and + mingled—equally good and equally bad, unless we believe in the + existence of the infallible God who ordered husbands to kill their wives. + We do not know right from wrong now, unless we are convinced that a being + of infinite mercy waged wars of extermination four thousand years ago. We + are incapable even of charity, unless we worship the being who ordered the + husband to kill his wife for differing with him on the subject of + religion. + </p> + <p> + We know that acts are good or bad only as they effect the actors, and + others. We know that from every good act good consequences flow, and that + from every bad act there are only evil results. Every virtuous deed is a + star in the moral firmament. There is in the moral world, as in the + physical, the absolute and perfect relation of cause and effect. For this + reason, the atonement becomes an impossibility. Others may suffer by your + crime, but their suffering cannot discharge you; it simply increases your + guilt and adds to your burden. For this reason happiness is not a reward—it + is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment—it is a result. + </p> + <p> + It is insisted that Christianity is not opposed to freedom of thought, but + that "it is based on certain principles to which it requires the assent of + all." Is this a candid statement? Are we only required to give our assent + to certain principles in order to be saved? Are the inspiration of the + Bible, the divinity of Christ, the atonement, and the Trinity, principles? + Will it be admitted by the orthodox world that good deeds are sufficient + unto salvation—that a man can get into heaven by living in + accordance with certain principles? This is a most excellent doctrine, but + it is not Christianity. And right here, it may be well enough to state + what I mean by Christianity. The morality of the world is not + distinctively Christian. Zoroaster, Gautama, Mohammed, Confucius, Christ, + and, in fact, all founders of religions, have said to their disciples: You + must not steal; You must not murder; You must not bear false witness; You + must discharge your obligations. Christianity is the ordinary moral code, + <i>plus</i> the miraculous origin of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion, his + resurrection, his ascension, the inspiration of the Bible, the doctrine of + the atonement, and the necessity of belief. Buddhism is the ordinary moral + code, <i>plus</i> the miraculous illumination of Buddha, the performance + of certain ceremonies, a belief in the transmigration of the soul, and in + the final absorption of the human by the infinite. The religion of + Mohammed is the ordinary moral code, <i>plus</i> the belief that Mohammed + was the prophet of God, total abstinence from the use of intoxicating + drinks, a harem for the faithful here and hereafter, ablutions, prayers, + alms, pilgrimages, and fasts. + </p> + <p> + The morality in Christianity has never opposed the freedom of thought. It + has never put, nor tended to put, a chain on a human mind, nor a manacle + on a human limb; but the doctrines distinctively Christian—the + necessity of believing a certain thing; the idea that eternal punishment + awaited him who failed to believe; the idea that the innocent can suffer + for the guilty—these things have opposed, and for a thousand years + substantially destroyed, the freedom of the human mind. All religions + have, with ceremony, magic, and mystery, deformed, darkened, and corrupted + the soul. Around the sturdy oaks of morality have grown and clung the + parasitic, poisonous vines of the miraculous and monstrous. + </p> + <p> + I have insisted, and I still insist, that it is impossible for a finite + man to commit a crime deserving infinite punishment; and upon this subject + Mr. Black admits that "no revelation has lifted the veil between time and + eternity;" and, consequently, neither the priest nor the "policeman" knows + anything with certainty regarding another world. He simply insists that + "in shadowy figures we are warned that a very marked distinction will be + made between the good and bad in the next world." There is "a very marked + distinction" in this; but there is this rainbow on the darkest human + cloud: The worst have hope of reform. All I insist is, if there is another + life, the basest soul that finds its way to that dark or radiant shore + will have the everlasting chance of doing right. Nothing but the most + cruel ignorance, the most heartless superstition, the most ignorant + theology, ever imagined that the few days of human life spent here, + surrounded by mists and clouds of darkness, blown over life's sea by + storms and tempests of passion, fixed for all eternity the condition of + the human race. If this doctrine be true, this life is but a net, in which + Jehovah catches souls for hell. + </p> + <p> + The idea that a certain belief is necessary to salvation unsheathed the + swords and lighted the fagots of persecution. As long as heaven is the + reward of creed instead of deed, just so long will every orthodox church + be a bastile, every member a prisoner, and every priest a turnkey. + </p> + <p> + In the estimation of good orthodox Christians, I am a criminal, because I + am trying to take from loving mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, + husbands, wives, and lovers the consolations naturally arising from a + belief in an eternity of grief and pain. I want to tear, break, and + scatter to the winds the God that priests erected in the fields of + innocent pleasure—a God made of sticks, called creeds, and of old + clothes, called myths. I have tried to take from the coffin its horror, + from the cradle its curse, and put out the fires of revenge kindled by the + savages of the past. Is it necessary that heaven should borrow its light + from the glare of hell? Infinite punishment is infinite cruelty, endless + injustice, immortal meanness. To worship an eternal gaoler hardens, + debases, and pollutes the soul. While there is one sad and breaking heart + in the universe, no perfectly good being can be perfectly happy. Against + the heartlessness of this doctrine every grand and generous soul should + enter its solemn protest. I want no part in any heaven where the saved, + the ransomed, and redeemed drown with merry shouts the cries and sobs of + hell—in which happiness forgets misery—where the tears of the + lost increase laughter and deepen the dimples of joy. The idea of hell was + born of ignorance, brutality, fear, cowardice, and revenge. This idea + tends to show that our remote ancestors were the lowest beasts. Only from + dens, lairs, and caves—only from mouths filled with cruel fangs—only + from hearts of fear and hatred—only from the conscience of hunger + and lust—only from the lowest and most debased, could come this most + cruel, heartless, and absurd of all dogmas. + </p> + <p> + Our ancestors knew but little of nature. They were too astonished to + investigate. They could not divest themselves of the idea that everything + happened with reference to them; that they caused storms and earthquakes; + that they brought the tempest and the whirlwind; that on account of + something they had done, or omitted to do, the lightning of vengeance + leaped from the darkened sky. They made up their minds that at least two + vast and powerful beings presided over this world; that one was good and + the other bad; that both of these beings wished to get control of the + souls of men; that they were relentless enemies, eternal foes; that both + welcomed recruits and hated deserters; that one offered rewards in this + world, and the other in the next. Man saw cruelty and mercy in nature, + because he imagined that phenomena were produced to punish or to reward + him. It was supposed that God demanded worship; that he loved to be + flattered; that he delighted in sacrifice; that nothing made him happier + than to see ignorant faith upon its knees; that above all things he hated + and despised doubters and heretics, and regarded investigation as + rebellion. Each community felt it a duty to see that the enemies of God + were converted or killed. To allow a heretic to live in peace was to + invite the wrath of God. Every public evil—every misfortune—was + accounted for by something the community had permitted or done. When + epidemics appeared, brought by ignorance and welcomed by filth, the + heretic was brought out and sacrificed to appease the anger of God. By + putting intention behind what man called good, God was produced. By + putting intention behind what man called bad, the Devil was created. Leave + this "intention" out, and gods and devils fade away. If not a human being + existed, the sun would continue to shine, and tempest now and then would + devastate the earth; the rain would fall in pleasant showers; violets + would spread their velvet bosoms to the sun, the earthquake would devour, + birds would sing and daisies bloom and roses blush, and volcanoes fill the + heavens with their lurid glare; the procession of the seasons would not be + broken, and the stars would shine as serenely as though the world were + filled with loving hearts and happy homes. Do not imagine that the + doctrine of eternal revenge belongs to Christianity alone. Nearly all + religions have had this dogma for a corner-stone. Upon this burning + foundation nearly all have built. Over the abyss of pain rose the + glittering dome of pleasure. This world was regarded as one of trial. + Here, a God of infinite wisdom experimented with man. Between the + outstretched paws of the Infinite, the mouse—man—was allowed + to play. Here, man had the opportunity of hearing priests and kneeling in + temples. Here, he could read, and hear read, the sacred books. Here, he + could have the example of the pious and the counsels of the holy. Here, he + could build churches and cathedrals. Here, he could burn incense, fast, + wear hair-cloth, deny himself all the pleasures of life, confess to + priests, construct instruments of torture, bow before pictures and images, + and persecute all who had the courage to despise superstition, and the + goodness to tell their honest thoughts. After death, if he died out of the + church, nothing could be done to make him better. When he should come into + the presence of God, nothing was left except to damn him. Priests might + convert him here, but God could do nothing there. All of which shows how + much more a priest can do for a soul than its creator. Only here, on the + earth, where the devil is constantly active, only where his agents attack + every soul, is there the slightest hope of moral improvement. Strange! + that a world cursed by God, filled with temptations, and thick with + fiends, should be the only place where man can repent, the only place + where reform is possible! + </p> + <p> + Masters frightened slaves with the threat of hell, and slaves got a kind + of shadowy revenge by whispering back the threat. The imprisoned imagined + a hell for their gaolers; the weak built this place for the strong; the + arrogant for their rivals; the vanquished for their victors; the priest + for the thinker; religion for reason; superstition for science. All the + meanness, all the revenge, all the selfishness, all the cruelty, all the + hatred, all the infamy of which the heart of man is capable, grew, + blossomed, and bore fruit in this one word—Hell. For the nourishment + of this dogma, cruelty was soil, ignorance was rain, and fear was light. + </p> + <p> + Why did Mr. Black fail to answer what I said in relation to the doctrine + of inspiration? Did he consider that a "metaphysical question"? Let us see + what inspiration really is. A man looks at the sea, and the sea says + something to him. It makes an impression on his mind. It awakens memory, + and this impression depends upon his experience—upon his + intellectual capacity. Another looks upon the same sea. He has a different + brain; he has a different experience. The sea may speak to him of joy, to + the other of grief and tears. The sea cannot tell the same thing to any + two human beings, because no two human beings have had the same + experience. One may think of wreck and ruin, and another, while listening + to the "multitudinous laughter of the sea," may say: Every drop has + visited all the shores of earth; every one has been frozen in the vast and + icy North, has fallen in snow, has whirled in storms around the mountain + peaks, been kissed to vapor by the sun, worn the seven-hued robe of light, + fallen in pleasant rain, gurgled from springs, and laughed in brooks while + lovers wooed upon the banks. Everything in nature tells a different story + to all eyes that see and to all ears that hear. So, when we look upon a + flower, a painting, a statue, a star, or a violet, the more we know, the + more we have experienced, the more we have thought, the more we remember, + the more the statue, the star, the painting, the violet has to tell. + Nature says to me all that I am capable of understanding—gives all + that I can receive. As with star, or flower, or sea, so with a book. A + thoughtful man reads Shakespeare. What does he get? All that he has the + mind to understand. Let another read him, who knows nothing of the drama, + nothing of the impersonations of passion, and what does he get? Almost + nothing. Shakespeare has a different story for each reader. He is a world + in which each recognizes his acquaintances. The impression that nature + makes upon the mind, the stories told by sea and star and flower, must be + the natural food of thought. Leaving out for the moment the impressions + gained from ancestors, the hereditary fears and drifts and trends—the + natural food of thought must be the impressions made upon the brain by + coming in contact through the medium of the senses with what we call the + outward world. The brain is natural; its food is natural; the result, + thought, must be natural. Of the supernatural we have no conception. + Thought may be deformed, and the thought of one may be strange to, and + denominated unnatural by, another; but it cannot be supernatural. It may + be weak, it may be insane, but it is not supernatural. Above the natural, + man cannot rise. There can be deformed ideas, as there are deformed + persons. There may be religions monstrous and misshapen, but they were + naturally produced. The world is to each man according to each man. It + takes the world as it really is and that man to make that man's world. + </p> + <p> + You may ask, And what of all this? I reply, As with everything in nature, + so with the Bible. It has a different story for each reader. Is, then, the + Bible a different book to every human being who reads it? It is. Can God, + through the Bible, make precisely the same revelation to two persons? He + cannot. Why? Because the man who reads is not inspired. God should inspire + readers as well as writers. + </p> + <p> + You may reply: God knew that his book would be understood differently by + each one, and intended that it should be understood as it is understood by + each. If this is so, then my understanding of the Bible is the real + revelation to me. If this is so, I have no right to take the understanding + of another. I must take the revelation made to me through my + understanding, and by that revelation I must stand. Suppose then, that I + read this Bible honestly, fairly, and when I get through am compelled to + say, "The book is not true." If this is the honest result, then you are + compelled to say, either that God has made no revelation to me, or that + the revelation that it is not true is the revelation made to me, and by + which I am bound. If the book and my brain are both the work of the same + infinite God, whose fault is it that the book and brain do not agree? + Either God should have written a book to fit my brain, or should have made + my brain to fit his book. The inspiration of the Bible depends on the + credulity of him who reads. There was a time when its geology, its + astronomy, its natural history, were thought to be inspired; that time has + passed. There was a time when its morality satisfied the men who ruled the + world of thought; that time has passed. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black, continuing his process of compressing my propositions, + attributes to me the following statement: "The gospel of Christ does not + satisfy the hunger of the heart." I did not say this. What I did say is: + "The dogmas of the past no longer reach the level of the highest thought, + nor satisfy the hunger of the heart." In so far as Christ taught any + doctrine in opposition to slavery, in favor of intellectual liberty, + upholding kindness, enforcing the practice of justice and mercy, I most + cheerfully admit that his teachings should be followed. Such teachings do + not need the assistance of miracles. They are not in the region of the + supernatural. They find their evidence in the glad response of every + honest heart that superstition has not touched and stained. The great + question under discussion is, whether the immoral, absurd, and infamous + can be established by the miraculous. It cannot be too often repeated, + that truth scorns the assistance of miracle. That which actually happens + sets in motion innumerable effects, which, in turn, become causes + producing other effects. These are all "witnesses" whose "depositions" + continue. What I insist on is, that a miracle cannot be established by + human testimony. We have known people to be mistaken. We know that all + people will not tell the truth. We have never seen the dead raised. When + people assert that they have, we are forced to weigh the probabilities, + and the probabilities are on the other side. It will not do to assert that + the universe was created, and then say that such creation was miraculous, + and, therefore, all miracles are possible. We must be sure of our + premises. Who knows that the universe was created? If it was not; if it + has existed from eternity; if the present is the necessary child of all + the past, then the miraculous is the impossible. Throw away all the + miracles of the New Testament, and the good teachings of Christ remain—all + that is worth preserving will be there still. Take from what is now known + as Christianity the doctrine of the atonement, the fearful dogma of + eternal punishment, the absurd idea that a certain belief is necessary to + salvation, and with most of the remainder the good and intelligent will + most heartily agree. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black attributes to me the following expression: "Christianity is + pernicious in its moral effect, darkens the mind, narrows the soul, + arrests the progress of human society, and hinders civilization." I said + no such thing. Strange, that he is only able to answer what I did not say. + I endeavored to show that the passages in the Old Testament upholding + slavery, polygamy, wars of extermination, and religious intolerance had + filled the world with blood and crime. I admitted that there are many wise + and good things in the Old Testament. I also insisted that the doctrine of + the atonement—that is to say, of moral bankruptcy—the idea + that a certain belief is necessary to salvation, and the frightful dogma + of eternal pain, had narrowed the soul, had darkened the mind, and had + arrested the progress of human society. Like other religions, Christianity + is a mixture of good and evil. The church has made more orphans than it + has fed. It has never built asylums enough to hold the insane of its own + making. It has shed more blood than light. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black seems to think that miracles are the most natural things + imaginable, and wonders that anybody should be insane enough to deny the + probability of the impossible. He regards all who doubt the miraculous + origin, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, as afflicted with + some "error of the moon," and declares that their "disbelief seems like a + kind of insanity." + </p> + <p> + To ask for evidence is not generally regarded as a symptom of a brain + diseased. Delusions, illusions, phantoms, hallucinations, apparitions, + chimeras, and visions are the common property of the religious and the + insane. Persons blessed with sound minds and healthy bodies rely on facts, + not fancies—on demonstrations instead of dreams. It seems to me that + the most orthodox Christians must admit that many of the miracles recorded + in the New Testament are extremely childish. They must see that the + miraculous draught of fishes, changing water into wine, fasting for forty + days, inducing devils to leave an insane man by allowing them to take + possession of swine, walking on the water, and using a fish for a + pocket-book, are all unworthy of an infinite being, and are calculated to + provoke laughter—to feed suspicion and engender doubt. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black takes the ground that if a man believes in the creation of the + universe—that being the most stupendous miracle of which the mind + can conceive—he has no right to deny anything. He asserts that God + created the universe; that creation was a miracle; that "God would be + likely to reveal his will to the rational creatures who were required to + obey it," and that he would authenticate his revelation by giving his + prophets and apostles supernatural power. + </p> + <p> + After making these assertion, he triumphantly exclaims: "It therefore + follows that the improbability of a miracle is no greater than the + original improbability of a revelation, and that is not improbable at + all." + </p> + <p> + How does he know that God made the universe? How does he know what God + would be likely to do? How does he know that any revelation was made? And + how did he ascertain that any of the apostles and prophets were entrusted + with supernatural power? It will not do to prove your premises by + assertions, and then claim that your conclusions are correct, because they + agree with your premises. + </p> + <p> + If "God would be likely to reveal his will to the rational creatures who + were required to obey it," why did he reveal it only to the Jews? + According to Mr. Black, God is the only natural thing in the universe. + </p> + <p> + We should remember that ignorance is the mother of credulity; that the + early Christians believed everything but the truth, and that they accepted + Paganism, admitted the reality of all the Pagan miracles—taking the + ground that they were all forerunners of their own. Pagan miracles were + never denied by the Christian world until late in the seventeenth century. + Voltaire was the third man of note in Europe who denied the truth of Greek + and Roman mythology. "The early Christians cited Pagan oracles predicting + in detail the sufferings of Christ. They forged prophecies, and attributed + them to the heathen sibyls, and they were accepted as genuine by the + entire church." + </p> + <p> + St. Irenæus assures us that all Christians possessed the power of + working miracles; that they prophesied, cast out devils, healed the sick, + and even raised the dead. St. Epiphanius asserts that some rivers and + fountains were annually transmuted into wine, in attestation of the + miracle of Cana, adding that he himself had drunk of these fountains. St. + Augustine declares that one was told in a dream where the bones of St. + Stephen were buried, that the bones were thus discovered, and brought to + Hippo, and that they raised five dead persons to life, and that in two + years seventy miracles were performed with these relics. Justin Martyr + states that God once sent some angels to guard the human race, that these + angels fell in love with the daughters of men, and became the fathers of + innumerable devils. + </p> + <p> + For hundreds of years, miracles were about the only things that happened. + They were wrought by thousands of Christians, and testified to by + millions. The saints and martyrs, the best and greatest, were the + witnesses and workers of wonders. Even heretics, with the assistance of + the devil, could suspend the "laws of nature." Must we believe these + wonderful accounts because they were written by "good men," by Christians, + "who made their statements in the presence and expectation of death"? The + truth is that these "good men" were mistaken. They expected the + miraculous. They breathed the air of the marvelous. They fed their minds + on prodigies, and their imaginations feasted on effects without causes. + They were incapable of investigating. Doubts were regarded as "rude + disturbers of the congregation." Credulity and sanctity walked hand in + hand. Reason was danger. Belief was safety. As the philosophy of the + ancients was rendered almost worthless by the credulity of the common + people, so the proverbs of Christ, his religion of forgiveness, his creed + of kindness, were lost in the mist of miracle and the darkness of + superstition. + </p> + <p> + If Mr. Black is right, there were no virtue, justice, intellectual + liberty, moral elevation, refinement, benevolence, or true wisdom, until + Christianity was established. He asserts that when Christ came, + "benevolence, in any shape, was altogether unknown." + </p> + <p> + He insists that "the infallible God who authorized slavery in Judea" + established a government; that he was the head and king of the Jewish + people; that for this reason heresy was treason. Is it possible that God + established a government in which benevolence was unknown? How did it + happen that he established no asylums for the insane? How do you account + for the fact that your God permitted some of his children to become + insane? Why did Jehovah fail to establish hospitals and schools? Is it + reasonable to believe that a good God would assist his chosen people to + exterminate or enslave his other children? Why would your God people a + world, knowing that it would be destitute of benevolence for four thousand + years? Jehovah should have sent missionaries to the heathen. He ought to + have reformed the inhabitants of Canaan. He should have sent teachers, not + soldiers—missionaries, not murderers. A God should not exterminate + his children; he should reform them. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black gives us a terrible picture of the condition of the world at the + coming of Christ; but did the God of Judea treat his own children, the + Gentiles, better than the Pagans treated theirs? When Rome enslaved + mankind—when with her victorious armies she sought to conquer or to + exterminate tribes and nations, she but followed the example of Jehovah. + Is it true that benevolence came with Christ, and that his coming heralded + the birth of pity in the human heart? Does not Mr. Black know that, + thousands of years before Christ was born, there were hospitals and + asylums for orphans in China? Does he not know that in Egypt, before Moses + lived, the insane were treated with kindness and wooed back to natural + thought by music's golden voice? Does he not know that in all times, and + in all countries, there have been great and loving souls who wrought, and + toiled, and suffered, and died that others might enjoy? Is it possible + that he knows nothing of the religion of Buddha—a religion based + upon equality, charity and forgiveness? Does he not know that, centuries + before the birth of the great Peasant of Palestine, another, upon the + plains of India, had taught the doctrine of forgiveness; and that, + contrary to the tyranny of Jehovah, had given birth to the sublime + declaration that all men are by nature free and equal? Does he not know + that a religion of absolute trust in God had been taught thousands of + years before Jerusalem was built—a religion based upon absolute + special providence, carrying its confidence to the extremest edge of human + thought, declaring that every evil is a blessing in disguise, and that + every step taken by mortal man, whether in the rags of poverty or the + royal robes of kings, is the step necessary to be taken by that soul in + order to reach perfection and eternal joy? But how is it possible for a + man who believes in slavery to have the slightest conception of + benevolence, justice or charity? If Mr. Black is right, even Christ + believed and taught that man could buy and sell his fellow-man. Will the + Christians of America admit this? Do they believe that Christ from + heaven's throne mocked when colored mothers, reft of babes, knelt by empty + cradles and besought his aid? + </p> + <p> + For the man Christ—for the reformer who loved his fellow-men—for + the man who believed in an Infinite Father, who would shield the innocent + and protect the just—for the martyr who expected to be rescued from + the cruel cross, and who at last, finding that his hope was dust, cried + out in the gathering gloom of death: "My God! My God! Why hast thou + forsaken me?"—for that great and suffering man, mistaken though he + was, I have the highest admiration and respect. That man did not, as I + believe, claim a miraculous origin; he did not pretend to heal the sick + nor raise the dead. He claimed simply to be a man, and taught his + fellow-men that love is stronger far than hate. His life was written by + reverent ignorance. Loving credulity belittled his career with feats of + jugglery and magic art, and priests, wishing to persecute and slay, put in + his mouth the words of hatred and revenge. The theological Christ is the + impossible union of the human and divine—man with the attributes of + God, and God with the limitations and weaknesses of man. + </p> + <p> + After giving a terrible description of the Pagan world, Mr. Black says: + "The church came, and her light penetrated the moral darkness like a new + sun; she covered the globe with institutions of mercy." + </p> + <p> + Is this true? Do we not know that when the Roman empire fell, darkness + settled on the world? Do we not know that this darkness lasted for a + thousand years, and that during all that time the church of Christ held, + with bloody hands, the sword of power? These years were the starless + midnight of our race. Art died, law was forgotten, toleration ceased to + exist, charity fled from the human breast, and justice was unknown. Kings + were tyrants, priests were pitiless, and the poor multitude were slaves. + In the name of Christ, men made instruments of torture, and the <i>auto da + fê</i> took the place of the gladiatorial show. Liberty was in + chains, honesty in dungeons, while Christian superstition ruled mankind. + Christianity compromised with Paganism. The statues of Jupiter were used + to represent Jehovah. Isis and her babe were changed to Mary and the + infant Christ. The Trinity of Egypt became the Father, Son, and Holy + Ghost. The simplicity of the early Christians was lost in heathen rites + and Pagan pomp. The believers in the blessedness of poverty became rich, + avaricious, and grasping, and those who had said, "Sell all, and give to + the poor," became the ruthless gatherers of tithes and taxes. In a few + years the teachings of Jesus were forgotten. The gospels were interpolated + by the designing and ambitious. The church was infinitely corrupt. Crime + was crowned, and virtue scourged. The minds of men were saturated with + superstition. Miracles, apparitions, angels, and devils had possession of + the world. "The nights were filled with incubi and succubi; devils', clad + in wondrous forms, and imps in hideous shapes, sought to tempt or fright + the soldiers of the cross. The maddened spirits of the air sent hail and + storm. Sorcerers wrought sudden death, and witches worked with spell and + charm against the common weal." In every town the stake arose. Faith + carried fagots to the feet of philosophy. Priests—not "politicians"—fed + and fanned the eager flames. The dungeon was the foundation of the + cathedral. + </p> + <p> + Priests sold charms and relics to their flocks to keep away the wolves of + hell. Thousands of Christians, failing to find protection in the church, + sold their poor souls to Satan for some magic wand. Suspicion sat in every + house, families were divided, wives denounced husbands, husbands denounced + wives, and children their parents. Every calamity then, as now, increased + the power of the church. Pestilence supported the' pulpit, and famine was + the right hand of faith. Christendom was insane. + </p> + <p> + Will Mr. Black be kind enough to state at what time "the church covered + the globe with institutions of mercy"? In his reply, he conveys the + impression that these institutions were organized in the first century, or + at least in the morning of Christianity. How many hospitals for the sick + were established by the church during a thousand years? Do we not know + that for hundreds of years the Mohammedans erected more hospitals and + asylums than the Christians? Christendom was filled with racks and + thumbscrews, with stakes and fagots, with chains and dungeons, for + centuries before a hospital was built. Priests despised doctors. Prayer + was medicine. Physicians interfered with the sale of charms and relics. + The church did not cure—it killed. It practiced surgery with the + sword. The early Christians did not build asylums for the insane. They + charged them with witchcraft, and burnt them. They built asylums, not for + the mentally diseased, but for the mentally developed. These asylums were + graves. + </p> + <p> + All the languages of the world have not words of horror enough to paint + the agonies of man when the church had power. Tiberius, Caligula, + Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus were not as cruel, false, and base + as many of the Christians Popes. Opposite the names of these imperial + criminals write John the XII., Leo the VIII., Boniface the VII., Benedict + the IX., Innocent the III., and Alexander the VI. + </p> + <p> + Was it under these pontiffs that the "church penetrated the moral darkness + like a new sun," and covered the globe with institutions of mercy? Rome + was far better when Pagan than when Catholic. It was better to allow + gladiators and criminals to fight than to burn honest men. The greatest of + the Romans denounced the cruelties of the arena. Seneca condemned the + combats even of wild beasts. He was tender enough to say that "we should + have a bond of sympathy for all sentient beings, knowing that only the + depraved and base take pleasure in the sight of blood and suffering." + Aurelius compelled the gladiators to fight with blunted swords. Roman + lawyers declared that all men are by nature free and equal. Woman, under + Pagan rule in Rome, became as free as man. Zeno, long before the birth of + Christ, taught that virtue alone establishes a difference between men. We + know that the Civil Law is the foundation of our codes. We know that + fragments of Greek and Roman art—a few manuscripts saved from + Christian destruction, some inventions and discoveries of the Moors—were + the seeds of modern civilization. Christianity, for a thousand years, + taught memory to forget and reason to believe. Not one step was taken in + advance. Over the manuscripts of philosophers and poets, priests with + their ignorant tongues thrust out, devoutly scrawled the forgeries of + faith. For a thousand years the torch of progress was extinguished in the + blood of Christ, and his disciples, moved by ignorant zeal, by insane, + cruel creeds, destroyed with flame and sword a hundred millions of their + fellow-men. They made this world a hell. But if cathedrals had been + universities—if dungeons of the Inquisition had been laboratories—if + Christians had believed in character instead of creed—if they had + taken from the Bible all the good and thrown away the wicked and absurd—if + domes of temples had been observatories—if priests had been + philosophers—if missionaries had taught the useful arts—if + astrology had been astronomy—if the black art had been chemistry—if + superstition had been science—if religion had been humanity—it' + would have been a heaven filled with love, with liberty, and joy. + </p> + <p> + We did not get our freedom from the church. The great truth, that all men + are by nature free, was never told on Sinai's barren crags, nor by the + lonely shores of Galilee. + </p> + <p> + The Old Testament filled this world with tyranny and crime, and the New + gives us a future filled with pain for nearly all the sons of men. The Old + describes the hell of the past, and the New the hell of the future. The + Old tells us the frightful things that God has done—the New the + cruel things that he will do. These two books give us the sufferings of + the past and future—the injustice, the agony, the tears of both + worlds. If the Bible is true—if Jehovah is God—if the lot of + countless millions is to be eternal pain—better a thousand times + that all the constellations of the shoreless vast were eyeless darkness + and eternal space. Better that all that is should cease to be. Better that + all the seeds and springs of things should fail and wither from great + Nature's realm. Better that causes and effects should lose relation and + become unmeaning phrases and forgotten sounds. Better that every life + should change to breathless death, to voiceless blank, and every world to + blind oblivion and to moveless naught. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Black justifies all the crimes and horrors, excuses all the tortures + of all the Christian years, by denouncing the cruelties of the French + Revolution. Thinking people will not hasten to admit that an infinitely + good being authorized slavery in Judea, because of the atrocities of the + French Revolution. They will remember the sufferings of the Huguenots. + They will remember the massacre of St. Bartholomew. They will not forget + the countless cruelties of priest and king. They will not forget the + dungeons of the Bastile. They will know that the Revolution was an effect, + and that liberty was not the cause—that atheism was not the cause. + Behind the Revolution they will see altar and throne—sword and fagot—palace + and cathedral—king and priest—master and slave—tyrant + and hypocrite. They will see that the excesses, the cruelties, and crimes + were but the natural fruit of seeds the church had sown. But the + Revolution was not entirely evil. Upon that cloud of war, black with the + myriad miseries of a thousand years, dabbled with blood of king and queen, + of patriot and priest, there was this bow: "Beneath the flag of France all + men are free." In spite of all the blood and crime, in spite of deeds that + seem insanely base, the People placed upon a Nation's brow these stars:—Liberty, + Fraternity, Equality—grander words than ever issued from Jehovah's + lips. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + FAITH OR AGNOSTICISM. + </h2> + <h3> + [Ingersoll-Field.] + </h3> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FIELD-INGERSOLL DISCUSSION. + </h2> + <h3> + An Open Letter to Robert G. Ingersoll. + </h3> + <p> + Dear Sir: I am glad that I know you, even though some of my brethren look + upon you as a monster because of your unbelief. I shall never forget the + long evening I spent at your house in Washington; and in what I have to + say, however it may fail to convince you, I trust you will feel that I + have not shown myself unworthy of your courtesy or confidence. + </p> + <p> + Your conversation, then and at other times, interested me greatly. I + recognized at once the elements of your power over large audiences, in + your wit and dramatic talent—personating characters and imitating + tones of voice and expressions of countenance—and your remarkable + use of language, which even in familiar talk often rose to a high degree + of eloquence. All this was a keen intellectual stimulus. I was, for the + most part, a listener; but as we talked freely of religious matters, I + protested against your unbelief as utterly without reason. Yet there was + no offence given or taken, and we parted, I trust, with a feeling of + mutual respect. + </p> + <p> + Still further, we found many points of sympathy. I do not hesitate to say + that there are many things in which I agree with you, in which I love what + you love and hate what you hate. A man's hatreds are not the least + important part of him; they are among the best indications of his + character. You love truth, and hate lying and hypocrisy—all the + petty arts and deceits of the world by which men represent themselves to + be other than they are—as well as the pride and arrogance, in which + they assume superiority over their fellow-beings. Above all, you hate + every form of injustice and oppression. Nothing moves your indignation so + much as "man's inhumanity to man," and you mutter "curses, not loud but + deep," on the whole race of tyrants and oppressors, whom you would sweep + from the face of the earth. And yet, you do not hate oppression more than + I; nor love liberty more. Nor will I admit that you have any stronger + desire for that intellectual freedom, to the attainment of which you look + forward as the last and greatest emancipation of mankind. + </p> + <p> + Nor have you a greater horror of superstition. Indeed, I might say that + you cannot have so great, for the best of all reasons, that you have not + seen so much of it; you have not stood on the banks of the Ganges, and + seen the Hindoos by tens of thousands rushing madly to throw themselves + into the sacred river, even carrying the ashes of their dead to cast them + upon the waters. It seems but yesterday that I was sitting on the back of + an elephant, looking down on this horrible scene of human degradation. + Such superstition overthrows the very foundations of morality. In place of + the natural sense of right and wrong, which is written in men's + consciences and hearts, it introduces an artificial standard, by which the + order of things is totally reversed: right is made wrong, and wrong is + made right. It makes that a virtue which is not a virtue, and that a crime + which is not a crime. Religion consists in a round of observances that + have no relation whatever to natural goodness, but which rather exclude it + by being a substitute for it. Penances and pilgrimages take the place of + justice and mercy, benevolence and charity. Such a religion, so far from + being a purifier, is the greatest corrupter of morals; so that it is no + extravagance to say of the Hindoos, who are a gentle race, that they might + be virtuous and good if they were not so religious. But this colossal + superstition weighs upon their very existence, crushing out even natural + virtue. Such a religion is an immeasurable curse. + </p> + <p> + I hope this language is strong enough to satisfy even your own intense + hatred of superstition. You cannot loathe it more than I do. So far we + agree perfectly. But unfortunately you do not limit your crusade to the + religions of Asia, but turn the same style of argument against the + religion of Europe and America, and, indeed, against the religious belief + and worship of every country and clime. In this matter you make no + distinctions: you would sweep them all away; church and cathedral must go + with the temple and the pagoda, as alike manifestations of human + credulity, and proofs of the intellectual feebleness and folly of mankind. + While under the impression of that memorable evening at your house, I took + up some of your public addresses, and experienced a strange revulsion of + feeling. I could hardly believe my eyes as I read, so inexpressibly was I + shocked. Things which I held sacred you not only rejected with unbelief, + but sneered at with contempt. Your words were full of a bitterness so + unlike anything I had heard from your lips, that I could not reconcile the + two, till I reflected that in Robert Ingersoll (as in the most of us) + there were two men, who were not only distinct, but contrary the one to + the other—the one gentle and sweet-tempered; the other delighting in + war as his native element. Between the two, I have a decided preference + for the former. I have no dispute with the quiet and peaceable gentleman, + whose kindly spirit makes sunshine in his home; but it is <i>that other + man</i> over yonder, who comes forth into the arena like a gladiator, + defiant and belligerent, that rouses my antagonism. And yet I do not + intend to <i>stand up</i> even against him; but if he will only <i>sit + down</i> and listen patiently, and answer in those soft tones of voice + which he knows so well how to use, we can have a quiet talk, which will + certainly do him no harm, while it relieves my troubled mind. + </p> + <p> + What then is the basis of this religion which you despise? At the + foundation of every form of religious faith and worship, is the idea of + God. Here you take your stand; you do not believe in God. Of course you do + not deny absolutely the existence of a Creative Power: for that would be + to assume a knowledge which no human being can possess. How small is the + distance that we can see before us! The candle of our intelligence throws + its beams but a little way, beyond which the circle of light is compassed + by universal darkness. Upon this no one insists more than yourself. I have + heard you discourse upon the insignificance of man in a way to put many + preachers to shame. I remember your illustration from the myriads of + creatures that live on plants, from which you picked out, to represent + human insignificance, an insect too small to be seen by the naked eye, + whose world was a leaf, and whose life lasted but a single day! Surely a + creature that can only be seen with a microscope, cannot <i>know</i> that + a Creator does not exist! + </p> + <p> + This, I must do you the justice to say, you do not affirm. All that you + can say is, that if there be no knowledge on one side, neither is there on + the other; that it is only a matter of probability; and that, judging from + such evidence as appeals to your senses and your understanding, you do not + <i>believe</i> that there is a God. Whether this be a reasonable + conclusion or not, it is at least an intelligible state of mind. + </p> + <p> + Now I am not going to argue against what the Catholics call "invincible + ignorance"—an incapacity on account of temperament—for I hold + that the belief in God, like the belief in all spiritual things, comes to + some minds by a kind of intuition. There are natures so finely strung that + they are sensitive to influences which do not touch others. You may say + that it is mere poetical rhapsody when Shelley writes: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The awful shadow of some unseen power, + Floats, though unseen, among us." +</pre> + <p> + But there are natures which are not at all poetical or dreamy, only most + simple and pure, which, in moments of spiritual exaltation, are almost <i>conscious</i> + of a Presence that is not of this world. But this, which is a matter of + experience, will have no weight with those who do not have that + experience. For the present, therefore, I would not be swayed one particle + by mere sentiment, but look at the question in the cold light of reason + alone. + </p> + <p> + The idea of God is, indeed, the grandest and most awful that can be + entertained by the human mind. Its very greatness overpowers us, so that + it seems impossible that such a Being should exist. But if it is hard to + conceive of Infinity, it is still harder to get any intelligible + explanation of the present order of things without admitting the existence + of an intelligent Creator and Upholder of all. Galileo, when he swept the + sky with his telescope, traced the finger of God in every movement of the + heavenly bodies. Napoleon, when the French savants on the voyage to Egypt + argued that there was no God, disdained any other answer than to point + upward to the stars and ask, "Who made all these?" This is the first + question, and it is the last. The farther we go, the more we are forced to + one conclusion. No man ever studied nature with a more simple desire to + know the truth than Agassiz, and yet the more he explored, the more he was + startled as he found himself constantly face to face with the evidences of + mind. + </p> + <p> + Do you say this is "a great mystery," meaning that it is something that we + do not know anything about? Of course, it is "a mystery." But do you think + to escape mystery by denying the Divine existence? You only exchange one + mystery for another. The first of all mysteries is, not that God exists, + but that <i>we</i> exist. Here we are. How did we come here? We go back to + our ancestors; but that does not take away the difficulty; it only removes + it farther off. Once begin to climb the stairway of past generations, and + you will find that it is a Jacob's ladder, on which you mount higher and + higher until you step into the very presence of the Almighty. + </p> + <p> + But even if we know that there is a God, what can we know of His + character? You say, "God is whatever we conceive Him to be." We frame an + image of Deity out of our consciousness—it is simply a reflection of + our own personality, cast upon the sky like the image seen in the Alps in + certain states of the atmosphere—and then fall down and worship that + which we have created, not indeed with our hands, but out of our minds. + This may be true to some extent of the gods of mythology, but not of the + God of Nature, who is as inflexible as Nature itself. You might as well + say that the laws of nature are whatever we imagine them to be. But we do + not go far before we find that, instead of being pliant to our will, they + are rigid and inexorable, and we dash ourselves against them to our own + destruction. So God does not bend to human thought any more than to human + will. The more we study Him the more we find that He is <i>not</i> what we + imagined him to be; that He is far greater than any image of Him that we + could frame. + </p> + <p> + But, after all, you rejoin that the conception of a Supreme Being is + merely an abstract idea, of no practical importance, with no bearing upon + human life. I answer, it is of immeasurable importance. Let go the idea of + God, and you have let go the highest moral restraint. There is no Ruler + above man; he is a law unto himself—a law which is as impotent to + produce order, and to hold society together, as man is with his little + hands to hold the stars in their courses. + </p> + <p> + I know how you reason against the Divine existence from the moral disorder + of the world. The argument is one that takes strong hold of the + imagination, and may be used with tremendous effect. You set forth in + colors none too strong the injustice that prevails in the relations of men + to one another—the inequalities of society; the haughtiness of the + rich and the misery of the poor; you draw lurid pictures of the vice and + crime which run riot in the great capitals which are the centres of + civilization; and when you have wound up your audience to the highest + pitch, you ask, "How can it be that there is a just God in heaven, who + looks down upon the earth and sees all this horrible confusion, and yet + does not lift His hand to avenge the innocent or punish the guilty?" To + this I will make but one answer: Does it convince yourself? I do not mean + to imply that you are conscious of insincerity. But an orator is sometimes + carried away by his own eloquence, and states things more strongly than he + would in his cooler moments. So I venture to ask: With all your tendency + to skepticism, do you really believe that there is no moral government of + the world—no Power behind nature "making for righteousness?" Are + there no retributions in history? When Lincoln stood on the field of + Gettysburg, so lately drenched with blood, and, reviewing the carnage of + that terrible day, accepted it as the punishment of our national sins, was + it a mere theatrical flourish in him to lift his hand to heaven, and + exclaim, "Just and true are Thy ways, Lord God Almighty!" + </p> + <p> + Having settled it to your own satisfaction that there is no God, you + proceed in the same easy way to dispose of that other belief which lies at + the foundation of all religion—the immortality of the soul. With an + air of modesty and diffidence that would carry an audience by storm, you + confess your ignorance of what, perhaps, others are better acquainted + with, when you say, "This world is all that <i>I</i> know anything about, + <i>so far as I recollect</i>." This is very wittily put, and some may + suppose it contains an argument; but do you really mean to say that you do + not <i>know</i> anything except what you "recollect," or what you have + seen with your eyes? Perhaps you never saw your grandparents; but have you + any more doubt of their existence than of that of your father and mother + whom you did see? + </p> + <p> + Here, as when you speak of the existence of God, you carefully avoid any + positive affirmation: you neither affirm nor deny. You are ready for + whatever may "turn up." In your jaunty style, if you find yourself + hereafter in some new and unexpected situation, you will accept it and + make the best of it, and be "as ready as the next man to enter on any + remunerative occupation!" + </p> + <p> + But while airing this pleasant fancy, you plainly regard the hope of + another life as a beggar's dream—the momentary illusion of one who, + stumbling along life's highway, sets him down by the roadside, footsore + and weary, cold and hungry, and falls asleep, and dreams of a time when he + shall have riches and plenty. Poor creature! let him dream; it helps him + to forget his misery, and may give him a little courage for his rude + awaking to the hard reality of life. But it is all a dream, which + dissolves in thin air, and floats away and disappears. This illustration I + do not take from you, but simply choose to set forth what (as I infer from + the sentences above quoted and many like expressions) may describe, not + unfairly, your state of mind. Your treatment of the subject is one of + trifling. You do not speak of it in a serious way, but lightly and + flippantly, as if it were all a matter of fancy and conjecture, and not + worthy of sober consideration. + </p> + <p> + Now, does it never occur to you that there is something very cruel in this + treatment of the belief of your fellow-creatures, on whose hope of another + life hangs all that relieves the darkness of their present existence? To + many of them life is a burden to carry, and they need all the helps to + carry it that can be found in reason, in philosophy, or in religion. But + what support does your hollow creed supply? You are a man of warm heart, + of the tenderest sympathies. Those who know you best, and love you most, + tell me that you cannot bear the sight of suffering even in animals; that + your natural sensibility is such that you find no pleasure in sports, in + hunting or fishing; to shoot a robin would make you feel like a murderer. + If you see a poor man in trouble your first impulse is to help him. You + cannot see a child in tears but you want to take up the little fellow in + your arms, and make him smile again. And yet, with all your sensibility, + you hold the most remorseless and pitiless creed in the world—a + creed in which there is not a gleam of mercy or of hope. A mother has lost + her only son. She goes to his grave and throws herself upon it, the very + picture of woe. One thought only keeps her from despair: it is that beyond + this life there is a world where she may once more clasp her boy in her + arms. What will you say to that mother? You are silent, and your silence + is a sentence of death to her hopes. By that grave you cannot speak; for + if you were to open your lips and tell that mother what you really + believe, it would be that her son is blotted out of existence, and that + she can never look upon his face again. Thus with your iron heel do you + trample down and crush the last hope of a broken heart. + </p> + <p> + When such sorrow comes to you, you feel it as keenly as any man. With your + strong domestic attachments one cannot pass out of your little circle + without leaving a great void in your heart, and your grief is as eloquent + as it is hopeless. No sadder words ever fell from human lips than these, + spoken over the coffin of one to whom you were tenderly attached: "Life is + but a narrow vale, between the cold and barren peaks of two eternities!" + This is a doom of annihilation, which strikes a chill to the stoutest + heart. Even you must envy the faith which, as it looks upward, sees those + "peaks of two eternities," not "cold and barren," but warm with the glow + of the setting sun, which gives promise of a happier to-morrow! + </p> + <p> + I think I hear you say, "So might it be! Would that I could believe it!" + for no one recognizes more the emptiness of life as it is. I do not forget + the tone in which you said: "Life is very sad to me; it is very pitiful; + there isn't much to it." True indeed! With your belief, or want of belief, + there is very little to it; and if this were all, it would be a fair + question whether life were worth living. In the name of humanity, let us + cling to all that is left us that can bring a ray of hope into its + darkness, and thus lighten its otherwise impenetrable gloom. + </p> + <p> + I observe that you not unfrequently entertain yourself and your audiences + by caricaturing certain doctrines of the Christian religion. The + "Atonement," as you look upon it, is simply "punishing the wrong man"—letting + the guilty escape and putting the innocent to death. This is vindicating + justice by permitting injustice. But is there not another side to this? + Does not the idea of sacrifice run through human life, and ennoble human + character? You see a mother denying herself for her children, foregoing + every comfort, enduring every hardship, till at last, worn out by her + labor and her privation, she folds her hands upon her breast. May it not + be said truly that she gives her life for the life of her children? + History is full of sacrifice, and it is the best part of history. I will + not speak of "the noble army of martyrs," but of heroes who have died for + their country or for liberty—what is it but this element of devotion + for the good of others that gives such glory to their immortal names? How + then should it be thought a thing without reason that a Deliverer of the + race should give His life for the life of the world? + </p> + <p> + So, too, you find a subject for caricature in the doctrine of + "Regeneration." But what is regeneration but a change of character shown + in a change of life? Is that so very absurd? Have you never seen a + drunkard reformed? Have you never seen a man of impure life, who, after + running his evil course, had, like the prodigal, "come to himself"—that + is, awakened to his shame, and turning from it, come back to the path of + purity, and finally regained a true and noble manhood? Probably you would + admit this, but say that the change was the result of reflection, and of + the man's own strength of will. The doctrine of regeneration only adds to + the will of man the power of God. We believe that man is weak, but that + God is mighty; and that when man tries to raise himself, an arm is + stretched out to lift him up to a height which he could not attain alone. + Sometimes one who has led the worst life, after being plunged into such + remorse and despair that he feels as if he were enduring the agonies of + hell, turns back and takes another course: he becomes "a new creature," + whom his friends can hardly recognize as he "sits clothed and in his right + mind." The change is from darkness to light, from death to life; and he + who has known but one such case will never say that the language is too + strong which describes that man as "born again." + </p> + <p> + If you think that I pass lightly over these doctrines, not bringing out + all the meaning which they bear, I admit it. I am not writing an essay in + theology, but would only show, in passing, by your favorite method of + illustration, that the principles involved are the same with which you are + familiar in everyday life. + </p> + <p> + But the doctrine which excites your bitterest animosity is that of Future + Retribution. The prospect of another life, reaching on into an unknown + futurity, you would contemplate with composure were it not for the dark + shadow hanging over it. But to live only to suffer; to live when asking to + die; to "long for death, and not be able to find it"—is a prospect + which arouses the anger of one who would look with calmness upon death as + an eternal sleep. The doctrine loses none of its terrors in passing + through your hands; for it is one of the means by which you work upon the + feelings of your hearers. You pronounce it "the most horrible belief that + ever entered the human mind: that the Creator should bring beings into + existence to destroy them! This would make Him the most fearful tyrant in + the universe—a Moloch devouring his own children!" I shudder when I + recall the fierce energy with which you spoke as you said, "Such a God I + hate with all the intensity of my being!" + </p> + <p> + But gently, gently, Sir! We will let this burst of fury pass before we + resume the conversation. When you are a little more tranquil, I would + modestly suggest that perhaps you are fighting a figment of your + imagination. I never heard of any Christian teacher who said that "the + Creator brought beings into the world to destroy them!" Is it not better + to moderate yourself to exact statements, especially when, with all + modifications, the subject is one to awaken a feeling the most solemn and + profound? + </p> + <p> + Now I am not going to enter into a discussion of this doctrine. I will not + quote a single text. I only ask you whether it is not a scientific truth + that <i>the effect of everything which is of the nature of a cause is + eternal</i>. Science has opened our eyes to some very strange facts in + nature. The theory of vibrations is carried by the physicists to an + alarming extent. They tell us that it is literally and mathematically true + that you cannot throw a ball in the air but it shakes the solar system. + Thus all things act upon all. What is true in space may be true in time, + and the law of physics may hold in the spiritual realm. When the soul of + man departs out of the body, being released from the grossness of the + flesh, it may enter on a life a thousand times more intense than this: in + which it will not need the dull senses as avenues of knowledge, because + the spirit itself will be all eye, all ear, all intelligence; while + memory, like an electric flash, will in an instant bring the whole of the + past into view; and the moral sense will be quickened as never before. + Here then we have all the conditions of retribution—a world which, + however shadowy it may be seem, is yet as real as the homes and + habitations and activities of our present state; with memory trailing the + deeds of a lifetime behind it, and conscience, more inexorable than any + judge, giving its solemn and final verdict. + </p> + <p> + With such conditions assumed, let us take a case which would awaken your + just indignation—that of a selfish, hardhearted, and cruel man; who + sacrifices the interests of everybody to his own; who grinds the faces of + the poor, robbing the widow and the orphan of their little all; and who, + so far from making restitution, dies with his ill-gotten gains held fast + in his clenched hand. How long must the night be to sleep away the memory + of such a hideous life? If he wakes, will not the recollection cling to + him still? Are there any waters of oblivion that can cleanse his miserable + soul? If not—if he cannot forget—surely he cannot forgive + himself for the baseness which now he has no opportunity to repair. Here, + then, is a retribution which is inseparable from his being, which is a + part of his very existence. The undying memory brings the undying pain. + </p> + <p> + Take another case—alas! too sadly frequent. A man of pleasure + betrays a young, innocent, trusting woman by the promise of his love, and + then casts her off, leaving her to sink down, down, through every degree + of misery and shame, till she is lost in depths, which plummet never + sounded, and disappears. Is he not to suffer for this poor creature's + ruin? Can he rid himself of it by fleeing beyond "that bourne from whence + no traveler returns"? Not unless he can flee from himself: for in the + lowest depths of the under-world—a world in which the sun never + shines—that image will still pursue him. As he wanders in its gloomy + shades a pale form glides by him like an affrighted ghost. The face is the + same, beautiful even in its sorrow, but with a look upon it as of one who + has already suffered an eternity of woe. In an instant all the past comes + back again. He sees the young, unblessed mother wandering in some lonely + place, that only the heavens may witness her agony and her despair. There + he sees her holding up in her arms the babe that had no right to be born, + and calling upon God to judge her betrayer. How far in the future must he + travel to forget that look? Is there any escape except by plunging into + the gulf of annihilation? + </p> + <p> + Thus far in this paper I have taken a tone of defence. But I do not admit + that the Christian religion needs any apology,—it needs only to be + rightly understood to furnish its own complete vindication. Instead of + considering its "evidences," which is but going round the outer walls, let + us enter the gates of the temple and see what is within. Here we find + something better than "towers and bulwarks" in the character of Him who is + the Founder of our Religion, and not its Founder only but its very core + and being. Christ is Christianity. Not only is He the Great Teacher, but + the central subject of what He taught, so that the whole stands or falls + with Him. + </p> + <p> + In our first conversation, I observed that, with all your sharp comments + on things sacred, you professed great respect for the ethics of + Christianity, and for its author. "Make the Sermon on the Mount your + religion," you said, "and there I am with you." Very well! So far, so + good. And now, if you will go a little further, you may find still more + food for reflection. + </p> + <p> + All who have made a study of the character and teachings of Christ, even + those who utterly deny the supernatural, stand in awe and wonder before + the gigantic figure which is here revealed. Renan closes his "Life of + Jesus" with this as the result of his long study: "Jesus will never be + surpassed. His worship will be renewed without ceasing; his story [légende] + will draw tears from beautiful eyes without end; his sufferings will touch + the finest natures; all the ages will proclaim + </p> + <p> + THAT AMONG THE SONS OF MEN THERE HAS NOT RISEN A GREATER THAN JESUS;" + </p> + <p> + while Rousseau closes his immortal eulogy by saying, "Socrates died like a + philosopher, but Jesus Christ like a God!" + </p> + <p> + Here is an argument for Christianity to which I pray you to address + yourself. As you do not believe in miracles, and are ready to explain + everything by natural causes, I beg you to tell us how came it to pass + that a Hebrew peasant, born among the hills of Judea, had a wisdom above + that of Socrates or Plato, of Confucius or Buddha? This is the greatest of + miracles, that such a Being has lived and died on the earth. + </p> + <p> + Since this is the chief argument for Religion, does it not become one who + undertakes to destroy it to set himself first to this central position, + instead of wasting his time on mere outposts? When you next address one of + the great audiences that hang upon your words, is it unfair to ask that + you lay aside such familiar topics as Miracles or Ghosts, or a reply to + Talmage, and tell us what you think of Jesus Christ; whether you look upon + Him as an impostor, or merely as a dreamer—a mild and harmless + enthusiast; or are you ready to acknowledge that He is entitled to rank + among the great teachers of mankind? + </p> + <p> + But if you are compelled to admit the greatness of Christ, you take your + revenge on the Apostles, whom you do not hesitate to say that you "don't + think much of." In fact, you set them down in a most peremptory way as "a + poor lot." It did seem rather an unpromising "lot," that of a boat-load of + fishermen, from which to choose the apostles of a religion—almost as + unpromising as it was to take a rail-splitter to be the head of a nation + in the greatest crisis of its history! But perhaps in both cases there was + a wisdom higher than ours, that chose better than we. It might puzzle even + you to give a better definition of religion than this of the Apostle + James: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to + visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself + unspotted from the world," or to find among those sages of antiquity, with + whose writings you are familiar, a more complete and perfect delineation + of that which is the essence of all goodness and virtue, than Paul's + description of the charity which "suffereth long and is kind;" or to find + in the sayings of Confucius or of Buddha anything more sublime than this + aphorism of John: "God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in + God, and God in him." + </p> + <p> + And here you must allow me to make a remark, which is not intended as a + personal retort, but simply in the interest of that truth which we both + profess to seek, and to count worth more than victory. Your language is + too sweeping to indicate the careful thinker, who measures his words and + weighs them in a balance. Your lectures remind me of the pictures of + Gustave Doré, who preferred to paint on a large canvas, with + figures as gigantesque as those of Michael Angelo in his Last Judgment. + The effect is very powerful, but if he had softened his colors a little,—if + there were a few delicate touches, a mingling of light and shade, as when + twilight is stealing over the earth,—the landscape would be more + true to nature. So, believe me, your words would be more weighty if they + were not so strong. But whenever you touch upon religion you seem to lose + control of yourself, and a vindictive feeling takes possession of you, + which causes you to see things so distorted from their natural appearance + that you cannot help running into the broadest caricature. You swing your + sentences as the woodman swings his axe. Of course, this "slashing" style + is very effective before a popular audience, which does not care for nice + distinctions, or for evidence that has to be sifted and weighed; but wants + opinions off hand, and likes to have its prejudices and hatreds echoed + back in a ringing voice. This carries the crowd, but does not convince the + philosophic mind. The truth-seeker cannot cut a road through the forest + with sturdy blows; he has a hidden path to trace, and must pick his way + with slow and cautious step to find that which is more precious than gold. + </p> + <p> + But if it were possible for you to sweep away the "evidences of + Christianity," you have not swept away Christianity itself; it still + lives, not only in tradition, but in the hearts of the people, entwined + with all that is sweetest in their domestic life, from which it must be + torn out with unsparing hand before it can be exterminated. To begin with, + you turn your back upon history. All that men have done and suffered for + the sake of religion was folly. The Pilgrims, who crossed the sea to find + freedom to worship God in the forests of the New World, were miserable + fanatics. There is no more place in the world for heroes and martyrs. He + who sacrifices his life for a faith, or an idea, is a fool. The only + practical wisdom is to have a sharp eye to the main chance. If you keep on + in this work of demolition, you will soon destroy all our ideals. Family + life withers under the cold sneer—half pity and half scorn—with + which you look down on household worship. Take from our American firesides + such scenes as that pictured in the <i>Cotter's Saturday Night</i>, and + you have taken from them their most sacred hours and their tenderest + memories. + </p> + <p> + The same destructive spirit which intrudes into our domestic as well as + our religious life, would take away the beauty of our villages as well as + the sweetness of our homes. In the weary round of a week of toil, there + comes an interval of rest; the laborer lays down his burden, and for a few + hours breathes a serener air. The Sabbath morning has come: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Sweet day I so cool, so calm, so bright, + The bridal of the earth and sky." +</pre> + <p> + At the appointed hour the bell rings across the valley, and sends its + echoes among the hills; and from all the roads the people come trooping to + the village church. Here they gather, old and young, rich and poor; and as + they join in the same act of worship, feel that God is the maker of them + all? Is there in our national life any influence more elevating than this—one + which tends more to bring a community together; to promote neighborly + feeling; to refine the manners of the people; to breed true courtesy, and + all that makes a Christian village different from a cluster of Indian + wigwams—a civilized community different from a tribe of savages? + </p> + <p> + All this you would destroy: you would abolish the Sabbath, or have it + turned into a holiday; you would tear down the old church, so full of + tender associations of the living and the dead, or at least have it + "razeed," cutting off the tall spire that points upward to heaven; and the + interior you would turn into an Assembly room—a place of + entertainment, where the young people could have their merry-makings, + except perchance in the warm' Summer-time, when they could dance on the + village green! So far you would have gained your object. But would that be + a more orderly community, more refined or more truly happy? + </p> + <p> + You may think this a mere sentiment—that we care more for the + picturesque than for the true. But there is one result which is fearfully + real: the destructive creed, or no creed, which despoils our churches and + our homes, attacks society in its first principles by taking away the + support of morality. I do not believe that general morality can be upheld + without the sanctions of religion. There may be individuals of great + natural force of character, who can stand alone—men of superior + intellect and strong will. But in general human nature is weak, and virtue + is not the spontaneous growth of childish innocence. Men do not become + pure and good by instinct. Character, like mind, has to be developed by + education; and it needs all the elements of strength which can be given + it, from without as well as from within, from the government of man and + the government of God. To let go of these restraints is a peril to public + morality. + </p> + <p> + You feel strong in the strength of a robust manhood, well poised in body + and mind, and in the centre of a happy home, where loving hearts cling to + you like vines round the oak. But many to whom you speak are quite + otherwise. You address thousands of young men who have come out of country + homes, where they have been brought up in the fear of God, and have heard + the morning and evening prayer. They come into a city full of temptations, + but are restrained from evil by the thought of father and mother, and + reverence for Him who is the Father of us all—a feeling which, + though it may not have taken the form of any profession, is yet at the + bottom of their hearts, and keeps them from many a wrong and wayward step. + A young man, who is thus "guarded and defended" as by unseen angels, some + evening when he feels very lonely, is invited to "go and hear Ingersoll," + and for a couple of hours listens to your caricatures of religion, with + descriptions of the prayers and the psalm-singing, illustrated by devout + grimaces and nasal tones, which set the house in roars of laughter, and + are received with tumultuous applause. When it is all over, and the young + man finds himself again under the flaring lamps of the city streets, he is + conscious of a change; the faith of his childhood has been rudely torn + from him, and with it "a glory has passed away from the earth;" the Bible + which his mother gave him, the morning that he came away, is "a mass of + fables;" the sentence which she wished him to hang on the wall, "Thou, + God, seest me," has lost its power, for there is no God that sees him, no + moral government, no law and no retribution. So he reasons as he walks + slowly homeward, meeting the temptations which haunt these streets at + night—temptations from which he has hitherto turned with a shudder, + but which he now meets with a diminished power of resistance. Have you + done that young man any good in taking from him what he held sacred + before? Have you not left him morally weakened? From sneering at religion, + it is but a step to sneering at morality, and then but one step more to a + vicious and profligate career. How are you going to stop this downward + tendency? When you have stripped him of former restraints, do you leave + him anything in their stead, except indeed a sense of honor, self-respect, + and self-interest?—worthy motives, no doubt, but all too feeble to + withstand the fearful temptations that assail him. Is the chance of his + resistance as good as it was before? Watch him as he goes along that + street at midnight! He passes by the places of evil resort, of drinking + and gambling—those open mouths of hell; he hears the sound of music + and dancing, and for the first time pauses to listen. How long will it be + before he will venture in? + </p> + <p> + With such dangers in his path, it is a grave responsibility to loosen the + restraints which hold such a young man to virtue. These gibes and sneers + which you utter so lightly, may have a sad echo in a lost character and a + wretched life. Many a young man has been thus taunted until he has pushed + off from the shore, under the idea of gaining his "liberty," and ventured + into the rapids, only to be carried down the stream, and left a wreck in + the whirlpool below. + </p> + <p> + You tell me that your object is to drive fear out of the world. That is a + noble ambition; if you succeed, you will be indeed a deliverer. Of course + you mean only irrational fears. You would not have men throw off the fear + of violating the laws of nature; for that would lead to incalculable + misery. You aim only at the terrors born of ignorance and superstition. + But how are you going to get rid of these? You trust to the progress of + science, which has dispelled so many fears arising from physical + phenomena, by showing that calamities ascribed to spiritual agencies are + explained by natural causes. But science can only go a certain way, beyond + which we come into the sphere of the unknown, where all is dark as before. + How can you relieve the fears of others—indeed how can you rid + yourself of fear, believing as you do that there is no Power above which + can help you in any extremity; that you are the sport of accident, and may + be dashed in pieces by the blind agency of nature? If I believed this, I + should feel that I was in the grasp of some terrible machinery which was + crushing me to atoms, with no possibility of escape. + </p> + <p> + Not so does Religion leave man here on the earth, helpless and hopeless—in + abject terror, as he is in utter darkness as to his fate—but opening + the heaven above him, it discovers a Great Intelligence, compassing all + things, seeing the end from the beginning, and ordering our little lives + so that even the trials that we bear, as they call out the finer elements + of character, conduce to our future happiness. God is our Father. We look + up into His face with childlike confidence, and find that "His service is + perfect freedom." "Love casts out fear." That, I beg to assure you, is the + way, and the only way, by which man can be delivered from those fears by + which he is all his lifetime subject to bondage. + </p> + <p> + In your attacks upon Religion you do violence to your own manliness. + Knowing you as I do, I feel sure that you do not realize where your blows + fall, or whom they wound, or you would not use your weapons so freely. The + faiths of men are as sacred as the most delicate manly or womanly + sentiments of love and honor. They are dear as the beloved faces that have + passed from our sight. I should think myself wanting in respect to the + memory of my father and mother if I could speak lightly of the faith in + which they lived and died. Surely this must be mere thoughtlessness, for I + cannot believe that you find pleasure in giving pain. I have not forgotten + the gentle hand that was laid upon your shoulder, and the gentle voice + which said, "Uncle Robert wouldn't hurt a fly." And yet you bruise the + tenderest sensibilities, and trample down what is most cherished by + millions of sisters and daughters and mothers, little heeding that you are + sporting with "human creatures' lives." + </p> + <p> + You are waging a hopeless war—a war in which you are certain only of + defeat. The Christian Religion began to be nearly two thousand years + before you and I were born, and it will live two thousand years after we + are dead. Why is it that it lives on and on, while nations and kingdoms + perish? Is not this "the survival of the fittest?" Contend against it with + all your wit and eloquence, you will fail, as all have failed before you. + You cannot fight against the instincts of humanity. It is as natural for + men to look up to a Higher Power as it is to look up to the stars. Tell + them that there is no God! You might as well tell them that there is no + Sun in heaven, even while on that central light and heat all life on earth + depends. + </p> + <p> + I do not presume to, think that I have convinced you, or changed your + opinion; but it is always right to appeal to a man's "sober second + thought"—to that better judgment that comes with increasing + knowledge and advancing years; and I will not give up hope that you will + yet see things more clearly, and recognize the mistake you have made in + not distinguishing Religion from Superstition—two things as far + apart as "the hither from the utmost pole." Superstition is the greatest + enemy of Religion. It is the nightmare of the mind, filling it with all + imaginable terrors—a black cloud which broods over half the world. + Against this you may well invoke the light of science to scatter its + darkness. Whoever helps to sweep it away, is a benefactor of his race. But + when this is done, and the moral atmosphere is made pure and sweet, then + you as well as we may be conscious of a new Presence coming into the + hushed and vacant air, as Religion, daughter of the skies, descends to + earth to bring peace and good will to men. + </p> + <p> + Henry M. Field. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0006" id="link0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A REPLY TO THE REV. HENRY M. FIELD, D.D. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Doubt is called the beacon of the wise." +</pre> + <p> + My Dear Mr. Field: + </p> + <p> + I answer your letter because it is manly, candid and generous. It is not + often that a minister of the gospel of universal benevolence speaks of an + unbeliever except in terms of reproach, contempt and hatred. The meek are + often malicious. The statement in your letter, that some of your brethren + look upon me as a monster on account of my unbelief, tends to show that + those who love God are not always the friends of their fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Is it not strange that people who admit that they ought to be eternally + damned, that they are by nature totally depraved, and that there is no + soundness or health in them, can be so arrogantly egotistic as to look + upon others as "monsters"? And yet "some of your brethren," who regard + unbelievers as infamous, rely for salvation entirely on the goodness of + another, and expect to receive as alms an eternity of joy. + </p> + <p> + The first question that arises between us, is as to the innocence of + honest error—as to the right to express an honest thought. + </p> + <p> + You must know that perfectly honest men differ on many important subjects. + Some believe in free trade, others are the advocates of protection. There + are honest Democrats and sincere Republicans. How do you account for these + differences? Educated men, presidents of colleges, cannot agree upon + questions capable of solution—questions that the mind can grasp, + concerning which the evidence is open to all and where the facts can be + with accuracy ascertained. How do you explain this? If such differences + can exist consistently with the good faith of those who differ, can you + not conceive of honest people entertaining different views on subjects + about which nothing can be positively known? + </p> + <p> + You do not regard me as a monster. "Some of your brethren" do. How do you + account for this difference? Of course, your brethren—their hearts + having been softened by the Presbyterian God—are governed by charity + and love. They do not regard me as a monster because I have committed an + infamous crime, but simply for the reason that I have expressed my honest + thoughts. + </p> + <p> + What should I have done? I have read the Bible with great care, and the + conclusion has forced itself upon my mind not only that it is not + inspired, but that it is not true. Was it my duty to speak or act contrary + to this conclusion? Was it my duty to remain silent? If I had been untrue + to myself, if I had joined the majority,—if I had declared the book + to be the inspired word of God,—would your brethren still have + regarded me as a monster? Has religion had control of the world so long + that an honest man seems monstrous? + </p> + <p> + According to your creed—according to your Bible—the same Being + who made the mind of man, who fashioned every brain, and sowed within + those wondrous fields the seeds of every thought and deed, inspired the + Bible's every word, and gave it as a guide to all the world. Surely the + book should satisfy the brain. And yet, there are millions who do not + believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures. Some of the greatest and + best have held the claim of inspiration in contempt. No Presbyterian ever + stood higher in the realm of thought than Humboldt. He was familiar with + Nature from sands to stars, and gave his thoughts, his discoveries and + conclusions, "more precious than the tested gold," to all mankind. Yet he + not only rejected the religion of your brethren, but denied the existence + of their God. Certainly, Charles Darwin was one of the greatest and purest + of men,—as free from prejudice as the mariner's compass,—desiring + only to find amid the mists and clouds of ignorance the star of truth. No + man ever exerted a greater influence on the intellectual world. His + discoveries, carried to their legitimate conclusion, destroy the creeds + and sacred Scriptures of mankind. In the light of "Natural Selection," + "The Survival of the Fittest," and "The Origin of Species," even the + Christian religion becomes a gross and cruel superstition. Yet Darwin was + an honest, thoughtful, brave and generous man. + </p> + <p> + Compare, I beg of you, these men, Humboldt and Darwin, with the founders + of the Presbyterian Church. Read the life of Spinoza, the loving + pantheist, and then that of John Calvin, and tell me, candidly, which, in + your opinion, was a "monster." Even your brethren do not claim that men + are to be eternally punished for having been mistaken as to the truths of + geology, astronomy, or mathematics. A man may deny the rotundity and + rotation of the earth, laugh at the attraction of gravitation, scout the + nebular hypothesis, and hold the multiplication table in abhorrence, and + yet join at last the angelic choir. I insist upon the same freedom of + thought in all departments of human knowledge. Reason is the supreme and + final test. + </p> + <p> + If God has made a revelation to man, it must have been addressed to his + reason. There is no other faculty that could even decipher the address. I + admit that reason is a small and feeble flame, a flickering torch by + stumblers carried in the starless night,—blown and flared by + passion's storm,—and yet it is the only light. Extinguish that, and + nought remains. + </p> + <p> + You draw a distinction between what you are pleased to call "superstition" + and religion. You are shocked at the Hindoo mother when she gives her + child to death at the supposed command of her God. What do you think of + Abraham, of Jephthah? What is your opinion of Jehovah himself? Is not the + sacrifice of a child to a phantom as horrible in Palestine as in India? + Why should a God demand a sacrifice from man? Why should the infinite ask + anything from the finite? Should the sun beg of the glow-worm, and should + the momentary spark excite the envy of the source of light? + </p> + <p> + You must remember that the Hindoo mother believes that her child will be + forever blest—that it will become the especial care of the God to + whom it has been given. This is a sacrifice through a false belief on the + part of the mother. She breaks her heart for the love of her babe. But + what do you think of the Christian mother who expects to be happy in + heaven, with her child a convict in the eternal prison—a prison in + which none die, and from which none escape? What do you say of those + Christians who believe that they, in heaven, will be so filled with + ecstasy that all the loved of earth will be forgotten—that all the + sacred relations of life, and all the passions of the heart, will fade and + die, so that they will look with stony, un-replying, happy eyes upon the + miseries of the lost? + </p> + <p> + You have laid down a rule by which superstition can be distinguished from + religion. It is this: "It makes that a crime which is not a crime, and + that a virtue which is not a virtue." Let us test your religion by this + rule. + </p> + <p> + Is it a crime to investigate, to think, to reason, to observe? Is it a + crime to be governed by that which to you is evidence, and is it infamous + to express your honest thought? There is also another question: Is + credulity a virtue? Is the open mouth of ignorant wonder the only entrance + to Paradise? + </p> + <p> + According to your creed, those who believe are to be saved, and those who + do not believe are to be eternally lost. When you condemn men to + everlasting pain for unbelief—that is to say, for acting in + accordance with that which is evidence to them—do you not make that + a crime which is not a crime? And when you reward men with an eternity of + joy for simply believing that which happens to be in accord with their + minds, do you not make that a virtue which is not a virtue? In other + words, do you not bring your own religion exactly within your own + definition of superstition? + </p> + <p> + The truth is, that no one can justly be held responsible for his thoughts. + The brain thinks without asking our consent. We believe, or we disbelieve, + without an effort of the will. Belief is a result. It is the effect of + evidence upon the mind. The scales turn in spite of him who watches. There + is no opportunity of being honest or dishonest in the formation of an + opinion. The conclusion is entirely independent of desire. We must + believe, or we must doubt, in spite of what we wish. + </p> + <p> + That which must be, has the right to be. + </p> + <p> + We think in spite of ourselves. The brain thinks as the heart beats, as + the eyes see, as the blood pursues its course in the old accustomed ways. + </p> + <p> + The question then is, not have we the right to think,—that being a + necessity,—but have we the right to express our honest thoughts? You + certainly have the right to express yours, and you have exercised that + right. Some of your brethren, who regard me as a monster, have expressed + theirs. The question now is, have I the right to express mine? In other + words, have I the right to answer your letter? To make that a crime in me + which is a virtue in you, certainly comes within your definition of + superstition. To exercise a right yourself which you deny to me is simply + the act of a tyrant. Where did you get your right to express your honest + thoughts? When, and where, and how did I lose mine? + </p> + <p> + You would not burn, you would not even imprison me, because I differ with + you on a subject about which neither of us knows anything. To you the + savagery of the Inquisition is only a proof of the depravity of man. You + are far better than your creed. You believe that even the Christian world + is outgrowing the frightful feeling that fagot, and dungeon, and + thumb-screw are legitimate arguments, calculated to convince those upon + whom they are used, that the religion of those who use them was founded by + a God of infinite compassion. You will admit that he who now persecutes + for opinion's sake is infamous. And yet, the God you worship will, + according to your creed, torture through all the endless years the man who + entertains an honest doubt. A belief in such a God is the foundation and + cause of all religious persecution. You may reply that only the belief in + a false God causes believers to be inhuman. But you must admit that the + Jews believed in the true God, and you are forced to say that they were so + malicious, so cruel, so savage, that they crucified the only Sinless Being + who ever lived. This crime was Committed, not in spite of their religion, + but in accordance with it. They simply obeyed the command of Jehovah. And + the followers of this Sinless Being, who, for all these centuries, have + denounced the cruelty of the Jews for crucifying a man on account of his + opinion, have destroyed millions and millions of their fellow-men for + differing with them. And this same Sinless Being threatens to torture in + eternal fire countless myriads for the same offence. Beyond this, + inconsistency cannot go. At this point absurdity becomes infinite. + </p> + <p> + Your creed transfers the Inquisition to another world, making it eternal. + Your God becomes, or rather is, an infinite Torquemada, who denies to his + countless victims even the mercy of death. And this you call "a + consolation." + </p> + <p> + You insist that at the foundation of every religion is the idea of God. + According to your creed, all ideas of God, except those entertained by + those of your faith, are absolutely false. You are not called upon to + defend the Gods of the nations dead; nor the Gods of heretics. It is your + business to defend the God of the Bible—the God of the Presbyterian + Church. When in the ranks doing battle for your creed, you must wear the + uniform of your church. You dare not say that it is sufficient to insure + the salvation of a soul to believe in a god, or in some god. According to + your creed, man must believe in your God. All the nations dead believed in + gods, and all the worshipers of Zeus, and Jupiter, and Isis, and Osiris, + and Brahma prayed and sacrificed in vain. Their petitions were not + answered, and their souls were not saved. Surely you do not claim that it + is sufficient to believe in any one of the heathen gods. + </p> + <p> + What right have you to occupy the position of the deists, and to put forth + arguments that even Christians have answered? The deist denounced the God + of the Bible because of his cruelty, and at the same time lauded the God + of Nature. The Christian replied that the God of Nature was as cruel as + the God of the Bible. This answer was complete. + </p> + <p> + I feel that you are entitled to the admission that none have been, that + none are, too ignorant, too degraded, to believe in the supernatural; and + I freely give you the advantage of this admission. Only a few—and + they among the wisest, noblest, and purest of the human race—have + regarded all gods as monstrous myths. Yet a belief in "the true God" does + not seem to make men charitable or just. For most people, theism is the + easiest solution of the universe. They are satisfied with saying that + there must be a Being who created and who governs the world. But the + universality of a belief does not tend to establish its truth. The belief + in the existence of a malignant Devil has been as universal as the belief + in a beneficent God, yet few intelligent men will say that the + universality of this belief in an infinite demon even tends to prove his + existence. In the world of thought, majorities count for nothing. Truth + has always dwelt with the few. + </p> + <p> + Man has filled the world with impossible monsters, and he has been the + sport and prey of these phantoms born of ignorance and hope and fear. To + appease the wrath of these monsters man has sacrificed his fellow-man. He + has shed the blood of wife and child; he has fasted and prayed; he has + suffered beyond the power of language to express, and yet he has received + nothing from these gods—they have heard no supplication, they have + answered no prayer. + </p> + <p> + You may reply that your God "sends his rain on the just and on the + unjust," and that this fact proves that he is merciful to all alike. I + answer, that your God sends his pestilence on the just and on the unjust—that + his earthquakes devour and his cyclones rend and wreck the loving and the + vicious, the honest and the criminal. Do not these facts prove that your + God is cruel to all alike? In other words, do they not demonstrate the + absolute impartiality of divine negligence? + </p> + <p> + Do you not believe that any honest man of average intelligence, having + absolute control of the rain, could do vastly better than is being done? + Certainly there would be no droughts or floods; the crops would not be + permitted to wither and die, while rain was being wasted in the sea. Is it + conceivable that a good man with power to control the winds would not + prevent cyclones? Would you not rather trust a wise and honest man with + the lightning? + </p> + <p> + Why should an infinitely wise and powerful God destroy the good and + preserve the vile? Why should he treat all alike here, and in another + world make an infinite difference? Why should your God allow his + worshipers, his adorers, to be destroyed by his enemies? Why should he + allow the honest, the loving, the noble, to perish at the stake? Can you + answer these questions? Does it not seem to you that your God must have + felt a touch of shame when the poor slave mother—one that had been + robbed of her babe—knelt and with clasped hands, in a voice broken + with sobs, commenced her prayer with the words "Our Father"? + </p> + <p> + It gave me pleasure to find that, notwithstanding your creed, you are + philosophical enough to say that some men are incapacitated, by reason of + temperament, for believing in the existence of God. Now, if a belief in + God is necessary to the salvation of the soul, why should God create a + soul without this capacity? Why should he create souls that he knew would + be lost? You seem to think that it is necessary to be poetical, or dreamy, + in order to be religious, and by inference, at least, you deny certain + qualities to me that you deem necessary. Do you account for the atheism of + Shelley by saying that he was not poetic, and do you quote his lines to + prove the existence of the very God whose being he so passionately denied? + Is it possible that Napoleon—one of the most infamous of men—had + a nature so finely strung that he was sensitive to the divine influences? + Are you driven to the necessity of proving the existence of one tyrant by + the words of another? Personally, I have but little confidence in a + religion that satisfied the heart of a man who, to gratify his ambition, + filled half the world with widows and orphans. In regard to Agassiz, it is + just to say that he furnished a vast amount of testimony in favor of the + truth of the theories of Charles Darwin, and then denied the correctness + of these theories—preferring the good opinions of Harvard for a few + days to the lasting applause of the intellectual world. + </p> + <p> + I agree with you that the world is a mystery, not only, but that + everything in nature is equally mysterious, and that there is no way of + escape from the mystery of life and death. To me, the crystallization of + the snow is as mysterious as the constellations. But when you endeavor to + explain the mystery of the universe by the mystery of God, you do not even + exchange mysteries—you simply make one more. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be mysterious enough to become an explanation. + </p> + <p> + The mystery of man cannot be explained by the mystery of God. That mystery + still asks for explanation. The mind is so that it cannot grasp the idea + of an infinite personality. That is beyond the circumference. This being + so, it is impossible that man can be convinced by any evidence of the + existence of that which he cannot in any measure comprehend. Such evidence + would be equally incomprehensible with the incomprehensible fact sought to + be established by it, and the intellect of man can grasp neither the one + nor the other. + </p> + <p> + You admit that the God of Nature—that is to say, your God—is + as inflexible as nature itself. Why should man worship the inflexible? Why + should he kneel to the unchangeable? You say that your God "does not bend + to human thought any more than to human will," and that "the more we study + him, the more we find that he is not what we imagined him to be." So that, + after all, the only thing you are really certain of in relation to your + God is, that he is not what you think he is. Is it not almost absurd to + insist that such a state of mind is necessary to salvation, or that it is + a moral restraint, or that it is the foundation of social order? + </p> + <p> + The most religious nations have been the most immoral, the cruelest and + the most unjust. Italy was far worse under the Popes than under the Cæsars. + Was there ever a barbarian nation more savage than the Spain of the + sixteenth century? Certainly you must know that what you call religion has + produced a thousand civil wars, and has severed with the sword all the + natural ties that produce "the unity and married calm of States." Theology + is the fruitful mother of discord; order is the child of reason. If you + will candidly consider this question—if you will for a few moments + forget your preconceived opinions—you will instantly see that the + instinct of self-preservation holds society together. Religion itself was + born of this instinct. People, being ignorant, believed that the Gods were + jealous and revengeful. They peopled space with phantoms that demanded + worship and delighted in sacrifice and ceremony, phantoms that could be + flattered by praise and changed by prayer. These ignorant people wished to + preserve themselves. They supposed that they could in this way avoid + pestilence and famine, and postpone perhaps the day of death. Do you not + see that self-preservation lies at the foundation of worship? Nations, + like individuals, defend and protect themselves. Nations, like + individuals, have fears, have ideals, and live for the accomplishment of + certain ends. Men defend their property because it is of value. Industry + is the enemy of theft. Men, as a rule, desire to live, and for that reason + murder is a crime. Fraud is hateful to the victim. The majority of mankind + work and produce the necessities, the comforts, and the luxuries of life. + They wish to retain the fruits of their labor. Government is one of the + instrumentalities for the preservation of what man deems of value. This is + the foundation of social order, and this holds society together. + </p> + <p> + Religion has been the enemy of social order, because it directs the + attention of man to another world. Religion teaches its votaries to + sacrifice this world for the sake of that other. The effect is to weaken + the ties that hold families and States together. Of what consequence is + anything in this world compared with eternal joy? + </p> + <p> + You insist that man is not capable of self-government, and that God made + the mistake of filling a world with failures—in other words, that + man must be governed not by himself, but by your God, and that your God + produces order, and establishes and preserves all the nations of the + earth. This being so, your God is responsible for the government of this + world. Does he preserve order in Russia? Is he accountable for Siberia? + Did he establish the institution of slavery? Was he the founder of the + Inquisition? + </p> + <p> + You answer all these questions by calling my attention to "the + retributions of history." What are the retributions of history? The honest + were burned at the stake; the patriotic, the generous, and the noble were + allowed to die in dungeons; whole races were enslaved; millions of mothers + were robbed of their babes. What were the retributions of history? They + who committed these crimes wore crowns, and they who justified these + infamies were adorned with the tiara. + </p> + <p> + You are mistaken when you say that Lincoln at Gettysburg said: "Just and + true are thy judgments, Lord God Almighty." Something like this occurs in + his last inaugural, in which he says,—speaking of his hope that the + war might soon be ended,—"If it shall continue until every drop of + blood drawn by the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, + still it must be said, 'The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous + altogether.'" But admitting that you are correct in the assertion, let me + ask you one question: Could one standing over the body of Lincoln, the + blood slowly oozing from the madman's wound, have truthfully said: "Just + and true are thy judgments, Lord God Almighty"? + </p> + <p> + Do you really believe that this world is governed by an infinitely wise + and good God? Have you convinced even yourself of this? Why should God + permit the triumph of injustice? Why should the loving be tortured? Why + should the noblest be destroyed? Why should the world be filled with + misery, with ignorance, and with want? What reason have you for believing + that your God will do better in another world than he has done and is + doing in this? Will he be wiser? Will he have more power? Will he be more + merciful? + </p> + <p> + When I say "your God," of course I mean the God described in the Bible and + the Presbyterian Confession of Faith. But again I say, that in the nature + of things, there can be no evidence of the existence of an infinite being. + </p> + <p> + An infinite being must be conditionless, and for that reason there is + nothing that a finite being can do that can by any possibility affect the + well-being of the conditionless. This being so, man can neither owe nor + discharge any debt or duty to an infinite being. The infinite cannot want, + and man can do nothing for a being who wants nothing. A conditioned being + can be made happy, or miserable, by changing conditions, but the + conditionless is absolutely independent of cause and effect. + </p> + <p> + I do not say that a God does not exist, neither do I say that a God does + exist; but I say that I do not know—that there can be no evidence to + my mind of the existence of such a being, and that my mind is so that it + is incapable of even thinking of an infinite personality. I know that in + your creed you describe God as "without body, parts, or passions." This, + to my mind, is simply a description of an infinite vacuum. I have had no + experience with gods. This world is the only one with which I am + acquainted, and I was surprised to find in your letter the expression that + "perhaps others are better acquainted with that of which I am so + ignorant." Did you, by this, intend to say that you know anything of any + other state of existence—that you have inhabited some other planet—that + you lived before you were born, and that you recollect something of that + other world, or of that other state? + </p> + <p> + Upon the question of immortality you have done me, unintentionally, a + great injustice. With regard to that hope, I have never uttered "a + flippant or a trivial" word. I have said a thousand times, and I say + again, that the idea of immortality, that, like a sea, has ebbed and + flowed in the human heart, with its countless waves of hope and fear + beating against the shores and rocks of time and fate, was not born of any + book, nor of any creed, nor of any religion. It was born of human + affection, and it will continue to ebb and flow beneath the mists and + clouds of doubt and darkness as long as love kisses the lips of death. + </p> + <p> + I have said a thousand times, and I say again, that we do not know, we + cannot say, whether death is a wall or a door—the beginning, or end, + of a day—the spreading of pinions to soar, or the folding forever of + wings—the rise or the set of a sun, or an endless life, that brings + rapture and love to every one. + </p> + <p> + The belief in immortality is far older than Christianity. Thousands of + years before Christ was born billions of people had lived and died in that + hope. Upon countless graves had been laid in love and tears the emblems of + another life. The heaven of the New Testament was to be in this world. The + dead, after they were raised, were to live here. Not one satisfactory word + was said to have been uttered by Christ—nothing philosophic, nothing + clear, nothing that adorns, like a bow of promise, the cloud of doubt. + </p> + <p> + According to the account in the New Testament, Christ was dead for a + period of nearly three days. After his resurrection, why did not some one + of his disciples ask him where he had been? Why did he not tell them what + world he had visited? There was the opportunity to "bring life and + immortality to light." And yet he was as silent as the grave that he had + left—speechless as the stone that angels had rolled away. + </p> + <p> + How do you account for this? Was it not infinitely cruel to leave the + world in darkness and in doubt, when one word could have filled all time + with hope and light? + </p> + <p> + The hope of immortality is the great oak round which have climbed the + poisonous vines of superstition. The vines have not supported the oak—the + oak has supported the vines. As long as men live and love and die, this + hope will blossom in the human heart. + </p> + <p> + All I have said upon this subject has been to express my hope and confess + my lack of knowledge. Neither by word nor look have I expressed any other + feeling than sympathy with those who hope to live again—for those + who bend above their dead and dream of life to come. But I have denounced + the selfishness and heartlessness of those who expect for themselves an + eternity of joy, and for the rest of mankind predict, without a tear, a + world of endless pain. Nothing can be more contemptible than such a hope—a + hope that can give satisfaction only to the hyenas of the human race. + </p> + <p> + When I say that I do not know—when I deny the existence of + perdition, you reply that "there is something very cruel in this treatment + of the belief of my fellow-creatures." + </p> + <p> + You have had the goodness to invite me to a grave over which a mother + bends and weeps for her only son. I accept your invitation. We will go + together. Do not, I pray you, deal in splendid generalities. Be explicit. + Remember that the son for whom the loving mother weeps was not a + Christian, not a believer in the inspiration of the Bible nor in the + divinity of Jesus Christ. The mother turns to you for consolation, for + some star of hope in the midnight of her grief. What must you say? Do not + desert the Presbyterian creed. Do not forget the threatenings of Jesus + Christ. What must you say? Will you read a portion of the Presbyterian + Confession of Faith? Will you read this? + </p> + <p> + "Although the light of Nature, and the works of creation and Providence, + do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God as to leave man + inexcusable, yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and + of his will which is necessary to salvation." + </p> + <p> + Or, will you read this? + </p> + <p> + "By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and + angels are predestined unto everlasting life and others foreordained to + everlasting death. These angels and men, thus predestined and + foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number + is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or + diminished." + </p> + <p> + Suppose the mother, lifting her tear-stained face, should say: "My son was + good, generous, loving and kind. He gave his life for me. Is there no hope + for him?" Would you then put this serpent in her breast? + </p> + <p> + "Men not professing the Christian religion cannot be saved in any other + way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to conform their lives according + to the light of Nature. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin. + There is no sin so small but that it deserves damnation. Works done by + unregenerate men, although, for the matter of that, they may be things + which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others, are + sinful and cannot please God or make a man meet to receive Christ or God." + </p> + <p> + And suppose the mother should then sobbingly ask: "What has become of my + son? Where is he now?" Would you still read from your Confession of Faith, + or from your Catechism—this? + </p> + <p> + "The souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torment + and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. At the last + day the righteous shall come into everlasting life, but the wicked shall + be cast into eternal torment and punished with everlasting destruction. + The wicked shall be cast into hell, to be punished with unspeakable + torment, both of body and soul, with the devil and his angels forever." + </p> + <p> + If the poor mother still wept, still refused to be comforted, would you + thrust this dagger in her heart? + </p> + <p> + "At the Day of Judgment you, being caught up to Christ in the clouds, + shall be seated at his right hand and there openly acknowledged and + acquitted, and you shall join with him in the damnation of your son." + </p> + <p> + If this failed to still the beatings of her aching heart, would you repeat + these words which you say came from the loving soul of Christ? + </p> + <p> + "They who believe and are baptized shall be saved, and they who believe + not shall be damned; and these shall go away into everlasting fire + prepared for the devil and his angels." + </p> + <p> + Would you not be compelled, according to your belief, to tell this mother + that "there is but one name given under heaven and among men whereby" the + souls of men can enter the gates of Paradise? Would you not be compelled + to say: "Your son lived in a Christian land. The means of grace were + within his reach. He died not having experienced a change of heart, and + your son is forever lost. You can meet your son again only by dying in + your sins; but if you will give your heart to God you can never clasp him + to your breast again." + </p> + <p> + What could I say? Let me tell you: + </p> + <p> + "My dear madam, this reverend gentleman knows nothing of another world. He + cannot see beyond the tomb. He has simply stated to you the superstitions + of ignorance, of cruelty and fear. If there be in this universe a God, he + certainly is as good as you are. Why should he have loved your son in life—loved + him, according to this reverend gentleman, to that degree that he gave his + life for him; and why should that love be changed to hatred the moment + your son was dead? + </p> + <p> + "My dear woman, there are no punishments, there are no rewards—there + are consequences; and of one thing you may rest assured, and that is, that + every soul, no matter what sphere it may inhabit, will have the + everlasting opportunity of doing right. + </p> + <p> + "If death ends all, and if this handful of dust over which you weep is all + there is, you have this consolation: Your son is not within the power of + this reverend gentleman's God—that is something. Your son does not + suffer. Next to a life of joy is the dreamless sleep of death." + </p> + <p> + Does it not seem to you infinitely absurd to call orthodox Christianity "a + consolation"? Here in this world, where every human being is enshrouded in + cloud and mist,—where all lives are filled with mistakes,—where + no one claims to be perfect, is it "a consolation" to say that "the + smallest sin deserves eternal pain"? Is it possible for the ingenuity of + man to extract from the doctrine of hell one drop, one ray, of + "consolation"? If that doctrine be true, is not your God an infinite + criminal? Why should he have created uncounted billions destined to suffer + forever? Why did he not leave them unconscious dust? Compared with this + crime, any crime that man can by any possibility commit is a virtue. + </p> + <p> + Think for a moment of your God,—the keeper of an infinite + penitentiary filled with immortal convicts,—your God an eternal + turnkey, without the pardoning power. In the presence of this infinite + horror, you complacently speak of the atonement,—a scheme that has + not yet gathered within its horizon a billionth part of the human race,—an + atonement with one-half the world remaining undiscovered for fifteen + hundred years after it was made. + </p> + <p> + If there could be no suffering, there could be no sin. To unjustly cause + suffering is the only possible crime. How can a God accept the suffering + of the innocent in lieu of the punishment of the guilty? + </p> + <p> + According to your theory, this infinite being, by his mere will, makes + right and wrong. This I do not admit. Right and wrong exist in the nature + of things—in the relation they bear to man, and to sentient beings. + You have already admitted that "Nature is inflexible, and that a violated + law calls for its consequences." I insist that no God can step between an + act and its natural effects. If God exists, he has nothing to do with + punishment, nothing to do with reward. From certain acts flow certain + consequences; these consequences increase or decrease the happiness of + man; and the consequences must be borne. + </p> + <p> + A man who has forfeited his life to the commonwealth may be pardoned, but + a man who has violated a condition of his own well-being cannot be + pardoned—there is no pardoning power. The laws of the State are + made, and, being made, can be changed; but the facts of the universe + cannot be changed. The relation of act to consequence cannot be altered. + This is above all power, and, consequently, there is no analogy between + the laws of the State and the facts in Nature. An infinite God could not + change the relation between the diameter and circumference of the circle. + </p> + <p> + A man having committed a crime may be pardoned, but I deny the right of + the State to punish an innocent man in the place of the pardoned—no + matter how willing the innocent man may be to suffer the punishment. There + is no law in Nature, no fact in Nature, by which the innocent can be + justly punished to the end that the guilty may go free. Let it be + understood once for all: Nature cannot pardon. + </p> + <p> + You have recognized this truth. You have asked me what is to become of one + who seduces and betrays, of the criminal with the blood of his victim upon + his hands? Without the slightest hesitation I answer, whoever commits a + crime against another must, to the utmost of his power in this world and + in another, if there be one, make full and ample restitution, and in + addition must bear the natural consequences of his offence. No man can be + perfectly happy, either in this world or in any other, who has by his + perfidy broken a loving and confiding heart. No power can step between + acts and consequences—no forgiveness, no atonement. + </p> + <p> + But, my dear friend, you have taught for many years, if you are a + Presbyterian, or an evangelical Christian, that a man may seduce and + betray, and that the poor victim, driven to insanity, leaping from some + wharf at night where ships strain at their anchors in storm and darkness—you + have taught that this poor girl may be tormented forever by a God of + infinite compassion. This is not all that you have taught. You have said + to the seducer, to the betrayer, to the one who would not listen to her + wailing cry,—who would not even stretch forth his hand to catch her + fluttering garments,—you have said to him: "Believe in the Lord + Jesus Christ, and you shall be happy forever; you shall live in the realm + of infinite delight, from which you can, without a shadow falling upon + your face, observe the poor girl, your victim, writhing in the agonies of + hell." You have taught this. For my part, I do not see how an angel in + heaven meeting another angel whom he had robbed on the earth, could feel + entirely blissful. I go further. Any decent angel, no matter if sitting at + the right hand of God, should he see in hell one of his victims, would + leave heaven itself for the purpose of wiping one tear from the cheek of + the damned. + </p> + <p> + You seem to have forgotten your statement in the commencement of your + letter, that your God is as inflexible as Nature—that he bends not + to human thought nor to human will. You seem to have forgotten the line + which you emphasized with italics: "<i>The effect of everything which is + of the nature of a cause, is eternal</i>." In the light of this sentence, + where do you find a place for forgiveness—for your atonement? Where + is a way to escape from the effect of a cause that is eternal? Do you not + see that this sentence is a cord with which I easily tie your hands? The + scientific part of your letter destroys the theological. You have put "new + wine into old bottles," and the predicted result has followed. Will the + angels in heaven, the redeemed of earth, lose their memory? Will not all + the redeemed rascals remember their rascality? Will not all the redeemed + assassins remember the faces of the dead? Will not all the seducers and + betrayers remember her sighs, her tears, and the tones of her voice, and + will not the conscience of the redeemed be as inexorable as the conscience + of the damned? + </p> + <p> + If memory is to be forever "the warder of the brain," and if the redeemed + can never forget the sins they committed, the pain and anguish they + caused, then they can never be perfectly happy; and if the lost can never + forget the good they did, the kind actions, the loving words, the heroic + deeds; and if the memory of good deeds gives the slightest pleasure, then + the lost can never be perfectly miserable. Ought not the memory of a good + action to live as long as the memory of a bad one? So that the undying + memory of the good, in heaven, brings undying pain, and the undying memory + of those in hell brings undying pleasure. Do you not see that if men have + done good and bad, the future can have neither a perfect heaven nor a + perfect hell? + </p> + <p> + I believe in the manly doctrine that every human being must bear the + consequences of his acts, and that no man can be justly saved or damned on + account of the goodness or the wickedness of another. + </p> + <p> + If by atonement you mean the natural effect of self-sacrifice, the effects + following a noble and disinterested action; if you mean that the life and + death of Christ are worth their effect upon the human race,—which + your letter seems to show,—then there is no question between us. If + you have thrown away the old and barbarous idea that a law had been + broken, that God demanded a sacrifice, and that Christ, the innocent, was + offered up for us, and that he bore the wrath of God and suffered in our + place, then I congratulate you with all my heart. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me impossible that life should be exceedingly joyous to any + one who is acquainted with its miseries, its burdens, and its tears. I + know that as darkness follows light around the globe, so misery and + misfortune follow the sons of men. According to your creed, the future + state will be worse than this. Here, the vicious may reform; here, the + wicked may repent; here, a few gleams of sunshine may fall upon the + darkest life. But in your future state, for countless billions of the + human race, there will be no reform, no opportunity of doing right, and no + possible gleam of sunshine can ever touch their souls. Do you not see that + your future state is infinitely worse than this? You seem to mistake the + glare of hell for the light of morning. + </p> + <p> + Let us throw away the dogma of eternal retribution. Let us "cling to all + that can bring a ray of hope into the darkness of this life." + </p> + <p> + You have been kind enough to say that I find a subject for caricature in + the doctrine of regeneration. If, by regeneration, you mean reformation,—if + you mean that there comes a time in the life of a young man when he feels + the touch of responsibility, and that he leaves his foolish or vicious + ways, and concludes to act like an honest man,—if this is what you + mean by regeneration, I am a believer. But that is not the definition of + regeneration in your creed—that is not Christian regeneration. There + is some mysterious, miraculous, supernatural, invisible agency, called, I + believe, the Holy Ghost, that enters and changes the heart of man, and + this mysterious agency is like the wind, under the control, apparently, of + no one, coming and going when and whither it listeth. It is this illogical + and absurd view of regeneration that I have attacked. + </p> + <p> + You ask me how it came to' pass that a Hebrew peasant, born among the + hills of Galilee, had a wisdom above that of Socrates or Plato, of + Confucius or Buddha, and you conclude by saying, "This is the greatest of + miracles—that such a being should live and die on the earth." + </p> + <p> + I can hardly admit your conclusion, because I remember that Christ said + nothing in favor of the family relation. As a matter of fact, his life + tended to cast discredit upon marriage. He said nothing against the + institution of slavery; nothing against the tyranny of government; nothing + of our treatment of animals; nothing about education, about intellectual + progress; nothing of art, declared no scientific truth, and said nothing + as to the rights and duties of nations. + </p> + <p> + You may reply that all this is included in "Do unto others as you would be + done by;" and "Resist not evil." More than this is necessary to educate + the human race. It is not enough to say to your child or to your pupil, + "Do right." The great question still remains: What is right? Neither is + there any wisdom in the idea of non-resistance. Force without mercy is + tyranny. Mercy without force is but a waste of tears. Take from virtue the + right of self-defence and vice becomes the master of the world. + </p> + <p> + Let me ask you how it came to pass that an ignorant driver of camels, a + man without family, without wealth, became master of hundreds of millions + of human beings? How is it that he conquered and overran more than half of + the Christian world? How is it that on a thousand fields the banner of the + cross went down in blood, while that of the crescent floated in triumph? + How do you account for the fact that the flag of this impostor floats + to-day above the sepulchre of Christ? Was this a miracle? Was Mohammed + inspired? How do you account for Confucius, whose name is known wherever + the sky bends? Was he inspired—this man who for many centuries has + stood first, and who has been acknowledged the superior of all men by + hundreds and thousands of millions of his fellow-men? How do you account + for Buddha,—in many respects the greatest religious teacher this + world has ever known,—the broadest, the most intellectual of them + all; he who was great enough, hundreds of years before Christ was born, to + declare the universal brotherhood of man, great enough to say that + intelligence is the only lever capable of raising mankind? How do you + account for him, who has had more followers than any other? Are you + willing to say that all success is divine? How do you account for + Shakespeare, born of parents who could neither read nor write, held in the + lap of ignorance and love, nursed at the breast of poverty—how do + you account for him, by far the greatest of the human race, the wings of + whose imagination still fill the horizon of human thought; Shakespeare, + who was perfectly acquainted with the human heart, knew all depths of + sorrow, all heights of joy, and in whose mind were the fruit of all + thought, of all experience, and a prophecy of all to be; Shakespeare, the + wisdom and beauty and depth of whose words increase with the intelligence + and civilization of mankind? How do you account for this miracle? Do you + believe that any founder of any religion could have written "Lear" or + "Hamlet"? Did Greece produce a man who could by any possibility have been + the author of "Troilus and Cressida"? Was there among all the countless + millions of almighty Rome an intellect that could have written the tragedy + of "Julius Cæsar"? Is not the play of "Antony and Cleopatra" as + Egyptian as the Nile? How do you account for this man, within whose veins + there seemed to be the blood of every race, and in whose brain there were + the poetry and philosophy of a world? + </p> + <p> + You ask me to tell my opinion of Christ. Let me say here, once for all, + that for the man Christ—for the man who, in the darkness, cried out, + "My God, why hast thou forsaken me!" —for that man I have the + greatest possible respect. And let me say, once for all, that the place + where man has died for man is holy ground. To that great and serene + peasant of Palestine I gladly pay the tribute of my admiration and my + tears. He was a reformer in his day—an infidel in his time. Back of + the theological mask, and in spite of the interpolations of the New + Testament, I see a great and genuine man. + </p> + <p> + It is hard to see how you can consistently defend the course pursued by + Christ himself. He attacked with great bitterness "the religion of + others." It did not occur to him that "there was something very cruel in + this treatment of the belief of his fellow-creatures." He denounced the + chosen people of God as a "generation of vipers." He compared them to + "whited sepulchres." How can you sustain the conduct of missionaries? They + go to other lands and attack the sacred beliefs of others. They tell the + people of India and of all heathen lands, not only that their religion is + a lie, not only that their gods are myths, but that the ancestors of these + people—their fathers and mothers who never heard of God, of the + Bible, or of Christ—are all in perdition. Is not this a cruel + treatment of the belief of a fellow-creature? + </p> + <p> + A religion that is not manly and robust enough to bear attack with smiling + fortitude is unworthy of a place in the heart or brain. A religion that + takes refuge in sentimentality, that cries out: "Do not, I pray you, tell + me any truth calculated to hurt my feelings," is fit only for asylums. + </p> + <p> + You believe that Christ was God, that he was infinite in power. While in + Jerusalem he cured the sick, raised a few from the dead, and opened the + eyes of the blind. Did he do these things because he loved mankind, or did + he do these miracles simply to establish the fact that he was the very + Christ? If he was actuated by love, is he not as powerful now as he was + then? Why does he not open the eyes of the blind now? Why does he not with + a touch make the leper clean? If you had the power to give sight to the + blind, to cleanse the leper, and would not exercise it, what would be + thought of you? What is the difference between one who can and will not + cure, and one who causes disease? + </p> + <p> + Only the other day I saw a beautiful girl—a paralytic, and yet her + brave and cheerful spirit shone over the wreck and ruin of her body like + morning on the desert. What would I think of myself, had I the power by a + word to send the blood through all her withered limbs freighted again with + life, should I refuse? + </p> + <p> + Most theologians seem to imagine that the virtues have been produced by + and are really the children of religion. + </p> + <p> + Religion has to do with the supernatural. It defines our duties and + obligations to God. It prescribes a certain course of conduct by means of + which happiness can be attained in another world. The result here is only + an incident. The virtues are secular. They have nothing whatever to do + with the supernatural, and are of no kindred to any religion. A man may be + honest, courageous, charitable, industrious, hospitable, loving and pure, + without being religious—that is to say, without any belief in the + supernatural; and a man may be the exact opposite and at the same time a + sincere believer in the creed of any church—that is to say, in the + existence of a personal God, the inspiration of the Scriptures and in the + divinity of Jesus Christ. A man who believes in the Bible may or may not + be kind to his family, and a man who is kind and loving in his family may + or may not believe in the Bible. + </p> + <p> + In order that you may see the effect of belief in the formation of + character, it is only necessary to call your attention to the fact that + your Bible shows that the devil himself is a believer in the existence of + your God, in the inspiration of the Scriptures, and in the divinity of + Jesus Christ. He not only believes these things, but he knows them, and + yet, in spite of it all, he remains a devil still. + </p> + <p> + Few religions have been bad enough to destroy all the natural goodness in + the human heart. In the deepest midnight of superstition some natural + virtues, like stars, have been visible in the heavens. Man has committed + every crime in the name of Christianity—or at least crimes that + involved the commission of all others. Those who paid for labor with the + lash, and who made blows a legal tender, were Christians. Those who + engaged in the slave trade were believers in a personal God. One slave + ship was called "The Jehovah." Those who pursued with hounds the fugitive + led by the Northern star prayed fervently to Christ to crown their efforts + with success, and the stealers of babes, just before falling asleep, + commended their souls to the keeping of the Most High. + </p> + <p> + As you have mentioned the apostles, let me call your attention to an + incident. + </p> + <p> + You remember the story of Ananias and Sapphira. The apostles, having + nothing themselves, conceived the idea of having all things in common. + Their followers who had something were to sell what little they had, and + turn the proceeds over to these theological financiers. It seems that + Ananias and Sapphira had a piece of land. They sold it, and after talking + the matter over, not being entirely satisfied with the collaterals, + concluded to keep a little—just enough to keep them from starvation + if the good and pious bankers should abscond. + </p> + <p> + When Ananias brought the money, he was asked whether he had kept back a + part of the price. He said that he had not. Whereupon God, the + compassionate, struck him dead. As soon as the corpse was removed, the + apostles sent for his wife. They did not tell her that her husband had + been killed. They deliberately set a trap for her life. Not one of them + was good enough or noble enough to put her on her guard; they allowed her + to believe that her husband had told his story, and that she was free to + corroborate what he had said. She probably felt that they were giving more + than they could afford, and, with the instinct of woman, wanted to keep a + little. She denied that any part of the price had been kept back. That + moment the arrow of divine vengeance entered her heart. + </p> + <p> + Will you be kind enough to tell me your opinion of the apostles in the + light of this story? Certainly murder is a greater crime than mendacity. + </p> + <p> + You have been good enough, in a kind of fatherly way, to give me some + advice. You say that I ought to soften my colors, and that my words would + be more weighty if not so strong. Do you really desire that I should add + weight to my words? Do you really wish me to succeed? If the commander of + one army should send word to the general of the other that his men were + firing too high, do you think the general would be misled? Can you + conceive of his changing his orders by reason of the message? + </p> + <p> + I deny that "the Pilgrims crossed the sea to find freedom to worship God + in the forests of the new world." They came not in the interest of + freedom. It never entered their minds that other men had the same right to + worship God according to the dictates of their consciences that the + Pilgrims themselves had. The moment they had power they were ready to whip + and brand, to imprison and burn. They did not believe in religious + freedom. They had no more idea of liberty of conscience than Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + I do not say that there is no place in the world for heroes and martyrs. + On the contrary, I declare that the liberty we now have was won for us by + heroes and by martyrs, and millions of these martyrs were burned, or + flayed alive, or torn in pieces, or assassinated by the church of God. The + heroism was shown in fighting the hordes of religious superstition. + </p> + <p> + Giordano Bruno was a martyr. He was a hero. He believed in no God, in no + heaven, and in no hell, yet he perished by fire. He was offered liberty on + condition that he would recant. There was no God to please, no heaven to + expect, no hell to fear, and yet he died by fire, simply to preserve the + unstained whiteness of his soul. + </p> + <p> + For hundreds of years every man who attacked the church was a hero. The + sword of Christianity has been wet for many centuries with the blood of + the noblest. Christianity has been ready with whip and chain and fire to + banish freedom from the earth. + </p> + <p> + Neither is it true that "family life withers under the cold sneer—half + pity and half scorn—with which I look down on household worship." + </p> + <p> + Those who believe in the existence of God, and believe that they are + indebted to this divine being for the few gleams of sunshine in this life, + and who thank God for the little they have enjoyed, have my entire + respect. Never have I said one word against the spirit of thankfulness. I + understand the feeling of the man who gathers his family about him after + the storm, or after the scourge, or after long sickness, and pours out his + heart in thankfulness to the supposed God who has protected his fireside. + I understand the spirit of the savage who thanks his idol of stone, or his + fetich of wood. It is not the wisdom of the one or of the other that I + respect, it is the goodness and thankfulness that prompt the prayer. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the family. I believe in family life; and one of my + objections to Christianity is that it divides the family. Upon this + subject I have said hundreds of times, and I say again, that the roof-tree + is sacred, from the smallest fibre that feels the soft, cool clasp of + earth, to the topmost flower that spreads its bosom to the sun, and like a + spendthrift gives its perfume to the air. The home where virtue dwells + with love is like a lily with a heart of fire, the fairest flower in all + this world. + </p> + <p> + What did Christianity in the early centuries do for the home? What have + nunneries and monasteries, and what has the glorification of celibacy done + for the family? Do you not know that Christ himself offered rewards in + this world and eternal happiness in another to those who would desert + their wives and children and follow him? What effect has that promise had + upon family life? + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the family is regarded as nothing. Christianity + teaches that there is but one family, the family of Christ, and that all + other relations are as nothing compared with that. Christianity teaches + the husband to desert the wife, the wife to desert the husband, children + to desert their parents, for the miserable and selfish purpose of saving + their own little, shriveled souls. + </p> + <p> + It is far better for a man to love his fellow-men than to love God. It is + better to love wife and children than to love Christ. It is better to + serve your neighbor than to serve your God—even if God exists. The + reason is palpable. You can do nothing for God. You can do something for + wife and children. You can add to the sunshine of a life. You can plant + flowers in the pathway of another. + </p> + <p> + It is true that I am an enemy of the orthodox Sabbath. It is true that I + do not believe in giving one-seventh of our time to the service of + superstition. The whole scheme of your religion can be understood by any + intelligent man in one day. Why should he waste a seventh of his whole + life in hearing the same thoughts repeated again and again? + </p> + <p> + Nothing is more gloomy than an orthodox Sabbath. The mechanic who has + worked during the week in heat and dust, the laboring man who has barely + succeeded in keeping his soul in his body, the poor woman who has been + sewing for the rich, may go to the village church which you have + described. They answer the chimes of the bell, and what do they hear in + this village church? Is it that God is the Father of the human race; is + that all? If that were all, you never would have heard an objection from + my lips. That is not all. If all ministers said: Bear the evils of this + life; your Father in heaven counts your tears; the time will come when + pain and death and grief will be forgotten words; I should have listened + with the rest. What else does the minister say to the poor people who have + answered the chimes of your bell? He says: "The smallest sin deserves + eternal pain." "A vast majority of men are doomed to suffer the wrath of + God forever." He fills the present with fear and the future with fire. He + has heaven for the few, hell for the many. He describes a little + grass-grown path that leads to heaven, where travelers are "few and far + between," and a great highway worn with countless feet that leads to + everlasting death. + </p> + <p> + Such Sabbaths are immoral. Such ministers are the real savages. Gladly + would I abolish such a Sabbath. Gladly would I turn it into a holiday, a + day of rest and peace, a day to get acquainted with your wife and + children, a day to exchange civilities with your neighbors; and gladly + would I see the church in which such sermons are preached changed to a + place of entertainment. Gladly would I have the echoes of orthodox sermons—the + owls and bats among the rafters, the snakes in crevices and corners—driven + out by the glorious music of Wagner and Beethoven. Gladly would I see the + Sunday school where the doctrine of eternal fire is taught, changed to a + happy dance upon the village green. + </p> + <p> + Music refines. The doctrine of eternal punishment degrades. Science + civilizes. Superstition looks longingly back to savagery. + </p> + <p> + You do not believe that general morality can be upheld without the + sanctions of religion. + </p> + <p> + Christianity has sold, and continues to sell, crime on a credit. It has + taught, and it still teaches, that there is forgiveness for all. Of course + it teaches morality. It says: "Do not steal, do not murder;" but it adds, + "but if you do both, there is a way of escape: believe on the Lord Jesus + Christ and thou shalt be saved." I insist that such a religion is no + restraint. It is far better to teach that there is no forgiveness, and + that every human being must bear the consequences of his acts. + </p> + <p> + The first great step toward national reformation is the universal + acceptance of the idea that there is no escape from the consequences of + our acts. The young men who come from their country homes into a city + filled with temptations, may be restrained by the thought of father and + mother. This is a natural restraint. They may be restrained by their + knowledge of the fact that a thing is evil on account of its consequences, + and that to do wrong is always a mistake. I cannot conceive of such a man + being more liable to temptation because he has heard one of my lectures in + which I have told him that the only good is happiness—that the only + way to attain that good is by doing what he believes to be right. I cannot + imagine that his moral character will be weakened by the statement that + there is no escape from the consequences of his acts. You seem to think + that he will be instantly led astray—that he will go off under the + flaring lamps to the riot of passion. Do you think the Bible calculated to + restrain him? To prevent this would you recommend him to read the lives of + Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, and the other holy polygamists of the Old + Testament? Should he read the life of David, and of Solomon? Do you think + this would enable him to withstand temptation? Would it not be far better + to fill the young man's mind with facts so that he may know exactly the + physical consequences of such acts? Do you regard ignorance as the + foundation of virtue? Is fear the arch that supports the moral nature of + man? + </p> + <p> + You seem to think that there is danger in knowledge, and that the best + chemists are most likely to poison themselves. + </p> + <p> + You say that to sneer at religion is only a step from sneering at + morality, and then only another step to that which is vicious and + profligate. + </p> + <p> + The Jews entertained the same opinion of the teachings of Christ. He + sneered at their religion. The Christians have entertained the same + opinion of every philosopher. Let me say to you again—and let me say + it once for all—that morality has nothing to do with religion. + Morality does not depend upon the supernatural. Morality does not walk + with the crutches of miracles. Morality appeals to the experience of + mankind. It cares nothing about faith, nothing about sacred books. + Morality depends upon facts, something that can be seen, something known, + the product of which can be estimated. It needs no priest, no ceremony, no + mummery. It believes in the freedom of the human mind. It asks for + investigation. It is founded upon truth. It is the enemy of all religion, + because it has to do with this world, and with this world alone. + </p> + <p> + My object is to drive fear out of the world. Fear is the jailer of the + mind. Christianity, superstition—that is to say, the supernatural—makes + every brain a prison and every soul a convict. Under the government of a + personal deity, consequences partake of the nature of punishments and + rewards. + </p> + <p> + Under the government of Nature, what you call punishments and rewards are + simply consequences. Nature does not punish. Nature does not reward. + Nature has no purpose. When the storm comes, I do not think: "This is + being done by a tyrant." When the sun shines, I do not say: "This is being + done by a friend." Liberty means freedom from personal dictation. It does + not mean escape from the relations we sustain to other facts in Nature. I + believe in the restraining influences of liberty. Temperance walks hand in + hand with freedom. To remove a chain from the body puts an additional + responsibility upon the soul. Liberty says to the man: You injure or + benefit yourself; you increase or decrease your own well-being. It is a + question of intelligence. You need not bow to a supposed tyrant, or to + infinite goodness. You are responsible to yourself and to those you + injure, and to none other. + </p> + <p> + I rid myself of fear, believing as I do that there is no power above which + can help me in any extremity, and believing as I do that there is no power + above or below that can injure me in any extremity. I do not believe that + I am the sport of accident, or that I may be dashed in pieces by the blind + agency of Nature. There is no accident, and there is no agency. That which + happens must happen. The present is the necessary child of all the past, + the mother of all the future. + </p> + <p> + Does it relieve mankind from fear to believe that there is some God who + will help them in extremity? What evidence have they on which to found + this belief? When has any God listened to the prayer of any man? The water + drowns, the cold freezes, the flood destroys, the fire burns, the bolt of + heaven falls—when and where has the prayer of man been answered? + </p> + <p> + Is the religious world to-day willing to test the efficacy of prayer? Only + a few years ago it was tested in the United States. The Christians of + Christendom, with one accord, fell upon their knees and asked God to spare + the life of one man. You know the result. You know just as well as I that + the forces of Nature produce the good and bad alike. You know that the + forces of Nature destroy the good and bad alike. You know that the + lightning feels the same keen delight in striking to death the honest man + that it does or would in striking the assassin with his knife lifted above + the bosom of innocence. + </p> + <p> + Did God hear the prayers of the slaves? Did he hear the prayers of + imprisoned philosophers and patriots? Did he hear the prayers of martyrs, + or did he allow fiends, calling themselves his followers, to pile the + fagots round the forms of glorious men? Did he allow the flames to devour + the flesh of those whose hearts were his? Why should any man depend on the + goodness of a God who created countless millions, knowing that they would + suffer eternal grief? + </p> + <p> + The faith that you call sacred—"sacred as the most delicate manly or + womanly sentiment of love and honor"—is the faith that nearly all of + your fellow-men are to be lost. Ought an honest man to be restrained from + denouncing that faith because those who entertain it say that their + feelings are hurt? You say to me: "There is a hell. A man advocating the + opinions you advocate will go there when he dies." I answer: "There is no + hell. The Bible that teaches it is not true." And you say: "How can you + hurt my feelings?" + </p> + <p> + You seem to think that one who attacks the religion of his parents is + wanting in respect to his father and his mother. + </p> + <p> + Were the early Christians lacking in respect for their fathers and + mothers? Were the Pagans who embraced Christianity heartless sons and + daughters? What have you to say of the apostles? Did they not heap + contempt upon the religion of their fathers and mothers? Did they not join + with him who denounced their people as a "generation of vipers"? Did they + not follow one who offered a reward to those who would desert fathers and + mothers? Of course you have only to go back a few generations in your + family to find a Field who was not a Presbyterian. After that you find a + Presbyterian. Was he base enough and infamous enough to heap contempt upon + the religion of his father and mother? All the Protestants in the time of + Luther lacked in respect for the religion of their fathers and mothers. + According to your idea, Progress is a Prodigal Son. If one is bound by the + religion of his father and mother, and his father happens to be a + Presbyterian and his mother a Catholic, what is he to do? Do you not see + that your doctrine gives intellectual freedom only to foundlings? + </p> + <p> + If by Christianity you mean the goodness, the spirit of forgiveness, the + benevolence claimed by Christians to be a part, and the principal part, of + that peculiar religion, then I do not agree with you when you say that + "Christ is Christianity and that it stands or falls with him." You have + narrowed unnecessarily the foundation of your religion. If it should be + established beyond doubt that Christ never existed, all that is of value + in Christianity would remain, and remain unimpaired. Suppose that we + should find that Euclid was a myth, the science known as mathematics would + not suffer. It makes no difference who painted or chiseled the greatest + pictures and statues, so long as we have the pictures and statues. When he + who has given the world a truth passes from the earth, the truth is left. + A truth dies only when forgotten by the human race. Justice, love, mercy, + forgiveness, honor, all the virtues that ever blossomed in the human + heart, were known and practiced for uncounted ages before the birth of + Christ. + </p> + <p> + You insist that religion does not leave man in "abject terror"—does + not leave him "in utter darkness as to his fate." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible to know who will be saved? Can you read the names mentioned + in the decrees of the Infinite? Is it possible to tell who is to be + eternally lost? Can the imagination conceive a worse fate than your + religion predicts for a majority of the race? Why should not every human + being be in "abject terror" who believes your doctrine? How many loving + and sincere women are in the asylums to-day fearing that they have + committed "the unpardonable sin"—a sin to which your God has + attached the penalty of eternal torment, and yet has failed to describe + the offence? Can tyranny go beyond this—fixing the penalty of + eternal pain for the violation of a law not written, not known, but kept + in the secrecy of infinite darkness? How much happier it is to know + nothing about it, and to believe nothing about it! How much better to have + no God! + </p> + <p> + You discover a "Great Intelligence ordering our little lives, so that even + the trials that we bear, as they call out the finer elements of character, + conduce to our future happiness." This is an old explanation—probably + as good as any. The idea is, that this world is a school in which man + becomes educated through tribulation—the muscles of character being + developed by wrestling with misfortune. If it is necessary to live this + life in order to develop character, in order to become worthy of a better + world, how do you account for the fact that billions of the human race die + in infancy, and are thus deprived of this necessary education and + development? What would you think of a schoolmaster who should kill a + large proportion of his scholars during the first day, before they had + even had the opportunity to look at "A"? + </p> + <p> + You insist that "there is a power behind Nature making for righteousness." + </p> + <p> + If Nature is infinite, how can there be a power outside of Nature? If you + mean by "a power making for righteousness" that man, as he becomes + civilized, as he becomes intelligent, not only takes advantage of the + forces of Nature for his own benefit, but perceives more and more clearly + that if he is to be happy he must live in harmony with the conditions of + his being, in harmony with the facts by which he is surrounded, in harmony + with the relations he sustains to others and to things; if this is what + you mean, then there is "a power making for righteousness." But if you + mean that there is something supernatural back of Nature directing events, + then I insist that there can by no possibility be any evidence of the + existence of such a power. + </p> + <p> + The history of the human race shows that nations rise and fall. There is a + limit to the life of a race; so that it can be said of every dead nation, + that there was a period when it laid the foundations of prosperity, when + the combined intelligence and virtue of the people constituted a power + working for righteousness, and that there came a time when this nation + became a spendthrift, when it ceased to accumulate, when it lived on the + labors of its youth, and passed from strength and glory to the weakness of + old age, and finally fell palsied to its tomb. + </p> + <p> + The intelligence of man guided by a sense of duty is the only power that + makes for righteousness. + </p> + <p> + You tell me that I am waging "a hopeless war," and you give as a reason + that the Christian religion began to be nearly two thousand years before I + was born, and that it will live two thousand years after I am dead. + </p> + <p> + Is this an argument? Does it tend to convince even yourself? Could not + Caiaphas, the high priest, have said substantially this to Christ? Could + he not have said: "The religion of Jehovah began to be four thousand years + before you were born, and it will live two thousand years after you are + dead"? Could not a follower of Buddha make the same illogical remark to a + missionary from Andover with the glad tidings? Could he not say: "You are + waging a hopeless war. The religion of Buddha began to be twenty-five + hundred years before you were born, and hundreds of millions of people + still worship at Great Buddha's shrine"? + </p> + <p> + Do you insist that nothing except the right can live for two thousand + years? Why is it that the Catholic Church "lives on and on, while nations + and kingdoms perish"? Do you consider that the "survival of the fittest"? + </p> + <p> + Is it the same Christian religion now living that lived during the Middle + Ages? Is it the same Christian religion that founded the Inquisition and + invented the thumbscrew? Do you see no difference between the religion of + Calvin and Jonathan Edwards and the Christianity of to-day? Do you really + think that it is the same Christianity that has been living all these + years? Have you noticed any change in the last generation? Do you remember + when scientists endeavored to prove a theory by a passage from the Bible, + and do you now know that believers in the Bible are exceedingly anxious to + prove its truth by some fact that science has demonstrated? Do you know + that the standard has changed? Other things are not measured by the Bible, + but the Bible has to submit to another test. It no longer owns the scales. + It has to be weighed,—it is being weighed,—it is growing + lighter and lighter every day. Do you know that only a few years ago "the + glad tidings of great joy" consisted mostly in a description of hell? Do + you know that nearly every intelligent minister is now ashamed to preach + about it, or to read about it, or to talk about it? Is there any change? + Do you know that but few ministers now believe in the "plenary + inspiration" of the Bible, that from thousands of pulpits people are now + told that the creation according to Genesis is a mistake, that it, never + was as wet as the flood, and that the miracles of the Old Testament are + considered simply as myths or mistakes? + </p> + <p> + How long will what you call Christianity endure, if it changes as rapidly + during the next century as it has during the last? What will there be left + of the supernatural? + </p> + <p> + It does not seem possible that thoughtful people can, for many years, + believe that a being of infinite wisdom is the author of the Old + Testament, that a being of infinite purity and kindness upheld polygamy + and slavery, that he ordered his chosen people to massacre their + neighbors, and that he commanded husbands and fathers to persecute wives + and daughters unto death for opinion's sake. + </p> + <p> + It does not seem within the prospect of belief that Jehovah, the cruel, + the jealous, the ignorant, and the revengeful, is the creator and + preserver of the universe. + </p> + <p> + Does it seem possible that infinite goodness would create a world in which + life feeds on life, in which everything devours and is devoured? Can there + be a sadder fact than this: Innocence is not a certain shield? + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for me to believe in the eternity of punishment. If that + doctrine be true, Jehovah is insane. + </p> + <p> + Day after day there are mournful processions of men and women, patriots + and mothers, girls whose only crime is that the word Liberty burst into + flower between their pure and loving lips, driven like beasts across the + melancholy wastes of Siberian snow. These men, these women, these + daughters, go to exile and to slavery, to a land where hope is satisfied + with death. Does it seem possible to you that an "Infinite Father" sees + all this and sits as silent as a god of stone? + </p> + <p> + And yet, according to your Presbyterian creed, according to your inspired + book, according to your Christ, there is another procession, in which are + the noblest and the best, in which you will find the wondrous spirits of + this world, the lovers of the human race, the teachers of their + fellow-men, the greatest soldiers that ever battled for the right; and + this procession of countless millions, in which you will find the most + generous and the most loving of the sons and daughters of men, is moving + on to the Siberia of God, the land of eternal exile, where agony becomes + immortal. + </p> + <p> + How can you, how can any man with brain or heart, believe this infinite + lie? + </p> + <p> + Is there not room for a better, for a higher philosophy? After all, is it + not possible that we may find that everything has been necessarily + produced, that all religions and superstitions, all mistakes and all + crimes, were simply necessities? Is it not possible that out of this + perception may come not only love and pity for others, but absolute + justification for the individual? May we not find that every soul has, + like Mazeppa, been lashed to the wild horse of passion, or like Prometheus + to the rocks of fate? + </p> + <p> + You ask me to take the "sober second thought." I beg of you to take the + first, and if you do, you will throw away the Presbyterian creed; you will + instantly perceive that he who commits the "smallest sin" no more deserves + eternal pain than he who does the smallest virtuous deed deserves eternal + bliss; you will become convinced that an infinite God who creates billions + of men knowing that they will suffer through all the countless years is an + infinite demon; you will be satisfied that the Bible, with its philosophy + and its folly, with its goodness and its cruelty, is but the work of man, + and that the supernatural does not and cannot exist. + </p> + <p> + For you personally, I have the highest regard and the sincerest respect, + and I beg of you not to pollute the soul of childhood, not to furrow the + cheeks of mothers, by preaching a creed that should be shrieked in a + mad-house. Do not make the cradle as terrible as the coffin. Preach, I + pray you, the gospel of Intellectual Hospitality—the liberty of + thought and speech. Take from loving hearts the awful fear. Have mercy on + your fellow-men. Do not drive to madness the mothers whose tears are + falling on the pallid faces of those who died in unbelief. Pity the + erring, wayward, suffering, weeping world. Do not proclaim as "tidings of + great joy" that an Infinite Spider is weaving webs to catch the souls of + men. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0007" id="link0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A LAST WORD TO ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h2> + <h3> + My Dear Colonel Ingersoll: + </h3> + <p> + I have read your Reply to my Open Letter half a dozen times, and each time + with new appreciation of your skill as an advocate. It is written with + great ingenuity, and furnishes probably as complete an argument as you are + able to give for the faith (or want of faith) that is in you. Doubtless + you think it unanswerable, and so it will seem to those who are + predisposed to your way of thinking. To quote a homely saying of Mr. + Lincoln, in which there is as much of wisdom as of wit, "For those who + like that sort of thing, no doubt that is the sort of thing they do like." + You may answer that we, who cling to the faith of our fathers, are equally + prejudiced, and that it is for that reason that we are not more impressed + by the force of your pleading. I do not deny a strong leaning that way, + and yet our real interest is the same—to get at the truth; and, + therefore, I have tried to give due weight to whatever of argument there + is in the midst of so much eloquence; but must confess that, in spite of + all, I remain in the same obdurate frame of mind as before. With all the + candor that I can bring to bear upon the question, I find on reviewing my + Open Letter scarcely a sentence to change and nothing to withdraw; and am + quite willing to leave it as my Declaration of Faith, to stand side by + side with your Reply, for intelligent and candid men to judge between us. + I need only to add a few words in taking leave of the subject. + </p> + <p> + You seem a little disturbed that "some of my brethren" should look upon + you as "a monster" because of your unbelief. I certainly do not approve of + such language, although they would tell me that it is the only word which + is a fit response to your ferocious attacks upon what they hold most + sacred. You are a born gladiator, and when you descend into the arena, you + strike heavy blows, which provoke blows in return. In this very Reply you + manifest a particular animosity against Presbyterians. Is it because you + were brought up in that Church, of which your father, whom you regard with + filial respect and affection, was an honored minister? You even speak of + "the Presbyterian God!" as if we assumed to appropriate the Supreme Being, + claiming to be the special objects of His favor. Is there any ground for + this imputation of narrowness? On the contrary, when we bow our knees + before our Maker, it is as the God and Father of all mankind; and the + expression you permit yourself to use, can only be regarded as grossly + offensive. Was it necessary to offer this rudeness to the religious + denomination in which you were born? + </p> + <p> + And this may explain, what you do not seem fully to understand, why it is + that you are sometimes treated to sharp epithets by the religious press + and public. You think yourself persecuted for your opinions. But others + hold the same opinions without offence. Nor is it because you express your + opinions. Nobody would deny you the same freedom which is accorded to + Huxley or Herbert Spencer. It is not because you exercise your liberty of + judgment or of speech, but because of the way in which you attack others, + holding up their faith to all manner of ridicule, and speaking of those + who profess it as if they must be either knaves or fools. It is not in + human nature not to resent such imputations on that which, however + incredible to you, is very precious to them. Hence it is that they think + you a rough antagonist; and when you shock them by such expressions as I + have quoted, you must expect some pretty strong language in return. I do + not join them in this, because I know you, and appreciate that other side + of you which is manly and kindly and chivalrous. But while I recognize + these better qualities, I must add in all frankness that I am compelled to + look upon you as a man so embittered against religion that you cannot + think of it except as associated with cant, bigotry, and hypocrisy. In + such a state of mind it is hardly possible for you to judge fairly of the + arguments for its truth. + </p> + <p> + I believe with you, that reason was given us to be exercised, and that + when man seeks after truth, his mind should be, as you say Darwin's was, + "as free from prejudice as the mariner's compass." But if he is warped by + passion so that he cannot see things truly, then is he responsible. It is + the moral element which alone makes the responsibility. Nor do I believe + that any man will be judged in this world or the next for what does not + involve a moral wrong. Hence your appalling statement, "The God you + worship will, according to your creed, torture (!) through all the endless + years the man who entertains an honest doubt," does not produce the effect + intended, simply because I do not affirm nor believe any such thing. I + believe that, in the future world, every man will be judged according to + the deeds done in the body, and that the judgment, whatever it may be, + will be transparently just. God is more merciful than man. He desireth not + the death of the wicked. Christ forgave, where men would condemn, and + whatever be the fate of any human soul, it can never be said that the + Supreme Ruler was wanting either in justice or mercy. This I emphasize + because you dwell so much upon the subject of future retribution, giving + it an attention so constant as to be almost exclusive. Whatever else you + touch upon, you soon come back to this as the black thunder-cloud that + darkens all the horizon, casting its mighty shadows over the life that now + is and that which is to come. Your denunciations of this "inhuman" belief + are so reiterated that one would be left to infer that there is nothing + else in Religion; that it is all wrath and terror. But this is putting a + part for the whole. Religion is a vast system, of which this is but a + single feature: it is but one doctrine of many; and indeed some whom no + one will deny to be devout Christians, do not hold it at all, or only in a + modified form, while with all their hearts they accept and profess the + Religion that Christ came to bring into the world. + </p> + <p> + Archdeacon Farrar, of Westminster Abbey, the most eloquent preacher in the + Church of England, has written a book entitled "Eternal Hope," in which he + argues from reason and the Bible, that this life is not "the be-all and + end-all" of human probation; but that in the world to come there will be + another opportunity, when countless millions, made wiser by unhappy + experience, will turn again to the paths of life; and that so in the end + the whole human race, with the exception of perhaps a few who remain + irreclaimable, will be recovered and made happy forever. Others look upon + "eternal death" as merely the extinction of being, while immortality is + the reward of pre-eminent virtue, interpreting in that sense the words, + "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through + Jesus Christ our Lord." The latter view might recommend itself to you as + the application of "the survival of the fittest" to another world, the + worthless, the incurably bad, of the human race being allowed to drop out + of existence (an end which can have no terrors for you, since you look + upon it as the common lot of all men,) while the good are continued in + being forever. The acceptance of either of these theories would relieve + your mind of that "horror of great darkness" which seems to come over it + whenever you look forward to retribution beyond the grave. + </p> + <p> + But while conceding all liberty to others I cannot so easily relieve + myself of this stern and rugged truth. To me moral evil in the universe is + a tremendous reality, and I do not see how to limit it within the bounds + of time. Retribution is to me a necessary part of the Divine law. A law + without a penalty for its violations is no law. But I rest the argument + for it, not on the Bible, but <i>on principles which you yourself + acknowledge</i>. You say, "There are no punishments, no rewards: there are + consequences." Very well, take the "consequences," and see where they lead + you. When a man by his vices has reduced his body to a wreck and his mind + to idiocy, you say this is the "consequence" of his vicious life. Is it a + great stretch of language to say that it is his "punishment," and + nonetheless punishment because self-inflicted? To the poor sufferer raving + in a madhouse, it matters little what it is called, so long as he is + experiencing the agonies of hell. And here your theory of "consequences," + if followed up, will lead you very far. For if man lives after death, and + keeps his personal identity, do not the "consequences" of his past life + follow him into the future? And if his existence is immortal, are not the + consequences immortal also? And what is this but endless retribution? + </p> + <p> + But you tell me that the moral effect of retribution is destroyed by the + easy way in which a man escapes the penalty. He has but to repent, and he + is restored to the same condition before the law as if he had not sinned. + Not so do I understand it. "I believe in the forgiveness of sins," but + forgiveness does not reverse the course of nature; it does not prevent the + operation of natural law. A drunkard may repent as he is nearing his end, + but that does not undo the wrong that he has done, nor avert the + consequences. In spite of his tears, he dies in an agony of shame and + remorse. The inexorable law must be fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + And so in the future world. Even though a man be forgiven, he does not + wholly escape the evil of his past life. A retribution follows him even + within the heavenly gates; for if he does not suffer, still that bad life + has so shriveled up his moral nature as to diminish his power of + enjoyment. There are degrees of happiness, as one star differeth from + another star in glory; and he who begins wrong, will find that it is not + as well to sin and repent of it as not to sin at all. He enters the other + world in a state of spiritual infancy, and will have to begin at the + bottom and climb slowly upward. + </p> + <p> + We might go a step farther, and say that perhaps heaven itself has not + only its lights but its shadows, in the reflections that must come even + there. We read of "the book of God's remembrance," but is there not + another book of remembrance in the mind itself—a book which any man + may well fear to open and to look thereon? When that book is opened, and + we read its awful pages, shall we not all think "what might have been?" + And will those thoughts be wholly free from sadness? The drunken brute who + breaks the heart that loved him may weep bitterly, and his poor wife may + forgive him with her dying lips; but <i>he cannot forgive himself</i> , + and <i>never</i> can he recall without grief that bowed head and that + broken heart. This preserves the element of retribution, while it does not + shut the door to forgiveness and mercy. + </p> + <p> + But we need not travel over again the round of Christian doctrines. My + faith is very simple; it revolves around two words; God and Christ. These + are the two centres, or, as an astronomer might say, the double-star, or + double-sun, of the great orbit of religious truth. + </p> + <p> + As to the first of these, you say "There can be no evidence to my mind of + the existence of such a being, and my mind is so that it is incapable of + even thinking of an infinite personality;" and you gravely put to me this + question: "Do you really believe that this world is governed by an + infinitely wise and good God? Have you convinced even yourself of this?" + Here are two questions—one as to the existence of God, and the other + as to His benevolence. I will answer both in language as plain as it is + possible for me to use. + </p> + <p> + First, Do I believe in the existence of God? I answer that it is + impossible for me not to believe it. I could not disbelieve it if I would. + You insist that belief or unbelief is not a matter of choice or of the + will, but of evidence. You say "the brain thinks as the heart beats, as + the eyes see." Then let us stand aside with all our prepossessions, and + open our eyes to what we can see. + </p> + <p> + When Robinson Crusoe in his desert island came down one day to the + seashore, and saw in the sand the print of a human foot, could he help the + instantaneous conviction that a man had been there? You might have tried + to persuade him that it was all chance,—that the sand had been + washed up by the waves or blown by the winds, and taken this form, or that + some marine insect had traced a figure like a human foot,—you would + not have moved him a particle. The imprint was there, and the conclusion + was irresistible: he did not believe—he knew that some human being, + whether friend or foe, civilized or savage, had set his foot upon that + desolate shore. So when I discover in the world (as I think I do) + mysterious footprints that are certainly not human, it is not a question + whether I shall believe or not: I cannot help believing that some Power + greater than man has set foot upon the earth. + </p> + <p> + It is a fashion among atheistic philosophers to make light of the argument + from design; but "my mind is so that it is incapable" of resisting the + conclusion to which it leads me. And (since personal questions are in + order) I beg to ask if it is possible for you to take in your hands a + watch, and believe that there was no "design" in its construction; that it + was not made to keep time, but only "happened" so; that it is the product + of some freak of nature, which brought together its parts and set it + going. Do you not know with as much positiveness as can belong to any + conviction of your mind, that it was not the work of accident, but of + design; and that if there was a design, there was a designer? And if the + watch was made to keep time, was not the eye made to see and the ear to + hear? Skeptics may fight against this argument as much as they please, and + try to evade the inevitable conclusion, and yet it remains forever + entwined in the living frame of man as well as imbedded in the solid + foundations of the globe. Wherefore I repeat, it is not a question with me + whether I will believe or not—I cannot help believing; and I am not + only surprised, but amazed, that you or any thoughtful man can come to any + other conclusion.' In wonder and astonishment I ask, "Do you really + believe" that in all the wide universe there is no Higher Intelligence + than that of the poor human creatures that creep on this earthly ball? For + myself, it is with the pro-foundest conviction as well as the deepest + reverence that I repeat the first sentence of my faith: "I believe in God + the Father Almighty." + </p> + <p> + And not the Almighty only, but the Wise and the Good. Again I ask, How can + I help believing what I see every day of my life? Every morning, as the + sun rises in the East, sending light and life over the world, I behold a + glorious image of the beneficent Creator. The exquisite beauty of the + dawn, the dewy freshness of the air, the fleecy clouds floating in the sky—all + speak of Him. And when the sun goes down, sending shafts of light through + the dense masses that would hide his setting, and casting a glory over the + earth and sky, this wondrous illumination is to me but the reflection of + Him who "spreadeth out the heavens like a curtain; who maketh the clouds + His chariot; who walketh upon the wings of the wind." + </p> + <p> + How much more do we find the evidences of goodness in man himself: in the + power of thought; of acquiring knowledge; of penetrating the mysteries of + nature and climbing among the stars. Can a being endowed with such + transcendent gifts doubt the goodness of his Creator? + </p> + <p> + Yes, I believe with all my heart and soul in One who is not only + Infinitely Great, but Infinitely Good; who loves all the creatures He has + made; bending over them as the bow in the cloud spans the arch of heaven, + stretching from horizon to horizon; looking down upon them with a + tenderness compared to which all human love is faint and cold. "Like as a + father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him; for + He knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are dust." + </p> + <p> + On the question of immortality you are equally "at sea." You know nothing + and believe nothing; or, rather, you know only that you do not know, and + believe that you do not believe. You confess indeed to a faint hope, and + admit a bare possibility, that there may be another life, though you are + in an uncertainty about it that is altogether bewildering and desperate. + But your mind is so poetical that you give a certain attractiveness even + to the prospect of annihilation. You strew the sepulchre with such flowers + as these: + </p> + <p> + "I have said a thousand times, and I say again, that the idea of + immortality, that like a sea has ebbed and flowed in the human heart, with + its countless waves of hope and fear beating against the shores and rocks + of time and fate, was not born of any book, nor of any creed, nor of any + religion. It was born of human affection, and it will continue to ebb and + flow beneath the mists and clouds of doubt and darkness as long as love + kisses the lips of death. + </p> + <p> + "I have said a thousand times, and I say again, that we do not know, we + cannot say, whether death is a wall or a door; the beginning or end of a + day; the spreading of pinions to soar, or the folding forever of wings; + the rise or the set of a sun, or an endless life that brings rapture and + love to every one." + </p> + <p> + Beautiful words! but inexpressibly sad! It is a silver lining to the + cloud, and yet the cloud is there, dark and impenetrable. But perhaps we + ought not to expect anything clearer and brighter from one who recognizes + no light but that of Nature. + </p> + <p> + That light is very dim. If it were all we had, we should be just where + Cicero was, and say with him, and with you, that a future life was "to be + hoped for rather than believed." But does not that very uncertainty show + the need of a something above Nature, which is furnished in Him who "was + crucified, dead and buried, and the third day rose again from the dead?" + It is the Conqueror of Death who calls to the fainthearted: "I am the + Resurrection and the Life." Since He has gone before us, lighting up the + dark passage of the grave, we need not fear to follow, resting on the word + of our Leader: "Because I live, ye shall live also." + </p> + <p> + This faith in another life is a precious inheritance, which cannot be torn + from the agonized bosom without a wrench that tears every heartstring; and + it was to this I referred as the last refuge of a poor, suffering, + despairing soul, when I asked: "Does it never occur to you that there is + something very cruel in this treatment of the belief of your + fellow-creatures, on whose hope of another life hangs all that relieves + the darkness of their present existence?" The imputation of cruelty you + repel with some warmth, saying (with a slight variation of my language): "<i>When + I deny the existence of perdition</i>, you reply that there is something + very cruel in this treatment of the belief of my fellow-creatures." Of + course, this change of words, putting perdition in the place of immortal + life and hope, was a mere inadvertence. But it was enough to change the + whole character of what I wrote. As I described "the treatment of the + belief of my fellow-creatures," I did think it "very cruel," and I think + so still. + </p> + <p> + While correcting this slight misquotation, I must remove from your mind a + misapprehension, which is so very absurd as to be absolutely comical. In + my Letter referring to your disbelief of immortality, I had said: "With an + air of modesty and diffidence that would carry an audience by storm, you + confess your ignorance of what perhaps others are better acquainted with, + when you say, 'This world is all that I know anything about, <i>so far as + I recollect</i>'" Of course "what perhaps others are better acquainted + with" was a part of what you said, or at least implied by your manner (for + you do not convey your meaning merely by words, but by a tone of voice, by + arched eyebrows, or a curled lip); and yet, instead of taking the sentence + in its plain and obvious sense, you affect to understand it as an + assumption on my part to have some private and mysterious knowledge of + another world (!), and gravely ask me, "Did you by this intend to say that + you know anything of any other state of existence; that you have inhabited + some other planet; that you lived before you were born; and that you + recollect something of that other world or of that other state?" No, my + dear Colonel! I have been a good deal of a traveler, and have seen all + parts of this world, but I have never visited any other. In reading your + sober question, if I did not know you to be one of the brightest wits of + the day, I should be tempted to quote what Sidney Smith says of a + Scotchman, that "you cannot get a joke into his head except by a surgical + operation!" + </p> + <p> + But to return to what is serious: you make light of our faith and our + hopes, because you know not the infinite solace they bring to the troubled + human heart. You sneer at the idea that religion can be a "consolation." + Indeed! Is it not a consolation to have an Almighty Friend? Was it a light + matter for the poor slave mother, who sat alone in her cabin, having been + robbed of her children, to sing in her wild, wailing accents: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Nobody knows the sorrows I've seen: + Nobody knows but Jesus?" +</pre> + <p> + Would you rob her of that Unseen Friend—the only Friend she had on + earth or in heaven? + </p> + <p> + But I will do you the justice to say that your want of religious faith + comes in part from your very sensibility and tenderness of heart. You + cannot recognize an overruling Providence, because your mind is so + harassed by scenes that you witness. Why, you ask, do men suffer so? You + draw frightful pictures of the misery which exists in the world, as a + proof of the incapacity of its Ruler and Governor, and do not hesitate to + say that "any honest man of average intelligence could do vastly better." + If you could have your way, you would make everybody happy; there should + be no more poverty, and no more sickness or pain. + </p> + <p> + This is a pleasant picture to look at, and yet you must excuse me for + saying that it is rather a child's picture than that of a stalwart man. + The world is not a playground in which men are to be petted and indulged + like children: spoiled children they would soon become. It is an arena of + conflict, in which we are to develop the manhood that is in us. We all + have to take the "rough-and-tumble" of life, and are the better for it—physically, + intellectually, and morally. If there be any true manliness within us, we + come out of the struggle stronger and better; with larger minds and kinder + hearts; a broader wisdom and a gentler charity. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps we should not differ on this point if we could agree as to the + true end of life. But here I fear the difference is irreconcilable. You + think that end is happiness: I think it is character. I do not believe + that the highest end of life upon earth is to "have a good time to get + from it the utmost amount of enjoyment;" but to be truly and greatly GOOD; + and that to that end no discipline can be too severe which leads us "to + suffer and be strong." That discipline answers its end when it raises the + spirit to the highest pitch of courage and endurance. The splendor of + virtue never appears so bright as when set against a dark background. It + was in prisons and dungeons that the martyrs showed the greatest degree of + moral heroism, the power of + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Man's unconquerable mind." +</pre> + <p> + But I know well that these illustrations do not cover the whole case. + There is another picture to be added to those of heroic struggle and + martyrdom—that of silent suffering, which makes of life one long + agony, and which often comes upon the good, so that it seems as if the + best suffered the most. And yet when you sit by a sick bed, and look into + a face whiter than the pillow on which it rests, do you not sometimes mark + how that very suffering refines the nature that bears it so meekly? This + is the Christian theory: that suffering, patiently borne, is a means of + the greatest elevation of character, and, in the end, of the highest + enjoyment. Looking at it in this light, we can understand how it should be + that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared + [or even to be named] with the glory which shall be revealed." When the + heavenly morning breaks, brighter than any dawn that blushes "o'er the + world," there will be "a restitution of all things:" the poor will be made + rich, and the most suffering the most serenely happy; as in the vision of + the Apocalypse, when it is asked "What are these which are arrayed in + white robes, and whence came they?" the answer is, "These are they which + came our of great tribulation." + </p> + <p> + In this conclusion, which is not adopted lightly, but after innumerable + struggles with doubt, after the experience and the reflection of years, I + feel "a great peace." It is the glow of sunset that gilds the approach of + evening. For (we must confess it) it is towards that you and I are + advancing. The sun has passed the meridian, and hastens to his going down. + Whatever of good this life has for us (and I am far from being one of + those who look upon it as a vale of tears) will soon be behind us. I see + the shadows creeping on; yet I welcome the twilight that will soon darken + into night, for I know that it will be a night all glorious with stars. As + I look upward, the feeling of awe is blended with a strange, overpowering + sense of the Infinite Goodness, which surrounding me like an atmosphere: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And so beside the Silent Sea, + I wait the muffled oar; + No harm from Him can come to me + On ocean or on shore. + + I know not where His Islands lift + Their fronded palms in air; + I only know I cannot drift + Beyond His love and care." +</pre> + <p> + Would that you could share with me this confidence and this hope! But you + seem to be receding farther from any kind of faith. In one of your closing + paragraphs, you give what is to you "the conclusion of the whole matter." + After repudiating religion with scorn, you ask, "Is there not room for a + better, for a higher philosophy?" and thus indicate the true answer to be + given, to which no words can do justice but your own: + </p> + <p> + "After all, is it not possible that we may find that everything has been + necessarily produced; that all religions and superstitions, all mistakes + and all crimes, were simply necessities? Is it not possible that out of + this perception may come not only love and pity for others, but absolute + justification for the individual? May we not find that every soul has, + like Mazeppa, been lashed to the wild horse of passion, or like Prometheus + to the rocks of fate?" + </p> + <p> + If this be the end of all philosophy, it is equally the end of "all + things." Not only does it make an end of us and of our hopes of futurity, + but of all that makes the present life worth living—of all freedom, + and hence of all virtue. There are no more any moral distinctions in the + world—no good and no evil, no right and no wrong; nothing but grim + necessity. With such a creed, I wonder how you can ever stand at the bar, + and argue for the conviction of a criminal. Why should he be convicted and + punished for what he could not help? Indeed he is not a criminal, since + there is no such thing as crime. He is not to blame. Was he not "lashed to + the wild horse of passion," carried away by a power beyond his control? + </p> + <p> + What cruelty to thrust him behind iron bars! Poor fellow! he deserves our + pity. Let us hasten to relieve him from a position which must be so + painful, and make our humble apology for having presumed to punish him for + an act in which he only obeyed an impulse which he could not resist. This + will be "absolute justification for the individual." But what will become + of society, you do not tell us. + </p> + <p> + Are you aware that in this last attainment of "a better, a higher + philosophy" (which is simply absolute fatalism), you have swung round to + the side of John Calvin, and gone far beyond him? That you, who have + exhausted all the resources of the English language in denouncing his + creed as the most horrible of human beliefs—brainless, soulless, + heartless; who have held it up to scorn and derision; now hold to the + blackest Calvinism that was ever taught by man? You cannot find words + sufficient to express your horror of the doctrine of Divine decrees; and + yet here you have decrees with a vengeance—predestination and + damnation, both in one. Under such a creed, man is a thousand times worse + off than under ours: for he has absolutely no hope. You may say that at + any rate he cannot suffer forever. You do not know even that; but at any + rate <i>he suffers as long as he exists</i>. There is no God above to show + him pity, and grant him release; but as long as the ages roll, he is + "lashed to the rocks of fate," with the insatiate vulture tearing at his + heart! + </p> + <p> + In reading your glittering phrases, I seem to be losing hold of + everything, and to be sinking, sinking, till I touch the lowest depths of + an abyss; while from the blackness above me a sound like a death-knell + tolls the midnight of the soul. If I believed this I should cry, God help + us all! Or no—for there would be no God, and even this last + consolation would be denied us: for why should we offer a prayer which can + neither be heard nor answered? As well might we ask mercy from "the rocks + of fate" to which we are chained forever! + </p> + <p> + Recoiling from this Gospel of Despair, I turn to One in whose face there + is something at once human and divine—an indescribable majesty, + united with more than human tenderness and pity; One who was born among + the poor, and had not where to lay His head, and yet went about doing + good; poor, yet making many rich; who trod the world in deepest + loneliness, and yet whose presence lighted up every dwelling into which He + came; who took up little children in His arms, and blessed them; a giver + of joy to others, and yet a sufferer himself; who tasted every human + sorrow, and yet was always ready to minister to others' grief; weeping + with them that wept; coming to Bethany to comfort Mary and Martha + concerning their brother; rebuking the proud, but gentle and pitiful to + the most abject of human creatures; stopping amid the throng at the cry of + a blind beggar by the wayside; willing to be known as "the friend of + sinners," if He might recall them into the way of peace; who did not scorn + even the fallen woman who sank at His feet, but by His gentle word, + "Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more," lifted her up, and set + her in the path of a virtuous womanhood; and who, when dying on the cross, + prayed: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." In this + Friend of the friendless, Comforter of the comfortless, Forgiver of the + penitent, and Guide of the erring, I find a greatness that I had not found + in any of the philosophers or teachers of the world. No voice in all the + ages thrills me like that which whispers close to my heart, "Come unto me + and I will give you rest," to which I answer: This is my Master, and I + will follow Him. + </p> + <p> + Henry M. Field. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0008" id="link0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER TO DR. FIELD. + </h2> + <h3> + My Dear Mr. Field: + </h3> + <p> + With great pleasure I have read your second letter, in which you seem to + admit that men may differ even about religion without being responsible + for that difference; that every man has the right to read the Bible for + himself, state freely the conclusion at which he arrives, and that it is + not only his privilege, but his duty to speak the truth; that Christians + can hardly be happy in heaven, while those they loved on earth are + suffering with the lost; that it is not a crime to investigate, to think, + to reason, to observe, and to be governed by evidence; that credulity is + not a virtue, and that the open mouth of ignorant wonder is not the only + entrance to Paradise; that belief is not necessary to salvation, and that + no man can justly be made to suffer eternal pain for having expressed an + intellectual conviction. + </p> + <p> + You seem to admit that no man can justly be held responsible for his + thoughts; that the brain thinks without asking our consent, and that we + believe or disbelieve without an effort of the will. + </p> + <p> + I congratulate you upon the advance that you have made. You not only admit + that we have the right to think, but that we have the right to express our + honest thoughts. You admit that the Christian world no longer believes in + the fagot, the dungeon, and the thumbscrew. Has the Christian world + outgrown its God? Has man become more merciful than his maker? If man will + not torture his fellow-man on account of a difference of opinion, will a + God of infinite love torture one of his children for what is called the + sin of unbelief? Has man outgrown the Inquisition, and will God forever be + the warden of a penitentiary? The walls of the old dungeons have fallen, + and light now visits the cell where brave men perished in darkness. Is + Jehovah to keep the cells of perdition in repair forever, and are his + children to be the eternal prisoners? + </p> + <p> + It seems hard for you to appreciate the mental condition of one who + regards all gods as substantially the same; that is to say, who thinks of + them all as myths and phantoms born of the imagination,—characters + in the religious fictions of the race. To you it probably seems strange + that a man should think far more of Jupiter than of Jehovah. Regarding + them both as creations of the mind, I choose between them, and I prefer + the God of the Greeks, on the same principle that I prefer Portia to Iago; + and yet I regard them, one and all, as children of the imagination, as + phantoms born of human fears and human hopes. + </p> + <p> + Surely nothing was further from my mind than to hurt the feelings of any + one by speaking of the Presbyterian God. I simply intended to speak of the + God of the Presbyterians. Certainly the God of the Presbyterian is not the + God of the Catholic, nor is he the God of the Mohammedan or Hindoo. He is + a special creation suited only to certain minds. These minds have + naturally come together, and they form what we call the Presbyterian + Church. As a matter of fact, no two churches can by any possibility have + precisely the same God; neither can any two human beings conceive of + precisely the same Deity. In every man's God there is, to say the least, a + part of that man. The lower the man, the lower his conception of God. The + higher the man, the grander his Deity must be. The savage who adorns his + body with a belt from which hang the scalps of enemies slain in battle, + has no conception of a loving, of a forgiving God; his God, of necessity, + must be as revengeful, as heartless, as infamous as the God of John + Calvin. + </p> + <p> + You do not exactly appreciate my feeling. I do not hate Presbyterians; I + hate Presbyterianism. I hate with all my heart the creed of that church, + and I most heartily despise the God described in the Confession of Faith. + But some of the best friends I have in the world are afflicted with the + mental malady known as Presbyterianism. They are the victims of the + consolation growing out of the belief that a vast majority of their + fellow-men are doomed to suffer eternal torment, to the end that their + Creator may be eternally glorified. I have said many times, and I say + again, that I do not despise a man because he has the rheumatism; I + despise the rheumatism because it has a man. + </p> + <p> + But I do insist that the Presbyterians have assumed to appropriate to + themselves their Supreme Being, and that they have claimed, and that they + do claim, to be the "special objects of his favor." They do claim to be + the very elect, and they do insist that God looks upon them as the objects + of his special care. They do claim that the light of Nature, without the + torch of the Presbyterian creed, is insufficient to guide any soul to the + gate of heaven. They do insist that even those who never heard of Christ, + or never heard of the God of the Presbyterians, will be eternally lost; + and they not only claim this, but that their fate will illustrate not only + the justice but the mercy of God. Not only so, but they insist that the + morality of an unbeliever is displeasing to God, and that the love of an + unconverted mother for her helpless child is nothing less than sin. + </p> + <p> + When I meet a man who really believes the Presbyterian creed, I think of + the Laocoon. I feel as though looking upon a human being helpless in the + coils of an immense and poisonous serpent. But I congratulate you with all + my heart that you have repudiated this infamous, this savage creed; that + you now admit that reason was given us to be exercised; that God will not + torture any man for entertaining an honest doubt, and that in the world to + come "every man will be judged according to the deeds done in the body." + </p> + <p> + Let me quote your exact language: "I believe that in the future world + every man will be judged according to the deeds done in the body." Do you + not see that you have bidden farewell to the Presbyterian Church? In that + sentence you have thrown away the atonement, you have denied the efficacy + of the blood of Jesus Christ, and you have denied the necessity of belief. + If we are to be judged by the deeds done in the body, that is the end of + the Presbyterian scheme of salvation. I sincerely congratulate you for + having repudiated the savagery of Calvinism. + </p> + <p> + It also gave me great pleasure to find that you have thrown away, with a + kind of glad shudder, that infamy of infamies, the dogma of eternal pain. + I have denounced that inhuman belief; I have denounced every creed that + had coiled within it that viper; I have denounced every man who preached + it, the book that contains it, and with all my heart the God who threatens + it; and at last I have the happiness of seeing the editor of the New York + <i>Evangelist</i> admit that devout Christians do not believe that lie, + and quote with approbation the words of a minister of the Church of + England to the effect that all men will be finally recovered and made + happy. + </p> + <p> + Do you find this doctrine of hope in the Presbyterian creed? Is this star, + that sheds light on every grave, found in your Bible? Did Christ have in + his mind the shining truth that all the children of men will at last be + filled with joy, when he uttered these comforting words: "Depart from me, + ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels"? + </p> + <p> + Do you find in this flame the bud of hope, or the flower of promise? + </p> + <p> + You suggest that it is possible that "the incurably bad will be + annihilated," and you say that such a fate can have no terrors for me, as + I look upon annihilation as the common lot of all. Let us examine this + position. Why should a God of infinite wisdom create men and women whom he + knew would be "incurably bad"? What would you say of a mechanic who was + forced to destroy his own productions on the ground that they were + "incurably bad"? Would you say that he was an infinitely wise mechanic? + Does infinite justice annihilate the work of infinite wisdom? Does God, + like an ignorant doctor, bury his mistakes? + </p> + <p> + Besides, what right have you to say that I "look upon annihilation as the + common lot of all"? Was there any such thought in my Reply? Do you find it + in any published words of mine? Do you find anything in what I have + written tending to show that I believe in annihilation? Is it not true + that I say now, and that I have always said, that I do not know? Does a + lack of knowledge as to the fate of the human soul imply a belief in + annihilation? Does it not equally imply a belief in immortality? + </p> + <p> + You have been—at least until recently—a believer in the + inspiration of the Bible and in the truth of its every word. What do you + say to the following: "For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth + beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the + other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no pre-eminence + above a beast." You will see that the inspired writer is not satisfied + with admitting that he does not know. "As the cloud is consumed and + vanisheth away; so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more." + Was it not cruel for an inspired man to attack a sacred belief? + </p> + <p> + You seem surprised that I should speak of the doctrine of eternal pain as + "the black thunder-cloud that darkens all the horizon, casting its mighty + shadows over the life that now is and that which is to come." If that + doctrine be true, what else is there worthy of engaging the attention of + the human mind? It is the blackness that extinguishes every star. It is + the abyss in which every hope must perish. It leaves a universe without + justice and without mercy—a future without one ray of light, and a + present with nothing but fear. It makes heaven an impossibility, God an + infinite monster, and man an eternal victim. Nothing can redeem a religion + in which this dogma is found. Clustered about it are all the snakes of the + Furies. + </p> + <p> + But you have abandoned this infamy, and you have admitted that we are to + be judged according to the deeds done in the body. Nothing can be nearer + self-evident than the fact that a finite being cannot commit an infinite + sin; neither can a finite being do an infinitely good deed. That is to + say, no one can deserve for any act eternal pain, and no one for any deed + can deserve eternal joy. If we are to be judged by the deeds done in the + body, the old orthodox hell and heaven both become impossible. + </p> + <p> + So, too, you have recognized the great and splendid truth that sin cannot + be predicated of an intellectual conviction. This is the first great step + toward the liberty of soul. You admit that there is no morality and no + immorality in belief—that is to say, in the simple operation of the + mind in weighing evidence, in observing facts, and in drawing conclusions. + You admit that these things are without sin and without guilt. Had all men + so believed there never could have been religious persecution—the + Inquisition could not have been built, and the idea of eternal pain never + could have polluted the human heart. + </p> + <p> + You have been driven to the passions for the purpose of finding what you + are pleased to call "sin" and "responsibility" and you say, speaking of a + human being, "but if he is warped by passion so that he cannot see things + truly, then is he responsible." One would suppose that the use of the word + "cannot" is inconsistent with the idea of responsibility. What is passion? + There are certain desires, swift, thrilling, that quicken the action of + the heart—desires that fill the brain with blood, with fire and + flame—desires that bear the same relation to judgment that storms + and waves bear to the compass on a ship. Is passion necessarily produced? + Is there an adequate cause for every effect? Can you by any possibility + think of an effect without a cause, and can you by any possibility think + of an effect that is not a cause, or can you think of a cause that is not + an effect? Is not the history of real civilization the slow and gradual + emancipation of the intellect, of the judgment, from the mastery of + passion? Is not that man civilized whose reason sits the crowned monarch + of his brain—whose passions are his servants? + </p> + <p> + Who knows the strength of the temptation to another? Who knows how little + has been resisted by those who stand, how much has been resisted by those + who fall? Who knows whether the victor or the victim made the braver and + the more gallant fight? In judging of our fellow-men we must take into + consideration the circumstances of ancestry, of race, of nationality, of + employment, of opportunity, of education, and of the thousand influences + that tend to mold or mar the character of man. Such a view is the mother + of charity, and makes the God of the Presbyterians impossible. + </p> + <p> + At last you have seen the impossibility of forgiveness. That is to say, + you perceive that after forgiveness the crime remains, and its children, + called consequences, still live. You recognize the lack of philosophy in + that doctrine. You still believe in what you call "the forgiveness of + sins," but you admit that forgiveness cannot reverse the course of nature, + and cannot prevent the operation of natural law. You also admit that if a + man lives after death, he preserves his personal identity, his memory, and + that the consequences of his actions will follow him through all the + eternal years. You admit that consequences are immortal. After making this + admission, of what use is the old idea of the forgiveness of sins? How can + the criminal be washed clean and pure in the blood of another? In spite of + this forgiveness, in spite of this blood, you have taken the ground that + consequences, like the dogs of Actæon, follow even a Presbyterian, + even one of the elect, within the heavenly gates. If you wish to be + logical, you must also admit that the consequences of good deeds, like + winged angels, follow even the atheist within the gates of hell. + </p> + <p> + You have had the courage of your convictions, and you have said that we + are to be judged according to the deeds done in the body. By that judgment + I am willing to abide. But, whether willing or not, I must abide, because + there is no power, no God that can step between me and the consequences of + my acts. I wish no heaven that I have not earned, no happiness to which I + am not entitled. I do not wish to become an immortal pauper; neither am I + willing to extend unworthy hands for alms. + </p> + <p> + My dear Mr. Field, you have outgrown your creed—as every + Presbyterian must who grows at all. You are far better than the spirit of + the Old Testament; far better, in my judgment, even than the spirit of the + New. The creed that you have left behind, that you have repudiated, + teaches that a man may be guilty of every crime—that he may have + driven his wife to insanity, that his example may have led his children to + the penitentiary, or to the gallows, and that yet, at the eleventh hour, + he may, by what is called "repentance," be washed absolutely pure by the + blood of another and receive and wear upon his brow the laurels of eternal + peace. Not only so, but that creed has taught that this wretch in heaven + could look back on the poor earth and see the wife, whom he swore to love + and cherish, in the mad-house, surrounded by imaginary serpents, + struggling in the darkness of night, made insane by his heartlessness—that + creed has taught and teaches that he could look back and see his children + in prison cells, or on the scaffold with the noose about their necks, and + that these visions would not bring a shade of sadness to his redeemed and + happy face. It is this doctrine, it is this dogma—so bestial, so + savage as to beggar all the languages of men—that I have denounced. + All the words of hatred, loathing and contempt, found in all the dialects + and tongues of men, are not sufficient to express my hatred, my contempt, + and my loathing of this creed. + </p> + <p> + You say that it is impossible for you not to believe in the existence of + God. With this statement, I find no fault. Your mind is so that a belief + in the existence of a Supreme Being gives satisfaction and content. Of + course, you are entitled to no credit for this belief, as you ought not to + be rewarded for believing that which you cannot help believing; neither + should I be punished for failing to believe that which I cannot believe. + </p> + <p> + You believe because you see in the world around you such an adaptation of + means to ends that you are satisfied there is design. I admit that when + Robinson Crusoe saw in the sand the print of a human foot, like and yet + unlike his own, he was justified in drawing the conclusion that a human + being had been there. The inference was drawn from his own experience, and + was within the scope of his own mind. But I do not agree with you that he + "knew" a human being had been there; he had only sufficient evidence upon + which to found a belief. He did not know the footsteps of all animals; he + could not have known that no animal except man could have made that + footprint: In order to have known that it was the foot of man, he must + have known that no other animal was capable of making it, and he must have + known that no other being had produced in the sand the likeness of this + human foot. + </p> + <p> + You see what you call evidences of intelligence in the universe, and you + draw the conclusion that there must be an infinite intelligence. Your + conclusion is far wider than your premise. Let us suppose, as Mr. Hume + supposed, that there is a pair of scales, one end of which is in darkness, + and you find that a pound weight, or a ten-pound weight, placed upon that + end of the scale in the light is raised; have you the right to say that + there is an infinite weight on the end in darkness, or are you compelled + to say only that there is weight enough on the end in darkness to raise + the weight on the end in light? + </p> + <p> + It is illogical to say, because of the existence of this earth and of what + you can see in and about it, that there must be an infinite intelligence. + You do not know that even the creation of this world, and of all planets + discovered, required an infinite power, or infinite wisdom. I admit that + it is impossible for me to look at a watch and draw the inference that + there was no design in its construction, or that it only happened. I could + not regard it as a product of some freak of nature, neither could I + imagine that its various parts were brought together and set in motion by + chance. I am not a believer in chance. But there is a vast difference + between what man has made and the materials of which he has constructed + the things he has made. You find a watch, and you say that it exhibits, or + shows design. You insist that it is so wonderful it must have had a + designer—in other words, that it is too wonderful not to have been + constructed. You then find the watchmaker, and you say with regard to him + that he too must have had a designer, for he is more wonderful than the + watch. In imagagination you go from the watchmaker to the being you call + God, and you say he designed the watchmaker, but he himself was not + designed because he is too wonderful to have been designed. And yet in the + case of the watch and of the watchmaker, it was the wonder that suggested + design, while in the case of the maker of the watchmaker the wonder denied + a designer. Do you not see that this argument devours itself? + </p> + <p> + If wonder suggests a designer, can it go on increasing until it denies + that which it suggested? + </p> + <p> + You must remember, too, that the argument of design is applicable to all. + You are not at liberty to stop at sunrise and sunset and growing corn and + all that adds to the happiness of man; you must go further. You must admit + that an infinitely wise and merciful God designed the fangs of serpents, + the machinery by which the poison is distilled, the ducts by which it is + carried to the fang, and that the same intelligence impressed this serpent + with a desire to deposit this deadly virus in the flesh of man. You must + believe that an infinitely wise God so constructed this world, that in the + process of cooling, earthquakes would be caused—earthquakes that + devour and overwhelm cities and states. Do you see any design in the + volcano that sends its rivers of lava over the fields and the homes of + men? Do you really think that a perfectly good being designed the + invisible parasites that infest the air, that inhabit the water, and that + finally attack and destroy the health and life of man? Do you see the same + design in cancers that you do in wheat and corn? Did God invent tumors for + the brain? Was it his ingenuity that so designed the human race that + millions of people should be born deaf and dumb, that millions should be + idiotic? Did he knowingly plant in the blood or brain the seeds of + insanity? Did he cultivate those seeds? Do you see any design in this? + </p> + <p> + Man calls that good which increases his happiness, and that evil which + gives him pain. In the olden time, back of the good he placed a God; back + of the evil a devil; but now the orthodox world is driven to admit that + the God is the author of all. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I see no goodness in the pestilence—no mercy in the + bolt that leaps from the cloud and leaves the mark of death on the breast + of a loving mother. I see no generosity in famine, no goodness in disease, + no mercy in want and agony. + </p> + <p> + And yet you say that the being who created parasites that live only by + inflicting pain—the being responsible for all the sufferings of + mankind—you say that he has "a tenderness compared to which all + human love is faint and cold." Yet according to the doctrine of the + orthodox world, this being of infinite love and tenderness so created + nature that its light misleads, and left a vast majority of the human race + to blindly grope their way to endless pain. + </p> + <p> + You insist that a knowledge of God—a belief in God—is the + foundation of social order; and yet this God of infinite tenderness has + left for thousands and thousands of years nearly all of his children + without a revelation. Why should infinite goodness leave the existence of + God in doubt? Why should he see millions in savagery destroying the lives + of each other, eating the flesh of each other, and keep his existence a + secret from man? Why did he allow the savages to depend on sunrise and + sunset and clouds? Why did he leave this great truth to a few half-crazed + prophets, or to a cruel, heartless, and ignorant church? The sentence + "There is a God".could have been imprinted on every blade of grass, on + every leaf, on every star. An infinite God has no excuse for leaving his + children in doubt and darkness. + </p> + <p> + There is still another point. You know that for thousands of ages men + worshiped wild beasts as God. You know that for countless generations they + knelt by coiled serpents, believing those serpents to be gods. Why did the + real God secrete himself and allow his poor, ignorant, savage children to + imagine that he was a beast, a serpent? Why did this God allow mothers to + sacrifice their babes? Why did he not emerge from the darkness? Why did he + not say to the poor mother, "Do not sacrifice your babe; keep it in your + arms; press it to your bosom; let it be the solace of your declining + years. I take no delight in the death of children; I am not what you + suppose me to be; I am not a beast; I am not a serpent; I am full of love + and kindness and mercy, and I want my children to be happy in this world"? + Did the God who allowed a mother to sacrifice her babe through the + mistaken idea that he, the God, demanded the sacrifice, feel a tenderness + toward that mother "compared to which all human love is faint and cold"? + Would a good father allow some of his children to kill others of his + children to please him? + </p> + <p> + There is still another question. Why should God, a being of infinite + tenderness, leave the question of immortality in doubt? How is it that + there is nothing in the Old Testament on this subject? Why is it that he + who made all the constellations did not put in his heaven the star of + hope? How do you account for the fact that you do not find in the Old + Testament, from the first mistake in Genesis, to the last curse in + Malachi, a funeral service? Is it not strange that some one in the Old + Testament did not stand by an open grave of father or mother and say: "We + shall meet again"? Was it because the divinely inspired men did not know? + </p> + <p> + You taunt me by saying that I know no more of the immortality of the soul + than Cicero knew. I admit it. I know no more than the lowest savage, no + more than a doctor of divinity—that is to say, nothing. + </p> + <p> + Is it not, however, a curious fact that there is less belief in the + immortality of the soul in Christian countries than in heathen lands—that + the belief in immortality, in an orthodox church, is faint and cold and + speculative, compared with that belief in India, in China, or in the + Pacific Isles? Compare the belief in immortality in America, of + Christians, with that of the followers of Mohammed. Do not Christians weep + above their dead? Does a belief in immortality keep back their tears? + After all, the promises are so far away, and the dead are so near—the + echoes of words said to have been spoken more than eighteen centuries ago + are lost in the sounds of the clods that fall on the coffin, And yet, + compared with the orthodox hell, compared with the prison-house of God, + how ecstatic is the grave—the grave without a sigh, without a tear, + without a dream, without a fear. Compared with the immortality promised by + the Presbyterian creed, how beautiful annihilation seems. To be nothing—how + much better than to be a convict forever. To be unconscious dust—how + much better than to be a heartless angel. + </p> + <p> + There is not, there never has been, there never will be, any consolation + in orthodox Christianity. It offers no consolation to any good and loving + man. I prefer the consolation of Nature, the consolation of hope, the + consolation springing from human affection. I prefer the simple desire to + live and love forever. + </p> + <p> + Of course, it would be a consolation to know that we have an "Almighty + Friend" in heaven; but an "Almighty Friend" who cares nothing for us, who + allows us to be stricken by his lightning, frozen by his winter, starved + by his famine, and at last imprisoned in his hell, is a friend I do not + care to have. + </p> + <p> + I remember "the poor slave mother who sat alone in her cabin, having been + robbed of her children;" and, my dear Mr. Field, I also remember that the + people who robbed her justified the robbery by reading passages from the + sacred Scriptures. I remember that while the mother wept, the robbers, + some of whom were Christians, read this: "Buy of the heathen round about, + and they shall be your bondmen and bondwomen forever." I remember, too, + that the robbers read: "Servants be obedient unto your masters;" and they + said, this passage is the only message from the heart of God to the + scarred back of the slave. I remember this, and I remember, also, that the + poor slave mother upon her knees in wild and wailing accents called on the + "Almighty Friend," and I remember that her prayer was never heard, and + that her sobs died in the negligent air. + </p> + <p> + You ask me whether I would "rob this poor woman of such a friend?" My + answer is this: I would give her liberty; I would break her chains. But + let me ask you, did an "Almighty Friend" see the woman he loved "with a + tenderness compared to which all human love is faint and cold," and the + woman who loved him, robbed of her children? What was the "Almighty + Friend" worth to her? She preferred her babe. + </p> + <p> + How could the "Almighty Friend" see his poor children pursued by hounds—his + children whose only crime was the love of liberty—how could he see + that, and take sides with the hounds? Do you believe that the "Almighty + Friend" then governed the world? Do you really think that he + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Bade the slave-ship speed from coast to coast, + Fanned by the wings of the Holy Ghost"? +</pre> + <p> + Do you believe that the "Almighty Friend" saw all of the tragedies that + were enacted in the jungles of Africa—that he watched the wretched + slave-ships, saw the miseries of the middle passage, heard the blows of + all the whips, saw all the streams of blood, all the agonized faces of + women, all the tears that were shed? Do you believe that he saw and knew + all these things, and that he, the "Almighty Friend," looked coldly down + and stretched no hand to save? + </p> + <p> + You persist, however, in endeavoring to account for the miseries of the + world by taking the ground that happiness is not the end of life. You say + that "the real end of life is character, and that no discipline can be too + severe which leads us to suffer and be strong." Upon this subject you use + the following language: "If you could have your way you would make + everybody happy; there would be no more poverty, and no more sickness or + pain." And this you say, is a "child's picture, hardly worthy of a + stalwart man." Let me read you another "child's picture," which you will + find in the twenty-first chapter of Revelation, supposed to have been + written by St. John, the Divine: "And I heard a great voice out of heaven + saying, behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with + them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, + and be their God; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and + there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall + there be any more pain.". + </p> + <p> + If you visited some woman living in a tenement, supporting by her poor + labor a little family—a poor woman on the edge of famine, sewing, it + may be, her eyes blinded by tears—would you tell her that "the world + is not a playground in which men are to be petted and indulged like + children."? Would you tell her that to think of a world without poverty, + without tears, without pain, is "a child's picture"? If she asked you for + a little assistance, would you refuse it on the ground that by being + helped she might lose character? Would you tell her: "God does not wish to + have you happy; happiness is a very foolish end; character is what you + want, and God has put you here with these helpless, starving babes, and he + has put this burden on your young life simply that you may suffer and be + strong. I would help you gladly, but I do not wish to defeat the plans of + your Almighty Friend"? You can reason one way, but you would act the + other. + </p> + <p> + I agree with you that work is good, that struggle is essential; that men + are made manly by contending with each other and with the forces of + nature; but there is a point beyond which struggle does not make + character; there is a point at which struggle becomes failure. + </p> + <p> + Can you conceive of an "Almighty Friend" deforming his children because he + loves them? Did he allow the innocent to languish in dungeons because he + was their friend? Did he allow the noble to perish upon the scaffold, the + great and the self-denying to be burned at the stake, because he had the + power to save? Was he restrained by love? Did this "Almighty Friend" allow + millions of his children to be enslaved to the end that the "splendor of + virtue might have a dark background"? You insist that "suffering patiently + borne, is a means of the greatest elevation of character, and in the end + of the highest enjoyment." Do you not then see that your "Almighty Friend" + has been unjust to the happy—that he is cruel to those whom we call + the fortunate—that he is indifferent to the men who do not suffer—that + he leaves all the happy and prosperous and joyous without character, and + that in the end, according to your doctrine, they are the losers? + </p> + <p> + But, after all, there is no need of arguing this question further. There + is one fact that destroys forever your theory—and that is the fact + that millions upon millions die in infancy. Where do they get "elevation + of character"? What opportunity is given to them to "suffer and be + strong"? Let us admit that we do not know. Let us say that the mysteries + of life, of good and evil, of joy and pain, have never been explained. Is + character of no importance in heaven? How is it possible for angels, + living in "a child's picture," to "suffer and be strong"? Do you not see + that, according to your philosophy, only the damned can grow great—only + the lost can become sublime? + </p> + <p> + You do not seem to understand what I say with regard to what I call the + higher philosophy. When that philosophy is accepted, of course there will + be good in the world, there will be evil, there will still be right and + wrong. What is good? That which tends to the happiness of sentient beings. + What is evil? That which tends to the misery, or tends to lessen the + happiness of sentient beings. What is right? The best thing to be done + under the circumstances—that is to say, the thing that will increase + or preserve the happiness of man. What is wrong? That which tends to the + misery of man. + </p> + <p> + What you call liberty, choice, morality, responsibility, have nothing + whatever to do with this. There is no difference between necessity and + liberty. He who is free, acts from choice. What is the foundation of his + choice? What we really mean by liberty is freedom from personal dictation—we + do not wish to be controlled by the will of others. To us the nature of + things does not seem to be a master—Nature has no will. + </p> + <p> + Society has the right to protect itself by imprisoning those who prey upon + its interests; but it has no right to punish. It may have the right to + destroy the life of one dangerous to the community; but what has freedom + to do with this? Do you kill the poisonous serpent because he knew better + than to bite? Do you chain a wild beast because he is morally responsible? + Do you not think that the criminal deserves the pity of the virtuous? + </p> + <p> + I was looking forward to the time when the individual might feel justified—when + the convict who had worn the garment of disgrace might know and feel that + he had acted as he must. + </p> + <p> + There is an old Hindoo prayer to which I call your attention: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Have mercy, God, upon the vicious; + Thou hast already had mercy upon the just by making them just." +</pre> + <p> + Is it not possible that we may find that everything has been necessarily + produced? This, of course, would end in the justification of men. Is not + that a desirable thing? Is it not possible that intelligence may at last + raise the human race to that sublime and philosophic height? + </p> + <p> + You insist, however, that this is Calvinism. I take it for granted that + you understand Calvinism—but let me tell you what it is. Calvinism + asserts that man does as he must, and that, notwithstanding this fact, he + is responsible for what he does—that is to say, for what he is + compelled to do—that is to say, for what God does with him; and + that, for doing that which he must, an infinite God, who compelled him to + do it, is justified in punishing the man in eternal fire; this, not + because the man ought to be damned, but simply for the glory of God. + </p> + <p> + Starting from the same declaration, that man does as he must, I reach the + conclusion that we shall finally perceive in this fact justification for + every individual. And yet you see no difference between my doctrine and + Calvinism. You insist that damnation and justification are substantially + the same; and yet the difference is as great as human language can + express. You call the justification of all the world "the Gospel of + Despair," and the damnation of nearly all the human race the "Consolation + of Religion." + </p> + <p> + After all, my dear friend, do you not see that when you come to speak of + that which is really good, you are compelled to describe your ideal human + being? It is the human in Christ, and only the human, that you by any + possibility can understand. You speak of one who was born among the poor, + who went about doing good, who sympathized with those who suffered. You + have described, not only one, but many millions of the human race, + Millions of others have carried light to those sitting in darkness; + millions and millions have taken children in their arms; millions have + wept that those they love might smile. No language can express the + goodness, the heroism, the patience and self-denial of the many millions, + dead and living, who have preserved in the family of man the jewels of the + heart. You have clad one being in all the virtues of the race, in all the + attributes of gentleness, patience, goodness, and love, and yet that + being, according to the New Testament, had to his character another side. + True, he said, "Come unto me and I will give you rest;" but what did he + say to those who failed to come? You pour out your whole heart in + thankfulness to this one man who suffered for the right, while I thank not + only this one, but all the rest. My heart goes out to all the great, the + self-denying and the good,—to the founders of nations, singers of + songs, builders of homes; to the inventors, to the artists who have filled + the world with beauty, to the composers of music, to the soldiers of the + right, to the makers of mirth, to honest men, and to all the loving + mothers of the race. + </p> + <p> + Compare, for one moment, all that the Savior did, all the pain and + suffering that he relieved,—compare all this with the discovery of + anæsthetics. Compare your prophets with the inventors, your Apostles + with the Keplers, the Humboldts and the Darwins. + </p> + <p> + I belong to the great church that holds the world within its starlit + aisles; that claims the great and good of every race and clime; that finds + with joy the grain of gold in every creed, and floods with light and love + the germs of good in every soul. + </p> + <p> + Most men are provincial, narrow, one sided, only partially developed. In a + new country we often see a little patch of land, a clearing in which the + pioneer has built his cabin. This little clearing is just large enough to + support a family, and the remainder of the farm is still forest, in which + snakes crawl and wild beasts occasionally crouch. It is thus with the + brain of the average man. There is a little clearing, a little patch, just + large enough to practice medicine with, or sell goods, or practice law; or + preach with, or do some kind of business, sufficient to obtain bread and + food and shelter for a family, while all the rest of the brain is covered + with primeval forest, in which lie coiled the serpents of superstition and + from which spring the wild beasts of orthodox religion. + </p> + <p> + Neither in the interest of truth, nor for the benefit of man, is it + necessary to assert what we do not know. No cause is great enough to + demand a sacrifice of candor. The mysteries of life and death, of good and + evil, have never yet been solved. + </p> + <p> + I combat those only who, knowing nothing of the future, prophesy an + eternity of pain—those only who sow the seeds of fear in the hearts + of men—those only who poison all the springs of life, and seat a + skeleton at every feast. + </p> + <p> + Let us banish the shriveled hags of superstition; let us welcome the + beautiful daughters of truth and joy. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009" id="link0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTROVERSY ON CHRISTIANTY + </h2> + <h3> + [Ingersoll-Gladstone.] + </h3> + <p> + COLONEL INGERSOLL ON CHRISTIANITY; SOME REMARKS ON HIS REPLY TO DR. FIELD. + </p> + <p> + By Hon. Wm. E. Gladstone. + </p> + <p> + AS a listener from across the broad Atlantic to the clash of arms in the + combat between Colonel Ingersoll and Dr. Field on the most momentous of + all subjects, I have not the personal knowledge which assisted these + doughty champions in making reciprocal acknowledgments, as broad as could + be desired, with reference to personal character and motive. Such + acknowledgments are of high value in keeping the issue clear, if not + always of all adventitious, yet of all venomous matter. Destitute of the + experience on which to found them as original testimonies, still, in + attempting partially to criticise the remarkable Reply of Colonel + Ingersoll, I can both accept in good faith what has been said by Dr. + Field, and add that it seems to me consonant with the strain of the pages + I have set before me. Having said this, I shall allow myself the utmost + freedom in remarks, which will be addressed exclusively to the matter, not + the man. + </p> + <p> + Let me begin by making several acknowledgments of another kind, but which + I feel to be serious. The Christian Church has lived long enough in + external triumph and prosperity to expose those of whom it is composed to + all such perils of error and misfeasance, as triumph and prosperity bring + with them. Belief in divine guidance is not of necessity belief that such + guidance can never be frustrated by the laxity, the infirmity, the + perversity of man, alike in the domain of action and in the domain of + thought. Believers in the perpetuity of the life of the Church are not + tied to believing in the perpetual health of the Church. Even the great + Latin Communion, and that communion even since the Council of the Vatican + in 1870, theoretically admits, or does not exclude, the possibility of a + wide range of local and partial error in opinion as well as conduct. + Elsewhere the admission would be more unequivocal. Of such errors in + tenet, or in temper and feeling more or less hardened into tenet, there + has been a crop alike abundant and multifarious. Each Christian party is + sufficiently apt to recognize this fact with regard to every other + Christian party; and the more impartial and reflective minds are aware + that no party is exempt from mischiefs, which lie at the root of the human + constitution in its warped, impaired, and dislocated condition. Naturally + enough, these deformities help to indispose men towards belief; and when + this indisposition has been developed into a system of negative warfare, + all the faults of all the Christian bodies, and sub-divisions of bodies, + are, as it was natural to expect they would be, carefully raked together, + and become part and parcel of the indictment against the divine scheme of + redemption. I notice these things in the mass, without particularity, + which might be invidious, for two important purposes. First, that we all, + who hold by the Gospel and the Christian Church, may learn humility and + modesty, as well as charity and indulgence, in the treatment of opponents, + from our consciousness that we all, alike by our exaggerations and our + shortcomings in belief, no less than by faults of conduct, have + contributed to bring about this condition of fashionable hostility to + religious faith: and, secondly, that we may resolutely decline to be held + bound to tenets, or to consequences of tenets, which represent not the + great Christendom of the past and present, but only some hole and corner + of its vast organization; and not the heavenly treasure, but the rust or + the canker to which that treasure has been exposed through the incidents + of its custody in earthen vessels. + </p> + <p> + I do not remember ever to have read a composition, in which the merely + local coloring of particular, and even very limited sections of + Christianity, was more systematically used as if it had been available and + legitimate argument against the whole, than in the Reply before us. + Colonel Ingersoll writes with a rare and enviable brilliancy, but also + with an impetus which he seems unable to control. Denunciation, sarcasm, + and invective, may in consequence be said to constitute the staple of his + work; and, if argument or some favorable admission here and there peeps + out for a moment, the writer soon leaves the dry and barren heights for + his favorite and more luxurious galloping grounds beneath. Thus, when the + Reply has consecrated a line (N. A. R., No. 372, p. 473) to the pleasing + contemplation of his opponent as "manly, candid, and generous," it + immediately devotes more than twelve to a declamatory denunciation of a + practice (as if it were his) altogether contrary to generosity and to + candor, and reproaches those who expect (<i>ibid.</i>) "to receive as alms + an eternity of joy." I take this as a specimen of the mode of statement + which permeates the whole Reply. It is not the statement of an untruth. + The Christian receives as alms all whatsoever he receives at all. <i>Qui + salvandos salvas gratis</i> is his song of thankful praise. But it is the + statement of one-half of a truth, which lives only in its entirety, and of + which the Reply gives us only a mangled and bleeding <i>frustum</i>. For + the gospel teaches that the faith which saves is a living and energizing + faith, and that the most precious part of the alms which we receive lies + in an ethical and spiritual process, which partly qualifies for, but also + and emphatically composes, this conferred eternity of joy. Restore this + ethical element to the doctrine from which the Reply has rudely displaced + it, and the whole force of the assault is gone, for there is now a total + absence of point in the accusation; it conies only to this, that "mercy + and judgment are met together," and that "righteousness and peace have + kissed each other" (Ps. lxxxv. 10). + </p> + <p> + Perhaps, as we proceed, there will be supplied ampler means of judging + whether I am warranted in saying that the instance I have here given is a + normal instance of a practice so largely followed as to divest the entire + Reply of that calmness and sobriety of movement which are essential to the + just exercise of the reasoning power in subject matter not only grave, but + solemn. Pascal has supplied us, in the "Provincial Letters," with an + unique example of easy, brilliant, and fascinating treatment of a theme + both profound and complex. But where shall we find another Pascal? And, if + we had found him, he would be entitled to point out to us that the famous + work was not less close and logical than it was witty. In this case, all + attempt at continuous argument appears to be deliberately abjured, not + only as to pages, but, as may almost be said, even as to lines. The paper, + noteworthy as it is, leaves on my mind the impression of a battle-field + where every man strikes at every man, and all is noise, hurry, and + confusion. Better surely had it been, and worthier of the great weight and + elevation of the subject, if the controversy had been waged after the + pattern of those engagements where a chosen champion on either side, in a + space carefully limited and reserved, does battle on behalf of each silent + and expectant host. The promiscuous crowds represent all the lower + elements which enter into human conflicts: the chosen champions, and the + order of their proceeding, signify the dominion of reason over force, and + its just place as the sovereign arbiter of the great questions that + involve the main destiny of man. + </p> + <p> + I will give another instance of the tumultuous method in which the Reply + conducts, not, indeed, its argument, but its case. Dr. Field had exhibited + an example of what he thought superstition, and had drawn a distinction + between superstition and religion. But to the author of the Reply all + religion is superstition, and, accordingly, he writes as follows (p. 475): + "You are shocked at the Hindoo mother, when she gives her child to death + at the supposed command of her God. What do you think of Abraham? of + Jephthah? What is your opinion of Jehovah himself?" + </p> + <p> + Taking these three appeals in the reverse order to that in which they are + written, I will briefly ask, as to the closing challenge, "What do you + think of Jehovah himself?" whether this is the tone in which controversy + ought to be carried on? Not only is the name of Jehovah encircled in the + heart of every believer with the profoundest reverence and love, but the + Christian religion teaches, through the Incarnation, a doctrine of + personal union with God so lofty that it can only be approached in a deep, + reverential calm. I do not deny that a person who deems a given religion + to be wicked may be led onward by logical consistency to impugn in strong + terms the character of the Author and Object of that religion. But he is + surely bound by the laws of social morality and decency to consider well + the terms and the manner of his indictment. If he founds it upon + allegations of fact, these allegations should be carefully stated, so as + to give his antagonists reasonable evidence that it is truth and not + temper which wrings from him a sentence of condemnation, delivered in + sobriety and sadness, and not without a due commiseration for those, whom + he is attempting to undeceive, who think he is himself both deceived and a + deceiver, but who surely are entitled, while this question is in process + of decision, to require that He whom they adore should at least be treated + with those decent reserves which are deemed essential when a human being, + say a parent, wife, or sister, is in question. But here a contemptuous + reference to Jehovah follows, not upon a careful investigation of the + cases of Abraham and of Jephthah, but upon a mere summary citation of them + to surrender themselves, so to speak, as culprits; that is to say, a + summons to accept at once, on the authority of the Reply, the view which + the writer is pleased to take of those cases. It is true that he assures + us in another part of his paper that he has read the scriptures with care; + and I feel bound to accept this assurance, but at the same time to add + that if it had not been given I should, for one, not have made the + discovery, but might have supposed that the author had galloped, not + through, but about, the sacred volume, as a man glances over the pages of + an ordinary newspaper or novel. + </p> + <p> + Although there is no argument as to Abraham or Jephthah expressed upon the + surface, we must assume that one is intended, and it seems to be of the + following kind: "You are not entitled to reprove the Hindoo mother who + cast her child under the wheels of the car of Juggernaut, for you approve + of the conduct of Jephthah, who (probably) sacrificed his daughter in + fulfilment of a vow (Judges xi. 31) that he would make a burnt offering of + whatsoever, on his safe return, he should meet coming forth from the doors + of his dwelling." Now the whole force of this rejoinder depends upon our + supposed obligation as believers to approve the conduct of Jephthah. It + is, therefore, a very serious question whether we are or are not so + obliged. But this question the Reply does not condescend either to argue, + or even to state. It jumps to an extreme conclusion without the decency of + an intermediate step. Are not such methods of proceeding more suited to + placards at an election, than to disquisitions on these most solemn + subjects? + </p> + <p> + I am aware of no reason why any believer in Christianity should not be + free to canvass, regret, condemn the act of Jephthah. So far as the + narration which details it is concerned, there is not a word of sanction + given to it more than to the falsehood of Abraham in Egypt, or of Jacob + and Rebecca in the matter of the hunting (Gen. xx. 1-18, and Gen. xxiii.); + or to the dissembling of St. Peter in the case of the Judaizing converts + (Gai. ii. 11). I am aware of no color of approval given to it elsewhere. + But possibly the author of the Reply may have thought he found such an + approval in the famous eleventh chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, + where the apostle, handling his subject with a discernment and care very + different from those of the Reply, writes thus (Heb. xi. 32): + </p> + <p> + "And what shall I say more? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, + and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah: of David also, and Samuel, + and of the prophets." + </p> + <p> + Jephthah, then, is distinctly held up to us by a canonical writer as an + object of praise. But of praise on what account? Why should the Reply + assume that it is on account of the sacrifice of his child? The writer of + the Reply has given us no reason, and no rag of a reason, in support of + such a proposition. But this was the very thing he was bound by every + consideration to prove, upon making his indictment against the Almighty. + In my opinion, he could have one reason only for not giving a reason, and + that was that no reason could be found. + </p> + <p> + The matter, however, is so full of interest, as illustrating both the + method of the Reply and that of the Apostolic writer, that I shall enter + farther into it, and draw attention to the very remarkable structure of + this noble chapter, which is to Faith what the thirteenth of Cor. I. is to + Charity. From the first to the thirty-first verse, it commemorates the + achievements of faith in ten persons: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, + Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses (in greater detail than any one else), and + finally Rahab, in whom, I observe in passing, it will hardly be pretended + that she appears in this list on account of the profession she had + pursued. Then comes the rapid recital (v. 31), without any specification + of particulars whatever, of these four names: Gideon, Barak, Samson, + Jephthah. Next follows a kind of recommencement, indicated by the word + also; and the glorious acts and sufferings of the prophets are set forth + largely with a singular power and warmth, headed by the names of David and + Samuel, the rest of the sacred band being mentioned only in the mass. + </p> + <p> + Now, it is surely very remarkable that, in the whole of this recital, the + Apostle, whose "feet were shod with the preparation of the gospel of + peace," seems with a tender instinct to avoid anything like stress on the + exploits of warriors. Of the twelve persons having a share in the detailed + expositions, David is the only warrior, and his character as a man of war + is eclipsed by his greater attributes as a prophet, or declarer of the + Divine counsels. It is yet more noteworthy that Joshua, who had so fair a + fame, but who was only a warrior, is never named in the chapter, and we + are simply told that "by faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they + had been compassed about seven times" (Hebrews xi. 30). But the series of + four names, which are given without any specification of their title to + appear in the list, are all names of distinguished warriors. They had all + done great acts of faith and patriotism against the enemies of Israel,—Gideon + against the Midianites, Barak against the hosts of Syria, Samson against + the Philistines, and Jephthah against the children of Ammon. Their tide to + appear in the list at all is in their acts of war, and the mode of their + treatment as men of war is in striking accordance with the analogies of + the chapter. All of them had committed errors. Gideon had again and again + demanded a sign, and had made a golden ephod, "which thing became a snare + unto Gideon and to his house" (Judges viii. 27). Barak had refused to go + up against Jabin unless Deborah would join the venture (Judges v. 8). + Samson had been in dalliance with Delilah. Last came Jephthah, who had, as + we assume, sacrificed his daughter in fulfilment of a rash vow. No one + supposes that any of the others are honored by mention in the chapter on + account of his sin or error: why should that supposition be made in the + case of Jephthah, at the cost of all the rules of orderly interpretation? + </p> + <p> + Having now answered the challenge as to Jephthah, I proceed to the case of + Abraham. It would not be fair to shrink from touching it in its tenderest + point. That point is nowhere expressly touched by the commendations + bestowed upon Abraham in Scripture. I speak now of the special form, of + the words that are employed. He is not commended because, being a father, + he made all the preparations antecedent to plunging the knife into his + son. He is commended (as I read the text) because, having received a + glorious promise, a promise that his wife should be a mother of nations, + and that kings should be born of her (Gen. xvii. 6), and that by his seed + the blessings of redemption should be conveyed to man, and the fulfilment + of this promise depending solely upon the life of Isaac, he was, + nevertheless, willing that the chain of these promises should be broken by + the extinction of that life, because his faith assured him that the + Almighty would find the way to give effect to His own designs (Heb. xi. + 17-19). The offering of Isaac is mentioned as a completed offering, and + the intended blood-shedding, of which I shall speak presently, is not here + brought into view. + </p> + <p> + The facts, however, which we have before us, and which are treated in + Scripture with caution, are grave and startling. A father is commanded to + sacrifice his son. Before consummation, the sacrifice is interrupted. Yet + the intention of obedience had been formed, and certified by a series of + acts. It may have been qualified by a reserve of hope that God would + interpose before the final act, but of this we have no distinct statement, + and it can only stand as an allowable conjecture. It may be conceded that + the narrative does not supply us with a complete statement of particulars. + That being so, it behooves us to tread cautiously in approaching it. Thus + much, however, I think, may further be said: the command was addressed to + Abraham under conditions essentially different from those which now + determine for us the limits of moral obligation. + </p> + <p> + For the conditions, both socially and otherwise, were indeed very + different. The estimate of human life at the time was different. The + position of the father in the family was different: its members were + regarded as in some sense his property. There is every reason to suppose + that, around Abraham in "the land of Moriah," the practice of human + sacrifice as an act of religion was in vigor. But we may look more deeply + into the matter. According to the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were + placed under a law, not of consciously perceived right and wrong, but of + simple obedience. The tree, of which alone they were forbidden to eat, was + the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Duty lay for them in following + the command of the Most High, before and until they, or their descendants, + should become capable of appreciating it by an ethical standard. Their + condition was greatly analogous to that of the infant, who has just + reached the stage at which he can comprehend that he is ordered to do this + or that, but not the nature of the thing so ordered. To the external + standard of right and wrong, and to the obligation it entails per se, the + child is introduced by a process gradually unfolded with the development + of his nature, and the opening out of what we term a moral sense. If we + pass at once from the epoch of Paradise to the period of the prophets, we + perceive the important progress that has been made in the education of the + race. The Almighty, in His mediate intercourse with Israel, deigns to + appeal to an independently conceived criterion, as to an arbiter between + His people and Himself. "Come, now, and let us reason together, saith the + Lord" (Isaiah i. 18). "Yet ye say the way of the Lord is not equal. Hear + now, O house of Israel, is not my way equal, are not your ways unequal?" + (Ezekiel xvii. 25). Between these two epochs how wide a space of moral + teaching has been traversed! But Abraham, so far as we may judge from the + pages of Scripture, belongs essentially to the Adamic period, far more + than to the prophetic. The notion of righteousness and sin was not indeed + hidden from him: transgression itself had opened that chapter, and it was + never to be closed: but as yet they lay wrapped up, so to speak, in Divine + command and prohibition. And what God commanded, it was for Abraham to + believe that He himself would adjust to the harmony of His own character. + </p> + <p> + The faith of Abraham, with respect to this supreme trial, appears to have + been centered in this, that he would trust God to all extremities, and in + despite of all appearances. The command received was obviously + inconsistent with the promises which had preceded it. It was also + inconsistent with the morality acknowledged in later times, and perhaps + too definitely reflected in our minds, by an anachronism easy to conceive, + on the day of Abraham. There can be little doubt, as between these two + points of view, that the strain upon his faith was felt mainly, to say the + least, in connection with the first mentioned. This faith is not wholly + unlike the faith of Job; for Job believed, in despite of what was to the + eye of flesh an unrighteous government of the world. If we may still trust + the Authorized Version, his cry was, "though he slay me, yet will I trust + in him" (Job xiii. 15). This cry was, however, the expression of one who + did not expect to be slain; and it may be that Abraham, when he said, "My + son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering," not only + believed explicitly that God would do what was right, but, moreover, + believed implicitly that a way of rescue would be found for his son. I do + not say that this case is like the case of Jephthah, where the + introduction of difficulty is only gratuitous. I confine myself to these + propositions. Though the law of moral action is the same everywhere and + always, it is variously applicable to the human being, as we know from + experience, in the various stages of his development; and its first form + is that of simple obedience to a superior whom there is every ground to + trust. And further, if the few straggling rays of our knowledge in a case + of this kind rather exhibit a darkness lying around us than dispel it, we + do not even know all that was in the mind of Abraham, and are not in a + condition to pronounce upon it, and cannot, without departure from sound + reason, abandon that anchorage by which he probably held, that the law of + Nature was safe in the hands of the Author of Nature, though the means of + the reconciliation between the law and the appearances have not been fully + placed within our reach. + </p> + <p> + But the Reply is not entitled to so wide an answer as that which I have + given. In the parallel with the case of the Hindoo widow, it sins against + first principles. An established and habitual practice of child-slaughter, + in a country of an old and learned civilization, presents to us a case + totally different from the issue of a command which was not designed to be + obeyed and which belongs to a period when the years of manhood were + associated in great part with the character that appertains to childhood. + </p> + <p> + It will already have been seen that the method of this Reply is not to + argue seriously from point to point, but to set out in masses, without the + labor of proof, crowds of imputations, which may overwhelm an opponent + like balls from a <i>mitrailleuse</i>. As the charges lightly run over in + a line or two require pages for exhibition and confutation, an exhaustive + answer to the Reply within the just limits of an article is on this + account out of the question; and the only proper course left open seems to + be to make a selection of what appears to be the favorite, or the most + formidable and telling assertions, and to deal with these in the serious + way which the grave interests of the theme, not the manner of their + presentation, may deserve. + </p> + <p> + It was an observation of Aristotle that weight attaches to the + undemonstrated propositions of those who are able to speak on any given + subject matter from experience. The Reply abounds in undemonstrated + propositions. They appear, however, to be delivered without any sense of a + necessity that either experience or reasoning are required in order to + give them a title to acceptance. Thus, for example, the system of Mr. + Darwin is hurled against Christianity as a dart which cannot but be fatal + (p. 475): + </p> + <p> + "His discoveries, carried to their legitimate conclusion, destroy the + creeds and sacred Scriptures of mankind." + </p> + <p> + This wide-sweeping proposition is imposed upon us with no exposition of + the how or the why; and the whole controversy of belief one might suppose + is to be determined, as if from St. Petersburgh, by a series of <i>ukases</i>. + It is only advanced, indeed, to decorate the introduction of Darwin's name + in support of the proposition, which I certainly should support and not + contest, that error and honesty are compatible. + </p> + <p> + On what ground, then, and for what reason, is the system of Darwin fatal + to Scriptures and to creeds? I do not enter into the question whether it + has passed from the stage of working hypothesis into that of + demonstration, but I assume, for the purposes of the argument, all that, + in this respect, the Reply can desire. + </p> + <p> + It is not possible to discover, from the random language of the Reply, + whether the scheme of Darwin is to sweep away all theism, or is to be + content with extinguishing revealed religion. If the latter is meant, I + should reply that the moral history of man, in its principal stream, has + been distinctly an evolution from the first until now; and that the + succinct though grand account of the Creation in Genesis is singularly + accordant with the same idea, but is wider than Darwinism, since it + includes in the grand progression the inanimate world as well as the + history of organisms. But, as this could not be shown without much detail, + the Reply reduces me to the necessity of following its own unsatisfactory + example in the bald form of an assertion, that there is no colorable + ground for assuming evolution and revelation to be at variance with one + another. + </p> + <p> + If, however, the meaning be that theism is swept away by Darwinism, I + observe that, as before, we have only an unreasoned dogma or dictum to + deal with, and, dealing perforce with the unknown, we are in danger of + striking at a will of the wisp. Still, I venture on remarking that the + doctrine of Evolution has acquired both praise and dispraise which it does + not deserve. It is lauded in the skeptical camp because it is supposed to + get rid of the shocking idea of what are termed sudden acts of creation; + and it is as unjustly dispraised, on the opposing side, because it is + thought to bridge over the gap between man and the inferior animals, and + to give emphasis to the relationship between them. But long before the day + either of Mr. Darwin or his grandfather, Dr. Erasmus Darwin, this + relationship had been stated, perhaps even more emphatically by one whom, + were it not that I have small title to deal in undemonstrated assertion, I + should venture to call the most cautious, the most robust, and the most + comprehensive of our philosophers. Suppose, says Bishop Butler (Analogy, + Part 2, Chap. 2), that it were implied in the natural immortality of + brutes, that they must arrive at great attainments, and become (like us) + rational and moral agents; even this would be no difficulty, since we know + not what latent powers and capacities they may be endowed with. And if + pride causes us to deem it an indignity that our race should have + proceeded by propagation from an ascending scale of inferior organisms, + why should it be a more repulsive idea to have sprung immediately from + something less than man in brain and body, than to have been fashioned + according to the expression in Genesis (Chap. II., v. 7), "out of the dust + of the ground?" There are halls and galleries of introduction in a palace, + but none in a cottage; and this arrival of the creative work at its climax + through an ever aspiring preparatory series, rather than by transition at + a step from the inanimate mould of earth, may tend rather to magnify than + to lower the creation of man on its physical side. But if belief has (as + commonly) been premature in its alarms, has non-belief been more + reflective in its exulting anticipations, and its paeans on the assumed + disappearance of what are strangely enough termed sudden acts of creation + from the sphere of our study and contemplation? + </p> + <p> + One striking effect of the Darwinian theory of descent is, so far as I + understand, to reduce the breadth of all intermediate distinctions in the + scale of animated life. It does not bring all creatures into a single + lineage, but all diversities are to be traced back, at some point in the + scale and by stages indefinitely minute, to a common ancestry. All is done + by steps, nothing by strides, leaps, or bounds; all from protoplasm up to + Shakespeare, and, again, all from primal night and chaos up to protoplasm. + I do not ask, and am incompetent to judge, whether this is among the + things proven, but I take it so for the sake of the argument; and I ask, + first, why and whereby does this doctrine eliminate the idea of creation? + Does the new philosophy teach that if the passage from pure reptile to + pure bird is achieved by a spring (so to speak) over a chasm, this implies + and requires creation; but that if reptile passes into bird, and + rudimental into finished bird, by a thousand slight and but just + discernible modifications, each one of these is so small that they are not + entitled to a name so lofty, may be set down to any cause or no cause, as + we please? I should have supposed it miserably unphilosophical to treat + the distinction between creative and non-creative function as a simply + quantitative distinction. As respects the subjective effect on the human + mind, creation in small, when closely regarded, awakens reason to admiring + wonder, not less than creation in great: and as regards that function + itself, to me it appears no less than ridiculous to hold that the broadly + outlined and large advances of so-called Mosaism are creation, but the + refined and stealthy onward steps of Darwinism are only manufacture, and + relegate the question of a cause into obscurity, insignificance, or + oblivion. + </p> + <p> + But does not reason really require us to go farther, to turn the tables on + the adversary, and to contend that evolution, by how much it binds more + closely together the myriad ranks of the living, aye, and of all other + orders, by so much the more consolidates, enlarges, and enhances the true + argument of design, and the entire theistic position? If orders are not + mutually related, it is easier to conceive of them as sent at haphazard + into the world. We may, indeed, sufficiently, draw an argument of design + from each separate structure, but we have no further title to build upon + the position which each of them holds as towards any other. But when the + connexion between these objects has been established, and so established + that the points of transition are almost as indiscernible as the passage + from day to night, then, indeed, each preceding stage is a prophecy of the + following, each succeeding one is a memorial of the past, and, throughout + the immeasurable series, every single member of it is a witness to all the + rest. The Reply ought surely to dispose of these, and probably many more + arguments in the case, before assuming so absolutely the rights of + dictatorship, and laying it down that Darwinism, carried to its legitimate + conclusion (and I have nowhere endeavored to cut short its career), + destroys the creeds and Scriptures of mankind. That I maybe the more + definite in my challenge, I would, with all respect, ask the author of the + Reply to set about confuting the succinct and clear argument of his + countryman, Mr. Fiske, who, in the earlier part of the small work entitled + <i>Man's Destiny</i> (Macmillan, London, 1887) has given what seems to me + an admissible and also striking interpretation of the leading Darwinian + idea in its bearings on the theistic argument. To this very partial + treatment of a great subject I must at present confine myself; and I + proceed to another of the notions, as confident as they seem to be crude, + which the Reply has drawn into its wide-casting net (p. 475): + </p> + <p> + "Why should God demand a sacrifice from; man? Why should the Infinite ask + anything from the finite? Should the sun beg of the glow-worm, and should + the momentary spark excite the envy of the source of light?" + </p> + <p> + This is one of the cases in which happy or showy illustration is, in the + Reply before me, set to carry with a rush the position which argument + would have to approach more laboriously and more slowly. The case of the + glow-worm with the sun cannot but move a reader's pity, it seems so very + hard. But let us suppose for a moment that the glow-worm was so + constituted, and so related to the sun that an interaction between them + was a fundamental condition of its health and life; that the glowworm + must, by the law of its nature, like the moon, reflect upon the sun, + according to its strength and measure, the light which it receives, and + that only by a process involving that reflection its own store of vitality + could be upheld? It will be said that this is a very large <i>petitio</i> + to import into the glowworm's case. Yes, but it is the very <i>petitio</i> + which is absolutely requisite in order to make it parallel to the case of + the Christian. The argument which the Reply has to destroy is and must be + the Christian argument, and not some figure of straw, fabricated at will. + It is needless, perhaps, but it is refreshing, to quote the noble Psalm + (Ps. 1. 10, 12, 14, 15), in which this assumption of the Reply is rebuked. + "All the beasts of the forest are mine; and so are the cattle upon a + thousand hills.... If I be hungry I will not tell thee; for the whole + world is mine, and all that is therein.... Offer unto God thanksgiving; + and pay thy vows unto the Most Highest, and call upon Me in the time of + trouble; so will I hear thee, and thou shalt praise Me." Let me try my + hand at a counter-illustration. If the Infinite is to make no demand upon + the finite, by parity of reasoning the great and strong should scarcely + make them on the weak and small. Why then should the father make demands + of love, obedience, and sacrifice, from his young child? Is there not some + flavor of the sun and glow-worm here? But every man does so make them, if + he is a man of sense and feeling; and he makes them for the sake and in + the interest of the son himself, whose nature, expanding in the warmth of + affection and pious care, requires, by an inward law, to return as well as + to receive. And so God asks of us, in order that what we give to Him may + be far more our own than it ever was before the giving, or than it could + have been unless first rendered up to Him, to become a part of what the + gospel calls our treasure in heaven. + </p> + <p> + Although the Reply is not careful to supply us with whys, it does not + hesitate to ask for them (p. 479): + </p> + <p> + "Why should an infinitely wise and powerful God destroy the good and + preserve the vile? Why should He treat all alike here, and in another + world make an infinite difference? Why should your God allow His + worshipers, His adorers, to be destroyed by His enemies? Why should He + allow the honest, the loving, the noble, to perish at the stake?" + </p> + <p> + The upholders of belief or of revelation, from Claudian down to Cardinal + Newman (see the very remarkable passage of the <i>Apologia pro vitâ + suâ</i>, pp. 376-78), cannot and do not, seek to deny that the + methods of divine government, as they are exhibited by experience, present + to us many and varied moral problems, insoluble by our understanding. + Their existence may not, and should not, be dissembled. But neither should + they be exaggerated. Now exaggeration by mere suggestion is the fault, the + glaring fault, of these queries. One who had no knowledge of mundane + affairs beyond the conception they insinuate would assume that, as a rule, + evil has the upper hand in the management of the world. Is this the grave + philosophical conclusion of a careful observer, or is it a crude, hasty, + and careless overstatement? + </p> + <p> + It is not difficult to conceive how, in times of sadness and of storm, + when the suffering soul can discern no light at any point of the horizon, + place is found for such an idea of life. It is, of course, opposed to the + Apostolic declaration that godliness hath the promise of the life that now + is (1 Tim. iv. 8), but I am not to expect such a declaration to be + accepted as current coin, even of the meanest value, by the author of the + Reply. Yet I will offer two observations founded on experience in support + of it, one taken from a limited, another from a larger and more open + sphere. John Wesley, in the full prime of his mission, warned the converts + whom he was making among English laborers of a spiritual danger that lay + far ahead. It was that, becoming godly, they would become careful, and, + becoming careful, they would become wealthy. It was a just and sober + forecast, and it represented with truth the general rule of life, although + it be a rule perplexed with exceptions. But, if this be too narrow a + sphere of observation, let us take a wider one, the widest of all. It is + comprised in the brief statement that Christendom rules the world, and + rules it, perhaps it should be added, by the possession of a vast surplus + of material as well as moral force. Therefore the assertions carried by + implication in the queries of the Reply, which are general, are because + general untrue, although they might have been true within those prudent + limitations which the method of this Reply appears especially to eschew. + </p> + <p> + Taking, then, these challenges as they ought to have been given, I admit + that great believers, who have been also great masters of wisdom and + knowledge, are not able to explain the inequalities of adjustment between + human beings and the conditions in which they have been set down to work + out their destiny. The climax of these inequalities is perhaps to be found + in the fact that, whereas rational belief, viewed at large, founds the + Providential government of the world upon the hypothesis of free agency, + there are so many cases in which the overbearing mastery of circumstance + appears to reduce it to extinction or paralysis. Now, in one sense, + without doubt, these difficulties are matter for our legitimate and + necessary cognizance. It is a duty incumbent upon us respectively, + according to our means and opportunities, to decide for ourselves, by the + use of the faculty of reason given us, the great questions of natural and + revealed religion. They are to be decided according to the evidence; and, + if we cannot trim the evidence into a consistent whole, then according to + the balance of the evidence. We are not entitled, either for or against + belief, to set up in this province any rule of investigation, except such + as common-sense teaches us to use in the ordinary conduct of life. As in + ordinary conduct, so in considering the basis of belief, we are bound to + look at the evidence as a whole. We have no right to demand demonstrative + proofs, or the removal of all conflicting elements, either in the one + sphere or in the other. What guides us sufficiently in matters of common + practice has the very same authority to guide us in matters of + speculation; more properly, perhaps, to be called the practice of the + soul. If the evidence in the aggregate shows the being of a moral Governor + of the world, with the same force as would suffice to establish an + obligation to act in a matter of common conduct, we are bound in duty to + accept it, and have no right to demand as a condition previous that all + occasions of doubt or question be removed out of the way. Our demands for + evidence must be limited by the general reason of the case. Does that + general reason of the case make it probable that a finite being, with a + finite place in a comprehensive scheme, devised and administered by a + Being who is infinite, would be able either to embrace within his view, or + rightly to appreciate, all the motives and the aims that may have been in + the mind of the Divine Disposer? On the contrary, a demand so unreasonable + deserves to be met with the scornful challenge of Dante (Paradise xix. + 79): + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Or tu chi sei, che vuoi sedere a scranna + Per giudicar da lungi mille miglia + Colla veduta corta d'una spanna? +</pre> + <p> + Undoubtedly a great deal here depends upon the question whether, and in + what degree, our knowledge is limited. And here the Reply seems to be by + no means in accord with Newton and with Butler. By its contempt for + authority, the Reply seems to cut off from us all knowledge that is not at + first hand; but then also it seems to assume an original and first hand + knowledge of all possible kinds of things. I will take an instance, all + the easier to deal with because it is outside the immediate sphere of + controversy. In one of those pieces of fine writing with which the Reply + abounds, it is determined <i>obiter</i> by a backhanded stroke (N. A. R., + p. 491) that Shakespeare is "by far the greatest of the human race." I do + not feel entitled to assert that he is not; but how vast and complex a + question is here determined for us in this airy manner! Has the writer of + the Reply really weighed the force, and measured the sweep of his own + words? Whether Shakespeare has or has not the primacy of genius over a + very few other names which might be placed in competition with his, is a + question which has not yet been determined by the general or deliberate + judgment of lettered mankind. But behind it lies another question, + inexpressibly difficult, except for the Reply, to solve. That question is, + what is the relation of human genius to human greatness. Is genius the + sole constitutive element of greatness, or with what other elements, and + in what relations to them, is it combined? Is every man great in + proportion to his genius? Was Goldsmith, or was Sheridan, or was Burns, or + was Byron, or was Goethe, or was Napoleon, or was Alcibiades, no smaller, + and was Johnson, or was Howard, or was Washington, or was Phocion, or + Leonidas, no greater, than in proportion to his genius properly so-called? + How are we to find a common measure, again, for different kinds of + greatness; how weigh, for example, Dante against Julius Caesar? And I am + speaking of greatness properly so called, not of goodness properly so + called. We might seem to be dealing with a writer whose contempt for + authority in general is fully balanced, perhaps outweighed, by his respect + for one authority in particular. + </p> + <p> + The religions of the world, again, have in many cases given to many men + material for life-long study. The study of the Christian Scriptures, to + say nothing of Christian life and institutions, has been to many and + justly famous men a study "never ending, still beginning"; not, like the + world of Alexander, too limited for the powerful faculty that ranged over + it; but, on the contrary, opening height on height, and with deep + answering to deep, and with increase of fruit ever prescribing increase of + effort. But the Reply has sounded all these depths, has found them very + shallow, and is quite able to point out (p. 490) the way in which the + Saviour of the world might have been a much greater teacher than He + actually was; had He said anything, for instance, of the family relation, + had He spoken against slavery and tyranny, had He issued a sort of <i>code + Napoleon</i> embracing education, progress, scientific truth, and + international law. This observation on the family relation seems to me + beyond even the usual measure of extravagance when we bear in mind that, + according to the Christian scheme, the Lord of heaven and earth "was + subject" (St. Luke ii. 51) to a human mother and a reputed human father, + and that He taught (according to the widest and, I believe, the best + opinion) the absolute indissolubility of marriage. I might cite many other + instances in reply. But the broader and the true answer to the objection + is, that the Gospel was promulgated to teach principles and not a code; + that it included the foundation of a society in which those principles + were to be conserved, developed, and applied; and that down to this day + there is not a moral question of all those which the Reply does or does + not enumerate, nor is there a question of duty arising in the course of + life for any of us, that is not determinable in all its essentials by + applying to it as a touchstone the principles declared in the Gospel. Is + not, then, the <i>hiatus</i>, which the Reply has discovered in the + teaching of our Lord, an imaginary <i>hiatus</i>? Nay, are the suggested + improvements of that teaching really gross deteriorations? Where would + have been the wisdom of delivering to an uninstructed population of a + particular age a codified religion, which was to serve for all nations, + all ages, all states of civilization? Why was not room to be left for the + career of human thought in finding out, and in working out, the adaptation + of Christianity to the ever varying movement of the world? And how is it + that they who will not admit that a revelation is in place when it has in + view the great and necessary work of conflict against sin, are so free in + recommending enlargements of that Revelation for purposes, as to which no + such necessity can be pleaded? + </p> + <p> + I have known a person who, after studying the old classical or Olympian + religion for the third part of a century, at length began to hope that he + had some partial comprehension of it, some inkling of what it meant. Woe + is him that he was not conversant either with the faculties or with the + methods of the Reply, which apparently can dispose in half an hour of any + problem, dogmatic, historical, or moral: and which accordingly takes + occasion to assure us that Buddha was "in many respects the greatest + religious teacher this world has ever known, the broadest, the most + intellectual of them all" (p. 491). On this I shall only say that an + attempt to bring Buddha and Buddhism into line together is far beyond my + reach, but that every Christian, knowing in some degree what Christ is, + and what He has done for the world, can only be the more thankful if + Buddha, or Confucius, or any other teacher has in any point, and in any + measure, come near to the outskirts of His ineffable greatness and glory. + </p> + <p> + It is my fault or my misfortune to remark, in this Reply, an inaccuracy of + reference, which would of itself suffice to render it remarkable. Christ, + we are told (pp. 492, 500), denounced the chosen people of God as "a + generation of vipers." This phrase is applied by the Baptist to the crowd + who came to seek baptism from him; but it is only applied by our Lord to + Scribes or Pharisees (Luke iii. 7, Matthew xxiii. 33, and xii.34), who are + so commonly placed by Him in contrast with the people. The error is + repeated in the mention of whited sepulchres. Take again the version of + the story of Ananias and Sapphira. We are told (p. 494) that the Apostles + conceived the idea "of having all things in common." In the narrative + there is no statement, no suggestion of the kind; it is a pure + interpolation (Acts iv. 32-7). Motives of a reasonable prudence are stated + as a mattei of fact to have influenced the offending couple—another + pure interpolation. After the catastrophe of Ananias "the Apostles sent + for his wife"—a third interpolation. I refer only to these points as + exhibitions of an habitual and dangerous inaccuracy, and without any + attempt at present to discuss the case, in which the judgments of God are + exhibited on their severer side, and in which I cannot, like the Reply, + undertake summarily to determine for what causes the Almighty should or + should not take life, or delegate the power to take it. + </p> + <p> + Again, we have (p. 486) these words given as a quotation from the Bible: + </p> + <p> + "They who believe and are baptized shall be saved, and they who believe + not shall be damned; and these shall go away into everlasting fire, + prepared for the devil and his angels." + </p> + <p> + The second clause thus reads as if applicable to the persons mentioned in + the first; that is to say, to those who reject the tidings of the Gospel. + But instead of its being a continuous passage, the latter section is + brought out of another gospel (St. Matthew's) and another connection; and + it is really written, not of those who do not believe, but those who + refuse to perform offices of charity to their neighbor in his need. It + would be wrong to call this intentional misrepresentation; but can it be + called less than somewhat reckless negligence? + </p> + <p> + It is a more special misfortune to find a writer arguing on the same side + with his critic, and yet for the critic not to be able to agree with him. + But so it is with reference to the great subject of immortality, as + treated in the Reply. + </p> + <p> + "The idea of immortality, that, like a sea, has ebbed and flowed in the + human heart, with its countless waves of hope and fear beating against the + shores and rocks of time and fate, was not born of any book, nor of any + creed, nor of any religion. It was born of human affection; and it will + continue to ebb and flow beneath the mist and clouds of doubt and + darkness, as long as love kisses the lips of death" (p. 483). + </p> + <p> + Here we have a very interesting chapter of the history of human opinion + disposed of in the usual summary way, by a statement which, as it appears + to me, is developed out of the writer's inner consciousness. If the belief + in immortality is not connected with any revelation or religion, but is + simply the expression of a subjective want, then plainly we may expect the + expression of it to be strong and clear in proportion to the various + degrees in which faculty is developed among the various races of mankind. + But how does the matter stand historically? The Egyptians were not a + people of high intellectual development, and yet their religious system + was strictly associated with, I might rather say founded on, the belief in + immortality. The ancient Greeks, on the other hand, were a race of + astonishing, perhaps unrivalled, intellectual capacity. But not only did + they, in prehistoric ages, derive their scheme of a future world from + Egypt; we find also that, with the lapse of time and the advance of the + Hellenic civilization, the constructive ideas of the system lost all life + and definite outline, and the most powerful mind of the Greek philosophy, + that of Aristotle, had no clear perception whatever of a personal + existence in a future state. + </p> + <p> + The favorite doctrine of the Reply is the immunity of all error in belief + from moral responsibility. In the first page (p. 473) this is stated with + reserve as the "innocence of honest error." But why such a limitation? The + Reply warms with its subject; it shows us that no error can be otherwise + than honest, inasmuch as nothing which involves honesty, or its reverse, + can, from the constitution of our nature, enter into the formation of + opinion. Here is the full blown exposition (p. 476): + </p> + <p> + "The brain thinks without asking our consent. We believe, or we + disbelieve, without an effort of the will. Belief is a result. It is the + effect of evidence upon the mind. The scales turn in spite of him who + watches. <i>There is no opportunity of being honesty or dishonest, in the + formation of an opinion</i>. The conclusion is entirely independent of + desire." + </p> + <p> + The reasoning faculty is, therefore, wholly extrinsic to our moral nature, + and no influence is or can be received or imparted between them. I know + not whether the meaning is that all the faculties of our nature are like + so many separate departments in one of the modern shops that supply all + human wants; that will, memory, imagination, affection, passion, each has + its own separate domain, and that they meet only for a comparison of + results, just to tell one another what they have severally been doing. It + is difficult to conceive, if this be so, wherein consists the personality, + or individuality or organic unity of man. It is not difficult to see that + while the Reply aims at uplifting human nature, it in reality plunges us + (p. 475) into the abyss of degradation by the destruction of moral + freedom, responsibility, and unity. For we are justly told that "reason is + the supreme and final test." Action may be merely instinctive and + habitual, or it may be consciously founded on formulated thought; but, in + the cases where it is instinctive and habitual, it passes over, so soon as + it is challenged, into the other category, and finds a basis for itself in + some form of opinion. But, says the Reply, we have no responsibility for + our opinions: we cannot help forming them according to the evidence as it + presents itself to us. Observe, the doctrine embraces every kind of + opinion, and embraces all alike, opinion on subjects where we like or + dislike, as well as upon subjects where we merely affirm or deny in some + medium absolutely colorless. For, if a distinction be taken between the + colorless and the colored medium, between conclusions to which passion or + propensity or imagination inclines us, and conclusions to which these have + nothing to say, then the whole ground will be cut away from under the feet + of the Reply, and it will have to build again <i>ab initio</i>. Let us try + this by a test case. A father who has believed his son to have been + through life upright, suddenly finds that charges are made from various + quarters against his integrity. Or a friend, greatly dependent for the + work of his life on the co-operation of another friend, is told that that + comrade is counterworking and betraying him. I make no assumption now as + to the evidence or the result; but I ask which of them could approach the + investigation without feeling a desire to be able to acquit? And what + shall we say of the desire to condemn? Would Elizabeth have had no leaning + towards finding Mary Stuart implicated in a conspiracy? Did English judges + and juries approach with an unbiassed mind the trials for the Popish plot? + Were the opinions formed by the English Parliament on the Treaty of + Limerick formed without the intervention of the will? Did Napoleon judge + according to the evidence when he acquitted himself in the matter of the + Due d' Enghien? Does the intellect sit in a solitary chamber, like Galileo + in the palace of the Vatican, and pursue celestial observation all + untouched, while the turmoil of earthly business is raging everywhere + around? According to the Reply, it must be a mistake to suppose that there + is anywhere in the world such a thing as bias, or prejudice, or + prepossession: they are words without meaning in regard to our judgments, + for even if they could raise a clamor from without, the intellect sits + within, in an atmosphere of serenity, and, like Justice, is deaf and + blind, as well as calm. + </p> + <p> + In addition to all other faults, I hold that this philosophy, or phantasm + of philosophy, is eminently retrogressive. Human nature, in its compound + of flesh and spirit, becomes more complex with the progress of + civilization; with the steady multiplication of wants, and of means for + their supply. With complication, introspection has largely extended, and I + believe that, as observation extends its field, so far from isolating the + intelligence and making it autocratic, it tends more and more to enhance + and multiply the infinitely subtle, as well as the broader and more + palpable modes, in which the interaction of the human faculties is carried + on. Who among us has not had occasion to observe, in the course of his + experience, how largely the intellectual power of a man is affected by the + demands of life on his moral powers, and how they open and grow, or dry up + and dwindle, according to the manner in which those demands are met. + </p> + <p> + Genius itself, however purely a conception of the intellect, is not exempt + from the strong influences of joy and suffering, love and hatred, hope and + fear, in the development of its powers. It may be that Homer, Shakespeare, + Goethe, basking upon the whole in the sunshine of life, drew little + supplementary force from its trials and agitations. But the history of one + not less wonderful than any of these, the career of Dante, tells a + different tale; and one of the latest and most searching investigators of + his history (Scartazzini, Dante Alighieri, <i>seine zeit, sein leben, und + seine werkes</i>, B. II. Ch. 5, p. 119; also pp. 438, 9. Biel, 1869) tells + and shows us, how the experience of his life co-operated with his + extraordinary natural gifts and capabilities to make him what he was. + Under the three great heads of love, belief, and patriotism, his life was + a continued course of ecstatic or agonizing trials. The strain of these + trials was discipline; discipline was experience; and experience was + elevation. No reader of his greatest work will, I believe, hold with the + Reply that his thoughts, conclusions, judgments, were simple results of an + automatic process, in which the will and affections had no share, that + reasoning operations are like the whir of a clock running down, and we can + no more arrest the process or alter the conclusion than the wheels can + stop the movement or the noise.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * I possess the confession of an illiterate criminal, made, + I think, in 1834, under the following circumstances: The new + poor law had just been passed in England, and it required + persons needing relief to go into the workhouse as a + condition of receiving it. In some parts of the country, + this provision produced a profound popular panic. The man in + question was destitute at the time. He was (I think) an old + widower with four very young sons. He rose in the night and + strangled them all, one after another, with a blue + handkerchief, not from want of fatherly affection, but to + keep them out of the workhouse. The confession of this + peasant, simple in phrase, but intensely impassioned, + strongly reminds me of the Ugolino of Dante, and appears to + make some approach to its sublimity. Such, in given + circumstances, is the effect of moral agony on mental power. +</pre> + <p> + The doctrine taught in the Reply, that belief is, as a general, nay, + universal law, independent of the will, surely proves, when examined, to + be a plausibility of the shallowest kind. Even in arithmetic, if a boy, + through dislike of his employment, and consequent lack of attention, + brings out a wrong result for his sum, it can hardly be said that his + conclusion is absolutely and in all respects independent of his will. + Moving onward, point by point, toward the centre of the argument, I will + next take an illustration from mathematics. It has (I apprehend) been + demonstrated that the relation of the diameter to the circumference of a + circle is not susceptible of full numerical expression. Yet, from time to + time, treatises are published which boldly announce that they set forth + the quadrature of the circle. I do not deny that this may be purely + intellectual error; but would it not, on the other hand, be hazardous to + assert that no grain of egotism or ambition has ever entered into the + composition of any one of such treatises? I have selected these instances + as, perhaps, the most favorable that can be found to the doctrine of the + Reply. But the truth is that, if we set aside matters of trivial import, + the enormous majority of human judgments are those into which the biassing + power off likes and dislikes more or less largely enters. I admit, indeed, + that the illative faculty works under rules upon which choice and + inclination ought to exercise no influence whatever. But even if it were + granted that in fact the faculty of discourse is exempted from all such + influence within its own province, yet we come no nearer to the mark, + because that faculty has to work upon materials supplied to it by other + faculties; it draws conclusions according to premises, and the question + has to be determined whether our conceptions set forth in those premises + are or are not influenced by moral causes. For, if they be so influenced, + then in vain will be the proof that the understanding has dealt loyally + and exactly with the materials it had to work upon; inasmuch as, although + the intellectual process be normal in itself, the operation may have been + tainted <i>ab initio</i> by coloring and distorting influences which have + falsified the primary conceptions. + </p> + <p> + Let me now take an illustration from the extreme opposite quarter to that + which I first drew upon. The system called Thuggism, represented in the + practice of the Thugs, taught that the act, which we describe as murder, + was innocent. Was this an honest error? Was it due, in its authors as well + as in those who blindly followed them, to an automatic process of thought, + in which the will was not consulted, and which accordingly could entail no + responsibility? If it was, then it is plain that the whole foundations, + not of belief, but of social morality, are broken up. If it was not, then + the sweeping doctrine of the present writer on the necessary blamelessness + of erroneous conclusions tumbles to the ground like a house of cards at + the breath of the child who built it. + </p> + <p> + In truth, the pages of the Reply, and the Letter which has more recently + followed it,* themselves demonstrate that what the writer has asserted + wholesale he overthrows and denies in detail. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * North American Review for January, 1888, "Another Letter + to Dr. Field." +</pre> + <p> + "You will admit," says the Reply (p. 477), "that he who now persecutes for + opinion's sake is infamous." But why? Suppose he thinks that by + persecution he can bring a man from soul-destroying falsehood to + soul-saving truth, this opinion may reflect on his intellectual debility: + but that is his misfortune, not his fault. His brain has thought without + asking his consent; he has believed or disbelieved without an effort of + the will (p. 476). Yet the very writer, who has thus established his title + to think, is the first to hurl at him an anathema for thinking. And again, + in the Letter to Dr. Field (N. A. R., vol. 146, p. 33), "the dogma of + eternal pain" is described as "that infamy of infamies." I am not about to + discuss the subject of future retribution. If I were, it would be my first + duty to show that this writer has not adequately considered either the + scope of his own arguments (which in no way solve the difficulties he + presents) or the meaning of his words; and my second would be to recommend + his perusal of what Bishop Butler has suggested on this head. But I am at + present on ground altogether different. I am trying another issue. This + author says we believe or disbelieve without the action of the will, and, + consequently, belief or disbelief is not the proper subject of praise or + blame. And yet, according to the very same authority, the dogma of eternal + pain is what?—not "an error of errors," but an "infamy of infamies;" + and though to hold a negative may not be a subject of moral reproach, yet + to hold the affirmative may. Truly it may be asked, is not this a fountain + which sends forth at once sweet waters and bitter? + </p> + <p> + Once more. I will pass away from tender ground, and will endeavor to lodge + a broader appeal to the enlightened judgment of the author. Says Odysseus + in the Illiad (B. II.) [—Greek—]: and a large part of the + world, stretching this sentiment beyond its original meaning, have held + that the root of civil power is not in the community, but in its head. In + opposition to this doctrine, the American written Constitution, and the + entire American tradition, teach the right of a nation to self-government. + And these propositions, which have divided and still divide the world, + open out respectively into vast systems of irreconcilable ideas and laws, + practices and habits of mind. Will any rational man, above all will any + American, contend that these conflicting systems have been adopted, + upheld, and enforced on one side and the other, in the daylight of pure + reasoning only, and that moral, or immoral, causes have had nothing to do + with their adoption? That the intellect has worked impartially, like a + steam-engine, and that selfishness, love of fame, love of money, love of + power, envy, wrath, and malice, or again bias, in its least noxious form, + have never had anything to do with generating the opposing movements, or + the frightful collisions in which they have resulted? If we say that they + have not, we contradict the universal judgment of mankind. If we say they + have, then mental processes are not automatic, but may be influenced by + the will and by the passions, affections, habits, fancies that sway the + will; and this writer will not have advanced a step toward proving the + universal innocence of error, until he has shown that propositions of + religion are essentially unlike almost all other propositions, and that no + man ever has been, or from the nature of the case can be, affected in + their acceptance or rejection by moral causes.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The chief part of these observations were written before I + had received the January number of the Review, with Col. + Ingersoll's additional letter to Dr. Field. Much, of this + letter is specially pointed at Dr. Field, who can defend + himself, and at Calvin, whose ideas I certainly cannot + undertake to defend all along the line. I do not see that + the Letter adds to those, the most salient, points of the + earlier article which I have endeavored to select for + animadversion. +</pre> + <p> + To sum up. There are many passages in these noteworthy papers, which, + taken by themselves, are calculated to command warm sympathy. Towards the + close of his final, or latest letter, the writer expresses himself as + follows (N. A. R., vol. 146, p. 46.): + </p> + <p> + "Neither in the interest of truth, nor for the benefit of man, is it + necessary to assert what we do not know. No cause is great enough to + demand a sacrifice of candor. The mysteries of life and death, of good and + evil, have never yet been solved." How good, how wise are these words! But + coming at the close of the controversy, have they not some of the + ineffectual features of a death-bed repentance? They can hardly be said to + represent in all points the rules under which the pages preceding them + have been composed; or he, who so justly says that we ought not to assert + what we do not know, could hardly have laid down the law as we find it a + few pages earlier (ibid, p. 40) when it is pronounced that "an infinite + God has no excuse for leaving his children in doubt and darkness." Candor + and upright intention are indeed every where manifest amidst the flashing + corruscations which really compose the staple of the articles. Candor and + upright intention also impose upon a commentator the duty of formulating + his animadversions. I sum them up under two heads. Whereas we are placed + in an atmosphere of mystery, relieved only by a little sphere of light + round each of us, like a clearing in an American forest (which this writer + has so well described), and rarely can see farther than is necessary for + the direction of our own conduct from day to day, we find here, assumed by + a particular person, the character of an universal judge without appeal. + And whereas the highest self-restraint is necessary in these dark but, + therefore, all the more exciting inquiries, in order to maintain the ever + quivering balance of our faculties, this rider chooses to ride an unbroken + horse, and to throw the reins upon his neck. I have endeavored to give a + sample of the results. + </p> + <p> + W. E. Gladstone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0010" id="link0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + COL. INGERSOLL TO MR. GLADSTONE. + </h2> + <h3> + To The Right Honorable W. E. Gladstone, M. P.: + </h3> + <p> + My Dear Sir: + </p> + <p> + At the threshold of this Reply, it gives me pleasure to say that for your + intellect and character I have the greatest respect; and let me say + further, that I shall consider your arguments, assertions, and inferences + entirely apart from your personality—apart from the exalted position + that you occupy in the estimation of the civilized world. I gladly + acknowledge the inestimable services that you have rendered, not only to + England, but to mankind. Most men are chilled and narrowed by the snows of + age; their thoughts are darkened by the approach of night. But you, for + many years, have hastened toward the light, and your mind has been "an + autumn that grew the more by reaping." + </p> + <p> + Under no circumstances could I feel justified in taking advantage of the + admissions that you have made as to the "errors" the "misfeasance" the + "infirmities and the perversity" of the Christian Church. + </p> + <p> + It is perfectly apparent that churches, being only aggregations of people, + contain the prejudice, the ignorance, the vices and the virtues of + ordinary human beings. The perfect cannot be made out of the imperfect. + </p> + <p> + A man is not necessarily a great mathematician because he admits the + correctness of the multiplication table. The best creed may be believed by + the worst of the human race. Neither the crimes nor the virtues of the + church tend to prove or disprove the supernatural origin of religion. The + massacre of St. Bartholomew tends no more to establish the inspiration of + the Scriptures, than the bombardment of Alexandria. + </p> + <p> + But there is one thing that cannot be admitted, and that is your statement + that the constitution of man is in a "warped, impaired, and dislocated + condition," and that "these deformities indispose men to belief." Let us + examine this. + </p> + <p> + We say that a thing is "warped" that was once nearer level, flat, or + straight; that it is "impaired" when it was once nearer perfect, and that + it is "dislocated" when once it was united. Consequently, you have said + that at some time the human constitution was unwarped, unimpaired, and + with each part working in harmony with all. You seem to believe in the + degeneracy of man, and that our unfortunate race, starting at perfection, + has traveled downward through all the wasted years. + </p> + <p> + It is hardly possible that our ancestors were perfect. If history proves + anything, it establishes the fact that civilization was not first, and + savagery afterwards. Certainly the tendency of man is not now toward + barbarism. There must have been a time when language was unknown, when + lips had never formed a word. That which man knows, man must have learned. + The victories of our race have been slowly and painfully won. It is a long + distance from the gibberish of the savage to the sonnets of Shakespeare—a + long and weary road from the pipe of Pan to the great orchestra voiced + with every tone from the glad warble of a mated bird to the hoarse thunder + of the sea. The road is long that lies between the discordant cries + uttered by the barbarian over the gashed body of his foe and the marvelous + music of Wagner and Beethoven. It is hardly possible to conceive of the + years that lie between the caves in which crouched our naked ancestors + crunching the bones of wild beasts, and the home of a civilized man with + its comforts, its articles of luxury and use,—with its works of art, + with its enriched and illuminated walls. Think of the billowed years that + must have rolled between these shores. Think of the vast distance that man + has slowly groped from the dark dens and lairs of ignorance and fear to + the intellectual conquests of our day. + </p> + <p> + Is it true that these deformities, these warped, impaired, and dislocated + constitutions indispose men to belief? Can we in this way account for the + doubts entertained by the intellectual leaders of mankind? + </p> + <p> + It will not do, in this age and time, to account for unbelief in this + deformed and dislocated way. The exact opposite must be true. Ignorance + and credulity sustain the relation of cause and effect. Ignorance is + satisfied with assertion, with appearance. As man rises in the scale of + intelligence he demands evidence. He begins to look back of appearance. He + asks the priest for reasons. The most ignorant part of Christendom is the + most orthodox. + </p> + <p> + You have simply repeated a favorite assertion of the clergy, to the effect + that man rejects the gospel because he is naturally depraved and hard of + heart—because, owing to the sin of Adam and Eve, he has fallen from + the perfection and purity of Paradise to that "impaired" condition in + which he is satisfied with the filthy rags of reason, observation and + experience. + </p> + <p> + The truth is, that what you call unbelief is only a higher and holier + faith. Millions of men reject Christianity because of its cruelty. The + Bible was never rejected by the cruel. It has been upheld by countless + tyrants—by the dealers in human flesh—by the destroyers of + nations—by the enemies of intelligence—by the stealers of + babes and the whippers of women. + </p> + <p> + It is also true that it has been held as sacred by the good, the + self-denying, the virtuous and the loving, who clung to the sacred volume + on account of the good it contains and in spite of all its cruelties and + crimes. + </p> + <p> + You are mistaken when you say that all "the faults of all the Christian + bodies and subdivisions of bodies have been carefully raked together," in + my Reply to Dr. Field, "and made part and parcel of the indictment against + the divine scheme of salvation." + </p> + <p> + No thoughtful man pretends that any fault of any Christian body can be + used as an argument against what you call the "divine scheme of + redemption." + </p> + <p> + I find in your Remarks the frequent charge that I am guilty of making + assertions and leaving them to stand without the assistance of argument or + fact, and it may be proper, at this particular point, to inquire how you + know that there is "a divine scheme of redemption." + </p> + <p> + My objections to this "divine scheme of redemption" are: <i>first</i>, + that there is not the slightest evidence that it is divine; <i>second</i>, + that it is not in any sense a "scheme," human or divine; and <i>third</i>, + that it cannot, by any possibility, result in the redemption of a human + being. + </p> + <p> + It cannot be divine, because it has no foundation in the nature of things, + and is not in accordance with reason. It is based on the idea that right + and wrong are the expression of an arbitrary will, and not words applied + to and descriptive of acts in the light of consequences. It rests upon the + absurdity called "pardon," upon the assumption that when a crime has been + committed justice will be satisfied with the punishment of the innocent. + One person may suffer, or reap a benefit, in consequence of the act of + another, but no man can be justly punished for the crime, or justly + rewarded for the virtues, of another. A "scheme" that punishes an innocent + man for the vices of another can hardly be called divine. Can a murderer + find justification in the agonies of his victim? There is no vicarious + vice; there is no vicarious virtue. For me it is hard to understand how a + just and loving being can charge one of his children with the vices, or + credit him with the virtues, of another. + </p> + <p> + And why should we call anything a "divine scheme" that has been a failure + from the "fall of man" until the present moment? What race, what nation, + has been redeemed through the instrumentality of this "divine scheme"? + Have not the subjects of redemption been for the most part the enemies of + civilization? Has not almost every valuable book since the invention of + printing been denounced by the believers in the "divine scheme"? + Intelligence, the development of the mind, the discoveries of science, the + inventions of genius, the cultivation of the imagination through art and + music, and the practice of virtue will redeem the human race. These are + the saviors of mankind. + </p> + <p> + You admit that the "Christian churches have by their exaggerations and + shortcomings, and by their faults of conduct, contributed to bring about a + condition of hostility to religious faith." + </p> + <p> + If one wishes to know the worst that man has done, all that power guided + by cruelty can do, all the excuses that can be framed for the commission + of every crime, the infinite difference that can exist between that which + is professed and that which is practiced, the marvelous malignity of + meekness, the arrogance of humility and the savagery of what is known as + "universal love," let him read the history of the Christian Church. + </p> + <p> + Yet, I not only admit that millions of Christians have been honest in the + expression of their opinions, but that they have been among the best and + noblest of our race. + </p> + <p> + And it is further admitted that a creed should be examined apart from the + conduct of those who have assented to its truth. The church should be + judged as a whole, and its faults should be accounted for either by the + weakness of human nature, or by reason of some defect or vice in the + religion taught,—or by both. + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in the Christian religion—anything in what you are + pleased to call the "Sacred Scriptures" tending to cause the crimes and + atrocities that have been committed by the church? + </p> + <p> + It seems to be natural for man to defend himself and the ones he loves. + The father slays the man who would kill his child—he defends the + body. The Christian father burns the heretic—he defends the soul. + </p> + <p> + If "orthodox Christianity" be true, an infidel has not the right to live. + Every book in which the Bible is attacked should be burned with its + author. Why hesitate to burn a man whose constitution is "warped, impaired + and dislocated," for a few moments, when hundreds of others will be saved + from eternal flames? + </p> + <p> + In Christianity you will find the cause of persecution. The idea that + belief is essential to salvation—this ignorant and merciless dogma—accounts + for the atrocities of the church. This absurd declaration built the + dungeons, used the instruments of torture, erected the scaffolds and + lighted the fagots of a thousand years. + </p> + <p> + What, I pray you, is the "heavenly treasure" in the keeping of your + church? Is it a belief in an infinite God? That was believed thousands of + years before the serpent tempted Eve. Is it the belief in the immortality + of the soul? That is far older. Is it that man should treat his neighbor + as himself? That is more ancient. What is the treasure in the keeping of + the church? Let me tell you. It is this: That there is but one true + religion—Christianity,—and that all others are false; that the + prophets, and Christs, and priests of all others have been and are + impostors, or the victims of insanity; that the Bible is the one inspired + book—the one authentic record of the words of God; that all men are + naturally depraved and deserve to be punished with unspeakable torments + forever; that there is only one path that leads to heaven, while countless + highways lead to hell; that there is only one name under heaven by which a + human being can be saved; that we must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; + that this life, with its few and fleeting years, fixes the fate of man; + that the few will be saved and the many forever lost. This is "the + heavenly treasure" within the keeping of your church. + </p> + <p> + And this "treasure" has been guarded by the cherubim of persecution, whose + flaming swords were wet for many centuries with the best and bravest + blood. It has been guarded by cunning, by hypocrisy, by mendacity, by + honesty, by calumniating the generous, by maligning the good, by + thumbscrews and racks, by charity and love, by robbery and assassination, + by poison and fire, by the virtues of the ignorant and the vices of the + learned, by the violence of mobs and the whirlwinds of war, by every hope + and every fear, by every cruelty and every crime, and by all there is of + the wild beast in the heart of man. + </p> + <p> + With great propriety it may be asked: In the keeping of which church is + this "heavenly treasure"? Did the Catholics have it, and was it taken by + Luther? Did Henry the VIII. seize it, and is it now in the keeping of the + Church of England? Which of the warring sects in America has this + treasure; or have we, in this country, only the "rust and cankers"? Is it + in an Episcopal Church, that refuses to associate with a colored man for + whom Christ died, and who is good enough for the society of the angelic + host? + </p> + <p> + But wherever this "heavenly treasure" has been, about it have always + hovered the Stymphalian birds of superstition, thrusting their brazen + beaks and claws deep into the flesh of honest men. + </p> + <p> + You were pleased to point out as the particular line justifying your + assertion "that denunciation, sarcasm, and invective constitute the staple + of my work," that line in which I speak of those who expect to receive as + alms an eternity of joy, and add: "I take this as a specimen of the mode + of statement which permeates the whole." + </p> + <p> + Dr. Field commenced his Open Letter by saying: "I am glad that I know you, + <i>even though some of my brethren look upon you as a monster, because of + your unbelief</i>." + </p> + <p> + In reply I simply said: "The statement in your Letter that some of your + brethren look upon me as a monster on account of my unbelief tends to show + that those who love God are not always the friends of their fellow-men. Is + it not strange that people who admit that they ought to be eternally + damned—that they are by nature depraved—that there is no + soundness or health in them, can be so arrogantly egotistic as to look + upon others as monsters? And yet some of your brethren, who regard + unbelievers as infamous, rely for salvation entirely on the goodness of + another, and expect to receive as alms an eternity of joy." Is there any + denunciation, sarcasm or invective in this? + </p> + <p> + Why should one who admits that he himself is totally depraved call any + other man, by way of reproach, a monster? Possibly, he might be justified + in addressing him as a fellow-monster. + </p> + <p> + I am not satisfied with your statement that "the Christian receives as + alms all whatsoever he receives at all." Is it true that man deserves only + punishment? Does the man who makes the world better, who works and battles + for the right, and dies for the good of his fellow-men, deserve nothing + but pain and anguish? Is happiness a gift or a consequence? Is heaven only + a well-conducted poorhouse? Are the angels in their highest estate nothing + but happy paupers? Must all the redeemed feel that they are in heaven + simply because there was a miscarriage of justice? Will the lost be the + only ones who will know that the right thing has been done, and will they + alone appreciate the "ethical elements of religion"? Will they repeat the + words that you have quoted: "Mercy and judgment are met together; + righteousness and peace have kissed each other"? or will those words be + spoken by the redeemed as they joyously contemplate the writhings of the + lost? + </p> + <p> + No one will dispute "that in the discussion of important questions + calmness and sobriety are essential." But solemnity need not be carried to + the verge of mental paralysis. In the search for truth,—that + everything in nature seems to hide,—man needs the assistance of all + his faculties. All the senses should be awake. Humor should carry a torch, + Wit should give its sudden light, Candor should hold the scales, Reason, + the final arbiter, should put his royal stamp on every fact, and Memory, + with a miser's care, should keep and guard the mental gold. + </p> + <p> + The church has always despised the man of humor, hated laughter, and + encouraged the lethargy of solemnity. It is not willing that the mind + should subject its creed to every test of truth. It wishes to overawe. It + does not say, "He that hath a mind to think, let him think;" but, "He that + hath ears to hear, let him hear." The church has always abhorred wit,—that + is to say, it does not enjoy being struck by the lightning of the soul. + The foundation of wit is logic, and it has always been the enemy of the + supernatural, the solemn and absurd. + </p> + <p> + You express great regret that no one at the present day is able to write + like Pascal. You admire his wit and tenderness, and the unique, brilliant, + and fascinating manner in which he treated the profoundest and most + complex themes. Sharing in your admiration and regret, I call your + attention to what might be called one of his religious generalizations: + "Disease is the natural state of a Christian." Certainly it cannot be said + that I have ever mingled the profound and complex in a more fascinating + manner. + </p> + <p> + Another instance is given of the "tumultuous method in which I conduct, + not, indeed, my argument, but my case." + </p> + <p> + Dr. Field had drawn a distinction between superstition and religion, to + which I replied: "You are shocked at the Hindoo mother when she gives her + child to death at the supposed command of her God. What do you think of + Abraham, of Jephthah? What is your opinion of Jehovah himself?" + </p> + <p> + These simple questions seem to have excited you to an unusual degree, and + you ask in words of some severity: + </p> + <p> + "Whether this is the tone in which controversies ought be carried on?" And + you say that—"not only is the name of Jehovah encircled in the heart + of every believer with the pro-foundest reverence and love, but that the + Christian religion teaches, through the incarnation, a personal relation + with God so lofty that it can only be approached in a deep, reverential + calm." You admit that "a person who deems a given religion to be wicked, + may be led onward by logical consistency to impugn in strong terms the + character of the author and object of that religion," but you insist that + such person is "bound by the laws of social morality and decency to + consider well the terms and meaning of his indictment." + </p> + <p> + Was there any lack of "reverential calm" in my question? I gave no + opinion, drew no indictment, but simply asked for the opinion of another. + Was that a violation of the "laws of social morality and decency"? + </p> + <p> + It is not necessary for me to discuss this question with you. It has been + settled by Jehovah himself. You probably remember the account given in the + eighteenth chapter of I. Kings, of a contest between the prophets of Baal + and the prophets of Jehovah. There were four hundred and fifty prophets of + the false God who endeavored to induce their deity to consume with fire + from heaven the sacrifice upon his altar. According to the account, they + were greatly in earnest. They certainly appeared to have some hope of + success, but the fire did not descend. + </p> + <p> + "And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said 'Cry aloud, + for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a + journey, or peradventure, he sleepeth and must be awaked.'" + </p> + <p> + Do you consider that the proper way to attack the God of another? Did not + Elijah know that the name of Baal "was encircled in the heart of every + believer with the profoundest reverence and love"? Did he "violate the + laws of social morality and decency"? + </p> + <p> + But Jehovah and Elijah did not stop at this point. They were not satisfied + with mocking the prophets of Baal, but they brought them down to the brook + Kishon—four hundred and fifty of them—and there they murdered + every one. + </p> + <p> + Does it appear to you that on that occasion, on the banks of the brook + Kishon—"Mercy and judgment met together, and that righteousness and + peace kissed each other"? + </p> + <p> + The question arises: Has every one who reads the Old Testament the right + to express his thought as to the character of Jehovah? You will admit that + as he reads his mind will receive some impression, and that when he + finishes the "inspired volume" he will have some opinion as to the + character of Jehovah. Has he the right to express that opinion? Is the + Bible a revelation from God to man? Is it a revelation to the man who + reads it, or to the man who does not read it? If to the man who reads it, + has he the right to give to others the revelation that God has given to + him? If he comes to the conclusion at which you have arrived,—that + Jehovah is God,—has he the right to express that opinion? + </p> + <p> + If he concludes, as I have done, that Jehovah is a myth, must he refrain + from giving his honest thought? Christians do not hesitate to give their + opinion of heretics, philosophers, and infidels. They are not restrained + by the "laws of social morality and decency." They have persecuted to the + extent of their power, and their Jehovah pronounced upon unbelievers every + curse capable of being expressed in the Hebrew dialect. At this moment, + thousands of missionaries are attacking the gods of the heathen world, and + heaping contempt on the religion of others. + </p> + <p> + But as you have seen proper to defend Jehovah, let us for a moment examine + this deity of the ancient Jews. + </p> + <p> + There are several tests of character. It may be that all the virtues can + be expressed in the word "kindness," and that nearly all the vices are + gathered together in the word "cruelty." + </p> + <p> + Laughter is a test of character. When we know what a man laughs at, we + know what he really is. Does he laugh at misfortune, at poverty, at + honesty in rags, at industry without food, at the agonies of his + fellow-men? Does he laugh when he sees the convict clothed in the garments + of shame—at the criminal on the scaffold? Does he rub his hands with + glee over the embers of an enemy's home? Think of a man capable ol + laughing while looking at Marguerite in the prison cell with her dead babe + by her side. What must be the real character of a God who laughs at the + calamities of his children, mocks at their fears, their desolation, their + distress and anguish? Would an infinitely loving God hold his ignorant + children in derision? Would he pity, or mock? Save, or destroy? Educate, + or exterminate? Would he lead them with gentle hands toward the light, or + lie in wait for them like a wild beast? Think of the echoes of Jehovah's + laughter in the rayless caverns of the eternal prison. Can a good man mock + at the children of deformity? Will he deride the misshapen? Your Jehovah + deformed some of his own children, and then held them up to scorn and + hatred. These divine mistakes—these blunders of the infinite—were + not allowed to enter the temple erected in honor of him who had dishonored + them. Does a kind father mock his deformed child? What would you think of + a mother who would deride and taunt her misshapen babe? + </p> + <p> + There is another test. How does a man use power? Is he gentle or cruel? + Does he defend the weak, succor the oppressed, or trample on the fallen? + </p> + <p> + If you will read again the twenty-eighth chapter of Deuteronomy, you will + find how Jehovah, the compassionate, whose name is enshrined in so many + hearts, threatened to use his power. + </p> + <p> + "The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with + an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with + blasting and mildew. And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, + and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. The Lord shall make the + rain of thy land powder and dust.".... "And thy carcass shall be meat unto + all fowls of the air and unto the beasts of the earth.".... "The Lord + shall smite thee with madness and blindness. And thou shalt eat of the + fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and thy daughters. The + tender and delicate woman among you,... her eye shall be evil... toward + her young one and toward her children which she shall bear; for she shall + eat them." + </p> + <p> + Should it be found that these curses were in fact uttered by the God of + hell, and that the translators had made a mistake in attributing them to + Jehovah, could you say that the sentiments expressed are inconsistent with + the supposed character of the Infinite Fiend? + </p> + <p> + A nation is judged by its laws—by the punishment it inflicts. The + nation that punishes ordinary offences with death is regarded as + barbarous, and the nation that tortures before it kills is denounced as + savage. + </p> + <p> + What can you say of the government of Jehovah, in which death was the + penalty for hundreds of offences?—death for the expression of an + honest thought—death for touching with a good intention a sacred ark—death + for making hair oil—for eating shew bread—for imitating + incense and perfumery? + </p> + <p> + In the history of the world a more cruel code cannot be found. Crimes seem + to have been invented to gratify a fiendish desire to shed the blood of + men. + </p> + <p> + There is another test: How does a man treat the animals in his power—his + faithful horse—his patient ox—his loving dog? + </p> + <p> + How did Jehovah treat the animals in Egypt? Would a loving God, with + fierce hail from heaven, bruise and kill the innocent cattle for the + crimes of their owners? Would he torment, torture and destroy them for the + sins of men? + </p> + <p> + Jehovah was a God of blood. His altar was adorned with the horns of a + beast. He established a religion in which every temple was a + slaughter-house, and every priest a butcher—a religion that demanded + the death of the first-born, and delighted in the destruction of life. + </p> + <p> + There is still another test: The civilized man gives to others the rights + that he claims for himself. He believes in the liberty of thought and + expression, and abhors persecution for conscience sake. + </p> + <p> + Did Jehovah believe in the innocence of thought and the liberty of + expression? Kindness is found with true greatness. Tyranny lodges only in + the breast of the small, the narrow, the shriveled and the selfish. Did + Jehovah teach and practice generosity? Was he a believer in religious + liberty? If he was and is, in fact, God, he must have known, even four + thousand years ago, that worship must be free, and that he who is forced + upon his knees cannot, by any possibility, have the spirit of prayer. + </p> + <p> + Let me call your attention to a few passages in the thirteenth chapter of + Deuteronomy: + </p> + <p> + "If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or + the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice + thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods,... thou shalt not + consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, + neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him; but thou shalt + surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, + and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with + stones, that he die." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible for you to find in the literature of this world more awful + passages than these? Did ever savagery, with strange and uncouth marks, + with awkward forms of beast and bird, pollute the dripping walls of caves + with such commands? Are these the words of infinite mercy? When they were + uttered, did "righteousness and peace kiss each other"? How can any loving + man or woman "encircle the name of Jehovah"—author of these words—"with + profoundest reverence and love"? Do I rebel because my "constitution is + warped, impaired and dislocated"? Is it because of "total depravity" that + I denounce the brutality of Jehovah? If my heart were only good—if I + loved my neighbor as myself—would I then see infinite mercy in these + hideous words? Do I lack "reverential calm"? + </p> + <p> + These frightful passages, like coiled adders, were in the hearts of + Jehovah's chosen people when they crucified "the Sinless Man." + </p> + <p> + Jehovah did not tell the husband to reason with his wife. She was to be + answered only with death. She was to be bruised and mangled to a bleeding, + shapeless mass of quivering flesh, for having breathed an honest thought. + </p> + <p> + If there is anything of importance in this world, it is the family, the + home, the marriage of true souls, the equality of husband and wife—the + true republicanism of the heart—the real democracy of the fireside. + </p> + <p> + Let us read the sixteenth verse of the third chapter of Genesis: + </p> + <p> + "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy + conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire + shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." + </p> + <p> + Never will I worship any being who added to the sorrows and agonies of + maternity. Never will I bow to any God who introduced slavery into every + home—who made the wife a slave and the husband a tyrant. + </p> + <p> + The Old Testament shows that Jehovah, like his creators, held women in + contempt. They were regarded as property: "Thou shalt not covet thy + neighbor's wife,—nor his ox." + </p> + <p> + Why should a pure woman worship a God who upheld polygamy? Let us finish + this subject: The institution of slavery involves all crimes. Jehovah was + a believer in slavery. This is enough. Why should any civilized man + worship him? Why should his name "be encircled with love and tenderness in + any human heart"? + </p> + <p> + He believed that man could become the property of man—that it was + right for his chosen people to deal in human flesh—to buy and sell + mothers and babes. He taught that the captives were the property of the + captors and directed his chosen people to kill, to enslave, or to pollute. + </p> + <p> + In the presence of these commandments, what becomes of the fine saying, + "Love thy neighbor as thyself"? What shall we say of a God who established + slavery, and then had the effrontery to say, "Thou shalt not steal"? + </p> + <p> + It may be insisted that Jehovah is the Father of all—and that he has + "made of one blood all the nations of the earth." How then can we account + for the wars of extermination? Does not the commandment "Love thy neighbor + as thyself," apply to nations precisely the same as to individuals? + Nations, like individuals, become great by the practice of virtue. How did + Jehovah command his people to treat their neighbors? + </p> + <p> + He commanded his generals to destroy all, men, women and babes: "Thou + shalt save nothing alive that breatheth." + </p> + <p> + "I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour + flesh." + </p> + <p> + "That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue + of thy dogs in the same." + </p> + <p> + "... I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of + serpents of the dust...." + </p> + <p> + "The sword without and terror within shall destroy both the young man and + the virgin, the suckling also, with the man of gray hairs." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that these words fell from the lips of the Most Merciful? + </p> + <p> + You may reply that the inhabitants of Canaan were unfit to live—that + they were ignorant and cruel. Why did not Jehovah, the "Father of all," + give them the Ten Commandments? Why did he leave them without a bible, + without prophets and priests? Why did he shower all the blessings of + revelation on one poor and wretched tribe, and leave the great world in + ignorance and crime—and why did he order his favorite children to + murder those whom he had neglected? + </p> + <p> + By the question I asked of Dr. Field, the intention was to show that + Jephthah, when he sacrificed his daughter to Jehovah, was as much the + slave of superstition as is the Hindoo mother when she throws her babe + into the yellow waves of the Ganges. + </p> + <p> + It seems that this savage Jephthah was in direct communication with + Jehovah at Mizpeh, and that he made a vow unto the Lord and said: + </p> + <p> + "If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, + then it shall be that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to + meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely + be the Lord's, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering." + </p> + <p> + In the first place, it is perfectly clear that the sacrifice intended was + a human sacrifice, from the words: "that whatsoever cometh forth of the + doors of my house to meet me." Some human being—wife, daughter, + friend, was expected to come. According to the account, his daughter—his + only daughter—his only child—came first. + </p> + <p> + If Jephthah was in communication with God, why did God allow this man to + make this vow; and why did he allow the daughter that he loved to be + first, and why did he keep silent and allow the vow to be kept, while + flames devoured the daughter's flesh? + </p> + <p> + St. Paul is not authority. He praises Samuel, the man who hewed Agag in + pieces; David, who compelled hundreds to pass under the saws and harrows + of death, and many others who shed the blood of the innocent and helpless. + Paul is an unsafe guide. He who commends the brutalities of the past, sows + the seeds of future crimes. + </p> + <p> + If "believers are not obliged to approve of the conduct of Jephthah" are + they free to condemn the conduct of Jehovah? If you will read the account + you will see that the "spirit of the Lord was upon Jephthah" when he made + the cruel vow. If Paul did not commend Jephthah for keeping this vow, what + was the act that excited his admiration? Was it because Jephthah slew on + the banks of the Jordan "forty and two thousand" of the sons of Ephraim? + </p> + <p> + In regard to Abraham, the argument is precisely the same, except that + Jehovah is said to have interfered, and allowed an animal to be slain + instead. + </p> + <p> + One of the answers given by you is that "it may be allowed that the + narrative is not within our comprehension"; and for that reason you say + that "it behooves us to tread cautiously in approaching it." Why + cautiously? + </p> + <p> + These stories of Abraham and Jephthah have cost many an innocent life. + Only a few years ago, here in my country, a man by the name of Freeman, + believing that God demanded at least the show of obedience—believing + what he had read in the Old Testament that "without the shedding of blood + there is no remission," and so believing, touched with insanity, + sacrificed his little girl—plunged into her innocent breast the + dagger, believing it to be God's will, and thinking that if it were not + God's will his hand would be stayed. + </p> + <p> + I know of nothing more pathetic than the story of this crime told by this + man. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more monstrous than the conception of a God who demands + sacrifice—of a God who would ask of a father that he murder his son—of + a father that he would burn his daughter. It is far beyond my + comprehension how any man ever could have believed such an infinite, such + a cruel absurdity. + </p> + <p> + At the command of the real God—if there be one—I would not + sacrifice my child, I would not murder my wife. But as long as there are + people in the world whose minds are so that they can believe the stories + of Abraham and Jephthah, just so long there will be men who will take the + lives of the ones they love best. + </p> + <p> + You have taken the position that the conditions are different; and you say + that: "According to the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were placed under a + law, not of consciously perceived right and wrong, but of simple + obedience. The tree of which alone they were forbidden to eat was the tree + of the knowledge of good and evil; duty lay for them in following the + command of the Most High, before and until they became capable of + appreciating it by an ethical standard. Their knowledge was but that of an + infant who has just reached the stage at which he can comprehend that he + is ordered to do this or that, but not the nature of the things so + ordered.". + </p> + <p> + If Adam and Eve could not "consciously perceive right and wrong," how is + it possible for you to say that "duty lay for them in following the + command of the Most High"? How can a person "incapable of perceiving right + and wrong" have an idea of duty? You are driven to say that Adam and Eve + had no moral sense. How under such circumstances could they have the sense + of guilt, or of obligation? And why should such persons be punished? And + why should the whole human race become tainted by the offence of those who + had no moral sense? + </p> + <p> + Do you intend to be understood as saying that Jehovah allowed his children + to enslave each other because "duty lay for them in following the command + of the Most High"? Was it for this reason that he caused them to + exterminate each other? Do you account for the severity of his punishments + by the fact that the poor creatures punished were not aware of the + enormity of the offences they had committed? What shall we say of a God + who has one of his children stoned to death for picking up sticks on + Sunday, and allows another to enslave his fellow-man? Have you discovered + any theory that will account for both of these facts? + </p> + <p> + Another word as to Abraham:—You defend his willingness to kill his + son because "the estimate of human life at the time was different"—because + "the position of the father in the family was different; its members were + regarded as in some sense his property;" and because "there is every + reason to suppose that around Abraham in the 'land of Moriah' the practice + of human sacrifice as an act of religion was in full vigor." + </p> + <p> + Let us examine these three excuses: Was Jehovah justified in putting a low + estimate on human life? Was he in earnest when he said "that whoso + sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed"? Did he pander to + the barbarian view of the worthlessness of life? If the estimate of human + life was low, what was the sacrifice worth? + </p> + <p> + Was the son the property of the father? Did Jehovah uphold this savage + view? Had the father the right to sell or kill his child? + </p> + <p> + Do you defend Jehovah and Abraham because the ignorant wretches in the + "land of Moriah," knowing nothing of the true God, cut the throats of + their babes "as an act of religion"? + </p> + <p> + Was Jehovah led away by the example of the Gods of Moriah? Do you not see + that your excuses are simply the suggestions of other crimes? + </p> + <p> + You see clearly that the Hindoo mother, when she throws her babe into the + Ganges at the command of her God, "sins against first principles"; but you + excuse Abraham because he lived in the childhood of the race. Can Jehovah + be excused because of his youth? Not satisfied with your explanation, your + defences and excuses, you take the ground that when Abraham said: "My son, + God will provide a lamb for a burnt offering," he may have "believed + implicitly that a way of rescue would be found for his son." In other + words, that Abraham did not believe that he would be required to shed the + blood of Isaac. So that, after all, the faith of Abraham consisted in + "believing implicitly" that Jehovah was not in earnest. + </p> + <p> + You have discovered a way by which, as you think, the neck of orthodoxy + can escape the noose of Darwin, and in that connection you use this + remarkable language: + </p> + <p> + "I should reply that the moral history of man, in its principal stream, + has been distinctly an evolution from the first until now." It is hard to + see how this statement agrees with the one in the beginning of your + Remarks, in which you speak of the human constitution in its "warped, + impaired and dislocated" condition. When you wrote that line you were + certainly a theologian—a believer in the Episcopal creed—and + your mind, by mere force of habit, was at that moment contemplating man as + he is supposed to have been created—perfect in every part. At that + time you were endeavoring to account for the unbelief now in the world, + and you did this by stating that the human constitution is "warped, + impaired and dislocated"; but the moment you are brought face to face with + the great truths uttered by Darwin, you admit "that the moral history of + man has been distinctly an evolution from the first until now." Is not + this a fountain that brings forth sweet and bitter waters? + </p> + <p> + I insist, that the discoveries of Darwin do away absolutely with the + inspiration of the Scriptures—with the account of creation in + Genesis, and demonstrate not simply the falsity, not simply the + wickedness, but the foolishness of the "sacred volume." There is nothing + in Darwin to show that all has been evolved from "primal night and from + chaos." There is no evidence of "primal night." There is no proof of + universal chaos. Did your Jehovah spend an eternity in "primal night," + with no companion but chaos. + </p> + <p> + It makes no difference how long a lower form may require to reach a + higher. It makes no difference whether forms can be simply modified or + absolutely changed. These facts have not the slightest tendency to throw + the slightest light on the beginning or on the destiny of things. + </p> + <p> + I most cheerfully admit that gods have the right to create swiftly or + slowly. The reptile may become a bird in one day, or in a thousand billion + years—this fact has nothing to do with the existence or + non-existence of a first cause, but it has something to do with the truth + of the Bible, and with the existence of a personal God of infinite power + and wisdom. + </p> + <p> + Does not a gradual improvement in the thing created show a corresponding + improvement in the creator? The church demonstrated the falsity and folly + of Darwin's theories by showing that they contradicted the Mosaic account + of creation, and now the theories of Darwin having been fairly + established, the church says that the Mosaic account is true, because it + is in harmony with Darwin. Now, if it should turn out that Darwin was + mistaken, what then? + </p> + <p> + To me it is somewhat difficult to understand the mental processes of one + who really feels that "the gap between man and the inferior animals or + their relationship was stated, perhaps, even more emphatically by Bishop + Butler than by Darwin." + </p> + <p> + Butler answered deists, who objected to the cruelties of the Bible, and + yet lauded the God of Nature by showing that the God of Nature is as cruel + as the God of the Bible. That is to say, he succeeded in showing that both + Gods are bad. He had no possible conception of the splendid + generalizations of Darwin—the great truths that have revolutionized + the thought of the world. + </p> + <p> + But there was one question asked by Bishop Butler that throws a flame of + light upon the probable origin of most, if not all, religions: "Why might + not whole communities and public bodies be seized with fits of insanity as + well as individuals?" + </p> + <p> + If you are convinced that Moses and Darwin are in exact accord, will you + be good enough to tell who, in your judgment, were the parents of Adam and + Eve? Do you find in Darwin any theory that satisfactorily accounts for the + "inspired fact" that a Rib, commencing with Monogonic Propagation—falling + into halves by a contraction in the middle—reaching, after many ages + of Evolution, the Amphigonie stage, and then, by the Survival of the + Fittest, assisted by Natural Selection, moulded and modified by + Environment, became at last, the mother of the human race? + </p> + <p> + Here is a world in which there are countless varieties of life—these + varieties in all probability related to each other—all living upon + each other—everything devouring something, and in its turn devoured + by something else—everywhere claw and beak, hoof and tooth,—everything + seeking the life of something else—every drop of water a + battle-field, every atom being for some wild beast a jungle—every + place a golgotha—and such a world is declared to be the work of the + infinitely wise and compassionate. + </p> + <p> + According to your idea, Jehovah prepared a home for his children—first + a garden in which they should be tempted and from which they should be + driven; then a world filled with briers and thorns and wild and poisonous + beasts—a world in which the air should be filled with the enemies of + human life—a world in which disease should be contagious, and in + which it was impossible to tell, except by actual experiment, the + poisonous from the nutritious. And these children were allowed to live in + dens and holes and fight their way against monstrous serpents and + crouching beasts—were allowed to live in ignorance and fear—to + have false ideas of this good and loving God—ideas so false, that + they made of him a fiend—ideas so false, that they sacrificed their + wives and babes to appease the imaginary wrath of this monster. And this + God gave to different nations different ideas of himself, knowing that in + consequence of that these nations would meet upon countless fields of + death and drain each other's veins. + </p> + <p> + Would it not have been better had the world been so that parents would + transmit only their virtues—only their perfections, physical and + mental,—allowing their diseases and their vices to perish with them? + </p> + <p> + In my reply to Dr. Field I had asked: Why should God demand a sacrifice + from man? Why should the infinite ask anything from the finite? Should the + sun beg from the glowworm, and should the momentary spark excite the envy + of the source of light? + </p> + <p> + Upon which you remark, "that if the infinite is to make no demands upon + the finite, by parity of reasoning, the great and strong should scarcely + make them on the weak and small." Can this be called reasoning? Why should + the infinite demand a sacrifice from man? In the first place, the infinite + is conditionless—the infinite cannot want—the infinite has. A + conditioned being may want; but the gratification of a want involves a + change of condition. If God be conditionless, he can have no wants—consequently, + no human being can gratify the infinite. + </p> + <p> + But you insist that "if the infinite is to make no demands upon the + finite, by parity of reasoning, the great and strong should scarcely make + them on the weak and small." + </p> + <p> + The great have wants. The strong are often in need, in peril, and the + great and strong often need the services of the small and weak. It was the + mouse that freed the lion. England is a great and powerful nation—yet + she may need the assistance of the weakest of her citizens. The world is + filled with illustrations. + </p> + <p> + The lack of logic is in this: The infinite cannot want anything; the + strong and the great may, and as a fact always do. The great and the + strong cannot help the infinite—they can help the small and the + weak, and the small and the weak can often help the great and strong. + </p> + <p> + You ask: "Why then should the father make demands of love, obedience, and + sacrifice from his young child?" + </p> + <p> + No sensible father ever demanded love from his child. Every civilized + father knows that love rises like the perfume from a flower. You cannot + command it by simple authority. + </p> + <p> + It cannot obey. A father demands obedience from a child for the good of + the child and for the good of himself. But suppose the father to be + infinite—why should the child sacrifice anything for him? + </p> + <p> + But it may be that you answer all these questions, all these difficulties, + by admitting, as you have in your Remarks, "that these problems are + insoluble by our understanding." + </p> + <p> + Why, then, do you accept them? Why do you defend that which you cannot + understand? Why does your reason volunteer as a soldier under the flag of + the incomprehensible? + </p> + <p> + I asked of Dr. Field, and I ask again, this question: Why should an + infinitely wise and powerful God destroy the good and preserve the vile? + </p> + <p> + What do I mean by this question? Simply this: The earthquake, the + lightning, the pestilence, are no respecters of persons. The vile are not + always destroyed, the good are not always saved. I asked: Why should God + treat all alike in this world, and in another make an infinite difference? + This, I suppose, is "insoluble to our understanding." + </p> + <p> + Why should Jehovah allow his worshipers, his adorers, to be destroyed by + his enemies? Can you by any possibility answer this question? + </p> + <p> + You may account for all these inconsistencies, these cruel contradictions, + as John Wesley accounted for earthquakes when he insisted that they were + produced by the wickedness of men, and that the only way to prevent them + was for everybody to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And you may have + some way of showing that Mr. Wesley's idea is entirely consistent with the + theories of Mr. Darwin. + </p> + <p> + You seem to think that as long as there is more goodness than evil in the + world—as long as there is more joy than sadness—we are + compelled to infer that the author of the world is infinitely good, + powerful, and wise, and that as long as a majority are out of gutters and + prisons, the "divine scheme" is a success. + </p> + <p> + According to this system of logic, if there were a few more unfortunates—if + there was just a little more evil than good—then we would be driven + to acknowledge that the world was created by an infinitely malevolent + being. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the history of the world has been such that not only + your theologians but your apostles, and not only your apostles but your + prophets, and not only your prophets but your Jehovah, have all been + forced to account for the evil, the injustice and the suffering, by the + wickedness of man, the natural depravity of the human heart and the wiles + and machinations of a malevolent being second only in power to Jehovah + himself. + </p> + <p> + Again and again you have called me to account for "mere suggestions and + assertions without proof"; and yet your remarks are filled with assertions + and mere suggestions without proof. + </p> + <p> + You admit that "great believers are not able to explain the inequalities + of adjustment between human beings and the conditions in which they have + been set down to work out their destiny." + </p> + <p> + How do you know "that they have been set down to work out their destiny"? + If that was, and is, the purpose, then the being who settled the + "destiny," and the means by which it tvas to be "worked out," is + responsible for all that happens. + </p> + <p> + And is this the end of your argument, "That you are not able to explain + the inequalities of adjustment between human beings"? Is the solution of + this problem beyond your power? Does the Bible shed no light? Is the + Christian in the presence of this question as dumb as the agnostic? When + the injustice of this world is so flagrant that you cannot harmonize that + awful fact with the wisdom and goodness of an infinite God, do you not see + that you have surrendered, or at least that you have raised a flag of + truce beneath which your adversary accepts as final your statement that + you do not know and that your imagination is not sufficient to frame an + excuse for God? + </p> + <p> + It gave me great pleasure to find that at last even you have been driven + to say that: "it is a duty incumbent upon us respectively according to our + means and opportunities, to decide by the use of the faculty of reason + given us, the great questions of natural and revealed religion." + </p> + <p> + You admit "that I am to decide for myself, by the use of my reason," + whether the Bible is the word of God or not—whether there is any + revealed religion—and whether there be or be not an infinite being + who created and who governs this world. + </p> + <p> + You also admit that we are to decide these questions according to the + balance of the evidence. + </p> + <p> + Is this in accordance with the doctrine of Jehovah? Did Jehovah say to the + husband that if his wife became convinced, according to her means and her + opportunities, and decided according to her reason, that it was better to + worship some other God than Jehovah, then that he was to say to her: "You + are entitled to decide according to the balance of the evidence as it + seems to you"? + </p> + <p> + Have you abandoned Jehovah? Is man more just than he? Have you appealed + from him to the standard of reason? Is it possible that the leader of the + English Liberals is nearer civilized than Jehovah? + </p> + <p> + Do you know that in this sentence you demonstrate the existence of a dawn + in your mind? This sentence makes it certain that in the East of the + midnight of Episcopal superstition there is the herald of the coming day. + And if this sentence shows a dawn, what shall I say of the next: + </p> + <p> + "We are not entitled, either for or against belief, to set up in this + province any rule of investigation except such as common sense teaches us + to use in the ordinary conduct of life"? + </p> + <p> + This certainly is a morning star. Let me take this statement, let me hold + it as a torch, and by its light I beg of you to read the Bible once again. + </p> + <p> + Is it in accordance with reason that an infinitely good and loving God + would drown a world that he had taken no means to civilize—to whom + he had given no bible, no gospel,—taught no scientific fact and in + which the seeds of art had not been sown; that he would create a world + that ought to be drowned? That a being of infinite wisdom would create a + rival, knowing that the rival would fill perdition with countless souls + destined to suffer eternal pain? Is it according to common sense that an + infinitely good God would order some of his children to kill others? That + he would command soldiers to rip open with the sword of war the bodies of + women—wreaking vengeance on babes unborn? Is it according to reason + that a good, loving, compassionate, and just God would establish slavery + among men, and that a pure God would uphold polygamy? Is it according to + common sense that he who wished to make men merciful and loving would + demand the sacrifice of animals, so that his altars would be wet with the + blood of oxen, sheep, and doves? Is it according to reason that a good God + would inflict tortures upon his ignorant children—that he would + torture animals to death—and is it in accordance with common sense + and reason that this God would create countless billions of people knowing + that they would be eternally damned? + </p> + <p> + What is common sense? Is it the result of observation, reason and + experience, or is it the child of credulity? + </p> + <p> + There is this curious fact: The far past and the far future seem to belong + to the miraculous and the monstrous. The present, as a rule, is the realm + of common sense. If you say to a man: "Eighteen hundred years ago the dead + were raised," he will reply: "Yes, I know that." And if you say: "A + hundred thousand years from now all the dead will be raised," he will + probably reply: "I presume so." But if you tell him: "I saw a dead man + raised to-day," he will ask, "From what madhouse have you escaped?" + </p> + <p> + The moment we decide "according to reason," "according to the balance of + evidence," we are charged with "having violated the laws of social + morality and decency," and the defender of the miraculous and the + incomprehensible takes another position. + </p> + <p> + The theologian has a city of refuge to which he flies—an old + breastwork behind which he kneels—a rifle-pit into which he crawls. + You have described this city, this breastwork, this rifle-pit and also the + leaf under which the ostrich of theology thrusts its head. Let me quote: + </p> + <p> + "Our demands for evidence must be limited by the general reason of the + case. Does that general reason of the case make it probable that a finite + being, with a finite place in a comprehensive scheme devised and + administered by a being who is infinite, would be able even to embrace + within his view, or rightly to appreciate all the motives or aims that + there may have been in the mind of the divine disposer?" + </p> + <p> + And this is what you call "deciding by the use of the faculty of reason," + "according to the evidence," or at least "according to the balance of + evidence." This is a conclusion reached by a "rule of investigation such + as common sense teaches us to use in the ordinary conduct of life." Will + you have the kindness to explain what it is to act contrary to evidence, + or contrary to common sense? Can you imagine a superstition so gross that + it cannot be defended by that argument? + </p> + <p> + Nothing, it seems to me, could have been easier than for Jehovah to have + reasonably explained his scheme. You may answer that the human intellect + is not sufficient to understand the explanation. Why then do not + theologians stop explaining? Why do they feel it incumbent upon them to + explain that which they admit God would have explained had the human mind + been capable of understanding it? + </p> + <p> + How much better would it have been if Jehovah had said a few things on + these subjects. It always seemed wonderful to me that he spent several + days and nights on Mount Sinai explain* ing to Moses how he could detect + the presence of leprosy, without once thinking to give him a prescription + for its cure. + </p> + <p> + There were thousands and thousands of opportunities for this God to + withdraw from these questions the shadow and the cloud. When Jehovah out + of the whirlwind asked questions of Job, how much better it would have + been if Job had asked and Jehovah had answered. + </p> + <p> + You say that we should be governed by evidence and by common sense. Then + you tell us that the questions are beyond the reach of reason, and with + which common sense has nothing to do. If we then ask for an explanation, + you reply in the scornful challenge of Dante. + </p> + <p> + You seem to imagine that every man who gives an opinion, takes his solemn + oath that the opinion is the absolute end of all investigation on that + subject. + </p> + <p> + In my opinion, Shakespeare was, intellectually, the greatest of the human + race, and my intention was simply to express that view. It never occurred + to me that any one would suppose that I thought Shakespeare a greater + actor than Garrick, a more wonderful composer than Wagner, a better + violinist than Remenyi, or a heavier man than Daniel Lambert. It is to be + regretted that you were misled by my words and really supposed that I + intended to say that Shakespeare was a greater general than Caesar. But, + after all, your criticism has no possible bearing on the point at issue. + Is it an effort to avoid that which cannot be met? The real question is + this: If we cannot account for Christ without a miracle, how can we + account for Shakespeare? Dr. Field took the ground that Christ himself was + a miracle; that it was impossible to account for such a being in any + natural way; and, guided by common sense, guided by the rule of + investigation such as common sense teaches, I called attention to Buddha, + Mohammed, Confucius, and Shakespeare. + </p> + <p> + In another place in your Remarks, when my statement about Shakespeare was + not in your mind, you say: "All is done by steps—nothing by strides, + leaps or bounds—all from protoplasm up to Shakespeare." Why did you + end the series with Shakespeare? Did you intend to say Dante, or Bishop + Butler? + </p> + <p> + It is curious to see how much ingenuity a great man exercises when guided + by what he calls "the rule of investigation as suggested by common sense." + I pointed out some things that Christ did not teach—among others, + that he said nothing with regard to the family relation, nothing against + slavery, nothing about education, nothing as to the rights and duties of + nations, nothing as to any scientific truth. And this is answered by + saying that "I am quite able to point out the way in which the Savior of + the world might have been much greater as a teacher than he actually was." + </p> + <p> + Is this an answer, or is it simply taking refuge behind a name? Would it + not have been better if Christ had told his disciples that they must not + persecute; that they had no right to destroy their fellow-men; that they + must not put heretics in dungeons, or destroy them with flames; that they + must not invent and use instruments of torture; that they must not appeal + to brutality, nor endeavor to sow with bloody hands the seeds of peace? + Would it not have been far better had he said: "I come not to bring a + sword, but peace"? Would not this have saved countless cruelties and + countless lives? + </p> + <p> + You seem to think that you have fully answered my objection when you say + that Christ taught the absolute indissolubility of marriage. + </p> + <p> + Why should a husband and wife be compelled to live with each other after + love is dead? Why should the wife still be bound in indissoluble chains to + a husband who is cruel, infamous, and false? Why should her life be + destroyed because of his? Why should she be chained to a criminal and an + outcast? Nothing can be more unphilosophic than this. Why fill the world + with the children of indifference and hatred? + </p> + <p> + The marriage contract is the most important, the most sacred, that human + beings can make. It will be sacredly kept by good men and by good women. + But if a loving woman—tender, noble, and true—makes this + contract with a man whom she believed to be worthy of all respect and + love, and who is found to be a cruel, worthless wretch, why should her + life be lost? + </p> + <p> + Do you not know that the indissolubility of the marriage contract leads to + its violation, forms an excuse for immorality, eats out the very heart of + truth, and gives to vice that which alone belongs to love? + </p> + <p> + But in order that you may know why the objection was raised, I call your + attention to the fact that Christ offered a reward, not only in this world + but in another, to any husband who would desert his wife. And do you know + that this hideous offer caused millions to desert their wives and + children? + </p> + <p> + Theologians have the habit of using names instead of arguments—of + appealing to some man, great in some direction, to establish their creed; + but we all know that no man is great enough to be an authority, except in + that particular domain in which he won his eminence; and we all know that + great men are not great in all directions. Bacon died a believer in the + Ptolemaic system of astronomy. Tycho Brahe kept an imbecile in his + service, putting down with great care the words that fell from the hanging + lip of idiocy, and then endeavored to put them together in a way to form + prophecies. Sir Matthew Hale believed in witchcraft not only, but in its + lowest and most vulgar forms; and some of the greatest men of antiquity + examined the entrails of birds to find the secrets of the future. + </p> + <p> + It has always seemed to me that reasons are better than names. + </p> + <p> + After taking the ground that Christ could not have been a greater teacher + than he actually was, you ask: "Where would have been the wisdom of + delivering to an uninstructed population of a particular age a codified + religion which was to serve for all nations, all ages, all states of + civilization?" + </p> + <p> + Does not this question admit that the teachings of Christ will not serve + for all nations, all ages and all states of civilization? + </p> + <p> + But let me ask: If it was necessary for Christ "to deliver to an + uninstructed population of a particular age a certain religion suited only + for that particular age," why should a civilized and scientific age + eighteen hundred years afterwards be absolutely bound by that religion? Do + you not see that your position cannot be defended, and that you have + provided no way for retreat? If the religion of Christ was for that age, + is it for this? Are you willing to admit that the Ten Commandments are not + for all time? If, then, four thousand years before Christ, commandments + were given not simply for "an uninstructed population of a particular age, + but for all time," can you give a reason why the religion of Christ should + not have been of the same character? + </p> + <p> + In the first place you say that God has revealed himself to the world—that + he has revealed a religion; and in the next place, that "he has not + revealed a perfect religion, for the reason that no room would be left for + the career of human thought." + </p> + <p> + Why did not God reveal this imperfect religion to all people instead of to + a small and insignificant tribe, a tribe without commerce and without + influence among the nations of the world? Why did he hide this imperfect + light under a bushel? If the light was necessary for one, was it not + necessary for all? And why did he drown a world to whom he had not even + given that light? According to your reasoning, would there not have been + left greater room for the career of human thought, had no revelation been + made? + </p> + <p> + You say that "you have known a person who after studying the old classical + or Olympian religion for a third part of a century, at length began to + hope that he had some partial comprehension of it—some inkling of + what is meant." You say this for the purpose of showing how impossible it + is to understand the Bible. If it is so difficult, why do you call it a + revelation? And yet, according to your creed, the man who does not + understand the revelation and believe it, or who does not believe it, + whether he understands it or not, is to reap the harvest of everlasting + pain. Ought not the revelation to be revealed? + </p> + <p> + In order to escape from the fact that Christ denounced the chosen people + of God as "a generation of vipers" and as "whited sepulchres," you take + the ground that the scribes and pharisees were not the chosen people. Of + what blood were they? It will not do to say that they were not the people. + Can you deny that Christ addressed the chosen people when he said: + "Jerusalem, which killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto + thee"? + </p> + <p> + You have called me to an account for what I said in regard to Ananias and + Sapphira. <i>First</i>, I am charged with having said that the apostles + conceived the idea of having all things in common, and you denounce this + as an interpolation; <i>second</i>, "that motives of prudence are stated + as a matter of fact to have influenced the offending couple"—and + this is charged as an interpolation; and, <i>third</i>, that I stated that + the apostles sent for the wife of Ananias—and this is characterized + as a pure invention. + </p> + <p> + To me it seems reasonable to suppose that the idea of having all things in + common was conceived by those who had nothing, or had the least, and not + by those who had plenty. In the last verses of the fourth chapter of the + Acts, you will find this: + </p> + <p> + "Neither was there any among them that lacked, for as many as were + possessed of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the + things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and + distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, + who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, + the son of consolation), a Levite and of the country of Cyprus, having + land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet." + </p> + <p> + Now it occurred to me that the idea was in all probability suggested by + the men at whose feet the property was laid. It never entered my mind that + the idea originated with those who had land for sale. There may be a + different standard by which human nature is measured in your country, than + in mine; but if the thing had happened in the United States, I feel + absolutely positive that it would have been at the suggestion of the + apostles. + </p> + <p> + "Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession and kept back part of + the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part and + laid it at the apostles' feet." + </p> + <p> + In my Letter to Dr. Field I stated—not at the time pretending to + quote from the New Testament—that Ananias and Sapphira, after + talking the matter over, not being entirely satisfied with the + collaterals, probably concluded to keep a little—just enough to keep + them from starvation if the good and pious bankers should abscond. It + never occurred to me that any man would imagine that this was a quotation, + and I feel like asking your pardon for having led you into this error. We + are informed in the Bible that "they kept back a part of the price." It + occurred to me, "judging by the rule of investigation according to common + sense," that there was a reason for this, and I could think of no reason + except that they did not care to trust the apostles with all, and that + they kept back just a little, thinking it might be useful if the rest + should be lost. + </p> + <p> + According to the account, after Peter had made a few remarks to Ananias, + </p> + <p> + "Ananias fell down and gave up the ghost;.... and the young men arose, + wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the + space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came + in." + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Peter said: + </p> + <p> + "'Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?' And she said, 'Yea, for + so much.' Then Peter said unto her, 'How is it that ye have agreed + together to tempt the spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which + have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.' Then + fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost; and the + young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her + by her husband." + </p> + <p> + The only objection found to this is, that I inferred that the apostles had + sent for her. Sending for her was not the offence. The failure to tell her + what had happened to her husband was the offence—keeping his fate a + secret from her in order that she might be caught in the same net that had + been set for her husband by Jehovah. This was the offence. This was the + mean and cruel thing to which I objected. Have you answered that? + </p> + <p> + Of course, I feel sure that the thing never occurred—the probability + being that Ananias and Sapphira never lived and never died. It is probably + a story invented by the early church to make the collection of + subscriptions somewhat easier. + </p> + <p> + And yet, we find a man in the nineteenth century, foremost of his + fellow-citizens in the affairs of a great nation, upholding this barbaric + view of God. + </p> + <p> + Let me beg of you to use your reason "according to the rule suggested by + common sense." Let us do what little we can to rescue the reputation, even + of a Jewish myth, from the calumnies of Ignorance and Fear. + </p> + <p> + So, again, I am charged with having given certain words as a quotation + from the Bible in which two passages are combined—"They who believe + and are baptized shall be saved, and they who believe not shall be damned. + And these shall go away into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and + his angels." + </p> + <p> + They were given as two passages. No one for a moment supposed that they + would be read together as one, and no one imagined that any one in + answering the argument would be led to believe that they were intended as + one. Neither was there in this the slightest negligence, as I was + answering a man who is perfectly familiar with the Bible. The objection + was too small to make. It is hardly large enough to answer—and had + it not been made by you it would not have been answered. + </p> + <p> + You are not satisfied with what I have said upon the subject of + immortality. What I said was this: The idea of immortality, that like a + sea has ebbed and flowed in the human heart, with its countless waves of + hope and fear beating against the shores and rocks of time and fate, was + not born of any book, nor of any creed, nor of any religion. It was born + of human affection, and it will continue to ebb and flow beneath the mists + and clouds of doubt and darkness as long as love kisses the lips of death. + </p> + <p> + You answer this by saying that "the Egyptians were believers in + immortality, but were not a people of high intellectual development." + </p> + <p> + How such a statement tends to answer what I have said, is beyond my powers + of discernment. Is there the slightest connection between my statement and + your objection? + </p> + <p> + You make still another answer, and say that "the ancient Greeks were a + race of perhaps unparalled intellectual capacity, and that notwithstanding + that, the most powerful mind of the Greek philosophy, that of Aristotle, + had no clear conception of a personal existence in a future state." May I + be allowed to ask this simple question: Who has? + </p> + <p> + Are you urging an objection to the dogma of immortality, when you say that + a race of unparalled intellectual capacity had no confidence in it? Is + that a doctrine believed only by people who lack intellectual capacity? I + stated that the idea of immortality was born of love, You reply, "the + Egyptians believed it, but they were not intellectual." Is not this a <i>non + sequitur?</i> The question is: Were they a loving people? + </p> + <p> + Does history show that there is a moral governor of the world? What + witnesses shall we call? The billions of slaves who were paid with blows?—the + countless mothers whose babes were sold? Have we time to examine the + Waldenses, the Covenanters of Scotland, the Catholics of Ireland, the + victims of St. Bartholomew, of the Spanish Inquisition, all those who have + died in flames? Shall we hear the story of Bruno? Shall we ask Servetus? + Shall we ask the millions slaughtered by Christian swords in America—all + the victims of ambition, of perjury, of ignorance, of superstition and + revenge, of storm and earthquake, of famine, flood and fire? + </p> + <p> + Can all the agonies and crimes, can all the inequalities of the world be + answered by reading the "noble Psalm" in which are found the words: "Call + upon me in the day of trouble, so I will hear thee, and thou shalt praise + me"? Do you prove the truth of these fine words, this honey of Trebizond, + by the victims of religious persecution? Shall we hear the sighs and sobs + of Siberia? + </p> + <p> + Another thing. Why should you, from the page of Greek history, with the + sponge of your judgment, wipe out all names but one, and tell us that the + most powerful mind of the Greek philosophy was that of Aristotle? How did + you ascertain this fact? Is it not fair to suppose that you merely + intended to say that, according to your view, Aristotle had the most + powerful mind among all the philosophers of Greece? I should not call + attention to this, except for your criticism on a like remark of mine as + to the intellectual superiority of Shakespeare. But if you knew the + trouble I have had in finding out your meaning, from your words, you would + pardon me for calling attention to a single line from Aristotle: + "Clearness is the virtue of style." + </p> + <p> + To me Epicurus seems far greater than Aristotle, He had clearer vision. + His cheek was closer to the breast of nature, and he planted his + philosophy nearer to the bed-rock of fact. He was practical enough to know + that virtue is the means and happiness the end; that the highest + philosophy is the art of living. He was wise enough to say that nothing is + of the slightest value to man that does not increase or preserve his + wellbeing, and he was great enough to know and courageous enough to + declare that all the gods and ghosts were monstrous phantoms born of + ignorance and fear. + </p> + <p> + I still insist that human affection is the foundation of the idea of + immortality; that love was the first to speak that word, no matter whether + they who spoke it were savage or civilized, Egyptian or Greek. But if we + are immortal—if there be another world—why was it not clearly + set forth in the Old Testament? Certainly, the authors of that book had an + opportunity to learn it from the Egyptians. Why was it not revealed by + Jehovah? Why did he waste his time in giving orders for the consecration + of priests—in saying that they must have sheep's blood put on their + right ears and on their right thumbs and on their right big toes? Could a + God with any sense of humor give such directions, or watch without huge + laughter the performance of such a ceremony? In order to see the beauty, + the depth and tenderness of such a consecration, is it essential to be in + a state of "reverential calm"? + </p> + <p> + Is it not strange that Christ did not tell of another world distinctly, + clearly, without parable, and without the mist of metaphor? + </p> + <p> + The fact is that the Hindoos, the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans + taught the immortality of the soul, not as a glittering guess—a + possible perhaps—but as a clear and demonstrated truth for many + centuries before the birth of Christ. + </p> + <p> + If the Old Testament proves anything, it is that death ends all. And the + New Testament, by basing immortality on the resurrection of the body, but + "keeps the word of promise to our ear and breaks it to our hope." + </p> + <p> + In my Reply to Dr. Field, I said: "The truth is, that no one can justly be + held responsible for his thoughts. The brain thinks without asking our + consent; we believe, or disbelieve, without an effort of the will. Belief + is a result. It is the effect of evidence upon the mind. The scales turn + in spite of him who watches. There is no opportunity of being honest or + dishonest in the formation of an opinion. The conclusion is entirely + independent of desire. We must believe, or we must doubt, in spite of what + we wish." + </p> + <p> + Does the brain think without our consent? Can we control our thought? Can + we tell what we are going to think tomorrow? + </p> + <p> + Can we stop thinking? + </p> + <p> + Is belief the result of that which to us is evidence, or is it a product + of the will? Can the scales in which reason weighs evidence be turned by + the will? Why then should evidence be weighed? If it all depends on the + will, what is evidence? Is there any opportunity of being dishonest in the + formation of an opinion? Must not the man who forms the opinion know what + it is? He cannot knowingly cheat himself. He cannot be deceived with dice + that he loads. He cannot play unfairly at solitaire without knowing that + he has lost the game. He cannot knowingly weigh with false scales and + believe in the correctness of the result. + </p> + <p> + You have not even attempted to answer my arguments upon these points, but + you have unconsciously avoided them. You did not attack the citadel. In + military parlance, you proceeded to "shell the woods." The noise is + precisely the same as though every shot had been directed against the + enemy's position, but the result is not. You do not seem willing to + implicitly trust the correctness of your aim. You prefer to place the + target after the shot. + </p> + <p> + The question is whether the will knowingly can change evidence, and + whether there is any opportunity of being dishonest in the formation of an + opinion. You have changed the issue. You have erased the word formation + and interpolated the word expression. + </p> + <p> + Let us suppose that a man has given an opinion, knowing that it is not + based on any fact. Can you say that he has given his opinion? The moment a + prejudice is known to be a prejudice, it disappears. Ignorance is the soil + in which prejudice must grow. Touched by a ray of light, it dies. The + judgment of man may be warped by prejudice and passion, but it cannot be + consciously warped. It is impossible for any man to be influenced by a + known prejudice, because a known prejudice cannot exist. + </p> + <p> + I am not contending that all opinions have been honestly expressed. What I + contend is that when a dishonest opinion has been expressed it is not the + opinion that was formed. + </p> + <p> + The cases suggested by you are not in point. Fathers are honestly swayed, + if really swayed, by love; and queens and judges have pretended to be + swayed by the highest motives, by the clearest evidence, in order that + they might kill rivals, reap rewards, and gratify revenge. But what has + all this to do with the fact that he who watches the scales in which + evidence is weighed knows the actual result? + </p> + <p> + Let us examine your case: If a father is <i>consciously</i> swayed by his + love for his son, and for that reason says that his son is innocent, then + he has not expressed his opinion. If he is unconsciously swayed and says + that his son is innocent, then he has expressed his opinion. In both + instances his opinion was independent of his will; but in the first + instance he did not express his opinion. You will certainly see this + distinction between the formation and the expression of an opinion. + </p> + <p> + The same argument applies to the man who consciously has a desire to + condemn. Such a <i>conscious</i> desire cannot affect the testimony—cannot + affect the opinion. Queen Elizabeth undoubtedly desired the death of Mary + Stuart, but this conscious desire could not have been the foundation on + which rested Elizabeth's opinion as to the guilt or innocence of her + rival. It is barely possible that Elizabeth did not express her real + opinion. Do you believe that the English judges in the matter of the + Popish Plot gave judgment in accordance with their opinions? Are you + satisfied that Napoleon expressed his real opinion when he justified + himself for the assassination of the Duc d'Enghien? + </p> + <p> + If you answer these questions in the affirmative, you admit that I am + right. If you answer in the negative, you admit that you are wrong. The + moment you admit that the opinion formed cannot be changed by expressing a + pretended opinion, your argument is turned against yourself. + </p> + <p> + It is admitted that prejudice strengthens, weakens and colors evidence; + but prejudice is honest. And when one acts knowingly against the evidence, + that is not by reason of prejudice. + </p> + <p> + According to my views of propriety, it would be unbecoming for me to say + that your argument on these questions is "a piece of plausible + shallowness." Such language might be regarded as lacking "reverential + calm," and I therefore refrain from even characterizing it as plausible. + </p> + <p> + Is it not perfectly apparent that you have changed the issue, and that + instead of showing that opinions are creatures of the will, you have + discussed the quality of actions? What have corrupt and cruel judgments + pronounced by corrupt and cruel judges to do with their real opinions? + When a judge forms one opinion and renders another he is called corrupt. + The corruption does not consist in forming his opinion, but in rendering + one that he did not form. Does a dishonest creditor, who incorrectly adds + a number of items making the aggregate too large, necessarily change his + opinion as to the relations of numbers? When an error is known, it is not + a mistake; but a conclusion reached by a mistake, or by a prejudice, or by + both, is a necessary conclusion. He who pretends to come to a conclusion + by a mistake which he knows is not a mistake, knows that he has not + expressed his real opinion. + </p> + <p> + Can any thing be more illogical than the assertion that because a boy + reaches, through negligence in adding figures, a wrong result, that he is + accountable for his opinion of the result? If he knew he was negligent, + what must his opinion of the result have been? + </p> + <p> + So with the man who boldly announces that he has discovered the numerical + expression of the relation sustained by the diameter to the circumference + of a circle. If he is honest in the announcement, then the announcement + was caused not by his will but by his ignorance. His will cannot make the + announcement true, and he could not by any possibility have supposed that + his will could affect the correctness of his announcement. The will of one + who thinks that he has invented or discovered what is called perpetual + motion, is not at fault. The man, if honest, has been misled; if not + honest, he endeavors to mislead others. There is prejudice, and prejudice + does raise a clamor, and the intellect is affected and the judgment is + darkened and the opinion is deformed; but the prejudice is real and the + clamor is sincere and the judgment is upright and the opinion is honest. + </p> + <p> + The intellect is not always supreme. It is surrounded by clouds. It + sometimes sits in darkness. It is often misled—sometimes, in + superstitious fear, it abdicates. It is not always a white light. The + passions and prejudices are prismatic—they color thoughts. Desires + betray the judgment and cunningly mislead the will. + </p> + <p> + You seem to think that the fact of responsibility is in danger unless it + rests upon the will, and this will you regard as something without a + cause, springing into being in some mysterious way, without father or + mother, without seed or soil, or rain or light. You must admit that man is + a conditioned being—that he has wants, objects, ends, and aims, and + that these are gratified and attained only by the use of means. Do not + these wants and these objects have something to do with the will, and does + not the intellect have something to do with the means? Is not the will a + product? Independently of conditions, can it exist? Is it not necessarily + produced? Behind every wish and thought, every dream and fancy, every fear + and hope, are there not countless causes? Man feels shame. What does this + prove? He pities himself. What does this demonstrate? + </p> + <p> + The dark continent of motive and desire has never been explored. In the + brain, that wondrous world with one inhabitant, there are recesses dim and + dark, treacherous sands and dangerous shores, where seeming sirens tempt + and fade; streams that rise in unknown lands from hidden springs, strange + seas with ebb and flow of tides, resistless billows urged by storms of + flame, profound and awful depths hidden by mist of dreams, obscure and + phantom realms where vague and fearful things are half revealed, jungles + where passion's tigers crouch, and skies of cloud and blue where fancies + fly with painted wings that dazzle and mislead; and the poor sovereign of + this pictured world is led by old desires and ancient hates, and stained + by crimes of many vanished years, and pushed by hands that long ago were + dust, until he feels like some bewildered slave that Mockery has throned + and crowned. + </p> + <p> + No one pretends that the mind of man is perfect—that it is not + affected by desires, colored by hopes, weakened by fears, deformed by + ignorance and distorted by superstition. But all this has nothing to do + with the innocence of opinion. + </p> + <p> + It may be that the Thugs were taught that murder is innocent; but did the + teachers believe what they taught? Did the pupils believe the teachers? + Did not Jehovah teach that the act that we describe as murder was a duty? + Were not his teachings practiced by Moses and Joshua and Jephthah and + Samuel and David? Were they honest? But what has all this to do with the + point at issue? + </p> + <p> + Society has the right to protect itself, even from honest murderers and + conscientious thieves. The belief of the criminal does not disarm society; + it protects itself from him as from a poisonous serpent, or from a beast + that lives on human flesh. We are under no obligation to stand still and + allow ourselves to be murdered by one who honestly thinks that it is his + duty to take our lives. And yet according to your argument, we have no + right to defend ourselves from honest Thugs. Was Saul of Tarsus a Thug + when he persecuted Christians "even unto strange cities"? Is the Thug of + India more ferocious than Torquemada, the Thug of Spain? + </p> + <p> + If belief depends upon the will, can all men have correct opinions who + will to have them? Acts are good or bad, according to their consequences, + and not according to the intentions of the actors. Honest opinions may be + wrong, and opinions dishonestly expressed may be right. + </p> + <p> + Do you mean to say that because passion and prejudice, the reckless + "pilots 'twixt the dangerous shores of will and judgment," sway the mind, + that the opinions which you have expressed in your Remarks to me are not + your opinions? Certainly you will admit that in all probability you have + prejudices and passions, and if so, can the opinions that you have + expressed, according to your argument, be honest? My lack of confidence in + your argument gives me perfect confidence in your candor. You may remember + the philosopher who retained his reputation for veracity, in spite of the + fact that he kept saying: "There is no truth in man." + </p> + <p> + Are only those opinions honest that are formed without any interference of + passion, affection, habit or fancy? What would the opinion of a man + without passions, affections, or fancies be worth? The alchemist gave up + his search for an universal solvent upon being asked in what kind of + vessel he expected to keep it when found. + </p> + <p> + It may be admitted that Biel "shows us how the life of Dante co-operated + with his extraordinary natural gifts and capabilities to make him what he + was," but does this tend to show that Dante changed his opinions by an act + of his will, or that he reached honest opinions by knowingly using false + weights and measures? + </p> + <p> + You must admit that the opinions, habits and religions of men depend, at + least in some degree, on race, occupation, training and capacity. Is not + every thoughtful man compelled to agree with Edgar Fawcett, in whose brain + are united the beauty of the poet and the subtlety of the logician, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Who sees how vice her venom wreaks + On the frail babe before it speaks, + And how heredity enslaves + With ghostly hands that reach from graves"? +</pre> + <p> + Why do you hold the intellect criminally responsible for opinions, when + you admit that it is controlled by the will? And why do you hold the will + responsible, when you insist that it is swayed by the passions and + affections? But all this has nothing to do with the fact that every + opinion has been honestly formed, whether honestly expressed or not. + </p> + <p> + No one pretends that all governments have been honestly formed and + honestly administered. All vices, and some virtues are represented in most + nations. In my opinion a republic is far better than a monarchy. The + legally expressed will of the people is the only rightful sovereign. This + sovereignty, however, does not embrace the realm of thought or opinion. In + that world, each human being is a sovereign,—throned and crowned: + One is a majority. The good citizens of that realm give to others all + rights that they claim for themselves, and those who appeal to force are + the only traitors. + </p> + <p> + The existence of theological despotisms, of God-anointed kings, does not + tend to prove that a known prejudice can determine the weight of evidence. + When men were so ignorant as to suppose that God would destroy them unless + they burned heretics, they lighted the fagots in selfdefence. + </p> + <p> + Feeling as I do that man is not responsible for his opinions, I + characterized persecution for opinion's sake as infamous. So, it is + perfectly clear to me, that it would be the infamy of infamies for an + infinite being to create vast numbers of men knowing that they would + suffer eternal pain. If an infinite God creates a man on purpose to damn + him, or creates him knowing that he will be damned, is not the crime the + same? We make mistakes and failures because we are finite; but can you + conceive of any excuse for an infinite being who creates failures? If you + had the power to change, by a wish, a statue into a human being, and you + knew that this being would die without a "change of heart" and suffer + endless pain, what would you do? + </p> + <p> + Can you think of any excuse for an earthly father, who, having wealth, + learning and leisure, leaves his own children in ignorance and darkness? + Do you believe that a God of infinite wisdom, justice and love, called + countless generations of men into being, knowing that they would be used + as fuel for the eternal fire? + </p> + <p> + Many will regret that you did not give your views upon the main questions—the + principal issues—involved, instead of calling attention, for the + most part, to the unimportant. If men were discussing the causes and + results of the Franco-Prussian war, it would hardly be worth while for a + third person to interrupt the argument for the purpose of calling + attention to a misspelled word in the terms of surrender. + </p> + <p> + If we admit that man is responsible for his opinions and his thoughts, and + that his will is perfectly free, still these admissions do not even tend + to prove the inspiration of the Bible, or the "divine scheme of + redemption." + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, the days of the supernatural are numbered. The dogma of + inspiration must be abandoned. As man advances,—as his intellect + enlarges,—as his knowledge increases,—as his ideals become + nobler, the bibles and creeds will lose their authority—the + miraculous will be classed with the impossible, and the idea of special + providence will be discarded. Thousands of religions have perished, + innumerable gods have died, and why should the religion of our time be + exempt from the common fate? + </p> + <p> + Creeds cannot remain permanent in a world in which knowledge increases. + Science and superstition cannot peaceably occupy the same brain. This is + an age of investigation, of discovery and thought. Science destroys the + dogmas that mislead the mind and waste the energies of man. It points out + the ends that can be accomplished; takes into consideration the limits of + our faculties; fixes our attention on the affairs of this world, and + erects beacons of warning on the dangerous shores. It seeks to ascertain + the conditions of health, to the end that life may be enriched and + lengthened, and it reads with a smile this passage: + </p> + <p> + "And God-wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul, so that from his + body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases + departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them." + </p> + <p> + Science is the enemy of fear and credulity. It invites investigation, + challenges the reason, stimulates inquiry, and welcomes the unbeliever. It + seeks to give food and shelter, and raiment, education and liberty to the + human race. It welcomes every fact and every truth. It has furnished a + foundation for morals, a philosophy for the guidance of man. From all + books it selects the good, and from all theories, the true. It seeks to + civilize the human race by the cultivation of the intellect and' heart. It + refines through art, music and the drama—giving voice and expression + to every noble thought. The mysterious does not excite the feeling of + worship, but the ambition to understand. It does not pray—it works. + It does not answer inquiry with the malicious cry of "blasphemy." Its + feelings are not hurt by contradiction, neither does it ask to be + protected by law from the laughter of heretics. It has taught man that he + cannot walk beyond the horizon—that the questions of origin and + destiny cannot be answered—that an infinite personality cannot be + comprehended by a finite being, and that the truth of any system of + religion based on the supernatural cannot by any possibility be + established—such a religion not being within the domain of evidence. + And, above all, it teaches that all our duties are here—that all our + obligations are to sentient beings; that intelligence, guided by kindness, + is the highest possible wisdom; and that "man believes not what he would, + but what he can." + </p> + <p> + And after all, it may be that "to ride an unbroken horse with the reins + thrown upon his neck"—as you charge me with doing—gives a + greater variety of sensations, a keener delight, and a better prospect of + winning the race than to sit solemnly astride of a dead one, in "a deep + reverential calm," with the bridle firmly in your hand. + </p> + <p> + Again assuring you of my profound respect, I remain, Sincerely yours, + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0011" id="link0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ROME OR REASON. + </h2> + <h3> + Col. Ingersoll and Cardinal Manning. + </h3> + <p> + The Gladstone-Ingersoll Controversy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0012" id="link0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHURCH ITS OWN WITNESS, By Cardinal Manning. + </h2> + <p> + THE Vatican Council, in its Decree on Faith has these words: "The Church + itself, by its marvelous propagation, its eminent sanctity, its + inexhaustible fruitfulness in all good things, its catholic unity and + invincible stability, is a vast and perpetual motive of credibility, and + an irrefragable witness of its own Divine legation."* Its Divine Founder + said: "I am the light of the world;" and, to His Apostles, He said also, + "Ye are the light of the world," and of His Church He added, "A city + seated on a hill cannot be hid." The Vatican Council says, "The Church is + its own witness." My purpose is to draw out this assertion more fully. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Const. Dogm. de Fide Catholica, c. iii. +</pre> + <p> + These words affirm that the Church is self-evident, as light is to the + eye, and through sense, to the intellect. Next to the sun at noonday, + there is nothing in the world more manifest than the one visible Universal + Church. Both the faith and the infidelity of the world bear witness to it. + It is loved and hated, trusted and feared, served and assaulted, honored + and blasphemed: it is Christ or Antichrist, the Kingdom of God or the + imposture of Satan. It pervades the civilized world. No man and no nation + can ignore it, none can be indifferent to it. Why is all this? How is its + existence to be accounted for? + </p> + <p> + Let me suppose that I am an unbeliever in Christianity, and that some + friend should make me promise to examine the evidence to show that + Christianity is a Divine revelation; I should then sift and test the + evidence as strictly as if it were in a court of law, and in a cause of + life and death; my will would be in suspense: it would in no way control + the process of my intellect. If it had any inclination from the + equilibrium, it would be towards mercy and hope; but this would not add a + feather's weight to the evidence, nor sway the intellect a hair's breadth. + </p> + <p> + After the examination has been completed, and my intellect convinced, the + evidence being sufficient to prove that Christianity is a divine + revelation, nevertheless I am not yet a Christian. All this sifting brings + me to the conclusion of a chain of reasoning; but I am not yet a believer. + The last act of reason has brought me to the brink of the first act of + faith. They are generically distinct and separable. The acts of reason are + intellectual, and jealous of the interference of the will. The act of + faith is an imperative act of the will, founded on and justified by the + process and conviction of the intellect. Hitherto I have been a critic: + henceforward, if I will, I become a disciple. + </p> + <p> + It may here be objected that no man can so far suspend the inclination of + the will when the question is, has God indeed spoken to man or no? is the + revealed law of purity, generosity, perfection, divine, or only the poetry + of imagination? Can a man be indifferent between two such sides of the + problem? Will he not desire the higher and better side to be true? and if + he desire, will he not incline to the side that he desires to find true? + Can a moral being be absolutely indifferent between two such issues? and + can two such issues be equally attractive to a moral agent? Can it be + indifferent and all the same to us whether God has made Himself and His + will known to us or not? Is there no attraction in light, no repulsion in + darkness? Does not the intrinsic and eternal distinction of good and evil + make itself felt in spite of the will? Are we not responsible to "receive + the truth in the love of it?" Nevertheless, evidence has its own limits + and quantities, and cannot be made more or less by any act of the will. + And yet, what is good or bad, high or mean, lovely or hateful, ennobling + or degrading, must attract or repel men as they are better or worse in + their moral sense; for an equilibrium between good and evil, to God or to + man, is impossible. + </p> + <p> + The last act of my reason, then, is distinct from my first act of faith + precisely in this: so long as I was uncertain I suspended the inclination + of my will, as an act of fidelity to conscience and of loyalty to truth; + but the process once complete, and the conviction once attained, my will + imperatively constrains me to believe, and I become a disciple of a Divine + revelation. + </p> + <p> + My friend next tells me that there are Christian Scriptures, and I go + through precisely the same process of critical examination and final + conviction, the last act of reasoning preceding, as before, the first act + of faith. + </p> + <p> + He then tells me that there is a Church claiming to be divinely founded, + divinely guarded, and divinely guided in its custody of Christianity and + of the Christian Scriptures. + </p> + <p> + Once more I have the same twofold process of reasoning and of believing to + go through. + </p> + <p> + There is, however, this difference in the subject-matter: Christianity is + an order of supernatural truth appealing intellectually to my reason; the + Christian Scriptures are voiceless, and need a witness. They cannot prove + their own mission, much less their own authenticity or inspiration. But + the Church is visible to the eye, audible to the ear, self-manifesting and + self-asserting: I cannot escape from it. If I go to the east, it is there; + if I go to the west, it is there also. If I stay at home, it is before me, + seated on the hill; if I turn away from it, I am surrounded by its light. + It pursues me and calls to me. I cannot deny its existence; I cannot be + indifferent to it; I must either listen to it or willfully stop my ears; I + must heed it or defy it, love it or hate it. But my first attitude towards + it is to try it with forensic strictness, neither pronouncing it to be + Christ nor Antichrist till I have tested its origin, claim, and character. + Let us take down the case in short-hand. + </p> + <p> + 1. It says that it interpenetrates all the nations of the civilized world. + In some it holds the whole nation in its unity, in others it holds fewer; + but in all it is present, visible, audible, naturalized, and known as the + one Catholic Church, a name that none can appropriate. Though often + claimed and controversially assumed, none can retain it; it falls off. The + world knows only one Catholic Church, and always restores the name to the + right owner. + </p> + <p> + 2. It is not a national body, but extra-national, accused of its foreign + relations and foreign dependence. It is international, and independent in + a supernational unity. + </p> + <p> + 3. In faith, divine worship, sacred ceremonial, discipline, government, + from the highest to the lowest, it is the same in every place. + </p> + <p> + 4. It speaks all languages in the civilized world. + </p> + <p> + 5. It is obedient to one Head, outside of all nations, except one only; + and in that nation, his headship is not national but world-wide. + </p> + <p> + 6. The world-wide sympathy of the Church in all lands with its Head has + been manifested in our days, and before our eyes, by a series of public + assemblages in Rome, of which nothing like or second to it can be found. + In 1854, 350 Bishops of all nations surrounded their Head when he defined + the Immaculate Conception. In 1862, 400 Bishops assembled at the + canonization of the Martyrs of Japan. In 1867, 500 Bishops came to keep + the eighteenth centenary of St. Peter's martyrdom. In 1870, 700 Bishops + assembled in the Vatican Council. On the Feast of the Epiphany, 1870, the + Bishops of thirty nations during two whole hours made profession of faith + in their own languages, kneeling before their head. Add to this, that in + 1869, in the sacerdotal jubilee of Pius IX., Rome was filled for months by + pilgrims from all lands in Europe and beyond the sea, from the Old World + and from the New, bearing all manner of gifts and oblations to the Head of + the Universal Church. To this, again, must be added the world-wide outcry + and protest of all the Catholic unity against the seizure and sacrilege of + September, 1870, when Rome was taken by the Italian Revolution. + </p> + <p> + 7. All this came to pass not only by reason of the great love of the + Catholic world for Pius IX., but because they revered him as the successor + of St. Peter and the Vicar of Jesus Christ. For that undying reason the + same events have been reproduced in the time of Leo XIII. In the early + months of this year Rome was once more filled with pilgrims of all + nations, coming in thousands as representatives of millions in all + nations, to celebrate the sacerdotal jubilee of the Sovereign Pontiff. The + courts of the Vatican could not find room for the multitude of gifts and + offerings of every kind which were sent from all quarters of the world. + </p> + <p> + 8. These things are here said, not because of any other importance, but + because they set forth in the most visible and self-evident way the living + unity and the luminous universality of the One Catholic and Roman Church. + </p> + <p> + 9. What has thus far been said is before our eyes at this hour. It is no + appeal to history, but to a visible and palpable fact. Men may explain it + as they will; deny it, they cannot. They see the Head of the Church year + by year speaking to the nations of the world; treating with Empires, + Republics and Governments. There is no other man on earth that can so bear + himself. Neither from Canterbury nor from Constantinople can such a voice + go forth to which rulers and people listen. + </p> + <p> + This is the century of revolutions. Rome has in our time been besieged + three times; three Popes have been driven out of it, two have been shut up + in the Vatican. The city is now full of the Revolution. The whole Church + has been tormented by Falck laws, Mancini laws, and Crispi laws. An + unbeliever in Germany said some years ago, "The net is now drawn so tight + about the Church, that if it escapes this time I will believe in it." + Whether he believes, or is even alive now to believe, I cannot say. + </p> + <p> + Nothing thus far has been said as proof. The visible, palpable facts, + which are at this moment before the eyes of all men, speak for themselves. + There is one, and only one, worldwide unity of which these things can be + said. It is a fact and a phenomenon for which an intelligible account must + be rendered. If it be only a human system built up by the intellect, will + and energy of men, let the adversaries prove it. The burden is upon them; + and they will have more to do as we go on. + </p> + <p> + Thus far we have rested upon the evidence of sense and fact. We must now + go on to history and reason. + </p> + <p> + Every religion and every religious body known to history has varied from + itself and broken up. Brahminism has given birth to Buddhism; Mahometanism + is parted into the Arabian and European Khalifates; the Greek schism into + the Russian, Constantinopolitan, and Bulgarian autocephalous fragment; + Protestaritism into its multitudinous diversities. All have departed from + their original type, and all are continually developing new and + irreconcilable, intellectual and ritualistic, diversities and repulsions. + How is it that, with all diversities of language, civilization, race, + interest, and conditions, social and political, including persecution and + warfare, the Catholic nations are at this day, even when in warfare, in + unchanged unity of faith, communion, worship and spiritual sympathy with + each other and with their Head? This needs a rational explanation. + </p> + <p> + It may be said in answer, endless divisions have come out of the Church, + from Arius to Photius, and from Photius to Luther. + </p> + <p> + Yes, but they all came out. There is the difference. They did not remain + in the Church, corrupting the faith. They came out, and ceased to belong + to the Catholic unity, as a branch broken from a tree ceases to belong to + the tree. But the identity of the tree remains the same. A branch is not a + tree, nor a tree a branch. A tree may lose branches, but it rests upon its + root, and renews its loss. Not so the religions, so to call them, that + have broken away from unity. Not one has retained its members or its + doctrines. Once separated from the sustaining unity of the Church, all + separations lose their spiritual cohesion, and then their intellectual + identity. <i>Ramus procisus arescit</i>. + </p> + <p> + For the present it is enough to say that no human legislation, authority + or constraint can ever create internal unity of intellect and will; and + that the diversities and contradictions generated by all human systems + prove the absence of Divine authority. Variations or contradictions are + proof of the absence of a Divine mission to mankind. All natural causes + run to disintegration. Therefore, they can render no account of the + world-wide unity of the One Universal Church. + </p> + <p> + Such, then, are the facts before our eyes at this day. We will seek out + the origin of the body or system called the Catholic Church, and pass at + once to its outset eighteen hundred years ago. + </p> + <p> + I affirm, then, three things: (1) First, that no adequate account can be + given of this undeniable fact from natural causes; (2) that the history of + the Catholic Church demands causes above nature; and (3) that it has + always claimed for itself a Divine origin and Divine authority. + </p> + <p> + I. And, first, before we examine what it was and what it has done, we will + recall to mind what was the world in the midst of which it arose. + </p> + <p> + The most comprehensive and complete description of the old world, before + Christianity came in upon it, is given in the first chapter of the Epistle + to the Romans. Mankind had once the knowledge of God: that knowledge was + obscured by the passions of sense; in the darkness of the human intellect, + with the light of nature still before them, the nations worshiped the + creature—that is, by pantheism, polytheism, idolatry; and, having + lost the knowledge of God and of His perfections, they lost the knowledge + of their own nature and of its laws, even of the natural and rational + laws, which thenceforward ceased to guide, restrain, or govern them. They + became perverted and inverted with every possible abuse, defeating the end + and destroying the powers of creation. The lights of nature were put out, + and the world rushed headlong into confusions, of which the beasts that + perish were innocent. This is analytically the history of all nations but + one. A line of light still shone from Adam to Enoch, from Enoch to + Abraham, to whom the command was given, "Walk before Me and be perfect." + And it ran on from Abraham to Caiaphas, who crucified the founder of + Christianity. Through all anthropomorphisms of thought and language this + line of light still passed inviolate and inviolable. But in the world, on + either side of that radiant stream, the whole earth was dark. The + intellectual and moral state of the Greek world may be measured in its + highest excellence in Athens; and of the Roman world in Rome. The 'state + of Athens—its private, domestic, and public morality—may be + seen in Aristophanes. + </p> + <p> + The state of Rome is visible in Juvenal, and in the fourth book of St. + Augustine's "City of God." There was only one evil wanting-. The world was + not Atheist. Its polytheism was the example and the warrant of all forms + of moral abominations. Imitary quod colis plunged the nations in crime. + Their theology was their degradation; their text-book of an elaborate + corruption of intellect and will. + </p> + <p> + Christianity came in "the fullness of time." What that fullness may mean, + is one of the mysteries of times and seasons which it is not for us to + know. But one motive for the long delay of four thousand years is not far + to seek. It gave time, full and ample, for the utmost development and + consolidation of all the falsehood and evil of which the intellect and + will of man are capable. The four great empires were each of them the + concentration of a supreme effort of human power. The second inherited + from the first, the third from both, the fourth from all three. It was, as + it was foretold or described, as a beast, "exceeding terrible; his teeth + and claws were of iron; he devoured and broke in pieces; and the rest he + stamped upon with his feet." * The empire of man over man was never so + widespread, so absolute, so hardened into one organized mass, as in + Imperial Rome. The world had never seen a military power so disciplined, + irresistible, invincible; a legislation so just, so equitable, so strong + in its execution; a government so universal, so local, so minute. It + seemed to be imperishable. Rome was called the eternal. The religions of + all nations were enshrined in Dea Roma; adopted, practiced openly, and + taught. They were all <i>religiones licitae</i>, known to the law; not + tolerated only, but recognized. The theologies of Egypt, Greece, and of + the Latin world, met in an empyreum, consecrated and guarded by the + Imperial law, and administered by the Pontifex Maximus. No fanaticism ever + surpassed the religious cruelties of Rome.. Add to all this the colluvies + of false philosophies of every land, and of every date. They both blinded + and hardened the intellect of public opinion and of private men against + the invasion of anything except contempt, and hatred of both the + philosophy of sophists and of the religion of the people. Add to all this + the sensuality of the most refined and of the grossest luxury the world + had ever seen, and a moral confusion and corruption which violated every + law of nature. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Daniel, vii. 19. +</pre> + <p> + The god of this world had built his city. From foundation to parapet, + everything that the skill and power of man could do had been done without + stint of means or limit of will. The Divine hand was stayed, or rather, as + St. Augustine says, an unsurpassed natural greatness was the reward of + certain natural virtues, degraded as they were in unnatural abominations. + Rome was the climax of the power of man without God, the apotheosis of the + human will, the direct and supreme antagonist of God in His own world. In + this the fullness of time was come. Man built all this for himself. + Certainly, man could not also build the City of God. They are not the work + of one and the same architect, who capriciously chose to build first the + city of confusion, suspending for a time his skill and power to build some + day the City of God. Such a hypothesis is folly. Of two things, one. + Disputers must choose one or the other. Both cannot be asserted, and the + assertion needs no answer—it refutes itself. So much for the first + point. + </p> + <p> + II. In the reign of Augustus, and in a remote and powerless Oriental race, + a Child was born in a stable of a poor Mother. For thirty years He lived a + hidden life; for three years He preached the Kingdom of God, and gave laws + hitherto unknown to men. He died in ignominy upon the Cross; on the third + day He rose again; and after forty days He was seen no more. This unknown + Man created the world-wide unity of intellect and will which is visible to + the eye, and audible, in all languages, to the ear. It is in harmony with + the reason and moral nature of all nations, in all ages, to this day. What + proportion is there between the cause and the effect? What power was there + in this isolated Man? What unseen virtues went out of Him to change the + world? For change the world He did; and that not in the line or on the + level of nature as men had corrupted it, but in direct contradiction to + all that was then supreme in the world. He taught the dependence of the + intellect against its self-trust, the submission of the will against its + license, the subjugation of the passions by temperate control or by + absolute subjection against their willful indulgence. This was to reverse + what men believed to be the laws of nature: to make water climb upward and + fire to point downward. He taught mortification of the lusts of the flesh, + contempt of the lusts of the eyes, and hatred of the pride of life. What + hope was there that such a teacher should convert imperial Rome? that such + a doctrine should exorcise the fullness of human pride and lust? Yet so it + has come to pass; and how? Twelve men more obscure than Himself, + absolutely without authority or influence of this world, preached + throughout the empire and beyond it. They asserted two facts: the one, + that God had been made man; the other, that He died and rose again. What + could be more incredible? To the Jews the unity and spirituality of God + were axioms of reason and faith; to the Gentiles, however cultured, the + resurrection of the flesh was impossible. The Divine Person Who had died + and risen could not be called in evidence as the chief witness. He could + not be produced in court. Could anything be more suspicious if credible, + or less credible even if He were there to say so? All that they could do + was to say, "We knew Him for three years, both before His death and after + He rose from the dead. If you will believe us, you will believe what we + say. If you will not believe us, we can say no more. He is not here, but + in heaven. We cannot call him down." It is true, as we read, that Peter + cured a lame man at the gate of the Temple. The Pharisees could not deny + it, but they would not believe what Peter said; they only told him to hold + his tongue. And yet thousands in one day in Jerusalem believed in the + Incarnation and the Resurrection; and when the Apostles were scattered by + persecution, wherever they went men believed their word. The most intense + persecution was from the Jews, the people of faith and of Divine + traditions. In the name of God and of religion they stoned Stephen, and + sent Saul to persecute at Damascus. More than this, they stirred up the + Romans in every place. As they had forced Pilate to crucify Jesus of + Nazareth, so they swore to slay Paul. And yet, in spite of all, the faith + spread. + </p> + <p> + It is true, indeed, that the Empire of Alexander, the spread of the + Hellenistic Greek, the prevalence of Greek in Rome itself, the Roman roads + which made the Empire traversable, the Roman peace which sheltered the + preachers of the faith in the outset of their work, gave them facilities + to travel and to be understood. But these were only external facilities, + which in no way rendered more credible or more acceptable the voice of + penance and mortification, or the mysteries of the faith, which was + immutably "to the Jews a stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishness." + It was in changeless opposition to nature as man had marred it; but it was + in absolute harmony with nature as God had made it to His own likeness. + Its power was its persuasiveness; and its persuasiveness was in its + conformity to the highest and noblest aspirations and aims of the soul in + man. The master-key so long lost was found at last; and its conformity to + the wards of the lock was its irrefragable witness to its own mission and + message. + </p> + <p> + But if it is beyond belief that Christianity in its outset made good its + foothold by merely human causes and powers, how much more does this become + incredible in every age as we come down from the first century to the + nineteenth, and from the Apostolic mission to the world-wide Church, + Catholic and Roman, at this day. + </p> + <p> + Not only did the world in the fullness of its power give to the Christian + faith no help to root or to spread itself, but it wreaked all the fullness + of its power upon it to uproot and to destroy it, Of the first thirty + Pontiffs in Rome, twenty-nine were martyred. Ten successive persecutions, + or rather one universal and continuous persecution of two hundred years, + with ten more bitter excesses of enmity in every province of the Empire, + did all that man can do to extinguish the Christian name. The Christian + name may be blotted out here and there in blood, but the Christian faith + can nowhere be slain. It is inscrutable, and beyond the reach of man. In + nothing is the blood of the martyrs more surely the seed of the faith. + Every martyrdom was a witness to the faith, and the ten persecutions were + the sealing of the work of the twelve Apostles. The destroyer defeated + himself. Christ crucified was visibly set forth before all the nations, + the world was a Calvary, and the blood of the martyrs preached in every + tongue the Passion of Jesus Christ. The world did its worst, and ceased + only for weariness and conscious defeat. + </p> + <p> + Then came the peace, and with peace the peril of the Church. The world + outside had failed; the world inside began to work. It no longer destroyed + life; it perverted the intellect, and, through intellectual perversion, + assailed the faith at its centre, The Angel of light preached heresy. The + Baptismal Creed was assailed all along the line; Gnosticism assailed the + Father-and Creator of all things; Arianism, the God-head of the Son; + Nestorianism, the unity of His person; Monophysites, the two natures; + Monothelites, the divine and human wills; Macedonians, the person of the + Holy Ghost So throughout the centuries, from Nicæa to the Vatican, + every article has been in succession perverted by heresy and defined by + the Church. But of this we shall speak hereafter. If the human intellect + could fasten its perversions on the Chris tian faith, it would have done + so long ago; and if the Christian faith had been guarded by no more than + human intellect, it would long ago have been disintegrated, as we see in + every religion outside the unity of the one Catholic Church. There is no + example in which fragmentary Christianities have not departed from their + original type. No human system is immutable; no thing human is changeless. + The human intellect, therefore, can give no sufficient account of the + identity of the Catholic faith in all places and in all ages by any of its + own natural processes or powers. The force of this argument is immensely + increased when we trace the tradition of the faith through the nineteen + OEcumenical Councils which, with one continuous intelligence, have guarded + and unfolded the deposit of faith, defining every truth as it has been + successively assailed, in absolute harmony and unity of progression. + </p> + <p> + What the Senate is to your great Republic, or the Parliament to our + English monarchy, such are the nineteen Councils of the Church, with this + only difference: the secular Legislatures must meet year by year with + short recesses; Councils have met on the average once in a century. The + reason of this is that the mutabilities of national life, which are as the + water-floods, need constant remedies; the stability of the Church seldom + needs new legislation. The faith needs no definition except in rare + intervals of periodical intellectual disorder. The discipline of the + Church reigns by an universal common law which seldom needs a change, and + by local laws which are provided on the spot. Nevertheless, the + legislation of the Church, the <i>Corpus Juris</i>, or <i>Canon Law</i>, + is a creation of wisdom and justice, to which no Statutes at large or + Imperial pandects can bear comparison. Human intellect has reached its + climax in jurisprudence, but the world-wide and secular legislation of the + Church has a higher character. How the Christian law corrected, elevated, + and completed the Imperial law, may be seen in a learned and able work by + an American author, far from the Catholic faith, but in the main just and + accurate in his facts and arguments—the <i>Gesta Christi</i> of + Charles Loring Brace. Water cannot rise above its source, and if the + Church by mere human wisdom corrected and perfected the Imperial law, its + source must be higher than the sources of the world. This makes a heavy + demand on our credulity. + </p> + <p> + Starting from St. Peter to Leo XIII., there have been some 258 Pontiffs + claiming to be, and recognized by the whole Catholic unity as, successors + of St. Peter and Vicars of Jesus Christ. To them has been rendered in + every age not only the external obedience of outward submission, but the + internal obedience of faith. They have borne the onset of the nations who + destroyed Imperial Rome, and the tyranny of heretical Emperors of + Byzantium; and, worse than this, the alternate despotism and patronage of + the Emperors of the West, and the substraction of obedience in the great + Western schisms, when the unity of the Church and the authority of its + Head were, as men thought, gone for ever. It was the last assault—the + forlorn hope of the gates of hell. Every art of destruction had been + tried: martyrdom, heresy, secularity, schism; at last, two, and three, and + four claimants, or, as the world says, rival Popes, were set up, that men + might believe that St. Peter had no longer a successor, and our Lord no + Vicar, upon earth; for, though all might be illegitimate, only one could + be the lawful and true Head of the Church. Was it only by the human power + of man that the unity, external and internal, which for fourteen hundred + years had been supreme, was once more restored in the Council of + Constance, never to be broken again? The succession of the English + monarchy has been, indeed, often broken, and always restored, in these + thousand years. But here is a monarchy of eighteen hundred years, + powerless in worldly force or support, claiming and receiving not only + outward allegiance, but inward unity of intellect and will. If any man + tell us that these two phenomena are on the same level of merely human + causes, it is too severe a tax upon our natural reason to believe it. + </p> + <p> + But the inadequacy of human causes to account for the universality, unity, + and immutability of the Catholic Church, will stand out more visibly if we + look at the intellectual and moral revolution which Christianity has + wrought in the world and upon mankind. + </p> + <p> + The first effect of Christianity was to fill the world with the true + knowledge of the One True God, and to destroy utterly all idols, not by + fire but by light. Before the Light of the world no false god and no + polytheism could stand. The unity and spirituality of God swept away all + theogonies and theologies of the first four thousand years. The stream of + light which descended from the beginning expanded into a radiance, and the + radiance into a flood, which illuminated all nations, as it had been + foretold, "The earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the + covering waters of the sea;" "And idols shall be utterly destroyed."* In + this true knowledge of the Divine Nature was revealed to men their own + relation to a Creator as of sons to a father. The Greeks called the chief + of the gods <i>Zeus Pater</i>, and the Latins <i>Jupiter</i>; but neither + realized the dependence and love of sonship as revealed by the Founder of + Christianity. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Isaias, xi. 9-11, 18. +</pre> + <p> + The monotheism of the world comes down from a primeval and Divine source. + Polytheism is the corruption of men and of nations. Yet in the + multiplicity of all polytheisms, ont supreme Deity was always recognized. + The Divine unity was imperishable. Polytheism is of human imagination: it + is of men's manufacture. The deification of nature and passions and heroes + had filled the world with an elaborate and tenacious superstition, + surrounded by reverence, fear, religion, and awe. Every perversion of what + is good in man surrounded it with authority; everything that is evil in + man guarded it with jealous care. Against this world-wide and imperious + demon-ology the science of one God, all holy and supreme, advanced with + resistless force. Beelzebub is not divided against himself; and if + polytheism is not Divine, monotheism must be. The overthrow of idolatry + and demonology was the mastery of forces that are above nature. This + conclusion is enough for our present purpose. + </p> + <p> + A second visible effect of Christianity of which nature cannot offer any + adequate cause is to be found in the domestic life of the Christian world. + In some nations the existence of marriage was not so much as recognized. + In others, if recognized, it was dishonored by profuse concubinage. Even + in Israel, the most advanced nation, the law of divorce was permitted for + the hardness of their hearts. Christianity republished the primitive law + by which marriage unites only one man and one woman indissolubly in a + perpetual contract. It raised their mutual and perpetual contract to a + sacrament. This at one blow condemned all other relations between man and + woman, all the legal gradations of the Imperial law, and all forms and + pleas of divorce. Beyond this the spiritual legislation of the Church + framed most elaborate tables of consanguinity and affinity, prohibiting + all marriages between persons in certain degrees of kinship or relation. + This law has created the purity and peace of domestic life. Neither the + Greek nor the Roman world had any true conception of a home. The <i>Eoria</i> + or Vesta was a sacred tradition guarded by vestals like a temple worship. + It was not a law and a power in the homes of the people. Christianity, by + enlarging the circles of prohibition within which men and women were as + brothers and sisters, has created the home with all its purities and + safeguards. + </p> + <p> + Such a law of unity and indissolubility, encompassed by a multitude of + prohibitions, no mere human legislation could impose on the the passions + and will of mankind. And yet the Imperial laws gradually yielded to its + resistless pressure, and incorporated it in its world-wide legislation. + The passions and practices of four thousand years were against the change; + yet it was accomplished, and it reigns inviolate to this day, though the + relaxations of schism in the East and the laxities of the West have + revived the abuse of divorces, and have partially abolished the wise and + salutary prohibitions which guard the homes of the faithful. These + relaxations prove that all natural forces have been, and are, hostile to + the indissoluble law of Christian marriage. Certainly, then, it was not by + natural forces that the Sacrament of Matrimony and the legislation + springing from it were enacted. If these are restraints of human liberty + and license, either they do not spring from nature, or they have had a + supernatural cause whereby they exist. It was this that redeemed woman + from the traditional degradation in which the world had held her. The + condition of women in Athens and in Rome—which may be taken as the + highest points of civilization—is too well known to need recital. + Women had no rights, no property, no independence. Plato looked upon them + as State property; Aristotle as chattels; the Greeks wrote of them as [—Greek—]. + </p> + <p> + They were the prey, the sport, the slaves of man. Even in Israel, though + they were raised incomparably higher than in the Gentile world, they were + far below the dignity and authority of Christian women. Libanius, the + friend of Julian, the Apostate, said, "O ye gods of Greece, how great are + the women of the Christians!" Whence came the elevation of womanhood? Not + from the ancient civilization, for it degraded them; not from Israel, for + among the Jews the highest state of womanhood was the marriage state. The + daughter of Jepthe went into the mountains to mourn not her death but her + virginity. The marriage state in the Christian world, though holy and + good, is not the highest state. The state of virginity unto death is the + highest condition of man and woman. But this is above the law of nature. + It belongs to a higher order. And this life of virginity, in repression of + natural passion and lawful instinct, is both above and against the + tendencies of human nature. It begins in a mortification, and ends in a + mastery, over the movements and ordinary laws of human nature. Who will + ascribe this to natural causes? and, if so, why did it not appear in the + first four thousand years? And when has it ever appeared except in a + handful of vestal virgins, or in Oriental recluses, with what reality + history shows? An exception proves a rule. No one will imagine that a life + of chastity is impossible to nature; but the restriction is a repression + of nature which individuals may acquire, but the multitude have never + attained. A religion which imposes chastity on the unmarried, and upon its + priesthood, and upon the multitudes of women in every age who devote + themselves to the service of One Whom they have never seen, is a + mortification of nature in so high a degree as to stand out as a fact and + a phenomenon, of which mere natural causes afford no adequate solution. + Its existence, not in a handful out of the millions of the world, but its + prevalence and continuity in multitudes scattered throughout the Christian + world, proves the presence of a cause higher than the laws of nature. So + true is this, that jurists teach that the three vows of chastity, poverty, + and obedience are contrary to "the policy of the law," that is, to the + interests of the commonwealth, which desires the multiplication, + enrichment, and liberty of its members. + </p> + <p> + To what has been said may be added the change wrought by Christianity upon + the social, political, and international relations of the world. The root + of this ethical change, private and public, is the Christian home. The + authority of parents, the obedience of children, the love of brotherhood, + are the three active powers which have raised the society of man above the + level of the old world. Israel was head and shoulders above the world + around it; but Christendom is high above Israel. The new Commandment of + brotherly love, and the Sermon on the Mount, have wrought a revolution, + both in private and public life. From this come the laws of justice and + sympathy which bind together the nations of the Christian world. In the + old world, even the most refined races, worshiped by our modern + philosophers, held and taught that man could hold property in man. In its + chief cities there were more slaves than free men. Who has taught the + equality of men before the law, and extinguished the impious thought that + man can hold property in man? It was no philosopher: even Aristotle taught + that a slave was [—Greek—]. It was no lawgiver, for all taught + the lawfulness of slavery till Christianity denied it. The Christian law + has taught that man can lawfully sell his labor, but that he cannot + lawfully be sold, or sell himself. + </p> + <p> + The necessity of being brief, the impossibility of drawing out the picture + of the old world, its profound immoralities, its unimaginable cruelties, + compels me to argue with my right hand tied behind me. I can do no more + than point again to Mr. Brace's "Gesta Christi," or to Dr. Dollinger's + "Gentile and Jew," as witnesses to the facts which I have stated or + implied. No one who has not read such books, or mastered their contents by + original study, can judge of the force of the assertion that Christianity + has reformed the world by direct antagonism to the human will, and by a + searching and firm repression of human passion. It has ascended the stream + of human license, <i>contra ictum fluminis</i>, by a power mightier than + nature, and by laws of a higher order than the relaxations of this world. + </p> + <p> + Before Christianity came on earth, the civilization of man by merely + natural force had culminated. It could not rise above its source; all that + it could do was done; and the civilization in every race and empire had + ended in decline and corruption. The old civilization was not regenerated. + It passed away to give place to a new. But the new had a higher source, + nobler laws and supernatural powers. The highest excellence of men and of + nations is the civilization of Christianity. The human race has ascended + into what we call Christendom, that is, into the new creation of charity + and justice among men. Christendom was created by the worldwide Church as + we see it before our eyes at this day. Philosophers and statesmen believe + it to be the work of their own hands: they did not make it; but they have + for three hundred years been unmaking it by reformations and revolutions. + These are destructive forces. They build up nothing. It has been well said + by Donoso Cortez that "the history of civilization is the history of + Christianity, the history of Christianity is the history of the Church, + the history of the Church is the history of the Pontiffs, the greatest + statesmen and rulers that the world has ever seen." + </p> + <p> + Some years ago, a Professor of great literary reputation in England, who + was supposed even then to be, as his subsequent writings have proved, a + skeptic or non-Christian, published a well-known and very candid book, + under the title of "Ecce Homo." The writer placed himself, as it were, + outside of Christianity. He took, not the Church in the world as in this + article, but the Christian Scriptures as a historical record, to be judged + with forensic severity and absolute impartiality of mind. To the credit of + the author, he fulfilled this pledge; and his conclusion shall here be + given. After an examination of the life and character of the Author of + Christianity, he proceeded to estimate His teaching and its effects under + the following heads: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1. The Christian Legislation. + 2. The Christian Republic. + 3. Its Universality. + 4. The Enthusiasm of Humanity. + 5. The Lord's Supper. + 6. Positive Morality. + 7. Philanthropy. + 8. Edification. + 9. Mercy. + 10. Resentment. + 11. Forgiveness. +</pre> + <p> + He then draws his conclusion as follows: + </p> + <p> + "The achievement of Christ in founding by his single will and power a + structure so durable and so universal is like no other achievement which + history records. The masterpieces of the men of action are coarse and + commonplace in comparison with it, and the masterpieces of speculation + flimsy and unsubstantial. When we speak of it the commonplaces of + admiration fail us altogether. Shall we speak of the originality of the + design, of the skill displayed in the execution? All such terms are + inadequate. Originality and contriving skill operate indeed, but, as it + were, implicitly. The creative effort which produced that against which it + is said the gates of hell shall not prevail cannot be analyzed. No + architect's designs were furnished for the New Jerusalem; no committee + drew up rules for the universal commonwealth. If in the works of nature we + can trace the indications of calculation, of a struggle with difficulties, + of precaution, of ingenuity, then in Christ's work it may be that the same + indications occur. But these inferior and secondary powers were not + consciously exercised; they were implicitly present in the manifold yet + single creative act. The inconceivable work was done in calmness; before + the eyes of mea it was noiselessly accomplished, attracting little + attention. Who can describe that which unites men? Who has entered into + the formation of speech, which is the symbol of their union? Who can + describe exhaustively the origin of civil society? He who can do these + things can explain the origin of the Christian Church. For others it must + be enough to say, 'The Holy Ghost fell on those that believed'. No man saw + the building of the New Jerusalem, the workmen crowded together, the + unfinished walla and unpaved streets; no man heard the clink of trowel and + pickaxe: 'it descended out of heaven from God.'"* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Ece Homo," Conclusion, p. 329, Fifth Edition. Macmillan, + 1886. +</pre> + <p> + And yet the writer is, as he was then, still outside of Christianity. + </p> + <p> + III. We come now to our third point, that Christianity has always claimed + a Divine origin and a Divine presence as the source of its authority and + powers. + </p> + <p> + To prove this by texts from the New Testament would be to transcribe the + volume; and if the evidence of the whole New Testament were put in, not + only might some men deny its weight as evidence, but we should place our + whole argument upon a false foundation. Christianity was anterior to the + New Testament and is independent of it. The Christian Scriptures + presuppose both the faith and the Church as already existing, known, and + believed. <i>Prior liber quam stylus</i>: as Tertullian argued. The Gospel + was preached before it was written. The four books were written to those + who already believed, to confirm their faith. They were written at + intervals: St. Matthew in Hebrew in the year 39, in Greek in 45. St. Mark + in 43, St. Luke in 57, St. John about 90, in different places and for + different motives. Four Gospels did not exist for sixty years, or two + generations of men. St. Peter and St. Paul knew of only three of our four. + In those sixty years the faith had spread from east to west. Saints and + Martyrs had gone up to their crown who never saw a sacred book. The + Apostolic Epistles prove the antecedent existence of the Churches to which + they were addressed. Rome and Corinth, and Galatia and Ephesus, Philippi + and Colossæ, were Churches with pastors and people before St. Paul + wrote to them. The Church had already attested and executed its Divine + legation before the New Testament existed; and when all its books were + written they were not as yet collected into a volume. The earliest + collection was about the beginning of the second century, and in the + custody of the Church in Rome. We must, therefore, seek to know what was + and is Christianity before and outside of the written books; and we have + the same evidence for the oral tradition of the faith as we have for the + New Testament itself. Both alike were in the custody of the Church; both + are delivered to us by the same witness and on the same evidence. To + reject either, is logically to reject both. Happily men are not saved by + logic, but by faith. The millions of men in all ages have believed by + inheritance of truth divinely guarded and delivered to them. They have no + need of logical analysis. They have believed from their childhood. Neither + children nor those who <i>infantibus oquiparantur</i> are logicians. It is + the penance of the doubter and the unbeliever to regain by toil his lost + inheritance. It is a hard penance, like the suffering of those who + eternally debate on "predestination, freewill, fate." + </p> + <p> + Between the death of St. John and the mature lifetime of St. Irenæus + fifty years elapsed. St. Polycarp was disciple of St. John. St. Irenæus + was disciple of St. Polycarp. The mind of St. John and the mind of St. + Irenæus had only one intermediate intelligence, in contact with + each. It would be an affectation of minute criticism to treat the doctrine + of St. Irenaeus as a departure from the doctrine of St. Polycarp, or the + doctrine of St. Polycarp as a departure from the doctrine of St. John. + Moreover, St. John ruled the Church at Ephesus, and St. Irenaeus was born + in Asia Minor about the year A. D. 120—that is, twenty years after + St. John's death, when the Church in Asia Minor was still full of the + light of his teaching and of the accents of his voice. Let us see how St. + Irenæus describes the faith and the Church. In his work against + Heresies, in Book iii. chap. i., he says, "We have known the way of our + salvation by those through whom the Gospel came to us; which, indeed, they + then preached, but afterwards, by the will of God, delivered to us in + Scriptures, the future foundation and pillar of our faith. It is not + lawful to say that they preached before they had perfect knowledge, as + some dare to affirm, boasting themselves to be correctors of the Apostles. + For after our Lord rose from the dead, and when they had been clothed with + the power of the Holy Ghost, Who came upon them from on high, they were + filled with all truths, and had knowledge which was perfect." In chapter + ii. he adds that, "When they are refuted out of Scripture, they turn and + accuse the Scriptures as erroneous, unauthoritative, and of various + readings, so that the truth cannot be found by those who do not know + tradition"—that is, their own. "But when we challenge them to come + to the tradition of the Apostles, which is in custody of the succession of + Presbyters in the Church, they turn against tradition, saying that they + are not only wiser than the Presbyters, but even the Apostles, and have + found the truth." "It therefore comes to pass that they will not agree + either with the Scriptures or with tradition." (Ibid. c. iii.) "Therefore, + all who desire to know the truth ought to look to the tradition of the + Apostles, which is manifest in all the world and in all the Church. We are + able to count up the Bishops who were instituted in the Church by the + Apostles, and their successors to our day. They never taught nor knew such + things as these men madly assert." "But as it would be too long in such a + book as this to enumerate the successions of all the Churches, we point to + the tradition of the greatest, most ancient Church, known to all, founded + and constituted in Rome by the two glorious Apostles Peter and Paul, and + to the faith announced to all men, coming down to us by the succession of + Bishops, thereby confounding all those who, in any way, by self-pleasing, + or vainglory, or blindness, or an evil mind, teach as they ought not. For + with this Church, by reason of its greater principality, it is necessary + that all churches should agree; that is, the faithful, wheresoever they + be, for in that Church the tradition of the Apostles has been preserved." + No comment need be made on the words the "greater principality," which + have been perverted by every anti-Catholic writer from the time they were + written to this day. But if any one will compare them with the words of + St. Paul to the Colossians (chap. i. 18), describing the primacy of the + Head of the Church in heaven, it will appear almost certain that the + original Greek of St. Irenæus, which is unfortunately lost, + contained either [—Greek—], or some inflection of [—Greek—] + which signifies primacy. However this may be, St. Irenæus goes on: + "The blessed Apostles, having founded and instructed the Church, gave in + charge the Episcopate, for the administration of the same, to Linus. Of + this Linus, Paul, in his Epistle to Timothy, makes mention. To him + succeeded Anacletus, and after him, in the third place from the Apostles, + Clement received the Episcopate, he who saw the Apostles themselves and + conferred with them, while as yet he had the preaching of the Apostles in + his ears and the tradition before his eyes; and not he only, but many who + had been taught by the Apostles still survived. In the time of this + Clement, when no little dissension had arisen among the brethren in + Corinth, the Church in Rome wrote very powerful letters <i>potentissimas + litteras</i> to the Corinthians, recalling them to peace, restoring their + faith, and declaring the tradition which it had so short a time ago + received from the Apostles." These letters of St. Clement are well known, + but have lately become more valuable and complete by the discovery of + fragments published in a new edition by Light-foot. In these fragments + there is a tone of authority fully explaining the words of St. Irenæus. + He then traces the succession of the Bishops of Rome to his own day, and + adds: "This demonstration is complete to show that it is one and the same + life-giving faith which has been preserved in the Church from the Apostles + until now, and is handed on in truth." "Polycarp was not only taught by + the Apostles, and conversed with many of those who had seen our Lord, but + he also was constituted by the Apostles in Asia to be Bishop in the Church + of Smyrna. We also saw him in our early youth, for he lived long, and when + very old departed from this life most gloriously and nobly by martyrdom. + He ever taught that what he had learned from the Apostles, and what the + Church had delivered, those things only are true." In the fourth chapter, + St. Irenæus goes on to say: "Since, then, there are such proofs (of + the faith), the truth is no longer to be sought for among others, which it + is easy to receive from the Church, forasmuch as the Apostles laid up all + truth in fullness in a rich depository, that all who will may receive from + it the water of life." "But what if the Apostles had not left us the + Scriptures: ought we not to follow the order of tradition, which they gave + in charge to them to whom they intrusted the Churches? To which order (of + tradition) many barbarous nations yield assent, who believe in Christ + without paper and ink, having salvation written by the Spirit in their + hearts, and diligently holding the ancient tradition." In the twenty-sixth + chapter of the same book he says: "Therefore, it is our duty to obey the + Presbyters who are in the Church, who have succession from the Apostles, + as we have already shown; who also with the succession of the Episcopate + have the <i>charisma veritatis certum</i>," the spiritual and certain gift + of truth. + </p> + <p> + I have quoted these passages at length, not so much as proofs of the + Catholic Faith as to show the identity of the Church at its outset with + the Church before our eyes at this hour, proving that the acorn has grown + up into its oak, or, if you will, the identity of the Church at this hour + with the Church of the Apostolic mission. These passages show the + Episcopate, its central principality, its succession, its custody of the + faith, its subsequent reception and guardianship of the Scriptures, Its + Divine tradition, and the charisma or Divine assistance by which its + perpetuity is secured in the succession of the Apostles. This is almost + verbally, after eighteen hundred years, the decree of the Vatican Council: + <i>Veritatis et fidei nunquam deficientis charisma</i>.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Const. Dogmatica Prima de Ecclesia Christi," cap. iv. +</pre> + <p> + But St. Irenæus draws out in full the Church of this day. He shows + the parallel of the first creation and of the second; of the first Adam + and the Second; and of the analogy between the Incarnation or natural + body, and the Church or mystical body of Christ. He says: + </p> + <p> + Our faith "we received from the Church, and guard.... as an excellent gift + in a noble vessel, always full of youth, and making youthful the vessel + itself in which it is. For this gift of God is intrusted to the Church, as + the breath of life (<i>was imparted</i>) to the first man, so this end, + that all the members partaking of it might be quickened with life. And + thus the communication of Christ is imparted; that is, the Holy Ghost, the + earnest of incorruption, the confirmation of the faith, the way of ascent + to God. For in the Church (St. Paul says) God placed Apostles, Prophets, + Doctors, and all other operations of the Spirit, of which none are + partakers who do not come to the Church, thereby depriving themselves of + life by a perverse mind and worse deeds. For where the Church is, there is + also the Spirit of God; and where the Spirit of God is, there is the + Church, and all grace. But the Spirit is truth. Wherefore, they who do not + partake of Him (<i>the Spirit</i>), and are not nurtured unto life at the + breast of the mother (<i>the Church</i>), do not receive of that most pure + fountain which proceeds from the Body of Christ, but dig out for + themselves broken pools from the trenches of the earth, and drink water + soiled with mire, because they turn aside from the faith of the Church + lest they should be convicted, and reject the Spirit lest they should be + taught."* Again he says: "The Church, scattered throughout the world, even + unto the ends of the earth, received from the Apostles and their disciples + the faith in one God the Father Almighty, that made the heaven and the + earth, and the seas, and all things that are in them." &c.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *St. Irenæus, Cont. Hezret lib. iii. cap. xxiv. + + ** Lib. i. cap. x. +</pre> + <p> + He then recites the doctrines of the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, the + Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His + coming again to raise all men, to judge men and angels, and to give + sentence of condemnation or of life everlasting. How much soever the + language may vary from other forms, such is the substance of the Baptismal + Creed. He then adds: + </p> + <p> + "The Church having received this preaching and this faith, as we have said + before, although it be scattered abroad through the whole world, carefully + preserves it, dwelling as in one habitation, and believes alike in these + (doctrines) as though she had one soul and the same heart: and in strict + accord, as though she had one mouth, proclaims, and teaches, and delivers + onward these things. And although there may be many diverse languages in + the world, yet the power of the tradition is one and the same. And neither + do the Churches planted in Germany believe otherwise, or otherwise deliver + (the faith), nor those in Iberia, nor among the Celtae, nor in the East, + nor in Egypt, nor in Libya, nor they that are planted in the mainland. But + as the sun, which is God's creature, in all the world is one and the same, + so also the preaching of the truth shineth everywhere, and lightened all + men that are willing to come to the knowledge of the truth. And neither + will any ruler of the Church, though he be mighty in the utterance of + truth, teach otherwise than thus (for no man is above the master), nor + will he that is weak in the same diminish from the tradition; for the + faith being one and the same, he that is able to say most of it hath + nothing over, and he that is able to say least hath no lack."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * St. Irenaeus, lib. i. c. x. +</pre> + <p> + To St. Irenaeus, then, the Church was "the irrefragable witness of its own + legation." When did it cease so to be? It would be easy to multiply + quotations from Tertullian in A. D. 200, from St. Cyprian a. d. 250, from + St. Augustine and St. Optatus in A. d. 350, from St. Leo in a. d. 450, all + of which are on the same traditional lines of faith in a divine mission to + the world and of a divine assistance in its discharge. But I refrain from + doing so because I should have to write not an article but a folio. Any + Catholic theology will give the passages which are now before me; or one + such book as the Loci Theologici of Melchior Canus will suffice to show + the continuity and identity of the tradition of St. Irenaeus and the + tradition of the Vatican Council, in which the universal church last + declared the immutable faith and its own legation to mankind. + </p> + <p> + The world-wide testimony of the Catholic Church is a sufficient witness to + prove the coming of the Incarnate Son to redeem mankind, and to return to + His Father; it is also sufficient to prove the advent of the Holy Ghost to + abide with us for ever. The work of the Son in this world was accomplished + by the Divine acts and facts of His three-and-thirty years of life, death, + Resurrection, and Ascension. The office of the Holy Ghost is perpetual, + not only as the Illuminator and Sanctifier of all who believe, but also as + the Life and Guide of the Church. I may quote now the words of the Founder + of the Church: "It is expedient to you that I go: for if I go not, the + Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you."* "I + will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Paraclete, that He may + abide with you for ever."** "The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot + receive, because it seeth Him not nor knoweth Him; but you shall know Him, + because He shall abide with you and shall be in you."*** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * St. John, xvi. 7. + + ** Ibid, xiv. 16. + + *** St.John, xiv. 16, 17. +</pre> + <p> + St. Paul in the Epistles to the Ephesians describes the Church as a body + of which the Head is in heaven, and the Author of its indefectible life + abiding in it as His temple. Therefore the words, "He that heareth you + heareth Me." This could not be if the witness of the Apostles had been + only human. A Divine guidance was attached to the office they bore. They + were, therefore, also judges of right and wrong, and teachers by Divine + guidance of the truth. But the presence and guidance of the Spirit of + Truth is as full at this day as when St. Irenæus wrote. As the + Churches then were witnesses, judges, and teachers, so is the Church at + this hour a world-wide witness, an unerring judge and teacher, divinely + guided and guarded in the truth. It is therefore not only a human and + historical, but a Divine witness. This is the chief Divine truth which the + last three hundred years have obscured. Modern Christianity believes in + the one advent of the Redeemer, but rejects the full and personal advent + of the Holy Ghost. And yet the same evidence proves both. The Christianity + of reformers, always returns to Judaism, because they reject the full, or + do not believe the personal, advent of the Holy Ghost. They deny that + there is an infallible teacher, among men; and therefore they return to + the types and shadows of the Law before the Incarnation, when the Head was + not yet incarnate, and the Body of Christ did not as yet exist. + </p> + <p> + But perhaps some one will say, "I admit your description of the Church as + it is now and as it was in the days of St. Irenæus; but the eighteen + hundred years of which you have said nothing were ages of declension, + disorder, superstition, demoralization." I will answer by a question: was + not this foretold? Was not the Church to be a field of wheat and tares + growing together till the harvest at the end of the world? There were + Cathari of old, and Puritans since, impatient at the patience of God in + bearing with the perversities and corruptions of the human intellect and + will. The Church, like its Head in heaven, is both human and divine. "He + was crucified in weakness," but no power of man could wound His divine + nature. So with the Church, which is His Body. Its human element may + corrupt and die; its divine life, sanctity, authority, and structure + cannot die; nor can the errors of human intellect fasten upon its faith, + nor the immoralities of the human will fasten upon its sanctity. Its + organization of Head and Body is of divine creation, divinely guarded by + the Holy Ghost, who quickens it by His indwelling, and guides it by His + light. It is in itself incorrupt and incorruptible in the midst of + corruption, as the light of heaven falls upon all the decay and corruption + in the world, unsullied and unalterably pure. We are never concerned to + deny or to cloak the sins of Christians or of Catholics. They may destroy + themselves, but they cannot infect the Church from which they fall. The + fall of Lucifer left no stain behind him. + </p> + <p> + When men accuse the Church of corruption, they reveal the fact that to + them the Church is a human institution, of voluntary aggregation or of + legislative enactment. They reveal the fact that to them the Church is not + an object of Divine faith, as the Real Presence in the Sacrament of the + Altar. They do not perceive or will not believe that the articles of the + Baptismal Creed are objects of faith, divinely revealed or divinely + created. "I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the + Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins," are all objects of faith in + a Divine order. They are present in human history, but the human element + which envelops them has no power to infect or to fasten upon them. Until + this is perceived there can be no true or full belief in the advent and + office of the Holy Ghost, or in the nature and sacramental action of the + Church. It is the visible means and pledge of light and of sanctification + to all who do not bar their intellect and their will against its inward + and spiritual grace. The Church is not on probation. It is the instrument + of probation to the world. As the light of the world, it is changeless as + the firmament As the source of sanctification, it is inexhaustible as the + Rivex of Life. The human and external history of men calling themselves + Christian and Catholic has been at times as degrading and abominable as + any adversary is pleased to say. But the sanctity of the Church is no more + affected by human sins than was Baptism by the hypocrisy of Simon Magus. + The Divine foundation, and office, and mission of the Church is a part of + Christianity. They who deny it deny an article of faith; they who believe + it imperfectly are the followers of a fragmentary Christianity of modern + date. Who can be a disciple of Jesus Christ who does not believe the + words? "On this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall + not prevail against it;" "As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you;"* + "I dispose to you, as My Father hath disposed to Me, a kingdom;"** "All + power in heaven and earth is given unto Me. Go, therefore, and teach all + nations;"*** "He that heareth you heareth Me;"**** "I will be with you + always, even unto the end of the world;"(v) "When the days of Pentecost + were accomplished they were all together in one place: and suddenly there + came a sound from heaven as of a mighty wind coming, and there appeared to + them parted tongues, as it were, of fire;" "And they were all filled with + the Holy Ghost;" (vi) "It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay + upon you no other burdens."(vii) But who denies that the Apostles claimed + a Divine mission? and who can deny that the Catholic and Roman Church from + St. Irenæus to Leo XIII. has ever and openly claimed the same, + invoking in all its supreme acts as witness, teacher, and legislator the + presence, light, and guidance of the Holy Ghost? As the preservation of + all created things is by the same creative power produced in perpetual and + universal action, so the indefectibility of the Church and of the faith is + by the perpetuity of the presence and office of the Third Person of the + Holy Trinity. Therefore, St. Augustine calls the day of Pentecost, Natalis + Spiritus Sancti. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *St. John, xx. 21. + + ** St. Luke, xxii. 29. + + *** St. Matthew, xxviii. 18, 19. + + **** St. Luke, x. 10. + + (v) St. Matthew, xxviii. 20. + + (vii)Acts, ii. 1-5. + + (viii) Acts, xv. 28. +</pre> + <p> + It is more than time that I should make an end; and to do so it will be + well to sum up the heads of our argument. The Vatican Council declares + that the world-wide Church is the irrefragable witness of its own legation + or mission to mankind. + </p> + <p> + In proof of this I have affirmed: + </p> + <p> + 1. That the imperishable existence of Christianity, and the vast and + undeniable revolution that it has wrought in men and in nations, in the + moral elevation of manhood and of womanhood, and in the domestic, social + and political life of the Christian world, cannot be accounted for by any + natural causes, or by any forces that are, as philosophers say, <i>intra + possibilitatem natures</i>, within the limits of what is possible to man. + </p> + <p> + 2. That this world-wide and permanent elevation of the Christian world, in + comparison with both the old world and the modern world outside of + Christianity, demands a cause higher than the possibility of nature. + </p> + <p> + 3. That the Church has always claimed a Divine origin and a Divine office + and authority in virtue of a perpetual Divine assistance. To this even the + Christian world, in all its fragments external to the Catholic unity, + bears witness. It is turned to our reproach. They rebuke us for holding + the teaching of the Church to be infallible. We take the rebuke as a + testimony of our changeless faith. It is not enough for men to say that + they refuse to believe this account of the visible and palpable fact of + the imperishable Christianity of the Catholic and Roman Church. They must + find a more reasonable, credible, and adequate account for it. This no man + has yet done. The denials are many and the solutions are many; but they do + not agree together. Their multiplicity is proof of their human origin. The + claim of the Catholic Church to a Divine authority and to a Divine + assistance is one and the same in every age, and is identical in every + place. Error is not the principle of unity, nor truth of variations. + </p> + <p> + The Church has guarded the doctrine of the Apostles, by Divine assistance, + with unerring fidelity. The articles of the faith are to-day the same in + number as in the beginning. The explicit definition of their implicit + meaning has expanded from age to age, as the everchanging denials and + perversions of the world have demanded new definitions of the ancient + truth. The world is against all dogma, because it is impatient of + definiteness and certainty in faith. It loves open questions and the + liberty of error. The Church is dogmatic for fear of error. Every truth + defined adds to its treasure. It narrows the field of error and enlarges + the inheritance of truth. The world and the Church are ever moving in + opposite directions. As the world becomes more vague and uncertain, the + Church becomes more definite. It moves against wind and tide, against the + stress and storm of the world. There was never a more luminous evidence of + this supernatural fact than in the Vatican Council. For eight months all + that the world could say and do, like the four winds of heaven, was + directed upon it. Governments, statesmen, diplomatists, philosophers, + intriguers, mockers, and traitors did their utmost and their worst against + it. They were in dread lest the Church should declare that by Divine + assistance its Head in faith and morals cannot err; for if this be true, + man did not found it, man cannot reform it, man cannot teach it to + interpret its history or its acts. It knows its own history, and is the + supreme witness of its own legation. + </p> + <p> + I am well aware that I have been writing truisms, and repeating trite and + trivial arguments. They are trite because the feet of the faithful for + nearly nineteen hundred years have worn them in their daily life; they are + trivial because they point to the one path in which the wayfarer, though a + fool, shall not err. + </p> + <p> + Henry Edward, (Cardinal Manning), Card. Archbishop of Westminster. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0013" id="link0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ROME OR REASON: A REPLY TO CARDINAL MANNING. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Superstition "has ears more deaf than adders to the voice of + any true decision." +</pre> + <p> + I. + </p> + <p> + CARDINAL MANNING has stated the claims of the Roman Catholic Church with + great clearness, and apparently without reserve. The age, position and + learning of this man give a certain weight to his words, apart from their + worth. He represents the oldest of the Christian churches. The questions + involved are among the most important that can engage the human mind. No + one having the slightest regard for that superb thing known as + intellectual honesty, will avoid the issues tendered, or seek in any way + to gain a victory over truth. + </p> + <p> + Without candor, discussion, in the highest sense, is impossible. All have + the same interest, whether they know it or not, in the establishment of + facts. All have the same to gain, the same to lose. He loads the dice + against himself who scores a point against the right. + </p> + <p> + Absolute honesty is to the intellectual perception what light is to the + eyes. Prejudice and passion cloud the mind. In each disputant should be + blended the advocate and judge. + </p> + <p> + In this spirit, having in view only the ascertainment of the truth, let us + examine the arguments, or rather the statements and conclusions, of + Cardinal Manning. + </p> + <p> + The proposition is that "The church itself, by its marvelous propagation, + its eminent sanctity, its inexhaustible fruitfulness in all good things, + its catholic unity and invincible stability, is a vast and perpetual + motive of credibility, and an irrefragable witness of its own divine + legation." + </p> + <p> + The reasons given as supporting this proposition are: + </p> + <p> + That the Catholic Church interpenetrates all the nations of the civilized + world; that it is extranational and independent in a supernational unity; + that it is the same in every place; that it speaks all languages in the + civilized world; that it is obedient to one head; that as many as seven + hundred bishops have knelt before the pope; that pilgrims from all nations + have brought gifts to Rome, and that all these things set forth in the + most self-evident way the unity and universality of the Roman Church. + </p> + <p> + It is also asserted that "men see the Head of the Church year by year + speaking to the nations of the world, treating with Empires, Republics and + Governments;" that "there is no other man on earth that can so bear + himself," and that "neither from Canterbury nor from Constantinople can + such a voice go forth to which rulers and people listen." + </p> + <p> + It is also claimed that the Catholic Church has enlightened and purified + the world; that it has given us the peace and purity of domestic life; + that it has destroyed idolatry and demonology; that it gave us a body of + law from a higher source than man; that it has produced the civilization + of Christendom; that the popes were the greatest of statesmen and rulers; + that celibacy is better than marriage, and that the revolutions and + reformations of the last three hundred years have been destructive and + calamitous. + </p> + <p> + We will examine these assertions as well as some others. + </p> + <p> + No one will dispute that the Catholic Church is the best witness of its + own existence. The same is true of every thing that exists—of every + church, great and small, of every man, and of every insect. + </p> + <p> + But it is contended that the marvelous growth or propagation of the church + is evidence of its divine origin. Can it be said that success is + supernatural? All success in this world is relative. Majorities are not + necessarily right. If anything is known—if anything can be known—we + are sure that very large bodies of men have frequently been wrong. We + believe in what is called the progress of mankind. Progress, for the most + part, consists in finding new truths and getting rid of old errors—that + is to say, getting nearer and nearer in harmony with the facts of nature, + seeing with greater clearness the conditions of well-being. + </p> + <p> + There is no nation in which a majority leads the way. In the progress of + mankind, the few have been the nearest right. There have been centuries in + which the light seemed to emanate only from a handful of men, while the + rest of the world was enveloped in darkness. Some great man leads the way—he + becomes the morning star, the prophet of a coming day. Afterward, many + millions accept his views. But there are still heights above and beyond; + there are other pioneers, and the old day, in comparison with the new, + becomes a night. So, we cannot say that success demonstrates either divine + origin or supernatural aid. + </p> + <p> + We know, if we know anything, that wisdom has often been trampled beneath + the feet of the multitude. We know that the torch of science has been + blown out by the breath of the hydra-headed. We know that the whole + intellectual heaven has been darkened again and again. The truth or + falsity of a proposition cannot be determined by ascertaining the number + of those who assert, or of those who deny. + </p> + <p> + If the marvelous propagation of the Catholic Church proves its divine + origin, what shall we say of the marvelous propagation of Mohammedanism? + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be clearer than that Christianity arose out of the ruins of + the Roman Empire—that is to say, the ruins of Paganism. And it is + equally clear that Mohammedanism arose out of the wreck and ruin of + Catholicism. + </p> + <p> + After Mohammed came upon the stage, "Christianity was forever expelled + from its most glorious seats—from Palestine, the scene of its most + sacred recollections; from Asia Minor, that of its first churches; from + Egypt, whence issued the great doctrine of Trinitarian Orthodoxy, and from + Carthage, who imposed her belief on Europe." Before that time "the + ecclesiastical chiefs of Rome, of Constantinople, and of Alexandria were + engaged in a desperate struggle for supremacy, carrying out their purposes + by weapons and in ways revolting to the conscience of man. Bishops were + concerned in assassinations, poisonings, adulteries, blindings, riots, + treasons, civil war. Patriarchs and primates were excommunicating and + anathematizing one another in their rivalries for earthly power—bribing + eunuchs with gold and courtesans and royal females with concessions of + episcopal love. Among legions of monks who carried terror into the + imperial armies and riot into the great cities arose hideous clamors for + theological dogmas, but never a voice for intellectual liberty or the + outraged rights of man. + </p> + <p> + "Under these circumstances, amid these atrocities and crimes, Mohammed + arose, and raised his own nation from Fetichism, the adoration of the + meteoric stone, and from the basest idol worship, and irrevocably wrenched + from Christianity more than half—and that by far the best half—of + her possessions, since it included the Holy Land, the birth-place of the + Christian faith, and Africa, which had imparted to it its Latin form; and + now, after a lapse of more than a thousand years that continent, and a + very large part of Asia, remain permanently attached to the Arabian + doctrine." + </p> + <p> + It may be interesting in this connection to say that the Mohammedan now + proves the divine mission of his apostle by appealing to the marvelous + propagation of the faith. If the argument is good in the mouth of a + Catholic, is it not good in the mouth of a Moslem? Let us see if it is not + better. + </p> + <p> + According to Cardinal Manning, the Catholic Church triumphed only over the + institutions of men—triumphed only over religions that had been + established by men,—by wicked and ignorant men. But Mohammed + triumphed not only over the religions of men, but over the religion of + God. This ignorant driver of camels, this poor, unknown, unlettered boy, + unassisted by God, unenlightened by supernatural means, drove the armies + of the true cross before him as the winter's storm drives withered leaves. + At his name, priests, bishops, and cardinals fled with white faces—popes + trembled, and the armies of God, fighting for the true faith, were + conquered on a thousand fields. + </p> + <p> + If the success of a church proves its divinity, and after that another + church arises and defeats the first, what does that prove? + </p> + <p> + Let us put this question in a milder form: Suppose the second church lives + and flourishes in spite of the first, what does that prove? + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, however, no church rises with everything against it. + Something is favorable to it, or it could not exist. If it succeeds and + grows, it is absolutely certain that the conditions are favorable. If it + spreads rapidly, it simply shows that the conditions are exceedingly + favorable, and that the forces in opposition are weak and easily overcome. + </p> + <p> + Here, in my own country, within a few years, has arisen a new religion. + Its foundations were laid in an intelligent community, having had the + advantages of what is known as modern civilization. Yet this new faith—founded + on the grossest absurdities, as gross as we find in the Scriptures—in + spite of all opposition began to grow, and kept growing. It was subjected + to persecution, and the persecution increased its strength. It was driven + from State to State by the believers in universal love, until it left what + was called civilization, crossed the wide plains, and took up its abode on + the shores of the Great Salt Lake. It continued to grow. Its founder, as + he declared, had frequent conversations with God, and received directions + from that source. Hundreds of miracles were performed—multitudes + upon the desert were miraculously fed—the sick were cured—the + dead were raised, and the Mormon Church continued to grow, until now, less + than half a century after the death of its founder, there are several + hundred thousand believers in the new faith. + </p> + <p> + Do you think that men enough could join this church to prove the truth of + its creed? + </p> + <p> + Joseph Smith said that he found certain golden plates that had been buried + for many generations, and upon these plates, in some unknown language, had + been engraved this new revelation, and I think he insisted that by the use + of miraculous mirrors this language was translated. If there should be + Mormon bishops in all the countries of the world, eighteen hundred years + from now, do you think a cardinal of that faith could prove the truth of + the golden plates simply by the fact that the faith had spread and that + seven hundred bishops had knelt before the head of that church? + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that a "supernatural" religion—that is to say, a + religion that is claimed to have been divinely founded and to be + authenticated by miracles, is much easier to establish among an ignorant + people than any other—and the more ignorant the people, the easier + such a religion could be established. The reason for this is plain. All + ignorant tribes, all savage men, believe in the miraculous, in the + supernatural. The conception of uniformity, of what may be called the + eternal consistency of nature, is an idea far above their comprehension. + They are forced to think in accordance with their minds, and as a + consequence they account for all phenomena by the acts of superior beings—that + is to say, by the supernatural. In other words, that religion having most + in common with the savage, having most that was satisfactory to his mind, + or to his lack of mind, would stand the best chance of success. + </p> + <p> + It is probably safe to say that at one time, or during one phase of the + development of man, everything was miraculous. After a time, the mind + slowly developing, certain phenomena, always happening under like + conditions, were called "natural," and none suspected any special + interference. The domain of the miraculous grew less and less—the + domain of the natural larger; that is to say, the common became the + natural, but the uncommon was still regarded as the miraculous. The rising + and setting of the sun ceased to excite the wonder of mankind—there + was no miracle about that; but an eclipse of the sun was miraculous. Men + did not then know that eclipses are periodical, that they happen with the + same certainty that the sun rises. It took many observations through many + generations to arrive at this conclusion. Ordinary rains became "natural," + floods remained "miraculous." + </p> + <p> + But it can all be summed up in this: The average man regards the common as + natural, the uncommon as supernatural. The educated man—and by that + I mean the developed man—is satisfied that all phenomena are + natural, and that the supernatural does not and can not exist. + </p> + <p> + As a rule, an individual is egotistic in the proportion that he lacks + intelligence. The same is true of nations and races. The barbarian is + egotistic enough to suppose that an Infinite Being is constantly doing + something, or failing to do something, on his account. But as man rises in + the scale of civilization, as he becomes really great, he comes to the + conclusion that nothing in Nature happens on his account—that he is + hardly great enough to disturb the motions of the planets. + </p> + <p> + Let us make an application of this: To me, the success of Mormonism is no + evidence of its truth, because it has succeeded only with the + superstitious. It has been recruited from communities brutalized by other + forms of superstition. To me, the success of Mohammed does not tend to + show that he was right—for the reason that he triumphed only over + the ignorant, over the superstitious. The same is true of the Catholic + Church. Its seeds were planted in darkness. It was accepted by the + credulous, by men incapable of reasoning upon such questions. It did not, + it has not, it can not triumph over the intellectual world. To count its + many millions does not tend to prove the truth of its creed. On the + contrary, a creed that delights the credulous gives evidence against + itself. + </p> + <p> + Questions of fact or philosophy cannot be settled simply by numbers. There + was a time when the Copernican system of astronomy had but few supporters—the + multitude being on the other side. There was a time when the rotation of + the earth was not believed by the majority. + </p> + <p> + Let us press this idea further. There was a time when Christianity was not + in the majority, anywhere. Let us suppose that the first Christian + missionary had met a prelate of the Pagan faith, and suppose this prelate + had used against the Christian missionary the Cardinal's argument—how + could the missionary have answered if the Cardinal's argument is good? + </p> + <p> + But, after all, is the success of the Catholic Church a marvel? If this + church is of divine origin, if it has been under the especial care, + protection and guidance of an Infinite Being, is not its failure far more + wonderful than its success? For eighteen centuries it has persecuted and + preached, and the salvation of the world is still remote. This is the + result, and it may be asked whether it is worth while to try to convert + the world to Catholicism. + </p> + <p> + Are Catholics better than Protestants? Are they nearer honest, nearer + just, more charitable? Are Catholic nations better than Protestant? Do the + Catholic nations move in the van of progress? Within their jurisdiction + are life, liberty and property safer than anywhere else? Is Spain the + first nation of the world? + </p> + <p> + Let me ask another question: Are Catholics or Protestants better than + Freethinkers? Has the Catholic Church produced a greater man than + Humboldt? Has the Protestant produced a greater than Darwin? Was not + Emerson, so far as purity of life is concerned, the equal of any true + believer? Was Pius IX., or any other vicar of Christ, superior to Abraham + Lincoln? + </p> + <p> + But it is claimed that the Catholic Church is universal, and that its + universality demonstrates its divine origin. + </p> + <p> + According to the Bible, the apostles were ordered to go into all the world + and preach the gospel—yet not one of them, nor one of their converts + at any time, nor one of the vicars of God, for fifteen hundred years + afterward, knew of the existence of the Western Hemisphere. During all + that time, can it be said that the Catholic Church was universal? At the + close of the fifteenth century, there was one-half of the world in which + the Catholic faith had never been preached, and in the other half not one + person in ten had ever heard of it, and of those who had heard of it, not + one in ten believed it. Certainly the Catholic Church was not then + universal. + </p> + <p> + Is it universal now? What impression has Catholicism made upon the many + millions of China, of Japan, of India, of Africa? Can it truthfully be + said that the Catholic Church is now universal? When any church becomes + universal, it will be the only church. There cannot be two universal + churches, neither can there be one universal church and any other. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal next tries to prove that the Catholic Church is divine, "by + its eminent sanctity and its inexhaustible fruitfulness in all good + things." + </p> + <p> + And here let me admit that there are many millions of good Catholics—that + is, of good men and women who are Catholics. It is unnecessary to charge + universal dishonesty or hypocrisy, for the reason that this would be only + a kind of personality. Many thousands of heroes have died in defence of + the faith, and millions of Catholics have killed and been killed for the + sake of their religion. + </p> + <p> + And here it may be well enough to say that martyrdom does not even tend to + prove the truth of a religion. The man who dies in flames, standing by + what he believes to be true, establishes, not the truth of what he + believes, but his sincerity. + </p> + <p> + Without calling in question the intentions of the Catholic Church, we can + ascertain whether it has been "inexhaustibly fruitful in all good things," + and whether it has been "eminent for its sanctity." + </p> + <p> + In the first place, nothing can be better than goodness. Nothing is more + sacred, or can be more sacred, than the wellbeing of man. All things that + tend to increase or preserve the happiness of the human race are good—that + is to say, they are sacred. All things that tend to the destruction of + man's well-being, that tend to his unhappiness, are bad, no matter by whom + they are taught or done. + </p> + <p> + It is perfectly certain that the Catholic Church has taught, and still + teaches, that intellectual liberty is dangerous—that it should not + be allowed. It was driven to take this position because it had taken + another. It taught, and still teaches, that a certain belief is necessary + to salvation. It has always known that investigation and inquiry led, or + might lead, to doubt; that doubt leads, or may lead, to heresy, and that + heresy leads to hell. In other words, the Catholic Church has something + more important than this world, more important than the well-being of man + here. It regards this life as an opportunity for joining that church, for + accepting that creed, and for the saving of your soul. + </p> + <p> + If the Catholic Church is right in its premises, it is right in its + conclusion. If it is necessary to believe the Catholic creed in order to + obtain eternal joy, then, of course, nothing else in this world is, + comparatively speaking, of the slightest importance. Consequently, the + Catholic Church has been, and still is, the enemy of intellectual freedom, + of investigation, of inquiry—in other words, the enemy of progress + in secular things. + </p> + <p> + The result of this was an effort to compel all men to accept the belief + necessary to salvation. This effort naturally divided itself into + persuasion and persecution. + </p> + <p> + It will be admitted that the good man is kind, merciful, charitable, + forgiving and just. A church must be judged by the same standard. Has the + church been merciful? Has it been "fruitful in the good things" of + justice, charity and forgiveness? Can a good man, believing a good + doctrine, persecute for opinion's sake? If the church imprisons a man for + the expression of an honest opinion, is it not certain, either that the + doctrine of the church is wrong, or that the church is bad? Both cannot be + good. "Sanctity" without goodness is impossible. Thousands of "saints" + have been the most malicious of the human race. If the history of the + world proves anything, it proves that the Catholic Church was for many + centuries the most merciless institution that ever existed among men. I + cannot believe that the instruments of persecution were made and used by + the eminently good; neither can I believe that honest people were + imprisoned, tortured, and burned at the stake by a church that was + "inexhaustibly fruitful in all good things." + </p> + <p> + And let me say here that I have no Protestant prejudices against + Catholicism, and have no Catholic prejudices against Protestantism. I + regard all religions either without prejudice or with the same prejudice. + They were all, according to my belief, devised by men, and all have for a + foundation ignorance of this world and fear of the next. All the Gods have + been made by men. They are all equally powerful and equally useless. I + like some of them better than I do others, for the same reason that I + admire some characters in fiction more than I do others. I prefer Miranda + to Caliban, but have not the slightest idea that either of them existed. + So I prefer Jupiter to Jehovah, although perfectly satisfied that both are + myths. I believe myself to be in a frame of mind to justly and fairly + consider the claims of different religions, believing as I do that all are + wrong, and admitting as I do that there is some good in all. + </p> + <p> + When one speaks of the "inexhaustible fruitfulness in all good things" of + the Catholic Church, we remember the horrors and atrocities of the + Inquisition—the rewards offered by the Roman Church for the capture + and murder of honest men. We remember the Dominican Order, the members of + which, upheld by the vicar of Christ, pursued the heretics like sleuth + hounds, through many centuries. + </p> + <p> + The church, "inexhaustible in fruitfulness in all good things," not only + imprisoned and branded and burned the living, but violated the dead. It + robbed graves, to the end that it might convict corpses of heresy—to + the end that it might take from widows their portions and from orphans + their patrimony. + </p> + <p> + We remember the millions in the darkness of dungeons—the millions + who perished by the sword—the vast multitudes destroyed in flames—those + who were flayed alive—those who were blinded—those whose + tongues were cut out—those into whose ears were poured molten lead—those + whose eyes were deprived of their lids—those who were tortured and + tormented in every way by which pain could be inflicted and human nature + overcome. + </p> + <p> + And we remember, too, the exultant cry of the church over the bodies of + her victims: "Their bodies were burned here, but their souls are now + tortured in hell." + </p> + <p> + We remember that the church, by treachery, bribery, perjury, and the + commission of every possible crime, got possession and control of + Christendom, and we know the use that was made of this power—that it + was used to brutalize, degrade, stupefy, and "sanctify" the children of + men. We know also that the vicars of Christ were persecutors for opinion's + sake—that they sought to destroy the liberty of thought through fear—that + they endeavored to make every brain a bastile in which the mind should be + a convict—that they endeavored to make every tongue a prisoner, + watched by a familiar of the Inquisition—and that they threatened + punishment here, imprisonment here, burnings here, and, in the name of + their God, eternal imprisonment and eternal burnings hereafter. + </p> + <p> + We know, too, that the Catholic Church was, during all the years of its + power, the enemy of every science. It preferred magic to medicine, relics + to remedies, priests to physicians. It thought more of astrologers than of + astronomers. It hated geologists—it persecuted the chemist, and + imprisoned the naturalist, and opposed every discovery calculated to + improve the condition of mankind. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to forget the persecutions of the Cathari, the + Albigenses, the Waldenses, the Hussites, the Huguenots, and of every sect + that had the courage to think just a little for itself. Think of a woman—the + mother of a family—taken from her children and burned, on account of + her view as to the three natures of Jesus Christ. Think of the Catholic + Church,—an institution with a Divine Founder, presided over by the + agent of God—punishing a woman for giving a cup of cold water to a + fellow-being who had been anathematized. Think of this church, "fruitful + in all good things," launching its curse at an honest man—not only + cursing him from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet with a + fiendish particularity, but having at the same time the impudence to call + on God, and the Holy Ghost, and Jesus Christ, and the Virgin Mary, to join + in the curse; and to curse him not only here, but forever hereafter—calling + upon all the saints and upon all the redeemed to join in a hallelujah of + curses, so that earth and heaven should reverberate with countless curses + launched at a human being simply for having expressed an honest thought. + </p> + <p> + This church, so "fruitful in all good things," invented crimes that it + might punish. This church tried men for a "suspicion of heresy"—imprisoned + them for the vice of being suspected—stripped them of all they had + on earth and allowed them to rot in dungeons, because they were guilty of + the crime of having been suspected. This was a part of the Canon Law. + </p> + <p> + It is too late to talk about the "invincible stability" of the Catholic + Church. + </p> + <p> + It was not invincible in the seventh, in the eighth, or in the ninth + centuries. It was not invincible in Germany in Luther's day. It was not + invincible in the Low Countries. It was not invincible in Scotland, or in + England. It was not invincible in France. It is not invincible in Italy, + It is not supreme in any intellectual centre of the world. It does not + triumph in Paris, or Berlin; it is not dominant in London, in England; + neither is it triumphant in the United States. It has not within its fold + the philosophers, the statesmen, and the thinkers, who are the leaders of + the human race. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed that Catholicism "interpenetrates all the nations of the + civilized world," and that "in some it holds the whole nation in its + unity." + </p> + <p> + I suppose the Catholic Church is more powerful in Spain than in any other + nation. The history of this nation demonstrates the result of Catholic + supremacy, the result of an acknowledgment by a people that a certain + religion is too sacred to be examined. + </p> + <p> + Without attempting in an article of this character to point out the many + causes that contributed to the adoption of Catholicism by the Spanish + people, it is enough to say that Spain, of all nations, has been and is + the most thoroughly Catholic, and the most thoroughly interpenetrated and + dominated by the spirit of the Church of Rome. + </p> + <p> + Spain used the sword of the church. In the name of religion it endeavored + to conquer the Infidel world. It drove from its territory the Moors, not + because they were bad, not because they were idle and dishonest, but + because they were Infidels. It expelled the Jews, not because they were + ignorant or vicious, but because they were unbelievers. It drove out the + Moriscoes, and deliberately made outcasts of the intelligent, the + industrious, the honest and the useful, because they were not Catholics. + It leaped like a wild beast upon the Low Countries, for the destruction of + Protestantism. It covered the seas with its fleets, to destroy the + intellectual liberty of man. And not only so—it established the + Inquisition within its borders. It imprisoned the honest, it burned the + noble, and succeeded after many years of devotion to the true faith, in + destroying the industry, the intelligence, the usefulness, the genius, the + nobility and the wealth of a nation. It became a wreck, a jest of the + conquered, and excited the pity of its former victims. + </p> + <p> + In this period of degradation, the Catholic Church held "the whole nation + in its unity." + </p> + <p> + At last Spain began to deviate from the path of the church It made a + treaty with an Infidel power. In 1782 it became humble enough, and wise + enough, to be friends with Turkey. It made treaties with Tripoli and + Algiers and the Barbary States. It had become too poor to ransom the + prisoners taken by these powers. It began to appreciate the fact that it + could neither conquer nor convert the world by the sword. + </p> + <p> + Spain has progressed in the arts and sciences, in all that tends to enrich + and ennoble a nation, in the precise proportion that she has lost faith in + the Catholic Church. This may be said of every other nation in + Christendom. Torquemada is dead; Castelar is alive. The dungeons of the + Inquisition are empty, and a little light has penetrated the clouds and + mists—not much, but a little. Spain is not yet clothed and in her + right mind. A few years ago the cholera visited Madrid and other cities. + Physicians were mobbed. Processions of saints carried the host through the + streets for the purpose of staying the plague. The streets were not + cleaned; the sewers were filled. Filth and faith, old partners, reigned + supreme. The church, "eminent for its sanctity," stood in the light and + cast its shadow on the ignorant and the prostrate. The church, in its + "inexhaustible fruitfulness in all good things," allowed its children to + perish through ignorance, and used the diseases it had produced as an + instrumentality to further enslave its votaries and its victims. + </p> + <p> + No one will deny that many of its priests exhibited heroism of the highest + order in visiting the sick and administering what are called the + consolations of religion to the dying, and in burying the dead. It is + necessary neither to deny or disparage the self-denial and goodness of + these men. But their religion did more than all other causes to produce + the very evils that called for the exhibition of self-denial and heroism. + One scientist in control of Madrid could have prevented the plague. In + such cases, cleanliness is far better than "godliness;" science is + superior to superstition; drainage much better than divinity; therapeutics + more excellent than theology. Goodness is not enough—intelligence is + necessary. Faith is not sufficient, creeds are helpless, and prayers + fruitless. + </p> + <p> + It is admitted that the Catholic Church exists in many nations; that it is + dominated, at least in a great degree, by the Bishop of Rome—that it + is international in that sense, and that in that sense it has what may be + called a "supernational unity." The same, however, is true of the Masonic + fraternity. It exists in many nations, but it is not a national body. It + is in the same sense extranational, in the same sense international, and + has in the same sense a supernational unity. So the same may be said of + other societies. This, however, does not tend to prove that anything + supernational is supernatural. + </p> + <p> + It is also admitted that in faith, worship, ceremonial, discipline and + government, the Catholic Church is substantially the same wherever it + exists. This establishes the unity, but not the divinity, of the + institution. + </p> + <p> + The church that does not allow investigation, that teaches that all doubts + are wicked, attains unity through tyranny, that is, monotony by + repression. Wherever man has had something like freedom, differences have + appeared, heresies have taken root, and the divisions have become + permanent—new sects have been born and the Catholic Church has been + weakened. The boast of unity is the confession of tyranny. + </p> + <p> + It is insisted that the unity of the church substantiates its claim to + divine origin. This is asserted over and over again, in many ways; and yet + in the Cardinal's article is found this strange mingling of boast and + confession: "Was it only by the human power of man that the unity, + external and internal, which for fourteen hundred years had been supreme, + was once more restored in the Council of Constance, never to be broken + again?" + </p> + <p> + By this it is admitted that the internal and external unity of the + Catholic Church had been broken, and that it required more than human + power to restore it. Then the boast is made that it will never be broken + again. Yet it is asserted that the internal and external unity of the + Catholic Church is the great fact that demonstrates its divine origin. + </p> + <p> + Now, if this internal and external unity was broken, and remained broken + for years, there was an interval during which the church had no internal + or external unity, and during which the evidence of divine origin failed. + The unity was broken in spite of the Divine Founder. This is admitted by + the use of the word "again." The unbroken unity of the church is asserted, + and upon this assertion is based the claim of divine origin; it is then + admitted that the unity was broken. The argument is then shifted, and the + claim is made that it required more than human power to restore the + internal and external unity of the church, and that the restoration, not + the unity, is proof of the divine origin. Is there any contradiction + beyond this? + </p> + <p> + Let us state the case in another way. Let us suppose that a man has a + sword which he claims was made by God, stating that the reason he knows + that God made the sword is that it never had been and never could be + broken. Now, if it was afterwards ascertained that it had been broken, and + the owner admitted that it had been, what would be thought of him if he + then took the ground that it had been welded, and that the welding was the + evidence that it was of divine origin? + </p> + <p> + A prophecy is then indulged in, to the effect that the internal and + external unity of the church can never be broken again. It is admitted + that it was broken—it is asserted that it was divinely restored—and + then it is declared that it is never to be broken again. No reason is + given for this prophecy; it must be born of the facts already stated. Put + in a form to be easily understood, it is this: + </p> + <p> + We know that the unity of the church can never be broken, because the + church is of divine origin. + </p> + <p> + We know that it was broken; but this does not weaken the argument, because + it was restored by God, and it has not been broken since. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, it never can be broken again. + </p> + <p> + It is stated that the Catholic Church is immutable, and that its + immutability establishes its claim to divine origin. Was it immutable when + its unity, internal and external, was broken? Was it precisely the same + after its unity was broken that it was before? Was it precisely the same + after its unity was divinely restored that it was while broken? Was it + universal while it was without unity? Which of the fragments was universal—which + was immutable? + </p> + <p> + The fact that the Catholic Church is obedient to the pope, establishes, + not the supernatural origin of the church, but the mental slavery of its + members. It establishes the fact that it is a successful organization; + that it is cunningly devised; that it destroys the mental independence, + and that whoever absolutely submits to its authority loses the jewel of + his soul. + </p> + <p> + The fact that Catholics are to a great extent obedient to the pope, + establishes nothing except the thoroughness of the organization. + </p> + <p> + How was the Roman empire formed? By what means did that Great Power hold + in bondage the then known world? How is it that a despotism is + established? How is it that the few enslave the many? How is it that the + nobility live on the labor of peasants? The answer is in one word, + Organization. The organized few triumph over the unorganized many. The few + hold the sword and the purse. The unorganized are overcome in detail—terrorized, + brutalized, robbed, conquered. + </p> + <p> + We must remember that when Christianity was established the world was + ignorant, credulous and cruel. The gospel with its idea of forgiveness—with + its heaven and hell—was suited to the barbarians among whom it was + preached. Let it be understood, once for all, that Christ had but little + to do with Christianity. The people became convinced—being ignorant, + stupid and credulous—that the church held the keys of heaven and + hell. The foundation for the most terrible mental tyranny that has existed + among men was in this way laid. The Catholic Church enslaved to the extent + of its power. It resorted to every possible form of fraud; it perverted + every good instinct of the human heart; it rewarded every vice; it + resorted to every artifice that ingenuity could devise, to reach the + highest round of power. It tortured the accused to make them confess; it + tortured witnesses to compel the commission of perjury; it tortured + children for the purpose of making them convict their parents; it + compelled men to establish their own innocence; it imprisoned without + limit; it had the malicious patience to wait; it left the accused without + trial, and left them in dungeons until released by death. There is no + crime that the Catholic Church did not commit,—no cruelty that it + did not practice,—no form of treachery that it did not reward, and + no virtue that it did not persecute. It was the greatest and most powerful + enemy of human rights. It did all that organization, cunning, piety, + self-denial, heroism, treachery, zeal and brute force could do to enslave + the children of men. It was the enemy of intelligence, the assassin of + liberty, and the destroyer of progress. It loaded the noble with chains + and the infamous with honors. In one hand it carried the alms dish, in the + other a dagger. It argued with the sword, persuaded with poison, and + convinced with the fagot. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to see how the divine origin of a church can be + established by showing that hundreds of bishops have visited the pope. + </p> + <p> + Does the fact that millions of the faithful visit Mecca establish the + truth of the Koran? Is it a scene for congratulation when the bishops of + thirty nations kneel before a man? Is it not humiliating to know that man + is willing to kneel at the feet of man? Could a noble man demand, or + joyfully receive, the humiliation of his fellows? + </p> + <p> + As a rule, arrogance and humility go together. He who in power compels his + fellow-man to kneel, will himself kneel when weak. The tyrant is a cringer + in power; a cringer is a tyrant out of power. Great men stand face to + face. They meet on equal terms. The cardinal who kneels in the presence of + the pope, wants the bishop to kneel in his presence; and the bishop who + kneels demands that the priest shall kneel to him; and the priest who + kneels demands that they in lower orders shall kneel; and all, from pope + to the lowest—that is to say, from pope to exorcist, from pope to + the one in charge of the bones of saints—all demand that the people, + the laymen, those upon whom they live, shall kneel to them. + </p> + <p> + The man of free and noble spirit will not kneel. Courage has no knees. + </p> + <p> + Fear kneels, or falls upon its ashen face. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal insists that the pope is the vicar of Christ, and that all + popes have been. What is a vicar of Christ? He is a substitute in office. + He stands in the place, or occupies the position in relation to the + church, in relation to the world, that Jesus Christ would occupy were he + the pope at Rome. In other words, he takes Christ's place; so that, + according to the doctrine of the Catholic Church, Jesus Christ himself is + present in the person of the pope. + </p> + <p> + We all know that a good man may employ a bad agent. A good king might + leave his realm and put in his place a tyrant and a wretch. The good man + and the good king cannot certainly know what manner of man the agent is—what + kind of person the vicar is—consequently the bad may be chosen. But + if the king appointed a bad vicar, knowing him to be bad, knowing that he + would oppress the people, knowing that he would imprison and burn the + noble and generous, what excuse can be imagined for such a king? + </p> + <p> + Now, if the church is of divine origin, and if each pope is the vicar of + Jesus Christ, he must have been chosen by Jesus Christ; and when he was + chosen, Christ must have known exactly what his vicar would do. Can we + believe that an infinitely wise and good Being would choose immoral, + dishonest, ignorant, malicious, heartless, fiendish, and inhuman vicars? + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal admits that "the history of Christianity is the history of + the church, and that the history of the church is the history of the + Pontiffs," and he then declares that "the greatest statesmen and rulers + that the world has ever seen are the Popes of Rome." + </p> + <p> + Let me call attention to a few passages in Draper's "History of the + Intellectual Development of Europe." + </p> + <p> + "Constantine was one of the vicars of Christ. Afterwards, Stephen IV. was + chosen. The eyes of Constantine were then put out by Stephen, acting in + Christ's place. The tongue of the Bishop Theodorus was amputated by the + man who had been substituted for God. This bishop was left in a dungeon to + perish of thirst. Pope Leo III. was seized in the street and forced into a + church, where the nephews of Pope Adrian attempted to put out his eyes and + cut off his tongue. His successor, Stephen V., was driven ignominiously + from Rome. His successor, Paschal I., was accused of blinding and + murdering two ecclesiastics in the Lateran Palace. John VIII., unable to + resist the Mohammedans, was compelled to pay them tribute. + </p> + <p> + "At this time, the Bishop of Naples was in secret alliance with the + Mohammedans, and they divided with this Catholic bishop the plunder they + collected from other Catholics. This bishop was excommunicated by the + pope; afterwards he gave him absolution because he betrayed the chief + Mohammedans, and assassinated others. There was an ecclesiastical + conspiracy to murder the pope, and some of the treasures of the church + were seized, and the gate of St. Pancrazia was opened with false keys to + admit the Saracens. Formosus, who had been engaged in these transactions, + who had been excommunicated as a conspirator for the murder of Pope John, + was himself elected pope in 891. Boniface VI. was his successor. He had + been deposed from the diaconate and from the priesthood for his immoral + and lewd life. Stephen VII. was the next pope, and he had the dead body of + Formosus taken from the grave, clothed in papal habiliments, propped up in + a chair and tried before a Council. The corpse was found guilty, three + fingers were cut off and the body cast into the Tiber. Afterwards Stephen + VII., this Vicar of Christ, was thrown into prison and strangled. + </p> + <p> + "From 896 to 900, five popes were consecrated. Leo V., in less than two + months after he became pope, was cast into prison by Christopher, one of + his chaplains. This Christopher usurped his place, and in a little while + was expelled from Rome by Sergius III., who became pope in 905. This pope + lived in criminal intercourse with the celebrated Theodora, who with her + daughters Marozia and Theodora, both prostitutes, exercised an + extraordinary control over him. The love of Theodora was also shared by + John X. She gave him the Archbishopric of Revenna, and made him pope in + 915. The daughter of Theodora overthrew this pope. She surprised him in + the Lateran Palace. His brother, Peter, was killed; the pope was thrown + into prison, where he was afterward murdered. Afterward, this Marozia, + daughter of Theodora, made her own son pope, John XI. Many affirmed that + Pope Sergius was his father, but his mother inclined to attribute him to + her husband Alberic, whose brother Guido she afterward married. Another of + her sons, Alberic, jealous of his brother John, the pope, cast him and + their mother into prison. Alberic's son was then elected pope as John XII. + </p> + <p> + "John was nineteen years old when he became the vicar of Christ. His reign + was characterized by the most shocking immoralities, so that the Emperor + Otho I. was compelled by the German clergy to interfere. He was tried. It + appeared that John had received bribes for the consecration of bishops; + that he had ordained one who was only ten years old; that he was charged + with incest, and with so many adulteries that the Lateran Palace had + become a brothel. He put out the eyes of one ecclesiastic; he maimed + another—both dying in consequence of their injuries. He was given to + drunkenness and to gambling. He was deposed at last, and Leo VII. elected + in his stead. Subsequently he got the upper hand. He seized his + antagonists; he cut off the hand of one, the nose, the finger, and the + tongue of others. His life was eventually brought to an end by the + vengeance of a man whose wife he had seduced." + </p> + <p> + And yet, I admit that the most infamous popes, the most heartless and + fiendish bishops, friars, and priests were models of mercy, charity, and + justice when compared with the orthodox God—with the God they + worshiped. These popes, these bishops, these priests could persecute only + for a few years—they could burn only for a few moments—but + their God threatened to imprison and burn forever; and their God is as + much worse than they were, as hell is worse than the Inquisition. + </p> + <p> + "John XIII. was strangled in prison. Boniface VII. imprisoned Benedict + VII., and starved him to death. John XIV. was secretly put to death in the + dungeons of the castle of St. Angelo. The corpse of Boniface was dragged + by the populace through the streets." + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered that the popes were assassinated by Catholics—murdered + by the faithful—that one vicar of Christ strangled another vicar of + Christ, and that these men were "the greatest rulers and the greatest + statesmen of the earth." + </p> + <p> + "Pope John XVI. was seized, his eyes put out, his nose cut off, his tongue + torn from his mouth, and he was sent through the streets mounted on an + ass, with his face to the tail. Benedict IX., a boy of less than twelve + years of age, was raised to the apostolic throne. One of his successors, + Victor III., declared that the life of Benedict was so shameful, so foul, + so execrable, that he shuddered to describe it. He ruled like a captain of + banditti. The people, unable to bear longer his adulteries, his homicides + and his abominations, rose against him, and in despair of maintaining his + position, he put up the papacy to auction, and it was bought by a + presbyter named John, who became Gregory VI., in the year of grace 1045. + Well may we ask, Were these the vicegerents of God upon earth—these, + who had truly reached that goal beyond which the last effort of human + wickedness cannot pass?" + </p> + <p> + It may be sufficient to say that there is no crime that man can commit + that has not been committed by the vicars of Christ. They have inflicted + every possible torture, violated every natural right. Greater monsters the + human race has not produced. + </p> + <p> + Among the "some two hundred and fifty-eight" Vicars of Christ there were + probably some good men. This would have happened even if the intention had + been to get all bad men, for the reason that man reaches perfection + neither in good nor in evil; but if they were selected by Christ himself, + if they were selected by a church with a divine origin and under divine + guidance, then there is no way to account for the selection of a bad one. + If one hypocrite was duly elected pope—one murderer, one strangler, + one starver—this demonstrates that all the popes were selected by + men, and by men only, and that the claim of divine guidance is born of + zeal and uttered without knowledge. + </p> + <p> + But who were the vicars of Christ? How many have there been? Cardinal + Manning himself does not know. He is not sure. He says: "Starting from St. + Peter to Leo XIII., there have been some two hundred and fifty-eight + Pontiffs claiming to be recognized by the whole Catholic unity as + successors of St. Peter and Vicars of Jesus Christ." Why did he use the + word "some"? Why "claiming"? Does he not positively know? Is it possible + that the present Vicar of Christ is not certain as to the number of his + predecessors? Is he infallible in faith and fallible in fact? + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "If we live thus tamely,— + To be thus jaded by a piece of scarlet,— + Farewell nobility." +</pre> + <p> + NO ONE will deny that "the pope speaks to many people in many nations; + that he treats with empires and governments," and that "neither from + Canterbury nor from Constantinople such a voice goes forth." + </p> + <p> + How does the pope speak? What does he say? + </p> + <p> + He speaks against the liberty of man—against the progress of the + human race. He speaks to calumniate thinkers, and to warn the faithful + against the discoveries of science. He speaks for the destruction of + civilization. + </p> + <p> + Who listens? Do astronomers, geologists and scientists put the hand to the + ear fearing that an accent may be lost? Does France listen? Does Italy + hear? Is not the church weakest at its centre? Do those who have raised + Italy from the dead, and placed her again among the great nations, pay + attention? Does Great Britain care for this voice—this moan, this + groan—of the Middle Ages? Do the words of Leo XIII. impress the + intelligence of the Great Republic? Can anything be more absurd than for + the vicar of Christ to attack a demonstration of science with a passage of + Scripture, or a quotation from one of the "Fathers"? + </p> + <p> + Compare the popes with the kings and queens of England. Infinite wisdom + had but little to do with the selection of these monarchs, and yet they + were far better than any equal number of consecutive popes. This is faint + praise, even for kings and queens, but it shows that chance succeeded in + getting better rulers for England than "Infinite Wisdom" did for the + Church of Rome. Compare the popes with the presidents of the Republic + elected by the people. If Adams had murdered Washington, and Jefferson had + imprisoned Adams, and if Madison had cut out Jefferson's tongue, and + Monroe had assassinated Madison, and John Quincy Adams had poisoned + Monroe, and General Jackson had hung Adams and his Cabinet, we might say + that presidents had been as virtuous as popes. But if this had happened, + the verdict of the world would be that the people are not capable of + selecting their presidents. + </p> + <p> + But this voice from Rome is growing feebler day by day; so feeble that the + Cardinal admits that the vicar of God, and the supernatural church, "are + being tormented by Falck laws, by Mancini laws and by Crispi laws." In + other words, this representative of God, this substitute of Christ, this + church of divine origin, this supernatural institution—pervaded by + the Holy Ghost—are being "tormented" by three politicians. Is it + possible that this patriotic trinity is more powerful than the other? + </p> + <p> + It is claimed that if the Catholic Church "be only a human system, built + up by the intellect, will and energy of men, the adversaries must prove it—that + the burden is upon them." + </p> + <p> + As a general thing, institutions are natural. If this church is + supernatural, it is the one exception. The affirmative is with those who + claim that it is of divine origin. So far as we know, all governments and + all creeds are the work of man. No one believes that Rome was a + supernatural production, and yet its beginnings were as small as those of + the Catholic Church. Commencing in weakness, Rome grew, and fought, and + conquered, until it was believed that the sky bent above a subjugated + world. And yet all was natural. For every effect there was an efficient + cause. + </p> + <p> + The Catholic asserts that all other religions have been produced by man—that + Brahminism and Buddhism, the religion of Isis and Osiris, the marvelous + mythologies of Greece and Rome, were the work of the human mind. From + these religions Catholicism has borrowed. Long before Catholicism was + born, it was believed that women had borne children whose fathers were + gods. The Trinity was promulgated in Egypt centuries before the birth of + Moses. Celibacy was taught by the ancient Nazarenes and Essenes, by the + priests of Egypt and India, by mendicant monks, and by the piously insane + of many countries long before the apostles lived. The Chinese tell us that + "when there were but one man and one woman upon the earth, the woman + refused to sacrifice her virginity even to people the globe; and the gods, + honoring her purity, granted that she should conceive beneath the gaze of + her lover's eyes, and a virgin mother became the parent of humanity." + </p> + <p> + The founders of many religions have insisted that it was the duty of man + to renounce the pleasures of sense, and millions before our era took the + vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, and most cheerfully lived upon + the labor of others. + </p> + <p> + The sacraments of baptism and confirmation are far older than the Church + of Rome. The Eucharist is pagan. Long before popes began to murder each + other, pagans ate cakes—the flesh of Ceres, and drank wine—the + blood of Bacchus. Holy water flowed in the Ganges and Nile, priests + interceded for the people, and anointed the dying. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to say that every successful religion that has taught + unnatural doctrines, unnatural practices, must of necessity have been of + divine origin. In most religions there has been a strange mingling of the + good and bad, of the merciful and cruel, of the loving and malicious. + Buddhism taught the universal brotherhood of man, insisted on the + development of the mind, and this religion was propagated not by the + sword, but by preaching, by persuasion, and by kindness—yet in many + things it was contrary to the human will, contrary to the human passions, + and contrary to good sense. Buddhism succeeded. Can we, for this reason, + say that it is a supernatural religion? Is the unnatural the supernatural? + </p> + <p> + It is insisted that, while other churches have changed, the Catholic + Church alone has remained the same, and that this fact demonstrates its + divine origin. + </p> + <p> + Has the creed of Buddhism changed in three thousand years? Is intellectual + stagnation a demonstration of divine origin? When anything refuses to + grow, are we certain that the seed was planted by God? If the Catholic + Church is the same to-day that it has been for many centuries, this proves + that there has been no intellectual development. If men do not differ upon + religious subjects, it is because they do not think. + </p> + <p> + Differentiation is the law of growth, of progress. Every church must gain + or lose: it cannot remain the same; it must decay or grow. The fact that + the Catholic Church has not grown—that it has been petrified from + the first—does not establish divine origin; it simply establishes + the fact that it retards the progress of man. Everything in nature changes—every + atom is in motion—every star moves. Nations, institutions and + individuals have youth, manhood, old age, death. This is and will be true + of the Catholic Church. It was once weak—it grew stronger—it + reached its climax of power—it began to decay—it never can + rise again. It is confronted by the dawn of Science. In the presence of + the nineteenth century it cowers. + </p> + <p> + It is not true that "All natural causes run to disintegration." + </p> + <p> + Natural causes run to integration as well as to disintegration. All growth + is integration, and all growth is natural. All decay is disintegration, + and all decay is natural. Nature builds and nature destroys. When the + acorn grows—when the sunlight and rain fall upon it and the oak + rises—so far as the oak is concerned "all natural causes" do not + "run to disintegration." But there comes a time when the oak has reached + its limit, and then the forces of nature run towards disintegration, and + finally the old oak falls. But if the Cardinal is right—if "all + natural causes run to disintegration," then every success must have been + of divine origin, and nothing is natural but destruction. This is Catholic + science: "All natural causes run to disintegration." What do these causes + find to disintegrate? Nothing that is natural. The fact that the thing is + not disintegrated shows that it was and is of supernatural origin. + According to the Cardinal, the only business of nature is to disintegrate + the supernatural. To prevent this, the supernatural needs the protection + of the Infinite. According to this doctrine, if anything lives and grows, + it does so in spite of nature. Growth, then, is not in accordance with, + but in opposition to nature. Every plant is supernatural—it defeats + the disintegrating influences of rain and light. The generalization of the + Cardinal is half the truth. It would be equally true to say: All natural + causes run to integration. But the whole truth is that growth and decay + are equal. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal asserts that "Christendom was created by the world-wide + church as we see it before our eyes at this day." + </p> + <p> + Philosophers and statesmen believe it to be the work of their own hands; + they did not make it, but they have for three hundred years been unmaking + it by reformations and revolutions. + </p> + <p> + The meaning of this is that Christendom was far better three hundred years + ago than now; that during these three centuries Christendom has been going + toward barbarism. It means that the supernatural church of God has been a + failure for three hundred years; that it has been unable to withstand the + attacks of philosophers and statesmen, and that it has been helpless in + the midst of "reformations and revolutions." + </p> + <p> + What was the condition of the world three hundred years ago, the period, + according to the Cardinal, in which the church reached the height of its + influence, and since which it has been unable to withstand the rising tide + of reformation and the whirlwind of revolution? + </p> + <p> + In that blessed time, Philip II. was king of Spain—he with the + cramped head and the monstrous jaw. Heretics were hunted like wild and + poisonous beasts; the Inquisition was firmly established, and priests were + busy with rack and fire. With a zeal born of the hatred of man and the + love of God, the church, with every instrument of torture, touched every + nerve in the human body. + </p> + <p> + In those happy days, the Duke of Alva was devastating the homes of + Holland; heretics were buried alive—their tongues were torn from + their mouths, their lids from their eyes; the Armada was on the sea for + the destruction of the heretics of England, and the Moriscoes—a + million and a half of industrious people—were being driven by sword + and flame from their homes. The Jews had been expelled from Spain. This + Catholic country had succeeded in driving intelligence and industry from + its territory; and this had been done with a cruelty, with a ferocity, + unequaled, in the annals of crime. + </p> + <p> + Nothing was left but ignorance, bigotry, intolerance, credulity, the + Inquisition, the seven sacraments and the seven deadly sins. And yet a + Cardinal of the nineteenth century, living in the land of Shakespeare, + regrets the change that has been wrought by the intellectual efforts, by + the discoveries, by the inventions and heroism of three hundred years. + </p> + <p> + Three hundred years ago, Charles IX., in France, son of Catherine de + Medici, in the year of grace 1572—after nearly sixteen centuries of + Catholic Christianity—after hundreds of vicars of Christ had sat in + St. Peter's chair—after the natural passions of man had been + "softened" by the creed of Rome—came the Massacre of St. + Bartholomew, the result of a conspiracy between the Vicar of Christ, + Philip II., Charles IX., and his fiendish mother. Let the Cardinal read + the account of this massacre once more, and, after reading it, imagine + that he sees the gashed and mutilated bodies of thousands of men and + women, and then let him say that he regrets the revolutions and + reformations of three hundred years. + </p> + <p> + About three hundred years ago Clement VIII., Vicar of Christ, acting in + God's place, substitute of the Infinite, persecuted Giordano Bruno even + unto death. This great, this sublime man, was tried for heresy. He had + ventured to assert the rotary motion of the earth; he had hazarded the + conjecture that there were in the fields of infinite space worlds larger + and more glorious than ours. For these low and groveling thoughts, for + this contradiction of the word and vicar of God, this man was imprisoned + for many years. But his noble spirit was not broken, and finally, in the + year 1600, by the orders of the infamous vicar, he was chained to the + stake. Priests believing in the doctrine of universal forgiveness—priests + who when smitten upon one cheek turned the other—carried with a kind + of ferocious joy fagots to the feet of this incomparable man. These + disciples of "Our Lord" were made joyous as the flames, like serpents, + climbed around the body of Bruno. In a few moments the brave thinker was + dead, and the priests who had burned him fell upon their knees and asked + the infinite God to continue the blessed work forever in hell. + </p> + <p> + There are two things that cannot exist in the same universe—an + infinite God and a martyr. + </p> + <p> + Does the Cardinal regret that kings and emperors are not now engaged in + the extermination of Protestants? Does he regret that dungeons of the + Inquisition are no longer crowded with the best and bravest? Does he long + for the fires of the <i>auto da fé</i>.? + </p> + <p> + In coming to a conclusion as to the origin of the Catholic Church—in + determining the truth of the claim of infallibility—we are not + restricted to the physical achievements of that church, or to the history + of its propagation, or to the rapidity of its growth. + </p> + <p> + This church has a creed; and if this church is of divine origin—if + its head is the vicar of Christ, and, as such, infallible in matters of + faith and morals, this creed must be true. Let us start with the + supposition that God exists, and that he is infinitely wise, powerful and + good—and this is only a supposition. Now, if the creed is foolish, + absurd and cruel, it cannot be of divine origin. We find in this creed the + following: + </p> + <p> + "Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold + the Catholic faith." + </p> + <p> + It is not necessary, before all things, that he be good, honest, merciful, + charitable and just. Creed is more important than conduct. The most + important of all things is, that he hold the Catholic faith. There were + thousands of years during which it was not necessary to hold that faith, + because that faith did not exist; and yet during that time the virtues + were just as important as now, just as important as they ever can be. + </p> + <p> + Millions of the noblest of the human race never heard of this creed. + Millions of the bravest and best have heard of it, examined, and rejected + it. Millions of the most infamous have believed it, and because of their + belief, or notwithstanding their belief, have murdered millions of their + fellows. We know that men can be, have been, and are just as wicked with + it as without it. We know that it is not necessary to believe it to be + good, loving, tender, noble and self-denying. We admit that millions who + have believed it have also been self-denying and heroic, and that + millions, by such belief, were not prevented from torturing and destroying + the helpless. + </p> + <p> + Now, if all who believed it were good, and all who rejected it were bad, + then there might be some propriety in saying that "whoever will be saved, + before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic faith." But as + the experience of mankind is otherwise, the declaration becomes absurd, + ignorant and cruel. + </p> + <p> + There is still another clause: + </p> + <p> + "Which faith, except every one do keep entire and inviolate, without + doubt, he shall everlastingly perish." + </p> + <p> + We now have both sides of this wonderful truth: The believer will be + saved, the unbeliever will be lost. We know that faith is not the child or + servant of the will. We know that belief is a conclusion based upon what + the mind supposes to be true. We know that it is not an act of the will. + Nothing can be more absurd than to save a man because he is not + intelligent enough to accept the truth, and nothing can be more infamous + than to damn a man because he is intelligent enough to reject the false. + It resolves itself into a question of intelligence. If the creed is true, + then a man rejects it because he lacks intelligence. Is this a crime for + which a man should everlastingly perish? If the creed is false, then a man + accepts it because he lacks intelligence. In both cases the crime is + exactly the same. + </p> + <p> + If a man is to be damned for rejecting the truth, certainly he should not + be saved for accepting the false. This one clause demonstrates that a + being of infinite wisdom and goodness did not write it. It also + demonstrates that it was the work of men who had neither wisdom nor a + sense of justice. + </p> + <p> + What is this Catholic faith that must be held? It is this: + </p> + <p> + "That we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, neither + confounding the persons nor dividing the substance." Why should an + Infinite Being demand worship? Why should one God wish to be worshiped as + three? Why should three Gods wished to be worshiped as one? Why should we + pray to one God and think of three, or pray to three Gods and think of + one? Can this increase the happiness of the one or of the three? Is it + possible to think of one as three, or of three as one? If you think of + three as one, can you think of one as none, or of none as one? When you + think of three as one, what do you do with the other two? You must not + "confound the persons"—they must be kept separate. When you think of + one as three, how do you get the other two? You must not "divide the + substance." Is it possible to write greater contradictions than these? + </p> + <p> + This creed demonstrates the human origin of the Catholic Church. Nothing + could be more unjust than to punish man for unbelief—for the + expression of honest thought—for having been guided by his reason—for + having acted in accordance with his best judgment. + </p> + <p> + Another claim is made, to the effect "that the Catholic Church has filled + the world with the true knowledge of the one true God, and that it has + destroyed all idols by light instead of by fire." + </p> + <p> + The Catholic Church described the true God as a being who would inflict + eternal pain on his weak and erring children; described him as a fickle, + quick-tempered, unreasonable deity, whom honesty enraged, and whom + flattery governed; one who loved to see fear upon its knees, ignorance + with closed eyes and open mouth; one who delighted in useless self-denial, + who loved to hear the sighs and sobs of suffering nuns, as they lay + prostrate on dungeon floors; one who was delighted when the husband + deserted his family and lived alone in some cave in the far wilderness, + tormented by dreams and driven to insanity by prayer and penance, by + fasting and faith. + </p> + <p> + According to the Catholic Church, the true God enjoyed the agonies of + heretics. He loved the smell of their burning flesh; he applauded with + wide palms when philosophers were flayed alive, and to him the <i>auto da + fé</i> was a divine comedy. The shrieks of wives, the cries of + babes when fathers were being burned, gave contrast, heightened the effect + and filled his cup with joy. This true God did not know the shape of the + earth he had made, and had forgotten the orbits of the stars. "The stream + of light which descended from the beginning" was propagated by fagot to + fagot, until Christendom was filled with the devouring fires of faith. + </p> + <p> + It may also be said that the Catholic Church filled the world with the + true knowledge of the one true Devil. It filled the air with malicious + phantoms, crowded innocent sleep with leering fiends, and gave the world + to the domination of witches and wizards, spirits and spooks, goblins and + ghosts, and butchered and burned thousands for the commission of + impossible crimes. + </p> + <p> + It is contended that: "In this true knowledge of the Divine Nature was + revealed to man their own relation to a Creator as sons to a Father." + </p> + <p> + This tender relation was revealed by the Catholics to the Pagans, the + Arians, the Cathari, the Waldenses, the Albigenses, the heretics, the + Jews, the Moriscoes, the Protestants—to the natives of the West + Indies, of Mexico, of Peru—to philosophers, patriots and thinkers. + All these victims were taught to regard the true God as a loving father, + and this lesson was taught with every instrument of torture—with + brandings and burnings, with flayings and flames. The world was filled + with cruelty and credulity, ignorance and intolerance, and the soil in + which all these horrors grew was the true knowledge of the one true God, + and the true knowledge of the one true Devil. And yet, we are compelled to + say, that the one true Devil described by the Catholic Church was not as + malevolent as the one true God. + </p> + <p> + Is it true that the Catholic Church overthrew idolatry? What is idolatry? + What shall we say of the worship of popes—of the doctrine of the + Real Presence, of divine honors paid to saints, of sacred vestments, of + holy water, of consecrated cups and plates, of images and relics, of + amulets and charms? + </p> + <p> + The Catholic Church filled the world with the spirit of idolatry. It + abandoned the idea of continuity in nature, it denied the integrity of + cause and effect. The government of the world was the composite result of + the caprice of God, the malice of Satan, the prayers of the faithful—softened, + it may be, by the charity of Chance. Yet the Cardinal asserts, without the + preface of a smile, that "Demonology was overthrown by the church, with + the assistance of forces that were above nature;" and in the same breath + gives birth to this enlightened statement: "Beelzebub is not divided + against himself." Is a belief in Beelzebub a belief in demonology? Has the + Cardinal forgotten the Council of Nice, held in the year of grace 787, + that declared the worship of images to be lawful? Did that infallible + Council, under the guidance of the Holy Ghost, destroy idolatry? + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal takes the ground that marriage is a sacrament, and therefore + indissoluble, and he also insists that celibacy is far better than + marriage,—holier than a sacrament,—that marriage is not the + highest state, but that "the state of virginity unto death is the highest + condition of man and woman." + </p> + <p> + The highest ideal of a family is where all are equal—where love has + superseded authority—where each seeks the good of all, and where + none obey—where no religion can sunder hearts, and with which no + church can interfere. + </p> + <p> + The real marriage is based on mutual affection—the ceremony is but + the outward evidence of the inward flame. To this contract there are but + two parties. The church is an impudent intruder. Marriage is made public + to the end that the real contract may be known, so that the world can see + that the parties have been actuated by the highest and holiest motives + that find expression in the acts of human beings. The man and woman are + not joined together by God, or by the church, or by the state. The church + and state may prescribe certain ceremonies, certain formalities—but + all these are only evidence of the existence of a sacred fact in the + hearts of the wedded. The indissolubility of marriage is a dogma that has + filled the lives of millions with agony and tears. It has given a + perpetual excuse for vice and immorality. Fear has borne children begotten + by brutality. Countless women have endured the insults, indignities and + cruelties of fiendish husbands, because they thought that it was the will + of God. The contract of marriage is the most important that human beings + can make; but no contract can be so important as to release one of the + parties from the obligation of performance; and no contract, whether made + between man and woman, or between them and God, after a failure of + consideration caused by the willful act of the man or woman, can hold and + bind the innocent and honest. + </p> + <p> + Do the believers in indissoluble marriage treat their wives better than + others? A little while ago, a woman said to a man who had raised his hand + to strike her: "Do not touch me; you have no right to beat me; I am not + your wife." + </p> + <p> + About a year ago a husband, whom God in his infinite wisdom had joined to + a loving and patient woman in the indissoluble sacrament of marriage, + becoming enraged, seized the helpless wife and tore out one of her eyes. + She forgave him. A few weeks ago he deliberately repeated this frightful + crime, leaving his victim totally blind. Would it not have been better if + man, before the poor woman was blinded, had put asunder whom God had + joined together? Thousands of husbands, who insist that marriage is + indissoluble, are the beaters of wives. + </p> + <p> + The law of the church has created neither the purity nor the peace of + domestic life. Back of all churches is human affection. Back of all + theologies is the love of the human heart. Back of all your priests and + creeds is the adoration of the one woman by the one man, and of the one + man by the one woman. Back of your faith is the fireside; back of your + folly is the family; and back of all your holy mistakes and your sacred + absurdities is the love of husband and wife, of parent and child. + </p> + <p> + It is not true that neither the Greek nor the Roman world had any true + conception of a home. The splendid story of Ulysses and Penelope, the + parting of Hector and Andromache, demonstrate that a true conception of + home existed among the Greeks. Before the establishment of Christianity, + the Roman matron commanded the admiration of the then known world. She was + free and noble. The church degraded woman—made her the property of + the husband, and trampled her beneath its brutal feet. The "fathers" + denounced woman as a perpetual temptation, as the cause of all evil. The + church worshiped a God who had upheld polygamy, and had pronounced his + curse on woman, and had declared that she should be the serf of the + husband. This church followed the teachings of St. Paul. It taught the + uncleanness of marriage, and insisted that all children were conceived in + sin. This church pretended to have been founded by one who offered a + reward in this world, and eternal joy in the next, to husbands who would + forsake their wives and children and follow him. Did this tend to the + elevation of woman? Did this detestable doctrine "create the purity and + peace of domestic life"? Is it true that a monk is purer than a good and + noble father?—that a nun is holier than a loving mother? + </p> + <p> + Is there anything deeper and stronger than a mother's love? Is there + anything purer, holier than a mother holding her dimpled babe against her + billowed breast? + </p> + <p> + The good man is useful, the best man is the most useful. Those who fill + the nights with barren prayers and holy hunger, torture themselves for + their own good and not for the benefit of others. They are earning eternal + glory for themselves—they do not fast for their fellow-men—their + selfishness is only equalled by their foolishness. Compare the monk in his + selfish cell, counting beads and saying prayers for the purpose of saving + his barren soul, with a husband and father sitting by his fireside with + wife and children. Compare the nun with the mother and her babe. + </p> + <p> + Celibacy is the essence of vulgarity. It tries to put a stain upon + motherhood, upon marriage, upon love—that is to say, upon all that + is holiest in the human heart. Take love from the world, and there is + nothing left worth living for. The church has treated this great, this + sublime, this unspeakably holy passion, as though it polluted the heart. + They have placed the love of God above the love of woman, above the love + of man. Human love is generous and noble. The love of God is selfish, + because man does not love God for God's sake, but for his own. + </p> + <p> + Yet the Cardinal asserts "that the change wrought by Christianity in the + social, political and international relations of the world"—"that + the root of this ethical change, private and public, is the Christian + home." A moment afterward, this prelate insists that celibacy is far + better than marriage. If the world could be induced to live in accordance + with the "highest state," this generation would be the last. Why were men + and women created? Why did not the Catholic God commence' with the sinless + and sexless? The Cardinal ought to take the ground that to talk well is + good, but that to be dumb is the highest condition; that hearing is a + pleasure, but that deafness is ecstasy; and that to think, to reason, is + very well, but that to be a Catholic is far better. + </p> + <p> + Why should we desire the destruction of human passions? Take passions from + human beings and what is left? The great object should be not to destroy + passions, but to make them obedient to the intellect. To indulge passion + to the utmost is one form of intemperance—to destroy passion is + another. The reasonable gratification of passion under the domination of + the intellect is true wisdom and perfect virtue. + </p> + <p> + The goodness, the sympathy, the self-denial of the nun, of the monk, all + come from the mother-instinct, the father-instinct—all were produced + by human affection, by the love of man for woman, of woman for man. Love + is a transfiguration. It ennobles, purifies and glorifies. In true + marriage two hearts burst into flower. Two lives unite. They melt in + music. Every moment is a melody. Love is a revelation, a creation. From + love the world borrows its beauty and the heavens their glory. Justice, + self-denial, charity and pity are the children of love. Lover, wife, + mother, husband, father, child, home—these words shed light—they + are the gems of human speech. Without love all glory fades, the noble + falls from life, art dies, music loses meaning and becomes mere motions of + the air, and virtue ceases to exist. + </p> + <p> + It is asserted that this life of celibacy is above and against the + tendencies of human nature; and the Cardinal then asks: "Who will ascribe + this to natural causes, and, if so, why did it not appear in the first + four thousand years?" + </p> + <p> + If there is in a system of religion a doctrine, a dogma, or a practice + against the tendencies of human nature—if this religion succeeds, + then it is claimed by the Cardinal that such religion must be of divine + origin. Is it "against the tendencies of human nature" for a mother to + throw her child into the Ganges to please a supposed God? Yet a religion + that insisted on that sacrifice succeeded, and has, to-day, more believers + than the Catholic Church can boast. + </p> + <p> + Religions, like nations and individuals, have always gone along the line + of least resistance. Nothing has "ascended the stream of human license by + a power mightier than nature." There is no such power. There never was, + there never can be, a miracle. We know that man is a conditioned being. We + know that he is affected by a change of conditions. If he is ignorant he + is superstitious; this is natural. If his brain is developed—if he + perceives clearly that all things are naturally produced, he ceases to be + superstitious, and becomes scientific. He is not a saint, but a savant—not + a priest, but a philosopher. He does not worship, he works; he + investigates; he thinks; he takes advantage, through intelligence, of the + forces of nature. He is no longer the victim of appearances, the dupe of + his own ignorance, and the persecutor of his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + He then knows that it is far better to love his wife and children than to + love God. He then knows that the love of man for woman, of woman for man, + of parent for child, of child for parent, is far better, far holier than + the love of man for any phantom born of ignorance and fear. + </p> + <p> + It is illogical to take the ground that the world was cruel and ignorant + and idolatrous when the Catholic Church was established, and that because + the world is better now than then, the church is of divine origin. + </p> + <p> + What was the world when science came? What was it in the days of Galileo, + Copernicus and Kepler? What-was it when printing was invented? What was it + when the Western World was found? Would it not be much easier to prove + that science is of divine origin? + </p> + <p> + Science does not persecute. It does not shed blood—it fills the + world with light. It cares nothing for heresy; it develops the mind, and + enables man to answer his own prayers. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Manning takes the ground that Jehovah practically abandoned the + children of men for four thousand years, and gave them over to every + abomination. He claims that Christianity came "in the fullness of time," + and it is then admitted that "what the fullness of time may mean is one of + the mysteries of times and seasons, that it is not for us to know." Having + declared that it is a mystery, and one that we are not to know, the + Cardinal explains it: "One motive for the long delay of four thousand + years is not far to seek—it gave time, full and ample, for the + utmost development and consolidation of all the falsehood and evil of + which the intellect and will of man are capable." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible to imagine why an infinitely good and wise being "gave time + full and ample for the utmost development and consolidation of falsehood + and evil"? Why should an infinitely wise God desire this development and + consolidation? What would be thought of a father who should refuse to + teach his son and deliberately allow him to go into every possible excess, + to the end that he might "develop all the falsehood and evil of which his + intellect and will were capable"? If a supernatural religion is a + necessity, and if without it all men simply develop and consolidate + falsehood and evil, why was not a supernatural religion given to the first + man? The Catholic Church, if this be true, should have been founded in the + Garden of Eden. + </p> + <p> + Was it not cruel to drown a world just for the want of a supernatural + religion—a religion that man, by no possibility, could furnish? Was + there "husbandry in heaven"? + </p> + <p> + But the Cardinal contradicts himself by not only admitting, but declaring, + that the world had never seen a legislation so just, so equitable, as that + of Rome. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that a nation in which falsehood and evil had reached their + highest development was, after all, so wise, so just and so equitable? + </p> + <p> + Was not the civil law far better than the Mosaic—more philosophical, + nearer just? + </p> + <p> + The civil law was produced without the assistance of God. + </p> + <p> + According to the Cardinal, it was produced by men in whom all the + falsehood and evil of which they were capable had been developed and + consolidated, while the cruel and ignorant Mosaic code came from the lips + of infinite wisdom and compassion. + </p> + <p> + It is declared that the history of Rome shows what man can do without God, + and I assert that the history of the Inquisition shows what man can do + when assisted by a church of divine origin, presided over, by the + infallible vicars of God. + </p> + <p> + The fact that the early Christians not only believed incredible things, + but persuaded others of their truth, is regarded by the Cardinal as a + miracle. This is only another phase of the old argument that success is + the test of divine origin. All supernatural religions have been founded in + precisely the same way. The credulity of eighteen hundred years ago + believed everything except the truth. + </p> + <p> + A religion is a growth, and is of necessity adapted in some degree to the + people among whom it grows. It is shaped and molded by the general + ignorance, the superstition and credulity of the age in which it lives. + The key is fashioned by the lock. + </p> + <p> + Every religion that has succeeded has in some way supplied the wants of + its votaries, and has to a certain extent harmonized with their hopes, + their fears, their vices, and their virtues. + </p> + <p> + If, as the Cardinal says, the religion of Christ is in absolute harmony + with nature, how can it be supernatural? The Cardinal also declares that + "the religion of Christ is in harmony with the reason and moral nature in + all nations and all ages to this day." + </p> + <p> + What becomes of the argument that Catholicism must be of divine origin + because "it has ascended the stream of human license, <i>contra ictum + fluminis</i>, by a power mightier than nature"? + </p> + <p> + If "it is in harmony with the reason and moral nature of all nations and + all ages to this day," it has gone with the stream, and not against it. If + "the religion of Christ is in harmony with the reason and moral nature of + all nations," then the men who have rejected it are unnatural, and these + men have gone against the stream. How then can it be said that + Christianity has been in changeless opposition to nature as man has marred + it? To what extent has man marred it? + </p> + <p> + In spite of the marring by man, we are told that the reason and moral + nature of all nations in all ages to this day is in harmony with the + religion of Jesus Christ. + </p> + <p> + Are we justified in saying that the Catholic Church is of divine origin + because the Pagans failed to destroy it by persecution? + </p> + <p> + We will put the Cardinal's statement in form: + </p> + <p> + Paganism failed to destroy Catholicism by persecution, therefore + Catholicism is of divine origin. + </p> + <p> + Let us make an application of this logic: + </p> + <p> + Paganism failed to destroy Catholicism by persecution; therefore, + Catholicism is of divine origin. + </p> + <p> + Catholicism failed to destroy Protestantism by persecution; therefore, + Protestantism is of divine origin. + </p> + <p> + Catholicism and Protestantism combined failed to destroy Infidelity; + therefore, Infidelity is of divine origin. + </p> + <p> + Let us make another application: + </p> + <p> + Paganism did not succeed in destroying Catholicism; therefore, Paganism + was a false religion. + </p> + <p> + Catholicism did not succeed in destroying Protestantism; therefore, + Catholicism is a false religion. + </p> + <p> + Catholicism and Protestantism combined failed to destroy Infidelity; + therefore, both Catholicism and Protestantism are false religions. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal has another reason for believing the Catholic Church of + divine origin. He declares that the "Canon Law is a creation of wisdom and + justice to which no statutes at large or imperial pandects can bear + comparison;" "that the world-wide and secular legislation of the church + was of a higher character, and that as water cannot rise above its source, + the church could not, by mere human wisdom, have corrected and perfected + the imperial law, and therefore its source must have been higher than the + sources of the world." + </p> + <p> + When Europe was the most ignorant, the Canon Law was supreme. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the good in the Canon Law was borrowed—the bad + was, for the most part, original. In my judgment, the legislation of the + Republic of the United States is in many respects superior to that of + Rome, and yet we are greatly indebted to the Civil Law. Our legislation is + superior in many particulars to that of England, and yet we are greatly + indebted to the Common Law; but it never occurred to me that our Statutes + at Large are divinely inspired. + </p> + <p> + If the Canon Law is, in fact, the legislation of infinite wisdom, then it + should be a perfect code. Yet, the Canon Law made it a crime next to + robbery and theft to take interest for money. Without the right to take + interest the business of the whole world, would to a large extent, cease + and the prosperity of mankind end. There are railways enough in the United + States to make six tracks around the globe, and every mile was built with + borrowed money on which interest was paid or promised. In no other way + could the savings of many thousands have been brought together and a + capital great enough formed to construct works of such vast and + continental importance. + </p> + <p> + It was provided in this same wonderful Canon Law that a heretic could not + be a witness against a Catholic. The Catholic was at liberty to rob and + wrong his fellow-man, provided the fellow-man was not a fellow Catholic, + and in a court established by the vicar of Christ, the man who had been + robbed was not allowed to open his mouth. A Catholic could enter the house + of an unbeliever, of a Jew, of a heretic, of a Moor, and before the eyes + of the husband and father murder his wife and children, and the father + could not pronounce in the hearing of a judge the name of the murderer. + </p> + <p> + The world is wiser now, and the Canon Law, given to us by infinite wisdom, + has been repealed by the common sense of man. + </p> + <p> + In this divine code it was provided that to convict a cardinal bishop, + seventy-two witnesses were required; a cardinal presbyter, forty-four; a + cardinal deacon, twenty-four; a subdeacon, acolyth, exorcist, reader, + ostiarius, seven; and in the purgation of a bishop, twelve witnesses were + invariably required; of a presbyter, seven; of a deacon, three. These + laws, in my judgment, were made, not by God, but by the clergy. + </p> + <p> + So too in this cruel code it was provided that those who gave aid, favor, + or counsel, to excommunicated persons, should be anathema, and that those + who talked with, consulted, or sat at the same table with or gave anything + in charity to the excommunicated should be anathema. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that a being of infinite wisdom made hospitality a crime? + Did he say: "Whoso giveth a cup of cold water to the excommunicated shall + wear forever a garment of fire"? Were not the laws of the Romans much + better? Besides all this, under the Canon Law the dead could be tried for + heresy, and their estates confiscated—that is to say, their widows + and orphans robbed. + </p> + <p> + The most brutal part of the common law of England is that in relation to + the rights of women—all of which was taken from the <i>Corpus Juris + Canonici</i>, "the law that came from a higher source than man." + </p> + <p> + The only cause of absolute divorce as laid down by the pious canonists was + <i>propter infidelitatem</i>, which was when one of the parties became + Catholic, and would not live with the other who continued still an + unbeliever. Under this divine statute, a pagan wishing to be rid of his + wife had only to join the Catholic Church, provided she remained faithful + to the religion of her fathers. Under this divine law, a man marrying a + widow was declared to be a bigamist. + </p> + <p> + It would require volumes to point out the cruelties, absurdities and + inconsistencies of the Canon Law. It has been thrown away by the world. + Every civilized nation has a code of its own, and the Canon Law is of + interest only to the historian, the antiquarian, and the enemy of + theological government. + </p> + <p> + Under the Canon Law, people were convicted of being witches and wizards, + of holding intercourse with devils. Thousands perished at the stake, + having been convicted of these impossible crimes. Under the Canon Law, + there was such a crime as the suspicion of heresy. A man or woman could be + arrested, charged with being suspected, and under this Canon Law, flowing + from the intellect of infinite wisdom, the presumption was in favor of + guilt. The suspected had to prove themselves innocent. In all civilized + courts, the presumption of innocence is the shield of the indicted, but + the Canon Law took away this shield, and put in the hand of the priest the + sword of presumptive guilt. + </p> + <p> + If the real pope is the vicar of Christ, the true shepherd of the sheep, + this fact should be known not only to the vicar, but to the sheep. A + divinely founded and guarded church ought to know its own shepherd, and + yet the Catholic sheep have not always been certain who the shepherd was. + </p> + <p> + The Council of Pisa, held in 1409, deposed two popes—rivals—Gregory + and Benedict—that is to say, deposed the actual vicar of Christ and + the pretended. This action was taken because a council, enlightened by the + Holy Ghost, could not tell the genuine from the counterfeit. The council + then elected another vicar, whose authority was afterwards denied. + Alexander V. died, and John XXIII. took his place; Gregory XII. insisted + that he was the lawful pope; John resigned, then he was deposed, and + afterward imprisoned; then Gregory XII. resigned, and Martin V. was + elected. The whole thing reads like the annals of a South American + revolution. + </p> + <p> + The Council of Constance restored, as the Cardinal declares, the unity of + the church, and brought back the consolation of the Holy Ghost. Before + this great council John Huss appeared and maintained his own tenets. The + council declared that the church was not bound to keep its promise with a + heretic. Huss was condemned and executed on the 6th of July, 1415. His + disciple, Jerome of Prague, recanted, but having relapsed, was put to + death, May 30, 1416. This cursed council shed the blood of Huss and + Jerome. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal appeals to the author of "Ecce Homo" for the purpose of + showing that Christianity is above nature, and the following passages, + among others, are quoted: + </p> + <p> + "Who can describe that which unites men? Who has entered into the + formation of speech, which is the symbol of their union? Who can describe + exhaustively the origin of civil society? He who can do these things can + explain the origin of the Christian Church." + </p> + <p> + These passages should not have been quoted by the Cardinal. The author of + these passages simply says that the origin of the Christian Church is no + harder to find and describe than that which unites men—than that + which has entered into the formation of speech, the symbol of their union—no + harder to describe than the origin of civil society—because he says + that one who can describe these can describe the other. + </p> + <p> + Certainly none of these things are above nature. We do not need the + assistance of the Holy Ghost in these matters. We know that men are united + by common interests, common purposes, common dangers—by race, + climate and education. It is no more wonderful that people live in + families, tribes, communities and nations, than that birds, ants and bees + live in flocks and swarms. + </p> + <p> + If we know anything, we know that language is natural—that it is a + physical science. But if we take the ground occupied by the Cardinal, then + we insist that everything that cannot be accounted for by man, is + supernatural. Let me ask, by what man? What man must we take as the + standard? + </p> + <p> + Cosmas or Humboldt, St. Irenæus or Darwin? If everything that we + cannot account for is above nature, then ignorance is the test of the + supernatural. The man who is mentally honest, stops where his knowledge + stops. At that point he says that he does not know. Such a man is a + philosopher. Then the theologian steps forward, denounces the modesty of + the philosopher as blasphemy, and proceeds to tell what is beyond the + horizon of the human intellect. + </p> + <p> + Could a savage account for the telegraph, or the telephone, by natural + causes? How would he account for these wonders? He would account for them + precisely as the Cardinal accounts for the Catholic Church. + </p> + <p> + Belonging to no rival church, I have not the slightest interest in the + primacy of Leo XIII., and yet it is to be regretted that this primacy + rests upon such a narrow and insecure foundation. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal says that "it will appear almost certain that the original + Greek of St. Irenæus, <i>which is unfortunately lost</i>, contained + either [—Greek—], or some inflection of [—Greek—], + which signifies primacy." + </p> + <p> + From this it appears that the primacy of the Bishop of Rome rests on some + "inflection" of a Greek word—and that this supposed inflection was + in a letter supposed to have been written by St. Irenæus, which has + certainly been lost. Is it possible that the vast fabric of papal power + has this, and only this, for its foundation? To this "inflection" has it + come at last? + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal's case depends upon the intelligence and veracity of his + witnesses. The Fathers of the church were utterly incapable of examining a + question of fact. They were all believers in the miraculous. The same is + true of the apostles. If St. John was the author of the Apocalypse, he was + undoubtedly insane. If Polycarp said the things attributed to him by + Catholic writers, he was certainly in the condition of his master. What is + the testimony of St. John worth in the light of the following? "Cerinthus, + the heretic, was in a bathhouse. St. John and another Christian were about + to enter. St. John cried out: 'Let us run away, lest the house fall upon + us while the enemy of truth is in it.'" Is it possible that St. John + thought that God would kill two eminent Christians for the purpose of + getting even with one heretic? + </p> + <p> + Let us see who Polycarp was. He seems to have been a prototype of the + Catholic Church, as will be seen from the following statement concerning + this Father: "When any heretical doctrine was spoken in his presence he + would stop his ears." After this, there can be no question of his + orthodoxy. It is claimed that Polycarp was a martyr—that a spear was + run through his body, and that from the wound his soul, in the shape of a + bird, flew away. The history of his death is just as true as the history + of his life. + </p> + <p> + Irenæus, another witness, took the ground that there was to be a + millennium—a thousand years of enjoyment in which celibacy would not + be the highest form of virtue. If he is called as a witness for the + purpose of establishing the divine origin of the church, and if one of his + "inflections" is the basis of papal supremacy, is the Cardinal also + willing to take his testimony as to the nature of the millennium? + </p> + <p> + All the Fathers were infinitely credulous. Every one of them believed, not + only in the miracles said to have been wrought by Christ, by the apostles, + and by other Christians, but every one of them believed in the Pagan + miracles. All of these Fathers were familiar with wonders and + impossibilities. Nothing was so common with them as to work miracles, and + on many occasions they not only cured diseases, not only reversed the + order of nature, but succeeded in raising the dead. + </p> + <p> + It is very hard, indeed, to prove what the apostles said, or what the + Fathers of the church wrote. There were many centuries filled with + forgeries—many generations in which the cunning hands of + ecclesiastics erased, obliterated or interpolated the records of the past—during + which they invented books, invented authors, and quoted from works that + never existed. + </p> + <p> + The testimony of the "Fathers" is without the slightest value. They + believed everything—they examined nothing. They received as a + waste-basket receives. Whoever accepts their testimony will exclaim with + the Cardinal: "Happily, men are not saved by logic." + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0014" id="link0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + IS DIVORCE WRONG? + </h2> + <p> + By Cardinal Gibbons, Bishop Henry C. Potter, and Colonel Robert G. + Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + THE attention of the public has been particularly directed of late to the + abuses of divorce, and to the facilities afforded by the complexities of + American law, and by the looseness of its administration, for the + disruption of family ties. Therefore the <i>North American Review</i> has + opened its pages for the thorough discussion of the subject in its moral, + social, and religious aspects, and some of the most eminent leaders of + modern thought have contributed their opinions. The Rev. S. W. Dike, + LL.D., who is a specialist on the subject of divorce, has prepared some + statistics touching the matter, and, with the assistance of Bishop Potter, + the four following questions have been formulated as a basis for the + discussion: + </p> + <p> + 1. Do you believe in the principle of divorce under any circumstances? + </p> + <p> + 2. Ought divorced people to be allowed to marry under any circumstances? + </p> + <p> + 3. What is the effect of divorce on the integrity of the family? + </p> + <p> + 4. Does the absolute prohibition of divorce where it exists contribute to + the moral purity of society? + </p> + <p> + Editor North American Review, + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkINTR" id="linkINTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + Introduction by the Rev. S. W. Dike, LL.D. + </h2> + <p> + I AM to introduce this discussion with some facts and make a few + suggestions upon them. In the dozen years of my work at this problem I + have steadily insisted upon a broad basis of fact as the only foundation + of sound opinion. We now have a great statistical advance in the report of + the Department of labor. A few of these statistics will serve the present + purpose. + </p> + <p> + There were in the United States 9,937 divorces reported for the year 1867 + and 25,535 for 1886, or a total 328,716 in the twenty years. This increase + is more than twice as great as the population, and has been remarkably + uniform throughout the period. With the exception of New York, perhaps + Delaware, and the three or four States where special legislative reforms + have been secured, the increase covers the country and has been more than + twice the gain in population. The South apparently felt the movement later + than the North and West, but its greater rapidity there will apparently + soon obliterate most existing differences. The movement is well-nigh as + universal in Europe as here. Thirteen European countries, including + Canada, had 6,540 divorces in 1876 and 10,909 in 1886—an increase of + 67 per cent. In the same period the increase with us was 72.5 per cent. + But the ratios of divorce to population are here generally three or four + times greater than in Europe. The ratios to marriage in the United States + are sometimes as high as 1 to 10, 1 to 9, or even a little more for single + years. In heathen Japan for three years they were more than 1 to 3. But + divorce there is almost wholly left to the regulation of the family, and + practically optional with the parties. It is a re-transference of the wife + by a simple writing to her own family. + </p> + <p> + 1. The increase of divorce is one of several evils affecting the family. + Among these are hasty or ill-considered marriages, the decline of marriage + and the decrease of children,—too generally among classes + pecuniarily best able to maintain domestic life,—the probable + increase in some directions of marital infidelity and sexual vice, and + last, but not least, a tendency to reduce the family to a minimum of force + in the life of society. All these evils should be studied and treated in + their relations to each other. Carefully-conducted investigations alone + can establish these latter statements beyond dispute, although there can + be little doubt of their general correctness as here carefully made. And + the conclusion is forced upon us that the toleration of the increase of + divorce, touching as it does the vital bond of the family, is so far forth + a confession of our western civilization that it despairs of all remedies + for ills of the family, and is becoming willing, in great degree, to look + away from all true remedies to a dissolution of the family by the courts + in all serious cases. If this were our settled purpose, it would look like + giving up the idea of producing and protecting a family increasingly + capable of enduring to the end of its natural existence. If the drift of + things on this subject during the present century may be taken as + prophetic, our civilization moves in an opposite direction in its + treatment of the family from its course with the individual. + </p> + <p> + 2. Divorce, including these other evils related to the family, is + preeminently a social problem. It should therefore be reached by all the + forces of our great social institutions—religious, educational, + industrial, and political. Each of these should be brought to bear on it + proportionately and in cooperation with the others. But I can here take up + only one or two lines for further suggestion. + </p> + <p> + 3. The causes of divorces, like those of most social evils, are often many + and intricate. The statistics for this country, when the forty-three + various statutory causes are reduced to a few classes, show that 20 per + cent, of the divorces were based on adultery, 16 on cruelty, 38 were + granted for desertion, 4 for drunkenness, less than 3 for neglect to + provide, and so on. But these tell very little, except that it is easier + or more congenial to use one or another of the statutory causes, just as + the old "omnibus clause," which gave general discretion to the courts in + Connecticut, and still more in some other States, was made to cover many + cases. A special study of forty-five counties in twelve States, however, + shows that drunkenness was a direct or indirect cause in 20.1 per cent, of + 29,665 cases. That is, it could be found either alone or in conjunction + with others, directly or indirectly, in one-fifth of the cases. + </p> + <p> + 4. Laws and their administration affect divorce. New York grants absolute + divorce for only one cause, and New Jersey for two. Yet New York has many + more divorces in proportion to population, due largely to a looser system + of administration. In seventy counties of twelve States 68 per cent, of + the applications are granted. The enactment of a more stringent law is + immediately followed by a decrease of divorces, from which there is a + tendency to recover. Personally, I think stricter methods of + administration, restrictions upon remarriage, proper delays in hearing + suits, and some penal inflictions for cruelty, desertion, neglect of + support, as well as for adultery, would greatly reduce divorces, even + without removing a single statutory cause. There would be fewer unhappy + families, not more. For people would then look to real remedies instead of + confessing the hopelessness of remedy by appeals to the courts. A + multitude of petty ills and many utterly wicked frauds and other abuses + would disappear. "Your present methods," said a Nova Scotian to a man from + Maine a few years ago, "are simply ways of multiplying and magnifying + domestic ills." There is much force in this. But let us put reform of + marriage laws along with these measures. + </p> + <p> + 5. The evils of conflicting and diverse marriage and divorce laws are + doing immense harm. The mischief through which innocent parties are + defrauded, children rendered illegitimate, inheritance made uncertain, and + actual imprisonments for bigamy grow out of divorce and remarriage, are + well known to most. Uniformity through a national law or by conventions of + the States has been strongly urged for many years. Uniformity is needed. + But for one, I have long discouraged too early action, because the problem + is too difficult, the consequences too serious, and the elements of it + still too far out of our reach for any really wise action at present. The + government report grew immediately out of this conviction. It will, I + think, abundantly justify the caution. For it shows that uniformity could + affect at the utmost only a small percentage of the total divorces in the + United States. <i>Only 19.9 percent of all the divorced who were married + in this country obtained their divorces in a different State from the one + in which their marriage had taken place, in all these twenty years, 80.1 + per cent, having been divorced in the State where married</i>. Now, + marriage on the average lasts 9.17 years before divorce occurs, which + probably is nearly two-fifths the length of a married life before its + dissolution by death. From this 19.9 per cent, there must, therefore, be + subtracted the large migration of married couples for legitimate purposes, + in order to get any fair figure to express the migration for divorce. But + the movement of the native population away from the State of birth is 22 + or 23 per cent. This, however, includes all ages. For all who believe that + divorce itself is generally a great evil, the conclusion is apparently + inevitable that the question of uniformity, serious as it is, is a very + small part of the great legal problem demanding solution at our hands. + This general problem, aside from its graver features in the more immediate + sphere of sociology and religion, must evidently tax our publicists and + statesmen severely. The old temptation to meet special evils by general + legislation besets us on this subject. I think comparative and historical + study of the law of the family, (the <i>Familienrecht</i> of the Germans), + especially if the movement of European law be seen, points toward the need + of a pretty comprehensive and thorough examination of our specific legal + problem of divorce and marriage law in this fuller light, before much + legislation is undertaken. + </p> + <p> + Samuel W. Dike. + </p> + <p> + However much men may differ in their views of the nature and attributes of + the matrimonial contract, and in their concept of the rights and + obligations of the marriage state, no one will deny that these are grave + questions; since upon marriage rests the family, and upon the family rest + society, civilization, and the highest interests of religion and the + state. Yet, strange to say, divorce, the deadly enemy of marriage, stalks + abroad to-day bold and unblushing, a monster licensed by the laws of + Christian states to break hearts, wreck homes and ruin souls. And passing + strange is it, too, that so many, wise and far-seeing in less weighty + concerns, do not appear to see in the evergrowing power of divorce a + menace not only to the sacredness of the marriage institution, but even to + the fair social fabric reared upon matrimony as its corner-stone. + </p> + <p> + God instituted in Paradise the marriage state and sanctified it. He + established its law of unity and declared its indissolubility. By divine + authority Adam spoke when of his wife he said: "This now is bone of my + bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was + taken out of man. Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall + cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Gen., ii., 23-24. +</pre> + <p> + But like other things on earth, marriage suffered in the fall; and little + by little polygamy and divorce began to assert themselves against the law + of matrimonial unity and indissolubility. Yet the ideal of the marriage + institution never faded away. It survived, not only among the chosen + people, but even among the nations of heathendom, disfigured much, 'tis + true, but with its ancient beauty never wholly destroyed. + </p> + <p> + When, in the fullness of time, Christ came to restore the things that were + perishing, he reasserted in clear and unequivocal terms the sanctity, + unity, and indissolubility of marriage. Nay, more. He gave to this state + added holiness and a dignity higher far than it had "from the beginning." + He made marriage a sacrament, made it the type of his own never-ending + union with his one spotless spouse, the church. St. Paul, writing to the + Ephesians, says: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the + church, and delivered himself up for it, that he might sanctify it, + cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life, that he might + present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or + any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. So also + ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.... For this cause shall + a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they + shall be two in one flesh."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ephes., v., 25-31. +</pre> + <p> + In defence of Christian marriage, the church was compelled from the + earliest days of her existence to do frequent and stern battle. But + cultured pagan, and rough barbarian, and haughty Christian lord were met + and conquered. Men were taught to master passion, and Christian marriage, + with all its rights secured and reverenced, became a ruling power in the + world. + </p> + <p> + The Council of Trent, called, in the throes of the mighty moral upheaval + of the sixteenth century, to deal with the new state of things, again + proclaimed to a believing and an unbelieving world the Catholic doctrine + of the holiness, unity, and indissolubility of marriage, and the + unlawfulness of divorce. The council declared no new dogmas: it simply + reaffirmed the common teaching of the church for centuries. But some of + the most hallowed attributes of marriage seemed to be objects of peculiar + detestation to the new teachers, and their abolition was soon demanded. + "The leaders in the changes of matrimonial law," writes Professor Woolsey, + "were the Protestant reformers themselves, and that almost from the + beginning of the movement.... The reformers, when they discarded the + sacramental view of marriage and the celibacy of the clergy, had to make + out a new doctrine of marriage and of divorce."* The "new doctrine of + marriage and of divorce," pleasing as it was to the sensual man, was + speedily learned and as speedily put in practice. The sacredness with + which Christian marriage had been hedged around began to be more and more + openly trespassed upon, and restive shoulders wearied more and more + quickly of the marriage yoke when divorce promised freedom for newer joys. + </p> + <p> + To our own time the logical consequences of the "new doctrine" have come. + To-day "abyss calls upon abyss," change calls for change, laxity calls for + license. Divorce is now a recognized presence in high life and low; and + polygamy, the first-born of divorce, sits shameless in palace and in + hovel. Yet the teacher that feared not to speak the words of truth in + bygone ages is not silent now. In no uncertain tones, the church proclaims + to the world to-day the unchangeable law of the strict unity and absolute + indissolubility of valid and consummated Christian marriage. + </p> + <p> + To the question then, "Can divorce from the bond of marriage ever be + allowed?" the Catholic can only answer no. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Divorce and Divorce Legislation," by Theodore D. Woolsey, + 2d Ed., p. 126. +</pre> + <p> + And for this no, his first and last and best reason can be but this: "<i>Thus + saith the Lord</i>." + </p> + <p> + As time goes on the wisdom of the church in absolutely forbidding divorce + from the marriage bond grows more and more plain even to the many who deny + to this prohibition a divine and authoritative sanction. And nowhere is + this more true than in our own country. Yet our experience of the evils of + divorce is but the experience of every people that has cherished this + monster. + </p> + <p> + Let us take but a hasty view of the consequences of divorce in ancient + times. Turn only to pagan Greece and Rome, two peoples that practised + divorce most extensively. In both we find divorce weakening their + primitive virtue and making their latter corruption more corrupt. Among + the Greeks morality declined as material civilization advanced. Divorce + grew easy and common, and purity and peace were banished from the family + circle. Among the Romans divorce was not common until the latter days of + the Republic. Then the flood-gates of immorality were opened, and, with + divorce made easy, came rushing in corruption of morals among both sexes + and in every walk of life. "Passion, interest, or caprice," Gibbon, the + historian, tells us, "suggested daily motives for the dissolution of + marriage; a word, a sign, a message, a letter, the mandate of a freedman, + declared the separation; the most tender of human connections was degraded + to a transient society of profit or pleasure."* Each succeeding generation + witnessed moral corruption more general, moral degradation more profound; + men and women were no longer ashamed of licentiousness; until at length + the nation that became mighty because built on a pure family fell when its + corner-stone crumbled away in rottenness. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empiré," Milman's Ed., Vol. + III., p. 236. +</pre> + <p> + Heedless of the lessons taught by history, modern nations, too, have made + trial of divorce. In Europe, wherever the new gospel of marriage and + divorce has had! notable influence, divorce has been legalized; and in due + proportion to the extent of that influence causes for divorce have been + multiplied, the bond of marriage more and more recklessly broken, and the + obligations of that sacred state more and more shamelessly disregarded. In + our own country the divorce evil has grown more rapidly than our growth + and strengthened more rapidly than our strength. Mr. Carroll D. Wright, in + a special report on the statistics of marriage and divorce made to + Congress in February, 1889, places the number of divorces in the United + States in 1867 at 9,937, and the number in 1886 at 25,535. These figures + show an increase of the divorce evil much out of proportion to our + increase in population. The knowledge that divorces can easily be procured + encourages hasty marriages and equally hasty preparations. Legislators and + judges in some States are encouraging inventive genius in the art of + finding new causes for divorce. Frequently the most trivial and even + ridiculous pretexts are recognized as sufficient for the rupture of the + marriage bond; and in some States divorce can be obtained "without + publicity," and even without the knowledge of the defendant—in such + cases generally an innocent wife. Crime has sometimes been committed for + the very purpose of bringing about a divorce, and cases are not rare in + which plots have been laid to blacken the reputation of a virtuous spouse + in order to obtain legal freedom for new nuptials. Sometimes, too, there + is a collusion between the married parties to obtain divorce. One of them + trumps up charges; the other does not oppose the suit; and judgment is + entered for the plaintiff. Every daily newspaper tells us of divorces + applied for or granted, and the public sense of decency is constantly + being shocked by the disgusting recital of of divorce-court scandals. + </p> + <p> + We are filled with righteous indignation at Mormonism; we brand it as a + national disgrace, and justly demand its suppression. Why? Because, + forsooth, the Mormons are polygamists. Do we forget that there are two + species of polygamy—simultaneous and successive? Mormons practise + without legal recognition the first species; while among us the second + species is indulged in, and with the sanction of law, by thousands in + whose nostrils Mormonism is a stench and an abomination. The Christian + press and pulpit of the land denounce the Mormons as "an adulterous + generation," but too often deal very tenderly with Christian polygamists. + Why? Is Christian polygamy less odious in the eyes of God than Mormon + polygamy? Among us, *tis true, the one is looked upon as more respectable + than the other. Yet we know that the Mormons as a class, care for their + wives and children; while Christian polygamists but too often leave + wretched wives to starve, slave, or sin, and leave miserable children a + public charge. "O divorced and much-married Christian," says the + polygamous dweller by Salt Lake, "pluck first the beam from thy own eye, + and then shalt thou see to pluck the mote from the eye of thy + much-married, but undivorced, Mormon brother." It follows logically from + the Catholic doctrine of the unity and indissolubility of marriage, and + the consequent prohibition of divorce from the marital bond, that no one, + even though divorced <i>a vinculo</i> by the civil power, can be allowed + by the church to take another consort during the lifetime of the true wife + or husband, and such connection the church can but hold as sinful. It is + written: "Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another committeth + adultery against her. And if the wife shall put away her husband, and be + married to another, she committeth adultery."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Mark, x., ii, 12. +</pre> + <p> + Of course, I am well aware that upon the words of our Saviour as found in + St. Matthew, Chap. xix., 9, many base the right of divorce from the + marriage bond for adultery, with permission to remarry. But, as is well + known, the Catholic Church, upon the concurrent testimony of the + Evangelists Mark* and Luke,** and upon the teaching of St. Paul,*** + interprets our Lord's words quoted by St. Matthew as simply permitting, on + account of adultery, divorce from bed and board, with no right to either + party to marry another. + </p> + <p> + But even if divorce <i>a vinculo</i> were not forbidden by divine law, how + inadequate a remedy would it be for the evils for which so many deem it a + panacea. "Divorce <i>a vinculo</i>," as Dr. Brownson truly says, + "logically involves divorce <i>ad libitum."</i>*** Now, what reason is + there to suppose that parties divorced and remated will be happier in the + new connection than in the old? As a matter of fact, many persons have + been divorced a number of times. Sometimes, too, it happens that, after a + period of separation, divorced parties repent of their folly, reunite, and + are again divorced. Indeed, experience clearly proves that unhappiness + among married people frequently does not arise so much from "mutual + incompatibility" as from causes inherent in one or both of the parties—causes + that would be likely to make a new union as wretched as the old one. There + is wisdom in the pithy saying of-a recent writer: "Much ill comes, not + because men and women are married, but because they are fools."*** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Mark, x., n, 12. Luke, xvi., 18. J I. Cor.,vii., 10, 11. + + ** Essay on "The Family—Christian and Pagan." + + *** Prof. David Swing in Chicago Journal. +</pre> + <p> + There are some who think that the absolute prohibition of divorce does not + contribute to the purity of society, and are therefore of opinion that + divorce with liberty to remarry does good in this regard. He who believes + the matrimonial bond indissoluble, divorce a vinculo evil, and the + connection resulting from it criminal, can only say: "Evil should not be + done that good may come." But, after all, would even passing good come + from this greater freedom? In a few exceptional cases—Yes: in the + vast majority of cases—No. The trying of divorce as a safeguard of + purity is an old experiment, and an unsuccessful one. In Rome adulteries + increased as divorces were multiplied. After speaking of the facility and + frequency of divorce among the Romans, Gibbon adds: + </p> + <p> + "A specious theory is confuted by this free and perfect experiment, which + demonstrates that the liberty of divorce does not contribute to happiness + and virtue. The facility of separation would destroy all mutual + confidence, and inflame every trifling dispute. The minute difference + between a husband and a stranger, which might so easily be removed, might + still more easily be forgotten."* + </p> + <p> + How <i>apropos</i> in this connection are the words of Professor Woolsey: + </p> + <p> + "Nothing is more startling than to pass from the first part of the + eighteenth to this latter part of the nineteenth century, and to observe + how law has changed and opinion has altered in regard to marriage, the + great foundation of society, and to divorce; and how, almost pari passu, + various offences against chastity, such as concubinage, prostitution, + illegitimate births, abortion, disinclination to family life, have + increased also—not, indeed, at the same pace everywhere, or all of + them equally in all countries, yet have decidedly increased on the + whole."! + </p> + <p> + Surely in few parts of the wide world is the truth of these strong words + more evident than in those parts of our own country where loose divorce + laws have long prevailed. + </p> + <p> + It should be noted that, while never allowing the dissolution of the + marriage bond, the Catholic Church has always permitted, for grave causes + and under certain conditions, a temporary or permanent "separation from + bed and board." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," Milman's Ed., Vol. + III., p. 236. + + ** "Divorce and Divorce Legislation," 2d Ed., p. 274. +</pre> + <p> + The causes which, <i>positis ponendis</i>, justify such separation may be + briefly given thus: mutual consent, adultery, and grave peril of soul or + body. + </p> + <p> + It may be said that there are persons so unhappily mated and so + constituted that for them no relief can come save from divorce <i>a + vinculo</i>, with permission to remarry. I shall not linger here to point + out to such the need of seeking from a higher than earthly power the grace + to suffer and be strong. But for those whose reasoning on this subject is + of the earth, earthy, I shall add some words of practical worldly wisdom + from eminent jurists. In a note to his edition of Blackstone's + "Commentaries," Mr. John Taylor Coleridge says: + </p> + <p> + "It is no less truly than beautifully said by Sir W. Scott, in the case of + Evans v. Evans, that 'though in particular cases the repugnance of the law + to dissolve the obligation of matrimonial cohabitation may operate with + great severity upon individuals, yet it must be carefully remembered that + the general happiness of the married life is secured by its + indissolubility.' When people understand that they must live together, + except for a few reasons known to the law, they learn to soften by mutual + accommodation that yoke which they know they cannot shake off: they become + good husbands and good wives from the necessity of remaining husbands and + wives: for necessity is a powerful master in teaching the duties which it + imposes. If it were once understood that upon mutual disgust married + persons might be legally separated, many couples who now pass through the + world with mutual comfort, with attention to their common offspring, and + to the moral order of civil society, might have been at this moment living + in a state of mutual unkindness, in a state of estrangement from their + common offspring, and in a state of the most licentious and unrestrained + immorality. In this case, as in many other cases, the happiness of some + individuals must be sacrificed to the greater and more general good." + </p> + <p> + The facility and frequency of divorce, and its lamentable consequences, + are nowadays calling much attention to measures of "divorce reform." "How + can divorce reform be best secured?" it may be asked. Believing, as I do, + that divorce is evil, I also believe that its "reformation" and its death + must be simultaneous. It should cease to be. Divorce as we know it began + when marriage was removed from the domain of the church: divorce shall + cease when the old order shall be restored. Will this ever come to pass? + Perhaps so—after many days. Meanwhile, something might be done, + something should be done, to lessen the evils of divorce. Our present + divorce legislation must be presumed to be such as the majority of the + people wish it. A first step, therefore, in the way of "divorce reform" + should be the creation of a more healthy public sentiment on this + question. Then will follow measures that will do good in proportion to + their stringency. A few practical suggestions as to the salient features + of remedial divorce legislation may not be out of place. Persons seeking + at the hands of the civil law relief in matrimonial troubles should have + the right to ask for divorce <i>a vinculo</i>, or simple separation <i>a + mensâ et thoro</i>, as they may elect. The number of + legally-recognized grounds for divorce should be lessened, and "noiseless" + divorces forbidden. "Rapid-transit" facilities for passing through divorce + courts should be cut off, and divorce "agencies" should be suppressed. The + plaintiff in a divorce case should be a <i>bona fide</i> resident of the + judicial district in which his petition is filed, and in every divorce + case the legal representatives of the State should appear for the + defendant, and, by all means, the right of remarriage after divorce should + be restricted. If divorce cannot be legislated out of existence, let, at + least, its power for evil be diminished. + </p> + <p> + James Cardinal Gibbons. + </p> + <p> + I am asked certain questions with regard to the attitude of the Episcopal + Church towards the matter of divorce. In undertaking to answer them, it is + to be remembered that there is a considerable variety of opinion which is + held in more or less precise conformity with doctrinal or canonical + declarations of the church. With these variations this paper, except in so + far as it may briefly indicate them, is not concerned. Nor is it an + expression of individual opinion. That is not what has been asked for or + attempted. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine and law of the Protestant Episcopal Church on the subject of + divorce is contained in canon 13, title II., of the "Digest of the + Canons," 1887. That, canon has been to a certain extent interpreted by + Episcopal judgments under section IV. The "public opinion" of the clergy + or laity can only be ascertained in the usual way; especially by examining + their published treatises, letters, etc., and perhaps most satisfactorily + by the reports of discussion in the diocesan and general conventions on + the subject of divorce. Among members of the Protestant Episcopal Church + divorce is excessively rare, cases of uncertainty in the application of + the canon, are much more rare, and the practice of the clergy is almost + perfectly uniform. There is, however, by no means the same uniformity in + their opinions either as to divorce or marriage. + </p> + <p> + As divorce is necessarily a mere accident of marriage, and as divorce is + impossible without a precedent marriage, much practical difficulty might + arise, and much difference of opinion does arise, from the fact that the + Protestant Episcopal Church has nowhere defined marriage. Negatively, it + is explicitly affirmed (Article XXV.) that "matrimony is not to be counted + for a sacrament of the Gospel." This might seem to reduce matrimony to a + civil contract. And accordingly the first rubric in the <i>Form of + Solemnization of Matrimony</i> directs, on the ground of differences of + laws in the various States, that "the minister is left to the direction of + those laws in everything that regards the civil contract between the + parties." Laws determining what persons shall be capable of contracting + would seem to be included in "everything that regards the civil contract;" + and unquestionably the laws of most of the States render all persons + legally divorced capable of at once contracting a new marriage. Both the + first section of canon 13 and the <i>Form of Solemnization</i>, affirm + that, "if any persons be joined together otherwise than as God's word doth + allow, their marriage is not lawful." But it is nowhere excepting as to + divorce, declared <i>what the impediments are</i>. The Protestant + Episcopal Church has never, by canon or express legislation, published, + for instance, a table of prohibited degrees. + </p> + <p> + On the matter of divorce, however, canon 13, title II., supersedes, for + the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, both a part of the civil + law relating to the persons capable of contracting marriage, and also all + private judgment as to the teaching of "the Word of God" on that subject. + No minister is allowed, as a rule, to solemnize the marriage of any man or + woman who has a divorced husband or wife still living. But if the person + seeking to be married is the innocent party in the divorce for adultery, + that person, whether man or woman, may be married by a minister of the + church. With the above exception, the clergy are forbidden to administer + the sacraments to any divorced and remarried person without the express + permission of the bishop, unless that person be "penitent" and "in + imminent danger of death." Any doubts "as to the facts of any case under + section II. of this canon" must be referred to the bishop. Of course, + where there is no reasonable doubt the minister may proceed. It may be + added that the sacraments are to be refused also to persons who may be + reasonably supposed to have contracted marriage "otherwise," in any + respect, "than as the Word of God and the discipline of this Church doth + allow." These impediments are nowhere defined; and accordingly it has + happened that a man who had married a deceased wife's sister and the woman + he had married were, by the private judgment of a priest, refused the holy + communion. The civil courts do not seem inclined to protect the clergy + from consequences of interference with the civil law. In Southbridge, + Mass., a few weeks ago, a man who had been denounced from the altar for + marrying again after a divorce obtained a judgment for $1,720 damages. The + law of the church would seem to be that, even though a legal divorce may + have been obtained, remarriage is absolutely forbidden, excepting to the + innocent party, whether man or woman, in a divorce for adultery. The + penalty for breach of this law might involve, for the officiating + clergyman, deposition from the ministry; for the offending man or woman, + exclusion from the sacraments, which, in the judgment of a very large + number of the clergy, involves everlasting damnation. + </p> + <p> + It is obvious, then, that the Protestant Episcopal Church allows the + complete validity of a divorce <i>a vinculo</i> in the case of adultery, + and the right of remarriage to the innocent party. But that church has not + determined in what manner either the grounds of the divorce or the + "innocence" of either party is to be ascertained. The canon does not + require a clergyman to demand, nor can the church enable him to secure, + the production of a copy of the record or decree of the court of law by + which a divorce is granted, nor would such decree indicate the "innocence" + of one party, though it might prove the guilt of the other. + </p> + <p> + The effect of divorce upon the integrity of the family is too obvious to + require stating. As the father and mother are the heads of the family, + their separation must inevitably destroy the common family life. On the + other hand, it is often contended that the destruction has been already + completed, and that a divorce is only the legal recognition of what has + already taken place; "the integrity of the family" can scarcely remain + when either a father or mother, or both, are living in violation of the + law on which that integrity rests. The question may be asked whether the + absolute prohibition of divorce would contribute to the moral purity of + society. It is difficult to answer such a question, because anything on + the subject must be comparatively worthless until verified by experience. + It is quite certain that the prohibition of divorce never prevents illicit + sexual connections, as was abundantly proved when divorce in England was + put within the reach of persons who were not able to afford the expense of + a special act of Parliament. It is, indeed, so palpable a fact that any + amount of evidence or argument is wholly superfluous. + </p> + <p> + The law of the Protestant Episcopal Church is by no means identical with + the opinion of either the clergy or the laity. In the judgment of many, + the existing law is far too lax, or, at least, the whole doctrine of + marriage is far too inadequately dealt with in the authoritative teaching + of the church. The opinion of this school finds, perhaps, its most + adequate expression in the report of a committee of the last General + Convention forming Appendix XIII. of the "Journal" of that convention. It + is, substantially, that the Mosaic law of marriage is still binding upon + the church, unless directly abrogated by Christ himself; that it was + abrogated by him only so far that all divorce was forbidden by him, + excepting for the cause of fornication; that a woman might not claim + divorce for any reason whatever; that the marriage of a divorced person + until the death of the other party is wholly forbidden; that marriage is + not merely a civil contract, but a spiritual and supernatural union, + requiring for its mutual obligation a supernatural, divine grace; that + such grace is only imparted in the sacrament of matrimony, which is a true + sacrament and does actually confer grace; that marriage is wholly within + the jurisdiction of the church, though the State may determine such rules + and guarantees as may secure publicity and sufficient evidence of a + marriage, etc.; that severe penalties should be inflicted by the State, on + the demand of the church, for the suppression of all offences against the + seventh commandment and sundry other parts of the Mosaic legislation, + especially in relation to "prohibited degrees." + </p> + <p> + There is another school, equally earnest and sincere in its zeal for the + integrity of the family and sexual purity, which would nevertheless + repudiate much the greater part of the above assumption. This school, if + one may so venture to combine scattered opinions, argues substantially as + follows: The type of all Mosaic legislation was circumcision; that rite + was of universal obligation and divine authority. St. Paul so regarded it. + The abrogation of the law requiring circumcision was, therefore, the + abrogation of the whole of the Mosaic legislation. The "burden of proof," + therefore, rests upon those who affirm the present obligation of what + formed a part of the Mosaic law; and they must show that it has been + reenacted by Christ and his Apostles or forms some part of some other and + independent system of law or morals still in force. Christ's words about + divorce are not to be construed as a positive law, but as expressing the + ideal of marriage, and corresponding to his words about eunuchs, which not + everybody "can receive." So far as Christ's words seem to indicate an + inequality as to divorce between man and woman, they are explained by the + authoritative and inspired assertion of St. Paul: "In Christ Jesus there + is neither male nor female." A divine law is equally authoritative by + whomsoever declared—whether by the Son Incarnate or by the Holy + Ghost speaking through inspired Apostles. If, then, a divine law was ever + capable of suspension or modification, it may still be capable of such + suspension or modification in corresponding circumstances. The + circumstances which justified a modification of the original divine law of + marriage do still exist in many conditions of society and even of + individual life. The Protestant Episcopal Church cannot, alone, speak with + such authority on disputed passages of Scripture as to justify her + ministers in direct disobedience to the civil authority, which is also + "ordained of God." The exegesis of the early church was closely connected + with theories about matter, and about the inferiority of women and of + married life, which are no longer believed. + </p> + <p> + Of course this is a very brief statement. As a matter of fact the actual + effect of the doctrine and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church + on marriage and divorce is that divorce among her members is excessively + rare; that it is regarded with extreme aversion; and that the public + opinion of the church maintains the law as it now is, but could not be + trusted to execute laws more stringent. A member of the committee of the + General Convention whose report has been already referred to closes that + report with the following protest: + </p> + <p> + "The undersigned finds himself unable to concur in so much of the + [proposed] canon as forbids the holy communion to a truly pious and godly + woman who has been compelled by long years of suffering from a drunken and + brutal husband to obtain a divorce, and has regularly married some + suitable person according to the established laws of the land. And also + from so much of the [proposed] canon as may seem to forbid marriage with a + deceased wife's sister." + </p> + <p> + The final action on these points, which has already been stated, indicates + that the proposed report thus referred to was, in one particular at least, + in advance of the sentiment of the church as expressed in her General + Convention. + </p> + <p> + Henry C. Potter. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question (1.) Do you believe in the principle of divorce under any + circumstances?</i> + </p> + <p> + The world for the most part is ruled by the tomb, and the living are + tyrannized over by the dead. Old ideas, long after the conditions under + which they were produced have passed away, often persist in surviving. + Many are disposed to worship the ancient—to follow the old paths, + without inquiring where they lead, and without knowing exactly where they + wish to go themselves. + </p> + <p> + Opinions on the subject of divorce have been, for the most part, inherited + from the early Christians. They have come to us through theological and + priestly channels. The early Christians believed that the world was about + to be destroyed, or that it was to be purified by fire; that all the + wicked were to perish, and that the good were to be caught up in the air + to meet their Lord—to remain there, in all probability, until the + earth was prepared as a habitation for the blessed. With this thought or + belief in their minds, the things of this world were of comparatively no + importance. The man who built larger barns in which to store his grain was + regarded as a foolish farmer, who had forgotten, in his greed for gain, + the value of his own soul. They regarded prosperous people as the children + of Mammon, and the unfortunate, the wretched and diseased, as the + favorites of God. They discouraged all worldly pursuits, except the + soliciting of alms. There was no time to marry or to be given in marriage; + no time to build homes and have families. All their thoughts were centred + upon the heaven they expected to inherit. Business, love, all secular + things, fell into disrepute. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is said in the Testament about the families of the apostles; + nothing of family life, of the sacredness of home; nothing about the + necessity of education, the improvement and development of the mind. These + things were forgotten, for the reason that nothing, in the presence of the + expected event, was considered of any importance, except to be ready when + the Son of Man should come. Such was the feeling, that rewards were + offered by Christ himself to those who would desert their wives and + children. Human love was spoken of with contempt. "Let the dead bury their + dead. What is that to thee? Follow thou me." They not only believed these + things, but acted in accordance with them; and, as a consequence, all the + relations of life were denied or avoided, and their obligations + disregarded. Marriage was discouraged. It was regarded as only one degree + above open and unbridled vice, and was allowed only in consideration of + human weakness. It was thought far better not to marry—that it was + something grander for a man to love God than to love woman. The + exceedingly godly, the really spiritual, believed in celibacy, and held + the opposite sex in a kind of pious abhorrence. And yet, with that + inconsistency so characteristic of theologians, marriage was held to be a + sacrament. The priest said to the man who married: "Remember that you are + caught for life. This door opens but once. Before this den of matrimony + the tracks are all one way." This was in the nature of a punishment for + having married. The theologian felt that the contract of marriage, if not + contrary to God's command, was at least contrary to his advice, and that + the married ought to suffer in some way, as a matter of justice. The fact + that there could be no divorce, that a mistake could not be corrected, was + held up as a warning. At every wedding feast this skeleton stretched its + fleshless finger towards bride and groom. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all intelligent people have given up the idea that the world is + about to come to an end. They do not now believe that prosperity is a + certain sign of wickedness, or that poverty and wretchedness are sure + certificates of virtue. They are hardly convinced that Dives should have + been sent to hell simply for being rich, or that Lazarus was entitled to + eternal joy on account of his poverty. We now know that prosperous people + may be good, and that unfortunate people may be bad. We have reached the + conclusion that the practice of virtue tends in the direction of + prosperity, and that a violation of the conditions of well-being brings, + with absolute certainty, wretchedness and misfortune. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when it was believed that the sin of an individual was + visited upon the tribe, the community, or the nation to which he belonged. + It was then thought that if a man or woman had made a vow to God, and had + failed to keep the vow, God might punish the entire community; therefore + it was the business of the community to see to it that the vow was kept. + That idea has been abandoned. As we progress, the rights of the individual + are perceived, and we are now beginning dimly to discern that there are no + rights higher than the rights of the individual. There was a time when + nearly all believed in the reforming power of punishment—in the + beneficence of brute force. But the world is changing. It was at one time + thought that the Inquisition was the savior of society; that the + persecution of the philosopher was requisite to the preservation of the + state, and that, no matter what happened, the state should be preserved. + We have now more light. And standing upon this luminous point that we call + the present, let me answer your questions. + </p> + <p> + Marriage is the most important, the most sacred, contract that human + beings can make. No matter whether we call it a contract, or a sacrament, + or both, it remains precisely the same. And no matter whether this + contract is entered into in the presence of magistrate or priest, it is + exactly the same. A true marriage is a natural concord and agreement of + souls, a harmony in which discord is not even imagined; it is a mingling + so perfect that only one seems to exist; all other considerations are + lost; the present seems to be eternal. In this supreme moment there is no + shadow—or the shadow is as luminous as light. And when two beings + thus love, thus unite, this is the true marriage of soul and soul. That + which is said before the altar, or minister, or magistrate, or in the + presence of witnesses, is only the outward evidence of that which has + already happened within; it simply testifies to a union that has already + taken place—to the uniting of two mornings of hope to reach the + night together. Each has found the ideal; the man has found the one woman + of all the world—the impersonation of affection, purity, passion, + love, beauty, and grace; and the woman has found the one man of all the + world, her ideal, and all that she knows of romance, of art, courage, + heroism, honesty, is realized in him. The idea of contract is lost. Duty + and obligation are instantly changed into desire and joy, and two lives, + like uniting streams, flow on as one. Nothing can add to the sacredness of + this marriage, to the obligation and duty of each to each. There is + nothing in the ceremony except the desire on the part of the man and woman + that the whole world should know that they are really married and that + their souls have been united. + </p> + <p> + Every marriage, for a thousand reasons, should be public, should be + recorded, should be known; but, above all, to the end that the purity of + the union should appear. These ceremonies are not only for the good and + for the protection of the married, but also for the protection of their + children, and of society as well. But, after all, the marriage remains a + contract of the highest possible character—a contract in which each + gives and receives a heart. + </p> + <p> + The question then arises, Should this marriage, under any circumstances, + be dissolved? It is easy to understand the position taken by the various + churches; but back of theological opinions is the question of contract. + </p> + <p> + In this contract of marriage, the man agrees to protect and cherish his + wife. Suppose that he refuses to protect; that he abuses, assaults, and + tramples upon the woman he wed. What is her redress? Is she under any + obligation to him? He has violated the contract. He has failed to protect, + and, in addition, he has assaulted her like a wild beast. Is she under any + obligation to him? Is she bound by the contract he has broken? If so, what + is the consideration for this obligation? Must she live with him for his + sake? or, if she leaves him to preserve her life, must she remain his wife + for his sake? No intelligent man will answer these questions in the + affirmative. + </p> + <p> + If, then, she is not bound to remain his wife for the husband's sake, is + she bound to remain his wife because the marriage was a sacrament? Is + there any obligation on the part of the wife to remain with the brutal + husband for the sake of God? Can her conduct affect in any way the + happiness of an infinite being? Is it possible for a human being to + increase or diminish the well-being of the Infinite? + </p> + <p> + The next question is as to the right of society in this matter. It must be + admitted that the peace of society will be promoted by the separation of + such people. Certainly society cannot insist upon a wife remaining with a + husband who bruises and mangles her flesh. Even married women have a right + to personal security. They do not lose, either by contract or sacrament, + the right of self-preservation; this they share in common, to say the + least of it, with the lowest living creatures. + </p> + <p> + This will probably be admitted by most of the enemies of divorce; but they + will insist that while the wife has the right to flee from her husband's + roof and seek protection of kindred or friends, the marriage—the + sacrament—must remain unbroken. Is it to the interest of society + that those who despise each other should live together? Ought the world to + be peopled by the children of hatred or disgust, the children of lust and + loathing, or by the welcome babes of mutual love? Is it possible that an + infinitely wise and compassionate God insists that a helpless woman shall + remain the wife of a cruel wretch? Can this add to the joy of Paradise, or + tend to keep one harp in tune? Can anything be more infamous than for a + government to compel a woman to remain the wife of a man she hates—of + one whom she justly holds in abhorrence? Does any decent man wish the + assistance of a constable, a sheriff, a judge, or a church, to keep his + wife in his house? Is it possible to conceive of a more contemptible human + being than a man who would appeal to force in such a case? It may be said + that the woman is free to go, and that the courts will protect her from + the brutality of the man who promised to be her protector; but where shall + the woman go? She may have no friends; or they may be poor; her kindred + may be dead. Has she no right to build another home? Must this woman, full + of kindness, affection, health, be tied and chained to this living corpse? + Is there no future for her? Must she be an outcast forever—deceived + and betrayed for her whole life? Can she never sit by her own hearth, with + the arms of her children about her neck, and with a husband who loves and + protects her? Is she to become a social pariah, and is this for the + benefit of society?—or is it for the sake of the wretch who + destroyed her life? + </p> + <p> + The ground has been taken that woman would lose her dignity if marriage + could be annulled. Is it necessary to lose your liberty in order to retain + your moral character—in order to be pure and womanly? Must a woman, + in order to retain her virtue, become a slave, a serf, with a beast for a + master, or with society for a master, or with a phantom for a master? + </p> + <p> + If an infinite being is one of the parties to the contract, is it not the + duty of this being to see to it that the contract is carried out? What + consideration does the infinite being give? What consideration does he + receive? If a wife owes no duty to her husband because the husband has + violated the contract, and has even assaulted her life, is it possible for + her to feel toward him any real thrill of affection? If she does not, what + is there left of marriage? What part of this contract or sacrament remains + in living force? She can not sustain the relation of wife, because she + abhors him; she cannot remain under the same roof, for fear that she may + be killed. They sustain, then, only the relations of hunter and hunted—of + tyrant and victim. Is it desirable that this relation should last through + life, and that it should be rendered sacred by the ceremony of a church? + </p> + <p> + Again I ask, Is it desirable to have families raised under such + circumstances? Are we in need of children born of such parents? Can the + virtue of others be preserved only by this destruction of happiness, by + this perpetual imprisonment? + </p> + <p> + A marriage without love is bad enough, and a marriage for wealth or + position is low enough; but what shall we say of a marriage where the + parties actually abhor each other? Is there any morality in this? any + virtue in this? Is there virtue in retaining the name of wife, or husband, + without the real and true relation? Will any good man say, will any good + woman declare, that a true, loving woman should be compelled to be the + mother of children whose father she detests? Is there a good woman in the + world who would not shrink from this herself; and is there a woman so + heartless and so immoral that she would force another to bear that from + which she would shudderingly and shriekingly shrink? + </p> + <p> + Marriages are made by men and women; not by society; not by the state; not + by the church; not by supernatural beings. By this time we should know + that nothing is moral that does not tend to the well-being of sentient + beings; that nothing is virtuous the result of which is not good. We know + now, if we know anything, that all the reasons for doing right, and all + the reasons against doing wrong, are here in this world. We should have + imagination enough to put ourselves in the place of another. Let a man + suppose himself a helpless woman beaten by a brutal husband—would he + advocate divorces then? + </p> + <p> + Few people have an adequate idea of the sufferings of women and children, + of the number of wives who tremble when they hear the footsteps of a + returning husband, of the number of children who hide when they hear the + voice of a father. Few people know the number of blows that fall on the + flesh of the helpless every day, and few know the nights of terror passed + by mothers who hold babes to their breasts. Compared with these, all the + hardships of poverty borne by those who love each other are as nothing. + Men and women truly married bear the sufferings and misfortunes of poverty + together. They console each other. In the darkest night they see the + radiance of a star, and their affection gives to the heart of each + perpetual sunshine. + </p> + <p> + The good home is the unit of the good government. The hearthstone is the + corner-stone of civilization. Society is not interested in the + preservation of hateful homes, of homes where husbands and wives are + selfish, cold, and cruel. It is not to the interest of society that good + women should be enslaved, that they should live in fear, or that they + should become mothers by husbands whom they hate. Homes should be filled + with kind and generous fathers, with true and loving mothers; and when + they are so filled, the world will be civilized. Intelligence will rock + the cradle; justice will sit in the courts; wisdom in the legislative + halls; and above all and over all, like the dome of heaven, will be the + spirit of liberty. + </p> + <p> + Although marriage is the most important and the most sacred contract that + human beings can make, still when that contract has been violated, courts + should have the power to declare it null and void upon such conditions as + may be just. + </p> + <p> + As a rule, the woman dowers the husband with her youth, her beauty, her + love—with all she has; and from this contract certainly the husband + should never be released, unless the wife has broken the conditions of + that contract. Divorces should be granted publicly, precisely as the + marriage should be solemnized. Every marriage should be known, and there + should be witnesses, to the end that the character of the contract entered + into should be understood; the record should be open and public. And the + same is true of divorces. The conditions should be determined, the + property should be divided by a court of equity, and the custody of the + children given under regulations prescribed. + </p> + <p> + Men and women are not virtuous by law. Law does not of itself create + virtue, nor is it the foundation or fountain of love. Law should protect + virtue, and law should protect the wife, if she has kept her contract, and + the husband, if he has fulfilled his. But the death of love is the end of + marriage. Love is natural. Back of all ceremony burns and will forever + burn the sacred flame. There has been no time in the world's history when + that torch was extinguished. In all ages, in all climes, among all people, + there has been true, pure, and unselfish love. Long before a ceremony was + thought of, long before a priest existed, there were true and perfect + marriages. Back of public opinion is natural modesty, the affections of + the heart; and in spite of all law, there is and forever will be the realm + of choice. Wherever love is, it is pure; and everywhere, and at all times, + the ceremony of marriage testifies to that which has happened within the + temple of the human heart. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question (2). Ought divorced people to be allowed to marry under any + circumstances?</i> + </p> + <p> + This depends upon whether marriage is a crime. If it is not a crime, why + should any penalty be attached? Can any one conceive of any reason why a + woman obtaining a divorce, without fault on her part, should be compelled + as a punishment to remain forever single? Why should she be punished for + the dishonesty or brutality of another? Why should a man who faithfully + kept his contract of marriage, and who was deserted by an unfaithful wife, + be punished for the benefit of society? Why should he be doomed to live + without a home? + </p> + <p> + There is still another view. We must remember that human passions are the + same after as before divorce. To prevent remarriage is to give excuse for + vice. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question (3). What is the effect of divorce upon the integrity of the + family?</i> + </p> + <p> + The real marriage is back of the ceremony, and the real divorce is back of + the decree. When love is dead, when husband and wife abhor each other, + they are divorced. The decree records in a judicial way what has really + taken place, just as the ceremony of marriage attests a contract already + made. + </p> + <p> + The true family is the result of the true marriage, and the institution of + the family should above all things be preserved. What becomes of the + sacredness of the home, if the law compels those who abhor each other to + sit at the same hearth? This lowers the standard, and changes the happy + haven of home into the prison-cell. If we wish to preserve the integrity + of the family, we must preserve the democracy of the fireside, the + republicanism of the home, the absolute and perfect equality of husband + and wife. There must be no exhibition of force, no spectre of fear. The + mother must not remain through an order of court, or the command of a + priest, or by virtue of the tyranny of society; she must sit in absolute + freedom, the queen of herself, the sovereign of her own soul and of her + own body. Real homes can never be preserved through force, through + slavery, or superstition. Nothing can be more sacred than a home, no altar + purer than the hearth. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question (4). Does the absolute prohibition of divorce where it exists + contribute to the moral purity of society?</i> + </p> + <p> + We must define our terms. What is moral purity? The intelligent of this + world seek the well-being of themselves and others. They know that + happiness is the only good; and this they strive to attain. To live in + accordance with the conditions of well-being is moral in the highest + sense. To use the best instrumentalities to attain the highest ends is our + highest conception of the moral. In other words, morality is the melody of + the perfection of conduct. A man is not moral because he is obedient + through fear or ignorance. Morality lives in the realm of perceived + obligation, and where a being acts in accordance with perceived + obligation, that being is moral. Morality is not the child of slavery. + Ignorance is not the corner-stone of virtue. + </p> + <p> + The first duty of a human being is to himself. He must see to it that he + does not become a burden upon others. To be self-respecting, he must + endeavor to be self-sustaining. If by his industry and intelligence he + accumulates a margin, then he is under obligation to do with that margin + all the good he can. He who lives to the ideal does the best he can. In + true marriage men and women give not only their bodies, but their souls. + This is the ideal marriage; this is moral. They who give their bodies, but + not their souls, are not married, whatever the ceremony may be; this is + immoral. + </p> + <p> + If this be true, upon what principle can a woman continue to sustain the + relation of wife after love is dead? Is there some other consideration + that can take the place of genuine affection? Can she be bribed with + money, or a home, or position, or by public opinion, and still remain a + virtuous woman? Is it for the good of society that virtue should be thus + crucified between church and state? Can it be said that this contributes + to the moral purity of the human race? + </p> + <p> + Is there a higher standard of virtue in countries where divorce is + prohibited than in those where it is granted? Where husbands and wives who + have ceased to love cannot be divorced, there are mistresses and lovers. + </p> + <p> + The sacramental view of marriage is the shield of vice. The world looks at + the wife who has been abused, who has been driven from the home of her + husband, and the world pities; and when this wife is loved by some other + man, the world excuses. So, too, the husband who cannot live in peace, who + leaves his home, is pitied and excused. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible to conceive of anything more immoral than for a husband to + insist on living with a wife who has no love for him? Is not this a + perpetual crime? Is the wife to lose her personality? Has she no right of + choice? Is her modesty the property of another? Is the man she hates the + lord of her desire? Has she no right to guard the jewels of her soul? Is + there a depth below this? And is this the foundation of morality? this the + corner-stone of society? this the arch that supports the dome of + civilization? Is this pathetic sacrifice on the one hand, this sacrilege + on the other, pleasing in the sight of heaven? + </p> + <p> + To me, the tenderest word in our language, the most pathetic fact within + our knowledge, is maternity. Around this sacred word cluster the joys and + sorrows, the agonies and ecstasies, of the human race. The mother walks in + the shadow of death that she may give another life. Upon the altar of love + she puts her own life in pawn. When the world is civilized, no wife will + become a mother against her will. Man will then know that to enslave + another is to imprison himself. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0016" id="link0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DIVORCE. + </h2> + <p> + A LITTLE while ago the North American Review propounded the following + questions: + </p> + <p> + 1. Do you believe in the principle of divorce under any circumstances? + </p> + <p> + 2. Ought divorced people to be allowed to marry, under any circumstances? + </p> + <p> + 3. What is the effect of divorce on the integrity of the family? + </p> + <p> + 4. Does the absolute prohibition of divorce, where it exists, contribute + to the moral purity of society? + </p> + <p> + These questions were answered in the November number of the Review, 1889, + by Cardinal Gibbons, Bishop Henry C. Potter and myself. In the December + number, the same questions were again answered by W. E. Gladstone, Justice + Bradley and Senator Dolph. In the following month Mary A. Livermore, + Amelia E. Barr, Rose Terry Cooke, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps and Jennie June + gave their opinions upon the subject of divorce; and in the February + number of this year, Margaret Lee and the Rev. Phillip S. Moxom + contributed articles upon this subject. + </p> + <p> + I propose to review these articles, and, first, let me say a few words in + answer to Cardinal Gibbons. + </p> + <p> + REPLY TO CARDINAL GIBBONS. + </p> + <p> + The indissolubility of marriage was a reaction from polygamy. Man + naturally rushes from one extreme to the other. The Cardinal informs us + that "God instituted in Paradise the marriage state, and sanctified it;" + that "he established its law of unity and declared its indissolubility." + The Cardinal, however, accounts for polygamy and divorce by saying that, + "marriage suffered in the fall." + </p> + <p> + If it be true that God instituted marriage in the Garden of Eden, and + declared its unity and indissolubility, how do you account for the fact + that this same God afterwards upheld polygamy? How is it that he forgot to + say anything on the subject when he gave the Ten Commandments to Moses? + How does it happen that in these commandments he puts women on an equality + with other property—"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, or + thy neighbor's ox, or anything that is thy neighbor's"? How did it happen + that Jacob, who was in direct communication with God, married, not his + deceased wife's sister, but both sisters, while both were living? Is there + any way of accounting for the fact that God upheld concubinage? + </p> + <p> + Neither is it true that "Christ reasserted in clear and unequivocal terms, + the sanctity, unity, and indissolubility of marriage." Neither is it true + that "Christ gave to this state an added holiness and a dignity higher far + than it had 'from the beginning.'" If God declared the unity and + indissolubility of marriage in the Garden of Eden, how was it possible for + Christ to have "added a holiness and dignity to marriage higher far than + it had from the beginning"? How did Christ make marriage a sacrament? + There is nothing on that subject in the new Testament; besides, Christ did + apparently allow divorce, for one cause at least. He is reported to have + said: "Whosoever putteth away his wife, save for fornication, causeth her + to commit adultery." + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal answers the question, "Can divorce from the bonds of marriage + ever be allowed?" with an emphatic theological "NO," and as a reason for + this "no," says, "Thus saith the Lord." + </p> + <p> + It is true that we regard Mormonism as a national disgrace, and that we so + regard it because the Mormons are polygamists. At the same time, + intelligent people admit that polygamy is no worse in Utah, than it was in + Palestine—no worse under Joseph Smith, than under Jehovah—that + it has been and must be forever the same, in all countries and in all + times. The Cardinal takes the ground that "there are two species of + polygamy—simultaneous and successive," and yet he seems to regard + both species with equal horror. If a wife dies and the husband marries + another woman, is not that successive polygamy? + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal takes the ground that while no dissolution of the marriage + bond should be allowed, yet for grave causes a temporary or permanent + separation from bed and board may be obtained, and these causes he + enumerates as "mutual consent, adultery, and grave peril of soul or body." + To those, however, not satisfied with this doctrine, and who are "so + unhappily mated and so constituted that for them no relief can come save + from absolute divorce," the Cardinal says, in a very sympathetic way, that + he "Will not linger here to point out to such the need of seeking from a + higher than earthly power, the grace to suffer and be strong." + </p> + <p> + At the foundation and upon the very threshold of this inquiry, one thing + ought to be settled, and that is this: Are we to answer these questions in + the light of human experience; are we to answer them from the standpoint + of what is better here, in this world, for men and women—what is + better for society here and now—or are we to ask: What is the will + of God? And in order to find out what is this will of God, are we to ask + the church, or are we to read what are called "the sacred writings" for + ourselves? In other words, are these questions to be settled by + theological and ecclesiastical authority, or by the common sense of + mankind? No one, in my judgment, should marry for the sake of God, and no + one should be divorced for the sake of God, and no man and woman should + live together as husband and wife, for the sake of God. God being an + infinite being, cannot be rendered unhappy by any action of man, neither + can his well-being be increased; consequently, the will of God has nothing + whatever to do with this matter. The real question then must be: What is + best for man? + </p> + <p> + Only the other day, a husband sought out his wife and with his own hand + covered her face with sulphuric acid, and in a moment afterward she was + blind. A Cardinal of the Catholic Church tells this woman, sitting in + darkness, that it is her duty to "suffer and be strong"; that she must + still remain the wife of this wretch; that to break the bond that binds + them together, would be an act of sacrilege. So, too, two years ago, a + husband deserted his wife in Germany. He came to this country. She was + poor. She had two children—one a babe. Holding one in her arm, and + leading the other by the hand, she walked hundreds of miles to the shore + of the sea. Overcome by fatigue, she was taken sick, and for months + remained in a hospital. Having recovered, she went to work, and finally + got enough money to pay her passage to New York. She came to this city, + bringing her children with her. Upon her arrival, she commenced a search + for her husband. One day overcome by exertion, she fainted in the street. + Persons took pity upon her and carried her upstairs into a room. By a + strange coincidence, a few moments afterward her husband entered. She + recognized him. He fell upon her like a wild beast, and threw her down the + stairs. She was taken up from the pavement bleeding, and carried to a + hospital. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal says to this woman: Remain the wife of this man; it will be + very pleasing to God; "suffer and be strong." But I say to this woman: + Apply to some Court; get a decree of absolute divorce; cling to your + children, and if at any time hereafter some good and honest man offers you + his hand and heart, and you can love him, accept him and build another + home, to the end that you may sit by your own fireside, in your old age, + with your children about you. + </p> + <p> + It is not true that the indissolubility of marriage preserves the virtue + of mankind. The fact is exactly the opposite. If the Cardinal wishes to + know why there are more divorces now than there were fifty or a hundred + years ago, let me tell him: Women are far more intelligent—some of + them are no longer the slaves either of husbands, or priests. They are + beginning to think for themselves. They can see no good reason why they + should sacrifice their lives to please Popes or Gods. They are no longer + deceived by theological prophecies. They are not willing to suffer here, + with the hope of being happy beyond the clouds—they want their + happiness now. + </p> + <p> + REPLY TO BISHOP POTTER. + </p> + <p> + Bishop Potter does not agree with the Cardinal, yet they both study + substantially the same bible—both have been set apart for the + purpose of revealing the revelation. They are the persons whose duty it is + to enlighten the common people. Cardinal Gibbons knows that he represents + the only true church, and Bishop Potter is just as sure that he occupies + that position. What is the ordinary man to do? + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal states, without the slightest hesitation, that "Christ made + marriage a sacrament—made it the type of his own never-ending union + with his one sinless spouse, the church." The Bishop does not agree with + the Cardinal. He says: "Christ's words about divorce are not to be + construed as a positive law, but as expressing the ideal of marriage, and + corresponding to his words about eunuchs, which not everybody can + receive." Ought not the augurs to agree among themselves? What is a man + who has only been born once, to do? + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal says explicitly that marriage is a sacrament, and the Bishop + cites Article xxv., that "matrimony is not to be accounted for a sacrament + of the gospel," and then admits that "this might seem to reduce matrimony + to a civil contract." For the purpose of bolstering up that view, he says, + "The first rubric in the Form of Solemnization of Matrimony declares that + the minister is left to the direction of those laws in every thing that + regards a civil contract between the parties.'" He admits that "no + minister is allowed, <i>as a rule</i>, to solemnize the marriage of any + man or woman who has a divorced husband or wife still living." As a matter + of fact, we know that hundreds of Episcopalians do marry where a wife or a + husband is still living, and they are not turned out of the Episcopal + Church for this offence. The Bishop admits that the church can do very + little on the subject, but seems to gather a little consolation from the + fact, that "the penalty for breach of this law might involve, for the + officiating clergyman, deposition from the ministry—for the + offending man or woman exclusion from the sacraments, which, in the + judgment of a very large number of the clergy, involves everlasting + damnation." + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal is perfectly satisfied that the prohibition of divorce is the + foundation of morality, and the Bishop is equally certain that "the + prohibition of divorce never prevents illicit sexual connections." + </p> + <p> + The Bishop also gives us the report of a committee of the last General + Convention, forming Appendix xiii of the Journal. This report, according + to the Bishop, is to the effect "that the Mosaic law of marriage is still + binding upon the church unless directly abrogated by Christ himself, that + it-was abrogated by him only so far that all divorce was forbidden by him + excepting for the cause of fornication; that a woman might not claim + divorce for any reason whatever; that the marriage of a divorced person + until the death of the other party, is wholly forbidden; that marriage is + not merely a civil contract but a spiritual and supernatural union, + requiring for its mutual obligations a supernatural divine grace, and that + such grace is only imparted in the sacrament of matrimony." + </p> + <p> + The most beautiful thing about this report is, that a woman might not + claim divorce for any reason whatever. I must admit that the report is in + exact accordance with the words of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, the + Bishop, not to leave us entirely without hope, says that "there is in his + church another school, equally earnest and sincere in its zeal for the + integrity of the family, which would nevertheless repudiate the greater + part of the above report." + </p> + <p> + There is one thing, however, that I was exceedingly glad to see, and that + is, that according to the Bishop the ideas of the early church are closely + connected with theories about matter, and about the inferiority of woman, + and about married life, which are no longer believed. The Bishop has, with + great clearness, stated several sides of this question; but I must say, + that after reading the Cardinal and the Bishop, the earnest theological + seeker after truth would find himself, to say the least of it, in some + doubt. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, who cares what the Old Testament says upon this + subject? Are we to be bound forever by the ancient barbarians? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gladstone takes the ground, first, "that marriage is essentially a + contract for life, and only expires when life itself expires"; second, + "that Christian marriage involves a vow before God"; third, "that no + authority has been given to the Christian Church to cancel such a vow"; + fourth, "that it lies beyond the province of tie civil legislature, which, + from the necessity of things, has a veto within the limits of reason, upon + the making of it, but has no competency to annul it when once made"; + fifth, "that according to the laws of just interpretation, remarriage is + forbidden by the text of Holy Scripture"; and sixth, "that while divorce + of any kind impairs the integrity of the family, divorce with remarriage + destroys it root and branch; that the parental and the conjugal relations + are joined together by the hand of the Almighty no less than the persons + united by the marriage tie, to one another." <i>First</i>. Undoubtedly, a + real marriage was never entered into unless the parties expected to live + together as long as they lived. It does not enter into the imagination of + the real lover that the time is coming when he is to desert the being he + adores, neither does it enter into the imagination of his wife, or of the + girl about to become a wife. But how and in what way, does a Christian + marriage involve a vow before God? Is God a party to the contract? If yes, + he ought to see to it that the contract is carried out. If there are three + parties—the man, the woman, and God—each one should be bound + to do something, and what is God bound to do? Is he to hold the man to his + contract, when the woman has violated hers? Is it his business to hold the + woman to the contract, when the man has violated his? And what right has + he to have anything to say on the subject, unless he has agreed to do + something by reason of this vow? Otherwise, it would be simply a <i>nudum + pactum</i>—a vow without consideration. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gladstone informs us that no authority has been given to the Christian + Church to cancel such a vow. If he means by that, that God has not given + any such authority to the Christian Church, I most cheerfully admit it.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Note.—This abrupt termination, together with the + unfinished replies to Justice Bradley and Senator Dolph, + which follow, shows that the author must have been + interrupted in his work, and on next taking it up concluded + that the colloquial and concrete form would better serve his + turn than the more formal and didactic style above employed. + He thereupon dictated his reply to the Gibbon and Gladstone + arguments in the following form which will be regarded as a + most interesting instance of the author's wonderful + versatility of style. + + This unfinished matter was found among Col. Ingersoll's + manuscripts, and is given as transcribed from the + stenographic notes of Mr. I. N. Baker, his secretary, + without revision by the author. +</pre> + <p> + JUSTICE BRADLEY. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Gibbons, Bishop Potter, and Mr. Gladstone represent the + theological side—that is to say, the impracticable, the + supernatural, the unnatural. After reading their opinions, it is + refreshing to read those of Justice Bradley. It is like coming out of the + tomb into the fresh air. + </p> + <p> + Speaking of the law, whether regarded as divine or human or both, Justice + Bradley says: "I know no other law on the subject but the moral law, which + does not consist of arbitrary enactments and decrees, but is adapted to + our condition as human beings. This is so, whether it is conceived of as + the will of an all-wise creator, or as the voice of humanity speaking from + its experience, its necessities and its higher instincts. And that law + surely does not demand that the injured party to the marriage bond should + be forever tied to one who disregards and violates every obligation that + it imposes—to one with whom it is impossible to cohabit—to one + whose touch is contamination. Nor does it demand that such injured party, + if legally free, should be forever debarred from forming other ties + through which the lost hopes of happiness for life may be restored. It is + not reason, and it can not be law—divine, or moral—that + unfaithfulness, or willful and obstinate desertion, or persistent cruelty + of the stronger party, should afford no ground for relief.......If no + redress be legalized, the law itself will be set at defiance, and greater + injury to soul and body will result from clandestine methods of relief." + </p> + <p> + Surely, this is good, wholesome, practical common sense. + </p> + <p> + SENATOR DOLPH. + </p> + <p> + Senator Dolph strikes a strong blow, and takes the foundation from under + the idiotic idea of legal separation without divorce. He says: "As there + should be no partial divorce, which leaves the parties in the condition + aptly described by an eminent jurist as 'a wife without a husband and a + husband without a wife,' so, as a matter of public expediency, and in the + interest of public morals, whenever and however the marriage is dissolved, + both parties should be left free to remarry." Again: "Prohibition of + remarriage is likely to injure society more than the remarriage of the + guilty party;" and the Senator says, with great force: "Divorce for proper + causes, free from fraud and collusion, conserves the moral integrity of + the family." + </p> + <p> + In answering the question as to whether absolute prohibition of divorce + tends to morality or immorality, the Senator cites the case of South + Carolina. In that State, divorces were prohibited, and in consequence of + this prohibition, the proportion of his property which a married man might + give to his concubine was regulated by law. + </p> + <p> + THE ARGUMENT CONTINUED, IN COLLOQUIAL FORM. + </p> + <p> + Those who have written on the subject of divorce seem to be divided into + two classes—the supernaturalists and the naturalists. The first + class rely on tradition, inspired books, the opinions of theologians as + expressed in creeds, and the decisions of ecclesiastical tribunals. The + second class take into account the nature of human beings, their own + experience, and the facts of life, as they know them. The first class live + for another world; the second, for this—the one in which we live. + </p> + <p> + The theological theorists regard men and women as depraved, in consequence + of what they are pleased to call "the fall of man," while the men and + women of common sense know that the race has slowly and painfully + progressed through countless years of suffering and toil. The priests + insist that marriage is a sacrament; the philosopher, that it is a + contract. + </p> + <p> + The question as to the propriety of granting divorces cannot now be + settled by quoting passages of Scripture, or by appealing to creeds, or by + citing the acts of legislatures or the decisions of courts. With + intelligent millions, the Scriptures are no longer considered as of the + slightest authority. They pay no more regard to the Bible than to the + Koran, the Zend-Avestas, or the Popol Vuh—neither do they care for + the various creeds that were formulated by barbarian ancestors, nor for + the laws and decisions based upon the savagery of the past. + </p> + <p> + In the olden times when religions were manufactured—when + priest-craft and lunacy governed the world—the women were not + consulted. They were regarded and treated as serfs and menials—looked + upon as a species of property to be bought and sold like the other + domestic animals. This view or estimation of woman was undoubtedly in the + mind of the author of the Ten Commandments when he said: "Thou shalt not + covet thy neighbor's wife,—nor his ox." + </p> + <p> + Such, however, has been the advance of woman in all departments of + knowledge—such advance having been made in spite of the efforts of + the church to keep her the slave of faith—that the obligations, + rights and remedies growing out of the contract of marriage and its + violation, cannot be finally determined without her consent and + approbation. Legislators and priests must consult with wives and mothers. + They must become acquainted with their wants and desires—with their + profound aversions* their pure hatreds, their loving self-denials, and, + above all, with the religion of the body that moulds and dominates their + lives. + </p> + <p> + We have learned to suspect the truth of the old, because it is old, and + for that reason was born in the days of slavery and darkness—because + the probability is that the parents of the old were ignorance and + superstition. We are beginning to be wise enough to take into + consideration the circumstances of our own time—the theories and + aspirations of the present—the changed conditions of the world—the + discoveries and inventions that have modified or completely changed the + standards of the greatest of the human race. We are on the eve of + discovering that nothing should be done for the sake of gods, but all for + the good of man—nothing for another world—everything for this. + </p> + <p> + All the theories must be tested by experience, by facts. The moment a + supernatural theory comes in contact with a natural fact, it falls to + chaos. Let us test all these theories about marriage and divorce—all + this sacramental, indissoluble imbecility, with a real case—with a + fact in life. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago a man and woman fell in love and were married in a German + village. The woman had a little money and this was squandered by the + husband. When the money was gone, the husband deserted his wife and two + little children, leaving them to live as best they might. She had honestly + given her hand and heart, and believed that if she could only see him once + more—if he could again look into her eyes—he would come back + to her. The husband had fled to America. The wife lived four hundred miles + from the sea. Taking her two little children with her, she traveled on + foot the entire distance. For eight weeks she journeyed, and when she + reached the sea—tired, hungry, worn out, she fell unconscious in the + street. She was taken to the hospital, and for many weeks fought for life + upon the shore of death. At last she recovered, and sailed for New York. + She was enabled to get just enough money to buy a steerage ticket. + </p> + <p> + A few days ago, while wandering in the streets of New York in search of + her husband, she sank unconscious to the sidewalk. She was taken into the + home of another. In a little while her husband entered. He caught sight of + his wife. She ran toward him, threw her arms about his neck, and cried: + "At last I have found you!" "With an oath, he threw her to the floor; he + bruised her flesh with his feet and fists; he dragged her into the hall, + and threw her into the street." + </p> + <p> + Let us suppose that this poor wife sought out Cardinal Gibbons and the + Right Honorable William E. Gladstone, for the purpose of asking their + advice. Let us imagine the conversation: + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. My dear Cardinal, I was married four years ago. I loved + my husband and I was sure that he loved me. Two babes were born. He + deserted me without cause. He left me in poverty and want. Feeling that he + had been overcome by some delusion—tempted by something more than he + could bear, and dreaming that if I could look upon his face again he would + return, I followed-him on foot. I walked, with my children in my arms, + four hundred miles. I crossed the sea. I found him at last—and + instead of giving me again his love, he fell upon me like a wild beast. He + bruised and blackened my flesh. He threw me from him, and for my proffered + love I received curses and blows. Another man, touched by the evidence of + my devotion, made my acquaintance—came to my relief—supplied + my wants—gave me and my children comfort, and then offered me his + hand and heart, in marriage. My dear Cardinal, I told him that I was a + married woman, and he told me that I should obtain a divorce, and so I + have come to ask your counsel. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Cardinal</i>. My dear woman, God instituted in Paradise the + marriage state and sanctified it, and he established its law of unity and + declared its indissolubility. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. But, Mr. Cardinal, if it be true that "God instituted + marriage in the Garden of Eden, and declared its unity and + indissolubility," how do you account for the fact that this same God + afterward upheld polygamy? How is it that he forgot to say anything on the + subject when he gave the Ten Commandments to Moses? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Cardinal</i>. You must remember that the institution of marriage + suffered in the fall of man. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. How does that throw any light upon my case? That was long + ago. Surely, I was not represented at that time, and is it right that I + should be punished for what was done by others in the very beginning of + the world? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Cardinal.</i> Christ reasserted in clear and unequivocal terms, the + sanctity, unity and indissolubility of marriage, and Christ gave to this + state an added holiness, and a dignity higher far than it had from the + beginning. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. How did it happen that Jacob, while in direct + communication with God, married, not his deceased wife's sister, but both + sisters while both were living? And how, my dear Cardinal, do you account + for the fact that God upheld concubinage? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Cardinal.</i> Marriage is a sacrament. You seem to ask me whether + divorce from the bond of marriage can ever be allowed? I answer with an + emphatic theological No; and as a reason for this No, I say, Thus saith + the Lord. To allow a divorce and to permit the divorced parties, or either + of them, to remarry, is one species of polygamy. There are two kinds—the + simultaneous and the successive. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. But why did God allow simultaneous polygamy in Palestine? + Was it any better in Palestine then than it is in Utah now? If a wife + dies, and the husband marries another wife, is not that successive + polygamy? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Cardinal</i>. Curiosity leads to the commission of deadly sins. We + should be satisfied with a Thus saith the Lord, and you should be + satisfied with a Thus saith the Cardinal. If you have the right to inquire—to + ask questions—then you take upon yourself the right of deciding + after the questions have been answered. This is the end of authority. This + undermines the cathedral. You must remember the words of our Lord: "What + God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. Do you really think that God joined us together? Did he + at the time know what kind of man he was joining to me? Did he then know + that he was a wretch, an ingrate, a kind of wild beast? Did he then know + that this husband would desert me—leave me with two babes in my + arms, without raiment and without food? Did God put his seal upon this + bond of marriage, upon this sacrament, and it was well-pleasing in his + sight that my life should be sacrificed, and does he leave me now to crawl + toward death, in poverty and tears? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Cardinal</i>. My dear woman, I will not linger here to point out to + you the need of seeking from a higher than an earthly power the grace to + suffer and be strong. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. Mr. Cardinal, am I under any obligation to God? Will it + increase the happiness of the infinite for me to remain homeless and + husbandless? Another offers to make me his wife and to give me a home,—to + take care of my children and to fill my heart with joy. If I accept, will + the act lessen the felicity or ecstasy of heaven? Will it add to the grief + of God? Will it in any way affect his well-being? + </p> + <p> + <i>The Cardinal.</i> Nothing that we can do can effect the well-being of + God. He is infinitely above his children. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. Then why should he insist upon the sacrifice of my life? + Mr. Cardinal, you do not seem to sympathize with me. You do not understand + the pangs I feel. You are too far away from my heart, and your words of + consolation do not heal the bruise; they leave me as I now leave you—without + hope. I will ask the advice of the Right Honorable William E. Gladstone. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. Mr. Gladstone, you know my story, and so I ask that you + will give me the benefit of your knowledge, of your advice. + </p> + <p> + <i>Mr. Gladstone</i>. My dear woman, marriage is essentially a contract + for life, and only expires when life itself expires. I say this because + Christian marriage involves a vow before God, and no authority has been + given to the Christian Church to cancel such a vow. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. Do you consider that God was one of the contracting + parties in my marriage? Must all vows made to God be kept? Suppose the vow + was made in ignorance, in excitement—must it be absolutely + fulfilled? Will it make any difference to God whether it is kept or not? + Does not an infinite God know the circumstances under which every vow is + made? Will he not take into consideration the imperfections, the + ignorance, the temptations and the passions of his children? Will God hold + a poor girl to the bitter dregs of a mistaken bargain? Have I not suffered + enough? Is it necessary that my heart should break? Did not God know at + the time the vow was made that it ought not to have been made? If he feels + toward me as a father should, why did he give no warning? Why did he + accept the vow? Why did he allow a contract to be made giving only to + death the annulling power? Is death more merciful than God? + </p> + <p> + <i>Mr. Gladstone</i>. All vows that are made to God must be kept. Do you + not remember that Jephthah agreed to sacrifice the first one who came out + of his house to meet him, and that he fulfilled the vow, although in doing + so, he murdered his own daughter. God makes no allowance for ignorance, + for temptation, for passion—nothing. Besides, my dear woman, to + cancel the contract of marriage lies beyond the province of the civil + legislature; it has no competency to annul the contract of marriage when + once made. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. The man who has rescued me from the tyranny of my husband—the + man who wishes to build me a home and to make my life worth living, wishes + to make with me a contract of marriage. This will give my babes a home. + </p> + <p> + <i>Mr. Gladstone</i>. My dear madam, while divorce of any kind impairs the + integrity of the family, divorce with remarriage destroys it root and + branch. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife</i>. The integrity of my family is already destroyed. My + husband deserted his home—left us in the very depths of want. I have + in my arms two helpless babes. I love my children, and I love the man who + has offered to give them and myself another fireside. Can you say that + this is only destruction? The destruction has already occurred. A + remarriage gives a home to me and mine. + </p> + <p> + <i>Mr. Gladstone.</i> But, my dear mistaken woman, the parental and the + conjugal relations are joined together by the hand of the Almighty. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife.</i> Do you believe that the Almighty was cruel enough, in my + case, to join the parental and the conjugal relations, to the end that + they should endure as long as I can bear the sorrow? If there were three + parties to my marriage, my husband, myself, and God, should each be bound + by the contract to do something? What did God bind himself to do? If + nothing, why should he interfere? If nothing, my vow to him was without + consideration. You are as cruel and unsympathetic, Mr. Gladstone, as the + Cardinal. You have not the imagination to put yourself in my place. + </p> + <p> + <i>Mr. Gladstone.</i> My dear madam, we must be governed by the law of + Christ, and there must be no remarriage. The husband and wife must remain + husband and wife until a separation is caused by death. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife.</i> If Christ was such a believer in the sacredness of the + marriage relation, why did he offer rewards not only in this world, but in + the next, to husbands who would desert their wives and follow him? + </p> + <p> + <i>Mr. Gladstone.</i> It is not for us to inquire. God's ways are not our + ways. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Wife.</i> Nature is better than you. A mother's love is higher and + deeper than your philosophy. I will follow the instincts of my heart. I + will provide a home for my babes, and for myself. I will be freed from the + infamous man who betrayed me. I will become the wife of another—of + one who loves me—and after having filled his life with joy, I hope + to die in his arms, surrounded by my children. + </p> + <p> + A few months ago, a priest made a confession—he could carry his + secret no longer. He admitted that he was married—that he was the + father of two children—that he had violated his priestly vows. He + was unfrocked and cast out. After a time he came back and asked to be + restored into the bosom of the church, giving as his reason that he had + abandoned his wife and babes. This throws a flood of light on the + theological view of marriage. + </p> + <p> + I know of nothing equal to this, except the story of the Sandwich Island + chief who was converted by the missionaries, and wished to join the + church. On cross-examination, it turned out that he had twelve wives, and + he was informed that a polygamist could not be a Christian. The next year + he presented himself again for the purpose of joining the church, and + stated that he was not a polygamist—that he had only one wife. When + the missionaries asked him what he had done with the other eleven he + replied: "I ate them." + </p> + <p> + The indissoluble marriage was a reaction from polygamy. The church has + always pretended that it was governed by the will of God, and that for all + its dogmas it had a "thus saith the Lord." Reason and experience were + branded as false guides. The priests insisted that they were in direct + communication with the Infinite—that they spoke by the authority of + God, and that the duty of the people was to obey without question and to + submit with at least the appearance of gladness. + </p> + <p> + We now know that no such communication exists—that priests spoke + without authority, and that the duty of the people was and is to examine + for themselves. We now know that no one knows what the will of God is, or + whether or not such a being exists. We now know that nature has furnished + all the light there is, and that the inspired books are like all books, + and that their value depends on the truth, the beauty, and the wisdom they + contain. We also know that it is now impossible to substantiate the + supernatural. Judging from experience—reasoning from known facts—we + can safely say that society has no right to demand the sacrifice of an + innocent individual. + </p> + <p> + Society has no right, under the plea of self-preservation, to compel women + to remain the wives of men who have violated the contract of marriage, and + who have become objects of contempt and loathing to their wives. It is not + to the best interest of society to maintain such firesides—such + homes. + </p> + <p> + The time has not arrived, in my judgment, for the Congress of the United + States, under an amendment to the Constitution, to pass a general law + applicable to all the States, fixing the terms and conditions of divorce. + The States of the Union are not equally enlightened. Some are far more + conservative than others. Let us wait until a majority of the States have + abandoned the theological theories upon this subject. + </p> + <p> + Upon this question light comes from the West, where men have recently laid + the foundations of States, and where the people are not manacled and + burdened with old constitutions and statutes and decisions, and where with + a large majority the tendency is to correct the mistakes of their + ancestors. + </p> + <p> + Let the States in their own way solve this question, and the time will + come when the people will be ready to enact sensible and reasonable laws + touching this important subject, and then the Constitution can be amended + and the whole subject controlled by Federal law. + </p> + <p> + The law, as it now exists in many of the States, is to the last degree + absurd and cruel. In some States the husband can obtain a divorce on the + ground that the wife has been guilty of adultery, but the wife cannot + secure a divorce from the husband simply for the reason that he has been + guilty of the same offence. So, in most of the States where divorce is + granted on account of desertion for a certain number of years, the husband + can return on the last day of the time fixed, and the poor wife who has + been left in want is obliged to receive the wretch with open arms. In some + States nothing is considered cruelty that does not endanger life or limb + or health. The whole question is in great confusion, but after all there + are some States where the law is reasonable, and the consequence is, that + hundreds and thousands of suffering wives are released from a bondage + worse than death. + </p> + <p> + The idea that marriage is something more than a contract is at the bottom + of all the legal and judicial absurdities that surround this subject. The + moment that it is regarded from a purely secular standpoint the infamous + laws will disappear. We shall then take into consideration the real rights + and obligations of the parties to the contract of marriage. We shall have + some respect for the sacred feelings of mothers—for the purity of + woman—the freedom of the fireside—the real democracy of the + hearthstone and, above all, for love, the purest, the profoundest and the + holiest of all passions. + </p> + <p> + We shall no longer listen to priests who regard celibacy as a higher state + than marriage, nor to those statesmen who look upon a barbarous code as + the foundation of all law. + </p> + <p> + As long as men imagine that they have property in wives; that women can be + owned, body and mind; that it is the duty of wives to obey; that the + husband is the master, the source of authority—that his will is law, + and that he can call on legislators and courts to protect his superior + rights, that to enforce obedience the power of the State is pledged—just + so long will millions of husbands be arrogant, tyrannical and cruel. + </p> + <p> + No gentleman will be content to have a slave for the mother of his + children. Force has no place in the world of love. It is impossible to + control likes and dislikes by law. No one ever did and no one ever can + love on compulsion. Courts can not obtain jurisdiction of the heart. + </p> + <p> + The tides and currents of the soul care nothing for the creeds. People who + make rules for the conduct of others generally break them themselves. It + is so easy to bear with fortitude the misfortunes of others. + </p> + <p> + Every child should be well-born—well fathered and mothered. Society + has as great an interest in children as in parents. The innocent should + not be compelled by law to suffer for the crimes of the guilty. Wretched + and weeping wives are not essential to the welfare of States and Nations. + </p> + <p> + The church cries now "whom God hath joined together let not man put + asunder"; but when the people are really civilized the State will say: + "whom Nature hath put asunder let not man bind and manacle together." + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + ANSWER TO LYMAN ABBOTT. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This unfinished article was written as a reply to the Rev. + Lyman Abbott's article entitled, "Flaws in Ingersollism," + which was printed in the April number of the North American + Review for 1890. +</pre> + <p> + IN your Open Letter to me, published in this Review, you attack what you + supposed to be my position, and ask several questions to which you demand + answers; but in the same letter, you state that you wish no controversy + with me. Is it possible that you wrote the letter to prevent a + controversy? Do you attack only those with whom you wish to live in peace, + and do you ask questions, coupled with a request that they remain + unanswered? + </p> + <p> + In addition to this, you have taken pains to publish in your own paper, + that it was no part of your design in the article in the <i>North American + Review</i>, to point out errors in my statements, and that this design was + distinctly disavowed in the opening paragraph of your article. You further + say, that your simple object was to answer the question "What is + Christianity?" May I be permitted to ask why you addressed the letter to + me, and why do you now pretend that, although you did address a letter to + me, I was not in your mind, and that you had no intention of pointing out + any flaws in my doctrines or theories? Can you afford to occupy this + position? + </p> + <p> + You also stated in your own paper, <i>The Christian Union</i>, that the + title of your article had been changed by the editor of the <i>Review</i>, + without your knowledge or consent; leaving it to be inferred that the + title given to the article by you was perfectly consistent with your + statement, that it was no part of your design in the article in the <i>North + American Review</i>, to point out errors in my (Ingersoll's) statements; + and that your simple object was to answer the question, What is + Christianity? And yet, the title which you gave your own article was as + follows: "To Robert G. Ingersoll: A Reply." + </p> + <p> + First. We are told that only twelve crimes were punished by death: + idolatry, witchcraft, blasphemy, fraudulent prophesying, Sabbath-breaking, + rebellion against parents, resistance to judicial officers, murder, + homicide by negligence, adultery, incestuous marriages, and kidnapping. We + are then told that as late as the year 1600 there were 263 crimes capital + in England. + </p> + <p> + Does not the world know that all the crimes or offences punishable by + death in England could be divided in the same way? For instance, treason. + This covered a multitude of offences, all punishable by death. Larceny + covered another multitude. Perjury—trespass, covered many others. + There might still be made a smaller division, and one who had made up his + mind to define the Criminal Code of England might have said that there was + only one offence punishable by death—wrong-doing. + </p> + <p> + The facts with regard to the Criminal Code of England are, that up to the + reign of George I. there were 167 offences punishable by death. Between + the accession of George I. and termination of the reign of George III., + there were added 56 new crimes to which capital punishment was attached. + So that when George IV. became king, there were 223 offences capital in + England. + </p> + <p> + John Bright, commenting upon this subject, says: + </p> + <p> + "During all these years, so far as this question goes, our Government was + becoming more cruel and more barbarous, and we do not find, and have not + found, that in the great Church of England, with its fifteen or twenty + thousand ministers, and with its more than score of Bishops in the House + of Lords, there ever was a voice raised, or an organization formed, in + favor of a more merciful code, or in condemnation of the enormous + cruelties which our law was continually inflicting. Was not Voltaire + justified in saying that the English were the only people who murdered by + law?" + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, taking into consideration the situation of the + people, the number of subjects covered by law, there were far more + offences capital in the days of Moses, than in the reign of George IV. Is + it possible that a minister, a theologian of the nineteenth century, + imagines that he has substantiated the divine origin of the Old Testament + by endeavoring to show that the government of God was not quite as bad as + that of England? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Abbott also informs us that the reason Moses killed so many was, that + banishment from the camp during the wandering in the Wilderness was a + punishment worse than death. If so, the poor wretches should at least have + been given their choice. Few, in my judgment, would have chosen death, + because the history shows that a large majority were continually clamoring + to be led back to Egypt. It required all the cunning and power of God to + keep the fugitives from returning in a body. Many were killed by Jehovah, + simply because they wished to leave the camp—because they longed + passionately for banishment, and thought with joy of the flesh-pots of + Egypt, preferring the slavery of Pharaoh to the liberty of Jehovah. The + memory of leeks and onions was enough to set their faces toward the Nile. + </p> + <p> + Second. I am charged with saying that the Christian missionaries say to + the heathen: "You must examine your religion—and not only so, but + you must reject it; and unless you do reject it, and in addition to such + rejection, adopt ours, you will be eternally damned." Mr. Abbott denies + the truth of this statement. + </p> + <p> + Let me ask him, If the religion of Jesus Christ is preached clearly and + distinctly to a heathen, and the heathen understands it, and rejects it + deliberately, unequivocally, and finally, can he be saved? + </p> + <p> + This question is capable of a direct answer. The reverend gentleman now + admits that an acceptance of Christianity is not essential to salvation. + If the acceptance of Christianity is not essential to the salvation of the + heathen who has heard Christianity preached—knows what its claims + are, and the evidences that support those claims, is the acceptance of + Christianity essential to the salvation of an adult intelligent citizen of + the United States? Will the reverend gentleman tell us, and without + circumlocution, whether the acceptance of Christianity is necessary to the + salvation of anybody? If he says that it is, then he admits that I was + right in my statement concerning what is said to the heathen. If he says + that it is not, then I ask him, What do you do with the following passages + of Scripture: "There is none other name given under heaven or among men + whereby we must be saved." + </p> + <p> + "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, and + whosoever believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; and whosoever + believeth not shall be damned"? + </p> + <p> + I am delighted to know that millions of Pagans will be found to have + entered into eternal life without any knowledge of Christ or his religion. + </p> + <p> + Another question naturally arises: If a heathen can hear and reject the + Gospel, and yet be saved, what will become of the heathen who never heard + of the Gospel? Are they all to be saved? If all who never heard are to be + saved, is it not dangerous to hear?—Is it not cruel to preach? Why + not stop preaching and let the entire world become heathen, so that after + this, no soul may be lost? + </p> + <p> + Third. You say that I desire to deprive mankind of their faith in God, in + Christ and in the Bible. I do not, and have not, endeavored to destroy the + faith of any man in a good, in a just, in a merciful God, or in a + reasonable, natural, human Christ, or in any truth that the Bible may + contain. I have endeavored—and with some degree of success—to + destroy the faith of man in the Jehovah of the Jews, and in the idea that + Christ was in fact the God of this universe. I have also endeavored to + show that there are many things in the Bible ignorant and cruel—that + the book was produced by barbarians and by savages, and that its influence + on the world has been bad. + </p> + <p> + And I do believe that life and property will be safer, that liberty will + be surer, that homes will be sweeter, and life will be more joyous, and + death less terrible, if the myth called Jehovah can be destroyed from the + human mind. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that the heart of the Christian ought to burst into an + efflorescence of joy when he becomes satisfied that the Bible is only the + work of man; that there is no such place as perdition—that there are + no eternal flames—that men's souls are not to suffer everlasting + pain—that it is all insanity and ignorance and fear and horror. I + should think that every good and tender soul would be delighted to know + that there is no Christ who can say to any human being—to any + father, mother, or child—"Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire + prepared for the devil and his angels." I do believe that he will be far + happier when the Psalms of David are sung no more, and that he will be far + better when no one could sing the 109th Psalm without shuddering and + horror. These Psalms for the most part breathe the spirit of hatred, of + revenge, and of everything fiendish in the human heart. There are some + good lines, some lofty aspirations—these should be preserved; and to + the extent that they do give voice to the higher and holier emotions, they + should be preserved. + </p> + <p> + So I believe the world will be happier when the life of Christ, as it is + written now in the New Testament, is no longer believed. + </p> + <p> + Some of the Ten Commandments will fall into oblivion, and the world will + be far happier when they do. Most of these commandments are universal. + They were not discovered by Jehovah—they were not original with him. + </p> + <p> + "Thou shalt not kill," is as old as life. And for this reason a large + majority of people in all countries have objected to being murdered. "Thou + shalt not steal," is as old as industry. There never has been a human + being who was willing to work through the sun and rain and heat of summer, + simply for the purpose that some one who had lived in idleness might steal + the result of his labor. Consequently, in all countries where it has been + necessary to work, larceny has been a crime. "Thou shalt not lie," is as + old as speech. Men have desired, as a rule, to know the truth; and truth + goes with courage and candor. "Thou shalt not commit adultery," is as old + as love. "Honor thy father and thy mother," is as old as the family + relation. + </p> + <p> + All these commandments were known among all peoples thousands and + thousands of years before Moses was born. The new one, "Thou shalt worship + no other Gods but me," is a bad commandment—because that God was not + worthy of worship. "Thou shalt make no graven image,"—a bad + commandment. It was the death of art. "Thou shalt do no work on the + Sabbath-day,"—a bad commandment; the object of that being, that + one-seventh of the time should be given to the worship of a monster, + making a priesthood necessary, and consequently burdening industry with + the idle and useless. + </p> + <p> + If Professor Clifford felt lonely at the loss of such a companion as + Jehovah, it is impossible for me to sympathize with his feelings. No one + wishes to destroy the hope of another life—no one wishes to blot out + any good that is, or that is hoped for, or the hope of which gives + consolation to the world. Neither do I agree with this gentleman when he + says, "Let us have the truth, cost what it may." I say: Let us have + happiness—well-being. The truth upon these matters is of but little + importance compared with the happiness of mankind. Whether there is, or is + not, a God, is absolutely unimportant, compared with the well-being of the + race. Whether the Bible is, or is not, inspired, is not of as much + consequence as human happiness. + </p> + <p> + Of course, if the Old and New Testaments are true, then human happiness + becomes impossible, either in this world, or in the world to come—that + is, impossible to all people who really believe that these books are true. + It is often necessary to know the truth, in order to prepare ourselves to + bear consequences; but in the metaphysical world, truth is of no possible + importance except as it affects human happiness. + </p> + <p> + If there be a God, he certainly will hold us to no stricter responsibility + about metaphysical truth than about scientific truth. It ought to be just + as dangerous to make a mistake in Geology as in Theology—in + Astronomy as in the question of the Atonement. + </p> + <p> + I am not endeavoring to overthrow any faith in God, but the faith in a bad + God. And in order to accomplish this, I have endeavored to show that the + question of whether an Infinite God exists, or not, is beyond the power of + the human mind. Anything is better than to believe in the God of the + Bible. + </p> + <p> + Fourth. Mr. Abbott, like the rest, appeals to names instead of to + arguments. He appeals to Socrates, and yet he does not agree with + Socrates. He appeals to Goethe, and yet Goethe was far from a Christian. + He appeals to Isaac Newton and to Mr. Gladstone—and after mentioning + these names, says, that on his side is this faith of the wisest, the best, + the noblest of mankind. + </p> + <p> + Was Socrates after all greater than Epicurus—had he a subtler mind—was + he any nobler in his life? Was Isaac Newton so much greater than Humboldt—than + Charles Darwin, who has revolutionized the thought of the civilized world? + Did he do the one-hundredth part of the good for mankind that was done by + Voltaire—was he as great a metaphysician as Spinoza? + </p> + <p> + But why should we appeal to names? + </p> + <p> + In a contest between Protestantism and Catholicism are you willing to + abide by the tests of names? In a contest between Christianity and + Paganism, in the first century, would you have considered the question + settled by names? Had Christianity then produced the equals of the great + Greeks and Romans? The new can always be overwhelmed with names that were + in favor of the old. Sir Isaac Newton, in his day, could have been + overwhelmed by the names of the great who had preceded him. Christ was + overwhelmed by this same method—Moses and the Prophets were appealed + to as against this Peasant of Palestine. This is the argument of the + cemetery—this is leaving the open field, and crawling behind + gravestones. + </p> + <p> + Newton was understood to be, all his life, a believer in the Trinity; but + he dared not say what his real thought was. After his death there was + found among his papers an argument that he published against the divinity + of Christ. This had been published in Holland, because he was afraid to + have it published in England. How do we really know what the great men of + whom you speak believed, or believe? + </p> + <p> + I do not agree with you when you say that Gladstone is the greatest + statesman. He will not, in my judgment, for one moment compare with Thomas + Jefferson—with Alexander Hamilton—or, to come down to later + times, with Gambetta; and he is immeasurably below such a man as Abraham + Lincoln. Lincoln was not a believer. Gambetta was an atheist. + </p> + <p> + And yet, these names prove nothing. Instead of citing a name, and saying + that this great man—Sir Isaac Newton, for instance—believed in + our doctrine, it is far better to give the reasons that Sir Isaac Newton + had for his belief. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all organizations are filled with snobbishness. Each church has a + list of great names, and the members feel in duty bound to stand by their + great men. + </p> + <p> + Why is idolatry the worst of sins? Is it not far better to worship a God + of stone than a God who threatens to punish in eternal flames the most of + his children? If you simply mean by idolatry a false conception of God, + you must admit that no finite mind can have a true conception of God—and + you must admit that no two men can have the same false conception of God, + and that, as a consequence, no two men can worship identically the same + Deity. Consequently they are all idolaters. + </p> + <p> + I do not think idolatry the worst of sins. Cruelty is the worst of sins. + It is far better to worship a false God, than to injure your neighbor—far + better to bow before a monstrosity of stone, than to enslave your + fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Fifth. I am glad that you admit that a bad God is worse than no God. If + so, the atheist is far better than the believer in Jehovah, and far better + than the believer in the divinity of Jesus Christ—because I am + perfectly satisfied that none but a bad God would threaten to say to any + human soul, "Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the + devil and his angels." So that, before any Christian can be better than an + atheist, he must reform his God. + </p> + <p> + The agnostic does not simply say, "I do not know." He goes another step, + and he says, with great emphasis, that you do not know. He insists that + you are trading on the ignorance of others, and on the fear of others. He + is not satisfied with saying that you do not know,—he demonstrates + that you do not know, and he drives you from the field of fact—he + drives you from the realm of reason—he drives you from the light, + into the darkness of conjecture—into the world of dreams and + shadows, and he compels you to say, at last, that your faith has no + foundation in fact. + </p> + <p> + You say that religion tells us that "life is a battle with temptation—the + result is eternal life to the victors." + </p> + <p> + But what of the victims? Did your God create these victims, knowing that + they would be victims? Did he deliberately change the clay into the man—into + a being with wants, surrounded by difficulties and temptations—and + did he deliberately surround this being with temptations that he knew he + could not withstand, with obstacles that he knew he could not overcome, + and whom he knew at last would fall a victim upon the field of death? Is + there no hope for this victim? No remedy for this mistake of your God? Is + he to remain a victim forever? Is it not better to have no God than such a + God? Could the condition of this victim be rendered worse by the death of + God? + </p> + <p> + Sixth. Of course I agree with you when you say that character is worth + more than condition—that life is worth more than place. But I do not + agree with you when you say that being—that simple existence—is + better than happiness. If a man is not happy, it is far better not to be. + I utterly dissent from your philosophy of life. From my standpoint, I do + not understand you when you talk about self-denial. I can imagine a being + of such character, that certain things he would do for the one he loved, + would by others be regarded as acts of self-denial, but they could not be + so regarded by him. In these acts of so-called selfdenial, he would find + his highest joy. + </p> + <p> + This pretence that to do right is to carry a cross, has done an immense + amount of injury to the world. Only those who do wrong carry a cross. To + do wrong is the only possible self-denial. + </p> + <p> + The pulpit has always been saying that, although the virtuous and good, + the kind, the tender, and the loving, may have a very bad time here, yet + they will have their reward in heaven—having denied themselves the + pleasures of sin, the ecstasies of crime, they will be made happy in a + world hereafter; but that the wicked, who have enjoyed larceny, and + rascality in all its forms, will be punished hereafter. + </p> + <p> + All this rests upon the idea that man should sacrifice himself, not for + his fellow-men, but for God—that he should do something for the + Almighty—that he should go hungry to increase the happiness of + heaven—that he should make a journey to Our Lady of Loretto, with + dried peas in his shoes; that he should refuse to eat meat on Friday; that + he should say so many prayers before retiring to rest; that he should do + something that he hated to do, in order that he might win the approbation + of the heavenly powers. For my part, I think it much better to feed the + hungry, than to starve yourself. + </p> + <p> + You ask me, What is Christianity? You then proceed to partially answer + your own question, and you pick out what you consider the best, and call + that Christianity. But you have given only one side, and that side not all + of it good. Why did you not give the other side of Christianity—the + side that talks of eternal flames, of the worm that dieth not—the + side that denounces the investigator and the thinker—the side that + promises an eternal reward for credulity—the side that tells men to + take no thought for the morrow but to trust absolutely in a Divine + Providence? + </p> + <p> + "Within thirty years after the crucifixion of Jesus, faith in his + resurrection had become the inspiration of the church." I ask you, Was + there a resurrection? + </p> + <p> + What advance has been made in what you are pleased to call the doctrine of + the brotherhood of man, through the instrumentality of the church? Was + there as much dread of God among the Pagans as there has been among + Christians? + </p> + <p> + I do not believe that the church is a conservator of civilization. It + sells crime on credit. I do not believe it is an educator of good will. It + has caused more war than all other causes. Neither is it a school of a + nobler reverence and faith. The church has not turned the minds of men + toward principles of justice, mercy and truth—it has destroyed the + foundation of justice. It does not minister comfort at the coffin—it + fills the mourners with fear. It has never preached a gospel of "Peace on + Earth"—it has never preached "Good Will toward men." + </p> + <p> + For my part, I do not agree with you when you say that: "The most stalwart + anti-Romanists can hardly question that with the Roman Catholic Church + abolished by instantaneous decree, its priests banished and its churches + closed, the disaster to American communities would be simply awful in its + proportions, if not irretrievable in its results." + </p> + <p> + I may agree with you in this, that the most stalwart anti-Romanists would + not wish to have the Roman Catholic Church abolished by tyranny, and its + priests banished, and its churches closed. But if the abolition of that + church could be produced by the development of the human mind; and if its + priests, instead of being banished, should become good and useful + citizens, and were in favor of absolute liberty of mind, then I say that + there would be no disaster, but a very wide and great and splendid + blessing. The church has been the Centaur—not Theseus; the church + has not been Hercules, but the serpent. + </p> + <p> + So I believe that there is something far nobler than loyalty to any + particular man. Loyalty to the truth as we perceive it—loyalty to + our duty as we know it—loyalty to the ideals of our brain and heart—is, + to my mind, far greater and far nobler than loyalty to the life of any + particular man or God. There is a kind of slavery—a kind of + abdication—for any man to take any other man as his absolute pattern + and to hold him up as the perfection of all life, and to feel that it is + his duty to grovel in the dust in his presence. It is better to feel that + the springs of action are within yourself—that you are poised upon + your own feet—and that you look at the world with your own eyes, and + follow the path that reason shows. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe that the world could be re-organized upon the simple but + radical principles of the Sermon on the Mount. Neither do I believe that + this sermon was ever delivered by one man. It has in it many fragments + that I imagine were dropped from many mouths. It lacks coherence—it + lacks form. Some of the sayings are beautiful, sublime and tender; and + others seem to be weak, contradictory and childish. + </p> + <p> + Seventh. I do not say that I do not know whether this faith is true, or + not. I say distinctly and clearly, that I know it is not true. I admit + that I do not know whether there is any infinite personality or not, + because I do not know that my mind is an absolute standard. But according + to my mind, there is no such personality; and according to my mind, it is + an infinite absurdity to suppose that there is such an infinite + personality. But I do know something of human nature; I do know a little + of the history of mankind; and I know enough to know that what is known as + the Christian faith, is not true. I am perfectly satisfied, beyond all + doubt and beyond all per-adventure, that all miracles are falsehoods. I + know as well as I know that I live—that others live—that what + you call your faith, is not true. + </p> + <p> + I am glad, however, that you admit that the miracles of the Old Testament, + or the inspiration of the Old Testament, are not essentials. I draw my + conclusion from what you say: "I have not in this paper discussed the + miracles, or the inspiration of the Old Testament; partly because those + topics, in my opinion, occupy a subordinate position in Christian faith, + and I wish to consider only essentials." At the same time, you tell us + that, "On historical evidence, and after a careful study of the arguments + on both sides, I regard as historical the events narrated in the four + Gospels, ordinarily regarded as miracles." At the same time, you say that + you fully agree with me that the order of nature has never been violated + or interrupted. In other words, you must believe that all these so-called + miracles were actually in accordance with the laws, or facts rather, in + nature. + </p> + <p> + Eighth. You wonder that I could write the following: "To me there is + nothing of any particular value in the Pentateuch. There is not, so far as + I know, a line in the Book of Genesis calculated to make a human being + better." You then call my attention to "The magnificent Psalm of Praise to + the Creator with which Genesis opens; to the beautiful legend of the first + sin and its fateful consequences; the inspiring story of Abraham—the + first selfexile for conscience sake; the romantic story of Joseph the + Peasant boy becoming a Prince," which you say "would have attraction for + any one if he could have found a charm in, for example, the Legends of the + Round Table." + </p> + <p> + The "magnificent Psalm of Praise to the Creator with which Genesis opens" + is filled with magnificent mistakes, and is utterly absurd. "The beautiful + legend of the first sin and its fateful consequences" is probably the most + contemptible story that was ever written, and the treatment of the first + pair by Jehovah is unparalleled in the cruelty of despotic governments. + According to this infamous account, God cursed the mothers of the world, + and added to the agonies of maternity. Not only so, but he made woman a + slave, and man something, if possible, meaner—a master. + </p> + <p> + I must confess that I have very little admiration for Abraham. (Give + reasons.) + </p> + <p> + So far as Joseph is concerned, let me give you the history of Joseph,—how + he conspired with Pharaoh to enslave the people of Egypt. + </p> + <p> + You seem to be astonished that I am not in love with the character of + Joseph, as pictured in the Bible. Let me tell you who Joseph was. + </p> + <p> + It seems, from the account, that Pharaoh had a dream. None of his wise men + could give its meaning. He applied to Joseph, and Joseph, having been + enlightened by Jehovah, gave the meaning of the dream to Pharaoh. He told + the king that there would be in Egypt seven years of great plenty, and + after these seven years of great plenty, there would be seven years of + famine, and that the famine would consume the land. Thereupon Joseph gave + to Pharaoh some advice. First, he was to take up a fifth part of the land + of Egypt, in the seven plenteous years—he was to gather all the food + of those good years, and lay up corn, and he was to keep this food in the + cities. This food was to be a store to the land against the seven years of + famine. And thereupon Pharaoh said unto Joseph, "Forasmuch as God hath + showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: thou + shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be + ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said + unto Joseph, See I have set thee over all the land of Egypt." + </p> + <p> + We are further informed by the holy writer, that in the seven plenteous + years the earth brought forth by handfuls, and that Joseph gathered up all + the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up + the food in the cities, and that he gathered corn as the sand of the sea. + This was done through the seven plenteous years. Then commenced the years + of dearth. Then the people of Egypt became hungry, and they cried to + Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto + Joseph. The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened + the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians, and the famine waxed sore in + the land of Egypt. There was no bread in the land, and Egypt fainted by + reason of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found + in the land of Egypt, by the sale of corn, and brought the money to + Pharaoh's house. After a time the money failed in the land of Egypt, and + the Egyptians came unto Joseph and said, "Give us bread; why should we die + in thy presence? for the money faileth." And Joseph said, "Give your + cattle, and I will give you for your cattle." And they brought their + cattle unto Joseph, and he gave them bread in exchange for horses and + flocks and herds, and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that + year. When the year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and + said, "Our money is spent, our cattle are gone, naught is left but our + bodies and our lands." And they said to Joseph, "Buy us, and our land, for + bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh; and give us seed + that we may live and not die, that the land be not desolate." And Joseph + bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man + his field, because the famine prevailed over them. So the land became + Pharaoh's. Then Joseph said to the people, "I have bought you this day, + and your land; lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land." And + thereupon the people said, "Thou hast saved our lives; we will be + Pharaoh's servants." "And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto + this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part, <i>except the land of + the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's</i>." + </p> + <p> + Yet I am asked, by a minister of the nineteenth century, whether it is + possible that I do not admire the character of Joseph. This man received + information from God—and gave that information to Pharaoh, to the + end that he might impoverish and enslave a nation. This man, by means of + intelligence received from Jehovah, took from the people what they had, + and compelled them at last to sell themselves, their wives and their + children, and to become in fact bondmen forever. Yet I am asked by the + successor of Henry Ward Beecher, if I do not admire the infamous wretch + who was guilty of the greatest crime recorded in the literature of the + world. + </p> + <p> + So, it is difficult for me to understand why you speak of Abraham as "a + self-exile for conscience sake." If the king of England had told one of + his favorites that if he would go to North America he would give him a + territory hundreds of miles square, and would defend him in its + possession, and that he there might build up an empire, and the favorite + believed the king, and went, would you call him "a self-exile for + conscience sake"? + </p> + <p> + According to the story in the Bible, the Lord promised Abraham that if he + would leave his country and kindred, he would make of him a great nation, + would bless him, and make his name great, that he would bless them that + blessed Abraham, and that he would curse him whom Abraham cursed; and + further, that in him all the families of the earth should be blest. If + this is true, would you call Abraham "a self-exile for conscience sake"? + If Abraham had only known that the Lord was not to keep his promise, he + probably would have remained where he was—the fact being, that every + promise made by the Lord to Abraham, was broken. + </p> + <p> + Do you think that Abraham was "a self-exile for conscience sake" when he + told Sarah, his wife, to say that she was his sister—in consequence + of which she was taken into Pharaoh's house, and by reason of which + Pharaoh made presents of sheep and oxen and man servants and maid servants + to Abraham? What would you call such a proceeding now? What would you + think of a man who was willing that his wife should become the mistress of + the king, provided the king would make him presents? + </p> + <p> + Was it for conscience sake that the same subterfuge was adopted again, + when Abraham said to Abimelech, the King of Gerar, She is my sister—in + consequence of which Abimelech sent for Sarah and took her? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll having been called to Montana, as counsel in a long and + important law suit, never finished this article. + </p> + <p> + ANSWER TO ARCHDEACON FARRAR. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This fragment (found among Col. Ingersoll's papers) is a + mere outline of a contemplated answer to Archdeacon Farrar's + article in the North American Review, May, 1810, entitled: + "A Few Words on Col. Ingersoll." +</pre> + <p> + ARCHDEACON FARRAR, in the opening of his article, in a burst of + confidence, takes occasion to let the world know how perfectly angelic he + intends to be. He publicly proclaims that he can criticise the arguments + of one with whom he disagrees, without resorting to invective, or becoming + discourteous. Does he call attention to this because most theologians are + hateful and ungentlemanly? Is it a rare thing for the pious to be candid? + Why should an Archdeacon be cruel, or even ill-bred? Yet, in the very + beginning, the Archdeacon in effect says: Behold, I show you a mystery—a + Christian who can write about an infidel, without invective and without + brutality. Is it then so difficult for those who love their enemies to + keep within the bounds of decency when speaking of unbelievers who have + never injured them? + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, I was somewhat surprised when I read the proclamation + to the effect that the writer was not to use invective, and was to be + guilty of no discourtesy; but on reading the article, and finding that he + had failed to keep his promise, I was not surprised. + </p> + <p> + It is an old habit with theologians to beat the living with the bones of + the dead. The arguments that cannot be answered provoke epithet. + </p> + <p> + ARCHDEACON FARRAR criticises several of my statements: <i>The same rules + or laws of probability must govern in religious questions as in others</i>. + </p> + <p> + This apparently self-evident statement seems to excite almost the ire of + this Archdeacon, and for the purpose of showing that it is not true, he + states, first, that "the first postulate of revelation is that it appeals + to man's spirit;" second, that "the spirit is a sphere of being which + transcends the spheres of the senses and the understanding;" third, that + "if a man denies the existence of a spiritual intuition, he is like a + blind man criticising colors, or a deaf man criticising harmonies;" + fourth, that "revelation must be judged by its own criteria;" and fifth, + that "St. Paul draws a marked distinction between the spirit of the world + and the spirit which is of God," and that the same Saint said that "the + natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are + foolishness unto him, and he cannot know them, because they are + spiritually discerned." Let us answer these objections in their order. + </p> + <p> + 1. "The first postulate of revelation is that it appeals to man's spirit." + What does the Archdeacon mean by "spirit"? A man says that he has received + a revelation from God, and he wishes to convince another man that he has + received a revelation—how does he proceed? Does he appeal to the + man's reason? Will he tell him the circumstances under which he received + the revelation? Will he tell him why he is convinced that it was from God? + Will the Archdeacon be kind enough to tell how the spirit can be + approached passing by the reason, the understanding, the judgment and the + intellect? If the Archdeacon replies that the revelation itself will bear + the evidence within itself, what then, I ask, does he mean by the word + "evidence"? Evidence about what? Is it such evidence as satisfies the + intelligence, convinces the reason, and is it in conformity with the known + facts of the mind? + </p> + <p> + It may be said by the Archdeacon that anything that satisfies what he is + pleased to call the spirit, that furnishes what it seems by nature to + require, is of supernatural origin. We hear music, and this music seems to + satisfy the desire for harmony—still, no one argues, from that fact, + that music is of supernatural origin. It may satisfy a want in the brain—a + want unknown until the music was heard—and yet we all agree in + saying that music has been naturally produced, and no one claims that + Beethoven, or Wagner, was inspired. + </p> + <p> + The same may be said of things that satisfy the palate—of statues, + of paintings, that reveal to him who looks, the existence of that of which + before that time he had not even dreamed. Why is it that we love color—that + we are pleased with harmonies, or with a succession of sounds rising and + falling at measured intervals? No one would answer this question by saying + that sculptors and painters and musicians were inspired; neither would + they say that the first postulate of art is that it appeals to man's + spirit, and for that reason the rules or laws of probability have nothing + to do with the question of art. + </p> + <p> + 2. That "the spirit is a sphere of being which transcends the spheres of + the senses and the understanding." Let us imagine a man without senses. He + cannot feel, see, hear, taste, or smell. What is he? Would it be possible + for him to have an idea? Would such a man have a spirit to which + revelation could appeal, or would there be locked in the dungeon of his + brain a spirit, that is to say, a "sphere of being which transcends the + spheres of the senses and the understanding"? Admit that in the person + supposed, the machinery of life goes on—what is he more than an + inanimate machine? + </p> + <p> + 3. That "if a man denies the very existence of a spiritual intuition, he + is like a blind man criticising colors, or a deaf man criticising + harmonies." What do you mean by "spiritual intuition"? When did this + "spiritual intuition" become the property of man—before, or after, + birth? Is it of supernatural, or miraculous, origin, and is it possible + that this "spiritual intuition" is independent of the man? Is it based + upon experience? Was it in any way born of the senses, or of the effect of + nature upon the brain—that is to say, of things seen, or heard, or + touched? Is a "spiritual intuition" an entity? If man can exist without + the "spiritual intuition," do you insist that the "spiritual intuition" + can exist without the man? + </p> + <p> + You may remember that Mr. Locke frequently remarked: "Define your terms." + It is to be regretted that in the hurry of writing your article, you + forgot to give an explanation of "spiritual intuition." + </p> + <p> + I will also take the liberty of asking you how a blind man could criticise + colors, and how a deaf man could criticise harmonies. Possibly you may + imagine that "spiritual intuition" can take cognizance of colors, as well + as of harmonies. Let me ask: Why cannot a blind man criticise colors? Let + me answer: For the same reason that Archdeacon Farrar can tell us nothing + about an infinite personality. + </p> + <p> + 4. That "revelation must be judged by its own criteria." Suppose the Bible + had taught that selfishness, larceny and murder were virtues; would you + deny its inspiration? Would not your denial be based upon a conclusion + that had been reached by your reason that no intelligent being could have + been its author—that no good being could, by any possibility, uphold + the commission of such crimes? In that case would you be guided by + "spiritual intuition," or by your reason? + </p> + <p> + When we examine the claims of a history—as, for instance, a history + of England, or of America, are we to decide according to "spiritual + intuition," or in accordance with the laws or rules of probability? Is + there a different standard for a history written in Hebrew, several + thousand years ago, and one written in English in the nineteenth century? + If a history should now be written in England, in which the most + miraculous and impossible things should be related as facts, and if I + should deny these alleged facts, would you consider that the author had + overcome my denial by saying, "history must be judged by its own + criteria"? + </p> + <p> + 5. That "the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, + for they are foolishness unto him, and he cannot know them, because they + are spiritually discerned." The Archdeacon admits that the natural man + cannot know the things of the spirit, because they are not naturally, but + spiritually, discerned. On the next page we are told, that "the truths + which Agnostics repudiate have been, and are, acknowledged by all except a + fraction of the human race." It goes without saying that a large majority + of the human race are natural; consequently, the statement of the + Archdeacon contradicts the statement of St. Paul. The Archdeacon insists + that all except a fraction of the human race acknowledge the truths which + Agnostics repudiate, and they must acknowledge them because they are by + them spiritually discerned; and yet, St. Paul says that this is + impossible, and insists that "the natural man cannot know the things of + the spirit of God, because they are spiritually discerned." + </p> + <p> + There is only one way to harmonize the statement of the Archdeacon and the + Saint, and that is, by saying that nearly all of the human race are + unnatural, and that only a small fraction are natural, and that the small + fraction of men who are natural, are Agnostics, and only those who accept + what the Archdeacon calls "truths" are unnatural to such a degree that + they can discern spiritual things. + </p> + <p> + Upon this subject, the last things to which the Archdeacon appeals, are + the very things that he, at first, utterly repudiated. He asks, "Are we + contemptuously to reject the witness of innumerable multitudes of the good + and wise, that—with a spiritual reality more convincing to them than + the material evidences which converted the apostles,"—they have + seen, and heard, and their hands have handled the "Word of Life"? Thus at + last the Archdeacon appeals to the evidences of the senses. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + THE Archdeacon then proceeds to attack the following statement: <i>There + is no subject, and can be none, concerning which any human being is under + any obligation to believe without evidence</i>. + </p> + <p> + One would suppose that it would be impossible to formulate an objection to + this statement. What is or is not evidence, depends upon the mind to which + it is presented. There is no possible "insinuation" in this statement, one + way or the other. There is nothing sinister in it, any more than there + would be in the statement that twice five are ten. How did it happen to + occur to the Archdeacon that when I spoke of believing without evidence, I + referred to all people who believe in the existence of a God, and that I + intended to say "that one-third of the world's inhabitants had embraced + the faith of Christians without evidence"? + </p> + <p> + Certain things may convince one mind and utterly fail to convince others. + Undoubtedly the persons who have believed in the dogmas of Christianity + have had what was sufficient evidence for them. All I said was, that + "there is no subject, and can be none, concerning which any human being is + under any obligation to believe without evidence." Does the Archdeacon + insist that there is an obligation resting on any human mind to believe + without evidence? Is he willing to go a step further and say that there is + an obligation resting upon the minds of men to believe contrary to + evidence? If one is under obligation to believe without evidence, it is + just as reasonable to say that he is under obligation to believe in spite + of evidence. What does the word "evidence" mean? A man in whose honesty I + have great confidence, tells me that he saw a dead man raised to life. I + do not believe him. Why? His statement is not evidence to my mind. Why? + Because it contradicts all of my experience, and, as I believe, the + experience of the intelligent world. + </p> + <p> + No one pretends that "one-third of the world's inhabitants have embraced + the faith of Christians without evidence"—that is, that all + Christians have embraced the faith without evidence. In the olden time, + when hundreds of thousands of men were given their choice between being + murdered and baptized, they generally accepted baptism—probably they + accepted Christianity without critically examining the evidence. + </p> + <p> + Is it historically absurd that millions of people have believed in systems + of religion without evidence? Thousands of millions have believed that + Mohammed was a prophet of God. And not only so, but have believed in his + miraculous power. Did they believe without evidence? Is it historically + absurd to say that Mohammedanism is based upon mistake? What shall we say + of the followers of Buddha, who far outnumber the followers of Christ? + Have they believed without evidence? And is it historically absurd to say + that our ancestors of a few hundred years ago were as credulous as the + disciples of Buddha? Is it not true that the same gentlemen who believed + thoroughly in all the miracles of the New Testament also believed the + world to be flat, and were perfectly satisfied that the sun made its daily + journey around the earth? Did they have any evidence? Is it historically + absurd to say that they believed without evidence? + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + <i>Neither is there any intelligent being who can by any possibility be + flattered by the exercise of ignorant credulity.</i> + </p> + <p> + THE Archdeacon asks what I "gain by stigmatizing as ignorant credulity + that inspired, inspiring, invincible conviction—the formative + principle of noble efforts and self-sacrificing lives, which at this + moment, as during all the long millenniums of the past, has been held not + only by the ignorant and the credulous, but by those whom all the ages + have regarded as the ablest, the wisest, the most learned and the most + gifted of mankind?" + </p> + <p> + Does the Archdeacon deny that credulity is ignorant? In this connection, + what does the word "credulity" mean? It means that condition or state of + the mind in which the impossible, or the absurd, is accepted as true. Is + not such credulity ignorant? Do we speak of wise credulity—of + intelligent credulity? We may say theological credulity, or Christian + credulity, but certainly not intelligent credulity. Is the flattery of the + ignorant and credulous—the flattery being based upon that which + ignorance and credulity have accepted—acceptable to any intelligent + being? Is it possible that we can flatter God by pretending to believe, or + by believing, that which is repugnant to reason, that which upon + examination is seen to be absurd? The Archdeacon admits that God cannot + possibly be so flattered. If, then, he agrees with my statement, why + endeavor to controvert it? + </p> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + The man who without prejudice reads and understands the Old and New + Testaments will cease to be an orthodox Christian. + </p> + <p> + THE Archdeacon says that he cannot pretend to imagine what my definition + of an orthodox Christian is. I will use his own language to express my + definition. "By an orthodox Christian I mean one who believes what is + commonly called the Apostles' Creed. I also believe that the essential + doctrines of the church must be judged by her universal formulae, not by + the opinions of this or that theologian, however eminent, or even of any + number of theologians, unless the church has stamped them with the + sanction of her formal and distinct acceptance." + </p> + <p> + This is the language of the Archdeacon himself, and I accept it as a + definition of orthodoxy. With this definition in mind, I say that the man + who without prejudice reads and understands the Old and New Testaments + will cease to be an orthodox Christian. By "prejudice," I mean the + tendencies and trends given to his mind by heredity, by education, by the + facts and circumstances entering into the life of man. We know how + children are poisoned in the cradle, how they are deformed in the Sunday + School, how they are misled by the pulpit. And we know how numberless + interests unite and conspire to prevent the individual soul from examining + for itself. We know that nearly all rewards are in the hands of + Superstition—that she holds the sweet wreath, and that her hands + lead the applause of what is called the civilized world. We know how many + men give up their mental independence for the sake of pelf and power. We + know the influence of mothers and fathers—of Church and State—of + Faith and Fashion. All these influences produce in honest minds what may + be known as prejudice,—in other minds, what may be known as + hypocrisy. + </p> + <p> + It is hardly worth my while to speak of the merits of students of Holy + Writ "who," the Archdeacon was polite enough to say, "know ten thousand + times more of the Scriptures" than I do. This, to say the least of it, is + a gratuitous assertion, and one that does not tend to throw the slightest + ray of light on any matter in controversy. Neither is it true that it was + my "point" to say that all people are prejudiced, merely because they + believe in God; it was my point to say that no man can read the miracles + of the Old Testament, without prejudice, and believe them; it was my point + to say that no man can read many of the cruel and barbarous laws said to + have been given by God himself, and yet believe,—unless he was + prejudiced,—that these laws were divinely given. + </p> + <p> + Neither do I believe that there is now beneath the cope of heaven an + intelligent man, without prejudice, who believes in the inspiration of the + Bible. + </p> + <p> + V. + </p> + <p> + The intelligent man who investigates the religion of any country, without + fear and without prejudice, will not and cannot be a believer. + </p> + <p> + IN answering this statement the Archdeacon says: "<i>Argal</i>, every + believer in any religion is either an incompetent idiot, or coward—with + a dash of prejudice." + </p> + <p> + I hardly know what the gentleman means by an "incompetent idiot," as I + know of no competent ones. It was not my intention to say that believers + in religion are idiots or cowards. I did not mean, by using the word + "fear," to say that persons actuated by fear are cowards. That was not in + my mind. By "fear," I intended to convey that fear commonly called awe, or + superstition,—that is to say, fear of the supernatural,—fear + of the gods—fear of punishment in another world—fear of some + Supreme Being; not fear of some other man—not the fear that is + branded with cowardice. And, of course, the Archdeacon perfectly + understood my meaning; but it was necessary to give another meaning in + order to make the appearance of an answer possible. + </p> + <p> + By "prejudice," I mean that state of mind that accepts the false for the + true. All prejudice is honest. And the probability is, that all men are + more or less prejudiced on some subject. But on that account I do not call + them "incompetent idiots, or cowards, with a dash of prejudice." I have no + doubt that the Archdeacon himself believes that all Mahommedans are + prejudiced, and that they are actuated more or less by fear, inculcated by + their parents and by society at large. Neither have I any doubt that he + regards all Catholics as prejudiced, and believes that they are governed + more or less by fear. It is no answer to what I have said for the + Archdeacon to say that "others have studied every form of religion with + infinitely greater power than I have done." This is a personality that has + nothing to do with the subject in hand. It is no argument to repeat a list + of names. It is an old trick of the theologians to use names instead of + arguments—to appeal to persons instead of principles—to rest + their case upon the views of kings and nobles and others who pretend + eminence in some department of human learning or ignorance, rather than on + human knowledge. + </p> + <p> + This is the argument of the old against the new, and on this appeal the + old must of necessity have the advantage. When some man announces the + discovery of a new truth, or of some great fact contrary to the opinions + of the learned, it is easy to overwhelm him with names. There is but one + name on his side—that is to say, his own. All others who are living, + and the dead, are on the other side. And if this argument is good, it + ought to have ended all progress many thousands of years ago. If this + argument is conclusive, the first man would have had freedom of opinion; + the second man would have stood an equal chance; but if the third man + differed from the other two, he would have been gone. Yet this is the + argument of the church. They say to every man who advances something new: + Are you greater than the dead? The man who is right is generally modest. + Men in the wrong, as a rule, are arrogant; and arrogance is generally in + the majority. + </p> + <p> + The Archdeacon appeals to certain names to show that I am wrong. In order + for this argument to be good—that is to say, to be honest—he + should agree with all the opinions of the men whose names he gives. He + shows, or endeavors to show, that I am wrong, because I do not agree with + St. Augustine. Does the Archdeacon agree with St. Augustine? Does he now + believe that the bones of a saint were taken to Hippo—that being in + the diocese of St. Augustine—and that five corpses, having been + touched with these bones, were raised to life? Does he believe that a + demoniac, on being touched with one of these bones, was relieved of a + multitude of devils, and that these devils then and there testified to the + genuineness of the bones, not only, but told the hearers that the doctrine + of the Trinity was true? Does the Archdeacon agree with St. Augustine that + over seventy miracles were performed with these bones, and that in a + neighboring town many hundreds of miracles were performed? Does he agree + with St. Augustine in his estimate of women—placing them on a par + with beasts? + </p> + <p> + I admit that St. Augustine had great influence with the people of his day—but + what people? I admit also that he was the founder of the first begging + brotherhood—that he organized mendicancy—and that he most + cheerfully lived on the labor of others. + </p> + <p> + If St. Augustine lived now he would be the inmate of an asylum. This same + St. Augustine believed that the fire of hell was material—that the + body itself having influenced the soul to sin, would be burned forever, + and that God by a perpetual miracle would save the body from being + annihilated and devoured in those eternal flames. + </p> + <p> + Let me ask the Archdeacon a question: Do you agree with St. Augustine? If + you do not, do you claim to be a greater man? Is "your mole-hill higher + than his Dhawalagiri"? Are you looking down upon him from the altitude of + your own inferiority? + </p> + <p> + Precisely the same could be said of St. Jerome. The Archdeacon appeals to + Charlemagne, one of the great generals of the world—a man who in his + time shed rivers of blood, and who on one occasion massacred over four + thousand helpless prisoners—a Christian gentleman who had, I think, + about nine wives, and was the supposed father of some twenty children. + 'This same Charlemagne had laws against polygamy, and yet practiced it + himself. Are we under the same obligation to share his vices as his views? + It is wonderful how the church has always appealed to the so-called great—how + it has endeavored to get certificates from kings and queens, from + successful soldiers and statesmen, to the truth of the Bible and the moral + character of Christ! How the saints have crawled in the dust before the + slayers of mankind! Think of proving the religion of love and forgiveness + by Charlemagne and Napoleon! + </p> + <p> + An appeal is also made to Roger Bacon. Yet this man attained all his + eminence by going contrary to the opinions and teachings of the church. In + his time, it was matter of congratulation that you knew nothing of secular + things. He was a student of Nature, an investigator, and by the very + construction of his mind was opposed to the methods of Catholicism. + </p> + <p> + Copernicus was an astronomer, but he certainly did not get his astronomy + from the church, nor from General Joshua, nor from the story of the Jewish + king for whose benefit the sun was turned back in heaven ten degrees. + </p> + <p> + Neither did Kepler find his three laws in the Sermon on the Mount, nor + were they the utterances of Jehovah on Mount Sinai. He did not make his + discoveries because he was a Christian; but in spite of that fact. + </p> + <p> + As to Lord Bacon, let me ask, are you willing to accept his ideas? If not, + why do you quote his name? Am I bound by the opinions of Bacon in matters + of religion, and not in matters of science? Bacon denied the Coperni-can + system, and died a believer in the Ptolemaic—died believing that the + earth is stationary and that the sun and stars move around it as a center. + Do you agree with Bacon? If not, do you pretend that your mind is greater? + Would it be fair for a believer in Bacon to denounce you as an egotist and + charge you with "obstreperousness" because you merely suggested that Mr. + Bacon was a little off in his astronomical opinions? Do you not see that + you have furnished the cord for me to tie your hands behind you? + </p> + <p> + I do not know how you ascertained that Shakespeare was what you call a + believer. Substantially all that we know of Shakespeare is found in what + we know as his "works" All else can be read in one minute. May I ask, how + you know that Shakespeare was a believer? Do you prove it by the words he + put in the mouths of his characters? If so, you can prove that he was + anything, nothing, and everything. Have you literary bread to eat that I + know not of? Whether Dante was, or was not, a Christian, I am not prepared + to say. I have always admired him for one thing: he had the courage to see + a pope in hell. + </p> + <p> + Probably you are not prepared to agree with Milton—especially in his + opinion that marriage had better be by contract, for a limited time. And + if you disagree with Milton on this point, do you thereby pretend to say + that you could have written a better poem than Paradise Lost? + </p> + <p> + So Newton is supposed to have been a Trinitarian. And yet it is said that, + after his death, there was found an article, which had been published by + him in Holland, against the dogma of the Trinity. + </p> + <p> + After all, it is quite difficult to find out what the great men have + believed. They have been actuated by so many unknown motives; they have + wished for place; they have desired to be Archdeacons, Bishops, Cardinals, + Popes; their material interests have sometimes interfered with the + expression of their thoughts. Most of the men to whom you have alluded + lived at a time when the world was controlled by what may be called a + Christian mob—when the expression of an honest thought would have + cost the life of the one who expressed it—when the followers of + Christ were ready with sword and fagot to exterminate philosophy and + liberty from the world. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that we are under any obligation to believe the Mosaic + account of the Garden of Eden, or of the talking serpent, because "Whewell + had an encyclopaedic range of knowledge"? Must we believe that Joshua + stopped the sun, because Faraday was "the most eminent man of science of + his day"? Shall we believe the story of the fiery furnace, because "Mr. + Spottiswoode was president of the Royal Society"—had "rare + mathematical genius"—so rare that he was actually "buried in + Westminster Abbey"? Shall we believe that Jonah spent three days and + nights in the inside of a whale because "Professor Clark Maxwell's death + was mourned by all"? + </p> + <p> + Are we under any obligation to believe that an infinite God sent two she + bears to tear forty children in pieces because they laughed at a prophet + without hair? Must we believe this because "Sir Gabriel Stokes is the + living president of the Royal Society, and a Churchman" besides? Are we + bound to believe that Daniel spent one of the happiest evenings of his + life in the lion's den, because "Sir William Dawson of Canada, two years + ago, presided over the British Association"? And must we believe in the + ten plagues of Egypt, including the lice, because "Professor Max Müller + made an eloquent plea in Westminster Abbey in favor of Christian + missions"? Possibly he wanted missionaries to visit heathen lands so that + they could see the difference for themselves between theory and practice, + in what is known as the Christian religion. + </p> + <p> + Must we believe the miracles of the New Testament—the casting out of + devils—because "Lord Tennyson and Mr. Browning stand far above all + other poets of this generation in England," or because "Longfellow, + Holmes, and Lowell and Whittier" occupy the same position in America? Must + we admit that devils entered into swine because "Bancroft and Parkman are + the leading prose writers of America"—which I take this occasion to + deny? + </p> + <p> + It is to be hoped that some time the Archdeacon will read that portion of + Mr. Bancroft's history in which he gives the account of how the soldiers, + commonly called Hessians, were raised by the British Government during the + American Revolution. + </p> + <p> + These poor wretches were sold at so much apiece. For every one that was + killed, so much was paid, and for every one that was wounded a certain + amount was given. Mr. Bancroft tells us that God was not satisfied with + this business, and although he did not interfere in any way to save the + poor soldiers, he did visit the petty tyrants who made the bargains with + his wrath. I remember that as a punishment to one of these, his wife was + induced to leave him; another one died a good many years afterwards; and + several of them had exceedingly bad luck. + </p> + <p> + After reading this philosophic dissertation on the dealings of Providence, + I doubt if the Archdeacon will still remain of the opinion that Mr. + Bancroft is one of the leading prose writers of America. If the Archdeacon + will read a few of the sermons of Theodore Parker, and essays of Ralph + Waldo Emerson, if he will read the life of Voltaire by James Parton, he + may change his opinion as to the great prose writers of America. + </p> + <p> + My argument against miracles is answered by reference to "Dr. Lightfoot, a + man of such immense learning that he became the equal of his successor Dr. + Westcott." And when I say that there are errors and imperfections in the + Bible, I am told that Dr. Westcott "investigated the Christian religion + and its earliest documents <i>au fond</i>, and was an orthodox believer." + Of course the Archdeacon knows that no one now knows who wrote one of the + books of the Bible. He knows that no one now lives who ever saw one of the + original manuscripts, and that no one now lives who ever saw anybody who + had seen anybody who had seen an original manuscript. + </p> + <p> + VI. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible for the human mind to conceive of an infinite personality? + </p> + <p> + THE Archdeacon says that it is, and yet in the same article he quotes the + following from Job: "Canst thou by searching find out God?" "It is as high + as Heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than Hell; what canst thou know?" + And immediately after making these quotations, the Archdeacon takes the + ground of the agnostic, and says, "with the wise ancient Rabbis, we learn + to say, <i>I do not know</i>." + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for me to say what any other human being cannot conceive; + but I am absolutely certain that my mind cannot conceive of an infinite + personality—of an infinite Ego. + </p> + <p> + Man is conscious of his individuality. Man has wants. A multitude of + things in nature seems to work against him; and others seem to be + favorable to him. There is conflict between him and nature. + </p> + <p> + If man had no wants—if there were no conflict between him and any + other being, or any other thing, he could not say "I"—that is to + say, he could not be conscious of personality. + </p> + <p> + Now, it seems to me that an infinite personality is a contradiction in + terms, says "I." + </p> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + THE same line of argument applies to the next statement that is criticised + by the Archdeacon: <i>Can the human mind conceive a beginningless being?</i> + </p> + <p> + We know that there is such a thing as matter, but we do not know that + there is a beginningless being. We say, or some say, that matter is + eternal, because the human mind cannot conceive of its commencing. Now, if + we knew of the existence of an Infinite Being, we could not conceive of + his commencing. But we know of no such being. We do know of the existence + of matter; and my mind is so, that I cannot conceive of that matter having + been created by a beginningless being. I do not say that there is not a + beginningless being, but I do not believe there is, and it is beyond my + power to conceive of such a being. + </p> + <p> + The Archdeacon also says that "space is quite as impossible to conceive as + God." But nobody pretends to love space—no one gives intention and + will to space—no one, so far as I know, builds altars or temples to + space. Now, if God is as inconceivable as space, why should we pray to + God? + </p> + <p> + The Archdeacon, however, after quoting Sir William Hamilton as to the + inconceivability of space as absolute or infinite, takes occasion to say + that "space is an entity." May I be permitted to ask how he knows that + space is an entity? As a matter of fact, the conception of infinite space + is a necessity of the mind, the same as eternity is a necessity of the + mind. + </p> + <p> + VIII. + </p> + <p> + THE next sentence or statement to which the Archdeacon objects is as + follows: + </p> + <p> + <i>He who cannot harmonize the cruelties of the Bible with the goodness of + Jehovah, cannot harmonize the cruelties of Nature with the goodness or + wisdom of a supposed Deity. He will find it impossible to account for + pestilence and famine, for earthquake and storm, for slavery, and for the + triumph of the strong over the weak.</i> + </p> + <p> + One objection that he urges to this statement is that St. Paul had made a + stronger one in the same direction. The Archdeacon however insists that "a + world without a contingency, or an agony, could have had no hero and no + saint," and that "science enables us to demonstrate that much of the + apparent misery and anguish is transitory and even phantasmal; that many + of the seeming forces of destruction are overruled to ends of beneficence; + that most of man's disease and anguish is due to his own sin and folly and + wilfulness." + </p> + <p> + I will not say that these things have been said before, but I will say + that they have been answered before. The idea that the world is a school + in which character is formed and in which men are educated is very old. + If, however, the world is a school, and there is trouble and misfortune, + and the object is to create character—that is to say, to produce + heroes and saints—then the question arises, what becomes of those + who die in infancy? They are left without the means of education. Are they + to remain forever without character? Or is there some other world of + suffering and sorrow? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible to form character in heaven? How did the angels become + good? How do you account for the justice of God? Did he attain character + through struggle and suffering? + </p> + <p> + What would you say of a school teacher who should kill one-third of the + children on the morning of the first day? And what can you say of God,—if + this world is a school,—who allows a large per cent, of his children + to die in infancy—consequently without education—therefore, + without character? + </p> + <p> + If the world is the result of infinite wisdom and goodness, why is the + Christian Church engaged in endeavoring to make it better; or, rather, in + an effort to change it? Why not leave it as an infinite God made it? + </p> + <p> + Is it true that most of man's diseases are due to his own sin and folly + and wilfulness? Is it not true that no matter how good men are they must + die, and will they not die of diseases? Is it true that the wickedness of + man has created the microbe? Is it possible that the sinfulness of man + created the countless enemies of human life that lurk in air and water and + food? Certainly the wickedness of man has had very little influence on + tornadoes, earthquakes and floods. Is it true that "the signature of + beauty with which God has stamped the visible world—alike in the sky + and on the earth—alike in the majestic phenomena of an intelligent + creation and in its humblest and most microscopic production—is a + perpetual proof that God is a God of love"? + </p> + <p> + Let us see. The scientists tell us that there is a little microscopic + animal, one who is very particular about his food—so particular, + that he prefers to all other things the optic nerve, and after he has + succeeded in destroying that nerve and covering the eye with the mask of + blindness, he has intelligence enough to bore his way through the bones of + the nose in search of the other optic nerve. Is it not somewhat difficult + to discover "the signature of beauty with which God has stamped" this + animal? For my part, I see but little beauty in poisonous serpents, in + man-eating sharks, in crocodiles, in alligators. It would be impossible + for me to gaze with admiration upon a cancer. Think, for a moment, of a + God ingenious enough and good enough to feed a cancer with the quivering + flesh of a human being, and to give for the sustenance of that cancer the + life of a mother. + </p> + <p> + It is well enough to speak of "the myriad voices of nature in their mirth + and sweetness," and it is also well enough to think of the other side. The + singing birds have a few notes of love—the rest are all of warning + and of fear. Nature, apparently with infinite care, produces a living + thing, and at the same time is just as diligently at work creating another + living thing to devour the first, and at the same time a third to devour + the second, and so on around the great circle of life and death, of agony + and joy—tooth and claw, fang and tusk, hunger and rapine, massacre + and murder, violence and vengeance and vice everywhere and through all + time. [Here the manuscript ends, with the following notes.] + </p> + <p> + SAYINGS FROM THE INDIAN. + </p> + <p> + "The rain seems hardest when the wigwam leaks." + </p> + <p> + "When the tracks get too large and too numerous, the wise Indian says that + he is hunting something else." + </p> + <p> + "A little crook in the arrow makes a great miss." + </p> + <p> + "A great chief counts scalps, not hairs." + </p> + <p> + "You cannot strengthen the bow by poisoning the arrows." + </p> + <p> + "No one saves water in a flood." + </p> + <p> + ORIGEN. + </p> + <p> + Origen considered that the punishment of the wicked consisted in + separation from God. There was too much pity in his heart to believe in + the flames of hell. But he was condemned as heretical by the Council of + Carthage, A. D., 398, and afterwards by other councils. + </p> + <p> + ST. AUGUSTINE. + </p> + <p> + St. Augustine censures Origen for his merciful view, and says: "The + church, not without reason, condemned him for this error." He also held + that hell was in the centre of the earth, and that God supplied the centre + with perpetual fire by a miracle. + </p> + <p> + DANTE. + </p> + <p> + Dante is a wonderful mixture of melancholy and malice, of religion and + revenge, and he represents himself as so pitiless that when he found his + political opponents in hell, he struck their faces and pulled the hair of + the tormented. + </p> + <p> + AQUINAS. + </p> + <p> + Aquinas believed the same. He was the loving gentleman who believed in the + undying worm. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0017" id="link0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + IS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT DEGRADING? + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This unfinished and unrevised article was found among Col. + Ingersoll's papers, and is here reproduced without change.— + It is a reply to the Dean of St Paul's Contribution to the + North American Review for Dec., 1891, entitled: "Is Corporal + Punishment Degrading?" +</pre> + <p> + THE Dean of St. Paul protests against the kindness of parents, guardians + and teachers toward children, wards and pupils. He believes in the gospel + of ferule and whips, and has perfect faith in the efficacy of flogging in + homes and schools. He longs for the return of the good old days when + fathers were severe, and children affectionate and obedient. + </p> + <p> + In America, for many years, even wife-beating has been somewhat unpopular, + and the flogging of children has been considered cruel and unmanly. Wives + with bruised and swollen faces, and children with lacerated backs, have + excited pity for themselves rather than admiration for savage husbands and + brutal fathers. It is also true that the church has far less power here + than in England, and it may be that those who wander from the orthodox + fold grow merciful and respect the rights even of the weakest. + </p> + <p> + But whatever the cause may be, the fact is that we, citizens of the + Republic, feel that certain domestic brutalities are the children of + monarchies and despotisms; that they were produced by superstition, + ignorance, and savagery; and that they are not in accord with the free and + superb spirit that founded and preserves the Great Republic. + </p> + <p> + Of late years, confidence in the power of kindness has greatly increased, + and there is a wide-spread suspicion that cruelty and violence are not the + instrumentalities of civilization. + </p> + <p> + Physicians no longer regard corporal punishment as a sure cure even for + insanity—and it is generally admitted that the lash irritates rather + than soothes the victim of melancholia. + </p> + <p> + Civilized men now insist that criminals cannot always be reformed even by + the most ingenious instruments of torture. It is known that some convicts + repay the smallest acts of kindness with the sincerest gratitude. Some of + the best people go so far as to say that kindness is the sunshine in which + the virtues grow. We know that for many ages governments tried to make men + virtuous with dungeon and fagot and scaffold; that they tried to cure even + disease of the mind with brandings and maimings and lashes on the naked + flesh of men and women—and that kings endeavored to sow the seeds of + patriotism—to plant and nurture them in the hearts of their subjects—with + whip and chain. + </p> + <p> + In England, only a few years ago, there were hundreds of brave soldiers + and daring sailors whose breasts were covered with honorable scars—witnesses + of wounds received at Trafalgar and Balaklava—while on the backs of + these same soldiers and sailors were the marks of English whips. These + shameless cruelties were committed in the name of discipline, and were + upheld by officers, statesmen and clergymen. The same is true of nearly + all civilized nations. These crimes have been excused for the reason that + our ancestors were, at that time, in fact, barbarians—that they had + no idea of justice, no comprehension of liberty, no conception of the + rights of men, women, and children. + </p> + <p> + At that time the church was, in most countries, equal to, or superior to, + the state, and was a firm believer in the civilizing influences of cruelty + and torture. + </p> + <p> + According to the creeds of that day, God intended to torture the wicked + forever, and the church, according to its power, did all that it could in + the same direction. Learning their rights and duties from priests, fathers + not only beat their children, but their wives. In those days most homes + were penitentiaries, in which wives and children were the convicts and of + which husbands and fathers were the wardens and turnkeys. The king + imitated his supposed God, and imprisoned, flogged, branded, beheaded and + burned his enemies, and the husbands and fathers imitated the king, and + guardians and teachers imitated them. + </p> + <p> + Yet in spite of all the beatings and burnings, the whippings and hangings, + the world was not reformed. Crimes increased, the cheeks of wives were + furrowed with tears, the faces of children white with fear—fear of + their own fathers; pity was almost driven from the heart of man and found + refuge, for the most part, in the breasts of women, children, and dogs. + </p> + <p> + In those days, misfortunes were punished as crimes. Honest debtors were + locked in loathsome dungeons, and trivial offences were punished with + death. Worse than all that, thousands of men and women were destroyed, not + because they were vicious, but because they were virtuous, honest and + noble. Extremes beget obstructions. The victims at last became too + numerous, and the result did not seem to justify the means. The good, the + few, protested against the savagery of kings and fathers. + </p> + <p> + Nothing seems clearer to me than that the world has been gradually growing + better for many years. Men have a clearer conception of rights and + obligations—a higher philosophy—a far nobler ideal. Even kings + admit that they should have some regard for the well-being of their + subjects. Nations and individuals are slowly outgrowing the savagery of + revenge, the desire to kill, and it is generally admitted that criminals + should neither be imprisoned nor tortured for the gratification of the + public. At last we are beginning to know that revenge is a mistake—that + cruelty not only hardens the victim, but makes a criminal of him who + inflicts it, and that mercy guided by intelligence is the highest form of + justice. + </p> + <p> + The tendency of the world is toward kindness. The religious creeds are + being changed or questioned, because they shock the heart of the present. + All civilized churches, all humane Christians, have given up the dogma of + eternal pain. This infamous doctrine has for many centuries polluted the + imagination and hardened the heart. This coiled viper no longer inhabits + the breast of a civilized man. + </p> + <p> + In all civilized countries slavery has been abolished, the honest debtor + released, and all are allowed the liberty of speech. + </p> + <p> + Long ago flogging was abolished in our army and navy and all cruel and + unusual punishments prohibited by law. In many parts of the Republic the + whip has been banished from the public schools, the flogger of children is + held in abhorrence, and the wife-beater is regarded as a cowardly + criminal. The gospel of kindness is not only preached, but practiced. Such + has been the result of this advance of civilization—of this growth + of kindness—of this bursting into blossom of the flower called pity, + in the heart—that we treat our horses (thanks to Henry Bergh) better + than our ancestors did their slaves, their servants or their tenants. The + gentlemen of to-day show more affection for their dogs than most of the + kings of England exhibited toward their wives. The great tide is toward + mercy; the savage creeds are being changed; heartless laws have been + repealed; shackles have been broken; torture abolished, and the keepers of + prisons are no longer allowed to bruise and scar the flesh of convicts. + The insane are treated with kindness—asylums are in the midst of + beautiful grounds, the rooms are filled with flowers, and the wandering + mind is called back by the golden voice of music. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of these tendencies—of these accomplishments—in + the general harmony between the minds of men, acting together, to the end + that the world may be governed by kindness through education and the + blessed agencies of reformation and prevention, the Dean of St. Paul + raises his voice in favor of the methods and brutalities of the past. + </p> + <p> + The reverend gentleman takes the ground that the effect of flogging on the + flogged is not degrading; that the effect of corporal punishment is + ennobling; that it tends to make boys manly by ennobling and teaching them + to bear bodily pain with fortitude. To be flogged develops character, + self-reliance, courage, contempt of pain and the highest heroism. The Dean + therefore takes the ground that parents should flog their children, + guardians their wards, and teachers their pupils. + </p> + <p> + If the Dean is wrong he goes too far, and if he is right he does not go + far enough. He does not advocate the flogging of children who obey their + parents, or of pupils who violate no rule. It follows then that such + children are in great danger of growing up unmanly, without the courage + and fortitude to bear bodily pain. If flogging is really a blessing it + should not be withheld from the good and lavished on the unworthy. The + Dean should have the courage of his convictions. The teacher should not + make a pretext of the misconduct of the pupil to do him a great service. + He should not be guilty of calling a benefit a punishment He should not + deceive the children under his care and develop their better natures under + false pretences. But what is to become of the boys and girls who "behave + themselves," who attend to their studies, and comply with the rules? They + lose the benefits conferred on those who defy their parents and teachers, + reach maturity without character, and so remain withered and worthless. + </p> + <p> + The Dean not only defends his position by an appeal to the Bible, the + history of nations, but to his personal experience. In order to show the + good effects of brutality and the bad consequences of kindness, he gives + two instances that came under his observation. The first is that of an + intelligent father who treated his sons with great kindness and yet these + sons neglected their affectionate father in his old age. The second + instance is that of a mother who beat her daughter. The wretched child, it + seems, was sent out to gather sticks from the hedges, and when she brought + home a large stick, the mother suspected that she had obtained it + wrongfully and thereupon proceeded to beat the child. And yet the Dean + tells us that this abused daughter treated the hyena mother with the + greatest kindness, and loved her as no other daughter ever loved a mother. + In order to make this case strong and convincing the Dean states that this + mother was a most excellent Christian. + </p> + <p> + From these two instances the Dean infers, and by these two instances + proves, that kindness breeds bad sons, and that flogging makes + affectionate daughters. The Dean says to the Christian mother: "If you + wish to be loved by your daughter, you must beat her." And to the + Christian father he says: "If you want to be neglected in your old age by + your sons, you will treat them with kindness." The Dean does not follow + his logic to the end. Let me give him two instances that support his + theory. + </p> + <p> + A good man married a handsome woman. He was old, rich, kind and indulgent. + He allowed his wife to have her own way. He never uttered a cross or cruel + word. He never thought of beating her. And yet, as the Dean would say, in + consequence of his kindness, she poisoned him, got his money and married + another man. + </p> + <p> + In this city, not long ago, a man, a foreigner, beat his wife according to + his habit. On this particular occasion the punishment was excessive. He + beat her until she became unconscious; she was taken to a hospital and the + physician said that she could not live. The husband was brought to the + hospital and preparations were made to take her dying statement. After + being told that she was dying, she was asked if her husband had beaten + her. Her face was so bruised and swollen that the lids of her eyes had to + be lifted in order that she might see the wretch who had killed her. She + beckoned him to her side—threw her arms about his neck—drew + his face to hers—kissed him, and said: "He is not the man. He did + not do it"—then—died. + </p> + <p> + According to the philosophy of the Dean, these instances show that + kindness causes crime, and that wife-beating cultivates in the highest + degree the affectional nature of woman. + </p> + <p> + The Dean, if consistent, is a believer in slavery, because the lash + judiciously applied brings out the finer feelings of the heart. Slaves + have been known to die for their masters, while under similar + circumstances hired men have sought safety in flight. + </p> + <p> + We all know of many instances where the abused, the maligned, and the + tortured have returned good for evil—and many instances where the + loved, the honored, and the trusted have turned against their benefactors, + and yet we know that cruelty and torture are not superior to love and + kindness. Yet, the Dean tries to show that severity is the real mother of + affection, and that kindness breeds monsters. If kindness and affection on + the part of parents demoralize children, will not kindness and affection + on the part of children demoralize the parents? + </p> + <p> + When the children are young and weak, the parents who are strong beat the + children in order that they may be affectionate. Now, when the children + get strong and the parents are old and weak, ought not the children to + beat them, so that they too may become kind and loving? + </p> + <p> + If you want an affectionate son, beat him. If you desire a loving wife, + beat her. + </p> + <p> + This is really the advice of the Dean of St Paul. To me it is one of the + most pathetic facts in nature that wives and children love husbands and + fathers who are utterly unworthy. It is enough to sadden a life to think + of the affection that has been lavished upon the brutal, of the countless + pearls that Love has thrown to swine. + </p> + <p> + The Dean, quoting from Hooker, insists that "the voice of man is as the + sentence of God himself,"—in other words, that the general voice, + practice and opinion of the human race are true. + </p> + <p> + And yet, cannibalism, slavery, polygamy, the worship of snakes and stones, + the sacrifice of babes, have during vast periods of time been practiced + and upheld by an overwhelming majority of mankind. Whether the "general + voice" can be depended on depends much on the time, the epoch, during + which the "general voice" was uttered. There was a time when the "general + voice" was in accord with the appetite of man; when all nations were + cannibals and lived on each other, and yet it can hardly be said that this + voice and appetite were in exact accord with divine goodness. It is hardly + safe to depend on the "general voice" of savages, no matter how numerous + they may have been. Like most people who defend the cruel and absurd, the + Dean appeals to the Bible as the supreme authority in the moral world,—and + yet if the English Parliament should re-enact the Mosaic Code every member + voting in the affirmative would be subjected to personal violence, and an + effort to enforce that code would produce a revolution that could end only + in the destruction of the government. + </p> + <p> + The morality of the Old Testament is not always of the purest; when + Jehovah tried to induce Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go, he never took the + ground that slavery was wrong. He did not seek to convince by argument, to + soften by pity, or to persuade by kindness. He depended on miracles and + plagues. He killed helpless babes and the innocent beasts of the fields. + No wonder the Dean appeals to the Bible to justify the beating of + children. So, too, we are told that "all sensible persons, Christian and + otherwise, will admit that there are in every child born into the world + tendencies to evil that need rooting out." + </p> + <p> + The Dean undoubtedly believes in the creed of the established church, and + yet he does not hesitate to say that a God of infinite goodness and + intelligence never created a child—never allowed one to be born into + the world without planting in its little heart "tendencies to evil that + need rooting out." + </p> + <p> + So, Solomon is quoted to the effect "that he that spareth his rod hateth + his son." To me it has always been a matter of amazement why civilized + people, living in the century of Darwin and Humboldt, should quote as + authority the words of Solomon, a murderer, an ingrate, an idolater, and a + polygamist—a man so steeped and sodden in ignorance that he really + believed he could be happy with seven hundred wives and three hundred + concubines. The Dean seems to regret that flogging is no longer practiced + in the British navy, and quotes with great cheerfulness a passage from + Deuteronomy to prove that forty lashes on the naked back will meet with + the approval of God. He insists that St. Paul endured corporal punishment + without the feeling of degradation not only, but that he remembered his + sufferings with a sense of satisfaction. Does the Dean think that the + satisfaction of St. Paul justified the wretches who beat and stoned him? + Leaving the Hebrews, the Dean calls the Greeks as witnesses to establish + the beneficence of flogging. They resorted to corporal punishment in their + schools, says the Dean and then naively remarks "that Plutarch was opposed + to this." + </p> + <p> + The Dean admits that in Rome it was found necessary to limit by law the + punishment that a father might inflict upon his children, and yet he seems + to regret that the legislature interfered. The Dean observes that + "Quintillian severely censured corporal punishment" and then accounts for + the weakness and folly of the censure, by saying that "Quintillian wrote + in the days when the glories of Rome were departed." And then adds these + curiously savage words: "It is worthy of remark that no children treated + their parents with greater tenderness and reverence than did those of Rome + in the days when the father possessed the unlimited power of punishment." + </p> + <p> + Not quite satisfied with the strength of his case although sustained by + Moses and Solomon, St. Paul and several schoolmasters, he proceeds to show + that God is thoroughly on his side, not only in theory, but in practice; + "whom the Lord loveth lie chasteneth, and scourgeth every sou whom he + receiveth.". + </p> + <p> + The Dean asks this question: "Which custom, kindness or severity, does + experience show to be the less dangerous?" And he answers from a new + heart: "I fear that I must unhesitatingly give the palm to severity." + </p> + <p> + "I have found that there have been more reverence and affection, more + willingness to make sacrifices for parents, more pleasure in contributing + to their pleasure or happiness in that life where the tendency has been to + a severe method of treatment." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that any good mail exists who is willing to gain the + affection of his children in that way? How could such a man beat and + bruise the flesh of his babes, knowing that they would give him in return + obedience and love; that they would fill the evening of his days—the + leafless winter of his life—with perfect peace? + </p> + <p> + Think of being fed and clothed by children you had whipped—whose + flesh you had scarred! Think of feeling in the hour of death upon your + withered lips, your withered cheeks, the kisses and the tears of one whom, + you had beaten—upon whose flesh were still the marks of your lash! + </p> + <p> + The whip degrades; a severe father teaches his children to dissemble; + their love is pretence, and their obedience a species of self-defence. + Fear is the father of lies. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. +6 (of 12), by Robert G. 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Ingersoll, by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 7 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 7 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Discussions + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38807] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + "EVERY BRAIN IS A FIELD WHERE NATURE SOWS THE SEEDS OF THOUGHT,<br /> AND + THE CROP DEPENDS UPON THE SOIL." + </h4> + <h4> + <br /> + </h4> + <h3> + In Twelve Volumes, Volume VII. + </h3> + <h3> + DISCUSSIONS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Dresden Edition + </h4> + <h3> + 1900 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38807/old/orig38807-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a></big></big> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage (62K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="portrait (64K)" src="images/portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">CONTENTS OF VOLUME VII.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">MY REVIEWERS REVIEWED.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">MY CHICAGO BIBLE CLASS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">TO THE INDIANAPOLIS CLERGY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">THE BROOKLYN DIVINES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">THE LIMITATIONS OF TOLERATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">A CHRISTMAS SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">SUICIDE OF JUDGE NORMILE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">IS SUICIDE A SIN?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">IS AVARICE TRIUMPHANT?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">A REPLY TO THE CINCINNATI GAZETTE AND CATHOLIC + TELEGRAPH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">AN INTERVIEW ON CHIEF JUSTICE COMEGYS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">A REPLY TO REV. DRS. THOMAS AND LORIMER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">A REPLY TO REV. JOHN HALL AND WARNER VAN NORDEN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">A REPLY TO THE REV. DR. PLUMB.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0015">A REPLY TO THE NEW YORK CLERGY ON SUPERSTITION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a><br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF VOLUME VII. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">MY REVIEWERS REVIEWED.</a> + </p> + <p> + MY REVIEWERS REVIEWED.<br /> (1877.)<br /> Answer to San Francisco + Clergymen—Definition of Liberty, Physical<br /> and Mental—The + Right to Compel Belief—Woman the Equal of Man—The<br /> + Ghosts—Immortality—Slavery—Witchcraft—Aristocracy + of the<br /> Air—Unfairness of Clerical Critics—Force and + Matter—Doctrine of<br /> Negation—Confident Deaths of + Murderers—Childhood Scenes returned to<br /> by the Dying—Death-bed + of Voltaire—Thomas Paine—The First<br /> Sectarians Were + Heretics—Reply to Rev. Mr. Guard—Slaughter of<br /> the + Canaanites—Reply to Rev. Samuel Robinson—Protestant<br /> + Persecutions—Toleration—Infidelity and Progress—The<br /> + Occident—Calvinism—Religious Editors—Reply to the Rev. + Mr.<br /> Ijams—Does the Bible teach Man to Enslave his Brothers?—Reply + to<br /> California <i>Christian Advocate</i>—Self-Government of + French People at<br /> and Since the Revolution—On the Site of the + Bastile—French<br /> Peasant's Cheers for Jesus Christ—Was + the World created in Six<br /> Days—Geology—What is the + Astronomy of the Bible?—The Earth the Centre<br /> of the Universe—Joshua's + Miracle—Change of Motion into Heat—Geography<br /> and + Astronomy of Cosmas—Does the Bible teach the Existence of<br /> + that Impossible Crime called Witchcraft?—Saul and the Woman of<br /> + Endor—Familiar Spirits—Demonology of the New Testament—Temptation + of<br /> Jesus—Possession by Devils—Gadarene Swine Story—Test + of Belief—Bible<br /> Idea of the Rights of Children—Punishment + of the Rebellious<br /> Son—Jephthah's Vow and Sacrifice—Persecution + of Job—The Gallantry<br /> of God—Bible Idea of the Rights of + Women—Paul's Instructions to<br /> Wives—Permission given to + Steal Wives—Does the Bible Sanction<br /> Polygamy and Concubinage?—Does + the Bible Uphold and Justify Political<br /> Tyranny?—Powers that + be Ordained of God—Religious Liberty of<br /> God—Sun-Worship + punishable with Death—Unbelievers to be damned—Does<br /> the + Bible describe a God of Mercy?—Massacre Commanded—Eternal<br /> + Punishment Taught in the New Testament—The Plan of Salvation—Fall<br /> + and Atonement Moral Bankruptcy—Other Religions—Parsee<br /> + Sect—Brahmins—Confucians—Heretics and Orthodox.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">MY CHICAGO BIBLE CLASS.</a> + </p> + <p> + MY CHICAGO BIBLE CLASS.<br /> (1879.)<br /> Rev. Robert Collyer—Inspiration + of the Scriptures—Rev. Dr.<br /> Thomas—Formation of the Old + Testament—Rev. Dr. Kohler—Rev. Mr.<br /> Herford—Prof. + Swing—Rev. Dr. Ryder.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">TO THE INDIANAPOLIS CLERGY.</a> + </p> + <p> + TO THE INDIANAPOLIS CLERGY.<br /> (1882.)<br /> Rev. David Walk—Character + of Jesus—Two or Three Christs Described<br /> in the Gospels—Christ's + Change of Opinions—Gospels Later than the<br /> Epistles—Divine + Parentage of Christ a Late Belief—The Man Christ<br /> probably a + Historical Character—Jesus Belittled by his Worshipers—He<br /> + never Claimed to be Divine—Christ's Omissions—Difference + between<br /> Christian and other Modern Civilizations—Civilization + not Promoted<br /> by Religion—Inventors—French and American + Civilization: How<br /> Produced—Intemperance and Slavery in + Christian Nations—Advance due to<br /> Inventions and Discoveries—Missionaries—Christian + Nations Preserved by<br /> Bayonet and Ball—Dr. T. B. Taylor—Origin + of Life on this Planet—Sir<br /> William Thomson—Origin of + Things Undiscoverable—Existence after<br /> Death—Spiritualists—If + the Dead Return—Our Calendar—Christ and<br /> Christmas-The + Existence of Pain—Plato's Theory of Evil—Will God do<br /> + Better in Another World than he does in this?—Consolation—Life + Not a<br /> Probationary Stage—Rev. D.O'Donaghue—The Case of + Archibald Armstrong<br /> and Jonathan Newgate—Inequalities of Life—Can + Criminals live a<br /> Contented Life?—Justice of the Orthodox God + Illustrated.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">THE BROOKLYN DIVINES.</a> + </p> + <p> + THE BROOKLYN DIVINES.<br /> (1883.)<br /> Are the Books of Atheistic or + Infidel Writers Extensively<br /> Read?—Increase in the Number of + Infidels—Spread of Scientific<br /> Literature—Rev. Dr. Eddy—Rev. + Dr. Hawkins—Rev. Dr. Haynes—Rev.<br /> Mr. Pullman—Rev. + Mr. Foote—Rev. Mr. Wells—Rev. Dr. Van Dyke—Rev.<br /> + Carpenter—Rev. Mr. Reed—Rev. Dr. McClelland—Ministers + Opposed to<br /> Discussion—Whipping Children—Worldliness as + a Foe of the Church—The<br /> Drama—Human Love—Fires, + Cyclones, and Other Afflictions as Promoters<br /> of Spirituality—Class + Distinctions—Rich and Poor—Aristocracies—The<br /> + Right to Choose One's Associates—Churches Social Affairs—Progress<br /> + of the Roman Catholic Church—Substitutes for the Churches—Henry<br /> + Ward Beecher—How far Education is Favored by the Sects—Rivals + of the<br /> Pulpit—Christianity Now and One Hundred Years Ago—French + Revolution<br /> produced by the Priests—Why the Revolution was a + Failure—Infidelity<br /> of One Hundred Years Ago—Ministers + not more Intellectual than a Century<br /> Ago—Great Preachers of + the Past—New Readings of Old Texts—Clerical<br /> Answerers + of Infidelity—Rev. Dr. Baker—Father Fransiola—Faith + and<br /> Reason—Democracy of Kindness—Moral Instruction—Morality + Born of Human<br /> Needs—The Conditions of Happiness—The + Chief End of Man.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">THE LIMITATIONS OF TOLERATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + THE LIMITATIONS OF TOLERATION.<br /> (1888.)<br /> Discussion between Col. + Robert G. Ingersoll, Hon. Frederic R. Coudert,<br /> and ex-Gov. Stewart + L. Woodford before the Nineteenth Century Club of<br /> New York—Propositions—Toleration + not a Disclaimer but a Waiver of the<br /> Right to Persecute—Remarks + of Courtlandt Palmer—No Responsibility for<br /> Thought—Intellectual + Hospitality—Right of Free Speech—Origin of the<br /> term + "Toleration"—Slander and False Witness—Nobody can Control + his own<br /> Mind: Anecdote—Remarks of Mr. Coudert—Voltaire, + Rousseau, Hugo, and<br /> Ingersoll—General Woodford's Speech—Reply + by Colonel Ingersoll—A<br /> Catholic Compelled to Pay a Compliment + to Voltaire—Responsibility for<br /> Thoughts—The Mexican + Unbeliever and his Reception in the Other Country.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">A CHRISTMAS SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p> + A CHRISTMAS SERMON.<br /> (1891.)<br /> Christianity's Message of Grief—Christmas + a Pagan Festival—Reply<br /> to Dr. Buckley—Charges by the + Editor of the Christian Advocate—The<br /> Tidings of Christianity—In + what the Message of Grief Consists—Fear<br /> and Flame—An + Everlasting Siberia—Dr. Buckley's Proposal to Boycott the<br /> + Telegram—Reply to Rev. J. M. King and Rev. Thomas Dixon, Jr. Cana + Day<br /> be Blasphemed?—Hurting Christian feelings—For + Revenue only What is<br /> Blasphemy?—Balaam's Ass wiser than the + Prophet—The Universalists—Can<br /> God do Nothing for this + World?—The Universe a Blunder if Christianity<br /> is true—The + Duty of a Newspaper—Facts Not Sectarian—The Rev.<br /> Mr. + Peters—What Infidelity Has Done—Public School System not<br /> + Christian—Orthodox Universities—Bruno on Oxford—As to + Public<br /> Morals—No Rewards or Punishments in the Universe—The + Atonement<br /> Immoral—As to Sciences and Art—Bruno, + Humboldt, Darwin—Scientific<br /> Writers Opposed by the Church—As + to the Liberation of Slaves—As to<br /> the Reclamation of + Inebriates—Rum and Religion—The Humanity<br /> of Infidelity—What + Infidelity says to the Dying—The Battle<br /> Continued—Morality + not Assailed by an Attack on Christianity—The<br /> Inquisition and + Religious Persecution—Human Nature Derided by<br /> Christianity—Dr. + DaCosta—"Human Brotherhood" as exemplified by<br /> the History of + the Church—The Church and Science, Art and<br /> Learning——Astronomy's + Revenge—Galileo and Kepler—Mrs. Browning:<br /> Science + Thrust into the Brain of Europe—Our Numerals—Christianity + and<br /> Literature—Institution's of Learning—Stephen Girard—James + Lick—Our<br /> Chronology—Historians—Natural Philosophy—Philology—Metaphysical<br /> + Research—Intelligence, Hindoo, Egyptian—Inventions—John<br /> + Ericsson—Emancipators—Rev. Mr. Ballou—The Right of Goa + to<br /> Punish—Rev. Dr. Hillier—Rev. Mr. Haldeman—George + A. Locey—The "Great<br /> Physician"—Rev. Mr. Talmage—Rev. + J. Benson Hamilton—How Voltaire<br /> Died—The Death-bed of + Thomas Paine—Rev. Mr. Holloway—Original<br /> Sin—Rev. + Dr. Tyler—The Good Samaritan a Heathen—Hospitals and<br /> + Asylums—Christian Treatment of the Insane—Rev. Dr. Buckley—The<br /> + North American Review Discussion—Judge Black, Dr. Field,<br /> Mr. + Gladstone—Circulation of Obscene Literature—Eulogy of<br /> + Whiskey—Eulogy of Tobacco—Human Stupidity that Defies the + Gods—Rev.<br /> Charles Deems—Jesus a Believer in a Personal + Devil—The Man Christ.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">SUICIDE OF JUDGE NORMILE.</a> + </p> + <p> + SUICIDE OF JUDGE NORMILE.<br /> (1892.)<br /> Reply to the <i>Western + Watchman</i>—Henry D'Arcy—Peter's<br /> Prevarication-Some + Excellent Pagans-Heartlessness of a<br /> Catholic—Wishes do not + Affect the Judgment—Devout Robbers—Penitent<br /> Murderers—Reverential + Drunkards—Luther's Distich—Judge<br /> Normile—Self-destruction.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">IS SUICIDE A SIN?</a> + </p> + <p> + IS SUICIDE A SIN?<br /> (1894.)<br /> Col. Ingersoll's First Letter in <i>The + New York World</i>—Under what<br /> Circumstances a Man has the + Right to take his Own Life—Medicine and the<br /> Decrees of God—Case + of the Betrayed Girl—Suicides not Cowards—Suicide<br /> under + Roman Law—Many Suicides Insane—Insanity Caused by Religion—The<br /> + Law against Suicide Cruel and Idiotic—Natural and Sufficient Cause + for<br /> Self-destruction—Christ's Death a Suicide—Col. + Ingersoll's Reply to his<br /> Critics—Is Suffering the Work of + God?—It is not Man's Duty to<br /> Endure Hopeless Suffering—When + Suicide is Justifiable—The<br /> Inquisition—Alleged + Cowardice of Suicides—Propositions<br /> Demonstrated—Suicide + the Foundation of the Christian<br /> Religion—Redemption and + Atonement—The Clergy on Infidelity<br /> and Suicide—Morality + and Unbelief—Better injure yourself than<br /> Another—Misquotation + by Opponents—Cheerful View the Best—The<br /> Wonder is that + Men endure—Suicide a Sin (Interview in The New<br /> York Journal)—Causes + of Suicide—Col. Ingersoll Does Not Advise<br /> Suicide—Suicides + with Tracts or Bibles in their Pockets—Suicide a Sin<br /> + (Interview in The New York Herald)—Comments on Rev. Alerle St. + Croix<br /> Wright's Sermon—Suicide and Sanity (Interview in The + York World)—As to<br /> the Cowardice of Suicide—Germany and + the Prevalence of Suicide—Killing<br /> of Idiots and Defective + Infants—Virtue, Morality, and Religion.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">IS AVARICE TRIUMPHANT?</a> + </p> + <p> + IS AVARICE TRIUMPHANT?<br /> (1891.)<br /> Reply to General Rush Hawkins' + Article, "Brutality and Avarice<br /> Triumphant"—Croakers and + Prophets of Evil—Medical Treatment<br /> for Believers in Universal + Evil—Alleged Fraud in Army<br /> Contracts—Congressional + Extravagance—Railroad "Wreckers"—How<br /> Stockholders in + Some Roads Lost Their Money—The Star-Route<br /> Trials—Timber + and Public Lands—Watering Stock—The Formation<br /> of Trusts—Unsafe + Hotels: European Game and Singing Birds—Seal<br /> Fisheries—Cruelty + to Animals—Our Indians—Sensible and Manly<br /> Patriotism—Days + of Brutality—Defence of Slavery by the Websters,<br /> Bentons, and + Clays—Thirty Years' Accomplishment—Ennobling Influence of<br /> + War for the Right—The Lady ana the Brakeman—American Esteem + of Honesty<br /> in Business—Republics do not Tend to Official + Corruption—This the Best<br /> Country in the World.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">A REPLY TO THE CINCINNATI GAZETTE AND CATHOLIC + TELEGRAPH.</a> + </p> + <p> + A REPLY TO THE CINCINNATI GAZETTE AND CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH.<br /> (1878.)<br /> + Defence of the Lecture on Moses—How Biblical Miracles are sought + to<br /> be Proved—Some <i>Non Sequiturs</i>—A Grammatical + Criticism—Christianity<br /> Destructive of Manners—Cuvier + and Agassiz on Mosaic Cosmogony—Clerical<br /> Advance agents—Christian + Threats and Warnings—Catholicism the Upas<br /> Tree—Hebrew + Scholarship as a Qualification for Deciding Probababilities<br /> —Contradictions + and Mistranslations of the Bible—Number of Errors in<br /> the + Scriptures—The Sunday Question.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">AN INTERVIEW ON CHIEF JUSTICE COMEGYS.</a> + </p> + <p> + AN INTERVIEW ON CHIEF JUSTICE COMEGYS.<br /> (1881.)<br /> Charged with + Blasphemy in the State of Delaware—Can a Conditionless<br /> Deity + be Injured?—Injustice the only Blasphemy—The Lecture<br /> in + Delaware—Laws of that State—All Sects in turn Charged with<br /> + Blasphemy—Heresy Consists in making God Better than he is Thought<br /> + to Be—A Fatal Biblical Passage—Judge Comegys—Wilmington<br /> + Preachers—States with Laws against Blasphemy—No Danger of + Infidel<br /> Mobs—No Attack on the State of Delaware Contemplated—Comegys + a<br /> Resurrection—Grand Jury's Refusal to Indict—Advice + about the Cutting<br /> out of Heretics' Tongues—Objections to the + Whipping-post—Mr. Bergh's<br /> Bill—One Remedy for + Wife-beating.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">A REPLY TO REV. DRS. THOMAS AND LORIMER.</a> + </p> + <p> + A REPLY TO REV. DRS. THOMAS AND LORIMER.<br /> (1882.)<br /> Solemnity—Charged + with Being Insincere—Irreverence—Old Testament<br /> Better + than the New—"Why Hurt our Feelings?"—Involuntary Action of<br /> + the Brain—Source of our Conceptions of Space—Good and Bad—Right + and<br /> Wrong—The Minister, the Horse and the Lord's Prayer—Men + Responsible<br /> for their Actions—The "Gradual" Theory Not + Applicable to<br /> the Omniscient—Prayer Powerless to Alter + Results—Religious<br /> Persecution—Orthodox Ministers Made + Ashamed of their<br /> Creed—Purgatory—Infidelity and Baptism + Contrasted—Modern Conception<br /> of the Universe—The Golden + Bridge of Life—"The Only Salutation"—The<br /> Test for + Admission to Heaven—"Scurrility."<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">A REPLY TO REV. JOHN HALL AND WARNER VAN NORDEN.</a> + </p> + <p> + A REPLY TO REV. JOHN HALL AND WARNER VAN NORDEN.<br /> (1892.)<br /> Dr. + Hall has no Time to Discuss the subject of Starving<br /> Workers—Cloakmakers' + Strike—Warner Van Norden of the Church Extension<br /> Society—The + Uncharitableness of Organized Charity—Defence of the<br /> + Cloakmakers—Life of the Underpaid—On the Assertion that + Assistance<br /> encourages Idleness and Crime—The Man without Pity + an Intellectual<br /> Beast—Tendency of Prosperity to Breed + Selfishness—Thousands Idle<br /> without Fault—Egotism of + Riches—Van Norden's Idea of Happiness—The<br /> Worthy Poor.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">A REPLY TO THE REV. DR. PLUMB.</a> + </p> + <p> + A REPLY TO THE REV. DR. PLUMB.<br /> (1898.)<br /> Interview in a Boston + Paper—Why should a Minister call this a "Poor"<br /> World?—Would + an Infinite God make People who Need a Redeemer?—Gospel<br /> + Gossip—Christ's Sayings Repetitions—The Philosophy of + Confucius—Rev.<br /> Mr. Mills—The Charge of "Robbery"—The + Divine Plan.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0015">A REPLY TO THE NEW YORK CLERGY ON SUPERSTITION.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1898.)<br /> Interview in the New York Journal—Rev. Roberts. + MacArthur—A<br /> Personal Devil—Devils who held + Conversations with Christ not simply<br /> personifications of Evil—The + Temptation—The "Man of Straw"—Christ's<br /> Mission + authenticated by the Casting Out of Devils—Spain—God<br /> + Responsible for the Actions of Man—Rev. Dr. J. Lewis Parks—Rev. + Dr. E.<br /> F. Moldehnke—Patience amidst the Misfortunes of Others—Yellow + Fever<br /> as a Divine Agent—The Doctrine that All is for the Best—Rev. + Mr.<br /> Hamlin—Why Did God Create a Successful Rival?—A + Compliment by the<br /> Rev. Mr. Belcher—Rev. W. C. Buchanan—No + Argument Old until it is<br /> Answered—Why should God Create + sentient Beings to be Damned?—Rev. J.<br /> W. Campbell—Rev. + Henry Frank—Rev. E. C.J. Kraeling on Christ and the<br /> Devil—Would + he make a World like This?<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MY REVIEWERS REVIEWED. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This lecture was delivered by Col. Ingersoll in San + Francisco Cal., June 27, 1877. It was a reply to various + clergymen of that city, who had made violent attacks upon + him after the delivery of his lectures, "The Liberty of Man, + Woman and Child," and "The Ghosts." +</pre> + <p> + I. + </p> + <p> + AGAINST the aspersions of the pulpit and the religious press, I offer in + evidence this magnificent audience. Although I represent but a small part + of the holy cause of intellectual liberty, even that part shall not be + defiled or smirched by a single personality. Whatever I say, I shall say + because I believe it will tend to make this world grander, man nearer + just, the father kinder, the mother more loving, the children more + affectionate, and because I believe it will make an additional flower + bloom in the pathway of every one who hears me. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, what have I said? What has been my offence? What have + I done? I am spoken of by the clergy as though I were a wolf that in the + absence of the good shepherd had fattened upon his innocent flock. What + have I said? + </p> + <p> + I delivered a lecture entitled, "The Liberty of Man, Woman and Child." In + that lecture I said that man was entitled to physical and intellectual + liberty. I defined physical liberty to be the right to do right; the right + to do anything that did not interfere with the real happiness of others. I + defined intellectual liberty to be the right to think right, and the right + to think wrong—provided you did your best to think right. + </p> + <p> + This must be so, because thought is only an instrumentality by which we + seek to ascertain the truth. Every man has the right to think, whether his + thought is in reality right or wrong; and he cannot be accountable to any + being for thinking wrong. There is upon man, so far as thought is + concerned, the obligation to think the best he can, and to honestly + express his best thought. Whenever he finds what is right, or what he + honestly believes to be the right, he is less than a man if he fears to + express his conviction before an assembled world. + </p> + <p> + The right to do right is my definition of physical liberty. "The right of + one human being ceases where the right of another commences." My + definition of intellectual liberty is, the right to think, whether you + think right or wrong, provided you do your best to think right. + </p> + <p> + I believe in Liberty, Fraternity and Equality—the Blessed Trinity of + Humanity. + </p> + <p> + I believe in Observation, Reason and Experience—the Blessed Trinity + of Science. + </p> + <p> + I believe in Man, Woman and Child—the Blessed Trinity of Life and + Joy. + </p> + <p> + I have said, and still say, that you have no right to endeavor by force to + compel another to think your way—that man has no right to compel his + fellow-man to adopt his creed, by torture or social ostracism. I have + said, and still say, that even an infinite God has and can have no right + to compel by force or threats even the meanest of mankind to accept a + dogma abhorrent to his mind. As a matter of fact such a power is incapable + of being exercised. You may compel a man to say that he has changed his + mind. You may force him to say that he agrees with you. In this way, + however, you make hypocrites, not converts. Is it possible that a god + wishes the worship of a slave? Does a god desire the homage of a coward? + Does he really long for the adoration of a hypocrite? Is it possible that + he requires the worship of one who dare not think? If I were a god it + seems to me that I had rather have the esteem and love of one grand, brave + man, with plenty of heart and plenty of brain, than the blind worship, the + ignorant adoration, the trembling homage of a universe of men afraid to + reason. And yet I am warned by the orthodox guardians of this great city + not to think. I am told that I am in danger of hell; that for me to + express my honest convictions is to excite the wrath of God. They inform + me that unless I believe in a certain way, meaning their way, I am in + danger of everlasting fire. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when these threats whitened the faces of men with fear. + That time has substantially passed away. For a hundred years hell has been + gradually growing cool, the flames have been slowly dying out, the + brimstone is nearly exhausted, the fires have been burning lower and + lower, and the climate gradually changing. To such an extent has the + change already been effected that if I were going there to-night I would + take an overcoat and a box of matches. + </p> + <p> + They say that the eternal future of man depends upon his belief. I deny + it. A conclusion honestly arrived at by the brain cannot possibly be a + crime; and the man who says it is, does not think so. The god who punishes + it as a crime is simply an infamous tyrant. As for me, I would a thousand + times rather go to perdition and suffer its torments with the brave, grand + thinkers of the world, than go to heaven and keep the company of a god who + would damn his children for an honest belief. + </p> + <p> + The next thing I have said is, that woman is the equal of man; that she + has every right that man has, and one more—the right to be + protected, because she is the weaker. I have said that marriage should be + an absolutely perfect partnership of body and soul; that a man should + treat his wife like a splendid flower, and that she should fill his life + with perfume and with joy. I have said that a husband had no right to be + morose; that he had no right to assassinate the sunshine and murder the + joy of life. + </p> + <p> + I have said that when he went home he should go like a ray of light, and + fill his house so full of joy that it would burst out of the doors and + windows and illumine even the darkness of night. I said that marriage was + the holiest, highest, the most sacred institution among men; that it took + millions of years for woman to advance from the condition of absolute + servitude, from the absolute slavery where the Bible found her and left + her, up to the position she occupies at present. I have pleaded for the + rights of woman, for the rights of wives, and what is more, for the rights + of little children. I have said that they could be governed by affection, + by love, and that my heart went out to all the children of poverty and of + crime; to the children that live in the narrow streets and in the + sub-cellars; to the children that run and hide when they hear the + footsteps of a brutal father, the children that grow pale when they hear + their names pronounced even by a mother; to all the little children, the + flotsam and jetsam upon the wide, rude sea of life. I have said that my + heart goes out to them one and all; I have asked fathers and mothers to + cease beating their own flesh and blood. I have said to them, When your + child does wrong, put your arms around him; let him feel your heart beat + against his. It is easier to control your child with a kiss than with a + club. + </p> + <p> + For expressing these sentiments, I have been denounced by the religious + press and by ministers in their pulpits as a demon, as an enemy of order, + as a fiend, as an infamous man. Of this, however, I make no complaint. A + few years ago they would have burned me at the stake and I should have + been compelled to look upon their hypocritical faces through flame and + smoke. They cannot do it now or they would. One hundred years ago I would + have been burned, simply for pleading for the rights of men. Fifty years + ago I would have been imprisoned. Fifty years ago my wife and my children + would have been torn from my arms in the name of the most merciful God. + Twenty-five years ago I could not have made a living in the United States + at the practice of law; but I can now. I would not then have been allowed + to express my thought; but I can now, and I will. And when I think about + the liberty I now enjoy, the whole horizon is illuminated with glory and + the air is filled with wings. + </p> + <p> + I then delivered another lecture entitled "Ghosts," in which I sought to + show that man had been controlled by phantoms of his own imagination; in + which I sought to show these imps of darkness, these devils, had all been + produced by superstition; in which I endeavored to prove that man had + groveled in the dust before monsters of his own creation; in which I + endeavored to demonstrate that the many had delved in the soil that the + few might live in idleness, that the many had lived in caves and dens that + the few might dwell in palaces of gold; in which I endeavored to show that + man had received nothing from these ghosts except hatred, except + ignorance, except unhappiness, and that in the name of phantoms man had + covered the face of the world with tears. And for this, I have been + assailed, in the name, I presume, of universal forgiveness. So far as any + argument I have produced is concerned, it cannot in any way make the + slightest difference whether I am a good or a bad man. It cannot in any + way make the slightest difference whether my personal character is good or + bad. That is not the question, though, so far as I am concerned, I am + willing to stake the whole question upon that issue. That is not, however, + the thing to be discussed, nor the thing to be decided. The question is, + whether what I said is true. + </p> + <p> + I did say that from ghosts we had obtained certain things—among + other things a book known as the Bible. From the ghosts we received that + book; and the believers in ghosts pretend that upon that book rests the + doctrine of the immortality of the human soul. This I deny. + </p> + <p> + Whether or not the soul is immortal is a fact in nature and cannot be + changed by any book whatever. If I am immortal, I am. If am not, no book + can render me so. It is no mure wonderful that I should live again than + that I do live. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of immortality is not based upon any book. The foundation of + that idea is not a creed. The idea of immortality, which, like a sea, has + ebbed and flowed in the human heart, beating with its countless waves of + hope and fear against the shores and rocks of fate and time, was not born + of any book, was not born of a creed. It is not the child of any religion. + It was born of human affection; and it will continue to ebb and flow + beneath the mists and clouds of doubt and darkness as long as love kisses + the lips of death. It is the eternal bow—Hope shining upon the tears + of Grief. + </p> + <p> + I did say that these ghosts taught that human slavery was right. If there + is a crime beneath the shining stars it is the crime of enslaving a human + being. Slavery enslaves not only the slave, but the master as well. When + you put a chain upon the limbs of another, you put a fetter also upon your + own brain. I had rather be a slave than a slaveholder. The slave can at + least be just—the slaveholder cannot. I had rather be robbed than be + a robber. I had rather be stolen from than to be a thief. I have said, and + I do say, that the Bible upheld, sustained and sanctioned the institution + of human slavery; and before I get through I will prove it. + </p> + <p> + I said that to the same book we are indebted, to a great degree, for the + doctrine of witchcraft. Relying upon its supposed sacred texts, people + were hanged and their bodies burned for getting up storms at sea with the + intent of drowning royal vermin. Every possible offence was punished under + the name of witchcraft, from souring beer to high treason. + </p> + <p> + I also said, and I still say, that the book we obtained from the ghosts, + for the guidance of man, upheld the infamy of infamies, called polygamy; + and I will also prove that. And the same book teaches, not political + liberty, but political tyranny. + </p> + <p> + I also said that the author of the book given us by the ghosts knew + nothing about astronomy, still less about geology, still less, if + possible, about medicine, and still less about legislation. + </p> + <p> + This is what I have said concerning the aristocracy of the air. I am well + aware that having said it I ought to be able to prove the truth of my + words. I have said these things. No one ever said them in better nature + than I have. I have not the slightest malice—a victor never felt + malice. As soon as I had said these things, various gentlemen felt called + upon to answer me. I want to say that if there is anything I like in the + world it is fairness. And one reason I like it so well is that I have had + so little of it. I can say, if I wish, extremely mean and hateful things. + I have read a great many religious papers and discussions and think that I + now know all the infamous words in our language. I know how to account for + every noble action by a mean and wretched motive, and that, in my + judgment, embraces nearly the entire science of modern theology. The + moment I delivered a lecture upon "The Liberty of Man, Woman and Child," I + was charged with having said that there is nothing back of nature, and + that nature with its infinite arms embraces everything; and thereupon I + was informed that I believed in nothing but matter and force, that I + believed only in earth, that I did not believe in spirit. If by spirit you + mean that which thinks, then I am a believer in spirit. If you mean by + spirit the something that says "I," the something that reasons, hopes, + loves and aspires, then I am a believer in spirit. Whatever spirit there + is in the universe must be a natural thing, and not superimposed upon + nature. All that I can say is, that whatever is, is natural. And there is + as much goodness, in my judgment, as much spirit in this world as in any + other; and you are just as near the heart of the universe here as you can + be anywhere. One of your clergymen says in answer, as he supposes, to me, + that there is matter and force and spirit. Well, can matter exist without + force? What would keep it together? What would keep the finest possible + conceivable atom together unless there was force? Can you imagine such a + thing as matter without force? Can you conceive of force without matter? + Can you conceive of force floating about attached to nothing? Can you + possibly conceive of this? No human being can conceive of force without + matter. "You cannot conceive of force being harnessed or hitched to matter + as you would hitch horses to a carriage." You cannot. Now, what is spirit? + They say spirit is the first thing that was. It seems to me, however, as + though spirit was the blossom, the fruit of all, not the commencement. + They say it was first. Very well. Spirit without force, a spirit without + any matter—what would that spirit do? No force, no matter!—a + spirit living in an infinite vacuum. What would such a spirit turn its + particular attention to? This spirit, according to these theologians, + created the world, the universe; and if it did, there must have been a + time when it commenced to create; and back of that there must have been an + eternity spent in absolute idleness. Now, is it possible that a spirit + existed during an eternity without any force and without any matter? Is it + possible that force could exist without matter or spirit? Is it possible + that matter could exist alone, if by matter you mean something without + force? The only answer I can give to all these questions is, I do not + know. For my part, I do not know what spirit is, if there is any. I do not + know what matter is, neither am I acquainted with the elements of force. + If you mean by matter that which I can touch, that which occupies space, + then I believe in matter. If you mean by force anything that can overcome + weight, that can overcome what we call gravity or inertia; if you mean by + force that which moves the molecules of matter, or the movement itself, + then I believe in force. If you mean by spirit that which thinks and + loves, then I believe in spirit. There is, however, no propriety in + wasting any time about the science of metaphysics. I will give you my + definition of metaphysics: Two fools get together; each admits what + neither can prove, and thereupon both of them say, "hence we infer." That + is all there is of metaphysics. + </p> + <p> + These gentlemen, however, say to me that all my doctrine about the + treatment of wives and children, all my ideas of the rights of man, all + these are wrong, because I am not exactly correct as to my notion 01 + spirit. They say that spirit existed first, at least an eternity before + there was any force or any matter. Exactly how spirit could act without + force we do not understand. That we must take upon credit. How spirit + could create matter without force is a serious question, and we are too + reverent to press such an inquiry. We are bound to be satisfied, however, + that spirit is entirely independent of force and matter, and any man who + denies this must be "a malevolent and infamous wretch." + </p> + <p> + Another reverend gentleman proceeds to denounce all I have said as the + doctrine of negation. And we are informed by him—speaking I presume + from experience—that negation is a poor thing to die by. He tells us + that the last hours are the grand testing hours. They are the hours when + atheists disown their principles and infidels bewail their folly—"that + Voltaire and Thomas Paine wrote sharply against Christianity, but their + death-bed scenes are too harrowing for recital"—He also states that + "another French infidel philosopher tried in vain to fortify Voltaire, but + that a stronger man than Voltaire had taken possession of him, and he + cried 'Retire! it is you that have brought me to my present state—Begone! + what a rich glory you have brought me.'" This, my friends, is the same + old, old falsehood that has been repeated again and again by the lips of + hatred and hypocrisy. There is not in one of these stories a solitary word + of truth; and every intelligent man knows all these death-bed accounts to + be entirely and utterly false. They are taken, however, by the mass of the + church as evidence that all opposition to Christianity, so-called, fills + the bed of the dying infidel and scoffer with serpents and scorpions. So + far as my experience goes, the bad die in many instances as placidly as + the good. I have sometimes thought that a hardened wretch, upon whose + memory is engraved the record of nearly every possible crime, dies without + a shudder, without a tremor, while some grand, good man, remembering + during his last moments an unkind word spoken to a stranger, it may be in + the heat of anger, dies with remorseful words upon his lips. Nearly every + murderer who is hanged, dies with an immensity of nerve, but I never + thought it proved that he had lived a good and useful life. Neither have I + imagined that it sanctified the crime for which he suffered death. The + fact is, that when man approaches natural death, his powers, his + intellectual faculties fail and grow dim. He becomes a child. He has less + and less sense. And just in proportion as he loses his reasoning powers, + he goes back to the superstitions of his childhood. The scenes of youth + cluster about him and he is again in the lap of his mother. Of this very + fact, there is not a more beautiful description than that given by + Shakespeare when he takes that old mass of wit and filth, Jack Falstaff, + in his arms, and Mrs Quickly says: "A' made a finer end, and went away, an + it had been my christom child; a' parted ev'n just between twelve and one, + ev'n at the turning o' the tide; for after I saw him fumble with the + sheets, and play with flowers, and smile upon his fingers' end, I knew + there was but one way; for his nose was as sharp as a pen, and a' babbled + of green fields." As the genius of Shakespeare makes Falstaff a child + again upon sunny slopes, decked with daisies, so death takes the dying + back to the scenes of their childhood, and they are clasped once more to + the breasts of mothers. They go back, for the reason that nearly every + superstition in the world has been sanctified by some sweet and placid + mother. Remember, the superstition has never sanctified the mother, but + the mother has sanctified the superstition. The young Mohammedan, who now + lies dying upon some field of battle, thinks sweet and tender thoughts of + home and mother, and will, as the blood oozes from his veins, repeat some + holy verse from the blessed Koran. Every superstition in the world that is + now held sacred has been made so by mothers, by fathers, by the + recollections of home. I know what it has cost the noble, the brave, the + tender, to throw away every superstition, although sanctified by the + memory of those they loved. Whoever has thrown away these superstitions + has been pursued by his fellow-men, From the day of the death of Voltaire + the church has pursued him as though he had been the vilest criminal. A + little over one hundred years ago, Catholicism, the inventor of + instruments of torture, red with the innocent blood of millions, felt in + its heartless breast the dagger of Voltaire. From that blow the Catholic + Church never can recover. Livid with hatred she launched at her assassin + the curse of Rome, and ignorant Protestants have echoed that curse. For + myself, I like Voltaire, and whenever I think of that name, it is to me as + a plume floating above some grand knight—a knight who rides to a + walled city and demands an unconditional surrender. I like him. He was + once imprisoned in the Bastile, and while in that frightful fortress—and + I like to tell it—he changed his name. His name was Francois Marie + Arouet. In his gloomy cell he changed this name to Voltaire, and when some + sixty years afterward the Bastile was torn down to the very dust, + "Voltaire" was the battle cry of the destroyers who did it. I like him + because he did more for religious toleration than any other man who ever + lived or died. I admire him because he did more to do away with torture in + civil proceedings than any other man. I like him because he was always + upon the side of justice, upon the side of progress. I like him in spite + of his faults, because he had many and splendid virtues. I like him + because his doctrines have never brought unhappiness to any country. I + like him because he hated tyranny; and when he died he died as serenely as + ever mortal died; he spoke to his servant recognizing him as a man. He + said to him, calling him by name: "My friend, farewell." These were the + last words of Voltaire. And this was the only frightful scene enacted at + his bed of death. I like Voltaire, because for half a century he was the + intellectual emperor of Europe. I like him, because from his throne at the + foot of the Alps he pointed the finger of scorn at every hypocrite in + Christendom. + </p> + <p> + I will give to any clergyman in the city of San Francisco a thousand + dollars in gold to substantiate the story that the death of Voltaire was + not as peaceful as the coming of the dawn. The same absurd story is told + of Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine was a patriot—he was the first man in + the world to write these words: "The Free and Independent States of + America." He was the first man to convince the American people that they + ought to separate themselves from Great Britain. "His pen did as much, to + say the least, for the liberty of America, as the sword of Washington." + The men who have enjoyed the benefit of his heroic services repay them + with slander and calumny. If there is in this world a crime, ingratitude + is a crime. And as for myself, I am not willing to receive anything from + any man without making at least an acknowledgment of my obligation. Y et + these clergymen, whose very right to stand in their pulpits and preach, + was secured to them by such men as Thomas Paine, delight in slandering the + reputation of that great man. They tell their hearers that he died in + fear,—that he died in agony, hearing devils rattle chains, and that + the infinite God condescended to frighten a dying man. I will give one + thousand dollars in gold to any clergyman in San Francisco who will + substantiate the truth of the absurd stories concerning the death of + Thomas Paine. There is not one word of truth in these accounts; not one + word. + </p> + <p> + Let me ask one thing, and let me ask it, if you please, in what is called + a reverent spirit. Suppose that Voltaire and Thomas Paine, and Volney and + Hume and Hobbes had cried out when dying "My God, My God, why hast thou + forsaken me?" what would the clergymen of this city then have said? + </p> + <p> + To resort to these foolish calumnies about the great men who have opposed + the superstitions of the world, is in my judgment, unbecoming any + intelligent man. The real question is not, who is afraid to die? The + question is, who is right? The great question is not, who died right, but + who lived right? There is infinitely more responsibility in living than in + dying. The moment of death is the most unimportant moment of life. Nothing + can be done then. You cannot even do a favor for a friend, except to + remember him in your will. It is a moment when life ceases to be of value. + While living, while you have health and strength, you can augment the + happiness of your fellow-men; and the man who has made others happy need + not be afraid to die. Yet these believers, as they call themselves, these + believers who hope for immortality—thousands of them, will rob their + neighbors, thousands of them will do numberless acts of injustice, when, + according to their belief, the witnesses of their infamy will live + forever; and the men whom they have injured and outraged, will meet them + in every glittering star through all the ages yet to be. + </p> + <p> + As for me, I would rather do a generous action, and read the record in the + grateful faces of my fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + These gentlemen who attack me are orthodox now, but the men who started + their churches were heretics. + </p> + <p> + The first Presbyterian was a heretic. The first Baptist was a heretic. The + first Congregationalist was a heretic. The first Christian was denounced + as a blasphemer. And yet these heretics, the moment they get numerous + enough to be in the majority in some locality, begin to call themselves + orthodox. Can there be any impudence beyond this? + </p> + <p> + The first Baptist, as I said before, was a heretic; and he was the best + Baptist that I have ever heard anything about. I always liked him. He was + a good man—Roger Williams. He was the first man, so far as I know, + in this country, who publicly said that the soul of man should be free. + And it was a wonder to me that a man who had sense enough to say that, + could think that any particular form of baptism was necessary to + salvation. It does strike me that a man of great brain and thought could + not possibly think the eternal welfare of a human being, the question + whether he should dwell with angels, or be tossed upon eternal waves of + fire, should be settled by the manner in which he had been baptized. That + seems, to me so utterly destitute of thought and heart, that it is a + matter of amazement to me that any man ever looked upon the ordinance of + baptism as of any importance whatever. If we were at the judgment seat + to-night, and the Supreme Being, in our hearing, should ask a man: + </p> + <p> + "Have you been a good man?" and the man replied: + </p> + <p> + "Tolerably good." + </p> + <p> + "Did you love your wife and children?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Did you try and make them happy?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Did you try and make your neighbors happy?" "Yes, I paid my debts: I gave + heaping measure, and I never cared whether I was thanked for it or not." + </p> + <p> + Suppose the Supreme Being then should say: + </p> + <p> + "Were you ever baptized?" and the man should reply: + </p> + <p> + "I am sorry to say I never was." + </p> + <p> + Could a solitary person of sense hear that question asked, by the Supreme + Being, without laughing, even if he knew that his own case was to be + called next? + </p> + <p> + I happened to be in the company of six or seven Baptist elders—how I + ever got into such bad company, I don't know,—and one of them asked + what I thought about baptism. Well, I never thought much about it; did not + know much about it; didn't want to say anything, but they insisted upon + it. I said, "Well, I'll give you my opinion—with soap, baptism is a + good thing." + </p> + <p> + The Reverend Mr. Guard has answered me, as I am informed, upon several + occasions. I have read the reports of his remarks, and have boiled them + down. He said some things about me not entirely pleasant, which I do not + wish to repeat. In his reply he takes the ground: + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>. That the Bible is not an immoral book, because he swore upon + it or by it when he joined the Masons. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>. He excuses Solomon for all his crimes upon the supposition + that he had softening of the brain, or a fatty degeneration of the heart. + </p> + <p> + <i>Third.</i> That the Hebrews had the right to slay all the inhabitants + of Canaan, according to the doctrine of the "survival of the fittest." He + takes the ground that the destruction of these Canaanites, the ripping + open of women with child by the sword of war, was an act of sublime mercy. + He justifies a war of extermination; he applauds every act of cruelty and + murder. He says that the Canaanites ought to have been turned from their + homes; that men guilty of no crime except fighting for their country, old + men with gray hairs, old mothers and little, dimpled, prattling children, + ought to have been sacrificed upon the altar of war; that it was an act of + sublime mercy to plunge the sword of religious persecution into the bodies + of all, old and young. This is what the reverend gentleman is pleased to + call mercy. If this is mercy let us have injustice. If there is in the + heavens such a God I am sorry that man exists. All this, however, is + justified upon the ground that God has the right to do as he pleases with + the being he has created. This I deny. Such a doctrine is infamously + false. Suppose I could take a stone and in one moment change it into a + sentient, hoping, loving human being, would I have the right to torture + it? Would I have the right to give it pain? No one but a fiend would + either exercise or justify such a right. Even if there is a God who + created us all he has no such right. Above any God that can exist, in the + infinite serenity forever sits the figure of justice; and this God, no + matter how great and infinite he may be, is bound to do justice. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fourth.</i> That God chose the Jews and governed them personally for + thousands of years, and drove out the Canaanites in order that his + peculiar people might not be corrupted by the example of idolaters; that + he wished to make of the Hebrews a great nation, and that, consequently, + he was justified in destroying the original inhabitants of that country. + It seems to me that the end hardly justified the means. According to the + account, God governed the Jews personally for many ages and succeeded in + civilizing them to that degree, that they crucified him the first + opportunity they had. Such an administration can hardly be called a + success. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fifth.</i> The reverend gentleman seems to think that the practice of + polygamy after all is not a bad thing when compared with the crime of + exhibiting a picture of Antony and Cleopatra. Upon the corrupting + influence of such pictures he descants at great length, and attacks with + all the bitterness of the narrow theologian the masterpieces of art. Allow + me to say one word about art. That is one of the most beautiful words in + our language—Art. And it never seemed to me necessary for art to go + in partnership with a rag. I like the paintings of Angelo, of Raffaelle. I + like the productions of those splendid souls that put their ideas of + beauty upon the canvas uncovered. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "There are brave souls in every land + Who worship nature, grand and nude, + And who with swift indignant hand + Tear off the fig leaves of the prude." +</pre> + <p> + <i>Sixth</i>. That it may be true that the Bible sanctions slavery, but + that it is not an immoral book even if it does. + </p> + <p> + I can account for these statements, for these arguments, only as the + reverend gentleman has accounted for the sins of Solomon—"by a + softening of the brain, or a fatty degeneration of the heart." + </p> + <p> + It does seem to me that if I were a Christian, and really thought my + fellow-man was going down to the bottomless pit; that he was going to + misery and agony forever, it does seem to me that I would try and save + him. It does seem to me, that instead of having my mouth filled with + epithets and invectives; instead of drawing the lips of malice back from + the teeth of hatred, it seems to me that my eyes would be filled with + tears. It seems to me that I would do what little I could to reclaim him. + I would talk to him and of him, in kindness. I would put the arms of + affection about him. I would not speak of him as though he were a wild + beast. I would not speak to him as though he were a brute. I would think + of him as a man, as a man liable to eternal torture among the damned, and + my heart would be filled with sympathy, not hatred—my eyes with + tears, not scorn. + </p> + <p> + If there is anything pitiable, it is to see a man so narrowed and withered + by the blight and breath of superstition, as cheerfully to defend the most + frightful crimes of which we have a record—a man so hardened and + petrified by creed and dogma that he hesitates not to defend even the + institution of human slavery—so lost to all sense of pity that he + applauds murder and rapine as though they were acts of the loftiest + self-denial. + </p> + <p> + The next gentleman who has endeavored to answer what I have said, is the + Rev. Samuel Robinson. This he has done in his sermon entitled "Ghosts + against God or Ingersoll against Honesty." I presume he imagines himself + to be the defendant in both cases. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman apologized for attending an infidel lecture, upon the + ground that he had to contribute to the support of a "materialistic + demon." To say the least, this is not charitable. But I am satisfied. I am + willing to exchange facts for epithets. I fare so much better than did the + infidels in the olden time that I am more than satisfied. It is a little + thing that I bear. + </p> + <p> + The brave men of the past endured the instruments of torture. They were + stretched upon racks; their feet were crushed in iron boots; they stood + upon the shores of exile and gazed with tearful eyes toward home and + native land. They were taken from their firesides, from their wives, from + their children; they were taken to the public square; they were chained to + stakes, and their ashes were scattered by the countless hands of hatred. I + am satisfied. The disciples of fear cannot touch me. + </p> + <p> + This gentlemen hated to contribute a cent to the support of a + "materialistic demon." When I saw that statement I will tell you what I + did. I knew the man's conscience must be writhing in his bosom to think + that he had contributed a dollar toward my support, toward the support of + a "materialistic demon." I wrote him a letter and I said: + </p> + <p> + "My Dear Sir: In order to relieve your conscience of the crime of having + contributed to the support of an unbeliever in ghosts, I hereby enclose + the amount you paid to attend my lecture." I then gave him a little good + advice. I advised him to be charitable, to be kind, and regretted + exceedingly that any man could listen to one of my talks for an hour and a + half and not go away satisfied that all men had the same right to think. + </p> + <p> + This man denied having received the money, but it was traced to him + through a blot on the envelope. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman avers that everything that I said about persecution is + applicable to the Catholic Church only. That is what he says. The + Catholics have probably persecuted more than any other church, simply + because that church has had more power, simply because it has been more of + a church. It has to-day a better organization, and as a rule, the + Catholics come nearer believing what they say about their church than + other Christians do. Was it a Catholic persecution that drove the Puritan + fathers from England? Was it not the storm of Episcopal persecution that + filled the sails of the Mayflower? Was it not a Protestant persecution + that drove the Ark and Dove to America? Let us be honest. Who went to + Scotland and persecuted the Presbyterians? Who was it that chained to the + stake that splendid girl by the sands of the sea for not saying "God save + the king"? She was worthy to have been the mother of Cæsar. She + would not say "God save the king," but she would say "God save the king, + if it be God's will." Protestants ordered her to say "God save the king," + and no more. She said, "I will not," and they chained her to a stake in + the sand and allowed her to be drowned by the rising of the inexorable + tide. Who did this? Protestants. Who drove Roger Williams from + Massachusetts? Protestants. Who sold white Quaker children into slavery? + Protestants. Who cut out the tongues of Quakers? Who burned and destroyed + men and women and children charged with impossible crimes? Protestants. + The Protestants have persecuted exactly to the extent of their power. The + Catholics have done the same. + </p> + <p> + I want, however, to be just. The first people to pass an act of religious + toleration in the New World were the Catholics of Maryland. The next were + the Baptists of Rhode Island, led by Roger Williams. The Catholics passed + the act of religious toleration, and after the Protestants got into power + again in England, and also in the colony of Maryland, they repealed the + law of toleration and passed another law declaring the Catholics from + under the protection of all law. Afterward, the Catholics again got into + power and had the generosity and magnanimity to re-enact the old law. And, + so far as I know, it is the only good record upon the subject of religious + toleration the Catholics have in this world, and I am always willing to + give them credit for it. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman also says that infidelity has done nothing for the world in + the development of the arts and sciences. Does he not know that nearly + every man who took a forward step was denounced by the church as a heretic + and infidel? Does he not know that the church has in all ages persecuted + the astronomers, the geologists, the logicians? Does he not know that even + to-day the church slanders and maligns the foremost men? Has he ever heard + of Tyndall, of Huxley? Is he acquainted with John W. Draper, one of the + leading minds of the world? Did he ever hear of Auguste Comte, the great + Frenchman? Did he ever hear of Descartes, of Laplace, of Spinoza? In + short, has he ever heard of a man who took a step in advance of his time? + </p> + <p> + Orthodoxy never advances. When it advances, it ceases to be orthodoxy and + becomes heresy. Orthodoxy is putrefaction. It is intellectual cloaca; it + cannot advance. What the church calls infidelity is simply free thought. + Every man who really owns his own brain is, in the estimation of the + church, an infidel. + </p> + <p> + There is a paper published in this city called <i>The Occident</i>. The + Editor has seen fit to speak of me, and of the people who have assembled + to hear me, in the lowest, vilest and most scurrilous terms possible. I + cannot afford to reply in the same spirit. He alleges that the people who + assemble to hear me are the low, the debauched and the infamous. The man + who reads that paper ought to read it with tongs. It is a Presbyterian + sheet; and would gladly treat me as John Calvin treated Castalio. Castalio + was the first minister in the history of Christendom who acknowledged the + innocence of honest error, and John Calvin followed him like a + sleuth-hound of perdition. He called him a "dog of Satan;" said that he + had crucified Christ afresh; and pursued him to the very grave. The editor + of this paper is still warming his hands at the fire that burned Servetus. + He has in his heart the same fierce hatred of everything that is free. But + what right have we to expect anything good of a man who believes in the + eternal damnation of infants? + </p> + <p> + There may have been sometime in the history of the world a worse religion + than Old School Presbyterianism, but if there ever was, from cannibalism + to civilization, I have never heard of it. + </p> + <p> + I make a distinction between the members and the creed of that church. I + know many who are a thousand times better than the creed—good, warm + and splendid friends of mine. I would do anything in the world for them. + And I have said to them a hundred times, "You are a thousand times better + than your creed." But when you come down to the doctrine of the damnation + of infants, it is the deformity of deformities. The editor of this paper + is engaged in giving the world the cheerful doctrines of fore-ordination + and damnation—those twin comforts of the Presbyterian creed, and + warning them against the frightful effects of reasoning in any manner for + themselves. He regards the intellectually free as the lowest, the vilest + and the meanest, as men who wish to sin, as men who are longing to commit + crime, men who are anxious to throw off all restraint. + </p> + <p> + My friends, every chain thrown from the body puts an additional obligation + upon the soul. Every man who is free, puts a responsibility upon his brain + and upon his heart. You, who never want responsibility, give your souls to + some church. You, who never want the feeling that you are under obligation + to yourselves, give your souls away. But if you are willing to feel and + meet responsibility; if you feel that you must give an account not only to + yourselves but to every human being whom you injure, then you must be + free. Where there is no freedom, there can be no responsibility. + </p> + <p> + It is a mystery to me why the editors of religious papers are so + malicious, why they endeavor to answer argument with calumny. Is it + because they feel the sceptre slowly slipping from their hands? Is it the + result of impotent rage? Is it because there is being written upon every + orthodox brain a certificate of intellectual inferiority? + </p> + <p> + This same editor assures his readers that what I say is not worth + answering, and yet he devotes column after column of his journal to that + very purpose. He states that I am no speaker, no orator; and upon the same + page admits that he did not hear me, giving as a reason that he does not + think it right to pay money for such a purpose. Recollect, that in a + religious paper, a man who professes honesty, criticises a statue or a + painting, condemns it, and at the end of the criticism says that he never + saw it. He criticises what he calls the oratory of a man, and at the end + says, "I never heard him, and I never saw him." + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, I have never heard of any of these gentlemen who + thought it necessary to hear what any man said in order to answer him. + </p> + <p> + The next gentleman who answered me is the Rev. Mr. Ijams. And I must say, + so far as I can see, in his argument, or in his mode of treatment, he is a + kind and considerate gentleman. He makes several mistakes as to what I + really said, but the fault I suppose must have been in the report. I am + made to say in the report of his sermon, "There is no sacred place in all + the universe." What I did say was, "There is no sacred place in all the + universe of thought. There is nothing too holy to be investigated, nothing + too divine to be understood. The fields of thought are fenceless, and + without a wall." I say this to-night. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ijams also says that I had declared that man had not only the right to + do right, but also the right to do wrong. What I really said was, man has + the right to do right, and the right to think right, and the right to + think wrong. Thought is a means of ascertaining truth, a mode by which we + arrive at conclusions. And if no one has a right to think, unless he + thinks right, he would only have the right to think upon self-evident + propositions. In all respects, with the exception of these misstatements + to which I have called your attention, so far as I can see, Mr. Ijams was + perfectly fair, and treated me as though I had the ordinary rights of a + human being. I take this occasion to thank him. + </p> + <p> + A great many papers, a great many people, a good many ministers and a + multitude of men, have had their say, and have expressed themselves with + the utmost freedom. I cannot reply to them all. I can only reply to those + who have made a parade of answering me. Many have said it is not worth + answering, and then proceeded to answer. They have said, he has produced + no argument, and then have endeavored to refute it. They have said it is + simply the old straw that has been thrashed over and over again for years + and years. If all I have said is nothing, if it is all idle and foolish, + why do they take up the time of their fellow-men replying to me? Why do + they fill their religious papers with criticisms, if all I have said and + done reminds them, according to the Rev. Mr. Guard, of "some little dog + barking at a railway train"? Why stop the train, why send for the + directors, why hold a consultation and finally say, we must settle with + that dog or stop running these cars? + </p> + <p> + Probably the best way to answer them all, is to prove beyond cavil the + truth of what I have said. + </p> + <p> + DOES THE BIBLE TEACH MAN TO ENSLAVE HIS BROTHER? II. + </p> + <p> + IF this "sacred" book teaches man to enslave his brother, it is not + inspired. A god who would establish slavery is as cruel and heartless as + any devil could be. + </p> + <p> + "Moreover, of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of + them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they + begat in your land, and they shall be your possession. + </p> + <p> + "And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to + inherit them for a possession. They shall be your bondmen forever. + </p> + <p> + "Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, <i>shall be</i> + of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and + bondmaids."—Leviticus xxv. + </p> + <p> + This is white slavery. This allows one white man to buy another, to buy a + woman, to separate families and rob a mother of her child. This makes the + whip upon the naked backs of men and women a legal tender for labor + performed. This is the kind of slavery established by the most merciful + God. The reason given for all this, is, that the persons whom they + enslaved were heathen. You may enslave them because they are not orthodox. + If you can find anybody who does not believe in me, the God of the Jews, + you may steal his wife from his arms, and her babe from the cradle. If you + can find a woman that does not believe in the Hebrew Jehovah, you may + steal her prattling child from her breast. Can any one conceive of + anything more infamous? Can any one find in the literature of this world + more frightful words ascribed even to a demon? And all this is found in + that most beautiful and poetic chapter known as the 25th of Leviticus—from + the Bible—from this sacred gift of God—this "Magna Charta of + human freedom." + </p> + <p> + 2. "If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve; and in the + seventh he shall go out free for nothing. + </p> + <p> + 3. "If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were + married, then his wife shall go out with him. + </p> + <p> + 4. "If his master have given him a wife, and she hath borne him sons or + daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall + go out by himself. + </p> + <p> + 5. "And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and + children; I w ill not go out free: + </p> + <p> + 6. "Then his master shall bring him unto the judges: he shall also bring + him to the door, or unto the door-post; and his master shall bore his ear + through with an awl; and he shall serve him forever."—<i>Exodus, + xxi.</i> + </p> + <p> + The slave is allowed to have his liberty if he will give up his wife and + children. He must remain in slavery for the sake of wife and child. This + is another of the laws of the most merciful God. This God changes even + love into a chain. Children are used by him as manacles and fetters, and + wives become the keepers of prisons. Any man who believes that such + hideous laws were made by an infinitely wise and benevolent God is, in my + judgment, insane or totally depraved. + </p> + <p> + These are the doctrines of the Old Testament. What is the doctrine of the + New? What message had he who came from heaven's throne for the oppressed + of earth? What words of sympathy, what words of cheer, for those who + labored and toiled without reward? Let us see: + </p> + <p> + "Servants, be obedient to them that are <i>your</i> masters, according to + the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto + Christ."—<i>Ephesians, vi.</i> + </p> + <p> + This is the salutation of the most merciful God to a slave, to a woman who + has been robbed of her child—to a man tracked by hounds through + lonely swamps—to a girl with flesh torn and bleeding—to a + mother weeping above an empty cradle. + </p> + <p> + "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good + and gentle, but also to the fro ward."—<i>I Peter ii., 18</i>. + </p> + <p> + "For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, + suffering wrongfully."—<i>I Peter ii., 19</i>. + </p> + <p> + It certainly must be an immense pleasure to God to see a man work + patiently for nothing. It must please the Most High to see a slave with + his wife and child sold upon the auction block. If this slave escapes from + slavery and is pursued, how musical the baying of the bloodhound must be + to the ears of this most merciful God. All this is simply infamous. On the + throne of this universe there sits no such monster. + </p> + <p> + "Servants, obey in all things your masters, according to the flesh; not + with eye-service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing + God."—<i>Col. iii., 22</i>. + </p> + <p> + The apostle here seems afraid that the slave would not work every moment + that his strength permitted. He really seems to have feared that he might + not at all times do the very best he could to promote the interests of the + thief who claimed to own him. And speaking to all slaves, in the name of + the Father of All, this apostle says: "Obey in all things your masters, + not with eye-service, but with singleness of heart, fearing God." He says + to them in substance, There is no way you can so well please God as to + work honestly for a thief. + </p> + <p> + 1. "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters + worthy of all honor, that the name of God and <i>his</i> doctrine be not + blasphemed." + </p> + <p> + Think of serving God by honoring a robber! Think of bringing the name and + doctrine of God into universal contempt by claiming to own yourself! + </p> + <p> + 2. "And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, + because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are + faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and + exhort." + </p> + <p> + That is to say, do not despise Christians who steal the labor of others. + Do not hold in contempt the "faithful and beloved, partakers of the + benefit," who turn the cross of Christ into a whipping post. + </p> + <p> + 3. "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words <i>even</i> + to words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according + to godliness. + </p> + <p> + 4. "He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes + of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, + </p> + <p> + 5. "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the + truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." + </p> + <p> + This seems to be the opinion the apostles entertained of the early + abolitionists. Seeking to give human beings their rights, seeking to give + labor its just reward, seeking to clothe all men with that divine garment + of the soul, Liberty,—all this was denounced by the apostle as a + simple strife of words, whereof cometh envy, railings, evil surmisings and + perverse disputing, destitute of truth. + </p> + <p> + 6. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. + </p> + <p> + 7. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry + nothing out. + </p> + <p> + 8. "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."—<i>I + Tim., vi.</i> + </p> + <p> + This was intended to make a slave satisfied to hear the clanking of his + chains. This is the reason he should never try to better his condition. He + should be contented simply with the right to work for nothing. If he only + had food and raiment, and a thief to work for, he should be contented. He + should solace himself with the apostolic reflection, that as he brought + nothing into the world, he could carry nothing out, and that when dead he + would be as happily situated as his master. + </p> + <p> + In order to show you what the inspired writer meant by the word <i>servant</i>, + I will read from the 21st chapter of Exodus, verses 20 and 21: + </p> + <p> + "And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under + his hand; he shall be surely punished. + </p> + <p> + "Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: + for he <i>is</i> his money." + </p> + <p> + Yet, notwithstanding these passages the <i>Christian Advocate</i> says, + "the Bible is the Magna Charta of our liberty." + </p> + <p> + After reading that, I was not surprised by the following in the same + paper: + </p> + <p> + "We regret to record that Ingersoll is on a low plane of infidelity and + atheism, not less offensive to good morals than have been the teachings of + infidelity during the last century. France has been cursed with such + teachings for a hundred years, and because of it, to-day her citizens are + incapable of self-government." + </p> + <p> + What was the condition of France a century ago? Were they capable of + self-government then? For fourteen hundred years the common people of + France had suffered. For fourteen hundred years they had been robbed by + the altar and by the throne. They had been the prey of priests and nobles. + All were exempt from taxation, except the common people. The cup of their + suffering was full, and the French people arose in fury and frenzy, and + tore the drapery from the altars of God, and filled the air with the dust + of thrones. + </p> + <p> + Surely, the slavery of fourteen centuries had not been produced by the + teachings of Voltaire. I stood only a little while ago at the place where + once stood the Bastile. In my imagination I saw that prison standing as it + stood of yore. I could see it attacked by the populace. I could see their + stormy faces and hear their cries. And I saw that ancient fortification of + tyranny go down forever. And now where once stood the Bastile stands the + Column of July. Upon its summit is a magnificent statue of Liberty, + holding in one hand a banner, in the other a broken chain, and upon its + shining forehead is the star of progress. There it stands where once stood + the Bastile. And France is as much superior to what it was when Voltaire + was born, as that statue, surmounting the Column of July, is more + beautiful than the Bastile that stood there once with its cells of + darkness, and its dungeons of horror. + </p> + <p> + And yet we are now told that the French people have rendered themselves + incapable of government, simply because they have listened to the voice of + progress. There are magnificent men in France. From that country have come + to the human race some of the grandest and holiest messages the ear of man + has ever heard. The French people have given to history some of the most + touching acts of self-sacrifice ever performed beneath the amazed stars. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I admire the French people. I cannot forget the Rue San + Antoine, nor the red cap of liberty. I can never cease to remember that + the tricolor was held aloft in Paris, while Europe was in chains, and + while liberty, with a bleeding breast, was in the Inquisition of Spain. + And yet we are now told by a religious paper, that France is not capable + of self-government. I suppose it was capable of self-government under the + old régime, at the time of the massacre of St. Bartholomew. I + suppose it was capable of self-government when women were seen yoked with + cattle pulling plows. I suppose it was capable of self-government when all + who labored were in a condition of slavery. + </p> + <p> + In the old times, even among the priests, there were some good, some + sincere and most excellent men. I have read somewhere of a sermon preached + by one of these in the Cathedral of Notre Dame. This old priest, among + other things, said that the soul of a beggar was as dear to God as the + soul of the richest of his people, and that Jesus Christ died as much for + a beggar as for a prince. One French peasant, rough with labor, cried out: + "I propose three cheers for Jesus Christ." I like such things. I like to + hear of them. I like to repeat them. Paris has been a kind of volcano, and + has made the heavens lurid with its lava of hatred, but it has also + contributed more than any other city to the intellectual development of + man. France has produced some infamous men, among others John Calvin, but + for one Calvin, she has produced a thousand benefactors of the human race. + </p> + <p> + The moment the French people rise above the superstitions of the church, + they will be in the highest sense capable of self-government. The moment + France succeeds in releasing herself from the coils of Catholicism—from + the shadows of superstition—from the foolish forms and mummeries of + the church—from the intellectual tyranny of a thousand years—she + will not only be capable of self-government, but will govern herself. Let + the priests be usefully employed. We want no overseers of the mind; no + slave-drivers for the soul. We cannot afford to pay hypocrites for + depriving us of liberty. It is a waste of money to pay priests to frighten + our children, and paralyze the intellect of women. + </p> + <p> + WAS THE WORLD CREATED IN SIX DAYS? III. + </p> + <p> + FOR hundreds of years it was contended by all Christians that the earth + was made in six days, literal days of twenty-four hours each, and that on + the seventh day the Lord rested from his labor. Geologists have driven the + church from this position, and it is now claimed that the days mentioned + in the Bible are periods of time. This is a simple evasion, not in any way + supported by the Scriptures. The Bible distinctly and clearly says that + the world was created in six days. There is not within its lids a clearer + statement. It does not say six periods. It was made according to that book + in six days: + </p> + <p> + 31. "And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very + good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."—<i>Genesis + i</i>. + </p> + <p> + 1. "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of + them. + </p> + <p> + 2. "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he + rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. + </p> + <p> + 3. "And God blessed the seventh day (not seventh period), and sanctified + it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created + and made."—<i>Genesis ii</i>. + </p> + <p> + From the following passages it seems clear what was meant by the word + days: + </p> + <p> + 15. "Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, + holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall + surely be put to death."—Served him right! + </p> + <p> + 16. "Wherefore, the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe + the Sabbath, throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. + </p> + <p> + 17. "It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in + six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested + and was refreshed. + </p> + <p> + 18. "And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him + upon Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with + the finger of God."—<i>Exodus xxxi</i>. + </p> + <p> + 12. "Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up + the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of + Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou, Moon, in the valley + of Ajalon. + </p> + <p> + 13. "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had + avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of + Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven; and hasted not to + go down about a whole day. + </p> + <p> + 14. "And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord + hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel."—<i>Josh. + x</i>. + </p> + <p> + These passages must certainly convey the idea that this world was made in + six days, not six periods. And the reason why they were to keep the + Sabbath was because the Creator rested on the seventh day—not + period. If you say six periods, instead of six days, what becomes of your + Sabbath? The only reason given in the Bible for observing the Sabbath is + that God observed it—that he rested from his work that day and was + refreshed. Take this reason away and the sacredness of that day has no + foundation in the Scriptures. + </p> + <p> + WHAT IS THE ASTRONOMY OF THE BIBLE? IV. + </p> + <p> + WHEN people were ignorant of all the sciences the Bible was understood by + those who read it the same as by those who wrote it. From time to time + discoveries were made that seemed inconsistent with the Scriptures. At + first, theologians denounced the discoverers of all facts inconsistent + with the Bible, as atheists and scoffers. + </p> + <p> + The Bible teaches us that the earth is the centre of the universe; that + the sun and moon and stars revolve around this speck called the earth. The + men who discovered that all this was a mistake were denounced by the + ignorant clergy of that day, precisely as the ignorant clergy of our time + denounce the advocates of free thought. When the doctrine of the earth's + place in the solar system was demonstrated; when persecution could no + longer conceal the mighty truth, then it was that the church made an + effort to harmonize the Scriptures with the discoveries of science. When + the utter absurdity of the Mosaic account of creation became apparent to + all thoughtful men, the church changed the reading of the Bible. Then it + was pretended that the "days" of creation were vast periods of time. When + it was shown to be utterly impossible that the sun revolved around the + earth, then the account given by Joshua of the sun standing still for the + space of a whole day, was changed into a figure of speech. It was said + that Joshua merely conformed to the mode of speech common in his day; and + that when he said the sun stood still, he merely intended to convey the + idea that the earth ceased turning upon its axis. They admitted that + stopping the sun could not lengthen the day, and for that reason it must + have been the earth that stopped. But you will remember that the moon + stood still in the valley of Ajalon—that the moon stayed until the + people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. + </p> + <p> + One would naturally suppose that the sun would have given sufficient light + to enable the Jews to avenge themselves upon their enemies without any + assistance from the moon. Of course, if the moon had not stopped, the + relations between the earth and moon would have been changed. + </p> + <p> + Is there a sensible man in the world who believes this wretched piece of + ignorance? Is it possible that the religion of this nineteenth century has + for its basis such childish absurdities? According to this account, what + was the sun, or rather the earth, stopped for? It was stopped in order + that the Hebrews might avenge themselves upon the Amorites. For the + accomplishment of such a purpose the earth was made to pause. Why should + an almost infinite force be expended simply for the purpose of destroying + a handful of men? Why this waste of force? Let me explain. I strike my + hands together. They feel a sudden Heat. Where did the heat come from? + Motion has been changed into heat. You will remember that there can be no + destruction of force. It disappears in one form only to reappear in + another. The earth, rotating at the rate of one thousand miles an hour, + was stopped. The motion of this vast globe would have instantly been + changed into heat. It has been calculated by one of the greatest + scientists of the present day that to stop the earth would generate as + much heat as could be produced by burning a world as large as this of + solid coal. And yet, all this force was expended for the paltry purpose of + defeating a few poor barbarians. The employment of so much force for the + accomplishment of so insignificant an object would be as useless as + bringing all the intellect of a great man to bear in answering the + arguments of the clergymen of San Francisco. + </p> + <p> + The waste of that immense force in stopping the planets in their grand + courses, for the purpose claimed, would be like using a Krupp gun to + destroy an insect to which a single drop of water is "an unbounded world." + How is it possible for men of ordinary intellect, not only to endorse such + ignorant falsehoods, but to malign those who do not? Can anything be more + debasing to the intellect of man than a belief in the astronomy of the + Bible? According to the Scriptures, the world was made out of nothing, and + the sun, moon, and stars, of the nothing that happened to be left. To the + writers of the Bible the firmament was solid, and in it were grooves along + which the stars were pushed by angels. From the Bible Cosmas constructed + his geography and astronomy. His book was passed upon by the church, and + was declared to be the truth concerning the subjects upon which he + treated. + </p> + <p> + This eminent geologist and astronomer, taking the Bible as his guide, + found and taught: First, that the earth was flat; second, that it was a + vast parallelogram; third, that in the middle there was a vast body of + land, then a strip of water all around it, then a strip of land. He + thought that on the outer strip of land people lived before the flood—that + at the time of the flood, Noah in his Ark crossed the strip of water and + landed on the shore of the country, in the middle of the world, where we + now are. This great biblical scholar informed the true believers of his + day that in the outer strip of land were mountains, around which the sun + and moon revolved; that when the sun was on the side of the mountain next + the land occupied by man, it was day, and when on the other side, it was + night. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Cosmas believed the Bible, and regarded Joshua as the most eminent + astronomer of his day. He also taught that the firmament was solid, and + that the angels pushed and drew the stars. He tells us that these angels + attended strictly to their business, that each one watched the motions of + all the others so that proper distances might always be maintained, and + all confusion avoided. All this was believed by the gentlemen who made + most of our religion. The great argument made by Cosmas to show that the + earth must be flat, was the fact that the Bible stated that when Christ + should come the second time, in glory, the whole world should see him. + "Now," said Cosmas, "if the world is round, how could the people on the + other side see the Lord when he comes?" This settled the question. + </p> + <p> + These were the ideas of the fathers of the church. These men have been for + centuries regarded as almost divinely inspired. Long after they had become + dust they governed the world. The superstitions they planted, their + descendants watered with the best and bravest blood. To maintain their + ignorant theories, the brain of the world was dwarfed for a thousand + years, and the infamous work is still being prosecuted. + </p> + <p> + The Bible was regarded as not only true, but as the best of all truth. Any + new theory advanced, was immediately examined in the light, or rather in + the darkness, of revelation, and if according to that test it was false, + it was denounced, and the person bringing it forward forced to recant. It + would have been a far better course to have discovered every theory found + to be in harmony with the Scriptures. + </p> + <p> + And yet we are told by the clergy and religious press of this city, that + the Bible is the foundation of all science. + </p> + <p> + DOES THE BIBLE TEACH THE EXISTENCE OF THAT IMPOSSIBLE CRIME CALLED + WITCHCRAFT? + </p> + <p> + V. + </p> + <p> + IT was said by Sir Thomas More that to give up witchcraft was to give up + the Bible itself. This idea was entertained by nearly all the eminent + theologians of a hundred years ago. In my judgment, they were right. To + give up witchcraft is to give up, in a great degree at least, the + supernatural. To throw away the little ghosts simply prepares the mind of + man to give up the great ones. The founders of nearly all creeds, and of + all religions properly so called, have taught the existence of good and + evil spirits. They have peopled the dark with devils and the light with + angels. They have crowded hell with demons and heaven with seraphs. The + moment these good and evil spirits, these angels and fiends, disappear + from the imaginations of men, and phenomena are accounted for by natural + rather than by supernatural means, a great step has been taken in the + direction of what is now known as materialism. While the church believes + in witchcraft, it is in a greatly modified form. The evil spirits are not + as plenty as in former times, and more phenomena are accounted for by + natural means. Just to the extent that belief has been lost in spirits, + just to that extent the church has lost its power and authority. When men + ceased to account for the happening of any event by ascribing it to the + direct action of good or evil spirits, and began to reason from known + premises, the chains of superstition began to grow weak. Into such + disrepute has witchcraft at last fallen that many Christians not only deny + the existence of these evil spirits, but take the ground that no such + thing is taught in the Scriptures. Let us see: + </p> + <p> + "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."—<i>Exodus xxii., 18</i>. + </p> + <p> + 7. "Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar + spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to + him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a spirit at Endor. + </p> + <p> + 8. "And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and + two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, I pray + thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I + shall name unto thee. + </p> + <p> + 9. "And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, + how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards out + of the land; wherefore, then, layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me + to die? + </p> + <p> + 10. "And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord liveth, there + shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. + </p> + <p> + 11. "Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, + Bring me up Samuel. + </p> + <p> + 12. "And when the woman saw Samuel she cried with a loud voice: and the + woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. + </p> + <p> + 13. "And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And + the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. + </p> + <p> + 14. "And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man + cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was + Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. + </p> + <p> + 15. "And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me to bring me up?"—2 + Samuels xxviii. + </p> + <p> + This reads very much like an account of a modern spiritual seance. Is it + not one of the wonderful things of the world that men and women who + believe this account of the witch of Endor, who believe all the miracles + and all the ghost stories of the Bible, deny with all their force the + truth of modern Spiritualism. So far as I am concerned, I would rather + believe some one who has heard what he relates, who has seen what he + tells, or at least thinks he has seen what he tells. I would rather + believe somebody I know, whose reputation for truth is good among those + who know him. I would rather believe these people than to take the words + of those who have been in their graves for four thousand years, and about + whom I know nothing. + </p> + <p> + 31 "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after + wizards, to be defiled by them; I am the Lord, your God."—<i>Leviticus + xix</i>. + </p> + <p> + 6 "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and + after wizards, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him + off from among his people."—<i>Leviticus xx.</i> + </p> + <p> + 10. "There shall not be found among you any one that useth divination, or + an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, + </p> + <p> + 11. "Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a + necromancer. + </p> + <p> + 12. "For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord."—<i>Deut. + xviii</i>. + </p> + <p> + I have given you a few of the passages found in the Old Testament upon + this subject, showing conclusively that the Bible teaches the existence of + witches, wizards and those who have familiar spirits. In the New Testament + there are passages equally strong, showing that the Savior himself was a + believer in the existence of evil spirits, and in the existence of a + personal devil. Nothing can be plainer than the teaching of the following: + </p> + <p> + 1. "Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted + of the devil. + </p> + <p> + 2. "And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward + an hungered. + </p> + <p> + 3. "And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, + command that these stones be made bread. + </p> + <p> + 4. "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread + alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. + </p> + <p> + 5. "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a + pinnacle of the temple. + </p> + <p> + 6. "And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for + it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in + their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot + against a stone. + </p> + <p> + 7. "Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the + Lord, thy God. + </p> + <p> + 8. "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and + sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. + </p> + <p> + 9. "And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt + fall down and worship me. + </p> + <p> + 10. "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, + Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. + </p> + <p> + 11. "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered + unto him."—<i>Matt. iv.</i> + </p> + <p> + If this does not teach the existence of a personal devil, there is nothing + within the lids of the Scriptures teaching the existence of a personal + God. If this does not teach the existence of evil spirits, there is + nothing in the Bible going to show that good spirits exist either in this + world or the next. + </p> + <p> + 16. "When the even was come they brought unto him many that were possessed + with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all + that were sick."—<i>Matt. vii.</i> + </p> + <p> + 1. "And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of + the Gadarenes. + </p> + <p> + 2. "And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of + the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, + </p> + <p> + 3. "Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, + not with chains: + </p> + <p> + 4. "Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the + chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: + neither could any man tame him. + </p> + <p> + 5. "And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, + crying and cutting himself with stones. + </p> + <p> + 6. "But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, + </p> + <p> + 7. "And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, + Jesus, thou son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou + torment me not. + </p> + <p> + 8. "For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. + </p> + <p> + 9. "And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name + is Legion, for we are many. + </p> + <p> + 11. "Now, there was nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. + </p> + <p> + 12. "And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that + we may enter into them. + </p> + <p> + 13. "And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went + out, and entered into the swine; and the herd ran violently down a steep + place into the sea, and they were about two thousand; and were choked in + the sea."—<i>Mark v</i>. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of witchcraft does not stop here. The power of casting out + devils was bequeathed by the Savior to his apostles and followers, and to + all who might believe in him throughout all the coming time: + </p> + <p> + 17. "And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they + cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. + </p> + <p> + 18. "And they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, + it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall + recover."—<i>Mark xvi.</i> + </p> + <p> + I would like to see the clergy who have been answering me, tested in this + way: Let them drink poison, let them take up serpents, let them cure the + sick by the laying on of hands, and I will then believe that they believe. + </p> + <p> + I deny the witchcraft stories of the world. Witches are born in the + ignorant, frightened minds of men. Reason will exorcise them. "They are + tales told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." These + devils have covered the world with blood and tears. They have filled the + earth with fear. They have filled the lives of children with darkness and + horror. They have peopled the sweet world of imagination with monsters. + They have made religion a strange mingling of fear and ferocity. I am + doing what I can to reave the heavens of these monsters. For my part, I + laugh at them all. I hold them all in contempt, ancient and modern, great + and small. + </p> + <p> + THE BIBLE IDEA OF THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN. VI. + </p> + <p> + ALL religion has for its basis the tyranny of God and the slavery of man. + </p> + <p> + 18. "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the + voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have + chastened him, will not hearken unto them. + </p> + <p> + 19. "Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him + out unto the elders of his city, and unto, the gate of his place. + </p> + <p> + 20. "And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is + stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice, he is a glutton and a + drunkard. + </p> + <p> + 21. "And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die; + so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and + fear."—<i>Deut. xxi.</i> + </p> + <p> + Abraham was commanded to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. He proceeded + to obey. And the boy, being then about thirty years of age, was not + consulted. At the command of a phantom of the air, a man was willing to + offer upon the altar his only son. And such was the slavery of children, + that the only son had not the spirit to resist. + </p> + <p> + Have you ever read the story of Jephthah? + </p> + <p> + 30 "And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt + without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, + </p> + <p> + 31. "Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my + house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall + surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. + </p> + <p> + 32. "So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against + them; and the Lord delivered them into his hands. + </p> + <p> + 33. "And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even + twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great + slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of + Israel. + </p> + <p> + 34."And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and behold, his daughter + came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances; and she was his only + child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. + </p> + <p> + 35. "And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and + said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one + of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I + cannot go back.... + </p> + <p> + 39. "And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto + her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed."—<i>Judges + xi.</i> + </p> + <p> + Is there in the history of the world a sadder thing than this? What can we + think of a father who would sacrifice his daughter to a demon God? And + what can we think of a God who would accept such a sacrifice? Can such a + God be worthy of the worship of man? I plead for the rights of children. I + plead for the government of kindness and love. I plead for the republic of + home, the democracy of the fireside. I plead for affection. And for this I + am pursued by invective. For this I am called a fiend, a devil, a monster, + by Christian editors and clergymen, by those who pretend to love their + enemies and pray for those that despitefully use them. + </p> + <p> + Allow me to give you another instance of affection related in the + Scriptures. There was, it seems, a most excellent man by the name of Job. + The Lord was walking up and down, and happening to meet Satan, said to + him: "Are you acquainted with my servant Job? Have you noticed what an + excellent man he is?" And Satan replied to him and said: "Why should he + not be an excellent man—you have given him everything he wants? Take + from him what he has and he will curse you." And thereupon the Lord gave + Satan the power to destroy the property and children of Job. In a little + while these high contracting parties met again; and the Lord seemed + somewhat elated with his success, and called again the attention of Satan + to the sinlessness of Job. Satan then told him to touch his body and he + would curse him. And thereupon power was given to Satan over the body of + Job, and he covered his body with boils. Yet in all this, Job did not sin + with his lips. + </p> + <p> + This book seems to have been written to show the excellence of patience, + and to prove that at last God will reward all who will bear the + afflictions of heaven with fortitude and without complaint. The sons and + daughters of Job had been slain, and then the Lord, in order to reward + Job, gave him other children, other sons and other daughters—not the + same ones he had lost; but others. And this, according to the writer, made + ample amends. Is that the idea we now have of love? If I have a child, no + matter how deformed that child may be, and if it dies, nobody can make the + loss to me good by bringing a more beautiful child. I want the one I loved + and the one I lost. + </p> + <p> + THE GALLANTRY OF GOD. VII. + </p> + <p> + I HAVE said that the Bible is a barbarous book; that it has no respect for + the rights of woman. Now I propose to prove it. It takes something besides + epithets and invectives to prove or disprove anything. Let us see what the + sacred volume says concerning the mothers and daughters of the human race. + </p> + <p> + A man who does not in his heart of hearts respect woman, who has not there + an altar at which he worships the memory of mother, is less than a man. + </p> + <p> + 11. "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. + </p> + <p> + 12. "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the + man, but to be in silence." + </p> + <p> + The reason given for this, and the only reason that occurred to the sacred + writer, was: + </p> + <p> + 13. "For Adam was first formed, then Eve. + </p> + <p> + 14. "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the + transgression. + </p> + <p> + 15. "Notwithstanding, she shall be saved in child-bearing, if they + continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."—<i>1 Tim. + ii.</i> + </p> + <p> + 3. "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and + the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." + </p> + <p> + That is to say, the woman sustains the same relation to the man that man + does to Christ, and man sustains the same relation to Christ that Christ + does to God. + </p> + <p> + This places the woman infinitely below the man. And yet this barbarous + idiocy is regarded as divinely inspired. How can any woman look other than + with contempt upon such passages? How can any woman believe that this is + the will of a most merciful God? + </p> + <p> + 7. "For a man, indeed, ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the + image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man." + </p> + <p> + And this is justified from the remarkable fact set forth in the next + verse: + </p> + <p> + 8. "For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man." + </p> + <p> + This same chivalric gentleman also says: + </p> + <p> + 9. "Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man."—<i>1 + Cor. xi.</i> + </p> + <p> + 22. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." + </p> + <p> + Is it possible for abject obedience to go beyond this? + </p> + <p> + 23. "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head + of the Church, and he is the saviour of the body. + </p> + <p> + 24. "Therefore, as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be + to their own husbands in everything."—<i>Eph. v.</i> + </p> + <p> + Even the Savior did not put man and woman upon an equality. A man could + divorce his wife, but the wife could not divorce her husband. + </p> + <p> + Every noble woman should hold such apostles and such ideas in contempt. + According to the Old Testament, woman had to ask pardon and had to be + purified from the crime of having born sons and daughters. To make love + and maternity crimes is infamous. + </p> + <p> + 10. "When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the Lord thy + God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them + captive, + </p> + <p> + 11. "And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire + unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife, + </p> + <p> + 12. "Then thou shalt bring her home to thy house; and she shall shave her + head, and pare her nails."—<i>Deut. xxi</i>. + </p> + <p> + This is barbarism, no matter whether it came from heaven or from hell, + from a God or from a devil, from the golden streets of the New Jerusalem + or from the very Sodom of perdition. It is barbarism complete and utter. + </p> + <p> + DOES THE BIBLE SANCTION POLYGAMY AND CONCUBINAGE? VIII. + </p> + <p> + READ the infamous order of Moses in the 31st chapter of Numbers—an + order unfit to be reproduced in print—an order which I am unwilling + to repeat. Read the 31 st chapter of Exodus. Read the 21 st chapter of + Deuteronomy. Read the-life of Abraham, of David, of Solomon, of Jacob, and + then tell me the sacred Bible does not teach polygamy and concubinage. All + the languages of the world are insufficient to express the filth of + polygamy. It makes man a beast—woman a slave. It destroys the + fireside. It makes virtue an outcast. It makes home a lair of wild beasts. + It is the infamy of infamies. Yet this is the doctrine of the Bible—a + doctrine defended even by Luther and Melancthon. It is by the Bible that + Brigham Young justifies the practice of this beastly horror. It takes from + language those sweetest words, husband, wife, father mother, child and + lover. It takes us back to the barbarism of animals, and leaves the heart + a den in which crawl and hiss the slimy serpents of loathsome lust. Yet + the book justifying this infamy is the book upon which rests the + civilization of the nineteenth century. And because I denounce this + frightful thing, the clergy denounce me as a demon, and the infamous <i>Christian + Advocate</i> says that the moral sentiment of this State ought to denounce + this Illinois Catiline for his blasphemous utterances and for his base and + debasing scurrility. + </p> + <p> + DOES THE BIBLE UPHOLD AND JUSTIFY POLITICAL TYRANNY? IX. + </p> + <p> + FOR my part, I insist that man has not only the capacity, but the right to + govern himself. All political authority is vested in the people + themselves, They have the right to select their officers and agents, and + these officers and agents are responsible to the people. Political + authority does not come from the clouds. Man should not be governed by the + aristocracy of the air. The Bible is not a Republican or Democratic book. + Exactly the opposite doctrine is taught. From that volume we learn that + the people have no power whatever; that all power and political authority + comes from on high, and that all the kings, all the potentates and powers, + have been ordained of God; that all the ignorant and cruel kings have been + placed upon the world's thrones by the direct act of Deity. The Scriptures + teach us that the common people have but one duty—the duty of + obedience. Let me read to you some of the political ideas in the great + "Magna Charta" of human liberty. + </p> + <p> + 1. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no + power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. + </p> + <p> + 2. "Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of + God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." + </p> + <p> + According to this, George III. was ordained of God. He was King of Great + Britian by divine right, and by divine right was the lawful King of the + American Colonies. The leaders in the Revolutionary struggle resisted the + power, and according to these passages, resisted the ordinances of God; + and for that resistance they are promised the eternal recompense of + damnation. + </p> + <p> + 3. "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou + then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt + have praise of the same.... + </p> + <p> + 5. "Wherefore, ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for + conscience sake. + </p> + <p> + 6. "For, for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, + attending continually upon this very thing."—<i>Romans, xiii.</i> + </p> + <p> + 13. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake; + whether it be to the king as supreme. + </p> + <p> + 14. "Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the + punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. + </p> + <p> + 15. "For so is the will of God."—<i>1 Pet. ii.</i> + </p> + <p> + Had these ideas been carried out, political progress in the world would + have been impossible. Upon the necks of the people still would have been + the feet of kings. I deny this wretched, this infamous doctrine. Whether + higher powers are ordained of God or not, if those higher powers endeavor + to destroy the rights of man, I for one shall resist. Whenever and + wherever the sword of rebellion is drawn in support of a human right, I am + a rebel. The despicable doctrine of submission to titled wrong and robed + injustice finds no lodgment in the brain of a man. The real rulers are the + people, and the rulers so-called are but the servants of the people. They + are not ordained of any God. All political power comes from and belongs to + man. Upon these texts of Scripture rest the thrones of Europe. For fifteen + hundred years these verses have been repeated by brainless kings and + heardess priests. For fifteen hundred years each one of these texts has + been a bastile in which has been imprisoned the pioneers of progress. Each + one of these texts has been an obstruction on the highway of humanity. + Each one has been a fortification behind which have crouched the sainted + hypocrites and the titled robbers. According to these texts, a robber gets + his right to rob from God. And it is the duty of the robbed to submit. The + thief gets his right to steal from God. The king gets his right to trample + upon human liberty from God. I say, fight the king—fight the priest. + </p> + <p> + THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY OF GOD. X. + </p> + <p> + THE Bible denounces religious liberty. After covering the world with + blood, after having made it almost hollow with graves, Christians are + beginning to say that men have a right to differ upon religious questions + provided the questions about which they differ are not considered of great + importance. The motto of the Evangelical Alliance is: "In non-essentials, + Liberty; in essentials, Unity." + </p> + <p> + The Christian world have condescended to say that upon all non-essential + points we shall have the right to think for ourselves; but upon matters of + the least importance, they will think and speak for us. In this they are + consistent. They but follow the teachings of the God they worship. They + but adhere to the precepts and commands of the sacred Scriptures. Within + that volume there is no such thing as religious toleration. Within that + volume there is not one particle of mercy for an unbeliever. For all who + think for themselves, for all who are the owners of their own souls, there + are threatenings, curses and anathemas. Any Christian who to-day exercises + the least toleration is to that extent false to his religion. Let us see + what the "Magna Charta" of liberty says upon this subject: + </p> + <p> + 6. "If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or + the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice + thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not + known, thou, nor thy fathers. + </p> + <p> + 7. "Namely of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto + thee, or afar off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the + other end of the earth. + </p> + <p> + 8. "Thou shalt not consent unto him; nor hearken unto him; neither shall + thine eye pity him; neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal + him. + </p> + <p> + 9. "But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to + put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. + </p> + <p> + 10. "And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath + sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out + of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage."—<i>Deut. xiii.</i> + </p> + <p> + That is the religious liberty of the Bible. If the wife of your bosom had + said, "I like the religion of India better than the religion of + Palestine," it was then your duty to kill her, and the merciful Most High—understand + me, I do not believe in any merciful Most High—said: + </p> + <p> + "Thou shalt not pity her but thou shalt surely kill; thy hand shall be the + first upon her to put her to death." + </p> + <p> + This I denounce as infamously infamous. If it is necessary to believe in + such a God, if it is necessary to adore such a Deity in order to be saved, + I will take my part joyfully in perdition. Let me read you a few more + extracts from the "Magna Charta" of human liberty. + </p> + <p> + 2. "If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the Lord + thy God giveth thee, man or woman that hath wrought wickedness in the + sight of the Lord thy God, in transgressing his covenant, + </p> + <p> + 3. "And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the + sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded. + </p> + <p> + 4. "And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired + diligently, and behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such + abomination is wrought in Israel. + </p> + <p> + 5. "Then shalt thou bring forth that man, or that woman, which have + committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, + and shalt stone them with stones till they die." + </p> + <p> + Under this law if the woman you loved had said: "Let us worship the sun; I + am tired of this jealous and bloodthirsty Jehovah; let us worship the sun; + let us kneel to it as it rises over the hills, filling the world with + light and love, when the dawn stands jocund on the mountain's misty top; + it is the sun whose beams illumine and cover the earth with verdure and + with beauty; it is the sun that covers the trees with leaves, that carpets + the earth with grass and adorns the world with flowers; I adore the sun + because in its light I have seen your eyes; it has given to me the face of + my babe; it has clothed my life with joy; let us in gratitude fall down + and worship the glorious beams of the sun." + </p> + <p> + For this offence she deserved not only death, but death at your hands: + </p> + <p> + "Thine eye shall not pity her; neither shalt thou spare; neither shalt + thou conceal her. + </p> + <p> + "But thou shalt surely kill her: thy hand shall be the first upon her to + put her to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. + </p> + <p> + "And thou shalt stone her with stones that she die." + </p> + <p> + For my part I had a thousand times rather worship the sun than a God who + would make such a law or give such a command. This you may say is the + doctrine of the Old Testament—what is the doctrine of the New? + </p> + <p> + "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; and he that believeth + not shall be damned." + </p> + <p> + That is the religious liberty of the New Testament. That is the "tidings + of great joy." + </p> + <p> + Every one of these words has been a chain upon the limbs, a whip upon the + backs of men. Every one has been a fagot. Every one has been a sword. + Every one has been a dungeon, a scaffold, a rack. Every one has been a + fountain of tears. These words have filled the hearts of men with hatred. + These words invented all the instruments of torture. These words covered + the earth with blood. + </p> + <p> + For the sake of argument, suppose that the Bible is an inspired book. If + then, as is contended, God gave these frightful laws commanding religious + intolerance to his chosen people, and afterward this same God took upon + himself flesh, and came among the Jews and taught a different religion, + and they crucified him, did he not reap what he had sown? + </p> + <p> + DOES THE BIBLE DESCRIBE A GOD OF MERCY? XI. + </p> + <p> + IS it possible to conceive of a more jealous, revengeful, changeable, + unjust, unreasonable, cruel being than the Jehovah of the Hebrews? Is it + possible to read the words said to have been spoken by this Deity, without + a shudder? Is it possible to contemplate his character without hatred? + </p> + <p> + "I will make mine arrows drunk with blood and my sword shall devour + flesh."—<i>Deut. xxxii.</i> + </p> + <p> + Is this the language of an infinitely kind and tender parent to his weak, + his wandering and suffering children? + </p> + <p> + "Thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of + thy dogs in the same." <i>Psalms, lxviii.</i> + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that a God takes delight in seeing dogs lap the blood of + his children? + </p> + <p> + 22. "And the Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee by little + and little; thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the + field increase upon thee. + </p> + <p> + 23. "But the Lord thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy + them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed. + </p> + <p> + 24. "And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt + destroy their name from under heaven; there shall no man be able to stand + before thee, until thou have destroyed them."—<i>Deut. vii.</i> + </p> + <p> + If these words had proceeded from the mouth of a demon, if they had been + spoken by some enraged and infinitely malicious fiend, I should not have + been surprised. But these things are attributed to a God of infinite + mercy. + </p> + <p> + 40. "So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and + of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings; he left none + remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God of + Israel commanded."—<i>Josh, x.</i> + </p> + <p> + 14. "And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of + Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the + edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to + breathe."—<i>Josh. xi.</i> + </p> + <p> + 19. "There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, + save the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon; all other they took in + battle. + </p> + <p> + 20. "For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts that they should come + against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that + they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord + commanded Moses."—<i>Josh. xi.</i> + </p> + <p> + There are no words in our language with which to express the indignation I + feel when reading these cruel and heartless words. + </p> + <p> + "When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim + peace unto it. And it shall be if it make thee answer of peace, and open + unto thee, then it shall be that all the people therein shall be + tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no + peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege + it. And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thy hands, thou shalt + smite every male thereof with the sword. But the women, <i>and the little + ones</i>, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even the spoil + thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself, and thou shalt eat the spoil of + thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given thee. + </p> + <p> + "Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, + which are not of the cities of these nations. But of the cities of these + people which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou + shalt save alive nothing that breatheth." + </p> + <p> + These terrible instructions were given to an army of invasion. The men who + were thus ruthlessly murdered were fighting for their homes, their + firesides, for their wives and for their little children. Yet these + things, by the clergy of San Francisco, are called acts of sublime mercy. + </p> + <p> + All this is justified by the doctrine of the survival of the fittest. The + Old Testament is filled with anathemas, with curses, with words of + vengeance, of revenge, of jealousy, of hatred and of almost infinite + brutality. Do not, I pray you, pluck from the heart the sweet flower of + pity and trample it in the bloody dust of superstition. Do not, I beseech + you, justify the murder of women, the assassination of dimpled babes. Do + not let the gaze of the gorgon of superstition turn your hearts to stone. + </p> + <p> + Is there an intelligent Christian in the world who would not with joy and + gladness receive conclusive testimony to the effect that all the passages + in the Bible upholding and sustaining polygamy and concubinage, political + tyranny, the subjection of woman, the enslavement of children, + establishing domestic and political tyranny, and that all the commands to + destroy men, women and children, are but interpolations of kings and + priests, made for the purpose of subjugating mankind through the + instrumentality of fear? Is there a Christian in the world who would not + think vastly more of the Bible if all these infamous things were + eliminated from it? + </p> + <p> + Surely the good things in that book are not rendered more sacred from the + fact that in the same volume are found the frightful passages I have + quoted. In my judgment the Bible should be read and studied precisely as + we read and study any book whatever. The good in it should be preserved + and cherished, and that which shocks the human heart should be cast aside + forever. + </p> + <p> + While the Old Testament threatens men, women and children with disease, + famine, war, pestilence and death, there are no threatenings of punishment + beyond this life. The doctrine of eternal punishment is a dogma of the New + Testament. This doctrine, the most cruel, the most infamous of which the + human mind can conceive, is taught, if taught at all, in the Bible—in + the New Testament. One cannot imagine what the human heart has suffered by + reason of the frightful doctrine of eternal damnation. It is a doctrine so + abhorrent to every drop of my blood, so infinitely cruel, that it is + impossible for me to respect either the head or heart of any human being + who teaches or fears it. This doctrine necessarily subverts all ideas of + justice. To inflict infinite punishment for finite crimes, or rather for + crimes committed by finite beings, is a proposition so monstrous that I am + astonished it ever found lodgment in the brain of man. Whoever says that + we can be happy in heaven while those we loved on earth are suffering + infinite torments in eternal fire, defames and calumniates the human + heart. + </p> + <p> + THE PLAN OF SALVATION. XII. + </p> + <p> + WE are told, however, that a way has been provided for the salvation of + all men, and that in this plan the infinite mercy of God is made manifest + to the children of men. According to the great scheme of the atonement, + the innocent suffers for the guilty in order to satisfy a law. What kind + of law must it be that is satisfied with the agony of innocence? Who made + this law? If God made it he must have known that the innocent would have + to suffer as a consequence. The whole scheme is to me a medley of + contradictions, impossibilities and theological conclusions. We are told + that if Adam and Eve had not sinned in the Garden of Eden death never + would have entered the world. We are further informed that had it not been + for the devil, Adam and Eve would not have been led astray; and if they + had not, as I said before, death never would have touched with its icy + hand the human heart. If our first parents had never sinned, and death + never had entered the world, you and I never would have existed. The earth + would have been filled thousands of generations before you and I were + born. At the feast of life, death made seats vacant for us. According to + this doctrine, we are indebted to the devil for our existence. Had he not + tempted Eve—no sin. If there had been no sin—no death. If + there had been no death the world would have been filled ages before you + and I were born. Therefore, we owe our existence to the devil. We are + further informed that as a consequence of original sin the scheme called + the atonement became necessary; and that if the Savior had not taken upon + himself flesh and come to this atom called the earth, and if he had not + been crucified for us, we should all have been cast forever into hell. Had + it not been for the bigotry of the Jews and the treachery of Judas + Iscariot, Christ would not have been crucified; and if he had not been + crucified, all of us would have had our portion in the lake that burneth + with eternal fire. + </p> + <p> + According to this great doctrine, according to this vast and most + wonderful scheme, we owe, as I said before, our existence to the devil, + our salvation to Judas Iscariot and the bigotry of the Jews. + </p> + <p> + So far as I am concerned, I fail to see any mercy in the plan of + salvation. Is it mercy to reward a man forever in consideration of + believing a certain thing, of the truth of which there is, to his mind, + ample testimony? Is it mercy to punish a man with eternal fire simply + because there is not testimony enough to satisfy his mind? Can there be + such a thing as mercy in eternal punishment? + </p> + <p> + And yet this same Deity says to me, "resist not evil; pray for those that + despitefully use you; love your enemies, but I will eternally damn mine." + It seems to me that even gods should practice what they preach. + </p> + <p> + All atonement, after all, is a kind of moral bankruptcy. Under its + provisions, man is allowed the luxury of sinning upon a credit. Whenever + he is guilty of a wicked action he says, "charge it." This kind of + bookkeeping, in my judgment, tends to breed extravagance in sin. + </p> + <p> + The truth is, most Christians are better than their creeds; most creeds + are better than the Bible, and most men are better than their God. + </p> + <p> + OTHER RELIGIONS. XIII. + </p> + <p> + WE must remember that ours is not the only religion. Man has in all ages + endeavored to answer the great questions Whence? and Whither? He has + endeavored to read his destiny in the stars, to pluck the secret of his + existence from the night. He has questioned the spectres of his own + imagination. He has explored the mysterious avenues of dreams. He has + peopled the heavens with spirits. He has mistaken his visions for + realities. In the twilight of ignorance he has mistaken shadows for gods. + In all ages he has been the slave of misery, the dupe of superstition and + the fool of hope. He has suffered and aspired. + </p> + <p> + Religion is a thing of growth, of development. As we advance we throw + aside the grosser and absurder forms of faith—practically at first + by ceasing to observe them, and lastly, by denying them altogether. Every + church necessarily by its constitution endeavors to prevent this natural + growth or development. What has happened to other religions must happen to + ours. Ours is not superior to many that have passed, or are passing away. + Other religions have been lived for and died for by men as noble as ours + can boast. Their dogmas and doctrines have, to say the least, been as + reasonable, as full of spiritual grandeur, as ours. + </p> + <p> + Man has had beautiful thoughts. Man has tried to solve these questions in + all the countries of the world, and I respect all such men and women; but + let me tell you one little thing. I want to show you that in other + countries there is something. + </p> + <p> + The Parsee sect of Persia say: A Persian saint ascended the three stairs + that lead to heaven's gate, and knocked; a voice said: "Who is there?" + "Thy servant, O God!" But the gates would not open. For seven years he did + every act of kindness; again he came, and the voice said: "Who is there?" + And he replied: "Thy slave, O God!" Yet the gates were shut. Yet seven + other years of kindness, and the man again knocked; and the voice cried + and said: "Who is there?" "Thyself, O God!" And the gates wide open flew. + </p> + <p> + I say there is no more beautiful Christian poem than this. + </p> + <p> + A Persian after having read our religion, with its frightful descriptions + of perdition, wrote these words: "Two angels flying out from the blissful + city of God—the angel of love and the angel of pity—hovered + over the eternal pit where suffered the captives of hell. One smile of + love illumined the darkness and one tear of pity extinguished all the + fires." Has orthodoxy produced anything as generously beautiful as this? + Let me read you this: Sectarians, hear this: Believers in eternal + damnation, hear this: Clergy of America who expect to have your happiness + in heaven increased by seeing me burning in hell, hear this: + </p> + <p> + This is the prayer of the Brahmins—a prayer that has trembled from + human lips toward heaven for more than four thousand years: + </p> + <p> + "Never will I seek or receive private individual salvation. Never will I + enter into final bliss alone. But forever and everywhere will I labor and + strive for the final redemption of every creature throughout all worlds, + and until all are redeemed. Never will I wrongly leave this world to sin, + sorrow and struggle, but will remain and work and suffer where I am." + </p> + <p> + Has the orthodox religion produced a prayer like this? See the infinite + charity, not only for every soul in this world, but of all the shining + worlds of the universe. Think of that, ye parsons who imagine that a large + majority are going to eternal ruin. + </p> + <p> + Compare it with the sermons of Jonathan Edwards, and compare it with the + imprecation of Christ: "Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared + for the devil and his angels;" with the ideas of Jeremy Taylor, with the + creeds of Christendom, with all the prayers of all the saints, and in no + church except the Universalist will you hear a prayer like this. + </p> + <p> + "When thou art in doubt as to whether an action is good or bad, abstain + from it." + </p> + <p> + Since the days of Zoroaster has there been any rule for human conduct + given superior to this? + </p> + <p> + Are the principles taught by us superior to those of Confucius? He was + asked if there was any single word comprising the duties of man. He + replied: "Reciprocity." Upon being asked what he thought of the doctrine + of returning benefits for injuries, he replied: "That is not my doctrine. + If you return benefits for injuries what do you propose for benefits? My + doctrine is; For benefits return benefits; for injuries return justice + without any admixture of revenge." + </p> + <p> + To return good for evil is to pay a premium upon wickedness. I cannot put + a man under obligation to do me a favor by doing him an injury. + </p> + <p> + Now, to-day, right now, what is the church doing? What is it doing, I ask + you honestly? Does it satisfy the craving hearts of the nineteenth + century? Are we satisfied? I am not saying this except from the honesty of + my heart. Are we satisfied? Is it a consolation to us now? Is it even a + consolation when those we love die? The dead are so near and the promises + are so far away. It is covered with the rubbish of the past. I ask you, is + it all that is demanded by the brain and heart of the nineteenth century? + </p> + <p> + We want something better; we want something grander; we want something + that has more brain in it, and more heart in it. We want to advance—that + is what we want; and you cannot advance without being a heretic—you + cannot do it. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all these religions have been upheld by persecution and bloodshed. + They have been rendered stable by putting fetters upon the human brain. + They have all, however, been perfectly natural productions, and under + similar circumstances would all be reproduced. Only by intellectual + development are the old superstitions outgrown. As only the few + intellectually advance, the majority is left on the side of superstition, + and remains there until the advanced ideas of the few thinkers become + general; and by that time there are other thinkers still in advance. + </p> + <p> + And so the work of development and growth slowly and painfully proceeds + from age to age. The pioneers are denounced as heretics, and the heretics + denounce their denouncers as the disciples of superstition and ignorance. + Christ was a heretic. Herod was orthodox. Socrates was a blasphemer. + Anytus worshiped all the gods. Luther was a skeptic, while the sellers of + indulgences were the best of Catholics. Roger Williams was a heretic, + while the Puritans who drove him from Massachusetts were all orthodox. + Every step in advance in the religious history of the world has been taken + by heretics. No superstition has been destroyed except by a heretic. No + creed has been bettered except by a heretic. Heretic is the name that the + orthodox laggard hurls at the disappearing pioneer. It is shouted by the + dwellers in swamps to the people upon the hills. It is the opinion that + midnight entertains of the dawn. It is what the rotting says of the + growing. Heretic is the name that a stench gives to a perfume. + </p> + <p> + With this word the coffin salutes the cradle. It is taken from the lips of + the dead. Orthodoxy is a shroud—heresy is a banner. Orthodoxy is an + epitaph—heresy is a prophecy. Orthodoxy is a cloud, a fog, a mist—heresy + the star shining forever above the child of truth. + </p> + <p> + I am a believer in the eternity of progress. I do not believe that Want + will forever extend its withered hand, its wan and shriveled palms, for + charity. I do not believe that the children will forever be governed by + cruelty and brute force. I do not believe that poverty will dwell with man + forever. I do not believe that prisons will forever cover the earth, or + that the shadow of the gallows will forever fall upon the ground. I do not + believe that injustice will sit forever upon the bench, or that malice and + superstition will forever stand in the pulpit. + </p> + <p> + I believe the time will come when there will be charity in every heart, + when there will be love in every family, and when law and liberty and + justice, like the atmosphere, will surround this world. + </p> + <p> + We have worshiped the ghosts long enough. We have prostrated ourselves + before the ignorance of the past. + </p> + <p> + Let us stand erect and look with hopeful eyes toward the brightening + future. Let us stand by our convictions. Let us not throw away our idea of + justice for the sake of any book or of any religion whatever. Let us live + according to our highest and noblest and purest ideal. + </p> + <p> + By this time we should know that the real Bible has not been written. + </p> + <p> + The real Bible is not the work of inspired men, or prophets, or apostles, + or evangelists, or of Christs. + </p> + <p> + Every man who finds a fact, adds, as it were, a word to this great book. + It is not attested by prophecy, by miracles, or signs. It makes no appeal + to faith, to ignorance, to credulity or fear. It has no punishment for + unbelief, and no reward for hypocrisy. It appeals to man in the name of + demonstration. It has nothing to conceal. It has no fear of being read, of + being contradicted, of being investigated and understood. It does not + pretend to be holy, or sacred; it simply claims to be true. It challenges + the scrutiny of all, and implores every reader to verify every line for + himself. It is incapable of being blasphemed. This book appeals to all the + surroundings of man. Each thing that exists testifies to its perfection. + The earth, with its heart of fire and crowns of snow; with its forests and + plains, its rocks and seas; with its every wave and cloud; with its every + leaf and bud and flower, confirms its every word, and the solemn stars, + shining in the infinite abysses, are the eternal witnesses of its truth. + </p> + <p> + Ladies and gentlemen you cannot tell how I thank you this evening; you + cannot tell how I feel toward the intellectual hospitality of this great + city by the Pacific sea. Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you—I thank + you again and again, a thousand times. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MY CHICAGO BIBLE CLASS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Chicago Times, 1879. +</pre> + <p> + To the Editor:— + </p> + <p> + NOTHING is more gratifying than to see ideas that were received with + scorn, flourishing in the sunshine of approval. Only a few weeks ago, I + stated that the Bible was not inspired; that Moses was mistaken; that the + "flood" was a foolish myth; that the Tower of Babel existed only in + credulity; that God did not create the universe from nothing, that he did + not start the first woman with a rib; that he never upheld slavery; that + he was not a polygamist; that he did not kill people for making hair-oil; + that he did not order his generals to kill the dimpled babes; that he did + not allow the roses of love and the violets of modesty to be trodden under + the brutal feet of lust; that the Hebrew language was written without + vowels; that the Bible was composed of many books, written by unknown men; + that all translations differed from each other; and that this book had + filled the world with agony and crime. + </p> + <p> + At that time I had not the remotest idea that the most learned clergymen + in Chicago would substantially agree with me—in public. I have read + the replies of the Rev. Robert Collyer, Dr. Thomas, Rabbi Kohler, Rev. + Brooke Herford, Prof. Swing and Dr. Ryder, and will now ask them a few + questions, answering them in their own words. + </p> + <p> + First. Rev. Robert Collyer. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the Bible? Answer. "It is a + splendid book. It makes the noblest type of Catholics and the meanest + bigots. Through this book men give their hearts for good to God, or for + evil to the devil. The best argument for the intrinsic greatness of the + book is that it can touch such wide extremes, and seem to maintain us in + the most unparalleled cruelty, as well as the most tender mercy; that it + can inspire purity like that of the great saints, and afford arguments in + favor of polygamy. The Bible is the text book of ironclad Calvinism and + sunny Universalism. It makes the Quaker quiet, and the Millerite crazy. It + inspired the Union soldier to live and grandly die for the right, and + Stonewall Jackson to live nobly, and die grandly for the wrong." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But, Mr. Collyer, do you really think that a book with as + many passages in favor of wrong as right, is inspired? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "I look upon the Old Testament as a rotting tree. When it + falls it will fertilize a bank of violets." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe that God upheld slavery and polygamy? Do + you believe that he ordered the killing of babes and the violation of + maidens? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "There is threefold inspiration in the Bible, the first, + peerless and perfect, the word of God to man; <i>the second, simply and + purely human, and then below this again, there is an inspiration born of + an evil heart, ruthless and savage there and then as anything well can be</i>. + A threefold inspiration, of heaven first, then of the earth, and then of + hell, all in the same book, all sometimes in the same chapter, and then, + besides, a great many things that need no inspiration." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Then after all you do not pretend that the Scriptures are + really inspired? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "The Scriptures make no such claim for themselves as the + church makes for them. They leave me free to say this is false, or this is + true. The truth even within the Bible, dies and lives, makes on this side + and loses on that." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you say to the last verse in the Bible, where a + curse is threatened to any man who takes from or adds to the book? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "I have but one answer to this question, and it is: Let who + will have written this, I cannot for an instant believe that it was + written by a divine inspiration. Such dogmas and threats as these are not + of God, but of man, and not of any man of a free spirit and heart eager + for the truth, but a narrow man who would cripple and confine the human + soul in its quest after the whole truth of God, and back those who have + done the shameful things in the name of the most high." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you not regard such talk as "slang"? + </p> + <p> + (Supposed) Answer. If an infidel had said that the writer of Revelation + was narrow and bigoted, I might have denounced his discourse as "slang," + but I think that Unitarian ministers can do so with the greatest + propriety. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe in the stories of the Bible, about Jael, + and the sun standing still, and the walls falling at the blowing of horns? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "They may be legends, myths, poems, or what they will, but + they are not the word of God. So I say again, it was not the God and + Father of us all, who inspired the woman to drive that nail crashing + through the king's temple after she had given him that bowl of milk and + bid him sleep in safety, but a very mean devil of hatred and revenge, that + I should hardly expect to find in a squaw on the plains. It was not the + ram's horns and the shouting before which the walls fell flat. If they + went down at all, it was through good solid pounding. And not for an + instant did the steady sun stand still or let his planet stand still while + barbarian fought barbarian. He kept just the time then he keeps now. They + might believe it who made the record. I do not. And since the whole + Christian world might believe it, still we do not who gather in this + church. A free and reasonable mind stands right in our way. Newton might + believe it as a Christian, and disbelieve it as a philosopher. We stand + then with the philosopher against the Christian, for we must believe what + is true to us in the last test, and these things are not true." + </p> + <p> + Second. Rev. Dr. Thomas. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the Old Testament? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "My opinion is that it is not one book, but many—thirty-nine + books bound up in one. The date and authorship of most of these books are + wholly unknown. The Hebrews wrote without vowels, and without dividing the + letters into syllables, words, or sentences. The books were gathered up by + Ezra. At that time only two of the Jewish tribes remained. All progress + has ceased. In gathering up the sacred book, copyists exercised great + liberty in making changes and additions." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Yes, we know all that, but is the Old Testament inspired? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "There maybe the inspiration of art, of poetry, or oratory; + of patriotism—and there are such inspirations. There are moments + when great truths and principles come to men. They seek the man, and not + the man them." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Yes, we all admit that, but is the Bible inspired? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "But still I know of no way to convince anyone of spirit, + and inspiration, and God, only as his reason may take hold of these + things." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think the Old Testament true? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "The story of Eden may be an allegory. The history of the + children of Israel may have mistakes." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Must inspiration claim infallibility? Answer. "It is a + mistake to say that if you believe one part of the Bible you must believe + all. Some of the thirty-nine books may be inspired, others not; or there + may be degrees of inspiration." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe that God commanded the soldiers to kill + the children and the married women, and save for themselves, the maidens, + as recorded in <i>Numbers xxxi, 2</i>, + </p> + <p> + Do you believe that God upheld slavery? + </p> + <p> + Do you believe that God upheld polygamy? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "The Bible may be wrong in some statements. God and right + cannot be wrong. We must not exalt the Bible above God. It may be that we + have claimed too much for the Bible, and thereby given not a little + occasion for such men as Mr. Ingersoll to appear at the other extreme, + denying too much." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What then shall be done? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "We must take a middle ground. It is not necessary to + believe that the bears devoured the forty-two children, nor that Jonah was + swallowed by the whale." + </p> + <p> + Third. Rev. Dr. Kohler. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion about the Old Testament? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "I will not make futile attempts of artificially + interpreting the letter of the Bible so as to make it reflect the + philosophical, moral and scientific views of our time. The Bible is a + sacred record of humanity's childhood." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you an orthodox Christian? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "No. Orthodoxy, with its face turned backward to a ruined + temple or a dead Messiah, is fast becoming like Lot's wife, a pillar of + salt." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you really believe the Old Testament was inspired? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "I greatly acknowledge our indebtedness to men like + Voltaire and Thomas Paine, whose bold denial and cutting wit were so + instrumental in bringing about this glorious era of freedom, so congenial + and blissful, particularly to the long-abused Jewish race." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe in the inspiration of the Bible? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "Of course there is a destructive axe needed to strike down + the old building in order to make room for the grander new. The divine + origin claimed by the Hebrews for their national literature, was claimed + by all nations for their old records and laws as preserved by the + priesthood. As Moses, the Hebrew law-giver, is represented as having + received the law from God on the holy mountain, so is Zoroaster the + Persian, Manu the Hindoo, Minos the Cretan, Lycurgus the Spartan, and Numa + the Roman." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe all the stories in the Bible? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "All that can and must be said against them is that they + have been too long retained around the arms and limbs of grown-up manhood, + to check the spiritual progress of religion; that by Jewish ritualism and + Christian dogmatism they became fetters unto the soul, turning the light + of heaven into a misty haze to blind the eye, and even into a hell-fire of + fanaticism to consume souls." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is the Bible inspired? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "True, the Bible is not free from errors, nor is any work + of man and time. It abounds in childish views and offensive matter. I + trust that it will in a time not far off be presented for common use in + families, schools, synagogues and churches, in a refined shape, cleansed + from all dross and chaff, and stumbling blocks in which the scoffer + delights to dwell." + </p> + <p> + Fourth. Rev. Mr. Herford. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is the Bible true? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "Ingersoll is very fond of saying 'The question is not, is + the Bible inspired, but is it true?' That sounds very plausible, but you + know as applied to <i>any ancient book</i> it is simply nonsense." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think the stories in the Bible exaggerated? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "I dare say the numbers are immensely exaggerated." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that God upheld polygamy? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "The truth of which simply is, that four thousand years ago + polygamy existed among the Jews, as everywhere else on earth then, and + even their prophets did not come to the idea of its being wrong. <i>But + what is there to be indignant</i> about in that?" + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. And so you really wonder why any man should be indignant + at the idea that God upheld and sanctioned that beastliness called + polygamy? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "What is there to be indignant about in that?" + </p> + <p> + Fifth. Prof. Swing. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your idea of the Bible? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "I think it is a poem." + </p> + <p> + Sixth. Rev. Dr. Ryder. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. And what is your idea of the sacred Scriptures? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "Like other nations, the Hebrews had their patriotic, + descriptive, didactic and lyrical poems in the same varieties as other + nations; but with them, unlike other nations, whatever may be the form of + their poetry, it always possesses the characteristic of religion." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I suppose you fully appreciate the religious + characteristics of the Song of Solomon. + </p> + <p> + No answer. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Does the Bible uphold polygamy? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> "The law of Moses did not forbid it, but contained many + provisions against its worst abuses, and such as were intended to restrict + it within narrow limits." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. So you think God corrected some of the worst abuses of + polygamy, but preserved the institution itself? + </p> + <p> + I might question many others, but have concluded not to consider those as + members of my Bible Class who deal in calumnies and epithets. From the + so-called "replies" of such ministers, it appears that while Christianity + changes the heart, it does not improve the manners, and that one can get + into heaven in the next world without having been a gentleman in this. + </p> + <p> + It is difficult for me to express the deep and thrilling satisfaction I + have experienced in reading the admissions of the clergy of Chicago. + Surely, the battle of intellectual liberty is almost won, when ministers + admit that the Bible is filled with ignorant and cruel mistakes; that each + man has the right to think for himself, and that it is not necessary to + believe the Scriptures in order to be saved. From the bottom of my heart I + congratulate my pupils on the advance they have made, and hope soon to + meet them on the serene heights of perfect freedom. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C., May 7, 1879. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0003" id="link0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO THE INDIANAPOLIS CLERGY. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Iconoclast, Indianapolis, Indiana. 1883. +</pre> + <p> + THE following questions have been submitted to me by the Rev. David Walk, + Dr. T. B. Taylor, the Rev. Myron W. Reed, and the Rev. D. O'Donaghue, of + Indianapolis, with the request that I answer. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is the Character of Jesus of Nazareth, as described in + the Four Gospels, Fictional or Real?—Rev. David Walk. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> In all probability, there was a man by the name of Jesus + Christ, who was, in his day and generation, a reformer—a man who was + infinitely shocked at the religion of Jehovah—who became almost + insane with pity as he contemplated the sufferings of the weak, the poor, + and the ignorant at the hands of an intolerant, cruel, hypocritical, and + bloodthirsty church. It is no wonder that such a man predicted the + downfall of the temple. In all probability, he hated, at last, every + pillar and stone in it, and despised even the "Holy of Holies." This man, + of course, like other men, grew. He did not die with the opinion he held + in his youth. He changed his views from time to time—fanned the + spark of reason into a flame, and as he grew older his horizon extended + and widened, and he became gradually a wiser, greater, and better man. + </p> + <p> + I find two or three Christs described in the four Gospels. In some + portions you would imagine that he was an exceedingly pious Jew. When he + says that people must not swear by Jerusalem, because it is God's holy + city, certainly no Pharisee could have gone beyond that expression. So, + too, when it is recorded that he drove the money changers from the temple. + This, had it happened, would have been the act simply of one who had + respect for this temple and not for the religion taught in it. + </p> + <p> + It would seem that, at first, Christ believed substantially in the + religion of his time; that afterward, seeing its faults, he wished to + reform it; and finally, comprehending it in all its enormity, he devoted + his life to its destruction. This view shows that he "increased in stature + and grew in knowledge." + </p> + <p> + This view is also supported by the fact that, at first, according to the + account, Christ distinctly stated that his gospel was not for the + Gentiles. At that time he had altogether more patriotism than philosophy. + In my own opinion, he was driven to like the Gentiles by the persecution + he endured at home. He found, as every Freethinker now finds, that there + are many saints not in churches and many devils not out. + </p> + <p> + The character of Christ, in many particulars, as described in the Gospels, + depends upon who wrote the Gospels. Each one endeavored to make a Christ + to suit himself. So that Christ, after all, is a growth; and since the + Gospels were finished, millions of men have been adding to and changing + the character of Christ. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing that should not be forgotten, and that is that the + Gospels were not written until after the Epistles. I take it for granted + that Paul never saw any of the Gospels, for the reason that he quotes none + of them. There is also this remarkable fact: Paul quotes none of the + miracles of the New Testament. He says not one word about the multitude + being fed miraculously, not one word about the resurrection of Lazarus, + nor of the widow's son. He had never heard of the lame, the halt, and the + blind that had been cured; or if he had, he did not think these incidents + of enough importance to be embalmed in an epistle. + </p> + <p> + So we find that none of the early fathers ever quoted from the four + Gospels. Nothing can be more certain than that the four Gospels were not + written until after the Epistles, and nothing can be more certain than + that the early Christians knew nothing of what we call the Gospels of + Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. All these things have been growths. At + first it was believed that Christ was a direct descendant from David. At + that time the disciples of Christ, of course, were Jews. The Messiah was + expected through the blood of David.—For that reason, the genealogy + of Joseph, a descendant of David, was given. It was not until long after, + that the idea came into the minds of Christians that Christ was the son of + the Holy Ghost. If they, at the time the genealogy was given, believed + that Christ was in fact the son of the Holy Ghost, why did they give the + genealogy of Joseph to show that Christ was related to David? In other + words, why should the son of God attempt to get glory out of the fact that + he had in his veins the blood of a barbarian king? There is only one + answer to this. The Jews expected the Messiah through David, and in order + to prove that Christ was the Messiah, they gave the genealogy of Joseph. + Afterward, the idea became popularized that Christ was the son of God, and + then were interpolated the words "as was supposed" in the genealogy of + Christ. It was a long time before the disciples became great enough to + include the world in their scheme, and before they thought it proper to + tell the "glad tidings of great joy" beyond the limits of Judea. + </p> + <p> + My own opinion is that the man called Christ lived; but whether he lived + in Palestine, or not, is of no importance. His life is worth its example, + its moral force, its benevolence, its self-denial and heroism. It is of no + earthly importance whether he changed water into wine or not. All his + miracles are simply dust and darkness compared with what he actually said + and actually did. We should be kind to each other whether Lazarus was + raised or not. We should be just and forgiving whether Christ lived or + not. All the miracles in the world are of no use to virtue, morality, or + justice. Miracles belong to superstition, to ignorance, to fear and folly. + </p> + <p> + Neither does it make any difference who wrote the Gospels. They are worth + the truth that is in them and no more. + </p> + <p> + The words of Paul are often quoted, that "all scripture is given by + inspiration of God." Of course that could not have applied to anything + written after that time. It could have applied only to the Scriptures then + written and then known. It is perfectly clear that the four Gospels were + not at that time written, and therefore this statement of Paul's does not + apply to the four Gospels. Neither does it apply to anything written after + that statement was written. Neither does it apply to that statement. If it + applied to anything it was the Old Testament, and not the New. + </p> + <p> + Christ has been belittled by his worshipers. When stripped of the + miraculous; when allowed to be, not divine but divinely human, he will + have gained a thousandfold in the estimation of mankind. I think of him as + I do of Buddha, as I do of Confucius, of Epictetus, of Bruno. I place him + with the great, the generous, the self-denying of the earth, and for the + man Christ, I feel only admiration and respect. I think he was in many + things mistaken. His reliance upon the goodness of God was perfect. He + seemed to believe that his father in heaven would protect him. He thought + that if God clothed the lilies of the field in beauty, if he provided for + the sparrows, he would surely protect a perfectly just and loving man. In + this he was mistaken; and in the darkness of death, overwhelmed, he cried + out: "Why hast thou forsaken me?" + </p> + <p> + I do not believe that Christ ever claimed to be divine; ever claimed to be + inspired; ever claimed to work a miracle. In short, I believe that he was + an honest man. These claims were all put in his mouth by others—by + mistaken friends, by ignorant worshipers, by zealous and credulous + followers, and sometimes by dishonest and designing priests. This has + happened to all the great men of the world. All historical characters are, + in part, deformed or reformed by fiction. There was a man by the name of + George Washington, but no such George Washington ever existed as we find + portrayed in history. The historical Cæsar never lived. The + historical Mohammed is simply a myth. It is the task of modern criticism + to rescue these characters, and in the mass of superstitious rubbish to + find the actual man. Christians borrowed the old clothes of the Olympian + gods and gave them to Christ. To me, Christ the man is far greater than + Christ the god. + </p> + <p> + To me, it has always been a matter of wonder that Christ said nothing as + to the obligation man is under to his country, nothing as to the rights of + the people as against the wish and will of kings, nothing against the + frightful system of human slavery—almost universal in his time. What + he did not say is altogether more wonderful than what he did say. It is + marvelous that he said nothing upon the subject of intemperance, nothing + about education, nothing about philosophy, nothing about nature, nothing + about art. He said nothing in favor of the home, except to offer a reward + to those who would desert their wives and families. Of course, I do not + believe that he said the words that were attributed to him, in which a + reward is offered to any man who will desert his kindred. But if we take + the account given in the four Gospels as the true account, then Christ did + offer a reward to a father who would desert his children. It has always + been contended that he was a perfect example of mankind, and yet he never + married. As a result of what he did not teach in connection with what he + did teach, his followers saw no harm in slavery, no harm in polygamy. They + belittled this world and exaggerated the importance of the next. They + consoled the slave by telling him that in a little while he would exchange + his chains for wings. They comforted the captive by saying that in a few + days he would leave his dungeon for the bowers of Paradise. His followers + believed that he had said that "Whosoever believeth not shall be damned." + This passage was the cross upon which intellectual liberty was crucified. + </p> + <p> + If Christ had given us the laws of health; if he had told us how to cure + disease by natural means; if he had set the captive free; if he had + crowned the people with their rightful power; if he had placed the home + above the church; if he had broken all the mental chains; if he had + flooded all the caves and dens of fear with light, and filled the future + with a common joy, he would in truth have been the Savior of this world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you account for the difference between the + Christian and other modern civilizations? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I account for the difference between men by the difference + in their ancestry and surroundings—the difference in soil, climate, + food, and employment. There would be no civilization in England were it + not for the Gulf Stream. There would have been very little here had it not + been for the discovery of Columbus. And even now on this continent there + would be but little civilization had the soil been poor. I might ask: How + do you account for the civilization of Egypt? At one time that was the + greatest civilization in the world. Did that fact prove that the Egyptian + religion was of divine origin? So, too, there was a time when the + civilization of India was beyond all others. Does that prove that Vishnu + was a God? Greece dominated the intellectual world for centuries. Does + that fact absolutely prove that Zeus was the creator of heaven and earth? + The same may be said of Rome. There was a time when Rome governed the + world, and yet I have always had my doubts as to the truth of the Roman + mythology. As a matter of fact, Rome was far better than any Christian + nation ever was to the end of the seventeenth century. A thousand years of + Christian rule produced no fellow for the greatest of Rome. There were no + poets the equals of Horace or Virgil, no philosophers as great as + Lucretius, no orators like Cicero, no emperors like Marcus Aurelius, no + women like the mothers of Rome. + </p> + <p> + The civilization of a country may be hindered by a religion, but it has + never been increased by any form of superstition. When America was + discovered it had the same effect upon Europe that it would have, for + instance, upon the city of Chicago to have Lake Michigan put the other + side of it. The Mediterranean lost its trade. The centers of commerce + became deserted. The prow of the world turned westward, and, as a result, + France, England, and all countries bordering on the Atlantic became + prosperous. The world has really been civilized by discoverers—by + thinkers. The man who invented powder, and by that means released hundreds + of thousands of men from the occupations of war, did more for mankind than + religion. The inventor of paper—and he was not a Christian—did + more than all the early fathers for mankind. The inventors of plows, of + sickles, of cradles, of reapers; the inventors of wagons, coaches, + locomotives; the inventors of skiffs, sail-vessels, steamships; the men + who have made looms—in short, the inventors of all useful things—they + are the civilizers taken in connection with the great thinkers, the poets, + the musicians, the actors, the painters, the sculptors. The men who have + invented the useful, and the men who have made the useful beautiful, are + the real civilizers of mankind. + </p> + <p> + The priests, in all ages, have been hindrances—stumbling-blocks. + They have prevented man from using his reason. They have told ghost + stories to courage until courage became fear. They have done all in their + power to keep men from growing intellectually, to keep the world in a + state of childhood, that they themselves might be deemed great and good + and wise. They have always known that their reputation for wisdom depended + upon the ignorance of the people. + </p> + <p> + I account for the civilization of France by such men as Voltaire. He did + good by assisting to destroy the church. Luther did good exactly in the + same way. He did harm in building another church. I account, in part, for + the civilization of England by the fact that she had interests greater + than the church could control; and by the further fact that her greatest + men cared nothing for the church. I account in part for the civilization + of America by the fact that our fathers were wise enough, and jealous of + each other enough, to absolutely divorce church and state. They regarded + the church as a dangerous mistress—one not fit to govern a + president. This divorce was obtained because men like Jefferson and Paine + were at that time prominent in the councils of the people. There is this + peculiarity in our country—the only men who can be trusted with + human liberty are the ones who are not to be angels hereafter. Liberty is + safe so long as the sinners have an opportunity to be heard. + </p> + <p> + Neither must we imagine that our civilization is the only one in the + world. They had no locks and keys in Japan until that country was visited + by Christians, and they are now used only in those ports where Christians + are allowed to enter. It has often been claimed that there is but one way + to make a man temperate, and that is by making him a Christian; and this + is claimed in face of the fact that Christian nations are the most + intemperate in the world. For nearly thirteen centuries the followers of + Mohammed have been absolute teetotalers—not one drunkard under the + flag of the star and crescent. Wherever, in Turkey, a man is seen under + the influence of liquor, they call him a Christian. You must also remember + that almost every Christian nation has held slaves. Only a few years ago + England was engaged in the slave trade. A little while before that our + Puritan ancestors sold white Quaker children in the Barbadoes, and traded + them for rum, sugar, and negro slaves. Even now the latest champion of + Christianity upholds slavery, polygamy, and wars of extermination. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes I suspect that our own civilization is not altogether perfect. + When I think of the penitentiaries crammed to suffocation, and of the many + who ought to be in; of the want, the filth, the depravity of the great + cities; of the starvation in the manufacturing centers of Great Britain, + and, in fact, of all Europe; when I see women working like beasts of + burden, and little children deprived, not simply of education, but of air, + light and food, there is a suspicion in my mind that Christian + civilization is not a complete and overwhelming success. + </p> + <p> + After all, I am compelled to account for the advance that we have made, by + the discoveries and inventions of men of genius. For the future I rely + upon the sciences; upon the cultivation of the intellect. I rely upon + labor; upon human interests in this world; upon the love of wife and + children and home. I do not rely upon sacred books, but upon good men and + women. I do not rely upon superstition, but upon knowledge; not upon + miracles, but upon facts; not upon the dead, but upon the living; and when + we become absolutely civilized, we shall look back upon the superstitions + of the world, not simply with contempt, but with pity. + </p> + <p> + Neither do I rely upon missionaries to convert those whom we are pleased + to call "the heathen." Honest commerce is the great civilizer. We exchange + ideas when we exchange fabrics. The effort to force a religion upon the + people always ends in war. Commerce, founded upon mutual advantage, makes + peace. An honest merchant is better than a missionary. + </p> + <p> + Spain was blessed with what is called Christian civilization, and yet, for + hundreds of years, that government was simply an organized crime. When one + pronounces the name of Spain, he thinks of the invasion of the New World, + the persecution in the Netherlands, the expulsion of the Jews, and the + Inquisition. Even to-day, the Christian nations of Europe preserve + themselves from each other by bayonet and ball. Prussia has a standing + army of six hundred thousand men, France a half million, and all their + neighbors a like proportion. These countries are civilized. They are in + the enjoyment of Christian governments—have their hundreds of a + thousands of ministers, and the land covered with cathedrals and churches—and + yet every nation is nearly beggared by keeping armies in the field. + Christian kings have no confidence in the promises of each other. What + they call peace is the little time necessarily spent in reloading their + guns. England has hundreds of ships of war to protect her commerce from + other Christians, and to force China to open her ports to the opium trade. + Only the other day the Prime Minister of China, in one of his dispatches + to the English government, used substantially the following language: + "England regards the opium question simply as one of trade, but to China, + it has a moral aspect." Think of Christian England carrying death and + desolation to hundreds of thousands in the name of trade. Then think of + heathen China protesting in the name of morality. At the same time England + has the impudence to send missionaries to China. + </p> + <p> + What has been called Christianity has been a disturber of the public peace + in all countries and at all times. Nothing has so alienated nations, + nothing has so destroyed the natural justice of mankind, as what has been + known as religion. The idea that all men must worship the same God, + believe the same dogmas, has for thousands of years plucked with bloody + hands the flower of pity from the human heart. + </p> + <p> + Our civilization is not Christian. It does not come from the skies. It is + not a result of "inspiration." It is the child of invention, of discovery, + of applied knowledge—that is to say, of science. When man becomes + great and grand enough to admit that all have equal rights; when thought + is untrammeled; when worship shall consist in doing useful things; when + religion means the discharge of obligations to our fellow-men, then, and + not until then, will the world be civilized. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Since Laplace and other most distinguished astronomers + hold to the theory that the earth was originally in a gaseous state, and + then a molten mass in which the germs, even, of vegetable or animal life, + could not exist, how do you account for the origin of life on this planet + without a "Creator"?—Dr. T. B. Taylor. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Whether or not "the earth was originally in a gaseous state + and afterwards a molten mass in which the germs of vegetable and animal + life could not exist," I do not know. My belief is that the earth as it + is, and as it was, taken in connection with the influence of the sun, and + of other planets, produced whatever has existed or does exist on the + earth. I do not see why gas would not need a "creator" as much as a + vegetable. Neither can I imagine that there is any more necessity for some + one to start life than to start a molten mass. There may be now portions + of the world in which there is not one particle of vegetable life. It may + be that on the wide waste fields of the Arctic zone there are places where + no vegetable life exists, and there may be many thousand miles where no + animal life can be found. But if the poles of the earth could be changed, + and if the Arctic zone could be placed in a different relative position to + the sun, the snows would melt, the hills would appear, and in a little + while even the rocks would be clothed with vegetation. After a time + vegetation would produce more soil, and in a few thousand years forests + would be filled with beasts and birds. + </p> + <p> + I think it was Sir William Thomson who, in his effort to account for the + origin of life upon this earth, stated that it might have come from some + meteoric stone falling from some other planet having in it the germs of + life. What would you think of a farmer who would prepare his land and wait + to have it planted by meteoric stones? So, what would you think of a Deity + who would make a world like this, and allow it to whirl thousands and + millions of years, barren as a gravestone, waiting for some vagrant comet + to sow the seeds of life? + </p> + <p> + I believe that back of animal life is the vegetable, and back of the + vegetable, it may be, is the mineral. It may be that crystallization is + the first step toward what we call life, and yet I believe life is back of + that. In my judgment, if the earth ever was in a gaseous state, it was + filled with life. These are subjects about which we know but little. How + do you account for chemistry? How do you account for the fact that just so + many particles of one kind seek the society of just so many particles of + another, and when they meet they instantly form a glad and lasting union? + How do you know but atoms have love and hatred? How do you know that the + vegetable does not enjoy growing, and that crystallization itself is not + an expression of delight? How do you know that a vine bursting into flower + does not feel a thrill? We find sex in the meanest weeds—how can you + say they have no loves? + </p> + <p> + After all, of what use is it to search for a creator? The difficulty is + not thus solved. You leave your creator as much in need of a creator as + anything your creator is supposed to have created. The bottom of your + stairs rests on nothing, and the top of your stairs leans upon nothing. + You have reached no solution. + </p> + <p> + The word "God" is simply born of our ignorance. We go as far as we can, + and we say the rest of the way is "God." We look as far as we can, and + beyond the horizon, where there is nought so far as we know but blindness, + we place our Deity. We see an infinitesimal segment of a circle, and we + say the rest is "God." + </p> + <p> + Man must give up searching for the origin of anything. No one knows the + origin of life, or of matter, or of what we call mind. The whence and the + whither are questions that no man can answer. In the presence of these + questions all intellects are upon a level. The barbarian knows exactly the + same as the scientist, the fool as the philosopher. Only those who think + that they have had some supernatural information pretend to answer these + questions, and the unknowable, the impossible, the unfathomable, is the + realm wholly occupied by the "inspired." + </p> + <p> + We are satisfied that all organized things must have had a beginning, but + we cannot conceive that matter commenced to be. Forms change, but + substance remains eternally the same. A beginning of substance is + unthinkable. It is just as easy to conceive of anything commencing to + exist <i>without</i> a cause as <i>with</i> a cause. There must be + something for cause to operate upon. Cause operating upon nothing—were + such a thing possible—would produce nothing. There can be no + relation between cause and nothing. We can understand how things can be + arranged, joined or separated—and how relations can be changed or + destroyed, but we cannot conceive of creation—of nothing being + changed into something, nor of something being made—except from + preexisting materials. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Since the universal testimony of the ages is in the + affirmative of phenomena that attest the continued existence of man after + death—which testimony is overwhelmingly sustained by the phenomena + of the nineteenth century—what further evidence should thoughtful + people require in order to settle the question, "Does death end all?" + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I admit that in all ages men have believed in spooks and + ghosts and signs and wonders. This, however, proves nothing. Men have for + thousands of ages believed the impossible, and worshiped the absurd. Our + ancestors have worshiped snakes and birds and beasts. I do not admit that + any ghost ever existed. I know that no miracle was ever performed except + in imagination; and what you are pleased to call the "phenomena of the + nineteenth century," I fear are on an exact equality with the phenomena of + the Dark Ages. + </p> + <p> + We do not yet understand the action of the brain. No one knows the origin + of a thought. No one knows how he thinks, or why he thinks, any more than + one knows why or how his heart beats. People, I imagine, have always had + dreams. In dreams they often met persons whom they knew to be dead, and it + may be that much of the philosophy of the present was born of dreams. I + cannot admit that anything supernatural ever has happened or ever will + happen. I cannot admit the truth of what you call the "phenomena of the + nineteenth century," if by such "phenomena" you mean the reappearance of + the dead. I do not deny the existence of a future state, because I do not + know. Neither do I aver that there is one, because I do not know. Upon + this question I am simply honest. I find that people who believe in + immortality—or at least those who say they do—are just as + afraid of death as anybody else. I find that the most devout Christian + weeps as bitterly above his dead, as the man who says that death ends all. + You see the promises are so far away, and the dead are so near. Still, I + do not say that man is not immortal; but I do say that there is nothing in + the Bible to show that he is. The Old Testament has not a word upon the + subject—except to show us how we lost immortality. According to that + book, man was driven from the Garden of Eden, lest he should put forth his + hand and eat of the fruit of the tree of life and live forever. So the + fact is, the Old Testament shows us how we lost immortality. In the New + Testament we are told to seek for immortality, and it is also stated that + "God alone hath immortality." + </p> + <p> + There is this curious thing about Christians and Spiritualists: The + Spiritualists laugh at the Christians for believing the miracles of the + New Testament; they laugh at them for believing the story about the witch + of Endor. And then the Christians laugh at the Spiritualists for believing + that the same kind of things happen now. As a matter of fact, the + Spiritualists have the best of it, because their witnesses are now living, + whereas the Christians take simply the word of the dead—of men they + never saw and of men about whom they know nothing. The Spiritualist, at + least, takes the testimony of men and women that he can cross-examine. It + would seem as if these gentlemen ought to make common cause. Then the + Christians could prove their miracles by the Spiritualists, and the + Spiritualists could prove their "phenomena" by the Christians. + </p> + <p> + I believe that thoughtful people require some additional testimony in + order to settle the question, "Does death end all?" If the dead return to + this world they should bring us information of value. + </p> + <p> + There are thousands of questions that studious historians and savants are + endeavoring to settle—questions of history, of philosophy, of law, + of art, upon which a few intelligent dead ought to be able to shed a flood + of light. All the questions of the past ought to be settled. Some modern + ghosts ought to get acquainted with some of the Pharaohs, and give us an + outline of the history of Egypt. They ought to be able to read the + arrow-headed writing and all the records of the past. The hieroglyphics of + all ancient peoples should be unlocked, and thoughts and facts that have + been imprisoned for so many thousand years should be released and once + again allowed to visit brains. The Spiritualists ought to be able to give + us the history of buried cities. They should clothe with life the dust of + all the past. If they could only bring us valuable information; if they + could only tell us about some steamer in distress so that succor could be + sent; if they could only do something useful, the world would cheerfully + accept their theories and admit their "facts." I think that thoughtful + people have the right to demand such evidence. I would like to have the + spirits give us the history of all the books of the New Testament and tell + us who first told of the miracles. If they could give us the history of + any religion, or nation, or anything, I should have far more confidence in + the "phenomena of the nineteenth century." + </p> + <p> + There is one thing about the Spiritualists I like, and that is, they are + liberal. They give to others the rights they claim for themselves. They do + not pollute their souls with the dogma of eternal pain. They do not + slander and persecute even those who deny their "phenomena." But I cannot + admit that they have furnished conclusive evidence that death does not end + all. Beyond the horizon of this life we have not seen. From the mysterious + beyond no messenger has come to me. + </p> + <p> + For the whole world I would not blot from the sky of the future a single + star. Arched by the bow of hope let the dead sleep. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How, when, where, and by whom was our present calendar + originated,—that is "Anno Domini,"—and what event in the + history of the nations does it establish as a fact, if not the birth of + Jesus of Nazareth? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I have already said, in answer to a question by another + gentleman, that I believe the man Jesus Christ existed, and we now date + from somewhere near his birth. I very much doubt about his having been + born on Christmas, because in reading other religions, I find that that + time has been celebrated for thousands of years, and the cause of it is + this: + </p> + <p> + About the 21st or 22d of December is the shortest day. After that the days + begin to lengthen and the sun comes back, and for many centuries in most + nations they had a festival in commemoration of that event. The + Christians, I presume, adopted this day, and made the birth of Christ fit + it. Three months afterward—the 21st of March—the days and + nights again become equal, and the day then begins to lengthen. For + centuries the nations living in the temperate zones have held festivals to + commemorate the coming of spring—the yearly miracle of leaf, of bud + and flower. This is the celebration known as Easter, and the Christians + adopted that in commemoration of Christ's resurrection. So that, as a + matter of fact, these festivals of Christmas and Easter do not even tend + to show that they stand for or are in any way connected with the birth or + resurrection of Christ. In fact the evidence is overwhelmingly the other + way. + </p> + <p> + While we are on the calendar business it may be well enough to say that we + get our numerals from the Arabs, from whom also we obtained our ideas of + algebra. The higher mathematics came to us from the same source. So from + the Arabs we receive chemistry, and our first true notions of geography. + They gave us also paper and cotton. + </p> + <p> + Owing to the fact that the earth does not make its circuit in the exact + time of three hundred and sixty-five days and a quarter, and owing to the + fact that it was a long time before any near approach was made to the + actual time, all calendars after awhile became too inaccurate for general + use, and they were from time to time changed. + </p> + <p> + Right here, it may be well enough to remark, that all the monuments and + festivals in the world are not sufficient to establish an impossible + event. No amount of monumental testimony, no amount of living evidence, + can substantiate a miracle. The monument only proves the <i>belief</i> of + the builders. + </p> + <p> + If we rely upon the evidence of monuments, calendars, dates, and + festivals, all the religions on the earth can be substantiated. Turkey is + filled with such monuments and much of the time wasted in such festivals. + We celebrate the Fourth of July, but such celebration does not even tend + to prove that God, by his special providence, protected Washington from + the arrows of an Indian. The Hebrews celebrate what is called the + Passover, but this celebration does not even tend to prove that the angel + of the Lord put blood on the door-posts in Egypt. The Mohammedans + celebrate to-day the flight of Mohammed, but that does not tend to prove + that Mohammed was inspired and was a prophet of God. + </p> + <p> + Nobody can change a falsehood to a truth by the erection of a monument. + Monuments simply prove that people endeavor to substantiate truths and + falsehoods by the same means. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Letting the question as to hell hereafter rest for the + present, how do you account for the hell here—namely, the existence + of pain? There are people who, by no fault of their own, are at this + present time in misery. If for these there is no life to come, their + existence is a mistake; but if there is a life to come, it may be that the + sequel to the acts of the play to come will justify the pain and misery of + this present time?—Rev. Myron W. Reed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> There are four principal theories: + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>—That there is behind the universe a being of infinite + power and wisdom, kindness, and justice. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>—That the universe has existed from eternity, and that + it is the only eternal existence, and that behind it is no creator. + </p> + <p> + <i>Third</i>—That there is a God who made the universe, but who is + not all-powerful and who is, under the circumstances, doing the best he + can. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fourth</i>—That there is an all-powerful God who made the + universe, and that there is also a nearly all-powerful devil, and this + devil ravels about as fast as this God knits. + </p> + <p> + By the last theory, as taught by Plato, it is extremely easy to account + for the misery in this world. If we admit that there is a malevolent being + with power enough, and with cunning enough, to frequently circumvent God, + the problem of evil becomes solved so far as this world is concerned. But + why this being was evil is still unsolved; why the devil is malevolent is + still a mystery. Consequently you will have to go back of this world, on + that theory, to account for the origin of evil. If this devil always + existed, then, of course, the universe at one time was inhabited only by + this God and this devil. + </p> + <p> + If the third theory is correct, we can account for the fact that God does + not see to it that justice is always done. + </p> + <p> + If the second theory is true, that the universe has existed from eternity, + and is without a creator, then we must account for the existence of evil + and good, not by personalities behind the universe, but by the nature of + things. + </p> + <p> + If there is an infinitely good and wise being who created all, it seems to + me that he should have made a world in which innocence should be a + sufficient shield. He should have made a world where the just man should + have nothing to fear. + </p> + <p> + My belief is this: We are surrounded by obstacles. We are filled with + wants. We must have clothes. We must have food. We must protect ourselves + from sun and storm, from heat and cold. In our conflict with these + obstacles, with each other, and with what may be called the forces of + nature, all do not succeed. It is a fact in nature that like begets like; + that man gives his constitution, at least in part, to his children; that + weakness and strength are in some degree both hereditary. This is a fact + in nature. I do not hold any god responsible for this fact—filled as + it is with pain and joy. But it seems to me that an infinite God should so + have arranged matters that the bad would not pass—that it would die + with its possessor—that the good should survive, and that the man + should give to his son, not the result of his vices, but the fruit of his + virtues. + </p> + <p> + I cannot see why we should expect an infinite God to do better in another + world than he does in this. If he allows injustice to prevail here, why + will he not allow the same thing in the world to come? If there is any + being with power to prevent it, why is crime permitted? If a man standing + upon the railway should ascertain that a bridge had been carried off by a + flood, and if he also knew that the train was coming filled with men, + women, and children; with husbands going to their wives, and wives + rejoining their families; if he made no effort to stop that train; if he + simply sat down by the roadside to witness the catastrophe, and so + remained until the train dashed off the precipice, and its load of life + became a mass of quivering flesh, he would be denounced by every good man + as the most monstrous of human beings. And yet this is exactly what the + supposed God does. He, if he exists, sees the train rushing to the gulf. + He gives no notice. He sees the ship rushing for the hidden rock. He makes + no sign. And he so constructed the world that assassins lurk in the air—hide + even in the sunshine—and when we imagine that we are breathing the + breath of life, we are taking into ourselves the seeds of death. + </p> + <p> + There are two facts inconsistent in my mind—a martyr and a God. + Injustice upon earth renders the justice of heaven impossible. + </p> + <p> + I would not take from those suffering in this world the hope of happiness + hereafter. My principal object has been to take away from them the fear of + eternal pain hereafter. Still, it is impossible for me to explain the + facts by which I am surrounded, if I admit the existence of an infinite + Being. I find in this world that physical and mental evils afflict the + good. It seems to me that I have the same reason to expect the bad to be + rewarded hereafter. I have no right to suppose that infinite wisdom will + ever know any more, or that infinite benevolence will increase in + kindness, or that the justice of the eternal can change. If, then, this + eternal being allows the good to suffer pain here, what right have we to + say that he will not allow them to suffer forever? + </p> + <p> + Some people have insisted that this life is a kind of school for the + production of self-denying men and women—that is, for the production + of character. The statistics show that a large majority die under five + years of age. What would we think of a schoolmaster who killed the most of + his pupils the first day? If this doctrine is true, and if manhood cannot + be produced in heaven, those who die in childhood are infinitely + unfortunate. + </p> + <p> + I admit that, although I do not understand the subject, still, all pain, + all misery may be for the best. I do not know. If there is an infinitely + wise Being, who is also infinitely powerful, then everything that happens + must be for the best. That philosophy of special providence, going to the + extreme, is infinitely better than most of the Christian creeds. There + seems to be no half-way house between special providence and atheism. You + know some of the Buddhists say that when a man commits murder, that is the + best thing he could have done, and that to be murdered was the best thing + that could have happened to the killed. They insist that every step taken + is the necessary step and the best step; that crimes are as necessary as + virtues, and that the fruit of crime and virtue is finally the same. + </p> + <p> + But whatever theories we have, we have at last to be governed by the + facts. We are in a world where vice, deformity, weakness, and disease are + hereditary. In the presence of this immense and solemn truth rises the + religion of the body. Every man should refuse to increase the misery of + this world. And it may be that the time will come when man will be great + enough and grand enough utterly to refrain from the propagation of disease + and deformity, and when only the healthy will be fathers and mothers. We + do know that the misery in this world can be lessened; consequently I + believe in the religion of this world. And whether there is a heaven or + hell here, or hereafter, every good man has enough to do to make this + world a little better than it is. Millions of lives are wasted in the vain + effort to find the origin of things, and the destiny of man. This world + has been neglected. We have been taught that life should be merely a + preparation for death. + </p> + <p> + To avoid pain we must know the conditions of health. For the + accomplishment of this end we must rely upon investigation instead of + faith, upon labor in place of prayer. Most misery is produced by + ignorance. Passions sow the seeds of pain. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. State with what words you can comfort those who have, by + their own fault, or by the fault of others, found this life not worth + living? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> If there is no life beyond this, and so believing I come to + the bedside of the dying—of one whose life has been a failure—a + "life not worth living," I could at least say to such an one, "Your + failure ends with your death. Beyond the tomb there is nothing for you—neither + pain nor misery, neither grief nor joy." But if I were a good orthodox + Christen, then I would have to say to this man, "Your life has been a + failure; you have not been a Christian, and the failure will be extended + eternally; you have not only been a failure for a time, but you will be a + failure forever." + </p> + <p> + Admitting that there is another world, and that the man's life had been a + failure in this, then I should say to him, "If you live again, you will + have the eternal opportunity to reform. There will be no time, no date, no + matter how many millions and billions of ages may have passed away, at + which you will not have the opportunity of doing right." + </p> + <p> + Under no circumstances could I consistently say to this man: "Although + your life has been a failure; although you have made hundreds and + thousands of others suffer; although you have deceived and betrayed the + woman who loved you; although you have murdered your benefactor; still, if + you will now repent and believe a something that is unreasonable or + reasonable to your mind, you will, at the moment of death, be transferred + to a world of eternal joy." This I could not say. I would tell him, "If + you die a bad man here, you will commence the life to come with the same + character you leave this. Character cannot be made by another for you. You + must be the architect of your own." There is to me unspeakably more + comfort in the idea that every failure ends here, than that it is to be + perpetuated forever. + </p> + <p> + How can a Christian comfort the mother of a girl who has died without + believing in Christ? What doctrine is there in Christianity to wipe away + her tears? What words of comfort can you offer to the mother whose brave + boy fell in defence of his country, she knowing and you knowing, that the + boy was not a Christian, that he did not believe in the Bible, and had no + faith in the blood of the atonement? What words of comfort have you for + such fathers and for such mothers? + </p> + <p> + To me, there is no doctrine so infinitely absurd as the idea that this + life is a probationary state—that the few moments spent here decide + the fate of a human soul forever. Nothing can be conceived more merciless, + more unjust. I am doing all I can to destroy that doctrine. I want, if + possible, to get the shadow of hell from the human heart. + </p> + <p> + Why has any life been a failure here? If God is a being of infinite wisdom + and kindness, why does he make failures? What excuse has infinite wisdom + for peopling the world with savages? Why should one feel grateful to God + for having made him with a poor, weak and diseased brain; for having + allowed him to be the heir of consumption, of scrofula, or of insanity? + Why should one thank God, who lived and died a slave? + </p> + <p> + After all, is it not of more importance to speak the absolute truth? Is it + not manlier to tell the fact than to endeavor to convey comfort through + falsehood? People must reap not only what they sow, but what others have + sown. The people of the whole world are united in spite of themselves. + </p> + <p> + Next to telling a man, whose life has been a failure, that he is to enjoy + an immortality of delight—next to that, is to assure him that a + place of eternal punishment does not exist. + </p> + <p> + After all, there are but few lives worth living in any great and splendid + sense. Nature seems filled with failure, and she has made no exception in + favor of man. To the greatest, to the most successful, there comes a time + when the fevered lips of life long for the cool, delicious kiss of death—when, + tired of the dust and glare of day, they hear with joy the rustling + garments of the night. + </p> + <p> + Archibald Armstrong and Jonathan Newgate were fast friends. Their views in + regard to the question of a future life, and the existence of a God, were + in perfect accord. They said: + </p> + <p> + "'We know so little about these matters that we are not justified in + giving them any serious consideration. Our motto and rule of life shall be + for each one to make himself as comfortable as he can, and enjoy every + pleasure within his reach, not allowing himself to be influenced at all by + thoughts of a future life.' + </p> + <p> + "Both had some money. Archibald had a large amount. Once upon a time when + no human eye saw him—and he had no belief in a God—Jonathan + stole every dollar of his friend's wealth, leaving him penniless. He had + no fear, no remorse; no one saw him do the deed. He became rich, enjoyed + life immensely, lived in contentment and pleasure, until in mellow old age + he went the way of all flesh. Archibald fared badly. The odds were against + him. + </p> + <p> + "His money was gone. He lived in penury and discontent, dissatisfied with + mankind and with himself, until at last, overcome by misfortune, and + depressed by an incurable malady, he sought rest in painless suicide." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are we to think of the rule of life laid down by + these men? Was either of them inconsistent or illogical? Is there no + remedy to correct such irregularities?—Rev. D. O'Donaghue. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> The Rev. Mr. O'Donaghue seems to entertain strange ideas as + to right and wrong. He tells us that Archibald Armstrong and Jonathan + Newgate concluded to make themselves as comfortable as they could and + enjoy every pleasure within their reach, and the Rev. Mr. O'Donaghue + states that one of the pleasures within the reach of Mr. Newgate was to + steal what little money Mr. Armstrong had. Does the reverend gentleman + think that Mr. Newgate made or could make himself comfortable in that way? + He tells us that Mr. Newgate "had no remorse,"—that he "became rich + and enjoyed life immensely,"—that he "lived in contentment and + pleasure, until, in mellow old age, he went the way of all flesh." + </p> + <p> + Does the reverend gentleman really believe that a man can steal without + fear, without remorse? Does he really suppose that one can enjoy the + fruits of theft, that a criminal can live a contented and happy life, that + one who has robbed his friend can reach a mellow and delightful old age? + Is this the philosophy of the Rev. Mr. O'Donaghue? + </p> + <p> + And right here I may be permitted to ask, Why did the Rev. Mr. + O'Donaghue's God allow a thief to live without fear, without remorse, to + enjoy life immensely and to reach a mellow old age? And why did he allow + Mr. Armstrong, who had been robbed, to live in penury and discontent, + until at last, overcome by misfortune, he sought rest in suicide? Does the + Rev. Mr. O'Donaghue mean to say that if there is no future life it is wise + to steal in this? If the grave is the eternal home, would the Rev. Mr. + O'Donaghue advise people to commit crimes in order that they may enjoy + this life? Such is not my philosophy. Whether there is a God or not, truth + is better than falsehood. Whether there is a heaven or hell, honesty is + always the best policy. There is no world, and can be none, where vice can + sow the seed of crime and reap the sheaves of joy. + </p> + <p> + According to my view, Mr. Armstrong was altogether more fortunate than Mr. + Newgate. I had rather be robbed than to be a robber, and I had rather be + of such a disposition that I would be driven to suicide by misfortune than + to live in contentment upon the misfortunes of others. The reverend + gentleman, however, should have made his question complete—he should + have gone the entire distance. He should have added that Mr. Newgate, + after having reached a mellow old age, was suddenly converted, joined the + church, and died in the odor of sanctity on the very day that his victim + committed suicide. + </p> + <p> + But I will answer the fable of the reverend gentleman with a fact. + </p> + <p> + A young man was in love with a girl. She was young, beautiful, and + trustful. She belonged to no church—knew nothing about a future + world—basked in the sunshine of this. All her life had been filled + with gentle deeds. The tears of pity had sanctified her cheeks. She + believed in no religion, worshiped no God, believed no Bible, but loved + everything. Her lover in a fit of jealous rage murdered her. He was tried; + convicted; a motion for a new trial overruled and a pardon refused. In his + cell, in the shadow of death, he was converted—he became a Catholic. + With the white lips of fear he confessed to a priest. He received the + sacrament. + </p> + <p> + He was hanged, and from the rope's end winged his way to the realms of + bliss. For months the murdered girl had suffered all the pains and pangs + of hell. + </p> + <p> + The poor girl will endure the agony of the damned forever, while her + murderer will be ravished with angelic chant and song. Such is the justice + of the orthodox God. + </p> + <p> + Allow me to use the language of the reverend gentleman: "Is there no + remedy to correct such irregularities?" + </p> + <p> + As long as the idea of eternal punishment remains a part of the Christian + system, that system will be opposed by every man of heart and brain. Of + all religious dogmas it is the most shocking, infamous, and absurd. The + preachers of this doctrine are the enemies of human happiness; they are + the assassins of natural joy. Every father, every mother, every good man, + every loving woman, should hold this doctrine in abhorrence; they should + refuse to pay men for preaching it; they should not build churches in + which this infamy is taught; they should teach their little children that + it is a lie; they should take this horror from childhood's heart—a + horror that makes the cradle as terrible as the coffin. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BROOKLYN DIVINES. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Brooklyn Union, 1883. +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. The clergymen who have been interviewed, almost + unanimously have declared that the church is suffering very little from + the skepticism of the day, and that the influence of the scientific + writers, whose opinions are regarded as atheistic or infidel, is not + great; and that the books of such writers are not read as much as some + people think they are. What is your opinion with regard to that subject? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> It is natural for a man to defend his business, to stand by + his class, his caste, his creed. And I suppose this accounts for the + ministers all saying that infidelity is not on the increase. By comparing + long periods of time, it is very easy to see the progress that has been + made. Only a few years ago men who are now considered quite orthodox would + have been imprisoned, or at least mobbed, for heresy. Only a few years ago + men like Huxley and Tyndall and Spencer and Darwin and Humboldt would have + been considered as the most infamous of monsters. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago science was superstition's hired man. The scientific + men apologized for every fact they happened to find. With hat in hand they + begged pardon of the parson for finding a fossil, and asked the + forgiveness of God for making any discovery in nature. At that time every + scientific discovery was something to be pardoned. Moses was authority in + geology, and Joshua was considered the first astronomer of the world. Now + everything has changed, and everybody knows it except the clergy. Now + religion is taking off its hat to science. Religion is finding out new + meanings for old texts. We are told that God spoke in the language of the + common people; that he was not teaching any science; that he allowed his + children not only to remain in error, but kept them there. It is now + admitted that the Bible is no authority on any question of natural fact; + it is inspired only in morality, in a spiritual way. All, except the + Brooklyn ministers, see that the Bible has ceased to be regarded as + authority. Nobody appeals to a passage to settle a dispute of fact. The + most intellectual men of the world laugh at the idea of inspiration. Men + of the greatest reputations hold all supernaturalism in contempt. Millions + of people are reading the opinions of men who combat and deny the + foundation of orthodox Christianity. Humboldt stands higher than all the + apostles. Darwin has done more to change human thought than all the + priests who have existed. Where there was one infidel twenty-five years + ago, there are one hundred now. I can remember when I would be the only + infidel in the town. Now I meet them thick as autumn leaves; they are + everywhere. In all the professions, trades, and employments, the orthodox + creeds are despised. They are not simply disbelieved; they are execrated. + They are regarded, not with indifference, but with passionate hatred. + Thousands and hundreds of thousands of mechanics in this country abhor + orthodox Christianity. Millions of educated men hold in immeasurable + contempt the doctrine of eternal punishment. The doctrine of atonement is + regarded as absurd by millions. So with the dogma of imputed guilt, + vicarious virtue, and vicarious vice. I see that the Rev. Dr. Eddy advises + ministers not to answer the arguments of infidels in the pulpit, and gives + this wonderful reason: That the hearers will get more doubts from the + answer than from reading the original arguments. So the Rev. Dr. Hawkins + admits that he cannot defend Christianity from infidel attacks without + creating more infidelity. So the Rev. Dr. Haynes admits that he cannot + answer the theories of Robertson Smith in popular addresses. The only + minister who feels absolutely safe on this subject, so far as his + congregation is concerned, seems to be the Rev. Joseph Pullman. He + declares that the young people in his church don't know enough to have + intelligent doubts, and that the old people are substantially in the same + condition. Mr. Pullman feels that he is behind a breastwork so strong that + other defence is unnecessary. So the Rev. Mr. Foote thinks that infidelity + should never be refuted in the pulpit. I admit that it never has been + successfully done, but I did not suppose so many ministers admitted the + impossibility. Mr. Foote is opposed to all public discussion. Dr. Wells + tells us that scientific atheism should be ignored; that it should not be + spoken of in the pulpit. The Rev, Dr. Van Dyke has the same feeling of + security enjoyed by Dr. Pullman, and he declares that the great majority + of the Christian people of to-day know nothing about current infidel + theories. His idea is to let them remain in ignorance; that it would be + dangerous for the Christian minister even to state the position of the + infidel; that, after stating it, he might not, even with the help of God, + successfully combat the theory. These ministers do not agree. Dr. + Carpenter accounts for infidelity by nicotine in the blood. It is all + smoke. + </p> + <p> + He thinks the blood of the human family has deteriorated. He thinks that + the church is safe because the Christians read. He differs with his + brothers Pullman and Van Dyke. So the Rev. George E. Reed believes that + infidelity should be discussed in the pulpit. He has more confidence in + his general and in the weapons of his warfare than some of his brethren. + His confidence may arise from the fact that he has never had a discussion. + The Rev. Dr. McClelland thinks the remedy is to stick by the catechism; + that there is not now enough of authority; not enough of the brute force; + thinks that the family, the church, and the state ought to use the rod; + that the rod is the salvation of the world; that the rod is a divine + institution; that fathers ought to have it for their children; that + mothers ought to use it. This is a part of the religion of universal love. + The man who cannot raise children without whipping them ought not to have + them. The man who would mar the flesh of a boy or girl is unfit to have + the control of a human being. The father who keeps a rod in his house + keeps a relic of barbarism in his heart. There is nothing reformatory in + punishment; nothing reformatory in fear. Kindness, guided by intelligence, + is the only reforming force. An appeal to brute force is an abandonment of + love and reason, and puts father and child upon a savage equality; the + savageness in the heart of the father prompting the use of the rod or + club, produces a like savageness in the victim; The old idea that a + child's spirit must be broken is infamous. All this is passing away, + however, with orthodox Christianity. That children are treated better than + formerly shows conclusively the increase of what is called infidelity. + Infidelity has always been a protest against tyranny in the state, against + intolerance in the church, against barbarism in the family. It has always + been an appeal for light, for justice, for universal kindness and + tenderness. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. The ministers say, I believe, Colonel, that worldliness + is the greatest foe to the church, and admit that it is on the increase? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I see that all the ministers you have interviewed regard + worldliness as the great enemy of the church. What is worldliness? I + suppose worldliness consists in paying attention to the affairs of this + world; getting enjoyment out of this life; gratifying the senses, giving + the ears music, the eyes painting and sculpture, the palate good food; + cultivating the imagination; playing games of chance; adorning the person; + developing the body; enriching the mind; investigating the facts by which + we are surrounded; building homes; rocking cradles; thinking; working; + inventing; buying; selling; hoping—all this, I suppose, is + worldliness. These "worldly" people have cleared the forests, plowed the + land, built the cities, the steamships, the telegraphs, and have produced + all there is of worth and wonder in the world. Yet the preachers denounce + them. Were it not for "worldly" people how would the preachers get along? + Who would build the churches? Who would fill the contribution boxes and + plates, and who (most serious of all questions) would pay the salaries? It + is the habit of the ministers to belittle men who support them—to + slander the spirit by which they live. "It is as though the mouth should + tear the hand that feeds it." The nobility of the Old World hold the + honest workingman in contempt, and yet are so contemptible themselves that + they are willing to live upon his labor. And so the minister pretending to + be spiritual—pretending to be a spiritual guide—looks with + contempt upon the men who make it possible for him to live. It may be said + by "worldliness" they only mean enjoyment—that is, hearing music, + going to the theater and the opera, taking a Sunday excursion to the + silvery margin of the sea. Of course, ministers look upon theaters as + rival attractions, and most of their hatred is born of business views. + They think people ought to be driven to church by having all other places + closed. In my judgment the theater has done good, while the church has + done harm. The drama never has insisted upon burning anybody. Persecution + is not born of the stage. On the contrary, upon the stage have forever + been found impersonations of patriotism, heroism, courage, fortitude, and + justice, and these impersonations have always been applauded, and have + been represented that they might be applauded. In the pulpit, hypocrites + have been worshiped; upon the stage they have been held up to derision and + execration. Shakespeare has done far more for the world than the Bible. + The ministers keep talking about spirituality as opposed to worldliness. + Nothing can be more absurd than this talk of spirituality. As though + readers of the Bible, repeaters of texts, and sayers of prayers were + engaged in a higher work than honest industry. Is there anything higher + than human love? A man is in love with a girl, and he has determined to + work for her and to give his life that she may have a life of joy. Is + there anything more spiritual than that—anything higher? They marry. + He clears some land. He fences a field. He builds a cabin; and she, of + this hovel, makes a happy home. She plants flowers, puts a few simple + things of beauty upon the walls. This is what the preachers call + "worldliness." Is there anything more spiritual? In a little while, in + this cabin, in this home, is heard the drowsy rhythm of the cradle's rock, + while softly floats the lullaby upon the twilight air. Is there anything + more spiritual, is there anything more infinitely tender than to see + husband and wife bending, with clasped hands, over a cradle, gazing upon + the dimpled miracle of love? I say it is spiritual to work for those you + love; spiritual to improve the physical condition of mankind—for he + who improves the physical condition improves the mental. I believe in the + plowers instead of the prayers. I believe in the new firm of "Health & + Heresy" rather than the old partnership of "Disease & Divinity," doing + business at the old sign of the "Skull & Crossbones." Some of the + ministers that you have interviewed, or at least one of them, tells us the + cure for worldliness. He says that God is sending fires, and cyclones, and + things of that character for the purpose of making people spiritual; of + calling their attention to the fact that everything in this world is of a + transitory nature. The clergy have always had great faith in famine, in + affliction, in pestilence. They know that a man is a thousand times more + apt to thank God for a crust or a crumb than for a banquet. They know that + prosperity has the same effect on the average Christian that thick soup + has, according to Bumble, on the English pauper: "It makes 'em impudent." + The devil made a mistake in not doubling Job's property instead of leaving + him a pauper. In prosperity the ministers think that we forget death and + are too happy. In the arms of those we love, the dogma of eternal fire is + for the moment forgotten. According to the ministers, God kills our + children in order that we may not forget him. They imagine that the man + who goes into Dakota, cultivates the soil and rears him a little home, is + getting too "worldly." And so God starts a cyclone to scatter his home and + the limbs of wife and children upon the desolate plains, and the ministers + in Brooklyn say this is done because we are getting too "worldly." They + think we should be more "spiritual;" that is to say, willing to live upon + the labor of others; willing to ask alms, saying, in the meantime, "It is + more blessed to give than to receive." If this is so, why not give the + money back? "Spiritual" people are those who eat oatmeal and prunes, have + great confidence in dried apples, read Cowper's "Task" and Pollok's + "Course of Time," laugh at the jokes in <i>Harper's Monthly</i>, wear + clothes shiny at the knees and elbows, and call all that has elevated the + world "beggarly elements." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Some of the clergymen who have been interviewed admit + that the rich and poor no longer meet together, and deprecate the + establishment of mission chapels in connection with the large and + fashionable churches. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> The early Christians supposed that the end of the world was + at hand. They were all sitting on the dock waiting for the ship. In the + presence of such a belief what are known as class distinctions could not + easily exist. Most of them were exceedingly poor, and poverty is a bond of + union. As a rule, people are hospitable in the proportion that they lack + wealth. In old times, in the West, a stranger was always welcome. He took + in part the place of the newspaper. He was a messenger from the older + parts of the country. Life was monotonous. The appearance of the traveler + gave variety. As people grow wealthy they grow exclusive. As they become + educated there is a tendency to pick their society. It is the same in the + church. The church no longer believes the creed, no longer acts as though + the creed were true. If the rich man regarded the sermon as a means of + grace, as a kind of rope thrown by the minister to a man just above the + falls; if he regarded it as a lifeboat, or as a lighthouse, he would not + allow his coachman to remain outside. If he really believed that the + coachman had an immortal soul, capable of eternal joy, liable to + everlasting pain, he would do his utmost to make the calling and election + of the said coachman sure. As a matter of fact the rich man now cares but + little for servants. They are not included in the scheme of salvation, + except as a kind of job lot. The church has become a club. It is a social + affair, and the rich do not care to associate in the week days with the + poor they may happen to meet at church. As they expect to be in heaven + together forever, they can afford to be separated here. There will + certainly be time enough there to get acquainted. Another thing is the + magnificence of the churches. The church depends absolutely upon the rich. + Poor people feel out of place in such magnificent buildings. They drop + into the nearest seat; like poor relations, they sit on the extreme edge + of the chair. At the table of Christ they are below the salt. + </p> + <p> + They are constantly humiliated. When subscriptions are asked for they feel + ashamed to have their mite compared with the thousands given by the + millionaire. The pennies feel ashamed to mingle with the silver in the + contribution plate. The result is that most of them avoid the church. It + costs too much to worship God in public. Good clothes are necessary, + fashionably cut. The poor come in contact with too much silk, too many + jewels, too many evidences of what is generally assumed to be superiority. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Would this state of affairs be remedied if, instead of + churches, we had societies of ethical culture? Would not the rich there + predominate and the poor be just as much out of place? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I think the effect would be precisely the same, no matter + what the society is, what object it has, if composed of rich and poor. + Class distinctions, to a greater or less extent, will creep in—in + fact, they do not have to creep in. They are there at the commencement, + and they are born of the different conditions of the members. + </p> + <p> + These class distinctions are not always made by men of wealth. For + instance, some men obtain money, and are what we call snobs. Others obtain + it and retain their democratic principles, and meet men according to the + law of affinity, or general intelligence, on intellectual grounds, for + instance. + </p> + <p> + There is not only the distinction produced by wealth and power, but there + are the distinctions born of intelligence, of culture, of character, of + end, object, aim in life. No one can blame an honest mechanic for holding + a wealthy snob in utter contempt. Neither can any one blame respectable + poverty for declining to associate with arrogant wealth. The right to make + the distinction is with all classes, and with the individuals of all + classes. It is impossible to have any society for any purpose—that + is, where they meet together—without certain embarrassments being + produced by these distinctions. Nowt for instance, suppose there should be + a society simply of intelligent and cultured people. There, wealth, to a + great degree, would be disregarded. But, after all, the distinction that + intelligence draws between talent and genius is as marked and cruel as was + ever drawn between poverty and wealth. Wherever the accomplishment of some + object is deemed of such vast importance that, for the moment, all minor + distinctions are forgotten, then it is possible for the rich and poor, the + ignorant and intelligent, to act in concert. This happens in political + parties, in time of war, and it has also happened whenever a new religion + has been founded. Whenever the rich wish the assistance of the poor, + distinctions are forgotten. It is upon the same principle that we gave + liberty to the slave during the Civil war, and clad him in the uniform of + the nation; we wanted him, we needed him; and, for the time, we were + perfectly willing to forget the distinction of color. Common peril + produces pure democracy. It is with societies as with individuals. A poor + young man coming to New York, bent upon making his fortune, begins to talk + about the old fogies; holds in contempt many of the rules and regulations + of the trade; is loud in his denunciation of monopoly; wants competition; + shouts for fair play, and is a real democrat. But let him succeed; let him + have a palace in Fifth Avenue, with his monogram on spoons and coaches; + then, instead of shouting for liberty, he will call for more police. He + will then say: "We want protection; the rabble must be put down." We have + an aristocracy of wealth. In some parts of our country an aristocracy of + literature—men and women who imagine themselves writers and who hold + in contempt all people who cannot express commonplaces in the most elegant + diction—people who look upon a mistake in grammar as far worse than + a crime. So, in some communities we have an aristocracy of muscle. The + only true aristocracy, probably, is that of kindness. Intellect, without + heart, is infinitely cruel; as cruel as wealth without a sense of justice; + as cruel as muscle without mercy. So that, after all, the real aristocracy + must be that of goodness where the intellect is directed by the heart. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You say that the aristocracy of intellect is quite as + cruel as the aristocracy of wealth—what do you mean by that? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> By intellect, I mean simply intellect; that is to say, the + aristocracy of education—of simple brain—expressed in + innumerable ways—in invention, painting, sculpture, literature. And + I meant to say that that aristocracy was as cruel as that of simple + arrogant wealth. After all, why should a man be proud of something given + him by nature—something that he did not earn, did not produce—something + that he could not help? Is it not more reasonable to be proud of wealth + which you have accumulated than of brain which nature gave you? And, to + carry this idea clearly out, why should we be proud of anything? Is there + any proper occasion on which to crow? If you succeed, your success crows + for you; if you fail, certainly crowing is not in the best of taste. And + why should a man be proud of brain? Why should he be proud of disposition + or of good acts? + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You speak of the cruelty of the intellect, and yet, of + course, you must recognize the right of every one to select his own + companions. Would it be arrogant for the intellectual man to prefer the + companionship of people of his own class in preference to commonplace and + unintelligent persons? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> All men should have the same rights, and one right that + every man should have is to associate with congenial people. There are + thousands of good men whose society I do not covet. They may be stupid, or + they may be stupid only in the direction in which I am interested, and may + be exceedingly intelligent as to matters about which I care nothing. In + either case they are not congenial. They have the right to select + congenial company; so have I. And while distinctions are thus made, they + are not cruel; they are not heartless. They are for the good of all + concerned, spring naturally from the circumstances, and are consistent + with the highest philanthropy. Why we notice these distinctions in the + church more than we do in the club is that the church talks one way and + acts another; because the church insists that a certain line of conduct is + essential to salvation, and that every human being is in danger of eternal + pain. If the creed were true, then, in the presence of such an infinite + verity, all earthly distinctions should instantly vanish. Every Christian + should exert himself for the salvation of the soul of a beggar with the + same degree of earnestness that he would show to save a king. The + accidents of wealth, education, social position, should be esteemed as + naught, and the richest should gladly work side by side with the poorest. + The churches will never reach the poor as long as they sell pews; as long + as the rich members wear their best clothes on Sunday. As long as the + fashions of the drawing-room are taken to the table of the last supper, + the poor will remain in the highways and hedges. Present fashion is more + powerful than faith. So long as the ministers shut up their churches, and + allow the poor to go to hell in summer; as long as they leave the devil + without a competitor for three months in the year, the churches will not + materially impede the march of human progress. People often, unconsciously + and without any malice, say something or do something that throws an + unexpected light upon a question. The other day, in one of the New York + comic papers, there was a picture representing the foremost preachers of + the country at the seaside together. It was regarded as a joke that they + could enjoy each others society. These ministers are supposed to be the + apostles of the religion of kindness. They tell us to love even our + enemies, and yet the idea that they could associate happily together is + regarded as a joke! After all, churches are like other institutions, they + have to be managed, and they now rely upon music and upon elocution rather + than upon the gospel. They are becoming social affairs. They are giving up + the doctrine of eternal punishment, and have consequently lost their hold. + The orthodox churches used to tell us there was to be a fire, and they + offered to insure; and as long as the fire was expected the premiums were + paid and the policies were issued. Then came the Universalist Church, + saying that there would be no fire, and yet asking the people to insure. + For such a church there is no basis. It undoubtedly did good by its + influence upon other churches. So with the Unitarian. That church has no + basis for organization; no reason, because no hell is threatened, and + heaven is but faintly promised. Just as the churches have lost their + belief in eternal fire, they have lost their influence, and the reason + they have lost their belief is on account of the diffusion of knowledge. + That doctrine is becoming absurd and infamous. Intelligent people are + ashamed to broach it. Intelligent people can no longer believe it. It is + regarded with horror, and the churches must finally abandon it, and when + they do, that is the end of the church militant. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you say to the progress of the Roman Catholic + Church, in view of the fact that they have not changed their belief, in + any particular, in regard to future punishment? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Neither Catholicism nor Protestantism will ever win another + battle. The last victory of Protestantism was won in Holland. Nations have + not been converted since then. The time has passed to preach with sword + and gun, and for that reason Catholicism can win no more victories. That + church increases in this country mostly from immigration. Catholicism does + not belong to the New World. It is at war with the idea of our Government, + antagonistic to true republicanism, and is in every sense anti-American. + The Catholic Church does not control its members. That church prevents no + crime. It is not in favor of education. It is not the friend of liberty. + In Europe it is now used as a political power, but here it dare not assert + itself. There are thousands of good Catholics. As a rule they probably + believe the creed of the church. That church has lost the power to + anathematize. It can no longer burn. It must now depend upon other forces—upon + persuasion, sophistry, ignorance, fear, and heredity. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You have stated your objections to the churches, what + would you have to take their place? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> There was a time when men had to meet together for the + purpose of being told the law. This was before printing, and for hundreds + and hundreds of years most people depended for their information on what + they heard. The ear was the avenue to the brain. There was a time, of + course, when Freemasonry was necessary, so that a man could carry, not + only all over his own country, but to another, a certificate that he was a + gentleman; that he was an honest man. There was a time, and it was + necessary, for the people to assemble. They had no books, no papers, no + way of reaching each other. But now all that is changed. The daily press + gives you the happenings of the world. The libraries give you the thoughts + of the greatest and best. Every man of moderate means can command the + principal sources of information. There is no necessity for going to the + church and hearing the same story forever. Let the minister write what he + wishes to say. Let him publish it. If it is worth buying, people will read + it. It is hardly fair to get them in a church in the name of duty and + there inflict upon them a sermon that under no circumstances they would + read. Of course, there will always be meetings, occasions when people come + together to exchange ideas, to hear what a man has to say upon some + questions, but the idea of going fifty-two days in a year to hear anybody + on the same subject is absurd. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Would you include a man like Henry Ward Beecher in that + statement? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Beecher is interesting just in proportion that he is not + orthodox, and he is altogether more interesting when talking against his + creed. He delivered a sermon the other day in Chicago, in which he takes + the ground that Christianity is kindness, and that, consequently, no one + could be an infidel. Every one believes in kindness, at least + theoretically. In that sermon he throws away all creed, and comes to the + conclusion that Christianity is a life, not an aggregation of intellectual + convictions upon certain subjects. The more sermons like that are + preached, probably the better. What I intended was the eternal repetition + of the old story: That God made the world and a man, and then allowed the + devil to tempt him, and then thought of a scheme of salvation, of + vicarious atonement, 1500 years afterwards; drowned everybody except Noah + and his family, and afterward, when he failed to civilize the Jewish + people, came in person and suffered death, and announced the doctrine that + all who believed on him would be saved, and those who did not, eternally + lost. Now, this story, with occasional references to the patriarchs and + the New Jerusalem, and the exceeding heat of perdition, and the wonderful + joys of Paradise, is the average sermon, and this story is told again, + again, and again, by the same men, listened to by the same people without + any effect except to tire the speaker and the hearer. If all the ministers + would take their texts from Shakespeare; if they would read every Sunday a + selection from some of the great plays, the result would be infinitely + better. They would all learn something; the mind would be enlarged, and + the sermon would appear short. Nothing has shown more clearly the + intellectual barrenness of the pulpit than baccalaureate sermons lately + delivered. The dignified dullness, the solemn stupidity of these addresses + has never been excelled. No question was met. The poor candidates for the + ministry were given no new weapons. Armed with the theological flintlock + of a century ago, they were ordered to do battle for doctrines older than + their weapons. They were told to rely on prayer, to answer all arguments + by keeping out of discussions, and to overwhelm the skeptic by ignoring + the facts. There was a time when the Protestant clergy were in favor of + education; that is to say, education enough to make a Catholic a + Protestant, but not enough to make a Protestant a philosopher. The + Catholics are also in favor of education enough to make a savage a + Catholic, and there they stop. The Christian should never unsettle his + belief. If he studies, if he reads, he is in danger. A new idea is a + doubt; a doubt is the threshold of infidelity. The young ministers are + warned against inquiry. They are educated like robins; they swallow + whatever is thrown in the mouth, worms or shingle-nails, it makes no + difference, and they are expected to get their revenge by treating their + flocks precisely as the professors treated them. The creeds of the + churches are being laughed at. Thousands of young men say nothing, because + they do not wish to hurt the feelings of mothers and maiden aunts. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of business men say nothing, for fear it may interfere with + trade. Politicians keep quiet for fear of losing influence. But when you + get at the real opinions of people, a vast majority have outgrown the + doctrines of orthodox Christianity. Some people think these things good + for women and children, and use the Lord as an immense policeman to keep + order. Every day ministers are uttering a declaration of independence. + They are being examined by synods and committees of ministers, and they + are beginning everywhere to say that they do not regard this life as a + probationary stage; that the doctrine of eternal punishment is too bad; + that the Bible is, in many things, foolish, absurd, and infamous; that it + must have been written by men. And the people at large are beginning to + find that the ministers have kept back the facts; have not told the + history of the Bible; have not given to their congregations the latest + advices, and so the feeling is becoming almost general that orthodox + Christianity has outlived its usefulness. The church has a great deal to + contend with. The scientific men are not religious. Geology laughs at + Genesis, and astronomy has concluded that Joshua knew but very little of + the motions of heavenly bodies. Statesmen do not approve of the laws of + Moses; the intellect of the world is on the other side. There is something + besides preaching on Sunday. The newspaper is the rival of the pulpit. + Nearly all the cars are running on that blessed day. Steamers take + hundreds of thousands of excursionists. The man who has been at work all + the week seeks the sight of the sea, and this has become so universal that + the preacher is following his example. The flock has ceased to be afraid + of the wolf, and the shepherd deserts the sheep. In a little while all the + libraries will be open—all the museums. There will be music in the + public parks; the opera, the theater. And what will churches do then? The + cardinal points will be demonstrated to empty pews, unless the church is + wise enough to meet the intellectual demands of the present. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You speak as if the influences working against + Christianity to-day will tend to crush it out of existence. Do you think + that Christianity is any worse off now than it was during the French + Revolution, when the priests were banished from the country and reason was + worshiped; or in England, a hundred years ago, when Hume, Bolingbroke, and + others made their attacks upon it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> You must remember that the French Revolution was produced + by Catholicism; that it was a reaction; that it went to infinite extremes; + that it was a revolution seeking revenge. It is not hard to understand + those times, provided you know the history of the Catholic Church. The + seeds of the French Revolution were sown by priests and kings. The people + had suffered the miseries of slavery for a thousand years, and the French + Revolution came because human nature could bear the wrongs no longer. It + was something not reasoned; it was felt. Only a few acted from + intellectual convictions. The most were stung to madness, and were carried + away with the desire to destroy. They wanted to shed blood, to tear down + palaces, to cut throats, and in some way avenge the wrongs of all the + centuries. Catholicism has never recovered—it never will. The dagger + of Voltaire struck the heart; the wound was mortal. Catholicism has + staggered from that day to this. + </p> + <p> + It has been losing power every moment. At the death of Voltaire there were + twenty millions less Catholics than when he was born. In the French + Revolution muscle outran mind; revenge anticipated reason. There was + destruction without the genius of construction. They had to use materials + that had been rendered worthless by ages of Catholicism. + </p> + <p> + The French Revolution was a failure because the French people were a + failure, and the French people were a failure because Catholicism had made + them so. The ministers attack Voltaire without reading him. Probably there + are not a dozen orthodox ministers in the world who have read the works of + Voltaire. I know of no one who has. Only a little while ago, a minister + told me he had read Voltaire. I offered him one hundred dollars to repeat + a paragraph, or to give the title, even, of one of Voltaire's volumes. + Most ministers think he was an atheist. The trouble with the infidels in + England a hundred years ago was that they did not go far enough. It may be + that they could not have gone further and been allowed to live. Most of + them took the ground that there was an infinite, all-wise, beneficent God, + creator of the universe, and that this all-wise, beneficent God certainly + was too good to be the author of the Bible. They, however, insisted that + this good God was the author of nature, and the theologians completely + turned the tables by showing that this god of nature was in the pestilence + and plague business, manufactured earthquakes, overwhelmed towns and + cities, and was, of necessity, the author of all pain and agony. In my + judgment, the Deists were all successfully answered. The god of nature is + certainly as bad as the God of the Old Testament. It is only when we + discard the idea of a deity, the idea of cruelty or goodness in nature, + that we are able ever to bear with patience the ills of life. I feel that + I am neither a favorite nor a victim. Nature neither loves nor hates me. I + do not believe in the existence of any personal god. I regard the universe + as the one fact, as the one existence—that is, as the absolute + thing. I am a part of this. I do not say that there is no God; I simply + say that I do not believe there is. There may be millions of them. Neither + do I say that man is not immortal. Upon that point I admit that I do not + know, and the declarations of all the priests in the world upon that + subject give me no light, and do not even tend to add to my information on + the subject, because I know that they know that they do not know. The + infidelity of a hundred years ago knew nothing, comparatively speaking, of + geology; nothing of astronomy; nothing of the ideas of Lamarck and Darwin; + nothing of evolution; nothing, comparatively speaking, of other religions; + nothing of India, that womb of metaphysics; in other words, the infidels + of a hundred years ago knew the creed of orthodox Christianity to be + false, but had not the facts to demonstrate it. The infidels of to-day + have the facts; that is the difference. A hundred years ago it was a + guessing prophecy; to-day it is the fact and fulfillment. Everything in + nature is working against superstition to-day. Superstition is like a + thorn in the flesh, and everything, from dust to stars, is working + together to destroy the false. The smallest pebble answers the greatest + parson. One blade of grass, rightly understood, destroys the orthodox + creed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You say that the pews will be empty in the future unless + the church meets the intellectual demands of the present. Are not the + ministers of to-day, generally speaking, much more intellectual than those + of a hundred years ago, and are not the "liberal" views in regard to the + inspiration of the Bible, the atonement, future punishment, the fall of + man, and the personal divinity of Christ which openly prevail in many + churches, an indication that the church is meeting the demands of many + people who do not care to be classed as out-and-out disbelievers in + Christianity, but who have advanced views on those and other questions? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> As to the first part of this question, I do not think the + ministers of to-day are more intellectual than they were a hundred years + ago; that is, I do not think they have greater brain capacity, but I think + on the average, the congregations have a higher amount. The amelioration + of orthodox Christianity is not by the intelligence in the pulpit, but by + the brain in the pews. Another thing: One hundred years ago the church had + intellectual honors to bestow. The pulpit opened a career. Not so now. + There are too many avenues to distinction and wealth—too much + worldliness. The best minds do not go into the pulpit. Martyrs had rather + be burned than laughed at. Most ministers of to-day are not naturally + adapted to other professions promising eminence. There are some great + exceptions, but those exceptions are the ministers nearest infidels. + Theodore Parker was a great man. Henry Ward Beecher is a great man—not + the most consistent man in the world—but he is certainly a man of + mark, a remarkable genius. If he could only get rid of the idea that + Plymouth Church is necessary to him—after that time he would not + utter an orthodox word. Chapin was a man of mind. I might mention some + others, but, as a rule, the pulpit is not remarkable for intelligence. The + intelligent men of the world do not believe in orthodox Christianity. It + is to-day a symptom of intellectual decay. The conservative ministers are + the stupid ones. The conservative professors are those upon whose ideas + will be found the centuries' moss, old red sandstone theories, + pre-historic silurian. Now, as to the second part of the question: The + views of the church are changing, the clergy of Brooklyn to the contrary, + notwithstanding. Orthodox religion is a kind of boa-constrictor; anything + it can not dodge it will swallow. The church is bound to have something + for sale that somebody wants to buy. According to the pew demand will be + the pulpit supply. In old times the pulpit dictated to the pews. Things + have changed. Theology is now run on business principles. The gentleman + who pays for the theories insists on having them suit him. Ministers are + intellectual gardeners, and they must supply the market with such + religious vegetables as the congregations desire. Thousands have given up + belief in the inspiration of the Bible, the divinity of Christ, the + atonement idea and original sin. Millions believe now, that this is not a + state of probation; that a man, provided he is well off and has given + liberally to the church, or whose wife has been a regular attendant, will, + in the next world, have another chance; that he will be permitted to file + a motion for a new trial. Others think that hell is not as warm as it used + to be supposed; that, while it is very hot in the middle of the day, the + nights are cool; and that, after all, there is not so much to fear from + the future. They regard the old religion as very good for the poor, and + they give them the old ideas on the same principle that they give them + their old clothes. These ideas, out at the elbows, out at the knees, + buttons off, somewhat raveled, will, after all, do very well for paupers. + There is a great trade of this kind going on now—selling old + theological clothes to the colored people in the South. All I have said + applies to all churches. The Catholic Church changes every day. It does + not change its ceremonies; but the spirit that begot the ceremonies, the + spirit that clothed the skeleton of ceremony with the flesh and blood and + throb of life and love, is gone. The spirit that built the cathedrals, the + spirit that emptied the wealth of the world into the lap of Rome, has + turned in another direction. Of course, the churches are all going to + endeavor to meet the demands of the hour. They will find new readings for + old texts. They will re-punctuate and re-parse the Old Testament. They + will find that "flat" meant "a little rounding;" that "six days" meant + "six long times;" that the word "flood" should have been translated + "dampness," "dew," or "threatened rain;" that Daniel in the lion's den was + an historical myth; that Samson and his foxes had nothing to do with this + world. All these things will be gradually explained and made to harmonize + with the facts of modern science. They will not change the words of the + creed; they will simply give "new meanings and the highest criticism + to-day is that which confesses and avoids. In other words, the churches + will change as the people change. They will keep for sale that which can + be sold. Already the old goods are being "marked down." If, however, the + church should fail, why then it must go. I see no reason, myself, for its + existence. It apparently does no good; it devours without producing; it + eats without planting, and is a perpetual burden. It teaches nothing of + value. It misleads, mystifies, and misrepresents. It threatens without + knowledge and promises without power. In my judgment, the quicker it goes + the better for all mankind. But if it does not go in name, it must go in + fact, because it must change; and, therefore, it is only a question of + time when it ceases to divert from useful channels the blood and muscle of + the world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You say that in the baccalaureate sermons delivered + lately the theological students were told to answer arguments by keeping + out of discussion. Is it not the fact that ministers have of late years + preached very largely on scientific disbelief, agnosticism, and + infidelity, so much so as to lead to their being reprimanded by some of + their more conservative brethren? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Of course there are hundreds of thousands of ministers + perpetually endeavoring to answer infidelity. Their answers have done so + much harm that the more conservative among the clergy have advised them to + stop. Thousands have answered me, and their answers, for the most part, + are like this: Paine was a blackguard, therefore the geology of Genesis is + on a scientific basis. We know the doctrine of the atonement is true, + because in the French Revolution they worshiped reason. And we know, too, + all about the fall of man and the Garden of Eden because Voltaire was + nearly frightened to death when he came to die. These are the usual + arguments, supplemented by a few words concerning myself. And, in my view, + they are the best that can be made. Failing to answer a man's argument, + the next best thing is to attack his character. "You have no case," said + an attorney to the plaintiff. "No matter," said the plaintiff, "I want you + to give the defendant the devil." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say to the Rev. Dr. Baker's statement + that he generally buys five or six tickets for your lectures and gives + them to young men, who are shocked at the flippant way in which you are + said to speak of the Bible? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Well, as to that, I have always wondered why I had such + immense audiences in Brooklyn and New York. This tends to clear away the + mystery. If all the clergy follow the example of Dr. Baker, that accounts + for the number seeking admission. Of course, Dr. Baker would not + misrepresent a thing like that, and I shall always feel greatly indebted + to him, shall hereafter regard him as one of my agents, and take this + occasion to return my thanks. He is certainly welcome to all the converts + to Christianity made by hearing me. Still, I hardly think it honest in + young men to play a game like that on the doctor. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You speak of the eternal repetition of the old story of + Christianity and say that the more sermons like the one Mr. Beecher + preached lately the better. Is it not the fact that ministers, at the + present time, do preach very largely on questions of purely moral, social, + and humanitarian interest, so much so, indeed, as to provoke criticism on + the part of the secular newspaper press? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I admit that there is a general tendency in the pulpit to + preach about things happening in this world; in other words, that the + preachers themselves are beginning to be touched with worldliness. They + find that the New Jerusalem has no particular interest for persons dealing + in real estate in this world. And thousands of people are losing interest + in Abraham, in David, Haggai, and take more interest in gentlemen who have + the cheerful habit of living. They also find that their readers do not + wish to be reminded perpetually of death and coffins; and worms and dust + and gravestones and shrouds and epitaphs and hearses, biers, and cheerful + subjects of that character. That they prefer to hear the minister speak + about a topic in which they have a present interest, and about which + something cheerful can be said. In fact, it is a relief to hear about + politics, a little about art, something about stocks or the crops, and + most ministers find it necessary to advertise that they are going to speak + on something that has happened within the last eighteen hundred years, and + that, for the time being, Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego will be left in + the furnace. Of course, I think that most ministers are reasonably honest. + Maybe they don't tell all their doubts, but undoubtedly they are + endeavoring to make the world better, and most of the church members think + that they are doing the best that can be done. I am not criticising their + motives, but their methods. I am not attacking the character or reputation + of ministers, but simply giving my ideas, avoiding anything personal. I do + not pretend to be very good, nor very bad—-just fair to middling. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You say that Christians will not read for fear that they + will unsettle their belief. Father Fransiola (Roman Catholic) said in the + interview I had with him: "If you do not allow man to reason you crush his + manhood. Therefore, he has to reason upon the credibility of his faith, + and through reason, guided by faith, he discovers the truth, and so + satisfies his wants." + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Without calling in question the perfect sincerity of Father + Fransiola, I think his statement is exactly the wrong end to. I do not + think that reason should be guided by faith; I think that faith should be + guided by reason. After all, the highest possible conception of faith + would be the science of probabilities, and the probable must not be based + on what has not happened, but upon what has; not upon something we know + nothing about, but the nature of the things with which we are acquainted. + The foundation we must know something about, and whenever we reason, we + must have something as a basis, something secular, something that we think + we know. About these facts we reason, sometimes by analogy, and we say + thus and so has happened, therefore thus and so may happen. We do not say + thus and so <i>may</i> happen, therefore something else <i>has</i> + happened. We must reason from the known to the unknown, not from the + unknown to the known. This Father admits that if you do not allow a man to + reason you crush his manhood. At the same time he says faith must govern + reason. Who makes the faith? The church. And the church tells the man that + he must take the faith, reason or no reason, and that he may afterward + reason, taking the faith as a fact. This makes him an intellectual slave, + and the poor devil mistakes for liberty the right to examine his own + chains. These gentlemen endeavor to satisfy their prisoners by insisting + that there is nothing beyond the walls. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You criticise the church for not encouring the poor to + mingle with the rich, and yet you defend the right of a man to choose his + own company. Are not these same distinctions made by non-confessing + Christians in real life, and will not there always be some greater, + richer, wiser, than the rest? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I do not blame the church because there are these + distinctions based on wealth, intelligence, and culture. What I blame the + church for is pretending to do away with these distinctions. These + distinctions in men are inherent; differences in brain, in race, in blood, + in education, and they are differences that will eternally exist—that + is, as long as the human race exists. Some will be fortunate, some + unfortunate, some generous, some stingy, some rich, some poor. What I wish + to do away with is the contempt and scorn and hatred existing between rich + and poor. I want the democracy of kindness—what you might call the + republicanism of justice. I do not have to associate with a man to keep + from robbing him. I can give him his rights without enjoying his company, + and he can give me my rights without inviting me to dinner. Why should not + poverty have rights? And has not honest poverty the right to hold + dishonest wealth in contempt, and will it not do it, whether it belongs to + the same church or not? We cannot judge men by their wealth, or by the + position they hold in society. I like every kind man; I hate every cruel + one. I like the generous, whether they are poor or rich, ignorant or + cultivated. I like men that love their families, that are kind to their + wives, gentle with their children, no matter whether they are millionaires + or mendicants. And to me the blossom of benevolence, of charity, is the + fairest flower, no matter whether it blooms by the side of a hovel, or + bursts from a vine climbing the marble pillar of a palace. I respect no + man because he is rich; I hold in contempt no man because he is poor. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Some of the clergymen say that the spread of infidelity + is greatly exaggerated; that it makes more noise and creates more notice + than conservative Christianity simply on account of its being outside of + the accepted line of thought. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> There was a time when an unbeliever, open and pronounced, + was a wonder. At that time the church had great power; it could retaliate; + it could destroy. The church abandoned the stake only when too many men + objected to being burned. At that time infidelity was clad not simply in + novelty, but often in fire. Of late years the thoughts of men have been + turned, by virtue of modern discoveries, as the result of countless + influences, to an investigation of the foundation of orthodox religion. + Other religions were put in the crucible of criticism, and nothing was + found but dross. At last it occurred to the intelligent to examine our own + religion, and this examination has excited great interest and great + comment. People want to hear, and they want to hear because they have + already about concluded themselves that the creeds are founded in error. + </p> + <p> + Thousands come to hear me because they are interested in the question, + because they want to hear a man say what they think. They want to hear + their own ideas from the lips of another. The tide has turned, and the + spirit of investigation, the intelligence, the intellectual courage of the + world is on the other side. A real good old-fashioned orthodox minister + who believes the Thirty-nine articles with all his might, is regarded + to-day as a theological mummy, a kind of corpse acted upon by the galvanic + battery of faith, making strange motions, almost like those of life—not + quite. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How would you convey moral instruction from youth up, and + what kind of instruction would you give? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I regard Christianity as a failure. Now, then, what is + Christianity? I do not include in the word "Christianity" the average + morality of the world or the morality taught in all systems of religion; + that is, as distinctive Christianity. Christianity is this: A belief in + the inspiration of the Scriptures, the atonement, the life, death, and + resurrection of Christ, an eternal reward for the believers in Christ, and + eternal punishment for the rest of us. Now, take from Christianity its + miracles, its absurdities of the atonement and fall of man and the + inspiration of the Scriptures, and I have no objection to it as I + understand it. I believe, in the main, in the Christianity which I suppose + Christ taught, that is, in kindness, gentleness, forgiveness. I do not + believe in loving enemies; I have pretty hard work to love my friends. + Neither do I believe in revenge. No man can afford to keep the viper of + revenge in his heart. But I believe in justice, in self-defence. + Christianity—that is, the miraculous part—must be abandoned. + As to morality—morality is born, is born of the instinct of + self-preservation. If man could not suffer, the word "conscience" never + would have passed his lips. Self-preservation makes larceny a crime. + Murder will be regarded as a bad thing as long as a majority object to + being murdered. Morality does not come from the clouds; it is born of + human want and human experience. We need no inspiration, no inspired work. + The industrious man knows that the idle has no right to rob him of the + product of his labor, and the idle man knows that he has no right to do + it. It is not wrong because we find it in the Bible, but I presume it was + put in the Bible because it is wrong. Then, you find in the Bible other + things upheld that are infamous. And why? Because the writers of the Bible + were barbarians, in many things, and because that book is a mixture of + good and evil. I see no trouble in teaching morality without miracle. I + see no use of miracle. What can men do with it? Credulity is not a virtue. + The credulous are not necessarily charitable. Wonder is not the mother of + wisdom. I believe children should be taught to investigate and to reason + for themselves, and that there are facts enough to furnish a foundation + for all human virtue. We will take two families; in the one, the father + and mother are both Christians, and they teach their children their creed; + teach them that they are naturally totally depraved; that they can only + hope for happiness in a future life by pleading the virtues of another, + and that a certain belief is necessary to salvation; that God punishes his + children forever. Such a home has a certain atmosphere. Take another + family; the father and mother teach their children that they should be + kind to each other because kindness produces happiness; that they should + be gentle; that they should be just, because justice is the mother of joy. + And suppose this father and mother say to their children: "If you are + happy it must be as a result of your own actions; if you do wrong you must + suffer the consequences. No Christ can redeem you; no savior can suffer + for you. You must suffer the consequences of your own misdeeds. If you + plant you must reap, and you must reap what you plant." And suppose these + parents also say: "You must find out the conditions of happiness. You must + investigate the circumstances by which you are surrounded. You must + ascertain the nature and relation of things so that you can act in + accordance with known facts, to the end that you may have health and + peace." In such a family, there would be a certain atmosphere, in my + judgment, a thousand times better and purer and sweeter than in the other. + The church generally teaches that rascality pays in this world, but not in + the next; that here virtue is a losing game, but the dividends will be + large in another world. They tell the people that they must serve God on + credit, but the devil pays cash here. That is not my doctrine. My doctrine + is that a thing is right because it pays, in the highest sense. That is + the reason it is right. The reason a thing is wrong is because it is the + mother of misery. Virtue has its reward here and now. It means health; it + means intelligence, contentment, success. Vice means exactly the opposite. + Most of us have more passion than judgment, carry more sail than ballast, + and by the tempest of passion we are blown from port, we are wrecked and + lost. We cannot be saved by faith or by belief. It is a slower process: We + must be saved by knowledge, by intelligence—the only lever capable + of raising mankind. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. The shorter catechism, Colonel, you may remember says + "that man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." What is + your idea of the chief end of man? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> It has always seemed a little curious to me that joy should + be held in such contempt here, and yet promised hereafter as an eternal + reward. Why not be happy here, as well as in heaven. Why not have joy + here? Why not go to heaven now—that is, to-day? Why not enjoy the + sunshine of this world, and all there is of good in it? It is bad enough; + so bad that I do not believe it was ever created by a beneficent deity; + but what little good there is in it, why not have it? Neither do I believe + that it is the end of man to glorify God. How can the Infinite be + glorified? Does he wish for reputation? He has no equals, no superiors. + How can he have what we call reputation? How can he achieve what we call + glory? Why should he wish the flattery of the average Presbyterian? What + good will it do him to know that his course has been approved of by the + Methodist Episcopal Church? What does he care, even, for the religious + weeklies, or the presidents of religious colleges? I do not see how we can + help God, or hurt him. If there be an infinite Being, certainly nothing we + can do can in any way affect him. We can affect each other, and therefore + man should be careful not to sin against man. For that reason I have said + a hundred times, injustice is the only blasphemy. If there be a heaven I + want to associate there with the ones who have loved me here. I might not + like the angels and the angels might not like me. I want to find old + friends. I do not care to associate with the Infinite; there could be no + freedom in such society. I suppose I am not spiritual enough, and am + somewhat touched with worldliness. It seems to me that everybody ought to + be honest enough to say about the Infinite "I know nothing of eternal joy, + I have no conception about another world, I know nothing." At the same + time, I am not attacking anybody for believing in immortality. The more a + man can hope, and the less he can fear, the better. I have done what I + could to drive from the human heart the shadow of eternal pain. I want to + put out the fires of an ignorant and revengeful hell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LIMITATIONS OF TOLERATION. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A discussion between Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Hon. + Frederic R. Coudert, Ex-Gov. Stewart L. Woodford, before the + Nineteenth Century Club of New York, at the Metropolitan + Opera House, May 8, 1888. The points for discussion, as + submitted in advance, were the following propositions: +</pre> + <p> + Colonel Ingersoll's Opening. + </p> + <p> + Ladies, Mr. President and Gentlemen: + </p> + <p> + I AM here to-night for the purpose of defending your right to differ with + me. I want to convince you that you are under no compulsion to accept my + creed; that you are, so far as I am concerned, absolutely free to follow + the torch of your reason according to your conscience; and I believe that + you are civilized to that degree that you will extend to me the right that + you claim for yourselves. + </p> + <p> + First. Thought is a necessary natural product—the result of what is + called impressions made through the medium of the senses upon the brain, + not forgetting the Fact of heredity. + </p> + <p> + Second. No human being is accountable to any being-human or divine—for + his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + Third. Human beings have a certain interest in the thoughts of each other, + and one who undertakes to tell his thoughts should be honest. + </p> + <p> + Fourth. All have an equal right to express their thoughts upon all + subjects. + </p> + <p> + Fifth. For one man to say to another, "I tolerate you," is an assumption + of authority—not a disclaimer, but a waiver, of the right to + persecute. + </p> + <p> + Sixth. Each man has the same right to express to the whole world his + ideas, that the rest of the world have to express their thoughts to him. + </p> + <p> + Courtlandt Palmer, Esq., President of the Club, in introducing Mr. + Ingersoll, among other things said: + </p> + <p> + "The inspiration of the orator of the evening seems to be that of the + great Victor Hugo, who uttered the august saying, 'There shall be no + slavery of the mind.' + </p> + <p> + "When I was in Paris, about a year ago, I visited the tomb of Victor Hugo. + It was placed in a recess in the crypt of the Pantheon. Opposite it was + the tomb of Jean Jacques Rousseau. Near by, in another recess, was the + memorial statue of Voltaire; and I felt, as I looked at these three + monuments, that had Colonel Ingersoll been born in France, and had he + passed in his long life account, the acclaim of the liberal culture of + France would have enlarged that trio into a quartette. + </p> + <p> + "Colonel Ingersoll has appeared in several important debates in print, + notably with Judge Jeremiah S. Black formerly Attorney-General of the + United States: lately in the pages of The North American Review with the + Rev. Dr. Henry M. Field, and last but not least the Right Hon. William E + Gladstone, England's greatest citizen, has taken up the cudgel against him + in behalf of his view of Orthodoxy To-night, I believe-for the first time, + the colonel has consented to appear in a colloquial discussion. I have now + the honor to introduce this distinguished orator." + </p> + <p> + I admit, at the very threshold, that every human being thinks as he must; + and the first proposition really is, whether man has the right to think. + It will bear but little discussion, for the reason that no man can control + his thought. If you think you can, what are you going to think to-morrow? + What are you going to think next year? If you can absolutely control your + thought, can you stop thinking? + </p> + <p> + The question is, Has the will any power over the thought? What is thought? + It is the result of nature—of the outer world—first upon the + senses—those impressions left upon the brain as pictures of things + in the outward world, and these pictures are transformed into, or produce, + thought; and as long as the doors of the senses are open, thoughts will be + produced. Whoever looks at anything in nature, thinks. Whoever hears any + sound—or any symphony—no matter what—thinks. Whoever + looks upon the sea, or on a star, or on a flower, or on the face of a + fellow-man, thinks, and the result of that look is an absolute necessity. + The thought produced will depend upon your brain, upon your experience, + upon the history of your life. + </p> + <p> + One who looks upon the sea, knowing that the one he loved the best had + been devoured by its hungry waves, will have certain thoughts; and he who + sees it for the first time, will have different thoughts. In other words, + no two brains are alike; no two lives have been or are or ever will be the + same. Consequently, nature cannot produce the same effect upon any two + brains, or upon any two hearts. + </p> + <p> + The only reason why we wish to exchange thoughts is that we are different. + If we were all the same, we would die dumb. No thought would be expressed + after we found that our thoughts were precisely alike. We differ—our + thoughts are different. Therefore the commerce that we call conversation. + </p> + <p> + Back of language is thought. Back of language is the desire to express our + thought to another. This desire not only gave us language—this + desire has given us the libraries of the world. And not only the + libraries; this desire to express thought, to show to others the splendid + children of the brain, has written every book, formed every language, + painted every picture, and chiseled every statue—this desire to + express our thought to others, to reap the harvest of the brain. + </p> + <p> + If, then, thought is a necessity, "it follows as the night the day" that + there is, there can be, no responsibility for thought to any being, human + or divine. + </p> + <p> + A camera contains a sensitive plate. The light flashes upon it, and the + sensitive plate receives a picture. Is it in fault, is it responsible, for + the picture? So with the brain. An image is left on it, a picture is + imprinted there. The plate may not be perfectly level—it may be too + concave, or too convex, and the picture may be a deformity; so with the + brain. But the man does not make his own brain, and the consequence is, if + the picture is distorted it is not the fault of the brain. + </p> + <p> + We take then these two steps: first, thought is a necessity; and second, + the thought depends upon the brain. + </p> + <p> + Each brain is a kind of field where nature sows with careless hands the + seeds of thought. Some brains are poor and barren fields, producing weeds + and thorns, and some are like the tropic world where grow the palm and + pine—children of the sun and soil. + </p> + <p> + You read Shakespeare. What do you get out of Shakespeare? All that your + brain is able to hold. It depends upon your brain. If you are great—if + you have been cultivated—if the wings of your imagination have been + spread—if you have had great, free, and splendid thoughts—'r + you have stood upon the edge of things—if you have had the courage + to meet all that can come—you get an immensity from Shakespeare. If + you have lived nobly—if you have loved with every drop of your blood + and every fibre of your being—if you have suffered—if you have + enjoyed—then you get an immensity from Shakespeare. But if you have + lived a poor, little, mean, wasted, barren, weedy life—you get very + little from that immortal man. + </p> + <p> + So it is from every source in nature—what you get depends upon what + you are. + </p> + <p> + Take then the second step. If thought is a necessity, there can be no + responsibility for thought. And why has man ever believed that his + fellow-man was responsible for his thought? + </p> + <p> + Everything that is, everything that has been, has been naturally produced. + Man has acted as, under the same circumstances, we would have acted; + because when you say "under the circumstances," it is the same as to say + that you would do exactly as they have done. + </p> + <p> + There has always been in men the instinct of self-preservation. There was + a time when men believed, and honestly believed, that there was above them + a God. Sometimes they believed in many, but it will be sufficient for my + illustration to say, one. Man believed that there was in the sky above him + a God who attended to the affairs of men. He believed that that God, + sitting upon his throne, rewarded virtue and punished vice. He believed + also, that that God held the community responsible for the sins of + individuals. He honestly believed it. When the flood came, or when the + earthquake devoured, he really believed that some God was filled with + anger—with holy indignation—at his children. He believed it, + and so he looked about among his neighbors to see who was in fault, and if + there was any man who had failed to bring his sacrifice to the altar, had + failed to kneel, it may be to the priest, failed to be present in the + temple, or had given it as his opinion that the God of that tribe or of + that nation was of no use, then, in order to placate the God, they seized + the neighbor and sacrificed him on the altar of their ignorance and of + their fear. + </p> + <p> + They believed when the lightning leaped from the cloud and left its + blackened mark upon the man, that he had done something—that he had + excited the wrath of the gods. + </p> + <p> + And while man so believed, while he believed that it was necessary, in + order to defend himself, to kill his neighbor—he acted simply + according to the dictates of his nature. + </p> + <p> + What I claim is that we have nov-advanced far enough not only to think, + but to know, that the conduct of man has nothing to do with the phenomena + of nature. We are now advanced far enough to absolutely know that no man + can be bad enough and no nation infamous enough to cause an earthquake. I + think we have got to that point that we absolutely know that no man can be + wicked enough to entice one of the bolts from heaven—that no man can + be cruel enough to cause a drought—and that you could not have + infidels enough on the earth to cause another flood. I think we have + advanced far enough not only to say that, but to absolutely know it—I + mean people who have thought, and in whose minds there is something like + reasoning. + </p> + <p> + We know, if we know anything, that the lightning is just as apt to hit a + good man as a bad man. We know it. We know that the earthquake is just as + liable to swallow virtue as to swallow vice. And you know just as well as + I do that a ship loaded with pirates is just as apt to outride the storm + as one crowded with missionaries. You know it. + </p> + <p> + I am now speaking of the phenomena of nature. I believe, as much as I + believe that I live, that the reason a thing is right is because it tends + to the happiness of mankind. I believe, as much as I be-believe that I + live, that on the average the good man is not only the happier man, but + that no man is happy who is not good. + </p> + <p> + If then we have gotten over that frightful, that awful superstition—we + are ready to enjoy hearing the thoughts of each other. + </p> + <p> + I do not say, neither do I intend to be understood as saying, that there + is no God. All I intend to say is, that so far as we can see, no man is + punished, no nation is punished by lightning, or famine, or storm. + Everything happens to the one as to the other. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us admit that there is an infinite God. That has nothing to do + with the sinlessness of thought—nothing to do with the fact that no + man is accountable to any being, human or divine, for what he thinks. And + let me tell you why. + </p> + <p> + If there be an infinite God, leave him to deal with men who sin against + him. You can trust him, if you believe in him. He has the power. He has a + heaven full of bolts. Trust him. And now that you are satisfied that the + earthquake will not swallow you, or the lightning strike you, simply + because you tell your thoughts, if one of your neighbors differs with you, + and acts improperly or thinks or speaks improperly of your God, leave him + with your God—he can attend to him a thousand times better than you + can, He has the time. He lives from eternity to eternity. More than that, + he has the means. So that, whether there be this Being or not, you have no + right to interfere with your neighbor. + </p> + <p> + The next proposition is, that I have the same right to express my thought + to the whole world, that the whole world has to express its thought to me. + </p> + <p> + I believe that this realm of thought is not a democracy, where the + majority rule; it is not a republic. It is a country with one inhabitant. + This brain is the world in which my mind lives, and my mind is the + sovereign of that realm. We are all kings, and one man balances the rest + of the world as one drop of water balances the sea. Each soul is crowned. + Each soul wears the purple and the tiara; and only those are good citizens + of the intellectual world who give to every other human being every right + that they claim for themselves, and only those are traitors in the great + realm of thought who abandon reason and appeal to force. + </p> + <p> + If now I have got out of your minds the idea that you must abuse your + neighbors to keep on good terms with God, then the question of religion is + exactly like every question—I mean of thought, of mind—I have + nothing to say now about action. + </p> + <p> + Is there authority in the world of art? Can a legislature pass a law that + a certain picture is beautiful, and can it pass a law putting in the + penitentiary any impudent artistic wretch who says that to him it is not + beautiful? Precisely the same with music. Our ears are not all the same; + we are not touched by the same sounds—the same beautiful memories* + do not arise. Suppose you have an authority in music? You may make men, it + may be, by offering them office or by threatening them with punishment, + swear that they all like that tune—but you never will know till the + day of your death whether they do or not. The moment you introduce a + despotism in the world of thought, you succeed in making hypocrites—and + you get in such a position that you never know what your neighbor thinks. + </p> + <p> + So in the great realm of religion, there can be no force. No one can be + compelled to pray. No matter how you tie him down, or crush him down on + his face or on his knees, it is above the power of the human race to put + in that man, by force, the spirit of prayer. You cannot do it. Neither can + you compel anybody to worship a God. Worship rises from the heart like + perfume from a flower. It cannot obey; it cannot do that which some one + else commands. It must be absolutely true to the law of its own nature. + And do you think any God would be satisfied with compulsory worship? Would + he like to see long rows of poor, ignorant slaves on their terrified knees + repeating words without a soul—giving him what you might call the + shucks of sound? Will any God be satisfied with that? And so I say, we + must be as free in one department of thought as another. + </p> + <p> + Now, I take the next step, and that is, that the rights of all are + absolutely equal. + </p> + <p> + I have the same right to give you my opinion that you have to give me + yours. I have no right to compel you to hear, if you do not want to. I + have no right to compel you to speak if you do not want to. If you do not + wish to know my thought, I have no right to force it upon you. + </p> + <p> + The next thing is, that this liberty of thought, this liberty of + expression, is of more value than any other thing beneath the stars. Of + more value than any religion, of more value than any government, of more + value than all the constitutions that man has written and all the laws + that he has passed, is this liberty—the absolute liberty of the + human mind. Take away that word from language, and all other words become + meaningless sounds, and there is then no reason for a man being and living + upon the earth. + </p> + <p> + So then, I am simply in favor of intellectual hospitality—that is + all. You come to me with a new idea. I invite you into the house. Let us + see what you have. Let us talk it over. If I do not like your thought, I + will bid it a polite "good day." If I do like it, I will say: "Sit down; + stay with me, and become a part of the intellectual wealth of my world." + That is all. + </p> + <p> + And how any human being ever has had the impudence to speak against the + right to speak, is beyond the power of my imagination. Here is a man who + speaks—who exercises a right that he, by his speech, denies. Can + liberty go further than that? Is there any toleration possible beyond the + liberty to speak against liberty—the real believer in free speech + allowing others to speak against the right to speak? Is there any + limitation beyond that? + </p> + <p> + So, whoever has spoken against the right to speak has admitted that he + violated his own doctrine. No man can open his mouth against the freedom + of speech without denying every argument he may put forward. Why? He is + exercising the right that he denies. How did he get it? Suppose there is + one man on an island. You will all admit now that he would have the right + to do his own thinking. You will all admit that he has the right to + express his thought. Now, will somebody tell me how many men would have to + emigrate to that island before the original settler would lose his right + to think and his right to express himself? + </p> + <p> + If there be an infinite Being—and it is a question that I know + nothing about—you would be perfectly astonished to know how little I + do know on that subject, and yet I know as much as the aggregated world + knows, and as little as the smallest insect that ever fanned with happy + wings the summer air—if there be such a Being, I have the same right + to think that he has simply because it is a necessity of my nature—because + I cannot help it. And the Infinite would be just as responsible to the + smallest intelligence living in the infinite spaces—he would be just + as responsible to that intelligence as that intelligence can be to him, + provided that intelligence thinks as a necessity of his nature. + </p> + <p> + There is another phrase to which I object—"toleration." "The limits + of toleration." Why say "toleration"? I will tell you why. When the + thinkers were in the minority—when the philosophers were vagabonds—when + the men with brains furnished fuel for bonfires—when the majority + were ignorantly orthodox—when they hated the heretic as a last + year's leaf hates a this year's bud—in that delightful time these + poor people in the minority had to say to ignorant power, to conscientious + rascality, to cruelty born of universal love: "Don't kill us; don't be so + arrogantly meek as to burn us; tolerate us." At that time the minority was + too small to talk about rights, and the great big ignorant majority when + tired of shedding blood, said: "Well, we will tolerate you; we can afford + to wait; you will not live long, and when the Being of infinite compassion + gets hold of you we will glut our revenge through an eternity of joy; we + will ask you every now and then, 'What is your opinion now?'" + </p> + <p> + Both feeling absolutely sure that infinite goodness would have his + revenge, they "tolerated" these thinkers, and that word finally took the + place almost of liberty. But I do not like it. When you say "I tolerate," + you do not say you have no right to punish, no right to persecute. It is + only a disclaimer for a few moments and for a few years, but you retain + the right. I deny it. + </p> + <p> + And let me say here to-night—it is your experience, it is mine—that + the bigger a man is the more charitable he is; you know it. The more brain + he has, the more excuses he finds for all the world; you know it. And if + there be in heaven an infinite Being, he must be grander than any man; he + must have a thousand times more charity than the human heart can hold, and + is it possible that he is going to hold his ignorant children responsible + for the impressions made by nature upon their brain? Let us have some + sense. + </p> + <p> + There is another side to this question, and that is with regard to the + freedom of thought and expression in matters pertaining to this world. + </p> + <p> + No man has a right to hurt the character of a neighbor. He has no right to + utter slander. He has no right to bear false witness. He has no right to + be actuated by any motive except for the general good—but the things + he does here to his neighbor—these are easily defined and easily + punished. All that I object to is setting up a standard of authority in + the world of art, the world of beauty, the world of poetry, the world of + worship, the world of religion, and the world of metaphysics. That is what + I object to; and if the old doctrines had been carried out, every human + being that has benefited this world would have been destroyed. If the + people who believe that a certain belief is necessary to insure salvation + had had control of this world, we would have been as ignorant to-night as + wild beasts. Every step in advance has been made in spite of them. There + has not been a book of any value printed since the invention of that art—and + when I say "of value," I mean that contained new and splendid truths—that + was not anathematized by the gentlemen who believed that man is + responsible for his thought. Every step has been taken in spite of that + doctrine. + </p> + <p> + Consequently I simply believe in absolute liberty of mind. And I have no + fear about any other world—not the slightest. When I get there, I + will give my honest opinion of that country; I will give my honest thought + there; and if for that I lose my soul, I will keep at least my + self-respect. + </p> + <p> + A man tells me a story. I believe it, or disbelieve it. I cannot help it. + I read a story—no matter whether in the original Hebrew, or whether + it has been translated. I believe it or I disbelieve it. No matter whether + it is written in a very solemn or a very flippant manner—I have my + idea about its truth. And I insist that each man has the right to judge + that for himself, and for that reason, as I have already said, I am + defending your right to differ with me—that is all. And if you do + differ with me, all that it proves is that I do not agree with you. There + is no man that lives to-night beneath the stars—there is no being—that + can force my soul upon its knees, unless the reason is given. I will be no + slave. I do not care how big my master is, I am just as small, if a slave, + as though the master were small. It is not the greatness of the master + that can honor the slave. In other words, I am going to act according to + my right, as I understand it, without interfering with any other human + being. And now, if you think—any of you, that you can control your + thought, I want you to try it. There is not one here who can by any + possibility think, only as he must. + </p> + <p> + You remember the story of the Methodist minister who insisted that he + could control his thoughts. A man said to him, "Nobody can control his own + mind." "Oh, yes, he can," the preacher replied. "My dear sir," said the + man, "you cannot even say the Lord's Prayer without thinking of something + else." "Oh, yes, I can." "Well, if you will do it, I will give you that + horse, the best riding horse in this county." "Well, who is to judge?" + said the preacher. "I will take your own word for it, and if you say the + Lord's Prayer through without thinking of anything else, I will give you + that horse." So the minister shut his eyes and began: "Our Father which + art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,"—"I + suppose you will throw in the saddle and bridle?" + </p> + <p> + I say to you to-night, ladies and gentlemen, that I feel more interest in + the freedom of thought and speech than in all other questions, knowing, as + I do, that it is the condition of great and splendid progress for the + race; remembering, as I do, that the opposite idea has covered the cheek + of the world with tears; remembering, and knowing, as I do, that the + enemies of free thought and free speech have covered this world with + blood. These men have filled the heavens with an infinite monster; they + have filled the future with fire and flame, and they have made the + present, when they have had the power, a perdition. These men, these + doctrines, have carried fagots to the feet of philosophy. These men, these + doctrines, have hated to see the dawn of an intellectual day. These men, + these doctrines, have denied every science, and denounced and killed every + philosopher they could lay their bloody, cruel, ignorant hands upon. + </p> + <p> + And for that reason, I am for absolute liberty of thought, everywhere, in + every department, domain, and realm of the human mind. + </p> + <p> + REMARKS OF MR. COUDERT. + </p> + <p> + <i>Ladies and Gentlemen and Mr. President</i>: It is not only "the sense + of the church" that I am lacking now, I am afraid it is any sense at all; + and I am only wondering how a reasonably intelligent being—meaning + myself—could in view of the misfortune that befell Mr. Kernan, have + undertaken to speak to-night. + </p> + <p> + This is a new experience. I have never sung in any of Verdi's operas—I + have never listened to one through—but I think I would prefer to try + all three of these performances rather than go on with this duty which, in + a vain moment of deluded vanity, I heedlessly undertook. + </p> + <p> + I am in a new field here. I feel very much like the master of a ship who + thinks that he can safely guide his bark. (I am not alluding to the + traditional bark of St. Peter, in which I hope that I am and will always + be, but the ordinary bark that requires a compass and a rudder and a + guide.) And I find that all these ordinary things, which we generally take + for granted, and which are as necessary to our safety as the air which we + breathe, or the sunshine that we enjoy, have been quietly, pleasantly, and + smilingly thrown overboard by the gentleman who has just preceded me. + </p> + <p> + Carlyle once said—and the thought came to me as the gentleman was + speaking—"A Comic History of England!"—for some wretch had + just written such a book—(talk of free thought and free speech when + men do such things!)—"A Comic History of England!" The next thing we + shall hear of will be "A Comic History of the Bible!" I think we have + heard the first chapter of that comic history to-night; and the only + comfort that I have—and possibly some other antiquated and + superannuated persons of either sex, if such there be within my hearing—is + that such things as have seemed to me charmingly to partake of the order + of blasphemy, have been uttered with such charming bonhomie, and received + with such enthusiastic admiration, that I have wondered whether we are in + a Christian audience of the nineteenth century, or in a possible + Ingersollian audience of the twenty-third. + </p> + <p> + And let me first, before I enter upon the very few and desultory remarks, + which are the only ones that I can make now and with which I may claim + your polite attention—let me say a word about the comparison with + which your worthy President opened these proceedings. + </p> + <p> + There are two or three things upon which I am a little sensitive: One, + aspersions upon the land of my birth—the city of New York; the next, + the land of my fathers; and the next, the bark that I was just speaking + of. + </p> + <p> + Now your worthy President, in his well-meant efforts to exhibit in the + best possible style the new actor upon his stage, said that he had seen + Victor Hugo's remains, and Voltaire's, and Jean Jacques Rousseau's, and + that he thought the niche might well be filled by Colonel Ingersoll. If + that had been merely the expression of a natural desire to see him + speedily annihilated, I might perhaps in the interests of the Christian + community have thought, but not said, "Amen!" (Here you will at once + observe the distinction I make between free thought and free speech!) + </p> + <p> + I do not think, and I beg that none of you, and particularly the eloquent + rhetorician who preceded me, will think, that in anything I may say I + intend any personal discourtesy, for I do believe to some extent in + freedom of speech upon a platform like this. Such a debate as this rises + entirely above and beyond the plane of personalities. + </p> + <p> + I suppose that your President intended to compare Colonel Ingersoll to + Voltaire, to Hugo and to Rousseau. I have no retainer from either of those + gentlemen, but for the reason that I just gave you, I wish to defend their + memory from what I consider a great wrong. And so I do not think—with + all respect to the eloquent and learned gentleman—that he is + entitled to a place in that niche. Voltaire did many wrong things. He did + them for many reasons, and chiefly because he was human. But Voltaire did + a great deal to build up. Leaving aside his noble tragedies, which charmed + and delighted his audiences, and dignified the stage, throughout his work + was some effort to ameliorate the condition of the human race. He fought + against torture; he fought against persecution; he fought against bigotry; + he clamored and wrote against littleness and fanaticism in every way, and + he was not ashamed when he entered upon his domains at Fernay, to erect a + church to the God of whom the most our friend can say is, "I do not know + whether he exists or not." + </p> + <p> + Rousseau did many noble things, but he was a madman, and in our day would + probably have been locked up in an asylum and treated by intelligent + doctors. His works, however, bear the impress of a religious education, + and if there be in his works or sayings anything to parallel what we have + heard tonight—whether a parody on divine revelation, or a parody + upon the prayer of prayers—I have not seen it. + </p> + <p> + Victor Hugo has enriched the literature of his day with prose and poetry + that have made him the Shakespeare of the nineteenth century—poems + as deeply imbued with a devout sense of responsibility to the Almighty as + the writings of an archbishop or a cardinal. He has left the traces of his + beneficent action all over the literature of his day, of his country, and + of his race. + </p> + <p> + All these men, then, have built up something. Will anyone, the most ardent + admirer of Colonel Ingersoll, tell me what he has built up? + </p> + <p> + To go now to the argument. The learned gentleman says that freedom of + thought is a grand thing. Unfortunately, freedom of thought exists. What + one of us would not put manacles and fetters upon his thoughts, if he only + could? What persecution have any of us suffered to compare with the + involuntary recurrence of these demons that enter our brain—that + bring back past events that we would wipe out with our tears, or even with + our blood—and make us slaves of a power unseen but uncontrollable + and uncontrolled? Is it not unworthy of so eloquent and intelligent a man + to preach before you here to-night that thought must always be free? + </p> + <p> + When in the history of the world has thought ever been fettered? If there + be a page in history upon which such an absurdity is written, I have + failed to find it. + </p> + <p> + Thought is beyond the domain of man. The most cruel and arbitrary ruler + can no more penetrate into your bosom and mine and extract the inner + workings of our brain, than he can scale the stars or pull down the sun + from its seat. Thought must be free. Thought is unseen, unhandled and + untouched, and no despot has yet been able to reach it, except when the + thoughts burst into words. And therefore, may we not consider now, and + say, that liberty of word is what he wants, and not liberty of thought, + which no one has ever gainsaid, or disputed? + </p> + <p> + Liberty of speech!—and the gentleman generously tells us, "Why, I + only ask for myself what I would cheerfully extend to you. I wish you to + be free; and you can even entertain those old delusions which your mothers + taught, and look with envious admiration upon me while I scale the giddy + heights of Olympus, gather the honey and approach the stars and tell you + how pure the air is in those upper regions which you are unable to reach." + </p> + <p> + Thanks for his kindness! But I think that it is one thing for us to extend + to him that liberty that he asks for—the liberty to destroy—and + another thing for him to give us the liberty which we claim—the + liberty to conserve. + </p> + <p> + Oh, destruction is so easy, destruction is so pleasant! It marks the + footsteps all through our life. The baby begins by destroying his bib; the + older child by destroying his horse, and when the man is grown up and he + joins the regiment with the latent instinct that when he gets a chance he + will destroy human life. + </p> + <p> + This building cost many thousand days' work. It was planned by more or + less skillful architects (ignorant of ventilation, but well-meaning). Men + lavished their thought, and men lavished their sweat for a pittance, upon + this building. It took months and possibly years to build it and to adorn + it and to beautify it. And yet, as it stands complete tonight with all of + you here in the vigor of your life and in the enjoyment of such + entertainment as you may get here this evening, I will find a dozen men + who with a few pounds of dynamite will reduce it and all of us to instant + destruction. + </p> + <p> + The dynamite man may say to me, "I give you full liberty to build and + occupy and insure, if you will give me liberty to blow up." Is that a fair + bargain? Am I bound in conscience and in good sense to accept it? Liberty + of speech! Tell me where liberty of speech has ever existed. There have + been free societies, England was a free country. France has struggled + through crisis after crisis to obtain liberty of speech. We think we have + liberty of speech, as we understand it, and yet who would undertake to say + that our society could live with liberty of speech? We have gone through + many crises in our short history, and we know that thought is nothing + before the law, but the word is an act—as guilty at times as the act + of killing, or burglary, or any of the violent crimes that disgrace + humanity and require the police. + </p> + <p> + A word is an act—an act of the tongue; and why should my tongue go + unpunished, and I who wield it mercilessly toward those who are weaker + than I, escape, if my arm is to be punished when I use it tyrannously? + Whom would you punish for the murder of Desdemona—is it Iago, or + Othello? Who was the villain, who was the criminal, who deserved the + scaffold—who but free speech? Iago exercised free speech. He + poisoned the ear of Othello and nerved his arm and Othello was the + murderer—but Iago went scot free. That was a word. + </p> + <p> + "Oh," says the counsel, "but that does not apply to individuals; be tender + and charitable to individuals." Tender and charitable to men if they + endeavor to destroy all that you love and venerate and respect! + </p> + <p> + Are you tender and charitable to me if you enter my house, my castle, and + debauch my children from the faith that they have been taught? Are you + tender and charitable to them and to me when you teach them that I have + instructed them in falsehood, that their mother has rocked them in + blasphemy, and that they are now among the fools and the witlings of the + world because they believe in my precepts? Is that the charity that you + speak of? Heaven forbid that liberty of speech such as that, should ever + invade my home or yours! + </p> + <p> + We all understand, and the learned gentleman will admit, that his + discourse is but an eloquent apology for blasphemy. And when I say this, I + beg you to believe me incapable of resorting to the cheap artifice of + strong words to give point to a pointless argument, or to offend a + courteous adversary. I think if I put it to him he would, with + characteristic candor, say, "Yes, that is what I claim—the liberty + to blaspheme; the world has outgrown these things; and I claim to-day, as + I claimed a few months ago in the neighboring gallant little State of New + Jersey, that while you cannot slander man, your tongue is free to revile + and insult man's maker." New Jersey was behind in the race for progress, + and did not accept his argument. His unfortunate client was convicted and + had to pay the fine which the press—which is seldom mistaken—says + came from the pocket of his generous counsel. + </p> + <p> + The argument was a strong one; the argument was brilliant, and was able; + and I say now, with all my predilections for the church of my fathers, and + for your church (because it is not a question of our differences, but it + is a question whether the tree shall be torn up by the roots, not what + branches may bear richer fruit or deserve to be lopped off)—I say, + why has every Christian State passed these statutes against blasphemy? + Turning into ridicule sacred things—firing off the Lord's Prayer as + you would a joke from Joe Miller or a comic poem—that is what I mean + by blasphemy. If there is any other or better definition, give it me, and + I will use it. + </p> + <p> + Now understand. All these States of ours care not one fig what our + religion is. Behave yourselves properly, obey the laws, do not require the + intervention of the police, and the majesty of your conscience will be as + exalted as the sun. But the wisest men and the best men—possibly not + so eloquent as the orator, but I may say it without offence to him—other + names that shine brightly in the galaxy of our best men, have insisted and + maintained that the Christian faith was the ligament that kept our modern + society together, and our laws have said, and the laws of most of our + States say, to this day, "Think what you like, but do not, like Samson, + pull the pillars down upon us all." + </p> + <p> + If I had anything to say, ladies and gentlemen, it is time that I should + say it now. My exordium has been very long, but it was no longer than the + dignity of the subject, perhaps, demanded. + </p> + <p> + Free speech we all have. Absolute liberty of speech we never had. Did we + have it before the war? Many of us here remember that if you crossed an + imaginary line and went among some of the noblest and best men that ever + adorned this continent, one word against slavery meant death. And if you + say that that was the influence of slavery, I will carry you to Boston, + that city which numbers within its walls as many intelligent people to the + acre as any city on the globe—was it different there? + </p> + <p> + Why, the fugitive, beaten, blood-stained slave, when he got there, was + seized and turned back; and when a few good and brave men, in defence of + free speech, undertook to defend the slave and to try and give him + liberty, they were mobbed and pelted and driven through the city. You may + say, "That proves there was no liberty of speech." No; it proves this: + that wherever, and wheresoever, and whenever, liberty of speech is + incompatible with the safety of the State, liberty of speech must fall + back and give way, in order that the State may be preserved. + </p> + <p> + First, above everything, above all things, the safety of the people is the + supreme law. And if rhetoricians, anxious to tear down, anxious to pluck + the faith from the young ones who are unable to defend it, come forward + with nickel-plated platitudes and commonplaces clothed in second-hand + purple and tinsel, and try to tear down the temple, then it is time, I + shall not say for good men—for I know so few they make a small + battalion—but for good women, to come to the rescue. + </p> + <p> + GENERAL WOODFORD'S SPEECH. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen>: At this late hour, I could not + attempt—even if I would—the eloquence of my friend Colonel + Ingersoll; nor the wit and rapier-like sarcasm of my other valued friend + Mr. Coudert. But there are some things so serious about this subject that + we discuss to-night, that I crave your pardon if, without preface, and + without rhetoric, I get at once to what from my Protestant standpoint + seems the fatal logical error of Mr. Inger-soll's position. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll starts with the statement—and that I may not, for I + could not, do him injustice, nor myself injustice, in the quotation, I + will give it as he stated it—he starts with this statement: that + thought is a necessary natural product, the result of what we call + impressions made through the medium of the senses upon the brain. + </p> + <p> + Do you think that is thought? Now stop—turn right into your own + minds—is that thought? Does not will power take hold? Does not + reason take hold? Does not memory take hold, and is not thought the action + of the brain based upon the impression and assisted or directed by + manifold and varying influences? + </p> + <p> + Secondly, our friend Mr. Ingersoll says that no human being is accountable + to any being, human or divine, for his thought. + </p> + <p> + He starts with the assumption that thought is the inevitable impression + burnt upon the mind at once, and then jumps to the conclusion that there + is no responsibility. Now, is not that a fair logical analysis of what he + has said? + </p> + <p> + My senses leave upon my mind an impression, and then my mind, out of that + impression, works good or evil. The glass of brandy, being presented to my + physical sense, inspires thirst—inspires the thought of thirst—inspires + the instinct of debauchery. Am I not accountable for the result of the + mind given me, whether I yield to the debauch, or rise to the dignity of + self-control? + </p> + <p> + Every thing of sense leaves its impression upon the mind. If there be no + responsibility anywhere, then is this world blind chance. If there be no + responsibility anywhere, then my friend deserves no credit if he be + guiding you in the path of truth, and I deserve no censure if I be + carrying you back into the path of superstition. Why, admit for a moment + that a man has no control over his thought, and you destroy absolutely the + power of regenerating the world, the power of improving the world. The + world swings one way, or it swings the other. If it be true that in all + these ages we have come nearer and nearer to a perfect liberty, that is + true simply and alone because the mind of man through reason, through + memory, through a thousand inspirations and desires and hopes, has ever + tended toward better results and higher achievements. + </p> + <p> + No accountability? I speak not for my friend, but I recognize that I am + accountable to myself; I recognize that whether I rise or fall, that + whether my life goes upward or downward, I am responsible to myself. And + so, in spite of all sophistry, so in spite of all dream, so in spite of + all eloquence, each woman, each man within this audience is responsible—first + of all to herself and himself—whether when bad thoughts, when + passion, when murder, when evil come into the heart or brain he harbors + them there or he casts them out. + </p> + <p> + I am responsible further—I am responsible to my neighbor. I know + that I am my neighbor's keeper, I know that as I touch your life, as you + touch mine, I am responsible every moment, every hour, every day, for my + influence upon you. I am either helping you up, or I am dragging you down; + you are either helping me up or you are dragging me down—and you + know it. Sophistry cannot get away from this; eloquence cannot seduce us + from it. You know that if you look back through the record of your life, + there are lives that you have helped and lives that you have hurt. You + know that there are lives on the downward plane that went down because in + an evil hour you pushed them; you know, perhaps with blessing, lives that + have gone up because you have reached out to them a helping hand. That + responsibility for your neighbor is a responsibility and an accountability + that you and I cannot avoid or evade. + </p> + <p> + I believe one thing further: that because there is a creation there is a + Creator. I believe that because there is force, there is a Projector of + force; because there is matter, there is spirit. I reverently believe + these things. I am not angry with my neighbor because he does not; it may + be that he is right, that I am wrong; but if there be a Power that sent me + into this world, so far as that Power has given me wrong direction, or + permitted wrong direction, that Power will judge me justly. So far as I + disregard the light that I have, whatever it may be—whether it br + light of reason, light of conscience, light of history—so far as I + do that which my judgment tells me is wrong, I am responsible and I am + accountable. + </p> + <p> + Now the Protestant theory, as I understand it, is simply this: It would + vary from the theory as taught by the mother church—it certainly + swings far away from the theory as suggested by my friend; I understand + the Protestant theory to be this: That every man is responsible to + himself, to his neighbor, and to his God, for his thought. Not for the + first impression—but for that impression, for that direction and + result which he intelligently gives to the first impression or deduces + from it. I understand that the Protestant idea is this: that man may think—we + know he will think—for himself; but that he is responsible for it. + That a man may speak his thought, so long as he does not hurt his + neighbor. He must use his own liberty so that he shall not injure the + well-being of any other one—so that when using this liberty, when + exercising this freedom, he is accountable at the last to his God. And so + Protestantism sends me into the world with this terrible and solemn + responsibility. + </p> + <p> + It leaves Mr. Ingersoll free to speak his thought at the bar of his + conscience, before the bar of his fellow-man, but it holds him in the + inevitable grip of absolute responsibility for every light word idly + spoken. + </p> + <p> + God grant that he may use that power so that he can face that + responsibility at the last! + </p> + <p> + It leaves to every churchman liberty to believe and stand by his church + according to his own conviction. + </p> + <p> + It stands for this; the absolute liberty of each individual man to think, + to write, to speak, to act, according to the best light within him; + limited as to his fellows, by the condition that he shall not use that + liberty so as to injure them; limited in the other direction, by those + tremendous laws which are laws in spite of all rhetoric, and in spite of + all logic. + </p> + <p> + If I put my finger into the fire, that fire burns. If I do a wrong, that + wrong remains. If I hurt my neighbor, the wrong reacts upon myself. If I + would try to escape what you call judgment, what you call penalty, I + cannot escape the working of the inevitable-law that follows a cause by + effect; I cannot escape that inevitable law—not the creation of some + dark monster flashing through the skies—but, as I believe, the + beneficent creation which puts into the spiritual life the same control of + law that guides the material life, which wisely makes me responsible, that + in the solemnity of that responsibility I am bound to lift my brother up + and never to drag my brother down. + </p> + <p> + REPLY OF COLONEL INGERSOLL. + </p> + <p> + The first gentleman who replied to me took the ground boldly that + expression is not free—that no man has the right to express his real + thoughts—and I suppose that he acted in accordance with that idea. + How are you to know whether he thought a solitary thing that he said, or + not? How is it possible for us to ascertain whether he is simply the + mouthpiece of some other? Whether he is a free man, or whether he says + that which he does not believe, it is impossible for us to ascertain. + </p> + <p> + He tells you that I am about to take away the religion of your mothers. I + have heard that said a great many times. No doubt Mr. Coudert has the + religion of his mother, and judging from the argument he made, his mother + knew at least as much about these questions as her son. I believe that + every good father and good mother wants to see the son and the daughter + climb higher upon the great and splendid mount of thought than they + reached. + </p> + <p> + You never can honor your father by going around swearing to his mistakes. + You never can honor your mother by saying that ignorance is blessed + because she did not know everything. I want to honor my parents by finding + out more than they did. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing that I was a little astonished at—that Mr. + Coudert, knowing that he would be in eternal felicity with his harp in his + hand, seeing me in the world of the damned, could yet grow envious here + to-night at my imaginary monument. + </p> + <p> + And he tells you—this Catholic—that Voltaire was an + exceedingly good Christian compared with me. Do you know I am glad that I + have compelled a Catholic—one who does not believe he has the right + to express his honest thoughts—to pay a compliment to Voltaire + simply because he thought it was at my expense? + </p> + <p> + I have an almost infinite admiration for Voltaire; and when I hear that + name pronounced, I think of a plume floating over a mailed knight—I + think of a man that rode to the beleaguered City of Catholicism and + demanded a surrender—I think of a great man who thrust the dagger of + assassination into your Mother Church, and from that wound she never will + recover. + </p> + <p> + One word more. This gentleman says that children are destructive—that + the first thing they do is to destroy their bibs. The gentleman, I should + think from his talk, has preserved his! + </p> + <p> + They talk about blasphemy. What is blasphemy? Let us be honest with each + other. Whoever lives upon the unpaid labor of others is a blasphemer. + Whoever slanders, maligns, and betrays is a blasphemer. Whoever denies to + others the rights that he claims for himself is a blasphemer. + </p> + <p> + Who is a worshiper? One who makes a happy home—one who fills the + lives of wife and children with sunlight—one who has a heart where + the flowers of kindness burst into blossom and fill the air with perfume—the + man who sits beside his wife, prematurely old and wasted, and holds her + thin hands in his and kisses them as passionately and loves her as truly + and as rapturously as when she was a bride—he is a worshiper—that + is worship. + </p> + <p> + And the gentleman brought forward as a reason why we should not have free + speech, that only a few years ago some of the best men in the world, if + you said a word in favor of liberty, would shoot you down. What an + argument was that! They were not good men. They were the whippers of women + and the stealers of babes—robbers of the trundlebed—assassins + of human liberty. They knew no better, but I do not propose to follow the + example of a barbarian because he was honestly a barbarian. + </p> + <p> + So much for debauching his family by telling them that his precepts are + false. If he has taught them as he has taught us to-night, he has + debauched their minds. I would be honest at the cradle. I would not tell a + child anything as a certainty that I did not know. I would be absolutely + honest. + </p> + <p> + But he says that thought is absolutely free—nobody can control + thought. Let me tell him: Superstition is the jailer of the mind. You can + so stuff a child with superstition that its poor little brain is a bastile + and its poor little soul a convict. Fear is the jailer of the mind, and + superstition is the assassin of liberty. + </p> + <p> + So when anybody goes into his family and tells these great and shining + truths, instead of debauching his children they will kill the snakes that + crawl in their cradles. Let us be honest and free. + </p> + <p> + And now, coming to the second gentleman. He is a Protestant. The Catholic + Church says: "Don't think; pay your fare; this is a through ticket, and we + will look out for your baggage." The Protestant Church says: "Read that + Bible for yourselves; think for yourselves; but if you do not come to a + right conclusion you will be eternally damned." Any sensible man will say, + "Then I won't read it—I'll believe it without reading it." And that + is the only way you can be sure you will believe it; don't read it. + </p> + <p> + Governor Woodford says that we are responsible for our thoughts. Why? + Could you help thinking as you did on this subject? No, Could you help + believing the Bible? I suppose not. Could you help believing that story of + Jonah? Certainly not—it looks reasonable in Brooklyn. + </p> + <p> + I stated that thought was the result of the impressions of nature upon the + mind through the medium of the senses. He says you cannot have thought + without memory. How did you get the first one? + </p> + <p> + Of course I intended to be understood—and the language is clear—that + there could be no thought except through the impressions made upon the + brain by nature through the avenues called the senses. Take away the + senses, how would you think then? If you thought at all, I think you would + agree with Mr. Coudert. + </p> + <p> + Now, I admit—so we need never have a contradiction about it—I + admit that every human being is responsible to the person he injures. If + he injures any man, woman, or child, or any dog, or the lowest animal that + crawls, he is responsible to that animal, to that being—in other + words, he is responsible to any being that he has injured. + </p> + <p> + But you cannot injure an infinite Being, if there be one. I will tell you + why. You cannot help him, and you cannot hurt him. If there be an infinite + Being, he is conditionless—he does not want anything—he has + it. You cannot help anybody that does not want something—you cannot + help him. You cannot hurt anybody unless he is a conditioned being and you + change his condition so as to inflict a harm. But if God be conditionless, + you cannot hurt him, and you cannot help him. So do not trouble yourselves + about the Infinite. All our duties lie within reach—all our duties + are right here; and my religion is simply this: + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>. Give to every other human being every right that you claim + for yourself. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>. If you tell your thought at all, tell your honest thought. + Do not be a parrot—do not be an instrumentality for an organization. + Tell your own thought, honor bright, what you think. + </p> + <p> + My next idea is, that the only possible good in the universe is happiness. + The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be + happy is to try and make somebody else so. + </p> + <p> + My good friend General Woodford—and he is a good man telling the + best he knows—says that I will be accountable at the bar up yonder. + I am ready to settle that account now, and expect to be, every moment of + my life—and when that settlement comes, if it does come, I do not + believe that a solitary being can rise and say that I ever injured him or + her. + </p> + <p> + But no matter what they say. Let me tell you a story, how we will settle + if we do get there. + </p> + <p> + You remember the story told about the Mexican who believed that his + country was the only one in the world, and said so. The priest told him + that there was another country where a man lived who was eleven or twelve + feet high, that made the whole world, and if he denied it, when that man + got hold of him he would not leave a whole bone in his body. But he denied + it. He was one of those men who would not believe further than his vision + extended. + </p> + <p> + So one day in his boat, he was rocking away when the wind suddenly arose + and he was blown out of sight of his home. After several days he was blown + so far that he saw the shores of another country. Then he said, "My Lord; + I am gone! I have been swearing all my life that there was no other + country, and here it is!" So he did his best—paddled with what + little strength he had left, reached the shore, and got out of his boat. + Sure enough, there came down a man to meet him about twelve feet high. The + poor little wretch was frightened almost to death, so he said to the tall + man as he saw him coming down: "Mister, whoever you are, I denied your + existence—I did not believe you lived; I swore there was no such + country as this; but I see I was mistaken, and I am gone. You are going to + kill me, and the quicker you do it the better and get me out of my misery. + Do it now!" + </p> + <p> + The great man just looked at the little fellow, and said nothing, till he + asked, "What are you going to do with me, because over in that other + country I denied your existence?" "What am I going to do with you?" said + the supposed God. "Now that you have got here, if you behave yourself I am + going to treat you well." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0006" id="link0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A CHRISTMAS SERMON. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This is the famous Christmas Sermon written by Colonel + Ingersoll and printed in the Evening Telegram, on December + 19,1891. +</pre> + <p> + I. + </p> + <p> + THE good part of Christmas is not always Christian—it is generally + Pagan; that is to say, human, natural. + </p> + <p> + Christianity did not come with tidings of great joy, but with a message of + eternal grief. It came with the threat of everlasting torture on its lips. + It meant war on earth and perdition hereafter. + </p> + <p> + It taught some good things—the beauty of love and kindness in man. + But as a torch-bearer, as a bringer of joy, it has been a failure. It has + given infinite consequences to the acts of finite beings, crushing the + soul with a responsibility too great for mortals to bear. It has filled + the future with fear and flame, and made God the keeper of an eternal + penitentiary, destined to be the home of nearly all the sons of men. Not + satisfied with that, it has deprived God of the pardoning power. + </p> + <p> + In answer to this "Christmas Sermon" the Rev. Dr. J. M. Buckley, editor of + the Christian Advocate, the recognized organ of the Methodist Church, + wrote an article, calling upon the public to boycott the Evening Telegram + for publishing such a "sermon." + </p> + <p> + This attack was headed "Lies That Are Mountainous." The Telegram promptly + accepted the issue raised by Dr. Buckley and dared him to do his utmost. + On the very same day it published an answer from Colonel Ingersoll that + echoed throughout America.' + </p> + <p> + And yet it may have done some good by borrowing from the Pagan world the + old festival called Christmas. + </p> + <p> + Long before Christ was born the Sun-God triumphed over the powers of + Darkness. About the time that we call Christmas the days begin perceptibly + to lengthen. Our barbarian ancestors were worshipers of the sun, and they + celebrated his victory over the hosts of night. Such a festival was + natural and beautiful. The most natural of all religions is the worship of + the sun. Christianity adopted this festival. It borrowed from the Pagans + the best it has. + </p> + <p> + I believe in Christmas and in every day that has been set apart for joy. + We in America have too much work and not enough play. We are too much like + the English. + </p> + <p> + I think it was Heinrich Heine who said that he thought a blaspheming + Frenchman was a more pleasing object to God than a praying Englishman. We + take our joys too sadly. I am in favor of all the good free days—the + more the better. + </p> + <p> + Christmas is a good day to forgive and forget—a good day to throw + away prejudices and hatreds—a good day to fill your heart and your + house, and the hearts and houses of others, with sunshine. + </p> + <p> + R. G Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + COL. INGERSOLL'S REPLY TO Dr. BUCKLEY. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + WHENEVER an orthodox editor attacks an unbeliever, look out for kindness, + charity and love. + </p> + <p> + The gentle editor of the <i>Christian Advocate</i> charges me with having + written three "gigantic falsehoods," and he points them out as follows: <i>First</i>—"Christianity + did not come with tidings of great joy? but with a message of eternal + grief." + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>—"It [Christianity] has filled the future with fear and + flame, and made God the keeper of an eternal penitentiary, destined to be + the home of nearly all the sons of men." + </p> + <p> + <i>Third</i>—"Not satisfied with that, it [Christianity] has + deprived God of the pardoning power." + </p> + <p> + Now, let us take up these "gigantic falsehoods" in their order and see + whether they are in accord with the New Testament or not—whether + they are supported by the creed of the Methodist Church. + </p> + <p> + I insist that Christianity did not come with tidings of great joy, but + with a message of eternal grief. + </p> + <p> + According to the orthodox creeds, Christianity came with the tidings that + the human race was totally depraved, and that all men were in a lost + condition, and that all who rejected or failed to believe the new + religion, would be tormented in eternal fire. + </p> + <p> + These were not "tidings of great joy." + </p> + <p> + If the passengers on some great ship were told that the ship was to be + wrecked, that a few would be saved and that nearly all would go to the + bottom, would they talk about "tidings of great joy"? It is to be presumed + that Christ knew what his mission was, and what he came for. He says: + "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send + peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his + father, and the daughter against her mother." In my judgment, these are + not "tidings of great joy." + </p> + <p> + Now, as to the message of eternal grief: + </p> + <p> + "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye + cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels." + </p> + <p> + "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous + [meaning the Methodists] into life eternal." + </p> + <p> + "He that believeth not shall be damned." + </p> + <p> + "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God + abideth on him." + </p> + <p> + "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but + rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." + </p> + <p> + "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever." + </p> + <p> + Knowing, as we do, that but few people have been believers, that during + the last eighteen hundred years not one in a hundred has died in the + faith, and that consequently nearly all the dead are in hell, it can + truthfully be said that Christianity came with a message of eternal grief. + </p> + <p> + Now, as to the second "gigantic falsehood," to the effect that + Christianity filled the future with fear and flame, and made God the + keeper of an eternal penitentiary, destined to be the home of nearly all + the sons of men. + </p> + <p> + In the Old Testament there is nothing about punishment in some other + world, nothing about the flames and torments of hell. When Jehovah killed + one of his enemies he was satisfied. His revenge was glutted when the + victim was dead. The Old Testament gave the future to sleep and oblivion. + But in the New Testament we are told that the punishment in another world + is everlasting, and that "the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever + and ever." + </p> + <p> + This awful doctrine, these frightful texts, filled the future with fear + and flame. Building on these passages, the orthodox churches have + constructed a penitentiary, in which nearly all the sons of men are to be + imprisoned and tormented forever, and of this prison God is the keeper. + The doors are opened only to receive. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of eternal punishment is the infamy of infamies. As I have + often said, the man who believes in eternal torment, in the justice of + endless pain, is suffering from at least two diseases—petrifaction + of the heart and putrefaction of the brain. + </p> + <p> + The next question is whether Christianity has deprived God of the + pardoning power. + </p> + <p> + The Methodist Church and every orthodox church teaches that this life is a + period of probation; that there is no chance given for reformation after + death; that God gives no opportunity to repent in another world. + </p> + <p> + This is the doctrine of the Christian world. If this dogma be true, then + God will never release a soul from hell—the pardoning power will + never be exercised. + </p> + <p> + How happy God will be and how happy all the saved will be, knowing that + billions and billions of his children, of their fathers, mothers, + brothers, sisters, wives, and children are convicts in the eternal + dungeons, and that the words of pardon will never be spoken! + </p> + <p> + Yet this is in accordance with the promise contained in the New Testament, + of happiness here and eternal joy hereafter, to those who would desert + brethren or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me clear that Christianity did not bring "tidings of great + joy," but that it came with a "message of eternal grief"—that it did + "fill the future with fear and flame," that it did make God "the keeper of + an eternal penitentiary," that the penitentiary "was destined to be the + home of nearly all the sons of men," and that "it deprived God of the + pardoning power." + </p> + <p> + Of course you can find passages full of peace, in the Bible, others of war—some + filled with mercy, and others cruel as the fangs of a wild beast. + </p> + <p> + According to the Methodists, God has an eternal prison—an + everlasting Siberia. There is to be an eternity of grief, of agony and + shame. + </p> + <p> + What do I think of what the Doctor says about the <i>Telegram</i> for + having published my Christmas sermon? + </p> + <p> + The editor of the <i>Christian Advocate</i> has no idea of what + intellectual liberty means. He ought to know that a man should not be + insulted because another man disagrees with him. + </p> + <p> + What right has Dr. Buckley to disagree with Cardinal Gibbons, and what + right has Cardinal Gibbons to disagree with Dr. Buckley? The same right + that I have to disagree with them both. + </p> + <p> + I do not warn people against reading Catholic or Methodist papers or + books. But I do tell them to investigate for themselves—to stand by + what they believe to be true, to deny the false, and, above all things, to + preserve their mental manhood. The good Doctor wants the <i>Telegram</i> + destroyed—wants all religious people to unite for the purpose of + punishing the <i>Telegram</i>—because it published something with + which the reverend Doctor does not agree, or rather that does not agree + with the Doctor. + </p> + <p> + It is too late. That day has faded in the West of the past. The doctor of + theology has lost his power. Theological thunder has lost its lightning—it + is nothing now but noise, pleasing those who make it and amusing those who + hear. + </p> + <p> + The <i>Telegram</i> has nothing to fear. It is, in the highest sense, a + newspaper—wide-awake, alive, always on time, good to its friends, + fair with its enemies, and true to the public. + </p> + <p> + What have I to say to the Doctor's personal abuse? + </p> + <p> + Nothing. A man may call me a devil, or the devil, or he may say that I am + incapable of telling the truth, or that I tell lies, and yet all this + proves nothing. My arguments remain unanswered. + </p> + <p> + I cannot afford to call Dr. Buckley names, I have good mental manners. The + cause I represent (in part) is too great, too sacred, to be stained by an + ignorant or a malicious personality. + </p> + <p> + I know that men do as they must with the light they have, and so I say—More + light! + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + THE Rev. James M. King—who seems to have taken this occasion to + become known—finds fault because "blasphemous utterances concerning + Christmas" were published in the <i>Telegram</i>, and were allowed "to + greet the eyes of innocent children and pure women." + </p> + <p> + How is it possible to blaspheme a day? One day is not, in and of itself, + holier than another—that is to say, two equal spaces of time are + substantially alike. We call a day "good" or "bad" according to what + happens in the day. A day filled with happiness, with kind words, with + noble deeds, is a good day. A day filled with misfortunes and anger and + misery we call a bad day. But how is it possible to blaspheme a day? + </p> + <p> + A man may or may not believe that Christ was born on the 2 5th of + December, and yet he may fill that day, so far as he is concerned, with + good thoughts and words and deeds. Another may really believe that Christ + was born on that day, and yet do his worst to make all his friends + unhappy. But how can the rights of what are called "clean families" be + violated by reading the honest opinions of others as to whether Christmas + is kept in honor of the birth of Christ, or in honor of the triumph of the + sun over the hosts of darkness? Are Christian families so weak + intellectually that they cannot bear to hear the other side? Or is their + case so weak that the slightest evidence overthrows it? Why do all these + ministers insist that it is ill-bred to even raise a question as to the + truth of the improbable, or as to the improbability of the impossible? + </p> + <p> + A minister says to me that I am going to hell—that I am bound to be + punished forever and ever—and thereupon I say to him: "There is no + hell you are mistaken; your Bible is not inspired; no human being is to + suffer agony forever;" and thereupon, with an injured look, he asks me + this question: "Why do you hurt my feelings?" It does not occur to him + that I have the slightest right to object to his sentence of eternal + grief. + </p> + <p> + Does the gentleman imagine that true men and pure women cannot differ with + him? There are many thousands of people who love and honor the memory of + Jesus Christ, who yet have not the slightest belief in his divine origin, + and who do not for one moment imagine that he was other than a good and + heroic man. And there are thousands of people who admire the character of + Jesus Christ who do not believe that he ever existed—who admire the + character of Christ as they admire Imogen, or Per-dita, not believing that + any of the characters mentioned actually lived. + </p> + <p> + And it may be well enough here to state that no human being hates any + really good man or good woman—that is, no human being hates a man + known to be good—a woman known to be pure and good. No human being + hates a lovable character. + </p> + <p> + It is perfectly easy for any one with the slightest imagination to + understand how other people differ from him. I do not attribute a bad + motive to a man simply because he disagrees with me. I do not say that a + man is a Christian or a Mohammedan "for revenue only." I do not say that a + man joins the Democratic party simply for office, or that he marches with + the Republicans simply for position. I am willing to hear his reasons—with + his motives I have nothing to do. + </p> + <p> + Mr. King imagines that I have denounced Christianity "for revenue only." + Is he willing to admit that we have drifted so far from orthodox religion + that the way to make money is to denounce Christianity? I can hardly + believe, for joy, that liberty of thought has advanced so far. I regret + exceedingly that there is not an absolute foundation for his remark. I am + indeed sorry that it is possible in this world of ours for any human being + to make a living out of the ignorance and fear of his fellow-men. Still, + it gives me great hope for the future to read, even in this ignorant + present, that there is one man, and that man myself, who advocates human + liberty—the absolute enfranchisement of the soul—and does it + "for revenue"—because this charge is such a splendid compliment to + my fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Possibly the remark of the Rev. Mr. King will be gratifying to the <i>Telegram</i> + and will satisfy that brave and progressive sheet that it is in harmony + with the intelligence of the age. + </p> + <p> + My opinion is that the <i>Telegram</i> will receive the praise of + enlightened and generous people. + </p> + <p> + Personally I judge a man not so much by his theories as by his practice, + and I would much rather meet on the desert—were I about to perish + for want of water—a Mohammedan who would give me a drink than a + Christian who would not; because, after all is said and done, we are + compelled to judge people by their actions. + </p> + <p> + I do not know what takes place in the invisible world called the brain, + inhabited by the invisible something we call the mind. All that takes + place there is invisible and soundless. This mind, hidden in this brain, + masked by flesh, remains forever unseen, and the only evidence we can + possibly have as to what occurs in that world, we obtain from the actions + of the man, of the woman. By these actions we judge of the character, of + the soul. So I make up my mind as to whether a man is good or bad, not by + his theories, but by his actions. + </p> + <p> + Under no circumstances can the expression of an honest opinion, couched in + becoming language, amount to blasphemy. And right here it may be well + enough to inquire: What is blasphemy? + </p> + <p> + A man who knowingly assaults the true, who knowingly endeavors to stain + the pure, who knowingly maligns the good and noble, is a blasphemer. A man + who deserts the truth because it is unpopular is a blasphemer. He who runs + with the hounds knowing that the hare is in the right is a blasphemer. + </p> + <p> + In the soul of every man, or in the temple inhabited by the soul, there is + one niche in which can be found the statue of the ideal. In the presence + of this statue the good man worships—the bad man blasphemes—that + is to say, he is not true to the ideal. + </p> + <p> + A man who slanders a pure woman or an honest man is a blasphemer. So, too, + a man who does not give the honest transcript of his mind is a blasphemer. + If a man really thinks the character of Jehovah, as portrayed in the Old + Testament, is good, and he denounces Jehovah as bad, he is a blasphemer. + If he really believes that the character of Jehovah, as portrayed in the + Old Testament, is bad, and he pronounces it good, he is a blasphemer and a + coward. + </p> + <p> + All laws against "blasphemy" have been passed by the numerically strong + and intellectually weak. These laws have been passed by those who, finding + no help in logic, appealed to the legislature. + </p> + <p> + Back of all these superstitions you will find some self-interest. I do not + say that this is true in every case, but I do say that if priests had not + been fond of mutton, lambs never would have been sacrificed to God. + Nothing was ever carried to the temple that the priest could not use, and + it always so happened that God wanted what his agents liked. + </p> + <p> + Now, I will not say that all priests have been priests "for revenue only," + but I must say that the history of the world tends to show that the + sacerdotal class prefer revenue without religion to religion without + revenue. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged to the Rev. Mr. King for admitting that an infidel has a + right to publish his views at his own expense, and with the utmost + cheerfulness I accord that right to a Christian. The only thing I have + ever objected to is the publication of his views at the expense of others. + </p> + <p> + I cannot admit, however, that the ideas contained in what is known as the + Christmas Sermon are "revolting to a vast majority of the people who give + character to the community in which we live." I suppose that a very large + majority of men and women who disagree with me are perfectly satisfied + that I have the right to disagree with them, and that I do not disagree + with them to any greater degree than they disagree with me. And I also + imagine that a very large majority of intelligent people are perfectly + willing to hear the other side. + </p> + <p> + I do not regard religious opinions or political opinions as exotics that + have to be kept under glass, protected from the frosts of common sense or + the tyrannous north wind of logic. Such plants are hardly worth + preserving. They certainly ought to be hardy enough to stand the climate + of free discussion, and if they cannot, the sooner they die the better. + </p> + <p> + I do not think there was anything blasphemous or impure in the words + published by, the <i>Telegram</i>. The most that can possibly be said + against them, calculated to excite the prejudice of Christians, is that + they were true—that they cannot be answered except by abuse. + </p> + <p> + It is not possible, in this day and generation, to stay the rising flood + of intellectual freedom by keeping the names of thinkers out of print. The + church has had the field for eighteen hundred years. For most of this time + it has held the sword and purse of the world. For many centuries it + controlled colleges and universities and schools. It had within its gift + wealth and honor. It held the keys, so far as this world is concerned, of + heaven and hell—that is to say, of prosperity and misfortune. It + pursued its enemies even to the grave. It reddened the scaffold with the + best blood, and kept the sword of persecution wet for many centuries. + Thousands and thousands have died in its dungeons. Millions of reputations + have been blasted by its slanders. It has made millions of widows and + orphans, and it has not only ruled this world, but it has pretended to + hold the keys of eternity, and under this pretence it has sentenced + countless millions to eternal flames. + </p> + <p> + At last the spirit of independence rose against its monstrous assumptions. + It has been growing some-what weaker. It has been for many years gradually + losing its power. The sword of the state belongs now to the people. The + partnership between altar and throne has in many countries been dissolved. + The adulterous marriage of church and state has ceased to exist. Men are + beginning to express their honest thoughts. In the arena where speech is + free, superstition is driven to the wall. Man relies more and more on the + facts in nature, and the real priest is the interpreter of nature. The + pulpit is losing its power. In a little while religion will take its place + with astrology, with the black art, and its ministers will take rank with + magicians and sleight-of-hand performers. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the letter of the Rev. Thomas Dixon, Jr., I have but little + to say. + </p> + <p> + I am glad that he believes in a free platform and a free press—that + he, like Lucretia Mott, believes in "truth for authority, and not + authority for truth." At the same time I do not see how the fact that I am + not a scientist has the slightest bearing upon the question; but if there + is any fact that I have avoided or misstated, then I wish that fact to be + pointed out. I admit also, that I am a "sentimentalist"—that is, + that I am governed, to a certain extent, by sentiment—that my mind + is so that cruelty is revolting and that mercy excites my love and + admiration. I admit that I am so much of "a sentimentalist" that I have no + love for the Jehovah of the Old Testament, and that it is impossible for + me to believe a creed that fills the prison house of hell with countless + billions of men, women and children. + </p> + <p> + I am also glad that the reverend gentleman admits that I have "stabbed to + the heart hundreds of superstitions and lies," and I hope to stab many, + many more, and if I succeed in stabbing all lies to the heart there will + be no foundation left for what I called "orthodox" Christianity—but + goodness will survive, justice will live, and the flower of mercy will + shed its perfume forever. + </p> + <p> + When we take into consideration the fact that the Rev. Mr. Dixon is a + minister and believes that he is called upon to deliver to the people a + divine message, I do not wonder that he makes the following assertion: "If + God could choose Balaam's ass to speak a divine message, I do not see why + he could not utilize the Colonel." It is natural for a man to justify + himself and to defend his own occupation. Mr. Dixon, however, will + remember that the ass was much superior to the prophet of God, and that + the argument was all on the side of the ass. And, furthermore, that the + spiritual discernment of the ass far exceeded that of the prophet. It was + the ass who saw the angel when the prophet's eye was dim. I suggest to the + Rev. Mr. Dixon that he read the account once more, and he will find:— + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>, that the ass <i>first</i> saw the angel of the Lord; <i>second</i>, + that the prophet Balaam was cruel, unreasonable, and brutal; <i>third</i>, + that the prophet so lost his temper that he wanted to kill the innocent + ass, and the ass, not losing her temper, reasoned with the prophet and + demonstrated not only her intellectual but her moral superiority. In + addition to all this the angel of the Lord had to open the eyes of the + prophet—in other words, had to work a miracle—in order to make + the prophet equal to the ass, and not only so, but rebuked him for his + cruelty. And this same angel admitted that without any miracle whatever + the ass saw him—the angel—showing that the spiritual + discernment of the ass in those days was far superior to that of the + prophet. + </p> + <p> + I regret that the Rev. Mr. King loses his temper and that the Rev. Mr. + Dixon is not quite polite. + </p> + <p> + All of us should remember that passion clouds the judgment, and that he + who seeks for victory loses sight of the cause. + </p> + <p> + And there is another thing: He who has absolute confidence in the justice + of his position can afford to be good-natured. Strength is the foundation + of kindness; weakness is often malignant, and when argument fails passion + comes to the rescue. + </p> + <p> + Let us be good-natured. Let us have respect for the rights of each other. + </p> + <p> + The course pursued by the <i>Telegram</i> is worthy of all praise. It has + not only been just to both sides, but it has been—as is its custom—true + to the public. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + INGERSOLL AGAIN ANSWERS HIS CRITICS. IV. + </p> + <p> + <i>To the Editor of the Evening Telegram</i> : + </p> + <p> + SOME of the gentlemen who have given their ideas through the columns of + the <i>Telegram</i> have wandered from the questions under discussion. It + may be well enough to state what is really in dispute. + </p> + <p> + I was called to account for having stated that Christianity did not bring + "tidings of great joy," but a message of eternal grief—that it + filled the future with fear and flame—made God the keeper of an + eternal penitentiary, in which most of the children of men were to be + imprisoned forever, and that, not satisfied with that, it had deprived God + of the pardoning power. + </p> + <p> + These statements were called "mountainous lies" by the Rev. Dr. Buckley, + and because the <i>Telegram</i> had published the "Christmas Sermon" + containing these statements, he insisted that such a paper should not be + allowed in the families of Christians or of Jews—in other words, + that the <i>Telegram</i> should be punished, and that good people should + refuse to allow that sheet to come into their homes. + </p> + <p> + It will probably be admitted by all fair-minded people that if the + orthodox creeds be true, then Christianity was and is the bearer of a + message of eternal grief, and a large majority of the human race are to + become eternal convicts, and God has deprived himself of the pardoning + power. According to those creeds, no word of mercy to any of the lost can + ever fall from the lips of the Infinite. + </p> + <p> + The Universalists deny that such was or is the real message of + Christianity. They insist that all are finally to be saved. If that + doctrine be true, then I admit that Christianity came with "tidings of + great joy." + </p> + <p> + Personally I have no quarrel with the Univer-salist Church. I have no + quarrel with any creed that expresses hope for all of the human race. I + find fault with no one for filling the future with joy—for dreaming + splendid dreams and for uttering splendid prophecies. I do not object to + Christianity because it promises heaven to a few, but because it threatens + the many with perdition. + </p> + <p> + It does not seem possible to me that a God who loved men to that degree + that he died that they might be saved, abandons his children the moment + they are dead. It seems to me that an infinite God might do something for + a soul after it has reached the other world. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that infinite wisdom can do no more than is done for a + majority of souls in this world? + </p> + <p> + Think of the millions born in ignorance and filth, raised in poverty and + crime. Think of the millions who are only partially developed in this + world. Think of the weakness of the will, of the power of passion. Think + of the temptations innumerable. Think, too, of the tyranny of man, of the + arrogance of wealth and position, of the sufferings of the weak—and + can we then say that an infinite God has done, in this world, all that + could be done for the salvation of his children? Is it not barely possible + that something may be done in another world? Is there nothing left for God + to do for a poor, ignorant, criminal human soul after it leaves this + world? Can God do nothing except to pronounce the sentence of eternal + pain? + </p> + <p> + I insist that if the orthodox creed be true, Christianity did not come + with "tidings of great joy," but that its message was and is one of + eternal grief. + </p> + <p> + If the orthodox creed be true, the universe is a vast blunder—an + infinite crime. Better, a thousand times, that every pulse of life should + cease—better that all the gods should fall palsied from their + thrones, than that the creed of Christendom should be true. + </p> + <p> + There is another question and that involves the freedom of the press. + </p> + <p> + The <i>Telegram</i> has acted with the utmost fairness and with the + highest courage. After all, the American people admire the man who takes + his stand and bravely meets all comers. To be an instrumentality of + progress, the press must be free. Only the free can carry a torch. Liberty + sheds light. + </p> + <p> + The editor or manager of a newspaper occupies a public position, and he + must not treat his patrons as though they were weak and ignorant children. + He must not, in the supposed interest of any ism, suppress the truth—neither + must he be dictated to by any church or any society of believers or + unbelievers. The <i>Telegram</i>, by its course, has given a certificate + of its manliness, and the public, by its course, has certified that it + appreciates true courage. + </p> + <p> + All Christians should remember that facts are not sectarian, and that the + sciences are not bound by the creeds. We should remember that there are no + such things as Methodist mathematics, or Baptist botany, or Catholic + chemistry. The sciences are secular. . + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Peters seems to have mistaken the issues—and yet, in + some things, I agree with him. He is certainly right when he says that + "Mr. Buckley's cry to boycott the Telegram is unmanly and un-American," + but I am not certain that he is right when he says that it is + un-Christian. + </p> + <p> + The church has not been in the habit of pursuing enemies with kind words + and charitable deeds. To tell the truth, it has always been rather + relentless. It has preached forgiveness, but it has never forgiven. There + is in the history of Christendom no instance where the church has extended + the hand of friendship to a man who denied the truth of its creed. + </p> + <p> + There is in the church no spirit—no climate—of compromise. In + the nature of things there can be none, because the church claims that it + is absolutely right—that there is only one road leading to heaven. + It demands unconditional surrender. It will not bear contradiction. It + claims to have the absolute truth. For these reasons it cannot + consistently compromise, any more than a mathematician could change the + multiplication table to meet the view of some one who should deny that + five times five are twenty-five. + </p> + <p> + The church does not give its opinion—it claims to know—it + demands belief. Honesty, industry, generosity count for nothing in the + absence of belief. It has taught and still teaches that no man can reach + heaven simply through good and honest deeds. It believes and teaches that + the man who relies upon himself will be eternally punished—and why + should the church forgive a man whom it thinks its God is waiting somewhat + impatiently to damn? + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Peters asks—and probably honestly thinks that the + questions are pertinent to the issues involved—"What has infidelity + done for the world? What colleges, hospitals, and schools has it founded? + What has it done for the elevation of public morals?" And he inquires what + science or art has been originated by infidelity. He asks how many slaves + it has liberated, how many inebriates it has reclaimed, how many fallen + women it has restored, and what it did for the relief of the wounded and + dying soldiers; and concludes by asking what life it ever assisted to + higher holiness, and what death it has ever cheered. + </p> + <p> + Although these questions have nothing whatever to do with the matters + under discussion, still it may be well enough to answer them. + </p> + <p> + It is cheerfully admitted that hospitals and asylums have been built by + Christians in Christian countries, and it is also admitted that hospitals + and asylums have been built in countries not Christian; that there were + such institutions in China thousands of years before Christ was born, and + that many centuries before the establishment of any orthodox church there + were asylums on the banks of the Nile—asylums for the old, the poor, + the infirm—asylums for the blind and for the insane, and that the + Egyptians, even of those days, endeavored to cure insanity with kindness + and affection. The same is true of India and probably of most ancient + nations. + </p> + <p> + There has always been more or less humanity in man—more or less + goodness in the human heart. So far as we know, mothers have always loved + their children. There must always have been more good than evil, otherwise + the human race would have perished. The best things in the Christian + religion came from the heart of man. Pagan lips uttered the sublimest of + truths, and all ages have been redeemed by honesty, heroism, and love. + </p> + <p> + But let me answer these questions in their order. + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>—As to the schools. + </p> + <p> + It is most cheerfully admitted that the Catholics have always been in + favor of education—that is to say, of education enough to make a + Catholic out of a heathen. It is also admitted that Protestants have + always been in favor of enough education to make a Protestant out of a + Catholic. Many schools and many colleges have been established for the + spread of what is called the Gospel and for the education of the clergy. + Presbyterians have founded schools for the benefit of their creed. The + Methodists have established colleges for the purpose of making Methodists. + The same is true of nearly all the sects. As a matter of fact, these + schools have in many important directions hindered rather than helped the + cause of real education. The pupils were not taught to investigate for + themselves. They were not allowed to think. They were told that thought is + dangerous. They were stuffed and crammed with creeds—with the ideas + of others. Their credulity was applauded and their curiosity condemned. If + all the people had been educated in these sectarian schools, all the + people would have been far more ignorant than they are. These schools have + been, and most of them still are, the enemies of higher education, and + just to the extent that they are under the control of theologians they are + hindrances, and just to the extent that they have become secularized they + have been and are a benefit. + </p> + <p> + Our public-school system is not Christian. It is secular. Yet I admit that + it never could have been established without the assistance of Christians—neither + could it have been supported without the assistance of others. But such is + the value placed upon education that people of nearly all denominations, + and of nearly all religions, and of nearly all opinions, for the most part + agree that the children of a nation should be educated by the nation. Some + religious people are opposed to these schools because they are not + religious—because they do not teach some creed—but a large + majority of the people stand by the public schools as they are. These + schools are growing better and better, simply because they are growing + less and less theological, more and more secular. + </p> + <p> + Infidelity, or agnosticism, or free thought, has insisted that only that + should be taught in schools which somebody knows or has good reason to + believe. + </p> + <p> + The greatest professors in our colleges to-day are those who have the + least confidence in the supernatural, and the schools that stand highest + in the estimation of the most intelligent are those that have drifted + farthest from the orthodox creeds. Free thought has always been and ever + must be the friend of education. Without free thought there can be no such + thing—in the highest sense—as a school. Unless the mind is + free, there are no teachers and there are no pupils, in any just and + splendid sense. + </p> + <p> + The church has been and still is the enemy of education, because it has + been in favor of intellectual slavery, and the theological schools have + been what might be called the deformatories of the human mind. + </p> + <p> + For instance: A man is graduated from an orthodox university. In this + university he has studied astronomy, and yet he believes that Joshua + stopped the sun. He has studied geology, and yet he asserts the truth of + the Mosaic cosmogony. He has studied chemistry, and yet believes that + water was turned into wine. He has been taught the ordinary theory of + cause and effect, and at the same time he thoroughly believes in the + miraculous multiplication of loaves and fishes. Can such an institution, + with any propriety, be called a seat of learning? Can we not say of such a + university what Bruno said of Oxford: "Learning is dead and Oxford is its + widow." + </p> + <p> + Year after year the religious colleges are improving—simply because + they are becoming more and more secular, less and less theological. + Whether infidelity has founded universities or not, it can truthfully be + said that the spirit of investigation, the spirit of free thought, the + attitude of mental independence, contended for by those who are called + infidels, have made schools useful instead of hurtful. + </p> + <p> + Can it be shown that any infidel has ever raised his voice against + education? Can there be found in the literature of free thought one line + against the enlightenment of the human race? Has free thought ever + endeavored to hide or distort, a fact? Has it not always appealed to the + senses—to demonstration? It has not said, "He that hath ears to + hear, let him hear," but it has said, "He that hath brains to think, let + him think." + </p> + <p> + The object of a school should be to ascertain truth in every direction, to + the end that man may know the conditions of happiness—and every + school should be absolutely free. No teacher should be bound by anything + except a perceived fact. He should not be the slave of a creed, engaged in + the business of enslaving others. + </p> + <p> + So much for schools. + </p> + <p> + Second—As to public morals. + </p> + <p> + Christianity teaches that all offences can be forgiven. Every church + unconsciously allows people to commit crimes on a credit. I do not mean by + this that any church consciously advocates immorality. I most cheerfully + admit that thousands and thousands of ministers are endeavoring to do good—that + they are pure, self-denying men, trying to make this world better. But + there is a frightful defect in their philosophy. They say to the bank + cashier: You must not steal, you must not take a dollar—larceny is + wrong, it is contrary to all law, human and divine—but if you do + steal every cent in the bank, God will as gladly, quickly forgive you in + Canada as he will in the United States. On the other hand, what is called + infidelity says: There is no being in the universe who rewards, and there + is no being who punishes—every act has its consequences. If the act + is good, the consequences are good; if the act is bad, the consequences + are bad; and these consequences must be borne by the actor. It says to + every human being: You must reap what you sow. There is no reward, there + is no punishment, but there are consequences, and these consequences are + the invisible and implacable police of nature. They cannot be avoided. + They cannot be bribed. No power can awe them, and there is not gold enough + in the world to make them pause. Even a God cannot induce them to release + for one instant their victim. + </p> + <p> + This great truth is, in my judgment, the gospel of morality. If all men + knew that they must inevitably bear the consequences of their own actions—if + they absolutely knew that they could not injure another without injuring + themselves, the world, in my judgment, would be far better than it is. + </p> + <p> + Free thought has attacked the morality of what is called the atonement. + The innocent should not suffer for the guilty, and if the innocent does + suffer for the guilty, that cannot by any possibility justify the guilty. + The reason a thing is wrong is because it, in some way, causes the + innocent to suffer. This being the very essence of wrong, how can the + suffering of innocence justify the guilty? If there be a world of joy, he + who is worthy to enter that world must be willing to carry his own burdens + in this. + </p> + <p> + So much for morality. + </p> + <p> + Third—As to sciences and art. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe that we are indebted to Christianity for any science. I + do not remember that one science is mentioned in the New Testament. There + is not one word, so far as I remember, about education—nothing about + any science, nothing about art. The writers of the New Testament seem to + have thought that the world was about coming to an end. This world was to + be sacrificed absolutely to the next. The affairs of this life were not + worth speaking of. All people were exhorted to prepare at once for the + other life. + </p> + <p> + The sciences have advanced in the proportion that they did not interfere + with orthodox theology. To the extent that they were supposed to interfere + with theology they have been obstructed and denounced. Astronomy was found + to be inconsistent with the Scriptures, and the astronomers were + imprisoned and despised. Geology contradicted the Mosaic account, and the + geologists were denounced and persecuted. Every step taken in astronomy + was taken in spite of the church, and every fact in geology had to fight + its way. The same is true as to the science of medicine. The church wished + to cure disease by necromancy, by charm and prayer, and with the bones of + the saints. The church wished man to rely entirely upon God—that is + to say, upon the church—and not upon himself. The physician + interfered with the power and prosperity of the priest, and those who + appealed to physicians were denounced as lacking faith in God. This state + of things existed even in the Old Testament times. A king failed to send + for the prophets, but sent for a physician, and then comes this piece of + grim humor: "And Asa slept with his fathers." + </p> + <p> + The great names in science are not those of recognized saints. + </p> + <p> + Bruno—one of the greatest and bravest of men—greatest of all + martyrs—perished at the stake, because he insisted on the existence + of other worlds and taught the astronomy of Galileo. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt—in some respects the wisest man known to the scientific + world—denied the existence of the supernatural and "the truths of + revealed religion," and yet he revolutionized the thought of his day and + left a legacy of intellectual glory to the race. + </p> + <p> + Darwin—greatest of scientists—so great that our time will + probably be known as "Darwin's Century"—had not the slightest + confidence in any possible phase of the so-called supernatural. This great + man left the creed of Christendom without a foundation. He brought as + witnesses against the inspiration of the Scriptures such a multitude of + facts, such an overwhelming amount of testimony, that it seems impossible + to me that any unprejudiced man can, after hearing the testimony, remain a + believer in evangelical religion. He accomplished more than all the + schools, colleges, and universities that Christianity has founded. He + revolutionized the philosophy of the civilized world. + </p> + <p> + The writers who have done most for science have been the most bitterly + opposed by the church. There is hardly a valuable book in the libraries of + the world that cannot be found on the "Index Expurgatorius." Kant and + Fichte and Spinoza were far above and beyond the orthodox-world. Voltaire + did more for freedom than any other man, and yet the church denounced him + with a fury amounting to insanity—called him an atheist, although he + believed not only in God, but in special providence. He was opposed to the + church—that is to say, opposed to slavery, and for that reason he + was despised. + </p> + <p> + And what shall I say of D'Holbach, of Hume, of Buckle, of Draper, of + Haeckel, of Büchner, of Tyndall and Huxley, of Auguste Comte, and + hundreds and thousands of others who have filled the scientific world with + light and the heart of man with love and kindness? + </p> + <p> + It may be well enough, in regard to art, to say that Christianity is + indebted to Greece and Rome for its highest conceptions, and it may be + well to add that for many centuries Christianity did the best it could to + destroy the priceless marbles of Greece and Rome. A few were buried, and + in that way were saved from Christian fury. + </p> + <p> + The same is true of the literature of the classic world. A few fragments + were rescued, and these became the seeds of modern literature. A few + statues were preserved, and they are to-day models for all the world. + </p> + <p> + Of course it will be admitted that there is much art in Christian lands, + because, in spite of the creeds, Christians, so-called, have turned their + attention to this world. They have beautified their homes, they have + endeavored to clothe themselves in purple and fine linen. They have been + forced from banquets or from luxury by the difficulty of camels going + through the eyes of needles or the impossibility of carrying water to the + rich man. They have cultivated this world, and the arts have lived. Did + they obey the precepts that they find in their sacred writings there would + be no art, they would "take no thought for the morrow," they would + "consider the lilies of the field." + </p> + <p> + Fourth—As to the liberation of slaves. + </p> + <p> + It was exceedingly unfortunate for the Rev. Mr. Peters that he spoke of + slavery. The Bible upholds human slavery—white slavery. The Bible + was quoted by all slaveholders and slave-traders. The man who went to + Africa to steal women and children took the Bible with him. He planted + himself firmly on the Word of God. As Whittier says of Whitefield: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "He bade the slave ship speed from coast to coast, + Fanned by the wings of the Holy Ghost." +</pre> + <p> + So when the poor wretches were sold to the planters, the planters defended + their action by reading the Bible. When a poor woman was sold, her + children torn from her breast, the auction block on which she stood was + the Bible; the auctioneer who sold her quoted the Scriptures; the man who + bought her repeated the quotations, and the ministers from the pulpit said + to the weeping woman, as her child was carried away: "Servants, be + obedient unto your masters." + </p> + <p> + Freethinkers in all ages have been opposed to slavery. Thomas Paine did + more for human liberty than any other man who ever stood upon the western + world. The first article he ever wrote in this country was one against the + institution of slavery. Freethinkers have also been in favor of free + bodies. Freethinkers have always said "free hands," and the infidels, the + wide world over, have been friends of freedom. + </p> + <p> + Fifth—As to the reclamation of inebriates. + </p> + <p> + Much has been said, and for many years, on the subject of temperance—much + has been uttered by priests and laymen—and yet there seems to be a + subtle relation between rum and religion. Scotland is extremely orthodox, + yet it is not extremely temperate. England is nothing if not religious, + and London is, par excellence, the Christian city of the world, and yet it + is the most intemperate. The Mohammedans—followers of a false + prophet—do not drink. + </p> + <p> + Sixth—As to the humanity of infidelity. + </p> + <p> + Can it be said that people have cared for the wounded and dying only + because they were orthodox? + </p> + <p> + Is it not true that religion, in its efforts to propagate the creed of + forgiveness by the sword, has caused the death of more than one hundred + and fifty millions of human beings? Is it not true that where the church + has cared for one orphan it has created hundreds? Can Christianity afford + to speak of war? + </p> + <p> + The Christian nations of the world to-day are armed against each other. In + Europe, all that can be gathered by taxation—all that can be + borrowed by pledging the prosperity of the future—the labor of those + yet unborn—is used for the purpose of keeping Christians in the + field, to the end that they may destroy other Christians, or at least + prevent other Christians from destroying them. Europe is covered with + churches and fortifications, with temples and with forts—hundreds of + thousands of priests, millions of soldiers, countless Bibles and countless + bayonets—and that whole country is oppressed and impoverished for + the purpose of carrying on war. The people have become deformed by labor, + and yet Christianity boasts of peace. + </p> + <p> + Seventh—"And what death has infidelity ever cheered?" + </p> + <p> + Is it possible for the orthodox Christian to cheer the dying when the + dying is told that there is a world of eternal pain, and that he, unless + he has been forgiven, is to be an eternal convict? Will it cheer him to + know that, even if he is to be saved, countless millions are to be lost? + Is it possible for the Christian religion to put a smile upon the face of + death? + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, what is called infidelity says to the dying: What + happens to you will happen to all. If there be another world of joy, it is + for all. If there is another life, every human being will have the eternal + opportunity of doing right—the eternal opportunity to live, to + reform, to enjoy. There is no monster in the sky. There is no Moloch who + delights in the agony of his children. These frightful things are savage + dreams. + </p> + <p> + Infidelity puts out the fires of hell with the tears of pity. + </p> + <p> + Infidelity puts the seven-hued arch of Hope over every grave. + </p> + <p> + Let us then, gentlemen, come back to the real questions under discussion. + Let us not wander away. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + Jan'y 9, 1891. + </p> + <p> + INGERSOLL CONTINUES THE BATTLE. V. + </p> + <p> + NO one objects to the morality of Christianity. + </p> + <p> + The industrious people of the world—those who have anything—are, + as a rule, opposed to larceny; a very large majority of people object to + being murdered, and so we have laws against larceny and murder. A large + majority of people believe in what they call, or what they understand to + be, justice—at least as between others. There is no very great + difference of opinion among civilized people as to what is or is not + moral. + </p> + <p> + It cannot truthfully be said that the man who attacks Buddhism attacks all + morality. He does not attack goodness, justice, mercy, or anything that + tends in his judgment to the welfare of mankind; but he attacks Buddhism. + So one attacking what is called Christianity does not attack kindness, + charity, or any virtue. He attacks something that has been added to the + virtues. He does not attack the flower, but what he believes to be the + parasite. + </p> + <p> + If people, when they speak of Christianity, include the virtues common to + all religions, they should not give Christianity credit for all the good + that has been done. There were millions of virtuous men and women, + millions of heroic and self-denying souls before Christianity was known. + </p> + <p> + It does not seen possible to me that love, kindness, justice, or charity + ever caused any one who possessed and practiced these virtues to persecute + his fellow-man on account of a difference of belief. If Christianity has + persecuted, some reason must exist outside of the virtues it has + inculcated. If this reason—this cause—is inherent in that + something else, which has been added to the ordinary virtues, then + Christianity can properly be held accountable for the persecution. Of + course back of Christianity is the nature of man, and, primarily, it may + be responsible. + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in Christianity that will account for such persecutions—for + the Inquisition? It certainly was taught by the church that belief was + necessary to salvation, and it was thought at the same time that the fate + of man was eternal punishment; that the state of man was that of + depravity, and that there was but one way by which he could be saved, and + that was through belief—through faith. As long as this was honestly + believed, Christians would not allow heretics or infidels to preach a + doctrine to their wives, to their children, or to themselves which, in + their judgment, would result in the damnation of souls. + </p> + <p> + The law gives a father the right to kill one who is about to do great + bodily harm to his son. Now, if a father has the right to take the life of + a man simply because he is attacking the body of his son, how much more + would he have the right to take the life of one who was about to + assassinate the soul of his son! + </p> + <p> + Christians reasoned in this way. In addition to this, they felt that God + would hold the community responsible if the community allowed a blasphemer + to attack the true religion. Therefore they killed the freethinker, or + rather the free talker, in self-defence. + </p> + <p> + At the bottom of religious persecution is the doctrine of self-defence; + that is to say, the defence of the soul. If the founder of Christianity + had plainly said: "It is not necessary to believe in order to be saved; it + is only necessary to do, and he who really loves his fellow-men, who is + kind, honest, just and charitable, is to be forever blest"—if he had + only said that, there would probably have been but little persecution. + </p> + <p> + If he had added to this: "You must not persecute in my name. The religion + I teach is the Religion of Love—not the Religion of Force and + Hatred. You must not imprison your fellow-men. You must not stretch them + upon racks, or crush their bones in iron boots. You must not flay them + alive. You must not cut off their eyelids, or pour molten lead into their + ears. You must treat all with absolute kindness. If you cannot convert + your neighbor by example, persuasion, argument, that is the end. You must + never resort to force, and, whether he believes as you do or not, treat + him always with kindness"—his followers then would not have murdered + their fellows in his name. + </p> + <p> + If Christ was in fact God, he knew the persecutions that would be carried + on in his name; he knew the millions that would suffer death through + torture; and yet he died without saying one word to prevent what he must + have known, if he were God, would happen. + </p> + <p> + All that Christianity has added to morality is worthless and useless. Not + only so—it has been hurtful. Take Christianity from morality and the + useful is left, but take morality from Christianity and the useless + remains. + </p> + <p> + Now, falling back on the old assertion, "By its fruits we may know + Christianity," then I think we are justified in saying that, as + Christianity consists of a mixture of morality and <i>something else</i>, + and as morality never has persecuted a human being, and as Christianity + has persecuted millions, the cause of the persecution must be the <i>something + else</i> that was added to morality. + </p> + <p> + I cannot agree with the reverend gentleman when he says that "Christianity + has taught mankind the priceless value and dignity of human nature." On + the other hand, Christianity has taught that the whole human race is by + nature depraved, and that if God should act in accordance with his sense + of justice, all the sons of men would be doomed to eternal pain. Human + nature has been derided, has been held up to contempt and scorn, all our + desires and passions denounced as wicked and filthy. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Da Costa asserts that Christianity has taught mankind the value of + freedom. It certainly has not been the advocate of free thought; and what + is freedom worth if the mind is to be enslaved? + </p> + <p> + Dr. Da Costa knows that millions have been sacrificed in their efforts to + be free; that is, millions have been sacrificed for exercising their + freedom as against the church. + </p> + <p> + It is not true that the church "has taught and established the fact of + human brotherhood." This has been the result of a civilization to which + Christianity itself has been hostile. + </p> + <p> + Can we prove that "the church established human brotherhood" by banishing + the Jews from Spain; by driving out the Moors; by the tortures of the + Inquisition; by butchering the Covenanters of Scotland; by the burning of + Bruno and Servetus; by the persecution of the Irish; by whipping and + hanging Quakers in New England; by the slave trade; and by the hundreds of + wars waged in the name of Christ? + </p> + <p> + We all know that the Bible upholds slavery in its very worst and most + cruel form; and how it can be said that a religion founded upon a Bible + that upholds the institution of slavery has taught and established the + fact of human brotherhood, is beyond my imagination to conceive. + </p> + <p> + Neither do I think it true that "we are indebted to Christianity for the + advancement of science, art, philosophy, letters and learning." + </p> + <p> + I cheerfully admit that we are indebted to Christianity for some learning, + and that the human mind has been developed by the discussion of the + absurdities of superstition. Certainly millions and millions have had what + might be called mental exercise, and their minds may have been somewhat + broadened by the examination, even, of these absurdities, contradictions, + and impossibilities. The church was not the friend of science or learning + when it burned Vanini for writing his "Dialogues Concerning Nature." What + shall we say of the "Index Expurgatorius"? For hundreds of years all books + of any particular value were placed on the "Index," and good Catholics + forbidden to read them. Was this in favor of science and learning? + </p> + <p> + That we are indebted to Christianity for the advancement of science seems + absurd. What science? Christianity was certainly the enemy of astronomy, + and I believe that it was Mr. Draper who said that astronomy took her + revenge, so that not a star that glitters in all the heavens bears a + Christian name. + </p> + <p> + Can it be said that the church has been the friend of geology, or of any + true philosophy? Let me show how this is impossible. + </p> + <p> + The church accepts the Bible as an inspired book. Then the only object is + to find its meaning, and if that meaning is opposed to any result that the + human mind may have reached, the meaning stands and the result reached by + the mind must be abandoned. + </p> + <p> + For hundreds of years the Bible was the standard, and whenever anything + was asserted in any science contrary to-the Bible, the church immediately + denounced the scientist. I admit the standard has been changed, and + ministers are very busy, not trying to show that science does not agree + with the Bible, but that the Bible agrees with science. + </p> + <p> + Certainly Christianity has done little for art. The early Christians + destroyed all the marbles of Greece and Rome upon which they could lay + their violent hands; and nothing has been produced by the Christian world + equal to the fragments that were accidentally preserved. There have been + many artists who were Christians; but they were not artists because they + were Christians; because there have been many Christians who were not + artists. It cannot be said that art is born of any creed. The mode of + expression may be determined, and probably is to a certain degree, by the + belief of the artist; but not his artistic perception and feeling. + </p> + <p> + So, Galileo did not make his discoveries because he was a Christian, but + in spite of it. His Bible was the other way, and so was his creed. + Consequently, they could not by any possibility have assisted him. Kepler + did not discover or announce what are known as the "Three Laws" because he + was a Christian; but, as I said about Galileo, in spite of his creed. + </p> + <p> + Every Christian who has really found out and demonstrated and clung to a + fact inconsistent with the absolute inspiration of the Scriptures, has + done so certainly without the assistance of his creed. + </p> + <p> + Let me illustrate this: When our ancestors were burning each other to + please God; when they were ready to destroy a man with sword and flame for + teaching the rotundity of the world, the Moors in Spain were teaching + geography to their children with brass globes. So, too, they had + observatories and knew something of the orbits of the stars. + </p> + <p> + They did not find out these things because they were Mohammedans, or on + account of their belief in the impossible. They were far beyond the + Christians, intellectually, and it has been very poetically said by Mrs. + Browning, that "Science was thrust into the brain of Europe on the point + of a Moorish lance." + </p> + <p> + From the Arabs we got our numerals, making mathematics of the higher + branches practical. We also got from them the art of making cotton paper, + which is almost at the foundation of modern intelligence. We learned from + them to make cotton cloth, making cleanliness possible in Christendom. + </p> + <p> + So from among people of different religions we have learned many useful + things; but they did not discover them on account of their religion. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to say that the religion of Greece was true because the + Greeks were the greatest sculptors. Neither is it an argument in favor of + monarchy that Shakespeare, the greatest of men, was born and lived in a + monarchy. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Da Costa takes one of the effects of a general cause, or of a vast + number of causes, and makes it the cause, not only of other effects, but + of the general cause. He seems to think that all events for many + centuries, and especially all the good ones, were caused by Christianity. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the civilization of our time is the result of + countless causes with which Christianity had little to do, except by way + of hindrance. + </p> + <p> + Does the Doctor think that the material progress of the world was caused + by this passage: "Take no thought for the morrow"? + </p> + <p> + Does he seriously insist that the wealth of Christendom rests on this + inspired declaration: "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of + a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven"? + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Peters, in answer, takes the ground that the Bible has + produced the richest and most varied literature the world has ever seen. + </p> + <p> + This, I think, is hardly true. Has not most of modern literature been + produced in spite of the Bible? Did not Christians, for many generations, + take the ground that the Bible was the only important book, and that books + differing from the Bible should be destroyed? + </p> + <p> + If Christianity—Catholic and Protestant—could have had its + way, the works of Voltaire, Spinoza, Hume, Paine, Humboldt, Darwin, + Haeckel, Spencer, Comte, Huxley, Tyndall, Draper, Goethe, Gibbon, Buckle + and Büchner would not have been published. In short, the philosophy + that enlightens and the fiction that enriches the brain would not exist. + </p> + <p> + The greatest literature the world has ever seen is, in my judgment, the + poetic—the dramatic; that is to say, the literature of fiction in + its widest sense. Certainly if the church could have had control, the + plays of Shakespeare never would have been written; the literature of the + stage could not have existed; most works of fiction, and nearly all + poetry, would have perished in the brain. So I think it hardly fair to say + that "the Bible has produced the richest and most varied literature the + world has ever seen." + </p> + <p> + Thousands of theological books have been written on thousands of questions + of no possible importance. Libraries have been printed on subjects not + worth discussing—not worth thinking about—and that will, in a + few years, be regarded as puerile by the whole world. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Peters, in his enthusiasm, asks this question: + </p> + <p> + "Who raised our great institutions of learning? Infidels never a stone of + them!" + </p> + <p> + Stephen Girard founded the best institution of learning, the best charity, + the noblest ever founded in this or any other land; and under the roof + built by his wisdom and his wealth many thousands of orphans have been + reared, clothed, fed and educated, not only in books, but in avocations, + and become happy and useful citizens. Under his will there has been + distributed to the poor, fuel to the value of more than $500,000; and this + distribution goes on year after year. + </p> + <p> + One of the best observatories in the world was built by the generosity of + James Lick, an infidel. I call attention to these two cases simply to show + that the gentleman is mistaken, and that he was somewhat carried away by + his zeal. + </p> + <p> + So, too, Mr. Peters takes the ground that "we are indebted to Christianity + for our chronology." + </p> + <p> + According to Christianity this world has been peopled about six thousand + years. Christian chronology gives the age of the first man, and then gives + the line from father to son down to the flood, and from the flood down to + the coming of Christ, showing that men have been upon the earth only about + six thousand years. This chronology is infinitely absurd, and I do not + believe that there is an intelligent, well-educated Christian in the + world, having examined the subject, who will say that the Christian + chronology is correct. + </p> + <p> + Neither can it, I think, truthfully be said that "we are indebted to + Christianity for the continuation of history." The best modern historians + of whom I have any knowledge are Voltaire, Hume, Gibbon, Buckle and + Draper. + </p> + <p> + Neither can I admit that "we are indebted to Christianity for natural + philosophy." + </p> + <p> + I do not deny that some natural philosophers have also been Christians, + or, rather, that some Christians have been natural philosophers to the + extent that their Christianity permitted. But Lamarck and Humboldt and + Darwin and Spencer and Haeckel and Huxley and Tyndall have done far more + for natural philosophy than they have for orthodox religion. + </p> + <p> + Whoever believes in the miraculous must be the enemy of natural + philosophy. To him there is something above nature, liable to interfere + with nature. Such a man has two classes of ideas in his mind, each + inconsistent with the other. To the extent that he believes in the + supernatural he is incapacitated for dealing with the natural, and to that + extent fails to be a philosopher. Philosophy does not include the caprice + of the Infinite. It is founded on the absolute integrity and invariability + of nature. + </p> + <p> + Neither do I agree with the reverend gentleman when he says that "we are + indebted to Christianity for our knowledge of philology." + </p> + <p> + The church taught for a long time that Hebrew was the first language and + that other languages had been derived from that; and for hundreds and + hundreds of years the efforts of philologists were arrested simply because + they started with that absurd assumption and believed in the Tower of + Babel. + </p> + <p> + Christianity cannot now take the credit for "metaphysical research." It + has always been the enemy of metaphysical research. It never has said to + any human being, "Think!" It has always said, "Hear!" It does not ask + anybody to investigate. It lays down certain doctrines as absolutely true, + and, instead of asking investigation, it threatens every investigator with + eternal pain. Metaphysical research is destroying what has been called + Christianity, and Christians have always feared it. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman makes another mistake, and a very common one. This is his + argument: Christian countries are the most intelligent; therefore they owe + that intelligence to Christianity. Then the next step is taken. + Christianity, being the best, having produced these results, must have + been of divine origin. + </p> + <p> + Let us see what this proves. There was a time when Egypt was the first + nation in the world. Could not an Egyptian, at that time have used the + same arguments that Mr. Peters uses now, to prove that the religion of + Egypt was divine? Could he not then have said: "Egypt is the most + intelligent, the most civilized and the richest of all nations; it has + been made so by its religion; its religion is, therefore, divine"? + </p> + <p> + So there was a time when a Hindoo could have made the same argument. + Certainly this argument could have been made by a Greek. It could have + been repeated by a Roman. And yet Mr. Peters will not admit that the + religion of Egypt was divine, or that the mythology of Greece was true, or + that Jupiter was in fact a god. + </p> + <p> + Is it not evident to all that if the churches in Europe had been + institutions of learning; if the domes of cathedrals had been + observatories; if priests had been teachers of the facts in nature, the + world would have been far in advance of what it is to-day? + </p> + <p> + Countries depend on something besides their religion for progress. Nations + with a good soil can get along quite well with an exceedingly poor + religion; and no religion yet has been good enough to give wealth or + happiness to human beings where the climate and soil were bad and barren. + </p> + <p> + Religion supports nobody. It has to be supported. It produces no wheat, no + corn; it ploughs no land; it fells no forests. It is a perpetual + mendicant. It lives on the labor of others, and then has the arrogance to + pretend that it supports the giver. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Peters makes this exceedingly strange statement: "Every discovery in + science, invention and art has been the work of Christian men. Infidels + have contributed their share, but never one of them has reached the + grandeur of originality." + </p> + <p> + This, I think, so far as invention is concerned, can be answered with one + name—John Ericsson, one of the profoundest agnostics I ever met. + </p> + <p> + I am almost certain that Humboldt and Goethe were original. Darwin was + certainly regarded as such. + </p> + <p> + I do not wish to differ unnecessarily with Mr. Peters, but I have some + doubts about Morse having been the inventor of the telegraph. + </p> + <p> + Neither can I admit that Christianity abolished slavery. Many of the + abolitionists in this country were infidels; many of them were Christians. + But the church itself did not stand for liberty. The Quakers, I admit, + were, as a rule, on the side of freedom. But the Christians of New England + persecuted these Quakers, whipped them from town to town, lacerated their + naked backs, and maimed their bodied, not only, but took their lives. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Peters asks: "What name is there among the world's emancipators after + which you cannot write the name 'Christian?'" Well, let me give him a few—Voltaire, + Jefferson, Paine, Franklin, Lincoln, Darwin. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Peters asks: "Why is it that in Christian countries you find the + greatest amount of physical and intellectual liberty, the greatest freedom + of thought, speech, and action?" + </p> + <p> + Is this true of all? How about Spain and Portugal? There is more + infidelity in France than in Spain, and there is far more liberty in + France than in Spain. + </p> + <p> + There is far more infidelity in England than there was a century ago, and + there is far more liberty than there was a century ago. There is far more + infidelity in the United States than there was fifty years ago, and a + hundred infidels to-day where there was one fifty years ago; and there is + far more intellectual liberty, far greater freedom of speech and action, + than ever before. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago Italy was a Christian country to the fullest extent. Now + there are a thousand times more liberty and a thousand times less + religion. + </p> + <p> + Orthodoxy is dying; Liberty is growing. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ballou, a grandson, or grand-nephew, of Hosea Ballou, seems to have + wandered from the faith. As a rule, Christians insist that when one denies + the religion of Christian parents he is an exceedingly bad man, but when + he denies the religion of parents not Christians, and becomes a Christian, + that he is a very faithful, good and loving son. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ballou insists that God has the same right to punish us that Nature + has, or that the State has. I do not think he understands what I have + said. The State ought not to punish for the sake of punishment. The State + may imprison, or inflict what is called punishment, first, for its own + protection, and, secondly, for the reformation of the punished. If no one + could do the State any injury, certainly the State would have no right to + punish under the plea of protection; and if no human being could by any + possibility be reformed, then the excuse of reformation could not be + given. + </p> + <p> + Let us apply this: If God be infinite, no one can injure him. Therefore he + need not punish anybody or damn anybody or burn anybody for his + protection. + </p> + <p> + Let us take another step. Punishment being justified only on two grounds—that + is, the protection of society and the reformation of the punished—how + can eternal punishment be justified? In the first place, God does not + punish to protect himself, and, in the second place, if the punishment is + to be forever, he does not punish to reform the punished. What excuse then + is left? + </p> + <p> + Let us take still another step. If, instead of punishment, we say + "consequences," and that every good man has the right to reap the good + consequences of good actions, and that every bad man must bear the + consequences of bad actions, then you must say to the good: If you stop + doing good you will lose the harvest. You must say to the bad: If you stop + doing bad you need not increase your burdens. And if it be a fact in + Nature that all must reap what they sow, there is neither mercy nor + cruelty in this fact, and I hold no God responsible for it. The trouble + with the Christian creed is that God is described as the one who gives + rewards and the one who inflicts eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + There is still another trouble. This God, if infinite, must have known + when he created man, exactly who would be eternally damned. What right had + he to create men, knowing that they were to be damned? + </p> + <p> + So much for Mr. Ballou. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Dr. Hillier seems to reason in a kind of circle. He takes the + ground, in the first place, that "infidelity, Christianity, science, and + experience all agree, without the slightest tremor of uncertainty, in the + inexorable law that whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap." He + then takes the ground that, "if we wish to be rid of the harvest, we must + not sow the seed; if we would avoid the result, we must remove the cause; + the only way to be rid of hell is to stop doing evil; that this, and this + only, is the way to abolish an eternal penitentiary." + </p> + <p> + Very good; but that is not the point. The real thing under discussion is + this: Is this life a state of probation, and if a man fails to live a good + life here, will he have no opportunity for reformation in another world, + if there be one? Can he cease to do evil in the eternal penitentiary? and + if he does, can he be pardoned—can he be released? + </p> + <p> + It is admitted that man must bear the consequences of his acts. If the + consequences are good, then the acts are good. If the consequences are + bad, the acts are bad. Through experience we find that certain acts tend + to unhappiness and others to happiness. + </p> + <p> + Now, the only question is whether we have wisdom enough to live in harmony + with our conditions here; and if we fail here, will we have an opportunity + of reforming in another world? If not, then the few years that we live + here determine whether we shall be angels or devils forever. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me, if there be another life, that in that life men may do + good, and men may do evil; and if they may do good it seems to me that + they may reform. + </p> + <p> + I do not see why God, if there be one, should lose all interest in his + children, simply because they leave this world and go where he is. Is it + possible that an infinite God does all for his children here, in this poor + ignorant world, that it is possible for him to do, and that if he fails to + reform them here, nothing is left to do except to make them eternal + convicts? + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Haldeman mistakes my position. I do not admit that "an + infinite God, as revealed in Nature, has allowed men to grow up under + conditions which no ordinary mortal can look at in all their concentrated + agony and not break his heart." + </p> + <p> + I do not confess that God reveals himself in Nature as an infinite God, + without mercy. I do not admit that there is an infinite Being anywhere + responsible for the agonies and tears, for the barbarities and horrors of + this life. I cannot believe that there is in the universe a Being with + power to prevent these things. I hold no God responsible. I attribute + neither cruelty nor mercy to Nature. Nature neither weeps nor rejoices. I + cannot believe that this world, as it now is, as it has been, was created + by an infinitely wise, powerful, and benevolent God. But it is far better + that we should all go down "with souls unsatisfied" to the dreamless + grave, to the tongueless silence of the voiceless dust, than that + countless millions of human souls should suffer forever. + </p> + <p> + Eternal sleep is better than eternal pain. Eternal punishment is eternal + revenge, and can be inflicted only by an eternal monster. + </p> + <p> + Mr. George A. Locey endeavors to put his case in an extremely small + compass, and satisfies himself with really one question, and that is: "If + a man in good health is stricken with disease, is assured that a physician + can cure him, but refuses to take the medicine and dies, ought there to be + any escape?" + </p> + <p> + He concludes that the physician has done his duty; that the patient was + obdurate and suffered the penalty. + </p> + <p> + The application he makes is this: + </p> + <p> + "The Christian's 'tidings of great joy' is the message that the Great + Physician tendered freely. Its acceptance is a cure certain, and a life of + eternal happiness the reward. If the soul accepts, are they not tidings of + great joy; and if the soul rejects, is it not unreasonable on the part of + Colonel Ingersoll to try and sneak out and throw the blame on God?" + </p> + <p> + The answer to this seems easy. The cases are not parallel. If an infinite + God created us all, he knew exactly what we would do. If he gave us free + will it does not change the result, because he knew how we would use the + free will. + </p> + <p> + Now, if he knew that billions upon billions would refuse to take the + remedy, and consequently would suffer eternal pain, why create them? There + would have been much less misery in the world had he left them dust. + </p> + <p> + What right has a God to make a failure? Why should he change dust into a + sentient being, knowing that that being was to be the heir of endless + agony? + </p> + <p> + If the supposed physician had created the patient who refused to take the + medicine, and had so created him that he knew he would refuse to take it, + the cases might be parallel. + </p> + <p> + According to the orthodox creed, millions are to be damned who never heard + of the medicine or of the "Great Physician." + </p> + <p> + There is one thing said by the Rev. Mr. Talmage that I hardly think he + could have intended. Possibly there has been a misprint. It is the + following paragraph: + </p> + <p> + "Who" (speaking of Jesus) "has such an eye to our need; such a lip to kiss + away our sorrow; such a hand to snatch us out of the fire; <i>such a foot + to trample our enemies</i>; such a heart to embrace all our necessities?" + </p> + <p> + What does the reverend gentleman mean by "<i>such a foot to trample our + enemies</i>"? + </p> + <p> + This, to me, is a terrible line. But it is in accordance with the history + of the church. In the name of its founder it has "trampled on its + enemies," and beneath its cruel feet have perished the noblest of the + world. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. J. Benson Hamilton, of Brooklyn, comes into this discussion with + a great deal of heat and considerable fury. He states that "Infidelity is + the creed of prosperity, but when sickness or trouble or sorrow comes he" + (meaning the infidel) "does not paw nor mock nor cry 'Ha! ha!' He sneaks + and cringes like a whipped cur, and trembles and whines and howls." + </p> + <p> + The spirit of Mr. Hamilton is not altogether admirable. He seems to think + that a man establishes the truth of his religion by being brave, or + demonstrates its falsity by trembling in the presence of death. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of people have died for false religions and in honor of false + gods. Their heroism did not prove the truth of the religion, but it did + prove the sincerity of their convictions. + </p> + <p> + A great many murderers have been hanged who exhibited on the scaffold the + utmost contempt of death; and yet this courage exhibited by dying + murderers has never been appealed to in justification of murder. + </p> + <p> + The reverend gentleman tells again the story of the agonies endured by + Thomas Paine when dying; tells us that he then said that he wished his + work had been thrown into the fire, and that if the devil ever had any + agency in any work he had in the writing of that book (meaning "The Age of + Reason,") and that he frequently asked the Lord Jesus to have mercy upon + him. + </p> + <p> + Of course there is not a word of truth in this story. Its falsity has been + demonstrated thousands and thousands of times, and yet ministers of the + Gospel go right on repeating it just the same. + </p> + <p> + So this gentleman tells us that Voltaire was accustomed to close his + letters with the words, "Crush the wretch!" (meaning Christ). This is not + so. He referred to superstition, to religion, not to Christ. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman also says that "Voltaire was the prey of anguish and dread, + alternately supplicating and blaspheming God; that he complained that he + was abandoned by God; that when he died his friends fled from the room, + declaring the sight too terrible to be endured." + </p> + <p> + There is not one word of truth in this. Everybody who has read the life of + Voltaire knows that he died with the utmost serenity. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you how Voltaire died. + </p> + <p> + He was an old man of eighty-four. He had been surrounded by the comforts + of life. He was a man of wealth—of genius. Among the literary men of + the world he stood first. God had allowed him to have the appearance of + success. His last years were filled with the intoxication of flattery. He + stood at the summit of his age. The priests became anxious. They began to + fear that God would forget, in a multiplicity of business, to make a + terrible example of Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + Toward the last of May, 1788, it was whispered in Paris that Voltaire was + dying. Upon the fences of expectation gathered the unclean birds of + superstition, impatiently waiting for their prey. + </p> + <p> + "Two days before his death his nephew went to seek the Curé of St. + Sulpice and the Abbé Gautier, and brought them into his uncle's + sick-chamber, who was informed that they were there. + </p> + <p> + "'Ah, well,' said Voltaire; 'give them my compliments and my thanks.' + </p> + <p> + "The abbé spoke some words to Voltaire, exhorting him to patience. + The Curé of St. Sulpice then came forward, having announced + himself, and asked Voltaire, lifting his voice, if he acknowledged the + divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The sick man pushed one of his hands + against the curé's coif shoving him back, and cried, turning + abruptly to the other side: + </p> + <p> + "'Let me die in peace!' + </p> + <p> + "The curé seemingly considered his person soiled and his coif + dishonored by the touch of the philosopher. He made the nurse give him a + little brushing and went out with the Abbé Gautier. + </p> + <p> + "He expired," says Wagniere, "on the 30th of May, 1788, at about a quarter + past eleven at night, with the most perfect tranquillity. + </p> + <p> + "Ten minutes before his last breath he took the hand of Morand, his <i>valet-de-chambre</i>, + who was watching by him, pressed it and said: 'Adieu, my dear Morand. I am + gone!' + </p> + <p> + "These were his last words." + </p> + <p> + From this death, so simple and serene, so natural and peaceful—from + these words so utterly destitute of cant or dramatic touch—all the + frightful pictures, all the despairing utterances have been drawn and + made. From these materials, and from these alone, have been constructed + all the shameless calumnies about the death of this great and wonderful + man. + </p> + <p> + Voltaire was the intellectual autocrat of his time. From his throne at the + foot of the Alps he pointed the finger of scorn at every hypocrite in + Europe. He was the pioneer of his century. He was the assassin of + superstition. Through the shadows of faith and fable; through the darkness + of myth and miracle; through the midnight of Christianity; through the + blackness of bigotry; past cathedral and dungeon; past rack and stake; + past altar and throne, he carried, with chivalric hands, the sacred torch + of Reason. + </p> + <p> + Let me also tell you about the death of Thomas Paine. After the + publication of his "Rights of Man" and "The Age of Reason", every + falsehood that malignity could coin and malice pass, was given to the + world. On his return to America, although Thomas Jefferson, another + infidel, was President, it was hardly safe for Paine to appear in the + public streets. + </p> + <p> + Under the very flag he had helped to put in heaven, his rights were not + respected. Under the Constitution that he had first suggested, his life + was insecure. He had helped to give liberty to more than three millions of + his fellow-citizens, and they were willing to deny it unto him. + </p> + <p> + He was deserted, ostracized, shunned, maligned and cursed. But he + maintained his integrity. He stood by the convictions of his mind, and + never for one moment did he hesitate or waver. He died almost alone. + </p> + <p> + The moment he died the pious commenced manufacturing horrors for his + death-bed. They had his chamber filled with devils rattling chains, and + these ancient falsehoods are certified to by the clergy even of the + present day. + </p> + <p> + The truth is that Thomas Paine died as he had lived. Some ministers were + impolite enough to visit him against his will. Several of them he ordered + from his room. A couple of Catholic priests, in all the meekness of + arrogance, called that they might enjoy the agonies of the dying friend of + man. Thomas Paine, rising in his bed, the few moments of expiring life + fanned into flame by the breath of indignation, had the goodness to curse + them both. + </p> + <p> + His physician, who seems to have been a meddling fool, just as the cold + hand of Death was touching the patriot's heart, whispered in the dulled + ear of the dying man: "Do you believe, or do you wish to believe, that + Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" + </p> + <p> + And the reply was: "I have no wish to believe on that subject." + </p> + <p> + These were the last remembered words of Thomas Paine. He died as serenely + as ever mortal passed away. He died in the full possession of his mind, + and on the brink and edge of death proclaimed the doctrines of his life. + </p> + <p> + Every philanthropist, every believer in human liberty, every lover of the + great Republic, should feel under obligation to Thomas Paine for the + splendid services rendered by him in the darkest days of the American + Revolution. In the midnight of Valley Forge, "The Crisis" was the first + star that glittered in the wide horizon of despair. + </p> + <p> + We should remember that Thomas Paine was the first man to write these + words: "The United States of America." + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Hamilton seems to take a kind of joy in imagining what + infidels will suffer when they come to die, and he writes as though he + would like to be present. + </p> + <p> + For my part I hope that all the sons and daughters of men will die in + peace; that they will pass away as easily as twilight fades to night. + </p> + <p> + Of course when I said that "Christianity did not bring tidings of great + joy, but a message of eternal grief," I meant orthodox Christianity; and + when I said that "Christianity fills the future with fire and flame, and + made God the keeper of an eternal penitentiary, in which most of the + children of men were to be imprisoned forever," I was giving what I + understood to be the Evangelical belief on that subject. + </p> + <p> + If the churches have given up the doctrine of eternal punishment, then for + one I am delighted, and I shall feel that what little I have done toward + that end has not been done in vain. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Hamilton, enjoying my dying agony in imagination, says: "Let + the world wait but for a few years at the most, when Death's icy fingers + feel for the heartstrings of the boaster, and, as most of his like who + have gone before him have done, he will sing another strain." + </p> + <p> + How shall I characterize the spirit that could prompt the writing of such + a sentence? + </p> + <p> + The reverend gentleman "loves his enemies," and yet he is filled with glee + when he thinks of the agonies I shall endure when Death's icy fingers feel + for the strings of my heart! Yet I have done him no harm. + </p> + <p> + He then quotes, as being applicable to me, a passage from the prophet + Isaiah, commencing: "The vile person will speak villainy." + </p> + <p> + Is this passage applicable only to me? + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Holloway is not satisfied with the "Christmas Sermon." For + his benefit I repeat, in another form, what the "Christmas Sermon" + contains: + </p> + <p> + If orthodox Christianity teaches that this life is a period of probation, + that we settle here our eternal destiny, and that all who have heard the + Gospel and who have failed to believe it are to be eternally lost, then I + say that Christianity did not "bring tidings of great joy," but a Message + of Eternal Grief. And if the orthodox churches are still preaching the + doctrine of Endless Pain, then I say it would be far better if every + church crumbled into dust than that such preaching and such teaching + should be continued. + </p> + <p> + It would be far better yet, however, if the ministers could be converted + and their congregations enlightened. + </p> + <p> + I admit that the orthodox churches preach some things beside hell; but if + they do not believe in the eternity of punishment they ought publicly to + change their creeds. + </p> + <p> + I admit, also, that the average minister advises his congregation to be + honest and to treat all with kindness, and I admit that many of these + ministers fail to follow their own advice when they make what they call + "replies" to me. + </p> + <p> + Of course there are many good things about the church. To the extent that + it is charitable, or rather to the extent that it causes charity, it is + good. To the extent that it causes men and women to lead moral lives it is + good. But to the extent that it fills the future with fear it is bad. To + the extent that it convinces any human being that there is any God who not + only can, but will, inflict eternal torments on his own children, it is + bad. + </p> + <p> + And such teaching does tend to blight humanity. Such teaching does pollute + the imagination of childhood. Such teaching does furrow the cheeks of the + best and tenderest with tears..Such teaching does rob old age of all its + joy, and covers every cradle with a curse! + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Holloway seems to be extremely familiar with God. He says: + "God seems to have delayed his advent through all the ages to give unto + the world the fullest opportunity to do all that the human mind could + suggest for the weal of the race." + </p> + <p> + According to this gentleman, God just delayed his advent for the purpose + of seeing what the world would do, <i>knowing all the time exactly what + would be done</i>. + </p> + <p> + Let us make a suggestion: If the orthodox creed be true, then all people + became tainted or corrupted or depraved, or in some way spoiled by what is + known as "Original Sin." + </p> + <p> + According to the Old Testament, these people kept getting worse and worse. + It does not seem that Jehovah made any effort to improve them, but he + patiently waited for about fifteen hundred years without having + established any church, without having given them a Bible, and then he + drowned all but eight persons. + </p> + <p> + Now, those eight persons were also depraved. The taint of Original Sin was + also in their blood. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that Jehovah made a mistake. He should also have killed the + remaining eight, and started new, kept the serpent out of his garden, and + furnished the first pair with a Bible and the Presbyterian Confession of + Faith. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Dr. Tyler takes it for granted that all charity and goodness are + the children of Christianity. This is a mistake. All the virtues were in + the world long before Christ came. Probably Mr. Tyler will be convinced by + the words of Christ himself. He will probably remember the story of the + Good Samaritan, and if he does he will see that it is exactly in point. + The Good Samaritan was not a Hebrew. He was not one of "the chosen + people." He was a poor, "miserable heathen," who knew nothing about the + Jehovah of the Old Testament, and who had never heard of the "scheme of + salvation." And yet, according to Christ, he was far more charitable than + the Levites—the priests of Jehovah, the highest of "the chosen + people." Is it not perfectly plain from this story that charity was in the + world before Christianity was established? + </p> + <p> + A great deal has been said about asylums and hospitals, as though the + Christians are entitled to great credit on that score. If Dr. Tyler will + read what is said in the British Encyclopaedia, under the head of "Mental + Diseases," he will find that the Egyptians treated the insane with the + utmost kindness, and that they called reason back to its throne by the + voice of music; that the temples were resorted to by crowds of the insane; + and that "whatever gifts of nature or productions of art were calculated + to impress the imagination were there united. Games and recreations were + instituted in the temples. Groves and gardens surrounded these holy + retreats. Gayly decorated boats sometimes transported patients to breathe + the pure breezes of the Nile." + </p> + <p> + So in ancient Greece it is said that "from the hands of the priest the + cure of the disordered mind first passed into the domain of medicine, with + the philosophers. Pythagoras is said to have employed music for the cure + of mental diseases. The order of the day for his disciples exhibits a + profound knowledge of the relations of body and mind. The early morning + was divided between gentle exercise, conversation and music. Then came + conversation, followed by gymnastic exercise and a temperate diet. + Afterward, a bath and supper with a sparing allowance of wine; then + reading, music and conversation concluded the day." + </p> + <p> + So "Asclepiades was celebrated for his treatment of mental disorders. He + recommended that bodily restraint should be avoided as much as possible." + It is also stated that "the philosophy and arts of Greece spread to Rome, + and the first special treatise on insanity is that of Celsus, which + distinguishes varieties of insanity and their proper treatment." + </p> + <p> + "Over the arts and sciences of Greece and Rome the errors and ignorance of + the Middle Ages gradually crept, until they enveloped them in a cloud + worse than Egyptian darkness. The insane were again consigned to the + miracle-working-ordinances of o o priests or else totally neglected. + Idiots and imbeciles were permitted to go clotheless and homeless. The + frantic and furious were chained in lonesome dungeons and exhibited for + money, like wild beasts. The monomaniacs became, according to + circumstance, the objects of superstitious horror or reverence. They were + regarded as possessed with demons and subjected either to priestly + exorcism, or cruelly destroyed as wizards and witches. This cruel + treatment of the insane continued with little or no alleviation down to + the end of the last century in all the civilized countries of Europe." + </p> + <p> + Let me quote a description of these Christian asylums. + </p> + <p> + "Public asylums indeed existed in most of the metropolitan cities of + Europe, but the insane were more generally, if at all troublesome, + confined in jails, where they were chained in the lowest dungeons or made + the butts and menials of the most debased criminals. In public asylums the + inmates were confined in cellars, isolated in cages, chained to floors or + walls. These poor victims were exhibited to the public like wild beasts. + They were often killed by the ignorance and brutality of their keepers." + </p> + <p> + I call particular attention to the following paragraph: "Such was the + state of the insane generally throughout Europe at the commencement of + this century. Such it continued to be in England so late as 1815 and in + Ireland as 1817, as revealed by the inquiries of parliamentary commissions + in those years respectively." + </p> + <p> + Dr. Tyler is entirely welcome to all the comfort these facts can give. + </p> + <p> + Not only were the Greeks and Romans and Egyptians far in advance of the + Christians in the treatment of the mentally diseased, but even the + Mohammedans were in advance of the Christians about 700 years, and in + addition to this they treated their lunatics with great kindness. + </p> + <p> + The temple of Diana of Ephesus was a refuge for insolvent debtors, and the + Thesium was a refuge for slaves. + </p> + <p> + Again, I say that hundreds of years before the establishment of + Christianity there were in India not only hospitals and asylums for + people, but even for animals. The great mistake of the Christian clergy is + that they attribute all goodness to Christianity. They have always been + engaged in maligning human nature—in attacking the human heart—in + efforts to destroy all natural passions. + </p> + <p> + Perfect maxims for the conduct of life were uttered and repeated in India + and China hundreds and hundreds of years before the Christian era. Every + virtue was lauded and every vice denounced. All the good that Christianity + has in it came from the human heart. Everything in that system of religion + came from this world; and in it you will find not only the goodness of + man, but the imperfections of man—not only the love of man, but the + malice of man. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you why the Christians for so many centuries neglected or + abused the insane. They believed the New Testament, and honestly supposed + that the insane were filled with devils. + </p> + <p> + In regard to the contest between Dr. Buckley, who, as I understand it, is + a doctor of theology—and I should think such theology stood in need + of a doctor—and the <i>Telegram</i>, I have nothing to say. There is + only one side to that contest; and so far as the Doctor heretofore + criticised what is known as the "Christmas Sermon," I have answered him, + leaving but very little to which I care to reply in his last article. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Buckley, like many others, brings forward names instead of reasons—instead + of arguments. Milton, Pascal, Elizabeth Fry, John Howard, and Michael + Faraday are not arguments. They are only names; and, instead of giving the + names, Dr. Buckley should give the reasons advanced by those whose names + he pronounces. + </p> + <p> + Jonathan Edwards may have been a good man, but certainly his theology was + infamous. So Father Mathew was a good man, but it was impossible for him + to be good enough to convince Dr. Buckley of the doctrine of the "Real + Presence." + </p> + <p> + Milton was a very good man, and he described God as a kind of + brigadier-general, put the angels in uniform and had regular battles; but + Milton's goodness can by no possibility establish the truth of his + poetical and absurd vagaries. + </p> + <p> + All the self-denial and goodness in the world do not even tend to prove + the existence of the supernatural or of the miraculous. Millions and + millions of the most devoted men could not, by their devotion, + substantiate the inspiration of the Scriptures. + </p> + <p> + There are, however, some misstatements in Dr. Buckley's article that ought + not to be passed over in silence. + </p> + <p> + The first is to the effect that I was invited to write an article for the + <i>North American Review</i>, Judge Jeremiah Black to reply, and that + Judge Black was improperly treated. + </p> + <p> + Now, it is true that I was invited to write an article, and did write one; + but I did not know at the time who was to reply. It is also true that + Judge Black did reply, and that my article and his reply appeared in the + same number of the <i>Review.</i> + </p> + <p> + Dr. Buckley alleges that the <i>North American Review</i> gave me an + opportunity to review the Judge, but denied to Judge Black an opportunity + to respond. This is without the slightest foundation in fact. Mr. Metcalf, + who at that time was manager of the <i>Review</i>, is still living and + will tell the facts. Personally I had nothing to do with it, one way or + the other. I did not regard Judge Black's reply as formidable, and was not + only willing that he should be heard again, but anxious that he should. + </p> + <p> + So much for that. + </p> + <p> + As to the debate, with Dr. Field and Mr. Gladstone, I leave them to say + whether they were or were not fairly treated. Dr. Field, by his candor, by + his fairness, and by the manly spirit he exhibited won my respect and + love. + </p> + <p> + Most ministers imagine that any man who differs from them is a blasphemer. + This word seems to leap unconsciously from their lips. They cannot imagine + that another man loves liberty as much and with as sincere devotion as + they love God. They cannot imagine that another prizes liberty above all + gods, even if gods exist. They cannot imagine that any mind is so that it + places Justice above all persons, a mind that cannot conceive even of a + God who is not bound to do justice. + </p> + <p> + If God exists, above him, in eternal calm, is the figure of Justice. + </p> + <p> + Neither can some ministers understand a man who regards Jehovah and + Jupiter as substantially the same, with this exception—that he + thinks far more of Jupiter, because Jupiter had at least some human + feelings. + </p> + <p> + I do not understand that a man can be guilty of blasphemy who states his + honest thoughts in proper language, his object being, not to torture the + feelings of others, but simply to give his thought—to find and + establish the truth. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Buckley makes a charge that he ought to have known to be without + foundation. Speaking of myself, he said: "In him the laws to prevent the + circulation of obscene publications through the mails have found their + most vigorous opponent." + </p> + <p> + It is hardly necessary for me to say that this is untrue. The facts are + that an effort was made to classify obscene literature with what the pious + call "blasphemous and immoral works." A petition was forwarded to Congress + to amend the law so that the literature of Freethought could not be thrown + from the mails, asking that, if no separation could be made, the law + should be repealed. + </p> + <p> + It was said that I had signed this petition, and I certainly should have + done so had it been presented to me. The petition was absolutely proper. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago I found the petition, and discovered that while it bore my + name it had never been signed by me. But for the purposes of this answer I + am perfectly willing that the signature should be regarded as genuine, as + there is nothing in the petition that should not have been granted. + </p> + <p> + The law as it stood was opposed by the Liberal League—but not a + member of that society was in favor of the circulation of obscene + literature; but they did think that the privacy of the mails had been + violated, and that it was of the utmost importance to maintain the + inviolability of the postal service. + </p> + <p> + I disagreed with these people, and favored the destruction of obscene + literature not only, but that it be made a criminal offence to send it + through the mails. As a matter of fact I drew up resolutions to that + effect that were passed. Afterward they were changed, or some others were + passed, and I resigned from the League on that account. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more absurd than that I was, directly or indirectly, or + could have been, interested in the circulation of obscene publications + through the mails; and I will pay a premium of $1,000 a word for each and + every word I ever said or wrote in favor of sending obscene publications + through the mails. + </p> + <p> + I might use much stronger language. I might follow the example of Dr. + Buckley himself. But I think I have said enough to satisfy all + unprejudiced people that the charge is absurdly false. + </p> + <p> + Now, as to the eulogy of whiskey. It gives me a certain pleasure to read + that even now, and I believe the readers of the <i>Telegram</i> would like + to read it once more; so here it is: + </p> + <p> + "I send you some of the most wonderful whiskey that ever drove the + skeleton from a feast or painted landscapes in the brain of man. It is the + mingled souls of wheat and corn. In it you will find the sunshine and the + shadow that chased each other over the billowy fields; the breath of June; + the carol of the lark; the dews of night; the wealth of summer and + autumn's rich content, all golden with imprisoned light. Drink it and you + will hear the voices of men and maidens singing the 'Harvest Home,' + mingled with the laughter of children. Drink it and you will feel within + your blood the star-lit dawns, the dreamy, tawny dusks of many perfect + days. For forty years this liquid joy has been within the happy staves of + oak, longing to touch the lips of men." + </p> + <p> + I re-quote this for the reason that Dr. Buckley, who is not very accurate, + made some mistakes in his version. + </p> + <p> + Now, in order to show the depth of degradation to which I have sunk in + this direction, I will confess that I also wrote a eulogy of tobacco, and + here it is: + </p> + <p> + "Nearly four centuries ago Columbus, the adventurous, in the blessed + island of Cuba, saw happy people with rolled leaves between their lips. + Above their heads were little clouds of smoke. Their faces were serene, + and in their eyes was the autumnal heaven of content. These people were + kind, innocent, gentle and loving. + </p> + <p> + "The climate of Cuba is the friendship of the earth and air, and of this + climate the sacred leaves were born—the leaves that breed in the + mind of him who uses them the cloudless, happy days in which they grew. + </p> + <p> + "These leaves make friends, and celebrate with gentle rites the vows of + peace. They have given consolation to the world. They are the companions + of the lonely—the friends of the imprisoned, of the exile, of + workers in mines, of fellers of forests, of sailors on the desolate seas. + They are the givers of strength and calm to the vexed and wearied minds of + those who build with thought and dream the temples of the soul. + </p> + <p> + "They tell of hope and rest. They smooth the wrinkled brows of pain—drive + fears and strange misshapen dreads from out the mind and fill the heart + with rest and peace. Within their magic warp and woof some potent gracious + spell imprisoned lies, that, when released by fire, doth softly steal + within the fortress of the brain and bind in sleep the captured sentinels + of care and grief. + </p> + <p> + "These leaves are the friends of the fireside, and their smoke, like + incense, rises from myriads of happy homes. Cuba is the smile of the sea." + </p> + <p> + There are some people so constituted that there is no room in the heaven + of their minds for the butterflies and moths of fancy to spread their + wings. Everything is taken in solemn and stupid earnest. Such men would + hold Shakespeare responsible for what Falstaff said about "sack," and for + Mrs. Quickly's notions of propriety. + </p> + <p> + There is an old Greek saying which is applicable here: "In the presence of + human stupidity, even the gods stand helpless." + </p> + <p> + John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, lacked all sense of humor. + He preached a sermon on "The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes." He insisted + that they were caused by the wickedness of man, and that the only way to + cure them was to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. + </p> + <p> + The man who does not carry the torch of Humor is always in danger of + falling into the pit of Absurdity. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Charles Deems, pastor of the Church of the Strangers, contributes + his part to the discussion. + </p> + <p> + He took a text from John, as follows: "He that committeth sin is of the + devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son + of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." + </p> + <p> + According to the orthodox creed of the Rev. Dr. Deems all have committed + sin, and consequently all are of the devil. The Doctor is not a + metaphysician. He does not care to play at sleight of hand with words. He + stands on bed-rock, and he asserts that the devil is no Persian myth, but + a personality, who works unhindered by the limitations of a physical body, + and gets human personalities to aid him in his works. + </p> + <p> + According to the text, it seems that the devil was a sinner from the + beginning. I suppose that must mean from his beginning, or from the + beginning of things. According to Dr. Deems' creed, his God is the Creator + of all things, and consequently must have been the Creator of the devil. + According to the Scriptures the devil is the father of lies, and Dr. + Deems' God is the father of the devil—that is to say, the + grandfather of lies. This strikes me as almost "blasphemous." + </p> + <p> + The Doctor also tells us "that Jesus believed as much in the personality + of the devil as in that of Herod or Pilate or John or Peter." + </p> + <p> + That I admit. There is not the slightest doubt, if the New Testament be + true, that Christ believed in a personal devil—a devil with whom he + had conversations; a devil who took him to the pinnacle of the Temple and + endeavored to induce him to leap to the earth below. + </p> + <p> + Of course he believed in a personal devil. Not only so; he believed in + thousands of personal devils. He cast seven devils out of Mary Magdalene. + He cast a legion of devils out of the man in the tombs, or, rather, made a + bargain with these last-mentioned devils that they might go into a drove + or herd of swine, if they would leave the man. + </p> + <p> + I not only admit that Christ believed in devils, but he believed that some + devils were deaf and dumb, and so declared. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Deems is right, and I hope he will defend against all comers the + integrity of the New Testament. + </p> + <p> + The Doctor, however, not satisfied exactly with what he finds in the New + Testament, draws a little on his own imagination. He says: + </p> + <p> + "The devil is an organizing, imperial intellect, vindictive, sharp, + shrewd, persevering, the aim of whose works is to overthrow the authority + of God's law." + </p> + <p> + How does the Doctor know that the devil has an organizing, imperial + intellect? How does he know that he is vindictive and sharp and shrewd and + persevering? + </p> + <p> + If the devil has an "imperial intellect," why does he attempt the + impossible? + </p> + <p> + Robert Burns shocked Scotland by saying of the devil, or, rather, to the + devil, that he was sorry for him, and hoped he would take a thought and + mend. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Deems has gone far in advance of Burns. For a clergyman he seems to be + exceedingly polite. Speaking of the "Arch Enemy of God"—of that + "organizing, imperial intellect who is seeking to undermine the church"—the + Doctor says: + </p> + <p> + "The devil may be conceded to be sincere." + </p> + <p> + It has been said: + </p> + <p> + "An honest God is the noblest work of man," and it may now be added: A + sincere devil is the noblest work of Dr. Deems. + </p> + <p> + But, with all the devil's smartness, sharpness, and shrewdness, the Doctor + says that he "cannot write a book; that he cannot deliver lectures" (like + myself, I suppose), "edit a newspaper" (like the editor of the <i>Telegram</i>), + "or make after-dinner speeches; but he can get his servants to do these + things for him." + </p> + <p> + There is one thing in the Doctor's address that I feel like correcting (I + quote from the <i>Telegram's</i> report): + </p> + <p> + "Dr. Deems showed at length how the Son of God, the Christ of the Bible—<i>not + the Christ of the lecture platform caricatures</i>—is operating to + overcome all these works." + </p> + <p> + I take it for granted that he refers to what he supposes I have said about + Christ, and, for fear that he may not have read it, I give it here: + </p> + <p> + "And let me say here, once for all, that for the man Christ I have + infinite respect. Let me say, once for all, that the place where man has + died for man, is holy ground. And let me say, once for all, that to that + great and serene man I gladly pay, the tribute of my admiration and my + tears. He was a reformer in his day. He was an infidel in his time. He was + regarded as a blasphemer, and his life was destroyed by hypocrites, who + have, in all ages, done what they could to trample freedom and manhood out + of the human mind. Had I lived at that time I would have been his friend, + and should he come again he will not find a better friend than I will be. + That is for the man. For the theological creation I have a different + feeling." + </p> + <p> + I have not answered each one who has attacked by name. Neither have I + mentioned those who have agreed with me. But I do take this occasion to + thank all, irrespective of their creeds, who have manfully advocated the + right of free speech, and who have upheld the <i>Telegram</i> in the + course it has taken. + </p> + <p> + I thank all who have said a kind word for me, and I also feel quite + grateful to those who have failed to say unkind words. Epithets are not + arguments. To abuse is not to convince. Anger is stupid and malice + illogical. + </p> + <p> + And, after all that has appeared by way of reply, I still insist that + orthodox Christianity did not come with "tidings of great joy," but with a + message of eternal grief. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + New York, February 5, 1892. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0007" id="link0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SUICIDE OF JUDGE NORMILE. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *A reply to the Western Watchman, published in the St. Louis + Globe Democrat, Sept. 1, 1892. +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you read an article in the <i>Western Watchman</i>, + entitled "Suicide of Judge Normile"? If so, what is your opinion of it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I have read the article, and I think the spirit in which it + is written is in exact accord with the creed, with the belief, that + prompted it. + </p> + <p> + In this article the writer speaks not only of Judge Normile, but of Henry + D'Arcy, and begins by saying that a Catholic community had been shocked, + but that as a matter of fact the Catholics had no right "to feel special + concern in the life or death of either," for the reason, "that both had + ceased to be Catholics, and had lived as infidels and scoffers." + </p> + <p> + According to the Catholic creed all infidels and scoffers are on the + direct road to eternal pain; and yet, if the <i>Watchman</i> is to be + believed, Catholics have no right to have special concern for the fate of + such people, even after their death. + </p> + <p> + The church has always proclaimed that it was seeking the lost—that + it was trying in every way to convert the infidels and save the scoffers—that + it cared less for the ninety-nine sheep safe in the fold than for the one + that had strayed. We have been told that God so loved infidels and + scoffers, that he came to this poor world and gave his life that they + might be saved. But now we are told by the <i>Western Watchman</i> that + the church, said to have been founded by Christ, has no right to feel any + special concern about the fate of infidels and scoffers. + </p> + <p> + Possibly the <i>Watchman</i> only refers to the infidels and scoffers who + were once Catholics. + </p> + <p> + If the New Testament is true, St. Peter was at one time a Christian; that + is to say, a good Catholic, and yet he fell from grace and not only denied + his Master, but went to the extent of swearing that he did not know him; + that he never had made his acquaintance. And yet, this same Peter was + taken back and became the rock on which the Catholic Church is supposed to + rest. + </p> + <p> + Are the Catholics of St. Louis following the example of Christ, when they + publicly declare that they care nothing for the fate of one who left the + church and who died in his sins? + </p> + <p> + The <i>Watchman</i>, in order to show that it was simply doing its duty, + and was not actuated by hatred or malice, assures us as follows: "A warm + personal friendship existed between D'Arcy and Normile and the managers of + this paper." What would the <i>Watchman</i> have said if these men had + been the personal enemies of the managers of that paper? Two warm personal + friends, once Catholics, had gone to hell; but the managers of the <i>Watchman</i>, + "warm personal friends" of the dead, had no right to feel any special + concern about these friends in the flames of perdition. One would think + that pity had changed to piety. + </p> + <p> + Another wonderful statement is that "both of these men determined to go to + hell, if there was a hell, and to forego the joys of heaven, if there was + a heaven." + </p> + <p> + Admitting that heaven and hell exist, that heaven is a good place, and + that hell, to say the least, is, and eternally will be, unpleasant, why + should any sane man unalterably determine to go to hell? It is hard to + think of any reason, unless he was afraid of meeting those Catholics in + heaven who had been his "warm personal friends" in this world. The truth + is that no one wishes to be unhappy in this or any other country. The + truth is that Henry D'Arcy and Judge Normile both became convinced that + the Catholic Church is of human origin, that its creed is not true, that + it is the enemy of progress, and the foe of freedom. It may be that they + were in part led to these conclusions by the conduct of their "warm + personal friends." + </p> + <p> + It is claimed that these men, Henry D'Arcy and Judge Normile "studied" to + convince themselves "that there was no God, that they went back to + Paganism and lived among the ancients," and "that they soon revelled in + the grossness of Paganism." If they went back to Paganism, they certainly + found plenty of gods. The Pagans filled heaven and earth with deities. The + Catholics have only three, while the Pagans had hundreds. And yet there + were some very good Pagans. By associating with Socrates and Plato one + would not necessarily become a groveling wretch. Zeno was not altogether + abominable. He would compare favorably, at least, with the average pope. + Aristotle was not entirely despicable, although wrong, it may be, in many + things. Epicurus was temperate, frugal and serene. He perceived the beauty + of use, and celebrated the marriage of virtue and joy. He did not teach + his disciples to revel in grossness, although his maligners have made this + charge. Cicero was a Pagan, and yet he uttered some very sublime and + generous sentiments. Among other things, he said this: "When we say that + we should love Romans, but not foreigners, we destroy the bond of + universal brotherhood and drive from our hearts charity and justice." + </p> + <p> + Suppose a Pagan had written about "two warm personal friends" of his, who + had joined the Catholic Church, and suppose he had said this: "Although + our two warm personal friends have both died by their own hands, and + although both have gone to the lowest hell, and are now suffering + inconceivable agonies, we have no right to feel any special concern about + them or about their sufferings; and, to speak frankly, we care nothing for + their agonies, nothing for their tears, and we mention them only to keep + other Pagans from joining that blasphemous and ignorant church. Both of + our friends were raised as Pagans, both were educated in our holy + religion, and both had read the works of our greatest and wisest authors, + and yet they fell into apostasy, and studied day and night, in season and + out of season, to convince themselves that a young carpenter of Palestine + was in fact, Jupiter, whom we call Stator, the creator, the sustainer and + governor of all." + </p> + <p> + It is probable that the editor of the <i>Watchman</i> was perfectly + conscientious in his attack on the dead. Nothing but a sense of religious + duty could induce any man to attack the character of a "warm personal + friend," and to say that although the friend was in hell, he felt no + special concern as to his fate. + </p> + <p> + The <i>Watchman</i> seems to think that it is hardly probable or possible + that a sane Catholic should become an infidel. People of every religion + feel substantially in this way. It is probable that the Mohammedan is of + the opinion that no sane believer in the religion of Islam could possibly + become a Catholic. Probably there are no sane Mohammedans. I do not know. + </p> + <p> + Now, it seems to me, that when a sane Catholic reads the history of his + church, of the Inquisition, of centuries of flame and sword, of + philosophers and thinkers tortured, flayed and burned by the "Bride of + God," and of all the cruelties of Christian years, he may reasonably come + to the conclusion that the Church of Rome is not the best possible church + in this, the best possible of all worlds. + </p> + <p> + It would hardly impeach his sanity if, after reading the history of + superstition, he should denounce the Hierarchy, from priest to pope. The + truth is, the real opinions of all men are perfectly honest no matter + whether they are for or against the Catholic creed. All intelligent people + are intellectually hospitable. Every man who knows something of the + operations of his own mind is absolutely certain that his wish has not, to + his knowledge, influenced his judgment. He may admit that his wish has + influenced his speech, but he must certainly know that it has not affected + his judgment. + </p> + <p> + In other words, a man cannot cheat himself in a game of solitaire and + really believe that he has won the game. No matter what the appearance of + the cards may be, he knows whether the game was lost or won. So, men may + say that their judgment is a certain way, and they may so affirm in + accordance with their wish, but neither the wish, nor the declaration can + affect the real judgment. So, a man must know whether he believes a + certain creed or not, or, at least, what the real state of his mind is. + When a man tells me that he believes in the supernatural, in the + miraculous, and in the inspiration of the Scriptures, I take it for + granted that he is telling the truth, although it seems impossible to me + that the man could reach that conclusion. When another tells me that he + does not know whether there is a Supreme Being or not, but that he does + not believe in the supernatural, and is perfectly satisfied that the + Scriptures are for the most part false and barbarous, I implicitly believe + every word he says. + </p> + <p> + I admit cheerfully that there are many millions of men and women who + believe what to me seems impossible and infinitely absurd; and, + undoubtedly, what I believe seems to them equally impossible. + </p> + <p> + Let us give to others the liberty which we claim for ourselves. + </p> + <p> + The <i>Watchman</i> seems to think that unbelief, especially when coupled + with what they call "the sins of the flesh," is the lowest possible depth, + and tells us that "robbers may be devout," "murderers penitent," and + "drunkards reverential." + </p> + <p> + In some of these statements the <i>Watchman</i> is probably correct. There + have been "devout robbers." There have been gentlemen of the highway, + agents of the road, who carried sacred images, who bowed, at holy shrines + for the purpose of securing success. For many centuries the devout + Catholics robbed the Jews. The devout Ferdinand and Isabella were great + robbers. A great many popes have indulged in this theological pastime, not + to speak of the rank and file. Yes, the <i>Watchman</i> is right. There is + nothing in robbery that necessarily interferes with devotion. + </p> + <p> + There have been penitent murderers, and most murderers, unless impelled by + a religious sense of duty to God, have been penitent. David, with dying + breath, advised his son to murder the old friends of his father. He + certainly was not penitent. Undoubtedly Torquemada murdered without + remorse, and Calvin burned his "warm personal friend" to gain the applause + of God. Philip the Second was a murderer, not penitent, because he deemed + it his duty. The same may be said of the Duke of Alva, and of thousands of + others. + </p> + <p> + Robert Burns was not, according to his own account, strictly virtuous, and + yet I like him better than I do those who planned and carried into bloody + execution the massacre of St. Bartholomew. + </p> + <p> + Undoubtedly murderers have been penitent. A man in California cut the + throat of a woman, although she begged for mercy, saying at the same time + that she was not prepared to die. He cared nothing for her prayers. He was + tried, convicted and sentenced to death. He made a motion for a new trial. + This was denied. He appealed to the governor, but the executive refused to + interfere. Then he became penitent and experienced religion. On the + scaffold he remarked that he was going to heaven; that his only regret was + that he would not meet the woman he had murdered, as she was not a + Christian when she died. Undoubtedly murderers can be penitent. + </p> + <p> + An old Spaniard was dying. He sent for a priest to administer the last + sacraments of the church. The priest told him that he must forgive all his + enemies. "I have no enemies," said the dying man, "I killed the last one + three weeks ago." Undoubtedly murderers can be penitent. + </p> + <p> + So, I admit that drunkards have been pious and reverential, and I might + add, honest and generous. + </p> + <p> + Some good Catholics and some good Protestants have enjoyed a hospitable + glass, and there have been priests who used the blood of the grape for + other than a sacramental purpose. Even Luther, a good Catholic in his day, + a reformer, a Doctor of Divinity, gave to the world this couplet: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Who loves not woman, wine and song, + Will live a fool his whole life long." +</pre> + <p> + The <i>Watchman</i>, in effect, says that a devout robber is better than + an infidel; that a penitent murderer is superior to a freethinker, in the + sight of God. + </p> + <p> + Another curious thing in this article is that after sending both men to + hell, the <i>Watchman</i> says: "As to their moral habits we know + nothing." + </p> + <p> + It may then be taken for granted, if these "warm personal friends" knew + nothing against the dead, that their lives were, at least, what the church + calls moral. We know, if we know anything, that there is no necessary + connection between what is called religion and morality. Certainly there + were millions of moral people, those who loved mercy and dealt honestly, + before the Catholic Church existed. The virtues were well known, and + practiced, before a triple crown surrounded the cunning brain of an + Italian Vicar of God, and before the flames of the <i>Auto da fé</i> + delighted the hearts of a Christian mob. Thousands of people died for the + right, before the wrong organized the infallible church. + </p> + <p> + But why should any man deem it his duty or feel it a pleasure to say harsh + and cruel things of the dead? Why pierce the brow of death with the thorns + of hatred? Suppose the editor of the <i>Watchman</i> had died, and Judge + Normile had been the survivor, would the infidel and scoffer have attacked + the unreplying dead? + </p> + <p> + Henry D'Arcy I did not know; but Judge Normile was my friend and I was + his. Although we met but a few times, he excited my admiration and + respect. He impressed me as being an exceedingly intelligent man, well + informed on many subjects, of varied reading, possessed of a clear and + logical mind, a poetic temperament, enjoying the beautiful things in + literature and art, and the noble things in life. He gave his opinions + freely, but without the least arrogance, and seemed perfectly willing that + others should enjoy the privilege of differing with him. He was, so far as + I could perceive, a gentleman, tender of the feelings of others, free and + manly in his bearing, "of most excellent fancy," and a most charming and + agreeable companion. + </p> + <p> + According, however, to the <i>Watchman</i>, such a man is far below a + "devout robber" or a "penitent murderer." Is it possible that an assassin + like Ravillac is far better than a philosopher like Voltaire; and that all + the Catholic robbers and murderers who retain their faith, give greater + delight to God than the Humboldts, Haeckels and Darwins who have filled + the world with intellectual light? + </p> + <p> + Possibly the Catholic Church is mistaken. Possibly the <i>Watchman</i> is + in error, and possibly there may be for the erring, even in another world, + some asylum besides hell. + </p> + <p> + Judge Normile died by his own hand. Certainly he was not afraid of the + future. He was not appalled by death. He died by his own hand. Can + anything be more pitiful—more terrible? How can a man in the flowing + tide and noon of life destroy himself? What storms there must have been + within the brain; what tempests must have raved and wrecked; what + lightnings blinded and revealed; what hurrying clouds obscured and hid the + stars; what monstrous shapes emerged from gloom; what darkness fell upon + the day; what visions filled the night; how the light failed; how paths + were lost; how highways disappeared; how chasms yawned; until one thought—the + thought of death—swift, compassionate and endless—became the + insane monarch of the mind. + </p> + <p> + Standing by the prostrate form of one who thus found death, it is far + better to pity than to revile—to kiss the clay than curse the man. + </p> + <p> + The editor of the <i>Watchman</i> has done himself injustice. He has not + injured the dead, but the living. + </p> + <p> + I am an infidel—an unbeliever—and yet I hope that all the + children of men may find peace and joy. No matter how they leave this + world, from altar or from scaffold, crowned with virtue or stained with + crime, I hope that good may come to all. + </p> + <p> + R. G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0008" id="link0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + IS SUICIDE A SIN? + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * These letters were published in the New York World, 1894. +</pre> + <p> + Col. Ingersoll's First Letter. + </p> + <p> + I DO not know whether self-killing is on the increase or not. If it is, + then there must be, on the average, more trouble, more sorrow, more + failure, and, consequently, more people are driven to despair. In + civilized life there is a great struggle, great competition, and many + fail. To fail in a great city is like being wrecked at sea. In the country + a man has friends; he can get a little credit, a little help, but in the + city it is different. The man is lost in the multitude. In the roar of the + streets, his cry is not heard. Death becomes his only friend. Death + promises release from want, from hunger and pain, and so the poor wretch + lays down his burden, dashes it from his shoulders and falls asleep. + </p> + <p> + To me all this seems very natural. The wonder is that so many endure and + suffer to the natural end, that so many nurse the spark of life in huts + and prisons, keep it and guard it through years of misery and want; + support it by beggary, by eating the crust found in the gutter, and to + whom it only gives days of weariness and nights of fear and dread. Why + should the man, sitting amid the wreck of all he had, the loved ones dead, + friends lost, seek to lengthen, to preserve his life? What can the future + have for him? + </p> + <p> + Under many circumstances a man has the right to kill himself. When life is + of no value to him, when he can be of no real assistance to others, why + should a man continue? When he is of no benefit, when he is a burden to + those he loves, why should he remain? The old idea was that God made us + and placed us here for a purpose and that it was our duty to remain until + he called us. The world is outgrowing this absurdity. What pleasure can it + give God to see a man devoured by a cancer; to see the quivering flesh + slowly eaten; to see the nerves throbbing with pain? Is this a festival + for God? Why should the poor wretch stay and suffer? A little morphine + would give him sleep—the agony would be forgotten and he would pass + unconsciously from happy dreams to painless death. + </p> + <p> + If God determines all births and deaths, of what use is medicine and why + should doctors defy with pills and powders, the decrees of God? No one, + except a few insane, act now according to this childish superstition. Why + should a man, surrounded by flames, in the midst of a burning building, + from which there is no escape, hesitate to put a bullet through his brain + or a dagger in his heart? Would it give God pleasure to see him burn? When + did the man lose the right of self-defence? + </p> + <p> + So, when a man has committed some awful crime, why should he stay and ruin + his family and friends? Why should he add to the injury? Why should he + live, filling his days and nights, and the days and nights of others, with + grief and pain, with agony and tears? + </p> + <p> + Why should a man sentenced to imprisonment for life hesitate to still his + heart? The grave is better than the cell. Sleep is sweeter than the ache + of toil. The dead have no masters. + </p> + <p> + So the poor girl, betrayed and deserted, the door of home closed against + her, the faces of friends averted, no hand that will help, no eye that + will soften with pity, the future an abyss filled with monstrous shapes of + dread and fear, her mind racked by fragments of thoughts like clouds + broken by storm, pursued, surrounded by the serpents of remorse, flying + from horrors too great to bear, rushes with joy through the welcome door + of death. + </p> + <p> + Undoubtedly there are many cases of perfectly justifiable suicide—cases + in which not to end life would be a mistake, sometimes almost a crime. + </p> + <p> + As to the necessity of death, each must decide for himself. And if a man + honestly decides that death is best—best for him and others—and + acts upon the decision, why should he be blamed? + </p> + <p> + Certainly the man who kills himself is not a physical coward. He may have + lacked moral courage, but not physical. It may be said that some men fight + duels because they are afraid to decline. They are between two fires—the + chance of death and the certainty of dishonor, and they take the chance of + death. So the Christian martyrs were, according to their belief, between + two fires—the flames of the fagot that could burn but for a few + moments, and the fires of God, that were eternal. And they chose the + flames of the fagot. + </p> + <p> + Men who fear death to that degree that they will bear all the pains and + pangs that nerves can feel, rather than die, cannot afford to call the + suicide a coward. It does not seem to me that Brutus was a coward or that + Seneca was. Surely Antony had nothing left to live for. Cato was not a + craven. He acted on his judgment. So with hundreds of others who felt that + they had reached the end—-that the journey was done, the voyage was + over, and, so feeling, stopped. It seems certain that the man who commits + suicide, who "does the thing that ends all other deeds, that shackles + accident and bolts up change" is not lacking in physical courage. + </p> + <p> + If men had the courage, they would not linger in prisons, in almshouses, + in hospitals; they would not bear the pangs of incurable disease, the + stains of dishonor; they would not live in filth and want, in poverty and + hunger, neither would they wear the chain of slavery. All this can be + accounted for only by the fear of death or "of something after." + </p> + <p> + Seneca, knowing that Nero intended to take his life, had no fear. He knew + that he could defeat the Emperor. He knew that "at the bottom of every + river, in the coil of every rope, on the point of every dagger, Liberty + sat and smiled." He knew that it was his own fault if he allowed himself + to be tortured to death by his enemy. He said: "There is this blessing, + that while life has but one entrance, it has exits innumerable, and as I + choose the house in which I live, the ship in which I will sail, so will I + choose the time and manner of my death." + </p> + <p> + To me this is not cowardly, but manly and noble. Under the Roman law + persons found guilty of certain offences were not only destroyed, but + their blood was polluted and their children became outcasts. If, however, + they died before conviction their children were saved. Many committed + suicide to save their babes. Certainly they were not cowards. Although + guilty of great crimes they had enough of honor, of manhood, left to save + their innocent children. This was not cowardice. + </p> + <p> + Without doubt many suicides are caused by insanity. Men lose their + property. The fear of the future overpowers them. Things lose proportion, + they lose poise and balance, and in a flash, a gleam of frenzy, kill + themselves. The disappointed in love, broken in heart—the light + fading from their lives—seek the refuge of death. + </p> + <p> + Those who take their lives in painful, barbarous ways—who mangle + their throats with broken glass, dash themselves from towers and roofs, + take poisons that torture like the rack—such persons must be insane. + But those who take the facts into account, who weigh the arguments for and + against, and who decide that death is best—the only good—and + then resort to reasonable means, may be, so far as I can see, in full + possession of their minds. + </p> + <p> + Life is not the same to all—to some a blessing, to some a curse, to + some not much in any way. Some leave it with unspeakable regret, some with + the keenest joy and some with indifference. + </p> + <p> + Religion, or the decadence of religion, has a bearing upon the number of + suicides. The fear of God, of judgment, of eternal pain will stay the + hand, and people so believing will suffer here until relieved by natural + death. A belief in eternal agony beyond the grave will cause such + believers to suffer the pangs of this life. When there is no fear of the + future, when death is believed to be a dreamless sleep, men have less + hesitation about ending their lives. On the other hand, orthodox religion + has driven millions to insanity. It has caused parents to murder their + children and many thousands to destroy themselves and others. + </p> + <p> + It seems probable that all real, genuine orthodox believers who kill + themselves must be insane, and to such a degree that their belief is + forgotten. God and hell are out of their minds. + </p> + <p> + I am satisfied that many who commit suicide are insane, many are in the + twilight or dusk of insanity, and many are perfectly sane. + </p> + <p> + The law we have in this State making it a crime to attempt suicide is + cruel and absurd and calculated to increase the number of successful + suicides. When a man has suffered so much, when he has been so persecuted + and pursued by disaster that he seeks the rest and sleep of death, why + should the State add to the sufferings of that man? A man seeking death, + knowing that he will be punished if he fails, will take extra pains and + precautions to make death certain. + </p> + <p> + This law was born of superstition, passed by thoughtlessness and enforced + by ignorance and cruelty. + </p> + <p> + When the house of life becomes a prison, when the horizon has shrunk and + narrowed to a cell, and when the convict longs for the liberty of death, + why should the effort to escape be regarded as a crime? + </p> + <p> + Of course, I regard life from a natural point of view. I do not take gods, + heavens or hells into account. My horizon is the known, and my estimate of + life is based upon what I know of life here in this world. People should + not suffer for the sake of supernatural beings or for other worlds or the + hopes and fears of some future state. Our joys, our sufferings and our + duties are here. + </p> + <p> + The law of New York about the attempt to commit suicide and the law as to + divorce are about equal. Both are idiotic. Law cannot prevent suicide. + Those who have lost all fear of death, care nothing for law and its + penalties. Death is liberty, absolute and eternal. + </p> + <p> + We should remember that nothing happens but the natural. Back of every + suicide and every attempt to commit suicide is the natural and efficient + cause. Nothing happens by chance. In this world the facts touch each + other. There is no space between—no room for chance. Given a certain + heart and brain, certain conditions, and suicide is the necessary result. + If we wish to prevent suicide we must change conditions. We must by + education, by invention, by art, by civilization, add to the value of the + average life. We must cultivate the brain and heart—do away with + false pride and false modesty. We must become generous enough to help our + fellows without degrading them. We must make industry—useful work of + all kinds—honorable. We must mingle a little affection with our + charity—a little fellowship. We should allow those who have sinned + to really reform. We should not think only of what the wicked have done, + but we should think of what we have wanted to do. People do not hate the + sick. Why should they despise the mentally weak—the diseased in + brain? + </p> + <p> + Our actions are the fruit, the result, of circumstances—of + conditions—and we do as we must. + </p> + <p> + This great truth should fill the heart with pity for the failures of our + race. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes I have wondered that Christians denounced the suicide; that in + olden times they buried him where the roads crossed, drove a stake through + his body, and then took his property from his children and gave it to the + State. + </p> + <p> + If Christians would only think, they would see that orthodox religion + rests upon suicide—that man was redeemed by suicide, and that + without suicide the whole world would have been lost. + </p> + <p> + If Christ were God, then he had the power to protect himself from the Jews + without hurting them. But instead of using his power he allowed them to + take his life. + </p> + <p> + If a strong man should allow a few little children to hack him to death + with knives when he could easily have brushed them aside, would we not say + that he committed suicide? + </p> + <p> + There is no escape. If Christ were, in fact, God, and allowed the Jews to + kill him, then he consented to his own death—refused, though + perfectly able, to defend and protect himself, and was, in fact, a + suicide. + </p> + <p> + We cannot reform the world by law or by superstition. As long as there + shall be pain and failure, want and sorrow, agony and crime, men and women + will untie life's knot and seek the peace of death. + </p> + <p> + To the hopelessly imprisoned—to the dishonored and despised—to + those who have failed, who have no future, no hope—to the abandoned, + the brokenhearted, to those who are only remnants and fragments of men and + women—how consoling, how enchanting is the thought of death! + </p> + <p> + And even to the most fortunate, death at last is a welcome deliverer. + Death is as natural and as merciful as life. When we have journeyed long—when + we are weary—when we wish for the twilight, for the dusk, for the + cool kisses of the night—when the senses are dull—when the + pulse is faint and low—when the mists gather on the mirror of memory—when + the past is almost forgotten, the present hardly perceived—when the + future has but empty hands—death is as welcome as a strain of music. + </p> + <p> + After all, death is not so terrible as joyless life. Next to eternal + happiness is to sleep in the soft clasp of the cool earth, disturbed by no + dream, by no thought, by no pain, by no fear, unconscious of all and + forever. + </p> + <p> + The wonder is that so many live, that in spite of rags and want, in spite + of tenement and gutter, of filth and pain, they, limp and stagger and + crawl beneath their burdens to the natural end. The wonder is that so few + of the miserable are brave enough to die—that so many are terrified + by the "something after death"—by the spectres and phantoms of + superstition. + </p> + <p> + Most people are in love with life. How they cling to it in the arctic + snows—how they struggle in the waves and currents of the sea—how + they linger in famine—how they fight disaster and despair! On the + crumbling edge of death they keep the flag flying and go down at last full + of hope and courage. + </p> + <p> + But many have not such natures. They cannot bear defeat. They are + disheartened by disaster. They lie down on the field of conflict and give + the earth their blood. + </p> + <p> + They are our unfortunate brothers and sisters. We should not curse or + blame—we should pity. On their pallid faces our tears should fall. + </p> + <p> + One of the best men I ever knew, with an affectionate wife, a charming and + loving daughter, committed suicide. He was a man of generous impulses. His + heart was loving and tender. He was conscientious, and so sensitive that + he blamed himself for having done what at the time he thought was wise and + best. He was the victim of his virtues. Let us be merciful in our + judgments. + </p> + <p> + All we can say is that the good and the bad, the loving and the malignant, + the conscientious and the vicious, the educated and the ignorant, actuated + by many motives, urged and pushed by circumstances and conditions—sometimes + in the calm of judgment, sometimes in passion's storm and stress, + sometimes in whirl and tempest of insanity—raise their hands against + themselves and desperately put out the light of life. + </p> + <p> + Those who attempt suicide should not be punished. If they are insane they + should if possible be restored to reason; if sane, they should be reasoned + with, calmed and assisted. + </p> + <p> + R. G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + COL. INGERSOLL'S REPLY TO HIS CRITICS. + </p> + <p> + IN the article written by me about suicide the ground was taken that + "under many circumstances a man has the right to kill himself." + </p> + <p> + This has been attacked with great fury by clergymen, editors and the + writers of letters. These people contend that the right of + self-destruction does not and cannot exist. They insist that life is the + gift of God, and that he only has the right to end the days of men; that + it is our duty to bear the sorrows that he sends with grateful patience. + Some have denounced suicide as the worst of crimes—worse than the + murder of another. + </p> + <p> + The first question, then, is: + </p> + <p> + Has a man under any circumstances the right to kill himself? + </p> + <p> + A man is being slowly devoured by a cancer—his agony is intense—his + suffering all that nerves can feel. His life is slowly being taken. Is + this the work of the good God? Did the compassionate God create the cancer + so that it might feed on the quiverering flesh of this victim? + </p> + <p> + This man, suffering agonies beyond the imagination to conceive, is of no + use to himself. His life is but a succession of pangs. He is of no use to + his wife, his children, his friends or society. Day after day he is + rendered unconscious by drugs that numb the nerves and put the brain to + sleep. + </p> + <p> + Has he the right to render himself unconscious? Is it proper for him to + take refuge in sleep? + </p> + <p> + If there be a good God I cannot believe that he takes pleasure in the + sufferings of men—that he gloats over the agonies of his children. + If there be a good God, he will, to the extent of his power, lessen the + evils of life. + </p> + <p> + So I insist that the man being eaten by the cancer—a burden to + himself and others, useless in every way—has the right to end his + pain and pass through happy sleep to dreamless rest. + </p> + <p> + But those who have answered me would say to this man: "It is your duty to + be devoured. The good God wishes you to suffer. Your life is the gift of + God. You hold it in trust and you have no right to end it. The cancer is + the creation of God and it is your duty to furnish it with food." + </p> + <p> + Take another case: A man is on a burning ship, the crew and the rest of + the passengers have escaped—gone in the lifeboats—and he is + left alone. In the wide horizon there is no sail, no sign of help. He + cannot swim. If he leaps into the sea he drowns, if he remains on the ship + he burns. In any event he can live but a few moments. + </p> + <p> + Those who have answered me, those who insist that under no circumstances a + man has the right to take his life, would say to this man on the deck, + "Remain where you are. It is the desire of your loving, heavenly Father + that you be clothed in flame—that you slowly roast—that your + eyes be scorched to blindness and that you die insane with pain. Your life + is not your own, only the agony is yours." + </p> + <p> + I would say to this man: Do as you wish. If you prefer drowning to + burning, leap into the sea. Between inevitable evils you have the right of + choice. You can help no one, not even God, by allowing yourself to be + burned, and you can injure no one, not even God, by choosing the easier + death. + </p> + <p> + Let us suppose another case: + </p> + <p> + A man has been captured by savages in Central Africa. He is about to be + tortured to death. His captors are going to thrust splinters of pine into + his flesh and then set them on fire. He watches them as they make the + preparations. He knows what they are about to do and what he is about to + suffer. There is no hope of rescue, of help. He has a vial of poison. He + knows that he can take it and in one moment pass beyond their power, + leaving to them only the dead body. + </p> + <p> + Is this man under obligation to keep his life because God gave it, until + the savages by torture take it? Are the savages the agents of the good + God? Are they the servants of the Infinite? Is it the duty of this man to + allow them to wrap his body in a garment of flame? Has he no right to + defend himself? Is it the will of God that he die by torture? What would + any man of ordinary intelligence do in a case like this? Is there room for + discussion? + </p> + <p> + If the man took the poison, shortened his life a few moments, escaped the + tortures of the savages, is it possible that he would in another world be + tortured forever by an infinite savage? + </p> + <p> + Suppose another case: In the good old days, when the Inquisition + flourished, when men loved their enemies and murdered their friends, many + frightful and ingenious ways were devised to touch the nerves of pain. + </p> + <p> + Those who loved God, who had been "born twice," would take a fellow-man + who had been convicted of "heresy," lay him upon the floor of a dungeon, + secure his arms and legs with chains, fasten him to the earth so that he + could not move, put an iron vessel, the opening downward, on his stomach, + place in the vessel several rats, then tie it securely to his body. Then + these worshipers of God would wait until the rats, seeking food and + liberty, would gnaw through the body of the victim. + </p> + <p> + Now, if a man about to be subjected to this torture, had within his hand a + dagger, would it excite the wrath of the "good God," if with one quick + stroke he found the protection of death? + </p> + <p> + To this question there can be but one answer. + </p> + <p> + In the cases I have supposed it seems to me that each person would have + the right to destroy himself. It does not seem possible that the man was + under obligation to be devoured by a cancer; to remain upon the ship and + perish in flame; to throw away the poison and be tortured to death by + savages; to drop the dagger and endure the "mercies" of the church. + </p> + <p> + If, in the cases I have supposed, men would have the right to take their + lives, then I was right when I said that "under many circumstances a man + has a right to kill himself." + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>.—I denied that persons who killed themselves were + physical cowards. They may lack moral courage; they may exaggerate their + misfortunes, lose the sense of proportion, but the man who plunges the + dagger in his heart, who sends the bullet through his brain, who leaps + from some roof and dashes himself against the stones beneath, is not and + cannot be a physical coward. + </p> + <p> + The basis of cowardice is the fear of injury or the fear of death, and + when that fear is not only gone, but in its place is the desire to die, no + matter by what means, it is impossible that cowardice should exist. The + suicide wants the very thing that a coward fears. He seeks the very thing + that cowardice endeavors to escape. + </p> + <p> + So, the man, forced to a choice of evils, choosing the less is not a + coward, but a reasonable man. + </p> + <p> + It must be admitted that the suicide is honest with himself. He is to bear + the injury; if it be one. Certainly there is no hypocrisy, and just as + certainly there is no physical cowardice. + </p> + <p> + Is the man who takes morphine rather than be eaten to death by a cancer a + coward? + </p> + <p> + Is the man who leaps into the sea rather than be burned a coward? Is the + man that takes poison rather than be tortured to death by savages or + "Christians" a coward? + </p> + <p> + <i>Third</i>.—I also took the position that some suicides were sane; + that they acted on their best judgment, and that they were in full + possession of their minds. Now, if under some circumstances, a man has the + right to take his life, and, if, under such circumstances, he does take + his life, then it cannot be said that he was insane. + </p> + <p> + Most of the persons who have tried to answer me have taken the ground that + suicide is not only a crime, but some of them have said that it is the + greatest of crimes. Now, if it be a crime, then the suicide must have been + sane. So all persons who denounce the suicide as a criminal admit that he + was sane. Under the law, an insane person is incapable of committing a + crime. All the clergymen who have answered me, and who have passionately + asserted that suicide is a crime, have by that assertion admitted that + those who killed themselves were sane. + </p> + <p> + They agree with me, and not only admit, but assert that "some who have + committed suicide were sane and in the full possession of their minds." + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that these three propositions have been demonstrated to be + true: <i>First</i>, that under some circumstances a man has the right to + take his life; <i>second</i>, that the man who commits suicide is not a + physical coward, and, <i>third</i>, that some who have committed suicide + were at the time sane and in full possession of their minds. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fourth</i>.—I insisted, and still insist, that suicide was and is + the foundation of the Christian religion. + </p> + <p> + I still insist that if Christ were God he had the power to protect himself + without injuring his assailants—that having that power it was his + duty to use it, and that failing to use it he consented to his own death + and was guilty of suicide. + </p> + <p> + To this the clergy answer that it was self-sacrifice for the redemption of + man, that he made an atonement for the sins of believers. These ideas + about redemption and atonement are born of a belief in the "fall of man," + on account of the sins of our first "parents," and of the declaration that + "without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin." The + foundation has crumbled. No intelligent person now believes in the "fall + of man"—that our first parents were perfect, and that their + descendants grew worse and worse, at least until the coming of Christ. + </p> + <p> + Intelligent men now believe that ages and ages before the dawn of history, + man was a poor, naked, cruel, ignorant and degraded savage, whose language + consisted of a few sounds of terror, of hatred and delight; that he + devoured his fellow-man, having all the vices, but not all the virtues of + the beasts; that the journey from the den to the home, the palace, has + been long and painful, through many centuries of suffering, of cruelty and + war; through many ages of discovery, invention, self-sacrifice and + thought. + </p> + <p> + Redemption and atonement are left without a fact on which to rest. The + idea that an infinite God, creator of all worlds, came to this grain of + sand, learned the trade of a carpenter, discussed with Pharisees and + scribes, and allowed a few infuriated Hebrews to put him to death that he + might atone for the sins of men and redeem a few believers from the + consequences of his own wrath, can find no lodgment in a good and natural + brain. + </p> + <p> + In no mythology can anything more monstrously unbelievable be found. + </p> + <p> + But if Christ were a man and attacked the religion of his times because it + was cruel and absurd; if he endeavored to found a religion of kindness, of + good deeds, to take the place of heartlessness and ceremony, and if, + rather than to deny what he believed to be right and true, he suffered + death, then he was a noble man—a benefactor of his race. But if he + were God there was no need of this. The Jews did not wish to kill God. If + he had only made himself known all knees would have touched the ground. If + he were God it required no heroism to die. He knew that what we call death + is but the opening of the gates of eternal life. If he were God there was + no self-sacrifice. He had no need to suffer pain. He could have changed + the crucifixion to a joy. + </p> + <p> + Even the editors of religious weeklies see that there is no escape from + these conclusions—from these arguments—and so, instead of + attacking the arguments, they attack the man who makes them. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fifth</i>.—I denounced the law of New York that makes an attempt + to commit suicide a crime. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that one who has suffered so much that he passionately + longs for death should be pitied, instead of punished—helped rather + than imprisoned. + </p> + <p> + A despairing woman who had vainly sought for leave to toil, a woman + without home, without friends, without bread, with clasped hands, with + tear-filled eyes, with broken words of prayer, in the darkness of night + leaps from the dock, hoping, longing for the tearless sleep of death. She + is rescued by a kind, courageous man, handed over to the authorities, + indicted, tried, convicted, clothed in a convict's garb and locked in a + felon's cell. + </p> + <p> + To me this law seems barbarous and absurd, a law that only savages would + enforce. + </p> + <p> + <i>Sixth</i>.—In this discussion a curious thing has happened. For + several centuries the clergy have declared that while infidelity is a very + good thing to live by, it is a bad support, a wretched consolation, in the + hour of death. They have in spite of the truth, declared that all the + great unbelievers died trembling with fear, asking God for mercy, + surrounded by fiends, in the torments of despair. Think of the thousands + and thousands of clergymen who have described the last agonies of + Voltaire, who died as peacefully as a happy child smilingly passes from + play to slumber; the final anguish of Hume, who fell into his last sleep + as serenely as a river, running between green and shaded banks, reaches + the sea; the despair of Thomas Paine, one of the bravest, one of the + noblest men, who met the night of death untroubled as a star that meets + the morning. + </p> + <p> + At the same time these ministers admitted that the average murderer could + meet death on the scaffold with perfect serenity, and could smilingly ask + the people who had gathered to see him killed to meet him in heaven. + </p> + <p> + But the honest man who had expressed his honest thoughts against the creed + of the church in power could not die in peace. God would see to it that + his last moments should be filled with the insanity of fear—that + with his last breath he should utter the shriek of remorse, the cry for + pardon. + </p> + <p> + This has all changed, and now the clergy, in their sermons answering me, + declare that the atheists, the freethinkers, have no fear of death—that + to avoid some little annoyance, a passing inconvenience, they gladly and + cheerfully put out the light of life. It is now said that infidels believe + that death is the end—that it is a dreamless sleep—that it is + without pain—that therefore they have no fear, care nothing for + gods, or heavens or hells, nothing for the threats of the pulpit, nothing + for the day of judgment, and that when life becomes a burden they + carelessly throw it down. + </p> + <p> + The infidels are so afraid of death that they commit suicide. + </p> + <p> + This certainly is a great change, and I congratulate myself on having + forced the clergy to contradict themselves. + </p> + <p> + <i>Seventh</i>.—The clergy take the position that the atheist, the + unbeliever, has no standard of morality—that he can have no real + conception of right and wrong. They are of the opinion that it is + impossible for one to be moral or good unless he believes in some Being + far above himself. + </p> + <p> + In this connection we might ask how God can be moral or good unless he + believes in some Being superior to himself? + </p> + <p> + What is morality? It is the best thing to do under the circumstances. What + is the best thing to do under the circumstances? That which will increase + the sum of human happiness—or lessen it the least. Happiness in its + highest, noblest form, is the only good; that which increases or preserves + or creates happiness is moral—that which decreases it, or puts it in + peril, is immoral. + </p> + <p> + It is not hard for an atheist—for an unbeliever—to keep his + hands out of the fire. He knows that burning his hands will not increase + his well-being, and he is moral enough to keep them out of the flames. + </p> + <p> + So it may be said that each man acts according to his intelligence—so + far as what he considers his own good is concerned. Sometimes he is swayed + by passion, by prejudice, by ignorance—but when he is really + intelligent, master of himself, he does what he believes is best for him. + If he is intelligent enough he knows that what is really good for him is + good for others—for all the world. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for me to see' why any belief in the supernatural is + necessary to have a keen perception of right and wrong. Every man who has + the capacity to suffer and enjoy, and has imagination enough to give the + same capacity to others, has within himself the natural basis of all + morality. The idea of morality was born here, in this world, of the + experience, the intelligence of mankind. Morality is not of supernatural + origin. It did not fall from the clouds, and it needs no belief in the + supernatural, no supernatural promises or threats, no supernatural heavens + or hells to give it force and life. Subjects who are governed by the + threats and promises of a king are merely slaves. They are not governed by + the ideal, by noble views of right and wrong. They are obedient cowards, + controlled by fear, or beggars governed by rewards—by alms. + </p> + <p> + Right and wrong exist in the nature of things. Murder was just as criminal + before as after the promulgation of the Ten Commandments. + </p> + <p> + <i>Eighth</i>.—The clergy take the position that the atheist, the + unbeliever, has no standard of morality—that he can have no real + conception of right and wrong. They are of the opinion that it is + impossible for one to be moral or good unless he believes in some Being + far above himself. + </p> + <p> + In this connection we might ask how God can be moral or good unless he + believes in some Being superior to himself? + </p> + <p> + What is morality? It is the best thing to do under the circumstances. What + is the best thing to do under the circumstances? That which will increase + the sum of human happiness—or lessen it the least. Happiness in its + highest, noblest form, is the only good; that which increases or preserves + or creates happiness is moral—that which decreases it, or puts it in + peril, is immoral. + </p> + <p> + It is not hard for an atheist—for an unbeliever—to keep his + hands out of the fire. He knows that burning his hands will not increase + his well-being, and he is moral enough to keep them out of the flames. + </p> + <p> + So it may be said that each man acts according to his intelligence—so + far as what he Considers his own good is concerned. Sometimes he is swayed + by passion, by prejudice, by ignorance—but when he is really + intelligent, master of himself, he does what he believes is best for him. + If he is intelligent enough he knows that what is really good for him is + food for others—for all the world. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for me to see why any belief in the supernatural is + necessary to have a keen perception of right and wrong. Every man who has + the capacity to suffer and enjoy, and has imagination enough to give the + same capacity to others, has within himself the natural basis of all + morality. The idea of morality was born here, in this world, of the + experience, the intelligence of mankind. Morality is not of supernatural + origin. It did not fall from the clouds, and it needs no belief in the + supernatural, no supernatural promises or threats, no supernatural heavens + or hells to give it force and life. Subjects who are governed by the + threats and promises of a king are merely slaves. They are not governed by + the ideal, by noble views of right and wrong. They are obedient cowards, + controlled by fear, or beggars governed by rewards—by alms. + </p> + <p> + Right and wrong exist in the nature of things. + </p> + <p> + Murder was just as criminal before as after the promulgation of the Ten + Commandments. + </p> + <p> + <i>Eighth</i>.—Many of the clergy, some editors and some writers of + letters who have answered me, have said that suicide is the worst of + crimes—that a man had better murder somebody else than himself. One + clergyman gives as a reason for this statement that the suicide dies in an + act of sin, and therefore he had better kill another person. Probably he + would commit a less crime if he would murder his wife or mother. + </p> + <p> + I do not see that it is any worse to die than to live in sin. To say that + it is not as wicked to murder another as yourself seems absurd. The man + about to kill himself wishes to die. Why is it better for him to kill + another man, who wishes to live? + </p> + <p> + To my mind it seems clear that you had better injure yourself than + another. Better be a spendthrift than a thief. Better throw away your own + money than steal the money of another—better kill yourself if you + wish to die than murder one whose life is full of joy. + </p> + <p> + The clergy tell us that God is everywhere, and that it is one of the + greatest possible crimes to rush into his presence. It is wonderful how + much they know about God and how little about their fellow-men. Wonderful + the amount of their information about other worlds and how limited their + knowledge is of this. + </p> + <p> + There may or may not be an infinite Being. I neither affirm nor deny. I am + honest enough to say that I do not know. I am candid enough to admit that + the question is beyond the limitations of my mind. Yet I think I know as + much on that subject as any human being knows or ever knew, and that is—nothing. + I do not say that there is not another world, another life; neither do I + say that there is. I say that I do not know. It seems to me that every + sane and honest man must say the same. But if there is an infinitely good + God and another world, then the infinitely good God will be just as good + to us in that world as he is in this. If this infinitely good God loves + his children in this world, he will love them in another. If he loves a + man when he is alive, he will not hate him the instant he is dead. + </p> + <p> + If we are the children of an infinitely wise and powerful God, he knew + exactly what we would do—the temptations that we could and could not + withstand—knew exactly the effect that everything would have upon + us, knew under what circumstances we would take our lives—and + produced such circumstances himself. It is perfectly apparent that there + are many people incapable by nature of bearing the burdens of life, + incapable of preserving their mental poise in stress and strain of + disaster, disease and loss, and who by failure, by misfortune and want, + are driven to despair and insanity, in whose darkened minds there comes + like a flash of lightning in the night, the thought of death, a thought so + strong, so vivid, that all fear is lost, all ties broken, all duties, all + obligations, all hopes forgotten, and naught remains except a fierce and + wild desire to die. Thousands and thousands become moody, melancholy, + brood upon loss of money, of position, of friends, until reason abdicates + and frenzy takes possession of the soul. If there be an infinitely wise + and powerful God, all this was known to him from the beginning, and he so + created things, established relations, put in operation causes and + effects, that all that has happened was the necessary result of his own + acts. + </p> + <p> + <i>Ninth</i>.—Nearly all who have tried to answer what I said have + been exceedingly careful to misquote me, and then answer something that I + never uttered. They have declared that I have advised people who were in + trouble, somewhat annoyed, to kill themselves; that I have told men who + have lost their money, who had failed in business, who were not good in + health, to kill themselves at once, without taking into consideration any + duty that they owed to wives, children, friends, or society. + </p> + <p> + No man has a right to leave his wife to fight the battle alone if he is + able to help. No man has a right to desert his children if he can possibly + be of use. As long as he can add to the comfort of those he loves, as long + as he can stand between wife and misery, between child and want, as long + as he can be of any use, it is his duty to remain. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the cheerful view, in looking at the sunny side of things, in + bearing with fortitude the evils of life, in struggling against adversity, + in finding the fuel of laughter even in disaster, in having confidence in + to-morrow, in finding the pearl of joy among the flints and shards, and in + changing by the alchemy of patience even evil things to good. I believe in + the gospel of cheerfulness, of courage and good nature. + </p> + <p> + Of the future I have no fear. My fate is the fate of the world—of + all that live. My anxieties are about this life, this world. About the + phantoms called gods and their impossible hells, I have no care, no fear. + </p> + <p> + The existence of God I neither affirm nor deny, I wait. The immortality of + the soul I neither affirm nor deny. I hope—hope for all of the + children of men. I have never denied the existence of another world, nor + the immortality of the soul. For many years I have said that the idea of + immortality, that like a sea has ebbed and flowed in the human heart, with + its countless waves of hope and fear beating against the shores and rocks + of time and fate, was not born of any book, nor of any creed, nor of any + religion. It was born of human affection, and it will continue to ebb and + flow beneath the mists and clouds of doubt and darkness as long as love + kisses the lips of death. + </p> + <p> + What I deny is the immortality of pain, the eternity of torture. + </p> + <p> + After all, the instinct of self-preservation is strong. People do not kill + themselves on the advice of friends or enemies. All wish to be happy, to + enjoy life; all wish for food and roof and raiment, for friends, and as + long as life gives joy, the idea of self-destruction never enters the + human mind. + </p> + <p> + The oppressors, the tyrants, those who trample on the rights of others, + the robbers of the poor, those who put wages below the living point, the + ministers who make people insane by preaching the dogma of eternal pain; + these are the men who drive the weak, the suffering and the helpless down + to death. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to say that God has appointed a time for each to die. Of + this there is, and there can be, no evidence. There is no evidence that + any god takes any interest in the affairs of men—that any sides with + the right or helps the weak, protects the innocent or rescues the + oppressed. Even the clergy admit that their God, through all ages, has + allowed his friends, his worshipers, to be imprisoned, tortured and murdered + by his enemies. Such is the protection of God. Billions of prayers have + been uttered; has one been answered? Who sends plague, pestilence and + famine? Who bids the earthquake devour and the volcano to overwhelm? + </p> + <p> + <i>Tenth</i>.—Again, I say that it is wonderful to me that so many + men, so many women endure and carry their burdens to the natural end; that + so many, in spite of "age, ache and penury," guard with trembling hands + the spark of life; that prisoners for life toil and suffer to the last; + that the helpless wretches in poorhouses and asylums cling to life; that + the exiles in Siberia, loaded with chains, scarred with the knout, live + on; that the incurables, whose every breath is a pang, and for whom the + future has only pain, should fear the merciful touch and clasp of death. + </p> + <p> + It is but a few steps at most from the cradle to the grave; a short + journey. The suicide hastens, shortens the path, loses the afternoon, the + twilight, the dusk of life's day; loses what he does not want, what he + cannot bear. In the tempest of despair, in the blind fury of madness, or + in the calm of thought and choice, the beleaguered soul finds the serenity + of death. + </p> + <p> + Let us leave the dead where nature leaves them. We know nothing of any + realm that lies beyond the horizon of the known, beyond the end of life. + Let us be honest with ourselves and others. Let us pity the suffering, the + despairing, the men and women hunted and pursued by grief and shame, by + misery and want, by chance and fate until their only friend is death. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + SUICIDE A SIN. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * New York Journal, 1805. An Interview. +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that what you have written about suicide has + caused people to take their lives? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> No, I do not. People do not kill themselves because of the + ideas of others. They are the victims of misfortune. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you consider the chief cause of suicide? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> There are many causes. Some individuals are crossed in + love, others are bankrupt in estate or reputation, still others are + diseased in body and frequently in mind. There are a thousand and one + causes that lead up to the final act. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you consider that nationality plays a part in these + tragedies? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> No, it is a question of individuals. There are those whose + sorrows are greater than they can bear. These sufferers seek the peace of + death. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you, then, advise suicide? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> No, I have never done so, but I have said, and still say, + that there are circumstances under which it is justifiable for a person to + take his life. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the law which prohibits + self-destruction? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> That it is absurd and ridiculous. The other day a man was + tried before Judge Goff for having tried to kill himself. I think he + pleaded guilty, and the Judge, after speaking of the terrible crime of the + poor wretch, sentenced him to the penitentiary for two years. This was an + outrage; infamous in every way, and a disgrace to our civilization. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe that such a law will prevent the frequency + of suicides? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> By no means. After this, persons in New York who have made + up their minds to commit suicide will see to it that they succeed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have your opinions been in any way modified since your + first announcement of them? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> No, I feel now as I have felt for many years. No one can + answer my articles on suicide, because no one can satisfactorily refute + them. Every man of sense knows that a person being devoured by a cancer + has the right to take morphine, and pass from agony to dreamless sleep. + So, too, there are circumstances under which a man has the right to end + his pain of mind. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you seen in the papers that many who have killed + themselves have had on their persons some article of yours on suicide? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Yes, I have read such accounts, but I repeat that I do not + think these persons were led to kill themselves by reading the articles. + Many people who have killed themselves were found to have Bibles or tracts + in their pockets. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you account for the presence of the latter? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> The reason of this is that the theologians know nothing. + The pious imagine that their God has placed us here for some wise and + inscrutable purpose, and that he will call for us when he wants us. All + this is idiotic. When a man is of no use to himself or to others, when his + days and nights are filled with pain and sorrow, why should he remain to + endure them longer? + </p> + <p> + SUICIDE A SIN. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * New York Herald, 1897. An Interview. +</pre> + <p> + COL. ROBERT G. INGERSOLL was seen at his house and asked if he had read + the Rev. Merle St. Croix Wright's sermon. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Yes. I have read the sermon, and also an interview had with + the reverend gentleman. + </p> + <p> + Long ago I gave my views about suicide, and I entertain the same views + still. Mr. Wright's sermon has stirred up quite a commotion among the + orthodox ministers. This commotion may always be expected when anything + sensible comes from a pulpit. Mr. Wright has mixed a little common sense + with his theology, and, of course this has displeased the truly orthodox. + </p> + <p> + Sense is the bitterest foe that theology has. No system of supernatural + religion can outlive a good dose of real good sense. The orthodox + ministers take the ground that an infinite Being created man, put him on + the earth and determined his days. They say that God desires every person + to live until he, God, calls for his soul. They insist that we are all on + guard and must remain so until relieved by a higher power—the + superior officer. + </p> + <p> + The trouble with this doctrine is that it proves too much. It proves that + God kills every person who dies as we say, "according to nature." It + proves that we ought to say, "according to God." It proves that God sends + the earthquake, the cyclone, the pestilence, for the purpose of killing + people. It proves that all diseases and all accidents are his messengers, + and that all who do not kill themselves, die by the act, and in accordance + with the will of God. It also shows that when a man is murdered, it is in + harmony with, and a part of the divine plan. When God created the man who + was murdered, he knew that he would be murdered, and when he made the man + who committed the murder, he knew exactly what he would do. So that the + murder was the act of God. + </p> + <p> + Can it be said that God intended that thousands should die of famine and + that he, to accomplish his purpose, withheld the rain? Can we say that he + intended that thousands of innocent men should die in dungeons and on + scaffolds? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that a man, "slowly being devoured by a cancer," whose days + and nights are filled with torture, who is useless to himself and a burden + to others, is carrying out the will of God? Does God enjoy his agony? Is + God thrilled by the music of his moans—the melody of his shrieks? + </p> + <p> + This frightful doctrine makes God an infinite monster, and every human + being a slave; a victim. This doctrine is not only infamous but it is + idiotic. It makes God the only criminal in the universe. + </p> + <p> + Now, if we are governed by reason, if we use our senses and our minds, and + have courage enough to be honest; if we know a little of the world's + history, then we know—if we know anything—that man has taken + his chances, precisely the same as other animals. He has been destroyed by + heat and cold, by flood and fire, by storm and famine, by countless + diseases, by numberless accidents. By his intelligence, his cunning, his + strength, his foresight, he has managed to escape utter destruction. He + has defended himself. He has received no supernatural aid. Neither has he + been attacked by any supernatural power. Nothing has ever happened in + nature as the result of a purpose to benefit or injure the human race. + </p> + <p> + Consequently the question of the right or wrong of suicide is not in any + way affected by a supposed obligation to the Infinite. + </p> + <p> + All theological considerations must be thrown aside because we see and + know that the laws of life are the same for all living things—that + when the conditions are favorable, the living multiply and life lengthens, + and when the conditions are unfavorable, the living decrease and life + shortens. We have no evidence of any interference of any power superior to + nature. Taking into consideration the fact that all the duties and + obligations of man must be to his fellows, to sentient beings, here in + this world, and that he owes no duty and is under no obligation to any + phantoms of the air, then it is easy to determine whether a man under + certain circumstances has the right to end his life. + </p> + <p> + If he can be of no use to others—if he is of no use to himself—if + he is a burden to others—a curse to himself—why should he + remain? By ending his life he ends his sufferings and adds to the + well-being of others. He lessens misery and increases happiness. Under + such circumstances undoubtedly a man has the right to stop the pulse of + pain and woo the sleep that has no dream. + </p> + <p> + I do not think that the discussion of this question is of much importance, + but I am glad that a clergyman has taken a natural and a sensible + position, and that he has reasoned not like a minister, but like a man. + </p> + <p> + When wisdom comes from the pulpit I am delighted and surprised. I feel + then that there is a little light in the East, possibly the dawn of a + better day. + </p> + <p> + I congratulate the Rev. Mr. Wright, and thank him for his brave and + philosophic words. + </p> + <p> + There is still another thing. Certainly a man has the right to avoid + death, to save himself from accident and disease. If he has this right, + then the theologians must admit that God, in making his decrees, took into + consideration the result of such actions. Now, if God knew that while most + men would avoid death, some would seek it, and if his decrees were so made + that they would harmonize with the acts of those who would avoid death, + can we say that he did not, in making his decrees, take into consideration + the acts of those who would seek death? Let us remember that all actions, + good, bad and indifferent, are the necessary children of conditions—that + there is no chance in the natural world in which we live. + </p> + <p> + So, we must keep in mind that all real opinions are honest, and that all + have the same right to express their thoughts. Let us be charitable. + </p> + <p> + When some suffering wretch, wild with pain, crazed with regret, frenzied + with fear, with desperate hand unties the knot of life, let us have pity—Let + us be generous. + </p> + <p> + SUICIDE AND SANITY. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * New York Press, 1897. An Interview. +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is a suicide necessarily insane? was the first question, + to which Colonel Ingersoll replied: + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> No. At the same time I believe that a great majority of + suicides are insane. There are circumstances under which suicide is + natural, sensible and right. When a man is of no use to himself, when he + can be of no use to others, when his life is filled with agony, when the + future has no promise of relief, then I think he has the right to cast the + burden of life away and seek the repose of death. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is a suicide necessarily a coward? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I cannot conceive of cowardice in connection with suicide. + Of nearly all things death is the most feared. And the man who voluntarily + enters the realm of death cannot properly be called a coward. Many men who + kill themselves forget the duties they owe to others—forget their + wives and children. Such men are heartless, wicked, brutal; but they are + not cowards. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. When is the suicide of the sane justifiable? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> To escape death by torture; to avoid being devoured by a + cancer; to prevent being a burden on those you love; when you can be of no + use to others or to yourself; when life is unbearable; when in all the + horizon of the future there is no star of hope. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe that any suicides have been caused or + encouraged by your declaration three years ago that suicide sometimes was + justifiable? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Many preachers talk as though I had inaugurated, invented, + suicide, as though no one who had not read my ideas on suicide had ever + taken his own life. Talk as long as language lasts, you cannot induce a + man to kill himself. The man who takes his own life does not go to others + to find reasons or excuses. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. On the whole is the world made better or worse by + suicides? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Better by some and poorer by others. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Why is it that Germany, said to be the most educated of + civilized nations, leads the world in suicides? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I do not know that Germany is the most educated; neither do + I know that suicide is more frequent there than in all other countries. I + know that the struggle for life is severe in Germany, that the laws are + unjust, that the government is oppressive, that the people are + sentimental, that they brood over their troubles and easily become + hopeless. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If suicide is sometimes justifiable, is not killing of + born idiots and infants hopelessly handicapped at birth equally so? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> There is no relation between the questions—between + suicides and killing idiots. Suicide may, under certain circumstances, be + right and killing idiots may be wrong; killing idiots may be right and + suicide may be wrong. When we look about us, when we read interviews with + preachers about Jonah, we know that all the idiots have not been killed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Should suicide be forbidden by law? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> No. A law that provides for the punishment of those who + attempt to commit suicide is idiotic. Those who are willing to meet death + are not afraid of law. The only effect of such a law would be to make the + person who had concluded to kill himself a little more careful to succeed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your belief about virtue, morality and religion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I believe that all actions that tend to the well-being of + sentient beings are virtuous and moral. I believe that real religion + consists in doing good. I do not believe in phantoms. I believe in the + uniformity of nature; that matter will forever attract matter in + proportion to mass and distance; that, under the same circumstances, + falling bodies will attain the same speed, increasing in exact proportion + to distance; that light will always, under the same circumstances, be + reflected at the same angle; that it will always travel with the same + velocity; that air will forever be lighter than water, and gold heavier + than iron; that all substances will be true to their natures; that a + certain degree of heat will always expand the metals and change water into + steam; that a certain degree of cold will cause the metals to shrink and + change water into ice; that all atoms will forever be in motion; that like + causes will forever produce like effects, that force will be overcome only + by force; that no atom of matter will ever be created or destroyed; that + the energy in the universe will forever remain the same, nothing lost, + nothing gained; that all that has been possible has happened, and that all + that will be possible will happen; that the seeds and causes of all + thoughts, dreams, fancies and actions, of all virtues and all vices, of + all successes and all failures, are in nature; that there is in the + universe no power superior to nature; that man is under no obligation to + the imaginary gods; that all his obligations and duties are to be + discharged and done in this world; that right and wrong do not depend on + the will of an infinite Being, but on the consequences of actions, and + that these consequences necessarily flow from the nature of things. I + believe that the universe is natural. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009" id="link0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + IS AVARICE TRIUMPHANT? + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *A reply to General Rush Hawkins' article, "Brutality and + Avarice Triumphant," published in the North American Review, + June, 1891. +</pre> + <p> + THERE are many people, in all countries, who seem to enjoy individual and + national decay. They love to prophesy the triumph of evil. They mistake + the afternoon of their own lives for the evening of the world. To them + everything has changed. Men are no longer honest or brave, and women have + ceased to be beautiful. They are dyspeptic, and it gives them the greatest + pleasure to say that the art of cooking has been lost. + </p> + <p> + For many generations many of these people occupied the pulpits. They + lifted the hand of warning whenever the human race took a step in advance. + As wealth increased, they declared that honesty and goodness and + self-denial and charity were vanishing from the earth. They doubted the + morality of well-dressed people—considered it impossible that the + prosperous should be pious. Like owls sitting on the limbs of a dead tree, + they hooted the obsequies of spring, believing it would come no more. + </p> + <p> + There are some patriots who think it their duty to malign and slander the + land of their birth. They feel that they have a kind of Cassandra mission, + and they really seem to enjoy their work. They honestly believe that every + kind of crime is on the increase, that the courts are all corrupt, that + the legislators are bribed, that the witnesses are suborned, that all + holders of office are dishonest; and they feel like a modern Marius + sitting amid the ruins of all the virtues. + </p> + <p> + It is useless to endeavor to persuade these people that they are wrong. + They do not want arguments, because they will not heed them. They need + medicine. Their case is not for a philosopher, but for a physician. + </p> + <p> + General Hawkins is probably right when he says that some fraudulent shoes, + some useless muskets, and some worn-out vessels were sold to the + Government during the war; but we must remember that there were millions + and millions of as good shoes as art and honesty could make, millions of + the best muskets ever constructed, and hundreds of the most magnificent + ships ever built, sold to the Government during the same period. We must + not mistake an eddy for the main stream. We must also remember another + thing: there were millions of good, brave, and patriotic men to wear the + shoes, to use the muskets, and to man the ships. + </p> + <p> + So it is probably true that Congress was extravagant in land subsidies + voted to railroads; but that this legislation was secured by bribery is + preposterous. It was all done in the light of noon. There is not the + slightest evidence tending to show that the general policy of hastening + the construction of railways through the Territories of the United States + was corruptly adopted—not the slightest. At the same time, it may be + that some members of Congress were induced by personal considerations to + vote for such subsidies. As a matter of fact, the policy was wise, and + through the granting of the subsidies thousands of miles of railways were + built, and these railways have given to civilization vast territories + which otherwise would have remained substantially useless to the world. + Where at that time was a wilderness, now are some of the most thriving + cities in the United States—a great, an industrious, and a happy + population. The results have justified the action of Congress. + </p> + <p> + It is also true that some railroads have been "wrecked" in the United + States, but most of these wrecks have been the result of competition. It + is the same with corporations as with individuals—the powerful + combine against the weak. In the world of commerce and business is the + great law of the survival of the strongest. Railroads are not eleemosynary + institutions. They have but little regard for the rights of one another. + Some fortunes have been made by the criminal "wrecking" of roads, but even + in the business of corporations honesty is the best policy, and the + companies that have acted in accordance with the highest standard, other + things being equal, have reaped the richest harvest. + </p> + <p> + Many railways were built in advance of a demand; they had to develop the + country through which they passed. While they waited for immigration, + interest accumulated; as a result foreclosure took place; then + reorganization. By that time the country had been populated; towns were + springing up along the line; increased business was the result. On the new + bonds and the new stock the company paid interest and dividends. Then the + ones who first invested and lost their money felt that they had been + defrauded. + </p> + <p> + So it is easy to say that certain men are guilty of crimes—easy to + indict the entire nation, and at the same time impossible to substantiate + one of the charges. Everyone who knows the history of the Star-Route + trials knows that nothing was established against the defendants, knows + that every effort was made by the Government to convict them, and also + knows that an unprejudiced jury of twelve men, never suspected of being + improperly influenced, after having heard the entire case, pronounced the + defendants not guilty. After this, of course, any one can say, who knows + nothing of the evidence and who cares nothing for the facts, that the + defendants were all guilty. + </p> + <p> + It may also be true that some settlers in the far West have taken timber + from the public lands, and it may be that it was a necessity. Our laws and + regulations were such that where a settler was entitled to take up a + certain amount of land he had to take it all in one place; he could not + take a certain number of acres on the plains and a certain number of acres + in the timber. The consequence was that when he settled upon the land—the + land that he could cultivate—he took the timber that he needed from + the Government land, and this has been called stealing. So I suppose it + may be said that the cattle stole the Government's grass and possibly + drank the Government's water. + </p> + <p> + It will also be admitted with pleasure that stock has been "watered" in + this country. And what is the crime or practice known as watering stock? + </p> + <p> + For instance, you have a railroad one hundred miles long, worth, we will + say, $3,000,000—able to pay interest on that sum at the rate of six + per cent. Now, we all know that the amount of stock issued has nothing to + do with the value of the thing represented by the stock. If there was one + share of stock representing this railroad, it would be worth three million + dollars, whether it said on its face it was one dollar or one hundred + dollars. If there were three million shares of stock issued on this + property, they would be worth one dollar apiece, and, no matter whether it + said on this stock that each share was a hundred dollars or a thousand + dollars, the share would be worth one dollar—no more, no less. If + any one wishes to find the value of stock, he should find the value of the + thing represented by the stock. It is perfectly clear that, if a pie is + worth one dollar, and you cut it into four pieces, each piece is worth + twenty-five cents; and if you cut it in a thousand pieces, you do not + increase the value of the pie. + </p> + <p> + If, then, you wish to find the value of a share of stock, find its + relation to the thing represented by all the stock. + </p> + <p> + It can also be safely admitted that trusts have been formed. The reason is + perfectly clear. Corporations are like individuals—they combine. + Unfortunate corporations become socialistic, anarchistic, and cry out + against the abuses of trusts. It is natural for corporations to defend + themselves—natural for them to stop ruinous competition by a + profitable pool; and when strong corporations combine, little corporations + suffer. It is with corporations as with fishes—the large eat the + little; and it may be that this will prove a public benefit in the end. + When the large corporations have taken possession of the little ones, it + may be that the Government will take possession of them—the + Government being the largest corporation of them all. + </p> + <p> + It is to be regretted that all houses are not fireproof; but certainly no + one imagines that the people of this country build houses for the purpose + of having them burned, or that they erect hotels having in view the + broiling of guests. Men act as they must; that is to say, according to + wants and necessities. In a new country the buildings are cheaper than in + an old one, money is scarcer, interest higher, and consequently people + build cheaply and take the risks of fire. They do not do this on account + of the Constitution of the United States, or the action of political + parties, or the general idea that man is entitled to be free. In the + hotels of Europe it may be that there is not as great danger of fire as of + famine. + </p> + <p> + The destruction of game and of the singing birds is to be greatly + regretted, not only in this country, but in all others. The people of + America have been too busy felling forests, ploughing fields, and building + houses, to cultivate, to the highest degree, the aesthetic side of their + natures. Nature has been somewhat ruthless with us. The storms of winter + breasted by the Western pioneer, the whirlwinds of summer, have tended, it + may be, to harden somewhat the sensibilities; in consequence of which they + have allowed their horses and cattle to bear the rigors of the same + climate. + </p> + <p> + It is also true that the seal-fisheries are being destroyed, in the + interest of the present, by those who care nothing for the future. All + these things are to be deprecated, are to be spoken against; but we must + not hint, provided we are lovers of the Republic, that such things are + caused by free institutions. + </p> + <p> + General Hawkins asserts that "Christianity has neither preached nor + practiced humanity towards animals," while at the same time "Sunday school + children by hundreds of thousands are taught what a terrible thing it is + to break the Sabbath;" that "museum trustees tremble with pious horror at + the suggestion of opening the doors leading to the collections on that + day," and that no protests have come "from lawmakers or the Christian + clergy." Few people will suspect me of going out of my way to take care of + Christianity or of the clergy. At the same time, I can afford to state the + truth. While there is not much in the Bible with regard to practicing + humanity toward animals, there is at least this: "The merciful man is + merciful to his beast." Of course, I am not alluding now to the example + set by Jehovah when he destroyed the cattle of the Egyptians with + hailstones and diseases on account of the sins of their owners. + </p> + <p> + In regard to the treatment of animals Christians have been much like other + people. + </p> + <p> + So, hundreds of lawmakers have not only protested against cruelty to + animals, but enough have protested against it to secure the enactment of + laws making cruelty toward animals a crime. Henry Bergh, who did as much + good as any man who has lived in the nineteenth century, was seconded in + his efforts by many of the Christian clergy not only, but by hundreds and + thousands of professing Christians—probably millions. Let us be + honest. + </p> + <p> + It is true that the clergy are apt to lose the distinction between + offences and virtues, to regard the little as the important—that is + to say, to invert the pyramid. + </p> + <p> + It is true that the Indians have been badly treated. It is true that the + fringe of civilization has been composed of many low and cruel men. It is + true that the red man has been demoralized by the vices of the white. It + is a frightful fact that, when a superior race meets an inferior, the + inferior imitates only the vices of the superior, and the superior those + of the inferior. They exchange faults and failings. This is one of the + most terrible facts in the history of the human race. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be said to justify our treatment of the Indians. There is, + however, this shadow of an excuse: In the old times, when we lived along + the Atlantic, it hardly occurred to our ancestors that they could ever go + beyond the Ohio; so the first treaty with the Indians drove them back but + a few miles. In a little while, through immigration, the white race passed + the line, and another treaty was made, forcing the Indians still further + west; yet the tide of immigration kept on, and in a little while again the + line was passed, the treaty violated. Another treaty was made, pushing the + Indians still farther toward the Pacific, across the Illinois, across the + Mississippi, across the Missouri, violating at every step some treaty + made; and each treaty born of the incapacity of the white men who made it + to foretell the growth of the Republic. + </p> + <p> + But the author of "Brutality and Avarice Triumphant" made a great mistake + when he selected the last thirty years of our national life as the period + within which the Americans have made a change of the national motto + appropriate, and asserted that now there should be in place of the old + motto the words, "Plundering Made Easy." + </p> + <p> + Most men believe in a sensible and manly patriotism. No one should be + blind to the defects in the laws and institutions of his country. He + should call attention to abuses, not for the purpose of bringing his + country into disrepute, but that the abuses may cease and the defects be + corrected. He should do what he can to make his country great, prosperous, + just, and free. But it is hardly fair to exaggerate the faults of your + country for the purpose of calling attention to your own virtues, or to + earn the praise of a nation that hates your own. This is what might be + called wallowing in the gutter of reform. + </p> + <p> + The thirty years chosen as the time in which we as a nation have passed + from virtue to the lowest depths of brutality and avarice are, in fact, + the most glorious years in the life of this or of any other nation. + </p> + <p> + In 1861 slavery was, in a legal sense at least, a national institution. It + was firmly imbedded in the Federal Constitution. The Fugitive Slave Law + was in full force and effect. In all the Southern and in nearly all of the + Northern States it was a crime to give food, shelter, or raiment to a man + or woman seeking liberty by flight. Humanity was illegal, hospitality a + misdemeanor, and charity a crime. Men and women were sold like beasts. + Mothers were robbed of their babes while they stood under our flag. All + the sacred relations of life were trampled beneath the bloody feet of + brutality and avarice. Besides, so firmly was slavery fixed in law and + creed, in statute and Scripture, that the tongues of honest men were + imprisoned. Those who spoke for the slave were mobbed by Northern lovers + of the "Union." + </p> + <p> + Now, it seems to me that those were the days when the motto could properly + have been, "Plundering Made Easy." Those were the days of brutality, and + the brutality was practiced to the end that we might make money out of the + unpaid labor of others. + </p> + <p> + It is not necessary to go into details as to the cause of the then + condition; it is enough to say that the whole nation, North and South, was + responsible. There were many years of compromise, and thousands of + statesmen, so-called, through conventions and platforms, did what they + could to preserve slavery and keep the Union. These efforts corrupted + politics, demoralized our statesmen, polluted our courts, and poisoned our + literature. The Websters, Bentons, and Clays mistook temporary expedients + for principles, and really thought that the progress of the world could be + stopped by the resolutions of a packed political convention. Yet these + men, mistaken as they really were, worked and wrought unconsciously in the + cause of human freedom. They believed that the preservation of the Union + was the one important thing, and that it could not be preserved unless + slavery was protected—unless the North would be faithful to the + bargain as written in the Constitution. For the purpose of keeping the + nation true to the Union and false to itself, these men exerted every + faculty and all their strength. They exhausted their genius in showing + that slavery was not, after all, very bad, and that disunion was the most + terrible calamity that could by any possibility befall the nation, and + that the Union, even at the price of slavery, was the greatest possible + blessing. They did not suspect that slavery would finally strike the blow + for disunion. But when the time came and the South unsheathed the sword, + the teachings of these men as to the infinite value of the Union gave to + our flag millions of brave defenders. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us see what has been accomplished during the thirty years of + "Brutality and Avarice." + </p> + <p> + The Republic has been rebuilt and reunited, and we shall remain one people + for many centuries to come. The Mississippi is nature's protest against + disunion. The Constitution of the United States is now the charter of + human freedom, and all laws inconsistent with the idea that all men are + entitled to liberty have been repealed. The black man knows that the + Constitution is his shield, that the laws protect him, that our flag is + his, and the black mother feels that her babe belongs to her. Where the + slave-pen used to be you will find the schoolhouse. The dealer in human + flesh is now a teacher; instead of lacerating the back of a child, he + develops and illumines the mind of a pupil. + </p> + <p> + There is now freedom of speech. Men are allowed to utter their thoughts. + Lips are no longer sealed by mobs. Never before in the history of our + world has so much been done for education. + </p> + <p> + The amount of business done in a country on credit is the measure of + confidence, and confidence is based upon honesty. So it may truthfully be + said that, where a vast deal of business is done on credit, an exceedingly + large per cent. of the people are regarded as honest. In our country a + very large per cent. of contracts are faithfully fulfilled. Probably there + is no nation in the world where so much business is done on credit as in + the United States. The fact that the credit of the Republic is second to + that of no other nation on the globe would seem to be at least an + indication of a somewhat general diffusion of honesty. + </p> + <p> + The author of "Brutality and Avarice Triumphant" seems to be of the + opinion that our country was demoralized by the war. They who fight for + the right are not degraded—they are ennobled. When men face death + and march to the mouths of the guns for a principle, they grow great; and + if they come out of the conflict, they come with added moral grandeur; + they become better men, better citizens, and they love more intensely than + ever the great cause for the success of which they put their lives in + pawn. + </p> + <p> + The period of the Revolution produced great men. After the great victory + the sons of the heroes degenerated, and some of the greatest principles + involved in the Revolution were almost forgotten. + </p> + <p> + During the Civil war the North grew great and the South was educated. + Never before in the history of mankind was there such a period of moral + exaltation. The names that shed the brightest, the whitest light on the + pages of our history became famous then. Against the few who were actuated + by base and unworthy motives let us set the great army that fought for the + Republic, the millions who bared their breasts to the storm, the hundreds + and hundreds of thousands who did their duty honestly, nobly, and went + back to their wives and children with no thought except to preserve the + liberties of themselves and their fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Of course there were some men who did not do their duty—some men + false to themselves and to their country. No one expects to find + sixty-five millions of saints in America. A few years ago a lady + complained to the president of a Western railroad that a brakeman had + spoken to her with great rudeness. The president expressed his regret at + the incident, and said among other things: "Madam, you have no idea how + difficult it is for us to get gentlemen to fill all those places." + </p> + <p> + It is hardly to be expected that the American people should excel all + others in the arts, in poetry, and in fiction. We have been very busy + taking possession of the Republic. It is hard to overestimate the courage, + the industry, the self-denial it has required to fell the forests, to + subdue the fields, to construct the roads, and to build the countless + homes. What has been done is a certificate of the honesty and industry of + our people. + </p> + <p> + It is not true that "one of the unwritten mottoes of our business morals + seem to say in the plainest phraseology possible: 'Successful wrong is + right.'" Men in this country are not esteemed simply because they are + rich; inquiries are made as to how they made their money, as to how they + use it. The American people do not fall upon their knees before the golden + calf; the worst that can be said is that they think too much of the gold + of the calf—and this distinction is seen by the calves themselves. + </p> + <p> + Nowhere in the world is honesty in business esteemed more highly than + here. There are millions of business men—merchants, bankers, and men + engaged in all trades and professions—to whom reputation is as dear + as life. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing in the article "Brutality and Avarice Triumphant" that + seems even more objectionable than the rest, and that is the statement, + or, rather, the insinuation, that all the crimes and the shortcomings of + the American people can be accounted for by the fact that our Government + is a Republic. We are told that not long ago a French official complained + to a friend that he was compelled to employ twenty clerks to do the work + done by four under the empire, and on being asked the reason answered: "It + is the Republic." He was told that, as he was the head of the bureau, he + could prevent the abuse, to which he replied: "I know I have the power; + but I have been in this position for more than thirty years, and am now + too old to learn another occupation, and I <i>must</i> make places for the + friends of the deputies." And then it is added by General Hawkins: "<i>And + so it is here</i>." + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that it cannot be fairly urged that we have abused the + Indians because we contend that all men have equal rights before the law, + or because we insist that governments derive their just powers from the + consent of the governed. The probability is that a careful reading of the + history of the world will show that nations under the control of kings and + emperors have been guilty of some cruelty. To account for the bad we do by + the good we believe, is hardly logical. Our virtues should not be made + responsible for our vices. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that free institutions tend to the demoralization of men? + Is a man dishonest because he is a man and maintains the rights of men? In + order to be a moral nation must we be controlled by king or emperor? Is + human liberty a mistake? Is it possible that a citizen of the great + Republic attacks the liberty of his fellow-citizens? Is he willing to + abdicate? Is he willing to admit that his rights are not equal to the + rights of others? Is he, for the sake of what he calls morality, willing + to become a serf, a servant or a slave? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that "high character is impracticable" in this Republic? Is + this the experience of the author of "Brutality and Avarice Triumphant"? + Is it true that "intellectual achievement pays no dividends"? Is it not a + fact that America is to-day the best market in the world for books, for + music, and for art? + </p> + <p> + There is in our country no real foundation for these wide and sweeping + slanders. This, in my judgment, is the best Government, the best country, + in the world. The citizens of this Republic are, on the average, better + clothed and fed and educated than any other people. They are fuller of + life, more progressive, quicker to take advantage of the forces of nature, + than any other of the children of men. Here the burdens of government are + lightest, the responsibilities of the individual greatest, and here, in my + judgment, are to be worked out the most important problems of social + science. + </p> + <p> + Here in America is a finer sense of what is due from man to man than you + will find in other lands. We do not cringe to those whom chance has + crowned; we stand erect. + </p> + <p> + Our sympathies are strong and quick. Generosity is almost a national + failing. The hand of honest want is rarely left unfilled. Great calamities + open the hearts and hands of all. + </p> + <p> + Here you will find democracy in the family—republicanism by the + fireside. Say what you will, the family is apt to be patterned after the + government. If a king is at the head of the nation, the husband imagines + himself the monarch of the home. In this country we have carried into the + family the idea on which the Government is based. Here husbands and wives + are beginning to be equals. + </p> + <p> + The highest test of civilization is the treatment of women and children. + By this standard America stands first among nations. + </p> + <p> + There is a magnitude, a scope, a grandeur, about this country—an + amplitude—that satisfies the heart and the imagination. We have our + faults, we have our virtues, but our country is the best. + </p> + <p> + No American should ever write a line that can be sneeringly quoted by an + enemy of the great Republic. + </p> + <p> + Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0010" id="link0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A REPLY TO THE CINCINNATI GAZETTE AND CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Cincinnati Gazette, 1878. An Interview. +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel, have you noticed the criticisms made on your + lectures by the <i>Cincinnati Gazette</i> and the <i>Catholic Telegraph</i>? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I have read portions of the articles. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of them? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Well, they are hardly of importance enough to form a + distinct subject of thought. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Well, what do you think of the attempted argument of the + <i>Gazette</i> against your lecture on Moses? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> The writer endeavors to show that considering the ignorance + prevalent four thousand years ago, God did as well as one could reasonably + expect; that God at that time did not have the advantage of telescope, + microscope, and spectrum, and that for this reason a few mistakes need not + excite our special wonder. He also shows that, although God was in favor + of slavery he introduced some reforms; but whether the reforms were + intended to perpetuate slavery or to help the slave is not stated. The + article has nothing to do with my position. I am perfectly willing to + admit that there is a land called Egypt; that the Jews were once slaves; + that they got away and started a little country of their own. All this may + be true without proving that they were miraculously fed in the wilderness, + or that water ran up hill, or that God went into partnership with hornets + or snakes. There may have been a man by the name of Moses without proving + that sticks were turned into snakes. + </p> + <p> + A while ago a missionary addressed a Sunday school. In the course of his + remarks he said that he had been to Mount Ararat, and had brought a stone + from the mountain. He requested the children to pass in line before him so + that they could all get a look at this wonderful stone. After they had all + seen it he said: "You will as you grow up meet people who will deny that + there ever was a flood, or that God saved Noah and the animals in the ark, + and then you can tell them that you know better, because you saw a stone + from the very mountain where the ark rested." + </p> + <p> + That is precisely the kind of argument used in the <i>Gazette</i>. The + article was written by some one who does not quite believe in the + inspiration of the Scriptures himself, and were it not for the fear of + hell, would probably say so. + </p> + <p> + I admit that there was such a man as Mohammed, such a city as Mecca, such + a general as Omar, but I do not admit that God made known his will to + Mohammed in any substantial manner. Of course the <i>Gazette</i> would + answer all this by saying that Mohammed did exist, and that therefore God + must have talked with him. I admit that there was such a general as + Washington, but I do not admit that God kept him from being shot. I admit + that there is a portrait of the Virgin Mary in Rome, but I do not admit + that it shed tears. I admit that there was such a man as Moses, but I do + not admit that God hunted for him in a tavern to kill him. I admit that + there was such a priest as St. Denis, but I do not admit that he carried + his head in his hand, after it was cut off, and swam the river, and put + his head on again and eventually recovered. I admit that the article + appeared in the <i>Gazette</i>, but I do not admit that it amounted to + anything whatever. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Did you notice what the <i>Catholic Telegraph</i> said + about your lecture being ungrammatical? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Yes; I saw an extract from it. In the <i>Catholic Telegraph</i> + occurs the following: "The lecture was a failure as brilliant as + Ingersoll's flashes of ungrammatical rhetoric." After making this + statement with the hereditary arrogance of a priest, after finding fault + with my "ungrammatical rhetoric" he then writes the following sentence: + "It could not boast neither of novelty in argument or of attractive + language." After this, nothing should be noticed that this gentleman says + on the subject of grammar. + </p> + <p> + In this connection it may be proper for me to say that nothing is more + remarkable than the fact that Christianity destroys manners. With one + exception, no priest has ever written about me, so far as I know, except + in an arrogant and insolent manner. They seem utterly devoid of the usual + amenities of life. Every one who differs with them is vile, ignorant and + malicious. But, after all, what can you expect of a gentleman who worships + a God who will damn dimpled babes to an eternity of fire, simply because + they were not baptized. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. This Catholic writer says that the oldest page of history + and the newest page of science are nothing more than commentaries on the + Mosaic Record. He says the Cosmogony of Moses has been believed in, and + has been received as the highest truth by the very brightest names in + science. What do you think of that statement? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I think it is without the least foundation in fact, and is + substantially like the gentleman's theology, depending simply upon + persistent assertion. + </p> + <p> + I see he quotes Cuvier as great authority. Cuvier denied that the fossil + animals were in any way related to the animals now living, and believed + that God had frequently destroyed all life upon the earth and then + produced other forms. Agassiz was the last scientist of any standing who + ventured to throw a crumb of comfort to this idea. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you mean to say that all the great living scientists + regard the Cosmogony of Moses as a myth? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I do. I say this: All men of science and men of sense look + upon the Mosaic account as a simple myth. Humboldt, who stands in the same + relation to science that Shakespeare did to the drama, held this opinion. + The same is held by the best minds in Germany, by Huxley, Tyndall and + Herbert Spencer in England, by John W. Draper and others in the United + States. Whoever agrees with Moses is some poor frightened orthodox + gentleman afraid of losing his soul or his salary, and as a rule, both are + exceedingly small. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Some people say that you slander the Bible in saying that + God went into partnership with hornets, and declare that there is no such + passage in the Bible. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Well, let them read the twenty-eighth verse of the + twenty-third chapter of Exodus, "And I will send hornets before thee, + which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite and the Hittite from + before thee." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you find in lecturing through the country that your + ideas are generally received with favor? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Astonishingly so. There are ten times as many freethinkers + as there were five years ago. In five years more we will be in the + majority. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is it true that the churches, as a general thing, make + strong efforts, as I have seen it stated, to prevent people from going to + hear you? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Yes; in many places ministers have advised their + congregations to keep away, telling them I was an exceedingly dangerous + man. The result has generally been a full house, and I have hardly ever + failed to publicly return my thanks to the clergy for acting as my advance + agents. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you ever meet Christian people who try to convert you? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Not often. But I do receive a great many anonymous letters, + threatening me with the wrath of God, and calling my attention to the + uncertainty of life and the certainty of damnation. These letters are + nearly all written in the ordinary Christian spirit; that is to say, full + of hatred and impertinence. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Don't you think it remarkable that the <i>Telegraph</i>, + a Catholic paper, should quote with extravagant praise, an article from + such an orthodox sheet as the <i>Gazette</i>? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I do not. All the churches must make common cause. All + superstitions lead to Rome; all facts lead to science. In a few years all + the churches will be united. This will unite all forms of liberalism. When + that is done the days of superstition, of arrogance, of theology, will be + numbered. It is very laughable to see a Catholic quoting scientific men in + favor of Moses, when the same men would have taken great pleasure in + swearing that the Catholic Church was the worst possible organization. + That church should forever hold its peace. Wherever it has had authority + it has destroyed human liberty. It reduced Italy to a hand organ, Spain to + a guitar, Ireland to exile, Portugal to contempt. Catholicism is the upas + tree in whose shade the intellect of man has withered. The recollection of + the massacre of St. Bartholomew should make a priest silent, and the + recollection of the same massacre should make a Protestant careful. + </p> + <p> + I can afford to be maligned by a priest, when the same party denounces + Garibaldi, the hero of Italy, as a "pet tiger" to Victor Emmanuel. I could + not afford to be praised by such a man. I thank him for his abuse. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the point that no one is able to + judge of these things unless he is a Hebrew scholar? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I do not think it is necessary to understand Hebrew to + decide as to the probability of springs gushing out of dead bones, or of + the dead getting out of their graves, or of the probability of ravens + keeping a hotel for wandering prophets. I hardly think it is necessary + even to be a Greek scholar to make up my mind as to whether devils + actually left a person and took refuge in the bodies of swine. Besides, if + the Bible is not properly translated, the circulation ought to stop until + the corrections are made. I am not accountable if God made a revelation to + me in a language that he knew I never would understand. If he wishes to + convey any information to my mind, he certainly should do it in English + before he eternally damns me for paying no attention to it. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are not many of the contradictions in the Bible owing to + mistranslations? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> No. Nearly all of the mistranslations have been made to + help out the text. It would be much worse, much more contradictory had it + been correctly translated. Nearly all of the <i>mistakes</i>, as Mr. + Weller would say, have been made for the purposes of harmony. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How many errors do you suppose there are? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Well, I do not know. It has been reported that the American + Bible Society appointed a committee to hunt for errors, and the said + committee returned about twenty-four to twenty-five thousand. And + thereupon the leading men said, to correct so many errors will destroy the + confidence of the common people in the sacredness of the Scriptures. + Thereupon it was decided not to correct any. I saw it stated the other day + that a very prominent divine charged upon the Bible Society that they knew + they were publishing a book full of errors. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the Bible anyhow? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> My first objection is, it is not true. + </p> + <p> + Second.—It is not inspired. + </p> + <p> + Third.—It upholds human slavery. + </p> + <p> + Fourth.—It sanctions concubinage. + </p> + <p> + Fifth.—It commands the most infamously cruel acts of war, such as + the utter destruction of old men and little children. + </p> + <p> + Sixth.—After killing fathers, mothers and brothers, it commands the + generals to divide the girls among the soldiers and priests. Beyond this, + infamy has never gone. If any God made this order I am opposed to him. + </p> + <p> + Seventh.—It upholds human sacrifice, or, at least, seems to, from + the following: + </p> + <p> + "Notwithstanding no devoted thing that a man shall devote unto the Lord of + all that he hath, both of <i>man</i> and <i>beast</i>, and of the field of + his possession, shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted thing is most + holy unto the Lord." + </p> + <p> + "None devoted, which shall be devoted, of men, shall be redeemed; but + shall surely be put to death." (Twenty-seventh Chapter of Leviticus, 28th + and 29th verses.) + </p> + <p> + Eighth.—Its laws are absurd, and the punishments cruel and unjust. + Think of killing a man for making hair oil! Think of killing a man for + picking up sticks on Sunday! + </p> + <p> + Ninth.—It upholds polygamy. + </p> + <p> + Tenth.—It knows nothing of astronomy, nothing of geology, nothing of + any science whatever. + </p> + <p> + Eleventh.—It is opposed to religious liberty, and teaches a man to + kill his own wife if she differs with him on religion; that is to say, if + he is orthodox. There is no book in the world in which can be found so + much that is thoroughly despicable and infamous. Of course there are some + good passages, some good sentiments. But they are, at least in the Old + Testament, few and far between. + </p> + <p> + Twelfth.—It treats woman like a beast, and man like a slave. It + fills heaven with tyranny, and earth with hypocrisy and grief. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think any book inspired? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> No. I do not think any book is inspired. But, if it had + been the intention of this God to give to man an inspired book, he should + have waited until Shakespeare's time, and used Shakespeare as the + instrument. Then there never would have been any doubt as to the + inspiration of the book. There is more beauty, more goodness, more + intelligence in Shakespeare than in all the sacred books of this world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think as a freethinker of the Sunday question + in Cincinnati? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I think that it is a good thing to have a day of + recreation, a day of rest, a day of joy, not a day of dyspepsia and + theology. I am in favor of operas and theaters, music and happiness on + Sunday. I am opposed to all excesses on any day. If the clergy will take + half the pains to make the people intelligent that they do to make them + superstitious, the world will soon have advanced so far that it can enjoy + itself without excess. The ministers want Sunday for themselves. They want + everybody to come to church because they can go no where else. It is like + the story of a man coming home at three o'clock in the morning, who, upon + being asked by his wife how he could come at such a time of night, + replied, "The fact is, every other place is shut up." The orthodox clergy + know that their churches will remain empty if any other place remains + open. Do not forget to say that I mean orthodox churches, orthodox clergy, + because I have great respect for Unitarians and Universalists. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0011" id="link0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + AN INTERVIEW ON CHIEF JUSTICE COMEGYS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Brooklyn Eagle, 1881. +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I understand, Colonel Ingersoll, that you have been + indicted in the State of Delaware for the crime of blasphemy? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Well, not exactly indicted. The Judge, who, I believe, is + the Chief Justice of the State, dedicated the new court-house at + Wilmington to the service of the Lord, by a charge to the grand jury, in + which he almost commanded them to bring in a bill of indictment against + me, for what he was pleased to call the crime of blasphemy. Now, as a + matter of fact, there can be no crime committed by man against God, + provided always that a correct definition of the Deity has been given by + the orthodox churches. They say that he is infinite. If so, he is + conditionless. I can injure a man by changing his conditions. Take from a + man water, and he perishes of thirst; take from him air, and he + suffocates; he may die from too much, or too little heat. That is because + he is a conditioned being. But if God is conditionless, he cannot in any + way be affected by what anybody else may do; and, consequently, a sin + against God is as impossible as a sin against the principle of the lever + or inclined plane. This crime called blasphemy was invented by priests for + the purpose of defending doctrines not able to take care of themselves. + Blasphemy is a kind of breastwork behind which hypocrisy has crouched for + thousands of years. Injustice is the only blasphemy that can be committed, + and justice is the only true worship. Man can sin against man, but not + against God. But even if man could sin against God, it has always struck + me that an infinite being would be entirely able to take care of himself + without the assistance of a Chief Justice. Men have always been violating + the rights of men, under the plea of defending the rights of God, and + nothing, for ages, was so perfectly delightful to the average Christian as + to gratify his revenge, and get God in his debt at the same time. Chief + Justice Comegys has taken this occasion to lay up for himself what he + calls treasures in heaven, and on the last great day he will probably rely + on a certified copy of this charge. The fact that he thinks the Lord needs + help satisfies me that in that particular neighborhood I am a little + ahead. + </p> + <p> + The fact is, I never delivered but one lecture in Delaware. That lecture, + however, had been preceded by a Republican stump speech; and, to tell you + the truth, I imagine that the stump speech is what a Yankee would call the + heft of the offence. It is really hard for me to tell whether I have + blasphemed the Deity or the Democracy. Of course I have no personal + feeling whatever against the Judge. In fact he has done me a favor. He has + called the attention of the civilized world to certain barbarian laws that + disfigure and disgrace the statute books of most of the States. These laws + were passed when our honest ancestors were burning witches, trading Quaker + children to the Barbadoes for rum and molasses, branding people upon the + forehead, boring their tongues with hot irons, putting one another in the + pillory, and, generally, in the name of God, making their neighbors as + uncomfortable as possible. We have outgrown these laws without repealing + them. They are, as a matter of fact, in most communities actually dead; + but in some of the States, like Delaware, I suppose they could be + enforced, though there might be trouble in selecting twelve men, even in + Delaware, without getting one man broad enough, sensible enough, and + honest enough, to do justice. I hardly think it would be possible in any + State to select a jury in the ordinary way that would convict any person + charged with what is commonly known as blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + All the so-called Christian churches have accused each other of being + blasphemers, in turn. The Catholics denounced the Presbyterians as + blasphemers, the Presbyterians denounced the Baptists; the Baptists, the + Presbyterians, and the Catholics all united in denouncing the Quakers, and + they all together denounced the Unitarians—called them blasphemers + because they did not acknowledge the divinity of Jesus Christ—the + Unitarians only insisting that three infinite beings were not necessary, + that one infinite being could do all the business, and that the other two + were absolutely useless. This was called blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + Then all the churches united to call the Universalists blasphemers. I can + remember when a Uni-versalist was regarded with a thousand times more + horror than an infidel is to-day. There is this strange thing about the + history of theology—nobody has ever been charged with blasphemy who + thought God bad. For instance, it never would have excited any theological + hatred if a man had insisted that God would finally damn everybody. Nearly + all heresy has consisted in making God better than the majority in the + churches thought him to be. The orthodox Christian never will forgive the + Univer-salist for saying that God is too good to damn anybody eternally. + Now, all these sects have charged each other with blasphemy, without + anyone of them knowing really what blasphemy is. I suppose they have + occasionally been honest, because they have mostly been ignorant. It is + said that Torquemada used to shed tears over the agonies of his victims + and that he recommended slow burning, not because he wished to inflict + pain, but because he really desired to give the gentleman or lady he was + burning a chance to repent of his or her sins, and make his or her peace + with God previous to becoming a cinder. + </p> + <p> + The root, foundation, germ and cause of nearly all religious persecution + is the idea that some certain belief is necessary to salvation. If + orthodox Christians are right in this idea, then persecution of all + heretics and infidels is a duty. If I have the right to defend my body + from attack, surely I should have a like right to defend my soul. Under + our laws I could kill any man who was endeavoring, for example, to take + the life of my child. How much more would I be justified in killing any + wretch who was endeavoring to convince my child of the truth of a doctrine + which, if believed, would result in the eternal damnation of that child's + soul? + </p> + <p> + If the Christian religion, as it is commonly understood, is true, no + infidel should be allowed to live; every heretic should be hunted from the + wide world as you would hunt a wild beast. They should not be allowed to + speak, they should not be allowed to poison the minds of women and + children; in other words, they should not be allowed to empty heaven and + fill hell. The reason I have liberty in this country is because the + Christians of this country do not believe their doctrine. The passage from + the Bible, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every + creature," coupled with the assurance that, "Whosoever believeth and is + baptized shall be saved, and whoso believeth not shall be damned," is the + foundation of most religious persecution. Every word in that passage has + been fire and fagot, whip and sword, chain and dungeon. That one passage + has probably caused more agony among men, women and children, than all the + passages of all other books that were ever printed. Now, this passage was + not in the book of Mark when originally written, but was put there many + years after the gentleman who evolved the book of Mark from his inner + consciousness, had passed away. It was put there by the church—that + is to say, by hypocrisy and priestly craft, to bind the consciences of men + and force them to come under ecclesiastical and spiritual power; and that + passage has been received and believed, and been made binding by law in + most countries ever since. + </p> + <p> + What would you think of a law compelling a man to admire Shakespeare, or + calling it blasphemy to laugh at Hamlet? Why is not a statute necessary to + uphold the reputation of Raphael or of Michael Angelo? Is it possible that + God cannot write a book good enough and great enough and grand enough not + to excite the laughter of his children? Is it possible that he is + compelled to have his literary reputation supported by the State of + Delaware? + </p> + <p> + There is another very strange thing about this business. Admitting that + the Bible is the work of God, it is not any more his work than are the + sun, the moon and the stars or the earth, and if for disbelieving this + Bible we are to be damned forever, we ought to be equally damned for a + mistake in geology or astronomy. The idea of allowing a man to go to + heaven who swears that the earth is flat, and damning a fellow who thinks + it is round, but who-has his honest doubts about Joshua, seems to me to be + perfectly absurd. It seems to me that in this view of it, it is just as + necessary to be right on the subject of the equator as on the doctrine of + infant baptism. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What was in your judgment the motive of Judge Comegys? Is + he a personal enemy of yours? Have you ever met him? Have you any idea + what reason he had for attacking you? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I do not know the gentleman, personally. Outside of the + political reason I have intimated, I do not know why he attacked me. I + once delivered a lecture entitled "What must we do to be Saved?" in the + city of Wilmington, and in that lecture I proceeded to show, or at least + tried to show, that Matthew, Mark and Luke knew nothing about + Christianity, as it is understood in Delaware; and I also endeavored to + show that all men have an equal right to think, and that a man is only + under obligations to be honest with himself, and with all men, and that he + is not accountable for the amount of mind that he has been endowed with—otherwise + it might be Judge Comegys himself would be damned—but that he is + only accountable for the use he makes of what little mind he has received. + I held that the safest thing for every man was to be absolutely honest, + and to express his honest thought. After the delivery of this lecture + various ministers in Wilmington began replying, and after the preaching of + twenty or thirty sermons, not one of which, considered as a reply, was a + success, I presume it occurred to these ministers that the shortest and + easiest way would be to have me indicted and imprisoned. + </p> + <p> + In this I entirely agree with them. It is the old and time-honored way. I + believe it is, as it always has been, easier to kill two infidels than to + answer one; and if Christianity expects to stem the tide that is now + slowly rising over the intellectual world, it must be done by brute force, + and by brute force alone. And it must be done pretty soon, or they will + not have the brute force. It is doubtful if they have a majority of the + civilized world on their side to-day. No heretic ever would have been + burned if he could have been answered. No theologian ever called for the + help of the law until his logic gave out. + </p> + <p> + I suppose Judge Comegys to be a Presbyterian. Where did he get his right + to be a Presbyterian? Where did he get his right to decide which creed is + the correct one? How did he dare to pit his little brain against the word + of God? He may say that his father was a Presbyterian. But what was his + grandfather? If he will only go back far enough he will, in all + probability, find that his ancestors were Catholics, and if he will go + back a little farther still, that they were barbarians; that at one time + they were naked, and had snakes tattooed on their bodies. What right had + they to change? Does he not perceive that had the savages passed the same + kind of laws that now exist in Delaware, they could have prevented any + change in belief? They would have had a whipping-post, too, and they would + have said: "Any gentleman found without snakes tattooed upon his body + shall be held guilty of blasphemy;" and all the ancestors of this Judge, + and of these ministers, would have said, Amen! + </p> + <p> + What right had the first Presbyterian to be a Presbyterian? He must have + been a blasphemer first. A small dose of pillory might have changed his + religion. Does this Judge think that Delaware is incapable of any + improvement in a religious point of view? Does he think that the + Presbyterians of Delaware are not only the best now, but that they will + forever be the best that God can make? Is there to be no advancement? Has + there been no advancement? Are the pillory and the whipping-post to be + used to prevent an excess of thought in the county of New Castle? Has the + county ever been troubled that way? Has this Judge ever had symptoms of + any such disease? Now, I want it understood that I like this Judge, and my + principal reason for liking him is that he is the last of his race. He + will be so inundated with the ridicule of mankind that no other Chief + Justice in Delaware, or anywhere else, will ever follow his illustrious + example. The next Judge will say: "So far as I am concerned, the Lord may + attend to his own business, and deal with infidels as he may see proper." + Thus great good has been accomplished by this Judge, which shows, as Burns + puts it, "that a pot can be boiled, even if the devil tries to prevent + it." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How will this action of Delaware, in your opinion, affect + the other States? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Probably a few other States needed an example exactly of + this kind. New Jersey, in all probability, will say: "Delaware is + perfectly ridiculous," and yet, had Delaware waited awhile, New Jersey + might have done the same thing. Maryland will exclaim: "Did you ever see + such a fool!" And yet I was threatened in that State. The average American + citizen, taking into consideration the fact that we are blest, or cursed, + with about one hundred thousand preachers, and that these preachers preach + on the average one hundred thousand sermons a week—some of which are + heard clear through—will unquestionably hold that a man who happens + to differ with all these parsons, ought to have and shall have the + privilege of expressing his mind; and that the one hundred thousand + clergymen ought to be able to put down the one man who happens to disagree + with them, without calling on the army or navy to do it, especially when + it is taken into consideration that an infinite God is already on their + side. Under these circumstances, the average American will say: "Let him + talk, and let the hundred thousand preachers answer him to their hearts' + content." So that in my judgment the result of the action of Delaware will + be: First, to liberalize all other States, and second, finally to + liberalize Delaware itself. In many of the States they have the same + idiotic kind of laws as those found in Delaware—with the exception + of those blessed institutions for the spread of the Gospel, known as the + pillory and the whipping-post. There is a law in Maine by which a man can + be put into the penitentiary for denying the providence of God, and the + day of judgment. There are similar laws in most of the New England States. + One can be imprisoned in Maryland for a like offence. + </p> + <p> + In North Carolina no man can hold office that has not a certain religious + belief; and so in several other of the Southern States. In half the States + of this Union, if my wife and children should be murdered before my eyes, + I would not be allowed in a court of justice to tell who the murderer was. + You see that, for hundreds of years, Christianity has endeavored to put + the brand of infamy on every intellectual brow. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see that one objection to your lectures urged by Judge + Comegys on the grand jury is, that they tend to a breach of the peace—to + riot and bloodshed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Yes; Judge Comegys seems to be afraid that people who love + their enemies will mob their friends. He is afraid that those disciples + who, when smitten on one cheek turn the other to be smitten also, will get + up a riot. He seems to imagine that good Christians feel called upon to + violate the commands of the Lord in defence of the Lord's reputation. If + Christianity produces people who cannot hear their doctrines discussed + without raising mobs, and shedding blood, the sooner it is stopped being + preached the better. + </p> + <p> + There is not the slightest danger of any infidel attacking a Christian for + His belief, and there never will be an infidel mob for such a purpose. + Christians can teach and preach their views to their hearts' content. They + can send all unbelievers to an eternal hell, if it gives them the least + pleasure, and they may bang their Bibles as long as their fists last, but + no infidel will be in danger of raising a riot to stop them, or put them + down by brute force, or even by an appeal to the law, and I would advise + Judge Comegys, if he wishes to compliment Christianity, to change his + language and say that he feared a breach of the peace might be committed + by the infidels—not by the Christians. He may possibly have thought + that it was my intention to attack his State. But I can assure him, that + if ever I start a warfare of that kind, I shall take some State of my + size. There is no glory to be won in wringing the neck of a "Blue Hen!" + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I should judge, Colonel, that you are prejudiced against + the State of Delaware? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Not by any means. Oh, no! I know a great many splendid + people in Delaware, and since I have known more of their surroundings, my + admiration for them has increased. They are, on the whole, a very good + people in that State. I heard a story the other day: An old fellow in + Delaware has been for the last twenty or thirty years gathering peaches + there in their season—a kind of peach tramp. One day last fall, just + as the season closed, he was leaning sadly against a tree, "Boys!" said + he, "I'd like to come back to Delaware a hundred years from now." The boys + asked, "What for?" The old fellow replied: "Just to see how damned little + they'd get the baskets by that time." And it occurred to me that people + who insist that twenty-two quarts make a bushel, should be as quiet as + possible on the subject of blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + AN INTERVIEW ON CHIEF JUSTICE COMEGYS. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Chicago Times, Feb. 14, 1881. +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you read Chief Justice Comegys' compliments to you + before the Delaware grand jury? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Yes, I have read his charge, in which he relies upon the + law passed in 1740. After reading his charge it seemed to me as though he + had died about the date of the law, had risen from the dead, and had gone + right on where he had left off. I presume he is a good man, but compared + with other men, is something like his State when compared with other + States. + </p> + <p> + A great many people will probably regard the charge of Judge Comegys as + unchristian, but I do not. I consider that the law of Delaware is in exact + accord with the Bible, and that the pillory, the whip-ping-post, and the + suppression of free speech are the natural fruit of the Old and New + Testament. + </p> + <p> + Delaware is right. Christianity can not succeed, can not exist, without + the protection of law. Take from orthodox Christianity the protection of + law, and all church property would be taxed like other property. The + Sabbath would be no longer a day devoted to superstition. Everyone could + express his honest thought upon every possible subject. Everyone, + notwithstanding his belief, could testify in a court of justice. In other + words, honesty would be on an equality with hypocrisy. Science would stand + on a level, so far as the law is concerned, with superstition. Whenever + this happens the end of orthodox Christianity will be near. + </p> + <p> + By Christianity I do not mean charity, mercy, kindness, forgiveness. I + mean no natural virtue, because all the natural virtues existed and had + been practiced by hundreds and thousands of millions before Christ was + born. There certainly were some good men even in the days of Christ in + Jerusalem, before his death. + </p> + <p> + By Christianity I mean the ideas of redemption, atonement, a good man + dying for a bad man, and the bad man getting a receipt in full. By + Christianity I mean that system that insists that in the next world a few + will be forever happy, while the many will be eternally miserable. + Christianity, as I have explained it, must be protected, guarded, and + sustained by law. It was founded by the sword that is to say, by physical + force,—and must be preserved by like means. + </p> + <p> + In many of the States of the Union an infidel is not allowed to testify. + In the State of Delaware, if Alexander von Humboldt were living, he could + not be a witness, although he had more brains than the State of Delaware + has ever produced, or is likely to produce as long as the laws of 1740 + remain in force. Such men as Huxley, Tyndall and Haeckel could be fined + and imprisoned in the State of Delaware, and, in fact, in many States of + this Union. + </p> + <p> + Christianity, in order to defend itself, puts the brand of infamy on the + brow of honesty. Christianity marks with a letter "C," standing for + "convict" every brain that is great enough to discover the frauds. I have + no doubt that Judge Comegys is a good and sincere Christian. I believe + that he, in his charge, gives an exact reflection of the Jewish Jehovah. I + believe that every word he said was in exact accord with the spirit of + orthodox Christianity. Against this man personally I have nothing to say. + I know nothing of his character except as I gather it from this charge, + and after reading the charge I am forced simply to say, Judge Comegys is a + Christian. + </p> + <p> + It seems, however, that the grand jury dared to take no action, + notwithstanding they had been counseled to do so by the Judge. Although + the Judge had quoted to them the words of George I. of blessed memory; + although he had quoted to them the words of Lord Mansfield, who became a + Judge simply because of his hatred of the English colonists, simply + because he despised liberty in the new world; notwithstanding the fact + that I could have been punished with insult, with imprisonment, and with + stripes, and with every form of degradation; notwithstanding that only a + few years ago I could have been branded upon the forehead, bored through + the tongue, maimed and disfigured, still, such has been the advance even + in the State of Delaware, owing, it may be, in great part to the one + lecture delivered by me, that the grand jury absolutely refused to indict + me. + </p> + <p> + The grand jury satisfied themselves and their consciences simply by making + a report in which they declared that my lecture had "no parallel in the + habits of respectable vagabondism" that I was "an arch-blasphemer and + reviler of God and religion," and recommended that should I ever attempt + to lecture again I should be taught that in Delaware blasphemy is a crime + punishable by fine and imprisonment. I have no doubt that every member of + the grand jury signing this report was entirely honest; that he acted in + exact accord with what he understood to be the demand of the Christian + religion. I must admit that for Christians, the report is exceedingly mild + and gentle. + </p> + <p> + I have now in the house, letters that passed between certain bishops in + the fifteenth century, in which they discussed the propriety of cutting + out the tongues of heretics before they were burned. Some of the bishops + were in favor of and some against it. One argument for cutting out their + tongues which seemed to have settled the question was, that unless the + tongues of heretics were cut out they might scandalize the gentlemen who + were burning them, by blasphemous remarks during the fire. I would commend + these letters to Judge Comegys and the members of the grand jury. + </p> + <p> + I want it distinctly understood that I have nothing against Judge Comegys + or the grand jury. They act as 'most anybody would, raised in Delaware, in + the shadow of the whipping-post and the pillory. We must remember that + Delaware was a slave State; that the Bible became extremely dear to the + people because it upheld that peculiar institution. We must remember that + the Bible was the block on which mother and child stood for sale when they + were separated by the Christians of Delaware. The Bible was regarded as + the title-pages to slavery, and as the book of all books that gave the + right to masters to whip mothers and to sell children. + </p> + <p> + There are many offences now for which the punishment is whipping and + standing in the pillory; where persons are convicted of certain crimes and + sent to the penitentiary, and upon being discharged from the penitentiary + are furnished by the State with a dark jacket plainly marked on the back + with a large Roman "C," the letter to be of a light color. This they are + to wear for six months after being discharged, and if they are found at + any time without the dark jacket and the illuminated "C" they are to be + punished with twenty lashes upon the bare back. The object, I presume, of + this law, is to drive from the State all the discharged convicts for the + benefit of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland—that is to say, + other Christian communities. A cruel people make cruel laws. + </p> + <p> + The objection I have to the whipping-post is that it is a punishment which + cannot be inflicted by a gentleman. The person who administers the + punishment must, of necessity, be fully as degraded as the person who + receives it. I am opposed to any kind of punishment that cannot be + administered by a gentleman. I am opposed to corporal punishment + everywhere. It should be taken from the asylums and penitentiaries, and + any man who would apply the lash to the naked back of another is beneath + the contempt of honest people. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you seen that Henry Bergh has introduced in the New + York Legislature a bill providing for whipping as a punishment for + wife-beating? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> The objection I have mentioned is fatal to Mr. Bergh's + bill. He will be able to get persons to beat wife-beaters, who, under the + same circumstances, would be wife-beaters themselves. If they are not + wife-beaters when they commence the business of beating others, they soon + will be. I think that wife-beating in great cities could be stopped by + putting all the wife-beaters at work at some government employment, the + value of the work, however, to go to the wives and children. The trouble + now is that most of the wife-beating is among the extremely poor, so that + the wife by informing against her husband, takes the last crust out of her + own mouth. If you substitute whipping or flogging for the prison here, you + will in the first place prevent thousands of wives from informing, and in + many cases, where the wife would inform, she would afterward be murdered + by the flogged brute. This brute would naturally resort to the same means + to reform his wife that the State had resorted to for the purpose of + reforming him. Flogging would beget flogging. Mr. Bergh is a man of great + kindness of heart. When he reads that a wife has been beaten, he says the + husband deserves to be beaten himself. But if Mr. Bergh was to be the + executioner, I imagine you could not prove by the back of the man that the + punishment had been inflicted. + </p> + <p> + Another good remedy for wife-beating is the abolition of the Catholic + Church. We should also do away with the idea that a marriage is a + sacrament, and that there is any God who is rendered happy by seeing a + husband and wife live together, although the husband gets most of his + earthly enjoyment from whipping his wife. No woman should live with a man + a moment after he has struck her. Just as the idea of liberty enlarges, + confidence in the whip and fist, in the kick and blow, will diminish. + Delaware occupies toward freethinkers precisely the same position that a + wife-beater does toward the wife. Delaware knows that there are no reasons + sufficient to uphold Christianity, consequently these reasons are + supplemented with the pillory and the whipping-post. The whipping-post is + considered one of God's arguments, and the pillory is a kind of moral + suasion, the use of which fills heaven with a kind of holy and serene + delight. I am opposed to the religion of brute force, but all these + frightful things have grown principally out of a belief in eternal + punishment and out of the further idea that a certain belief is necessary + to avoid eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + If Christianity is right, Delaware is right. If God will damn every body + forever simply for being intellectually honest, surely he ought to allow + the good people of Delaware to imprison the same gentleman for two months. + Of course there are thousands and thousands of good people in Delaware, + people who have been in other States, people who have listened to + Republican speeches, people who have read the works of scientists, who + hold the laws of 1740 in utter abhorrence; people who pity Judge Comegys + and who have a kind of sympathy for the grand jury. + </p> + <p> + You will see that at the last election Delaware lacked only six or seven + hundred of being a civilized State, and probably in 1884 will stand + redeemed and regenerated, with the laws of 1740 expunged from the statute + book. Delaware has not had the best of opportunities. You must remember + that it is next to New Jersey, which is quite an obstacle in the path of + progress. It is just beyond Maryland, which is another obstacle. I heard + the other day that God originally made oysters with legs, and afterward + took them off, knowing that the people of Delaware would starve to death + before they would run to catch anything. Judge Comegys is the last judge + who will make such a charge in the United States. He has immortalized + himself as the last mile-stone on that road. He is the last of his race. + No more can be born. Outside of this he probably was a very clever man, + and it may be, he does not believe a word he utters. The probability is + that he has underestimated the intelligence of the people of Delaware. I + am afraid to think that he is entirely honest, for fear that I may + underestimate him intellectually, and overestimate him morally. Nothing + could tempt me to do this man injustice, though I could hardly add to the + injury he has done himself. He has called attention to laws that ought to + be repealed, and to lectures that ought to be repeated. I feel in my heart + that he has done me a great service, second only to that for which I am + indebted to the grand jury. Had the Judge known me personally he probably + would have said nothing. Should I have the misfortune to be arrested in + his State and sentenced to two months of solitary confinement, the Judge + having become acquainted with me during the trial, would probably insist + on spending most of his time in my cell. At the end of the two months he + would, I think, lay himself liable to the charge of blasphemy, providing + he had honor enough to express his honest thought. After all, it is all a + question of honesty. Every man is right. I cannot convince myself there is + any God who will ever damn a man for having been honest. This gives me a + certain hope for the Judge and the grand jury. + </p> + <p> + For two or three days I have been thinking what joy there must have been + in heaven when Jehovah heard that Delaware was on his side, and remarked + to the angels in the language of the late Adjt. Gen. Thomas: "The eyes of + all Delaware are upon you." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0012" id="link0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A REPLY TO REV. DRS. THOMAS AND LORIMER. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Col. Ingersoll filled McVickor's Theatre again yesterday + afternoon, when he answered the question "What Must We Do to + Be Saved?" But before doing so he replied to the recent + criticisms of city clergymen on his "Talmagian Theology"— + Chicago Tribune, Nov. 27, 1882. +</pre> + <p> + <i>Ladies and Gentlemen</i>: + </p> + <p> + WHEREVER I lecture, as a rule, some ministers think it their duty to reply + for the purpose of showing either that I am unfair, or that I am + blasphemous, or that I laugh. And laughing has always been considered by + theologians as a crime. Ministers have always said you will have no + respect for our ideas unless you are solemn. Solemnity is a condition + precedent to believing anything without evidence. And if you can only get + a man solemn enough, awed enough, he will believe anything. + </p> + <p> + In this city the Rev. Dr. Thomas has made a few remarks, and I may say by + way of preface that I have always held him in the highest esteem. He + struggles, according to his statement, with the problem of my sincerity, + and he about half concludes that I am not sincere. There is a little of + the minister left in Dr. Thomas. Ministers always account for a difference + of opinion by attacking the motive. Now, to him, it makes no difference + whether I am sincere or insincere; the question is, Can my argument be + answered? Suppose you could prove that the maker of the multiplication + table held mathematics in contempt; what of it? Ten times ten would be a + hundred still. + </p> + <p> + My sincerity has nothing to do with the force of the argument—not + the slightest. But this gentleman begins to suspect that I am doing what I + do for the sake of applause. What a commentary on the Christian religion, + that, after they have been preaching it for sixteen or eighteen hundred + years, a man attacks it for the sake of popularity—a man attacks it + for the purpose of winning applause! When I commenced to speak upon this + subject there was no appreciable applause; most of my fellow-citizens + differed with me; and I was denounced as though I had been a wild beast. + But I have lived to see the majority of the men and women of intellect in + the United States on my side; I have lived to see the church deny her + creed; I have lived to see ministers apologize in public for what they + preached; and a great and glorious work is going on until, in a little + while, you will not find one of them, unless it is some old petrifaction + of the red-stone period, who will admit that he ever believed in the + Trinity, in the Atonement, or in the doctrine of Eternal Agony. The + religion preached in the pulpits does not satisfy the intellect of + America, and if Dr. Thomas wishes to know why people go to hear infidelity + it is this: Because they are not satisfied with the orthodox Christianity + of the day. That is the reason. They are beginning to hold it in contempt. + </p> + <p> + But this gentleman imagines that I am insincere because I attacked certain + doctrines of the Bible. I attacked the doctrine of eternal pain. I hold it + in infinite and utter abhorrence. And if there be a God in this universe + who made a hell; if there be a God in this universe who denies to any + human being the right of reformation, then that God is not good, that God + is not just, and the future of man is infinitely dark. I despise that + doctrine, and I have done what little I could to get that horror from the + cradle, that horror from the hearts of mothers, that horror from the + hearts of husbands and fathers, and sons, and brothers, and sisters. It is + a doctrine that turns to ashes all the humanities of life and all the + hopes of mankind. I despise it. + </p> + <p> + And the gentleman also charges that I am wanting in reverence. I admit + here to-day that I have no reverence for a falsehood. I do not care how + old it is, and I do not care who told it, whether the men were inspired or + not. I have no reverence for what I believe to be false, and in + determining what is false I go by my reason. And whenever another man + gives me an argument I examine it. If it is good I follow it. If it is bad + I throw it away. I have no reverence for any book that upholds human + slavery. I despise such a book. I have no reverence for any book that + upholds or palliates the infamous institution of polygamy. I have no + reverence for any book that tells a husband to kill his wife if she + differs with him upon the subject of religion. I have no reverence for any + book that defends wars of conquest and extermination. I have no reverence + for a God that orders his legions to slay the old and helpless, and to + whet the edge of the sword with the blood of mothers and babes. I have no + reverence for such a book; neither have I any reverence for the author of + that book. No matter whether he be God or man, I have no reverence. I have + no reverence for the miracles of the Bible. I have no reverence for the + story that God allowed bears to tear children in pieces. I have no + reverence for the miraculous, but I have reverence for the truth, for + justice, for charity, for humanity, for intellectual liberty, and for + human progress. + </p> + <p> + I have the right to do my own thinking. I am going to do it. I have never + met any minister that I thought had brain enough to think for himself and + for me too. I do my own. I have no reverence for barbarism, no matter how + ancient it may be, and no reverence for the savagery of the Old Testament; + no reverence for the malice of the New. And let me tell you here to-night + that the Old Testament is a thousand times better than the New. The Old + Testament threatened no vengeance beyond the grave. God was satisfied when + his enemy was? dead. It was reserved for the New Testament—it was + reserved for universal benevolence—to rend the veil between time and + eternity and fix the horrified gaze of man upon the abyss of hell. The New + Testament is just as much worse than the Old, as hell is worse than sleep. + And yet it is the fashion to say that the Old Testament is bad and that + the New Testament is good. I have no reverence for any book that teaches a + doctrine contrary to my reason; no reverence for any book that teaches a + doctrine contrary to my heart; and, no matter how old it is, no matter how + many have believed it, no matter how many have died on account of it, no + matter how many live for it, I have no reverence for that book, and I am + glad of it. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Thomas seems to think that I should approach these things with + infinite care, that I should not attack slavery, or polygamy, or religious + persecution, but that I should "mildly suggest"—mildly,—should + not hurt anybody's feelings. When I go to church the ministers tell me I + am going to hell. When I meet one I tell him, "There is no hell," and he + says: "What do you want to hurt our feelings for?" He wishes me mildly to + suggest that the sun and moon did not stop, that may be the bears only + frightened the children, and that, after all, Lot's wife was only scared. + Why, there was a minister in this city of Chicago who imagined that his + congregation were progressive, and, in his pulpit, he said that he did not + believe the story of Lot's wife—said that he did not think that any + sensible man would believe that a woman was changed into salt; and they + tried him, and the congregation thought he was entirely too fresh. And + finally he went before that church and admitted that he was mistaken, and + owned up to the chloride of sodium, and said: "I not only take the Bible + <i>cum grano salis</i>, but with a whole barrelful." + </p> + <p> + My doctrine is, if you do not believe a thing, say so, say so; no need of + going away around the bush and suggesting may be, perhaps, possibly, + peradventure. That is the ministerial way, but I do not like it. + </p> + <p> + I am also charged with making an onslaught upon the good as well as the + bad. I say here today that never in my life have I said one word against + honesty, one word against liberty, one word against charity, one word + against any institution that is good. I attack the bad, not the good, and + I would like to have some minister point out in some lecture or speech + that I have delivered, one word against the good, against the highest + happiness of the human race. + </p> + <p> + I have said all I was able to say in favor of justice, in favor of + liberty, in favor of home, in favor of wife and children, in favor of + progress, and in favor of universal kindness; but not one word in favor of + the bad, and I never expect to. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Thomas also attacks my statement that the brain thinks in spite of us. + </p> + <p> + Doesn't it? Can any man tell what he is going to think to-morrow? You see, + you hear, you taste, you feel, you smell—these are the avenues by + which Nature approaches the brain, the consequence of this is thought, and + you cannot by any possibility help thinking. + </p> + <p> + Neither can you determine what you will think. These impressions are made + independently of your will. "But," says this reverend doctor, "Whence + comes this conception of space?" I can tell him. There is such a thing as + matter. We conceive that matter occupies room—space—and, in + our minds, space is simply the opposite of matter. And it comes naturally—not + supernaturally. + </p> + <p> + Does the gentleman contend there had to be a revelation of God for us to + conceive of a place where there is nothing? We know there is something. We + can think of the opposite of something, and therefore we say space. "But," + says this gentleman, "Where do we get the idea of good and bad?" I can + tell him; no trouble about that. Every man has the capacity to enjoy and + the capacity to suffer—every man. Whenever a man enjoys himself he + calls that good; whenever he suffers he calls that bad. The animals that + are useful to him he calls good; the poisonous, the hurtful, he calls bad. + The vegetables that he can eat and use he calls good; those that are of no + use except to choke the growth of the good ones, he calls bad. When the + sun shines, when everything in nature is out that ministers to him, he + says "this is good;" when the storm comes and blows down his hut, when the + frost comes and lays down his crop, he says "this is bad." And all + phenomena that affect men well he calls good; all that affect him ill he + calls bad. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, the foundation of the idea of right and wrong is the effect in + nature that we are capable of enjoying or capable of suffering. That is + the foundation of conscience; and if man could not suffer, if man could + not enjoy, we never would have dreamed of the word conscience; and the + words right and wrong never could have passed human lips. There are no + supernatural fields. We get our ideas from experience—some of them + from our forefathers, many from experience. A man works—food does + not come of itself. A man works to raise it, and, after he has worked in + the sun and heat, do you think it is necessary that he should have a + revelation from heaven before he thinks that he has a better right to it + than the man who did not work? And yet, according to these gentlemen, we + never would have known it was wrong to steal had not the Ten Commandments + been given from Mount Sinai. + </p> + <p> + You go into a savage country where they never heard of the Bible, and let + a man hunt all day for game, and finally get one little bird, and the + hungry man that staid at home endeavor to take it from him, and you would + see whether he would need a direct revelation from God in order to make up + his mind who had the better right to that bird. Our ideas of right and + wrong are born of our surroundings, and if a man will think for a moment + he will see it. But they deny that the mind thinks in spite of us. I heard + a story of a man who said, "No man can think of one thing a minute, he + will think of something else." Well, there was a little Methodist + preacher. He said he could think of a thing a minute—that he could + say the Lord's Prayer and never think of another thing. "Well," said the + man, "I'll tell you what I will do. There is the best road-horse in the + country. I will give you that horse if you will just say the Lord's + Prayer, and not think of another thing." And the little fellow shut up his + eyes: "Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom + come, Thy will be done—I suppose you will throw in the saddle and + bridle?" + </p> + <p> + I have always insisted, and I shall always insist, until I find some fact + in Nature correcting the statement, that Nature sows the seeds of thought—that + every brain is a kind of field where the seeds are sown, and that some are + very poor, and some are very barren, and some are very rich. That is my + opinion. + </p> + <p> + Again he asks: "If one is not responsible for his thought, why is any one + blamed for thinking as he does?" It is not a question of blame, it is a + question of who is right—a question of who is wrong. Admit that + every one thinks exactly as he must, that does not show that his thought + is right; that does not show that his thought is the highest thought. + Admit that every piece of land in the world produces what it must; that + does not prove that the land covered with barren rocks and a little moss + is just as good as the land covered with wheat or corn; neither does it + prove that the mind has to act as the wheat or the corn; neither does it + prove that the land had any choice as to what it would produce. I hold men + responsible not for their thoughts; I hold men responsible for their + actions. And I have said a thousand times: Physical liberty is this—the + right to do anything that does not interfere with another—in other + words, to act right; and intellectual liberty is this—the right to + think right, and the right to think wrong, provided you do your best to + think right. I have always said it, and I expect to say it always. + </p> + <p> + The reverend gentleman is also afflicted with the gradual theory. I + believe in that theory. + </p> + <p> + If you will leave out inspiration, if you will leave out the direct + interference of an infinite God, the gradual theory is right. It is a + theory of evolution. + </p> + <p> + I admit that astronomy has been born of astrology, that chemistry came + from the black art; and I also contend that religion will be lost in + science. I believe in evolution. I believe in the budding of the seed, the + shining of the sun, the dropping of the rain; I believe in the spreading + and the growing; and that is as true in every other department of the + world as it is in vegetation. I believe it; but that does not account for + the Bible doctrine. We are told we have a book absolutely inspired, and it + will not do to say God gradually grows. If he is infinite now, he knows as + much as he ever will. If he has been always infinite, he knew as much at + the time he wrote the Bible as he knows to-day; and, consequently, + whatever he said then must be as true now as it was then. You see they mix + up now a little bit of philosophy with religion—a little bit of + science with the shreds and patches of the supernatural. + </p> + <p> + Hear this: I said in my lecture the other day that all the clergymen in + the world could not get one drop of rain out of the sky. I insist on it. + All the prayers on earth cannot produce one drop of rain. I also said all + the clergymen of the world could not save one human life. They tried it + last year. They tried it in the United States. The Christian world upon + its knees implored God to save one life, and the man died. The man died! + Had the man recovered the whole church would have claimed that it was in + answer to prayer. The man having died, what does the church say now? What + is the answer to this? The Rev. Dr. Thomas says: "There is prayer and + there is rain." Good. "Can he that is himself or any one else say there is + no possible relation between one and the other?" I do. Let us put it + another way. There is rain and there is infidelity; can any one say there + is no possible relation between the two? How does Dr. Thomas know that he + is not indebted to me for this year's crops? And yet this gentleman really + throws out the idea that there is some possible relation between prayer + and rain, between rain and health; and he tells us that he would have died + twenty-five years ago had it not been for prayer. I doubt it. Prayer is + not a medicine. Life depends upon certain facts—not upon prayer. All + the prayer in the world cannot take the place of the circulation of the + blood. All the prayer in the world is no substitute for digestion. All the + prayer in the world cannot take the place of food; and whenever a man + lives by prayer you will find that he eats considerable besides. It will + not do. Again: This reverend Doctor says: "Shall we say that all the love + of the unseen world"—how does he know there is any love in the + unseen world? "and the love of God"—how does he know there is any + love in God? "heed not the cries and tears of earth?" + </p> + <p> + I do not know; but let the gentleman read the history of religious + persecution. Let him read the history of those who were put in dungeons, + of those who lifted their chained hands to God and mingled prayer with the + clank of fetters; men that were in the dungeons simply for loving this + God, simply for worshiping this God. And what did God do? Nothing. The + chains remained upon the limbs of his worshipers. They remained in the + dungeons built by theology, by malice, and hatred; and what did God do? + Nothing. Thousands of men were taken from their homes, fagots were piled + around their bodies; they were consumed to ashes, and what did God do? + Nothing. The sword of extermination was unsheathed, hundreds and thousands + of men, women and children perished. Women lifted their hands to God and + implored him to protect their children, their daughters; and what did God + do? + </p> + <p> + Nothing. Whole races were enslaved, and the cruel lash was put upon the + naked back of toil. What did God do? Nothing. Children were sold from the + arms of mothers. All the sweet humanities of life were trodden beneath the + brutal foot of creed; and what did God do? Nothing. Human beings, his + children, were tracked through swamps by bloodhounds; and what did God do? + Nothing. Wild storms sweep over the earth and the shipwrecked go down in + the billows; and what does God do? Nothing. There come plague and + pestilence and famine. What does God do? Thousands and thousands perish. + Little children die upon the withered breasts of mothers; and what does + God do? Nothing. + </p> + <p> + What evidence has Dr. Thomas that the cries and tears of man have ever + touched the heart of God? Let us be honest. I appeal to the history of the + world; I appeal to the tears, and blood, and agony, and imprisonment, and + death of hundreds and millions of the bravest and best. Have they ever + touched the heart of the Infinite? Has the hand of help ever been reached + from heaven? I do not know; but I do not believe it. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Thomas tells me that is orthodox Christianity. What right has he to + tell what is orthodox Christianity? He is a heretic. He had too much brain + to remain in the Methodist pulpit. He had a doubt—and a doubt is + born of an idea. And his doctrine has been declared by his own church to + be unorthodox. They have passed on his case and they have found him + unconstitutional. What right has he to state what is orthodox? And here is + what he says: "Christianity"—orthodox Christianity I suppose he + means—"teaches, concerning the future world, that rewards and + punishments are carried over from time to eternity; that the principles of + the government of God are the same there as here; that character, and not + profession determines destiny; and that Humboldt, and Dickens, and all + others who have gone and shall go to that world shall receive their just + rewards; that souls will always be in the place in which for the time, be + it now or a million years hence, they are fitted. That is what + Christianity teaches." + </p> + <p> + If it does, never will I have another word to say against Christianity. It + never has taught it. Christianity—orthodox Christianity—teaches + that when you draw your last breath you have lost the last opportunity for + reformation. Christianity teaches that this little world is the eternal + line between time and eternity, and if you do not get religion in this + life, you will be eternally damned in the next. That is Christianity. They + say: "Now is the accepted time." If you put it off until you die, that is + too late; and the doctrine of the Christian world is that there is no + opportunity for reformation in another world. The doctrine of orthodox + Christianity is that you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ here in + this life, and it will not do to believe on him in the next world. You + must believe on him here and that if you fail here, God in his infinite + wisdom will never give you another chance. That is orthodox Christianity; + and according to orthodox Christianity, the greatest, the best and the + sublimest of the world are now in hell. And why is it that they say it is + not orthodox Christianity? I have made them ashamed of their doctrine. + When I called to their attention the fact that such men as Darwin, such + men as Emerson, Dickens, Longfellow, Laplace, Shakespeare, and Humboldt, + were in hell, it struck them all at once that the company in heaven would + not be very interesting with such men left out. + </p> + <p> + And now they begin to say: "We think the Lord will give those men another + chance." I have succeeded in my mission beyond my most sanguine + expectations. I have made orthodox ministers deny their creeds; I have + made them ashamed of their doctrine—and that is glory enough. They + will let me in, a few years after I am dead. I admit that the doctrine + that God will treat us as we treat others—I admit that is taught by + Matthew, Mark, and Luke; but it is not taught by the Orthodox church. I + want that understood. I admit also that Dr. Thomas is not orthodox, and + that he was driven out of the church because he thought God too good to + damn men forever without giving them the slightest chance. Why, the + Catholic Church is a thousand times better than your Protestant Church + upon that question. The Catholic Church believes in purgatory—that + is, a place where a fellow can get a chance to make a motion for a new + trial. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Thomas, all I ask of you is to tell all that you think. Tell your + congregation whether you believe the Bible was written by divine + inspiration. Have the courage and the grandeur to tell your people + whether, in your judgment, God ever upheld slavery. + </p> + <p> + Do not shrink. Do not shirk. Tell your people whether God ever upheld + polygamy. Do not shrink. Tell them whether God was ever in favor of + religious persecution. Stand right to it. Then tell your people whether + you honestly believe that a good man can suffer for a bad one and the bad + one get the credit. Be honor bright. Tell what you really think and there + will not be as much difference between you and myself as you imagine. + </p> + <p> + The next gentleman, I believe, is the Rev. Dr. Lorimer. He comes to the + rescue, and I have an idea of his mental capacity from the fact that he is + a Baptist. He believes that the infinite God has a choice as to the manner + in which a man or babe shall be dampened. This gentleman regards modern + infidelity as "pitifully shallow" as to its intellectual conceptions and + as to its philosophical views of the universe and of the problems + regarding man's place in it and of his destiny. "Pitifully shallow!" + </p> + <p> + What is the modern conception of the universe? The modern conception is + that the universe always has been and forever will be. The modern + conception of the universe is that it embraces within its infinite arms + all matter, all spirit, all forms of force, all that is, all that has + been, all that can be. That is the modern conception of this universe. And + this is called "pitiful." + </p> + <p> + What is the Christian conception? It is that all the matter in the + universe is dead, inert, and that back of it is a Jewish Jehovah who made + it, and who is now engaged in managing the affairs of this world. And they + even go so far as to say that that Being made experiments in which he + signally failed. That Being made man and woman and put them in a garden + and allowed them to become totally depraved. That Being of infinite wisdom + made hundreds and millions of people when he knew he would have to drown + them. That Being peopled a planet like this with men, women and children, + knowing that he would have to consign most of them to eternal fire. That + is a pitiful conception of the universe. That is an infamous conception of + the universe. Give me rather the conception of Spinoza, the conception of + Humboldt, of Darwin, of Huxley, of Tyndall and of every other man who has + thought. I love to think of the whole universe together as one eternal + fact. I love to think that everything is alive; that crystallization is + itself a step toward joy. I love to think that when a bud bursts into + blossom it feels a thrill. I love to have the universe full of feeling and + full of joy, and not full of simple dead, inert matter, managed by an old + bachelor for all eternity. + </p> + <p> + Another thing to which this gentleman objects is that I propose to banish + such awful thoughts as the mystery of our origin and our relations to the + present and to the possible future from human thought. + </p> + <p> + I have never said so. Never. I have said, One world at a time. Why? Do not + make yourself miserable about another. Why? Because I do not know anything + about it, and it may be good. So do not worry. That is all. Y or do not + know where you are going to land. It may be the happy port of heaven. Wait + until you get there. It will be time enough to make trouble then. This is + what I have said. I have said that the golden bridge of life from gloom + emerges, and on shadow rests. I do not know. I admit it. Life is a shadowy + strange and winding road on which we travel for a few short steps, just a + little way from the cradle with its lullaby of love, to the low and quiet + wayside inn where all at last must sleep, and where the only salutation is + "Good-Night!" Whether there is a good morning I do not know, but I am + willing to wait. + </p> + <p> + Let us think these high and splendid thoughts. Let us build palaces for + the future, but do not let us spend time making dungeons for men who + happen to differ from us. I am willing to take the conceptions of Humboldt + and Darwin, of Haeckel and Spinoza, and I am willing to compare their + splendid conceptions with the doctrine embraced in the Baptist creed. This + gentleman has his ideas upon a variety of questions, and he tells me that, + "No one has a right to say that Dickens, Longfellow, and Darwin are + castaways!" Why not? They were not Christians. They did not believe in the + Lord Jesus Christ. They did not believe in the inspiration of the + Scriptures. And, if orthodox religion be true, they are castaways. But he + says: "No one has the right to say that orthodoxy condemns to perdition + any man who has struggled toward the right, and who has tried to bless the + earth he is raised on." That is what I say, but that is not what orthodoxy + says. Orthodoxy says that the best man in the world, if he fails to + believe in the existence of God, or in the divinity of Christ, will be + eternally lost. Does it not say it? Is there an orthodox minister in this + town now who will stand up and say that an honest atheist can be saved? He + will not. Let any preacher say it, and he will be tried for heresy. + </p> + <p> + I will tell you what orthodoxy is. A man goes to the day of judgment, and + they cross-examine him, and they say to him: + </p> + <p> + "Did you believe the Bible?" + </p> + <p> + "No." + </p> + <p> + "Did you belong to the church?" + </p> + <p> + "No." + </p> + <p> + "Did you take care of your wife and children?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes?" + </p> + <p> + "Pay your debts?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Love your country?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Love the whole world?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Never made anybody unhappy?" + </p> + <p> + "Not that I know of. If there is any man or woman that I ever wronged let + them stand up and say so. That is the kind of man I am; but," said he, "I + did not believe the Bible. I did not believe in the divinity of Jesus + Christ, and, to tell you the truth, I did not believe in the existence of + God. I now find I was mistaken; but that was my doctrine." Now, I want to + know what, according to the orthodox church, is done with that man? + </p> + <p> + He is sent to hell. + </p> + <p> + That is their doctrine. + </p> + <p> + Then the next fellow comes. He says: + </p> + <p> + "Where did you come from?" + </p> + <p> + And he looks off kind of stiffly, with his head on one side and he says: + </p> + <p> + "I came from the gallows. I was just hung." + </p> + <p> + "What were you hung for?" + </p> + <p> + "Murdering my wife. She wasn't a Christian either, she got left. The day I + was hung I was washed in the blood of the Lamb." + </p> + <p> + That is Christianity. And they say to him: "Come in! Let the band play!" + </p> + <p> + That is orthodox Christianity. Every man that is hanged—there is a + minister there, and the minister tells him he is all right. All he has to + do is just to believe on the Lord. + </p> + <p> + Another objection this gentleman has, and that is that I am scurrilous. + Scurrilous! And the gentleman, in order to show that he is not scurrilous, + calls infidels, "donkeys, serpents, buzzards." That is simply to show that + he is not scurrilous. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Lorimer is also of the opinion that the mind thinks independently of + the will; and I propose to prove by him that it does. He is the last man + in the world to controvert that doctrine—the last man. In spite of + himself his mind absorbed the sermon of another man, and he repeated it as + his own. I am satisfied he is an honest man; consequently his mind acted + independently of his will, and he furnishes the strongest evidence in + favor of my position that it is possible to conceive. I am infinitely + obliged to him for the testimony he has unconsciously offered. + </p> + <p> + He also takes the ground that infidelity debases a man and renders him + unfit for the discharge of the highest duties pertaining to life, and that + we show the greatest shallowness when we endeavor to overthrow Calvinism. + What is Calvinism? It is the doctrine that an infinite God made millions + of people, knowing that they would be damned. I have answered that a + thousand times. I answer it again. No God has a right to make a mistake, + and then damn the mistake. No God has a right to make a failure, and a man + who is to be eternally damned is not a conspicuous success. No God has a + right to make an investment that will not finally pay a dividend. + </p> + <p> + The world is getting better, and the ministers, all your life and all + mine, have been crying out from the pulpit that we are all going wrong, + that immorality was stalking through the land, that crime was about to + engulf the world, and yet, in spite of all their prophecies, the world has + steadily grown better, and there is more justice, more charity, more + kindness, more goodness, and more liberty in the world to-day than ever + before. And there is more infidelity in the world to-day than ever before. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0013" id="link0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A REPLY TO REV. JOHN HALL AND WARNER VAN NORDEN. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The attention of the Morning Advertiser readers was, in the + issue of February 27th, called to two sets of facts + transpiring contemporaneously in this city. One was the + starving condition of four hundred cloakmakers who had + struck because they could not live on reduced wages. + Arbitration had failed; two hundred of the number, seeing + starvation staring them in the face, were forced to give up + the fight, and the remaining number continued to do battle + for higher wages + + While these cloakmakers were in the extremity of + destitution, millionaires were engaged in subscribing to a + fund "for the extension of the church." The extension + committee, received at the home of Jay Gould, had met with + such signal success as to cause comment throughout the city. + The host subscribed ten thousand dollars, his daughter + twenty-five hundred and the assembled guests sums ranging + between five hundred and one thousand. The Morning + Advertiser made inquiry as to whether any of the money + contributed for the extension of the church would find its + way into the pockets of the hungry cloakmakers. + + Dr. John Hall said he did not have time to discuss the + matter of aiding the needy poor, as there were so many other + things that demanded his immediate attention. + + Mr. Warner Van Norden, Treasurer of the Church Extension + Committee, was seen at his office in the North American + Bank, of which institution he is President. + + He took the view that the cloakmakers had brought their + trouble upon themselves, and it was not the duty of the + charitable to extend to them direct aid. + + Generally speaking, he was not in favor of helping the poor + and needy of the city, save in the way employed by the + church. + + "The experience of centuries, said he, "teaches us that the + giving of alms to the poor only encourage them in their + idleness and their crimes. The duty of the church is to save + men's a souls, and to minister to their bodies incidentally. + + "It is best to teach people to rely upon their own + resources. If the poor felt that they could get material + help, they would want it always. In these days if a man or + woman can't get along it's their own fault. There is my + typewriter. She was brought up in a tenement house. Now she + gets two dollars a day, and dresses better than did the + lords and ladies of other times. You'll find that where + people are poor, it's their own fault. + + "After all, happiness does not lie in the enjoyment of + material things—it is the soul that makes life worth + living. You should come to our Working Girls' Club and see + this fact illustrated. There you will see girls who have + been working all day, singing hymns and following the leader + in prayer." + + Don't you think there are many worthy poor in this city who + need material help?" was asked. + + "No, sir; I do not," said Mr. Van Norden. "If a man or woman + wants money, they should work for It." + + "But is employment always to be had?" + + "I think it is by Americans. You'll find that most of the + people out of work are those who are not adapted to the + conditions of this country. +</pre> + <p> + Colonel Robert Ingersoll was asked what he thought of such philosophy.—New + York Morning Advertiser, March 10,1892. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you read the article in the Morning Advertiser + entitled "Workers Starving"? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I have read it, and was greatly surprised at the answers + made to the reporter of the Advertiser. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the remarks of the Rev. John Hall + and by Mr. Warner Van Norden, Treasurer of the "Church Extension + Committee"? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> My opinion is that Dr. Hall must have answered under some + irritation, or that the reporter did not happen to take down all he said. + It hardly seems probable that Dr. Hall should have said that he had no + time to discuss the matter of aiding the needy poor, giving as a reason + that there were so many other things that demanded his immediate + attention. The church is always insisting that it is, above all things, a + charitable institution; that it collects and distributes many millions + every year for the relief of the needy, and it is always quoting: "Sell + that thou hast and give to the poor." It is hard to imagine anything of + more importance than to relieve the needy, or to succor the oppressed. Of + course, I know that the church itself produces nothing, and that it lives + on contributions; but its claim is that it receives from those who are + able to give, and gives to those who are in urgent need. + </p> + <p> + I have sometimes thought, that the most uncharitable thing in the world is + an organized charity. It seems to have the peculiarities of a corporation, + and becomes as soulless as its kindred. To use a very old phrase, it + generally acts like "a beggar on horseback." + </p> + <p> + Probably Dr. Hall, in fact, does a great deal for the poor, and I imagine + that he must have been irritated or annoyed when he made the answer + attributed to him in the <i>Advertiser</i>. The good Samaritan may have + been in a hurry, but he said nothing about it. The Levites that passed by + on the other side seemed to have had other business. Understand me, I am + saying nothing against Dr. Hall, but it does seem to me that there are few + other matters more important than assisting our needy fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Mr. Warner Van Norden's sentiments + as expressed to the reporter? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> In the first place, I think he is entirely mistaken. I do + not think the cloakmakers brought their trouble upon themselves. The wages + they receive were and are insufficient to support reasonable human beings. + They work for almost nothing, and it is hard for me to understand why they + live at all, when life is so expensive and death so cheap. All they can + possibly do is to earn enough one day to buy food to enable them to work + the next. Life with them is a perpetual struggle. They live on the edge of + death. Under their feet they must feel the side of the grave crumbling, + and thus they go through, day by day, month by month, year by year. They + are, I presume, sustained by a hope that is never realized. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Norden says that he is not in favor of helping the poor and needy + of the city, save in the way employed by the church, and that the + experience of centuries teaches us that the giving of alms to the poor + only encourages them in their idleness and their crimes. + </p> + <p> + Is Mr. Van Norden ready to take the ground that when Christ said: "Sell + that thou hast and give to the poor," he intended to encourage idleness + and crime? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that when it was said, "It is better to give than to + receive," the real meaning was, It is better to encourage idleness and + crime than to receive assistance? + </p> + <p> + For instance, a man falls into the water. Why should one standing on the + shore attempt to rescue him? Could he not properly say: "If all who fall + into the water are rescued, it will only encourage people to fall into the + water; it will make sailors careless, and persons who stand on wharves, + will care very little whether they fall in or not. Therefore, in order to + make people careful who have not fallen into the water, let those in the + water drown." In other words, why should anybody be assisted, if + assistance encourages carelessness, or idleness, or negligence? + </p> + <p> + According to Mr. Van Norden, charity is out of place in this world, + kindness is a mistake, and hospitality springs from a lack of philosophy. + In other words, all should take the consequences of their acts, not only, + but the consequences of the acts of others. + </p> + <p> + If I knew this doctrine to be true, I should still insist that men should + be charitable on their own account. A man without pity, no matter how + intelligent he may be, is at best only an intellectual beast, and if by + withholding all assistance we could finally people the world with those + who are actually self-supporting, we would have a population without + sympathy, without charity—that is to say, without goodness. In my + judgment, it would be far better that none should exist. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Norden takes the ground that the duty of the church is to save + men's souls, and to minister to their bodies incidentally. I think that + conditions have a vast deal to do with morality and goodness. If you wish + to change the conduct of your fellow-men, the first thing to do is to + change their conditions, their surroundings; in other words, to help them + to help themselves—help them to get away from bad influences, away + from the darkness of ignorance, away from the temptations of poverty and + want, not only into the light intellectually, but into the climate of + prosperity. It is useless to give a hungry man a religious tract, and it + is almost useless to preach morality to those who are so situated that the + necessity of the present, the hunger of the moment, overrides every other + consideration. There is a vast deal of sophistry in hunger, and a good + deal of persuasion in necessity. + </p> + <p> + Prosperity is apt to make men selfish. They imagine that because they have + succeeded, others and all others, might or may succeed. If any man will go + over his own life honestly, he will find that he has not always succeeded + because he was good, or that he has always failed because he was bad. He + will find that many things happened with which he had nothing to do, for + his benefit, and that, after all is said and done, he cannot account for + all of his successes by his absolute goodness. So, if a man will think of + all the bad things he has done—of all the bad things he wanted to do—of + all the bad things he would have done had he had the chance, and had he + known that detection was impossible, he will find but little foundation + for egotism. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you say to this language of Mr. Van Norden. "It + is best to teach people to rely upon their own resources. If the poor felt + that they could get material help they would want it always, and in this + day, if a man and woman cannot get along, it is their own fault"? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> All I can say is that I do not agree with him. Often there + are many more men in a certain trade than there is work for such men. + Often great factories shut down, leaving many thousands out of employment. + You may say that it was the fault of these men that they learned that + trade; that they might have known it would be overcrowded; so you may say + it was the fault of the capitalist to start a factory in that particular + line, because he should have known that it was to be overdone. + </p> + <p> + As no man can look very far into the future, the truth is it was nobody's + fault, and without fault thousands and thousands are thrown out of + employment. Competition is so sharp, wages are so small, that to be out of + employment for a few weeks means want. You cannot say that this is the + fault of the man who wants bread. He certainly did not wish to go hungry; + neither did he deliberately plan a failure. He did the best he could. + There are plenty of bankers who fail in business, not because they wish to + fail; so there are plenty of professional men who cannot make a living, + yet it may not be their fault; and there are others who get rich, and it + may not be by reason of their virtues. + </p> + <p> + Without doubt, there are many people in the city of New York who cannot + make a living. Competition is too sharp; life is too complex; consequently + the percentage of failures is large. In savage life there are few + failures, but in civilized life there are many. There are many thousands + out of work and out of food in Berlin to-day. It can hardly be said to be + their fault. So there are many thousands in London, and every other great + city of the world. You cannot account for all this want by saying that the + people who want are entirely to blame. + </p> + <p> + A man gets rich, and he is often egotistic enough to think that his wealth + was the result of his own unaided efforts; and he is sometimes heartless + enough to say that others should get rich by following his example. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Norden states that he has a typewriter who gets two dollars a day, + and that she dresses better than the lords and ladies did of olden times. + He must refer to the times of the Garden of Eden. Out of two dollars a day + one must live, and there is very little left for gorgeous robes. I hardly + think a lady is to be envied because she receives two dollars a day, and + the probability is that the manner in which she dresses on that sum—having + first deducted the expenses of living—is not calculated to excite + envy. + </p> + <p> + The philosophy of Mr. Van Norden seems to be concentrated into this line: + "Where people are poor it is their own fault." Of course this is the death + of all charity. + </p> + <p> + We are then informed by this gentleman that "happiness does not lie in the + enjoyment of material things—that it is the soul that makes life + worth living." + </p> + <p> + Is it the soul without pity that makes life worth living? Is it the soul + in which the blossom of charity has never shed its perfume that makes life + so desirable? Is it the soul, having all material things, wrapped in the + robes of prosperity, and that says to all the poor: It is your own fault; + die of hunger if you must—that makes life worth living? + </p> + <p> + It may be asked whether it is worth while for such a soul to live. + </p> + <p> + If this is the philosophy of Mr. Van Norden, I do not wish to visit his + working girls' club, or to "hear girls who have been working all day + singing hymns and following the leader in prayer." Why should a soul + without pity pray? Why should any one ask God to be merciful to the poor + if he is not merciful himself? For my own part, I would rather see poor + people eat than to hear them pray. I would rather see them clothed + comfortably than to see them shivering, and at the same time hear them + sing hymns. + </p> + <p> + It does not seem possible that any man can say that there are no worthy + poor in this city who need material help. Neither does it seem possible + that any man can say to one who is starving that if he wants money he must + work for it. There are hundreds and thousands in this city willing to work + who can find no employment. There are good and pure women standing between + their children and starvation, living in rooms worse than cells in + penitentiaries—giving their own lives to their children—hundreds + and hundreds of martyrs bearing the cross of every suffering, worthy of + the reverence and love of mankind. So there are men wandering about these + streets in search of work, willing to do anything to feed the ones they + love. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Norden has not done himself justice. I do not believe that he + expresses his real sentiments. But, after all, why should we expect + charity in a church that believes in the dogma of eternal pain? Why cannot + the rich be happy here in their palaces, while the poor suffer and starve + in huts, when these same rich expect to enjoy heaven forever, with all the + unbelievers in hell? Why should the agony of time interfere with their + happiness, when the agonies of eternity will not and cannot affect their + joy? But I have nothing against Dr. John Hall or Mr. Van Norden—only + against their ideas. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0014" id="link0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A REPLY TO THE REV. DR. PLUMB. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Boston, 1898. +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Last Sunday the Rev. Dr. Plumb paid some attention to the + lecture which you delivered here on the 23rd of October. Have you read a + report of it, and what have you to say? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> Dr. Plumb attacks not only myself, but the Rev. Mr. Mills. + I do not know the position that Mr. Mills takes, but from what Dr. Plumb + says, I suppose that he has mingled a little philosophy with his religion + and some science with his superstition. Dr. Plumb appears to have + successfully avoided both. His manners do not appear to me to be of the + best. Why should he call an opponent coarse and blasphemous, simply + because he does not happen to believe as he does? Is it blasphemous to say + that this "poor" world never was visited by a Redeemer from Heaven, a + majestic being—unique—peculiar—who "trod the sea and + hushed the storm and raised the dead"? Why does Dr. Plumb call this world + a "poor" world? According to his creed, it was created by infinite wisdom, + infinite goodness and infinite power. How dare he call the work of such a + being "poor"? + </p> + <p> + Is it not blasphemous for a Boston minister to denounce the work of the + Infinite and say to God that he made a "poor" world? If I believed this + world had been made by an infinitely wise and good Being, I should + certainly insist that this is not a poor world, but, on the contrary, a + perfect world. I would insist that everything that happens is for the + best. Whether it looks wise or foolish to us, I would insist that the + fault we thought we saw, lies in us and not in the infinitely wise and + benevolent Creator. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Plumb may love God, but he certainly regards him as a poor mechanic + and a failure as a manufacturer. There Dr. Plumb, like all religious + preachers, takes several things for granted; things that have not been + established by evidence, and things which in their nature cannot be + established. + </p> + <p> + He tells us that this poor world was visited by a mighty Redeemer from + Heaven. How does he know? Does he know where heaven is? Does he know that + any such place exists? Is he perfectly sure that an infinite God would be + foolish enough to make people who needed a redeemer? + </p> + <p> + He also says that this Being "trod the sea, hushed the storm and raised + the dead." Is there any evidence that this Being trod the sea? Any more + evidence than that Venus rose from the foam of the ocean? Any evidence + that he hushed the storm any more than there is that the storm comes from + the cave of �?olus? Is there any evidence that he raised the dead? + How would it be possible to prove that the dead were raised? How could we + prove such a thing if it happened now? Who would believe the evidence? As + a matter of fact, the witnesses themselves would not believe and could not + believe until raising of the dead became so general as to be regarded as + natural. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Plumb knows, if he knows anything, that gospel gossip is the only + evidence he has, or anybody has, that Christ trod the sea, hushed the + storm and raised the dead. He also knows, if he knows anything, that these + stories were not written until Christ himself had been dead for at least + four generations. He knows also that these accounts were written at a time + when the belief in miracles was almost universal, and when everything that + actually happened was regarded of no particular importance, and only the + things that did not happen were carefully written out with all the + details. + </p> + <p> + So Dr. Plumb says that this man who hushed the storm "spake as never man + spake." Did the Doctor ever read Zeno? Zeno, who denounced human slavery + many years before Christ was born? Did he ever read Epicurus, one of the + greatest of the Greeks? Has he read anything from Buddha? Has he read the + dialogues between Arjuna and Krishna? If he has, he knows that every great + and splendid utterance of Christ was uttered centuries before he lived. + Did he ever read Lao-tsze? If he did—and this man lived many + centuries before the coming of our Lord—he knows that Lao-tsze said + "we should render benefits for injuries. We should love our enemies, and + we should not resist evil." So it will hardly do now to say that Christ + spake as never man spake, because he repeated the very things that other + men had said. + </p> + <p> + So he says that I am endeavoring to carry people back to a dimly groping + Socrates or a vague Confucius. Did Dr. Plumb ever read Confucius? Only a + little while ago a book was published by Mr. For-long showing the origin + of the principal religion and the creeds that have been taught. In this + book you will find the cream of Buddha, of Christ, of Zoroaster, and you + will also find a few pages devoted to the philosophy of Confucius; and + after you have read the others, then read what Confucius says, and you + will find that his philosophy rises like a monolith touching the clouds, + while the creeds and sayings of the others appear like heaps of stone or + piles of rubbish. The reason of this is that Confucius was not simply a + sentimentalist. He was not controlled entirely by feeling, but he had + intelligence—a great brain in which burned the torch of reason. Read + Confucius, and you will think that he must have known the sciences of + to-day; that is to say, the conclusions that have been reached by modern + thinkers. It could have been easily said of Confucius in his day that he + spake as never man had spoken, and it may be that after you read him you + will change your mind just a little as to the wisdom and the intelligence + contained in many of the sayings of our Lord. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Plumb charges that Mr. Mills is trying to reconstruct theology. + Whether he is right in this charge I do not know, but I do know that I am + not trying to reconstruct theology. I am endeavoring to destroy it. I have + no more confidence in theology than I have in astrology or in the black + art. Theology is a science that exists wholly independent of facts, and + that reaches conclusions without the assistance of evidence. It also + scorns experience and does what little it can to do away with thought. + </p> + <p> + I make a very great distinction between theology and real religion. I can + conceive of no religion except usefulness. Now, here we are, men and women + in this world, and we have certain faculties, certain senses. There are + things that we can ascertain, and by developing our brain we can avoid + mistakes, keep a few thorns out of our feet, a few thistles out of our + hands, a few diseases from our flesh. In my judgment, we should use all + our senses, gathering information from every possible quarter, and this + information should be only used for the purpose of ascertaining the facts, + for finding out the conditions of well-being, to the end that we may add + to the happiness of ourselves and fellows. + </p> + <p> + In other words, I believe in intellectual veracity and also in mental + hospitality. To me reason is the final arbiter, and when I say reason, I + mean my reason. It may be a very poor light, the flame small and + flickering, but, after all, it is the only light I have, and never with my + consent shall any preacher blow it out. + </p> + <p> + Now, Dr. Plumb thinks that I am trying to despoil my fellow-men of their + greatest inheritance; that is to say, divine Christ. Why do you call + Christ good? Is it because he was merciful? Then why do you put him above + mercy? Why do you call Christ good? Is it because he was just? Why do you + put him before justice? Suppose it should turn out that no such person as + Christ ever lived. What harm would that do justice or mercy? Wouldn't the + tear of pity be as pure as now, and wouldn't justice, holding aloft her + scales, from which she blows even the dust of prejudice, be as noble, as + admirable as now? Is it not better to love, justice and mercy than to love + a name, and when you put a name above justice, above mercy, are you sure + that you are benefiting your fellow-men? + </p> + <p> + If Dr. Plumb wanted to answer me, why did he not take my argument instead + of my motive? Why did he not point out my weakness instead of telling the + consequences that would follow from my action? We have nothing to do with + the consequences. I said that to believe without evidence, or in spite of + evidence, was superstition. If that definition is correct, Dr. Plumb is a + superstitious man, because he believes at least without evidence. What + evidence has he that Christ was God? In the nature of things, how could he + have evidence? The only evidence he pretends to have is the dream of + Joseph, and he does not know that Joseph ever dreamed the dream, because + Joseph did not write an account of his dream, so that Dr. Plumb has only + hearsay for the dream, and the dream is the foundation of his creed. + </p> + <p> + Now, when I say that that is superstition, Dr. Plumb charges me with being + a burglar—a coarse, blasphemous burglar—who wishes to rob + somebody of some great blessing. Dr. Plumb would not hesitate to tell a + Mohammedan that Mohammed was an impostor. He would tell a Mormon in Utah + that Joseph Smith was a vulgar liar and that Brigham Young was no better. + In other words, if in Turkey, he would be a coarse and blasphemous + burglar, and he would follow the same profession in Utah. So probably he + would tell the Chinese that Confucius was an ignorant wretch and that + their religion was idiotic, and the Chinese priest would denounce Dr. + Plumb as a very coarse and blasphemous burglar, and Dr. Plumb would be + perfectly astonished that a priest could be so low, so impudent and + malicious. + </p> + <p> + Of course my wonder is not excited. I have become used to it. + </p> + <p> + If Dr. Plumb would think, if he would exercise his imagination a little + and put himself in the place of others, he would think, in all + probability, better things of his opponents. I do not know Dr. Plumb, and + yet I have no doubt that he is a good and sincere man; a little + superstitious, superficial, and possibly, mingled with his many virtues, + there may be a little righteous malice. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Mills used to believe as Dr. Plumb does now, and I suppose he + has changed for reasons that were sufficient for him. So I believe him to + be an honest, conscientious man, and so far as I am concerned, I have no + objection to Mr. Mills doing what little he can to get all the churches to + act together. He may never succeed, but I am not responsible for that. + </p> + <p> + So I have no objection to Dr. Plumb preaching what he believes to be the + gospel. I admit that he is honest when he says that an infinitely good God + made a poor world; that he made man and woman and put them in the Garden + of Eden, and that this same God before that time had manufactured a devil, + and that when he manufactured this devil, he knew that he would corrupt + the man and woman that he had determined to make; that he could have + defeated the devil, but that for a wise purpose, he allowed his Satanic + Majesty to succeed; that at the time he allowed him to succeed, he knew + that in consequence of his success that he (God) in about fifteen or + sixteen hundred years would be compelled to drown the whole world with the + exception of eight people. These eight people he kept for seed. At the + time he kept them for seed, he knew that they were totally depraved, that + they were saturated with the sin of Adam and Eve, and that their children + would be their natural heirs. He also knew at the time he allowed the + devil to succeed, that he (God), some four thousand years afterward, would + be compelled to be born in Palestine as a babe, to learn the carpenter's + trade, and to go about the country for three years preaching to the people + and discussing with the rabbis of his chosen people, and he also knew that + these chosen people—these people who had been governed and educated + by him, to whom he had sent a multitude of prophets, would at that time be + so savage that they would crucify him, although he would be at that time + the only sinless being who had ever stood upon the earth. This he knew + would be the effect of his government, of his education of his chosen + people. He also knew at the time he allowed the devil to succeed, that in + consequence of that success a vast majority of the human race would become + eternal convicts in the prison of hell. + </p> + <p> + All this he knew, and yet Dr. Plumb insists that he was and is infinitely + wise, infinitely powerful and infinitely good. What would this God have + done if he had lacked wisdom, or power, or goodness? + </p> + <p> + Of all the religions that man has produced, of all the creeds of savagery, + there is none more perfectly absurd than Christianity. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0015" id="link0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A REPLY TO THE NEW YORK CLERGY ON SUPERSTITION. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * New York Journal, 1898. An Interview. +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you followed the controversy, or rather, the + interest manifested in the letters to the <i>Journal</i> which have + followed your lecture of Sunday, and what do you think of them? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer.</i> I have read the letters and reports that have been + published in the <i>Journal</i>. Some of them seem to be very sincere, + some not quite honest, and some a little of both. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Robert S. MacArthur takes the ground that very many Christians do + not believe in a personal devil, but are still Christians. He states that + they hold that the references in the New Testament to the devil are simply + to personifications of evil, and do not apply to any personal existence. + He says that he could give the names of a number of pastors who hold such + views. He does not state what his view is. Consequently, I do not know + whether he is a believer in a personal devil or not. + </p> + <p> + The statement that the references in the New Testament to a devil are + simply to personifications of evil, not applying to any personal + existence, seems to me utterly absurd. + </p> + <p> + The references to devils in the New Testament are certainly as good and + satisfactory as the references to angels. Now, are the angels referred to + in the New Testament simply personifications of good, and are there no + such personal existences? If devils are only personifications of evil, how + is it that these personifications of evil could hold arguments with Jesus + Christ? How could they talk back? How could they publicly acknowledge the + divinity of Christ? As a matter of fact, the best evidences of Christ's + divinity in the New Testament are the declarations of devils. These devils + were supposed to be acquainted with supernatural things, and consequently + knew a God when they saw one, whereas the average Jew, not having been a + citizen of the celestial world, was unable to recognize a deity when he + met him. + </p> + <p> + Now, these personifications of evil, as Dr. Mac-Arthur calls them, were of + various kinds. Some of them were dumb, while others could talk, and Christ + said, speaking of the dumb devils, that they were very difficult to expel + from the bodies of men; that it required fasting and prayer to get them + out. Now, did Christ mean that these dumb devils did not exist? That they + were only "personifications of evil"? + </p> + <p> + Now, we are also told in the New Testament that Christ was tempted by the + devil; that is, by a "personification of evil," and that this + personification took him to the pinnacle of the temple and tried to induce + him to jump off. Now, where did this personification of evil come from? + Was it an actual existence? Dr. MacArthur says that it may not have been. + Then it did not come from the outside of Christ. If it existed it came + from the inside of Christ, so that, according to MacArthur, Christ was the + creator of his own devil. + </p> + <p> + I do not know that I have a right to say that this is Dr. MacArthur's + opinion, as he has wisely refrained from giving his opinion. I hope some + time he will tell us whether he really believes in a devil or not, or + whether he thinks all allusions and references to devils in the New + Testament can be explained away by calling the devils "personifications of + evil." Then, of course, he will tell us whether it was a "personification + of evil" that offered Christ all the kingdoms of the world, and whether + Christ expelled seven "personifications of evil" from Mary Magdalene, and + how did they come to count these "personifications of evil"? If the + devils, after all, are only "personifications of evil," then, of course, + they cannot be numbered. They are all one. There may be different + manifestations, but, in fact, there can be but one, and yet Mary Magdalene + had seven. + </p> + <p> + Dr. MacArthur states that I put up a man of straw, and then vigorously + beat him down. Now, the question is, do I attack a man of straw? I take it + for granted that Christians to some extent, at least, believe in their + creeds. I suppose they regard the Bible as the inspired word of God; that + they believe in the fall of man, in the atonement, in salvation by faith, + in the resurrection and ascension of Christ. I take it for granted that + they believe these things. Of course, the only evidence I have is what + they say. Possibly that cannot be depended upon. They may be dealing only + in the "personification of truth." + </p> + <p> + When I charge the orthodox Christians with believing these things, I am + told that I am far behind the religious thinking of the hour, but after + all, this "man of straw" is quite powerful. Prof. Briggs attacked this + "man of straw," and the straw man turned on him and put him out. A + preacher by the name of Smith, a teacher in some seminary out in Ohio, + challenged this "man of straw," and the straw man put him out. + </p> + <p> + Both these reverend gentlemen were defeated by the straw man, and if the + Rev. Dr. MacArthur will explain to his congregation, I mean only explain + what he calls the "religious thinking of the hour," the "straw man" will + put him out too. + </p> + <p> + Dr. MacArthur finds fault with me because I put into the minds of + representative thinkers of to-day the opinions of medieval monks, which + leading religious teachers long ago discarded. Will Dr. MacArthur have the + goodness to point out one opinion that I have put into the minds of + representative thinkers—that is, of orthodox thinkers—that any + orthodox religious teacher of to-day has discarded? Will he have the + kindness to give just one? + </p> + <p> + In my lecture on "Superstition" I did say that to deny the existence of + evil spirits, or to deny the existence of the devil, is to deny the truth + of the New Testament; and that to deny the existence of these imps of + darkness is to contradict the words of Jesus Christ. I did say that if we + give up the belief in devils we must give up the inspiration of the Old + and New Testaments, and we must give up the divinity of Christ. Upon that + declaration I stand, because if devils do not exist, then Jesus Christ was + mistaken, or we have not in the New Testament a true account of what he + said and of what he pretended to do. If the New Testament gives a true + account of his words and pretended actions, then he did claim to cast out + devils. That was his principal business. That was his certificate of + divinity, casting out devils. That authenticated his mission and proved + that he was superior to the hosts of darkness. + </p> + <p> + Now, take the devil out of the New Testament, and you also take the + veracity of Christ; with that veracity you take the divinity; with that + divinity you take the atonement, and when you take the atonement, the + great fabric known as Christianity becomes a shapeless ruin. + </p> + <p> + Now, let Dr. Mac Arthur answer this, and answer it not like a minister, + but like a man. Ministers are unconsciously a little unfair. They have a + little tendency to what might be called a natural crook. They become + spiritual when they ought to be candid. They become a little ingenious and + pious when they ought to be frank; and when really driven into a corner, + they clasp their hands, they look upward, and they cry "<i>Blasphemy!</i>" + I do not mean by this that they are dishonest. I simply mean that they are + illogical. + </p> + <p> + Dr. MacArthur tells us also that Spain is not a representative of + progressive religious teachers. I admit that. There are no progressive + religious teachers in Spain, and right here let me make a remark. If + religion rests on an inspired revelation, it is incapable of progress. It + may be said that year after year we get to understand it better, but if it + is not understood when given, why is it called a "revelation"? There is no + progress in the multiplication table. Some men are better mathematicians + than others, but the old multiplication table remains the same. So there + can be no progress in a revelation from God. + </p> + <p> + Now, Spain—and that is the great mistake, the great misfortune—has + remained orthodox. That is to say, the Spaniards have been true to their + superstition. Of course the Rev. Dr. MacArthur will not admit that + Catholicism is Christianity, and I suppose that the pope would hardly + admit that a Baptist is a very successful Christian. The trouble with + Spain is, and the trouble with the Baptist Church is, that neither of them + has progressed to any great extent. + </p> + <p> + Now, in my judgment, what is called religion must grow better as man grows + better, simply because it was produced by man and the better man is, the + nearer civilized he is, the better, the nearer civilized, will be what he + calls his religion; and if the Baptist religion has progressed, it is a + demonstration that it was not originally founded on a revelation from God. + </p> + <p> + In my lecture I stated that we had no right to make any distinction + between the actions of infinite wisdom and goodness, and that if God + created and governs this world we ought to thank him, if we thanked him at + all, for all that happens; that we should thank him just as heartily for + famine and cyclone as for sunshine and harvest, and that if President + McKinley thanked God for the victory at Santiago, he also should have + thanked him for sending the yellow fever. + </p> + <p> + I stand by these words. A finite being has no right to make any + distinction between the actions of the infinitely good and wise. If God + governs this world, then everything that happens is the very best that + could happen. When A murders B, the best thing that could happen to A is + to be a murderer and the best thing that could have happened to B was to + be murdered. There is no escape from this if the world is governed by + infinite wisdom and goodness. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to try and dodge by saying that man is free. This God who + made man and made him free knew exactly how he would use his freedom, and + consequently this God cannot escape the responsibility for the actions of + men. He made them. He knew exactly what they would do. He is responsible. + </p> + <p> + If I could turn a piece of wood into a human being, and I knew that he + would murder a man, who is the real murderer? But if Dr. MacArthur would + think as much as he preaches, he would come much nearer agreeing with me. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Dr. J. Lewis Parks is very sorry that he cannot discuss + Ingersoll's address, because to do so would be dignifying Ingersoll. Of + course I deeply regret the refusal of Dr. J. Lewis Parks to discuss the + address. I dislike to be compelled to go to the end of my life without + being dignified. At the same time I will forgive the Rev. Dr. J. Lewis + Parks for not answering me, because I know that he cannot. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Dr. Moldehnke, whose name seems chiefly made of consonants, + denounces me as a scoffer and as illogical, and says that Christianity is + not founded upon the devil, but upon Christ. He further says that we do + not believe in such a thing as a devil in human form, but we know that + there is evil, and that evil we call the devil. He hides his head under + the same leaf with Dr. MacArthur by calling the devil evil. + </p> + <p> + Now, is this gentleman willing to say that all the allusions to the devil + in the Old and New Testaments can be harmonized with the idea that the + devil is simply a personification of evil? Can he say this and say it + honestly? + </p> + <p> + But the Rev. Dr. Moldehnke, I think, seems to be consistent; seems to go + along with the logic of his creed. He says that the yellow fever, if it + visited our soldiers, came from God, and that we should thank God for it. + He does not say the soldiers should thank God for it, or that those who + had it should thank God for it, but that we should thank God for it, and + there is this wonderful thing about Christianity. It enables us to bear + with great fortitude, with a kind of sublime patience, the misfortunes of + others. + </p> + <p> + He says that this yellow fever works out God's purposes. Of course I am + not as well acquainted with the Deity as the Rev. Moldehnke appears to be. + I have not the faintest idea of what God's purposes are. He works, even + according to his messengers, in such a mysterious way, that with the + little reason I have I find it impossible to follow him. Why God should + have any purpose that could be worked out with yellow fever, or cholera, + or why he should ever ask the assistance of tapeworms, or go in + partnership with cancers, or take in the plague as an assistant, I have + never been able to understand. I do not pretend to know. I admit my + ignorance, and after all, the Rev. Dr. Moldehnke may be right. It may be + that everything that happens is for the best. At the same time, I do not + believe it. + </p> + <p> + There is a little old story on this subject that throws some light on the + workings of the average orthodox mind. + </p> + <p> + One morning the son of an old farmer came in and said to his father, "One + of the ewe lambs is dead." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said the father; "that is all for the best. Twins never do very + well, any how." + </p> + <p> + The next morning the son reported the death of the other lamb, and the old + man said, "Well, that is all for the best; the old ewe will have more + wool." + </p> + <p> + The next morning the son said, "The old ewe is dead." + </p> + <p> + "Well," replied the old man; "that may be for the best, but I don't see it + this morning." + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Hamlin has the goodness to say that my influence is on the + wane. This is an admission that I have some, for which I am greatly + obliged to him. He further states that all my arguments are easily + refuted, but fails to refute them on the ground that such refutation might + be an advertisement for me. + </p> + <p> + Now, if Mr. Hamlin would think a little, he would see that there are some + things in the lecture on "Superstition" worth the while even of a + Methodist minister to answer. + </p> + <p> + Does Mr. Hamlin believe in the existence of the devil? If he does, will he + Have the goodness to say who created the devil? He may say that God + created him, as he is the creator of all. Then I ask Mr. Hamlin this + question: Why did God create a successful rival? When God created the + devil, did he not know at that time that he was to make this world? That + he was to create Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden, and did + he not know that this devil would tempt this Adam and Eve? That in + consequence of that they would fall? That in consequence of that he would + have to drown all their descendants except eight? That in consequence of + that he himself would have to be born into this world as a Judean peasant? + That he would have to be crucified and suffer for the sins of these people + who had been misled by this devil that he deliberately created, and that + after all he would be able only to save a few Methodists? + </p> + <p> + Will the Rev. Mr. Hamlin have the goodness to answer this? He can answer + it as mildly as he pleases, so that in any event it will be no + advertisement for him. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. F. J. Belcher pays me a great compliment, for which I now + return my thanks. He has the goodness to say, "Ingersoll in many respects + is like Voltaire." I think no finer compliment has been paid me by any + gentleman occupying a pulpit, for many years, and again I thank the Rev. + Mr. Belcher. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. W. D. Buchanan, does not seem to be quite fair. He says that + every utterance of mine impresses men with my insincerity, and that every + argument I bring forward is specious, and that I spend my time in ringing + the changes on arguments that have been answered over and over again for + hundreds of years. + </p> + <p> + Now, Dr. Buchanan should remember that he ought not to attack motives; + that you cannot answer an argument by vilifying the man who makes it. You + must answer not the man, but the argument. + </p> + <p> + Another thing this reverend gentleman should remember, and that is that no + argument is old until it has been answered. An argument that has not been + answered, although it has been put forward for many centuries, is still as + fresh as a flower with the dew on its breast. It never is old until it has + been answered. + </p> + <p> + It is well enough for this gentleman to say that these arguments have been + answered, and if they have and he knows that they have, of course it will + be but a little trouble to him to repeat these answers. + </p> + <p> + Now, my dear Dr. Buchanan, I wish to ask you some questions. Do you + believe in a personal devil? Do you believe that the bodies of men and + women become tenements for little imps and goblins and demons? Do you + believe that the devil used to lead men and women astray? Do you believe + the stories about devils that you find in the Old and New Testaments? + </p> + <p> + Now, do not tell me that these questions have been answered long ago. + Answer them now. And if you say the devil does exist, that he is a person, + that he is an enemy of God, then let me ask you another question: Why + should this devil punish souls in hell for rebelling against God? Why + should the devil, who is an enemy of God, help punish God's enemies? This + may have been answered many times, but one more repetition will do but + little harm. + </p> + <p> + Another thing: Do you believe in the eternity of punishment? Do you + believe that God is the keeper of an eternal prison, the doors of which + open only to receive sinners, and do you believe that eternal punishment + is the highest expression of justice and mercy? + </p> + <p> + If you had the power to change a stone into a human being, and you knew + that that human being would be a sinner and finally go to hell and suffer + eternal torture, would you not leave it stone? And if, knowing this, you + changed the stone into a man, would you not be a fiend? Now, answer this + fairly. I want nothing spiritual; nothing with the Presbyterian flavor; + just good, honest talk, and tell us how that is. + </p> + <p> + I say to you that if there is a place of eternal torment or misery for any + of the children of men—I say to you that your God is a wild beast, + an insane fiend, whom I abhor and despise with every drop of my blood. + </p> + <p> + At the same time you may say whether you are up, according to Dr. Mac + Arthur, with the religious thinking of the hour. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. J. W. Campbell I rather like. He appears to be absolutely + sincere. He is orthodox—true blue. He believes in a devil; in an + acting, thinking devil, and a clever devil. Of course he does not think + this devil is as stout as God, but he is quicker; not quite as wise, but a + little more cunning. + </p> + <p> + According to Mr. Campbell, the devil is the bunco steerer of the universe—king + of the green goods men; but, after all, Mr. Campbell will not admit that + if this devil does not exist the Christian creeds all crumble, but I think + he will admit that if the devil does not exist, then Christ was mistaken, + or that the writers of the New Testament did not truthfully give us his + utterances. + </p> + <p> + Now, if Christ was mistaken about the existence of the devil, may be he + was mistaken about the existence of God. In other words, if Christ made a + mistake, then he was ignorant. Then we cannot say he was divine, although + ignorance has generally believed in divinity. So I do not see exactly how + Mr. Campbell can say that if the devil does not exist the Christian creeds + do not crumble, and when I say Christian creeds I mean orthodox creeds. Is + there any orthodox Christian creed without the devil in it? + </p> + <p> + Now, if we throw away the devil we throw away original sin, the fall of + man, and we throw away the atonement. Of this arch the devil is the + keystone. Remove him, the arch falls. + </p> + <p> + Now, how can you say that an orthodox Christian creed remains intact + without crumbling when original sin, the fall of man, the atonement and + the existence of the devil are all thrown aside? + </p> + <p> + Of course if you mean by Christianity, acting like Christ, being good, + forgiving, that is another matter, but that is not Christianity. Orthodox + Christians say that a man must believe on Christ, must have faith, and + that to act as Christ did, is not enough; that a man who acts exactly as + Christ did, dying without faith, would go to hell. So when Mr. Campbell + speaks of a Christian, I suppose he means an orthodox Christian. + </p> + <p> + Now, Dr. Campbell not only knows that the devil exists, but he knows a + good deal about him. He knows that he can assume every conceivable + disguise or shape; that he can go about like a roaring lion; that at + another time he is a god of this world; on another occasion a dragon, and + in the afternoon of the same day may be Lucifer, an angel of light, and + all the time, I guess, a prince of lies. So he often assumes the disguise + of the serpent. + </p> + <p> + So the Doctor thinks that when the devil invited Christ into the + wilderness to tempt him, that he adopted some disguise that made him more + than usually attractive. Does the Doctor think that Christ could not see + through the disguise? Was it possible for the devil with a mask to fool + God, his creator? Was it possible for the devil to tempt Christ by + offering him the kingdoms of the earth when they already belonged to + Christ, and when Christ knew that the devil had no title, and when the + devil knew that Christ knew that he had no title, and when the devil knew + that Christ knew that he was the devil, and when the devil knew that he + was Christ? Does the reverend gentleman still think that it was the + disguise of the devil that tempted Christ? + </p> + <p> + I would like some of these questions answered, because I have a very + inquiring mind. + </p> + <p> + So Mr. Campbell tells us—and it is very good and comforting of him—that + there is a time coming when the devil shall deceive the nations no more. + He also tells us that God is more powerful than the devil, and that he is + going to put an end to him. + </p> + <p> + Will Mr. Campbell have the goodness to tell me why God made the devil? If + he is going to put an end to him why did he start him? Was it not a waste + of raw material to make him? Was it not unfair to let this devil, so + powerful, so cunning, so attractive, into the Garden of Eden, and put Adam + and Eve, who were then scarcely half dry, within his power, and not only + Adam and Eve within his power, but their descendants, so that the slime of + the serpent has been on every babe, and so that, in consequence of what + happened in the Garden of Eden, flames will surround countless millions in + the presence of the most merciful God? + </p> + <p> + Now, it may be that the Rev. Dr. Campbell can explain all these things. He + may not care to do it for my benefit, but let him think of his own + congregation; of the lambs he is protecting from the wolves of doubt and + thought. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Henry Frank appears to be a man of exceedingly good sense; one + who thinks for himself, and who has the courage of his convictions. Of + course I am sorry that he does not agree with me, but I have become used + to that, and so I thank him for the truths he utters. + </p> + <p> + He does not believe in the existence of a personal devil, and I guess by + following him up we would find that he did not believe in the existence of + a personal God, or in the inspiration of the Scriptures. In fact, he tells + us that he has given up the infallibility of the Bible. At the same time, + he says it is the most perfect compendium of religious and moral thought. + In that I think he is a little mistaken. There is a vast deal of + irreligion in the Bible, and there is a good deal of immoral thought in + the Bible; but I agree with him that it is neither inspired nor + infallible. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. E. C. J. Kraeling, pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church, declares + that those who do not believe in a personal God do not believe in a + personal Satan, and <i>vice versa</i>. The one, he says, necessitates the + other. In this I do not think he is quite correct. I think many people + believe in a personal God who do not believe in a personal devil, but I + know of none who do believe in a personal devil who do not also believe in + a personal God. The orthodox generally believe in both of them, and for + many centuries Christians spoke with great respect of the devil. They were + afraid of him. + </p> + <p> + But I agree with the Rev. Mr. Kraeling when he says that to deny a + personal Satan is to deny the infallibility of God's word. I agree with + this because I suppose by "God's word" he means the Bible. + </p> + <p> + He further says, and I agree with him, that a "Christian" needs no + scientific argument on which to base his belief in the personality of + Satan. That certainly is true, and if a Christian does need a scientific + argument it is equally true that he never will have one. + </p> + <p> + You see this word "Science" means something that somebody knows; not + something that somebody guesses, or wishes, or hopes, or believes, but + something that somebody knows. + </p> + <p> + Of course there cannot be any scientific argument proving the existence of + the devil. At the same time I admit, as the Rev. Mr. Kraeling says, and I + thank him for his candor, that the Bible does prove the existence of the + devil from Genesis to the. Apocalypse, and I do agree with him that the + "revealed word" teaches the existence of a personal devil, and that all + truly orthodox Christians believe that there is a personal devil, and the + Rev. Mr. Kraeling proves this by the fall of man, and he proves that + without this devil there could be no redemption for the evil spirits; so + he brings forward the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. At the same + time that Mr. Kraeling agrees with me as to what the Bible says, he + insists that I bring no arguments, that I blaspheme, and then he drops + into humor and says that if any further arguments are needed to prove the + existence of the devil, that I furnish them. + </p> + <p> + How a man believing the creed of the orthodox Mr. Kraeling can have + anything like a sense of humor is beyond even my imagination. + </p> + <p> + Now, I want to ask Mr. Kraeling a few questions, and I will ask him the + same questions that I ask all orthodox people in my lecture on + "Superstition." + </p> + <p> + Now, Mr. Kraeling believes that this world was created by a being of + infinite wisdom, power and goodness, and that the world he created has + been governed by him. + </p> + <p> + Now, let me ask the reverend gentleman a few plain questions, with the + request that he answer them without mist or mystery. If you, Mr. Kraeling, + had the power to make a world, would you make an exact copy of this? Would + you make a man and woman, put them in a garden, knowing that they would be + deceived, knowing that they would fall? Knowing that all the consequences + believed in by orthodox Christians would follow from that fall? Would you + do it? And would you make your world so as to provide for earthquakes and + cyclones? Would you create the seeds of disease and scatter them in the + air and water? Would you so arrange matters as to produce cancers? Would + you provide for plague and pestilence? Would you so make your world that + life should feed on life, that the quivering flesh should be torn by tooth + and beak and claw? Would you? + </p> + <p> + Now, answer fairly. Do not quote Scripture; just answer, and be honest. + </p> + <p> + Would you make different races of men? Would you make them of different + colors, and would you so make them that they would persecute and enslave + each other? Would you so arrange matters that millions and millions should + toil through many generations, paid only by the lash on the back? Would + you have it so that millions and millions of babes would be sold from the + breasts of mothers? Be honest, would you provide for religious + persecution? For the invention and use of instruments of torture? Would + you see to it that the rack was not forgotten, and that the fagot was not + overlooked or unlighted? Would you make a world in which the wrong would + triumph? Would you make a world in which innocence would not be a shield? + Would you make a world where the best would be loaded with chains? Where + the best would die in the darkness of dungeons? Where the best would make + scaffolds sacred with their blood? + </p> + <p> + Would you make a world where hypocrisy and cunning and fraud should + represent God, and where meanness would suck the blood of honest + credulity? + </p> + <p> + Would you provide for the settlement of all difficulties by war? Would you + so make your world that the weak would bear the burdens, so that woman + would be a slave, so that children would be trampled upon as though they + were poisonous reptiles? Would you fill the woods with wild beasts? Would + you make a few volcanoes to overwhelm your children? Would you provide for + earthquakes that would swallow them? Would you make them ignorant, savage, + and fill their minds with all the phantoms of horror? Would you? + </p> + <p> + Now, it will only take you a few moments to answer these questions, and if + you say you would, then I shall be satisfied that you believe in the + orthodox God, and that you are as bad as he. If you say you would not, I + will admit that there is a little dawn of intelligence in your brain. + </p> + <p> + At the same time I want it understood with regard to all these ministers + that I am a friend of theirs. I am trying to civilize their congregations, + so that the congregations may allow the ministers to develop, to grow, to + become really and truly intelligent. The process is slow, but it is sure. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. +7 (of 12), by Robert G. 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Ingersoll, by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 8 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 8 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Interviews + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38808] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + "HAPPINESS IS THE ONLY GOOD, REASON THE ONLY<br /> TORCH, JUSTICE THE ONLY + WORSHIP, HUMANITY THE<br /> ONLY RELIGION, AND LOVE THE ONLY PRIEST."<br /> + </h4> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + IN TWELVE VOLUMES, VOLUME VIII. + </h3> + <h3> + INTERVIEWS + </h3> + <h3> + 1900 + </h3> + <h3> + Dresden Edition + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38808/old/orig38808-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage (62K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="frontispiece (64K)" src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> "<i>With daughters' babes upon his knees, the white hair mingling + with the gold</i>."</h4> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">INTERVIEWS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">THE BIBLE AND A FUTURE LIFE</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">MRS. VAN COTT, THE REVIVALIST</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">EUROPEAN TRIP AND GREENBACK QUESTION</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">THE PRE-MILLENNIAL CONFERENCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">THE SOLID SOUTH AND RESUMPTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">THE SUNDAY LAWS OF PITTSBURG.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">POLITICS AND GEN. GRANT</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">POLITICS, RELIGION AND THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">REPLY TO CHICAGO CRITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">THE REPUBLICAN VICTORY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">INGERSOLL AND BEECHER.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">POLITICAL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0015">RELIGION IN POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0016">MIRACLES AND IMMORTALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0017">THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0018">MR. BEECHER, MOSES AND THE NEGRO.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0019">HADES, DELAWARE AND FREETHOUGHT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0020">A REPLY TO THE REV. MR. LANSING.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0021">BEACONSFIELD, LENT AND REVIVALS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0022">ANSWERING THE NEW YORK MINISTERS.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0023">GUITEAU AND HIS CRIME.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0024">DISTRICT SUFFRAGE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0025">FUNERAL OF JOHN G. MILLS AND IMMORTALITY.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0026">STAR ROUTE AND POLITICS.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0027">THE INTERVIEWER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0028">POLITICS AND PROHIBITION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0029">THE REPUBLICAN DEFEAT IN OHIO.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0030">THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0031">JUSTICE HARLAN AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0032">POLITICS AND THEOLOGY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0033">MORALITY AND IMMORTALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0034">POLITICS, MORMONISM AND MR. BEECHER</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0035">FREE TRADE AND CHRISTIANITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0036">THE OATH QUESTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0037">WENDELL PHILLIPS, FITZ JOHN PORTER AND BISMARCK.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0038">GENERAL SUBJECTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0039">REPLY TO KANSAS CITY CLERGY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0040">SWEARING AND AFFIRMING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0041">REPLY TO A BUFFALO CRITIC.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0042">BLASPHEMY.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0043">POLITICS AND BRITISH COLUMBIA.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0044">INGERSOLL CATECHISED.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0045">BLAINE'S DEFEAT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0046">BLAINE'S DEFEAT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0047">PLAGIARISM AND POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0048">RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0049">CLEVELAND AND HIS CABINET.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0050">RELIGION, PROHIBITION, AND GEN. GRANT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0051">HELL OR SHEOL AND OTHER SUBJECTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0052">INTERVIEWING, POLITICS AND SPIRITUALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0053">MY BELIEF.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0054">SOME LIVE TOPICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0055">THE PRESIDENT AND SENATE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0056">ATHEISM AND CITIZENSHIP.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0057">THE LABOR QUESTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0058">RAILROADS AND POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0059">PROHIBITION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0060">HENRY GEORGE AND LABOR.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0061">LABOR QUESTION AND SOCIALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0062">HENRY GEORGE AND SOCIALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0063">REPLY TO THE REV. B. F. MORSE.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0064">INGERSOLL ON McGLYNN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0065">TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO ANARCHISTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0066">THE STAGE AND THE PULPIT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0067">ROSCOE CONKLING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0068">THE CHURCH AND THE STAGE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0069">PROTECTION AND FREE TRADE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0070">LABOR, AND TARIFF REFORM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0071">CLEVELAND AND THURMAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0072">THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM OF 1888.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0073">JAMES G. BLAINE AND POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0074">THE MILLS BILL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0075">SOCIETY AND ITS CRIMINALS*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0076">WOMAN'S RIGHT TO DIVORCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0077">SECULARISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0078">SUMMER RECREATION—MR. GLADSTONE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0079">PROHIBITION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0080">ROBERT ELSMERE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0081">WORKING GIRLS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0082">PROTECTION FOR AMERICAN ACTORS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0083">LIBERALS AND LIBERALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0084">POPE LEO XIII.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0085">THE SACREDNESS OF THE SABBATH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0086">THE WEST AND SOUTH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0087">THE WESTMINSTER CREED AND OTHER SUBJECTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0088">SHAKESPEARE AND BACON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0089">GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY, AND PRESBYTERIANISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0090">CREEDS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0091">THE TENDENCY OF MODERN THOUGHT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0092">WOMAN SUFFRAGE, HORSE RACING, AND MONEY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0093">MISSIONARIES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0094">MY BELIEF AND UNBELIEF.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0095">MUST RELIGION GO?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0096">WORD PAINTING AND COLLEGE EDUCATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0097">PERSONAL MAGNETISM AND THE SUNDAY QUESTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0098">AUTHORS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0099">INEBRIETY.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0100">MIRACLES, THEOSOPHY AND SPIRITUALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0101">TOLSTOY AND LITERATURE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0102">WOMAN IN POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0103">SPIRITUALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0104">PLAYS AND PLAYERS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0105">WOMAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0106">STRIKES, EXPANSION AND OTHER SUBJECTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0107">SUNDAY A DAY OF PLEASURE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0108">THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0109">CLEVELAND'S HAWAIIAN POLICY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0110">ORATORS AND ORATORY.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0111">CATHOLICISM AND PROTESTANTISM. THE POPE, THE A. P. A., + AGNOSTICISM</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0112">WOMAN AND HER DOMAIN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0113">PROFESSOR SWING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0114">SENATOR SHERMAN AND HIS BOOK.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0115">REPLY TO THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0116">SPIRITUALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0117">A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0118">IS LIFE WORTH LIVING—CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND + POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0119">VIVISECTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0120">DIVORCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0121">MUSIC, NEWSPAPERS, LYNCHING AND ARBITRATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0122">A VISIT TO SHAW'S GARDEN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0123">THE VENEZUELAN BOUNDARY DISCUSSION AND THE + WHIPPING-POST.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0124">COLONEL SHEPARD'S STAGE HORSES.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0125">A REPLY TO THE REV. L. A. BANKS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0126">CUBA—ZOLA AND THEOSOPHY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0127">HOW TO BECOME AN ORATOR.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0128">JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG AND EXPANSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0129">PSYCHICAL RESEARCH AND THE BIBLE.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0130">THIS CENTURY'S GLORIES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0131">CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND THE WHIPPING-POST.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0132">EXPANSION AND TRUSTS.*</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTERVIEWS + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BIBLE AND A FUTURE LIFE + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel, are your views of religion based upon the Bible? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I regard the Bible, especially the Old Testament, the same + as I do most other ancient books, in which there is some truth, a great + deal of error, considerable barbarism and a most plentiful lack of good + sense. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you found any other work, sacred or profane, which + you regard as more reliable? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I know of no book less so, in my judgment. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You have studied the Bible attentively, have you not? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have read the Bible. I have heard it talked about a good + deal, and am sufficiently well acquainted with it to justify my own mind + in utterly rejecting all claims made for its divine origin. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you base your views upon? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. On reason, observation, experience, upon the discoveries in + science, upon observed facts and the analogies properly growing out of + such facts. I have no confidence in anything pretending to be outside, or + independent of, or in any manner above nature. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. According to your views, what disposition is made of man + after death? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Upon that subject I know nothing. It is no more wonderful + that man should live again than he now lives; upon that question I know of + no evidence. The doctrine of immortality rests upon human affection. We + love, therefore we wish to live. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Then you would not undertake to say what becomes of man + after death? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If I told or pretended to know what becomes of man after + death, I would be as dogmatic as are theologians upon this question. The + difference between them and me is, I am honest. I admit that I do not + know. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Judging by your criticism of mankind, Colonel, in your + recent lecture, you have not found his condition very satisfactory? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Nature, outside of man, so far as I know, is neither cruel + nor merciful. I am not satisfied with the present condition of the human + race, nor with the condition of man during any period of which we have any + knowledge. I believe, however, the condition of man is improved, and this + improvement is due to his own exertions. I do not make nature a being. I + do not ascribe to nature intentions. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is your theory, Colonel, the result of investigation of + the subject? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No one can control his own opinion or his own belief. My + belief was forced upon me by my surroundings. I am the product of all + circumstances that have in any way touched me. I believe in this world. I + have no confidence in any religion promising joys in another world at the + expense of liberty and happiness in this. At the same time, I wish to give + others all the rights I claim for myself. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If I asked for proofs for your theory, what would you + furnish? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The experience of every man who is honest with himself, + every fact that has been discovered in nature. In addition to these, the + utter and total failure of all religionists in all countries to produce + one particle of evidence showing the existence of any supernatural power + whatever, and the further fact that the people are not satisfied with + their religion. They are continually asking for evidence. They are asking + it in every imaginable way. The sects are continually dividing. There is + no real religious serenity in the world. All religions are opponents of + intellectual liberty. I believe in absolute mental freedom. Real religion + with me is a thing not of the head, but of the heart; not a theory, not a + creed, but a life. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What punishment, then, is inflicted upon man for his + crimes and wrongs committed in this life? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There is no such thing as intellectual crime. No man can + commit a mental crime. To become a crime it must go beyond thought. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What punishment is there for physical crime? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Such punishment as is necessary to protect society and for + the reformation of the criminal. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If there is only punishment in this world, will not some + escape punishment? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I admit that all do not seem to be punished as they + deserve. I also admit that all do not seem to be rewarded as they deserve; + and there is in this world, apparently, as great failures in matter of + reward as in matter of punishment. If there is another life, a man will be + happier there for acting according to his highest ideal in this. But I do + not discern in nature any effort to do justice. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Post</i>, Washington, D. C., 1878. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0003" id="link0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MRS. VAN COTT, THE REVIVALIST + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see, Colonel, that in an interview published this + morning, Mrs. Van Cott (the revivalist), calls you "a poor barking dog." + Do you know her personally? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have never met or seen her. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you know the reason she applied the epithet? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose it to be the natural result of what is called + vital piety; that is to say, universal love breeds individual hatred. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you intend making any reply to what she says? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have written her a note of which this is a copy: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Buffalo, Feb. 24th, 1878.</i> +MRS. VAN COTT; +</pre> + <p> + My dear Madam:—Were you constrained by the love of Christ to call a + man who has never injured you "a poor barking dog?" Did you make this + remark as a Christian, or as a lady? Did you say these words to illustrate + in some faint degree the refining influence upon women of the religion you + preach? + </p> + <p> + What would you think of me if I should retort, using your language, + changing only the sex of the last word? + </p> + <p> + I have the honor to remain, + </p> + <p> + Yours truly, + </p> + <p> + R. G. INGERSOLL + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Well, what do you think of the religious revival system + generally? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The fire that has to be blown all the time is a poor thing + to get warm by. I regard these revivals as essentially barbaric. I think + they do no good, but much harm, they make innocent people think they are + guilty, and very mean people think they are good. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion concerning women as conductors of + these revivals? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose those engaged in them think they are doing good. + They are probably honest. I think, however, that neither men nor women + should be engaged in frightening people into heaven. That is all I wish to + say on the subject, as I do not think it worth talking about. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Express</i>, Buffalo, New York, Feb., 1878. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + EUROPEAN TRIP AND GREENBACK QUESTION + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What did you do on your European trip, Colonel? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I went with my family from New York to Southampton, + England, thence to London, and from London to Edinburgh. In Scotland I + visited every place where Burns had lived, from the cottage where he was + born to the room where he died. I followed him from the cradle to the + coffin. I went to Stratford-upon-Avon for the purpose of seeing all that I + could in any way connected with Shakespeare; next to London, where we + visited again all the places of interest, and thence to Paris, where we + spent a couple of weeks in the Exposition. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. And what did you think of it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. So far as machinery—so far as the practical is + concerned, it is not equal to ours in Philadelphia; in art it is + incomparably beyond it. I was very much gratified to find so much evidence + in favor of my theory that the golden age in art is in front of us; that + mankind has been advancing, that we did not come from a perfect pair and + immediately commence to degenerate. The modern painters and sculptors are + far better and grander than the ancient. I think we excel in fine arts as + much as we do in agricultural implements. Nothing pleased me more than the + painting from Holland, because they idealized and rendered holy the + ordinary avocations of life. They paint cottages with sweet mothers and + children; they paint homes. They are not much on Ariadnes and Venuses, but + they paint good women. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What did you think of the American display? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Our part of the Exposition is good, but nothing to what is + should and might have been, but we bring home nearly as many medals as we + took things. We lead the world in machinery and in ingenious inventions, + and some of our paintings were excellent. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel, crossing the Atlantic back to America, what do + you think of the Greenback movement? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In regard to the Greenback party, in the first place, I am + not a believer in miracles. I do not believe that something can be made + out of nothing. The Government, in my judgment, cannot create money; the + Government can give its note, like an individual, and the prospect of its + being paid determines its value. We have already substantially resumed. + Every piece of property that has been shrinking has simply been resuming. + We expended during the war—not for the useful, but for the useless, + not to build up, but to destroy—at least one thousand million + dollars. The Government was an enormous purchaser; when the war ceased the + industries of the country lost their greatest customer. As a consequence + there was a surplus of production, and consequently a surplus of labor. At + last we have gotten back, and the country since the war has produced over + and above the cost of production, something near the amount that was lost + during the war. Our exports are about two hundred million dollars more + than our imports, and this is a healthy sign. There are, however, five or + six hundred thousand men, probably, out of employment; as prosperity + increases this number will decrease. I am in favor of the Government doing + something to ameliorate the condition of these men. I would like to see + constructed the Northern and Southern Pacific railroads; this would give + employment at once to many thousands, and homes after awhile to millions. + All the signs of the times to me are good. The wretched bankrupt law, at + last, is wiped from the statute books, and honest people in a short time + can get plenty of credit. This law should have been repealed years before + it was. It would have been far better to have had all who have gone into + bankruptcy during these frightful years to have done so at once. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What will be the political effect of the Greenback + movement? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The effect in Maine has been to defeat the Republican + party. I do not believe any party can permanently succeed in the United + States that does not believe in and advocate actual money. I want to see + the greenback equal with gold the world round. A money below par keeps the + people below par. No man can possibly be proud of a country that is not + willing to pay its debts. Several of the States this fall may be carried + by the Greenback party, but if I have a correct understanding of their + views, that party cannot hold any State for any great length of time. But + all the men of wealth should remember that everybody in the community has + got, in some way, to be supported. I want to see them so that they can + support themselves by their own labor. In my judgment real prosperity will + begin with actual resumption, because confidence will then return. If the + workingmen of the United States cannot make their living, cannot have the + opportunity to labor, they have got to be supported in some way, and in + any event, I want to see a liberal policy inaugurated by the Government. I + believe in improving rivers and harbors. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe the trans-continental commerce of this country should + depend on one railroad. I want new territories opened. I want to see + American steamships running to all the great ports of the world. I want to + see our flag flying on all the seas and in all the harbors. We have the + best country, and, in my judgment, the best people in the world, and we + ought to be the most prosperous nation on the earth. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Then you only consider the Greenback movement a temporary + thing? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes; I do not believe that there is anything permanent in + anything that is not sound, that has not a perfectly sound foundation, and + I mean sound, sound in every sense of that word. It must be wise and + honest. We have plenty of money; the trouble is to get it. If the + Greenbackers will pass a law furnishing all of us with collaterals, there + certainly would be no trouble about getting the money. Nothing can + demonstrate more fully the plentifulness of money than the fact that + millions of four per cent. bonds have been taken in the United States. The + trouble is, business is scarce. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But do you not think the Greenback movement will help the + Democracy to success in 1880? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the Greenback movement will injure the Republican + party much more than the Democratic party. Whether that injury will reach + as far as 1880 depends simply upon one thing. If resumption—in spite + of all the resolutions to the contrary— inaugurates an era of + prosperity, as I believe and hope it will, then it seems to me that the + Republican party will be as strong in the North as in its palmiest days. + Of course I regard most of the old issues as settled, and I make this + statement simply because I regard the financial issue as the only living + one. + </p> + <p> + Of course, I have no idea who will be the Democratic candidate, but I + suppose the South will be solid for the Democratic nominee, unless the + financial question divides that section of the country. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. With a solid South do you not think the Democratic + nominee will stand a good chance? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Certainly, he will stand the best chance if the Democracy + is right on the financial question; if it will cling to its old idea of + hard money, he will. If the Democrats will recognize that the issues of + the war are settled, then I think that party has the best chance. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But if it clings to soft money? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Then I think it will be beaten, if by soft money it means + the payment of one promise with another. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You consider Greenbackers inflationists, do you not? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose the Greenbackers to be the party of inflation. I + am in favor of inflation produced by industry. I am in favor of the + country being inflated with corn, with wheat, good houses, books, + pictures, and plenty of labor for everybody. I am in favor of being + inflated with gold and silver, but I do not believe in the inflation of + promise, expectation and speculation. I sympathize with every man who is + willing to work and cannot get it, and I sympathize to that degree that I + would like to see the fortunate and prosperous taxed to support his + unfortunate brother until labor could be found. + </p> + <p> + The Greenback party seems to think credit is just as good as gold. While + the credit lasts this is so; but the trouble is, whenever it is + ascertained that the gold is gone or cannot be produced the credit takes + wings. The bill of a perfectly solvent bank may circulate for years. Now, + because nobody demands the gold on that bill it doesn't follow that the + bill would be just as good without any gold behind it. The idea that you + can have the gold whenever you present the bill gives it its value. To + illustrate: A poor man buys soup tickets. He is not hungry at the time of + purchase, and will not be for some hours. During those hours the Greenback + gentlemen argue that there is no use of keeping any soup on hand with + which to redeem these tickets, and from this they further argue that if + they can be good for a few hours without soup, why not forever? And they + would be, only the holder gets hungry. Until he is hungry, of course, he + does not care whether any soup is on hand or not, but when he presents his + ticket he wants his soup, and the idea that he can have the soup when he + does present the ticket gives it its value. And so I regard bank notes, + without gold and silver, as of the same value as tickets without soup. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Post</i>, Washington, D. C., 1878. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PRE-MILLENNIAL CONFERENCE. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the Pre-Millennial Conference that + was held in New York City recently? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I think that all who attended it were believers in + the Bible, and any one who believes in prophecies and looks to their + fulfillment will go insane. A man that tries from Daniel's ram with three + horns and five tails and his deformed goats to ascertain the date of the + second immigration of Christ to this world is already insane. It all shows + that the moment we leave the realm of fact and law we are adrift on the + wide and shoreless sea of theological speculation. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think there will be a second coming? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No, not as long as the church is in power. Christ will + never again visit this earth until the Freethinkers have control. He will + certainly never allow another church to get hold of him. The very persons + who met in New York to fix the date of his coming would despise him and + the feeling would probably be mutual. In his day Christ was an Infidel, + and made himself unpopular by denouncing the church as it then existed. He + called them liars, hypocrites, thieves, vipers, whited sepulchres and + fools. From the description given of the church in that day, I am afraid + that should he come again, he would be provoked into using similar + language. Of course, I admit there are many good people in the church, + just as there were some good Pharisees who were opposed to the + crucifixion. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Express</i>, Buffalo, New York, Nov. 4th, 1878. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0006" id="link0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SOLID SOUTH AND RESUMPTION. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel, to start with, what do you think of the solid + South? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the South is naturally opposed to the Republican + party; more, I imagine, to the name, than to the personnel of the + organization. But the South has just as good friends in the Republican + party as in the Democratic party. I do not think there are any Republicans + who would not rejoice to see the South prosperous and happy. I know of + none, at least. They will have to get over the prejudices born of + isolation. We lack direct and constant communication. I do not recollect + having seen a newspaper from the Gulf States for a long time. They, down + there, may imagine that the feeling in the North is the same as during the + war. But it certainly is not. The Northern people are anxious to be + friendly; and if they can be, without a violation of their principles, + they will be. Whether it be true or not, however, most of the Republicans + of the North believe that no Republican in the South is heartily welcome + in that section, whether he goes there from the North, or is a Southern + man. Personally, I do not care anything about partisan politics. I want to + see every man in the United States guaranteed the right to express his + choice at the ballot-box, and I do not want social ostracism to follow a + man, no matter how he may vote. A solid South means a solid North. A + hundred thousand Democratic majority in South Carolina means fifty + thousand Republican majority in New York in 1880. I hope the sections will + never divide, simply as sections. But if the Republican party is not + allowed to live in the South, the Democratic party certainly will not be + allowed to succeed in the North. I want to treat the people of the South + precisely as though the Rebellion had never occurred. I want all that + wiped from the slate of memory, and all I ask of the Southern people is to + give the same rights to the Republicans that we are willing to give to + them and have given to them. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you account for the results of the recent + elections? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Republican party won the recent election simply because + it was for honest money, and it was in favor of resumption. And if on the + first of January next, we resume all right, and maintain resumption, I see + no reason why the Republican party should not succeed in 1880. The + Republican party came into power at the commencement of the Rebellion, and + necessarily retained power until its close; and in my judgment, it will + retain power so long as in the horizon of credit there is a cloud of + repudiation as large as a man's hand. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think resumption will work out all right? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do. I think that on the first of January the greenback + will shake hands with gold on an equality, and in a few days thereafter + will be worth just a little bit more. Everything has resumed, except the + Government. All the property has resumed, all the lands, bonds and + mortgages and stocks. All these things resumed long ago—that is to + say, they have touched the bottom. Now, there is no doubt that the party + that insists on the Government paying all its debts will hold control, and + no one will get his hand on the wheel who advocates repudiation in any + form. There is one thing we must do, though. We have got to put more + silver in our dollars. I do not think you can blame the New York banks—any + bank —for refusing to take eighty-eight cents for a dollar. Neither + can you blame any depositor who puts gold in the bank for demanding gold + in return. Yes, we must have in the silver dollar a dollar's worth of + silver. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Commercial</i>, Cincinnati, Ohio, November, 1878. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0007" id="link0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SUNDAY LAWS OF PITTSBURG.* + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel, what do you think of the course the Mayor has + pursued toward you in attempting to stop your lecture? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I know very little except what I have seen in the morning + paper. As a general rule, laws should be enforced or repealed; and so far + as I am personally concerned, I shall not so much complain of the + enforcing of the law against Sabbath breaking as of the fact that such a + law exists. We have fallen heir to these laws. They were passed by + superstition, and the enlightened people of to-day should repeal them. + Ministers should not expect to fill their churches by shutting up other + places. They can only increase their congregations by improving their + sermons. They will have more hearers when they say more worth hearing. I + have no idea that the Mayor has any prejudice against me personally and if + he only enforces the law, I shall have none against him. If my lectures + were free the ministers might have the right to object, but as I charge + one dollar admission and they nothing, they ought certainly be able to + compete with me. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Don't you think it is the duty of the Mayor, as chief + executive of the city laws, to enforce the ordinances and pay no attention + to what the statutes say? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose it to be the duty of the Mayor to enforce the + ordinance of the city and if the ordinance of the city covers the same + ground as the law of the State, a conviction under the ordinance would be + a bar to prosecution under the State law. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If the ordinance exempts scientific, literary and + historical lectures, as it is said it does, will not that exempt you? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, all my lectures are historical; that is, I speak of + many things that have happened. They are scientific because they are + filled with facts, and they are literary of course. I can conceive of no + address that is neither historical nor scientific, except sermons. They + fail to be historical because they treat of things that never happened and + they are certainly not scientific, as they contain no facts. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Suppose they arrest you what will you do? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I will examine the law and if convicted will pay the fine, + unless I think I can reverse the case by appeal. Of course I would like to + see all these foolish laws wiped from the statute books. I want the law so + that everybody can do just as he pleases on Sunday, provided he does not + interfere with the rights of others. I want the Christian, the Jew, the + Deist and the Atheist to be exactly equal before the law. I would fight + for the right of the Christian to worship God in his own way just as quick + as I would for the Atheist to enjoy music, flowers and fields. I hope to + see the time when even the poor people can hear the music of the finest + operas on Sunday. One grand opera with all its thrilling tones, will do + more good in touching and elevating the world than ten thousand sermons on + the agonies of hell. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you ever been interfered with before in delivering + Sunday lectures? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No, I postponed a lecture in Baltimore at the request of + the owners of a theatre because they were afraid some action might be + taken. That is the only case. I have delivered lectures on Sunday in the + principal cities of the United States, in New York, Boston, Buffalo, + Chicago, San Francisco, Cincinnati and many other places. I lectured here + last winter; it was on Sunday and I heard nothing of its being contrary to + law. I always supposed my lectures were good enough to be delivered on the + most sacred days. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Leader</i>, Pittsburg, Pa., October 27, 1879. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* The manager of the theatre, where Col. Ingersoll + lectured, was fined fifty dollars which Col. Ingersoll + paid.] +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0008" id="link0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think about the recent election, and what + will be its effect upon political matters and the issues and candidates of + 1880? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the Republicans have met with this almost universal + success on account, first, of the position taken by the Democracy on the + currency question; that is to say, that party was divided, and was willing + to go in partnership with anybody, whatever their doctrines might be, for + the sake of success in that particular locality. The Republican party felt + it of paramount importance not only to pay the debt, but to pay it in that + which the world regards as money. The next reason for the victory is the + position assumed by the Democracy in Congress during the called session. + The threats they then made of what they would do in the event that the + executive did not comply with their demands, showed that the spirit of the + party had not been chastened to any considerable extent by the late war. + The people of this country will not, in my judgment, allow the South to + take charge of this country until they show their ability to protect the + rights of citizens in their respective States. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Then, as you regard the victories, they are largely due + to a firm adherence to principle, and the failure of the Democratic party + is due to their abandonment of principle, and their desire to unite with + anybody and everything, at the sacrifice of principle, to attain success? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes. The Democratic party is a general desire for office + without organization. Most people are Democrats because they hate + something, most people are Republicans because they love something. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think the election has brought about any + particular change in the issues that will be involved in the campaign of + 1880? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the only issue is who shall rule the country. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think, then, the question of State Rights, hard or + soft money and other questions that have been prominent in the campaign + are practically settled, and so regarded by the people? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the money question is, absolutely. I think the + question of State Rights is dead, except that it can still be used to + defeat the Democracy. It is what might be called a convenient political + corpse. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Now, to leave the political field and go to the religious + at one jump—since your last visit here much has been said and + written and published to the effect that a great change, or a considerable + change at least, had taken place in your religious, or irreligious views. + I would like to know if that is so? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The only change that has occurred in my religious views is + the result of finding more and more arguments in favor of my position, + and, as a consequence, if there is any difference, I am stronger in my + convictions than ever before. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I would like to know something of the history of your + religious views? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I may say right here that the Christian idea that any God + can make me his friend by killing mine is about a great mistake as could + be made. They seem to have the idea that just as soon as God kills all the + people that a person loves, he will then begin to love the Lord. What drew + my attention first to these questions was the doctrine of eternal + punishment. This was so abhorrent to my mind that I began to hate the book + in which it was taught. Then, in reading law, going back to find the + origin of laws, I found one had to go but a little way before the + legislator and priest united. This led me to a study of a good many of the + religions of the world. At first I was greatly astonished to find most of + them better than ours. I then studied our own system to the best of my + ability, and found that people were palming off upon children and upon one + another as the inspired word of God a book that upheld slavery, polygamy + and almost every other crime. Whether I am right or wrong, I became + convinced that the Bible is not an inspired book; and then the only + question for me to settle was as to whether I should say what I believed + or not. This really was not the question in my mind, because, before even + thinking of such a question, I expressed my belief, and I simply claim + that right and expect to exercise it as long as I live. I may be damned + for it in the next world, but it is a great source of pleasure to me in + this. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. It is reported that you are the son of a Presbyterian + minister? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I am the son of a New School Presbyterian minister. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. About what age were you when you began this investigation + which led to your present convictions? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I cannot remember when I believed the Bible doctrine of + eternal punishment. I have a dim recollection of hating Jehovah when I was + exceedingly small. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Then your present convictions began to form themselves + while you were listening to the teachings of religion as taught by your + father? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, they did. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Did you discuss the matter with him? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I did for many years, and before he died he utterly gave up + the idea that this life is a period of probation. He utterly gave up the + idea of eternal punishment, and before he died he had the happiness of + believing that God was almost as good and generous as he was himself. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I suppose this gossip about a change in your religious + views arose or was created by the expression used at your brother's + funeral, "In the night of death hope sees a star and listening love can + hear the rustle of a wing"? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I never willingly will destroy a solitary human hope. I + have always said that I did not know whether man was or was not immortal, + but years before my brother died, in a lecture entitled "The Ghosts," + which has since been published, I used the following words: "The idea of + immortality, that like a sea has ebbed and flowed in the human heart, with + its countless waves of hope and fear, beating against the shores and rocks + of time and fate, was not born of any book, nor of any creed, nor of any + religion. It was born of human affection, and it will continue to ebb and + flow beneath the mists and clouds of doubt and darkness as long as love + kisses the lips of death. It is the rainbow—Hope, shining upon the + tears of grief." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. The great objection to your teaching urged by your + enemies is that you constantly tear down, and never build up? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have just published a little book entitled, "Some + Mistakes of Moses," in which I have endeavored to give most of the + arguments I have urged against the Pentateuch in a lecture I delivered + under that title. The motto on the title page is, "A destroyer of weeds, + thistles and thorns is a benefactor, whether he soweth grain or not." I + cannot for my life see why one should be charged with tearing down and not + rebuilding simply because he exposes a sham, or detects a lie. I do not + feel under any obligation to build something in the place of a detected + falsehood. All I think I am under obligation to put in the place of a + detected lie is the detection. Most religionists talk as if mistakes were + valuable things and they did not wish to part with them without a + consideration. Just how much they regard lies worth a dozen I do not know. + If the price is reasonable I am perfectly willing to give it, rather than + to see them live and give their lives to the defence of delusions. I am + firmly convinced that to be happy here will not in the least detract from + our happiness in another world should we be so fortunate as to reach + another world; and I cannot see the value of any philosophy that reaches + beyond the intelligent happiness of the present. There may be a God who + will make us happy in another world. If he does, it will be more than he + has accomplished in this. I suppose that he will never have more than + infinite power and never have less than infinite wisdom, and why people + should expect that he should do better in another world than he has in + this is something that I have never been able to explain. A being who has + the power to prevent it and yet who allows thousands and millions of his + children to starve; who devours them with earthquakes; who allows whole + nations to be enslaved, cannot in my judgment be implicitly be depended + upon to do justice in another world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do the clergy generally treat you? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, of course there are the same distinctions among + clergymen as among other people. Some of them are quite respectable + gentlemen, especially those with whom I am not acquainted. I think that + since the loss of my brother nothing could exceed the heartlessness of the + remarks made by the average clergyman. There have been some noble + exceptions, to whom I feel not only thankful but grateful; but a very + large majority have taken this occasion to say most unfeeling and brutal + things. I do not ask the clergy to forgive me, but I do request that they + will so act that I will not have to forgive them. I have always insisted + that those who love their enemies should at least tell the truth about + their friends, but I suppose, after all, that religion must be supported + by the same means as those by which it was founded. Of course, there are + thousands of good ministers, men who are endeavoring to make the world + better, and whose failure is no particular fault of their own. I have + always been in doubt as to whether the clergy were a necessary or an + unnecessary evil. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I would like to have a positive expression of your views + as to a future state? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Somebody asked Confucius about another world, and his reply + was: "How should I know anything about another world when I know so little + of this?" For my part, I know nothing of any other state of existence, + either before or after this, and I have never become personally acquainted + with anybody that did. There may be another life, and if there is, the + best way to prepare for it is by making somebody happy in this. God + certainly cannot afford to put a man in hell who has made a little heaven + in this world. I propose simply to take my chances with the rest of the + folks, and prepare to go where the people I am best acquainted with will + probably settle. I cannot afford to leave the great ship and sneak off to + shore in some orthodox canoe. I hope there is another life, for I would + like to see how things come out in the world when I am dead. There are + some people I would like to see again, and hope there are some who would + not object to seeing me; but if there is no other life I shall never know + it. I do not remember a time when I did not exist; and if, when I die, + that is the end, I shall not know it, because the last thing I shall know + is that I am alive, and if nothing is left, nothing will be left to know + that I am dead; so that so far as I am concerned I am immortal; that is to + say, I cannot recollect when I did not exist, and there never will be a + time when I shall remember that I do not exist. I would like to have + several millions of dollars, and I may say that I have a lively hope that + some day I may be rich, but to tell you the truth I have very little + evidence of it. Our hope of immortality does not come from any religion, + but nearly all religions come from that hope. The Old Testament, instead + of telling us that we are immortal, tells us how we lost immortality. You + will recollect that if Adam and Eve could have gotten to the Tree of Life, + they would have eaten of its fruit and would have lived forever; but for + the purpose of preventing immortality God turned them out of the Garden of + Eden, and put certain angels with swords or sabres at the gate to keep + them from getting back. The Old Testament proves, if it proves anything—which + I do not think it does—that there is no life after this; and the New + Testament is not very specific on the subject. There were a great many + opportunities for the Saviour and his apostles to tell us about another + world, but they did not improve them to any great extent; and the only + evidence, so far as I know, about another life is, first, that we have no + evidence; and, secondly, that we are rather sorry that we have not, and + wish we had. That is about my position. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. According to your observation of men, and your reading in + relation to the men and women of the world and of the church, if there is + another world divided according to orthodox principles between the + orthodox and heterodox, which of the two that are known as heaven and hell + would contain, in your judgment, the most good society? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Since hanging has got to be a means of grace, I would + prefer hell. I had a thousand times rather associate with the Pagan + philosophers than with the inquisitors of the Middle Ages. I certainly + should prefer the worst man in Greek or Roman history to John Calvin; and + I can imagine no man in the world that I would not rather sit on the same + bench with than the Puritan fathers and the founders of orthodox churches. + I would trade off my harp any minute for a seat in the other country. All + the poets will be in perdition, and the greatest thinkers, and, I should + think, most of the women whose society would tend to increase the + happiness of man; nearly all the painters, nearly all the sculptors, + nearly all the writers of plays, nearly all the great actors, most of the + best musicians, and nearly all the good fellows—the persons who know + stories, who can sing songs, or who will loan a friend a dollar. They will + mostly all be in that country, and if I did not live there permanently, I + certainly would want it so I could spend my winter months there. But, + after all, what I really want to do is to destroy the idea of eternal + punishment. That doctrine subverts all ideas of justice. That doctrine + fills hell with honest men, and heaven with intellectual and moral + paupers. That doctrine allows people to sin on credit. That doctrine + allows the basest to be eternally happy and the most honorable to suffer + eternal pain. I think of all doctrines it is the most infinitely infamous, + and would disgrace the lowest savage; and any man who believes it, and has + imagination enough to understand it, has the heart of a serpent and the + conscience of a hyena. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Your objective point is to destroy the doctrine of hell, + is it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, because the destruction of that doctrine will do away + with all cant and all pretence. It will do away with all religious bigotry + and persecution. It will allow every man to think and to express his + thought. It will do away with bigotry in all its slimy and offensive + forms. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Chicago Tribune</i>, November 14, 1879. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009" id="link0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICS AND GEN. GRANT + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Some people have made comparisons between the late + Senators O. P. Morton and Zach. Chandler. What did you think of them, + Colonel? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think Morton had the best intellectual grasp of a + question of any man I ever saw. There was an infinite difference between + the two men. Morton's strength lay in proving a thing; Chandler's in + asserting it. But Chandler was a strong man and no hypocrite. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you any objection to being interviewed as to your + ideas of Grant, and his position before the people? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have no reason for withholding my views on that or any + other subject that is under public discussion. My idea is that Grant can + afford to regard the presidency as a broken toy. It would add nothing to + his fame if he were again elected, and would add nothing to the debt of + gratitude which the people feel they owe him. I do not think he will be a + candidate. I do not think he wants it. There are men who are pushing him + on their own account. Grant was a great soldier. He won the respect of the + civilized world. He commanded the largest army that ever fought for + freedom, and to make him President would not add a solitary leaf to the + wreath of fame already on his brow; and should he be elected, the only + thing he could do would be to keep the old wreath from fading. + </p> + <p> + I do not think his reputation can ever be as great in any direction as in + the direction of war. He has made his reputation and has lived his great + life. I regard him, confessedly, as the best soldier the Anglo-Saxon blood + has produced. I do not know that it necessarily follows because he is a + great soldier he is great in other directions. Probably some of the + greatest statesmen in the world would have been the worst soldiers. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you regard him as more popular now than ever before? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that his reputation is certainly greater and higher + than when he left the presidency, and mainly because he has represented + this country with so much discretion and with such quiet, poised dignity + all around the world. He has measured himself with kings, and was able to + look over the heads of every one of them. They were not quite as tall as + he was, even adding the crown to their original height. I think he + represented us abroad with wonderful success. One thing that touched me + very much was, that at a reception given him by the workingmen of + Birmingham, after he had been received by royalty, he had the courage to + say that that reception gave him more pleasure than any other. He has been + throughout perfectly true to the genius of our institutions, and has not + upon any occasion exhibited the slightest toadyism. Grant is a man who is + not greatly affected by either flattery or abuse. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you believe to be his position in regard to the + presidency? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My own judgment is that he does not care. I do not think he + has any enemies to punish, and I think that while he was President he + certainly rewarded most of his friends. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are your views as to a third term? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have no objection to a third term on principle, but so + many men want the presidency that it seems almost cruel to give a third + term to anyone. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Then, if there is no objection to a third term, what + about a fourth? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not know that that could be objected to, either. We + have to admit, after all, that the American people, or at least a majority + of them, have a right to elect one man as often as they please. + Personally, I think it should not be done unless in the case of a man who + is prominent above the rest of his fellow-citizens, and whose election + appears absolutely necessary. But I frankly confess I cannot conceive of + any political situation where one man is a necessity. I do not believe in + the one-man-on-horseback idea, because I believe in all the people being + on horseback. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What will be the effect of the enthusiastic receptions + that are being given to General Grant? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think these ovations show that the people are resolved + not to lose the results of the great victories of the war, and that they + make known this determination by their attention to General Grant. I think + that if he goes through the principal cities of this country the old + spirit will be revived everywhere, and whether it makes him President or + not the result will be to make the election go Republican. The revival of + the memories of the war will bring the people of the North together as + closely as at any time since that great conflict closed, not in the spirit + of hatred, or malice or envy, but in generous emulation to preserve that + which was fairly won. I do not think there is any hatred about it, but we + are beginning to see that we must save the South ourselves, and that that + is the only way we can save the nation. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But suppose they give the same receptions in the South? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. So much the better. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is there any split in the solid South? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Some of the very best people in the South are apparently + disgusted with following the Democracy any longer, and would hail with + delight any opportunity they could reasonably take advantage of to leave + the organization, if they could do so without making it appear that they + were going back on Southern interests, and this opportunity will come when + the South becomes enlightened, and sees that it has no interests except in + common with the whole country. That I think they are beginning to see. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you like the administration of President Hayes? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think its attitude has greatly improved of late. There + are certain games of cards—pedro, for instance, where you can not + only fail to make something, but be set back. I think that Hayes's veto + messages very nearly got him back to the commencement of the game—that + he is now almost ready to commence counting, and make some points. His + position before the country has greatly improved, but he will not develop + into a dark horse. My preference is, of course, still for Blaine. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Where do you think it is necessary the Republican + candidate should come from to insure success? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Somewhere out of Ohio. I think it will go to Maine, and for + this reason: First of all, Blaine is certainly a competent man of affairs, + a man who knows what to do at the time; and then he has acted in such a + chivalric way ever since the convention at Cincinnati, that those who + opposed him most bitterly, now have for him nothing but admiration. I + think John Sherman is a man of decided ability, but I do not believe the + American people would make one brother President, while the other is + General of the Army. It would be giving too much power to one family. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are your conclusions as to the future of the + Democratic party? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the Democratic party ought to disband. I think they + would be a great deal stronger disbanded, because they would get rid of + their reputation without decreasing. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But if they will not disband? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Then the next campaign depends undoubtedly upon New York + and Indiana. I do not see how they can very well help nominating a man + from Indiana, and by that I mean Hendricks. You see the South has one + hundred and thirty-eight votes, all supposed to be Democratic; with the + thirty-five from New York and fifteen from Indiana they would have just + three to spare. Now, I take it, that the fifteen from Indiana are just + about as essential as the thirty- five from New York. To lack fifteen + votes is nearly as bad as being thirty-five short, and so far as drawing + salary is concerned it is quite as bad. Mr. Hendricks ought to know that + he holds the key to Indiana, and that there cannot be any possibility of + carrying this State for Democracy without him. He has tried running for + the vice-presidency, which is not much of a place anyhow—I would + about as soon be vice-mother-in-law—and my judgment is that he knows + exactly the value of his geographical position. New York is divided to + that degree that it would be unsafe to take a candidate from that State; + and besides, New York has become famous for furnishing defeated candidates + for the Democracy. I think the man must come from Indiana. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Would the Democracy of New York unite on Seymour? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. You recollect what Lincoln said about the powder that had + been shot off once. I do not remember any man who has once made a race for + the presidency and been defeated ever being again nominated. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What about Bayard and Hancock as candidates? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not see how Bayard could possibly carry Indiana, while + his own State is too small and too solidly Democratic. My idea of Bayard + is that he has not been good enough to be popular, and not bad enough to + be famous. The American people will never elect a President from a State + with a whipping-post. As to General Hancock, you may set it down as + certain that the South will never lend their aid to elect a man who helped + to put down the Rebellion. It would be just the same as the effort to + elect Greeley. It cannot be done. I see, by the way, that I am reported as + having said that David Davis, as the Democratic candidate, could carry + Illinois. I did say that in 1876, he could have carried it against Hayes; + but whether he could carry Illinois in 1880 would depend altogether upon + who runs against him. The condition of things has changed greatly in our + favor since 1876. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Journal</i>, Indianapolis, Ind., November, 1879. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0010" id="link0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICS, RELIGION AND THOMAS PAINE. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You have traveled about this State more or less, lately, + and have, of course, observed political affairs here. Do you think that + Senator Logan will be able to deliver this State to the Grant movement + according to the understood plan? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If the State is really for Grant, he will, and if it is + not, he will not. Illinois is as little "owned" as any State in this + Union. Illinois would naturally be for Grant, other things being equal, + because he is regarded as a citizen of this State, and it is very hard for + a State to give up the patronage naturally growing out of the fact that + the President comes from that State. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will the instructions given to delegates be final? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think they will be considered final at all; + neither do I think they will be considered of any force. It was decided at + the last convention, in Cincinnati, that the delegates had a right to vote + as they pleased; that each delegate represented the district of the State + that sent him. The idea that a State convention can instruct them as + against the wishes of their constituents smacks a little too much of State + sovereignty. The President should be nominated by the districts of the + whole country, and not by massing the votes by a little chicanery at a + State convention, and every delegate ought to vote what he really believes + to be the sentiment of his constituents, irrespective of what the State + convention may order him to do. He is not responsible to the State + convention, and it is none of the State convention's business. This does + not apply, it may be, to the delegates at large, but to all the others it + certainly must apply. It was so decided at the Cincinnati convention, and + decided on a question arising about this same Pennsylvania delegation. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Can you guess as to what the platform in going to + contain? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose it will be a substantial copy of the old one. I + am satisfied with the old one with one addition. I want a plank to the + effect that no man shall be deprived of any civil or political right on + account of his religious or irreligious opinions. The Republican party + having been foremost in freeing the body ought to do just a little + something now for the mind. After having wasted rivers of blood and + treasure uncounted, and almost uncountable, to free the cage, I propose + that something ought to be done for the bird. Every decent man in the + United States would support that plank. People should have a right to + testify in courts, whatever their opinions may be, on any subject. Justice + should not shut any door leading to truth, and as long as just views + neither affect a man's eyesight or his memory, he should be allowed to + tell his story. And there are two sides to this question, too. The man is + not only deprived of his testimony, but the commonwealth is deprived of + it. There should be no religious test in this country for office; and if + Jehovah cannot support his religion without going into partnership with a + State Legislature, I think he ought to give it up. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is there anything new about religion since you were last + here? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Since I was here I have spoken in a great many cities, and + to-morrow I am going to do some missionary work at Milwaukee. Many who + have come to scoff have remained to pray, and I think that my labors are + being greatly blessed, and all attacks on me so far have been overruled + for good. I happened to come in contact with a revival of religion, and I + believe what they call an "outpouring" at Detroit, under the leadership of + a gentleman by the name of Pentecost. He denounced me as God's greatest + enemy. I had always supposed that the Devil occupied that exalted + position, but it seems that I have, in some way, fallen heir to his shoes. + Mr. Pentecost also denounced all business men who would allow any + advertisements or lithographs of mine to hang in their places of business, + and several of these gentlemen thus appealed to took the advertisements + away. The result of all this was that I had the largest house that ever + attended a lecture in Detroit. Feeling that ingratitude is a crime, I + publicly returned thanks to the clergy for the pains they had taken to + give me an audience. And I may say, in this connection, that if the + ministers do God as little good as they do me harm, they had better let + both of us alone. I regard them as very good, but exceedingly mistaken + men. They do not come much in contact with the world, and get most of + their views by talking with the women and children of their congregations. + They are not permitted to mingle freely with society. They cannot attend + plays nor hear operas. I believe some of them have ventured to minstrel + shows and menageries, where they confine themselves strictly to the animal + part of the entertainment. But, as a rule, they have very few + opportunities of ascertaining what the real public opinion is. They read + religious papers, edited by gentlemen who know as little about the world + as themselves, and the result of all this is that they are rather behind + the times. They are good men, and would like to do right if they only knew + it, but they are a little behind the times. There is an old story told of + a fellow who had a post-office in a small town in North Carolina, and he + being the only man in the town who could read, a few people used to gather + in the post-office on Sunday, and he would read to them a weekly paper + that was published in Washington. He commenced always at the top of the + first column and read right straight through, articles, advertisements, + and all, and whenever they got a little tired of reading he would make a + mark of red ochre and commence at that place the next Sunday. The result + was that the papers came a great deal faster than he read them, and it was + about 1817 when they struck the war of 1812. The moment they got to that, + every one of them jumped up and offered to volunteer. All of which shows + that they were patriotic people, but a little show, and somewhat behind + the times. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How were you pleased with the Paine meeting here, and its + results? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I was gratified to see so many people willing at last to do + justice to a great and a maligned man. Of course I do not claim that Paine + was perfect. All I claim is that he was a patriot and a political + philosopher; that he was a revolutionist and an agitator; that he was + infinitely full of suggestive thought, and that he did more than any man + to convince the people of American not only that they ought to separate + from Great Britain, but that they ought to found a representative + government. He has been despised simply because he did not believe the + Bible. I wish to do what I can to rescue his name from theological + defamation. I think the day has come when Thomas Paine will be remembered + with Washington, Franklin and Jefferson, and that the American people will + wonder that their fathers could have been guilty of such base ingratitude. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Chicago Times</i>, February 8, 1880. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0011" id="link0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + REPLY TO CHICAGO CRITICS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you read the replies of the clergy to your recent + lecture in this city on "What Must we do to be Saved?" and if so what do + you think of them? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think they dodge the point. The real point is this: If + salvation by faith is the real doctrine of Christianity, I asked on Sunday + before last, and I still ask, why didn't Matthew tell it? I still insist + that Mark should have remembered it, and I shall always believe that Luke + ought, at least, to have noticed it. I was endeavoring to show that modern + Christianity has for its basis an interpolation. I think I showed it. The + only gospel on the orthodox side is that of John, and that was certainly + not written, or did not appear in its present form, until long after the + others were written. + </p> + <p> + I know very well that the Catholic Church claimed during the Dark Ages, + and still claims, that references had been made to the gospels by persons + living in the first, second, and third centuries; but I believe such + manuscripts were manufactured by the Catholic Church. For many years in + Europe there was not one person in twenty thousand who could read and + write. During that time the church had in its keeping the literature of + our world. They interpolated as they pleased. They created. They + destroyed. In other words, they did whatever in their opinion was + necessary to substantiate the faith. + </p> + <p> + The gentlemen who saw fit to reply did not answer the question, and I + again call upon the clergy to explain to the people why, if salvation + depends upon belief on the Lord Jesus Christ, Matthew didn't mention it. + Some one has said that Christ didn't make known this doctrine of salvation + by belief or faith until after his resurrection. Certainly none of the + gospels were written until after his resurrection; and if he made that + doctrine known after his resurrection, and before his ascension, it should + have been in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as well as in John. + </p> + <p> + The replies of the clergy show that they have not investigated the + subject; that they are not well acquainted with the New Testament. In + other words, they have not read it except with the regulation theological + bias. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing I wish to correct here. In an editorial in the <i>Tribune</i> + it was stated that I had admitted that Christ was beyond and above Buddha, + Zoroaster, Confucius, and others. I did not say so. Another point was made + against me, and those who made it seemed to think it was a good one. In my + lecture I asked why it was that the disciples of Christ wrote in Greek, + whereas, if fact, they understood only Hebrew. It is now claimed that + Greek was the language of Jerusalem at that time; that Hebrew had fallen + into disuse; that no one understood it except the literati and the highly + educated. If I fell into an error upon this point it was because I relied + upon the New Testament. I find in the twenty-first chapter of the Acts an + account of Paul having been mobbed in the city of Jerusalem; that he was + protected by a chief captain and some soldiers; that, while upon the + stairs of the castle to which he was being taken for protection, he + obtained leave from the captain to speak unto the people. In the fortieth + verse of that chapter I find the following: + </p> + <p> + "And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs and beckoned + with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he + spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying," + </p> + <p> + And then follows the speech of Paul, wherein he gives an account of his + conversion. It seems a little curious to me that Paul, for the purpose of + quieting a mob, would speak to that mob in an unknown language. If I were + mobbed in the city of Chicago, and wished to defend myself with an + explanation, I certainly would not make that explanation in Choctaw, even + if I understood that tongue. My present opinion is that I would speak in + English; and the reason I would speak in English is because that language + is generally understood in this city, and so I conclude from the account + in the twenty-first chapter of the Acts that Hebrew was the language of + Jerusalem at that time, or Paul would not have addressed the mob in that + tongue. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Did you read Mr. Courtney's answer? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I read what Mr. Courtney read from others, and think some + of his quotations very good; and have no doubt that the authors will feel + complimented by being quoted. There certainly is no need of my answering + Dr. Courtney; sometime I may answer the French gentlemen from whom he + quoted. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But what about there being "belief" in Matthew? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Mr. Courtney says that certain people were cured of + diseases on account of faith. Admitting that mumps, measles, and + whooping-cough could be cured in that way, there is not even a suggestion + that salvation depended upon a like faith. I think he can hardly afford to + rely upon the miracles of the New Testament to prove his doctrine. There + is one instance in which a miracle was performed by Christ without his + knowledge; and I hardly think that even Mr. Courtney would insist that any + faith could have been great enough for that. The fact is, I believe that + all these miracles were ascribed to Christ long after his death, and that + Christ never, at any time or place, pretended to have any supernatural + power whatever. Neither do I believe that he claimed any supernatural + origin. He claimed simply to be a man; no less, no more. I do not believe + Mr. Courtney is satisfied with his own reply. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. And now as to Prof. Swing? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Mr. Swing has been out of the orthodox church so long that + he seems to have forgotten the reasons for which he left it. I do not + believe there is an orthodox minister in the city of Chicago who will + agree with Mr. Swing that salvation by faith is no longer preached. Prof. + Swing seems to think it of no importance who wrote the gospel of Matthew. + In this I agree with him. Judging from what he said there is hardly + difference enough of opinion between us to justify a reply on his part. + He, however, makes one mistake. I did not in the lecture say one word + about tearing down churches. I have no objection to people building all + the churches they wish. While I admit it is a pretty sight to see children + on a morning in June going through the fields to the country church, I + still insist that the beauty of that sight does not answer the question + how it is that Matthew forgot to say anything about salvation through + Christ. Prof. Swing is a man of poetic temperament, but this is not a + poetic question. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How did the card of Dr. Thomas strike you? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the reply of Dr. Thomas is in the best possible + spirit. I regard him to-day as the best intellect in the Methodist + denomination. He seems to have what is generally understood as a Christian + spirit. He has always treated me with perfect fairness, and I should have + said long ago many grateful things, had I not feared I might hurt him with + his own people. He seems to be by nature a perfectly fair man; and I know + of no man in the United States for whom I have a profounder respect. Of + course, I don't agree with Dr. Thomas. I think in many things he is + mistaken. But I believe him to be perfectly sincere. There is one trouble + about him—he is growing; and this fact will no doubt give great + trouble to many of his brethren. Certain Methodist hazel-brush feel a + little uneasy in the shadow of this oak. To see the difference between him + and some others, all that is necessary is to read his reply, and then read + the remarks made at the Methodist ministers' meeting on the Monday + following. Compared with Dr. Thomas, they are as puddles by the sea. There + is the same difference that there is between sewers and rivers, cesspools + and springs. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say to the remarks of the Rev. Dr. + Jewett before the Methodist ministers' meeting? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think Dr. Jewett is extremely foolish. I did not say that + I would commence suit against a minister for libel. I can hardly conceive + of a proceeding that would be less liable to produce a dividend. The fact + about it is, that the Rev. Mr. Jewett seems to think anything true that he + hears against me. Mr. Jewett is probably ashamed of what he said by this + time. He must have known it to be entirely false. It seems to me by this + time even the most bigoted should lose their confidence in falsehood. Of + course there are times when a falsehood well told bridges over quite a + difficulty, but in the long run you had better tell the truth, even if you + swim the creek. I am astonished that these ministers were willing to + exhibit their wounds to the world. I supposed of course I would hit some, + but I had no idea of wounding so many. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Mr. Crafts stated that you were in the habit of swearing + in company and before your family? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I often swear. In other words, I take the name of God in + vain; that is to say, I take it without any practical thing resulting from + it, and in that sense I think most ministers are guilty of the same thing. + I heard an old story of a clergyman who rebuked a neighbor for swearing, + to whom the neighbor replied, "You pray and I swear, but as a matter of + fact neither of us means anything by it." As to the charge that I am in + the habit of using indecent language in my family, no reply is needed. I + am willing to leave that question to the people who know us both. Mr. + Crafts says he was told this by a lady. This cannot by any possibility be + true, for no lady will tell a falsehood. Besides, if this woman of whom he + speaks was a lady, how did she happen to stay where obscene language was + being used? No lady ever told Mr. Crafts any such thing. It may be that a + lady did tell him that I used profane language. I admit that I have not + always spoken of the Devil in a respectful way; that I have sometimes + referred to his residence when it was not a necessary part of the + conversation, and that a divers times I have used a good deal of the + terminology of the theologian when the exact words of the scientist might + have done as well. But if by swearing is meant the use of God's name in + vain, there are very few preachers who do not swear more than I do, if by + "in vain" is meant without any practical result. I leave Mr. Crafts to + cultivate the acquaintance of the unknown lady, knowing as I do, that + after they have talked this matter over again they will find that both + have been mistaken. + </p> + <p> + I sincerely regret that clergymen who really believe that an infinite God + is on their side think it necessary to resort to such things to defeat one + man. According to their idea, God is against me, and they ought to have + confidence in this infinite wisdom and strength to suppose that he could + dispose of one man, even if they failed to say a word against me. Had you + not asked me I should have said nothing to you on these topics. Such + charges cannot hurt me. I do not believe it possible for such men to + injure me. No one believes what they say, and the testimony of such + clergymen against an Infidel is no longer considered of value. I believe + it was Goethe who said, "I always know that I am traveling when I hear the + dogs bark." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you going to make a formal reply to their sermons? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Not unless something better is done than has been. Of + course, I don't know what another Sabbath may bring forth. I am waiting. + But of one thing I feel perfectly assured; that no man in the United + States, or in the world, can account for the fact, if we are to be saved + only by faith in Christ, that Matthew forgot it, that Luke said nothing + about it, and that Mark never mentioned it except in two passages written + by <i>another</i> person. Until that is answered, as one grave-digger says + to the other in "Hamlet," I shall say, "Ay, tell me that and unyoke." In + the meantime I wish to keep on the best terms with all parties concerned. + I cannot see why my forgiving spirit fails to gain their sincere praise. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Chicago Tribune</i>, September 30, 1880. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0012" id="link0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE REPUBLICAN VICTORY. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you really think, Colonel, that the country has just + passed through a crisis? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes; there was a crisis and a great one. The question was + whether a Northern or Southern idea of the powers and duties of the + Federal Government was to prevail. The great victory of yesterday means + that the Rebellion was not put down on the field of war alone, but that we + have conquered in the realm of thought. The bayonet has been justified by + argument. No party can ever succeed in this country that even whispers + "State Sovereignty." That doctrine has become odious. The sovereignty of + the State means a Government without power, and citizens without + protection. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Can you see any further significance in the present + Republican victory other than that the people do not wish to change the + general policy of the present administration? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes; the people have concluded that the lips of America + shall be free. There never was free speech at the South, and there never + will be until the people of that section admit that the Nation is superior + to the State, and that all citizens have equal rights. I know of hundreds + who voted the Republican ticket because they regarded the South as hostile + to free speech. The people were satisfied with the financial policy of the + Republicans, and they feared a change. The North wants honest money—gold + and silver. The people are in favor of honest votes, and they feared the + practices of the Democratic party. The tissue ballot and shotgun policy + made them hesitate to put power in the hands of the South. Besides, the + tariff question made thousands and thousands of votes. As long as Europe + has slave labor, and wherever kings and priests rule, the laborer will be + substantially a slave. We must protect ourselves. If the world were free, + trade would be free, and the seas would be the free highways of the world. + The great objects of the Republican party are to preserve all the liberty + we have, protect American labor, and to make it the undisputed duty of the + Government to protect every citizen at home and abroad. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think was the main cause of the Republican + sweep? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The wisdom of the Republicans and the mistakes of the + Democrats. The Democratic party has for twenty years underrated the + intelligence, the patriotism and the honesty of the American people. That + party has always looked upon politics as a trade, and success as the last + act of a cunning trick. It has had no principles, fixed or otherwise. It + has always been willing to abandon everything but its prejudices. It + generally commences where it left off and then goes backward. In this + campaign English was a mistake, Hancock was another. Nothing could have + been more incongruous than yoking a Federal soldier with a + peace-at-any-price Democrat. Neither could praise the other without + slandering himself, and the blindest partisan could not like them both. + But, after all, I regard the military record of English as fully equal to + the views of General Hancock on the tariff. The greatest mistake that the + Democratic party made was to suppose that a campaign could be fought and + won by slander. The American people like fair play and they abhor ignorant + and absurd vituperation. The continent knew that General Garfield was an + honest man; that he was in the grandest sense a gentleman; that he was + patriotic, profound and learned; that his private life was pure; that his + home life was good and kind and true, and all the charges made and howled + and screeched and printed and sworn to harmed only those who did the + making and the howling, the screeching and the swearing. I never knew a + man in whose perfect integrity I had more perfect confidence, and in less + than one year even the men who have slandered him will agree with me. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How about that "personal and confidential letter"? (The + Morey letter.) + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It was as stupid, as devilish, as basely born as + godfathered. It is an exploded forgery, and the explosion leaves dead and + torn upon the field the author and his witnesses. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is there anything in the charge that the Republican party + seeks to change our form of government by gradual centralization? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Nothing whatever. We want power enough in the Government to + protect, not to destroy, the liberties of the people. The history of the + world shows that burglars have always opposed an increase of the police. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Herald</i>, November 5, 1880. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0013" id="link0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + INGERSOLL AND BEECHER.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* The sensation created by the speech of the Rev. Henry + Ward Beecher at the Academy of Music, in Brooklyn, when he + uttered a brilliant eulogy of Col. Robert Ingersoll and + publicly shook hands with him has not yet subsided. A + portion of the religious world is thoroughly stirred up at + what it considers a gross breach of orthodox propriety. + This feeling is especially strong among the class of + positivists who believe that + + "An Atheist's laugh's a poor exchange For Deity offended." + + Many believe that Mr. Beecher is at heart in full sympathy + and accord with Ingersoll's teachings, but has not courage + enough to say so at the sacrifice of his pastoral position. + The fact that these two men are the very head and front of + their respective schools of thought makes the matter an + important one. The denouncement of the doctrine of eternal + punishment, followed by the scene at the Academy, has about + it an aroma of suggestiveness that might work much harm + without an explanation. Since Colonel Ingersoll's recent + attack upon the <i>personnel</i> of the clergy through the + "Shorter Catechism" the pulpit has been remarkably silent + regarding the great atheist. "Is the keen logic and broad + humanity of Ingersoll converting the brain and heart of + Christendom?" was recently asked. Did the hand that was + stretched out to him on the stage of the Academy reach + across the chasm which separates orthodoxy from infidelity? + + Desiring to answer the last question if possible, a <i>Herald</i> + reporter visited Mr. Beecher and Colonel Ingersoll to learn + their opinion of each other. Neither of the gentlemen was + aware that the other was being interviewed.] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of Mr. Beecher? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I regard him as the greatest man in any pulpit of the + world. He treated me with a generosity that nothing can exceed. He rose + grandly above the prejudices supposed to belong to his class, and acted as + only a man could act without a chain upon his brain and only kindness in + his heart. + </p> + <p> + I told him that night that I congratulated the world that it had a + minister with an intellectual horizon broad enough and a mental sky + studded with stars of genius enough to hold all creeds in scorn that + shocked the heart of man. I think that Mr. Beecher has liberalized the + English-speaking people of the world. + </p> + <p> + I do not think he agrees with me. He holds to many things that I most + passionately deny. But in common, we believe in the liberty of thought. + </p> + <p> + My principal objections to orthodox religion are two—slavery here + and hell hereafter. I do not believe that Mr. Beecher on these points can + disagree with me. The real difference between us is— he says God, I + say Nature. The real agreement between us is—we both say—Liberty. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is his forte? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. He is of a wonderfully poetic temperament. In pursuing any + course of thought his mind is like a stream flowing through the scenery of + fairyland. The stream murmurs and laughs while the banks grow green and + the vines blossom. + </p> + <p> + His brain is controlled by his heart. He thinks in pictures. With him + logic means mental melody. The discordant is the absurd. + </p> + <p> + For years he has endeavored to hide the dungeon of orthodoxy with the ivy + of imagination. Now and then he pulls for a moment the leafy curtain aside + and is horrified to see the lizards, snakes, basilisks and abnormal + monsters of the orthodox age, and then he utters a great cry, the protest + of a loving, throbbing heart. + </p> + <p> + He is a great thinker, a marvelous orator, and, in my judgment, greater + and grander than any creed of any church. + </p> + <p> + Besides all this, he treated me like a king. Manhood is his forte, and I + expect to live and die his friend. + </p> + <p> + BEECHER ON INGERSOLL. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of Colonel Ingersoll? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think there should be any misconception as to my + motive for indorsing Mr. Ingersoll. I never saw him before that night, + when I clasped his hand in the presence of an assemblage of citizens. Yet + I regard him as one of the greatest men of this age. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is his influence upon the world good or otherwise? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am an ordained clergyman and believe in revealed + religion. I am, therefore, bound to regard all persons who do not believe + in revealed religion as in error. But on the broad platform of human + liberty and progress I was bound to give him the right hand of fellowship. + I would do it a thousand times over. I do not know Colonel Ingersoll's + religious views precisely, but I have a general knowledge of them. He has + the same right to free thought and free speech that I have. I am not that + kind of a coward who has to kick a man before he shakes hands with him. If + I did so I would have to kick the Methodists, Roman Catholics and all + other creeds. I will not pitch into any man's religion as an excuse for + giving him my hand. I admire Ingersoll because he is not afraid to speak + what he honestly thinks, and I am only sorry that he does not think as I + do. I never heard so much brilliancy and pith put into a two hour speech + as I did on that night. I wish my whole congregation had been there to + hear it. I regret that there are not more men like Ingersoll interested in + the affairs of the nation. I do not wish to be understood as indorsing + skepticism in any form. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Herald</i>, November 7, 1880. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0014" id="link0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICAL. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is it true, as rumored, that you intend to leave + Washington and reside in New York? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No, I expect to remain here for years to come, so far as I + can now see. My present intention is certainly to stay here during the + coming winter. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is this because you regard Washington as the pleasantest + and most advantageous city for a residence? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, in the first place, I dislike to move. In the next + place, the climate is good. In the third place, the political atmosphere + has been growing better of late, and when you consider that I avoid one + dislike and reap the benefits of two likes, you can see why I remain. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the moral atmosphere will improve with + the political atmosphere? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I would hate to say that this city is capable of any + improvement in the way of morality. We have a great many churches, a great + many ministers, and, I believe, some retired chaplains, so I take it that + the moral tone of the place could hardly be bettered. One majority in the + Senate might help it. Seriously, however, I think that Washington has as + high a standard of morality as any city in the Union. And it is one of the + best towns in which to loan money without collateral in the world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you know this from experience? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. This I have been told [was the solemn answer.] + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the political features of the incoming + administration will differ from the present? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, I have no right to speak for General Garfield. I + believe his administration will be Republican, at the same time perfectly + kind, manly, and generous. He is a man to harbor no resentment. He knows + that it is the duty of statesmanship to remove causes of irritation rather + then punish the irritated. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do I understand you to imply that there will be a neutral + policy, as it were, towards the South? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No, I think that there will be nothing neutral about it. I + think that the next administration will be one-sided—that is, it + will be on the right side. I know of no better definition for a compromise + than to say it is a proceeding in which hypocrites deceive each other. I + do not believe that the incoming administration will be neutral in + anything. The American people do not like neutrality. They would rather a + man were on the wrong side than on neither. And, in my judgment, there is + no paper so utterly unfair, malicious and devilish, as one that claims to + be neutral. No politician is as bitter as a neutral politician. Neutrality + is generally used as a mask to hide unusual bitterness. Sometimes it hides + what it is—nothing. It always stands for hollowness of head or + bitterness of heart, sometimes for both. My idea is—and that is the + only reason I have the right to express it—that General Garfield + believes in the platform adopted by the Republican party. He believes in + free speech, in honest money, in divorce of church and state, and he + believes in the protection of American citizens by the Federal Government + wherever the flag flies. He believes that the Federal Government is as + much bound to protect the citizen at home as abroad. I believe he will do + the very best he can to carry these great ideas into execution and make + them living realities in the United States. Personally, I have no hatred + toward the Southern people. I have no hatred toward any class. I hate + tyranny, no matter whether it is South or North; I hate hypocrisy, and I + hate above all things, the spirit of caste. If the Southern people could + only see that they gained as great a victory in the Rebellion as the North + did, and some day they will see it, the whole question would be settled. + The South has reaped a far greater benefit from being defeated than the + North has from being successful, and I believe some day the South will be + great enough to appreciate that fact. I have always insisted that to be + beaten by the right is to be a victor. The Southern people must get over + the idea that they are insulted simply because they are out-voted, and + they ought by this time to know that the Republicans of the North, not + only do not wish them harm, but really wish them the utmost success. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But has the Republican party all the good and the + Democratic all the bad? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No, I do not think that the Republican party has all the + good, nor do I pretend that the Democratic party has all the bad; though I + may say that each party comes pretty near it. I admit that there are + thousands of really good fellows in the Democratic party, and there are + some pretty bad people in the Republican party. But I honestly believe + that within the latter are most of the progressive men of this country. + That party has in it the elements of growth. It is full of hope. It + anticipates. The Democratic party remembers. It is always talking about + the past. It is the possessor of a vast amount of political rubbish, and I + really believe it has outlived its usefulness. I firmly believe that your + editor, Mr. Hutchings, could start a better organization, if he would only + turn his attention to it. Just think for a moment of the number you could + get rid of by starting a new party. A hundred names will probably suggest + themselves to any intelligent Democrat, the loss of which would almost + insure success. Some one has said that a tailor in Boston made a fortune + by advertising that he did not cut the breeches of Webster's statue. A new + party by advertising that certain men would not belong to it, would have + an advantage in the next race. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your opinion, were the causes which led to the + Democratic defeat? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the nomination of English was exceedingly + unfortunate. Indiana, being an October State, the best man in that State + should have been nominated either for President or Vice- President. + Personally, I know nothing of Mr. English, but I have the right to say + that he was exceedingly unpopular. That was mistake number one. Mistake + number two was putting a plank in the platform insisting upon a tariff for + revenue only. That little word "only" was one of the most frightful + mistakes ever made by a political party. That little word "only" was a + millstone around the neck of the entire campaign. The third mistake was + Hancock's definition of the tariff. It was exceedingly unfortunate, + exceedingly laughable, and came just in the nick of time. The fourth + mistake was the speech of Wade Hampton, I mean the speech that the + Republican papers claim he made. Of course I do not know, personally, + whether it was made or not. If made, it was a great mistake. Mistake + number five was made in Alabama, where they refused to allow a Greenbacker + to express his opinion. That lost the Democrats enough Greenbackers to + turn the scale in Maine, and enough in Indiana to change that election. + Mistake number six was in the charges made against General Garfield. They + were insisted upon, magnified and multiplied until at last the whole thing + assumed the proportions of a malicious libel. This was a great mistake, + for the reason that a number of Democrats in the United States had most + heartily and cordially indorsed General Garfield as a man of integrity and + great ability. Such indorsements had been made by the leading Democrats of + the North and South, among them Governor Hendricks and many others I might + name. Jere Black had also certified to the integrity and intellectual + grandeur of General Garfield, and when afterward he certified to the exact + contrary, the people believed that it was a persecution. The next mistake, + number seven, was the Chinese letter. While it lost Garfield California, + Nevada, and probably New Jersey, it did him good in New York. This letter + was the greatest mistake made, because a crime is greater than a mistake. + These, in my judgment, are the principal mistakes made by the Democratic + party in the campaign. Had McDonald been on the ticket the result might + have been different, or had the party united on some man in New York, + satisfactory to the factions, it might have succeeded. The truth, however, + is that the North to-day is Republican, and it may be that had the + Democratic party made no mistakes whatever the result would have been the + same. But that mistakes were made is now perfectly evident to the blindest + partisan. If the ticket originally suggested, Seymour and McDonald, had + been nominated on an unobjectionable platform, the result might have been + different. One of the happiest days in my life was the day on which the + Cincinnati convention did not nominate Seymour and did nominate English. I + regard General Hancock as a good soldier, but not particularly qualified + to act as President. He has neither the intellectual training nor the + experience to qualify him for that place. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You have doubtless heard of a new party, Colonel. What is + your idea in regard to it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have heard two or three speak of a new party to be called + the National party, or National Union party, but whether there is anything + in such a movement I have no means of knowing. Any party in opposition to + the Republican, no matter what it may be called, must win on a new issue, + and that new issue will determine the new party. Parties cannot be made to + order. They must grow. They are the natural offspring of national events. + They must embody certain hopes, they must gratify, or promise to gratify, + the feelings of a vast number of people. No man can make a party, and if a + new party springs into existence it will not be brought forth to gratify + the wishes of a few, but the wants of the many. It has seemed to me for + years that the Democratic party carried too great a load in the shape of + record; that its autobiography was nearly killing it all the time, and + that if it could die just long enough to assume another form at the + resurrection, just long enough to leave a grave stone to mark the end of + its history, to get a cemetery back of it, that it might hope for + something like success. In other words, that there must be a funeral + before there can be victory. Most of its leaders are worn out. They have + become so accustomed to defeat that they take it as a matter of course; + they expect it in the beginning and seem unconsciously to work for it. + There must be some new ideas, and this only can happen when the party as + such has been gathered to its fathers. I do not think that the advice of + Senator Hill will be followed. He is willing to kill the Democratic party + in the South if we will kill the Republican party in the North. This puts + me in mind of what the rooster said to the horse: "Let us agree not to + step on each other's feet." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Your views of the country's future and prospects must + naturally be rose colored? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, I look at things through Republican eyes and may + be prejudiced without knowing it. But it really seems to me that the + future is full of great promise. The South, after all, is growing more + prosperous. It is producing more and more every year, until in time it + will become wealthy. The West is growing almost beyond the imagination of + a speculator, and the Eastern and Middle States are much more than holding + their own. We have now fifty millions of people and in a few years will + have a hundred. That we are a Nation I think is now settled. Our growth + will be unparalleled. I myself expect to live to see as many ships on the + Pacific as on the Atlantic. In a few years there will probably be ten + millions of people living along the Rocky and Sierra Mountains. It will + not be long until Illinois will find her market west of her. In fifty + years this will be the greatest nation on the earth, and the most populous + in the civilized world. China is slowly awakening from the lethargy of + centuries. It will soon have the wants of Europe, and America will supply + those wants. This is a nation of inventors and there is more mechanical + ingenuity in the United States than on the rest of the globe. In my + judgment this country will in a short time add to its customers hundreds + of millions of the people of the Celestial Empire. So you see, to me, the + future is exceedingly bright. And besides all this, I must not forget the + thing that is always nearest my heart. There is more intellectual liberty + in the United States to-day than ever before. The people are beginning to + see that every citizen ought to have the right to express himself freely + upon every possible subject. In a little while, all the barbarous laws + that now disgrace the statute books of the States by discriminating + against a man simply because he is honest, will be repealed, and there + will be one country where all citizens will have and enjoy not only equal + rights, but all rights. Nothing gratifies me so much as the growth of + intellectual liberty. After all, the true civilization is where every man + gives to every other, every right that he claims for himself. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Post</i>, Washington, D. C., November 14, 1880. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0015" id="link0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + RELIGION IN POLITICS. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. How do you regard the present political situation? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My opinion is that the ideas the North fought for upon the + field have at last triumphed at the ballot-box. For several years after + the Rebellion was put down the Southern ideas traveled North. We lost West + Virginia, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York and a great many congressional + districts in other States. We lost both houses of Congress and every + Southern State. The Southern ideas reached their climax in 1876. In my + judgment the tide has turned, and hereafter the Northern idea is going + South. The young men are on the Republican side. The old Democrats are + dying. The cradle is beating the coffin. It is a case of life and death, + and life is ahead. The heirs outnumber the administrators. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What kind of a President will Garfield make? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My opinion is that he will make as good a President as this + nation ever had. He is fully equipped. He is a trained statesman. He has + discussed all the great questions that have arisen for the last eighteen + years, and with great ability. He is a thorough scholar, a conscientious + student, and takes an exceedingly comprehensive survey of all questions. + He is genial, generous and candid, and has all the necessary qualities of + heart and brain to make a great President. He has no prejudices. Prejudice + is the child and flatterer of ignorance. He is firm, but not obstinate. + The obstinate man wants his own way; the firm man stands by the right. + Andrew Johnson was obstinate—Lincoln was firm. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you think he will treat the South? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Just the same as the North. He will be the President of the + whole country. He will not execute the laws by the compass, but according + to the Constitution. I do not speak for General Garfield, nor by any + authority from his friends. No one wishes to injure the South. The + Republican party feels in honor bound to protect all citizens, white and + black. It must do this in order to keep its self-respect. It must throw + the shield of the Nation over the weakest, the humblest and the blackest + citizen. Any other course is suicide. No thoughtful Southern man can + object to this, and a Northern Democrat knows that it is right. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is there a probability that Mr. Sherman will be retained + in the Cabinet? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have no knowledge upon that question, and consequently + have nothing to say. My opinion about the Cabinet is, that General + Garfield is well enough acquainted with public men to choose a Cabinet + that will suit him and the country. I have never regarded it as the proper + thing to try and force a Cabinet upon a President. He has the right to be + surrounded by his friends, by men in whose judgment and in whose + friendship he has the utmost confidence, and I would no more think of + trying to put some man in the Cabinet that I would think of signing a + petition that a man should marry a certain woman. General Garfield will, I + believe, select his own constitutional advisers, and he will take the best + he knows. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your opinion, is the condition of the Democratic + party at present? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It must get a new set of principles, and throw away its + prejudices. It must demonstrate its capacity to govern the country by + governing the States where it is in power. In the presence of rebellion it + gave up the ship. The South must become Republican before the North will + willingly give it power; that is, the great ideas of nationality are + greater than parties, and if our flag is not large enough to protect every + citizen, we must add a few more stars and stripes. Personally I have no + hatreds in this matter. The present is not only the child of the past, but + the necessary child. A statesman must deal with things as they are. He + must not be like Gladstone, who divides his time between foreign wars and + amendments to the English Book of Common Prayer. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you regard the religious question in politics? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Religion is a personal matter—a matter that each + individual soul should be allowed to settle for itself. No man shod in the + brogans of impudence should walk into the temple of another man's soul. + While every man should be governed by the highest possible considerations + of the public weal, no one has the right to ask for legal assistance in + the support of his particular sect. If Catholics oppose the public schools + I would not oppose them because they are Catholics, but because I am in + favor of the schools. I regard the public school as the intellectual bread + of life. Personally I have no confidence in any religion that can be + demonstrated only to children. I suspect all creeds that rely implicitly + on mothers and nurses. That religion is the best that commends itself the + strongest to men and women of education and genius. After all, the + prejudices of infancy and the ignorance of the aged are a poor foundation + for any system of morals or faith. I respect every honest man, and I think + more of a liberal Catholic than of an illiberal Infidel. The religious + question should be left out of politics. You might as well decide + questions of art and music by a ward caucus as to govern the longings and + dreams of the soul by law. I believe in letting the sun shine whether the + weeds grow or not. I can never side with Protestants if they try to put + Catholics down by law, and I expect to oppose both of these until + religious intolerance is regarded as a crime. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is the religious movement of which you are the chief + exponent spreading? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There are ten times as many Freethinkers this year as there + were last. Civilization is the child of free thought. The new world has + drifted away from the rotting wharf of superstition. The politics of this + country are being settled by the new ideas of individual liberty; and + parties and churches that cannot accept the new truths must perish. I want + it perfectly understood that I am not a politician. I believe in liberty + and I want to see the time when every man, woman and child will enjoy + every human right. + </p> + <p> + The election is over, the passions aroused by the campaign will soon + subside, the sober judgment of the people will, in my opinion, indorse the + result, and time will indorse the indorsement. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Evening Express</i>, New York City, November 19, 1880. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0016" id="link0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MIRACLES AND IMMORTALITY. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You have seen some accounts of the recent sermon of Dr. + Tyng on "Miracles," I presume, and if so, what is your opinion of the + sermon, and also what is your opinion of miracles? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. From an orthodox standpoint, I think the Rev. Dr. Tyng is + right. If miracles were necessary eighteen hundred years ago, before + scientific facts enough were known to overthrow hundreds and thousands of + passages in the Bible, certainly they are necessary now. Dr. Tyng sees + clearly that the old miracles are nearly worn out, and that some new ones + are absolutely essential. He takes for granted that, if God would do a + miracle to found his gospel, he certainly would do some more to preserve + it, and that it is in need of preservation about now is evident. I am + amazed that the religious world should laugh at him for believing in + miracles. It seems to me just as reasonable that the deaf, dumb, blind and + lame, should be cured at Lourdes as at Palestine. It certainly is no more + wonderful that the law of nature should be broken now than that it was + broken several thousand years ago. Dr. Tyng also has this advantage. The + witnesses by whom he proves these miracles are alive. An unbeliever can + have the opportunity of cross- examination. Whereas, the miracles in the + New Testament are substantiated only by the dead. It is just as reasonable + to me that blind people receive their sight in France as that devils were + made to vacate human bodies in the holy land. + </p> + <p> + For one I am exceedingly glad that Dr. Tyng has taken this position. It + shows that he is a believer in a personal God, in a God who is attending a + little to the affairs of this world, and in a God who did not exhaust his + supplies in the apostolic age. It is refreshing to me to find in this + scientific age a gentleman who still believes in miracles. My opinion is + that all thorough religionists will have to take the ground and admit that + a supernatural religion must be supernaturally preserved. + </p> + <p> + I have been asking for a miracle for several years, and have in a very + mild, gentle and loving way, taunted the church for not producing a little + one. I have had the impudence to ask any number of them to join in a + prayer asking anything they desire for the purpose of testing the + efficiency of what is known as supplication. They answer me by calling my + attention to the miracles recorded in the New Testament. I insist, + however, on a new miracle, and, personally, I would like to see one now. + Certainly, the Infinite has not lost his power, and certainly the Infinite + knows that thousands and hundreds of thousands, if the Bible is true, are + now pouring over the precipice of unbelief into the gulf of hell. One + little miracle would save thousands. One little miracle in Pittsburg, well + authenticated, would do more good than all the preaching ever heard in + this sooty town. The Rev. Dr. Tyng clearly sees this, and he has been + driven to the conclusion, first, that God can do miracles; second, that he + ought to, third, that he has. In this he is perfectly logical. After a man + believes the Bible, after he believes in the flood and in the story of + Jonah, certainly he ought not to hesitate at a miracle of to-day. When I + say I want a miracle, I mean by that, I want a good one. All the miracles + recorded in the New Testament could have been simulated. A fellow could + have pretended to be dead, or blind, or dumb, or deaf. I want to see a + good miracle. I want to see a man with one leg, and then I want to see the + other leg grow out. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see a miracle like that performed in North Carolina. Two + men were disputing about the relative merits of the salve they had for + sale. One of the men, in order to demonstrate that his salve was better + than any other, cut off a dog's tail and applied a little of the salve to + the stump, and, in the presence of the spectators, a new tail grew out. + But the other man, who also had salve for sale, took up the piece of tail + that had been cast away, put a little salve at the end of that, and a new + dog grew out, and the last heard of those parties they were quarrelling as + to who owned the second dog. Something like that is what I call a miracle. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you believe about the immortality of the soul? Do + you believe that the spirit lives as an individual after the body is dead? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have said a great many times that it is no more wonderful + that we should live again than that we do live. Sometimes I have thought + it not quite so wonderful for the reason that we have a start. But upon + that subject I have not the slightest information. Whether man lives again + or not I cannot pretend to say. There may be another world and there may + not be. If there is another world we ought to make the best of it after + arriving there. If there is not another world, or if there is another + world, we ought to make the best of this. And since nobody knows, all + should be permitted to have their opinions, and my opinion is that nobody + knows. + </p> + <p> + If we take the Old Testament for authority, man is not immortal. The Old + Testament shows man how he lost immortality. According to Genesis, God + prevented man from putting forth his hand and eating of the Tree of Life. + It is there stated, had he succeeded, man would have lived forever. God + drove him from the garden, preventing him eating of this tree, and in + consequence man became mortal; so that if we go by the Old Testament we + are compelled to give up immortality. The New Testament has but little on + the subject. In one place we are told to seek for immortality. If we are + already immortal, it is hard to see why we should go on seeking for it. In + another place we are told that they who are worthy to obtain that world + and the resurrection of the dead, are not given in marriage. From this one + would infer there would be some unworthy to be raised from the dead. Upon + the question of immortality, the Old Testament throws but little + satisfactory light. I do not deny immortality, nor would I endeavor to + shake the belief of anybody in another life. What I am endeavoring to do + is to put out the fires of hell. If we cannot have heaven without hell, I + am in favor of abolishing heaven. I do not want to go to heaven if one + soul is doomed to agony. I would rather be annihilated. + </p> + <p> + My opinion of immortality is this: + </p> + <p> + First.—I live, and that of itself is infinitely wonderful. + </p> + <p> + Second.—There was a time when I was not, and after I was not, I was. + Third.—Now that I am, I may be again; and it is no more wonderful + that I may be again, if I have been, than that I am, having once been + nothing. If the churches advocated immortality, if they advocated eternal + justice, if they said that man would be rewarded and punished according to + deeds; if they admitted that some time in eternity there would be an + opportunity given to lift up souls, and that throughout all the ages the + angels of progress and virtue would beckon the fallen upward; and that + some time, and no matter how far away they might put off the time, all the + children of men would be reasonably happy, I never would say a solitary + word against the church, but just as long as they preach that the majority + of mankind will suffer eternal pain, just so long I shall oppose them; + that is to say, as long as I live. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe in a God; and, if so, what kind of a God? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Let me, in the first place, lay a foundation for an answer. + </p> + <p> + First.—Man gets all food for thought through the medium of the + senses. The effect of nature upon the senses, and through the senses upon + the brain, must be natural. All food for thought, then, is natural. As a + consequence of this, there can be no supernatural idea in the human brain. + Whatever idea there is must have been a natural product. If, then, there + is no supernatural idea in the human brain, then there cannot be in the + human brain an idea of the supernatural. If we can have no idea of the + supernatural, and if the God of whom you spoke is admitted to be + supernatural, then, of course, I can have no idea of him, and I certainly + can have no very fixed belief on any subject about which I have no idea. + </p> + <p> + There may be a God for all I know. There may be thousands of them. But the + idea of an infinite Being outside and independent of nature is + inconceivable. I do not know of any word that would explain my doctrine or + my views upon the subject. I suppose Pantheism is as near as I could go. I + believe in the eternity of matter and in the eternity of intelligence, but + I do not believe in any Being outside of nature. I do not believe in any + personal Deity. I do not believe in any aristocracy of the air. I know + nothing about origin or destiny. Between these two horizons I live, + whether I wish to or not, and must be satisfied with what I find between + these two horizons. I have never heard any God described that I believe + in. I have never heard any religion explained that I accept. To make + something out of nothing cannot be more absurd than that an infinite + intelligence made this world, and proceeded to fill it with crime and want + and agony, and then, not satisfied with the evil he had wrought, made a + hell in which to consummate the great mistake. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe that the world, and all that is in it came + by chance? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not believe anything comes by chance. I regard the + present as the necessary child of a necessary past. I believe matter is + eternal; that it has eternally existed and eternally will exist. I believe + that in all matter, in some way, there is what we call force; that one of + the forms of force is intelligence. I believe that whatever is in the + universe has existed from eternity and will forever exist. + </p> + <p> + Secondly.—I exclude from my philosophy all ideas of chance. Matter + changes eternally its form, never its essence. You cannot conceive of + anything being created. No one can conceive of anything existing without a + cause or with a cause. Let me explain; a thing is not a cause until an + effect has been produced; so that, after all, cause and effect are twins + coming into life at precisely the same instant, born of the womb of an + unknown mother. The Universe in the only fact, and everything that ever + has happened, is happening, or will happen, are but the different aspects + of the one eternal fact. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Dispatch</i>, Pittsburg, Pa., December 11, 1880. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0017" id="link0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What phases will the Southern question assume in the next + four years? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The next Congress should promptly unseat every member of + Congress in whose district there was not a fair and honest election. That + is the first hard work to be done. Let notice, in this way, be given to + the whole country, that fraud cannot succeed. No man should be allowed to + hold a seat by force or fraud. Just as soon as it is understood that fraud + is useless it will be abandoned. In that way the honest voters of the + whole country can be protected. + </p> + <p> + An honest vote settles the Southern question, and Congress has the power + to compel an honest vote, or to leave the dishonest districts without + representation. I want this policy adopted, not only in the South, but in + the North. No man touched or stained with fraud should be allowed to hold + his seat. Send such men home, and let them stay there until sent back by + honest votes. The Southern question is a Northern question, and the + Republican party must settle it for all time. We must have honest + elections, or the Republic must fall. Illegal voting must be considered + and punished as a crime. + </p> + <p> + Taking one hundred and seventy thousand as the basis of representation, + the South, through her astounding increase of colored population, gains + three electoral votes, while the North and East lose three. Garfield was + elected by the thirty thousand colored votes cast in New York. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will the negro continue to be the balance of power, and + if so, will it inure to his benefit? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The more political power the colored man has the better he + will be treated, and if he ever holds the balance of power he will be + treated as well as the balance of our citizens. My idea is that the + colored man should stand on an equality with the white before the law; + that he should honestly be protected in all his rights; that he should be + allowed to vote, and that his vote should be counted. It is a simple + question of honesty. The colored people are doing well; they are + industrious; they are trying to get an education, and, on the whole, I + think they are behaving fully as well as the whites. They are the most + forgiving people in the world, and about the only real Christians in our + country. They have suffered enough, and for one I am on their side. I + think more of honest black people than of dishonest whites, to say the + least of it. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you apprehend any trouble from the Southern leaders in + this closing session of Congress, in attempts to force pernicious + legislation? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not. The Southern leaders know that the doctrine of + State Sovereignty is dead. They know that they cannot depend upon the + Northern Democrat, and they know that the best interests of the South can + only be preserved by admitting that the war settled the questions and + ideas fought for and against. They know that this country is a Nation, and + that no party can possibly succeed that advocates anything contrary to + that. My own opinion is that most of the Southern leaders are heartily + ashamed of the course pursued by their Northern friends, and will take the + first opportunity to say so. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In what light do you regard the Chinaman? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am opposed to compulsory immigration, or cooley or slave + immigration. If Chinamen are sent to this country by corporations or + companies under contracts that amount to slavery or anything like it or + near it, then I am opposed to it. But I am not prepared to say that I + would be opposed to voluntary immigration. I see by the papers that a new + treaty has been agreed upon that will probably be ratified and be + satisfactory to all parties. We ought to treat China with the utmost + fairness. If our treaty is wrong, amend it, but do so according to the + recognized usage of nations. After what has been said and done in this + country I think there is very little danger of any Chinaman voluntarily + coming here. By this time China must have an exceedingly exalted opinion + of our religion, and of the justice and hospitality born of our most holy + faith. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of making ex-Presidents Senators for + life? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am opposed to it. I am against any man holding office for + life. And I see no more reason for making ex-Presidents Senators, than for + making ex-Senators Presidents. To me the idea is preposterous. Why should + ex-Presidents be taken care of? In this country labor is not disgraceful, + and after a man has been President he has still the right to be useful. I + am personally acquainted with several men who will agree, in consideration + of being elected to the presidency, not to ask for another office during + their natural lives. The people of this country should never allow a great + man to suffer. The hand, not of charity, but of justice and generosity, + should be forever open to those who have performed great public service. + </p> + <p> + But the ex-Presidents of the future may not all be great and good men, and + bad ex-Presidents will not make good Senators. If the nation does + anything, let it give a reasonable pension to ex- Presidents. No man feels + like giving pension, power, or place to General Grant simply because he + was once President, but because he was a great soldier, and led the armies + of the nation to victory. Make him a General, and retire him with the + highest military title. Let him grandly wear the laurels he so nobly won, + and should the sky at any time be darkened with a cloud of foreign war, + this country will again hand him the sword. Such a course honors the + nation and the man. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are we not entering upon the era of our greatest + prosperity? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. We are just beginning to be prosperous. The Northern + Pacific Railroad is to be completed. Forty millions of dollars have just + been raised by that company, and new States will soon be born in the great + Northwest. The Texas Pacific will be pushed to San Diego, and in a few + years we will ride in a Pullman car from Chicago to the City of Mexico. + The gold and silver mines are yielding more and more, and within the last + ten years more than forty million acres of land have been changed from + wilderness to farms. This country is beginning to grow. We have just + fairly entered upon what I believe will be the grandest period of national + development and prosperity. With the Republican party in power; with good + money; with unlimited credit; with the best land in the world; with ninety + thousand miles of railway; with mountains of gold and silver; with + hundreds of thousands of square miles of coal fields; with iron enough for + the whole world; with the best system of common schools; with telegraph + wires reaching every city and town, so that no two citizens are an hour + apart; with the telephone, that makes everybody in the city live next + door, and with the best folks in the world, how can we help prospering + until the continent is covered with happy homes? + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of civil service reform? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am in favor of it. I want such civil service reform that + all the offices will be filled with good and competent Republicans. The + majority should rule, and the men who are in favor of the views of the + majority should hold the offices. I am utterly opposed to the idea that a + party should show its liberality at the expense of its principles. Men + holding office can afford to take their chances with the rest of us. If + they are Democrats, they should not expect to succeed when their party is + defeated. I believe that there are enough good and honest Republicans in + this country to fill all the offices, and I am opposed to taking any + Democrats until the Republican supply is exhausted. + </p> + <p> + Men should not join the Republican party to get office. Such men are + contemptible to the last degree. Neither should a Republican + administration compel a man to leave the party to get a Federal + appointment. After a great battle has been fought I do not believe that + the victorious general should reward the officers of the conquered army. + My doctrine is, rewards for friends. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Commercial</i>, Cincinnati, Ohio, December 6, 1880. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0018" id="link0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MR. BEECHER, MOSES AND THE NEGRO. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. Mr. Beecher is here. Have you seen him? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No, I did not meet Mr. Beecher. Neither did I hear him + lecture. The fact is, that long ago I made up my mind that under no + circumstances would I attend any lecture or other entertainment given at + Lincoln Hall. First, because the hall has been denied me, and secondly, + because I regard it as extremely unsafe. The hall is up several stories + from the ground, and in case of the slightest panic, in my judgment, many + lives would be lost. Had it not been for this, and for the fact that the + persons owning it imagined that because they had control, the brick and + mortar had some kind of holy and sacred quality, and that this holiness is + of such a wonderful character that it would not be proper for a man in + that hall to tell his honest thoughts, I would have heard him. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Then I assume that you and Mr. Beecher have made up? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There is nothing to be made up for so far as I know. Mr. + Beecher has treated me very well, and, I believe, a little too well for + his own peace of mind. I have been informed that some members of Plymouth + Church felt exceedingly hurt that their pastor should so far forget + himself as to extend the right hand of fellowship to one who differs from + him upon what they consider very essential points in theology. You see I + have denied with all my might, a great many times, the infamous doctrine + of eternal punishment. I have also had the temerity to suggest that I did + not believe that a being of infinite justice and mercy was the author of + all that I find in the Old Testament. As, for instance, I have insisted + that God never commanded anybody to butcher women or to cut the throats of + prattling babes. These orthodox gentlemen have rushed to the rescue of + Jehovah by insisting that he did all these horrible things. I have also + maintained that God never sanctioned or upheld human slavery; that he + never would make one child to own and beat another. + </p> + <p> + I have also expressed some doubts as to whether this same God ever + established the institution of polygamy. I have insisted that the + institution is simply infamous; that it destroys the idea of home; that it + turns to ashes the most sacred words in our language, and leaves the world + a kind of den in which crawl the serpents of selfishness and lust. I have + been informed that after Mr. Beecher had treated me kindly a few members + of his congregation objected, and really felt ashamed that he had so + forgotten himself. After that, Mr. Beecher saw fit to give his ideas of + the position I had taken. In this he was not exceedingly kind, nor was his + justice very conspicuous. But I cared nothing about that, not the least. + As I have said before, whenever Mr. Beecher says a good thing I give him + credit. Whenever he does an unfair or unjust thing I charge it to the + account of his religion. I have insisted, and I still insist, that Mr. + Beecher is far better than his creed. I do not believe that he believes in + the doctrine of eternal punishment. Neither do I believe that he believes + in the literal truth of the Scriptures. And, after all, if the Bible is + not true, it is hardly worth while to insist upon its inspiration. An + inspired lie is not better than an uninspired one. If the Bible is true it + does not need to be inspired. If it is not true, inspiration does not help + it. So that after all it is simply a question of fact. Is it true? I + believe Mr. Beecher stated that one of my grievous faults was that I + picked out the bad things in the Bible. How an infinitely good and wise + God came to put bad things in his book Mr. Beecher does not explain. I + have insisted that the Bible is not inspired, and, in order to prove that, + have pointed out such passages as I deemed unworthy to have been written + even by a civilized man or a savage. I certainly would not endeavor to + prove that the Bible is uninspired by picking out its best passages. I + admit that there are many good things in the Bible. The fact that there + are good things in it does not prove its inspiration, because there are + thousands of other books containing good things, and yet no one claims + they are inspired. Shakespeare's works contain a thousand times more good + things than the Bible, but no one claims he was an inspired man. It is + also true that there are many bad things in Shakespeare—many + passages which I wish he had never written. But I can excuse Shakespeare, + because he did not rise absolutely above his time. That is to say, he was + a man; that is to say, he was imperfect. If anybody claimed now that + Shakespeare was actually inspired, that claim would be answered by + pointing to certain weak or bad or vulgar passages in his works. But every + Christian will say that it is a certain kind of blasphemy to impute + vulgarity or weakness to God, as they are all obliged to defend the weak, + the bad and the vulgar, so long as they insist upon the inspiration of the + Bible. Now, I pursued the same course with the Bible that Mr. Beecher has + pursued with me. Why did he want to pick out my bad things? Is it possible + that he is a kind of vulture that sees only the carrion of another? After + all, has he not pursued the same method with me that he blames me for + pursuing in regard to the Bible? Of course he must pursue that method. He + could not object to me and then point out passages that were not + objectionable. If he found fault he had to find faults in order to sustain + his ground. That is exactly what I have done with Scriptures—nothing + more and nothing less. The reason I have thrown away the Bible is that in + many places it is harsh, cruel, unjust, coarse, vulgar, atrocious, + infamous. At the same time, I admit that it contains many passages of an + excellent and splendid character —many good things, wise sayings, + and many excellent and just laws. + </p> + <p> + But I would like to ask this: Suppose there were no passages in the Bible + except those upholding slavery, polygamy and wars of extermination; would + anybody then claim that it was the word of God? I would like to ask if + there is a Christian in the world who would not be overjoyed to find that + every one of these passages was an interpolation? I would also like to ask + Mr. Beecher if he would not be greatly gratified to find that after God + had written the Bible the Devil had got hold of it, and interpolated all + these passages about slavery, polygamy, the slaughter of women and babes + and the doctrine of eternal punishment? Suppose, as a matter of fact, the + Devil did get hold of it; what part of the Bible would Mr. Beecher pick + out as having been written by the Devil? And if he picks out these + passages could not the Devil answer him by saying, "You, Mr. Beecher, are + like a vulture, a kind of buzzard, flying through the tainted air of + inspiration, and pouncing down upon the carrion. Why do you not fly like a + dove, and why do you not have the innocent ignorance of the dove, so that + you could light upon a carcass and imagine that you were surrounded by the + perfume of violets?" The fact is that good things in a book do not prove + that it is inspired, but the presence of bad things does prove that it is + not. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What was the real difficulty between you and Moses, + Colonel, a man who has been dead for thousands of years? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. We never had any difficulty. I have always taken pains to + say that Moses had nothing to do with the Pentateuch. Those books, in my + judgment, were written several centuries after Moses had become dust in + his unknown sepulchre. No doubt Moses was quite a man in his day, if he + ever existed at all. Some people say that Moses is exactly the same as + "law-giver;" that is to say, as Legislature, that is to say as Congress. + Imagine somebody in the future as regarding the Congress of the United + States as one person! And then imagine that somebody endeavoring to prove + that Congress was always consistent. But, whether Moses lived or not makes + but little difference to me. I presume he filled the place and did the + work that he was compelled to do, and although according to the account + God had much to say to him with regard to the making of altars, tongs, + snuffers and candlesticks, there is much left for nature still to tell. + Thinking of Moses as a man, admitting that he was above his fellows, that + he was in his day and generation a leader, and, in a certain narrow sense, + a patriot, that he was the founder of the Jewish people; that he found + them barbarians and endeavored to control them by thunder and lightning, + and found it necessary to pretend that he was in partnership with the + power governing the universe; that he took advantage of their ignorance + and fear, just as politicians do now, and as theologians always will, + still, I see no evidence that the man Moses was any nearer to God than his + descendants, who are still warring against the Philistines in every + civilized part of the globe. Moses was a believer in slavery, in polygamy, + in wars of extermination, in religious persecution and intolerance and in + almost everything that is now regarded with loathing, contempt and scorn. + The Jehovah of whom he speaks violated, or commands the violation of at + least nine of the Ten Commandments he gave. There is one thing, however, + that can be said of Moses that cannot be said of any person who now + insists that he was inspired, and that is, he was in advance of his time. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the Buckner Bill for the + colonization of the negroes in Mexico? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Where does Mr. Buckner propose to colonize the white + people, and what right has he to propose the colonization of six millions + of people? Should we not have other bills to colonize the Germans, the + Swedes, the Irish, and then, may be, another bill to drive the Chinese + into the sea? Where do we get the right to say that the negroes must + emigrate? + </p> + <p> + All such schemes will, in my judgment, prove utterly futile. Perhaps the + history of the world does not give an instance of the emigration of six + millions of people. Notwithstanding the treatment that Ireland has + received from England, which may be designated as a crime of three hundred + years, the Irish still love Ireland. All the despotism in the world will + never crush out of the Irish heart the love of home—the adoration of + the old sod. The negroes of the South have certainly suffered enough to + drive them into other countries; but after all, they prefer to stay where + they were born. They prefer to live where their ancestors were slaves, + where fathers and mothers were sold and whipped; and I don't believe it + will be possible to induce a majority of them to leave that land. Of + course, thousands may leave, and in process of time millions may go, but I + don't believe emigration will ever equal their natural increase. As the + whites of the South become civilized the reason for going will be less and + less. + </p> + <p> + I see no reason why the white and black men cannot live together in the + same land, under the same flag. The beauty of liberty is you cannot have + it unless you give it away, and the more you give away the more you have. + I know that my liberty is secure only because others are free. + </p> + <p> + I am perfectly willing to live in a country with such men as Frederick + Douglass and Senator Bruce. I have always preferred a good, clever black + man to a mean white man, and I am of the opinion that I shall continue in + that preference. Now, if we could only have a colonization bill that would + get rid of all the rowdies, all the rascals and hypocrites, I would like + to see it carried out, thought some people might insist that it would + amount to a repudiation of the national debt and that hardly enough would + be left to pay the interest. No, talk as we will, the colored people + helped to save this Nation. They have been at all times and in all places + the friends of our flag; a flag that never really protected them. And for + my part, I am willing that they should stand forever beneath that flag, + the equal in rights of all other people. Politically, if any black men are + to be sent away, I want it understood that each one is to be accompanied + by a Democrat, so that the balance of power, especially in New York, will + not be disturbed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I notice that leading Republican newspapers are advising + General Garfield to cut loose from the machine in politics; what do you + regard as the machine? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. All defeated candidates regard the persons who defeated + them as constituting a machine, and always imagine that there is some + wicked conspiracy at the bottom of the machine. Some of the recent + reformers regard the people who take part in the early stages of a + political campaign—who attend caucuses and primaries, who speak of + politics to their neighbors, as members and parts of the machine, and + regard only those as good and reliable American citizens who take no part + whatever, simply reserving the right to grumble after the work has been + done by others. Not much can be accomplished in politics without an + organization, and the moment an organization is formed, and, you might + say, just a little before, leading spirits will be developed. Certain men + will take the lead, and the weaker men will in a short time, unless they + get all the loaves and fishes, denounce the whole thing as a machine, and, + to show how thoroughly and honestly they detest the machine in politics, + will endeavor to organize a little machine themselves. General Garfield + has been in politics for many years. He knows the principal men in both + parties. He knows the men who have not only done something, but who are + capable of doing something, and such men will not, in my opinion, be + neglected. I do not believe that General Garfield will do any act + calculated to divide the Republican party. No thoroughly great man carries + personal prejudice into the administration of public affairs. Of course, + thousands of people will be prophesying that this man is to be snubbed and + another to be paid; but, in my judgment, after the 4th of March most + people will say that General Garfield has used his power wisely and that + he has neither sought nor shunned men simply because he wished to pay + debts—either of love or hatred. + </p> + <p> + —Washington correspondent, <i>Brooklyn Eagle</i>, January 31, 1881. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0019" id="link0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HADES, DELAWARE AND FREETHOUGHT. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Now that a lull has come in politics, I thought I would + come and see what is going on in the religious world? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, from what little I learn, there has not been much + going on during the last year. There are five hundred and twenty- six + Congregational Churches in Massachusetts, and two hundred of these + churches have not received a new member for an entire year, and the others + have scarcely held their own. In Illinois there are four hundred and + eighty-three Presbyterian Churches, and they have now fewer members than + they had in 1879, and of the four hundred and eighty-three, one hundred + and eighty-three have not received a single new member for twelve months. + A report has been made, under the auspices of the Pan-Presbyterian + Council, to the effect that there are in the whole world about three + millions of Presbyterians. This is about one-fifth of one per cent. of the + inhabitants of the world. The probability is that of the three million + nominal Presbyterians, not more than two or three hundred thousand + actually believe the doctrine, and of the two or three hundred thousand, + not more than five or six hundred have any true conception of what the + doctrine is. As the Presbyterian Church has only been able to induce + one-fifth of one per cent. of the people to even call themselves + Presbyterians, about how long will it take, at this rate, to convert + mankind? The fact is, there seems to be a general lull along the entire + line, and just at present very little is being done by the orthodox people + to keep their fellow-citizens out of hell. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you really think that the orthodox people now believe + in the old doctrine of eternal punishment, and that they really think + there is a kind of hell that our ancestors so carefully described? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am afraid that the old idea is dying out, and that many + Christians are slowly giving up the consolations naturally springing from + the old belief. Another terrible blow to the old infamy is the fact that + in the revised New Testament the word Hades has been substituted. As + nobody knows exactly what Hades means, it will not be quite so easy to + frighten people at revivals by threatening them with something that they + don't clearly understand. After this, when the impassioned orator cries + out that all the unconverted will be sent to Hades, the poor sinners, + instead of getting frightened, will begin to ask each other what and where + that is. It will take many years of preaching to clothe that word in all + the terrors and horrors, pains, and penalties and pangs of hell. Hades is + a compromise. It is a concession to the philosophy of our day. It is a + graceful acknowledgment to the growing spirit of investigation, that hell, + after all, is a barbaric mistake. Hades is the death of revivals. It + cannot be used in song. It won't rhyme with anything with the same force + that hell does. It is altogether more shadowy than hot. It is not + associated with brimstone and flame. It sounds somewhat indistinct, + somewhat lonesome, a little desolate, but not altogether uncomfortable. + For revival purposes, Hades is simply useless, and few conversions will be + made in the old way under the revised Testament. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you really think that the church is losing ground? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am not, as you probably know, connected with any orthodox + organization, and consequently have to rely upon them for my information. + If they can be believed, the church is certainly in an extremely bad + condition. I find that the Rev. Dr. Cuyler, only a few days ago, speaking + of the religious condition of Brooklyn —and Brooklyn, you know, has + been called the City of Churches— states that the great mass of that + Christian city was out of Christ, and that more professing Christians went + to the theatre than to the prayer meeting. This, certainly, from their + standpoint, is a most terrible declaration. Brooklyn, you know, is one of + the great religious centres of the world—a city in which nearly all + the people are engaged either in delivering or in hearing sermons; a city + filled with the editors of religious periodicals; a city of prayer and + praise; and yet, while prayer meetings are free, the theatres, with the + free list entirely suspended, catch more Christians than the churches; and + this happens while all the pulpits thunder against the stage, and the + stage remains silent as to the pulpit. At the same meeting in which the + Rev. Dr. Cuyler made his astounding statements the Rev. Mr. Pentecost was + the bearer of the happy news that four out of five persons living in the + city of Brooklyn were going down to hell with no God and with no hope. If + he had read the revised Testament he would have said "Hades," and the + effect of the statement would have been entirely lost. If four-fifths of + the people of that great city are destined to eternal pain, certainly we + cannot depend upon churches for the salvation of the world. At the meeting + of the Brooklyn pastors they were in doubt as to whether they should + depend upon further meetings, or upon a day of fasting and prayer for the + purpose of converting the city. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, it would be much better to devise ways and means to keep a + good many people from fasting in Brooklyn. If they had more meat, they + could get along with less meeting. If fasting would save a city, there are + always plenty of hungry folks even in that Christian town. The real + trouble with the church of to-day is, that it is behind the intelligence + of the people. Its doctrines no longer satisfy the brains of the + nineteenth century; and if the church proposes to hold its power, it must + lose its superstitions. The day of revivals is gone. Only the ignorant and + unthinking can hereafter be impressed by hearing the orthodox creed. Fear + has in it no reformatory power, and the more intelligent the world grows + the more despicable and contemptible the doctrine of eternal misery will + become. The tendency of the age is toward intellectual liberty, toward + personal investigation. Authority is no longer taken for truth. People are + beginning to find that all the great and good are not dead—that some + good people are alive, and that the demonstrations of to-day are fully + equal to the mistaken theories of the past. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How are you getting along with Delaware? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. First rate. You know I have been wondering where Comegys + came from, and at last I have made the discovery. I was told the other day + by a gentleman from Delaware that many years ago Colonel Hazelitt died; + that Colonel Hazelitt was an old Revolutionary officer, and that when they + were digging his grave they dug up Comegys. Back of that no one knows + anything of his history. The only thing they know about him certainly, is, + that he has never changed one of his views since he was found, and that he + never will. I am inclined to think, however, that he lives in a community + congenial to him. For instance, I saw in a paper the other day that within + a radius of thirty miles around Georgetown, Delaware, there are about two + hundred orphan and friendless children. These children, it seems, were + indentured to Delaware farmers by the managers of orphan asylums and other + public institutions in and about Philadelphia. It is stated in the paper, + that: + </p> + <p> + "Many of these farmers are rough task-masters, and if a boy fails to + perform the work of an adult, he is almost certain to be cruelly treated, + half starved, and in the coldest weather wretchedly clad. If he does the + work, his life is not likely to be much happier, for as a rule he will + receive more kicks than candy. The result in either case is almost certain + to be wrecked constitutions, dwarfed bodies, rounded shoulders, and limbs + crippled or rendered useless by frost or rheumatism. The principal diet of + these boys is corn pone. A few days ago, Constable W. H. Johnston went to + the house of Reuben Taylor, and on entering the sitting room his attention + was attracted by the moans of its only occupant, a little colored boy, who + was lying on the hearth in front of the fireplace. The boy's head was + covered with ashes from the fire, and he did not pay the slightest + attention to the visitor, until Johnston asked what made him cry. Then the + little fellow sat up and drawing on old rag off his foot said, 'Look + there.' The sight that met Johnston's eye was horrible beyond description. + The poor boy's feet were so horribly frozen that the flesh had dropped off + the toes until the bones protruded. The flesh on the sides, bottoms, and + tops of his feet was swollen until the skin cracked in many places, and + the inflamed flesh was sloughing off in great flakes. The frost-bitten + flesh extended to his knees, the joints of which were terribly inflamed. + The right one had already begun suppurating. This poor little black boy, + covered with nothing but a cotton shirt, drilling pants, a pair of nearly + worn out brogans and a battered old hat, on the morning of December 30th, + the coldest day of the season, when the mercury was seventeen degrees + below zero, in the face of a driving snow storm, was sent half a mile from + home to protect his master's unshucked corn from the depredations of + marauding cows and crows. He remained standing around in the snow until + four o'clock, then he drove the cows home, received a piece of cold corn + pone, and was sent out in the snow again to chop stove wood till dark. + Having no bed, he slept that night in front of the fireplace, with his + frozen feet buried in the ashes. Dr. C. H. Richards found it necessary to + cut off the boy's feet as far back as the ankle and the instep." + </p> + <p> + This was but one case in several. Personally, I have no doubt that Mr. + Reuben Taylor entirely agrees with Chief Justice Comegys on the great + question of blasphemy, and probably nothing would so gratify Mr. Reuben + Taylor as to see some man in a Delaware jail for the crime of having + expressed an honest thought. No wonder that in the State of Delaware the + Christ of intellectual liberty has been crucified between the pillory and + the whipping-post. Of course I know that there are thousands of most + excellent people in that State—people who believe in intellectual + liberty, and who only need a little help—and I am doing what I can + in that direction —to repeal the laws that now disgrace the statute + book of that little commonwealth. I have seen many people from that State + lately who really wish that Colonel Hazelitt had never died. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What has the press generally said with regard to the + action of Judge Comegys? Do they, so far as you know, justify his charge? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. A great many papers having articles upon the subject have + been sent to me. A few of the religious papers seem to think that the + Judge did the best he knew, and there is one secular paper called the <i>Evening + News</i>, published at Chester, Pa., that thinks "that the rebuke from so + high a source of authority will have a most excellent effect, and will + check religious blasphemers from parading their immoral creeds before the + people." The editor of this paper should at once emigrate to the State of + Delaware, where he properly belongs. He is either a native of Delaware, or + most of his subscribers are citizens of that country; or, it may be that + he is a lineal descendant of some Hessian, who deserted during the + Revolutionary war. Most of the newspapers in the United States are + advocates of mental freedom. Probably nothing on earth has been so potent + for good as an untrammeled, fearless press. Among the papers of importance + there is not a solitary exception. No leading journal in the United States + can be found upon the side of intellectual slavery. Of course, a few rural + sheets edited by gentlemen, as Mr. Greeley would say, "whom God in his + inscrutable wisdom had allowed to exist," may be found upon the other + side, and may be small enough, weak enough and mean enough to pander to + the lowest and basest prejudices of their most ignorant subscribers. These + editors disgrace their profession and exert about the same influence upon + the heads as upon the pockets of their subscribers —that is to say, + they get little and give less. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you not think after all, the people who are in favor + of having you arrested for blasphemy, are acting in accordance with the + real spirit of the Old and New Testaments? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, they act in exact accordance with many of the + commands in the Old Testament, and in accordance with several passages in + the New. At the same time, it may be said that they violate passages in + both. If the Old Testament is true, and if it is the inspired word of God, + of course, an Infidel ought not be allowed to live; and if the New + Testament is true, an unbeliever should not be permitted to speak. There + are many passages, though, in the New Testament, that should protect even + an Infidel. Among them is this: "Do unto others as ye would that others + should do unto you." But that is a passage that has probably had as little + effect upon the church as any other in the Bible. So far as I am + concerned, I am willing to adopt that passage, and I am willing to extend + to every other human being every right that I claim for myself. If the + churches would act upon this principle, if they would say—every + soul, every mind, may think and investigate for itself; and around all, + and over all, shall be thrown the sacred shield of liberty, I should be on + their side. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you stand with the clergymen, and what is their + opinion of you and of your views? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Most of them envy me; envy my independence; envy my + success; think that I ought to starve; that the people should not hear me; + say that I do what I do for money, for popularity; that I am actuated by + hatred of all that is good and tender and holy in human nature; think that + I wish to tear down the churches, destroy all morality and goodness, and + usher in the reign of crime and chaos. They know that shepherds are + unnecessary in the absence of wolves, and it is to their interest to + convince their sheep that they, the sheep, need protection. This they are + willing to give them for half the wool. No doubt, most of these minsters + are honest, and are doing what they consider their duty. Be this as it + may, they feel the power slipping from their hands. They know that the + idea is slowly growing that they are not absolutely necessary for the + protection of society. They know that the intellectual world cares little + for what they say, and that the great tide of human progress flows on + careless of their help or hindrance. So long as they insist upon the + inspiration of the Bible, they are compelled to take the ground that + slavery was once a divine institution; they are forced to defend cruelties + that would shock the heart of a savage, and besides, they are bound to + teach the eternal horror of everlasting punishment. + </p> + <p> + They poison the minds of children; they deform the brain and pollute the + imagination by teaching the frightful and infamous dogma of endless + misery. Even the laws of Delaware shock the enlightened public of to-day. + In that State they simply fine and imprison a man for expressing his + honest thoughts; and yet, if the churches are right, God will damn a man + forever for the same offence. The brain and heart of our time cannot be + satisfied with the ancient creeds. The Bible must be revised again. Most + of the creeds must be blotted out. Humanity must take the place of + theology. Intellectual liberty must stand in every pulpit. There must be + freedom in all the pews, and every human soul must have the right to + express its honest thought. + </p> + <p> + —Washington correspondent, <i>Brooklyn Eagle</i>, March 19, 1881. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0020" id="link0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A REPLY TO THE REV. MR. LANSING.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* Rev. Isaac J. Lansing of Meriden, Conn., recently + denounced Col. Robert G. Ingersoll from the pulpit of the + Meriden Methodist Church, and had the Opera House closed + against him. This led a <i>Union</i> reporter to show Colonel + Ingersoll what Mr. Lansing had said and to interrogate him + with the following result.] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Did you favor the sending of obscene matter through the + mails as alleged by the Rev. Mr. Lansing? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course not, and no honest man ever thought that I did. + This charge is too malicious and silly to be answered. Mr. Lansing knows + better. He has made this charge many times and he will make it again. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is it a fact that there are thousands of clergymen in the + country whom you would fear to meet in fair debate? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No; the fact is I would like to meet them all in one. The + pulpit is not burdened with genius. There a few great men engaged in + preaching, but they are not orthodox. I cannot conceive that a Freethinker + has anything to fear from the pulpit, except misrepresentation. Of course, + there are thousands of ministers too small to discuss with—ministers + who stand for nothing in the church—and with such clergymen I cannot + afford to discuss anything. If the Presbyterians, or the + Congregationalists, or the Methodists would select some man, and endorse + him as their champion, I would like to meet him in debate. Such a man I + will pay to discuss with me. I will give him most excellent wages, and pay + all the expenses at the discussion besides. There is but one safe course + for the ministers—they must assert. They must declare. They must + swear to it and stick to it, but they must not try to reason. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You have never seen Rev. Mr. Lansing. To the people of + Meriden and thereabouts he is well-known. Judging from what has been told + you of his utterances and actions, what kind of a man would you take him + to be? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I would take him to be a Christian. He talks like one, and + he acts like one. If Christianity is right, Lansing is right. If salvation + depends upon belief, and if unbelievers are to be eternally damned, then + an Infidel has no right to speak. He should not be allowed to murder the + souls of his fellow-men. Lansing does the best he knows how. He thinks + that God hates an unbeliever, and he tries to act like God. Lansing knows + that he must have the right to slander a man whom God is to eternally + damn. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Mr. Lansing speaks of you as a wolf coming with fangs + sharpened by three hundred dollars a night to tear the lambs of his flock. + What do you say to that? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. All I have to say is, that I often get three times that + amount, and sometimes much more. I guess his lambs can take care of + themselves. I am not very fond of mutton anyway. Such talk Mr. Lansing + ought to be ashamed of. The idea that he is a shepherd —that he is + on guard—is simply preposterous. He has few sheep in his + congregation that know as little on the wolf question as he does. He ought + to know that his sheep support him—his sheep protect him; and + without the sheep poor Lansing would be devoured by the wolves himself. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Shall you sue the Opera House management for breach of + contract? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I guess not; but I may pay Lansing something for + advertising my lecture. I suppose Mr. Wilcox (who controls the Opera + House) did what he thought was right. I hear he is a good man. He probably + got a little frightened and began to think about the day of judgment. He + could not help it, and I cannot help laughing at him. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Those in Meriden who most strongly oppose you are radical + Republicans. Is it not a fact that you possess the confidence and + friendship of some of the most respected leaders of that party? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that all the respectable ones are friends of mine. + I am a Republican because I believe in the liberty of the body, and I am + an Infidel because I believe in the liberty of the mind. There is no need + of freeing cages. Let us free the birds. If Mr. Lansing knew me, he would + be a great friend. He would probably annoy me by the frequency and length + of his visits. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. During the recent presidential campaign did any clergymen + denounce you for your teachings, that you are aware of? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Some did, but they would not if they had been running for + office on the Republican ticket. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is most needed in our public men? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Hearts and brains. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Would people be any more moral solely because of a + disbelief in orthodox teaching and in the Bible as an inspired book, in + your opinion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes; if a man really believes that God once upheld slavery; + that he commanded soldiers to kill women and babes; that he believed in + polygamy; that he persecuted for opinion's sake; that he will punish + forever, and that he hates an unbeliever, the effect in my judgment will + be bad. It always has been bad. This belief built the dungeons of the + Inquisition. This belief made the Puritan murder the Quaker, and this + belief has raised the devil with Mr. Lansing. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe there will ever be a millennium, and if so + how will it come about? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It will probably start in Meriden, as I have been informed + that Lansing is going to leave. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is there anything else bearing upon the question at issue + or that would make good reading, that I have forgotten, that you would + like to say? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes. Good-bye. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Sunday Union</i>, New Haven, Conn., April 10, 1881. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0021" id="link0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + BEACONSFIELD, LENT AND REVIVALS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say about the attack of Dr. Buckley on + you, and your lecture? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I never heard of Dr. Buckley until after I had lectured in + Brooklyn. He seems to think that it was extremely ill bred in me to + deliver a lecture on the "Liberty of Man, Woman and Child," during Lent. + Lent is just as good as any other part of the year, and no part can be too + good to do good. It was not a part of my object to hurt the feelings of + the Episcopalians and Catholics. If they think that there is some subtle + relation between hunger and heaven, or that faith depends upon, or is + strengthened by famine, or that veal, during Lent, is the enemy of virtue, + or that beef breeds blasphemy, while fish feeds faith—of course, all + this is nothing to me. They have a right to say that vice depends upon + victuals, sanctity on soup, religion on rice and chastity on cheese, but + they have no right to say that a lecture on liberty is an insult to them + because they are hungry. I suppose that Lent was instituted in memory of + the Savior's fast. At one time it was supposed that only a divine being + could live forty days without food. This supposition has been overthrown. + </p> + <p> + It has been demonstrated by Dr. Tanner to be utterly without foundation. + What possible good did it do the world for Christ to go without food for + forty days? Why should we follow such an example? As a rule, hungry people + are cross, contrary, obstinate, peevish and unpleasant. A good dinner puts + a man at peace with all the world—makes him generous, good natured + and happy. He feels like kissing his wife and children. The future looks + bright. He wants to help the needy. The good in him predominates, and he + wonders that any man was ever stingy or cruel. Your good cook is a + civilizer, and without good food, well prepared, intellectual progress is + simply impossible. Most of the orthodox creeds were born of bad cooking. + Bad food produced dyspepsia, and dyspepsia produced Calvinism, and + Calvinism is the cancer of Christianity. Oatmeal is responsible for the + worst features of Scotch Presbyterianism. Half cooked beans account for + the religion of the Puritans. Fried bacon and saleratus biscuit underlie + the doctrine of State Rights. Lent is a mistake, fasting is a blunder, and + bad cooking is a crime. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. It is stated that you went to Brooklyn while Beecher and + Talmage were holding revivals, and that you did so for the purpose of + breaking them up. How is this? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I had not the slightest idea of interfering with the + revivals. They amounted to nothing. They were not alive enough to be + killed. Surely one lecture could not destroy two revivals. Still, I think + that if all the persons engaged in the revivals had spent the same length + of time in cleaning the streets, the good result would have been more + apparent. The truth is, that the old way of converting people will have to + be abandoned. The Americans are getting hard to scare, and a revival + without the "scare" is scarcely worth holding. Such maniacs as Hammond and + the "Boy Preacher" fill asylums and terrify children. After saying what he + has about hell, Mr. Beecher ought to know that he is not the man to + conduct a revival. A revival sermon with hell left out—with the + brimstone gone—with the worm that never dies, dead, and the Devil + absent—is the broadest farce. Mr. Talmage believes in the ancient + way. With him hell is a burning reality. He can hear the shrieks and + groans. He is of that order of mind that rejoices in these things. If he + could only convince others, he would be a great revivalist. He cannot + terrify, he astonishes. He is the clown of the horrible—one of + Jehovah's jesters. I am not responsible for the revival failure in + Brooklyn. I wish I were. I would have the happiness of knowing that I had + been instrumental in preserving the sanity of my fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you account for these attacks? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It was not so much what I said that excited the wrath of + the reverend gentlemen as the fact that I had a great house. They + contrasted their failure with my success. The fact is, the people are + getting tired of the old ideas. They are beginning to think for + themselves. Eternal punishment seems to them like eternal revenge. They + see that Christ could not atone for the sins of others; that belief ought + not to be rewarded and honest doubt punished forever; that good deeds are + better than bad creeds, and that liberty is the rightful heritage of every + soul. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Were you an admirer of Lord Beaconsfield? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In some respects. He was on our side during the war, and + gave it as his opinion that the Union would be preserved. Mr. Gladstone + congratulated Jefferson Davis on having founded a new nation. I shall + never forget Beaconsfield for his kindness, nor Gladstone for his malice. + Beaconsfield was an intellectual gymnast, a political athlete, one of the + most adroit men in the world. He had the persistence of his race. In spite + of the prejudices of eighteen hundred years, he rose to the highest + position that can be occupied by a citizen. During his administration + England again became a Continental power and played her game of European + chess. I have never regarded Beaconsfield as a man controlled by + principle, or by his heart. He was strictly a politician. He always acted + as though he thought the clubs were looking at him. He knew all the arts + belonging to his trade. He would have succeeded anywhere, if by + "succeeding" is meant the attainment of position and power. But after all, + such men are splendid failures. They give themselves and others a great + deal of trouble—they wear the tinsel crown of temporary success and + then fade from public view. They astonish the pit, they gain the applause + of the galleries, but when the curtain falls there is nothing left to + benefit mankind. Beaconsfield held convictions somewhat in contempt. He + had the imagination of the East united with the ambition of an Englishman. + With him, to succeed was to have done right. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of him as an author? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Most of his characters are like himself—puppets moved + by the string of self-interest. The men are adroit, the women mostly + heartless. They catch each other with false bait. They have great worldly + wisdom. Their virtue and vice are mechanical. They have hearts like clocks—filled + with wheels and springs. The author winds them up. In his novels Disræli + allows us to enter the greenroom of his heart. We see the ropes, the + pulleys and the old masks. In all things, in politics and in literature, + he was cold, cunning, accurate, able and successful. His books will, in a + little while, follow their author to their grave. After all, the good will + live longest. + </p> + <p> + —Washington correspondent, <i>Brooklyn Eagle</i>, April 24, 1881. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0022" id="link0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ANSWERING THE NEW YORK MINISTERS.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* Ever since Colonel Ingersoll began the delivery of his + lecture called <i>The Great Infidels</i>, the ministers of the + country have made him the subject of special attack. One + week ago last Sunday the majority of the leading ministers + in New York made replies to Ingersoll's latest lecture. + What he has to say to these replies will be found in a + report of an interview with Colonel Ingersoll. + + No man is harder to pin down for a long talk than the + Colonel. He is so beset with visitors and eager office + seekers anxious for help, that he can hardly find five + minutes unoccupied during an entire day. Through the shelter + of a private room and the guardianship of a stout colored + servant, the Colonel was able to escape the crowd of seekers + after his personal charity long enough to give some time to + answer some of the ministerial arguments advanced against + him in New York.] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you seen the attacks made upon you by certain + ministers of New York, published in the <i>Herald</i> last Sunday? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I read, or heard read, what was in Monday's <i>Herald</i>. + I do not know that you could hardly call them attacks. They are + substantially a repetition of what the pulpit has been saying for a great + many hundred years, and what the pulpit will say just so long as men are + paid for suppressing truth and for defending superstition. One of these + gentlemen tells the lambs of his flock that three thousand men and a few + women—probably with quite an emphasis on the word "Few"—gave + one dollar each to hear their Maker cursed and their Savior ridiculed. + Probably nothing is so hard for the average preacher to bear as the fact + that people are not only willing to hear the other side, but absolutely + anxious to pay for it. The dollar that these people paid hurt their + feelings vastly more than what was said after they were in. Of course, it + is a frightful commentary on the average intellect of the pulpit that a + minister cannot get so large an audience when he preaches for nothing, as + an Infidel can draw at a dollar a head. If I depended upon a contribution + box, or upon passing a saucer that would come back to the stage enriched + with a few five cent pieces, eight or ten dimes, and a lonesome quarter, + these gentlemen would, in all probability, imagine Infidelity was not to + be feared. + </p> + <p> + The churches were all open on that Sunday, and all could go who desired. + Yet they were not full, and the pews were nearly as empty of people as the + pulpit of ideas. The truth is, the story is growing old, the ideas + somewhat moss-covered, and everything has a wrinkled and withered + appearance. This gentleman says that these people went to hear their Maker + cursed and their Savior ridiculed. Is it possible that in a city where so + many steeples pierce the air, and hundreds of sermons are preached every + Sunday, there are three thousand men, and a few women, so anxious to hear + "their Maker cursed and their Savior ridiculed" that they are willing to + pay a dollar each? The gentleman knew that nobody cursed anybody's Maker. + He knew that the statement was utterly false and without the slightest + foundation. He also knew that nobody had ridiculed the Savior of anybody, + but, on the contrary, that I had paid a greater tribute to the character + of Jesus Christ than any minister in New York has the capacity to do. + Certainly it is not cursing the Maker of anybody to say that the God + described in the Old Testament is not the real God. Certainly it is not + cursing God to declare that the real God never sanctioned slavery or + polygamy, or commanded wars of extermination, or told a husband to + separate from his wife if she differed with him in religion. The people + who say these things of God—if there is any God at all—do what + little there is in their power, unwittingly of course, to destroy his + reputation. But I have done something to rescue the reputation of the + Deity from the slanders of the pulpit. If there is any God, I expect to + find myself credited on the heavenly books for my defence of him. I did + say that our civilization is due not to piety, but to Infidelity. I did + say that every great reformer had been denounced as an Infidel in his day + and generation. I did say that Christ was an Infidel, and that he was + treated in his day very much as the orthodox preachers treat an honest man + now. I did say that he was tried for blasphemy and crucified by bigots. I + did say that he hated and despised the church of his time, and that he + denounced the most pious people of Jerusalem as thieves and vipers. And I + suggested that should he come again he might have occasion to repeat the + remarks that he then made. At the same time I admitted that there are + thousands and thousands of Christians who are exceedingly good people. I + never did pretend that the fact that a man was a Christian even tended to + show that he was a bad man. Neither have I ever insisted that the fact + that a man is an Infidel even tends to show what, in other respects, his + character is. But I always have said, and I always expect to say, that a + Christian who does not believe in absolute intellectual liberty is a curse + to mankind, and that an Infidel who does believe in absolute intellectual + liberty is a blessing to this world. We cannot expect all Infidels to be + good, nor all Christians to be bad, and we might make some mistakes even + if we selected these people ourselves. It is admitted by the Christians + that Christ made a great mistake when he selected Judas. This was a + mistake of over eight per cent. + </p> + <p> + Chaplain Newman takes pains to compare some great Christians with some + great Infidels. He compares Washington with Julian, and insists, I + suppose, that Washington was a great Christian. Certainly he is not very + familiar with the history of Washington, or he never would claim that he + was particularly distinguished in his day for what is generally known as + vital piety. That he went through the ordinary forms of Christianity + nobody disputes. That he listened to sermons without paying any particular + attention to them, no one will deny. Julian, of course, was somewhat + prejudiced against Christianity, but that he was one of the greatest men + of antiquity no one acquainted with the history of Rome can honestly + dispute. When he was made emperor he found at the palace hundreds of + gentlemen who acted as barbers, hair-combers, and brushers for the + emperor. He dismissed them all, remarking that he was able to wash + himself. These dismissed office-holders started the story that he was + dirty in his habits, and a minister of the nineteenth century was found + silly enough to believe the story. Another thing that probably got him + into disrepute in that day, he had no private chaplains. As a matter of + fact, Julian was forced to pretend that he was a Christian in order to + save his life. The Christians of that day were of such a loving nature + that any man who differed with them was forced to either fall a victim to + their ferocity or seek safety in subterfuge. The real crime that Julian + committed, and the only one that has burned itself into the very heart and + conscience of the Christian world, is, that he transferred the revenues of + the Christian churches to heathen priests. Whoever stands between a priest + and his salary will find that he has committed the unpardonable sin + commonly known as the sin against the Holy Ghost. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman also compares Luther with Voltaire. If he will read the + life of Luther by Lord Brougham, he will find that in his ordinary + conversation he was exceedingly low and vulgar, and that no respectable + English publisher could be found who would soil paper with the + translation. If he will take the pains to read an essay by Macaulay, he + will find that twenty years after the death of Luther there were more + Catholics than when he was born. And that twenty years after the death of + Voltaire there were millions less than when he was born. If he will take + just a few moments to think, he will find that the last victory of + Protestantism was in Holland; that there has never been one since, and + will never be another. If he would really like to think, and enjoy for a + few moments the luxury of having an idea, let him ponder for a little + while over the instructive fact that languages having their root in the + Latin have generally been spoken in Catholic countries, and that those + languages having their root in the ancient German are now mostly spoken by + people of Protestant proclivities. It may occur to him, after thinking of + this a while, that there is something deeper in the question than he has + as yet perceived. Luther's last victory, as I said before, was in Holland; + but the victory of Voltaire goes on from day to day. Protestantism is not + holding its own with Catholicism, even in the United States. I saw the + other day the statistics, I believe, of the city of Chicago, showing that, + while the city had increased two or three hundred per cent., Protestantism + had lagged behind at the rate of twelve per cent. I am willing for one, to + have the whole question depend upon a comparison of the worth and work of + Voltaire and Luther. It may be, too, that the gentleman forgot to tell us + that Luther himself gave consent to a person high in office to have two + wives, but prudently suggested to him that he had better keep it as still + as possible. Luther was, also, a believer in a personal Devil. He thought + that deformed children had been begotten by an evil spirit. On one + occasion he told a mother that, in his judgment, she had better drown her + child; that he had no doubt that the Devil was its father. This same + Luther made this observation: "Universal toleration is universal error, + and universal error is universal hell." From this you will see that he was + an exceedingly good man, but mistaken upon many questions. So, too, he + laughed at the Copernican system, and wanted to know if those fool + astronomers could undo the work of God. He probably knew as little about + science as the reverend gentleman does about history. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Does he compare any other Infidels with Christians? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Oh, yes; he compares Lord Bacon with Diderot. I have never + claimed that Diderot was a saint. I have simply insisted that he was a + great man; that he was grand enough to say that "incredulity is the + beginning of philosophy;" that he had sense enough to know that the God + described by the Catholics and Protestants of his day was simply an + impossible monster; and that he also had the brain to see that the little + selfish heaven occupied by a few monks and nuns and idiots they had + fleeced, was hardly worth going to; in other words, that he was a man of + common sense, greatly in advance of his time, and that he did what he + could to increase the sum of human enjoyment to the end that there might + be more happiness in this world. + </p> + <p> + The gentleman compares him with Lord Bacon, and yet, if he will read the + trials of that day—I think in the year 1620—he will find that + the Christian Lord Bacon, the pious Lord Bacon, was charged with receiving + pay for his opinions, and, in some instances, pay from both sides; that + the Christian Lord Bacon, at first upon his honor as a Christian lord, + denied the whole business; that afterward the Christian Lord Bacon, upon + his honor as a Christian lord, admitted the truth of the whole business, + and that, therefore, the Christian Lord Bacon was convicted and sentenced + to pay a fine of forty thousand pounds, and rendered infamous and + incapable of holding any office. Now, understand me, I do not think Bacon + took bribes because he was a Christian, because there have been many + Christian judges perfectly honest; but, if the statement of the reverend + gentlemen of New York is true, his being a Christian did not prevent his + taking bribes. And right here allow me to thank the gentleman with all my + heart for having spoken of Lord Bacon in this connection. I have always + admired the genius of Bacon, and have always thought of his fall with an + aching heart, and would not now have spoken of his crime had not his + character been flung in my face by a gentleman who asks his God to kill me + for having expressed my honest thought. + </p> + <p> + The same gentleman compares Newton with Spinoza. In the first place, there + is no ground of parallel. Newton was a very great man and a very justly + celebrated mathematician. As a matter of fact, he is not celebrated for + having discovered the law of gravitation. That was known for thousands of + years before he was born; and if the reverend gentleman would read a + little more he would find that Newton's discovery was not that there is + such a law as gravitation, but that bodies attract each other "with a + force proportional directly to the quantity of matter they contain, and + inversely to the squares of their distances." I do not think he made the + discoveries on account of his Christianity. Laplace was certainly in many + respects as great a mathematician and astronomer, but he was not a + Christian. + </p> + <p> + Descartes was certainly not much inferior to Newton as a mathematician, + and thousands insist that he was his superior; yet he was not a Christian. + Euclid, if I remember right, was not a Christian, and yet he had quite a + turn for mathematics. As a matter of fact, Christianity got its idea of + algebra from the Mohammedans, and, without algebra, astronomical knowledge + of to-day would have been impossible. Christianity did not even invent + figures. We got those from the Arabs. The very word "algebra" is Arabic. + The decimal system, I believe, however, was due to a German, but whether + he was a Christian or not, I do not know. + </p> + <p> + We find that the Chinese calculated eclipses long before Christ was born; + and, exactness being the rule at that time, there is an account of two + astronomers having been beheaded for failing to tell the coming of an + eclipse to the minute; yet they were not Christians. There is another fact + connected with Newton, and that is that he wrote a commentary on the Book + of Revelation. The probability is that a sillier commentary was never + written. It was so perfectly absurd and laughable that some one—I + believe it was Voltaire—said that while Newton had excited the envy + of the intellectual world by his mathematical accomplishments, it had + gotten even with him the moment his commentaries were published. Spinoza + was not a mathematician, particularly. He was a metaphysician, an honest + thinker, whose influence is felt, and will be felt so long as these great + questions have the slightest interest for the human brain. + </p> + <p> + He also compares Chalmers with Hume. Chalmers gained his notoriety from + preaching what are known as the astronomical sermons, and, I suppose, was + quite a preacher in his day. + </p> + <p> + But Hume was a thinker, and his works will live for ages after Mr. + Chalmers' sermons will have been forgotten. Mr. Chalmers has never been + prominent enough to have been well known by many people. He may have been + an exceedingly good man, and derived, during his life, great consolation + from a belief in the damnation of infants. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Newman also compares Wesley with Thomas Paine. When Thomas Paine was + in favor of human liberty, Wesley was against it. Thomas Paine wrote a + pamphlet called "Common Sense," urging the colonies to separate themselves + from Great Britain. Wesley wrote a treatise on the other side. He was the + enemy of human liberty; and if his advice could have been followed we + would have been the colonies of Great Britain still. We never would have + had a President in need of a private chaplain. Mr. Wesley had not a + scientific mind. He preached a sermon once on the cause and cure of + earthquakes, taking the ground that earthquakes were caused by sins, and + that the only way to stop them was to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He + also laid down some excellent rules for rearing children, that is, from a + Methodist standpoint. His rules amounted to about this: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>First</i>. Never give them what they want. + <i>Second</i>. Never give them what you intend to give them, at the time + they want it. + <i>Third</i>. Break their wills at the earliest possible moment. +</pre> + <p> + Mr. Wesley made every family an inquisition, every father and mother + inquisitors, and all the children helpless victims. One of his homes would + give an exceedingly vivid idea of hell. At the same time, Mr. Wesley was a + believer in witches and wizards, and knew all about the Devil. At his + request God performed many miracles. On several occasions he cured his + horse of lameness. On others, dissipated Mr. Wesley's headaches. Now and + then he put off rain on account of a camp meeting, and at other times + stopped the wind blowing at the special request of Mr. Wesley. I have no + doubt that Mr. Wesley was honest in all this,—just as honest as he + was mistaken. And I also admit that he was the founder of a church that + does extremely well in new countries, and that thousands of Methodists + have been exceedingly good men. But I deny that he ever did anything for + human liberty. While Mr. Wesley was fighting the Devil and giving his + experience with witches and wizards, Thomas Paine helped to found a free + nation, helped to enrich the air with another flag. Wesley was right on + one thing, though. He was opposed to slavery, and, I believe, called it + the sum of all villainies. I have always been obliged to him for that. I + do not think he said it because he was a Methodist; but Methodism, as he + understood it, did not prevent his saying it, and Methodism as others + understood it, did not prevent men from being slaveholders, did not + prevent them from selling babes from mothers, and in the name of God + beating the naked back of toil. I think, on the whole, Paine did more for + the world than Mr. Wesley. The difference between an average Methodist and + an average Episcopalian is not worth quarreling about. But the difference + between a man who believes in despotism and one who believes in liberty is + almost infinite. Wesley changed Episcopalians into Methodists; Paine + turned lickspittles into men. Let it be understood, once for all, that I + have never claimed that Paine was perfect. I was very glad that the + reverend gentleman admitted that he was a patriot and the foe of tyrants; + that he sympathized with the oppressed, and befriended the helpless; that + he favored religious toleration, and that he weakened the power of the + Catholic Church. I am glad that he made these admissions. Whenever it can + be truthfully said of a man that he loved his country, hated tyranny, + sympathized with the oppressed, and befriended the helpless, nothing more + is necessary. If God can afford to damn such a man, such a man can afford + to be damned. While Paine was the foe of tyrants, Christians were the + tyrants. When he sympathized with the oppressed, the oppressed were the + victims of Christians. When he befriended the helpless, the helpless were + the victims of Christians. Paine never founded an inquisition; never + tortured a human being; never hoped that anybody's tongue would be + paralyzed, and was always opposed to private chaplains. + </p> + <p> + It might be well for the reverend gentleman to continue his comparisons, + and find eminent Christians to put, for instance, along with Humboldt, the + Shakespeare of science; somebody by the side of Darwin, as a naturalist; + some gentleman in England to stand with Tyndall, or Huxley; some Christian + German to stand with Haeckel and Helmholtz. May be he knows some Christian + statesman that he would compare with Gambetta. I would advise him to + continue his parallels. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say of the Rev. Dr. Fulton? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Rev. Dr. Fulton is a great friend of mine. I am + extremely sorry to find that he still believes in a personal Devil, and I + greatly regret that he imagines that this Devil has so much power that he + can take possession of a human being and deprive God of their services. It + is in sorrow and not in anger, that I find that he still believes in this + ancient superstition. I also regret that he imagines that I am leading + young men to eternal ruin. It occurs to me that if there is an infinite + God, he ought not to allow anybody to lead young men to eternal ruin. If + anything I have said, or am going to say, has a tendency to lead young men + to eternal ruin, I hope that if there is a God with the power to prevent + me, that he will use it. Dr. Fulton admits that in politics I am on the + right side. I presume he makes this concession because he is a Republican. + I am in favor of universal education, of absolute intellectual liberty. I + am in favor, also, of equal rights to all. As I have said before we have + spent millions and millions of dollars and rivers of blood to free the + bodies of men; in other words, we have been freeing the cages. My + proposition now is to give a little liberty to the birds. I am not willing + to stop where a man can simply reap the fruit of his hand. I wish him, + also, to enjoy the liberty of his brain. I am not against any truth in the + New Testament. I did say that I objected to religion because it made + enemies and not friends. The Rev. Dr. says that is one reason why he likes + religion. Dr. Fulton tells me that the Bible is the gift of God to man. He + also tells me that the Bible is true, and that God is its author. If the + Bible is true and God is its author, then God was in favor of slavery four + thousand years ago. He was also in favor of polygamy and religious + intolerance. In other words, four thousand years ago he occupied the exact + position the Devil is supposed to occupy now. If the Bible teaches + anything it teaches man to enslave his brother, that is to say, if his + brother is a heathen. The God of the Bible always hated heathens. Dr. + Fulton also says that the Bible is the basis of all law. Yet, if the + Legislature of New York would re-enact next winter the Mosaic code, the + members might consider themselves lucky if they were not hung upon their + return home. Probably Dr. Fulton thinks that had it not been for the Ten + Commandments, nobody would ever have thought that stealing was wrong. I + have always had an idea that men objected to stealing because the + industrious did not wish to support the idle; and I have a notion that + there has always been a law against murder, because a large majority of + people have always objected to being murdered. If he will read his Old + Testament with care, he will find that God violated most of his own + commandments—all except that "Thou shalt worship no other God before + me," and, may be, the commandment against work on the Sabbath day. With + these two exceptions I am satisfied that God himself violated all the + rest. He told his chosen people to rob the Gentiles; that violated the + commandment against stealing. He said himself that he had sent out lying + spirits; that certainly was a violation of another commandment. He ordered + soldiers to kill men, women and babes; that was a violation of another. He + also told them to divide the maidens among the soldiers; that was a + substantial violation of another. One of the commandments was that you + should not covet your neighbor's property. In that commandment you will + find that a man's wife is put on an equality with his ox. Yet his chosen + people were allowed not only to covet the property of the Gentiles, but to + take it. If Dr. Fulton will read a little more, he will find that all the + good laws in the Decalogue had been in force in Egypt a century before + Moses was born. He will find that like laws and many better ones were in + force in India and China, long before Moses knew what a bulrush was. If he + will think a little while, he will find that one of the Ten Commandments, + the one on the subject of graven images, was bad. The result of that was + that Palestine never produced a painter, or a sculptor, and that no Jew + became famous in art until long after the destruction of Jerusalem. A + commandment that robs a people of painting and statuary is not a good one. + The idea of the Bible being the basis of law is almost too silly to be + seriously refuted. I admit that I did say that Shakespeare was the + greatest man who ever lived; and Dr. Fulton says in regard to this + statement, "What foolishness!" He then proceeds to insult his audience by + telling them that while many of them have copies of Shakespeare's works in + their houses, they have not read twenty pages of them. This fact may + account for their attending his church and being satisfied with that + sermon. I do not believe to-day that Shakespeare is more influential than + the Bible, but what influence Shakespeare has, is for good. No man can + read it without having his intellectual wealth increased. When you read + it, it is not necessary to throw away your reason. Neither will you be + damned if you do not understand it. It is a book that appeals to + everything in the human brain. In that book can be found the wisdom of all + ages. Long after the Bible has passed out of existence, the name of + Shakespeare will lead the intellectual roster of the world. Dr. Fulton + says there is not one work in the Bible that teaches that slavery or + polygamy is right. He also states that I know it. If language has meaning—if + words have sense, or the power to convey thought,—what did God mean + when he told the Israelites to buy of the heathen round about, and that + the heathen should be their bondmen and bondmaids forever? + </p> + <p> + What did God mean when he said, If a man strike his servant so he dies, he + should not be punished, because his servant was his money? Passages like + these can be quoted beyond the space that any paper is willing to give. + Yet the Rev. Dr. Fulton denies that the Old Testament upholds slavery. I + would like to ask him if the Old Testament is in favor of religious + toleration? If God wrote the Old Testament and afterward came upon the + earth as Jesus Christ, and taught a new religion, and the Jews crucified + him, was this not in accordance with his own law, and was he not, after + all, the victim of himself? + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What about the other ministers? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I see in the <i>Herald</i> that some ten have said + that they would reply to me. I have selected the two, simply because they + came first. I think they are about as poor as any; and you know it is + natural to attack those who are the easiest answered. All these ministers + are now acting as my agents, and are doing me all the good they can by + saying all the bad things about me they can think of. They imagine that + their congregations have not grown, and they talk to them as though they + were living in the seventeenth instead of the nineteenth century. The + truth is, the pews are beyond the pulpit, and the modern sheep are now + protecting the shepherds. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you noticed a great change in public sentiment in + the last three or four years? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I think there are ten times as many Infidels to- day + as there were ten years ago. I am amazed at the great change that has + taken place in public opinion. The churches are not getting along well. + There are hundreds and hundreds who have not had a new member in a year. + The young men are not satisfied with the old ideas. They find that the + church, after all, is opposed to learning; that it is the enemy of + progress; that it says to every young man, "Go slow. Don't allow your + knowledge to puff you up. Recollect that reason is a dangerous thing. You + had better be a little ignorant here for the sake of being an angel + hereafter, than quite a smart young man and get damned at last." The + church warns them against Humboldt and Darwin, and tells them how much + nobler it is to come from mud than from monkeys; that they were made from + mud. Every college professor is afraid to tell what he thinks, and every + student detects the cowardice. The result is that the young men have lost + confidence in the creeds of the day and propose to do a little thinking + for themselves. They still have a kind of tender pity for the old folks, + and pretend to believe some things they do not, rather than hurt + grandmother's feelings. In the presence of the preachers they talk about + the weather or other harmless subjects, for fear of bruising the spirit of + their pastor. Every minister likes to consider himself as a brave shepherd + leading the lambs through the green pastures and defending them at night + from Infidel wolves. All this he does for a certain share of the wool. + Others regard the church as a kind of social organization, as a good way + to get into society. They wish to attend sociables, drink tea, and + contribute for the conversion of the heathen. It is always so pleasant to + think that there is somebody worse than you are, whose reformation you can + help pay for. I find, too, that the young women are getting tired of the + old doctrines, and that everywhere, all over this country, the power of + the pulpit wanes and weakens. I find in my lectures that the applause is + just in proportion to the radicalism of the thought expressed. Our war was + a great educator, when the whole people of the North rose up grandly in + favor of human liberty. For many years the great question of human rights + was discussed from every stump. Every paper was filled with splendid + sentiments. An application of those doctrines—doctrines born in war—will + forever do away with the bondage of superstition. When man has been free + in body for a little time, he will become free in mind, and the man who + says, "I have a equal right with other men to work and reap the reward of + my labor," will say, "I have, also, an equal right to think and reap the + reward of my thought." + </p> + <p> + In old times there was a great difference between a clergyman and a + layman. The clergyman was educated; the peasant was ignorant. The tables + have been turned. The thought of the world is with the laymen. They are + the intellectual pioneers, the mental leaders, and the ministers are + following on behind, predicting failure and disaster, sighing for the good + old times when their word ended discussion. There is another good thing, + and that is the revision of the Bible. Hundreds of passages have been + found to be interpolations, and future revisers will find hundreds more. + The foundation crumbles. That book, called the basis of all law and + civilization, has to be civilized itself. We have outgrown it. Our laws + are better; our institutions grander; our objects and aims nobler and + higher. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do many people write to you upon this subject; and what + spirit do they manifest? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I get a great many anonymous letters—some + letters in which God is asked to strike me dead, others of an exceedingly + insulting character, others almost idiotic, others exceedingly malicious, + and others insane, others written in an exceedingly good spirit, winding + up with the information that I must certainly be damned. Others express + wonder that God allowed me to live at all, and that, having made the + mistake, he does not instantly correct it by killing me. Others prophesy + that I will yet be a minister of the gospel; but, as there has never been + any softening of the brain in our family, I imagine that the prophecy will + never by fulfilled. Lately, on opening a letter and seeing that it is upon + this subject, and without a signature, I throw it aside without reading. I + have so often found them to be so grossly ignorant, insulting and + malicious, that as a rule I read them no more. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Of the hundreds of people who call upon you nearly every + day to ask your help, do any of them ever discriminate against you on + account of your Infidelity? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No one who has asked a favor of me objects to my religion, + or, rather, to my lack of it. A great many people do come to me for + assistance of one kind or another. But I have never yet asked a man or + woman whether they were religious or not, to what church they belonged, or + any questions upon the subject. I think I have done favors for persons of + most denominations. It never occurs to me whether they are Christians or + Infidels. I do not care. Of course, I do not expect that Christians will + treat me the same as though I belonged to their church. I have never + expected it. In some instances I have been disappointed. I have some + excellent friends who disagree with me entirely upon the subject of + religion. My real opinion is that secretly they like me because I am not a + Christian, and those who do not like me envy the liberty I enjoy. + </p> + <p> + —New York correspondent, <i>Chicago Times</i>, May 29, 1881. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0023" id="link0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + GUITEAU AND HIS CRIME.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* Our "Royal Bob" was found by <i>The Gazette</i>, in the + gloaming of a delicious evening, during the past week, + within the open portals of his friendly residence, dedicated + by the gracious presence within to a simple and cordial + hospitality, to the charms of friendship and the freedom of + an abounding comradeship. With intellectual and untrammeled + life, a generous, wise and genial host, whoever enters finds + a welcome, seasoned with kindly wit and Attic humor, a + poetic insight and a delicious frankness which renders an + evening there a veritable symposium. The wayfarer who + passes is charmed, and he who comes frequently, goes always + away with delighted memories. + + What matters it that we differ? such as he and his make our + common life the sweeter. An hour or two spent in the + attractive parlors of the Ingersoll homestead, amid that + rare group, lends a newer meaning to the idea of home and a + more secure beauty to the fact of family life. During the + past exciting three weeks Colonel Ingersoll has been a busy + man. He holds no office. No position could lend him an + additional crown and even recognition is no longer + necessary. But it has been well that amid the first fierce + fury of anger and excitement, and the subsequent more bitter + if not as noble outpouring of faction's suspicions and + innuendoes, that so manly a man, so sagacious a counsellor, + has been enabled to hold so positive a balance. Cabinet + officers, legal functionaries, detectives, citizens—all + have felt the wise, humane instincts, and the capacious + brain of this marked man affecting and influencing for this + fair equipoise and calmer judgment. + + Conversing freely on the evening of this visit, Colonel + Ingersoll, in the abundance of his pleasure at the White + House news, submitted to be interviewed, and with the + following result.] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. By-the-way, Colonel, you knew Guiteau slightly, we + believe. Are you aware that it has been attempted to show that some money + loaned or given him by yourself was really what he purchased the pistol + with? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I knew Guiteau slightly; I saw him for the first time a few + days after the inauguration. He wanted a consulate, and asked me to give + him a letter to Secretary Blaine. I refused, on the ground that I didn't + know him. Afterwards he wanted me to lend him twenty-five dollars, and I + declined. I never loaned him a dollar in the world. If I had, I should not + feel that I was guilty of trying to kill the President. On the principle + that one would hold the man guilty who had innocently loaned the money + with which he bought the pistol, you might convict the tailor who made his + clothes. If he had had no clothes he would not have gone to the depot + naked, and the crime would not have been committed. It is hard enough for + the man who did lend him the money to lose that, without losing his + reputation besides. Nothing can exceed the utter absurdity of what has + been said upon this subject. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How did Guiteau impress you and what have you remembered, + Colonel, of his efforts to reply to your lectures? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not know that Guiteau impressed me in any way. He + appeared like most other folks in search of a place or employment. I + suppose he was in need. He talked about the same as other people, and + claimed that I ought to help him because he was from Chicago. The second + time he came to see me he said that he hoped I had no prejudice against + him on account of what he had said about me. I told him that I never knew + he had said anything against me. I suppose now that he referred to what he + had said in his lectures. He went about the country replying to me. I have + seen one or two of his lectures. He used about the same arguments that Mr. + Black uses in his reply to my article in the <i>North American Review</i>, + and denounced me in about the same terms. He is undoubtedly a man who + firmly believes in the Old Testament, and has no doubt concerning the New. + I understand that he puts in most of his time now reading the Bible and + rebuking people who use profane language in his presence. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You most certainly do not see any foundation for the + accusations of preachers like Sunderland, Newman and Power, <i>et al</i>, + that the teaching of a secular liberalism has had anything to do with the + shaping of Guiteau's character or the actions of his vagabond life or the + inciting to his murderous deeds? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think that the sermon of Mr. Power was in good + taste. It is utterly foolish to charge the "Stalwarts" with committing or + inciting the crime against the life of the President. Ministers, though, + as a rule, know but little of public affairs, and they always account for + the actions of people they do not like or agree with, by attributing to + them the lowest and basest motives. This is the fault of the pulpit—always + has been, and probably always will be. The Rev. Dr. Newman of New York, + tells us that the crime of Guiteau shows three things: First, that + ignorant men should not be allowed to vote; second, that foreigners should + not be allowed to vote; and third, that there should not be so much + religious liberty. + </p> + <p> + It turns out, first, the Guiteau is not an ignorant man; second, that he + is not a foreigner; and third, that he is a Christian. Now, because an + intelligent American Christian tries to murder the President, this person + says we ought to do something with ignorant foreigners and Infidels. This + is about the average pulpit logic. Of course, all the ministers hate to + admit the Guiteau was a Christian; that he belonged to the Young Men's + Christian Association, or at least was generally found in their rooms; + that he was a follower of Moody and Sankey, and probably instrumental in + the salvation of a great many souls. I do not blame them for wishing to + get rid of this record. What I blame them for is that they are impudent + enough to charge the crime of Guiteau upon Infidelity. Infidels and + Atheists have often killed tyrants. They have often committed crimes to + increase the liberty of mankind; but the history of the world will not + show an instance where an Infidel or an Atheist has assassinated any man + in the interest of human slavery. Of course, I am exceedingly glad that + Guiteau is not an Infidel. I am glad that he believes the Bible, glad that + he has delivered lectures against what he calls Infidelity, and glad that + he has been working for years with the missionaries and evangelists of the + United States. He is a man of small brain, badly balanced. He believes the + Bible to be the word of God. He believes in the reality of heaven and + hell. He believes in the miraculous. He is surrounded by the supernatural, + and when a man throws away his reason, of course no one can tell what he + will do. He is liable to become a devotee or an assassin, a saint or a + murderer; he may die in a monastery or in a penitentiary. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. According to your view, then, the species of fanaticism + taught in sectarian Christianity, by which Guiteau was led to assert that + Garfield dead would be better off then living—being in Paradise + —is more responsible than office seeking or political factionalism + for his deed? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Guiteau seemed to think that the killing of the President + would only open the gates of Paradise to him, and that, after all, under + such circumstances, murder was hardly a crime. This same kind of reasoning + is resorted to in the pulpit to account for death. If Guiteau had + succeeded in killing the President, hundreds of ministers would have said, + "After all, it may be that the President has lost nothing; it may be that + our loss is his eternal gain; and although it seems cruel that Providence + should allow a man like him to be murdered, still, it may have been the + very kindest thing that could have been done for him." Guiteau reasoned in + this way, and probably convinced himself, judging from his own life, that + this world was, after all, of very little worth. We are apt to measure + others by ourselves. Of course, I do not think Christianity is responsible + for this crime. Superstition may have been, in part —probably was. + But no man believes in Christianity because he thinks it sanctions murder. + At the same time, an absolute belief in the Bible sometimes produces the + worst form of murder. Take that of Mr. Freeman, of Poeasset, who stabbed + his little daughter to the heart in accordance with what he believed to be + the command of God. This poor man imitated Abraham; and, for that matter, + Jehovah himself. There have been in the history of Christianity thousands + and thousands of such instances, and there will probably be many thousands + more that have been and will be produced by throwing away our own reason + and taking the word of some one else —often a word that we do not + understand. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion as to the effect of praying for the + recovery of the President, and have you any confidence that prayers are + answered? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My opinion as to the value of prayer is well known. I take + it that every one who prays for the President shows at least his sympathy + and good will. Personally, I have no objection to anybody's praying. Those + who think their prayers are answered should pray. For all who honestly + believe this, and who honestly implore their Deity to watch over, protect, + and save the life of the President, I have only the kindliest feelings. + </p> + <p> + It may be that a few will pray to be seen of men; but I suppose that most + people on a subject like this are honest. Personally, I have not the + slightest idea of the existence of the supernatural. Prayer may affect the + person who prays. It may put him in such a frame of mind that he can + better bear disappointment than if he had not prayed; but I cannot believe + that there is any being who hears and answers prayer. + </p> + <p> + When we remember the earthquakes that have devoured, the pestilences that + have covered the earth with corpses, and all the crimes and agonies that + have been inflicted upon the good and weak by the bad and strong, it does + not seem possible that anything can be accomplished by prayer. I do not + wish to hurt the feelings of anyone, but I imagine that I have a right to + my own opinion. If the President gets well it will be because the bullet + did not strike an absolutely vital part; it will be because he has been + well cared for; because he has had about him intelligent and skillful + physicians, men who understood their profession. No doubt he has received + great support from the universal expression of sympathy and kindness. The + knowledge that fifty millions of people are his friends has given him + nerve and hope. Some of the ministers, I see, think that God was actually + present and deflected the ball. Another minister tells us that the + President would have been assassinated in a church, but that God + determined not to allow so frightful a crime to be committed in so sacred + an edifice. All this sounds to me like perfect absurdity—simple + noise. Yet, I presume that those who talk in this way are good people and + believe what they say. Of course, they can give no reason why God did not + deflect the ball when Lincoln was assassinated. The truth is, the pulpit + first endeavors to find out the facts, and then to make a theory to fit + them. Whoever believes in a special providence must, of necessity, by + illogical and absurd; because it is impossible to make any theological + theory that some facts will not contradict. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Won't you give us, then, Colonel, your analysis of this + act, and the motives leading to it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think Guiteau wanted an office and was refused. He became + importunate. He was, substantially, put out of the White House. He became + malicious. He made up his mind to be revenged. This, in my judgment, is + the diagnosis of his case. Since he has been in jail he has never said one + word about having been put out of the White House; he is lawyer enough to + know he must not furnish any ground for malice. He is a miserable, + malicious and worthless wretch, infinitely egotistical, imagines that he + did a great deal toward the election of Garfield, and upon being refused + the house a serpent of malice coiled in his heart, and he determined to be + revenged. That is all! + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you, in any way, see any reason or foundation for the + severe and bitter criticisms made against the Stalwart leaders in + connection with this crime? As you are well known to be a friend of the + administration, while not unfriendly to Mr. Conkling and those acting with + him, would you mind giving the public your opinion on this point? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, I do not hold Arthur, Conkling and Platt + responsible for Guiteau's action. In the first excitement a thousand + unreasonable things were said; and when passion has possession of the + brain, suspicion is a welcome visitor. + </p> + <p> + I do not think that any friend of the administration really believes + Conkling, Platt and Arthur responsible in the slightest degree. Conkling + wished to prevent the appointment of Robertson. The President stood by his + friend. One thing brought on another, Mr. Conkling petulantly resigned, + and made the mistake of his life. There was a good deal of feeling, but, + of course, no one dreamed that the wretch, Guiteau, was lying in wait for + the President's life. In the first place, Guiteau was on the President's + side, and was bitterly opposed to Conkling. Guiteau did what he did from + malice and personal spite. I think the sermon preached last Sunday in the + Campbellite Church was unwise, ill advised, and calculated to make enemies + instead of friends. Mr. Conkling has been beaten. He has paid for the + mistake he made. If he can stand it, I can; and why should there be any + malice on the subject? Exceedingly good men have made mistakes, and + afterward corrected them. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is it not true, Colonel Ingersoll, that the lesson of + this deed is to point the real and overwhelming need of re-knitting and + harmonizing the factions? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There is hardly enough faction left for "knitting." The + party is in harmony now. All that is necessary is to stop talking. The + people of this country care very little as to who holds any particular + office. They wish to have the Government administered in accordance with + certain great principles, and they leave the fields, the shops, and the + stores once in four years, for the purpose of attending to that business. + In the meantime, politicians quarrel about offices. The people go on. They + plow fields, they build homes, they open mines, they enrich the world, + they cover our country with prosperity, and enjoy the aforesaid quarrels. + But when the time comes, these gentlemen are forgotten. + </p> + <p> + Principles take the place of politicians, and the people settle these + questions for themselves. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Sunday Gazette</i>, Washington, D. C., July 24, 1881. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0024" id="link0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DISTRICT SUFFRAGE. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You have heretofore incidentally expressed yourself on + the matter of local suffrage in the District of Columbia. Have you any + objections to giving your present views of the question? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am still in favor of suffrage in the District. The real + trouble is, that before any substantial relief can be reached, there must + be a change in the Constitution of the United States. The mere right to + elect aldermen and mayors and policemen is of no great importance. It is a + mistake to take all political power from the citizens of the District. + Americans want to help rule the country. The District ought to have at + least one Representative in Congress, and should elect one presidential + elector. The people here should have a voice. They should feel that they + are a part of this country. They should have the right to sue in all + Federal courts, precisely as though they were citizens of a State. This + city ought to have half a million of inhabitants. Thousands would come + here every year from every part of the Union, were it not for the fact + that they do not wish to become political nothings. They think that + citizenship is worth something, and they preserve it by staying away from + Washington. This city is a "flag of truce" where wounded and dead + politicians congregate; the Mecca of failures, the perdition of claimants, + the purgatory of seekers after place, and the heaven only of those who + neither want nor do anything. Nothing is manufactured, no solid business + is done in this city, and there never will be until energetic, thrifty + people wish to make it their home, and they will not wish that until the + people of the District have something like the rights and political + prospects of other citizens. It is hard to see why the right to + representation should be taken from citizens living in the Capital of the + Nation. The believers in free government should believe in a free capital. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are there any valid reasons why the constitutional + limitations to the elective franchise in the District of Columbia should + not be removed by an amendment to that instrument? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I cannot imagine one. If our Government is founded upon a + correct principle there can be no objection urged against suffrage in the + District that cannot, with equal force, be urged against every part of the + country. If freedom is dangerous here, it is safe nowhere. If a man cannot + be trusted in the District, he is dangerous in the State. We do not trust + the place where the man happens to be; we trust the man. The people of + this District cannot remain in their present condition without becoming + dishonored. The idea of allowing themselves to be governed by + commissioners, in whose selection they have no part, is monstrous. The + people here beg, implore, request, ask, pray, beseech, intercede, crave, + urge, entreat, supplicate, memorialize and most humbly petition, but they + neither vote nor demand. They are not allowed to enter the Temple of + Liberty; they stay in the lobby or sit on the steps. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. They say Paris is France, because her electors or + citizens control that municipality. Do you foresee any danger of + centralization in the full enfranchisement of the citizens of Washington? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There was a time when the intelligence of France was in + Paris. The country was besotted, ignorant, Catholic; Paris was alive, + educated, Infidel, full of new theories, of passion and heroism. For two + hundred years Paris was an athlete chained to a corpse. The corpse was the + rest of France. It is different now, and the whole country is at last + filling with light. Besides, Paris has two millions of people. It is + filled with factories. It is not only the intellectual center, but the + center of money and business as well. Let the <i>Corps Legislatif</i> meet + anywhere, and Paris will continue to be in a certain splendid sense—France. + Nothing like that can ever happen here unless you expect Washington to + outstrip New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. If allowing the people of the + District of Columbia to vote was the only danger to the Republic, I should + be politically the happiest of men. I think it somewhat dangerous to + deprive even one American citizen of the right to govern himself. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Would you have Government clerks and officials appointed + to office here given the franchise in the District? and should this, if + given, include the women clerks? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Citizenship should be determined here as in the States. + Clerks should not be allowed to vote unless their intention is to make the + District their home. When I make a government I shall give one vote to + each family. The unmarried should not be represented except by parents. + Let the family be the unit of representation. Give each hearthstone a + vote. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you regard the opposition of the local clergy and + of the Bourbon Democracy to enfranchising the citizens of the District? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I did not know that the clergy did oppose it. If, as you + say, they do oppose it because they fear it will extend the liquor + traffic, I think their reason exceedingly stupid. You cannot make men + temperate by shutting up a few of the saloons and leaving others wide + open. Intemperance must be met with other weapons. The church ought not to + appeal to force. What would the clergy of Washington think should the + miracle of Cana be repeated in their day? Had they been in that country, + with their present ideas, what would they have said? After all there is a + great deal of philosophy in the following: "Better have the whole world + voluntarily drunk then sober on compulsion." Of course the Bourbons + object. Objecting is the business of a Bourbon. He always objects. If he + does not understand the question he objects because he does not, and if he + does understand he objects because he does. With him the reason for + objecting is the fact that he does. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What effect, if any, would the complete franchise to our + citizens have upon real estate and business in Washington? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If the people here had representation according to numbers—if + the avenues to political preferment were open—if men here could take + part in the real government of the country, if they could bring with them + all their rights, this would be a great and splendid Capital. We ought to + have here a University, the best in the world, a library second to none, + and here should be gathered the treasures of American art. The Federal + Government has been infinitely economical in the direction of information. + I hope the time will come when our Government will give as much to educate + two men as to kill one. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Capital</i>, Washington, D. C., December 18, 1881. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0025" id="link0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + FUNERAL OF JOHN G. MILLS AND IMMORTALITY.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* Robert G. Ingersoll rarely takes the trouble to answer + critics. His recent address over the dead body of his friend + John G. Mills has called forth a storm of denunciation from + nearly every pulpit in the country. The writer called at + the Colonel's office in New York Avenue yesterday and asked + him to reply to some of the points made against him. + Reluctantly he assented.] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you seen the recent clerical strictures upon your + doctrines? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There are always people kind enough to send me anything + they have the slightest reason to think I do not care to read. They seem + to be animated by a missionary spirit, and apparently want to be in a + position when they see me in hell to exclaim: "You can't blame me. I sent + you all the impudent articles I saw, and if you died unconverted it was no + fault of mine." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Did you notice that a Washington clergyman said that the + very fact that you were allowed to speak at the funeral was in itself a + sacrilege, and that you ought to have been stopped? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I saw some such story. Of course, the clergy regard + marriages and funerals as the perquisites of the pulpit, and they resent + any interference on the part of the pews. They look at these matters from + a business point of view. They made the same cry against civil marriages. + They denied that marriage was a contract, and insisted that it was a + sacrament, and that it was hardly binding unless a priest had blessed it. + They used to bury in consecrated ground, and had marks upon the graves, so + that Gabriel might know the ones to waken. The clergy wish to make + themselves essential. They must christen the babe—this gives them + possession of the cradle. They must perform the ceremony of marriage + —this gives them possession of the family. They must pronounce the + funeral discourse—this gives them possession of the dead. Formerly + they denied baptism to the children of the unbeliever, marriage to him who + denied the dogmas of the church, and burial to honest men. The church + wishes to control the world, and wishes to sacrifice this world for the + next. Of course I am in favor of the utmost liberty upon all these + questions. When a Presbyterian dies, let a follower of John Calvin console + the living by setting forth the "Five Points." When a Catholic becomes + clay, let a priest perform such ceremonies as his creed demands, and let + him picture the delights of purgatory for the gratification of the living. + And when one dies who does not believe in any religion, having expressed a + wish that somebody say a few words above his remains, I see no reason why + such a proceeding should be stopped, and, for my part, I see no sacrilege + in it. Why should the reputations of the dead, and the feelings of those + who live, be placed at the mercy of the ministers? A man dies not having + been a Christian, and who, according to the Christian doctrine, is doomed + to eternal fire. How would an honest Christian minister console the widow + and the fatherless children? How would he dare to tell what he claims to + be truth in the presence of the living? The truth is, the Christian + minister in the presence of death abandons his Christianity. He dare not + say above the coffin, "the soul that once inhabited this body is now in + hell." He would be denounced as a brutal savage. Now and then a minister + at a funeral has been brave enough and unmannerly enough to express his + doctrine in all its hideousness of hate. I was told that in Chicago, many + years ago, a young man, member of a volunteer fire company, was killed by + the falling of a wall, and at the very moment the wall struck him he was + uttering a curse. He was a brave and splendid man. An orthodox minister + said above his coffin, in the presence of his mother and mourning friends, + that he saw no hope for the soul of that young man. The mother, who was + also orthodox, refused to have her boy buried with such a sermon—stopped + the funeral, took the corpse home, engaged a Universalist preacher, and, + on the next day having heard this man say that there was no place in the + wide universe of God without hope, and that her son would finally stand + among the redeemed, this mother laid her son away, put flowers upon his + grave, and was satisfied. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say to the charge that you are preaching + the doctrine of despair and hopelessness, when they have the comforting + assurances of the Christian religion to offer? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. All I have to say is this: If the Christian religion is + true, as commonly preached—and when I speak of Christianity, I speak + of the orthodox Christianity of the day—if that be true, those whom + I have loved the best are now in torment. Those to whom I am most deeply + indebted are now suffering the vengeance of God. If this religion be true, + the future is of no value to me. I care nothing about heaven, unless the + ones I love and have loved are there. I know nothing about the angels. I + might not like them, and they might not like me. I would rather meet there + the ones who have loved me here—the ones who would have died for me, + and for whom I would have died; and if we are to be eternally divided + —not because we differed in our views of justice, not because we + differed about friendship or love or candor, or the nobility of human + action, but because we differed in belief about the atonement or baptism + or the inspiration of the Scriptures—and if some of us are to be in + heaven, and some in hell, then, for my part, I prefer eternal sleep. To me + the doctrine of annihilation is infinitely more consoling, than the + probable separation preached by the orthodox clergy of our time. Of + course, even if there be a God, I like persons that I know, better than I + can like him—we have more in common—I know more about them; + and how is it possible for me to love the infinite and unknown better than + the ones I know? Why not have the courage to say that if there be a God, + all I know about him I know by knowing myself and my friends—by + knowing others? And, after all, is not a noble man, is not a pure woman, + the finest revelation we have of God—if there be one? Of what use is + it to be false to ourselves? What moral quality is there in theological + pretence? Why should a man say that he loves God better than he does his + wife or his children or his brother or his sister or his warm, true + friend? Several ministers have objected to what I said about my friend Mr. + Mills, on the ground that it was not calculated to console the living. Mr. + Mills was not a Christian. He denied the inspiration of the Scriptures. He + believed that restitution was the best repentance, and that, after all, + sin is a mistake. He was not a believer in total depravity, or in the + atonement. He denied these things. He was an unbeliever. Now, let me ask, + what consolation could a Christian minister have given to his family? He + could have said to the widow and the orphans, to the brother and sister: + "Your husband, your father, your brother, is now in hell; dry your tears; + weep not for him, but try and save yourselves. He has been damned as a + warning to you, care no more for him, why should you weep over the grave + of a man whom God thinks fit only to be eternally tormented? Why should + you love the memory of one whom God hates?" The minister could have said: + "He had an opportunity—he did not take it. The life-boat was lowered—he + would not get in—he has been drowned, and the waves of God's wrath + will sweep over him forever." This is the consolation of Christianity and + the only honest consolation that Christianity can have for the widow and + orphans of an unbeliever. Suppose, however, that the Christian minister + has too tender a heart to tell what he believes to be the truth—then + he can say to the sorrowing friends: "Perhaps the man repented before he + died; perhaps he is not in hell, perhaps you may meet him in heaven;" and + this "perhaps" is a consolation not growing out of Christianity, but out + of the politeness of the preacher—out of paganism. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you not think that the Bible has consolation for those + who have lost their friends? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There is about the Old Testament this strange fact—I + find in it no burial service. There is in it, I believe, from the first + mistake in Genesis to the last curse in Malachi, not one word said over + the dead as to their place and state. When Abraham died, nobody said: "He + is still alive—he is in another world." When the prophets passed + away, not one word was said as to the heaven to which they had gone. In + the Old Testament, Saul inquired of the witch, and Samuel rose. Samuel did + not pretend that he had been living, or that he was alive, but asked: "Why + hast thou disquieted me?" He did not pretend to have come from another + world. And when David speaks of his son, saying that he could not come + back to him, but that he, David, could go to his son, that is but saying + that he, too, must die. There is not in the Old Testament one hope of + immortality. It is expressly asserted that there is no difference between + the man and beast—that as the one dieth so dieth the other. There is + one little passage in Job which commentators have endeavored to twist into + a hope of immortality. Here is a book of hundreds and hundreds of pages, + and hundreds and hundreds of chapters—a revelation from God—and + in it one little passage, which, by a mistranslation, is tortured into + saying something about another life. And this is the Old Testament. I have + sometimes thought that the Jews, when slaves in Egypt, were mostly + occupied in building tombs for mummies, and that they became so utterly + disgusted with that kind of work, that the moment they founded a nation + for themselves they went out of the tomb business. The Egyptians were + believers in immortality, and spent almost their entire substance upon the + dead. The living were impoverished to enrich the dead. The grave absorbed + the wealth of Egypt. The industry of a nation was buried. Certainly the + Old Testament has nothing clearly in favor of immortality. In the New + Testament we are told about the "kingdom of heaven,"—that it is at + hand—and about who shall be worthy, but it is hard to tell what is + meant by the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven was apparently to be + in this world, and it was about to commence. The Devil was to be chained + for a thousand years, the wicked were to be burned up, and Christ and his + followers were to enjoy the earth. This certainly was the doctrine of Paul + when he says: "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all <i>sleep</i>, + but we shall all be <i>changed</i>. In a moment, in the twinkling of an + eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the <i>dead</i> + shall be <i>raised</i> incorruptible, and <i>we</i> shall be <i>changed</i>. + For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on + immortality." According to this doctrine, those who were alive were to be + changed, and those who had died were to be raised from the dead. Paul + certainly did not refer to any other world beyond this. All these things + were to happen here. The New Testament is made up of the fragments of many + religions. It is utterly inconsistent with itself; and there is not a + particle of evidence of the resurrection and ascension of Christ—neither + in the nature of things could there be. It is a thousand times more + probable that people were mistaken than that such things occurred. If + Christ really rose from the dead, he should have shown himself, not simply + to his disciples, but to the very men who crucified him—to Herod, to + the high priest, to Pilate. He should have made a triumphal entry into + Jerusalem after his resurrection, instead of before. He should have shown + himself to the Sadducees,—to those who denied the existence of + spirit. Take from the New Testament its doctrine of eternal pain—the + idea that we can please God by acts of self-denial that can do no good to + others—take away all its miracles, and I have no objection to all + the good things in it—no objection to the hope of a future life, if + such a hope is expressed—not the slightest. And I would not for the + world say anything to take from any mind a hope in which dwells the least + comfort, but a doctrine that dooms a large majority of mankind to eternal + flames ought not to be called a consolation. What I say is, that the + writers of the New Testament knew no more about the future state than I + do, and no less. The horizon of life has never been pierced. The veil + between time and what is called eternity, has never been raised, so far as + I know; and I say of the dead what all others must say if they say only + what they know. There is no particular consolation in a guess. Not knowing + what the future has in store for the human race, it is far better to + prophesy good than evil. It is better to hope that the night has a dawn, + that the sky has a star, than to build a heaven for the few, and a hell + for the many. It is better to leave your dead in doubt than in fire—better + that they should sleep in shadow than in the lurid flames of perdition. + And so I say, and always have said, let us hope for the best. The minister + asks: "What right have you to hope? It is sacrilegious in you!" But, + whether the clergy like it or not, I shall always express my real opinion, + and shall always be glad to say to those who mourn: "There is in death, as + I believe, nothing worse than sleep. Hope for as much better as you can. + Under the seven-hued arch let the dead rest." Throw away the Bible, and + you throw away the fear of hell, but the hope of another life remains, + because the hope does not depend upon a book—it depends upon the + heart—upon human affection. The fear, so far as this generation is + concerned, is born of the book, and that part of the book was born of + savagery. Whatever of hope is in the book is born, as I said before, of + human affection, and the higher our civilization the greater the + affection. I had rather rest my hope of something beyond the grave upon + the human heart, than upon what they call the Scriptures, because there I + find mingled with the hope of something good the threat of infinite evil. + Among the thistles, thorns and briers of the Bible is one pale and sickly + flower of hope. Among all its wild beasts and fowls, only one bird flies + heavenward. I prefer the hope without the thorns, without the briers, + thistles, hyenas, and serpents. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you not know that it is claimed that immortality was + brought to light in the New Testament, that that, in fact, was the + principal mission of Christ? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I know that Christians claim that the doctrine of + immortality was first taught in the New Testament. They also claim that + the highest morality was found there. Both these claims are utterly + without foundation. Thousands of years before Christ was born—thousands + of years before Moses saw the light—the doctrine of immortality was + preached by the priests of Osiris and Isis. Funeral discourses were + pronounced over the dead, ages before Abraham existed. When a man died in + Egypt, before he was taken across the sacred lake, he had a trial. + Witnesses appeared, and if he had done anything wrong, for which he had + not done restitution, he was not taken across the lake. The living + friends, in disgrace, carried the body back, and it was buried outside of + what might be called consecrated ground, while the ghost was supposed to + wander for a hundred years. Often the children of the dead would endeavor + to redeem the poor ghost by acts of love and kindness. When he came to the + spirit world there was the god Anubis, who weighed his heart in the scales + of eternal justice, and if the good deed preponderated he entered the + gates of Paradise; if the evil, he had to go back to the world, and be + born in the bodies of animals for the purpose of final purification. At + last, the good deeds would outweigh the evil, and, according to the + religion of Egypt, the latch-string of heaven would never be drawn in + until the last wanderer got home. Immortality was also taught in India, + and, in fact, in all the countries of antiquity. Wherever men have loved, + wherever they have dreamed, wherever hope has spread its wings, the idea + of immortality has existed. But nothing could be worse than the + immortality promised in the New Testament—admitting that it is so + promised—eternal joy side by side with eternal pain. Think of living + forever, knowing that countless millions are suffering eternal pain! How + much better it would be for God to commit suicide and let all life and + motion cease! Christianity has no consolation except for the Christian, + and if a Christian minister endeavors to console the widow of an + unbeliever he must resort, not to his religion, but to his sympathy—to + the natural promptings of the heart. He is compelled to say: "After all, + may be God is not so bad as we think," or, "May be your husband was better + than he appeared; perhaps somehow, in some way, the dear man has squeezed + in; he was a good husband, he was a kind father, and even if he is in + hell, may be he is in the temperate zone, where they have occasional + showers, and where, if the days are hot, the nights are reasonably cool." + All I ask of Christian ministers is to tell what they believe to be the + truth—not to borrow ideas from the pagans—not to preach the + mercy born of unregenerate sympathy. Let them tell their real doctrines. + If they will do that, they will not have much influence. If orthodox + Christianity is true, a large majority of the man who have made this world + fit to live in are now in perdition. A majority of the Revolutionary + soldiers have been damned. A majority of the man who fought for the + integrity of this Union—a majority who were starved at Libby and + Andersonville are now in hell. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you deny the immortality of the soul? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have never denied the immortality of the soul. I have + simply been honest. I have said: "I do not know." Long ago, in my lecture + on "The Ghosts," I used the following language: "The idea of immortality, + that like a sea has ebbed and flowed in the human heart, with its + countless waves of hope and fear beating against the shores and rocks of + time and fate, was not born of any book, nor of any creed, nor of any + religion. It was born of human affection, and it will continue to ebb and + flow beneath the mists and clouds of doubt and darkness as long as love + kisses the lips of death. It is the rainbow Hope, shining upon the tears + of grief." + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Post</i>, Washington, D. C., April 30, 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0026" id="link0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + STAR ROUTE AND POLITICS.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* Col. Ingersoll entertains very pronounced ideas + concerning President Arthur, Attorney-General Brewster and + divers other people, which will be found presented herewith + in characteristically piquant style. With his family, the + eloquent advocate has a cottage here, and finds brain and + body rest and refreshment in the tumbling waves. This noon, + in the height of a tremendous thunder storm, I bumped + against his burly figure in the roaring crest, and, after + the first shock had passed, determined to utilize the + providential coincidence. The water was warm, our clothes + were in the bathing houses, and comfort was more certain + where we were than anywhere else. The Colonel is an expert + swimmer and as a floater he cannot be beaten. He was + floating when we bumped. Spouting a pint of salt water from + his mouth, he nearly choked with laughter as in answer to my + question he said:] +</pre> + <p> + No, I do not believe there will be any more Star Route trials. There is so + much talk about the last one, there will not be time for another. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Did you anticipate a verdict? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I did anticipate a verdict, and one of acquittal. I knew + that the defendants were entitled to such a verdict. I knew that the + Government had signally failed to prove a case. There was nothing but + suspicion, from which malice was inferred. The direct proof was utterly + unworthy of belief. The direct witness was caught with letters he had + forged. This one fact was enough to cover the prosecution with confusion. + The fact that Rerdell sat with the other defendants and reported to the + Government from day to day satisfied the jury as to the value of his + testimony, and the animus of the Department of Justice. Besides, Rerdell + had offered to challenge such jurors as the Government might select. He + handed counsel for defendants a list of four names that he wanted + challenged. At that time it was supposed that each defendant would be + allowed to challenge four jurors. Afterward the Court decided that all the + defendants must be considered as one party and had the right to challenge + four and no more. Of the four names on Rerdell's list the Government + challenged three and Rerdell tried to challenge the other. This was what + is called a coincidence. Another thing had great influence with the jury—the + evidence of the defendants was upon all material points so candid and so + natural, so devoid of all coloring, that the jury could not help + believing. If the people knew the evidence they would agree with the jury. + When we remember that there were over ten thousand star routes, it is not + to be wondered at that some mistakes were made—that in some + instances too much was paid and in others too little. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What has been the attitude of President Arthur? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. We asked nothing from the President. We wanted no help from + him. We expected that he would take no part—that he would simply + allow the matter to be settled by the court in the usual way. I think that + he made one very serious mistake. He removed officers on false charges + without giving them a hearing. He deposed Marshal Henry because somebody + said that he was the friend of the defendants. Henry was a good officer + and an honest man. The President removed Ainger for the same reason. This + was a mistake. Ainger should have been heard. There is always time to do + justice. No day is too short for justice, and eternity is not long enough + to commit a wrong. It was thought that the community could be terrorized:— + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>. The President dismissed Henry and Ainger. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>. The Attorney-General wrote a letter denouncing the + defendants as thieves and robbers. + </p> + <p> + <i>Third</i>. Other letters from Bliss and MacVeagh were published. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fourth</i>. Dixon, the foreman of the first jury, was indicted. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fifth</i>. Members of the first jury voting "guilty" were in various + ways rewarded. + </p> + <p> + <i>Sixth</i>. Bargains were made with Boone and Rerdell. The cases against + Boone were to be dismissed and Rerdell was promised immunity. Under these + circumstances the second trial commenced. But of all the people in this + country the citizens of Washington care least for Presidents and members + of the Cabinets. They know what these officers are made of. They know that + they are simply folks—that they do not hold office forever—that + the Jupiters of to-day are often the pygmies of to-morrow. They have seen + too many people come in with trumpets and flags and go out with hisses and + rags to be overawed by the deities of a day. They have seen Lincoln and + they are not to be frightened by his successors. Arthur took part to the + extent of turning out men suspected of being friendly to the defence. + Arthur was in a difficult place. He was understood to be the friend of + Dorsey and, of course, had to do something. Nothing is more dangerous than + a friend in power. He is obliged to show that he is impartial, and it + always takes a good deal of injustice to establish a reputation for + fairness. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Was there any ground to expect aid or any different + action on Arthur's part? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. All we expected was that Arthur would do as the soldier + wanted the Lord to do at New Orleans—"Just take neither side." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Why did not Brewster speak? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Court would not allow two closings. The Attorney- + General did not care to speak in the "middle." He wished to close, and as + he could not do that without putting Mr. Merrick out, he concluded to + remain silent. The defendants had no objection to his speaking, but they + objected to two closing arguments for the Government, and the Court + decided they were right. Of course, I understand nothing about the way in + which the attorneys for the prosecution arranged their difficulties. That + was nothing to me; neither do I care what money they received—all + that is for the next Congress. It is not for me to speak of those + questions. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will there be other trials? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think not. It does not seem likely that other attorneys + will want to try, and the old ones have. My opinion is that we have had + the last of the Star Route trials. It was claimed that the one tried was + the strongest. If this is so the rest had better be dismissed. I think the + people are tired of the whole business. It now seems probable that all the + time for the next few years will be taken up in telling about the case + that was tried. I see that Cook is telling about MacVeagh and James and + Brewster and Bliss; Walsh is giving his opinion of Kellogg and Foster; + Bliss is saying a few words about Cook and Gibson; Brewster is telling + what Bliss told him; Gibson will have his say about Garfield and MacVeagh, + and it now seems probable that we shall get the bottom facts about the + other jury—the actions of Messrs. Hoover, Bowen, Brewster Cameron + and others. Personally I have no interest in the business. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How does the next campaign look? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Republicans are making all the mistakes they can, and + the only question now is, Can the Democrats make more? The tariff will be + one of the great questions, and may be the only one except success. The + Democrats are on both sides of the question. They hate to give up the word + "only." Only for that word they might have succeeded in 1880. If they can + let "only" alone, and say they want "a tariff for revenue" they will do + better. The fact is the people are not in favor of free trade, neither do + they want a tariff high enough to crush a class, but they do want a tariff + to raise a revenue and to protect our industries. I am for protection + because it diversifies industries and develops brain—allows us to + utilize all the muscle and brain we have. A party attacking the + manufacturing interests of this country will fail. There are too many + millions of dollars invested and too many millions of people interested. + The country is becoming alike interested in this question. We are no + longer divided, as in slavery times, into manufacturing and agricultural + districts or sections. Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas + have manufacturing interests. And the Western States believe in the + protection of their industries. The American people have a genius for + manufacturing, a genius for invention. We are not the greatest painters or + sculptors or scientists, but we are without doubt the greatest inventors. + If we were all engaged in one business we would become stupid. + Agricultural countries produce great wealth, but are never rich. To get + rich it is necessary to mix thought with labor. To raise the raw material + is a question of strength; to manufacture, to put it in useful and + beautiful forms, is a question of mind. There is a vast difference between + the value of, say, a milestone and a statue, and yet the labor expended in + getting the raw material is about the same. The point, after all, is this: + First, we must have revenue; second, shall we get this by direct taxation + or shall we tax imports and at the same time protect American labor? The + party that advocates reasonable protection will succeed.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* At this point, with far away peals of thunder, the storm + ceased, the sun reappeared and a vault of heavenly blue + swung overhead. "Let us get out," said Colonel Ingersoll. + Suiting the action to the word, the Colonel struck out + lustily for the beach, on which, hard as a rock and firm as + flint, he soon planted his sturdy form. And as he lumbered + across the sand to the side door of his comfortable cottage, + some three hundred feet from the surf, the necessarily + suggested contrast between Ingersoll in court and Ingersoll + in soaked flannels was illustrated with forcible comicality. + Half an hour later he was found in the cozy library puffing + a high flavored Havana, and listening to home-made music of + delicious quality. Ingersoll at home is pleasant to + contemplate. His sense of personal freedom is there aptly + pictured. Loving wife and affectionate daughters form, with + happy-faced and genial-hearted father, a model circle into + which friends deem it a privilege to enter and a pleasure to + remain. + + Continuing the conversation, ] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In view of all this, where do you think the presidential + candidate will come from? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. From the West. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Why so? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The South and East must compromise. Both can trust the + West. The West represents the whole country. There is no provincialism in + the West. The West is not old enough to have the prejudice of section; it + is too prosperous to have hatred, too great to feel envy. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You do not seem to think that Arthur has a chance? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No Vice-President was ever made President by the people. It + is natural to resent the accident that gave the Vice-President the place. + They regard the Vice-President as children do a stepmother. He is looked + upon as temporary—a device to save the election—a something to + stop a gap—a lighter—a political raft. He holds the horse + until another rider is found. People do not wish death to suggest nominees + for the presidency. I do not believe it will be possible for Mr. Arthur, + no matter how well he acts, to overcome this feeling. The people like a + new man. There is some excitement in the campaign, and besides they can + have the luxury of believing that the new man is a great man. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you not think Arthur has grown and is a greater man + than when he was elected? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Arthur was placed in very trying circumstances, and, I + think, behaved with great discretion. But he was Vice-President, and that + is a vice that people will not pardon. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you regard the situation in Ohio? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I hear that the Republicans are attacking Hoadly, saying + that he is an Infidel. I know nothing about Mr. Hoadly's theological + sentiments, but he certainly has the right to have and express his own + views. If the Republicans of Ohio have made up their minds to disfranchise + the Liberals, the sooner they are beaten the better. Why should the + Republican party be so particular about religious belief? Was Lincoln an + orthodox Christian? Were the founders of the party—the men who gave + it heart and brain—conspicuous for piety? Were the abolitionists all + believers in the inspiration of the Bible? Is Judge Hoadly to be attacked + because he exercises the liberty that he gives to others? Has not the + Republican party trouble enough with the spirituous to let the spiritual + alone? If the religious issue is made, I hope that the party making it + will be defeated. I know nothing about the effect of the recent decision + of the Supreme Court of Ohio. It is a very curious decision and seems to + avoid the Constitution with neatness and despatch. The decision seems to + rest on the difference between the words tax and license—<i>I. e.</i>, + between allowing a man to sell whiskey for a tax of one hundred dollars or + giving him a license to sell whiskey and charging him one hundred dollars. + In this, the difference is in the law instead of the money. So far all the + prohibitory legislation on the liquor question has been a failure. Beer is + victorious, and Gambrinus now has Olympus all to himself. On his side is + the "bail"— + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But who will win? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The present indications are favorable to Judge Hoadly. It + is an off year. The Ohio leaders on one side are not in perfect harmony. + The Germans are afraid, and they generally vote the Democratic ticket when + in doubt. The effort to enforce the Sunday law, to close the gardens, to + make one day in the week desolate and doleful, will give the Republicans a + great deal of hard work. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How about Illinois? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Republican always. The Supreme Court of Illinois has just + made a good decision. That Court decided that a contract made on Sunday + can be enforced. In other words, that Sunday is not holy enough to + sanctify fraud. You can rely on a State with a Court like that. There is + very little rivalry in Illinois. I think that General Oglesby will be the + next Governor. He is one of the best men in that State or any other. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What about Indiana? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In that State I think General Gresham is the coming man. He + was a brave soldier, an able, honest judge, and he will fill with honor + any position he may be placed in. He is an excellent lawyer, and has as + much will as was ever put in one man. McDonald is the most available man + for the Democrats. He is safe and in every respect reliable. He is without + doubt the most popular man in his party. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Well, Colonel, what are you up to? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Nothing. I am surrounded by sand, sea and sky. I listen to + music, bathe in the surf and enjoy myself. I am wondering why people take + interest in politics; why anybody cares about anything; why everybody is + not contented; why people want to climb the greased pole of office and + then dodge the brickbats of enemies and rivals; why any man wishes to be + President, or a member of Congress, or in the Cabinet, or do anything + except to live with the ones he loves, and enjoy twenty-four hours every + day. I wonder why all New York does not come to Long Beach and hear + Schreiner's Band play the music of Wagner, the greatest of all composers. + Finally, in the language of Walt Whitman, "I loaf and invite my soul." + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Herald</i>, New York, July 1, 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0027" id="link0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE INTERVIEWER. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of newspaper interviewing? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I believe that James Redpath claims to have invented the + "interview." This system opens all doors, does away with political + pretence, batters down the fortifications of dignity and official + importance, pulls masks from solemn faces, compels everybody to show his + hand. The interviewer seems to be omnipresent. He is the next man after + the accident. If a man should be blown up he would likely fall on an + interviewer. He is the universal interrogation point. He asks questions + for a living. If the interviewer is fair and honest he is useful, if the + other way, he is still interesting. On the whole, I regard the interviewer + as an exceedingly important person. But whether he is good or bad, he has + come to stay. He will interview us until we die, and then ask the + "friends" a few questions just to round the subject off. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the tendency of newspapers is at + present? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The papers of the future, I think, will be "news" papers. + The editorial is getting shorter and shorter. The paragraphist is taking + the place of the heavy man. People rather form their own opinions from the + facts. Of course good articles will always find readers, but the dreary, + doleful, philosophical dissertation has had its day. The magazines will + fall heir to such articles; then religious weeklies will take them up, and + then they will cease altogether. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think the people lead the newspapers, or do the + newspapers lead them? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The papers lead and are led. Most papers have for sale what + people want to buy. As a rule the people who buy determine the character + of the thing sold. The reading public grow more discriminating every year, + and, as a result, are less and less "led." Violent papers—those that + most freely attack private character—are becoming less hurtful, + because they are losing their own reputations. Evil tends to correct + itself. People do not believe all they read, and there is a growing + tendency to wait and hear from the other side. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do newspapers to-day exercise as much influence as they + did twenty-five years ago? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. More, by the facts published, and less, by editorials. As + we become more civilized we are governed less by persons and more by + principles—less by faith and more by fact. The best of all leaders + is the man who teaches people to lead themselves. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What would you define public opinion to be? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. First, in the widest sense, the opinion of the majority, + including all kinds of people. Second, in a narrower sense, the opinion of + the majority of the intellectual. Third, in actual practice, the opinion + of those who make the most noise. Fourth, public opinion is generally a + mistake, which history records and posterity repeats. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you regard as the result of your lectures? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the last fifteen years I have delivered several hundred + lectures. The world is growing more and more liberal every day. The man + who is now considered orthodox, a few years ago would have been denounced + as an Infidel. People are thinking more and believing less. The pulpit is + losing influence. In the light of modern discovery the creeds are growing + laughable. A theologian is an intellectual mummy, and excites attention + only as a curiosity. Supernatural religion has outlived its usefulness. + The miracles and wonders of the ancients will soon occupy the same tent. + Jonah and Jack the Giant Killer, Joshua and Red Riding Hood, Noah and + Neptune, will all go into the collection of the famous Mother Hubbard. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Morning Journal</i>, New York, July 3, 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0028" id="link0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICS AND PROHIBITION. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the result in Ohio? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In Ohio prohibition did more harm to the Republican chances + than anything else. The Germans hold the Republicans responsible. The + German people believe in personal liberty. They came to America to get it, + and they regard any interference in the manner or quantity of their food + and drink as an invasion of personal rights. They claim they are not + questions to be regulated by law, and I agree with them. I believe that + people will finally learn to use spirits temperately and without abuse, + but teetotalism is intemperance in itself, which breeds resistance, and + without destroying the rivulet of the appetite only dams it and makes it + liable to break out at any moment. You can prevent a man from stealing by + tying his hands behind him, but you cannot make him honest. Prohibition + breeds too many spies and informers, and makes neighbors afraid of each + other. It kills hospitality. Again, the Republican party in Ohio is + endeavoring to have Sunday sanctified by the Legislature. The working + people want freedom on Sunday. They wish to enjoy themselves, and all laws + now making to prevent innocent amusement, beget a spirit of resentment + among the common people. I feel like resenting all such laws, and unless + the Republican party reforms in that particular, it ought to be defeated. + I regard those two things as the principal causes of the Republican + party's defeat in Ohio. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe that the Democratic success was due to the + possession of reverse principles? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think that the Democratic party is in favor of + liberty of thought and action in these two regards, from principle, but + rather from policy. Finding the course pursued by the Republicans + unpopular, they adopted the opposite mode, and their success is a proof of + the truth of what I contend. One great trouble in the Republican party is + bigotry. The pulpit is always trying to take charge. The same thing exists + in the Democratic party to a less degree. The great trouble here is that + its worst element—Catholicism —is endeavoring to get control. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What causes operated for the Republican success in Iowa? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Iowa is a prohibition State and almost any law on earth as + against anything to drink, can be carried there. There are no large cities + in the State and it is much easier to govern, but even there the + prohibition law is bound to be a failure. It will breed deceit and + hypocrisy, and in the long run the influence will be bad. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will these two considerations cut any figure in the + presidential campaign of 1884? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The party, as a party, will have nothing to do with these + questions. These matters are local. Whether the Republicans are successful + will depend more upon the country's prosperity. If things should be + generally in pretty good shape in 1884, the people will allow the party to + remain in power. Changes of administration depend a great deal on the + feeling of the country. If crops are bad and money is tight, the people + blame the administration, whether it is responsible or not. If a ship + going down the river strikes a snag, or encounters a storm, a cry goes up + against the captain. It may not have been his fault, but he is blamed, all + the same, and the passengers at once clamor for another captain. So it is + in politics. + </p> + <p> + If nothing interferes between this and 1884, the Republican party will + continue. Otherwise it will be otherwise. But the principle of prosperity + as applied to administrative change is strong. If the panic of 1873 had + occurred in 1876 there would have been no occasion for a commission to sit + on Tilden. If it had struck us in 1880, Hancock would have been elected. + Neither result would have its occasion in the superiority of the + Democratic party, but in the belief that the Republican party was in some + vague way blamable for the condition of things, and there should be a + change. The Republican party is not as strong as it used to be. The old + leaders have dropped out and no persons have yet taken their places. + Blaine has dropped out, and is now writing a book. Conkling dropped out + and is now practicing law, and so I might go on enumerating leaders who + have severed their connection with the party and are no longer identified + with it. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion regarding the Republican nomination + for President? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My belief is that the Republicans will have to nominate + some man who has not been conspicuous in any faction, and upon whom all + can unite. As a consequence he must be a new man. The Democrats must do + the same. They must nominate a new man. The old ones have been defeated so + often that they start handicapped with their own histories, and failure in + the past is very poor raw material out of which to manufacture faith for + the future. My own judgment is that for the Democrats, McDonald is as + strong a man as they can get. He is a man of most excellent sense and + would be regarded as a safe man. Tilden? He is dead, and he occupies no + stronger place in the general heart than a graven image. With no + magnetism, he has nothing save his smartness to recommend him. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are your views, generally expressed, on the tariff? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There are a great many Democrats for protection and a great + many for so-called free trade. I think the large majority of American + people favor a reasonable tariff for raising our revenue and protecting + our manufactures. I do not believe in tariff for revenue only, but for + revenue and protection. The Democrats would have carried the country had + they combined revenue and incidental protection. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are they rectifying the error now? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I believe they are, already. They will do it next fall. If + they do not put it in their platform they will embody it in their + speeches. I do not regard the tariff as a local, but a national issue, + notwithstanding Hancock inclined to the belief that it was the former. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Times</i>, Chicago, Illinois, October 13, 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0029" id="link0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE REPUBLICAN DEFEAT IN OHIO. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your explanation of the Republican disaster last + Tuesday? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Too much praying and not enough paying, is my explanation + of the Republican defeat. + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>. I think the attempt to pass the Prohibition Amendment lost + thousands of votes. The people of this country, no matter how much they + may deplore the evils of intemperance, are not yet willing to set on foot + a system of spying into each other's affairs. They know that prohibition + would need thousands of officers—that it would breed informers and + spies and peekers and skulkers by the hundred in every county. They know + that laws do not of themselves make good people. Good people make good + laws. Americans do not wish to be temperate upon compulsion. The spirit + that resents interference in these matters is the same spirit that made + and keeps this a free country. All this crusade and prayer-meeting + business will not do in politics. We must depend upon the countless + influences of civilization, upon science, art, music—upon the + softening influences of kindness and argument. As life becomes valuable + people will take care of it. Temperance upon compulsion destroys something + more valuable than itself—liberty. I am for the largest liberty in + all things. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>. The Prohibitionists, in my opinion, traded with Democrats. + The Democrats were smart enough to know that prohibition could not carry, + and that they could safely trade. The Prohibitionists were insane enough + to vote for their worst enemies, just for the sake of polling a large vote + for prohibition, and were fooled as usual. + </p> + <p> + <i>Thirdly</i>. Certain personal hatreds of certain Republican + politicians. These were the causes which led to Republican defeat in Ohio. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will it necessitate the nomination of an Ohio Republican + next year? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think so. Defeat is apt to breed dissension, and + on account of that dissension the party will have to take a man from some + other State. One politician will say to another, "You did it," and another + will reply, "You are the man who ruined the party." I think we have given + Ohio her share; certainly she has given us ours. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will this reverse seriously affect Republican chances + next year? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If the country is prosperous next year, if the crops are + good, if prices are fair, if Pittsburg is covered with smoke, if the song + of the spindle is heard in Lowell, if stocks are healthy, the Republicans + will again succeed. If the reverse as to crops and forges and spindles, + then the Democrats will win. It is a question of "chich-bugs," and floods + and drouths. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Who, in your judgment, would be the strongest man the + Republicans could put up? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Last year I thought General Sherman, but he has gone to + Missouri, and now I am looking around. The first day I find out I will + telegraph you. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Democrat</i>, Dayton, Ohio, October 15, 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0030" id="link0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the recent opinion of the Supreme + Court touching the rights of the colored man? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think it is all wrong. The intention of the framers of + the amendment, by virtue of which the law was passed, was that no + distinction should be made in inns, in hotels, cars, or in theatres; in + short, in public places, on account of color, race, or previous condition. + The object of the men who framed that amendment to the Constitution was + perfectly clear, perfectly well known, perfectly understood. They intended + to secure, by an amendment to the fundamental law, what had been fought + for by hundreds of thousands of men. They knew that the institution of + slavery had cost rebellion; the also knew that the spirit of caste was + only slavery in another form. They intended to kill that spirit. Their + object was that the law, like the sun, should shine upon all, and that no + man keeping a hotel, no corporation running cars, no person managing a + theatre should make any distinction on account of race or color. This + amendment is above all praise. It was the result of a moral exaltation, + such as the world never before had seen. There were years during the war, + and after, when the American people were simply sublime; when their + generosity was boundless; when they were willing to endure any hardship to + make this an absolutely free country. + </p> + <p> + This decision of the Supreme Court puts the best people of the colored + race at the mercy of the meanest portion of the white race. It allows a + contemptible white man to trample upon a good colored man. I believe in + drawing a line between good and bad, between clean and unclean, but I do + not believe in drawing a color line which is as cruel as the lash of + slavery. + </p> + <p> + I am willing to be on an equality in all hotels, in all cars, in all + theatres, with colored people. I make no distinction of race. Those make + the distinction who cannot afford not to. If nature has made no + distinction between me and some others, I do not ask the aid of the + Legislature. I am willing to associate with all good, clean persons, + irrespective of complexion. + </p> + <p> + This decision virtually gives away one of the great principles for which + the war was fought. It carries the doctrine of "State Rights" to the + Democratic extreme, and renders necessary either another amendment or a + new court. + </p> + <p> + I agree with Justice Harlan. He has taken a noble and patriotic stand. + Kentucky rebukes Massachusetts! I am waiting with some impatience—impatient + because I anticipate a pleasure—for his dissenting opinion. Only a + little while ago Justice Harlan took a very noble stand on the Virginia + Coupon cases, in which was involved the right of a State to repudiate its + debts. Now he has taken a stand in favor of the civil rights of the + colored man; and in both instances I think he is right. + </p> + <p> + This decision may, after all, help the Republican party. A decision of the + Supreme Court aroused the indignation of the entire North, and I hope the + present decision will have a like effect. The good people of this country + will not be satisfied until every man beneath the flag, without the + slightest respect to his complexion, stands on a perfect equality before + the law with every other. Any government that makes a distinction on + account of color, is a disgrace to the age in which we live. The idea that + a man like Frederick Douglass can be denied entrance to a car, that the + doors of a hotel can be shut in his face; that he may be prevented from + entering a theatre; the idea that there shall be some ignominious corner + into which such a man can be thrown simply by a decision of the Supreme + Court! This idea is simply absurd. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What remains to be done now, and who is going to do it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. For a good while people have been saying that the + Republican party has outlived its usefulness; that there is very little + difference now between the parties; that there is hardly enough left to + talk about. This decision opens the whole question. This decision says to + the Republican party, "Your mission is not yet ended. This is not a free + country. Our flag does not protect the rights of a human being." This + decision is the tap of a drum. The old veterans will fall into line. This + decision gives the issue for the next campaign, and it may be that the + Supreme Court has builded wiser than it knew. This is a greater question + than the tariff or free trade. It is a question of freedom, of human + rights, of the sacredness of humanity. + </p> + <p> + The real Americans, the real believers in Liberty, will give three cheers + for Judge Harlan. + </p> + <p> + One word more. The Government is bound to protect its citizens, not only + when they are away from home, but when they are under the flag. In time of + war the Government has a right to draft any citizen; to put that citizen + in the line of battle, and compel him to fight for the nation. If the + Government when imperiled has the right to compel a citizen, whether white + or black, to defend with his blood the flag, that citizen, when imperiled, + has the right to demand protection from the Nation. The Nation cannot then + say, "You must appeal to your State." If the citizen must appeal to the + State for redress, then the citizen should defend the State and not the + General Government, and the doctrine of State Rights then becomes + complete. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The National Republican</i>, Washington, D. C., October 17, + 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0031" id="link0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + JUSTICE HARLAN AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Justice Harlan's dissenting opinion + in the Civil Rights case? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have just read it and think it admirable in every + respect. It is unanswerable. He has given to words their natural meaning. + He has recognized the intention of the framers of the recent amendments. + There is nothing in this opinion that is strained, insincere, or + artificial. It is frank and manly. It is solid masonry, without crack or + flaw. He does not resort to legal paint or putty, or to verbal varnish or + veneer. He states the position of his brethren of the bench with perfect + fairness, and overturns it with perfect ease. He has drawn an instructive + parallel between the decisions of the olden time, upholding the power of + Congress to deal with individuals in the interests of slavery, and the + power conferred on Congress by the recent amendments. He has shown by the + old decisions, that when a duty is enjoined upon Congress, ability to + perform it is given; that when a certain end is required, all necessary + means are granted. He also shows that the Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and + of 1850, rested entirely upon the implied power of Congress to enforce a + master's rights; and that power was once implied in favor of slavery + against human rights, and implied from language shadowy, feeble and + uncertain when compared with the language of the recent amendments. He has + shown, too, that Congress exercised the utmost ingenuity in devising laws + to enforce the master's claim. Implication was held ample to deprive a + human being of his liberty, but to secure freedom, the doctrine of + implication is abandoned. As a foundation for wrong, implication was their + rock. As a foundation for right, it is now sand. Implied power then was + sufficient to enslave, while power expressly given is now impotent to + protect. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the use he has made of the Dred + Scott decision? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I think he has shown conclusively that the present + decision, under the present circumstances, is far worse than the Dred + Scott decision was under the then circumstances. The Dred Scott decision + was a libel upon the best men of the Revolutionary period. That decision + asserted broadly that our forefathers regarded the negroes as having no + rights which white men were bound to respect; that the negroes were merely + merchandise, and that that opinion was fixed and universal in the + civilized portion of the white race, and that no one thought of disputing + it. Yet Franklin contended that slavery might be abolished under the + preamble of the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson said that if the slave + should rise to cut the throat of his master, God had no attribute that + would side against the slave. Thomas Paine attacked the institution with + all the intensity and passion of his nature. John Adams regarded the + institution with horror. So did every civilized man, South and North. + </p> + <p> + Justice Harlan shows conclusively that the Thirteenth Amendment was + adopted in the light of the Dred Scott decision; that it overturned and + destroyed, not simply the decision, but the reasoning upon which it was + based; that it proceeded upon the ground that the colored people had + rights that white men were bound to respect, not only, but that the Nation + was bound to protect. He takes the ground that the amendment was suggested + by the condition of that race, which had been declared by the Supreme + Court of the United States to have no rights which white men were bound to + respect; that it was made to protect people whose rights had been invaded, + and whose strong arms had assisted in the overthrow of the Rebellion; that + it was made for the purpose of putting these men upon a legal authority + with white citizens. + </p> + <p> + Justice Harland also shows that while legislation of Congress to enforce a + master's right was upheld by implication, the rights of the negro do not + depend upon that doctrine; that the Thirteenth Amendment does not rest + upon implication, or upon inference; that by its terms it places the power + in Congress beyond the possibility of a doubt—conferring the power + to enforce the amendment by appropriate legislation in express terms; and + he also shows that the Supreme Court has admitted that legislation for + that purpose may be direct and primary. Had not the power been given in + express terms, Justice Harlan contends that the sweeping declaration that + neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist would by implication + confer the power. He also shows conclusively that, under the Thirteenth + Amendment, Congress has the right by appropriate legislation to protect + the colored people against the deprivation of any right on account of + their race, and that Congress is not necessarily restricted, under the + Thirteenth Amendment, to legislation against slavery as an institution, + but that power may be exerted to the extent of protecting the race from + discrimination in respect to such rights as belong to freemen, where such + discrimination is based on race or color. + </p> + <p> + If Justice Harlan is wrong the amendments are left without force and + Congress without power. No purpose can be assigned for their adoption. No + object can be guessed that was to be accomplished. They become words, so + arranged that they sound like sense, but when examined fall meaninglessly + apart. Under the decision of the Supreme Court they are Quaker cannon—cloud + forts—"property" for political stage scenery—coats of mail + made of bronzed paper— shields of gilded pasteboard—swords of + lath. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you wish to say anything as to the reasoning of + Justice Harlan on the rights of colored people on railways, in inns and + theatres? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I do. That part of the opinion is especially strong. + He shows conclusively that a common carrier is in the exercise of a sort + of public office and has public duties to perform, and that he cannot + exonerate himself from the performance of these duties without the consent + of the parties concerned. He also shows that railroads are public + highways, and that the railway company is the agent of the State, and that + a railway, although built by private capital, is just as public in its + nature as though constructed by the State itself. He shows that the + railway is devoted to public use, and subject to be controlled by the + State for the public benefit, and that for these reasons the colored man + has the same rights upon the railway that he has upon the public highway. + </p> + <p> + Justice Harlan shows that the same law is applicable to inns that is + applicable to railways; that an inn-keeper is bound to take all travelers + if he can accommodate them; that he is not to select his guests; that he + has not right to say to one "you may come in," and to another "you shall + not;" that every one who conducts himself in a proper manner has a right + to be received. He shows conclusively that an inn-keeper is a sort of + public servant; that he is in the exercise of a <i>quasi</i> public + employment, that he is given special privileges, and charged with duties + of a public character. + </p> + <p> + As to theatres, I think his argument most happy. It is this: Theatres are + licensed by law. The authority to maintain them comes from the public. The + colored race being a part of the public, representing the power granting + the license, why should the colored people license a manager to open his + doors to the white man and shut them in the face of the black man? Why + should they be compelled to license that which they are not permitted to + enjoy? Justice Harlan shows that Congress has the power to prevent + discrimination on account of race or color on railways, at inns, and in + places of public amusements, and has this power under the Thirteenth + Amendment. + </p> + <p> + In discussing the Fourteenth Amendment, Justice Harlan points out that a + prohibition upon a State is not a power in Congress or the National + Government, but is simply a denial of power to the State; that such was + the Constitution before the Fourteenth Amendment. He shows, however, that + the Fourteenth Amendment presents the first instance in our history of the + investiture of Congress with affirmative power by legislation to enforce + an express prohibition upon the States. This is an important point. It is + stated with great clearness, and defended with great force. He shows that + the first clause of the first section of the Fourteenth Amendment is of a + distinctly affirmative character, and that Congress would have had the + power to legislate directly as to that section simply by implication, but + that as to that as well as the express prohibitions upon the States, + express power to legislate was given. + </p> + <p> + There is one other point made by Justice Harlan which transfixes as with a + spear the decision of the Court. It is this: As soon as the Thirteenth and + Fourteenth Amendments were adopted the colored citizen was entitled to the + protection of section two, article four, namely: "The citizens of each + State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens + of the several States." Now, suppose a colored citizen of Mississippi + moves to Tennessee. Then, under the section last quoted, he would + immediately become invested with all the privileges and immunities of a + white citizen of Tennessee. Although denied these privileges and + immunities in the State from which he emigrated, in the State to which he + immigrates he could not be discriminated against on account of his color + under the second section of the fourth article. Now, is it possible that + he gets additional rights by immigration? Is it possible that the General + Government is under a greater obligation to protect him in a State of + which he is not a citizen than in a State of which he is a citizen? Must + he leave home for protection, and after he has lived long enough in the + State to which he immigrates to become a citizen there, must he again move + in order to protect his rights? Must one adopt the doctrine of peripatetic + protection—the doctrine that the Constitution is good only <i>in + transitu</i>, and that when the citizen stops, the Constitution goes on + and leaves him without protection? + </p> + <p> + Justice Harlan shows that Congress had the right to legislate directly + while that power was only implied, but that the moment this power was + conferred in express terms, then according to the Supreme Court, it was + lost. + </p> + <p> + There is another splendid definition given by Justice Harlan—a line + drawn as broad as the Mississippi. It is the distinction between the + rights conferred by a State and rights conferred by the Nation. Admitting + that many rights conferred by a State cannot be enforced directly by + Congress, Justice Harlan shows that rights granted by the Nation to an + individual may be protected by direct legislation. This is a distinction + that should not be forgotten, and it is a definition clear and perfect. + </p> + <p> + Justice Harlan has shown that the Supreme Court failed to take into + consideration the intention of the framers of the amendment; failed to see + that the powers of Congress were given by express terms and did not rest + upon implication; failed to see that the Thirteenth Amendment was broad + enough to cover the Civil Rights Act; failed to see that under the three + amendments rights and privileges were conferred by the Nation on citizens + of the several States, and that these rights are under the perpetual + protection of the General Government, and that for their enforcement + Congress has the right to legislate directly; failed to see that all + implications are now in favor of liberty instead of slavery; failed to + comprehend that we have a new nation with a new foundation, with different + objects, ends, and aims, for the attainment of which we use different + means and have been clothed with greater powers; failed to see that the + Republic changed front; failed to appreciate the real reasons for the + adoption of the amendments, and failed to understand that the Civil Rights + Act was passed in order that a citizen of the United States might appeal + from local prejudice to national justice. + </p> + <p> + Justice Harlan shows that it was the object to accomplish for the black + man what had been accomplished for the white man—that is, to protect + all their rights as free men and citizens; and that the one underlying + purpose of the amendments and of the congressional legislation has been to + clothe the black race with all the rights of citizenship, and to compel a + recognition of their rights by citizens and States—that the object + was to do away with class tyranny, the meanest and basest form of + oppression. + </p> + <p> + If Justice Harlan was wrong in his position, then, it may truthfully be + said of the three amendments that: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The law hath bubbles as the water has, + And these are of them." +</pre> + <p> + The decision of the Supreme Court denies the protection of the Nation to + the citizens of the Nation. That decision has already borne fruit—the + massacre at Danville. The protection of the Nation having been withdrawn, + the colored man was left to the mercy of local prejudices and hatreds. He + is without appeal, without redress. The Supreme Court tells him that he + must depend upon his enemies for justice. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You seem to agree with all that Justice Harlan has said, + and to have the greatest admiration for his opinion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, a man rises from reading this dissenting opinion + refreshed, invigorated, and strengthened. It is a mental and moral tonic. + It was produced after a clear head had held conference with a good heart. + It will furnish a perfectly clear plank, without knot or wind-shake, for + the next Republican platform. It is written in good plain English, and + ornamented with good sound sense. The average man can and will understand + its every word. There is no subterfuge in it. + </p> + <p> + Each position is taken in the open field. There is no resort to quibbles + or technicalities—no hiding. Nothing is secreted in the sleeve—no + searching for blind paths—no stooping and looking for ancient + tracks, grass-grown and dim. Each argument travels the highway—"the + big road." It is logical. The facts and conclusions agree, and fall + naturally into line of battle. It is sincere and candid—unpretentious + and unanswerable. It is a grand defence of human rights—a brave and + manly plea for universal justice. It leaves the decision of the Supreme + Court without argument, without reason, and without excuse. Such an + exhibition of independence, courage and ability has won for Justice Harlan + the respect and admiration of "both sides," and places him in the front + rank of constitutional lawyers. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Inter-Ocean</i>, Chicago, Illinois, November 29, 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0032" id="link0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICS AND THEOLOGY. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of Brewster's administration? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I hardly think I ought to say much about the administration + of Mr. Brewster. Of course many things have been done that I thought, and + still think, extremely bad; but whether Mr. Brewster was responsible for + the things done, or not, I do not pretend to say. When he was appointed to + his present position, there was great excitement in the country about the + Star Route cases, and Mr. Brewster was expected to prosecute everybody and + everything to the extent of the law; in fact, I believe he was appointed + by reason of having made such a promise. At that time there were hundreds + of people interested in exaggerating all the facts connected with the Star + Route cases, and when there were no facts to be exaggerated, they made + some, and exaggerated them afterward. It may be that the Attorney-General + was misled, and he really supposed that all he heard was true. My + objection to the administration of the Department of Justice is, that a + resort was had to spies and detectives. The battle was not fought in the + open field. Influences were brought to bear. Nearly all departments of the + Government were enlisted. Everything was done to create a public opinion + in favor of the prosecution. Everything was done that the cases might be + decided on prejudice instead of upon facts. + </p> + <p> + Everything was done to demoralize, frighten and overawe judges, witnesses + and jurors. I do not pretend to say who was responsible, possibly I am not + an impartial judge. I was deeply interested at the time, and felt all of + these things, rather than reasoned about them. + </p> + <p> + Possibly I cannot give a perfectly unbiased opinion. Personally, I have no + feeling now upon the subject. + </p> + <p> + The Department of Justice, in spite of its methods, did not succeed. That + was enough for me. I think, however, when the country knows the facts, + that the people will not approve of what was done. I do not believe in + trying cases in the newspapers before they are submitted to jurors. That + is a little too early. Neither do I believe in trying them in the + newspapers after the verdicts have been rendered. That is a little too + late. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are Mr. Blaine's chances for the presidency? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My understanding is that Mr. Blaine is not a candidate for + the nomination; that he does not wish his name to be used in that + connection. He ought to have been nominated in 1876, and if he were a + candidate, he would probably have the largest following; but my + understanding is, that he does not, in any event, wish to be a candidate. + He is a man perfectly familiar with the politics of this country, knows + its history by heart, and is in every respect probably as well qualified + to act as its Chief Magistrate as any man in the nation. He is a man of + ideas, of action, and has positive qualities. He would not wait for + something to turn up, and things would not have to wait long for him to + turn them up. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Who do you think will be nominated at Chicago? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course I have not the slightest idea who will be + nominated. I may have an opinion as to who ought to be nominated, and yet + I may be greatly mistaken in that opinion. There are hundreds of men in + the Republican party, any one of whom, if elected, would make a good, + substantial President, and there are many thousands of men about whom I + know nothing, any one of whom would in all probability make a good + President. We do not want any man to govern this country. This country + governs itself. We want a President who will honestly and faithfully + execute the laws, who will appoint postmasters and do the requisite amount + of handshaking on public occasions, and we have thousands of men who can + discharge the duties of that position. Washington is probably the worst + place to find out anything definite upon the subject of presidential + booms. I have thought for a long time that one of the most valuable men in + the country was General Sherman. Everybody knows who and what he is. He + has one great advantage—he is a frank and outspoken man. He has + opinions and he never hesitates about letting them be known. There is + considerable talk about Judge Harlan. His dissenting opinion in the Civil + Rights case has made every colored man his friend, and I think it will + take considerable public patronage to prevent a good many delegates from + the Southern States voting for him. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are your present views on theology? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I think my views have not undergone any change that I + know of. I still insist that observation, reason and experience are the + things to be depended upon in this world. I still deny the existence of + the supernatural. I still insist that nobody can be good for you, or bad + for you; that you cannot be punished for the crimes of others, nor + rewarded for their virtues. I still insist that the consequences of good + actions are always good, and those of bad actions always bad. I insist + that nobody can plant thistles and gather figs; neither can they plant + figs and gather thistles. I still deny that a finite being can commit an + infinite sin; but I continue to insist that a God who would punish a man + forever is an infinite tyrant. My views have undergone no change, except + that the evidence of that truth constantly increases, and the dogmas of + the church look, if possible, a little absurder every day. Theology, you + know, is not a science. It stops at the grave; and faith is the end of + theology. Ministers have not even the advantage of the doctors; the + doctors sometimes can tell by a post-mortem examination whether they + killed the man or not; but by cutting a man open after he is dead, the + wisest theologians cannot tell what has become of his soul, and whether it + was injured or helped by a belief in the inspiration of the Scriptures. + Theology depends on assertion for evidence, and on faith for disciples. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Tribune</i>, Denver, Colorado, January 17, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0033" id="link0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MORALITY AND IMMORTALITY. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see that the clergy are still making all kinds of + charges against you and your doctrines. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes. Some of the charges are true and some of them are not. + I suppose that they intend to get in the vicinity of veracity, and are + probably stating my belief as it is honestly misunderstood by them. I + admit that I have said and that I still think that Christianity is a + blunder. But the question arises, What is Christianity? I do not mean, + when I say that Christianity is a blunder, that the morality taught by + Christians is a mistake. Morality is not distinctively Christian, any more + than it is Mohammedan. Morality is human, it belongs to no ism, and does + not depend for a foundation upon the supernatural, or upon any book, or + upon any creed. Morality is itself a foundation. When I say that + Christianity is a blunder, I mean all those things distinctively Christian + are blunders. It is a blunder to say that an infinite being lived in + Palestine, learned the carpenter's trade, raised the dead, cured the + blind, and cast out devils, and that this God was finally assassinated by + the Jews. This is absurd. All these statements are blunders, if not worse. + I do not believe that Christ ever claimed that he was of supernatural + origin, or that he wrought miracles, or that he would rise from the dead. + If he did, he was mistaken—honestly mistaken, perhaps, but still + mistaken. + </p> + <p> + The morality inculcated by Mohammed is good. The immorality inculcated by + Mohammed is bad. If Mohammed was a prophet of God, it does not make the + morality he taught any better, neither does it make the immorality any + better or any worse. + </p> + <p> + By this time the whole world ought to know that morality does not need to + go into partnership with miracles. Morality is based upon the experience + of mankind. It does not have to learn of inspired writers, or of gods, or + of divine persons. It is a lesson that the whole human race has been + learning and learning from experience. He who upholds, or believes in, or + teaches, the miraculous, commits a blunder. + </p> + <p> + Now, what is morality? Morality is the best thing to do under the + circumstances. Anything that tends to the happiness of mankind is moral. + Anything that tends to unhappiness is immoral. We apply to the moral world + rules and regulations as we do in the physical world. The man who does + justice, or tries to do so—who is honest and kind and gives to + others what he claims for himself, is a moral man. All actions must be + judged by their consequences. Where the consequences are good, the actions + are good. Where the consequences are bad, the actions are bad; and all + consequences are learned from experience. After we have had a certain + amount of experience, we then reason from analogy. We apply our logic and + say that a certain course will bring destruction, another course will + bring happiness. There is nothing inspired about morality—nothing + supernatural. It is simply good, common sense, going hand in hand with + kindness. + </p> + <p> + Morality is capable of being demonstrated. You do not have to take the + word of anybody; you can observe and examine for yourself. Larceny is the + enemy of industry, and industry is good; therefore larceny is immoral. The + family is the unit of good government; anything that tends to destroy the + family is immoral. Honesty is the mother of confidence; it united, + combines and solidifies society. Dishonesty is disintegration; it destroys + confidence; it brings social chaos; it is therefore immoral. + </p> + <p> + I also admit that I regard the Mosaic account of the creation as an + absurdity—as a series of blunders. Probably Moses did the best he + could. He had never talked with Humboldt or Laplace. He knew nothing of + geology or astronomy. He had not the slightest suspicion of Kepler's Three + Laws. He never saw a copy of Newton's Principia. Taking all these things + into consideration, I think Moses did the best he could. + </p> + <p> + The religious people say now that "days" did not mean days. Of these "six + days" they make a kind of telescope, which you can push in or draw out at + pleasure. If the geologists find that more time was necessary they will + stretch them out. Should it turn out that the world is not quite as old as + some think, they will push them up. The "six days" can now be made to suit + any period of time. Nothing can be more childish, frivolous or + contradictory. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago the Mosaic account was considered true, and Moses was + regarded as a scientific authority. Geology and astronomy were measured by + the Mosaic standard. The opposite is now true. The church has changed; and + instead of trying to prove that modern astronomy and geology are false, + because they do not agree with Moses, it is now endeavoring to prove that + the account by Moses is true, because it agrees with modern astronomy and + geology. In other words, the standard has changed; the ancient is measured + by the modern, and where the literal statement in the Bible does not agree + with modern discoveries, they do not change the discoveries, but give new + meanings to the old account. We are not now endeavoring to reconcile + science with the Bible, but to reconcile the Bible with science. + </p> + <p> + Nothing shows the extent of modern doubt more than the eagerness with + which Christians search for some new testimony. Luther answered Copernicus + with a passage of Scripture, and he answered him to the satisfaction of + orthodox ignorance. + </p> + <p> + The truth is that the Jews adopted the stories of Creation, the Garden of + Eden, Forbidden Fruit, and the Fall of Man. They were told by older + barbarians than they, and the Jews gave them to us. + </p> + <p> + I never said that the Bible is all bad. I have always admitted that there + are many good and splendid things in the Jewish Scriptures, and many bad + things. What I insist is that we should have the courage and the common + sense to accept the good, and throw away the bad. Evil is not good because + found in good company, and truth is still truth, even when surrounded by + falsehood. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see that you are frequently charged with disrespect + toward your parents—with lack of reverence for the opinions of your + father? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think my father and mother upon several religious + questions were mistaken. In fact, I have no doubt that they were; but I + never felt under the slightest obligation to defend my father's mistakes. + No one can defend what he thinks is a mistake, without being dishonest. + That is a poor way to show respect for parents. Every Protestant clergyman + asks men and women who had Catholic parents to desert the church in which + they were raised. They have no hesitation in saying to these people that + their fathers and mothers were mistaken, and that they were deceived by + priests and popes. + </p> + <p> + The probability is that we are all mistaken about almost everything; but + it is impossible for a man to be respectable enough to make a mistake + respectable. There is nothing remarkably holy in a blunder, or + praiseworthy in stubbing the toe of the mind against a mistake. Is it + possible that logic stands paralyzed in the presence of paternal + absurdity? Suppose a man has a bad father; is he bound by the bad father's + opinion, when he is satisfied that the opinion is wrong? How good does a + father have to be, in order to put his son under obligation to defend his + blunders? Suppose the father thinks one way, and the mother the other; + what are the children to do? Suppose the father changes his opinion; what + then? Suppose the father thinks one way and the mother the other, and they + both die when the boy is young; and the boy is bound out; whose mistakes + is he then bound to follow? Our missionaries tell the barbarian boy that + his parents are mistaken, that they know nothing, and that the wooden god + is nothing but a senseless idol. They do not hesitate to tell this boy + that his mother believed lies, and hugged, it may be to her dying heart, a + miserable delusion. Why should a barbarian boy cast reproach upon his + parents? + </p> + <p> + I believe it was Christ who commanded his disciples to leave father and + mother; not only to leave them, but to desert them; and not only to desert + father and mother, but to desert wives and children. It is also told of + Christ that he said that he came to set fathers against children and + children against fathers. Strange that a follower of his should object to + a man differing in opinion from his parents! The truth is, logic knows + nothing of consanguinity; facts have no relatives but other facts; and + these facts do not depend upon the character of the person who states + them, or upon the position of the discoverer. And this leads me to another + branch of the same subject. + </p> + <p> + The ministers are continually saying that certain great men—kings, + presidents, statesmen, millionaires—have believed in the inspiration + of the Bible. Only the other day, I read a sermon in which Carlyle was + quoted as having said that "the Bible is a noble book." That all may be + and yet the book not be inspired. But what is the simple assertion of + Thomas Carlyle worth? If the assertion is based upon a reason, then it is + worth simply the value of the reason, and the reason is worth just as much + without the assertion, but without the reason the assertion is worthless. + Thomas Carlyle thought, and solemnly put the thought in print, that his + father was a greater man than Robert Burns. His opinion did Burns no harm, + and his father no good. Since reading his "Reminiscences," I have no great + opinion of his opinion. In some respects he was undoubtedly a great man, + in others a small one. + </p> + <p> + No man should give the opinion of another as authority and in place of + fact and reason, unless he is willing to take all the opinions of that + man. An opinion is worth the warp and woof of fact and logic in it and no + more. A man cannot add to the truthfulness of truth. In the ordinary + business of life, we give certain weight to the opinion of specialists—to + the opinion of doctors, lawyers, scientists, and historians. Within the + domain of the natural, we take the opinions of our fellow-men; but we do + not feel that we are absolutely bound by these opinions. We have the right + to re- examine them, and if we find they are wrong we feel at liberty to + say so. A doctor is supposed to have studied medicine; to have examined + and explored the questions entering into his profession; but we know that + doctors are often mistaken. We also know that there are many schools of + medicine; that these schools disagree with one another, and that the + doctors of each school disagree with one another. We also know that many + patients die, and so far as we know, these patients have not come back to + tell us whether the doctors killed them or not. The grave generally + prevents a demonstration. It is exactly the same with the clergy. They + have many schools of theology, all despising each other. Probably no two + members of the same church exactly agree. They cannot demonstrate their + propositions, because between the premise and the logical conclusion or + demonstration, stands the tomb. A gravestone marks the end of theology. In + some cases, the physician can, by a post- mortem examination, find what + killed the patient, but there is no theological post-mortem. It is + impossible, by cutting a body open, to find where the soul has gone; or + whether baptism, or the lack of it, had the slightest effect upon final + destiny. The church, knowing that there are no facts beyond the coffin, + relies upon opinions, assertions and theories. For this reason it is + always asking alms of distinguished people. Some President wishes to be + re-elected, and thereupon speaks about the Bible as "the corner- stone of + American Liberty." This sentence is a mouth large enough to swallow any + church, and from that time forward the religious people will be citing + that remark of the politician to substantiate the inspiration of the + Scriptures. + </p> + <p> + The man who accepts opinions because they have been entertained by + distinguished people, is a mental snob. When we blindly follow authority + we are serfs. When our reason is convinced we are freemen. It is rare to + find a fully rounded and complete man. A man may be a great doctor and a + poor mechanic, a successful politician and a poor metaphysician, a poor + painter and a good poet. + </p> + <p> + The rarest thing in the world is a logician—that is to say, a man + who knows the value of a fact. It is hard to find mental proportion. + Theories may be established by names, but facts cannot be demonstrated in + that way. Very small people are sometimes right, and very great people are + sometimes wrong. Ministers are sometimes right. + </p> + <p> + In all the philosophies of the world there are undoubtedly contradictions + and absurdities. The mind of man is imperfect and perfect results are + impossible. A mirror, in order to reflect a perfect picture, a perfect + copy, must itself be perfect. The mind is a little piece of intellectual + glass the surface of which is not true, not perfect. In consequence of + this, every image is more or less distorted. The less we know, the more we + imagine that we can know; but the more we know, the smaller seems the sum + of knowledge. The less we know, the more we expect, the more we hope for, + and the more seems within the range of probability. The less we have, the + more we want. There never was a banquet magnificent enough to gratify the + imagination of a beggar. The moment people begin to reason about what they + call the supernatural, they seem to lose their minds. People seem to have + lost their reason in religious matters, very much as the dodo is said to + have lost its wings; they have been restricted to a little inspired + island, and by disuse their reason has been lost. + </p> + <p> + In the Jewish Scriptures you will find simply the literature of the Jews. + You will find there the tears and anguish of captivity, patriotic fervor, + national aspiration, proverbs for the conduct of daily life, laws, + regulations, customs, legends, philosophy and folly. These books, of + course, were not written by one man, but by many authors. They do not + agree, having been written in different centuries, under different + circumstances. I see that Mr. Beecher has at last concluded that the Old + Testament does not teach the doctrine of immortality. He admits that from + Mount Sinai came no hope for the dead. It is very curious that we find in + the Old Testament no funeral service. No one stands by the dead and + predicts another life. In the Old Testament there is no promise of another + world. I have sometimes thought that while the Jews were slaves in Egypt, + the doctrine of immortality became hateful. They built so many tombs; they + carried so many burdens to commemorate the dead; the saw a nation waste + its wealth to adorn its graves, and leave the living naked to embalm the + dead, that they concluded the doctrine was a curse and never should be + taught. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If the Jews did not believe in immortality, how do you + account for the allusions made to witches and wizards and things of that + nature? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. When Saul visited the Witch of Endor, and she, by some + magic spell, called up Samuel, the prophet said: "Why hast thou disquieted + me, to call me up?" He did not say: Why have you called me from another + world? The idea expressed is: I was asleep, why did you disturb that + repose which should be eternal? The ancient Jews believed in witches and + wizards and familiar spirits; but they did not seem to think that these + spirits had once been men and women. They spoke to them as belonging to + another world, a world to which man would never find his way. At that time + it was supposed that Jehovah and his angels lived in the sky, but that + region was not spoken of as the destined home of man. Jacob saw angels + going up and down the ladder, but not the spirits of those he had known. + There are two cases where it seems that men were good enough to be adopted + into the family of heaven. Enoch was translated, and Elijah was taken up + in a chariot of fire. As it is exceedingly cold at the height of a few + miles, it is easy to see why the chariot was of fire, and the same fact + explains another circumstance—the dropping of the mantle. The Jews + probably believed in the existence of other beings—that is to say, + in angels and gods and evil spirits —and that they lived in other + worlds—but there is no passage showing that they believed in what we + call the immortality of the soul. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe, or disbelieve, in the immortality of the + soul? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I neither assert nor deny; I simply admit that I do not + know. Upon that subject I am absolutely without evidence. This is the only + world that I was ever in. There may be spirits, but I have never met them, + and do not know that I would recognize a spirit. I can form no conception + of what is called spiritual life. It may be that I am deficient in + imagination, and that ministers have no difficulty in conceiving of angels + and disembodied souls. I have not the slightest idea how a soul looks, + what shape it is, how it goes from one place to another, whether it walks + or flies. I cannot conceive of the immaterial having form; neither can I + conceive of anything existing without form, and yet the fact that I cannot + conceive of a thing does not prove that the thing does not exist, but it + does prove that I know nothing about it, and that being so, I ought to + admit my ignorance. I am satisfied of a good many things that I do not + know. I am satisfied that there is no place of eternal torment. I am + satisfied that that doctrine has done more harm than all the religious + ideas, other than that, have done good. I do not want to take any hope + from any human heart. I have no objection to people believing in any good + thing—no objection to their expecting a crown of infinite joy for + every human being. Many people imagine that immortality must be an + infinite good; but, after all, there is something terrible in the idea of + endless life. Think of a river that never reaches the sea; of a bird that + never folds its wings; of a journey that never ends. Most people find + great pleasure in thinking about and in believing in another world. There + the prisoner expects to be free; the slave to find liberty; the poor man + expects wealth; the rich man happiness; the peasant dreams of power, and + the king of contentment. They expect to find there what they lack here. I + do not wish to destroy these dreams. I am endeavoring to put out the + everlasting fires. A good, cool grave is infinitely better than the fiery + furnace of Jehovah's wrath. Eternal sleep is better than eternal pain. For + my part I would rather be annihilated than to be an angel, with all the + privileges of heaven, and yet have within my breast a heart that could be + happy while those who had loved me in this world were in perdition. + </p> + <p> + I most sincerely hope that the future life will fulfill all splendid + dreams; but in the religion of the present day there is no joy. Nothing is + so devoid of comfort, when bending above our dead, as the assertions of + theology unsupported by a single fact. The promises are so far away, and + the dead are so near. From words spoken eighteen centuries ago, the echoes + are so weak, and the sounds of the clods on the coffin are so loud. Above + the grave what can the honest minister say? If the dead were not a + Christian, what then? What comfort can the orthodox clergyman give to the + widow of an honest unbeliever? If Christianity is true, the other world + will be worse than this. There the many will be miserable, only the few + happy; there the miserable cannot better their condition; the future has + no star of hope, and in the east of eternity there can never be a dawn. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If you take away the idea of eternal punishment, how do + you propose to restrain men; in what way will you influence conduct for + good? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, the trouble with religion is that it postpones + punishment and reward to another world. Wrong is wrong, because it breeds + unhappiness. Right is right, because it tends to the happiness of man. + These facts are the basis of what I call the religion of this world. When + a man does wrong, the consequences follow, and between the cause and + effect, a Redeemer cannot step. Forgiveness cannot form a breastwork + between act and consequence. + </p> + <p> + There should be a religion of the body—a religion that will prevent + deformity, that will refuse to multiply insanity, that will not propagate + disease—a religion that is judged by its consequences in this world. + Orthodox Christianity has taught, and still teaches, that in this world + the difference between the good and the bad is that the bad enjoy + themselves, while the good carry the cross of virtue with bleeding brows + bound and pierced with the thorns of honesty and kindness. All this, in my + judgment, is immoral. The man who does wrong carries a cross. There is no + world, no star, in which the result of wrong is real happiness. There is + no world, no star, in which the result of doing right is unhappiness. + Virtue and vice must be the same everywhere. + </p> + <p> + Vice must be vice everywhere, because its consequences are evil; and + virtue must be virtue everywhere, because its consequences are good. There + can be no such thing as forgiveness. These facts are the only restraining + influences possible—the innocent man cannot suffer for the guilty + and satisfy the law. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you answer the argument, or the fact, that the + church is constantly increasing, and that there are now four hundred + millions of Christians? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. That is what I call the argument of numbers. If that + argument is good now, it was always good. If Christians were at any time + in the minority, then, according to this argument, Christianity was wrong. + Every religion that has succeeded has appealed to the argument of numbers. + There was a time when Buddhism was in a majority. Buddha not only had, but + has more followers then Christ. Success is not a demonstration. Mohammed + was a success, and a success from the commencement. Upon a thousand fields + he was victor. Of the scattered tribes of the desert, he made a nation, + and this nation took the fairest part of Europe from the followers of the + cross. In the history of the world, the success of Mohammed is + unparalleled, but this success does not establish that he was the prophet + of God. + </p> + <p> + Now, it is claimed that there are some four hundred millions of + Christians. To make that total I am counted as a Christian; I am one of + the fifty or sixty millions of Christians in the United States—excluding + Indians, not taxed. By this census report, we are all going to heaven—we + are all orthodox. At the last great day we can refer with confidence to + the ponderous volumes containing the statistics of the United States. As a + matter of fact, how many Christians are there in the United States—how + many believers in the inspiration of the Scriptures—how many real + followers of Christ? I will not pretend to give the number, but I will + venture to say that there are not fifty millions. How many in England? + Where are the four hundred millions found? To make this immense number, + they have counted all the Heretics, all the Catholics, all the Jews, + Spiritualists, Universalists and Unitarians, all the babes, all the + idiotic and insane, all the Infidels, all the scientists, all the + unbelievers. As a matter of fact, they have no right to count any except + the orthodox members of the orthodox churches. There may be more "members" + now than formerly, and this increase of members is due to a decrease of + religion. Thousands of members are only nominal Christians, wearing the + old uniform simply because they do not wish to be charged with desertion. + The church, too, is a kind of social institution, a club with a creed + instead of by-laws, and the creed is never defended unless attacked by an + outsider. No objection is made to the minister because he is liberal, if + he says nothing about it in his pulpit. A man like Mr. Beecher draws a + congregation, not because he is a Christian, but because he is a genius; + not because he is orthodox, but because he has something to say. He is an + intellectual athlete. He is full of pathos and poetry. He has more + description than divinity; more charity than creed, and altogether more + common sense than theology. For these reasons thousands of people love to + hear him. On the other hand, there are many people who have a morbid + desire for the abnormal—for intellectual deformities—for + thoughts that have two heads. This accounts for the success of some of Mr. + Beecher's rivals. + </p> + <p> + Christians claim that success is a test of truth. Has any church succeeded + as well as the Catholic? Was the tragedy of the Garden of Eden a success? + Who succeeded there? The last best thought is not a success, if you mean + that only that is a success which has succeeded, and if you mean by + succeeding, that it has won the assent of the majority. Besides there is + no time fixed for the test. Is that true which succeeds to-day, or next + year, or in the next century? Once the Copernican system was not a + success. There is no time fixed. The result is that we have to wait. A + thing to exist at all has to be, to a certain extent, a success. A thing + cannot even die without having been a success. It certainly succeeded + enough to have life. Presbyterians should remember, while arguing the + majority argument, and the success argument, that there are far more + Catholics than Protestants, and that the Catholics can give a longer list + of distinguished names. + </p> + <p> + My answer to all this, however, is that the history of the world shows + that ignorance has always been in the majority. There is one right road; + numberless paths that are wrong. Truth is one; error is many. When a great + truth has been discovered, one man has pitted himself against the world. A + few think; the many believe. The few lead; the many follow. The light of + the new day, as it looks over the window sill of the east, falls at first + on only one forehead. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing. A great many people pass for Christians who are + not. Only a little while ago a couple of ladies were returning from church + in a carriage. They had listened to a good orthodox sermon. One said to + the other: "I am going to tell you something—I am going to shock you—I + do not believe in the Bible." And the other replied: "Neither do I." + </p> + <p> + —<i>The News</i>, Detroit, Michigan, January 6, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0034" id="link0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICS, MORMONISM AND MR. BEECHER + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What will be the main issues in the next presidential + campaign? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that the principal issues will be civil rights and + protection for American industries. The Democratic party is not a unit on + the tariff question—neither is the Republican; but I think that a + majority of the Democrats are in favor of free trade and a majority of + Republicans in favor of a protective tariff. The Democratic Congressmen + will talk just enough about free trade to frighten the manufacturing + interests of the country, and probably not quite enough to satisfy the + free traders. The result will be that the Democrats will talk about + reforming the tariff, but will do nothing but talk. I think the tariff + ought to be reformed in many particulars; but as long as we need to raise + a great revenue my idea is that it ought to be so arranged as to protect + to the utmost, without producing monopoly in American manufacturers. I am + in favor of protection because it multiplies industries; and I am in favor + of a great number of industries because they develop the brain, because + they give employment to all and allow us to utilize all the muscle and all + the sense we have. If we were all farmers we would grow stupid. If we all + worked at one kind of mechanic art we would grow dull. But with a variety + of industries, with a constant premium upon ingenuity, with the promise of + wealth as the reward of success in any direction, the people become + intelligent, and while we are protecting our industries we develop our + brains. So I am in favor of the protection of civil rights by the Federal + Government, and that, in my judgment, will be one of the great issues in + the next campaign. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see that you say that one of the great issues in the + coming campaign will be civil rights; what do you mean by that? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I mean this. The Supreme Court has recently decided + that a colored man whose rights are trampled upon, in a State, cannot + appeal to the Federal Government for protection. The decision amounts to + this: That Congress has no right until a State has acted, and has acted + contrary to the Constitution. Now, if a State refuses to do anything upon + the subject, what is the citizen to do? My opinion is that the Government + is bound to protect its citizens, and as a consideration for this + protection, the citizen is bound to stand by the Government. When the + nation calls for troops, the citizen of each State is bound to respond, no + matter what his State may think. This doctrine must be maintained, or the + United States ceases to be a nation. If a man looks to his State for + protection, then he must go with his State. My doctrine is, that there + should be patriotism upon the one hand, and protection upon the other. If + a State endeavors to secede from the Union, a citizen of that State should + be in a position to defy the State and appeal to the Nation for + protection. The doctrine now is, that the General Government turns the + citizen over to the State for protection, and if the State does not + protect him, that is his misfortune; and the consequence of this doctrine + will be to build up the old heresy of State Sovereignty—a doctrine + that was never appealed to except in the interest of thieving or robbery. + That doctrine was first appealed to when the Constitution was formed, + because they were afraid the National Government would interfere with the + slave trade. It was next appealed to, to uphold the Fugitive Slave Law. It + was next appealed to, to give the territories of the United States to + slavery. Then it was appealed to, to support rebellion, and now out of + this doctrine they attempt to build a breastwork, behind which they can + trample upon the rights of free colored men. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the sovereignty of the Nation. A nation that cannot protect + its citizens ought to stop playing nation. In the old times the Supreme + Court found no difficulty in supporting slavery by "inference," by + "intendment," but now that liberty has become national, the Court is + driven to less than a literal interpretation. If the Constitution does not + support liberty, it is of no use. To maintain liberty is the only + legitimate object of human government. I hope the time will come when the + judges of the Supreme Court will be elected, say for a period of ten + years. I do not believe in the legal monk system. I believe in judges + still maintaining an interest in human affairs. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the Mormon question? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not believe in the bayonet plan. Mormonism must be + done away with by the thousand influences of civilization, by education, + by the elevation of the people. Of course, a gentleman would rather have + one noble woman than a hundred females. I hate the system of polygamy. + Nothing is more infamous. I admit that the Old Testament upholds it. I + admit that the patriarchs were mostly polygamists. I admit that Solomon + was mistaken on that subject. But notwithstanding the fact that polygamy + is upheld by the Jewish Scriptures, I believe it to be a great wrong. At + the same time if you undertake to get the idea out of the Mormons by force + you will not succeed. I think a good way to do away with that institution + would be for all the churches to unite, bear the expense, and send + missionaries to Utah; let these ministers call the people together and + read to them the lives of David, Solomon, Abraham and other patriarchs. + Let all the missionaries be called home from foreign fields and teach + these people that they should not imitate the only men with whom God ever + condescended to hold intercourse. Let these frightful examples be held up + to these people, and if it is done earnestly, it seems to me that the + result would be good. + </p> + <p> + Polygamy exists. All laws upon the subject should take that fact into + consideration, and punishment should be provided for offences thereafter + committed. The children of Mormons should be legitimized. In other words, + in attempting to settle this question, we should accomplish all the good + possible, with the least possible harm. + </p> + <p> + I agree mostly with Mr. Beecher, and I utterly disagree with the Rev. Mr. + Newman. Mr. Newman wants to kill and slay. He does not rely upon + Christianity, but upon brute force. He has lost his confidence in example, + and appeals to the bayonet. Mr. Newman had a discussion with one of the + Mormon elders, and was put to ignominious flight; no wonder that he + appeals to force. Having failed in argument, he calls for artillery; + having been worsted in the appeal to Scripture, he asks for the sword. He + says, failing to convert, let us kill; and he takes this position in the + name of the religion of kindness and forgiveness. + </p> + <p> + Strange that a minister now should throw away the Bible and yell for a + bayonet; that he should desert the Scriptures and call for soldiers; that + he should lose confidence in the power of the Spirit and trust in a sword. + I recommend that Mormonism be done away with by distributing the Old + Testament throughout Utah. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the investigation of the Department + of Justice now going on? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The result, in my judgment, will depend on its + thoroughness. If Mr. Springer succeeds in proving exactly what the + Department of Justice did, the methods pursued, if he finds out what their + spies and detectives and agents were instructed to do, then I think the + result will be as disastrous to the Department as beneficial to the + country. The people seem to have forgotten that a little while after the + first Star Route trial three of the agents of the Department of Justice + were indicted for endeavoring to bribe the jury. They forget that Mr. + Bowen, an agent of the Department of Justice, is a fugitive, because he + endeavored to bribe the foreman of the jury. They seem to forget that the + Department of Justice, in order to cover its own tracks, had the foreman + of the jury indicted because one of its agents endeavored to bribe him. + Probably this investigation will nudge the ribs of the public enough to + make people remember these things. Personally, I have no feelings on the + subject. It was enough for me that we succeeded in thwarting its methods, + in spite of the detectives, spies, and informers. + </p> + <p> + The Department is already beginning to dissolve. Brewster Cameron has left + it, and as a reward has been exiled to Arizona. Mr. Brewster will probably + be the next to pack his official valise. A few men endeavored to win + popularity by pursuing a few others, and thus far they have been + conspicuous failures. MacVeagh and James are to-day enjoying the oblivion + earned by misdirected energy, and Mr. Brewster will soon keep them + company. The history of the world does not furnish an instance of more + flagrant abuse of power. There never was a trial as shamelessly conducted + by a government. But, as I said before, I have no feeling now except that + of pity. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see that Mr. Beecher is coming round to your views on + theology? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I would not have the egotism to say that he was coming + round to my views, but evidently Mr. Beecher has been growing. His head + has been instructed by his heart; and if a man will allow even the poor + plant of pity to grow in his heart he will hold in infinite execration all + orthodox religion. The moment he will allow himself to think that eternal + consequences depend upon human life; that the few short years we live in + the world determine for an eternity the question of infinite joy or + infinite pain; the moment he thinks of that he will see that it is an + infinite absurdity. For instance, a man is born in Arkansas and lives + there to be seventeen or eighteen years of age, is it possible that he can + be truthfully told at the day of judgment that he had a fair chance? Just + imagine a man being held eternally responsible for his conduct in + Delaware! Mr. Beecher is a man of great genius—full of poetry and + pathos. Every now and then he is driven back by the orthodox members of + his congregation toward the old religion, and for the benefit of those + weak disciples he will preach what is called "a doctrinal sermon;" but + before he gets through with it, seeing that it is infinitely cruel, he + utters a cry of horror, and protests with all the strength of his nature + against the cruelty of the creed. I imagine that he has always thought + that he was under great obligation to Plymouth Church, but the truth is + that the church depends upon him; that church gets its character from Mr. + Beecher. He has done a vast deal to ameliorate the condition of the + average orthodox mind. He excites the envy of the mediocre minister, and + he excites the hatred of the really orthodox, but he receives the + approbation of good and generous men everywhere. For my part, I have no + quarrel with any religion that does not threaten eternal punishment to + very good people, and that does not promise eternal reward to very bad + people. If orthodox Christianity is true, some of the best people I know + are going to hell, and some of the meanest I have ever known are either in + heaven or on the road. Of course, I admit that there are thousands and + millions of good Christians—honest and noble people, but in my + judgment, Mr. Beecher is the greatest man in the world who now occupies a + pulpit. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Speaking of a man's living in Delaware, a young man, some time ago, came + up to me on the street, in an Eastern city and asked for money. "What is + your business," I asked. "I am a waiter by profession." "Where do you come + from?" "Delaware." "Well, what was the matter —did you drink, or + cheat your employer, or were you idle?" "No." "What was the trouble?" + "Well, the truth is, the State is so small they don't need any waiters; + they all reach for what they want." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you not think there are some dangerous tendencies in + Liberalism? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I will first state this proposition: The credit system in + morals, as in business, breeds extravagance. The cash system in morals, as + well as in business, breeds economy. We will suppose a community in which + everybody is bound to sell on credit, and in which every creditor can take + the benefit of the bankrupt law every Saturday night, and the constable + pays the costs. In my judgment that community would be extravagant as long + as the merchants lasted. We will take another community in which everybody + has to pay cash, and in my judgment that community will be a very + economical one. Now, then, let us apply this to morals. Christianity + allows everybody to sin on a credit, and allows a man who has lived, we + will say sixty-nine years, what Christians are pleased to call a worldly + life, an immoral life. They allow him on his death-bed, between the last + dose of medicine and the last breath, to be converted, and that man who + has done nothing except evil, becomes an angel. Here is another man who + has lived the same length of time, doing all the good he possibly could + do, but not meeting with what they are pleased to call "a change of + heart;" he goes to a world of pain. Now, my doctrine is that everybody + must reap exactly what he sows, other things being equal. If he acts badly + he will not be very happy; if he acts well he will not be very sad. I + believe in the doctrine of consequences, and that every man must stand the + consequences of his own acts. It seems to me that that fact will have a + greater restraining influence than the idea that you can, just before you + leave this world, shift your burden on to somebody else. I am a believer + in the restraining influences of liberty, because responsibility goes hand + in hand with freedom. I do not believe that the gallows is the last step + between earth and heaven. I do not believe in the conversion and salvation + of murderers while their innocent victims are in hell. The church has + taught so long that he who acts virtuously carries a cross, and that only + sinners enjoy themselves, that it may be that for a little while after men + leave the church they may go to extremes until they demonstrate for + themselves that the path of vice is the path of thorns, and that only + along the wayside of virtue grow the flowers of joy. The church has + depicted virtue as a sour, wrinkled termagant; an old woman with nothing + but skin and bones, and a temper beyond description; and at the same time + vice has been painted in all the voluptuous outlines of a Greek statue. + The truth is exactly the other way. A thing is right because it pays; a + thing is wrong because it does not; and when I use the word "pays," I mean + in the highest and noblest sense. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Daily News</i>, Denver, Colorado, January 17, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0035" id="link0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + FREE TRADE AND CHRISTIANITY. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. Who will be the Republican nominee for President? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The correct answer to this question would make so many men + unhappy that I have concluded not to give it. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Has not the Democracy injured itself irretrievably by + permitting the free trade element to rule it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think that the Democratic party weakened itself by + electing Carlisle, Speaker. I think him an excellent man, an exceedingly + candid man, and one who will do what he believes ought to be done. I have + a very high opinion of Mr. Carlisle. I do not suppose any party in this + country is really for free trade. I find that all writers upon the + subject, no matter which side they are on, are on that side with certain + exceptions. Adam Smith was in favor of free trade, with a few exceptions, + and those exceptions were in matters where he thought it was for England's + interest not to have free trade. The same may be said of all writers. So + far as I can see, the free traders have all the arguments and the + protectionists all the facts. The free trade theories are splendid, but + they will not work; the results are disastrous. We find by actual + experiment that it is better to protect home industries. It was once said + that protection created nothing but monopoly; the argument was that way, + but the facts are not. Take, for instance, steel rails; when we bought + them of England we paid one hundred and twenty-five dollars a ton. I + believe there was a tariff of twenty-eight or twenty-nine dollars a ton, + and yet in spite of all the arguments going to show that protection would + simply increase prices in America, would simply enrich the capitalists and + impoverish the consumer, steel rails are now produced, I believe, right + here in Colorado for forty-two dollars a ton. + </p> + <p> + After all, it is a question of labor; a question of prices that shall be + paid the laboring man; a question of what the laboring man shall eat; + whether he shall eat meat or soup made from the bones. Very few people + take into consideration the value of raw material and the value of labor. + Take, for instance, your ton of steel rails worth forty-two dollars. The + iron in the earth is not worth twenty-five cents. The coal in the earth + and the lime in the ledge together are not worth twenty-five cents. Now, + then, of the forty-two dollars, forty-one and a half is labor. There is + not two dollars' worth of raw material in a locomotive worth fifteen + thousand dollars. By raw material I mean the material in the earth. There + is not in the works of a watch which will sell for fifteen dollars, raw + material of the value of one-half cent. All the rest is labor. A ship, a + man-of-war that costs one million dollars— the raw material in the + earth is not worth, in my judgment, one thousand dollars. All the rest is + labor. If there is any way to protect American labor, I am in favor of it. + If the present tariff does not do it, then I am in favor of changing to + one that will. If the Democratic party takes a stand for free trade or + anything like it, they will need protection; they will need protection at + the polls; that is to say, they will meet only with defeat and disaster. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What should be done with the surplus revenue? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My answer to that is, reduce internal revenue taxation + until the present surplus is exhausted, and then endeavor so to arrange + your tariff that you will not produce more than you need. I think the + easiest question to grapple with on this earth is a surplus of money. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe in distributing it among the States. I do not think there + could be a better certificate of the prosperity of our country than the + fact that we are troubled with a surplus revenue; that we have the + machinery for collecting taxes in such perfect order, so ingeniously + contrived, that it cannot be stopped; that it goes right on collecting + money, whether we want it or not; and the wonderful thing about it is that + nobody complains. If nothing else can be done with the surplus revenue, + probably we had better pay some of our debts. I would suggest, as a last + resort, to pay a few honest claims. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you getting nearer to or farther away from God, + Christianity and the Bible? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, as Mr. Locke so often remarked, we will + define our terms. If by the word "God" is meant a person, a being, who + existed before the creation of the universe, and who controls all that is, + except himself, I do not believe in such a being; but if by the word God + is meant all that is, that is to say, the universe, including every atom + and every star, then I am a believer. I suppose the word that would + nearest describe me is "Pantheist." I cannot believe that a being existed + from eternity, and who finally created this universe after having wasted + an eternity in idleness; but upon this subject I know just as little as + anybody ever did or ever will, and, in my judgment, just as much. My + intellectual horizon is somewhat limited, and, to tell you the truth, this + is the only world that I was ever in. I am what might be called a + representative of a rural district, and, as a matter of fact, I know very + little about the district. I believe it was Confucius who said: "How + should I know anything about another world when I know so little of this?" + </p> + <p> + The greatest intellects of the world have endeavored to find words to + express their conception of God, of the first cause, or of the science of + being, but they have never succeeded. I find in the old Confession of + Faith, in the old Catechism, for instance, this description: That God is a + being without body, parts or passions. I think it would trouble anybody to + find a better definition of nothing. That describes a vacuum, that is to + say, that describes the absence of everything. I find that theology is a + subject that only the most ignorant are certain about, and that the more a + man thinks, the less he knows. + </p> + <p> + From the Bible God, I do not know that I am going farther and farther + away. I have been about as far as a man could get for many years. I do not + believe in the God of the Old Testament. + </p> + <p> + Now, as to the next branch of your question, Christianity. + </p> + <p> + The question arises, What is Christianity? I have no objection to the + morality taught as a part of Christianity, no objection to its charity, + its forgiveness, its kindness; no objection to its hope for this world and + another, not the slightest, but all these things do not make Christianity. + Mohammed taught certain doctrines that are good, but the good in the + teachings of Mohammed is not Mohammedism. When I speak of Christianity I + speak of that which is distinctly Christian. For instance, the idea that + the Infinite God was born in Palestine, learned the carpenter's trade, + disputed with the parsons of his time, excited the wrath of the + theological bigots, and was finally crucified; that afterward he was + raised from the dead, and that if anybody believes this he will be saved + and if he fails to believe it, he will be lost; in other words, that which + is distinctly Christian in the Christian system, is its supernaturalism, + its miracles, its absurdity. Truth does not need to go into partnership + with the supernatural. What Christ said is worth the reason it contains. + If a man raises the dead and then says twice two are five, that changes no + rule in mathematics. If a multiplication table was divinely inspired, that + does no good. The question is, is it correct? So I think that in the world + of morals, we must prove that a thing is right or wrong by experience, by + analogy, not by miracles. There is no fact in physical science that can be + supernaturally demonstrated. Neither is there any fact in the moral world + that could be substantiated by miracles. Now, then, keeping in mind that + by Christianity I mean the supernatural in that system, of course I am + just as far away from it as I can get. For the man Christ I have respect. + He was an infidel in his day, and the ministers of his day cried out + blasphemy, as they have been crying ever since, against every person who + has suggested a new thought or shown the worthlessness of an old one. + </p> + <p> + Now, as to the third part of the question, the Bible. People say that the + Bible is inspired. Well, what does inspiration mean? Did God write it? No; + but the men who did write it were guided by the Holy Spirit. Very well. + Did they write exactly what the Holy Spirit wanted them to write? Well, + religious people say, yes. At the same time they admit that the gentlemen + who were collecting, or taking down in shorthand what was said, had to use + their own words. Now, we all know that the same words do not have the same + meaning to all people. It is impossible to convey the same thoughts to all + minds by the same language, and it is for that reason that the Bible has + produced so many sects, not only disagreeing with each other, but + disagreeing among themselves. + </p> + <p> + We find, then, that it is utterly impossible for God (admitting that there + is one) to convey the same thoughts in human language to all people. No + two persons understand the same language alike. A man's understanding + depends upon his experience, upon his capacity, upon the particular bent + of his mind—in fact, upon the countless influences that have made + him what he is. Everything in nature tells everyone who sees it a story, + but that story depends upon the capacity of the one to whom it is told. + The sea says one thing to the ordinary man, and another thing to + Shakespeare. The stars have not the same language for all people. The + consequence is that no book can tell the same story to any two persons. + The Jewish Scriptures are like other books, written by different men in + different ages of the world, hundreds of years apart, filled with + contradictions. They embody, I presume, fairly enough, the wisdom and + ignorance, the reason and prejudice, of the times in which they were + written. They are worth the good that is in them, and the question is + whether we will take the good and throw the bad away. There are good laws + and bad laws. There are wise and foolish sayings. There are gentle and + cruel passages, and you can find a text to suit almost any frame of mind; + whether you wish to do an act of charity or murder a neighbor's babe, you + will find a passage that will exactly fit the case. So that I can say that + I am still for the reasonable, for the natural; and am still opposed to + the absurd and supernatural. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is there any better or more ennobling belief than + Christianity; if so, what is it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There are many good things, of course, in every religion, + or they would not have existed; plenty of good precepts in Christianity, + but the thing that I object to more than all others is the doctrine of + eternal punishment, the idea of hell for many and heaven for the few. Take + from Christianity the doctrine of eternal punishment and I have no + particular objection to what is generally preached. If you will take that + away, and all the supernatural connected with it, I have no objection; but + that doctrine of eternal punishment tends to harden the human heart. It + has produced more misery than all the other doctrines in the world. It has + shed more blood; it has made more martyrs. It has lighted the fires of + persecution and kept the sword of cruelty wet with heroic blood for at + least a thousand years. There is no crime that that doctrine has not + produced. I think it would be impossible for the imagination to conceive + of a worse religion than orthodox Christianity—utterly impossible; a + doctrine that divides this world, a doctrine that divides families, a + doctrine that teaches the son that he can be happy, with his mother in + perdition; the husband that he can be happy in heaven while his wife + suffers the agonies of hell. This doctrine is infinite injustice, and + tends to subvert all ideas of justice in the human heart. I think it would + be impossible to conceive of a doctrine better calculated to make wild + beasts of men than that; in fact, that doctrine was born of all the wild + beast there is in man. It was born of infinite revenge. + </p> + <p> + Think of preaching that you must believe that a certain being was the son + of God, no matter whether your reason is convinced or not. Suppose one + should meet, we will say on London Bridge, a man clad in rags, and he + should stop us and say, "My friend, I wish to talk with you a moment. I am + the rightful King of Great Britain," and you should say to him, "Well, my + dinner is waiting; I have no time to bother about who the King of England + is," and then he should meet another and insist on his stopping while the + pulled out some papers to show that he was the rightful King of England, + and the other man should say, "I have got business here, my friend; I am + selling goods, and I have no time to bother my head about who the King of + England is. No doubt you are the King of England, but you don't look like + him." And then suppose he stops another man, and makes the same statement + to him, and the other man should laugh at him and say, "I don't want to + hear anything on this subject; you are crazy; you ought to go to some + insane asylum, or put something on your head to keep you cool." And + suppose, after all, it should turn out that the man was King of England, + and should afterward make his claim good and be crowned in Westminster. + What would we think of that King if he should hunt up the gentlemen that + he met on London Bridge, and have their heads cut off because they had no + faith that he was the rightful heir? And what would we think of a God now + who would damn a man eighteen hundred years after the event, because he + did not believe that he was God at the time he was living in Jerusalem; + not only damn the fellows that he met and who did not believe him, but + gentlemen who lived eighteen hundred years afterward, and who certainly + could have known nothing of the facts except from hearsay? + </p> + <p> + The best religion, after all, is common sense; a religion for this world, + one world at a time, a religion for to-day. We want a religion that will + deal in questions in which we are interested. How are we to do away with + crime? How are we to do away with pauperism? How are we to do away with + want and misery in every civilized country? England is a Christian nation, + and yet about one in six in the city of London dies in almshouses, + asylums, prisons, hospitals and jails. We, I suppose, are a civilized + nation, and yet all the penitentiaries are crammed; there is want on every + hand, and my opinion is that we had better turn our attention to this + world. + </p> + <p> + Christianity is charitable; Christianity spends a great deal of money; but + I am somewhat doubtful as to the good that is accomplished. There ought to + be some way to prevent crime; not simply to punish it. There ought to be + some way to prevent pauperism, not simply to relieve temporarily a pauper, + and if the ministers and good people belonging to the churches would spend + their time investigating the affairs of this world and let the New + Jerusalem take care of itself, I think it would be far better. + </p> + <p> + The church is guilty of one great contradiction. The ministers are always + talking about worldly people, and yet, were it not for worldly people, who + would pay the salary? How could the church live a minute unless somebody + attended to the affairs of this world? The best religion, in my judgment, + is common sense going along hand in hand with kindness, and not troubling + ourselves about another world until we get there. I am willing for one, to + wait and see what kind of a country it will be. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Does the question of the inspiration of Scriptures affect + the beauty and benefits of Christianity here and hereafter? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. A belief in the inspiration of the Scriptures has done, in + my judgment, great harm. The Bible has been the breastwork for nearly + everything wrong. The defenders of slavery relied on the Bible. The Bible + was the real auction block on which every negro stood when he was sold. I + never knew a minister to preach in favor of slavery that did not take his + text from the Bible. The Bible teaches persecution for opinion's sake. The + Bible—that is the Old Testament—upholds polygamy, and just to + the extent that men, through the Bible, have believed that slavery, + religious persecution, wars of extermination and polygamy were taught by + God, just to that extent the Bible has done great harm. The idea of + inspiration enslaves the human mind and debauches the human heart. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is not Christianity and the belief in God a check upon + mankind in general and thus a good thing in itself? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. This, again, brings up the question of what you mean by + Christianity, but taking it for granted that you mean by Christianity the + church, then I answer, when the church had almost absolute authority, then + the world was the worst. + </p> + <p> + Now, as to the other part of the question, "Is not a belief in God a check + upon mankind in general?" That is owing to what kind of God the man + believes in. When mankind believed in the God of the Old Testament, I + think that belief was a bad thing; the tendency was bad. I think that John + Calvin patterned after Jehovah as nearly as his health and strength would + permit. Man makes God in his own image, and bad men are not apt to have a + very good God if they make him. I believe it is far better to have a real + belief in goodness, in kindness, in honesty and in mankind than in any + supernatural being whatever. I do not suppose it would do any harm for a + man to believe in a real good God, a God without revenge, a God that was + not very particular in having a man believe a doctrine whether he could + understand it or not. I do not believe that a belief of that kind would do + any particular harm. + </p> + <p> + There is a vast difference between the God of John Calvin and the God of + Henry Ward Beecher, and a great difference between the God of Cardinal + Pedro Gonzales de Mendoza and the God of Theodore Parker. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Well, Colonel, is the world growing better or worse? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think better in some respects and worse in others; but on + the whole, better. I think that while events, like the pendulum of a + clock, go backward and forward, man, like the hands, goes forward. I think + there is more reason and less religion, more charity and less creed. I + think the church is improving. Ministers are ashamed to preach the old + doctrines with the old fervor. There was a time when the pulpit controlled + the pews. It is so no longer. The pews know what they want, and if the + minister does not furnish it they discharge him and employ another. He is + no longer an autocrat; he must bring to the market what his customers are + willing to buy. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are you going to do to be saved? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I think I am safe, anyway. I suppose I have a right + to rely on what Matthew says, that if I will forgive others God will + forgive me. I suppose if there is another world I shall be treated very + much as I treat others. I never expect to find perfect bliss anywhere; + maybe I should tire of it if I should. What I have endeavored to do has + been to put out the fires of an ignorant and cruel hell; to do what I + could to destroy that dogma; to destroy the doctrine that makes the cradle + as terrible as the coffin. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Denver Republican</i>, Denver, Colorado, January 17, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0036" id="link0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE OATH QUESTION. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I suppose that your attention has been called to the + excitement in England over the oath question, and you have probably + wondered that so much should have been made of so little? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes; I have read a few articles upon the subject, including + one by Cardinal Newman. It is wonderful that so many people imagine that + there is something miraculous in the oath. They seem to regard it as a + kind of verbal fetich, a charm, an "open sesame" to be pronounced at the + door of truth, a spell, a kind of moral thumbscrew, by means of which + falsehood itself is compelled to turn informer. + </p> + <p> + The oath has outlived its brother, "the wager of battle." Both were born + of the idea that God would interfere for the right and for the truth. + Trial by fire and by water had the same origin. It was once believed that + the man in the wrong could not kill the man in the right; but, experience + having shown that he usually did, the belief gradually fell into + disrepute. So it was once thought that a perjurer could not swallow a + piece of sacramental bread; but, the fear that made the swallowing + difficult having passed away, the appeal to the corsned was abolished. It + was found that a brazen or a desperate man could eat himself out of the + greatest difficulty with perfect ease, satisfying the law and his own + hunger at the same time. + </p> + <p> + The oath is a relic of barbarous theology, of the belief that a personal + God interferes in the affairs of men; that some God protects innocence and + guards the right. The experience of the world has sadly demonstrated the + folly of that belief. The testimony of a witness ought to be believed, not + because it is given under the solemnities of an oath, but because it is + reasonable. If unreasonable it ought to be thrown aside. The question + ought not to be, "Has this been sworn to?" but, "Is this true?" The moment + evidence is tested by the standard of reason, the oath becomes a useless + ceremony. Let the man who gives false evidence be punished as the + lawmaking power may prescribe. He should be punished because he commits a + crime against society, and he should be punished in this world. All honest + men will tell the truth if they can; therefore, oaths will have no effect + upon them. Dishonest men will not tell the truth unless the truth happens + to suit their purpose; therefore, oaths will have no effect upon them. We + punish them, not for swearing to a lie, but for telling it, and we can + make the punishment for telling the falsehood just as severe as we wish. + If they are to be punished in another world, the probability is that the + punishment there will be for having told the falsehood here. After all, a + lie is made no worse by an oath, and the truth is made no better. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You object then to the oath. Is your objection based on + any religious grounds, or on any prejudice against the ceremony because of + its religious origin; or what is your objection? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I care nothing about the origin of the ceremony. The + objection to the oath is this: It furnishes a falsehood with a letter of + credit. It supplies the wolf with sheep's clothing and covers the hands of + Jacob with hair. It blows out the light, and in the darkness Leah is taken + for Rachel. It puts upon each witness a kind of theological gown. This + gown hides the moral rags of the depraved wretch as well as the virtues of + the honest man. The oath is a mask that falsehood puts on, and for a + moment is mistaken for truth. It gives to dishonesty the advantage of + solemnity. The tendency of the oath is to put all testimony on an + equality. The obscure rascal and the man of sterling character both + "swear," and jurors who attribute a miraculous quality to the oath, forget + the real difference in the men, and give about the same weight to the + evidence of each, because both were "sworn." A scoundrel is delighted with + the opportunity of going through a ceremony that gives importance and + dignity to his story, that clothes him for the moment with respectability, + loans him the appearance of conscience, and gives the ring of true coin to + the base metal. To him the oath is a shield. He is in partnership, for a + moment, with God, and people who have no confidence in the witness credit + the firm. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Of course you know the religionists insist that people + are more likely to tell the truth when "sworn," and that to take away the + oath is to destroy the foundation of testimony? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If the use of the oath is defended on the ground that + religious people need a stimulus to tell the truth, then I am compelled to + say that religious people have been so badly educated that they mistake + the nature of the crime. + </p> + <p> + They should be taught that to defeat justice by falsehood is the real + offence. Besides, fear is not the natural foundation of virtue. Even with + religious people fear cannot always last. Ananias and Sapphira have been + dead so long, and since their time so many people have sworn falsely + without affecting their health that the fear of sudden divine vengeance no + longer pales the cheek of the perjurer. If the vengeance is not sudden, + then, according to the church, the criminal will have plenty of time to + repent; so that the oath no longer affects even the fearful. Would it not + be better for the church to teach that telling the falsehood is the real + crime, and that taking the oath neither adds to nor takes from its + enormity? Would it not be better to teach that he who does wrong must + suffer the consequences, whether God forgives him or not? + </p> + <p> + He who tries to injure another may or may not succeed, but he cannot by + any possibility fail to injure himself. Men should be taught that there is + no difference between truth-telling and truth-swearing. Nothing is more + vicious than the idea that any ceremony or form of words—hand-lifting + or book-kissing—can add, even in the slightest degree, to the + perpetual obligation every human being is under to speak the truth. + </p> + <p> + The truth, plainly told, naturally commends itself to the intelligent. + Every fact is a genuine link in the infinite chain, and will agree + perfectly with every other fact. A fact asks to be inspected, asks to be + understood. It needs no oath, no ceremony, no supernatural aid. It is + independent of all the gods. A falsehood goes in partnership with + theology, and depends on the partner for success. + </p> + <p> + To show how little influence for good has been attributed to the oath, it + is only necessary to say that for centuries, in the Christian world, no + person was allowed to testify who had the slightest pecuniary interest in + the result of a suit. + </p> + <p> + The expectation of a farthing in this world was supposed to outweigh the + fear of God's wrath in the next. All the pangs, pains, and penalties of + perdition were considered as nothing when compared with pounds, shillings + and pence in this world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You know that in nearly all deliberative bodies—in + parliaments and congresses—an oath or an affirmation is required to + support what is called the Constitution; and that all officers are + required to swear or affirm that they will discharge their duties; do + these oaths and affirmations, in your judgment, do any good? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Men have sought to make nations and institutions immortal + by oaths. Subjects have sworn to obey kings, and kings have sworn to + protect subjects, and yet the subjects have sometimes beheaded a king; and + the king has often plundered the subjects. The oaths enabled them to + deceive each other. Every absurdity in religion, and all tyrannical + institutions, have been patched, buttressed, and reinforced by oaths; and + yet the history of the world shows the utter futility of putting in the + coffin of an oath the political and religious aspirations of the race. + </p> + <p> + Revolutions and reformations care little for "So help me God." Oaths have + riveted shackles and sanctified abuses. People swear to support a + constitution, and they will keep the oath as long as the constitution + supports them. In 1776 the colonists cared nothing for the fact that they + had sworn to support the British crown. All the oaths to defend the + Constitution of the United States did not prevent the Civil War. We have + at last learned that States may be kept together for a little time, by + force; permanently only by mutual interests. We have found that the + Delilah of superstition cannot bind with oaths the secular Samson. + </p> + <p> + Why should a member of Parliament or of Congress swear to maintain the + Constitution? If he is a dishonest man, the oath will have no effect; if + he is an honest patriot, it will have no effect. In both cases it is + equally useless. If a member fails to support the Constitution the + probability is that his constituents will treat him as he does the + Constitution. In this country, after all the members of Congress have + sworn or affirmed to defend the Constitution, each political party charges + the other with a deliberate endeavor to destroy that "sacred instrument." + Possibly the political oath was invented to prevent the free and natural + development of a nation. Kings and nobles and priests wished to retain the + property they had filched and clutched, and for that purpose they + compelled the real owners to swear that they would support and defend the + law under color of which the theft and robbery had been accomplished. + </p> + <p> + So, in the church, creeds have been protected by oaths. Priests and laymen + solemnly swore that they would, under no circumstances, resort to reason; + that they would overcome facts by faith, and strike down demonstrations + with the "sword of the spirit." Professors of the theological seminary at + Andover, Massachusetts, swear to defend certain dogmas and to attack + others. They swear sacredly to keep and guard the ignorance they have. + With them, philosophy leads to perjury, and reason is the road to crime. + While theological professors are not likely to make an intellectual + discovery, still it is unwise, by taking an oath, to render that certain + which is only improbable. + </p> + <p> + If all witnesses sworn to tell the truth, did so, if all members of + Parliament and of Congress, in taking the oath, became intelligent, + patriotic, and honest, I should be in favor of retaining the ceremony; but + we find that men who have taken the same oath advocate opposite ideas, and + entertain different opinions, as to the meaning of constitutions and laws. + The oath adds nothing to their intelligence; does not even tend to + increase their patriotism, and certainly does not make the dishonest + honest. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are not persons allowed to testify in the United States + whether they believe in future rewards and punishments or not? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In this country, in most of the States, witnesses are + allowed to testify whether they believe in perdition and paradise or not. + In some States they are allowed to testify even if they deny the existence + of God. We have found that religious belief does not compel people to tell + the truth, and than an utter denial of every Christian creed does not even + tend to make them dishonest. You see, a religious belief does not affect + the senses. Justice should not shut any door that leads to truth. No one + will pretend that, because you do not believe in hell, your sight is + impaired, or your hearing dulled, or your memory rendered less retentive. + A witness in a court is called upon to tell what he has seen, what he has + heard, what he remembers, not what he believes about gods and devils and + hells and heavens. A witness substantiates not a faith, but a fact. In + order to ascertain whether a witness will tell the truth, you might with + equal propriety examine him as to his ideas about music, painting or + architecture, as theology. A man may have no ear for music, and yet + remember what he hears. He may care nothing about painting, and yet is + able to tell what he sees. So he may deny every creed, and yet be able to + tell the facts as he remembers them. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Jefferson was wise enough so to frame the Constitution of Virginia + that no person could be deprived of any civil right on account of his + religious or irreligious belief. Through the influence of men like Paine, + Franklin and Jefferson, it was provided in the Federal Constitution that + officers elected under its authority could swear or affirm. This was the + natural result of the separation of church and state. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see that your Presidents and Governors issue their + proclamations calling on the people to assemble in their churches and + offer thanks to God. How does this happen in a Government where church and + state are not united? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Jefferson, when President, refused to issue what is known + as the "Thanksgiving Proclamation," on the ground that the Federal + Government had no right to interfere in religious matters; that the people + owed no religious duties to the Government; that the Government derived + its powers, not from priests or gods, but from the people, and was + responsible alone to the source of its power. The truth is, the framers of + our Constitution intended that the Government should be secular in the + broadest and best sense; and yet there are thousands and thousands of + religious people in this country who are greatly scandalized because there + is no recognition of God in the Federal Constitution; and for several + years a great many ministers have been endeavoring to have the + Constitution amended so as to recognize the existence of God and the + divinity of Christ. A man by the name of Pollock was once superintendent + of the mint of Philadelphia. He was almost insane about having God in the + Constitution. Failing in that, he got the inscription on our money, "In + God we Trust." As our silver dollar is now, in fact, worth only + eighty-five cents, it is claimed that the inscription means that we trust + in God for the other fifteen cents. + </p> + <p> + There is a constant effort on the part of many Christians to have their + religion in some way recognized by law. Proclamations are now issued + calling upon the people to give thanks, and directing attention to the + fact that, while God has scourged or neglected other nations, he has been + remarkably attentive to the wants and wishes of the United States. + Governors of States issue these documents written in a tone of pious + insincerity. The year may or may not have been prosperous, yet the degree + of thankfulness called for is always precisely the same. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago the Governor of Iowa issued an exceedingly rhetorical + proclamation, in which the people were requested to thank God for the + unparalleled blessings he had showered upon them. A private citizen, + fearing that the Lord might be misled by official correspondence, issued + his proclamation, in which he recounted with great particularity the + hardships of the preceding year. He insisted that the weather had been of + the poorest quality; that the spring came late, and the frost early; that + the people were in debt; that the farms were mortgaged; that the merchants + were bankrupt; and that everything was in the worst possible condition. He + concluded by sincerely hoping that the Lord would pay no attention to the + proclamation of the Governor, but would, if he had any doubt on the + subject, come down and examine the State for himself. + </p> + <p> + These proclamations have always appeared to me absurdly egotistical. Why + should God treat us any better than he does the rest of his children? Why + should he send pestilence and famine to China, and health and plenty to + us? Why give us corn, and Egypt cholera? All these proclamations grow out + of egotism and selfishness, of ignorance and superstition, and are based + upon the idea that God is a capricious monster; that he loves flattery; + that he can be coaxed and cajoled. + </p> + <p> + The conclusion of the whole matter with me is this: For truth in courts we + must depend upon the trained intelligence of judges, the right of + cross-examination, the honesty and common sense of jurors, and upon an + enlightened public opinion. As for members of Congress, we will trust to + the wisdom and patriotism, not only of the members, but of their + constituents. In religion we will give to all the luxury of absolute + liberty. + </p> + <p> + The alchemist did not succeed in finding any stone the touch of which + transmuted baser things to gold; and priests have not invented yet an oath + with power to force from falsehood's desperate lips the pearl of truth. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Secular Review</i>, London, England, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0037" id="link0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WENDELL PHILLIPS, FITZ JOHN PORTER AND BISMARCK. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you seeking to quit public lecturing on religious + questions? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. As long as I live I expect now and then to say my say + against the religious bigotry and cruelty of the world. As long as the + smallest coal is red in hell I am going to keep on. I never had the + slightest idea of retiring. I expect the church to do the retiring. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Wendell Phillips as an orator? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. He was a very great orator—one of the greatest that + the world has produced. He rendered immense service in the cause of + freedom. He was in the old days the thunderbolt that pierced the shield of + the Constitution. One of the bravest soldiers that ever fought for human + rights was Wendell Phillips. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the action of Congress on Fitz John + Porter? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think Congress did right. I think they should have taken + this action long before. There was a question of his guilt, and he should + have been given the benefit of a doubt. They say he could have defeated + Longstreet. There are some people, you know, who would have it that an + army could be whipped by a good general with six mules and a blunderbuss. + But we do not regard those people. They know no more about it than a lady + who talked to me about Porter's case. She argued the question of Porter's + guilt for half an hour. I showed her where she was all wrong. When she + found she was beaten she took refuge with "Oh, well, anyhow he had no + genius." Well, if every man is to be shot who has no genius, I want to go + into the coffin business. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your judgment, is necessary to be done to insure + Republican success this fall? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is only necessary for the Republican party to stand by + its principles. We must be in favor of protecting American labor not only, + but of protecting American capital, and we must be in favor of civil + rights, and must advocate the doctrine that the Federal Government must + protect all citizens. I am in favor of a tariff, not simply to raise a + revenue—that I regard as incidental. The Democrats regard protection + as incidental. The two principles should be, protection to American + industry and protection to American citizens. So that, after all, there is + but one issue—protection. As a matter of fact, that is all a + government is for—to protect. The Republican party is stronger + to-day than it was four years ago. The Republican party stands for the + progressive ideas of the American people. It has been said that the + administration will control the Southern delegates. I do not believe it. + This administration has not been friendly to the Southern Republicans, and + my opinion is there will be as much division in the Southern as in the + Northern States. I believe Blaine will be a candidate, and I do not + believe the Prohibitionists will put a ticket in the field, because they + have no hope of success. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think generally of the revival of the bloody + shirt? Do you think the investigations of the Republicans of the Danville + and Copiah massacres will benefit them? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I am in favor of the revival of that question just as + often as a citizen of the Republic is murdered on account of his politics. + If the South is sick of that question, let it stop persecuting men because + they are Republicans. I do not believe, however, in simply investigating + the question and then stopping after the guilty ones are found. I believe + in indicting them, trying them, and convicting them. If the Government can + do nothing except investigate, we might as well stop, and admit that we + have no government. Thousands of people think that it is almost vulgar to + take the part of the poor colored people in the South. What part should + you take if not that of the weak? The strong do not need you. And I can + tell the Southern people now, that as long as they persecute for opinion's + sake they will never touch the reins of political power in this country. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you regard the action of Bismarck in returning the + Lasker resolutions? Was it the result of his hatred of the Jews? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Bismarck opposed a bill to do away with the disabilities of + the Jews on the ground that Prussia is a Christian nation, founded for the + purpose of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. I presume that it was his + hatred of the Jews that caused him to return the resolutions. Bismarck + should have lived several centuries ago. He belongs to the Dark Ages. He + is a believer in the sword and the bayonet—in brute force. He was + loved by Germany simply because he humiliated France. Germany gave her + liberty for revenge. It is only necessary to compare Bismarck with + Gambetta to see what a failure he really is. Germany was victorious and + took from France the earnings of centuries; and yet Germany is to-day the + least prosperous nation in Europe. France was prostrate, trampled into the + earth, robbed, and yet, guided by Gambetta, is to-day the most prosperous + nation in Europe. This shows the difference between brute force and brain. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Times</i>, Chicago, Illinois, February 21, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0038" id="link0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + GENERAL SUBJECTS. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. Do you enjoy lecturing? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course I enjoy lecturing. It is a great pleasure to + drive the fiend of fear out of the hearts of men women and children. It is + a positive joy to put out the fires of hell. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Where do you meet with the bitterest opposition? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I meet with the bitterest opposition where the people are + the most ignorant, where there is the least thought, where there are the + fewest books. The old theology is becoming laughable. Very few ministers + have the impudence to preach in the old way. They give new meanings to old + words. They subscribe to the same creed, but preach exactly the other way. + The clergy are ashamed to admit that they are orthodox, and they ought to + be. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do liberal books, such as the works of Paine and Infidel + scientists sell well? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, they are about the only books on serious subjects that + do sell well. The works of Darwin, Buckle, Draper, Haeckel, Tyndall, + Humboldt and hundreds of others, are read by intelligent people the world + over. Works of a religious character die on the shelves. The people want + facts. They want to know about the world, about all forms of life. They + want the mysteries of every day solved. They want honest thoughts about + sensible questions. They are tired of the follies of faith and the + falsehoods of superstition. They want a heaven here. In a few years the + old theological books will be sold to make paper on which to print the + discoveries of science. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In what section of the country do you find the most + liberality? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I find great freedom of thought in Boston, New York, + Chicago, San Francisco, in fact, all over what we call the North. The West + of course is liberal. The truth is that all the intelligent part of the + country is liberal. The railroad, the telegraph, the daily paper, electric + light, the telephone, and freedom of thought belong together. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is it true that you were once threatened with a criminal + prosecution for libel on religion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, in Delaware. Chief Justice Comegys instructed the + grand jury to indict me for blasphemy. I have taken by revenge on the + State by leaving it in ignorance. Delaware is several centuries behind the + times. It is as bigoted as it is small. Compare Kansas City with + Wilmington and you will see the difference between liberalism and + orthodoxy. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. This is Washington's birthday. What do you think of + General Washington? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose that Washington was what was called religious. He + was not very strict in his conduct. He tried to have church and state + united in Virginia and was defeated by Jefferson. It should make no + difference with us whether Washington was religious or not. Jefferson was + by far the greater man. In intellect there was no comparison between + Washington and Franklin. I do not prove the correctness of my ideas by + names of dead people. I depend upon reason instead of gravestones. One + fact is worth a cemetery full of distinguished corpses. We ask not for the + belief of somebody, but for evidence, for facts. The church is a beggar at + the door of respectability. The moment a man becomes famous, the church + asks him for a certificate that the Bible is true. It passes its hat + before generals and presidents, and kings while they are alive. It says + nothing about thinkers and real philosophers while they live, except to + slander them, but the moment they are dead it seeks among their words for + a crumb of comfort. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will Liberalism ever organize in America? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I hope not. Organization means creed, and creed means + petrifaction and tyranny. I believe in individuality. I will not join any + society except an anti-society society. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you consider the religion of Bhagavat Purana of the + East as good as the Christian? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is far more poetic. It has greater variety and shows + vastly more thought. Like the Hebrew, it is poisoned with superstition, + but it has more beauty. Nothing can be more barren than the theology of + the Jews and Christians. One lonely God, a heaven filled with thoughtless + angels, a hell with unfortunate souls. Nothing can be more desolate. The + Greek mythology is infinitely better. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the marriage institution is held in + less respect by Infidels than by Christians? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No; there was never a time when marriage was more believed + in than now. Never were wives treated better and loved more; never were + children happier than now. It is the ambition of the average American to + have a good and happy home. The fireside was never more popular than now. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Beecher? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. He is a great man, but the habit of his mind and the bent + of his early education oppose his heart. He is growing and has been + growing every day for many years. He has given up the idea of eternal + punishment, and that of necessity destroys it all. The Christian religion + is founded upon hell. When the foundation crumbles the fabric falls. + Beecher was to have answered my article in the <i>North American Review</i>, + but when it appeared and he saw it, he agreed with so much of it that he + concluded that an answer would be useless. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Times</i>, Kansas City, Missouri, February 23, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0039" id="link0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + REPLY TO KANSAS CITY CLERGY. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. Will you take any notice of Mr. Magrath's challenge? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think it worth while to discuss with Mr. Magrath. + I do not say this in disparagement of his ability, as I do not know the + gentleman. He may be one of the greatest of men. I think, however, that + Mr. Magrath might better answer what I have already said. If he succeeds + in that, then I will meet him in public discussion. Of course he is an + eminent theologian or he would not think of discussing these questions + with anybody. I have never heard of him, but for all that he may be the + most intelligent of men. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How have the recently expressed opinions of our local + clergy impressed you? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose you refer to the preachers who have given their + opinion of me. In the first place I am obliged to them for acting as my + agents. I think Mr. Hogan has been imposed upon. Tacitus is a poor witness—about + like Josephus. I say again that we have not a word about Christ written by + any human being who lived in the time of Christ—not a solitary word, + and Mr. Hogan ought to know it. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Matthews is mistaken. If the Bible proves anything, it proves + that the world was made in six days and that Adam and Eve were built on + Saturday. The Bible gives the age of Adam when he died, and then gives the + ages of others down to the flood, and then from that time at least to the + return from the captivity. If the genealogy of the Bible is true it is + about six thousand years since Adam was made, and the world is only five + days older than Adam. It is nonsense to say that the days were long + periods of time. If that is so, away goes the idea of Sunday. The only + reason for keeping Sunday given in the Bible is that God made the world in + six days and rested on the seventh. Mr. Mathews is not candid. He knows + that he cannot answer the arguments I have urged against the Bible. He + knows that the ancient Jews were barbarians, and that the Old Testament is + a barbarous book. He knows that it upholds slavery and polygamy, and he + probably feels ashamed of what he is compelled to preach. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jardine takes a very cheerful view of the subject. He expects the + light to dawn on the unbelievers. He speaks as though he were the superior + of all Infidels. He claims to be a student of the evidences of + Christianity. There are no evidences, consequently Mr. Jardine is a + student of nothing. It is amazing how dignified some people can get on a + small capital. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Haley has sense enough to tell the ministers not to attempt to answer + me. That is good advice. The ministers had better keep still. It is the + safer way. If they try to answer what I say, the "sheep" will see how + foolish the "shepherds" are. The best way is for them to say, "that has + been answered." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Wells agrees with Mr. Haley. He, too, thinks that silence is the best + weapon. I agree with him. Let the clergy keep still; that is the best way. + It is better to say nothing than to talk absurdity. I am delighted to + think that at last the ministers have concluded that they had better not + answer Infidels. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Woods is fearful only for the young. He is afraid that I will hurt the + children. He thinks that the mother ought to stoop over the cradle and in + the ears of the babe shout, Hell! So he thinks in all probability that the + same word ought to be repeated at the grave as a consolation to mourners. + </p> + <p> + I am glad that Mr. Mann thinks that I am doing neither good nor harm. This + gives me great hope. If I do no harm, certainly I ought not to be + eternally damned. It is very consoling to have an orthodox minister + solemnly assert that I am doing no harm. I wish I could say as much for + him. + </p> + <p> + The truth is, all these ministers have kept back their real thoughts. They + do not tell their doubts—they know that orthodoxy is doomed —they + know that the old doctrine excites laughter and scorn. They know that the + fires of hell are dying out; that the Bible is ceasing to be an authority; + and that the pulpit is growing feebler and feebler every day. Poor + parsons! + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Would the Catholicism of General Sherman's family affect + his chances for the presidency? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think the religion of the family should have any + weight one way or the other. It would make no difference with me; although + I hate Catholicism with all my heart, I do not hate Catholics. Some people + might be so prejudiced that they would not vote for a man whose wife + belongs to the Catholic Church; but such people are too narrow to be + consulted. General Sherman says that he wants no office. In that he shows + his good sense. He is a great man and a great soldier. He has won laurels + enough for one brow. He has the respect and admiration of the nation, and + does not need the presidency to finish his career. He wishes to enjoy the + honors he has won and the rest he deserves. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of Matthew Arnold? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. He is a man of talent, well educated, a little fussy, + somewhat sentimental, but he is not a genius. He is not creative. He is a + critic—not an originator. He will not compare with Emerson. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Journal</i>, Kansas City, Missouri, February 23, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0040" id="link0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SWEARING AND AFFIRMING. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is the difference in the parliamentary oath of this + country which saves us from such a squabble as they have had in England + over the Bradlaugh case? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Our Constitution provides that a member of Congress may + swear or affirm. The consequence is that we can have no such controversy + as they have had in England. The framers of our Constitution wished + forever to divorce church and state. They knew that it made no possible + difference whether a man swore or affirmed, or whether he swore and + affirmed to support the Constitution. All the Federal officers who went + into the Rebellion had sworn or affirmed to support the Constitution. All + that did no good. The entire oath business is a mistake. I think it would + be a thousand times better to abolish all oaths in courts of justice. The + oath allows a rascal to put on the garments of solemnity, the mask of + piety, while he tells a lie. In other words, the oath allows the villain + to give falsehood the appearance of truth. I think it would be far better + to let each witness tell his story and leave his evidence to the + intelligence of the jury and judge. The trouble about an oath is that its + tendency is to put all witnesses on an equality; the jury says, "Why, he + swore to it." Now, if the oath were abolished, the jury would judge all + testimony according to the witness, and then the evidence of one man of + good reputation would outweigh the lies of thousands of nobodies. + </p> + <p> + It was at one time believed that there was something miraculous in the + oath, that it was a kind of thumbscrew that would torture the truth out of + a rascal, and at one time they believed that if a man swore falsely he + might be struck by lightning or paralyzed. But so many people have sworn + to lies without having their health impaired that the old superstition has + very little weight with the average witness. I think it would be far + better to let every man tell his story; let him be cross-examined, let the + jury find out as much as they can of his character, of his standing among + his neighbors—then weigh his testimony in the scale of reason. The + oath is born of superstition, and everything born of superstition is bad. + The oath gives the lie currency; it gives it for the moment the ring of + true metal, and the ordinary average juror is imposed upon and justice in + many instances defeated. Nothing can be more absurd than the swearing of a + man to support the Constitution. Let him do what he likes. If he does not + support the Constitution, the probability is that his constituents will + refuse to support him. Every man who swears to support the Constitution + swears to support it as he understands it, and no two understand it + exactly alike. Now, if the oath brightened a man's intellect or added to + his information or increased his patriotism or gave him a little more + honesty, it would be a good thing—but it doesn't. And as a + consequence it is a very useless and absurd proceeding. Nothing amuses me + more in a court than to see one calf kissing the tanned skin of another. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Courier</i>, Buffalo, New York, May 19, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0041" id="link0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + REPLY TO A BUFFALO CRITIC. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say in reply to the letter in to- day's + <i>Times</i> signed R. H. S.? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I find that I am accused of "four flagrant wrongs," and + while I am not as yet suffering from the qualms of conscience, nor do I + feel called upon to confess and be forgiven, yet I have something to say + in self-defence. + </p> + <p> + As to the first objection made by your correspondent, namely, that my + doctrine deprives people of the hope that after this life is ended they + will meet their fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers, long since passed + away, in the land beyond the grave, and there enjoy their company forever, + I have this to say: If Christianity is true we are not quite certain of + meeting our relatives and friends where we can enjoy their company + forever. If Christianity is true most of our friends will be in hell. The + ones I love best and whose memory I cherish will certainly be among the + lost. The trouble about Christianity is that it is infinitely selfish. + Each man thinks that if he can save his own little, shriveled, microscopic + soul, that is enough. No matter what becomes of the rest. Christianity has + no consolation for a generous man. I do not wish to go to heaven if the + ones who have given me joy are to be lost. I would much rather go with + them. The only thing that makes life endurable in this world is human + love, and yet, according to Christianity, that is the very thing we are + not to have in the other world. We are to be so taken up with Jesus and + the angels, that we shall care nothing about our brothers and sisters that + have been damned. We shall be so carried away with the music of the harp + that we shall not even hear the wail of father or mother. Such a religion + is a disgrace to human nature. + </p> + <p> + As to the second objection,—that society cannot be held together in + peace and good order without hell and a belief in eternal torment, I would + ask why an infinitely wise and good God should make people of so poor and + mean a character that society cannot be held together without scaring + them. Is it possible that God has so made the world that the threat of + eternal punishment is necessary for the preservation of society? + </p> + <p> + The writer of the letter also says that it is necessary to believe that if + a man commits murder here he is destined to be punished in hell for the + offence. This is Christianity. Yet nearly every murderer goes directly + from the gallows to God. Nearly every murderer takes it upon himself to + lecture the assembled multitude who have gathered to see him hanged, and + invite them to meet him in heaven. When the rope is about his neck he + feels the wings growing. That is the trouble with the Christian doctrine. + Every murderer is told he may repent and go to heaven, and have the + happiness of seeing his victim in hell. Should heaven at any time become + dull, the vein of pleasure can be re-thrilled by the sight of his victim + wriggling on the gridiron of God's justice. Really, Christianity leads men + to sin on credit. It sells rascality on time and tells all the devils they + can have the benefit of the gospel bankrupt act. + </p> + <p> + The next point in the letter is that I do not preach for the benefit of + mankind, but for the money which is the price of blood. Of course it makes + no difference whether I preach for money or not. That is to say, it makes + no difference to the preached. The arguments I advance are either good or + bad. If they are bad they can easily be answered by argument. If they are + not they cannot be answered by personalities or by ascribing to me selfish + motives. It is not a personal matter. It is a matter of logic, of sense— + not a matter of slander, vituperation or hatred. The writer of the letter, + R. H. S., may be an exceedingly good person, yet that will add no weight + to his or her argument. He or she may be a very bad person, but that would + not weaken the logic of the letter, if it had any logic to begin with. It + is not for me to say what my motives are in what I do or say; it must be + left to the judgment of mankind. I presume I am about as bad as most + folks, and as good as some, but my goodness or badness has nothing to do + with the question. I may have committed every crime in the world, yet that + does not make the story of the flood reasonable, nor does it even tend to + show that the three gentlemen in the furnace were not scorched. I may be + the best man in the world, yet that does not go to prove that Jonah was + swallowed by the whale. Let me say right here that if there is another + world I believe that every soul who finds the way to that shore will have + an everlasting opportunity to do right—of reforming. My objection to + Christianity is that it is infinitely cruel, infinitely selfish, and I + might add infinitely absurd. I deprive no one of any hope unless you call + the expectation of eternal pain a hope. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you read the Rev. Father Lambert's "Notes on + Ingersoll," and if so, what have you to say of them or in reply to them? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have read a few pages or paragraphs of that pamphlet, and + do not feel called upon to say anything. Mr. Lambert has the same right to + publish his ideas that I have, and the readers must judge. People who + believe his way will probably think that he has succeeded in answering me. + After all, he must leave the public to decide. I have no anxiety about the + decision. Day by day the people are advancing, and in a little while the + sacred superstitions of to-day will be cast aside with the foolish myths + and fables of the pagan world. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact there can be no argument in favor of the supernatural. + Suppose you should ask if I had read the work of that gentleman who says + that twice two are five. I should answer you that no gentleman can prove + that twice two are five; and yet this is exactly as easy as to prove the + existence of the supernatural. There are no arguments in favor of the + supernatural. There are theories and fears and mistakes and prejudices and + guesses, but no arguments—plenty of faith, but no facts; plenty of + divine revelation, but no demonstration. The supernatural, in my judgment, + is a mistake. I believe in the natural. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Times</i>, Buffalo, New York, May 19, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0042" id="link0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + BLASPHEMY.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* "If Robert G. Ingersoll indulges in blasphemy to-night in + his lecture, as he has in other places and in this city + before, he will be arrested before he leaves the city." So + spoke Rev. Irwin H. Torrence, General Secretary of the + Pennsylvania Bible Society, yesterday afternoon to a <i>Press</i> + reporter. "We have consulted counsel; the law is with us, + and Ingersoll has but to do what he has done before, to find + himself in a cell. Here is the act of March 31, 1860: + + "'If any person shall willfully, premeditatedly and + despitefully blaspheme or speak loosely and profanely of + Almighty God, Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or the + Scriptures of Truth, such person, on conviction thereof, + shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding one hundred + dollars, and undergo an imprisonment not exceeding three + months, or either, at the discretion of the court.'" + + Last evening Colonel Ingersoll sat in the dining room at + Guy's Hotel, just in from New York City. When told of the + plans of Mr. Torrence and his friends, he laughed and said:] +</pre> + <p> + I did not suppose that anybody was idiotic enough to want me arrested for + blasphemy. It seems to me that an infinite Being can take care of himself + without the aid of any agent of a Bible society. Perhaps it is wrong for + me to be here while the Methodist Conference is in session. Of course no + one who differs from the Methodist ministers should ever visit + Philadelphia while they are here. I most humbly hope to be forgiven. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the law of 1860? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is exceedingly foolish. Surely, there is no need for the + Legislature of Pennsylvania to protect an infinite God, and why should the + Bible be protected by law? The most ignorant priest can hold Darwin up to + orthodox scorn. This talk of the Rev. Mr. Torrence shows that my lectures + are needed; that religious people do not know what real liberty is. I + presume that the law of 1860 is an old one re-enacted. It is a survival of + ancient ignorance and bigotry, and no one in the Legislature thought it + worth while to fight it. It is the same as the law against swearing, both + are dead letters and amount to nothing. They are not enforced and should + not be. Public opinion will regulate such matters. If all who take the + name of God in vain were imprisoned there would not be room in the jails + to hold the ministers. They speak of God in the most flippant and + snap-your-fingers way that can be conceived of. They speak to him as + though he were an intimate chum, and metaphorically slap him on the back + in the most familiar way possible. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you ever had any similar experiences before? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Oh, yes—threats have been made, but I never was + arrested. When Mr. Torrence gets cool he will see that he has made a + mistake. People in Philadelphia have been in the habit of calling the + citizens of Boston bigots—but there is more real freedom of thought + and expression in Boston than in almost any other city of the world. I + think that as I am to suffer in hell forever, Mr. Torrence ought to be + satisfied and let me have a good time here. He can amuse himself through + all eternity by seeing me in hell, and that ought to be enough to satisfy, + not only an agent, but the whole Bible society. I never expected any + trouble in this State, and most sincerely hope that Mr. Torrence will not + trouble me and make the city a laughing stock. + </p> + <p> + Philadelphia has no time to waste in such foolish things. Let the Bible + take its chances with other books. Let everybody feel that he has the + right freely to express his opinions, provided he is decent and kind about + it. Certainly the Christians now ought to treat Infidels as well as Penn + did Indians. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be more perfectly idiotic than in this day and generation to + prosecute any man for giving his conclusions upon any religious subject. + Mr. Torrence would have had Huxley and Haeckel and Tyndall arrested; would + have had Humboldt and John Stuart Mill and Harriet Martineau and George + Eliot locked up in the city jail. Mr. Torrence is a fossil from the old + red sandstone of a mistake. Let him rest. To hear these people talk you + would suppose that God is some petty king, some Liliputian prince, who was + about to be dethroned, and who was nearly wild for recruits. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But what would you do if they should make an attempt to + arrest you? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Nothing, except to defend myself in court. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Philadelphia Press</i>, May 24, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0043" id="link0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICS AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I understand that there was some trouble in connection + with your lecture in Victoria, B. C. What are the facts? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The published accounts, as circulated by the Associated + Press, were greatly exaggerated. The affair was simply this: The + authorities endeavored to prevent the lecture. They refused the license, + on the ground that the theatre was unsafe, although it was on the ground + floor, had many exits and entrances, not counting the windows. The theatre + was changed to meet the objections of the fire commissioner, and the + authorities expressed their satisfaction and issued the license. Afterward + further objection was raised, and on the night of the lecture, when the + building was about two- thirds full, the police appeared and said that the + lecture would not be allowed to be delivered, because the house was + unsafe. After a good deal of talk, the policeman in authority said that + there should be another door, whereupon my friends, in a few minutes, made + another door with an ax and a saw, the crowd was admitted and the lecture + was delivered. The audience was well-behaved, intelligent and + appreciative. Beyond some talking in the hall, and the natural indignation + of those who had purchased tickets and were refused admittance, there was + no disturbance. I understand that those who opposed the lecture are now + heartily ashamed of the course pursued. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you going to take any part in the campaign? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is not my intention to make any political speeches. I + have made a good many in the past, and, in my judgment, have done my part. + I have no other interest in politics than every citizen should have. I + want that party to triumph which, in my judgment, represents the best + interests of the country. I have no doubt about the issue of the election. + I believe that Mr. Blaine will be the next President. But there are plenty + of talkers, and I really think that I have earned a vacation. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think Cleveland's chances are in New York? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. At this distance it is hard to say. The recent action of + Tammany complicates matters somewhat. But my opinion is that Blaine will + carry the State. I had a letter yesterday from that State, giving the + opinion of a gentleman well informed, that Blaine would carry New York by + no less than fifty thousand majority. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What figure will Butler cut in the campaign? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I hardly think that Butler will have many followers on the + 4th of November. His forces will gradually go to one side or the other. It + is only when some great principle is at stake that thousands of men are + willing to vote with a known minority. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But what about the Prohibitionists? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. They have a very large following. They are fighting for + something they believe to be of almost infinite consequence, and I can + readily understand how a Prohibitionist is willing to be in the minority. + It may be well enough for me to say here, that my course politically is + not determined by my likes or dislikes of individuals. I want to be + governed by principles, not persons. If I really thought that in this + campaign a real principle was at stake, I should take part. The only great + question now is protection, and I am satisfied that it is in no possible + danger. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Not even in the case of a Democratic victory? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Not even in the event of a Democratic victory. No State in + the Union is for free trade. Every free trader has an exception. These + exceptions combined, control the tariff legislation of this country, and + if the Democrats were in power to-day, with the control of the House and + Senate and Executive, the exceptions would combine and protect protection. + As long as the Federal Government collects taxes or revenue on imports, + just so long these revenues will be arranged to protect home manufactures. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You said that if there were a great principle at stake, + you would take part in the campaign. You think, then, that there is no + great principle involved? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If it were a matter of personal liberty, I should take + part. If the Republican party had stood by the Civil Rights Bill, I should + have taken part in the present campaign. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Still, I suppose we can count on you as a Republican? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Certainly, I am a Republican. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Evening Post</i>, San Francisco, California, September 16, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0044" id="link0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + INGERSOLL CATECHISED. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. Does Christianity advance or retard civilization? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If by Christianity you mean the orthodox church, then I + unhesitatingly answer that it does retard civilization, always has + retarded it, and always will. I can imagine no man who can be benefitted + by being made a Catholic or a Presbyterian or a Baptist or a Methodist—or, + in other words, by being made an orthodox Christian. But by Christianity I + do not mean morality, kindness, forgiveness, justice. Those virtues are + not distinctively Christian. They are claimed by Mohammedans and + Buddhists, by Infidels and Atheists—and practiced by some of all + classes. Christianity consists of the miraculous, the marvelous, and the + impossible. + </p> + <p> + The one thing that I most seriously object to in Christianity is the + doctrine of eternal punishment. That doctrine subverts every idea of + justice. It teaches the infinite absurdity that a finite offence can be + justly visited by eternal punishment. Another serious objection I have is, + that Christianity endeavors to destroy intellectual liberty. Nothing is + better calculated to retard civilization than to subvert the idea of + justice. Nothing is better calculated to retain barbarism than to deny to + every human being the right to think. Justice and Liberty are the two + wings that bear man forward. The church, for a thousand years, did all + within its power to prevent the expression of honest thought; and when the + church had power, there was in this world no civilization. We have + advanced just in the proportion that Christianity has lost power. Those + nations in which the church is still powerful are still almost savage—Portugal, + Spain, and many others I might name. Probably no country is more + completely under the control of the religious idea than Russia. The Czar + is the direct representative of God. He is the head of the church, as well + as of the state. In Russia every mouth is a bastille and every tongue a + convict. This Russian pope, this representative of God, has on earth his + hell (Siberia), and he imitates the orthodox God to the extent of his + health and strength. + </p> + <p> + Everywhere man advances as the church loses power. In my judgment, Ireland + can never succeed until it ceases to be Catholic; and there can be no + successful uprising while the confessional exists. At one time in New + England the church had complete power. There was then no religious + liberty. And so we might make a tour of the world, and find that + superstition always has been, is, and forever will be, inconsistent with + human advancement. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do not the evidences of design in the universe prove a + Creator? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If there were any evidences of design in the universe, + certainly they would tend to prove a designer, but they would not prove a + Creator. Design does not prove creation. A man makes a machine. That does + not prove that he made the material out of which the machine is + constructed. You find the planets arranged in accordance with what you + call a plan. That does not prove that they were created. It may prove that + they are governed, but it certainly does not prove that they were created. + Is it consistent to say that a design cannot exist without a designer, but + that a designer can? Does not a designer need a design as much as a design + needs a designer? Does not a Creator need a Creator as much as the thing + we think has been created? In other words, is not this simply a circle of + human ignorance? Why not say that the universe has existed from eternity, + as well as to say that a Creator has existed from eternity? And do you not + thus avoid at least one absurdity by saying that the universe has existed + from eternity, instead of saying that it was created by a Creator who + existed from eternity? Because if your Creator existed from eternity, and + created the universe, there was a time when he commenced; and back of + that, according to Shelley, is "an eternity of idleness." + </p> + <p> + Some people say that God existed from eternity, and has created eternity. + It is impossible to conceive of an act co-equal with eternity. If you say + that God has existed forever, and has always acted, then you make the + universe eternal, and you make the universe as old as God; and if the + universe be as old as God, he certainly did not create it. + </p> + <p> + These questions of origin and destiny—of infinite gods—are + beyond the powers of the human mind. They cannot be solved. We might as + well try to travel fast enough to get beyond the horizon. It is like a man + trying to run away from his girdle. Consequently, I believe in turning our + attention to things of importance—to questions that may by some + possibility be solved. It is of no importance to me whether God exists or + not. I exist, and it is important to me to be happy while I exist. + Therefore I had better turn my attention to finding out the secret of + happiness, instead of trying to ascertain the secret of the universe. + </p> + <p> + I say with regard to God, I do not know; and therefore I am accused of + being arrogant and egotistic. Religious papers say that I do know, because + Webster told me. They use Webster as a witness to prove the divinity of + Christ. They say that Webster was on the God side, and therefore I ought + to be. I can hardly afford to take Webster's ideas of another world, when + his ideas about this were so bad. When bloodhounds were pursuing a woman + through the tangled swamps of the South—she hungry for liberty—Webster + took the side of the bloodhounds. Such a man is no authority for me. Bacon + denied the Copernican system of astronomy; he is an unsafe guide. Wesley + believed in witches; I cannot follow him. No man should quote a name + instead of an argument; no man should bring forward a person instead of a + principle, unless he is willing to accept all the ideas of that person. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is not a pleasant illusion preferable to a dreary truth—a + future life being in question? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think it is. I think that a pleasing illusion is better + then a terrible truth, so far as its immediate results are concerned. I + would rather think the one I love living, than to think her dead. I would + rather think that I had a large balance in bank than that my account was + overdrawn. I would rather think I was healthy than to know that I had a + cancer. But if we have an illusion, let us have it pleasing. The orthodox + illusion is the worst that can possibly be conceived. Take hell out of + that illusion, take eternal pain away from that dream, and say that the + whole world is to be happy forever—then you might have an excuse for + calling it a pleasant illusion; but it is, in fact, a nightmare —a + perpetual horror—a cross, on which the happiness of man has been + crucified. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are not religion and morals inseparable? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Religion and morality have nothing in common, and yet there + is no religion except the practice of morality. But what you call religion + is simply superstition. Religion as it is now taught teaches our duties + toward God—our obligations to the Infinite, and the results of a + failure to discharge those obligations. I believe that we are under no + obligations to the Infinite; that we cannot be. All our obligations are to + each other, and to sentient beings. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and + thou shalt be saved," has nothing to do with morality. "Do unto other as + ye would that others should do unto you" has nothing to do with believing + in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism has nothing to do with morality. "Pay + your honest debts." That has nothing to do with baptism. What is called + religion is simple superstition, with which morality has nothing to do. + </p> + <p> + The churches do not prevent people from committing natural offences, but + restrain them from committing artificial ones. As for instance, the + Catholic Church can prevent one of its members from eating meat on Friday, + but not from whipping his wife. The Episcopal Church can prevent dancing, + it may be, in Lent, but not slander. The Presbyterian can keep a man from + working on Sunday, but not from practicing deceit on Monday. And so I + might go through the churches. They lay the greater stress upon the + artificial offences. Those countries that are the most religious are the + most immoral. When the world was under the control of the Catholic Church, + it reached the very pit of immorality, and nations have advanced in morals + just in proportion that they have lost Christianity. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. It is frequently asserted that there is nothing new in + your objections against Christianity. What is your reply to such + assertions? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, the editors of religious papers will say this; + Christians will say this. In my opinion, an argument is new until it has + been answered. An argument is absolutely fresh, and has upon its leaves + the dew of morning, until it has been refuted. All men have experienced, + it may be, in some degree, what we call love. Millions of men have written + about it. The subject is of course old. It is only the presentation that + can be new. Thousands of men have attacked superstition. The subject is + old, but the manner in which the facts are handled, the arguments grouped—these + may be forever new. Millions of men have preached Christianity. Certainly + there is nothing new in the original ideas. Nothing can be new except the + presentation, the grouping. The ideas may be old, but they may be clothed + in new garments of passion; they may be given additional human interest. A + man takes a fact, or an old subject, as a sculptor takes a rock; the rock + is not new. Of this rock he makes a statue; the statue is new. And yet + some orthodox man might say there is nothing new about that statue: "I + know the man that dug the rock; I know the owner of the quarry." Substance + is eternal; forms are new. So in the human mind certain ideas, or in the + human heart certain passions, are forever old; but genius forever gives + them new forms, new meanings; and this is the perpetual originality of + genius. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you consider that churches are injurious to the + community? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the exact proportion that churches teach falsehood; in + the exact proportion that they destroy liberty of thought, the free action + of the human mind; in the exact proportion that they teach the doctrine of + eternal pain, and convince people of its truth—they are injurious. + In the proportion that they teach morality and justice, and practice + kindness and charity—in that proportion they are a benefit. Every + church, therefore, is a mixed problem—part good and part bad. In one + direction it leads toward and sheds light; in the other direction its + influence is entirely bad. + </p> + <p> + Now, I would like to civilize the churches, so that they will be able to + do good deeds without building bad creeds. In other words, take out the + superstitious and the miraculous, and leave the human and the moral. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Why do you not respond to the occasional clergyman who + replies to your lectures? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, no clergyman has ever replied to my + lectures. In the second place, no clergyman ever will reply to my + lectures. He does not answer my arguments—he attacks me; and the + replies that I have seen are not worth answering. They are far below the + dignity of the question under discussion. Most of them are ill-mannered, + as abusive as illogical, and as malicious as weak. I cannot reply without + feeling humiliated. I cannot use their weapons, and my weapons they do not + understand. I attack Christianity because it is cruel, and they account + for all my actions by putting behind them base motives. They make it at + once a personal question. They imagine that epithets are good enough + arguments with which to answer an Infidel. A few years ago they would have + imprisoned me. A few years before that they would have burned me. We have + advanced. Now they only slander; and I congratulate myself on the fact + that even that is not believed. Ministers do not believe each other about + each other. The truth has never yet been ascertained in any trial by a + church. The longer the trial lasts, the obscurer is the truth. They will + not believe each other, even on oath; and one of the most celebrated + ministers of this country has publicly announced that there is no use in + answering a lie started by his own church; that if he does answer it—if + he does kill it—forty more lies will come to the funeral. + </p> + <p> + In this connection we must remember that the priests of one religion never + credit the miracles of another religion. Is this because priests + instinctively know priests? Now, when a Christian tells a Buddhist some of + the miracles of the Testament, the Buddhist smiles. When a Buddhist tells + a Christian the miracles performed by Buddha, the Christian laughs. This + reminds me of an incident. A man told a most wonderful story. Everybody + present expressed surprise and astonishment, except one man. He said + nothing; he did not even change countenance. One who noticed that the + story had no effect on this man, said to him: "You do not seem to be + astonished in the least at this marvelous tale." The man replied, "No; I + am a liar myself." + </p> + <p> + You see, I am not trying to answer individual ministers. I am attacking + the whole body of superstition. I am trying to kill the entire dog, and I + do not feel like wasting any time killing fleas on that dog. When the dog + dies, the fleas will be out of provisions, and in that way we shall answer + them all at once. + </p> + <p> + So, I do not bother myself answering religious newspapers. In the first + place, they are not worth answering; and in the second place, to answer + would only produce a new crop of falsehoods. You know, the editor of a + religious newspaper, as a rule, is one who has failed in the pulpit; and + you can imagine the brains necessary to edit a religious weekly from this + fact. I have known some good religious editors. By some I mean one. I do + not say that there are not others, but I do say I do not know them. I + might add, here, that the one I did know is dead. + </p> + <p> + Since I have been in this city there have been some "replies" to me. They + have been almost idiotic. A Catholic priest asked me how I had the + impudence to differ with Newton. Newton, he says, believed in a God; and I + ask this Catholic priest how he has the impudence to differ with Newton. + Newton was a Protestant. This simply shows the absurdity of using men's + names for arguments. This same priest proves the existence of God by a + pagan orator. Is it possible that God's last witness died with Cicero? If + it is necessary to believe in a God now, the witnesses ought to be on hand + now. + </p> + <p> + Another man, pretending to answer me, quotes Le Conte, a geologist; and + according to this geologist we are "getting very near to the splendors of + the great white throne." Where is the great white throne? Can any one, by + studying geology, find the locality of the great white throne? To what + stratum does it belong? In what geologic period was the great white throne + formed? What on earth has geology to do with the throne of God? + </p> + <p> + The truth is, there can be no reply to the argument that man should be + governed by his reason; that he should depend upon observation and + experience; that he should use the faculties he has for his own benefit, + and the benefit of his fellow-man. There is no answer. It is not within + the power of man to substantiate the supernatural. It is beyond the power + of evidence. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Why do the theological seminaries find it difficult to + get students? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I was told last spring, at New Haven, that the "theologs," + as they call the young men there being fitted for the ministry, were not + regarded as intellectual by all the other students. The orthodox pulpit + has no rewards for genius. It has rewards only for stupidity, for belief—not + for investigation, not for thought; and the consequence is that young men + of talent avoid the pulpit. I think I heard the other day that of all the + students at Harvard only nine are preparing for the ministry. The truth + is, the ministry is not regarded as an intellectual occupation. The + average church now consists of women and children. Men go to please their + wives, or stay at home and subscribe to please their wives; and the wives + are beginning to think, and many of them are staying at home. Many of them + now prefer the theatre or the opera or the park or the seashore or the + forest or the companionship of their husbands and children at home. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How does the religious state of California compare with + the rest of the Union? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I find that sensible people everywhere are about the same, + and the proportion of Freethinkers depends on the proportion of sensible + folks. I think that California has her full share of sensible people. I + find everywhere the best people and the brightest people—the people + with the most heart and the best brain—all tending toward free + thought. Of course, a man of brain cannot believe the miracles of the Old + and New Testaments. A man of heart cannot believe in the doctrine of + eternal pain. We have found that other religions are like ours, with + precisely the same basis, the same idiotic miracles, the same Christ or + Saviour. It will hardly do to say that all others like ours are false, and + ours the only true one, when others substantially like it are thousands of + years older. We have at last found that a religion is simply an effort on + the part of man to account for what he sees, what he experiences, what he + feels, what he fears, and what he hopes. Every savage has his philosophy. + That is his religion and his science. + </p> + <p> + The religions of to-day are the sciences of the past; and it may be that + the sciences of to-day will be the religions of the future, and that other + sciences will be as far beyond them as the science of to-day is beyond the + religion of to-day. As a rule, religion is a sanctified mistake, and + heresy a slandered fact. In other words, the human mind grows—and as + it grows it abandons the old, and the old gets its revenge by maligning + the new. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The San Franciscan</i>, San Francisco, October 4, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0045" id="link0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + BLAINE'S DEFEAT. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel, the fact that you took no part in the late + campaign, is a subject for general comment, and knowing your former + enthusiastic advocacy and support of Blaine, the people are somewhat + surprised, and would like to know why? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, it was generally supposed that Blaine + needed no help. His friends were perfectly confident. They counted on a + very large Catholic support. The Irish were supposed to be spoiling to + vote for Blaine and Logan. All the Protestant ministers were also said to + be solid for the ticket. Under these circumstances it was hardly prudent + for me to say much. + </p> + <p> + I was for Blaine in 1876. In 1880 I was for Garfield, and in 1884 I was + for Gresham or Harlan. I believed then and I believe now that either one + of these men could have been elected. Blaine is an exceedingly able man, + but he made some mistakes and some very unfortunate utterances. I took no + part in the campaign; first, because there was no very important issue, no + great principle at stake, and second, I thought that I had done enough, + and, third, because I wanted to do something else. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your opinion, were the causes for Blaine's + defeat? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. First, because of dissension in the party. Second, because + party ties have grown weak. Third, the Prohibition vote. Fourth, the + Delmonico dinner—too many rich men. Fifth, the Rev. Dr. Burchard + with his Rum, Romanism and Rebellion. Sixth, giving too much attention to + Ohio and not enough to New York. Seventh, the unfortunate remark of Mr. + Blaine, that "the State cannot get along without the Church." Eighth, the + weakness of the present administration. Ninth, the abandonment by the + party of the colored people of the South. Tenth, the feeling against + monopolies, and not least, a general desire for a change. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your opinion, will be the result of Cleveland's + election and administration upon the general political and business + interests of the country? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The business interests will take care of themselves. A + dollar has the instinct of self-preservation largely developed. The tariff + will take care of itself. No State is absolutely for free trade. In each + State there is an exception. The exceptions will combine, as they always + have. Michigan will help Pennsylvania take care of iron, if Pennsylvania + will help Michigan take care of salt and lumber. Louisiana will help + Pennsylvania and Michigan if they help her take care of sugar. Colorado, + California and Ohio will help the other States if they will help them + about wool—and so I might make a tour of the States, ending with + Vermont and maple sugar. I do not expect that Cleveland will do any great + harm. The Democrats want to stay in power, and that desire will give + security for good behavior. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will he listen to or grant any demands made of him by the + alleged Independent Republicans of New York, either in his appointments or + policies? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of this I know nothing. The Independents—from what I + know of them—will be too modest to claim credit or to ask office. + They were actuated by pure principle. They did what they did to purify the + party, so that they could stay in it. Now that it has been purified they + will remain, and hate the Democratic party as badly as ever. I hardly + think that Cleveland would insult their motives by offering loaves and + fishes. All they desire is the approval of their own consciences. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Commonwealth</i>, Topeka, Kansas, November 21, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0046" id="link0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + BLAINE'S DEFEAT. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. How do you account for the defeat of Mr. Blaine? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. How do I account for the defeat of Mr. Blaine? I will + answer: St. John, the Independents, Burchard, Butler and Cleveland did it. + The truth is that during the war a majority of the people, counting those + in the South, were opposed to putting down the Rebellion by force. It is + also true that when the Proclamation of Emancipation was issued a majority + of the people, counting the whole country, were opposed to it, and it is + also true that when the colored people were made citizens a majority of + the people, counting the whole country, were opposed to it. + </p> + <p> + Now, while, in my judgment, an overwhelming majority of the whole people + have honestly acquiesced in the result of the war, and are now perfectly + loyal to the Union, and have also acquiesced in the abolition of slavery, + I doubt very much whether they are really in favor of giving the colored + man the right to vote. Of course they have not the power now to take that + right away, but they feel anything but kindly toward the party that gave + the colored man that right. That is the only result of the war that is not + fully accepted by the South and by many Democrats of the North. + </p> + <p> + Another thing, the Republican party was divided—divided too by + personal hatreds. The party was greatly injured by the decision of the + Supreme Court in which the Civil Rights Bill was held void. Now, a great + many men who kept with the Republican party, did so because they believed + that that party would protect the colored man in the South, but as soon as + the Court decided that all the laws passed were unconstitutional, these + men felt free to vote for the other side, feeling that it would make no + difference. They reasoned this way: If the Republican party cannot defend + the colored people, why make a pretence that excites hatred on one side + and disarms the other? If the colored people have to depend upon the State + for protection, and the Federal Government cannot interfere, why say any + more about it? + </p> + <p> + I think that these men made a mistake and our party made a mistake in + accepting without protest a decision that was far worse than the one + delivered in the case of Dred Scott. By accepting this decision the most + important issue was abandoned. The Republican party must take the old + ground that it is the duty of the Federal Government to protect the + citizens, and that it cannot simply leave that duty to the State. It must + see to it that the State performs that duty. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you seen the published report that Dorsey claims to + have paid you one hundred thousand dollars for your services in the Star + Route Cases? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have seen the report, but Dorsey never said anything like + that. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is there no truth in the statement, then? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, Dorsey never said anything of the kind. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Then you do not deny that you received such an enormous + fee? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. All I say is that Dorsey did not say I did.* + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Commercial</i>, Louisville, Kentucky, October 24, 1884. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* Col. Ingersoll has been so criticised and maligned for + defending Mr. Dorsey in the Star Route cases, and so + frequently charged with having received an enormous fee, + that I think it but simple justice to his memory to say that + he received no such fee, and that the ridiculously small + sums he did receive were much more than offset by the amount + he had to pay as indorser of Mr. Dorsey's paper. —C. F. + FARRELL.] +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0047" id="link0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PLAGIARISM AND POLITICS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say about the charges published in this + morning's <i>Herald</i> to the effect that you copied your lecture about + "Mistakes of Moses" from a chapter bearing the same title in a book called + Hittell's "Evidences against Christianity"? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. All I have to say is that the charge is utterly false. I + will give a thousand dollars reward to any one who will furnish a book + published before my lecture, in which that lecture can be found. It is + wonderful how malicious the people are who love their enemies. This charge + is wholly false, as all others of like nature are. I do not have to copy + the writings of others. The Christians do not seem to see that they are + constantly complimenting me by saying that what I write is so good that I + must have stolen it. Poor old orthodoxy! + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the incoming administration, and + how will it affect the country? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I feel disposed to give Cleveland a chance. If he does the + fair thing, then it is the duty of all good citizens to say so. I do not + expect to see the whole country go to destruction because the Democratic + party is in power. Neither do I believe that business is going to suffer + on that account. The times are hard, and I fear will be much harder, but + they would have been substantially the same if Blaine had been elected. I + wanted the Republican party to succeed and fully expected to see Mr. + Blaine President, but I believe in making the best of what has happened. I + want no office, I want good government—wise legislation. I believe + in protection, but I want the present tariff reformed and I hope the + Democrats will be wise enough to do so. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How will the Democratic victory affect the colored people + in the South? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Certainly their condition will not be worse than it has + been. The Supreme Court decided that the Civil Rights Bill was + unconstitutional and that the Federal Government cannot interfere. That + was a bad decision and our party made a mistake in not protesting against + it. I believe it to be the duty of the Federal Government to protect all + its citizens, at home as well as abroad. My hope is that there will be a + division in the Democratic party. That party has something now to divide. + At last it has a bone, and probably the fighting will commence. I hope + that some new issue will take color out of politics, something about which + both white and colored may divide. Of course nothing would please me + better than to see the Democratic party become great and grand enough to + give the colored people their rights. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Why did you not take part in the campaign? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I was afraid of frightening the preachers away. I + might have done good by scaring one, but I did not know Burchard until it + was too late. Seriously, I did not think that I was needed. I supposed + that Blaine had a walkover, that he was certain to carry New York. I had + business of my own to attend to and did not want to interfere with the + campaign. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the policy of nominating Blaine in + 1888, as has been proposed? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think it too early to say what will be done in 1888. + Parties do not exist for one man. Parties have certain ends in view and + they choose men as instruments to accomplish these ends. Parties belong to + principles, not persons. No party can afford to follow anybody. If in 1888 + Mr. Blaine should appear to be the best man for the party then he will be + nominated, otherwise not. I know nothing about any intention to nominate + him again and have no idea whether he has that ambition. The Whig party + was intensely loyal to Henry Clay and forgot the needs of the country, and + allowed the Democrats to succeed with almost unknown men. Parties should + not belong to persons, but persons should belong to parties. Let us not be + too previous—let us wait. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the course pursued by the Rev. Drs. + Ball and Burchard? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In politics the preacher is somewhat dangerous. He has a + standard of his own; he has queer ideas of evidence, great reliance on + hearsay; he is apt to believe things against candidates, just because he + wants to. The preacher thinks that all who differ with him are instigated + by the Devil—that their intentions are evil, and that when they + behave themselves they are simply covering the poison with sugar. It would + have been far better for the country if Mr. Ball had kept still. I do not + pretend to say that his intentions were not good. He likely thought it his + duty to lift a warning voice, to bawl aloud and to spare not, but I think + he made a mistake, and he now probably thinks so himself. Mr. Burchard was + bound to say a smart thing. It sounded well, and he allowed his ears to + run away with his judgment. As a matter of fact, there is no connection + between rum and Romanism. Catholic countries do not use as much alcohol as + Protestant. England has far more drunkards than Spain. Scotland can + discount Italy or Portugal in good, square drinking. So there is no + connection between Romanism and rebellion. Ten times as many Methodists + and twenty times as many Baptists went into the Rebellion as Catholics. + Thousands of Catholics fought as bravely as Protestants for the + preservation of the Union. No doubt Mr. Burchard intended well. He thought + he was giving Blaine a battle-cry that would send consternation into the + hearts of the opposition. My opinion is that in the next campaign the + preachers will not be called to the front. Of course they have the same + right to express their views that other people have, but other people have + the right to avoid the responsibility of appearing to agree with them. I + think though that it is about time to let up on Burchard. He has already + unloaded on the Lord. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think Cleveland will put any Southern men in his + Cabinet? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do. Nothing could be in worse taste than to ignore the + section that gave him three-fourths of his vote. The people have put the + Democratic party in power. They intended to do what they did, and why + should the South not be recognized? Garland would make a good + Attorney-General; Lamar has the ability to fill any position in the + Cabinet. I could name several others well qualified, and I suppose that + two or three Southern men will be in the Cabinet. If they are good enough + to elect a President they are good enough to be selected by a President. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Mr. Conkling's course? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Mr. Conkling certainly had the right to keep still. He was + under no obligation to the party. The Republican papers have not tried to + secure his services. He has been very generally and liberally denounced + ever since his quarrel with Mr. Garfield, and it is only natural to resent + what a man feels to be an injustice. I suppose he has done what he + honestly thought was, under the circumstances, his duty. I believe him to + be a man of stainless integrity, and he certainly has as much independence + of character as one man can carry. It is time to put the party whip away. + People can be driven from, but not to, the Republican party. If we expect + to win in 1888 we must welcome recruits. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Plain Dealer</i>, Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 11, 1884. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0048" id="link0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will a time ever come when political campaigns will be + conducted independently of religious prejudice? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. As long as men are prejudiced, they will probably be + religious, and certainly as long as they are religious they will be + prejudiced, and every religionist who imagines the next world infinitely + more important than this, and who imagines that he gets his orders from + God instead of from his own reason, or from his fellow-citizens, and who + thinks that he should do something for the glory of God instead of for the + benefit of his fellow-citizens —just as long as they believe these + things, just so long their prejudices will control their votes. Every + good, ignorant, orthodox Christian places his Bible above laws and + constitutions. Every good, sincere and ignorant Catholic puts pope above + king and president, as well as above the legally expressed will of a + majority of his countrymen. Every Christian believes God to be the source + of all authority. I believe that the authority to govern comes from the + consent of the governed. Man is the source of power, and to protect and + increase human happiness should be the object of government. I think that + religious prejudices are growing weaker because religious belief is + growing weaker. And these prejudices —should men ever become really + civilized—will finally fade away. I think that a Presbyterian, + to-day, has no more prejudice against an Atheist than he has against a + Catholic. A Catholic does not dislike an Infidel any more than he does a + Presbyterian, and I believe, to-day, that most of the Presbyterians would + rather see and Atheist President than a pronounced Catholic. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is Agnosticism gaining ground in the United States? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, there are thousands and thousands of men who + have now advanced intellectually to the point of perceiving the limit of + human knowledge. In other words, at last they are beginning to know enough + to know what can and cannot be known. Sensible men know that nobody knows + whether an infinite God exists or not. Sensible men know that an infinite + personality cannot, by human testimony, be established. Sensible men are + giving up trying to answer the questions of origin and destiny, and are + paying more attention to what happens between these questions—that + is to say, to this world. Infidelity increases as knowledge increases, as + fear dies, and as the brain develops. After all, it is a question of + intelligence. Only cunning performs a miracle, only ignorance believes it. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that evolution and revealed religion are + compatible—that is to say, can a man be an evolutionist and a + Christian? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Evolution and Christianity may be compatible, provided you + take the ground that Christianity is only one of the links in the chain, + one of the phases of civilization. But if you mean by Christianity what is + generally understood, of course that and evolution are absolutely + incompatible. Christianity pretends to be not only the truth, but, so far + as religion is concerned, the whole truth. Christianity pretends to give a + history of religion and a prophecy of destiny. As a philosophy, it is an + absolute failure. As a history, it is false. There is no possible way by + which Darwin and Moses can be harmonized. There is an inexpressible + conflict between Christianity and Science, and both cannot long inhabit + the same brain. You cannot harmonize evolution and the atonement. The + survival of the fittest does away with original sin. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. From your knowledge of the religious tendency in the + United States, how long will orthodox religion be popular? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think that orthodox religion is popular to-day. + The ministers dare not preach the creed in all its naked deformity and + horror. They are endeavoring with the vines of sentiment to cover up the + caves and dens in which crawl the serpents of their creed. Very few + ministers care now to speak of eternal pain. They leave out the lake of + fire and brimstone. They are not fond of putting in the lips of Christ the + loving words, "Depart from me, ye cursed." The miracles are avoided. In + short, what is known as orthodoxy is already unpopular. Most ministers are + endeavoring to harmonize what they are pleased to call science and + Christianity, and nothing is now so welcome to the average Christian as + some work tending to show that, after all, Joshua was an astronomer. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What section of the United States, East, West, North, or + South, is the most advanced in liberal religious ideas? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. That section of the country in which there is the most + intelligence is the most liberal. That section of the country where there + is the most ignorance is the most prejudiced. The least brain is the most + orthodox. There possibly is no more progressive city in the world, no more + liberal, than Boston. Chicago is full of liberal people. So is San + Francisco. The brain of New York is liberal. Every town, every city, is + liberal in the precise proportion that it is intelligent. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will the religion of humanity be the religion of the + future? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes; it is the only religion now. All other is + superstition. What they call religion rests upon a supposed relation + between man and God. In what they call religion man is asked to do + something for God. As God wants nothing, and can by no possibility accept + anything, such a religion is simply superstition. Humanity is the only + possible religion. Whoever imagines that he can do anything for God is + mistaken. Whoever imagines that he can add to his happiness in the next + world by being useless in this, is also mistaken. And whoever thinks that + any God cares how he cuts his hair or his clothes, or what he eats, or + whether he fasts, or rings a bell, or puts holy water on his breast, or + counts beads, or shuts his eyes and says words to the clouds, is laboring + under a great mistake. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. A man in the Swaim Court Martial case was excluded as a + witness because he was an Atheist. Do you think the law in the next decade + will permit the affirmative oath? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If belief affected your eyes, your ears, any of your + senses, or your memory, then, of course, no man ought to be a witness who + had not the proper belief. But unless it can be shown that Atheism + interferes with the sight, the hearing, or the memory, why should justice + shut the door to truth? + </p> + <p> + In most of the States of this Union I could not give testimony. Should a + man be murdered before my eyes I could not tell a jury who did it. + Christianity endeavors to make an honest man an outlaw. Christianity has + such a contemptible opinion of human nature that it does not believe a man + can tell the truth unless frightened by a belief in God. No lower opinion + of the human race has ever been expressed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that bigotry would persecute now for + religious opinion's sake, if it were not for the law and the press? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that the church would persecute to-day if it had + the power, just as it persecuted in the past. We are indebted for nearly + all our religious liberty to the hypocrisy of the church. The church does + not believe. Some in the church do, and if they had the power, they would + torture and burn as of yore. Give the Presbyterian Church the power, and + it would not allow an Infidel to live. Give the Methodist Church the power + and the result would be the same. Give the Catholic Church the power—just + the same. No church in the United States would be willing that any other + church should have the power. The only men who are to be angels in the + next world are the ones who cannot be trusted with human liberty in this; + and the man who are destined to live forever in hell are the only + gentlemen with whom human liberty is safe. Why should Christians refuse to + persecute in this world, when their God is going to in the next? + </p> + <p> + —<i>Mail and Express</i>, New York, January 12, 1885. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0049" id="link0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CLEVELAND AND HIS CABINET. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Mr. Cleveland's Cabinet? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is a very good Cabinet. Some objections have been made + to Mr. Lamar, but I think he is one of the very best. He is a man of + ability, of unquestioned integrity, and is well informed on national + affairs. Ever since he delivered his eulogy on the life and services of + Sumner, I have had great respect for Mr. Lamar. He is far beyond most of + his constituents, and has done much to destroy the provincial prejudices + of Mississippi. He will without doubt make an excellent Secretary of the + Interior. The South has no better representative man, and I believe his + appointment will, in a little while, be satisfactory to the whole country. + Bayard stands high in his party, and will certainly do as well as his + immediate predecessor. Nothing could be better than the change in the + Department of Justice. Garland is an able lawyer, has been an influential + Senator and will, in my judgment, make an excellent Attorney-General. The + rest of the Cabinet I know little about, but from what I hear I believe + they are men of ability and that they will discharge their duties well. + Mr. Vilas has a great reputation in Wisconsin, and is one of the best and + most forcible speakers in the country. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will Mr. Cleveland, in your opinion, carry out the civil + service reform he professes to favor? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have no reason to suspect even that he will not. He has + promised to execute the law, and the promise is in words that do not admit + of two interpretations. Of course he is sincere. He knows that this course + will save him a world of trouble, and he knows that it makes no difference + about the politics of a copyist. All the offices of importance will in all + probability be filled by Democrats. The President will not put himself in + the power of his opponents. If he is to be held responsible for the + administration he must be permitted to choose his own assistants. This is + too plain to talk about. Let us give Mr. Cleveland a fair show—and + let us expect success instead of failure. I admit that many Presidents + have violated their promises. There seems to be something in the + atmosphere of Washington that breeds promise and prevents performance. I + suppose it is some kind of political malarial microbe. I hope that some + political Pasteur will, one of these days, discover the real disease so + that candidates can be vaccinated during the campaign. Until them, + presidential promises will be liable to a discount. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is the Republican party dead? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My belief is that the next President will be a Republican, + and that both houses will be Republican in 1889. Mr. Blaine was defeated + by an accident—by the slip of another man's tongue. But it matters + little what party is in power if the Government is administered upon + correct principles, and if the Democracy adopt the views of the + Republicans and carry out Republican measures, it may be that they can + keep in power—otherwise—otherwise. If the Democrats carry out + real Democratic measures, then their defeat is certain. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the era of good feeling between the + North and the South has set in with the appointment of ex-rebels to the + Cabinet? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The war is over. The South failed. The Nation succeeded. We + should stop talking about South and North. We are one people, and whether + we agree or disagree one destiny awaits us. We cannot divide. We must live + together. We must trust each other. Confidence begets confidence. The + whole country was responsible for slavery. Slavery was rebellion. Slavery + is dead—so is rebellion. Liberty has united the country and there is + more real union, national sentiment to-day, North and South, than ever + before. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. It is hinted that Mr. Tilden is really the power behind + the throne. Do you think so? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I guess nobody has taken the hint. Of course Mr. Tilden has + retired from politics. The probability is that many Democrats ask his + advice, and some rely on his judgment. He is regarded as a piece of + ancient wisdom—a phenomenal persistence of the Jeffersonian type—the + connecting link with the framers, founders and fathers. The power behind + the throne is the power that the present occupant supposes will determine + who the next occupant shall be. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. With the introduction of the Democracy into power, what + radical changes will take place in the Government, and what will be the + result? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If the President carries out his inaugural promises there + will be no radical changes, and if he does not there will be a very + radical change at the next presidential election. The inaugural is a very + good Republican document. There is nothing in it calculated to excite + alarm. There is no dangerous policy suggested—no conceited vagaries—nothing + but a plain statement of the situation and the duty of the Chief + Magistrate as understood by the President. I think that the inaugural + surprised the Democrats and the Republicans both, and if the President + carries out the program he has laid down he will surprise and pacify a + large majority of the American people. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Mail and Express</i>, New York, March 10, 1885. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0050" id="link0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + RELIGION, PROHIBITION, AND GEN. GRANT. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of prohibition, and what do you think + of its success in this State? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Few people understand the restraining influence of liberty. + Moderation walks hand in hand with freedom. I do not mean the freedom + springing from the sudden rupture of restraint. That kind of freedom + usually rushes to extremes. + </p> + <p> + People must be educated to take care of themselves, and this education + must commence in infancy. Self-restraint is the only kind that can always + be depended upon. Of course intemperance is a great evil. It causes + immense suffering—clothes wives and children in rags, and is + accountable for many crimes, particularly those of violence. Laws to be of + value must be honestly enforced. Laws that sleep had better be dead. Laws + to be enforced must be honestly approved of and believed in by a large + majority of the people. Unpopular laws make hypocrites, perjurers and + official shirkers of duty. And if to the violation of such laws severe + penalties attach, they are rarely enforced. Laws that create artificial + crimes are the hardest to carry into effect. You can never convince a + majority of people that it is as bad to import goods without paying the + legal duty as to commit larceny. Neither can you convince a majority of + people that it is a crime or sin, or even a mistake, to drink a glass of + wine or beer. Thousands and thousands of people in this State honestly + believe that prohibition is an interference with their natural rights, and + they feel justified in resorting to almost any means to defeat the law. + </p> + <p> + In this way people become somewhat demoralized. It is unfortunate to pass + laws that remain unenforced on account of their unpopularity. People who + would on most subjects swear to the truth do not hesitate to testify + falsely on a prohibition trial. In addition to this, every known device is + resorted to, to sell in spite of the law, and when some want to sell and a + great many want to buy, considerable business will be done, while there + are fewer saloons and less liquor sold in them. The liquor is poorer and + the price is higher. The consumer has to pay for the extra risk. More + liquor finds its way to homes, more men buy by the bottle and gallon. In + old times nearly everybody kept a little rum or whiskey on the sideboard. + The great Washingtonian temperance movement drove liquor out of the home + and increased the taverns and saloons. Now we are driving liquor back to + the homes. In my opinion there is a vast difference between distilled + spirits and the lighter drinks, such as wine and beer. Wine is a fireside + and whiskey a conflagration. These lighter drinks are not unhealthful and + do not, as I believe, create a craving for stronger beverages. You will, I + think, find it almost impossible to enforce the present law against wine + and beer. I was told yesterday that there are some sixty places in Cedar + Rapids where whiskey is sold. It takes about as much ceremony to get a + drink as it does to join the Masons, but they seem to like the ceremony. + People seem to take delight in outwitting the State when it does not + involve the commission of any natural offence, and when about to be + caught, may not hesitate to swear falsely to the extent of "don't + remember," or "can't say positively," or "can't swear whether it was + whiskey or not." + </p> + <p> + One great trouble in Iowa is that the politicians, or many of them who + openly advocate prohibition, are really opposed to it. They want to keep + the German vote, and they do not want to lose native Republicans. They + feel a "divided duty" to ride both horses. This causes the contrast + between their conversation and their speeches. A few years ago I took + dinner with a gentleman who had been elected Governor of one of our States + on the Prohibition ticket. We had four kinds of wine during the meal, and + a pony of brandy at the end. Prohibition will never be a success until it + prohibits the Prohibitionists. And yet I most sincerely hope and believe + that the time will come when drunkenness shall have perished from the + earth. Let us cultivate the love of home. Let husbands and wives and + children be companions. Let them seek amusements together. If it is a good + place for father to go, it is a good place for mother and the children. I + believe that a home can be made more attractive than a saloon. Let the + boys and girls amuse themselves at home—play games, study music, + read interesting books, and let the parents be their playfellows. The best + temperance lecture, in the fewest words, you will find in Victor Hugo's + great novel "Les Miserables." The grave digger is asked to take a drink. + He refuses and gives this reason: "The hunger of my family is the enemy of + my thirst." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Many people wonder why you are out of politics. Will you + give your reasons? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. A few years ago great questions had to be settled. The life + of the nation was at stake. Later the liberty of millions of slaves + depended upon the action of the Government. Afterward reconstruction and + the rights of citizens pressed themselves upon the people for solution. + And last, the preservation of national honor and credit. These questions + did not enter into the last campaign. They had all been settled, and + properly settled, with the one exception of the duty of the nation to + protect the colored citizens. The Supreme Court settled that, at least for + a time, and settled it wrong. But the Republican party submitted to the + civil rights decision, and so, as between the great parties, that question + did not arise. This left only two questions—protection and office. + But as a matter of fact, all Republicans were not for our present system + of protection, and all Democrats were not against it. On that question + each party was and is divided. On the other question—office—both + parties were and are in perfect harmony. Nothing remains now for the + Democrats to do except to give a "working" definition of "offensive + partisanship." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the American people are seeking after + truth, or do they want to be amused? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. We have all kinds. Thousands are earnestly seeking for the + truth. They are looking over the old creeds, they are studying the Bible + for themselves, they have the candor born of courage, they are depending + upon themselves instead of on the clergy. They have found out that the + clergy do not know; that their sources of information are not reliable; + that, like the politicians, many ministers preach one way and talk + another. The doctrine of eternal pain has driven millions from the church. + People with good hearts cannot get consolation out of that cruel lie. The + ministers themselves are getting ashamed to call that doctrine "the + tidings of great joy." The American people are a serious people. They want + to know the truth. They fell that whatever the truth may be they have the + courage to hear it. The American people also have a sense of humor. They + like to see old absurdities punctured and solemn stupidity held up to + laughter. They are, on the average, the most intelligent people on the + earth. They can see the point. Their wit is sharp, quick and logical. + Nothing amuses them more that to see the mask pulled from the face of + sham. The average American is generous, intelligent, level-headed, manly, + and good- natured. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your judgment, is the source of the greatest + trouble among men? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Superstition. That has caused more agony, more tears, + persecution and real misery than all other causes combined. The other name + for superstition is ignorance. When men learn that all sin is a mistake, + that all dishonesty is a blunder, that even intelligent selfishness will + protect the rights of others, there will be vastly more happiness in this + world. Shakespeare says that "There is no darkness but ignorance." + Sometime man will learn that when he steals from another, he robs himself—that + the way to be happy is to make others so, and that it is far better to + assist his fellow-man than to fast, say prayers, count beads or build + temples to the Unknown. Some people tell us that selfishness is the only + sin, but selfishness grows in the soil of ignorance. After all, education + is the great lever, and the only one capable of raising mankind. People + ignorant of their own rights are ignorant of the rights of others. Every + tyrant is the slave of ignorance. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How soon do you think we would have the millennium if + every person attended strictly to his own business? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Now, if every person were intelligent enough to know his + own business—to know just where his rights ended and the rights of + others commenced, and then had the wisdom and honesty to act accordingly, + we should have a very happy world. Most people like to control the conduct + of others. They love to write rules, and pass laws for the benefit of + their neighbors, and the neighbors are pretty busy at the same business. + People, as a rule, think that they know the business of other people + better than they do their own. A man watching others play checkers or + chess always thinks he sees better moves than the players make. When all + people attend to their own business they will know that a part of their + own business is to increase the happiness of others. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is causing the development of this country? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Education, the free exchange of ideas, inventions by which + the forces of nature become our servants, intellectual hospitality, a + willingness to hear the other side, the richness of our soil, the extent + of our territory, the diversity of climate and production, our system of + government, the free discussion of political questions, our social + freedom, and above all, the fact that labor is honorable. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the religious tendency of the + people of this country? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Using the word religion in its highest and best sense, the + people are becoming more religious. We are far more religious —using + the word in its best sense—than when we believed in human slavery, + but we are not as orthodox as we were then. We have more principle and + less piety. We care more for the right and less for the creed. The old + orthodox dogmas are mouldy. You will find moss on their backs. They are + only brought out when a new candidate for the ministry is to be examined. + Only a little while ago in New York a candidate for the Presbyterian + pulpit was examined and the following is a part of the examination: + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. "Do you believe in eternal punishment, as set forth in + the confession of faith?" + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. (With some hesitation) "Yes, I do." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. "Have you preached on that subject lately?" + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. "No. I prepared a sermon on hell, in which I took the + ground that the punishment of the wicked will be endless, and have it with + me." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. "Did you deliver it?" + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. "No. I thought that my congregation would not care to hear + it. The doctrine is rather unpopular where I have been preaching, and I + was afraid I might do harm, so I have not delivered it yet." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. "But you believe in eternal damnation, do you not?" + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. "O yes, with all my heart." + </p> + <p> + He was admitted, and the admission proves the dishonesty of the examiners + and the examined. The new version of the Old and New Testaments has done + much to weaken confidence in the doctrine of inspiration. It has occurred + to a good many that if God took the pains to inspire men to write the + Bible, he ought to have inspired others to translate it correctly. The + general tendency today is toward science, toward naturalism, toward what + is called Infidelity, but is in fact fidelity. Men are in a transition + state, and the people, on the average, have more real good, sound sense + to-day than ever before. The church is losing its power for evil. The old + chains are wearing out, and new ones are not being made. The tendency is + toward intellectual freedom, and that means the final destruction of the + orthodox bastille. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of General Grant as he stands before + the people to-day? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have always regarded General Grant as the greatest + soldier this continent has produced. He is to-day the most distinguished + son of the Republic. The people have the greatest confidence in his + ability, his patriotism and his integrity. The financial disaster + impoverished General Grant, but he did not stain the reputation of the + grand soldier who led to many victories the greatest army that ever fought + for the liberties of man. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Iowa State Register</i>, May 23, 1885. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0051" id="link0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HELL OR SHEOL AND OTHER SUBJECTS. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel, have you read the revised Testament? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, but I don't believe the work has been fairly done. The + clergy are not going to scrape the butter off their own bread. The clergy + are offensive partisans, and those of each denomination will interpret the + Scriptures their way. No Baptist minister would countenance a "Revision" + that favored sprinkling, and no Catholic priest would admit that any + version would be correct that destroyed the dogma of the "real presence." + So I might go through all the denominations. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Why was the word sheol introduced in place of hell, and + how do you like the substitute? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The civilized world has outgrown the vulgar and brutal hell + of their fathers and founders of the churches. The clergy are ashamed to + preach about sulphurous flames and undying worms. The imagination of the + world has been developed, the heart has grown tender, and the old dogma of + eternal pain shocks all civilized people. It is becoming disgraceful + either to preach or believe in such a beastly lie. The clergy are + beginning to think that it is hardly manly to frighten children with a + detected falsehood. Sheol is a great relief. It is not so hot as the old + place. The nights are comfortable, and the society is quite refined. The + worms are dead, and the air reasonably free from noxious vapors. It is a + much worse word to hold a revival with, but much better for every day use. + It will hardly take the place of the old word when people step on tacks, + put up stoves, or sit on pins; but for use at church fairs and mite + societies it will do about as well. We do not need revision; excision is + what we want. The barbarism should be taken out of the Bible. Passages + upholding polygamy, wars of extermination, slavery, and religious + persecution should not be attributed to a perfect God. The good that is in + the Bible will be saved for man, and man will be saved from the evil that + is in that book. Why should we worship in God what we detest in man? + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think the use of the word sheol will make any + difference to the preachers? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course it will make no difference with Talmage. He will + make sheol just as hot and smoky and uncomfortable as hell, but the + congregations will laugh instead of tremble. The old shudder has gone. + Beecher had demolished hell before sheol was adopted. According to his + doctrine of evolution hell has been slowly growing cool. The cindered + souls do not even perspire. Sheol is nothing to Mr. Beecher but a new name + for an old mistake. As for the effect it will have on Heber Newton, I + cannot tell, neither can he, until he asks his bishop. There are people + who believe in witches and madstones and fiat money, and centuries hence + it may be that people will exist who will believe as firmly in hell as Dr. + Shedd does now. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What about Beecher's sermons on "Evolution"? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Beecher's sermons on "Evolution" will do good. Millions of + people believe that Mr. Beecher knows at least as much as the other + preachers, and if he regards the atonement as a dogma with a mistake for a + foundation, they may conclude that the whole system is a mistake. But + whether Mr. Beecher is mistaken or not, people know that honesty is a good + thing, that gratitude is a virtue, that industry supports the world, and + that whatever they believe about religion they are bound by every + conceivable obligation to be just and generous. Mr. Beecher can no more + succeed in reconciling science and religion, than he could in convincing + the world that triangles and circles are exactly the same. There is the + same relation between science and religion that there is between astronomy + and astrology, between alchemy and chemistry, between orthodoxy and common + sense. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you read Miss Cleveland's book? She condemns George + Eliot's poetry on the ground that it has no faith in it, nothing beyond. + Do you imagine she would condemn Burns or Shelley for that reason? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have not read Miss Cleveland's book; but, if the author + condemns the poetry of George Eliot, she has made a mistake. There is no + poem in our language more beautiful than "The Lovers," and none loftier or + purer than "The Choir Invisible." There is no poetry in the "beyond." The + poetry is here—here in this world, where love is in the heart. The + poetry of the beyond is too far away, a little too general. Shelley's + "Skylark" was in our sky, the daisy of Burns grew on our ground, and + between that lark and that daisy is room for all the real poetry of the + earth. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Evening Record</i>, Boston, Mass., 1885. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0052" id="link0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTERVIEWING, POLITICS AND SPIRITUALISM. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the peculiar institution of + American journalism known as interviewing? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If the interviewers are fair, if they know how to ask + questions of a public nature, if they remember what is said, or write it + at the time, and if the interviewed knows enough to answer questions in a + way to amuse or instruct the public, then interviewing is a blessing. But + if the representative of the press asks questions, either impudent or + unimportant, and the answers are like the questions, then the institution + is a failure. When the journalist fails to see the man he wishes to + interview, or when the man refuses to be interviewed, and thereupon the + aforesaid journalist writes up an interview, doing the talking for both + sides, the institution is a success. Such interviews are always + interesting, and, as a rule, the questions are to the point and the + answers perfectly responsive. There is probably a little too much + interviewing, and to many persons are asked questions upon subjects about + which they know nothing. Mr. Smith makes some money in stocks or pork, + visits London, and remains in that city for several weeks. On his return + he is interviewd as to the institutions, laws and customs of the British + Empire. Of course such an interview is exceedingly instructive. Lord + Affanaff lands at the dock in North River, is driven to a hotel in a + closed carriage, is interviewed a few minutes after by a representative of + the <i>Herald</i> as to his view of the great Republic based upon what he + has seen. Such an interview is also instructive. Interviews with + candidates as to their chances of election is another favorite way of + finding out their honest opinion, but people who rely on those interviews + generally lose their bets. The most interesting interviews are generally + denied. I have been expecting to see an interview with the Rev. Dr. + Leonard on the medicinal properties of champagne and toast, or the + relation between old ale and modern theology, and as to whether + prohibition prohibits the Prohibitionists. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you ever been misrepresented in interviews? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Several times. As a general rule, the clergy have selected + these misrepresentations when answering me. I never blamed them, because + it is much easier to answer something I did not say. Most reporters try to + give my real words, but it is difficult to remember. They try to give the + substance, and in that way change or destroy the sense. You remember the + Frenchman who translated Shakespeare's great line in Macbeth—"Out, + brief candle!"—into "Short candle, go out!" Another man, trying to + give the last words of Webster—"I still live"—said "I aint + dead yit." So that when they try to do their best they often make + mistakes. Now and then interviews appear not one word of which I ever + said, and sometimes when I really had an interview, another one has + appeared. But generally the reporters treat me well, and most of them + succeed in telling about what I said. Personally I have no cause for + complaint. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the administration of President + Cleveland? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I know but very little about it. I suppose that he is doing + the best he can. He appears to be carrying out in good faith the + principles laid down in the platform on which he was elected. He is having + a hard road to travel. To satisfy an old Democrat and a new mugwump is a + difficult job. Cleveland appears to be the owner of himself—appears + to be a man of great firmness and force of character. The best thing that + I have heard about him is that he went fishing on Sunday. We have had so + much mock morality, dude deportment and hypocritical respectability in + public office, that a man with courage enough to enjoy himself on Sunday + is a refreshing and healthy example. All things considered I do not see + but that Cleveland is doing well enough. The attitude of the + administration toward the colored people is manly and fair so far as I can + see. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you still a Republican in political belief? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I believe that this is a Nation. I believe in the equality + of all men before the law, irrespective of race, religion or color. I + believe that there should be a dollar's worth of silver in a silver + dollar. I believe in a free ballot and a fair count. I believe in + protecting those industries, and those only, that need protection. I + believe in unrestricted coinage of gold and silver. I believe in the + rights of the State, the rights of the citizen, and the sovereignty of the + Nation. I believe in good times, good health, good crops, good prices, + good wages, good food, good clothes and in the absolute and unqualified + liberty of thought. If such belief makes a Republican, than that is what I + am. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you approve of John Sherman's policy in the present + campaign with reference to the bloody shirt, which reports of his speeches + show that he is waving? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have not read Senator Sherman's speech. It seems to me + that there is a better feeling between the North and South than ever + before—better than at any time since the Revolutionary war. I + believe in cultivating that feeling, and in doing and saying what we can + to contribute to its growth. We have hated long enough and fought enough. + The colored people never have been well treated but they are being better + treated now than ever before. It takes a long time to do away with + prejudices that were based upon religion and rascality—that is to + say, inspiration and interest. We must remember that slavery was the crime + of the whole country. Now, if Senator Sherman has made a speech calculated + to excite the hatreds and prejudices of the North and South, I think that + he has made a mistake. I do not say that he has made such a speech, + because I have not read it. The war is over—it ended at Appomattox. + Let us hope that the bitterness born of the conflict died out forever at + Riverside. The people are tired almost to death of the old speeches. They + have been worn out and patched, and even the patches are threadbare. The + Supreme Court decided the Civil Rights Bill to be unconstitutional, and + the Republican party submitted. I regarded the decision as monstrous, but + the Republican party when in power said nothing and did nothing. I most + sincerely hope that the Democratic party will protect the colored people + at least as well as we did when we were in power. But I am out of politics + and intend to keep politics out of me. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. We have been having the periodical revival of interest in + Spiritualism. What do you think of "Spiritualism," as it is popularly + termed? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not believe in the supernatural. One who does not + believe in gods would hardly believe in ghosts. I am not a believer in any + of the "wonders" and "miracles" whether ancient or modern. There may be + spirits, but I do not believe there are. They may communicate with some + people, but thus far they have been successful in avoiding me. Of course, + I know nothing for certain on the subject. I know a great many excellent + people who are thoroughly convinced of the truth of Spiritualism. + Christians laugh at the "miracles" to-day, attested by folks they know, + but believe the miracles of long ago, attested by folks that they did not + know. This is one of the contradictions in human nature. Most people are + willing to believe that wonderful things happened long ago and will happen + again in the far future; with them the present is the only time in which + nature behaves herself with becoming sobriety. + </p> + <p> + In old times nature did all kinds of juggling tricks, and after a long + while will do some more, but now she is attending strictly to business, + depending upon cause and effect. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Who, in your opinion, is the greatest leader of the + "opposition" yclept the Christian religion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose that Mr. Beecher is the greatest man in the + pulpit, but he thinks more of Darwin than he does of David and has an idea + that the Old Testament is just a little too old. He has put evolution in + the place of the atonement—has thrown away the Garden of Eden, + snake, apples and all, and is endeavoring to save enough of the orthodox + wreck to make a raft. I know of no other genius in the pulpit. There are + plenty of theological doctors and bishops and all kinds of titled humility + in the sacred profession, but men of genius are scarce. All the ministers, + except Messrs. Moody and Jones, are busy explaining away the contradiction + between inspiration and demonstration. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What books would you recommend for the perusal of a young + man of limited time and culture with reference to helping him in the + development of intellect and good character? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The works of Darwin, Ernst Haeckel, Draper's "Intellectual + Development of Europe," Buckle's "History of Civilization in England," + Lecky's "History of European Morals," Voltaire's "Philosophical + Dictionary," Büchner's "Force and Matter," "The History of the + Christian Religion" by Waite; Paine's "Age of Reason," D'Holbach's "System + of Nature," and, above all, Shakespeare. Do not forget Burns, Shelley, + Dickens and Hugo. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will you lecture the coming winter? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, about the same as usual. Woe is me if I preach not my + gospel. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you been invited to lecture in Europe? If so do you + intend to accept the "call"? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, often. The probability is that I shall go to England + and Australia. I have not only had invitations but most excellent offers + from both countries. There is, however, plenty to do here. This is the + best country in the world and our people are eager to hear the other side. + </p> + <p> + The old kind of preaching is getting superannuated. It lags superfluous in + the pulpit. Our people are outgrowing the cruelties and absurdities of the + ancient Jews. The idea of hell has become shocking and vulgar. Eternal + punishment is eternal injustice. It is infinitely infamous. Most ministers + are ashamed to preach the doctrine, and the congregations are ashamed to + hear it preached. It is the essence of savagery. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Plain Dealer</i>, Cincinnati, Ohio, September 5, 1885. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0053" id="link0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MY BELIEF. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. It is said that in the past four or five years you have + changed or modified your views upon the subject of religion; is this so? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is not so. The only change, if that can be called a + change, is, that I am more perfectly satisfied that I am right— + satisfied that what is called orthodox religion is a simple fabrication of + mistaken men; satisfied that there is no such thing as an inspired book + and never will be; satisfied that a miracle never was and never will be + performed; satisfied that no human being knows whether there is a God or + not, whether there is another life or not; satisfied that the scheme of + atonement is a mistake, that the innocent cannot, by suffering for the + guilty, atone for the guilt; satisfied that the doctrine that salvation + depends on belief, is cruel and absurd; satisfied that the doctrine of + eternal punishment is infamously false; satisfied that superstition is of + no use to the human race; satisfied that humanity is the only true and + real religion. + </p> + <p> + No, I have not modified my views. I detect new absurdities every day in + the popular belief. Every day the whole thing becomes more and more + absurd. Of course there are hundreds and thousands of most excellent + people who believe in orthodox religion; people for whose good qualities I + have the greatest respect; people who have good ideas on most other + subjects; good citizens, good fathers, husbands, wives and children—good + in spite of their religion. I do not attack people. I attack the mistakes + of people. Orthodoxy is getting weaker every day. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe in the existence of a Supreme Being? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not believe in any Supreme personality or in any + Supreme Being who made the universe and governs nature. I do not say that + there is no such Being—all I say is that I do not believe that such + a Being exists. I know nothing on the subject, except that I know that I + do not know and that nobody else knows. But if there is such a Being, he + certainly never wrote the Old Testament. You will understand my position. + I do not say that a Supreme Being does not exist, but I do say that I do + not believe such a Being exists. The universe—embracing all that is—all + atoms, all stars, each grain of sand and all the constellations, each + thought and dream of animal and man, all matter and all force, all doubt + and all belief, all virtue and all crime, all joy and all pain, all growth + and all decay—is all there is. It does not act because it is moved + from without. It acts from within. It is actor and subject, means and end. + </p> + <p> + It is infinite; the infinite could not have been created. It is + indestructible and that which cannot be destroyed was not created. I am a + Pantheist. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Don't you think the belief of the Agnostic is more + satisfactory to the believer than that of the Atheist? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There is no difference. The Agnostic is an Atheist. The + Atheist is an Agnostic. The Agnostic says: "I do not know, but I do not + believe there is any God." The Atheist says the same. The orthodox + Christian says he knows there is a God; but we know that he does not know. + He simply believes. He cannot know. The Atheist cannot know that God does + not exist. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Haven't you just the faintest glimmer of a hope that in + some future state you will meet and be reunited to those who are dear to + you in this? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have no particular desire to be destroyed. I am willing + to go to heaven if there be such a place, and enjoy myself for ever and + ever. It would give me infinite satisfaction to know that all mankind are + to be happy forever. Infidels love their wives and children as well as + Christians do theirs. I have never said a word against heaven—never + said a word against the idea of immortality. On the contrary, I have said + all I could truthfully say in favor of the idea that we shall live again. + I most sincerely hope that there is another world, better than this, where + all the broken ties of love will be united. It is the other place I have + been fighting. Better that all of us should sleep the sleep of death + forever than that some should suffer pain forever. If in order to have a + heaven there must be a hell, then I say away with them both. My doctrine + puts the bow of hope over every grave; my doctrine takes from every + mother's heart the fear of hell. No good man would enjoy himself in heaven + with his friends in hell. No good God could enjoy himself in heaven with + millions of his poor, helpless mistakes in hell. The orthodox idea of + heaven—with God an eternal inquisitor, a few heartless angels and + some redeemed orthodox, all enjoying themselves, while the vast multitude + will weep in the rayless gloom of God's eternal dungeon—is not + calculated to make man good or happy. I am doing what I can to civilize + the churches, humanize the preachers and get the fear of hell out of the + human heart. In this business I am meeting with great success. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Philadelphia Times</i>, September 25, 1885. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0054" id="link0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SOME LIVE TOPICS. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. Shall you attend the Albany Freethought Convention? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have agreed to be present not only, but to address the + convention, on Sunday, the 13th of September. I am greatly gratified to + know that the interest in the question of intellectual liberty is growing + from year to year. Everywhere I go it seems to be the topic of + conversation. No matter upon what subject people begin to talk, in a + little while the discussion takes a religious turn, and people who a few + moments before had not the slightest thought of saying a word about the + churches, or about the Bible, are giving their opinions in full. I hear + discussions of this kind in all the public conveyances, at the hotels, on + the piazzas at the seaside—and they are not discussions in which I + take any part, because I rarely say anything upon these questions except + in public, unless I am directly addressed. + </p> + <p> + There is a general feeling that the church has ruled the world long + enough. People are beginning to see that no amount of eloquence, or faith, + or erudition, or authority, can make the records of barbarism satisfactory + to the heart and brain of this century. They have also found that a + falsehood in Hebrew in no more credible than in plain English. People at + last are beginning to be satisfied that cruel laws were never good laws, + no matter whether inspired or uninspired. The Christian religion, like + every other religion depending upon inspired writings, is wrecked upon the + facts of nature. So long as inspired writers confined themselves to the + supernatural world; so long as they talked about angels and Gods and + heavens and hells; so long as they described only things that man has + never seen, and never will see, they were safe, not from contradiction, + but from demonstration. But these writings had to have a foundation, even + for their falsehoods, and that foundation was in Nature. The foundation + had to be something about which somebody knew something, or supposed they + knew something. They told something about this world that agreed with the + then general opinion. Had these inspired writers told the truth about + Nature— had they said that the world revolved on its axis, and made + a circuit about the sun—they could have gained no credence for their + statements about other worlds. They were forced to agree with their + contemporaries about this world, and there is where they made the + fundamental mistake. Having grown in knowledge, the world has discovered + that these inspired men knew nothing about this earth; that the inspired + books are filled with mistakes—not only mistakes that we can + contradict, but mistakes that we can demonstrate to be mistakes. Had they + told the truth in their day, about this earth, they would not have been + believed about other worlds, because their contemporaries would have used + their own knowledge about this world to test the knowledge of these + inspired men. We pursue the same course; and what we know about this world + we use as the standard, and by that standard we have found that the + inspired men knew nothing about Nature as it is. Finding that they were + mistaken about this world, we have no confidence in what they have said + about another. Every religion has had its philosophy about this world, and + every one has been mistaken. As education becomes general, as scientific + modes are adopted, this will become clearer and clearer, until "ignorant + as inspiration" will be a comparison. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you seen the memorial to the New York Legislature, + to be presented this winter, asking for the repeal of such laws as + practically unite church and state? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have seen a memorial asking that church property be taxed + like other property; that no more money should be appropriated from the + public treasury for the support of institutions managed by and in the + interest of sectarian denominations; for the repeal of all laws compelling + the observance of Sunday as a religious day. Such memorials ought to be + addressed to the Legislatures of all the States. The money of the public + should only be used for the benefit of the public. Public money should not + be used for what a few gentlemen think is for the benefit of the public. + Personally, I think it would be for the benefit of the public to have + Infidel or scientific—which is the same thing—lectures + delivered in every town, in every State, on every Sunday; but knowing that + a great many men disagree with me on this point, I do not claim that such + lectures ought to be paid for with public money. The Methodist Church + ought not to be sustained by taxation, nor the Catholic, nor any other + church. To relieve their property from taxation is to appropriate money, + to the extent of that tax, for the support of that church. Whenever a + burden is lifted from one piece of property, it is distributed over the + rest of the property of the State, and to release one kind of property is + to increase the tax on all other kinds. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when people really supposed the churches were saving + souls from the eternal wrath of a God of infinite love. Being engaged in + such a philanthropic work, and at the time nobody having the courage to + deny it—the church being all-powerful—all other property was + taxed to support the church; but now the more civilized part of the + community, being satisfied that a God of infinite love will not be + eternally unjust, feel as though the church should support herself. To + exempt the church from taxation is to pay a part of the priest's salary. + The Catholic now objects to being taxed to support a school in which his + religion is not taught. He is not satisfied with the school that says + nothing on the subject of religion. He insists that it is an outrage to + tax him to support a school where the teacher simply teaches what he + knows. And yet this same Catholic wants his church exempted from taxation, + and the tax of an Atheist or of a Jew increased, when he teaches in his + untaxed church that the Atheist and Jew will both be eternally damned! Is + it possible for impudence to go further? + </p> + <p> + I insist that no religion should be taught in any school supported by + public money; and by religion I mean superstition. Only that should be + taught in a school that somebody can learn and that somebody can know. In + my judgment, every church should be taxed precisely the same as other + property. The church may claim that it is one of the instruments of + civilization and therefore should be exempt. If you exempt that which is + useful, you exempt every trade and every profession. In my judgment, + theatres have done more to civilize mankind than churches; that is to say, + theatres have done something to civilize mankind—churches nothing. + The effect of all superstition has been to render men barbarous. I do not + believe in the civilizing effects of falsehood. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when ministers were supposed to be in the employ of God, + and it was thought that God selected them with great care —that + their profession had something sacred about it. These ideas are no longer + entertained by sensible people. Ministers should be paid like other + professional men, and those who like their preaching should pay for the + preach. They should depend, as actors do, upon their popularity, upon the + amount of sense, or nonsense, that they have for sale. They should depend + upon the market like other people, and if people do not want to hear + sermons badly enough to build churches and pay for them, and pay the taxes + on them, and hire the preacher, let the money be diverted to some other + use. The pulpit should no longer be a pauper. I do not believe in carrying + on any business with the contribution box. All the sectarian institutions + ought to support themselves. These should be no Methodist or Catholic or + Presbyterian hospitals or orphan asylums. All these should be supported by + the State. There is no such thing as Catholic charity, or Methodist + charity. Charity belongs to humanity, not to any particular form of faith + or religion. You will find as charitable people who never heard of + religion, as you can find in the church. The State should provide for + those who ought to be provided for. A few Methodists beg of everybody they + meet—send women with subscription papers, asking money from all + classes of people, and nearly everybody gives something from politeness, + or to keep from being annoyed; and when the institution is finished, it is + pointed at as the result of Methodism. + </p> + <p> + Probably a majority of the people in this country suppose that there was + no charity in the world until the Christian religion was founded. Great + men have repeated this falsehood, until ignorance and thoughtlessness + believe it. There were orphan asylums in China, in India, and in Egypt + thousands of years before Christ was born; and there certainly never was a + time in the history of the whole world when there was less charity in + Europe than during the centuries when the Church of Christ had absolute + power. There were hundreds of Mohammedan asylums before Christianity had + built ten in the entire world. + </p> + <p> + All institutions for the care of unfortunate people should be secular—should + be supported by the State. The money for the purpose should be raised by + taxation, to the end that the burden may be borne by those able to bear + it. As it is now, most of the money is paid, not by the rich, but by the + generous, and those most able to help their needy fellow citizens are the + very ones who do nothing. If the money is raised by taxation, then the + burden will fall where it ought to fall, and these institutions will no + longer be supported by the generous and emotional, and the rich and stingy + will no longer be able to evade the duties of citizenship and of humanity. + </p> + <p> + Now, as to the Sunday laws, we know that they are only spasmodically + enforced. Now and then a few people are arrested for selling papers or + cigars. Some unfortunate barber is grabbed by a policeman because he has + been caught shaving a Christian, Sunday morning. Now and then some poor + fellow with a hack, trying to make a dollar or two to feed his horses, or + to take care of his wife and children, is arrested as though he were a + murderer. But in a few days the public are inconvenienced to that degree + that the arrests stop and business goes on in its accustomed channels, + Sunday and all. + </p> + <p> + Now and then society becomes so pious, so virtuous, that people are + compelled to enter saloons by the back door; others are compelled to drink + beer with the front shutters up; but otherwise the stream that goes down + the thirsty throats is unbroken. The ministers have done their best to + prevent all recreation on the Sabbath. They would like to stop all the + boats on the Hudson, and on the sea— stop all the excursion trains. + They would like to compel every human being that lives in the city of New + York to remain within its limits twenty-four hours every Sunday. They hate + the parks; they hate music; they hate anything that keeps a man away from + church. Most of the churches are empty during the summer, and now most of + the ministers leave themselves, and give over the entire city to the Devil + and his emissaries. And yet if the ministers had their way, there would be + no form of human enjoyment except prayer, signing subscription papers, + putting money in contribution boxes, listening to sermons, reading the + cheerful histories of the Old Testament, imagining the joys of heaven and + the torments of hell. The church is opposed to the theatre, is the enemy + of the opera, looks upon dancing as a crime, hates billiards, despises + cards, opposes roller-skating, and even entertains a certain kind of + prejudice against croquet. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the orthodox church gets its ideas of + the Sabbath from the teachings of Christ? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not hold Christ responsible for these idiotic ideas + concerning the Sabbath. He regarded the Sabbath as something made for man—which + was a very sensible view. The holiest day is the happiest day. The most + sacred day is the one in which have been done the most good deeds. There + are two reasons given in the Bible for keeping the Sabbath. One is that + God made the world in six days, and rested on the seventh. Now that all + the ministers admit that he did not make the world in six days, but that + he made it in six "periods," this reason is no longer applicable. The + other reason is that he brought the Jews out of Egypt with a "mighty + hand." This may be a very good reason still for the observance of the + Sabbath by the Jews, but the real Sabbath, that is to say, the day to be + commemorated, is our Saturday, and why should we commemorate the wrong + day? That disposes of the second reason. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more inconsistent than the theories and practice of the + churches about the Sabbath. The cars run Sundays, and out of the profits + hundreds of ministers are supported. The great iron and steel works fill + with smoke and fire the Sabbath air, and the proprietors divide the + profits with the churches. The printers of the city are busy Sunday + afternoons and evenings, and the presses during the nights, so that the + sermons of Sunday can reach the heathen on Monday. The servants of the + rich are denied the privileges of the sanctuary. The coachman sits on the + box out-doors, while his employer kneels in church preparing himself for + the heavenly chariot. The iceman goes about on the holy day, keeping + believers cool, they knowing at the same time that he is making it hot for + himself in the world to come. Christians cross the Atlantic, knowing that + the ship will pursue its way on the Sabbath. They write letters to their + friends knowing that they will be carried in violation of Jehovah's law, + by wicked men. Yet they hate to see a pale-faced sewing girl enjoying a + few hours by the sea; a poor mechanic walking in the fields; or a tired + mother watching her children playing on the grass. Nothing ever was, + nothing ever will be, more utterly absurd and disgusting than a Puritan + Sunday. Nothing ever did make a home more hateful than the strict + observance of the Sabbath. It fills the house with hypocrisy and the + meanest kind of petty tyranny. The parents look sour and stern, the + children sad and sulky. They are compelled to talk upon subjects about + which they feel no interest, or to read books that are thought good only + because they are so stupid. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say about the growth of Catholicism, the + activity of the Salvation Army, and the success of revivalists like the + Rev. Samuel Jones? Is Christianity really gaining a strong hold on the + masses? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Catholicism is growing in this country, and it is the only + country on earth in which it is growing. Its growth here depends entirely + upon immigration, not upon intellectual conquest. Catholic emigrants who + leave their homes in the Old World because they have never had any + liberty, and who are Catholics for the same reason, add to the number of + Catholics here, but their children's children will not be Catholics. Their + children will not be very good Catholics, and even these immigrants + themselves, in a few years, will not grovel quite so low in the presence + of a priest. The Catholic Church is gaining no ground in Catholic + countries. + </p> + <p> + The Salvation Army is the result of two things—the general belief in + what are known as the fundamentals of Christianity, and the heartlessness + of the church. The church in England—that is to say, the Church of + England—having succeeded—that is to say, being supported by + general taxation—that is to say, being a successful, well-fed + parasite—naturally neglected those who did not in any way contribute + to its support. It became aristocratic. Splendid churches were built; + younger sons with good voices were put in the pulpits; the pulpit became + the asylum for aristocratic mediocrity, and in this way the Church of + England lost interest in the masses and the masses lost interest in the + Church of England. The neglected poor, who really had some belief in + religion, and who had not been absolutely petrified by form and patronage, + were ready for the Salvation Army. They were not at home in the church. + They could not pay. They preferred the freedom of the street. They + preferred to attend a church where rags were no objection. Had the church + loved and labored with the poor the Salvation Army never would have + existed. These people are simply giving their idea of Christianity, and in + their way endeavoring to do what they consider good. I don't suppose the + Salvation Army will accomplish much. To improve mankind you must change + conditions. It is not enough to work simply upon the emotional nature. The + surroundings must be such as naturally produce virtuous actions. If we are + to believe recent reports from London, the Church of England, even with + the assistance of the Salvation Army, has accomplished but little. It + would be hard to find any country with less morality. You would search + long in the jungles of Africa to find greater depravity. + </p> + <p> + I account for revivalists like the Rev. Samuel Jones in the same way. + There is in every community an ignorant class—what you might call a + literal class—who believe in the real blood atonement; who believe + in heaven and hell, and harps and gridirons; who have never had their + faith weakened by reading commentators or books harmonizing science and + religion. They love to hear the good old doctrine; they want hell + described; they want it described so that they can hear the moans and + shrieks; they want heaven described; they want to see God on a throne, and + they want to feel that they are finally to have the pleasure of looking + over the battlements of heaven and seeing all their enemies among the + damned. The Rev. Mr. Munger has suddenly become a revivalist. According to + the papers he is sought for in every direction. His popularity seems to + rest upon the fact that he brutally beat a girl twelve years old because + she did not say her prayers to suit him. Muscular Christianity is what the + ignorant people want. I regard all these efforts—including those + made by Mr. Moody and Mr. Hammond—as evidence that Christianity, as + an intellectual factor, has almost spent its force. It no longer governs + the intellectual world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are not the Catholics the least progressive? And are they + not, in spite of their professions to the contrary, enemies to republican + liberty? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Every church that has a standard higher than human welfare + is dangerous. A church that puts a book above the laws and constitution of + its country, that puts a book above the welfare of mankind, is dangerous + to human liberty. Every church that puts itself above the legally + expressed will of the people is dangerous. Every church that holds itself + under greater obligation to a pope than to a people is dangerous to human + liberty. Every church that puts religion above humanity—above the + well-being of man in this world—is dangerous. The Catholic Church + may be more dangerous, not because its doctrines are more dangerous, but + because, on the average, its members more sincerely believe its doctrines, + and because that church can be hurled as a solid body in any given + direction. For these reasons it is more dangerous than other churches; but + the doctrines are no more dangerous than those of the Protestant churches. + The man who would sacrifice the well- being of man to please an imaginary + phantom that he calls God, is also dangerous. The only safe standard is + the well-being of man in this world. Whenever this world is sacrificed for + the sake of another, a mistake has been made. The only God that man can + know is the aggregate of all beings capable of suffering and of joy within + the reach of his influence. To increase the happiness of such beings is to + worship the only God that man can know. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say to the assertion of Dr. Deems that + there were never so many Christians as now? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose that the population of the earth is greater now + than at any other time within the historic period. This being so, there + may be more Christians, so-called, in this world than there were a hundred + years ago. Of course, the reverend doctor, in making up his aggregate of + Christians, counts all kinds and sects—Unitarians, Universalists, + and all the other "ans" and "ists" and "ics" and "ites" and "ers." But Dr. + Deems must admit that only a few years ago most of the persons he now + calls Christians would have been burnt as heretics and Infidels. Let us + compare the average New York Christian with the Christian of two hundred + years ago. It is probably safe to say that there is not now in the city of + New York a genuine Presbyterian outside of an insane asylum. Probably no + one could be found who will to-day admit that he believes absolutely in + the Presbyterian Confession of Faith. There is probably not an + Episcopalian who believes in the Thirty-nine Articles. Probably there is + not an intelligent minister in the city of New York, outside of the + Catholic Church, who believes that everything in the Bible is true. + Probably no clergyman, of any standing, would be willing to take the + ground that everything in the Old Testament—leaving out the question + of inspiration—is actually true. Very few ministers now preach the + doctrine of eternal punishment. Most of them would be ashamed to utter + that brutal falsehood. A large majority of gentlemen who attend church + take the liberty of disagreeing with the preacher. They would have been + very poor Christians two hundred years ago. A majority of the ministers + take the liberty of disagreeing, in many things, with their Presbyteries + and Synods. They would have been very poor preachers two hundred years + ago. Dr. Deems forgets that most Christians are only nominally so. Very + few believe their creeds. Very few even try to live in accordance with + what they call Christian doctrines. Nobody loves his enemies. No Christian + when smitten on one cheek turns the other. Most Christians do take a + little thought for the morrow. They do not depend entirely upon the + providence of God. Most Christians now have greater confidence in the + average life-insurance company than in God—feel easier when dying to + know that they have a policy, through which they expect the widow will + receive ten thousand dollars, than when thinking of all the Scripture + promises. Even church-members do not trust in God to protect their own + property. They insult heaven by putting lightning rods on their temples. + They insure the churches against the act of God. The experience of man has + shown the wisdom of relying on something that we know something about, + instead of upon the shadowy supernatural. The poor wretches to-day in + Spain, depending upon their priests, die like poisoned flies; die with + prayers between their pallid lips; die in their filth and faith. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say on the Mormon question? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The institution of polygamy is infamous and disgusting + beyond expression. It destroys what we call, and all civilized people + call, "the family." It pollutes the fireside, and, above all, as Burns + would say, "petrifies the feeling." It is, however, one of the + institutions of Jehovah. It is protected by the Bible. It has inspiration + on its side. Sinai, with its barren, granite peaks, is a perpetual witness + in its favor. The beloved of God practiced it, and, according to the + sacred word, the wisest man had, I believe, about seven hundred wives. + This man received his wisdom directly from God. It is hard for the average + Bible worshiper to attack this institution without casting a certain stain + upon his own book. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago slavery was upheld by the same Bible. Slavery having + been abolished, the passages in the inspired volume upholding it have been + mostly forgotten, but polygamy lives, and the polygamists, with great + volubility, repeat the passages in their favor. We send our missionaries + to Utah, with their Bibles, to convert the Mormons. + </p> + <p> + The Mormons show, by these very Bibles, that God is on their side. Nothing + remain now for the missionaries except to get back their Bibles and come + home. The preachers do not appeal to the Bible for the purpose of putting + down Mormonism. They say: "Send the army." If the people of this country + could only be honest; if they would only admit that the Old Testament is + but the record of a barbarous people; if the Samson of the nineteenth + century would not allow its limbs to be bound by the Delilah of + superstition, it could with one blow destroy this monster. What shall we + say of the moral force of Christianity, when it utterly fails in the + presence of Mormonism? What shall we say of a Bible that we dare not read + to a Mormon as an argument against legalized lust, or as an argument + against illegal lust? + </p> + <p> + I am opposed to polygamy. I want it exterminated by law; but I hate to see + the exterminators insist that God, only a few thousand years ago, was as + bad as the Mormons are to-day. In my judgment, such a God ought to be + exterminated. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of men like the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher + and the Rev. R. Heber Newton? Do they deserve any credit for the course + they have taken? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Mr. Beecher is evidently endeavoring to shore up the walls + of the falling temple. He sees the cracks; he knows that the building is + out of plumb; he feels that the foundation is insecure. Lies can take the + place of stones only so long as they are thoroughly believed. Mr. Beecher + is trying to do something to harmonize superstition and science. He is + reading between the lines. He has discovered that Darwin is only a later + Saint Paul, or that Saint Paul was the original Darwin. He is endeavoring + to make the New Testament a scientific text-book. Of course he will fail. + But his intentions are good. Thousands of people will read the New + Testament with more freedom than heretofore. They will look for new + meanings; and he who looks for new meanings will not be satisfied with the + old ones. Mr. Beecher, instead of strengthening the walls, will make them + weaker. + </p> + <p> + There is no harmony between religion and science. When science was a + child, religion sought to strangle it in the cradle. Now that science has + attained its youth, and superstition is in its dotage, the trembling, + palsied wreck says to the athlete: "Let us be friends." It reminds me of + the bargain the cock wished to make with the horse: "Let us agree not to + step on each other's feet." Mr. Beecher, having done away with hell, + substitutes annihilation. His doctrine at present is that only a fortunate + few are immortal, and that the great mass return to dreamless dust. This, + of course, is far better than hell, and is a great improvement on the + orthodox view. Mr. Beecher cannot believe that God would make such a + mistake as to make men doomed to suffer eternal pain. Why, I ask, should + God give life to men whom he knows are unworthy of life? Why should he + annihilate his mistakes? Why should he make mistakes that need + annihilation? + </p> + <p> + It can hardly be said that Mr. Beecher's idea is a new one. It was taught, + with an addition, thousands of years ago, in India, and the addition + almost answers my objection. The old doctrine was that only the soul that + bears fruit, only the soul that bursts into blossom, will at the death of + the body rejoin the Infinite, and that all other souls—souls not + having blossomed—will go back into low forms and make the journey up + to man once more, and should they then blossom and bear fruit, will be + held worthy to join the Infinite, but should they again fail, they again + go back; and this process is repeated until they do blossom, and in this + way all souls at last become perfect. I suggest that Mr. Beecher make at + least this addition to his doctrine. + </p> + <p> + But allow me to say that, in my judgment, Mr. Beecher is doing great good. + He may not convince many people that he is right, but he will certainly + convince a great many people that Christianity is wrong. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In what estimation do you hold Charles Watts and Samuel + Putnam, and what do you think of their labors in the cause of Freethought? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Mr. Watts is an extremely logical man, with a direct and + straightforward manner and mind. He has paid great attention to what is + called "Secularism." He thoroughly understands organization, and he is + undoubtedly one of the strongest debaters in the field. He has had great + experience. He has demolished more divines than any man of my + acquaintance. I have read several of his debates. In discussion he is + quick, pertinent, logical, and, above all, good natured. + </p> + <p> + There is not in all he says a touch of malice. He can afford to be + generous to his antagonists, because he is always the victor, and is + always sure of the victory. Last winter wherever I went, I heard the most + favorable accounts of Mr. Watts. All who heard him were delighted. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Putnam is one of the most thorough believers in intellectual liberty + in the world. He believes with all his heart, is full of enthusiasm, ready + to make any sacrifice, and to endure any hardship. Had he lived a few + years ago, he would have been a martyr. He has written some of the most + stirring appeals to the Liberals of this country that I have ever read. He + believes that Freethought has a future; that the time is coming when the + superstitions of the world will either be forgotten, or remembered—some + of them with smiles—most of them with tears. Mr. Putnam, although + endowed with a poetic nature, with poetic insight, clings to the known, + builds upon the experience of man, and believes in fancies only when they + are used as the wings of a fact. I have never met a man who appeared to be + more thoroughly devoted to the great cause of mental freedom. I have read + his books with great interest, and find in them many pages filled with + philosophy and pathos. I have met him often and I never heard him utter a + harsh word about any human being. His good nature is as unfailing as the + air. His abilities are of the highest order. It is a positive pleasure to + meet him. He is so enthusiastic, so unselfish, so natural, so appreciative + of others, so thoughtful for the cause, and so careless of himself, that + he compels the admiration of every one who really loves the just and true. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Truth Seeker</i>, New York, September 5, 1885. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0055" id="link0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PRESIDENT AND SENATE. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say with reference to the respective + attitudes of the President and Senate? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I don't think there is any doubt as to the right of the + Senate to call on the President for information. Of course that means for + what information he has. When a duty devolves upon two persons, one of + them has no right to withhold any facts calculated to throw any light on + the question that both are to decide. The President cannot appoint any + officer who has to be confirmed by the Senate; he can simply nominate. The + Senate cannot even suggest a name; it can only pass upon the person + nominated. If it is called upon for counsel and advice, how can it give + advice without knowing the facts and circumstances? The President must + have a reason for wishing to make a change. He should give that reason to + the Senate without waiting to be asked. He has assured the country that he + is a civil service reformer; that no man is to be turned out because he is + a Republican, and no man appointed because he is a Democrat. Now, the + Senate has given the President an opportunity to prove that he has acted + as he has talked. If the President feels that he is bound to carry out the + civil-service law, ought not the Senate to feel in the same way? Is it not + the duty of the Senate to see to it that the President does not, with its + advice and consent, violate the civil service law? Is the consent of the + Senate a mere matter of form? In these appointments the President is not + independent of or above the Senate; they are equal, and each has the right + to be "honor bright" with the other, at least. + </p> + <p> + As long as this foolish law is unrepealed it must be carried out. Neither + party is in favor of civil service reform, and never was. The Republican + party did not carry it out, and did not intend to. The President has the + right to nominate. Under the law as it is now, when the President wants to + appoint a clerk, or when one of his secretaries wants one, four names are + sent, and from these four names a choice has to be made. This is clearly + an invasion of the rights of the Executive. If they have the right to + compel the President to choose from four, why not from three, or two? Why + not name the one, and have done with it? The law is worse than + unconstitutional—it is absurd. + </p> + <p> + But in this contest the Senate, in my judgment, is right. In my opinion, + by the time Cleveland goes out most of the offices will be filled with + Democrats. If the Republicans succeed next time, I know, and everybody + knows, that they will never rest easy until they get the Democrats out. + They will shout "offensive partisanship." The truth is, the theory is + wrong. Every citizen should take an interest in politics. A good man + should not agree to keep silent just for the sake of an office. A man owes + his best thoughts to his country. If he ought to defend his country in + time of war, and under certain circumstances give his life for it, can we + say that in time of peace he is under no obligation to discharge what he + believes to be a duty, if he happens to hold an office? Must he sell his + birthright for the sake of being a doorkeeper? The whole doctrine is + absurd and never will be carried out. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think as to the presidential race? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. That is a good way off. I think the people can hardly be + roused to enthusiasm by the old names. Our party must take another step + forward. We cannot live on what we have done; we must seek power for the + sake, not of power, but for the accomplishment of a purpose. We must + reform the tariff. We must settle the question of silver. We must have + sense enough to know what the country needs, and courage enough to tell + it. By reforming the tariff, I mean protect that and that only that needs + protection— laws for the country and not for the few. We want honest + money; we want a dollar's worth of gold in a silver dollar, and a dollar's + worth of silver in a gold dollar. We want to make them of equal value. + Bi-metallism does not mean that eighty cents' worth of silver is worth one + hundred in gold. The Republican party must get back its conscience and be + guided by it in deciding the questions that arise. Great questions are + pressing for solution. Thousands of working people are in want. Business + is depressed. The future is filled with clouds. What does the Republican + party propose? Must we wait for mobs to inaugurate reform? Must we depend + on police or statesmen? Should we wait and crush by brute force or should + we prevent? + </p> + <p> + The toilers demand that eight hours should constitute a day's work. Upon + this question what does our party say? Labor saving machines ought to + lighten the burdens of the laborers. It will not do to say "over + production" and keep on inventing machines and refuse to shorten the + hours. What does our party say? The rich can take care of themselves if + the mob will let them alone, and there will be no mob if there is no + widespread want. Hunger is a communist. The next candidate of the + Republican party must be big enough and courageous enough to answer these + questions. If we find that kind of a candidate we shall succeed—if + we do not, we ought not. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Chicago Inter-Ocean</i>, February, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0056" id="link0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ATHEISM AND CITIZENSHIP. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you noticed the decision of Mr. Nathaniel Jarvis, + Jr., clerk of the Naturalization Bureau of the Court of Common Pleas, that + an Atheist cannot become a citizen? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, but I do not think it necessary for a man to be a + theist in order to become or to remain a citizen of this country. The + various laws, from 1790 up to 1828, provided that the person wishing to be + naturalized might make oath or affirmation. The first exception you will + find in the Revised Statutes of the United States passed in 1873-74, + section 2,165, as follows:—"An alien may be admitted to become a + citizen of the United States in the following manner, and not otherwise:—First, + he shall declare on oath, before a Circuit or District Court of the United + States, etc." I suppose Mr. Jarvis felt it to be his duty to comply with + this section. In this section there is nothing about affirmation —only + the word "oath" is used—and Mr. Jarvis came to the conclusion that + an Atheist could not take an oath, and, therefore, could not declare his + intention legally to become a citizen of the United States. Undoubtedly + Mr. Jarvis felt it his duty to stand by the law and to see to it that + nobody should become a citizen of this country who had not a well defined + belief in the existence of a being that he could not define and that no + man has ever been able to define. In other words, that he should be + perfectly convinced that there is a being "without body, parts or + passions," who presides over the destinies of this world, and more + especially those of New York in and about that part known as City Hall + Park. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Was not Mr. Jarvis right in standing by the law? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If Mr. Jarvis is right, neither Humboldt nor Darwin could + have become a citizen of the United States. Wagner, the greatest of + musicians, not being able to take an oath, would have been left an alien. + Under this ruling Haeckel, Spencer and Tyndall would be denied citizenship—that + is to say, the six greatest men produced by the human race in the + nineteenth century, were and are unfit to be citizens of the United + States. Those who have placed the human race in debt cannot be citizens of + the Republic. On the other hand, the ignorant wife beater, the criminal, + the pauper raised in the workhouse, could take the necessary oath and + would be welcomed by New York "with arms outstretched as she would fly." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You have quoted one statute. Is there no other applicable + to this case? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am coming to that. If Mr. Jarvis will take the pains to + read not only the law of naturalization in section 2,165 of the Revised + Statutes of the United States, but the very first chapter in the book, + "Title I.," he will find in the very first section this sentence: "The + requirements of any 'oath' shall be deemed complied with by making + affirmation in official form." This applies to section 2,165. Of course an + Atheist can affirm, and the statute provides that wherever an oath is + required affirmation may be made. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Did you read the recent action of Judge O'Gorman, of the + Superior Court, in refusing naturalization papers to an applicant because + he had not read the Constitution of the United States? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I did. The United States Constitution is a very important + document, a good, sound document, but it is talked about a great deal more + than it is read. I'll venture that you may commence at the Battery to + interview merchants and other business men about the Constitution and you + will talk with a hundred before you will find one who has ever read it. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Herald</i>, August 8, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0057" id="link0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LABOR QUESTION. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your remedy, Colonel, for the labor troubles of + the day? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. One remedy is this: I should like to see the laboring men + succeed. I should like to see them have a majority in Congress and with a + President of their own. I should like to see this so that they could + satisfy themselves how little, after all, can be accomplished by + legislation. The moment responsibility should touch their shoulders they + would become conservative. They would find that making a living in this + world is an individual affair, and that each man must look out for + himself. They would soon find that the Government cannot take care of the + people. The people must support the Government. Everything cannot be + regulated by law. The factors entering into this problem are substantially + infinite and beyond the intellectual grasp of any human being. Perhaps + nothing in the world will convince the laboring man how little can be + accomplished by law until there is opportunity of trying. To discuss the + question will do good, so I am in favor of its discussion. To give the + workingmen a trial will do good, so I am in favor of giving them a trial. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But you have not answered my question: I asked you what + could be done, and you have told me what could not be done. Now, is there + not some better organization of society that will help in this trouble? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Undoubtedly. Unless humanity is a failure, society will + improve from year to year and from age to age. There will be, as the years + go by, less want, less injustice, and the gifts of nature will be more + equally divided, but there will never come a time when the weak can do as + much as the strong, or when the mentally weak can accomplish as much as + the intellectually strong. There will forever be inequality in society; + but, in my judgment, the time will come when an honest, industrious person + need not want. In my judgment, that will come, not through governmental + control, not through governmental slavery, not through what is called + Socialism, but through liberty and through individuality. I can conceive + of no greater slavery than to have everything done by the Government. I + want free scope given to individual effort. In time some things that + governments have done will be removed. The creation of a nobility, the + giving of vast rights to corporations, and the bestowment of privileges on + the few will be done away with. In other words, governmental interference + will cease and man will be left more to himself. The future will not do + away with want by charity, which generally creates more want than it + alleviates, but by justice and intelligence. Shakespeare says, "There is + no darkness but ignorance," and it might be added that ignorance is the + mother of most suffering. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Enquirer</i>, Cincinnati, Ohio, September 30, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0058" id="link0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + RAILROADS AND POLITICS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You are intimately acquainted with the great railroad + managers and the great railroad systems, and what do you think is the + great need of the railways to-day? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The great need of the railroads to-day is more business, + more cars, better equipments, better pay for the men and less gambling in + Wall Street. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is it your experience that public men usually ride on + passes? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, whenever they can get them. Passes are for the rich. + Only those are expected to pay who can scarcely afford it. Nothing + shortens a journey, nothing makes the road as smooth, nothing keeps down + the dust and keeps out the smoke like a pass. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Don't you think that the pass system is an injustice + —that is, that ordinary travelers are taxed for the man who rides on + a pass? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Certainly, those who pay, pay for those who do not. This is + one of the misfortunes of the obscure. It is so with everything. The big + fish live on the little ones. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are not parallel railroads an evil? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No, unless they are too near together. Competition does + some good and some harm, but it must exist. All these things must be left + to take care of themselves. If the Government interferes it is at the + expense of the manhood and liberty of the people. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But wouldn't it be better for the people if the railroads + were managed by the Government as is the Post-Office? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No, everything that individual can do should be left to + them. If the Government takes charge of the people they become weak and + helpless. The people should take charge of the Government. Give the folks + a chance. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In the next presidential contest what will be the main + issue? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Maine issue! + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Would you again refuse to take the stump for Mr. Blaine + if he should be renominated, and if so, why? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not expect to take the stump for anybody. Mr. Blaine + is probably a candidate, and if he is nominated there will be plenty of + people on the stump—or fence—or up a tree or somewhere in the + woods. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are the most glaring mistakes of Cleveland's + administration? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. First, accepting the nomination. Second, taking the oath of + office. Third, not resigning. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Times Star</i>, Cincinnati, September 30, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0059" id="link0059"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROHIBITION. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How much importance do you attach to the present + prohibition movement? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No particular importance. I am opposed to prohibition and + always have been, and hope always to be. I do not want the Legislature to + interfere in these matters. I do not believe that the people can be made + temperate by law. Men and women are not made great and good by the law. + There is no good in the world that cannot be abused. Prohibition fills the + world with spies and tattlers, and, besides that, where a majority of the + people are not in favor of it the law will not be enforced; and where a + majority of the people are in favor of it there is not much need of the + law. Where a majority are against it, juries will violate their oath, and + witnesses will get around the truth, and the result is demoralization. + Take wine and malt liquors out of the world and we shall lose a vast deal + of good fellowship; the world would lose more than it would gain. There is + a certain sociability about wine that I should hate to have taken from the + earth. Strong liquors the folks had better let alone. If prohibition + succeeds, and wines and malt liquors go, the next thing will be to take + tobacco away, and the next thing all other pleasures, until prayer + meetings will be the only places of enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you care to say who your choice is for Republican + nominee for President in 1888? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I now promise that I will answer this question either in + May or June, 1888. At present my choice is not fixed, and is liable to + change at any moment, and I need to leave it free, so that it can change + from time to time as the circumstances change. I will, however, tell you + privately that I think it will probably be a new man, somebody on whom the + Republicans can unite. I have made a good many inquiries myself to find + out who this man is to be, but in every instance the answer has been + determined by the location in which the gentleman lived who gave the + answer. Let us wait. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think the Republican party should take a decided + stand on the temperance issue? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do; and that decided stand should be that temperance is + an individual question, something with which the State and Nation have + nothing to do. Temperance is a thing that the law cannot control. You + might as well try to control music, painting, sculpture, or metaphysics, + as the question of temperance. As life becomes more valuable, people will + learn to take better care of it. There is something more to be desired + even than temperance, and that is liberty. I do not believe in putting out + the sun because weeds grow. I should rather have some weeds than go + without wheat and corn. The Republican party should represent liberty and + individuality; it should keep abreast of the real spirit of the age; the + Republican party ought to be intelligent enough to know that progress has + been marked not by the enactment of new laws, but by the repeal of old + ones. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Evening Traveler</i>, Boston, October, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0060" id="link0060"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HENRY GEORGE AND LABOR. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. It is said, Colonel Ingersoll, that you are for Henry + George? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course; I think it the duty of the Republicans to defeat + the Democracy—a solemn duty—and I believe that they have a + chance to elect George; that is to say, an opportunity to take New York + from their old enemy. If the Republicans stand by George he will succeed. + All the Democratic factions are going to unite to beat the workingmen. + What a picture! Now is the time for the Republicans to show that all their + sympathies are not given to bankers, corporations and millionaires. They + were on the side of the slave—they gave liberty to millions. Let + them take another step and extend their hands to the sons of toil. + </p> + <p> + My heart beats with those who bear the burdens of this poor world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you not think that capital is entitled to protection? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am in favor of accomplishing all reforms in a legal and + orderly way, and I want the laboring people of this country to appeal to + the ballot. All classes and all interests must be content to abide the + result. + </p> + <p> + I want the laboring people to show that they are intelligent enough to + stand by each other. Henry George is their natural leader. Let them be + true to themselves by being true to him. The great questions between + capital and labor must be settled peaceably. There is no excuse for + violence, and no excuse for contempt and scorn. No country can be + prosperous while the workers want and the idlers waste. Those who do the + most should have the most. There is no civilized country, so far as I + know, but I believe there will be, and I want to hasten they day when the + map of the world will give the boundaries of that blessed land. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you agree with George's principles? Do you believe in + socialism? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not understand that George is a Socialist. He is on + the side of those that work—so am I. He wants to help those that + need help—so do I. The rich can take care of themselves. I shed no + tears over the miseries of capital. I think of the men in mines and + factories, in huts, hovels and cellars; of the poor sewing women; of the + poor, the hungry and the despairing. The world must be made better through + intelligence. I do not go with the destroyers, with those that hate the + successful, that hate the generous, simply because they are rich. Wealth + is the surplus produced by labor, and the wealth of the world should keep + the world from want. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Herald</i>, October 13, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0061" id="link0061"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LABOR QUESTION AND SOCIALISM. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Henry George for mayor? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Several objections have been urged, not to what Mr. George + has done, but to what Mr. George has thought, and he is the only candidate + up to this time against whom a charge of this character could be made. + Among other things, he seems to have entertained an idea to the effect + that a few men should not own the entire earth; that a child coming into + the world has a right to standing room, and that before he walks, his + mother has a right to standing room while she holds him. He insists that + if it were possible to bottle the air, and sell it as we do mineral water, + it would be hardly fair for the capitalists of the world to embark in such + a speculation, especially where millions were allowed to die simply + because they were not able to buy breath at "pool prices." Mr. George + seems to think that the time will come when capital will be intelligent + enough and civilized enough to take care of itself. He has a dream that + poverty and crime and all the evils that go hand in hand with partial + famine, with lack of labor, and all the diseases born of living in huts + and cellars, born of poor food and poor clothing and of bad habits, will + disappear, and that the world will be really fit to live in. He goes so + far as to insist that men ought to have more than twenty-three or + twenty-four dollars a month for digging coal, and that they ought not to + be compelled to spend that money in the store or saloon of the proprietor + of the mine. He has also stated on several occasions that a man ought not + to drive a street car for sixteen or eighteen hours a day—that even + a street-car driver ought to have the privilege now and then of seeing his + wife, or at least one of the children, awake. And he has gone so far as to + say that a letter-carrier ought not to work longer in each day for the + United States than he would for a civilized individual. + </p> + <p> + To people that imagine that this world is already perfection; that the + condition of no one should be bettered except their own, these ideas seem + dangerous. A man who has already amassed a million, and who has no fear + for the future, and who says: "I will employ the cheapest labor and make + men work as long as they can possibly endure the toil," will regard Mr. + George as an impractical man. It is very probable that all of us will be + dead before all the theories of Mr. George are put in practice. Some of + them, however, may at some time benefit mankind; and so far as I am + concerned, I am willing to help hasten the day, although it may not come + while I live. I do not know that I agree with many of the theories of Mr. + George. I know that I do not agree with some of them. But there is one + thing in which I do agree with him, and that is, in his effort to benefit + the human race, in his effort to do away with some of the evils that now + afflict mankind. I sympathize with him in his endeavor to shorten the + hours of labor, to increase the well- being of laboring men, to give them + better houses, better food, and in every way to lighten the burdens that + now bear upon their bowed backs. It may be that very little can be done by + law, except to see that they are not absolutely abused; to see that the + mines in which they work are supplied with air and with means of escape in + time of danger; to prevent the deforming of children by forcing upon them + the labor of men; to shorten the hours of toil, and to give all laborers + certain liens, above all other claims, for their work. It is easy to see + that in this direction something may be done by law. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel Ingersoll, are you a Socialist? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am an Individualist instead of a Socialist. I am a + believer in individuality and in each individual taking care of himself, + and I want the Government to do just as little as it can consistently with + the safety of the nation, and I want as little law as possible—only + as much as will protect life, reputation and property by punishing + criminals and by enforcing honest contracts. But if a government gives + privileges to a few, the few must not oppress the many. The Government has + no right to bestow any privilege upon any man or upon any corporation, + except for the public good. That which is a special privilege to the few, + should be a special benefit to the many. And whenever the privileged few + abuse the privilege so that it becomes a curse to the many, the privilege, + whatever it is, should be withdrawn. I do not pretend to know enough to + suggest a remedy for all the evils of society. I doubt if one human mind + could take into consideration the almost infinite number of factors + entering into such a problem. And this fact that no one knows, is the + excuse for trying. While I may not believe that a certain theory will + work, still, if I feel sure it will do no harm, I am willing to see it + tried. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that Mr. George would make a good mayor? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I presume he would. He is a thoughtful, prudent man. His + reputation for honesty has never, so far as I know, been called in + question. It certainly does not take a genius to be mayor of New York. If + so, there have been some years when there was hardly a mayor. I take it + that a clear-headed, honest man, whose only object is to do his duty, and + with courage enough to stand by his conscience, would make a good mayor of + New York or of any other city. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you in sympathy with the workingmen and their + objects? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am in sympathy with laboring men of all kinds, whether + they labor with hand or brain. The Knights of Labor, I believe, do not + allow a lawyer to become a member. I am somewhat wider in my sympathies. + No men in the world struggle more heroically; no men in the world have + suffered more, or carried a heavier cross, or worn a sharper crown of + thorns, than those that have produced what we call the literature of our + race. So my sympathies extend all the way from hod-carriers to sculptors; + from well-diggers to astronomers. If the objects of the laboring men are + to improve their condition without injuring others; to have homes and + firesides, and wives and children; plenty to eat, good clothes to wear; to + develop their minds, to educate their children—in short, to become + prosperous and civilized, I sympathize with them, and hope they will + succeed. I have not the slightest sympathy with those that wish to + accomplish all these objects through brute force. A Nihilist may be + forgiven in Russia—may even be praised in Russia; a Socialist may be + forgiven in Germany; and certainly a Home-ruler can be pardoned in + Ireland, but in the United States there is no place for Anarchist, + Socialist or Dynamiter. In this country the political power has been + fairly divided. Poverty has just as many votes as wealth. No man can be so + poor as not to have a ballot; no man is rich enough to have two; and no + man can buy another vote, unless somebody is mean enough and contemptible + enough to sell; and if he does sell his vote, he never should complain + about the laws or their administration. So the foolish and the wise are on + an equality, and the political power of this country is divided so that + each man is a sovereign. + </p> + <p> + Now, the laboring people are largely in the majority in this country. If + there are any laws oppressing them, they should have them repealed. I want + the laboring people—and by the word "laboring" now, I include only + the men that they include by that word—to unite; I want them to show + that they have the intelligence to act together, and sense enough to vote + for a friend. I want them to convince both the other great parties that + they cannot be purchased. This will be an immense step in the right + direction. + </p> + <p> + I have sometimes thought that I should like to see the laboring men in + power, so that they would realize how little, after all, can be done by + law. All that any man should ask, so far as the Government is concerned, + is a fair chance to compete with his neighbors. Personally, I am for the + abolition of all special privileges that are not for the general good. My + principal hope of the future is the civilization of my race; the + development not only of the brain, but of the heart. I believe the time + will come when we shall stop raising failures, when we shall know + something of the laws governing human beings. I believe the time will come + when we shall not produce deformed persons, natural criminals. In other + words, I think the world is going to grow better and better. This may not + happen to this nation or to what we call our race, but it may happen to + some other race, and all that we do in the right direction hastens that + day and that race. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the old parties are about to die? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is very hard to say. The country is not old enough for + tables of mortality to have been calculated upon parties. I suppose a + party, like anything else, has a period of youth, of manhood and decay. + The Democratic party is not dead. Some men grow physically strong as they + grow mentally weak. The Democratic party lived out of office, and in + disgrace, for twenty-five years, and lived to elect a President. If the + Democratic party could live on disgrace for twenty-five years it now looks + as though the Republican party, on the memory of its glory and of its + wonderful and unparalleled achievements, might manage to creep along for a + few years more. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York World</i>, October 26, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0062" id="link0062"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HENRY GEORGE AND SOCIALISM. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the result of the election? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I find many dead on the field whose faces I recognize. I + see that Morrison has taken a "horizontal" position. Free trade seems to + have received an exceedingly black eye. Carlisle, in my judgment, one of + the very best men in Congress, has been defeated simply because he is a + free trader, and I suppose you can account for Hurd's defeat in the same + way. The people believe in protection although they generally admit that + the tariff ought to be reformed. I believe in protecting "infant + industries," but I do not believe in rocking the cradle when the infant is + seven feet high and wears number twelve boots. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you sympathize with the Socialists, or do you think + that the success of George would promote socialism? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have said frequently that if I lived in Russia I should + in all probability be a Nihilist. I can conceive of no government that + would not be as good as that of Russia, and I would consider <i>no</i> + government far preferable to that government. Any possible state of + anarchy is better than organized crime, because in the chaos of anarchy + justice may be done by accident, but in a government organized for the + perpetuation of slavery, and for the purpose of crushing out of the human + brain every noble thought, justice does not live. In Germany I would + probably be a Socialist—to this extent, that I would want the + political power honestly divided among the people. I can conceive of no + circumstance in which I could support Bismarck. I regard Bismarck as a + projection of the Middle Ages, as a shadow that has been thrown across the + sunlight of modern civilization, and in that shadow grow all the bloodless + crimes. Now, in Ireland, of course, I believe in home rule. In this + country I am an Individualist. The political power here is equally + divided. Poverty and wealth have the same power at the ballot-box. + Intelligence and ignorance are on an equality here, simply because all men + have a certain interest in the government where they live. I hate above + all other things the tyranny of a government. I do not want a government + to send a policeman along with me to keep me from buying eleven eggs for a + dozen. I will take care of myself. I want the people to do everything they + can do, and the Government to keep its hands off, because if the + Government attends to all these matters the people lose manhood, and in a + little while become serfs, and there will arise some strong mind and some + powerful hand that will reduce them to actual slavery. So I am in favor or + personal liberty to the largest extent. Whenever the Government grants + privileges to the few, these privileges should be for the benefit of the + many, and when they cease to be for the benefit of the many, they should + be taken from the few and used by the government itself for the benefit of + the whole people. And I want to see in this country the Government so + administered that justice will be done to all as nearly as human + institutions can produce such a result. Now, I understand that in any + state of society there will be failures. We have failures among the + working people. We have had some failures in Congress. I will not mention + the names, because your space is limited. There have been failures in the + pulpit, at the bar; in fact, in every pursuit of life you will presume we + shall have failures with us for a great while; at least until the + establishment of the religion of the body, when we shall cease to produce + failures; and I have faith enough in the human race to believe that that + time will come, but I do not expect it during my life. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the income tax as a step toward the + accomplishment of what you desire? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There are some objections to an income tax. First, the + espionage that it produces on the part of the Government. Second, the + amount of perjury that it annually produces. Men hate to have their + business inquired into if they are not doing well. They often pay a very + large tax to make their creditors think they are prosperous. Others by + covering up, avoid the tax. But I will say this with regard to taxation: + The great desideratum is stability. If we tax only the land, and that were + the only tax, in a little while every other thing, and the value of every + other thing, would adjust itself in relation to that tax, and perfect + justice would be the result. That is to say, if it were stable long enough + the burden would finally fall upon the right backs in every department. + The trouble with taxation is that it is continually changing—not + waiting for the adjustment that will naturally follow provided it is + stable. I think the end, so far as land is concerned, could be reached by + cumulative taxation—that is to say, a man with a certain amount of + land paying a very small per cent., with more land, and increased per + cent., and let that per cent. increase rapidly enough so that no man could + afford to hold land that he did not have a use for. So I believe in + cumulative taxation in regard to any kind of wealth. Let a man worth ten + million dollars pay a greater per cent. than one worth one hundred + thousand, because he is able to pay it. The other day a man was talking to + me about having the dead pay the expenses of the Government; that whenever + a man died worth say five million dollars, one million should go to the + Government; that if he died worth ten million dollars, three millions + should go to the Government; if he died worth twenty million dollars, + eight million should go to the Government, and so on. He said that in this + way the expenses of the Government could be borne by the dead. I should be + in favor of cumulative taxation upon legacies— the greater the + legacy, the greater the per cent. of taxation. + </p> + <p> + But, of course, I am not foolish enough to suppose that I understand these + questions. I am giving you a few guesses. My only desire is to guess + right. I want to see the people of this world live for this world, and I + hope the time will come when a civilized man will understand that he + cannot be perfectly happy while anybody else is miserable; that a + perfectly civilized man could not enjoy a dinner knowing that others were + starving; that he could not enjoy the richest robes if he knew that some + of his fellow-men in rags and tatters were shivering in the blast. In + other words, I want to carry out the idea there that I have so frequently + uttered with regard to the other world; that is, that no gentleman angel + could be perfectly happy knowing that somebody else was in hell. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are the chances for the Republican party in 1888? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If it will sympathize with the toilers, as it did with the + slaves; if it will side with the needy; if it will only take the right + side it will elect the next President. The poor should not resort to + violence; the rich should appeal to the intelligence of the working + people. These questions cannot be settled by envy and scorn. The motto of + both parties should be: "Come, let us reason together." The Republican + party was the grandest organization that ever existed. It was brave, + intelligent and just. It sincerely loved the right. A certificate of + membership was a patent of nobility. If it will only stand by the right + again, its victorious banner will float over all the intelligent sons of + toil. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Times</i>, Chicago, Illinois, November 4, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0063" id="link0063"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + REPLY TO THE REV. B. F. MORSE.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* At the usual weekly meeting of the Baptist ministers at + the Publication Rooms yesterday, the Rev. Dr. B. F. Morse + read an essay on "Christianity vs. Materialism." His + contention was that all nature showed that design, not + evolution, was its origin. + + In his concluding remarks Dr. Morse said that he knew from + unquestionable authority, that Robert G. Ingersoll did not + believe what he uttered in his lectures, and that to get out + of a financial embarrassment he looked around for a money + making scheme that could be put into immediate execution. + To lecture against Christianity was the most rapid way of + giving him the needed cash and, what was quite as acceptable + to him, at the same time, notoriety.] +</pre> + <p> + This aquatic or web-footed theologian who expects to go to heaven by + diving is not worth answering. Nothing can be more idiotic than to answer + an argument by saying he who makes it does not believe it. Belief has + nothing to do with the cogency or worth of an argument. There is another + thing. This man, or rather this minister, says that I attacked + Christianity simply to make money. Is it possible that, after preachers + have had the field for eighteen hundred years, the way to make money is to + attack the clergy? Is this intended as a slander against me or the + ministers? + </p> + <p> + The trouble is that my arguments cannot be answered. All the preachers in + the world cannot prove that slavery is better than liberty. They cannot + show that all have not an equal right to think. They cannot show that all + have not an equal right to express their thoughts. They cannot show that a + decent God will punish a decent man for making the best guess he can. This + is all there is about it. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Herald</i>, New York, December 14, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0064" id="link0064"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + INGERSOLL ON McGLYNN. + </h2> + <p> + The attitude of the Roman Catholic Church in Dr. McGlynn's case is + consistent with the history and constitution of the Catholic Church + —perfectly consistent with its ends, its objects, and its means— + and just as perfectly inconsistent with intellectual liberty and the real + civilization of the human race. + </p> + <p> + When a man becomes a Catholic priest, he has been convinced that he ought + not to think for himself upon religious questions. He has become convinced + that the church is the only teacher—that he has a right to think + only to enforce its teachings. From that moment he is a moral machine. The + chief engineer resides at Rome, and he gives his orders through certain + assistant engineers until the one is reached who turns the crank, and the + machine has nothing to do one way or the other. This machine is paid for + giving up his liberty by having machines under him who have also given up + theirs. While somebody else turns his crank, he has the pleasure of + turning a crank belonging to somebody below him. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the Catholic Church is supposed to be the only perfect + institution on earth. All others are not only imperfect, but unnecessary. + All others have been made either by man, or by the Devil, or by a + partnership, and consequently cannot be depended upon for the civilization + of man. + </p> + <p> + The Catholic Church gets its power directly from God, and is the only + institution now in the world founded by God. There was never any other, so + far as I know, except polygamy and slavery and a crude kind of monarchy, + and they have been, for the most part, abolished. + </p> + <p> + The Catholic Church must be true to itself. It must claim everything, and + get what it can. It alone is infallible. It alone has all the wisdom of + this world. It alone has the right to exist. All other interests are + secondary. To be a Catholic is of the first importance. Human liberty is + nothing. Wealth, position, food, clothing, reputation, happiness—all + these are less than worthless compared with what the Catholic Church + promises to the man who will throw all these away. + </p> + <p> + A priest must preach what his bishop tells him. A bishop must preach what + his archbishop tells him. The pope must preach what he says God tells him. + </p> + <p> + Dr. McGlynn cannot make a compromise with the Catholic Church. It never + compromises when it is in the majority. + </p> + <p> + I do not mean by this that the Catholic Church is worse than any other. + All are alike in this regard. Every sect, no matter how insignificant; + every church, no matter how powerful, asks precisely the same thing from + every member—that is to say, a surrender of intellectual freedom. + The Catholic Church wants the same as the Baptist, the Presbyterian, and + the Methodist—it wants the whole earth. It is ambitious to be the + one supreme power. It hopes to see the world upon its knees, with all its + tongues thrust out for wafers. It has the arrogance of humility and the + ferocity of universal forgiveness. In this respect it resembles every + other sect. Every religion is a system of slavery. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the religionists say that they do not believe in persecution; + that they do not believe in burning and hanging and whipping or loading + with chains a man simply because he is an Infidel. They are willing to + leave all this with God, knowing that a being of infinite goodness will + inflict all these horrors and tortures upon an honest man who differs with + the church. + </p> + <p> + In case Dr. McGlynn is deprived of his priestly functions, it is hard to + say what effect it will have upon his church and the labor party in the + country. + </p> + <p> + So long as a man believes that a church has eternal joy in store for him, + so long as he believes that a church holds within its hand the keys of + heaven and hell, it will be hard to make him trade off the hope of + everlasting happiness for a few good clothes and a little good food and + higher wages here. He finally thinks that, after all, he had better work + for less and go a little hungry, and be an angel forever. + </p> + <p> + I hope, however, that a good many people who have been supporting the + Catholic Church by giving tithes of the wages of weariness will see, and + clearly see, that Catholicism is not their friend; that the church cannot + and will not support them; that, on the contrary, they must support the + church. I hope they will see that all the prayers have to be paid for, + although not one has ever been answered. I hope they will perceive that + the church is on the side of wealth and power, that the mitre is the + friend of the crown, that the altar is the sworn brother of the throne. I + hope they will finally know that the church cares infinitely more for the + money of the millionaire than for the souls of the poor. + </p> + <p> + Of course, there are thousands of individual exceptions. I am speaking of + the church as an institution, as a corporation—and when I say the + church, I include all churches. It is said of corporations in general, + that they have no soul, and it may truthfully be said of the church that + it has less than any other. It lives on alms. It gives nothing for what it + gets. It has no sympathy. Beggars never weep over the misfortunes of other + beggars. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could give me more pleasure than to see the Catholic Church on the + side of human freedom; nothing more pleasure than to see the Catholics of + the world—those who work and weep and toil— sensible enough to + know that all the money paid for superstition is worse than lost. I wish + they could see that the counting of beads, and the saying of prayers and + celebrating of masses, and all the kneelings and censer-swingings and + fastings and bell-ringing, amount to less than nothing—that all + these things tend only to the degradation of mankind. It is hard, I know, + to find an antidote for a poison that was mingled with a mother's milk. + </p> + <p> + The laboring masses, so far as the Catholics are concerned, are filled + with awe and wonder and fear about the church. This fear began to grow + while they were being rocked in their cradles, and they still imagine that + the church has some mysterious power; that it is in direct communication + with some infinite personality that could, if it desired, strike then + dead, or damn their souls forever. Persons who have no such belief, who + care nothing for popes or priests or churches or heavens or hells or + devils or gods, have very little idea of the power of fear. + </p> + <p> + The old dogmas filled the brain with strange monsters. The soul of the + orthodox Christian gropes and wanders and crawls in a kind of dungeon, + where the strained eyes see fearful shapes, and the frightened flesh + shrinks from the touch of serpents. + </p> + <p> + The good part of Christianity—that is to say, kindness, morality + —will never go down. The cruel part ought to go down. And by the + cruel part I mean the doctrine of eternal punishment—of allowing the + good to suffer for the bad—allowing innocence to pay the debt of + guilt. So the foolish part of Christianity—that is to say, the + miraculous—will go down. The absurd part must perish. But there will + be no war about it as there was in France. Nobody believes enough in the + foolish part of Christianity now to fight for it. Nobody believes with + intensity enough in miracles to shoulder a musket. There is probably not a + Christian in New York willing to fight for any story, no matter if the + story is so old that it is covered with moss. No mentally brave and + intelligent man believes in miracles, and no intelligent man cares whether + there was a miracle or not, for the reason that every intelligent man + knows that the miraculous has no possible connection with the moral. "Thou + shalt not steal," is just as good a commandment if it should turn out that + the flood was a drouth. "Thou shalt not murder," is a good and just and + righteous law, and whether any particular miracle was ever performed or + not has nothing to do with the case. There is no possible relation between + these things. + </p> + <p> + I am on the side not only of the physically oppressed, but of the mentally + oppressed. I hate those who put lashes on the body, and I despise those + who put the soul in chains. In other words, I am in favor of liberty. I do + not wish that any man should be the slave of his fellow-men, or that the + human race should be the slaves of any god, real or imaginary. Man has the + right to think for himself, to work for himself, to take care of himself, + to get bread for himself, to get a home for himself. He has a right to his + own opinion about God, and heaven and hell; the right to learn any art or + mystery or trade; the right to work for whom he will, for what he will, + and when he will. + </p> + <p> + The world belongs to the human race. There is to be no war in this country + on religious opinions, except a war of words—a conflict of thoughts, + of facts; and in that conflict the hosts of superstition will go down. + They may not be defeated to-day, or to-morrow, or next year, or during + this century, but they are growing weaker day by day. + </p> + <p> + This priest, McGlynn, has the courage to stand up against the propaganda. + What would have been his fate a few years ago? What would have happened to + him in Spain, in Portugal, in Italy—in any other country that was + Catholic—only a few years ago? Yet he stands here in New York, he + refuses to obey God's vicegerent; he freely gives his mind to an + archbishop; he holds the holy Inquisition in contempt. He has done a great + thing. He is undoubtedly an honest man. He never should have been a + Catholic. He has no business in that church. He has ideas of his own—theories, + and seems to be governed by principles. The Catholic Church is not his + place. If he remains, he must submit, he must kneel in the humility of + abjectness; he must receive on the back of his independence the lashes of + the church. If he remains, he must ask the forgiveness of slaves for + having been a man. If he refuses to submit, the church will not have him. + He will be driven to take his choice— to remain a member, + humiliated, shunned, or go out into the great, free world a citizen of the + Republic, with the rights, responsibilities, and duties of an American + citizen. + </p> + <p> + I believe that Dr. McGlynn is an honest man, and that he really believes + in the land theories of Mr. George. I have no confidence in his theories, + but I have confidence that he is actuated by the best and noblest motives. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you to go on the lecture platform again? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I expect to after a while. I am now waiting for the church + to catch up. I got so far ahead that I began almost to sympathize with the + clergy. They looked so helpless and talked in such a weak, wandering, and + wobbling kind of way that I felt as though I had been cruel. From the + papers I see that they are busy trying to find out who the wife of Cain + was. I see that the Rev. Dr. Robinson, of New York, is now wrestling with + that problem. He begins to be in doubt whether Adam was the first man, + whether Eve was the first woman; suspects that there were other races, and + that Cain did not marry his sister, but somebody else's sister, and that + the somebody else was not Cain's brother. One can hardly over- estimate + the importance of these questions, they have such a direct bearing on the + progress of the world. If it should turn out that Adam was the first man, + or that he was not the first man, something might happen—I am not + prepared to say what, but it might. + </p> + <p> + It is a curious kind of a spectacle to see a few hundred people paying a + few thousand dollars a year for the purpose of hearing these great + problems discussed: "Was Adam the first man?" "Who was Cain's wife?" "Has + anyone seen a map of the land of Nod?" "Where are the four rivers that ran + murmuring through the groves of Paradise?" "Who was the snake? How did he + walk? What language did he speak?" This turns a church into a kind of + nursery, makes a cradle of each pew, and gives to each member a rattle + with which he can amuse what he calls his mind. + </p> + <p> + The great theologians of Andover—the gentlemen who wear the brass + collars furnished by the dead founder—have been disputing among + themselves as to what is to become of the heathen who fortunately died + before meeting any missionary from that institution. One can almost afford + to be damned hereafter for the sake of avoiding the dogmas of Andover + here. Nothing more absurd and childish has ever happened—not in the + intellectual, but in the theological world. + </p> + <p> + There is no need of the Freethinkers saying anything at present. The work + is being done by the church members themselves. They are beginning to ask + questions of the clergy. They are getting tired of the old ideas—tired + of the consolations of eternal pain—tired of hearing about hell—tired + of hearing the Bible quoted or talked about—tired of the scheme of + redemption—tired of the Trinity, of the plenary inspiration of the + barbarous records of a barbarous people—tired of the patriarchs and + prophets—tired of Daniel and the goats with three horns, and the + image with the clay feet, and the little stone that rolled down the hill—tired + of the mud man and the rib woman—tired of the flood of Noah, of the + astronomy of Joshua, the geology of Moses—tired of Kings and + Chronicles and Lamentations—tired of the lachrymose Jeremiah—tired + of the monstrous, the malicious, and the miraculous. In short, they are + beginning to think. They have bowed their necks to the yoke of ignorance + and fear and impudence and superstition, until they are weary. They long + to be free. They are tired of the services— tired of the meaningless + prayers—tired of hearing each other say, "Hear us, good Lord"—tired + of the texts, tired of the sermons, tired of the lies about spontaneous + combustion as a punishment for blasphemy, tired of the bells, and they + long to hear the doxology of superstition. They long to have Common Sense + lift its hands in benediction and dismiss the congregation. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Brooklyn Citizen</i>, April, 1886. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0065" id="link0065"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO ANARCHISTS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the trial of the Chicago Anarchists + and their chances for a new trial? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have paid some attention to the evidence and to the + rulings of the court, and I have read the opinion of the Supreme Court of + Illinois, in which the conviction is affirmed. Of course these men were + tried during a period of great excitement—tried when the press + demanded their conviction—when it was asserted that society was on + the edge of destruction unless these men were hanged. Under such + circumstances, it is not easy to have a fair and impartial trial. A judge + should either sit beyond the reach of prejudice, in some calm that storms + cannot invade, or he should be a kind of oak that before any blast he + would stand erect. It is hard to find such a place as I have suggested and + not easy to find such a man. We are all influenced more or less by our + surroundings, by the demands and opinions and feelings and prejudices of + our fellow- citizens. There is a personality made up of many individuals + known as society. This personality has prejudices like an individual. It + often becomes enraged, acts without the slightest sense, and repents at + its leisure. It is hard to reason with a mob whether organized or + disorganized, whether acting in the name of the law or of simple brute + force. But in any case, where people refuse to be governed by reason, they + become a mob. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you not think that these men had a fair trial? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have no doubt that the court endeavored to be fair— + no doubt that Judge Gary is a perfectly honest, upright man, but I think + his instructions were wrong. He instructed the jury to the effect that + where men have talked in a certain way, and where the jury believed that + the result of such talk might be the commission of a crime, that such men + are responsible for that crime. Of course, there is neither law nor sense + in an instruction like this. I hold that it must have been the intention + of the man making the remark, or publishing the article, or doing the + thing—it must have been his intention that the crime should be + committed. Men differ as to the effect of words, and a man may say a thing + with the best intentions the result of which is a crime, and he may say a + thing with the worst of intentions and the result may not be a crime. The + Supreme Court of Illinois seemed to have admitted that the instructions + were wrong, but took the ground that it made no difference with the + verdict. This is a dangerous course for the court of last resort to + pursue; neither is it very complimentary to the judge who tried the case, + that his instructions had no effect upon the jury. Under the instructions + of the court below, any man who had been arrested with the seven + Anarchists and of whom it could be proved that he had ever said a word in + favor of any change in government, or of other peculiar ideas, no matter + whether he knew of the meeting at the Haymarket or not, would have been + convicted. + </p> + <p> + I am satisfied that the defendant Fielden never intended to harm a human + being. As a matter of fact, the evidence shows that he was making a speech + in favor of peace at the time of the occurrence. The evidence also shows + that he was an exceedingly honest, industrious, and a very poor and + philanthropic man. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you uphold the Anarchists? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Certainly not. There is no place in this country for the + Anarchist. The source of power here is the people, and to attack the + political power is to attack the people. If the laws are oppressive, it is + the fault of the oppressed. If the laws touch the poor and leave them + without redress, it is the fault of the poor. They are in a majority. The + men who work for their living are the very men who have the power to make + every law that is made in the United States. There is no excuse for any + resort to violence in this country. The boycotting by trades unions and by + labor organizations is all wrong. Let them resort to legal methods and to + no other. I have not the slightest sympathy with the methods that have + been pursued by Anarchists, or by Socialists, or by any other class that + has resorted to force or intimidation. The ballot-box is the place to + assemble. The will of the people can be made known in that way, and their + will can be executed. At the same time, I think I understand what has + produced the Anarchist, the Socialist, and the agitator. In the old + country, a laboring man, poorly clad, without quite enough to eat, with a + wife in rags, with a few children asking for bread—this laboring man + sees the idle enjoying every luxury of this life; he sees on the breast of + "my lady" a bonfire of diamonds; he sees "my lord" riding in his park; he + sees thousands of people who from the cradle to the grave do no useful + act; add nothing to the intellectual or the physical wealth of the world; + he sees labor living in the tenement house, in the hut; idleness and + nobility in the mansion and the palace; the poor man a trespasser + everywhere except upon the street, where he is told to "move on," and in + the dusty highways of the country. That man naturally hates the government—the + government of the few, the government that lives on the unpaid labor of + the many, the government that takes the child from the parents, and puts + him in the army to fight the child of another poor man and woman in some + other country. These Anarchists, these Socialists, these agitators, have + been naturally produced. All the things of which I have spoken sow in the + breast of poverty the seeds of hatred and revolution. These poor men, + hunted by the officers of the law, cornered, captured, imprisoned, excite + the sympathy of other poor men, and if some are dragged to the gallows and + hanged, or beheaded by the guillotine, they become saints and martyrs, and + those who sympathize with them feel that they have the power, and only the + power of hatred—the power of riot, of destruction—the power of + the torch, of revolution, that is to say, of chaos and anarchy. The + injustice of the higher classes makes the lower criminal. Then there is + another thing. The misery of the poor excites in many noble breasts + sympathy, and the men who thus sympathize wish to better the condition of + their fellows. At first they depend upon reason, upon calling the + attention of the educated and powerful to the miseries of the poor. + Nothing happens, no result follows. The Juggernaut of society moves on, + and the wretches are still crushed beneath the great wheels. These men who + are really good at first, filled with sympathy, now become indignant—they + are malicious, then destructive and criminal. I do not sympathize with + these methods, but I do sympathize with the general object that all good + and generous people seek to accomplish—namely, to better the + condition of the human race. Only the other day, in Boston, I said that we + ought to take into consideration the circumstances under which the + Anarchists were reared; that we ought to know that every man is + necessarily produced; that man is what he is, not by accident, but + necessity; that society raises its own criminals—that it plows the + soil and cultivates and harvests the crop. And it was telegraphed that I + had defended anarchy. Nothing was ever further from my mind. There is no + place, as I said before, for anarchy in the United States. In Russia it is + another question; in Germany another question. Every country that is + governed by the one man, or governed by the few, is the victim of anarchy. + That <i>is</i> anarchy. That is the worst possible form of socialism. The + definition of socialism given by its bitterest enemy is, that idlers wish + to live on the labor and on the money of others. Is not this definition—a + definition given in hatred—a perfect definition of every monarchy + and of nearly every government in the world? That is to say: The idle few + live on the labor and the money of others. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will the Supreme Court take cognizance of this case and + prevent the execution of the judgment? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course it is impossible for me to say. At the same time, + judging from the action of Justice Miller in the case of <i>The People vs. + Maxwell</i>, it seems probable that the Supreme Court may interfere, but I + have not examined the question sufficiently to form an opinion. My feeling + about the whole matter is this: That it will not tend to answer the ideas + advanced by these men, to hang them. Their execution will excite sympathy + among thousands and thousands of people who have never examined and knew + nothing of the theories advanced by the Anarchists, or the Socialists, or + other agitators. In my judgment, supposing the men to be guilty, it is far + better to imprison them. Less harm will be done the cause of free + government. We are not on the edge of any revolution. No other government + is as firmly fixed as ours. No other government has such a broad and + splendid foundation. We have nothing to fear. Courage and safety can + afford to be generous—can afford to act without haste and without + the feeling of revenge. So, for my part, I hope that the sentence may be + commuted, and that these men, if found guilty at last, may be imprisoned. + This course is, in my judgment, the safest to pursue. It may be that I am + led to this conclusion, because of my belief that every man does as he + must. This belief makes me charitable toward all the world. This belief + makes me doubt the wisdom of revenge. This belief, so far as I am + concerned, blots from our language the word "punishment." Society has a + right to protect itself, and it is the duty of society to reform, in so + far as it may be possible, any member who has committed what is called a + crime. Where the criminal cannot be reformed, and the safety of society + can be secured by his imprisonment, there is no possible excuse for + destroying his life. After these six or seven men have been, in accordance + with the forms of law, strangled to death, there will be a few pieces of + clay, and about them will gather a few friends, a few admirers—and + these pieces will be buried, and over the grave will be erected a + monument, and those who were executed as criminals will be regarded by + thousands as saints. It is far better for society to have a little mercy. + The effect upon the community will be good. If these men are imprisoned, + people will examine their teachings without prejudice. If they are + executed, seen through the tears of pity, their virtues, their sufferings, + their heroism, will be exaggerated; others may emulate their deeds, and + the gulf between the rich and the poor will be widened—a gulf that + may not close until it has devoured the noblest and the best. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Mail and Express</i>, New York, November 3, 1887. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0066" id="link0066"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE STAGE AND THE PULPIT. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the Methodist minister at Nashville, + Tenn., who, from his pulpit, denounced the theatrical profession, without + exception, as vicious, and of the congregation which passed resolutions + condemning Miss Emma Abbott for rising in church and contradicting him, + and of the Methodist bishop who likened her to a "painted courtesan," and + invoked the aid of the law "for the protection of public worship" against + "strolling players"? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Methodist minister of whom you speak, without doubt + uttered his real sentiments. The church has always regarded the stage as a + rival, and all its utterances have been as malicious as untrue. It has + always felt that the money given to the stage was in some way taken from + the pulpit. It is on this principle that the pulpit wishes everything, + except the church, shut up on Sunday. It knows that it cannot stand free + and open competition. + </p> + <p> + All well-educated ministers know that the Bible suffers by a comparison + with Shakespeare. They know that there is nothing within the lids of what + they call "the sacred book" that can for one moment stand side by side + with "Lear" or "Hamlet" or "Julius Cæsar" or "Antony and Cleopatra" + or with any other play written by the immortal man. They know what a poor + figure the Davids and the Abrahams and the Jeremiahs and the Lots, the + Jonahs, the Jobs and the Noahs cut when on the stage with the great + characters of Shakespeare. For these reasons, among others, the pulpit is + malicious and hateful when it thinks of the glories of the stage. What + minister is there now living who could command the prices commanded by + Edwin Booth or Joseph Jefferson; and what two clergymen, by making a + combination, could contend successfully with Robson and Crane? How many + clergymen would it take to command, at regular prices, the audiences that + attend the presentation of Wagner's operas? + </p> + <p> + It is very easy to see why the pulpit attacks the stage. Nothing could + have been in more wretched taste than for the minister to condemn Miss + Emma Abbott for rising in church and defending not only herself, but other + good women who are doing honest work for an honest living. Of course, no + minister wishes to be answered; no minister wishes to have anyone in the + congregation call for the proof. A few questions would break up all the + theology in the world. Ministers can succeed only when congregations keep + silent. When superstition succeeds, doubt must be dumb. + </p> + <p> + The Methodist bishop who attacked Miss Abbott simply repeated the language + of several centuries ago. In the laws of England actors were described as + "sturdy vagrants," and this bishop calls them "strolling players." If we + only had some strolling preachers like Garrick, like Edwin Forrest, or + Booth or Barrett, or some crusade sisters like Mrs. Siddons, Madam + Ristori, Charlotte Cushman, or Madam Modjeska, how fortunate the church + would be! + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the relative merits of the pulpit + and the stage, preachers and actors? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. We must remember that the stage presents an ideal life. It + is a world controlled by the imagination—a world in which the + justice delayed in real life may be done, and in which that may happen + which, according to the highest ideal, should happen. It is a world, for + the most part, in which evil does not succeed, in which the vicious are + foiled, in which the right, the honest, the sincere, and the good prevail. + It cultivates the imagination, and in this respect is far better than the + pulpit. The mission of the pulpit is to narrow and shrivel the human mind. + The pulpit denounces the freedom of thought and of expression; but on the + stage the mind is free, and for thousands of years the poor, the + oppressed, the enslaved, have been permitted to witness plays wherein the + slave was freed, wherein the oppressed became the victor, and where the + downtrodden rose supreme. + </p> + <p> + And there is another thing. The stage has always laughed at the spirit of + caste. The low-born lass has loved the prince. All human distinctions in + this ideal world have for the moment vanished, while honesty and love have + triumphed. The stage lightens the cares of life. The pulpit increases the + tears and groans of man. There is this difference: The pretence of honesty + and the honesty of pretence. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you view the Episcopalian scheme of building a + six-million-dollar untaxed cathedral in this city for the purpose of + "uniting the sects," and, when that is accomplished, "unifying the world + in the love of Christ," and thereby abolishing misery? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I regard the building of an Episcopal cathedral simply as a + piece of religious folly. The world will never be converted by Christian + palaces and temples. Every dollar used in its construction will be wasted. + It will have no tendency to unite the various sects; on the contrary, it + will excite the envy and jealousy of every other sect. It will widen the + gulf between the Episcopalian and the Methodist, between the Episcopalian + and the Presbyterian, and this hatred will continue until the other sects + build a cathedral just a little larger, and then the envy and the hatred + will be on the other side. + </p> + <p> + Religion will never unify the world, and never will give peace to mankind. + There has been more war in the last eighteen hundred years than during any + similar period within historic times. War will be abolished, if it ever is + abolished, not by religion, but by intelligence. It will be abolished when + the poor people of Germany, of France, of Spain, of England, and other + countries find that they have no interest in war. When those who pay, and + those who do the fighting, find that they are simply destroying their own + interests, wars will cease. + </p> + <p> + There ought to be a national court to decide national difficulties. We + consider a community civilized when the individuals of that community + submit their differences to a legal tribunal; but there being no national + court, nations now sustain, as to each other, the relation of savages—that + is to say, each one must defend its rights by brute force. The + establishment of a national court civilizes nations, and tends to do away + with war. + </p> + <p> + Christianity caused so much war, so much bloodshed, that Christians were + forced to interpolate a passage to account for their history, and the + interpolated passage is, "I came not to bring peace, but a sword." Suppose + that all the money wasted in cathedrals in the Middle Ages had been used + for the construction of schoolhouses, academies, and universities, how + much better the world would have been! Suppose that instead of supporting + hundreds of thousands of idle priests, the money had been given to men of + science, for the purpose of finding out something of benefit to the human + race here in this world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of "Christian charity" and the + "fatherhood of God" as an economic polity for abolishing poverty and + misery? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, the world is not to be civilized and clothed and + fed through charity. Ordinary charity creates more want than it + alleviates. The greatest possible charity is the greatest possible + justice. When proper wages are paid, when every one is as willing to give + what a thing is worth as he is now willing to get it for less, the world + will be fed and clothed. + </p> + <p> + I believe in helping people to help themselves. I believe that + corporations, and successful men, and superior men intellectually, should + do all within their power to keep from robbing their fellow- men. The + superior man should protect the inferior. The powerful should be the + shield of the weak. To-day it is, for the most part, exactly the other + way. The failures among men become the food of success. + </p> + <p> + The world is to grow better and better through intelligence, through a + development of the brain, through taking advantage of the forces of + nature, through science, through chemistry, and through the arts. Religion + can do nothing except to sow the seeds of discord between men and nations. + Commerce, manufactures, and the arts tend to peace and the well-being of + the world. What is known as religion —that is to say, a system by + which this world is wasted in preparation for another—a system in + which the duties of men are greater to God than to his fellow-men—a + system that denies the liberty of thought and expression—tends only + to discord and retrogression. Of course, I know that religious people + cling to the Bible on account of the good that is in it, and in spite of + the bad, and I know that Freethinkers throw away the Bible on account of + the bad that is in it, in spite of the good. I hope the time will come + when that book will be treated like other books, and will be judged upon + its merits, apart from the fiction of inspiration. The church has no right + to speak of charity, because it is an object of charity itself. It gives + nothing; all it can do is to receive. At best, it is only a respectable + beggar. I never care to hear one who receives alms pay a tribute to + charity. The one who gives alms should pay this tribute. The amount of + money expended upon churches and priests and all the paraphernalia of + superstition, is more than enough to drive the wolves from the doors of + the world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you noticed the progress Catholics are making in the + Northwest, discontinuing public schools, and forcing people to send their + children to the parochial schools; also, at Pittsburg, Pa., a Roman + Catholic priest has been elected principal of a public school, and he has + appointed nuns as assistant teachers? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Sectarian schools ought not to be supported by public + taxation. It is the very essence of religious tyranny to compel a + Methodist to support a Catholic school, or to compel a Catholic to support + a Baptist academy. Nothing should be taught in the public schools that the + teachers do not know. Nothing should be taught about any religion, and + nothing should be taught that can, in any way, be called sectarian. The + sciences are not religion. There is no such thing as Methodist + mathematics, or Baptist botany. In other words, no religion has anything + to do with facts. The facts are all secular; the sciences are all of this + world. If Catholics wish to establish their own schools for the purpose of + preserving their ignorance, they have the right to do so; so has any other + denomination. But in this country the State has no right to teach any form + of religion whatever. Persons of all religions have the right to advocate + and defend any religion in which they believe, or they have the right to + denounce all religions. If the Catholics establish parochial schools, let + them support such schools; and if they do, they will simply lessen or + shorten the longevity of that particular superstition. It has often been + said that nothing will repeal a bad law as quickly as its enforcement. So, + in my judgment, nothing will destroy any church as certainly, and as + rapidly, as for the members of that church to live squarely up to the + creed. The church is indebted to its hypocrisy to-day for its life. No + orthodox church in the United States dare meet for the purpose of revising + the creed. They know that the whole thing would fall to pieces. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be more absurd than for a Roman Catholic priest to teach a + public school, assisted by nuns. The Catholic Church is the enemy of human + progress; it teaches every man to throw away his reason, to deny his + observation and experience. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Your opinions have frequently been quoted with regard to + the Anarchists—with regard to their trial and execution. Have you + any objection to stating your real opinion in regard to the matter? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Not in the least. I am perfectly willing that all civilized + people should know my opinions on any question in which others than myself + can have any interest. + </p> + <p> + I was anxious, in the first place, that the defendants should have a fair + and impartial trial. The worst form of anarchy is when a judge violates + his conscience and bows to a popular demand. A court should care nothing + for public opinion. An honest judge decides the law, not as it ought to + be, but as it is, and the state of the public mind throws no light upon + the question of what the law then is. + </p> + <p> + I thought that some of the rulings on the trial of the Anarchists were + contrary to law. I think so still. I have read the opinion of the Supreme + Court of Illinois, and while the conclusion reached by that tribunal is + the law of that case, I was not satisfied with the reasons given, and do + not regard the opinion as good law. There is no place for an Anarchist in + the United States. There is no excuse for any resort to force; and it is + impossible to use language too harsh or too bitter in denouncing the + spirit of anarchy in this country. But, no matter how bad a man is, he has + the right to be fairly tried; and if he cannot be fairly tried, then there + is anarchy on the bench. So I was opposed to the execution of these men. I + thought it would have been far better to commute the punishment to + imprisonment, and I said so; and I not only said so, but I wrote a letter + to Governor Oglesby, in which I urged the commutation of the death + sentence. In my judgment, a great mistake was made. I am on the side of + mercy, and if I ever make mistakes, I hope they will all be made on that + side. I have not the slightest sympathy with the feeling of revenge. + Neither have I ever admitted, and I never shall, that every citizen has + not the right to give his opinion on all that may be done by any servant + of the people, by any judge, or by any court, by any officer—however + small or however great. Each man in the United States is a sovereign, and + a king can freely speak his mind. + </p> + <p> + Words were put in my mouth that I never uttered with regard to the + Anarchists. I never said that they were saints, or that they would be + martyrs. What I said was that they would be regarded as saints and martyrs + by many people if they were executed, and that has happened which I said + would happen. I am, so far as I know, on the side of the right. I wish, + above all things, for the preservation of human liberty. This Government + is the best, and we should not lose confidence in liberty. Property is of + very little value in comparison with freedom. A civilization that rests on + slavery is utterly worthless. I do not believe in sacrificing all there is + of value in the human heart, or in the human brain, for the preservation + of what is called property, or rather, on account of the fear that what is + called "property" may perish. Property is in no danger while man is free. + It is the freedom of man that gives value to property. It is the happiness + of the human race that creates what we call value. If we preserve liberty, + the spirit of progress, the conditions of development, property will take + care of itself. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. The Christian press during the past few months has been + very solicitous as to your health, and has reported you weak and feeble + physically, and not only so, but asserts that there is a growing + disposition on your part to lay down your arms, and even to join the + church. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think the Christian press has been very solicitous + about my <i>health</i>. Neither do I think that my health will ever add to + theirs. The fact is, I am exceedingly well, and my throat is better than + it has been for many years. Any one who imagines that I am disposed to lay + down my arms can read by Reply to Dr. Field in the November number of the + <i>North American Review</i>. I see no particular difference in myself, + except this; that my hatred of superstition becomes a little more and more + intense; on the other hand, I see more clearly, that all the superstitions + were naturally produced, and I am now satisfied that every man does as he + must, including priests and editors of religious papers. + </p> + <p> + This gives me hope for the future. We find that certain soil, with a + certain amount of moisture and heat, produces good corn, and we find when + the soil is poor, or when the ground is too wet, or too dry, that no + amount of care can, by any possibility, produce good corn. In other words, + we find that the fruit, that is to say, the result, whatever it may be, + depends absolutely upon the conditions. This being so, we will in time + find out the conditions that produce good, intelligent, honest men. This + is the hope for the future. We shall know better than to rely on what is + called reformation, or regeneration, or a resolution born of ignorant + excitement. We shall rely, then, on the eternal foundation—the fact + in nature— that like causes produce like results, and that good + conditions will produce good people. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Every now and then some one challenges you to a + discussion, and nearly every one who delivers lectures, or speeches, + attacking you, or your views, says that you are afraid publicly to debate + these questions. Why do you not meet these men, and why do you not answer + these attacks? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, it would be a physical impossibility to + reply to all the attacks that have been made—to all the "answers." I + receive these attacks, and these answers, and these lectures almost every + day. Hundreds of them are delivered every year. A great many are put in + pamphlet form, and, of course, copies are received by me. Some of them I + read, at least I look them over, and I have never yet received one worthy + of the slightest notice, never one in which the writer showed the + slightest appreciation of the questions under discussion. All these + pamphlets are about the same, and they could, for the matter, have all + been produced by one person. They are impudent, shallow, abusive, + illogical, and in most respects, ignorant. So far as the lecturers are + concerned, I know of no one who has yet said anything that challenges a + reply. I do not think a single paragraph has been produced by any of the + gentlemen who have replied to me in public, that is now remembered by + reason of its logic or beauty. I do not feel called upon to answer any + argument that does not at least appear to be of value. Whenever any + article appears worthy of an answer, written in a kind and candid spirit, + it gives me pleasure to reply. + </p> + <p> + I should like to meet some one who speaks by authority, some one who + really understands his creed, but I cannot afford to waste time on little + priests or obscure parsons or ignorant laymen. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Truth Seeker</i>, New York, January 14, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0067" id="link0067"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ROSCOE CONKLING. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is Mr. Conkling's place in the political history of + the United States? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Upon the great questions Mr. Conkling has been right. + During the war he was always strong and clear, unwavering and decided. His + position was always known. He was right on reconstruction, on civil + rights, on the currency, and, so far as I know, on all important + questions. He will be remembered as an honest, fearless man. He was + admired for his known integrity. He was never even suspected of being + swayed by an improper consideration. He was immeasurably above purchase. + </p> + <p> + His popularity rested upon his absolute integrity. He was not adapted for + a leader, because he would yield nothing. He had no compromise in his + nature. He went his own road and he would not turn aside for the sake of + company. His individuality was too marked and his will too imperious to + become a leader in a republic. There is a great deal of individuality in + this country, and a leader must not appear to govern and must not demand + obedience. In the Senate he was a leader. He settled with no one. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What essentially American idea does he stand for? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is a favorite saying in this country that the people are + sovereigns. Mr. Conkling felt this to be true, and he exercised what he + believed to be his rights. He insisted upon the utmost freedom for + himself. He settled with no one but himself. He stands for individuality—for + the freedom of the citizen, the independence of the man. No lord, no duke, + no king was ever prouder of his title or his place than Mr. Conkling was + of his position and his power. He was thoroughly American in every drop of + his blood. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say about his having died with sealed + lips? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Mr. Conkling was too proud to show wounds. He did not tell + his sorrows to the public. It seemed sufficient to him to know the facts + himself. He seemed to have great confidence in time, and he had the + patience to wait. Of course he could have told many things that would have + shed light on many important events, but for my part I think he acted in + the noblest way. + </p> + <p> + He was a striking and original figure in our politics. He stood alone. I + know of no one like him. He will be remembered as a fearless and + incorruptible statesman, a great lawyer, a magnificent speaker, and an + honest man. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Herald</i>, New York, April 19, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0068" id="link0068"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHURCH AND THE STAGE. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I have come to talk with you a little about the drama. + Have you any decided opinions on that subject? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Nothing is more natural than imitation. The little child + with her doll, telling it stories, putting words in its mouth, attributing + to it the feelings of happiness and misery, is the simple tendency toward + the drama. Little children always have plays, they imitate their parents, + they put on the clothes of their elders, they have imaginary parties, + carry on conversation with imaginary persons, have little dishes filled + with imaginary food, pour tea and coffee out of invisible pots, receive + callers, and repeat what they have heard their mothers say. This is simply + the natural drama, an exercise of the imagination which always has been + and which, probably, always will be, a source of great pleasure. In the + early days of the world nothing was more natural than for the people to + re-enact the history of their country—to represent the great heroes, + the great battles, and the most exciting scenes the history of which has + been preserved by legend. I believe this tendency to re-enact, to bring + before the eyes the great, the curious, and pathetic events of history, + has been universal. All civilized nations have delighted in the theatre, + and the greatest minds in many countries have been devoted to the drama, + and, without doubt, the greatest man about whom we know anything devoted + his life to the production of plays. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I would like to ask you why, in your opinion as a student + of history, has the Protestant Church always been so bitterly opposed to + the theatre? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I believe the early Christians expected the destruction of + the world. They had no idea of remaining here, in the then condition of + things, but for a few days. They expected that Christ would come again, + that the world would be purified by fire, that all the unbelievers would + be burned up and that the earth would become a fit habitation for the + followers of the Saviour. Protestantism became as ascetic as the early + Christians. It is hard to conceive of anybody believing in the "Five + Points" of John Calvin going to any place of amusement. The creed of + Protestantism made life infinitely sad and made man infinitely + responsible. According to this creed every man was liable at any moment to + be summoned to eternal pain; the most devout Christian was not absolutely + sure of salvation. This life was a probationary one. Everybody was + considered as waiting on the dock of time, sitting on his trunk, expecting + the ship that was to bear him to an eternity of good or evil—probably + evil. They were in no state of mind to enjoy burlesque or comedy, and, so + far as tragedy was concerned, their own lives and their own creeds were + tragic beyond anything that could by any possibility happen in this world. + A broken heart was nothing to be compared with a damned soul; the + afflictions of a few years, with the flames of eternity. This, to say the + least of it, accounts, in part, for the hatred that Protestantism always + bore toward the stage. Of course, the churches have always regarded the + theatre as a rival and have begrudged the money used to support the stage. + You know that Macaulay said the Puritans objected to bear-baiting, not + because they pitied the bears, but because they hated to see the people + enjoy themselves. There is in this at least a little truth. Orthodox + religion has always been and always will be the enemy of happiness. This + world is not the place for enjoyment. This is the place to suffer. This is + the place to practice self-denial, to wear crowns of thorns; the other + world is the place for joy, provided you are fortunate enough to travel + the narrow, grass-grown path. Of course, wicked people can be happy here. + People who care nothing for the good of others, who live selfish and + horrible lives, are supposed by Christians to enjoy themselves; + consequently, they will be punished in another world. But whoever carried + the cross of decency, and whoever denied himself to that degree that he + neither stole nor forged nor murdered, will be paid for this self-denial + in another world. And whoever said that he preferred a prayer-meeting with + five or six queer old men and two or three very aged women, with one or + two candles, and who solemnly affirmed that he enjoyed that far more than + he could a play of Shakespeare, was expected with much reason, I think, to + be rewarded in another world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that church people were justified in their + opposition to the drama in the days when Congreve, Wycherley and Ben + Jonson were the popular favorites? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In that time there was a great deal of vulgarity in many of + the plays. Many things were said on the stage that the people of this age + would not care to hear, and there was not very often enough wit in the + saying to redeem it. My principal objection to Congreve, Wycherley and + most of their contemporaries is that the plays were exceedingly poor and + had not much in them of real, sterling value. The Puritans, however, did + not object on account of the vulgarity; that was not the honest objection. + No play was ever put upon the English stage more vulgar then the "Table + Talk" of Martin Luther, and many sermons preached in that day were almost + unrivaled for vulgarity. The worst passages in the Old Testament were + quoted with a kind of unction that showed a love for the vulgar. And, in + my judgment, the worst plays were as good as the sermons, and the theatre + of that time was better adapted to civilize mankind, to soften the human + heart, and to make better men and better women, than the pulpit of that + day. The actors, in my judgment, were better people than the preachers. + They had in them more humanity, more real goodness and more appreciation + of beauty, of tenderness, of generosity and of heroism. Probably no + religion was ever more thoroughly hateful than Puritanism. But all + religionists who believe in an eternity of pain would naturally be opposed + to everything that makes this life better; and, as a matter of fact, + orthodox churches have been the enemies of painting, of sculpture, of + music and the drama. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your estimation, is the value of the drama as a + factor in our social life at the present time? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I believe that the plays of Shakespeare are the most + valuable things in the possession of the human race. No man can read and + understand Shakespeare without being an intellectually developed man. If + Shakespeare could be as widely circulated as the Bible—if all the + Bible societies would break the plates they now have and print + Shakespeare, and put Shakespeare in all the languages of the world, + nothing would so raise the intellectual standard of mankind. Think of the + different influence on men between reading Deuteronomy and "Hamlet" and + "King Lear"; between studying Numbers and the "Midsummer Night's Dream"; + between pondering over the murderous crimes and assassinations in Judges, + and studying "The Tempest" or "As You Like It." Man advances as he + develops intellectually. The church teaches obedience. The man who reads + Shakespeare has his intellectual horizon enlarged. He begins to think for + himself, and he enjoys living in a new world. The characters of + Shakespeare become his acquaintances. He admires the heroes, the + philosophers; he laughs with the clowns, and he almost adores the + beautiful women, the pure, loving, and heroic women born of Shakespeare's + heart and brain. The stage has amused and instructed the world. It had + added to the happiness of mankind. It has kept alive all arts. It is in + partnership with all there is of beauty, of poetry, and expression. It + goes hand in hand with music, with painting, with sculpture, with oratory, + with philosophy, and history. The stage has humor. It abhors stupidity. It + despises hypocrisy. It holds up to laughter the peculiarities, the + idiosyncrasies, and the little insanities of mankind. It thrusts the spear + of ridicule through the shield of pretence. It laughs at the lugubrious + and it has ever taught and will, in all probability, forever teach, that + Man is more than a title, and that human love laughs at all barriers, at + all the prejudices of society and caste that tend to keep apart two loving + hearts. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the progress of the drama in + educating the artistic sense of the community as compared with the + progress of the church as an educator of the moral sentiment? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, the stage is not all good, nor is—and I + say this with becoming modesty—the pulpit all bad. There have been + bad actors and there have been good preachers. There has been no + improvement in plays since Shakespeare wrote. There has been great + improvement in theatres, and the tendency seems to me be toward higher + artistic excellence in the presentation of plays. As we become slowly + civilized we will constantly demand more artistic excellence. There will + always be a class satisfied with the lowest form of dramatic presentation, + with coarse wit, with stupid but apparent jokes, and there will always be + a class satisfied with almost anything; but the class demanding the + highest, the best, will constantly increase in numbers, and the other + classes will, in all probability, correspondingly decrease. The church has + ceased to be an educator. In an artistic direction it never did anything + except in architecture, and that ceased long ago. The followers of to-day + are poor copyists. The church has been compelled to be a friend of, or + rather to call in the assistance of, music. As a moral teacher, the church + always has been and always will be a failure. The pulpit, to use the + language of Frederick Douglass, has always "echoed the cry of the street." + Take our own history. The church was the friend of slavery. That + institution was defended in nearly every pulpit. The Bible was the + auction-block on which the slave-mother stood while her child was sold + from her arms. The church, for hundreds of years, was the friend and + defender of the slave-trade. I know of no crime that has not been defended + by the church, in one form or another. The church is not a pioneer; it + accepts a new truth, last of all, and only when denial has become useless. + The church preaches the doctrine of forgiveness. This doctrine sells crime + on credit. The idea that there is a God who rewards and punishes, and who + can reward, if he so wishes, the meanest and vilest of the human race, so + that he will be eternally happy, and can punish the best of the human + race, so that he will be eternally miserable, is subversive of all + morality. Happiness ought to be the result of good actions. Happiness + ought to spring from the seed a man sows himself. It ought not to be a + reward, it ought to be a consequence, and there ought to be no idea that + there is any being who can step between action and consequence. To preach + that a man can abuse his wife and children, rob his neighbors, slander his + fellow-citizens, and yet, a moment or two before he dies, by repentance + become a glorified angel is, in my judgment, immoral. And to preach that a + man can be a good man, kind to his wife and children, an honest man, + paying his debts, and yet, for the lack of a certain belief, the moment + after he is dead, be sent to an eternal prison, is also immoral. So that, + according to my opinion, while the church teaches men many good things, it + also teaches doctrines subversive of morality. If there were not in the + whole world a church, the morality of man, in my judgment, would be the + gainer. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the treatment of the actor by + society in his social relations? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. For a good many years the basis of society has been the + dollar. Only a few years ago all literary men were ostracized because they + had no money; neither did they have a reading public. If any man produced + a book he had to find a patron—some titled donkey, some lauded + lubber, in whose honor he could print a few well-turned lies on the + fly-leaf. If you wish to know the degradation of literature, read the + dedication written by Lord Bacon to James I., in which he puts him beyond + all kings, living and dead—beyond Cæsar and Marcus Aurelius. + In those days the literary man was a servant, a hack. He lived in Grub + Street. He was only one degree above the sturdy vagrant and the escaped + convict. Why was this? He had no money and he lived in an age when money + was the fountain of respectability. Let me give you another instance: + Mozart, whose brain was a fountain of melody, was forced to eat at table + with coachmen, with footmen and scullions. He was simply a servant who was + commanded to make music for a pudding-headed bishop. The same was true of + the great painters, and of almost all other men who rendered the world + beautiful by art, and who enriched the languages of mankind. The basis of + respectability was the dollar. + </p> + <p> + Now that the literary man has an intelligent public he cares nothing for + the ignorant patron. The literary man makes money. The world is becoming + civilized and the literary man stands high. In England, however, if + Charles Darwin had been invited to dinner, and there had been present some + sprig of nobility, some titled vessel holding the germs of hereditary + disease, Darwin would have been compelled to occupy a place beneath him. + But I have hopes even for England. The same is true of the artist. The man + who can now paint a picture by which he receives from five thousand to + fifty thousand dollars, is necessarily respectable. The actor who may + realize from one to two thousand dollars a night, or even more, is + welcomed in the stupidest and richest society. So with the singers and + with all others who instruct and amuse mankind. Many people imagine that + he who amuses them must be lower than they. This, however, is hardly + possible. I believe in the aristocracy of the brain and heart; in the + aristocracy of intelligence and goodness, and not only appreciate but + admire the great actor, the great painter, the great sculptor, the + marvelous singer. In other words, I admire all people who tend to make + this life richer, who give an additional thought to this poor world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think this liberal movement, favoring the better + class of plays, inaugurated by the Rev. Dr. Abbott, will tend to soften + the sentiment of the orthodox churches against the stage? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have not read what Dr. Abbott has written on this + subject. From your statement of his position, I think he entertains quite + a sensible view, and, when we take into consideration that he is a + minister, a miraculously sensible view. It is not the business of the + dramatist, the actor, the painter or the sculptor to teach what the church + calls morality. The dramatist and the actor ought to be truthful, ought to + be natural—that is to say, truthfully and naturally artistic. He + should present pictures of life properly chosen, artistically constructed; + an exhibition of emotions truthfully done, artistically done. If vice is + presented naturally, no one will fall in love with vice. If the better + qualities of the human heart are presented naturally, no one can fail to + fall in love with them. But they need not be presented for that purpose. + The object of the artist is to present truthfully and artistically. He is + not a Sunday school teacher. He is not to have the moral effect eternally + in his mind. It is enough for him to be truly artistic. Because, as I have + said, a great many times, the greatest good is done by indirection. For + instance, a man lives a good, noble, honest and lofty life. The value of + that life would be destroyed if he kept calling attention to it—if + he said to all who met him, "Look at me!" he would become intolerable. The + truly artistic speaks of perfection; that is to say, of harmony, not only + of conduct, but of harmony and proportion in everything. The pulpit is + always afraid of the passions, and really imagines that it has some + influence on men and women, keeping them in the path of virtue. No greater + mistake was ever made. Eternally talking and harping on that one subject, + in my judgment, does harm. Forever keeping it in the mind by reading + passages from the Bible, by talking about the "corruption of the human + heart," of the "power of temptation," of the scarcity of virtue, of the + plentifulness of vice—all these platitudes tend to produce exactly + what they are directed against. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I fear, Colonel, that I have surprised you into agreeing + with a clergyman. The following are the points made by the Rev. Dr. Abbott + in his editorial on the theatre, and it seems to me that you and he think + very much alike—on that subject. The points are these: + </p> + <p> + 1. It is not the function of the drama to teach moral lessons. + </p> + <p> + 2. A moral lesson neither makes nor mars either a drama or a novel. + </p> + <p> + 3. The moral quality of a play does not depend upon the result. + </p> + <p> + 4. The real function of the drama is like that of the novel—not to + amuse, not to excite; but to portray life, and so minister to it. And as + virtue and vice, goodness and evil, are the great fundamental facts of + life, they must, in either serious story or serious play, be portrayed. If + they are so portrayed that the vice is alluring and the virtue repugnant, + the play or story is immoral; if so portrayed that the vice is repellant + and the virtue alluring, they play or story is moral. + </p> + <p> + 5. The church has no occasion to ask the theatre to preach; though if it + does preach we have a right to demand that its ethical doctrines be pure + and high. But we have a right to demand that in its pictures of life it so + portrays vice as to make it abhorrent, and so portrays virtue as to make + it attractive. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I agree in most of what you have read, though I must + confess that to find a minister agreeing with me, or to find myself + agreeing with a minister, makes me a little uncertain. All art, in my + judgment, is for the sake of expression—equally true of the drama as + of painting and sculpture. No poem touches the human heart unless it + touches the universal. It must, at some point, move in unison with the + great ebb and flow of things. The same is true of the play, of a piece of + music or a statue. I think that all real artists, in all departments, + touch the universal and when they do the result is good; but the result + need not have been a consideration. There is an old story that at first + there was a temple erected upon the earth by God himself; that afterward + this temple was shivered into countless pieces and distributed over the + whole earth, and that all the rubies and diamonds and precious stones + since found are parts of that temple. Now, if we could conceive of a + building, or of anything involving all Art, and that it had been scattered + abroad, then I would say that whoever find and portrays truthfully a + thought, an emotion, a truth, has found and restored one of the jewels. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Dramatic Mirror</i>, New York, April 21, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0069" id="link0069"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROTECTION AND FREE TRADE. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you take much interest in politics, Colonel Ingersoll? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I take as much interest in politics as a Republican ought + who expects nothing and who wants nothing for himself. I want to see this + country again controlled by the Republican party. The present + administration has not, in my judgment, the training and the political + intelligence to decide upon the great economic and financial questions. + There are a great many politicians and but few statesmen. Here, where men + have to be elected every two or six years, there is hardly time for the + officials to study statesmanship—they are busy laying pipes and + fixing fences for the next election. Each one feels much like a monkey at + a fair, on the top of a greased pole, and puts in the most of his time + dodging stones and keeping from falling. I want to see the party in power + best qualified, best equipped, to administer the Government. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think will be the particular issue of the + coming campaign? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. That question has already been answered. The great question + will be the tariff. Mr. Cleveland imagines that the surplus can be gotten + rid of by a reduction of the tariff. If the reduction is so great as to + increase the demand for foreign articles, the probability is that the + surplus will be increased. The surplus can surely be done away with by + either of two methods; first make the tariff prohibitory; second, have no + tariff. But if the tariff is just at that point where the foreign goods + could pay it and yet undersell the American so as to stop home + manufactures, then the surplus would increase. + </p> + <p> + As a rule we can depend on American competition to keep prices at a + reasonable rate. When that fails we have at all times the governing power + in our hands—that is to say, we can reduce the tariff. In other + words, the tariff is not for the benefit of the manufacturer—the + protection is not for the mechanic or the capitalist —it is for the + whole country. I do not believe in protecting silk simply to help the town + of Paterson, but I am for the protection of the manufacture, because, in + my judgment, it helps the entire country, and because I know that it has + given us a far better article of silk at a far lower price than we + obtained before the establishment of those factories. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the protection of every industry that needs it, to the end + that we may make use of every kind of brain and find use for all human + capacities. In this way we will produce greater and better people. A + nation of agriculturalists or a nation of mechanics would become narrow + and small, but where everything is done, then the brain is cultivated on + every side, from artisan to artist. That is to say, we become thinkers as + well as workers; muscle and mind form a partnership. + </p> + <p> + I don't believe that England is particularly interested in the welfare of + the United States. It never seemed probable to me that men like Godwin + Smith sat up nights fearing that we in some way might injure ourselves. To + use a phrase that will be understood by theologians at least, we ought to + "copper" all English advice. + </p> + <p> + The free traders say that there ought to be no obstructions placed by + governments between buyers and sellers. If we want to make the trade, of + course there should be no obstruction, but if we prefer that Americans + should trade with Americans—that Americans should make what + Americans want—then, so far as trading with foreigners is concerned, + there ought to be an obstruction. + </p> + <p> + I am satisfied that the United States could get along if the rest of the + world should be submerged, and I want to see this country in such a + condition that it can be independent of the rest of mankind. + </p> + <p> + There is more mechanical genius in the United States than in the rest of + the world, and this genius has been fostered and developed by protection. + The Democracy wish to throw all this away—to make useless this + skill, this ingenuity, born of generations of application and thought. + These deft and marvelous hands that create the countless things of use and + beauty to be worth no more than the common hands of ignorant delvers and + shovelers. To the extent that thought is mingled with labor, labor becomes + honorable and its burden lighter. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of millions of dollars have been invested on the faith of this + policy—millions and millions of people are this day earning their + bread by reason of protection, and they are better housed and better fed + and better clothed than any other workmen on the globe. + </p> + <p> + The intelligent people of this country will not be satisfied with + President Cleveland's platform—with his free trade primer. They + believe in good wages for good work, and they know that this is the + richest nation in the world. The Republic is worth at least sixty billion + dollars. This vast sum is the result of labor, and this labor has been + protected either directly or indirectly. This vast sum has been made by + the farmer, the mechanic, the laborer, the miner, the inventor. + </p> + <p> + Protection has given work and wages to the mechanic and a market to the + farmer. The interests of all laborers in America—all men who work—are + identical. If the farmer pays more for his plow he gets more for his + plowing. In old times, when the South manufactured nothing and raised only + raw material—for the reason that its labor was enslaved and could + not be trusted with education enough to become skillful—it was in + favor of free trade; it wanted to sell the raw material to England and buy + the manufactured article where it could buy the cheapest. Even under those + circumstances it was a short-sighted and unpatriotic policy. Now + everything is changing in the South. They are beginning to see that he who + simply raises raw material is destined to be forever poor. For instance, + the farmer who sells corn will never get rich; the farmer should sell pork + and beef and horses. So a nation, a State, that parts with its raw + material, loses nearly all the profits, for the reason that the profit + rises with the skill requisite to produce. It requires only brute strength + to raise cotton; it requires something more to spin it, to weave it, and + the more beautiful the fabric the greater the skill, and consequently the + higher the wages and the greater the profit. In other words, the more + thought is mingled with labor the more valuable is the result. + </p> + <p> + Besides all this, protection is the mother of economy; the cheapest at + last, no matter whether the amount paid is less or more. It is far better + for us to make glass than to sell sand to other countries; the profit on + sand will be exceedingly small. + </p> + <p> + The interests of this country are united; they depend upon each other. You + destroy one and the effect upon all the rest may be disastrous. Suppose we + had free trade to-day, what would become of the manufacturing interests + to-morrow? The value of property would fall thousands of millions of + dollars in an instant. The fires would die out in thousands and thousands + of furnaces, innumerable engines would stop, thousands and thousands would + stop digging coal and iron and steel. What would the city that had been + built up by the factories be worth? What would be the effect on farms in + that neighborhood? What would be the effect on railroads, on freights, on + business—what upon the towns through which they passed? Stop making + iron in Pennsylvania, and the State would be bankrupt in an hour. Give us + free trade, and New Jersey, Connecticut and many other States would not be + worth one dollar an acre. + </p> + <p> + If a man will think of the connection between all industries—of the + dependence and inter-dependence of each on all; of the subtle relations + between all human pursuits—he will see that to destroy some of the + grand interest makes financial ruin and desolation. I am not talking now + about a tariff that is too high, because that tariff does not produce a + surplus—neither am I asking to have that protected which needs no + protection—I am only insisting that all the industries that have + been fostered and that need protection should be protected, and that we + should turn our attention to the interests of our own country, letting + other nations take care of themselves. If every American would use only + articles produced by Americans—if they would wear only American + cloth, only American silk—if we would absolutely stand by each + other, the prosperity of this nation would be the marvel of human history. + We can live at home, and we have now the ingenuity, the intelligence, the + industry to raise from nature everything that a nation needs. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say about the claim that Mr. Cleveland + does not propose free trade? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I suppose that he means what he said. His argument was all + for free trade, and he endeavored to show to the farmer that he lost + altogether more money by protection, because he paid a higher price for + manufactured articles and received no more for what he had to sell. This + certainly was an argument in favor of free trade. And there is no way to + decrease the surplus except to prohibit the importation of foreign + articles, which certainly Mr. Cleveland is not in favor of doing, or to + reduce the tariff to a point so low that no matter how much may be + imported the surplus will be reduced. If the message means anything it + means free trade, and if there is any argument in it it is an argument in + favor of absolutely free trade. The party, not willing to say "free trade" + uses the word "reform." This is simply a mask and a pretence. The party + knows that the President made a mistake. The party, however, is so + situated that it cannot get rid of Cleveland, and consequently must take + him with his mistake—they must take him with his message, and then + show that all he intended by "free trade" was "reform." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Who do you think ought to be nominated at Chicago? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Personally, I am for General Gresham. I am saying nothing + against the other prominent candidates. They have their friends, and many + of them are men of character and capacity, and would make good Presidents. + But I know of no man who has a better record than Gresham, and of no man + who, in my judgment, would receive a larger number of votes. I know of no + Republican who would not support Judge Gresham. I have never heard one say + that he had anything against him or know of any reason why he should not + be voted for. He is a man of great natural capacity. He is candid and + unselfish. He has for many years been engaged in the examination and + decision of important questions, of good principles, and consequently he + has a trained mind. He knows how to take hold of a question, to get at a + fact, to discover in a multitude of complications the real principle—the + heart of the case. He has always been a man of affairs. He is not simply a + judge—that is to say, a legal pair of scales—he knows the + effect of his decision on the welfare of communities—he is not + governed entirely by precedents—he has opinions of his own. In the + next place, he is a man of integrity in all the relations of life. He is + not a seeker after place, and, so far as I know, he has done nothing for + the purpose of inducing any human being to favor his nomination. I have + never spoken to him on the subject. + </p> + <p> + In the West he has developed great strength, in fact, his popularity has + astonished even his best friends. The great mass of people want a + perfectly reliable man—one who will be governed by his best judgment + and by a desire to do the fair and honorable thing. It has been stated + that the great corporations might not support him with much warmth for the + reason that he has failed to decide certain cases in their favor. I + believe that he has decided the law as he believed it to be, and that he + has never been influenced in the slightest degree, by the character, + position, or the wealth of the parties before him. It may be that some of + the great financiers, the manipulators, the creators of bonds and stocks, + the blowers of financial bubbles, will not support him and will not + contribute any money for the payment of election expenses, because they + are perfectly satisfied that they could not make any arrangements with him + to get the money back, together with interest thereon, but the people of + this country are intelligent enough to know what that means, and they will + be patriotic enough to see to it that no man needs to bow or bend or + cringe to the rich to attain the highest place. + </p> + <p> + The possibility is that Mr. Blaine could have been nominated had he not + withdrawn, but having withdrawn, of course the party is released. Others + were induced to become candidates, and under these circumstances Mr. + Blaine has hardly the right to change his mind, and certainly other + persons ought not to change it for him. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the friends of Gresham would support + Blaine if he should be nominated? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Undoubtedly they would. If they go into convention they + must abide the decision. It would be dishonorable to do that which you + would denounce in others. Whoever is nominated ought to receive the + support of all good Republicans. No party can exist that will not be bound + by its own decision. When the platform is made, then is the time to + approve or reject. The conscience of the individual cannot be bound by the + action of party, church or state. But when you ask a convention to + nominate your candidate, you really agree to stand by the choice of the + convention. Principles are of more importance than candidates. As a rule, + men who refuse to support the nominee, while pretending to believe in the + platform, are giving an excuse for going over to the enemy. It is a + pretence to cover desertion. I hope that whoever may be nominated at + Chicago will receive the cordial support of the entire party, of every man + who believes in Republican principles, who believes in good wages for good + work, and has confidence in the old firms of "Mind and Muscle," of "Head + and Hand." + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Press</i>, May 27, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0070" id="link0070"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LABOR, AND TARIFF REFORM. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your opinion, is the condition of labor in this + country as compared with that abroad? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, it is self-evident that if labor + received more in other lands than in this the tide of emigration would be + changed. The workingmen would leave our shores. People who believe in free + trade are always telling us that the laboring man is paid much better in + Germany than in the United States, and yet nearly every ship that comes + from Germany is crammed with Germans, who, for some unaccountable reason, + prefer to leave a place where they are doing well and come to one where + they must do worse. + </p> + <p> + The same thing can be said of Denmark and Sweden, of England, Scotland, + Ireland and of Italy. The truth is, that in all those lands the laboring + man can earn just enough to-day to do the work of to-morrow; everything he + earns is required to get food enough in his body and rags enough on his + back to work from day to day, to toil from week to week. There are only + three luxuries within his reach—air, light, and water; probably a + fourth might be added —death. + </p> + <p> + In those countries the few own the land, the few have the capital, the few + make the laws, and the laboring man is not a power. His opinion in neither + asked nor heeded. The employers pay as little as they can. When the world + becomes civilized everybody will want to pay what things are worth, but + now capital is perfectly willing that labor shall remain at the starvation + line. Competition on every hand tends to put down wages. The time will + come when the whole community will see that justice is economical. If you + starve laboring men you increase crime; you multiply, as they do in + England, workhouses, hospitals and all kinds of asylums, and these public + institutions are for the purpose of taking care of the wrecks that have + been produced by greed and stinginess and meanness—that is to say, + by the ignorance of capital. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What effect has the protective tariff on the condition of + labor in this country? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. To the extent that the tariff keeps out the foreign article + it is a direct protection to American labor. Everything in this country is + on a larger scale than in any other. There is far more generosity among + the manufacturers and merchants and millionaires and capitalists of the + United States than among those of any other country, although they are bad + enough and mean enough here. + </p> + <p> + But the great thing for the laboring man in the United States is that he + is regarded as a man. He is a unit of political power. His vote counts + just as much as that of the richest and most powerful. The laboring man + has to be consulted. The candidate has either to be his friend or to + pretend to be his friend, before he can succeed. A man running for the + presidency could not say the slightest word against the laboring man, or + calculated to put a stain upon industry, without destroying every possible + chance of success. Generally, every candidate tries to show that he is a + laboring man, or that he was a laboring man, or that his father was before + him. There is in this country very little of the spirit of caste—the + most infamous spirit that ever infested the heartless breast of the + brainless head of a human being. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What will be the effect on labor of a departure in + American policy in the direction of free trade? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If free trade could be adopted to-morrow there would be an + instant shrinkage of values in this country. Probably the immediate loss + would equal twenty billion dollars—that is to say, one-third of the + value of the country. No one can tell its extent. All thing are so + interwoven that to destroy one industry cripples another, and the + influence keeps on until it touches the circumference of human interests. + </p> + <p> + I believe that labor is a blessing. It never was and never will be a + curse. It is a blessed thing to labor for your wife and children, for your + father and mother, and for the ones you love. It is a blessed thing to + have an object in life—something to do— something to call into + play your best thoughts, to develop your faculties and to make you a man. + How beautiful, how charming, are the dreams of the young mechanic, the + artist, the musician, the actor and the student. How perfectly stupid must + be the life of a young man with nothing to do, no ambition, no enthusiasm—that + is to say, nothing of the divine in him; the young man with an object in + life, of whose brain a great thought, a great dream has taken possession, + and in whose heart there is a great, throbbing hope. He looks forward to + success—to wife, children, home—all the blessings and sacred + joys of human life. He thinks of wealth and fame and honor, and of a long, + genial, golden, happy autumn. + </p> + <p> + Work gives the feeling of independence, of self-respect. A man who does + something necessarily puts a value on himself. He feels that he is a part + of the world's force. The idler—no matter what he says, no matter + how scornfully he may look at the laborer—in his very heart knows + exactly what he is; he knows that he is a counterfeit, a poor worthless + imitation of a man. + </p> + <p> + But there is a vast difference between work and what I call "toil." What + must be the life of a man who can earn only one dollar or two dollars a + day? If this man has a wife and a couple of children how can the family + live? What must they eat? What must they wear? From the cradle to the + coffin they are ignorant of any luxury of life. If the man is sick, if one + of the children dies, how can doctors and medicines be paid for? How can + the coffin or the grave be purchased? These people live on what might be + called "the snow line"—just at that point where trees end and the + mosses begin. What are such lives worth? The wages of months would hardly + pay for the ordinary dinner of the family of a rich man. The savings of a + whole life would not purchase one fashionable dress, or the lace on it. + Such a man could not save enough during his whole life to pay for the + flowers of a fashionable funeral. + </p> + <p> + And yet how often hundreds of thousands of persons, who spend thousands of + dollars every year on luxuries, really wonder why the laboring people + should complain. They are astonished when a car driver objects to working + fourteen hours a day. Men give millions of dollars to carry the gospel to + the heathen, and leave their own neighbors without bread; and these same + people insist on closing libraries and museums of art on Sunday, and yet + Sunday is the only day that these institutions can be visited by the poor. + </p> + <p> + They even want to stop the street cars so that these workers, these men + and women, cannot go to the parks or the fields on Sunday. They want + stages stopped on fashionable avenues so that the rich may not be + disturbed in their prayers and devotions. + </p> + <p> + The condition of the workingman, even in America, is bad enough. If free + trade will not reduce wages what will? If manufactured articles become + cheaper the skilled laborers of America must work cheaper or stop + producing the articles. Every one knows that most of the value of a + manufactured article comes from labor. Think of the difference between the + value of a pound of cotton and a pound of the finest cotton cloth; between + a pound of flax and enough point lace to weigh a pound; between a few + ounces of paint, two or three yards of canvas and a great picture; between + a block of stone and a statue! Labor is the principal factor in price; + when the price falls wages must go down. + </p> + <p> + I do not claim that protection is for the benefit of any particular class, + but that it is for the benefit not only of that particular class, but of + the entire country. In England the common laborer expects to spend his old + age in some workhouse. He is cheered through all his days of toil, through + all his years of weariness, by the prospect of dying a respectable pauper. + The women work as hard as the men. They toil in the iron mills. They make + nails, they dig coal, they toil in the fields. + </p> + <p> + In Europe they carry the hod, they work like beasts and with beasts, until + they lose almost the semblance of human beings—until they look + inferior to the animals they drive. On the labor of these deformed + mothers, of these bent and wrinkled girls, of little boys with the faces + of old age, the heartless nobility live in splendor and extravagant + idleness. I am not now speaking of the French people, as France is the + most prosperous country in Europe. + </p> + <p> + Let us protect our mothers, our wives and our children from the deformity + of toil, from the depths of poverty. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is not the ballot an assurance to the laboring man that + he can get fair treatment from his employer? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The laboring man in this country has the political power, + provided he has the intelligence to know it and the intelligence to use + it. In so far as laws can assist labor, the workingman has it in his power + to pass such laws; but in most foreign lands the laboring man has really + no voice. It is enough for him to work and wait and suffer and emigrate. + He can take refuge in the grave or go to America. + </p> + <p> + In the old country, where people have been taught that all blessing come + from the king, it is very natural for the poor to believe the other side + of that proposition—that is to say, all evils come from the king, + from the government. They are rocked in the cradle of this falsehood. So + when they come to this country, if they are unfortunate, it is natural for + them to blame the Government. + </p> + <p> + The discussion of these questions, however, has already done great good. + The workingman is becoming more and more intelligent. He is getting a + better idea every day of the functions and powers and limitations of + government, and if the problem is ever worked out— and by "problem" + I mean the just and due relations that should exist between labor and + capital—it will be worked out here in America. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What assurance has the American laborer that he will not + be ultimately swamped by foreign immigration? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Most of the immigrants that come to American come because + they want a home. Nearly every one of them is what you may call "land + hungry." In his country, to own a piece of land was to be respectable, + almost a nobleman. The owner of a little land was regarded as the founder + of a family—what you might call a "village dynasty." When they leave + their native shores for America, their dream is to become a land owner—to + have fields, to own trees, and to listen to the music of their own brooks. + </p> + <p> + The moment they arrive the mass of them seek the West, where land can be + obtained. The great Northwest now is being filled with Scandinavian + farmers, with persons from every part of Germany—in fact from all + foreign countries—and every year they are adding millions of acres + to the plowed fields of the Republic. This land hunger, this desire to own + a home, to have a field, to have flocks and herds, to sit under your own + vine and fig tree, will prevent foreign immigration from interfering to + any hurtful degree with the skilled workmen of America. These land owners, + these farmers, become consumers of manufactured articles. They keep the + wheels and spindles turning and the fires in the forges burning. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Cleveland's message? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Only the other day I read a speech made by the Hon. William + D. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, upon this subject, in which he says in answer + to what he calls "the puerile absurdity of President Cleveland's + assumption" that the duty is always added to the cost, not only of + imported commodities, but to the price of like commodities produced in + this country, "that the duties imposed by our Government on sugar reduced + to <i>ad valorem</i> were never so high as now, and the price of sugar was + never in this country so low as it is now." He also showed that this tax + on sugar has made it possible for us to produce sugar from other plants + and he gives the facts in relation to corn sugar. + </p> + <p> + We are now using annually nineteen million bushels of corn for the purpose + of making glucose or corn sugar. He shows that in this industry alone + there has been a capital invested of eleven million dollars; that seven + hundred and thirty-two thousand acres of land are required to furnish the + supply, and that this one industry now gives employment to about + twenty-two thousand farmers, about five thousand laborers in factories, + and that the annual value of this product of corn sugar is over seventeen + million dollars. + </p> + <p> + He also shows what we may expect from the cultivation of the beet. I + advise every one to read that speech, so that they may have some idea of + the capabilities of this country, of the vast wealth asking for + development, of the countless avenues opened for ingenuity, energy and + intelligence. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Does the protective tariff cheapen the prices of + commodities to the laboring man? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In this there are involved two questions. If the tariff is + so low that the foreign article is imported, of course this tariff is + added to the cost and must be paid by the consumer; but if the protective + tariff is so high that the importer cannot pay it, and as a consequence + the article is produced in America, then it depends largely upon + competition whether the full amount of the tariff will be added to the + article. As a rule, competition will settle that question in America, and + the article will be sold as cheaply as the producers can afford. + </p> + <p> + For instance: If there is a tariff, we will say of fifty cents on a pair + of shoes, and this tariff is so low that the foreign article can afford to + pay it, then that tariff, of course, must be paid by the consumer. But + suppose the tariff was five dollars on a pair of shoes—that is to + say, absolutely prohibitory—does any man in his senses say that five + dollars would be added to each pair of American shoes? Of course, the + statement is the answer. + </p> + <p> + I think it is the duty of the laboring man in this country, first, + thoroughly to post himself upon these great questions, to endeavor to + understand his own interest as well as the interest of his country, and if + he does, I believe he will arrive at the conclusion that it is far better + to have the country filled with manufacturers than to be employed simply + in the raising of raw material. I think he will come to the conclusion + that we had better have skilled labor here, and that it is better to pay + for it than not to have it. I think he will find that it is better for + America to be substantially independent of the rest of the world. I think + he will conclude that nothing is more desirable than the development of + American brain, and that nothing better can be raised than great and + splendid men and women. I think he will conclude that the cloud coming + from the factories, from the great stacks and chimneys, is the cloud on + which will be seen, and always seen, the bow of American promise. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say about tariff reform? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have this to say: That the tariff is for the most part + the result of compromises—that is, one State wishing to have + something protected agrees to protect something else in some other State, + so that, as a matter of fact, many things are protected that need no + protection, and many things are unprotected that ought to be cared for by + the Government. + </p> + <p> + I am in favor of a sensible reform of the tariff—that is to say, I + do not wish to put it in the power of the few to practice extortion upon + the many. Congress should always be wide awake, and whenever there is any + abuse it should be corrected. At the same time, next to having the tariff + just—next in importance is to have it stable. It does us great + injury to have every dollar invested in manufactures frightened every time + Congress meets. Capital should feel secure. Insecurity calls for a higher + interest, wants to make up for the additional risk, whereas, when a dollar + feels absolutely certain that it is well invested, that it is not to be + disturbed, it is satisfied with a very low rate of interest. + </p> + <p> + The present agitation—the message of President Cleveland upon these + questions—will cost the country many hundred millions of dollars. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see that some one has been charging that Judge Gresham + is an Infidel? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have known Judge Gresham for many years, and of course + have heard him talk upon many subjects, but I do not remember ever + discussing with him a religious topic. I only know that he believes in + allowing every man to express his opinions, and that he does not hate a + man because he differs with him. I believe that he believes in + intellectual hospitality, and that he would give all churches equal + rights, and would treat them all with the utmost fairness. I regard him as + a fair-minded, intelligent and honest man, and that is enough for me. I am + satisfied with the way he acts, and care nothing about his particular + creed. I like a manly man, whether he agrees with me or not. I believe + that President Garfield was a minister of the Church of the Disciples—that + made no difference to me. Mr. Blaine is a member of some church in Augusta—I + care nothing for that. Whether Judge Gresham belongs to any church, I do + not know. I never asked him, but I know he does not agree with me by a + large majority. + </p> + <p> + In this country, where a divorce has been granted between church and + state, the religious opinions of candidates should be let alone. To make + the inquiry is a piece of impertinence—a piece of impudence. I have + voted for men of all persuasions and expect to keep right on, and if they + are not civilized enough to give me the liberty they ask for themselves, + why I shall simply set them an example of decency. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the political outlook? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The people of this country have a great deal of + intelligence. Tariff and free trade and protection and home manufactures + and American industries—all these things will be discussed in every + schoolhouse of the country, and in thousands and thousands of political + meetings, and when next November comes you will see the Democratic party + overthrown and swept out of power by a cyclone. All other questions will + be lost sight of. Even the Prohibitionists would rather drink beer in a + prosperous country than burst with cold water and hard times. + </p> + <p> + The preservation of what we have will be the great question. This is the + richest country and the most prosperous country, and I believe that the + people have sense enough to continue the policy that has given them those + results. I never want to see the civilization of the Old World, or rather + the barbarism of the Old World, gain a footing on this continent. I am an + American. I believe in American ideas—that is to say, in equal + rights, and in the education and civilization of all the people. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Press</i>, June 3, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0071" id="link0071"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CLEVELAND AND THURMAN. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the Democratic nominations? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, I hope that this campaign is to be + fought on the issues involved, and not on the private characters of the + candidates. All that they have done as politicians—all measures that + they have favored or opposed—these are the proper subjects of + criticism; in all other respects I think it better to let the candidates + alone. I care but little about the private character of Mr. Cleveland or + of Mr. Thurman. The real question is, what do they stand for? What policy + do they advocate? What are the reasons for and against the adoption of the + policy they propose? + </p> + <p> + I do not regard Cleveland as personally popular. He has done nothing, so + far as I know, calculated to endear him to the popular heart. He certainly + is not a man of enthusiasm. He has said nothing of a striking or forcible + character. His messages are exceedingly commonplace. He is not a man of + education, of wide reading, of refined tastes, or of general cultivation. + He has some firmness and a good deal of obstinacy, and he was exceedingly + fortunate in his marriage. + </p> + <p> + Four years ago he was distinctly opposed to a second term. He was then + satisfied that no man should be elected President more than once. He was + then fearful that a President might use his office, his appointing power, + to further his own ends instead of for the good of the people. He started, + undoubtedly, with that idea in his mind. He was going to carry out the + civil service doctrine to the utmost. But when he had been President a few + months he was exceedingly unpopular with his party. The Democrats who + elected him had been out of office for twenty-five years. During all those + years they had watched the Republicans sitting at the national banquet. + Their appetites had grown keener and keener, and they expected when the + 4th of March, 1885, came that the Republicans would be sent from the table + and that they would be allowed to tuck the napkins under their chins. The + moment Cleveland got at the head of the table he told his hungry followers + that there was nothing for them, and he allowed the Republicans to go on + as usual. + </p> + <p> + In a little while he began to hope for a second term, and gradually the + civil service notion faded from his mind. He stuck to it long enough to + get the principal mugwump papers committed to him and to his policy; long + enough to draw their fire and to put them in a place where they could not + honorably retreat without making themselves liable to the charge of having + fought only for the loaves and fishes. As a matter of fact, no men were + hungrier for office than the gentlemen who had done so much for civil + service reform. They were so earnest in the advocacy of that principle + that they insisted that only their followers should have place; but the + real rank and file, the men who had been Democrats through all the + disastrous years, and who had prayed and fasted, became utterly disgusted + with Mr. Cleveland's administration and they were not slow to express + their feelings. Mr. Cleveland saw that he was in danger of being left with + no supporters, except a few who thought themselves too respectable really + to join the Democratic party. So for the last two years, and especially + the last year, he turned his attention to pacifying the real Democrats. He + is not the choice of the Democratic party. Although unanimously nominated, + I doubt if he was the unanimous choice of a single delegate. + </p> + <p> + Another very great mistake, I think, has been made by Mr. Cleveland. He + seems to have taken the greatest delight in vetoing pension bills, and + they seem to be about the only bills he has examined, and he has examined + them as a lawyer would examine the declaration, brief or plea of his + opponent. He has sought for technicalities, to the end that he might veto + these bills. By this course he has lost the soldier vote, and there is no + way by which he can regain it. Upon this point I regard the President as + exceedingly weak. He has shown about the same feeling toward the soldier + now that he did during the war. He was not with them then either in mind + or body. He is not with them now. His sympathies are on the other side. He + has taken occasion to show his contempt for the Democratic party again and + again. This certainly will not add to his strength. He has treated the old + leaders with great arrogance. He has cared nothing for their advice, for + their opinions, or for their feelings. + </p> + <p> + The principal vestige of monarchy or despotism in our Constitution is the + veto power, and this has been more liberally used by Mr. Cleveland than by + any other President. This shows the nature of the man and how narrow he + is, and through what a small intellectual aperture he views the world. + Nothing is farther from true democracy than this perpetual application of + the veto power. As a matter of fact, it should be abolished, and the + utmost that a President should be allowed to do, would be to return a bill + with his objections, and the bill should then become a law upon being + passed by both houses by a simple majority. This would give the Executive + the opportunity of calling attention to the supposed defects, and getting + the judgment of Congress a second time. + </p> + <p> + I am perfectly satisfied that Mr. Cleveland is not popular with his party. + The noise and confusion of the convention, the cheers and cries, were all + produced and manufactured for effect and for the purpose of starting the + campaign. + </p> + <p> + Now, as to Senator Thurman. During the war he occupied substantially the + same position occupied by Mr. Cleveland. He was opposed to putting down + the Rebellion by force, and as I remember it, he rather justified the + people of the South for going with their States. Ohio was in favor of + putting down the Rebellion, yet Mr. Thurman, by some peculiar logic of his + own, while he justified Southern people for going into rebellion because + they followed their States, justified himself for not following his State. + His State was for the Union. His State was in favor of putting down + rebellion. His State was in favor of destroying slavery. Certainly, if a + man is bound to follow his State, he is equally bound when the State is + right. It is hardly reasonable to say that a man is only bound to follow + his State when his State is wrong; yet this was really the position of + Senator Thurman. + </p> + <p> + I saw the other day that some gentlemen in this city had given as a reason + for thinking that Thurman would strengthen the ticket, that he had always + been right on the financial question. Now, as a matter of fact, he was + always wrong. When it was necessary for the Government to issue + greenbacks, he was a hard money man—he believed in the mint drops—and + if that policy had been carried out, the Rebellion could not have been + suppressed. After the suppression of the Rebellion, and when hundreds and + hundreds of millions of greenbacks were afloat, and the Republican party + proposed to redeem them in gold, and to go back—as it always + intended to do—to hard money—to a gold and silver basis—then + Senator Thurman, holding aloft the red bandanna, repudiated hard money, + opposed resumption, and came out for rag currency as being the best. Let + him change his ideas—put those first that he had last—and you + might say that he was right on the currency question; but when the country + needed the greenback he was opposed to it, and when the country was able + to redeem the greenback, he was opposed to it. + </p> + <p> + It gives me pleasure to say that I regard Senator Thurman as a man of + ability, and I have no doubt that he was coaxed into his last financial + position by the Democratic party, by the necessities of Ohio, and by the + force and direction of the political wind. No matter how much + respectability he adds to the ticket, I do not believe that he will give + any great strength. In the first place, he is an old man. He has + substantially finished his career. Young men cannot attach themselves to + him, because he has no future. His following is not an army of the young + and ambitious—it is rather a funeral procession. Yet, + notwithstanding this fact, he will furnish most of the enthusiasm for this + campaign—and that will be done with his handkerchief. The Democratic + banner is Thurman's red bandanna. I do not believe that it will be + possible for the Democracy to carry Ohio by reason of Thurman's + nomination, and I think the failure to nominate Gray or some good man from + that State, will lose Indiana. So, while I have nothing to say against + Senator Thurman, nothing against his integrity or his ability, still, + under the circumstances, I do not think his nomination a strong one. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the nominations have been well received + throughout the United States? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Not as well as in England. I see that all the Tory papers + regard the nominations as excellent—especially that of Cleveland. + Every Englishman who wants Ireland turned into a penitentiary, and every + Irishman to be treated as a convict, is delighted with the action of the + St. Louis convention. England knows what she wants. Her market is growing + small. A few years ago she furnished manufactured articles to a vast + portion of the world. Millions of her customers have become ingenious + enough to manufacture many things that they need, so the next thing + England did was to sell them the machinery. Now they are beginning to make + their own machinery. Consequently, English trade is falling off. She must + have new customers. Nothing would so gratify her as to have sixty millions + of Americans buy her wares. If she could see our factories still and dead; + if she could put out the fires of our furnaces and forges; there would + come to her the greatest prosperity she has ever known. She would fatten + on our misfortunes —grow rich and powerful and arrogant upon our + poverty. We would become her servants. We would raise the raw material + with ignorant labor and allow her children to reap all the profit of its + manufacture, and in the meantime to become intelligent and cultured while + we grew poor and ignorant. + </p> + <p> + The greatest blow that can be inflicted upon England is to keep her + manufactured articles out of the United States. Sixty millions of + Americans buy and use more than five hundred millions of Asiatics —buy + and use more than all of China, all of India and all of Africa. One + civilized man has a thousand times the wants of a savage or of a + semi-barbarian. Most of the customers of England want a few yards of + calico, some cheap jewelry, a little powder, a few knives and a few + gallons of orthodox rum. + </p> + <p> + To-day the United States is the greatest market in the world. The commerce + between the States is almost inconceivable in its immensity. In order that + you may have some idea of the commerce of this country, it is only + necessary to remember one fact. We have railroads enough engaged in this + commerce to make six lines around the globe. The addition of a million + Americans to our population gives us a better market than a monopoly of + ten millions of Asiatics. England, with her workhouses, with her labor + that barely exists, wishes this market, and wishes to destroy the + manufactures of America, and she expects Irish-Americans to assist her in + this patriotic business. + </p> + <p> + Now, as to the enthusiasm in this country. I fail to see it. The + nominations have fallen flat. It has been known for a long time that + Cleveland was to be nominated. That has all been discounted, and the + nomination of Judge Thurman has been received in a quite matter-of-fact + way. It may be that his enthusiasm was somewhat dampened by what might be + called the appearance above the horizon of the morning star of this + campaign—Oregon. What a star to rise over the work of the St. Louis + convention! What a prophecy for Democrats to commence business with! + Oregon, with the free trade issue, seven thousand to eight thousand + Republican majority—the largest ever given by that State—Oregon + speaks for the Pacific Coast. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the Democratic platform? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Mr. Watterson was kind enough to say that before they took + the roof off of the house they were going to give the occupants a chance + to get out. By the "house" I suppose he means the great workshop of + America. By the "roof" he means protection; and by the "occupants" the + mechanics. He is not going to turn them out at once, or take the roof off + in an instant, but this is to be done gradually. + </p> + <p> + In other words, they will remove it shingle by shingle or tile by tile, + until it becomes so leaky or so unsafe that the occupants— that is + to say, the mechanics, will leave the building. + </p> + <p> + The first thing in the platform is a reaffirmation of the platform of + 1884, and an unqualified endorsement of President Cleveland's message on + the tariff. And if President Cleveland's message has any meaning whatever, + it means free trade—not instantly, it may be—but that is the + object and the end to be attained. All his reasoning, if reasoning it can + be called, is in favor of absolute free trade. The issue is fairly made—shall + American labor be protected, or must the American laborer take his chances + with the labor market of the world? Must he stand upon an exact par with + the laborers of Belgium and England and Germany, not only, but with the + slaves and serfs of other countries? Must he be reduced to the diet of the + old country? Is he to have meat on holidays and a reasonably good dinner + on Christmas, and live the rest of the year on crusts, crumbs, scraps, + skimmed milk, potatoes, turnips, and a few greens that he can steal from + the corners of fences? Is he to rely for meat, on poaching, and then is he + to be transported to some far colony for the crime of catching a rabbit? + Are our workingmen to wear wooden shoes? + </p> + <p> + Now, understand me, I do not believe that the Democrats think that free + trade would result in disaster. Their minds are so constituted that they + really believe that free trade would be a great blessing. I am not calling + in question their honesty. I am simply disputing the correctness of their + theory. It makes no difference, as a matter of fact, whether they are + honest or dishonest. Free trade established by honest people would be just + as injurious as if established by dishonest people. So there is no + necessity of raising the question of intention. Consequently, I admit that + they are doing the best they know now. This is not admitting much, but it + is something, as it tends to take from the discussion all ill feeling. + </p> + <p> + We all know that the tariff protects special interests in particular + States. Louisiana is not for free trade. It may be for free trade in + everything except sugar. It is willing that the rest of the country should + pay an additional cent or two a pound on sugar for its benefit, and while + receiving the benefit it does not wish to bear its part of the burden. If + the other States protect the sugar interests in Louisiana, certainly that + State ought to be willing to protect the wool interest in Ohio, the lead + and hemp interest in Missouri, the lead and wool interest in Colorado, the + lumber interest in Minnesota, the salt and lumber interest in Michigan, + the iron interest in Pennsylvania, and so I might go on with a list of the + States—because each one has something that it wishes to have + protected. + </p> + <p> + It sounds a little strange to hear a Democratic convention cry out that + the party "is in favor of the maintenance of an indissoluble union of free + and indestructible States." Only a little while ago the Democratic party + regarded it as the height of tyranny to coerce a free State. Can it be + said that a State is "free" that is absolutely governed by the Nation? Is + a State free that can make no treaty with any other State or country—that + is not permitted to coin money or to declare war? Why should such a State + be called free? The truth is that the States are not free in that sense. + The Republican party believes that this is a Nation and that the national + power is the highest, and that every citizen owes the highest allegiance + to the General Government and not to his State. In other words, we are not + Virginians or Mississippians or Delawareans —we are Americans. The + great Republic is a free Nation, and the States are but parts of that + Nation. The doctrine of State Sovereignty was born of the institution of + slavery. In the history of our country, whenever anything wrong was to be + done, this doctrine of State Sovereignty was appealed to. It protected the + slave-trade until the year 1808. It passed the Fugitive Slave Law. It made + every citizen in the North a catcher of his fellow-man—made it the + duty of free people to enslave others. This doctrine of State Rights was + appealed to for the purpose of polluting the Territories with the + institution of slavery. To deprive a man of his liberty, to put him back + into slavery, State lines were instantly obliterated; but whenever the + Government wanted to protect one of its citizens from outrage, then the + State lines became impassable barriers, and the sword of justice fell in + twain across the line of a State. + </p> + <p> + People forget that the National Government is the creature of the people. + The real sovereign is the people themselves. Presidents and congressmen + and judges are the creatures of the people. If we had a governing class—if + men were presidents or senators by virtue of birth—then we might + talk about the danger of centralization; but if the people are + sufficiently intelligent to govern themselves, they will never create a + government for the destruction of their liberties, and they are just as + able to protect their rights in the General Government as they are in the + States. If you say that the sovereignty of the State protects labor, you + might as well say that the sovereignty of the county protects labor in the + State and that the sovereignty of the town protects labor in the county. + </p> + <p> + Of all subjects in the world the Democratic party should avoid speaking of + "a critical period of our financial affairs, resulting from over + taxation." How did taxation become necessary? Who created the vast debt + that American labor must pay? Who made this taxation of thousands of + millions necessary? Why were the greenbacks issued? Why were the bonds + sold? Who brought about "a critical period of our financial affairs"? How + has the Democratic party "averted disaster"? How could there be a disaster + with a vast surplus in the treasury? Can you find in the graveyard of + nations this epitaph: "Died of a Surplus"? Has any nation ever been known + to perish because it had too much gold and too much silver, and because + its credit was better than that of any other nation on the earth? The + Democrats seem to think—and it is greatly to their credit—that + they have prevented the destruction of the Government when the treasury + was full—when the vaults were overflowing. What would they have done + had the vaults been empty? Let them wrestle with the question of poverty; + let them then see how the Democratic party would succeed. When it is + necessary to create credit, to inspire confidence, not only in our own + people, but in the nations of the world—which of the parties is best + adapted for the task? The Democratic party congratulates itself that it + has not been ruined by a Republican surplus! What good boys we are! We + have not been able to throw away our legacy! + </p> + <p> + Is it not a little curious that the convention plumed itself on having + paid out more for pensions and bounties to the soldiers and sailors of the + Republic than was ever paid before during an equal period? It goes wild in + its pretended enthusiasm for the President who has vetoed more pension + bills than all the other Presidents put together. + </p> + <p> + The platform informs us that "the Democratic party has adopted and + consistently pursued and affirmed a prudent foreign policy, preserving + peace with all nations." Does it point with pride to the Mexican fiasco, + or does it rely entirely upon the great fishery triumph? What has the + administration done—what has it accomplished in the field of + diplomacy? + </p> + <p> + When we come to civil service, about how many Federal officials were at + the St. Louis convention? About how many have taken part in the recent + nominations? In other words, who has been idle? + </p> + <p> + We have recently been told that the wages of workingmen are just as high + in the old country as in this, when you take into consideration the cost + of living. We have always been told by all the free trade papers and + orators, that the tariff has no bearing whatever upon wages, and yet, the + Democrats have not succeeded in convincing themselves. I find in their + platform this language: "A fair and careful revision of our tax laws, with + due allowance for the difference between the wages of American and foreign + labor, must promote and encourage every branch of such industries and + enterprises by giving them the assurance of an extended market and steady + and continuous operations." + </p> + <p> + It would seem from this that the Democratic party admits that wages are + higher here than in foreign countries. Certainly they do not mean to say + that they are lower. If they are higher here than in foreign countries, + the question arises, why are they higher? If you took off the tariff, the + presumption is that they would be as low here as anywhere else, because + this very Democratic convention says: "A fair and careful revision of our + tax laws, with due allowance for the difference between wages." In other + words, they would keep tariff enough on to protect our workingmen from the + low wages of the foreigner—consequently, we have the admission of + the Democratic party that in order to keep wages in this country higher + than they are in Belgium, in Italy, in England and in Germany, we must + protect home labor. Then follows the <i>non sequitur</i>, which is a + Democratic earmark. They tell us that by keeping a tariff, "making due + allowance for the difference between wages, all the industries and + enterprises would be encouraged and promoted by giving them the assurance + of an extended market." What does the word "extended" mean? If it means + anything, it means a market in other countries. In other words, we will + put the tariff so low that the wages of American workingmen will be so low + that he can compete with the laborers of other countries; otherwise his + market could not be "extended." What does this mean? There is evidently a + lack of thought here. The two things cannot be accomplished in that way. + If the tariff raises American wages, the American cannot compete in + foreign markets with the men who work for half the price. What may be the + final result is another question. American industry properly protected, + American genius properly fostered, may invent ways and means—such + wonderful machinery, such quick, inexpensive processes, that in time + American genius may produce at a less rate than any other country, for the + reason that the laborers of other countries will not be as intelligent, + will not be as independent, will not have the same ambition. + </p> + <p> + Fine phrases will not deceive the people of this country. The American + mechanic already has a market of sixty millions of people, and, as I said + before, the best market in the world. This country is now so rich, so + prosperous, that it is the greatest market of the earth, even for + luxuries. It is the best market for pictures, for works of art. It is the + best market for music and song. It is the best market for dramatic genius, + and it is the best market for skilled labor, the best market for common + labor, and in this country the poor man to-day has the best chance—he + can look forward to becoming the proprietor of a home, of some land, to + independence, to respectability, and to an old age without want and + without disgrace. + </p> + <p> + The platform, except upon this question of free trade, means very little. + There are other features in it which I have not at present time to + examine, but shall do so hereafter. I want to take it up point by point + and find really what it means, what its scope is, and what the intentions + were of the gentlemen who made it. + </p> + <p> + But it may be proper to say here, that in my judgment it is a very weak + and flimsy document, as Victor Hugo would say, "badly cut and badly + sewed." + </p> + <p> + Of course, I know that the country will exist whatever party may be in + power. I know that all our blessings do not come from laws, or from the + carrying into effect of certain policies, and probably I could pay no + greater compliment to any country than to say that even eight years of + Democratic rule cannot materially affect her destiny. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Press</i>, June 10, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0072" id="link0072"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM OF 1888. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the signs of the times so far as the + campaign has progressed? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The party is now going through a period of + misrepresentation. Every absurd meaning that can be given to any + combination of words will be given to every plank of the platform. In the + heat of partisan hatred every plank will look warped and cracked. A great + effort is being made to show that the Republican party is in favor of + intemperance,—that the great object now is to lessen the price of + all intoxicants and increase the cost of all the necessaries of life. The + papers that are for nothing but reform of everything and everybody except + themselves, are doing their utmost to show that the Republican party is + the enemy of honesty and temperance. + </p> + <p> + The other day, at a Republican ratification meeting, I stated among other + things, that we could not make great men and great women simply by keeping + them out of temptation—that nobody would think of tying the hands of + a person behind them and then praise him for not picking pockets; that + great people were great enough to withstand temptation, and in that + connection I made this statement: "Temperance goes hand in hand with + liberty"—the idea being that when a chain is taken from the body an + additional obligation is perceived by the mind. These good papers—the + papers that believe in honest politics—stated that I said: + "Temperance goes hand in hand with liquor." This was not only in the + reports of the meeting, but this passage was made the subject of several + editorials. It hardly seems possible that any person really thought that + such a statement had been expressed. The Republican party does not want + free whiskey —it wants free men; and a great many people in the + Republican party are great enough to know that temperance does go hand in + hand with liberty; they are great enough to know that all legislation as + to what we shall eat, as to what we shall drink, and as to wherewithal we + shall be clothed, partakes of the nature of petty, irritating and annoying + tyranny. They also know that the natural result is to fill a country with + spies, hypocrites and pretenders, and that when a law is not in accordance + with an enlightened public sentiment, it becomes either a dead letter, or, + when a few fanatics endeavor to enforce it, a demoralizer of courts, of + juries and of people. + </p> + <p> + The attack upon the platform by temperance people is doing no harm, for + the reason that long before November comes these people will see the + mistake they have made. It seems somewhat curious that the Democrats + should attack the platform if they really believe that it means free + whiskey. + </p> + <p> + The tax was levied during the war. It was a war measure. The Government + was <i>in extremis</i>, and for that reason was obliged to obtain a + revenue from every possible article of value. The war is over; the + necessity has disappeared; consequently the Government should return to + the methods of peace. We have too many Government officials. Let us get + rid of collectors and gaugers and inspectors. Let us do away with all this + machinery, and leave the question to be settled by the State. If the + temperance people themselves would take a second thought, they would see + that when the Government collects eighty or ninety million dollars from a + tax on whiskey, the traffic becomes entrenched, it becomes one of the + pillars of the State, one of the great sources of revenue. Let the States + attend to this question, and it will be a matter far easier to deal with. + </p> + <p> + The Prohibitionists are undoubtedly honest, and their object is to destroy + the traffic, to prevent the manufacture of whiskey. Can they do this as + long as the Government collects ninety million dollars per annum from that + one source? If there is anything whatever in this argument, is it not that + the traffic pays a bribe of ninety million dollars a year for its life? + Will not the farmers say to the temperance men: "The distilleries pay the + taxes, the distilleries raise the price of corn; is it not better for the + General Government to look to another direction for its revenues and leave + the States to deal as they may see proper with this question?" + </p> + <p> + With me, it makes no difference what is done with the liquor— + whether it is used in the arts or not—it is a question of policy. + There is no moral principle involved on our side of the question, to say + the least of it. If it is a crime to make and sell intoxicating liquors, + the Government, by licensing persons to make and sell, becomes a party to + the crime. If one man poisons another, no matter how much the poison + costs, the crime is the same; and if the person from whom the poison was + purchased knew how it was to be used, he is also a murderer. + </p> + <p> + There have been many reformers in this world, and they have seemed to + imagine that people will do as they say. They think that you can use + people as you do bricks or stones; that you can lay them up in walls and + they will remain where they are placed; but the truth is, you cannot do + this. The bricks are not satisfied with each other—they go away in + the night—in the morning there is no wall. Most of these reformers + go up what you might call the Mount Sinai of their own egotism, and there, + surrounded by the clouds of their own ignorance, they meditate upon the + follies and the frailties of their fellow-men and then come down with ten + commandments for their neighbors. + </p> + <p> + All this talk about the Republican platform being in favor of + intemperance, so far as the Democratic party is concerned, is pure, + unadulterated hypocrisy—nothing more, nothing less. So far as the + Prohibitionists are concerned, they may be perfectly honest, but, if they + will think a moment, they will see how perfectly illogical they are. No + one can help sympathizing with any effort honestly made to do away with + the evil of intemperance. I know that many believe that these evils can be + done away with by legislation. While I sympathize with the objects that + these people wish to attain, I do not believe in the means they suggest. + As life becomes valuable, people will become temperate, because they will + take care of themselves. Temperance is born of the countless influences of + civilization. Character cannot be forced upon anybody; it is a growth, the + seeds of which are within. Men cannot be forced into real temperance any + more than they can be frightened into real morality. You may frighten a + man to that degree that he will not do a certain thing, but you cannot + scare him badly enough to prevent his wanting to do that thing. + Reformation begins on the inside, and the man refrains because he + perceives that he ought to refrain, not because his neighbors say that he + ought to refrain. No one would think of praising convicts in jail for + being regular at their meals, or for not staying out nights; and it seems + to me that when the Prohibitionists—when the people who are really + in favor of temperance—look the ground all over they will see that + it is far better to support the Republican party than to throw their votes + away; and the Republicans will see that it is simply a proposition to go + back to the original methods of collecting revenue for the Government—that + it is simply abandoning the measures made necessary by war, and that it is + giving to the people the largest liberty consistent with the needs of the + Government, and that it is only leaving these questions where in time of + peace they properly belong —to the States themselves. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the Knights of Labor will cut any + material figure in this election? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Knights of Labor will probably occupy substantially the + same position as other laborers and other mechanics. If they clearly see + that the policy advocated by the Republican party is to their interest, + that it will give them better wages than the policy advocated by the + Democrats, then they will undoubtedly support our ticket. There is more or + less irritation between employers and employed. All men engaged in + manufacturing and neither good nor generous. Many of them get work for as + little as possible, and sell its product for all they can get. It is + impossible to adopt a policy that will not by such people be abused. Many + of them would like to see the working man toil for twelve hours or + fourteen or sixteen in each day. Many of them wonder why they need sleep + or food, and are perfectly astonished when they ask for pay. In some + instances, undoubtedly, the working men will vote against their own + interests simply to get even with such employers. + </p> + <p> + Some laboring men have been so robbed, so tyrannized over, that they would + be perfectly willing to feel for the pillars and take a certain delight in + a destruction that brought ruin even to themselves. Such manufacturers, + however, I believe to be in a minority, and the laboring men, under the + policy of free trade, would be far more in their power. When wages fall + below a certain point, then comes degradation, loss of manhood, serfdom + and slavery. If any man has the right to vote for his own interests, + certainly the man who labors is that man, and every working man having in + his will a part of the sovereignty of this nation, having within him a + part of the lawmaking power, should have the intelligence and courage to + vote for his own interests; he should vote for good wages; he should vote + for a policy that would enable him to lay something by for the winter of + his life, that would enable him to earn enough to educate his children, + enough to give him a home and a fireside. + </p> + <p> + He need not do this in anger or for revenge, but because it is just, + because it is right, and because the working people are in a majority. + They ought to control the world, because they have made the world what it + is. They have given everything there is of value. Labor plows every field, + builds every house, fashions everything of use, and when that labor is + guided by intelligence the world is prosperous. + </p> + <p> + He who thinks good thoughts is a laborer—one of the greatest. The + man who invented the reaper will be harvesting the fields for thousands of + years to come. If labor is abused in this country the laborers have it + within their power to defend themselves. + </p> + <p> + All my sympathies are with the men who toil. I shed very few tears over + bankers and millionaires and corporations—they can take care of + themselves. My sympathies are with the man who has nothing to sell but his + strength; nothing to sell but his muscle and his intelligence; who has no + capital except that which his mother gave him—a capital he must sell + every day; my sympathies are with him; and I want him to have a good + market; and I want it so that he can sell the work for more than enough to + take care of him to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + I believe that no corporation should be allowed to exist except for the + benefit of the whole people. The Government should always act for the + benefit of all, and when the Government gives a part of its power to an + aggregation of individuals, the accomplishment of some public good should + justify the giving of that power; and whenever a corporation becomes + subversive of the very end for which it was created, the Government should + put an end to its life. + </p> + <p> + So I believe that after these matters, these issues have been discussed—when + something is understood about the effect of a tariff, the effect of + protection, the laboring people of this country will be on the side of the + Republican party. The Republican party is always trying to do something—trying + to take a step in advance. Persons who care for nothing except themselves—who + wish to make no effort except for themselves—are its natural + enemies. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Mr. Mills' Fourth of July speech on + his bill? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Certain allowances should always be made for the Fourth of + July. What Mr. Mills says with regard to free trade depends, I imagine, + largely on where he happens to be. You remember the old story about the <i>Moniteur</i>. + When Napoleon escaped from Elba that paper said: "The ogre has escaped." + And from that moment the epithets grew a little less objectionable as + Napoleon advanced, and at last the <i>Moniteur</i> cried out: "The Emperor + has reached Paris." I hardly believe that Mr. Mills would call his bill in + Texas a war tariff measure. He might commence in New York with that + description, but as he went South that language, in my judgment, would + change, and when he struck the Brazos I think the bill would be described + as the nearest possible approach to free trade. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Mills takes the ground that if raw material comes here free of duty, + then we can manufacture that raw material and compete with other countries + in the markets of the world—that is to say, under his bill. Now, + other countries can certainly get the raw material as cheaply as we can, + especially those countries in which the raw material is raised; and if + wages are less in other countries than in ours, the raw material being the + same, the product must cost more with us than with them. Consequently we + cannot compete with foreign countries simply by getting the raw material + at the same price; we must be able to manufacture it as cheaply as they, + and we can do that only by cutting down the wages of the American + workingmen. Because, to have raw material at the same price as other + nations, is only a part of the problem. The other part is how cheaply can + we manufacture it? And that depends upon wages. If wages are twenty-five + cents a day, then we can compete with those nations where wages are + twenty-five cents a day; but if our wages are five or six times as high, + then the twenty-five cent labor will supply the market. There is no + possible way of putting ourselves on an equality with other countries in + the markets of the world, except by putting American labor on an equality + with the other labor of the world. Consequently, we cannot obtain a + foreign market without lessening our wages. No proposition can be plainer + than this. + </p> + <p> + It cannot be said too often that the real prosperity of a country depends + upon the well-being of those who labor. That country is not prosperous + where a few are wealthy and have all the luxuries that the imagination can + suggest, and where the millions are in want, clothed in rags, and housed + in tenements not fit for wild beasts. The value of our property depends on + the civilization of our people. If the people are happy and contented, if + the workingman receives good wages, then our houses and our farms are + valuable. If the people are discontented, if the workingmen are in want, + then our property depreciates from day to day, and national bankruptcy + will only be a question of time. + </p> + <p> + If Mr. Mills has given a true statement with regard to the measure + proposed by him, what relation does that measure bear to the President's + message? What has it to do with the Democratic platform? If Mr. Mills has + made no mistake, the President wrote a message substantially in favor of + free trade. The Democratic party ratified and indorsed that message, and + at the same time ratified and indorsed the Mills bill. Now, the message + was for free trade, and the Mills bill, according to Mr. Mills, is for the + purpose of sustaining the war tariff. They have either got the wrong child + or the wrong parents. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see that some people are objecting to your taking any + part in politics, on account of your religious opinion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Democratic party has always been pious. If it is noted + for anything it is for its extreme devotion. You have no idea how many + Democrats wear out the toes of their shoes praying. I suppose that in this + country there ought to be an absolute divorce between church and state and + without any alimony being allowed to the church; and I have always + supposed that the Republican party was perfectly willing that anybody + should vote its ticket who believed in its principles. The party was not + established, as I understand it, in the interest of any particular + denomination; it was established to promote and preserve the freedom of + the American citizen everywhere. Its first object was to prevent the + spread of human slavery; its second object was to put down the Rebellion + and preserve the Union; its third object was the utter destruction of + human slavery everywhere, and its fourth object is to preserve not only + the fruit of all that it has won, but to protect American industry to the + end that the Republic may not only be free, but prosperous and happy. In + this great work all are invited to join, no matter whether Catholics or + Presbyterians or Methodists or Infidels—believers or unbelievers. + The object is to have a majority of the people of the United States in + favor of human liberty, in favor of justice and in favor of an intelligent + American policy. + </p> + <p> + I am not what is called strictly orthodox, and yet I am liberal enough to + vote for a Presbyterian, and if a Presbyterian is not liberal enough to + stand by a Republican, no matter what his religious opinions may be, then + the Presbyterian is not as liberal as the Republican party, and he is not + as liberal as an unbeliever; in other words, he is not a manly man. + </p> + <p> + I object to no man who is running for office on the ticket of my party on + account of his religious convictions. I care nothing about the church of + which he is a member. That is his business. That is an individual matter—something + with which the State has no right to interfere—something with which + no party can rightfully have anything to do. These great questions are + left open to discussion. Every church must take its chance in the open + field of debate. No belief has the right to draw the sword—no dogma + the right to resort to force. The moment a church asks for the help of the + State, it confesses its weakness, it confesses its inability to answer the + arguments against it. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the absolute equality before the law, of all religions and + all metaphysical theories; and I would no more control those things by law + than I would endeavor to control the arts and the sciences by legislation. + Man admires the beautiful, and what is beautiful to one may not be to + another, and this inequality or this difference cannot be regulated by + law. + </p> + <p> + The same is true of what is called religious belief. I am willing to give + all others every right that I claim for myself, and if they are not + willing to give me the rights they claim for themselves, they are not + civilized. + </p> + <p> + No man acknowledges the truth of my opinions because he votes the same + ticket that I do, and I certainly do not acknowledge the correctness of + the opinions of others because I vote the Republican ticket. We are + Republicans together. Upon certain political questions we agree, upon + other questions we disagree—and that is all. Only religious people, + who have made up their minds to vote the Democratic ticket, will raise an + objection of this kind, and they will raise the objection simply as a + pretence, simply for the purpose of muddying the water while they escape. + </p> + <p> + Of course there may be some exceptions. There are a great many insane + people out of asylums. If the Republican party does not stand for absolute + intellectual liberty, it had better disband. And why should we take so + much pains to free the body, and then enslave the mind? I believe in + giving liberty to both. Give every man the right to labor, and give him + the right to reap the harvest of his toil. Give every man the right to + think, and to reap the harvest of his brain—that is to say, give him + the right to express his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Press</i>, July 8, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0073" id="link0073"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + JAMES G. BLAINE AND POLITICS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see that there has lately been published a long account + of the relations between Mr. Blaine and yourself, and the reason given for + your failure to support him for the nomination in 1884 and 1888? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Every little while some donkey writes a long article + pretending to tell all that happened between Mr. Blaine and myself. I have + never seen any article on the subject that contained any truth. They are + always the invention of the writer or of somebody who told him. The last + account is more than usually idiotic. An unpleasant word has never passed + between Mr. Blaine and myself. We have never had any falling out. I never + asked Mr. Blaine's influence for myself. I never asked President Hayes or + Garfield or Arthur for any position whatever, and I have never asked Mr. + Cleveland for any appointment under the civil service. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the German Mission, about which so much has been said, all + that I ever did in regard to that was to call on Secretary Evarts and + inform him that there was no place in the gift of the administration that + I would accept. I could not afford to throw away a good many thousand + dollars a year for the sake of an office. So I say again that I never + asked, or dreamed of asking, any such favor of Mr. Blaine. The favors have + been exactly the other way— from me, and not from him. So there is + not the slightest truth in the charge that there was some difference + between our families. + </p> + <p> + I have great respect for Mrs. Blaine, have always considered her an + extremely good and sensible woman; our relations have been of the + friendliest character, and such relations have always existed between all + the members of both families, so far as I know. Nothing could be more + absurd that the charge that there was some feeling growing out of our + social relations. We do not depend upon others to help us socially; we + need no help, and if we did we would not accept it. The whole story about + there having been any lack of politeness or kindness is without the + slightest foundation. + </p> + <p> + In 1884 I did not think that Mr. Blaine could be elected. I thought the + same at the Chicago convention this year. I know that he has a great + number of ardent admirers and of exceedingly self-denying and unselfish + friends. I believe that he has more friends than any other man in the + Republican party; but he also has very bitter enemies—enemies with + influence. Taking this into consideration, and believing that the success + of the party was more important than the success of any individual, I was + in favor of nominating some man who would poll the entire Republican vote. + This feeling did not grow out of any hostility to any man, but simply out + of a desire for Republican success. In other words, I endeavored to take + an unprejudiced view of the situation. Under no circumstances would I + underrate the ability and influence of Mr. Blaine, nor would I endeavor to + deprecate the services he has rendered to the Republican party and to the + country. But by this time it ought to be understood that I belong to no + man, that I am the proprietor of myself. + </p> + <p> + There are two kinds of people that I have no use for—leaders and + followers. The leader should be principle; the leader should be a great + object to be accomplished. The follower should be the man dedicated to the + accomplishment of a noble end. He who simply follows persons gains no + honor and is incapable of giving honor even to the one he follows. There + are certain things to be accomplished and these things are the leaders. We + want in this country an American system; we wish to carry into operation, + into practical effect, ideas, policies, theories in harmony with our + surroundings. + </p> + <p> + This is a great country filled with intelligent, industrious, restless, + ambitious people. Millions came here because they were dissatisfied with + the laws, the institutions, the tyrannies, the absurdities, the poverty, + the wretchedness and the infamous spirit of caste found in the Old World. + Millions of these people are thinking for themselves, and only the people + who can teach, who can give new facts, who can illuminate, should be + regarded as political benefactors. This country is, in my judgment, in all + that constitutes true greatness, the nearest civilized of any country. + Only yesterday the German Empire robbed a woman of her child; this was + done as a political necessity. Nothing is taken into consideration except + some move on the political chess-board. The feelings of a mother are + utterly disregarded; they are left out of the question; they are not even + passed upon. They are naturally ignored, because in these governments only + the unnatural is natural. + </p> + <p> + In our political life we have substantially outgrown the duel. There are + some small, insignificant people who still think it important to defend a + worthless reputation on the field of "honor," but for respectable members + of the Senate, of the House, of the Cabinet, to settle a political + argument with pistols would render them utterly contemptible in this + country; that is to say, the opinion that governs, that dominates in this + country, holds the duel in abhorrence and in contempt. What could be more + idiotic, absurd, childish, than the duel between Boulanger and Floquet? + What was settled? It needed no duel to convince the world that Floquet is + a man of courage. The same may be said of Boulanger. He has faced death + upon many fields. Why, then, resort to the duel? If Boulanger's wound + proves fatal, that certainly does not tend to prove that Floquet told the + truth, and if Boulanger recovers, it does not tend to prove that he did + not tell the truth. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is settled. Two men controlled by vanity, that individual vanity + born of national vanity, try to kill each other; the public ready to + reward the victor; the cause of the quarrel utterly ignored; the hands of + the public ready to applaud the successful swordsman —and yet France + is called a civilized nation. No matter how serious the political + situation may be, no matter if everything depends upon one man, that man + is at the mercy of anyone in opposition who may see fit to challenge him. + The greatest general at the head of their armies may be forced to fight a + duel with a nobody. Such ideas, such a system, keeps a nation in peril and + makes every cause, to a greater or less extent, depend upon the sword or + the bullet of a criminal. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Press</i>, New York, July 16, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0074" id="link0074"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MILLS BILL. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your opinion, is the significance of the vote on + the Mills Bill recently passed in the House? In this I find there were one + hundred and sixty-two for it, and one hundred and forty-nine against it; + of these, two Republicans voted for, and five Democrats against. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, I think it somewhat doubtful whether + the bill could have been passed if Mr. Randall had been well. His sickness + had much to do with this vote. Had he been present to have taken care of + his side, to have kept his forces in hand, he, in my judgment, taking into + consideration his wonderful knowledge of parliamentary tactics, would have + defeated this bill. + </p> + <p> + It is somewhat hard to get the average Democrat, in the absence of his + leader, to throw away the prospect of patronage. Most members of Congress + have to pay tolerably strict attention to their political fences. The + President, although clinging with great tenacity to the phrase "civil + service," has in all probability pulled every string he could reach for + the purpose of compelling the Democratic members not only to stand in + line, but to answer promptly to their names. Every Democrat who has shown + independence has been stepped on just to the extent he could be reached; + but many members, had the leader been on the floor—and a leader like + Randall—would have followed him. + </p> + <p> + There are very few congressional districts in the United States not + intensely Democratic where the people want nothing protected. There are a + few districts where nothing grows except ancient politics, where they + cultivate only the memory of what never ought to have been, where the + subject of protection has not yet reached. + </p> + <p> + The impudence requisite to pass the Mills Bill is something phenomenal. + Think of the Representatives from Louisiana saying to the ranchmen of the + West and to the farmers of Ohio that wool must be on the free list, but + that for the sake of preserving the sugar interest of Louisiana and a + little portion of Texas, all the rest of the United States must pay + tribute. + </p> + <p> + Everybody admits that Louisiana is not very well adapted by nature for + raising sugar, for the reason that the cane has to be planted every year, + and every third year the frost puts in an appearance just a little before + the sugar. Now, while I think personally that the tariff on sugar has + stimulated the inventive genius of the country to find other ways of + producing that which is universally needed; and while I believe that it + will not be long until we shall produce every pound of sugar that we + consume, and produce it cheaper than we buy it now, I am satisfied that in + time and at no distant day sugar will be made in this country extremely + cheap, not only from beets, but from sorghum and corn, and it may be from + other products. At the same time this is no excuse for Louisiana, neither + is it any excuse for South Carolina asking for a tariff on rice, and at + the same time wishing to leave some other industry in the United States, + in which many more millions have been invested, absolutely without + protection. + </p> + <p> + Understand, I am not opposed to a reasonable tariff on rice, provided it + is shown that we can raise rice in this country cheaply and at a profit to + such an extent as finally to become substantially independent of the rest + of the world. What I object to is the impudence of the gentleman who is + raising the rice objecting to the protection of some other industry of far + greater importance than his. + </p> + <p> + After all, the whole thing must be a compromise. We must act together for + the common good. If we wish to make something at the expense of another + State we must allow that State to make something at our expense, or at + least we must be able to show that while it is for our benefit it is also + for the benefit of the country at large. Everybody is entitled to have his + own way up to the point that his way interferes with somebody else. States + are like individuals—their rights are relative—they are + subordinated to the good of the whole country. + </p> + <p> + For many years it has been the American policy to do all that reasonably + could be done to foster American industry, to give scope to American + ingenuity and a field for American enterprise—in other words, a + future for the United States. + </p> + <p> + The Southern States were always in favor of something like free trade. + They wanted to raise cotton for Great Britain—raw material for other + countries. At that time their labor was slave labor, and they could not + hope ever to have skilled labor, because skilled labor cannot be enslaved. + The Southern people knew at that time that if a man was taught enough of + mathematics to understand machinery, to run locomotives, to weave cloth; + it he was taught enough of chemistry even to color calico, it would be + impossible to keep him a slave. Education always was and always will be an + abolitionist. The South advocated a system of harmony with slavery, in + harmony with ignorance—that is to say, a system of free trade, under + which it might raise its raw material. It could not hope to manufacture, + because by making its labor intelligent enough to manufacture it would + lose it. + </p> + <p> + In the North, men are working for themselves, and as I have often said, + they were getting their hands and heads in partnership. Every little + stream that went singing to the sea was made to turn a thousand wheels; + the water became a spinner and a weaver; the water became a blacksmith and + ran a trip hammer; the water was doing the work of millions of men. In + other words, the free people of the North were doing what free people have + always done, going into partnership with the forces of nature. Free people + want good tools, shapely, well made—tools with which the most work + can be done with the least strain. + </p> + <p> + Suppose the South had been in favor of protection; suppose that all over + the Southern country there had been workshops, factories, machines of + every kind; suppose that her people had been as ingenious as the people of + the North; suppose that her hands had been as deft as those that had been + accustomed to skilled labor; then one of two things would have happened; + either the South would have been too intelligent to withdraw from the + Union, or, having withdrawn, it would have had the power to maintain its + position. My opinion is that is would have been too intelligent to + withdraw. + </p> + <p> + When the South seceded it had no factories. The people of the South had + ability, but it was not trained in the direction then necessary. They + could not arm and equip their men; they could not make their clothes; they + could not provide them with guns, with cannon, with ammunition, and with + the countless implements of destruction. They had not the ingenuity; they + had not the means; they could not make cars to carry their troops, or + locomotives to draw them; they had not in their armies the men to build + bridges or to supply the needed transportation. They had nothing but + cotton —that is to say, raw material. So that you might say that the + Rebellion has settled the question as to whether a country is better off + and more prosperous, and more powerful, and more ready for war, that is + filled with industries, or one that depends simply upon the production of + raw material. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing in this connection that should never be forgotten—at + least, not until after the election in November, and then if forgotten, + should be remembered at every subsequent election —and that is, that + the Southern Confederacy had in its Constitution the doctrine of free + trade. Among other things it was fighting for free trade. As a matter of + fact, John C. Calhoun was fighting for free trade; the nullification + business was in the interest of free trade. + </p> + <p> + The Southern people are endeavoring simply to accomplish, with the aid of + New York, what they failed to accomplish on the field. The South is as + "solid" to-day as in 1863. It is now for free trade, and it purposes to + carry the day by the aid of one or two Northern States. History is + repeating itself. It was the same for many years, up to the election of + Abraham Lincoln. + </p> + <p> + Understand me, I do not blame the South for acting in accordance with its + convictions, but the North ought not to be misled. The North ought to + understand what the issue is. The South has a different idea of government—it + is afraid of what it calls "centralization"—it is extremely + sensitive about what are called "State Rights" or the sovereignty of the + State. But the North believes in a Union that is united. The North does + not expect to have any interest antagonistic to the Union. The North has + no mental reservation. The North believes in the Government and in the + Federal system, and the North believes that when a State is admitted into + the Union it becomes a part—an integral part—of the Nation; + that there was a welding, that the State, so far as sovereignty is + concerned, is lost in the Union, and that the people of that State become + citizens of the whole country. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I see that by the vote two of the five Democrats who + voted for protection, and one of the two Republicans who voted for free + trade, were New Yorkers. What do you think is the significance of this + fact in relation to the question as to whether New York will join the + South in the opposition to the industries of the country? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the city of New York there are a vast number of men + —importers, dealers in foreign articles, representatives of foreign + houses, of foreign interests, of foreign ideas. Of course most of these + people are in favor of free trade. They regard New York as a good market; + beyond that they have not the slightest interest in the United States. + They are in favor of anything that will give them a large profit, or that + will allow them to do the same business with less capital, or that will do + them any good without the slightest regard as to what the effect may be on + this country as a nation. They come from all countries, and they expect to + remain here until their fortunes are made or lost and all their ideas are + moulded by their own interests. Then, there are a great many natives who + are merchants in New York and who deal in foreign goods, and they probably + think—some of them—that it would be to their interest to have + free trade, and they will probably vote according to the ledger. With them + it is a question of bookkeeping. Their greed is too great to appreciate + the fact that to impoverish customers destroys trade. + </p> + <p> + At the same time, New York, being one of the greatest manufacturing States + of the world, will be for protection, and the Democrats of New York who + voted for protection did so, not only because the believed in it + themselves, but because their constituents believe in it, and the + Republicans who voted the other way must have represented some district + where the foreign influence controls. + </p> + <p> + The people of this State will protect their own industries. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What will be the fate of the Mills Bill in the Senate? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that unless the Senate has a bill prepared + embodying Republican ideals, a committee should be appointed, not simply + to examine the Mills Bill, but to get the opinions and the ideas of the + most intelligent manufacturers and mechanics in this country. Let the + questions be thoroughly discussed, and let the information thus obtained + be given to the people; let it be published from day to day; let the + laboring man have his say, let the manufacturer give his opinion; let the + representatives of the principal industries be heard, so that we may vote + intelligently, so that the people may know what they are doing. + </p> + <p> + A great many industries have been attacked. Let them defend themselves. + Public property should not be taken for Democratic use without due process + of law. + </p> + <p> + Certainly it is not the business of a Republican Senate to pull the donkey + of the Democrats out of the pit; the dug the pit, and we have lost no + donkey. + </p> + <p> + I do not think the Senate called upon to fix up this Mills Bill, to + rectify its most glaring mistakes, and then for the sake of saving a + little, give up a great deal. What we have got is safe until the Democrats + have the power to pass a bill. We can protect our rights by not passing + their bills. In other words, we do not wish to practice any great + self-denial simply for the purpose of insuring Democratic success. If the + bill is sent back to the House, no matter in what form, if it still has + the name "Mills Bill" I think the Democrats will vote for it simply to get + out of their trouble. They will have the President's message left. + </p> + <p> + But I do hope that the Senate will investigate this business. It is hardly + fair to ask the Senate to take decided and final action upon this bill in + the last days of the session. There is no time to consider it unless it is + instantly defeated. This would probably be a safe course, and yet, by + accident, there may be some good things in this bill that ought to be + preserved, and certainly the Democratic party ought to regard it as a + compliment to keep it long enough to read it. + </p> + <p> + The interests involved are great—there are the commercial and + industrial interests of sixty millions of people. These questions touch + the prosperity of the Republic. Every person under the flag has a direct + interest in the solution of these questions. The end that is now arrived + at, the policy now adopted, may and probably will last for many years. One + can hardly overestimate the immensity of the interests at stake. A man + dealing with his own affairs should take time to consider; he should give + himself the benefit of his best judgment. When acting for others he should + do no less. The Senators represent, or should represent, not only their + own views, but above these things they represent the material interests of + their constituents, of their States, and to this trust they must be true, + and in order to be true, they must understand the material interests of + their States, and in order to be faithful, they must understand how the + proposed changes in the tariff will affect these interests. This cannot be + done in a moment. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, the best way is for the Senate, through the proper + committee, to hear testimony, to hear the views of intelligent men, of + interested men, of prejudiced men—that is to say, they should look + at the question from all sides. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. The Senate is almost tied; do you think that any + Republicans are likely to vote in the interest of the President's policy + at this session? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course I cannot pretend to answer that question from any + special knowledge, or on any information that others are not in possession + of. My idea is simply this: That a majority of the Senators are opposed to + the President's policy. A majority of the Senate will, in my judgment, + sustain the Republican policy; that is to say, they will stand by the + American system. A majority of the Senate, I think, know that it will be + impossible for us to compete in the markets of the world with those + nations in which labor is far cheaper than it is in the United States, and + that when you make the raw material just the same, you have not overcome + the difference in labor, and until this is overcome we cannot successfully + compete in the markets of the world with those countries where labor is + cheaper. And there are only two ways to overcome this difficulty—either + the price of labor must go up in the other countries or must go down in + this. I do not believe that a majority of the Senate can be induced to + vote for a policy that will decrease the wages of American workingmen. + </p> + <p> + There is this curious thing: The President started out blowing the trumpet + of free trade. It gave, as the Democrats used to say, "no uncertain + sound." He blew with all his might. Messrs. Morrison, Carlisle, Mills and + many others joined the band. When the Mills Bill was introduced it was + heralded as the legitimate offspring of the President's message. When the + Democratic convention at St. Louis met, the declaration was made that the + President's message, the Mills Bill, the Democratic platform of 1884 and + the Democratic platform of 1888, were all the same—all segments of + one circle; in fact, they were like modern locomotives—"all the + parts interchangeable." As soon as the Republican convention met, made its + platform and named its candidates, it is not free trade, but freer trade; + and now Mr. Mills, in the last speech that he was permitted to make in + favor of his bill, endeavored to show that it was a high protective tariff + measure. + </p> + <p> + This is what lawyers call "a departure in pleading." That is to say, it is + a case that ought to be beaten on demurrer. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Press</i>, July 29, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0075" id="link0075"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SOCIETY AND ITS CRIMINALS* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* Col. Robert G. Ingersoll was greatly interested in + securing for Chiara Cignarale a commutation of the death + sentence to imprisonment for life. In view of the fact that + the great Agnostic has made a close study of capital + punishment, a reporter for the <i>World</i> called upon him a day + or two ago for an interview touching modern reformatory + measures and the punishment of criminals. Speaking + generally on the subject Colonel Ingersoll said:] +</pre> + <p> + I suppose that society—that is to say, a state or a nation—has + the right of self-defence. It is impossible to maintain society— + that is to say, to protect the rights of individuals in life, in property, + in reputation, and in the various pursuits known as trades and + professions, without in some way taking care of those who violate these + rights. The principal object of all government should be to protect those + in the right from those in the wrong. There are a vast number of people + who need to be protected who are unable, by reason of the defects in their + minds and by the countless circumstances that enter into the question of + making a living, to protect themselves. Among the barbarians there was, + comparatively speaking, but little difference. A living was made by + fishing and hunting. These arts were simple and easily learned. The + principal difference in barbarians consisted in physical strength and + courage. As a consequence, there were comparatively few failures. Most men + were on an equality. Now that we are somewhat civilized, life has become + wonderfully complex. There are hundreds of arts, trades, and professions, + and in every one of these there is great competition. + </p> + <p> + Besides all this, something is needed every moment. Civilized man has less + credit than the barbarian. There is something by which everything can be + paid for, including the smallest services. Everybody demands payment, and + he who fails to pay is a failure. Owing to the competition, owing to the + complexity of modern life, owing to the thousand things that must be known + in order to succeed in any direction, on either side of the great highway + that is called Progress, are innumerable wrecks. As a rule, failure in + some honest direction, or at least in some useful employment, is the dawn + of crime. People who are prosperous, people who by reasonable labor can + make a reasonable living, who, having a little leisure can lay in a little + for the winter that comes to all, are honest. + </p> + <p> + As a rule, reasonable prosperity is virtuous. I don't say great + prosperity, because it is very hard for the average man to withstand + extremes. When people fail under this law, or rather this fact, of the + survival of the fittest, they endeavor to do by some illegal way that + which they failed to do in accordance with law. Persons driven from the + highway take to the fields, and endeavor to reach their end or object in + some shorter way, by some quicker path, regardless of its being right or + wrong. + </p> + <p> + I have said this much to show that I regard criminals as unfortunates. + Most people regard those who violate the law with hatred. They do not take + into consideration the circumstances. They do not believe that man is + perpetually acted upon. They throw out of consideration the effect of + poverty, of necessity, and above all, of opportunity. For these reasons + they regard criminals with feelings of revenge. They wish to see them + punished. They want them imprisoned or hanged. They do not think the law + has been vindicated unless somebody has been outraged. I look at these + things from an entirely different point of view. I regard these people who + are in the clutches of the law not only as unfortunates, but, for the most + part, as victims. You may call them victims of nature, or of nations, or + of governments; it makes no difference, they are victims. Under the same + circumstances the very persons who punish them would be punished. But + whether the criminal is a victim or not, the honest man, the industrious + man, has the right to defend the product of his labor. He who sows and + plows should be allowed to reap, and he who endeavors to take from him his + harvest is what we call a criminal; and it is the business of society to + protect the honest from the dishonest. + </p> + <p> + Without taking into account whether the man is or is not responsible, + still society has the right of self-defence. Whether that right of + self-defence goes to the extent of taking life, depends, I imagine, upon + the circumstances in which society finds itself placed. A thousand men on + a ship form a society. If a few men should enter into a plot for the + destruction of the ship, or for turning it over to pirates, or for + poisoning and plundering the most of the passengers—if the + passengers found this out certainly they would have the right of + self-defence. They might not have the means to confine the conspirators + with safety. Under such circumstances it might be perfectly proper for + them to destroy their lives and to throw their worthless bodies into the + sea. But what society has the right to do depends upon the circumstances. + Now, in my judgment, society has the right to do two things—to + protect itself and to do what it can to reform the individual. Society has + no right to take revenge; no right to torture a convict; no right to do + wrong because some individual has done wrong. I am opposed to all corporal + punishment in penitentiaries. I am opposed to anything that degrades a + criminal or leaves upon him an unnecessary stain, or puts upon him any + stain that he did not put upon himself. + </p> + <p> + Most people defend capital punishment on the ground that the man ought to + be killed because he has killed another. The only real ground for killing + him, even if that be good, is not that he has killed, but that he may + kill. What he has done simply gives evidence of what he may do, and to + prevent what he may do, instead of to revenge what he has done, should be + the reason given. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is another view. To what extent does it harden the community + for the Government to take life? Don't people reason in this way: That man + ought to be killed; the Government, under the same circumstances, would + kill him, therefore I will kill him? Does not the Government feed the mob + spirit—the lynch spirit? Does not the mob follow the example set by + the Government? The Government certainly cannot say that it hangs a man + for the purpose of reforming him. Its feelings toward that man are only + feelings of revenge and hatred. These are the same feelings that animate + the lowest and basest mob. + </p> + <p> + Let me give you an example. In the city of Bloomington, in the State of + Illinois, a man confined in the jail, in his efforts to escape, shot and, + I believe, killed the jailer. He was pursued, recaptured, brought back and + hanged by a mob. The man who put the rope around his neck was then under + indictment for an assault to kill and was out on bail, and after the poor + wretch was hanged another man climbed the tree and, in a kind of derision, + put a piece of cigar between the lips of the dead man. The man who did + this had also been indicted for a penitentiary offence and was then out on + bail. + </p> + <p> + I mention this simply to show the kind of people you find in mobs. Now, if + the Government had a greater and nobler thought; if the Government said: + "We will reform; we will not destroy; but if the man is beyond reformation + we will simply put him where he can do no more harm," then, in my + judgment, the effect would be far better. My own opinion is, that the + effect of an execution is bad upon the community—degrading and + debasing. The effect is to cheapen human life; and, although a man is + hanged because he has taken human life, the very fact that his life is + taken by the Government tends to do away with the idea that human life is + sacred. + </p> + <p> + Let me give you an illustration. A man in the city of Washington went to + Alexandria, Va., for the purpose of seeing a man hanged who had murdered + an old man and a woman for the purpose of getting their money. On his + return from that execution he came through what is called the Smithsonian + grounds. This was on the same day, late in the evening. There he met a + peddler, whom he proceeded to murder for his money. He was arrested in a + few hours, in a little while was tried and convicted, and in a little + while was hanged. And another man, present at this second execution, went + home on that same day, and, in passing by a butcher-shop near his house, + went in, took from the shop a cleaver, went into his house and chopped his + wife's head off. + </p> + <p> + This, I say, throws a little light upon the effect of public executions. + In the Cignarale case, of course the sentence should have been commuted. I + think, however, that she ought not to be imprisoned for life. From what I + read of the testimony I think she should have been pardoned. + </p> + <p> + It is hard, I suppose, for a man fully to understand and enter into the + feelings of a wife who has been trampled upon, abused, bruised, and + blackened by the man she loved—by the man who made to her the vows + of eternal affection. The woman, as a rule, is so weak, so helpless. Of + course, it does not all happen in a moment. It comes on as the night + comes. She notices that he does not act quite as affectionately as he + formerly did. Day after day, month after month, she feels that she is + entering a twilight. But she hopes that she is mistaken, and that the + light will come again. The gloom deepens, and at last she is in midnight—a + midnight without a star. And this man, whom she once worshiped, is now her + enemy— one who delights to trample upon every sentiment she has—who + delights in humiliating her, and who is guilty of a thousand nameless + tyrannies. Under these circumstances, it is hardly right to hold that + woman accountable for what she does. It has always seemed to me strange + that a woman so circumstanced—in such fear that she dare not even + tell her trouble—in such fear that she dare not even run away—dare + not tell a father or a mother, for fear that she will be killed—I + say, that in view of all this, it has always seemed strange to me that so + few husbands have been poisoned. + </p> + <p> + The probability is that society raises its own criminals. It plows the + land, sows the seed, and harvests the crop. I believe that the shadow of + the gibbet will not always fall upon the earth. I believe the time will + come when we shall know too much to raise criminals—know too much to + crowd those that labor into the dens and dungeons that we call tenements, + while the idle live in palaces. The time will come when men will know that + real progress means the enfranchisement of the whole human race, and that + our interests are so united, so interwoven, that the few cannot be happy + while the many suffer; so that the many cannot be happy while the few + suffer; so that none can be happy while one suffers. In other words, it + will be found that the human race is interested in each individual. When + that time comes we will stop producing criminals; we will stop producing + failures; we will not leave the next generation to chance; we will not + regard the gutter as a proper nursery for posterity. + </p> + <p> + People imagine that if the thieves are sent to the penitentiary, that is + the last of the thieves; that if those who kill others are hanged, society + is on a safe and enduring basis. But the trouble is here: A man comes to + your front door and you drive him away. You have an idea that that man's + case is settled. You are mistaken. He goes to the back door. He is again + driven away. But the case is not settled. The next thing you know he + enters at night. He is a burglar. He is caught; he is convicted; he is + sent to the penitentiary, and you imagine that the case is settled. But it + is not. You must remember that you have to keep all the agencies alive for + the purpose of taking care of these people. You have to build and maintain + your penitentiaries, your courts of justice; you have to pay your judges, + your district attorneys, your juries, you witnesses, your detectives, your + police—all these people must be paid. So that, after all, it is a + very expensive way of settling this question. You could have done it far + more cheaply had you found this burglar when he was a child; had you taken + his father and mother from the tenement house, or had you compelled the + owners to keep the tenement clean; or if you had widened the streets, if + you had planted a few trees, if you had had plenty of baths, if you had + had a school in the neighborhood. If you had taken some interest in this + family—some interest in this child—instead of breaking into + houses, he might have been a builder of houses. + </p> + <p> + There is, and it cannot be said too often, no reforming influence in + punishment; no reforming power in revenge. Only the best of men should be + in charge of penitentiaries; only the noblest minds and the tenderest + hearts should have the care of criminals. Criminals should see from the + first moment that they enter a penitentiary that it is filled with the air + of kindness, full of the light of hope. The object should be to convince + every criminal that he has made a mistake; that he has taken the wrong + way; that the right way is the easy way, and that the path of crime never + did and never can lead to happiness; that that idea is a mistake, and that + the Government wishes to convince him that he has made a mistake; wishes + to open his intellectual eyes; wishes so to educate him, so to elevate + him, that he will look back upon what he has done, only with horror. This + is reformation. Punishment is not. When the convict is taken to Sing Sing + or to Auburn, and when a striped suit of clothes is put upon him—that + is to say, when he is made to feel the degradation of his position—no + step has been taken toward reformation. You have simply filled his heart + with hatred. Then, when he has been abused for several years, treated like + a wild beast, and finally turned out again in the community, he has no + thought, in a majority of cases, except to "get even" with those who have + persecuted him. He feels that it is a persecution. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that men are naturally criminals and + naturally virtuous? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that man does all that he does naturally—that + is to say, a certain man does a certain act under certain circumstances, + and he does this naturally. For instance, a man sees a five dollar bill, + and he knows that he can take it without being seen. Five dollars is no + temptation to him. Under the circumstances it is not natural that he + should take it. The same man sees five million dollars, and feels that he + can get possession of it without detection. If he takes it, then under the + circumstances, that was natural to him. And yet I believe there are men + above all price, and that no amount of temptation or glory or fame could + mislead them. Still, whatever man does, is or was natural to him. + </p> + <p> + Another view of the subject is this: I have read that out of fifty + criminals who had been executed it was found, I believe, in nearly all the + cases, that the shape of the skull was abnormal. Whether this is true or + not, I don't know; but that some men have a tendency toward what we call + crime, I believe. Where this has been ascertained, then, it seems to me, + such men should be placed where they cannot multiply their kind. Women who + have a criminal tendency should be placed where they cannot increase their + kind. For hardened criminals —that is to say, for the people who + make crime a business—it would probably be better to separate the + sexes; to send the men to one island, the women to another. Let them be + kept apart, to the end that people with criminal tendencies may fade from + the earth. This is not prompted by revenge. This would not be done for the + purpose of punishing these people, but for the protection of society + —for the peace and happiness of the future. + </p> + <p> + My own belief is that the system in vogue now in regard to the treatment + of criminals in many States produces more crime than it prevents. Take, + for instance, the Southern States. There is hardly a chapter in the + history of the world the reading of which could produce greater + indignation than the history of the convict system in many of the Southern + States. These convicts are hired out for the purpose of building railways, + or plowing fields, or digging coal, and in some instances the death-rate + has been over twelve per cent. a month. The evidence shows that no respect + was paid to the sexes—men and women were chained together + indiscriminately. The evidence also shows that for the slightest offences + they were shot down like beasts. They were pursued by hounds, and their + flesh was torn from their bones. + </p> + <p> + So in some of the Northern prisons they have what they call the weighing + machine—an infamous thing, and he who uses it commits as great a + crime as the convict he punishes could have committed. All these things + are degrading, debasing, and demoralizing. There is no need of any such + punishment in any penitentiary. Let the punishment be of such kind that + the convict is responsible himself. For instance, if the convict refuses + to obey a reasonable rule he can be put into a cell. He can be fed when he + obeys the rule. + </p> + <p> + If he goes hungry it is his own fault. It depends upon himself to say when + he shall eat. Or he may be placed in such a position that if he does not + work—if he does not pump—the water will rise and drown him. If + the water does rise it is his fault. Nobody pours it upon him. He takes + his choice. + </p> + <p> + These are suggested as desperate cases, but I can imagine no case where + what is called corporal punishment should be inflicted, and the reason I + am against it is this: I am opposed to any punishment that cannot be + inflicted by a gentleman. I am opposed to any punishment the infliction of + which tends to harden and debase the man who inflicts it. I am for no laws + that have to be carried out by human curs. + </p> + <p> + Take, for instance, the whipping-post. Nothing can be more degrading. The + man who applies the lash is necessarily a cruel and vulgar man, and the + oftener he applies it the more and more debased he will become. The whole + thing can be stated in the one sentence: I am opposed to any punishment + that cannot be inflicted by a gentleman, and by "gentleman" I mean a + self-respecting, honest, generous man. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the efficacy or the propriety of + punishing criminals by solitary confinement? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Solitary confinement is a species of torture. I am opposed + to all torture. I think the criminal should not be punished. He should be + reformed, if he is capable of reformation. But, whatever is done, it + should not be done as a punishment. Society should be too noble, too + generous, to harbor a thought of revenge. Society should not punish, it + should protect itself only. It should endeavor to reform the individual. + Now, solitary confinement does not, I imagine, tend to the reformation of + the individual. Neither can the person in that position do good to any + human being. The prisoner will be altogether happier when his mind is + engaged, when his hands are busy, when he has something to do. This keeps + alive what we call cheerfulness. And let me say a word on this point. + </p> + <p> + I don't believe that the State ought to steal the labor of a convict. Here + is a man who has a family. He is sent to the penitentiary. He works from + morning till night. Now, in my judgment, he ought to be paid for the labor + over and above what it costs to keep him. That money should be sent to his + family. That money should be subject, at least, to his direction. If he is + a single man, when he comes out of the penitentiary he should be given his + earnings, and all his earnings, so that he would not have the feeling that + he had been robbed. A statement should be given to him to show what it had + cost to keep him and how much his labor had brought and the balance + remaining in his favor. With this little balance he could go out into the + world with something like independence. This little balance would be a + foundation for his honesty—a foundation for a resolution on his part + to be a man. But now each one goes out with the feeling that he has not + only been punished for the crime which he committed, but that he has been + robbed of the results of his labor while there. + </p> + <p> + The idea is simply preposterous that the people sent to the penitentiary + should live in idleness. They should have the benefit of their labor, and + if you give them the benefit of their labor they will turn out as good + work as if they were out of the penitentiary. They will have the same + reason to do their best. Consequently, poor articles, poorly constructed + things, would not come into competition with good articles made by free + people outside of the walls. + </p> + <p> + Now many mechanics are complaining because work done in the penitentiaries + is brought into competition with their work. But the only reason that + convict work is cheaper is because the poor wretch who does it is robbed. + The only reason that the work is poor is because the man who does it has + no interest in its being good. If he had the profit of his own labor he + would do the best that was in him, and the consequence would be that the + wares manufactured in the prisons would be as good as those manufactured + elsewhere. For instance, we will say here are three or four men working + together. They are all free men. One commits a crime and he is sent to the + penitentiary. Is it possible that his companions would object to his being + paid for honest work in the penitentiary? + </p> + <p> + And let me say right here, all labor is honest. Whoever makes a useful + thing, the labor is honest, no matter whether the work is done in a + penitentiary or in a palace; in a hovel or the open field. Wherever work + is done for the good of others, it is honest work. If the laboring men + would stop and think, they would know that they support everybody. Labor + pays all the taxes. Labor supports all the penitentiaries. Labor pays the + warden. Labor pays everything, and if the convicts are allowed to live in + idleness labor must pay their board. Every cent of tax is borne by the + back of labor. No matter whether your tariff is put on champagne and + diamonds, it has to be paid by the men and women who work—those who + plow in the fields, who wash and iron, who stand by the forge, who run the + cars and work in the mines, and by those who battle with the waves of the + sea. Labor pays every bill. + </p> + <p> + There is one little thing to which I wish to call the attention of all who + happen to read this interview, and that is this: Undoubtedly you think of + all criminals with horror and when you hear about them you are, in all + probability, filled with virtuous indignation. But, first of all, I want + you to think of what you have in fact done. Secondly, I want you to think + of what you have wanted to do. Thirdly, I want you to reflect whether you + were prevented from doing what you wanted to do by fear or by lack of + opportunity. Then perhaps you will have more charity. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the new legislation in the State + changing the death penalty to death by electricity? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If death by electricity is less painful than hanging, then + the law, so far as that goes, is good. There is not the slightest + propriety in inflicting upon the person executed one single unnecessary + pang, because that partakes of the nature of revenge—that is to say, + of hatred—and, as a consequence, the State shows the same spirit + that the criminal was animated by when he took the life of his neighbor. + If the death penalty is to be inflicted, let it be done in the most humane + way. For my part, I should like to see the criminal removed, if he must be + removed, with the same care and with the same mercy that you would perform + a surgical operation. Why inflict pain? Who wants it inflicted? What good + can it, by any possibility, do? To inflict unnecessary pain hardens him + who inflicts it, hardens each among those who witness it, and tends to + demoralize the community. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is it not the fact that punishments have grown less and + less severe for many years past? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the old times punishment was the only means of + reformation. If anybody did wrong, punish him. If people still continued + to commit the same offence, increase the punishment; and that went on + until in what they call "civilized countries" they hanged people, provided + they stole the value of one shilling. But larceny kept right on. There was + no diminution. So, for treason, barbarous punishments were inflicted. + Those guilty of that offence were torn asunder by horses; their entrails + were cut out of them while they were yet living and thrown into their + faces; their bodies were quartered and their heads were set on pikes above + the gates of the city. Yet there was a hundred times more treason then + than now. Every time a man was executed and mutilated and tortured in this + way the seeds of other treason were sown. + </p> + <p> + So in the church there was the same idea. No reformation but by + punishment. Of course in this world the punishment stopped when the poor + wretch was dead. It was found that that punishment did not reform, so the + church said: "After death it will go right on, getting worse and worse, + forever and forever." Finally it was found that this did not tend to the + reformation of mankind. Slowly the fires of hell have been dying out. The + climate has been changing from year to year. Men have lost confidence in + the power of the thumbscrew, the fagot, and the rack here, and they are + losing confidence in the flames of perdition hereafter. In other words, it + is simply a question of civilization. + </p> + <p> + When men become civilized in matters of thought, they will know that every + human being has the right to think for himself, and the right to express + his honest thought. Then the world of thought will be free. At that time + they will be intelligent enough to know that men have different thoughts, + that their ways are not alike, because they have lived under different + circumstances, and in that time they will also know that men act as they + are acted upon. And it is my belief that the time will come when men will + no more think of punishing a man because he has committed the crime of + larceny than they will think of punishing a man because he has the + consumption. In the first case they will endeavor to reform him, and in + the second case they will endeavor to cure him. + </p> + <p> + The intelligent people of the world, many of them, are endeavoring to find + out the great facts in Nature that control the dispositions of men. So + other intelligent people are endeavoring to ascertain the facts and + conditions that govern what we call health, and what we call disease, and + the object of these people is finally to produce a race without disease of + flesh and without disease of mind. These people look forward to the time + when there need to be neither hospitals nor penitentiaries. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York World</i>, August 5, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0076" id="link0076"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WOMAN'S RIGHT TO DIVORCE. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, the great Agnostic, has always + been an ardent defender of the sanctity of the home and of the marriage + relation. Apropos of the horrible account of a man's tearing out the eyes + of his wife at Far Rockaway last week, Colonel Ingersoll was asked what + recourse a woman had under such circumstances? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I read the account, and I don't remember of ever having + read anything more perfectly horrible and cruel. It is impossible for me + to imagine such a monster, or to account for such an inhuman human being. + How a man could deprive a human being of sight, except where some + religious question is involved, is beyond my comprehension. We know that + for many centuries frightful punishments were inflicted, and inflicted by + the pious, by the theologians, by the spiritual minded, and by those who + "loved their neighbors as themselves." We read the accounts of how the + lids of men's eyes were cut off and then the poor victims tied where the + sum would shine upon their lifeless orbs; of others who were buried alive; + of others staked out on the sands of the sea, to be drowned by the rising + tide; of others put in sacks filled with snakes. Yet these things appeared + far away, and we flattered ourselves that, to a great degree, the world + had outgrown these atrocities; and now, here, near the close of the + nineteenth century, we find a man—a husband—cruel enough to + put out the eyes of the woman he swore to love, protect and cherish. This + man has probably been taught that there is forgiveness for every crime, + and now imagines that when he repents there will be more joy in heaven + over him than over ninety and nine good and loving husbands who have + treated their wives in the best possible manner, and who, instead of + tearing out their eyes, have filled their lives with content and covered + their faces with kisses. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You told me, last week, in a general way, what society + should do with the husband in such a case as that. I would like to ask you + to-day, what you think society ought to do with the wife in such a case, + or what ought the wife to be permitted to do for herself? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. When we take into consideration the crime of the man who + blinded his wife, it is impossible not to think of the right of divorce. + Many people insist that marriage is an indissoluble tie; that nothing can + break it, and that nothing can release either party from the bond. Now, + take this case at Far Rockaway. One year ago the husband tore out one of + his wife's eyes. Had she then good cause for divorce? Is it possible that + an infinitely wise and good God would insist on this poor, helpless woman + remaining with the wild beast, her husband? Can anyone imagine that such a + course would add to the joy of Paradise, or even tend to keep one harp in + tune? Can the good of society require the woman to remain? She did remain, + and the result is that the other eye has been torn from its socket by the + hands of the husband. Is she entitled to a divorce now? And if she is + granted one, is virtue in danger, and shall we lose the high ideal of home + life? Can anything be more infamous than to endeavor to make a woman, + under such circumstances, remain with such a man? It may be said that she + should leave him—that they should live separate and apart. That is + to say, that this woman should be deprived of a home; that she should not + be entitled to the love of man; that she should remain, for the rest of + her days, worse than a widow. That is to say, a wife, hiding, keeping out + of the way, secreting herself from the hyena to whom she was married. + Nothing, in my judgment, can exceed the heartlessness of a law or of a + creed that would compel this woman to remain the wife of this monster. And + it is not only cruel, but it is immoral, low, vulgar. + </p> + <p> + The ground has been taken that woman would lose her dignity if marriages + were dissoluble. Is it necessary to lose your freedom in order to retain + your character, in order to be womanly or manly? Must a woman in order to + retain her womanhood become a slave, a serf, with a wild beast for a + master, or with society for a master, or with a phantom for a master? Has + not the married woman the right of self-defence? Is it not the duty of + society to protect her from her husband? If she owes no duty to her + husband; if it is impossible for her to feel toward him any thrill of + affection, what is there of marriage left? What part of the contract + remains in force? She is not to live with him, because she abhors him. She + is not to remain in the same house with him, for fear he may kill her. + What, then, are their relations? Do they sustain any relation except that + of hunter and hunted—that is, of tyrant and victim? And is it + desirable that this relation should be rendered sacred by a church? Is it + desirable to have families raised under such circumstances? Are we really + in need of the children born of such parents? If the woman is not in + fault, does society insist that her life should be wrecked? Can the virtue + of others be preserved only by the destruction of her happiness, and by + what might be called her perpetual imprisonment? I hope the clergy who + believe in the sacredness of marriage—in the indissolubility of the + marriage tie—will give their opinions on this case. I believe that + marriage is the most important contract that human beings can make. I + always believe that a man will keep his contract; that a woman, in the + highest sense, will keep hers, But suppose the man does not. Is the woman + still bound? + </p> + <p> + Is there no mutuality? What is a contract? It is where one party promises + to do something in consideration that the other party will do something. + That is to say, there is a consideration on both sides, moving from one to + the other. A contract without consideration is null and void; and a + contract duly entered into, where the consideration of one party is + withheld, is voidable, and can be voided by the party who has kept, or who + is willing to keep, the contract. A marriage without love is bad enough. + But what can we say of a marriage where the parties hate each other? Is + there any morality in this—any virtue? Will any decent person say + that a woman, true, good and loving, should be compelled to live with a + man she detests, compelled to be the mother of his children? Is there a + woman in the world who would not shrink from this herself? And is there a + woman so heartless and so immoral that she would force another to bear + what she would shudderingly avoid? Let us bring these questions home. In + other words, let us have some sense, some feeling, some heart—and + just a little brain. Marriages are made by men and women. They are not + made by the State, and they are not made by the gods. By this time people + should learn that human happiness is the foundation of virtue—the + foundation of morality. Nothing is moral that does not tend to the + well-being of sentient beings. Nothing is virtuous the result of which is + not a human good. The world has always been living for phantoms, for + ghosts, for monsters begotten by ignorance and fear. The world should + learn to live for itself. Man should, by this time, be convinced that all + the reasons for doing right, and all the reasons for doing wrong, are + right here in this world—all within the horizon of this life. And + besides, we should have imagination to put ourselves in the place of + another. Let a man suppose himself a helpless wife, beaten by a brute who + believes in the indissolubility of marriage. Would he want a divorce? + </p> + <p> + I suppose that very few people have any adequate idea of the sufferings of + women and children; of the number of wives who tremble when they hear the + footsteps of a returning husband; of the number of children who hide when + they hear the voice of a father. Very few people know the number of blows + that fall on the flesh of the helpless every day. Few know the nights of + terror passed by mothers holding young children at their breasts. Compared + with this, the hardships of poverty, borne by those who love each other, + are nothing. Men and women, truly married, bear the sufferings of poverty. + They console each other; their affection gives to the heart of each + perpetual sunshine. But think of the others! I have said a thousand times + that the home is the unit of good government. When we have kind fathers + and loving mothers, then we shall have civilized nations, and not until + then. Civilization commences at the hearthstone. When intelligence rocks + the cradle—when the house is filled with philosophy and kindness—you + will see a world a peace. Justice will sit in the courts, wisdom in the + legislative halls, and over all, like the dome of heaven, will be the + spirit of Liberty! + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your idea with regard to divorce? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My idea is this: As I said before, marriage is the most + sacred contract—the most important contract—that human beings + can make. As a rule, the woman dowers the husband with her youth—with + all she has. From this contract the husband should never be released + unless the wife has broken a condition; that is to say, has failed to + fulfill the contract of marriage. On the other hand, the woman should be + allowed a divorce for the asking. This should be granted in public, + precisely as the marriage should be in public. Every marriage should be + known. There should be witnesses, to the end that the character of the + contract entered into should be understood; and as all marriage records + should be kept, so the divorce should be open, public and known. The + property should be divided by a court of equity, under certain regulations + of law. If there are children, they should be provided for through the + property and the parents. People should understand that men and women are + not virtuous by law. They should comprehend the fact that law does not + create virtue—that law is not the foundation, the fountain, of love. + They should understand that love is in the human heart, and that real love + is virtuous. People who love each other will be true to each other. The + death of love is the commencement of vice. Besides this, there is a public + opinion that has great weight. When that public opinion is right, it does + a vast amount of good, and when wrong, a great amount of harm. People + marry, or should marry, because it increases the happiness of each and + all. But where the marriage turns out to have been a mistake, and where + the result is misery, and not happiness, the quicker they are divorced the + better, not only for themselves, but for the community at large. These + arguments are generally answered by some donkey braying about free love, + and by "free love" he means a condition of society in which there is no + love. The persons who make this cry are, in all probability, incapable of + the sentiment, of the feeling, known as love. They judge others by + themselves, and they imagine that without law there would be no restraint. + </p> + <p> + What do they say of natural modesty? Do they forget that people have a + choice? Do they not understand something of the human heart, and that true + love has always been as pure as the morning star? Do they believe that by + forcing people to remain together who despise each other they are adding + to the purity of the marriage relation? Do they not know that all marriage + is an outward act, testifying to that which has happened in the heart? + Still, I always believe that words are wasted on such people. It is + useless to talk to anybody about music who is unable to distinguish one + tune from another. It is useless to argue with a man who regards his wife + as his property, and it is hardly worth while to suggest anything to a + gentleman who imagines that society is so constructed that it really + requires, for the protection of itself, that the lives of good and noble + women should be wrecked, I am a believer in the virtue of women, in the + honesty of man. The average woman is virtuous; the average man is honest, + and the history of the world shows it. If it were not so, society would be + impossible. I don't mean by this that most men are perfect, but what I + mean is this: That there is far more good than evil in the average human + being, and that the natural tendency of most people is toward the good and + toward the right. And I most passionately deny that the good of society + demands that any good person should suffer. I do not regard government as + a Juggernaut, the wheels of which must, of necessity, roll over and crush + the virtuous, the self-denying and the good. My doctrine is the exact + opposite of what is known as free love. I believe in the marriage of true + minds and of true hearts. But I believe that thousands of people are + married who do not love each other. That is the misfortune of our century. + Other things are taken into consideration—position, wealth, title + and the thousand things that have nothing to do with real affection. Where + men and women truly love each other, that love, in my judgment, lasts as + long as life. The greatest line that I know of in the poetry of the world + is in the 116th sonnet of Shakespeare: "Love is not love which alters when + it alteration finds." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Why do you make such a distinction between the rights of + man and the rights of women? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The woman has, as her capital, her youth, her beauty. We + will say that she is married at twenty or twenty-five. In a few years she + has lost her beauty. During these years the man, so far as capacity to + make money is concerned—to do something—has grown better and + better. That is to say, his chances have improved; hers have diminished. + She has dowered him with the Spring of her life, and as her life advances + her chances decrease. Consequently, I would give her the advantage, and I + would not compel her to remain with him against her will. It seems to me + far worse to be a wife upon compulsion than to be a husband upon + compulsion. Besides this, I have a feeling of infinite tenderness toward + mothers. The woman that bears children certainly should not be compelled + to live with a man whom she despises. The suffering is enough when the + father of the child is to her the one man of all the world. Many people + who have a mechanical apparatus in their breasts that assists in the + circulation of what they call blood, regard these views as sentimental. + But when you take sentiment out of the world nothing is left worth living + for, and when you get sentiment out of the heart it is nothing more or + less than a pump, an old piece of rubber that has acquired the habit of + contracting and dilating. But I have this consolation: The people that do + not agree with me are those that do not understand me. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York World</i>, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0077" id="link0077"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SECULARISM. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel, what is your opinion of Secularism? Do you + regard it as a religion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I understand that the word Secularism embraces everything + that is of any real interest or value to the human race. I take it for + granted that everybody will admit that well-being is the only good; that + is to say, that it is impossible to conceive of anything of real value + that does not tend either to preserve or to increase the happiness of some + sentient being. Secularism, therefore, covers the entire territory. It + fills the circumference of human knowledge and of human effort. It is, you + may say, the religion of this world; but if there is another world, it is + necessarily the religion of that, as well. + </p> + <p> + Man finds himself in this world naked and hungry. He needs food, raiment, + shelter. He finds himself filled with almost innumerable wants. To gratify + these wants is the principal business of life. To gratify them without + interfering with other people is the course pursued by all honest men. + </p> + <p> + Secularism teaches us to be good here and now. I know nothing better than + goodness. Secularism teaches us to be just here and now. It is impossible + to be juster than just. + </p> + <p> + Man can be as just in this world as in any other, and justice must be the + same in all worlds. Secularism teaches a man to be generous, and + generosity is certainly as good here as it can be anywhere else. + Secularism teaches a man to be charitable, and certainly charity is as + beautiful in this world and in this short life as it could be were man + immortal. + </p> + <p> + But orthodox people insist that there is something higher than Secularism; + but, as a matter of fact, the mind of man can conceive of nothing better, + nothing higher, nothing more spiritual, than goodness, justice, + generosity, charity. Neither has the mind of men been capable of finding a + nobler incentive to action than human love. Secularism has to do with + every possible relation. It says to the young man and to the young woman: + "Don't marry unless you can take care of yourselves and your children." It + says to the parents: "Live for your children; put forth every effort to + the end that your children may know more than you—that they may be + better and grander than you." It says: "You have no right to bring + children into the world that you are not able to educate and feed and + clothe." It says to those who have diseases that can be transmitted to + children: "Do not marry; do not become parents; do not perpetuate + suffering, deformity, agony, imbecility, insanity, poverty, wretchedness." + </p> + <p> + Secularism tells all children to do the best they can for their parents—to + discharge every duty and every obligation. It defines the relation that + should exist between husband and wife; between parent and child; between + the citizen and the Nation. And not only that, but between nations. + </p> + <p> + Secularism is a religion that is to be used everywhere, and at all times—that + is to be taught everywhere and practiced at all times. It is not a + religion that is so dangerous that it must be kept out of the schools; it + is not a religion that is so dangerous that it must be kept out of + politics. It belongs in the schools; it belongs at the polls. It is the + business of Secularism to teach every child; to teach every voter. It is + its business to discuss all political problems, and to decide all + questions that affect the rights or the happiness of a human being. + </p> + <p> + Orthodox religion is a firebrand; it must be kept out of the schools; it + must be kept out of politics. All the churches unite in saying that + orthodox religion is not for every day use. The Catholics object to any + Protestant religion being taught to children. Protestants object to any + Catholic religion being taught to children. But the Secularist wants his + religion taught to all; and his religion can produce no feeling, for the + reason that it consists of facts—of truths. And all of it is + important; important for the child, important for the parent, important + for the politician —for the President—for all in power; + important to every legislator, to every professional man, to every laborer + and every farmer—that is to say, to every human being. + </p> + <p> + The great benefit of Secularism is that is appeals to the reason of every + man. It asks every man to think for himself. It does not threaten + punishment if a man thinks, but it offers a reward, for fear that he will + not think. It does not say, "You will be damned in another world if you + think." But it says, "You will be damned in this world if you do not + think." + </p> + <p> + Secularism preserves the manhood and the womanhood of all. It says to each + human being: "Stand upon your own feet. Count one! Examine for yourself. + Investigate, observe, think. Express your opinion. Stand by your judgment, + unless you are convinced you are wrong, and when you are convinced, you + can maintain and preserve your manhood or womanhood only by admitting that + you were wrong." + </p> + <p> + It is impossible that the whole world should agree on one creed. It may be + impossible that any two human beings can agree exactly in religious + belief. Secularism teaches that each one must take care of himself, that + the first duty of man is to himself, to the end that he may be not only + useful to himself, but to others. He who fails to take care of himself + becomes a burden; the first duty of man is not to be a burden. + </p> + <p> + Every Secularist can give a reason for his creed. First of all, he + believes in work—taking care of himself. He believes in the + cultivation of the intellect, to the end that he may take advantage of the + forces of nature—to the end that he may be clothed and fed and + sheltered. + </p> + <p> + He also believes in giving to every other human being every right that he + claims for himself. He does not depend on prayer. He has no confidence in + ghosts or phantoms. He knows nothing of another world, and knows just as + little of a First Cause. But what little he does know, he endeavors to + use, and to use for the benefit of himself and others. + </p> + <p> + He knows that he sustains certain relations to other sentient beings, and + he endeavors to add to the aggregate of human joy. He is his own church, + his own priest, his own clergyman and his own pope. He decides for + himself; in other words, he is a free man. + </p> + <p> + He also has a Bible, and this Bible embraces all the good and true things + that have been written, no matter by whom, or in what language, or in what + time. He accepts everything that he believes to be true, and rejects all + that he thinks is false. He knows that nothing is added to the probability + of an event, because there has been an account of it written and printed. + </p> + <p> + All that has been said that is true is part of his Bible. Every splendid + and noble thought, every good word, every kind action— all these you + will find in his Bible. And, in addition to these, all that is absolutely + known—that has been demonstrated—belongs to the Secularist. + All the inventions, machines—everything that has been of assistance + to the human race—belongs to his religion. The Secularist is in + possession of everything that man has. He is deprived only of that which + man never had. The orthodox world believes in ghosts and phantoms, in + dreams and prayers, in miracles and monstrosities; that is to say, in + modern theology. But these things do not exist, or if they do exist, it is + impossible for a human being to ascertain the fact. Secularism has no + "castles in Spain." It has no glorified fog. It depends upon realities, + upon demonstrations; and its end and aim is to make this world better + every day—to do away with poverty and crime, and to cover the world + with happy and contended homes. + </p> + <p> + Let me say, right here, that a few years ago the Secular Hall at + Leicester, England, was opened by a speech from George Jacob Holyoake, + entitled, "Secularism as a Religion." I have never read anything better on + the subject of Secularism than this address. It is so clear and so manly + that I do not see how any human being can read it without becoming + convinced, and almost enraptured. + </p> + <p> + Let me quote a few lies from this address:— + </p> + <p> + "The mind of man would die if it were not for Thought, and were Thought + suppressed, God would rule over a world of idiots. + </p> + <p> + "Nature feeds Thought, day and night, with a million hands. + </p> + <p> + "To think is a duty, because it is a man's duty not to be a fool. + </p> + <p> + "If man does not think himself, he is an intellectual pauper, living upon + the truth acquired by others, and making no contribution himself in + return. He has no ideas but such as he obtains by 'out- door relief,' and + he goes about the world with a charity mind. + </p> + <p> + "The more thinkers there are in the world, the more truth there is in the + world. + </p> + <p> + "Progress can only walk in the footsteps of Conviction. + </p> + <p> + "Coercion in thought is not progress, it reduces to ignominious pulp the + backbone of the mind. + </p> + <p> + "By Religion I mean the simple creed of deed and duty, by which a man + seeks his own welfare in his own way, with an honest and fair regard to + the welfare and ways of others. + </p> + <p> + "In these thinking and practical days, men demand a religion of daily + life, which stands on a business footing." + </p> + <p> + I think nothing could be much better than the following, which shows the + exact relation that orthodox religion sustains to the actual wants of + human beings: + </p> + <p> + "The Churches administer a system of Foreign Affairs. + </p> + <p> + "Secularism dwells in a land of its own. It dwells in a land of Certitude. + </p> + <p> + "In the Kingdom of Thought there is no conquest over man, but over + foolishness only." + </p> + <p> + I will not quote more, but hope all who read this will read the address of + Mr. Holyoake, who has, in my judgment, defined Secularism with the + greatest possible clearness. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your opinion, are the best possible means to + spread this gospel or religion of Secularism? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. This can only be done by the cultivation of the mind— + only through intelligence—because we are fighting only the monsters + of the mind. The phantoms whom we are endeavoring to destroy do not exist; + they are all imaginary. They live in that undeveloped or unexplored part + of the mind that belongs to barbarism. + </p> + <p> + I have sometimes thought that a certain portion of the mind is cultivated + so that it rises above the surrounding faculties and is like some peak + that has lifted itself above the clouds, while all the valleys below are + dark or dim with mist and cloud. It is in this valley-region, amid these + mists, beneath these clouds, that these monsters and phantoms are born. + And there they will remain until the mind sheds light—until the + brain is developed. + </p> + <p> + One exceedingly important thing is to teach man that his mind has + limitations; that there are walls that he cannot scale—that he + cannot pierce, that he cannot dig under. When a man finds the limitations + of his own mind, he knows that other people's minds have limitations. He, + instead of believing what the priest says, he asks the priest questions. + In a few moments he finds that the priest has been drawing on his + imagination for what is beyond the wall. Consequently he finds that the + priest knows no more than he, and it is impossible that he should know + more than he. + </p> + <p> + An ignorant man has not the slightest suspicion of what a superior man may + do. Consequently, he is liable to become the victim of the intelligent and + cunning. A man wholly unacquainted with chemistry, after having been shown + a few wonders, is ready to believe anything. But a chemist who knows + something of the limitations of that science—who knows what chemists + have done and who knows the nature of things—cannot be imposed upon. + When no one can be imposed upon, orthodox religion cannot exist. It is an + imposture, and there must be impostors and there must be victims, or the + religion cannot be a success. + </p> + <p> + Secularism cannot be a success, universally, as long as there is an + impostor or a victim. This is the difference: The foundation of orthodox + religion is imposture. The foundation of Secularism is demonstration. Just + to the extent that a man knows, he becomes a Secularist. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the action of the Knights of Labor + in Indiana in turning out one of their members because he was an Atheist, + and because he objected to the reading of the Bible at lodge meetings? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In my judgment, the Knights of Labor have made a great + mistake. They want liberty for themselves—they feel that, to a + certain extent, they have been enslaved and robbed. If they want liberty, + they should be willing to give liberty to others. Certainly one of their + members has the same right to his opinion with regard to the existence of + a God, that the other members have to theirs. + </p> + <p> + I do not blame this man for doubting the existence of a Supreme Being, + provided he understands the history of liberty. When a man takes into + consideration the fact that for many thousands of years labor was unpaid, + nearly all of it being done by slaves, and that millions and hundreds of + millions of human beings were bought and sold the same as cattle, and that + during all that time the religions of the world upheld the practice, and + the priests of the countless unknown gods insisted that the institution of + slavery was divine— I do not wonder that he comes to the conclusion + that, perhaps, after all, there is no Supreme Being—at least none + who pays any particular attention to the affairs of this world. + </p> + <p> + If one will read the history of the slave-trade, of the cruelties + practiced, of the lives sacrificed, of the tortures inflicted, he will at + least wonder why "a God of infinite goodness and wisdom" did not interfere + just a little; or, at least, why he did not deny that he was in favor of + the trade. Here, in our own country, millions of men were enslaved, and + hundreds and thousands of ministers stood up in their pulpits, with their + Bibles in front of them, and proceeded to show that slavery was about the + only institution that they were absolutely certain was divine. And they + proved it by reading passages from this very Bible that the Knights of + Labor in Indiana are anxious to have read in their meetings. For their + benefit, let me call their attention to a few passages, and suggest that, + hereafter, they read those passages at every meeting, for the purpose of + convincing all the Knights that the Lord is on the side of those who work + for a living:— + </p> + <p> + "Both thy bondsmen and thy bondsmaids which thou shalt have, shall be of + the heathen round about you; of them shall ye buy bondsmen and bondmaids. + </p> + <p> + "Moreover, of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of + them shall ye buy, and of their families which are with you, which they + begat in your land; and they shall be your possession. + </p> + <p> + "And ye shall take them as an inheritance, for your children after you to + inherit them for a possession. They shall be your bondsmen forever." + </p> + <p> + Nothing seems more natural to me than that a man who believes that labor + should be free, and that he who works should be free, should come to the + conclusion that the passages above quoted are not entirely on his side. I + don't see why people should be in favor of free bodies who are not also in + favor of free minds. If the mind is to remain in imprisonment, it is + hardly worth while to free the body. If the man has the right to labor, he + certainly has the right to use his mind, because without mind he can do no + labor. As a rule, the more mind he has, the more valuable his labor is, + and the freer his mind is the more valuable he is. + </p> + <p> + If the Knights of Labor expect to accomplish anything in this world, they + must do it by thinking. They must have reason on their side, and the only + way they can do anything by thinking is to allow each other to think. Let + all the men who do not believe in the inspiration of the Bible, leave the + Knights of Labor and I do not know how many would be left. But I am + perfectly certain that those left will accomplish very little, simply from + their lack of sense. + </p> + <p> + Intelligent clergymen have abandoned the idea of plenary inspiration. The + best ministers in the country admit that the Bible is full of mistakes, + and while many of them are forced to say that slavery is upheld by the Old + Testament they also insist that slavery was and is, and forever will be + wrong. What had the Knights of Labor to do with a question of religion? + What business is it of theirs who believes or disbelieves in the religion + of the day? Nobody can defend the rights of labor without defending the + right to think. + </p> + <p> + I hope that in time these Knights will become intelligent enough to read + in their meetings something of importance; something that applies to this + century; something that will throw a little light on questions under + discussion at the present time. The idea of men engaged in a kind of + revolution reading from Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Haggai, for the purpose + of determining the rights of workingmen in the nineteenth century! No + wonder such men have been swallowed by the whale of monopoly. And no + wonder that, while that are in the belly of this fish, they insist on + casting out a man with sense enough to understand the situation! The + Knights of Labor have made a mistake and the sooner they reverse their + action the better for all concerned. Nothing should be taught in this + world that somebody does not know. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Secular Thought</i>, Toronto, Canada, August 25, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0078" id="link0078"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SUMMER RECREATION—MR. GLADSTONE. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What is the best philosophy of summer recreation? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. As a matter of fact, no one should be overworked. + Recreation becomes necessary only when a man has abused himself or has + been abused. Holidays grew out of slavery. An intelligent man ought not to + work so hard to-day that he is compelled to rest to-morrow. Each day + should have its labor and its rest. But in our civilization, if it can be + called civilization, every man is expected to devote himself entirely to + business for the most of the year and by that means to get into such a + state of body and mind that he requires, for the purpose of recreation, + the inconveniences, the poor diet, the horrible beds, the little towels, + the warm water, the stale eggs and the tough beef of the average "resort." + For the purpose of getting his mental and physical machinery in fine + working order, he should live in a room for two or three months that is + about eleven by thirteen; that is to say, he should live in a trunk, fight + mosquitoes, quarrel with strangers, dispute bills, and generally enjoy + himself; and this is supposed to be the philosophy of summer recreation. + He can do this, or he can go to some extremely fashionable resort where + his time is taken up in making himself and family presentable. + </p> + <p> + Seriously, there are few better summer resorts than New York City. If + there were no city here it would be the greatest resort for the summer on + the continent; with its rivers, its bay, with its wonderful scenery, with + the winds from the sea, no better could be found. But we cannot in this + age of the world live in accordance with philosophy. No particular theory + can be carried out. We must live as we must; we must earn our bread and we + must earn it as others do, and, as a rule, we must work when others work. + Consequently, if we are to take any recreation we must follow the example + of others; go when they go and come when they come. In other words, man is + a social being, and if one endeavors to carry individuality to an extreme + he must suffer the consequences. So I have made up my mind to work as + little as I can and to rest as much as I can. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of Mr. Gladstone as a + controversialist? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Undoubtedly Mr. Gladstone is a man of great talent, of vast + and varied information, and undoubtedly he is, politically speaking, at + least, one of the greatest men in England—possibly the greatest. As + a controversialist, and I suppose by that you mean on religious questions, + he is certainly as good as his cause. Few men can better defend the + indefensible than Mr. Gladstone. Few men can bring forward more + probabilities in favor of the impossible, then Mr. Gladstone. He is, in my + judgment, controlled in the realm of religion by sentiment; he was taught + long ago certain things as absolute truths and he has never questioned + them. He has had all he can do to defend them. It is of but little use to + attack sentiment with argument, or to attack argument with sentiment. A + question of sentiment can hardly be discussed; it is like a question of + taste. A man is enraptured with a landscape by Corot; you cannot argue him + out of his rapture; the sharper the criticism the greater his admiration, + because he feels that it is incumbent upon him to defend the painter who + has given him so much real pleasure. Some people imagine that what they + think ought to exist must exist, and that what they really desire to be + true is true. We must remember that Mr. Gladstone has been what is called + a deeply religions man all his life. There was a time when he really + believed it to be the duty of the government to see to it that the + citizens were religious; when he really believed that no man should hold + any office or any position under the government who was not a believer in + the established religion; who was not a defender of the parliamentary + faith. I do not know whether he has ever changed his opinions upon these + subjects or not. There is not the slightest doubt as to his honesty, as to + his candor. He says what he believes, and for his belief he gives the + reasons that are satisfactory to him. To me it seems impossible that + miracles can be defended. I do not see how it is possible to bring forward + any evidence that any miracle was ever performed; and unless miracles have + been performed, Christianity has no basis as a system. Mr. Hume took the + ground that it was impossible to substantiate a miracle, for the reason + that it is more probable that the witnesses are mistaken, or are + dishonest, than that a fact in nature should be violated. For instance: A + man says that a certain time, in a certain locality, the attraction of + gravitation was suspended; that there were several moments during which a + cannon ball weighed nothing, during which when dropped from the hand, or + rather when released from the hand, it refused to fall and remained in the + air. It is safe to say that no amount of evidence, no number of witnesses, + could convince an intelligent man to-day that such a thing occurred. We + believe too thoroughly in the constancy of nature. While men will not + believe witnesses who testify to the happening of miracles now, they seem + to have perfect confidence in men whom they never saw, who have been dead + for two thousand years. Of course it is known that Mr. Gladstone has + published a few remarks concerning my religious views and that I have + answered him the best I could. I have no opinion to give as to that + controversy; neither would it be proper for me to say what I think of the + arguments advanced by Mr. Gladstone in addition to what I have already + published. I am willing to leave the controversy where it is, or I am + ready to answer any further objections that Mr. Gladstone may be pleased + to urge. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, the "Age of Faith" is passing away. We are living in a + time of demonstration. + </p> + <p> + [NOTE: From an unfinished interview found among Colonel Ingersoll's + papers.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0079" id="link0079"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROHIBITION. + </h2> + <p> + It has been decided in many courts in various States that the traffic in + liquor can be regulated—that it is a police question. It has been + decided by the courts in Iowa that its manufacture and sale can be + prohibited, and, not only so, but that a distillery or a brewery may be + declared a nuisance and may legally be abated, and these decisions have + been upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States. Consequently, it + has been settled by the highest tribunal that States have the power either + to regulate or to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors, and not only + so, but that States have the power to destroy breweries and distilleries + without making any compensation to owners. + </p> + <p> + So it has always been considered within the power of the State to license + the selling of intoxicating liquors. In other words, this question is one + that the States can decide for themselves. It is not, and it should not + be, in my judgment, a Federal question. It is something with which the + United States has nothing to do. It belongs to the States; and where a + majority of the people are in favor of prohibition and pass laws to that + effect, there is nothing in the Constitution of the United States that + interferes with such action. + </p> + <p> + The remaining question, then, is not a question of power, but a question + of policy, and at the threshold of this question is another: Can + prohibitory laws be enforced? There are to-day in Kansas,—a + prohibition State—more saloons, that is to say, more places in which + liquor is sold, than there are in Georgia, a State without prohibition + legislation. There are more in Nebraska, according to the population, more + in Iowa, according to the population, than in many of the States in which + there is the old license system. You will find that the United States has + granted more licenses to wholesale and retail dealers in these prohibition + States,—according to the population,—than in many others in + which prohibition has not been adopted. + </p> + <p> + These facts tend to show that it is not enough for the Legislature to say: + "Be it enacted." Behind every law there must be an intelligent and + powerful public opinion. A law, to be enforced, must be the expression of + such powerful and intelligent opinion; otherwise it becomes a dead letter; + it is avoided; judges continue the cases, juries refuse to convict, and + witnesses are not particular about telling the truth. Such laws demoralize + the community, or, to put it in another way, demoralized communities pass + such laws. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the prohibitory movement on general + principles? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The trouble is that when a few zealous men, intending to + reform the world, endeavor to enforce unpopular laws, they are compelled + to resort to detectives, to a system of espionage. For the purpose of + preventing the sale of liquors somebody has to watch. Eyes and ears must + become acquainted with keyholes. Every neighbor suspects every other. A + man with a bottle or demijohn is followed. Those who drink get behind + doors, in cellars and garrets. Hypocrisy becomes substantially universal. + Hundreds of people become suddenly afflicted with a variety of diseases, + for the cure of which alcohol in some form is supposed to be + indispensable. Malaria becomes general, and it is perfectly astonishing + how long a few pieces of Peruvian bark will last, and how often the liquor + can be renewed without absorbing the medicinal qualities of the bark. The + State becomes a paradise for patent medicine—the medicine being poor + whiskey with a scientific name. + </p> + <p> + Physicians become popular in proportion as liquor of some kind figures in + their prescriptions. Then in the towns clubs are formed, the principal + object being to establish a saloon, and in many instances the drug store + becomes a favorite resort, especially on Sundays. + </p> + <p> + There is, however, another side to this question. It is this: Nothing in + the world is more important than personal liberty. Many people are in + favor of blotting out the sun to prevent the growth of weeds. This is the + mistake of all prohibitory fanaticism. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is true temperance, Colonel Ingersoll? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Men have used stimulants for many thousand years, and as + much is used to-day in various forms as in any other period of the world's + history. They are used with more prudence now than ever before, for the + reason that the average man is more intelligent now than ever before. + Intelligence has much to do with temperance. The barbarian rushes to the + extreme, for the reason that but little, comparatively, depends upon his + personal conduct or personal habits. Now the struggle for life is so + sharp, competition is so severe, that few men can succeed who carry a + useless burden. The business men of our country are compelled to lead + temperate lives, otherwise their credit is gone. Men of wealth, men of + intelligence, do not wish to employ intemperate physicians. They are not + willing to trust their health or their lives with a physician who is under + the influence of liquor. The same is true of business men in regard to + their legal interests. They insist upon having sober attorneys; they want + the counsel of a sober man. So in every department. On the railways it is + absolutely essential that the engineer, that the conductor, the train + dispatcher and every other employee, in whose hands are the lives of men, + should be temperate. The consequence is that under the law of the survival + of the fittest, the intemperate are slowly but surely going to the wall; + they are slowly but surely being driven out of employments of trust and + importance. As we rise in the scale of civilization we continually demand + better and better service. We are continually insisting upon better + habits, upon a higher standard of integrity, of fidelity. These are the + causes, in my judgment, that are working together in the direction of true + temperance. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe the people can be made to do without a + stimulant? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The history of the world shows that all men who have + advanced one step beyond utter barbarism have used some kind of stimulant. + Man has sought for it in every direction. Every savage loves it. + Everything has been tried. Opium has been used by many hundreds of + millions. Hasheesh has filled countless brains with chaotic dreams, and + everywhere that civilization has gone the blood of the grape has been + used. Nothing is easier now to obtain than liquor. In one bushel of corn + there are at least five gallons— four can easily be extracted. All + starch, all sugars, can be changed almost instantly into alcohol. Every + grain that grows has in it the intoxicating principle, and, as a matter of + fact, nearly all of the corn, wheat, sugar and starch that man eats is + changed into alcohol in his stomach. Whether man can be compelled to do + without a stimulant is a question that I am unable to answer. Of one thing + I am certain: He has never yet been compelled to do without one. The + tendency, I think, of modern times is toward a milder stimulant than + distilled liquors. Whisky and brandies are too strong; wine and beer + occupy the middle ground. Wine is a fireside, whisky a conflagration. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that it would be far better if the Prohibitionists would + turn their attention toward distilled spirits. If they were willing to + compromise, the probability is that they would have public opinion on + their side. If they would say: "You may have all the beer and all the wine + and cider you wish, and you can drink them when and where you desire, but + the sale of distilled spirits shall be prohibited," it is possible that + this could be carried out in good faith in many if not in most of the + States—possibly in all. We all know the effect of wine, even when + taken in excess, is nothing near as disastrous as the effect of distilled + spirits. Why not take the middle ground? The wine drinkers of the old + country are not drunkards. They have been drinking wine for generations. + It is drunk by men, women and children. It adds to the sociability of the + family. It does not separate the husband from the rest, it keeps them all + together, and in that view is rather a benefit than an injury. Good wine + can be raised as cheaply here as in any part of the world. In nearly every + part of our country the grape grows and good wine can be made. If our + people had a taste for wine they would lose the taste for stronger drink, + and they would be disgusted with the surroundings of the stronger drink. + </p> + <p> + The same may be said in favor of beer. As long as the Prohibitionists make + no distinction between wine and whisky, between beer and brandy, just so + long they will be regarded by most people as fanatics. + </p> + <p> + The Prohibitionists cannot expect to make this question a Federal one. The + United States has no jurisdiction of this subject. Congress can pass no + laws affecting this question that could have any force except in such + parts of our country as are not within the jurisdiction of States. It is a + question for the States and not for the Federal Government. The + Prohibitionists are simply throwing away their votes. Let us suppose that + we had a Prohibition Congress and a Prohibition President—what steps + could be taken to do away with drinking in the city of New York? What + steps could be taken in any State of this Union? What could by any + possibility be done? + </p> + <p> + A few years ago the Prohibitionists demanded above all things that the tax + be taken from distilled spirits, claiming at that time that such a tax + made the Government a partner in vice. + </p> + <p> + Now when the Republican party proposes under certain circumstances to + remove that tax, the Prohibitionists denounce the movement as one in favor + of intemperance. We have also been told that the tax on whisky should be + kept for the reason that it increases the price, and that an increased + price tends to make a temperate people; that if the tax is taken off, the + price will fall and the whole country start on the downward road to + destruction. Is it possible that human nature stands on such slippery + ground? It is possible that our civilization to-day rests upon the price + of alcohol, and that, should the price be reduced, we would all go down + together? For one, I cannot entertain such a humiliating and disgraceful + view of human nature. I believe that man is destined to grow greater, + grander and nobler. I believe that no matter what the cost of alcohol may + be, life will grow too valuable to be thrown away. Men hold life according + to its value. Men, as a rule, only throw away their lives when they are + not worth keeping. When life becomes worth living it will be carefully + preserved and will be hoarded to the last grain of sand that falls through + the glass of time. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is the reason for so much intemperance? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. When many people are failures, when they are distanced in + the race, when they fall behind, when they give up, when they lose + ambition, when they finally become convinced that they are worthless, + precisely as they are in danger of becoming dishonest. In other words, + having failed in the race of life on the highway, they endeavor to reach + to goal by going across lots, by crawling through the grass. Disguise this + matter as we may, all people are not successes, all people have not the + brain or the muscle or the moral stamina necessary to succeed. Some fall + in one way, some in another; some in the net of strong drink, some in the + web of circumstances and others in a thousand ways, and the world itself + cannot grow better unless the unworthy fail. The law is the survival of + the fittest, that is to say, the destruction of the unfit. There is no + scheme of morals, no scheme of government, no scheme of charity, that can + reverse this law. If it could be reversed, then the result would be the + survival of the unfittest, the speedy end of which would be the extinction + of the human race. + </p> + <p> + Temperance men say that it is wise, in so far as possible, to remove + temptation from our fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Let us look at this in regard to other matters. How do we do away with + larceny? We cannot remove property. We cannot destroy the money of the + world to keep people from stealing some of it. In other words, we cannot + afford to make the world valueless to prevent larceny. All strength by + which temptation is resisted must come from the inside. Virtue does not + depend upon the obstacles to be overcome; virtue depends upon what is + inside of the man. A man is not honest because the safe of the bank is + perfectly secure. Upon the honest man the condition of the safe has no + effect. We will never succeed in raising great and splendid people by + keeping them out of temptation. Great people withstand temptation. Great + people have what may be called moral muscle, moral force. They are poised + within themselves. They understand their relations to the world. The best + possible foundation for honesty is the intellectual perception that + dishonesty can, under no circumstances, be a good investment—that + larceny is not only wicked, but foolish—not only criminal, but + stupid—that crimes are committed only by fools. + </p> + <p> + On every hand there is what is called temptation. Every man has the + opportunity of doing wrong. Every man, in this country, has the + opportunity of drinking too much, has the opportunity of acquiring the + opium habit, has the opportunity of taking morphine every day—in + other words, has the opportunity of destroying himself. How are they to be + prevented? Most of them are prevented—at least in a reasonable + degree—and they are prevented by their intelligence, by their + surroundings, by their education, by their objects and aims in life, by + the people they love, by the people who love them. + </p> + <p> + No one will deny the evils of intemperance, and it is hardly to be + wondered at that people who regard only one side—who think of the + impoverished and wretched, of wives and children in want, of desolate + homes—become the advocates of absolute prohibition. At the same + time, there is a philosophic side, and the question is whether more good + cannot be done by moral influence, by example, by education, by the + gradual civilization of our fellow-men, than in any other possible way. + The greatest things are accomplished by indirection. In this way the idea + of force, of slavery, is avoided. The person influenced does not feel that + he has been trampled upon, does not regard himself as a victim—he + feels rather as a pupil, as one who receives a benefit, whose mind has + been enlarged, whose life has been enriched—whereas the direct way + of "Thou shalt not" produces an antagonism—in other words, produces + the natural result of "I will." + </p> + <p> + By removing one temptation you add strength to others. By depriving a man + of one stimulant, as a rule, you drive him to another, and the other may + be far worse than the one from which he has been driven. We have hundreds + of laws making certain things misdemeanors, which are naturally right. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of people, honest in most directions, delight in outwitting the + Government—derive absolute pleasure from getting in a few clothes + and gloves and shawls without the payment of duty. Thousands of people buy + things in Europe for which they pay more than they would for the same + things in America, and then exercise their ingenuity in slipping them + through the custom-house. + </p> + <p> + A law to have real force must spring from the nature of things, and the + justice of this law must be generally perceived, otherwise it will be + evaded. + </p> + <p> + The temperance people themselves are playing into the hands of the very + party that would refuse to count their votes. Allow the Democrats to + remain in power, allow the Democrats to be controlled by the South, and a + large majority might be in favor of temperance legislation, and yet the + votes would remain uncounted. The party of reform has a great interest in + honest elections, and honest elections must first be obtained as the + foundation of reform. The Prohibitionists can take their choice between + these parties. Would it not be far better for the Prohibitionists to say: + "We will vote for temperance men; we will stand with the party that is the + nearest in favor of what we deem to be the right"? They should also take + into consideration that other people are as honest as they; that others + disbelieve in prohibition as honestly as they believe in it, and that + other people cannot leave their principles to vote for prohibition; and + they must remember, that these other people are in the majority. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Fisk knows that he cannot be elected President—knows that it is + impossible for him to carry any State in the Union. He also knows that in + nearly every State in the Union—probably in all—a majority of + the people believe in stimulants. Why not work with the great and + enlightened majority? Why rush to the extreme for the purpose not only of + making yourself useless but hurtful? + </p> + <p> + No man in the world is more opposed to intemperance than I am. No man in + the world feels more keenly the evils and the agony produced by the crime + of drunkenness. And yet I would not be willing to sacrifice liberty, + individuality, and the glory and greatness of individual freedom, to do + away with all the evils of intemperance. In other words, I believe that + slavery, oppression and suppression would crowd humanity into a thousand + deformities, the result of which would be a thousand times more disastrous + to the well-being of man. I do not believe in the slave virtues, in the + monotony of tyranny, in the respectability produced by force. I admire the + men who have grown in the atmosphere of liberty, who have the pose of + independence, the virtues of strength, of heroism, and in whose hearts is + the magnanimity, the tenderness, and the courage born of victory. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York World</i>, October 21, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0080" id="link0080"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ROBERT ELSMERE. + </h2> + <p> + Why do people read a book like "Robert Elsmere," and why do they take any + interest in it? Simply because they are not satisfied with the religion of + our day. The civilized world has outgrown the greater part of the + Christian creed. Civilized people have lost their belief in the reforming + power of punishment. They find that whips and imprisonment have but little + influence for good. The truth has dawned upon their minds that eternal + punishment is infinite cruelty—that it can serve no good purpose and + that the eternity of hell makes heaven impossible. That there can be in + this universe no perfectly happy place while there is a perfectly + miserable place—that no infinite being can be good who knowingly + and, as one may say, willfully created myriads of human beings, knowing + that they would be eternally miserable. In other words, the civilized man + is greater, tenderer, nobler, nearer just than the old idea of God. The + ideal of a few thousand years ago is far below the real of to-day. No good + man now would do what Jehovah is said to have done four thousand years + ago, and no civilized human being would now do what, according to the + Christian religion, Christ threatens to do at the day of judgment. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Has the Christian religion changed in theory of late + years, Colonel Ingersoll? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. A few years ago the Deists denied the inspiration of the + Bible on account of its cruelty. At the same time they worshiped what they + were pleased to call the God of Nature. Now we are convinced that Nature + is as cruel as the Bible; so that, if the God of Nature did not write the + Bible, this God at least has caused earthquakes and pestilence and famine, + and this God has allowed millions of his children to destroy one another. + So that now we have arrived at the question—not as to whether the + Bible is inspired and not as to whether Jehovah is the real God, but + whether there is a God or not. The intelligence of Christendom to-day does + not believe in an inspired art or an inspired literature. If there be an + infinite God, inspiration in some particular regard would be a patch—it + would be the puttying of a crack, the hiding of a defect —in other + words, it would show that the general plan was defective. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you consider any religion adequate? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. A good man, living in England, drawing a certain salary for + reading certain prayers on stated occasions, for making a few remarks on + the subject of religion, putting on clothes of a certain cut, wearing a + gown with certain frills and flounces starched in an orthodox manner, and + then looking about him at the suffering and agony of the world, would not + feel satisfied that he was doing anything of value for the human race. In + the first place, he would deplore his own weakness, his own poverty, his + inability to help his fellow-men. He would long every moment for wealth, + that he might feed the hungry and clothe the naked—for knowledge, + for miraculous power, that he might heal the sick and the lame and that he + might give to the deformed the beauty of proportion. He would begin to + wonder how a being of infinite goodness and infinite power could allow his + children to die, to suffer, to be deformed by necessity, by poverty, to be + tempted beyond resistance; how he could allow the few to live in luxury, + and the many in poverty and want, and the more he wondered the more + useless and ironical would seem to himself his sermons and his prayers. + Such a man is driven to the conclusion that religion accomplishes but + little—that it creates as much want as it alleviates, and that it + burdens the world with parasites. Such a man would be forced to think of + the millions wasted in superstition. In other words, the inadequacy, the + uselessness of religion would be forced upon his mind. He would ask + himself the question: "Is it possible that this is a divine institution? + Is this all that man can do with the assistance of God? Is this the best?" + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. That is a perfectly reasonable question, is it not, + Colonel Ingersoll? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The moment a man reaches the point where he asks himself + this question he has ceased to be an orthodox Christian. It will not do to + say that in some other world justice will be done. If God allows injustice + to triumph here, why not there? + </p> + <p> + Robert Elsmere stands in the dawn of philosophy. There is hardly light + enough for him to see clearly; but there is so much light that the stars + in the night of superstition are obscured. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. You do not deny that a religious belief is a comfort? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There is one thing that it is impossible for me to + comprehend. Why should any one, when convinced that Christianity is a + superstition, have or feel a sense of loss? Certainly a man acquainted + with England, with London, having at the same time something like a heart, + must feel overwhelmed by the failure of what is known as Christianity. + Hundreds of thousands exist there without decent food, dwelling in + tenements, clothed with rags, familiar with every form of vulgar vice, + where the honest poor eat the crust that the vicious throw away. When this + man of intelligence, of heart, visits the courts; when he finds human + liberty a thing treated as of no value, and when he hears the judge + sentencing girls and boys to the penitentiary—knowing that a stain + is being put upon them that all the tears of all the coming years can + never wash away—knowing, too, and feeling that this is done without + the slightest regret, without the slightest sympathy, as a mere matter of + form, and that the judge puts this brand of infamy upon the forehead of + the convict just as cheerfully as a Mexican brands his cattle; and when + this man of intelligence and heart knows that these poor people are simply + the victims of society, the unfortunates who stumble and over whose bodies + rolls the Juggernaut—he knows that there is, or at least appears to + be, no power above or below working for righteousness—that from the + heavens is stretched no protecting hand. And when a man of intelligence + and heart in England visits the workhouse, the last resting place of + honest labor; when he thinks that the young man, without any great + intelligence, but with a good constitution, starts in the morning of his + life for the workhouse, and that it is impossible for the laboring man, + one who simply has his muscle, to save anything; that health is not able + to lay anything by for the days of disease—when the man of + intelligence and heart sees all this, he is compelled to say that the + civilization of to-day, the religion of to-day, the charity of to-day—no + matter how much of good there may be behind them or in them, are failures. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago people were satisfied when the minister said: "All this + will be made even in another world; a crust-eater here will sit at the + head of the banquet there, and the king here will beg for the crumbs that + fall from the table there." When this was said, the poor man hoped and the + king laughed. A few years ago the church said to the slave: "You will be + free in another world, and your freedom will be made glorious by the + perpetual spectacle of your master in hell." But the people—that is, + many of the people—are no longer deceived by what once were + considered fine phrases. They have suffered so much that they no longer + wish to see others suffer and no longer think of the suffering of others + as a source of joy to themselves. The poor see that the eternal starvation + of kings and queens in another world will be no compensation for what they + have suffered there. The old religions appear vulgar and the ideas of + rewards and punishments are only such as would satisfy a cannibal chief or + one of his favorites. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think the Christian religion has made the world + better? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. For many centuries there has been preached and taught in an + almost infinite number of ways a supernatural religion. During all this + time the world has been in the care of the Infinite, and yet every + imaginable vice has flourished, every imaginable pang has been suffered, + and every injustice has been done. During all these years the priests have + enslaved the minds, and the kings the bodies, of men. The priests did what + they did in the name of God, and the kings appeal to the same source of + authority. Man suffered as long as he could. Revolution, reformation, was + simply a re- action, a cry from the poor wretch that was between the upper + and the nether millstone. The liberty of man has increased just in the + proportion that the authority of the gods has decreased. In other words, + the wants of man, instead of the wishes of God, have inaugurated what we + call progress, and there is this difference: Theology is based upon the + narrowest and intensest form of selfishness. Of course, the theologian + knows, the Christian knows, that he can do nothing for God; consequently + all that he does must be and is for himself, his object being to win the + approbation of this God, to the end that he may become a favorite. On the + other side, men touched not only by their own misfortunes, but by the + misfortunes of others, are moved not simply by selfishness, but by a + splendid sympathy with their fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Christianity certainly fosters charity? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Nothing is more cruel than orthodox theology, nothing more + heartless than a charitable institution. For instance, in England, think + for a moment of the manner in which charities are distributed, the way in + which the crust is flung at Lazarus. If that parable could be now retold, + the dogs would bite him. The same is true in this country. The institution + has nothing but contempt for the one it relieves. The people in charge + regard the pauper as one who has wrecked himself. They feel very much as a + man would feel rescuing from the water some hare-brained wretch who had + endeavored to swim the rapids of Niagara—the moment they reach him + they begin to upbraid him for being such a fool. This course makes charity + a hypocrite, with every pauper for its enemy. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ward compelled Robert Elsmere to perceive, in some slight degree, the + failure of Christianity to do away with vice and suffering, with poverty + and crime. We know that the rich care but little for the poor. No matter + how religious the rich may be, the sufferings of their fellows have but + little effect upon them. We are also beginning to see that what is called + charity will never redeem this world. + </p> + <p> + The poor man willing to work, eager to maintain his independence, knows + that there is something higher than charity—that is to say, justice. + He finds that many years before he was born his country was divided out + between certain successful robbers, flatterers, cringers and crawlers, and + that in consequence of such division not only he himself, but a large + majority of his fellow-men are tenants, renters, occupying the surface of + the earth only at the pleasure of others. He finds, too, that these people + who have done nothing and who do nothing, have everything, and that those + who do everything have but little. He finds that idleness has the money + and that the toilers are compelled to bow to the idlers. He finds also + that the young men of genius are bribed by social distinctions —unconsciously + it may be—but still bribed in a thousand ways. He finds that the + church is a kind of waste-basket into which are thrown the younger sons of + titled idleness. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you consider that society in general has been made + better by religious influences? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Society is corrupted because the laurels, the titles, are + in the keeping and within the gift of the corrupters. Christianity is not + an enemy of this system—it is in harmony with it. Christianity + reveals to us a universe presided over by an infinite autocrat—a + universe without republicanism, without democracy—a universe where + all power comes from one and the same source, and where everyone using + authority is accountable, not to the people, but to this supposed source + of authority. Kings reign by divine right. Priests are ordained in a + divinely appointed way—they do not get their office from man. Man is + their servant, not their master. + </p> + <p> + In the story of Robert Elsmere all there is of Christianity is left except + the miraculous. Theism remains, and the idea of a protecting Providence is + left, together with a belief in the immeasurable superiority of Jesus + Christ. That is to say, the miracles are discarded for lack of evidence, + and only for lack of evidence; not on the ground that they are impossible, + not on the ground that they impeach and deny the integrity of cause and + effect, not on the ground that they contradict the self-evident + proposition that an effect must have an efficient cause, but like the + Scotch verdict, "not proven." It is an effort to save and keep in repair + the dungeons of the Inquisition for the sake of the beauty of the vines + that have overrun them. Many people imagine that falsehoods may become + respectable on account of age, that a certain reverence goes with + antiquity, and that if a mistake is covered with the moss of sentiment it + is altogether more credible than a parvenu fact. They endeavor to + introduce the idea of aristocracy into the world of thought, believing, + and honestly believing, that a falsehood long believed is far superior to + a truth that is generally denied. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If Robert Elsmere's views were commonly adopted what + would be the effect? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The new religion of Elsmere is, after all, only a system of + outdoor relief, an effort to get successful piracy to give up a larger per + cent. for the relief of its victims. The abolition of the system is not + dreamed of. A civilized minority could not by any possibility be happy + while a majority of the world were miserable. A civilized majority could + not be happy while a minority were miserable. As a matter of fact, a + civilized world could not be happy while one man was really miserable. At + the foundation of civilization is justice—that is to say, the giving + of an equal opportunity to all the children of men. Secondly, there can be + no civilization in the highest sense until sympathy becomes universal. We + must have a new definition for success. We must have new ideals. The man + who succeeds in amassing wealth, who gathers money for himself, is not a + success. It is an exceedingly low ambition to be rich to excite the envy + of others, or for the sake of the vulgar power it gives to triumph over + others. Such men are failures. So the man who wins fame, position, power, + and wins these for the sake of himself, and wields this power not for the + elevation of his fellow-men, but simply to control, is a miserable + failure. He may dispense thousands of millions in charity, and his charity + may be prompted by the meanest part of his nature—using it simply as + a bait to catch more fish and to prevent the rising tide of indignation + that might overwhelm him. Men who steal millions and then give a small + percentage to the Lord to gain the praise of the clergy and to bring the + salvation of their souls within the possibilities of imagination, are all + failures. + </p> + <p> + Robert Elsmere gains our affection and our applause to the extent that he + gives up what are known as orthodox views, and his wife Catherine retains + our respect in the proportion that she lives the doctrine that Elsmere + preaches. By doing what she believes to be right, she gains our + forgiveness for her creed. One is astonished that she can be as good as + she is, believing as she does. The utmost stretch of our intellectual + charity is to allow the old wine to be put in a new bottle, and yet she + regrets the absence of the old bottle—she really believes that the + bottle is the important thing—that the wine is but a secondary + consideration. She misses the label, and not having perfect confidence in + her own taste, she does not feel quite sure that the wine is genuine. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, on the whole, is your judgment of the book? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the book conservative. It is an effort to save + something—a few shreds and patches and ravelings—from the + wreck. Theism is difficult to maintain. Why should we expect an infinite + Being to do better in another world than he has done and is doing in this? + If he allows the innocent to suffer here, why not there? If he allows + rascality to succeed in this world, why not in the next? To believe in God + and to deny his personality is an exceedingly vague foundation for a + consolation. If you insist on his personality and power, then it is + impossible to account for what happens. Why should an infinite God allow + some of his children to enslave others? Why should he allow a child of his + to burn another child of his, under the impression that such a sacrifice + was pleasing to him? + </p> + <p> + Unitarianism lacks the motive power. Orthodox people who insist that + nearly everybody is going to hell, and that it is their duty to do what + little they can to save their souls, have what you might call a spur to + action. We can imagine a philanthropic man engaged in the business of + throwing ropes to persons about to go over the falls of Niagara, but we + can hardly think of his carrying on the business after being convinced + that there are no falls, or that people go over them in perfect safety. In + this country the question has come up whether all the heathen are bound to + be damned unless they believe in the gospel. Many admit that the heathen + will be saved if they are good people, and that they will not be damned + for not believing something that they never heard. The really orthodox + people—that is to say, the missionaries—instantly see that + this doctrine destroys their business. They take the ground that there is + but one way to be saved—you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ—and + they are willing to admit, and cheerfully to admit, that the heathen for + many generations have gone in an unbroken column down to eternal wrath. + And they not only admit this, but insist upon it, to the end that + subscriptions may not cease. With them salary and salvation are + convertible terms. + </p> + <p> + The tone of this book is not of the highest. Too much stress is laid upon + social advantages—too much respect for fashionable folly and for + ancient absurdity. It is hard for me to appreciate the feelings of one who + thinks it difficult to give up the consolations of the gospel. What are + the consolations of the Church of England? It is a religion imposed upon + the people by authority. It is the gospel at the mouth of a cannon, at the + point of a bayonet, enforced by all authority, from the beadle to the + Queen. It is a parasite living upon tithes—these tithes being + collected by the army and navy. It produces nothing—is simply a + beggar—or rather an aggregation of beggars. It teaches nothing of + importance. It discovers nothing. It is under obligation not to + investigate. It has agreed to remain stationary not only, but to resist + all innovation. According to the creed of this church, a very large + proportion of the human race is destined to suffer eternal pain. This does + not interfere with the quiet, with the serenity and repose of the average + clergyman. They put on their gowns, they read the service, they repeat the + creed and feel that their duty has been done. How any one can feel that he + is giving up something of value when he finds that the Episcopal creed is + untrue is beyond my imagination. I should think that every good man and + woman would overflow with joy, that every heart would burst into countless + blossoms the moment the falsity of the Episcopal creed was established. + </p> + <p> + Christianity is the most heartless of all religions—the most + unforgiving, the most revengeful. According to the Episcopalian belief, + God becomes the eternal prosecutor of his own children. I know of no creed + believed by any tribe, not excepting the tribes where cannibalism is + practiced, that is more heartless, more inhuman than this. To find that + the creed is false is like being roused from a frightful dream, in which + hundreds of serpents are coiled about you, in which their eyes, gleaming + with hatred, are fixed on you, and finding the world bathed in sunshine + and the songs of birds in your ears and those you love about you. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York World</i>, November 18, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0081" id="link0081"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WORKING GIRLS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the work undertaken by the <i>World</i> + in behalf of the city slave girl? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I know of nothing better for a great journal to do. The + average girl is so helpless, and the greed of the employer is such, that + unless some newspaper or some person of great influence comes to her + assistance, she is liable not simply to be imposed upon, but to be made a + slave. Girls, as a rule, are so anxious to please, so willing to work, + that they bear almost every hardship without complaint. Nothing is more + terrible than to see the rich living on the work of the poor. One can + hardly imagine the utter heartlessness of a man who stands between the + wholesale manufacturer and the wretched women who make their living—or + rather retard their death—by the needle. How a human being can + consent to live on this profit, stolen from poverty, is beyond my + imagination. These men, when known, will be regarded as hyenas and + jackals. They are like the wild beasts which follow herds of cattle for + the purpose of devouring those that are injured or those that have fallen + by the wayside from weakness. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What effect has unlimited immigration on the wages of + women? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If our country were overpopulated, the effect of + immigration would be to lessen wages, for the reason that the working + people of Europe are used to lower wages, and have been in the habit of + practicing an economy unknown to us. But this country is not + overpopulated. There is plenty of room for several hundred millions more. + Wages, however, are too low in the United States. The general tendency is + to leave the question of labor to what is called the law of supply and + demand. My hope is that in time we shall become civilized enough to know + that there is a higher law, or rather a higher meaning in the law of + supply and demand, than is now perceived. Year after year what are called + the necessaries of life increase. Many things now regarded as necessaries + were formerly looked upon as luxuries. So, as man becomes civilized, he + increases what may be called the necessities of his life. When perfectly + civilized, one of the necessities of his life will be that the lives of + others shall be of some value to them. A good man is not happy so long as + he knows that other good men and women suffer for raiment and for food, + and have no roof but the sky, no home but the highway. Consequently what + is called the law of supply and demand will then have a much larger + meaning. + </p> + <p> + In nature everything lives upon something else. Life feeds upon life. + Something is lying in wait for something else, and even the victim is + weaving a web or crouching for some other victim, and the other victim is + in the same business—watching for something else. The same is true + in the human world—people are living on each other; the cunning + obtain the property of the simple; wealth picks the pockets of poverty; + success is a highwayman leaping from the hedge. The rich combine, the poor + are unorganized, without the means to act in concert, and for that reason + become the prey of combinations and trusts. The great questions are: Will + man ever be sufficiently civilized to be honest? Will the time ever come + when it can truthfully be said that right is might? The lives of millions + of people are not worth living, because of their ignorance and poverty, + and the lives of millions of others are not worth living, on account of + their wealth and selfishness. The palace without justice, without charity, + is as terrible as the hovel without food. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What effect has the woman's suffrage movement had on the + breadwinners of the country? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the women who have been engaged in the struggle for + equal rights have done good for women in the direction of obtaining equal + wages for equal work. There has also been for many years a tendency among + women in our country to become independent —a desire to make their + own living—to win their own bread. So many husbands are utterly + useless, or worse, that many women hardly feel justified in depending + entirely on a husband for the future. They feel somewhat safer to know how + to do something and earn a little money themselves. If men were what they + ought to be, few women would be allowed to labor—that is to say, to + toil. It should be the ambition of every healthy and intelligent man to + take care of, to support, to make happy, some woman. As long as women bear + the burdens of the world, the human race can never attain anything like a + splendid civilization. There will be no great generation of men until + there has been a great generation of women. For my part, I am glad to hear + this question discussed—glad to know that thousands of women take + some interest in the fortunes and in the misfortunes of their sisters. + </p> + <p> + The question of wages for women is a thousand times more important than + sending missionaries to China or to India. There is plenty for + missionaries to do here. And by missionaries I do not mean gentlemen and + ladies who distribute tracts or quote Scripture to people out of work. If + we are to better the condition of men and women we must change their + surroundings. The tenement house breeds a moral pestilence. There can be + in these houses no home, no fireside, no family, for the reason that there + is no privacy, no walls between them and the rest of the world. There is + no sacredness, no feeling, "this is ours." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Might not the rich do much? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It would be hard to overestimate the good that might be + done by the millionaires if they would turn their attention to sending + thousands and thousands into the country or to building them homes miles + from the city, where they could have something like privacy, where the + family relations could be kept with some sacredness. Think of the "homes" + in which thousands and thousands of young girls are reared in our large + cities. Think of what they see and what they hear; of what they come in + contact with. How is it possible for the virtues to grow in the damp and + darkened basements? Can we expect that love and chastity and all that is + sweet and gentle will be produced in these surroundings, in cellars and + garrets, in poverty and dirt? The surroundings must be changed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are the fathers and brothers blameless who allow young + girls to make coats, cloaks and vests in an atmosphere poisoned by the + ignorant and low-bred? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The same causes now brutalizing girls brutalize their + fathers and brothers, and the same causes brutalize the ignorant and + low-lived that poison the air in which these girls are made to work. It is + hard to pick out one man and say that he is to blame, or one woman and say + that the fault is hers. We must go back of all this. In my opinion, + society raises its own failures, its own criminals, its own wretches of + every sort and kind. Great pains are taken to raise these crops. The + seeds, it may be, were sown thousands of years ago, but they were sown, + and the present is the necessary child of all the past. If the future is + to differ from the present, the seeds must now be sown. It is not simply a + question of charity, or a question of good nature, or a question of what + we call justice—it is a question of intelligence. In the first + place, I suppose that it is the duty of every human being to support + himself—first, that he may not become a burden upon others, and + second, that he may help others. I think all people should be taught + never, under any circumstances, if by any possibility they can avoid it, + to become a burden. Every one should be taught the nobility of labor, the + heroism and splendor of honest effort. As long as it is considered + disgraceful to labor, or aristocratic not to labor, the world will be + filled with idleness and crime, and with every possible moral deformity. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Has the public school system anything to do with the army + of pupils who, after six years of study, willingly accept the injustice + and hardship imposed by capital? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The great trouble with the public school is that many + things are taught that are of no immediate use. I believe in manual + training schools. I believe in the kindergarten system. Every person ought + to be taught how to do something—ought to be taught the use of their + hands. They should endeavor to put in palpable form the ideas that they + gain. Such an education gives them a confidence in themselves, a + confidence in the future—gives them a spirit and feeling of + independence that they do not now have. Men go through college studying + for many years, and when graduated have not the slightest conception of + how to make a living in any department of human effort. Thousands of them + are to-day doing manual labor and doing it very poorly, whereas, if they + had been taught the use of tools, the use of their hands, they would + derive a certain pleasure from their work. It is splendid to do anything + well. One can be just as poetic working with iron and wood as working with + words and colors. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What ought to be done, or what is to be the end? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The great thing is for the people to know the facts. There + are thousands and millions of splendid and sympathetic people who would + willingly help, if they only knew; but they go through the world in such a + way that they know but little of it. They go to their place of business; + they stay in their offices for a few hours; they go home; they spend the + evening there or at a club; they come in contact with the well-to-do, with + the successful, with the satisfied, and they know nothing of the thousands + and millions on every side. They have not the least idea how the world + lives, how it works, how it suffers. They read, of course, now and then, + some paragraph in which the misfortune of some wretch is set forth, but + the wretch is a kind of steel engraving, an unreal shadow, a something + utterly unlike themselves. The real facts should be brought home, the + sympathies of men awakened, and awakened to such a degree that they will + go and see how these people live, see how they work, see how they suffer. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Does exposure do any good? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I hope that <i>The World</i> will keep on. I hope that it + will express every horror that it can, connected with the robbery of poor + and helpless girls, and I hope that it will publish the names of all the + robbers it can find, and the wretches who oppress the poor and who live + upon the misfortunes of women. + </p> + <p> + The crosses of this world are mostly born by wives, by mothers and by + daughters. Their brows are pierced by thorns. They shed the bitterest + tears. They live and suffer and die for others. It is almost enough to + make one insane to think of what woman, in the years of savagery and + civilization, has suffered. Think of the anxiety and agony of motherhood. + Maternity is the most pathetic fact in the universe. Think how helpless + girls are. Think of the thorns in the paths they walk—of the trials, + the temptations, the want, the misfortune, the dangers and anxieties that + fill their days and nights. Every true man will sympathize with woman, and + will do all in his power to lighten her burdens and increase the sunshine + of her life. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is there any remedy? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have always wondered that the great corporations have + made no provisions for their old and worn out employees. It seems to me + that not only great railway companies, but great manufacturing + corporations, ought to provide for their workmen. Many of them are worn + out, unable longer to work, and they are thrown aside like old clothes. + They find their way to the poorhouses or die in tenements by the roadside. + This seems almost infinitely heartless. Men of great wealth, engaged in + manufacturing, instead of giving five hundred thousand dollars for a + library, or a million dollars for a college, ought to put this money + aside, invest it in bonds of the Government, and the interest ought to be + used in taking care of the old, of the helpless, of those who meet with + accidents in their work. Under our laws, if an employee is caught in a + wheel or in a band, and his arm or leg is torn off, he is left to the + charity of the community, whereas the profits of the business ought to + support him in his old age. If employees had this feeling—that they + were not simply working for that day, not simply working while they have + health and strength, but laying aside a little sunshine for the winter of + age—if they only felt that they, by their labor, were creating a + fireside in front of which their age and helplessness could sit, the + feeling between employed and employers would be a thousand times better. + On the great railways very few people know the number of the injured, of + those who lose their hands or feet, of those who contract diseases riding + on the tops of freight trains in snow and sleet and storm; and yet, when + these men become old and helpless through accident, they are left to shift + for themselves. The company is immortal, but the employees become + helpless. Now, it seems to me that a certain per cent. should be laid + aside, so that every brakeman and conductor could feel that he was + providing for himself, as well as for his fellow-workmen, so that when the + dark days came there would be a little light. + </p> + <p> + The men of wealth, the men who control these great corporations— + these great mills—give millions away in ostentatious charity. They + send missionaries to foreign lands. They endow schools and universities + and allow the men who earned the surplus to die in want. I believe in no + charity that is founded on robbery. I have no admiration for generous + highwaymen or extravagant pirates. At the foundation of charity should be + justice. Let these men whom others have made wealthy give something to + their workmen—something to those who created their fortunes. This + would be one step in the right direction. Do not let it be regarded as + charity—let it be regarded as justice. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York World</i>, December 2, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0082" id="link0082"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROTECTION FOR AMERICAN ACTORS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. It is reported that you have been retained as counsel for + the Actors' Order of Friendship—the Edwin Forrest Lodge of New York, + and the Shakespeare Lodge of Philadelphia—for the purpose of + securing the necessary legislation to protect American actors— is + that so? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I have been retained for that purpose, and the object + is simply that American actors may be put upon an equal footing with + Americans engaged in other employments. There is a law now which prevents + contractors going abroad and employing mechanics or skilled workmen, and + bringing them to this country to take the places of our citizens. + </p> + <p> + No one objects to the English, German and French mechanics coming with + their wives and children to this country and making their homes here. Our + ports are open, and have been since the foundation of this Government. + Wages are somewhat higher in this country than in any other, and the man + who really settles here, who becomes, or intends to become an American + citizen, will demand American wages. But if a manufacturer goes to Europe, + he can make a contract there and bring hundreds and thousands of mechanics + to this country who will work for less wages than the American, and a law + was passed to prevent the American manufacturer, who was protected by a + tariff, from burning the laborer's candle at both ends. That is to say, we + do not wish to give him the American price, by means of a tariff, and then + allow him to go to Europe and import his labor at the European price. + </p> + <p> + In the law, actors were excepted, and we now find the managers are + bringing entire companies from the old county, making contracts with them + there, and getting them at much lower prices than they would have had to + pay for American actors. + </p> + <p> + No one objects to a foreign actor coming here for employment, but we do + not want an American manager to go there, and employ him to act here. No + one objects to the importation of a star. We wish to see and hear the best + actors in the world. But the rest of the company—the support—should + be engaged in the United States, if the star speaks English. + </p> + <p> + I see that it is contended over in England, that English actors are + monopolizing the American stage because they speak English, while the + average American actor does not. The real reason is that the English actor + works for less money—he is the cheaper article. Certainly no one + will accuse the average English actor of speaking English. The hemming and + hawing, the aristocratic stutter, the dropping of h's and picking them up + at the wrong time, have never been popular in the United States, except by + way of caricature. Nothing is more absurd than to take the ground that the + English actors are superior to the American. I know of no English actor + who can for a moment be compared with Joseph Jefferson, or with Edwin + Booth, or with Lawrence Barrett, or with Denman Thompson, and I could + easily name others. + </p> + <p> + If English actors are so much better than American, how is it that an + American star is supported by the English? Mary Anderson is certainly an + American actress, and she is supported by English actors. Is it possible + that the superior support the inferior? I do not believe that England has + her equal as an actress. Her Hermione is wonderful, and the appeal to + Apollo sublime. In Perdita she "takes the winds of March with beauty." + Where is an actress on the English stage the superior of Julia Marlowe in + genius, in originality, in naturalness? + </p> + <p> + Is there any better Mrs. Malaprop than Mrs. Drew, and better Sir Anthony + than John Gilbert? No one denies that the English actors and actresses are + great. No one will deny that the plays of Shakespeare are the greatest + that have been produced, and no one wishes in any way to belittle the + genius of the English people. + </p> + <p> + In this country the average person speaks fairly good English, and you + will find substantially the same English spoken in most of the country; + whereas in England there is a different dialect in almost every county, + and most of the English people speak the language as if was not their + native tongue. I think it will be admitted that the English write a good + deal better than they speak, and that their pronunciation is not + altogether perfect. + </p> + <p> + These things, however, are not worth speaking of. There is no absolute + standard. They speak in the way that is natural to them, and we in the way + that is natural to us. This difference furnishes no foundation for a claim + of general superiority. The English actors are not brought here on account + of their excellence, but on account of their cheapness. It requires no + great ability to play the minor parts, or the leading roles in some plays, + for that matter. And yet acting is a business, a profession, a means of + getting bread. + </p> + <p> + We protect our mechanics and makers of locomotives and of all other + articles. Why should we not protect, by the same means, the actor? You may + say that we can get along without actors. So we can get along without + painters, without sculptors and without poets. But a nation that gets + along without these people of genius amounts to but little. We can do + without music, without players and without composers; but when we take art + and poetry and music and the theatre out of the world, it becomes an + exceedingly dull place. + </p> + <p> + Actors are protected and cared for in proportion that people are + civilized. If the people are intelligent, educated, and have imaginations, + they enjoy the world of the stage, the creations of poets, and they are + thrilled by great music, and, as a consequence, respect the dramatist, the + actor and the musician. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. It is claimed that an amendment to the law, such as is + desired, will interfere with the growth of art? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No one is endeavoring to keep stars from this country. If + they have American support, and the stars really know anything, the + American actors will get the benefit. If they bring their support with + them, the American actor is not particularly benefitted, and the star, + when the season is over, takes his art and his money with him. + </p> + <p> + Managers who insist on employing foreign support are not sacrificing + anything for art. Their object is to make money. They care nothing for the + American actor—nothing for the American drama. They look for the + receipts. It is the sheerest cant to pretend that they are endeavoring to + protect art. + </p> + <p> + On the 26th of February, 1885, a law was passed making it unlawful "for + any person, company, partnership or corporation, in any manner whatsoever, + to prepay the transportation, or in any way assist or encourage the + importation or emigration of any alien or aliens into the United States, + under contract or agreement, parol or special, previous to the importation + or emigration of such aliens to perform labor or services of any kind the + United States." + </p> + <p> + By this act it was provided that its provisions should not apply to + professional actors, artists, lecturers or singers, in regard to persons + employed strictly as personal or domestic servants. The object now in view + is so to amend the law that its provision shall apply to all actors except + stars. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In this connection there has been so much said about the + art of acting—what is your idea as to that art? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Above all things in acting, there must be proportion. There + are no miracles in art or nature. All that is done—every inflection + and gesture—must be in perfect harmony with the circumstances. + Sensationalism is based on deformity, and bears the same relation to + proportion that caricature does to likeness. + </p> + <p> + The stream that flows even with its banks, making the meadows green, + delights us ever; the one that overflows surprises for a moment. But we do + not want a succession of floods. + </p> + <p> + In acting there must be natural growth, not sudden climax. The atmosphere + of the situation, the relation sustained to others, should produce the + emotions. Nothing should be strained. Beneath domes there should be + buildings, and buildings should have foundations. There must be growth. + There should be the bud, the leaf, the flower, in natural sequence. There + must be no leap from naked branches to the perfect fruit. + </p> + <p> + Most actors depend on climax—they save themselves for the supreme + explosion. The scene opens with a slow match and ends when the spark + reaches the dynamite. So, most authors fill the first act with + contradictions and the last with explanations. Plots and counter-plots, + violence and vehemence, perfect saints and perfect villains—that is + to say, monsters, impelled by improbable motives, meet upon the stage, + where they are pushed and pulled for the sake of the situation, and where + everything is so managed that the fire reaches the powder and the + explosion is the climax. + </p> + <p> + There is neither time, nor climate, nor soil, in which the emotions and + intentions may grow. No land is plowed, no seed is sowed, no rain falls, + no light glows—the events are all orphans. + </p> + <p> + No one would enjoy a sudden sunset—we want the clouds of gold that + float in the azure sea. No one would enjoy a sudden sunrise—we are + in love with the morning star, with the dawn that modestly heralds the day + and draws aside, with timid hands, the curtains of the night. In other + words, we want sequence, proportion, logic, beauty. + </p> + <p> + There are several actors in this country who are in perfect accord with + nature—who appear to make no effort—whose acting seems to give + them joy and rest. We do well what we do easily. It is a great mistake to + exhaust yourself, instead of the subject. All great actors "fill the + stage" because they hold the situation. You see them and nothing else. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Speaking of American actors, Colonel, I believe you are + greatly interested in the playing of Miss Marlowe, and have given your + opinion of her as Parthenia; what do you think of her Julia and Viola? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. A little while ago I saw Miss Marlowe as Julia, in "The + Hunchback." We must remember the limitations of the play. Nothing can + excel the simplicity, the joyous content of the first scene. Nothing could + be more natural than the excitement produced by the idea of leaving what + you feel to be simple and yet good, for what you think is magnificent, + brilliant and intoxicating. It is only in youth that we are willing to + make this exchange. One does not see so clearly in the morning of life + when the sun shines in his eyes. In the afternoon, when the sun is behind + him, he sees better —he is no longer dazzled. In old age we are not + only willing, but anxious, to exchange wealth and fame and glory and + magnificence, for simplicity. All the palaces are nothing compared with + our little cabin, and all the flowers of the world are naught to the wild + rose that climbs and blossoms by the lowly window of content. + </p> + <p> + Happiness dwells in the valleys with the shadows. + </p> + <p> + The moment Julia is brought in contact with wealth, she longs for the + simple—for the true love of one true man. Wealth and station are + mockeries. These feelings, these emotions, Miss Marlowe rendered not only + with look and voice and gesture, but with every pose of her body; and when + assured that her nuptials with the Earl could be avoided, the only + question in her mind was as to the absolute preservation of her honor—not + simply in fact, but in appearance, so that even hatred could not see a + speck upon the shining shield of her perfect truth. In this scene she was + perfect—everything was forgotten except the desire to be absolutely + true. + </p> + <p> + So in the scene with Master Walter, when he upbraids her for forgetting + that she is about to meet her father, when excusing her forgetfulness on + the ground that he has been to her a father. Nothing could exceed the + delicacy and tenderness of this passage. Every attitude expressed love, + gentleness, and a devotion even unto death. One felt that there could be + no love left for the father she expected to meet—Master Walter had + it all. + </p> + <p> + A greater Julia was never on the stage—one in whom so much passion + mingled with so much purity. Miss Marlowe never "o'ersteps the modesty of + nature." She maintains proportion. The river of her art flows even with + the banks. + </p> + <p> + In Viola, we must remember the character—a girl just rescued from + the sea—disguised as a boy—employed by the Duke, whom she + instantly loves—sent as his messenger to woo another for him—Olivia + enamored of the messenger—forced to a duel—mistaken for her + brother by the Captain, and her brother taken for herself by Olivia—and + yet, in the midst of these complications and disguises, she remains a pure + and perfect girl—these circumstances having no more real effect upon + her passionate and subtle self than clouds on stars. + </p> + <p> + When Malvolio follows and returns the ring the whole truth flashes upon + her. She is in love with Orsino—this she knows. Olivia, she + believes, is in love with her. The edge of the situation, the dawn of this + entanglement, excites her mirth. In this scene she becomes charming—an + impersonation of Spring. Her laughter is as natural and musical as the + song of a brook. So, in the scene with Olivia in which she cries, "Make me + a willow cabin at your gate!" she is the embodiment of grace, and her + voice is as musical as the words, and as rich in tone as they are in + thought. + </p> + <p> + In the duel with Sir Andrew she shows the difference between the delicacy + of woman and the cowardice of man. She does the little that she can, not + for her own sake, but for the sake of her disguise —she feels that + she owes something to her clothes. + </p> + <p> + But I have said enough about this actress to give you an idea of one who + is destined to stand first in her profession. + </p> + <p> + We will now come back to the real question. I am in favor of protecting + the American actor. I regard the theatre as the civilizer of man. All the + arts united upon the stage, and the genius of the race has been lavished + on this mimic world. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Star</i>, December 23, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0083" id="link0083"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LIBERALS AND LIBERALISM. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the prospects of Liberalism in this + country? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The prospects of Liberalism are precisely the same as the + prospects of civilization—that is to say, of progress. As the people + become educated, they become liberal. Bigotry is the provincialism of the + mind. Men are bigoted who are not acquainted with the thoughts of others. + They have been taught one thing, and have been made to believe that their + little mental horizon is the circumference of all knowledge. The bigot + lives in an ignorant village, surrounded by ignorant neighbors. This is + the honest bigot. The dishonest bigot may know better, but he remains a + bigot because his salary depends upon it. A bigot is like a country that + has had no commerce with any other. He imagines that in his little head + there is everything of value. When a man becomes an intellectual explorer, + an intellectual traveler, he begins to widen, to grow liberal. He finds + that the ideas of others are as good as and often better than his own. The + habits and customs of other people throw light on his own, and by this + light he is enabled to discover at least some of his own mistakes. Now the + world has become acquainted. A few years ago, a man knew something of the + doctrines of his own church. Now he knows the creeds of others, and not + only so, but he has examined to some extent the religions of other + nations. He finds in other creeds all the excellencies that are in his + own, and most of the mistakes. In this way he learns that all creeds have + been produced by men, and that their differences have been accounted for + by race, climate, heredity—that is to say, by a difference in + circumstances. So we now know that the cause of Liberalism is the cause of + civilization. Unless the race is to be a failure, the cause of Liberalism + must succeed. Consequently, I have the same faith in that cause that I + have in the human race. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Where are the most Liberals, and in what section of the + country is the best work for Liberalism being done? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The most Liberals are in the most intelligent section of + the United States. Where people think the most, there you will find the + most Liberals; where people think the least, you will find the most + bigots. Bigotry is produced by feeling—Liberalism by thinking—that + is to say, the one is a prejudice, the other a principle. Every geologist, + every astronomer, every scientist, is doing a noble work for Liberalism. + Every man who finds a fact, and demonstrates it, is doing work for the + cause. All the literature of our time that is worth reading is on the + liberal side. All the fiction that really interests the human mind is with + us. No one cares to read the old theological works. Essays written by + professors of theological colleges are regarded, even by Christians, with + a kind of charitable contempt. When any demonstration of science is + attacked by a creed, or a passage of Scripture, all the intelligent smile. + For these reasons I think that the best work for Liberalism is being done + where the best work for science is being done—where the best work + for man is being accomplished. Every legislator that assists in the repeal + of theological laws is doing a great work for Liberalism. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In your opinion, what relation do Liberalism and + Prohibition bear to each other? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think they have anything to do with each other. + They have nothing in common except this: The Prohibitionists, I presume, + are endeavoring to do what they can for temperance; so all intelligent + Liberals are doing what they can for the cause of temperance. The + Prohibitionist endeavors to accomplish his object by legislation—the + Liberalist by education, by civilization, by example, by persuasion. The + method of the Liberalist is good, that of the Prohibitionist chimerical + and fanatical. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that Liberals should undertake a reform in + the marriage and divorce laws and relations? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that Liberals should do all in their power to + induce people to regard marriage and divorce in a sensible light, and + without the slightest reference to any theological ideas. They should use + their influence to the end that marriage shall be considered as a contract—the + highest and holiest that men and women can make. And they should also use + their influence to have the laws of divorce based on this fundamental + idea,—that marriage is a contract. All should be done that can be + done by law to uphold the sacredness of this relation. All should be done + that can be done to impress upon the minds of all men and all women their + duty to discharge all the obligations of the marriage contract faithfully + and cheerfully. I do not believe that it is to the interest of the State + or of the Nation, that people should be compelled to live together who + hate each other, or that a woman should be bound to a man who has been + false and who refuses to fulfill the contract of marriage. I do not + believe that any man should call upon the police, or upon the creeds, or + upon the church, to compel his wife to remain under his roof, or to compel + a woman against her will to become the mother of his children. In other + words, Liberals should endeavor to civilize mankind, and when men and + women are civilized, the marriage question, and the divorce question, will + be settled. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Should Liberals vote on Liberal issues? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that, other things being anywhere near equal, + Liberals should vote for men who believe in liberty, men who believe in + giving to others the rights they claim for themselves—that is to + say, for civilized men, for men of some breadth of mind. Liberals should + do what they can to do away with all the theological absurdities. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Can, or ought, the Liberals and Spiritualists to unite? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. All people should unite where they have objects in common. + They can vote together, and act together, without believing the same on + all points. A Liberal is not necessarily a Spiritualist, and a + Spiritualist is not necessarily a Liberal. If Spiritualists wish to + liberalize the Government, certainly Liberals would be glad of their + assistance, and if Spiritualists take any step in the direction of + freedom, the Liberals should stand by them to that extent. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Which is the more dangerous to American institutions + —the National Reform Association (God-in-the-Constitution party) or + the Roman Catholic Church? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Association and the Catholic Church are dangerous + according to their power. The Catholic Church has far more power than the + Reform Association, and is consequently far more dangerous. The + God-in-the-Constitution association is weak, fanatical, stupid, and + absurd. What God are we to have in the Constitution? Whose God? If we + should agree to-morrow to put God in the Constitution, the question would + then be: Which God? On that question, the religious world would fall out. + In that direction there is no danger. But the Roman Catholic Church is the + enemy of intellectual liberty. It is the enemy of investigation. It is the + enemy of free schools. That church always has been, always will be, the + enemy of freedom. It works in the dark. When in a minority it is humility + itself—when in power it is the impersonation of arrogance. In + weakness it crawls—in power it stands erect, and compels its victims + to fall upon their faces. The most dangerous institution in this world, so + far as the intellectual liberty of man is concerned, is the Roman Catholic + Church. Next to that is the Protestant Church. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the Christian religion and the + Christian Church? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My opinion upon this subject is certainly well known. The + Christian Church is founded upon miracles—that is to say, upon + impossibilities. Of course, there is a great deal that is good in the + creeds of the churches, and in the sermons delivered by its ministers; but + mixed with this good is much that is evil. My principal objection to + orthodox religion is the dogma of eternal pain. Nothing can be more + infamously absurd. All civilized men should denounce it—all women + should regard it with a kind of shuddering abhorrence. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Secular Thought</i>, Toronto, Canada, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0084" id="link0084"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + POPE LEO XIII. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you agree with the views of Pope Leo XIII. as + expressed in <i>The Herald</i> of last week? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am not personally acquainted with Leo XIII., but I have + not the slightest idea that he loves Americans or their country. I regard + him as an enemy of intellectual liberty. He tells us that where the church + is free it will increase, and I say to him that where others are free it + will not. The Catholic Church has increased in this country by immigration + and in no other way. Possibly the Pope is willing to use his power for the + good of the whole people, Protestants and Catholics, and to increase their + prosperity and happiness, because by this he means that he will use his + power to make Catholics out of Protestants. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for the Catholic Church to be in favor of mental freedom. + That church represents absolute authority. Its members have no right to + reason—no right to ask questions—they are called upon simply + to believe and to pay their subscriptions. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you agree with the Pope when he says that the result + of efforts which have been made to throw aside Christianity and live + without it can be seen in the present condition of society— + discontent, disorder, hatred and profound unhappiness? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Undoubtedly the people of Europe who wish to be free are + discontented. Undoubtedly these efforts to have something like justice + done will bring disorder. Those in power will hate those who are + endeavoring to drive them from their thrones. If the people now, as + formerly, would bear all burdens cheerfully placed upon their shoulders by + church and state—that is to say, if they were so enslaved mentally + that they would not even have sense enough to complain, then there would + be what the Pope might call "peace and happiness"—that is to say, + the peace of ignorance, and the happiness of those who are expecting pay + in another world for their agonies endured in this. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the revolutionaries of Europe are not satisfied with the + Catholic religion; neither are they satisfied with the Protestant. Both of + these religions rest upon authority. Both discourage reason. Both say "Let + him that hath ears to hear, hear," but neither say let him that hath + brains to think, think. + </p> + <p> + Christianity has been thoroughly tried, and it is a failure. Nearly every + church has upheld slavery, not only of the body, but of the mind. When + Christian missionaries invade what they call a heathen country, they are + followed in a little while by merchants and traders, and in a few days + afterward by the army. The first real work is to kill the heathen or steal + their lands, or else reduce them to something like slavery. + </p> + <p> + I have no confidence in the reformation of this world by churches. + Churches for the most part exist, not for this world, but for another. + They are founded upon the supernatural, and they say: "Take no thought for + the morrow; put your trust in your Heavenly Father and he will take care + of you." On the other hand, science says: "You must take care of yourself, + live for the world in which you happen to be—if there is another, + live for that when you get there." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the plan to better the condition of + the workingmen, by committees headed by bishops of the Catholic Church, in + discussing their duties? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If the bishops wish to discuss with anybody about duties + they had better discuss with the employers, instead of the employed. This + discussion had better take place between the clergy and the capitalist. + There is no need of discussing this question with the poor wretches who + cannot earn more than enough to keep their souls in their bodies. If the + Catholic Church has so much power, and if it represents God on earth, let + it turn its attention to softening the hearts of capitalists, and no + longer waste its time in preaching patience to the poor slaves who are now + bearing the burdens of the world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you agree with the Pope that: "Sound rules of life + must be founded on religion"? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not. Sound rules of life must be founded on the + experience of mankind. In other words, we must live for this world. Why + should men throw away hundreds and thousands of millions of dollars in + building cathedrals and churches, and paying the salaries of bishops and + priests, and cardinals and popes, and get no possible return for all this + money except a few guesses about another world —those guesses being + stated as facts—when every pope and priest and bishop knows that no + one knows the slightest thing on the subject. Superstition is the greatest + burden borne by the industry of the world. + </p> + <p> + The nations of Europe to-day all pretend to be Christian, yet millions of + men are drilled and armed for the purpose of killing other Christians. + Each Christian nation is fortified to prevent other Christians from + devastating their fields. There is already a debt of about twenty-five + thousand millions of dollars which has been incurred by Christian nations, + because each one is afraid of every other, and yet all say: "It is our + duty to love our enemies." + </p> + <p> + This world, in my judgment, is to be reformed through intelligence —through + development of the mind—not by credulity, but by investigation; not + by faith in the supernatural, but by faith in the natural. The church has + passed the zenith of her power. The clergy must stand aside. Scientists + must take their places. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you agree with the Pope in attacking the present + governments of Europe and the memories of Mazzini and Saffi? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not. I think Mazzini was of more use to Italy than all + the popes that ever occupied the chair of St. Peter—which, by the + way, was not his chair. I have a thousand times more regard for Mazzini, + for Garibaldi, for Cavour, than I have for any gentleman who pretends to + be the representative of God. + </p> + <p> + There is another objection I have to the Pope, and that is that he was so + scandalized when a monument was reared in Rome to the memory of Giordano + Bruno. Bruno was murdered about two hundred and sixty years ago by the + Catholic Church, and such has been the development of the human brain and + heart that on the very spot where he was murdered a monument rises to his + memory. + </p> + <p> + But the vicar of God has remained stationary, and he regards this mark of + honor to one of the greatest and noblest of the human race as an act of + blasphemy. The poor old man acts as if America had never been discovered—as + if the world were still flat—and as if the stars had been made out + of little pieces left over from the creation of the world and stuck in the + sky simply to beautify the night. + </p> + <p> + But, after all, I do not blame this Pope. He is the victim of his + surroundings. He was never married. His heart was never softened by wife + or children. He was born that way, and, to tell you the truth, he has my + sincere sympathy. Let him talk about America and stay in Italy. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Herald</i>, New York, April 22, 1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0085" id="link0085"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SACREDNESS OF THE SABBATH. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the sacredness of the Sabbath? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think all days, all times and all seasons are alike + sacred. I think the best day in a man's life is the day that he is truly + the happiest. Every day in which good is done to humanity is a holy day. + </p> + <p> + If I were to make a calendar of sacred days, I would put down the days in + which the greatest inventions came to the mind of genius; the days when + scattered tribes became nations; the days when good laws were passed; the + days when bad ones were repealed; the days when kings were dethroned, and + the people given their own; in other words, every day in which good has + been done; in which men and women have truly fallen in love, days in which + babes were born destined to change the civilization of the world. These + are all sacred days; days in which men have fought for the right, suffered + for the right, died for the right; all days in which there were heroic + actions for good. The day when slavery was abolished in the United States + is holier than any Sabbath by reason of "divine consecration." + </p> + <p> + Of course, I care nothing about the sacredness of the Sabbath because it + was hallowed in the Old Testament, or because of that day Jehovah is said + to have rested from his labors. A space of time cannot be sacred, any more + than a vacuum can be sacred, and it is rendered sacred by deeds done in + it, and not in and of itself. + </p> + <p> + If we should finally invent some means of traveling by which we could go a + thousand miles a day, a man could escape Sunday all his life by traveling + West. He could start Monday, and stay Monday all the time. Or, if he + should some time get near the North Pole, he could walk faster than the + earth turns and thus beat Sunday all the while. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Should not the museums and art galleries be thrown open + to the workingmen free on Sunday? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Undoubtedly. In all civilized countries this is done, and I + believe it would be done in New York, only it is said that money has been + given on condition that the museums should be kept closed on Sundays. I + have always heard it said that large sums will be withheld by certain old + people who have the prospect of dying in the near future if the museums + are open on Sunday. + </p> + <p> + This, however, seems to me a very poor and shallow excuse. Money should + not be received under such conditions. One of the curses of our country + has been the giving of gifts to colleges on certain conditions. As, for + instance, the money given to Andover by the original founder on the + condition that a certain creed be taught, and other large amounts have + been given on a like condition. Now, the result of this is that the + theological professor must teach what these donors have indicated, or go + out of the institution; or —and this last "or" is generally the + trouble—teach what he does not believe, endeavoring to get around it + by giving new meaning to old words. + </p> + <p> + I think the cause of intellectual progress has been much delayed by these + conditions put in the wills of supposed benefactors, so that after they + are dead they can rule people who have the habit of being alive. In my + opinion, a corpse is a poor ruler, and after a man is dead he should keep + quiet. + </p> + <p> + Of course all that he did will live, and should be allowed to have its + natural effect. If he was a great inventor or discoverer, or if he uttered + great truths, these became the property of the world; but he should not + endeavor, after he is dead, to rule the living by conditions attached to + his gifts. + </p> + <p> + All the museums and libraries should be opened, not only to workingmen, + but to all others. If to see great paintings, great statues, wonderful + works of art; if to read the thoughts of the greatest men—if these + things tend to the civilization of the race, then they should be put as + nearly as possible within the reach of all. + </p> + <p> + The man who works eight or ten or twelve hours a day has not time during + the six days of labor to visit libraries or museums. Sunday is his day of + leisure, his day of recreation, and on that day he should have the + privilege, and he himself should deem it a right to visit all the public + libraries and museums, parks and gardens. + </p> + <p> + In other words, I think the laboring man should have the same rights on + Sundays, to say the least of it, that wealthy people have on other days. + The man of wealth has leisure. He can attend these places on any day he + may desire; but necessity being the master of the poor man, Sunday is his + one day for such a purpose. For men of wealth to close the museums and + libraries on that day, shows that they have either a mistaken idea as to + the well-being of their fellow-men, or that they care nothing about the + rights of any except the wealthy. + </p> + <p> + Personally, I have no sort of patience with the theological snivel and + drivel about the sacredness of the Sabbath. I do not understand why they + do not accept the words of their own Christ, namely, that "the Sabbath was + made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." + </p> + <p> + The hypocrites of Judea were great sticklers for the Sabbath, and the + orthodox Christians of New York are exactly the same. My own opinion is + that a man who has been at work all the week, in the dust and heat, can + hardly afford to waste his Sunday in hearing an orthodox sermon—a + sermon that gives him the cheerful intelligence that his chances for being + damned are largely in the majority. I think it is far better for the + workingman to go out with his family in the park, into the woods, to some + German garden, where he can hear the music of Wagner, or even the waltzes + of Strauss, or to take a boat and go down to the shore of the sea. I think + than in summer a few waves of the ocean are far more refreshing then all + the orthodox sermons of the world. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, I believe the preachers leave the city in the summer + and let the Devil do his worst. Whether it is believed that the Devil has + less power in warm weather, I do not know. But I do know that, as the + mercury rises, the anxiety about souls decreases, and the hotter New York + becomes, the cooler hell seems to be. + </p> + <p> + I want the workingman, no matter what he works at—whether at + doctoring people, or trying law suits, or running for office—to have + a real good time on Sunday. He, of course, must be careful not to + interfere with the rights of others. He ought not to play draw-poker on + the steps of a church; neither should he stone a Chinese funeral, nor go + to any excesses; but all the week long he should have it in his mind: Next + Sunday I am going to have a good time. My wife and I and the children are + going to have a happy time. I am going out with the girl I like; or my + young man is going to take me to the picnic. And this thought, and this + hope, of having a good time on Sunday—of seeing some great pictures + at the Metropolitan Art Gallery—together with a good many bad ones— + will make work easy and lighten the burden on the shoulders of toil. + </p> + <p> + I take a great interest, too, in the working women—particularly in + the working woman. I think that every workingman should see to it that + every working woman has a good time on Sunday. I am no preacher. All I + want is that everybody should enjoy himself in a way that he will not and + does not interfere with the enjoyment of others. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to say that we cannot trust the people. Our Government is + based upon the idea that the people can be trusted, and those who say that + the workingmen cannot be trusted, do not believe in Republican or + Democratic institutions. For one, I am perfectly willing to trust the + working people of the country. I do, every day. I trust the engineers on + the cars and steamers. I trust the builders of houses. I trust all + laboring men every day of my life, and if the laboring people of the + country were not trustworthy—if they were malicious or dishonest—life + would not be worth living. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Journal</i>, New York, June 6, 1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0086" id="link0086"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WEST AND SOUTH. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think the South will ever equal or surpass the + West in point of prosperity? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not. The West has better soil and more of the elements + of wealth. It is not liable to yellow fever; its rivers have better banks; + the people have more thrift, more enterprise, more political hospitality; + education is more general; the people are more inventive; better traders, + and besides all this, there is no race problem. The Southern people are + what their surroundings made them, and the influence of slavery has not + yet died out. In my judgment the climate of the West is superior to that + of the South. The West has good, cold winters, and they make people a + little more frugal, prudent and industrious. Winters make good homes, + cheerful firesides, and, after all, civilization commences at the + hearthstone. The South is growing, and will continue to grow, but it will + never equal the West. The West is destined to dominate the Republic. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you consider the new ballot-law adapted to the needs + of our system of elections? If not, in what particulars does it require + amendment? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Personally I like the brave and open way. The secret ballot + lacks courage. I want people to know just how I vote. The old <i>viva voce</i> + way was manly and looked well. Every American should be taught that he + votes as a sovereign—an emperor—and he should exercise the + right in a kingly way. But if we must have the secret ballot, then let it + be secret indeed, and let the crowd stand back while the king votes. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the service pension movement? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I see that there is a great deal of talk here in Indiana + about this service pension movement. It has always seemed to me that the + pension fund has been frittered away. Of what use is it to give a man two + or three dollars a month? If a man is rich why should he have any pension? + I think it would be better to give pensions only to the needy, and then + give them enough to support them. If the man was in the army a day or a + month, and was uninjured, and can make his own living, or has enough, why + should he have a pension? I believe in giving to the wounded and disabled + and poor, with a liberal hand, but not to the rich. I know that the nation + could not pay the men who fought and suffered. There is not money enough + in the world to pay the heroes for what they did and endured —but + there is money enough to keep every wounded and diseased soldier from + want. There is money enough to fill the lives of those who gave limbs or + health for the sake of the Republic, with comfort and happiness. I would + also like to see the poor soldier taken care of whether he was wounded or + not, but I see no propriety in giving to those who do not need. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Journal</i>, Indianapolis, Indiana, June 21, 1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0087" id="link0087"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WESTMINSTER CREED AND OTHER SUBJECTS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the revision of the Westminster + creed? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that the intelligence and morality of the age + demand the revision. The Westminster creed is infamous. It makes God an + infinite monster, and men the most miserable of beings. That creed has + made millions insane. It has furrowed countless cheeks with tears. Under + its influence the sentiments and sympathies of the heart have withered. + This creed was written by the worst of men. The civilized Presbyterians do + not believe it. The intelligent clergyman will not preach it, and all good + men who understand it, hold it in abhorrence. But the fact is that it is + just as good as the creed of any orthodox church. All these creeds must be + revised. Young America will not be consoled by the doctrine of eternal + pain. Yes, the creeds must be revised or the churches will be closed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the influence of the press on + religion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If you mean on orthodox religion, then I say the press is + helping to destroy it. Just to the extent that the press is intelligent + and fearless, it is and must be the enemy of superstition. Every fact in + the universe is the enemy of every falsehood. The press furnishes food + for, and excites thought. This tends to the destruction of the miraculous + and absurd. I regard the press as the friend of progress and consequently + the foe of orthodox religion. The old dogmas do not make the people happy. + What is called religion is full of fear and grief. The clergy are always + talking about dying, about the grave and eternal pain. They do not add to + the sunshine of life. If they could have their way all the birds would + stop singing, the flowers would lose their color and perfume, and all the + owls would sit on dead trees and hoot, "Broad is the road that leads to + death." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If you should write your last sentence on religious + topics what would be your closing? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I now in the presence of death affirm and reaffirm the + truth of all that I have said against the superstitions of the world. I + would say at least that much on the subject with my last breath. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your opinion, will be Browning's position in the + literature of the future? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Lower than at present. Mrs. Browning was far greater than + her husband. He never wrote anything comparable to "Mother and Poet." + Browning lacked form, and that is as great a lack in poetry as it is in + sculpture. He was the author of some great lines, some great thoughts, but + he was obscure, uneven and was always mixing the poetic with the + commonplace. To me he cannot be compared with Shelley or Keats, or with + our own Walt Whitman. Of course poetry cannot be very well discussed. Each + man knows what he likes, what touches his heart and what words burst into + blossom, but he cannot judge for others. After one has read Shakespeare, + Burns and Byron, and Shelley and Keats; after he has read the "Sonnets" + and the "Daisy" and the "Prisoner of Chillon" and the "Skylark" and the + "Ode to the Grecian Urn"—the "Flight of the Duchess" seems a little + weak. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Post-Express</i>, Rochester, New York, June 23, 1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0088" id="link0088"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SHAKESPEARE AND BACON. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of Ignatius Donnelly as a literary + man irrespective of his Baconian theory? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I know that Mr. Donnelly enjoys the reputation of being a + man of decided ability and that he is regarded by many as a great orator. + He is known to me through his Baconian theory, and in that of course I + have no confidence. It is nearly as ingenious as absurd. He has spent + great time, and has devoted much curious learning to the subject, and has + at last succeeded in convincing himself that Shakespeare claimed that + which he did not write, and that Bacon wrote that which he did not claim. + But to me the theory is without the slightest foundation. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Mr. Donnelly asks: "Can you imagine the author of such + grand productions retiring to that mud house in Stratford to live without + a single copy of the quarto that has made his name famous?" What do you + say? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes; I can. Shakespeare died in 1616, and the quarto was + published in 1623, seven years after he was dead. Under these + circumstances I think Shakespeare ought to be excused, even by those who + attack him with the greatest bitterness, for not having a copy of the + book. There is, however, another side to his. Bacon did not die until long + after the quarto was published. Did he have a copy? Did he mention the + copy in his will? Did he ever mention the quarto in any letter, essay, or + in any way? He left a library, was there a copy of the plays in it? Has + there ever been found a line from any play or sonnet in his handwriting? + Bacon left his writings, his papers, all in perfect order, but no plays, + no sonnets, said nothing about plays—claimed nothing on their + behalf. This is the other side. Now, there is still another thing. The + edition of 1623 was published by Shakespeare's friends, Heminge and + Condell. They knew him—had been with him for years, and they + collected most of his plays and put them in book form. + </p> + <p> + Ben Jonson wrote a preface, in which he placed Shakespeare above all the + other poets—declared that he was for all time. + </p> + <p> + The edition of 1623 was gotten up by actors, by the friends and associates + of Shakespeare, vouched for by dramatic writers—by those who knew + him. This is enough. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you explain the figure: "His soul, like Mazeppa, + was lashed naked to the wild horse of every fear and love and hate"? Mr. + Donnelly does not understand you. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It hardly seems necessary to explain a thing as simple and + plain as that. Men are carried away by some fierce passion— carried + away in spite of themselves as Mazeppa was carried by the wild horse to + which he was lashed. Whether the comparison is good or bad it is at least + plain. Nothing could tempt me to call Mr. Donnelly's veracity in question. + He says that he does not understand the sentence and I most cheerfully + admit that he tells the exact truth. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Mr. Donnelly says that you said: "Where there is genius, + education seems almost unnecessary," and he denounces your doctrine as the + most abominable doctrine ever taught. What have you to say to that? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, I never made the remark. In the next + place, it may be well enough to ask what education is. Much is taught in + colleges that is of no earthly use; much is taught that is hurtful. There + are thousands of educated men who never graduated from any college or + university. Every observant, thoughtful man is educating himself as long + as he lives. Men are better then books. Observation is a great teacher. A + man of talent learns slowly. He does not readily see the necessary + relation that one fact bears to another. A man of genius, learning one + fact, instantly sees hundreds of others. It is not necessary for such a + man to attend college. The world is his university. Every man he meets is + a book—every woman a volume every fact a torch—and so without + the aid of the so-called schools he rises to the very top. Shakespeare was + such a man. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Mr. Donnelly says that: "The biggest myth ever on earth + was Shakespeare, and that if Francis Bacon had said to the people, I, + Francis Bacon, a gentleman of gentlemen, have been taking in secret my + share of the coppers and shillings taken at the door of those low + playhouses, he would have been ruined. If he had put the plays forth + simply as poetry it would have ruined his legal reputation." What do you + think of this? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I hardly think that Shakespeare was a myth. He was + certainly born, married, lived in London, belonged to a company of actors; + went back to Stratford, where he had a family, and died. All these things + do not as a rule happen to myths. In addition to this, those who knew him + believed him to be the author of the plays. Bacon's friends never + suspected him. I do not think it would have hurt Bacon to have admitted + that he wrote "Lear" and "Othello," and that he was getting "coppers and + shillings" to which he was justly entitled. Certainly not as much as for + him to have written this, which if fact, though not in exact form, he did + write: "I, Francis Bacon, a gentleman of gentlemen, have been taking + coppers and shillings to which I was not entitled—but which I + received as bribes while sitting as a judge." He has been excused for two + reasons. First, because his salary was small, and, second, because it was + the custom for judges to receive presents. + </p> + <p> + Bacon was a lawyer. He was charged with corruption—with having taken + bribes, with having sold his decisions. He knew what the custom was and + knew how small his salary was. But he did not plead the custom in his + defense. He did not mention the smallness of the salary. He confessed that + he was guilty—as charged. His confession was deemed too general and + he was called upon by the Lords to make a specific confession. This he + did. He specified the cases in which he had received the money and told + how much, and begged for mercy. He did not make his confession, as Mr. + Donnelly is reported to have said, to get his fine remitted. The + confession was made before the fine was imposed. + </p> + <p> + Neither do I think that the theatre in which the plays of Shakespeare were + represented could or should be called a "low play house." The fact that + "Othello," "Lear," "Hamlet," "Julius Cæsar," and the other great + dramas were first played in that playhouse made it the greatest building + in the world. The gods themselves should have occupied seats in that + theatre, where for the first time the greatest productions of the human + mind were put upon the stage. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Tribune</i>, Minneapolis, Minn., May 31, 1891. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0089" id="link0089"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY, AND PRESBYTERIANISM. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How have you acquired the art of growing old gracefully? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is very hard to live a great while without getting old, + and it is hardly worth while to die just to keep young. It is claimed that + people with certain incomes live longer than those who have to earn their + bread. But the income people have a stupid kind of life, and though they + may hang on a good many years, they can hardly be said to do much real + living. The best you can say is, not that they lived so many years, but + that it took them so many years to die. Some people imagine that regular + habits prolong life, but that depends somewhat on the habits. Only the + other day I read an article written by a physician, in which regular + habits —good ones, were declared to be quite dangerous. + </p> + <p> + Where life is perfectly regular, all the wear and tear comes on the same + nerves—every blow falls on the same place. Variety, even in a bad + direction, is a great relief. But living long has nothing to do with + getting old gracefully. Good nature is a great enemy of wrinkles, and + cheerfulness helps the complexion. If we could only keep from being + annoyed at little things, it would add to the luxury of living. Great + sorrows are few, and after all do not affect us as much as the many + irritating, almost nothings that attack from every side. The traveler is + bothered more with dust than mountains. It is a great thing to have an + object in life— something to work for and think for. If a man thinks + only about himself, his own comfort, his own importance, he will not grow + old gracefully. More and more his spirit, small and mean, will leave its + impress on his face, and especially in his eyes. You look at him and feel + that there is no jewel in the casket; that a shriveled soul is living in a + tumble-down house. + </p> + <p> + The body gets its grace from the mind. I suppose that we are all more or + less responsible for our looks. Perhaps the thinker of great thoughts, the + doer of noble deeds, moulds his features in harmony with his life. + </p> + <p> + Probably the best medicine, the greatest beautifier in the world, is to + make somebody else happy. I have noticed that good mothers have faces as + serene as a cloudless day in June, and the older the serener. It is a + great thing to know the relative importance of things, and those who do, + get the most out of life. Those who take an interest in what they see, and + keep their minds busy are always young. + </p> + <p> + The other day I met a blacksmith who has given much attention to geology + and fossil remains. He told me how happy he was in his excursions. He was + nearly seventy years old, and yet he had the enthusiasm of a boy. He said + he had some very fine specimens, "but," said he, "nearly every night I + dream of finding perfect ones." + </p> + <p> + That man will keep young as long as he lives. As long as a man lives he + should study. Death alone has the right to dismiss the school. No man can + get too much knowledge. In that, he can have all the avarice he wants, but + he can get too much property. If the business men would stop when they got + enough, they might have a chance to grow old gracefully. But the most of + them go on and on, until, like the old stage horse, stiff and lame, they + drop dead in the road. The intelligent, the kind, the reasonably + contented, the courageous, the self-poised, grow old gracefully. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are not the restraints to free religious thought being + worn away, as the world grows older, and will not the recent attacks of + the religious press and pulpit upon the unorthodoxy of Dr. Briggs, Rev. R. + Heber Newton and the prospective Episcopal bishop of Massachusetts, Dr. + Phillips Brooks, and others, have a tendency still further to extend this + freedom? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course the world is growing somewhat wiser—getting + more sense day by day. It is amazing to me that any human being or beings + ever wrote the Presbyterian creed. Nothing can be more absurd—more + barbaric than that creed. It makes man the sport of an infinite monster, + and yet good people, men and women of ability, who have gained eminence in + almost every department of human effort, stand by this creed as if it were + filled with wisdom and goodness. They really think that a good God damns + his poor ignorant children just for his own glory, and that he sends + people to perdition, not for any evil in them, but to the praise of his + glorious justice. Dr. Briggs has been wicked enough to doubt this phase of + God's goodness, and Dr. Bridgman was heartless enough to drop a tear in + hell. Of course they have no idea of what justice really is. + </p> + <p> + The Presbyterian General Assembly that has just adjourned stood by + Calvinism. The "Five Points" are as sharp as ever. The members of that + assembly—most of them—find all their happiness in the "creed." + They need no other amusement. If they feel blue they read about total + depravity—and cheer up. In moments of great sorrow they think of the + tale of non-elect infants, and their hearts overflow with a kind of joy. + </p> + <p> + They cannot imagine why people wish to attend the theatre when they can + read the "Confession of Faith," or why they should feel like dancing after + they do read it. + </p> + <p> + It is very sad to think of the young men and women who have been eternally + ruined by witnessing the plays of Shakespeare, and it is also sad to think + of the young people, foolish enough to be happy, keeping time to the pulse + of music, waltzing to hell in loving pairs—all for the glory of God, + and to the praise of his glorious justice. I think, too, of the thousands + of men and women who, while listening to the music of Wagner, have + absolutely forgotten the Presbyterian creed, and who for a little while + have been as happy as if the creed had never been written. Tear down the + theatres, burn the opera houses, break all musical instruments, and then + let us go to church. + </p> + <p> + I am not at all surprised that the General Assembly took up this + progressive euchre matter. The word "progressive" is always obnoxious to + the ministers. Euchre under another name might go. Of course, progressive + euchre is a kind of gambling. I knew a young man, or rather heard of him, + who won at progressive euchre a silver spoon. At first this looks like + nothing, almost innocent, and yet that spoon, gotten for nothing, sowed + the seed of gambling in that young man's brain. He became infatuated with + euchre, then with cards in general, then with draw-poker in particular,—then + into Wall Street. He is now a total wreck, and has the impudence to say + that is was all "pre-ordained." Think of the thousands and millions that + are being demoralized by games of chance, by marbles —when they play + for keeps—by billiards and croquet, by fox and geese, authors, + halma, tiddledywinks and pigs in clover. In all these miserable games, is + the infamous element of chance—the raw material of gambling. + Probably none of these games could be played exclusively for the glory of + God. I agree with the Presbyterian General Assembly, if the creed is true, + why should anyone try to amuse himself? If there is a hell, and all of us + are going there, there should never be another smile on the human face. We + should spend our days in sighs, our nights in tears. The world should go + insane. We find strange combinations—good men with bad creeds, and + bad men with good ones—and so the great world stumbles along. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Blade</i>, Toledo, Ohio, June 4, 1891. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0090" id="link0090"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CREEDS. + </h2> + <p> + There is a natural desire on the part of every intelligent human being to + harmonize his information—to make his theories agree—in other + words, to make what he knows, or thinks he knows, in one department, agree + and harmonize with what he knows, or thinks he knows, in every other + department of human knowledge. + </p> + <p> + The human race has not advanced in line, neither has it advanced in all + departments with the same rapidity. It is with the race as it is with an + individual. A man may turn his entire attention to some one subject—as, + for instance, to geology—and neglect other sciences. He may be a + good geologist, but an exceedingly poor astronomer; or he may know nothing + of politics or of political economy. So he may be a successful statesman + and know nothing of theology. But if a man, successful in one direction, + takes up some other question, he is bound to use the knowledge he has on + one subject as a kind of standard to measure what he is told on some other + subject. If he is a chemist, it will be natural for him, when studying + some other question, to use what he knows in chemistry; that is to say, he + will expect to find cause and effect everywhere —succession and + resemblance. He will say: It must be in all other sciences as in chemistry—there + must be no chance. The elements have no caprice. Iron is always the same. + Gold does not change. Prussic acid is always poison—it has no + freaks. So he will reason as to all facts in nature. He will be a believer + in the atomic integrity of all matter, in the persistence of gravitation. + Being so trained, and so convinced, his tendency will be to weigh what is + called new information in the same scales that he has been using. + </p> + <p> + Now, for the application of this. Progress in religion is the slowest, + because man is kept back by sentimentality, by the efforts of parents, by + old associations. A thousand unseen tendrils are twining about him that he + must necessarily break if he advances. In other departments of knowledge + inducements are held out and rewards are promised to the one who does + succeed—to the one who really does advance—to the one who + discovers new facts. But in religion, instead of rewards being promised, + threats are made. The man is told that he must not advance; that if he + takes a step forward, it is at the peril of his soul; that if he thinks + and investigates, he is in danger of exciting the wrath of God. + Consequently religion has been of the slowest growth. Now, in most + departments of knowledge, man has advanced; and coming back to the + original statement—a desire to harmonize all that we know—there + is a growing desire on the part of intelligent men to have a religion fit + to keep company with the other sciences. + </p> + <p> + Our creeds were made in times of ignorance. They suited very well a flat + world, and a God who lived in the sky just above us and who used the + lightning to destroy his enemies. This God was regarded much as a savage + regarded the head of his tribe—as one having the right to reward and + punish. And this God, being much greater than a chief of the tribe, could + give greater rewards and inflict greater punishments. They knew that the + ordinary chief, or the ordinary king, punished the slightest offence with + death. They also knew that these chiefs and kings tortured their victims + as long as the victims could bear the torture. So when they described + their God, they gave this God power to keep the tortured victim alive + forever —because they knew that the earthly chief, or the earthly + king, would prolong the life of the tortured for the sake of increasing + the agonies of the victim. In those savage days they regarded punishment + as the only means of protecting society. In consequence of this they built + heaven and hell on an earthly plan, and they put God—that is to say + the chief, that is to say the king—on a throne like an earthly king. + </p> + <p> + Of course, these views were all ignorant and barbaric; but in that blessed + day their geology and astronomy were on a par with their theology. There + was a harmony in all departments of knowledge, or rather of ignorance. + Since that time there has been a great advance made in the idea of + government—the old idea being that the right to govern came from God + to the king, and from the king to his people. Now intelligent people + believe that the source of authority has been changed, and that all just + powers of government are derived from the consent of the governed. So + there has been a great advance in the philosophy of punishment—in + the treatment of criminals. So, too, in all the sciences. The earth is no + longer flat; heaven is not immediately above us; the universe has been + infinitely enlarged, and we have at last found that our earth is but a + grain of sand, a speck on the great shore of the infinite. Consequently + there is a discrepancy, a discord, a contradiction between our theology + and the other sciences. Men of intelligence feel this. Dr. Briggs + concluded that a perfectly good and intelligent God could not have created + billions of sentient beings, knowing that they were to be eternally + miserable. No man could do such a thing, had he the power, without being + infinitely malicious. Dr. Briggs began to have a little hope for the human + race—began to think that maybe God is better than the creed + describes him. + </p> + <p> + And right here it may be well enough to remark that no one has ever been + declared a heretic for thinking God bad. Heresy has consisted in thinking + God better than the church said he was. The man who said God will damn + nearly everybody, was orthodox. The man who said God will save everybody, + was denounced as a blaspheming wretch, as one who assailed and maligned + the character of God. I can remember when the Universalists were denounced + as vehemently and maliciously as the Atheists are to-day. + </p> + <p> + Now, Dr. Briggs is undoubtedly an intelligent man. He knows that nobody on + earth knows who wrote the five books of Moses. He knows that they were not + written until hundreds of years after Moses was dead. He knows that two or + more persons were the authors of Isaiah. He knows that David did not write + to exceed three or four of the Psalms. He knows that the Book of Job is + not a Jewish book. He knows that the Songs of Solomon were not written by + Solomon. He knows that the Book of Ecclesiastes was written by a + Freethinker. He also knows that there is not in existence to-day—so + far as anybody knows—any of the manuscripts of the Old or New + Testaments. + </p> + <p> + So about the New Testament, Dr. Briggs knows that nobody lives who has + ever seen an original manuscript, or who ever saw anybody that did see + one, or that claims to have seen one. He knows that nobody knows who wrote + Matthew or Mark or Luke or John. He knows that John did not write John, + and that that gospel was not written until long after John was dead. He + knows that no one knows who wrote the Hebrews. He also knows that the Book + of Revelation is an insane production. Dr. Briggs also knows the way in + which these books came to be canonical, and he knows that the way was no + more binding than a resolution passed by a political convention. He also + knows that many books were left out that had for centuries equal authority + with those that were put in. He also knows that many passages— and + the very passages upon which many churches are founded—are + interpolations. He knows that the last chapter of Mark, beginning with the + sixteenth verse to the end, is an interpolation; and he also knows that + neither Matthew nor Mark nor Luke ever said one word about the necessity + of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, or of believing anything—not + one word about believing the Bible or joining the church, or doing any + particular thing in the way of ceremony to insure salvation. He knows that + according to Matthew, God agreed to forgive us when we would forgive + others. Consequently he knows that there is not one particle of what is + called modern theology in Matthew, Mark, or Luke. He knows that the + trouble commenced in John, and that John was not written until probably + one hundred and fifty years—possibly two hundred years—after + Christ was dead. So he also knows that the sin against the Holy Ghost is + an interpolation; that "I came not to bring peace but a sword," if not an + interpolation, is an absolute contradiction. So, too, he knows that the + promise to forgive in heaven what the disciples should forgive on earth, + is an interpolation; and that if its not an interpolation, it is without + the slightest sense in fact. + </p> + <p> + Knowing these things, and knowing, in addition to what I have stated, that + there are thirty thousand or forty thousand mistakes in the Old Testament, + that there are a great many contradictions and absurdities, than many of + the laws are cruel and infamous, and could have been made only by a + barbarous people, Dr. Briggs has concluded that, after all, the torch that + sheds the serenest and divinest light is the human reason, and that we + must investigate the Bible as we do other books. At least, I suppose he + has reached some such conclusion. He may imagine that the pure gold of + inspiration still runs through the quartz and porphyry of ignorance and + mistake, and that all we have to do is to extract the shining metal by + some process that may be called theological smelting; and if so I have no + fault to find. Dr. Briggs has taken a step in advance—that is to + say, the tree is growing, and when the tree grows, the bark splits; when + the new leaves come the old leaves are rotting on the ground. + </p> + <p> + The Presbyterian creed is a very bad creed. It has been the + stumbling-block, not only of the head, but of the heart for many + generations. I do not know that it is, in fact, worse than any other + orthodox creed; but the bad features are stated with an explicitness and + emphasized with a candor that render the creed absolutely appalling. It is + amazing to me that any man ever wrote it, or that any set of men ever + produced it. It is more amazing to me that any human being ever believed + in it. It is still more amazing that any human being ever thought it + wicked not to believe it. It is more amazing still, than all the others + combined, that any human being ever wanted it to be true. + </p> + <p> + This creed is a relic of the Middle Ages. It has in it the malice, the + malicious logic, the total depravity, the utter heartlessness of John + Calvin, and it gives me great pleasure to say that no Presbyterian was + ever as bad as his creed. And here let me say, as I have said many times, + that I do not hate Presbyterians—because among them I count some of + my best friends—but I hate Presbyterianism. And I cannot illustrate + this any better than by saying, I do not hate a man because he has the + rheumatism, but I hate the rheumatism because it has a man. + </p> + <p> + The Presbyterian Church is growing, and is growing because, as I said at + first, there is a universal tendency in the mind of man to harmonize all + that he knows or thinks he knows. This growth may be delayed. The buds of + heresy may be kept back by the north wind of Princeton and by the early + frost called Patton. In spite of these souvenirs of the Dark Ages, the + church must continue to grow. The theologians who regard theology as + something higher than a trade, tend toward Liberalism. Those who regard + preaching as a business, and the inculcation of sentiment as a trade, will + stand by the lowest possible views. They will cling to the letter and + throw away the spirit. They prefer the dead limb to a new bud or to a new + leaf. They want no more sap. They delight in the dead tree, in its + unbending nature, and they mistake the stiffness of death for the vigor + and resistance of life. + </p> + <p> + Now, as with Dr. Briggs, so with Dr. Bridgman, although it seems to me + that he has simply jumped from the frying-pan into the fire; and why he + should prefer the Episcopal creed to the Baptist, is more than I can + imagine. The Episcopal creed is, in fact, just as bad as the Presbyterian. + It calmly and with unruffled brow, utters the sentence of eternal + punishment on the majority of the human race, and the Episcopalian expects + to be happy in heaven, with his son or daughter or his mother or wife in + hell. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Bridgman will find himself exactly in the position of the Rev. Mr. + Newton, provided he expresses his thought. But I account for the Bridgmans + and for the Newtons by the fact that there is still sympathy in the human + heart, and that there is still intelligence in the human brain. For my + part, I am glad to see this growth in the orthodox churches, and the + quicker they revise their creeds the better. + </p> + <p> + I oppose nothing that is good in any creed—I attack only that which + is ignorant, cruel and absurd, and I make the attack in the interest of + human liberty, and for the sake of human happiness. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the action of the Presbyterian + General Assembly at Detroit, and what effect do you think it will have on + religious growth? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. That General Assembly was controlled by the orthodox within + the church, by the strict constructionists and by the Calvinists; by + gentlemen who not only believe the creed, not only believe that a vast + majority of people are going to hell, but are really glad of it; by + gentlemen who, when they feel a little blue, read about total depravity to + cheer up, and when they think of the mercy of God as exhibited in their + salvation, and the justice of God as illustrated by the damnation of + others, their hearts burst into a kind of efflorescence of joy. + </p> + <p> + These gentlemen are opposed to all kinds of amusements except reading the + Bible, the Confession of Faith, and the creed, and listening to + Presbyterian sermons and prayers. All these things they regard as the food + of cheerfulness. They warn the elect against theatres and operas, dancing + and games of chance. + </p> + <p> + Well, if their doctrine is true, there ought to be no theatres, except + exhibitions of hell; there ought to be no operas, except where the music + is a succession of wails for the misfortunes of man. If their doctrine is + true, I do not see how any human being could ever smile again—I do + not see how a mother could welcome her babe; everything in nature would + become hateful; flowers and sunshine would simply tell us of our fate. + </p> + <p> + My doctrine is exactly the opposite of this. Let us enjoy ourselves every + moment that we can. The love of the dramatic is universal. The stage has + not simply amused, but it has elevated mankind. The greatest genius of our + world poured the treasures of his soul into the drama. I do not believe + that any girl can be corrupted, or that any man can be injured, by + becoming acquainted with Isabella or Miranda or Juliet or Imogen, or any + of the great heroines of Shakespeare. + </p> + <p> + So I regard the opera as one of the great civilizers. No one can listen to + the symphonies of Beethoven, or the music of Schubert, without receiving a + benefit. And no one can hear the operas of Wagner without feeling that he + has been ennobled and refined. + </p> + <p> + Why is it the Presbyterians are so opposed to music in the world, and yet + expect to have so much in heaven? Is not music just as demoralizing in the + sky as on the earth, and does anybody believe that Abraham or Isaac or + Jacob, ever played any music comparable to Wagner? + </p> + <p> + Why should we postpone our joy to another world? Thousands of people take + great pleasure in dancing, and I say let them dance. Dancing is better + than weeping and wailing over a theology born of ignorance and + superstition. + </p> + <p> + And so with games of chance. There is a certain pleasure in playing games, + and the pleasure is of the most innocent character. Let all these games be + played at home and children will not prefer the saloon to the society of + their parents. I believe in cards and billiards, and would believe in + progressive euchre, were it more of a game—the great objection to it + is its lack of complexity. My idea is to get what little happiness you can + out of this life, and to enjoy all sunshine that breaks through the clouds + of misfortune. Life is poor enough at best. No one should fail to pick up + every jewel of joy that can be found in his path. Every one should be as + happy as he can, provided he is not happy at the expense of another, and + no person rightly constituted can be happy at the expense of another. + </p> + <p> + So let us get all we can of good between the cradle and the grave; all + that we can of the truly dramatic; all that we can of music; all that we + can of art; all that we can of enjoyment; and if, when death comes, that + is the end, we have at least made the best of this life; and if there be + another life, let us make the best of that. + </p> + <p> + I am doing what little I can to hasten the coming of the day when the + human race will enjoy liberty—not simply of body, but liberty of + mind. And by liberty of mind I mean freedom from superstition, and added + to that, the intelligence to find out the conditions of happiness; and + added to that, the wisdom to live in accordance with those conditions. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Morning Advertiser</i>, New York, June 12, 1891. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0091" id="link0091"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TENDENCY OF MODERN THOUGHT. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you regard the Briggs trial as any evidence of the + growth of Liberalism in the church itself? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. When men get together, and make what they call a creed, the + supposition is that they then say as nearly as possible what they mean and + what they believe. A written creed, of necessity, remains substantially + the same. In a few years this creed ceases to give exactly the new shade + of thought. Then begin two processes, one of destruction and the other of + preservation. In every church, as in every party, and as you may say in + every corporation, there are two wings—one progressive, the other + conservative. In the church there will be a few, and they will represent + the real intelligence of the church, who become dissatisfied with the + creed, and who at first satisfy themselves by giving new meanings to old + words. On the other hand, the conservative party appeals to emotions, to + memories, and to the experiences of their fellow- members, for the purpose + of upholding the old dogmas and the old ideas; so that each creed is like + a crumbling castle. The conservatives plant ivy and other vines, hoping + that their leaves will hide the cracks and erosions of time; but the + thoughtful see beyond these leaves and are satisfied that the structure + itself is in the process of decay, and that no amount of ivy can restore + the crumbling stones. + </p> + <p> + The old Presbyterian creed, when it was first formulated, satisfied a + certain religious intellect. At that time people were not very merciful. + They had no clear conceptions of justice. Their lives were for the most + part hard; most of them suffered the pains and pangs of poverty; nearly + all lived in tyrannical governments and were the sport of nobles and + kings. Their idea of God was born of their surroundings. God, to them, was + an infinite king who delighted in exhibitions of power. At any rate, their + minds were so constructed that they conceived of an infinite being who, + billions of years before the world was, made up his mind as to whom he + would save and whom he would damn. He not only made up his mind as to the + number he would save, and the number that should be lost, but he saved and + damned without the slightest reference to the character of the individual. + They believed then, and some pretend to believe still, that God damns a + man not because he is bad, and that he saves a man not because he is good, + but simply for the purpose of self-glorification as an exhibition of his + eternal justice. It would be impossible to conceive of any creed more + horrible than that of the Presbyterians. Although I admit—and I not + only admit but I assert—that the creeds of all orthodox Christians + are substantially the same, the Presbyterian creed says plainly what it + means. There is no hesitation, no evasion. The horrible truth, so-called, + is stated in the clearest possible language. One would think after reading + this creed, that the men who wrote it not only believed it, but were + really glad it was true. + </p> + <p> + Ideas of justice, of the use of power, of the use of mercy, have greatly + changed in the last century. We are beginning dimly to see that each man + is the result of an infinite number of conditions, of an infinite number + of facts, most of which existed before he was born. We are beginning dimly + to see that while reason is a pilot, each soul navigates the mysterious + sea filled with tides and unknown currents set in motion by ancestors long + since dust. We are beginning to see that defects of mind are transmitted + precisely the same as defects of body, and in my judgment the time is + coming when we shall not more think of punishing a man for larceny than + for having the consumption. We shall know that the thief is a necessary + and natural result of conditions, preparing, you may say, the field of the + world for the growth of man. We shall no longer depend upon accident and + ignorance and providence. We shall depend upon intelligence and science. + </p> + <p> + The Presbyterian creed is no longer in harmony with the average sense of + man. It shocks the average mind. It seems too monstrous to be true; too + horrible to find a lodgment in the mind of the civilized man. The + Presbyterian minister who thinks, is giving new meanings to the old words. + The Presbyterian minister who feels, also gives new meanings to the old + words. Only those who neither think nor feel remain orthodox. + </p> + <p> + For many years the Christian world has been engaged in examining the + religions of other peoples, and the Christian scholars have had but little + trouble in demonstrating the origin of Mohammedanism and Buddhism and all + other isms except ours. After having examined other religions in the light + of science, it occurred to some of our theologians to examine their own + doctrine in the same way, and the result has been exactly the same in both + cases. Dr. Briggs, as I believe, is a man of education. He is undoubtedly + familiar with other religions, and has, to some extent at least, made + himself familiar with the sacred books of other people. Dr. Briggs knows + that no human being knows who wrote a line of the Old Testament. He knows + as well as he can know anything, for instance, that Moses never wrote one + word of the books attributed to him. He knows that the book of Genesis was + made by putting two or three stories together. He also knows that it is + not the oldest story, but was borrowed. He knows that in this book of + Genesis there is not one word adapted to make a human being better, or to + shed the slightest light on human conduct. He knows, if he knows anything, + that the Mosaic Code, so-called, was, and is, exceedingly barbarous and + not adapted to do justice between man and man, or between nation and + nation. He knows that the Jewish people pursued a course adapted to + destroy themselves; that they refused to make friends with their + neighbors; that they had not the slightest idea of the rights of other + people; that they really supposed that the earth was theirs, and that + their God was the greatest God in the heavens. He also knows that there + are many thousands of mistakes in the Old Testament as translated. He + knows that the book of Isaiah is made up of several books. He knows the + same thing in regard to the New Testament. He also knows that there were + many other books that were once considered sacred that have been thrown + away, and that nobody knows who wrote a solitary line of the New + Testament. + </p> + <p> + Besides all this, Dr. Briggs knows that the Old and New Testaments are + filled with interpolations, and he knows that the passages of Scripture + which have been taken as the foundation stones for creeds, were written + hundreds of years after the death of Christ. He knows well enough that + Christ never said: "I came not to bring peace, but a sword." He knows that + the same being never said: "Thou art Peter, and on this rock will I build + my church." He knows, too, that Christ never said: "Whosoever believes + shall be saved, and whosoever believes not shall be damned." He knows that + these were interpolations. He knows that the sin against the Holy Ghost is + another interpolation. He knows, if he knows anything, that the gospel + according to John was written long after the rest, and that nearly all of + the poison and superstition of orthodoxy is in that book. He knows also, + if he knows anything, that St. Paul never read one of the four gospels. + </p> + <p> + Knowing all these things, Dr. Briggs has had the honesty to say that there + was some trouble about taking the Bible as absolutely inspired in word and + punctuation. I do not think, however, that he can maintain his own + position and still remain a Presbyterian or anything like a Presbyterian. + He takes the ground, I believe, that there are three sources of knowledge: + First, the Bible; second, the church; third, reason. It seems to me that + reason should come first, because if you say the Bible is a source of + authority, why do you say it? Do you say this because your reason is + convinced that it is? If so, then reason is the foundation of that belief. + If, again, you say the church is a source of authority, why do you say so? + It must be because its history convinces your reason that it is. + Consequently, the foundation of that idea is reason. At the bottom of this + pyramid must be reason, and no man is under any obligation to believe that + which is unreasonable to him. He may believe things that he cannot prove, + but he does not believe them because they are unreasonable. He believes + them because he thinks they are not unreasonable, not impossible, not + improbable. But, after all, reason is the crucible in which every fact + must be placed, and the result fixes the belief of the intelligent man. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that the whole Presbyterian creed must come down together. + It is a scheme based upon certain facts, so-called. There is in it the + fall of man. There is in it the scheme of the atonement, and there is the + idea of hell, eternal punishment, and the idea of heaven, eternal reward; + and yet, according to their creed, hell is not a punishment and heaven is + not a reward. Now, if we do away with the fall of man we do away with the + atonement; then we do away with all supernatural religion. Then we come + back to human reason. Personally, I hope that the Presbyterian Church will + be advanced enough and splendid enough to be honest, and if it is honest, + all the gentlemen who amount to anything, who assist in the trial of Dr. + Briggs, will in all probability agree with him, and he will be acquitted. + But if they throw aside their reason, and remain blindly orthodox, then he + will be convicted. To me it is simply miraculous that any man should + imagine that the Bible is the source of truth. There was a time when all + scientific facts were measured by the Bible. That time is past, and now + the believers in the Bible are doing their best to convince us that it is + in harmony with science. In other words, I have lived to see a change of + standards. When I was a boy, science was measured by the Bible. Now the + Bible is measured by science. This is an immense step. So it is impossible + for me to conceive what kind of a mind a man has, who finds in the history + of the church the fact that it has been a source of truth. How can any one + come to the conclusion that the Catholic Church has been a source of + truth, a source of intellectual light? How can anyone believe that the + church of John Calvin has been a source of truth? If its creed is not + true, if its doctrines are mistakes, if its dogmas are monstrous + delusions, how can it be said to have been a source of truth? + </p> + <p> + My opinion is that Dr. Briggs will not be satisfied with the step he has + taken. He has turned his face a little toward the light. The farther he + walks the harder it will be for him to turn back. The probability is that + the orthodox will turn him out, and the process of driving out men of + thought and men of genius will go on until the remnant will be as orthodox + as they are stupid. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think mankind is drifting away from the + supernatural? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My belief is that the supernatural has had its day. The + church must either change or abdicate. That is to say, it must keep step + with the progress of the world or be trampled under foot. The church as a + power has ceased to exist. To-day it is a matter of infinite indifference + what the pulpit thinks unless there comes the voice of heresy from the + sacred place. Every orthodox minister in the United States is listened to + just in proportion that he preaches heresy. The real, simon-pure, orthodox + clergyman delivers his homilies to empty benches, and to a few ancient + people who know nothing of the tides and currents of modern thought. The + orthodox pulpit to-day has no thought, and the pews are substantially in + the same condition. There was a time when the curse of the church whitened + the face of a race, but now its anathema is the food of laughter. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What, in your judgment, is to be the outcome of the + present agitation in religious circles? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My idea is that people more and more are declining the + postponement of happiness to another world. The general tendency is to + enjoy the present. All religions have taught men that the pleasures of + this world are of no account; that they are nothing but husks and rags and + chaff and disappointment; that whoever expects to be happy in this world + makes a mistake; that there is nothing on the earth worth striving for; + that the principal business of mankind should be to get ready to be happy + in another world; that the great occupation is to save your soul, and when + you get it saved, when you are satisfied that you are one of the elect, + then pack up all your worldly things in a very small trunk, take it to the + dock of time that runs out into the ocean of eternity, sit down on it, and + wait for the ship of death. And of course each church is the only one that + sells a through ticket which can be depended on. In all religions, as far + as I know, is an admixture of asceticism, and the greater the quantity, + the more beautiful the religion has been considered, The tendency of the + world to- day is to enjoy life while you have it; it is to get something + out of the present moment; and we have found that there are things worth + living for even in this world. We have found that a man can enjoy himself + with wife and children; that he can be happy in the acquisition of + knowledge; that he can be very happy in assisting others; in helping those + he loves; that there is some joy in poetry, in science and in the + enlargement and development of the mind; that there is some delight in + music and in the drama and in the arts. We are finding, poor as the world + is, that it beats a promise the fulfillment of which is not to take place + until after death. The world is also finding out another thing, and that + is that the gentlemen who preach these various religions, and promise + these rewards, and threaten the punishments, know nothing whatever of the + subject; that they are as blindly ignorant as the people they pretend to + teach, and the people are as blindly ignorant as the animals below them. + We have finally concluded that no human being has the slightest conception + of origin or of destiny, and that this life, not only in its commencement + but in its end, is just as mysterious to-day as it was to the first man + whose eyes greeted the rising sun. We are no nearer the solution of the + problem than those who lived thousands of years before us, and we are just + as near it as those who will live millions of years after we are dead. So + many people having arrived at the conclusion that nobody knows and that + nobody can know, like sensible folks they have made up their minds to + enjoy life. I have often said, and I say again, that I feel as if I were + on a ship not knowing the port from which it sailed, not knowing the + harbor to which it was going, not having a speaking acquaintance with any + of the officers, and I have made up my mind to have as good a time with + the other passengers as possible under the circumstances. If this ship + goes down in mid- sea I have at least made something, and if it reaches a + harbor of perpetual delight I have lost nothing, and I have had a happy + voyage. And I think millions and millions are agreeing with me. + </p> + <p> + Now, understand, I am not finding fault with any of these religions or + with any of these ministers. These religions and these ministers are the + necessary and natural products of sufficient causes. Mankind has traveled + from barbarism to what we now call civilization, by many paths, all of + which under the circumstances, were absolutely necessary; and while I + think the individual does as he must, I think the same of the church, of + the corporation, and of the nation, and not only of the nation, but of the + whole human race. Consequently I have no malice and no prejudices. I have + likes and dislikes. I do not blame a gourd for not being a cantaloupe, but + I like cantaloupes. So I do not blame the old hard-shell Presbyterian for + not being a philosopher, but I like philosophers. So to wind it all up + with regard to the tendency of modern thought, or as to the outcome of + what you call religion, my own belief is that what is known as religion + will disappear from the human mind. And by "religion" I mean the + supernatural. By "religion" I mean living in this world for another, or + living in this world to gratify some supposed being, whom we never saw and + about whom we know nothing, and of whose existence we know nothing. In + other words, religion consists of the duties we are supposed to owe to the + first great cause, and of certain things necessary for us to do here to + insure happiness hereafter. These ideas, in my judgment, are destined to + perish, and men will become convinced that all their duties are within + their reach, and that obligations can exist only between them and other + sentient beings. Another idea, I think, will force itself upon the mind, + which is this: That he who lives the best for this world lives the best + for another if there be one. In other words, humanity will take the place + of what is called "religion." Science will displace superstition, and to + do justice will be the ambition of man. + </p> + <p> + My creed is this: Happiness is the only good. The place to be happy is + here. The time to be happy is now. The way to be happy is to make others + so. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is going to take the place of the pulpit? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have for a long time wondered why somebody didn't start a + church on a sensible basis. My idea is this: There are, of course, in + every community, lawyers, doctors, merchants, and people of all trades and + professions who have not the time during the week to pay any particular + attention to history, poetry, art, or song. Now, it seems to me that it + would be a good thing to have a church and for these men to employ a man + of ability, of talent, to preach to them Sundays, and let this man say to + his congregation: "Now, I am going to preach to you for the first few + Sundays—eight or ten or twenty, we will say—on the art, + poetry, and intellectual achievements of the Greeks." Let this man study + all the week and tell his congregation Sunday what he has ascertained. Let + him give to his people the history of such men as Plato, as Socrates, what + they did; of Aristotle, of his philosophy; of the great Greeks, their + statesmen, their poets, actors, and sculptors, and let him show the debt + that modern civilization owes to these people. Let him, too, give their + religions, their mythology—a mythology that has sown the seed of + beauty in every land. Then let him take up Rome. Let him show what a + wonderful and practical people they were; let him give an idea of their + statesmen, orators, poets, lawyers—because probably the Romans were + the greatest lawyers. And so let him go through with nation after nation, + biography after biography, and at the same time let there be a Sunday + school connected with this church where the children shall be taught + something of importance. For instance, teach them botany, and when a + Sunday is fair, clear, and beautiful, let them go into the fields and + woods with their teachers, and in a little while they will become + acquainted with all kinds of tress and shrubs and flowering plants. They + could also be taught entomology, so that every bug would be interesting, + for they would see the facts in science— something of use to them. I + believe that such a church and such a Sunday school would at the end of a + few years be the most intelligent collection of people in the United + States. To teach the children all of these things and to teach their + parents, too, the outlines of every science, so that every listener would + know something of geology, something of astronomy, so that every member + could tell the manner in which they find the distance of a star— how + much better that would be than the old talk about Abraham, Isaac, and + Jacob, and quotations from Haggai and Zephaniah, and all this eternal talk + about the fall of man and the Garden of Eden, and the flood, and the + atonement, and the wonders of Revelation! Even if the religious scheme be + true, it can be told and understood as well in one day as in a hundred + years. The church says, "He that hath ears to hear let him hear." I say: + "He that hath brains to think, let him think." So, too, the pulpit is + being displaced by what we call places of amusement, which are really + places where men go because they find there is something which satisfies + in a greater or less degree the hunger of the brain. Never before was the + theatre as popular as it is now. Never before was so much money lavished + upon the stage as now. Very few men having their choice would go to hear a + sermon, especially of the orthodox kind, when they had a chance to see a + great actor. + </p> + <p> + The man must be a curious combination who would prefer an orthodox sermon, + we will say, to a concert given by Theodore Thomas. And I may say in + passing that I have great respect for Theodore Thomas, because it was he + who first of all opened to the American people the golden gates of music. + He made the American people acquainted with the great masters, and + especially with Wagner, and it is a debt that we shall always owe him. In + this day the opera—that is to say, music in every form—is + tending to displace the pulpit. The pulpits have to go in partnership with + music now. Hundreds of people have excused themselves to me for going to + church, saying they have splendid music. Long ago the Catholic Church was + forced to go into partnership not only with music, but with painting and + with architecture. The Protestant Church for a long time thought it could + do without these beggarly elements, and the Protestant Church was simply a + dry-goods box with a small steeple on top of it, its walls as bleak and + bare and unpromising as the creed. But even Protestants have been forced + to hire a choir of ungodly people who happen to have beautiful voices, and + they, too, have appealed to the organ. Music is taking the place of creed, + and there is more real devotional feeling summoned from the temple of the + mind by great music than by any sermon ever delivered. Music, of all other + things, gives wings to thought and allows the soul to rise above all the + pains and troubles of this life, and to feel for a moment as if it were + absolutely free, above all clouds, destined to enjoy forever. So, too, + science is beckoning with countless hands. Men of genius are everywhere + beckoning men to discoveries, promising them fortunes compared with which + Aladdin's lamp was weak and poor. All these things take men from the + church; take men from the pulpit. In other words, prosperity is the enemy + of the pulpit. When men enjoy life, when they are prosperous here, they + are in love with the arts, with the sciences, with everything that gives + joy, with everything that promises plenty, and they care nothing about the + prophecies of evil that fall from the solemn faces of the parsons. They + look in other directions. They are not thinking about the end of the + world. They hate the lugubrious, and they enjoy the sunshine of to-day. + And this, in my judgment, is the highest philosophy: First, do not regret + having lost yesterday; second, do not fear that you will lose to-morrow; + third, enjoy to- day. + </p> + <p> + Astrology was displaced by astronomy. Alchemy and the black art gave way + to chemistry. Science is destined to take the place of superstition. In my + judgment, the religion of the future will be Reason. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Tribune</i>, Chicago, Illinois, November, 1891. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0092" id="link0092"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WOMAN SUFFRAGE, HORSE RACING, AND MONEY. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are your opinions on the woman's suffrage question? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I claim no right that I am not willing to give to my wife + and daughters, and to the wives and daughters of other men. We shall never + have a generation of great men until we have a generation of great women. + I do not regard ignorance as the foundation of virtue, or uselessness as + one of the requisites of a lady. I am a believer in equal rights. Those + who are amenable to the laws should have a voice in making the laws. In + every department where woman has had an equal opportunity with man, she + has shown that she has equal capacity. + </p> + <p> + George Sand was a great writer, George Eliot one of the greatest, Mrs. + Browning a marvelous poet—and the lyric beauty of her "Mother and + Poet" is greater than anything her husband ever wrote—Harriet + Martineau a wonderful woman, and Ouida is probably the greatest living + novelist, man or woman. Give the women a chance. + </p> + <p> + [The Colonel's recent election as a life member of the Manhattan Athletic + Club, due strangely enough to a speech of his denouncing certain forms of + sport, was referred to, and this led him to express his contempt for + prize-fighting, and then he said on the subject of horse-racing: ] + </p> + <p> + The only objection I have to horse racing is its cruelty. The whip and + spur should be banished from the track. As long as these are used, the + race track will breed a very low and heartless set of men. I hate to see a + brute whip and spur a noble animal. The good people object to racing, + because of the betting, but bad people, like myself, object to the + cruelty. Men are not forced to bet. That is their own business, but the + poor horse, straining every nerve, does not ask for the lash and iron. + Abolish torture on the track and let the best horse win. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the Chilian insult to the United + States flag? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, I think that our Government was wrong + in taking the part of Balmaceda. In the next place, we made a mistake in + seizing the Itata. America should always side with the right. We should + care nothing for the pretender in power, and Balmaceda was a cruel, + tyrannical scoundrel. We should be with the people everywhere. I do not + blame Chili for feeling a little revengeful. We ought to remember that + Chili is weak, and nations, like individuals, are sensitive in proportion + that they are weak. Let us trust Chili just as we would England. We are + too strong to be unjust. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you stand on the money question? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am with the Republican party on the question of money. I + am for the use of gold and silver both, but I want a dollar's worth of + silver in a silver dollar. I do not believe in light money, or in cheap + money, or in poor money. These are all contradictions in terms. Congress + cannot fix the value of money. The most it can do is to fix its debt + paying power. It is beyond the power of any Congress to fix the purchasing + value of what it may be pleased to call money. Nobody knows, so far as I + know, why people want gold. I do not know why people want silver. I do not + know how gold came to be money; neither do I understand the universal + desire, but it exists, and we take things as we find them. Gold and silver + make up, you may say, the money of the world, and I believe in using the + two metals. I do not believe in depreciating any American product; but as + value cannot be absolutely fixed by law, so far as the purchasing power is + concerned, and as the values of gold and silver vary, neither being stable + any more than the value of wheat or corn is stable, I believe that + legislation should keep pace within a reasonable distance at least, of the + varying values, and that the money should be kept as nearly equal as + possible. Of course, there is one trouble with money to-day, and that is + the use of the word "dollar." It has lost its meaning. So many governments + have adulterated their own coin, and as many have changed weights, that + the word "dollar" has not to-day an absolute, definite, specific meaning. + Like individuals, nations have been dishonest. The only time the papal + power had the right to coin money—I believe it was under Pius IX., + when Antonelli was his minister—the coin of the papacy was so + debased that even orthodox Catholics refused to take it, and it had to be + called in and minted by the French Empire, before even the Italians + recognized it as money. My own opinion is, that either the dollar must be + absolutely defined—it must be the world over so many grains of pure + gold, or so many grains of pure silver—or we must have other + denominations for our money, as for instance, ounces, or parts of ounces, + and the time will come, in my judgment, when there will be a money of the + world, the same everywhere; because each coin will contain upon its face + the certificate of a government that it contains such a weight—so + many grains or so many ounces—of a certain metal. I, for one, want + the money of the United States to be as good as that of any other country. + I want its gold and silver exactly what they purport to be; and I want the + paper issued by the Government to be the same as gold. I want its credit + so perfectly established that it will be taken in every part of the + habitable globe. I am with the Republican party on the question of money, + also on the question of protection, and all I hope is that the people of + this country will have sense enough to defend their own interests. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Inter-Ocean</i>, Chicago, Illinois, October 27, 1891. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0093" id="link0093"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MISSIONARIES. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of foreign missions? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, there seems to be a pretty good opening + in this country for missionary work. We have a good many Indians who are + not Methodists. I have never known one to be converted. A good many have + been killed by Christians, but their souls have not been saved. Maybe the + Methodists had better turn their attention to the heathen of our own + country. Then we have a good many Mormons who rely on the truth of the Old + Testament and follow the example of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It seems to + me that the Methodists better convert the Mormons before attacking the + tribes of Central Africa. There is plenty of work to be done right here. A + few good bishops might be employed for a time in converting Dr. Briggs and + Professor Swing, to say nothing of other heretical Presbyterians. + </p> + <p> + There is no need of going to China to convert the Chinese. There are + thousands of them here. In China our missionaries will tell the followers + of Confucius about the love and forgiveness of Christians, and when the + Chinese come here they are robbed, assaulted, and often murdered. Would it + not be a good thing for the Methodists to civilize our own Christians to + such a degree that they would not murder a man simply because he belongs + to another race and worships other gods? + </p> + <p> + So, too, I think it would be a good thing for the Methodists to go South + and persuade their brethren in that country to treat the colored people + with kindness. A few efforts might be made to convert the "White-caps" in + Ohio, Indiana and some other States. + </p> + <p> + My advice to the Methodists is to do what little good they can right here + and now. It seems cruel to preach to the heathen a gospel that is dying + out even here, and fill their poor minds with the absurd dogmas and cruel + creeds that intelligent men have outgrown and thrown away. + </p> + <p> + Honest commerce will do a thousand times more good than all the + missionaries on earth. I do not believe that an intelligent Chinaman or an + intelligent Hindoo has ever been or ever will be converted into a + Methodist. If Methodism is good we need it here, and if it is not good, do + not fool the heathen with it. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Press</i>, Cleveland, Ohio, November 12, 1891. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0094" id="link0094"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MY BELIEF AND UNBELIEF.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* Col. Robert G. Ingersoll was in Toledo for a few hours + yesterday afternoon on railroad business. Whatever Mr. + Ingersoll says is always read with interest, for besides the + independence of his averments, his ideas are worded in a way + that in itself is attractive. + + While in the court room talking with some of the officials + and others, he was saying that in this world there is rather + an unequal distribution of comforts, rewards, and + punishments. For himself, he had fared pretty well. He + stated that during the thirty years he has been married + there have been fifteen to twenty of his relatives under the + same roof, but never had there been in his family a death or + a night's loss of sleep on account of sickness. + + "The Lord has been pretty good to you," suggested Marshall + Wade. + + "Well, I've been pretty good to him," he answered.] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I have heard people in discussing yourself and your + views, express the belief that way down in the depths of your mind you are + not altogether a "disbeliever." Are they in any sense correct? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am an unbeliever, and I am a believer. I do not believe + in the miraculous, the supernatural, or the impossible. I do not believe + in the "Mosaic" account of the creation, or in the flood, or the Tower of + Babel, or that General Joshua turned back the sun or stopped the earth. I + do not believe in the Jonah story, or that God and the Devil troubled poor + Job. Neither do I believe in the Mt. Sinai business, and I have my doubts + about the broiled quails furnished in the wilderness. Neither do I believe + that man is wholly depraved. I have not the least faith in the Eden, snake + and apple story. Neither do I believe that God is an eternal jailer; that + he is going to be the warden of an everlasting penitentiary in which the + most of men are to be eternally tormented. I do not believe that any man + can be justly punished or rewarded on account of his belief. + </p> + <p> + But I do believe in the nobility of human nature. I believe in love and + home, and kindness and humanity. I believe in good fellowship and + cheerfulness, in making wife and children happy. I believe in good nature, + in giving to others all the rights that you claim for yourself. I believe + in free thought, in reason, observation and experience. I believe in + self-reliance and in expressing your honest thought. I have hope for the + whole human race. What will happen to one, will, I hope, happen to all, + and that, I hope, will be good. Above all, I believe in Liberty. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Blade</i>, Toledo, Ohio, January 9, 1892. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0095" id="link0095"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MUST RELIGION GO? + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your idea as to the difference between honest + belief, as held by honest religious thinkers, and heterodoxy? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, I believe that there are thousands of men and + women who honestly believe not only in the improbable, not only in the + absurd, but in the impossible. Heterodoxy, so-called, occupies the + half-way station between superstition and reason. A heretic is one who is + still dominated by religion, but in the east of whose mind there is a + dawn. He is one who has seen the morning star; he has not entire + confidence in the day, and imagines in some way that even the light he + sees was born of the night. In the mind of the heretic, darkness and light + are mingled, the ties of intellectual kindred bind him to the night, and + yet he has enough of the spirit of adventure to look toward the east. Of + course, I admit that Christians and heretics are both honest; a real + Christian must be honest and a real heretic must be the same. All men must + be honest in what they think; but all men are not honest in what they say. + In the invisible world of the mind every man is honest. The judgment never + was bribed. Speech may be false, but conviction is always honest. So that + the difference between honest belief, as shared by honest religious + thinkers and heretics, is a difference of intelligence. It is the + difference between a ship lashed to the dock, and on making a voyage; it + is the difference between twilight and dawn—that is to say, the + coming of the sight and the coming of the morning. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are women becoming freed from the bonds of sectarianism? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Women are less calculating than men. As a rule they do not + occupy the territory of compromise. They are natural extremists. The woman + who is not dominated by superstition is apt to be absolutely free, and + when a woman has broken the shackles of superstition, she has no + apprehension, no fears. She feels that she is on the open sea, and she + cares neither for wind nor wave. An emancipated woman never can be + re-enslaved. Her heart goes with her opinions, and goes first. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you consider that the influence of religion is better + than the influence of Liberalism upon society, that is to say, is society + less or more moral, is vice more or less conspicuous? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Whenever a chain is broken an obligation takes its place. + There is and there can be no responsibility without liberty. The freer a + man is, the more responsible, the more accountable he feels; consequently + the more liberty there is, the more morality there is. Believers in + religion teach us that God will reward men for good actions, but men who + are intellectually free, know that the reward of a good action cannot be + given by any power, but that it is the natural result of the good action. + The free man, guided by intelligence, knows that his reward is in the + nature of things, and not in the caprice even of the Infinite. He is not a + good and faithful servant, he is an intelligent free man. + </p> + <p> + The vicious are ignorant; real morality is the child of intelligence; the + free and intelligent man knows that every action must be judged by its + consequences; he knows that if he does good he reaps a good harvest; he + knows that if he does evil he bears a burden, and he knows that these good + and evil consequences are not determined by an infinite master, but that + they live in and are produced by the actions themselves. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Evening Advertiser</i>, New York, February 6, 1892. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0096" id="link0096"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WORD PAINTING AND COLLEGE EDUCATION. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is the history of the speech delivered here in 1876? + Was it extemporaneous? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It was not born entirely of the occasion. It took me + several years to put the thoughts in form—to paint the pictures with + words. No man can do his best on the instant. Iron to be beaten into + perfect form has to be heated several times and turned upon the anvil many + more, and hammered long and often. + </p> + <p> + You might as well try to paint a picture with one sweep of the brush, or + chisel a statue with one stroke, as to paint many pictures with words, + without great thought and care. Now and then, while a man is talking, + heated with his subject, a great thought, sudden as a flash of lightning, + illumines the intellectual sky, and a great sentence clothed in words of + purple, falls, or rather rushes, from his lips—but a continuous + flight is born, not only of enthusiasm, but of long and careful thought. A + perfect picture requires more details, more lights and shadows, than the + mind can grasp at once, or on the instant. Thoughts are not born of + chance. They grow and bud and blossom, and bear the fruit of perfect form. + </p> + <p> + Genius is the soil and climate, but the soil must be cultivated, and the + harvest is not instantly after the planting. It takes time and labor to + raise and harvest a crop from that field called the brain. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think young men need a college education to get + along? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Probably many useless things are taught in colleges. I + think, as a rule, too much time is wasted learning the names of the cards + without learning to play a game. I think a young man should be taught + something that he can use—something he can sell. After coming from + college he should be better equipped to battle with the world—to do + something of use. A man may have his brain stuffed with Greek and Latin + without being able to fill his stomach with anything of importance. Still, + I am in favor of the highest education. I would like to see splendid + schools in every State, and then a university, and all scholars passing a + certain examination sent to the State university free, and then a United + States university, the best in the world, and all graduates of the State + universities passing a certain examination sent to the United States + university free. We ought to have in this country the best library, the + best university, the best school of design in the world; and so I say, + more money for the mind. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Was the peculiar conduct of the Rev. Dr. Parkhurst, of + New York, justifiable, and do you think that it had a tendency to help + morality? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If Christ had written a decoy letter to the woman to whom + he said: "Go and sin no more," and if he had disguised himself and visited + her house and had then lodged a complaint against her before the police + and testified against her, taking one of his disciples with him, I do not + think he would have added to his reputation. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The News</i>, Indianapolis, Indiana, February 18, 1892. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0097" id="link0097"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PERSONAL MAGNETISM AND THE SUNDAY QUESTION. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Colonel Ingersoll was a picturesque figure as he sat in his + room at the Gibson House yesterday, while the balmy May + breeze blew through the open windows, fluttered the lace + curtains and tossed the great Infidel's snowy hair to and + fro. The Colonel had come in from New York during the + morning and the keen white sunlight of a lovely May day + filled his heart with gladness. After breakfast, the man + who preaches the doctrine of the Golden Rule and the Gospel + of Humanity and the while chaffs the gentlemen of the + clerical profession, was in a fine humor. He was busy with + cards and callers, but not too busy to admire the vase full + of freshly-picked spring flowers that stood on the mantel, + and wrestled with clouds of cigar smoke, to see which + fragrance should dominate the atmosphere. + + To a reporter of <i>The Commercial Gazette</i>, the Colonel spoke + freely and interestingly upon a variety of subjects, from + personal magnetism in politics to mob rule in Tennessee. He + had been interested in Colonel Weir's statement about the + lack of gas in Exposition Hall, at the 1876 convention, and + when asked if he believed there was any truth in the stories + that the gas supply had been manipulated so as to prevent + the taking of a ballot after he had placed James G. Blaine + in nomination, he replied: ] +</pre> + <p> + All I can say is, that I heard such a story the day after the convention, + but I do not know whether or not it is true. I have always believed, that + if a vote had been taken that evening, Blaine would have been nominated, + possibly not as the effect of my speech, but the night gave time for + trafficking, and that is always dangerous in a convention. I believed then + that Blaine ought to have been nominated, and that it would have been a + very wise thing for the party to have done. That he was not the candidate + was due partly to accident and partly to political traffic, but that is + one of the bygones, and I believe there is an old saying to the effect + that even the gods have no mastery over the past. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that eloquence is potent in a convention to + set aside the practical work of politics and politicians? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that all the eloquence in the world cannot affect a + trade if the parties to the contract stand firm, and when people have made + a political trade they are not the kind of people to be affected by + eloquence. The practical work of the world has very little to do with + eloquence. There are a great many thousand stone masons to one sculptor, + and houses and walls are not constructed by sculptors, but by masons. The + daily wants of the world are supplied by the practical workers, by men of + talent, not by men of genius, although in the world of invention, genius + has done more, it may be, than the workers themselves. I fancy the + machinery now in the world does the work of many hundreds of millions; + that there is machinery enough now to do several times the work that could + be done by all the men, women and children of the earth. The genius who + invented the reaper did more work and will do more work in the harvest + field than thousands of millions of men, and the same may be said of the + great engines that drive the locomotives and the ships. All these + marvelous machines were made by men of genius, but they are not the men + who in fact do the work. + </p> + <p> + [This led the Colonel to pay a brilliant tribute to the great orators of + ancient and modern times, the peer of all of them being Cicero. He + dissected and defined oratory and eloquence, and explained with + picturesque figures, wherein the difference between them lay. As he + mentioned the magnetism of public speakers, he was asked as to his opinion + of the value of personal magnetism in political life.] + </p> + <p> + It may be difficult to define what personal magnetism is, but I think it + may be defined in this way: You don't always feel like asking a man whom + you meet on the street what direction you should take to reach a certain + point. You often allow three or four to pass, before you meet one who + seems to invite the question. So, too, there are men by whose side you may + sit for hours in the cars without venturing a remark as to the weather, + and there are others to whom you will commence talking the moment you sit + down. There are some men who look as if they would grant a favor, men + toward whom you are unconsciously drawn, men who have a real human look, + men with whom you seem to be acquainted almost before you speak, and that + you really like before you know anything about them. It may be that we are + all electric batteries; that we have our positive and our negative poles; + it may be that we need some influence that certain others impart, and it + may be that certain others have that which we do not need and which we do + not want, and the moment you think that, you feel annoyed and hesitate, + and uncomfortable, and possibly hateful. + </p> + <p> + I suppose there is a physical basis for everything. Possibly the best test + of real affection between man and woman, or of real friendship between man + and woman, is that they can sit side by side, for hours maybe, without + speaking, and yet be having a really social time, each feeling that the + other knows exactly what they are thinking about. Now, the man you meet + and whom you would not hesitate a moment to ask a favor of, is what I call + a magnetic man. This magnetism, or whatever it may be, assists in making + friends, and of course is a great help to any one who deals with the + public. Men like a magnetic man even without knowing him, perhaps simply + having seen him. There are other men, whom the moment you shake hands with + them, you feel you want no more; you have had enough. A sudden chill runs + up the arm the moment your hand touches theirs, and finally reaches the + heart; you feel, if you had held that hand a moment longer, an icicle + would have formed in the brain. Such people lack personal magnetism. These + people now and then thaw out when you get thoroughly acquainted with them, + and you find that the ice is all on the outside, and then you come to like + them very well, but as a rule first impressions are lasting. Magnetism is + what you might call the climate of a man. Some men, and some women, look + like a perfect June day, and there are others who, while the look quite + smiling, yet you feel that the sky is becoming overcast, and the signs all + point to an early storm. There are people who are autumnal—that is + to say, generous. They have had their harvest, and have plenty to spare. + Others look like the end of an exceedingly hard winter—between the + hay and grass, the hay mostly gone and the grass not yet come up. So you + will see that I think a great deal of this thing that is called magnetism. + As I said, there are good people who are not magnetic, but I do not care + to make an Arctic expedition for the purpose of discovering the north pole + of their character. I would rather stay with those who make me feel + comfortable at the first. + </p> + <p> + [From personal magnetism to the lynching Saturday morning down at + Nashville, Tennessee, was a far cry, but when Colonel Ingersoll was asked + what he thought of mob law, whether there was any extenuation, any + propriety and moral effect resultant from it, he quickly answered: ] + </p> + <p> + I do not believe in mob law at any time, among any people. I believe in + justice being meted out in accordance with the forms of law. If a + community violates that law, why should not the individual? The example is + bad. Besides all that, no punishment inflicted by a mob tends to prevent + the commission of crime. Horrible punishment hardens the community, and + that in itself produces more crime. + </p> + <p> + There seems to be a sort of fascination in frightful punishments, but, to + say the least of it, all these things demoralize the community. In some + countries, you know, they whip people for petty offences. The whipping, + however, does no good, and on the other hand it does harm; it hardens + those who administer the punishment and those who witness it, and it + degrades those who receive it. There will be but little charity in the + world, and but little progress until men see clearly that there is no + chance in the world of conduct any more than in the physical world. + </p> + <p> + Back of every act and dream and thought and desire and virtue and crime is + the efficient cause. If you wish to change mankind, you must change the + conditions. There should be no such thing as punishment. We should + endeavor to reform men, and those who cannot be reformed should be placed + where they cannot injure their fellows. The State should never take + revenge any more than the community should form itself into a mob and take + revenge. This does harm, not good. The time will come when the world will + no more think of sending men to the penitentiary for stealing, as a + punishment, that it will for sending a man to the penitentiary because he + has consumption. When that time comes, the object will be to reform men; + to prevent crime instead of punishing it, and the object then will be to + make the conditions such that honest people will be the result, but as + long as hundreds of thousands of human beings live in tenements, as long + as babes are raised in gutters, as long as competition is so sharp that + hundreds of thousands must of necessity be failures, just so long as + society gets down on its knees before the great and successful thieves, + before the millionaire thieves, just so long will it have to fill the + jails and prisons with the little thieves. When the "good time" comes, men + will not be judged by the money they have accumulated, but by the uses + they make of it. So men will be judged, not according to their + intelligence, but by what they are endeavoring to accomplish with their + intelligence. In other words, the time will come when character will rise + above all. There is a great line in Shakespeare that I have often quoted, + and that cannot be quoted too often: "There is no darkness but ignorance." + Let the world set itself to work to dissipate this darkness; let us flood + the world with intellectual light. This cannot be accomplished by mobs or + lynchers. It must be done by the noblest, by the greatest, and by the + best. + </p> + <p> + [The conversation shifting around to the Sunday question; the opening of + the World's Fair on Sunday, the attacks of the pulpit upon the Sunday + newspapers, the opening of parks and museums and libraries on Sunday, + Colonel Ingersoll waxed eloquent, and in answer to many questions uttered + these paragraphs: ] + </p> + <p> + Of course, people will think that I have some prejudice against the + parsons, but really I think the newspaper press is of far more importance + in the world than the pulpit. If I should admit in a kind of burst of + generosity, and simply for the sake of making a point, that the pulpit can + do some good, how much can it do without the aid of the press? Here is a + parson preaching to a few ladies and enough men, it may be, to pass the + contribution box, and all he says dies within the four walls of that + church. How many ministers would it take to reform the world, provided I + again admit in a burst of generosity, that there is any reforming power in + what they preach, working along that line? + </p> + <p> + The Sunday newspaper, I think, is the best of any day in the week. That + paper keeps hundreds and thousands at home. You can find in it information + about almost everything in the world. One of the great Sunday papers will + keep a family busy reading almost all day. Now, I do not wonder that the + ministers are so opposed to the Sunday newspaper, and so they are opposed + to anything calculated to decrease the attendance at church. Why, they + want all the parks, all the museums, all the libraries closed on Sunday, + and they want the World's Fair closed on Sunday. + </p> + <p> + Now, I am in favor of Sunday; in fact, I am perfectly willing to have two + of them a week, but I want Sunday as a day of recreation and pleasure. The + fact is we ought not to work hard enough during the week to require a day + of rest. Every day ought to be so arranged that there would be time for + rest from the labor of that day. Sunday is a good day to get business out + of your mind, to forget the ledger and the docket and the ticker, to + forget profits and losses, and enjoy yourself. It is a good day to go to + the art museums, to look at pictures and statues and beautiful things, so + that you may feel that there is something in this world besides money and + mud. It is a good day, is Sunday, to go to the libraries and spend a + little time with the great and splendid dead, and to go to the cemetery + and think of those who are sleeping there, and to give a little thought to + the time when you, too, like them, will fall asleep. I think it is a good + day for almost anything except going to church. There is no need of that; + everybody knows the story, and if a man has worked hard all the week, you + can hardly call it recreation if he goes to church Sunday and hears that + his chances are ninety-nine in a hundred in favor of being eternally + damned. + </p> + <p> + So it is I am in favor of having the World's Fair open on Sunday. It will + be a good day to look at the best the world has produced; a good day to + leave the saloons and commune for a little while with the mighty spirits + that have glorified this world. Sunday is a good day to leave the + churches, where they teach that man has become totally depraved, and look + at the glorious things that have been wrought by these depraved beings. + Besides all this, it is the day of days for the working man and working + woman, for those who have to work all the week. In New York an attempt was + made to open the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Sunday, and the pious + people opposed it. They thought it would interfere with the joy of heaven + if people were seen in the park enjoying themselves on Sunday, and they + also held that nobody would visit the Museum if it were opened on Sunday; + that the "common people" had no love for pictures and statues and cared + nothing about art. The doors were opened, and it was demonstrated that the + poor people, the toilers and workers, did want to see such things on + Sunday, and now more people visit the Museum on Sunday than on all the + other days of the week put together. The same is true of the public + libraries. There is something to me infinitely pharisaical, hypocritical + and farcical in this Sunday nonsense. The rich people who favor keeping + Sunday "holy," have their coachman drive them to church and wait outside + until the services end. What do they care about the coachman's soul? While + they are at church their cooks are busy at home getting dinner ready. What + do they care for the souls of cooks? The whole thing is pretence, and + nothing but pretence. It is the instinct of business. It is the + competition of the gospel shop with other shops and places of resort. + </p> + <p> + The ministers, of course, are opposed to all shows except their own, for + they know that very few will come to see or hear them and the choice must + be the church or nothing. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe that one day can be more holy than another unless more + joyous than another. The holiest day is the happiest day— the day on + which wives and children and men are happiest. In that sense a day can be + holy. + </p> + <p> + Our idea of the Sabbath is from the Puritans, and they imagined that a man + has to be miserable in order to excite the love of God. We have outgrown + the old New England Sabbath—the old Scotch horror. The Germans have + helped us and have set a splendid example. I do not see how a poor + workingman can go to church for recreation—I mean an orthodox + church. A man who has hell here cannot be benefitted by being assured that + he is likely to have hell hereafter. The whole business I hold in perfect + abhorrence. + </p> + <p> + They tell us that God will not prosper us unless we observe the Sabbath. + The Jews kept the Sabbath and yet Jehovah deserted them, and they are a + people without a nation. The Scotch kept Sunday; they are not independent. + The French never kept Sunday, and yet they are the most prosperous nation + in Europe. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Commercial Gazette</i>, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 2, 1892. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0098" id="link0098"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + AUTHORS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Who, in your opinion, is the greatest novelist who has + written in the English language? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The greatest novelist, in my opinion, who has ever written + in the English language, was Charles Dickens. He was the greatest observer + since Shakespeare. He had the eyes that see, the ears that really hear. I + place him above Thackeray. Dickens wrote for the home, for the great + public. Thackeray wrote for the clubs. The greatest novel in our language—and + it may be in any other—is, according to my ideas, "A Tale of Two + Cities." In that, are philosophy, pathos, self-sacrifice, wit, humor, the + grotesque and the tragic. I think it is the most artistic novel that I + have read. The creations of Dickens' brain have become the citizens of the + world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of American writers? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think Emerson was a fine writer, and he did this world a + great deal of good, but I do not class him with the first. Some of his + poetry is wonderfully good and in it are some of the deepest and most + beautiful lines. I think he was a poet rather than a philosopher. His + doctrine of compensation would be delightful if it had the facts to + support it. + </p> + <p> + Of course, Hawthorne was a great writer. His style is a little monotonous, + but the matter is good. "The Marble Faun" is by far his best effort. I + shall always regret that Hawthorne wrote the life of Franklin Pierce. + </p> + <p> + Walt Whitman will hold a high place among American writers. His poem on + the death of Lincoln, entitled "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd," + is the greatest ever written on this continent. He was a natural poet and + wrote lines worthy of America. He was the poet of democracy and + individuality, and of liberty. He was worthy of the great Republic. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What about Henry George's books? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Henry George wrote a wonderful book and one that arrested + the attention of the world—one of the greatest books of the century. + While I do not believe in his destructive theories, I gladly pay a tribute + to his sincerity and his genius. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Bellamy? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think what is called nationalism of the Bellamy + kind is making any particular progress in this country. We are believers + in individual independence, and will be, I hope, forever. + </p> + <p> + Boston was at one time the literary center of the country, but the best + writers are not living here now. The best novelists of our country are not + far from Boston. Edgar Fawcett lives in New York. Howells was born, I + believe, in Ohio, and Julian Hawthorne lives in New Jersey or in Long + Island. Among the poets, James Whitcomb Riley is a native of Indiana, and + he has written some of the daintiest and sweetest things in American + literature. Edgar Fawcett is a great poet. His "Magic Flower" is as + beautiful as anything Tennyson has ever written. Eugene Field of Chicago, + has written some charming things, natural and touching. + </p> + <p> + Westward the star of literature takes its course. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Star</i>, Kansas City, Mo., May 26, 1892. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0099" id="link0099"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + INEBRIETY.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* Published from notes found among Colonel Ingersoll's + papers, evidently written soon after the discovery of the + "Keeley Cure."] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you consider inebriety a disease, or the result of + diseased conditions? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I believe that by a long and continuous use of stimulants, + the system gets in such a condition that it imperatively demands not only + the usual, but an increased stimulant. After a time, every nerve becomes + hungry, and there is in the body of the man a cry, coming from every + nerve, for nourishment. There is a kind of famine, and unless the want is + supplied, insanity is the result. This hunger of the nerves drowns the + voice of reason—cares nothing for argument—nothing for + experience—nothing for the sufferings of others—nothing for + anything, except for the food it requires. Words are wasted, advice is of + no possible use, argument is like reasoning with the dead. The man has + lost the control of his will —it has been won over to the side of + the nerves. He imagines that if the nerves are once satisfied he can then + resume the control of himself. Of course, this is a mistake, and the more + the nerves are satisfied, the more imperative is their demand. Arguments + are not of the slightest force. The knowledge—the conviction—that + the course pursued is wrong, has no effect. The man is in the grasp of + appetite. He is like a ship at the mercy of wind and wave and tide. The + fact that the needle of the compass points to the north has no effect—the + compass is not a force—it cannot battle with the wind and tide—and + so, in spite of the fact that the needle points to the north, the ship is + stranded on the rocks. + </p> + <p> + So the fact that the man knows that he should not drink has not the + slightest effect upon him. The sophistry of passion outweighs all that + reason can urge. In other words, the man is the victim of disease, and + until the disease is arrested, his will is not his own. He may wish to + reform, but wish is not will. He knows all of the arguments in favor of + temperance—he knows all about the distress of wife and child—all + about the loss of reputation and character—all about the chasm + toward which he is drifting—and yet, not being the master of + himself, he goes with the tide. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years society has sought to do away with inebriety by + argument, by example, by law; and yet millions and millions have been + carried away and countless thousands have become victims of alcohol. In + this contest words have always been worthless, for the reason that no + argument can benefit a man who has lost control of himself. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. As a lawyer, will you express an opinion as to the moral + and legal responsibility of a victim of alcoholism? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Personally, I regard the moral and legal responsibility of + all persons as being exactly the same. All persons do as they must. If you + wish to change the conduct of an individual you must change his conditions—otherwise + his actions will remain the same. + </p> + <p> + We are beginning to find that there is no effect without a cause, and that + the conduct of individuals is not an exception to this law. Every hope, + every fear, every dream, every virtue, every crime, has behind it an + efficient cause. Men do neither right nor wrong by chance. In the world of + fact and in the world of conduct, as well as in the world of imagination, + there is no room, no place, for chance. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In the case of an inebriate who has committed a crime, + what do you think of the common judicial opinion that such a criminal is + as deserving of punishment as a person not inebriated? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I see no difference. Believing as I do that all persons act + as they must, it makes not the slightest difference whether the person so + acting is what we call inebriated, or sane, or insane —he acts as he + must. + </p> + <p> + There should be no such thing as punishment. Society should protect itself + by such means as intelligence and humanity may suggest, but the idea of + punishment is barbarous. No man ever was, no man ever will be, made better + by punishment. Society should have two objects in view: First, the defence + of itself, and second, the reformation of the so-called criminal. + </p> + <p> + The world has gone on fining, imprisoning, torturing and killing the + victims of condition and circumstance, and condition and circumstance have + gone on producing the same kind of men and women year after year and + century after century—and all this is so completely within the + control of cause and effect, within the scope and jurisdiction of + universal law, that we can prophesy the number of criminals for the next + year—the thieves and robbers and murderers —with almost + absolute certainty. + </p> + <p> + There are just so many mistakes committed every year—so many crimes + —so many heartless and foolish things done—and it does not + seem to be—at least by the present methods—possible to + increase or decrease the number. + </p> + <p> + We have thousands and thousands of pulpits, and thousands of moralists, + and countless talkers and advisers, but all these sermons, and all the + advice, and all the talk, seem utterly powerless in the presence of cause + and effect. Mothers may pray, wives may weep, children may starve, but the + great procession moves on. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years the world endeavored to save itself from disease by + ceremonies, by genuflections, by prayers, by an appeal to the charity and + mercy of heaven—but the diseases flourished and the graveyards + became populous, and all the ceremonies and all the prayers were without + the slightest effect. We must at last recognize the fact, that not only + life, but conduct, has a physical basis. We must at last recognize the + fact that virtue and vice, genius and stupidity, are born of certain + conditions. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In which way do you think the reformation or + reconstruction of the inebriate is to be effected—by punishment, by + moral suasion, by seclusion, or by medical treatment? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, punishment simply increases the + disease. The victim, without being able to give the reasons, feels that + punishment is unjust, and thus feeling, the effect of the punishment + cannot be good. + </p> + <p> + You might as well punish a man for having the consumption which he + inherited from his parents, or for having a contagious disease which was + given to him without his fault, as to punish him for drunkenness. No one + wishes to be unhappy—no one wishes to destroy his own well-being. + All persons prefer happiness to unhappiness, and success to failure, + Consequently, you might as well punish a man for being unhappy, and thus + increase his unhappiness, as to punish him for drunkenness. In neither + case is he responsible for what he suffers. + </p> + <p> + Neither can you cure this man by what is called moral suasion. Moral + suasion, if it amounts to anything, is the force of argument —that + is to say, the result of presenting the facts to the victim. Now, of all + persons in the world, the victim knows the facts. He knows not only the + effect upon those who love him, but the effect upon himself. There are no + words that can add to his vivid appreciation of the situation. There is no + language so eloquent as the sufferings of his wife and children. All these + things the drunkard knows, and knows perfectly, and knows as well as any + other human being can know. At the same time, he feels that the tide and + current of passion are beyond his power. He feels that he cannot row + against the stream. + </p> + <p> + There is but one way, and that is, to treat the drunkard as the victim of + a disease—treat him precisely as you would a man with a fever, as a + man suffering from smallpox, or with some form of indigestion. It is + impossible to talk a man out of consumption, or to reason him out of + typhoid fever. You may tell him that he ought not to die, that he ought to + take into consideration the condition in which he would leave his wife. + You may talk to him about his children—the necessity of their being + fed and educated —but all this will have nothing to do with the + progress of the disease. The man does not wish to die—he wishes to + live—and yet, there will come a time in his disease when even that + wish to live loses its power to will, and the man drifts away on the tide, + careless of life or death. + </p> + <p> + So it is with drink. Every nerve asks for a stimulant. Every drop of blood + cries out for assistance, and in spite of all argument, in spite of all + knowledge, in this famine of the nerves, a man loses the power of will. + Reason abdicates the throne, and hunger takes its place. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will you state your reasons for your belief? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, I will give a reason for my unbelief in + what is called moral suasion and in legislation. + </p> + <p> + As I said before, for thousands and thousands of years, fathers and + mothers and daughters and sisters and brothers have been endeavoring to + prevent the ones they love from drink, and yet, in spite of everything, + millions have gone on and filled at last a drunkard's grave. So, societies + have been formed all over the world. But the consumption of ardent spirits + has steadily increased. Laws have been passed in nearly all the nations of + the world upon the subject, and these laws, so far as I can see, have done + but little, if any, good. + </p> + <p> + And the same old question is upon us now: What shall be done with the + victims of drink? There have been probably many instances in which men + have signed the pledge and have reformed. I do not say that it is not + possible to reform many men, in certain stages, by moral suasion. + Possibly, many men can be reformed in certain stages, by law; but the per + cent. is so small that, in spite of that per cent., the average increases. + For these reasons, I have lost confidence in legislation and in moral + suasion. I do not say what legislation may do by way of prevention, or + what moral suasion may do in the same direction, but I do say that after + man have become the victims of alcohol, advice and law seem to have lost + their force. + </p> + <p> + I believe that science is to become the savior of mankind. In other words, + every appetite, every excess, has a physical basis, and if we only knew + enough of the human system—of the tides and currents of thought and + will and wish—enough of the storms of passion—if we only knew + how the brain acts and operates—if we only knew the relation between + blood and thought, between thought and act—if we only knew the + conditions of conduct, then we could, through science, control the + passions of the human race. + </p> + <p> + When I first heard of the cure of inebriety through scientific means, I + felt that the morning star had risen in the east—I felt that at last + we were finding solid ground. I did not accept—being of a skeptical + turn of mind—all that I heard as true. I preferred to hope, and + wait. I have waited, until I have seen men, the victims of alcohol, in the + very gutter of disgrace and despair, lifted from the mire, rescued from + the famine of desire, from the grasp of appetite. I have seen them + suddenly become men—masters and monarchs of themselves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0100" id="link0100"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MIRACLES, THEOSOPHY AND SPIRITUALISM. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe that there is such a thing as a miracle, + or that there has ever been? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Mr. Locke was in the habit of saying: "Define your terms." + So the first question is, What is a miracle? If it is something wonderful, + unusual, inexplicable, then there have been many miracles. If you mean + simply that which is inexplicable, then the world is filled with miracles; + but if you mean by a miracle, something contrary to the facts in nature, + then it seems to me that the miracle must be admitted to be an + impossibility. It is like twice two are eleven in mathematics. + </p> + <p> + If, again, we take the ground of some of the more advanced clergy, that a + miracle is in accordance with the facts in nature, but with facts unknown + to man, then we are compelled to say that a miracle is performed by a + divine sleight-of-hand; as, for instance, that our senses are deceived; + or, that it is perfectly simple to this higher intelligence, while + inexplicable to us. If we give this explanation, then man has been imposed + upon by a superior intelligence. It is as though one acquainted with the + sciences—with the action of electricity—should excite the + wonder of savages by sending messages to his partner. The savage would + say, "A miracle;" but the one who sent the message would say, "There is no + miracle; it is in accordance with facts in nature unknown to you." So + that, after all, the word miracle grows in the soil of ignorance. + </p> + <p> + The question arises whether a superior intelligence ought to impose upon + the inferior. I believe there was a French saint who had his head cut off + by robbers, and this saint, after the robbers went away, got up, took his + head under his arm and went on his way until he found friends to set it on + right. A thing like this, if it really happened, was a miracle. + </p> + <p> + So it may be said that nothing is much more miraculous than the fact that + intelligent men believe in miracles. If we read in the annals of China + that several thousand years ago five thousand people were fed on one + sandwich, and that several sandwiches were left over after the feast, + there are few intelligent men—except, it may be, the editors of + religious weeklies—who would credit the statement. But many + intelligent people, reading a like story in the Hebrew, or in the Greek, + or in a mistranslation from either of these languages, accept the story + without a doubt. + </p> + <p> + So if we should find in the records of the Indians that a celebrated + medicine-man of their tribe used to induce devils to leave crazy people + and take up their abode in wild swine, very few people would believe the + story. + </p> + <p> + I believe it is true that the priest of one religion has never had the + slightest confidence in the priest of any other religion. + </p> + <p> + My own opinion is, that nature is just as wonderful one time as another; + that that which occurs to-day is just as miraculous as anything that ever + happened; that nothing is more wonderful than that we live—that we + think—that we convey our thoughts by speech, by gestures, by + pictures. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is more wonderful than the growth of grass—the production of + seed—the bud, the blossom and the fruit. In other words, we are + surrounded by the inexplicable. + </p> + <p> + All that happens in conformity with what we know, we call natural; and + that which is said to have happened, not in conformity with what we know, + we say is wonderful; and that which we believe to have happened contrary + to what we know, we call the miraculous. + </p> + <p> + I think the truth is, that nothing ever happened except in a natural way; + that behind every effect has been an efficient cause, and that this + wondrous procession of causes and effects has never been, and never will + be, broken. In other words, there is nothing superior to the universe—nothing + that can interfere with this procession of causes and effects. I believe + in no miracles in the theological sense. My opinion is that the universe + is, forever has been, and forever will be, perfectly natural. + </p> + <p> + Whenever a religion has been founded among barbarians and ignorant people, + the founder has appealed to miracle as a kind of credential —as an + evidence that he is in partnership with some higher power. The credulity + of savagery made this easy. But at last we have discovered that there is + no necessary relation between the miraculous and the moral. Whenever a + man's reason is developed to that point that he sees the reasonableness of + a thing, he needs no miracle to convince him. It is only ignorance or + cunning that appeals to the miraculous. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing, and that is this: Truth relies upon itself —that + is to say, upon the perceived relation between itself and all other + truths. If you tell the facts, you need not appeal to a miracle. It is + only a mistake or a falsehood, that needs to be propped and buttressed by + wonders and miracles. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your explanation of the miracles referred to in + the Old and New Testaments? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, a miracle cannot be explained. If it is + a real miracle, there is no explanation. If it can be explained, then the + miracle disappears, and the thing was done in accordance with the facts + and forces of nature. + </p> + <p> + In a time when not one it may be in thousands could read or write, when + language was rude, and when the signs by which thoughts were conveyed were + few and inadequate, it was very easy to make mistakes, and nothing is more + natural than for a mistake to grow into a miracle. In an ignorant age, + history for the most part depended upon memory. It was handed down from + the old in their dotage, to the young without judgment. The old always + thought that the early days were wonderful—that the world was + wearing out because they were. The past looked at through the haze of + memory, became exaggerated, gigantic. Their fathers were stronger than + they, and their grandfathers far superior to their fathers, and so on + until they reached men who had the habit of living about a thousand years. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, everything in the Old Testament contrary to the experience + of the civilized world, is false. I do not say that those who told the + stories knew that they were false, or that those who wrote them suspected + that they were not true. Thousands and thousands of lies are told by + honest stupidity and believed by innocent credulity. Then again, cunning + takes advantage of ignorance, and so far as I know, though all the history + of the world a good many people have endeavored to make a living without + work. + </p> + <p> + I am perfectly convinced of the integrity of nature—that the + elements are eternally the same—that the chemical affinities and + hatreds know no shadow of turning—that just so many atoms of one + kind combine with so many atoms of another, and that the relative numbers + have never changed and never will change. I am satisfied that the + attraction of gravitation is a permanent institution; that the laws of + motion have been the same that they forever will be. There is no chance, + there is no caprice. Behind every effect is a cause, and every effect must + in its turn become a cause, and only that is produced which a cause of + necessity produces. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Madame Blavatsky and her school of + Theosophists? Do you believe Madame Blavatsky does or has done the + wonderful things related of her? Have you seen or known of any + Theosophical or esoteric marvels? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think wonders are about the same in this country that + they are in India, and nothing appears more likely to me simply because it + is surrounded with the mist of antiquity. In my judgment, Madame Blavatsky + has never done any wonderful things—that is to say, anything not in + perfect accordance with the facts of nature. + </p> + <p> + I know nothing of esoteric marvels. In one sense, everything that exists + is a marvel, and the probability is that if we knew the history of one + grain of sand we would know the history of the universe. I regard the + universe as a unit. Everything that happens is only a different aspect of + that unit. There is no room for the marvelous—there is no space in + which it can operate—there is no fulcrum for its lever. The universe + is already occupied with the natural. The ground is all taken. + </p> + <p> + It may be that all these people are perfectly honest, and imagine that + they have had wonderful experiences. I know but little of the Theosophists—but + little of the Spiritualists. It has always seemed to me that the messages + received by Spiritualists are remarkably unimportant—that they tell + us but little about the other world, and just as little about this—that + if all the messages supposed to have come from angelic lips, or spiritual + lips, were destroyed, certainly the literature of the world would lose but + little. Some of these people are exceedingly intelligent, and whenever + they say any good thing, I imagine that it was produced in their brain, + and that it came from no other world. I have no right to pass upon their + honesty. Most of them may be sincere. It may be that all the founders of + religions have really supposed themselves to be inspired—believed + that they held conversations with angels and Gods. It seems to be easy for + some people to get in such a frame of mind that their thoughts become + realities, their dreams substances, and their very hopes palpable. + </p> + <p> + Personally, I have no sort of confidence in these messages from the other + world. There may be mesmeric forces—there may be an odic force. It + may be that some people can tell of what another is thinking. I have seen + no such people—at least I am not acquainted with them—and my + own opinion is that no such persons exist. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe the spirits of the dead come back to + earth? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not. I do not say that the spirits do not come back. I + simply say that I know nothing on the subject. I do not believe in such + spirits, simply for the reason that I have no evidence upon which to base + such a belief. I do not say there are no such spirits, for the reason that + my knowledge is limited, and I know of no way of demonstrating the + non-existence of spirits. + </p> + <p> + It may be that man lives forever, and it may be that what we call life + ends with what we call death. I have had no experience beyond the grave, + and very little back of birth. Consequently, I cannot say that I have a + belief on this subject. I can simply say that I have no knowledge on this + subject, and know of no fact in nature that I would use as the + corner-stone of a belief. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe in the resurrection of the body? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My answer to that is about the same as to the other + question. I do not believe in the resurrection of the body. It seems to me + an exceedingly absurd belief—and yet I do not know. I am told, and I + suppose I believe, that the atoms that are in me have been in many other + people, and in many other forms of life, and I suppose at death the atoms + forming my body go back to the earth and are used in countless forms. + These facts, or what I suppose to be facts, render a belief in the + resurrection of the body impossible to me. + </p> + <p> + We get atoms to support our body from what we eat. Now, if a cannibal + should eat a missionary, and certain atoms belonging to the missionary + should be used by the cannibal in his body, and the cannibal should then + die while the atoms of the missionary formed part of his flesh, to whom + would these atoms belong in the morning of the resurrection? + </p> + <p> + Then again, science teaches us that there is a kind of balance between + animal and vegetable life, and that probably all men and all animals have + been trees, and all trees have been animals; so that the probability is + that the atoms that are now in us have been, as I said in the first place, + in millions of other people. Now, if this be so, there cannot be atoms + enough in the morning of the resurrection, because, if the atoms are given + to the first men, that belonged to the first men when they died, there + will certainly be no atoms for the last men. + </p> + <p> + Consequently, I am compelled to say that I do not believe in the + resurrection of the body.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* From notes found among Colonel Ingersoll's papers.] +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0101" id="link0101"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + TOLSTOY AND LITERATURE. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of Count Leo Tolstoy? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have read Tolstoy. He is a curious mixture of simplicity + and philosophy. He seems to have been carried away by his conception of + religion. He is a non-resistant to such a degree that he asserts that he + would not, if attacked, use violence to preserve his own life or the life + of a child. Upon this question he is undoubtedly insane. + </p> + <p> + So he is trying to live the life of a peasant and doing without the + comforts of life! This is not progress. Civilization should not endeavor + to bring about equality by making the rich poor or the comfortable + miserable. This will not add to the pleasures of the rich, neither will it + feed the hungry, not clothe the naked. + </p> + <p> + The civilized wealthy should endeavor to help the needy, and help them in + a sensible way, not through charity, but through industry; through giving + them opportunities to take care of themselves. I do not believe in the + equality that is to be reached by pulling the successful down, but I do + believe in civilization that tends to raise the fallen and assists those + in need. + </p> + <p> + Should we all follow Tolstoy's example and live according to his + philosophy the world would go back to barbarism; art would be lost; that + which elevates and refines would be destroyed; the voice of music would + become silent, and man would be satisfied with a rag, a hut, a crust. We + do not want the equality of savages. + </p> + <p> + No, in civilization there must be differences, because there is a constant + movement forward. The human race cannot advance in line. There will be + pioneers, there will be the great army, and there will be countless + stragglers. It is not necessary for the whole army to go back to the + stragglers, it is better that the army should march forward toward the + pioneers. + </p> + <p> + It may be that the sale of Tolstoy's works is on the increase in America, + but certainly the principles of Tolstoy are gaining no foothold here. We + are not a nation of non-resistants. We believe in defending our homes. + Nothing can exceed the insanity of non- resistance. This doctrine leaves + virtue naked and clothes vice in armor; it gives every weapon to the wrong + and takes every shield from the right. I believe that goodness has the + right of self- defence. As a matter of fact, vice should be left naked and + virtue should have all the weapons. The good should not be a flock of + sheep at the mercy of every wolf. So, I do not accept Tolstoy's theory of + equality as a sensible solution of the labor problem. + </p> + <p> + The hope of this world is that men will become civilized to that degree + that they cannot be happy while they know that thousands of their + fellow-men are miserable. + </p> + <p> + The time will come when the man who dwells in a palace will not be happy + if Want sits upon the steps at his door. No matter how well he is clothed + himself he will not enjoy his robes if he sees others in rags, and the + time will come when the intellect of this world will be directed by the + heart of this world, and when men of genius and power will do what they + can for the benefit of their fellow- men. All this is to come through + civilization, through experience. + </p> + <p> + Men, after a time, will find the worthlessness of great wealth; they will + find it is not splendid to excite envy in others. So, too, they will find + that the happiness of the human race is so interdependent and so + interwoven, that finally the interest of humanity will be the interest of + the individual. + </p> + <p> + I know that at present the lives of many millions are practically without + value, but in my judgment, the world is growing a little better every day. + On the average, men have more comforts, better clothes, better food, more + books and more of the luxuries of life than ever before. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. It is said that properly to appreciate Rousseau, + Voltaire, Hugo and other French classics, a thorough knowledge of the + French language is necessary. What is your opinion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No; to say that a knowledge of French is necessary in order + to appreciate Voltaire or Hugo is nonsensical. For a student anxious to + study the works of these masters, to set to work to learn the language of + the writers would be like my building a flight of stairs to go down to + supper. The stairs are already there. Some other person built them for me + and others who choose to use them. + </p> + <p> + Men have spent their lives in the study of the French and English, and + have given us Voltaire, Hugo and all other works of French classics, + perfect in sentiment and construction as the originals are. Macaulay was a + great linguist, but he wrote no better than Shakespeare, and Burns wrote + perfect English, though virtually uneducated. Good writing is a matter of + genius and heart; reading is application and judgment. + </p> + <p> + I am of the opinion that Wilbur's English translation of "Les Miserables" + is better than Hugo's original, as a literary masterpiece. + </p> + <p> + What a grand novel it is! What characters, Jean Valjean and Javert! + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Which in your opinion is the greatest English novel? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the greatest novel ever written in English is "A + Tale of Two Cities," by Dickens. It is full of philosophy; its incidents + are dramatically grouped. Sidney Carton, the hero, is a marvelous creation + and a marvelous character. Lucie Manette is as delicate as the perfume of + wild violets, and cell 105, North Tower, and scenes enacted there, almost + touch the region occupied by "Lear." There, too, Mme. Defarge is the + impersonation of the French Revolution, and the nobleman of the chateau + with his fine features changed to stone, and the messenger at Tellson's + Bank gnawing the rust from his nails; all there are the creations of + genius, and these children of fiction will live as long as Imagination + spreads her many-colored wings in the mind of man. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Pope? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Pope! Alexander Pope, the word-carpenter, a mechanical + poet, or stay—rather a "digital poet;" that fits him best—one + of those fellows who counts his fingers to see that his verse is in + perfect rhythm. His "Essay on Man" strikes me as being particularly + defective. For instance: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "All discord, harmony not understood, + All partial evil, universal good," +</pre> + <p> + from the first epistle of his "Essay on Man." Anything that is evil cannot + by any means be good, and anything partial cannot be universal. + </p> + <p> + We see in libraries ponderous tomes labeled "Burke's Speeches." No person + ever seems to read them, but he is now regarded as being in his day a + great speaker, because now no one has pluck enough to read his speeches. + Why, for thirty years Burke was known in Parliament as the "Dinner Bell"—whenever + he rose to speak, everybody went to dinner. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Evening Express</i>, Buffalo, New York, October 6, 1892. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0102" id="link0102"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WOMAN IN POLITICS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the influence of women in politics? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the influence of women is always good in politics, + as in everything else. I think it the duty of every woman to ascertain + what she can in regard to her country, including its history, laws and + customs. Woman above all others is a teacher. She, above all others, + determines the character of children; that is to say, of men and women. + </p> + <p> + There is not the slightest danger of women becoming too intellectual or + knowing too much. Neither is there any danger of men knowing too much. At + least, I know of no men who are in immediate peril from that source. I am + a firm believer in the equal rights of human beings, and no matter what I + think as to what woman should or should not do, she has the same right to + decide for herself that I have to decide for myself. If women wish to + vote, if they wish to take part in political matters, if they wish to run + for office, I shall do nothing to interfere with their rights. I most + cheerfully admit that my political rights are only equal to theirs. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when physical force or brute strength gave pre- eminence. + The savage chief occupied his position by virtue of his muscle, of his + courage, on account of the facility with which he wielded a club. As long + as nations depend simply upon brute force, the man, in time of war, is, of + necessity, of more importance to the nation than woman, and as the dispute + is to be settled by strength, by force, those who have the strength and + force naturally settle it. As the world becomes civilized, intelligence + slowly takes the place of force, conscience restrains muscle, reason + enters the arena, and the gladiator retires. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago the literature of the world was produced by men, and + men were not only the writers, but the readers. At that time the novels + were coarse and vulgar. Now the readers of fiction are women, and they + demand that which they can read, and the result is that women have become + great writers. The women have changed our literature, and the change has + been good. + </p> + <p> + In every field where woman has become a competitor of man she has either + become, or given evidence that she is to become, his equal. My own opinion + is that woman is naturally the equal of man and that in time, that is to + say, when she has had the opportunity and the training, she will produce + in the world of art as great pictures, as great statues, and in the world + of literature as great books, dramas and poems as man has produced or will + produce. + </p> + <p> + There is nothing very hard to understand in the politics of a country. The + general principles are for the most part simple. It is only in the + application that the complexity arises, and woman, I think, by nature, is + as well fitted to understand these things as man. In short, I have no + prejudice on this subject. At first, women will be more conservative than + men; and this is natural. Women have, through many generations, acquired + the habit of submission, of acquiescence. They have practiced what may be + called the slave virtues—obedience, humility—so that some time + will be required for them to become accustomed to the new order of things, + to the exercise of greater freedom, acting in accordance with perceived + obligation, independently of authority. + </p> + <p> + So I say equal rights, equal education, equal advantages. I hope that + woman will not continue to be the serf of superstition; that she will not + be the support of the church and priest; that she will not stand for the + conservation of superstition, but that in the east of her mind the sun of + progress will rise. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In your lecture on Voltaire you made a remark about the + government of ministers, and you stated that if the ministers of the city + of New York had to power to make the laws most people would prefer to live + in a well regulated penitentiary. What do you mean by this? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, as a rule, ministers are quite severe. They have + little patience with human failures. They are taught, and they believe and + they teach, that man is absolutely master of his own fate. Besides, they + are believers in the inspiration of the Scriptures, and the laws of the + Old Testament are exceedingly severe. Nearly every offence was punished by + death. Every offence was regarded as treason against Jehovah. + </p> + <p> + In the Pentateuch there is no pity. If a man committed some offence + justice was not satisfied with his punishment, but proceeded to destroy + his wife and children. Jehovah seemed to think that crime was in the + blood; that it was not sufficient to kill the criminal, but to prevent + future crimes you should kill his wife and babes. The reading of the Old + Testament is calculated to harden the heart, to drive the angel of pity + from the breast, and to make man a religious savage. The clergy, as a + rule, do not take a broad and liberal view of things. They judge every + offence by what they consider would be the result if everybody committed + the same offence. They do not understand that even vice creates + obstructions for itself, and that there is something in the nature of + crime the tendency of which is to defeat crime, and I might add in this + place that the same seems to be true of excessive virtue. As a rule, the + clergy clamor with great zeal for the execution of cruel laws. + </p> + <p> + Let me give an instance in point: In the time of George III., in England, + there were two hundred and twenty-three offences punishable with death. + From time to time this cruel code was changed by Act of Parliament, yet no + bishop sitting in the House of Lords ever voted in favor of any one of + these measures. The bishops always voted for death, for blood, against + mercy and against the repeal of capital punishment. During all these years + there were some twenty thousand or more of the established clergy, and + yet, according to John Bright, no voice was ever raised in any English + pulpit against the infamous criminal code. + </p> + <p> + Another thing: The orthodox clergy teach that man is totally depraved; + that his inclination is evil; that his tendency is toward the Devil. + Starting from this as a foundation, of course every clergyman believes + every bad thing said of everybody else. So, when some man is charged with + a crime, the clergyman taking into consideration the fact that the man is + totally depraved, takes it for granted that he must be guilty. I am not + saying this for the purpose of exciting prejudice against the clergy. I am + simply showing what is the natural result of a certain creed, of a belief + in universal depravity, or a belief in the power and influence of a + personal Devil. If the clergy could have their own way they would endeavor + to reform the world by law. They would re-enact the old statutes of the + Puritans. Joy would be a crime. Love would be an offence. Every man with a + smile on his face would be suspected, and a dimple in the cheek would be a + demonstration of depravity. + </p> + <p> + In the trial of a cause it is natural for a clergyman to start with the + proposition, "The defendant is guilty;" and then he says to himself, "Let + him prove himself innocent." The man who has not been poisoned with the + creed starts out with the proposition, "The defendant is innocent; let the + State prove that he is guilty." Consequently, I say that if I were + defending a man whom I knew to be innocent, I would not have a clergyman + on the jury if I could help it. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Advertiser</i>, December 24, 1893. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0103" id="link0103"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SPIRITUALISM. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you investigated Spiritualism, and what has been + your experience? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. A few years ago I paid some attention to what is called + Spiritualism, and was present when quite mysterious things were supposed + to have happened. The most notable seance that I attended was given by + Slade, at which slate-writing was done. Two slates were fastened together, + with a pencil between them, and on opening the slates certain writing was + found. When the writing was done it was impossible to tell. So, I have + been present when it was claimed that certain dead people had again + clothed themselves in flesh and were again talking in the old way. In one + instance, I think, George Washington claimed to be present. On the same + evening Shakespeare put in an appearance. It was hard to recognize + Shakespeare from what the spirit said, still I was assured by the medium + that there was no mistake as to the identity. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Can you offer any explanation of the extraordinary + phenomena such as Henry J. Newton has had produced at his own house under + his own supervision? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, I don't believe that anything such as + you describe has ever happened. I do not believe that a medium ever passed + into and out of a triple-locked iron cage. Neither do I believe that any + spirits were able to throw shoes and wraps out of the cage; neither do I + believe that any apparitions ever rose from the floor, or that anything + you relate has ever happened. The best explanation I can give of these + wonderful occurrences is the following: A little boy and girl were + standing in a doorway holding hands. A gentleman passing, stopped for a + moment and said to the little girl: "What relation is the little boy to + you?" and she replied, "We had the same father and we had the same mother, + but I am not his sister and he is not my brother." This at first seemed to + be quite a puzzle, but it was exceedingly plain when the answer was known: + The little girl lied. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you had any experience with spirit photography, + spirit physicians, or spirit lawyers? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I was shown at one time several pictures said to be the + photographs of living persons surrounded by the photographs of spirits. I + examined them very closely, and I found evidence in the photographs + themselves that they were spurious. I took it for granted that light is + the same everywhere, and that it obeys the angle of incidence in all + worlds and at all times. In looking at the spirit photographs I found, for + instance, that in the photograph of the living person the shadows fell to + the right, and that in the photographs of the ghosts, or spirits, supposed + to have been surrounding the living person at the time the picture was + taken, the shadows did not fall in the same direction, sometimes in the + opposite direction, never at the same angle even when the general + direction was the same. This demonstrated that the photographs of the + spirits and of the living persons were not taken at the same time. So much + for photographs. + </p> + <p> + I have had no experience with spirit physicians. I was once told by a + lawyer who came to employ me in a will case, that a certain person had + made a will giving a large amount of money for the purpose of spreading + the gospel of Spiritualism, but that the will had been lost and than an + effort was then being made to find it, and they wished me to take certain + action pending the search, and wanted my assistance. I said to him: "If + Spiritualism be true, why not ask the man who made the will what it was + and also what has become of it. If you can find that out from the + departed, I will gladly take a retainer in the case; otherwise, I must + decline." I have had no other experience with the lawyers. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If you were to witness phenomena that seemed inexplicable + by natural laws, would you be inclined to favor Spiritualism? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I would not. If I should witness phenomena that I could not + explain, I would leave the phenomena unexplained. I would not explain them + because I did not understand them, and say they were or are produced by + spirits. That is no explanation, and, after admitting that we do not know + and that we cannot explain, why should we proceed to explain? I have seen + Mr. Kellar do things for which I cannot account. Why should I say that he + has the assistance of spirits? All I have a right to say is that I know + nothing about how he does them. So I am compelled to say with regard to + many spiritualistic feats, that I am ignorant of the ways and means. At + the same time, I do not believe that there is anything supernatural in the + universe. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of Spiritualism and Spiritualists? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the Spiritualism of the present day is certainly in + advance of the Spiritualism of several centuries ago. Persons who now deny + Spiritualism and hold it in utter contempt insist that some eighteen or + nineteen centuries ago it had possession of the world; that miracles were + of daily occurrence; that demons, devils, fiends, took possession of human + beings, lived in their bodies, dominated their minds. They believe, too, + that devils took possession of the bodies of animals. They also insist + that a wish could multiply fish. And, curiously enough, the Spiritualists + of our time have but little confidence in the phenomena of eighteen + hundred years ago; and, curiously enough, those who believe in the + Spiritualism of eighteen hundred years ago deny the Spiritualism of + to-day. I think the Spiritualists of to-day have far more evidence of + their phenomena than those who believe in the wonderful things of eighteen + centuries ago. The Spiritualists of to-day have living witnesses, which is + something. I know a great many Spiritualists that are exceedingly good + people, and are doing what they can to make the world better. But I think + they are mistaken. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe in spirit entities, whether manifestible + or not? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I believe there is such a thing as matter. I believe there + is a something called force. The difference between force and matter I do + not know. So there is something called consciousness. Whether we call + consciousness an entity or not makes no difference as to what it really + is. There is something that hears, sees and feels, a something that takes + cognizance of what happens in what we call the outward world. No matter + whether we call this something matter or spirit, it is something that we + do not know, to say the least of it, all about. We cannot understand what + matter is. It defies us, and defies definitions. So, with what we call + spirit, we are in utter ignorance of what it is. We have some little + conception of what we mean by it, and of what others mean, but as to what + it really is no one knows. It makes no difference whether we call + ourselves Materialists or Spiritualists, we believe in all there is, no + matter what you call it. If we call it all matter, then we believe that + matter can think and hope and dream. If we call it all spirit, then we + believe that spirit has force, that it offers a resistance; in other + words, that it is, in one of its aspects, what we call matter. I cannot + believe that everything can be accounted for by motion or by what we call + force, because there is something that recognizes force. There is + something that compares, that thinks, that remembers; there is something + that suffers and enjoys; there is something that each one calls himself or + herself, that is inexplicable to himself or herself, and it makes no + difference whether we call this something mind or soul, effect or entity, + it still eludes us, and all the words we have coined for the purpose of + expressing our knowledge of this something, after all, express only our + desire to know, and our efforts to ascertain. It may be that if we would + ask some minister, some one who has studied theology, he would give us a + perfect definition. The scientists know nothing about it, and I know of no + one who does, unless it be a theologian. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Globe-Democrat</i>, St. Louis, Mo., 1893. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0104" id="link0104"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PLAYS AND PLAYERS. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="image-0001" id="image-0001"> + <!-- IMG --></a> <img src="images/theater.jpg" height="767" width="1248" + alt=" Chatham Street Theater " /> + </p> + <p> + <i>Chatham Street Theater, New York City, N. Y., where Robert G. Ingersoll + was baptized in 1836 by his father, the Rev. John Ingersoll, who + temporarily preached at the theatre, his church having been destroyed by + fire</i>. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What place does the theatre hold among the arts? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Nearly all the arts unite in the theatre, and it is the + result of the best, the highest, the most artistic, that man can do. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, there must be the dramatic poet. Dramatic poetry is + the subtlest, profoundest, the most intellectual, the most passionate and + artistic of all. Then the stage must be prepared, and there is work for + the architect, the painter and sculptor. Then the actors appear, and they + must be gifted with imagination, with a high order of intelligence; they + must have sympathies quick and deep, natures capable of the greatest + emotion, dominated by passion. They must have impressive presence, and all + that is manly should meet and unite in the actor; all that is womanly, + tender, intense and admirable should be lavishly bestowed on the actress. + In addition to all this, actors should have the art of being natural. + </p> + <p> + Let me explain what I mean by being natural. When I say that an actor is + natural, I mean that he appears to act in accordance with his ideal, in + accordance with his nature, and that he is not an imitator or a copyist—that + he is not made up of shreds and patches taken from others, but that all he + does flows from interior fountains and is consistent with his own nature, + all having in a marked degree the highest characteristics of the man. That + is what I mean by being natural. + </p> + <p> + The great actor must be acquainted with the heart, must know the motives, + ends, objects and desires that control the thoughts and acts of men. He + must be familiar with many people, including the lowest and the highest, + so that he may give to others, clothed with flesh and blood, the + characters born of the poet's brain. The great actor must know the + relations that exist between passion and voice, gesture and emphasis, + expression and pose. He must speak not only with his voice, but with his + body. The great actor must be master of many arts. + </p> + <p> + Then comes the musician. The theatre has always been the home of music, + and this music must be appropriate; must, or should, express or supplement + what happens on the stage; should furnish rest and balm for minds + overwrought with tragic deeds. To produce a great play, and put it + worthily upon the stage, involves most arts, many sciences and nearly all + that is artistic, poetic and dramatic in the mind of man. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Should the drama teach lessons and discuss social + problems, or should it give simply intellectual pleasure and furnish + amusement? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Every great play teaches many lessons and touches nearly + all social problems. But the great play does this by indirection. Every + beautiful thought is a teacher; every noble line speaks to the brain and + heart. Beauty, proportion, melody suggest moral beauty, proportion in + conduct and melody in life. In a great play the relations of the various + characters, their objects, the means adopted for their accomplishment, + must suggest, and in a certain sense solve or throw light on many social + problems, so that the drama teaches lessons, discusses social problems and + gives intellectual pleasure. + </p> + <p> + The stage should not be dogmatic; neither should its object be directly to + enforce a moral. The great thing for the drama to do, and the great thing + it has done, and is doing, is to cultivate the imagination. This is of the + utmost importance. The civilization of man depends upon the development, + not only of the intellect, but of the imagination. Most crimes of violence + are committed by people who are destitute of imagination. People without + imagination make most of the cruel and infamous creeds. They were the + persecutors and destroyers of their fellow-men. By cultivating the + imagination, the stage becomes one of the greatest teachers. It produces + the climate in which the better feelings grow; it is the home of the + ideal. All beautiful things tend to the civilization of man. The great + statues plead for proportion in life, the great symphonies suggest the + melody of conduct, and the great plays cultivate the heart and brain. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the French drama as compared with + the English, morally and artistically considered? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The modern French drama, so far as I am acquainted with it, + is a disease. It deals with the abnormal. It is fashioned after Balzac. It + exhibits moral tumors, mental cancers and all kinds of abnormal fungi,—excrescences. + Everything is stood on its head; virtue lives in the brothel; the good are + the really bad and the worst are, after all, the best. It portrays the + exceptional, and mistakes the scum-covered bayou for the great river. The + French dramatists seem to think that the ceremony of marriage sows the + seed of vice. They are always conveying the idea that the virtuous are + uninteresting, rather stupid, without sense and spirit enough to take + advantage of their privilege. Between the greatest French plays and the + greatest English plays of course there is no comparison. If a Frenchman + had written the plays of Shakespeare, Desdemona would have been guilty, + Isabella would have ransomed her brother at the Duke's price, Juliet would + have married the County Paris, run away from him, and joined Romeo in + Mantua, and Miranda would have listened coquettishly to the words of + Caliban. The French are exceedingly artistic. They understand stage + effects, love the climax, delight in surprises, especially in the + improbable; but their dramatists lack sympathy and breadth of treatment. + They are provincial. With them France is the world. They know little of + other countries. Their plays do not touch the universal. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What are your feelings in reference to idealism on the + stage? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The stage ought to be the home of the ideal; in a word, the + imagination should have full sway. The great dramatist is a creator; he is + the sovereign, and governs his own world. The realist is only a copyist. + He does not need genius. All he wants is industry and the trick of + imitation. On the stage, the real should be idealized, the ordinary should + be transfigured; that is, the deeper meaning of things should be given. As + we make music of common air, and statues of stone, so the great dramatist + should make life burst into blossom on the stage. A lot of words, facts, + odds and ends divided into acts and scenes do not make a play. These + things are like old pieces of broken iron that need the heat of the + furnace so that they may be moulded into shape. Genius is that furnace, + and in its heat and glow and flame these pieces, these fragments, become + molten and are cast into noble and heroic forms. Realism degrades and + impoverishes the stage. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What attributes should an actor have to be really great? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Intelligence, imagination, presence; a mobile and + impressive face; a body that lends itself to every mood in appropriate + pose, one that is oak or willow, at will; self-possession; absolute ease; + a voice capable of giving every shade of meaning and feeling, an intuitive + knowledge or perception of proportion, and above all, the actor should be + so sincere that he loses himself in the character he portrays. Such an + actor will grow intellectually and morally. The great actor should strive + to satisfy himself—to reach his own ideal. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you enjoy Shakespeare more in the library than + Shakespeare interpreted by actors now on the boards? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I enjoy Shakespeare everywhere. I think it would give me + pleasure to hear those wonderful lines spoken even by phonographs. But + Shakespeare is greatest and best when grandly put upon the stage. There + you know the connection, the relation, the circumstances, and these bring + out the appropriateness and the perfect meaning of the text. Nobody in + this country now thinks of Hamlet without thinking of Booth. For this + generation at least, Booth is Hamlet. It is impossible for me to read the + words of Sir Toby without seeing the face of W. F. Owen. Brutus is + Davenport, Cassius is Lawrence Barrett, and Lear will be associated always + in my mind with Edwin Forrest. Lady Macbeth is to me Adelaide Ristori, the + greatest actress I ever saw. If I understood music perfectly, I would much + rather hear Seidl's orchestra play "Tristan," or hear Remenyi's matchless + rendition of Schubert's "Ave Maria," than to read the notes. + </p> + <p> + Most people love the theatre. Everything about it from stage to gallery + attracts and fascinates. The mysterious realm, behind the scenes, from + which emerge kings and clowns, villains and fools, heroes and lovers, and + in which they disappear, is still a fairyland. As long as man is man he + will enjoy the love and laughter, the tears and rapture of the mimic + world. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is it because we lack men of genius or because our life + is too material that no truly great American plays have been written? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No great play has been written since Shakespeare; that is, + no play has been written equal to his. But there is the same reason for + that in all other countries, including England, that there is in this + country, and that reason is that Shakespeare has had no equal. + </p> + <p> + America has not failed because life in the Republic is too material. + Germany and France, and, in fact, all other nations, have failed in the + same way. In the sense in which I am speaking, Germany has produced no + great play. + </p> + <p> + In the dramatic world Shakespeare stands alone. Compared with him, even + the classic is childish. + </p> + <p> + There is plenty of material for plays. The Republic has lived a great play—a + great poem—a most marvelous drama. Here, on our soil, have happened + some of the greatest events in the history of the world. + </p> + <p> + All human passions have been and are in full play here, and here as + elsewhere, can be found the tragic, the comic, the beautiful, the poetic, + the tears, the smiles, the lamentations and the laughter that are the + necessary warp and woof with which to weave the living tapestries that we + call plays. + </p> + <p> + We are beginning. We have found that American plays must be American in + spirit. We are tired of imitations and adaptations. We want plays worthy + of the great Republic. Some good work has recently been done, giving great + hope for the future. Of course the realistic comes first; afterward the + ideal. But here in America, as in all other lands, love is the eternal + passion that will forever hold the stage. Around that everything else will + move. It is the sun. All other passions are secondary. Their orbits are + determined by the central force from which they receive their light and + meaning. + </p> + <p> + Love, however, must be kept pure. + </p> + <p> + The great dramatist is, of necessity, a believer in virtue, in honesty, in + courage and in the nobility of human nature. He must know that there are + men and women that even a God could not corrupt; such knowledge, such + feeling, is the foundation, and the only foundation, that can support the + splendid structure, the many pillared stories and the swelling dome of the + great drama. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The New York Dramatic Mirror</i>, December 26, 1891. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0105" id="link0105"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WOMAN. + </h2> + <p> + It takes a hundred men to make an encampment, but one woman can make a + home. I not only admire woman as the most beautiful object ever created, + but I reverence her as the redeeming glory of humanity, the sanctuary of + all the virtues, the pledge of all perfect qualities of heart and head. It + is not just or right to lay the sins of men at the feet of women. It is + because women are so much better than men that their faults are considered + greater. + </p> + <p> + The one thing in this world that is constant, the one peak that rises + above all clouds, the one window in which the light forever burns, the one + star that darkness cannot quench, is woman's love. It rises to the + greatest heights, it sinks to the lowest depths, it forgives the most + cruel injuries. It is perennial of life, and grows in every climate. + Neither coldness nor neglect, harshness nor cruelty, can extinguish it. A + woman's love is the perfume of the heart. + </p> + <p> + This is the real love that subdues the earth; the love that has wrought + all the miracles of art, that gives us music all the way from the cradle + song to the grand closing symphony that bears the soul away on wings of + fire. A love that is greater than power, sweeter than life and stronger + than death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0106" id="link0106"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + STRIKES, EXPANSION AND OTHER SUBJECTS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say in regard to the decision of Judge + Billings in New Orleans, that strikes which interfere with interstate + commerce, are illegal? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. As a rule, men have a right to quit work at any time unless + there is some provision to the contrary in their contracts. They have not + the right to prevent other men from taking their places. Of course I do + not mean by this that strikers may not use persuasion and argument to + prevent other men from filling their places. All blacklisting and refusing + to work with other men is illegal and punishable. Of course men may + conspire to quit work, but how is it to be proved? One man can quit, or + five hundred men can quit together, and nothing can prevent them. The + decisions of Judge Ricks and Judge Billings are an acknowledgment, at + least, of the principle of public control or regulation of railroads and + of commerce generally. The railroads, which run for private profit, are + public carriers, and the public has a vested interest in them as such. The + same principle applies to the commerce of the country and can be dealt + with by the courts in the same way. It is unlikely, however, that Judge + Billings' decision will have any lasting effect upon organized labor. Law + cannot be enforced against such vast numbers of people, especially when + they have the general sympathy. Nearly all strikes have been illegal, but + the numbers involved have made the courts powerless. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you in favor of the annexation of Canada? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, if Canada is. We do not want that country unless that + country wants us. I do not believe it to the interests of Canada to remain + a province. Canada should either be an independent nation, or a part of a + nation. Now Canada is only a province—with no career—with + nothing to stimulate either patriotism or great effort. Yes, I hope that + Canada will be annexed. + </p> + <p> + By all means annex the Sandwich Islands, too. I believe in territorial + expansion. A prosperous farmer wants the land next him, and a prosperous + nation ought to grow. I believe that we ought to hold the key to the + Pacific and its commerce. We want to be prepared at all points to defend + our interests from the greed and power of England. + </p> + <p> + We are going to have a navy, and we want that navy to be of use in + protecting our interests the world over. And we want interests to protect. + </p> + <p> + It is a splendid feeling—this feeling of growth. By the annexation + of these islands we open new avenues to American adventure, and the + tendency is to make our country greater and stronger. The West Indian + Islands ought to be ours, and some day our flag will float there. This + country must not stop growing. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is the spirit of patriotism declining in America? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There has been no decline in the spirit of American + patriotism; in fact, it has increased rather then otherwise as the nation + has grown older, stronger, more prosperous, more glorious. If there were + occasion to demonstrate the truth of this statement it would be quickly + demonstrated. Let an attack be made upon the American flag, and you will + very quickly find out how genuine is the patriotic spirit of Americans. + </p> + <p> + I do not think either that there has been a decline in the celebration of + the Fourth of July. The day is probably not celebrated with as much + burning of gunpowder and shooting of fire crackers in the large cities as + formerly, but it is celebrated with as much enthusiasm as ever all through + the West, and the feeling of rejoicing over the anniversary of the day is + as great and strong as ever. The people are tired of celebrating with a + great noise and I am glad of it. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the Congress of Religions, to be + held in Chicago during the World's Fair? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It will do good, if they will honestly compare their creeds + so that each one can see just how foolish all the rest are. They ought to + compare their sacred books, and their miracles, and their mythologies, and + if they do so they will probably see that ignorance is the mother of them + all. Let them have a Congress, by all means, and let them show how priests + live on the labor of those they deceive. It will do good. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that Cleveland's course as to appointments + has strengthened him with the people? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Patronage is a two-edged sword with very little handle. It + takes an exceedingly clever President to strengthen himself by its + exercise. When a man is running for President the twenty men in every town + who expect to be made postmaster are for him heart and soul. Only one can + get the office, and the nineteen who do not, feel outraged, and the lucky + one is mad on account of the delay. So twenty friends are lost with one + place. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is the Age of Chivalry dead? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The "Age of Chivalry" never existed except in the + imagination. The Age of Chivalry was the age of cowardice and crime. + </p> + <p> + There is more chivalry to-day than ever. Men have a better, a clearer idea + of justice, and pay their debts better, and treat their wives and children + better than ever before. The higher and better qualities of the soul have + more to do with the average life. To-day men have greater admiration and + respect for women, greater regard for the social and domestic obligations + than their fathers had. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What led you to begin lecturing on your present subject, + and what was your first lecture? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My first lecture was entitled "Progress." I began lecturing + because I thought the creeds of the orthodox church false and horrible, + and because I thought the Bible cruel and absurd, and because I like + intellectual liberty. + </p> + <p> + —New York, May 5, 1893. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0107" id="link0107"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SUNDAY A DAY OF PLEASURE. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the religious spirit that seeks to + regulate by legislation the manner in which the people of this country + shall spend their Sundays? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The church is not willing to stand alone, not willing to + base its influence on reason and on the character of its members. It seeks + the aid of the State. The cross is in partnership with the sword. People + should spend Sundays as they do other days; that is to say, as they + please. No one has the right to do anything on Monday that interferes with + the rights of his neighbors, and everyone has the right to do anything he + pleases on Sunday that does not interfere with the rights of his + neighbors. Sunday is a day of rest, not of religion. We are under + obligation to do right on all days. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more absurd than the idea that any particular space of time + is sacred. Everything in nature goes on the same on Sunday as on other + days, and if beyond nature there be a God, then God works on Sunday as he + does on all other days. There is no rest in nature. There is perpetual + activity in every possible direction. The old idea that God made the world + and then rested, is idiotic. There were two reasons given to the Hebrews + for keeping the Sabbath —one because Jehovah rested on that day, the + other because the Hebrews were brought out of Egypt. The first reason, we + know, is false, and the second reason is good only for the Hebrews. + According to the Bible, Sunday, or rather the Sabbath, was not for the + world, but for the Hebrews, and the Hebrews alone. Our Sunday is pagan and + is the day of the sun, as Monday is the day of the moon. All our day names + are pagan. I am opposed to all Sunday legislation. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Why should Sunday be observed otherwise than as a day of + recreation? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Sunday is a day of recreation, or should be; a day for the + laboring man to rest, a day to visit museums and libraries, a day to look + at pictures, a day to get acquainted with your wife and children, a day + for poetry and art, a day on which to read old letters and to meet + friends, a day to cultivate the amenities of life, a day for those who + live in tenements to feel the soft grass beneath their feet. In short, + Sunday should be a day of joy. The church endeavors to fill it with gloom + and sadness, with stupid sermons and dyspeptic theology. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be more cowardly than the effort to compel the observance of + the Sabbath by law. We of America have outgrown the childishness of the + last century; we laugh at the superstitions of our fathers. We have made + up our minds to be as happy as we can be, knowing that the way to be happy + is to make others so, that the time to be happy is now, whether that now + is Sunday or any other day in the week. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Under a Federal Constitution guaranteeing civil and + religious liberty, are the so-called "Blue Laws" constitutional? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No, they are not. But the probability is that the Supreme + Courts of most of the States would decide the other way. And yet all these + laws are clearly contrary to the spirit of the Federal Constitution and + the constitutions of most of the States. + </p> + <p> + I hope to live until all these foolish laws are repealed and until we are + in the highest and noblest sense a free people. And by free I mean each + having the right to do anything that does not interfere with the rights or + with the happiness of another. I want to see the time when we live for + this world and when all shall endeavor to increase, by education, by + reason, and by persuasion, the sum of human happiness. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Times</i>, July 21, 1893. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0108" id="link0108"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. The Parliament of Religions was called with a view to + discussing the great religions of the world on the broad platform of + tolerance. Supposing this to have been accomplished, what effect is it + likely to have on the future of creeds? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It was a good thing to get the representatives of all + creeds to meet and tell their beliefs. The tendency, I think, is to do + away with prejudice, with provincialism, with egotism. We know that the + difference between the great religions, so far as belief is concerned, + amounts to but little. Their gods have different names, but in other + respects they differ but little. They are all cruel and ignorant. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think likely that the time is coming when all the + religions of the world will be treated with the liberality that is now + characterizing the attitude of one sect toward another in Christendom? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, because I think that all religions will be found to be + of equal authority, and because I believe that the supernatural will be + discarded and that man will give up his vain and useless efforts to get + back of nature—to answer the questions of whence and whither? As a + matter of fact, the various sects do not love one another. The keenest + hatred is religious hatred. The most malicious malice is found in the + hearts of those who love their enemies. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Bishop Newman, in replying to a learned Buddhist at the + Parliament of Religions, said that Buddhism had given to the world no + helpful literature, no social system, and no heroic virtues. Is this true? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Bishop Newman is a very prejudiced man. Probably he got his + information from the missionaries. Buddha was undoubtedly a great teacher. + Long before Christ lived Buddha taught the brotherhood of man. He said + that intelligence was the only lever capable of raising mankind. His + followers, to say the least of them, are as good as the followers of + Christ. Bishop Newman is a Methodist—a follower of John Wesley—and + he has the prejudices of the sect to which he belongs. We must remember + that all prejudices are honest. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is Christian society, or rather society in Christian + countries, cursed with fewer robbers, assassins, and thieves, + proportionately, then countries where "heathen" religions predominate? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think not. I do not believe that there are more + lynchings, more mob murders in India or Turkey or Persia than in some + Christian States of the great Republic. Neither will you find more train + robbers, more forgers, more thieves in heathen lands than in Christian + countries. Here the jails are full, the penitentiaries are crowded, and + the hangman is busy. All over Christendom, as many assert, crime is on the + increase, going hand in hand with poverty. The truth is, that some of the + wisest and best men are filled with apprehension for the future, but I + believe in the race and have confidence in man. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How can society be so reconstructed that all this + horrible suffering, resultant from poverty and its natural associate, + crime, may be abolished, or at least reduced to a minimum? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place we should stop supporting the useless. + The burden of superstition should be taken from the shoulders of industry. + In the next place men should stop bowing to wealth instead of worth. Men + should be judged by what they do, by what they are, instead of by the + property they have. Only those able to raise and educate children should + have them. Children should be better born—better educated. The + process of regeneration will be slow, but it will be sure. The religion of + our day is supported by the worst, by the most dangerous people in + society. I do not allude to murderers or burglars, or even to the little + thieves. I mean those who debauch courts and legislatures and elections— + those who make millions by legal fraud. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the Theosophists? Are they sincere—have + they any real basis for their psychological theories? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Theosophists may be sincere. I do not know. But I am + perfectly satisfied that their theories are without any foundation in fact—that + their doctrines are as unreal as their "astral bodies," and as absurd as a + contradiction in mathematics. We have had vagaries and theories enough. We + need the religion of the real, the faith that rests on fact. Let us turn + our attention to this world—the world in which we live. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Herald</i>, September, 1893. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0109" id="link0109"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CLEVELAND'S HAWAIIAN POLICY. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel, what do you think about Mr. Cleveland's Hawaiian + policy? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think it exceedingly laughable and a little dishonest + —with the further fault that it is wholly unconstitutional. This is + not a one-man Government, and while Liliuokalani may be Queen, Cleveland + is certainly not a king. The worst thing about the whole matter, as it + appears to me, is the bad faith that was shown by Mr. Cleveland—the + double-dealing. He sent Mr. Willis as Minister to the Provisional + Government and by that act admitted the existence, and the rightful + existence, of the Provisional Government of the Sandwich Islands. + </p> + <p> + When Mr. Willis started he gave him two letters. One was addressed to + Dole, President of the Provisional Government, in which he addressed Dole + as "Great and good friend," and at the close, being a devout Christian, he + asked "God to take care of Dole." This was the first letter. The letter of + one President to another; of one friend to another. The second letter was + addressed to Mr. Willis, in which Mr. Willis was told to upset Dole at the + first opportunity and put the deposed Queen back on her throne. This may + be diplomacy, but it is no kin to honesty. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, it is the worst thing connected with the Hawaiian affair. + What must "the great and good" Dole think of our great and good President? + What must other nations think when they read the two letters and mentally + exclaim, "Look upon this and then upon that?" I think Mr. Cleveland has + acted arrogantly, foolishly, and unfairly. I am in favor of obtaining the + Sandwich Islands—of course by fair means. I favor this policy + because I want my country to become a power in the Pacific. All my life I + have wanted this country to own the West Indies, the Bermudas, the Bahamas + and Barbadoes. They are our islands. They belong to this continent, and + for any other nation to take them or claim them was, and is, a piece of + impertinence and impudence. + </p> + <p> + So I would like to see the Sandwich Islands annexed to the United States. + They are a good way from San Francisco and our Western shore, but they are + nearer to us than they are to any other nation. I think they would be of + great importance. They would tend to increase the Asiatic trade, and they + certainly would be important in case of war. We should have fortifications + on those islands that no naval power could take. + </p> + <p> + Some objection has been made on the ground that under our system the + people of those islands would have to be represented in Congress. I say + yes, represented by a delegate until the islands become a real part of the + country, and by that time, there would be several hundred thousand + Americans living there, capable of sending over respectable members of + Congress. + </p> + <p> + Now, I think that Mr. Cleveland has made a very great mistake. First, I + think he was mistaken as to the facts in the Sandwich Islands; second, as + to the Constitution of the United States, and thirdly, as to the powers of + the President of the United States. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In your experience as a lawyer what was the most unique + case in which you were ever engaged? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Star Route trial. Every paper in the country, but one, + was against the defence, and that one was a little sheet owned by one of + the defendants. I received a note from a man living in a little town in + Ohio criticizing me for defending the accused. In reply I wrote that I + supposed he was a sensible man and that he, of course, knew what he was + talking about when he said the accused were guilty; that the Government + needed just such men as he, and that he should come to the trial at once + and testify. The man wrote back: "Dear Colonel: I am a —— + fool." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will the church and the stage ever work together for the + betterment of the world, and what is the province of each? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The church and stage will never work together. The pulpit + pretends that fiction is fact. The stage pretends that fiction is fact. + The pulpit pretence is dishonest—that of the stage is sincere. The + actor is true to art, and honestly pretends to be what he is not. The + actor is natural, if he is great, and in this naturalness is his truth and + his sincerity. The pulpit is unnatural, and for that reason untrue. The + pulpit is for another world, the stage for this. The stage is good because + it is natural, because it portrays real and actual life; because "it holds + the mirror up to nature." The pulpit is weak because it too often + belittles and demeans this life; because it slanders and calumniates the + natural and is the enemy of joy. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Inter-Ocean</i>, Chicago, February 2, 1894. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0110" id="link0110"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ORATORS AND ORATORY.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* It was at his own law office in New York City that I had + my talk with that very notable American, Col. Robert G. + Ingersoll. "Bob" Ingersoll, Americans call him + affectionately; in a company of friends it is "The Colonel." + + A more interesting personality it would be hard to find, and + those who know even a little of him will tell you that a + bigger-hearted man probably does not live. Suppose a well- + knit frame, grown stouter than it once was, and a fine, + strong face, with a vivid gleam in the eyes, a deep, + uncommonly musical voice, clear cut, decisive, and a manner + entirely delightful, yet tinged with a certain reserve. + Introduce a smoking cigar, the smoke rising in little curls + and billows, then imagine a rugged sort of picturesqueness + in dress, and you get, not by any means the man, but, still, + some notion of "Bob" Ingersoll. + + Colonel Ingersoll stands at the front of American orators. + The natural thing, therefore, was that I should ask him—a + master in the art—about oratory. What he said I shall give + in his own words precisely as I took them down from his + lips, for in the case of such a good commander of the old + English tongue that is of some importance. But the + wonderful limpidness, the charming pellucidness of Ingersoll + can only be adequately understood when you also have the + finishing touch of his facile voice.] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I should be glad if you would tell me what you think the + differences are between English and American oratory? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There is no difference between the real English and the + real American orator. Oratory is the same the world over. The man who + thinks on his feet, who has the pose of passion, the face that thought + illumines, a voice in harmony with the ideals expressed, who has logic + like a column and poetry like a vine, who transfigures the common, dresses + the ideals of the people in purple and fine linen, who has the art of + finding the best and noblest in his hearers, and who in a thousand ways + creates the climate in which the best grows and flourishes and bursts into + blossom—that man is an orator, no matter of what time, of what + country. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If you were to compare individual English and American + orators—recent or living orators in particular—what would you + say? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have never heard any of the great English speakers, and + consequently can pass no judgment as to their merits, except such as + depends on reading. I think, however, the finest paragraph ever uttered in + Great Britain was by Curran in his defence of Rowan. I have never read one + of Mr. Gladstone's speeches, only fragments. I think he lacks logic. + Bright was a great speaker, but he lacked imagination and the creative + faculty. Disræli spoke for the clubs, and his speeches were + artificial. We have had several fine speakers in America. I think that + Thomas Corwin stands at the top of the natural orators. Sergeant S. + Prentiss, the lawyer, was a very great talker; Henry Ward Beecher was the + greatest orator that the pulpit has produced. Theodore Parker was a great + orator. In this country, however, probably Daniel Webster occupies the + highest place in general esteem. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Which would you say are the better orators, speaking + generally, the American people or the English people? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think Americans are, on the average, better talkers than + the English. I think England has produced the greatest literature of the + world; but I do not think England has produced the greatest orators of the + world. I know of no English orator equal to Webster or Corwin or Beecher. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Would you mind telling me how it was you came to be a + public speaker, a lecturer, an orator? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. We call this America of ours free, and yet I found it was + very far from free. Our writers and our speakers declared that here in + America church and state were divorced. I found this to be untrue. I found + that the church was supported by the state in many ways, that people who + failed to believe certain portions of the creeds were not allowed to + testify in courts or to hold office. It occurred to me that some one ought + to do something toward making this country intellectually free, and after + a while I thought that I might as well endeavor to do this as wait for + another. This is the way in which I came to make speeches; it was an + action in favor of liberty. I have said things because I wanted to say + them, and because I thought they ought to be said. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Perhaps you will tell me your methods as a speaker, for + I'm sure it would be interesting to know them? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Sometimes, and frequently, I deliver a lecture several + times before it is written. I have it taken by a shorthand writer, and + afterward written out. At other times I have dictated a lecture, and + delivered it from manuscript. The course pursued depends on how I happen + to feel at the time. Sometimes I read a lecture, and sometimes I deliver + lectures without any notes—this, again, depending much on how I + happen to feel. So far as methods are concerned, everything should depend + on feeling. Attitude, gestures, voice, emphasis, should all be in accord + with and spring from feeling, from the inside. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is there any possibility of your coming to England, and, + I need hardly add, of your coming to speak? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have thought of going over to England, and I may do so. + There is an England in England for which I have the highest possible + admiration, the England of culture, of art, of principle. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Sketch</i>, London, Eng., March 21, 1894. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0111" id="link0111"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CATHOLICISM AND PROTESTANTISM. THE POPE, THE A. P. A., AGNOSTICISM + </h2> + <p> + AND THE CHURCH. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Which do you regard as the better, Catholicism or + Protestantism? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Protestantism is better than Catholicism because there is + less of it. Protestantism does not teach that a monk is better than a + husband and father, that a nun is holier than a mother. Protestants do not + believe in the confessional. Neither do they pretend that priests can + forgive sins. Protestantism has fewer ceremonies and less opera bouffe, + clothes, caps, tiaras, mitres, crooks and holy toys. Catholics have an + infallible man—an old Italian. Protestants have an infallible book, + written by Hebrews before they were civilized. The infallible man is + generally wrong, and the infallible book is filled with mistakes and + contradictions. Catholics and Protestants are both enemies of intellectual + freedom —of real education, but both are opposed to education enough + to make free men and women. + </p> + <p> + Between the Catholics and Protestants there has been about as much + difference as there is between crocodiles and alligators. Both have done + the worst they could, both are as bad as they can be, and the world is + getting tired of both. The world is not going to choose either—both + are to be rejected. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you willing to give your opinion of the Pope? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It may be that the Pope thinks he is infallible, but I + doubt it. He may think that he is the agent of God, but I guess not. He + may know more than other people, but if he does he has kept it to himself. + He does not seem satisfied with standing in the place and stead of God in + spiritual matters, but desires temporal power. He wishes to be Pope and + King. He imagines that he has the right to control the belief of all the + world; that he is the shepherd of all "sheep" and that the fleeces belong + to him. He thinks that in his keeping is the conscience of mankind. So he + imagines that his blessing is a great benefit to the faithful and that his + prayers can change the course of natural events. He is a strange mixture + of the serious and comical. He claims to represent God, and admits that he + is almost a prisoner. There is something pathetic in the condition of this + pontiff. When I think of him, I think of Lear on the heath, old, broken, + touched with insanity, and yet, in his own opinion, "every inch a king." + </p> + <p> + The Pope is a fragment, a remnant, a shred, a patch of ancient power and + glory. He is a survival of the unfittest, a souvenir of theocracy, a relic + of the supernatural. Of course he will have a few successors, and they + will become more and more comical, more and more helpless and impotent as + the world grows wise and free. I am not blaming the Pope. He was poisoned + at the breast of his mother. Superstition was mingled with her milk. He + was poisoned at school—taught to distrust his reason and to live by + faith. And so it may be that his mind was so twisted and tortured out of + shape that he now really believes that he is the infallible agent of an + infinite God. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you in favor of the A. P. A.? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In this country I see no need of secret political + societies. I think it better to fight in the open field. I am a believer + in religious liberty, in allowing all sects to preach their doctrines and + to make as many converts as they can. As long as we have free speech and a + free press I think there is no danger of the country being ruled by any + church. The Catholics are much better than their creed, and the same can + be said of nearly all members of orthodox churches. A majority of American + Catholics think a great deal more of this country than they do of their + church. When they are in good health they are on our side. It is only when + they are very sick that they turn their eyes toward Rome. If they were in + the majority, of course, they would destroy all other churches and + imprison, torture and kill all Infidels. But they will never be in the + majority. They increase now only because Catholics come in from other + countries. In a few years that supply will cease, and then the Catholic + Church will grow weaker every day. The free secular school is the enemy of + priestcraft and superstition, and the people of this country will never + consent to the destruction of that institution. I want no man persecuted + on account of his religion. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If there is no beatitude, or heaven, how do you account + for the continual struggle in every natural heart for its own betterment? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Man has many wants, and all his efforts are the children of + wants. If he wanted nothing he would do nothing. We civilize the savage by + increasing his wants, by cultivating his fancy, his appetites, his + desires. He is then willing to work to satisfy these new wants. Man always + tries to do things in the easiest way. His constant effort is to + accomplish more with less work. He invents a machine; then he improves it, + his idea being to make it perfect. He wishes to produce the best. So in + every department of effort and knowledge he seeks the highest success, and + he seeks it because it is for his own good here in this world. So he finds + that there is a relation between happiness and conduct, and he tries to + find out what he must do to produce the greatest enjoyment. This is the + basis of morality, of law and ethics. We are so constituted that we love + proportion, color, harmony. This is the artistic man. Morality is the + harmony and proportion of conduct— the music of life. Man + continually seeks to better his condition —not because he is + immortal—but because he is capable of grief and pain, because he + seeks for happiness. Man wishes to respect himself and to gain the respect + of others. The brain wants light, the heart wants love. Growth is natural. + The struggle to overcome temptation, to be good and noble, brave and + sincere, to reach, if possible, the perfect, is no evidence of the + immortality of the soul or of the existence of other worlds. Men live to + excel, to become distinguished, to enjoy, and so they strive, each in his + own way, to gain the ends desired. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe that the race is growing moral or immoral? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The world is growing better. There is more real liberty, + more thought, more intelligence than ever before. The world was never so + charitable or generous as now. We do not put honest debtors in prison, we + no longer believe in torture. Punishments are less severe. We place a + higher value on human life. We are far kinder to animals. To this, + however, there is one terrible exception. The vivisectors, those who cut, + torture, and mutilate in the name of science, disgrace our age. They + excite the horror and indignation of all good people. Leave out the + actions of those wretches, and animals are better treated than ever + before. So there is less beating of wives and whipping of children. The + whip in no longer found in the civilized home. Intelligent parents now + govern by kindness, love and reason. The standard of honor is higher than + ever. Contracts are more sacred, and men do nearer as they agree. Man has + more confidence in his fellow-man, and in the goodness of human nature. + Yes, the world is getting better, nobler and grander every day. We are + moving along the highway of progress on our way to the Eden of the future. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are the doctrines of Agnosticism gaining ground, and + what, in your opinion, will be the future of the church? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The Agnostic is intellectually honest. He knows the + limitations of his mind. He is convinced that the questions of origin and + destiny cannot be answered by man. He knows that he cannot answer these + questions, and he is candid enough to say so. The Agnostic has good mental + manners. He does not call belief or hope or wish, a demonstration. He + knows the difference between hope and belief—between belief and + knowledge—and he keeps these distinctions in his mind. He does not + say that a certain theory is true because he wishes it to be true. He + tries to go according to evidence, in harmony with facts, without regard + to his own desires or the wish of the public. He has the courage of his + convictions and the modesty of his ignorance. The theologian is his + opposite. He is certain and sure of the existence of things and beings and + worlds of which there is, and can be, no evidence. He relies on assertion, + and in all debate attacks the motive of his opponent instead of answering + his arguments. All savages know the origin and destiny of man. About other + things they know but little. The theologian is much the same. The Agnostic + has given up the hope of ascertaining the nature of the "First Cause"—the + hope of ascertaining whether or not there was a "First Cause." He admits + that he does not know whether or not there is an infinite Being. He admits + that these questions cannot be answered, and so he refuses to answer. He + refuses also to pretend. He knows that the theologian does not know, and + he has the courage to say so. + </p> + <p> + He knows that the religious creeds rest on assumption, supposition, + assertion—on myth and legend, on ignorance and superstition, and + that there is no evidence of their truth. The Agnostic bends his energies + in the opposite direction. He occupies himself with this world, with + things that can be ascertained and understood. He turns his attention to + the sciences, to the solution of questions that touch the well-being of + man. He wishes to prevent and cure diseases; to lengthen life; to provide + homes and raiment and food for man; to supply the wants of the body. + </p> + <p> + He also cultivates the arts. He believes in painting and sculpture, in + music and the drama—the needs of the soul. The Agnostic believes in + developing the brain, in cultivating the affections, the tastes, the + conscience, the judgment, to the end that man may be happy in this world. + He seeks to find the relation of things, the condition of happiness. He + wishes to enslave the forces of nature to the end that they may perform + the work of the world. Back of all progress are the real thinkers; the + finders of facts, those who turn their attention to the world in which we + live. The theologian has never been a help, always a hindrance. He has + always kept his back to the sunrise. With him all wisdom was in the past. + He appealed to the dead. He was and is the enemy of reason, of + investigation, of thought and progress. The church has never given + "sanctuary" to a persecuted truth. + </p> + <p> + There can be no doubt that the ideas of the Agnostic are gaining ground. + The scientific spirit has taken possession of the intellectual world. + Theological methods are unpopular to-day, even in theological schools. The + attention of men everywhere is being directed to the affairs of this + world, this life. The gods are growing indistinct, and, like the shapes of + clouds, they are changing as they fade. The idea of special providence has + been substantially abandoned. People are losing, and intelligent people + have lost, confidence in prayer. To-day no intelligent person believes in + miracles—a violation of the facts in nature. They may believe that + there used to be miracles a good while ago, but not now. The + "supernatural" is losing its power, its influence, and the church is + growing weaker every day. + </p> + <p> + The church is supported by the people, and in order to gain the support of + the people it must reflect their ideas, their hopes and fears. As the + people advance, the creeds will be changed, either by changing the words + or giving new meanings to the old words. The church, in order to live, + must agree substantially with those who support it, and consequently it + will change to any extent that may be necessary. If the church remains + true to the old standards then it will lose the support of progressive + people, and if the people generally advance the church will die. But my + opinion is that it will slowly change, that the minister will preach what + the members want to hear, and that the creed will be controlled by the + contribution box. One of these days the preachers may become teachers, and + when that happens the church will be of use. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you regard as the greatest of all themes in + poetry and song? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Love and Death. The same is true of the greatest music. In + "Tristan and Isolde" is the greatest music of love and death. In + Shakespeare the greatest themes are love and death. In all real poetry, in + all real music, the dominant, the triumphant tone, is love, and the minor, + the sad refrain, the shadow, the background, the mystery, is death. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What would be your advice to an intelligent young man + just starting out in life? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I would say to him: "Be true to your ideal. Cultivate your + heart and brain. Follow the light of your reason. Get all the happiness + out of life that you possibly can. Do not care for power, but strive to be + useful. First of all, support yourself so that you may not be a burden to + others. If you are successful, if you gain a surplus, use it for the good + of others. Own yourself and live and die a free man. Make your home a + heaven, love your wife and govern your children by kindness. Be good + natured, cheerful, forgiving and generous. Find out the conditions of + happiness, and then be wise enough to live in accordance with them. + Cultivate intellectual hospitality, express your honest thoughts, love + your friends, and be just to your enemies." + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Herald</i>, September 16, 1894. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0112" id="link0112"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WOMAN AND HER DOMAIN. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the effect of the multiplicity of + women's clubs as regards the intellectual, moral and domestic status of + their members? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that women should have clubs and societies, that + they should get together and exchange ideas. Women, as a rule, are + provincial and conservative. They keep alive all the sentimental mistakes + and superstitions. Now, if they can only get away from these, and get + abreast with the tide of the times, and think as well as feel, it will be + better for them and their children. You know St. Paul tells women that if + they want to know anything they must ask their husbands. For many + centuries they have followed this orthodox advice, and of course they have + not learned a great deal, because their husbands could not answer their + questions. Husbands, as a rule, do not know a great deal, and it will not + do for every wife to depend on the ignorance of her worst half. The women + of to-day are the great readers, and no book is a great success unless it + pleases the women. + </p> + <p> + As a result of this, all the literature of the world has changed, so that + now in all departments the thoughts of women are taken into consideration, + and women have thoughts, because they are the intellectual equals of men. + </p> + <p> + There are no statesmen in this country the equals of Harriet Martineau; + probably no novelists the equals of George Eliot or George Sand, and I + think Ouida the greatest living novelist. I think her "Ariadne" is one of + the greatest novels in the English language. There are few novels better + than "Consuelo," few poems better than "Mother and Poet." + </p> + <p> + So in all departments women are advancing; some of them have taken the + highest honors at medical colleges; others are prominent in the sciences, + some are great artists, and there are several very fine sculptors, &c., + &c. + </p> + <p> + So you can readily see what my opinion is on that point. + </p> + <p> + I am in favor of giving woman all the domain she conquers, and as the + world becomes civilized the domain that she can conquer will steadily + increase. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But, Colonel, is there no danger of greatly interfering + with a woman's duties as wife and mother? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think that it is dangerous to think, or that + thought interferes with love or the duties of wife or mother. I think the + contrary is the truth; the greater the brain the greater the power to + love, the greater the power to discharge all duties and obligations, so I + have no fear for the future. About women voting I don't care; whatever + they want to do they have my consent. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Democrat</i>, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1894. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0113" id="link0113"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROFESSOR SWING. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Since you were last in this city, Colonel, a + distinguished man has passed away in the person of Professor Swing. The + public will be interested to have your opinion of him. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think Professor Swing did a great amount of good. He + helped to civilize the church and to humanize the people. His influence + was in the right direction—toward the light. In his youth he was + acquainted with toil, poverty, and hardship; his road was filled with + thorns, and yet he lived and scattered flowers in the paths of many + people. At first his soul was in the dungeon of a savage creed, where the + windows were very small and closely grated, and though which struggled + only a few rays of light. He longed for more light and for more liberty, + and at last his fellow- prisoners drove him forth, and from that time + until his death he did what he could to give light and liberty to the + souls of men. He was a lover of nature, poetic in his temperament, + charitable and merciful. As an orator he may have lacked presence, pose + and voice, but he did not lack force of statement or beauty of expression. + He was a man of wide learning, of great admiration of the heroic and + tender. He did what he could to raise the standard of character, to make + his fellow-men just and noble. He lost the provincialism of his youth and + became in a very noble sense a citizen of the world. He understood that + all the good is not in our race or in our religion—that in every + land there are good and noble men, self- denying and lovely women, and + that in most respects other religions are as good as ours, and in many + respects better. This gave him breadth of intellectual horizon and + enlarged his sympathy for the failures of the world. I regard his death as + a great loss, and his life as a lesson and inspiration. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Inter-Ocean</i>, Chicago, October 13, 1894. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0114" id="link0114"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SENATOR SHERMAN AND HIS BOOK.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* No one is better qualified than Robert G. Ingersoll to + talk about Senator Sherman's book and the questions it + raises in political history. Mr. Ingersoll was for years a + resident of Washington and a next-door neighbor to Mr. + Sherman; he was for an even longer period the intimate + personal friend of James G. Blaine; he knew Garfield from + almost daily contact, and of the Republican National + Conventions concerning which Senator Sherman has raised + points of controversy Mr. Ingersoll can say, as the North + Carolinian said of the Confederacy: "Part of whom I am + which." + + He placed Blaine's name before the convention at Cincinnati + in 1876. He made the first of the three great nominating + speeches in convention history, Conkling and Garfield making + the others in 1880. + + The figure of the Plumed Knight which Mr. Ingersoll created + to characterize Mr. Blaine is part of the latter's memory. + At Chicago, four years later, when Garfield, dazed by the + irresistible doubt of the convention, was on the point of + refusing that in the acceptance of which he had no voluntary + part, Ingersoll was the adviser who showed him that duty to + Sherman required no such action.] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Senator Sherman's book—especially + the part about Garfield? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, I have only read a few extracts from Mr. + Sherman's reminiscences, but I am perfectly satisfied that the Senator is + mistaken about Garfield's course. The truth is that Garfield captured the + convention by his course from day to day, and especially by the speech he + made for Sherman. After that speech, and it was a good one, the best + Garfield ever made, the convention said, "Speak for yourself, John." + </p> + <p> + It was perfectly apparent that if the Blaine and Sherman forces should try + to unite, Grant would be nominated. It had to be Grant or a new man, and + that man was Garfield. It all came about without Garfield's help, except + in the way I have said. Garfield even went so far as to declare that under + no circumstances could he accept, because he was for Sherman, and honestly + for him. He told me that he would not allow his name to go before the + convention. Just before he was nominated I wrote him a note in which I + said he was about to be nominated, and that he must not decline. I am + perfectly satisfied that he acted with perfect honor, and that he did his + best for Sherman. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Mr. Sherman expresses the opinion that if he had had the + "moral strength" of the Ohio delegation in his support he would have been + nominated? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. We all know that while Senator Sherman had many friends, + and that while many thought he would make an excellent President, still + there was but little enthusiasm among his followers. Sherman had the + respect of the party, but hardly the love. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In his book the Senator expresses the opinion that he was + quite close to the nomination in 1888, when Mr. Quay was for him. Do you + think that is so, Mr. Ingersoll? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think Mr. Sherman had a much better chance in 1888 than + in 1880, but as a matter of fact, he never came within hailing distance of + success at any time. He is not of the nature to sway great bodies of men. + He lacks the power to impress himself upon others to such an extent as to + make friends of enemies and devotees of friends. Mr. Sherman has had a + remarkable career, and I think that he ought to be satisfied with what he + has achieved. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Mr. Ingersoll, what do you think defeated Blaine for the + nomination in 1876? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. On the first day of the convention at Cincinnati it was + known that Blaine was the leading candidate. All of the enthusiasm was for + him. It was soon known that Conkling, Bristow or Morton could not be + nominated, and that in all probability Blaine would succeed. The fact that + Blaine had been attacked by vertigo, or had suffered from a stroke of + apoplexy, gave an argument to those who opposed him, and this was used + with great effect. After Blaine was put in nomination, and before any vote + was taken, the convention adjourned, and during the night a great deal of + work was done. The Michigan delegation was turned inside out and the + Blaine forces raided in several States. Hayes, the dark horse, suddenly + developed speed, and the scattered forces rallied to his support. I have + always thought that if a ballot could have been taken on the day Blaine + was put in nomination he would have succeeded, and yet he might have been + defeated for the nomination anyway. + </p> + <p> + Blaine had the warmest friends and the bitterest enemies of any man in the + party. People either loved or hated him. He had no milk-and-water friends + and no milk-and-water enemies. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If Blaine had been nominated at Cincinnati in 1876 would + he have made a stronger candidate than Hayes did? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If he had been nominated then, I believe that he would have + been triumphantly elected. Mr. Blaine's worst enemies would not have + supported Tilden, and thousands of moderate Democrats would have given + their votes to Blaine. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Mr. Ingersoll, do you think that Mr. Blaine wanted the + nomination in 1884, when he got it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In 1883, Mr. Blaine told me that he did not want the + nomination. I said to him: "Is that honest?" He replied that he did not + want it, that he was tired of the whole business. I said: "If you do not + want it; if you have really reached that conclusion, then I think you will + get it." He laughed, and again said: "I do not want it." I believe that he + spoke exactly as he then felt. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think defeated Mr. Blaine at the polls in + 1884? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Blaine was a splendid manager for another man, a great + natural organizer, and when acting for others made no mistake; but he did + not manage his own campaign with ability. He made a succession of + mistakes. His suit against the Indianapolis editor; his letter about the + ownership of certain stocks; his reply to Burchard and the preachers, in + which he said that history showed the church could get along without the + state, but the state could not get along without the church, and this in + reply to the "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion" nonsense; and last, but not + least, his speech to the millionaires in New York—all of these + things weakened him. As a matter of fact many Catholics were going to + support Blaine, but when they saw him fooling with the Protestant clergy, + and accepting the speech of Burchard, they instantly turned against him. + If he had never met Burchard, I think he would have been elected. His + career was something like that of Mr. Clay; he was the most popular man of + his party and yet—— + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How do you account for Mr. Blaine's action in allowing + his name to go before the convention at Minneapolis in 1892? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In 1892, Mr. Blaine was a sick man, almost worn out; he was + not his former self, and he was influenced by others. He seemed to have + lost his intuition; he was misled, yet in spite of all defeats, no name + will create among Republicans greater enthusiasm than that of James G. + Blaine. Millions are still his devoted, unselfish and enthusiastic friends + and defenders. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Globe-Democrat</i>, St. Louis, October 27, 1895. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0115" id="link0115"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + REPLY TO THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How were you affected by the announcement that the united + prayers of the Salvationists and Christian Endeavorers were to be offered + for your conversion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The announcement did not affect me to any great extent. I + take it for granted that the people praying for me are sincere and that + they have a real interest in my welfare. Of course, I thank them one and + all. At the same time I can hardly account for what they did. Certainly + they would not ask God to convert me unless they thought the prayer could + be answered. And if their God can convert me of course he can convert + everybody. Then the question arises why he does not do it. Why does he let + millions go to hell when he can convert them all. Why did he not convert + them all before the flood and take them all to heaven instead of drowning + them and sending them all to hell. Of course these questions can be + answered by saying that God's ways are not our ways. I am greatly obliged + to these people. Still, I feel about the same, so that it would be + impossible to get up a striking picture of "before and after." It was + good-natured on their part to pray for me, and that act alone leads me to + believe that there is still hope for them. The trouble with the Christian + Endeavorers is that they don't give my arguments consideration. If they + did they would agree with me. It seemed curious that they would advise + divine wisdom what to do, or that they would ask infinite mercy to treat + me with kindness. If there be a God, of course he knows what ought to be + done, and will do it without any hints from ignorant human beings. Still, + the Endeavorers and the Salvation people may know more about God than I + do. For all I know, this God may need a little urging. He may be powerful + but a little slow; intelligent but sometimes a little drowsy, and it may + do good now and then to call his attention to the facts. The prayers did + not, so far as I know, do me the least injury or the least good. I was + glad to see that the Christians are getting civilized. A few years ago + they would have burned me. Now they pray for me. + </p> + <p> + Suppose God should answer the prayers and convert me, how would he bring + the conversion about? In the first place, he would have to change my brain + and give me more credulity—that is, he would be obliged to lessen my + reasoning power. Then I would believe not only without evidence, but in + spite of evidence. All the miracles would appear perfectly natural. It + would then seem as easy to raise the dead as to waken the sleeping. In + addition to this, God would so change my mind that I would hold all reason + in contempt and put entire confidence in faith. I would then regard + science as the enemy of human happiness, and ignorance as the soil in + which virtues grow. Then I would throw away Darwin and Humboldt, and rely + on the sermons of orthodox preachers. In other words, I would become a + little child and amuse myself with a religious rattle and a Gabriel horn. + Then I would rely on a man who has been dead for nearly two thousand years + to secure me a seat in Paradise. + </p> + <p> + After conversion, it is not pretended that I will be any better so far as + my actions are concerned; no more charitable, no more honest, no more + generous. The great difference will be that I will believe more and think + less. + </p> + <p> + After all, the converted people do not seem to be better than the sinners. + I never heard of a poor wretch clad in rags, limping into a town and + asking for the house of a Christian. + </p> + <p> + I think that I had better remain as I am. I had better follow the light of + my reason, be true to myself, express my honest thoughts, and do the + little I can for the destruction of superstition, the little I can for the + development of the brain, for the increase of intellectual hospitality and + the happiness of my fellow-beings. One world at a time. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Journal</i>, December 15, 1895. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0116" id="link0116"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SPIRITUALISM. + </h2> + <p> + There are several good things about Spiritualism. First, they are not + bigoted; second, they do not believe in salvation by faith; third, they + don't expect to be happy in another world because Christ was good in this; + fourth, they do not preach the consolation of hell; fifth, they do not + believe in God as an infinite monster; sixth, the Spiritualists believe in + intellectual hospitality. In these respects they differ from our Christian + brethren, and in these respects they are far superior to the saints. + </p> + <p> + I think that the Spiritualists have done good. They believe in enjoying + themselves—in having a little pleasure in this world. They are + social, cheerful and good-natured. They are not the slaves of a book. + Their hands and feet are not tied with passages of Scripture. They are not + troubling themselves about getting forgiveness and settling their heavenly + debts for a cent on the dollar. Their belief does not make then mean or + miserable. + </p> + <p> + They do not persecute their neighbors. They ask no one to have faith or to + believe without evidence. They ask all to investigate, and then to make up + their minds from the evidence. Hundreds and thousands of well-educated, + intelligent people are satisfied with the evidence and firmly believe in + the existence of spirits. For all I know, they may be right—but—— + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. The Spiritualists have indirectly claimed, that you were + in many respects almost one of them. Have you given them reason to believe + so? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am not a Spiritualist, and have never pretended to be. + The Spiritualists believe in free thought, in freedom of speech, and they + are willing to hear the other side—willing to hear me. The best + thing about the Spiritualists is that they believe in intellectual + hospitality. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is Spiritualism a religion or a truth? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that Spiritualism may properly be called a + religion. It deals with two worlds—teaches the duty of man to his + fellows—the relation that this life bears to the next. It claims to + be founded on facts. It insists that the "dead" converse with the living, + and that information is received from those who once lived in this world. + Of the truth of these claims I have no sufficient evidence. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are all mediums impostors? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I will not say that all mediums are impostors, because I do + not know. I do not believe that these mediums get any information or help + from "spirits." I know that for thousands of years people have believed in + mediums—in Spiritualism. A spirit in the form of a man appeared to + Samson's mother, and afterward to his father. + </p> + <p> + Spirits, or angels, called on Abraham. The witch of Endor raised the ghost + of Samuel. An angel appeared with three men in the furnace. The + handwriting on the wall was done by a spirit. A spirit appeared to Joseph + in a dream, to the wise men and to Joseph again. + </p> + <p> + So a spirit, an angel or a god, spoke to Saul, and the same happened to + Mary Magdalene. + </p> + <p> + The religious literature of the world is filled with such things. Take + Spiritualism from Christianity and the whole edifice crumbles. All + religions, so far as I know, are based on Spiritualism—on + communications received from angels, from spirits. + </p> + <p> + I do not say that all the mediums, ancient and modern, were, and are, + impostors—but I do think that all the honest ones were, and are, + mistaken. I do not believe that man has ever received any communication + from angels, spirits or gods. No whisper, as I believe, has ever come from + any other world. The lips of the dead are always closed. From the grave + there has come no voice. For thousands of years people have been + questioning the dead. They have tried to catch the whisper of a vanished + voice. Many say that they have succeeded. I do not know. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is the explanation of the startling knowledge + displayed by some so-called "mediums" of the history and personal affairs + of people who consult them? Is there any such thing as mind-reading or + thought-transference? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In a very general way, I suppose that one person may read + the thought of another—not definitely, but by the expression of the + face, by the attitude of the body, some idea may be obtained as to what a + person thinks, what he intends. So thought may be transferred by look or + language, but not simply by will. Everything that is, is natural. Our + ignorance is the soil in which mystery grows. I do not believe that + thoughts are things that can been seen or touched. Each mind lives in a + world of its own, a world that no other mind can enter. Minds, like ships + at sea, give signs and signals to each other, but they do not exchange + captains. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is there any such thing as telepathy? What is the + explanation of the stories of mental impressions received at long + distances? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There are curious coincidences. People sometimes happen to + think of something that is taking place at a great distance. The stories + about these happenings are not very well authenticated, and seem never to + have been of the least use to anyone. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Can these phenomena be considered aside from any + connection with, or form of, superstition? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that mistake, emotion, nervousness, hysteria, + dreams, love of the wonderful, dishonesty, ignorance, grief and the + longing for immortality—the desire to meet the loved and lost, the + horror of endless death—account for these phenomena. People often + mistake their dreams for realities—often think their thoughts have + "happened." They live in a mental mist, a mirage. The boundary between the + actual and the imagined becomes faint, wavering and obscure. They mistake + clouds for mountains. The real and the unreal mix and mingle until the + impossible becomes common, and the natural absurd. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe that any sane man ever had a vision? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, the sane and insane have visions, dreams. I do + not believe that any man, sane or insane, was ever visited by an angel or + spirit, or ever received any information from the dead. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Setting aside from consideration the so-called physical + manifestations of the mediums, has Spiritualism offered any proof of the + immortality of the soul? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course Spiritualism offers what it calls proof of + immortality. That is its principal business. Thousands and thousands of + good, honest, intelligent people think the proof sufficient. They receive + what they believe to be messages from the departed, and now and then the + spirits assume their old forms —including garments—and pass + through walls and doors as light passes through glass. Do these things + really happen? If the spirits of the dead do return, then the fact of + another life is established. It all depends on the evidence. Our senses + are easily deceived, and some people have more confidence in their reason + than in their senses. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you not believe that such a man as Robert Dale Owen + was sincere? What was the real state of mind of the author of "Footfalls + on the Boundaries of Another World"? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Without the slightest doubt, Robert Dale Owen was sincere. + He was one of the best of men. His father labored all his life for the + good of others. Robert Owen, the father, had a debate, in Cincinnati, with + the Rev. Alexander Campbell, the founder of the Campbellite Church. + Campbell was no match for Owen, and yet the audience was almost + unanimously against Owen. + </p> + <p> + Robert Dale Owen was an intelligent, thoughtful, honest man. He was + deceived by several mediums, but remained a believer. He wanted + Spiritualism to be true. He hungered and thirsted for another life. He + explained everything that was mysterious or curious by assuming the + interference of spirits. He was a good man, but a poor investigator. He + thought that people were all honest. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you understand the Spiritualist means when he + claims that the soul goes to the "Summer land," and there continues to + work and evolute to higher planes? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. No one pretends to know where "heaven" is. The celestial + realm is the blessed somewhere in the unknown nowhere. So far as I know, + the "Summer land" has no metes and bounds, and no one pretends to know + exactly or inexactly where it is. After all, the "Summer land" is a hope—a + wish. Spiritualists believe that a soul leaving this world passes into + another, or into another state, and continues to grow in intelligence and + virtue, if it so desires. + </p> + <p> + Spiritualists claim to prove that there is another life. Christians + believe this, but their witnesses have been dead for many centuries. They + take the "hearsay" of legend and ancient gossip; but Spiritualists claim + to have living witnesses; witnesses that can talk, make music; that can + take to themselves bodies and shake hands with the people they knew before + they passed to the "other shore." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Has Spiritualism, through its mediums, ever told the + world anything useful, or added to the store of the world's knowledge, or + relieved its burdens? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not know that any medium has added to the useful + knowledge of the world, unless mediums have given evidence of another + life. Mediums have told us nothing about astronomy, geology or history, + have made no discoveries, no inventions, and have enriched no art. The + same may be said of every religion. + </p> + <p> + All the orthodox churches believe in Spiritualism. Every now and then the + Virgin appears to some peasant, and in the old days the darkness was + filled with evil spirits. Christ was a Spiritualist, and his principal + business was the casting out of devils. All of his disciples, all of the + church fathers, all of the saints were believers in Spiritualism of the + lowest and most ignorant type. During the Middle Ages people changed + themselves, with the aid of spirits, into animals. They became wolves, + dogs, cats and donkeys. In those day all the witches and wizards were + mediums. So animals were sometimes taken possession of by spirits, the + same as Balaam's donkey and Christ's swine. Nothing was too absurd for the + Christians. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Has not Spiritualism added to the world's stock of hope? + And in what way has not Spiritualism done good? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The mother holding in her arms her dead child, believing + that the babe has simply passed to another life, does not weep as bitterly + as though she thought that death was the eternal end. A belief in + Spiritualism must be a consolation. You see, the Spiritualists do not + believe in eternal pain, and consequently a belief in immortality does not + fill their hearts with fear. + </p> + <p> + Christianity makes eternal life an infinite horror, and casts the glare of + hell on almost every grave. + </p> + <p> + The Spiritualists appear to be happy in their belief. I have never known a + happy orthodox Christian. + </p> + <p> + It is natural to shun death, natural to desire eternal life. With all my + heart I hope for everlasting life and joy—a life without failures, + without crimes and tears. + </p> + <p> + If immortality could be established, the river of life would overflow with + happiness. The faces of prisoners, of slaves, of the deserted, of the + diseased and starving would be radiant with smiles, and the dull eyes of + despair would glow with light. + </p> + <p> + If it could be established. + </p> + <p> + Let us hope. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Journal</i>, New York, July 26, 1896. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0117" id="link0117"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the position taken by the United + States in the Venezuelan dispute? How should the dispute be settled? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think that we have any interest in the dispute + between Venezuela and England. It was and is none of our business. The + Monroe doctrine was not and is not in any way involved. Mr. Cleveland made + a mistake and so did Congress. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What should be the attitude of the church toward the + stage? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It should be, what it always has been, against it. If the + orthodox churches are right, then the stage is wrong. The stage makes + people forget hell; and this puts their souls in peril. There will be + forever a conflict between Shakespeare and the Bible. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of the new woman? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I like her. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Where rests the responsibility for the Armenian + atrocities? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Religion is the cause of the hatred and bloodshed. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of international marriages, as between + titled foreigners and American heiresses? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. My opinion is the same as is entertained by the American + girl after the marriages. It is a great mistake. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of England's Poet Laureate, Alfred + Austin? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have only read a few of his lines and they were not + poetic. The office of Poet Laureate should be abolished. Men cannot write + poems to order as they could deliver cabbages or beer. By poems I do not + mean jingles of words. I mean great thoughts clothed in splendor. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your estimate of Susan B. Anthony? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Miss Anthony is one of the most remarkable women in the + world. She has the enthusiasm of youth and spring, the courage and + sincerity of a martyr. She is as reliable as the attraction of + gravitation. She is absolutely true to her conviction, intellectually + honest, logical, candid and infinitely persistent. No human being has done + more for women than Miss Anthony. She has won the respect and admiration + of the best people on the earth. And so I say: Good luck and long life to + Susan B. Anthony. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Which did more for his country, George Washington or + Abraham Lincoln? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In my judgment, Lincoln was the greatest man ever + President. I put him above Washington and Jefferson. He had the genius of + goodness; and he was one of the wisest and shrewdest of men. Lincoln + towers above them all. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What gave rise to the report that you had been converted + —did you go to church somewhere? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I visited the "People's Church" in Kalamazoo, Michigan. + This church has no creed. The object is to make people happy in this + world. Miss Bartlett is the pastor. She is a remarkable woman and is + devoting her life to good work. I liked her church and said so. This is + all. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are there not some human natures so morally weak or + diseased that they cannot keep from sin without the aid of some sort of + religion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not believe that the orthodox religion helps anybody + to be just, generous or honest. Superstition is not the soil in which + goodness grows. Falsehood is poor medicine. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Would you consent to live in any but a Christian + community? If you would, please name one. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I would not live in a community where all were orthodox + Christians. I would rather dwell in Central Africa. If I could have my + choice I would rather live among people who were free, who sought for + truth and lived according to reason. Sometime there will be such a + community. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is the noun "United States" singular or plural, as you + use English? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I use it in the singular. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you read Nordau's "Degeneracy"? If so, what do you + think of it? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think it is substantially insane. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Bishop Doane's advocacy of free rum + as a solution of the liquor problem? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am a believer in liberty. All the temperance legislation, + all the temperance societies, all the agitation, all these things have + done no good. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you agree with Mr. Carnegie that a college education + is of little or no practical value to a man? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. A man must have education. It makes no difference where or + how he gets it. To study the dead languages is time wasted so far as + success in business is concerned. Most of the colleges in this country are + poor because controlled by theologians. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What suggestion would you make for the improvement of the + newspapers of this country? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Every article in a newspaper should be signed by the + writer. And all writers should do their best to tell the exact facts. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Niagara Falls? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is a dangerous place. Those great rushing waters— + there is nothing attractive to me in them. There is so much noise; so much + tumult. It is simply a mighty force of nature—one of those + tremendous powers that is to be feared for its danger. What I like in + nature is a cultivated field, where men can work in the free open air, + where there is quiet and repose—no turmoil, no strife, no tumult, no + fearful roar or struggle for mastery. I do not like the crowded, stuffy + workshop, where life is slavery and drudgery. Give me the calm, cultivated + land of waving grain, of flowers, of happiness. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is worse than death? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Oh, a great many things. To be dishonored. To be worthless. + To feel that you are a failure. To be insane. To be constantly afraid of + the future. To lose the ones you love. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Herald</i>, Rochester, New York, February 25, 1896. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0118" id="link0118"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + IS LIFE WORTH LIVING—CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND POLITICS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. With all your experiences, the trials, the + responsibilities, the disappointments, the heartburnings, Colonel, is life + worth living? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I can only answer for myself. I like to be alive, to + breathe the air, to look at the landscape, the clouds and stars, to repeat + old poems, to look at pictures and statues, to hear music, the voices of + the ones I love. I like to talk with my wife, my girls, my grandchildren. + I like to sleep and to dream. Yes, you can say that life, to me, is worth + living. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Colonel, did you ever kill any game? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. When I was a boy I killed two ducks, and it hurt me as much + as anything I ever did. No, I would not kill any living creature. I am + sometimes tempted to kill a mosquito on my hand, but I stop and think what + a wonderful construction it has, and shoo it away. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of political parties, Colonel? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In a country where the sovereignty is divided among the + people, that is to say, among the men, in order to accomplish anything, + many must unite, and I believe in joining the party that is going the + nearest your way. I do not believe in being the slave or serf or servant + of a party. Go with it if it is going your road, and when the road forks, + take the one that leads to the place you wish to visit, no matter whether + the party goes that way or not. I do not believe in belonging to a party + or being the property of any organization. I do not believe in giving a + mortgage on yourself or a deed of trust for any purpose whatever. It is + better to be free and vote wrong than to be a slave and vote right. I + believe in taking the chances. At the same time, as long as a party is + going my way, I believe in placing that party above particular persons, + and if that party nominates a man that I despise, I will vote for him if + he is going my way. I would rather have a bad man belonging to my party in + place, than a good man belonging to the other, provided my man believes in + my principles, and to that extent I believe in party loyalty. + </p> + <p> + Neither do I join in the general hue and cry against bosses. There has + always got to be a leader, even in a flock of wild geese. If anything is + to be accomplished, no matter what, somebody takes the lead and the others + allow him to go on. In that way political bosses are made, and when you + hear a man howling against bosses at the top of his lungs, distending his + cheeks to the bursting point, you may know that he has ambition to become + a boss. + </p> + <p> + I do not belong to the Republican party, but I have been going with it, + and when it goes wrong I shall quit, unless the other is worse. There is + no office, no place, that I want, and as it does not cost anything to be + right, I think it better to be that way. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your idea of Christian Science? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think it is superstition, pure and unadulterated. I think + that soda will cure a sour stomach better than thinking. In my judgment, + quinine is a better tonic than meditation. Of course cheerfulness is good + and depression bad, but if you can absolutely control the body and all its + functions by thought, what is the use of buying coal? Let the mercury go + down and keep yourself hot by thinking. What is the use of wasting money + for food? Fill your stomach with think. According to these Christian + Science people all that really exists is an illusion, and the only + realities are the things that do not exist. They are like the old fellow + in India who said that all things were illusions. One day he was speaking + to a crowd on his favorite hobby. Just as he said "all is illusion" a + fellow on an elephant rode toward him. The elephant raised his trunk as + though to strike, thereupon the speaker ran away. Then the crowd laughed. + In a few moments the speaker returned. The people shouted: "If all is + illusion, what made you run away?" The speaker replied: "My poor friends, + I said all is illusion. I say so still. There was no elephant. I did not + run away. You did not laugh, and I am not explaining now. All is + illusion." + </p> + <p> + That man must have been a Christian Scientist. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Inter-Ocean</i>, Chicago, November, 1897. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0119" id="link0119"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIVISECTION. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. Why are you so utterly opposed to vivisection? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Because, as it is generally practiced, it is an unspeakable + cruelty. Because it hardens the hearts and demoralizes those who inflict + useless and terrible pains on the bound and helpless. If these + vivisectionists would give chloroform or ether to the animals they + dissect; if they would render them insensible to pain, and if, by cutting + up these animals, they could learn anything worth knowing, no one would + seriously object. + </p> + <p> + The trouble is that these doctors, these students, these professors, these + amateurs, do not give anesthetics. They insist that to render the animal + insensible does away with the value of the experiment. They care nothing + for the pain they inflict. They are so eager to find some fact that will + be of benefit to the human race, that they are utterly careless of the + agony endured. + </p> + <p> + Now, what I say is that no decent man, no gentleman, no civilized person, + would vivisect an animal without first having rendered that animal + insensible to pain. The doctor, the scientist, who puts his knives, + forceps, chisels and saws into the flesh, bones and nerves of an animal + without having used an anesthetic, is a savage, a pitiless, heartless + monster. When he says he does this for the good of man, because he wishes + to do good, he says what is not true. No such man wants to do good; he + commits the crime for his own benefit and because he wishes to gratify an + insane cruelty or to gain a reputation among like savages. + </p> + <p> + These scientists now insist that they have done some good. They do not + tell exactly what they have done. The claim is general in its character—not + specific. If they have done good, could they not have done just as much if + they had used anesthetics? Good is not the child of cruelty. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that the vivisectionists do their work + without anesthetics? Do they not, as a rule, give something to deaden + pain? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Here is what the trouble is. Now and then one uses + chloroform, but the great majority do not. They claim that it interferes + with the value of the experiment, and, as I said before, they object to + the expense. Why should they care for what the animals suffer? They + inflict the most horrible and useless pain, and they try the silliest + experiments—experiments of no possible use or advantage. + </p> + <p> + For instance: They flay a dog to see how long he can live without his + skin. Is this trifling experiment of any importance? Suppose the dog can + live a week or a month or a year, what then? What must the real character + of the scientific wretch be who would try an experiment like this? Is such + a man seeking the good of his fellow- men? + </p> + <p> + So, these scientists starve animals until they slowly die; watch them from + day to day as life recedes from the extremities, and watch them until the + final surrender, to see how long the heart will flutter without food; + without water. They keep a diary of their sufferings, of their whinings + and moanings, of their insanity. And this diary is published and read with + joy and eagerness by other scientists in like experiments. Of what + possible use is it to know how long a dog or horse can live without food? + </p> + <p> + So, they take animals, dogs and horses, cut through the flesh with the + knife, remove some of the back bone with the chisel, then divide the + spinal marrow, then touch it with red hot wires for the purpose of + finding, as they say, the connection of nerves; and the animal, thus + vivisected, is left to die. + </p> + <p> + A good man will not voluntarily inflict pain. He will see that his horse + has food, if he can procure it, and if he cannot procure the food, he will + end the sufferings of the animal in the best and easiest way. So, the good + man would rather remain in ignorance as to how pain is transmitted than to + cut open the body of a living animal, divide the marrow and torture the + nerves with red hot iron. Of what use can it be to take a dog, tie him + down and cut out one of his kidneys to see if he can live with the other? + </p> + <p> + These horrors are perpetrated only by the cruel and the heartless —so + cruel and so heartless that they are utterly unfit to be trusted with a + human life. They inoculate animals with a virus of disease; they put + poison in their eyes until rottenness destroys the sight; until the poor + brutes become insane. They given them a disease that resembles + hydrophobia, that is accompanied by the most frightful convulsions and + spasms. They put them in ovens to see what degree of heat it is that + kills. They also try the effect of cold; they slowly drown them; they + poison them with the venom of snakes; they force foreign substances into + their blood, and, by inoculation, into their eyes; and then watch and + record their agonies; their sufferings. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Don't you think that some good has been accomplished, + some valuable information obtained, by vivisection? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I don't think any valuable information has been obtained by + the vivisection of animals without chloroform that could not have been + obtained with chloroform. And to answer the question broadly as to whether + any good has been accomplished by vivisection, I say no. + </p> + <p> + According to the best information that I can obtain, the vivisectors have + hindered instead of helped. Lawson Tait, who stands at the head of his + profession in England, the best surgeon in Great Britain, says that all + this cutting and roasting and freezing and torturing of animals has done + harm instead of good. He says publicly that the vivisectors have hindered + the progress of surgery. He declares that they have not only done no good, + but asserts that they have done only harm. The same views according to + Doctor Tait, are entertained by Bell, Syme and Fergusson. + </p> + <p> + Many have spoken of Darwin as though he were a vivisector. This is not + true. All that has been accomplished by these torturers of dumb and + helpless animals amounts to nothing. We have obtained from these gentlemen + Koch's cure for consumption, Pasteur's factory of hydrophobia and + Brown-Sequard's elixir of life. These three failures, gigantic, absurd, + ludicrous, are the great accomplishment of vivisection. + </p> + <p> + Surgery has advanced, not by the heartless tormentors of animals, but by + the use of anesthetics—that is to say, chloroform, ether and + cocaine. The cruel wretches, the scientific assassins, have accomplished + nothing. Hundreds of thousands of animals have suffered every pain that + nerves can feel, and all for nothing—nothing except to harden the + heart and to make criminals of men. + </p> + <p> + They have not given anesthetics to these animals, but they have been + guilty of the last step in cruelty. They have given curare, a drug that + attacks the centers of motion, that makes it impossible for the animal to + move, so that when under its influence, no matter what the pain may be, + the animal lies still. This curare not only destroys the power of motion, + but increases the sensitiveness of the nerves. To give this drug and then + to dissect the living animal is the extreme of cruelty. Beyond this, + heartlessness cannot go. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you know that you have been greatly criticized for + what you have said on this subject? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes; I have read many criticisms; but what of that. It is + impossible for the ingenuity of man to say anything in defence of cruelty—of + heartlessness. So, it is impossible for the defenders of vivisection to + show any good that has been accomplished without the use of anesthetics. + The chemist ought to be able to determine what is and what is not poison. + There is no need of torturing the animals. So, this giving to animals + diseases is of no importance to man—not the slightest; and nothing + has been discovered in bacteriology so far that has been of use or that is + of benefit. + </p> + <p> + Personally, I admit that all have the right to criticise; and my answer to + the critics is, that they do not know the facts; or, knowing them, they + are interested in preventing a knowledge of these facts coming to the + public. Vivisection should be controlled by law. No animal should be + allowed to be tortured. And to cut up a living animal not under the + influence of chloroform or ether, should be a penitentiary offence. + </p> + <p> + A perfect reply to all the critics who insist that great good has been + done is to repeat the three names—Koch, Pasteur and Brown- Sequard. + </p> + <p> + The foundation of civilization is not cruelty; it is justice, generosity, + mercy. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Evening Telegram</i>, New York, September 30, 1893. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0120" id="link0120"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DIVORCE. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. The <i>Herald</i> would like to have you give your ideas + on divorce. On last Sunday in your lecture you said a few words on the + subject, but only a few. Do you think the laws governing divorce ought to + be changed? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. We obtained our ideas about divorce from the Hebrews— + from the New Testament and the church. In the Old Testament woman is not + considered of much importance. The wife was the property of the husband. + </p> + <p> + "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's ox or his wife." In this commandment + the wife is put on an equality with other property, so under certain + conditions the husband could put away his wife, but the wife could not put + away her husband. + </p> + <p> + In the New Testament there is little in favor of marriage, and really + nothing as to the rights of wives. Christ said nothing in favor of + marriage, and never married. So far as I know, none of the apostles had + families. St. Paul was opposed to marriage, and allowed it only as a + choice of evils. In those days it was imagined by the Christians that the + world was about to be purified by fire, and that they would be changed + into angels. + </p> + <p> + The early Christians were opposed to marriage, and the "fathers" looked + upon woman as the source of all evil. They did not believe in divorces. + They thought that if people loved each other better than they did God, and + got married, they ought to be held to the bargain, no matter what + happened. + </p> + <p> + These "fathers" were, for the most part, ignorant and hateful savages, and + had no more idea of right and wrong than wild beasts. + </p> + <p> + The church insisted that marriage was a sacrament, and that God, in some + mysterious way, joined husband and wife in marriage—that he was one + of the parties to the contract, and that only death could end it. + </p> + <p> + Of course, this supernatural view of marriage is perfectly absurd. If + there be a God, there certainly have been marriages he did not approve, + and certain it is that God can have no interest in keeping husbands and + wives together who never should have married. + </p> + <p> + Some of the preachers insist that God instituted marriage in the Garden of + Eden. We now know that there was no Garden of Eden, and that woman was not + made from the first man's rib. Nobody with any real sense believes this + now. The institution of marriage was not established by Jehovah. Neither + was it established by Christ, not any of his apostles. + </p> + <p> + In considering the question of divorce, the supernatural should be + discarded. We should take into consideration only the effect upon human + beings. The gods should be allowed to take care of themselves. + </p> + <p> + Is it to the interest of a husband and wife to live together after love + has perished and when they hate each other? Will this add to their + happiness? Should a woman be compelled to remain the wife of a man who + hates and abuses her, and whom she loathes? Has society any interest in + forcing women to live with men they hate? + </p> + <p> + There is no real marriage without love, and in the marriage state there is + no morality without love. A woman who remains the wife of a man whom she + despises, or does not love, corrupts her soul. She becomes degraded, + polluted, and feels that her flesh has been soiled. Under such + circumstances a good woman suffers the agonies of moral death. It may be + said that the woman can leave her husband; that she is not compelled to + live in the same house or to occupy the same room. If she has the right to + leave, has she the right to get a new house? Should a woman be punished + for having married? Women do not marry the wrong men on purpose. Thousands + of mistakes are made—are these mistakes sacred? Must they be + preserved to please God? + </p> + <p> + What good can it do God to keep people married who hate each other? What + good can it do the community to keep such people together? + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you consider marriage a contract or a sacrament? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Marriage is the most important contract that human beings + can make. No matter whether it is called a contract or a sacrament, it + remains the same. A true marriage is a natural concord or agreement of + souls—a harmony in which discord is not even imagined. It is a + mingling so perfect that only one seems to exist. All other considerations + are lost. The present seems eternal. In this supreme moment there is no + shadow, or the shadow is as luminous as light. + </p> + <p> + When two beings thus love, thus united, this is the true marriage of soul + and soul. The idea of contract is lost. Duty and obligation are instantly + changed into desire and joy, and two lives, like uniting streams, flow on + as one. + </p> + <p> + This is real marriage. + </p> + <p> + Now, if the man turns out to be a wild beast, if he destroys the happiness + of the wife, why should she remain his victim? + </p> + <p> + If she wants a divorce, she should have it. The divorce will not hurt God + or the community. As a matter of fact, it will save a life. + </p> + <p> + No man not poisoned by superstition will object to the release of an + abused wife. In such a case only savages can object to divorce. The man + who wants courts and legislatures to force a woman to live with him is a + monster. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe that the divorced should be allowed to + marry again? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Certainly. Has the woman whose rights have been outraged no + right to build another home? Must this woman, full of kindness, affection + and health, be chained until death releases her? Is there no future for + her? Must she be an outcast forever? Can she never sit by her own hearth, + with the arms of her children about her neck, and by her side a husband + who loves and protects her? + </p> + <p> + There are no two sides to this question. + </p> + <p> + All human beings should be allowed to correct their mistakes. If the wife + has flagrantly violated the contract of marriage, the husband should be + given a divorce. If the wife wants a divorce, if she loathes her husband, + if she no longer loves him, then the divorce should be granted. + </p> + <p> + It is immoral for a woman to live as the wife of a man whom she abhors. + The home should be pure. Children should be well-born. Their parents + should love one another. + </p> + <p> + Marriages are made by men and women, not by society, not by the state, not + by the church, not by the gods. Nothing is moral, that does not tend to + the well-being of sentient beings. + </p> + <p> + The good home is the unit of good government. The hearthstone is the + corner-stone of civilization. Society is not interested in the + preservation of hateful homes. It is not to the interest of society that + good women should be enslaved or that they should become mothers by + husbands whom they hate. + </p> + <p> + Most of the laws about divorce are absurd or cruel, and ought to be + repealed. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Herald</i>, New York, February, 1897. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0121" id="link0121"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MUSIC, NEWSPAPERS, LYNCHING AND ARBITRATION. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. How do you enjoy staying in Chicago? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I am about as happy as a man can be when he is away + from home. I was at the opera last night. I am always happy when I hear + the music of Wagner interpreted by such a genius as Seidl. I do not + believe there is a man in the world who has in his brain and heart more of + the real spirit of Wagner than Anton Seidl. He knows how to lead, how to + phrase and shade, how to rush and how to linger, and to express every + passion and every mood. So I was happy last night to hear him. Then I + heard Edouard de Reszke, the best of bass singers, with tones of a great + organ, and others soft and liquid, and Jean de Reszke, a great tenor, who + sings the "Swan Song" as though inspired; and I liked Bispham, but hated + his part. He is a great singer; so is Mme. Litvinne. + </p> + <p> + So, I can say that I am enjoying Chicago. In fact, I always did. I was + here when the town was small, not much more than huts and hogs, lumber and + mud; and now it is one of the greatest of cities. It makes me happy just + to think of the difference. I was born the year Chicago was incorporated. + In my time matches were invented. Steam navigation became really useful. + The telegraph was invented. Gas was discovered and applied to practical + uses, and electricity was made known in its practical workings to mankind. + Thus, it is seen the world is progressing; men are becoming civilized. But + the process of civilization even now is slow. In one or two thousand years + we may hope to see a vast improvement in man's condition. We may expect to + have the employer so far civilized that he will not try to make money for + money's sake, but in order that he may apply it to good uses, to the + amelioration of his fellow-man's condition. We may also expect the see the + workingman, the employee, so far civilized that he will know it is + impossible and undesirable for him to attempt to fix the wages paid by his + employer. We may in a thousand or more years reasonably expect that the + employee will be so far civilized and become sufficiently sensible to know + that strikes and threats and mob violence can never improve his condition. + Altruism is nonsense, craziness. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is Chicago as liberal, intellectually, as New York? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think so. Of course you will find thousands of free, + thoughtful people in New York—people who think and want others to do + the same. So, there are thousands of respectable people who are centuries + behind the age. In other words, you will find all kinds. I presume the + same is true of Chicago. I find many liberal people here, and some not + quite so liberal. + </p> + <p> + Some of the papers here seem to be edited by real pious men. On last + Tuesday the <i>Times-Herald</i> asked pardon of its readers for having + given a report of my lecture. That editor must be pious. In the same + paper, columns were given to the prospective prize- fight at Carson City. + All the news about the good Corbett and the orthodox Fitzsimmons—about + the training of the gentlemen who are going to attack each others' + jugulars and noses; who are expected to break jaws, blacken eyes, and peel + foreheads in a few days, to settle the question of which can bear the most + pounding. In this great contest and in all its vulgar details, the readers + of the <i>Times-Herald</i> are believed by the editor of that religious + daily to take great interest. + </p> + <p> + The editor did not ask the pardon of his readers for giving so much space + to the nose-smashing sport. No! He knew that would fill their souls with + delight, and, so knowing, he reached the correct conclusion that such + people would not enjoy anything I had said. The editor did a wise thing + and catered to a large majority of his readers. I do not think that we + have as religious a daily paper in New York as the <i>Times-Herald</i>. So + the editor of the <i>Times- Herald</i> took the ground that men with + little learning, in youth, might be agnostic, but as they grew sensible + they would become orthodox. When he wrote that he was probably thinking of + Humboldt and Darwin, of Huxley and Haeckel. May be Herbert Spencer was in + his mind, but I think that he must have been thinking of a few boys in his + native village. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think about prize-fighting anyway? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, I think that prize-fighting is worse, if possible, + than revival meetings. Next to fighting to kill, as they did in the old + Roman days, I think the modern prize-fight is the most disgusting and + degrading of exhibitions. All fights, whether cock- fights, bull-fights or + pugilistic encounters, are practiced and enjoyed only by savages. No + matter what office they hold, what wealth or education they have, they are + simply savages. Under no possible circumstances would I witness a + prize-fight or a bull- fight or a dog-fight. The Marquis of Queensbury was + once at my house, and I found his opinions were the same as mine. Everyone + thinks that he had something to do with the sport of prize-fighting, but + he did not, except to make some rules once for a college boxing contest. + He told me that he never saw but one prize-fight in his life, and that it + made him sick. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How are you on the arbitration treaty? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I am for it with all my heart. I have read it, and read it + with care, and to me it seems absolutely fair. England and America should + set an example to the world. The English-speaking people have reason + enough and sense enough, I hope, to settle their differences by argument—by + reason. Let us get the wild beast out of us. Two great nations like + England and America appealing to force, arguing with shot and shell! What + is education worth? Is what we call civilization a sham? Yes, I believe in + peace, in arbitration, in settling disputes like reasonable, human beings. + All that war can do is to determine who is the stronger. It throws no + light on any question, addresses no argument. There is a point to a + bayonet, but no logic. After the war is over the victory does not tell + which nation was right. Civilized men take their differences to courts or + arbitrators. Civilized nations should do the same. There ought to be an + international court. + </p> + <p> + Let every man do all he can to prevent war—to prevent the waste, the + cruelties, the horrors that follow every flag on every field of battle. It + is time that man was human—time that the beast was out of his heart. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of McKinley's inaugural? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It is good, honest, clear, patriotic and sensible. There is + one thing in it that touched me; I agree with him that lynching has to be + stopped. You see that now we are citizens of the United States, not simply + of the State in which we happen to live. I take the ground that it is the + business of the United States to protect its citizens, not only when they + are in some other country, but when they are at home. The United States + cannot discharge this obligation by allowing the States to do as they + please. Where citizens are being lynched the Government should interfere. + If the Governor of some barbarian State says that he cannot protect the + lives of citizens, then the United States should, if it took the entire + Army and Navy. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of charity organizations? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think that the people who support them are good and + generous—splendid—but I have a poor opinion of the people in + charge. As a rule, I think they are cold, impudent and heartless. There is + too much circumlocution, or too many details and too little humanity. The + Jews are exceedingly charitable. I think that in New York the men who are + doing the most for their fellow-men are Jews. Nathan Strauss is trying to + feed the hungry, warm the cold, and clothe the naked. For the most part, + organized charities are, I think, failures. A real charity has to be in + the control of a good man, a real sympathetic, a sensible man, one who + helps others to help themselves. Let a hungry man go to an organized + society and it requires several days to satisfy the officers that the man + is hungry. Meanwhile he will probably starve to death. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you believe in free text-books in the public schools? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not care about the text-book question. But I am in + favor of the public school. Nothing should be taught that somebody does + not know. No superstitions—nothing but science. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. There has been a good deal said lately about your suicide + theology, Colonel. Do you still believe that suicide is justifiable? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Certainly. When a man is useless to himself and to others + he has a right to determine what he will do about living. The only thing + to be considered is a man's obligation to his fellow- beings and to + himself. I don't take into consideration any supernatural nonsense. If God + wants a man to stay here he ought to make it more comfortable for him. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Since you expounded your justification of suicide, + Colonel, I believe you have had some cases of suicide laid at your door? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Oh, yes. Every suicide that has happened since that time + has been charged to me. I don't know how the people account for the + suicides before my time. I have not yet heard of my being charged with the + death of Cato, but that may yet come to pass. I was reading the other day + that the rate of suicide in Germany is increasing. I suppose my article + has been translated into German. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How about lying, Colonel? Is it ever right to lie? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, sometimes. In war when a man is captured by the + enemy he ought to lie to them to mislead them. What we call strategy is + nothing more than lies. For the accomplishment of a good end, for + instance, the saving of a woman's reputation, it is many times perfectly + right to lie. As a rule, people ought to tell the truth. If it is right to + kill a man to save your own life it certainly ought to be right to fool + him for the same purpose. I would rather be deceived than killed, wouldn't + you? + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Inter-Ocean</i>, Chicago, Illinois, March, 1897. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0122" id="link0122"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A VISIT TO SHAW'S GARDEN. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. I was told that you came to St. Louis on your wedding + trip some thirty years ago and went to Shaw's Garden? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes; we were married on the 13th of February, 1862. We were + here in St. Louis, and we did visit Shaw's Garden, and we thought it + perfectly beautiful. Afterward we visited the Kew Gardens in London, but + our remembrance of Shaw's left Kew in the shade. + </p> + <p> + Of course, I have been in St. Louis many times, my first visit being, I + think, in 1854. I have always liked the town. I was acquainted at one time + with a great many of your old citizens. Most of them have died, and I know + but few of the present generation. I used to stop at the old Planter's + House, and I was there quite often during the war. In those days I saw + Hackett as Falstaff, the best Falstaff that ever lived. Ben de Bar was + here then, and the Maddern sisters, and now the daughter of one of the + sisters, Minnie Maddern Fiske, is one of the greatest actresses in the + world. She has made a wonderful hit in New York this season. And so the + ebb and flow of life goes on—the old pass and the young arrive. + </p> + <p> + "Death and progress!" It may be that death is, after all, a great + blessing. Maybe it gives zest and flavor to life, ardor and flame to love. + At the same time I say, "long life" to all my friends. + </p> + <p> + I want to live—I get great happiness out of life. I enjoy the + company of my friends. I enjoy seeing the faces of the ones I love. I + enjoy art and music. I love Shakespeare and Burns; love to hear the music + of Wagner; love to see a good play. I take pleasure in eating and + sleeping. The fact is, I like to breathe. + </p> + <p> + I want to get all the happiness out of life that I can. I want to suck the + orange dry, so that when death comes nothing but the peelings will be + left, and so I say: "Long life!" + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Republic</i>, St. Louis, April 11, 1897. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0123" id="link0123"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE VENEZUELAN BOUNDARY DISCUSSION AND THE WHIPPING-POST. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion as to the action of the President on + the Venezuelan matter? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In my judgment, the President acted in haste and without + thought. It may be said that it would have been well enough for him to + have laid the correspondence before Congress and asked for an + appropriation for a commission to ascertain the facts, to the end that our + Government might intelligently act. There was no propriety in going + further than that. To almost declare war before the facts were known was a + blunder—almost a crime. For my part, I do not think the Monroe + doctrine has anything to do with the case. Mr. Olney reasons badly, and it + is only by a perversion of facts, and an exaggeration of facts, and by + calling in question the motives of England that it is possible to conclude + that the Monroe doctrine has or can have anything to do with the + controversy. The President went out of his way to find a cause of quarrel. + Nobody doubts the courage of the American people, and we for that reason + can afford to be sensible and prudent. Valor and discretion should go + together. Nobody doubts the courage of England. + </p> + <p> + America and England are the leading nations, and in their keeping, to a + great extent, is the glory of the future. They should be at peace. Should + a difference arise it should be settled without recourse to war. + </p> + <p> + Fighting settles nothing but the relative strength. No light is thrown on + the cause of the conflict—on the question or fact that caused the + war. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think that there is any danger of war? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. If the members of Congress really represent the people, + then there is danger. But I do not believe the people will really want to + fight about a few square miles of malarial territory in Venezuela—something + in which they have no earthly or heavenly interest. The people do not wish + to fight for fight's sake. When they understand the question they will + regard the administration as almost insane. + </p> + <p> + The message has already cost us more than the War of 1812 or the Mexican + war, or both. Stocks and bonds have decreased in value several hundred + millions, and the end is not yet. It may be that it will, on account of + the panic, be impossible for the Government to maintain the gold standard—the + reserve. Then gold would command a premium, the Government would be unable + to redeem the greenbacks, and the result would be financial chaos, and all + this the result of Mr. Cleveland's curiosity about a boundary line between + two countries, in neither of which we have any interest, and this + curiosity has already cost us more than both countries, including the + boundary line, are worth. + </p> + <p> + The President made a great mistake. So did the House and Senate, and the + poor people have paid a part of the cost. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your opinion of the Gerry Whipping Post bill? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I see that it has passed the Senate, and yet I think it is + a disgrace to the State. How the Senators can go back to torture, to the + Dark Ages, to the custom of savagery, is beyond belief. I hope that the + House is nearer civilized, and that the infamous bill will be defeated. + If, however, the bill should pass, then I hope Governor Morton will veto + it. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is more disgusting, more degrading, than the whipping-post. It + degrades the whipped and the whipper. It degrades all who witness the + flogging. What kind of a person will do the whipping? Men who would apply + the lash to the naked backs of criminals would have to be as low as the + criminals, and probably a little lower. + </p> + <p> + The shadow of the whipping-post does not fall on any civilized country, + and never will. The next thing we know Mr. Gerry will probably introduce + some bill to brand criminals on the forehead or cut off their ears and + slit their noses. This is in the same line, and is born of the same + hellish spirit. There is no reforming power in torture, in bruising and + mangling the flesh. + </p> + <p> + If the bill becomes a law, I hope it will provide that the lash shall be + applied by Mr. Gerry and his successors in office. Let these pretended + enemies of cruelty enjoy themselves. If the bill passes, I presume Mr. + Gerry could get a supply of knouts from Russia, as that country has just + abolished the whipping-post. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Journal</i>, New York, December 24, 1895. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0124" id="link0124"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + COLONEL SHEPARD'S STAGE HORSES.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* One of Colonel Shepard's equine wrecks was picked up on + Fifth avenue yesterday by the Prevention of Cruelty Society, + and was laid up for repairs. The horse was about twenty- + eight years old, badly foundered, and its leg was cut and + bleeding. It was the leader of three that had been hauling + a Fifth avenue stage, and, according to the Society's + agents, was in about as bad a condition as a horse could be + and keep on his feet. The other two horses were little + better, neither of them being fit to drive. + + Colonel Shepard's scrawny nags have long been an eyesore to + Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll, who is compelled to see them + from his windows at number 400 Fifth avenue. He said last + night:] +</pre> + <p> + It might not be in good taste for me to say anything about Colonel + Shepard's horses. He might think me prejudiced. But I am satisfied horses + cannot live on faith or on the substance of things hoped for. It is far + better for the horse, to feed him without praying, than to pray without + feeding him. It is better to be kind even to animals, than to quote + Scripture in small capitals. Now, I am not saying anything against Colonel + Shepard. I do not know how he feeds his horses. If he is as good and kind + as he is pious, then I have nothing to say. Maybe he does not allow the + horses to break the Sabbath by eating. They are so slow that they make one + think of a fast. They put me in mind of the Garden of Eden—the rib + story. When I watch them on the avenue I, too, fall to quoting Scripture, + and say, "Can these dry bones live?" Still, I have a delicacy on this + subject; I hate to think about it, and I think the horses feel the same + way. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Morning Advertiser</i>, New York, January 21, 1892. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0125" id="link0125"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A REPLY TO THE REV. L. A. BANKS. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Have you read the remarks made about you by the Rev. Mr. + Banks, and what do you think of what he said? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. The reverend gentleman pays me a great compliment by + comparing me to a circus. Everybody enjoys the circus. They love to see + the acrobats, the walkers on the tight rope, the beautiful girls on the + horses, and they laugh at the wit of the clowns. They are delighted with + the jugglers, with the music of the band. They drink the lemonade, eat the + colored popcorn and laugh until they nearly roll off their seats. Now the + circus has a few animals so that Christians can have an excuse for going. + Think of the joy the circus gives to the boys and girls. They look at the + show bills, see the men and women flying through the air, bursting through + paper hoops, the elephants standing on their heads, and the clowns, in + curious clothes, with hands on their knees and open mouths, supposed to be + filled with laughter. + </p> + <p> + All the boys and girls for many miles around know the blessed day. They + save their money, obey their parents, and when the circus comes they are + on hand. They see the procession and then they see the show. They are all + happy. No sermon ever pleased them as much, and in comparison even the + Sunday school is tame and dull. + </p> + <p> + To feel that I have given as much joy as the circus fills me with + pleasure. What chance would the Rev. Dr. Banks stand against a circus? + </p> + <p> + The reverend gentleman has done me a great honor, and I tender him my + sincere thanks. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Dr. Banks says that you write only one lecture a year, + while preachers write a brand new one every week—that if you did + that people would tire of you. What have you to say to that? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It may be that great artists paint only one picture a year, + and it may be that sign painters can do several jobs a day. Still, I would + not say that the sign painters were superior to the artists. There is + quite a difference between a sculptor and a stone-cutter. + </p> + <p> + There are thousands of preachers and thousands and thousands of sermons + preached every year. Has any orthodox minister in the year 1898 given just + one paragraph to literature? Has any orthodox preacher uttered one great + thought, clothed in perfect English that thrilled the hearers like music—one + great strophe that became one of the treasures of memory? + </p> + <p> + I will make the question a little clearer. Has any orthodox preacher, or + any preacher in an orthodox pulpit uttered a paragraph of what may be + called sculptured speech since Henry Ward Beecher died? I do not wonder + that the sermons are poor. Their doctrines have been discussed for + centuries. There is little chance for originality; they not only thresh + old straw, but the thresh straw that has been threshed a million times—straw + in which there has not been a grain of wheat for hundreds of years. No + wonder that they have nervous prostration. No wonder that they need + vacations, and no wonder that their congregations enjoy the vacations as + keenly as the ministers themselves. Better deliver a real good address + fifty-two times than fifty-two poor ones—just for the sake of + variety. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Dr. Banks says that the tendency at present is not toward + Agnosticism, but toward Christianity. What is your opinion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. When I was a boy "Infidels" were very rare. A man who + denied the inspiration of the Bible was regarded as a monster. Now there + are in this country millions who regard the Bible as the work of ignorant + and superstitious men. A few years ago the Bible was the standard. All + scientific theories were tested by the Bible. Now science is the standard + and the Bible is tested by that. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Banks did not mention the names of the great scientists who are or + were Christians, but he probably thought of Laplace, Humboldt, Haeckel, + Huxley, Spencer, Tyndall, Darwin, Helmholtz and Draper. When he spoke of + Christian statesmen he likely thought of Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, + Paine and Lincoln—or he may have thought of Pierce, Fillmore and + Buchanan. + </p> + <p> + But, after all, there is no argument in names. A man is not necessarily + great because he holds office or wears a crown or talks in a pulpit. + Facts, reasons, are better than names. But it seems to me that nothing can + be plainer than that the church is losing ground—that the people are + discarding the creeds and that superstition has passed the zenith of its + power. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Dr. Banks says that Christ did not mention the Western + Hemisphere because God does nothing for men that they can do for + themselves. What have you to say? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Christ said nothing about the Western Hemisphere because he + did not know that it existed. He did not know the shape of the earth. He + was not a scientist—never even hinted at any science— never + told anybody to investigate—to think. His idea was that this life + should be spent in preparing for the next. For all the evils of this life, + and the next, faith was his remedy. + </p> + <p> + I see from the report in the paper that Dr. Banks, after making the + remarks about me preached a sermon on "Herod the Villain in the Drama of + Christ." Who made Herod? Dr. Banks will answer that God made him. Did God + know what Herod would do? Yes. Did he know that he would cause the + children to be slaughtered in his vain efforts to kill the infant Christ? + Yes. Dr. Banks will say that God is not responsible for Herod because he + gave Herod freedom. Did God know how Herod would use his freedom? Did he + know that he would become the villain in the drama of Christ? Yes. Who, + then, is really responsible for the acts of Herod? + </p> + <p> + If I could change a stone into a human being, and if I could give this + being freedom of will, and if I knew that if I made him he would murder a + man, and if with that knowledge I made him, and he did commit a murder, + who would be the real murderer? + </p> + <p> + Will Dr. Banks in his fifty-two sermons of next year show that his God is + not responsible for the crimes of Herod? + </p> + <p> + No doubt Dr. Banks is a good man, and no doubt he thinks that liberty of + thought leads to hell, and honestly believes that all doubt comes from the + Devil. I do not blame him. He thinks as he must. He is a product of + conditions. + </p> + <p> + He ought to be my friend because I am doing the best I can to civilize his + congregation. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Plain Dealer</i>, Cleveland, Ohio, 1898. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0126" id="link0126"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CUBA—ZOLA AND THEOSOPHY. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think, Colonel, of the Cuban question? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. What I know about this question is known by all. I suppose + that the President has information that I know nothing about. Of course, + all my sympathies are with the Cubans. They are making a desperate—an + heroic struggle for their freedom. For many years they have been robbed + and trampled under foot. Spain is, and always has been, a terrible master—heartless + and infamous. There is no language with which to tell what Cuba has + suffered. In my judgment, this country should assist the Cubans. We ought + to acknowledge the independence of that island, and we ought to feed the + starving victims of Spain. For years we have been helping Spain. Cleveland + did all he could to prevent the Cubans from getting arms and men. This was + a criminal mistake—a mistake that even Spain did not appreciate. All + this should instantly be reversed, and we should give aid to Cuba. The war + that Spain is waging shocks every civilized man. Spain has always been the + same. In Holland, in Peru, in Mexico, she was infinitely cruel, and she is + the same to-day. She loves to torture, to imprison, to degrade, to kill. + Her idea of perfect happiness is to shed blood. Spain is a legacy of the + Dark Ages. She belongs to the den, the cave period. She has no business to + exist. She is a blot, a stain on the map of the world. Of course there are + some good Spaniards, but they are not in control. + </p> + <p> + I want Cuba to be free. I want Spain driven from the Western World. She + has already starved five hundred thousand Cubans—poor, helpless + non-combatants. Among the helpless she is like a hyena—a tiger among + lambs. This country ought to stop this gigantic crime. We should do this + in the name of humanity—for the sake of the starving, the dying. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think we are going to have war with Spain? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not think there will be war. Unless Spain is insane, + she will not attack the United States. She is bankrupt. No nation will + assist her. A civilized nation would be ashamed to take her hand, to be + her friend. She has not the power to put down the rebellion in Cuba. How + then can she hope to conquer this country? She is full of brag and + bluster. Of course she will play her hand for all it is worth, so far as + talk goes. She will double her fists and make motions. She will assume the + attitude of war, but she will never fight. Should she commence + hostilities, the war would be short. She would lose her navy. The little + commerce she has would be driven from the sea. She would drink to the + dregs the cup of humiliation and disgrace. I do not believe that Spain is + insane enough to fire upon our flag. I know that there is nothing too + mean, too cruel for her to do, but still she must have sense enough to try + and save her own life. No, I think there will be no war, but I believe + that Cuba will be free. My opinion is that the Maine was blown up from the + outside—blown up by Spanish officers, and I think the report of the + Board will be to that effect. Such a crime ought to redden even the cheeks + of Spain. As soon as this fact is known, other nations will regard Spain + with hatred and horror. If the Maine was destroyed by Spain we will ask + for indemnity. The people insist that the account be settled and at once. + Possibly we may attack Spain. There is the only danger of war. We must + avenge that crime. The destruction of two hundred and fifty-nine Americans + must be avenged. Free Cuba must be their monument. I hope for the sake of + human nature that the Spanish did not destroy the Maine. I hope it was the + result of an accident. I hope there is to be no war, but Spain must be + driven from the New World. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What about Zola's trial and conviction? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. It was one of the most infamous trials in the history of + the world. Zola is a great man, a genius, the best man in France. His + trial was a travesty on justice. The judge acted like a bandit. The + proceedings were a disgrace to human nature. The jurors must have been + ignorant beasts. The French have disgraced themselves. Long live Zola. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Having expressed yourself less upon the subject of + Theosophy than upon other religious beliefs, and as Theosophy denies the + existence of a God as worshiped by Christianity, what is your idea of the + creed? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Insanity. I think it is a mild form of delusion and + illusion; vague, misty, obscure, half dream, mixed with other mistakes and + fragments of facts—a little philosophy, absurdity— a few + impossibilities—some improbabilities—some accounts of events + that never happened—some prophecies that will not come to pass— + a structure without foundation. But the Theosophists are good people; kind + and honest. Theosophy is based on the supernatural and is just as absurd + as the orthodox creeds. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Courier-Journal</i>, Louisville, Ky., February, 1898. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0127" id="link0127"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HOW TO BECOME AN ORATOR. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What advice would you give to a young man who was + ambitious to become a successful public speaker or orator? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the first place, I would advise him to have something to + say—something worth saying—something that people would be glad + to hear. This is the important thing. Back of the art of speaking must be + the power to think. Without thoughts words are empty purses. Most people + imagine that almost any words uttered in a loud voice and accompanied by + appropriate gestures, constitute an oration. I would advise the young man + to study his subject, to find what others had thought, to look at it from + all sides. Then I would tell him to write out his thoughts or to arrange + them in his mind, so that he would know exactly what he was going to say. + Waste no time on the how until you are satisfied with the what. After you + know what you are to say, then you can think of how it should be said. + Then you can think about tone, emphasis, and gesture; but if you really + understand what you say, emphasis, tone, and gesture will take care of + themselves. All these should come from the inside. They should be in + perfect harmony with the feelings. Voice and gesture should be governed by + the emotions. They should unconsciously be in perfect agreement with the + sentiments. The orator should be true to his subject, should avoid any + reference to himself. + </p> + <p> + The great column of his argument should be unbroken. He can adorn it with + vines and flowers, but they should not be in such profusion as to hide the + column. He should give variety of episode by illustrations, but they + should be used only for the purpose of adding strength to the argument. + The man who wishes to become an orator should study language. He should + know the deeper meaning of words. He should understand the vigor and + velocity of verbs and the color of adjectives. He should know how to + sketch a scene, to paint a picture, to give life and action. He should be + a poet and a dramatist, a painter and an actor. He should cultivate his + imagination. He should become familiar with the great poetry and fiction, + with splendid and heroic deeds. He should be a student of Shakespeare. He + should read and devour the great plays. From Shakespeare he could learn + the art of expression, of compression, and all the secrets of the head and + heart. + </p> + <p> + The great orator is full of variety—of surprises. Like a juggler, he + keeps the colored balls in the air. He expresses himself in pictures. His + speech is a panorama. By continued change he holds the attention. The + interest does not flag. He does not allow himself to be anticipated. A + picture is shown but once. So, an orator should avoid the commonplace. + There should be no stuffing, no filling. He should put no cotton with his + silk, no common metals with his gold. He should remember that "gilded dust + is not as good as dusted gold." The great orator is honest, sincere. He + does not pretend. His brain and heart go together. Every drop of his blood + is convinced. Nothing is forced. He knows exactly what he wishes to do—knows + when he has finished it, and stops. + </p> + <p> + Only a great orator knows when and how to close. Most speakers go on after + they are through. They are satisfied only with a "lame and impotent + conclusion." Most speakers lack variety. They travel a straight and dusty + road. The great orator is full of episode. He convinces and charms by + indirection. He leaves the road, visits the fields, wanders in the woods, + listens to the murmurs of springs, the songs of birds. He gathers flowers, + scales the crags and comes back to the highway refreshed, invigorated. He + does not move in a straight line. He wanders and winds like a stream. + </p> + <p> + Of course, no one can tell a man what to do to become an orator. The great + orator has that wonderful thing called presence. He has that strange + something known as magnetism. He must have a flexible, musical voice, + capable of expressing the pathetic, the humorous, the heroic. His body + must move in unison with his thought. He must be a reasoner, a logician. + He must have a keen sense of humor —of the laughable. He must have + wit, sharp and quick. He must have sympathy. His smiles should be the + neighbors of his tears. He must have imagination. He should give eagles to + the air, and painted moths should flutter in the sunlight. + </p> + <p> + While I cannot tell a man what to do to become an orator, I can tell him a + few things not to do. There should be no introduction to an oration. The + orator should commence with his subject. There should be no prelude, no + flourish, no apology, no explanation. He should say nothing about himself. + Like a sculptor, he stands by his block of stone. Every stroke is for a + purpose. As he works the form begins to appear. When the statue is + finished the workman stops. Nothing is more difficult than a perfect + close. Few poems, few pieces of music, few novels end well. A good story, + a great speech, a perfect poem should end just at the proper point. The + bud, the blossom, the fruit. No delay. A great speech is a crystallization + in its logic, an efflorescence in its poetry. + </p> + <p> + I have not heard many speeches. Most of the great speakers in our country + were before my time. I heard Beecher, and he was an orator. He had + imagination, humor and intensity. His brain was as fertile as the valleys + of the tropics. He was too broad, too philosophic, too poetic for the + pulpit. Now and then, he broke the fetters of his creed, escaped from his + orthodox prison, and became sublime. + </p> + <p> + Theodore Parker was an orator. He preached great sermons. His sermons on + "Old Age" and "Webster," and his address on "Liberty" were filled with + great thoughts, marvelously expressed. When he dealt with human events, + with realities, with things he knew, he was superb. When he spoke of + freedom, of duty, of living to the ideal, of mental integrity, he seemed + inspired. + </p> + <p> + Webster I never heard. He had great qualities; force, dignity, clearness, + grandeur; but, after all, he worshiped the past. He kept his back to the + sunrise. There was no dawn in his brain. He was not creative. He had no + spirit of prophecy. He lighted no torch. He was not true to his ideal. He + talked sometimes as though his head was among the stars, but he stood in + the gutter. In the name of religion he tried to break the will of Stephen + Girard—to destroy the greatest charity in all the world; and in the + name of the same religion he defended the Fugitive Slave Law. His purpose + was the same in both cases. He wanted office. Yet he uttered a few very + great paragraphs, rich with thought, perfectly expressed. + </p> + <p> + Clay I never heard, but he must have had a commanding presence, a + chivalric bearing, an heroic voice. He cared little for the past. He was a + natural leader, a wonderful talker—forcible, persuasive, convincing. + He was not a poet, not a master of metaphor, but he was practical. He kept + in view the end to be accomplished. He was the opposite of Webster. Clay + was the morning, Webster the evening. Clay had large views, a wide + horizon. He was ample, vigorous, and a little tyrannical. + </p> + <p> + Benton was thoroughly commonplace. He never uttered an inspired word. He + was an intense egoist. No subject was great enough to make him forget + himself. Calhoun was a political Calvinist—narrow, logical, + dogmatic. He was not an orator. He delivered essays, not orations. I think + it was in 1851 that Kossuth visited this country. He was an orator. There + was no man, at that time, under our flag, who could speak English as well + as he. In the first speech I read of Kossuth's was this line: "Russia is + the rock against which the sigh for freedom breaks." In this you see the + poet, the painter, the orator. + </p> + <p> + S. S. Prentiss was an orator, but, with the recklessness of a gamester, he + threw his life away. He said profound and beautiful things, but he lacked + application. He was uneven, disproportioned, saying ordinary things on + great occasions, and now and then, without the slightest provocation, + uttering the sublimest and most beautiful thoughts. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, Corwin was the greatest orator of them all. He had more + arrows in his quiver. He had genius. He was full of humor, pathos, wit, + and logic. He was an actor. His body talked. His meaning was in his eyes + and lips. Gov. O. P. Morton of Indiana had the greatest power of statement + of any man I ever heard. All the argument was in his statement. The facts + were perfectly grouped. The conclusion was a necessity. + </p> + <p> + The best political speech I ever heard was made by Gov. Richard J. Oglesby + of Illinois. It had every element of greatness—reason, humor, wit, + pathos, imagination, and perfect naturalness. That was in the grand years, + long ago. Lincoln had reason, wonderful humor, and wit, but his presence + was not good. His voice was poor, his gestures awkward—but his + thoughts were profound. His speech at Gettysburg is one of the + masterpieces of the world. The word "here" is used four or five times too + often. Leave the "heres" out, and the speech is perfect. + </p> + <p> + Of course, I have heard a great many talkers, but orators are few and far + between. They are produced by victorious nations—born in the midst + of great events, of marvelous achievements. They utter the thoughts, the + aspirations of their age. They clothe the children of the people in the + gorgeous robes of giants. The interpret the dreams. With the poets, they + prophesy. They fill the future with heroic forms, with lofty deeds. They + keep their faces toward the dawn—toward the ever-coming day. + </p> + <p> + —<i>New York Sun</i>, April, 1898. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0128" id="link0128"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG AND EXPANSION. + </h2> + <h3> + <i>Question</i>. You knew John Russell Young, Colonel? + </h3> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I knew him well and we were friends for many years. He + was a wonderfully intelligent man—knew something about everything, + had read most books worth reading. He was one of the truest friends. He + had a genius for friendship. He never failed to do a favor when he could, + and he never forgot a favor. He had the genius of gratitude. His mind was + keen, smooth, clear, and he really loved to think. I had the greatest + admiration for his character and I was shocked when I read of his death. I + did not know that he had been ill. All my heart goes out to his wife—a + lovely woman, now left alone with her boy. After all, life is a fearful + thing at best. The brighter the sunshine the deeper the shadow. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Are you in favor of expansion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I have always wanted more—I love to see the + Republic grow. I wanted the Sandwich Islands, wanted Porto Rico, and I + want Cuba if the Cubans want us. I want the Philippines if the Filipinos + want us—I do not want to conquer and enslave those people. The war + on the Filipinos is a great mistake—a blunder—almost a crime. + </p> + <p> + If the President had declared his policy, then, if his policy was right, + there was no need of war. The President should have told the Filipinos + just exactly what he wanted. It is a small business, after Dewey covered + Manila Bay with glory, to murder a lot of half- armed savages. We had no + right to buy, because Spain had no right to sell the Philippines. We + acquired no rights on those islands by whipping Spain. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Do you think the President should have stated his policy + in Boston the other day? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Yes, I think it would be better if he would unpack his + little budget—I like McKinley, but I liked him just as well before + he was President. He is a good man, not because he is President, but + because he is a man—you know that real honor must be earned— + people cannot give honor—honor is not alms—it is wages. So, + when a man is elected President the best thing he can do is to remain a + natural man. Yes, I wish McKinley would brush all his advisers to one side + and say his say; I believe his say would be right. + </p> + <p> + Now, don't change this interview and make me say something mean about + McKinley, because I like him. The other day, in Chicago, I had an + interview and I wrote it out. In that "interview" I said a few things + about the position of Senator Hoar. I tried to show that he was wrong—but + I took pains to express by admiration for Senator Hoar. When the interview + was published I was made to say that Senator Hoar was a mud-head. I never + said or thought anything of the kind. Don't treat me as that Chicago + reporter did. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Atkinson's speech? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Well, some of it is good—but I never want to see the + soldiers of the Republic whipped. I am always on our side. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Press</i>, Philadelphia, February 20, 1899. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0129" id="link0129"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PSYCHICAL RESEARCH AND THE BIBLE.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* As an incident in the life of any one favored with the + privilege, a visit to the home of Col. Robert G. Ingersoll + is certain to be recalled as a most pleasant and profitable + experience. Although not a sympathizer with the great + Agnostic's religious views, yet I have long admired his + ability, his humor, his intellectual honesty and courage. + And it was with gratification that I accepted the good + offices of a common friend who recently offered to introduce + me to the Ingersoll domestic circle in Gramercy Park. Here + I found the genial Colonel, surrounded by his children, his + grandchildren, and his amiable wife, whose smiling greeting + dispelled formality and breathed "Welcome" in every + syllable. The family relationship seemed absolutely ideal— + the very walls emitting an atmosphere of art and music, of + contentment and companionship, of mutual trust, happiness + and generosity. + + But my chief desire was to elicit Colonel Ingersoll's + personal views on questions related to the New Thought and + its attitude on matters on which he is known to have very + decided opinions. My request for a private chat was + cordially granted. During the conversation that ensued—(the + substance of which is presented to the readers of <i>Mind</i> in + the following paragraphs, with the Colonel's consent)—I was + impressed most deeply, not by the force of his arguments, + but by the sincerity of his convictions. Among some of his + more violent opponents, who presumably lack other + opportunities of becoming known, it is the fashion to accuse + Ingersoll of having really no belief in his own opinions. + But, if he convinced me of little else, he certainly, + without effort, satisfied my mind that this accusation is a + slander. Utterly mistaken in his views he may be; but if so, + his errors are more honest than many of those he points out + in the King James version of the Bible. If his pulpit + enemies could talk with this man by his own fireside, they + would pay less attention to Ingersoll himself and more to + what he says. They would consider his <i>meaning</i>, rather than + his motive. + + As the Colonel is the most conspicuous denunciator of + intolerance and bigotry in America, he has been inevitably + the greatest victim of these obstacles to mental freedom. + "To answer Ingersoll" is the pet ambition of many a young + clergyman—the older ones have either acquired prudence or + are broad enough to concede the utility of even Agnostics in + the economy of evolution. It was with the very subject that + we began our talk—the uncharitableness of men, otherwise + good, in their treatment of those whose religious views + differ from their own.] +</pre> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What is your conception of true intellectual hospitality? + As Truth can brook no compromises, has it not the same limitations that + surround social and domestic hospitality? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In the republic of mind we are all equals. Each one is + sceptered and crowned. Each one is the monarch of his own realm. By + "intellectual hospitality" I mean the right of every one to think and to + express his thought. It makes no difference whether his thought is right + or wrong. If you are intellectually hospitable you will admit the right of + every human being to see for himself; to hear with his own ears, see with + his own eyes, and think with his own brain. You will not try to change his + thought by force, by persecution, or by slander. You will not threaten him + with punishment—here or hereafter. You will give him your thought, + your reasons, your facts; and there you will stop. This is intellectual + hospitality. You do not give up what you believe to be the truth; you do + not compromise. You simply give him the liberty you claim for yourself. + The truth is not affected by your opinion or by his. Both may be wrong. + For many years the church has claimed to have the "truth," and has also + insisted that it is the duty of every man to believe it, whether it is + reasonable to him or not. This is bigotry in its basest form. Every man + should be guided by his reason; should be true to himself; should preserve + the veracity of his soul. Each human being should judge for himself. The + man that believes that all men have this right is intellectually + hospitable. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In the sharp distinction between theology and religion + that is now recognized by many theologians, and in the liberalizing of the + church that has marked the last two decades, are not most of your + contentions already granted? Is not the "lake of fire and brimstone" an + obsolete issue? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There has been in the last few years a great advance. The + orthodox creeds have been growing vulgar and cruel. Civilized people are + shocked at the dogma of eternal pain, and the belief in hell has mostly + faded away. The churches have not changed their creeds. They still pretend + to believe as they always have—but they have changed their tone. God + is now a father—a friend. He is no longer the monster, the savage, + described in the Bible. He has become somewhat civilized. He no longer + claims the right to damn us because he made us. But in spite of all the + errors and contradictions, in spite of the cruelties and absurdities found + in the Scriptures, the churches still insist that the Bible is <i>inspired</i>. + The educated ministers admit that the Pentateuch was not written by Moses; + that the Psalms were not written by David; that Isaiah was the work of at + least three; that Daniel was not written until after the prophecies + mentioned in that book had been fulfilled; that Ecclesiastes was not + written until the second century after Christ; that Solomon's Song was not + written by Solomon; that the book of Esther is of no importance; and that + no one knows, or pretends to know, who were the authors of Kings, Samuel, + Chronicles, or Job. And yet these same gentlemen still cling to the dogma + of inspiration! It is no longer claimed that the Bible is true—but + <i>inspired</i>. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Yet the sacred volume, no matter who wrote it, is a mine + of wealth to the student and the philosopher, is it not? Would you have us + discard it altogether? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Inspiration must be abandoned, and the Bible must take its + place among the books of the world. It contains some good passages, a + little poetry, some good sense, and some kindness; but its philosophy is + frightful. In fact, if the book had never existed I think it would have + been far better for mankind. It is not enough to give up the Bible; that + is only the beginning. The <i>supernatural</i> must be given up. It must + be admitted that Nature has no master; that there never has been any + interference from without; that man has received no help from heaven; and + that all the prayers that have ever been uttered have died unanswered in + the heedless air. The religion of the supernatural has been a curse. We + want the religion of usefulness. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But have you no use whatever for prayer—even in the + sense of aspiration—or for faith, in the sense of confidence in the + ultimate triumph of the right? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There is a difference between wishing, hoping, believing, + and—knowing. We can wish without evidence or probability, and we can + wish for the impossible—for what we believe can never be. We cannot + hope unless there is in the mind a possibility that the thing hoped for + can happen. We can believe only in accordance with evidence, and we know + only that which has been demonstrated. I have no use for prayer; but I do + a good deal of wishing and hoping. I hope that some time the right will + triumph—that Truth will gain the victory; but I have no faith in + gaining the assistance of any god, or of any supernatural power. I never + pray. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. However fully materialism, as a philosophy, may accord + with the merely human <i>reason</i>, is it not wholly antagonistic to the + instinctive faculties of the mind? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Human reason is the final arbiter. Any system that does not + commend itself to the reason must fall. I do not know exactly what you + mean by <i>materialism</i>. I do not know what matter is. I am satisfied, + however, that without matter there can be no force, no life, no thought, + no reason. It seems to me that mind is a form of force, and force cannot + exist apart from matter. If it is said that God created the universe, then + there must have been a time when he commenced to create. If at that time + there was nothing in existence but himself, how could he have exerted any + force? Force cannot be exerted except in opposition to force. If God was + the only existence, force could not have been exerted. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. But don't you think, Colonel, that the materialistic + philosophy, even in the light of your own interpretation, is essentially + pessimistic? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I do not consider it so. I believe that the pessimists and + the optimists are both right. This is the worst possible world, and this + is the best possible world—because it is as it must be. The present + is the child, and the necessary child, of all the past. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What have you to say concerning the operations of the + Society for Psychical Research? Do not its facts and conclusions prove, if + not immortality, at least the continuity of life beyond the grave? Are the + millions of Spiritualists deluded? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course I have heard and read a great deal about the + doings of the Society; so, I have some knowledge as to what is claimed by + Spiritualists, by Theosophists, and by all other believers in what are + called "spiritual manifestations." Thousands of wonderful tings have been + established by what is called "evidence" —the testimony of good men + and women. I have seen things done that I could not explain, both by + mediums and magicians. I also know that it is easy to deceive the senses, + and that the old saying "that seeing is believing" is subject to many + exceptions. I am perfectly satisfied that there is, and can be, no force + without matter; that everything that is—all phenomena—all + actions and thoughts, all exhibitions of force, have a material basis—that + nothing exists,—ever did, or ever will exist, apart from matter. So + I am satisfied that no matter ever existed, or ever will, apart from + force. + </p> + <p> + We think with the same force with which we walk. For every action and for + every thought, we draw upon the store of force that we have gained from + air and food. We create no force; we borrow it all. As force cannot exist + apart from matter, it must be used <i>with</i> matter. It travels only on + material roads. It is impossible to convey a thought to another without + the assistance of matter. No one can conceive of the use of one of our + senses without substance. No one can conceive of a thought in the absence + of the senses. With these conclusions in my mind—in my brain—I + have not the slightest confidence in "spiritual manifestations," and do + not believe that any message has ever been received from the dead. The + testimony that I have heard—that I have read—coming even from + men of science—has not the slightest weight with me. I do not + pretend to see beyond the grave. I do not say that man is, or is not, + immortal. All I say is that there is no evidence that we live again, and + no demonstration that we do not. It is better ignorantly to hope than + dishonestly to affirm. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. And what do you think of the modern development of + metaphysics—as expressed outside of the emotional and semi- + ecclesiastical schools? I refer especially to the power of mind in the + curing of disease—as demonstrated by scores of drugless healers. + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I have no doubt that the condition of the mind has some + effect upon the health. The blood, the heart, the lungs answer— + respond to—emotion. There is no mind without body, and the body is + affected by thought—by passion, by cheerfulness, by depression. + Still, I have not the slightest confidence in what is called "mind cure." + I do not believe that thought, or any set of ideas, can cure a cancer, or + prevent the hair from falling out, or remove a tumor, or even freckles. At + the same time, I admit that cheerfulness is good and depression bad. But I + have no confidence in what you call "drugless healers." If the stomach is + sour, soda is better than thinking. If one is in great pain, opium will + beat meditation. I am a believer in what you call "drugs," and when I am + sick I send for a physician. I have no confidence in the supernatural. + Magic is not medicine. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. One great object of this movement, is to make religion + scientific—an aid to intellectual as well as spiritual progress. Is + it not thus to be encouraged, and destined to succeed—even though it + prove the reality and supremacy of the spirit and the secondary importance + of the flesh? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. When religion becomes scientific, it ceases to be religion + and becomes science. Religion is not intellectual—it is emotional. + It does not appeal to the reason. The founder of a religion has always + said: "Let him that hath ears to hear, hear!" No founder has said: "Let + him that hath brains to think, think!" Besides, we need not trouble + ourselves about "spirit" and "flesh." We know that we know of no spirit—without + flesh. We have no evidence that spirit ever did or ever will exist apart + from flesh. Such existence is absolutely inconceivable. If we are going to + construct what you call a "religion," it must be founded on observed and + known facts. Theories, to be of value, must be in accord with all the + facts that are known; otherwise they are worthless. We need not try to get + back of facts or behind the truth. The <i>why</i> will forever elude us. + You cannot move your hand quickly enough to grasp your image back of the + mirror. + </p> + <p> + —<i>Mind</i>, New York, March, 1899. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0130" id="link0130"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THIS CENTURY'S GLORIES. + </h2> + <p> + The laurel of the nineteenth century is on Darwin's brow. This century has + been the greatest of all. The inventions, the discoveries, the victories + on the fields of thought, the advances in nearly every direction of human + effort are without parallel in human history. In only two directions have + the achievements of this century been excelled. The marbles of Greece have + not been equalled. They still occupy the niches dedicated to perfection. + They sculptors of our century stand before the miracles of the Greeks in + impotent wonder. They cannot even copy. They cannot give the breath of + life to stone and make the marble feel and think. The plays of Shakespeare + have never been approached. He reached the summit, filled the horizon. In + the direction of the dramatic, the poetic, the human mind, in my judgment, + in Shakespeare's plays reached its limit. The field was harvested, all the + secrets of the heart were told. The buds of all hopes blossomed, all seas + were crossed and all the shores were touched. + </p> + <p> + With these two exceptions, the Grecian marbles and the Shakespeare plays, + the nineteenth century has produced more for the benefit of man than all + the centuries of the past. In this century, in one direction, I think the + mind has reached the limit. I do not believe the music of Wagner will ever + be excelled. He changed all passions, longing, memories and aspirations + into tones, and with subtle harmonies wove tapestries of sound, whereon + were pictured the past and future, the history and prophecy of the human + heart. Of course Copernicus, Galileo, Newton and Kepler laid the + foundations of astronomy. It may be that the three laws of Kepler mark the + highest point in that direction that the mind has reached. + </p> + <p> + In the other centuries there is now and then a peak, but through ours + there runs a mountain range with Alp on Alp—the steamship that has + conquered all the seas; the railway, with its steeds of steel with breath + of flame, covers the land; the cables and telegraphs, along which + lightning is the carrier of thought, have made the nations neighbors and + brought the world to every home; the making of paper from wood, the + printing presses that made it possible to give the history of the human + race each day; the reapers, mowers and threshers that superseded the + cradles, scythes and flails; the lighting of streets and houses with gas + and incandescent lamps, changing night into day; the invention of matches + that made fire the companion of man; the process of making steel, invented + by Bessemer, saving for the world hundreds of millions a year; the + discovery of anesthetics, changing pain to happy dreams and making surgery + a science; the spectrum analysis, that told us the secrets of the suns; + the telephone, that transports speech, uniting lips and ears; the + phonograph, that holds in dots and marks the echoes of our words; the + marvelous machines that spin and weave, that manufacture the countless + things of use, the marvelous machines, whose wheels and levers seem to + think; the discoveries in chemistry, the wave theory of light, the + indestructibility of matter and force; the discovery of microbes and + bacilli, so that now the plague can be stayed without the assistance of + priests. + </p> + <p> + The art of photography became known, the sun became an artist, gave us the + faces of our friends, copies of the great paintings and statues, pictures + of the world's wonders, and enriched the eyes of poverty with the spoil of + travel, the wealth of art. The cell theory was advanced, embryology was + studied and science entered the secret house of life. The biologists, + guided by fossil forms, followed the paths of life from protoplasm up to + man. Then came Darwin with the "Origin of Species," "Natural Selection," + and the "Survival of the Fittest." From his brain there came a flood of + light. The old theories grew foolish and absurd. The temple of every + science was rebuilt. That which had been called philosophy became childish + superstition. The prison doors were opened and millions of convicts, of + unconscious slaves, roved with joy over the fenceless fields of freedom. + Darwin and Haeckel and Huxley and their fellow-workers filled the night of + ignorance with the glittering stars of truth. This is Darwin's victory. He + gained the greatest victory, the grandest triumph. The laurel of the + nineteenth century is on his brow. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. How does the literature of to-day compare with that of + the first half of the century, in your opinion? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. There is now no poet of laughter and tears, of comedy and + pathos, the equal of Hood. There is none with the subtle delicacy, the + aerial footstep, the flame-like motion of Shelley; none with the + amplitude, sweep and passion, with the strength and beauty, the courage + and royal recklessness of Byron. The novelists of our day are not the + equals of Dickens. In my judgment, Dickens wrote the greatest of all + novels. "The Tale of Two Cities" is the supreme work of fiction. Its + philosophy is perfect. The characters stand out like living statues. In + its pages you find the blood and flame, the ferocity and self-sacrifice of + the French Revolution. In the bosom of the Vengeance is the heart of the + horror. In 105, North Tower, sits one whom sorrow drove beyond the verge, + rescued from death by insanity, and we see the spirit of Dr. Manette + tremblingly cross the great gulf that lies between the night of dreams and + the blessed day, where things are as they seem, as a tress of golden hair, + while on his hands and cheeks fall Lucie's blessed tears. The story is + filled with lights and shadows, with the tragic and grotesque. While the + woman knits, while the heads fall, Jerry Cruncher gnaws his rusty nails + and his poor wife "flops" against his business, and prim Miss Pross, who + in the desperation and terror of love held Mme. Defarge in her arms and + who in the flash and crash found that her burden was dead, is drawn by the + hand of a master. And what shall I say of Sidney Carton? Of his last walk? + Of his last ride, holding the poor girl by the hand? Is there a more + wonderful character in all the realm of fiction? Sidney Carton, the + perfect lover, going to his death for the love of one who loves another. + To me the three greatest novels are "The Tale of Two Cities," by Dickens, + "Les Miserables," by Hugo, and "Ariadne," by Ouida. + </p> + <p> + "Les Miserables" is full of faults and perfections. The tragic is + sometimes pushed to the grotesque, but from the depths it brings the + pearls of truth. A convict becomes holier than the saint, a prostitute + purer than the nun. This book fills the gutter with the glory of heaven, + while the waters of the sewer reflect the stars. + </p> + <p> + In "Ariadne" you find the aroma of all art. It is a classic dream. And + there, too, you find the hot blood of full and ample life. Ouida is the + greatest living writer of fiction. Some of her books I do not like. If you + wish to know what Ouida really is, read "Wanda," "The Dog of Flanders," + "The Leaf in a Storm." In these you will hear the beating of her heart. + </p> + <p> + Most of the novelists of our time write good stories. They are ingenious, + the characters are well drawn, but they lack life, energy. They do not + appear to act for themselves, impelled by inner force. They seem to be + pushed and pulled. The same may be said of the poets. Tennyson belongs to + the latter half of our century. He was undoubtedly a great writer. He had + no flame or storm, no tidal wave, nothing volcanic. He never overflowed + the banks. He wrote nothing as intense, as noble and pathetic as the + "Prisoner of Chillon;" nothing as purely poetic as "The Skylark;" nothing + as perfect as the "Grecian Urn," and yet he was one of the greatest of + poets. Viewed from all sides he was far greater than Shelley, far nobler + than Keats. In a few poems Shelley reached almost the perfect, but many + are weak, feeble, fragmentary, almost meaningless. So Keats in three poems + reached a great height—in "St. Agnes' Eve," "The Grecian Urn," and + "The Nightingale"—but most of his poetry is insipid, without + thought, beauty or sincerity. + </p> + <p> + We have had some poets ourselves. Emerson wrote many poetic and + philosophic lines. He never violated any rule. He kept his passions under + control and generally "kept off the grass." But he uttered some great and + splendid truths and sowed countless seeds of suggestion. When we remember + that he came of a line of New England preachers we are amazed at the + breadth, the depth and the freedom of his thought. + </p> + <p> + Walt Whitman wrote a few great poems, elemental, natural—poems that + seem to be a part of nature, ample as the sky, having the rhythm of the + tides, the swing of a planet. + </p> + <p> + Whitcomb Riley has written poems of hearth and home, of love and labor + worthy of Robert Burns. He is the sweetest, strongest singer in our + country and I do not know his equal in any land. + </p> + <p> + But when we compare the literature of the first half of this century with + that of the last, we are compelled to say that the last, taken as a whole, + is best. Think of the volumes that science has given to the world. In the + first half of this century, sermons, orthodox sermons, were published and + read. Now reading sermons is one of the lost habits. Taken as a whole, the + literature of the latter half of our century is better than the first. I + like the essays of Prof. Clifford. They are so clear, so logical that they + are poetic. Herbert Spencer is not simply instructive, he is charming. He + is full of true imagination. He is not the slave of imagination. + Imagination is his servant. Huxley wrote like a trained swordsman. His + thrusts were never parried. He had superb courage. He never apologized for + having an opinion. There was never on his soul the stain of evasion. He + was as candid as the truth. Haeckel is a great writer because he reveres a + fact, and would not for his life deny or misinterpret one. He tells what + he knows with the candor of a child and defends his conclusions like a + scientist, a philosopher. He stands next to Darwin. + </p> + <p> + Coming back to fiction and poetry, I have great admiration for Edgar + Fawcett. There is in his poetry thought, beauty and philosophy. He has the + courage of his thought. He knows our language, the energy of verbs, the + color of adjectives. He is in the highest sense an artist. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Hall Caine's recent efforts to bring + about a closer union between the stage and pulpit? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Of course, I am not certain as to the intentions of Mr. + Caine. I saw "The Christian," and it did not seem to me that the author + was trying to catch the clergy. + </p> + <p> + There is certainly nothing in the play calculated to please the pulpit. + There is a clergyman who is pious and heartless. John Storm is the only + Christian, and he is crazy. When Glory accepts him at last, you not only + feel, but you know she has acted the fool. The lord in the piece is a dog, + and the real gentleman is the chap that runs the music hall. How the play + can please the pulpit I do not see. Storm's whole career is a failure. His + followers turn on him like wild beasts. His religion is a divine and + diabolical dream. With him murder is one of the means of salvation. Mr. + Caine has struck Christianity a stinging blow between the eyes. He has put + two preachers on the stage, one a heartless hypocrite and the other a + madman. Certainly I am not prejudiced in favor of Christianity, and yet I + enjoyed the play. If Mr. Caine says he is trying to bring the stage and + the pulpit together, then he is a humorist, with the humor of Rabelais. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do recent exhibitions in this city, of scenes from + the life of Christ, indicate with regard to the tendencies of modern art? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Nothing. Some artists love the sombre, the melancholy, the + hopeless. They enjoy painting the bowed form, the tear-filled eyes. To + them grief is a festival. There are people who find pleasure in funerals. + They love to watch the mourners. The falling clods make music. They love + the silence, the heavy odors, the sorrowful hymns and the preacher's + remarks. The feelings of such people do not indicate the general trend of + the human mind. Even a poor artist may hope for success if he represents + something in which many millions are deeply interested, around which their + emotions cling like vines. A man need not be an orator to make a patriotic + speech, a speech that flatters his audience. So, an artist need not be + great in order to satisfy, if his subject appeals to the prejudice of + those who look at his pictures. + </p> + <p> + I have never seen a good painting of Christ. All the Christs that I have + seen lack strength and character. They look weak and despairing. They are + all unhealthy. They have the attitude of apology, the sickly smile of + non-resistance. I have never seen an heroic, serene and triumphant Christ. + To tell the truth, I never saw a great religious picture. They lack + sincerity. All the angels look almost idiotic. In their eyes is no + thought, only the innocence of ignorance. + </p> + <p> + I think that art is leaving the celestial, the angelic, and is getting in + love with the natural, the human. Troyon put more genius in the + representation of cattle than Angelo and Raphael did in angels. No picture + has been painted of heaven that is as beautiful as a landscape by Corot. + The aim of art is to represent the realities, the highest and noblest, the + most beautiful. The Greeks did not try to make men like gods, but they + made gods like men. So that great artists of our day go to nature. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Is it not strange that, with one exception, the most + notable operas written since Wagner are by Italian composers instead of + German? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. For many years German musicians insisted that Wagner was + not a composer. They declared that he produced only a succession of + discordant noises. I account for this by the fact that the music of Wagner + was not German. His countrymen could not understand it. They had to be + educated. There was no orchestra in Germany that could really play + "Tristan and Isolde." Its eloquence, its pathos, its shoreless passion was + beyond them. There is no reason to suppose that Germany is to produce + another Wagner. Is England expected to give us another Shakespeare? + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Sun</i>, New York, March 19, 1899. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0131" id="link0131"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND THE WHIPPING-POST. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What do you think of Governor Roosevelt's decision in the + case of Mrs. Place? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I think the refusal of Governor Roosevelt to commute the + sentence of Mrs. Place is a disgrace to the State. What a spectacle of man + killing a woman—taking a poor, pallid, frightened woman, strapping + her to a chair and then arranging the apparatus so she can be shocked to + death. Many call this a Christian country. A good many people who believe + in hell would naturally feel it their duty to kill a wretched, insane + woman. + </p> + <p> + Society has a right to protect itself, but this can be done by + imprisonment, and it is more humane to put a criminal in a cell than in a + grave. Capital punishment degrades and hardens a community and it is a + work of savagery. It is savagery. Capital punishment does not prevent + murder, but sets an example—an example by the State—that is + followed by its citizens. The State murders its enemies and the citizen + murders his. Any punishment that degrades the punished, must necessarily + degrade the one inflicting the punishment. No punishment should be + inflicted by a human being that could not be inflicted by a gentleman. + </p> + <p> + For instance, take the whipping-post. Some people are in favor of flogging + because they say that some offences are of such a frightful nature that + flogging is the only punishment. They forget that the punishment must be + inflicted by somebody, and that somebody is a low and contemptible cur. I + understand that John G. Shortall, president of the Humane Society of + Illinois, has had a bill introduced into the Legislature of the State for + the establishment of the whipping-post. + </p> + <p> + The shadow of that post would disgrace and darken the whole State. Nothing + could be more infamous, and yet this man is president of the Humane + Society. Now, the question arises, what is humane about this society? + Certainly not its president. Undoubtedly he is sincere. Certainly no man + would take that position unless he was sincere. Nobody deliberately + pretends to be bad, but the idea of his being president of the Humane + Society is simply preposterous. With his idea about the whipping-post he + might join a society of hyenas for the cultivation of ferocity, for + certainly nothing short of that would do justice to his bill. I have too + much confidence in the legislators of that State, and maybe my confidence + rests in the fact that I do not know them, to think that the passage of + such a bill is possible. If it were passed I think I would be justified in + using the language of the old Marylander, who said, "I have lived in + Maryland fifty years, but I have never counted them, and my hope is, that + God won't." + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. What did you think of the late Joseph Medill? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. I was not very well acquainted with Mr. Medill. I had a + good many conversations with him, and I was quite familiar with his work. + I regard him as the greatest editor of the Northwestern States and I am + not sure that there was a greater one in the country. He was one of the + builders of the Republican party. He was on the right side of the great + question of Liberty. He was a man of strong likes and I may say dislikes. + He never surrendered his personality. The atom called Joseph Medill was + never lost in the aggregation known as the Republican party. He was true + to that party when it was true to him. As a rule he traveled a road of his + own and he never seemed to have any doubt about where the road led. I + think that he was an exceedingly useful man. I think the only true + religion is usefulness. He was a very strong writer, and when touched by + friendship for a man, or a cause, he occasionally wrote very great + paragraphs, and paragraphs full of force and most admirably expressed. + </p> + <p> + —<i>The Tribune</i>, Chicago, March 19, 1899. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0132" id="link0132"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + EXPANSION AND TRUSTS.* + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [* This was Colonel Ingersoll's last interview.] +</pre> + <p> + I am an expansionist. The country has the land hunger and expansion is + popular. I want all we can honestly get. + </p> + <p> + But I do not want the Philippines unless the Filipinos want us, and I feel + exactly the same about the Cubans. + </p> + <p> + We paid twenty millions of dollars to Spain for the Philippine Islands, + and we knew that Spain had no title to them. + </p> + <p> + The question with me is not one of trade or convenience; it is a question + of right or wrong. I think the best patriot is the man who wants his + country to do right. + </p> + <p> + The Philippines would be a very valuable possession to us, in view of + their proximity to China. But, however desirable they may be, that cuts no + figure. We must do right. We must act nobly toward the Filipinos, whether + we get the islands or not. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see peace between us and the Filipinos; peace honorable to + both; peace based on reason instead of force. + </p> + <p> + If control had been given to Dewey, if Miles had been sent to Manila, I do + not believe that a shot would have been fired at the Filipinos, and that + they would have welcomed the American flag. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Although you are not in favor of taking the Philippines + by force, how do you regard the administration in its conduct of the war? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. They have made many mistakes at Washington, and they are + still making many. If it has been decided to conquer the Filipinos, then + conquer them at once. Let the struggle not be drawn out and the drops of + blood multiplied. The Republican party is being weakened by inaction at + the Capital. If the war is not ended shortly, the party in power will feel + the evil effects at the presidential election. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. In what light do you regard the Philippines as an + addition to the territory of the United States? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Probably in the future, and possibly in the near future, + the value of the islands to this country could hardly be calculated. The + division of China which is bound to come, will open a market of four + hundred millions of people. Naturally a possession close to the open doors + of the East would be of an almost incalculable value to this country. + </p> + <p> + It might perhaps take a long time to teach the Chinese that they need our + products. But suppose that the Chinese came to look upon wheat in the same + light that other people look upon wheat and its product, bread? What an + immense amount of grain it would take to feed four hundred million hungry + Chinamen! + </p> + <p> + The same would be the case with the rest of our products. So you will + perhaps agree with me in my view of the immense value of the islands if + they could but be obtained by honorable means. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. If the Democratic party makes anti-imperialism the + prominent plank in its platform, what effect will it have on the party's + chance for success? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. Anti-imperialism, as the Democratic battle-cry, would + greatly weaken a party already very weak. It is the most unpopular issue + of the day. The people want expansion. The country is infected with + patriotic enthusiasm. The party that tries to resist the tidal wave will + be swept away. Anybody who looks can see. + </p> + <p> + Let a band at any of the summer resorts or at the suburban breathing spots + play a patriotic air. The listeners are electrified, and they rise and off + go their hats when "The Star-Spangled Banner" is struck up. Imperialism + cannot be fought with success. + </p> + <p> + <i>Question</i>. Will the Democratic party have a strong issue in its + anti-trust cry? + </p> + <p> + <i>Answer</i>. In my opinion, both parties will nail anti-trust planks in + their platforms. But this talk is all bosh with both parties. Neither one + is honest in its cry against trusts. The one making the more noise in this + direction may get the votes of some unthinking persons, but every one who + is capable of reading and digesting what he reads, knows full well that + the leaders of neither party are sincere and honest in their + demonstrations against the trusts. + </p> + <p> + Why should the Democratic party lay claim to any anti-trust glory? Is it + not a Republican administration that is at present investigating the + alleged evils of trusts? + </p> + <p> + —<i>The North American</i>, Philadelphia, June 22, 1899. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. +8 (of 12), by Robert G. 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Ingersoll, Volume 9 (of 12) by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 9 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 9 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Political + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38809] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + "HE LOVES HIS COUNTRY BEST WHO STRIVES TO MAKE IT BEST." + </h4> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + IN TWELVE VOLUMES, VOLUME IX. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + POLITICAL + </h2> + <h3> + DRESDEN EDITION + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38809/old/orig38809-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage (62K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="portrait (64K)" src="images/portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">CONTENTS OF VOLUME IX.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">AN ADDRESS TO THE COLORED PEOPLE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">SPEECH AT INDIANAPOLIS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">CENTENNIAL ORATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">BANGOR SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">COOPER UNION SPEECH, NEW YORK.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">INDIANAPOLIS SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">CHICAGO SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">EIGHT TO SEVEN ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">HARD TIMES AND THE WAY OUT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">SUFFRAGE ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">WALL STREET SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">BROOKLYN SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">ADDRESS TO THE 86TH ILLINOIS REGIMENT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">DECORATION DAY ORATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0015">DECORATION DAY ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0016">RATIFICATION SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0017">REUNION ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0018">THE CHICAGO AND NEW YORK GOLD SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF VOLUME IX. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">AN ADDRESS TO THE COLORED PEOPLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1867.)<br /> Slavery and its Justification by Law and Religion—Its + Destructive<br /> Influence upon Nations—Inauguration of the Modern + Slave Trade by the<br /> Portuguese Gonzales—Planted upon American + Soil—The Abolitionists,<br /> Clarkson, Wilberforce, and Others—The + Struggle in England—Pioneers<br /> in San Domingo, Oge and + Chevannes—Early Op-posers of Slavery in<br /> America—William + Lloyd Garrison—Wendell Phillips, Charles Sumner, John<br /> Brown—The + Fugitive Slave Law—The Emancipation Proclamation—Dread of<br /> + Education in the South—Advice to the Colored People.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">INDIANAPOLIS SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1868.)<br /> Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus—Precedent + Established by the<br /> Revolutionary Fathers—Committees of Safety + appointed by the<br /> Continental Congress—Arrest of Disaffected + Persons in Pennsylvania<br /> and Delaware—Interference with + Elections—Resolution of Continental<br /> Congress with respect to + Citizens who Opposed the sending of Deputies<br /> to the Convention of + New York—Penalty for refusing to take Continental<br /> Money or + Pray for the American Cause—Habeas Corpus Suspended during the<br /> + Revolution—Interference with Freedom of the Press—Negroes + Freed and<br /> allowed to Fight in the Continental Army—Crispus + Attacks—An Abolition<br /> Document issued by Andrew Jackson—Majority + rule—Slavery and the<br /> Rebellion—Tribute to General + Grant.<br /> SPEECH NOMINATING BLAINE.<br /> (1876.)<br /> Note descriptive + of the Occasion—Demand of the Republicans of the<br /> United + States—Resumption—The Plumed Knight.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">CENTENNIAL ORATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1876.)<br /> One Hundred Years ago, our Fathers retired the Gods + from Politics—The<br /> Declaration of Independence—Meaning + of the Declaration—The Old Idea<br /> of the Source of Political + Power—Our Fathers Educated by their<br /> Surroundings—The + Puritans—Universal Religious Toleration declared by<br /> the + Catholics of Maryland—Roger Williams—Not All of our Fathers + in<br /> favor of Independence—Fortunate Difference in Religious + Views—Secular<br /> Government—Authority derived from the + People—The Declaration and<br /> the Beginning of the War—What + they Fought For—Slavery—Results of<br /> a Hundred Years of + Freedom—The Declaration Carried out in Letter and<br /> Spirit.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">BANGOR SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1876.)<br /> The Hayes Campaign—Reasons for Voting the + Republican Ticket—Abolition<br /> of Slavery—Preservation of + the Union—Reasons for Not Trusting the<br /> Democratic Party—Record + of the Republican Party—Democrats Assisted<br /> the South—Paper + Money—Enfranchisement of the Negroes—Samuel J.<br /> Tilden—His + Essay on Finance.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">COOPER UNION SPEECH, NEW YORK.</a> + </p> + <p> + COOPER UNION SPEECH, NEW YORK.<br /> (1876.)<br /> All Citizens + Stockholders in the United States of America—The<br /> Democratic + Party a Hungry Organization—Political Parties<br /> Contrasted—The + Fugitive Slave Law a Disgrace to Hell in its Palmiest<br /> Days—Feelings + of the Democracy Hurt on the Subject of Religion—Defence<br /> of + Slavery in a Resolution of the Presbyterians, South—State of the<br /> + Union at the Time the Republican Party was Born—Jacob Thompson—The<br /> + National Debt—Protection of Citizens Abroad—Tammany Hall: + Its Relation<br /> to the Penitentiary—The Democratic Party of New + York City—"What<br /> Hands!"—Free Schools.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">INDIANAPOLIS SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1876.)<br /> Address to the Veteran Soldiers of the Rebellion—Objections + to<br /> the Democratic Party—The Men who have been Democrats—Why + I am a<br /> Republican—Free Labor and Free Thought—A Vision + of War—Democratic<br /> Slander of the Greenback—Shall the + People who Saved the Country Rule<br /> It?—On Finance—Government + Cannot Create Money—The Greenback Dollar<br /> a Mortgage upon the + Country—Guarantees that the Debt will be Paid-'The<br /> + Thoroughbred and the Mule—The Column of July, Paris—The + Misleading<br /> Guide Board, the Dismantled Mill, and the Place where + there had been a<br /> Hotel,<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">CHICAGO SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1876.)<br /> The Plea of "Let Bygones be Bygones"—Passport + of the Democratic<br /> Party—Right of the General Government to + send Troops into Southern<br /> States for the Protection of Colored + People—Abram S. Hewitt's<br /> Congratulatory Letter to the Negroes—The + Demand for Inflation of the<br /> Currency—Record of Rutherford B. + Hayes—Contrasted with Samuel J.<br /> Tilden—Merits of the + Republican Party—Negro and Southern White—The<br /> Superior + Man—"No Nation founded upon Injustice can Permanently Stand."<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">EIGHT TO SEVEN ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1877.)<br /> On the Electoral Commission—Reminiscences of + the Hayes-Tilden Camp—<br /> Constitution of the Electoral College—Characteristics + of the Members—<br /> Frauds at the Ballot Box Poisoning the + Fountain of Power—Reforms<br /> Suggested—Elections too + Frequent—The Professional Office-seeker—A<br /> Letter on + Civil Service Reform—Young Men Advised against Government<br /> + Clerkships—Too Many Legislators and too Much Legislation—Defect + in the<br /> Constitution as to the Mode of Electing a President—Protection + of<br /> Citizens by State and General Governments—The Dual + Government in South<br /> Carolina—Ex-Rebel Key in the President's + Cabinet—Implacables and<br /> Bourbons South and North—"I + extend to you each and all the Olive Branch<br /> of Peace."<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">HARD TIMES AND THE WAY OUT.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1878.)<br /> Capital and Labor—What is a Capitalist?—The + Idle and the Industrious<br /> Artisans—No Conflict between Capital + and Labor—A Period of Inflation<br /> and Speculation—Life + and Fire Insurance Agents—Business done on<br /> Credit—The + Crash, Failure, and Bankruptcy—Fall in the Price of Real<br /> + Estate a Form of Resumption—Coming back to Reality—Definitions + of<br /> Money Examined—Not Gold and Silver but Intelligent Labor + the Measure<br /> of Value—Government cannot by Law Create Wealth—A + Bill of Fare not<br /> a Dinner—Fiat Money—American Honor + Pledged to the Maintenance of the<br /> Greenbacks—The Cry against + Holders of Bonds—Criminals and Vagabonds to<br /> be supported—Duty + of Government to Facilitate Enterprise—More Men must<br /> + Cultivate the Soil—Government Aid for the Overcoming of Obstacles + too<br /> Great for Individual Enterprise—The Palace Builders the + Friends of<br /> Labor—Extravagance the best Form of Charity—Useless + to Boost a Man<br /> who is not Climbing—The Reasonable Price for + Labor—The Vagrant and his<br /> strange and winding Path—What + to tell the Working Men.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">SUFFRAGE ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1880.)<br /> The Right to Vote—All Women who desire the + Suffrage should have<br /> It—Shall the People of the District of + Columbia Manage their Own<br /> Affairs—Their Right to a + Representative in Congress and an Electoral<br /> Vote—Anomalous + State of Affairs at the Capital of the Republic—Not the<br /> + Wealthy and Educated alone should Govern—The Poor as Trustworthy + as the<br /> Rich—Strict Registration Laws Needed.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">WALL STREET SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1880.)<br /> Obligation of New York to Protect the Best Interests + of the<br /> Country—Treason and Forgery of the Democratic Party in + its Appeal to<br /> Sword and Pen—The One Republican in the + Penitentiary of Maine—The<br /> Doctrine of State Sovereignty—Protection + for American Brain and<br /> Muscle—Hancock on the Tariff—A + Forgery (the Morey letter) Committed<br /> and upheld—The Character + of James A. Garfield.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">BROOKLYN SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1880.)<br /> Introduced by Henry Ward Beecher (note)—Some + Patriotic<br /> Democrats—Freedom of Speech North and South—An + Honest Ballot—<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">ADDRESS TO THE 86TH ILLINOIS REGIMENT.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">DECORATION DAY ORATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0015">DECORATION DAY ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0016">RATIFICATION SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0017">REUNION ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0018">THE CHICAGO AND NEW YORK GOLD SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + AN ADDRESS TO THE COLORED PEOPLE. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * An address delivered to the colored people at Galesburg, + Illinois, 1867. +</pre> + <p> + FELLOW-CITIZENS—Slavery has in a thousand forms existed in all ages, + and among all people. It is as old as theft and robbery. + </p> + <p> + Every nation has enslaved its own people, and sold its own flesh and + blood. Most of the white race are in slavery to-day. It has often been + said that any man who ought to be free, will be. The men who say this + should remember that their own ancestors were once cringing, frightened, + helpless slaves. + </p> + <p> + When they became sufficiently educated to cease enslaving their own + people, they then enslaved the first race they could conquer. If they + differed in religion, they enslaved them. If they differed in color, that + was sufficient. If they differed even in language, it was enough. If they + were captured, they then pretended that having spared their lives, they + had the right to enslave them. This argument was worthless. If they were + captured, then there was no necessity for killing them. If there was no + necessity for killing them, then they had no right to kill them. If they + had no right to kill them, then they had no right to enslave them under + the pretence that they had saved their lives. + </p> + <p> + Every excuse that the ingenuity of avarice could devise was believed to be + a complete justification, and the great argument of slaveholders in all + countries has been that slavery is a divine institution, and thus stealing + human beings has always been fortified with a "Thus saith the Lord." + </p> + <p> + Slavery has been upheld by law and religion in every country. The word + Liberty is not in any creed in the world. Slavery is right according to + the law of man, shouted the judge. It is right according to the law of + God, shouted the priest. Thus sustained by what they were pleased to call + the law of God and man, slaveholders never voluntarily freed the slaves, + with the exception of the Quakers. The institution has in all ages been + clung to with the tenacity of death; clung to until it sapped and + destroyed the foundations of society; clung to until all law became + violence; clung to until virtue was a thing only of history; clung to + until industry folded its arms—until commerce reefed every sail—until + the fields were desolate and the cities silent, except where the poor free + asked for bread, and the slave for mercy; clung to until the slave forging + the sword of civil war from his fetters drenched the land in the master's + blood. Civil war has been the great liberator of the world. + </p> + <p> + Slavery has destroyed every nation that has gone down to death. It caused + the last vestige of Grecian civilization to disappear forever, and it + caused Rome to fall with a crash that shook the world. After the + disappearance of slavery in its grossest forms in Europe, Gonzales pointed + out to his countrymen, the Portuguese, the immense profits that they could + make by stealing Africans, and thus commenced the modern slave-trade—that + aggregation of all horror—that infinite of all cruelty, prosecuted + only by demons, and defended only by fiends. And yet the slave-trade has + been defended and sustained by every civilized nation, and by each and all + has been baptized "Legitimate commerce," in the name of the Father, the + Son and the Holy Ghost: + </p> + <p> + It was even justified upon the ground that it tended to Christianize the + negro. + </p> + <p> + It was of the poor hypocrites who had used this argument that Whittier + said, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "They bade the slaveship speed from coast to coast, + Fanned by the wings of the Holy Ghost." +</pre> + <p> + Backed and supported by such Christian and humane arguments slavery was + planted upon our soil in 1620, and from that day to this it has been the + cause of all our woes, of all the bloodshed—of all the + heart-burnings—hatred and horrors of more than two hundred years, + and yet we hated to part with the beloved institution. Like Pharaoh we + would not let the people go. He was afflicted with vermin, with frogs—with + water turned to blood—with several kinds of lice, and yet would not + let the people go. We were afflicted with worse than all these combined—the + Northern Democracy—before we became grand enough to say, "Slavery + shall be eradicated from the soil of the Republic." When we reached this + sublime moral height we were successful. The Rebellion was crushed and + liberty established. + </p> + <p> + A majority of the civilized world is for freedom—nearly all the + Christian denominations are for liberty. The world has changed—the + people are nobler, better and purer than ever. + </p> + <p> + Every great movement must be led by heroic and self-sacrificing pioneers. + In England, in Christian England, the soul of the abolition cause was + Thomas Clarkson. To the great cause of human freedom he devoted his life. + He won over the eloquent and glorious Wilberforce, the great Pitt, the + magnificent orator, Burke, and that far-seeing and humane statesman, + Charles James Fox. + </p> + <p> + In 1788 a resolution was introduced in the House of Commons declaring that + the slave trade ought to be abolished. It was defeated. Learned lords + opposed it. They said that too much capital was invested by British + merchants in the slave-trade. That if it were abolished the ships would + rot at the wharves, and that English commerce would be swept from the + seas. Sanctified Bishops—lords spiritual—thought the scheme + fanatical, and various resolutions to the same effect were defeated. + </p> + <p> + The struggle lasted twenty years, and yet during all those years in which + England refused to abolish the hellish trade, that nation had the + impudence to send missionaries all over the world to make converts to a + religion that in their opinion, at least, allowed man to steal his brother + man—that allowed one Christian to rob another of his wife, his + child, and of that greatest of all blessings—his liberty. It was not + until the year 1808 that England was grand and just enough to abolish the + slave-trade, and not until 1833 that slavery was abolished in all her + colonies. + </p> + <p> + The name of Thomas Clarkson should be remembered and honored through all + coming time by every black man, and by every white man who loves liberty + and hates cruelty and injustice. + </p> + <p> + Clarkson, Wilberforce, Pitt, Fox, Burke, were the Titans that swept the + accursed slaver from that highway—the sea. + </p> + <p> + In St. Domingo the pioneers were Oge and Chevannes; they headed a revolt; + they were unsuccessful, but they roused the slaves to resistance. They + were captured, tried, condemned and executed. They were made to ask + forgiveness of God, and of the King, for having attempted to give freedom + to their own flesh and blood. They were broken alive on the wheel, and + left to die of hunger and pain. The blood of these martyrs became the seed + of liberty; and afterward in the midnight assault, in the massacre and + pillage, the infuriated slaves shouted their names as their battle-cry, + until Toussaint, the greatest of the blacks, gave freedom to them all. + </p> + <p> + In the United States, among the Revolutionary fathers, such men as John + Adams, and his son John Quincy—such men as Franklin and John Jay + were opposed to the institution of slavery. Thomas Jefferson said, + speaking of the slaves, "When the measure of their tears shall be full—when + their groans shall have involved heaven itself in darkness—doubtless + a God of justice will awaken to their distress, and by diffusing light and + liberality among their oppressors, or at length by his exterminating + thunder manifest his attention to the things of this world, and that they + are not left to the guidance of a blind fatality." + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine said, "No man can be happy surrounded by those whose + happiness he has destroyed." And a more self-evident proposition was never + uttered. + </p> + <p> + These and many more Revolutionary heroes were opposed to slavery and did + what they could to prevent the establishment and spread of this most + wicked and terrible of all institutions. + </p> + <p> + You owe gratitude to those who were for liberty as a principle and not + from mere necessity. You should remember with more than gratitude that + firm, consistent and faithful friend of your downtrodden race, Wm. Lloyd + Garrison. He has devoted his life to your cause. Many years ago in Boston + he commenced the publication of a paper devoted to liberty. Poor and + despised—friendless and almost alone, he persevered in that grandest + and holiest of all possible undertakings. He never stopped, or stayed, or + paused until the chain was broken and the last slave could lift his + toil-worn face to heaven with the light of freedom shining down upon him, + and say, I am a Free Man. + </p> + <p> + You should not forget that noble philanthropist, Wendell Phillips, and + your most learned and eloquent defender, Charles Sumner. + </p> + <p> + But the real pioneer in America was old John Brown. Moved not by + prejudice, not by love of his blood, or his color, but by an infinite love + of Liberty, of Right, of Justice, almost single-handed, he attacked the + monster, with thirty million people against him. His head was wrong. He + miscalculated his forces; but his heart was right. He struck the sublimest + blow of the age for freedom. It was said of him that, he stepped from the + gallows to the throne of God. It was said that he had made the scaffold to + Liberty what Christ had made the cross to Christianity. The sublime Victor + Hugo declared that John Brown was greater than Washington, and that his + name would live forever. + </p> + <p> + I say, that no man can be greater than the man who bravely and heroically + sacrifices his life for the good of others. No man can be greater than the + one who meets death face to face, and yet will not shrink from what he + believes to be his highest duty. If the black people want a patron saint, + let them take the brave old John Brown. And as the gentleman who preceded + me said, at all your meetings, never separate until you have sung the + grand song, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave, + But his soul goes marching on." +</pre> + <p> + You do not, in my opinion, owe a great debt of gratitude to many of the + white people. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago both parties agreed to carry out the Fugitive Slave + Law. If a woman ninety-nine one-hundredths white had fled from slavery—had + traveled through forests, crossed rivers, and through countless sufferings + had got within one step of Canada—of free soil—with the light + of the North Star shining in her eyes, and her babe pressed to her + withered breast, both parties agreed to clutch her and hand her back to + the dominion of the hound and lash. Both parties, as parties, were willing + to do this when the Rebellion commenced. + </p> + <p> + The truth is, we had to give you your liberty. There came a time in the + history of the war when, defeated at the ballot box and in the field—driven + to the shattered gates of eternal chaos—we were forced to make you + free; and on the first day of January, 1863, the justice so long delayed + was done, and four millions of people were lifted from the condition of + beasts of burden to the sublime heights of freedom. Lincoln, the immortal, + issued, and the men of the North sustained the great proclamation. + </p> + <p> + As in the war there came a time when we were forced to make you free, so + in the history of reconstruction came a time when we were forced to make + you citizens; when we were forced to say that you should vote, and that + you should have and exercise all the rights that we claim for ourselves. + </p> + <p> + And to-day I am in favor of giving you every right that I claim for + myself. + </p> + <p> + In reconstructing the Southern States, we could take our choice, either + give the ballot to the negro, or allow the rebels to rule. We preferred + loyal blacks to disloyal whites, because we believed liberty safer in the + hands of its friends than in those of its foes. + </p> + <p> + We must be for freedom everywhere. Freedom is progress—slavery is + desolation, cruelty and want. + </p> + <p> + Freedom invents—slavery forgets. The problem of the slave is to do + the least work in the longest space of time. The problem of free men is to + do the greatest amount of work in the shortest space of time. The free + man, working for wife and children, gets his head and his hands in + partnership. + </p> + <p> + Freedom has invented every useful machine, from the lowest to the highest, + from the simplest to the most complex. Freedom believes in education—the + salvation of slavery is ignorance. + </p> + <p> + The South always dreaded the alphabet. They looked upon each letter as an + abolitionist, and well they might. With a scent keener than their own + bloodhounds they detected everything that could, directly or indirectly, + interfere with slavery. They knew that when slaves begin to think, masters + begin to tremble. They knew that free thought would destroy them; that + discussion could not be endured; that a free press would liberate every + slave; and so they mobbed free thought, and put an end to free discussion + and abolished a free press, and in fact did all the mean and infamous + things they could, that slavery might live, and that liberty might perish + from among men. + </p> + <p> + You are now citizens of many of the States, and in time you will be of + all. I am astonished when I think how long it took to abolish the + slave-trade, how long it took to abolish slavery in this country. I am + also astonished to think that a few years ago magnificent steamers went + down the Mississippi freighted with your fathers, mothers, brothers, and + sisters, and maybe some of you, bound like criminals, separated from + wives, from husbands, every human feeling laughed at and outraged, sold + like beasts, carried away from homes to work for another, receiving for + pay only the marks of the lash upon the naked back. I am astonished at + these things. I hate to think that all this was done under the + Constitution of the United States, under the flag of my country, under the + wings of the eagle. + </p> + <p> + The flag was not then what it is now. It was a mere rag in comparison. The + eagle was a buzzard, and the Constitution sanctioned the greatest crime of + the world. + </p> + <p> + I wonder that you—the black people—have forgotten all this. I + wonder that you ask a white man to address you on this occasion, when the + history of your connection with the white race is written in your blood + and tears—is still upon your flesh, put there by the branding-iron + and the lash. + </p> + <p> + I feel like asking your forgiveness for the wrongs that my race has + inflicted upon yours. If, in the future, the wheel of fortune should take + a turn, and you should in any country have white men in your power, I pray + you not to execute the villainy we have taught you. + </p> + <p> + One word in conclusion. You have your liberty—use it to benefit your + race. Educate yourselves, educate your children, send teachers to the + South. Let your brethren there be educated. Let them know something of art + and science. Improve yourselves, stand by each other, and above all be in + favor of liberty the world over. + </p> + <p> + The time is coming when you will be' allowed to be good and useful + citizens of the Great Republic. This is your country as much as it is + mine. You have the same rights here that I have—the same interest + that I have. The avenues of distinction will be open to you and your + children. Great advances have been made. The rebels are now opposed to + slavery—the Democratic party is opposed to slavery, <i>as they say</i>. + There is going to be no war of races. Both parties want your votes in the + South, and there will be just enough negroes without principle to join the + rebels to make them think they will get more, and so the rebels will treat + the negroes well. And the Republicans will be sure to treat them well in + order to prevent any more joining the rebels. + </p> + <p> + The great problem is solved. Liberty has solved it—and there will be + no more slavery. On the old flag, on every fold and on every star will be + liberty for all, equality before the law. The grand people are marching + forward, and they will not pause until the earth is without a chain, and + without a throne. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SPEECH AT INDIANAPOLIS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Hon. Robert G. Ingersoll, Attorney-General of Illinois, + spoke at the Rink last night to a large and appreciative + audience among whom were many ladies. The distinguished + speaker was escorted to the Rink by the battalion of the + Fighting Boys in Blue. Col. Ingersoll spoke at a great + disadvantage in having so large a hall to fill, but he has a + splendid voice and so overcame the difficulty. The audience + liberally applauded the numerous passages of eloquence and + humor in Col. Ingersoll's speeeh, and listened with the best + attention to his powerful argument, nor could they have done + otherwise, for the speaker has a national reputation and did + himself full justice last night—The Journal, Indianapolis, + Indiana, September 23, 1868. +</pre> + <p> + GRANT CAMPAIGN + </p> + <p> + THE Democratic party, so-called, have several charges which they make + against the Republican party. They give us a variety of reasons why the + Republican party should no longer be entrusted with the control of this + country. Among other reasons they say that the Republican party during the + war was guilty of arresting citizens without due process of law—that + we arrested Democrats and put them in jail without indictment, in Lincoln + bastiles, without making an affidavit before a Justice of the Peace—that + on some occasions we suspended the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, that we + put some Democrats in jail without their being indicted. I am sorry we did + not put more. I admit we arrested some of them without an affidavit filed + before a Justice of the Peace. I sincerely regret that we did not arrest + more. I admit that for a few hours on one or two occasions we interfered + with the freedom of the press; I sincerely regret that the Government + allowed a sheet to exist that did not talk on the side of this Government. + </p> + <p> + I admit that we did all these things. + </p> + <p> + It is only proper and fair that we should answer these charges. Unless the + Republican party can show that they did these things either according to + the strict letter of law, according to the highest precedent, or from the + necessity of the case, then we must admit that our party did wrong. You + know as well as I that every Democratic orator talks about the fathers, + about Washington and Jackson, Madison, Jefferson, and many others; they + tell us about the good old times when politicians were pure, when you + could get justice in the courts, when Congress was honest, when the + political parties differed, and differed kindly and honestly; and they are + shedding crocodile tears day after day—praying that the good old + honest times might return again. They tell you that the members of this + radical party are nothing like the men of the Revolution. Let us see. + </p> + <p> + I lay this down as a proposition, that we had a right to do anything to + preserve this Government that our fathers had a right to do to found it. + If they had a right to put Tories in jail, to suspend the writ of <i>habeas + corpus</i>, and on some occasions <i>corpus</i>, in order to found this + Government, we had a right to put rebels and Democrats in jail and to + suspend the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> in order to preserve the + Government they thus formed. If they had a right to interfere with the + freedom of the press in order that liberty might be planted upon this + soil, we had a right to do the same thing to prevent the tree from being + destroyed. In a word, we had a right to do anything to preserve this + Government which they had a right to do to found it. + </p> + <p> + Did our fathers arrest Tories without writs, without indictments—did + they interfere with the personal rights of Tories in the name of liberty—did + they have Washington bastiles, did they have Jefferson jails—did + they have dungeons in the time of the Revolution in which they put men + that dared talk against this country and the liberties of the colonies? I + propose to show that they did—that where we imprisoned one they + imprisoned a hundred—that where we interfered with personal liberty + once they did it a hundred times—that they carried on a war that <i>was</i> + a war—that they knew that when an appeal was made to force that was + the end of law—that they did not attempt to gain their liberties + through a Justice of the Peace or through a Grand Jury; that they appealed + to force and the God of battles, and that any man who sought their + protection and at the same time was against them and their cause they took + by the nape of the neck and put in jail, where he ought to have been. + </p> + <p> + The old Continental Congress in 1774 and 1776 had made up their minds that + we ought to have something like liberty in these colonies, and the first + step they took toward securing that end was to provide for the selection + of a committee in every county and township, with a view to examining and + finding out how the people stood touching the liberty of the colonies, and + if they found a man that was not in favor of it, the people would not have + anything to do with him politically, religiously, or socially. That was + the first step they took, and a very sensible step it was. + </p> + <p> + What was the next step? They found that these men were so lost to every + principle of honor that they did not hurt them any by disgracing them. + </p> + <p> + So they passed the following resolution which explains itself: + </p> + <p> + <i>Resolved</i>. That it be recommended to the several provincial + assemblies or conventions or councils, or committees of safety, to arrest + and secure every person in their respective colonies whose going at large, + may, in their opinion, endanger the safety of the colony or the liberties + of America.—Journal of Congress, vol. 1, page 149. + </p> + <p> + What was the Committee of Safety? Was it a Justice of the Peace? No. Was + it a Grand Jury? No. It was simply a committee of five or seven persons, + more or less, appointed to watch over the town or county and see that + these Tories were attending to their business and not interfering with the + rights of the colonies. Whom were they to thus arrest and secure? Every + man that had committed murder—that had taken up arms against + America, or voted the Democratic or Tory ticket? No. "Every person whose + going at large might in their opinion, endanger the safety of the colony + or the liberties of America." It was not necessary that they had committed + any overt act, but if in the opinion of this council of safety, it was + dangerous to let them run at large they were locked up. Suppose that we + had done that during the last war? You would have had to build several new + jails in this county. What a howl would have gone up all over this State + if we had attempted such a thing as that, and yet we had a perfect right + to do anything to preserve our liberties, which our fathers had a right to + do to obtain them. + </p> + <p> + What more did they do? In 1777 the same Congress that signed the immortal + Declaration of Independence (and I think they knew as much about liberty + and the rights of men as any Democrat in Marion county) adopted another + resolution: + </p> + <p> + <i>Resolved</i>. That it be recommended to the Executive powers of the + several States, forthwith to apprehend and secure all persons who have in + their general conduct and conversation evinced a disposition inimical to + the cause of America, and that the persons so seized be confined in such + places and treated in such manner as shall be consistent with their + several characters and security of their persons.—-Journal of + Congress, vol. 2, p. 246. + </p> + <p> + If they had talked as the Democrats talked during the late war—if + they had called the soldiers, "Washington hirelings," and if when they + allowed a few negroes to help them fight, had branded the struggle for + liberty as an abolition war, they would be "apprehended and confined in + such places and treated in such manner as was consistent with their + characters and security of their persons," and yet all they did was to + show a disposition inimical to the independence of America. If we had + pursued a policy like that during the late war, nine out of ten of the + members of the Democratic party would have been in jail—there would + not have been jails and prisons enough on the face of the whole earth to + hold them. . + </p> + <p> + Now, when a Democrat talks to you about Lincoln bastiles, just quote this + to him: + </p> + <p> + <i>Whereas</i>, The States of Pennsylvania and Delaware are threatened + with an immediate invasion from a powerful army, who have already landed + at the head of Chesapeake Bay; and whereas, The principles of sound policy + and self-preservation require that persons who may be reasonably suspected + of aiding or abetting the cause of the enemy may be prevented from + pursuing measures injurious to the general weal, + </p> + <p> + <i>Resolved</i>, That the executive authorities of the States of + Pennsylvania and Delaware be requested to cause all persons within their + respective States, notoriously disaffected, to be apprehended, disarmed + and secured until such time as the respective States think they may be + released without injury to the common cause.—-Journal of Congress, + vol. 2, p. 240. + </p> + <p> + That is what they did with them. When there was an invasion threatened the + good State of Indiana, if we had said we will imprison all men who by + their conduct and conversation show that they are inimical to our cause, + we would have been obliged to import jails and corral Democrats as we did + mules in the army. Our fathers knew that the flag was never intended to + protect any man who wanted to assail it. + </p> + <p> + What more did they do? There was a man by the name of David Franks, who + wrote a letter and wanted to send it to England. In that letter he gave it + as his opinion that the colonies were becoming disheartened and sick of + the war. The heroic and chivalric fathers of the Revolution violated the + mails, took the aforesaid letter and then they took the aforesaid David + Franks by the collar and put him in jail. Then they passed a resolution in + Congress that inasmuch as the said letter showed a disposition inimical to + the liberties of the United States, Major General Arnold be requested to + cause the said David Franks to be forthwith arrested, put in jail and + confined till the further order of Congress. (Jour. Cong., vol. 3, p. 96 + and 97.) + </p> + <p> + How many Democrats wrote letters during the war declaring that the North + never could conquer the South? How many wrote letters to the soldiers in + the army telling them to shed no more fraternal blood in that suicidal and + unchristian war? It would have taken all the provost marshals in the + United States to arrest the Democrats in Indiana who were guilty of that + offence. And yet they are talking about our fathers being such good men, + while they are cursing us fordoing precisely what they did, only to a less + extent than they did. + </p> + <p> + We are still on the track of the old Continental Congress. I want you to + understand the spirit that animated those men. They passed a resolution + which is particularly applicable to the Democrats during the war: + </p> + <p> + With respect to all such unworthy Americans as, regardless of their duty + to their Creator, their country, and their posterity, have taken part with + our oppressors, and, influenced by the hope or possession of ignominious + rewards, strive to recommend themselves to the bounty of the + administration by misrepresenting and traducing the conduct and principles + of the friends of American liberty, and opposing every measure formed for + its preservation and security, + </p> + <p> + <i>Resolved</i>, That it be recommended to the different assemblies, + conventions and committees or councils of safety in the United Colonies, + by the most speedy and effectual measures, to frustrate the mischievous + machinations and restrain the wicked practices of these men. And it is the + opinion of this Congress that they ought to be disarmed and the more + dangerous among them either kept in safe custody or bound with sufficient + sureties for their good behavior. + </p> + <p> + And in order that the said assemblies, conventions, committees or councils + of safety may be enabled with greater ease and facility to carry this + resolution into execution, + </p> + <p> + <i>Resolved</i>, That they be authorized to call to their aid whatever + Continental troops stationed in or near their respective colonies that may + be conveniently spared from their more immediate duties, and commanding + officers of such troops are hereby directed to afford the said assemblies, + conventions, committees or councils of safety, all such assistance in + executing this resolution as they may require, and which, consistent with + the good of the service, may be supplied—Journal of Congress, vol. + i, p. 22, + </p> + <p> + Do you hear that, Democrat? The old Continental Congress said to these + committees and councils of safety: "Whenever you want to arrest any of + these scoundrels, call on the Continental troops." And General Washington, + the commander-in-chief of the army, and the officers under him, were + directed to aid in the enforcement of all the measures adopted with + reference to disaffected and dangerous persons. And what had these persons + done? Simply shown by their conversation, and letters directed to their + friends, that they were opposed to the cause of American liberty. They did + not even spare the Governors of States. They were not appalled by any + official position that a Tory might hold. They simply said, "If you are + not in favor of American liberty, we will put you 'where the dogs won't + bite you.'" One of these men was Governor Eden of Maryland. Congress + passed a resolution requesting the Council of Safety of Maryland to seize + and secure his person and papers, and send such of them as related to the + American dispute to Congress without delay. At the same time the person + and papers of another man, one Alexander Ross, were seized in the same + manner. Ross was put in jail, and his papers transmitted to Congress. + </p> + <p> + There was a fellow by the name of Parke and another by the name of Morton, + who presumed to undertake a journey from Philadelphia to New York without + getting a pass. Congress ordered them to be arrested and imprisoned until + further orders. They did not wait to have an affidavit filed before a + Justice of the Peace. They took them by force and put them in jail, and + that was the end of it. So much for the policy of the fathers, in regard + to arbitrary arrests. + </p> + <p> + During the war there was a great deal said about our occasionally + interfering with the elections. Let us see how the fathers stood upon that + question. + </p> + <p> + They held a convention in the State of New York in Revolutionary times, + and there were some gentlemen in Queens County that were playing the role + of Kentucky—they were going to be neutral—they refused to vote + to send deputies to the convention—they stood upon their dignity + just as Kentucky stood upon hers—a small place to stand on, the Lord + knows. What did our fathers do with them? They denounced them as unworthy + to be American citizens and hardly fit to live. Here is a resolution + adopted by the Continental Congress on the 3d of January, 1776: + </p> + <p> + <i>Resolved</i>, That all such persons in Queens County aforesaid as voted + against sending deputies to the present Convention of New York, and named + in a list of delinquents in Queens County, published by the Convention of + New York, be put out of the protection of the United Colonies, and that + all trade and intercourse with them cease; that none of the inhabitants of + that county be permitted to travel or abide in any part of these United + Colonies out of their said colony without a certificate from the + Convention or Committee of Safety of the Colony of New York, setting forth + that such inhabitant is a friend of the American cause, and not of the + number of those who voted against sending deputies to the said Convention, + and that such of the inhabitants as shall be found out of the said county + without such certificate, be apprehended and imprisoned three months. + </p> + <p> + <i>Resolved</i>, That no attorney or lawyer ought to commence, prosecute + or defend any action at law of any kind, for any of the said inhabitants + of Queens County, who voted against sending deputies to the Convention as + aforesaid, and such attorney or lawyer as shall countenance this + revolution, are enemies to the American cause, and shall be treated + accordingly. + </p> + <p> + What had they done? Simply voted against sending delegates to the + convention, and yet the fathers not only put them out of the protection of + law, but prohibited any lawyer from appearing in their behalf in a court. + Democrats, don't you wish we had treated you that way during the war? + </p> + <p> + What more did they do? They ordered a company of troops from Connecticut, + and two or three companies from New Jersey, to go into the State of New + York, and take away from every person who had voted against sending + deputies to the convention, all his arms, and if anybody refused to give + up his arms, they put him in jail. Don't you wish you had lived then, my + friend Democrat? Don't you wish you had prosecuted the war as our fathers + prosecuted the Revolution? + </p> + <p> + I now want to show you how far they went in this direction. A man by the + name of Sutton, who lived on Long Island, had been going around giving his + constitutional opinions upon the war. They had him arrested, and went on + to resolve that he should be taken from Philadelphia, pay the cost of + transportation himself, be put in jail there, and while in jail should + board himself. Wouldn't a Democrat have had a hard scramble for victuals + if we had carried out that idea? Just see what outrageous and terrible + things the fathers did. And why did they do it? Because they saw that in + order to establish the liberties of America it was necessary they should + take the Tory by the throat just as it was necessary for us to take rebels + by the throat during the late war. + </p> + <p> + They had paper money in those days—shin-plasters—and some of + the Democrats of those times had legal doubts about this paper currency. + One of these Democrats, Thomas Harriott, was called before a Committee of + Safety of New York, and there convicted of having refused to receive in + payment the Continental bills. The committee of New York conceiving that + he was a dangerous person, informed the Provincial Congress of the facts + in the case, and inquired whether Congress thought he ought to go at + large. Upon receipt of this information by Congress an order for the + imprisonment of the offender was passed, as follows: + </p> + <p> + <i>Resolved</i>, That the General Committee of the city of New York be + requested and authorized, and are hereby requested and authorized to + direct that Thomas Harriott be committed to close jail in this city, there + to remain until further orders of this Congress.—Amer. Archives, 4th + series, vol. 6, P. i, 344. + </p> + <p> + And yet all that he had done was to refuse to take Continental money. He + had simply given his opinion on the legal tender law, just as the + Democrats of Indiana did in regard to greenbacks, and as a few circuit + judges decided when they declared the Legal Tender Act unconstitutional. + It would have been perfectly proper and right that they, every man of + them, should be, like Thomas Harriott, "committed to close jail, there to + remain until further orders." + </p> + <p> + Did our forefathers ever interfere with religion? Yes, they did with a + preacher by the name of Daniels, because he would not pray for the + American cause. He thought he could coax the Lord to beat us. They said to + him, "You pray on our side, sir." He would not do it, and so they put him + in jail and gave him work enough to pray himself out, and it took him some + time to do it. They interfered with a <i>lack</i> of religion. They + believed that a Tory or traitor in the pulpit was no better than anybody + else. That is the way I have sometimes felt during the war. I have thought + that I would like to see some of those white cravatted gentlemen "snaked" + right out of the pulpits where they had dared to utter their treason, and + set to playing checkers through a grated window. + </p> + <p> + It is not possible that our fathers ever interfered with the writ of <i>habeas + corpus</i>, is it? Yes sir. Our fathers advocated the doctrine that the + good of the people is the supreme law of the land. They also advocated the + doctrine that in the midst of armies law falls to the ground; the doctrine + that when a country is in war it is to be governed by the laws of war. + They thought that laws were made for the protection of good citizens, for + the punishment of citizens that were bad, when they were not too bad or + too numerous; then they threw the law-book down while they took the cannon + and whipped the badness out of them; that is the next step, when the + stones you throw, and kind words, and grass have failed. They said, why + did we not appeal to law? We did; but it did no good. A large portion of + the people were up in arms in defiance of law, and there was only one way + to put them down, and that was by force of arms; and whenever an appeal is + made to force, that force is governed by the law of war. + </p> + <p> + The fathers suspended the writ in the case of a man who had committed an + offence in the State of New York. They sent him to the State of + Connecticut to be confined, just as men were sent from Indiana to Fort + Lafayette. The attorneys came before the convention of New York to hear + the matter inquired into, but the committee of the convention to whom the + matter was referred refused to inquire into the original cause of + commitment—a direct denial of the authority of the writ. The writ of + <i>habeas corpus</i> merely brings the body before the judge that he may + inquire why he is imprisoned. They refused to make any such inquiry. Their + action was endorsed by the convention and the gentleman was sent to + Connecticut and put in jail. They not only did these things in one + instance, but in a thousand. They took men from Maryland and put them in + prison in Pennsylvania, and they took men from Pennsylvania and confined + them in Maryland, Whenever they thought the Tories were so thick at one + point that the rascals might possibly be released, they took them + somewhere else. + </p> + <p> + They did not interfere with the freedom of the press, did they? Yes, sir. + They found a gentleman who was speaking and writing against the liberties + of the colonies, and they just took his paper away from him, and gave it + to a man who ran it in the interest of the colonies, using the Tory's type + and press. [A voice—That was right.] Right! of course it was right. + What right has a newspaper in Indiana to talk against the cause for which + your son is laying down his life on the field of battle? What right has + any man to make it take thousands of men more to crush a rebellion? What + right has any man protected by the American flag to do all in his power to + put it in the hands of the enemies of his country? The same right that any + man has to be a rascal, a thief and traitor—no other right under + heaven. Our fathers had sense enough to see that, and they said, "One + gentleman in the rear printing against our noble cause, will cost us + hundreds of noble lives at the front." Why have you a right to take a + rebel's horse? Because it helps you and weakens the enemy. That is by the + law of war. That is the principle upon which they seized the Tory printing + press. They had the right to do it. And if I had had the power in this + country, no man should have said a word, or written a line, or printed + anything against the cause for which the heroic men of the North + sacrificed their lives. I would have enriched the soil of this country + with him before he should have done it. A man by the name of James + Rivington undertook to publish a paper against the country. They would not + speak to him; they denounced him, seized his press, and made him ask + forgiveness and promise to print no more such stuff before they would let + him have his sheet again. No person but a rebel ever thought that was + wrong. There is no common sense in going to the field to fight and leaving + a man at home to undo all that you accomplish. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers did not like these Tories, and when the war was over they + confiscated their estates—took their land and gave it over to good + Union men. + </p> + <p> + How did they do it? Did they issue summons, and have a trial? No, sir. + They did it by wholesale—they did it by resolution, and the estates + of hundreds of men were taken from them without their having a day in + court or any notice or trial whatever. They said to the Tories: "You cast + your fortunes with the other side, let them pay you. The flag you fought + against protects the land you owned and it will prevent you from having + it." Nor is that all. They ran thousands of them out of the country away + up into Nova Scotia, and the old blue-nosed Tories are there yet. + </p> + <p> + In his letter to Governor Cooke of Rhode Island, Washington enumerates an + act of that colony, declaring that "none should speak, write, or act + against the proceedings of Congress or their Acts of Assembly, under + penalty of being disarmed and disqualified from holding any office, and + being further punished by imprisonment," as one that met his approbation, + and which should exist in other colonies. There is the doctrine for you + Democrats. So I could go on by the hour or by the day. I could show you + how they made domiciliary visits, interfered with travel, imprisoned + without any sort of writ or affidavit—in other words, did whatever + they thought was necessary to whip the enemy and establish their + independence. + </p> + <p> + What next do they charge against us? That we freed negroes. So we did. + That we allowed those negroes to fight in the army. Yes, we did, That we + allowed them to vote. We did that too. That we have made them citizens. + Yes, we have, and what are you Democrats going to do about it? + </p> + <p> + Now, what did our fathers do? Did they free any of the negroes? Yes, sir. + Did they allow any of them to fight in the army? Yes, sir. Did they permit + any of them to vote? Yes, sir. Did they make them citizens? Yes, sir. Let + us see whether they did or not. + </p> + <p> + Before we had the present Constitution we had what were called Articles of + Confederation. The fourth of those articles provided that every free + inhabitant of the colony should be a citizen. It did not make any + difference whether he was white or black; and negroes voted by the side of + Washington and Jefferson. Just here the question arises, if negroes were + good enough in 1787 and 1790 to vote by the side of such men, whether + rebels and their sympathizers are good enough now to vote alongside of the + negro. + </p> + <p> + Did they let any of these negroes fight? In 1750, when Massachusetts had + slaves, there appeared in the Boston Gazette the following notice: + </p> + <p> + "Ran away from his master, Wm. Brown, of Framingham, on the 30th September + last, a mulatto fellow, about 27 years of age, named Crispus, about 6 feet + high, short curly hair, had on a light colored bear-skin coat, brown + jacket, new buckskin breeches, blue yarn stockings and check woolen + shirt," etc. + </p> + <p> + This "mulatto fellow" did not come back, and so they advertised the next + week and the week following, but still the toes of the blue yarn socks + pointed the other way. That was in 1750. 1760 came and 1770, and the + people of this continent began to talk about having their liberties. And + while wise and thoughtful men were talking about it, making petitions for + popular rights and laying them at the foot of the throne, the King's + troops were in Boston. One day they marched down King street, on their way + to arrest some citizen. The soldiery were attacked by a mob, and at its + head was a "mulatto fellow" who shouted "here they are," and it was + observed that this "mulatto fellow" was about six feet high—that his + knees were nearer together than common, and that he was about 47 years of + age. The soldiers fired upon the mob and he fell, shot through with five + balls—the first man that led a charge against British aggression—the + first martyr whose blood was shed for American liberty upon this soil. + They took up that poor corpse, and as it lay in Faneuil Hall it did more + honor to the place than did Daniel Webster defending the Fugitive Slave + Law. + </p> + <p> + They allowed him to fight. Would our fathers have been brutal enough, if + he had not been killed, to put him back into slavery? No! They would have + said that a man who fights for liberty should enjoy it. If a man fights + for that flag it shall protect him. Perish forever from the heavens the + flag that will not defend its defenders, be they white or black. + </p> + <p> + Thus our fathers felt. They raised negro troops by the company and the + regiment, and gave his liberty to every man that fought for liberty. Not + only that, but they allowed them to vote. They voted in the Carolinas, in + Tennessee, in New York, in all the New England States. Our fathers had too + much decency to act upon the Democratic doctrine. + </p> + <p> + In the war of 1812, negroes fought at Lake Erie and at New Orleans, and + then the fathers, as in the Revolution, were too magnanimous to turn them + back into slavery. You need not get mad, my Democratic friends, because + you hate Ben. Butler. Let me read you an abolition document. + </p> + <p> + You will all say it is right; you cannot say anything else when you hear + it. Butler, you know, was down in New Orleans, and he made some of those + rebels dance a tune that they did not know, and he made them keep pretty + good time too: + </p> + <p> + <i>To the Free Colored Inhabitants of Louisiana:</i> + </p> + <p> + Through a mistaken policy you have heretofore been deprived of a + participation in the glorious struggle for national rights in which our + country is engaged. This shall no longer exist. As sons of freedom you are + now called upon to defend our most inestimable blessing. As Americans, + your country looks with confidence to her adopted children for a valorous + support as a faithful return for the advantages enjoyed under her mild and + equitable government. As fathers, husbands and brothers you are summoned + to rally around the standard of the eagle—to defend all which is + dear in existence. Your country, although calling for your exertions, does + not wish you to engage in her cause without amply remunerating you for the + services rendered. Your intelligent minds can not be led away by false + representations. Your love of honor would cause you to despise a man who + should attempt to deceive you. In the sincerity of a soldier and the + language of truth I address you. To every noble-hearted, generous free man + of color volunteering to serve during the present contest and no longer, + there will be paid the same bounty in money and lands now received by the + white soldiers of the United States, viz: $124 in money and one hundred + and sixty acres of land. The noncommissioned officers and privates will + also be entitled to the same monthly pay and daily rations and clothing + furnished any American soldier. + </p> + <p> + On enrolling yourselves in companies, the Major General commanding will + select officers for your government from your white fellow-citizens. Your + non-commissioned officers will be appointed from among yourselves. Due + regard will be paid to their feelings as freemen and soldiers. You will + not by being associated with white men in the same corps, be exposed to + improper companions or unjust sarcasm. As a distinct battalion or regiment + pursuing the path of glory, you will undivided receive the applause and + gratitude of your countrymen. + </p> + <p> + To assure you of the sincerity of my intentions and my anxiety to engage + your valuable services to our country, I have communicated my wishes to + the Governor of Louisiana, who is fully informed as to the manner of + enrollment, and give you every necessary information on the subject of + this address. + </p> + <p> + This is a terrible document to a Democrat. Let us look back over it a + little. "Through a mistaken policy." We had not sense enough to let the + negroes fight during the first part of the war. "As sons of freedom" we + had got sense by this time. "Americans." Oh! shocking! Think of calling + negroes Americans. "Your country!" Is that not enough to make a Democrat + sick? "As fathers, husbands, brothers." Negro brothers. That is too bad. + "Your intelligent minds." Now, just think of a negro having an intelligent + mind. "Are not to be led away by false representations." Then precious few + of them will vote the Democratic ticket. "Your sense of honor will lead + you to despise the man who should attempt to deceive you." Then how they + will hate the Democratic party. Then he goes on to say that the same + bounty, money and land that the white soldiers receive will be paid to + these negroes. Not only that, but they are to have the same pay, clothing + and rations. Only think of a negro having as much land, as much to eat and + as many clothes to wear as a white man. Is not this a vile abolition + document? And yet there is not a Democrat in Indiana that dare open his + mouth against it, full of negro equality as it is. Now, let us see when + and by whom this proclamation was issued. You will find that it is dated, + "Headquarters 7th Military District, Mobile, September 21st, 1814," and + signed "Andrew Jackson, Major General Commanding." + </p> + <p> + Oh, you Jackson Democrats. You gentlemen that are descended from + Washington and Jackson—great heavens, what a descent! Do you think. + Jackson was a Democrat? He generally passed for a good Democrat; yet he + issued that abominable abolition proclamation and put negroes on an + equality with white men. That is not the worst of it, either; for after he + got these negroes into the army he made a speech to them, and what did he + say in that speech? Here it is in full: + </p> + <p> + <i>To the Men of Color:</i> + </p> + <p> + Soldiers—From the shores of Mobile I called you to arms. I invited + you to share in the perils and to divide the glory with your white + countrymen. I expected much from you, for I was not uninformed of those + qualities which must render you so formidable to an invading foe. I knew + that you could endure hunger, thirst, and all the hardships of war. I knew + that you loved the land of your nativity, and that like ourselves you had + to defend all that is most dear to man. But you surpass my hopes. I have + found in you united to these qualities that noble enthusiasm which impels + to great deeds. Soldiers, the President of the United States shall be + informed of your conduct on the present occasion and the voice of the + representatives of the American nation shall applaud your valor as your + General now praises your ardor. The enemy is near. His sails cover the + lakes. But the brave are united, and if he finds' us contending among + ourselves, it will be only for the prize of valor, its noblest reward. + </p> + <p> + There is negro equality for you. There is the first man since the heroes + of the Revolution died that issued a proclamation and put negroes on an + equality with white men, and he was as good a Democrat as ever lived in + Indiana. I could go on and show where they voted, and who allowed them to + vote, but I have said enough on that question, and also upon the question + of their fighting in the army, and of their being citizens, and have + established, I think conclusively, this: + </p> + <p> + <i>First</i>. That our fathers, in order to found this Government, + arrested men without warrant, indictment or affidavit by the hundred and + by the thousand; that we, in order to preserve the Government that they + thus founded, arrested a few people without warrant. + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>. That our fathers, for the purpose of founding the + Government, suspended the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>; that we, for the + purpose of preserving the same Government, did the same thing. + </p> + <p> + <i>Third</i>. That they, for the purpose of inaugurating this Government, + interfered with the liberty of the press; that we, on one or two + occasions, for the purpose of preserving the Government, interfered with + the liberty of the press. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fourth</i>. That our fathers allowed negroes to fight in order that + they might secure the liberties of America; that we, in order to preserve + those liberties, allow negroes to fight. + </p> + <p> + <i>Fifth</i>. That our fathers, out of gratitude to the negroes in the + Revolutionary war, allowed them to vote; that we have done the same. That + they made them citizens, and we have followed their example. + </p> + <p> + As far as I have gone, I have shown that the fathers of the Revolution and + the War of 1812 set us the example for everything we have done. Now, Mr. + Democrat, if you want to curse us, curse them too. Either quit yawping + about the fathers, or quit yawping about us. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, was there any necessity, during this war, to follow the example + of our fathers? The question was put to us in 1861: "Shall the majority + rule?" and also the balance of that question: "Shall the minority submit?" + The minority said they would not. Upon the right of the majority to rule + rests the entire structure of our Government. Had we, in 1861, given up + that principle, the foundations of our Government would have been totally + destroyed. In fact there would have been no Government, even in the North. + It is no use to say the majority shall rule if the minority consents. + Therefore, if, when a man has been duly elected President, anybody + undertakes to prevent him from being President, it is your duty to protect + him and enforce submission to the will of the majority. In 1861 we had + presented to us the alternative, either to let the great principle that + lies at the foundation of our Government go by the board, or to appeal to + arms, and to the God of battles, and fight it through. + </p> + <p> + The Southern people said they were going out of the Union; we implored + them to stay, by the common memories of the Revolution, by an apparent + common destiny; by the love of man, but they refused to listen to us—rushed + past us, and appealed to the arbitrament of the sword; and now I, for one, + say by the decision of the sword let them abide. + </p> + <p> + Now, I want to show how mean the American people were in 1861. The vile + and abominable institution of slavery had so corrupted us that we did not + know right from wrong. It crept into the pulpit until the sermon became + the echo of the bloodhound's bark. It crept upon the bench, and the judge + could not tell whether the corn belonged to the man that raised it, or to + the fellow that did not, but he rather thought it belonged to the latter. + We had lost our sense of justice. Even the people of Indiana were so far + gone as to agree to carry out the Fugitive Slave Law. Was it not low-lived + and contemptible? We agreed that if we found a woman ninety-nine one + hundredths white, who, inspired by the love of liberty, had run away from + her masters, and had got within one step of free soil, we would clutch her + and bring her back to the dominion of the Democrat, the bloodhound and the + lash. We were just mean enough to do it. We used to read that some + hundreds of years ago a lot of soldiers would march into a man's house, + take him out, tie him to a stake driven into the earth, pile fagots around + him, and let the thirsty flames consume him, and all because they differed + from him about religion. We said it was horrible; it made our blood run + cold to think of it; yet at the same time many a magnificent steamboat + floated down the Mississippi with wives and husbands, fragments of + families torn asunder, doomed to a life of toil, requited only by lashes + upon the naked back, and branding irons upon the quivering flesh, and we + thought little of it. When we set out to put down the Rebellion the + Democratic party started up all at once and said, "You are not going to + interfere with slavery, are you?" Now, it is remarkable that whenever we + were going to do a good thing, we had to let on that we were going to do a + mean one. If we had said at the outset, "We will break the shackles from + four millions of slaves" we never would have succeeded. We had to come at + it by degrees. The Democrats scented it out. They had a scent keener than + a bloodhound when anything was going to be done to affect slavery. "Put + down rebellion," they said, "but don't hurt slavery." We said, "We will + not; we will restore the Union as it was and the Constitution as it is." + We were in good faith about it. We had no better sense then than to think + that it was worth fighting for, to preserve the cause of quarrel—the + bone of contention—so as to have war all the time. Every blow we + struck for slavery was a blow against us. The Rebellion was simply slavery + with a mask on. We never whipped anybody but once so long as we stood upon + that doctrine; that was at Donelson; and the victory there was not owing + to the policy, but to the splendid genius of the next President of the + United States. After a while it got into our heads that slavery was the + cause of the trouble, and we began to edge up slowly toward slavery. When + Mr. Lincoln said he would destroy slavery if absolutely necessary for the + suppression of the Rebellion, people thought that was the most radical + thing that ever was uttered. But the time came when it was necessary to + free the slaves, and to put muskets into their hands. The Democratic party + opposed us with all their might until the draft came, and they wanted + negroes for substitutes; and I never heard a Democrat object to arming the + negroes after that. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [The speaker from this point presented the history of the + Republican policy of reconstruction, and touched lightly on + the subject of the national debt. He glanced at the + finances, reviewing in the most scathing manner the history + and character of Seymour, paid a most eloquent tribute to + the character and public services of General Grant, and + closed with the following words: ] +</pre> + <p> + The hero of the Rebellion, who accomplished at Shiloh what Napoleon + endeavored at Waterloo; who captured Vicksburg by a series of victories + unsurpassed, taking the keystone from the rebel arch; who achieved at + Missionary Ridge a success as grand as it was unexpected to the country; + who, having been summoned from the death-bed of rebellion in the West, + marched like an athlete from the Potomac to the James, the grandest march + in the history of the world. This was all done without the least flourish + upon his part. No talk about destiny—without faith in a star—with + the simple remark that he would "fight it out on that line," without a + boast, modest to bashfulness, yet brave to audacity, simple as duty, firm + as war, direct as truth—this hero, with so much common sense that he + is the most uncommon man of his time, will be, in spite of Executive + snares and Cabinet entanglements, of competent false witnesses of the + Democratic party, the next President of the United States. He will be + trusted with the Government his genius saved. + </p> + <p> + SPEECH AT CINCINNATI.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The nomination of Blaine was the passionately dramatic + scene of the day. Robert G. Ingersoll had been fixed upon to + present Blaine's name to the Convention, and, as the result + proved, a more effective champion could not have been + selected in the whole party conclave. + + As the clerk, running down the list, reached Maine, an + extraordinary event happened. The applause and cheers which + had heretofore broken out in desultory patches of the + galleries and platform, broke in a simultaneous, thunderous + outburst from every part of the house. + + Ingersoll moved out from the obscure corner and advanced to + the central stage. As he walked forward the thundering + cheers, sustained and swelling, never ceased. As he reached + the platform they took on an increased volume of sound, and + for ten minutes the surging fury of acclamation, the wild + waving of fans, hats, and handkerchiefs transformed the + scene from one of deliberation to that of a bedlam of + rapturous delirium. Ingersoll waited with unimpaired + serenity, until he should get a chance to be heard. * * * + And then began an appeal, impassioned, artful, brilliant, + and persuasive. * * * + + Possessed of a fine figure, a face of winning, cordial + frankness, Ingersoll had half won his audience before he + spoke a word. It is the attestation of every man that heard + him, that so brilliant a master stroke was never uttered + before a political Convention. Its effect was indescribable. + The coolest-headed in the hall were stirred to the wildest + expression. The adversaries of Blaine, as well as his + friends, listened with unswerving, absorbed attention. + Curtis sat spell-bound, his eyes and mouth wide open, his + figure moving in unison to the tremendous periods that fell + in a measured, exquisitely graduated flow from the + Illinoisan's smiling lips. The matchless method and manner + of the man can never be imagined from the report in type. To + realize the prodigious force, the inexpressible power, the + irrestrainable fervor of the audience requires actual sight. + + Words can do but meagre justice to the wizard power of this + extraordinary man. He swayed and moved and impelled and + restrained and worked in all ways with the mass before him + as if he possessed some key to the innermost mechanism that + moves the human heart, and when he finished, his fine, frank + face as calm as when he began, the overwrought thousands + sank back in an exhaustion of unspeakable wonder and + delight.—Chicago Times, June 16, 1876. +</pre> + <p> + SPEECH NOMINATING BLAINE. + </p> + <p> + June 75, 1876. + </p> + <p> + MASSACHUSETTS may be satisfied with the loyalty of Benjamin H. Bristow; so + am I; but if any man nominated by this convention can not carry the State + of Massachusetts, I am not satisfied with the loyalty of that State. If + the nominee of this convention cannot carry the grand old Commonwealth of + Massachusetts by seventy-five thousand majority, I would advise them to + sell out Faneuil Hall as a Democratic headquarters. I would advise them to + take from Bunker Hill that old monument of glory. + </p> + <p> + The Republicans of the United States demand as their leader in the great + contest of 1876 a man of intelligence, a man of integrity, a man of + well-known and approved political opinions. They demand a statesman; they + demand a reformer after as well as before the election. They demand a + politician in the highest, broadest and best sense—a man of superb + moral courage. They demand a man acquainted with public affairs—with + the wants of the people; with not only the requirements of the hour, but + with the demands of the future. They demand a man broad enough to + comprehend the relations of this Government to the other nations of the + earth. They demand a man well versed in the powers, duties and + prerogatives of each and every department of this Government. They demand + a man who will sacredly preserve the financial honor of the United States; + one who knows enough to know that the national debt must be paid through + the prosperity of this people; one who knows enough to know that all the + financial theories in the world cannot redeem a single dollar; one who + knows enough to know that all the money must be made, not by law, but by + labor; one who knows enough to know that the people of the United States + have the industry to make the money, and the honor to pay it over just as + fast as they make it. + </p> + <p> + The Republicans of the United States demand a man who knows that + prosperity and resumption, when they come, must come together; that when + they come, they will come hand in hand through the golden harvest fields; + hand in hand by the whirling spindles and the turning wheels; hand in hand + past the open furnace doors; hand in hand by the flaming forges; hand in + hand by the chimneys filled with eager fire, greeted and grasped by the + countless sons of toil. + </p> + <p> + This money has to be dug out of the earth. You cannot make it by passing + resolutions in a political convention. + </p> + <p> + The Republicans of the United States want a man who knows that this + Government should protect every citizen, at home and abroad; who knows + that any government that will not defend its defenders, and protect its + protectors, is a disgrace to the map of the world. They demand a man who + believes in the eternal separation and divorcement of church and school. + They demand a man whose political reputation is spotless as a star; but + they do not demand that their candidate shall have a certificate of moral + character signed by a Confederate congress. The man who has, in full, + heaped and rounded measure, all these splendid qualifications, is the + present grand and gallant leader of the Republican party—James G. + Blaine. + </p> + <p> + Our country, crowned with the vast and marvelous achievements of its first + century, asks for a man worthy of the past, and prophetic of her future; + asks for a man who has the audacity of genius; asks for a man who is the + grandest combination of heart, conscience and brain beneath her flag—such + a man is James G. Blaine. + </p> + <p> + For the Republican host, led by this intrepid man, there can be no defeat. + </p> + <p> + This is a grand year—a year filled with recollections of the + Revolution; filled with proud and tender memories of the past; with the + sacred legends of liberty—a year in which the sons of freedom will + drink from the fountains of enthusiasm; a year in which the people call + for the man who has preserved in Congress what our soldiers won upon the + field; a year in which they call for the man who has torn from the throat + of treason the tongue of slander—for the man who has snatched the + mask of Democracy from the hideous face of rebellion; for the man who, + like an intellectual athlete, has stood in the arena of debate and + challenged all comers, and who is still a total stranger to defeat. + </p> + <p> + Like an armed warrior, like a plumed knight, James G. Blaine marched down + the halls of the American Congress and threw his shining lance full and + fair against the brazen foreheads of the defamers of his country and the + maligners of his honor. For the Republican party to desert this gallant + leader now, is as though an army should desert their general upon the + field of battle. + </p> + <p> + James G. Blaine is now and has been for years the bearer of the sacred + standard of the Republican party. I call it sacred, because no human being + can stand beneath its folds without becoming and without remaining free. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen of the convention, in the name of the great Republic, the only + republic that ever existed upon this earth; in the name of all her + defenders and of all her supporters; in the name of all her soldiers + living; in the name of all her soldiers dead upon the field of battle, and + in the name of those who perished in the skeleton clutch of famine at + Andersonville and Libby, whose sufferings he so vividly remembers, + Illinois—Illinois nominates for the next President of this country, + that prince of parliamentarians—that leader of leaders—James + G. Blaine. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0003" id="link0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CENTENNIAL ORATION. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Delivered on the one hundredth Anniversary of the + Declaration of Independence, at Peoria, Ill., July 4, 1876. +</pre> + <p> + July 4, 1876. + </p> + <p> + THE Declaration of Independence is the grandest, the bravest, and the + profoundest political document that was ever signed by the representatives + of a people. It is the embodiment of physical and moral courage and of + political wisdom. + </p> + <p> + I say of physical courage, because it was a declaration of war against the + most powerful nation then on the globe; a declaration of war by thirteen + weak, unorganized colonies; a declaration of war by a few people, without + military stores, without wealth, without strength, against the most + powerful kingdom on the earth; a declaration of war made when the British + navy, at that day the mistress of every sea, was hovering along the coast + of America, looking after defenceless towns and villages to ravage and + destroy. It was made when thousands of English soldiers were upon our + soil, and when the principal cities of America were in the substantial + possession of the enemy. And so, I say, all things considered, it was the + bravest political document ever signed by man. And if it was physically + brave, the moral courage of the document is almost infinitely beyond the + physical. They had the courage not only, but they had the almost infinite + wisdom, to declare that all men are created equal. + </p> + <p> + Such things had occasionally been said by some political enthusiast in the + olden time, but, for the first time in the history of the world, the + representatives of a nation, the representatives of a real, living, + breathing, hoping people, declared that all men are created equal. With + one blow, with one stroke of the pen, they struck down all the cruel, + heartless barriers that aristocracy, that priestcraft, that kingcraft had + raised between man and man. They struck down with one immortal blow that + infamous spirit of caste that makes a god almost a beast, and a beast + almost a god. With one word, with one blow, they wiped away and utterly + destroyed, all that had been done by centuries of war—centuries of + hypocrisy—centuries of injustice. + </p> + <p> + One hundred years ago our fathers retired the gods from politics. + </p> + <p> + What more did they do? They then declared that each man has a right to + live. And what does that mean? It means that he has the right to make his + living. It means that he has the right to breathe the air, to work the + land, that he stands the equal of every other human being beneath the + shining stars; entitled to the product of his labor—the labor of his + hand and of his brain. + </p> + <p> + What more? That every man has the right to pursue his own happiness in his + own way. Grander words than these have never been spoken by man. + </p> + <p> + And what more did these men say? They laid down the doctrine that + governments were instituted among men for the purpose of preserving the + rights of the people. The old idea was that people existed solely for the + benefit of the state—that is to say, for kings and nobles. + </p> + <p> + The old idea was that the people were the wards of king and priest—that + their bodies belonged to one and their souls to the other. + </p> + <p> + And what more? That the people are the source of political power. That was + not only a revelation, but it was a revolution. It changed the ideas of + people with regard to the source of political power. For the first time it + made human beings men. What was the old idea? The old idea was that no + political power came from, or in any manner belonged to, the people. The + old idea was that the political power came from the clouds; that the + political power came in some miraculous way from heaven; that it came down + to kings, and queens, and robbers. That was the old idea. The nobles lived + upon the labor of the people; the people had no rights; the nobles stole + what they had and divided with the kings, and the kings pretended to + divide what they stole with God Almighty. The source, then, of political + power was from above. The people were responsible to the nobles, the + nobles to the king, and the people had no political rights whatever, no + more than the wild beasts of the forest. The kings were responsible to + God; not to the people. The kings were responsible to the clouds; not to + the toiling millions they robbed and plundered. + </p> + <p> + And our forefathers, in this Declaration of Independence, reversed this + thing, and said: No; the people, they are the source of political power, + and their rulers, these presidents, these kings are but the agents and + servants of the great sublime people. For the first time, really, in the + history of the world, the king was made to get off the throne and the + people were royally seated thereon. The people became the sovereigns, and + the old sovereigns became the servants and the agents of the people. It is + hard for you and me now to even imagine the immense results of that + change. It is hard for you and for me, at this day, to understand how + thoroughly it had been ingrained in the brain of almost every man, that + the king had some wonderful right over him; that in some strange way the + king owned him; that in some miraculous manner he belonged, body and soul, + to somebody who rode on a horse—to somebody with epaulettes on his + shoulders and a tinsel crown upon his brainless head. + </p> + <p> + Our forefathers had been educated in that idea, and when they first landed + on American shores they believed it. They thought they belonged to + somebody, and that they must be loyal to some thief who could trace his + pedigree back to antiquity's most successful robber. + </p> + <p> + It took a long time for them to get that idea out of their heads and + hearts. They were three thousand miles away from the despotisms of the old + world, and every wave of the sea was an assistant to them. The distance + helped to disenchant their minds of that infamous belief, and every mile + between them and the pomp and glory of monarchy helped to put republican + ideas and thoughts into their minds. Besides that, when they came to this + country, when the savage was in the forest and three thousand miles of + waves on the other side, menaced by barbarians on the one hand and famine + on the other, they learned that a man who had courage, a man who had + thought, was as good as any other man in the world, and they built up, as + it were, in spite of themselves, little republics. And the man that had + the most nerve and heart was the best man, whether he had any noble blood + in his veins or not. + </p> + <p> + It has been a favorite idea with me that our forefathers were educated by + Nature, that they grew grand as the continent upon which they landed; that + the great rivers—the wide plains—the splendid lakes—the + lonely forests—the sublime mountains—that all these things + stole into and became a part of their being, and they grew great as the + country in which they lived. They began to hate the narrow, contracted + views of Europe. They were educated by their surroundings, and every + little colony had to be to a certain extent a republic. The kings of the + old world endeavored to parcel out this land to their favorites. But there + were too many Indians. There was too much courage required for them to + take and keep it, and so men had to come here who were dissatisfied with + the old country—who were dissatisfied with England, dissatisfied + with France, with Germany, with Ireland and Holland. The kings' favorites + stayed at home. Men came here for liberty, and on account of certain + principles they entertained and held dearer than life. And they were + willing to work, willing to fell the forests, to fight the savages, + willing to go through all the hardships, perils and dangers of a new + country, of a new land; and the consequence was that our country was + settled by brave and adventurous spirits, by men who had opinions of their + own and were willing to live in the wild forests for the sake of + expressing those opinions, even if they expressed them only to trees, + rocks, and savage men. The best blood of the old world came to the new. + </p> + <p> + When they first came over they did not have a great deal of political + philosophy, nor the best ideas of liberty. We might as well tell the + truth. When the Puritans first came, they were narrow. They did not + understand what liberty meant—what religious liberty, what political + liberty, was; but they found out in a few years. There was one feeling + among them that rises to their eternal honor like a white shaft to the + clouds—they were in favor of universal education. Wherever they went + they built schoolhouses, introduced books and ideas of literature. They + believed that every man should know how to read and how to write, and + should find out all that his capacity allowed him to comprehend. That is + the glory of the Puritan fathers. + </p> + <p> + They forgot in a little while what they had suffered, and they forgot to + apply the principle of universal liberty—of toleration. Some of the + colonies did not forget it, and I want to give credit where credit should + be given. The Catholics of Maryland were the first people on the new + continent to declare universal religious toleration. Let this be + remembered to their eternal honor. Let it be remembered to the disgrace of + the Protestant government of England, that it caused this grand law to be + repealed. And to the honor and credit of the Catholics of Maryland let it + be remembered that the moment they got back into power they re-enacted the + old law. The Baptists of Rhode Island also, led by Roger Williams, were in + favor of universal religious liberty. + </p> + <p> + No American should fail to honor Roger Williams. He was the first grand + advocate of the liberty of the soul. He was in favor of the eternal + divorce of church and state. So far as I know, he was the only man at that + time in this country who was in favor of real religious liberty. While the + Catholics of Maryland declared in favor of religious <i>toleration</i>, + they had no idea of religious liberty. They would not allow anyone to call + in question the doctrine of the Trinity, or the inspiration of the + Scriptures. They stood ready with branding-iron and gallows to burn and + choke out of man the idea that he had a right to think and to express his + thoughts. + </p> + <p> + So many religions met in our country—so many theories and dogmas + came in contact—so many follies, mistakes, and stupidities became + acquainted with each other, that religion began to fall somewhat into + disrepute. Besides this, the question of a new nation began to take + precedence of all others. + </p> + <p> + The people were too much interested in this world to quarrel about the + next. The preacher was lost in the patriot. The Bible was read to find + passages against kings. + </p> + <p> + Everybody was discussing the rights of man. Farmers and mechanics suddenly + became statesmen, and in every shop and cabin nearly every question was + asked and answered. + </p> + <p> + During these years of political excitement the interest in religion abated + to that degree that a common purpose animated men of all sects and creeds. + </p> + <p> + At last our fathers became tired of being colonists—tired of writing + and reading and signing petitions, and presenting them on their bended + knees to an idiot king. They began to have an aspiration to form a new + nation, to be citizens of a new republic instead of subjects of an old + monarchy. They had the idea—the Puritans, the Catholics, the + Episcopalians, the Baptists, the Quakers, and a few Freethinkers, all had + the idea—that they would like to form a new nation. + </p> + <p> + Now, do not understand that all of our fathers were in favor of + independence. Do not understand that they were all like Jefferson; that + they were all like Adams or Lee; that they were all like Thomas Paine or + John Hancock. There were thousands and thousands of them who were opposed + to American independence. There were thousands and thousands who said: + "When you say men are created equal, it is a lie; when you say the + political power resides in the great body of the people, it is false." + Thousands and thousands of them said: "We prefer Great Britain." But the + men who were in favor of independence, the men who knew that a new nation + must be born, went on full of hope and courage, and nothing could daunt or + stop or stay the heroic, fearless few. + </p> + <p> + They met in Philadelphia; and the resolution was moved by Lee of Virginia, + that the colonies ought to be independent states, and ought to dissolve + their political connection with Great Britain. + </p> + <p> + They made up their minds that a new nation must be formed. All nations had + been, so to speak, the wards of some church. The religious idea as to the + source of power had been at the foundation of all governments, and had + been the bane and curse of man. + </p> + <p> + Happily for us, there was no church strong enough to dictate to the rest. + Fortunately for us, the colonists not only, but the colonies differed + widely in their religious views. There were the Puritans who hated the + Episcopalians, and Episcopalians who hated the Catholics, and the + Catholics who hated both, while the Quakers held them all in contempt. + There they were, of every sort, and color and kind, and how was it that + they came together? They had a common aspiration. They wanted to form a + new nation. More than that, most of them cordially hated Great Britain; + and they pledged each other to forget these religious prejudices, for a + time at least, and agreed that there should be only one religion until + they got through, and that was the religion of patriotism. They solemnly + agreed that the new nation should not belong to any particular church, but + that it should secure the rights of all. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers founded the first secular government that was ever founded in + this world. Recollect that. The first secular government; the first + government that said every church has exactly the same rights and no more; + every religion has the same rights, and no more. In other words, our + fathers were the first men who had the sense, had the genius, to know that + no church should be allowed to have a sword; that it should be allowed + only to exert its moral influence. + </p> + <p> + You might as well have a government united by force with Art, or with + Poetry, or with Oratory, as with Religion. Religion should have the + influence upon mankind that its goodness, that its morality, its justice, + its charity, its reason, and its argument give it, and no more. Religion + should have the effect upon mankind that it necessarily has, and no more. + The religion that has to be supported by law is without value, not only, + but a fraud and curse. The religious argument that has to be supported by + a musket, is hardly worth making. A prayer that must have a cannon behind + it, better never be uttered. Forgiveness ought not to go in partnership + with shot and shell. Love need not carry knives and revolvers. + </p> + <p> + So our fathers said: "We will form a secular government, and under the + flag with which we are going to enrich the air, we will allow every man to + worship God as he thinks best." They said: "Religion is an individual + thing between each man and his creator, and he can worship as he pleases + and as he desires." And why did they do this? The history of the world + warned them that the liberty of man was not safe in the clutch and grasp + of any church. They had read of and seen the thumbscrews, the racks, and + the dungeons of the Inquisition. They knew all about the hypocrisy of the + olden time. They knew that the church had stood side by side with the + throne; that the high priests were hypocrites, and that the kings were + robbers. They also knew that if they gave power to any church, it would + corrupt the best church in the world. And so they said that power must not + reside in a church, or in a sect, but power must be wherever humanity is—in + the great body of the people. And the officers and servants of the people + must be responsible to them. And so I say again, as I said in the + commencement, this is the wisest, the pro-foundest, the bravest political + document that ever was written and signed by man. + </p> + <p> + They turned, as I tell you, everything squarely about. They derived all + their authority from the people. They did away forever with the + theological idea of government. + </p> + <p> + And what more did they say? They said that whenever the rulers abused this + authority, this power, incapable of destruction, returned to the people. + How did they come to say this? I will tell you. They were pushed into it. + How? They felt that they were oppressed; and whenever a man feels that he + is the subject of injustice, his perception of right and wrong is + wonderfully quickened. + </p> + <p> + Nobody was ever in prison wrongfully who did not believe in the writ of <i>habeas + corpus</i>. Nobody ever suffered wrongfully without instantly having ideas + of justice. + </p> + <p> + And they began to inquire what rights the king of Great Britain had. They + began to search for the charter of his authority. They began to + investigate and dig down to the bed-rock upon which society must be + founded, and when they got down there, forced there, too, by their + oppressors, forced against their own prejudices and education, they found + at' the bottom of things, not lords, not nobles, not pulpits, not thrones, + but humanity and the rights of men. + </p> + <p> + And so they said, We are men; we are men. They found out they were men. + And the next thing they said, was, "We will be free men; we are weary of + being colonists; we are tired of being subjects; we are men; and these + colonies ought to be states; and these states ought to be a nation; and + that nation ought to drive the last British soldier into the sea." And so + they signed that brave Declaration of Independence. + </p> + <p> + I thank every one of them from the bottom of my heart for signing that + sublime declaration. I thank them for their courage—for their + patriotism—for their wisdom—for the splendid confidence in + themselves and in the human race. I thank them for what they were, and for + what we are—for what they did, and for what we have received—for + what they suffered, and for what we enjoy. + </p> + <p> + What would we have been if we had remained colonists and subjects? What + would we have been to-day? Nobodies—ready to get down on our knees + and crawl in the very dust at the sight of somebody that was supposed to + have in him some drop of blood that flowed in the veins of that mailed + marauder—that royal robber, William the Conqueror. + </p> + <p> + They signed that Declaration of Independence, although they knew that it + would produce a long, terrible, and bloody war. They looked forward and + saw poverty, deprivation, gloom, and death. But they also saw, on the + wrecked clouds of war, the beautiful bow of freedom. + </p> + <p> + These grand men were enthusiasts; and the world has been raised only by + enthusiasts. In every country there have been a few who have given a + national aspiration to the people. The enthusiasts of 1776 were the + builders and framers of this great and splendid Government; and they were + the men who saw, although others did not, the golden fringe of the mantle + of glory that will finally cover this world. They knew, they felt, they + believed that they would give a new constellation to the political heavens—that + they would make the Americans a grand people—grand as the continent + upon which they lived. + </p> + <p> + The war commenced. There was little money, and less credit. The new nation + had but few friends. To a great extent each soldier of freedom had to + clothe and feed himself. He was poor and pure, brave and good, and so he + went to the fields of death to fight for the rights of man. + </p> + <p> + What did the soldier leave when he went? + </p> + <p> + He left his wife and children. + </p> + <p> + Did he leave them in a beautiful home, surrounded by civilization, in the + repose of law, in the security of a great and powerful republic? + </p> + <p> + No. He left his wife and children on the edge, on the fringe of the + boundless forest, in which crouched and crept the red savage, who was at + that time the ally of the still more savage Briton. He left his wife to + defend herself, and he left the prattling babes to be defended by their + mother and by nature. The mother made the living; she planted the corn and + the potatoes, and hoed them in the sun, raised the children, and, in the + darkness of night, told them about their brave father and the "sacred + cause." She told them that in a little while the war would be over and + father would come back covered with honor and glory. + </p> + <p> + Think of the women, of the sweet children who listened for the footsteps + of the dead—who waited through the sad and desolate years for the + dear ones who never came. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers of 1776 did not march away with music and banners. They went + in silence, looked at and gazed after by eyes filled with tears. They went + to meet, not an equal, but a superior—to fight five times their + number—to make a desperate stand to stop the advance of the enemy, + and then, when their ammunition gave out, seek the protection of rocks, of + rivers, and of hills. + </p> + <p> + Let me say here: The greatest test of courage on the earth is to bear + defeat without losing heart. That army is the bravest that can be whipped + the greatest number of times and fight again. + </p> + <p> + Over the entire territory, so to speak, then settled by our forefathers, + they were driven again and again. Now and then they would meet the English + with something like equal numbers, and then the eagle of victory would + proudly perch upon the stripes and stars. And so they went on as best they + could, hoping and fighting until they came to the dark and somber gloom of + Valley Forge. + </p> + <p> + There were very few hearts then beneath that flag that did not begin to + think that the struggle was useless; that all the blood and treasure had + been shed and spent in vain. But there were some men gifted with that + wonderful prophecy that fulfills itself, and with that wonderful magnetic + power that makes heroes of everybody they come in contact with. + </p> + <p> + And so our fathers went through the gloom of that terrible time, and still + fought on. Brave men wrote grand words, cheering the despondent; brave men + did brave deeds, the rich man gave his wealth, the poor man gave his life, + until at last, by the victory of Yorktown, the old banner won its place in + the air, and became glorious forever. + </p> + <p> + Seven long years of war—fighting for what? For the principle that + all men are created equal—a truth that nobody ever disputed except a + scoundrel; nobody, nobody in the entire history of this world. No man ever + denied that truth who was not a rascal, and at heart a thief; never, + never, and never will. What else were they fighting for? Simply that in + America every man should have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of + happiness. Nobody ever denied that except a villain; never, never. It has + been denied by kings—they were thieves. It has been denied by + statesmen—they were liars. It has been denied by priests, by + clergymen, by cardinals, by bishops, and by popes—they were + hypocrites. + </p> + <p> + What else were they fighting for? For the idea that all political power is + vested in the great body of the people. The great body of the people make + all the money; do all the work. They plow the land, cut down the forests; + they produce everything that is produced. Then who shall say what shall be + done with what is produced except the producer? + </p> + <p> + Is it the non-producing thief, sitting on a throne, surrounded by vermin? + </p> + <p> + Those were the things they were fighting for; and that is all they were + fighting for. They fought to build up a new, a great nation; to establish + an asylum for the oppressed of the world everywhere. They knew the history + of this world. They knew the history of human slavery. + </p> + <p> + The history of civilization is the history of the slow and painful + enfranchisement of the human race. In the olden times the family was a + monarchy, the father being the monarch. The mother and children were the + veriest slaves. The will of the father was the supreme law. He had the + power of life and death. It took thousands of years to civilize this + father, thousands of years to make the condition of wife and mother and + child even tolerable. A few families constituted a tribe; the tribe had a + chief; the chief was a tyrant; a few tribes formed a nation; the nation + was governed by a king, who was also a tyrant. A strong nation robbed, + plundered, and took captive the weaker ones. This was the commencement of + human slavery. + </p> + <p> + It is not possible for the human imagination to conceive of the horrors of + slavery. It has left no possible crime uncommitted, no possible cruelty + unperpetrated. It has been practiced and defended by all nations in some + form. It has been upheld by all religions. It has been defended by nearly + every pulpit. From the profits derived from the slave trade churches have + been built, cathedrals reared and priests paid. Slavery has been blessed + by bishop, by cardinal, and by pope. It has received the sanction of + statesmen, of kings, and of queens. It has been defended by the throne, + the pulpit and the bench. Monarchs have shared in the profits. Clergymen + have taken their part of the spoils, reciting passages of Scripture in its + defence at the same time, and judges have taken their portion in the name + of equity and law. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago our ancestors were slaves. Only a few years ago they + passed with and belonged to the soil, like the coal under it and rocks on + it. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago they were treated like beasts of burden, worse far + than we treat our animals at the present day. Only a few years ago it was + a crime in England for a man to have a Bible in his house, a crime for + which men were hanged, and their bodies afterward burned. Only a few years + ago fathers could and did sell their children. Only a few years ago our + ancestors were not allowed to speak or write their thoughts—that + being a crime. Only a few years ago to be honest, at least in the + expression of your ideas, was a felony. To do right was a capital offence; + and in those days chains and whips were the incentives to labor, and the + preventives of thought. Honesty was a vagrant, justice a fugitive, and + liberty in chains. Only a few years ago men were denounced because they + doubted the inspiration of the Bible—because they denied miracles, + and laughed at the wonders recounted by the ancient Jews. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago a man had to believe in the total depravity of the + human heart in order to be respectable. Only a few years ago, people who + thought God too good to punish in eternal flames an unbaptized child were + considered infamous. + </p> + <p> + As soon as our ancestors began to get free they began to enslave others. + With an inconsistency that defies explanation, they practiced upon others + the same outrages that had been perpetrated upon them. As soon as white + slavery began to be abolished, black slavery commenced. In this infamous + traffic nearly every nation of Europe embarked. Fortunes were quickly + realized; the avarice and cupidity of Europe were excited; all ideas of + justice were discarded; pity fled from the human breast; a few good, brave + men recited the horrors of the trade; avarice was deaf; religion refused + to hear; the trade went on; the governments of Europe upheld it in the + name of commerce—in the name of civilization and religion. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers knew the history of caste. They knew that in the despotisms of + the Old World it was a disgrace to be useful. They knew that a mechanic + was esteemed as hardly the equal of a hound, and far below a blooded + horse. They knew that a nobleman held a son of labor in contempt—that + he had no rights the royal loafers were bound to respect. + </p> + <p> + The world has changed. + </p> + <p> + The other day there came shoemakers, potters, workers in wood and iron, + from Europe, and they were received in the city of New York as though they + had been princes. They had been sent by the great republic of France to + examine into the arts and manufactures of the great republic of America. + They looked a thousand times better to me than the Edward Alberts and + Albert Edwards—the royal vermin, that live on the body politic. And + I would think much more of our Government if it would fete and feast them, + instead of wining and dining the imbeciles of a royal line. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers devoted their lives and fortunes to the grand work of founding + a government for the protection of the rights of man. The theological idea + as to the source of political power had poisoned the web and woof of every + government in the world, and our fathers banished it from this continent + forever. + </p> + <p> + What we want to-day is what our fathers wrote down. They did not attain to + their ideal; we approach it nearer, but have not reached it yet. We want, + not only the independence of a State, not only the independence of a + nation, but something far more glorious—the absolute independence of + the individual. That is what we want. I want it so that I, one of the + children of Nature, can stand on an equality with the rest; that I can say + this is my air, my sunshine, my earth, and I have a right to live, and + hope, and aspire, and labor, and enjoy the fruit of that labor, as much as + any individual or any nation on the face of the globe. + </p> + <p> + We want every American to make to-day, on this hundredth anniversary, a + declaration of individual independence. Let each man enjoy his liberty to + the utmost—enjoy all he can; but be sure it is not at the expense of + another. The French Convention gave the best definition of liberty I have + ever read: "The liberty of one citizen ceases only where the liberty of + another citizen commences." I know of no better definition. I ask you + to-day to make a declaration of individual independence. And if you are + independent be just. Allow everybody else to make his declaration of + individual independence. Allow your wife, allow your husband, allow your + children to make theirs. Let everybody be absolutely free and independent, + knowing only the sacred obligations of honesty and affection. Let us be + independent of party, independent of everybody and everything except our + own consciences and our own brains. Do not belong to any clique. Have the + clear title-deeds in fee simple to yourselves, without any mortgage on the + premises to anybody in the world. + </p> + <p> + It is a grand thing to be the owner of yourself. It is a grand thing to + protect the rights of others. It is a sublime thing to be free and just. + </p> + <p> + Only a few days ago I stood in Independence Hall—in that little room + where was signed the immortal paper. A little room, like any other; and it + did not seem possible that from that room went forth ideas, like cherubim + and seraphim, spreading their wings over a continent, and touching, as + with holy fire, the hearts of men. + </p> + <p> + In a few moments I was in the park, where are gathered the accomplishments + of a century. Our fathers never dreamed of the things I saw. There were + hundreds of locomotives, with their nerves of steel and breath of flame—every + kind of machine, with whirling wheels and curious cogs and cranks, and the + myriad thoughts of men that have been wrought in iron, brass and steel. + And going out from one little building were wires in the air, stretching + to every civilized nation, and they could send a shining messenger in a + moment to any part of the world, and it would go sweeping under the waves + of the sea with thoughts and words within its glowing heart. I saw all + that had been achieved by this nation, and I wished that the signers of + the Declaration—the soldiers of the Revolution—could see what + a century of freedom has produced. I wished they could see the fields we + cultivate—the rivers we navigate—the railroads running over + the Alleghanies, far into what was then the unknown forest—on over + the broad prairies—on over the vast plains—away over the + mountains of the West, to the Golden Gate of the Pacific. All this is the + result of a hundred years of freedom. + </p> + <p> + Are you not more than glad that in 1776 was announced the sublime + principle that political power resides with the people? That our fathers + then made up their minds nevermore to be colonists and subjects, but that + they would be free and independent citizens of America? + </p> + <p> + I will not name any of the grand men who fought for liberty. All should be + named, or none. I feel that the unknown soldier who was shot down without + even his name being remembered—who was included only in a report of + "a hundred killed," or "a hundred missing," nobody knowing even the number + that attached to his august corpse—is entitled to as deep and + heartfelt thanks as the titled leader who fell at the head of the host. + </p> + <p> + Standing here amid the sacred memories of the first, on the golden + threshold of the second, I ask, Will the second century be as grand as the + first? I believe it will, because we are growing more and more humane. I + believe there is more human kindness, more real, sweet human sympathy, a + greater desire to help one another, in the United States, than in all the + world besides. + </p> + <p> + We must progress. We are just at the commencement of invention. The steam + engine—the telegraph—these are but the toys with which science + has been amused. Wait; there will be grander things, there will be wider + and higher culture—a grander standard of character, of literature + and art. + </p> + <p> + We have now half as many millions of people as we have years, and many of + us will live until a hundred millions stand beneath the flag. We are + getting more real solid sense. The schoolhouse is the finest building in + the village. We are writing and reading more books; we are painting and + buying more pictures; we are struggling more and more to get at the + philosophy of life, of things—trying more and more to answer the + questions of the eternal Sphinx. We are looking in every direction—investigating; + in short, we are thinking and working. Besides all this, I believe the + people are nearer honest than ever before. A few years ago we were willing + to live upon the labor of four million slaves. Was that honest? At last, + we have a national conscience. At last, we have carried out the + Declaration of Independence. Our fathers wrote it—we have + accomplished it. The black man was a slave—we made him a citizen. We + found four million human beings in manacles, and now the hands of a race + are held up in the free air without a chain. + </p> + <p> + I have had the supreme pleasure of seeing a man—once a slave—sitting + in the seat of his former master in the Congress of the United States. I + have had that pleasure, and when I saw it my eyes were filled with tears. + I felt that we had carried, out the Declaration of Independence—that + we had given reality to it, and breathed the breath of life into its every + word. I felt that our flag would float over and protect the colored man + and his little children, standing straight in the sun, just the same as + though he were white and worth a million. I would protect him more, + because the rich white man could protect himself. + </p> + <p> + All who stand beneath our banner are free. Ours is the only flag that has + in reality written upon it: Liberty, Fraternity, Equality—the three + grandest words in all the languages of men. + </p> + <p> + Liberty: Give to every man the fruit of his own labor—the labor of + his hands and of his brain. + </p> + <p> + Fraternity: Every man in the right is my brother. + </p> + <p> + Equality: The rights of all are equal: Justice, poised and balanced in + eternal calm, will shake from the golden scales in which are weighed the + acts of men, the very dust of prejudice and caste: No race, no color, no + previous condition, can change the rights of men. + </p> + <p> + The Declaration of Independence has at last been carried out in letter and + in spirit. + </p> + <p> + The second century will be grander than the first. + </p> + <p> + Fifty millions of people are celebrating this day. To-day, the black man + looks upon his child and says: The avenues to distinction are open to you—upon + your brow may fall the civic wreath—this day belongs to you. + </p> + <p> + We are celebrating the courage and wisdom of our fathers, and the glad + shout of a free people the anthem of a grand nation, commencing at the + Atlantic, is following the sun to the Pacific, across a continent of happy + homes. + </p> + <p> + We are a great people. Three millions have increased to fifty—thirteen + States to thirty-eight. We have better homes, better clothes, better food + and more of it, and more of the conveniences of life, than any other + people upon the globe. + </p> + <p> + The farmers of our country live better than did the kings and princes two + hundred years ago—and they have twice as much sense and heart. + Liberty and labor have given us all. I want every person here to believe + in the dignity of labor—to know that the respectable man is the + useful man—the man who produces or helps others to produce something + of value, whether thought of the brain or work of the hand. + </p> + <p> + I want you to go away with an eternal hatred in your breast of injustice, + of aristocracy, of caste, of the idea that one man has more rights than + another because he has better clothes, more land, more money, because he + owns a railroad, or is famous and in high position. Remember that all men + have equal rights. Remember that the man who acts best his part—who + loves his friends the best—is most willing to help others—truest + to the discharge of obligation—who has the best heart—the most + feeling—the deepest sympathies—and who freely gives to others + the rights that he claims for himself is the best man. I am willing to + swear to this. + </p> + <p> + What has made this country? I say again, liberty and labor. What would we + be without labor? I want every farmer when plowing the rustling corn of + June—while mowing in the perfumed fields—to feel that he is + adding to the wealth and glory of the United States. I want every mechanic—every + man of toil, to know and feel that he is keeping the cars running, the + telegraph wires in the air; that he is making the statues and painting the + pictures; that he is writing and printing the books; that he is helping to + fill the world with honor, with happiness, with love and law. + </p> + <p> + Our country is founded upon the dignity of labor—upon the equality + of man. Ours is the first real Republic in the history of the world. + Beneath our flag the people are free. We have retired the gods from + politics. We have found that man is the only source of political power, + and that the governed should govern. We have disfranchised the aristocrats + of the air and have given one country to mankind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + BANGOR SPEECH. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Yesterday was a glorious day for the Republicans of + Bangor. The weather was delightful and all the imposing + exercises of the day were conducted with a gratifying and + even inspiring success. + + The noon train from Waterville brought Gov. Connor, Col. + Ingersoll and Senator Blaine. + + At 3 p. m. the speakers arrived at the grounds and were + received with applause as they ascended the platform, where + a number of the most prominent citizens of Bangor and + vicinity were assembled. At this time the platform was + surrounded by a dense mass of people, numbering thousands. + The meeting was called to order by C. A. Boutelle, in behalf + of the Republican State Committee. As Col. Ingersoll was + introduced by Gov. Connor he was welcomed by tumultuous + cheers, which he gracefully acknowledged. + + As we said before, no report could do justice to such a + masterly effort as that of the great Western Orator, and we + have not attempted to convey any adequate impression of an + address which is conceded on all hands to be the most + remarkable for originality, power and eloquence ever heard + in this section. + + Such a speech by such a man—if there is another—must be + heard; the magnetism of the speaker must be felt; the + indescribable influence must be experienced, in order to + appreciate his wonderful power. The vast audience was + alternately swayed from enthusiasm for the grand principles + advocated, to indignation at the crimes of Democracy, as the + record of that party was scorched with his invective; from + laughter at the ludicrous presentment of Democratic + inconsistencies, to tears brought forth by the pathos and + eloquence of his appeals for justice and humanity. During + portions of his address there was moisture in the eyes of + every person in the audience, and from opening to close he + held the assemblage by a spell more potent than that of any + man we have ever heard speak. It was one of the grandest, + most cogent and thrilling appeals in behalf of the great + principles of liberty, loyalty and justice to all men, ever + delivered, and we wish it might have been heard by every + citizen of our beloved Republic. The Colonel was repeatedly + urged by the audience to go on, and he spoke for about two + hours with undiminished fervor. His hearers would gladly + have given him audience for two hours longer, but with a + splendid tribute to Mr. Blaine as the strongest tie between + New England and the West, he took his seat amid the ringing + cheers and plaudits of the assemblage.—The Whig and + Courier, Bangor, Maine, August 25,1876. +</pre> + <p> + HAYES CAMPAIGN 1876. + </p> + <p> + I HAVE the honor to belong to the Republican party; the grandest, the + sublimest party in the history of the world. This grand party is not only + in favor of the liberty of the body, but also the liberty of the soul. + This sublime party gives to all the labor of their hands and of their + brains. This party allows every person to think for himself and to express + his thoughts. The Republican party forges no chains for the mind, no + fetters for the souls of men. It declares that the intellectual domain + shall be forever free. In the free air there is room for every wing. The + Republican party endeavors to remove all obstructions on the highway of + progress. In this sublime undertaking it asks the assistance of all. Its + platform is Continental. Upon it there is room for the Methodist, the + Baptist, the Catholic, the Universalist, the Presbyterian, and the + Freethinker. There is room for all who are in favor of the preservation of + the sacred rights of men. + </p> + <p> + I am going to give you a few reasons for voting the Republican ticket. The + Republican party depends upon reason, upon argument, upon education, upon + intelligence and upon patriotism. The Republican party makes no appeal to + ignorance and prejudice. It wishes to destroy both. + </p> + <p> + It is the party of humanity, the party that hates caste, that honors + labor, that rewards toil, that believes in justice. It appeals to all that + is elevated and noble in man, to the higher instincts, to the nobler + aspirations. It has accomplished grand things. + </p> + <p> + The horizon of the past is filled with the glory of Republican + achievement. The monuments of its wisdom, its power and patriotism crowd + all the fields of conflict. Upon the Constitution this party wrote equal + rights for all; upon every statute book, humanity; upon the flag, liberty. + The Republican party of the United States is the conscience of the + nineteenth century. It is the justice of this age, the embodiment of + social progress and honor. It has no knee for the past. Its face is toward + the future. It is the party of advancement, of the dawn, of the sunrise. + </p> + <p> + The Republican party commenced its grand career by saying that the + institution of human slavery had cursed enough American soil; that the + territories should not be damned with that most infamous thing; that this + country was sacred to freedom; that slavery had gone far enough. Upon that + issue the great campaign of 1860 was fought and won. The Republican party + was born of wisdom and conscience. + </p> + <p> + The people of the South claimed that slavery should be protected; that the + doors of the territories should be thrown open to them and to their + institutions. They not only claimed this, but they also insisted that the + Constitution of the United States protected slave property, the same as + other property everywhere. The South was defeated, and then appealed to + arms. In a moment all their energies were directed toward the destruction + of this Government. They commenced the war—they fired upon the flag + that had protected them for nearly a century. + </p> + <p> + The North was compelled to decide instantly between the destruction of the + nation and civil war. + </p> + <p> + The division between the friends and enemies of the Union at once took + place. The Government began to defend itself. To carry on the war money + was necessary. The Government borrowed, and finally issued its notes and + bonds. The Democratic party in the North sympathized with the Rebellion. + Everything was done to hinder, embarrass, obstruct and delay. They + endeavored to make a rebel breastwork of the Constitution; to create a + fire in the rear. They denounced the Government; resisted the draft; shot + United States officers; declared the war a failure and an outrage; + rejoiced over our defeats, and wept and cursed at our victories. + </p> + <p> + To crush the Rebellion in the South and keep in subjection the Democratic + party at the North, thousands of millions of money were expended—the + nation burdened with a fearful debt, and the best blood of the country + poured out upon the fields of battle. + </p> + <p> + In order to destroy the Rebellion it became necessary to destroy slavery. + As a matter of fact, slavery was the Rebellion. As soon as this truth + forced itself upon the Government—thrust as it were into the brain + of the North upon the point of a rebel bayonet—the Republican party + resolved to destroy forever the last vestige of that savage and cruel + institution; an institution that made white men devils and black men + beasts. + </p> + <p> + The Republican party put down the Rebellion; saved the nation; destroyed + slavery; made the slave a citizen; put the ballot in the hands of the + black man; forgave the assassins of the Government; restored nearly every + rebel to citizenship, and proclaimed peace to, and for each and all. + </p> + <p> + For sixteen years the country has been in the hands of that great party. + For sixteen years that grand party, in spite of rebels in arms—in + spite of the Democratic party of the North, has preserved the territorial + integrity, and the financial honor of the country. It has endeavored to + enforce the laws; it has tried to protect loyal men at the South; it has + labored to bring murderers and assassins to justice, and it is working now + to preserve the priceless fruits of its great victory. + </p> + <p> + The present question is, whom shall we trust? To whom shall we give the + reins of power? What party will best preserve the rights of the people? + </p> + <p> + What party is most deserving of our confidence? There is but one way to + determine the character of a party, and that is, by ascertaining its + history. + </p> + <p> + Could we have safely trusted the Democratic party in 1860? No. And why + not? Because it was a believer in the right of secession—a believer + in the sacredness of human slavery. The Democratic party then solemnly + declared—speaking through its most honored and trusted leaders—that + each State had the right to secede. This made the Constitution a <i>nudum + pactum</i>, a contract without a consideration, a Democratic promise, a + wall of mist, and left every State free to destroy at will the fabric of + American Government—the fabric reared by our fathers through years + of toil and blood. + </p> + <p> + Could we have safely trusted that party in 1864, when, in convention + assembled, it declared the war a failure, and wished to give up the + contest at a moment when universal victory was within the grasp of the + Republic? Had the people put that party in power then, there would have + been a Southern Confederacy to-day, and upon the limbs of four million + people the chains of slavery would still have clanked. Is there one man + present who, to-day, regrets that the Vallandigham Democracy of 1864 was + spurned and beaten by the American people? Is there one man present who, + to-day, regrets the utter defeat of that mixture of slavery, malice and + meanness, called the Democratic party, in 1864? + </p> + <p> + Could we have safely trusted that party in 1868? + </p> + <p> + At that time the Democracy of the South was trying to humble and frighten + the colored people or exterminate them. These inoffensive colored people + were shot down without provocation, without mercy. The white Democrats + were as relentless as fiends. They killed simply to kill. They murdered + these helpless people, thinking that they were in some blind way getting + their revenge upon the people of the North. No tongue can exaggerate the + cruelties practiced upon the helpless freedmen of the South. These white + Democrats had been reared amid and by slavery. Slavery knows no such thing + as justice, no such thing as mercy. Slavery does not dream of governing by + reason, by argument or persuasion. Slavery depends upon force, upon the + bowie-knife, the revolver, the whip, the chain and the bloodhound. The + white Democrats of the South had been reared amid slavery; they cared + nothing for reason; they knew of but one thing to be used when there was a + difference of opinion or a conflict of interest, and that was brute force. + It never occurred to them to educate, to inform, and to reason. It was + easier to shoot than to reason; it was quicker to stab than to argue; + cheaper to kill than to educate. A grave costs less than a schoolhouse; + bullets were cheaper than books; and one knife could stab more than forty + schools could convert. + </p> + <p> + They could not bear to see the negro free—to see the former slave + trampling on his old chains, holding a ballot in his hand. They could not + endure the sight of a negro in office. It was gall and wormwood to think + of a slave occupying a seat in Congress; to think of a negro giving his + ideas about the political questions of the day. And so these white + Democrats made up their minds that by a reign of terrorism they would + drive the negro from the polls, drive him from all official positions, and + put him back in reality in the old condition. To accomplish this they + commenced a system of murder, of assassination, of robbery, theft, and + plunder, never before equaled in extent and atrocity. All this was in its + height when in 1868 the Democracy asked the control of this Government. + </p> + <p> + Is there a man here who in his heart regrets that the Democrats failed in + 1868? Do you wish that the masked murderers who rode in the darkness of + night to the hut of the freedman and shot him down like a wild beast, + regardless of the prayers and tears of wife and children, were now holding + positions of honor and trust in this Government? Are you sorry that these + assassins were defeated in 1868? + </p> + <p> + In 1872 the Democratic party, bent upon victory, greedy for office, with + itching palms and empty pockets, threw away all principle—if + Democratic doctrines can be called principles—and nominated a + life-long enemy of their party for President. No one doubted or doubts the + loyalty and integrity of Horace Greeley. But all knew that if elected he + would belong to the party electing him; that he would have to use + Democrats as his agents, and all knew, or at least feared, that the agents + would own and use the principal. All believed that in the malicious clutch + of the Democratic party Horace Greeley would be not a President, but a + prisoner—not a ruler, but a victim. Against that grand man I have + nothing to say. I simply congratulate him upon his escape from being used + as a false key by the Democratic party. + </p> + <p> + During all these years the Democratic party prophesied the destruction of + the Government, the destruction of the Constitution, and the banishment of + liberty from American soil. + </p> + <p> + In 1864 that party declared that after four years of failure to restore + the Union by the experiment of war, there should be a cessation of + hostilities. They then declared "that the Constitution had been violated + in every part, and that public liberty and private rights had been trodden + down." + </p> + <p> + And yet the Constitution remained and still remains; public liberty still + exists, and private rights are still respected. + </p> + <p> + In 1868, growing more desperate, and being still filled with the spirit of + prophecy, this same party in its platform said: "Under the repeated + assaults of the Republican party, the pillars of the Government are + rocking on their base, and should it succeed in November next, and + inaugurate its President, we will meet as a subjected and conquered + people, amid the ruins of liberty and the scattered fragments of the + Constitution." + </p> + <p> + The Republican party did succeed in November, 1868, and did inaugurate its + President, and we did not meet as a subjected and conquered people amid + the ruins of liberty and the scattered fragments of the Constitution. We + met as a victorious people, amid the proudest achievements of liberty, + protected by a Constitution spotless and stainless—pure as the + Alpine snow thrice sifted by the northern blast. + </p> + <p> + You must not forget the condition of the Government when it came into the + hands of the Republican party. Its treasury was empty, its means + squandered, its navy dispersed, its army unreliable, the offices filled + with rebels and rebel spies; the Democratic party of the North rubbing its + hands in a kind of hellish glee and shouting, "I told you so." + </p> + <p> + When the Republican party came into power in 1861, it found the Southern + States in arms; it came into power when human beings were chained hand to + hand and driven like cattle to market; when white men were engaged in the + ennobling business of raising dogs to pursue and catch men and women; when + the bay of the bloodhound was considered as the music of the Union. It + came into power when, from thousands of pulpits, slavery was declared to + be a divine institution. It took the reins of Government when education + was an offence, when mercy, humanity and justice were political crimes. + </p> + <p> + The Republican party came into power when the Constitution of the United + States upheld the crime of crimes, a Constitution that gave the lie direct + to the Declaration of Independence, and, as I said before, when the + Southern States were in arms. + </p> + <p> + To the fulfillment of its great destiny it gave all its energies. To the + almost superhuman task, it gave its every thought and power. For four long + and terrible years, with vast armies in the field against it; beset by + false friends; in constant peril; betrayed again and again; stabbed by the + Democratic party, in the name of the Constitution; reviled and slandered + beyond conception; attacked in every conceivable manner—the + Republican party never faltered for an instant. Its courage increased with + the difficulties to be overcome. Hopeful in defeat, confident in disaster, + merciful in victory; sustained by high aims and noble aspirations, it + marched forward, through storms of shot and shell—on to the last + fortification of treason and rebellion—forward to the shining goal + of victory, lasting and universal. + </p> + <p> + During these savage and glorious years, the Democratic party of the North, + as a party, assisted the South. Democrats formed secret societies to burn + cities—to release rebel prisoners. They shot down officers who were + enforcing the draft; they declared the war unconstitutional; they left + nothing undone to injure the credit of the Government; they persuaded + soldiers to desert; they went into partnership with rebels for the purpose + of spreading contagious diseases through the North. They were the friends + and allies of persons who regarded yellow fever and smallpox as weapons of + civilized warfare. In spite of all this, the Republicans succeeded. + </p> + <p> + The Democrats declared slavery to be a divine institution; The Republican + party abolished it. The Constitution of the United States was changed from + a sword that stabbed the rights of four million people to a shield for + every human being beneath our flag. + </p> + <p> + The Democrats of New York burned orphan asylums and inaugurated a reign of + terror in order to co-operate with the raid of John Morgan. Remember, my + friends, that all this was done when the fate of our country trembled in + the balance of war; that all this was done when the great heart of the + North was filled with agony and courage; when the question was, "Shall + Liberty or Slavery triumph?" + </p> + <p> + No words have ever passed the human lips strong enough to curse the + Northern allies of the South. + </p> + <p> + The United States wanted money. It wanted money to buy muskets and cannon + and shot and shell, it wanted money to pay soldiers, to buy horses, + wagons, ambulances, clothing and food. Like an individual, it had to + borrow this money; and, like an honest individual, it must pay this money. + Clothed with sovereignty, it had, or at least exercised, the power to make + its notes a legal tender. This quality of being a legal tender was the + only respect in which these notes differ from those signed by an + individual. As a matter of fact, every note issued was a forced loan from + the people, a forced loan from the soldiers in the field—in short, a + forced loan from every person that took a single dollar. Upon every one of + these notes is printed a promise. The belief that this promise will be + made good gives every particle of value to each note that it has. Although + each note, by law, is a legal tender, yet if the Government declared that + it never would redeem these notes, the people would not take them if + revolution could hurl such a Government from power. So that the belief + that these notes will finally be paid, added to the fact that in the + meantime they are a legal tender, gives them all the value they have. And, + although all are substantially satisfied that they will be paid, none know + at what time. This uncertainty as to the time, as to when, affects the + value of these notes. + </p> + <p> + They must be paid, unless a promise can be delayed so long as to amount to + a fulfillment. They must be paid. The question is, "How?" The answer is, + "By the industry and prosperity of the people." They cannot be paid by + law. Law made them; labor must pay them; and they must be paid out of the + profits of the people. We must pay the debt with eggs, not with goose. In + a terrible war we spent thousands of millions; all the bullets thrown; all + the powder burned; all the property destroyed, of every sort, kind, and + character; all the time of the people engaged—all these things were + a dead loss. The debt represents the loss. Paying the debt is simply + repairing the loss. When we, as a people, shall have made a net amount, + equal to the amount thrown, as it were, away in war, or somewhere near + that amount, we will resume specie payment; we will redeem our promises. + We promised on paper, we shall pay in gold and silver. We asked the people + to hold this paper until we got the money, and they are holding the paper + and we are getting the money. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the slaves were free, the Republican party said, "They must be + citizens, not vagrants." The Democratic party opposed this just, this + generous measure. The freedmen were made citizens. The Republican party + then said, "These citizens must vote; they must have the ballot, to keep + what the bullet has won." The Democratic party said "No." The negroes + received the ballot. The Republican party then said, "These voters must be + educated, so that the ballot shall be the weapon of intelligence, not of + ignorance." The Democratic party objected. But schools were founded, and + books were put in the hands of the colored people, instead of whips upon + their backs. We said to the Southern people, "The colored men are + citizens; their rights must be respected; they are voters, they must be + allowed to vote; they were and are our friends, and we are their + protectors." + </p> + <p> + All this was accomplished by the Republican party. + </p> + <p> + It changed the organic law of the land, so that it is now a proper + foundation for a free government; it struck the cruel shackles from four + million human beings; it put down the most gigantic rebellion in the + history of the world; it expunged from the statute books of every State, + and of the Nation, all the cruel and savage laws that Slavery had enacted; + it took whips from the backs, and chains from the limbs, of men; it + dispensed with bloodhounds as the instruments of civilization; it banished + to the memory of barbarism the slave-pen, the auction block, and the + whipping-post; it purified a Nation; it elevated the human race. + </p> + <p> + All this was opposed by the Democratic party; opposed with a bitterness, + compared to which ordinary malice is sweet. I say the Democratic party, + because I consider those who fought against the Government, in the fields + of the South, and those who opposed in the North, as Democrats—one + and all. The Democratic party has been, during all these years, the enemy + of civilization, the hater of liberty, the despiser of justice. + </p> + <p> + When I say the Democratic party sympathized with the Rebellion, I mean a + majority of that party. I know there are in the Democratic party, soldiers + who fought for the Union. I do not know why they are there, but I have + nothing to say against them. I will never utter a word against any man who + bared his breast to a storm of shot and shell, for the preservation of the + Republic. When I use the term Democratic party, I do not mean those + soldiers. + </p> + <p> + There are others in the Democratic party who are there just because their + fathers were Democrats. They do not mean any particular harm. Others are + there because they could not amount to anything in the Republican party. A + man only fit for a corporal in the Republican ranks, will make a leader in + the Democratic party. By the Democratic party, I mean that party that + sided with the South—that believed in secession—that loved + slavery—that hated liberty—that denounced Lincoln as a tyrant—that + burned orphan asylums—that gloried in our disasters—that + denounced every effort to save the nation—they are the gentlemen I + mean, and they constitute a large majority of the Democratic party. + </p> + <p> + The Democrats hate the negro to-day, with a hatred begotten of a + well-grounded fear that the colored people are rapidly becoming their + superiors in industry, intellect and character. + </p> + <p> + The colored people have suffered enough. They were and are our friends. + They are the friends of this country, and cost what it may they must be + protected. The white loyal man must be protected. They have been + ostracized, slandered, mobbed, and murdered. Their very blood cries from + the ground. + </p> + <p> + These two things—payment of the debt and protection of loyal + citizens, are the things to be done. Which party can be trusted? + </p> + <p> + Which will be the more apt to pay the debt? + </p> + <p> + Which will be the more apt to protect the colored and white loyalist at + the South? + </p> + <p> + Who is Samuel J. Tilden? + </p> + <p> + Samuel J. Tilden is an attorney. He never gave birth to an elevated, noble + sentiment in his life. He is a kind of legal spider, watching in a web of + technicalities for victims. He is a compound of cunning and heartlessness—of + beak and claw and fang. He is one of the few men who can grab a railroad + and hide the deep cuts, tunnels and culverts in a single night. He is a + corporation wrecker. He is a demurrer filed by the Confederate congress. + He waits on the shores of bankruptcy to clutch the drowning by the throat. + He was never married. The Democratic party has satisfied the longings of + his heart. He has looked upon love as weakness. He has courted men because + women cannot vote. He has contented himself by adopting a rag-baby, that + really belongs to Mr. Hendricks, and his principal business at present is + explaining how he came to adopt this child. + </p> + <p> + Samuel J. Tilden has been for years without number a New York Democrat. + </p> + <p> + New York has been, and still is, the worst governed city in the world. + Political influence is bought and sold like stocks and bonds. Nearly every + contract is larceny in disguise—nearly every appointment is a reward + for crime, and every election is a fraud. Among such men Samuel J. Tilden + has lived; with such men he has acted; by such men he has been educated; + such men have been his scholars, and such men are his friends. These men + resisted the draft, but Samuel J. Tilden remained their friend. They + burned orphan asylums, but Tilden's friendship never cooled. They + inaugurated riot and murder, but Tilden wavered not. They stole a hundred + millions, and when no more was left to steal—when the people could + not even pay the interest on the amount stolen—then these Democrats, + clapping their hands over their bursting pockets, began shouting for + reform. Mr. Tilden has been a reformer for years, especially of railroads. + The vital issue with him has been the issue of bogus stock. Although a + life-long Democrat, he has been an amalgamationist—of corporations. + While amassing millions, he has occasionally turned his attention to + national affairs. He left his private affairs (and his reputation depends + upon these affairs being kept private) long enough to assist the Democracy + to declare the war for the restoration of the Union a failure; long enough + to denounce Lincoln as a tyrant and usurper. He was generally too busy to + denounce the political murders and assassinations in the South—too + busy to say a word in favor of justice and liberty; but he found time to + declare the war for the preservation of the country an outrage. He managed + to spare time enough to revile the Proclamation of Emancipation—time + enough to shed a few tears over the corpse of slavery; time enough to + oppose the enfranchisement of the colored man; time enough to raise his + voice against the injustice of putting a loyal negro on a political level + with a pardoned rebel; time enough to oppose every forward movement of the + nation. + </p> + <p> + No man should ever be elected President of this country who raised his + hand to dismember and destroy it. No man should be elected President who + sympathized with those who were endeavoring to destroy it. No man should + be elected President of this great nation who, when it was in deadly + peril, did not endeavor to save it by act and word. No man should be + elected President who does not believe that every negro should be free—that + the colored people should be allowed to vote. No man should be placed at + the head of the nation—in command of the army and navy—who + does not believe that the Constitution, with all its amendments, should be + sacredly enforced. No man should be elected President of this nation who + believes in the Democratic doctrine of "States Rights;" who believes that + this Government is only a federation of States. No man should be elected + President of our great country who aided and abetted her enemies in war—who + advised or countenanced resistance to a draft in time of war, who by + slander impaired her credit, sneered at her heroes, and laughed at her + martyrs. Samuel J. Tilden is the possessor of nearly every + disqualification mentioned. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Tilden is the author of an essay on finance, commonly called a letter + of acceptance, in which his ideas upon the great subject are given in the + plainest and most direct manner imaginable. All through this letter or + essay there runs a vein of honest bluntness really refreshing. As a + specimen of bluntness and clearness, take the following extracts: + </p> + <p> + How shall the Government make these notes at all times as good as specie? + It has to provide in reference to the mass which would be kept in use by + the wants of business a central reservoir of coin, adequate to the + adjustment of the temporary fluctuations of the international balance, and + as a guaranty against transient drains, artificially created by panic or + by speculation. It has also to provide for the payment in coin of such + fractional currency as may be presented for redemption, and such + inconsiderable portion of legal tenders as individuals may from time to + time desire to convert for special use, or in order to lay by in coin + their little store of money. To make the coin now in the treasury + available for the objects of this reserve, to gradually strengthen and + enlarge that reserve, and to provide for such other exceptional demands + for coin as may arise, does not seem to me a work of difficulty. If wisely + planned and discreetly pursued, it ought not to cost any sacrifice to the + business of the country. It should tend, on the contrary, to the revival + of hope and confidence. + </p> + <p> + In other words, the way to pay the debt is to get the money, and the way + to get the money is to provide a central reservoir of coin to adjust + fluctuations. As to the resumption he gives us this: + </p> + <p> + The proper time for the resumption is the time when wise preparation shall + have ripened into perfect ability to accomplish the object with a + certainty and ease that will inspire confidence and encourage the reviving + of business. + </p> + <p> + The earliest time in which such a result can be brought about is best. + Even when preparations shall have been matured, the exact date would have + to be chosen with reference to the then existing state of trade and credit + operations in our own country, and the course of foreign commerce and + condition of exchanges with other nations. The specific measure and actual + date are matters of details, having reference to ever-changing conditions. + They belong to the domain of practical, administrative statesmanship. The + captain of a steamer, about starting from New York to Liverpool, does not + assemble a council over his ocean craft, and fix an angle by which to lash + the rudder for the whole voyage. A human intelligence must be at the helm + to discern the shifting forces of water and winds. A human mind must be at + the helm to feel the elements day by day, and guide to a mastery over + them. Such preparations are everything. Without them a legislative command + fixing a day—an official promise fixing a day, are shams. They are + worse. They are a snare and a delusion to all who trust them. They destroy + all confidence among thoughtful men whose judgment will at last sway + public opinion. An attempt to act on such a command, or such a promise + without preparation, would end in a new suspension. It would be a fresh + calamity, prolific of confusion, distrust, and distress. + </p> + <p> + That is to say, Congress has not sufficient intelligence to fix the date + of resumption. They cannot fix the proper time. But a Democratic + convention has human intelligence enough to know that the first day of + January, 1879, is not the proper date. That convention knew what the state + of trade and credit in our country and the course of foreign commerce and + the condition of exchanges with other nations would be on the first day of + January, 1879. Of course they did, or else they never would have had the + impudence to declare that resumption would be impossible at that date. + </p> + <p> + The next extract is more luminous still: + </p> + <p> + The Government of the United States, in my opinion, can advance to a + resumption of specie payments on its legal tender notes by gradual and + safe processes tending to relieve the present business distress. If + charged by the people with the administration of the executive office, I + should deem it a duty so to exercise the powers with which it has or may + be invested by Congress, as the best and soonest to conduct the country to + that beneficent result. + </p> + <p> + Why did not this great statesman tell us of some "gradual and safe + process"? He promises, if elected, to so administer the Government that it + will soon reach a beneficent result. How is this to be done? What is his + plan? Will he rely on "a human intelligence at the helm," or on "the + central reservoir," or on some "gradual and safe process"? + </p> + <p> + I defy any man to read this letter and tell me what Mr. Tilden really + proposes to do. There is nothing definite said. He uses such general + terms, such vague and misty expressions, such unmeaning platitudes, that + the real idea, if he had one, is lost in fog and mist. + </p> + <p> + Suppose I should, in the most solemn and impressive manner, tell you that + the fluctuations caused in the vital stability of shifting financial + operations, not to say speculations of the wildest character, cannot be + rendered instantly accountable to a true financial theory based upon the + great law that the superfluous is not a necessity, except in vague + thoughts of persons unacquainted with the exigencies of the hour, and + cannot, in the absence of a central reservoir of coin with a human + intelligence at the head, hasten by any system of convertible bonds the + expectation of public distrust, no matter how wisely planned and + discreetly pursued, failure is assured whatever the real result may be. + </p> + <p> + Must we wage this war for the right forever? Is there no time when the + soldiers of progress can rest? Will the bugles of the great army of + civilization never sound even a halt? It does seem as though there can be + no stop, no rest. It is in the world of mind as in the physical world. + Every plant of value has to be cultivated. The land must be plowed, the + seeds must be planted and watered. It must be guarded every moment. Its + enemies crawl in the earth and fly in the air. The sun scorches it, the + rain drowns it, the dew rusts it. He who wins it must fight. But the weeds + they grow in spite of all. Nobody plows for them except accident. The + winds sow the seeds, chance covers them, and they flourish and multiply. + The sun cannot burn them—they laugh at rain and frost—they + care not for birds and beasts. In spite of all they grow. It is the same + in politics. A true Republican must continue to grow, must work, must + think, must advance. The Republican party is the party of progress, of + ideas, of work. To make a Republican you must have schools, books, papers. + To make a Democrat, take all these away. Republicans are the useful; + Democrats the noxious—corn and wheat against the dog fennel and + Canada thistles. + </p> + <p> + Republicans of Maine, do not forget that each of you has two votes in this + election—one in Maine and one in Indiana. + </p> + <p> + Remember that we are relying on you. There is no stronger tie between the + prairies of Illinois and the pines of Maine—between the Western + States and New England, than James G. Blaine. + </p> + <p> + We are relying on Maine for from twelve to fifteen thousand on the 12th of + September, and Indiana will answer with from fifteen to twenty thousand, + and hearing these two votes the Nation in November will declare for Hayes + and Wheeler.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This being a newspaper report, and never revised by the + author, is of necessity incomplete, but the publisher feels + that it should not be lost +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + COOPER UNION SPEECH, NEW YORK. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Col. Robert G. Ingersoll of Illinois last night, at Cooper + Union, spoke on the political issues of the day, at unusual + length, to the largest and most enthusiastic audience which, + during the last ten years, any single speaker has attracted. + His address was in his happiest epigrammatic style, and was + interrupted every few moments either by the most uproarious + laughter or enthusiastic cheering. It is no exaggeration to + say that the meeting was the largest Cooper Institute has + seen since the war. Not merely the main hall was filled, but + the wide corridor in Third Avenue, the entrance hall in + Eighth Street, and every Committee-room to which his voice + could reach, though the speaker was unseen, were crowded—in + fact, literally packed. Half an hour before the hour named + for the organization of the meeting, admission to the body + of the hall was almost impossible; and selected officers, + and the speaker of the evening himself had to beg their way + to the platform. The latter was as painfully crowded with + invited guests as the body of the hall; and ingress was + impossible after the speaker began, and egress was almost as + difficult owing to the pressure in the committee-room + through which the platform is approached. + + Not only in numbers alone, but in the prominence of the + persons present, was the meeting impressive. Besides the + usual large quota of active politicians always seen at such + meetings, there were seen numbers of leading merchants, + financiers, and lawyers of New York, prominent officials not + only of the City but the State and National Government. + + The speech was nearly two hours In length, but as the + interruptions were frequent, indeed almost continuous, it + seemed very short, and when Mr. Ingersoll concluded his fire + of epigrams, there were loud calls and appeals to him to go + on. There were suggestions by some of the managers, of other + speakers who might follow him, but the presiding officer + wisely decided to submit no other speaker to the too severe + test of speaking on the same occasion with Mr. Ingersoll. + + Chauncey M. Depew, on leaving the hall, remarked that it was + the greatest speech he ever heard, and numbers of old + campaigners were equally enthusiastic. At its conclusion, + the reception which Mr. Ingersoll held on the platform + lasted over half-an-hour, and when finally Commissioner + Wheeler piloted him through the crowd to his coach, three or + four hundred of the audience followed and gave him lusty + cheers as he drove off.—New York Tribune, September + 11,1876. +</pre> + <p> + HAYES CAMPAIGN. 1876. + </p> + <p> + I AM just on my way home from the grand old State of Maine, and there has + followed me a telegraphic dispatch which I will read to you. If it were + not good, you may swear I would not read it: "Every Congressional + district, every county in Maine, Republican by a large majority. The + victory is overwhelming, and the majority will exceed 15,000." That + dispatch is signed by that knight-errant of political chivalry, James G. + Blaine. + </p> + <p> + I suppose we are all stockholders in the great corporation known as the + United States of America, and as such stockholders we have a right to vote + the way we think will best subserve our own interests. Each one has + certain stock in this Government, whether he is rich, or whether he is + poor, and the poor man has the same interest in the United States of + America that the richest man in it has. It is our duty, conscientiously + and honestly, to hear the argument upon both sides of the political + question, and then go and vote conscientiously for the side that we + believe will best preserve our interest in the United States of America. + Two great parties are before you now asking your support—the + Democratic party and the Republican party. One wishes to be kept in power, + the other wishes to have a chance once more at the Treasury of the United + States. The Democratic party is probably the hungriest organization that + ever wandered over the desert of political disaster in the history of the + world. There never was, in all probability, a political stomach so + thoroughly empty, or an appetite so outrageously keen as the one possessed + by the Democratic party. The Democratic party has been howling like a pack + of wolves looking in with hungry and staring eyes at the windows of the + National Capitol, and scratching at the doors of the White House. They + have been engaged in these elegant pursuits for sixteen long, weary years. + Occasionally they have retired to some convenient eminence and + lugubriously howled about the Constitution. The Democratic party comes and + asks for your vote, not on account of anything it has done, not on account + of anything it has accomplished, but on account of what it promises to do; + the Democratic party can make just as good a promise as any other party in + the world, and it will come farther from fulfilling it than any other + party on this globe. The Republican party having held this Government for + sixteen years, proposes to hold it for four years more. The Republican + party comes to you with its record open, and asks every man, woman and + child in this broad country to read its every word. And I say to you, that + there is not a line, a paragraph, or a page of that record that is not + only an honor to the Republican party, but to the human race. On every + page of that record is written some great and glorious action, done either + for the liberty of man, or the preservation of our common country. We ask + every body to read its every word. The Democratic party comes before you + with its record closed, recording every blot and blur, and stain and + treason, and slander and malignity, and asks you not to read a single + word, but to be kind enough to take its infamous promises for the future. + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, I propose to tell you, to-night, something that has been + done by the Democratic party, and then allow you to judge for yourselves. + Now, if a man came to you, you owning a steamboat on the Hudson River, and + he wished to hire out to you as an engineer, and you inquired about him, + and found he had blown up and destroyed and wrecked every steamboat he had + ever been engineer on, and you should tell him: "I can't hire you; you + blew up such an engine, you wrecked such a ship," he would say to you, "My + Lord! Mister, you must let bygones be bygones." If a man came to your + bank, or came to a solitary individual here to borrow a hundred dollars, + and you went and inquired about him and found he never paid a note in his + life, found he was a dead-beat, and you say to him, "I cannot loan you + money." "Why?" "Because, I have ascertained you never pay your debts." + "Ah, yes," he says, "you are no gentleman going prying into a man's + record," I tell you, my good friends, a good character rests upon a + record, and not upon a prospectus, a good record rests upon a deed + accomplished, and not upon a promise, a good character rests upon + something really done, and not upon a good resolution, and you cannot make + a good character in a day. If you could, Tilden would have one to-morrow + night. + </p> + <p> + I propose now to tell you, my friends, a little of the history of the + Republican party, also a little of the history of the Democratic party. + </p> + <p> + And first, the Republican party. The United States of America is a free + country, it is the only free country upon this earth; it is the only + republic that was ever established among men. We have read, we have heard, + of the republics of Greece, of Egypt, of Venice; we have heard of the free + cities of Europe. There never was a republic of Venice; there never was a + republic of Rome; there never was a republic of Athens; there never was a + free city in Europe; there never was a government not cursed with caste; + there never was a government not cursed with slavery; there never was a + country not cursed with almost every infamy, until the Republican party of + the United States made this a free country. It is the first party in the + world that contended that the respectable man was the useful man; it is + the first party in the world that said, without regard to previous + conditions, without regard to race, every human being is entitled to life, + to liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and it is the only party in the + world that has endeavored to carry those sublime principles into actual + effect. Every other party has been allied to some piece of rascality; + every other party has been patched up with some thieving, larcenous, + leprous compromise. The Republican party keeps its forehead in the grand + dawn of perpetual advancement; the Republican party is the party of + reason; it is the party of argument; it is the party of education; it + believes in free schools, it believes in scientific schools; it believes + that the schools are for the public and all the public; it believes that + science never should be interfered with by any sectarian influence + whatever. + </p> + <p> + The Republican party is in favor of science; the Republican party, as I + said before, is the party of reason; it argues; it does not mob; it + reasons; it does not murder; it persuades you, not with the shot gun, not + with tar and feathers, but with good sound reason, and argument. + </p> + <p> + In order for you to ascertain what the Republican party has done for us, + let us refresh ourselves a little; we all know it, but it is well enough + to hear it now and then. Let us then refresh our recollection a little, in + order to understand what the grand and great Republican party has + accomplished in the land. + </p> + <p> + We will consider, in the first place, the condition of the country when + the Republican party was born. When this Republican party was born there + was upon the statute books of the United States of America a law known as + the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, by which every man in the State of New + York was made by law a bloodhound, and could be set and hissed upon a + negro, who was simply attempting to obtain his birthright of freedom, just + as you would set a dog upon a wolf. That was the Fugitive Slave Law of + 1850. Around the neck of every man it put a collar as on a dog, but it had + not the decency to put the man's name on the collar. I said in the State + of Maine, and several other States, and expect to say it again although I + hurt the religious sentiment of the Democratic party, and shocked the + piety of that organization by saying it, but I did say then, and now say, + that the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850 would have disgraced hell in its + palmiest days. + </p> + <p> + I tell you, my friends, you do not know how easy it is to shock the + religious sentiments of the Democratic party; there is a deep and pure + vein of piety running through that organization; it has been for years + spiritually inclined; there is probably no organization in the world that + really will stand by any thing of a spiritual character, at least until it + is gone, as that Democratic party will. Everywhere I have been I have + crushed their religious hopes. You have no idea how sorry I am that I hurt + their feelings so upon the subject of religion. Why, I did not suppose + that they cared anything about Christianity, but I have been deceived. I + now find that they do, and I have done what no other man in the United + States ever did—I have made the Democratic party come to the defence + of Christianity. I have made the Democratic party use what time they could + spare between drinks in quoting Scripture. But notwithstanding the fact + that I have shocked the religious sentiment of that party, I do not want + them to defend Christianity any more; they will bring it into universal + contempt if they do. Yes, yes, they will make the words honesty and reform + a stench in the nostrils of honest men. They made the words of the + Constitution stand almost for treason, during the entire war, and every + decent word that passes the ignorant, leprous, malignant lips of the + Democratic party, becomes dishonored from that day forth. + </p> + <p> + At the same time, in 1850, when the Fugitive Slave Law was passed, in + nearly all of the Western States, there was a law by which the virtues of + pity and hospitality became indictable offences. There was a law by which + the virtue of charity became a crime, and the man who performed a kindness + could be indicted, imprisoned, and fined. It was the law of Illinois—of + my own State—that if one gave a drop of cold water, or a crust of + bread, to a fugitive from slavery, he could be indicted, fined and + imprisoned, under the infamous slave law of 1850, under the infamous black + laws of the Western States. + </p> + <p> + At the time the Republican party was born, (and I have told this many + times) if a woman ninety-nine one-hundredths white had escaped from + slavery, carrying her child on her bosom, having gone through morass and + brush and thorns and thickets, had crossed creeks and rivers, and had + finally got within one step of freedom, with the light of the North star + shining in her tear-filled eyes—with her child upon her withered + breast—it would have been an indictable offence to have given her a + drop of water or a crust of bread; not only that, but under the slave law + of 1850, it was the duty of every Northern citizen claiming to be a free + man, to clutch that woman and hand her back to the dominion of her master + and to the Democratic lash. The Democrats are sorry that those laws have + been repealed. The Republican party with the mailed hand of war tore from + the statute books of the United States, and from the statute books of each + State, every one of those infamous, hellish laws, and trampled them + beneath her glorious feet. + </p> + <p> + Such laws are infamous beyond expression; one would suppose they had been + passed by a Legislature, the lower house of which were hyenas, the upper + house snakes, and the executive a cannibal king. The institution of + slavery had polluted, had corrupted the church, not only in the South, but + a large proportion of the church in the North; so that ministers stood up + in their pulpits here in New York and defended the very infamy that I have + mentioned. Not only that, but the Presbyterians, South, in 1863, met in + General Synod, and passed two resolutions. + </p> + <p> + The first resolution read, "Resolved, that slavery is a divine + institution" (and as the boy said, "so is hell"). + </p> + <p> + <i>Second</i>, "Resolved, that God raised up the Presbyterian Church, + South, to protect and perpetuate that institution." + </p> + <p> + Well, all I have to say is that, if God did this, he never chose a more + infamous instrument to carry out a more diabolical object. What more had + slavery done? At that time it had corrupted the very courts, so that in + nearly every State in this Union if a Democrat had gone to the hut of a + poor negro, and had shot down his wife and children before his very eyes, + had strangled the little dimpled babe in the cradle, there was no court + before which this negro could come to give testimony. He was not allowed + to go before a magistrate and indict the murderer; he was not allowed to + go before a grand jury and swear an indictment against the wretch. Justice + was not only blind, but deaf; and that was the idea of justice in the + South, when the Republican party was born. When the Republican party was + born the bay of the bloodhound was the music of the Union; when this party + was born the dome of our Capitol at Washington cast its shadow upon + slave-pens in which crouched and shuddered women from whose breasts their + babes had been torn by wretches who are now crying for honesty and reform. + When the Republican party was born, a bloodhound was considered as one of + the instrumentalities of republicanism. When the Republican party was + born, the church had made the cross of Christ a whipping-post. When the + Republican party was born, courts of the United States had not the + slightest idea of justice, provided a black man was on the other side. + When this party came into existence, if a negro had a plot of ground and + planted corn in it, and the rain had fallen upon it, and the dew had lain + lovingly upon it, and the arrows of light shot from the exhaustless quiver + of the sun, had quickened the blade, and the leaves waved in the perfumed + air of June, and it finally ripened into the full ear in the golden air of + autumn, the courts of the United States did not know to whom the corn + belonged, and if a Democrat had driven the negro off and shucked the corn, + and that case had been left to the Supreme Court of many of the States in + this Union, they would have read all the authorities, they would have + heard all the arguments, they would have heard all the speeches, then + pushed their spectacles back on their bald and brainless heads and + decided, all things considered, the Democrat was entitled to that corn. We + pretended at that time to be a free country; it was a lie. We pretended at + that time to do justice in our courts; it was a lie, and above all our + pretence and hypocrisy rose the curse of slavery, like Chimborazo above + the clouds. + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, what is there about this great Republican party? It is + the party of intellectual freedom. It is one thing to bind the hands of + men; it is one thing to steal the results of physical labor of men, but it + is a greater crime to forge fetters for the souls of men. I am a free man; + I will do my own thinking or die; I give a mortgage on my soul to nobody; + I give a deed of trust on my soul to nobody; no matter whether I think + well or I think ill; whatever thought I have shall be my thought, and + shall be a free thought, and I am going to give cheerfully, gladly, the + same right to thus think to every other human being. + </p> + <p> + I despise any man who does not own himself. I despise any man who does not + possess his own spirit. I would rather die a beggar, covered with rags, + with my soul erect, fearless and free, than to live a king in a palace of + gold, clothed with the purple of power, with my soul slimy with hypocrisy, + crawling in the dust of fear. I will do my own thinking, and when I get it + thought, I will say it. These are the splendid things, my friends, about + the Republican party; intellectual and physical liberty for all. + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, I have told you a little about the Republican party. Now, + I will tell you a little more about the Republican party. When that party + came into power it elected Abraham Lincoln President of the United States. + I live in the State that holds within its tender embrace the sacred ashes + of Abraham Lincoln, the best, the purest man that was ever President of + the United States. I except none. When he was elected President of the + United States, the Democratic party said: "We will not stand it;" the + Democratic party South said: "We will not bear it;" and the Democratic + party North said: "You ought not to bear it." + </p> + <p> + James Buchanan was then President. James Buchanan read the Constitution of + the United States, or a part of it, and read several platforms made by the + Democratic party, and gave it as his deliberate opinion that a State had a + right to go out of the Union. He gave it as his deliberate opinion that + this was a Confederacy and not a Nation, and when he said that, there was + another little, dried up, old bachelor sitting over in the amen corner of + the political meeting and he squeaked out: "That is my opinion too," and + the name of that man was Samuel J. Tilden. + </p> + <p> + The Democratic party then and now says that the Union is simply a + Confederacy; but I want this country to be a Nation. I want to live in a + great and splendid country. A great nation makes a great people. Your + surroundings have something to do with it. Great plains, magnificent + rivers, great ranges of mountains, a country washed by two oceans—all + these things make us great and grand as the continent on which we live. + The war commenced, and the moment the war commenced the whole country was + divided into two parties. No matter what they had been before, whether + Democrats, Freesoilers, Republicans, old Whigs, or Abolitionists—the + whole country divided into two parties—the friends and enemies of + the country—patriots and traitors, and they so continued until the + Rebellion was put down. I cheerfully admit that thousands of Democrats + went into the army, and that thousands of Democrats were patriotic men. I + cheerfully admit that thousands of them thought more of their country than + they did of the Democratic party, and they came with us to fight for the + country, and I honor every one of them from the bottom of my heart, and + nineteen out of twenty of them have voted the Republican ticket from that + day to this. Some of them came back and went to the Democratic party again + and are still in that party; I have not a word to say against them, only + this: They are swapping off respectability for disgrace. They give to the + Democratic party all the respectability it has, and the Democratic party + gives to them all the disgrace they have. + </p> + <p> + Democratic soldier, come out of the Democratic party. There was a man in + my State got mad at the railroad and would not ship his hogs on it, so he + drove them to Chicago, and it took him so long to get them there that the + price had fallen; when he came back, they laughed at him, and said to him, + "You didn't make much, did you, driving your hogs to Chicago?" "No," he + said, "I didn't make anything except the company of the hogs on the way." + Soldier of the Republic, I say, with the Democratic party all you can make + is the company of the hogs on the way down. Come out, come out and leave + them alone in their putridity—in their rottenness. Leave them alone. + Do not try to put a new patch on an old garment. Leave them alone. I tell + you the Democratic party must be left alone; it must be left to enjoy the + primal curse, "On thy belly shalt thou crawl and dust shalt thou eat all + the days of thy life," O Democratic party. + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, I need not tell you how we put down the Rebellion. You + all know. I need not describe to you the battles you fought. I need not + tell you of the men who sacrificed their lives. I need not tell you of the + old men who are still waiting for footsteps that never will return. I need + not tell you of the women who are waiting for the return of their loved + ones. I need not tell you of all these things. You know we put down the + Rebellion; we fought until the old flag triumphed over every inch of + American soil redeemed from the clutch of treason. + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, what was the Democratic party doing when the Republican + party was doing these splendid things? When, the Republican party said + this was a nation; when the Republican party said we shall be free; when + the Republican party said slavery shall be extirpated from American soil; + when the Republican party said the negro shall be a citizen, and the + citizen shall have the ballot, and the citizen shall have the right to + cast that ballot for the government of his choice peaceably—what was + the Democratic party doing? + </p> + <p> + I will tell you a few things that the Democratic party has done within the + last sixteen years. In the first place, they were not willing that this + country should be saved unless slavery could be saved with it. There never + was a Democrat, North or South—and by Democrat I mean the fellows + who stuck to the party all during the war, the ones that stuck to the + party after it was a disgrace; the ones that stuck to the party from + simple, pure cussedness—there never was one who did not think more + of the institution of slavery than he did of the Government of the United + States; not one that I ever saw or read of. And so they said to us for all + those years: "If you can save the Union with slavery, and without any help + from us, we are willing you should do it; but we do not propose that this + shall be an abolition war." So the Democratic party from the first said, + "An effort to preserve this Union is unconstitutional," and they made a + breastwork of the Constitution for rebels to get behind and shoot down + loyal men, so that the first charge I lay at the feet of the Democratic + party, the first charge I make in the indictment, is that they thought + more of slavery than of liberty and of this Union, and in my judgment they + are in the same condition this moment. The next thing they did was to + discourage enlistments in the North. They did all in their power to + prevent any man's going into the army to assist in putting down the + Rebellion. And that grand reformer and statesman, Samuel J. Tilden, gave + it as his opinion that the South could sue, and that every soldier who put + his foot on sacred Southern soil would be a trespasser, and could be sued + before a Justice of the Peace. The Democratic party met in their + conventions in every State North, and denounced the war as an abolition + war, and Abraham Lincoln as a tyrant. What more did they do? They went + into partnership with the rebels. They said to the rebels just as plainly + as though they had spoken it: "Hold on, hold out, hold hard, fight hard, + until we get the political possession of the North, and then you can go in + peace." + </p> + <p> + What more? A man by the name of Jacob Thompson—a nice man and a good + Democrat, who thinks that of all the men to reform the Government Samuel + J. Tilden is the best man—Jacob Thompson had the misfortune to be a + very vigorous Democrat, and I will show you what I mean by that. A + Democrat during the war who had a musket—you understand, a musket—he + was a rebel, and during the war a rebel that did not have a musket was a + Democrat. I call Mr. Thompson a vigorous Democrat, because he had a + musket. Jacob Thompson was the rebel agent in Canada, and when he went + there he took between six and seven hundred thousand dollars for the + purpose of co-operating with the Northern Democracy. He got himself + acquainted with and in connection with the Democratic party in Ohio, in + Indiana, and in Illinois. The vigorous Democrats, the real Democrats, in + these States had organized themselves under the heads of "Sons of + Liberty," "Knights of the Golden Circle," "Order of the Star," and various + other beautiful names, and their object was to release rebel prisoners + from Camp Chase, Camp Douglass in Chicago, and from one camp in + Indianapolis and another camp at Rock Island. Their object was to raise a + fire in the rear, as they called it—in other words, to burn down the + homes of Union soldiers while they were in the front fighting for the + honor of their country. That was their object, and they put themselves in + connection with Jacob Thompson. They were to have an uprising on the 16th + of August, 1864. It was thought best to hold a few public meetings for the + purpose of arousing the public mind. They held the first meeting in the + city of Peoria, where I live. That was August 3rd, 1864. Here they came + from every part of the State, and were addressed by the principal + Democratic politicians in Illinois. + </p> + <p> + To that meeting Fernando Wood addressed a letter, in which he said that + although absent in body he should be present in spirit. George Pendleton + of Ohio, George Pugh of the same State, Seymour of Connecticut, and + various other Democratic gentlemen, sent acknowledgments and expressions + of regret to this Democratic meeting that met at this time for the purpose + of organizing an uprising among the Democratic party. I saw that meeting, + and heard some of their speeches. They denounced the war as an abolition + nigger war. They denounced Abraham Lincoln as a tyrant. They carried + transparencies that said, "Is there money enough in the land to pay this + nigger debt? Arouse, brothers, and hurl the tyrant Lincoln from the + throne." And the men that promulgated that very thing are running for the + most important political offices in the country, on the ground of honesty + and reform. And Jacob Thompson says that he furnished the money to pay the + expenses of that Democratic meeting. They were all paid by rebel gold, by + Jacob Thompson. He has on file the voucher from these Democratic gentlemen + in favor of Tilden and Hendricks. The next meetings were held in + Springfield, Illinois, and Indianapolis, Indiana, the expenses of which + were paid in the same way. They shipped to one town these weapons of our + destruction in boxes labeled Sunday school books! + </p> + <p> + That same rebel agent, Jacob Thompson, hired a Democrat by the name of + Churchill to burn the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Thompson coolly + remarked: "I don't think he has had much luck, as I have only heard of a + <i>few</i> fires." + </p> + <p> + In Indianapolis a man named Dodds was arrested—a sound Democrat—so + sound that the Government had to take him by the nape of the neck and put + him in Fort Lafayette. The convention of Democrats then met in the city of + Chicago, and declared the war a failure. There never was a more infamous + lie on this earth than when the Democratic convention declared in 1864 + that the war was a failure. It was but a few days afterward that the roar + of Grants cannon announced that a lie. Rise from your graves, Union + soldiers, one and all, that fell in support of your country—rise + from your graves, and lift your skeleton hands on high, and swear that + when the Democratic party resolved that the war for the preservation of + your country was a failure, that the Democratic party was a vast + aggregated liar. Well, we grew magnanimous, and let Dodds out of Fort + Lafayette; and where do you suppose Dodds is now? He is in Wisconsin. What + do you suppose Dodds is doing? Making speeches. Whom for? Tilden and + Hendricks—"Honesty and reform!" This same Jacob Thompson, Democrat, + hired men to burn New York, and they did set fire in some twenty places, + and they used Greek fire, as he said in his letter, and ingenuously adds: + "I shall never hereafter advise the use of Greek fire." They knew that in + the smoke and ruins would be found the charred remains of mothers and + children, and that the flames leaping like serpents would take the child + from the mothers arms, and they were ready to do it to preserve the + infamous institution of slavery; and the Democratic party has never + objected to it from that day to this. They burned steamboats, and many men + with them, and the hounds that did it are skulking in the woods of + Missouri. While these things were going on, Democrats in the highest + positions said: "Not one cent to prosecute the war." + </p> + <p> + The next question we have to consider is about paying the debt. This is + the first question. The second question is the protection of the citizen, + whether he is white or black. We owe a large debt. Two-thirds of that debt + was incurred in consequence of the action and the meanness of the + Democrats. There are some people who think that you can defer the payment + of a promise so long that the postponement of the debt will serve in lieu + of its liquidation—that you pay your debts by putting off your + creditors. + </p> + <p> + The people have to support the Government; the Government cannot support + the people. The Government has no money but what it received from the + people. It had therefore to borrow money to carry on the war. Every + greenback that it issued was a forced loan. My notes are not a legal + tender, though if I had the power I might possibly make them so. We + borrowed money and we have to pay the debt. That debt represents the + expenses of war. The horses and the gunpowder and the rifles and the + artillery are represented in that debt—it represents all the + munitions of war. Until we pay that debt we can never be a solvent nation. + Until our net profits amount to as much as we lost during the war we can + never be a solvent people. If a man cannot understand that, there is no + use in talking to him on the subject. The alchemists in olden times who + fancied that they could make gold out of nothing were not more absurd than + the American advocates of soft money. They resemble the early explorers of + our continent who lost years in searching for the fountain of eternal + youth, but the ear of age never caught the gurgle of that spring. We all + have heard of men who spent years of labor in endeavoring to produce + perpetual motion. They produced machines of the most ingenious character + with cogs and wheels, and pulleys without number, but these ingenious + machines had one fault, they would not go. You will never find a way to + make money out of nothing. It is as great nonsense as the fountain of + perpetual youth. You cannot do it. + </p> + <p> + Gold is the best material which labor has yet found as a measure of value. + That measure of value must be as valuable as the object it measures. + </p> + <p> + The value of gold arises from the amount of labor expended in producing + it. A gold dollar will buy as much labor as produced that dollar. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Here the speaker opened a telegram from Maine, which he + read to the audience amid a perfect tempest of applause. It + contained the following words:] "We have triumphed by an + immense majority, something we have not achieved since + 1868." [The speaker resumed.] And this despatch is signed by + the man who clutched the throats of the Democrats and held + them until they grew black in the face, James G. Blaine. *** +</pre> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, to pass from the financial part of this, and I will say + one word before I do it. The Republican party intends to pay its debts in + coin on the 1st of January, 1879. Paper money means probably the payment + of the Confederate debt; a metallic currency, the discharge of honest + obligations. We have touched hard-pan prices in this country, and we want + to do a hard-pan business with hard money. + </p> + <p> + We now come to the protection of our citizens. A government that cannot + protect its citizens, at home and abroad, ought to be swept from the map + of the world. The Democrats tell you that they will protect any citizen if + he is only away from home, but if he is in Louisiana or any other State in + the Union, the Government is powerless to protect him. I say a government + has a right to protect every citizen at home as well as abroad, and the + Government has the right to take its soldiers across the State line, to + take its soldiers into any State, for the purpose of protecting even one + man. That is my doctrine with regard to the power of the Government. But + here comes a Democrat to-day and tells me, (and it is the old doctrine of + secession in disguise), that the State of Louisiana must protect its own + citizens, and that if it does not, the General Government has nothing to + do unless the Governor of that State asks assistance, no matter whether + anarchy prevails or not. That is infamous. The United States has the right + to draft you and me into the army and compel us to serve there, if its + powers are being usurped. It is the duty of this Government to see to it + that every citizen has all his rights in every State in this Union, and to + protect him in the enjoyment of those rights, peaceably if it can, + forcibly if it must. + </p> + <p> + Democrats tell us that they treat the colored man very well. I have + frequently read stories relating how two white men were passing along the + road when suddenly they were set upon by ten or twelve negroes, who sought + their lives; but in the fight which ensued, the ten or twelve negroes were + killed, and not a white man hurt. I tell you it is infamous, and the + Democratic press of the North laughs at it, and Mr. Samuel J. Tilden does + not care. He knows that many of the Southern States are to be carried by + assassination and murder, and he knows that if he is elected it will be by + assassination and murder. It is infamous beyond the expression of + language. Now, I ask you which party will be the most likely to preserve + the liberty of the negro—the party who fought for slavery, or the + men who gave them freedom? These are the two great questions—the + payment of the debt, and the protection of our citizens. My friends, we + have to pay the debt, as I told you, but it is of greater importance to + make sacred American citizenship. + </p> + <p> + Now, these two parties have a couple of candidates. The Democratic party + has put forward Mr. Samuel J. Tilden. Mr. Tilden is a Democrat who belongs + to the Democratic party of the city of New York; the worst party ever + organized in any civilized country. I wish you could see it. The + pugilists, the prizefighters, the plug-uglies, the fellows that run with + the "masheen;" nearly every nose is mashed, about half the ears have been + chawed off; and of whatever complexion they are, their eyes are nearly + always black. They have fists like tea-kettles and heads like bullets. I + wish you could see them. I have been in New York every few weeks for + fifteen years; and whenever I am here I see the old banner of Tammany + Hall, "Tammany Hall and Reform;" "John Morrissey and Reform;" "John Kelley + and Reform;" "William M. Tweed and Reform;" and the other day I saw the + same old flag; "Samuel J. Tilden and Reform." The Democratic party of the + city of New York never had but two objects—grand and petit larceny. + Tammany Hall bears the same relation to the penitentiary that the Sunday + school does to the church. + </p> + <p> + I have heard that the Democratic party got control of the city when it did + not owe a dollar, and have stolen and stolen until it owes a hundred and + sixty millions, and I understand that every election they have had was a + fraud, every one. I understand that they stole everything they could lay + their hands on; and what hands! Grasped and grasped and clutched, until + they stole all it was possible for the people to pay, and now they are all + yelling for "Honesty and Reform." + </p> + <p> + I understand that Samuel J. Tilden was a pupil in that school, and that + now he is the head teacher. I understand that when the war commenced he + said he would never aid in the prosecution of that old outrage. I + understand that he said in 1860 and in 1861 that the Southern States could + snap the tie of confederation as a nation would break a treaty, and that + they could repel coercion as a nation would repel invasion. I understand + that during the entire war he was opposed to its prosecution, and that he + was opposed to the Proclamation of Emancipation, and demanded that the + document be taken back. I understand that he regretted to see the chains + fall from the limbs of the colored man. I understand that he regretted + when the Constitution of the United States was elevated and purified, pure + as the driven snow. I understand that he regretted when the stain was + wiped from our flag and we stood before the world the only pure Republic + that ever existed. This is enough for me to say about him, and since the + news from Maine you need not waste your time in talking about him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [A voice: "How about free schools?"] +</pre> + <p> + I want every schoolhouse to be a temple of science in which shall be + taught the laws of nature, in which the children shall be taught actual + facts, and I do not want that schoolhouse touched, or that institution of + science touched, by any superstition whatever. Leave religion with the + church, with the family, and more than all, leave religion with each + individual heart and man. + </p> + <p> + Let every man be his own bishop, let every man be his own pope, let every + man do his own thinking, let every man have a brain of his own. Let every + man have a heart and conscience of his own. + </p> + <p> + We are growing better, and truer, and grander. And let me say, Mr. + Democrat, we are keeping the country for your children. We are keeping + education for your children. We are keeping the old flag floating for your + children; and let me say, as a prediction, there is only air enough on + this continent to float that one flag. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Note.—This address was not revised by the author for + publication. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0006" id="link0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + INDIANAPOLIS SPEECH. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Col. Ingersoll was introduced by Gen'l Noyes, who said: "I + have now the exquisite pleasure of introducing to you that + dashing cavalry officer, that thunderbolt of war, that + silver tongued orator, Col. Robert G. Ingersoll of Illinois." + The Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. September 2lst, 1876. +</pre> + <p> + HAYES CAMPAIGN. 1876 + </p> + <p> + Delivered to the Veteran Soldiers of the Rebellion. + </p> + <p> + LADIES and Gentlemen, Fellow Citizens and Citizen Soldiers:—I am + opposed to the Democratic party, and I will tell you why. Every State that + seceded from the United States was a Democratic State. Every ordinance of + secession that was drawn was drawn by a Democrat. Every man that + endeavored to tear the old flag from the heaven that it enriches was a + Democrat. Every man that tried to destroy this nation was a Democrat. + Every enemy this great Republic has had for twenty years has been a + Democrat. Every man that shot Union soldiers was a Democrat. Every man + that denied to the Union prisoners even the worm-eaten crust of famine, + and when some poor, emaciated Union patriot, driven to insanity by famine, + saw in an insane dream the face of his mother, and she beckoned him and he + followed, hoping to press her lips once again against his fevered face, + and when he stepped one step beyond the dead line the wretch that put the + bullet through his loving, throbbing heart was and is a Democrat. + </p> + <p> + Every man that loved slavery better than liberty was a Democrat. The man + that assassinated Abraham Lincoln was a Democrat. Every man that + sympathized with the assassin—every man glad that the noblest + President ever elected was assassinated, was a Democrat. Every man that + wanted the privilege of whipping another man to make him work for him for + nothing and pay him with lashes on his naked back, was a Democrat. Every + man that raised bloodhounds to pursue human beings was a Democrat. Every + man that clutched from shrieking, shuddering, crouching mothers, babes + from their breasts, and sold them into slavery, was a Democrat. Every man + that impaired the credit of the United States, every man that swore we + would never pay the bonds, every man that swore we would never redeem the + greenbacks, every maligner of his country's credit, every calumniator of + his country's honor, was a Democrat. Every man that resisted the draft, + every man that hid in the bushes and shot at Union men simply because they + were endeavoring to enforce the laws of their country, was a Democrat. + Every man that wept over the corpse of slavery was a Democrat. Every man + that cursed Abraham Lincoln because he issued the Proclamation of + Emancipation—the grandest paper since the Declaration of + Independence—every one of them was a Democrat. Every man that + denounced the soldiers that bared their breasts to the storms of shot and + shell for the honor of America and for the sacred rights of man; was a + Democrat. Every man that wanted an uprising in the North, that wanted to + release the rebel prisoners that they might burn down the homes of Union + soldiers above the heads of their wives and children, while the brave + husbands, the heroic fathers, were in the front fighting for the honor of + the old flag, every one of them was a Democrat. I am not through yet. + Every man that believed this glorious nation of ours is a confederacy, + every man that believed the old banner carried by our fathers over the + fields of the Revolution; the old flag carried by our fathers over the + fields of 1812; the glorious old banner carried by our brothers over the + plains of Mexico; the sacred banner carried by our brothers over the cruel + fields of the South, simply stood for a contract, simply stood for an + agreement, was a Democrat. Every man who believed that any State could go + out of the Union at its pleasure, every man that believed the grand fabric + of the American Government could be made to crumble instantly into dust at + the touch of treason, was a Democrat. Every man that helped to burn orphan + asylums in New York, was a Democrat; every man that tried to fire the city + of New York, although he knew that thousands would perish, and knew that + the great serpent of flame leaping from buildings would clutch children + from their mothers' arms—every wretch that did it was a Democrat. + Recollect it! Every man that tried to spread smallpox and yellow fever in + the North, as the instrumentalities of civilized war, was a Democrat. + Soldiers, every scar you have on your heroic bodies was given you by a + Democrat. Every scar, every arm that is lacking, every limb that is gone, + is a souvenir of a Democrat. I want you to recollect it. Every man that + was the enemy of human liberty in this country was a Democrat. Every man + that wanted the fruit of all the heroism of all the ages to turn to ashes + upon the lips—every one was a Democrat. + </p> + <p> + I am a Republican. I will tell you why: This is the only free Government + in the world. The Republican party made it so. The Republican party took + the chains from four millions of people. The Republican party, with the + wand of progress, touched the auction-block and it became a schoolhouse. + The Republican party put down the Rebellion, saved the nation, kept the + old banner afloat in the air, and declared that slavery of every kind + should be extirpated from the face of this continent. What more? I am a + Republican because it is the only free party that ever existed. It is a + party that has a platform as broad as humanity, a platform as broad as the + human race, a party that says you shall have all the fruit of the labor of + your hands, a party that says you may think for yourself, a party that + says, no chains for the hands, no fetters for the soul.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * At this point the rain began to descend, and it looked as + if a heavy shower was impending. Several umbrellas were put + up. Gov. Noyes—"God bless you! What is rain to soldiers" + Voice—"Go ahead; we don't mind the rain." It was proposed + to adjourn the meeting to Masonic Hall, but the motion was + voted down by an overwhelming majority, and Mr. Ingersoll + proceeded. +</pre> + <p> + I am a Republican because the Republican party says this country is a + Nation, and not a confederacy. I am here in Indiana to speak, and I have + as good a right to speak here as though I had been born on this stand—not + because the State flag of Indiana waves over me—I would not know it + if I should see it. You have the same right to speak in Illinois, not + because the State flag of Illinois waves over you, but because that + banner, rendered sacred by the blood of all the heroes, waves over you and + me. I am in favor of this being a Nation. Think of a man gratifying his + entire ambition in the State of Rhode Island. We want this to be a Nation, + and you cannot have a great, grand, splendid people without a great, + grand, splendid country. The great plains, the sublime mountains, the + great rushing, roaring rivers, shores lashed by two oceans, and the grand + anthem of Niagara, mingle and enter, into the character of every American + citizen, and make him or tend to make him a great and grand character. I + am for the Republican party because it says the Government has as much + right, as much power, to protect its citizens at home as abroad. The + Republican party does not say that you have to go away from home to get + the protection of the Government. The Democratic party says the Government + cannot march its troops into the South to protect the rights of the + citizens. It is a lie. The Government claims the right, and it is conceded + that the Government has the right, to go to your house, while you are + sitting by your fireside with your wife and children about you, and the + old lady knitting, and the cat playing with the yarn, and everybody happy + and serene—the Government claims the right to go to your fireside + and take you by force and put you into the army; take you down to the + valley of the shadow of hell, put you by the ruddy, roaring guns, and make + you fight for your flag. Now, that being so, when the war is over and your + country is victorious, and you go back to your home, and a lot of + Democrats want to trample upon your rights, I want to know if the + Government that took you from your fireside and made you fight for it, I + want to know if it is not bound to fight for you. The flag that will not + protect its protectors is a dirty rag that contaminates the air in which + it waves. The government that will not defend its defenders is a disgrace + to the nations of the world. I am a Republican because the Republican + party says, "We will protect the rights of American citizens at home, and + if necessary we will march an army into any State to protect the rights of + the humblest American citizen in that State." I am a Republican because + that party allows me to be free—allows me to do my own thinking in + my own way. I am a Republican because it is a party grand enough and + splendid enough and sublime enough to invite every human being in favor of + liberty and progress to fight shoulder to shoulder for the advancement of + mankind. It invites the Methodist, it invites the Catholic, it invites the + Presbyterian and every kind of sectarian; it invites the Freethinker; it + invites the infidel, provided he is in favor of giving to every other + human being every chance and every right that he claims for himself. I am + a Republican, I tell you. There is room in the Republican air for every + wing; there is room on the Republican sea for every sail. Republicanism + says to every man: "Let your soul be like an eagle; fly out in the great + dome of thought, and question the stars for yourself." But the Democratic + party says; "Be blind owls, sit on the dry limb of a dead tree, and hoot + only when that party says hoot." + </p> + <p> + In the Republican party there are no followers. We are all leaders. There + is not a party chain. There is not a party lash. Any man that does not + love this country, any man that does not love liberty, any man that is not + in favor of human progress, that is not in favor of giving to others all + he claims for himself; we do not ask him to vote the Republican ticket. + You can vote it if you please, and if there is any Democrat within hearing + who expects to die before another election, we are willing that he should + vote one Republican ticket, simply as a consolation upon his death-bed. + What more? I am a Republican because that party believes in free labor. It + believes that free labor will give us wealth. It believes in free thought, + because it believes that free thought will give us truth. You do not know + what a grand party you belong to. I never want any holier or grander title + of nobility than that I belong to the Republican party, and have fought + for the liberty of man. The Republican party, I say, believes in free + labor. The Republican party also believes in slavery. What kind of + slavery? In enslaving the forces of nature. + </p> + <p> + We believe that free labor, that free thought, have enslaved the forces of + nature, and made them work for man. We make old attraction of gravitation + work for us; we make the lightning do our errands; we make steam hammer + and fashion what we need. The forces of nature are the slaves of the + Republican party. They have no backs to be whipped, they have no hearts to + be torn—no hearts to be broken; they cannot be separated from their + wives; they cannot be dragged from the bosoms of their husbands; they work + night and day and they never tire. You cannot whip them, you cannot starve + them, and a Democrat even can be trusted with one of them. I tell you I am + a Republican. I believe, as I told you, that free labor will give us these + slaves. Free labor will produce all these things, and everything you have + to-day has been produced by free labor, nothing by slave labor. + </p> + <p> + Slavery never invented but one machine, and that was a threshing machine + in the shape of a whip. Free labor has invented all the machines. We want + to come down to the philosophy of these things. The problem of free labor, + when a man works for the wife he loves, when he works for the little + children he adores—the problem is to do the most work in the + shortest space of time. The problem of slavery is to do the least work in + the longest space of time. That is the difference. Free labor, love, + affection—they have invented everything of use in this world. I am a + Republican. + </p> + <p> + I tell you, my friends, this world is getting better every day, and the + Democratic party is getting smaller every day. See the advancement we have + made in a few years, see what we have done. We have covered this nation + with wealth, with glory and with liberty. This is the first free + Government in the world. The Republican party is the first party that was + not founded on some compromise with the devil. It is the first party of + pure, square, honest principle; the first one. And we have the first free + country that ever existed. + </p> + <p> + And right here I want to thank every soldier that fought to make it free, + every one living and dead. I thank you again and again and again. You made + the first free Government in the world, and we must not forget the dead + heroes. If they were here they would vote the Republican ticket, every one + of them. I tell you we must not forget them. + </p> + <p> + * The past rises before me like a dream. Again we are in the great + struggle for national life. We hear the sounds of preparation—the + music of boisterous drums—the silver voices of heroic bugles. We see + thousands of assemblages, and hear the appeals of orators. We see the pale + cheeks of women, and the flushed faces of men; and in those assemblages we + see all the dead whose dust we have covered with flowers. We lose sight of + them no more. We are with them when they enlist in the great army of + freedom. We see them part with those they love. Some are walking for the + last time in quiet, woody places, with the maidens they adore. We hear the + whisperings and the sweet vows of eternal love as they lingeringly part + forever. Others are bending over cradles, kissing babes that are asleep. + Some are receiving the blessings of old men. Some are parting with mothers + who hold them and press them to their hearts again and again, and say + nothing. Kisses and tears, tears and kisses—divine mingling of agony + and love! And some are talking with wives, and endeavoring with brave + words, spoken in the old tones, to drive from their hearts the awful fear. + We see them part. We see the wife standing in the door with the babe in + her arms—standing in the sunlight sobbing. At the turn of the road a + hand waves—she answers by holding high in her loving arms the child. + He is gone, and forever. + </p> + <p> + We see them all as they march proudly away under the flaunting flags, + keeping time to the grand, wild music of war—marching down the + streets of the great cities—through the towns and across the + prairies—down to the fields of glory, to do and to die for the + eternal right. + </p> + <p> + We go with them, one and all. We are by their side on all the gory fields—in + all the hospitals of pain—on all the weary marches. We stand guard + with them in the wild storm and under the quiet stars. We are with them in + ravines running with blood—in the furrows of old fields. We are with + them between contending hosts, unable to move, wild with thirst, the life + ebbing slowly away among the withered leaves. We see them pierced by balls + and torn with shells, in the trenches, by forts, and in the whirlwind of + the charge, where men become iron, with nerves of steel. + </p> + <p> + We are with them in the prisons of hatred and famine; but human speech can + never tell what they endured. + </p> + <p> + We are at home when the news comes that they are dead. We see the maiden + in the shadow of her first sorrow. We see the silvered head of the old man + bowed with the last grief. + </p> + <p> + The past rises before us, and we see four millions of human beings + governed by the lash—we see them bound hand and foot—we hear + the strokes of cruel whips—we see the hounds tracking women through + tangled swamps. We see babes sold from the breasts of mothers. Cruelty + unspeakable! Outrage infinite! + </p> + <p> + Four million bodies in chains—four million souls in fetters. All the + sacred relations of wife, mother, father and child trampled beneath the + brutal feet of might. And all this was done under our own beautiful banner + of the free. + </p> + <p> + The past rises before us. We hear the roar and shriek of the bursting + shell. The broken fetters fall. These heroes died. We look. Instead of + slaves we see men and women and children. The wand of progress touches the + auction-block, the slave-pen, the whipping-post, and we see homes and + firesides and schoolhouses and books, and where all was want and crime and + cruelty and fear, we see the faces of the free. + </p> + <p> + These heroes are dead. They died for liberty—they died for us. They + are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they + rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful + willows, and the embracing vines. They, sleep beneath the shadows of the + clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless + Palace of Rest. Earth may run red with other wars—they are at peace. + In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity + of death. I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead: cheers for + the living; tears for the dead. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This poetic flight of oratory has since become universally + known as "A. Vision of War." +</pre> + <p> + Now, my friends, I have given you a few reasons why I am a Republican. I + have given you a few reasons why I am not a Democrat. Let me say another + thing. The Democratic party opposed every forward movement of the army of + the Republic, every one. Do not be fooled. Imagine the meanest resolution + that you can think of—that is the resolution the Democratic party + passed. Imagine the meanest thing you can think of—that is what they + did; and I want you to recollect that the Democratic party did these + devilish things when the fate of this nation was trembling in the balance + of war. I want you to recollect another thing; when they tell you about + hard times, that the Democratic party made the hard times; that every + dollar we owe to-day was made by the Southern and Northern Democracy. + </p> + <p> + When we commenced to put down the Rebellion we had to borrow money, and + the Democratic party went into the markets of the world and impaired the + credit of the United States. They slandered, they lied, they maligned the + credit of the United States, and to such an extent did they do this, that + at one time during the war paper was only worth about thirty-four cents on + the dollar. Gold went up to $2.90. What did that mean? It meant that + greenbacks were worth thirty-four cents on the dollar. What became of the + other sixty-six cents? They were lied out of the greenback, they were + slandered out of the greenback, they were maligned out of the greenback, + they were calumniated out of the greenback, by the Democratic party of the + North. Two-thirds of the debt, two-thirds of the burden now upon the + shoulders of American industry, were placed there by the slanders of the + Democratic party of the North, and the other third by the Democratic party + of the South. And when you pay your taxes keep an account and charge + two-thirds to the Northern Democracy and one-third to the Southern + Democracy, and whenever you have to earn the money to pay the taxes, when + you have to blister your hands to earn that money, pull off the blisters, + and under each one, as the foundation, you will find a Democratic lie. + </p> + <p> + Recollect that the Democratic party did all the things of which I have + told you, when the fate of our nation was submitted to the arbitrament of + the sword. Recollect that the Democratic party did these things when your + brothers, your fathers, and your chivalric sons were fighting, bleeding, + suffering, and dying upon the battle-fields of the South; when shot and + shell were crashing through their sacred flesh. Recollect that this + Democratic party was false to the Union when your husbands, your fathers, + and your brothers, and your chivalric sons were lying in the hospitals of + pain, dreaming broken dreams of home, and seeing fever pictures of the + ones they loved; recollect that the Democratic party was false to the + nation when your husbands, your fathers, and your brothers were lying + alone upon the field of battle at night, the life-blood slowly oozing from + the mangled and pallid lips of death; recollect that the Democratic party + was false to your country when your husbands, your brothers, your fathers, + and your sons were lying in the prison pens of the South, with no covering + but the clouds, with no bed but the frozen earth, with no food except such + as worms had re-p fused to eat, and with no friends except Insanity and + Death. Recollect it, and spurn that party forever. + </p> + <p> + I have sometimes wished that there were words of pure hatred out of which + I might construct sentences like snakes; out of which I might construct + sentences that had fanged mouths, and that had forked tongues; out of + which I might construct sentences that would writhe and hiss; and then I + could give my opinion of the Northern allies of the Southern rebels during + the great struggle for the preservation of the country. + </p> + <p> + There are three questions now submitted to the American people. The first + is, Shall the people that saved this country rule it? Shall the men who + saved the old flag hold it? Shall the men who saved the ship of State sail + it, or shall the rebels walk her quarter-deck, give the orders and sink + it? That is the question. Shall a solid South, a united South, united by + assassination and murder, a South solidified by the shot-gun; shall a + united South, with the aid of a divided North, shall they control this + great and splendid country? We are right back where we were in 1861. This + is simply a prolongation of the war. This is the war of the idea, the + other was the war of the musket. The other was the war of cannon, this is + the war of thought; and we have to beat them in this war of thought, + recollect that. The question is, Shall the men who endeavored to destroy + this country rule it? Shall the men that said, This is not a Nation, have + charge of the Nation? + </p> + <p> + The next question is, Shall we pay our debts? We had to borrow some money + to pay for shot and shell to shoot Democrats with. We found that we could + get along with a few less Democrats, but not with any less country, and so + we borrowed the money, and the question now is, will we pay it? And which + party is the more apt to pay it, the Republican party that made the debt—the + party that swore it was constitutional, or the party that said it was + unconstitutional? + </p> + <p> + Every time a Democrat sees a greenback, it says to him, "I vanquished + you." Every time a Republican sees a greenback, it says, "You and I put + down the Rebellion and saved the country." + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, you have heard a great deal about finance. Nearly + everybody that talks about it gets as dry—as dry as if they had been + in the final home of the Democratic party for forty years. + </p> + <p> + I will now give you my ideas about finance. In the first place the + Government does not support the people, the people support the Government. + </p> + <p> + The Government is a perpetual pauper. It passes round the hat, and + solicits contributions; but then you must remember that the Government has + a musket behind the hat. The Government produces nothing. It does not plow + the land, it does not sow corn, it does not grow trees. The Government is + a perpetual consumer. We support the Government. Now, the idea that the + Government can make money for you and me to live on—why, it is the + same as though my hired man should issue certificates of my indebtedness + to him for me to live on. + </p> + <p> + Some people tell me that the Government can impress its sovereignty on a + piece of paper, and that is money. Well, if it is, what's the use of + wasting it making one dollar bills? It takes no more ink and no more paper—why + not make one thousand dollar bills? Why not make a hundred million dollar + bills and all be billionaires? + </p> + <p> + If the Government can make money, what on earth does it collect taxes from + you and me for? Why does it not make what money it wants, take the taxes + out, and give the balance to us? Mr. Greenbacker, suppose the Government + issued a billion dollars to-morrow, how would you get any of it? [A voice, + "Steal it."] I was not speaking to the Democrats. You would not get any of + it unless you had something to exchange for it. The Government would not + go around and give you your aver-: age. You have to have some corn, or + wheat, or pork to give for it. + </p> + <p> + How do you get your money? By work. Where from? You have to dig it out of + the ground. That is where it comes from. Men have always had a kind of + hope that something could be made out of nothing. The old alchemists + sought, with dim eyes, for something that could change the baser metals to + gold. With tottering steps, they searched for the spring of Eternal Youth. + Holding in trembling hands retort and crucible, they dreamed of the Elixir + of Life. The baser metals are not gold. No human ear has ever heard the + silver gurgle of the spring of Immortal Youth. The wrinkles upon the brow + of Age are still waiting for the Elixir of Life. + </p> + <p> + Inspired by the same idea, mechanics have endeavored, by curious + combinations of levers and inclined planes, of wheels and cranks and + shifting weights, to produce perpetual motion; but the wheels and levers + wait for force. And, in the financial world, there are thousands now + trying to find some way for promises to take the place of performance; for + some way to make the word dollar as good as the dollar itself; for some + way to make the promise to pay a dollar take the dollar's place. This + financial alchemy, this pecuniary perpetual motion, this fountain of + eternal wealth, are the same old failures with new names. Something cannot + be made out of nothing. Nothing is a poor capital to, carry on business + with, and makes a very unsatisfactory balance at your bankers. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you another thing. The Democrats seem to think that you can + fail to keep a promise so long that it is as good as though you had kept + it. They say you can stamp the sovereignty of the Government upon paper. + </p> + <p> + I saw not long ago a piece of gold bearing the stamp of the Roman Empire. + That Empire is dust, and over it has been thrown the mantle of oblivion, + but that piece of gold is as good as though Julius Cæsar were still + riding at the head of the Roman Legions. + </p> + <p> + Was it his sovereignty that made it valuable? Suppose he had put it upon a + piece of paper—it would have been of no more value than a Democratic + promise. + </p> + <p> + Another thing, my friends: this debt will be paid; you need not worry + about that. The Democrats ought to pay it. They lost the suit, and they + ought to pay the costs. But we in our patriotism are willing to pay our + share. + </p> + <p> + Every man that has a bond, every man that has a greenback dollar has a + mortgage upon the best continent of land on earth. Every one has a + mortgage on the honor of the Republican party, and it is on record. Every + spear of grass; every bearded head of golden wheat that grows upon this + continent is a guarantee that the debt will be paid; every field of + bannered corn in the great, glorious West is a guarantee that the debt + will be paid; every particle of coal laid away by that old miser the sun, + millions-of years ago, is a guarantee that every dollar will be paid; all + the iron ore, all the gold and silver under the snow-capped Sierra + Nevadas, waiting for the miners pick to give back the flash of the sun, + every ounce is a guarantee that this debt will be paid; and all the cattle + on the prairies, pastures and plains which adorn our broad land are + guarantees that this debt will be paid; every pine standing in the sombre + forests of the North, waiting for the woodman's axe, is a guarantee that + this debt will be paid; every locomotive with its muscles of iron and + breath of flame, and all the boys and girls bending over their books at + school, every dimpled babe in the cradle, every honest man, every noble + woman, and every man that votes the Republican ticket is a guarantee that + the debt will be paid—these, all these, each and all, are the + guarantees that every promise of the United States will be sacredly + fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + What is the next question? The next question is, will we protect the Union + men in the South? I tell you the white Union men have suffered enough. It + is a crime in the Southern States to be a Republican. It is a crime in + every Southern State to love this country, to believe in the sacred rights + of men. + </p> + <p> + The colored people have suffered enough. For more than two hundred years + they have suffered the fabled torments of the damned; for more than two + hundred years they worked and toiled without reward, bending, in the + burning sun, their bleeding backs; for more than two hundred years, babes + were torn from the breasts of mothers, wives from husbands, and every + human tie broken by the cruel hand of greed; for more than two hundred + years they were pursued by hounds, beaten with clubs, burned with fire, + bound with chains; two hundred years of toil, of agony, of tears; two + hundred years of hope deferred; two hundred years of gloom and shadow and + darkness and blackness; two hundred years of supplication, of entreaty; + two hundred years of infinite outrage, without a moment of revenge. + </p> + <p> + The colored people have suffered enough. They were and are our friends. + They are the friends of this country, and, cost what it may, they must be + protected. + </p> + <p> + There was not during the whole Rebellion a single negro that was not our + friend. We are willing to be reconciled to our Southern brethren when they + will treat our friends as men. When they will be just to the friends of + this country; when they are in favor of allowing every American citizen to + have his rights—then we are their friends. We are willing to trust + them with the Nation when they are the friends of the Nation. We are + willing to trust them with liberty when they believe in liberty. We are + willing to trust them with the black man when they cease riding in the + darkness of night, (those masked wretches,) to the hut of the freedman, + and notwithstanding the prayers and supplications of his family, shoot him + down; when they cease to consider the massacre of Hamburg as a Democratic + triumph, then, I say, we will be their friends, and not before. + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, thousands of the Southern people and thousands of the + Northern Democrats are afraid that the negroes are going to pass them in + the race of life. And, Mr. Democrat, he will do it unless you attend to + your business. The simple fact that you are white cannot save you always. + You have to be industrious, honest, to cultivate a sense of justice. If + you do not the colored race will pass you, as sure as you live. I am for + giving every man a chance. Anybody that can pass me is welcome. + </p> + <p> + I believe, my friends, that the intellectual domain of the future, as the + land used to be in the State of Illinois, is open to pre-emption. The + fellow that gets a fact first, that is his; that gets an idea first, that + is his. Every round in the ladder of fame, from the one that touches the + ground to the last one that leans against the shining summit of human + ambition, belongs to the foot that gets upon it first. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Democrat, (I point down because they are nearly all on the first round + of the ladder) if you can not climb, stand one side and let the deserving + negro pass. + </p> + <p> + I must tell you one thing. I have told it so much, and you have all heard + it fifty times, but I am going to tell it again because I like it. Suppose + there was a great horse race here to-day, free to every horse in the + world, and to all the mules, and all the scrubs* and all the donkeys. + </p> + <p> + At the tap of the drum they come to the line, and the judges say "it is a + go." Let me ask you, what does the blooded horse, rushing ahead, with + nostrils distended, drinking in the breath of his own swiftness, with his + mane flying like a banner of victory, with his veins standing out all over + him, as if a network of life had been cast upon him—with his thin + neck, his high withers, his tremulous flanks—what does he care how + many mules and donkeys run on that track? But the Democratic scrub, with + his chuckle-head and lop-ears, with his tail full of cockle-burrs, jumping + high and short, and digging in the ground when he feels the breath of the + coming mule on his cockle-burr tail, he is the chap that jumps the track + and says, "I am down on mule equality." + </p> + <p> + I stood, a little while ago, in the city of Paris, where stood the + Bastile, where now stands the Column of July, surmounted by a figure of + liberty. In its right hand is a broken chain, in its left hand a banner; + upon its glorious forehead the glittering and shining star of progress—and + as I looked upon it I said: "Such is the Republican party of my country." + </p> + <p> + The other day going along the road I came to a place where the road had + been changed, but the guide-board did not know it. It had stood there for + twenty years pointing deliberately and solemnly in the direction of a + desolate field; nobody ever went that way, but the guide-board thought the + next man would. Thousands passed, but nobody heeded the hand on the + guide-post, and through sunshine and storm it pointed diligently into the + old field and swore to it the road went that way; and I said to myself: + "Such is the Democratic party of the United States." + </p> + <p> + The other day I came to a river where there had been a mill; a part of it + was there still. An old sign said: "Cash for wheat." The old water-wheel + was broken; it had been warped by the sun, cracked and split by many winds + and storms. There had not been a grain of wheat ground there for twenty + years. + </p> + <p> + The door was gone, nobody had built a new dam, the mill was not worth a + dam; and I said to myself: "Such is the Democratic party." + </p> + <p> + I saw a little while ago a place on the road where there had once been an + hotel. But the hotel and barn had burned down and there was nothing + standing but two desolate chimneys, up the flues of which the fires of + hospitality had not roared for thirty years. The fence was gone, and the + post-holes even were obliterated, but in the road there was an old sign + upon which were these words: "Entertainment for man and beast." The old + sign swung and creaked in the winter wind, the snow fell upon it, the + sleet clung to it, and in the summer the birds sang and twittered and made + love upon it. Nobody ever stopped there, but the sign swore to it, the + sign certified to it! "Entertainment for man and beast," and I said to + myself: "Such is the Democratic party of the United States," and I further + said, "one chimney ought to be called Tilden and the other Hendricks." + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, I want you to vote the Republican ticket. I want you to + swear you will not vote for a man who opposed putting down the Rebellion. + I want you to swear that you will not vote for a man opposed to the + Proclamation of Emancipation. I want you to swear that you will not vote + for a man opposed to the utter abolition of slavery. + </p> + <p> + I want you to swear that you will not vote for a man who called the + soldiers in the field, Lincoln hirelings. I want you to swear that you + will not vote for a man who denounced Lincoln as a tyrant. I want you to + swear that you will not vote for any enemy of human progress. Go and talk + to every Democrat that you can see; get him by the coatcollar, talk to + him, and hold him like Coleridge's Ancient Mariner, with your glittering + eye; hold him, tell him all the mean things his party ever did; tell him + kindly; tell him in a Christian spirit, as I do, but tell him. Recollect, + there never was a more important election than the one you are going to + hold in Indiana. I tell you we must stand by the country. It is a glorious + country. It permits you and me to be free. It is the only country in the + world where labor is respected. Let us support it. It is the only country + in the world where the useful man is the only aristocrat. The man that + works for a dollar a day, goes home at night to his little ones, takes his + little boy on his knee, and he thinks that boy can achieve anything that + the sons of the wealthy man can achieve. The free schools are open to him; + he may be the richest, the greatest, and the grandest, and that thought + sweetens every drop of sweat that rolls down the honest face of toil. Vote + to save that country. + </p> + <p> + My friends, this country is getting better every day. Samuel J. Tilden + says we are a nation of thieves and rascals. If that is so he ought to be + the President. But I denounce him as a calumniator of my country; a + maligner of this nation. It is not so. This country is covered with + asylums for the aged, the helpless, the insane, the orphans and wounded + soldiers. Thieves and rascals do not build such things. In the cities of + the Atlantic coast this summer, they built floating hospitals, great + ships, and took the little children from the sub-cellars and narrow, dirty + streets of New York City, where the Democratic party is the strongest—took + these poor waifs and put them in these great hospitals out at sea, and let + the breezes of ocean kiss the roses of health back to their pallid cheeks. + Rascals and thieves do not so. When Chicago burned, railroads were blocked + with the charity of the American people. Thieves and rascals do not so. + </p> + <p> + I am a Republican. The world is getting better. Husbands are treating + their wives better than they used to; wives are treating their husbands + better. Children are better treated than they used to be; the old whips + and clubs are out of the schools, and they are governing children by love + and by sense. The world is getting better; it is getting better in Maine, + in Vermont. It is getting better in every State of the North, and I tell + you we are going to elect Hayes and Wheeler and the world will then be + better still. I have a dream that this world is growing better and better + every day and every year; that there is more charity, more justice, more + love every day. I have a dream that prisons will not always curse the + land; that the shadow of the gallows will not always fall upon the earth; + that the withered hand of want will not always be stretched out for + charity; that finally wisdom will sit in the legislatures, justice in the + courts, charity will occupy all the pulpits, and that finally the world + will be governed by justice and charity, and by the splendid light of + liberty. That is my dream, and if it does not come true, it shall not be + my fault. I am going to do my level best to give others the same chance I + ask for myself. Free thought will give us truth; Free labor will give us + wealth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0007" id="link0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHICAGO SPEECH. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Col. Robert G. Ingersoll spoke last night at the + Exposition Building to the largest audience ever drawn by + one man In Chicago. From 6.30 o'clock the sidewalks fronting + along the building were jammed. At every entrance there were + hundreds, and half-an-hour later thousands were clamoring + for admittance. So great was the pressure the doors were + finally closed, and the entrances at either end cautiously + opened to admit the select who knew enough to apply In those + directions. Occasionally a rush was made for the main door, + and as the crowd came up against the huge barricade they + were swept back only for another effort. Wabash Avenue, + Monroe, Adams, Jackson, and Van Buren Streets were jammed + with ladies and gentlemen who swept into Michigan Avenue and + swelled the sea that surged around the building. + + At 7.30 the doors were flung open and the people rushed in. + Seating accommodations supposed to be adequate to all + demands, had been provided, but in an Instant they were + filled, the aisles were jammed and around the sides of the + building poured a steady stream of humanity, Intent only + upon some coign of vantage, some place, where they could see + and where they could hear. Prom the fountain, beyond which + the building lay in shadow to the northern end, was a + swaying, surging mass of people. + + Such another attendance of ladies has never been known at a + political meeting in Chicago. They came by the hundreds, and + the speaker looked down from his perch upon thousands of + fair upturned faces, stamped with the most intense interest + in his remarks. + + The galleries were packed. The frame of the huge elevator + creaked, groaned, and swayed with the crowd roosting upon + it. The trusses bore their living weight. The gallery + railings bent and cracked. The roof was crowded, and the sky + lights teemed with heads. Here and there an adventurous + youth crept out on the girders and braces. Towards the + northern end of the building, on the west side, is a smaller + gallery, dark, and not particularly strong-looking. It was + fairly packed—packed like a sardine-box—with men and boys. + Up in the organ-loft around the sides of the organ, + everywhere that a human being could sit, stand or hang, was + pre-empted and filled. + + It was a magnificent, outpouring, at east 50,000 In number, + a compliment alike to the principle it represented, and the + orator.—Chicago Tribune., October 21st, 1876. +</pre> + <p> + HAYES CAMPAIGN. 1876. + </p> + <p> + LADIES and Gentlemen:—Democrats and Republicans have a common + interest in the United States. We have a common interest in the + preservation of good order. We have a common interest in the preservation + of a common country. And I appeal to all, Democrats and Republicans, to + endeavor to make a conscientious choice; to endeavor to select as + President and Vice-President of the United States the men and the parties, + which, in your judgment, will best preserve this nation, and preserve all + that is dear to us either as Republicans or Democrats. + </p> + <p> + The Democratic party comes before you and asks that you will give this + Government into its hands; and you have a right to investigate as to the + reputation and character of the Democratic organization. The Democratic + party says, "Let bygones be bygones." I never knew a man who did a decent + action that wanted it forgotten. I never knew a man who did some great and + shining act of self-sacrifice and heroic devotion who did not wish that + act remembered. Not only so, but he expected his loving children would + chisel the remembrance of it upon the marble that marked his last resting + place. But whenever a man does an infamous thing; whenever a man commits + some crime; whenever a man does that which mantles the cheeks of his + children with shame; he is the man that says, "Let bygones be bygones." + The Democratic party admits that it has a record, but it says that any man + that will look into it, any man that will tell it, is not a gentleman. I + do not know whether, according to the Democratic standard, I am a + gentleman or not; but I do say that in a certain sense I am one of the + historians of the Democratic party. + </p> + <p> + I do not know that it is true that a man cannot give this record and be a + gentleman, but I admit that a gentleman hates to read this record; a + gentleman hates to give this record to the world; but I do it, not because + I like to do it, but because I believe the best interests of this country + demand that there shall be a history given of the Democratic party. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, I claim that the Democratic party embraces within its + filthy arms the worst elements in American society. I claim that every + enemy that this Government has had for twenty years has been and is a + Democrat; every man in the Dominion of Canada that hates the great + Republic, would like to see Tilden and Hendricks successful. Every titled + thief in Great Britain would like to see Tilden and Hendricks the next + President and Vice-President of the United States. + </p> + <p> + I say more; every State that seceded from this Union was a Democratic + State. Every man who hated to see bloodhounds cease to be the + instrumentalities of a free government—every one was a Democrat. In + short, every enemy that this Government has had for twenty years, every + enemy that liberty and progress has had in the United States for twenty + years, every hater of our flag, every despiser of our Nation, every man + who has been a disgrace to the great Republic for twenty years, has been a + Democrat. I do not say that they are all that way; but nearly all who are + that way are Democrats. + </p> + <p> + The Democratic party is a political tramp with a yellow passport. This + political tramp begs food and he carries in his pocket old dirty scraps of + paper as a kind of certificate of character. On one of these papers he + will show you the ordinance of 1789; on another one of those papers he + will have a part of the Fugitive Slave Law; on another one some of the + black laws that used to disgrace Illinois; on another Governor Tilden's + Letter to Kent; on another a certificate signed by Lyman Trumbull that the + Republican party is not fit to associate with—that certificate will + be endorsed by Governor John M. Palmer and my friend Judge Doolittle. He + will also have in his pocket an old wood-cut, somewhat torn, representing + Abraham Lincoln falling upon the neck of S. Corning Judd, and thanking him + for saving the Union as Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Liberty. This + political tramp will also have a letter dated Boston, Mass., saying: "I + hereby certify that for fifty years I have regarded the bearer as a thief + and robber, but I now look upon him as a reformer. Signed, Charles Francis + Adams." Following this tramp will be a bloodhound; and when he asks for + food, the bloodhound will crouch for employment on his haunches, and the + drool of anticipation will run from his loose and hanging lips. Study the + expression of that dog. + </p> + <p> + Translate it into English and it means "Oh! I want to bite a nigger!" And + when the dog has that expression he bears a striking likeness to his + master. The question is, Shall that tramp and that dog gain possession of + the White House? + </p> + <p> + The Democratic party learns nothing; the Democratic party forgets nothing. + The Democratic party does not know that the world has advanced a solitary + inch since 1860. Time is a Democratic dumb watch. It has not given a tick + for sixteen years. The Democratic party does not know that we, upon the + great glittering highway of progress, have passed a single mile-stone for + twenty years. The Democratic party is incapable of learning. The + Democratic party is incapable of anything but prejudice and hatred. Every + man that is a Democrat is a Democrat because he hates something; every man + that is a Republican is a Republican because he loves something. + </p> + <p> + The Democratic party is incapable of advancement; the only stock that it + has in trade to-day is the old infamous doctrine of Democratic State + Rights. There never was a more infamous doctrine advanced on this earth, + than the Democratic idea of State Rights. What is it? It has its + foundation in the idea that this is not a Nation; it has its foundation in + the idea that this is simply a confederacy, that this great Government is + simply a bargain, that this great splendid people have simply made a + trade, that the people of any one of the States are sovereign to the + extent that they have the right to trample upon the rights of their + fellow-citizens, and that the General Government cannot interfere. The + great Democratic heart is fired to-day, the Democratic bosom is bloated + with indignation because of an order made by General Grant sending troops + into the Southern States to defend the rights of American citizens! Who + objects to a soldier going? Nobody except a man who wants to carry an + election by fraud, by violence, by intimidation, by assassination, and by + murder. + </p> + <p> + The Democratic party is willing to-day that Tilden and Hendricks should be + elected by violence; they are willing to-day to go into partnership with + assassination and murder; they are willing to-day that every man in the + Southern States, who is a friend of this Union, and who fought for our + flag—that the rights of every one of these men should be trampled in + the dust, provided that Tilden and Hendricks be elected President and + Vice-President of this country. They tell us that a State line is sacred; + that you never can cross it unless you want to do a mean thing; that if + you want to catch a fugitive slave you have the right to cross it; but if + you wish to defend the rights of men, then it is a sacred line, and you + cannot cross it. Such is the infamous doctrine of the Democratic party. + Who, I say, will be injured by sending soldiers into the Southern States? + No one in the world except the man who wants to prevent an honest citizen + from casting a legal vote for the Government of his choice. For my part, I + think more of the colored Union men of the South than I do of the white + disunion men of the South. For my part, I think more of a black friend + than I do of a white enemy. For my part, I think more of a friend black + outside, and white in, than I do of a man who is white outside and black + inside. For my part, I think more of black justice, of black charity, and + of black patriotism, than I do of white cruelty, than I do of white + treachery and treason. As a matter of fact, all that is done in the South + to-day, of use, is done by the colored man. The colored man raises + everything that is raised in the South, except hell. And I say here + to-night that I think one hundred times more of the good, honest, + industrious black man of the South than I do of all the white men together + that do not love this Government, and I think more of the black man of the + South than I do of the white man of the North who sympathizes with the + white wretch that wishes to trample upon the rights of that black man. + </p> + <p> + I believe that this is a Government, first, not only of power, but that it + is the right of this Government to march all the soldiers in the United + States into any sovereign State of this Union to defend the rights of + every American citizen in that State. If it is the duty of the Government + to defend you in time of war, when you were compelled to go into the army, + how much more is it the duty of the Government to defend in time of peace + the man who, in time of war, voluntarily and gladly rushed to the rescue + and defence of his country; and yet the Democratic doctrine is that you + are to answer the call of the Nation, but the Nation will be deaf to your + cry, unless the Governor of your State makes request of your Government. + Suppose the Governors and every man trample upon your rights, is the + Nation then to let you be trampled upon? Will the Nation hear only the cry + of the oppressor, or will it heed the cry of the oppressed? I believe we + should have a Government that can hear the faintest wail, the faintest cry + for justice from the lips of the humblest citizen beneath the flag. But + the Democratic doctrine is that this Government can protect its citizens + only when they are away from home. This may account for so many Democrats + going to Canada during the war. I believe that the Government must protect + you, not only abroad but must protect you at home; and that is the + greatest question before the American people to-day. + </p> + <p> + I had thought that human impudence had reached its limit ages and ages + ago. I had believed that some time in the history of the world impudence + had reached its height, and so believed until I read the congratulatory + address of Abram S. Hewitt, Chairman of the National Executive Democratic + Committee, wherein he congratulates the negroes of the South on what he + calls a Democratic victory in the State of Indiana. If human impudence can + go beyond this, all I have to say is, it never has. What does he say to + the Southern people, to the colored people? He says to them in substance: + "The reason the white people trample upon you is because the white people + are weak. Give the white people more strength, put the white people in + authority, and, although they murder you now when they are weak, when they + are strong they will let you alone. Yes; the only trouble with our + Southern white brethren is that they are in the minority, and they kill + you now, and the only way to save your lives is to put your enemy in the + majority." That is the doctrine of Abram S. Hewitt, and he congratulates + the colored people of the South upon the Democratic victory in Indiana. + There is going to be a great crop of hawks next season—let us + congratulate the doves. That is it. The burglars have whipped the police—let + us congratulate the bank. That is it. The wolves have killed off almost + all the shepherds—let us congratulate the sheep. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, the black people have suffered enough. They have been + slaves for two hundred years, and more than all, they have been compelled + to keep the company of the men that owned them. Think of that! Think of + being compelled to keep the society of the man who is stealing from you! + Think of being compelled to live with the man that sold your wife! Think + of being compelled to live with the man that stole your child from the + cradle before your very eyes! Think of being compelled to live with the + thief of your life, and spend your days with the white robber, and be + under his control! The black people have suffered enough. For two hundred + years they were owned and bought and sold and branded like cattle. For two + hundred years every human tie was rent and torn asunder by the bloody, + brutal hands of avarice and might. They have suffered enough. During the + war the black people were our friends not only, but whenever they were + entrusted with the family, with the wives and children of their masters, + they were true to them. They stayed at home and protected the wife and + child of the master while he went into the field and fought for the right + to sell the wife and the right to whip and steal the child of the very + black man that was protecting him. The black people, I say, have suffered + enough, and for that reason I am in favor of the Government protecting + them in every Southern State, if it takes another war to do it. We can + never compromise with the South at the expense of our friends. We never + can be friends with the men that starved and shot our brothers. We can + never be friends with the men that waged the most cruel war in the world; + not for liberty, but for the right to deprive other men of their liberty. + We never can be their friends until they are the friends of our friends, + until they treat the black man justly; until they treat the white Union + man respectfully; until Republicanism ceases to be a crime; until to vote + the Republican ticket ceases to make you a political and social outcast. + We want no friendship with the enemies of our country. The next question + is, who shall have possession of this country—the men that saved it,—or + the men that sought to destroy it? The Southern people lit the fires of + civil war. They who set the conflagration must be satisfied with the ashes + left. The men that saved this country must rule it. The men that saved the + flag must carry it. This Government is not far from destruction when it + crowns with its highest honor in time of peace, the man that was false to + it in time of war. This Nation is not far from the precipice of + annihilation and destruction when it gives its highest honor to a man + false, false to the country when everything we held dear trembled in the + balance of war, when everything was left to the arbitrament of the sword. + </p> + <p> + The next question prominently before the people—though I think the + great question is, whether citizens shall be protected at home—the + next question I say, is the financial question. With that there is no + trouble. We had to borrow money, and we have to pay it. That is all there + is of that, and we are going to pay it just as soon as we make the money + to pay it with, and we are going to make the money out of prosperity. + </p> + <p> + We have to dig it out of the earth. You cannot make a dollar by law. You + cannot redeem a cent by statute. You cannot pay one solitary farthing by + all the resolutions, by all the speeches ever made beneath the sun. + </p> + <p> + If the greenback doctrine is right, that evidence of national indebtedness + is wealth, if that is their idea, why not go another step and make every + individual note a legal tender? Why not pass a law that every man shall + take every other man's note? Then I swear we would have money in plenty. + No, my friends, a promise to pay a dollar is not a dollar, no matter if + that promise is made by the greatest and most powerful nation on the + globe. A promise is not a performance. An agreement is not an + accomplishment and there never will come a time when a promise to pay a + dollar is as good as the dollar, unless everybody knows that you have the + dollar and will pay it whenever they ask for it. We want no more + inflation. We want simply to pay our debts as fast as the prosperity of + the country allows it and no faster. Every speculator that was caught with + property on his hands upon which he owed more than the property was worth, + wanted the game to go on a little longer. Whoever heard of a man playing + poker that wanted to quit when he was a loser? He wants to have a fresh + deal. He wants another hand, and he don't want any man that is ahead to + jump the game. It is so with the speculators in this country. They bought + land, they bought houses, they bought goods, and when the crisis and crash + came, they were caught with the property on their hands, and they want + another inflation, they want another tide to rise that will again sweep + this driftwood into the middle of the great financial stream. That is all. + Every lot in this city that was worth five thousand and that is now worth + two thousand—do you know what is the matter with that lot? It has + been redeeming. It has been resuming. That is what is the matter with that + lot. Every man that owned property that has now fallen fifty per cent., + that property has been resuming; and if you could have another inflation + to-morrow, the day that the bubble burst would find thousands of + speculators who paid as much for property as property was worth, and they + would ask for another tide of affairs in men. They would ask for another + inflation. What for? To let them out and put somebody else in. + </p> + <p> + We want no more inflation. We want the simple honest payment of the debt, + and to pay out of the prosperity of this country. But, says the greenback + man, "We never had as good times as when we had plenty of greenbacks." + </p> + <p> + Suppose a farmer would buy a farm for ten thousand dollars and give his + note. He would buy carriages, horses, wagons and agricultural implements, + and give his note. He would send Mary, Jane and Lucy to school. He would + buy them pianos, and send them to college, and would give his note, and + the next year he would again give his note for the interest, and the next + year again his note, and finally they would come to him and say, "We must + settle up; we have taken your notes as long as we can; we want money." + "Why," he would say to the gentleman, "I never had as good a time in my + life as while I have been giving those notes. I never had a farm until the + man gave it to me for my note. My children have been clothed as well as + anybody's. We have had carriages; we have had fine horses; and our house + has been filled with music, and laughter, and dancing; and why not keep on + taking those notes?" So it is with the greenback man; he says, "When we + were running in debt we had a jolly time—let us keep it up." But, my + friends, there must come a time when inflation would reach that point when + all the Goverment notes in the world would not buy a pin; when all the + Government notes in the world would not be worth as much as the last + year's Democratic platform. I have no fear that these debts will not be + paid. I have no fear that every solitary greenback dollar will not be + redeemed; but, my friends, we shall have some trouble doing it. Why? + Because the debt is a great deal larger than it should have been. In the + first place, there should have been po debt. If it had not been for the + Southern Democracy there would have been no war. If it had not been for + the Northern Democracy the war would not have lasted one year. + </p> + <p> + There was a man tried in court for having murdered his father and mother. + He was found guilty, and the judge asked him, "What have you to say that + sentence of death shall not be pronounced on you?" "Nothing in the world + Judge," said he, "only I hope your Honor will take pity on me and remember + that I am a poor orphan." + </p> + <p> + I have no doubt that this debt will be paid. We have the honor to pay it, + and we do not pay it on account of the avarice or greed of the bondholder. + An honest man does not pay money to a creditor simply because the creditor + wants it. The honest man pays at the command of his honor and not at the + demand of the creditor. + </p> + <p> + The United States will pay its debts, not because the creditor demands, + but because we owe it. + </p> + <p> + The United States will liquidate every debt at the command of its honor, + and every cent will be paid. War is destruction, war is loss, and all the + property destroyed, and the time that is lost, put together, amount to + what we call a national debt. When in peace we shall have made as much net + profit as there was wealth lost in the war, then we shall be a solvent + people. The greenback will be redeemed, we expect to redeem it on the + first day of January, 1879. We may fail; we will fail if the prosperity of + the country fails; but we intend to try to do it, and if we fail, we will + fail as a soldier fails to take a fort, high upon the rampart, with the + flag of resumption in our hands. We will not say that we cannot pay the + debt because there is a date fixed when the debt is to be paid. I have had + to borrow money myself; I have had to give my note, and I recollect + distinctly that every man I ever did give my note to insisted that + somewhere in that note there should be some vague hint as to the cycle, as + to the geological period, as to the time, as to the century and date when + I expected to pay those little notes. I never understood that having a + time fixed would prevent my being industrious; that it would interfere + with my honesty; or with my activity, or with my desire to discharge that + debt. And if any man in this great country owed you one thousand dollars, + due you the first day of next January, and he should come to you and say: + "I want to pay you that debt, but you must take that date out of that + note." "Why?" you would say. "Why," he would reply in the language of + Tilden, "I have to make wise preparation." "Well," you would say, "why + don't you do it?" "Oh," he says, "I cannot do it while you have that date + in that note." "Another thing," he says, "I have to get me a central + reservoir of coin." And do you know I have always thought I would like to + see the Democratic party around a central reservoir of coin. + </p> + <p> + Suppose this debtor would also tell you, "I want the date out of that + note, because I have to come at it by a very slow and gradual process." + "Well," you would say, "I do not care how slow or how gradual you are, + provided that you get around by the time the note is due." + </p> + <p> + What would you think of a man that wanted the date out of the note? You + would think he was a mixture of rascal and Democrat. That is what you + would think. + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, the Democratic party (if you may call it a party) brings + forward as its candidate Samuel J. Tilden, of New York. I am opposed to + him, first, because he is an old bachelor. In a country like ours, + depending for its prosperity and glory upon an increase of the population, + to elect an old bachelor is a suicidal policy. Any man that will live in + this country for sixty years, surrounded by beautiful women with rosy lips + and dimpled cheeks, in every dimple lurking a Cupid, with pearly teeth and + sparkling eyes—any man that will push them all aside and be + satisfied with the embraces of the Democratic party, does not even know + the value of time. I am opposed to Samuel J. Tilden, because he is a + Democrat; because he belongs to the Democratic party of the city of New + York; the worst party ever organized in any civilized country. + </p> + <p> + No man should be President of this Nation who denies that it is a Nation. + Samuel J. Tilden denounced the war as an outrage. No man should be + President of this country that denounced a war waged in its defence as an + outrage. To elect such a man would be an outrage. + </p> + <p> + Samuel J. Tilden said that the flag stands for a contract; that it stands + for a confederation; that it stands for a bargain. But the great, splendid + Republican party says, "No! That flag stands for a great, hoping, + aspiring, sublime Nation, not for a confederacy." + </p> + <p> + I am opposed, I say, to the election of Samuel J. Tilden for another + reason. If he is elected he will be controlled by his party, and his party + will be controlled by the Southern stockholders in that party. They own + nineteen-twentieths of the stock, and they will dictate the policy of the + Democratic Corporation. + </p> + <p> + No Northern Democrat has the manliness to stand up before a Southern + Democrat. Every Democrat, nearly, has a face of dough, and the Southern + Democrat will swap his ears, change his nose, cut his mouth the other way + of the leather, so that his own mother would not know him, in fifteen + minutes. If Samuel J. Tilden is elected President of the United States, he + will be controlled by the Democratic party, and the Democratic party will + be controlled by the Southern Democracy—that is to say, the late + rebels; that is to say, the men that tried to destroy the Government; that + is to say, the men who are sorry they did not destroy the Government; that + is to say, the enemies of every friend of this Union; that is to say, the + murderers and the assassins of Union men living in the Southern country. + </p> + <p> + Let me say another thing. If Mr. Tilden does not act in accordance with + the Southern Democratic command, the Southern Democracy will not allow a + single life to stand between them and the absolute control of this + country. Hendricks will then be their man. I say that it would be an + outrage to give this country into the control of men who endeavored to + destroy it, to give this country into the control of the Southern rebels + and haters of Union men. + </p> + <p> + And on the other hand, the Republican party has put forward Rutherford B. + Hayes. He is an honest man. The Democrats will say, "That is nothing." + Well, let them try it. Rutherford B. Hayes has a good character. + </p> + <p> + Rutherford B. Hayes, when this war commenced, did not say with Tilden, "It + is an outrage." He did not say with Tilden, "I never will contribute to + the prosecution of this war." But he did say this, "I would go into this + war if I knew I would be killed in the course of it, rather than to live + through it and take no part in it." During the war Rutherford B. Hayes + received many wounds in his flesh, but not one scratch upon his honor. + Samuel J. Tilden received many wounds upon his honor, but not one scratch + on his flesh. Rutherford B. Hayes is a firm man; not an obstinate man, but + a firm man; and I draw this distinction: A firm man will do what he + believes to be right, because he wants to do right. He will stand firm + because he believes it to be right; but an obstinate man wants his own + way, whether it is right or whether it is wrong. Rutherford B. Hayes is + firm in the right, and obstinate only when he knows he is in the right. If + you want to vote for a man who fought for you, vote for Rutherford B. + Hayes. If you want to vote for a man that carried our flag through the + storm of shot and shell, vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. If you believe + patriotism to be a virtue, vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. If you believe + this country wants heroes, vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. If you want a man + who turned against his country in time of war, vote for Samuel J. Tilden. + If you believe the war waged for the salvation of our Nation was an + outrage, vote for Samuel J. Tilden. If you believe it is better to stay at + home and curse the brave men in the field, fighting for the sacred rights + of man, vote for Samuel J. Tilden. If you want to pay a premium upon + treason, if you want to pay a premium upon hypocrisy, if you want to pay a + premium upon chicanery, if you want to pay a premium upon sympathizing + with the enemies of your country, vote for Samuel J. Tilden. + </p> + <p> + If you believe that patriotism is right, if you believe the brave defender + of liberty is better than the assassin of freedom, vote for Rutherford B. + Hayes. + </p> + <p> + I am proud that I belong to the Republican party. It is the only party + that has not begged pardon for doing right. It is the only party that has + said: "There shall be no distinction on account of race, on account of + color, on account of previous condition." It is the only party that ever + had a platform broad enough for all humanity to stand upon. + </p> + <p> + It is the first decent party that ever lived. The Republican party made + the first free government that was ever made. The Republican party made + the first decent constitution that any nation ever had. The Republican + party gave to the sky the first pure flag that was ever kissed by the + waves of air. The Republican party is the first party that ever said: + "Every man is entitled to liberty," not because he is white, not because + he is black, not because he is rich, not because he is poor, but because + he is a man. + </p> + <p> + The Republican party is the first party that knew enough to know that + humanity is more than skin deep. It is the first party that said, + "Government should be for all, as the light, as the air, is for all." + </p> + <p> + And it is the first party that had the sense to say, "What air is to the + lungs, what light is to the eyes, what love is to the heart, liberty is to + the soul of man." The Republican party is the first party that ever was in + favor of absolute free labor, the first party in favor of giving to every + man, without distinction of race or color, the fruits of the labor of his + hands. The Republican party said, "Free labor will give us wealth, free + thought will give us truth." The Republican party is the first party that + said to every man, "Think for yourself, and express that thought." I am a + free man. I belong to the Republican party. This is a free country. I will + think my thought. I will speak my thought or die. I say the Republican + party is for free labor. + </p> + <p> + Free labor has invented all the machines that ever added to the power, + added to the wealth, added to the leisure, added to the civilization of + mankind. Every convenience, everything of use, everything of beauty in the + world, we owe to free labor and to free thought. Free labor, free thought! + </p> + <p> + Science took the thunderbolt from the gods, and in the electric spark, + freedom, with thought, with intelligence and with love, sweeps under all + the waves of the sea; science, free thought, took a tear from the cheek of + unpaid labor, converted it into steam, and created the giant that turns, + with tireless arms, the countless wheels of toil. + </p> + <p> + The Republican party, I say, believes in free labor. Every solitary thing, + every solitary improvement made in the United States has been made by the + Republican party. Every reform accomplished was inaugurated, and was + accomplished by the great, grand, glorious Republican party. + </p> + <p> + The Republican party does not say: "Let bygones be bygones." The + Republican party is proud of the past and confident of the future. The + Republican party brings its record before you and implores you to read + every page, every paragraph, every line and every shining word. On the + first page you will find it written: "Slavery has cursed American soil + long enough;" on the same page you will find it written: "Slavery shall go + no farther." On the same page you will find it written: "The bloodhounds + shall not drip their gore upon another inch of American soil." On the + second page you will find it written: "This is a Nation, not a + Confederacy; every State belongs to every citizen, and no State has a + right to take territory belonging to any citizens in the United States and + set up a separate Government." On the third page you will find the + grandest declaration ever made in this country: "Slavery shall be + extirpated from the American soil." On the next page: "The Rebellion shall + be put down." On the next page: "The Rebellion has been put down." On the + next page: "Slavery has been extirpated from the American soil." On the + next page: "The freedmen shall not be vagrants; they shall be citizens." + On the next page: "They are citizens." On the next page: "The ballot shall + be put in their hands;" and now we will write on the next page: "Every + citizen that has a ballot in his hand, by the gods! shall have a right to + cast that ballot." That in short, that in brief, is the history of the + Republican party. The Republican party says, and it means what it says: + "This shall be a free country forever; every man in it twenty-one years of + age shall have the right to vote for the Government of his choice, and if + any man endeavors to interfere with that right, the Government of the + United States will see to it that the right of every American citizen is + protected at the polls." + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, there is one thing that troubles the average Democrat, + and that is the idea that somehow, in some way, the negro will get to be + the better man. It is the trouble in the South to-day. And I say to my + Southern friends (and I admit that there are a great many good men in the + South, but the bad men are in an overwhelming majority; the great mass of + the population is vicious, violent, virulent and malignant; the great mass + of the population is cruel, revengeful, idle, hateful,) and I tell that + population: "If you do not go to work, the negro, by his patient industry, + will pass you." In the long run, the nation that is honest, the people who + are industrious, will pass the people who are dishonest, and the people + who are idle, no matter how grand an ancestry they may have had, and so I + say, Mr. Northern Democrat, look out! + </p> + <p> + The superior man is the man that loves his fellow-man; the superior man is + the useful man; the superior man is the kind man, the man who lifts up his + down-trodden brothers; and the greater the load of human sorrow and human + want you can get in your arms, the easier you can climb the great hill of + fame. The superior man is the man who loves his fellow-man. And let me say + right here, the good men, the superior men, the grand men are brothers the + world over, no matter what their complexion may be; centuries may separate + them, yet they are hand in hand; and all the good, and all the grand, and + all the superior men, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, are fighting + the great battle for the progress of mankind. + </p> + <p> + I pity the man, I execrate and hate the man who has only to boast that he + is white. Whenever I am reduced to that necessity, I believe shame will + make me red instead of white. I believe another thing. If I cannot hoe my + row, I will not steal corn from the fellow that hoes his row. If I belong + to the superior race, I will be so superior that I can make my living + without stealing from the inferior. I am perfectly willing that any + Democrat in the world that can, shall pass me. I have never seen one yet, + except when I looked over my shoulder. But if they can pass I shall be + delighted. + </p> + <p> + Whenever we stand in the presence of genius, we take off our hats. + Whenever we stand in the presence of the great, we do involuntary homage + in spite of ourselves. Any one who can go by is welcome, any one in the + world; but until somebody does go by, of the Democratic persuasion, I + shall not trouble myself about the fact that may be, in some future time, + they may get by. The Democrats are afraid of being passed, because they + are being passed. + </p> + <p> + No man ever was, no man ever will be, the superior of the man whom he + robs. No man ever was, no man ever will be, the superior of the man he + steals from. I had rather be a slave than a slave-master. I had rather be + stolen from than be a thief. I had rather be the wronged than the + wrong-doer. And allow me to say again to impress it forever upon every man + that hears me, you will always be the inferior of the man you wrong. Every + race is inferior to the race it tramples upon and robs. There never was a + man that could trample upon human rights and be superior to the man upon + whom he trampled. And let me say another thing: No government can stand + upon the crushed rights of one single human being; and any compromise that + we make with the South, if we make it at the expense of our friends, will + carry in its own bosom the seeds of its own death and destruction, and + cannot stand. A government founded upon anything except liberty and + justice cannot and ought not to stand. All the wrecks on either side of + the stream of time, all the wrecks of the great cities and nations that + have passed away—all are a warning that no nation founded upon + injustice can stand. From sand-enshrouded Egypt, from the marble + wilderness of Athens, from every fallen, crumbling stone of the once + mighty Rome, comes as it were a wail, comes as it were the cry, "No nation + founded upon injustice can permanently stand." We must found this Nation + anew. We must fight our fight. We must cling to our old party until there + is freedom of speech in every part of the United States. We must cling to + the old party until I can speak in every State of the South as every + Southerner can speak in every State of the North. We must vote the grand + old Republican ticket until there is the same liberty in every Southern + State that there is in every Northern, Eastern and Western State. We must + stand by the party until every Southern man will admit that this country + belongs to every citizen of the United States as much as to the man that + is born in that country. One more thing. I do not want any man that ever + fought for this country to vote the Democratic ticket. You will swap your + respectability for disgrace. There are thousands of you—great, + grand, splendid men—that have fought grandly for this Union, and now + I beseech of you, I beg of you, do not give respectability to the enemies + and haters of your country. Do not do it. Do not vote with the Democratic + party, of the North. Sometimes I think a rebel sympathizer in the North + worse than a rebel, and I will tell you why. The rebel was carried into + the rebellion by public opinion at home,—his father, his mother, his + sweetheart, his brother, and everybody he knew; and there was a kind of + wind, a kind of tornado, a kind of whirlwind that took him into the army. + He went on the rebel side with his State. The Northern Democrat went + against his own State; went against his own Government; and went against + public opinion at home. The Northern Democrat rowed up stream against wind + and tide. The Southern rebel went with the current; the Northern rebel + rowed against the current from pure, simple cussedness. + </p> + <p> + And I beg every man that ever fought for the Union, every man that ever + bared his breast to a storm of shot and shell, that the old flag might + float over every inch of American soil redeemed from the clutch of + treason; I beg him, I implore him, do not go with the Democratic party. + And to every young man within the sound of my voice I say, do not tie your + bright and shining prospects to that old corpse of Democracy. You will get + tired of dragging it around. Do not cast your first vote with the enemies + of your country. Do not cast your first vote with the Democratic party + that was glad when the Union army was defeated. Do not cast your vote with + that party whose cheeks flushed with the roses of joy when the old flag + was trailed in disaster upon the field of battle. Remember, my friends, + that that party did every mean thing it could, every dishonest and + treasonable thing it could. Recollect that that party did all it could to + divide this Nation, and destroy this country. + </p> + <p> + For myself I have no fear; Hayes and Wheeler will be the next President + and Vice-President of the United States of America. Let me beg of you—let + me implore you—let me beseech you, every man, to come out on + election day. Every man, do your duty; every man do his duty with regard + to the State ticket of the great and glorious State of Illinois. + </p> + <p> + This year we need Republicans; this year we need men that will vote for + the party; and I tell you that a Republican this year, no matter what you + have against him, no matter whether you like him or do not like him, is + better for the country, no matter how much you hate him, he is better for + the country than any Democrat Nature can make, or ever has made. + </p> + <p> + We must, in this supreme election, we must at this supreme moment, vote + only for the men who are in favor of keeping this Government in the power, + in the custody, in the control of the great, the sublime Republican party. + </p> + <p> + Ladies and gentlemen, if I were insensible to the honor you have done me + by this magnificent meeting—the most magnificent I ever saw on earth—a + meeting such as only the marvelous City of Pluck could produce; if I were + insensible of the honor, I would be made of stone. I shall remember it + with delight; I shall remember it with thankfulness all the days of my + life. And I ask in return of every Republican here to remember all the + days of his life, every sacrifice made by this nation for liberty; every + sacrifice made by every private soldier, every sacrifice made by every + patriotic man and patriotic woman. + </p> + <p> + I do not ask you to remember in revenge, but I ask you never, never to + forget. As the world swings through the constellations year after year, I + want the memory, I want the patriotic memory of this country to sit by the + grave of every Union soldier, and, while her eyes are filled with tears, + to crown him again and again with the crown of everlasting honor. I thank + you, I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, a thousand times. Good-night. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Note:—There was no full report made of this speech, the + above are simply extracts. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0008" id="link0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + EIGHT TO SEVEN ADDRESS. + </h2> + <h3> + (On the Electoral Commission.) + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The reputation of Col. Robert G. Ingersoll had taken + possession of the Boston mind to such an extent that his + expected address was spoken of as "The Lecture." People + talked about going to it, as If on that night all other + places were to be closed, and the whole population of the + City turned into Tremont Temple. Long before the appointed + hour a rare audience, for even lecture loving Boston, had + assembled. Col. Ingersoll stepped upon the platform preceded + by Governor Rice, and followed by William Lloyd Garrison, + James T. Fields and others. After the presentation of two + large and exquisite bouquets Governor Rice introduced + Colonel Ingersoll, and the audience, the most acute and + determined looking I ever saw In Boston, poured out their + welcome! It seemed as if all the cheers that had been + suppressed between the first of November and the decision of + the Electoral Commission, found vent at that moment and the + vigorous clapping was renewed and prolonged until it became + an unmistakable salute to the recent brilliant campaigning + of the great Western orator. It is hardly possible to speak + in too high terms of the lecture which, under the title of + "8 to 7," contained a witty, philosophical and intensely + patriotic review of the political contest preceding and + following the recent election, with wise and timely + suggestions for preventing similar perils in the future.— + Boston, October 22nd,1877. +</pre> + <p> + 1877. + </p> + <p> + I HAVE sometimes wondered whether our country was to be forever governed + by parties full of hatred, full of malice, full of slander. I have + sometimes wondered whether or not in the future there would not be + discovered such a science as the science of government. I do not know what + you think, but what little I do know, and what little experience has been + mine, is, I must admit, against it. We have passed through the most + remarkable campaign of our history—a campaign remarkable in every + respect. + </p> + <p> + It was bitter, passionate, relentless and desperate, and I admit, for one, + that I added to its bitterness and relentlessness. I told, and frankly + told, my real, honest opinion of the Democratic party of the North. I + told, and cheerfully told, my opinion of the Democratic party of the + South. And I have nothing to take back. But, to show you that my heart is + not altogether wicked; I am willing to forgive and do forgive with all my + heart, every person and every party that I ever said anything against. I + believe that the campaign of 1876 was the turning-point, the midnight in + the history of the American Republic. + </p> + <p> + I believe, and firmly believe, that if the Democratic party had swept into + power, it would have been the end of progress, and the end of what I + consider human liberty, beneath our flag. I felt so, and I went into the + campaign simply because the rights of American citizens in at least + sixteen States of the Union were trampled under foot. I did what little I + could. I am glad I did it. We had, as I say, a wonderful campaign, and + each party said and did about all that could be said and done. Everybody + attended to politics. Business was suspended. Everything was given over to + processions and torches, and flags and transparencies; and resolutions and + conventions and speeches and songs. Old arguments were revamped. Old + stories were pressed into service. The old story of the Rebellion was told + again and again. The memories of the war were revived. The North was + arrayed against the South as though upon the field of battle. Party cries + were heard on every hand. Each party leaped like a tiger upon the + reputation of the other, and tore with tooth and claw, with might and + main, to the very end of the campaign. + </p> + <p> + I felt that it was necessary to arouse the North. I felt that it was + necessary to tell again the story of the Rebellion, from Bull Run to + Appomattox. I felt that it was necessary to describe what the Southern + people were doing with Union men, and with colored men; and I felt it + necessary so to describe it that the people of the North could hear the + whips, and could hear the drops of blood as they fell upon the withered + leaves. I did all I could to arouse the people of the North. I did all I + could to prevent the Democratic party from getting into power. The first + morning after the election, the Democracy had a banquet of joy, but all + through the feast they saw sitting at the head of the table the dim + outline of the skeleton of defeat. And, when the tide turned, Republicans + rejoiced with a face ready at any moment to express the profoundest grief. + Then came despatches and rumors, and estimated majorities, and vague talk + about Returning Boards, and intimidating voters, and stuffed ballot boxes, + and fraudulent returns, and bribed clerks, and injunctions, and contempts + of courts, and telegrams in cipher, and outrages, and octoroon balls in + which reverend Senators were whirled in love's voluptuous waltz. Everybody + discussed the qualifications of Electors and the value of Governors' + certificates, and how to get behind returns, and how to buy an Elector, + and who had the right to count; and persons expecting offices of trust, + honor and profit began to threaten war and extermination, calls were made + for a hundred thousand men, and there were no end of meetings, and + resolutions and denunciations, and the downfall of the country was + prophesied; and yet, notwithstanding all this, the name of the person who + really was elected remained unknown. The last scene of this strange, + eventful history, so far as the election by the people was concerned, was + Cronin. I see him now as he leaves the land "where rolls the Oregon and + hears no sound save his own dashings." Cronin, the last surviving veteran + of the grand army of "honesty and reform." Cronin, a quorum of one. + Cronin, who elected the two others by a plurality of his own vote. + </p> + <p> + I see him now, armed with Hoadley's opinion and Grover's certificate, + trudging wearily and drearily over the wide and wasted saleratus deserts + of the West, with a little card marked "S. J. T. i5 G. P." + </p> + <p> + Then came the great question of who shall count the electoral vote. The + Vice-President being a Republican, it was generally contended, at least by + me, that he had a right to count that vote. My doctrine was, if the + Vice-President would count the vote right, he had the right to count it. + </p> + <p> + The Vice-President not being a Democrat, the members of that party claimed + that the House could prevent the Vice-President from counting it, and this + was simply because the House was not Republican. Nearly all decided + according to their politics. The Constitution is a little blind on this + point, and where anything is blind I always see it my way. It was about + this time that some of the Democrats began to talk about bringing one + hundred thousand unarmed men to Washington to superintend the count. + Others, however, got up a scheme to create, a court in the United States + where politics should have no earthly influence. Nothing could be easier, + they thought, after we had gone through such a hot and exciting campaign, + than to pick out men who have no prejudices whatever on the subject. + Finally a bill was passed creating a tribunal to count the vote, if any, + and hear testimony, if any, and declare what man had been elected + President, if any. This tribunal consisted of fifteen men, ten being + chosen on account of their politics—five from the Senate and five + from the House,—and they chose four judges from purely geographical + considerations. I was there, and I know exactly how it was. Those four men + were picked with a map of the United States in front of the pickers. The + Democrats chose Justice Field, not because he was a Democrat, but because + he lived on the Pacific slope. They chose Justice Clifford, not because he + was a Democrat, but because he lived on the Eastern slope; that was fair. + Thereupon the Republicans chose Justice Strong, not because he was a + Republican, but because he lived on the Eastern slope. You can see the + point. The Republicans chose Justice Miller, not because he was a + Republican, but because he represented the great West. They then allowed + these four to select a fifth man. + </p> + <p> + Well, it was impossible to select the fifth man from geographical + considerations, you can see that yourselves. There was nothing left to + choose between, you know, as far as geography was concerned. They then + agreed that they would not take a Justice from any State in which the + candidate for President lived. They left out Justice Hunt, from New York, + and Justice Swayne, from Ohio. They knew of course that that would not + influence them, but they did that simply—well, they did not want + them there; that was all, and it would be unhandy to pick one man out of + four. So they left Swayne and Hunt out. And then they would pick one man + as between Justice Bradley and Justice Davis. Just at that time the people + of the State of Illinois happened to be out of a Senator, and Judge Davis + was there and expressed a willingness to go to the Senate. And the people + of the State of Illinois elected him, and therefore there was nobody to + choose from except Justice Bradley, and he was a Republican. + </p> + <p> + Now, you know this runs in families. His record was good—by + marriage. He married a daughter of Chief Justice Hornblower, of New + Jersey. Now, Hornblower was what you might call a partisan. Do you know + they went to him—it was in the old times, and he was a kind of Whig,—they + went to him with a petition, in the State of New Jersey, a petition + addressed to the Legislature for the abolition of capital punishment, and + Hornblower said, "I'll be damned if I sign it while there is a Democrat in + the State of New Jersey." + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, however, I believe that Justice Bradley and all the + other Justices, and all other persons on that tribunal decided as they + honestly thought was right. + </p> + <p> + Judge Davis is as broad mentally as he is physically; he has an immensity + of common sense, and as much judgment as any one man ever needs to use, + and, in my judgment, he would have come to the same conclusion as Judge + Bradley, precisely. These men were appointed—it was a Democratic + scheme, and I am glad they got it up—and during that entire + investigation, so much were the members of that party controlled by old + associations and habits, and by partisan feeling that there was not a + solitary one of the seven Democrats that ever once voted on the Republican + side. And, as a necessity, the Republicans had to stand together. And so, + notwithstanding the seven Democrats voted constantly together, the eight + Republicans kept having a majority of one, until the last disputed State + was given against the great party of "honesty and reform." And, finally, + when they found they were defeated, they made up their minds to prevent + the counting of the vote. They made up their minds to wear out the session + and prevent the election of a President. Just at that point, for a wonder, + (nothing ever astonished me more), the members from the South said: "We do + not want any more war; we have had war enough and we say that a President + shall be peacefully elected, and that he shall be peacefully inaugurated!" + As soon as I heard that I felt under a little obligation to the Democracy + of the South, and when they stood in the gap and prevented the Democracy + of the North from plunging this Government into the hell of civil war, I + felt like taking them by the hand and saying, "We have beaten the enemy + once, let us keep on. Let us join hands." I felt like saying to the + Democracy of the South, "You never will have a day's prosperity in the + South until you join the great, free, progressive party of the North—never!" + And they never will. + </p> + <p> + Now, I say, I felt as though I were under a certain obligation to these + people. They prevented this thing, and they made it possible for the + Vice-President to declare Rutherford B. Hayes President of the United + States. Now, right here, I want you to observe that this shows the real + defects in our system of government. In the first place, our Government is + being governed by fraud. If the very fountain of power is poisoned by + fraud, then the whole Government is impure. We must find out some way to + prevent fraudulent voting in the United States or our Government is a + failure. Great cities were the mothers of election frauds. They + inaugurated violence and intimidation. They produced the repeaters and the + false boxes. They invented fan-tail tickets and pasters, and gradually + these delightful and patriotic arts and practices have spread over almost + the entire country. + </p> + <p> + Unless something is done to preserve the purity of the ballot-box our form + of government must cease. The fountain of power is poisoned. The + sovereignty of the people is stolen and destroyed. The Government becomes + organized fraud, and all respect will soon be lost for the laws and + decisions of the courts. The legislators are elected in many instances by + fraud. The judges are in many instances chosen by fraud. Every department + of the Government becomes tainted and corrupt. It is no longer a Republic, + unless something can be devised to ascertain with certainty the really + honest will of the sovereign people. + </p> + <p> + For the accomplishment of this object the good and patriotic men of all + parties should most heartily unite. To cast an illegal vote should be + considered by all as a crime. We must if possible get rid of the mob—the + vagrants, the vagabonds who have no home and who take no interest in the + cities where they vote. We must get rid of the rich mob too; and by the + rich mob I mean the men who buy up these vagabonds. Various States have + passed laws for the registration of voters; but they all leave wide open + all the doors of fraud. Men are allowed to vote if they have been for one + year in the State, and thirty or sixty days in the ward or precinct; and + when they have failed to have their names registered before the day of + election, they can avoid the effect of this neglect by making a few + affidavits, certified to by reputable householders. Of course all + necessary affidavits are made, with hundreds and thousands to spare. My + idea is that the period of registration, in the first place, is too short, + and, in the second place, no way should be given by which they can vote + unless they have been properly registered, affidavit or no affidavit. + Every man, when he goes into a ward or precinct, should be registered. It + should be his duty to see that he is registered. Officers should be kept + for that purpose, and he should never be allowed to cast a vote until he + has been registered at least one year. Sixty days, say, or thirty days—sixty + would be better—sixty days before the election the registry lists + should be corrected, and every citizen should have the right to enter a + complaint or objection as against any name found upon that list. Thirty + days, or twenty days before the election, that list should be published + and should be exposed in several public places in each ward and each + precinct, and upon the day of election no man should be allowed to vote + whose name was not upon the registry list. Our wards and precincts should + be made smaller, so that people can vote without violence, without wasting + an entire day, so that the honest business man that wishes to cast his + ballot for the Government of his choice can walk to the polls like a + gentleman and deposit his vote and go about his affairs. Allow me to say + that unless some such plan is adopted in the United States, there never + will be another fair election in this country. During the last campaign + all the arts and artifices of the city, all the arts and artifices of the + lowest wards were spread over this entire country, and unless something is + done to preserve the purity of the ballot-box, and guard the sovereign + will of the people, we will cease to be a Republican Government. + </p> + <p> + Another thing—and I cannot say it too often—fraud at the + ballot-box undermines all respect in the minds of the people for the + Government. When they are satisfied that the election is a fraud they + despise the officers elected. When they are satisfied it is a fraud, they + despise the law made by the legislators. When they are satisfied it is a + fraud, they hold in utter contempt the decisions of our highest and most + august tribunals. + </p> + <p> + Another trouble in this country is that our terms of office are too short. + Our elections are too frequent. They interfere with the business of our + country. When elections are so frequent, men make a business of politics. + If they fail to get one office they immediately run for another, and they + keep running until the people elect them for the simple purpose of getting + rid of the annoyance. Lengthen the terms, purify the ballot, and the + present scramble for office will become contests for principles. A man who + cannot get a living—unless he has been disabled in the service of + his country or from some other cause—without holding office, is not + fit for an office. + </p> + <p> + A professional office-seeker is one of the meanest, and lowest, and basest + of human beings—a little higher than the lower animals and a little + lower than man. He has no earthly or heavenly independence; not a + particle; not a particle. A successful office-seeker is like the center of + the earth; he weighs nothing himself, and draws all things towards the + office he wants. He has not even a temper. You cannot insult him. Shut the + door in his face, and, so far as he is concerned, it is left wide open, + and you are standing on the threshold with a smile, extending the hand of + welcome. He crawls and cringes and flatters and lies and swaggers and + brags and tells of the influence he has in the ward he lives in. We cannot + too often repeat that splendid saying, "The office should seek the man, + not man the office." If you will lengthen the term of office it will be so + long between meals that he will have to do something else or starve. Adopt + the system of registration, as I have suggested; have small and convenient + election districts, so that, as I said before, the honest, law-abiding, + and peaceable citizen can attend the polls; so that he will not be + compelled to risk his life to deposit his ballot that will be stolen or + thrown out, or forced to keep the company of ballots caused by fraudulent + violence. Lengthen the term of office, drive the professional hunter and + seeker of office from the field, and you will go far toward strengthening + and vivifying and preserving the fabric of the Constitution. That is the + kind of civil service reform I am in favor of, and as I am on that + subject, I will say a word about it. There is but one vital question—but + one question of real importance—in fact I might say in the whole + world, and that is the great question of Civil Service Reform. There may + be some others indirectly affecting the human race, and in which some + people take a languid kind of interest, but the only question worth + discussing and comprehending in all its phases is the one I have + mentioned. This great question is in its infancy still. The doctrine as + yet has been applied only to politics.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Colonel Ingersoll then read the following letter, of which + he was the author. +</pre> + <p> + My Dear Sir:—In the olden times, during the purer days of the + Republic, the motto was, "To the victors belong the spoils." The great + object of civil service reform is to reverse this motto. Our people are + thoroughly disgusted with machine politics, and demand politics without + any machine. + </p> + <p> + In every precinct and ward there are persons going about lauding one party + and crying down the other. They make it their business to attend to the + affairs of the Nation. They call conventions, pass resolutions; they put + notices in papers of the times and places of meetings; they select + candidates for office, and then insist upon having them elected; they + distribute papers and political documents; they crowd the mails with + newspapers, platforms, resolutions, facts and figures, and with everything + calculated to help their party and hurt the other. In short, they are the + disturbers of the public peace. + </p> + <p> + They keep the community in a perpetual excitement. In the last campaign, + wherever they were was turmoil. They fired cannon, carried flags, torches + and transparencies; they subsidized brass bands, and shouted and hurrahed + as though the world had gone insane. They were induced to do these things + by the hope of success and office. Take away this hope and there will be + peace once more. This thing is unendurable. The staid, the quiet and + respectable people, the moderate and conservative men who always have an + idea of joining the other side just to show their candor, are heartily + tired of the entire performance. These gentlemen demand a rest. They are + not adventurers; they have incomes; they belong to families; they have + monograms and liveries. They have succeeded, and they want quiet. Growth + makes a noise; development, as they call it, is nothing but disturbance. + We want stability, we want political petrifaction, and we therefore demand + that these meetings shall be dismissed, that these processions shall halt, + that these flags shall be furled. But these things never will be stopped + until we stop paying men with office for making these disturbances. You + know that it has been the habit for men elected to bestow political favors + upon the men who elected them. This is a crying shame. It is a kind of + bribery and corruption. Men should not work with the expectation of reward + and success. The frightful consequences of rewarding one's friends cannot + be contemplated by a true patriot without a shudder. Exactly the opposite + course is demanded by the great principle of civil service reform. There + is no patriotism in working for place, for power and success. The true + lover of his country is stimulated to action by the hope of defeat, and + the prospect of office for his opponent. To such an extent has the + pernicious system of rewarding friends for political services gone in this + country, that until very lately it was difficult for a member of the + defeated party to obtain a respectable office. + </p> + <p> + The result of all this is, that the country is divided, that these + divisions are kept alive by these speakers, writers and convention + callers. The great mission of civil service reform is not to do away with + parties, but with conflicting opinion, by taking from all politicians the + hope of reward. There is no other hope for peace. What do the people know + about the wants of the nation? There are in every community a few quiet + and respectable men, who know all about the wants of the people—gentlemen + who have retired from business, who take no part in discussion and who are + therefore free from prejudice. Let these men attend to our politics. They + will not call conventions, except in the parlors of hotels. They will not + put out our eyes with flaring torches. They will not deafen us with + speeches. They will carry on a campaign without producing opposition. They + will have elections but no contests. All the offices will be given to the + defeated party. This of itself will insure tranquillity at the polls. No + one will be deprived of the privilege of casting a ballot. When campaigns + are conducted in this manner a gentleman can engage in politics with a + feeling that he is protected by the great principle of civil service + reform. But just so long as men persist in rewarding their friends, as + they call them, just so long will our country be cursed with political + parties. Nothing can be better calculated to preserve the peace than the + great principle of rewarding those who have confidence enough in our + institutions to keep silent while peace will sit with folded wings upon + the moss-covered political stump of a ruder age. I am satisfied that to + civil service reform the Republican party is indebted for the last great + victory. Upon this question the enthusiasm of the people was simply + unbounded. In the harvest field, the shop, the counting-room, in the + church, in the saloon, in, the palace and in the hut, nothing was heard + and nothing discussed except the great principle of civil service reform. + </p> + <p> + Among the most touching incidents of the campaign was to see a few old + soldiers, sacred with scars, sit down, and while battles and hair-breadth + escapes, and prisons of want, were utterly forgotten, discuss with + tremulous lips and tearful eyes the great question of civil service + reform. + </p> + <p> + During the great political contest I addressed several quite large and + intelligent audiences, and no one who did not has or can have the + slightest idea of the hold that civil service reform had upon the very + souls of our people. Upon all other subjects the indifference was marked. + I dwelt upon the glittering achievements of my party, but they were + indifferent. I pictured outrages perpetrated upon our citizens, but they + did not care. All this went idly by, but when I touched upon civil service + reform, old men, gray-haired and strong, broke down utterly—tears + fell like rain. The faces of women grew ashen with the intensity of + anguish, and even little children sobbed as though their hearts would + break. To one who has witnessed these affecting scenes, civil service + reform is almost a sacred thing. Even the speeches delivered upon this + subject in German affected to tears thousands of persons wholly + unacquainted with that language. In some instances those who did not + understand a word were affected even more than those who did. Surely there + must be something in the subject itself, apart from the words used to + explain it, that can under such circumstances lead captive the hearts of + men. During the entire campaign the cry of civil service reform was heard + from one end of our land to the other. The sailor nailed those words to + the mast. The miner repeated them between the strokes of the pick. Mothers + explained them to their children. Emigrants painted them upon their + wagons. They were mingled with the reaper's song and the shout of the + pioneer. Adopt this great principle and we can have quiet and lady-like + campaigns, a few articles in monthly magazines, a leader or two in the + "Nation," in the pictorial papers wood-cuts of the residences of the + respective candidates and now and then a letter from an old Whig would + constitute all the aggressive agencies of the contest. I am satisfied that + this great principle secured us our victories in Florida and Louisiana, + and its effect on the High Joint Commission was greater than is generally + supposed. It was this that finally decided the action of the returning + boards. + </p> + <p> + Cronin is the only man upon whom this great principle was an utter + failure. Let it be understood that friends are not to be rewarded. Let it + be settled that political services are a barrier to political preferment, + and my word for it, machine politics will never be heard of again. + </p> + <p> + Yours truly,—— + </p> + <p> + I do not believe in carrying civil service reform to the extent that you + will not allow an officer to resign. I do not believe that that principle + should be insisted upon to that degree that there would only be two ways + left to get out of office—death or suicide. I believe, other things + being equal, any party having any office within its gift will give that + office to the man that really believes in the principles of that party, + and who has worked to give those principles ultimate victory. That is + human nature. The man that plows, the man that sows, and the man that + cultivates, ought to be the man that reaps. But we have in this country a + multitude of little places, a multitude of clerkships in Washington; and + the question is whether on the incoming of a new administration, these men + shall all be turned out. In the first place, they are on starvation + salaries, just barely enough to keep soul and body together, and + respectability on the outside; and if there is a young man in this + audience, I beg of him: + </p> + <p> + Never accept a clerkship from this Government. Do not live on a little + salary; do not let your mind be narrowed; do not sell all the splendid + possibilities of the future; do not learn to cringe and fawn and crawl. + </p> + <p> + I would rather have forty acres of land, with a log cabin on it and the + woman I love in the cabin—with a little grassy winding path leading + down to the spring where the water gurgles from the lips of earth + whispering day and night to the white pebbles a perpetual poem—with + holly-hocks growing at the corner of the house, and morning-glories + blooming over the low latched door—with lattice work over the window + so that the sunlight would fall checkered on the dimpled babe in the + cradle, and birds—like songs with wings hovering in the summer air—than + be the clerk of any government on earth. + </p> + <p> + Now, I say, let us lengthen the term of office—I do not care much + how long—send a man to Congress at least for five years. And it + would be a great blessing if there were not half as many of them sent. + </p> + <p> + We have too many legislators and too much legislation; too little about + important matters, and too much about unimportant matters. Lengthen the + term of office so that the man can turn his attention to something else + when he gets in besides looking after his re-election. There is another + defect we must remedy in our Constitution, in my judgment, and that is as + to the mode of electing a President. I believe it of the greatest + importance that the Executive should be entirely independent of the + legislative and judicial departments of the country. I do not believe that + Congress should have the right to create a vacancy which it can fill. I do + not believe that the Senate of the United States, or the lower house of + Congress, by a simple objection, should have the right to deprive any + State of its electoral vote. Our Constitution now provides that the + electors chosen in each State shall meet in their respective States upon a + certain day and there cast their votes for President and Vice-President of + the United States. They shall properly certify to the votes which are + cast, and shall transmit lists of them, together with the proper + certificates, to the Vice-President of the United States. And it is then + declared that upon a certain day in the presence of both houses of + Congress, the Vice-President shall open the certificates and the votes + shall then be counted. It does not exactly say who shall count these + votes. It does not in so many words say the Vice-President shall do it, or + may do it, or that both houses of Congress shall do it, or may do it, or + that either house can prevent a count of the votes. It leaves us in the + dark, and, to a certain degree, in blindness. I believe there is a way, + and a very easy way, out of the entire trouble, and it is this: I do not + care whether the electors first meet in their respective States or not, + but I want the Constitution so amended that the electors of all the States + shall meet on a certain day in the city of Washington, and count the votes + themselves; to allow that body to be the judge of who are electors, to + allow it to choose a chairman, and to allow the person so chosen to + declare who is the President, and who is the Vice-President of the United + States. The Executive is then entirely free and independent of the + legislative department of Government. The Executive is then entirely free + from the judicial department, and I tell you, it is a public calamity to + have the ermine of the Supreme Court of the United States touched or + stained by a political suspicion. In my judgment, this country can never + stand such a strain again as it has now. + </p> + <p> + Now, my friends, all these questions are upon us and they have to be + settled. We cannot go on as we have been going. We cannot afford to live + as we have lived—one section running against the other. We cannot go + along that way. It must be settled, either peaceably or there must again + be a resort to the boisterous sword of civil war. + </p> + <p> + The people of the South must stop trampling on the rights of the colored + men. It must not be a crime in any State of this Union to be a lover of + this country. I have seen it stated in several papers lately that it is + the duty of each State to protect its own citizens. Well, I know that. + Suppose that the State does not do it; what then I say? Well, then, say + these people, the Governor of the State has the right to call on the + General Government for assistance. But suppose the Governor will not call + for assistance, what then? Then, they tell us, the Legislature can do so + by a joint resolution. But suppose the Legislature will not do it, what + then? Then, say these people, it is a defect in the Constitution. In my + judgment, that is the absurdest kind of secession. If the State of + Illinois must protect me, if I have no right to call for the protection of + the General Government, all I have to say is that my allegiance must + belong to the Government that protects me. If Illinois protects me, and + the General Government has not the power, then my first allegiance is due + to Illinois; and should Illinois unsheathe the sword of civil war, I must + stand by my State, if that doctrine is true. I say, my first allegiance is + due to the General Government, and not to the State of Illinois, and if + the State of Illinois goes out of the Union, I swear to you that I will + not. What does the General Government propose to give me in exchange for + my allegiance? The General Government has a right to take my property. The + General Government has a right to take my body in its necessary defence. + What does that Government propose to give in exchange for that right? + Protection, or else our Government is a fraud. Who has a right to call for + the protection of the United States? I say, the citizen who needs it. Can + our Government obtain information only through the official sources? Must + our Government wait until the Government asks the proofs, while the State + tramples upon the rights of the citizens? Must it wait until the + Legislature calls for assistance to help it stop robbing and plundering + citizens of the United States? Is that the doctrine and the idea of the + Northern Democratic party? It is not mine. A Government that will not + protect its citizens is a disgrace to humanity. A Government that waits + until a Governor calls—a Government that cannot hear the cry of the + meanest citizen under its flag when his rights are being trampled upon, + even by citizens of a Southern State—has no right to exist. + </p> + <p> + It is the duty of the American citizen to see to it that every State has a + Government, not only republican in form, but it is the duty of the United + States to see to it that life, liberty and property are protected in each + State. If they are not protected, it is the duty of the United States to + protect them, if it takes all her military force both upon land and upon + the sea. The people whose Government cannot always hear the faintest wail + of the meanest man beneath its flag have no right to call themselves a + nation. The flag that will not protect its protectors and defend its + defenders is a rag that is not worth the air in which it waves. + </p> + <p> + How are we going to do it? Do it by kindness if you can; by conciliation + if you can, but the Government is bound to try every way until it + succeeds. Now, Rutherford B. Hayes was elected President. The Democracy + will say, of course, that he never was elected, but that does not make any + difference. He is President to-day, and all these things are about him to + be settled. + </p> + <p> + What shall we do? What can we do? There are two Governors in South + Carolina and two Legislatures and not one cent of taxes has been collected + by either. A dual government would seem to be the most economical in the + world. Now, the question for us to decide, the question to be decided by + this administration is, how are we to ascertain which is the legal + Government of the State, and what department of the Government has a right + to ascertain that fact? Must it be left to Congress? Has the Senate alone + the right to determine it? Can it be left in any way to the Supreme Court, + or shall the Executive decide it himself? I do not say that the Executive + has the power to decide that question for himself. I do not say he has + not, but I do not say he has. The question, so far as Louisiana and South + Carolina are concerned—that question is now in the Senate of the + United States. Governor Kellogg is asking for admission as a Senator from + the State of Louisiana, and the question is to be decided by the Senate + first, whether he is entitled to his seat, and that question of course, + rests upon the one fact—was the Legislature that elected him the + legal Legislature of the State of Louisiana? It seems to me that when that + question is pending in the Senate of the United States the President has + not the right, or at least it would be improper for him to decide it on + his own motion, and say this or that Government is the real and legal + Government of the State of Louisiana. But some mode must be adopted, some + way must be discovered to settle this question, and to settle it + peacefully. We are an enlightened people. Force is the last thing that + civilized men should resort to. As long as courts can be created, as long + as courts of arbitration can be selected, as long as we can reason and + think, and urge all the considerations of humanity upon each other, there + should be no appeal to arms in the United States upon any question + whatever. What should the President do? He could only spare twenty-five + hundred men from the Indian war—that is the same army that has so + long been trampling on the rights of the South, the same army that the + Democratic Congress wished to reduce, and that army of twenty-five hundred + men is all he has to spare to protect American citizens in the Southern + States. Is there any sentiment in the North that would uphold the + Executive in calling for volunteers? Is there any sentiment here that + would respond to a call for twenty, fifty, or a hundred thousand men? Is + there any Congress to pass the necessary act to pay them if there was? + </p> + <p> + And so the President of the United States appreciated the situation, and + the people of the South came to him and said, "We have had war enough, we + have had trouble enough, our country languishes, we have no trade, our + pockets are empty, something must be done for us, we are utterly and + perfectly disgusted with the leadership of the Democratic party of the + North. Now, will you let us be your friends?" And he had the sense to say, + "Yes." The President took the right hand of the North, and put it into the + right hand of the South and said "Let us be friends. We parted at the + cannon's mouth; we were divided by the edge of the glittering sword; we + must become acquainted again. We are equals. We are all fellow-citizens. + In a Government of the people, by the people and for the people, there + shall not be an outcast class, whether white or black. To this feast, + every child of the Republic shall be invited and welcomed." It was a grand + thing grandly done. If the President succeeds in his policy, it will be an + immense compliment to his brain. If he fails, it will be an equal + compliment to his heart. He has opened the door; he has advanced; he has + extended his hand, he has broken the silence of hatred with the words of + welcome. Actuated by this broad and catholic spirit he has selected his + constitutional advisors, and allow me to say right here, the President has + the right to select his constitutional advisors to suit himself, and the + idea of men endeavoring to force themselves or others into the Cabinet of + the President, against, as it were, his will, why I would as soon think of + circulating a petition to compel some woman to marry me. + </p> + <p> + He has gathered around him the men he considers the wisest and the best, + and I say, let us give them a fair chance. I say, let us be honest with + the President of the United States and his Cabinet, and give his policy a + fair and honest chance. In order to show his good faith with the South he + chose as a member of his Cabinet an ex-rebel from Tennessee. I confess, + when I heard of it I did not like it. It did not seem to be exactly what I + had been making all this fuss about. But I thought I would be honest about + it, and I went and called on Mr. Key, and really he begins already to look + a good deal like a Republican. A real honest looking man. And then I said + to myself that he had not done much more harm than as though he had been a + Democrat at the North during those four years, and had cursed and swore + instead of fought about it. And so I told him "I am glad you are + appointed." + </p> + <p> + And I am. Give him a chance, and so far as the whole Cabinet is concerned—I + have not the time to go over them one by one now, it is perfectly + satisfactory to me. The President made up his mind that to appoint that + man would be to say to the South: "I do not look upon you as pariahs in + this Government. I look upon you as fellow-citizens; I want you to wipe + forever the color line, or the Union line, from the records of this + Government on account of what has been done heretofore." What are you now? + is the only question that should be asked. It was a strange thing for the + President to appoint that man. It was an experiment. It is an experiment. + It has not yet been decided, but I believe it will simply be a proof of + the President's wisdom. I can stand that experiment taken in connection + with the appointment of Frederick Douglass as Marshal of the District of + Columbia. I was glad to see that man's appointment. He is a good, patient, + stern man. He has been fighting for the liberty of his race, and at the + same time for our liberty. This man has done something for the freedom of + my race as well as his own. This is no time for war. War settles nothing + except the mere question of strength. That is all war ever did settle. You + cannot shoot ideas into a man with a musket, or with cannon into one of + those old Bourbon Democrats of the North. You cannot let prejudices out of + a man with a sword. + </p> + <p> + This is the time for reason, for discussion, for compromise. This is the + time to repair, to rebuild, to preserve. War destroys. Peace creates. War + is decay and death. Peace is growth and life,—sunlight and air. War + kills men. Peace maintains them. Artillery does not reason; it asserts. A + bayonet has point enough, but no logic. When the sword is drawn, reason + remains in the scabbard. It is not enough to win upon the field of battle, + you must be victor within the realm of thought. There must be peace + between the North and South some time; not a conquered peace, but a peace + that conquers. The question is, can you and I forget the past? Can we + forget everything except the heroic sacrifices of the men who saved this + Government? Can we say to the South, "Let us be brothers"? Can we? I am + willing to do it because, in the first place, it is right, and in the + second place, it will pay if it can be carried out. We have fought and + hated long enough. Our country is prostrate. Labor is in rags. Energy has + empty hands. Industry has empty pockets. The wheels of the factory are + still. In the safe of prudence money lies idle, locked by the key of fear. + Confidence is what we need—confidence in each other; confidence in + our institutions; confidence in our form of government; in the great + future; confidence in law, confidence in liberty, confidence in progress, + and in the grand destiny of the Great Republic. Now, do not imagine that I + think this policy will please every body. Of course there are men South + and North who can never be conciliated. They are the Implacables in the + South—the Bourbons in the North. + </p> + <p> + Nothing will ever satisfy them. The Implacables want to own negroes and + whip them; the Bourbons never will be satisfied until they can help catch + one. The Implacables with violent hands drive emigration from their + shores. They are poisoning the springs and sources of prosperity. They + dine on hatred and sup on regret. They mourn over the lost cause and + partake of the communion of revenge. They strike down the liberties of + their fellow-citizens and refuse to enjoy their own. They remember nothing + but wrongs, and they forget nothing but benefits. Their bosoms are filled + with the serpents of hate. No one can compromise with them. Nothing can + change them. They must be left to the softening influence of time and + death. The Bourbons are the allies of the Implacables. A Bourbon in the + majority is an Implacable in the minority. An Implacable in the minority + is a Bourbon. We do not appeal to, but from these men. But there are in + the South thousands of men who have accepted in good faith the results of + the war; men who love and wish to preserve this nation, men tired of + strife—men longing for a real Union based upon mutual respect and + confidence. These men are willing that the colored man shall be free—willing + that he shall vote, and vote for the Government of his choice—willing + that his children shall be educated—willing that he shall have all + the rights of an American citizen. These men are tired of the Implacables + and disgusted with the Bourbons. These men wish to unite with the + patriotic men of the North in the great work of reestablishing a + government of law. For my part, call me of what party you please, I am + willing to join hands with these men, without regard to race, color or + previous condition. + </p> + <p> + With a knowledge of our wants—with a clear perception of our + difficulties, Rutherford B. Hayes became President. + </p> + <p> + Nations have been saved by the grandeur of one man. Above all things a + President should be a patriot. Party at best is only a means—the + good of the country, the happiness of the people, the only end. + </p> + <p> + Now, I appeal to you Democrats here—not a great many, I suppose—do + not oppose this policy because you think it is going to increase the + Republican strength. If it strengthens the Government, no matter whether + it is Republican or Democratic, it is for the common good. + </p> + <p> + And you Republicans, you who have had all these feelings of patriotism and + glory, I ask you to wait and let this experiment be tried. Do not prophesy + failure for it and then work to fulfill the prophecy. Give the President a + chance. I tell you to-night that he is as good a Republican as there is in + the United States; and I tell you that if this policy is not responded to + by the South, Rutherford B. Hayes will change it, just as soon and as + often as is necessary to accomplish the end. The President has offered the + Southern people the olive branch of peace, and so far as I am concerned, I + implore both the Southern people and the Northern people to accept it. I + extend to you each and all the olive branch of peace. Fellow-citizens of + the South, I beseech you to take it. By the memory of those who died for + naught; by the charred remains of your remembered homes; by the ashes of + your statesman dead; for the sake of your sons and your daughters and + their fair children yet to be, I implore you to take it with loving and + with loyal hands. It will cultivate your wasted fields. It will rebuild + your towns and cities. It will fill your coffers with gold. It will + educate your children. It will swell the sails of your commerce. It will + cause the roses of joy to clamber and climb over the broken cannon of war. + It will flood the cabins of the freedman with light, and clothe the weak + in more than coat of mail, and wrap the poor and lowly in "measureless + content." Take it. The North will forgive if the South will forget. Take + it! The negro will wipe from the tablet of memory the strokes and scars of + two hundred years, and blur with happy tears the record of his wrongs. + Take it! It will unite our nation. It will make us brothers once again. + Take it! And justice will sit in your courts under the outspread wings of + Peace. Take it! And the brain and lips of the future will be free. Take + it! It will bud and blossom in your hands and fill your land with + fragrance and with joy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009" id="link0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HARD TIMES AND THE WAY OUT. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Boston, October 20, 1878. +</pre> + <p> + LADIES and Gentlemen:—The lovers of the human race, the + philanthropists, the dreamers of grand dreams, all predicted and all + believed that when man should have the right to govern himself, when every + human being should be equal before the law, pauperism, crime, and want + would exist only in the history of the past. They accounted for misery in + their time by the rapacity of kings and the cruelty of priests. Here, in + the United States, man at last is free. Here, man makes the laws, and all + have an equal voice. The rich cannot oppress the poor, because the poor + are in a majority. The laboring men, those who in some way work for their + living, can elect every Congressman and every judge; they can make and + interpret the laws, and if labor is oppressed in the United States by + capital, labor has simply itself to blame. The cry is now raised that + capital in some mysterious way oppresses industry; that the capitalist is + the enemy of the man who labors. What is a capitalist? Every man who has + good health; every man with good sense; every one who has had his dinner, + and has enough left for supper, is, to that extent, a capitalist. Every + man with a good character, who has the credit to borrow a dollar or to buy + a meal, is a capitalist; and nine out of ten of the great capitalists in + the United States are simply successful workingmen. There is no conflict, + and can be no conflict, in the United States between capital and labor; + and the men who endeavor to excite the envy of the unfortunate and the + malice of the poor are the enemies of law and order. + </p> + <p> + As a rule, wealth is the result of industry, economy, attention to + business; and as a rule, poverty is the result of idleness, extravagance, + and inattention to business, though to these rules there are thousands of + exceptions. The man who has wasted his time, who has thrown away his + opportunities, is apt to envy the man who has not. For instance, there are + six shoemakers working in one shop. One of them attends to his business. + You can hear the music of his hammer late and early. He is in love with + some girl on the next street. He has made up his mind to be a man; to + succeed; to make somebody else happy; to have a home; and while he is + working, in his imagination he can see his own fireside, with the + firelight falling upon the faces of wife and child. The other five + gentlemen work as little as they can, spend Sunday in dissipation, have + the headache Monday, and, as a result, never advance. The industrious one, + the one in love, gains the confidence of his employer, and in a little + while he cuts out work for the others. The first thing you know he has a + shop of his own, the next a store; because the man of reputation, the man + of character, the man of known integrity, can buy all he wishes in the + United States upon a credit. The next thing you know he is married, and he + has built him a house, and he is happy, and his dream has been realized. + After awhile the same five shoemakers, having pursued the old course, + stand on the corner some Sunday when he rides by. He has a carriage, his + wife sits by his side, her face covered with smiles, and they have two + children, their eyes beaming with joy, and the blue ribbons are fluttering + in the wind. And thereupon, these five shoemakers adjourn to some + neighboring saloon and pass a resolution that there is an irrepressible + conflict between capital and labor. + </p> + <p> + There is, in fact, no such conflict, and the laboring men of the United + States have the power to protect themselves. In the ballot-box the vote of + Lazarus is on an equality with the vote of Dives; the vote of a wandering + pauper counts the same as that of a millionaire. In a land where the poor, + where the laboring men have the right and have the power to make the laws, + and do, in fact, make the laws, certainly there should be no complaint. In + our country the people hold the power, and if any corporation in any State + is devouring the substance of the people, every State has retained the + power of eminent domain, under which it can confiscate the property and + franchise of any corporation by simply paying to that corporation what + such property is worth. And yet thousands of people are talking as though + the rich combined for the express purpose of destroying the poor, are + talking as though there existed a widespread conspiracy against industry, + against honest toil; and thousands and thousands of speeches have been + made and numberless articles have been written to fill the breasts of the + unfortunate with hatred. + </p> + <p> + We have passed through a period of wonderful and unprecedented inflation. + For years we enjoyed the luxury of going into debt, the felicity of living + upon credit. We have in the United States about eighty thousand miles of + railway, more than enough to make a treble track around the globe. Most of + these miles were built in a period of twenty-five years, and at a cost of + at least five thousand millions of dollars. Think of the ore that had to + be dug, of the iron that was melted; think of the thousands employed in + cutting bridge timber and ties, and giving to the wintry air the music of + the axe; think of the thousands and thousands employed in making cars, in + making locomotives, those horses of progress with nerves of steel and + breath of flame; think of the thousands and thousands of workers in brass + and steel and iron; think of the numberless industries that thrived in the + construction of eighty thousand miles of railway, of the streams bridged, + of the mountains tunneled, of the plains crossed; and think of the towns + and cities that sprang up, as if by magic, along these highways of iron. + </p> + <p> + During the same time we had a war in which we expended thousands of + millions of dollars, not to create, not to construct, but to destroy. All + this money was spent in the work of demolition, and every shot and every + shell and every musket and every cannon was used to destroy. All the time + of every soldier was lost. An amount of property inconceivable was + destroyed, and some of the best and bravest were sacrificed. During these + years the productive power of the North was strained to the utmost; every + wheel was in motion; there was employment for every kind and description + of labor, and for every mechanic. There was a constantly rising market—speculation + was rife, and it seemed almost impossible to lose. As a consequence, the + men who had been toiling upon the farm became tired. It was too slow a way + to get rich. They heard of their neighbor, of their brother, who had gone + to the city and had suddenly become a millionaire. They became tired with + the slow methods of agriculture. The young men of intelligence, of vim, of + nerve became disgusted with the farms. On every hand fortunes were being + made. A wave of wealth swept over the United States; huts became houses; + houses became palaces with carpeted floors and pictured walls; tatters + became garments; rags became robes; and for the first time in the history + of the world, the poor tasted of the luxuries of wealth. We wondered how + our fathers could have endured their poor and barren lives. + </p> + <p> + Every business was pressed to the snow line. Old life insurance + associations had been successful; new ones sprang up on every hand. The + agents filled every town. These agents were given a portion of the + premium. You could hardly go out of your house without being told of the + uncertainty of life and the certainty of death. You were shown pictures of + life insurance agents emptying vast bags of gold at the feet of a + disconsolate widow. You saw in imagination your own fatherless children + wiping away the tears of grief and smiling with joy. + </p> + <p> + These agents insured everybody and everything. They would have insured a + hospital or consumption in its last hemorrhage. + </p> + <p> + Fire insurance was managed in precisely the same way. The agents received + a part of the premium, and they insured anything and everything, no matter + what its danger might be. They would have insured powder in perdition, or + icebergs under the torrid zone with the same alacrity. And then there were + accident companies, and you could not go to the station to buy your ticket + without being shown a picture of disaster. You would see there four horses + running away with a stage, and old ladies and children being thrown out; + you would see a steamer being blown up on the Mississippi, legs one way + and arms the other, heads one side and hats the other; locomotives going + through bridges, good Samaritans carrying off the wounded on stretchers. + </p> + <p> + The merchants, too, were not satisfied to do business in the old way. It + was too slow; they could not wait for customers. They filled the country + with drummers, and these drummers convinced all the country merchants that + they needed about twice as many goods as they could possibly sell, and + they took their notes on sixty and ninety days, and renewed them whenever + desired, provided the parties renewing the notes would take more goods. + And these country merchants pressed the goods upon their customers in the + same manner. Everybody was selling, everybody was buying, and nearly all + was done upon a credit. No one believed the day of settlement ever would + or ever could come. Towns must continue to grow, and in the imagination of + speculators there were hundreds of cities numbering their millions of + inhabitants. Land, miles and miles from the city, was laid out in blocks + and squares and parks; land that will not be occupied for residences + probably for hundreds of years to come, and these lots were sold, not by + the acre, not by the square mile, but by so much per foot. They were sold + on credit, with a partial payment down and the balance secured by a + mortgage. + </p> + <p> + These values, of course, existed simply in the imagination; and a deed of + trust upon a cloud or a mortgage upon a last year's fog would have been + just as valuable. Everybody advertised, and those who were not selling + goods and real estate were in the medicine line, and every rock beneath + our flag was covered with advice to the unfortunate; and I have often + thought that if some sincere Christian had made a pilgrimage to Sinai and + climbed its venerable crags, and in a moment of devotion dropped upon his + knees and raised his eyes toward heaven, the first thing that would have + met his astonished gaze would in all probability have been: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "St. 1860 X Plantation Bitters." +</pre> + <p> + Suddenly there came a crash. Jay Cooke failed, and I have heard thousands + of men account for the subsequent hard times from the fact that Cooke did + fail. As well might you account for the smallpox by saying that the first + pustule was the cause of the disease. The failure of Jay Cooke & Co. + was simply a symptom of a disease universal. + </p> + <p> + No language can describe the agonies that have been endured since 1873. No + language can tell the sufferings of the men that have wandered over the + dreary and desolate desert of bankruptcy. Thousands and thousands supposed + that they had enough, enough for their declining years, enough for wife + and children, and suddenly found themselves paupers and vagrants. + </p> + <p> + During all these years the bankruptcy law was in force, and whoever failed + to keep his promise had simply to take the benefit of this law. As a + consequence, there could be no real, solid foundation for business. + Property commenced to decline; that is to say, it commenced to resume; + that is to say, it began to be rated at its real instead of at its + speculative value. + </p> + <p> + Land is worth what it will produce, and no more. It may have speculative + value, and, if the prophecy is fulfilled, the man who buys it may become + rich, and if the prophecy is not fulfilled, then the land is simply worth + what it will produce. Lots worth from five to ten thousand dollars apiece + suddenly vanished into farms worth twenty-five dollars per acre. These + lots resumed. The farms that before that time had been considered worth + one hundred dollars per acre, and are now worth twenty or thirty, have + simply resumed. Magnificent residences supposed to be worth one hundred + thousand dollars, that can now be purchased for twenty-five thousand, they + have simply resumed. The property in the United States has not fallen in + value, but its real value has been ascertained. The land will produce as + much as it ever would, and is as valuable to-day as it ever was; and every + improvement, every invention that adds to the productiveness of the soil + or to the facilities for getting that product to market, adds to the + wealth of the nation. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the property kept pace with what we were pleased to + call our money. As the money depreciated, property appreciated; as the + money appreciated, property depreciated. The moment property began to fall + speculation ceased. There is but little speculation upon a falling market. + The stocks and bonds, based simply upon ideas, became worthless, the + collaterals became dust and ashes. + </p> + <p> + At the close of the war, when the Government ceased to be such a vast + purchaser and consumer, many of the factories had to stop. When the crash + came the men stopped digging ore; they stopped felling the forest; the + fires died out in the furnaces; the men who had stood in the glare of the + forge were in the gloom of want. There was no employment for them. The + employer could not sell his product; business stood still, and then came + what we call the hard times. Our wealth was a delusion and illusion, and + we simply came back to reality. Too many men were doing nothing, too many + men were traders, brokers, speculators. There were not enough producers of + the things needed; there were too many producers of the things no one + wished. There needed to be a re-distribution of men. + </p> + <p> + Many remedies have been proposed, and chief among these is the remedy of + fiat money. Probably no subject in the world is less generally understood + than that of money. So many false definitions have been given, so many + strange, conflicting theories have been advanced, that it is not at all + surprising that men have come to imagine that money is something that can + be created by law. The definitions given by the hard-money men themselves + have been used as arguments by those who believe in the power of Congress + to create wealth. We are told that gold is an instrumentality or a device + to facilitate exchanges. We are told that gold is a measure of value. Let + us examine these definitions. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Gold is an instrumentality or device to facilitate exchanges.</i>" + </p> + <p> + That sounds well, but I do not believe it. Gold and silver are + commodities. They are the products of labor. They are not + instrumentalities; they are not devices to facilitate exchanges; they are + the things exchanged for something else; and other things are exchanged + for them. The only device about it to facilitate exchanges is the coining + of these metals. Whenever the Government or any government certifies that + in a certain piece of gold or silver there are a certain number of grains + of a certain fineness, then he who gives it knows that he is not giving + too much, and he who receives, that he is receiving enough, so that I will + change the definition to this: + </p> + <p> + The <i>coining</i> of the precious metals is a device to facilitate + exchanges. + </p> + <p> + The precious metals themselves are property; they are merchandise; they + are commodities, and whenever one commodity is exchanged for another it is + barter, and gold is the last refinement of barter. + </p> + <p> + The second definition is: + </p> + <p> + "<i>Gold is the measure of value</i>." + </p> + <p> + We are told by those who believe in fiat money that gold is a measure of + value just the same as a half bushel or a yardstick. + </p> + <p> + I deny that gold is a measure of value. The yardstick is not a measure of + value; it is simply a measure of quantity. It measures cloth worth fifty + dollars a yard precisely as it does calico worth four cents. It is, + therefore, not a measure of value, but of quantities. The same with the + half bushel. The half bushel measures wheat precisely the same, whether + that wheat is worth three dollars or one dollar. It simply measures + quantity; not quality, or value. The yardstick, the half bushel, and the + coining of money are all devices to facilitate exchanges. The yardstick + assures the man who sells that he has not sold too much; it assures the + man who buys that he has received enough; and in that way it facilitates + exchanges. The coining of money facilitates exchange, for the reason that + were it not coined, each man who did any business would have to carry a + pair of scales and be a chemist. + </p> + <p> + It matters not whether the yardstick or half bushel are of gold, silver, + or wood, for the reason that the yardstick and half bushel are not the + things bought. We buy not them, but the things they measure. + </p> + <p> + If gold and silver are not the measure of value, what is? I answer—intelligent + labor. Gold gets its value from labor. Of course, I cannot account for the + fact that mankind have a certain fancy for gold or for diamonds, neither + can I account for the fact that we like certain things better than others + to eat. These are simply facts in nature, and they are facts, whether they + can be explained or not. The dollar in gold represents, on the average, + the labor that it took to dig and mint it, together with all the time of + the men who looked for it without finding it. That dollar in gold, on the + average, will buy the product of the same amount of labor in any other + direction. + </p> + <p> + Nothing ever has been money, from the most barbarous to the most civilized + times, unless it was a product of nature, and a something to which the + people among whom it passed as money attached a certain value, a value not + dependent upon law, not dependent upon "fiat" in any degree. + </p> + <p> + Nothing has ever been considered money that man could produce. + </p> + <p> + A bank bill is not money, neither is a check nor a draft. These are all + devices simply to facilitate business, but in or of themselves they have + no value. + </p> + <p> + We are told, however, that the Government can create money. This I deny. + The Government produces nothing; it raises no wheat, no corn; it digs no + gold, no silver. It is not a producer, it is a consumer. + </p> + <p> + The Government cannot by law create wealth. And right here I wish to ask + one question, and I would like to have it answered some time. If the + Government can make money, if it can create money, if by putting its + sovereignty upon a piece of paper it can create absolute money, why should + the Government collect taxes? We have in every district assessors and + collectors; we have at every port customhouses, and we are collecting + taxes day and night for the support of this Government. Now, if the + Government can make money itself, why should it collect taxes from the + poor? Here is a man cultivating a farm—he is working among the + stones and roots, and digging day and night; why should the Government go + to that man and make him pay twenty or thirty or forty dollars taxes when + the Government, according to the theory of these gentlemen, could make a + thousand-dollar fiat bill quicker than that man could wink? Why impose + upon industry in that manner? Why should the sun borrow a candle? + </p> + <p> + And if the Government can create money, how much should it create, and if + it should create it who will get it? Money has a great liking for money. A + single dollar in the pocket of a poor man is lonesome; it never is + satisfied until it has found its companions. Money gravitates towards + money, and issue as much as you may, as much as you will, the time will + come when that money will be in the hands of the industrious, in the hands + of the economical, in the hands of the shrewd, in the hands of the + cunning; in other words, in the hands of the successful. + </p> + <p> + The other day I had a conversation with one of the principal gentlemen + upon that side, and I told him, "Whenever you can successfully palm off on + a man a bill of fare for a dinner, I shall believe in your doctrine; and + when I can satisfy the pangs of hunger by reading a cook-book, I shall + join your party." Only that is money which stands for labor. Only that is + money which will buy, on the average, in all other directions the result + of the same labor expended in its production. As a matter of fact, there + is money enough in the country to transact the business. Never before in + the history of our Government was money so cheap; that is to say, was + interest so low; never. There is plenty of money, and we could borrow all + we wished had we the collaterals. We could borrow all we wish if there was + some business in which we could embark that promised a sure and reasonable + return. If we should come to a man who kept a ferry, and find his boat on + a sandbar and the river dry, what would he think of us should we tell him + he had not enough boat? He would probably reply that he had plenty of + boat, but not enough water. We have plenty of money, but not enough + business. The reason we have not enough business is, we have not enough + confidence, and the reason we have not confidence is because the market is + slowly falling, and the reason it is slowly falling is that things have + not yet quite resumed; that we have not quite touched the absolute bedrock + of valuation. Another reason is because those that left the cultivation of + the soil have not yet all returned, and they are living, some upon their + wits, some upon their relatives, some upon charity, and some upon crime. + </p> + <p> + The next question is: Suppose the Government should issue a thousand + millions of fiat money, how would it regulate the value thereof? Every + creditor could be forced to take it, but nobody else. If a man was in debt + one dollar for a bushel of wheat, he could compel the creditor to take the + fiat money; but if he wished to buy the wheat, then the owner could say, + "I will take one dollar in gold or fifty dollars in fiat money, or I will + not sell it for fiat money at any price." What will Congress do then? In + order to make this fiat money good it will have to fix the price of every + conceivable commodity; the price of painting a picture, of trying a + lawsuit, of chiseling a statue, the price of a day's work; in short, the + price of every conceivable thing. This even will not be sufficient. It + will be necessary, then, to provide by law that the prices fixed shall be + received, and that no man shall be allowed to give more for anything than + the price fixed by Congress. Now, I do not believe that any Congress has + sufficient wisdom to tell beforehand what will be the relative value of + all the products of labor. + </p> + <p> + When the volume of currency is inflated it is at the expense of the + creditor class; when it is contracted it is contracted at the expense of + the debtor class. In other words, inflation means going into debt; + contraction means the payment of the debt. + </p> + <p> + A gold dollar is a dollar's worth of gold. + </p> + <p> + A real paper dollar is a dollar's worth of paper. + </p> + <p> + Another remedy has been suggested by the same persons who advocate fiat + money. With a consistency perfectly charming, they say it would have been + much better had we allowed the Treasury notes to fade out. Why allow fiat + money to fade out when a simple act of Congress can make it as good as + gold? When greenbacks fade out the loss falls upon the chance holder, upon + the poor, the industrious, and the unfortunate. The rich, the cunning, the + well-informed manage to get rid of what they happen to hold. When, + however, the bills are redeemed, they are paid by the wealth and property + of the whole country. To allow them to fade out is universal robbery; to + pay them is universal justice. The greenback should not be allowed to fade + away in the pocket of the soldier or in the hands of his widow and + children. It is said that; the Continental money faded away. It was and is + a disgrace to our forefathers. When the greenback fades away there will + fade with it honor from the American heart, brain from the American head, + and our flag from the air of heaven. + </p> + <p> + A great cry has been raised against the holders of bonds. They have been + denounced by every epithet that malignity can coin. During the war our + bonds were offered for sale and they brought all that they then appeared + to be worth. They had to be sold or the Rebellion would have been a + success. To the bond we are indebted as much as to the greenback. The fact + is, however, we are indebted to neither; we are indebted to the soldiers. + But every man who took a greenback at less than gold committed the same + crime, and no other, as he who bought the bonds at less than par in gold. + These bonds have changed hands thousands of times. They have been paid for + in gold again and again. They have been bought at prices far above par; + they have been laid away by loving husbands for wives, by toiling fathers + for children; and the man who seeks to repudiate them now, or to pay them + in fiat rags, is unspeakably cruel and dishonest. If the Government has + made a bad bargain it must live up to it. If it has made a foolish promise + the only way is to fulfill it. + </p> + <p> + A dishonest government can exist only among dishonest people. + </p> + <p> + When our money is below par we feel below par. + </p> + <p> + We cannot bring prosperity by cheapening money; we cannot increase our + wealth by adding to the volume of a depreciated currency. If the + prosperity of a country depends upon the volume of its currency, and if + anything is money that people can be made to think is money, then the + successful counterfeiter is a public benefactor. The counterfeiter + increases the volume of currency; he stimulates business, and the money + issued by him will not be hoarded and taken from the channels of trade. + </p> + <p> + During the war, during the inflation—that is to say, during the + years that we were going into debt—fortunes were made so easily that + people left the farms, crowded to the towns and cities. Thousands became + speculators, traders, and merchants; thousands embarked in every possible + and conceivable scheme. They produced nothing; they simply preyed upon + labor and dealt with imaginary values. These men must go back; they must + become producers, and every producer is a paying consumer. Thousands and + thousands of them are unable to go back. To a man who begs of you a + breakfast you cannot say, "Why don't you get a farm?" You might as well + say, "Why don't you start a line of steamships?" To him both are + impossibilities. They must be helped. + </p> + <p> + We should all remember that society must support all of its members, all + of its robbers, thieves, and paupers. Every vagabond and vagrant has to be + fed and clothed, and society must support in some way all of its members. + It can support them in jails, in asylums, in hospitals, in penitentiaries; + but it is a very costly way. We have to employ judges to try them, juries + to sit upon their cases, sheriffs, marshals, and constables to arrest + them, policemen to watch them, and it may be, at last, a standing army to + put them down. It would be far cheaper, probably, to support them all at + some first-class hotel. We must either support them or help them support + themselves. They let us go upon the one hand simply to take us by the + other, and we can take care of them as paupers and criminals, or, by wise + statesmanship, help them to be honest and useful men. Of all the criminals + transported by England to Australia and Tasmania, the records show that a + very large per cent.—something over ninety—became useful and + decent people. In Australia they found homes; hope again spread its wings + in their breasts. They had different ambitions; they were removed from + vile and vicious associations. They had new surroundings; and, as a rule, + man does not morally improve without a corresponding improvement in his + physical condition. One biscuit, with plenty of butter, is worth all the + tracts ever distributed. + </p> + <p> + Thousands must be taken from the crowded streets and stifling dens, away + from the influences of filth and want, to the fields and forests of the + West and South. They must be helped to help themselves. + </p> + <p> + While the Government cannot create gold and silver, while it cannot by its + fiat make money, it can furnish facilities for the creation of wealth. It + can aid in the distribution of products, and in the distribution of men; + it can aid in the opening of new territories; it can aid great and vast + enterprises that cannot be accomplished by individual effort. The + Government should see to it that every facility is offered to honorable + adventure, enterprise and industry. Our ships ought to be upon every sea; + our flag ought to be flying in every port. Our rivers and harbors ought to + be improved. The usefulness of the Mississippi should be increased, its + banks strengthened, and its channel deepened. At no distant day it will + bear the commerce of a hundred millions of people. That grand river is the + great guaranty of territorial integrity; it is the protest of nature + against disunion, and from its source to the sea it will forever flow + beneath one flag. + </p> + <p> + The Northern Pacific Railway should be pushed to completion. In this way + labor would be immediately given to many thousands of men. Along the line + of that thoroughfare would spring up towns and cities; new communities + with new surroundings; and where now is the wilderness there would be + thousands and thousands of happy homes. + </p> + <p> + The Texas Pacific should also be completed. A vast agricultural and + mineral region would be opened to the enterprise and adventure of the + American people. Probably Arizona holds within the miserly clutches of her + rocks greater wealth than any other State or territory of the world. The + construction of that road would put life and activity into a hundred + industries. It would give employment to many thousands of people, and + homes at last to many millions. It would cause the building of thousands + of miles of branches to open, not only new territory, but to connect with + roads already built. It would double the products of gold and silver, open + new fields to trade, create new industries, and make it possible for us to + supply eight millions of people in the Republic of Mexico with our + products. The construction of this great highway will enable the + Government to dispense with from ten to fifteen regiments of infantry and + cavalry now stationed along the border. People enough will settle along + this line to protect themselves. It will permanently settle the Indian + question, saving the people millions each year. It will effectually + destroy the present monopoly, and in this way greatly increase production + and consumption. It will double our trade with China and Japan, and with + the Pacific States as well. It will settle the Southern question by + filling the Southern States with immigrants, diversifying the industries + of that section, changing and rebuilding the commercial and social fabric; + it will do away with the conservatism of regret and the prejudice born of + isolation. It will transmute to wealth the unemployed muscle of the + country. It will rescue California from the control of a single + corporation, from the government of an oligarchy united, watchful, + despotic, and vindictive. It will liberate the farmers, the merchants, and + even the politicians of the Pacific coast. Besides, it must not be + forgotten so to frame the laws and charters that Congress shall forever + have the control of fares and freights. In this way the public will be + perfectly protected and the Government perfectly secured. + </p> + <p> + Look at the map, and you will see the immense advantages its construction + will give to the entire country, not only to the South, but to the East + and West as well. It is one hundred and fifty miles nearer from Chicago to + San Diego than to San Francisco. You will see that the whole of Texas, a + State containing two hundred and ten thousand square miles; a State four + times as large as Illinois, five times as large as New York, capable of + supporting a population of twenty millions of people, is put in direct and + immediate communication with the whole country. Territory to the extent of + nearly a million square miles will be given to agriculture, trade, + commerce, and mining, by the construction of this line. + </p> + <p> + Let this road be built, and we shall feel again the enthusiasm born of + enterprise. In the vast stagnation there will be at last a current. + Something besides waiting is necessary to secure, or to even hasten, the + return of prosperity. Secure the completion of this line and extend the + time for building the Northern Pacific, and confidence and employment will + return together. + </p> + <p> + More men must cultivate the soil. In the older States lands are too high. + It requires too much capital to commence. There are so many failures in + business; so many merchants, traders, and manufacturers have been wrecked + and stranded upon the barren shores of bankruptcy, that the people are + beginning to prefer the small but certain profits of agriculture to the + false and splendid promises of speculation. We must open new territories; + we must give the mechanics now out of employment an opportunity to + cultivate the soil—not as day-laborers but as owners; not as + tenants, but as farmers. Something must be done to develop the resources + of this country. With the best lands of the world; with a population + intellectual, energetic, and ingenious far beyond the average of mankind; + with the richest mines of the globe; with plenty of capital; with a + surplus of labor; with thousands of arms folded in enforced idleness; with + billions of gold asking to be dug; with millions of acres waiting for the + plow, thousands upon thousands are in absolute want. + </p> + <p> + New avenues must be opened. All our territory must be given to + immigration. Greater facilities must be offered. Obstacles that cannot be + overcome by individual enterprise must be conquered by the Government for + the good of all. Every man out of employment is impoverishing the country. + Labor transmutes muscle into wealth. Idleness is a rust that devours even + gold. For five years we have been wasting the labor of millions—wasting + it for lack of something to do. Prosperity has been changed to want and + discontent. On every hand the poor are asking for work. That is a wretched + government where the honest and industrious beg, unsuccessfully, for the + right to toil; where those who are willing, anxious, and able to work, + cannot get bread. If everything is to be left to the blind and heartless + working of the laws of supply and demand, why have governments? If the + nation leaves the poor to starve, and the weak and unfortunate to perish, + it is hard to see for what purpose the nation should be preserved. If our + statesmen are not wise enough to foster great enterprises, and to adopt a + policy that will give us prosperity, it may be that the laboring classes, + driven to frenzy by hunger, the bitterness of which will be increased by + seeing others in the midst of plenty, will seek a remedy in destruction. + </p> + <p> + The transcontinental commerce of this country should not be in the clutch + and grasp of one corporation. All sections of the Union should, as far as + possible, be benefited. Cheap rates will come, and can be maintained only + by competition. We should cultivate commercial relations with China and + Japan. Six hundred millions of people are slowly awaking from a lethargy + of six thousand years. In a little while they will have the wants of + civilized men, and America will furnish a large proportion of the articles + demanded by these people. In a few years there will be as many ships upon + the Pacific as upon the Atlantic. In a few years our trade with China will + be far greater than with Europe. In a few years we will sustain the same + relation to the far East that Europe once sustained to us. America for + centuries to come will supply six hundred millions of people with the + luxuries of life. A country that expects to control the trade of other + countries must develop its own resources to the utmost. We have pursued a + small, a mean, and a penurious course. Demagogues have ridden into office + and power upon the cry of economy, by opposing every measure looking to + the improvement of the country, by endeavoring to see how cheaply nothing + could be done. A government, like an individual, should live up to its + privileges; it should husband its resources, simply that it may use them. + A nation that expects to control the commerce of half a world must have + its money equal with gold and silver. It must have the money of the world. + </p> + <p> + Whenever the laboring men are out of employment they begin to hate the + rich. They feel that the dwellers in palaces, the riders in carriages, the + wearers of broadcloth, silk, and velvet have in some way been robbing + them. As a matter of fact, the palace builders are the friends of labor. + The best form of charity is extravagance. When you give a man money, when + you toss him a dollar, although you get nothing, the man loses his + manhood. To help others help themselves is the only real charity. There is + no use in boosting a man who is not climbing. Whenever I see a splendid + home, a palace, a magnificent block, I think of the thousands who were fed—of + the women and children clothed, of the firesides made happy. + </p> + <p> + A rich man living up to his privileges, having the best house, the best + furniture, the best horses, the finest grounds, the most beautiful + flowers, the best clothes, the best food, the best pictures, and all the + books that he can afford, is a perpetual blessing. + </p> + <p> + The prodigality of the rich is the providence of the poor. + </p> + <p> + The extravagance of wealth makes it possible for the poor to save. + </p> + <p> + The rich man who lives according to his means, who is extravagant in the + best and highest sense, is not the enemy of labor. The miser, who lives in + a hovel, wears rags, and hoards his gold, is a perpetual curse. He is like + one who dams a river at its source. + </p> + <p> + The moment hard times come the cry of economy is raised. The press, the + platform, and the pulpit unite in recommending economy to the rich. In + consequence of this cry, the man of wealth discharges servants, sells + horses, allows his carriage to become a hen-roost, and after taking + employment and food from as many as he can, congratulates himself that he + has done his part toward restoring prosperity to the country. + </p> + <p> + In that country where the poor are extravagant and the rich economical + will be found pauperism and crime; but where the poor are economical and + the rich are extravagant, that country is filled with prosperity. + </p> + <p> + The man who wants others to work to such an extent that their lives are + burdens, is utterly heartless. The toil of the world should continually + decrease. Of what use are your inventions if no burdens are lifted from + industry—if no additional comforts find their way to the home of + labor; why should labor fill the world with wealth and live in want? + </p> + <p> + Every labor-saving machine should help the whole world. Every one should + tend to shorten the hours of labor. + </p> + <p> + Reasonable labor is a source of joy. To work for wife and child, to toil + for those you love, is happiness; provided you can make them happy. But to + work like a slave, to see your wife and children in rags, to sit at a + table where food is coarse and scarce, to rise at four in the morning, to + work all day and throw your tired bones upon a miserable bed at night, to + live without leisure, without rest, without making those you love + comfortable and happy—this is not living—it is dying—a + slow, lingering crucifixion. + </p> + <p> + The hours of labor should be shortened. With the vast and wonderful + improvements of the nineteenth century there should be not only the + necessaries of life for those who toil, but comforts and luxuries as well. + </p> + <p> + What is a reasonable price for labor? I answer: Such a price as will + enable the man to live; to have the comforts of life; to lay by a little + something for his declining years, so that he can have his own home, his + own fireside; so that he can preserve the feelings of a man. + </p> + <p> + Every man ought to be willing to pay for what he gets. He ought to desire + to give full value received. The man who wants two dollars' worth of work + for one is not an honest man. + </p> + <p> + I sympathize with every honest effort made by the children of labor to + improve their condition. That is a poorly governed country in which those + who do the most have the least. There is something wrong when men are + obliged to beg for leave to toil. We are not yet a civilized people; when + we are, pauperism and crime will vanish from our land. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing, however, of which I am glad and proud, and that is, + that society is not, in our country, petrified; that the poor are not + always poor. + </p> + <p> + The children of the poor of this generation may, and probably will, be the + rich of the next. The sons of the rich of this generation may be the poor + of the next; so that after all, the rich fear and the poor hope. + </p> + <p> + I sympathize with the wanderers, with the vagrants out of employment; with + the sad and weary men who are seeking for work. When I see one of these + men, poor and friendless—no matter how bad he is—I think that + somebody loved him once; that he was once held in the arms of a mother; + that he slept beneath her loving eyes, and wakened in the light of her + smile. I see him in the cradle, listening to lullabies sung soft and low, + and his little face is dimpled as though touched by the rosy fingers of + Joy. + </p> + <p> + And then I think of the strange and winding paths, the weary roads he has + traveled from that mother's arms to vagrancy and want. + </p> + <p> + There should be labor and food for all. We invent; we take advantage of + the forces of nature; we enslave the winds and waves; we put shackles upon + the unseen powers and chain the energy that wheels the world. These slaves + should release from bondage all the children of men. + </p> + <p> + By invention, by labor—that is to say, by working and thinking—we + shall compel prosperity to dwell with us. + </p> + <p> + Do not imagine that wealth can be created by law; do not for a moment + believe that paper can be changed to gold by the fiat of Congress. + </p> + <p> + Do not preach the heresy that you can keep a promise by making another in + its place that is never to be kept. Do not teach the poor that the rich + have conspired to trample them into the dust. + </p> + <p> + Tell the workingmen that they are in the majority; that they can make and + execute the laws. + </p> + <p> + Tell them that since 1873 the employers have suffered about as much as the + employed. + </p> + <p> + Tell them that the people who have the power to make the laws should never + resort to violence. Tell them never to envy the successful. Tell the rich + to be extravagant and the poor to be economical. + </p> + <p> + Tell every man to use his best efforts to get him a home. Without a home, + without some one to love, life and country are meaningless words. Upon the + face of the patriot must have fallen the firelight of home. + </p> + <p> + Tell the people that they must have honest money, so that when a man has a + little laid by for wife and child, it will comfort him even in death; so + that he will feel that he leaves something for bread, something that, in + some faint degree, will take his place; that he has left the coined toil + of his hands to work for the loved when he is dust. + </p> + <p> + Tell your representatives in Congress to improve our rivers and harbors; + to release our transcontinental commerce from the grasp of monopoly; to + open all our territories, and to build up our trade with the whole world. + </p> + <p> + Tell them not to issue a dollar of fiat paper, but to redeem every promise + the nation has made. + </p> + <p> + If fiat money is ever issued it will be worthless, for the folly that + would issue has not the honor to pay when the experiment fails. + </p> + <p> + Tell them to put their trust in work. Debts can be created by law, but + they must be paid by labor. + </p> + <p> + Tell them that "fiat money" is madness and repudiation is death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0010" id="link0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SUFFRAGE ADDRESS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This address was delivered at a Suffrage Meeting in + Washington, D. C., January 24,1880 +</pre> + <p> + 1880. + </p> + <p> + LADIES and Gentlemen: I believe the people to be the only rightful source + of political power, and that any community, no matter where, in which any + citizen is not allowed to have his voice in the making of the laws he must + obey, that community is a tyranny. It is a matter of astonishment to me + that a meeting like this is necessary in the Capital of the United States. + If the citizens of the District of Columbia are not permitted to vote, if + they are not allowed to govern themselves, and if there is no sound reason + why they are not allowed to govern themselves, then the American idea of + government is a failure. I do not believe that only the rich should vote, + or that only the whites should vote, or that only the blacks should vote. + I do not believe that right depends upon wealth, upon education, or upon + color. It depends absolutely upon humanity. I have the right to vote + because I am a man, because I am an American citizen, and that right I + should and am willing to share equally with every human being. There has + been a great deal said in this country of late in regard to giving the + right of suffrage to women. So far as I am concerned I am willing that + every woman in the nation who desires that privilege and honor shall vote. + If any woman wants to vote I am too much of a gentleman to say she shall + not. She gets her right, if she has it, from precisely the same source + that I get mine, and there are many questions upon which I would deem it + desirable that women should vote, especially upon the question of peace or + war. If a woman has a child to be offered upon the altar of that Moloch, a + husband liable to be drafted, and who loves a heart that can be entered by + the iron arrow of death, she surely has as much right to vote for peace as + some thrice-besotted sot who reels to the ballot-box and deposits a vote + for war. I believe, and always have, that there is only one objection to a + woman voting, and that is, the men are not sufficiently civilized for her + to associate with them, and for several years I have been doing what + little I can to civilize them. The only question before this meeting, as I + understand it, is, Shall the people of this District manage their own + affairs—whether they shall vote their own taxes and select their own + officers who are to execute the laws they make? and for one, I say there + is no human being with ingenuity enough to frame an argument against this + question. It is all very well to say that Congress will do this, but + Congress has a great deal to do besides. There is enough before that body + coming from all the States and Territories of the Union, and the + numberless questions arising in the conduct of the General Government. I + am opposed to a government where the few govern the many. I am opposed to + a government that depends upon suppers, and upon flattery; upon crooking + the hinges of the knee; upon favors, upon subterfuges. We want to be manly + men in this District. We must direct and control our own affairs, and if + we are not capable of doing it, there is no part of the Union where they + are capable. It is said there is a vast amount of ignorance here. That is + true; but that is also true of every section of the United States. There + is too much ignorance and there will continue to be until the people + become great enough, generous enough, and splendid enough to see that no + child shall grow up in their midst without a good, common-school + education. The people of this District are capable of managing their + educational affairs if they are allowed to do so. The fact is, a man now + living in the District lives under a perpetual flag of truce. He is + nobody. He counts for nothing. He is not noticed except as a suppliant. + Nothing as a citizen. That day should pass away. It will be a perpetual + education for this people to govern themselves, and until they do they + cannot be manly men. They say, though, that there is a vast rabble here. + Very well. Make your election laws so as to exclude the vast rabble. Let + it be understood that no man shall vote who has not lived here at least + one year. + </p> + <p> + Let your registration laws prohibit any man from voting unless he has been + registered at least six months. We do not want to be governed by people + who have no abode here—who are political Bedouins of the desert. We + want to be governed by people who live with us—who live somewhere + among us, and whom somebody knows, and if a law is properly framed there + will be no trouble about self-government in the District of Columbia. Let + the experiment be tried here of a perfect, complete and honest + registration; let every man, no matter who he is or where he comes from, + vote only by strict compliance with a good registry law. We can have a + fair election, and wherever there is a fair election there will be good + government. Our Government depends for its stability upon honest + elections. The great principle underlying our system of government is that + the people have the virtue and the patriotism to govern themselves. That + is the foundation stone, the corner and the base of our edifice, and upon + it our Government is on trial to-day. And until a man is considered + infamous who casts an illegal vote, our Government will not be safe. + Whoever casts an illegal vote knowingly is a traitor to the principle upon + which our Government is founded. And whoever deprives a citizen of his + right to vote is also a traitor to our Government. When these things are + understood; when the finger of public scorn shall be pointed at every man + who votes illegally, or unlawfully prevents an honest vote, then you will + have a splendid Government. It is humiliating for one hundred and + seventy-five thousand people to depend simply upon the right of petition. + The few will disregard the petition of the many. + </p> + <p> + I have not one word to say against the officers of the District. Not a + word. But let them do as well as they can; that is no justification. It is + no justification of a monarchy that the king is a good man; it is no + justification of a tyranny that the despot does justice. There may come + another who will do injustice; and a free people like ours should not be + satisfied to be governed by strangers. They would better have bad men of + their own choosing than to have good men forced upon them. You have + property here, and you have a right to protect it, and a right to improve + it. You have life and liberty and the right to protect it. You have a + right to say what money shall be assessed and collected and paid for that + protection. You have laws and you have a right to have them executed by + officers of your own selection, and by nobody else. In my judgment, all + that is necessary to have these things done is to have the subject + properly laid before Congress, and let that body thoroughly and perfectly + understand the situation. There is no member there, who rightly + understanding our wishes, will dare continue this disfranchisement of the + people. We have the same right to vote that their constituents have, + precisely—no more and no less. + </p> + <p> + This District ought to have one representative in Congress, a + representative with a right to speak—not a tongueless dummy. The + idea of electing a delegate who has simply the privilege of standing + around! We ought to have a representative who has not only the right to + talk, but who will talk. This District has the right to a vote in the + committees of Congress, and not simply the privilege of receiving a little + advice. And more than that, this District ought to have at least one + electoral vote in a selection of a President of the United States. A + smaller population than yours is represented not only in Congress, but in + the Electoral College. If it is necessary to amend the Constitution to + secure these rights let us try and have it amended; and when that question + is put to the people of the whole country they will be precisely as + willing that the people of the District of Columbia shall have an equal + voice as that they themselves should have a voice. + </p> + <p> + Let us stop at no half-way ground, but claim, and keep claiming all our + rights until somebody says we shall have them. And let me tell you another + thing: Once have the right of self-government recognized here, have a + delegate in Congress, and an electoral vote for President, and thousands + will be willing to come here and become citizens of the District. As it + is, the moment a man settles here his American citizenship falls from him + like dead leaves from a tree. From that moment he is nobody. Every + American citizen wants a little political power—wants to cast his + vote for the rulers of the nation. He wants to have something to say about + the laws he has to obey, and they are not willing to come here and + disfranchise themselves. The moment it is known that a man is from the + District he has no influence, and no one cares what his political opinions + may be. Now, let us have it so that we can vote and be on an equality with + the rest of the voters of the United States. This Government was founded + upon the idea that the only source of power is the people. Let us show at + the Capital that we have confidence in that principle; that every man + should have a vote and voice in the South, in the North, everywhere, no + matter how low his condition, no matter that he was a slave, no matter + what his color is, or whether he can read or write, he is clothed with the + right to name those who make the laws he is to obey. While the lowest and + most degraded in every State in this Union have that right, the best and + most intelligent in the District have not that right. It will not do. + There is no sense in it—there is no justice in it—nothing + American in it. If this were the case in some of the capitals of Europe we + would not be surprised; but here in the United States, where we have so + much to say about the right of self-government, that two hundred thousand + people should not have the right to say who shall make, and who shall + execute the laws is at least an anomaly and a contradiction of our theory + of government, and for one, I propose to do what little I can to correct + it. It has been said that you had once here the right of self-government. + If I understand it, the right you had was to elect somebody to some + office, and all the other officers were appointed. You had no control over + your Legislature; you had very little control over your other officers, + and the people of the District were held responsible for what was actually + done by the appointing power. We want no appointing power. If it is + necessary to have a police magistrate, I say the people are competent to + elect that magistrate; and if he is not a good man they are qualified to + select another in his place. You ought to elect your judges. I do not want + the office of the Judiciary so far from the people that it may feel + entirely independent. I want every officer in this District + held-accountable to the people, and, unless he discharges his duties + faithfully, the people will put him out, and select another in his stead. + </p> + <p> + I want it understood that no American citizen can be forced to pay a + dollar in a State or in the district where he lives who is not + represented, and where he has not the right to vote. It is all tyranny, + and all infamous. The people of the United States wonder to-day that you + have submitted to this outrage as long as you have. + </p> + <p> + Neither do I believe that only the rich should have the right to vote; + that only they should govern; or that only the educated should govern. I + have noticed among educated men many who did not know enough to govern + themselves. I have known many wealthy men who did not believe in liberty, + in giving the people the same rights they claimed for themselves. I + believe in that government where the ballot of Lazarus counts as much as + the vote of Dives. Let the rich, let the educated, govern the people by + moral suasion and by example and by kindness, and not by brute force. And + in a community like this, where the avenues to distinction are open alike + to all, there will be many more reasons for acting like men. When you can + hold any position, when every citizen can have conferred upon him honor + and responsibility, there is some stimulus to be a man. But in a community + where but the few are clothed with power by appointment, no incentive + exists among the people. If the avenues to distinction and honor are open + to all, such a government is beneficial on every hand, and the poorest man + in the community may say to himself, "If I pursue the right course the + very highest place is open to me." And the poorest man, with his little + tow-headed boy on his knee, can say, "John, all the avenues are open to + you; although I am poor, you may be rich, and while I am obscure, you may + become distinguished." + </p> + <p> + That idea sweetens every hour of toil and renders holy every drop of sweat + that rolls down the face of labor. I hate tyranny in every form. I despise + it, and I execrate a tyrant wherever he may be, and in every country where + the people are struggling for the right of self-government I sympathize + with them in their struggle. Wherever the sword of rebellion is drawn in + favor of human rights I am a rebel. I sympathize with all the people in + Europe who are endeavoring to push kings from thrones and struggling for + the right to govern themselves. America ought to send greeting to every + part of the world where such a struggle is pending, and we of the District + of Columbia ought to be able to join in the greeting, but we never shall + be until we have the right of self-government ourselves. No man who is a + good citizen can have any objection to self-government here. No man can be + opposed to it who believes that our people have enough wisdom, enough + virtue, enough patriotism to govern themselves. The man who doubts the + right of the people to govern themselves casts a little doubt upon the + question, simply because he is not man enough himself to believe in + liberty. I would trust the poor of this country with our liberties as soon + as I would the rich. I will trust the huts and hovels, just as soon as I + will the mansions and palaces. I will trust those who work by the day in + the street as soon as I will the bankers of the United States. I will + trust the ignorant—even the ignorant. Why? Because they want + education, and no people in this country are so anxious to have their + children educated as those who are not educated themselves. I will trust + the ignorant with the liberties of this country quicker than I would some + of the educated who doubt the principles upon which our Government is + founded. But let the intelligent do what they can to instruct the + ignorant. Let the wealthy do what they can to give the blessings of + liberty to the poor, and then this Government will remain forever. The + time is passing away when any man of genius can be respected who will not + use that genius in elevating his fellow-man. The time is passing away when + men, however wealthy, can be respected unless they use their millions for + the elevation of mankind. The time is coming when no man will be called an + honest man who is not willing to give to every other man, be he white or + black, every right that he asks for himself. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I am willing to live under a government where all govern, and + am not willing to live under any other. I am willing to live where I am on + an equality with other men, where they have precisely my rights, and no + more; and I despise any government that is not based upon this principle + of human equality. Now, let us go just for that one thing, that we have + the same right as any other people in the United States—that is, to + govern this District ourselves. Let us be represented in the lawmaking + power, and let us advocate a change in the fundamental law so that the + people of this District shall be entitled to one vote as to who shall be + President of the United States. And when that is done and our people are + clothed with the panoply of citizenship, you will find this District + growing not to two hundred thousand, but in a little while one million of + people will live here. Now, for one, I have not the slightest feeling + against members of Congress for what has been done. I believe when this + matter is laid before them fully and properly you will find few men in + that august body who will vote against the proposition. They have had + trouble enough. They do not understand our affairs. They never did, never + will, never can. No one who does not live here will. The public interests + are so many and so conflicting, and touch the sides of so many, that the + people must attend to this matter themselves. They know when they want a + market, a judge, or a collector of taxes, and nobody else does and nobody + else has a right to. + </p> + <p> + And instead of going up to Congress and standing around some + committee-room with a long petition in your hands, begging somebody to + wait just one moment, it will be far better that you should go to the + polls and elect your representative, who can attend to your interests in + Congress. But above all things, I want to warn you, charge you, beseech + you, that in any legislation upon this subject you must secure a + registration law that will prevent the casting of an illegal vote. Do this + before it is known whether the District is Republican or Democratic. I do + not care. No matter how much of a Republican I am, absolutely, I would + rather be governed by Democrats who live here than by Republicans who do + not. And now, while it is not known whether this is a Democratic or + Republican community, let us get up a registration that no one can + violate; because the moment you have an election, and it is ascertained to + be either Democratic or Republican, the victorious party may be opposed to + any registration or any legislation that will put in jeopardy their power. + I have lived long enough to be satisfied that any State in this Union, no + matter whether Democratic or Republican, will be safe as long as the + people have the right to vote, and to see that the ballots will be + counted. This country is now upon trial. In nearly every State in this + Union there is liable to happen just the same thing that only the other + day happened in Maine. + </p> + <p> + In every State there can be two legislatures, one in the State-house and + the other on the fence. Let us in this District so guard the right to vote + and the counting of the ballots, that we shall know after the election who + has been elected and know with certainty the men who have been elected by + the legal voters of the District. + </p> + <p> + It becomes us all, whether Republicans or Democrats, to unite in securing + such a law. Let us act together, Democrats and Republicans, black and + white, rich and poor, educated and ignorant—let us all unite upon + the principle that we have the right to govern ourselves. Then it will + make no difference whether the District of Columbia shall be Democratic or + Republican, provided it is the will of a legal majority of her people. + </p> + <p> + Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0011" id="link0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WALL STREET SPEECH. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A political demonstration was made in Wall Street + yesterday afternoon that stands without a rival among the + many out-door meetings in that place, which for years have + been memorable features of Presidential campaigns. + + Bankers and brokers, members of the Produce Exchange, and + dry goods merchants assembled at their respective rendezvous + and marched in Imposing processions to the open space in + front of the Sub-Treasury building, from the steps of which + Col. Ingersoll delivered an address. Written words are + entirely inadequate to describe this demonstration of Wall + Street business men. It never was equaled in point of + numbers, respectability or enthusiasm, even during the + excitement caused by the outbreak of the Rebellion. + Throughout the day the business houses, banking offices and + public buildings down town were gay with flags and bunting. + Business was practically suspended all day, and the + principal topic of conversation on the Exchanges and m + offices and stores was the coming meeting. Long before the + hour set, well-dressed people began to gather near the Sub- + Treasury Building and by two o'clock Wall Street, from Broad + and Nassau half way down to William, was passable only with + difficulty. While the crowd was fast gathering on every + hand, Graiulla's band, stationed upon the corner buttress + near the Sub-Treasury, struck up a patriotic air, and in a + few minutes the throngs had swelled to such proportions that + the police had all they could do to maintain a thoroughfare. + A few minutes more ana the distant strains of another band + attracted all eyes toward Broadway, where the head of the + procession was seen turning into Wall Street. Ten abreast + and every man a gentleman, they marched by. At this time + Wall street from half way to William Street to half way to + Broadway, Nassau Street half way to Pine, and Broad Street + as far as the eye could reach, were densely packed with + people from side to side. Everything else, except the + telegraph-poles and the tops of the lamp-posts, was hidden + from view. Every window, roof, stoop, and projecting point + was covered. The Produce Exchange men finding Broad Street + impassable made a detour to the east and marched up Wall + Street, filling that thoroughfare to William. It was a + tremendous crowd In point of numbers, and its composition + was entirely of gentlemen—men with refined, intelligent + faces—bankers, brokers, merchants of all kinds—real + business men. Thousands of millions of dollars were + represented in It. On the left of the Sub-Treasury steps a + platform had been erected, with a sounding board covering + the rear and top. A national flag floated from its roof, and + its railing was draped with other flags. After the arrival + of the several organizations the banners they bore were hung + at the sides by way of further ornamentation. Mr. Jackson S. + Schultz then introduced Col. Ingersoll, the speaker of the + day. The cheering was terrific for several minutes. Raising + his hand for silence, Col. Ingersoll then delivered his + address.—New York Times, October 29th, 1880. +</pre> + <p> + N.Y. CITY. + </p> + <p> + (Garfield Campaign.) + </p> + <p> + 1880. + </p> + <p> + FELLOW-CITIZENS of the Great City of New York: This is the grandest + audience I ever saw. This audience certifies that General James A. + Garfield is to be the next President of the United States. This audience + certifies that a Republican is to be the next mayor of the city of New + York. This audience certifies that the business men of New York understand + their interests, and that the business men of New York are not going to + let this country be controlled by the rebel South and the rebel North. In + 1860 the Democratic party appealed to force; now it appeals to fraud. In + 1860 the Democratic party appealed to the sword; now it appeals to the + pen. It was treason then, it is forgery now. The Democratic party cannot + be trusted with the property or with the honor of the people of the United + States. + </p> + <p> + The city of New York owes a great debt to the country. Every man that has + cleared a farm has helped to build New York; every man that helped to + build a railway helped to build up the palaces of this city. Where I am + now speaking are the termini of all the railways in the United States. + They all come here. New York has been built up by the labor of the + country, and New York owes it to the country to protect the best interests + of the country. + </p> + <p> + The farmers of Illinois depend upon the merchants, the brokers and the + bankers, upon the gentlemen of New York, to beat the rabble of New York. + You owe to yourselves; you owe to the great Re public; and this city that + does the business of a hemisphere—this city that will in ten years + be the financial centre of this world—owes it to itself, to be true + to the great principles that have allowed it to exist and flourish. + </p> + <p> + The Republicans of New York ought to say that this shall forever be a free + country. The Republicans of New York ought to say that free speech shall + forever be held sacred in the United States. The Republicans of New York + ought to see that the party that defended the Nation shall still remain in + power. The Republicans of New York should see that the flag is safely held + by the hands that defended it in war. The Republicans of New York know + that the prosperity of the country depends upon good government, and they + also know that good government means protection to the people—rich + and poor, black and white. The Republicans of New York know that a black + friend is better than a white enemy. They know that a negro while fighting + for the Government, is better than any white man who will fight against + it. + </p> + <p> + The Republicans of New York know that the colored party in the South which + allows every man to vote as he pleases, is better than any white man who + is opposed to allowing a negro to cast his honest vote. A black man in + favor of liberty is better than a white man in favor of slavery. The + Republicans of New York must be true to their friends. This Government + means to protect all its citizens, at home and abroad, or it becomes a + byword in the mouths of the nations of the world. + </p> + <p> + Now, what do we want to do? We are going to have an election next Tuesday, + and every Republican knows why he is going to vote the Republican ticket; + while every Democrat votes his without knowing why. A Republican is a + Republican because he loves something; a Democrat is a Democrat because he + hates something. A Republican believes in progress; a Democrat in + retrogression. A Democrat is a "has been." He is a "used to be." The + Republican party lives on hope; the Democratic on memory. The Democrat + keeps his back to the sun and imagines himself a great man because he + casts a great shadow. Now, there are certain things we want to preserve—that + the business men of New York want to preserve—and, in the first + place, we want an honest ballot. And where the Democratic party has power + there never has been an honest ballot. You take the worst ward in this + city, and there is where you will find the greatest Democratic majority. + You know it, and so do I. + </p> + <p> + There is not a university in the North, East or West that has not in it a + Republican majority. There is not a penitentiary in the United States that + has not in it a Democratic majority—and they know it. Two years ago, + about two hundred and eighty-three convicts were in the penitentiary of + Maine. Out of that whole number there was one Republican, and only one. [A + voice—"Who was the man?"] Well, I do not know, but he broke out. He + said that he did not mind being in the penitentiary, but the company was a + little more than he could stand. + </p> + <p> + You cannot rely upon that party for an honest ballot. Every law that has + been passed in this country in the last twenty years, to throw a safeguard + around the ballot-box, has been passed by the Republican party. Every law + that has been defeated has been defeated by the Democratic party. And you + know it. Unless we have an honest ballot the days of the Republic are + numbered; and the only way to get an honest ballot is to beat the + Democratic party forever. And that is what we are going to do. That party + can never carry its record; that party is loaded down with the infamies of + twenty years; yes, that party is loaded down with the infamies of fifty + years. It will never elect a President in this world. I give notice to the + Democratic party to-day that it will have to change its name before the + people of the United States will change the administration. You will have + to change your natures; you will have to change your personnel, and you + will have to get enough Republicans to join you and tell you how to run a + campaign. If you want an honest ballot—and every honest man does—then + you will vote to keep the Republican party in power. What else do you + want? You want honest money, and I say to the merchants and to the bankers + and to the brokers, the only party that will give you honest money is the + party that resumed specie payments. The only party that will give you + honest money is the party that said a greenback is a broken promise until + it is redeemed with gold. You can only trust the party that has been + honest in disaster. From 1863 to 1879—sixteen long years—the + Republican party was the party of honor and principle, and the Republican + party saved the honor of the United States. And you know it. + </p> + <p> + During that time the Democratic party did what it could to destroy our + credit at home and abroad. + </p> + <p> + We are not only in favor of free speech, and an honest ballot and honest + money, but we are for law and order. What part of this country believes in + free speech—the South or the North? The South would never give free + speech to the country; there was no free speech in the city of New York + until the Republican party came into power. The Democratic party has not + intelligence enough to know that free speech is the germ of this Republic. + The Democratic party cares little for free speech because it has no + argument to make—no reasons to offer. Its entire argument is summed + up and ended in three words—"Hurrah for Hancock!" The Republican + party believes in free speech because it has something to say; because it + believes in argument; because it believes in moral suasion; because it + believes in education. Any man that does not believe in free speech is a + barbarian. Any State that does not support it is not a civilized State. + </p> + <p> + I have a right to express my opinion, in common with every other human + being, and I am willing to give to every other human being the right that + I claim for myself. Republicanism means justice in politics. Republicanism + means progress in civilization. Republicanism means that every man shall + be an educated patriot and a gentleman. I want to say to you to-day that + it is an honor to belong to the Republican party. It is an honor to have + belonged to it for twenty years; it is an honor to belong to the party + that elected Abraham Lincoln President. And let me say to you that Lincoln + was the greatest, the best, the purest, the kindest man that has ever sat + in the presidential chair. It is an honor to belong to the Republican + party that gave four millions of men the rights of freemen; it is an honor + to belong to the party that broke the shackles from four millions of men, + women and children. It is an honor to belong to the party that declared + that bloodhounds were not the missionaries of civilization. It is an honor + to belong to the party that said it was a crime to steal a babe from its + mother's breast. It is an honor to belong to the party that swore that + this is a Nation forever, one and indivisible. It is an honor to belong to + the party that elected U. S. Grant President of the United States. It is + an honor to belong to the party that issued thousands and thousands of + millions of dollars in promises—that issued promises until they + became as thick as the withered leaves of winter; an honor to belong to + the party that issued them to put down a rebellion; an honor to belong to + the party that put it down; an honor to belong to the party that had the + moral courage and honesty to make every one of the promises made in war, + as good as shining, glittering gold in peace. And I tell you that if there + is another life, and if there is a day of judgment, all you need say upon + that solemn occasion is, "I was in life and in my death a good square + Republican." + </p> + <p> + I hate the doctrine of State Sovereignty because it fostered State pride; + because it fostered the idea that it is more to be a citizen of a State + than a citizen of this glorious country. I love the whole country. I like + New York because it is a part of the country, and I like the country + because it has New York in it. I am not standing here to-day because the + flag of New York floats over my head, but because that flag for which more + heroic blood has been shed than for any other flag that is kissed by the + air of heaven, waves forever over my head. That is the reason I am here. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of State Sovereignty was appealed to in defence of the + slave-trade; the next time in defence of the slave trade as between the + States; the next time in defence of the Fugitive Slave Law; and if there + is a Democrat in favor of the Fugitive Slave Law he should be ashamed—if + not of himself—of the ignorance of the time in which he lived. + </p> + <p> + That Fugitive Slave Law was a compromise so that we might be friends of + the South. They said in 1850-52: "If you catch the slave we will be your + friend;" and they tell us now: "If you let us trample upon the rights of + the black man in the South, we will be your friend." I do not want their + friendship upon such terms. I am a friend of my friend, and an enemy of my + enemy. That is my doctrine. We might as well be honest about it. Under + that doctrine of State Rights, such men as I see before me—bankers, + brokers, merchants, gentlemen—were expected to turn themselves into + hounds and chase a poor fugitive that had been lured by the love of + liberty and guided by the glittering North Star. + </p> + <p> + The Democratic party wanted you to keep your trade with the South, no + matter to what depths of degradation you had to sink, and the Democratic + party to-day says if you want to sell your goods to the Southern people, + you must throw your honor and manhood into the streets. The patronage of + the splendid North is enough to support the city of New York. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing: Why is this city filled with palaces, covered with + wealth? Because American labor has been protected. I am in favor of + protection to American labor, everywhere. I am in favor of protecting + American brain and muscle; I am in favor of giving scope to American + ingenuity and American skill. We want a market at home, and the only way + to have it is to have mechanics at home; and the only way to have + mechanics is to have protection; and the only way to have protection is to + vote the Republican ticket. You, business men of New York, know that + General Garfield understands the best interests not only of New York, but + of the entire country. And you want to stand by the men who will stand by + you. What does a simple soldier know about the wants of the city of New + York? What does he know about the wants of this great and splendid + country? If he does not know more about it than he knows about the tariff + he does not know much. I do not like to hit the dead. My hatred stops with + the grave, and I tell you we are going to bury the Democratic party next + Tuesday. The pulse is feeble now, and if that party proposes to take + advantage of the last hour, it is time it should go into the repenting + business. Nothing pleases me better than to see the condition of that + party to-day. What do the Democrats know on the subject of the tariff? + They are frightened; they are rattled. + </p> + <p> + They swear their plank and platform meant nothing. They say in effect: + "When we put that in we lied; and now having made that confession we hope + you will have perfect confidence in us from this out." Hancock says that + the object of the party is to get the tariff out of politics. That is the + reason, I suppose, why they put that plank in the platform. I presume he + regards the tariff as a little local issue, but I tell you to-day that the + great question of protecting American labor never will be taken out of + politics. As long as men work, as long as the laboring man has a wife and + family to support, just so long will he vote for the man that will protect + his wages. + </p> + <p> + And you can no more take it out of politics than you can take the question + of Government out of politics. I do not want any question taken out of + politics. I want the people to settle these questions for themselves, and + the people of this country are capable of doing it. If you do not believe + it, read the returns from Ohio and Indiana. There are other persons who + would take the question of office out of politics. Well, when we get the + tariff and office both out of politics, then, I presume, we will see two + parties on the same side. It will not do. + </p> + <p> + David A. Wells has come to the rescue of the Democratic party on the + tariff, and shed a few pathetic tears over scrap iron. But it will not do. + You cannot run this country on scraps. + </p> + <p> + We believe in the tariff because it gives skilled labor good pay. We + believe in the tariff because it allows the laboring man to have something + to eat. We believe in the tariff because it keeps the hands of the + producer close to the mouth of the devourer. We believe in the tariff + because it developed American brain; because it builds up our towns and + cities; because it makes Americans self-supporting; because it makes us an + independent Nation. And we believe in the tariff because the Democratic + party does not. + </p> + <p> + That plank in the Democratic party was intended for a dagger to + assassinate the prosperity of the North. The Northern people have become + aroused and that is the plank that is broken in the Democratic platform; + and that plank was wide enough when it broke to let even Hancock through. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, they are gone. They are gone—honor bright. Look at the + desperate means that have been resorted to by the Democratic party, driven + to the madness of desperation. Not satisfied with having worn the tongue + of slander to the very tonsils, not satisfied with attacking the private + reputation of a splendid man, not satisfied with that, they have appealed + to a crime; a deliberate and infamous forgery has been committed. That + forgery has been upheld by some of the leaders of the Democratic party; + that forgery has been defended by men calling themselves respectable. + Leaders of the Democratic party have stood by and said that they were + acquainted with the handwriting of James A. Garfield; and that the + handwriting in the forged letter was his, when they knew that it was + absolutely unlike his. They knew it, and no man has certified that that + was the writing of James A. Garfield who did not know that in his throat + of throats he told a falsehood. + </p> + <p> + Every honest man in the city of New York ought to leave such a party if he + belongs to it. Every honest man ought to refuse to belong to the party + that did such an infamous crime. + </p> + <p> + Senator Barnum, chairman of the Democratic Committee, has lost control. He + is gone, and I will tell you what he puts me in mind of. There was an old + fellow used to come into town every Saturday and get drunk. He had a + little yoke of oxen, and the boys out of pity used to throw him into the + wagon and start the oxen for home. Just before he got home they had to go + down a long hill, and the oxen, when they got to the brow of it, commenced + to run. Now and then the wagon struck a stone and gave the old fellow an + awful jolt, and that would wake him up. After he had looked up and had one + glance at the cattle he would fall helplessly back to the bottom, and + always say, "Gee a little, if anything." And that is the only order Barnum + has been able to give for the last two weeks—"Gee a little, if + anything." I tell you now that forgery makes doubly sure the election of + James A. Garfield. The people of the North believe in honest dealing; the + people of the North believe in free speech and an honest ballot. The + people of the North believe that this is a Nation; the people of the North + hate treason; the people of the North hate forgery; the people of the + North hate slander. The people of the North have made up their minds to + give to General Garfield a vindication of which any American may be + forever proud. + </p> + <p> + James A. Garfield is to-day a poor man, and you know that there is not + money enough in this magnificent street to buy the honor and manhood of + James A. Garfield. Money cannot make such a man, and I will swear to you + that money cannot buy him. James A. Garfield to-day wears the glorious + robe of honest poverty. He is a poor man; I like to say it here in Wall + Street; I like to say it surrounded by the millions of America; I like to + say it in the midst of banks and bonds and stocks; I love to say it where + gold is piled—that although a poor man, he is rich in honor; in + integrity he is wealthy, and in brain he is a millionaire. I know him, and + I like him. So do you all, gentlemen. Garfield was a poor boy, he is a + certificate of the splendid form of our Government. Most of these + magnificent buildings have been built by poor boys; most of the success of + New York began almost in poverty. You know it. The kings of this street + were once poor, and they may be poor again; and if they are fools enough + to vote for Hancock they ought to be. Garfield is a certificate of the + splendor of our Government, that says to every poor boy, "All the avenues + of honor are open to you." I know him, and I like him. He is a scholar; he + is a statesman; he is a soldier; he is a patriot; and above all, he is a + magnificent man; and if every man in New York knew him as well as I do, + Garfield would not lose a hundred votes in this city. + </p> + <p> + Compare him with Hancock, and then compare General Arthur with William H. + English. If there ever was a pure Republican in this world, General Arthur + is one. + </p> + <p> + You know in Wall Street, there are some men always prophesying disaster, + there are some men always selling "short." That is what the Democratic + party is doing to-day. You know as well as I do that if the Democratic + party succeeds, every kind of property in the United States will + depreciate. You know it. There is not a man on the street, who if he knew + Hancock was to be elected would not sell the stocks and bonds of every + railroad in the United States "short." I dare any broker here to deny it. + There is not a man in Wall or Broad Street, or in New York, but what knows + the election of Hancock will depreciate every share of railroad stock, + every railroad bond, every Government bond, in the United States of + America. And if you know that, I say it is a crime to vote for Hancock and + English. + </p> + <p> + I belong to the party that is prosperous when the country is prosperous. I + belong to the party that believes in good crops; that is glad when a + fellow finds a gold mine; that rejoices when there are forty bushels of + wheat to the acre; that laughs when every railroad declares dividends, + that claps both its hands when every investment pays; when the rain falls + for the farmer, when the dew lies lovingly on the grass. I belong to the + party that is happy when the people are happy; when the laboring man gets + three dollars a day; when he has roast beef on his table; when he has a + carpet on the floor; when he has a picture of Garfield on the wall. I + belong to the party that is happy when everybody smiles, when we have + plenty of money, good horses, good carriages; when our wives are happy and + our children feel glad. I belong to the party whose banner floats side by + side with the great flag of the country; that does not grow fat on defeat. + </p> + <p> + The Democratic party is a party of famine; it is a good friend of an early + frost, it believes in the Colorado beetle and the weevil. When the crops + are bad the Democratic mouth opens from ear to ear with smiles of joy; it + is in partnership with bad luck; a friend of empty pockets; rags help it. + I am on the other side. The Democratic party is the party of darkness. I + believe in the party of sunshine; and in the party that even in darkness + believes that the stars are shining and waiting for us. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I have endeavored to give you a few reasons for voting the + Republican ticket; and I have given enough to satisfy any reasonable man. + And you know it. Do not go with the Democratic party, young man. You have + a character to make. + </p> + <p> + You cannot make it, as the Democratic party does, by passing a resolution. + </p> + <p> + If your father voted the Democratic ticket, that is disgrace enough for + one family. Tell the old man you can stand it no longer. Tell the old + gentleman that you have made up your mind to stand with the party of human + progress; and if he asks you why you cannot vote the Democratic ticket you + tell him: "Every man that tried to destroy the Government, every man that + shot at the holy flag in heaven, every man that starved our soldiers, + every keeper of Libby, Andersonville and Salisbury, every man that wanted + to burn the negro, every one that wanted to scatter yellow fever in the + North, every man that opposed human liberty, that regarded the + auction-block as an altar and the howling of the bloodhound as the music + of the Union, every man who wept over the corpse of slavery, that thought + lashes on the naked back were a legal tender for labor performed, every + one willing to rob a mother of her child—every solitary one was a + Democrat." + </p> + <p> + Tell him you cannot stand that party. Tell him you have to go with the + Republican party, and if he asks you why, tell him it destroyed slavery, + it preserved the Union, it paid the national debt; it made our credit as + good as that of any nation on the earth. + </p> + <p> + Tell him it makes every dollar in a four per cent, bond worth a dollar and + ten cents; that it satisfies the demands of the highest civilization. Tell + the old man that the Republican party preserved the honor of the Nation; + that it believes in education; that it looks upon the schoolhouse as a + cathedral. Tell him that the Republican party believes in absolute + intellectual liberty; in absolute religious freedom; in human rights, and + that human rights rise above States. Tell him that the Republican party + believes in humanity, justice, human equality, and that the Republican + party believes this is a Nation and will be forever and ever; that an + honest ballot is the breath of the Republic's life; that honest money is + the blood of the Republic; and that nationality is the great throbbing + beat of the heart of the Republic. Tell him that. And tell him that you + are going to stand by the flag that the patriots of the North carried upon + the battle-field of death. Tell him you are going to be true to the + martyred dead; that you are going to vote exactly as Lincoln would have + voted were he living. Tell him that if every traitor dead were living now, + there would issue from his lips of dust, "Hurrah for Hancock!" that could + every patriot rise, he would cry for Garfield and liberty; for union and + for human progress everywhere. Tell him that the South seeks to secure by + the ballot what it lost by the bayonet; to whip by the ballot those who + fought it in the field. But we saved the country; and we have the heart + and brains to take care of it. I will tell you what we are going to do. We + are going to treat them in the South just as well as we treat the people + in the North. Victors cannot afford to have malice. The North is too + magnanimous to have hatred. We will treat the South precisely as we treat + the North. There are thousands of good people there. Let us give them + money to improve their rivers and harbors; I want to see the sails of + their commerce filled with the breezes of prosperity; their fences + rebuilt; their houses painted. I want to see their towns prosperous; I + want to see schoolhouses in every town; I want to see books in the hands + of every child, and papers and magazines in every house; I want to see all + the rays of light, of civilization of the nineteenth century, enter every + home of the South; and in a little while you will see that country full of + good Republicans. We can afford to be kind; we cannot afford to be unkind. + </p> + <p> + I will shake hands cordially with every believer in human liberty; I will + shake hands with every believer in Nationality; I will shake hands with + every man who is the friend of the human race. That is my doctrine. I + believe in the great Republic; in this magnificent country of ours. I + believe in the great people of the United States. I believe in the muscle + and brain of America, in the prairies and forests. I believe in New York. + I believe in the brains of your city. I believe that you know enough to + vote the Republican ticket. I believe that you are grand enough to stand + by the country that has stood by you. But whatever you do, I never shall + cease to thank you for the great honor you have conferred upon me this + day. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Note.—This being a newspaper report it is necessarily + incomplete. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0012" id="link0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + BROOKLYN SPEECH. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher and Colonel Robert G. + Ingersoll spoke from the same platform last night, and the + great preacher introduced the great orator and free-thinker + to the grandest political audience that was ever assembled + in Brooklyn. The reverend gentleman presided over the + Republican mass meeting held in the Academy of Music. When + he introduced Ingersoll he did it with a warmth and + earnestness of compliment that brought the six thousand + lookers-on to their feet to applaud. When the expounder of + the Gospel of Christ took the famous atheist by the hand, + and shook it fervently, saying that while he respected and + honored him for the honesty of his convictions and his + splendid labors for patriotism and the country, the + enthusiasm knew no bounds, and the great building trembled + and vibrated with the storm of applause. With such a scene + to harmonize the multitude at the outstart it is not strange + that the meeting continued to the end such a one as has no + parallel even in these days of feverish political excitement + and turmoil. The orator spoke in his best vein and his + audience was responsive to the wonderful magical spell of + his eloquence. And when his last glowing utterance had lost + its echo in the wild storm of applause that rewarded him at + the close, Mr. Beecher again stepped forward and, as if to + emphasize the earnestness of his previous compliments, + proposed a vote of thanks to the distinguished speaker. The + vote was a roar of affirmation, whose voice was not stronger + when Mr. Ingersoll in turn called upon the audience to give + three cheers for the great preacher. They were given, and + repeated three times over. Men waved their ats and + umbrellas, ladies, of whom there were many hundreds present, + waved their handkerchiefs, and men, strangers to each other, + shook hands with the fervency of brotherhood. It was indeed + a strange scene, and the principal actors in it seemed not + less than the most wildly excited man there to appreciate + its peculiar import and significance. Standing at the front + of the stage, underneath a canopy of nags, at either side + great baskets of flowers, they clasped each other's hands, + and stood thus for several minutes, while the excited + thousands cheered themselves hoarse and applauded wildly. + + As Mr. Beecher began to speak, however, the applause that + broke out was deafening. + + In substance Mr. Beecher spoke as follows:—"I am not + accustomed to preside at meetings like this; only the + exigency of the times could induce me to do It. I am not + here either to make a speech, but more especially to + introduce the eminent orator of the evening. * * * I stand + not as a minister, but as a man among men, pleading the + cause of fellowship and equal rights. We are not here as + mechanics, as artists, merchants, or professional men, but + as fellow-citizens. The gentleman who will speak to-night is + in no Conventicle or Church. He is to speak to a great body + of citizens, and I take the liberty of saying that I respect + him as the man that for a full score and more of years has + worked for the right in the great, broad field of humanity, + and for the cause of human rights. I consider it an honor to + extend to him, as I do now, the warm, earnest, right hand of + fellowship." (As Mr. Beecher said this he turned to Mr. + Ingersoll and extended his hand. The palms of the two men + met with a clasp that was heard all over the house, and was + the signal for tumultuous cheering and applause, which + continued for several minutes.) + + "I now introduce to you," continued Mr. Beecher, leading Mr. + Ingersoll forward, "a man who—and I say it not + flatteringly—is the most brilliant speaker of the English + tongue of all men on this globe. But as under the brilliancy + of the blaze or light we find the living coals of fire, + under the lambent flow of his wit and magnificent antithesis + we find the glorious flame of genius and honest thought. + Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Ingersoll."—New York Herald, + October 81st, 1880. +</pre> + <p> + (Garfield Campaign.) + </p> + <p> + 1880. + </p> + <p> + LADIES and Gentlemen: Years ago I made up my mind that there was no + particular argument in slander. I made up my mind that for parties, as + well as for individuals, honesty in the long-run is the best policy. I + made up my mind that the people were entitled to know a man's honest + thoughts, and I propose to-night to tell you exactly what I think. And it + may be well enough, in the first place, for me to say that no party has a + mortgage on me. I am the sole proprietor of myself. No party, no + organization, has any deed of trust on what little brains I have, and as + long as I can get my part of the common air I am going to tell my honest + thoughts. One man in the right will finally get to be a majority. I am not + going to say a word to-night that every Democrat here will not know is + true, and, whatever he may say, I will compel him in his heart to give + three cheers. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, I wish to admit that during the war there were + hundreds of thousands of patriotic Democrats. I wish to admit that if it + had not been for the War Democrats of the North, we never would have put + down the Rebellion. Let us be honest. I further admit that had it not been + for other than War Democrats there never would have been a rebellion to + put down. War Democrats! + </p> + <p> + Why did we call them War Democrats? Did you ever hear anybody talk about a + War Republican? We spoke of War Democrats to distinguish them from those + Democrats who were in favor of peace upon any terms. + </p> + <p> + I also wish to admit that the Republican party is not absolutely perfect. + While I believe that it is the best party that ever existed, while I + believe it has, within its organization, more heart, more brain, more + patriotism than any other organization that ever existed beneath the sun, + I still admit that it is not entirely perfect. I admit, in its great + things, in its splendid efforts to preserve this nation, in its grand + effort to keep our flag in heaven, in its magnificent effort to free four + millions of slaves, in its great and sublime effort to save the financial + honor of this Nation, I admit that it has made some mistakes. In its great + effort to do right it has sometimes by mistake done wrong. And I also wish + to admit that the great Democratic party, in its effort to get office has + sometimes by mistake done right. You see that I am inclined to be + perfectly fair. + </p> + <p> + I am going with the Republican party because it is going my way; but if it + ever turns to the right or left, I intend to go straight ahead. + </p> + <p> + In every government there is something that ought to be preserved, in + every government there are many things that ought to be destroyed. Every + good man, every patriot, every lover of the human race, wishes to preserve + the good and destroy the bad; and every one in this audience who wishes to + preserve the good will go with that section of our common country—with + that party in our country that he honestly believes will preserve the good + and destroy the bad. It takes a great deal of trouble to raise a good + Republican. It is a vast deal of labor. The Republican party is the fruit + of all ages—of self-sacrifice and devotion. The Republican party is + born of every good thing that was ever done in this world. The Republican + party is the result of all martyrdom, of all heroic blood shed for the + right. It is the blossom and fruit of the great world's best endeavor. In + order to make a Republican you have to have schoolhouses. You have to have + newspapers and magazines. A good Republican is the best fruit of + civilization, of all there is of intelligence, of art, of music and of + song. If you want to make Democrats, let them alone. The Democratic party + is the settlings of this country. Nobody hoes weeds. Nobody takes especial + pains to raise dog-fennel, and yet it grows under the very hoof of travel, + The seeds are sown by accident and gathered by chance. But if you want to + raise wheat and corn you must plough the ground. You must defend and you + must harvest the crop with infinite patience and toil. It is precisely + that way—if you want to raise a good Republican you must work. If + you wish to raise a Democrat give him wholesome neglect. The Democratic + party flatters the vices of mankind. That party says to the ignorant man, + "You know enough." It says to the vicious man, "You are good enough." + </p> + <p> + The Republican party says, "You must be better next year than you are + this." A Republican takes a man by the collar and says, "You must do your + best, you must climb the infinite hill of human progress as long as you + live." Now and then one gets tired. He says, "I have climbed enough and so + much better than I expected to do that I do not wish to travel any + farther." Now and then one gets tired and lets go all hold, and he rolls + down to the very bottom, and as he strikes the mud he springs upon his + feet transfigured, and says: "Hurrah for Hancock!" + </p> + <p> + There are things in this Government that I wish to preserve, and there are + things that I wish to destroy; and in order to convince you that you ought + to go the way that I am going: it is only fair that I give to you my + reasons. This is a Republic founded upon intelligence and the patriotism + of the people, and in every Republic it is absolutely necessary that there + should be free speech. Free speech is the gem of the human soul. Words are + the bodies of thought, and liberty gives to those words wings, and the + whole intellectual heavens are filled with light. In a Republic every + individual tongue has a right to the general ear. In a Republic every man + has the right to give his reasons for the course he pursues to all his + fellow-citizens, and when you say that a man shall not speak, you also say + that others shall not hear. When you say a man shall not express his + honest thought you say his fellow-citizens shall be deprived of honest + thoughts; for of what use is it to allow the attorney for the defendant to + address the jury if the jury has been bought? Of what use is it to allow + the jury to bring in a verdict of "not guilty," if the defendant is to be + hung by a mob? I ask you to-night, is not every solitary man here in favor + of free speech? Is there a solitary Democrat here who dares say he is not + in favor of free speech? In which part of this country are the lips of + thought free—in the South or in the North? Which section of our + country can you trust the inestimable gem of free speech with? Can you + trust it to the gentlemen of Mississippi or to the gentlemen of + Massachusetts? Can you trust it to Alabama or to New York? Can you trust + it to the South or can you trust it to the great and splendid North? Honor + bright—honor bright, is there any freedom of speech in the South? + There never was and there is none to-night—and let me tell you why. + </p> + <p> + They had the institution of human slavery in the South, which could not be + defended at the bar of public reason. It was an institution that could not + be defended in the high forum of human conscience. No man could stand + there and defend the right to rob the cradle—none to defend the + right to sell the babe from the breast of the agonized mother—none + to defend the claim that lashes on a bare back are a legal tender for + labor performed. Every man that lived upon the unpaid labor of another + knew in his heart that he was a thief. And for that reason he did not wish + to discuss that question. Thereupon the institution of slavery said, "You + shall not speak; you shall not reason," and the lips of free thought were + manacled. You know it. Every one of you. Every Democrat knows it as well + as every Republican. There never was free speech in the South. + </p> + <p> + And what has been the result? And allow me to admit right here, because I + want to be fair, there are thousands and thousands of most excellent + people in the South—thousands of them. There are hundreds and + hundreds of thousands there who would like to vote the Republican ticket. + And whenever there is free speech there and whenever there is a free + ballot there, they will vote the Republican ticket. I say again, there are + hundreds of thousands of good people in the South; but the institution of + human slavery prevented free speech, and it is a splendid fact in nature + that you cannot put chains upon the limbs of others without putting + corresponding manacles upon your own brain. When the South enslaved the + negro, it also enslaved itself, and the result was an intellectual desert. + No book has been produced, with one exception, that has added to the + knowledge of mankind; no paper, no magazine, no poet, no philosopher, no + philanthropist, was ever raised in that desert. Now and then some one + protested against that infamous institution, and he came as near being a + philosopher as the society in which he lived permitted. Why is it that New + England, a rock-clad land, blossoms like a rose? Why is it that New York + is the Empire State of the great Union? I will tell you. Because you have + been permitted to trade in ideas. Because the lips of speech have been + absolutely free for twenty years. + </p> + <p> + We never had free speech in any State in this Union until the Republican + party was born. That party was rocked in the cradle of intellectual + liberty, and that is the reason I say it is the best party that ever + existed in the wide, wide world. I want to preserve free speech, and, as + an honest man, I look about me and I say, "How can I best preserve it?" By + giving it to the South or North; to the Democracy or to the Republican + party? And I am bound, as an honest man, to say free speech is safest with + its earliest defenders. Where is there such a thing as a Republican mob to + prevent the expression of an honest thought? Where? The people of the + South are allowed to come to the North; they are allowed to express their + sentiments upon every stump in the great East, the great West, and in the + great Middle States; they go to Maine, to Vermont, and to all our States, + and they are allowed to speak, and we give them a respectful hearing, and + the meanest thing we do is to answer their arguments. + </p> + <p> + I say to-night that we ought to have the same liberty to discuss these + questions in the South that Southerners have in the North. And I say more + than that, the Democrats of the North ought to compel the Democrats of the + South to treat the Republicans of the South as well as the Republicans of + the North treat them. We treat the Democrats well in the North; we treat + them like gentlemen in the North; and yet they go into partnership with + the Democracy of the South, knowing that the Democracy of the South will + not treat Republicans in that section with fairness. A Democrat ought to + be ashamed of that. + </p> + <p> + If my friends will not treat other people as well as the friends of the + other people treat me, I'll swap friends. + </p> + <p> + First, then, I am in favor of free speech, and I am going with that + section of my country that believes in free speech; I am going with that + party that has always upheld that sacred right. When you stop free speech, + when you say that a thought shall die in the womb of the brain,—why, + it would have the same effect upon the intellectual world that to stop + springs at their sources would have upon the physical world. Stop the + springs at their sources and they cease to gurgle, the streams cease to + murmur, and the great rivers cease rushing to the embrace of the sea. So + you stop thought. Stop thought in the brain in which it is born, and + theory dies; and the great ocean of knowledge to which all should be + permitted to contribute, and from which all should be allowed to draw, + becomes a vast desert of ignorance. + </p> + <p> + I have always said, and I say again, that the more liberty there is given + away, the more you have. I endeavor to be consistent in my life and + action. I am a believer in intellectual liberty, and wherever the torch of + knowledge burns the whole horizon is filled with a glorious halo. I am a + free man. I would be less than a man if I did not wish to hand this flame + to my child with the flame increased rather than diminished. + </p> + <p> + Whom will we trust to take care of free speech? Let us consider and be + honest with one another. The gem of the brain is the innocence of the + soul. + </p> + <p> + I am not only in favor of free speech, but I am also in favor of an + absolutely honest ballot. There is only one emperor in this country; there + is one czar; only one supreme crown and king, and that is the will, the + legally expressed will of the majority. Every American citizen is a + sovereign. The poorest and humblest may wear that crown, the beggar holds + in his hand that sceptre equally with the proudest and richest, and so far + as his sovereignty is concerned, the poorest American, he who earns but + one dollar a day, has the same voice in controlling the destiny of the + United States as the millionaire. The man who casts an illegal vote, the + man who refuses to count a legal vote, poisons the fountain of power, + poisons the springs of justice, and is a traitor to the only king in this + land. The Government is upon the edge of Mexicanization through fraudulent + voting. The ballot-box is the throne of America; the ballot-box is the ark + of the covenant. Unless we see to it that every man who has a right to + vote, votes, and unless we see to it that every honest vote is counted, + the days of this Republic are numbered. + </p> + <p> + When you suspect that a Congressman is not elected; when you suspect that + a judge upon the bench holds his place by fraud, then the people will hold + the law in contempt and will laugh at the decisions of courts, and then + come revolution and chaos. + </p> + <p> + It is the duty of every good man to see to it that the ballot-box is kept + absolutely pure. It is the duty of every patriot, whether he is a Democrat + or Republican—and I want further to admit that I believe a large + majority of Democrats are honest in their opinions, and I know that all + Republicans <i>must</i> be honest in their opinions. It is the duty, then, + of all honest men of both parties to see to it that only honest votes are + cast and counted. Now, honor bright, which section of this Union can you + trust the ballot-box with? + </p> + <p> + Do you wish to trust Louisiana, or do you wish to trust Alabama that gave, + in 1872, thirty-four thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight Republican + majority and now gives ninety-two thousand Democratic majority? And of + that ninety-two thousand majority, every one is a lie! A contemptible, + infamous lie! Because if every voter had been allowed to vote, there would + have been forty thousand Republican majority. Honor bright, can you trust + it with the masked murderers who rode in the darkness of night to the hut + of the freedman and shot him down, notwithstanding the supplication of his + wife and the tears of his babe? Can you trust it to the men who since the + close of our war have killed more men, simply because those men wished to + vote, simply because they wished to exercise a right with which they had + been clothed by the sublime heroism of the North—who have killed + more men than were killed on both sides in the Revolutionary war; than + were killed on both sides during the War of 1812; than were killed on both + sides in both wars? Can you trust them? Can you trust the gentlemen who + invented the tissue ballot? Do you wish to put the ballot-box in the + keeping of the shot-gun, of the White-Liners, of the Ku Klux? Do you wish + to put the ballot-box in the keeping of men who openly swear that they + will not be ruled by a majority of American citizens if a portion of that + majority is made of black men? And I want to tell you right here, I like a + black man who loves this country better than I do a white man who hates + it. I think more of a black man who fought for our flag than for any white + man who endeavored to tear it out of heaven! + </p> + <p> + I say, can you trust the ballot-box to the Democratic party? Read the + history of the State of New York. Read the history of this great and + magnificent city—the Queen of the Atlantic—read her history + and tell us whether you can implicitly trust Democratic returns? Honor + bright! + </p> + <p> + I am not only, then, for free speech, but I am for an honest ballot; and + in order that you may have no doubt left upon your minds as to which party + is in favor of an honest vote, I will call your attention to this striking + fact. Every law that has been passed in every State of this Union for + twenty long years, the object of which was to guard the American + ballot-box, has been passed by the Republican party, and in every State + where the Republican party has introduced such a bill for the purpose of + making it a law; in every State where such a bill has been defeated, it + has been defeated by the Democratic party. That ought to satisfy any + reasonable man to satiety. + </p> + <p> + I am not only in favor of free speech and an honest ballot, but I am in + favor of collecting and disbursing the revenues of the United States. I + want plenty of money to collect and pay the interest on our debt. I want + plenty of money to pay our debt and to preserve the financial honor of the + United States. I want money enough to be collected to pay pensions to + widows and orphans and to wounded soldiers. And the question is, which + section in this country can you trust to collect and disburse that + revenue? Let us be honest about it. Which section can you trust? In the + last four years we have collected four hundred and sixty-eight million + dollars of the internal revenue taxes. We have collected principally from + taxes upon high wines and tobacco, four hundred and sixty-eight million + dollars, and in those four years we have seized, libeled and destroyed in + the Southern States three thousand eight hundred and seventy-four illicit + distilleries. And during the same time the Southern people have shot to + death twenty-five revenue officers and wounded fifty-five others, and the + only offence that the wounded and dead committed was an honest effort to + collect the revenues of this country. Recollect it—don't you forget + it. And in several Southern States to-day every revenue collector or + officer connected with the revenue is furnished by the Internal Revenue + Department with a breech-loading rifle and a pair of revolvers, simply for + the purpose of collecting the revenue. + </p> + <p> + I don't feel like trusting such people to collect the revenue of my + Government. + </p> + <p> + During the same four years we have arrested and have indicted seven + thousand and eighty-four Southern Democrats for endeavoring to defraud the + revenue of the United States. Recollect—three thousand eight hundred + and seventy-four distilleries seized. Twenty-five revenue officers killed, + fifty-five wounded, and seven thousand and eighty-four Democrats arrested. + Can we trust them? + </p> + <p> + The State of Alabama in its last Democratic convention passed a resolution + that no man should be tried in a Federal Court for a violation of the + revenue laws—that he should be tried in a State Court. Think of it—he + should be tried in a State Court! Let me tell you how it will come out if + we trust the Southern States to collect this revenue. A couple of + Methodist ministers had been holding a revival for a week, and at the end + of the week one said to the other that he thought it time to take up a + collection. When the hat was returned he found in it pieces of + slate-pencils and nails and buttons, but not a single solitary cent—not + one—and his brother minister got up and looked at the contribution, + and said, "Let us thank God!" And the owner of the hat said, "What for?" + And the brother replied, "Because you got your hat back." If we trust the + South we shan't get our hats back. + </p> + <p> + I am next in favor of honest money. I am in favor of gold and silver, and + paper with gold and silver behind it. I believe in silver, because it is + one of the greatest of American products, and I am in favor of anything + that will add to the value of an American product. But I want a silver + dollar worth a gold dollar, even if you make it or have to make it four + feet in diameter. No government can afford to be a clipper of coin. A + great Republic cannot afford to stamp a lie upon silver or gold. Honest + money, an honest people, an honest Nation. When our money is only worth + eighty cents on the dollar, we feel twenty per cent, below par. When our + money is good we feel good. When our money is at par, that is where we + are. I am a profound believer in the doctrine that for nations as well as + men, honesty is the best policy, always, everywhere, and forever. + </p> + <p> + What section of this country, what party, will give us honest money—honor + bright—honor bright? I have been told that during the war, we had + plenty of money. I never saw it. I lived years without seeing a dollar. I + saw promises for dollars, but not dollars. And the greenback, unless you + have the gold behind it, is no more a dollar than a bill of fare is a + dinner. You cannot make a paper dollar without taking a dollar's worth of + paper. We must have paper that represents money. I want it issued by the + Government, and I want behind every one of these dollars either a gold or + silver dollar, so that every greenback under the flag can lift up its hand + and swear, "I know that my redeemer liveth." + </p> + <p> + When we were running into debt, thousands of people mistook that for + prosperity, and when we began paying they regarded it as adversity. Of + course we had plenty when we bought on credit. No man has ever starved + when his credit was good, if there were no famine in that country. As long + as we buy on credit we shall have enough. The trouble commences when the + pay-day arrives. And I do not wonder that after the war thousands of + people said, "Let us have another inflation." Which party said, "No, we + must pay the promise made in war"? Honor bright! The Democratic party had + once been a hard money party, but it drifted from its metallic moorings + and floated off in the ocean of inflation, and you know it. They said, + "Give us more money;" and every man that had bought on credit and owed a + little something on what he had purchased, when the property went down + commenced crying, or many of them did, for inflation. I understand it. + </p> + <p> + A man, say, bought a piece of land for six thousand dollars; paid five + thousand dollars on it; gave a mortgage for one thousand dollars, and + suddenly, in 1873, found that the land would not pay the other thousand. + The land had resumed, and then he said, looking lugubriously at his note + and mortgage, "I want another inflation." And I never heard a man call for + it that did not also say, "If it ever comes, and I don't unload, you may + shoot me." + </p> + <p> + It was very much as it is sometimes in playing poker, and I make this + comparison knowing that hardly a person here will understand it. I have + been told that along toward morning the man that is ahead suddenly says, + "I have got to go home. The fact is, my wife is not well." And the fellow + who is behind says, "Let us have another deal; I have my opinion of the + fellow that will jump a game." And so it was in the hard times of 1873. + They said: "Give us another deal; let us get our driftwood back into the + centre of the stream." And they cried out for more money. But the + Republican party said: "We do want more money, but not more promises. We + have got to pay this first, and if we start out again upon that wide sea + of promise we may never touch the shore." A thousand theories were born of + want; a thousand theories were born of the fertile brain of trouble; and + these people said, "After all, what is money? Why, it is nothing but a + measure of value, just the same as a half bushel or yardstick." True; and + consequently it makes no difference whether your half bushel is of wood or + gold or silver or paper; and it makes no difference whether your yardstick + is gold or paper. But the trouble about that statement is this: A half + bushel is not a measure of value; it is a measure of quantity, and it + measures rubies, diamonds and pearls precisely the same as corn and wheat. + The yardstick is not a measure of value; it is a measure of length, and it + measures lace worth one hundred dollars a yard precisely as it does cent + tape. And another reason why it makes no difference to the purchaser + whether the half bushel is gold or silver, or whether the yardstick is + gold or paper, you do not buy the yardstick; you do not get the half + bushel in the trade. And if it were so with money—if the people that + had the money at the start of the trade, kept it after the consummation of + the bargain—then it would not make any difference what you made your + money of. But the trouble is the money changes hands. And let me say + to-night, money is a thing—it is a product of nature—and you + can no more make a "fiat" dollar than you can make a fiat star. I am in + favor of honest money. Free speech is the brain of the Republic; an honest + ballot is the breath of its life, and honest money is the blood that + courses through its veins. + </p> + <p> + If I am fortunate enough to leave a dollar when I die, I want it to be a + good one. I do not wish to have it turn to ashes in the hands of + widowhood, or become a Democratic broken promise in the pocket of the + orphan; I want it money. I want money that will outlive the Democratic + party. They told us—and they were honest about it—they said, + "When we have plenty of money, we are prosperous." And I said, "When we + are prosperous, we have plenty of money." When we are prosperous, then we + have credit, and credit inflates the currency. Whenever a man buys a pound + of sugar and says, "Charge it," he inflates the currency; whenever he + gives his note, he inflates the currency; whenever his word takes the + place of money, he inflates the currency. The consequence is that when we + are prosperous, credit takes the place of money, and we have what we call + "plenty." + </p> + <p> + But you cannot increase prosperity simply by using promises to pay. + Suppose you should come to a river that was about dry, so dry that the + turtle had to help the catfish over the shoals, and there you would see + the ferryboat, and the gentleman who kept the ferry, up on the sand, high + and dry, and the cracks all opening in the sun, filled with loose oakum, + looking like an average Democratic mouth listening to a constitutional + argument, and you should say to him, "How is business?" And he would say, + "Dull." And then you would say to him, "Now, what you want is more boat." + He would probably answer, "If I had a little more water I could get along + with this one." + </p> + <p> + Suppose I next came to a man running a railroad, complaining of hard + times. "Why," said he, "I did a million dollars' worth of business the + first year and used five hundred thousand dollars' worth of grease. The + second year I did five hundred thousand dollars' worth of business and + used four hundred thousand dollars' worth of grease." "Well," said I, "the + reason your road fell off was because you did not use enough grease." + </p> + <p> + But I want to be fair, and I wish to-night to return my thanks to the + Democratic party. You did a great and splendid work. You went all over the + United States and you said upon every stump that a greenback was better + than gold. You said, "We have at last found the money of the poor man. + Gold loves the rich; gold haunts banks and safes and vaults; but we have + money that will go around inquiring for a man that is dead broke. We have + finally found money that will stay in a pocket with holes in it." But, + after all, do you know that money is the most social thing in this world? + If a fellow has one dollar in his pocket, and he meets another with two, + do you know that dollar is absolutely homesick until it gets where the + other two are? And yet the Greenbackers told us that they had finally + invented money that would be the poor mans friend. They said, "It is + better than gold, better than silver," and they got so many men to believe + it that when we resumed and said, "Here is your gold for your greenback," + the fellows who had the greenback said, "We don't want it. The greenbacks + are good enough for us." Do you know, if they had wanted it we could not + have given it to them? And so I return my thanks to the Greenback party. + But allow me to say in this connection, the days of their usefulness have + passed forever. + </p> + <p> + Now, I am not foolish enough to claim that the Republican party resumed. I + am not silly enough to say that John Sherman resumed. But I will tell you + what I do say. I say that every man who raised a bushel of corn or a + bushel of wheat or a pound of beef or pork for sale helped to resume. I + say that the gentle rain and the loving dew helped to resume. The soil of + the United States impregnated by the loving sun helped to resume. The men + that dug the coal and the iron and the silver and the copper and the gold + helped to resume. And the men upon whose foreheads fell the light of + furnaces helped to resume. And the sailors who fought with the waves of + the seas helped to resume. + </p> + <p> + I admit to-night that the Democrats earned their share of the money to + resume with. All I claim is that the Republican party furnished the + honesty to pay it over. That is what I claim; and the Republican party set + the day, and the Republican party worked to the promise. That is what I + say. And had it not been for the Republican party this Nation would have + been financially dishonored. I am for honest money, and I am for the + payment of every dollar of our debt, and so is every Democrat now, I take + it. But what did you say a little while ago? Did you say we could resume? + No; you swore we could not, and you swore our bonds would be worthless as + the withered leaves of winter. And now when a Democrat goes to England and + sees an American four per cent, quoted at one hundred and ten he kind of + swells up, and says: "That's the kind of man I am." In that country he + pretends he was a Republican in this. And I do not blame him. I do not + begrudge him enjoying respectability when away from home. The Republican + party is entitled to the credit for keeping this Nation grandly and + splendidly honest. I say, the Republican party is entitled to the credit + of preserving the honor of this Nation. + </p> + <p> + In 1873 came the crash, and all the languages of the world cannot describe + the agonies suffered by the American people from 1873 to 1879. A man who + thought he was a millionaire came to poverty; he found his stocks and + bonds ashes in the paralytic hand of old age. Men who expected to live all + their lives in the sunshine of joy found themselves beggars and paupers. + The great factories were closed, the workmen were demoralized, and the + roads of the United States were filled with tramps. In the hovel of the + poor and the palace of the rich came the serpent of temptation and + whispered in the American ear the terrible word "Repudiation." But the + Republican party said, "No; we will pay every dollar. No; we have started + toward the shining goal of resumption and we never will turn back." And + the Republican party struggled until it had the happiness of seeing upon + the broad shining forehead of American labor the words "Financial Honor." + </p> + <p> + The Republican party struggled until every paper promise was as good as + gold. And the moment we got back to gold then we commenced to rise again. + We could not jump until our feet touched something that they could be + pressed against. And from that moment to this we have been going, going, + going higher and higher, more prosperous every hour. And now they say, + "Let us have a change." When I am sick I want a change; when I am poor I + want a change; and if I were a Democrat I would have a personal change. We + are prosperous to-day, and must keep so. We are back to gold and silver. + Let us stay there; and let us stay with the party that brought us there. + </p> + <p> + Now, I am not only in favor of free speech and an honest ballot-box and an + honest collection of the revenue of the United States, and an honest + money, but I am in favor of the idea, of the great and splendid truth, + that this is a Nation one and indivisible. I deny that we are a + confederacy bound together with ropes of cloud and chains of mist. This is + a Nation, and every man in it owes his first allegiance to the grand old + flag for which more brave blood was shed than for any other flag that + waves in the sight of heaven. There is another thing; we all want to live + in a land where the law is supreme. We desire to live beneath a flag that + will protect every citizen beneath its folds. We desire to be citizens of + a Government so great and so grand that it will command the respect of the + civilized world. Most of us are convinced that our Government is the best + upon this earth. It is the only Government where manhood, and manhood + alone, is not made simply a condition of citizenship, but where manhood, + and manhood alone, permits its possessor to have his equal share in + control of the Government. It is the only Government in the world where + poverty is upon an exact equality with wealth, so far as controlling the + destiny of the Republic is concerned. It is the only Nation where the man + clothed in rags stands upon an equality with the one wearing purple. It is + the only country in the world where, politically, the hut is upon an + equality with the palace. + </p> + <p> + For that reason every poor man should stand by this Government, and every + poor man who does not is a traitor to the best interests of his children; + every poor man who does not is willing his children should bear the badge + of political inferiority; and the only way to make this Government a + complete and perfect success is for the poorest man to think as much of + his manhood as the millionaire does of his wealth. A man does not vote in + this country simply because he is rich; he does not vote in this country + simply because he has an education; he does not vote simply because he has + talent or genius; we say that he votes because he is a man, and that he + has his manhood to support; and we admit in this country that nothing can + be more valuable to any human being than his manhood, and for that reason + we put poverty on an equality with wealth. We say in this country manhood + is worth more than gold. We say in this country that without Liberty the + Nation is not worth preserving. Now, I appeal to-day to every poor man; I + appeal to-day to every laboring man, and I ask him, is there another + country on this globe where you can have equal rights with others? There + is another thing; do you want a Government of law or of brute force? In + which part of this country do you find law supreme? In which part of this + country can a man find justice in the courts; in the North or in the + South? Where is crime punished? Where is innocence protected, in the North + or in the South? Which section of this country will you trust? + </p> + <p> + You can tell what a man is by the way he treats persons in his power, and + the man that will sneak and crawl in the presence of greatness, will + trample the weak when he gets them in his power. What class of people does + the State have in its power? Criminals and creditors; and you can judge of + a State by the way it treats its criminals and creditors. Georgia is the + best State in the South. They have a penitentiary system by which they + hire out their convict labor. Only two years ago the whole thing was + examined by a friend of mine, Col. Allston. He had been in the rebel army + and was my good friend. He used to come to my house day after day to see + me. He got converted and had the grit to say so. Being a member of the + Legislature, he had a committee of investigation appointed. Now, in order + that you may understand the difference, you must know that in the Northern + penitentiaries the average annual death rate is one per cent.; that is, of + one thousand convicts, ten will die in a year, on the average. That low + death rate is because we are civilized, because we do not kill; but in the + Georgia penitentiary it was as high as fifteen, twenty-seven and + forty-seven per cent., at a time when there was no typhoid or yellow + fever, or epidemic of any kind. They died for four months at a rate of ten + per cent, per month. They crowded the convicts in together, regardless of + sex. They treated them precisely as wild beasts, and many of them were + shot down. Persons high in authority, Senators of the United States, held + interests in those contracts, and Robert Allston denounced them. When on a + visit he said, "I believe when I get home I shall be killed." I told him + not to go back to Georgia, but to stay in the civilized North; but no, he + would go back, and on the very day of his arrival he was murdered in cold + blood. Do you want to trust such men? * * * + </p> + <p> + The Southern people say this is a Confederacy and they are honest in it. + They fought for it, they believed it. They believe in the doctrine of + State Sovereignty, and many Democrats of the North believe in the same + doctrine. No less a man than Horatio Seymour—standing it may be at + the head of Democratic statesmen—said, if he has been correctly + reported, only the other day, that he despised the word "Nation." I bless + that word. I owe my first allegiance to this Nation, and it owes its first + protection to me. I am talking here to-night, not because I am protected + by the flag of New York. I would not know that flag if I should see it. I + am talking here, and have the right to talk here, because the flag of my + country is above us. I have the same right as though I had been born upon + this very platform. I am proud of New York because it is a part of my + country. I am proud of my country because it has such a State as New York + in it, and I will be prouder of New York on a week from next Tuesday than + ever before in my life. I despise the doctrine of State Sovereignty. I + believe in the rights of the States, but not in the sovereignty of the + States. States are political conveniences. Rising above States, as the + Alps above valleys, are the rights of man. Rising above the rights of the + Government, even in this Nation, are the sublime rights of the people. + Governments are good only so long as they protect human rights. But the + rights of a man never should be sacrificed upon the altar of the State, or + upon the altar of the Nation. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you a few objections that I have to State Sovereignty. That + doctrine has never been appealed to for any good. The first time it was + appealed to was when our Constitution was made. And the object then was to + keep the slave-trade open until the year 1808. The object then was to make + the sea the highway of piracy—the object then was to allow American + citizens to go into the business of selling men and women and children, + and feed their cargo to the sharks of the sea, and the sharks of the sea + were as merciful as they. That was the first time that the appeal to the + doctrine of State Sovereignty was made, and the next time was for the + purpose of keeping alive the interstate slave-trade, so that a gentleman + in Virginia could sell the slave who had nursed him, and rob the cradles + of their babes. Think of it! It was made so they could rob the cradle in + the name of law. Think of it! Think of it! And the next time they appealed + to the doctrine of State Sovereignty was in favor of the Fugitive Slave + Law—a law that made a bloodhound of every Northern man; that made + charity a crime; a law that made love a state-prison offence; that branded + the forehead of charity as if it were a felon. Think of it! + </p> + <p> + It is a part of my honor to hate such principles. I have no respect for + any man who is so mean, cruel and wicked, as to allow himself to be + transformed into a bloodhound to bay upon the tracks of innocent human + prey. I will follow my logic, no matter where it goes, after it has + consulted with my heart. If you ever come to a conclusion without calling + the heart in, you will come to a bad conclusion. + </p> + <p> + A good man is pretty apt to be right; a perfectly honest man is like the + surface of the stainless mirror, that gives back by simply looking at him, + the image of the one who looks. + </p> + <p> + The next time they appealed to the doctrine of State Sovereignty was to + increase the area of human slavery, so that the bloodhound, with clots of + blood dropping from his loose and hanging jaws, might traverse the billowy + plains of Kansas. Think of it! + </p> + <p> + The Democratic party then said the Federal Government had a right to cross + the State line. And the next time they appealed to that infamous doctrine + was in defence of secession and treason; a doctrine that cost us six + thousand millions of dollars; a doctrine that cost four hundred thousand + lives; a doctrine that filled our country with widows, our homes with + orphans. And I tell you, the doctrine of State Sovereignty is the viper in + the bosom of this Republic, and if we do not kill that viper it will kill + us. + </p> + <p> + The Democrats tell us that in the olden time the Federal Government had a + right to cross a State line to put shackles upon the limbs of men. It had + the right to cross a State line to trample upon the rights of human + beings, but now it has no right to cross those lines upon an errand of + mercy or justice. We are told that now, when the Federal Government wishes + to protect a citizen, a State line rises like a Chinese wall, and the + sword of Federal power turns to air the moment it touches one of those + lines. I deny it and I despise, abhor and execrate the doctrine of State + Sovereignty. The Democrats tell us if we wish to be protected by the + Federal Government we must leave home. I wish they would try it for about + ten days. They say the Federal Government can defend a citizen in England, + France, Spain or Germany, but cannot defend a child of the Republic + sitting around the family hearth. I deny it. A Government that cannot + protect its citizens at home is unfit to be called a Government. I want a + Government with an ear so good that it can hear the faintest cry of the + oppressed wherever its flag floats. I want a Government with an arm long + enough and a sword sharp enough to cut down treason wherever it may raise + its serpent head. I want a Government that will protect a freedman, + standing by his little log hut, with the same alacrity and with the same + efficiency that it would protect Vanderbilt, living in a palace of marble + and gold. Humanity is a sacred thing, and manhood is a thing to be + preserved. Let us look at it. For instance, here is a war, and the Federal + Government says to a man, "We want you," and he says, "No, I don't want to + go," and then they put a lot of pieces of paper in a wheel and on one of + those pieces is his name, and another man turns the crank, and then they + pull it out and there is his name, and they say, "Come," and so he goes. + And they stand him in front of the brazen-throated guns; they make him + fight for his native land, and when the war is over he goes home and he + finds the war has been unpopular in his neighborhood, and they trample on + his rights, and he says to the Federal Government, "Protect me." And he + says to the Government, "I owe my allegiance to you. You must protect me." + What will you say of that Government if it says to him, "You must look to + your State for protection"? "Ah, but," he says, "my State is the very + power trampling upon me," and, of course, the robber is not going to send + for the police, It is the duty of the Government to defend even its + drafted men; and if that is the duty of the Government, what shall I say + of the volunteer, who for one moment holds his wife in a tremulous and + agonized embrace, kisses his children, shoulders his musket, goes to the + field and says, "Here I am, ready to die for my native land"? A Nation + that will not defend its volunteer defenders is a disgrace to the map of + this world. This is a Nation. Free speech is the brain of the Republic; an + honest ballot is the breath of its life; honest money is the blood of its + veins; and the idea of nationality is its great, beating, throbbing heart. + I am for a Nation. And yet the Democrats tell me that it is dangerous to + have centralized power. How would you have it? I believe in the + localization of power; I believe in having enough of it localized in one + place to be effectively used; I believe in a localization of brain. I + suppose Democrats would like to have it spread all over your body, and + they act as though theirs was. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing in which I believe: I believe in the protection of + American labor. The hand that holds Aladdin's lamp must be the hand of + toil. This Nation rests upon the shoulders of its workers, and I want the + American laboring man to have enough to wear; I want him to have enough to + eat: + </p> + <p> + I want him to have something for the ordinary misfortunes of life; I want + him to have the pleasure of seeing his wife well-dressed; I want him to + see a few blue ribbons fluttering about his children; I want him to see + the flags of health flying in their beautiful cheeks; I want him to feel + that this is his country, and the shield of protection is above his labor. + </p> + <p> + And I will tell you why I am for protection, too. If we were all farmers + we would be stupid. If we were all shoemakers we would be stupid. If we + all followed one business, no matter what it was, we would become stupid. + Protection to American labor diversifies American industry, and to have it + diversified touches and develops every part of the human brain. Protection + protects ingenuity; it protects intelligence; and protection raises sense; + and by protection we have greater men, better looking women and healthier + children. Free trade means that our laborer is upon an equality with the + poorest paid labor of this world. And allow me to tell you that for an + empty stomach, "Hurrah for Hancock!" is a poor consolation. I do not think + much of a Government where the people do not have enough to eat. I am a + materialist to that extent; I want something to eat. I have been in + countries where the laboring man had meat once a year; sometimes twice—Christmas + and Easter. And I have seen women carrying upon their heads a burden that + no man in this audience could carry, and at the same time knitting busily + with both hands, and those women lived without meat; and when I thought of + the American laborer, I said to myself, "After all, my country is the best + in the world." And when I came back to the sea and saw the old flag + flying, it seemed to me as though the air from pure joy had burst into + blossom. + </p> + <p> + Labor has more to eat and more to wear in the United States than in any + other land of this earth. I want America to produce everything that + Americans need. I want it so that if the whole world should declare war + against us, if we were surrounded by walls of cannon and bayonets and + swords, we could supply all our material wants in and of ourselves. I want + to live to see the American woman dressed in American silk; the American + man in everything, from hat to boots, produced in America by the cunning + hand of American toil. I want to see the workingman have a good house, + painted white, grass in the front yard, carpets on the floor, pictures on + the wall. I want to see him a man, feeling that he is a king by the divine + right of living in the Republic. And every man here is just a little bit a + king, you know. Every man here is a part of the sovereign power. Every man + wears a little of purple; every man has a little of crown and a little of + sceptre; and every man that will sell his vote for money or be ruled by + prejudice is unfit to be an American citizen. + </p> + <p> + I believe in American labor, and I will tell you why. The other day a man + told me that we had produced in the United States of America one million + tons of steel rails. How much are they worth? Sixty dollars a ton. In + other words, the million tons are worth sixty million dollars. How much is + a ton of iron worth in the ground? Twenty-five cents. American labor takes + twenty-five cents worth of iron in the ground and adds to it fifty-nine + dollars and seventy-five cents. One million tons of rails, and the raw + material not worth twenty-four thousand dollars! We build a ship in the + United States worth five hundred thousand dollars, and the value of the + ore in the earth, of the trees in the great forest, of all that enters + into the composition of that ship bringing five hundred thousand dollars + in gold is only twenty thousand dollars; four hundred and eighty thousand + dollars by American labor, American muscle, coined into gold; American + brains made a legal tender the world round. + </p> + <p> + I propose to stand by the Nation. I want the furnaces kept hot. I want the + sky to be filled with the smoke of American industry, and upon that cloud + of smoke will rest forever the bow of perpetual promise. That is what I am + for. Where did this doctrine of a tariff for revenue only come from? From + the South. The South would like to stab the prosperity of the North. They + would rather trade with Old England than with New England. They would + rather trade with the people who were willing to help them in war than + with those who conquered the Rebellion. They knew what gave us our + strength in war. They knew that all the brooks and creeks and rivers of + New England were putting down the Rebellion. They knew that every wheel + that turned, every spindle that revolved, was a soldier in the army of + human progress. It won't do! They were so lured by the greed of office + that they were willing to trade upon the misfortunes of a Nation. It won't + do! I do not wish to belong to a party that succeeds only when my country + fails. I do not wish to belong to a party whose banner went up with the + banner of rebellion. I do not wish to belong to a party that was in + partnership with defeat and disaster. I do not. And there is not a + Democrat here who does not know that a failure of the crops this year + would have helped his party. You know that an early frost would have been + a godsend to them. You know that the potato-bug could have done them more + good than all their speakers. + </p> + <p> + I wish to belong to that party which is prosperous when the country is + prosperous. I belong to that party which is not poor when the golden + billows are running over the seas of wheat. I belong to that party which + is prosperous when there are oceans of corn, and when the cattle are upon + the thousand hills. I belong to that party which is prosperous when the + furnaces are aflame, and when you dig coal and iron and silver; when + everybody has enough to eat; when everybody is happy; when the children + are all going to school, and when joy covers my Nation as with a garment. + That party which is prosperous then, is my party. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, I have been telling you what I am for. I am for free speech, + and so ought you to be. I am for an honest ballot, and if you are not you + ought to be. I am for the collection of the revenue. I am for honest + money. I am for the idea that this is a Nation forever. I believe in + protecting American labor. I want the shield of my country above every + anvil, above every furnace, above every cunning head and above every deft + hand of American labor. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, which section of this country will be the more apt to carry + these ideas into execution? Which party will be the more apt to achieve + these grand and splendid things? Honor bright? Now we have not only to + choose between sections of the country; we have to choose between parties. + Here is the Democratic party, and I admit there are thousands of good + Democrats who went to the war, and some of those that stayed at home were + good men; and I want to ask you, and I want you to tell me in reply what + that party did during the war when the War Democrats were away from home. + What did they do? That is the question. I say to you, that every man who + tried to tear our flag out of heaven was a Democrat. The men who wrote the + ordinances of secession, who fired upon Fort Sumter; the men who starved + our soldiers, who fed them with the crumbs that the worms had devoured + before, they were Democrats. The keepers of Libby, the keepers of + Andersonville, were Democrats—Libby and Andersonville, the two + mighty wings that will bear the memory of the Confederacy to eternal + infamy! The men who wished to scatter yellow fever in the North and who + tried to fire the great cities of the North—they were all Democrats. + He who said that the greenback would never be paid and he who slandered + sixty cents out of every dollar of the Nation's promises were Democrats. + Who were joyful when your brothers and your sons and your fathers lay dead + on a field of battle that the country had lost? They were Democrats. The + men who wept when the old banner floated in triumph above the ramparts of + rebellion—they were Democrats. You know it. The men who wept when + slavery was destroyed, who believed slavery to be a divine institution, + who regarded bloodhounds as apostles and missionaries, and who wept at the + funeral of that infernal institution—they were Democrats. Bad + company—bad company! + </p> + <p> + And let me implore all the young men here not to join that party. Do not + give new blood to that institution. The Democratic party has a yellow + passport. On one side it says "dangerous." They imagine they have not + changed, and that is because they have not intellectual growth. That party + was once the enemy of my country, was once the enemy of our flag, and more + than that, it was once the enemy of human liberty, and that party to-night + is not willing that the citizens of the Republic should exercise all their + rights irrespective of their color. And allow me to say right here that I + am opposed to that party. + </p> + <p> + We have not only to choose between parties, but to choose between + candidates. The Democracy have put forward as the bearers of their + standard General Hancock and William H. English. The Democrats have at + last nominated a Union soldier. They nominated George B. McClellan once, + because he failed to whip the South; they nominated Mr. Greeley, when they + despised him, and now they have nominated General Hancock. Do they think + the South loves him? At Gettysburg they say he fought against them, and + that is one great reason why he should be President—that he shot + rebels. Do the men that fought at Gettysburg still believe in State + Sovereignty? Wade Hampton says, "We must vote as Lee and Jackson fought." + They fought for State Sovereignty. Has the South changed? Hancock went to + kill them then; they want to vote for him now. Who has changed? [A voice: + "Hancock."] I think so. They are using him as a figure-head. They have + dressed him in the noble blue, with the patriotic coat and Union buttons, + and they do not like him any better than they did at Gettysburg. It would + be just as consistent for the Republicans to have nominated Wade Hampton. + Did General Hancock believe in State Sovereignty when he was at + Gettysburg? If he did, he was a murderer, and not a Union soldier—he + was killing men he believed to be in the right, and a man cannot fight + unless his conscience approves of what his sword does, and if he was + honest at that time, he did not believe in State Sovereignty, and it seems + to me he would hate to have the men who tried to destroy this Government + cheering him. All the glory he ever got was in the service of the + Republican party, and if he does not look out he will lose it all in the + service of the Democratic party. He had a conversation with General Grant. + It was a time when he had been appointed at the head of the Department of + the Gulf. In that conversation he stated to General Grant that he was + opposed to "nigger domination." Grant said to him, "We must obey the laws + of Congress. We are soldiers." And that meant, the military is not above + the civil authority. And I tell you to-night, that the army and the navy + are the right and left hands of the civil power. Grant said to him: "Three + or four million ex-slaves, without property and without education, cannot + dominate over thirty or forty millions of white people, with education and + property." General Hancock replied to that: "I am opposed to 'nigger + domination.'" Allow me to say that I do not believe any man fit for the + presidency of the great Republic, who is capable of insulting a + down-trodden race. I never meet a negro that I do not feel like asking his + forgiveness for the wrongs that my race has inflicted on his. I remember + that from the white man he received for two hundred years agony and tears; + I remember that my race sold a child from the agonized breast of a mother; + I remember that my race trampled with the feet of greed upon all the holy + relations of life; and I do not feel like insulting the colored man; I + feel rather like asking the forgiveness of his race for the crimes that my + race have put upon him. "Nigger domination!" What a fine scabbard that + makes for the sword of Gettysburg! It won't do! + </p> + <p> + What is General Hancock for, besides the presidency? How does he stand + upon the great questions affecting American prosperity? He told us the + other day that the tariff is a local question. The tariff affects every + man and woman, live they in hut, hovel or palace; it affects every man + that has a back to be covered or a stomach to be filled, and yet he says + it is a local question. So is death. He also told us that he heard that + question discussed once, in Pennsylvania. He must have been eavesdropping. + And he tells us that his doctrine of the tariff will continue as long as + Nature lasts. Then Senator Randolph wrote him a letter. I do not know + whether Senator Randolph answered it or not; but that answer was worse + than the first interview; and I understand now that another letter is + going through a period of incubation at Governor's Island, upon the great + subject of the tariff. It won't do! + </p> + <p> + They say one thing they are sure of, he is opposed to paying Southern + pensions and Southern claims. He says that a man that fought against this + Government has no right to a pension. Good! I say a man that fought + against this Government has no right to office. If a man cannot earn a + pension by tearing our flag out of the sky, he cannot earn power. [A Voice—"How + about Longstreet?"] Longstreet has repented of what he did. Longstreet + admits that he was wrong. And there was no braver officer in the Southern + Confederacy. Every man of the South who will say, "I made a mistake"—I + do not want him to say that he knew he was wrong—all I ask him to + say is that he now thinks he was wrong; and every man of the South to-day + who says he was wrong, and who says from this day forward, henceforth and + forever, he is for this being a Nation. + </p> + <p> + I will take him by the hand. But while he is attempting to do at the + ballot-box what he failed to accomplish upon the field of battle, I am + against him; while he uses a Northern general to bait a Southern trap, I + won't bite. I will forgive men when they deserve to be forgiven; but while + they insist that they were right, while they insist that State Sovereignty + is the proper doctrine, I am opposed to their climbing into power. + </p> + <p> + Hancock says that he will not pay these claims; he agrees to veto a bill + that his party may pass; he agrees in advance that he will defeat a party + that he expects will elect him; he, in effect, says to the people, "You + can not trust that party, but you can trust me." He says, "Look at them; I + admit they are a hungry lot; I admit that they haven't had a bite in + twenty years; I admit that an ordinary famine is satiety compared to the + hunger they feel. But between that vast appetite known as the Democratic + party, and the public treasury, I will throw the shield of my veto." No + man has a right to say in advance what he will veto, any more than a judge + has a right to say in advance how he will decide a case. The veto power is + a distinction with which the Constitution has clothed the Executive, and + no President has a right to say that he will veto until he has heard both + sides of the question. But he agrees in advance. + </p> + <p> + I would rather trust a party than a man. Death may veto Hancock, and Death + has not been a successful politician in the United States. Tyler, + Fillmore, Andy Johnson—I do not wish Death to elect any more + Presidents; and if he does, and if Hancock is elected, William H. English + becomes President of the United States. No, no, no! All I need to say + about him is simply to pronounce his name; that is all. You do not want + him. Whether the many stories that have been told about him are true or + not I do not know, and I will not give currency to a solitary word against + the reputation of an American citizen unless I know it to be true. What I + have against him is what he has done in public life. When Charles Sumner, + that great and splendid publicist—Charles Sumner, the + philanthropist, one who spoke to the conscience of his time and to the + history of the future—when he stood up in the United States Senate + and made a great and glorious plea for human liberty, there crept into the + Senate a villain and struck him down as though he had been a wild beast. + That man was a member of Congress, and when a resolution was introduced in + the House, to expel that man, William H. English voted "No." All the + stories in the world could not add to the infamy of that public act. That + is enough for me, and whatever his private life may be, let it be that of + an angel, never, never, never would I vote for a man that would defend the + assassin of free speech. General Hancock, they tell me, is a statesman; + that what little time he has had to spare from war he has given to the + tariff, and what little time he could spare from the tariff he has given + to the Constitution of his country; showing under what circumstances a + Major-General can put at defiance the Congress of the United States. It + won't do! + </p> + <p> + But while I am upon that subject it may be well for me to state that he + never will be President of the United States. Now, I say that a man who in + time of peace prefers peace, and prefers the avocations of peace; a man + who in the time of peace would rather look at the corn in the air of June, + rather listen to the hum of bees, rather sit by his door with his wife and + children; the man who in time of peace loves peace, and yet when the blast + of war blows in his ears, shoulders a musket and goes to the field of war + to defend his country, and when the war is over goes home and again + pursues the avocations of peace—that man is just as good, to say the + least of it, as a man who in a time of profound peace makes up his mind + that he would like to make his living killing other folks. To say the + least of it, he is as good. + </p> + <p> + The Republicans have named as their standard bearers James A. Garfield and + Chester A. Arthur. James A. Garfield was a volunteer soldier, and he took + away from the field of Chickamauga as much glory as any one man could + carry. He is not only a soldier—7-he is a statesman. He has studied + and discussed all the great questions that affect the prosperity and + well-being of the American people. His opinions are well known, and I say + to you tonight that there is not in this Nation, there is not in this + Republic a man with greater brain and greater heart than James A. + Garfield. I know him and I like him. I know him as well as any other + public man, and I like him. The Democratic party say that he is not + honest. I have been reading some Democratic papers to-day, and you would + say that every one of their editors had a private sewer of his own into + which has been emptied for a hundred years the slops of hell. They tell me + that James A. Garfield is not honest. Are you a Democrat? Your party tried + to steal nearly half of this country. Your party stole the armament of a + nation. Your party was willing to live upon the unpaid labor of four + millions of people. You have no right to the floor for the purpose of + making a motion of honesty. James A. Garfield has been at the head of the + most important committees of Congress; he is a member of the most + important one of the whole House. He has no peer in the Congress of the + United States. And you know it. He is the leader of the House. With one + wave of his hand he can take millions from the pocket of one industry and + put it into the pocket of another; with a motion of his hand he could have + made himself a man of wealth, but he is to-night a poor man. I know him + and I like him. He is as genial as May and he is as generous as Autumn. + And the men for whom he has done unnumbered favors, the men whom he had + pity enough not to destroy with an argument, the men who, with his great + generosity, he has allowed, intellectually, to live, are now throwing + filth at the reputation of that great and splendid man. + </p> + <p> + Several ladies and gentlemen were passing a muddy place around which were + gathered ragged and wretched urchins. And these little wretches began to + throw mud at them; and one gentleman said, "If you don't stop I will throw + it back at you." And a little fellow said, "You can't do it without + dirtying your hands, and it doesn't hurt us anyway." + </p> + <p> + I never was more profoundly happy than on the night of that 12th day of + October when I found that between an honest and a kingly man and his + maligners, two great States had thrown their shining shields. When Ohio + said, "Garfield is my greatest son, and there never has been raised in the + cabins of Ohio a grander man"—and when Indiana held up her hands and + said, "Allow me to indorse that verdict," I was profoundly happy, because + that said to me, "Garfield will carry every Northern State;" that said to + me, "The Solid South will be confronted by a great and splendid North." + </p> + <p> + I know Garfield—I like him. Some people have said, "How is it that + you support Garfield, when he was a minister?" "How is it that you support + Garfield when he is a Christian?" I will tell you. There are two reasons. + The first is I am not a bigot; and secondly, James A. Garfield is not a + bigot. He believes in giving to every other human being every right he + claims for himself. He believes in freedom of speech and freedom of + thought; untrammeled conscience and upright manhood. He believes in an + absolute divorce between church and state. He believes that every religion + should rest upon its morality, upon its reason, upon its persuasion, upon + its goodness, upon its charity, and that love should never appeal to the + sword of civil power. He disagrees with me in many things; but in the one + thing, that the air is free for all, we do agree. I want to do equal and + exact justice everywhere. + </p> + <p> + I want the world of thought to be without a chain, without a wall, and I + wish to say to you, [turning toward Mr. Beecher and directly addressing + him] that I thank you for what you have said to-night, and to congratulate + the people of this city and country that you have intellectual horizon + enough, intellectual sky enough to take the hand of a man, howsoever much + he may disagree in some things with you, on the grand platform and broad + principle of citizenship. James A. Garfield, believing with me as he does, + disagreeing with me as he does, is perfectly satisfactory to me. I know + him, and I like him. + </p> + <p> + Men are to-day blackening his reputation, who are not fit to blacken his + shoes. He is a man of brain. Since his nomination he must have made forty + or fifty speeches, and every one has been full of manhood and genius. He + has not said a word that has not strengthened him with the American + people. He is the first candidate who has been free to express himself and + who has never made a mistake. I will tell you why he does not make a + mistake; because he spoke from the inside out. Because he was guided by + the glittering Northern Star of principle. Lie after lie has been told + about him. Slander after slander has been hatched and put in the air, with + its little short wings, to fly its day, and the last lie is a forgery. + </p> + <p> + I saw to-day the fac-simile of a letter that they pretend he wrote upon + the Chinese question. I know his writing; I know his signature; I am well + acquainted with his writing. I know handwriting, and I tell you to-night, + that letter and that signature are forgeries. A forgery for the benefit of + the Pacific States; a forgery for the purpose of convincing the American + workingman that Garfield is without heart. I tell you, my fellow-citizens, + that cannot take from him a vote. But Ohio pierced their centre and + Indiana rolled up both flanks and the rebel line cannot re-form with a + forgery for a standard. They are gone! + </p> + <p> + Now, some people say to me, "How long are you going to preach the doctrine + of hate?" I never did preach it. In many States of this Union it is a + crime to be a Republican. I am going to preach my doctrine until every + American citizen is permitted to express his opinion and vote as he may + desire in every State of this Union. I am going to preach my doctrine + until this is a civilized country. That is all. + </p> + <p> + I will treat the gentlemen of the South precisely as we do the gentlemen + of the North. I want to treat every section of the country precisely as we + do ours-. I want to improve their rivers and their harbors; I want to fill + their land with commerce; I want them to prosper; I want them to build + schoolhouses; I want them to open the lands to immigration to all people + who desire to settle upon their soil. I want to be friends with them; I + want to let the past be buried forever; I want to let bygones be bygones, + but only upon the basis that we are now in favor of absolute liberty and + eternal justice. I am not willing to bury nationality or free speech in + the grave for the purpose of being friends. Let us stand by our colors; + let the old Republican party that has made this a Nation—the old + Republican party that has saved the financial honor of this country—let + that party stand by its colors. + </p> + <p> + Let that party say, "Free speech forever!" Let that party say, "An honest + ballot forever!" Let that party say, "Honest money forever! the Nation and + the flag forever!" And let that party stand by the great men carrying her + banner, James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur. I would rather trust a + party than a man. If General Garfield dies, the Republican party lives; if + General Garfield dies, General Arthur will take his place—a brave, + honest, and intelligent gentleman, upon whom every Republican can rely. + And if he dies, the Republican party lives, and as long as the Republican + party does not die, the great Republic will live. As long as the + Republican party lives, this will be the asylum of the world. Let me tell + you, Mr. Irishman, this is the only country on the earth where Irishmen + have had enough to eat. Let me tell you, Mr. German, that you have more + liberty here than you had in the Fatherland. Let me tell you, all men, + that this is the land of humanity. + </p> + <p> + Oh! I love the old Republic, bounded by the seas, walled by the wide air, + domed by heaven's blue, and lit with the eternal stars. I love the + Republic; I love it because I love liberty. Liberty is my religion, and at + its altar I worship, and will worship. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0013" id="link0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADDRESS TO THE 86TH ILLINOIS REGIMENT. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This is only a fragment of a speech made by Col. Ingersoll + at Peoria, 111., in 1866, to the 86th Illinois Regiment, at + their anniversary meeting. +</pre> + <p> + PEORIA, ILLS. 1865. + </p> + <p> + THE history of the past four years seems to me like a terrible dream. It + seems almost impossible that the events that have now passed into history + ever happened. That hundreds of thousands of men, born and reared under + one flag, with the same history, the same future, and, in truth, the same + interests, should have met upon the terrible field of death, and for four + long years should have fought with a bitterness and determination never + excelled; that they should have filled our land with orphans and widows, + and made our country hollow with graves, is indeed wonderful; but that the + people of the South should have thus fought—thus attempted to + destroy and overthrow the Government founded by the heroes of the + Revolution—merely for the sake of perpetuating the infamous + institution of slavery, is wonderful almost beyond belief. + </p> + <p> + Strange that people should be found in this, the nineteenth century, to + fight against freedom and to die for slavery! It is most wonderful that + the terrible war ceased as suddenly as it did, and that the soldiers of + the Republic, the moment that the angel of peace spread her white wings + over our country, dropped from their hands the instruments of war and + eagerly went back to the plough, the shop and the office, and are to-day, + with the same determination that characterized them in battle, engaged in + effacing every vestige of the desolation and destruction of war. But the + progress we have made as a people is if possible still more astonishing. + We pretended to be the lovers of freedom, yet we defended slavery. We + quoted the Declaration of Independence and voted for the compromise of + 1850. + </p> + <p> + From servility and slavishness we have marched to heroism. We were + tyrants. We are liberators. We were slave-catchers. We are now the + chivalrous breakers of chains. + </p> + <p> + From slavery, over a bloody and terrible path, we have marched to freedom. + Hirelings of oppression, we have become the champions of justice—the + defenders of the right—the pillar upon which rests the hope of the + world. To whom are we indebted for this wonderful change? Most of all to + you, the soldiers of the great Republic. We thank you that the hands of + time were not turned back a thousand years—that the Dark Ages did + not again come upon the world—that Prometheus was not again chained—that + the river of progress was not stopped or stayed—that the dear blood + shed during all the past was not rendered vain—that the sublime + faith of all the grand and good did not become a bitter dream, but a + reality more glorious than ever entered into the imagination of the rapt + heroes of the past. Soldiers of the Eighty-sixth Illinois, we thank you, + and through you all the defenders of the Republic, living and dead. We + thank you that the deluge of blood has subsided, that the ark of our + national safety is at rest, that the dove has returned with the olive + branch of peace, and that the dark clouds of war are in the far distance, + covered with the beautiful bow. + </p> + <p> + In the name of humanity, in the name of progress, in the name of freedom, + in the name of America, in the name of the oppressed of the whole world, + we thank you again and again. We thank you, that in the darkest hour you + never despaired of the Republic, that you were not dismayed, that through + disaster and defeat, through cruelty and famine, through the serried ranks + of the enemy, in spite of false friends, you marched resolutely, + unflinchingly and bravely forward. Forward through shot and shell! Forward + through fire and sword! Forward past the corpses of your brave comrades, + buried in shallow graves by the hurried hands of heroes! Forward past the + scattered bones of starved captives! Forward through the glittering + bayonet lines, and past the brazen throats of the guns! Forward through + the din and roar and smoke and hell of war! Onward through blood and fire + to the shining, glittering mount of perfect and complete victory, and from + the top your august hands unfurled to the winds the old banner of the + stars, and it waves in triumph now, and shall forever, from the St. + Lawrence to the Rio Grande, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific! + </p> + <p> + We thank you that our waving fields of golden wheat and rustling corn are + not trodden down beneath the bloody feet of invasion—that our homes + are not ashes—that our hearthstones are not desolate—that our + towns and cities still stand, that our temples and institutions of + learning are secure, that prosperity covers us as with a mantle, and, more + than all, we thank you that the Republic still lives; that law and order + reign supreme; that the Constitution is still sacred; that a republican + government has ceased to be only an experiment, and has become a certainty + for all time; that we have by your heroism established the sublime and + shining truth that a government by the people, for the people, can and + will stand until governments cease among men; that you have given the lie + to the impudent and infamous prophecy of tyranny, and that you have firmly + established the Republic upon the great ideas of National Unity and Human + Liberty. + </p> + <p> + We thank you for our commerce on the high seas, upon our lakes and + beautiful rivers, for the credit of our nation, for the value of our + money, and for the grand position that we now occupy among the nations of + the earth. We thank you for every State redeemed, for every star brought + back to glitter again upon the old flag, and we thank you for the grand + future that you have opened for us and for our children through all the + ages yet to come; and, not only for us and our children, but for mankind. + </p> + <p> + Thanks to your efforts our country is still an asylum for the oppressed of + the Old World; the arms of our charity are still open, we still beckon + them across the sea, and they come in multitudes,'leaving home, the graves + of their sires, and the dear memories of the heart, and with their wives + and little ones come to this, the only free land upon which the sun shines—and + with their countless hands of labor add to the wealth, the permanence and + the glory of our country. And let them come from the land of Luther, of + Hampden and Emmett. Whoever is for freedom and the sacred rights of man is + a true American, and as such, we welcome them all. We thank you to-day in + the name of four millions of people, whose shackles you have so nobly and + generously broken, and who, from the condition of beasts of burden, have + by your efforts become men. We thank you in the name of this poor and + hitherto despised and insulted race, and say that their emancipation was, + and is, the crowning glory of this most terrible war. Peace without + liberty could have been only a bloody delusion and a snare. Freedom is + peace; Slavery is war. + </p> + <p> + We must act justly and honorably with these emancipated men, knowing that + the eyes of the civilized world are upon us. We must do what is best for + both races. We must not be controlled merely by party. + </p> + <p> + If the Government is founded upon principle, it will stand against the + shock of revolution and foreign war as long as liberty is sacred, the + rights of man respected, and honor dwells in the hearts of men. + </p> + <p> + We thank you for the lesson that has been taught the Old World by your + patriotism and valor; believing that when the people shall have learned + that sublime and divine lesson, thrones will become kingless, kings + crownless, royalty an epitaph, the purple of power the shroud of death, + the chains of tyranny will fall from the bodies of men, the shackles of + superstition from the souls of the people, the spirit of persecution will + fly from the earth, and the banner of Universal Freedom, with the words + "Civil and Religious Liberty for the World" written upon every fold, + blazing from every star, will float over every land and sea under the + whole heavens. + </p> + <p> + We thank you for the glorious past, for the still more glorious future, + and will continue to thank you while our hearts are warm with life. We + will gather around you in the hour of your death and soothe your last + moments with our gratitude. We will follow you tearfully to the narrow + house of the dead, and over your sacred remains erect the whitest and + purest marble. The hands of love will adorn your last abode, and the + chisel will record that beneath rests the sacred dust of the Heroic + Saviors of the Great Republic. Such ground will be holy, and future + generations will draw inspiration from your tombs, courage from your + heroic examples, patience and fortitude from your sufferings, and strength + eternal from your success. + </p> + <p> + I cannot stop without speaking of the heroic dead. It seems to me as + though their spirits ought to hover over you to-day—that they might + join with us in giving thanks for the great victory,—that their + faces might grow radiant to think that their blood was not shed in vain,—that + the living are worthy to reap the benefits of their sacrifices, their + sufferings and death, and it almost seems as if their sightless eyes are + suffused with tears. Then we think of the dear mothers waiting for their + sons, of the devoted wives waiting for their husbands, of the orphans + asking for fathers whose returning footsteps they can never hear; that + while they can say "my country," they cannot say "my son," "my husband," + or "my father." + </p> + <p> + My heart goes out to all the slain, to those heroic corpses sleeping far + away from home and kindred in unknown and lonely graves, to those poor + pieces of dear, bleeding earth that won for me the blessings I enjoy + to-day. + </p> + <p> + Shall I recount their sufferings? They were starved day by day with a + systematic and calculating cruelty never equaled by the most savage + tribes. They were confined in dens as though they had been beasts, and + then they slowly faded and wasted from life. Some were released from their + sufferings by blessed insanity, until their parched and fevered lips, + their hollow and glittering eyes, were forever closed by the angel of + death. And thus they died, with the voices of loved ones in their ears; + the faces of the dear absent hovering over them; around them their dying + comrades, and the fiendish slaves of slavery. + </p> + <p> + And what shall I say more of the regiment before me? It is enough that you + were a part of the great army that accomplished so much for America and + mankind. + </p> + <p> + It is but just, however, to say that you were at the bloody field of + Perryville, that you stood with Thomas at Chickamauga and kept at bay the + rebel host, that you marched to the relief of Knoxville through bitter + cold, hunger and privations, and had the honor of relieving that heroic + garrison. + </p> + <p> + It is but just to say that you were with Sherman in his wonderful march + through the heart of the Confederacy; that you were in the terrible charge + at Kenesaw Mountain, and held your ground for days within a few steps of + the rebel fortifications; that you were at Atlanta and took part in the + terrible conflict before that city and marched victoriously through her + streets; that you were at Savannah; that you had the honor of being + present when Johnson surrendered, and his ragged rebel horde laid down + their arms; that from there you marched to Washington and beneath the + shadow of the glorious dome of our Capitol, that lifts from the earth as + though jealous of the stars, received the grandest national ovation + recorded in the annals of the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0014" id="link0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DECORATION DAY ORATION. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * At the Memorial Celebration of the Grand Army of the + Republic last evening the Academy of Music was filled to + overflowing, within a few minutes after the opening of the + doors. + + Gen. Hancock was the first arrival of importance. The + Governor's Island band accepted this as a signal for the + overture. The Academy was tastefully decorated. The three + balconies were covered, the first with blue cloth, the + second with white and national bunting, studded with the + insignia of the original thirteen States, and the family + circle with red. Over the centre of the stage the national + flag and device hung suspended, and was held In its place by + flying streamers extending to the boxes. The latter were + draped with flags, relieved by antique armor and weapons— + shields, casques and battle axes and crossed swords and + pikes. + + At 8.05 the curtain slowly rose, and discovered to the view + of the audience, a second audience reaching back to the + farthest depths of the scenes. These were the fortunate + holders of stage tickets, and comprised a great number of + distinguished men. + + Among them were noticed Gen. Horace Porter, Gen. Lloyd + Aspinwall, Gen. Daniel Butterfield, Gen. D. D. Wylie, Gen. + Charles Roome, Gen. W. Palmer, Gen. John Cochrane, Gen. H. + G. Tremaine, the Hon. Edward Pierrepont, Dep't. Commander + James M. Fraser, the Hon. Carl Schurz, August Belmont, Henry + Clews, Dr. Lewis A. Sayre, Charles Scribner, Jesse Seligman, + William Dowa, Henry Bergh and George William Curtis. Gen. + Bamum came upon the stage followed by President Arthur, + Gen's. Grant and Hancock, Secretaries Folger and Brewster, + ex-Senator Roscoe Conkling, Mayor Grace and the Rev. J. P. + Newman. Gen. Hancock's brilliant uniform made him a very + conspicuous figure, and he served as a foil to the plain + evening dress of Gen. Grant, who was separated from him by + the portly form of the President. + + Gen. James McQuade, the President of the day, rose and + uncovering a flag which draped a sort of patriotic altar in + front of him, announced that It was the genuine flag upon + which was written the famous order, "If any man pull down + the American flag, shoot him on the spot.' * This was the + signal for round after round of applause, while Gen. McQuade + waved this precious relic of the past. The time had now come + for the introduction of the orator of the evening, Col. + Robert G. Ingersoll. Col. Ingersoll stepped across the stage + to the reading desk, and was received with an ovation of + cheering and waving of handkerchiefs. + + After the enthusiasm had somewhat abated, a gentleman in one + of the boxes shouted: "Three-cheers for Ingersoll." + These were given with a will, the excitement quieted down + and the orator spoke as follows '.—The New York Times. May + 31st, 1883. +</pre> + <p> + New York City. + </p> + <p> + 1882. + </p> + <p> + THIS day is sacred to our heroes dead. Upon their tombs we have lovingly + laid the wealth of Spring. + </p> + <p> + This is a day for memory and tears. A mighty Nation bends above its + honored graves, and pays to noble dust the tribute of its love. + </p> + <p> + Gratitude is the fairest flower that sheds its perfume in the heart. + </p> + <p> + To-day we tell the history of our country's life—recount the lofty + deeds of vanished years—the toil and suffering, the defeats and + victories of heroic men,—of men who made our Nation great and free. + </p> + <p> + We see the first ships whose prows were gilded by the western sun. We feel + the thrill of discovery when the New World was found. We see the + oppressed, the serf, the peasant and the slave, men whose flesh had known + the chill of chains—the adventurous, the proud, the brave, sailing + an unknown sea, seeking homes in unknown lands. We see the settlements, + the little clearings, the blockhouse and the fort, the rude and lonely + huts. Brave men, true women, builders of homes, fellers of forests, + founders of States. + </p> + <p> + Separated from the Old World,—away from the heartless distinctions + of caste,—away from sceptres and titles and crowns, they governed + themselves. They defended their homes; they earned their bread. Each + citizen had a voice, and the little villages became republics. Slowly the + savage was driven back. The days and nights were filled with fear, and the + slow years with massacre and war, and cabins' earthen floors were wet with + blood of mothers and their babes. + </p> + <p> + But the savages of the New World were kinder than the kings and nobles of + the Old; and so the human tide kept coming, and the places of the dead + were filled. Amid common dangers and common hopes, the prejudiced and + feuds of Europe faded slowly from their hearts. From every land, of every + speech, driven by want and lured by hope, exiles and emigrants sought the + mysterious Continent of the West. + </p> + <p> + Year after year the colonists fought and toiled and suffered and + increased. They began to talk about liberty—to reason of the rights + of man. They * t asked no help from distant kings, and they began to doubt + the use of paying tribute to the useless. They lost respect for dukes and + lords, and held in high esteem all honest men. There was the dawn of a new + day. They began to dream of independence. They found that they could make + and execute the laws. They had tried the experiment of self-government. + They had succeeded. The Old World wished to dominate the New. In the care + and keeping of the colonists was the destiny of this Continent—of + half the world. + </p> + <p> + On this day the story of the great struggle between colonists and kings + should be told. We should tell our children of the contest—first for + justice, then for freedom. We should tell them the history of the + Declaration of Independence—the chart and compass of all human + rights:—All men are equal, and have the right to life, to liberty + and joy. + </p> + <p> + This Declaration uncrowned kings, and wrested from the hands of titled + tyranny the sceptre of usurped and arbitrary power. It superseded royal + grants, and repealed the cruel statutes of a thousand years. It gave the + peasant a career; it knighted all the sons of toil; it opened all the + paths to fame, and put the star of hope above the cradle of the poor man's + babe. + </p> + <p> + England was then the mightiest of nations—mistress of every sea—and + yet our fathers, poor and few, defied her power. + </p> + <p> + To-day we remember the defeats, the victories, the disasters, the weary + marches, the poverty, the hunger, the sufferings, the agonies, and above + all, the glories of the Revolution. We remember all—from Lexington + to Valley Forge, and from that midnight of despair to Yorktown's cloudless + day. We remember the soldiers and thinkers—the heroes of the sword + and pen. They had the brain and heart, the wisdom and courage to utter and + defend these words: "Governments derive their just powers from the consent + of the governed." In defence of this sublime and self-evident truth the + war was waged and won. + </p> + <p> + To-day we remember all the heroes, all the generous and chivalric men who + came from other lands to make ours free. Of the many thousands who shared + the gloom and glory of the seven sacred years, not one remains. The last + has mingled with the earth, and nearly all are sleeping now in unmarked + graves, and some beneath the leaning, crumbling stones from which their + names have been effaced by Time's irreverent and relentless hands. But the + Nation they founded remains. The United States are still free and + independent. The "government derives its just power from the consent of + the governed," and fifty millions of free people remember with gratitude + the heroes of the Revolution. + </p> + <p> + Let us be truthful; let us be kind. When peace came, when the independence + of a new Nation was acknowledged, the great truth for which our fathers + fought was half denied, and the Constitution was inconsistent with the + Declaration. The war was waged for liberty, and yet the victors forged new + fetters for their fellow-men. The chains our fathers broke were put by + them upon the limbs of others. "Freedom for All" was the cloud by day and + the pillar of fire by night, through seven years of want and war. In peace + the cloud was forgotten and the pillar blazed unseen. + </p> + <p> + Let us be truthful; all our fathers were not true to themselves. In war + they had been generous, noble and self-sacrificing; with peace came + selfishness and greed. They were not great enough to appreciate the + grandeur of the principles for which they fought. They ceased to regard + the great truths as having universal application. "Liberty for All" + included only themselves. They qualified the Declaration. They + interpolated the word "white." They obliterated the word "All." + </p> + <p> + Let us be kind. We will remember the age in which they lived. We will + compare them with the citizens of other nations. They made merchandise of + men. They legalized a crime. They sowed the seeds of war. But they founded + this Nation. + </p> + <p> + Let us gratefully remember. + </p> + <p> + Let us gratefully forget. + </p> + <p> + To-day we remember the heroes of the second war with England, in which our + fathers fought for the freedom of the seas—for the rights of the + American sailor. We remember with pride the splendid victories of Erie and + Champlain and the wondrous achievements upon the sea—achievements + that covered our navy with a glory that neither the victories nor defeats + of the future can dim. We remember the heroic services and sufferings of + those who fought the merciless savage of the frontier. We see the midnight + massacre, and hear the war-cries of the allies of England. We see the + flames climb around the happy homes, and in the charred and blackened + ruins the mutilated bodies of wives and children. Peace came at last, + crowned with the victory of New Orleans—a victory that "did redeem + all sorrows" and all defeats. + </p> + <p> + The Revolution gave our fathers a free land—the War of 1812 a free + sea. + </p> + <p> + To-day we remember the gallant men who bore our flag in triumph from the + Rio Grande to the heights of Chapultepec. + </p> + <p> + Leaving out of question the justice of our cause—the necessity for + war—we are yet compelled to applaud the marvelous courage of our + troops. A handful of men, brave, impetuous, determined, irresistible, + conquered a nation. Our history has no record of more daring deeds. + </p> + <p> + Again peace came, and the Nation hoped and thought that strife was at an + end. We had grown too powerful to be attacked. Our resources were + boundless, and the future seemed secure. The hardy pioneers moved to the + great West. Beneath their ringing strokes the forests disappeared, and on + the prairies waved the billowed seas of wheat and corn. The great plains + were crossed, the mountains were conquered, and the foot of victorious + adventure pressed the shore of the Pacific. In the great North all the + streams went singing to the sea, turning wheels and spindles, and casting + shuttles back and forth. Inventions were springing like magic from a + thousand brains. From Labor's holy altars rose and leaped the smoke and + flame, and from the countless forges ran the chant of rhythmic stroke. + </p> + <p> + But in the South, the negro toiled unpaid, and mothers wept while babes + were sold, and at the auction-block husbands and wives speechlessly looked + the last good-bye. Fugitives, lighted by the Northern Star, sought liberty + on English soil, and were, by Northern men, thrust back to whip and chain. + The great statesmen, the successful politicians, announced that law had + compromised with crime, that justice had been bribed, and that time had + barred appeal. A race was left without a right, without a hope. The future + had no dawn, no star—nothing but ignorance and fear, nothing but + work and want. This, was the conclusion of the statesmen, the philosophy + of the politicians—of constitutional expounders:—this was + decided by courts and ratified by the Nation. + </p> + <p> + We had been successful in three wars. We had wrested thirteen colonies + from Great Britain. We had conquered our place upon the high seas. We had + added more than two millions of square miles to the national domain. We + had increased in population from three to thirty-one millions. We were in + the midst of plenty. We were rich and free. Ours appeared to be the most + prosperous of Nations. But it was only appearance. The statesmen and the + politicians were deceived. Real victories can be won only for the Right. + The triumph of Justice is the only Peace. Such is the nature of things. He + who enslaves another cannot be free. He who attacks the right, assaults + himself. The mistake our fathers made had not been corrected. The + foundations of the Republic were insecure. The great dome of the temple + was clad in the light of prosperity, but the corner-stones were crumbling. + Four millions of human beings were enslaved. Party cries had been mistaken + for principles—partisanship for patriotism—success for + justice. + </p> + <p> + But Pity pointed to the scarred and bleeding backs of slaves; Mercy heard + the sobs of mothers reft of babes, and Justice held aloft the scales, in + which one drop of blood shed by a master's lash, outweighed a Nation's + gold. There were a few men, a few women, who had the courage to attack + this monstrous crime. They found it entrenched in constitutions, statutes, + and decisions—barricaded and bastioned by every department and by + every party. Politicians were its servants, statesmen its attorneys, + judges its menials, presidents its puppets, and upon its cruel altar had + been sacrificed our country's honor. It was the crime of the Nation—of + the whole country—North and South responsible alike. + </p> + <p> + To-day we reverently thank the abolitionists. Earth has no grander men—no + nobler women. They were the real philanthropists, the true patriots. When + the will defies fear, when the heart applauds the brain, when duty throws + the gauntlet down to fate, when honor scorns to compromise with death,—this + is heroism. The abolitionists were heroes. He loves his country best who + strives to make it best. The bravest men are those who have the greatest + fear of doing wrong. Mere politicians wish the country to do something for + them. True patriots desire to do something for their country. Courage + without conscience is a wild beast. Patriotism without principle is the + prejudice of birth, the animal attachment to place. These men, these + women, had courage and conscience, patriotism and principle, heart and + brain. + </p> + <p> + The South relied upon the bond,—upon a barbarous clause that + stained, disfigured and defiled the Federal pact, and made the monstrous + claim that slavery was the Nation's ward. The spot of shame grew red in + Northern cheeks, and Northern men declared that slavery had poisoned, + cursed and blighted soul and soil enough, and that the Territories must be + free. The radicals of the South cried: "No Union without Slavery!" The + radicals of the North replied: "No Union without Liberty!" The Northern + radicals were right. Upon the great issue of free homes for free men, a + President was elected by the free States. The South appealed to the sword, + and raised the standard of revolt. For the first time in history the + oppressors rebelled. + </p> + <p> + But let us to-day be great enough to forget individuals,—great + enough to know that slavery was treason, that slavery was rebellion, that + slavery fired upon our flag and sought to wreck and strand the mighty ship + that bears the hope and fortune of this world. The first shot liberated + the North. Constitution, statutes and decisions, compromises, platforms, + and resolutions made, passed, and ratified in the interest of slavery + became mere legal lies, base and baseless. Parchment and paper could no + longer stop or stay the onward march of man. The North was free. Millions + instantly resolved that the Nation should not die—that Freedom + should not perish, and that Slavery should not live. + </p> + <p> + Millions of our brothers, our sons, our fathers, our husbands, answered to + the Nation's call. + </p> + <p> + The great armies have desolated the earth. The greatest soldiers have been + ambition's dupes. They waged war for the sake of place and pillage, pomp + and power,—for the ignorant applause of vulgar millions,—for + the flattery of parasites, and the adulation of sycophants and slaves. + </p> + <p> + Let us proudly remember that in our time the greatest, the grandest, the + noblest army of the world fought, not to enslave, but to free; not to + destroy, but to save; not for conquest, but for conscience; not only for + us, but for every land and every race. + </p> + <p> + With courage, with enthusiasm, with a devotion' never excelled, with an + exaltation and purity of purpose never equaled, this grand army fought the + battles of the Republic. For the preservation of this Nation, for the + destruction of slavery, these soldiers, these sailors, on land and sea, + disheartened by no defeat, discouraged by no obstacle, appalled by no + danger, neither paused nor swerved until a stainless flag, without a + rival, floated over all our wide domain, and until every human being + beneath its folds was absolutely free. + </p> + <p> + The great victory for human rights—the greatest of all the years—had + been won; won by the Union men of the North, by the Union men of the + South, and by those who had been slaves. Liberty was national, Slavery was + dead. + </p> + <p> + The flag for which the heroes fought, for which they died, is the symbol + of all we are, of all we hope to be. + </p> + <p> + It is the emblem of equal rights. + </p> + <p> + It means free hands, free lips, self-government and the sovereignty of the + individual. + </p> + <p> + It means that this continent has been dedicated to freedom. + </p> + <p> + It means universal education,—light for every mind, knowledge for + every child. + </p> + <p> + It means that the schoolhouse is the fortress of Liberty. + </p> + <p> + It means that "Governments derive their just powers from the consent of + the governed;" that each man is accountable to and for the Government; + that responsibility goes hand in hand with liberty. + </p> + <p> + It means that it is the duty of every citizen to bear his share of the + public burden,—to take part in the affairs of his town, his county, + his State and his country. + </p> + <p> + It means that the ballot-box is the Ark of the Covenant; that the source + of authority must not be poisoned. + </p> + <p> + It means the perpetual right of peaceful revolution. It means that every + citizen of the Republic—native or naturalized—must be + protected; at home, in every State,—abroad, in every land, on every + sea. + </p> + <p> + It means that all distinctions based on birth or blood, have perished from + our laws; that our Government shall stand between labor and capital, + between the weak and the strong, between the individual and the + corporation, between want and wealth, and give the guarantee of simple + justice to each and all. + </p> + <p> + It means that there shall be a legal remedy for every wrong. + </p> + <p> + It means national hospitality,—that we must welcome to our shores + the exiles of the world, and that we may not drive them back. Some may be + deformed by labor, dwarfed by hunger, broken in spirit, victims of tyranny + and caste,—in whose sad faces may be read the touching record of a + weary life; and yet their children, born of liberty and love, will be + symmetrical and fair, intelligent and free. + </p> + <p> + That flag is the emblem of a supreme will—of a Nation's power. + Beneath its folds the weakest must be protected and the strongest must + obey. It shields and canopies alike the loftiest mansion and the rudest + hut. That flag was given to the air in the Revolution's darkest days. It + represents the sufferings of the past, the glories yet to be; and like the + bow of heaven, it is the child of storm and sun. + </p> + <p> + This day is sacred to the great heroic host who kept this flag above our + heads,—sacred to the living and the dead—sacred to the scarred + and maimed,—sacred to the wives who gave their husbands, to the + mothers who gave their sons. + </p> + <p> + Here in this peaceful land of ours,—here where the sun shines, where + flowers grow, where children play, millions of armed men battled for the + right and breasted on a thousand fields the iron storms of war. + </p> + <p> + These brave, these incomparable men, founded the first Republic. They + fulfilled the prophecies; they brought to pass the dreams; they realized + the hopes, that all the great and good and wise and just have made and had + since man was man. + </p> + <p> + But what of those who fell? There is no language to express the debt we + owe, the love we bear, to all the dead who died for us. Words are but + barren sounds. We can but stand beside their graves and in the hush and + silence feel what speech has never told. + </p> + <p> + They fought, they died; and for the first time since man has kept a record + of events, the heavens bent above and domed a land without a serf, a + servant or a slave. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0015" id="link0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DECORATION DAY ADDRESS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Empty sleeves worn by veterans with scanty locks and + grizzled mustaches graced the Metropolitan Opera House last + night. On the breasts of their faded uniforms glittered the + badges of the legions in which they had fought and suffered, + and beside them sat the wives and daughters, whose hearts + had ached at home while they served their country at the + front. + + Every seat in the great Opera House was filled, and hundreds + stood, glad to And any place where they could see and hear. + And the gathering and the proceedings were worthy of the + occasion. + + Mr. Depew upon taking the chair said that he had the chief + treat of the evening to present to the audience, and that + was Robert G. Ingersoll, the greatest living orator, and one + of the great controversialists of the age. + + Then came the orator of the occasion Col. Ingersoll, whose + speech is printed herewith. + + Enthusiastic cheers greeted all his points, and his audience + simply went wild at the end. It was a grand oration, and it + was listened to by enthusiastic and appreciative hearers, + upon whom not a single word was lost, and in whose hearts + every word awoke a responsive echo. + + Nor did the enthusiasm which Col. Ingersoll created end + until the very last, when the whole assemblage arose and + sang "America" in a way which will never be forgotten by any + one present. It was a great ending of a great evening.—The + New York Times, May 31st, 1888. +</pre> + <p> + New York City. + </p> + <p> + 1888. + </p> + <p> + THIS is a sacred day—a day for gratitude and love. + </p> + <p> + To-day we commemorate more than independence, more than the birth of a + nation, more than the fruits of the Revolution, more than physical + progress, more than the accumulation of wealth, more than national + prestige and power. + </p> + <p> + We commemorate the great and blessed victory over ourselves—the + triumph of civilization, the reformation of a people, the establishment of + a government consecrated to the preservation of liberty and the equal + rights of man. + </p> + <p> + Nations can win success, can be rich and powerful, can cover the earth + with their armies, the seas with their fleets, and yet be selfish, small + and mean. Physical progress means opportunity for doing good. It means + responsibility. Wealth is the end of the despicable, victory the purpose + of brutality. + </p> + <p> + But there is something nobler than all these—something that rises + above wealth and power—something above lands and palaces—something + above raiment and gold—it is the love of right, the cultivation of + the moral nature, the desire to do justice, the inextinguishable love of + human liberty. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be nobler than a nation governed by conscience, nothing more + infamous than power without pity, wealth without honor and without the + sense of justice. + </p> + <p> + Only by the soldiers of the right can the laurel be won or worn. + </p> + <p> + On this day we honor the heroes who fought to make our Nation just and + free—who broke the shackles of the slave, who freed the masters of + the South and their allies of the North. We honor chivalric men who made + America the hope and beacon of the human race—the foremost Nation of + the world. + </p> + <p> + These heroes established the first republic, and demonstrated that a + government in which the legally expressed will of the people is sovereign + and supreme is the safest, strongest, securest, noblest and the best. + </p> + <p> + They demonstrated the human right of the people, and of all the people, to + make and execute the laws—that authority does not come from the + clouds, or from ancestry, or from the crowned and titled, or from + constitutions and compacts, laws and customs—not from the admissions + of the great, or the concessions of the powerful and victorious—not + from graves, or consecrated dust—not from treaties made between + successful robbers—not from the decisions of corrupt and menial + courts—not from the dead, but from the living—not from the + past but from the present, from the people of to-day—from the brain, + from the heart and from the conscience of those who live and love and + labor. + </p> + <p> + The history of this world for the most part is the history of conflict and + war, of invasion, of conquest, of victorious wrong, of the many enslaved + by the few. + </p> + <p> + Millions have fought for kings, for the destruction and enslavement of + their fellow-men. Millions have battled for empire, and great armies have + been inspired by the hope of pillage; but for the first time in the + history of this world millions of men battled for the right, fought to + free not themselves, but others, not for prejudice, but for principle, not + for conquest, but for conscience. + </p> + <p> + The men whom we honor were the liberators of a Nation, of a whole country, + North and South—of two races. They freed the body and the brain, + gave liberty to master and to slave. They opened all the highways of + thought, and gave to fifty millions of people the inestimable legacy of + free speech. + </p> + <p> + They established the free exchange of thought. They gave to the air a flag + without a stain, and they gave to their country a Constitution that honest + men can reverently obey. They destroyed the hateful, the egotistic and + provincial—they established a Nation, a national spirit, a national + pride and a patriotism as broad as the great Republic. + </p> + <p> + They did away with that ignorant and cruel prejudice that human rights + depend on race or color, and that the superior race has the right to + oppress the inferior. They established the sublime truth that the superior + are the just, the kind, the generous, and merciful—that the really + superior are the protectors, the defenders, and the saviors of the + oppressed, of the fallen, the unfortunate, the weak and helpless. They + established that greatest of all truths that nothing is nobler than to + labor and suffer for others. + </p> + <p> + If we wish to know the extent of our debt to these heroes, these soldiers + of the right, we must know what we were and what we are. A few years ago + we talked about liberty, about the freedom of the world, and while so + talking we enslaved our fellow-men. We were the stealers of babes and the + whippers of women. We were in partnership with bloodhounds. We lived on + unpaid labor. We held manhood in contempt. Honest toil was disgraceful—sympathy + was a crime—pity was unconstitutional—humanity contrary to + law, and charity was treason. Men were imprisoned for pointing out in + heaven's dome the Northern Star—for giving food to the hungry, water + to the parched lips of thirst, shelter to the hunted, succor to the + oppressed. In those days criminals and courts, pirates and pulpits were in + partnership—liberty was only a word standing for the equal rights of + robbers. + </p> + <p> + For many years we insisted that our fathers had founded a free Government, + that they were the lovers of liberty, believers in equal rights. We were + mistaken. The colonists did not believe in the freedom of to-day. Their + laws were filled with intolerance, with slavery and the infamous spirit of + caste. They persecuted and enslaved. Most of them were narrow, ignorant + and cruel. For the most part, their laws were more brutal than those of + the nations from which they came. They branded the forehead of + intelligence, bored with hot irons the tongue of truth. They persecuted + the good and enslaved the helpless. They were believers in pillories and + whipping-posts for honest, thoughtful men. + </p> + <p> + When their independence was secured they adopted a Constitution that + legalized slavery, and they passed laws making it the duty of free men to + prevent others from becoming free. They followed the example of kings and + nobles. They knew that monarchs had been interested in the slave trade, + and that the first English commander of a slave-ship divided his profits + with a queen. + </p> + <p> + They forgot all the splendid things they had said—the great + principles they had so proudly and eloquently announced. The sublime + truths faded from their hearts. The spirit of trade, the greed for office, + took possession of their souls. The lessons of history were forgotten. The + voices coming from all the wrecks of kingdoms, empires and republics on + the shores of the great river were unheeded and unheard. + </p> + <p> + If the foundation is not justice, the dome cannot be high enough, or + splendid enough, to save the temple. + </p> + <p> + But above everything in the minds of our fathers was the desire for union—to + create a Nation, to become a Power. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers compromised. + </p> + <p> + A compromise is a bargain in which each party defrauds the other, and + himself. + </p> + <p> + The compromise our fathers made was the coffin of honor and the cradle of + war. + </p> + <p> + A brazen falsehood and a timid truth are the parents of compromise. + </p> + <p> + But some—the greatest and the best—believed in liberty for + all. They repeated the splendid sayings of the Roman: "By the law of + nature all men are free;"—of the French King: "Men are born free and + equal;"—of the sublime Zeno: "All men are by nature equal, and + virtue alone establishes a difference between them." + </p> + <p> + In the year preceding the Declaration of Independence, a society for the + abolition of slavery was formed in Pennsylvania and its first President + was one of the wisest and greatest of men—Benjamin Franklin. A + society of the same character was established in New York in 1785; its + first President was John Jay—the second, Alexander Hamilton. + </p> + <p> + But in a few years these great men were forgotten. Parties rivaled each + other in the defence of wrong. Politicians cared only for place and power. + In the clamor of the heartless, the voice of the generous was lost. + Slavery became supreme. It dominated legislatures, courts and parties; it + rewarded the faithless and little; it degraded the honest and great. + </p> + <p> + And yet, through all these hateful years, thousands and thousands of noble + men and women denounced the degradation and the crime. Most of their names + are unknown. They have given a glory to obscurity. They have filled + oblivion with honor. + </p> + <p> + In the presence of death it has been the custom to speak of the + worthlessness, and the vanity, of life. I prefer to speak of its value, of + its importance, of its nobility and glory. + </p> + <p> + Life is not merely a floating shadow, a momentary spark, a dream that + vanishes. Nothing can be grander than a life filled with great and noble + thoughts—with brave and honest deeds. Such a life sheds light, and + the seeds of truth sown by great and loyal men bear fruit through all the + years to be. To have lived and labored and died for the right—nothing + can be sublimer. + </p> + <p> + History is but the merest outline of the exceptional—of a few great + crimes, calamities, wars, mistakes and dramatic virtues. A few mountain + peaks are touched, while all the valleys of human life, where countless + victories are won, where labor wrought with love—are left in the + eternal shadow. + </p> + <p> + But these peaks are not the foundation of nations. The forgotten words, + the unrecorded deeds, the unknown sacrifices, the heroism, the industry, + the patience, the love and labor of the nameless good and great have for + the most part founded, guided and defended States. The world has been + civilized by the unregarded poor, by the untitled nobles, by the uncrowned + kings who sleep in unknown graves mingled with the common dust. + </p> + <p> + They have thought and wrought, have borne the burdens of the world. The + pain and labor have been theirs—the glory has been given to the few. + </p> + <p> + The conflict came. The South unsheathed the sword. Then rose the embattled + North, and these men who sleep to-night beneath the flowers of half the + world, gave all for us. + </p> + <p> + They gave us a Nation—a republic without a slave—a republic + that is sovereign, and to whose will every citizen and every State must + bow. They gave us a Constitution for all—one that can be read + without shame and defended without dishonor. They freed the brain, the + lips and hands of men. + </p> + <p> + All that could be done by force was done. All that could be accomplished + by the adoption of constitutions was done. The rest is left to education—the + innumerable influences of civilization—to the development of the + intellect, to the cultivation of the heart and the imagination. + </p> + <p> + The past is now a hideous dream. + </p> + <p> + The present is filled with pride, with gratitude, and hope. + </p> + <p> + Liberty is the condition of real progress. The free man works for wife and + child—the slave toils from fear. Liberty gives leisure and leisure + refines, beautifies and ennobles. Slavery gives idleness and idleness + degrades, deforms and brutalizes. + </p> + <p> + Liberty and slavery—the right and wrong—the joy and grief—the + day and night—the glory and the gloom of all the years. + </p> + <p> + Liberty is the word that all the good have spoken. + </p> + <p> + It is the hope of every loving heart—the spark and flame in every + noble breast—the gem in every splendid soul—the many-colored + dream in every honest brain. + </p> + <p> + This word has filled the dungeon with its holy light,—has put the + halo round the martyr's head,—has raised the convict far above the + king, and clad even the scaffold with a glory that dimmed and darkened + every throne. + </p> + <p> + To the wise man, to the wise nation, the mistakes of the past are the + torches of the present. The war is over. The institution that caused it + has perished. The prejudices that fanned the flames are only ashes now. We + are one people. We will stand or fall together. At last, with clear eyes + we see that the triumph of right was a triumph for all. Together we reap + the fruits of the great victory. We are all conquerors. Around the graves + of the heroes—North and South, white and colored—together we + stand and with uncovered heads reverently thank the saviors of our native + land. + </p> + <p> + We are now far enough away from the conflict—from its hatreds, its + passions, its follies and its glories, to fairly and philosophically + examine the causes and in some measure at least to appreciate the results. + </p> + <p> + States and nations, like individuals, do as they must. Back of revolution, + of rebellion, of slavery and freedom, are the efficient causes. Knowing + this, we occupy that serene height from which it is possible to calmly + pronounce a judgment upon the past. + </p> + <p> + We know now that the seeds of our war were sown hundreds and thousands of + years ago—sown by the vicious and the just, by prince and peasant, + by king and slave, by all the virtues and by all the vices, by all the + victories and all the defeats, by all the labor and the love, the loss and + gain, by all the evil and the good, and by all the heroes of the world. + </p> + <p> + Of the great conflict we remember only its glory and its lessons. We + remember only the heroes who made the Republic the first of nations, and + who laid the foundation for the freedom of mankind. + </p> + <p> + This will be known as the century of freedom. Slowly the hosts of darkness + have been driven back. + </p> + <p> + In 1808 England and the United States united for the suppression of the + slave-trade. The Netherlands joined in this holy work in 1818. France lent + her aid in 1819 and Spain in 1820. In the same year the United States + declared the traffic to be piracy, and in 1825 the same law was enacted by + Great Britain. In 1826 Brazil agreed to suppress the traffic in human + flesh. In 1833 England abolished slavery in the West Indies, and in 1843 + in her East Indian possessions, giving liberty to more than twelve + millions of slaves. In 1846 Sweden abolished slavery, and in 1848 it was + abolished in the colonies of Denmark and France. In 1861 Alexander II., + Czar of all the Russias, emancipated the serfs, and on the first day of + January, 1863, the shackles fell from millions of the citizens of this + Republic. This was accomplished by the heroes we remember to-day—this, + in accordance with the Proclamation of Emancipation signed by Lincoln,—greatest + of our mighty dead—Lincoln the gentle and the just—and whose + name will be known and honored to "the last syllable of recorded time." + And this year, 1888, has been made blessed and memorable forever—in + the vast empire of Brazil there stands no slave. + </p> + <p> + Let us hope that when the next century looks from the sacred portals of + the East, its light will only fall upon the faces of the free. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * By request, Col. Ingersoll closed this address with his + "Vision of War," to which he added "A Vision of the + Future." This accounts for its repetition in this volume. +</pre> + <p> + The past rises before me like a dream. Again we are in the great struggle + for national life. We hear the sounds of preparation—the music of + boisterous drums—the silver voices of heroic bugles. We see + thousands of assemblages, and hear the appeals of orators. We see the pale + cheeks of women, and the flushed faces of men; and in those assemblages we + see all the dead whose dust we have covered with flowers. We lose sight of + them no more. We are with them when they enlist in the great army of + freedom. We see them part with those they love. Some are walking for the + last time in quiet, woody places, with the maidens they adore. We hear the + whisperings and the sweet vows of eternal love as they lingeringly part + forever. Others are bending over cradles, kissing babes that are asleep. + Some are receiving the blessings of old men. Some are parting with mothers + who hold them and press them to their hearts again and again, and say + nothing. Kisses and tears, tears and kisses—divine mingling of agony + and love! And some are talking with wives, and endeavoring with brave + words, spoken in the old tones, to drive from their hearts the awful fear. + We see them part. We see the wife standing in the door with the babe in + her arms—standing in the sunlight sobbing. At the turn of the road a + hand waves—she answers by holding high in her loving arms the child. + He is gone, and forever. + </p> + <p> + We see them all as they march proudly away under the flaunting flags, + keeping time to the grand, wild music of war—marching-down the + streets of the great cities—through the towns and across the + prairies—down to the fields of glory, to do and to die for the + eternal right. + </p> + <p> + We go with them, one and all. We are by their side on all the gory fields—in + all the hospitals of pain—on all the weary marches. We stand guard + with them in the wild storm and under the quiet stars. We are with them in + ravines running with blood—in the furrows of old fields. We are with + them between contending hosts, unable to move, wild with thirst, the life + ebbing slowly away among the withered leaves. We see them pierced by balls + and torn with shells, in the trenches, by forts, and in the whirlwind of + the charge, where men become iron, with nerves of steel. + </p> + <p> + We are with them in the prisons of hatred and famine; but human speech can + never tell what they endured. + </p> + <p> + We are at home when the news comes that they are dead. We see the maiden + in the shadow of her first sorrow. We see the silvered head of the old man + bowed with the last grief. + </p> + <p> + The past rises before us, and we see four millions of human beings + governed by the lash—we see them bound hand and foot—we hear + the strokes of cruel whips—we see the hounds tracking women through + tangled swamps. We see babes sold from the breasts of mothers. Cruelty + unspeakable! Outrage infinite! + </p> + <p> + Four million bodies in chains—four million souls in fetters. All the + sacred relations of wife, mother, father and child trampled beneath the + brutal feet of might. And all this was done under our own beautiful banner + of the free. + </p> + <p> + The past rises before us. We hear the roar and shriek of the bursting + shell. The broken fetters fall. These heroes died. We look. Instead of + slaves we see men and women and children. The wand of progress touches the + auction block, the slave pen, the whipping post, and we see homes and + firesides and school-houses and books, and where all was want and crime + and cruelty and fear, we see the faces of the free. + </p> + <p> + These heroes are dead. They died for liberty—they died for us. They + are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they + rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful + willows, and the embracing vines. + </p> + <p> + They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine + or of storm, each in the windowless Palace of Rest. Earth may run red with + other wars—they are at peace. In the midst of battle, in the roar of + conflict, they found the serenity of death. I have one sentiment for + soldiers living and dead: Cheers for the living; tears for the dead. + </p> + <p> + A vision of the future rises: + </p> + <p> + I see our country filled with happy homes, with firesides of content,—the + foremost land of all the earth. + </p> + <p> + I see a world where thrones have crumbled and where kings are dust. The + aristocracy of idleness has perished from the earth. + </p> + <p> + I see a world without a slave. Man at last is free. Nature's forces have + by Science been enslaved. Lightning and light, wind and wave, frost and + flame, and all the secret, subtle powers of earth and air are the tireless + toilers for the human race. + </p> + <p> + I see a world at peace, adorned with every form of art, with music's + myriad voices thrilled, while lips are rich with words of love and truth; + a world in which no exile sighs, no prisoner mourns; a world on which the + gibbet's shadow does not fall; a world where labor reaps its full reward, + where work and worth go hand in hand, where the poor girl trying to win + bread with the needle—the needle that has been called "the asp for + the breast of the poor,"—is not driven to the desperate choice of + crime or death, of suicide or shame. + </p> + <p> + I see a world without the beggar's outstretched palm, the miser's + heartless, stony stare, the piteous wail of want, the livid lips of lies, + the cruel eyes of scorn. + </p> + <p> + I see a race without disease of flesh or brain,—shapely and fair,—the + married harmony of form and function,—and, as I look, life + lengthens, joy deepens, love canopies the earth; and over all, in the + great dome, shines the eternal star of human hope. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0016" id="link0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + RATIFICATION SPEECH. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Delivered at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, June + 29,1688. +</pre> + <p> + Harrison and Morton. + </p> + <p> + 1888. + </p> + <p> + FELLOW-CITIZENS, Ladies and Gentlemen—The speaker who is perfectly + candid, who tells his honest thought, not only honors himself, but + compliments his audience. It is only to the candid that man can afford to + absolutely open his heart. Most people, whenever a man is nominated for + the presidency, claim that they were for him from the very start—as + a rule, claim that they discovered him. They are so anxious to be with the + procession, so afraid of being left, that they insist that they got + exactly the man they wanted. + </p> + <p> + I will be frank enough with you to say that the convention did not + nominate my choice. I was for the nomination of General Gresham, believing + that, all things considered, he was the best and most available man—a + just judge, a soldier, a statesman. But there is something in the American + blood that bows to the will of the majority. There is that splendid fealty + and loyalty to the great principle upon which our Government rests; so + that when the convention reached its conclusion, every Republican was for + the nominee. There were good men from which to select this ticket. I made + my selection, and did the best I could to induce the convention to make + the same. Some people think, or say they think, that I made a mistake in + telling the name of the man whom I was for. But I always know whom I am + for, I always know what I am for, and I know the reasons why I am for the + thing or for the man. + </p> + <p> + And it never once occurred to me that we could get a man nominated, or + elected, and keep his name a secret. When I am for a man I like to stand + by him, even while others leave, no matter if at last I stand alone. I + believe in doing things above board, in the light, in the wide air. No + snake ever yet had a skin brilliant enough, no snake ever crawled through + the grass secretly enough, silently or cunningly enough, to excite my + admiration. My admiration is for the eagle, the monarch of the empyrean, + who, poised on outstretched pinions, challenges the gaze of all the world. + Take your position in the sunlight; tell your neighbors and your friends + what you are for, and give your reasons for your position; and if that is + a mistake, I expect to live making only mistakes. I do not like the secret + way, but the plain, open way; and I was for one man, not because I had + anything against the others, who were all noble, splendid men, worthy to + be Presidents of the United States. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, leaving that subject, two parties again confront each other. + With parties as with persons goes what we call character. They have built + up in the nation in which they live reputation, and the reputation of a + party should be taken into consideration as well as the reputation of a + man. What is this party? What has it done? What has it endeavored to do? + What are the ideas in its brain? What are the hopes, the emotions and the + loves in its heart? Does it wish to make the world grander and better and + freer? Has it a high ideal? Does it believe in sunrise, or does it keep + its back to the sacred east of eternal progress? These are the questions + that every American should ask. Every man should take pride in this great + Nation—America, with a star of glory in her forehead!—and + every man should say, "I hope when I lie down in death I shall leave a + greater and grander country than when I was born." + </p> + <p> + This is the country of humanity. This is the Government of the poor. This + is where man has an even chance with his fellow-man. In this country the + poorest man holds in his hand at the day of election the same unit, the + same amount, of political power as the owner of a hundred millions. That + is the glory of the United States. + </p> + <p> + A few days ago our party met in convention. Now, let us see who we are. + Let us see what the Republican party is. Let us see what is the spirit + that animates this great and splendid organization. + </p> + <p> + And I want you to think one moment, just one moment: What was this country + when the first Republican President was elected? Under the law then, every + Northern man was a bloodhound, pledged to catch human beings, who, led by + the light of the Northern Star, were escaping to free soil. Remember that. + And remember, too, that when our first President was elected we found a + treasury empty, the United States without credit, the great Republic + unable to borrow money from day to day to pay its current expenses. + Remember that. Think of the glory and grandeur of the Republican party + that took the country with an empty exchequer, and then think of what the + Democratic party says to-day of the pain and anguish it has suffered + administering the Government with a surplus! + </p> + <p> + We must remember what the Republican party has done—what it has + accomplished for nationality, for liberty, for education and for the + civilization of our race. We must remember its courage in war, its honesty + in peace. Civil war tests to a certain degree the strength, the stability + and the patriotism of a country. After the war comes a greater strain. It + is a great thing to die for a cause, but it is a greater thing to live for + it. We must remember that the Republican party not only put down a + rebellion, not only created a debt of thousands and thousands of millions, + but that it had the industry and the intelligence to pay that debt, and to + give to the United States the best financial standing of any nation. + </p> + <p> + When this great party came together in Chicago what was the first thing + the convention did? What was the first idea in its mind? It was to honor + the memory of the greatest and grandest men the Republic has produced. The + first name that trembled upon the lips of the convention was that of + Abraham Lincoln—Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest and grandest + men who ever lived, and, in my judgment, the greatest man that ever sat in + the presidential chair. And why the greatest? Because the kindest, because + he had more mercy and love in his heart than were in the heart of any + other President. And so the convention paid its tribute to the great + soldier, to the man who led, in company with others, the great army of + freedom to victory, until the old flag floated over every inch of American + soil and every foot of that territory was dedicated to the eternal freedom + of mankind. + </p> + <p> + And what next did this convention do? The next thing was to send fraternal + greetings to the Americans of Brazil. Why? Because Brazil had freed every + slave, and because that act left the New World, this hemisphere, without a + slave—left two continents dedicated to the freedom of man—so + that with that act of Brazil the New World, discovered only a few years + ago, takes the lead in the great march of human progress and liberty. That + is the second thing the convention did. Only a little while ago the + minister to this country from Brazil, acting under instructions from his + government, notified the President of the United States that this sublime + act had been accomplished—notified him that from the bodies of + millions of men the chains of slavery had fallen—an act great enough + to make the dull sky of half the world glow as though another morning had + risen upon another day. + </p> + <p> + And what did our President say? Was he filled with enthusiasm? Did his + heart beat quicker? Did the blood rush to his cheek? He simply said, as it + is reported, "that he hoped time would justify the wisdom of the measure." + It is precisely the same as though a man should quit a life of crime, as + though some gentleman in the burglar business should finally announce to + his friends: "I have made up my mind never to break into another house," + and the friend should reply: "I hope that time will justify the propriety + of that resolution." + </p> + <p> + That was the first thing, with regard to the condition of the world, that + came into the mind of the Republican convention. And why was that? Because + the Republican party has fought for liberty from the day of its birth to + the present moment. + </p> + <p> + And what was the next? The next resolution passed by the convention was, + "that we earnestly hope, we shall soon congratulate our fellow-citizens of + Irish birth upon the peaceful recovery of home rule in Ireland." + </p> + <p> + Wherever a human being wears a chain, there you will find the sympathy of + the Republican party. Wherever one languishes in a dungeon for having + raised the standard of revolt in favor of human freedom, there you will + find the sympathy of the Republican party. I believe in liberty for + Ireland, not because it is Ireland, but because they are human beings, and + I am for liberty, not as a prejudice, but as a principle. + </p> + <p> + The man rightfully in jail who wants to get out is a believer in liberty + as a prejudice; but when a man out of jail sees a man wrongfully in jail + and is willing to risk his life to give liberty to the man who ought to + have it, that is being in favor of liberty as a principle. So I am in + favor of liberty everywhere, all over the world, and wherever one man + tries to govern another simply because he has been born a lord or a duke + or a king, or wherever one governs another simply by brute force, I say + that that is oppression, and it is the business of Americans to do all + they can to give liberty to the oppressed everywhere. + </p> + <p> + Ireland should govern herself. Those who till the soil should own the + soil, or have an opportunity at least of becoming the owners. A few + landlords should not live in extravagance and luxury while those who toil + live on the leavings, on parings, on crumbs and crusts. The treatment of + Ireland by England has been one continuous crime. There is no meaner page + in history. + </p> + <p> + What is the next thing in this platform? And if there is anything in it + that anybody can object to, we will find it out to-night. The next thing + is the supremacy of the Nation.-Why, even the Democrats now believe in + that, and in their own platform are willing to commence that word with a + capital N. They tell us that they are in favor of an indissoluble Union—just + as I presume they always have been. But they now believe in a Union. So + does the Republican party. What else? The Republican party believes, not + in State Sovereignty, but in the preservation of all the rights reserved + to the States by the Constitution. + </p> + <p> + Let me show you the difference: For instance, you make a contract with + your neighbor who lives next door—equal partners—and at the + bottom of the contract you put the following addition: "If there is any + dispute as to the meaning of this contract, my neighbor shall settle it, + and any settlement he shall make shall be final." Is there any use of + talking about being equal partners any longer? Any use of your talking + about being a sovereign partner? So, the Constitution of the United States + says: "If any question arises between any State and the Federal Government + it shall be decided by a Federal Court." That is the end of what they call + State Sovereignty. + </p> + <p> + Think of a sovereign State that can make no treaty, that cannot levy war, + that cannot coin money. But we believe in maintaining the rights of the + States absolutely in their integrity, because we believe in local + self-government. We deny, however, that a State has any right to deprive a + citizen of his vote. We deny that the State has any right to violate the + Federal law, and we go further and we say that it is the duty of the + General Government to see to it that every citizen in every State shall + have the right to exercise all of his privileges as a citizen of the + United States—"the right of every lawful citizen," says our + platform, "native or foreign, white or black, to cast a free ballot." + </p> + <p> + Let me say one word about that. + </p> + <p> + The ballot is the king, the emperor, the ruler of America; it is the only + rightful sovereign of the Republic; and whoever refuses to count an honest + vote, or whoever casts a dishonest vote, is a traitor to the great + principle upon which our Government is founded. The man poisons, or + endeavors to poison, the springs of authority, the fountains of justice, + of rightful dominion and power; and until every citizen can cast his vote + everywhere in this land and have that vote counted, we are not a + republican people, we are not a civilized nation. The Republican party + will not have finished its mission until this country is civilized. That + is its business. It was born of a protest against barbarism. + </p> + <p> + The Republican party was the organized conscience of the United States. It + had the courage to stand by what it believed to be right. There is + something better even than success in this world; or in other words, there + is only one kind of success, and that is to be for the right. Then + whatever happens, you have succeeded. + </p> + <p> + Now, comes the next question. The Republican party not only wants to + protect every citizen in his liberty, in his right to vote, but it wants + to have that vote counted. And what else? + </p> + <p> + The next thing in this platform is protection for American labor. + </p> + <p> + I am going to tell you in a very brief way why I am in favor of + protection. First, I want this Republic substantially independent of the + rest of the world. You must remember that while people are civilized—some + of them—so that when they have a quarrel they leave it to the courts + to decide, nations still occupy the position of savages toward each other. + There is no national court to decide a question, consequently the question + is decided by the nations themselves, and you know what selfishness and + greed and power and the ideas of false glory will do and have done. So + that this Nation is not safe one moment from war. I want the Republic so + that it can live although at war with all the world. + </p> + <p> + We have every kind of climate that is worth having. Our country embraces + the marriage of the pine and palm; we have all there is of worth; it is + the finest soil in the world and the most ingenious people that ever + contrived to make the forces of nature do their work. I want this Nation + substantially independent, so that if every port were blockaded we would + be covered with prosperity as with a mantle. Then, too, the Nation that + cannot take care of itself in war is always at a disadvantage in peace. + That is one reason. Let me give you the next. + </p> + <p> + The next reason is that whoever raises raw material and sells it will be + eternally poor. There is no State in this Union where the farmer raises + wheat and sells it, that the farmer is not poor. Why? He only makes one + profit, and, as a rule, that is a loss. The farmer that raises corn does + better, because he can sell, not corn, but pork and beef and horses. In + other words, he can make the second or third profit, and those farmers get + rich. There is a vast difference between the labor necessary to raise raw + material and the labor necessary to make the fabrics used by civilized + men. Remember that; and if you are confined simply to raw material your + labor will be unskilled; unskilled labor will be cheap, the raw material + will be cheap, and the result is that your country will grow poorer and + poorer, while the country that buys your raw material, makes it into + fabrics and sells it back to you, will grow intelligent and rich. I want + you to remember this, because it lies at the foundation of this whole + subject. Most people who talk on this point bring forward column after + column of figures, and a man to understand it would have to be a walking + table of logarithms. I do not care to discuss it that way. I want to get + at the foundation principles, so that you can give a reason, as well as + myself, why you are in favor of protection. + </p> + <p> + Let us take another step. We will take a locomotive—a wonderful + thing—that horse of progress, with its flesh of iron and steel and + breath of flame—a wonderful thing. Let us see how it is made. Did + you ever think of the deft and cunning hands, of the wonderfully accurate + brains, that can make a thing like that? Did you ever think about it? How + much do you suppose the raw material lying in the earth was worth that was + changed into that locomotive? A locomotive that is worth, we will say, + twelve thousand dollars; how much was the raw material worth lying in the + earth, deposited there millions of years ago? Not as much as one dollar. + Let us, just for the sake of argument, say five dollars. What, then, has + labor added to the twelve thousand dollar locomotive? Eleven thousand nine + hundred and ninety-five dollars. Now, why? Because, just to the extent + that thought is mingled with labor, wages increase; just to the extent you + mix mind with muscle, you give value to labor; just to the extent that the + labor is skilled, deft, apt, just to that extent or in that proportion, is + the product valuable. Think about it. Raw material! There is a piece of + canvas five feet one way, three the other. Raw material would be to get a + man to whitewash it; that is raw material. Let a man of genius paint a + picture upon it; let him put in that picture the emotions of his heart, + the landscapes that have made poetry in his brain, the recollection of the + ones he loves, the prattle of children, a mother's tear, the sunshine of + her smile, and all the sweet and sacred memories of his life, and it is + worth five thousand dollars—ten thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + Noise is raw material, but the great opera of "Tristan and Isolde" is the + result of skilled labor. There is the same difference between simple brute + strength and skilled labor that there is between noise and the symphonies + of Beethoven. I want you to get this in your minds. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, whoever sells raw material gives away the great profit. You + raise cotton and sell it; and just as long as the South does it and does + nothing more the South will be poor, the South will be ignorant, and it + will be solidly Democratic. + </p> + <p> + Now, do not imagine that I am saying anything against the Democratic + party. I believe the Democratic party is doing the best it can under the + circumstances. You know my philosophy makes me very charitable. You find + out all about a man, all about his ancestors, and you can account for his + vote always. Why? Because there are causes and effects in nature. There + are sometimes antecedents and subsequents that have no relation to each + other, but at the same time, all through the web and woof of events, you + find these causes and effects, and if you only look far enough, you will + know why a man does as he does. + </p> + <p> + I have nothing to say against the Democratic party. I want to talk against + ideas, not against people. I do not care anything about their candidates, + whether they are good, bad or indifferent. What, gentlemen, are your + ideas? What do you propose to do? What is your policy? That is what I want + to know, and I am willing to meet them upon the field of intellectual + combat. They are in possession; they are in the rifle pits of office; we + are in the open field, but we will plant our standard, the flag that we + love, without a stain, and under that banner, upon which so many dying men + have looked in the last hour when they thought of home and country—under + that flag we will carry the Democratic fortifications. + </p> + <p> + Another thing; we want to get at this business so that we will understand + what we are doing. I do not believe in protecting American industry for + the sake of the capitalist, or for the sake of any class, but for the sake + of the whole Nation. And if I did not believe that it was for the best + interests of the whole Nation I should be opposed to it. + </p> + <p> + Let us take this next step. Everybody, of course, cannot be a farmer. + Everybody cannot be a mechanic. All the people in the world cannot go at + one business. We must have a diversity of industry. I say, the greater + that diversity, the greater the development of brain in the country. We + then have what you might call a mental exchange; men are then pursuing + every possible direction in which the mind can go, and the brain is being + developed upon all sides; whereas, if you all simply cultivated the soil, + you would finally become stupid. If you all did only one business you + would become ignorant; but by pursuing all possible avocations that call + for taste, genius, calculation, discovery, ingenuity, invention—by + having all these industries open to the American people, we will be able + to raise great men and great women; and I am for protection, because it + will enable us to raise greater men and greater women. Not only because it + will make more money in less time, but because I would rather have greater + folks and less money. + </p> + <p> + One man of genius makes a continent sublime. Take all the men of wealth + from Scotland—who would know it? Wipe their names from the pages of + history, and who would miss them? Nobody. Blot out one name, Robert Burns, + and how dim and dark would be the star of Scotland. The great thing is to + raise great folks. That is what we want to do, and we want to diversify + all the industries and protect them all. How much? Simply enough to + prevent the foreign article from destroying the domestic. But they say, + then the manufacturers will form a trust and put the prices up. If we + depend upon the foreign manufacturers will they not form trusts? We can + depend on competition. What do the Democrats want to do? They want to do + away with the tariff, so as to do away with the surplus. They want to put + down the tariff to do away with the surplus. If you put down the tariff a + small per cent, so that the foreign article comes to America, instead of + decreasing, you will increase the surplus. Where you get a dollar now, you + will get five then. If you want to stop getting anything from imports, you + want to put the tariff higher, my friend. + </p> + <p> + Let every Democrat understand this, and let him also understand that I + feel and know that he has the same interest in this great country that I + have, and let me be frank enough and candid enough and honest enough to + say that I believe the Democratic party advocates the policy it does + because it believes it will be the best for the country. But we differ + upon a question of policy, and the only way to argue it is to keep cool. + If a man simply shouts for his side, or gets mad, he is a long way from + any intellectual improvement. + </p> + <p> + If I am wrong in this, I want to be set right. If it is not to the + interest of America that the shuttle shall keep flying, that wheels shall + keep turning, that cloth shall be woven, that the forges shall flame and + that the smoke shall rise from the numberless chimneys—if that is + not to the interest of America, I want to know it. But I believe that upon + the great cloud of smoke rising from the chimneys of the manufactories of + this country, every man who will think can see the bow of national + promise. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, but," they say, "you put the prices so high." Let me give you two or + three facts: Only a few years ago I know that we paid one hundred and + twenty-five dollars a ton for Bessemer steel. At that time the tariff was + twenty-eight dollars a ton, I believe. I am not much on figures. I + generally let them add it up, and I pay it and go on about my business. + With the tariff at twenty-eight dollars a ton, that being a sufficient + protection against Great Britain, the ingenuity of America went to work. + Capital had the courage to try the experiment, and the result was that, + instead of buying thousands and thousands and thousands and tens of + thousands and hundreds of thousands and millions of tons of steel from + Great Britain, we made it here in our own country, and it went down as low + as thirty dollars a ton. Under this "rascally protection" it went down to + one-fourth of what free trade England was selling it to us for. + </p> + <p> + And so I might go on all night with a thousand other articles; all I want + to show you is that we want these industries here, and we want them + protected just as long as they need protection. We want to rock the cradle + just as long as there is a child in it. When the child gets to be seven or + eight feet high, and wears number twelve boots, we will say: "Now you will + have to shift for yourself." What we want is not simply for the + capitalist, not simply for the workingmen, but for the whole country. + </p> + <p> + If there is any object worthy the attention of this or any other + government, it is the condition of the workingmen. What do they do? They + do all that is done. They are the Atlases upon whose mighty shoulders + rests the fabric of American civilization. The men of leisure are simply + the vines that run round this great sturdy oak of labor. If there is + anything noble enough, and splendid enough to claim the attention of a + nation, it is this question, and I hope the time will come when labor will + receive far more than it does to-day. I want you all to think of it—how + little, after all, the laboring man, even in America, receives. + </p> + <p> + [A voice: "Under protection."] + </p> + <p> + Yes, sir, even under protection. Take away that protection, and he is + instantly on a level with the European serf. And let me ask that good, + honest gentleman one question. If the laborer is better off in other + countries, why does not the American laborer emigrate to Europe? + </p> + <p> + There is no place in the wide world where, in my judgment, labor reaps its + true reward. There never has been. But I hope the time will come when the + American laborer will not only make a living for himself, for his wife and + children, but lay aside something to keep the roof above his head when the + winter of age may come. My sympathies are all with them, and I would + rather see thousands of... '' palaces of millionaires unroofed than to see + desolation in the cabins of the poor. I know that this world has been made + beautiful by those who have labored and those who have suffered. I know + that we owe to them the conveniences of life, and I have more + conveniences, I live a more luxurious life, than any monarch ever lived + one hundred years ago. I have more conveniences than any emperor could + have purchased with the revenue of his empire one hundred years ago. It is + worth something to live in this age of the world. + </p> + <p> + And what has made us such a great and splendid and progressive and + sensible people? + </p> + <p> + [A voice: "Free thought."] + </p> + <p> + Free thought, of course. Back of every invention is free thought. Why does + a man invent? Slavery never invents; freedom invents. A slave working for + his master tries to do the least work in the longest space of time, but a + free man, working for wife and children, tries to do the most work in the + shortest possible time. He is in love with what he is doing, consequently + his head and his hands go in partnership; muscle and brain unite, and the + result is that the head invents something to help the hands, and out of + the brain leaps an invention that makes a slave of the forces of nature—those + forces that have no backs to be whipped, those forces that shed no tears, + those forces that are destined to work forever for the happiness of the + human race. + </p> + <p> + Consequently I am for the protection of American labor, American genius, + American thought. I do not want to put our workingmen on a level with the + citizens of despotisms. Why do not the Democrats and others want the + Chinese to come here? Are they in favor of being protected? Why is it that + the Democrats and others object to penitentiary labor? I will tell you. + They say that a man in the penitentiary can produce cheaper. He has no + family to support, he has no children to look after; and they say, it is + hardly fair to make the father of a family and an honest man compete with + a criminal within the walls of a penitentiary. So they ask to be + protected. + </p> + <p> + What is the difference whether a man is in the penitentiary, or whether he + is in the despotism of some European state? "Ah, but," they say, "you let + the laborer of Europe come here himself." Yes, and I am in favor of it + always. Why? This world belongs to the human race. And when they come + here, in a little while they have our wants, and if they do not their + children do, and you will find the second generation of Irishmen or + Germans or of any other nationality just as patriotic as the tenth + generation from the first immigrant. I want them to come. Then they get + our habits. + </p> + <p> + Who wants free trade? Only those who want us for their customers, who + would like to sell us everything that we use—England, Germany, all + those countries. And why? Because one American will buy more than one + thousand, yes, five thousand Asiatics. America consumes more to-day than + China and India, more than ten billion would of semi-civilized and + barbarous peoples. What do they buy—what does England sell? A little + powder, a little whiskey, cheap calico, some blankets—a few things + of that kind. What does the American purchase? Everything that civilized + man uses or that civilized man can want. + </p> + <p> + England wants this market. Give her free trade, and she will become the + most powerful, the richest nation that ever had her territories marked + upon the map of the world. And what do we become? Nobodies. Poor. + Invention will be lost, our minds will grow clumsy, the wondrous, deft + hand of the mechanic paralyzed—a great raw material producing + country—ignorant, poor, barbaric. I want the cotton that is raised + in this country to be spun here, to be woven into cloth. I want everything + that we use to be made by Americans. We can make the cloth, we can raise + the food to feed and to clothe this Nation, and the Nation is now only in + its infancy. + </p> + <p> + Somehow people do not understand this. They really think we are getting + filled up. Look at the map of this country. See the valley of the + Mississippi. Put your hand on it. Trace the rivers coming from the Rocky + Mountains and the Alleghanies, and sweeping down to the Gulf, and know + that in the valley of the Mississippi, with its wondrous tributaries, + there can live and there can be civilized and educated five hundred + millions of human beings. + </p> + <p> + Let us have some sense. I want to show you how far this goes beyond the + intellectual horizon of some people who hold office. For instance: We have + a tariff on lead, and by virtue of that tariff on lead nearly every silver + mine is worked in this country. Take the tariff from lead and there would + remain in the clutch of the rocks, of the quartz misers, for all time, + millions and millions of silver; but when that is put with lead, and lead + runs with silver, they can make enough on lead and silver to pay for the + mining, and the result is that millions and millions are added every year + to the wealth of the United States. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you another thing: There is not a State in the Union but has + something it wants protected. And Louisiana—a Democratic State, and + will be just as long as Democrats count the votes—Louisiana has the + impudence to talk about free trade and yet it wants its sugar protected. + Kentucky says free trade, except hemp; and if anything needs protection it + is hemp. Missouri says hemp and lead. Colorado, lead and wool; and so you + can make the tour of the States and every one is for free trade with an + exception—that exception being to the advantage of that State, and + when you put the exceptions together you have protected the industries of + all the States. + </p> + <p> + Now, if the Democratic party is in favor of anything, it is in favor of + free trade. If President Clevelands message means anything it means free + trade. And why? Because it says to every man that gets protection: If you + will look about you, you will find that you pay for something else that is + protected more than you receive in benefits for what is protected of + yours; consequently the logic of that is free trade. They believe in it I + have no doubt. When the whole world is civilized, when men are everywhere + free, when they all have something like the same tastes and ambitions, + when they love their families and their children, when they want the same + kind of food and roofs above them—if that day shall ever come—the + world can afford to have its trade free, but do not put the labor of + America on a par with the labor of the Old World. + </p> + <p> + Now, about taxes—internal revenue. That was resorted to in time of + war. The Democratic party made it necessary. We had to tax everything to + beat back the Democratic hosts, North and South. Now, understand me. I + know that thousands and hundreds of thousands of individual Democrats were + for this country, and were as pure patriots as ever marched beneath the + flag. I know that—hundreds of thousands of them. I am speaking of + the party organization that staid at home and passed resolutions that + every time the Union forces won a victory the Constitution had been + violated. I understand that. Those taxes were put on in time of war, + because it was necessary. Direct taxation is always odious. A government + dislikes, to be represented among all the people by a tax gatherer, by an + official who visits homes carrying consternation and grief wherever he + goes. Everybody, from the most ancient times of which I have ever read, + until the present moment, dislikes a tax gatherer. I have never yet seen + in any cemetery a monument with this inscription: "Sacred to the memory of + the man who loved to pay his taxes." It is far better if we can collect + the needed revenue of this Government indirectly. But, they say, you must + not take the taxes off tobacco; you must not take the taxes off alcohol or + spirits or whiskey. Why? Because it is immoral to take off the taxes. Do + you believe that there was, on the average, any more drunkenness in this + country before the tax was put on than there is now? I do not. I believe + there is as much liquor drank to-day, per capita, as there ever was in the + United States. I will not blame the Democratic party. I do not care what + they drink. What they think is what I have to do with. I will be plain + with them, because I know lots of fellows in the Democratic party, and + that is the only bad thing about them—splendid fellows. And I know a + good many Republicans, and I am willing to take my oath that that is the + only good thing about them. So, let us all be fair. + </p> + <p> + I want the taxes taken from tobacco and whiskey; and why? Because it is a + war measure that should not be carried on in peace; and in the second + place, I do not want that system inaugurated in this country, unless there + is an absolute necessity for it, and the moment the necessity is gone, + stop it. + </p> + <p> + The moral side of this question? Only a couple of years ago, I think it + was, the Prohibitionists said that they wanted this tax taken from + alcohol. Why? Because as long as the Government licensed, as long as the + Government taxed and received sixty millions of dollars in revenue, just + so long the Government would make this business respectable, just so long + the Government would be in partnership with this liquor crime. That is + what they said then. Now we say take the tax off, and they say it is + immoral. Now, I have a little philosophy about this. I may be entirely + wrong, but I am going to give it to you. You never can make great men and + great women, by keeping them out of the way of temptation. You have to + educate them to withstand temptation. It is all nonsense to tie a man's + hands behind him and then praise him for not picking pockets. I believe + that temperance walks hand in hand with liberty. Just as life becomes + valuable, people take care of it. Just as life is great, and splendid and + noble, as long as the future is a kind of gallery filled with the ideal, + just so long will we take care of ourselves and avoid dissipation of every + kind. Do you know, I believe, as much as I believe that I am living, that + if the Mississippi itself were pure whiskey and its banks loaf sugar, and + all the flats covered with mint, and all the bushes grew teaspoons and + tumblers, there would not be any more drunkenness than there is now! + </p> + <p> + As long as you say to your neighbor "you must not" there is something in + that neighbor that says, "Well I will determine that for myself, and you + just say that again and I will take a drink if it kills me." There is no + moral question involved in it, except this: Let the burden of government + rest as lightly as possible upon the shoulders of the people, and let it + cause as little irritation as possible. Give liberty to the people. I am + willing that the women who wear silks, satins and diamonds; that the + gentlemen who smoke Havana cigars and drink champagne and Chateau Yquem; I + am perfectly willing that they shall pay my taxes and support this + Government, and I am willing that the man who does not do that, but is + willing to take the domestic article, should go tax free. + </p> + <p> + Temperance walks hand in hand with liberty. You recollect that little old + story about a couple of men who were having a discussion on this + prohibition question, and the man on the other side said to the + Prohibitionist: "How would you like to live in a community where every + body attended to his own business, where every body went to bed regularly + at night, got up regularly in the morning; where every man, woman and + child was usefully employed during the day; no backbiting, no drinking of + whiskey, no cigars, and where they all attended divine services on Sunday, + and where no profane language was used?" "Why," said he, "such a place + would be a paradise, or heaven; but there is no such place." "Oh," said + the other man, "every well regulated penitentiary is that way." So much + for the moral side of the question. + </p> + <p> + Another point that the Republican party calls the attention of the country + to is the use that has been made of the public land. Oh, say the + Democratic party, see what States, what empires have been given away by + the Republican party—and see what the Republican party did with it. + Road after road built to the great Pacific. Our country unified—the + two oceans, for all practical purposes, washing one shore. That is what it + did, and what else? It has given homes to millions of people in a + civilized land, where they can get all the conveniences of civilization. + And what else? Fifty million acres have been taken back by the Government. + How was this done? It was by virtue of the provisions put in the original + grants by the Republican party. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing to which the Republican party has called the + attention of the country, and that is the admission of new States where + there are people enough to form a State. Now, with a solid South, with the + assistance of a few Democrats from the North, comes a State, North Dakota, + with plenty of population, a magnificent State, filled with intelligence + and prosperity. It knocks at the door for admission, and what is the + question asked by this administration? Not "Have you the land, have you + the wealth, have you the men and women?" but "Are you Democratic or + Republican?" And being intelligent people, they answer: "We are + Republicans." And the solid South, assisted by the Democrats of the North, + says to that people: "The door is shut; we will not have you." Why? + "Because you would add two to the Republican majority in the Senate." Is + that the spirit in which a nation like this should be governed? When a + State asks for admission, no matter what the politics of its people may + be, I say, admit that State; put a star on the flag that will glitter for + her. + </p> + <p> + The next thing the Republican party says is, gold and silver shall both be + money. You cannot make every thing payable in gold—that would be + unfair to the poor man. You shall not make every thing payable in silver—that + would be unfair to the capitalist; but it shall be payable in gold and + silver. And why ought we to be in favor of silver? Because we are the + greatest silver producing nation in the world; and the value of a thing, + other things being equal, depends on its uses, and being used as money + adds to the value of silver. And why should we depreciate one of our own + products by saying that we will not take it as money? I believe in + bimetalism, gold and silver, and you cannot have too much of either or + both. No nation ever died of a surplus, and in all the national cemeteries + of the earth you will find no monument erected to a nation that died from + having too much silver. Give me all the silver I want and I am happy. + </p> + <p> + The Republican party has always been sound on finance. It always knew you + could not pay a promise with a promise. The Republican party always had + sense enough to know that money could not be created by word of mouth, + that you could not make it by a statute, or by passing resolutions in a + convention. It always knew that you had to dig it out of the ground by + good, honest work. The Republican party always knew that money is a + commodity, exchangeable for all other commodities, but a commodity just as + much as wheat or corn, and you can no more make money by law than you can + make wheat or corn by law. You can by law, make a promise that will to a + certain extent take the place of money until the promise is paid. It seems + to me that any man who can even understand the meaning of the word + democratic can understand that theory of money. + </p> + <p> + Another thing right in this platform. Free schools for the education of + all the children in the land. The Republican party believes in looking out + for the children. It knows that the a, b, c's are the breastworks of human + liberty. They know that every schoolhouse is an arsenal, a fort, where + missiles are made to hurl against the ignorance and prejudice of mankind; + so they are for the free school. + </p> + <p> + And what else? They are for reducing the postage one-half. Why? Simply for + the diffusion of intelligence. What effect will that have? It will make us + more and more one people. The oftener we communicate with each other the + more homogeneous we become. The more we study the same books and read the + same papers the more we swap ideas, the more we become true Americans, + with the same spirit in favor of liberty, progress and the happiness of + the human race. + </p> + <p> + What next? The Republican party says, let us build ships for America—for + American sailors. Let our fleets cover the seas, and let our men-of-war + protect the commerce of the Republic—not that we can wrong some weak + nation, but so that we can keep the world from doing wrong to us. This is + all. I have infinite contempt for civilized people who have guns carrying + balls weighing several hundred pounds, who go and fight poor, naked + savages that can only throw boomerangs and stones. + </p> + <p> + I hold such a nation in infinite contempt. + </p> + <p> + What else is in this platform? You have no idea of the number of things in + it till you look them over. It wants to cultivate friendly feelings with + all the governments in North, Central and South America, so that the great + continents can be one—instigated, moved, pervaded, inspired by the + same great thoughts. In other words, we want to civilize this continent + and the continent of South America. And what else? This great platform is + in favor of paying—not giving, but paying—pensions to every + man who suffered in the great war. What would we have said at the time? + What, if the North could have spoken, would it have said to the heroes of + Gettysburg on the third day? "Stand firm! We will empty the treasures of + the Nation at your feet." They had the courage and the heroism to keep the + hosts of rebellion back without that promise, and is there an American + to-day that can find it in his heart to begrudge one solitary dollar that + has found its way into the pocket of a maimed soldier, or into the hands + of his widow or his orphan? + </p> + <p> + What would we have offered to the sailors under Farragut on condition that + they would pass Forts St. Phillip and Jackson? What would we have offered + to the soldiers under Grant in the Wilderness? What to the followers of + Sherman and Sheridan? Do you know, I can hardly conceive of a spirit + contemptible enough—and I am not now alluding to the President of + the United States—I can hardly conceive of a spirit contemptible + enough to really desire to keep a maimed soldier from the bounty of this + Nation. It would be a disgrace and a dishonor if we allowed them to die in + poorhouses, to drop by life's highway and to see their children mourning + over their poor bodies, glorious with scars, maimed into immortality. I + may do a great many bad things before I die, but I give you my word that + so long as I live I will never vote for any President that vetoed a + pension bill unless upon its face it was clear that the man was not a + wounded soldier. + </p> + <p> + What next in this platform? For the protection of American homes. I am a + believer in the home. I have said, and I say again—the hearthstone + is the foundation of the great temple; the fireside is the altar where the + true American worships. I believe that the home, the family, is the unit + of good government, and I want to see the aegis of the great Republic over + millions of happy homes. + </p> + <p> + That is all there is in this world worth living for. Honor, place, fame, + glory, riches—they are ashes, smoke, dust, disappointment, unless + there is somebody in the world you love, somebody who loves you; unless + there is some place that you can call home, some place where you can feel + the arms of children around your neck, some place that is made absolutely + sacred by the love of others. + </p> + <p> + So I am for this platform. I am for the election of Harrison and Morton, + and although I did nothing toward having that ticket nominated, because, I + tell you, I was for Gresham, yet I will do as much toward electing the + candidates, within my power, as any man who did vote on the winning side. + </p> + <p> + We have a good ticket, a noble, gallant soldier at the head; that is + enough for me. He is in favor of liberty and progress. And you have for + Vice-President a man that you all know better than I do, but a good, + square, intelligent, generous man. That is enough for me. And these men + are standing on the best platform that was ever adopted by the Republican + party—a platform that stands for education, liberty, the free + ballot, American industry; for the American policy that has made us the + richest and greatest Nation of the globe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0017" id="link0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + REUNION ADDRESS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Elmwood Reunion, participated in by six regiments, + came to a glorious close last evening. There were thousands + of people present. The city was gayly decorated with flags + and hunting, while pictures and busts of Col. Ingersoll were + in every show window. From early in the morning until noon, + delegations kept coming in, A special train arrived from + Peoria at 10.50 o'clock, bearing a large delegation of old + soldiers together with Col. Ingersoll and his daughter Maud. + He was met by the reception committee, and marched up the + street escorted by an army of veterans. When he arrived on + the west side of the public square, the lines were opened, + and he marched between, in review of his old friends and + comrades. The parade started as soon as it could be formed, + after the arrival of the special train. + + Col. Ingersoll was greeted by a salute of thirteen guns from + Peoria's historic cannon, as he was escorted to the grand + stand by Spencer's band and the Peoria Veterans. + + The reviewing stand was on the west side of the park. Here + the parade was seen by Col. Ingersoll and the other + distinguished guests, among whom were Congressmen Graff and + Prince, Mayor Day, Judges N. E. Worthington and I. C. + Pinkney, and the Hon. Clark E. Carr, who also made a speech + saying that the people cannot estimate the majesty of the + eloquence of Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, keeping alive the + flame of patriotism from 1860 to the present time. . + + The parade was an imposing one, there were fully two + thousand five hundred old veterans in line who passed In + review before Col. Ingersoll, each one doffing his hat as he + marched by. The most pleasing feature of the exercises of + the day was the representation of the Living Flag by one + hundred and fifty little girls of Elmwood, at ten o' clock + under the direction of Col. Lem. H. Wiley, of Peoria. The + flag was presented on a large Inclined amphitheatre at the + left of the grand stand, and was the finest thing ever + witnessed lu this part of the country. + + Following the presentation of the Living Flag, Chairman + Brown called the Reunion to order, and Col. Lem. H. Wiley, + National Bugler gave the assembly call. + + Following the assembly call a male chorus rendered a song, + "Ring O Bells." The song was composed for the occasion by + Mr. E. R. Brown and was as follows: + + "Welcome now that leader fearless, + Free of thought and grand of brain, + King of hearts and speaker peerless, + Hail our Ingersoll again." *** + + Then Chairman, E. R. Brown, took charge of the meeting and + introduced Col. Ingersoll as the greatest of living orators, + referring to the time that the Colonel declared, a quarter + of a century ago, in Rouse's Hall, Peoria, that from that + time forth there would be one free man in Illinois, and + expressing Indebtedness to him for what had been done since + for the freedom and happiness of mankind, by his mighty + brain, his great spirit and his gentle heart. + + He then spoke of Col. Ingersoll's residence in Peoria + county, paying an eloquent tribute to him, and concluded by + leading the distinguished gentleman to the front of the + stand. The appearance of Col. Ingersoll was a signal for a + mighty shout, which was heartily joined in by everybody + present, even the little girls composing the living flag, + cheering and waving their banners. + + It was fully ten minutes before the cheering had subsided, + and when Col. Ingersoll commenced to speak it was renewed + and he was forced to wait for several minutes more. When + quiet was restored, he opened his address, and for an hour + and a half he held the vast audience spell-bound with his + eloquence and wit. + + After Col. Ingersoll's speech the veterans crowded around + the stand to meet and grasp the hand of their comrade, and + the boys of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, his old regiment, + were especially profuse in their congratulations and thanks + for the splendid address he had delivered. His speeeh was + off-hand, only occasional reference being made to his short + notes. The Colonel then left the Park amid the yells of + delight of the old soldiers, every man of whom endeavored to + grasp his hand. + + In the afternoon the veterans assembled in Liberty Hall by + themselves, the room being filled. Col. Ingersoll appeared + and was greeted with such cheers as he had not received + during the entire day. He then said good-bye to his old + comrades.—Chicago Inter-ocean and Peoria papers, Sept. 6th, + 1896. +</pre> + <p> + Elmwood, Ills. + </p> + <p> + 1895. + </p> + <p> + LADIES and Gentlemen, Fellow-citizens, Old Friends and Comrades: + </p> + <p> + It gives me the greatest pleasure to meet again those with whom I became + acquainted in the morning of my life. It is now afternoon. The sun of life + is slowly sinking in the west, and, as the evening comes, nothing can be + more delightful than to see again the faces that I knew in youth. + </p> + <p> + When first I knew you the hair was brown; it is now white. The lines were + not quite so deep, and the eyes were not quite so dim. Mingled with this + pleasure is sadness,—sadness for those who have passed away—for + the dead. + </p> + <p> + And yet I am not sure that we ought to mourn for the dead. I do not know + which is better—life or death. It may be that death is the greatest + gift that ever came from nature's open hands. We do not know. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing of which I am certain, and that is, that if we could + live forever here, we would care nothing for each other. The fact that we + must die, the fact that the feast must end, brings our souls together, and + treads the weeds from out the paths between our hearts. + </p> + <p> + And so it may be, after all, that love is a little flower that grows on + the crumbling edge of the grave. So it may be, that were it not for death + there would be no love, and without love all life would be a curse. + </p> + <p> + I say it gives me great pleasure to meet you once again; great pleasure to + congratulate you on your good fortune—the good fortune of being a + citizen of the first and grandest republic ever established upon the face + of the earth. + </p> + <p> + That is a royal fortune. To be an heir of all the great and brave men of + this land, of all the good, loving and patient women; to be in possession + of the blessings that they have given, should make every healthy citizen + of the United States feel like a millionaire. + </p> + <p> + This, to-day, is the most prosperous country on the globe; and it is + something to be a citizen of this country. + </p> + <p> + It is well, too, whenever we meet, to draw attention to what has been done + by our ancestors. It is well to think of them and to thank them for all + their work, for all their courage, for all their toil. + </p> + <p> + Three hundred years ago our country was a vast wilderness, inhabited by a + few savages. Three hundred years ago—how short a time; hardly a tick + of the great clock of eternity—three hundred years; not a second in + the life even of this planet—three hundred years ago, a wilderness; + three hundred years ago, inhabited by a few savages; three hundred years + ago a few men in the Old World, dissatisfied, brave and adventurous, + trusted their lives to the sea and came to this land. + </p> + <p> + In 1776 there were only three millions of people all told. These men + settled on the shores of the sea. These men, by experience, learned to + govern themselves. These men, by experience, found that a man should be + respected in the proportion that he was useful. They found, by experience, + that titles were of no importance; that the real thing was the man, and + that the real things in the man were heart and brain. They found, by + experience, how to govern themselves, because there was nobody else here + when they came. The gentlemen who had been in the habit of governing their + fellow-men staid at home, and the men who had been in the habit of being + governed came here, and, consequently, they had to govern themselves. + </p> + <p> + And finally, educated by experience, by the rivers and forests, by the + grandeur and splendor of nature, they began to think that this continent + should not belong to any other; that it was great enough to count one, and + that they had the intelligence and manhood to lay the foundations of a + nation. + </p> + <p> + It would be impossible to pay too great and splendid a tribute to the + great and magnificent souls of that day. They saw the future. They saw + this country as it is now, and they endeavored to lay the foundation deep; + they endeavored to reach the bed-rock of human rights, the bed-rock of + justice. And thereupon they declared that all men were born equal; that + all the children of nature had at birth the same rights, and that all men + had the right to pursue the only good,—happiness. + </p> + <p> + And what did they say? They said that men should govern men; that the + power to govern should come from the consent of the governed, not from the + clouds, not from some winged phantom of the air, not from the aristocracy + of ether. They said that this power should come from men; that the men + living in this world should govern it, and that the gentlemen who were + dead should keep still. + </p> + <p> + They took another step, and said that church and state should forever be + divorced. That is no harm to real religion. It never was, because real + religion means the doing of justice; real religion means the giving to + others every right you claim for yourself; real religion consists in + duties of man to man, in feeding the hungry, in clothing the naked, in + defending the innocent, and in saying what you believe to be true. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers had enough sense to say that, and a man to do that in 1776 had + to be a pretty big fellow. It is not so much to say it now, because they + set the example; and, upon these principles of which I have spoken, they + fought the war of the Revolution. + </p> + <p> + At no time, probably, were the majority of our forefathers in favor of + independence, but enough of them were on the right side, and they finally + won a victory. And after the victory, those that had not been even in + favor of independence became, under the majority rule, more powerful than + the heroes of the Revolution. + </p> + <p> + Then it was that our fathers made a mistake. We have got to praise them + for what they did that was good, and we will mention what they did that + was wrong. + </p> + <p> + They forgot the principles for which they fought. They forgot the + sacredness of human liberty, and, in the name of freedom, they made a + mistake and put chains on the limbs of others. + </p> + <p> + That was their error; that was the poison that entered the American blood; + that was the corrupting influence that demoralized presidents and priests; + that was the influence that corrupted the United States of America. + </p> + <p> + That mistake, of course, had to be paid for, as all mistakes in nature + have to be paid for. And not only do you pay for your mistake itself, but + you pay at least ten per cent, compound interest. Whenever you do wrong, + and nobody finds it out, do not imagine you have gotten over it; you have + not. Nature knows it. + </p> + <p> + The consequences of every bad act are the invisible police that no prayers + can soften, and no gold can bribe. + </p> + <p> + Recollect that. Recollect, that for every bad act, there will be laid upon + your shoulder the arresting hand of the consequences; and it is precisely + the same with a nation as it is with an individual. You have got to pay + for all of your mistakes, and you have got to pay to the uttermost + farthing. That is the only forgiveness known in nature. Nature never + settles unless she can give a receipt in full. + </p> + <p> + I know a great many men differ with me, and have all sorts of bankruptcy + systems, but Nature is not built that way. + </p> + <p> + Finally, slavery took possession of the Government. Every man who wanted + an office had to be willing to step between a fugitive slave and his + liberty. + </p> + <p> + Slavery corrupted the courts, and made judges decide that the child born + in the State of Pennsylvania, whose mother had been a slave, could not be + free. + </p> + <p> + That was as infamous a decision as was ever rendered, and yet the people, + in the name of the law, did this thing, and the Supreme Court of the + United States did not know right from wrong. + </p> + <p> + These dignified gentlemen thought that labor could be paid by lashes on + the back—which was a kind of legal tender—and finally an + effort was made to subject the new territory—the Nation—to the + institution of slavery. + </p> + <p> + Then we had a war with Mexico, in which we got a good deal of glory and + one million square miles of land, but little honor. I will admit that we + got but little honor out of that war. That territory they wanted to give + to the slaveholder. + </p> + <p> + In 1803 we purchased from Napoleon the Great, one million square miles of + land, and then, in 1821, we bought Florida from Spain. So that, when the + war came, we had about three million square miles of new land. The object + was to subject all this territory to slavery. + </p> + <p> + The idea was to go on and sell the babes from their mothers until time + should be no more. The idea was to go on with the branding-iron and the + whip. The idea was to make it a crime to teach men, human beings, to read + and write; to make every Northern man believe that he was a bulldog, a + bloodhound to track down men and women, who, with the light of the North + Star in their eyes, were seeking the free soil of Great Britain. + </p> + <p> + Yes, in these times we had lots of mean folks. Let us remember that. + </p> + <p> + And all at once, under the forms of law, under the forms of our + Government, the greatest man under the flag was elected President. That + man was Abraham Lincoln. And then it was that those gentlemen of the South + said: "We will not be governed by the majority; we will be a law unto + ourselves." + </p> + <p> + And let me tell you here to-day—I am somewhat older than I used to + be; I have a little philosophy now that I had not at the nine o'clock in + the morning portion of my life—and I do not blame anybody. I do not + blame the South; I do not blame the Confederate soldier. + </p> + <p> + She—the South—was the fruit of conditions. She was born to + circumstances stronger than herself; and do you know, according to my + philosophy, (which is not quite orthodox), every man and woman in the + whole world are what conditions have made them. + </p> + <p> + So let us have some sense. The South said, "We will not submit; this is + not a nation, but a partnership of States." I am willing to go so far as + to admit that the South expressed the original idea of the Government. + </p> + <p> + But now the question was, to whom did the newly acquired property belong? + New States had been carved out of that territory; the soil of these States + had been purchased with the money of the Republic, and had the South the + right to take these States out of the Republic? That was the question. + </p> + <p> + The great West had another interest, and that was that no enemy, no other + nation, should control the mouth of the Mississippi. I regard the + Mississippi River as Nature's protest against secession. The old + Mississippi River says, and swears to it, that this country shall be one, + now and forever. + </p> + <p> + What was to be done? The South said, "We will never remain," and the North + said, "You shall not go." It was a little slow about saying it, it is + true. Some of the best Republicans in the North said, "Let it go." But the + second, sober thought of the great North said, "No, this is our country + and we are going to keep it on the map of the world." + </p> + <p> + And some who had been Democrats wheeled into line, and hundreds and + thousands said, "This is our country," and finally, when the Government + called for volunteers, hundreds and thousands came forward to offer their + services. Nothing more sublime was ever seen in the history of this world. + </p> + <p> + I congratulate you to-day that you live in a country that furnished the + greatest army that ever fought for human liberty in any country round the + world. I want you to know that. I want you to know that the North, East + and West furnished the greatest army that ever fought for human liberty. I + want you to know that Gen. Grant commanded more men, men fighting for the + right, not for conquest, than any other general who ever marshaled the + hosts of war. + </p> + <p> + Let us remember that, and let us be proud of it. The millions who poured + from the North for the defence of the flag—the story of their + heroism has been told to you again and again. I have told it myself many + times. It is known to every intelligent man and woman in the world. + Everybody knows how much we suffered. Everybody knows how we poured out + money like water; how we spent it like leaves of the forest. Everybody + knows how the brave blood was shed. Everybody knows the story of the + great, the heroic struggle, and everybody knows that at last victory came + to our side, and how the last sword of the Rebellion was handed to Gen. + Grant. There is no need to tell that story again. + </p> + <p> + But the question now, as we look back, is, was this country worth saving? + Was the blood shed in vain? Were the lives given for naught? That is the + question. + </p> + <p> + This country, according to my idea, is the one success of the world. Men + here have more to eat, more to wear, better houses, and, on the average, a + better education than those of any other nation now living, or any that + has passed away. + </p> + <p> + Was the country worth saving? + </p> + <p> + See what we have done in this country since 1860. We were not much of a + people then, to be honor bright about it. We were carrying, in the great + race of national life, the weight of slavery, and it poisoned us; it + paralyzed our best energies; it took from our politics the best minds; it + kept from the bench the greatest brains. + </p> + <p> + But what have we done since 1860, since we really became a free people, + since we came to our senses, since we have been willing to allow a man to + express his honest thoughts on every subject? + </p> + <p> + Do you know how much good we did? The war brought men together from every + part of the country and gave them an opportunity to compare their + foolishness. It gave them an opportunity to throw away their prejudices, + to find that a man who differed with them on every subject might be the + very best of fellows. That is what the war did. We have been broadening + ever since. + </p> + <p> + I sometimes have thought it did men good to make the trip to California in + 1849. As they went over the plains they dropped their prejudices on the + way. I think they did, and that's what killed the grass. + </p> + <p> + But to come back to my question, what have we done since 1860? + </p> + <p> + From 1860 to 1880, in spite of the waste of war, in spite of all the + property destroyed by flame, in spite of all the waste, our profits were + one billion three hundred and seventy-four million dollars. Think of it! + From 1860 to 1880! That is a vast sum. + </p> + <p> + From 1880 to 1890 our profits were two billion one hundred and thirty-nine + million dollars. + </p> + <p> + Men may talk against wealth as much as they please; they may talk about + money being the root of all evil, but there is little real happiness in + this world without some of it. It is very handy when staying at home and + it is almost indispensable when you travel abroad. Money is a good thing. + It makes others happy; it makes those happy whom you love, and if a man + can get a little together, when the night of death drops the curtain upon + him, he is satisfied that he has left a little to keep the wolf from the + door of those who, in life, were dear to him. Yes, money is a good thing, + especially since special providence has gone out of business. + </p> + <p> + I can see to-day something beyond the wildest dream of any patriot who + lived fifty years ago. The United States to-day is the richest nation on + the face of the earth. The old nations of the world, Egypt, India, Greece, + Rome, every one of them, when compared with this great Republic, must be + regarded as paupers. + </p> + <p> + How much do you suppose this Nation is worth to-day? I am talking about + land and cattle, products, manufactured articles and railways. Over + seventy thousand million dollars. Just think of it. + </p> + <p> + Take a thousand dollars and then take nine hundred and ninety-nine + thousand; so you will have one thousand piles of one thousand each. That + makes only a million, and yet the United States today is worth seventy + thousand millions. This is thirty-five percent, more than Great Britain is + worth. + </p> + <p> + We are a great Nation. We have got the land. This land was being made for + many millions of years. Its soil was being made by the great lakes and + rivers, and being brought down from the mountains for countless ages. + </p> + <p> + This continent was standing like a vast pan of milk, with the cream rising + for millions of years, and we were the chaps that got there when the + skimming commenced. + </p> + <p> + We are rich, and we ought to be rich. It is our own fault if we are not. + In every department of human endeavor, along every path and highway, the + progress of the Republic has been marvelous, beyond the power of language + to express. + </p> + <p> + Let me show you: In 1860 the horse-power of all the engines, the + locomotives and the steamboats that traversed the lakes and rivers—the + entire power—was three million five hundred thousand. In 1890 the + horse-power of engines and locomotives and steamboats was over seventeen + million. + </p> + <p> + Think of that and what it means! Think of the forces at work for the + benefit of the United States, the machines doing the work of thousands and + millions of men! + </p> + <p> + And remember that every engine that puffs is puffing for you; every road + that runs is running for you. I want you to know that the average man and + woman in the United States to-day has more of the conveniences of life + than kings and queens had one hundred years ago. + </p> + <p> + Yes, we are getting along. + </p> + <p> + In 1860 we used one billion eight hundred million dollars' worth of + products, of things manufactured and grown, and we sent to other countries + two hundred and fifty million dollars' worth. + </p> + <p> + In 1893 we used three billion eighty-nine million dollars' worth, and we + sent to other countries six hundred and fifty-four million dollars' worth. + </p> + <p> + You see, these vast sums are almost inconceivable. There is not a man + to-day with brains large enough to understand these figures; to understand + how many cars this money put upon the tracks, how much coal was devoured + by the locomotives, how many men plowed and worked in the fields, how many + sails were given to the wind, how many ships crossed the sea. + </p> + <p> + I tell you, there is no man able to think of the ships that were built, + the cars that were made, the mines that were opened, the trees that were + felled—no man has imagination enough to grasp the meaning of it all. + No man has any conception of the sea till he crosses it. I knew nothing of + how broad this country is until I went over it in a slow train. + </p> + <p> + Since 1860 the productive power of the United States has more than + trebled. + </p> + <p> + I like to talk about these things, because they mean good houses, carpets + on the floors, pictures on the walls, some books on the shelves. They mean + children going to school with their stomachs full of good food, prosperous + men and proud mothers. + </p> + <p> + All my life I have taken a much deeper interest in what men produce than + in what nature does. I would rather see the prairies, with the oats and + the wheat and the waving corn, and the schoolhouse, and hear the thrush + sing amid the happy homes of prosperous men and women—I would rather + see these things than any range of mountains in the world. Take it as you + will, a mountain is of no great value. + </p> + <p> + In 1860 our land was worth four billion five hundred million dollars; in + 1890 it was worth fourteen billion dollars. + </p> + <p> + In 1860 all the railroads in the United States were worth four hundred + million dollars, now they are worth a little less than ten thousand + million dollars. + </p> + <p> + I want you to understand what these figures mean. + </p> + <p> + For thirty years we spent, on an average, one million dollars a day in + building railroads.—I want you to think what that means. All that + money had to be dug out of the ground. It had to be made by raising + something or manufacturing something. We did not get it by writing essays + on finance, or discussing the silver question. It had to be made with the + ax, the plow, the reaper, the mower; in every form of industry; all to + produce these splendid results. + </p> + <p> + We have railroads enough now to make seven tracks around the great globe, + and enough left for side tracks. That is what we have done here, in what + the European nations are pleased to call "the new world." + </p> + <p> + I am telling you these things because you may not know them, and I did not + know them myself until a few days ago. I am anxious to give away + information, for it is only by giving it away that you can keep it. When + you have told it, you remember it. It is with information as it is with + liberty, the only way to be dead sure of it is to give it to other people. + </p> + <p> + In 1860 the houses in the United States, the cabins on the frontier, the + buildings in the cities, were worth six thousand million dollars. Now they + are worth over twenty-two thousand million dollars. To talk about figures + like these is enough to make a man dizzy. + </p> + <p> + In 1860 our animals of all kinds, including the Illinois deer—commonly + called swine—the oxen and horses, and all others, were worth about + one thousand million dollars; now they are worth about four thousand + million dollars. + </p> + <p> + Are we not getting rich? Our national debt today is nothing. It is like a + man who owes a cent and has a dollar. + </p> + <p> + Since 1860 we have been industrious. We have created two million five + hundred thousand new farms. Since 1860 we have done a good deal of + plowing; there have been a good many tired legs. I have been that way + myself. Since 1860 we have put in cultivation two hundred million acres of + land. Illinois, the best State in the Union, has thirty-five million acres + of land, and yet, since 1860, we have put in cultivation enough land to + make six States of the size of Illinois. That will give you some idea of + the quantity of work we have done. I will admit I have not done much of it + myself, but I am proud of it. + </p> + <p> + In 1860 we had four million five hundred and sixty-five thousand farmers + in this country, whose land and implements were worth over sixteen + thousand million dollars. The farmers of this country, on an average, are + worth five thousand dollars, and the peasants of the Old World, who + cultivate the soil, are not worth, on an average, ten dollars beyond the + wants of the moment. The farmers of our country produce, on an average, + about one million four hundred thousand dollars' worth of stuff a day. + </p> + <p> + What else? Have we in other directions kept pace with our physical + development? Have we developed the mind? Have we endeavored to develop the + brain? Have we endeavored to civilize the heart? I think we have. + </p> + <p> + We spend more for schools per head than any nation in the world. And the + common school is the breath of life. + </p> + <p> + Great Britain spends one dollar and thirty cents per head on the common + schools; France spends eighty cents; Austria, thirty cents; Germany, fifty + cents; Italy, twenty-five cents, and the United States over two dollars + and fifty cents. + </p> + <p> + I tell you the schoolhouse is the fortress of liberty. Every schoolhouse + is an arsenal, filled with weapons and ammunition to destroy the monsters + of ignorance and fear. + </p> + <p> + As I have said ten thousand times, the school-house is my cathedral. The + teacher is my preacher. + </p> + <p> + Eighty-seven per cent, of all the people of the United States, over ten + years of age, can read and write. There is no parallel for this in the + history of the wide world. + </p> + <p> + Over forty-two millions of educated citizens, to whom are opened all the + treasures of literature! + </p> + <p> + Forty-two millions of people, able to read and write! I say, there is no + parallel for this. The nations of antiquity were very ignorant when + compared with this great Republic of ours. There is no other nation in the + world that can show a record like ours. We ought to be proud of it. We + ought to build more schools, and build them better. Our teachers ought to + be paid more, and everything ought to be taught in the public school that + is worth knowing. + </p> + <p> + I believe that the children of the Republic, no matter whether their + fathers are rich or poor, ought to be allowed to drink at the fountain of + education, and it does not cost more to teach everything in the free + schools than it does teaching reading and writing and ciphering. + </p> + <p> + Have we kept up in other ways? The post office tells a wonderful story. In + Switzerland, going through the post office in each year, are letters, + etc., in the proportion of seventy-four to each inhabitant. In England the + number is sixty; in Germany, fifty-three; in France, thirty-nine; in + Austria, twenty-four; in Italy, sixteen, and in the United States, our own + home, one hundred and ten. Think of it. In Italy only twenty-five cents + paid per head for the support of the public schools and only sixteen + letters. And this is the place where God's agent lives. I would rather + have one good schoolmaster than two such agents. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing. A great deal has been said, from time to time, + about the workingman. I have as much sympathy with the workingman as + anybody on the earth—who does not work. There has always been a + desire in this world to let somebody else do the work, nearly everybody + having the modesty to stand back whenever there is anything to be done. In + savage countries they make the women do the work, so that the weak people + have always the bulk of the burdens. In civilized communities the poor are + the ones, of course, that work, and probably they are never fully paid. It + is pretty hard for a manufacturer to tell how much he can pay until he + sells the stuff which he manufactures. Every man who manufactures is not + rich. I know plenty of poor corporations; I know tramp railroads that have + not a dollar. And you will find some of them as anarchistic as you will + find their men. What a man can pay, depends upon how much he can get for + what he has produced. What the farmer can pay his help depends upon the + price he receives for his stock, his corn and his wheat. + </p> + <p> + But wages in this country are getting better day by day. We are getting a + little nearer to being civilized day by day, and when I want to make up my + mind on a subject I try to get a broad view of it, and not decide it on + one case. + </p> + <p> + In 1860 the average wages of the workingman were, per year, two hundred + and eighty-nine dollars. In 1890 the average was four hundred and + eighty-five. Thus the average has almost doubled in thirty years. The + necessaries of life are far cheaper than they were in 1860. Now, to my + mind, that is a hopeful sign. And when I am asked how can the dispute + between employer and employee be settled, I answer, it will be settled + when both parties become civilized. + </p> + <p> + It takes a long time to educate a man up to the point where he does not + want something for nothing. Yet, when a man is civilized, he does not. + </p> + <p> + He wants for a thing just what it is worth; he wants to give labor its + legitimate reward, and when he has something to sell he never wants more + than it is worth. I do not claim to be civilized myself; but all these + questions between capital and labor will be settled by civilization. + </p> + <p> + We are to-day accumulating wealth at the rate of more than seven million + dollars a day. Is not this perfectly splendid? + </p> + <p> + And in the midst of prosperity let us never forget the men who helped to + save our country, the men whose heroism gave us the prosperity we now + enjoy. + </p> + <p> + We have one-seventh of the good land of this world. You see there is a + great deal of poor land in the world. I know the first time I went to + California, I went to the Sink of the Humboldt, and what a forsaken look + it had. There was nothing there but mines of brimstone. On the train, + going over, there was a fellow who got into a dispute with a minister + about the first chapter of Genesis. And when they got along to the Sink of + the Humboldt the fellow says to the minister: + </p> + <p> + "Do you tell me that God made the world in six days, and then rested on + the seventh?" + </p> + <p> + He said, "I do." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said the fellow, "don't you think he could have put in another day + here to devilish good advantage?" + </p> + <p> + But, as I have said, we have got about one-seventh of the good land of the + world. I often hear people say that we have too many folks here; that we + ought to stop immigration; that we have no more room. The people who say + this know nothing of their country. They are ignorant of their native + land. I tell you that the valley of the Mississippi and the valleys of its + tributaries can support a population of five hundred millions of men, + women, and children. Don't talk of our being overpopulated; we have only + just started. + </p> + <p> + Here, in this land of ours, five hundred million men and women and + children can be supported and educated without trouble. We can afford to + double two or three times more. But what have we got to do? We have got to + educate them when they come. That is to say, we have got to educate their + children, and in a few generations we will have them splendid American + citizens, proud of the Republic. + </p> + <p> + We have no more patriotic men under the flag than the men who came from + other lands, the hundreds and thousands of those who fought to preserve + this country. And I think just as much of them as I would if they had been + born on American soil. What matters it where a man was born? It is what is + inside of him you have to look at—what kind of a heart he has, and + what kind of a head. I do not care where he was born; I simply ask, Is he + a man? Is he willing to give to others what he claims for himself? That is + the supreme test. + </p> + <p> + Now, I have got a hobby. I do not suppose any of you have heard of it. I + think the greatest thing for a country is for all of its citizens to have + a home. I think it is around the fireside of home that the virtues grow, + including patriotism. We want homes. + </p> + <p> + Until a few years ago it was the custom to put men in prison for debt. The + authorities threw a man into jail when he owed something which he could + not pay, and by throwing him into jail they deprived him of an opportunity + to earn what would pay it. After a little time they got sense enough to + know that they could not collect a debt in this way, and that it was + better to give him his freedom and allow him to earn something, if he + could. Therefore, imprisonment for debt was done away with. + </p> + <p> + At another time, when a man owed anything, if he was a carpenter, a + blacksmith or a shoemaker, and not able to pay it, they took his tools, on + a writ of sale and execution, and thus incapacitated him so that he could + do nothing. Finally they got sense enough to abolish that law, to leave + the mechanic his tools and the farmer his plows, horses and wagons, and + after this, debts were paid better than ever they were before. + </p> + <p> + Then we thought of protecting the home-builder, and we said: "We will have + a homestead exemption. We will put a roof over wife and child, which shall + be exempt from execution and sale," and so we preserved hundreds of + thousands and millions of homes, while debts were paid just as well as + ever they were paid before. + </p> + <p> + Now, I want to take a step further. I want, the rich people of this + country to support it. I want the people who are well off to pay the + taxes. I want the law to exempt a homestead of a certain value, say from + two thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred, and to exempt it, not + only from sale on judgment and execution, but to exempt it from taxes of + all sorts and kinds. I want to keep the roof over the heads of children + when the man himself is gone. I want that homestead to belong not only to + the man, but to wife and children. I would like to live to see a roof over + the heads of all the families of the Republic. I tell you, it does a man + good to have a home. You are in partnership with nature when you plant a + hill of corn. When you set out a tree you have a new interest in this + world. When you own a little tract of land you feel as if you and the + earth were partners. All these things dignify human nature. + </p> + <p> + Bad as I am, I have another hobby. There are thousands and thousands of + criminals in our country. I told you a little while ago I did not blame + the South, because of the conditions which prevailed in the South. The + people of the South did as they must. I am the same about the criminal. He + does as he must. + </p> + <p> + If you want to stop crime you must treat it properly. The conditions of + society must not be such as to produce criminals. + </p> + <p> + When a man steals and is sent to the penitentiary he ought to be sent + there to be reformed and not to be brutalized; to be made a better man, + not to be robbed. + </p> + <p> + I am in favor, when you put a man in the penitentiary, of making him work, + and I am in favor of paying him what his work is worth, so that in five + years, when he leaves the prison cell, he will have from two hundred + dollars to three hundred dollars as a breastwork between him and + temptation, and something for a foundation upon which to build a nobler + life. + </p> + <p> + Now he is turned out and before long he is driven back. Nobody will employ + him, nobody will take him, and, the night following the day of his release + he is without a roof over his head and goes back to his old ways. I would + allow him to change his name, to go to another State with a few hundred + dollars in his pocket and begin the world again. + </p> + <p> + We must recollect that it is the misfortune of a man to become a criminal. + </p> + <p> + I have hobbies and plenty of them. + </p> + <p> + I want to see five hundred millions of people living here in peace. If we + want them to live in peace, we must develop the brain, civilize the heart, + and above all things, must not forget education. Nothing should be taught + in the school that somebody does not know. + </p> + <p> + When I look about me to-day, when I think of the advance of my country, + then I think of the work that has been done. + </p> + <p> + Think of the millions who crossed the mysterious sea, of the thousands and + thousands of ships with their brave prows towards the West. + </p> + <p> + Think of the little settlements on the shores of the ocean, on the banks + of rivers, on the edges of forests. + </p> + <p> + Think of the countless conflicts with savages—of the midnight + attacks—of the cabin floors wet with the blood of dead fathers, + mothers and babes. + </p> + <p> + Think of the winters of want, of the days of toil, of the nights of fear, + of the hunger and hope. + </p> + <p> + Think of the courage, the sufferings and hardships. + </p> + <p> + Think of the homesickness, the disease and death. + </p> + <p> + Think of the labor; of the millions and millions of trees that were + felled, while the aisles of the great forests were filled with the echoes + of the ax; of the many millions of miles of furrows turned by the plow; of + the millions of miles of fences built; of the countless logs changed to + lumber by the saw—of the millions of huts, cabins and houses. + </p> + <p> + Think of the work. Listen, and you will hear the hum of wheels, the wheels + with which our mothers spun the flax and wool. Listen, and you will hear + the looms and flying shuttles with which they wove the cloth. + </p> + <p> + Think of the thousands still pressing toward the West, of the roads they + made, of the bridges they built; of the homes, where the sunlight fell, + where the bees hummed, the birds sang and the children laughed; of the + little towns with mill and shop, with inn and schoolhouse; of the old + stages, of the crack of the whips and the drivers' horns; of the canals + they dug. + </p> + <p> + Think of the many thousands still pressing toward the West, passing over + the Alleghanies to the shores of the Ohio and the great lakes—still + onward to the Mississippi—the Missouri. + </p> + <p> + See the endless processions of covered wagons drawn by horses, by oxen,—men + and boys and girls on foot, mothers and babes inside. See the glimmering + camp fires at night; see the thousands up with the sun and away, leaving + the perfume of coffee on the morning air, and sometimes leaving the + new-made grave of wife or child. Listen, and you will hear the cry of + "Gold!" and you will see many thousands crossing the great plains, + climbing the mountains and pressing on to the Pacific. + </p> + <p> + Think of the toil, the courage it has taken to possess this land! + </p> + <p> + Think of the ore that was dug, the furnaces that lit the nights with + flame; of the factories and mills by the rushing streams. + </p> + <p> + Think of the inventions that went hand in hand with the work; of the + flails that were changed to threshers; of the sickles that became cradles, + and the cradles that were changed to reapers and headers—of the + wooden plows that became iron and steel; of the spinning wheel that became + the jennie, and the old looms transformed to machines that almost think—of + the steamboats that traversed the rivers, making the towns that were far + apart neighbors and friends; of the stages that became cars, of the horses + changed to locomotives with breath of flame, and the roads of dust and mud + to highways of steel, of the rivers spanned and the mountains tunneled. + </p> + <p> + Think of the inventions, the improvements that changed the hut to the + cabin, the cabin to the house, the house to the palace, the earthen floors + and bare walls to carpets and pictures—that changed famine to feast—toil + to happy labor and poverty to wealth. + </p> + <p> + Think of the cost. + </p> + <p> + Think of the separation of families—of boys and girls leaving the + old home—taking with them the blessings and kisses of fathers and + mothers. Think of the homesickness, of the tears shed by the mothers left + by the daughters gone. Think of the millions of brave men deformed by + labor now sleeping in their honored graves. + </p> + <p> + Think of all that has been wrought, endured and accomplished for our good, + and let us remember with gratitude, with love and tears the brave men, the + patient loving women who subdued this land for us. + </p> + <p> + Then think of the heroes who served this country; who gave us this + glorious present and hope of a still more glorious future; think of the + men who really made us free, who secured the blessings of liberty, not + only to us, but to billions yet unborn. + </p> + <p> + This country will be covered with happy homes and free men and free women. + </p> + <p> + To-day we remember the heroic dead, those whose blood reddens the paths + and highways of honor; those who died upon the field, in the charge, in + prison-pens, or in famine's clutch; those who gave their lives that + liberty should not perish from the earth. And to-day we remember the great + leaders who have passed to the realm of silence, to the land of shadow. + Thomas, the rock of Chickamauga, self-poised, firm, brave, faithful; + Sherman, the reckless, the daring, the prudent and the victorious; + Sheridan, a soldier fit to have stood by Julius Cæsar and to have + uttered the words of command; and Grant, the silent, the invincible, the + unconquered; and rising above them all, Lincoln, the wise, the patient, + the merciful, the grandest figure in the Western world. We remember them + all today and hundreds of thousands who are not mentioned, but who are + equally worthy, hundreds of thousands of privates, deserving of equal + honor with the plumed leaders of the host. + </p> + <p> + And what shall I say to you, survivors of the death-filled days? To you, + my comrades, to you whom I have known in the great days, in the time when + the heart beat fast and the blood flowed strong; in the days of high hope—what + shall I say? All I can say is that my heart goes out to you, one and all. + To you who bared your bosoms to the storms of war; to you who left loved + ones to die, if need be, for the sacred cause. May you live long in the + land you helped to save; may the winter of your age be as green as spring, + as full of blossoms as summer, as generous as autumn, and may you, + surrounded by plenty, with your wives at your sides and your grandchildren + on your knees, live long. And when at last the fires of life burn low; + when you enter the deepening dusk of the last of many, many happy days; + when your brave hearts beat weak and slow, may the memory of your splendid + deeds; deeds that freed your fellow-men; deeds that kept your country on + the map of the world; deeds that kept the flag of the Republic in the air—may + the memory of these deeds fill your souls with peace and perfect joy. Let + it console you to know that you are not to be forgotten. Centuries hence + your story will be told in art and song, and upon your honored graves + flowers will be lovingly laid by millions' of men and women now unborn. + </p> + <p> + Again expressing the joy that I feel in having met you, and again saying + farewell to one and all, and wishing you all the blessings of life, I bid + you goodbye.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * At the last reunion of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, the + Colonel's old regiment, and the soldiers of Peoria county, + which Mr. Ingersoll attended, a little incident happened + which let us into the inner circle of his life. The meeting + was held at Elmwood. While the soldier were passing in + review the citizens and young people filled all the seats in + the park and crowded around the speaker's stand, so as to + occupy all available space. When the soldiers had finished + their parade and returned to the park, they found it + impossible to get near the speaker. Of course we were all + disappointed, but were forced to stand on the outskirts of + the vast throng. + + As soon as he ceased speaking, Mr. Ingersoll said to a + soldier that he would like to meet his comrades in the hall + at a certain hour in the afternoon. The word spread quickly, + and at the appointed hour the hall was crowded with + soldiers. The guard stationed at tue door was ordered to let + none but soldiers pass into the hall. Some of the comrades, + however, brought their wives. The guards, true to their + orders, refused to let the ladies pass. Just as Mr. + Ingersoll was ready to speak, word came to him that some of + the comrades' wives were outside and wanted permission to + pass the guard. The hall was full, but Mr. Ingersoll + requested all comrades whose wives were within reach to go + and get them. When his order had been complied with even + standing room was at a premium. When Mr. Ingersoll arose to + speak to that great assemblage of white-haired veterans and + their aged companions his voice was unusually tender, and the + wave of emotion that passed through the hall cannot be told + in words. Tears and cheers blended as Mr. Ingersoll arose + and began his speech with the statement that all present + were nearing the setting sun of life, and in all probability + that was the last opportunity many of them would have of + taking each other by the hand. + + In this half-hour impromptu speech the great-hearted man, + Robert G. Ingersoll, was seen at his best. It was not a + clash of opinions over party or creed, but it was a meeting + of hearts and communion together In the holy of holies of + human life. The address was a series of word-pictures that + still hang on the walls of memory. The speaker, in his most + sympathetic mood, drew a picture of the service of the G. A. + R., of the women of the republic, and then paid a beautiful + tribute to home and invoked the kindest and greatest + influence to guard his comrades and their companions during + the remainder of life's journey. + + We got very close to the man that day, where we could see + the heart of Mr. Ingersoll. I have often wished that a + reporter could have been present to preserve the address. + Imagine four beautiful word-paintings entitled, "The Service + of the G. A. R.," "The Influence of Noble Womanhood," "The + Sacredness of Home," and "The Pilgrimage of Life." Imagine + these word-paintings as drawn by Mr. Ingersoll under the + most favorable circumstances, and you have an idea of that + address. Mr. Ingersoll the Agnostic is a very different man + from Mr. Ingersoll the man and patriot. I cannot share the + doubts of this Agnostic. I cannot help admiring the man and + patriot.—The Rev. Frank McAlpine, Peoria Star, August 1, + 1895. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0018" id="link0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHICAGO AND NEW YORK GOLD SPEECH. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "This world will see but one Ingersoll." + + Such was the terse, laconic, yet potent utterance that came + spontaneously from a celebrated statesman whose head is now + pillowed in the dust of death, as he stood in the lobby of + the old Burnet House in Cincinnati after the famous + Republican Convention in that city in 1876, at which Colonel + Robert G. Ingersoll made that powerful speech nominating + Blaine for the Presidency, one which is read and reread to- + day, and will be read in the future, as an example of the + highest art of the platform. + + That same sentiment in thought, emotion or vocal expression + emanated from upward of twenty thousand citizens last night + who heard the eloquent and magic Ingersoll in the great + tent stretched near the corner of Sacramento avenue and Lake + street as he expounded the living gospel of true + Republicanism. + + The old warhorse, silvered by long years of faithful service + to his country, aroused the same all-pervading enthusiasm as + he did in the campaigns of Grant and Hayes and Garfield. + + He has lost not one whit, not one iota of his striking + physical presence, his profound reasoning, his convincing + logic, his rollicking wit, grandiloquence—in fine, all the + graces of the orator of old, reenforced by increased + patriotism and the ardor of the call to battle for his + country, are still his in the fullest measure. + + Ingersoll in his powerful speech at Cincinnati, spoke in + behalf of a friend; last night he plead for his country. In + 1876 he eulogized a man; last night, twenty years afterward, + he upheld the principles of democratic government. Such was + the difference in his theme; the logic, the eloquence of his + utterances was the more profound In the same ratio. + + He came to the ground floor of human existence and talked as + man to man. His patriotism, be it religion, sentiment, or + that lofty spirit inseparable from man's soul, is his life. + Last night he sought to inspire those who heard him with the + same loyalty, and he succeeded. + + Those passionate outbursts of eloquence, the wit that fairly + scintillated, the logic as Inexorable as heaven's decrees, + his rich rhetoric and immutable facts driven straight to his + hearers with the strength of bullets, aroused applause that + came as spontaneous as sunlight. + + Now eliciting laughter, now silence, now cheers, the great + orator, with the singular charm of presence, manner and + voice, swayed his immense audience at his own volition. + Packed with potency was every sentence, each word a living + thing, and with them he flayed financial heresy, laid bare + the dire results of free trade, and exposed the dangers of + Populism. + + It was an immense audience that greeted him. The huge tent + was packed from center-pole to circumference, and thousands + went away because they could not gain entrance. The houses + in the vicinity were beautifully illuminated decorated. + + The Chairman, Wm. P. McCabe, in a brief but forcible speech, + presented Colonel Ingersoll to the vast audience. As the old + veteran of rebellion days arose from his seat, one + prolonged, tremendous cheer broke forth from the twenty + thousand throats. And it was fully fifteen minutes before + the great orator could begin to deliver his address. + + In his introductory speech Mr. McCabe said: + + "Friends and Fellow-Citizens: I have no set speech to make + to-night. My duty Is to introduce to you one whose big heart + and big brain is filled with love and patriotic care for the + things that concern the country he fought for and loved so + well. I now have the honor of introducing to you Hon. Robert + G. Ingersoll."—The Intrr-Ocean, Chicago, 111., October 9th, + 1895. +</pre> + <p> + 1896. + </p> + <p> + LADIES and Gentlemen: This is our country. + </p> + <p> + The legally expressed will of the majority is the supreme law of the land. + We are responsible for what our Government does. We cannot excuse + ourselves because of the act of some king, or the opinions of nobles. We + are the kings. We are the nobles. We are the aristocracy of America, and + when our Government does right we are honored, and when our Government + does wrong the brand of shame is on the American brow. + </p> + <p> + Again we are on the field of battle, where thought contends with thought, + the field of battle where facts are bullets and arguments are swords. + </p> + <p> + To-day there is in the United States a vast congress consisting of the + people, and in that congress every man has a voice, and it is the duty of + every man to inquire into all questions presented, to the end that he may + vote as a man and as a patriot should. + </p> + <p> + No American should be dominated by prejudice. No man standing under our + flag should follow after the fife and drum of a party. He should say to + himself: "I am a free man, and I will discharge the obligations of an + American citizen with all the intelligence I possess." + </p> + <p> + I love this country because the people are free; and if they are not free + it is their own fault. + </p> + <p> + To-night I am not going to appeal to your prejudices, if you have any. I + am going to talk to the sense that you have. I am going to address myself + to your brain and to your heart. I want nothing of you except that you + will preserve the institutions of the Republic; that you will maintain her + honor unstained. That is all I ask. + </p> + <p> + I admit that all the parties who disagree with me are honest. Large masses + of mankind are always honest, the leader not always, but the mass of + people do what they believe to be right. Consequently there is no argument + in abuse, nothing calculated to convince in calumny. To be kind, to be + candid, is far nobler, far better, and far more American. We live in a + Democracy, and we admit that every other human being has the same right to + think, the same right to express his thought, the same right to vote that + we have, and I want every one who hears me to vote in exact accord with + his sense, to cast his vote in accordance with his conscience. I want + every one to do the best he can for the great Republic, and no matter how + he votes, if he is honest, I shall find no fault. + </p> + <p> + But the great thing is to understand what you are going to do; the great + thing is to use the little sense that we have. In most of us the capital + is small, and it ought to be turned often. We ought to pay attention, we + ought to listen to what is said and then think, think for ourselves. + </p> + <p> + Several questions have been presented to the American people for their + solution, and I propose to speak a little about those questions, and I do + not want you to pretend to agree with me. I want no applause unless you + honestly believe I am right. + </p> + <p> + Three great questions are presented: First, as to money; second, as to the + tariff, and third, whether this Government has the right of self-defence. + Whether this is a Government of law, or whether there shall be an appeal + from the Supreme Court to a mob. These are the three questions to be + answered next Tuesday by the American people. + </p> + <p> + First, let us take up this money question. Thousands and thousands of + speeches have been made on the subject. Pamphlets thick as the leaves of + autumn have been scattered from one end of the Republic to the other, all + about money, as if it were an exceedingly metaphysical question, as though + there were something magical about it. + </p> + <p> + What is money? Money is a product of nature. Money is a part of nature. + Money is something that man cannot create. All the legislatures and + congresses of the world cannot by any possibility create one dollar, any + more than they could suspend the attraction of gravitation or hurl a new + constellation into the concave sky. Money is not made. It has to be found. + It is dug from the crevices of rocks, washed from the sands of streams, + from the gravel of ancient valleys; but it is not made. It cannot be + created. Money is something that does not have to be redeemed. Money is + the redeemer. And yet we have a man running for the presidency on three + platforms with two Vice-Presidents, who says that money is the creature of + law. It may be that law sometimes is the creature of money, but money was + never the creature of law. + </p> + <p> + A nation can no more create money by law than it can create corn and wheat + and barley by law, and the promise to pay money is no nearer money than a + warehouse receipt is grain, or a bill of fare is a dinner. If you can make + money by law, why should any nation be poor? + </p> + <p> + The supply of law is practically unlimited. Suppose one hundred people + should settle on an island, form a government, elect a legislature. They + would have the power to make law, and if law can make money, if money is + the creature of law, why should not these one hundred people on the island + be as wealthy as Great Britain? What is to hinder? And yet we are told + that money is the creature of law. In the financial world that is as + absurd as perpetual motion in mechanics; it is as absurd as the fountain + of eternal youth, the philosopher's stone, or the transmutation of metals. + </p> + <p> + What is a dollar? People imagine that a piece of paper with pictures on + it, with signatures, is money. The greenback is not money—never was; + never will be. It is a promise to pay money; not money. The note of the + nation is no nearer money than the note of an individual. A bank note is + not money. It is a promise to pay money; that is all. + </p> + <p> + Well, what is a dollar? In the civilized world it is twenty-three grains + and twenty-two one hundredths of pure gold. That is a dollar. Well, cannot + we make dollars out of silver? Yes, I admit it, but in order to make a + silver dollar you have got to put a dollars worth of silver in the silver + dollar, and you have to put as much silver in it as you can buy for + twenty-three grains and twenty-two one-hundredths' of a grain of pure + gold. It takes a dollar's worth of silver to make a dollar. It takes a + dollar's worth of paper to make a paper dollar. It takes a dollar's worth + of iron to make an iron dollar; and there is no way of making a dollar + without the value. + </p> + <p> + And let me tell you another thing. You do not add to the value of gold by + coining it any more than you add to the value of wheat by measuring it; + any more than you add to the value of coal by weighing it. Why do you coin + gold? Because every man cannot take a chemist's outfit with him. He cannot + carry a crucible and retort, scales and acids, and so the Government coins + it, simply to certify how much gold there is in the piece. + </p> + <p> + Ah, but, says this same gentleman, what gives our money—our silver—its + value? It is because it is a legal tender, he says. Nonsense; nonsense. + Gold was not given value by being made a legal tender, but being valuable + it was made a legal tender. And gold gets no value to-day from being a + legal tender. I not only say that, but I will prove it; and I will not + only prove it, but I will demonstrate it. Take a twenty dollar gold piece, + hammer it out of shape, mar the Goddess of Liberty, pound out the United + States of America and batter the eagle, and after you get it pounded how + much is it worth? + </p> + <p> + It is worth exactly twenty dollars. Is it a legal tender? No. Has its + value been changed? No. Take a silver dollar. It is a legal tender; now + pound it into a cube, and how much is it worth? A little less than fifty + cents. What gives it the value of a dollar? The fact that it is a legal + tender? No; but the promise of the Government to keep it on an equality + with gold. I will not only say this, but I will demonstrate it. I do not + ask you to take my word; just use the sense you have. + </p> + <p> + The Mexican silver dollar has a little more silver in it than one of our + dollars, and the Mexican silver dollar is a legal tender in Mexico. If + there is any magic about legal tender it ought to work as well in Mexico + as in the United States. I take an American silver dollar and I go to + Mexico. I buy a dinner for a dollar and I give to the Mexican the American + dollar and he gives me a Mexican dollar in change. Yet both of the dollars + are legal tender. Why is it that the Mexican dollar is worth only fifty + cents? Because the Mexican Government has not agreed to keep it equal with + gold; that is all, that is all. + </p> + <p> + We want the money of the civilized world, and I will tell you now that in + the procession of nations every silver nation lags behind—every one. + There is not a silver nation on the globe where decent wages are paid for + human labor—not one. The American laborer gets ten times as much + here in gold as a laborer gets in China in silver, twenty times as much as + a laborer does in India, four times as much as a laborer gets in Russia; + and yet we are told that the man who will "follow England" with the gold + standard lacks patriotism and manhood. What then shall we say of the man + that follows China, that follows India in the silver standard? + </p> + <p> + Does that require patriotism? + </p> + <p> + It certainly requires self-denial. + </p> + <p> + And yet these gentlemen say that our money is too good. They might as well + say the air is too pure; they might as well say the soil is too rich. How + can money be too good? Mr. Bryan says that it is so good, people hoard it; + and let me tell him they always will. Mr. Bryan wants money so poor that + everybody will be anxious to spend it. He wants money so poor that the + rich will not have it. Then he thinks the poor can get it. We are willing + to toil for good money. Good money means the comforts and luxuries of + life. Real money is always good. Paper promises and silver substitutes may + be poor; words and pictures may be cheap and may fade to worthlessness—but + gold shines on. + </p> + <p> + In Chicago, many years ago, there was an old colored man at the Grand + Pacific. I met him one morning, and he looked very sad, and I said to him, + "Uncle, what is the matter?" "Well," he said, "my wife ran away last + night. Pretty good looking woman; a good deal younger than I am; but she + has run off." And he says: "Colonel, I want to give you my idea about + marriage. If a man wants to marry a woman and have a good time, and be + satisfied and secure in his mind, he wants to marry some woman that no + other man on God's earth would have." + </p> + <p> + That is the kind of money these gentlemen want in the United States. Cheap + money. Do you know that the words cheap money are a contradiction in + terms? Cheap money is always discounted when people find out that it is + cheap. We want good money, and I do not care how much we get. But we want + good money. Men are willing to toil for good money; willing to work in the + mines; willing to work in the heat and glare of the furnace; willing to go + to the top of the mast on the wild sea; willing to work in tenements; + women are willing to sew with their eyes filled with tears for the sake of + good money. And if anything is to be paid in good money, labor is that + thing. If any man is entitled to pure gold, it is the man who labors. Let + the big fellows take cheap money. Let the men living next the soil be paid + in gold. But I want the money of this country as good as that of any other + country. + </p> + <p> + When our money is below par we feel below par. I want our money, no matter + how it is payable, to have the gold behind it. That is the money I want in + the United States. + </p> + <p> + I want to teach the people of the world that a Democracy is honest. I want + to teach the people of the world that America is not only capable of + self-government, but that it has the self-denial, the courage, the honor, + to pay its debts to the last farthing. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bryan tells the farmers who are in debt that they want cheap money. + What for? To pay their debts. And he thinks that is a compliment to the + tillers of the soil. The statement is an insult to the farmers, and the + farmers of Maine and Vermont have answered him. + </p> + <p> + And if the farmers of those States with their soil can be honest, I think + a farmer in Illinois has no excuse for being a rascal. I regard the + farmers as honest men, and when the sun shines and the rains fall and the + frosts wait, they will pay their debts. They are good men, and I want to + tell you to-night that all the stories that have been told about farmers + being Populists are not true. + </p> + <p> + You will find the Populists in the towns, in the great cities, in the + villages. All the failures, no matter for what reason, are on the + Populist's side. They want to get rich by law. They are tired of work. + </p> + <p> + And yet Mr. Bryan says vote for cheap money so that you can pay your debts + in fifty cent dollars. Will an honest man do it? + </p> + <p> + Suppose a man has borrowed a thousand bushels of wheat of his neighbor, of + sixty pounds to the bushel, and then Congress should pass a law making + thirty pounds of wheat a bushel. Would that farmer pay his debt with five + hundred bushels and consider himself an honest man? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bryan says, "Vote for cheap money to pay your debts," and thereupon + the creditor says, "What is to become of me?" Mr. Bryan says, "We will + make it one dollar and twenty-nine cents an ounce, and make it of the + ratio of sixteen to one, make it as good as gold." And thereupon the poor + debtor says, "How is that going to help me?" And in nearly all the + speeches that this man has made he has taken the two positions, first, + that we want cheap money to pay debts, and second, that the money would be + just as good as gold for creditors. + </p> + <p> + Now, the question is: Can Congress make fifty cents' worth of silver worth + one dollar? That is the question, and if Congress can, then I oppose the + scheme on account of its extravagance. What is the use of wasting all that + silver? Think about it. If Congress can make fifty cents' worth of silver + worth a dollar by law, why can it not make one cent's worth of silver + worth a dollar by law. Let us save the silver and use it for forks and + spoons. The supply even of silver is limited—the supply of law is + inexhaustible. Do not waste silver, use more law. You cannot fix values by + law any more than you can make cooler summers by shortening thermometers. + </p> + <p> + There is another trouble. If Congress, by the free coinage of silver, can + double its value, why should we allow an Englishman with a million + dollars' worth of silver bullion at the market price, to bring it to + America, have it coined free of charge, and make it exactly double the + value? Why should we put a million dollars in his pocket? That is too + generous. Why not buy the silver from him in the open market and let the + Government make the million dollars? Nothing is more absurd; nothing is + more idiotic. I admit that Mr. Bryan is honest. I admit it. If he were not + honest his intellectual pride would not allow him to make these + statements. + </p> + <p> + Well, another thing says our friend, "Gold has been cornered"; and + thousands of people believe it. + </p> + <p> + You have no idea of the credulity of some folks. I say that it has not + been cornered, and I will not only prove it, I will demonstrate it. + Whenever the Stock Exchange or some of the members have a corner on + stocks, that stock goes up, and if it does not, that corner bursts. + Whenever gentlemen in Chicago get up a corner on wheat in the Produce + Exchange, wheat goes up or the corner bursts. And yet they tell me there + has been a corner in gold for all these years, yet since 1873 to the + present time the rate of interest has steadily gone down. + </p> + <p> + If there had been a corner the rate of interest would have steadily + advanced. There is a demonstration. But let me ask, for my own + information, if they corner gold what will prevent their cornering silver? + Or are you going to have it so poor that it will not be worth cornering? + </p> + <p> + Then they say another thing, and that is that the demonetization of silver + is responsible for all the hardships we have endured, for all the + bankruptcy, for all the panics. That is not true, and I will not only + prove it, but I will demonstrate it. The poison of demonetization entered + the American veins, as they tell us, in 1873, and has been busy in its + hellish work from that time to this; and yet, nineteen years after we were + vaccinated, 1892, was the most prosperous year ever known by this + Republic. All the wheels turning, all the furnaces aflame, work at good + wages, everybody prosperous. How, Mr. Bryanite, how do you account for + that? Just be honest a minute and think about it. + </p> + <p> + Then there is another thing. In 1816 Great Britain demonetized silver, and + that wretched old government has had nothing but gold from that day to + this as a standard. And to show you the frightful results of that + demonetization, that government does not own now above one-third of the + globe, and all the winds are busy floating her flags. There is a + demonstration. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bryan tells us that free coinage will bring silver 16 to 1. What is + the use of stopping there? Why not make it 1 to 1? Why not make it equal + with gold and be done with it? And why should it stop at exactly one + dollar and twenty-nine cents? I do not know. I am not well acquainted with + all the facts that enter into the question of value, but why should it + stop at exactly one dollar and twenty-nine cents? I do not know. And I + guess if he were cross-examined along toward the close of the trial he + would admit that he did not know. + </p> + <p> + And yet this statesman calls this silver the money of our fathers. Well, + let us see. Our fathers did some good things. In 1792 they made gold and + silver the standards, and at a ratio of 15 to 1. But where you have two + metals and endeavor to make a double standard it is very hard to keep them + even. They vary, and, as old Dogberry says, "An two men ride of a horse, + one must ride behind." They made the ratio 15 to 1, and who did it? Thomas + Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson, the greatest man, with one + exception, that ever sat in the presidential chair. With one exception. [A + voice: "Who was that?"] Abraham Lincoln. Alexander Hamilton, with more + executive ability than any other man that ever stood under the flag. And + how did they fix the ratio? They found the commercial value in the market; + that is how they did it. And they went on and issued American dollars 15 + to 1; and in 1806, when Jefferson was President, the coinage was stopped. + Why? There was too much silver in the dollars, and people instead of + passing them around put them aside and sold them to the silversmiths. + </p> + <p> + Then in 1834 the ratios changed; not quite sixteen to one. That was based + again on the commercial value, and instead of sixteen to one they went + into the thousands in decimals. It was not quite sixteen to one. They + wanted to fix it absolutely on the commercial value. Then a few more + dollars were coined; and our fathers coined of these sacred dollars up to + 1873, eight millions, and seven millions had been melted. + </p> + <p> + In 1853 the gold standard was in fact adopted, and, as I have told you, + from 1792 to 1873 only eight millions of silver had been coined. + </p> + <p> + What have the "enemies of silver" done since that time? Under the act of + 1878 we have coined over four hundred and thirty millions of these blessed + dollars. We bought four million ounces of silver in the open market every + month, and in spite of the vast purchases silver continued to go down. We + are coining about two millions a month now, and silver is still going + down. Even the expectation of the election of Bryan cannot add the tenth + of one per cent, to the value of silver bullion. It is going down day by + day. + </p> + <p> + But what I want to say to-night is, if you want silver money, measure it + by the gold standard. + </p> + <p> + I wish every one here would read the speech of Senator Sherman, delivered + at Columbus a little while ago, in which he gives the history of American + coinage, and every man who will read it will find that silver was not + demonetized in 1873. You will find that it was demonetized in 1853, and if + he will read back he will find that the apostles of silver now were in + favor of the gold standard in 1873. Senator Jones of Nevada in 1873 voted + for the law of 1873. He said from his seat in the Senate, that God had + made gold the standard. He said that gold was the mother of civilization. + Whether he has heard from God since or not I do not know. But now he is on + the other side. Senator Stewart of Nevada was there at the time; he voted + for the act of 1873, and said that gold was the only standard. He has + changed his mind. So they have said of me that I used to talk another way, + and they have published little portions of speeches, without publishing + all that was said. I want to tell you to-night that I have never changed + on the money question. + </p> + <p> + On many subjects I have changed. I am very glad to feel that I have grown + a little in the last forty or fifty years. And a man should allow himself + to grow, to bud and blossom and bear new fruit, and not be satisfied with + the rotten apples under the tree. + </p> + <p> + But on the money question I have not changed. Sixteen years ago in this + city at Cooper Union, in 1880, in discussing this precise question, I said + that I wanted gold and silver and paper; that I wanted the paper issued by + the General Government, and back of every paper dollar I wanted a gold + dollar or a silver dollar worth a dollar in gold. I said then, "I want + that silver dollar worth a dollar in gold if you have to make it four feet + in diameter." I said then, "I want our paper so perfectly secure that when + the savage in Central Africa looks upon a Government bill of the United + States his eyes will gleam as though he looked at shining gold." I said + then, "I want every paper dollar of the Union to be able to hold up its + hand and swear, 'I know that my Redeemer liveth.'" I said then, "The + Republic cannot afford to debase money; cannot afford to be a clipper of + coin; an honest nation, honest money; for nations as well as individuals, + honesty is the best policy everywhere and forever." I have not changed on + that subject. As I told a gentleman the other day, "I am more for silver + than you are because I want twice as much of it in a dollar as you do." + </p> + <p> + Ah, but they say, "free coinage would bring prosperity." I do not believe + it, and I will tell you why. Elect Bryan, come to the silver standard, and + what would happen? We have in the United States about six hundred million + dollars in gold. Every dollar would instantly go out of circulation. Why? + No man will use the best money when he can use cheaper. Remember that. No + carpenter will use mahogany when his contract allows pine. Gold will go + out of circulation, and what next would happen? All the greenbacks would + fall to fifty cents on the dollar. The only reason they are worth a dollar + now is because the Government has agreed to pay them in gold. When you + come to a silver basis they fall to fifty cents. What next? All the + national bank notes would be cut square in two. Why? Because they are + secured by United States bonds, and when we come to a silver basis, United + States bonds would be paid in silver, fifty cents on the dollar. And what + else would happen? What else? These sacred silver dollars would instantly + become fifty cent pieces, because they would no longer be redeemable in + gold; because the Government would no longer be under obligation to keep + them on a parity with gold. And how much currency and specie would that + leave for us in the United States? In value three hundred and fifty + million dollars. That is five dollars per capita. We have twenty dollars + per capita now, and yet they want to go to five dollars for the purpose of + producing prosperous times! + </p> + <p> + What else would happen? Every human being living on an income would lose + just one-half. Every soldiers' pension would be cut in two. Every human + being who has a credit in the savings bank would lose just one-half. All + the life insurance companies would pay just one-half. All the fire + insurance companies would pay just one-half, and leave you the ashes for + the balance. That is what they call prosperity. + </p> + <p> + And what else? The Republic would be dishonored. The believers in monarchy—in + the divine right of kings—the aristocracies of the Old World—would + say, "Democracy is a failure, freedom is a fraud, and liberty is a liar;" + and we would be compelled to admit the truth. No; we want good, honest + money. We want money that will be good when we are dead. We want money + that will keep the wolf from the door, no matter what Congress does. We + want money that no law can create; that is what we want. There was a time + when Rome was mistress of the world, and there was a time when the arch of + the empire fell, and the empire was buried in the dust of oblivion; and + before those days the Roman people coined gold, and one of those coins is + as good to-night as when Julius Cæsar rode at the head of his + legions. That is the money we want. We want money that is honest. + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Bryan hates the bondholders. Who are the bondholders? Let us be + honest; let us have some sense. When this Government was in the flame of + civil war it was compelled to sell bonds, and everybody who bought a bond + bought it because he believed the great Republic would triumph at last. + Every man who bought a bond was our friend, and every bond that he + purchased added to the chances of our success. They were our friends, and + I respect them all. Most of them are dead, and the bonds they bought have + been sold and resold maybe hundreds of times, and the men who have them + now paid a hundred and twenty in gold, and why should they not be paid in + gold? Can any human being think of any reason? And yet Mr. Bryan says that + the debt is so great that it cannot be paid in gold. How much is the + Republic worth? Let me tell you? This Republic to-day—its lands in + cultivation, its houses, railways, canals, and money—is worth + seventy thousand million dollars. And what do we owe? One billion five + hundred million dollars, and what is the condition of the country? It is + the condition of a man who has seventy dollars and owes one dollar and a + half. This is the richest country on the globe. Have we any excuse for + being thieves? Have we any excuse for failing to pay the debt? No, sir; + no, sir. Mr. Bryan hates the bondholders of the railways. Why? I do not + know. What did those wretches do? They furnished the money to build the + one hundred and eighty thousand miles of railway in the United States; + that is what they did. + </p> + <p> + They paid the money that threw up the road-bed, that shoveled the gravel; + they paid the men that turned the ore into steel and put it in form for + use; they paid the men that cut down the trees and made the ties, that + manufactured the locomotives and the cars. That is what they did. No + wonder that a presidential failure hates them. + </p> + <p> + So this man hates bankers. Now, what is a banker? Here is a little town of + five thousand people, and some of them have a little money. They do not + want to keep it in the house because some Bryan man might find it; I mean + if it were silver. So one citizen buys a safe and rents a room and tells + all the people, "You deposit the overplus with me to hold it subject to + your order upon your orders signed as checks;" and so they do, and in a + little while he finds that he has on hand continually about one hundred + thousand dollars more than is called for, and thereupon he loans it to the + fellow who started the livery stable and to the chap that opened the + grocery and to the fellow with the store, and he makes this idle money + work for the good and prosperity of that town. And that is all he does. + And these bankers now, if Mr. Bryan becomes President, can pay the + depositors in fifty cent dollars; and yet they are such rascally wretches + that they say, "We prefer to pay back gold." You can see how mean they + are. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bryan hates the rich. Would he like to be rich? He hates the + bondholders. Would he like to have a million? He hates the successful man. + Does he want to be a failure? If he does, let him wait until the third day + of November. We want honest money because we are honest people; and there + never was any real prosperity for a nation or an individual without + honesty, without integrity, and it is our duty to preserve the reputation + of the great Republic. + </p> + <p> + Better be an honest bankrupt than a rich thief. Poverty can hold in its + hand the jewel, honor—a jewel that outshines all other gems. A + thousand times better be poor and noble than rich and fraudulent. + </p> + <p> + Then there is another question—the question of the tariff. I admit + that there are a great many arguments in favor of free trade, but I assert + that all the facts are the other way. I want American people as far as + possible to manufacture everything that Americans use. + </p> + <p> + The more industries we have the more we will develop the American brain, + and the best crop you can raise in every country is a crop of good men and + good women—of intelligent people. And another thing, I want to keep + this market for ourselves. A nation that sells raw material will grow + ignorant and poor; a nation that manufactures will grow intelligent and + rich. It only takes muscle to dig ore. It takes mind to manufacture a + locomotive, and only that labor is profitable that is mixed with thought. + Muscle must be in partnership with brain. I am in favor of keeping this + market for ourselves, and yet some people say: "Give us the market of the + world." Well, why don't you take it? There is no export duty on anything. + You can get things out of this country cheaper than from any other country + in the world. Iron is as cheap here in the ground, so are coal and stone, + as any place on earth. The timber is as cheap in the forest. Why don't you + make things and sell them in Central Africa, in China and Japan? Why don't + you do it? I will tell you why. It is because labor is too high; that is + all. Almost the entire value is labor. You make a ton of steel rails worth + twenty-five dollars; the ore in the ground is worth only a few cents, the + coal in the earth only a few cents, the lime in the cliff only a few cents—altogether + not one dollar and fifty cents; but the ton is worth twenty-five dollars; + twenty-three dollars and fifty cents labor! That is the trouble. The + steamship is worth five hundred thousand dollars, but the raw material is + not worth ten thousand dollars. The rest is labor. Why is labor higher + here than in Europe? Protection. And why do these gentlemen ask for the + trade of the world? Why do they ask for free trade? Because they want + cheaper labor. That is all; cheaper labor. The markets of the world! We + want our own markets. I would rather have the market of Illinois than all + of China with her four hundred millions. I would rather have the market of + one good county in New York than all of Mexico. What do they want in + Mexico? A little red calico, a few sombreros and some spurs. They make + their own liquor and they live on red pepper and beans. What do you want + of their markets? We want to keep our own. In other words, we want to + pursue the policy that has given us prosperity in the past. We tried a + little bit of free trade in 1892 when we were all prosperous. I said then: + "If Grover Cleveland is elected it will cost the people five hundred + million dollars." I am no prophet, nor the son of a prophet, nor a + profitable son, but I placed the figure too low. His election has cost a + thousand million dollars. There is an old song, "You Put the Wrong Man off + at Buffalo;" we took the wrong man on at Buffalo. We tried just a little + of it, not much. We tried the Wilson bill—a bill, according to Mr. + Cleveland, born of perfidy and dishonor—a bill that he was not quite + foolish enough to sign and not brave enough to veto. We tried it and we + are tired of it, and if experience is a teacher the American people know a + little more than they did. We want to do our own work, and we want to + mingle our thought with our labor. We are the most inventive of all the + peoples. We sustain the same relation to invention that the ancient Greeks + did to sculpture. We want to develop the brain; we want to cultivate the + imagination, and we want to cover our land with happy homes. A thing is + worth sometimes the thought that is in it, sometimes the genius. Here is a + man buys a little piece of linen for twenty-five cents, he buys a few + paints for fifteen cents, and a few brushes, and he paints a picture; just + a little one; a picture, maybe, of a cottage with a dear old woman, white + hair, serene forehead and satisfied eyes; at the corner a few hollyhocks + in bloom—may be a tree in blossom, and as you listen you seem to + hear the songs of birds—the hum of bees, and your childhood all + comes back to you as you look. You feel the dewy grass beneath your bare + feet once again, and you go back in your mind until the dear old woman on + the porch is once more young and fair. There is a soul there. Genius has + done its work. And the little picture is worth five, ten, may be fifty + thousand dollars. All the result of labor and genius. + </p> + <p> + And another thing we want is to produce great men and great women here in + our own country; then again we want business. Talk about charity, talk + about the few dollars that fall unconsciously from the hand of wealth, + talk about your poorhouses and your sewing societies and your poor little + efforts in the missionary line in the worst part of your town! Ah, there + is no charity like business. Business gives work to labor's countless + hands; business wipes the tears from the eyes of widows and orphans; + business dimples with joy the cheek of sorrow; business puts a roof above + the heads of the homeless; business covers the land with happy homes. + </p> + <p> + We do not want any populistic philanthropy. We want no fiat philosophy. We + want no silver swindles. We want business. Wind and wave are our servants; + let them work. Steam and electricity are our slaves; let them toil. Let + all the wheels whirl; let all the shuttles fly. Fill the air with the + echoes of hammer and saw. Fill the furnace with flame; the moulds with + liquid iron. Let them glow. + </p> + <p> + Build homes and palaces of trade. Plow the fields, reap the waving grain. + Create all things that man can use. Business will feed the hungry, clothe + the naked, educate the ignorant, enrich the world with art—fill the + air with song. Give us Protection and Prosperity. Do not cheat us with + free trade dreams. Do not deceive us with debased coin. Give us good money—the + life blood of business—and let it flow through the veins and + arteries of commerce. + </p> + <p> + And let me tell you to-night the smoke arising from the factories' great + plants forms the only cloud on which has ever been seen the glittering bow + of American promise. We want work, and I tell you to-night that my + sympathies are with the men who work, with the women who weep. I know that + labor is the Atlas on whose shoulders rests the great superstructure of + civilization and the great dome of science adorned with all there is of + art. Labor is the great oak, labor is the great column, and labor, with + its deft and cunning hands, has created the countless things of art and + beauty. I want to see labor paid. I want to see capital civilized until it + will be willing to give labor its share, and I want labor intelligent + enough to settle all these questions in the high court of reason. And let + me tell the workingman to-night: You will never help your self by + destroying your employer. You have work to sell. Somebody has to buy it, + if it is bought, and somebody has to buy it that has the money. Who is + going to manufacture something that will not sell. Nobody is going into + the manufacturing business through philanthropy, and unless your employer + makes a profit, the mill will be shut down and you will be out of work. + The interest of the employer and the employed should be one. Whenever the + employers of the continent are successful, then the workingman is better + paid, and you know it. I have some hope in the future for the workingman. + I know what it is to work. I do not think my natural disposition runs in + that direction, but I know what it is to work, and I have worked with all + my might at one dollar and a half a week. I did the work of a man for + fifty cents a day, and I was not sorry for it. In the horizon of my future + burned and gleamed the perpetual star of hope. I said to myself: I live in + a free country, and I have a chance; I live in a free country, and I have + as much liberty as any other man beneath the flag, and I have enjoyed it. + </p> + <p> + Something has been done for labor. Only a few years ago a man worked + fifteen or sixteen hours a day, but the hours have been reduced to at + least ten and are on the way to still further reduction. And while the + hours have been decreased the wages have as certainly been increased. In + forty years—in less—the wages of American workingmen have + doubled. A little while ago you received an average of two hundred and + eighty-five dollars a year; now you receive an average of more than four + hundred and ninety dollars; there is the difference. So it seems to me + that the star of hope is still in the sky for every workingman. Then there + is another thing: every workingman in this country can take his little boy + on his knee and say, "John, all the avenues to distinction, wealth, and + glory are open to you. There is the free school; take your chances with + the rest." And it seems to me that that thought ought to sweeten every + drop of sweat that trickles down the honest brow of toil. + </p> + <p> + So let us have protection! How much? Enough, so that our income at least + will equal our outgo. That is a good way to keep house. I am tired of + depression and deficit. I do not like to see a President pawning bonds to + raise money to pay his own salary. I do not like to see the great Republic + at the mercy of anybody, so let us stand by protection. + </p> + <p> + There is another trouble. The gentleman now running for the presidency—a + tireless talker—oh, if he had a brain equal to his vocal chords, + what a man! And yet when I read his speeches it seems to me as though he + stood on his head and thought with his feet. This man is endeavoring to + excite class against class, to excite the poor against the rich. Let me + tell you something. We have no classes in the United States. There are no + permanent classes here. The millionaire may be a mendicant, the mendicant + may be a millionaire. The man now working for the millionaire may employ + that millionaire's sons to work for him. There is a chance for us all. + Sometimes a numskull is born in the mansion, and a genius rises from the + gutter. Old Mother Nature has a queer way of taking care of her children. + You cannot tell. You cannot tell. Here we have a free open field of + competition, and if a man passes me in the race I say: "Good luck. Get + ahead of me if you can, you are welcome." + </p> + <p> + And why should I hate the rich? Why should I make my heart a den of + writhing, hissing snakes of envy? Get rich. I do not care. I am glad I + live in a country where somebody can get rich. It is a spur in the flank + of ambition. Let them get rich. I have known good men that were quite + rich, and I have known some mean men who were in straitened circumstances. + So I have known as good men as ever breathed the air, who were poor. We + must respect the man; what is inside, not what is outside. + </p> + <p> + That is why I like this country. That is why I do not want it dishonored. + I want no class feeling. The citizens of America should be friends. Where + capital is just and labor intelligent, happiness dwells. Fortunate that + country where the rich are extravagant and the poor economical. Miserable + that country where the rich are economical and the poor are extravagant. A + rich spendthrift is a blessing. A rich miser is a curse. Extravagance is a + splendid form of charity. Let the rich spend, let them build, let them + give work to their fellow-men, and I will find no fault with their wealth, + provided they obtained it honestly. + </p> + <p> + There was an old fellow by the name of Socrates. He happened to be + civilized, living in a barbarous time, and he was tried for his life. And + in his speech in which he defended himself is a paragraph that ought to + remain in the memory of the human race forever. + </p> + <p> + He said to those judges, "During my life I have not sought ambition, + wealth. I have not sought to adorn my body, but I have endeavored to adorn + my soul with the jewels of patience and justice, and above all, with the + love of liberty." Such a man rises above all wealth. + </p> + <p> + Why should we envy the rich? Why envy a man who has no earthly needs? Why + envy a man that carries a hundred canes? Why envy a man who has that which + he cannot use? I know a great many rich men and I have read about a great + many others, and I do not envy them. They are no happier than I am. You + see, after all, few rich men own their property. The property owns them. + It gets them up early in the morning. It will not let them sleep; it makes + them suspect their friends. Sometimes they think their children would like + to attend a first-class funeral. Why should we envy the rich? They have + fear; we have hope. They are on the top of the ladder; we are close to the + ground. They are afraid of falling, and we hope to rise. + </p> + <p> + Why should we envy the rich? They never drank any colder water than I + have. They never ate any lighter biscuits or any better corn bread. They + never drank any better Illinois wine, or felt better after drinking it, + than I have; than you have. They never saw any more glorious sunsets with + the great palaces of amethyst and gold, and they never saw the heavens + thicker with constellations; they never read better poetry. They know no + more about the ecstasies of love than we do. They never got any more + pleasure out of courting than I did. Why should we envy the rich? I know + as much about the ecstasies of love of wife and child and friends as they. + They never had any better weather in June than I have, or you have. They + can buy splendid pictures. I can look at them. And who owns a great + picture or a great statue? The man who bought it? Possibly, and possibly + not. The man who really owns it, is the man who understands it, that + appreciates it, the man into whose heart its beauty and genius come, the + man who is ennobled and refined and glorified by it. + </p> + <p> + They have never heard any better music than I have. + </p> + <p> + When the great notes, winged like eagles, soar to the great dome of sound, + I have felt just as good as though I had a hundred million dollars. + </p> + <p> + Do not try to divide this country into classes. The rich man that + endeavors to help his fellow-man deserves the honor and respect of the + great Republic. I have nothing against the man that got rich in the free + and open field of competition. Where they combine to rob their fellow-men, + then I want the laws enforced. That is all. Let them play fair and they + are welcome to all they get. + </p> + <p> + And why should we hate the successful? Why? We cannot all be first. The + race is a vast procession; a great many hundred millions are back of the + center, and in front there is only one human being; that is all. Shall we + wait for the other fellows to catch up? Shall the procession stop? I say, + help the fallen, assist the weak, help the poor, bind up the wounds, but + do not stop the procession. + </p> + <p> + Why should we envy the successful? Why should we hate them? And why should + we array class against class? It is all wrong. For instance, here is a + young man, and he is industrious. He is in love with a girl around the + corner. She is in his brain all day—in his heart all night, and + while he is working he is thinking. He gets a little ahead, they get + married. He is an honest man, he gets credit, and the first thing you know + he has a good business of his own and he gets rich; educates his children, + and his old age is filled with content and love. Good! His companions bask + in the sunshine of idleness. They have wasted their time, wasted their + wages in dissipation, and when the winter of life comes, when the snow + falls on the barren fields of the wasted days, then shivering with cold, + pinched with hunger, they curse the man who has succeeded. Thereupon they + all vote for Bryan. + </p> + <p> + Then there is another question, and that is whether the Government has a + right to protect itself? And that is whether the employees of railways + shall have a right to stop the trains, a right to prevent interstate + commerce, a right to burn bridges and shoot engineers? Has the United + States the right to protect commerce between the States? I say, yes. + </p> + <p> + It is the duty of the President to lay the mailed hand of the Republic + upon the mob. We want no mobs in this country. This is a Government of the + people and by the people, a Government of law, and these laws should be + interpreted by the courts in judicial calm. We have a supreme tribunal. + Undoubtedly it has made some bad decisions, but it has made a vast number + of good ones. The judges do the best they can. Of course they are not like + Mr. Bryan, infallible. But they are doing the best they can, and when they + make a decision that is wrong it will be attacked by reason, it will be + attacked by argument, and in time it will be reversed, but I do not + believe in attacking it with a torch or by a mob. I hate the mob spirit. + Civilized men obey the law. Civilized men believe in order. Civilized men + believe that a man that makes property by industry and economy has the + right to keep it. Civilized men believe that that man has the right to use + it as he desires, and they will judge of his character by the manner in + which he uses it. If he endeavors to assist his fellow-man he will have + the respect and admiration of his fellow-men. But we want a Government of + law. We do not want labor questions settled by violence and blood. + </p> + <p> + I want to civilize the capitalist so that he will be willing to give what + labor is worth. I want to educate the workingman so that he will be + willing to receive what labor is worth. I want to civilize them both to + that degree that they can settle all their disputes in the high court of + reason. + </p> + <p> + But when you tell me that they can stop the commerce of the Nation, then + you preach the gospel of the bludgeon, the gospel of torch and bomb. I do + not believe in that religion. I believe in a religion of kindness, reason + and law. The law is the supreme will of the supreme people, and we must + obey it or we go back to savagery and black night. I stand by the courts. + I stand by the President who endeavors to preserve the peace. I am against + mobs; I am against lynchings, and I believe it is the duty of the Federal + Government to protect all of its citizens at home and abroad; and I want a + Government powerful enough to say to the Governor of any State where they + are murdering American citizens without process of law—I want the + Federal Government to say to the Governor of that State: "Stop; stop + shedding the blood of American citizens. And if you cannot stop it, we + can." I believe in a Government that will protect the lowest, the poorest + and weakest as promptly as the mightiest and strongest. That is my + Government. This old doctrine of State Sovereignty perished in the flame + of civil war, and I tell you to-night that that infamous lie was + surrendered to Grant with Lee's sword at Appomattox. + </p> + <p> + I believe in a strong Government, not in a Government that can make money, + but in a strong Government. + </p> + <p> + Oh, I forgot to ask the question, "If the Government can make money why + should it collect taxes?" + </p> + <p> + Let us be honest. Here is a poor man with a little yoke of cattle, + cultivating forty acres of stony ground, working like a slave in the heat + of summer, in the cold blasts of winter, and the Government makes him pay + ten dollars taxes, when, according to these gentlemen, it could issue a + one hundred thousand dollar bill in a second. Issue the bill and give the + fellow with the cattle a rest. Is it possible for the mind to conceive + anything more absurd than that the Government can create money? + </p> + <p> + Now, the next question is, or the next thing is, you have to choose + between men. Shall Mr. Bryan be the next President or shall McKinley + occupy that chair? Who is Mr. Bryan? He is not a tried man. If he had the + capacity to reason, if he had logic, if he could spread the wings of + imagination, if there were in his heart the divine flower called pity, he + might be an orator, but lacking all these, he is as he is. + </p> + <p> + When Major McKinley was fighting under the flag, Bryan was in his mother's + arms, and judging from his speeches he ought to be there still. What is + he? He is a Populist. He voted for General Weaver. + </p> + <p> + Only a little while ago he denied being a Democrat. His mind is filled + with vagaries. A fiat money man. His brain is an insane asylum without a + keeper. + </p> + <p> + Imagine that man President. Whom would he call about him? Upon whom would + he rely? Probably for Secretary of State he would choose Ignatius Donnelly + of Minnesota; for Secretary of the Interior, Henry George; for Secretary + of War, Tillman with his pitchforks; for Postmaster-General, Peffer of + Kansas. Once somebody said: "If you believe in fiat money, why don't you + believe in fiat hay, and you can make enough hay out of Peffer's whiskers + to feed all the cattle in the country." For Secretary of the Treasury, + Coin Harvey. For Secretary of the Navy, Coxey, and then he could keep off + the grass. And then would come the millennium. The great cryptogram and + the Bacon cipher; the single tax, State saloons, fiat money, free silver, + destruction of banks and credit, bondholders and creditors mobbed, courts + closed, debts repudiated and the rest of the folks made rich by law. + </p> + <p> + And suppose Bryan should die, and then think, think of Thomas Watson + sitting in the chair of Abraham Lincoln. That is enough to give a patriot + political nightmare. + </p> + <p> + If McKinley dies there is an honest capable man to take his place. A man + who believes in business, in prosperity. A man who knows what money is. A + man who would never permit the laying of a land warrant on a cloud. A man + of good sense, a man of level head. A man that loves his country, a man + that will protect its honor. + </p> + <p> + And is McKinley a tried man? Honest, candid, level-headed, putting on no + airs, saying not what he thinks somebody else thinks, but what he thinks, + and saying it in his own honest, forcible way. He has made hundreds of + speeches during this campaign, not to people whom he ran after, but to + people who came to see him. Not from the tail end of cars, but from the + doorstep of his home, and every speech has been calculated to make votes. + Every speech has increased the respect of the American people for him, + every one. He has never slopped over. Four years ago I read a speech made + by him at Cleveland, on the tariff. I tell you to-night that he is the + best posted man on the tariff under the flag. I tell you that he knows the + road to prosperity. I read that speech. It had foundation, proportion, + dome, and he handled his facts as skillfully as Caesar marshaled his hosts + on the fields of war, and ever since I read it I have had profound respect + for the intelligence and statesmanship of William McKinley. + </p> + <p> + He will call about him the best, the wisest, and the most patriotic men, + and his cabinet will respect the highest and loftiest interests and + aspirations of the American people. + </p> + <p> + Then you have to make another choice. You have to choose between parties, + between the new Democratic and the old Republican. And I want to tell you + the new Democratic is worse than the old, and that is a good deal for me + to say. In 1861 hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Democrats thought + more of country than of party. Hundreds and hundreds of thousands + shouldered their muskets, rushed to the rescue of the Republic, and + sustained the administration of Abraham Lincoln. With their help the + Rebellion was crushed, and now hundreds and hundreds of thousands of + Democrats will hold country above party and will join with the Republicans + in saving the honor, the reputation, of the United States; and I want to + say to all the National Democrats who feel that they cannot vote for + Bryan, I want to say to you, vote for McKinley. This is no war for blank + cartridges. Your gun makes as much noise, but it does not do as much + execution. + </p> + <p> + If you vote for Palmer it is not to elect him, it is simply to defeat + Bryan, and the sure way to defeat Bryan is to vote for McKinley. You have + to choose between parties. The new Democratic party, with its allies, the + Populists and Socialists and Free Silverites, represents the follies, the + mistakes, and the absurdities of a thousand years. They are in favor of + everything that cannot be done. Whatever is, is wrong. They think + creditors are swindlers, and debtors who refuse to pay their debts are + honest men. Good money is bad and poor money is good. A promise is better + than a performance. They desire to abolish facts, punish success, and + reward failure. They are worse than the old. And yet I want to be honest. + I am like the old Dutchman who made a speech in Arkansas. He said: "Ladies + and Gentlemen, I must tell you the truth. There are good and bad in all + parties except the Democratic party, and in the Democratic party there are + bad and worse." The new Democratic party, a party that believes in + repudiation, a party that would put the stain of dishonesty on every + American brow and that would make this Government subject to the mob. + </p> + <p> + You have to make your choice. I have made mine. I go with the party that + is traveling my way. + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to belong to anything or that anything belongs to me. + When a party goes my way I go with that party and I stick to it as long as + it is traveling my road. And let me tell you something. The history of the + Republican party is the glory of the United States. The Republican party + has the enthusiasm of youth and the wisdom of old age. The Republican + party has the genius of administration. The Republican party knows the + wants of the people. The Republican party kept this country on the map of + the world and kept our flag in the air. The Republican party made our + country free, and that one fact fills all the heavens with light. The + Republican party is the pioneer of progress; the grandest organization + that has ever existed among men. The Republican party is the conscience of + the nineteenth century. I am proud to belong to it. Vote the Republican + ticket and you will be happy here, and if there is another life you will + be happy there. + </p> + <p> + I had an old friend down in Woodford County, Charley Mulidore. He won a + coffin on Lincoln's election. He took it home and every birthday he called + in his friends. They had a little game of "sixty-six" on the coffin lid. + When the game was over they opened the coffin and took out the things to + eat and drink and had a festival, and the minister in the little town, + hearing of it, was scandalized, and he went to Charley Mulidore and he + said: "Mr. Mulidore, how can you make light of such awful things?" "What + things?" "Why," he said, "Mr. Mulidore, what did you do with that coffin? + In a little while you die, and then you come to the day of judgment." + "Well, Mr. Preacher, when I come to that day of judgment they will say, + 'What is your name?' I will tell them, 'Charley Mulidore.' And they will + say, 'Mr. Mulidore, are you a Christian?' 'No, sir, I was a Republican, + and the coffin I got out of this morning I won on Abraham Lincoln's + election.' And then they will say, 'Walk in, Mr. Mulidore, walk in, walk + in; here is your halo and there is your harp.'" + </p> + <p> + If you want to live in good company vote the Republican ticket. Vote for + Black for Governor of the State of New York—a man in favor of + protection and honest money; a man that believes in the preservation of + the honor of the Nation. Vote for members of Congress that are true to the + great principles of the Republican party. Vote for every Republican + candidate from the lowest to the highest. This is a year when we mean + business. Vote, as I tell you, the Republican ticket if you want good + company. + </p> + <p> + If you want to do some good to your fellow-men, if you want to say when + you die—when the curtain falls—when the music of the orchestra + grows dim—when the lights fade; if you want to live so at that time + you can say "the world is better because I lived," vote the Republican + ticket in 1896. Vote with the party of Lincoln—greatest of our + mighty dead; Lincoln the Merciful. Vote with the party of Grant, the + greatest soldier of his century; a man worthy to have been matched against + Cæsar for the mastery of the world; as great a general as ever + planted on the field of war the torn and tattered flag of victory. Vote + with the party of Sherman and Sheridan and Thomas. But the time would fail + me to repeat even the names of the philosophers, the philanthropists, the + thinkers, the orators, the statesmen, and the soldiers who made the + Republican party glorious forever. + </p> + <p> + We love our country; dear to us for its reputation throughout the world. + We love our country for her credit in all the marts of the world. We love + our country, because under her flag we are free. It is our duty to hand + down the American institutions to our children unstained, unimpaired. It + is our duty to preserve them for ourselves, for our children, and for + their fair children yet to be. + </p> + <p> + This is the last speech that I shall make in this campaign, and to-night + there comes upon me the spirit of prophecy. On November 4th you will find + that by the largest majorities in our history, William McKinley has been + elected President of the United States.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The final rally of the McKinley League for the present + campaign, was held last night in Carnegie Music Hall, ana + the orator chosen to present the doctrines of the + Republican party was Robert G. Ingersoll. The meeting will + remain notable for the high character of the audience. The + great hall was filled to its utmost capacity. It was crowded + from the rear of the stage to the last row of seats in the + deep gallery. + + The boxes were occupied by brilliantly attired women, and + hundreds of other women vied with the sterner sex In the + applause that greeted the numerous telling points of the + speaker. The audience was a very fashionable and exclusive + one, for admission was only to be had by ticket, and tickets + were hard to get. + + On the stage a great company of men and women were gathered, + and over them waved rich masses of color, the American + colors, of course, predominating in the display Flags hung + from all the gallery rails, and the whole scheme of + decoration was consistent and beautiful. At 8.80 o'clock Mr. + John E. Milholland appeared upon the stage followed by Col. + Ingersoll. + + Without any delay Mr. Milholland was presented as the + chairman of the meeting. He spoke briefly of the purpose of + the party and then said; "There is no Intelligent audience + under the flag or in any civilized country to whom it would + be necessary for me to introduce Robert G. Ingersoll." And + the cheers with which the audience greeted the orator proved + the truth of his words. + + Col. Ingersoll rose impressively and advanced to the front + of the stage, from which the speaker's desk had been removed + in order to allow him full opportunity to indulge in his + habit of walking to and fro as he talked. He was greeted + with tremendous applause; the men cheered him and the women + waved their handkerchiefs and fans for several minutes. + + He was able to secure instant command of his audience, and + while the applause was wildest, he waved his hand, and the + gesture was followed by a silence that was oppressive. Still + the speaker waited. He did not intend to waste any of his + ammunition. Then, convinced that every eye was centred upon + him, he spoke, declaring "This is our country." The assembly + was his from that instant. He followed it up with a summary + of the issues of the campaign. They were "money, the tariff, + and whether this Government has the right of self-defence." + As he said later on in his address, the Colonel has changed + in a good many things, but he has not changed his politics, + and he has not altered one whit in his masterful command of + forceful sayings.—New York Tribune, October 80th, 1896. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Note:—This was Col. Ingersoll's last political address. +</pre> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. +9 (of 12), by Robert G. 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Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12) by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Legal + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38810] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <h4> + "JUSTICE SHOULD REMOVE THE BANDAGE FROM HER EYES LONG ENOUGH + </h4> + <p> + TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE VICIOUS AND THE UNFORTUNATE." + </p> + <h3> + In Twelve Volumes, Volume X. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + LEGAL + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Dresden Edition + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38810/old/orig38810-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage (63K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="portrait (64K)" src="images/portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">CONTENTS OF VOLUME X.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE MUNN TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">CLOSING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE FIRST STAR ROUTE + TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">OPENING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE SECOND STAR ROUTE + TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">CLOSING ADDRESS IN SECOND STAR ROUTE TRIAL</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE DAVIS WILL CASE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">ARGUMENT BEFORE THE VICE-CHANCELLOR IN THE RUSSELL + CASE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF VOLUME X. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE MUNN TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p> + ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE MUNN TRIAL.<br /> Demoralization caused by + Alcohol—Note from the Chicago<br /> <i>Times</i>—Prejudice—Review + of the Testimony of Jacob Rehm—Perjury<br /> Characterized—The + Defendant and the Offence Charged (p. 21)—Testimony<br /> of Golsen + Reviewed—Rehm's Testimony before the Grand Jury—Good<br /> + Character (p. 29)—Suspicion not Evidence.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">CLOSING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE FIRST STAR ROUTE + TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p> + CLOSING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE FIRST STAR ROUTE TRIAL.<br /> Note + from the Washington <i>Capital</i>—The Assertion Denied that we + are<br /> a Demoralized Country and that our Country is Distinguished + among<br /> the Nations only for Corruption—Duties of Jurors and + Duties of<br /> Lawyers—Section under which the Indictment is Found—Cases + cited to<br /> Show that Overt Acts charged and also the Crime itself + must be Proved<br /> as Described—Routes upon which Indictments are + Based and Overt Acts<br /> Charged (pp. 54-76)—Routes on which the + Making of False Claims is<br /> Alleged—Authorities on Proofs of + Conspiracy (pp. 91-94)—Examination<br /> of the Evidence against + Stephen W. and John W. Dorsey (pp. 96-117)—The<br /> Corpus Delicti + in a Case of Conspiracy and the Acts Necessary to be Done<br /> in Order + to Establish Conspiracy (pp. 120-123)—Testimony of Walsh<br /> and + the Confession of Rerdell—Extravagance in Mail Carrying (p.<br /> + 128)—Productiveness of Mail Routes (p. 131)—Hypothesis of + Guilt and<br /> Law of Evidence—Dangerous Influence of Suspicion—Terrorizing + the<br /> Jury—The Woman at Her Husband's Side.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">OPENING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE SECOND STAR ROUTE + TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p> + OPENING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE SECOND STAR ROUTE TRIAL.<br /> Juries + the Bulwark of Civil Liberty—Suspicion Not Evidence—Brief<br /> + Statement of the Case—John M. Peck, John W. Dorsey, Stephen W. + Dorsey,<br /> John R. Miner, Mr. (A. E. ) Boone (p.p. 150-156)—The + Clendenning<br /> Bonds—Miner's, Peck's, and Dorsey's Bids—Why + they Bid on Cheap<br /> Routes—Number of Routes upon which there + are Indictments—The<br /> Arrangement between Stephen W. Dorsey and + John R. Miner—Appearance<br /> of Mr. Vaile in the Contracts—Partnership + Formed—The Routes<br /> Divided—Senator Dorsey's Course after + Getting the Routes—His Routes<br /> turned over to James W. Bosler—Profits + of the Business (p. 181)—The<br /> Petitions for More Mails—Productive + and Unproductive Post-offices—Men<br /> who Add to the Wealth of + the World—Where the Idea of the Productiveness<br /> of Post routes + was Hatched—Cost of Letters to Recipients in 1843—The<br /> + Overland Mail (p. 190)—Loss in Distributing the Mail in the + District<br /> of Columbia and Other Territories—Post-office the + only Evidence<br /> of National Beneficence—Profit and Loss of Mail + Carrying—Orders<br /> Antedated, and Why—Routes Increased and + Expedited—Additional Bonds for<br /> Additional Trips—The + Charge that Pay was Received when the Mail was<br /> not Carried—Fining + on Shares—Subcontracts for Less than the Original<br /> Contracts—Pay + on Discontinued Routes—Alleged False Affidavits—Right<br /> + of Petition—Reviewing the Ground.<br /> CLOSING ADDRESS TO THE JURY + IN THE SECOND STAR ROUTE TRIAL.<br /> Scheme of the Indictment—Story + of the Case—What Constitutes Fraudulent<br /> Bidding—How a + Conspiracy Must be Proved—The Hypothesis of Guilt and<br /> Law of + Evidence—Conversation Unsatisfactory Evidence—Fallibility of<br /> + Memory—Proposition to Produce Mr. Dorsey's Books—Interruption + of the<br /> Court to Decide that Primary Evidence, having Once been + Refused, can not<br /> afterwards be Introduced to Contradict Secondary + Evidence—A Defendant<br /> may not be Presumed into the + Penitentiary—A Decision by Justice<br /> Field—The Right of + Petition—Was there a Conspiracy?—Dorsey's<br /> Benevolence + (p. 250)—The Chico Springs Letter—Evidence of Moore<br /> + Reviewed—Mr. Ker's Defective Memory—The Informer System—Testimony<br /> + of Rerdell Reviewed—His Letter to Dorsey (p. 304)—The + Affidavit of<br /> Rerdell and Dorsey—Petitions for Faster Time—Uncertainty + Regarding<br /> Handwriting—Government Should be Incapable of + Deceit—Rerdell's<br /> withdrawal of the Plea of Not Guilty (p. + 362)—Informers, their Immunity<br /> and Evidence—Nailing + Down the Lid of Rerdell's Coffin—Mistakes of<br /> Messrs. Ker and + Merrick and the Court—Letter of H. M. Vaile to the<br /> Sixth + Auditor—Miner's Letter to Carey—Miner, Peck & Co. to + Frank A.<br /> Tuttle—Answering Points Raised by Mr. Bliss (396 et + seq.)—Evidence<br /> regarding the Payment of Money by Dorsey to + Brady—A. E. Boone's<br /> Testimony Reviewed—Secrecy of + Contractors Regarding the Amount of their<br /> Bids—Boone's + Partnership Agreement with Dorsey—Explanation of Bids<br /> in + Different Names—Omission of Instructions from Proposals (p.<br /> + 450)—Accusation that Senator Mitchell was the Paid Agent of<br /> + the Defendants—Alleged Sneers at Things held Sacred—What is + a<br /> Conspiracy?—The Theory that there was a Conspiracy—Dorsey's + Alleged<br /> Interest—The Two Affidavits in Evidence—Inquiry + of General Miles—Why<br /> the Defendant's Books were not Produced—Tames + W. Bosler's Testimony<br /> Read (p. 500)—The Court shown to be + Mistaken Regarding a Decision<br /> Previously Made (pp. 496-502)—No + Logic in Abuse—Charges against John<br /> W. Miner—Testimony + of A. W. Moore Reviewed-The Verdict Predicted—The<br /> Defendants + in the Case—What is left for the Jury to Say—Remarks of<br /> + Messrs. Henkle and Davidge—The Verdict.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE DAVIS WILL CASE.</a> + </p> + <p> + ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE DAVIS WILL CASE.<br /> Note from the Anaconda + <i>Standard</i>—Senator Sander's Warning to the Jury<br /> Not to + be Enticed by Sinners—Evidence, based on Quality of Handwriting,<br /> + that Davis did not Write the Will—Evidence of the Spelling—Assertion<br /> + that the Will was Forged—Peculiarities of Eddy's Handwriting—Holes<br /> + in Sconce's Signature and Reputation—His Memory—Business + Sagacity<br /> of Davis—His Alleged Children—Date of his + Death—Testimony of Mr.<br /> Knight—Ink used in Writing the + Will—Expert Evidence—Speechlessness<br /> of John A. Davis—Eddy's + Failure to take the Stand—Testimony of<br /> Carruthers—Relatives + of Sconce—Mary Ann Davis's Connections—The<br /> Family Tree—The + Signature of the Will—What the Evidence Shows—Duty<br /> and + Opportunity of the Jury.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">ARGUMENT BEFORE THE VICE-CHANCELLOR IN THE RUSSELL + CASE.</a> + </p> + <p> + Antenuptial Waiving of Dower by Women—A Case from Illinois—At + What<br /> Age Men and Women Cease to Feel the Tender Flame—Russell's + Bargain with<br /> Mrs. Russell—Antenuptial Contract and Parole + Agreement—Definition<br /> of "Liberal Provision "—The Woman + not Bound by a Contract Made in<br /> Ignorance of the Facts—Contract + Destroyed by Deception.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE MUNN TRIAL. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The United States vs. Daniel W. Munn, Deputy Supervisor of + Internal Revenue, who was indicted under Section 5440 of the + Revised Statutes of the United States. + + There was an unusual rush to obtain admission to the United + States District Courtroom yesterday to listen to the closing + arguments of counsel in the Munn whiskey conspiracy trial + which has attracted so much attention during the past ten + days. The stalwart deputy who guards the entrance to this + judicial precinct was compelled to employ his entire + strength and power of persuasion to keep the eager, anxious + crowd from trespassing on the convenience and dignity of the + court. About ten o'clock the Court took the bench, and Col. + Ingersoll walked into the room, took off a broad-brimmed + felt hat, which gives the barrister, while he has it on, + somewhat the appearance of a full-grown, well-developed + Quaker in good standing in the society to which he belongs. + When he has the hat removed, however, the counsellor's + appearance undergoes a marked change. He then looks like the + crop-haired follower of the house of Montague in the + Shakespearean play. He sat down on a crazy old chair which + threatened every moment to break down beneath his weight, + and listened to the remarks of Judge Doolittle for the + remainder of the morning, until it came his time to talk. + Colonel Ingersoll never troubles himself to take notes of + anything. What he cannot recollect he does not have any use + for. + + Judge Doolittle occupied the morning session until the time + for adjournment at one o'clock, with a review of the case on + the side of the defence. He was followed by Mr. Ingersoll in + the afternoon. + + At two o' clock the court-room was more crowded than before, + and at that hour Mr. Ingersoll appeared in the forum and + delivered his speech in behalf of the defendant.—The Times, + Chicago, Ills., May 23, 1876. +</pre> + <p> + IF the Court please and the gentlemen of the jury: Out of an abundance of + caution and, as it were, an extravagance of prudence, I propose to make a + few remarks to you in this case. The evidence has been gone over by my + associates, and arguments have been submitted to you which, in my + judgment, are perfectly convincing as far as the innocence of this + defendant is concerned. I am aware, however, that there is a prejudice + against a case of this character. I am aware that there is a prejudice + against any man engaged in the manufacture of alcohol. I know there is a + prejudice against a case of this kind; and there is a very good reason for + it. I believe to a certain degree with the district attorney in this case, + who has said that every man who makes whiskey is demoralized. I believe, + gentlemen, to a certain degree, it demoralizes those who make it, those + who sell it, and those who drink it. I believe from the time it issues + from the coiled and poisonous worm of the distillery, until it empties + into the hell of crime, dishonor, and death, that it demoralizes everybody + that touches it. I do not believe anybody can contemplate the subject + without becoming prejudiced against this liquid crime. All we have to do, + gentlemen, is to think of the wrecks upon either bank of the stream of + death—of the suicides, of the insanity, of the poverty, of the + ignorance, of the distress, of the little children tugging at the faded + dresses of weeping and despairing wives, asking for bread; of the men of + genius it has wrecked; the millions struggling with imaginary serpents + produced by this devilish thing. And when you think of the jails, of the + almshouses, of the asylums, of the prisons, of the scaffolds upon either + bank—I do not wonder that every thoughtful man is prejudiced against + the damned stuff called alcohol. And I know that we, to a certain degree, + have to fight that prejudice in this case; and so I say, for this reason + among others, I deem it proper that I should submit to you, gentlemen, the + ideas that occur to my mind upon this subject. + </p> + <p> + It may be proper for me to say here that I thank you, one and all, for the + patience you have shown during this trial. You have patiently heard this + testimony; you have patiently given your attention, I believe, to every + word that has fallen from the lips of these witnesses, and for one I am + grateful to you for it. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, understanding that there is this prejudice, knowing at the + time the case commenced that it existed, I asked each one of you if there + was any prejudice in your minds which in your judgment would prevent your + giving a fair and candid verdict in this case, and you all, honestly, I + know, replied that there was not. The district attorney, Judge Bangs, + stated to you in the opening of this case, for the purpose of preparing + your minds for the examination of this testimony, that you must, first of + all, divest your minds of sympathy. I do not say that, gentlemen, neither + would I say it were I the attorney of the Government of the United States, + but I do say this: Divest yourselves of prejudice if you have it, but do + not, gentlemen, divest yourselves of sympathy. What is the great + distinguishing characteristic of man? What is it that distinguishes you + and me from the lower animals—from the beasts? More, I say, than + anything else, human sympathy—human sympathy. Were it not for + sympathy, gentlemen, the idea of justice never would have entered the + human brain. This thing called sympathy is the mother of justice, and + although justice has been painted blind, never has she been represented as + heartless until so represented by the district attorney in this case. I + tell you there is no more sacred, no more holy, and no purer thing than + what you and I call sympathy; and the man who is unsympathetic is not a + man. Gentlemen, the white breast of the lily is filthy as compared to the + human heart perfumed with love and sympathy. I do not want you to divest + yourselves of sympathy, neither do I want you to try the case entirely + upon sympathy, but I want you sympathetic enough to put yourselves + honestly in the place of this defendant. Now, gentlemen, as a matter of + fact, this case resolves itself into simply one point; all the rest is + nothing; all the rest is the merest fog that can be brushed from the mind + with a wave of the hand, and it is all resolved down to simply one point, + and that is: Is Jacob Rehin worthy of credit? Has Jacob Rehm told against + this defendant a true story? + </p> + <p> + Now, that is all there is in this case. The other points that they raise, + and which I shall allude to before I get through, are valuable only as + they cast a certain amount of suspicion upon the defendant, but the real + point is, and the attorneys for the Government know it, Is Mr. Jacob + Rehm's story worthy of credit? Did he tell the truth? Judge Bangs felt + that was the only question, and for that reason, in advance, he defended + the reputation of Jacob Rehm for truth and veracity; and he made to the + jury this remarkable statement: "The reputation of Jacob Rehm for truth + and veracity is good. It spreads all over the city of Chicago like + sunlight." That was the statement made by the district attorney of the + United States. I do not believe that he would swear to that part of his + speech. It was an insult to every person on this jury. It was an insult to + this court; it was an insult to the intelligence of every bystander, that + the reputation of Jacob Rehm spread like sunlight all over the city of + Chicago! My God! what kind of sunlight do you mean? Think of it! + </p> + <p> + Now, then, gentlemen, he knew it was necessary to defend the character of + Mr. Rehm; he knew it was necessary to defend that statement. He knew that + the testimony of Mr. Rehm was the only nail upon which the jury could + possibly hang a verdict of guilty in this case. + </p> + <p> + And now I propose to examine a little the testimony of Mr. Jacob Rehm. I + believe it was stated by Judge Bangs that one of the best tests of truth + was that a lie was at war with all the facts in the universe, and that + every fact standing, as it were, on guard, was a member of the police of + the universe to arrest all lies. + </p> + <p> + Let me state another truth. Every fact in the universe will fit every + other fact in the universe. A lie never did, never will, fit anything but + another lie made to fit it. Never, never! A lie is unnatural. A lie, in + the nature of things, is a monstrosity. A lie is no part of the great + circle, including the universe within its grasp, and consequently, as I + said before, will fit nothing except another lie. Now, then, to examine + the testimony of a witness, you examine into its naturalness, into its + probability, because you expect another man to act something as you would + under the same circumstances. We have no other way to judge other people + except by our own experience and an authenticated record of the experience + of others, consequently, when a man is telling a story, you have to apply + to it the test of your own experience, and as I say the recorded tests of + other honest men. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us suppose just for a moment that the testimony of Mr. Jacob Rehm + is true. Let us suppose it. It has been stated to you, and admirably + stated, by Judge Doolittle,—admirably stated,—that it was the + height of absurdity to suppose that a man would do as he did for nothing. + But let me put it in another light somewhat. According to the testimony of + Mr. Jacob Rehm, he first tried to stop this stealing. Nobody offered him + any money to stop it, but he simply went to the collector, Irwin, and said + they were stealing, and that it must be stopped; and thereupon Collector + Irwin changed the gaugers for the purpose of stopping the stealing. A few + days thereafter, somebody came to him and wanted the stealing to commence, + and he told them they would have to pay for it, and the amount they would + have to pay for it, and he then went to Collector Irwin, whom he supposed + at that time to be a perfectly honest and upright man, and told him, in + short, that they wanted to steal, and would give five hundred dollars a + month. Irwin said, "Go ahead." + </p> + <p> + He admits that they did steal. He admits that they made a bargain with + him. He admits that that happened, and he assigned all these gaugers and + store-keepers. He admits that he did that for two years. He admits that he + received at least one hundred and twenty thousand dollars of this money. + He admits that in order to carry out this scheme he knew that every + distiller would have to sign a lie every time he made a report to the + Government. He admits that he knew every gauger would have to swear to a + lie at the end of every month in his report of the transactions of each + day. He admits that every store-keeper would be guilty of perjury every + time he made a report. He admits that he knew that the thing that he was + committing for two years was a daily penitentiary offence. He admits that + he put himself in the power of all these gaugers and all these + store-keepers, and all these distillers and rectifiers,—put it in + their power to have him arrested for a penitentiary offence at any moment + during the whole two years, and yet he tells you that he did this + absolutely for nothing! He tells you every cent he received he divided and + paid over; that he never kept a solitary dollar, except it may be for a + box of cigars. I want the attorney for the Government to tell this jury + that he believes that story. And if he does tell you so, gentlemen, I will + give you notice now that you need not believe any other word Mr. Ayer says—if + he says he believes that. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, what more? He knew that all these men were committing these + penitentiary offences, and that he was putting himself in the power of all + these men; and what was his motive? What, gentlemen, was his object? + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for me to imagine. If he got no money, if he made nothing + out of this transaction, it is impossible for me to imagine why he + embarked in such a course of crime. Why then did he say to you, gentlemen, + that he paid all this money over? It was to build up a reputation with + you. It was to make you think that whereas he paid this all over, that + whereas he did all this business simply to accommodate his friends, that + he was worthy of credit in his statement of this case. He told you that he + did not keep a dollar simply to make a reputation with you. What did he + want a reputation with you for? So that he would be believed. And what did + he want to be believed for? So that he could send Munn to the penitentiary + and, as the price of Munn's incarceration, get his own liberty. That is + the reason he swore it, and there is no other reason in the world. Is it + probable a man would commit all these crimes for nothing? Is it possible + that he would hire and bribe other men to commit these crimes for nothing? + I ask you; I ask your common sense; I appeal to your brains: Is it + probable that he would do all that absolutely for nothing? Is it probable + he would lay himself liable to the penitentiary every hour in the day for + two years for nothing? There is and can be but one answer to such a + question as that. Why, gentlemen, if his statement is true that he did all + this for nothing, he is the most disinterested villain, the most + self-sacrificing and self-denying thief of which the history of the world + gives any record. Is it possible? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible, I say, that a man would make himself the sewer of all the + official rot in this city, in which was deposited the excrement of frauds? + Is it possible he would turn himself into a scavenger cart into which + should be thrown all the moral offal of the city of Chicago for nothing? + Whoever answers that question in the affirmative is, in my judgment, an + idiot. Nobody can. Nobody has a mind so constructed that it can lodge an + affirmative answer to that question within its brain. + </p> + <p> + What next? He tells you that Munn was in this plot; and that he, Mr. Rehm, + at the same time was selling protection to these distillers. No distillers—and + you know it—would have given him ten dollars a barrel unless they + expected protection. He then was engaged in the sale of protection, was he + not? Did you ever know of a vender crying down his own wares? Did you ever + hear of a merchant crying down the quality of the cloth he wished to sell? + Did you ever hear of a grocery man endeavoring to cry down that which he + wished you to buy? + </p> + <p> + Jacob Rehm was selling protection at ten dollars a barrel, and sometimes + asking twelve dollars and fifty cents. Was it not natural for him to + endeavor to convince distillers that he had plenty of protection to sell? + Was it not natural for him to make the distillers believe, "If you will + give me ten dollars a barrel you will have perfect protection"? Would it + be natural for him to say, "I will protect you for ten dollars a barrel, + and yet I have none of the officers in my pay"? They would say, "What kind + of protection have you got, sir?" Would it not be natural for him to make + out his protection as good as he possibly could? Would it not be natural + for him to tell you, "I have got all these officers on my side, from the + lowest gauger to the gentleman who presides over the internal revenue + department at the city of Washington"? The more protection he had the more + money he could get, and consequently it would not be natural for him to + cry down his own protection. + </p> + <p> + If Mr. Munn was in it, and if Mr. Munn at that time was the superior + officer of the collector, and this man had protection to sell, would he + not have said that Munn was also in the ring? When he was trying to sell + protection to George Burrows at ten dollars a barrel, George Burrows asked + him if Munn was in the ring and he said he was not. If Mr. Munn had been + why didn't he say that Munn was? For the reason that that would make his + protection appear to be of a better quality, and he could have sold it at + a better price. But he said "no," and that they did not need him, because + they could manage him, and fool him through this man Bridges, and you will + recollect that Bridges was appointed directly by the Government and not by + Munn; and Bridges reported directly to the Government and not to Munn. He + had nothing to do with him one way or the other, except that they were + both in the Revenue Department. + </p> + <p> + Now, I say if it is possible that a man can cry down his own wares that he + wishes to sell, then you may say that the statement of Rehm is natural. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, why should he inform Burrows that Munn was about to make a + visit here? In order that Burrows might have an opportunity to have his + house put in order. Why should he have sent notices to other distillers + that Munn was coming? Why should he tell them to put their houses in + order? So as to be ready for a visit from Mr. Munn. It may be that the + counsel for the Government will say, "This shows the infinite fidelity of + this infinite rascal." + </p> + <p> + Now, I will come to this part of my argument again, but the next thing I + will speak of is his story, where he says that he actually paid the money + to Munn himself, and if there is anything left of that after I get through + with it you are at perfect liberty to find the defendant guilty. You must + recollect that he had a bargain. Now, according to his story, he paid this + money to Bridges. You must recollect, according to his story, that Munn at + that time was one of the conspirators, had been receiving money—a + half of thirty-five thousand dollars or forty-five thousand dollars having + gone into his pocket. Recollect that. He goes over one day to the + rectifying-house of Roelle & Junker, and there are some barrels found, + the stamps of which had not been scratched. Mr. Munn was assured by Roelle + that there was no fraud. Roelle still swears that there was no fraud. He + was afterward assured by Junker that there was no fraud. Junker still + swears that there was no fraud. + </p> + <p> + Now, what does Rehm come in to swear? Rehm says that Bridges came to him + and told him that Munn was going to make trouble—going to make + trouble about these barrels that had the stamps on that were not scratched + off. Why did not Rehm say to him, "How is he going to make a fuss? He has + got twenty thousand dollars of money already. He is in the conspiracy. He + is a nice man to make a fuss! What is he going to make a fuss about?" + Would it not have been just as likely that Bridges should have made a fuss + as that Munn should have made it? Bridges, according to the testimony of + your immaculate witness, was in this no more than Munn—not one + particle. And why was Munn going to make trouble? Mr. Rehm has endeavored + to answer that question. Mr. Rehm then goes to Munn, sent there by Bridges—it + would be very hard to find out why he did not give the money to Bridges,—but + he went to Munn and says: "You are going to make some trouble about what + you found at Roelle & Junker's?" "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Why?" + </p> + <p> + "Because," he says, "the men at work there—the persons employed + there—will make a fuss about it, but they will see it and say that + it is overlooked." + </p> + <p> + Now, that is the reason that Rehm puts in the mouth of the defendant. + Afterward he goes himself to Junker and advises him to give him five + hundred dollars, and Junker proposes one thousand dollars, and gives him + one thousand dollars, and then he sends for Munn and he comes to his + office, and he hands him one thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, the reason Munn gave was that the men there would notice + it and make a disturbance about it. + </p> + <p> + Well, then, why not pay the men? What is the use of paying Munn? If this + was done to prevent the men working at the rectifying-house from making + trouble, why not pay the men? Why not pay the men who were going to make + the trouble? Why give an extra thousand dollars to a conspirator to whom + you had already given twenty thousand dollars, and who, at that time, + according to the testimony of Rehm, was officially rotten? Why not give + the money to men who were going to make the trouble? And the next question + is this—and if you will recollect the testimony of Roelle, he swears + that when the defendant came to the rectifying-house, he (Roelle) was + alone. He swears that he was alone. He swears that all the rest had gone + to dinner, and according to Roelle's testimony there was nobody there but + himself. Where were the men that were going to make this disturbance? + Where were the men that were going to notice this oversight? Where were + the men that were going to stir up difficulties at Washington or any other + place? According to the testimony of Roelle those people were at dinner, + and where, gentlemen, is the philosophy of that lie which they have told? + Where is it? Why should he have paid Munn money? Why didn't he pay it to + Bridges? If it was for the purpose of stopping the men from making + trouble, why not pay it to the men they wished to stop? I ask the + gentlemen to answer that question. I ask the gentlemen to tell us what men + were in danger of making this trouble? Was it the gauger who received six + hundred dollars a month for being a liar and a thief? Was it the + book-keeper who, every report that he made, swore to a lie? Was there any + danger of these liars and of these thieves making a fuss on their own + account? Was there any danger of that gauger stopping his own pay? Was + there any danger of that book-keeper trying to throw himself out of + employment? Was there any danger of any thief or of any conspirator saying + anything calculated to bring this rascality to the surface? If a bribed + gauger would not tell it; if a bribed book-keeper would not tell it, I ask + the Attorney-General for the Government, would Munn tell it, who had + received, according to your evidence, over twenty thousand dollars of + fraudulent money? Was there any danger of Munn turning state's evidence + against himself? Was there not just as much danger of Bridges making a + fuss as Munn? Was there not, according to their testimony, the same danger + of Rehm himself going to Washington as there would be of a bribed gauger, + and of a lying book-keeper? Gentlemen, your story won't hang together. + There is no philosophy in it, and it will not fit anything except another + lie made on purpose to fit it; and it has got to be made by a better + mechanic than Jacob Rehm. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, gentlemen, what more? The district attorney told you, and I was + astonished when he told it—I was astonished—he said that the + testimony of Jacob Rehm was not impeached; that, on the contrary, it was + sustained by these other witnesses. Had he made such a statement under + oath I am afraid an indictment for perjury would lie. He said that the + testimony had been sustained rather than impeached. How sustained? + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Rehm, did you ever give Mr. Burroughs notice that Mr. Munn was coming + in order that he might put his house in order?" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Rehm says, "No." + </p> + <p> + We then asked Mr. Burroughs, "Did Mr. Rehm ever give you such notice?" and + he corroborates Mr. Rehm by saying "Yes," if that is what you call + corroboration. + </p> + <p> + "Did you tell Mr. Hesing that Munn was not in it?" "I did not." "Mr. + Hesing, did Mr. Rehm tell you that Munn was not in it." "He did." + </p> + <p> + That is another instance of the attorney's idea of corroboration. + </p> + <p> + "Did you tell Hesing that Hoyt was innocent?" "I did not." "Mr. Hesing, + did Mr. Rehm tell you that Hoyt was innocent?" "He did." + </p> + <p> + Another corroboration. + </p> + <p> + "Did you tell him that Munn never was in it—that Munn was innocent?" + "No." + </p> + <p> + We then asked him, + </p> + <p> + "Did he tell you that?" "He did." + </p> + <p> + We say to Burroughs, + </p> + <p> + "In 1874, in 1873, in 1872, did Rehm tell you that Munn was not in it?" + "He did." + </p> + <p> + That is another idea I suppose of corroboration. + </p> + <p> + Q. Mr. Rehm, how much money did the house of Dickenson &c Leach give + you? A. Twenty-five thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + Q. Will you swear they did not give you thirty? A. I will. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Leach on the stand: + </p> + <p> + Q. How much money did your house give Rehm? A. Between forty thousand and + fifty thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + Another instance of corroboration. + </p> + <p> + We then called Mr. Burroughs upon the stand. He belonged to the same + house: + </p> + <p> + Q. How much money did you give Jacob Rehm? A. Fifty-two thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + Another instance of corroboration. + </p> + <p> + Q. Mr. Rehm, did Mr. Abel ever give you any money? A. Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. How many times? A. Once. + </p> + <p> + Q. How much? A. Five hundred dollars. + </p> + <p> + Q. Will you swear it was not a thousand? A. Yes. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Abel take the stand. + </p> + <p> + Q. Did you ever pay Jacob Rehm any money? A. Yes. + </p> + <p> + Q. How often? A. Once. + </p> + <p> + Q. How much? A. Two thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + And that is another instance of the corroboration of Jacob Rehm. And when + a man is thus corroborated, gentlemen, his reputation for truth and + veracity "spreads like sunlight all over the city of Chicago." There was + not a circumstance, there was not a statement made by Mr. Rehm except it + was made in the presence of Bridges, who is in Canada; of Irwin, who is in + his grave, or in the presence of the defendant, who stands here with his + mouth closed—not one solitary circumstance, with those exceptions, + that has not been contradicted. Can you believe this man? Can you believe + this man who has been contradicted by every one brought upon the stand? + Can you take his word after he has sworn as he has? I tell you, gentlemen, + you cannot do it, and as Judge Doolittle told you, if there is an infamous + crime in the world, it is the crime of perjury. All the sneaking + instincts; all the groveling, crawling instincts unite and blend in this + one crime called perjury. It clothes itself, gentlemen, in the shining + vestments of an oath in order that it may tell a lie. + </p> + <p> + Perjury poisons the wells of truth, the sources of justice. Perjury leaps + from the hedges of circumstance, from the walls of fact, to assassinate + justice and innocence. Perjury is the basest and meanest and most cowardly + of crimes. What can it do? Perjury can change the common air that we + breathe into the axe of an executioner. Perjury out of this air can forge + manacles for free hands. Perjury out of a single word can make a hangman's + rope and noose. Perjury out of a word can build a scaffold upon which the + great and noble must suffer. It was told during the Middle Ages and in the + time of the Inquisition, that the inquisitors had a statue of the Virgin + Mary, and when a man was brave enough to think his own thoughts he was + brought before this tribunal and before this beautiful statue, robed in + gorgeous robes and decked with jewels, and as a punishment he was made to + embrace it. The inquisitor touched a hidden spring; the arms of the statue + clutched the victim and drew him to a breast filled with daggers. Such, + gentlemen, is perjury, and if you take into consideration the evidence of + this witness when you retire to the jury-room, you, in my judgment, will + commit an outrage. Every man here should spurn that man from the threshold + of his conscience as he would a rabid cur from the threshold of his house. + </p> + <p> + Is there any safety in the world if you take the testimony of these men, + especially when character avails nothing? Is there any safety in human + society if you will take the testimony of a perjured man? Is there any + safety in living among mankind if this is the law,—if the statement + of a confessed conspirator makes the character of a great and good man + worthless? For one I had rather flee to the woods and live with wild + beasts and savage nature. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, I know that you will pay no attention to that kind of + testimony. I know it. I know that you cannot do it. And why? You know that + that man is swearing a lie for the purpose of protection. You know that + that man is swearing a lie under the smile of the Government of the United + States. You know it. You know he expects a benefit from it. You know it. + When the other witnesses, Burroughs and Hesing, that swear here—understand + that they are swearing beneath a frown. Understand that they know that no + mercy will be extended to them by the attorneys that they have offended. + Understand that, and when you understand that a man is swearing to protect + himself, and when he is a man that will swear to a lie for money, of + course he will swear to a lie to keep himself out of the penitentiary, or + to shorten his time—I say, when you know a man is placed in that + condition, you have no right to give the least weight to his testimony, + not one particle. + </p> + <p> + What more, gentlemen. Why, they have another witness, and he has sworn + nothing. He has sworn nothing that has anything to do with this conspiracy + one way or the other. Nothing! The only evidence against the defendant, I + tell you, is the evidence of Mr. Jacob Rehm. + </p> + <p> + The defendant, gentlemen, was an officer of the revenue for several years. + When he came to Chicago, in 1871, the district attorney said the + distillers were here in full blast making illicit whiskey. If he had read + the evidence he knew better; if he had not, he had no business to make any + statement about it. In 1871, when the defendant came here, according to + the testimony of all these men, the distilleries were running straight, + and the rascality did not commence until the fall of 1872, when Jacob Rehm + sold protection to these distillers. The defendant had been here a year + before any frauds were committed. He was then supervisor of internal + revenue up to May, 1875. During that time he did many official acts; + during that time he wrote hundreds and thousands of letters; during that + time he made hundreds and hundreds of visits to all these establishments. + They have searched the records; they have had every nook and cranny looked + at by a hired detective, and all that they can possibly bring forward is + the beggarly account presented in this case: First, that there were four + or five barrels of rum without the ten cent stamps, and that, you know, is + a thing that ought to send a man to the penitentiary; next, twenty-five + barrels of which the stamps had not been scratched, but about which there + was no fraud. Ought a man to be sent to the penitentiary because he does + not seize a house when there has been a technical violation without any + fraud? A supervisor that will do it ought to be kicked out of office; he + ought to be kicked out of the society of honest and decent men, and if + this defendant was satisfied from the story of Roelle and Junker that + there had been no fraud committed by leaving the stamps on the twenty-five + barrels unscratched, and had seized that house, that would have been an + act of meanness, an act of oppression, which I do not believe even a + Government attorney would uphold unless he was hired in the case. Now, + what next did he do? The next thing he did he went to Golsen & + Eastman. Gentlemen, I do not care to speak much of Golsen. If there ever + was a man utterly devoid of such a thing as principle, if there ever was a + man that would read the statute against stealing, and stand in perfect + amazement that anybody ever thought of making such a statute, it certainly + must be Golsen. You heard him, and he is the man that said he told lies in + business; he is the man that said he did not think it was wrong to swear + lies in business, and his business now is to keep out of the penitentiary; + that is his principal business, that is one of the gentlemen they have + hired, that is one of the gentlemen they have brought forward here to + offend the nostrils of decent men. Now, then, he went to Golsen & + Eastman. Judge Bangs told you in his speech that Golsen then and there + explained his infamy to Munn. + </p> + <p> + If there is anything which makes my blood boil it is to have the evidence + misstated for the purpose of putting a man in the penitentiary. I never + will make a misstatement to add to my reputation. + </p> + <p> + I recollect that evidence so perfectly. I recollected it so clearly that + it shocked me when he stated that the man Golsen explained all his + rascality and villainy to Munn. Why, I never heard of such evidence. What + was it? It was said by Mr. Ayer in the opening that in the presence of + Munn, Golsen said to Bridges, "It is not now all right," or something like + that, "but I can make it right," or that he said in the presence of Munn, + to Bridges, something that should have put Munn on his guard. I heard + that, and I heard Golsen, when he came on the stand, say that he said that + to Bridges, and you will bear me out when I say that I asked him in his + cross-examination, "Did Munn hear it? Did you say it thinking that Munn + did hear it?" and he did not pretend any such thing. He did not pretend + it, and I tell you I was hurt, I was touched, I admit it, when Judge Bangs + made the statement. I have an interest in this case. I am not only an + attorney in this case, but, gentlemen, I am proud to say I am the + defendant's friend. I am more than his attorney; I am his friend, and when + an attorney makes a statement like that I must say it shocks me. Golsen + did not swear that he explained his villainy to Munn—not a word of + that kind or character. On the contrary he simply said he told this to + Bridges, not to Munn, and that Munn did not hear it. + </p> + <p> + What more? Col. Eastman was there at the same time. + </p> + <p> + Col. Eastman says he did everything he could to impress upon Mr. Munn that + it was an honest transaction. What more? Then he went through the + rectifying-house like an honest man. How did he act? Like an honest man. + Did he act like somebody trying to cover up a fraud? No, he acted like an + honest man, and I tell you up to that time Mr. Eastman had borne a good + reputation—a good character in the state of Illinois. Munn believed + what he said. He believed there had been an accident. Munn believed they + made the charge in the books not for the purpose of covering up a fraud, + but for the purpose of making the books agree with the facts. So much for + that. + </p> + <p> + I do not recollect any others. I do not recollect any others that amount + to anything—that can throw the slightest suspicion on this + defendant. If he were upon trial now for failing to make a report; if he + were on trial now for malfeasance or non-feasance or negligence as an + officer, it would be proper to bring all these things before this jury, + but that is not the case. He is here for entering into a conspiracy to + defraud the Government, and these things that they have shown outside,—and + it is perfectly amazing to me they have not shown more,—it is + perfectly amazing to me that a man could be in that position the years he + was without making more mistakes—I say, all they prove in the world + is (give them their very worst construction), that he was guilty of some + negligence as an officer, but they do not attempt to prove that he was in + a conspiracy with Mr. Jacob Rehm to steal. + </p> + <p> + The next point, gentlemen, to which I wish to call your attention is the + testimony of Mr. Rehm before the grand jury. You recollect when we put on + Mr. Ward to show what Rehm testified to before the grand jury, that Mr. + Ayer suggested that we had better have the notes. I saw then that he was + extremely anxious for Schlichter to get on the stand. Then we introduced + Mr. Oleson, and he still spoke about having the notes. I understood that + it was a part of his case to have Schlichter brought on the stand in some + way. Now, then, it does not make any difference to me whether Schlichter + swore to the truth or not. Not a particle, not a particle, but I think he + did. But if he did swear a lie, and he will swear a lie every chance he + gets, in the course of time he will get such a character and such a + reputation that a district attorney of the United States will stand up and + say: "Schlichter's reputation is good; it spreads like sunlight all over + the city of Chicago." Now, then, you have been told by Judge Doolittle all + the men who swore that he did swear before the grand jury, that he did not + know of any crookedness. You have heard the testimony of men who swear + that he did swear before the grand jury that he knew of no fraud. If he + did so swear he perjured himself or he has perjured himself now. But what + more? Whether he swore that or not, he swore this according to their own + statements: + </p> + <p> + Q. At the time you burned your books had you any knowledge that they + contained any evidence of fraud against the Government? A. No, sir. + </p> + <p> + Now, he knew the distillers used a certain amount of malt to make a + certain amount of high-wines, and he knew the more malt they used the more + high-wines they would have to account for, and if they bought twice as + much malt as was necessary to make the whiskey upon which they paid the + tax, he knew that that was evidence that they had been running without + paying the tax. If it takes a certain amount of malt for a gallon of + high-wines, and his books would show they had used twice as much malt as + they had paid taxes, according to gallons, then he did know that his books + did contain evidence showing that they had committed fraud. And when he + said his books did not, he told what he knew was a deliberate lie. What + more does he say? He says these books were burned up about the first of + May just to get them out of the way,—for no earthly object except + simply to get them out of the way,—and he swears that he sold to + nearly all these distillers malt, and he knew that the amount of malt sold + to each of these distilleries would determine the amount of whiskey they + had made, that is, not into a barrel or into a gallon, but approximately, + and he knew the more malt they used the more tax they would have to show + that they had paid. And he knew that his books would be evidence against + every distiller in the city. He knew that, and yet he swears here, + squarely and fairly, that at the time he burned his books he did not know + that they were of any value as evidence against these distillers. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I want to call your attention to another thing. When I + asked him, when he was called here on the stand, if he was not asked about + crookedness, whether he was not asked about fraud, at first he stumbled + into telling the truth, as far as that was concerned, as far as being + asked was concerned, and then told a lie as to how he answered it. Now, + let me read it to you; you may have forgotten it. There is nothing like + having these things printed: + </p> + <p> + Q. Were you sworn before that grand jury by anybody? A. Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. Were you asked any question about this whiskey business? A. Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. Were you asked by one of the grand jurors whether you knew of any + illicit whiskey being made in this city by any of those distilleries? A. + No, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. I ask you in regard to your answer to that, if you did not say you did + not? A. I did not. + </p> + <p> + Q. What did you say? A. The question was not asked in that way. + </p> + <p> + Q. Well, wait until I ask you, and then you can tell. Were you not asked + if you knew of any crookedness about whiskey, and didn't you reply "No"? + A. No; I answered "Yes." + </p> + <p> + There is his testimony. He was afraid then that he was caught, and he was + going to swear deliberately that he swore before the grand jury, that he + did know of crookedness. Then he changed his idea, and says afterward that + it is about the one hundred and fifty barrels. He says now, "Put your + question." Then I put this question—"Put your question." [Question + repeated.] "A. The question was not put to me in that way." + </p> + <p> + Now, he gets out of it and says it was the one hundred and fifty barrels + he talked about; but I asked him then if he was not asked if he did not + know about any crookedness here and how he answered it, and he says that + he answered it "Yes." That is, before he found out that it was necessary + to change his answer or to change his mind upon that question. That is + what he says. And it is utterly impossible, gentlemen, to get out of the + fact that he did, before that grand jury, swear that he knew of no + crookedness. You can not get out upon Mr. Roelle's testimony. You can not + get out upon the idea that Schlichter put it in. Schlichter did not put it + into the memory of the old man Samson. Schlichter did not write it in the + memory of Mr. Hoag. Schlichter did not write it in the consciousness of + Mr. Oleson. Schlichter did not write it in short-hand in the head of J. D. + Ward. Schlichter, I tell you, by his short-hand necromancy, has not + changed six or seven men into liars whether he put that in the second line + from the top or not. He cannot do that with his short-hand, gentlemen. He + could not make old Mr. Samson come here and say, "I asked that question + myself; I thought that when he was there he was the head centre of all the + rascality. And so just before he went out I put one of those general, + pinching questions as to whether he knew anything. It was a kind of + conscience scraper." The old man put that question just as these witnesses + were going out: "Do you know anything about any fraud? Do you know + anything about any crookedness?" It was a kind of a last question that + would cover the case, and the old man recollects that he put it to Jacob + Rehm and he recollects why he put it to him, because he believed at that + time that he was the head centre of the villainy. Mr. Hoag says the same + thing. Mr. Hoag says that he looked upon him as the great rascal in the + business; and he recollects distinctly that he asked him that question; + and he recollects as distinctly how he answered it. J. D. Ward was the + attorney of the United States, and he swears to it that he recollects it + perfectly. Oleson was an attorney of the United States. He says that he + recollects it perfectly. And yet is this all to be accounted for, + gentlemen, by saying that Mr. Schlichter inserted it in his notes and that + all these other gentlemen are mistaken? The fact is, gentlemen, that Mr. + Rehm, when he was there, had not made up his mind to vomit; he had not yet + made up his mind that he could make a bargain with the United States to + get out of punishment. He did not know at that time that he need not go to + the penitentiary if he would furnish a substitute. He did not know, + gentlemen, at that time that he could have any understanding with anybody; + if he would bring better blood than his they would deal lightly with him. + He did not know at that time that two owls could be traded off for an + eagle. He did not know at that time that two snakes could be traded off + for a decent man. As soon as he found that out, then, instead of saying + that he did not know anything about any crookedness; instead of saying + that he did not know anything about any fraud, he said, gentlemen, "I know + all about it. I know all of them; every one of them." + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I want you to put against that man's testimony the lies he + swore to himself. I want you to put against that man's testimony the + improbability that he would commit numberless crimes for nothing. I want + you to put against that man's testimony the testimony of every one who has + contradicted and disputed him. I want you to put against that man's + testimony the idea and the fact that he warned these other men against the + approach of Munn. I want you to put against that man's testimony all the + circumstances of the lies he has sworn; and I want you, in addition to + that, to put against that man's testimony the evidence of this defendant. + </p> + <p> + You have been told by the district attorney—and if I have said + anything too strong in the warmth of this discussion I beg his pardon. I + have known Judge Bangs a long time, I have been his friend, I respect him; + but I must say I felt a little outraged at what he said, because he said + he had sympathy with this defendant. He got up here and said that the + defendant bore a most excellent reputation. He got up and said that he + sympathized with him, and all at once I saw his sympathy was a cloak under + which he concealed a dagger to stab him. Now, then, he says good character + is nothing. Good character is nothing! Good character, gentlemen, is not + made in a day. It is the work of a life. The walls of that grand edifice + called a good character have to be worked at during life. All the good + deeds, all the good words, everything right and true and honest that he + does, goes into this edifice, and it is domed and pinnacled with lofty + aspirations and grand ambitions. It is not made in a day, neither can it + be crumbled into blackened dust by a word from the putrid mouth of a + perjurer. Let these snakes writhe and hiss about it. Let the bats fly in + at its windows if they can. They cannot destroy it; but above them all + rises the grand dome of a good character, not with the bats and snakes, + but up, gentlemen, with eagles in the sunlight. They cannot prevail + against a good character. Is it worth anything? If ever I am indicted for + any offence and stand before a jury, I hope that I shall be able to prove + as unsullied a reputation as Daniel W. Munn has proved. And when I read + those letters, not only saying that his character was good, but adding + "above reproach," it thrilled me and I thought to myself then, "if ever + you get in trouble will anybody certify as splendidly and as grandly to + your reputation?" There is not a man of this jury that can prove a better + reputation. There is not a judge on the bench in the United States that + can prove a better reputation. There never was and there never will be an + attorney at this bar that can prove a better reputation. There is not one + in this audience that can prove a better reputation. And yet we are told + that that splendid fabric called a good character cannot stand for a + moment against a word from a gratuitous villain—not one moment. + </p> + <p> + Such, gentlemen, is not the law of this country. Such, gentlemen, never + will be the law of this land or of any other. I deny it, and I hurl it + back with scorn. A good character will stand against the testimony of all + the thieves on earth. A good character, like a Gibraltar, will stand + against the testimony of all the rascals in the universe, no matter how + they assail it. It will stand, and it will stand firmer and grander the + more it is assaulted. What is the use of doing honestly? What is the use + of working and toiling? What is the use of taking care of your wife and + your children? Where is the use, I say, of being honest in your business? + What is the use of always paying your debts as you agree? What is the use + of living for others? Character is made of duty and love and sympathy, + and, above all, of living and working for others. What is the use of being + true to principle? What is the use of taking a sublime stand in favor of + the right with the world against you? What is the use of being true to + yourself? What is the use, I say, if all this character, if all this noble + action, if all this efflorescence of soul can be blasted and blown from + the world simply by a word from the mouth of a confessed felon? And yet we + are assured here in this august tribunal, in a Federal court of the United + States, where the defendant stands under the protection of the the + Constitution of his country, that his character is absolutely worthless. + </p> + <p> + They say, "Why don't you bring somebody to impeach Mr. Jacob Rehm?" Why? + because he has impeached himself. + </p> + <p> + To impeach a man is the last method. If he tells an improbable story, that + impeaches him. If he tells an unnatural story, that impeaches him. If you + prove he has sworn a different way, that impeaches him. If you show he has + stated a different way, that impeaches him. What is the use of impeaching + him any more? That would be a waste of time. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I say to you, and I say to you once for all, I want you to + get out of your minds and out of your hearts any prejudice against this + man on account of these times. I understand now that in every man's + pathway hiss and writhe the serpents of suspicion. I understand now that + every man in high place can be pointed at with the dirty finger of a + scurvy rascal. I understand that. I understand that no matter how high his + position is, that any man, no matter how low, how leprous he may be, what + a cancerous heart he may have, he can point his finger at the man high up + on the ladder of fame, and the man has to come down and explain to the + wretched villain. I understand that; but these prejudices I want out of + your mind. I want you to try this case according to the evidence and + nothing else. I want you to say whether you believe the testimony of these + conspirators and scoundrels. I want you to say whether you are going to + take the testimony of that man, and if you bring in a verdict of guilty I + want you to be able to defend yourselves when you go to the defendant and + tell him: "We found you guilty upon a man's testimony who admitted that he + was a thief: who admitted that he was a perjurer; who admitted that he + hired others to swear lies, and who committed crimes without number year + after year." I want you to say whether that is an excuse to give to him. + Is it an excuse to give to his pallid, invalid wife? Is it an excuse to + give to his father eighty years old, trembling upon the verge of the + grave: "I sent your son to the penitentiary upon the evidence of a + convicted thief"? I say is it an excuse to give to his weeping wife? Is it + an excuse to give to his child: "I sent your father to the penitentiary + upon the evidence of Jacob Rehm"? There is not one of you can go to the + child, or to the sick wife, or to the old man, or to the defendant + himself, and without the blush of shame say: "I sent you to the + penitentiary upon the evidence of Jacob Rehm." You cannot do it. It is not + in human nature to do it. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, there is one other thing I want to say. Suspicion is not + evidence. Suspicious circumstances are not evidence. All the suspicion in + the world, all the suspicious circumstances in the world, amount not to + evidence. I want to say one more thing. They say that the testimony of a + thief ought to be corroborated. By whom? another thief? No. Because that + other thief wants corroboration, and that other thief would want + corroboration, and so on until thieves ran out, which I think would be a + long time in this particular community at this particular time. Understand + that whatever one thief swears, that it is not corroborated because + another thief swears to the same thing, and upon the point upon which + Judge Doolittle dwelt so splendidly he must be corroborated upon the exact + point. For instance, Mr. Munn went to his house, Mr. Munn went to his + office, and another man says, I saw him there. That is not corroboration. + He must be corroborated in the fact that he gave him the money, not that + Munn went to his house—not that he had an opportunity to give him + the money—not that he was there, but he must be corroborated as to + the exact, identical point that makes the guilt. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I am going to leave this case with you. I feel a great + interest in it. The defendant feels an infinite interest in it, infinite, + I tell you. It is all he has on earth, all he has is with you. You are + going to take his hopes; you are going to take his aspirations; you are + going to take his ambition; you are going to take his family; you are + going to take his child; you are going to take everything he has in this + world into your power. It is a fearful thing to take this responsibility. + I know it. But you are going to take it—his future, everything he + has dreamed and hoped for, everything that he has expected to attain—his + character, everything he has that is dear to him, and you are going to say + "Not guilty," or you are going to cover him with the mantle of infamy and + shame forever; you are going to disgrace his blood; you are going to bring + those that love him down with sorrow to their graves; you are either going + to do that or you are going to say, "We will not believe the testimony of + self-convicted robbers and thieves." And, gentlemen, I ask you, I implore + you, I beseech you, more than that, I demand of you that you find in this + case a verdict of "Not guilty." Put yourself in his place. Do you want to + be convicted on that kind of testimony? Do you want to go to the + penitentiary with that kind of witnesses against you? Do you want to be + locked up on that kind of testimony? Do you want to be separated from your + wife or your child on that kind of evidence? Do you want to be rendered + infamous during your life upon the testimony of such men as Golsen and + Conklin and Rehm? Do you? Do you? Do you? Does any man in the world + imagine that twelve honest men can be found that can rob another of his + citizenship, of his honor, of his character, of his home, and of his + entire fortune, simply upon the testimony of such scoundrels? No, + gentlemen. For myself, for this defendant, I have no fear. All I ask is + that you will give to this evidence the weight that it deserves. All I ask + of the prosecuting attorney in this case is that he do his duty. All I ask + of him is to state just as nearly as he can, as I have no doubt he will, + the evidence in the case. All I ask of him is that he give to all these + circumstances their due weight, and no more. I ask him to fight for + justice and not for his reputation. I ask him to fight for the honor of + the Government. I ask him to fight for the complete doing of justice, if + he can, but I hope he will leave out of the case all idea that he must win + a case or that I must lose a case. We are contending for too great a + stake. Personally, I care nothing about it, whether I make or lose what + you please to call reputation in this affair. I care everything for my + client. I care everything for his honor, and more than that, gentlemen, I + love the United States of America. I love this Government, I love this + form of government, and I do not want to see the sources of government + poisoned. I do not want to see a state of things in the United States of + America whereby a man can be consigned to a dungeon upon the testimony of + a robber and thief, simply upon a political issue, simply by the testimony + of some man who wishes to purchase immunity at the price of another's + liberty and honor. + </p> + <p> + One more point, and I have done. I had forgotten it, or I should have + mentioned it before. They have appealed to you all along to say that the + fact that high-wines were so cheap during all this time put Mr. Munn upon + his information, so to speak, that there were frauds. Let me take those + books and let us see. On the 6th day of June, 1874, the tax on spirits was + seventy cents, and the price was ninety-four cents. That made them get + twenty-four cents a gallon for the whiskey. Understand, the tax was + seventy, the price was ninety-four. That made them get twenty-four cents + for the whiskey. Now, then, on the 10th of June it was ninety-six and a + half cents. That made twenty-six and a half for the whiskey. On the 10th + of June, 1874, twenty-six and a half they got for the whiskey. February + 11, 1874, ninety-six cents, which made twenty-six cents; and so it went on + in that way, until what? Until the tax was raised from seventy cents to + ninety cents, and what is it now? The tax on whiskey, gentlemen, is ninety + cents, and the price on the 10th day of May, 1876, is one dollar and seven + cents; so that the price of whiskey now is only seventeen cents above the + tax, and at the time that Mr. Munn ought to have known that everybody was + a thief and rascal, the price was twenty-six cents above the tax, ten + cents more than now. From these figures, gentlemen, you will see it, and + how high did it go? The day Mr. Munn was turned out of office—gentlemen, + on the tenth day of May, 1875,—the tax then being ninety cents, + whiskey was worth one dollar and fifteen cents. The day he was turned out. + It was nine cents more than it is today. You are welcome to all you can + make out of that argument. It was worth nine cents more a gallon above the + tax the day he was turned out than it is to-day, and if Mr. Munn was bound + to take judicial notice that there was nothing but frauds in the district, + and every distillery was running crooked, I say that the officers of the + Government are bound to take that notice to-day, and you must recollect, + gentlemen, that it was admitted in this case that there were frauds all + over the country, that there were distilleries running in St. Louis, in + San Francisco, in Milwaukee, in Peoria or Pekin, in Peoria, I believe, in + my town, not a sound has been heard, and not a solitary man, I believe, + charged with fraud—in St. Louis, in Louisville, in Cincinnati, in + all these towns. Now, where was the whiskey being made that was crooked? + Nobody could tell. If there was a vast amount being made in Cincinnati it + would lessen the price in Chicago, no matter whether the Chicago + distillers were running honestly or not. If there was a vast amount being + made in St. Louis it would lessen the price, no matter whether the other + distilleries were running honestly or not, consequently it was impossible + for the supervisor to tell it. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing I forgot. During all the time Jacob Rehm was doing + this gratuitous rascality he was one of the bondsmen on the official bond + of Hoyt. He was not only helping Hoyt steal and giving him all the money, + but he was making himself responsible for the money he stole, and he did + not charge any commission on it. He did not charge for any shrinkage or + shortage or anything in the world, but made himself liable for the + uttermost farthing. He was on the bond of Collector Irwin, called the + stamp bond, and so do not forget that he did not only not take any money, + but he went on the acknowledgments of the thieves that stole it. He not + only did not take any himself, but he made himself liable as a bondsman + for what he gave to them. Do not forget these things. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I believe I have said about all I wish to say to you; the + rest is for you. You must take the case, and, as I said, you do not want + to go off on any prejudice against the kind or the character of the case. + You do not want to go off on the idea that the air is full of rascality + because some of us are to be tried next. We don't know. Let us try this + case fairly and squarely on the evidence, and the next time I meet you, + gentlemen, every one of you will be glad that you found this defendant not + guilty, as you cannot avoid doing. + </p> + <p> + [The Jury rendered a verdict of "Not Guilty."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CLOSING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE FIRST STAR ROUTE TRIAL. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The most characteristic feature of the Star-route trial, + which has been the central point of interest in our city for + the past three months, was the marvelously powerful speech + of Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll before the jury and the judge + last week. + + People who knew this gifted gentleman only superficially, + had supposed that he was merely superficial as a lawyer. + While acknowledging his remarkable ability as an orator and + his vast accomplishments as a speaker, they doubted the + depth of his power. They heard him, and the doubt ceased. It + can be said of Ingersoll, as was written of Castelar, that + his eloquent utterances are as the finely-fashioned + ornamental designs upon the Damascus blade—the blade cuts + as keenly and the embellishments beautify without retarding + its power. + + The following is Colonel Ingersoll's speech. Its swift + incisiveness, keen and comprehensive logic and apt + deductions from proper premises are only equaled by the + grand manner of its delivery, and under the circumstances + incidental to the case and the routes to be traversed, by + its expedition of action and brevity.—Washington, D. C., + The Capital, Sept. 16th, 1882. +</pre> + <p> + MAY it please the Court and gentlemen of the jury: Let us understand each + other at the very threshold. For one I am as much opposed to official + dishonesty as any man in this world. The taxes in this country are paid by + labor and by industry, and they should be collected and disbursed by + integrity. The man that is untrue to his official oath, the man that is + untrue to the position the people have honored him with, ought to be + punished. I have not one word to say in defence of any man who I believe + has robbed the Treasury of the United States. I want it understood in the + first place that we are not defending; that we are not excusing; that we + are not endeavoring to palliate in the slightest degree dishonesty in any + Government official. I will go still further: I will not defend any + citizen who has committed what I believe to be a fraud upon the Treasury + of this Government. Let us understand each other at the commencement. + </p> + <p> + You have been told that we are a demoralized people; that the tide of + dishonesty is rising ready to sweep from one shore of our country to the + other. You have been appealed to to find innocent men guilty in order that + that tide may be successfully resisted. You have been told—and I + have heard the story a thousand times—that this country was + demoralized by what the gentlemen are pleased to call the war, and that + owing to the demoralization of the war it is necessary to make an example + of somebody that the country may take finally the road to honesty. We were + in a war lasting four years, but I take this occasion to deny that that + war demoralized the people of the United States. Whoever fights for the + right, or whoever fights for what he believes to be right, does not + demoralize himself. He ennobles himself. The war through which we passed + did not demoralize the people. It was not a demoralization; it was a + reformation. It was a period of moral enthusiasm, during which the people + of the United States became a thousand times grander and nobler than they + had ever been before. The effect of that war has been good, and only good. + We were not demoralized by it. When we broke the shackles from four + millions of men, women and children it did not demoralize us. When we + changed the hut of the slave into the castle of the freeman it did not + demoralize us. When we put the protecting arm of the law about that hut + and the flag of this nation above it, it was not very demoralizing. When + we stopped stealing babes the country did not suddenly become corrupted. + That war was the noblest affirmation of humanity in the history of this + world. We are a greater people, we are a grander people, than we were + before that war. That war repealed statutes that had been made by robbery + and theft. It made this country the home of man. We were not demoralized. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing you have been told in order that you might find + somebody guilty. You have been told that our country is distinguished + among the nations of the world only for corruption. That is what you have + been told. I care not who said it first. It makes no difference to me that + it was quoted from a Republican Senator. I deny it. This country is not + distinguished for corruption. No true patriot believes it. This country is + distinguished for something else. The credit of the United States is + perfect. Its bonds are the highest in the world. Its promise is absolute + pure gold. Is that the result of being distinguished for corruption? I + have heard that nonsense, that intellectual rot all my life, that the + people used to be honest, but at present they are exceedingly bad. It is + the capital stock of every prosecuting lawyer; but in it there is not one + word of truth. Is this country distinguished only for its corruption + throughout Europe? No. It is respected by every prince and by every king; + it is loved by every peasant. Is it because we have such a reputation for + corruption that a million people from foreign lands sought homes under our + flag last year? Is corruption all we are distinguished for? Is it because + we are a nation of rascals that the word America sheds light in every hut + and in every tenement in Europe? Is it because we are distinguished for + corruption that that one word, America, is the dawn of a career to every + poor man in the Old World? I always supposed that we were distinguished + for free schools, for free speech, for just laws; not for corruption. A + country covered with schoolhouses, where the children of the poor are put + upon an exact equality with those of the rich, is not distinguished for + corruption. And yet in the name of this universal corruption you are + appealed to to become also corrupt. This nation is substantially a hundred + years old, and to-day the assessed property of the United States is valued + at $50,000,000,000. Is that the result of corruption, or is it the result + of labor, of integrity and of virtue? I deny that my country is + distinguished for corruption. I assert that it rises above the other + nations distinguished for humanity as high as Chimborazo above the plains. + Never will I put a stain upon the forehead of my country in order that I + may win some case, and in order that I may consign some honest man to the + penitentiary. I stand here to deny that this is a corrupt country. Let me + say that the only tribute that I ever heard paid to corruption was + indirectly paid by Mr. Merrick himself. He told you that official + corruption destroyed the French Empire, and upon the ruins of that empire + arose the French Republic. He makes official corruption the father of + French liberty. If it works that way I hope they will have it in every + monarchy on the globe. Napoleon stole something besides money; he stole + liberty, and the French people finally got to that condition of mind where + they preferred to be trampled on by Germany rather than to have their + liberty devoured by Napoleon. From that splendid sentiment sprang the + French Republic. This country is the land not of slavery, but of liberty, + not of unpaid toil, but of successful industry. There is not a poor man + to-day in all Europe or a poor boy who does not think about America. I + recollect one time in Ireland that I met with a little fellow about ten + years old with a couple of rags for pantaloons and a string for a + suspender. I said, "My little man, what are you going to do when you grow + up?" "<i>Going to America</i>." It is the dream of every peasant in + Germany. He will go to America; not because it is the land of corruption, + but because it is the land of plenty, the land of free schools, the land + where humanity is respected. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing about this country. We have a king here, and that + king is the law. That king is the legally expressed will of a majority, + and that law is your sovereign and mine. You have no right to violate one + law to carry out another. We all stand equal before that law, and the law + must be upheld as an entirety, and in no other way. If in this case you + believe these defendants beyond a doubt to be guilty, it is your duty to + find them so, and you must find them so in order to preserve your own + respect. I do not agree with this prosecution in the idea that the + perpetuity of the Republic depends upon this verdict. Decide as badly as + you please, as horribly as you can, the Republic will stand. The Republic + will stand in spite of this verdict, and the Republic will stand until + people lose confidence in verdicts—until they lose confidence in + legal redress. When the time comes that we have no confidence in courts + and no confidence in juries, then the great temple will lean to its fall, + and not until then. As long as we can get redress in the courts, as long + as the laws shall be honestly administered, as long as honesty and + intelligence sit upon the bench, as long as intelligence sits in the + chairs of jurors, this country will stand, the law will be enforced and + the law will be respected. But so far as my clients are concerned, + everything they have, everything they love, everything for which they + hope, home, friends, wife, children, and that priceless something called + reputation, without which a man is simply living clay, everything they + have is at stake, and everything depends upon your verdict. I want you to + understand that everything depends upon your decision, and yet my clients + with their world at stake, home, everything, <i>everything</i>, ask only + at your hands the mercy of an honest verdict according to the evidence and + according to the law. That is all we ask, and that we expect. By an honest + verdict I mean a verdict in accordance with the testimony and in + accordance with the law, a verdict that is a true and honest transcript of + each juror's mind, a verdict that is the honest result of this evidence. + Whoever takes into consideration the desire, or the supposed desire, of + the outside public is bribed. Whoever finds a verdict to please power, + whoever violates his conscience that he may be in accord, or in supposed + accord, with an administration or with the Government, is bribed. Whoever + finds a verdict that he may increase his own reputation is bribed. Whoever + finds a verdict for fear he will lose his reputation is bribed. Whoever + bends to the public judgment, whoever bows before the public press, is + bribed. + </p> + <p> + Fear, prejudice, malice, and the love of approbation bribe a thousand men + where gold bribes one. An honest verdict is the result not of fear, but of + courage; not of prejudice, but of candor; not of malice, but of kindness. + Above all, it is the result of a love of justice. Allow me to say right + here that I believe every solitary man on this jury wishes to give a + verdict exactly in accordance with this testimony and exactly in + accordance with the law. Every man on this jury wishes to preserve his own + manhood. Every man on this jury wishes to give an honest verdict. There + are no words sufficiently base to describe a man who will knowingly give a + dishonest verdict. I believe every man upon this jury to be absolutely + honest in this case. The mind of every juror, like the needle to the pole, + should be governed simply by the evidence. That needle is not disturbed by + wind or wave, and the mind of the honest juror never should be disturbed + by clamor, nor by prejudice, nor by suspicion. Your minds should not be + affected by the fume, by the froth, by the fiction, or by the fury of this + prosecution. You should pay attention simply to the evidence, and to use + the language of one of my clients, you should be governed by the frozen + facts. That is all you have any right to think of and all you have any + right to examine. + </p> + <p> + Having now said thus much about the duties of jurors, let me say one word + about the duties of lawyers. I believe it is the duty of a lawyer, no + matter whether prosecuting or defending, to make the testimony as clear as + he can. If there is anything contradictory it is his business if he + possibly can to make it clear. If there is any question of law about which + there is a doubt, it is his right and it is his duty to give to the court + the result of his study and of his thoughts, for the purpose of + enlightening the court upon that particular branch of law. No matter if he + may believe the court understands it, if there is the slightest fear that + the court does not or has forgotten it, it is his duty to bring the + attention of the court to that law. It is not his duty to abuse anybody. + It is not my duty to abuse anybody. There is no logic in abuse; not the + slightest; and when a lawyer, under the pretext of explaining the evidence + to the jury, calls a defendant a thief and a robber, he steps beyond the + line of duty and, in my judgment, beyond the line of his privilege. What + light does that throw upon the case? In his effort to explain the law to + the court what cloud does it remove from the intellectual horizon of his + honor for the attorney to call the defendant a robber, a thief, or a + pickpocket? I shall in this case give you what I believe to be the facts. + I shall call your attention to the testimony. I shall endeavor to throw + what light I am capable of throwing upon this entire question. I shall not + deal in personalities. They are beneath me. I shall not deal in epithets. + Nobody worth convincing can be convinced in that way. Now, let us see what + the law is, and let us see what our facts are. In the beginning of this + dusty branch I shall ask the pardon of every juror in advance for going + over these facts once again. You see they strike every man in a peculiar + way. No two minds are exactly alike. No pair of eyes distinguish exactly + the same object or the same peculiarities of the objects. This is an + indictment under section 5440 of the Revised Statutes, and there must not + only be a conspiracy to defraud, but there must be an overt act done in + pursuance of that conspiracy for the purpose of effecting the object of + it. Now, then, how must these overt acts be stated in this indictment? Is + the overt act a part of the crime, and must it, be described with the same + particularity that you describe the offence? Which of the overt acts set + out in this indictment is the overt act depended upon, together with the + act of conspiring, to make this offence? I hold, may it please your Honor, + that every overt act set out in the indictment must be proved exactly as + it is alleged, no matter whether the description was necessary to be put + in the indictment or not. No matter how foolish, how unnecessary the + description, it must be substantiated, and it must be proven precisely as + it is charged. No matter whether the particular thing described is of + importance or not, no matter how infinitely unnecessary it was to speak of + it, still, if it is a matter of description, it must be proven precisely + as it is charged. Upon that subject I wish to call the attention of the + Court to some authorities, and it will take me but a few moments. I will + call the attention of the Court first to the case of the State against + Noble, 15 Maine, 476. Here a man was indicted for fraudulently and + willfully taking from the river and converting to his own use certain + logs. These logs were described as marked "W" with a cross, and "H" with + another cross, and with a girdle. Now, it seems that a part of this mark + was not found, according to the testimony upon the logs taken: + </p> + <p> + "The description of these logs in the indictment is the only way the logs + could be distinguished and could not be rejected as surplusage. It has + been settled that if a man be indicted for stealing a black horse, and the + evidence be that he stole a white one, he cannot be convicted. The + description of a log by the mark is more essential than that of a horse by + its color. If it was not necessary to describe the log so particularly by + the mark, yet so having stated it, there can be no conviction without + proof of it." + </p> + <p> + Now, the court, in deciding this, says: + </p> + <p> + "It may be regarded as a general rule, both in criminal prosecutions and + in civil actions, that an unnecessary averment may be rejected where + enough remains to show that an offence has been committed, or that a cause + of action exists. In Ricketts vs. Solway, 2 Barn., & Aid., 360, + Abbott, C. J., says: 'There is one exception, however, to this rule, which + is, where the allegation contains matter of description. Then, if the + proof given be different from the statement, the variance is fatal.' As an + illustration of this exception, Starkie puts the case of a man charged + with stealing a black horse. The allegation of color is unnecessary, yet + as it is descriptive of that, which is the subject-matter of the charge, + it cannot be rejected as surplusage, and the man convicted of stealing a + white horse. The color is not essential to the offence of larceny, but it + is made material to fix the identity of that, which the accused is charged + with stealing." + </p> + <p> + 3 Stark., 1531. "In the case before us the subject-matter is a pine log + marked in a particular manner described. The marks determine the identity, + and are, therefore, matter purely of description. It would not be easy to + adduce a stronger case of this character. It' might have been sufficient + to have stated that the defendant took a log merely, in the words of the + statute. But under the charge of taking a pine log we are quite clear that + the defendant could not be convicted of taking an oak or a birch log. The + offence would be the same; but the charge to which the party was called to + answer, and which it was incumbent on him to meet, is for taking a log of + an entirely different description. The kind of timber and the artificial + marks by which it was distinguished are descriptive parts of the + subject-matter of the charge which cannot be disregarded, although they + may have been unnecessarily introduced. The log proved to have been taken + was a different one from that charged in the indictment; and the defendant + could be legally called upon to answer only for taking the log there + described. In our judgment, therefore, the jury were erroneously + instructed that the marks might be rejected as surplusage; and the + exceptions are accordingly sustained." + </p> + <p> + I also cite the case of the State against Clark, 3 Foster, New Hampshire, + 429: + </p> + <p> + "Indictment for fraudulently altering the assignment of a mortgage. The + indictment set forth the mortgage, and also the assignment, as it was + alleged to have been originally made from Miles Burnham to Noah Clark, the + respondent; and alleged that the assignment was signed, sealed, delivered, + witnessed by two witnesses, and duly and legally recorded at length, in + the registry of deeds of Rockingham county, on the 18th of September, + 1844. It then alleged that this assignment was fraudulently altered on the + 28th of June, 1844, by inserting the letter 'S' in two places, between the + words 'Noah' and 'Clark,' so that the assignment originally made to Noah + Clark, after the alteration appeared as if it were made to Noah S. Clark. + </p> + <p> + "On trial the records of deeds were produced, and there was found a record + of the assignment purporting to be made to Noah S. Clark, the record + bearing date September 18, 1844, but there was no record of any assignment + to Noah Clark. The respondent's counsel objected that this evidence did + not support the allegations of the indictment. The forgery was alleged to + have been committed on the 28th of June, 1844, and the court admitted + evidence that Miles Burnham, who executed the assignment, being applied to + about the 30th of July, 1846, for a loan of money upon a mortgage of the + same property, declined to make the loan unless he was satisfied there was + no mortgage of conveyance of the land by Noah Clark, and the person who + drew the assignment searched the records with Burnham, and found no such + deed on record. This evidence was objected to, but was understood to be + introductory to other material and pertinent evidence, and was therefore + admitted; but no such other evidence, to which it was introductory, was + offered. + </p> + <p> + "The jury found a verdict of guilty, which the defendant moved to set + aside." + </p> + <p> + Upon that the court says: + </p> + <p> + "We are not able to look upon this statement that the deed was duly + recorded as well as witnessed and acknowledged according to the statute, + in any other light than as part of the description of the deed and + conveyance which the defendant was charged with altering. We are, + therefore, of opinion that the evidence upon this point did not sustain + the indictment." + </p> + <p> + Now, if the statement that the mortgage was recorded was such a material + part of the description that a failure to prove the record as charged was + fatal, so, I say, in these overt acts, if they charge that a thing was + done or a paper filed on a certain day and it turns out not to be so, that + is a fatal variance, and under that description in the indictment the + charge cannot be substantiated. I refer to the case against + Northumberland, 46 New Hampshire, 158, and also to the King against + Wennard, 6 Carrington & Paine, 586. + </p> + <p> + Clark vs. Commonwealth, 16 B., Monroe, 213: + </p> + <p> + "The doctrine seems to have been well settled in England and this country, + that in criminal cases, although words merely formal in their character + may be treated as surplusage and rejected as such, a descriptive averment + in an indictment must be proved as laid, and no allegation, whether it be + necessary or unnecessary, more or less particular, which is descriptive of + the identity of what is legally essential to the charge in the indictment, + can be rejected as surplusage." + </p> + <p> + And in this case I cite Dorsett's case, 5th Roger's Record, 77: + </p> + <p> + "On an indictment for coining there was an alleged possession of a die + made of iron and steel, when, in fact, it was made of zinc and antimony. + The variance was deemed fatal." + </p> + <p> + And yet it was not necessary to state of what the die was made. If the + indictment had simply said he had in his possession this die, it would + have been enough, but the pleader went on and described it, saying it was + made of iron and steel. It turned out upon the trial that it was made of + zinc and antimony, and the variance was held to be fatal. So I cite the + court to Wharton's American Crim. Law, 3rd edition, page 291, and to + Roscoe on Criminal Evidence, 151. Now I cite the case of the United States + against Foye, 1st Curtis's Circuit Court Reports, 368, and I do not think + it will be easy to find a case going any further than this. It goes to the + end of the road: + </p> + <p> + "A letter containing money deposited in the mail for the purpose of + ascertaining whether its contents were stolen on a particular route and + actually sent on a post-route, is a letter intended to be sent by post + within the meaning of the post-office act." + </p> + <p> + This I understand was a decoy letter. + </p> + <p> + "The description of the termini between which the letter was intended to + be sent by post cannot be rejected as surplusage, but must be proved as + laid." + </p> + <p> + Upon that the court says: + </p> + <p> + "But a far more difficult question arises under the other part of the + objection. The indictment alleges, not only that this letter was intended + to be conveyed by post, but describes where it was to be conveyed; it + fixes the termini as Georgetown and Ipswich. The allegation is, in + substance, that the letter was intended to be conveyed by post from + Georgetown to Ipswich. The question is, whether the words from Georgetown + to Ipswich can be treated as surplusage. It was necessary to allege that + the letter was intended to be conveyed by post. The words from Georgetown + to Ipswich are descriptive of this intent. They describe, more + particularly, that intent which it was necessary to allege. In United + States vs. Howard, 3 Sumner, 15, Mr. Justice Story lays down the following + rule, which we consider to be correct: 'No allegation, whether it be + necessary or unnecessary, whether it be more or less particular, which is + descriptive of the identity of that which is legally essential to the + charge in the indictment, can ever be rejected as surplusage.' Apply that + rule to this case. It is legally essential to the charge to allege some + intent to have the letter conveyed somewhere by post. Suppose the + indictment had alleged an intent to have it conveyed between two places + where no post-office existed, and over a post-route where no postroad was + established by law. Inasmuch as the court must take notice of the laws + establishing post-offices and post-roads, the indictment would then have + been bad; because this necessary allegation would, on its face, have been + false. Words, therefore, which describe the termini and the route, and + thus show what in particular was intended, do identify the intent, and + show it to be such an intent as was capable, in point of law, of existing. + </p> + <p> + "And we are obliged to conclude that they cannot be treated as surplusage, + and must be proved, substantially, as laid. We are of opinion, therefore, + that there was a variance between the indictment and the proof; and that, + for this cause, a new trial should be granted." + </p> + <p> + So I refer to the State vs. Langley, 34th New Hampshire, 530. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I think, Colonel Ingersoll, there is no doubt about this + doctrine. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I do not want any doubt about it. + </p> + <p> + The Court. There cannot be. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Well, I will just read this because I do not want any doubt + about it in anybody's mind. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I have no doubt about it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Very well: + </p> + <p> + "If a recovery is to be had, it must be <i>secundum allegata et probata</i>; + and the rule is one of entire inflexibility in respect to all such + descriptive averments of material matters. The cases upon this point, many + of which are collected in the case of State vs. Copp, 15 N. H., 2F5, are + quite uniform." + </p> + <p> + Now, if the Court please, I not only read this with regard to the overt + acts, but with regard to the description of the crime itself—the + conspiracy. I will then refer to State against Copp, 15th New Hampshire. I + will also refer to the case of Rex against Whelpley, 4th Carrington & + Payne, 132; to 3d Starkie on Evidence, sections 1542 to 1544, inclusive; + also to the United States against Denee and others, 3d Wood, page 48, and + a case under this exact section, 5440: + </p> + <p> + "It seems clear that the statute upon which this indictment is based is + not intended to relieve the pleader from any supposed necessity of setting + out the means agreed upon to carry out the conspiracy by requiring him to + aver some overt act done in pursuance of the conspiracy and make such act + a necessary ingredient of the offence." The court then refers to the + Commonwealth against Shed, 7th Cushing, 514, and continues—in that + case it was different: + </p> + <p> + "That difficulty does not exist here, for the overt act is part of the + offence, and must be proved as laid in the indictment." + </p> + <p> + So I find that the court passed upon this very question, and I wish to + call the attention of the Court again to one line on page 961 of the + record in this case: + </p> + <p> + "But in all cases the principle is simply this: That where the act which + was done in pursuance of the conspiracy is described in the indictment it + must be described with accuracy and completeness, and if there is a + variance in the proof it is fatal to the prosecution." + </p> + <p> + When I come to that part as to the necessity of describing offences then I + will cite the Court to some other authorities in connection with these. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, we have got it established, gentlemen of the jury. There is no + longer any doubt about that law, and the Court will so instruct you, that + wherever they set out in the indictment that we did a certain thing in + pursuance of the conspiracy, they must prove that thing precisely as + charged, no matter whether the description was necessary or unnecessary. + They must prove precisely as they state. They wrote the indictment, and + they wrote it knowing they must prove it, and if they wrote it badly it is + not the business of this jury to help them out of that dilemma. + </p> + <p> + Now, as I say, we come to the dust and ashes of this case, the overt acts, + and I take up these routes precisely in the order in which they were + proved by the prosecution. First. I take up route 34149. Now, let us see + where we are. The first charge is that we filed false and altered + petitions by Peck, Miner, Vaile, and Rerdell. When did we file them? The + indictment charges that we filed them on the 10th day of July, 1879. When + did the evidence show they were filed? On the 3d day of April, 1878. That + is a fatal variance, and that is the end eternal, everlasting, of that + overt act. Without taking into consideration the fact that every petition + was true and genuine, the petitions were not sent by the persons as + charged. It was presented by Senator Saunders, and that is the absolute + end of that overt act, and you have no right to take it into consideration + any more than if nothing had been said upon the subject. + </p> + <p> + Second. That on the 10th of July a false oath was placed upon the records. + Now, that is an overt act, and you know as well as I do that the + description of that must be perfect. If they say it is of one date and the + evidence shows that it is of another, it is of no use. It is gone. They + say, then, that a false oath was filed. When? On the 10th day of July. + Suppose the oath to have been false. When was it filed? The evidence says + April 3, 1879. That is the end of the false oath, no matter whether that + oath is good or bad. No matter whether they committed perjury or wrote it + with perfect and absolute honesty, it is utterly and entirely worthless as + an overt act. + </p> + <p> + Third. An order for expedition July 10, 1879, alleged to have been made by + Brady. As a matter of fact the order was signed by French. There is a + misdescription. No matter if Brady told him to sign it, it was not as a + matter of fact signed by Brady—it was signed by French. They + described it as an order signed by Brady. It is an order signed by French, + and the misdescription of variance is absolutely fatal, and you have no + more right to consider it than you have the decree of some empire long + since vanished from the earth. Now, this is all the evidence on this + route. That is all of it with the exception of who received the money, and + I will come to that after awhile. That is route 34149. + </p> + <p> + According to their statement in the indictment, holding them by that, + there is not the slightest testimony. We can consider that route out. We + have only eighteen now to look after. That is the end of that. It has not + a solitary prop; upon the roof of that route not a shingle is left—not + one. + </p> + <p> + Let us take the next route, 38135. What do we do in that according to the + indictment? And now, gentlemen, recollect, they wrote this indictment. You + would think we did, but we didn't. They wrote it, and they are bound by + it. But if I had been employed on behalf of the defendants to write it I + should have written it just in that way. + </p> + <p> + First. Sending and filing a false oath. When did we send it; when did we + file it? On the 26th day of June. That is what the indictment says. What + does the evidence say? April 18, 1879. Now, that is the end of that. It + was a true oath, but that does not make any difference. That oath is gone. + That has been sworn out of the case, and dated out of the case. What is + the next? + </p> + <p> + Second. Filing false petitions. When did we file them? The 26th day of + June, 1879. The last petition was filed the 8th of May, 1879, and it does + not make one particle of difference whether these dates were before or + after the conspiracy as set forth, but as a matter of fact, every one of + the petitions was true. That charge is gone, A fatal variance. What is the + next fraudulent order? That of June 20. There was never the slightest + evidence introduced to show that it was a fraudulent order—not the + slightest. And what is the next charge? Fraudulently filing a subcontract. + And right here I stop to ask the Court, of course not expecting an answer + now, but in the charge to the jury, is it possible to defraud the + Government of the United States by filing a subcontract? + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I want you to think of it. How would you go to work to + defraud the Government by filing a subcontract? If the subcontract + provides for a greater amount of pay than the Government is giving the + original contractor, the Government will not pay it; it will only pay up + to the amount that it agreed to pay the contractor. It is like A giving an + order on B to pay C what A owes B. He need not pay him any more. That is + all. And if the ingenuity of malice can think of a way by which the + Government could be defrauded by the filing of a subcontract I will + abandon the case. It is an impossible, absurd charge, something that never + happened and never will happen. Well, that is the end of this route with + one exception. This is the Agate route. This is the route where thirty + dollars it is claimed has been taken from the Government. It is that + route. You remember the productiveness of that post-office. They + established an office and nobody found it out except the fellow that was + postmaster, and in his lonely grandeur I think he remained about eighteen + months and never sold a stamp. That is all that is left in that route, + that order putting Agate upon the route and taking it off, and then giving + one month's extra pay. That is all—another child washed—38135—that + is all there is to that route; no evidence except epithets, no testimony + except abuse. If anything is left under that it is simply "robber, thief, + pickpocket." That is all. + </p> + <p> + Now we come to another route, and I again beg pardon for calling attention + to these little things. The Government has forced us to do it. It is like + a lawsuit among neighbors. Each is so anxious to beat the other they begin + to charge for things that they never dreamed of at the time they were + delivered. They will charge for neighborly acts, time lost in attending + the funeral of members of each other's family before they get through the + lawsuit. So the Government started out in this case, and not finding a + great point had to put in little ones, and we have to answer the kind of + points they make. + </p> + <p> + 41119. Overt acts. First. Filing a false oath. When did we file it? The + 25th day of June, the indictment says. Who filed it? Peck and Miner. Well, + when was it filed or when was it transmitted? According to their story, + June 23, 1879. This oath is marked 8 C, and an effort was made to prove by + a man by the name of Blois that it was a forgery. That was objected to, + first, that it was not charged to be forged in the indictment; and second, + that a notary public had already sworn that it was genuine, and that he + could not be impeached in that way, and thereupon that oath was withdrawn, + and you will never hear of it any more. I do not know whether it is true + or not. That is found on record, page 1469. Now, recollect that oath was + withdrawn. That is the end of it. + </p> + <p> + Second. Filing false petitions. When were they filed? July 8, 1879, and it + turned out that that charge was true, with two exceptions: First, that + they were not filed at that time; and, second, that all the petitions were + true. That is the only harm about that charge. + </p> + <p> + Third. A fraudulent order made by Brady, July 8th. Now let us see what the + fraud consists in. The fraud is claimed to be in expediting to + thirty-three hours when the petition only called for forty-eight. You + remember the charge expediting to thirty-three hours, when the petition + only called for forty-eight. Now, let us see. It is claimed that to grant + more than the petitions ask is a crime; certainly it must be admitted that + to grant less is equally a crime. The only evidence now of fraud in this + is that he was asked to expedite the forty-eight hours, but he expedited + to thirty-three. That is to say, he violated the petitions, and if that is + good doctrine, then the petitions must settle whether expedition is to be + granted or not. If that is good doctrine there is no appeal from the + petition. I do not believe that doctrine, gentlemen. I believe it is the + business of the Post-Office Department to grant all the facilities to the + people of the United States that the people need. He must get his + information from the people, and from the representatives of the people; + and while he is not bound to give all they ask, if he does give what the + people want, and what their representatives indorse, you cannot twist or + torture it into a crime. That is what I insist. Now, the only charge is + here, and while they ask for forty-eight hours he gave thirty-three. That + is the only crime. Did he pay too much for it? There is no evidence of it. + Before I get through I will show you that there is no evidence that he + ever paid a dollar too much for any service whatever. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, if the doctrine contended for by the Government is correct, + then a petition is the standard of duty and the warrant of action, and if + they gain upon this route they lose upon every other route. Let us + examine. There are three charges. First, false petitions. They were all + true. Second, false oaths. They offered to prove it, and then withdrew it. + Third, that while the petitions called for forty-eight hours he granted + thirty-three, and before you can find that that was fraudulent you must + understand the precise connections that this mail made with all others, + and it was incumbent upon them to prove, not an inference, but a fact, + that there was not only reason, but reason in money—sound reason for + expediting it instead of forty-eight to thirty-three. That is the end of + that route. There is not a jury on earth, let it be summoned by prejudice + and presided over by ignorance, that would find a verdict of guilty upon + the testimony in that route. It is impossible. Another child gone. + </p> + <p> + 44155. Let us see what we get there, and I have not got to my client yet. + First, filing false petitions, by Peck, Miner, Vaile and Rerdell. When? On + the 27th of June, 1879. Were they false? Let us see. Mr. Bliss, speaking + of these petitions contained in a jacket held in his hand, dated the 29th + of June, 1879, record, page 687, said: "We do not attack the genuineness + of these petitions." That is the end of that. So much for that. + </p> + <p> + Second. A fraudulent order increasing service, and yet all the petitions + are admitted to be genuine, and the order was in accordance with the + petitions on the route. Before the order was fraudulent because it was not + in accordance with the petitions, and in this route it is a fraud because + it is in accordance with the petitions. Now, just take it. Here is the + route. Every petition is genuine, the oath is true, not a petition + attacked, the order in accordance therewith, and the only evidence that + the order is a fraud is that it was in accordance with genuine petitions + recommended by the people and by the representatives of the people. That + is all. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you another thing. Expedition had been granted on the route + long before, and this was simply an increase of trips, and no charge was + made that the order granting the expedition ever was a fraud. + </p> + <p> + Third. Another fraudulent order by Brady, of April 17, 1880, and it turns + out that this order was in fact made by French. That was the only evidence + that it was fraudulent, but the mere fact that French made it takes it out + of this case, and you have no more right to consider it than you would an + order made in the Treasury Department. The only objection to this order + now is what? That it was in violation of the petitions. How? That it took + off one or two of the trips. That was the fraud of the order of April 17, + 1880. The fraud consisted in taking off two or three trips that had been + put on. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us see. The next fraudulent order was July 16, 1880. What was + that for? For putting the service back precisely as it was. Now, I want + you, gentlemen, to understand that, every one of you. Here is a charge in + the indictment of a fraudulent order that took off, say, two trips from + the service. That is a fraud they say. Then the next order put those two + trips back, and that they say is another fraud. It would have been very + hard to have made an order in that case to have satisfied the Government; + it was an order to decrease it; it was an order to put it back where it + was; that is, it was a fraud, consequently it was a fraud to do anything + about it. That is all there is in that case. + </p> + <p> + Let us boil it down. False petitions. That is the charge. The evidence is + that the petitions are all true. A false oath is the charge. The evidence + is that the oath is true. A fraudulent order decreasing the service, + another fraudulent order increasing the service, that is, leaving it just + where he found it. In other words, according to this indictment, Brady + committed a fraud in reducing the trips, and another fraud by putting the + trips back. I think it was only one trip that he reduced. Now, that is all + there is in that case. People may talk about it one day or one year. That + is all there is, and that is nothing. + </p> + <p> + 38145. Fraudulently filing what? A subcontract with J. L. Sanderson. I say + you cannot fraudulently file a subcontract against the Government. It is + an impossibility. Besides all that, Mr. Sanderson filed his own + subcontract. There is no evidence that anybody else did file it or present + it for filing. It was not our contract; it was Sanderson's subcontract. + How comes that in his indictment? Let me tell you. In the first indictment + they had Sanderson; and when they copied that first indictment, with + certain variations to make this, they forgot this part and put in the + fraudulent filing of Sanderson's contract. It never should have been in + this case. It has not the slightest relationship. The real charge of fraud + in this route is that a retrospective order was made, and this order bore + date February 26, 1881, and was retrospective in this: that it was to take + effect from the 15th of January, 1881; but understand me, this was + Sanderson's route. He received that money, and it has nothing to do with + us. Still I will answer it. That retrospective order gave pay from the + 15th of January, 1881. Now, it seems that before the order of February 26, + an order had been made by telegraph, dated 15th of January, 1881, to + Sanderson, and this telegraphic order was for daily service on eighty-nine + miles. The jacket order of February 26, 1881, was for daily service on the + whole route from January 15, 1881. If that order had been carried out he + would have received pay for daily service on the whole route, instead of + for daily service on the eighty-nine miles to which he was entitled. It + turned out that the order of February 26, 1881, was signed by + Postmaster-General Maynard. The only possible charge is that Sanderson + received pay for a daily service on the whole route from January 15, 1881, + to February 26, 1881, instead of eighty-nine miles. But we find in the + table of payments introduced by the Government, that for that quarter a + deduction was made of three thousand four hundred and twenty-two dollars + and nineteen cents, showing that the department could only have paid for + the daily service on the eighty-nine miles, and that is exactly what the + daily service would come to on the balance of the route. That ends that + route. We had nothing to do with it anyway. It was Sanderson. He filed his + own contract, he got his own orders, he collected his own money and + settled with the department. We have nothing to do with it and we will bid + it farewell. + </p> + <p> + The next is No. 38156. First, filing false oath June 12, 1879. The oath + was filed May 6, 1879.. That is the end of that. I do not care whether it + is true or false, that is, so far as this verdict is concerned. I care + whether it is true or false, so far as my clients are concerned, but so + far as this verdict is concerned, it makes no difference. There is a fatal + variance. Second, it is alleged that Brady made a fraudulent order June + 12, 1879. The order of June 12, 1879, was made by French. There is another + fatal variance. You have no right to take it into consideration. French is + not one of the parties here. Third, sending a subcontract of Dorsey and + filing it. As I told you before, you cannot by any possibility thus + defraud the Government; not even if you set up nights to think about it. + There is no proof that the subcontract was a fraud. Let us have some + sense. It is an absolute impossibility to commit this offence, and + therefore we will talk no more about it. Fourth, the fraudulent order of + Brady increasing the distance four miles. This was done on the 20th of + December, 1880. That is the only real charge in this route. I turn to the + record and find from the evidence, on page 943, that the distance was from + five to six miles, according to the Government's own proof. Beside all + that, the order of which they complain is not in the record. It was never + proved by the Government and never offered by the Government, so far as I + can find. That is the end of that route. The only charge in it is that + they increased the distance four miles, and the evidence of the Government + is that it was from five to six. + </p> + <p> + The next is 46132. Overt acts: Filing a false oath by everybody June 24, + 1879. The evidence shows it was filed April 11, 1879. That is the end of + that. No matter whether it is true or false, it is gone. Second, the + fraudulent filing of a subcontract. Well, I have shown you that that + cannot be fraudulent. The subcontract of Vaile shows that Vaile was to + receive one hundred per cent. It was executed April 1, 1878, in + consequence, as my friend General Henkle explained, of a conspiracy made + on the 23d of May following. The service commenced July 1, 1878. There + could have been no fraud in it. It was filed as a matter of fact May 24, + 1879, and not June 4. Even if it had been a fraud, which is an + impossibility, the description is wrong and the variance is fatal. There + is no evidence that any order was fraudulent. Every one in this case is + supported by petitions, and every petition is admitted to be honest, or + proved to be honest and genuine. There is no proof at all, and not the + slightest attempt on the part of the Government to prove that there was + any fraud on this route. So much for that. + </p> + <p> + No. 46247. Let us see just where we are. First, filing false and forged + petitions. When? July 26, 1879. By whom? By Peck, Dorsey, and Rerdell. + Now, after they had solemnly written that in the indictment, and after it + had been solemnly found to be a fact by the grand jury, the attorneys for + the Government come into court and admit during the trial that all the + petitions upon this route were genuine; every one. It was admitted, I say, + that every petition was genuine. Read from page 1008 of the record and + there you will find what the Court said about these very petitions: + </p> + <p> + "I shall take the responsibility of dispensing with the reading of + petitions when there is no point made with regard to them." + </p> + <p> + The petitions were so good, they were so honest, they were so genuine, + they were so sensible, that the curiosity of the Court was aroused to find + what on earth they were being read for on the part of the prosecution. You + remember it. Every one genuine, honor bright, from the first line to the + last. In reply to the Court at that time Mr. Bliss said: + </p> + <p> + "There is no point made as to the increase of trips. These—" Meaning + the petitions—"relate to the increase of trips. There is no point + made there." + </p> + <p> + It is thus admitted that every petition was genuine. Second, a fraudulent + order increasing one trip. This order was never proved by the Government. + It was not even offered by the Government, so that the route stands in + this way: First, a charge of false petitions; second, an admission that + the petitions were all genuine; third, a charge that a fraudulent order + was made; fourth, no proof that the order was made. That is all there is + to that. And that is the end of it. + </p> + <p> + No. 38134. First, sending false and fraudulent petitions, and filing the + same. When? July 8,1879. On page 1031 of the record I find the following: + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Bliss. The petitions under your Honor's ruling I am not going to + offer." + </p> + <p> + Why? Because they were all genuine. The court had mildly suggested the + impropriety of the Government proving its case by reading honest + petitions. Consequently, when it came to this, the next route, he said: + </p> + <p> + "The petitions under your Honor's ruling I am not going to offer." + </p> + <p> + Why? Because they are all honest, and under a charge in the indictment + that they are all fraudulent he did not see the propriety of reading them. + That is what he meant. This remark was made because the Government + admitted these petitions to be honest. When were these petitions filed? + The indictment says July 8. The evidence says May 6. So that if every + petition had been a forgery you could not take them into consideration on + this route. It is charged that Miner & Co. signed and placed in + Brady's office a false oath on July 8. On record, page 1032, it appears + that it was filed May 8, 1879, and not as described in the indictment. The + pleader has the privilege of describing it right or describing it wrong. + If he describes it right it can go in evidence. If he describes it wrong + it cannot go in evidence, and they have no right to complain if you throw + out evidence that they make it impossible for you to receive. It has been + charged with regard to this affidavit that Dorsey was not at that time + contractor, and therefore had no right to make the affidavit. The + affidavit was made April 21, 1879, and the regulation that such affidavits + must be made by the contractors was made July 1, 1879. That is a + sufficient answer. The next charge is a fraudulent order made by Brady, + July 8. The petitions were all admitted to be genuine. There was no + evidence that the order was not asked for by the petitions. There was no + evidence that the order in and of itself was fraudulent; not the + slightest. There is nothing like taking these things up as we go and + seeing what the Government has established. I know that you want to know + exactly what has been done in this case and you want to find a verdict in + accordance with the evidence. + </p> + <p> + Route 38140. Overt acts: First, making, sending, and filing false + petitions. When were they made and sent? The 23d day of May, 1879. There + were some petitions filed May 10, 1879, and there was a letter of the same + date. They are misdescribed. They are all genuine but they are out of the + case as far as this is concerned. I will tell you after awhile where they + are applicable in this case. A letter of Belford, of April 29, 1879, and a + letter of Senator Chaffee, of April 24, 1879, we have, while the + indictment charges that they were all filed May 23, 1879. There is an + absolute and a fatal variance. All these petitions, however, are admitted + to be genuine and honest. See record, pages 1001-1003. The charge in the + indictment is that they were forged, false, and altered. The admission in + open court, by the representatives of the Government, is, that they were + genuine and honest. There is the difference between an indictment and + testimony. There is the difference between public rumor and fact. There is + the difference between the press and the evidence. The next is that a + false oath was filed by John W. Dorsey on the 23d of May, 1879. When was + that oath filed? April 30, 1879. A fatal variance. Yet the man who wrote + the indictment had the affidavit before him. Why did he not put in the + true date? I will tell you after awhile. Did he know it was not true when + he put it in the indictment? He did, undoubtedly. + </p> + <p> + Third. Fraudulent order of May 23; reducing the time from nineteen and + three-quarter hours to twelve hours. As a matter of fact, no order was + made on the 23d of May upon this route. It is charged in the indictment + that it was made on the 23d of May. The evidence shows that it was on the + 9th of May. There is a fatal variance, and that order cannot be considered + by this jury as to this branch of the case. Here is an order of which they + complain. They charge that it was made on the 23d day of May, the same day + the conspiracy was entered into. As a matter of fact, it was made on the + 9th of May. On this description it goes out, and it goes out on a still + higher principle: That an order could not have been made on the 9th of May + in pursuance of a conspiracy made on the 23d of that month. But I am + speaking now simply as to the description of this offence. + </p> + <p> + Fourth. A subcontract was fraudulently filed. I have shown you it is + impossible to fraudulently file a contract; utterly impossible. All the + agreements imaginable between the contractor and subcontractor cannot even + tend to defraud the Government of a solitary dollar. I make a bid and the + contract is awarded to me at so much. The mail has to be carried. The + Government pays, say five thousand dollars a year, it makes no difference + to the Government who carries the mail under that contract, so long as it + is carried. It is utterly impossible to defraud the Government by + contracting with A, B, C, or D. That is the end of that route. The order + itself is misdescribed, and that is all there is in it. When the order is + gone everything is gone. + </p> + <p> + No. 38113. Overt acts: Fraudulently filing a subcontract. We do not need + to talk about that any more. Second, Brady fraudulently made an order for + increase of trips. The evidence is that an increase was asked for by a + great many officers, a great many representatives, and by hundreds of + citizens, and that the increase was insisted upon not only by the officers + who were upon the ground, but by General Sherman himself. I do not know + how it is with you, but with me General Sherman's opinion would have great + weight. He is a man capable of controlling hundreds of thousands of men in + the field—a man with the genius, with the talent, with the courage, + and with the intrepidity to win the greatest victories, and to carry on + the greatest possible military operations. I would have nearly as much + confidence in his opinion as I would in the guess of this prosecution. In + my judgment, I would think as much of his opinion given freely as I would + of the opinion of a lawyer who was paid for giving it. General Sherman has + been spoken of slightingly in this case; but he will be remembered a long + time after this case is forgotten, after all engaged in it are forgotten, + and even after this indictment shall have passed from the memory of man. + </p> + <p> + No. 38152. Overt acts: Fraudulent orders of August 3, 1880, discontinuing + the service and allowing a month's extra pay for the service discontinued. + That is all. May it please your Honor, in this route the only point is, + had the Postmaster General the right to discontinue the service? And if he + did discontinue it, was he under any obligation to allow a month's extra + pay? It is the only question. I call your Honor's attention to the case of + the United States against Reeside, 8 Wallace, 38; Fullenwider against the + United States, 9 Court of Claims, 403; and Garfielde against the United + States, 3 Otto, 242. In those cases it is decided not only that the + Postmaster-General has the right to allow this month's extra pay, but he + must do it. That is in full settlement of all the damages that the + contractor may have sustained. The Court can see the very foundation of + that law. For illustration, I bid upon a route of one thousand miles. I am + supposed to get ready to carry the mail. Five hundred miles are taken from + that route. The law steps in and says that for that damage I shall have + one month's extra pay on the portion of the route discontinued. It makes + no difference whether I have made any preparation or not. The law gives me + that and no more. If I should go into the Supreme Court and say that my + preparations had cost me fifty thousand dollars, and the month's extra pay + was only five thousand dollars, I have no redress for the other forty-five + thousand dollars. That is all that is charged in this instance. And if the + Second Assistant Postmaster-General or any one else had done differently + he would have acted contrary to law. He is indicted for doing in this case + exactly what is in accordance with the law. Let us get to the next route. + That is all there is in this. + </p> + <p> + No. 38015. Overt acts: Sending a false oath. When? May 21. The evidence + shows that on May 14 it was sent, on May 15 it was filed. A fatal + variance, no matter whether it is true or false. That oath is gone. That + is the end of it. + </p> + <p> + What else? They did not show that the oath was false. First, it is + misdescribed in the indictment as to the date it is filed; second, the + evidence shows that it is honest and genuine, which is also fatal. That is + the end of this route, as far as the indictment is concerned. Second, that + Dorsey made and Rerdell filed false petitions. There is no proof that any + of the petitions were false, no proof that any were forged, and no proof + that John W. Dorsey or M. C. Rerdell had anything to do with that route + one way or the other. All the petitions on record, page 1160, are admitted + to be genuine except one. One petition asking for a ten-hour schedule was + attacked and only one. But this petition was filed May 14, 1879, and that + is out so far as the indictment is concerned. + </p> + <p> + The Court. What is the date of the indictment? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. The 23d day of May. The indictment says that this was filed + July 10, 1879; the evidence says May 14, 1879. A fatal variance. It is not + the same one they were talking about. They did not find the petition they + described. It is their misfortune. Now, here is only one petition + attacked. Who attacked it? Mr. Shaw. See page 1159. They were going to + show that that was a forgery, and they were going to show it by Shaw. That + was the only one they attacked. What does Shaw say? + </p> + <p> + "I signed a petition for increase of service and expedition upon that + route, but I did not read the petition. If I had, I should have discovered + a ten-hour schedule." + </p> + <p> + He would not have discovered it if it had not been there, would he? That + shows it was there. + </p> + <p> + "I would not have recommended a ten-hour schedule on a seventy-mile + route." + </p> + <p> + He was the man that was going to prove that ten hours was not there. But + it shows that he was not able to do it, because he first swore that he + never read it, and second, that he would not have signed it if he had. + Good by, Mr. Shaw. That is all there is as to that matter. The Court will + understand I am going now upon what is in the indictment, and not what has + been thrown in from the outside. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I understand that. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I am going according to the strict letter of this + indictment. I am holding these gentlemen to the law. That is what the law + is for. You cannot come into this court and throw seven or eight cords of + paper at a man and say, "You are guilty." They have managed this case + after that fashion, but I propose to bring them back to the law. + </p> + <p> + Route 35051. First. Signing, sending and filing false petitions. When? + August 2, 1879. There is no evidence of any petitions being filed on that + day—none whatever. The only thing near it is a letter of Frederick + Billings, on record, page 1217. This letter was dated July 31, 1879. Under + the charge of signing, sending and filing false petitions, the only + evidence is that a man by the name of Billings wrote a letter, and there + is not the slightest testimony to show that a solitary word in that letter + was false—not one. Nothing to connect it with Mr. Billings; no + evidence that he ever spoke to him on the subject; no evidence that + Billings knew who was carrying the mail; no evidence that he ever knew or + did a thing except to write that letter, and he was interested, I believe, + in the Northern Pacific railroad. Now, that is everything there is there; + that is all there is in that case. Nobody has tried to show that the + letter of Billings was not true. + </p> + <p> + What else? A fraudulent order of August, 1879. Who made it? The indictment + says Brady made it. The evidence says it was signed by French, and it was + in accordance with Billings' letter. Is there any fraud now in that route? + Let us be honest. False petitions: Not one filed. False oath: Not one + attacked. Simply a letter that we did not write, and that there is no + evidence that we ever asked to have written. That is the end of that. But + they cannot even get the letter in, gentlemen. They did not describe it + right. + </p> + <p> + The next route is 40104. Overfacts: First. Fraudulently filing a + subcontract. That you cannot do. When did we file it? July. 23, 1879, the + indictment says. What does the evidence say? May 8, 1879. First, we could + not commit the offence; secondly, you could not prove it under this + description. + </p> + <p> + Second. Filing a false oath. When did we file it? July 23. That is what + the indictment says. What does the evidence say? November 26, 1878. A + fatal variance. See record, page 1305. That is the end of that. The + indictment is for something. You have got to follow it, and it certainly + is not as hard work to write an offence against a man as it is to prove + it. If they cannot write an offence, you certainly ought not to find the + man guilty. Besides all that, that oath was not even impeached, it was not + ever attacked. There was not a word said upon the subject except in the + indictment. It was charged to be false, and not one word of evidence was + offered to this jury to show that it was false. + </p> + <p> + Third. An alleged fraudulent order of increase by Brady, July 23, 1879. + Brady never signed any such order. It was signed by French. That is the + end of it, no matter whether it was good or bad, honest or dishonest. That + is the end of it, and yet there is not a particle of evidence to show that + it was dishonest, but you must hold them to their own case as they have + written it, and not as they wish it was now. + </p> + <p> + Fourth. A fraudulent order of April 10, 1880, allowing one month's extra + pay on the service reduced. This order was not even proved by the + Government. As a matter of fact, it was not offered by the Government; and + if it had been offered, and if it had been proved, it would have only + established the fact that Mr. Brady acted in accordance with law. + </p> + <p> + Now, we come to some more. 44160. First, filing false petitions. When did + we file them? July 16, 1880. The proof is that they were filed long before + that time The proof is that Peck, Dorsey and Rerdell had nothing to do + with this route after the 1st of April, 1879, and the petition claimed to + be signed by Utah people and claimed to be fraudulent in the petition + marked 19 Q. It was filed on the 7th day of May, 1879. + </p> + <p> + That is a fatal variance. This indictment charges it was filed July 16, + 1880. The petition cannot be considered. + </p> + <p> + There is another petition marked 20 Q, claimed to have been written by + Miner, upon which the name of Hall is said to have been forged. It has no + file mark whatever, and consequently cannot be the petition referred to in + the indictment. That was filed. That, however, has been explained by + General Henkle fully. This petition was identified by McBean, and was + signed by him, and he recognized the signatures of many of the citizens of + Canyon City. Mr. Merrick admitted that the petition, 19 Q, was never acted + upon. As a matter of fact, orders had been made before the petition was + received, which shows conclusively that they were not acted upon. The + petition marked 20 Q, to which Hall's name was, as is claimed, forged, was + never filed, and was consequently never acted upon. This charge stands as + follows: Two petitions, one being filed May 17, 1879—a fatal + variance—and the other not filed—another fatal variance. These + petitions are both described as having been filed July 16, 1880. The + variance is absolutely fatal, and these petitions cannot be considered. + Besides, the order was made before the petition 19 Q was filed. + </p> + <p> + Second. The fraudulent order by Brady for increase of trips, July 16, + 1880. The only objection to this route is that the expedition was made + before service was put on. This was in the power of the + Postmaster-General. It has been done many times, and is still being done + by the Postoffice Department, and the fact that it was done in this case + does not even tend to show that any fraud was committed or intended. That + is all there is in that case. The petitions were never acted upon. One was + never filed, and the other is not described, or rather is misdescribed. + </p> + <p> + Route 48150. Overt Acts: A fraudulent order by Brady reducing service to + three trips a week, and allowing a month's pay on service dispensed with + July 26, 1880. This point, gentlemen, I have already argued. + </p> + <p> + Whenever the Post-Office Department dispenses with any service it is bound + to give one month's extra pay any time after the contract has been made + and any time after the bid has been accepted. It is bound to give the + month's extra pay on the service dispensed with, and this question, as you + heard me say a little while ago, has been decided by the Supreme Court in + Garfield's case. This route was operated by Sanderson. He was the + subcontractor, and, according to the subcontract filed and presented here + in evidence, he received every cent of the pay. We could have had no + interest in perpetrating any fraud upon that route. Why? Because another + man, J. L. Sanderson, received every dollar, and we not one cent. + </p> + <p> + Another fraudulent order of increase, August 24, from Powderhorn to + Barnum, seven miles. No fraud was shown, but the order in fact, was made + for the benefit of Sanderson and not for the benefit of any of the + defendants in this case. In other words, it was made for the benefit of + the people, it was made because they wished to reach another post-office. + </p> + <p> + Another charge is that the subcontract made by Sanderson was filed + September 18, 1878. Recollect the charge is about filing this subcontract. + The fact is it was filed in 1878 to take effect from July 1, 1878. See + record, page 1406. On this very route the subcontract took effect the 1st + of July, 1878, with Sanderson, and from that moment until now he has + received every dollar. This route, as a matter of fact, is out of the + scheme. Sanderson carried the mail from the 1st of July, 1878, until the + end of that contract, the last day of June, 1882. So much for that route. + It is gone. Nobody can get it back, either, in this scheme. + </p> + <p> + Route 40113. Overt Acts: Filing of a false oath. When? June 3, 1879. When + was it filed? May 7, 1879. That oath is gone. Was it false? They did not + attack it. They never impeached it. Good. + </p> + <p> + Second. False petitions filed. When? June 3, 1879. All the petitions were + filed prior to May 10, 1879. They are gone. One was filed May 23, but none + was filed as alleged on June 3. They are gone. A magnificently written + instrument. A fatal variance as to every petition. And yet not a solitary + petition was attacked. Every petition was genuine and honest. + </p> + <p> + Third. A fraudulent order by Brady for increase and expedition. This order + was asked for by the petitions. No fraud was established. See record, page + 1503 on this route; also page 2159. + </p> + <p> + Fourth. They also charge that Brady made a fraudulent order on the 4th of + January, 1881. But the Government never proved that order, never offered + any order of that date. That is the end of that order. + </p> + <p> + Fifth. A fraudulent order of February 11, 1881. This was not offered by + the Government, and no evidence was offered as to the existence of the + order, neither the jacket, nor the order, nor the petitions, so far as I + can find. That is the end of that. Every overt act so far, except some of + the orders, wrong. The overt acts charged were filing fraudulent + petitions. When? May 23, 1879. These are the petitions said to have been + gotten up by Wilcox. Mr. Wilcox was a Government witness and he swore that + every petition was honest, that every name was genuine, and that in order + to get the names he did not circulate a falsehood, he circulated only the + truth. To use his own language, "I did only straightforward, honest work." + That is all there is on that. + </p> + <p> + 44140 is the number of this route, and this evidence is on record, page + 1568, and in regard to getting up these petitions you will recollect the + language used by the Court. His Honor said in effect clearly, "Every man + carrying the mail has the right to take care of his business. He has the + right to get up petitions. He has the right to call the attention of the + people to what he supposes to be their needs in that regard. He has the + right to do it; and the fact that he does it is not the slightest evidence + that he has conspired with any human being." Deny me the right to attend + to my own affairs? If I have taken the route from the Government, and + contract to carry the mail, tell me that I cannot suggest to my + fellow-citizens that they ought to have a daily mail instead of a weekly? + Tell me that I have not the right to talk it on the corners, in every + postoffice for which I start, and that if I do I am liable to be pursued + and convicted of an infamous offence? Every man has the right to attend to + his own affairs, and he has the right to get all the people he can to help + him. He has no right to go around lying about it, but he has the right to + call their attention to the facts the same as you would have the right to + get a road by your house; just exactly the same as you would have the + right to get a school-house built in your district, no matter if you were + to have the contract for making the brick. You have a right to say what + you please in favor of education, no matter if you are an architect and + expect to be employed to build the schoolhouse, and any other doctrine is + infinitely absurd. + </p> + <p> + There is another charge: That a false oath was filed on the 24th of May. + The affidavit was made by Mr. Peck, and I believe it has been admitted + that Mr. Peck never did anything wrong. Then there is alleged to be a + fraudulent order for increase, signed June 26, and they never introduced + the slightest evidence tending to show that there was fraud in the order. + It was made in accordance with the petitions. It was made in accordance + with what we believed to be the policy of the Post-Office Department. And + allow me to say to your Honor that I think that the general policy of the + Post-Office Department, as disclosed in the documents that have been + presented in the reports made to Congress that have become a part of this + case, I think even from that evidence I have the right to draw an + inference as to what the policy of the department was. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I have no doubt in the world as to the views of the Post-Office + Department in regard to that subject. The Court refused to receive + evidence on that subject in defence, for the simple reason that the Court + was of opinion that no Second Assistant Postmaster-General had the + authority to establish any policy for this Government or for any branch of + this Government. The policy of the Government is to be found in its laws, + and the Court was unwilling to allow a Second Assistant Postmaster-General + to set up his policy in his defence against a charge in this court. He had + no right to have a policy. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. We never set up the policy of the Second Assistant. We + never asked to be allowed to prove the policy of the Second Assistant. We + never imagined it, nor dreamed of it, nor heard of it until this moment. + What we wanted to show was the policy, not of the Second Assistant, but of + the Postmaster-General. But I am not speaking now upon that branch. + </p> + <p> + The Court. The Postmaster-General by law is the head of the department of + course. But several assistants were given him by law, and he had the + authority to apportion out the business of the department amongst those + several assistants. The particular business of the department pertaining + to the increase of service and expedition of routes belonged under this + apportionment to the Second Assistant Postmaster-General. His acts, + therefore, are to be looked to. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I do not claim, if the Court please, that his policy had + anything to do with it. I simply claim that from the orders that have been + introduced, not of the Second Assistant, from the books that have been + introduced, showing the views of the Postmaster-General, not of the Second + Assistant. I also admit that if the Postmaster-General had ordered by + direct order the Second Assistant Postmaster-General to expedite every one + of these routes, even then there could have been such a thing as a + conspiracy to expedite them too greatly, and to receive money from every + man for whom they were expedited. I understand that. But in the absence of + any proof that it is so, all I have ever insisted was that the general + policy of the head of the department might be followed by any subordinate + officer without laying himself open to the charge that he had been + purchased. That is all. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, all these things had been asked. They had been earnestly + solicited by hundreds of Congressmen, by Senators, by Judges, by + Governors, by Cabinet officers and by hundreds and hundreds of citizens. + </p> + <p> + Now, let me recapitulate all the overt acts—and I have gone over + them all now excepting one, and I will come to that presently. In the + indictment there are twelve charges as to filing false petitions. There + are ten charges as to false oaths. There are seven charges as to + fraudulently filing subcontracts; and the evidence is that the ten oaths + are substantially true; that it is impossible to fraudulently file a + subcontract; and as to the petitions, that every one is absolutely genuine + and honest with the exception of three. They prove that the words + "schedule, thirteen hours," were inserted; that is, they tried to prove + that by Mr. Blois, who is an expert on handwriting, as has been + demonstrated to you. One with thirteen hours inserted in it, and the very + next paragraph in that same petition begs for faster time. I have not the + slightest idea that that ever was inserted by anybody. I believe it was in + there when it was signed. And why? There would have teen, there could have + been, there can be, no earthly reason for inserting those words. You + cannot imagine a reason for it. + </p> + <p> + Now, that is thirteen hours. Then there is another one they say had some + names of persons living in Utah, and we say that that is not described + properly; not only that, but that it was never acted upon, and in my + judgment that whole thing is a mistake and not a crime, because there were + plenty of petitions without that. There was no need of it. All the other + petitions have either been proved, or have been admitted to be absolutely + genuine. + </p> + <p> + Now, I have gone over every overt act except payments, and when it was + said here in court, or when the objection was made to these being proved + as overt acts, the Court will remember that again and again and again, the + prosecution denied that they were offered as overt acts. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I never understood them as being offered as overt acts. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. At that time the Court made just the remark that your Honor + has made now. He said: "But what are the payments?" Now, I will take up + the payments, and we will see whether there are any overt acts in the + payments, gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + Now, let me call your attention to that magnificent rule that has been + laid down by the Court. When you describe an offence you are held by the + description. When it is said that I made a false claim against the + Government in a conspiracy case, for instance, that I conspired to defraud + the Government, that I presented a false claim, it may be that the laxity + or lenity of pleading might go the extent of saying that the pleader need + not state the amount of that false claim, but if the pleader does state + the amount of that false claim he is bound by that statement. Now, that is + my doctrine. + </p> + <p> + The Court. What I understood in regard to the evidence of the payments is + this: The charge was a conspiracy to defraud and the averment was that the + fraud had been completed, and this evidence of payments was to show that + the fraud had been carried out. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That is all. Now, let us see if this can be tortured into + an overt act. I now come to the presentation of false claims charged to + have been presented and collected by these defendants. It is a short + business. On the route from Kearney to Kent the charge is that Peck and + Vaile presented false claims on the third quarter of 1879 for five hundred + and fifty dollars and seventy-two cents. The entire pay for that quarter, + three trips and expedition, was seven hundred and ninety-five dollars and + seventy-eight cents. And there is no charge that the increase of trips was + fraudulent. Only the expedition was attacked. The three trips, according + to the old schedule price, came to seven hundred and thirty-five dollars + and eighty-one cents, all of which was honestly carried, honestly earned. + Now, deducting from the pay seven hundred and ninety-five dollars and + seventy-eight cents, the amount of the three trips on the old schedule + honestly performed, seven hundred and thirty-five dollars and eighteen + cents, if the expedition was fraudulent, we have a fraudulent claim of + sixty dollars and sixteen cents. And yet the Government charges that we + made a claim of five hundred and fifty dollars and seventy-two cents. Not + one cent is allowed for carrying the two additional trips without + expedition. + </p> + <p> + There is another trouble about this. It is charged that Peck and Vaile + presented this claim for their benefit. The record, page 386, shows that + Peck did not present this claim; that it was presented by H. M. Vaile; + that H. M. Vaile received the warrant for the full amount; that he held a + subcontract at that time for every dollar. This is another fatal variance, + and the evidence of Vaile is that every dollar belonged to him; that not a + dollar of that money was ever paid to any other one of the defendants; + that he paid all the expenses; that he paid the debts, and that there + never went a solitary cent to any Government official. So much for that + payment. + </p> + <p> + The next charge is that on route 41119, from Toquerville to Adairville, + Peck presented a false claim for the third quarter of 1879 for two + thousand four hundred and sixty dollars and fourteen cents. The pay for + that quarter was three thousand six hundred and twenty-eight dollars and + fourteen cents for seven trips and expedition. The pay for the three trips + on the old schedule was eight hundred and seventy-six dollars, a + difference of two thousand seven hundred and fifty-two dollars and + fourteen cents. And yet the Government charges that the false claim + presented was two thousand four hundred and sixty dollars and fourteen + cents. If they give the figures they must give them correctly. If I am + charged with presenting a claim against the Government for two thousand + four hundred and sixty dollars, that is not substantiated by showing that + I presented a claim for two thousand seven hundred dollars. If you give + the figures you must stand by the figures, and you are bound by them. You + cannot charge one thing and prove something else. This is a fatal + variance. + </p> + <p> + In addition to this fact, we find the deductions for failures in that very + quarter amounted to five hundred and forty dollars and forty-two cents, + and this deducted from the other amount leaves two thousand, two hundred + and eleven dollars and seventy-two cents. So that in both cases the + variance is absolutely fatal. I am showing you these things, gentlemen, so + that you may see that there is in this case no evidence to fit the charges + in this indictment. + </p> + <p> + 44140, Eugene City to Bridge Creek. It is charged that Peck and Dorsey + presented a false account for the third quarter of 1879 for four thousand + seven hundred and eighty-three dollars and ninety-nine cents. The pay for + three trips with expedition was four thousand, six hundred and eighty-nine + dollars and twenty-two cents; the pay for one trip on the old schedule was + six hundred and seventeen dollars, a difference of four thousand and + seventy-two dollars and twenty-two cents. The Government says the + difference was four thousand seven hundred and eighty-three dollars and + ninety-nine cents, an absolutely fatal variance. + </p> + <p> + Now, as a matter of fact, there were deductions in that quarter of one + thousand nine hundred and thirty-two dollars and eighty-three cents, and + this is deducted from the entire pay, leaving only as a claim three + thousand seven hundred and sixty-six dollars and thirty-nine cents. And + yet the Government charges that we presented a false claim for four + thousand seven hundred and eighty-three dollars and forty-nine cents. It + will not do. It is a fatal variance. But when we take into consideration + that there is no claim that the increase of trips was fraudulent, only the + expedition, and that by the old schedule one trip came to six hundred and + seventeen dollars, that three trips came to one thousand eight hundred and + fifty-one dollars, and that added to deductions would make three thousand + seven hundred and seventy-three dollars and eighty-three cents, to be + deducted from four thousand six hundred and eighty-nine dollars and + twenty-two cents, it would leave as a fraudulent claim, even if their + claim was true, nine hundred and fifteen dollars and thirty-nine cents. + </p> + <p> + Now, the next is 44155, The Dalles to Baker City. The false claim was + eight thousand eight hundred and ninety-six dollars, by Peck. The pay per + quarter was sixteen thousand six hundred and sixty-six dollars and nine + cents. The pay for three trips and expedition was seven thousand seven + hundred and seventy dollars—a difference of eight thousand eight + hundred and ninety-six dollars and nine cents. But there were deductions, + ninety-nine dollars and thirty-four cents, leaving eight thousand seven + hundred and ninety-six dollars and seventy-five cents. But by making this + claim the Government concedes that the expedition was legal, and another + trouble is that the payment on this route was made to Vaile, not to Peck + or Miner. It was made to Vaile, who was the subcontractor for the full + amount, and this is another fatal variance. + </p> + <p> + Now, route 46132, Julian to Colton. The charge is that Peck and Vaile + presented a fraudulent claim for the third quarter of 1879, for one + thousand six hundred and fifty seven dollars and seventy-one cents. The + pay for three trips and expedition is one thousand nine hundred and + fifty-four dollars and seventy-one cents. For three trips on the old + schedule it was eight hundred and ninety-one dollars, a difference of one + thousand and sixty-three dollars and seventy-three cents. A fatal + variance. Besides it was not Peck and Vaile. Vaile was the subcontractor + at full rates on this route. He presented the claim. He received the + entire pay. Another variance. Route 44160, Canyon City to Camp McDermitt. + The charge is that Peck and Vaile presented a false account for the fourth + quarter of 1879, for eleven thousand eight hundred and nineteen dollars + and sixty-six cents. It is charged in the indictment that this was paid in + pursuance of the order set out in the indictment, and we find on page + sixty-four that the order was dated July 16, 1880. That was the order. No + such payment was made in pursuance of that order for the reason that an + order was made nearly a year afterwards, and the order of July 16, 1880, + as set out in the indictment, was not retrospective, a fatal mistake in + their indictment. As a matter of fact, the pay for the fourth quarter of + 1879 was five thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars. There were + deductions to the amount of three hundred and fifty-two dollars and + seventy-two cents and the balance was five thousand and twenty-two dollars + and twenty-eight cents, instead of eleven thousand eight hundred and + nineteen dollars and sixty-six cents. And this was paid to Vaile, who was + a subcontractor at full rates, and the variance in the case is absurd and + fatal. + </p> + <p> + Route 46247, Redding to Alturas. The charge is that Peck and Dorsey filed + a fraudulent account for the third quarter of 1879 for seven thousand four + hundred and eighty-five dollars and six cents. This was in pursuance of + the order set out in the indictment, and the only order set out in the + indictment is dated February 11, 1881. That is another fatal variance. + </p> + <p> + The next route is 35051, Bismarck to Miles City. The charge is that Miner + and Vaile presented a false account for the fourth quarter of 1879, for + fourteen thousand one hundred. The pay for the quarter for six trips was + seventeen thousand five hundred dollars. For three trips under the old + order the pay was eight thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars, leaving + eight thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars as the outside sum that + could have been fraudulent, and yet the Government charges fourteen + thousand one hundred dollars, an absolutely fatal variance. Besides that, + there were deductions in that very quarter of four thousand five hundred + and three dollars. This amount deducted from eight thousand seven hundred + and fifty dollars leaves four thousand two hundred and fifty-six dollars + and eleven cents as the greatest amount that could by any possibility have + been fraudulent. + </p> + <p> + Three routes are lumped together next in the indictment, 38134, 38135, + 38140, 38134, Pueblo to Rosita; 38135, Pueblo to Greenhorn; and 38,140, + Trinidad to Madison. + </p> + <p> + The charge here is on page eighty-one of the indictment that Miner + presented a fraudulent account for the fourth quarter of 1879 on routes + amounting to two thousand seven hundred and seventy-six dollars and + forty-seven cents. + </p> + <p> + The greatest possible difference that could be made on route 38135 is + seven hundred and sixty-seven dollars and twenty cents. The greatest + difference that could be made on route 38134 is one thousand nine hundred + and forty dollars. + </p> + <p> + The greatest difference that could be made on route 38140 is six hundred + and eighty-nine dollars and fifty-one cents. These three differences added + together do not make what is charged in the indictment, three thousand + seven hundred and seventy-six dollars and forty-seven cents, but as a + matter of fact they amount to three thousand three hundred and ninety-six + dollars and seventy-one cents. This cannot be the fraudulent claim + described in the indictment. + </p> + <p> + But I find that on the first route there was a reduction of twelve dollars + and sixty cents, on the second route of one hundred and fifty-four dollars + and thirty-eight cents, and on the third of thirty-eight dollars and two + cents, and these deductions added together make two hundred and five + dollars and ninety cents, and deducted from the three thousand three + hundred and ninety-six dollars and seventy-one cents leaves three thousand + one hundred and ninety dollars and eighty-one cents. And yet the + Government charges that the fraudulent claim was two thousand seven + hundred and seventy-six dollars and forty-seven cents. It is impossible + that the amount of the claim said to be fraudulent by the Government can + be correct; but, as a matter of fact, according to the evidence, there was + no fraud upon any claim in that route. + </p> + <p> + The next is route 38150, Saguache to Lake City. The charge is that Miner + presented a false account for two thousand two hundred and two dollars and + seventy-seven cents, and that he did this in pursuance of the order set + out in the indictment, and the only order set out is dated August 24, + 1880. That is an absolutely fatal variance. As a matter of fact, Sanderson + was a subcontractor on this route from July 1, 1878, at full rates, and he + carried the mail from July 1, 1878. The route was expedited on his oath + and for his benefit. No point was made during the trial that the oath was + not true. And the pay was calculated upon Sanderson's oath, and the money + paid to him. The only claim is that there was an error in the order of + four thousand five hundred and sixty-eight dollars per year, and it is + admitted that the mistake was afterwards corrected and the money refunded. + You remember it, gentlemen. Mr. Turner, in making up the account showing + how much the expedition would come to—and you understand the way in + which they make up that expedition—made a mistake and added to the + expedition and the then schedule the amount of the then schedule, four + thousand and odd dollars. He made the mistake and it was honestly made. No + man would dishonestly do it because it was so easy of detection, and that + was his only fault, gentlemen. The only crime he ever committed in this + case was to make that mistake. That mistake was afterwards discovered, and + the money was paid back by Mr. Sanderson; and, yet, that man has been + indicted, has been taken from his home charged with a crime. He has been + pursued as though he were a wild beast. He made one mistake. They could + not prove the slightest thing against him. There was no evidence touching + him. There was only one way for them, and that was to dismiss him with an + insult. You remember the case. Not one thing against that man—not + one single thing. He stands as clear of any charge in this indictment as + any one upon this jury. He is an honest man. It is admitted now there was + no conspiracy on this route either. It is Sanderson's route, not ours. Not + only that, but the Government says that it was not one of the routes with + which Vaile had anything to do, or in which Vaile had any possible + interest. The failure here is fatal to the indictment, and I shall + endeavor to show that it is fatal to the entire case. + </p> + <p> + The next route is 35105, Vermillion to Sioux Falls. It is charged that + Vaile and Dorsey presented a false account for the third quarter of 1879, + for eight hundred and eighty-one dollars and fourteen cents. The pay for + six trips and expedition was one thousand and eighty-five dollars and + fifty-eight cents. The pay for two trips on the old schedule was two + hundred and four dollars and forty-four cents, showing a balance for once, + as stated in the indictment—it being the only time—of eight + hundred and eighty-one dollars and fourteen cents. + </p> + <p> + Parties are entitled to pay for the extra trips, and the number of men and + horses has nothing to do with the value of an extra trip. You understand + that. If I agree to carry the mail once a week for five thousand dollars a + quarter, and you wanted me to carry it twice a week, then I get ten + thousand dollars a quarter, no matter if I do it with the same horses and + the same men. That is not the Government's business. You all understand + that, do you not? Every time you increase a trip you increase the pay to + the exact extent of that trip, no matter whether it takes more horses or + not. If I agree to carry the mail once a month for five thousand dollars a + year, and you want me to carry it once a week I am entitled to twenty + thousand dollars, no matter if I do it with all the same men and same + horses. It is nobody's business. But, if the Government wants the mail + carried faster, then I am entitled to pay according to the men and animals + required at a more rapid rate. You all understand that. But as a matter of + fact, upon this route, Vaile was the subcontractor at full rates, was so + recognized by the Government and received every dollar himself, and, + consequently, the charge that it was paid to John W. Dorsey is not true, + and is a fatal variance. The Government proved it was paid to Vaile. + </p> + <p> + Next we have two routes, 38145, Ojo Caliente to Parrot City, and 38156, + Silverton to Parrot City. These routes are put together in the indictment. + It is charged that a false account was presented of six thousand and four + dollars and seventeen cents, and that this was done in pursuance of an + order set out in the indictment. The order set out is on page forty-seven. + It is in relation to route 38145. The order was made not in relation to + the other route. No order as to the other route was made. This was made + February 26, 1881, consequently the claim presented for the third quarter + of 1879 could not by any possibility have been in pursuance of that order. + That order was made in 1881. The payment for the third quarter of 1879 + could not by any possibility have been made in pursuance of that order. + The evidence shows that it was paid before, and consequently there is a + fatal variance. + </p> + <p> + Routes 40104, Mineral Park to Pioche, and 40113, Wilcox to Clifton—two + routes put together. The charge is a fraudulent presentation for the third + quarter of 1879, of seven thousand and sixty-four dollars and seventy-two + cents. The pay on the first route was ten thousand five hundred and three + dollars and sixty-two cents, on the second route three thousand five + hundred and twenty-eight dollars. No proof has been offered that the + expedition was fraudulent. Not a witness was called on route 40113. Not a + solitary petition was objected to, the truth of no oath was called in + question, the honesty of no order was attacked, and how can you say that + the claim was fraudulent? No order attacked, no oath questioned, no + petition impeached. The only evidence upon these two routes was something + read in regard to productiveness and the size of the mail, and that is + all. + </p> + <p> + Route 38113, Rawlins to White River. The charge is that John W. Dorsey and + Rerdell presented a false account for the third quarter of 1879 for two + thousand nine hundred and seventy-five dollars. The order set out in the + indictment was made March 8, 1881, consequently the variance is absolutely + fatal, and there is no allegation in the indictment that the expedition + was fraudulent. + </p> + <p> + Now I have gone through every route with the payments. As to the general + allegation of the amount of money fraudulently claimed and received, the + allegation in the indictment is that J. W. Dorsey received, by virtue of + these fraudulent orders, made in pursuance of the conspiracy, brought to + perfection by these overt acts, for the year ending the 30th day of June, + 1880, one hundred and twenty-four thousand five hundred and ninety-one + dollars. Good. The evidence shows that there was paid on the seven Dorsey + routes in all sixty-two thousand eight hundred and thirty-one dollars and + forty-six cents. That is fatal as to that. + </p> + <p> + But we will go further. One of these routes was turned over to Vaile by + Dorsey, route 35015, and the amount paid to Vaile was two thousand eight + hundred and thirty-seven dollars and sixteen cents. So that the amount + paid on the Dorsey routes, instead of being one hundred and twenty-four + thousand five hundred and ninety-one dollars, was in truth and in fact + fifty-eight thousand nine hundred and ninety-four dollars and thirty + cents. + </p> + <p> + Now, the charge is that this was all received by John W. Dorsey, whereas + the evidence shows that John W. Dorsey received three warrants, two for + eighty-seven dollars each, both of which were recouped, and one warrant + for three hundred and ninety-two dollars, and that is every cent he ever + received, according to the evidence in this case. There is what you might + call a discrepancy. The indictment says he got one hundred and twenty-four + thousand five hundred and ninety-one dollars. The evidence shows that he + got three hundred and ninety-two dollars and not another copper. I shall + insist that that is a variance. If it is not a variance, I will take my + oath it is a difference. + </p> + <p> + The second claim is that John R. Miner received upon the routes awarded to + him, and claimed to be his in the indictment, ninety-three thousand and + sixty-seven dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. The evidence + is that as a matter of fact on all these routes the money was paid to + assignees and subcontractors, and that John R. Miner as a fact, received + not one cent from the Government. + </p> + <p> + The third charge is that Peck received for the same fiscal year one + hundred and eight-seven thousand four hundred and thirty-eight dollars. + The evidence shows that he received nothing. There is another difference. + Thus it will be seen that every link in the chain in this indictment is + either a mistake or a falsehood. Every other one is a mistake and then + every other one is a falsehood, and this indictment was made by adding + mistakes to falsehoods, and what the indictment weaves the evidence + reveals. + </p> + <p> + Now, why were these dates put in this indictment, gentlemen? We have now + gone over every overt act charged in this indictment. The result is that + not one of the charges set forth has really been sustained. Hereafter I + will notice some things that have been proved outside of the indictment. + Nearly every petition and letter is admitted to have been honest and + genuine. Those that have been attacked were misdescribed in the indictment + and the evidence has shown that they were substantially true. There is a + fatal variance between the allegation and the proof so far as these + charges in the indictment are concerned, and they are left absolutely + without a prop. The dates attached to the overt acts are false. There is + only one of the routes in which the petitions are properly described, and + that is route 44140, where the petitions are alleged to have been and were + filed on the 23d of May, and every one was proved to have been genuine and + honest. The dates in the indictment were false. Now, why? Let me tell you, + gentlemen. They had to deceive the grand jury. It would not do to tell the + grand jury these men conspired on the 23d of May, and in pursuance to that + conspiracy filed some affidavits on the third day preceding. They had + first to deceive the grand jury and put in false dates for the filing of + petitions, for the filing of subcontracts and for the drawing of money. + What else did they want these false dates for? To deceive the Circuit + Court, or rather the Supreme Court—to deceive his Honor, because if + the date of these petitions, the date of these oaths, had been set forth + in the indictment it would have been bad. The Court would have instantly + said, you cannot prove a conspiracy on the 23d of May by showing acts in + April previous. So these false dates were put in, in the first place, to + fool the grand jury, and in the next place to keep this Court in the dark. + It was necessary to have a good charge on paper, and why? Did they expect + to win this case on that indictment? No; but they could keep it in court + long enough to allow them to attack and malign the character of these + defendants; they could keep it in court long enough to vent their venom + and spleen upon good and honest men, and justify in part the commencement + of this prosecution. + </p> + <p> + This forenoon I tried to strip the green leaves off the tree of this + indictment. Now I propose to attack the principal limbs and trunk. What is + the scheme of this indictment? I insist that the law is precisely the same + as to the scheme of the conspiracy in its description that it is as to the + description of an overt act. Now, what is the scheme of this indictment? + That is to say, the scheme of this conspiracy? We want to know what we are + doing. It is the great bulwark of human liberty that the charge against a + man must be in writing, and must be truthfully described. + </p> + <p> + First. For the defendants, with the exception of the officers Brady and + Turner, to write, and procure the writing of, fraudulent letters, + communications, and applications. Now, let us be honest. Is there the + slightest evidence that a fraudulent letter was ever written? Is there the + slightest evidence that a fraudulent communication was ever sent to the + department? Not the slightest evidence. + </p> + <p> + Second. To attach to said petitions and applications forged names. Is + there any evidence of that except in one case, and the evidence in that + case is that the order was made before the petition was received and that + the petition was never acted upon. More than that, is there any evidence + as to who forged any names to any petitions? Not the slightest. Which of + these defendants are you going to find guilty upon that petition when + there is not the slightest evidence as to who wrote it? What next? To have + these petitions signed by fictitious names or with the names of persons + not residing upon the routes. Is there any evidence of that kind? Is there + any evidence that the signatures of real persons were attached, and the + real persons did not live upon the routes? I leave it to you, gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + Fourth. To make and procure false oaths, declarations, and statements. + Those I shall examine. + </p> + <p> + Fifth. For William H. Turner falsely to indorse on the back of these + jackets false brief statements of the contents of genuine petitions. You + know what has become of that charge, gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + This indictment against Turner has been changed into a certificate of good + moral character. That is the end of the indictment, so far as he is + concerned, and I am glad of it. He is a man who fought to keep the flag of + my country in the air, and who lay upon the field of Gettysburg sixteen + days with the lead of the enemy in his body, and I am glad to have the + evidence show that he was not only a patriot, but an honest man with a + spotless reputation. I do not think that, in order to be a great man, you + have got to be as cold as an icicle. I do not think that if you wish to be + like God (if there is one) it is necessary to be heartless. That is not my + judgment. When I find that a man is honest I am glad of it. When I find + that a patriot has been sustained my heart throbs in unison with his. What + is the next? That Brady, for the benefit, gain, and profit of all the + defendants—and I emphasize the word all because upon that I am going + to cite to the court a little law—made fraudulent orders; that is, + for the benefit of Turner, Brady, and everybody else. Eighth. That he + caused these fraudulent orders to be certified to the Auditor of the + Treasury for the Post-Office Department. Ninth. That Brady refused to + enter fines against these contractors when they failed to perform their + service; that he fraudulently refused to impose these fines. What is the + evidence? The evidence is that the whole amount of fines imposed by Brady + was one hundred and twenty-six thousand eight hundred and sixty-five + dollars and eighty cents. That evidence is given in support of the charge + that he refused to impose them, yet the imposition amounts to one hundred + and twenty-six thousand dollars. How much of that vast sum did he relieve + the contractors from upon the evidence? Twenty-three thousand dollars, + leaving standing of fines that were paid, one hundred and three thousand + six hundred and seventy dollars and twelve cents. That evidence is offered + to show that he conspired not to impose the fines. One hundred and + twenty-six thousand dollars imposed in fines, and only twenty-three + thousand dollars remitted. Yet the charge was, and an argument has been + made upon it before this jury, that the contractors agreed that he was to + have fifty per cent, of all fines that he took off. Think of a man making + that contract with aman having power to impose the fines. "Now, all you + will take off I will give you fifty per cent. of." There is an old story + that a friend of a man who was bitten by a dog said to him, "If you will + take some bread and sop it in the blood and give it to the dog it will + cure the bite." "Yes," he says; "but, my God, suppose the other dogs + should hear of it?" Think of putting yourself in the power of a man who + has the right to fine you. And yet that is a part of the logic of this + prosecution. The next charge is of fraudulently cutting off service and + then fraudulently starting it and allowing a month's extra pay. That + happened, I believe, in two cases—thirty dollars in one case and + something more in the other. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Thirty-nine dollars. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Then the case is nine dollars better than I thought. + Twelfth. By the defendants fraudulently filing, subcontracts. That I have + already shown is an impossible offence. All these things were done for the + purpose of deceiving the Postmaster-General. Now, the Court has already + intimated that we have no right to say that the Postmaster-General would + be a good witness to show whether he was deceived or not, and that it may + be that his eyes were sealed so tightly that he has not got them open yet. + But whether they can prove it by him or by somebody else they have got to + prove it in order to make out this case. + </p> + <p> + That is the scheme of this indictment. It makes no difference whether the + Postmaster-General has found out that he was deceived or not. The jury + have got to find it out before they find a verdict against the defendants. + It is possible that the Postmaster-General thinks he was not deceived or + that he was; I do not know what his opinion is and do not care. They have + got to prove it by somebody. I do not say they can prove it by him. I do + not know. This is the scheme, and what I insist is that this scheme must + be substantiated and must be proved precisely as it has been laid without + the variation of a hair. You must prove it as you have charged it, and you + must charge it as you prove it. It is simply a double statement. I wish to + submit some authorities to the Court upon this question: Must the exact + scheme be proved? First, I will refer the court to the tenth edition of + Starkie, page 627. * * * + </p> + <p> + "It is a most general rule that no allegation which is descriptive of the + identity of that which is legally essential to the claim or charge can + ever be rejected. * * * As an absolute and natural identity of the claim + or charge alleged with that proved consists in the agreement between them + in all particulars, so their legal identity consists in their agreement in + all the particulars legally essential to support the charge or claim, and + the identity of those particulars depends wholly upon the proof of the + allegation and circumstances by which they are ascertained, limited and + described." + </p> + <p> + No matter whether the description was necessary or unnecessary: + </p> + <p> + "To reject any allegation descriptive of that which is essential to a + charge or a claim would obviously tend to mislead the adversary. * * * It + seems, indeed, to be a universal rule that a plaintiff or prosecutor shall + in no case be allowed to transgress those limits which in point of + description, limitation, and extent he has prescribed for himself; he + selects his own terms in order to express the nature and extent of his + charge or claim, he cannot therefore justly complain that he is limited by + them. * * * As no allegation therefore which is descriptive of any fact or + matter which is legally essential to the claim or charge can be rejected + altogether, inasmuch as the variance destroys the legal identity of the + claim or charge alleged with that which is proved, upon the same principle + no allegation can be proved partially in respect to the extent or + magnitude where the precise extent or magnitude is in its nature + descriptive of the charge or claim." + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be plainer than that. I refer also to Starkie on Evidence, 7th + American edition, vol. 1, page 442. There he says: + </p> + <p> + "In the next place it is clear that no averment of any matter essential to + the claim or charge can ever be rejected, and this position extends to all + allegations which operate by way of description or limitation of that + which is material." + </p> + <p> + I also cite Russell on Crimes, 9th American edition, vol. 3, page 305, and + Roscoe's Criminal Evidence, 7th edition, page 86. + </p> + <p> + I now call the attention of the Court to the case of Rex vs. Pollman and + others, 2 Campbell, 239. I may say before reading this decision that, in + my judgment, so far as the scheme of this indictment is concerned, it + should end this case: + </p> + <p> + "This was an indictment against the defendants which charged that they + unlawfully and corruptly did meet, combine, conspire, consult, consent and + agree among themselves and together, with divers other evil-disposed + persons, to the jurors unknown, unlawfully and corruptly to procure, + obtain, receive, have and take, namely, to the use of them, the said F. + P., J. K. and S. H., and of certain other persons to the jurors likewise + unknown, large sums of money, namely, the sum of two thousand pounds, as a + compensation and reward for an appointment to be made by the lord's + commissioners of the treasury of our lord the king of some person to a + certain office, touching and concerning His Majesty's customs, to wit, the + office of a coast waiter in the port of London, through the corrupt means + and procurement of them, the said F. P., J. K. and S. H., and of certain + other persons to the jurors unknown, the said office then and there being + an office of public trust, touching the landing and shipping coastwise of + divers goods liable to certain duties of custom." + </p> + <p> + The indictment went on and stated various overt acts in furtherance of the + conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + "There were several other counts which all laid the conspiracy in the same + way." + </p> + <p> + Now I come to the part of the case which, in my judgment, affects this: + </p> + <p> + "It appears that the defendants Pollman, Keylock and Harvey had entered + into a negotiation with one Hesse to procure him the office mentioned in + the indictment for the sum of two thousand pounds, which they had agreed + to share among themselves in certain stipulated proportions; but although + this money was lodged at the banking house of Steyks, Snaith & Co, in + which the defendant Watson was a partner, and he knew it was to be paid to + Pollman and Keylock upon Hesse's appointment, there was no evidence to + show that he knew that Sarah Harvey was to have a part of it, or that she + was at all implicated in the transaction." + </p> + <p> + He was a co-conspirator, and he knew that the money was to be deposited at + this place. + </p> + <p> + He knew that, but he did not know that Sarah Harvey was to have a part of + it. + </p> + <p> + "Lord Ellenborough threw out a doubt whether as to Watson the indictment + was supported by the evidence." + </p> + <p> + The evidence being that Watson did not know that it was to be divided in + the precise way stated in the indictment. Manifestly, they need not have + stated in the indictment how it was to be divided; but having stated it, + the question is: Are they bound by the statement? Let us see: + </p> + <p> + "The attorney-general contended that the words in italics coming under a + <i>videlicet</i> might be entirely rejected. The sense would be complete + without them. The indictment would then run that the defendants conspired + together to obtain a large sum of money as a consideration and reward for + appointment to be made by the lord's commissioners of the treasury. This + was the corpus delicti. The use to which the money might be applied was + wholly immaterial. The offence of conspiring together would be complete + however the money might be disposed of." + </p> + <p> + True. + </p> + <p> + "There was no occasion to state this, and the averment might be treated as + surplusage. Suppose the manner in which the money was to be disposed of + had been unknown. Would it have been impossible to convict those engaged + in the conspiracy? But, without rejecting the words, the variance was + immaterial. The charge in the indictment had been substantially made out + as laid. + </p> + <p> + "Dallas and Walton, of counsel for Watson, denied that the words could be + rejected, though laid under a videlicet, as they were material, and they + were not repugnant to anything that went before. The application of the + money might be of the very essence of the offence. Suppose it had been + obtained for the use of the lords of the treasury, who would make the + appointment: would not this be a much greater crime than if the money had + been obtained for the benefit of a public charity?" + </p> + <p> + I think that reasoning is bad. I think the crime is exactly the same. + </p> + <p> + "But if the words were rejected then the variance was more palpable. In + that case, there being no mention of any persons to whose use the money + was obtained, the necessary presumption was that it was obtained to the + use of the defendants themselves." + </p> + <p> + That is good sense. + </p> + <p> + "The evidence shows, however, that Watson was to have no part of it, and + that he was utterly ignorant of the manner in which it was to be + distributed. + </p> + <p> + "Lord Ellenborough. There can be no doubt that the indictment might have + been so drawn as to include Watson in the conspiracy. Even if the manner + the money to be applied was unknown, this might have been stated on the + face of the indictment, and then no evidence of its application would have + been required. The question is, whether the conspiracy as actually laid be + proved by the evidence?" + </p> + <p> + That is the question: Have they made out a case according to the scheme of + the indictment? Has the conspiracy as laid been proved by the evidence? + </p> + <p> + "I think that as to Watson it is not. He is charged with conspiring to + procure this appointment through the medium of Mrs. Harvey, of whose + existence for aught that appears he was utterly ignorant. When a + conspiracy is charged it must be charged truly." + </p> + <p> + He did not know that Mrs. Harvey was to have a portion of the money, and + yet she was a member of the conspiracy. The evidence showed that she was + to have a portion of it, and Lord Ellenborough says that they did not + prove the charge as laid, and that it cannot include Watson. + </p> + <p> + "Garrow submitted that it was unnecessary to prove that each of the + defendants knew how the money was to be disposed of, and that it was + enough to show that the destination of the money was as stated in the + indictment. A fact of which all those engaged in the conspiracy must be + taken to be cognizant. Watson by engaging with the other conspirators to + gain the same end, had adopted the means by which the end was to be + accomplished." + </p> + <p> + That is what the attorney for the Government says. Lord Ellenborough + replies: + </p> + <p> + "You must prove that all the defendants were cognizant of the object of + the conspiracy and the mode stated in the indictment by which it was to be + carried into effect. A contrary doctrine would be extremely dangerous. The + defendant Watson must be acquitted." + </p> + <p> + Now let us apply that case to this. In the first place, they must not only + prove this indictment according to the scheme, but they must prove that + every defendant understood that scheme, knew the scheme, how it was to be + accomplished and what was done with the money. + </p> + <p> + The Court. In that case Watson was acquitted. What was done with the + others? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. They, of course, were found guilty, because they were + guilty, as the indictment charged. They knew the exact scheme set forth in + the indictment. They were guilty exactly as the indictment said. They + divided the money exactly as the indictment charged they divided the + money, and they were cognizant of every fact set forth in the indictment. + But Watson, although a co-conspirator, did not know what was to be done + with the money, and consequently was to be discharged. Why? Because they + did not prove the conspiracy as to him as charged. They need not have set + forth in the indictment what was to be done with the money, but they did + set it forth, and then they had to prove it. They need not have said that + every man knew what was done with the money, but they did say that every + man knew, and they failed to prove it, and when they failed to prove it as + to Watson he was discharged. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen of the jury, what I insist upon and what I shall ask the + Court to instruct you is that the Government, no matter how guilty the + defendant may be, no matter if he has robbed this Government of hundreds + of millions, is to be tried by this indictment, is to be guilty of this + charge as written in this indictment and nowhere else; and he has got to + understand it. They say he understood it, and they have got to prove that + he understood it. + </p> + <p> + Now, upon that same subject they say that the money was to be divided + between all these parties—between Rerdell, Turner and everybody. I + think it was Mr. Bliss who said there was no evidence that Rerdell ever + had any of the money. Certainly they do not think that Turner obtained any + of the money. Is there any evidence of it? Not the slightest. Is there + evidence that there ever was any division, any evidence that there was + ever any money divided upon a solitary route mentioned in this indictment? + Not one particle. If you say there is evidence, when was the division + made? + </p> + <p> + The Court. The question is not what was done. The question is with what + view the conspiracy was entered into. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Certainly. + </p> + <p> + The Court. 'The object of the conspiracy may have failed, and this money + might not have been divided as they intended, but still the conspiracy + would be here. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Good, perfectly. But if they set forth in this indictment + that the money was divided, that statement is not worth a last year's dead + leaf unless they prove it. That is all I insist upon. You cannot find + anybody guilty of charges in an indictment unless you prove them. Unless + you prove them they amount to no more than charges written in water, than + characters engraved on fog or written on clouds. You have got to prove + them. + </p> + <p> + Now, upon this same point I say that if the scheme has not been + established by the evidence, the case fails, no matter what the proof. The + offence must not only be proved as charged, but it must be charged as + proved, doubling the statement for the sake of doubling the idea of + accuracy. That is in Archibald's Criminal Pleadings, American edition, + page 36. The same thing is held in First Chitty's Criminal Law, 213. I + also refer to the case of King against Walker, 3d Campbell, 264; King vs. + Robinson, 1st Hope's Nisi Prius Reports, 595. I have the books here, but I + will not take up the time of this Court in reading them. + </p> + <p> + Now, if I am right, that is the language of that indictment. The overt + acts with the leaves are gone; the scheme with the branch and trunk are + gone. They prove no such scheme, they prove no such division. + </p> + <p> + I will now proceed to examine the alleged evidence against my clients, + Stephen W. and John W. Dorsey, and I want to say right in the commencement + that suspicion is not evidence. You charge that a couple of persons + conspired. That they met about nine o'clock on the shadowy side of the + street. + </p> + <p> + <i>A suspicious circumstance</i>. Why did they not get <i>under the lamp?</i> + They were seen together once more, and the moment a man came up they + walked off. Guilty. They ran. And out of these idiotic suspicions that + never would have entered the mind, except for the reason that the persons + were charged, hundreds of people begin to say, "There is something in it. + They met four or five times. One of them wrote a letter to the other, and + so help me God it was not dated." Another suspicious circumstance. "There + was a heading on the paper. It was not the number of his office." So they + work it up, and ignorance begins to stare, and wonder to open its mouth, + and finally prejudice finds a verdict. + </p> + <p> + Suspicion, gentlemen, is not evidence. You want to go at this with this + idea. Whatever a man does, the presumption is it is an honest act until + the contrary is shown. These men wrote letters. They had a right to do it. + They met. They had a right to meet. They entered into contracts. They had + a right to do it, no matter whether they were dated or not dated. One of + the greatest judges of England said if you let out of the greatest man's + brains all the suspicions, all the rumors, all the mistakes, and all the + nonsense, the amount of pure knowledge left would be extremely small. If + you take out of this case all the suspicions, all the guesses, all the + rumors, all the epithets, all the arrogant declarations, the amount of + real evidence would be surprisingly small. + </p> + <p> + Now, I want to try this case that way. I do not want to try it by + prejudice. Prejudice is born of ignorance and malice. One of the greatest + men of this country said prejudice is the spider of the mind. It weaves + its web over every window and over every crevice where light can enter, + and then disputes the existence of the light that it has excluded. That is + prejudice. Prejudice will give the lie to all the other senses. It will + swear the northern star out of the sky of truth. You must avoid it. It is + the womb of injustice, and a man who cannot rise above prejudice is not a + civilized man; he is simply a barbarian. I do not want this case tried on + prejudice. Prejudice will shut its eyes against the light. I want you to + try it without that. + </p> + <p> + And right here, although it is a subject about which most courts are a + little tender, the question arises as to the jury being judges of the law + and fact. One of the attorneys for the Government, Mr. Merrick, told us + that at one time he insisted that the jury was the judge of the law, and + made this remarkable declaration: + </p> + <p> + "But even at the time I spoke the words to the jury I did not believe them + to be indicative of safe and true principles of law." + </p> + <p> + Was he candid then? Is he candid now? I do not know. But his doctrine + appears to be this: "When I am afraid of the court I insist on the jury + judging the law. When I am afraid of the jury I turn the law over to the + court. But in this case, having confidence in both judge and jury, it is + wholly immaterial to me how the question is decided." + </p> + <p> + Now, if it please the Court, I believe the law to be simply this: I + believe the jury to be absolute judges of the facts, and yet if on the + facts they find a man guilty whom the court thinks is not guilty, the + court will grant a new trial. The court has the power to set aside a + verdict because the jury find contrary to the evidence. The court cannot + do it, however, when the jury finds a verdict of not guilty. I do not + believe that the jury have a right to disregard the law from the court + unless a juryman upon his oath can say that he believes, he knows, or is + satisfied that is not the law; and he must be honest in that, and he must + not be acting upon caprice. He must be absolutely honest. He must be in + that condition of mind that to follow the law pointed out by the court + would trample upon his conscience, and that he has not the right to do. + That is all the distance I go. + </p> + <p> + The history of the world will show that some of the grandest advances made + in law have been made by juries who would not allow their consciences to + be trampled into the earth by tyrannical judges. I am not saying that for + this case. + </p> + <p> + I am simply saying that as a fact. There was a time in this country when + they used to try a man who helped another to gain his liberty, and there + was now and then a man on the jury who had sense enough, and heart enough, + and conscience enough to say, "I will die before I carry out that kind of + law." They did not carry it out either, and finally the law became so + contemptible, so execrable, that everybody despised it. All I ask this + jury to do is just to be governed by the evidence and by the law as the + Court will give it to them, honestly and fairly. + </p> + <p> + Now, I am coming to the evidence against John W. Dorsey. I am traveling + through this case now we have started it. As you have heard very little + about it, gentlemen, and there is nothing in the world like speaking on a + fresh subject. I feel-an interest in John W. Dorsey. He is my client. I + believe him to be an absolutely honest man. He is willing to take the + effect of all his acts. He is no sneak, no skulk. He will take it as it + is. Let us see what he has done. + </p> + <p> + The first witness is Mr. Boone. Mr. Boone swears that John W. Dorsey was + one of the original partners. Well, that is so. It is claimed that the + conspiracy was entered into before there was any bidding. Well, Boone does + not uphold that view. Now, if Boone and Miner and John W. Dorsey and Peck + had an arrangement with Brady whereby they were to bid and then have + expedition and increase, I want to ask you why did Boone write to all the + postmasters to find out about the roads and the cost of provender, and the + kind of weather they had in the winter in order to ascertain what bid to + make? If he had had an arrangement with the Second Assistant + Postmaster-General to expedite the route he would have simply made up his + mind to bid lower than anybody else, and he would not have cared a cent + what kind of roads they had there, or what kind of weather they had in the + winter, or how much horse provender cost, and yet he sent out thousands of + circulars to find out these facts. For what? To make bids. What for? + According to the Government these were routes on which they had already + conspired for expedition and increase without the slightest reference to + the horses and men, and of course, if that theory is true, Boone is one of + the conspirators. But I will come to that hereafter. + </p> + <p> + More routes, according to Boone's testimony, were awarded than they + anticipated. They got, I think, one hundred and twenty-six. They had no + money to stock the routes. They got more than they expected. Well, that + was not a crime. Boone left in August, 1878, and Mr. Merrick takes the + ground that Boone had done the work, manipulated all the machinery, and + yet could not be trusted with the secret. Boone had gathered all the + information, he had done the entire business, and yet the secret up to + that time had been successfully kept from him. Do you believe that? + </p> + <p> + Now, Vaile came, and another partnership was formed, and the second + partnership remained in force, I think, till the 1st of April, 1879, or + the last day of March, and then the routes were divided. Now, then, John + W. Dorsey is charged with conspiracy as to these routes, and these routes + were afterwards assigned to S. W. Dorsey to secure advances and + indorsements that were made. + </p> + <p> + Now, of the routes mentioned in the indictment, John W. Dorsey was + interested in seven at the time of the division. From Vermillion to Sioux + Falls, from White River to Rawlins, from Garland to Parrott City, from + Ouray to Los Pinos, from Silverton to Parrott City, from Mineral Park to + Pioche, and from Tres Alamos to Clifton. How much money did he get on all + these routes? I have already shown you. He received two warrants for + eighty-seven dollars and they recouped them both. He received another + warrant for three hundred and ninety-two dollars and succeeded in keeping + it. That is all the money he got in these seven routes. Now, the testimony + of Mr. Vaile shows, if it shows anything, that after April, 1879, he took + those routes and kept them and never paid a dollar to any official in the + world, and he also swears that no matter how much he got, it made no + difference as to the routes that had been given to John W. Dorsey and + Peck. It could not in any way affect their amount, and that no person in + the world except themselves had any interest in them. + </p> + <p> + Now, it is charged that false affidavits were made by John W. Dorsey, and + that the making of these false affidavits was the result of conspiracy. + Let us see. It has been shown by the evidence, and I have already shown + it, and conclusively shown it, that the affidavit was substantially + correct, so far as the proportion was concerned. + </p> + <p> + Now, let me explain what I mean by proportion. For instance, I am getting + five thousand dollars a year on a route, and it takes five men and ten + horses. That is an aggregate of fifteen. Now, suppose I simply expedite it + a certain number of miles an hour, and say it will take fifteen men and + thirty horses. That makes an aggregate of forty-five, does it not? Then + the Government gives me three times as much for the expedited service as + for the then service. Now, suppose I am getting a thousand dollars, and it + only takes one man and one horse, and I make an affidavit that it takes + one hundred men and one hundred horses, and if it is expedited it will + take two hundred men and two hundred horses, how much more do I get? I get + just double, and the result of the affidavit is exactly the same as though + I said the one man and one horse that it then took, and it would require + two men and two horses. If you keep the proportion you cannot by any + possibility commit a fraud against the Government. Now we understand that. + Now let us see. When you make an affidavit, what do you do? When you make + an affidavit of how many horses it will take, you take into consideration + the length of the term, three or four years. You take into consideration + the life of a horse. You take into consideration the roads and the + weather. You take into consideration every risk, and find it is only a + matter of judgment, only a matter of opinion, and the fact that men differ + as to their judgment upon those points accounts for the fact that they + make different affidavits. If everybody made the same calculation as to + food, as to weather, as to roads, as to disease, everybody would make + substantially the same bid, but on the same route they differ thousands of + dollars a year, because they differ in judgment as to the number of horses + it will require and as to the number of men. + </p> + <p> + And then there is another thing. Some men will make a horse do twice as + much as others. Some men are hard and fierce and merciless. Some men are + like they ask you to be in this case—icicles. Some men resemble the + gods so far that they will make a horse do five times the work they + should, and other men are merciful to the dumb beast. So they differ in + judgment. One man says he can go twenty-five miles every day, and another + man says he can only go fifteen. One man says stations ought to be built + twenty-five miles apart; another says they should be built ten miles + apart. They differ, and for that reason, gentlemen, the bids differ, and + for that reason the affidavits differ. + </p> + <p> + I shall not speak of all these affidavits, but I shall speak of the ones + that have been attacked. Mr. Merrick called Mr Dorsey a perjurer because + he made two affidavits on route 38145. Now, no such charge is made in the + indictment, but I will answer it. Now, then, as to the two indictments—The + Court. Two affidavits. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Two affidavits. Well, there ought to have been two + indictments to cover both cases. Now, this is on route 38145, Garland to + Parrott City. Now, there were two affidavits made on 38145, as is set + forth in the evidence, but it is not in the indictment. The first + affidavit was sworn to March 11, 1879, in Vermont, and filed April 16, + 1879. Neither could come in under this conspiracy anyway. The second was + made in Washington, April 26, 1879, and filed the same day, which is a + suspicious circumstance. The letter dated April 23, 1879, according to the + prosecution, purports to transmit an affidavit made on the 26. There is no + evidence that the affidavit dated the 26 was inclosed in the letter dated + the 23. The affidavit set forth the number of men and animals required to + run the route on a schedule of fifty hours, three trips a week. There is + no evidence as to the character of the paper transmitted, if any was + transmitted, nor in fact, is there any evidence that any paper was + transmitted with that letter. + </p> + <p> + Now, on page 804 of the record, Mr. Bliss submitted two papers to Mr. + McSweeney, a witness, saying, "I show you two papers pinned together." Who + pinned them? I do not know. "One dated April 26, 1879, and the other dated + April 24, 1879." The paper dated April 26 is indorsed in the handwriting + of William H. Turner. The indorsement on the paper dated April 24 is in + the handwriting of Byron C. Coon. This fact shows that the papers that + were read by Mr. Bliss as one paper and marked 17 E, were treated by the + department as two separate papers received on separate dates, and so + marked and so filed, and they were marked at the time they were identified + as numbers 17 and 18. Now, the only question is whether the last affidavit + was made for the purpose of committing a fraud upon the Government and + whether the change in the figures in the last affidavit were intended to + or could in any way defraud the Government of the United States. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us see what it is. Mr. Merrick charges that the second oath was + willful perjury. In order to show that this was an honest transaction, and + that Mr. Dorsey should be praised instead of blamed, I will call your + intention now to the exact state of facts. Now, if I do not make out from + this that it was a praiseworthy action instead of perjury, a good, honest + action, I will abandon the case. In the first affidavit Dorsey swore that + it would require three men and seven animals as the schedule then was, and + that for the proposed schedule it would take eleven men and twenty-six + animals. Now, three men and seven animals make ten, and eleven men and + twenty-six animals make thirty-seven. So that by the first affidavit he + swore that it would take three and seven-tenths more animals to carry the + mail on the expedited schedule than on the schedule as it then was, did he + not? Three men and seven animals as against eleven men and twenty-six + animals it would take three and seven-tenths more animals, consequently + you would get for that three and seven-tenths more pay. Now, let us + understand that. That is an increase in the ratio of ten to thirty-seven, + and if his pay had been calculated on that first affidavit it would have + been thirteen thousand four hundred and thirty-three dollars and four + cents. But it was not calculated on that. He made another affidavit. Now, + the second affidavit said that it would take twenty men and animals + instead of ten, as it then was, and for the expedition fifty-four men and + animals. Now, the ratio between twenty and fifty-four was two and + seven-tenths instead of three and seven-tenths, so that under that second + affidavit, which they say was willful and corrupt perjury, he would only + get eight thousand four hundred and fifty-seven dollars, and the change of + that affidavit, if the amount had been calculated on the first instead of + the second, would have cost him for the three years yet remaining of his + term fourteen thousand nine hundred and twenty-five dollars and sixty + cents, and that change saved, exactly as if they had made the calculation + on the other affidavit, about fifteen thousand dollars, and yet they tell + me that that was willful and corrupt perjury. There has nothing been shown + in the case more perfectly honorable. Nothing shown calculated to put John + W. Dorsey in a fairer, in a grander light, than this very affidavit that + is charged to have been willful perjury. Do you see? He made the first + affidavit, and in it he made a mistake against the Government of fourteen + thousand nine hundred and twenty-five dollars, and, then, like an honest + man, he corrected it, and for that honest correction he is held up as a + perjured scoundrel. It will not do, my friends. + </p> + <p> + But, as a matter of fact, not one of these affidavits is set out in the + indictment, not one charged in the indictment. They are wandering tramps + that were picked up as they went along with this case, and have no + business here. + </p> + <p> + In route 38152 he made no affidavit. In route 38113 there is no charge in + the indictment that he made any affidavit. In the route 38156 the + affidavit was not false. It was charged and was not successfully + impeached. In route 40104 the affidavit was never disputed and it was + never attacked. In route 40113 the affidavit was not attacked, not a + solitary witness was examined. In route 35105 no affidavit was made by + Dorsey. In route 38134 there are two more affidavits. + </p> + <p> + Now let us see. Here is some more fraud. Put it down, 38134—two + affidavits—a great fraud. The first affidavit said three men and + twelve animals. That made fifteen; that for the expedition it would take + seven men and thirty-eight animals. That made forty-five. In other words + the proportion was fifteen to forty-five, just three times as much. Three + times fifteen make forty-five. Then he made a second affidavit, filed with + a purpose to defraud the Government. Let us see. In the second affidavit + he said that it took two men and six animals. That makes eight. That on + the expedition it would take six men and eighteen animals. That makes + twenty-four. The proportion was eight to twenty-four. Three times eight + make twenty-four; and three times fifteen make forty-five. So that the + amount was raised exactly the same to a cent, under the second affidavit + that it was under the first, and consequently could not have been made for + the purpose of defrauding anybody. Impossible. The proportion of course is + the material thing in every affidavit, and it is only by that proportion + that you can tell whether they are trying to defraud this Government or + not. Suppose that second affidavit had changed the proportion so that he + was not to get just the amount of money, then you might say it was a + fraud. But it did not change the proportion. + </p> + <p> + On route 38156 another affidavit is filed and not successfully impeached. + I went over that. I have got through with that. That is all there is to + it. That is all, that is everything—everything—everything. + There is no evidence tending to show that John W. Dorsey ever spoke to + Thomas J. Brady. There is no evidence to show that he ever saw him. There + is no evidence to show that he was ever seen in his company; no evidence + to show that he ever saw Turner; that he ever heard of Turner; that he + ever spoke to Turner; that he ever received a letter from Turner; that he + ever wrote anything to him; no evidence as a matter of fact that he ever + exchanged a word with these men; no evidence that he ever saw Harvey M. + Vaile; that he ever spoke to him. Certainly there is no evidence that he + ever conspired with him. No evidence that he ever made an agreement with + Thomas J. Brady or with Mr. Turner or with any officer—no agreement + of any sort, kind, character, or description at any place, upon any + subject, or for any purpose, not the slightest; no evidence that he + conspired with anybody; no evidence that he ever received from the United + States a solitary dollar, with the exception of three hundred and + ninety-two dollars—not the slightest. + </p> + <p> + There is no evidence that he ever wrote a false communication to the + department—nothing of it. There is no evidence that he ever wrote a + petition; no evidence that he ever forged one; no evidence that he ever + signed anybody's name to one; no evidence that he did anything of the kind + or that he ever changed one; no evidence that he ever put a man's name to + it that did not live on the route; no evidence that he ever put in a + fictitious name; no evidence that he helped to deceive the + Postmaster-General—not the slightest. If there is I want somebody + just to put their finger upon the evidence. There is no evidence that he + ever made false statements at any time. There is no evidence that he ever + paid, as I say, a dollar to any official, and no evidence that he ever + promised to pay it. All the evidence is that he got three hundred and + ninety-two dollars. He made the affidavits in accordance with what he + believed to be the truth. The evidence shows that when he made the + affidavits on those routes he had no personal interest, that he received + not a dollar for making them. He made them because he supposed the + contractor or subcontractor had to make them. He made them because he + believed them to be true. He was guided by the little experience he had + himself and by the statements made to him by others; and in all this + evidence there is not a word, not a line, not a letter tending to show he + did a dishonest act, and the jury will bear me out that in the affidavits + attacked he was substantially right, while in the first instance he was + too high; in others he was too low. But there is no evidence that he + deliberately swore to what he believed to be untrue. The proportion sworn + to by him has always been substantially correct. In other words, + gentlemen, the testimony shows that John W. Dorsey is an honest man, and + there is no jury, there never was, there never will be, that will find a + man like that guilty upon evidence like this. It never happened; it never + will happen. + </p> + <p> + Now, I come to my other client, Stephen W. Dorsey, and I feel an interest + in him. He is my friend. I like him. He is a good man. He has good sense. + He is not simply a politician, he is a statesman; and I want you to + understand that he never did an act in this case that he did not + thoroughly understand as well as any lawyer in this prosecution ever will + understand; or as well as any lawyer of the defence ever will understand. + He knew exactly his liabilities. He knew exactly his responsibility. He + knew exactly what he did and he knew he did only what was right. In the + opening of this case Mr. McSweeney made a statement. He told you the exact + connection of Dorsey with this matter. He not only told you that, but he + told you that Dorsey had lost money on these routes, and that he had never + been repaid the money he had advanced, and in that connection he said that + he had turned the routes over to James W. Bosler, and the department knew + of James W. Bosler because they introduced testimony here that the + warrants were paid to James W. Bosler. Mr. McSweeney stated that Bosler + controlled the business, and now we are asked by the prosecution, "Why did + you not bring James W. Bosler on the stand and show that you had lost + money?" I return the compliment and say to them, why did you not bring + James W. Bosler on the stand and show that it was not true that we had + lost money, as he kept the books? I ask them that. Why did they not bring + James W. Bosler? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. If your Honor please, there is no evidence whatever as to + whether S. W. Dorsey lost money on those routes, and the statement of + counsel made in the opening, I respectfully submit, cannot be used as + evidence by the counsel in the case. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Of course it is impossible for me to say after so long a time + spent in receiving evidence what evidence has been given on a disputed + question. I cannot say from recollection what evidence has been given on + this subject, but I understand the remarks now made are not made upon + evidence in the case, but in reply to remarks made in the opening in the + case. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Partially so. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. The opening by their counsel. + </p> + <p> + The Court. By their counsel. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. By their counsel, Mr. McSweeney. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Let me just state it, and the Court will understand it + perfectly. Mr. McSweeney, in his opening, said that these routes had been + turned over to James W. Bosler; that he received the money and paid it + out, and that S. W. Dorsey on these very routes had not made money, but + lost money. Very well. But that statement was simply a statement. It was + never proved afterwards. The Government said to us, "Why did you not bring + James W. Bosler to prove that?" + </p> + <p> + The Court. Where did they say that? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. They said it in their speeches. Mr. Merrick said it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Not to prove as to the money. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Ay, "Why did you not bring James W. Bosler?" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Yes, but not as to proof of money; but as to other questions + in reference to the distribution of routes and the loaning of money by + Dorsey, and by Bosler to Dorsey, and Dorsey's transfer of the routes to + Bosler as security for the loan as appeared in Vaile's testimony. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I shall not interfere. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. I shall not attempt to arrest the course of counsel unless + there is ground for it, and I ask the Court that, there being no evidence + of this fact, that the counsel shall not—Mr. Ingersoll. + [Interposing.] I am going to show there is some evidence. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I understand it is a remark in reply to an observation of your + own. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That is principally it. Now, they introduced the warrants + that had been drawn by the contractors and subcontractors from the + Post-Office Department; they proved that these warrants had been paid to + James W. Bosler, and that one after the other, hundreds had been assigned + to James W. Bosler. Now, then, I say, they say to us, "Why do you not + bring in James W. Bosler and prove your innocence?" I say why did you not + bring in James W. Bosler and prove our guilt? We opened the door. We told + you the name of the witness. We told you that he had taken the routes; + that he kept the books; that he disbursed the money, and that we had lost + money. Instead of robbing the Government the Government has robbed us; and + they say, "Why did you not bring Bosler?" and I say to them, why did you + not bring him? They know him, and they know he is a reputable man. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is another point. I ask you all to remember what was said in + the opening, and I understand that a defence is bound by its opening, + bound by what it says to the jury. The question is, Has any fact been + substantiated in this case that contradicts a statement made in the + opening? + </p> + <p> + The Court. The defence has no right to avail itself of—Mr. + Ingersoll. [Interposing.] Of what it says. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Of what it says in its opening unless it is followed by + evidence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Certainly not, but it has a right to show that no evidence + has been introduced by the Government that touches that opening statement. + It has the right to do that, surely. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, Mr. Boone was the witness for the Government—a smart man. + He swore who were interested in the bidding. He told and he positively + swore that Dorsey was not interested in these routes. He gave the names of + the persons interested, and he swore positively that he was not. Dorsey + then, I say, had not the slightest interest. He loaned money, he went + security, he assisted in getting sureties on bonds, and you recollect the + trouble that they have made about some bonds. Has there any evidence been + introduced to show that there was a bad bond? Has any evidence been + introduced to show that the name of an insolvent man was put upon any bond + as security? Has there been any evidence to show that any action was ever + commenced on any of these bonds; any evidence tending to show that every + bond was not absolutely good? As a matter of fact, the Government waived + all of that. In offering the contract on route 35015, Mr. Merrick made + this remark: + </p> + <p> + "It is offered for the purpose of showing the contract made. The contract + itself is not an overt act. That is all right. There is nothing criminal + about that." + </p> + <p> + Good! + </p> + <p> + Nothing criminal about any contract, gentlemen. You will all admit they + had to make the bids, and if they were the lowest bidders it was the duty + of the Government to accept the bids and afterwards to make the contracts + in accordance with them. There was nothing wrong in that. That is Dorsey's + first step. His first step really was an act of kindness. What was the + second step? He was unable to advance any more money. Mr. Peck, Mr. Miner, + Mr. Dorsey, and Mr. Boone were unable to advance the money, so Mr. Boone + went out and Mr. Vaile came in, and the new partnership agreed to refund + this money that had been advanced; that is, the money advanced by the + other parties. What one gets another to advance is really advanced by him + as long as he is liable for it. Mr. Vaile, a man of large experience and + means, was taken in Boone's place. Is there anything suspicious up to this + time? That is the only test of this whole question. Is it natural? If it + is natural there is no chance for suspicion. After Mr. Vaile came in, a + written contract was made on August 16, 1878. There is no conspiracy up to + that time. Not the slightest evidence of it; no arrangement with any + officers up to that time. Now, under the August contract, Mr. Vaile took + the entire business in charge, and he ran it, as I understand, until the + first day of April, 1879. No officer had any interest in it then. There + was no conspiracy then. Vaile received all the money and paid it out. Here + we stand on the first day of April, 1879. Now, what is the history up to + this time? That John W. Dorsey, Peck, Miner, and Boone were bidders; that + certain routes had been awarded, they had not the money to stock the + routes, and that S. W. Dorsey advanced some money and went security; that + afterwards Boone went out and Vaile came in, and the contract was made by + virtue of which Vaile became the treasurer and knew everybody, and ran the + business to the first day of April, 1879. He swears positively that he + made no arrangement and that he paid no money. It is also in evidence that + in December, 1878, Stephen W. Dorsey and Vaile met for the first time, and + met in the German-American Bank for the purpose of settling the claim upon + which Dorsey was security, and replacing the notes upon which Dorsey was, + by notes of Vaile, Miner & Co. Afterwards these notes were paid by + Vaile and the security of Dorsey released. Now, in April, 1879, a division + is made. The contract of August, 1878, was done away with and a division + 'of the routes was made, seventy per cent, being taken by Vaile and Miner + and thirty per cent, by John W. Dorsey and Peck. In April, 1879, the + parties divided instead of coming together. They do not conspire. They + separate. They do not unite. They go asunder. From that moment they agree + to have nothing in common. Each man takes his own, and each man attends to + his own and does not help anybody else except when they insist that a + contractor or subcontractor shall make the affidavit. They made affidavits + on the routes on which they were contractors. That is all there is to it + up to that time. Then these routes were assigned to Dorsey for the purpose + of securing him. + </p> + <p> + Now, I go to the overt acts charged against Stephen W. Dorsey. Do you know + I am delighted to get right to that page of my notes. I am delighted that + I now have the opportunity to answer and to answer forever all the + infamous things that have been charged against this man. Here we are, + before this jury, a jury of his fellow-citizens, a jury that has the + courage to do right. I have finally the chance of telling here before men + who know whether I am speaking the truth or not, what has been charged + against Stephen W. Dorsey and what has been proved against him. Let us + examine the overt acts charged. On route 38135 it is charged that Miner, + Rerdell and S. W. Dorsey transmitted a false affidavit. The evidence is + that the affidavit was made by Miner, not by Dorsey, transmitted by Miner, + not by Dorsey, and that it was not transmitted as charged in the + indictment, but transmitted on the 18th day of April, 1879. There is no + evidence that Dorsey even heard of that affidavit, that he ever made it, + that he ever transmitted it, that he ever saw it, that he ever knew of its + existence. That is the first charge. There is not one particle of evidence + to show that he ever knew there was such a paper. Upon that written lie, + upon that mistake these infamous charges affecting the character of this + man have been circulated over the United States. + </p> + <p> + What is the next? That he with others filed false petitions. I am telling + you now all the charges; every one of them. What is the evidence? Oh, it + is splendid to get to the facts. The evidence is that every petition is + shown to have been genuine. There is no evidence that he ever filed one or + sent one, or asked to have one sent on that route; and every petition is + genuine and no charge made except as to one. In one they said the words + "quicker time" were inserted; but the very next paragraph asked for + quicker time, and nobody pretended that had been inserted. Besides that, + it was charged in the indictment to have been filed on the 26th day of + June. As a matter of fact, it was filed on the 8th day of May. It was + never filed by Stephen W. Dorsey; it was never gotten up by Stephen W. + Dorsey. There is no evidence that he ever knew of it or heard of it. + Third, that he fraudulently filed a subcontract. Two mistakes and an + impossible offence. That ends that route. That is everything on earth in + it. I defy any man to make anything more out of it than I have. I have + told every word. + </p> + <p> + The next route is No. 41119. It is charged that Stephen W. Dorsey with + others transmitted a false oath. The evidence is that the oath was made by + Peck, and it was transmitted by Peck and not by Stephen W. Dorsey. What + else? That it is true. There are three mistakes in that charge. They say + Dorsey made it. Peck made it They say Dorsey transmitted it. Peck + transmitted it. They say it was false. The evidence shows it true. Thai is + all there is to that route. It is the only charge on that route. No + petitions were claimed to be false. + </p> + <p> + Now we come to route 38145. Let us see if we can do any better on that. + The first charge is, that Stephen W. Dorsey fraudulently filed a + subcontract. The subcontract was made with Sanderson, Sanderson got his + own contract filed. This charge was copied from the old indictment. It is + a mistake and that is all there is to it. These are the charges that have + carried sorrow to many hearts. These are the charges that have darkened + homes. These are the charges that have filled nights with grief and + horror; every one of them a lie. + </p> + <p> + The next route is 38156. The first charge is that he transmitted a false + oath. The oath was made by John W. Dorsey, and is true. The second charge + is of fraudulently filing a subcontract, an impossible offence. That is + everything on that route. Absolutely untrue. + </p> + <p> + Now we come to the next, No. 46217. The charge is filing base petitions. + The evidence is that every petition was genuine. Every one. Mr. Bliss said—"We + make no point about increase of trips on this route." + </p> + <p> + Every petition was for increase of trips. You will see that on record, + page 1008. That is the only charge on that route, gentlemen. Utterly + false! + </p> + <p> + Come now to route 38140. Charge: Filing false and forged petitions. + Evidence: All the petitions genuine. Second charge: Transmitting a false + oath and making it. Evidence: Oath made by John W. Dorsey, and true. That + is all there is to that route. If they can rake up any more I want to see + it. I have been through this record. + </p> + <p> + Route 38113. Charge: Fraudulently filing a subcontract. That is all. You + cannot fraudulently file a subcontract. + </p> + <p> + Route 40113. Charge: Filing false and forged petitions. Evidence: Every + petition admitted by the Government to be genuine. Good. Second: + transmitting a false oath. Evidence: Oath made by John W. Dorsey, and the + Government introduced no witness to show that it was false. See how these + charges fall. See how they bite the ground. That is all. + </p> + <p> + I have told you every one in this indictment; every one. You will hardly + believe it. Now let me give you the recapitulation. S. W. Dorsey is + charged on eight routes with having transmitted four false oaths. + </p> + <p> + The evidence is he never made one nor transmitted one, and that the four + oaths were all true. On five routes he is charged with having filed false + petitions. The evidence is that all the petitions were genuine. None of + the petitions charged in the indictment to have been transmitted by him + were transmitted by him. He is charged with filing fraudulent + subcontracts, and the evidence is that the subcontracts were genuine, and + besides that, as I have said a dozen times, it is utterly impossible to + fraudulently file a subcontract. Not a single, solitary charge in this + indictment against Stephen W. Dorsey has been substantiated. Not one. He + has been called a robber, he has been called a thief, but the evidence + shows he is an honest man. Not one single thing alleged in that indictment + has been substantiated against him, and I defy any human being to point to + the evidence that does it. Now think of it. All this charge has been made + against that man upon that evidence; no other evidence; not another line + so far as the indictment is concerned. What is outside of the indictment? + That he wrote two letters, taking possession of routes that had been + turned over to him as security, which he had a right to do. What else? + That he got up some petitions, or had them gotten up, in the State of + Oregon. The man who got them up was brought here as a witness. I believe + his name was Wilcox. He swore that everything he did was honest, and that + every name to every petition was genuine. Now let us see. Another point + has been made upon S. W. Dorsey. I want to read it to you. This is from + the argument of Mr. Merrick: + </p> + <p> + "Peck, John W. Dorsey and Miner, or some other one of Stephen W. Dorsey's + friends. Who was making up this conspiracy? Who was gathering around him + arms and hands to reach into the public Treasury for his benefit, while + his own were apparently unoccupied with pelf? S. W. Dorsey. 'My brother + and brother-in-law will go in, and Miner, or if not Miner, then one of my + other friends.'" + </p> + <p> + This is quoted. + </p> + <p> + "One-of S. W. Dorsey's other facile friends. That was in 1877, gentlemen, + the morning of this day of fraud and criminality. In that room where Boone + and S. W. Dorsey sat arose the sun, and there was marked his course. There + was fashioned the duration and the business of that criminal day." + </p> + <p> + Now, let us see what the evidence is. The object of that speech is to + convince you that Dorsey said to Boone. "I will either put in Miner or one + of my friends." Do you know that there is not money enough in the Treasury + of the United States, there is not gold and silver enough in the veins of + this earth to tempt me to misstate evidence when a man is on trial for his + liberty or his life. Let us see what the evidence is: + </p> + <p> + "Q. Who else besides his brother-in-law and brother?—A. I could not + say positively whether Mr. Miner's name was mentioned. He either mentioned + his name or a friend of his from Sandusky, Ohio." + </p> + <p> + Now, I submit to you, gentlemen, what does that mean? Mr. Boone, in + effect, says, "He told me either it was Miner or a friend of his from + Sandusky. That is, he either described Miner by his name or he described + him as a friend of his from Sandusky." Then there was objection made, and + after that comes another question: + </p> + <p> + "Q. Was anything said of Mr. Miner's coming to Washington?—A. I + could not say whether his name was mentioned or a friend of his; a + personal friend." + </p> + <p> + What does that mean? Boone cannot remember Whether he called him Miner or + called him a friend of his from Sandusky. What else? + </p> + <p> + "A. There was to be nobody that I understood outside of the parties I + spoke of. + </p> + <p> + "Q. You and John W. Dorsey and Peck?—A. And Mr. Miner." + </p> + <p> + "Q. Or one of his friends?—A. Or Mr. Dorsey's friend. The + arrangement made was not made until they came here. It was only to prepare + the necessary blanks and papers pending their coming because the time was + getting short, and it was necessary to get the information to bid upon. + Nothing was said about any interest at all until after they came here, and + then there was a partnership entered into." + </p> + <p> + Now, I ask you, gentlemen of the jury, what is the meaning of that + testimony. The meaning is simply this: Boone could not remember whether he + mentioned Miner's name or called him a friend of his from Sandusky, yet + the object has been to make you believe that the testimony was that S. W. + Dorsey said, "I will either have Miner or I will get another friend of + mine." Dorsey had no interest in it, not the interest of one cent, not the + interest of one dollar, directly, indirectly, or any other way. He had no + interest in having a friend of his. All that Mr. Boone said is that Mr. + Dorsey either called this man Miner or described him as a friend from + Sandusky, Ohio. The evidence is that Mr. Miner did come, and the evidence + is that the arrangement was made. What else is there outside in this case + against Stephen W. Dorsey? I ask you to put your hand upon it. I ask + anybody to point it out. What other suspicious circumstance is there? I + want you to understand that all the suspicious circumstances in the world + are good for nothing. All the evidence on earth tending to show a thing + does not show it. Anything that only tends that way never gets there; + never. + </p> + <p> + You cannot infer a conspiracy. Unless you have the facts proved, you + cannot infer the fact and then infer the conspiracy. There has not been—I + want to say it again—there has not been a solitary fraudulent act + proven against Stephen W. Dorsey. They have not done it and they cannot do + it. All I ask of you, gentlemen, is to find a verdict in accordance with + this testimony. + </p> + <p> + May it please the Court, it appears from the evidence in this case, I + think the evidence of Mr. James, that Stephen W. Dorsey at one time, about + sixteen or seventeen months ago, made a statement in writing of his + connection with all these routes. That statement he gave to the + Attorney-General and the Postmaster-General. There is no evidence of what + was in that statement. The only evidence is that such a statement was + made, embracing his connection with these routes. + </p> + <p> + The Court. You offered to prove that. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Oh, no. The reason it was established was I wanted to show + whether that statement was made before or after Mr. Rerdell made a + statement. The fact simply appears that he made a statement. + </p> + <p> + The Court. You offered to prove the fact. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I do not remember offering to prove it. I proved it. + </p> + <p> + The Court. If it was not proven—Mr. Ingersoll. [Interposing.] I did + prove it as a fact. + </p> + <p> + The Court. That he made a statement. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Yes, sir. Right here it is [taking up the record]. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Oh, well, you cannot base any remarks upon that. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Let me read what the evidence says: + </p> + <p> + "Q. Was this statement of Rerdell's made to you after you had received the + statements of S. W. Dorsey as to his connection with all these entire + routes or with this entire business? + </p> + <p> + "The Witness. To what statement do you refer? + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Ingersoll. To the statement that was made in writing and given to you + and the attorney-general by ex-Senator S. W. Dorsey? + </p> + <p> + "A. It must have been after that. + </p> + <p> + "Q. You mean Rerdell's statement was after that?—A. Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + "Q. Did you ever see that statement made by Senator Dorsey?—A. It + was referred to the attorney-general. + </p> + <p> + "Q. Did you ever see it?—A. Certainly. + </p> + <p> + "Q. Do you know where it now is?—A. I do not." + </p> + <p> + I am not going to say a word about what was in that statement, but the + Court will see that that has a direct bearing upon their action with + regard to Rerdell's statement whether it was made before or after, which I + will endeavor to show, and the only point that I wanted to make upon that + statement now, was that the Government has not endeavored to prove that + anything in that statement was inconsistent with the evidence in this + case. I am not going to say what the statement was; simply that he made a + statement, and it follows as naturally as night follows morning, and + morning follows night, that if that statement had been incorrect it would + have been brought forward. That is all. + </p> + <p> + The Court. For anything the Court knows it might have been a confession. + We do not know anything about it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. If it had been a confession it would have been here. That + is the point I make. If there had been in that anything inconsistent with + the testimony it would have been here. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Probably it would. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Yes, sir; that is my point. + </p> + <p> + The Court. When a man is charged with crime no man has a right to say that + because he did not deny it that is evidence of his guilt. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. No, sir; and no man has a right to say that because he did + deny it is evidence of his innocence. + </p> + <p> + The Court. It is not evidence either way. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. It is not evidence either way, and if I am charged with a + crime and I make a written statement to the Government of my entire + connection with that thing, and they go on and examine it for one year and + finally finish the trial without showing that that statement was + incorrect, it is a moral demonstration that my statement agreed with the + testimony. + </p> + <p> + The Court. On the principle, I suppose, of an account rendered and no + objection made? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Good. That is a good idea. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I do not see anything in that. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I see a great deal in it, and it is a question whether the + jury can see anything in it. + </p> + <p> + The Court. It is a question whether the Court too—— + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. [Interposing.] Very well. + </p> + <p> + The Court. [Continuing.] Whether the Court is going to allow an argument + to be based upon a mere vacuum—wind, nothing. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That would seem to be stealing the foundation of this case. + [Laughter, and cries of "Silence" from the bailiffs.] We will consider the + argument made to the Court, and not to the jury. + </p> + <p> + The next question, then, is what is the <i>corpus delicti</i>; that is, in + a case of conspiracy? I do not believe the combination to be the corpus + delicti—the mere association. It may be the corpus, but it is not + the delicti, and under the law there must not only be a conspiracy, as I + understand it, but also an overt act done by one of the conspirators to + accomplish the object of the conspiracy. So that the conspiracy with the + fraudulent purpose and the overt act constitute the corpus delicti. Now, I + read from Best on Presumptions, page 279: + </p> + <p> + "The corpus delicti, the body of an offence, is the fact of its actually + having been committed." + </p> + <p> + The dead body in a murder case is not the corpus delicti. It is the corpse + and nothing more. It must be followed by evidence that murder was + committed. + </p> + <p> + "The corpus delicti is the body, substance or foundation of the offence. + It is the substantial and fundamental fact of its having been committed." + </p> + <p> + 1 Haggard, 105, opinion by Lord Stowell. + </p> + <p> + I now refer you to Peoples vs. Powell, 63, N. Y., page 92. It seems that + the defendants in this case were commissioners of charities of the county + of Kings, and they were indicted for conspiring together to buy supplies + contrary to law and without duly advertising. Their defence was that they + were not aware that such a law existed; that they were ignorant of the + law. The court below thought that made no difference. The court above said + before they could be guilty of this crime there must be the intention to + commit the crime, and this language is used: + </p> + <p> + "The agreement must have been entered into with an evil purpose, as + distinguished from a purpose simply to do the act prohibited in ignorance + of the prohibition. This is implied in the meaning of the word conspiracy. + Mere concert is not conspiracy." + </p> + <p> + So combination is not conspiracy; partnership is not conspiracy; neither + is it the corpus delicti of conspiracy. There must be the evil intent; + there must be the wicked conspiracy not only, but there must be one at + least overt act done in pursuance of it before the corpus delicti can be + established. + </p> + <p> + "The actual criminal intention belongs to the definition of the offence + and must be shown to justify a conviction for conspiracy. The offence + originally consisted in a combination to convict an innocent person by + perversion of the law. It has since been greatly extended, but I am of + opinion that proof that the defendants agreed to do an act prohibited by + statute, followed by overt acts in furtherance of the agreed purpose, did + not conclusively establish that they were guilty of the crime of + conspiracy." + </p> + <p> + It would be hard to find a stronger case, in my judgment, than that. + Although they agreed to violate a statute—they agreed to buy + supplies without complying with the statute by advertising—they + claimed they were in ignorance of it, and the question was whether they + were guilty of conspiracy, having no intent to do an illegal act, and the + court of appeals decided that that verdict could not stand. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Because the court below had instructed the jury that whether + what they did was done in ignorance or with knowledge it made no + difference. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Certainly; it made no difference. Everybody is supposed to + know the law. + </p> + <p> + Now, the next point is, and great weight has been put upon it, gentlemen, + that concurrence of action establishes conspiracy; that if one does a part + and another another part and finally the culmination comes, that is + absolute evidence, or in other words, an inference. Admitting, now, that + they were perfectly honest, if any of these parties made a bid, that bid + had to be accepted by the Government. They had to act together. The + department and the man had to act together to have the bid accepted. The + department and the man had to act together to make the contract. The + department and the man had to act together to get the pay, and no matter + how perfectly honest the transaction was they had to act together from the + first step to the payment of the last dollar. + </p> + <p> + Now, in a business where they do have to act together, where one + necessarily does one thing, and the other necessarily does another, the + fact that that happens does not even tend to prove that there is any + fraud. Upon this concurrence of action I refer to the case of Metcalfe + against O'Connor and wife, in Little's Select Cases, 497. One of the men + confessed that a large party went to the house where there was a + disturbance and where they tried to take by force a boy from the custody + of a man and woman. Now, the fact that these men did go the house, the + fact that they were there at the time this happened, and the fact that one + of the conspirators or one of the trespassers had confessed that he went + there and that the other went with him for that purpose, the court decides + that you cannot infer the purpose of these men from the statement of the + other; neither can you infer it from the fact that they were there. You + must find out for what purpose they were there by ascertaining what they + did and when they were there, and that concurrence in actions shows + nothing. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Did you not say that the decision there was that the conspiracy + might be inferred from the combination to do the act? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I will just read it and then there will be no guessing + about it: + </p> + <p> + "This is a writ of error prosecuted by the defendants to a judgment for + the plaintiffs in an action of trespass for an assault and battery alleged + to have been committed upon the plaintiff Ann, the wife of the other + plaintiff. + </p> + <p> + "We are of the opinion that the circuit court erred in refusing to + instruct the jury, at the instance of the defendants, to find for all of + them, except the defendant Metcalfe. He is the only one of the defendants + proven to have touched the defendant Ann, and against the other defendants + there is no evidence conducing in the slightest degree to prove them + guilty of committing any assault or battery upon her, or of any intention + to do so. + </p> + <p> + "It is true that it was proved that the other defendants confessed that + they were at the house of Connor when the assault and battery charged is + alleged to have been committed, and it was also proved that Metcalfe + confessed that he and the other defendants had gone there for the purpose + of taking from Connor by force an idiot boy whom he had in his custody. + But the circumstances of the other defendants being at Connor's house, + there is no evidence they were there for any unlawful purpose; nor can it + of itself be sufficient to render them responsible for any act done by + Metcalfe in which they did not participate; and the confessions of + Metcalfe are certainly not legitimate evidence against the others to prove + the unlawful purpose with which they went to Connor's, and thereby to + charge them with the consequences of his act." + </p> + <p> + Now, to all appearances, they went there together; to all appearances, + they went there for the one purpose, and Metcalfe, the man who really did + the mischief, confessed that they all went there for the one purpose, but + the court held that that was not sufficient. + </p> + <p> + "Where several agree or conspire to commit a trespass, or for any other + unlawful purpose, they will, no doubt, all be liable for the act of any + one of them done in execution of the unlawful purpose; and when the + agreement or conspiracy is first proved by other evidence, the confession + of one of them will be admissible evidence against the others. But it is + well settled that the confessions of one person cannot be admitted against + the others to prove that they had conspired with him for an unlawful + purpose." + </p> + <p> + Now, the next evidence that I wish to allude to, gentlemen, is the + evidence of Mr. Walsh, and I will only say a few words, because it has + been examined and it has been ground to powder. Everything in this world + is true in proportion that it agrees with human experience; and you can + safely say that everything is false or the probability is that it is false + in proportion that it is not in accordance with human experience. Other + things being equal, we act substantially alike. + </p> + <p> + Now, when anything really happens everything else that ever happened will + fit it. You take a spar crystal, I do not care how far north you get it, + and another spar crystal, no matter how far south you get it, and put them + together and they will exactly fit each other—exactly. The slope is + precisely the same. And it is so with facts. Every fact in this world will + fit every other fact—just exactly. Not a hair's difference. But a + lie will not fit anything but another lie made for the purpose—never. + It never did. And finally, there has to come a place where this lie, or + the lie made for the sake of it, has to join some truth, and there is a + bad joint always. And that is the only way to examine testimony. Is it + natural? Does it accord with what we know? Does it accord with our + experience? + </p> + <p> + Now, take the testimony of Mr. Walsh, and I find some improbabilities in + it. Just let me read you a few: + </p> + <p> + 1. Bankers and brokers do not, as a rule, loan money without taking at + least a note. That is my experience. And the poorer this broker is, the + less money he has, the more security he wants. He not only wants an + indorser but he would like to have a mortgage on your life, liberty, and + pursuit of happiness. That is the first improbability. + </p> + <p> + 2. Bankers and brokers do not, as a rule, take notes that bear no + interest, or in which the interest is not stated. People who live on + interest find it always to their interest to have the interest mentioned—always. + I never got a cent of a banker that I did not pay interest, and generally + in advance. + </p> + <p> + 3. Bankers and brokers do not, as a rule, take notes payable on demand, + because such notes are not negotiable. + </p> + <p> + 4. It is hardly probable that when a banker and broker holds the note of + another for twelve thousand dollars—the note being unpaid—he + would loan thirteen thousand five hundred dollars more, taking another + note on demand in which the rate of interest was not stated. + </p> + <p> + 5. It is still more improbable that the same banker and broker, with a + note for twelve thousand dollars and one for thirteen thousand five + hundred dollars, being unpaid, would loan five thousand four hundred + dollars more without taking any note or asking any security. + </p> + <p> + 6. When such banker and broker called upon his debtor for a settlement, + and exhibited the two notes, and thereupon his debtor took the two notes + and put them in his pocket, it is highly improbable that the banker and + broker would submit to such treatment. + </p> + <p> + 7. It is improbable that such banker and broker would afterwards commence + suit to recover the money, without mentioning to his attorney, in fact, + that the notes had been taken away from him. + </p> + <p> + 8. It is also improbable that the banker and broker would commence another + suit for the same subject-matter and still keep the fact that the notes + had been taken from him by violence, a secret from his attorney. + </p> + <p> + 9. If Mr. Brady took the notes by force, it is improbable that he would + immediately put himself in the power of the man he had robbed, by stating + to him that he, Brady, was in the habit of taking bribes. + </p> + <p> + 10. It is impossible that Mr. Brady could, in fact, have done this, which + amounted to saying this: "I have taken twenty-five thousand five hundred + dollars from you; of course, you are my enemy; of course, you will + endeavor to be revenged, and I now point out the way in which you can have + your revenge. I am Second Assistant Postmaster-General; I award contracts, + increases, and expedition, and upon these I receive twenty per cent, as a + bribe. I am a bribe-taker; I am a thief; make the most of it. I give you + these tacts in order that I may put a weapon in your hands with which you + can obtain your revenge." + </p> + <p> + There are also other improbabilities connected with this testimony. + </p> + <p> + If Mr. Brady was receiving twenty per cent, of all increases and + expeditions, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars per annum, it + is not easy to see why he would be borrowing money from Mr. Walsh. + </p> + <p> + Now, if that story is true, boil it down and it is this, because if he got + this twenty per cent, from everybody he had oceans of money—boil it + all down and it is this: A rich man borrows without necessity and a poor + banker loans without security. These twin improbabilities would breed + suspicion in credulity itself. No man ever believed that story, no man + ever will. There is something wrong about it somewhere, unnatural, + improbable, and it is for you to say, gentlemen, whether it is true or + not, not for me. What is the effect of that testimony? So far as my + clients are concerned it is admitted, I believe, by the prosecution—it + was so stated, I believe, by his Honor from the bench—that it could + not by any possibility affect any defendant except Mr. Brady, and the + question now is, can it even affect him? I call the attention of the Court + to 40th N. Y., page 228. I give the page from which I read: + </p> + <p> + "To make such admissions or declarations competent evidence, it must stand + as a fact in the cause, admitted or proved, that the assignor or assignees + were in a conspiracy to defraud the creditors. If that fact exist, then + the acts and declarations of either, made in execution of the common + purpose, and in aid of its fulfillment, are competent against either of + them. The principle of its admissibility assumes that fact." + </p> + <p> + That the conspiracy has been established. + </p> + <p> + "In case of conspiracy, where the combination is proved, the acts and + declarations of the conspirators are not received as evidence of that + fact, but to show what was done, the means employed, the particular design + in respect to the parties to be affected or wronged, and generally those + details which, assuming the combination and the illegal purpose, unfold + its extent, scope, and influence either upon the public or the individuals + who suffer from the wrong, or show the execution of the illegal design. + But when the issue is simply and only, was there a conspiracy to defraud, + these declarations do not become evidence to establish it." + </p> + <p> + "So far then, as the admission of the evidence in this case, of + declarations, subsequent to the assignment, is sought to be sustained as + evidence of the common fraud, on the ground of conspiracy, the argument + wholly fails. A conspiracy cannot be proved against three by evidence that + one admitted it, nor against assignees by proof that the assignor admitted + it; it is a fact that must be proved by evidence, the competency of which + does not depend upon an assumption that it exists." + </p> + <p> + So to the same point is the case of Cowles against Coe, 21st Connecticut, + 220. I will read that portion of the syllabus that conveys the idea: + </p> + <p> + "To prove the alleged conspiracy between the defendant and G., the + plaintiff offered the deposition of R., stating declarations made by G. to + R., while G. was engaged in purchasing goods of him, on credit, and + relative to G.'s responsibility and means of obtaining money through the + defendant's aid; these declarations were objected to, not on the ground + that the conspiracy had not been sufficiently proved, but because the + defendant was not present when they were made; it was held that they were + admissible, within the rule regarding declarations made by a conspirator + in furtherance of the common object." + </p> + <p> + Now, let us see what the court says about it: + </p> + <p> + "The remaining question is, whether the declarations of Gale to Edmund + Curtiss and William Ives were properly received. These declarations were + not offered as in any way tending to prove the combination claimed. The + motion shows that they were offered and received after the plaintiff's + evidence on that subject had been introduced. Had they been admitted for + that purpose, or if, under the circumstances, they could have had any + influence with the jury on that point, we should feel bound to advise a + new trial on this account." + </p> + <p> + All that I have said in respect to Walsh applies to what is known or what + is called the confession of Rerdell. It was admitted by the prosecution + that not one word said by him could bind any other defendant in the case. + But, gentlemen, is there enough even to bind him? Did he confess that he + was guilty of the conspiracy set forth in this indictment? And I want to + make one other point. In this case there must be not only a conspiracy, + but an overt act, and no man can confess himself into it without + confessing that he was a conspirator, and that he knew that an overt act + was to be done; because it takes that conspiracy and the overt act to + 'make the offence. What overt act did Rerdell confess that he was guilty + of—what overt act charged in this indictment? One. Filing a + subcontract; and by no earthly method, by no earthly reasoning can you + come to the conclusion that that could carry it into conspiracy. He must + have confessed that he was guilty according to the scheme, according to + the indictment set forth, and in no other way. That indictment says that + the money was to be divided, that it was for the mutual benefit of certain + persons. Unless that has been substantiated this case falls. According to + the case of the King against Pomall the scheme of the indictment must be + established, otherwise the case goes. In that case they charged it was one + way, and they proved it was that way, and one of the defendants did not + understand it that way and he was acquitted. Now, suppose they had not + proved the scheme as they charged it, then all would have been acquitted, + and unless the jury believe beyond a reasonable doubt, from the evidence + that the scheme set forth in the indictment here was the scheme, then they + must find everybody not guilty. There is no other way. + </p> + <p> + What is the next argument? The next argument is extravagance. What is + extravagance? If I pay more for a thing than it is worth that is + extravagance. If I buy a thing that I do not want, that is extravagance, + and if I do this knowing it to be wrong, if I do this understanding that I + am to have a part of the price, that is bribery, that is corruption, that + is rascality. Nobody disputes that. How do you know that a thing is + extravagant unless you know the price of it? For instance, an army officer + is charged with extravagance in buying corn upon the plains at five + dollars a bushel. How do you prove it is extravagance? You must prove that + he could have obtained it for less or that there was a cheaper substitute + that he should have obtained. How are you going to prove that too much was + paid for carrying the mail upon these routes? Only by showing that it + could have been carried for less. What witness was before this jury fixing + the price? How are we to establish the fact that it was extravagance? We + must show that it could have been obtained for less money. What witness + came here and swore that he would carry it for less? And would it be fair + to have the entire case decided upon one route when it is in evidence that + my clients had thirty per cent, of one hundred and twenty-six routes? + Would it be fair to decide the question whether they had made or lost + money on one route? Your experience tells you that upon one route they + might make a large sum of money and upon several other routes lose + largely. A man who has bid for one hundred routes takes into view the + average and says "upon some I shall lose and upon others I shall make." + How are you to find that this was extravagance unless you know what it + could have been done for? They may say that they subcontracted some of the + routes for much less. Yes; but what did they do with the rest of them? I + might take a contract to build a dozen houses in this city, and on the + first house make ten thousand dollars clear, and on the balance I might + lose twenty-five thousand dollars. You have a right to take these things + and to average them. When a man takes a contract he takes into + consideration the chances that he must run in that new and wild country. + It takes work to carry this mail. You ought to be there sometimes in the + winter when the wind comes down with an unbroken sweep of three or four + thousand miles, and then tell me what you think it is worth to carry the + mail. All these things must be taken into consideration. Another thing: + You must remember that every one of these routes was established by + Congress. Congress first said, "Here shall be a route; here the mail shall + be carried." It was the business then, I believe, of the First Assistant + Postmaster-General to name the offices, and the Second Assistant to put on + the service. Take that into consideration. Every one of these routes was + established by Congress. Take another thing into consideration: That the + increase of service and expedition was asked for, petitioned for, begged + for, and urged by the members of both houses of Congress, and according to + that book, which I believe is in evidence, a majority of both houses of + Congress asked, recommended, and urged increase of service and expedition + upon some of the nineteen routes in this indictment. + </p> + <p> + The Court. What evidence do you refer to? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I refer to the Star Route investigation in Congress. + </p> + <p> + The Court. That record is not in evidence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I thought that was in evidence. + </p> + <p> + The Court. No, sir. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. It was used as if it was in evidence. I saw people reading + from it, and supposed it was in evidence. + </p> + <p> + The Court. It is not in evidence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Well, we will leave that out. Now, upon these nineteen + routes—this is in evidence—increase and expedition of service + were recommended by such Senators as Booth, Farley, Slater, Grover, + Chaffee, Chilcott, Saunders, and by the present Secretary of the Interior, + Henry M. Teller, and by such members of Congress as Whiteaker, Page, + Luttrell, Pacheco, Berry, Belford, Bingham, chairman of the postoffice + committee, by Stevens of Arizona, a delegate, and by Maginnis of Montana, + and Kidder of Dakota, by Generals Sherman, Terry, Miles, Hatch and Wilcox + In addition to these, recommendations were made and read by judges of + courts, by district attorneys, by governors of Territories, by governors + of States, and by members of State Legislatures, by colonels, by majors, + by captains, and by hundreds and hundreds of good, reputable, honest + citizens. They were the ones to decide as a matter of fact whether this + increase was or was not necessary. + </p> + <p> + I believe in carrying the mails. I believe in the diffusion of + intelligence. I believe the men in Colorado or Wyoming, or any other + Territory, that are engaged in digging gold or silver from the earth, or + any other pursuits, have just as much right, in the language of Henry M. + Teller, to their mail as any gentleman has to his in the city of New York. + We are a nation that believes in intelligence. + </p> + <p> + We believe in daily mail. That is about the only blessing we get from the + General Government, excepting the privilege of paying taxes. Free mail, + substantially free, is a blessing. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is another argument which has been used: Productiveness; but + that has been so perfectly answered that I allude to it only for one + purpose. How would the attorneys for the Government in this case like to + have their fees settled upon that basis? Productiveness. Is it possible + that this Government cannot afford to carry the mail? Is it possible that + the pioneer can get beyond the Government? Is is possible that we are not + willing to carry letters and papers to the men that make new Territories + and new States and put new stars upon our flag? I have heard all I wish on + the subject of productiveness. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, that is all the evidence there is in this case, that I + have heard. What kind of evidence must we have in a conspiracy case? You + have been told during this trial that it is very hard to get evidence in a + conspiracy case, and therefore you must be economical enough to put up + with a little. They tell you that this is a very peculiar offence, and + people are very secret about it. Well, they are secret about most + offences. Very few people steal in public. Very few commit offences who + expect to be discovered. I know of no difference between this offence and + any other. You have got to prove it. No matter how hard it is to prove you + must prove it. It is harder to convict a man without testimony, or should + be, than to produce testimony to prove it if he is guilty. All these + crimes, of course, are committed in secret. That is always the way. But + you must prove them. There is no pretence here that there is any direct + evidence, any evidence of a meeting, any evidence of agreement, any + evidence of an understanding. It is all circumstantial. I lay down these + two propositions: + </p> + <p> + "The hypothesis of guilt must flow naturally from the facts proved, and be + consistent, not with some of the facts, not with a majority of the facts, + but with every fact." + </p> + <p> + Let me read that again: + </p> + <p> + "<i>The hypothesis of guilt must flow naturally from the facts proved, and + must be consistent with them; not some of them, not the majority of them, + but all of them</i>." + </p> + <p> + The second proposition is: + </p> + <p> + "The evidence must be such as to exclude every single reasonable + hypothesis except that of the guilt of the defendant. In other words, all + the facts proved must be consistent with and point to the guilt of the + defendants not only, but every fact must be inconsistent with their + innocence." + </p> + <p> + That is the law, and has been since man spoke Anglo-Saxon. Let me read you + that last proposition again. I like to read it: + </p> + <p> + "The evidence must be such as to exclude every reasonable hypothesis + except that of the guilt of the defendants. In other words, all the facts + proved must be consistent with and point to the guilt of the defendants + not only, but they must be inconsistent, and every fact must be + inconsistent with their innocence." + </p> + <p> + Now, just apply that law to the case of John W. Dorsey. Apply that law to + the case of Stephen W. Dorsey. Let me read further. I read now from 1 + Bishop's Criminal Procedure, paragraph 1077. + </p> + <p> + "It matters not how clearly the circumstances point to guilt, still, if + they are reasonably explainable on a theory which excludes guilt, they + cannot satisfy the jury beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants are + guilty, and hence they will be insufficient." + </p> + <p> + Just apply that to the case of Stephen W. Dorsey and John W. Dorsey. I + would be willing that this jury should render a verdict with that changed. + Change it. You are to find guilty if you have the slightest doubt of + innocence. Even under that rule you could not find a verdict of guilty + against John W. or Stephen W. Dorsey. If the rule were that you are to + find guilty if you have a doubt as to innocence you could not do it; how + much less when the rule is that you must have no doubt as to their guilt. + The proposition is preposterous and I will not insult your intelligence by + arguing it any further. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, there is another thing I want to keep before you. When a man + has a little suspicion in his mind he tortures everything; he tortures the + most innocent actions into the evidence of crime. Suspicion is a kind of + intellectual dye that colors every thought that comes in contact with it. + I remember I once had a conversation with Surgeon-General Hammond, in + which he went on to state that he thought many people were confined in + asylums, charged with insanity, who were perfectly sane. I asked him how + he accounted for it. Said he, "Physicians are sent for to examine the man, + and they are told before they get to him that he is crazy; therefore, the + moment they look upon him they are hunting for insane acts and not sane + acts; they are looking not to see how naturally he acts, but how + unnaturally he acts." They are poisoned with the suspicion that he is + insane, and if he coughs twice, or if he gets up and walks about uneasily—his + mind is a little unsettled; something wrong! If he suddenly gets angry—sure + thing! When a man believes himself to be or knows himself to be sane, and + is charged with insanity, the very warmth, the very heat of his denial + will convince thousands of people that he is insane. He suddenly finds + himself insecure, and the very insecurity that he feels makes him act + strangely. He finds in a moment that explanation only complicates. He + finds that his denial is worthless; that his friends are suspicious, and + that under pretence of his own good he is to be seized and incarcerated. + Many a man as sane as you or I has under such circumstances gone to + madness. It is a hard thing to explain. The more you talk about it the + more outsiders having a suspicion are convinced that you are insane. It is + much the same way when a man is charged with crime. It is heralded through + all the papers, "this man is a robber and a thief." Why do they put it in + the papers? Put anything good in a paper about Mr. Smith, and Mr. Smith is + the only man who will buy it. Put in something bad about Mr. Smith and + they will have to run the press nights to supply his neighbors with + copies. The bad sells. The good does not. Then you must remember another + thing: That these papers are large; some of them several hundred columns, + for all I know—sixty or a hundred. Just imagine the pains it would + take and the money it would cost to get facts enough to fill a paper like + that. Economy will not permit of it. They publish what they imagine they + can sell. As a rule, people would rather heaf-something bad than something + good. It is a splendid certificate to our race that rascality is still + considered news. If they only put in honest actions as news it would be a + certificate that honesty was rare; but as long as they publish the bad as + news it is a certificate that the majority of mankind is still good. + </p> + <p> + Now, to be charged with a crime and to be suddenly deserted by your + friends, and to know that you are absolutely innocent, is almost enough to + drive the sanest man mad. I want you to think what these defendants have + suffered in these long months. If the men who started this prosecution, if + the men who originally poisoned the press of the country, feel that they + have been rewarded simply because innocent men have suffered agony, let + them so feel. I do not envy them their feelings. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing, gentlemen: The prosecution have endeavored to + terrorize this jury. The effort has been deliberately made to terrorize + you and every one of you. It was plainly intimated by Mr. Ker that this + jury had been touched, and that if you failed to convict, you would be + suspected of having been bribed. That was an effort to terrorize you, and + the foundation of that argument was a belief in your moral cowardice. No + man would have made it to you unless he believed at heart you were + cowards. What does that argument mean? I cannot say whether you will be + suspected or not; but, in my opinion, a juror in the discharge of his duty + has no right to think of any consequence personal to himself. That is the + beauty of doing right. You need not think of anything else. The future + will take care of itself. I do not agree with the suggestion that it is + better that you should be applauded for a crime than blamed for a virtue. + Suppose you should gain the applause of the whole United States by giving + a false verdict; how would the echo of that applause strike your heart? I + do not believe that it is wiser to preserve the appearance of being honest + than to be honest with the appearance against you. I would rather be + absolutely honest, and have everybody in the world think I was dishonest, + than to be dishonest and have the whole world believe in my honesty. You + see you have got to stay with yourself all the time. You have to be your + own company, and to be compelled to know that your company is dishonest, + that your company is infamous, is not pleasant. I would rather know I was + honest and have the whole world put upon the forehead of my reputation the + brand of rascality. + </p> + <p> + You were also told that the people generally have anticipated your + verdict. + </p> + <p> + That is simply an effort to terrorize you, so that you will say, "If the + people think that way, of course we must think that way. No matter about + the evidence. No matter if we have sworn to do justice. We will all try + and be popular." You were told in effect that the people were expecting a + conviction, and the only inference is that you ought not to disappoint the + public, and that it is your duty to piece and patch the testimony and + violate your oath, rather than to disappoint the general expectation. Mr. + Merrick told you you were trying these defendants, but that the people of + the whole country were trying you. What was the object of that statement? + Simply to terrorize this jury. What was the basis of that statement? Why, + that not one of you have got the pluck to do right. It was not a + compliment, gentlemen. It was intended for one, no doubt, but when you see + where it was born, it becomes an insult. I do not believe you are going to + care what the people say, or whether the people expect a verdict of + guilty, or not. You have been told that they do. I might with equal + propriety tell you that they do not. I might with equal propriety say + there is not a man in this court-house who expects a verdict of guilty. + With equal propriety I might say, and will say, that there is not a man on + this jury who expects there will be a verdict of guilty. But what has that + to do with us? + </p> + <p> + Try this case according to the evidence; and if you know that every man, + woman, and child in the United States want an acquittal, and you are + satisfied of the guilt of the defendants, it is your duty to find them + guilty. + </p> + <p> + If I were on the jury I would, in the language of the greatest man that + ever trod this earth— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Strip myself to death, as to a bed + That longing have been sick for, before I would give a false verdict. +</pre> + <p> + Again, Mr. Merrick said, after having stated in effect that a majority of + the people were convinced of the guilt of the defendants, that the + majority of the men of the United States do not often think wrong. What + was the object? To terrorize you. That is all. This verdict is to be + carried by universal suffrage; you are to let the men who are not on oath + decide for the men who are; to let the men who have not heard the + testimony give the verdict of the men who have heard the testimony. What + else? Again the same gentleman said: + </p> + <p> + "There is to be a verdict, a verdict of the people for or against us." + What is the object? To frighten you. Let the people have their verdict; + you must have yours. If your verdict is founded on the evidence it will be + upheld by every honest man in the world who knows the evidence. You need + certainly to place very little value upon the opinion of those who do not + know the evidence. Mr. Merrick also suggested—I will hardly put it + that way—he was brave enough to hope that you have not been bribed. + Brave enough to hope that! All this, gentlemen, is done simply for the + purpose of terrorizing you. I tell you to find a verdict according to the + evidence, no matter whom it hits, no matter whom it destroys, no matter + whom it kills. Save your own consciences alive. Your verdict must rest on + the evidence that has been introduced, and all else must be thrown aside, + disregarded, like forgotten dreams. All that you have read, all the press + has printed, must find no lodgment in your brains. You must regard them no + more than you would the noises of animals made in sleep. You must stand by + the testimony. You must stand by the law that the Court gives you. That is + all we ask. These articles in the newspapers were not printed in the hope + that justice might be done. They were printed in the hope that you may be + influenced to disregard the evidence, in the hope that finally slander + might be justified by your verdict. Gentlemen, you ought to remember that + in this case you are absolutely supreme. You have nothing to do with the + supposed desires of any men, or the supposed desires of any department, or + the supposed desires of any Government, or the supposed desires of any + President, or the supposed desires of the public. You have nothing to do + with those things. You have to do only with the evidence. Here all power + is powerless except your own. Position is naught. If the defendants are + guilty, and the evidence convinces you that they are, your verdict must be + in accordance with the evidence. You have no right to take into + consideration the consequences. When you are asked to find a verdict + contrary to the evidence, when you are asked to piece out the testimony + with your suspicions, then you are bound to take into consideration all + the consequences. When appeals are made to your prejudice and to your + fears, then the consequences should rise like mountains before you. Then + you should think of the lives you are asked to wreck, of the homes your + verdict would darken, of the hearts it would desolate, of the cheeks it + would wet with tears, and of the reputations it would blast and blacken, + of the wives it would worse than widow, and of the children it would more + than orphan. When you are asked to find a false verdict think of these + consesequences. When you are asked to please the public think of these + consequences. When you are asked to please the press think of these + consequences. When you are asked to act from fear, hatred, prejudice, + malice, or cowardice think then of these consequences. But whenever you do + right, consequences are nothing to you, because you are not responsible + for them. Whoever does right clothes himself in a suit of armor that the + arrows of consequences can never penetrate. When you do wrong you are + responsible for all the consequences, to the last sigh and the last tear. + If you do right nature is responsible. If you do wrong you are + responsible. + </p> + <p> + You were told, too, by Mr. Merrick that you should have no sympathy; that + you should be like icicles; that you should be godlike. A cool conception + of deity! In that connection this heartless language, as it appears to me, + was used: + </p> + <p> + "Man when he undertakes to judge his brother-man undertakes to perform the + highest duty given to humanity." + </p> + <p> + Good! + </p> + <p> + He should perform that duty without fear, without prejudice, without + hatred, and without malice. He should perform that duty honestly, grandly, + nobly. + </p> + <p> + I read on: + </p> + <p> + "Inclosed within the jury-box or on the bench he is separated from the + great mass of mankind—" + </p> + <p> + Then you should not pay any attention to the opinion of the public. If you + are separated you should not be dominated by the press. If you are + separated you should not be disturbed by the desires of anybody. But he + continues: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "and sentiments of brotherhood die away." +</pre> + <p> + About that time you would be nice men: + </p> + <p> + "Standing above humanity and nearest God he looks down upon his fellow, + and judges them without any reference to the sorrow his judgment may + bring." + </p> + <p> + That is not my doctrine. The higher you get in the scale of being, the + grander, the nobler, and the tenderer you will become. Kindness is always + an evidence of greatness. Malice is the property of small souls. Whoever + allows the feeling of brotherhood to die in his heart becomes a wild + beast. You know it and so do I: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, + The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, + Become them with one-half so good a grace as mercy does." +</pre> + <p> + And yet the only mercy we ask in this case, gentlemen, is the mercy of an + honest verdict. That is all. + </p> + <p> + I appeal to you for my clients, because the evidence shows that they are + honest men. I appeal to you for my client, Stephen W. Dorsey, because the + evidence shows that he is a man, a man with an intellectual horizon and a + mental sky, a man of genius, generous, and honest. And yet this + prosecution, this Government, these attorneys representing the majesty of + the Republic, representing the only real Republic that ever existed, have + asked you, gentlemen of the jury, not only to violate the law of the land, + they have asked you to violate the law of nature. They have maligned + mercy. They have laughed at mercy. They have trampled upon the holiest + human ties, and they have even made light of the fact that a wife in this + trial has sat by her husband's side. Think of it. + </p> + <p> + There is a painting in the Louvre, a painting of desolation, of despair + and love. It represents the night of the crucifixion. The world is + represented in shadow. The stars are dead, and yet in the darkness is seen + a kneeling form. It is Mary Magdalene with loving lips and hands pressed + against the bleeding feet of Christ. The skies were never dark enough nor + starless enough; the storm was never fierce enough nor wild enough, the + quick bolts of heaven were never lurid enough, and arrows of slander never + flew thick enough to drive a noble woman from her husband's side. And so + it is in all of human speech, the <i>holiest word is wife</i>. + </p> + <p> + And now, gentlemen, I have examined this testimony, I have examined every + charge in the indictment against my clients not only, but every charge + made outside of the indictment. I have shown you that the indictment is + one thing and the evidence another. I have shown you that not one single + charge has been substantiated against John W. Dorsey. I have demonstrated + to you that not one solitary charge has been established against Stephen + W. Dorsey—not one. I believe that I have shown to you that there is + no foundation for a verdict of guilty against any defendant in this case. + </p> + <p> + I have spoken now, gentlemen, the last words that will be spoken in public + for my clients, the last words that will be spoken in public for any of + these defendants, the last words that will be heard in their favor until I + hear from the lips of this foreman two eloquent words—<i>Not Guilty</i>. + And now thanking the Court for many acts of personal kindness, and you, + gentlemen of the jury, for your almost infinite patience, I leave my + clients with all they have and with all they love and with all who love + them in your hands. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + OPENING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE SECOND STAR ROUTE TRIAL. + </h2> + <p> + Washington, D. C., Dec. 21, 1882. + </p> + <p> + MAY it please the Court and gentlemen of the jury: We consider that the + right to be tried by jury is the right preservative of all other rights. + The right to be tried by our peers, by men taken from the body of the + county, by men whose minds have not been saturated with prejudice, by men + who have no hatred, no malice to gratify, no revenge to wreak, no debts to + pay, we consider an inestimable right, regarding the jury as the bulwark + of civil liberty. Take that right from the defendants in any case and they + are left at the mercy of power, at the mercy of prejudice. The experience + of thousands of years, the experience of the English-speaking people, of + the Anglo-Saxon people, the only people now upon the globe with a genius + for law, is that the jury is a breastwork behind which an honest man is + safe from the attack of an entire nation. We esteem it, I say, a + privilege, a great and invaluable right, that we have you twelve men to + stand between us and the prejudice of the hour. We believe that you will + hear this case without passion, without hatred, and that you will decide + it absolutely in accordance with the law and with the evidence. This is + the tribunal absolutely supreme. In a case of this character, gentlemen, + you are the judges of what is the law; you are the judges of what are the + facts; you are the absolute judges of the worth of testimony; and you have + not only the right, but it is your duty to utterly disregard the testimony + of any man that you do not believe to be true. You, I say, are the + exclusive judges, and for that reason we ask, we beg you, to hear all this + testimony, to pay heed to every word, and then decide, not as somebody + else desires, but as your judgment dictates, and as your conscience + demands. Here before this jury all letters of Attorneys-General, all + desires of Presidents, all popular clamor, all prejudice, no matter from + what source, is turned simply to dust and ashes, and you are to regard + them all simply as though they never had been. + </p> + <p> + There is one other thing. Some people are naturally suspicious. It is an + infinitely mean trait in human nature. Suspicion is only another form of + cowardice. The man who suspects constantly suspects because he is afraid. + Whenever you find a man with a free, frank, generous, brave nature, you + will find that man without suspicion. Suspicion is the soil in which + prejudice grows, and prejudice is the upas tree in whose shade reason + fails and justice dies. And allow me to say that no amount of suspicion + amounts to evidence. No case is to be tried upon suspicion. No case is to + be tried upon suspicious facts. No case is to be tried on scraps, and + patches, and shreds, and ravelings. There must be evidence; there must be + absolute, solid testimony. A case is tried according to the rocks of fact + and not according to the clouds and fogs of suspicion. No juror has a + right to make a decision until he feels his feet firmly fixed upon the + bed-rock of truth. + </p> + <p> + So I say, gentlemen, that we are glad of the opportunity to make a + statement of this case to you, and to tell you exactly the manner in which + my clients became interested in what is known as the star-route service. + You have to be guided in this case by the indictment. That is the star and + compass of this trial. You cannot go outside of it. The evidence must be + confined to the charges contained in that instrument. If you find us + guilty of a conspiracy, it must be such a conspiracy as is set forth in + that indictment. That indictment is the charter of your authority, and you + have no right to find us guilty of anything in the world except that which + is therein charged. + </p> + <p> + Now, let me give you an exceedingly brief statement of what we are here + for. It is charged in that indictment that all these defendants, including + one who has been discharged by a jury, who has been found not guilty, Mr. + Turner, including another who is dead, Mr. Peck, conspired together for + the purpose of defrauding the United States, and we are met at the + threshold with the statement that conspiracy is very hard to prove. It is + like any other offence, gentlemen. They say conspirators generally meet in + secret. My reply to that is that people generally steal in secret, and the + fact that they stole in secret was never deemed an excuse for not proving + the offence before they were found guilty. You can see that this is + precisely like any other offence in the world. Men when they commit crimes + endeavor to get away from the public eye. They are in love with darkness. + They do not carry torches in front of them. And it is so in every crime. + But whether conspiracy is difficult to prove or not, it must be + established before you can find the defendants guilty. That is a + difficulty that the Government must overcome by testimony. The jury must + not endeavor to overcome it by a verdict. And I say here to-day that the + same rule of evidence applies to this case as to any other, and you must + be satisfied by the testimony the Government will offer that these men + conspired together; that they entered into an arrangement wherein the part + of each was marked out, and that that arrangement was contrary to law; and + that the object of that arrangement was to defraud the Government of the + United States. + </p> + <p> + This indictment is kind enough to tell us the means that were employed to + carry out that conspiracy. How did they find these means, gentlemen? They + must have had some evidence on which they relied. If they had evidence + enough to convince them, they must introduce that evidence here, and if + that evidence establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that these men + conspired, then you will find them guilty; otherwise not. The difficulty + of establishing it is something with which you have nothing to do. How did + they conspire? What were the means they had agreed to use? Let us see. + Thomas J. Brady was the Second Assistant Postmaster-General. The + Postmaster-General was not included in the scheme, consequently they must + deceive him. The Sixth Auditor was not included in this conspiracy, and as + by virtue of his office it was his duty to go over all of these accounts + and pass upon the legality of each item, it was necessary to deceive him. + According to the indictment Mr. Turner was a clerk in the department, and + his part of the rascality was, on the jackets inclosing petitions, to make + false statements in regard to the contents of the petitions inclosed. The + object of that being that when the Second Assistant Postmaster-General, + Mr. Brady, exhibited these jackets to the Postmaster-General, it being + considered that he would not have time to read the petition, he would be + misled by the false statements on the cover touching the contents. + </p> + <p> + The next step was for the contractors to get up false petitions; that is, + petitions to be signed by persons who did not live along the route upon + which the mail was to be carried. These petitions also to be forged; that + is to say, the names of persons put there by another, or the names of + fictitious persons written, when in fact no such persons existed. + </p> + <p> + The next thing to do was to write false and fraudulent letters; to induce + others to write such letters; the next thing, to make false affidavits; + and the next thing, to make false orders—those to be made by Mr. + Brady—and these false orders were to have, as a false foundation, + false petitions, false letters, false communications, false affidavits, + and fraudulently written representations. + </p> + <p> + That is the indictment. That is the scheme said to have been entered into + by my clients with all of these defendants, and the object being to + defraud the Government of the United States. Now, in order to establish + that scheme, it would be necessary for the Government to prove it. Not to + assert it. Neither have you the right to infer it. No man can be inferred + out of his liberty. No man can be inferred into the penitentiary. That is + not the way to deprive a man of his reputation and of liberty—by + inference. They must prove it. They must prove that the petitions were + false. They must prove that the letters were fraudulent. They must prove + that the orders rested upon those false and fraudulent petitions, letters, + and affidavits; and they must prove that Mr. Brady knew them to be false. + </p> + <p> + It is also stated in this indictment that service was to be paid for when + it was not performed; that service was discontinued and a month's extra + pay allowed; that fines were imposed and afterwards set aside because the + contractors agreed to pay fifty per cent, of such fines to General Brady. + I will speak of them when I come to them. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is a clear statement. What part, then, did my clients play in + this scheme? I will tell you. It is charged in the indictment that John M. + Peck was in this scheme, and, although he is dead, whatever he did, I + imagine, can be established by the Government. A man can be found guilty, + I understand, of having entered into a conspiracy with another, although + the other be dead, and the living man can be convicted. + </p> + <p> + Now, it is stated in the outset that my clients never had been engaged in + carrying the mail and that is regarded as an exceedingly suspicious + circumstance. A man has got to commence some time, if he ever goes into + the business, and if this doctrine be true, the first bid that a man ever + makes is evidence that he has entered into a conspiracy. Suppose, on the + other hand, my clients have long been engaged in this business. What would + the Government counsel then have said? They would have said, gentlemen, + that they had been engaged for years in the business. They knew all the + tricks that were played, and consequently they were the very persons to + form a conspiracy. And that is the wonderful thing about suspicion. It + changes every fact. It colors every word it reads and every paper at which + it looks; and no matter what are the facts, the moment they are regarded + with a suspicious mind they prove what the man suspects. + </p> + <p> + So, then, the first charge is that we had never been in the business, and + consequently our going into the business must have been the result of a + conspiracy. Gentlemen, if the doctrine be laid down that it is dangerous + for a man to make a bid the result of that doctrine will be to double the + expenses of the Government in carrying the mails. All that will be + necessary, then, is for the old bidders to combine. They will know that + there is no danger of any new men interfering with them, because the new + men will be immediately indicted for conspiracy and the old men will have + the field to themselves. You can see that this is infinitely absurd. There + is only one step beyond such absurdity, and that is annihilation. No man + can possess his faculties and get beyond that absurdity, if it is evidence + of conspiracy, because it is the first thing. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, however, John M. Peck had been engaged in the mail + business. He was engaged in the business before 1874. He had been + interested with others before that time. He was interested in several + important routes from 1874 to 1878. It was in the fall of 1877 that he + made arrangements to bid at the next letting. He was a business man. He + was not an adventurer. He was secretary at that time of the Arkansas + Central Railroad. He had been, I believe, for two sessions a member of the + Ar-kansas Legislature. He was in good standing, solvent, and regarded as + an honest man. In 1874 he was interested in the bids and, as I said, was + engaged in carrying the mails at the time these contracts were entered + into. He became acquainted with John W. Dorsey, I believe, in 1874. When + he made up his mind to put in more bids for the letting of 1878 he went + after John W. Dorsey, and they met together in the city of New York, I + believe, in the month of September, and agreed that they would put in some + bids for the letting of 1878. Peck was acquainted with John R. Miner and + had been acquainted with him for a considerable time. Mr. Miner wanted to + go into some other business than that in which he was then engaged, and + those three men made up their minds to bid. Was there anything criminal in + that? Nothing. Any men anywhere have the right to combine; the right to + form a partnership; the right to come together for the purpose of making + proposals for carrying the United States mails. Of course you will all + admit that. Now, that is what they did. There was nothing criminal, + nothing secret, nothing underhanded. Everything was above board, open, and + in the daylight. There is no conspiracy yet, and we will show that. + </p> + <p> + John M. Peck had been troubled with a lung disease. He had gotten much + better in September, and thought that he was almost well. Later in the + fall he took a severe cold and got much worse, and from that difficulty, I + believe, he never wholly recovered. He went, however, to Colorado and New + Mexico, and finally died. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us see about John W. Dorsey. I believe that great pains have been + taken to say that he was a tinsmith, which is a suspicious circumstance. + Why? Is there any law against a tinsmith bidding to carry the mails? Is + there any such provision in the statute? And yet that has been lugged + forward as one of the evidences of a conspiracy in this case, and it has + been lugged forward in a way to cast some disgrace upon this man—simply + because he was a tinsmith. Well, do you know I have as much respect for a + good tinsmith as for a good anything. What is the difference? Sometimes I + have thought I had more respect for a good tinsmith than a poor + professional man—sometimes. In this country of all others labor is + held to be absolutely honorable, and I think a thousand times more of a + man who works in the street and takes care of his wife and children than I + do of somebody else who dresses well and lives on the labor of others, and + then is impudent enough to endeavor to disgrace the source of his own + bread. I think the man who eats the bread of idleness is under a certain + obligation to speak well of labor. And yet we have the spectacle in this + very court of the Attorney General of the United States endeavoring to + cast a little stain upon this man. As a matter of fact, and I am almost + sorry to say it, John W. Dorsey is not a tinsmith. I am almost sorry to + make the admission. He happened to be a merchant, which is no more + honorable but somewhat easier. He dealt in stoves and tinware. That, + gentlemen, is his crime, and upon that rests the terrible suspicion that + he is a conspirator. And I want to say more, that his reputation for + honesty, his reputation for fair dealing, is as good as that of any other + man in the State in which he resides. He made up his mind to cast his + fortunes with John M. Peck and with John R. Miner and make some bids for + carrying the mails of the United States. That is all there is about it. + </p> + <p> + There is, however, another suspicious circumstance, and that is that John + W. Dorsey was the brother of Stephen W. Dorsey, and Stephen W. Dorsey at + that time was a Senator of the United States. That is another suspicious + circumstance. Whenever you find a man with a Senator for a brother, put + him down as a conspirator. Another suspicious circumstance, John M. Peck + was the brother-in law of S. W. Dorsey, absolutely married a sister of + Mrs. Dorsey, and that was the beginning of this hellish conspiracy. It was + suspicious. He intended to rob the Government when he was courting that + girl. + </p> + <p> + Now, we come to another man, Mr. John R. Miner, and the suspicious thing + about Miner is that he lives in Sandusky. But that of itself would be + nothing. Dorsey lived there once, too. Now, do you not see how they moved + to that town with the diabolical purpose of swindling this great + Government? Miner was not in very good health—do you not see—pretended + to be sick so that he could leave Sandusky; and in some way Miner and + Dorsey were excellent friends—another suspicious circumstance; and + for several years whenever John R. Miner visited Washington he laid the + foundations of this conspiracy by always stopping at the house of Senator + Dorsey—another suspicious thing. And do you not recollect the + delight, the abandon with which Mr. Bliss emphasized the word house, when + he said that they met at Dorsey's house? I had a great notion to get up + and plead guilty on that emphasis.. Miner came here. He and Peck were + acquainted; and wherever you find four men acquainted, gentlemen, look + out, there is trouble. When Miner came here he went directly to the house + of Senator Dorsey. I admit it with all the damning consequences that flow + from that admission. He did not even go to a hotel. He went directly to + Dorsey's house. I want that in all your minds, because the prosecution + regards that as one of the foundation facts in this conspiracy, and while + admitting it, do you not see how much I save them in the way of evidence. + </p> + <p> + And there is another damning fact connected with this case. Dorsey in the + top of his house had set apart one room for an office. It was up two or + three pair of stairs. I think he established his office there to shield + himself a little from the people who usually call on a Senator in the city + of Washington. But he found that he put himself to more trouble than he + did them, so he moved his office to the lower part of the building, and + when John Miner got to that house he occupied a room right next to that + office upstairs, and sometimes he went in there and wrote. Now, you see, + gentlemen, how that conspiracy was planted; how the branches sprang out of + the windows of that room and covered all the territory of the United + States. I might as well admit that frightful fact. I do not know that they + know that, but I might as well admit it, because we want the worst to come + first. Before Miner came here he wrote a letter. There is another place to + put a pin of suspicion. He wrote a letter to S. W. Dorsey; that is, it was + Miner or Peck, I have forgotten which, and may be that very forgetfulness + of mine is another evidence of conspiracy. A letter was written either by + Miner or Peck to Stephen W. Dorsey, saying that they were going to bid; + that Peck was not well enough to be here at that particular time, and + would he be kind enough to hand that letter to some man in whom he had + confidence and let that man get such information as he could with regard + to the routes upon which they expected to bid—all these Western star + routes. + </p> + <p> + Now, what did S. W. Dorsey do? There was a man in town by the name of + Boone. He sent for Mr. Boone, and I believe that Mr. Boone went to Mr. + Dorsey's house, and that Dorsey handed him that letter in his house. And + what was the object of the letter? For Boone to get information regarding + these routes. Well, now, what did Boone do? Boone made up a circular which + he sent to all the postmasters, or most of them, through Oregon, + Washington Territory, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Kansas, + Nebraska; that is to say, the Western States and Territories; and in this + circular a certain number of questions were propounded to each postmaster. + First, the distance from that post-office to the next, and from the next + to the next, and so through the route. Second, the condition of the roads, + whether hilly or level. Third, about the snows in winter and the floods in + spring. Fourth, the cost of hay and corn and oats. Fifth, the wages that + would have to be paid to the man or men; and it may be some other + questions in addition. Now, these circulars were sent by Boone to all the + postmasters in consequence of a letter that he received in Dorsey's house. + What for? So that by the time that Miner and Peck and John W. Dorsey came + they could sit down and bid intelligently upon these routes; so that they + would have some information that would guide them; in other words, that + they would not be compelled to bid at random. + </p> + <p> + Now, we will show, gentlemen, that that was done, and if at that time + there had been a conspiracy, certainly such information was of no + particular value. Now, that is what Mr. Boone did, and I believe that is + about all he did at that time. There is no conspiracy yet, no fraud yet. + It is utterly impossible to defraud the Government by getting information + from postmasters as to the condition of the roads, and as to the distance + from one post-office to another. There is no fraud yet, no conspiracy up + to this point. In a little while Mr. Miner and Mr. John W. Dorsey + appeared. Ah, but they say Stephen W. Dorsey was at that time a Senator of + the United States Yes, he was, and I believe he remained Senator until the + 4th of March, 1879. When his brother came we will show to you that Stephen + W. Dorsey said to his brother, "I would rather you would not bid; I would + much rather that you would keep out of this business, because I am a + Senator and somebody may find fault. Somebody may suspect, and + consequently I would much rather you would get out of the business." John + W. Dorsey did not agree with him. He said he did not see how that could + interfere with him, and that he believed he could do well in that + business, and the consequence was he went on. There is nothing suspicious + so far as I can see in that. That is what we will show. + </p> + <p> + This man being a member of the United States Senate did what he did out of + pure friendship; did what he did for his brother, what he did for Mr. + Peck, and what he did for Mr. + </p> + <p> + Miner from pure friendship. I know it is very difficult for some people to + imagine that any man does anything for friendship. They put behind every + decent action the crawling snake of a mean and selfish motive. My opinion + of human nature is somewhat different. I have known thousands and + thousands of men capable of disinterested actions, thousands of men that + would help a brother, a brother-in-law, or a friend, and help them to the + extent of their fortune. I have known such men and I never supposed such + acts could be tortured into evidence of meanness. + </p> + <p> + The first charge against Stephen W. Dorsey is that he sent some bonds and + proposals for bids to a postmaster by the name of Clendenning, in the + State of Arkansas. The trouble with these bonds, as I understand it, was + that the amount of the bid was not put in the blank in the printed + proposal. It is claimed by the prosecution that according to the law the + postmaster has no right to certify to the solvency of the security until + that blank is filled. I want to explain this so that you will understand + it. I think I have one of the bonds and proposals here. I would like to + have the Court see exactly the scope of it. [Exhibiting blank form of + proposal and bond.] The proposal is that the undersigned,———— + whose post-office address is————, of the county of————, + and State of————, proposes to carry the mails of + the United States from July 1, such a date, to June 30 of such a date, + being four years, between such and such a place, under the advertisement + of the Postmaster-General, for the sum of————dollars + per annum. Now, if I understand the matter of the Clendenning bonds, they + were filled up with the exception of the blank in which the amount of the + bid was to be written. That is the charge, as I understand it. Whenever a + man makes a proposal to carry the mail for four years on a certain route, + that proposal must be accompanied with a bond in a certain amount, and + certain men must sign that bond as sureties, and then a certain postmaster + must certify to the solvency of the sureties, the sureties having made + oath as to the value of their property. Now, understand that perfectly. It + is not the bond that a man gives after his bid has been accepted. It is a + bond that he gives to show that his bid is in good faith. That bond is + conditioned that if the contract is awarded to him he will give another + and sufficient bond not only, but I believe it is also conditioned that he + will carry the mail. The charge is—and let us get at it just exactly—that + some bonds were sent to a man by the name of Clendenning, who was a + postmaster, and this blank was not filled. Let me tell you why. It was the + custom—and I want your Honor to understand that perfectly, because + so much was made of it before in talk—to leave that blank unfilled. + It is the blank for the amount of the bid. In the advertisement of the + Government the penalty of the bond is stated, so that the amount of the + bid has nothing to do with the penalty in the bond. Understand me now. If + the bond was for ten thousand dollars, it was because that amount had been + put in the advertisement by the Government. It did not depend upon the + amount of the bid. It had nothing to do with it. The amount of the bid + threw no light upon the amount of the bond. The penalty of the bond was + fixed by the Government before the bid was made and inserted in the + advertisement published by the Government. Why then did they not wish to + fill up this blank? This blank, gentlemen, told the amount of the bid. + Where there are many bidders, and an important route, if you let the + postmaster who has to certify to the sureties know the amount of the bid + he might sell you. He could go and tell somebody else "I have certified to + all the sureties on this route, and the lowest bid up to this time is + fifteen thousand dollars," and the person whom he told might go and bid + fourteen thousand nine, hundred and ninety-nine dollars and take the + route. Ah, but they say the postmaster is not allowed to tell the amount + of the bid. No. What was the penalty if he did? He would lose his office. + Now, here is a postmaster holding an office worth, perhaps, a hundred + dollars a century, or, perhaps, fifty dollars a year, and by selling + information as to one bid he might make ten thousand dollars. I do not + know what he could have made. Certainly the bidders did not feel like + trusting the secret of their bids to the postmaster who certified to the + sureties. As a consequence the bond was filled up with the penalty + according to the advertisement, but the blank in which the amount of the + bid was to be written was not filled, because they wanted the postmaster's + mind left a blank upon that subject. In other words, that blank was left + unfilled, not to defraud the Government, but to prevent other people from + defrauding the bidder. That is all there is about it. That is everything + about the Cleudenning bonds. But it may be well enough to state, + gentlemen, that those Clendenning bonds were never used on a solitary + route in this indictment, and I believe never anywhere; that no contract + was ever awarded upon any one of those proposals. The only rascality in + the transaction, gentlemen, was the failure to fill a blank; and the + reason they failed to fill that blank was because they did not want the + postmaster to know the amount of the bid. Let us come right down to + practical matters and things. For instance, suppose one of this jury is in + the stone-cutting business, and the Government should issue an + advertisement calling for proposals to furnish dressed granite, and + specify that every man who bid must file a bond in a penalty of five + thousand dollars to carry out his contract, and that that bond must be + approved by the postmaster here. Suppose it was a contract of great + proportions. Would the man who bid be willing that the amount of the bid + should be inserted in the blank to be passed upon by the postmaster? No. + Why? He would not want the postmaster to know it. Who else would he not + want to know it? He would not want his sureties to know it. A man might be + standing by while the bond was being approved and read the amount of the + bid. The bidder would be afraid somebody would get at those figures and go + and underbid him. Every man of common, ordinary sense knows that. If you + made a bid you would not let your sureties know the amount and you would + not give the amount to the keeping of a postmaster, neither would you + leave it to chance or accident. You would say, "I will leave the amount a + blank. I will keep it in my mind, and when the paper comes into my hands + for the last time I will write, it in there and fold it and seal it and + give it to the Government." That is what every sensible and prudent man + would do, and what has been done for years. And yet that act is brought + forward as something to stain the reputation of an honest man; something + to strike down as with a sword the character of an ex-Senator. They even + say he wrote upon paper that had the mark of the United States Senate + Chamber upon it. That is only another evidence that there was nothing + wrong in it. It was stated, too, in the opening of this case, that an + affidavit was made upon paper that bore the mark of the National Hotel of + this city. Think of such a damning circumstance as that! Well, gentlemen, + so much for the Clendenning bonds. We will prove that the blank was left + unfilled on purpose, not to defraud the Government, but to prevent other + people from defrauding us. Let me say in that connection that there was an + investigation in 1878 upon this very question. The Clendenning bonds were + brought up. Testimony was heard, and we will be able to show you the facts + that I have stated. Then, if I am right, gentlemen, there is nothing in + it; and when the opening statement was made the Government knew, just as + well as I know, that there was nothing in it; at least they ought to have + known it. Probably it is not proper for me to say they knew it, because + men get so prejudiced, so warped, so twisted that it is hard to tell what + they know or what they do not know. But that has nothing to do with this + case and, in my judgment, will never be admitted by the Court. If it is + admitted by the Court we will establish exactly what I have told you. So + much for the Clendenning bonds. Do not forget that the penalty of the bond + was put in by the Government. + </p> + <p> + Do not forget that the amount of the bid was left blank simply to protect + ourselves. Do not forget another thing: That leaving that blank unfilled + could not by any possible peradventure injure the Government. The bond was + just as good with that proposal unfilled at the time the sureties signed + it as though it had been filled. It had to be filled before it was finally + given to the Government or else there would be no bid. If there was no + bid, then no obligation rested upon the sureties. Certainly they could not + be harmed, and if there was no bid certainly the Government could not be + harmed; unless the bid should have happened to be lower than any received; + and yet out of that nothing, out of that one bramble, a forest of + rascality has been manufactured. Gentlemen, that is the result of + suspicion when it is hoed by malice and watered by hatred. + </p> + <p> + The next suspicious circumstance, gentlemen, is that we bid. That is a + suspicious circumstance. Miner bid, Peck bid, and John W. Dorsey bid. And + the suspicious circumstance is that they did not bid against each other. + Why should they? I was at an auction the other day and unconsciously bid + against myself, but I did not think it any evidence of rascality on my + part; I thought it tended to show that I was not attending strictly to + business, and yet it is brought forward as a suspicious circumstance that + these gentlemen did not bid against themselves. Another suspicious + circumstance is that they bid in their individual names. That is the way + all the bidding is done, I believe. I believe every bond has to be signed + by the individuals and not by any partnership. That I believe to be one of + the regulations of the department. Well, there is no rascality yet, as far + as I can see. Now, when the contract is accepted—I will come to the + bidding question again—the contractor has to give a bond. One of + those bonds will be put in evidence in this case. You will see what the + contractor is bound to do. Then it can be subcontracted. You will find + that the contract given by the subcontractor to the department is not a + hundredth part as severe as the bond the contractor gives to the + Government. In the contract that we give to the Government certain things + are provided. You will find that a copy of it will be intro duced. The + contractor is left to the mercy of discretion-I believe that is the word—of + the Postmaster-General You will find that if he fails to carry the mail + one trip, no matter by what he may be prevented, by flood or storm or + fire, he is not to be paid for it. Although he is there ready with his men + and horses, if he is prevented by the elements he has no pay. If the + Postmaster-General thinks he ought to have carried it when he did not, he + can take from his pay three times the value of the trip. He can take from + him one quarter's pay. He reserves in his own breast the power to declare + that contract null and void, because in his judgment the contractor has + not done his duty. Everything is left to him. The man who signs that + contract gives a mortgage on his life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. + He has no redress. I simply call your attention to this to show you the + obligation that a contractor takes upon himself. We will show you that he + is under obligation to discharge any carrier that the Government does not + like; that he has no right to carry any package or any letter that can go + by mail; that he is to forfeit a trip when it is not run, or not to exceed + three times the pay of a trip; that he is to forfeit one-quarter of a trip + if the running time is so far behind that he fails to make connection with + the next mail; that if he violates any of these provisions he forfeits a + penalty equal to a quarter's pay, or if he violates any other provision + touching the carriage of the mail and the time and manner thereof, without + a satisfactory explanation in due time to the Postmaster-General, he can + visit a penalty in his discretion, and the forfeitures may be increased in + the penalty to a higher amount, in the discretion of the + Postmaster-General, according to the nature or frequency of the failure + and the importance of the mail. Provided that, except as specified, and + except as provided by law, no penalty shall exceed three times the pay of + a trip in each case. + </p> + <p> + It is also agreed by the said contractor and his sureties that the + Postmaster-General may annul the contract for repeated failures; for + violating the postal laws; for disobeying the instructions of the + Post-Office Department; for refusing to discharge a carrier when required + by the department; for transmitting commercial intelligence or matter + which should go by mail; for transporting persons so engaged as aforesaid; + whenever the contractor shall become a postmaster, &c. + </p> + <p> + It is further stipulated and agreed that such annulment shall not impair + the right to claim damages from said contractor and his sureties under + this contract; but such damages may, for the purpose of set-off or + counter-claim in the settlement of any claim of said contractor or his + sureties against the United States, whether arising under this contract or + otherwise, be assessed and liquidated by the Auditor of the Treasury for + the Post-Office Department. + </p> + <p> + And it is further stipulated and agreed by the said contractor and his + sureties that the contract may, in the discretion of the + Postmaster-General, be continued in force beyond its express terms for a + period not exceeding six months. You will see, gentlemen, how perfectly, + how absolutely, the contractor is in the power of the department. The + Government enforces its contracts. No matter how many years may elapse + they are still after the sureties and are still after the principal. + Nothing relieves a man but, death. Only a little while ago a case was + decided in the Supreme Court of which I will speak to you. An importer of + sugar gave the importers' bond to pay the duty upon that sugar. By the + custom of trade, sugar is sold in bond. + </p> + <p> + The importer sold to a third person and the third person went to get the + sugar. By law he could only take it after paying the tax; and yet one of + the officers of the Government, contrary to law, allowed him to take the + sugar without paying the tax. The Supreme Court has just held that the + original importer and his sureties are liable to pay that tax—the + man who took the sugar out having become bankrupt—although the sugar + was given to the second party simply by a violation of law, and that law + was violated by one of the officers of the custom-house without the + knowledge or consent of the original importer. I tell you, gentlemen, + whenever a man gives a bond to this Government the Government stays with + him. The Government does not die; the Government does not get tired; the + Government does not get weary. The Government can afford to wait, and the + poor man with the bond hanging over him cannot go into business, cannot + get credit, but just lingers out a life of expectation, of hope, and of + disappointment. I trust none of you will ever sign a bond to the + Government. There is another thing, gentlemen. If you bid on a hundred + routes and they are given to you and you put the service on ninety-nine of + the routes and carry it in accordance with the contract, and yet fail on + the hundredth route, the Postmaster-General has a right to declare you a + failing contractor. A failing contractor on the hundredth route? Yes. On + any more? Yes; on every one. And whoever is declared a failing contractor + on one route is by virtue of that declaration a failing contractor on all. + They are all taken from him. So that when a man bids for more than one + route, for instance, a hundred or a thousand, and gets them and carries + them all absolutely according to his contract but one, he can be declared + a failing contractor on all. What does that mean? It means not simply ruin + to him, but ruin to every one of his sureties, unless they are in a + condition to go on and carry the mail. I want you to understand something + of the obligation of a contractor with the Government of the United + States. + </p> + <p> + Now, I come to the bidding. These bids were made with a full understanding + of the obligation of a bidder. Messrs. Miner, Peck, and John W. Dorsey + bid, I believe, on about twelve hundred routes. You see you are in great + luck in bidding if you get one route in fifty that you bid upon. In the + first place, there are about ten thousand star routes. I do not know that + it is too much to say that the number of bids runs up into the hundreds of + thousands; somewhere in that neighborhood. Hundreds of men often bid on + one route. Consequently, nobody who bids expects to get more than a few of + the routes for which they bid. Now, is there the slightest evidence in the + statement of the Government as to the frauds in this bidding? Let me tell + you how some frauds have been committed. Suppose, for instance, this was a + fraudulent business, and Miner, Peck, and Dorsey were bidding. Let me + explain it to you. I want you to know it. All there is in this case is + simply to have you understand it. That is all there is. And if you do not + agree with me when we get through the case I shall simply think that you + have not comprehended it. Say that four men bid on the same route, one man + four thousand dol-ars, another man three thousand dollars, another man two + thousand dollars, and another man one thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + Now, the man who bids one thousand dollars is of no account, has not a + dollar in the world, and so when the bid is given to him he does not want + it. He is what they call a straw man. The law provides then that the next + man may have it. The law does not provide that he must take it. He may + have it if he wants to, but you cannot force him to take it, because he is + not the lowest bidder. He is the two thousand dollar man. He is another + straw gentleman. He does not want it. Then the Government offers it to the + next man at three thousand dollars. He is another chap made of hay. He + says he doesn't want it. Understand the Government cannot force these + straw and hay men to take it. Then they go to the fourth fellow, who bid + four thousand dollars. It is a good thing at four thousand, and he says, + "Yes; I will take it." That is what they call fraudulent bidding. If you + had found Dorsey and Miner and Peck bidding on the same route and one of + them failing and another one taking it, you would not only have suspected + fraud, but you would have known it. Now, if it is a badge of fraud for + them to bid upon the same route and apparently against each other, I will + ask you if it is not a badge of fair dealing that they were not found + bidding against each other. They bid on about twelve hundred routes, and + much to their astonishment they got one hundred and thirty-four contracts. + </p> + <p> + You have heard here a great deal of talk about the number of men and + horses. We will show you all about it. Men differ upon this subject. If + men did not differ upon it at all these bids would be alike. Instead of + being a dozen bids, all different, and differing sometimes as much as ten, + twenty, thirty, forty, or a hundred dollars or more, they would bid the + same. If they all agreed on the number of horses and men it would take, + and about what it would cost, they would bid about alike, wouldn't they? + But when they are bidding they honestly differ. One man says it would take + twenty horses, and another says "no, it will take forty." Do you not know + that the number of horses depends a great deal upon the kind of man who + makes the estimate. Here is a man who is hard and brutal, and he says a + horse can do so much work. He says it is cheaper to buy him and wear him + out than it is to feed him decently. You have known men who were perfectly + willing to make fortunes out of a horse's agony, and out of animal pain. + There are hundreds of them in the world. Now, take it on horse railroads, + and with freighters, and teamsters. Whenever you find a mean, infamous + man, if he cannot whip his wife, he will take his spite out on his horse. + If a man is a good, broad, generous, free fellow he will say, "I don't + want to work that horse to death; I think it will take four horses. I am + going to keep my horses fat, and I am going to treat them as a gentleman + should." Another man, a wretch, will come up and swear it would not take + more than fifteen horses. When his horses are through the service you will + simply see a pile of bones wrapped in a lamentable hide. You understand + that. + </p> + <p> + Well, these men made twelve hundred bids and got one hundred and + thirty-four contracts. Ah, but they say, here is another badge of fraud, + another badge. Ah, they bid on small routes, on cheap routes, on routes + where the mail was carried infrequently and on slow time. If it is a badge + of fraud to bid on such routes the Government can never let out any more. + Most of these routes were cheap routes. Now, I owe it to you to give you + the reason for this. We will prove in the first place that these men were + not rich men. If they had been very rich they probably would not have gone + into the business at all. They would have gone into that perfectly + respectable business of buying Government bonds. They would have bought + Government bonds and made other fellows pay the interest, and twice a year + they would have formed a partnership with a pair of shears, and thus in + the sweat of their faces they would clip their coupons. They bid on poor + routes. Why? They were poor, comparatively speaking. + </p> + <p> + They had not the money to stock the expensive routes where four horse + coaches were run. They preferred to take the cheaper lines. Why? Because + they could stock them. They would have been able to have stocked the + routes if they had only obtained the number they expected. But as I told + you, they got many more routes than they expected. Was that for the + benefit of the Government? How did these men come to bid so cheaply on + some of these routes? I will tell you. Because they had the information, + because they had received the facts from all the postmasters on the + routes, and consequently they made a good close calculation, and the + result was that their bids were below others, and the fact that their bids + were accepted saved the Government hundreds of thousands of dollars. When + they found themselves with all these contracts, the first hard work they + did was to give away all they could. That was the first hard work. They + had contracts, not for sale, but just to give, and they succeeded in + giving away several of them. I believe they sold two of these children of + conspiracy for the enormous sum of one hundred dollars each. That was the + highest sale they made at that time. Afterwards another route was sold + which I will explain when I come to it. Now there is no rascality yet. No + fraud yet. No conspiracy yet. Well, they then went to work to get their + bonds. But first let me say that there was another reason for bidding on + cheap routes. Whenever the bid is above five thousand dollars, then the + man who bids must, at the time he bids, put up a check for five per cent, + of the amount. + </p> + <p> + A check certified by a national bank. For instance, if it all comes to a + hundred thousand dollars he has got to put in a certified check for five + thousand dollars. Even in the little bids we made we had to deposit with + the Government some twenty-six or twenty-eight thousand dollars, and I do + not know but more, in cash, or what is the same as cash, for the bank + certifies that the money is there. That is another reason they bid on + smaller routes. What is the next? The Government asks such frightful + bonds, such terrible amounts, that a man must be almost a millionaire, or + else there must be a confidence in him that is universal, before he can + give these bonds. + </p> + <p> + There was one route at this very bidding where they had to give bonds for + six hundred and forty thousand dollars, and the sureties upon these bonds + under oath had to testify that they had real estate to the value of six + hundred and forty thousand dollars, exclusive of all debts, dues, and + demands. So there was another reason for bidding upon small routes. Where + the amount was under five thousand dollars no certified check had to be + deposited, and the smaller the route of course the smaller the bond. + </p> + <p> + Now, I have endeavored to show you the reasons that we bid upon these + routes instead of upon the larger ones. The reasons as stated by the + Government are that we took these routes where the service was once a + week, so that we could have the service increased; that we took those + routes where the time was long so that we could have it shortened, that is + to say, expedited. But I tell you that when a perfectly good reason lies + at the very threshold of the question you have no right to go further. The + reasons I have given to you it seems to me are perfect and you need no + more. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, we got, I say, about one hundred and thirty-four routes. Of + these, one hundred and fifteen are without complaint. There is not a word + about the other one hundred and fifteen. Recollect it. We got one hundred + and thirty-four routes. In this indictment are nineteen; one hundred and + fifteen appear to be perfectly satisfactory to this great Government. + There is not a word as to those routes, not one word, I say, as to one + hundred and fifteen routes, and they want you to believe that these + defendants deliberately selected nineteen routes out of one hundred and + thirty-four about which to make a conspiracy, and that they left one + hundred and fifteen to go honestly along, but picked out nineteen for the + purpose of defrauding the Government. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, when these gentlemen found themselves with these routes, the + next thing was to put the stock and the carriers upon them. As I told you, + a good many more had been awarded to them than they anticipated. They had + not the money. So, in putting the stock upon several of the routes, they + found it necessary to borrow some money, and here comes another suspicious + circumstance. Mr. Miner borrowed some money of Stephen W. Dorsey, and + everybody is astonished that any man would be mean enough to loan money to + another; that any man could so far forget the dignity of the office that + he held as to help a friend. Their idea of a Senator is of such a lofty + and dignified character that he ceases to take interest in anything except + national affairs; that after he has been sworn in he forgets all the + relationships and friendships of the world, and the idea of asking him to + loan money seems, to the prosecution, to be the height of + unconstitutionality. But as a matter of fact he did loan some money, and + we will show you how that loan was treated, showing you that at that time + he had not the slightest interest in it. He loaned some money, and kept + loaning money until, I believe, he had given them about sixteen thousand + dollars to get these routes on. Then he, being on his way to New Mexico, + met in the city of Saint Louis John R. Miner, who at that time was coming + back, I think, from Montana or Dakota, where he had been putting stock on + a route. Miner saw Dorsey in Saint Louis, and said to him, "We have got to + have a little more money, and I want you to indorse my note or to loan me + your note and I can get it discounted in the German-American Bank in + Washington." Finally, Dorsey said to him, "You have already obtained from + me about sixteen thousand dollars: I will give you the note you ask, or + indorse your note upon one condition, and that is that you shall give me + orders"—what are called Post-Office drafts—"not only for the + amount of this note, but for the amount of the sixteen thousand dollars." + We shall insist, gentlemen, that that evidence shows exactly our position, + and that you are entitled not only to draw from it, but that you must draw + from it the inference, the fact, that we had no interest in those routes. + Finally that was agreed to. + </p> + <p> + Now, understand it, at that time a contractor with the Government who had + agreed to carry the mail for a certain time could give what are called + post-office drafts or orders—you know, orders on his quarterly pay—and + they would be taken to the proper officer in the Post-Office Department + and they would be accepted, not for the full amount, understand, but for + any amount that might be due that contractor. For instance, he might fail + to carry the mail, he might be fined, and consequently the amount of that + draft might not be there, so that the only thing the Post-Office + Department agreed to do was to pay upon that order or draft anything that + was due to the contractor. That was done at that time, and why? Because + there was no way other than that to secure these advances. So he gave + these drafts. He came on to Washington. The note was put into the + German-American Bank. The orders on the Post-Office Department were filed + with it, and the money advanced by the bank and charged to Stephen W. + Dorsey. That made, then, at that time about twenty-five thousand dollars + that Dorsey had advanced. That being done he went on about his business. + </p> + <p> + Now, I will show you what happened after that. I think the note in the + German-American Bank was nine thousand dollars or ten thousand dollars, I + have forgotten which. Dorsey then went on to New Mexico from Saint Louis, + and remained there, I believe, until December, 1878. Now, I want you to + understand this, because here turns a very important question, and a very + important point. Now, you recollect the information about these bids was + collected in the autumn and winter of 1877. The last bid was to be put in, + I think, February 28, 1878. Now, this was in the August of that year, + 1878. Still being pressed for money, Miner, Peck, and J. W. Dorsey were in + danger of being declared failing contractors. Now, recollect it. We will + show that at that time Brady, who, according to the Government, was a + co-conspirator, threatened to declare Dorsey, Peck, and Miner failing + contractors, and if he had declared them failing contractors even on one + route that was the end of all. At that time Miner and John W. Dorsey + sought out Mr. Harvey M. Vaile, and let me say that is the first + appearance of Mr. Vaile in these contracts. He knew nothing about the + bidding, was not in Dorsey's house, knew nothing about the letting. That + is his first appearance in these contracts, August, 1878. Now let us see + what he did. He was a man of means. He had some money; had been, I + believe, for a long time engaged in carrying the mails; understood the + business. They will tell you that is a suspicious circumstance as to him, + and that the fact that that was John Dorsey's first experience is a + suspicious circumstance as to him. Really to avoid suspicion you would + have to have a man that had been in it a long time but never had anything + to do with it. They got him, and offered what? To give him a third + interest in this entire business. I think that was it. They were to give + him a third interest in this entire business, a business that had been + born of conspiracy, a business that had as a silent partner the man who + fixed the amount of money to be paid. Think of that. According to the + statement of the Government, here was a conspiracy full-fledged, perfect + in its every part, flanked by the Second Assistant Postmaster-General, + buttressed by all the clerks they desired, and yet that conspiracy got so + hard up that in August, 1878, nine or ten months after its creation, it + was willing to give a third to anybody who would advance a little money to + carry the thing on. + </p> + <p> + So Mr. Vaile came in. Now, then, they had to secure Vaile against any + loss, and it seems that on July 1, I believe, of that year, the law + allowed the subcontract to be filed. It was a little while before that + that a law had been passed for the protection of subcontractors. That was + all explained to you yesterday. You know it is something like a mechanic's + lien; that if the subcontractor would only file his subcontract in the + Post-Office Department and let that department know the terms of it they + would not pay the original contractor until this subcontractor was paid. + Now, that law had gone into effect a little while before August, 1878, and + the effect of that law, if anybody filed a subcontract on these routes, + was to cut out all those post-office orders that Miner had given to secure + Dorsey. You understand me now, do you not? It was when he met him in Saint + Louis that it was agreed that these post-office orders were to be given + and filed with the German-American Bank in this city. Now, then, the law + passed for the protection of subcontractors, and subsequently the filing + of subcontracts on those very routes, would render those post-office + orders absolutely worthless. Very well. When they made the contract with + Mr. Vaile they agreed to file the subcontracts with the department to + protect Vaile and that rendered S. W. Dorsey's security absolutely + nothing. That cut out all other claims, drafts, and everything else, and + at that time Mr. Miner was fully authorized by power of attorney from J. + W. Dorsey and from John M. Peck, who was at that time in New Mexico, to + make this transfer to Vaile. + </p> + <p> + Now, see where we are on August 16, 1878. On Dorsey's return in December, + 1878—he had not been here from that time, and do you not see he had + nothing to do with it—he found that these subcontracts had been + filed. He found that the note in the German-American Bank had been + protested, and he found that his collateral security was not worth a + dollar, that it was all gone. Thereupon he demanded a settlement. The + matter drifted along for a little while, and a settlement was made with + the bank; and Mr. Vaile, holding the subcontract, undertook to pay that + Dorsey note, and he did pay it. He took it up, and gave, I believe, his + own instead, and that was finally paid. But the money due Dorsey, the + sixteen thousand dollars that at that time amounted to something more by + virtue of interest, was not provided for. The money that had been expended + by John W. Dorsey was not provided for. The money expended by Peck was not + provided for. Now, I want you to see exactly how that matter stood at that + time. We have got it up to that time and here it stands, and the chief + conspirator out sixteen thousand dollars and without any interest in one + of the routes. There is where he was at that time, and that is what we + will show. The brother of the chief conspirator ten thousand dollars out, + and not the interest of one cent in any route. The brother-in-law of the + conspirator about ten thousand dollars out, and not a cent in. That was + the condition of this conspiracy at this time, and when Vaile took these + routes Brady telegraphed him and asked him, "What routes of Miner, Dorsey, + and Peck, are you going to put the stock on? This thing can be continued + no longer. The stock must go on." We will show it. Now, having got to that + point, we will take another step. There is nothing like understanding + things as we go along. + </p> + <p> + Now, from the time Mr. Vaile took the route, to the settlement in 1879, to + which I will call your attention in a little while, Mr. Vaile had the + absolute control. Neither Peck nor S. W. Dorsey had the slightest thing to + do with one of those routes until the final settlement, and I say to these + gentlemen of the prosecution now, that in that time they can find no line, + no word from Stephen W. Dorsey upon the subject. They cannot find that he + wrote a word to any official, that he sent a petition to anybody, that he + wrote a letter to any human being upon the subject, or that he took any + more interest in it than in the ashes of Sodom and Gomorrah. It went right + along. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, up to this time, Stephen W. Dorsey had made nothing. He was + only out about sixteen thousand dollars or eighteen thousand dollars. John + W. Dorsey was in the same healthy financial condition. John M. Peck had + reaped the same rich harvest of ten thousand dollars lost, and all the + things had been turned over to Mr. Vaile; John W. Dorsey put out—left + out—with nothing to show. That is the first chapter in this + conspiracy. [Resuming.] + </p> + <p> + I believe when I stopped, the principal conspirators were substantially + "broke." The head and front was out sixteen or eighteen thousand dollars, + and the other two ten thousand dollars each. Now, a contract was made, and + I propose to prove that contract in the course of this trial. When that + contract comes to be shown, it will be about this: That, on the 16th day + of August, 1878, H. M. Vaile, John R. Miner, John M. Peck, and John W. + Dorsey made an agreement That agreement made a partnership, and we will + show that a partnership was formed by and between Miner, Vaile, Peck, and + Dorsey on the 16th day of August, 1878. We will show by the articles of + that partnership that H. M. Vaile was made treasurer, and that all the + other partners agreed, by suitable powers of attorney, to put the + collection of all the money from the Government absolutely in his hands. + When he got the money he agreed, first, to pay all the subcontractors; + second, the expenses necessary and incident to the proper conduct of the + business; third, to divide the profits remain-, ing among the parties as + provided in that contract. The profits were to be divided as follows: From + routes in Indian Territory, Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota, to H. M. Vaile, + one-third; to John R. Miner, one-sixth; to John M. Peck, one-sixth; and to + John W. Dorsey, one-third. From routes in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New + Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Washington Territory, Oregon, Nevada, and + California, to H. M. Vaile, one-third; to John R. Miner, one-third, and to + John M. Peck, one-third. Before any division of profits was to be made, + the sums which before that time had been advanced were to be paid to the + parties so advancing such sums; and if the profits were not sufficient to + repay the entire sums so advanced, they were to be paid from time to time + during the existence of the life of these contracts. Now, you will find + that such contract was made on the 16th day of August, 1878, and that Mr. + H. M. Vaile then took absolute and complete control of every one of these + routes, and the only thing they asked of him was to repay the money that + had been advanced, which, as you know, and as I have told you, was the + sixteen or eighteen thousand dollars by S. W. Dorsey, the ten thousand + dollars by Peck, and about the same amount by John W. Dorsey. Now that is + understood. At that time certain papers were executed by all the parties. + I told you that a law had been passed by virtue of which a man could make + a subcontract and have that subcontract put on file, and thereupon he + could be protected by the Government. Now, when H. M. Vaile took these + routes, and they were to be managed by him, subcontracts were made by the + other parties to Mr. Vaile, and Mr. Vaile put those subcontracts on + record. Now you can see that they gave him the absolute and entire control + of every route. That was the condition. I have explained to you the the + liability of a contractor. He cannot put it off on a subcontractor. He is + the man primarily responsible to the Government during the life of that + contract, and for six months thereafter. Whenever a contract is awarded to + any person, he is regarded as the original contractor, and his name is + kept upon the books of the department during the life of that contract. No + matter how many subcontracts may be made, he is looked to primarily if + there is a failure of a a trip, or if there is a failure of the service, + and he is responsible for its complete performance. If there comes some + great storm and the road is obstructed by snow, or if the bridges are all + carried away by flood, and the subcontractor throws down the contract, the + original contractor must be ready to take it up; and if he fail to do so, + he can be fined three times what he has received for each trip. There is + one case in one of these nineteen routes, gentlemen, where the fines + exceeded the entire pay simply because they did not carry the mail + according to the contract. Now, then, these parties finally made a + settlement and they divided these routes. They divided them. They ceased + to have any interest in common. Recollect, that was in April, 1879. I want + you to know it because this entire case depends on your knowing it. This + entire case, gentlemen of the jury, depends on your understanding it. In + April, 1879, Mr. Vaile having had possession of these routes for several + months, a division was made of them, and all interest in common was at + that moment severed. At this time, I say, these routes were divided, and + all partnership and all partnership interest was absolutely destroyed. I + want to tell you why. When Dorsey returned from New Mexico and found that + his orders on the Post-Office Department had been superseded by + subcontracts and that his collateral security was worthless he was + indignant, and at that time he and Mr. Vaile had a quarrel. He did not + think he had been properly treated, and for that reason the moment he got + the note at the German-American Bank provided for, the moment he induced + Mr. Vaile to assume the payment of that note, he gave evidence that he + wanted a settlement. Not that he wanted the routes divided at that time, + because he did not dream of such a thing. He wanted the settlement. He + wanted his money. The arrangement that had been made with Mr. Vaile was + unknown to Mr. Dorsey, who at that time was in New Mexico; and, as I told + you before, when he returned and found that the note that had been given + to the German-American National Bank was protested, and found, as I told + you twice, his collateral security was worthless, he wanted a settlement. + He wanted his money refunded to him. They said to him, "We haven't the + money. We have just got the stock really upon these routes. We have just + got under way, and we cannot pay out the money." "Very well," said he, + "what will you give me?" I want you all to see that this was a simple, + natural, ordinary proceeding. Said he, "I want my money." Said Vaile to + him, "We haven't the money, but I will tell you what we will do. We will + divide the routes with you." Now, recollect at that time that they had a + hundred and thirty-four routes, and had given some of them away. At that + time they agreed upon a division, and they agreed how that division should + be made. We will prove the agreement to you. The agreement was that Mr. + Vaile should choose first, taking the route he wanted—he and Miner + being together at that time—that Mr. Dorsey should choose the next, + and Mr. Miner should choose the third route; and then that Mr. Vaile + should choose the fourth, Stephen W. Dorsey the fifth route, Mr. Miner the + sixth route, Mr. Vaile the seventh route, and so on. They finally + concluded it would be fair for Mr. Vaile to take the best route, Dorsey + the next best, and Miner the next best, and then again Vaile the best, + Dorsey the next best, and Miner the next best, and that that would be an + average that would do justice to each. In that way, gentlemen, they + divided these routes. There was no conspiracy; nothing secret. This + division was made on the 6th day of April, 1879, not only after Dorsey had + gone out of the Senate, but after he had advanced this money, after they + had failed to repay him, after he had failed to collect it, and when he + finally had said, "I must have some settlement that recognizes my claim." + Gentlemen, I want you to know that. In this case that fact will be one of + the great central facts. On the 6th day of April, 1879, these routes were + absolutely divided, and after that they had nothing in common. But you + recollect that these routes were divided by chance. Mr. Vaile chose the + first route. He might choose a route that had been bid off by Peck, or he + might choose a route that had been bid off by John W. Dorsey. Stephen W. + Dorsey took the next route, and that might have been a route that had + originally been awarded to his brother, or to Peck, or to Miner. You can + see how that is. The division was here complete. Mr. Miner did not have + the routes he had bid off and that had been given to him by the + Government. Mr. Vaile came in, and as Mr. Vaile was not an original bidder + he took routes that had been awarded to Miner and to Peck and to John W. + Dorsey. By the division Stephen W. Dorsey came into possession of routes + that he never had bid off, because he never bid for one. Consequently as + he went along with those routes, he needed and he had oftentimes the + affidavit or the certificate of the original contractor. That was a + necessity. Otherwise the division could not have been carried out. + Anything that arises from the necessity of the case does not tend to show + any conspiracy or any illegal partnership. I hope you understand perfectly + that on the 6th day of April, 1879, these routes were divided and Stephen + W. Dorsey took his share because they at that time owed him between + sixteen and eighteen thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + What more did he do, gentlemen? He agreed at that time that he would + refund to John W. Dorsey all the money he had expended. That amount was + about ten thousand dollars. It was nine thousand and something. He also + agreed that he would refund to John M. Peck, who is now dead, the money he + had expended, which was between nine and ten thousand dollars. He also + agreed that he would take the routes for the money he had expended, and + that was between sixteen and eighteen thousand dollars. So, when those + routes were turned over to him they were taken in full of over sixteen + thousand dollars advanced by him, ten thousand dollars that he was to give + to his brother, and ten thousand dollars that he was to give to John M. + Peck—in the neighborhood of thirty-eight thousand dollars in all. + Speaking of the sum without interest it amounted to thirty-six thousand + dollars. Those routes were turned over to him. Gentlemen, it was not done + in secret. When that division was made, the law having provided no way for + A to assign a contract to B, that assignment had to be accomplished by a + subcontract, and consequently subcontracts had to be given to Vaile, + subcontracts to John R. Miner, and subcontracts to S. W. Dorsey, and yet + the original contractor was still held by the Government. When the + subcontract was made, it was for the entire amount of the pay; not one + dollar remained for the original contractor. Now, I want to state to you + what we are going to prove about that. After the division was made, to + show you the interest taken by the arch-conspirator, we will prove these + facts: That when the routes awarded to him by chance, on the 6th day of + April, 1879, had been awarded, he left the city of Washington in a few + days, and went to New Mexico; that he returned here on the 15th or 16th of + May; that he left again on the 19th of May, and went to Arkansas; that + from Arkansas he went to New Mexico, and returned to Washington on the + 21st day of June, and that on the 27th of June he left for New Mexico. The + next time he visited Washington was in July of the following year, 1880. + He remained here one day, left and returned again to witness the + inauguration of General Garfield. From June 27, 1879, up to the present + hour I challenge these gentlemen to show that Stephen W. Dorsey ever wrote + one line, one word, one letter, to any officer of the Post-Office + Department. I challenge them to show that he ever took the slightest + interest in any star route, or said one word to any human being about that + business, except in explanation when attacked by the Government or in the + newspapers. Now, gentlemen, after the division of these routes what did + Stephen W. Dorsey do? This is a story, complicated, it may seem, perfectly + plain when you understand the surroundings. It is a story necessary for + you to know. After he got these routes what did he do? Did he want them? + Did he want to engage in carrying the mail of the United States? Was that + his business? At that time he had a ranch in New Mexico where he was + raising cattle. That was his business, and is up to to-day. Did he want to + stay here? Did he want to attend to these contracts? That is for you to + determine. Did he want to enter into some partnership by which the + Government was to be fleeced? That is for you to say. I tell you he had + another business. I tell you he had a ranch in New Mexico, and we will + prove it to you, and that ranch was of more importance to him than all the + star routes in the United States. We will show you that at that time he + could not have afforded to waste his time on these routes; that the + business he was then engaged in was too profitable to waste any time in + the mail business. Profitable as these gentlemen appear to think it was, + what did he do? Just as soon as he could make the arrangement he went to a + gentleman living in Pennsylvania by the name of James W. Bosler. Who is + Bosler? He is a man well acquainted with the business of contracting with + the Government. He has been in that business for years and years. He is a + man of ample fortune, excellent reputation, considered by his friends and + neighbors to be a gentleman and an honest man. He went to him. That we + will show you. He said to Mr. Bosler, "I have advanced money by the + indorsement of a note. I am in a business that I do not understand. We + have had to divide the routes in order for me to have security for my + debt. I want to turn these routes over to you. I am not acquainted with + the business of carrying the mail. I know absolutely nothing about it. I + want you to take it." How did he turn it over? We will show. He said to + Mr. Bosler, "You take all the routes that have been given to me; every + one. You run them and you pay me back my money, and then we will divide + the profit." Mr. Bosler said he was not very well acquainted with + post-office business, but he understood how to transact any ordinary + business, and he would take them. That is all there is to it. He took the + routes; every one. I believe that he took absolute control within a few + months of the 6th day of April. I do not know but the warrants for the + first quarter were paid or came in some way to S. W. Dorsey. But for the + second quarter Mr. Bosler took them, and from that day to this Mr. Bosler + has controlled those routes. He has carried every mail or has contracted + with the man who did carry it. Every solitary thing that has been done + from that day to this has been done by him. Every dollar has been + collected by Mr. Bosler, and every dollar has been disbursed by Mr. + Bosler. And before we get through I am going to tell you how all the + routes that were given to Mr. S. W. Dorsey came out. Let me tell you how + they came out. Mr. Bosler has carried the mail, paid the expenses, kept + the accounts, and, gentlemen, I am going to tell you how much he made out + of this vast conspiracy that has convulsed that part of the moral world + that has been hired and paid to be convulsed. I am going to tell you + exactly how we came out on all this business. I will give you the product + of all this rascality, of all this conspiracy, of all the written and + spoken lies; I will tell you our joint profit on this entire business; a + business that promised to change the administration of this Government; a + business about which reputations have been lost, and no reputations will + be won; counting it all, every dollar, and taking into consideration the + midnight meetings, the whisperings in alleys, the strange grips and signs + that we have had to invent and practice, you will wonder at the amount. I + will give it to you all. Mr. Bosler has kept the books, has expended every + dollar, collected every warrant, and I say to you to-day that the entire + profit has been less than ten thousand dollars, not enough to pay ten + witnesses of the Government. Our profits have not been one-fiftieth of the + expense of the Government in this prosecution—not one-fiftieth, and + I say this, gentlemen, knowing what I am saying. It is charged by the + Government that these gentlemen were conspirators; that they dragged the + robes of office in the mire of rascality; that they swore lies; that they + made false petitions; that they forged the names of citizens; that they + did all this for the paltry profit of ten thousand dollars. That is what + we will show you. And the moment this reform administration swept into + power they cut down the service on these routes. They not only did that, + but they refused to pay the month's extra pay, and they committed all this + villainy in the name of reform. And do you know some of the meanest things + in this world have been done in the name of reform? They used to say that + patriotism was the last refuge of a scoundrel. I think reform is. And + whenever I hear a small politician talking about reform, borrowing soap to + wash his official hands, with his mouth full and his memory glutted with + the rascality of somebody else I begin to suspect him; I begin to think + that that gentleman is preparing to steal something. So much, then, for + the conspiracy up to this point, up to the division of these routes in + 1879. Now recollect it. + </p> + <p> + Now, the next charge that is made against us, and it is a terrific one, is + that these defendants, my clients, have filled the Post-Office Department + with petitions—false petitions; forged petitions. I want to tell you + here to-day that these gentlemen will never present any petitions upon any + route upon which my clients are interested that they will claim was forged—not + one. Have we not the right, gentlemen, to petition? Has not the humblest + man in the United States a right to send a petition to Congress? Has not + the smallest man—I will go further—has not the meanest man the + right to petition Congress? Why, it is considered one of our + Constitutional rights not only, but a right back of the Constitution, to + make known your grievances to the governing power. Every man always had a + right to petition the king. There is no government so absolutely devoid of + the spirit of liberty that the meanest subject in it has not the right to + express his opinion to the king—to the czar. Upon what meat do these + officers feed that they are grown so great that an ordinary citizen may + not address a petition to one of them? Now, I ask you, if you were living + in Colorado and could get a mail once a week, have you not the right to + petition your member of Congress to have it three times a week? Do you not + know that every member of Congress from every State, every delegate from + every Territory, is judged by his constitutents by the standard of what he + does. By what he does for whom? By what he does for them. They send a man + to Congress to help them, and they expect that man to get them a mail just + as often as any other member of Congress gets his people a mail, do they + not? And if he cannot do that they will leave that young gentleman at + home. They will find another man. It is the boast of a member of Congress + when he returns to his constitutents, "I have done something for you. You + only had a mail here once a week. I have got it four times a week, + gentlemen." "Here is a river that was navigable. I have got a custom + house." "Here is a great district in which the United States holds a court + and I have an appropriation for a court-house." Up will go the caps; they + will say, "He is the man we want to represent us next session." But if he + sneaks back and says, "Gentlemen, you do not need a court-house, you have + mails often enough," the reply of the people is, "And you have been to + Congress often enough." That is nature, and no matter how highly we are + civilized when you scratch through the varnish you find a natural man. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, every member of Congress felt it was his duty, his privilege, + and his leverage, to have the mails established, and when the people got + up petitions he would indorse them. He would look at the petitions. There + was the principal man, you know, in his town. He would look down a little + farther. There was a fellow that had an idea of running against him. He + would look down a little farther, and there was the man who presented his + name at the last convention; there is the fellow who subscribed three + hundred dollars towards the expenses of the campaign. That is enough. He + turns it right over—"I most earnestly recommend that this petition + be granted. So and so, M. C." Then he would put it in his coat-pocket, and + he would march down to General Brady with a smile on his face as broad as + the horizon of his countenance. He would just explain to the gentleman + that there are miner's camps springing up all over that country, towns + growing in a night like mushrooms, Providence just throwing prosperity + away in that valley; that they have to have a daily mail then and there, + and he would show this petition. In three weeks more there would come + fifty others, and it would be granted. Why, even the counsel for the + prosecution would have done the same, strange as it may appear. They would + have done just the same—maybe worse, maybe better. The Post-Office + officials might have granted more to them. + </p> + <p> + Now, I have always had the idea that it was one of my rights to sign a + petition; that no man in this country could grow so great that I had not + the right just to hand the gentleman a paper with my opinion on it. Do you + know I do not think anybody can get so big that an American citizen cannot + send a letter to him if he pays the postage, and in that letter he can + give him his opinion. There is no fraud about that; not the slightest. + These men all out through the mountains, men that went out there, you + know, to hunt for silver and for gold, live in little camps of not more + than twenty or thirty, maybe, but they wanted to hear from home just as + bad as though there had been five hundred in that very place. And a fellow + that had dug in the ground about eleven feet and had found some rock with + a little stain on it and had had the stain assayed, wanted to hear from + home right off. He stayed there and dreamed about fortune, palaces, + pictures, carriages, statues, and the whole future was simply an avenue of + joy upon which he and his wife and the children would ride up and down. He + wanted to write a letter right off. He wanted to tell the folks how he + felt. Do you think that man would not sign a petition for another mail? Do + you think that fellow would vote to send a stupid man to Congress who + could not get another mail? He felt rich; he was sleeping right over a + hole that had millions in it, and he had not much respect for a Government + that could not afford to send a millionaire a letter. + </p> + <p> + Now, Mr. Bliss tells you that we forged petitions, and in only a few + moments, as the Court will remember, he had the kindness to say that + anybody in the world would sign a petition for anything, and the question + arises if people are so glad to sign petitions why should we forge their + names. Do you not see that doctrine kind of swallows itself. You certainly + would not forge the name of a man to a note who was hunting you up to sign + it. And yet the doctrine of the Government is that while the whole West + rose en masse, each man with a pen in his hand and inquiring for a + petition, these defendants deliberately went to work and forged it. It + won't do, gentlemen. Oh, my Lord, what a thing a little common sense is + when you come to think about it, when you come to place it before your + mind. + </p> + <p> + Now, the next great trouble in this case, gentlemen, is that we bid on + routes that were not productive. When you remember that Congress made all + these routes—now Congress did it; we did not do it—you will + protect us. We did not make a solitary route upon which we bid, strange as + it may appear. Congress, with the map of the Territories and the States of + the Union before it, marked out all the routes. Congress determined where + these routes should run. And yet this case has been tried as though in + reality we were the parties who determined it. + </p> + <p> + Now, let me say something right here. It is for Congress to determine + first of all on what routes the mail shall be carried. I want you to + understand that, to get it into your heads, way in, that Congress + determined that question, and that there has to be a law passed that the + mail shall be carried from Toquerville to Adairville, from Rawlins to + White River. That law has to be passed first, and Congress has to say that + that route shall be established. Now, get that in your minds. I give you + my word we never established a mail on the earth. That was done by + Congress, and the moment Congress establishes a route it becomes the duty + of the Second Assistant Postmaster-General to put the service upon that + route, and the duty of the First Assistant Postmaster-General to name the + offices on that route. Is not that true? That is the doctrine. Now, that + had all been done before we entered into a conspiracy. These routes had + not only been established, but the Government had advertised for service + on these routes, and we bid. That was our crime. + </p> + <p> + These gentlemen said, I believe, at one time, that they were about to lift + a little of the curtain, to expose the action of Congress. You see this + suit has threatened the whole Government. If the Constitution weathers + this storm it will be in luck. They were going to raise the curtain. They + were going to be like children hanging around a circus tent. One lifts it + up and hallooes to another, "Come quick, I see a horse's foot." They said + that they were going to show the rascality of Congress. They have never + done it. I suppose the reason may be that their pay depends upon an act of + Congress, but they let that alone. Now, they say that Congress committed a + great mistake. Why, they say they were routes that were not productive, + and we knew it, and that when the people asked for expedition and increase + on a route that was not productive we were guilty of fraud. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, let us see: There are not a great many productive + post-offices in the United States. They say that a post-office that is not + productive should be wiped out. Let me say to you, you cut off the + post-offices that are not productive and you will have thousands the next + day that are not productive. It is the unproductive offices that make + others productive. You cut off those that are not productive and you will + have double the number that are not productive. You cut off all those that + are unproductive and you will have nothing left but the mail line. You + might say that there is not a spring that flows into the Mississippi that + is navigable. Let us cut off the springs. Then what becomes of the + Mississippi? That is not navigable either. It is on account of the streams + not navigable, emptying into one, that the one into which they empty, + becomes navigable. And yet, these gentlemen say in the interest of + navigation, "Let us stop the springs because you cannot run a boat up + them." That is their doctrine. There is no sense in that. You have got to + treat this country as one country. You have got to treat the post-offices + business as a unit for an entire country. You have got to say that + wherever the flag floats the mail shall be carried, wherever American + citizens live they shall be visited with the intelligence of the + nineteenth century. That is what you have got to say. You have got to get + up on a good high plane, and you have got to run a great Government like + this that dominates the fortune of a continent, and you have got to run it + like great men. There has got to be some genius in this thing and not + little bits of suspicion. + </p> + <p> + Productiveness! Let us see. We are informed by Mr. Bliss, who is paid for + saying it, otherwise he would not, that the West is perfectly willing to + have mail facilities at the expense of the East. I do not think the + gentleman comprehends the West. There is nothing so laughable, and + sometimes there is nothing so contemptible, as the egotism of a little + fellow who lives in a big town. Some people really think that New York + supports this country, and probably it never entered the mind of Mr. Bliss + that this country supported New York. But it does. All the clerks in that + city do not make anything, they do not manufacture anything, they do not + add to the wealth of this world. I tell you, the men who add to the wealth + of this world are the men who dig in the ground. The men who walk between + the rows of corn, the men who delve in the mines, the men who wrestle with + the winds and waves of the wide sea, the men on whose faces you find the + glare of forges and furnaces, the men who get something out of the ground, + and the men who take something rude and raw in nature and fashion it into + form for the use and convenience of men, are the men who add to the wealth + of this world. All the merchants in this world would not support this + country. My Lord! you could not get lawyers enough on a continent to run + one town. And yet, Mr. Bliss talks as though he thought that all the + mutton and beef of the United States were raised in Central Park, as + though we got all our wool from shearing lambs in Wall Street. It won't + do, gentlemen. There is a great deal produced in the Western country. I + was out there a few years ago, and found a little town like Minneapolis + with fifteen thousand people, and everybody dead-broke. I went there the + other day and found eighty thousand people, and visited one man who grinds + five thousand bushels of flour each day. I found there the Falls of Saint + Anthony doing work for a continent without having any back to ache, + grinding thirty thousand bushels of flour daily. Just think of the immense + power it is. Millions of feet of lumber in this very country, and Dakota, + over which some of these routes run, yielding a hundred million bushels of + wheat. Only a few years ago I was there and passed over an absolute + desert, a wilderness, and on this second visit found towns of five and six + and seven thousand inhabitants. There is not a man on this jury, there is + not a man in this house with imagination enough to prophesy the growth of + the great West, and before I get through I will show you that we have + helped to do something for that great country. + </p> + <p> + Productiveness! Let me tell you where that idea of productiveness was + hatched, where it was born, the egg out of which it came. It was by the + act of March 2, 1799, just after the Revolution, and just after our + forefathers had refused to pay their debts, just after they had repudiated + the debt of the Confederation, just after they had allowed money to turn + to ashes in the pockets of the hero of Yorktown, or had allowed it to + become worthless in the hand of the widow and the orphan. In 1799, the + time when economy trod upon the heels almost of larceny, our Congress + provided that the Postmaster-General should report to Congress after the + second year of its establishment every post-road which should not have + produced one-third the expense of carrying the mail. Recollect it, and I + want you to recollect in this connection that we never established a + post-route in the world. We will show that, anyway, if we show nothing + else. By the act of 1825 a route was discontinued within three years that + did not produce a fourth of the expenses. Now, when those laws were in + force the postage was collected at the place of delivery. + </p> + <p> + But in old times, gentlemen, in Illinois, in 1843, it was considered a + misfortune to receive a letter. The neighbors sympathized with a man who + got a letter. He had to pay twenty-five cents for it. It took five bushels + of corn at that time, five bushels of oats, four bushels of potatoes, ten + dozen eggs to get one letter. I have myself seen a farmer in a perturbed + state of mind, going from neighbor to neighbor telling of his distress + because there was a letter in the post-office for him. In 1851 the postage + was reduced to three cents when it was prepaid, and the law provided that + the diminution of income should not discontinue any route, neither should + it affect the establishment of new routes, and for the first time in the + history of our Government the idea of productiveness was abandoned. It was + not a question of whether we would make money by it or not; the question + was, did the people deserve a mail and was it to the interest of the + Government to carry that mail? I am a believer in the diffusion of + intelligence. I believe in frequent mails. I believe in keeping every part + of this vast Republic together by a knowledge of the same ideas, by a + knowledge of the same facts, by becoming acquainted with the same + thoughts. If there is anything that is to perpetuate this Republic it is + the distribution of intelligence from one end to the other. Just as soon + as you stop that we grow provincial; we get little, mean, narrow + prejudices; we begin to hate people because we do not know them; we begin + to ascribe all our faults to other folks. I believe in the diffusion of + intelligence everywhere. I want to give to every man and to every woman + the opportunity to know what is happening in the world of thought. + </p> + <p> + I want to carry the mail to the hut as well as to the palace. I want to + carry the mail to the cabin of the white man or the colored man, no matter + whether in Georgia, Alabama, or in the Territories. I want to carry him + the mail and hand it to him as I hand it to a Vanderbilt or to a Jay + Gould. That is my doctrine. The law of 1851 did away with your + productiveness nonsense, and when the mails were first put upon railways + in the year 1838, the law made a limit, not on account of productiveness, + but a limit of cost, and said the mail should not cost to exceed three + hundred dollars a mile. Let me correct myself. In 1838 a law was passed + that the mails might be carried by railroad provided they did not cost in + excess of twenty-five per cent, over the cost of mail coaches. In 1839 + that law was repealed, and the law then provided that the pay on railways + should be limited to three hundred dollars a mile. So you see how much + productiveness has to do with this business. In 1861 Congress provided for + an overland mail. Did they look out for productiveness? The overland mail + in 1861 was a little golden thread by which the Pacific and the Atlantic + could be united through the great war. Just a mail, carrying now and then + a letter in 1861, and they were allowed, I think, twenty or thirty days to + cross. Was productiveness thought of? Congress provided that they might + pay for that service eight hundred thousand dollars a year. The mail did + not exceed a thousand pounds. Including everything. Some letters that were + carried from this side to the other cost the Government three hundred + dollars apiece. What was the object? It was simply that the hearts of the + Atlantic and the Pacific might feel each other's throb through the great + war. That is all. Suppose some poor misguided attorney had stood up at + that time and commenced talking about productiveness. In the presence of + these great national objects the cost fades, sinks. It is absolutely lost. + Wherever our flag flies I want to see the mail under it. After awhile we + established what is known as the free-delivery system. That was first + established on the idea of productiveness. Whenever you start a new idea, + as a rule, you have to appeal to all the meanness that is in conservatism. + Before you can induce conservatives to do a decent action you have to + prove to them that it will pay at least ten per cent. So they started that + way. They said, "We will only have this free delivery system where it + pays." We went on and found the system desirable, and that many people + wanted it, and that the revenues of the Post-Office Department were so + great that we could afford it, and we commenced having it where it did not + pay. Right here in the city of Washington, right here in the capital of + the great Republic, we have the free delivery system. Is it productive? + Last year we lost twenty-one thousand dollars distributing letters to the + attorneys for the prosecution and others. And yet now this District has + the impudence to talk about productiveness. If anybody wants to find that + fact it can be found on pages 42 and 45 of the Postmaster-General's + report. Productiveness! We have now a railway service in the United + States. I want to know if that is calculated upon the basis of + productiveness. A car starts from the city of New York, and runs twelve + hours ahead of the ordinary time to the city of Chicago for the simple + purpose of carrying the mail, stopping only where the engine needs water, + only when the monster whose bones are steel and whose breath is flame, is + tired. Do you suppose that pays? You could scarcely put letters enough + into the cars at three cents apiece to pay for the trip. At last we regard + this whole country as a unit for this business. We say the American people + are to be supplied. We do not care whether they live in New York or in + Durango; we do not care whether they are among the steeples of the East or + the crags of the West; we do not care whether they live in the villages of + New England or whether they are staked out on the plains of New Mexico. + For the purpose of the distribution of intelligence this great country is + one. Do you see what a big idea that is? When it gets into the heads of + some people you have no idea how uncomfortable they feel. I have as much + interest in this country as anybody, just exactly, and I am willing to + subscribe my share to have this mail carried so that the man on the very + western extreme, on the hem of the national garment, may have just as much + as the man who lives here in the shadow of the Capitol. You see whenever a + man gets to the height where he does not want anything that he is not + willing to give somebody else, then he first begins to appreciate what a + gentleman is and what an American should be. Productiveness! I say that + all the State and Territorial lines have been brushed aside. We do not + carry the mail in a State because it pays. We carry it because there are + people there; because there are American citizens there; not because it + pays. The post-office is not a miser; it is a national benefactor. There + are only seventeen States in this Union where the income of the + Post-Office Department is equal to the outlay; only seventeen States in + this Union. There are twenty-one States in which the mail is carried at a + loss. There are ten Territories in which we receive substantially nothing + in return for carrying the mail, and there is one District, the District + of Columbia. I do not know how many miles square this magnificent + territory is; I guess about six. Thirty-six square miles. How much is the + loss in this District per annum? About one thousand five hundred dollars a + square mile. The annual loss right here in this District is fifty-eight + thousand dollars, and yet the citizens of this town are rascally enough to + receive the mail, according to the prosecution. Why is it not stopped? Why + is not the Postmaster-General indicted for a conspiracy with some one? + This little territory, six miles square has a loss of fifty-eight thousand + dollars. + </p> + <p> + If there was a corresponding loss in Kansas, Nebraska, California, Dakota, + and Idaho, it would take more than the national debt to run the mail every + year. And yet here in thirty-six square miles comes the wail of + non-productiveness. It is almost a joke. We are carrying the mail in + Kansas at a loss of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year, and yet + Kansas has a hundred million bushels of wheat for sale. Good! I am willing + to send letters to such people. It is a vast and thriving country. It + contains men who have laid the foundation of future empires. I want people + big enough and broad enough and wide enough to understand that the valley + of the Mississippi will support five hundred millions of people. Let us + get some ideas, gentlemen. Let us get some sense. There is nothing like + it. We pay five hundred thousand dollars a year for the privilege of + carrying the mail in Nebraska. Do you know I am willing to pay my share. + Any man who will go out to Nebraska and just let the wind blow on him + deserves to have plenty of mail. You do not know here what wind is. You + have never felt anything but a zephyr. You have never felt anything but an + atmospheric caress. Go and try Nebraska. The wind there will blow a hole + out of the ground. Go out there and try one blizzard, a fellow that robs + the north pole and comes down on you, and you will be willing to carry the + mail to any man that will stay there and plow a hundred and sixty acres of + land. When I see a post-office clerk sitting in a good warm room and + making a fuss about a chap in Nebraska for not carrying the mail against a + blizzard, I have my sentiments. I know what I think of the man. In the + Territory of Utah we pay two hundred and thirty thousand dollars a year + for the privilege of carrying the mails, and the males in that country are + mostly polygamists. I want you to get an idea of this country. In the + State of California, that State of gold, that State of wheat, the State + that has added more to the metallic wealth of this nation than all others + combined, an empire of magnificence, we pay five hundred thousand dollars + a year for the privilege of distributing the mail. I am glad of it. I want + the pioneer fostered. I want the pioneer to feel the throb of national + generosity. I want him to feel that this is his country. You see the + post-office is about the only blessing he has. Every other visitor that + comes from the General Government wants taxes. The Post-Office Department + is the only evidence we possess of national beneficence. It is the only + thing that comes from the General Government that has not a warrant, that + does not intend to arrest us. In Texas, which is an empire of two hundred + and seventy-three thousand square miles, a territory greater than the + French empire, which at one time conquered Europe, we pay four hundred and + fifty-nine thousand dollars for the privilege of distributing the mail. I + am glad of it. It will not be long before that State will have millions of + people and give us back millions of dollars each year, and with that + surplus we will carry the mail to other Territories. A man who has not + pretty big ideas has no business in this country; not a bit. We pay one + hundred and eighty-nine thousand dollars for the sake of carrying letters + and papers around Arkansas; one hundred and eighty-three thousand dollars + for the privilege of wandering up and down Alabama; one hundred and seven + thousand dollars in Missouri; two hundred and forty thousand dollars in + Ohio; two hundred and eight thousand dollars in Georgia; three hundred and + twelve thousand dollars in old Virginia. When I first went to Illinois the + Government had to pay for the privilege of carrying the mail in that + State. Now Illinois turns around and hands six hundred and sixty thousand + dollars of profit to the United States each year. She says, "You carry the + mail to the other fellows that cannot afford it just the same as you + carried it for us. You rocked our cradle, and we will pay for rocking + somebody else's cradle." That is sense. In other words, in seventeen + States we have a profit of seven million dollars. In twenty-one States, + ten Territories, and the District of Columbia we have a loss of five + million dollars. When we regard the country as a unit, then we make money + out of the whole business. That is good. We have in the United States + about a hundred and ten thousand miles of railroad now, and we pay about + two hundred dollars a mile for carrying the mail on those railroads. We + have two hundred and twenty-seven thousand miles of star routes, and we + pay on them between twenty and thirty dollars a mile. I want you to think + about it. In looking over the Post-master-General's report I accidentally + came across this fact. You know, gentlemen, the present period is a + paroxysmal period of reform. We are having what is known as a virtuous + spasm. We have that every little while. It is a kind of fiscal mumps or + whooping-cough. I find by this report that a mail averaging twenty pounds + carried in a baggage-car from Connellsville to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, is + paid for at the rate of forty-two dollars and seventy-two cents a mile. + Under General Brady the star routes cost between twenty and thirty dollars + a mile. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I have told you our connection with the star-route + business. I have told it all to you freely, frankly, and fully. Some + charges have been made against us, and I want to speak to you about them. + You understand that it often takes quite awhile to explain a charge that + is made in only a few words. One man can say another did so and so. It is + only a lie, and yet it may take pages for the accused man to make his + explanation. The worst lie in the world is a lie which is partly true. You + understand that. When you explain a lie that has a little circumstance + going along with it, certifying to it, and attesting to its truth, it + takes you a great deal longer to explain it than it did to tell it. The + first great charge is that for us—and I limit myself to my clients—orders + were antedated. That is one great charge. Let me tell you just how that + was. Mr. Bliss calls attention to the fact that Mr. Brady made orders + relating back, and in one case he alleged that the order was made, for the + benefit of my clients, to take effect six weeks prior to its being issued. + I want to explain that. A railroad was being constructed along the line of + one of these routes. It may be well enough for me to say that it was the + Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. The points from which the mail was carried + had to be changed as the road progressed. As it grew Mr. Brady increased + the service on the route to seven times a week. He increased it from the + end of the railroad, and he made it seven times a week because the mail on + the railroad was seven times a week. We were to carry the mail from the + end of the railroad, wherever that end might be. He increased the service + on this route from the end of the railroad to the other terminal point; + that is, he made it a daily mail so as to connect with the daily trains on + the railroad. At the time the seven trips were to be put on, distance + tables were sent out to postmasters at the terminal points to get the + distances. Let me tell you what a distance table is. The names of the + post-offices are on a circular, and the Post-Office Department sends that + circular to the postmasters along the route and they are asked to return + it with the distance from each station to every other marked upon it. Now, + until that table is returned it is impossible for the Second Assistant + Postmaster-General to tell how far they carry the mail. This railroad was + progressing every month, and as the railroad advanced the distance from + the end of the railroad to the other terminal point decreased. Now, the + Postmaster-General or the Second Assistant cannot fix that pay until he + has a return of the distance table. But before he has that return he can + order the contractor to carry the mail, and after the distance table is + returned then he can make up the formal order and have that order entered + upon the records of the department. That is all he ever did. I want you to + understand that perfectly. It might be four weeks after the contractor was + ordered to carry the mail from the termination of the railroad, or it + might be five or six weeks before the distance tables were returned and + the distance calculated. But do you not see it made no difference? There + was first an order either by telegraph or a short order, and after the + distance tables were returned then the distance was calculated, the amount + of money calculated, and the regular order written up and made of record, + and a warrant drawn for payment. That is all there is to it. And yet this + is what Mr. Bliss calls defrauding the Government. We are charged on that + kind of evidence with having defrauded the United States. We will show you + that no order of that kind was made except when the distance was unknown; + and that when the distance was ascertained, the formal order was made, + another order having been made before that time. Let me say right here + that orders of a similar nature have been made in the Post-Office + Department since its establishment. Since the construction of railways + there has not a month passed in that department—certainly not a year—when + such orders have not been made. And yet for the first time in the history + of the Government it is brought forward against us as an evidence of + fraud. We will show that the order was made exactly as I have stated. + </p> + <p> + The next badge of fraud that is charged is that after a route had been + awarded to us it was increased or expedited, or both, before the stock was + put on. Well, I will tell you just how that is, because you want to know. + This case, apparently complicated, is infinitely simple when it is + understood. There are in the United States, I believe, some ten thousand + of these star routes. They are all or nearly all in some way connected. + One depends upon another. It is a web woven over the entire West, and how + you run a mail here depends upon how one is run there, and the effort is + to have all these mails connect in a certain harmony so that time will not + be lost, and so that each letter will get to its destination in the + shortest possible time, and it requires not only a great deal of + experience, but it requires a great deal of ingenuity. It requires a great + deal of study and strict attention for a man so to arrange the routes and + the time in the United States that the letters can be gotten to their + destination in the shortest possible time. And yet that is the object. You + can see that. Now, you may be looking at the route from A to B, and say + that there is no sense in having it in that time; but if you will look at + the time of other routes, if you see with what routes that connects you + will say that it is sensible. Now, you go on to another route, and, + gentlemen, you see that every solitary route is touched, is compromised, + is affected by every other route. That is what I want you to understand. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, Mr. Bliss says that it was a badge of fraud to increase the + time and the service on a route before the stock was put on. Now let me + show you. Here you have your scheme. Here is the route, we will say, from + A to E. You let that for a weekly route, once a week. How fast? A hundred + hours. When you get the other routes and look at this business you see + that that crosses several places where the mail is lost. That is where a + day is lost, and you see, if instead of that being a hundred hours it were + seventy-five hours the mail at many stations would save one day or two + days. Now, then, the law vests in you the power before a solitary horse or + carriage goes upon that route to say to the man to whom the contract was + awarded, "You must carry that in seventy-five hours instead of one hundred + hours, and you must carry it four times a week instead of once a week." If + you take that power from the Postmaster-General and from the Second + Assistant those offices become useless. It is impossible for any human + intellect to take into consideration all the facts growing out of this + service. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing, gentlemen, which you must remember, and that is + that these advertisements for this service are not made the day the + service is wanted. These advertisements are put out six months before + there is to be any such service. + </p> + <p> + It is sometimes a year before that service is wanted, and if you know + anything about the West you know that in one year the whole thing may + change. That where there was not a city there may be a city, and where + there was a city nothing but desolation. Now, then, the law very wisely + has vested the power in the Second Assistant and the Postmaster-General to + rectify all the mistakes made either by themselves or by time, and to call + for faster time or for slower, that is, for less frequent trips. Now, + then, you see that that is no badge of fraud, do you not? If, before you + put a man or a horse on that route, the Government finds it wants twice as + many trips there is no fraud in saying so, and if they find they want to + go in fifty hours instead of a hundred hours there would be fraud in not + saying so. That has been the practice since this was a Government. + </p> + <p> + Now, what is the next? The next great charge against us, gentlemen, is + that when they agreed to carry a greater number of trips, or any swifter + time for money, Mr. Brady did not make us give an additional bond, and Mr. + Bliss talked about that I should think about a day. Nearly all the time I + heard him he was on that subject. "Why did they not when they were to + carry additional trips give a new bond?" Well, I will tell you why: + Because there is no law for it. There never was a law for it—never. + And Mr. Brady had no right to demand a bond unless the statute provided + for it. When I give a bond to carry the mail once a week, and the + Government finds that it wants it carried three times a week, the + Government cannot make me give an additional bond. Why? Because the + statute does not provide for it, and Mr. Brady had not the power to enact + new laws. That is all. Why, there never was such a bond given, and any + bond that is given under duress, by compulsion, not having the foundation + of a statute, is absolutely null and void. Everybody knows it that knows + anything. And yet the gentleman comes before you and says it is a sign of + fraud that we did not give an additional bond. There never was such a bond + given in the history of this Government—never; and in all + probability never will be unless these gentlemen get into Congress. You + know the law prescribes every bond that the contractor must give, and it + is bad enough without ever being increased during the contract term. + </p> + <p> + So much now for that frightful badge of fraud. I want to make this + statement so you will understand it. They have the unfairness, they have + the lack of candor to tell you that it is one of the evidences that we are + scoundrels, that we failed to give an additional bond, and when they made + that statement they knew that by law we could not give an additional bond, + and they knew that if we had given an additional bond it would not have + been worth the paper upon which it was written. And yet they lack candor + to that degree that they come into this court and tell you that that is + one of the evidences that we have conspired against the United States. It + won't do. + </p> + <p> + What is the next badge of fraud? And I want to tell you this is a case of + badges, and patches, and ravelings, and remnants, and rags. It is a kind + of a mental garret, full of odd boots, and strange cats, thrown at us, and + altogether it is called a case of conspiracy. Another badge of fraud is + that whenever we carried the mail one trip a week, and it was increased to + two trips a week, Brady was such a villain that he gave us double pay; and + Mr. Bliss informed the jury that they knew just as well as he did that it + did not cost twice as much to give two trips a week as it did to give one. + Well, who said it did? And yet they say that is an evidence of fraud. + Well, let us see. There is nothing like finding the evidence. + </p> + <p> + Now, when we come to this case we will introduce a bond that we gave at + that time, and when the jury read that bond they will find this, or + substantially this: + </p> + <p> + It is hereby agreed by the said contractor and his sureties that the + Postmaster-General may discontinue or extend this contract, change the + schedule, alter, increase, or extend the service, he allowing not to + exceed a pro rata increase of compensation for any additional service + thereby required, or for increased speed if the employment of additional + stock or carriers is rendered necessary, and in case of decrease, + curtailment, or discontinuance, as a full indemnity to said contractor, + one month's extra pay on the account of service dispensed with, and not to + exceed a pro rata compensation for the service retained: Provided, + however, That in case of increased expedition the contractor may, upon + timely notice, relinquish his contract. + </p> + <p> + Now, it is in that provided that if they call on him for double service he + is entitled to double pay. That is the law, and it has been the practice, + gentlemen, since we have had a Post-Office Department. And why? Let me + show you. Here is a man who carries a mail from A to Y. There are supposed + to be some commercial transactions between those two places. It is + supposed that now and then a human being goes from one of those places to + the other, and the man who carries the mail, as a rule carries passengers + and does the local business. Now, do you suppose that he would agree with + the Government that he would carry the mail once a week for a thousand + dollars a year, and that they might hire another man to carry it once a + week for a thousand dollars a year, and maybe that other man take all his + passengers and all his business. The understanding is that when I bid a + thousand dollars a year for once a week, if you put it to three times a + week I am to have three thousand dollars; four times a week, four thousand + dollars; seven times a week, seven thousand dollars, and that has been the + unbroken practice of this Government from the establishment of the + Post-Office Department until to-day. You can see the absolute propriety of + it, and you can see that any man would be almost crazy to take a contract + on any other terms, and that contract is this: "I will carry for you so + much a trip, and if you want more trips you can have them at the same + price as that fixed." That is fair. That is what we did. + </p> + <p> + So much for that badge of fraud. What is the next one? It is that the pay + was increased twice as much by the increase, and, as I said, that is the + law. + </p> + <p> + Now let us see what is the next great badge of fraud. That we received the + pay when the mail was not carried. I deny it, and we will show in this + case, gentlemen, that we never received pay except when the mail was + carried. And how do I know? Because General Brady established a system of + way-bills, so that a way-bill would accompany every pouch in which letters + were, and they would put on that way-bill the time that it got to the + post-office, and when that way-bill got to the terminal point it was sent + here to Washington and filed away, and at the end of every quarter a + report was made, and if a mail was behind at any post-office you would + find it on that way-bill, and if they had not made the trip then they were + fined. That way-bill system was inaugurated by General Brady, and under + that way-bill system we carried the mail, and we could not get pay unless + we had carried the mail. I call them way-bills. They are mail-bills that + go with the pouch and give a history of each mail that is carried. That is + all. + </p> + <p> + Now another great badge of fraud. The first was that he was to impose no + fines when the mail was not carried. The next was that he was to impose + fines and then take the fines off for half—fifty per cent. Now, + would not that be an intelligent contract? I carry the mails. You are the + Second Assistant Postmaster-General. I agree with you that if you fine me + and then will take the fine off I will give you half of it. About how long + would it take you to break me up? And yet that is honestly and solemnly + put forward here as a fact in the case. They tell a story of a man who was + bitten by a dog. Another man said to him, "I'll tell you what to do. You + just sop some bread in that blood and give it to the dog; it will cure + you." "Oh, my God!" says he, "if the other dogs hear of it they will eat + me up." And here it is, without a smile, urged before this jury that we + made a bargain that a fellow might fine us for the halves. Well, there may + be twelve men in this world who believe that. They are unfortunate. + </p> + <p> + The next charge is that a subcontract was made for less than the original + contract. Well, that is where most of the money in this world is made. + Thousands and millions of men have made fortunes by buying corn at sixty + cents a bushel to be delivered next February, and selling the same corn + for seventy cents. There is where fortunes live. The difference between a + contract and a subcontract is the territory of profit in which every + American loves to settle. You make a contract with the Government to + furnish, say, a thousand horses of a certain kind for one hundred and + fifty dollars apiece. You go and make a subcontract with some one to + furnish you those same horses for one hundred and twenty-five dollars + apiece. Is that a fraud? You have taken upon yourself the responsibility + and if your subcontractor fails you must make it good. There is no harm in + that. + </p> + <p> + Suppose I agree with you to-morrow that if you will furnish me one + thousand bushels of wheat on the first day of January, I will give you one + thousand five hundred dollars, and I find out that you made a bargain with + another fellow to do it for a thousand dollars. If I am an honest man I + suppose I will jump the contract, won't I? Not much. If I am an honest man + I will say, "Well, you made five hundred dollars; I am glad of it; good + for you." But the idea of the prosecution is that the moment Brady saw a + subcontract for less than the original contract he should have had a moral + spasm, and said, "I won't carry out the contract; I will swindle you, I + will rob you, and I will do it in the name of virtue." And that is the + meanest way a man ever did rob—in the name of virtue, reform. So + much for that. But if you ever make a contract with this Government and + can make a subcontract at the same price you do it as quick as you can. + </p> + <p> + The next is, that whenever he discontinued a route or any part of a route, + rather, he gave us a month's extra pay; you heard that, did you not? He + was on that subject about a half a day. How did he come to do that? I will + tell you. There is nothing like looking: + </p> + <p> + And in case of decrease, curtailment, or discontinuance of service, as a + full indemnity to said contractor one month's extra pay on the amount of + service dispensed with. + </p> + <p> + That is first the law, secondly the contract, and thirdly it was made in + the interest of the United States. And why? Suppose the United States made + a contract with a man to carry a mail from New York to Liverpool, and in + consequence of that contract the man bought steamships to perform the + service, and then the United States made up its mind not to carry the + mail. That man might get damages to the amount of hundreds and thousands + of dollars. Therefore the United States endeavored to protect itself and + say the limit of damage shall be one month's pay, and that has been the + law for years, and that law has been passed upon by the Supreme Court of + the United States. It was passed upon in the case of Garfielde against the + United States, where he claimed greater damages because he had all the + steamships to carry the mail from San Francisco to Portland, and the + Supreme Court said it made no difference what his expense had been. He was + bound by the letter of the law and the contract, and could have only one + month's extra pay as his entire damage. + </p> + <p> + Now, these gentlemen bring forward a law to protect the United States + Government, and they bring that forward as an evidence of conspiracy, as + evidence of a fraud. Nothing could be more unfair, nothing on earth could + show a greater want of character. Now, let us see what else. + </p> + <p> + The next great charge is false affidavits. They tell you that we made lots + of them; that we just had them for sale. False affidavits! And that Mr. + John W. Dorsey made two false affidavits in two cases. The evidence will + show that he did not. The evidence will show that he made only one in each + case, when we come to it. But I want to call your attention to this fact, + that in one case one affidavit was made where it said the number of men + and horses then necessary was eight, that on the expedited schedule it + would be twenty-four. Three times eight are twenty-four. The second + affidavit said the number of men and horses then was fifteen, and the + number on expedition and increase would be forty-five. Three times fifteen + are forty-five. So that the amount taken from the Government would be + exactly the same on both affidavits. You understand that. For instance, if + it took five horses and men to do the then business, and would require + fifteen to do the expedited and increased business, then you would be + entitled to three times the amount of pay. So in this case one affidavit + said it took eight and would take twenty-four, the other affidavit said it + took fifteen and would take forty-five. Three times eight are twenty-four. + Three times fifteen are forty-five. So that the amount of money taken from + the Government would be exactly the same under each affidavit. Now, that + is all there is of that. + </p> + <p> + In the next case, where he made two affidavits, I find that by the second + affidavit it took, I think, thirteen thousand dollars less from the + Government, and yet they call the second affidavit a piece of perjury. And + here is one thing that I want to impress upon all your minds. Where you + not only carry the mail but carry passengers, it is an exceedingly + difficult problem to say just how many horses and men it requires to carry + the mail, and then how many men and horses it requires to carry the + passengers. It is hard to make the divide you understand—very hard. + You can tell, for instance, the cost of mounting a railroad for a hundred + miles, but it is very difficult to tell the cost of the bridges or what + the spikes cost or what the deep cuts cost. You can take the whole + together and say it cost so much a year. So in this case we can say it + requires so many men and horses doing the business that we are doing, but + it is almost impossible for the brain to separate exactly the passengers, + the package business, from simply carrying the mail. As I said before, men + will differ in opinion. Some men will say it will take ten horses, others + twenty, others twenty-five, and then the next question arises, and I want + to call particular attention to that question, and that is, whether the + law means only the horses absolutely carrying the mail; whether the law + means by carriers only the men who ride the horses or drive the wagons. + Now, I will tell you what I mean. I undertake to carry the mail, we will + say from Omaha to San Francisco. How many men will it take? Now, I will + count all the men who are driving the stages, all the men who are + gathering forage, all the men who are attending to that business in any + way, and if on the way I have blacksmiths' shops where my horses are shod + I will count those men. If I have men engaged in drawing wood a hundred + miles, I will count those men. In other words, I will count all the men I + pay, no matter whether they are keeping books in New York or carrying the + mail across the desert. I will count all the men I pay; so will you. What + horses will you count? All the horses engaged in the business; those that + are drawing corn for the others, as well as the rest, will you not? There + is an old fable that a trumpeter was captured in the war and he said to + his captor, "I am not a soldier, I never shot anybody." "Ah," they said, + "but you incited others to shoot, and you are as much a soldier as + anybody; we want you." + </p> + <p> + Now, I say that we are entitled to count every man who carries the mail, + and every man necessary to perform that service. So do you. Now, there we + divide. The Government says we shall count simply the men carrying the + mail, nobody else, and we shall count simply the horses in actual service. + That is nonsense. For instance, you have got to have thirty horses. They + are going all the time. Do you depend on just that thirty? No, sir. If one + gets lame you cannot carry the mail. You have got to have twenty or thirty + horses in your corral, in the stables, so that if one of the others gives + out you will have enough. That is one great question in this case, + gentlemen. What I say to you now is that on every one of these routes in + which my clients are interested, or, I may say, in which anybody is + interested, the evidence will be that the affidavits were substantially + correct. In many cases there was a far greater difference between the men + and horses then used and the men and horses that were afterwards + necessary. + </p> + <p> + You must take another thing into consideration. In a country where there + are Indian depredations one man will not stay at a station by himself. He + wants somebody with him; he wants two or three with him, and the more + frightened he is the more men he will want. On that route from Bismarck to + Tongue River, as to which it was sworn it would take a hundred and fifty + men, the statement was made at a time when the men would not stay + separately; that they wanted five or six together at one station; that + they wanted men out on guard and watch. You will find before we get + through, gentlemen, that the affidavits do not overstate the number. You + will find in addition that these petitions were signed by the best men; + that that service was asked for by the best men, not simply in the + Territories, but by some of the best men in the United States; by members + of Congress, by Senators, by generals, by great and splendid men, men of + national reputation. So when we come to that we will show to you that the + affidavits made were substantially true. There is another charge that has + been made, and that is that the affidavits in Mr. Peck's name were not + made by him; that he never signed these affidavits. + </p> + <p> + Yet, gentlemen, we will prove to you as the Government once proved by Mr. + Taylor, a notary public in New Mexico, that Mr. Peck appeared personally + before him; that he was personally acquainted with Mr. Peck, and that he + signed and swore to those affidavits in his presence. That we will + substantiate in this trial as the Government substantiated it in the + other. These gentlemen, are among the charges that have been made against + us. I say to you to-day they will not be able to show that we ever put + upon the files of the Post-Office Department a solitary letter, a solitary + petition, a solitary communication that was not genuine and true. Not one. + They cannot do it. They never will do it. You will be astonished when you + hear these petitions to find the Government admitting that they are true. + If they do not read them we will read them. That is all. + </p> + <p> + Now, I have stated to you a few of the charges made against my clients up + to this point. I want to keep it in your mind. I want each man on this + jury to understand exactly what I say. Let us go over this ground a + little. I want to be sure you remember it. In the first place, S. W. + Dorsey was not interested in these routes. All the bids were made by John + W. Dorsey, John M. Peck, John R. Miner, and a man by the name of Boone. + All the information was gathered by Mr. Boone by sending circulars to + every postmaster on the routes. Upon that information John W. Dorsey, John + M. Peck, and John R. Miner made their calculations and made their bids, + numbering in all about twelve hundred. Of that number they had awarded to + them a hundred and thirty-four contracts. Recollect that. After those + contracts were awarded to them they were without the money to put the + stock on all the routes, because more contracts were awarded than they + expected. Thereupon John R. Miner borrowed some money from Stephen W. + Dorsey and kept up that borrowing until the amount reached some sixteen or + eighteen thousand dollars. Don't forget it. After it got to that point Mr. + Dorsey started for New Mexico. At Saint Louis he met John R. Miner, then + coming from Montana, and John R. Miner said to him, "We have got to have + some more money of you;" and Dorsey replied, "I have no more money to give + you." Miner then said, "You give your note or indorse mine for nine or ten + thousand dollars." Dorsey replied, "If you will give me post-office orders + and drafts, not only to secure the note I am about to indorse or make for + you, but also to the amount of the money I have advanced for you, I will + give the note." That was agreed upon. Thereupon he gave the note. It was + discounted in the German-American National Bank, and Mr. Miner deposited + with the note the orders on the Post-Office Department, not only to secure + the note, but the sixteen thousand dollars that Dorsey had before that + time advanced. Dorsey went on to New Mexico, and in May or July of that + year another law was passed, allowing a subcontractor to put his + subcontract on file. After he had advanced that money and indorsed or + signed the note, they made the contract with Mr. Vaile, turning these + routes over to him and giving him subcontracts on all these routes. When + Stephen W. Dorsey came back from New Mexico in December of that year he + found that the note at the German-American National Bank had been + protested, and that his collateral security was at that time worthless, + because the subcontracts had been filed and these subcontracts cut out the + post-office orders or drafts. Thereupon he wanted a settlement. Matters + drifted along until April, 1879, and a settlement was made. I have told + you that from the time the routes were given to Mr. Vaile until that time + nobody had the slightest thing to do with them except Mr. Vaile; that in + April, 1879, the division was made; that Mr. Vaile paid the note at the + German-American National Bank; that the division was made, as I told you, + by Mr. Vaile drawing one route, Mr. Dorsey one, and Mr. Miner one, and + keeping that up until they were all drawn. I forgot to tell you before + that Mr. S. W. Dorsey had sixteen thousand dollars, to which, if you add + the interest, it would be about eighteen thousand dollars; that John W. + Dorsey had ten thousand dollars and John M. Peck had ten thousand dollars, + and when that division was made Stephen W. Dorsey agreed to pay John W. + Dorsey ten thousand dollars, and to pay John M. Peck ten thousand dollars + for his interest. Gentlemen, he did pay John W. Dorsey ten thousand + dollars, and he did pay the same amount to Peck, and from that day to this + John W. Dorsey has never had the interest of one solitary cent in any one + of these routes. He was simply paid back the money that he expended. Not + another cent. John M. Peck never made by this business one solitary + dollar. He simply received back the money he had expended. After he had + paid back that money to both of these men, Stephen W. Dorsey took these + routes with a debt to him of between sixteen and eighteen thousand + dollars. Now, as to Mr. Rerdell. They say he was the private secretary of + Stephen W. Dorsey. He never was; not for a moment, not for a single moment + He attended to some of this business. I have no doubt that the Government + imagine they can debauch somebody in order to get information. I give them + notice now—GO on. There is no living man whose testimony we fear. + There is no living lawyer who has the genius to make perjury do us harm. I + want you to understand it. And I want them to understand that I know + precisely what they are endeavoring to do. There is only one way for them + to surprise me, and that is for them to do a kind thing. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, at that time—I want you to remember it; I do not + want you to forget it—when these routes came to Mr. Dorsey, he, not + understanding the business, turned it over to Mr. James W. Bosler. Mr. + Bosler, as I told you before, is a man of wealth. But, say these + gentlemen, "While these routes were in your possession, and while Stephen + W. Dorsey had an interest in them he asked men to sign petitions in favor + of an increase of trips and decrease of time." What if he did? Suppose you + have a house out here somewhere; you can petition to have a street opened, + even if you have the contract for paving the street. You have a right to + petition to have a schoolhouse located in your neighborhood even if you + have children. There is no harm about that. You certainly can petition to + have cows prevented from running at large even if there is no fence around + your yard. I think you could do so without being indicted for conspiracy. + I think a man might start a subscription for a church, even if he owned a + brick-yard and expected to sell bricks to build it. Now, suppose I had a + contract to carry the mail through the State of California from one end to + the other once a week, is there any harm in my asking the people of that + country to petition to have it carried twice a week? Do you not remember + what I told you? All the members of Congress out there, when they go home + want to say to the people when they meet at the convention with all the + delegates on hand. "Why, gentlemen, you did not used to get the New York + Herald or New York Times, or The Sun, until it was two weeks old, and now + it is only a week old. Where you only had one mail I have given you three. + I have got fifty thousand dollars to improve your harbor, and one hundred + thousand dollars for a new custom-house. Look at me, gentlemen, I am a + candidate for re-election." That is natural. This Court will instruct you + that any man who is carrying a mail anywhere in the United States has the + right to use his influence in getting up petitions for the increase of + that service or the expedition of that time. They say Dorsey did this. + What of it? They say Dorsey tried to manufacture public opinion. That is + what these gentlemen of the prosecution have been doing for eighteen + months, and now they object to the manufacture of public opinion. Public + opinion is their stock in trade. + </p> + <p> + Leaving that charge, every man who has a contract for carrying the mail + has the right to call the attention of every editor in that country to the + fact that they need more mail service. He has the right to send his agents + there and if the people want to petition for more service, and if Congress + is willing to give them more service, no human being has a right to + complain in this manner and in a criminal court. If any offence has been + committed it is of a political nature. If a member of Congress gets too + much service his people can keep him at home. If he does too much for his + locality they need not elect him the next time. It is a political offence + for which there is a political punishment and a political remedy. So much + for the right of petition. I am perfectly willing to tell all he did in + regard to the increase of service and the expedition. + </p> + <p> + While I am on that point I want you to distinctly understand what increase + is and what expedition is. Increase of service means more of the same + kind. Suppose I am to carry the mail from one place to another. We will + call it from Si-Wash to Oo-Ray. If I am to carry that mail once a week for + five hundred dollars and they want it twice a week, I have one thousand + dollars, but do not carry it any faster. That is an increase. Suppose I am + carrying it in say two hundred hours and they want it carried in half that + time. That is what they call expedition. Now, the question is as to the + difference in cost of carrying the mail at six miles an hour, or at two + and a half, or two, or one and a half. If I carry it slowly, I can go at a + reasonable rate in the day and can lie by at night. I want you to + understand distinctly the difference between increase of service, which is + more of the same kind, and expedition, which means the same kind at a + faster rate. Now, I can carry the mail twenty miles and back in a day and + do that a great deal easier than if I were to make the distance in four or + five hours. The difference is just about the same with a locomotive as + with a horse. If a train runs twenty miles an hour and you want to + increase its speed to thirty, it will cost altogether more than twice as + much as it does to run it at twenty. If you want to increase it still + further to forty or sixty, it will cost at sixty more than three times as + much as at twenty. The cost increases in an increased proportion. I want + you to understand that. Now, we are charged with having done some + frightful things on several of these routes, and for three days and a half + your ears were filled with charges of the rascality we have perpetrated. + We had some ten or eleven routes, and we are charged with having defrauded + the Government on those particular routes. Let us see what my clients did. + Do not understand me as saying that because my clients have done nothing + the other defendants have. I do not take that position. I take the + position that according to the evidence in this case there is nothing + against any of these defendants. Leave out passion, prejudice, falsehood, + and hatred and there is absolutely nothing left. If you will take from Mr. + Bliss's speech all the mistakes he made in law and fact, there will be + nothing left to answer; not a word. But I think it due to my client, + gentlemen, my client who is not able to be in this court, my client who + sits at home wrapped in darkness, that I should answer every allegation + touching every route in which he was interested. I think it due to him. + [Resuming] + </p> + <p> + I will call your attention to a few of the routes, possibly to all, in + which my clients were interested. It will take but a short time. I want + you to know whether or not these routes were important, whether it was + proper to carry the mails as they were carried, whether it was proper that + they should be carried from once to seven times a week, and whether it was + proper that the speed should be expedited. Now, you may think after + hearing the evidence that there were some routes that never should have + been established; but that does not establish a conspiracy. That simply + establishes the fact that Congress created routes where they were not + absolutely necessary. You may come to the conclusion that General Brady + ordered more trips on some of these routes than he should have ordered. + That does not establish a conspiracy. The most that it could establish + would be extravagance, and extravagance is not a crime. If it were, the + penitentiaries of the day would not be large enough—or rather would + be large enough, and too large, to hold the honest men. You may say after + you have heard the evidence that the time was faster than it need be; but + you must take into consideration all the connecting routes, and even if + you should so feel, it is for you to say whether that establishes any + conspiracy. All these things must be taken into consideration. + </p> + <p> + We will take first the route from Garland to Parrott City. *** + </p> + <p> + Now, I have gone over just a few of these charges. I have shown you that + they are false; that they are without the slightest shadow of foundation + in fact. Now, gentlemen, after you hear all this evidence, it is for you + to determine. It is for you to say whether these men entered into a + conspiracy to defraud this Government. It is for you to say whether our + testimony is to be believed, or whether you are to decide this case upon + the suspicions of the Government. It is for you to say whether you will + believe the contracts and the witnesses, or whether you will take the + prejudice of the public press; whether you will take the opinion of the + Attorney-General; whether you will take the letter of some counselor at + law, or whether you will be governed by the testimony in this case. It is + for you to say, gentlemen, whether a man shall be found guilty on + inference; whether a man shall be deprived of his liberty by prejudice. It + is for you to say whether reputation shall be destroyed by malice and by + ignorance. It is for you to say whether a man who fought to sustain this + Government shall not have the protection of the laws. It is for you + [indicating a juror] and it is for you [indicating another juror] and you + [indicating another juror] and you [indicating another juror] to say + whether a man who fought to take the chains off your body shall have + chains put upon his by your prejudice and by your ignorance. It is for you + to say whether you will be guided by law, by evidence, by justice, and by + reason, or whether you will be controlled by fear, by prejudice, and by + official power. That, gentlemen, is all I wish to say in this opening. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CLOSING ADDRESS IN SECOND STAR ROUTE TRIAL + </h2> + <h3> + Closing Address to the Jury in the Second Star Route Trial. + </h3> + <p> + MAY it please the Court and gentlemen of the jury: Perhaps some of you, + may be all of you, will remember that I made one of the opening speeches + of this case, and that in that opening speech I endeavored to give you the + scheme or plan of the indictment. I told you, I believe, at that time, + that all these defendants were indicted for having conspired together to + defraud the United States. In that indictment they were kind enough to + tell us how we agreed to accomplish that object; that we went into + partnership with the Second Assistant Postmaster-General, he being one of + these defendants, and that we then and there agreed to get up false + petitions, to have them signed by persons who were not interested in the + mail service, to sign fictitious names to these petitions, those names + representing no actual, real, living persons; that we also agreed to have + false and fraudulent letters written to the department urging this + service; that in addition to all that we were to make and file false and + fraudulent affidavits, in which we were to swear falsely as to the number + of men and horses to be employed, and the number of men and horses then + necessary; that in addition to that we were to file fraudulent + subcontracts; that the Second Assistant Postmaster-General was to make + false and corrupt orders, and that all these things were to be done to + deceive, mislead, and blindfold the Postmaster-General. They also set out + that these orders so corruptly made were to be corruptly certified to the + Auditor of the Treasury for the Post-Office Department in order that we + might draw our pay. That is what is known as the general scheme or plan of + this indictment. You have heard the testimony, and remember some of it. Of + course you do not remember it all. Probably no man ever lived who could do + such a thing. You have heard the testimony discussed, I believe, for about + twenty days, so that I take it for granted you know something about it, or + at least have an idea that you do. The story that we told you in the first + place, and that we now tell you, is about this: + </p> + <p> + In 1877 Mr. Peck, Mr. Miner, and John W. Dorsey made up their minds to + make bids and to go into the mail business. I want you to remember that + there is not one word in this indictment about any false bid ever having + been made. Remember that. There is nothing in this indictment about a + false bond having been given; not a thing. There is nothing in this + indictment charging that any of the original contracts were false. I want + you to remember that. There is no evidence that any person signing any one + of those contracts as security was not perfectly solvent. There is no + evidence, not one syllable, that any proposal was fraudulent, or that any + bid was fraudulent. How is it possible for a bid to be fraudulent? I will + tell you. If you make a bid, and make a contract or enter into an + agreement at the same time with some of the Post-Office officials so that + your bid will be accepted when it is not the lowest, there is a fraud, and + there is a fraudulent bid. There is one other way, and that is to put in a + bid to carry the mail at so many thousand dollars, and then have below + that straw bidders, men not responsible, and when the time comes to accept + the bid of those gentlemen they refuse to carry it out, and then the law + is that it shall be given to the next highest, and he refuses, and the + next, and he refuses, and the next highest, and he refuses, and so on + until it comes to the highest bidder. There are such combinations and have + been, I have no doubt, for many years in the Post-Office Department. That + is called straw bidding, and it is fraudulent bidding. There is no such + charge as that in this case. Every bid that was made was made in good + faith, and every bid that was accepted was followed by a good and + sufficient contract entered into by the party making the bid, and so that + is the end of that. + </p> + <p> + Now, in 1877, I say these men entered into an agreement among themselves + that they would bid on certain routes, and Mr. Peck, or Mr. Miner, or John + W. Dorsey—they may have it as they choose—somebody, wrote a + letter to Stephen W. Dorsey and in that letter told what they were going + to do and requested him to get some man to obtain information in regard to + these routes. You know that testimony. Stephen W. Dorsey was then in the + United States Senate. He sent for Mr. Boone and he showed him that letter. + In consequence of that Mr. Boone sent out his circulars to the postmasters + all over the country, or all over the portion as to which they were to + bid, and asked them about the roads, about the price of oats and corn, + about the price of labor, and about the winters; in other words, all the + questions necessary for an intelligent man, after having received + intelligent answers, to make up his mind as to the amount for which he + could carry that mail. Mr. Boone, you remember, says that he was to have + at that time a certain share. There is a conflict of testimony there. Mr. + Dorsey says that he told Boone that when John W. Dorsey came here they + could arrange that, and he had no doubt that they would be willing to give + him a share; but that he did not give it to him. The circulars were sent + out and the information in some instances, and I do not know but all, came + back. Then they agreed upon the amounts they were to bid. I believe Mr. + Miner came here in December, and John W. Dorsey, I think, in January, and + in February the bids were made. All the amounts were put in the + bidding-book issued by the Government, by Mr. Miner and Mr. Boone; all + with two exceptions, and those amounts had been placed there by them, but + under the advice of Stephen W. Dorsey those amounts were lowered. I + remember one was upon the Tongue River route, the other route I have + forgotten. Mr. Miner, Mr. Peck, and John W. Dorsey were together. + Afterwards a partnership was formed between John W. Dorsey and A. E. + Boone. Stephen W. Dorsey advanced some money. There is nothing criminal + about that. It is often foolish to advance money, but it is not a crime. + It is often foolish to indorse for another, and many a man has been + convinced of that, but it is not a crime. He advanced until, I believe, he + was responsible for some fourteen or fifteen thousand dollars, and + thereupon he declined to advance any more. He saw Mr. Miner in Saint + Louis, and said to Mr. Miner, "This is the last I am going to advance." I + think he gave him some notes that he hypothecated or discounted at the + German-American National Bank. He wanted security, and thereupon they gave + him Post-Office drafts for the purpose of securing his debt. He would + advance no more money and went away to New Mexico. Mr. Miner had a power + of attorney from John W. Dorsey who was absent, and a power of attorney + from John M. Peck who was absent. I believe on the 7th of August, or about + that time, Mr. Boone went out. Why? They had not the money at the time to + put on the service. Why? A great many more bids had been accepted than + they had anticipated, and instead of getting twenty or thirty routes they + got, I believe, one hundred and thirty-four routes. The consequence was + they did not have the money to stock the routes. There was another + difficulty. + </p> + <p> + There was an investigation by Congress, and that delayed them a month or + two, and the consequence was that when the 1st of July came, the day upon + which the service should have been put on, it was not only not put on, but + they had not the means to do it. Then what happened? Then it was that Mr. + Miner took in Mr. Vaile, and an agreement was made which bears date the + 16th day of August, 1878. It was not finally signed by all the parties, I + believe, until some time in September or October. Under that contract, + which you have all heard read, Mr. Vaile was given an interest in this + business. More than that; subcontracts were given to Mr. Vaile, and under + the subcontract law which was passed on the 17th day of May, 1878, I + believe, Vaile could file his subcontract in the Post-Office Department, + and that rendered all Post-Office drafts or orders that had been given + absolutely worthless. That was done. The subcontracts were given to Vaile + under the powers of attorney that Miner held from Peck and John W. Dorsey, + and of course he could act for himself. That was the situation. Stephen W. + Dorsey was not here. When he returned he found that everything had been + disposed of except his liability, and that he would have to pay the notes. + His security was gone, and the subcontracts were filed. At that time he + and Mr. Vaile had a quarrel. That is our story. In the meantime John W. + Dorsey was on the Tongue River route. I believe he visited Washington in + November and left word that he would like to sell out all his interests in + these routes, and I believe fixed the price. Some time in November or + December Mr. Vaile made up his mind to take the routes, and afterwards + changed his mind. Stephen W. Dorsey was then in the Senate. On the 4th of + March, 1879, his term expired. I believe on that very day, or about that + day, he wrote a letter to Brady calling his attention to these + subcontracts that had been filed for the protection of Vaile and + denouncing them. That was the first thing he did. Then a few days + afterwards the parties met. In a little while afterwards they made a + division of this entire business. You know how the division was made. + Stephen W. Dorsey fell heir to about thirty of these routes, I think. In + addition he had to pay ten thousand dollars to his brother and ten + thousand dollars to Peck. Mr. Vaile, I think, took forty per cent, and Mr. + Miner thirty per cent. Mr. Vaile and Mr. Miner went into partnership and + Stephen W. Dorsey took his routes, and that ended it. Mr. Peck was out and + John W. Dorsey was out. That is our story. When they divided those routes, + in order to vest the property of those routes in the persons to whom they + fell, it was necessary to execute subcontracts and give PostOffice drafts + and things of that character. All those necessary papers they then and + there agreed to make. Up to this point there is not one act established by + the evidence not entirely consistent with perfect innocence; not an act. + That is our story. After these routes fell to us we did what we had the + right to do and what we could to make the routes of value. As business men + we had the right to do it, and we did only what we had the right to do. + </p> + <p> + The next question that arises, and which of course is at the very + threshold of this case, is, did these parties conspire? That is the great + question. In my judgment you should settle that the first thing when you + go to the jury-room. After having heard the case as it will be presented + by the Government, and after having heard the charge of the Court, the + first thing for you to decide is, was there a conspiracy? How is a + conspiracy proved? Precisely as everything else is proved. You prove that + men conspire precisely as you prove them guilty of larceny or murder or + any other crime or misdemeanor. It has been suggested to you that as + conspiracy is very hard to prove you should not require much evidence; + that you should take into consideration the hardships of the Government in + proving a crime which in its nature is secret. Nearly all crimes are + secret. Very few men steal publicly, with a band of music and with a torch + in each hand. They generally need their hands for other purposes, if they + are in that business. All crime loves darkness. We all know that. One of + the troubles about proving that a man has committed a crime is that he + tries to keep it as secret as possible. He does not carry a placard on his + breast or on his back stating what he is about to do. The consequence is + that it is nearly always difficult to prove men guilty as stated in the + indictment. But that does not relieve the prosecution. That burden is + taken by the Government, and they must prove men guilty of conspiracy + precisely as they prove anything else. Is circumstantial evidence + sufficient? Certainly, certainly. Circumstantial evidence will prove + anything, provided the circumstances are right, and provided further that + all the circumstances are right. A chain of circumstances is no stronger + than the weakest circumstance, as a chain of iron is no stronger than the + weakest link. Where you establish or attempt to establish a fact by + circumstances, each circumstance must be proved not only beyond a + reasonable doubt, but each circumstance must be wholly inconsistent with + the innocence of the defendants. Now, let me call your attention to what I + claim to be the law upon the subject, and I will call the attention of the + Court to it at the same time. I will take this as a kind of test: + </p> + <p> + The hypothesis of guilt must flow naturally from the facts proved and must + be consistent with them; not with some of them, not with the majority of + them, but with all of them. + </p> + <p> + In other words if they establish one hundred circumstances and ninety-nine + point to guilt and one circumstance thoroughly established is inconsistent + with guilt or perfectly consistent with innocence, that is the end of the + case. + </p> + <p> + It is as if you were building an arch. Every stone that you put into the + arch must fit with every other and must make that segment of the circle. + If one stone does not fit, the arch is not complete. So with + circumstantial evidence. Every circumstance must fit every other. Every + solitary circumstance must be of the exact shape to fit its neighbor, and + when they are all together the arch must be absolutely complete. Otherwise + you must find the defendants not guilty. The next sentence is: + </p> + <p> + The evidence must be such as to exclude every reasonable hypothesis except + that of guilt. In other words, all the facts proved must be consistent + with and point to the guilt of the defendants not only, but they must be + inconsistent, and every fact proved must be inconsistent, with their + innocence. + </p> + <p> + Now, what does that mean? It means that every fact that is absolutely + established in this case, must point to the guilt of the defendants. It + means that if there is one established fact that is inconsistent with + their guilt, that fact becomes instantly an impenetrable shield that no + honest verdict can pierce. That is what it means. That being so—and + the Court in my judgment will instruct you that that is the law—let + us talk a little about what has been established. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, nearly all that has been established, or I will not + say established, but nearly all that has been said, for the purpose of + showing that our motives were corrupt, and that we actually conspired, + rests upon evidence of what we call conversations. Some witness had a + conversation with somebody, three years ago, four years ago, or five years + ago. The unsafest and the most unsatisfactory evidence in this world is + evidence of conversation. Words leave no trace. They leave no scar in the + air, no footsteps. Memory writes upon the secret tablet of the brain words + that no human eye can see. No man can look into the brain of another and + tell whether he is giving a true transcript of what is there. It is + absolutely impossible for you to tell whether it is memory or imagination. + No one can do it. Another thing: Probably there is not a man in the world + whose memory makes an absolutely perfect record. The moment it is written + it begins to fade, and as the days pass it grows dim, and as the years go + by, no matter how deeply it may have been engraven, it is covered by the + moss of forgetfulness. And yet you are asked to take from men their + liberty, to take from citizens their reputation, to tear down roof-trees, + on testimony about conversation that happened years and years ago, as to + which the party testifying had not the slightest interest. As a rule, + memory is the child of attention—memory is the child of interest. + Take the avaricious man. He sets down a debt in his brain, and he graves + it as deep as graving upon stone. A man must have interest. His attention + must be aroused. Tell me that a man can remember a conversation of four or + five years ago in which he had no interest. We have been in this trial I + don't know how many years. I have seen you, gentlemen, gradually growing + gray. You have, during this trial, heard argument after argument as to + what some witness said, as to some line embodied in this library. + [Indicating record.] You have heard the counsel for the prosecution say + one thing, the counsel for the defence another, and often his Honor, + holding the impartial scales of memory, differs from us both, and then we + have turned to the record and found that all were mistaken. That has + happened again and again, and yet when that witness was testifying every + attorney for the defence was watching him, and every attorney for the + prosecution was looking at him. How hard it would be for you, Mr. Juror, + or for any one of you to tell what a witness has said in this case. Yet + men are brought here who had a casual conversation with one of the + defendants five years ago about a matter in which no one of the witnesses + was interested to the extent of one cent, and pretend to give that + conversation entire. For ray part, were I upon the jury, I would pay no + more attention to such evidence than I would to the idle wind. Such men + are not giving a true transcript of their brains. It is the result of + imagination. They wish to say something. They recollect they had a + conversation upon a certain subject, and then they fill it out to suit the + prosecution. + </p> + <p> + Now, I am told another thing; that after getting through with + conversations they then gave us notice that we must produce our books, our + papers, our letters, our stubs, and our checks; that we must produce + everything in which we have any interest, and hand them all over to this + prosecution. They say they only want what pertains to the mail business, + but who is to judge of that? They want to look at them to see if they do + pertain to the mail business. They won't take our word. We must produce + them all. It may be that with such a net they might bring in something + that would be calculated to get somebody in trouble about something, no + matter whether this business or not. They might find out something that + would annoy somebody. They gave us a notice wide enough and broad enough + to cover everything we had or were likely to have. What did they want with + those things? May be one of their witnesses wanted to see them. May be he + wanted to stake out his testimony. May be he did not entirely rely upon + his memory and wanted to find whether he should swear as to check-books or + a check-book, and whether he should swear as to one stub or as to many. + May be he wanted to look them all over so that he could fortify the story + he was going to tell. We did not give them the books. We would not do it. + We took the consequences. But what did we offer? That is the only way to + find out our motive. I believe that on page 3776 there is something upon + that subject. I will read what I said: + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, with regard to the books. As there has been a good deal + said on that subject I make this proposition: Mr. Dorsey has books + extending over a period of twenty years, or somewhere in that + neighborhood. He has had accounts with a great many people on a great many + subjects. He does not wish to bring those books into court, or to have + those accounts gone over by this prosecution, not for reasons in this + case, but for reasons entirely outside of the case. If the gentlemen on + the other side will agree, or if the Court will appoint any two men or any + three men, we will present to those men all our books, every one that we + ever had in the world, and allow them to go over every solitary item and + report to this court every item pertaining to John W. Dorsey & Co., + Miner, Peck & Co., or Vaile, Miner & Co., with regard to every + dollar connected, directly or indirectly, with this entire business from + November or December, 1877, to the present moment, and report to this + Court exactly every item just as it is. I make that proposition. + </p> + <p> + That proposition was refused. What else did I do? I offered to bring into + court every check, including the time they said we drew money to pay + Brady. I offered to bring in every check on every bank in which we had one + dollar deposited; every one. That was not admitted. And why? Because the + Court distinctly said that it rests upon the oath of the defendant at + last; he may have had money in banks that we know nothing about. To which + I replied at the time that if we stated here in open court the name of + every bank in which we did business, and there is any other bank knowing + that we did do business with it, we will hear from it. So that we offered, + gentlemen, in this case, every check on every bank but one. I did not know + at that time that we had ever had an account with the German-American + Savings Bank; I did not find that out until afterwards. But you will + remember that Mr. Merrick held in his hand the account of Dorsey with that + bank; and Mr. Keyser, who, I believe, had charge of that bank, was here, + and if there had been anything upon those books, certainly the Government + would have shown it. + </p> + <p> + More than that; that bank went into the hands of a receiver, I think, + eight months before any of these checks are said to have been given for + money which was afterwards given to Brady. Now, they insist, that because + we failed to bring the books into court, therefore the law presumes that + the absolute evidence of our guilt is in those books. I believe they claim + that as the law. If my memory serves me rightly, Colonel Bliss so claimed + in his speech. In other words, that when they give us notice to produce a + book, and we do not produce it, there is a presumption against us. That is + not the law, gentlemen. When they give us notice to produce a book or + letter and we do not produce it, what can they do? They can prove the + contents of the book or letter. In other words, if we fail to produce what + is called the best evidence, then the Government can introduce secondary + evidence. They can prove the contents by the memory of some witness, by + some copy, no matter how; and that is the only possible consequence + flowing from a refusal to produce the book or letter. + </p> + <p> + And yet, in this case, gentlemen, Mr. Bliss wishes you to give a verdict + based upon two things: first, upon what we failed to prove; secondly, on + what the Court would not let them prove. He tells you that they offered to + prove so and so, but the Court would not let them; he wants you to take + that into consideration; and secondly, that there were certain things that + we did not prove; and that those two make up a case. That is their idea. + Now, let us see if I am right about the law. + </p> + <p> + The first case to which I will call the attention of the Court is a very + small one, but the principle is clear. It is the case of Lawson and + another, assignees of Shiffner, vs. Sherwood, and it is found in 2 English + Common-Law Reports; 1 Starkie, 314. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Colonel Ingersoll, you cannot argue that question to the jury; + you cannot cite an authority and discuss it to the jury. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Then I will discuss it with the Court; it is immaterial to + me which way I turn when I am talking. I insist that the jury must at last + decide the law in this case. I will read another case to the Court, found + in 9 Maryland, Spring Garden Mutual Insurance Company, vs. Evans. + </p> + <p> + The Court decides in this case that the only consequence of their refusal + to produce the papers, they not denying that they had them, was to allow + the opposite party to prove their contents. That is all; that it could not + be patched out with a presumption. + </p> + <p> + The Court. But if afterwards they should attempt to contradict the + secondary evidence the Court would not have allowed them to do it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. It does not say so. + </p> + <p> + The Court. That is the law. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Suppose, after the other side had proved the contents, + there was an offer of the actual original papers. I can find plenty of + authority that they must be received. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I have never seen such authority, but I have seen a great many + to the contrary. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I have never seen an authority to the contrary that was + very well reasoned. But, then, I will not argue about that, for that is + not a point in this case. + </p> + <p> + The Court. If you have the papers, and have received notice to produce + them, you are bound to produce them. If you do not produce them secondary + evidence is admissible to prove their contents. But after the secondary + evidence has been received, the Court will not allow you then, after + having first failed to produce the papers upon notice, to resort to the + primary evidence which you ought to have produced upon the notice, for the + purpose of contradicting the secondary evidence that was given. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Now, let me give the Court a case in point: In this very + case that we are now trying, Mr. Rerdell in his statement to MacVeagh said + there was a check for seven thousand dollars; that the money was drawn + upon that check; that he and Dorsey went together to the Post-Office + Department and that Dorsey went into Brady's room; that that money was + drawn by Dorsey. That was his statement to MacVeagh and James. + </p> + <p> + The Court. It was not his statement here. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Yes, that was his statement here, as I will show hereafter. + But let me state my point. He was coming upon the stand. The check, + instead of being for seven thousand dollars, was for seven thousand five + hundred dollars; instead of being drawn to the order of Dorsey or to + bearer, it was drawn to the order of Rerdell himself; instead of being + drawn at the bank by Dorsey, it was drawn by Rerdell in person and had his + indorsement upon the back of it. We were asked to produce that. I + preferred not to do it until I heard the testimony of Mr. Rerdell. Why? + Because I wanted to put that little piece of dynamite under his testimony + and see where the fragments went, and I did. That is my answer to that. + </p> + <p> + Now, I find another case in the first volume of Curtis's Circuit Court + Reports, where it is said, on page 402, that—By the common law a + notice to produce a paper—The Court. [Interposing.] Before we part + from what you were saying, I wish to say that I do not think that the + other side gave you notice to produce the checks; that is my memory. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Yes. Let me state my memory to the Court: I do not remember + exactly every one of these four thousand pages of testimony; there are + three or four that I may be a little dim about; but I do remember that a + notice was given to us to produce everything in the universe, nearly, and + that the Court held that the scope was a little too broad. I have + forgotten the page, but I will tell you where it comes in: It was where + Mr. Rerdell swore about the stub-book. I find the notice, may it please + your Honor, on page 2255, and it was dated the 13th of February. This is + the notice, and it gave the same notice to all the defendants: + </p> + <p> + You are hereby notified to produce forthwith in court, in the above + entitled cause, all letters and communications, including all telegrams, + of every kind and description, purporting to come from any one of said + defendants and addressed to you or delivered to you, and all memoranda in + which reference is made to any contract or contracts of any one of said + defendants with the United States or with the Postmaster-General for + carrying the mail under the letting of 1878 on any route in the United + States, or in any way referring to any contract or contracts for so + carrying the mail, in which J. W. Bosler or any one of said defendants had + any interest, or in any way referring to any act, contract, or proceeding + thereunder, or to any payment, draft, warrant, check, or bill, or note, or + to any possible loss or profit in connection with such contract or + contracts, or to the management or execution thereof, or referring to any + possible gain or profit to be derived by any of said defendants from + contracts for carrying the mail of the United States, or to any payments + under such contract, or to the distribution of the proceeds made or to be + made of said payment, or to the management of any enterprise or + enterprises in connection with the transportation of the mail, or to + gains, profits, or losses accruing or likely to accrue from such + enterprises, or to the financial means for carrying on the same; and also + to produce any and all books containing any entry or entries in regard to + any of the subjects, matters, checks, drafts, or payments relating or + having reference to the subjects, &c., hereinbefore referred to; and + also any letter-book or letter-books containing letter-press copies of + letters referring to the said subject or subjects. + </p> + <p> + I believe just about that time, or a little after, another notice was + given. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. If the counsel will allow me, my impression is that that + notice was deemed by the Court to be too broad. + </p> + <p> + The Court. It was. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Then another notice was given that specified all these + things. + </p> + <p> + Curtis says in this case that—By the common law, a notice to produce + a paper, merely enables the party to give parol evidence of its contents, + if it be not produced. Its non-production has no other legal consequence. + </p> + <p> + I find too, that in the Maryland case they make a reference to Cooper vs. + Gibson, 3 Camp., 303. I also have another case, to which I will call the + attention of the Court, United States vs. Chaffee, 18 Wallace, 516. I have + not the book here, but I can state what it is. My recollection of the case + is this: That an action was brought against some distillers; that by law + distillers have to keep certain books in which certain entries by law have + to be made. Notice was served upon the defendants to produce those books. + They refused so to do; and the question was whether any presumption arose + against the defendants on account of that refusal. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I agree with you entirely that far in your law, that the mere + fact of the failure to produce books or papers has no effect at all + against the party declining to produce them. But it is a different + question altogether, after secondary evidence has been given, in + consequence of such refusal, to supply the place of the primary evidence. + If the books and papers have an existence, and the party who has received + the notice has refused to produce them, and the other party has given + secondary evidence of the contents of such books and papers, that + secondary evidence will have to stand, under those circumstances, as the + proof in the case. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That is not the point. Of course that will stand for what + it is worth. I was arguing this point: Can the jury hatch and putty and + plaster the secondary evidence with a presumption born of the failure to + produce the books and papers? + </p> + <p> + The Court. What I mean is just this: If you should fail to produce the + primary evidence, and then the secondary evidence of the contents is not + contradicted—— + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. [Interposing.] It may not be contradicted, because it + happens to be inherently improbable. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. The Government claims the law to be as your Honor has + intimated, and we have formulated it in one of our prayers. But that + abstract proposition is hardly applicable in the present case, for the + Government claims the application of another and plainer proposition: That + wherever a defendant himself takes the stand and has in his possession a + certain paper which, when called upon on cross-examination to produce, he + refuses, then a presumption unquestionably arises of such potency that it + is difficult to resist. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. There is no difference, so far as the law is concerned, + whether the defendant, as a defendant, fails to produce the books and + papers, or whether, in his capacity as a witness, he fails to produce the + books and papers. The law, it seems to me, is exactly the same. + </p> + <p> + Now, in this case of the United States vs. Chaffee et al. (18 Wall., 544), + Justice Field denounces that you should presume against the party because + he fails to produce books and papers known to be in his possession. And + why? I suppose a party can not be presumed out of his liberty; he cannot + be presumed into the penitentiary; and you cannot make a prison out of a + presumption any more than you can make a gibbet out of a suspicion. + </p> + <p> + And again, the court instructed the jury that the law presumed that the + defendants kept the accounts usual and necessary for the correct + understanding of their large business and an accurate accounting between + the partners, and that the books were in existence and accessible to the + defendants unless the contrary were shown. + </p> + <p> + That same thing has been claimed here. + </p> + <p> + The Court. No. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. We have heard it very often that this was a large business. + </p> + <p> + The Court. You have not heard anything of that kind from the Court. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I am not saying that. I said "claimed"; if I had referred + to your Honor I should have said "decided." Here is another instruction of + the court: + </p> + <p> + If you believe the books were kept which contained the facts necessary to + show the real amount of whiskey in the hands of the defendants in October, + 1865, and the amount which they had sold during the next ten months, or + that the defendants, or either of them, could by their own oath resolve + all doubts on this point; if you believe this, then the circumstances of + this case seem to come fully within this most necessary and beneficent + rule., + </p> + <p> + He applied the word "beneficent" to a rule that put a man in the + penitentiary on a presumption. + </p> + <p> + The Court. He was conservative. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. He ought to read some work on the use and abuse of words. + Now, Judge Field says further: + </p> + <p> + The purport of all this was to tell the jury that although the defendants + must be proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, yet if the Government had + made out a <i>prima facie</i> case against them, not one free from all + doubt, but one which disclosed circumstances requiring explanation, and + the defendants did not explain, the perplexing question of their guilt + need not disturb the minds of the jurors. + </p> + <p> + That is this case exactly: that is the exact claim of Colonel Bliss in + this case. Gentlemen, you have only to take into consideration, he says, + what we offered to prove and what the Court would not allow us, and what + the defendants failed to prove. "Why didn't they call Bosler?" + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, we claim the law to be this: That while notice is given us + to produce books and papers and we fail to do it, the only legal + consequence is that the Government may then prove the contents of such + books and papers, and that their proof of the contents must be passed upon + by you. + </p> + <p> + The next thing to which I call your attention is the crime laid at our + door, that we exercised the right of petition. It is regarded as a very + suspicious circumstance that petitions were circulated, signed, and sent + to the office of the Second Assistant Postmaster-General. Why did these + people petition? Let me tell you. If you will look in every contract in + this case you will find certain provisions relative to carrying the mail. + Among others you will find this: That no contractor has any right to carry + any newspaper or any letter faster than the schedule time; that he has no + right to carry any commercial news, or to carry any man who has any + commercial news about his person, faster than the schedule time. No mail + can be carried by anybody except the United States, and if a community + wants more mail it has no right to establish an express that will carry + the mail faster, because the United States has the monopoly. Now, if you + want more mail, what are you to do? You cannot start one yourself; the + Government will not allow it. What have you to do? You have to petition + the Government to carry the mail faster or to carry it more frequently; + and the reason you have to ask the Government to do this is because the + Government will not permit you to do it; consequently you have only one + resort. What is that? Petition. And in this very case I believe his Honor + used this language: + </p> + <p> + Every man carrying the mail has the right to take care of his business. He + has the right to get up petitions. He has the right to call the attention + of the people to what he supposes to be their needs in that regard. He has + the right to do it, and the fact that he does it is not the slightest + evidence that he has conspired with any human being. + </p> + <p> + Now, if the man carrying the mail has the right to call the attention of + the people to their needs, have not the people the right to do all that + themselves? If the man carrying the mail has the right to get up a + petition, surely the people have the right; and if the people have the + right, surely the man has that right. That is the only way we can find out + in this country what the people want—that is, to hear from them. + They have the right to tell what they want. + </p> + <p> + But these gentlemen say, "Anybody will sign a petition." Well, if that is + true, there is no great necessity for forging one. Very few people will + steal what they can get for the asking. If a bank or a man offers you all + the money you want, you would hardly go and forge a check to get it. I + will come to that in a few moments. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, according to this evidence, you have got to determine, as + I said in the outset, Was there a conspiracy? The second question you have + to determine is, When? In every crime in the world you have got to prove + the four W's—Who, When, What, Where? Who conspired? When? What + about? Where? Now I want to ask you a few questions, and I want you to + keep this evidence in mind. Was there a conspiracy when Dorsey received + the letter from Peck or Miner? Had the egg of this crime then been laid? + Had it been hatched at that time? Is there any evidence of it? The object + then was to make some bids. It is not necessary to conspire to make bids. + You cannot conspire to make fraudulent bids unless you enter into an + agreement that the lowest bid is not to be accepted, or agree upon some + machinery by which the lowest bid is not received, or put in a bid with + fraudulent and worthless security. Will the Government say that there was + a conspiracy at the time Peck or Miner wrote to S. W. Dorsey? What + evidence have you that there was? None. What evidence have you that there + was not? The evidence of Miner and the evidence of S. W. Dorsey. What + else? Boone had not been seen at that time. John W. Dorsey was not here. + Peck was not here. Peck or Miner had written the letter. Was there any + conspiracy then? Is there any evidence of it? Is there enough to make a + respectable suspicion even in the mind of jealousy? Does it amount even to + a "Trifle light as air." + </p> + <p> + Was it when Dorsey sent for Boone? Boone says no. He ought to know. S. W. + Dorsey says no. John W. Dorsey was not here. Miner had not arrived. The + only suspicious thing up to that point is that Dorsey lived "in his + house;" that he received this letter "in his house," and that Boone + visited him "in his house." That is all. Now, if there is a particle of + evidence, I want the attorney for the Government who closes this case to + point it out, and to be fair. Was it when Miner got here in December, + 1877? Miner says no. Boone says no. Stephen W. Dorsey says no. John W. + Dorsey was not yet here. All the direct evidence says no. All the indirect + evidence says nothing. Now, let us keep our old text in view. I want to + ask you if there is a thing in all the evidence not consistent with + innocence? Was it not consistent with innocence that Peck and Miner and + John W. Dorsey should agree to bid? Was it not consistent with innocence + that John W. Dorsey met Peck at Oberlin, and that he met Miner in + Sandusky? Was not that consistent with innocence? Was it not consistent + with innocence for Peck to write S. W. Dorsey a letter? Was it not + consistent with innocence for Dorsey to open it and read it and then send + for Boone and give it to him? Boone in the meantime proceeded to get + information so that they could bid intelligently. Was that consistent with + innocence? Perfectly. More than that, it was inconsistent with guilt. What + next? May be this conspiracy was gotten up about the 16th of January, when + John W. Dorsey came here. Dorsey says no; Boone says no; Miner says no; + and S. W. Dorsey says no. That is the direct evidence. Where is the + indirect evidence? There is none. Ah, but they say, don't you remember + those Clendenning bonds? Yes. Is there anything in the indictment about + them? No. Was any contract granted upon those bonds or proposals? No. Was + the Government ever defrauded out of a cent by them? No. Is there any + charge in this case relative to them? No. Everybody says no. John W. + Dorsey entered into a partnership with A. E. Boone after he came here. Is + that consistent with innocence? Yes. No doubt many of the jury have been + in partnership with people. There is nothing wrong about that. He also + entered into partnership with Miner and Peck. There were two firms, John + W. Dorsey & Co., which meant A. E. Boone and John W. Dorsey, and + Miner, Peck & Co., which meant Miner, Peck and John W. Dorsey. Is + there anything criminal in that? No. They had a right to bid. They had a + right to form an association, a partnership. There was nothing more + suspicious in that than there would have been in evidence of their eating + and sleeping. Now, then, was this conspiracy entered into on August 7, + 1878, when Boone went out? Boone says no, and with charming frankness he + says if there had been a conspiracy he would have staid. He said, "If I + had even suspected one, I never would have gone out. If I had dreamed that + they had a good thing, I should have staid in." He swears that at that + time there was not any. Miner swears to it and S. W. Dorsey swears to it. + Everybody swears to it except the counsel for the prosecution. Rerdell + swears to it. That is the only suspicious thing about it. Now, at that + time, August 7, when Boone went out, S. W. Dorsey was not here and John W. + Dorsey was not here. Who was? Miner. What was the trouble? Brady told him, + "I want you to put on that service. If you don't I will declare you a + failing contractor." A little while before that Miner had met Dorsey in + Saint Louis, and Dorsey had said, "This is the last money I will furnish. + No matter whether I conspired or not, I am through. This magnificent + conspiracy, silver-plated and gold-lined, I give up. There are millions in + it, but I want no more. I am through." So Mr. Miner, using his power of + attorney from John W. Dorsey and Peck, took in Mr. Vaile. + </p> + <p> + I believe that Mr. Rerdell swears that the reason they took in Vaile was + that they wanted a man close to Brady. According to the Government they + had already conspired with Brady. They could not get much closer than + that, could they? Miner was a co-conspirator, and yet they wanted somebody + to introduce him to Brady. John W. Dorsey and S. W. Dorsey were in the + same position. They were conspirators. The bargain was all made, signed, + sealed, and delivered, and yet they went around hunting somebody that was + close to Brady. Brady said, "I will declare you all failing contractors. I + can't help it, though I have conspired with you. I give up all my + millions. This service has got to be put on. The only way to stop it is + for you to seek for a man that is close to me. You are not close enough." + Now, absurdity may go further than that, but I doubt it. You must + recollect that that contract was signed as of the 16th of August. You + remember its terms. At that time not a cent had been paid to S. W. Dorsey. + His Post-Office drafts had been cut out by the subcontracts. Afterwards he + had a quarrel with Vaile. We will call it December, 1878. + </p> + <p> + Was the conspiracy flagrant then? Let us have some good judgment about + this, gentlemen. You are to decide this question the same as you decide + others, except that you are to take into consideration the gravity of the + consequences flowing from the verdict. You must decide it with your + faculties all about you, with your intellectual eyes wide open, without a + bit of prejudice in your minds, and without a bit of fear. You must decide + it like men. You must judge men as you know them. Was there a conspiracy + between these defendants in December, 1878, when S. W. Dorsey came back + here and found out the security for his money was gone, and when he had + the quarrel with Mr Vaile? Is there the slightest scintilla of testimony + to show that Mr. Vaile came into this business through any improper + motive? I challenge the prosecution to point to one line of testimony that + any reasonable man can believe even tending to show that Mr. Vaile was + actuated by an improper motive. I defy them to show a line tending to + prove that John R. Miner was actuated by an improper motive when he asked + Vaile to assist him in this business. I defy them to show that Brady was + actuated by an improper motive when he told them, "You must put on that + service or I will declare you all failing contractors." Was there a + conspiracy then? I ask you, Mr. Foreman, and I ask each of you, Was there + a conspiracy at that time? Have the prosecution introduced one particle of + testimony to show that there was? In March was there a conspiracy? Will + you call dividing, a conspiracy? Will you call going apart, coming + together? If you will, then there must have been a conspiracy in March. A + conspiracy to do what? A conspiracy to separate; a conspiracy to have + nothing in common from that day forward. Mr. Vaile entered into a + conspiracy then that he would have no more business relations with S. W. + Dorsey. He swears that at that time nothing on earth would have tempted + him to go on. That is what they call being in a conspiring frame of mind. + Not another step would he go. In March they separated, and each one went + his way. It was finally fixed up, and finally settled in May. John W. + Dorsey was out with his ten thousand dollars, and Peck was out with his + ten thousand dollars. S. W. Dorsey, for the first time became the owner of + thirty routes, or something more, and Miner and Vaile of the balance, I + think about ninety-six. According to that contract of August 16, John W. + Dorsey only had a third interest in the routes he had with Boone, and not + another cent. There was a division. If there was a conspiracy of such a + magnitude, why should Boone go out of it? Why should John W. Dorsey sell + out for ten thousand dollars? Why should John W. Dorsey offer Boone + one-third of it? Why was Mr. A. W. Moore offered one-quarter of it?—a + gentleman who could be employed for one hundred and fifty dollars a month? + I ask you these questions, gentlemen. I ask you to answer them all in your + own minds. Recollect, on the 16th of August there was a conspiracy + involving hundreds of thousands of dollars. In that conspiracy was the + Second Assistant Postmaster-General. They had the Post-Office Department + by the throat. They had the Postmaster-General blindfolded. Yet Miner went + to Vaile and said, "Now, just furnish a little money to put on these + routes and you may have forty percent, of this conspiracy." He was giving + him hundreds of thousands of dollars. Is that the way people talk that + conspire together? Would not Miner have gone to Brady and said, "Look + here, what is the use of acting like a fool? What do you want me to give + forty per cent, of this thing to Vaile for? I had better give twenty per + cent, more to you. That would allow me to keep twenty per cent, more too, + and then there will be one less to keep the secret." He never thought of + that. + </p> + <p> + I want you to think of these things, gentlemen, all of you, and see how + they will strike your mind. What did they want of Boone? S. W. Dorsey they + say was the prime mover. He hatched this conspiracy. Miner, his own + brother, Peck, and everybody else were simply his instruments, his tools. + What did he want Boone for? He had a magnificent conspiracy from which + millions were to come. He told Boone, "I will give you a third of it." + What for? He told Moore, "I will give you one-quarter." Seven-twelfths + gone already. T. J. B. thirty-three and one-third per cent. That is about + all. Then sixty-five per cent, more to the subcontractors. I want you to + think about these things, gentlemen. If they had such a conspiracy what + did they want of Mr. Moore? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. [Resuming.] Gentlemen, was it natural for S. W. Dorsey to + get the money back that he had advanced, or some security for it? Was that + natural? When a man seeks to have a debt secured is that a suspicious + circumstance? That is all he did. He was out several thousand dollars. He + wanted to secure that debt and he took another debt of twenty thousand + dollars upon him as a burden. If this had been a conspiracy he could have + furnished this money that he had to pay to others to put the service on + the route. I leave it to each one of you if that action to secure that + debt was not perfectly natural. I will ask you another question. If he was + the originator of the conspiracy would he have taken thirty per cent, + burdened with a debt of twenty thousand dollars? The way to find out + whether there is sense in anything or not is to ask yourself questions. + Put yourself in that place; you, the master of the situation; you, the + author of the entire scheme. Would you take one-third of what you yourself + had produced, and that third burdened with twenty thousand dollars worth + of debt, and then make your debt out of the proceeds? I want every one of + you to ask yourself the question, because you have got to decide this case + with your brains and with your intelligence; not somebody else, but you, + yourself. We want your verdict; we want your individual opinion; not + somebody else's. There is the safety of the jury trial. We are to have the + opinions of twelve men, and those opinions agreeing. Where twelve honest + men agree, if they are also independent men, the rule is that the verdict + is right. The opinion of an honest man is always valuable, if he is only + honest, and if it is his opinion, it is valuable. It is valuable if he + does not go to some mental second-hand store and buy cheap opinions from + somebody else, or take cheap opinions. In this case I ask the individual + opinion of each one of you. I want each one of you to pass upon this + evidence; I want each one of you to say whether if Dorsey had been the + author and finisher of this conspiracy he would have taken thirty per + cent., burdened with twenty thousand dollars of debt to others and fifteen + thousand dollars of debt to himself? If you can answer that question in + the affirmative you can do anything. After that nothing can be impossible + to you, except a reasonable verdict. You cannot answer it that way. Why + should he have cared so much about fifteen or sixteen thousand dollars + with a conspiracy worth hundreds of thousands of dollars? Why run the risk + of making the whole conspiracy public? Why run the risk of his detection + and its destruction? You cannot answer it. Perhaps the prosecution can + answer it. I hope they will try. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker, on page 4493, makes a very important admission. + </p> + <p> + After they (meaning the defendants) had these contracts, there was a + combination, an agreement between all these people, that they were to do + certain things in order to get at the public Treasury and get more money. + </p> + <p> + What does that mean? That means that this conspiracy was entered into + after the defendants obtained the contracts, so that Mr. Ker fixes the + birth of this conspiracy after these contracts had been awarded to the + defendants. That being so, all the bids, proposals, Clendenning letter, + Haycock letter, proposals in blank, and bidders' names left out fade away. + </p> + <p> + The Chico letter I will come to after awhile. I will not be as afraid of + it as were the counsel for the prosecution. I will not, like the Levite, + pass on by the other side of the Chico letter. I will not treat it as if + it were a leper, as if it had a contagious disease. When I get to it I + will speak about it. All these things, then, under that admission, go for + naught, and have nothing to do with the case, and consequently nobody need + argue with regard to them any more, although incidentally I may allude to + them again. There is no doubt, recollect, after this admission. There is + no clause in the indictment saying that we endeavored to defraud this + Government by bids, by proposals, by bonds, or by contracts. Not a word. + That is all out; in my judgment it never should have been in the case at + all. What is the next thing we did? It is alleged that the moment Dorsey + got these contracts he laid the foundation to defraud the Government by a + new form of subcontract. Let me answer that fully, and let that put an end + to it from this time on. Until May 17, 1878, the Post-Office Department + did not recognize subcontractors. After these contracts came into the + possession of these defendants Congress passed a law recognizing + subcontractors. Consequently the contracts of the subcontractors that were + to be recognized by the Government had to be somewhere near the same form + as the contracts with the original contractors. The moment the contract of + the subcontractor was to be recognized by the Government then it was + necessary and proper to put a clause in that subcontract for expedition + and a clause in that subcontract for increase of service. Why? So that the + Government should know, if the route was expedited, what percentage the + subcontractor was entitled to. Instead of that clause in the subcontract + being evidence that Mr. Dorsey was endeavoring to swindle the Government, + the evidence is exactly the other way. It was put there for the purpose of + protecting the subcontractor, so that if expedition was put upon the route + the Government would know what per cent, of the expedition to pay the + subcontractor. If that clause had not been in that subcontract the + Government could not have told how much money to pay the subcontractor, + and as a consequence the subcontract would have been worthless as security + for the subcontractor. And yet a clause put in for the protection of the + subcontractor is referred to in your presence as evidence that the man who + suggested it was a thief and a robber. What more? They say to these + witnesses, "Did you ever see such a clause as that in a subcontract + before?" No. Why? The Government never recognized a subcontractor before + that time, and consequently there was no necessity for such a clause. + Think how they have endeavored to torture every circumstance, no matter + how honest, no matter how innocent, no matter how sensible; how they have + endeavored to twist it and turn it against these defendants. Gentlemen, + whenever you start out on the ground that a man is guilty, everything + looks like it. If you hate a neighbor and anything happens to your lot you + say he did it. If your horse is poisoned he is the man who did it. If your + fence is torn down he is the fellow. You will go to work and get all the + little circumstances that have nothing to do with the matter braided and + woven into one string. Everything will be accounted for as coming from + that enemy, and as something he has done. + </p> + <p> + They say another thing: That we defrauded the Government by filing + subcontracts. You cannot do it. When this case is being closed I want + somebody to explain to the jury how it is possible for a man to defraud + this Government by filing a subcontract. I do not claim to have much + ingenuity. I claim that I have not enough to decide that question or to + answer it. I can lay down the proposition that it is an absolute, + infinite, eternal impossibility to fraudulently file a subcontract as + against the Government. It cannot he done. Oh, but they say, the + subcontractor did not take the oath. There is no law that he should take + an oath and there never was. There may be at some time, but there is not + now. The law that everybody engaged in carrying the mail and every + salaried officer of the department shall take an oath was passed before + the law of the 17th of May, 1879, allowing a subcontractor to file his + subcontract. Before that time the Government had nothing to do with the + subcontractor. If he actually carried the mail; if he actually took + possession of the mail, he had to take the oath of the carrier. But I defy + these gentlemen to find in the law any oath for a subcontractor. There + never was such an oath. If there is one, find it. The law that every + salaried officer and every carrier of the mail shall take the oath was + passed years and years and years before the law was passed allowing + subcontracts to be filed. What of it? Suppose a man who is a subcontractor + carries the mail and does not take any oath. That is as good as to take + the oath and not carry the mail. What possible evidence is it of fraud? + Suppose it should turn out that the carrier did not take the oath, but + carried the mail honestly. What of it? Is it any evidence of fraud? If a + man tells the truth without being sworn, is that evidence that he is a + dishonest man? If a man carries the mail properly and in accordance with + law without being sworn to do so, it seems to me that is evidence that he + is an honest fellow, and you don't need to swear him. So when a + subcontractor takes a subcontract and carries the mail according to law it + does not make any difference whether he swears to do so or not. Is there + any evidence in this case that the subcontractors stole any letters on + account of not having taken the oath? When they answer, let them point to + the law that the subcontractor is to take an oath. There is no such law + and never was. + </p> + <p> + Now, according to this admission of Mr. Ker, the conspiracy commenced + after they got the contract. Very well. I need not talk about anything + back of that. I do not know whether the admission is binding upon the + Government or not. I believe the Court holds that the Government is not + bound by the admission of any agent, and that the Government only + authorizes an agent to admit facts. May be he is mistaken. The Government + only authorizes an agent to admit the law. At any rate Mr. Ker did the + very best he knew how, and he says this conspiracy commenced when they got + the contracts, and so we need not go back of that unless the Government is + now willing to say that Mr. Ker has made a mistake. I lay down the + proposition, gentlemen, that you need not go back of the division of these + routes. Then you must go forward. What was done after that? Recollect the + exact position of Senator Dorsey and the exact position of these other + people. + </p> + <p> + The next claim is, although there was no conspiracy until after they got + the contracts, that Senator Dorsey was interested in these contracts while + he was a Senator of the United States. If they could establish that fact + it would not tend to establish a conspiracy. There is nothing in this + indictment about it. I admit that if he were a Senator, and at the same + time interested in mail contracts, he might be tried and his robes of + office stripped from him, and that he could be rendered infamous. But that + is not what he is being tried for. They say he was in the Senate, and he + was anxious to keep it secret. Mr. Ker says he was so anxious to keep it + secret that he sent all these communications out West in Senate envelopes, + so they would think a Senator had something to do with it. Then it turned + out that all the envelopes were in blank; just plain white envelopes, with + nothing on them, and away went that theory. If he were in the Senate and + engaged in these routes also, and wished to keep it a profound secret, + because if known it would blast his reputation forever, do you think he + would have had all these circulars sent out in Senate envelopes and on + Senate paper? If he did allow that to be done, it is absolutely conclusive + evidence that he was not interested. Suppose I was trying to keep it an + absolute, profound, eternal, everlasting secret that I had anything to do + with a certain matter, would I write letters about it? Would I use paper + that had my name, the number of my office, and the character of my + business printed upon it? Would I? To ask that question is to answer it. + Another thing: They claim that he was in the Senate and infinitely anxious + to keep it a secret, and yet he found Mr. Moore, a perfect stranger, and + said to him in effect: "Yes, Mr. Moore; I don't know you, but I want you + to know me. I ama rascal. I am a member of the Senate, but I am engaged in + mail routes. I hope you will not tell anybody, because it would destroy + me. I have great confidence in you, because I don't know you." That is the + only way he could have had confidence in Moore. He would have to have it + the first time he saw him or it never would have come. To this perfect + stranger he said, "Here, I am in the Senate, but I am interested in these + routes. I am in a conspiracy. I want you to go out and attend to this + business. I want you to do all these things, and the reason I tell you is + because I am a Senator and I want it kept a profound secret. That is the + reason I tell you." That is what these gentlemen call probable. That is + their idea of reasonableness and of what is natural. That may be true in a + world where water always runs up hill. It can never be true in this world. + It is not in accordance with your experience. Not a man here has any + experience in accordance with that testimony or that doctrine; not one. + You never will have unless you become insane. If this trial lasts much + longer you may have that experience. It is a wonder to me it has not + happened already. + </p> + <p> + There is another queer circumstance connected with this case. While Dorsey + told it all to Moore he kept it a profound secret from Boone. Boone, you + know, was in at the first. Boone got up all this information. Boone was + interested in these bids, and yet he never told Boone. He had known Boone, + you see, for several weeks. He told Moore the first day, the first minute. + He wished to relieve his stuffed bosom of that secret. Moore was the first + empty thing he found, and he poured it into him. It is astonishing to me + that he succeeded in keeping that secret from Boone, but he did. He even + kept it from Rerdell. + </p> + <p> + Rerdell never heard of it—a gentleman who picks up every scrap, who + listens at the key-hole of an opportunity for the fragment of a sound. He + never heard it. John W. Dorsey did not even know anything about it. Nobody + but Moore. Now, I ask you, gentlemen, is there any sense in that story? I + ask you. I ask you, also, if the testimony of Stephen W. Dorsey with + regard to that transaction is not absolutely consistent with itself? Did + he not in every one of those transactions act like a reasonable, sensible, + good man? Oh, but they say it is not natural for a man to help his + brother; certainly it is not natural for a man to help his brother-in-law, + and nobody but a hardened scoundrel would help a friend, and Dorsey is not + that kind of a man. Occasionally in a case an accident will happen, and + from an unexpected quarter a side-light will be thrown upon the character + of a man, sometimes for good, and sometimes for evil. Sometimes a little + circumstance will come out that will cover a man with infamy, something + that nobody expected to prove, and that leaps out of the dark. Then, + again, sometimes by a similar accident a man will be covered with glory. + In this case there was a little fact that came to the surface about + Stephen W. Dorsey that made me proud that I was defending him. Oh, he is + not the man to help his brother; he is not the man to help his + brother-in-law; he is not the man to help a friend; and yet, when Torrey + was upon the stand, he was asked if he was working for Dorsey, and he said + no, and was asked if Dorsey paid him at a certain time, or if he owed him, + and he said no. He was asked why, and he replied, "Because only a little + while before, when I was not working for him, and my boy was dead, he gave + me a thousand dollars to put him beneath the sod." That is the kind of a + man Stephen W. Dorsey is. I like such people. A man capable of doing that + is capable of helping his brother, of helping his brother-in-law, and of + helping his friend. A man capable of doing that is capable of any great + and splendid action. Is there any other man connected with this trial that + ever did a more generous, nay, a more loving and lovely thing? How such a + man can excite the hatred of the prosecution is more than I can + understand. + </p> + <p> + Now, we have got to the division, and the question arises, was there a + division? Let us see. On page 5009 Mr. Bliss admits that Vaile, + immediately upon Dorsey's coming out of the Senate, came here for the + purpose of settling up this business; that he made up his mind to have no + more to do with Dorsey. Then Mr. Bliss makes this important admission, and + I do not want any attorney for the Government to deny it. + </p> + <p> + He admits that in May there was a final division, and that that division + was to take effect as from the 1st day of April, and that after that each + party took the routes allotted to him, and they became the uncontrolled + property of that person, no other person having the right to interfere. + There is your admission, just as broad as it can be made. Mr. Bliss, after + having made that admission, which virtually gives up the Government's + case, then threw a sheet-anchor to the windward and said, "But when they + divided they made a bargain with each other that they would make the + necessary papers." What for? To carry out the division. That is all. Now, + the only corner-stone for this conspiracy, the only pebble left in the + entire foundation is the agreement to make the necessary papers after the + division. That is all that is left. The rest has been dissolved or dug up + and carted away by this admission. Let us see what that agreement was. Mr. + Bliss turned to the evidence of John W. Dorsey, on page 4105: + </p> + <p> + Q. At the time you sold out, was there any understanding about your making + papers?—A. That was a part of the agreement. I was to sign all the + necessary papers to carry on the business. + </p> + <p> + When he sold out he agreed to sign all the necessary papers. It is like + this: Mr. Bliss says on such a day, for instance, they divided. Suppose, + instead of being routes it was all land. They divided the land and then + they agreed to make the deeds. That was the conspiracy; not in the land; + not in the agreement about the land; not in the bargain, but in the + execution of the papers in consequence of the bargain. That was the + conspiracy. They agreed to make all the necessary papers. That was the + agreement. Then the Court asked John W. Dorsey a question. + </p> + <p> + Q. You agreed to sign what?—A. All the necessary papers to carry on + the business. + </p> + <p> + That is what he agreed to do. What else? What were those papers? First, + they were to sign all the subcontracts that were necessary, all the + Post-Office drafts necessary, and they were to sign letters like this: + </p> + <p> + The Post-Office Department, in regard to this route, will hereafter send + all communications to the undersigned. + </p> + <p> + In other words, the object was to let the person who fell heir to a given + route in the division control that route. That was all. The man who was + the contractor agreed that he would sign all the necessary papers. For + what purpose? To allow each man who got a route to be the owner of it and + control it and draw the money. That is all. And yet it is considered + rascality. + </p> + <p> + Let me call your attention to another piece of evidence on this subject. + On page 5016, Mr. Bliss is talking about all these papers and these + letters that were written and apparently signed by Peck, but really signed + by Miner, saying, "I want you to send all communications in reference to + such a route to post-office box No. so and so, John M. Peck," sometimes + with an M. under it and sometimes without. He did that in consideration of + the agreement at the time he got the routes that had been originally + allotted to Peck. Mr. Bliss brought here a vast number of these papers, + and then he continued, on page 5017: + </p> + <p> + All those, gentlemen, are orders, dated after the division, many of them + coming away down into 1881, and all of them relating to routes with which + Peck had no connection, because he severed his connection with all the + routes prior to the 1st of April, or as of the 1st of April, 1879. John W. + Dorsey tells you that he signed papers right along—Of course he did. + He agreed to—and I have here a series of them. Many of them are + orders not in blank. There are among the papers, orders signed in blank, + but these are dated, and they are witnessed not always by the same person + as indicating that they got together and signed a lot of orders at the + time of the division. There is every indication that the dates are + correct. The witnesses are different at different times. + </p> + <p> + The Court. These same orders would have been made if the division had been + perfectly honest. + </p> + <p> + That is what I say. That is what we all say, gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + If the transaction then had been perfectly honest the papers would have + been precisely as they are. From the papers being precisely as they are, + do they tend to show that the transaction was dishonest, when it is + admitted by everybody and decided by the Court, that if the transaction + had been perfectly honest the papers would have been just as they are? + Recollect my text. Every fact when you are proving a circumstantial case + has to point to the guilt of the defendants, and their guilt has to be + found from all the facts in the case beyond a reasonable doubt. If there + is one fact inconsistent with their guilt, the case is gone. + </p> + <p> + There is another little admission to which I call your attention. Nothing + delights me so much as to have the prosecution in a moment of + forgetfulness, or we will say on purpose, admit a fact. Mr. Bliss said, on + page 5018: + </p> + <p> + You will bear in mind that the division took place some eight months + previous to that. + </p> + <p> + That was January 1, 1880, + </p> + <p> + However that may be, these papers are all papers which on their faces + might be innocent and fair and proper. They are papers which, under + ordinary circumstances, might be executed to enable others than the + contractor to draw the pay and to be tiled with the department, though it + appears, I think, by the evidence in this case that no draft could be + filed except shortly prior to the quarter as to which it applied. As to + these papers all that we have to say is this: they are papers on their + face apparently innocent, papers calculated to go through in the ordinary + practice as though there was nothing wrong about them. At the same time + the evidence shows that they were papers executed by these several parties + at the time of or in pursuance of the agreement of the division. + </p> + <p> + I do not want anything better. That settles the papers. They were made at + the time they agreed to make them. It was the only way in which they could + give the party who got the route absolute control of the route. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, apart from these papers, I believe they have three + witnesses, at least they are called witnesses, in this case. The first + witness that I will call your attention to, and who figures about as early + as anybody, is A. W. Moore. I want to ask you a few questions about his + testimony. I want you to understand exactly what he swears to and the + circumstances. Let us see. + </p> + <p> + He swears first that he had a conversation with Miner, in which he told + Miner that he would work for him for one hundred and fifty dollars a month + and expenses, with permission to put on some of his own service, I think, + in Oregon and California, and that Mr. Miner accepted his terms, and + employed him as the agent of Miner, Peck & Co. Recollect that, Miner, + Peck & Co. Second, that Miner told him to report at Dorsey's house to + get instructions. Miner at that time was staying at Dorsey's house. I do + not know whether it was to get instructions from Dorsey or from the house, + or from Miner. I take it, from Miner. No matter. Mr. Moore then swears + that he reported to Dorsey and Dorsey asked him his opinion about the + service. Moore had never been there and did not know one of the routes, + but Dorsey was anxious for his opinion. How did he know any more about the + service than Dorsey? There is no evidence that Moore knew the price. There + is no evidence that he knew the amount the Government was to pay on a + single route. He was a stranger. Then he had another conversation with + Dorsey in which Dorsey told him that they had bid on the long routes with + slow time, because that was the way to make money. Not satisfied with + that, Mr. Dorsey showed him the subcontracts with the blanks and with the + changes, and then he explained to him the descending scale, and he + explained to him the percentage of expedition. He said Dorsey told him + forty per cent, of the expedition. Boone swears it was sixty-five per + cent. There is a little difference; not much. Moore swears that he himself + was to have twenty-five per cent, of the stealings. Let us see how that + is. Boone swears that the subcontractor was to have sixty-five per cent. + Rerdell swears that Brady was to have thirty-three and one-third per cent. + That leaves one and two-third per cent, for the contractor. Do you see? + The subcontractor got sixty-five dollars out of one hundred dollars, and + then Brady got thirty-three dollars and thirty-three and one-third cents. + That makes ninety-eight dollars and thirty-three and one-third cents, + leaving the contractor one dollar and sixty-six and two-third cents. That + was all he got. Did you ever know of anybody on earth doing business at a + smaller per cent, and paying for the trouble? Now, Mr. Moore comes in with + his statement. He says the subcontractor got forty per cent, and then he + himself got twenty-five per cent. That makes sixty-five. Then, according + to Rerdell, Brady was to have thirty-three and one-third per cent. That + makes ninety-eight and one-third. There is the most wonderful coincidence + in this whole trial. Rerdell and Boone and Moore agree exactly that the + contractor gave up ninety-eight and one-third per cent, to others and took + one and two-thirds himself. Did you ever know as much humanity in a + conspiracy as that? Did you ever know such a streak of benevolence to + strike anybody? It reminds me of a case of disinterested benevolence that + happened in Southern Illinois. A young man there went to a lawyer and said + to him, "I want to get a divorce, I was married at a time when I was + drunk, and when I sobered up I didn't like the marriage. I want a + divorce." The lawyer asked, "What do you want of a divorce?" "Well," he + said, "do you know the widow Thompson?" "Yes." "She has been a widow there + for about forty years. Do you know her boy? He is the biggest thief in + this county. He went over the Ohio River the other day and stole a set of + harness and a mule." "What has that to do with this divorce case?" "Well," + he said, "I want to get a divorce and I want to marry that widow." "What + for?" "I want to get control of that boy and see if I can't break him from + stealing. I have got some humanity in me." Here are S. W. Dorsey, his + brother, his brother-in-law, Miner and Vaile starting a charity + conspiracy, and out of every hundred dollars that they steal they offer + ninety-eight dollars and thirty-three cents upon the altar of + disinterested friendship. You are asked to believe that. You will not do + it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Moore also swears that he received some money by a check, but he does + not know whether the check was payable to him or payable to Miner, and he + got a power of attorney signed by Miner from John W. Dorsey and John M. + Peck, and then he started, S. W. Dorsey assuring him in the meantime that + he could tell the people out there that the service would be increased and + expedited in a few days. Mr. Moore is a peculiar man. He says that that + suited him exactly. He was willing to steal what little he could; he was + willing to steal for one hundred and fifty dollars a month if he couldn't + get any more, or he was willing to steal for a part of the stealing. If he + could not get that he would take an ordinary salary. I should think he was + a good man from what he says. You heard him. They were wonderfully anxious + to prove by Moore that Dorsey was the head and front of this whole + business. That was the object, and so he swore as to the instructions. He + said he was instructed to get up petitions so that they could be torn off + and the names pasted on other petitions. He swore he carried out those + instructions. He swore that Major agreed to do it, and I think a man by + the name of McBeau was going to do it. Yet, gentlemen, there never was + such a petition gotten up. Major swore here that he never heard of it; + that he never dreamed of it, and never agreed to it; that it was a lie; + that it was never suggested to him. Moore went out West and came back as + far as Denver, and at Denver met John R. Miner, and then came here and saw + Dorsey. What did he do with Dorsey? He swears that he went to Stephen W. + Dorsey and settled with him, and that Dorsey settled in a very generous + and magnanimous way, and did not want to look at his account, and did not + want to look at the book; had no anxiety or curiosity about the items. He + just said, "How much is it?" It happened to be even dollars—two + hundred and fifty dollars. When a man goes out West and has hotel bills + and all that sort of thing, when he comes to render his expense account it + is always even dollars. Moore said two hundred and fifty dollars. Dorsey + gave it to him; never looked at the book at all. Moore swears that he made + that settlement with Stephen W. Dorsey on the 11th day of July, 1878. + Dorsey was then in the Senate. + </p> + <p> + Look at page 1417. You see that Moore had been smart; that is what people + call smart. You know it is never smart to tell a lie. Very few men have + the brains to tell a good lie. It is an awfully awkward thing to deal with + after you? have told it. You see it will not fit anything else except + another lie that you make, and you have to start a factory in a short time + to make lies enough to support that poor little bantling that you left on + the door-step of your honesty. A man that is going to tell a lie should be + ingenious and he should have an excellent memory. That man swore that he + settled with Dorsey to the 11th day of July, 1878; swore it for the + purpose of convincing you that Dorsey employed him; that Dorsey gave him + instructions; that Dorsey was the head and front of the conspiracy. I then + handed him a little paper, and asked him, "Do you know anything about + that? Did you ever sign that?" And here it is: + </p> + <p> + Not July 11. That is the day he got the money of Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + July 24, 1878. + </p> + <p> + Received of Miner, Peck & Co., one hundred and sixty-six dollars, + balance of salary and expenses in full to July 11, 1878. + </p> + <p> + A. W. MOORE. + </p> + <p> + To when? To July 24? No, sir; he settled with Dorsey to July 11, 1878. The + gentlemen had forgotten that he gave that. If he had only had a little + more brains he would have avoided the two hundred and fifty dollars, that + even amount, and he would have said, "Dorsey did look over my books, and + we had a little dispute about some items, and we just jumped at two + hundred and fifty dollars." But he swears that was the actual settlement, + and then we bring in his receipt in writing, dated the 24th of July, 1878, + saying that he received one hundred and sixty-six dollars that day, and + that it was in full of his salary and expenses, not up to that date, but + up to the nth of July, 1878. If his testimony is true, he stole that one + hundred and sixty-six dollars. If his testimony is true, he settled with + Dorsey in full for two hundred and fifty dollars, and then he was mean + enough to go and get one hundred and sixty-six dollars more for the same + time. No, gentlemen, he was all right enough about it then; he told the + falsehood here. + </p> + <p> + Now, what does Dorsey swear? Dorsey swears that he received an order from + Miner to give this man two hundred and fifty dollars. Miner swears that if + Dorsey paid him anything it was on his, Miner's, request. That is a v + perfectly natural proceeding for Mr. Miner to request Dorsey to pay this + man two hundred and fifty dollars. The man came to Dorsey's house. Dorsey + gave him two hundred and fifty dollars upon Miner's order. He was trusting + John R. Miner for the money, and it was none of his business whether Miner + owed it or not, and consequently he did not look at his book. Now, every + fact is consistent with the truth of Mr. Dorsey's testimony; the fact is + consistent with the truth of Miner's testimony; and the receipt of this + man given to Miner on the 24th of July, 1878, demonstrates that he did not + tell the truth, under oath, in this court before you. + </p> + <p> + That is the end of Mr. Moore; that is the end of him. You never need + bother about him again as long as you live. + </p> + <p> + Why, they say, "Why didn't you impeach him?" He impeached himself. "Why + didn't you call so-and-so?" Because we had that receipt; that is why. No + need of killing a man that is dead. You need not give poison to a corpse. + When a thing is buried, let it go. When a man commits suicide, you need + not murder him. When he destroys his own testimony, let it alone; it will + not hurt you. + </p> + <p> + I am not afraid of the testimony of Mr. Moore. If these gentlemen can + galvanize it into the appearance of life, I should be very happy to see + them do it. Everything that he swore upon this stand that in any way + touched the defendants is shown not to be true. + </p> + <p> + Why should Dorsey have told him in 1878 to get up fraudulent petitions? + Even Rerdell does not swear that in 1879 Dorsey instructed him to get up + fraudulent petitions, and certainly he would go to the limit of the truth. + After he made his story out of a piece of true cloth there would be very + few scraps left. He would certainly go clear to the line. And yet, even he + does not swear that when he went West to make contracts, to get up + petitions, he was instructed by Mr. Dorsey to get up a fraudulent petition—not + once. And yet Moore swears that in 1878, when Dorsey was in the Senate, he + told him to get up these fraudulent petitions. It will not do. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Major swears that what he says about it is not true; Mr. McBean swears + that what he says about it is not true; and then we have Moore's own + receipt showing that it is not true. + </p> + <p> + On page 4757 Mr. Bliss says—Moore stands before you, therefore, so + far as all this testimony is concerned, wholly and absolutely + uncontradicted. + </p> + <p> + His testimony was that he was employed by Dorsey; his testimony was that + he was settled with by Dorsey, and the testimony of the receipt that he + signed is that he settled with Miner and not with Dorsey; the testimony of + Miner is that he was settled with by Miner, and not with by Dorsey; the + testimony of Dorsey is that he never had any conversation with him in the + world except at the time he paid him the two hundred and fifty dollars. + They say Rerdell was present at the conversation. Why did they not prove + it by Rerdell after Dorsey had sworn to the contrary? And yet Mr. Bliss + tells you that he is not contradicted—"utterly uncontradicted." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker, it seems, has an opinion of this same witness, I believe. He + says, on page 4511: + </p> + <p> + He says he started out and went to work, as these records show, and made + the subcontracts according to his instructions, and got up the petitions + according to his instructions. + </p> + <p> + He swears he did not get up a petition at all, not one; he swears that he + had not time. And yet these gentlemen say that he got up petitions + according to his instructions, and he swears he did not. He swears he told + Major to, and that Major signified his willingness to do it. Major swears + that that is a falsehood. He swears the same with reference to McBean, and + McBean swears that it is a falsehood. Now Mr. Ker goes on: + </p> + <p> + He fixed them up and changed the language a little in some, and in some he + did not take the trouble to change, but he fixed them all so that there + was a space between the writing and the names, so that they could be cut + off and pasted on other papers. + </p> + <p> + He expressly denies that he ever fixed a petition in the world. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker. What page? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. You ask the page! Talk to the jury seven days! I say that + this man never fixed up a petition, and he never says that he fixed up a + petition. Where is the page on which he says it? He was willing to do it, + but he had not the time. I will show you that language. There is what they + say about this man. Then he says he got a note from Miner, and went to + Denver and met Miner. That is right. Then Miner offered him a quarter + interest in the routes in this vast conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + Let us find what Moore thinks of himself. We find that on page 1398. He is + a good man, worthy of this case, according to the eternal fitness of + things. I come to this quicker than I thought I would. It is page 1396: + </p> + <p> + Q. Did you get up any?—A. No, sir; I didn't have the time. + </p> + <p> + There it is. Now, of course, Mr. Ker forgot. I call your attention to this + to show how little weight such evidence is entitled to in reference to a + conversation five years ago, when Mr. Ker could not remember this with the + book before him. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker. I asked you for the page on which Mr. McBean's testimony appears. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Mr. Moore is the witness. Mr. Moore swears that he never + got up such a petition. Mr. Ker says he did. He and Mr. Ker will have to + settle their own difficulty. + </p> + <p> + On last Friday, in reply, I think, to a question of Mr. Ker, I stated that + I thought McBean swore that Mr. Moore did not make any arrangement with + him to get up false petitions. In that I was mistaken. Mr. Moore swore + that he made an arrangement with McBean to get up petitions. He did not + quite swear that McBean agreed to get up false and fraudulent petitions. + He just came to the edge of it and did not quite swear to it. Afterwards + McBean was recalled by the Government and the Government did not ask + McBean whether he had ever agreed to get up any petitions or whether he + had ever made any such arrangement with Moore. They did not ask him and we + did not ask him. I do not know why they did not ask him. They probably + know. + </p> + <p> + I also stated that Moore swore that he got his instructions about these + petitions from Dorsey. The evidence is that he got his instructions not + from Dorsey but from Miner; that Miner so instructed him, and that + thereupon he made the bargain to get up such petitions with a man by the + name of Major on the Redding and Alturas route. I make this correction + because I do not want you or any one else to think that I wish any + misstatement made in our favor. We do not need it and consequently there + is no need of making it. You will remember that after Moore swore that he + made a bargain with Major to get up false petitions, Major swore that it + was untrue. You will also remember that Judge Carpenter called for the + petitions that were gotten up upon the routes that Moore had something to + do with, and I think he showed you on one route eleven or twelve + petitions. Mr. Major swears that every petition was honest, that the + statements in each petition were true, and that the signatures were + genuine. All those petitions were shown to you. So that the result of the + Moore testimony is this: Moore swears that Miner told him to get up such + petitions. He then swears that he made that bargain with Major. Major says + it is not true. Moore almost swears that he made the same bargain with + McBean. McBean says nothing on the subject. Then we bring here the + petitions upon those very routes, and especially upon the Redding and + Alturas route, and we find no such petitions as are described by Moore. + That is enough in regard to Mr. Moore upon that one point. + </p> + <p> + There is one little piece of testimony to which I failed to call your + attention on Friday, and to which I will call your attention now. Moore + was the friend of Boone. Boone recommended him to Miner. It was through + Boone that Moore was employed. Now, I ask you if it is not wonderful that + Moore never told Boone that there was a conspiracy on foot? Is it not + wonderful that Moore did not tell Boone, his friend, the man to whom he + was indebted for the employment, "There is a conspiracy in this case. + Senator Dorsey as good as told me so. I know all about it." + </p> + <p> + The fact is he never said one word, and the reason we know it, is that + Boone swears that when he went out on the 7th or 8th of August he never + even suspected it. I cannot, it seems to me, make this point too plain. + Boone had been known by Dorsey for a long time. They were very good + friends. Dorsey had enough confidence in him to select him as the man to + get the necessary information after he had been requested so to do in the + letter. Boone was the man who attended to this business more than anybody + else. Boone was interested with John W. Dorsey. Boone had every reason to + find out exactly what was happening. He was at Dorsey's house, where Miner + was. He talked with Miner day after day. He helped get up the bids. He did + a great deal of mechanical work. He had the subcontracts printed. Yet + during all that time Dorsey never let fall a chance expression that gave + Boone even the dimmest dawn of a hint that there was a conspiracy. Nobody + told Boone. Moore, his friend, never spoke of it. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is one other point with regard to Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore swears, + on page 1371, that Miner offered him a fourth interest in these routes. + That was the conversation in which he said Mr. Miner told him they were + good affidavit men. According to Moore's testimony he then knew there was + a conspiracy, and he understood that he was part and parcel of it. Let me + ask you right here, is it probable that Moore would have been offered a + quarter interest at that time if a conspiracy existed, and if they had + their plans laid to make hundreds of thousands of dollars, and if the + profits had depended upon the affidavits alone? I ask you, as sensible, + reasonable men, if he would have been offered a quarter interest under + those circumstances? Now conies in what I believe to be the falsehood. Mr. + Moore says that the interest was offered to him by Miner, but Miner said + it would have to be ratified by Stephen W. Dorsey. That is brought in for + the purpose of having some evidence against Dorsey. You must recollect, + gentlemen, that this evidence was all purchased. This evidence was all + bargained for in the open shamble. You must recollect that there are upon + the records of this court some seven or ten indictments against A. E. + Boone. You must remember that Moore was Boone's friend. You must remember + that Moore was a part of the consideration that Boone was giving to the + Government for immunity. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Is there any proof of that? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I think there is. Mr. Moore swears as to the number of + indictments against Boone. He was his friend. The jury have a right to + infer what motive prompts a witness. Moore wished to swear enough, so that + Mr. Boone would not be troubled. In my judgment, Mr. Boone, being under + indictment, gave evidence in this case in order that the Government would + take its clutch from his throat. He swore under pressure. That is the + system, gentlemen, that is dangerous in any country. Whenever a Government + advertises for witnesses; whenever a Government says to a guilty man, or + to a man who is indicted, "All we ask of you is to help us convict + somebody else;" whenever they advertise for a villain, they get him. That + is the result of what they call the informer system—an infamous + system. A court of justice, where justice is done between man and man, is + the holiest place on earth. The informer system turns it into a den, into + a cavern, into a dungeon, where crawl the slimy monsters of perjury and + treachery. That is the informer system. It makes a court a den of wild + beasts. What else does it do? Under its brood and hatch come spies; spies + to watch witnesses, spies to watch counsel, spies to follow jurymen, so + that a juror cannot leave his house without the shadow of the spy falling + upon his door-step. That is not the proper attitude of a Government. The + business of a Government is to protect its citizens, not to spread nets. + The business of a Government is to throw its shield of power in front of + the rights of every citizen. I hold in utter, infinite, and absolute + contempt any Government that calls for informers and spies. Every trial + should be in the free air. All the work should be done openly. These + sinister motions in the dark, the crawling of these abnormal and slimy + things, I abhor. + </p> + <p> + Now, to come back to Moore. Upon my word I think he was trying to help his + friend. After Mr. Miner had offered him a quarter interest, then he came + back to Washington. He arrived here, according to his evidence, about the + 11th day of July, I think. He went immediately to see Stephen W. Dorsey. + Recollect that. That was the time Dorsey settled with him without looking + at his books. After he settled with him and gave him two hundred and fifty + dollars he asked him to telegraph to see if the service had been put on + The Dalles and Baker City route. He waited here until he received an + answer, and after that he talked with Dorsey not only about that matter, + but in that conversation Dorsey said, according to Moore, that it took a + good deal of money to keep up their influence in the department. When I + asked him when that conversation was, he said two or three days after the + first conversation. According to the evidence in this case Stephen W. + Dorsey left this city on the 12th of July. This man Moore arrived on the + nth, and he says two or three days after his arrival Dorsey said it took + money to keep up their influence here. When he swears that Dorsey told him + that, Dorsey was in the city of Oberlin, Ohio. Recollect these things. + Whoever tells stories of this character should have a most excellent + memory. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is another thing. When did Miner get back? He got back by the + 24th of July, because on the 24th of July he settled with Moore, and I + believe then Moore went West again. Now, remember there was a contract + made, as Moore swears. He has not got it. Nobody sees it. He says there + was a contract made by which he had a fourth interest in something. He got + back here I believe some time in November, and on the 20th of November he + and Miner settled. I will now look on page 1430 for that settlement. I + want you to see how everything was situated at that time. + </p> + <p> + I find on page 1430 that Mr. Miner settled for everybody with Mr. A. W. + Moore. Remember the situation. Moore knew there was a conspiracy. All the + service was on. You see, this was November 20, 1880. Vaile was in. They + had a man who was close to Brady. Everything was running in magnificent + style. Mr. Moore understood that there was a conspiracy. What more did he + understand? That he had the claw of his avarice in the flesh of a United + States Senator and in the flesh of a Second Assistant Postmaster-General. + Hundreds of thousands of dollars were to be made. He came back here and + settled up and sold out his interest for how much? Six hundred and + eighty-two dollars. Do you believe that? Credulity would not believe it. + Nobody believes it, that is if the rest of the story is true. Why did he + settle with him for so little? He said Mr. Miner told him he hadn't a + dollar. He did not reply to him, "When this conspiracy is completed you + will have plenty. I can wait." No. Miner said he hadn't anything and so + Moore settled for six hundred and eighty-two dollars. Then I asked him, + "You had a contract with Dorsey, did you?" "Yes; verbally." "Did you ever + say anything to Dorsey about it?" "No." "Did you ever claim anything from + Dorsey?" "No." "Did you ever write to him?" "No." "Did you ever say + anything to anybody that you had any claim against Dorsey?" "No." You saw + Mr. Moore, gentlemen, here upon the stand. Do you think he is the kind of + man who would let such a chance slip? It is for you to judge. In my + judgment that is the eternal end of Moore's testimony. We can call him + buried. We can put the sod over his grave. We can raise a stone to the + memory of A. W. Moore. Let him rest in peace, or to use the initials only, + let him R. I. P. That is the end of him. If the Government wishes to dig + up the corpse hereafter let them dig. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker. I would like— + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. [Interposing.] I don't want to hear from you. + </p> + <p> + The Court. You do not know what he is going to say. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. He may be intending to make a motion that the jury be + instructed to find a verdict of not guilty. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker. As Mr. Merrick will have to answer, he simply wants to know the + page. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. If Mr. Merrick wants to know the page he shall have the + page, or anybody that wishes to answer. If counsel had simply asked me for + the page, without getting up in such a solemn manner, I would have told + him. + </p> + <p> + On page 1406, Mr. Moore says that he went to Dorsey and got the money, and + that then Dorsey requested him to telegraph to The Dalles, and that he did + not see Dorsey after he got the answer to his dispatch, I think, for two + or three days. He reached Washington, he says, about the 11th. On page + 1372, he speaks of telegraphing to The Dalles by instructions from Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I am going to call your attention for a little while to + another witness, Mr. Rerdell. And in the commencement, I need not refresh + your minds with regard to the part he has played. I need not, in the first + instance, tell you about his affidavit of June, 1881, nor his affidavit of + July 13, 1882, nor his pencil memorandum, nor his Chico letter, nor his + offer to pack the jury on behalf of the Government, nor the signals he had + agreed upon, nor the reports he made from day to day, nor the affidavit of + September that he made for the Government, nor of November nor of + February. All these things you remember and remember perfectly. I will + speak of them as I reach them, but I want you to keep in your minds who he + is. + </p> + <p> + I need not call any names. Epithets would glance from his reputation like + bird-shot from the turret of a monitor. The worst thing I can say about + him is to call him Mr. Rerdell. All epithets become meaningless in + comparison. The worst thing I can say after that would have the taint of + flattery in it. You will remember when Enobarbus was speaking to Agrippa + about Cæsar, he says, "Would you praise Cæsar, say Cæsar. + Go no further." And I can say, "If you wish to abuse this witness, say Mr. + Rerdell. Go no further." That is as far as I shall go. + </p> + <p> + You will remember that Mr. Rerdell was in the employ of Stephen W. Dorsey, + and had been for several years. He does not pretend that he was ever badly + used; he does not say before you that Mr. Dorsey ever did to him an unkind + act, ever said an unkind word. In all the record of the years that he was + with him he finds no page blotted with an unjust act, not one. He has no + complaint to make. Under those circumstances he voluntarily goes to see a + man by the name of Clayton, I think an ex-Senator from Arkansas, known to + him at that time to be an enemy of Stephen W. Dorsey, an enemy of his + employer, an enemy of his friend—his friend, whose bread this + witness had eaten for years, whose roof had protected him, who had trusted + and treated him like a human being. Yet he goes to this man Clayton, and + he says, in substance, "I want to sell out my friend to the Government." + He was not actuated exactly by patriotism, although he says he was. The + promptings of virtue may have started him, but after he got started he + said to himself, "I do not see that it hurts virtue to be rewarded." So he + said, "I want some pay for this; I want a steamboat route reinstated; I + want the Jennings claim allowed. Of course I am disinterested in what I am + doing, but I might as well have something, if it is going." "What else do + you want?" The disinterested patriot suggested that he would like to have + a clerkship for his father-in-law. "Anything else?" If you will read his + letter of July 5, 1882, which I will read to you before I get through, you + will see that he says, "If I had remained with the Government I have every + reason to believe I would have had a good position by this time." So he + must have demanded a clerkship for himself—good, honest man. At that + time he did not know, but swore it afterwards and swore it here upon the + stand, that Dorsey had never done anything wrong; and yet he was willing + to sell him to the Government, believing that he had never done anything + wrong. So he went and saw the Postmaster-General. The Postmaster-General + did not appear to take any great interest in the matter. He turned him + over to the Attorney-General. He showed the Postmaster-General what he + had, and read him, I believe, or showed him some memoranda. Then he went + and saw the Attorney-General. The Postmaster-General did not seem to give + him encouragement. Then when he went to see MacVeagh he took with him a + letter-book—I do not know but more than one—but we will say a + letter-book. Now, what was in that letter-book? And, gentlemen, the only + way to find whether a man tells the truth is to take all the circumstances + into consideration. What did he want to do? What was his object? And what + were the means at his command? For instance, it is said that a man left + his house with the intention of murdering another, and that he had on his + table a loaded revolver, and also had on his table a small walking-stick, + and he took with him the walking-stick. You would say he did not intend to + commit the murder; that if he had so intended he would have taken the + deadly weapon. In other words, you must believe that men, acting for the + accomplishment of a certain object, use the natural means within their + power. + </p> + <p> + Now, what did he have in that letter-book? He swears now that in that + letter-book there was a copy of a letter from Stephen W. Dorsey to James + W. Bosler; that the original letter was written by Stephen W. Dorsey. That + press-copy, of course, would show that the original letter was in the + handwriting of S. W. Dorsey. What does he swear was in that letter? He + swears that Dorsey made a proposition to Bosler to go into the business; + told him the profits, and told him that he had to give thirty-three and + one-third per cent, to T. J. B.; that he had already paid him, I think, + twenty thousand dollars, and had more to pay him. According to the + testimony of Mr. Rerdell, that was in the letter-book that he took to Mr. + MacVeagh. Now, recollect that. Why did he not show it? He had forgotten + it. He showed him what he had. Recollect now, that he had a tabular + statement. I think the letter showed so much money to T. J. B., and the + tabular statement thirty-three and one-third per cent, to T. J. B. He had + that tabular statement, and that was in Dorsey's handwriting. He says he + had it. Well, after that, the Attorney-General must have told him, "That + is not enough; I want some more." "Well," he says, "I can let you have + some more." "What more can you let us have?" Well, then he told him about + the red books; I do not know that he said they were red, but he told him + about the books and that those books were in New York, and he would go + over there and get them; that he was going to steal them; he says he went + over to get them, and afterwards admitted, I believe that lie was stealing + them. + </p> + <p> + Now, we must remember the position Rerdell was in. He had been to Clayton, + to the Postmaster-General in company with Mr. Woodward, and to the + Attorney-General in company with Mr. Woodward, and yet there was not + enough. Well, it was all he had. What more could he do? He suddenly found + himself caught in his own trap. He had furnished enough to trouble him, + but not enough to convict Dorsey, and not enough to be promised immunity. + Now, what had he to do? He did exactly as he did with Mr. Woodward in + September, when he made that affidavit, and when Woodward said it was not + enough; he said, "Very well, I will make another," the same as he did when + he made the affidavit of seventy pages in November and found it was a + little weak. He made another, and he would have made them right along. He + had a factory running night and day. Now, he tells you that while he was + talking with MacVeagh, just towards the last of the conversation, the idea + flashed into his brain that he might save Dorsey too. Don't you remember + that testimony? And as quick as he thought of that, he agreed to go to New + York and steal the books. The very last thing that MacVeagh said to him, + according to MacVeagh's testimony, and I believe according to his own, was + to be sure and get the books; that they were all important. So he went, as + he claims. Now, did it occur to him that he would save Dorsey in that way? + Did he think of saving Dorsey by going and getting these books? That was + the last thing, and he was going to get the books to be used as evidence + against Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + In a few days he says he started for New York, and the question arises, + why did Rerdell go to New York at all? Why did he want to see that the + books were in New York? Why did he pretend that he had any more evidence + unless he had it? You see you have got to get at the philosophy of this + man; you have got to find what actuated him; and although in many respects + he is abnormal, unnatural, monstrous, and morally deformed, still it may + be that we can find the philosophy upon which he acted. Why did he say he + was going to New York? Because the Attorney-General told him—he must + have told him—that the evidence he then had was not sufficient. + Rerdell could not break down right there and say, "That is all I have + got." That would give up the fight; that would tell him that he had + endeavored to sell out his friend and nobody would buy the evidence; that + would tell him that he had tried this and had failed; that he had simply + succeeded in showing his own treachery without involving his friend. He + could not stop there. You must recollect the evidence he had, and the + evidence he wanted. + </p> + <p> + Let us see what he had. Mr. Bliss says, "Why did he say the books were in + New York? Why did he not say they were in Washington?" That would not have + given him time, gentlemen. He would have been told, "Go and get them." + Then he could not have produced them. Consequently he put them in the + possession of somebody else, so that if he failed to get them, then he + could say that the other man destroyed them or had hid them; he could have + said, "I have done my best; they did exist, but they have been destroyed, + or they have been hidden, or they have been put out of the way." He wanted + time, and knowing that no such books existed, he could not say, "I have + them in Washington," because then he could give no excuse for their + non-production. He must state it in such a way that he could reasonably + fail; that is to say, that he could give a reason for his failure. He + could not say, "I have them in my house," because he would have been told + to go and get them. So he put them in the possession of another man, so + that, failing to get them, as fail he must, he could give a reasonable + excuse for the failure. + </p> + <p> + Why did he go to New York? I will tell you what my philosophy is: He found + that the Government did not wish to purchase the evidence that he had. He + found that, in the judgment of the expert of the Department of Justice, it + was not sufficient. The next thing was to retrace his steps. He did not + want to jump off of one boat into the sea and find no other boat to rescue + him. He said: "I have been too hasty; I will go to New York." Why? To find + out whether Dorsey had heard of this or not. That is what he went there + for. The inferior man always imagines that the superior knows what he is + doing, and knows what he has done. He found that he was about to fail with + the Government, and then the important question to him was: Has Dorsey + found this out? Can I go back to Dorsey? Or must I go on and be cast away + by him and be refused by the Government? + </p> + <p> + Now let me call another thing to your minds. I will come to it again, but + it forces itself upon me at this place, and it seems to me it ought to be + absolutely conclusive. + </p> + <p> + He swears that on the day after he went to MacVeagh with that letter-book, + in looking it over he found the press-copy of the original letter that + Dorsey wrote to Bosler on the 13th of July, 1879. says that the next day + he found that copy in that copy-book. Why did he not steal the book? + Conscientious scruples, gentlemen! You see he was going to New York to + steal another. Why not steal one that he already had possession of? And + how much better that book would have been than the other that he was going + to get. This was a copy of a letter in Dorsey's handwriting, in which he + admitted that he had paid twenty thousand dollars to T. J. B., and was + going to pay him some more, while that book in New York was not in + Dorsey's handwriting—admitting, for the sake of the argument, that + there was a book—but was in the handwriting of Donnelly or Rerdell. + See? And right there he had the evidence, absolutely conclusive, in the + handwriting of S. W. Dorsey himself, and he did not even keep it, he did + not even steal it, but he gave it back and went to New York to steal a + book that Dorsey did not write. He threw away primary evidence to get + secondary evidence. He threw away that which would have convicted Dorsey + beyond a doubt, which would have made him a welcome recruit to the + Government. He threw that away and went to New York to get another, a line + of which Dorsey never wrote; and then he would have to establish, after he + got that book, that "William Smith" stood for Thomas J. Brady; he would + have to prove after they got that book that "John Smith" or "Samuel Jones" + stood for Turner. Now, gentlemen, do you believe that that man, with his + ideas of honor, with the kind of a conscience he has in his bosom, with + the copy of a letter in Dorsey's handwriting in his possession admitting + that Dorsey gave twenty thousand dollars to T. J. B., would give that up + and then go to the city of New York to steal a book not in Dorsey's + handwriting, and that did not prove that Dorsey had ever paid a cent to + Thomas J. Brady, in which there was one charge to "William Smith," and + that would have to be eked out by the testimony of Rerdell himself, when + he had right there in his own grasp and clutch the press-copy of the + original letter written by Dorsey himself? Do you believe it? There is not + a man on that jury believes it; there is not a lawyer prosecuting this + case who believes it. + </p> + <p> + What else did he have? He had a letter that he himself, as he claims, + wrote to Bosler on the 22d of May, 1880, after he, Rerdell, had been + summoned to appear before a committee of Congress. He had, he says, those + three sheets. + </p> + <p> + What else did he have the morning after he was talking with MacVeagh? He + had the tabular statement in the handwriting of Stephen W. Dorsey, and + over the Brady column, "T. J. B., thirty-three and one-third per cent." + </p> + <p> + What more did that man have? He had the balance-sheets made out, as he + swears, by Donnelly, of those books. Were the balance-sheets just as good + as the books? + </p> + <p> + Now, just think what he had, according to his own testimony: A copy of the + original letter, written by Dorsey to Bosler, in which he admitted his + guilt; a copy of the tabular statement, written by Dorsey, in which he put + down thirty-three and one-third per cent, to T. J. B. What more? Copy of + the letter that he had written to Bosler on the 22d of May, 1880. He had + all that, and he must have had this memorandum, though I will show you + that he had not, and I think I will show you when he made it. And yet he + was going to New York to get some more evidence. He was going to steal + another book in New York that would simply create a suspicion, while he + gave up a book that was absolute certainty. That is the theory. But they + say, "Oh, he did not do that quite." What did he do? He went and had that + copied. He swears that he had copied that letter of May 13, 1879, that + Dorsey wrote to Bosler, in which he admitted that he gave twenty thousand + dollars to Brady. Now, a copy would not show in whose handwriting the + press-copy was, would it? That is a very important point. Who copied it? I + think he said Miss Nettie L. White copied it. We never hear of Miss Nettie + L. White again, though. These gentlemen admit that you are not to believe + Mr. Rerdell on any point that is not corroborated, and when he swears that + Miss Nettie L. White copied the letter you are not bound to believe there + was such a letter unless they bring Miss White or account for her absence. + They did not bring her. That is an extremely important point in their + case, infinitely more important than whether the red books ever existed. + Did Dorsey write a letter to Bosler in which he admitted his guilt? This + man says that he had complete and perfect evidence of it in his own hand; + that he gave that up; that he had that copied by Miss White. And they did + not bring Miss White. Certainly he had no scruples about tearing it out. + He says he tore out his letter to Bosler of the 22d of May, 1880. He had + no scruples about that. He did not refuse to keep the book because it + touched his honor, because in a day or two he was going to steal another + not half as good as that one, not one-tenth part as good. Just think. He + gave up evidence that was absolute and complete, and went to steal + evidence that was secondary and of the poorest character. You do not + believe it. He would have kept that book if he had kept any. If he was + going to steal any evidence, and had the best, he would have kept it. The + trouble was that there was no such letter in that book. There was his + letter of May 22, 1880; no doubt about that; and that man tore it out, and + then he made up one in his own mind, and had it of that date; that is all. + </p> + <p> + So he went to New York, and he swears that he went right up to the + Albemarle Hotel; that it was early in the morning; that Dorsey was not + then up; and that he had a conversation with Dorsey, in which Dorsey + charged him with having had something to do with the Government, with + having gone over to the Government. Dorsey had heard that there was + something going on about that time, and I suppose he asked Mr. Rerdell + about it. Rerdell denied it; said there was no truth in it; that nothing + of the kind, character, or sort had ever happened. + </p> + <p> + Now let us just see whether I can demonstrate to you that Rerdell, in the + conversation he had with Dorsey at the Albemarle Hotel, denied that he had + gone over to the Government, or that he had done anything that was not + perfectly honest, straightforward, and upright. I refer to it now, + although I may come to it again. + </p> + <p> + And, gentlemen, I am sorry for you; I pity every one of you, that you have + to hear all that has to be said in this case. But you must put yourselves, + for the moment, in our places. You must remember that these defendants + have borne this agony, have been roofed and surrounded with disorder for + two years. You must remember that the agents of the Government have + pursued them, they have watched over them and spied them night and day. + You must remember that they have been slandered for years in the public + press, although the tone of the public press is now changing, and changing + in such a marked degree that one of the attorneys here for the prosecution + claimed that we had bought up the correspondents. When you take into + consideration what my clients have suffered, the position they are now in, + fighting this great and powerful Government, I know you will excuse us for + inflicting upon you every thought and every argument that we think may be + for our defence. + </p> + <p> + I am doing for my clients what I would do for you, or any of you, if you + were defendants, and I am doing for them what I would want them to do for + me were I a defendant and they my counsel. + </p> + <p> + Now I am going to demonstrate this. When Mr. Rerdell got to Jersey City he + telegraphed back, according to the evidence of Mr. Dorsey: + </p> + <p> + Up to this moment I have been faithful to every trust. + </p> + <p> + I believe Rerdell swears that he did not send that. He had a + memorandum-book which he took out of his pocket. I think a leaf was torn + from it, and he ran his pencil through this line on the page on which he + had taken a copy of this dispatch, "Up to this moment I have been faithful + to every trust," and says he did not send it. Why did he put his pencil + through that? Because that line would not agree with the testimony he had + given upon the stand. "Up to this moment I have been faithful to every + trust" was in that dispatch. I want to ask you if you believe that Rerdell + could have sent that dispatch to a man to whom he had admitted that very + morning that he had gone over to the Government? Do you believe it? How + perfectly natural it would have been for him to send a dispatch from + Jersey City that harmonized and accorded with his denial of that morning. + </p> + <p> + Just look at that [handing the paper to the foreman of the jury.] Just + read it. I want the jury to look at it. He rubbed it out of his + memorandum-book. When? At the time? No, sir; when he found that he wanted + something to harmonize with his evidence here. Even he had not the brazen + effrontery to swear that he had told Dorsey that very morning that he + (Rerdell) had gone over to the Government, and then that very afternoon to + telegraph him—Up to this moment I have been faithful to every trust. + </p> + <p> + Why, in comparison with that cheek brass is a liquid. What is the next + sentence? + </p> + <p> + The affidavit story is a lie. + </p> + <p> + Why did he leave that in? Because technically that was true. He had not + then made an affidavit, and there is nothing so pleases a man who has made + up his mind to tell a lie as to have mixed with the mortar of that lie one + hair of truth. It is delightful to smell the perfume of a fact in the + hell-broth of his perjury. Just look at that. These two things show that + he had not admitted to Dorsey that he had told the Government anything + against Dorsey. He wanted Dorsey to understand that he, Rerdell, had not + communicated with the Government. Now, if you admit his evidence to be + true, at the time he sent that dispatch he had the stolen book under his + arm, and you, gentlemen of the jury, are asked to believe a man who would + do that thing. I would not. I would not convict the meanest, lowest wretch + that ever crawled between heaven and earth upon such testimony. Never. + Neither can you do it. A verdict must rest upon a fact. The fact must rest + upon the testimony of a witness. That witness must be, or seem to be, an + honest man. And unless a verdict is based upon the bed-rock of honesty, it + is infinitely rotten, and the jury that will give a verdict not based upon + honesty is corrupt. + </p> + <p> + Mr Crane (foreman of the jury.) I notice that this dispatch seems to have + been written with different pencils at different times. + </p> + <p> + Mr Ingersoll—Up to this moment I have been faithful to every trust—Is + written very dimly. + </p> + <p> + The affidavit story is a lie, but confidence between us is gone—Is + in still a different hand. + </p> + <p> + I resign my position and will turn everything over to any one you + designate—Is still another hand. Three hands, three pencils, in the + one memorandum. These papers have been manufactured, and when the + Government said, "This is not enough," another paragraph has been added. + </p> + <p> + How hard it is to perpetrate a piece of rascality and do it well. There + are an infinite number of things in this universe, and everything that is + in it is related to everything else; and when you get a falsehood in it + that does not belong to the family, it has not the family likeness; and + when anybody sees it who is acquainted with the family, he says, "That is + an adopted young one." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Rerdell now says, I believe, that he did not send that line, "Up to + this moment," &c. Dorsey swears that he did. Rerdell then produces + this book and this paper which I have shown to you. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us follow Mr. Rerdell from the Albemarle Hotel. + </p> + <p> + I will show that he crosses himself on almost every fact that he endeavors + to swear to. He swears that he went to Dorsey's; that from Dorsey's he + went immediately to Tor-rey's office; that he then went and got lunch and + then went to Jersey City. He also swears that he got his breakfast before + he went to Dorsey's. In the next examination he swears that he got his + breakfast after he went to Dorsey's, and after he got the book he went to + Jersey City, first walking up and down Broadway for about an hour. He had + forgotten about the lunch. There is nothing in it but a mass of + contradiction. He swears that he went down to Torrey's office. Why did he + not make it earlier, as soon as he got off the boat? Because he did not + have any key to the office. It would not do to swear that he broke into + the office and that nobody ever heard of it, and so he had to put the time + after the office would naturally be open. Well, now we have got him as far + as the office. He swears that he went in there and saw Mr. Torrey. After + chatting a little with Torrey, and telling him the object of his visit, + Torrey took him into the next room and took these books from a shelf or + desk, or something of that kind, and handed them both to him, and he + looked them over at his leisure, while Mr. Torrey went back to his + business. He finally took the journal and left the ledger. Why did he + leave the ledger? I will tell you after a while. Every lie, as well as + every truth, has its philosophy. He took the journal and came along out + with it under his arm, not wrapped up, not concealed. Then he had another + chat with Torrey about the weather or something, and then he went on. Why + did he swear that he had a conversation with Torrey in that office? I will + tell you. When he was giving that testimony, Torrey was in mid-ocean, + between New York and Liverpool. I guess Mr. Rerdell had heard that the man + was away. He thought he would be absolutely and perfectly safe, and so he + said he had a conversation with Torrey. The moment he repeated that + conversation with Torrey, I said, "Where is Torrey?" We telegraphed to New + York and we found that Torrey had left for the old country. We sent a + cablegram to Queenstown and we intercepted him. I think he staid a day in + the old country, and took the next ship and came back, arriving here in + time to swear that Rerdell never visited that office, that he never had + that conversation with him, and that he never got that book from that + office; more than that, that that book never was in that office. Who are + you going to believe, Torrey or Rerdell? + </p> + <p> + Another man was there on that very day, Mr. Mullins. He never had any + recollection of seeing Rerdell until he saw him here. All the books were + kept in the safe except the books that Torrey had in his desk. No such + books were in the safe and no such books were in Torrey's desk. Gentlemen, + no such books existed, and I will demonstrate it to you before I get + through. No doubt the man had some little expense-books of his own. He has + widened them, he has lengthened them, he has thickened them, he has + colored them. He has refreshed other people. When the Government tells a + man, "You have got an office, haven't you?" "Yes." "Well, we want you to + remember this." Then he is refreshed on the subject. The words the + Government speaks are rain and dew and sunlight upon the dry grass of his + memory and it springs up green. He says he has been refreshed. Before I + get through I will show you that these things were proved only by + gentlemen who had been refreshed. + </p> + <p> + Now, why did Rerdell say he took the journal and left the ledger? I will + tell you. There is more in the shirt theory than you would think. He had a + shirt in a paper, folded up just once over the bosom. Unexpectedly lie met + Mr. James on the train. He was very much surprised to meet him, because + James swears he was very much surprised to meet Rerdell. James knew that + he had gone over to New York to get those books, and he asked him, "Did + you get the books?" Rerdell had that beggarly little package. He could not + call that "books," because it was not large enough, and so he had to say + he had a book. That was the reason he said journal and not ledger. He had + too small a package for "books," and consequently he told James he had the + "book," and he is sticking to it; only one book. Another reason: He said + to James, and it was very smart of him, "I don't want to show you what I + have got in this package, because there is a fellow looking," and so the + shirt, in unconscious innocence, reposed unseen. Who was the fellow who + was looking? Chase Andrews. You recollect him. He came into the depot at + Jersey City at the time Rerdell was writing this virtuous dispatch, this + certificate of his honor and of his faithfulness. He shook hands with + Rerdell. Rerdell said he had a carpet-sack, but it was not big enough to + get one of these books in. He wanted the jury to think it was a pretty big + book. He hated to lose a chance of adding to the size of the book, and so + he swore that it was too big to put in the carpet-sack. If he had only had + sense enough to put it in the carpet-sack, and let it alone, we never + could have proven anything about it by Chase Andrews. Andrews would not + have sworn that he looked through the carpet-sack. But Rerdell in his + anxiety to have that book a big book said he could not get it into the + carpet-sack, and consequently must have held it in his hand. Chase Andrews + saw him in the depot at Jersey City, and rode in the next seat in the + Pullman car from Jersey City to Washington, and Rerdell had no book. Who + will you believe, Chase Andrews or Mr. Rerdell? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. [Resuming.] May it please the Court and gentlemen of the + jury. + </p> + <p> + It is also claimed by the prosecution that on the evening of the day on + which Rerdell was in New York and sent the telegram from Jersey City. + Dorsey wrote a letter to Rerdell in which he begged him for the sake of + his family, for the sake of his children, and everything to go no further. + I believe it is claimed that after Mr. Rerdell got back here to Washington + he showed that letter to his brother. It struck me as extremely wonderful + that he did not show his brother the book; that was such an important + thing, it being the thing that he went after, being something that was to + decide his fate with the Government. There was nothing about that. Let me + say right here: Suppose his story is true that he told Dorsey that he had + been to the Government. Would Dorsey write to that man a letter begging + him for God's sake not to go further? Would he not rather have sent some + man to see him? He knew at that time that he was utterly dishonest, having + received that very afternoon, according to Rerdell's testimony, a telegram + from Rerdell, in which Rerdell admitted that he had told a falsehood. + Would he then have put himself upon paper? Would he have put himself in + the power of that same man? I ask you, because you know there is about as + much human nature in one person as in another, on the average, and the + only way you can tell what another man will do is by thinking "What would + I do under the circumstances?" + </p> + <p> + I am going to demonstrate to you now with just one point that there were + no such books. When Rerdell came to make the affidavit of June 20, 1881, + Dorsey knew that Rerdell had talked with MacVeagh, James, and Clayton. He + also knew that Rerdell, according to his statement, had promised to go to + New York and get the red book. Rerdell swears in the affidavit of June, + 1881, that he promised MacVeagh to go to New York and get those books. + Dorsey knew at that time whether such books existed or not. If he knew + they did exist then he knew that Rerdell went after them. Why did not + Dorsey ask Rerdell at the time he made that affidavit, "Did you get a book + in New York?" Admitting, for the sake of the argument, that Rerdell's + story is true that the books were there and that Dorsey knew it, would not + Dorsey have asked him, when he was making the affidavit of June 20, 1881, + "Did you get a book in New York? What did you do with it, if you did?" + Rerdell swears that Dorsey did not mention that subject; that it was not + talked of between them. Why? Because both knew that no such books existed. + That is the reason he did not ask him if he got it. He knew that he did + not get it. Why? Because the book was not there to be obtained. Can you + explain that on any other hypothesis? Dorsey knew at this time, according + to the testimony of Rerdell, that Rerdell was dishonest; knew that Rerdell + had tried to sell him out to the Government; knew that Rerdell had + promised MacVeagh he would go to New York and get those books; knew that + Rerdell had been to New York; knew that Rerdell had gotten back, and yet + did not ask him, "Did you get a book?" Would he not naturally have said, + "I want that book that you got in New York. I want it now." It also + appears in evidence that on the very day that Rerdell was in New York and + says he was in Torrey's office, Torrey in the afternoon went to the + Albemarle Hotel to do some writing for Mr. Dorsey. Is it conceivable that + Torrey would not in that conversation have told Dorsey, "Your clerk, + Rerdell, came to the office to-day and I gave him the mail book or one of + those books"? Not a word. That affidavit was made in June, 1881, and was + the affidavit in which Rerdell disclosed what he had done with the + Government, and that he had agreed to get that very book, and yet Dorsey + did not take interest enough in the matter to ask him if he got a book. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Is there any evidence of the conversation between Torrey and + Dorsey? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. No. The evidence is that Torrey went there that evening. + You claim that that was the topic of conversation, and that Dorsey sent + dispatches to Rerdell that night and wrote a letter to Rerdell. So, I say, + under the circumstances, and with the excitement then prevailing, it is + inconceivable that Torrey should not have said, "Your man Rerdell has been + at my office to-day, and got one of the books." + </p> + <p> + I say it is inconceivable that he did not tell him, and therefore Dorsey + must have known it had it been a fact, and had it been a fact when Rerdell + made the affidavit of 1881, Dorsey would have said, "I want that book. I + want the book you stole from my office." He did not even mention it. It + was not the subject of conversation. Yet, in that same affidavit, he said + that he agreed to go and get it, and in that same affidavit he said that + no such book ever existed. He swore to that affidavit from friendship. You + see, gentlemen, about how much friendship that man is capable of. He swore + for friendship that no such book existed; he now swears that it did. What + is that for? You want to consider these things. Nobody asked about that + book. The matter drifted along. The summer wore away. Autumn touched the + woods with gold. Nobody ever mentioned the book. Winter came. That book + was in a little carpet-sack hanging in a woodshed. A magnificent place to + secrete property. The snows descended; the winds howled around that + woodshed. The carpet-sack hung there with the book in it. Nobody touched + it. I think the next year, may be that summer, he wrote or telegraphed to + Mrs. Cushman to get the book. It suddenly occurred to him that a woodshed + was not a safe place for it. She got a book. She looked into it enough to + find out it was about the mail business. She put it away; finally that + book was brought from its hiding-place on the 13th of July, 1882, when + Rerdell says he handed it over to Dorsey, and there is not one syllable of + evidence going to show that it was ever spoken of from the time he visited + New York until he brought it to Dorsey, as he claimed, at Willard's Hotel. + What made him give it to him? Dorsey was mad. Dorsey threatened that he + would have Rerdell arrested for perjury, because Rerdell had sworn that + he, Dorsey, was innocent. That is enough to excite the wrath of an + ordinary man. Dorsey was then on trial. The first trial was then going on. + We were right in the midst of it. The year before that Rerdell had + solemnly taken his oath that Dorsey was an innocent man, and here Dorsey + was in a court insisting that he was innocent. Yet he threatened to have + Rerdell then and there punished for perjury because he had sworn that he + was innocent. That frightened Rerdell. I think it was calculated to + frighten any man. + </p> + <p> + Why did Dorsey allow Rerdell to keep that book? There is only one possible + explanation: The book never existed. That is all. Torrey would have told + about it if it had been taken from his office, because I believe the + evidence shows that that affidavit was shortly afterwards published. + Nobody seemed to have taken any interest in that book. All interest faded + away. Now, Mr. Rerdell made that affidavit on the 20th of June, 1881. I + believe, on page 2468, Rerdell swears that when he made the affidavit of + June 20, 1881, he had the copies of the original journal and ledger at + Dorsey's office. Afterwards he swears he had not. He swears that he then + gave them to Dorsey. Afterwards he says they were sent to New York the + year before. I will come to that after awhile. Now, let us see what the + position of affairs was on June 20, 1881. At this time Rerdell had + furnished the Government all the information he had, except the book. Then + they had said to him substantially, "The evidence is insufficient. We want + more." Rerdell agreed to furnish them the books, and went to New York to + get the books. + </p> + <p> + Now, he had Dorsey absolutely in his power, according to his account. What + did he do? He had, according to his testimony, the copy of the letter + Dorsey had written to Bosler on the 13th of May, 1879, the copy having + been made by Miss Nettie L. White. He had the tabular statement in + Dorsey's own handwriting, showing thirty-three and one-third per cent, to + T. J. B. He had the letter that he himself wrote to Bosler on the 22d of + May, 1880. He had the red book. According to his statement, on that day he + had Dorsey in his power. All he had to do was to take the next step and + secure absolute safety for himself and crush his employer. What did he do? + He then said, "I went to the Government and played the detective." He + retreated. He voluntarily put himself in a position a thousand times as + perilous as he had been in before. He put himself in a place where he had + to swear that what he told the Government was a lie, and that he was + simply endeavoring to find out the Government's case and was acting as a + detective. You must recollect that Rerdell is a man who does nothing for + money. He will make an affidavit for unadulterated friendship. He will + make it also from fright. He will make it also, he says, in the interest + of truth. At that time he made an affidavit, as he says, for friendship, + and it is for the jury to determine how much a man like Rerdell—because + you know what he is just as well as I do—would do for friendship. + You have seen him here day after day. You saw him sitting right at the + door when Mr. Ker and Mr. Bliss were demonstrating to you that he was a + guilty wretch, and you saw his face beaming with pleasure. He was + absolutely delighted. Yet when Mr. Wilson stood here and endeavored to + show that the man was not as bad as he said he was, endeavored to show + that his plea of guilty was absolutely false, he slunk away, covered with + the shame of innocence. He did not want to hear that. He wanted it + understood that he was guilty, and that it was the proudest moment of his + life. Now, it is for you to determine how much such a man would do for + friendship. It is for you to determine how you can take advantage of his + finer nature. He had Dorsey in his power, according to his story, but + instead of carrying out his original design he turned against the + Government. Why did he do that? Because of patriotism? No. Why? He did it + for his own benefit, gentlemen. He never acted from any other motive. Why + did he not stay with the Government? Because they would not give him his + price for his evidence. Why would they not give him his price for his + evidence? Because his evidence was not worth it. If he had had the copy of + the letter from Dorsey to Bosler they would have given him his price. They + would have followed him all over the United States to have given him his + price. There was the absolute evidence against Dorsey. There was the + evidence against the man whom Mr. MacVeagh wished to drag down. Why did + they not buy it? Because the man did not have it. Why did he desert the + Government? Because the Government would not give him his price. Again I + ask why would not the Government give him his price? Because he had not + the goods; he had not the evidence. Then what did he do? He sneaked back + and asked protection of the man he had endeavored to betray. That is what + he did. He again asked Dorsey to stand by him. Dorsey did not need this + man. This man needed him, and he instantly deserted the Government and + went back to Dorsey. For the sake of saving Dorsey? No. For the purpose of + saving himself. + </p> + <p> + He had not the evidence. Yet, according to this testimony of his, he did + what I told you. What else did he have? He had the route-book. What was + the route-book, gentlemen? From the evidence it appears that this man kept + a route-book, and that in it he had the name of each route, the number of + the route, where it started from, and where it went to, the name of the + contractor, the amount per year, the name of the subcontractor, the amount + per year, and then a column showing whether it had been increased, and, if + so, how much, and whether it had been expedited, and, if so, how much. He + had that book. He says he was subpoenaed to appear before the + Congressional committee. What book would that committee want? They would + want the book that showed the original contracts, the subcontracts, the + description of the routes, how much the Government paid to the contractor, + and how much the contractor paid to the subcontractor. That was the book + they wanted, and that was the book to hide if any hiding was to be done. + That was the book to have copied. That was the book in which figures + should have been changed, if in any. And yet he never said one word about + that route-book. He had it in his possession. Why should he not expect the + committee of Congress to call for that book? He did not tell you. He did + not have that book copied, and yet that was the book that had in it every + particle of information that the Congressional committee wanted. Not a + word on that subject. + </p> + <p> + It appears, too, in the evidence, that Mr. Rerdell had in his possession + certain notes that passed between him and Mr. Steele about the red books. + Why were not those notes produced in evidence? Mr. Steele was here on the + subpoena of the Government. Why were not those notes produced in evidence? + Not a word about that. Is it possible that those notes were about the + route-book? Why were they not produced? Rerdell went before that + Congressional committee. He did not take any route-book. What did he take? + He said that he had these books made up to take. Did they contain the + accounts of the subcontractors? No. Donnelly swears there were not more + than twelve accounts in the book. What was the use of taking that book, or + those books, before the committee? Another thing: He says that he went + immediately and got those books copied. Would he try to palm off the + copies as originals? Would not the committee ask him the very first thing, + "In whose handwriting are these books?" He could not say, "They are in + mine," because then he would be caught. He would have to say, "They are in + Mr. Donnelly's handwriting." The next question would be, "Where is Mr. + Donnelly?" And the answer would be, "Here in town." The committee would + send for him and would ask, "Mr. Donnelly, did you write in those books?" + "Yes." "Did you make the entries at the time they purport to have been + made?" "No, sir; I copied them from another set of books that Mr. Rerdell + gave to me." He would either say that or swear to a lie. Then they would + say, "Mr. Rerdell, we want the original books," and then he would be + caught. You cannot imagine a more shallow device. More than that, the + books would not have any information that the committee wanted, nothing + about these contracts, and nothing about the amount paid the + subcontractors. If the committee wanted anything they wanted to show that + the Government was paying a large price and the contractors were paying to + the subcontractors a small price. Rerdell says that when he was subpoenaed + to bring his books he never thought of the route-book. He thought of the + red books, and yet the route-book was the only book that had any + information that the committee wanted. How was he to palm that off? Is it + possible to think of a reason having in it less probability, less weight, + less human nature than the reason he gives for having those books copied? + There is another question. If Rerdell expected to palm off the copies as + the originals, why did he keep the originals? For instance. I have a book + here that I don't want Congress to see, and so I have it copied. + </p> + <p> + I am going to swear that that copy is the original; otherwise the device + is good for nothing. Why keep the original and run the perpetual danger of + discovery? Why not burn the original? Why keep the evidence of my own + guilt, liable to be found at any moment by accident, by a servant, by a + stranger? That is not human nature, gentlemen. Then there is another + question: If he were going to have a book copied and then swear that the + copy was the original, he would have copied it himself. If a man intends + to swear to a lie the first thing he does is not to take somebody into the + secret. Why should he have put himself in the power of Donnelly? He was + the man to be the witness before the committee, and if his device worked + he intended to swear before the committee that the copies were the + originals; and yet, by going to Donnelly to have the work done, he + manufactured a witness that would always stand ready to prove that he, + Rerdell, had sworn to a falsehood. What men work in that way? When a man + makes up his mind to swear to a lie does he take pains to go to one of his + neighbors and say, "I am going to swear to a lie to-morrow and I want to + give you the evidence of it. I am going to swear that a copy is an + original. I want you to make the copy so that I can swear to it." Would + not the neighbor then say, "I will be a witness against you in that case. + You had better copy it yourself." Just see what he did. He took pains to + have a witness so that if he swore falsely he could be contradicted and + convicted. Why did he not copy the books himself? After he got the + originals copied why did he not burn up the originals so that nobody could + ever find them in his possession? + </p> + <p> + Let us take another step. Finally, he got before the committee. When he + got before the committee what did he swear? He swore that he kept some + expense-books showing how he stood with the contractors. I think that was + the truth. I think that is what he did keep. He did not tell the committee + about the route-book. Not a word. That was the only book that he concealed + in his testimony. He said he kept some expense-books and those were all + that he kept. He did not tell about the route-book. That is the only book + that he failed to mention. Consequently, it seems to me, that was the only + book he did not want to show. Why? Because he thought at that time they + were going to make a great outcry about what was paid to the subcontractor + and to the contractor and he had no advices from anybody, except from + whom? Except from Mr. Bosler. What did Bosler tell him? Bosler told him, + "I see no reason why you should not exhibit your books and papers." Now, + according to Rerdell's testimony, on the 13th of May the year before, + Dorsey had written a letter to Bosler informing him that he had given + twenty thousand dollars to T. J. B. Bosler knew, if the testimony of + Rerdell is true, that that letter had been written, and Bosler had that + information. He knew if the letter had been copied, too, because every + letter that one receives gives evidence whether it has been copied or not. + And yet, knowing of that letter, he wrote to Rerdell or telegraphed him + that he saw no reason why he should not show all his books and papers. + Nobody believes that. Nobody ever will believe it! The earth may revolve + in its orbit for millions of years, and generations may come and go, + countless as the leaves of all the forests, and there never will be found + a man of average intelligence to believe that story. Just think of it. + Bosler, according to the testimony of Rerdell, had gone into partnership + with Dorsey knowing there was a conspiracy, knowing Dorsey was paying to + Brady thirty-three and one-third per cent, of the profits, and thereupon + the clerk who attended to the business writes or telegraphs to him, and + says he has been subpoenaed to appear before the Congressional committee + with the books and papers, and Mr. Bosler knowing of the existence of the + conspiracy, and knowing that Brady is getting thirty-three and one-third + per cent, writes or telegraphs back that he sees no reason why all the + books and papers should not be presented to the committee. Gentlemen, that + is impossible; it never happened and it never will. + </p> + <p> + Ah, but they say these books did exist. Why? Because Mr. Donnelly copied + them. Let us see whether he did or not. There is nothing like examining + these questions. Mr. Rerdell says that in his interview with Brady, Brady + suggested to him that he had better have them copied. This, I believe, was + on the 21st of May, 1880. Now he swears that in accordance with that view + or suggestion that he received from Brady he had the books copied by + Donnelly. When did he have it done? He had it done after the 21st day of + May, 1880. On page 2638 Donnelly swears that he copied these books in the + latter part of April or the forepart of May. On page 2636, where he was + asked if he had anything to do with copying a book of accounts for + Rerdell, he says that he had; and on being asked what kind of books they + were, says they were a small set of books. Donnelly swears that they + related to the mail business, and seemed to be the books of a firm. At + that time nobody was interested in the matter except S. W. Dorsey. How did + they appear to be the books of a firm? Donnelly swears, on page 2640, + "there were not more than a dozen accounts in the book." Let us see if + these were the mail books. He says there was an account against S. W. + Dorsey; that is one. An account against John W. Dorsey; that is two. + Against Donnelly himself; that is three. M. C. Rerdell; that is four. + Interest account; five. A mail account; six. An expense account; seven. A + profit and loss account, eight; and an account with William Smith, nine. + That is all he gives. But he says they were not to exceed a dozen. On page + 2644 Gibbs says there was an account against Colonel Steele and Mrs. + Steele. I take it they would be in one account. That makes ten. Then there + was an account against Jennings, making eleven; and an account against + Perkins, making twelve. Let us see if we can go a little further. Mr. + Rerdell swears to a cash account; that is thirteen. Also an account + against J. H. Mitchell; that is fourteen; and one against Belford, making + fifteen. You can deduct your Jones and your Smith and have one more + account in the book then than Donnelly swears was in it. He swears they + were not to exceed a dozen. That was the book with all this mail business. + We will follow it up a little. Rerdell says he opened the books according + to the memorandum, and swears consequently that there was a cash account + and an account with J. H. Mitchell. J. B. Belford, I believe, he + afterwards mentioned. Now, according to Gibb's testimony there was an + account with Perkins. Understand I say that the only book he had, if he + had any, was a private book in which he kept his own expense accounts and + his own matters, and it was not a book with which Stephen W. Dorsey had + any connection. I say that the William Smith and Samuel Jones account he + has added for the purpose of having something to sell to the Government. + That is my claim. I say they were his private books. There was an account + with Perkins. You have heard all the testimony, gentlemen. You know all + the contracts in this case. You know all the subcontracts. There is not a + single solitary account in this book with any subcontractor mentioned in + any of these subcontracts except Perkins and possibly Jennings. Who was + Perkins? Perkins was a subcontractor on the route from Rawlins to White + River. That is the route that Rerdell had an interest in himself. + </p> + <p> + Rerdell made the subcontract with Perkins himself, and consequently he had + an account with Perkins in his own private book, and had not any account + with the rest of the subcontractors. We also find, according to Gibbs, + that there was an account against Jennings. Who was Jennings? + </p> + <p> + That brings us to the Jennings's claim. That is the claim that he told Mr. + Woodward about, when he wanted to sell out in the first place, and that is + the claim that he told Mac-Veagh and the Postmaster-General about. + Strangely enough and wonderfully enough we find that claim in this very + book. That shows whether this was a private book or whether it was a book + kept for the accounts of Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + Now, by looking at the Post-Office reports I find that nine hundred and + ninety-four dollars was paid to Rerdell for Jennings on the 14th day of + April, 1880, and the question I ask is did he keep two sets of books at + that time? He produced in court a book of his own, kept at that time with + the Jennings account in it. The book that was copied had the Perkins + account, and why? Because it was a special account in which Rerdell was + interested. They have failed to prove that there was in that other book + any account in which Dorsey was necessarily interested, except the account + kept with Rerdell showing Rerdell's transactions with Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + We now come to the testimony of Mr. Gibbs. Mr. Gibbs says his wife copied + a journal between Christmas, 1879, and the 1st of March, 1880. Rerdell + says that she copied the journal and ledger both. The witness, Gibbs, + gives the color of the book. He says it was not red; it was either brown + or black. Mr. Gibbs remembers nothing about the Smith account, whether it + was large or whether it was small. He finally swears that he does not + really recollect anything about it, except that Rerdell brought the book + there and said he wanted to get a copy made to send to Dorsey in New York, + and that he returned the book and the copy to Rerdell. He swears that he + remembers as names in this book Smith, Jones, and S. W. Dorsey, and M. C. + Rerdell. Those were all he could think of. He does not remember the name + of John H. Mitchell. On page 2646, he says he believes that Rerdell came + to him and asked him during the trial if he recollected the name of + William Smith, and he swears that when Rerdell asked him if he recollected + the name of William Smith, he distinctly told him that he did not. Then he + asked him if he recollected the name of Jones, and he swears that he told + Rerdell when he asked him that question that he did not. I read from page + 2646: + </p> + <p> + I tried not to remember anything of this. + </p> + <p> + How can a man try not to remember? What mental muscle is it that he + contracts when he tries not to remember? That is a metaphysical question + that interested me greatly when the man was testifying, for he said he + tried not to remember. Why did he try not to remember? + </p> + <p> + I didn't want to be called into court if I could possibly help it, and for + quite a long time did not mention the fact that I knew anything of the + books. But when I was called into court, I thought of all the + circumstances connected with the time that I copied the books; and a few + days ago, or a week or so ago, in going home one night, and thinking this + thing over in my mind, and thinking of everything I could think of, my + mind reverted to a conversation I had had at the time, laughing and + looking over the books. + </p> + <p> + It was not only one book, then. + </p> + <p> + And I wrote a great many letters, and read a great many names—They + must have been in the letter-books—and was laughing about the + peculiarity of the names, and even made the remark, "There is even Smith + and Jones in it." + </p> + <p> + What a wonderful circumstance! In copying the books and making an index of + the three letter-books he found Smith and Jones. The difficulty would have + been not to find Smith or Jones. + </p> + <p> + That is the evidence of that man. When Rerdell first went to him, he told + Rerdell distinctly, "I remember no name of Smith; I remember no name of + Jones." And then he waited until Rerdell went on the stand and swore that + he copied those books, and that the names of Smith and Jones were in them, + and then his memory was refreshed, and he came here and swore that the + names of Smith and Jones were there. All of a sudden it came to him, like + a flash, and he subsequently had the conversation with his wife. + Gentlemen, you may believe it; I do not; not a word of it. He is mistaken. + He has mistaken imagination for memory; he has mistaken what Mr. Rerdell + told him now for something he thinks happened long ago. He took the + letter-books, too. May be there is where he found some of his strange + names. + </p> + <p> + Rerdell says, in swearing to the letter which he says was written by + Dorsey to Bosler on the 13th of May, 1879, that he (S. W. Dorsey) took + that book, all his own books that were not used for the mail business, and + boxed them up. When? In 1879. Mr. Kellogg swears that after they were + boxed up they were sent to New York. When? In 1879. And yet Rerdell swears + that between Christmas and New Year's, 1879, those books were at the house + of Mr. Gibbs to be indexed. It will not do. And Rerdell swears that he had + the letter-book containing the letter of May 13, here in 1881, when he + went to MacVeagh, and yet, according to his own testimony, that book was + sent to New York in 1879. And he swears that the three letter-books—and + I will call your attention to them after a while—that he had here, + commenced on the 15th of May, and ended, I think, in April or May, 1882. + He swears that the letter written by Dorsey to Bosler was written on the + 13th of May, 1879, and then he swears that the first letter in the three + letter-books was dated the 15th of May, two days afterward. So he had not + the book here. I knew he did not have it, because if he had had such a + book with such a letter, he never would have gone to New York to steal a + book; he would have stolen that one. + </p> + <p> + Torrey took charge of the books January 27, 1880, and he kept them until + the 1st of May, 1880, in the Boreel Building, and then at that time moved + to 145 Broadway, and kept them there until the last of April, 1882. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I will come to those red books again in a moment. Here is + a little piece of evidence about the books. You know it was the hardest + thing in the world to find out how many books this man had, how many times + they were copied, who copied them, and what he did with the copies; and he + got us all mixed up—counsel for the prosecution, the Court, counsel + for the defence—none of us could understand it. "How many books did + you have? What did you do with them?" "Well, I took them to New York. No, + I did not; I had some of them here." Finally I manufactured out of my + imagination a carpet-sack for him. I said, "Didn't you take these books + over to New York in a carpet-sack?" He said "Yes," he did. He jumped at + that carpet-sack like a trout at a fly. Let me call your attention to some + other evidence, on page 2637, near the bottom. Donnelly is testifying: + </p> + <p> + Q. Was it an exact copy of the book?—A. It was not. + </p> + <p> + Q. In what did it differ from the book you were keeping?—There were + some items left out. + </p> + <p> + Q. What accounts did you leave out?—A. I left the William Smith + account out. + </p> + <p> + Q. What did you do with that amount in order to balance the books? + </p> + <p> + Now, I want you to pay particular attention to this answer. + </p> + <p> + A. My recollection is that I carried it to profit and loss. + </p> + <p> + Q. On the books or on the balance sheet?—A. On both. + </p> + <p> + Now, remember, these were the books made out to fool the committee. I + suppose there are some book-keepers on this jury. I suppose Mr. Greene + knows something about book-keeping, and Mr. Evans, and Mr. Crane, and Mr. + Gill. I do not know but you all do. And you know that when you carry an + amount to profit and loss you do not throw the name away; you keep the + name. If you have charged against Robert G. Ingersoll five thousand + dollars, which you never expect to get, and you want to charge it to + profit and loss, you make the charge and you put my name against that. You + put profit and loss against Robert G. Ingersoll's debt. Everybody that + ever kept a book knows that. If you carry an amount to profit and loss you + rewrite the name of the person who owes the debt. So that when he says, + "My recollection is that I carried it to profit and loss," there would be + a name twice in the book instead of once. If it was simply in the book + once it would be, "William Smith, debtor, eighteen thousand dollars." But + if you carry that to profit and loss you must credit profit and loss by + this William Smith amount, and consequently get the name in the book twice + instead of once. And that is what they call covering it up. They were so + afraid that somebody would see an account against William Smith in one + part of the book that they opened another account in the profit and loss + business and put it in again. That would be twice. Now, let us go on a + little: + </p> + <p> + Q. Were there any other accounts transferred in the same way?—A. I + rather think there were, but I am not certain. + </p> + <p> + Q. Did you make the books balance on your copy?—A. Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. How long were you working on that copy?—A. I was working on it + two evenings and all of one night. + </p> + <p> + Now, recollect, in the copy that he made, he carried the account of + William Smith—and may be Jones, he does not remember—to profit + and loss. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us take the next step. Let us go to page 2269. This is as good as + a play. Donnelly swears that when he made the first copy he carried the + William Smith account and some other to profit and loss. Rerdell swears + that acting upon the hint of General Brady he got a man to do—what? + To make another copy and leave out the items that had heretofore been + charged to profit and loss. Donnelly swears that he balanced the books, + and he is the only man that ever did balance the books, according to the + testimony. After Rerdell had been subpoenaed to appear before the + Congressional committee, he got another man, whom he swears he put to work + on the books, designating the entries to be left out by drawing a pencil + mark through them; that he told him to make up a new set of books, leaving + out those entries, but to leave the books so that they would balance, + taking the entries that were stricken out, and also the same amount that + had been carried to profit and loss, and leave them entirely out. Rerdell + swears that prior to that time these accounts had been carried to profit + and loss, and that he struck out the credits to Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + Then the evidence as it stands is this: Rerdell swears that Mrs. Gibbs + copied the journal and ledger. Gibbs does not swear it, but Rerdell does. + That made four books. Then he got Donnelly to make another set of books + with the William Smith and Dorsey accounts carried to profit and loss. + </p> + <p> + That is six books. After he had been subpoenaed by the committee he got + another man to make a new set of books and leave out the William Smith and + Dorsey accounts and the profit and loss account, and that makes eight + books. And there we are, so far as that is concerned. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I have come to one other view of this case. I hope that + you will not forget—because I do not want to speak of it all the + time—that this man Rerdell swears that he had the original + letter-press copy of that letter which he says Dorsey wrote to Bosler. Do + not forget that. He says he had that before he went to New York to steal + the red books; do not forget that. And that he gave that testimony away; + do not forget that. That he says he had it copied by Miss White, and they + do not introduce Miss White to show that she copied it; do not forget + that. Do not forget, too, that he had when he was there the tabular + statement in the handwriting of S. W. Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. [Resuming.] Gentlemen, on page 2286 Mr. Rerdell gives the + contents of a letter which he says Dorsey wrote to him the night he, + Rerdell, left New York, and when he says he had the book with him. He + swears, you remember, that afterwards Dorsey tore the letter up. Let me + read you the letter as he says it was written: + </p> + <p> + The letter started out by stating that he did not believe the report that + had been brought to him in reference to myself, and that he also believed + the affidavit story to be a lie. He plead in the letter for the sake of + his wife and children and himself, and his social and business relations, + and the friendship that had long existed between us not to do anything for + his injury; for God's sake to reconsider everything that I had done and + take no steps further until he could see me. It was in that strain, simply + begging me not to do anything further until he could see me. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us analyze that letter, keeping in our minds what Rerdell has + sworn. Rerdell has sworn that when he went to the Albermarle Hotel he told + Dorsey what he had done; that he had had the conversations with MacVeagh + and James. Let me call your attention to the dispatch from Jersey City. + First, Dorsey wrote to Rerdell that he did not believe the report that had + been brought to him; <i>that had been brought to him</i>. He could not + have used that word "brought" if Rerdell had been the bringer. If Rerdell + had made the report to him in person he could not have written to Rerdell, + "I do not believe the report that has been brought to me." The use of the + word "brought" shows that somebody else told him; not the person to whom + he wrote. "The report." What report? There is only one answer. The report + that Rerdell had been in consultation with the Government. He writes to + Rerdell, "I don't believe that report that has been brought to me," and + yet when he wrote it, if Rerdell's testimony is true, he knew that Rerdell + had given him that very report and he knew that Rerdell would know that + he, Rerdell, had told Dorsey that very thing. Second, that he, Dorsey'', + believed the affidavit story to be a lie. There is again in this horizon + of falsehood one little cloud of truth. Rerdell had not made an affidavit. + He had told James, MacVeagh, Woodward, and Clayton what you know, but he + had not made any affidavit, and when he was charged, if he was, with + having made an affidavit, it delighted him to have one little speck of + truth, just one thing that he could honestly deny. That was the one thing. + He had not yet made an affidavit. Third, Dorsey plead with him in the + letter for the sake of his wife, his children, himself, his social and + business relations, and the friendship that had long existed between them, + not to do what? Not to do anything further. According to Rerdell, he told + him in the letter he did not believe he had done anything. Rerdell swears + that he wrote to him in the letter that he did not believe the report; + that is, that he had yet done anything, and then wound up the letter by + begging him, for God's sake, not to do anything <i>further</i>. How came + he to use the word "further"? "Don't take any further steps. I know that + you have not taken any step at all, but do not, I pray you, take any + further steps." That letter will not hang together. Dorsey swears he never + wrote it. Finally, the letter comes down to this: "I don't believe the + report. I do not believe you have done anything. But, for God's sake, do + not do anything more." It is like the old Scotch verdict when a man was + tried for larceny. The jury found him not guilty, but stated at the end of + the verdict, "We hope the defendant will never do so again." The first + part of this letter shows that Dorsey did not believe that he had done + anything. The last part of it shows that he did believe he had done + something and that he must not go further. No one can tell why he + introduced the word "further" into this letter upon any other hypothesis. + Now, I read to you, from page 2287, what Rerdell says happened at the + Albermarle Hotel: + </p> + <p> + He charged me with holding interviews with Mr. James, the + Postmaster-General, and the Attorney-General, and asked me what I meant by + it. I told him my action was in his behalf; that I had been keeping up + with the newspapers, and knowing the facts in regard to this mail + business, what I had done was done in his behalf. + </p> + <p> + That is, he did not deny that he had these conversations, did not deny the + report, did not deny that he had met the Attorney-General and the + Postmaster-General, but said: + </p> + <p> + My action was in your behalf. + </p> + <p> + And then, according to Rerdell, after that Dorsey wrote him a letter, in + which he said, "I do not believe the report," although Rerdell had made + the report to him himself. May be that is the reason he did not believe + it. + </p> + <p> + Now, let me read to you the conversation on his return from New York and + see how it agrees with the letter. It is on page 2288: + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dorsey immediately brought up the conversation that we had had over in + New York, and what I had done by going to Mr. Mac-Veagh, and asked me if I + intended to ruin him. I said no, I did not; it was not my intention to + ruin him; it was my intention to help him out of what I thought to be a + bad difficulty. + </p> + <p> + Q. What did he say?—A. He then asked me if I had done anything + further since I had left him. + </p> + <p> + Yet in the letter that he wrote him from the Albermarle Hotel he said that + he did not believe the report and did not believe that he had done + anything against him. The first thing he asked him when he got here was, + "Have you done anything further against me?" + </p> + <p> + I said no, I had not; I had not been near Mr. MacVeagh. He then says, + "Well, how shall we get out of this?" I says. "Mr. Dorsey, I will do + anything that I can except to commit perjury." + </p> + <p> + A very natural remark for Mr. Rerdell to make. He would do anything but + that. That testimony shows that Dorsey never wrote the letter which + Rerdell says he did write from New York. That testimony shows that they + did not have the conversation in New York that Rerdell says they had. That + testimony shows that they did have exactly the conversation which Mr. + Dorsey swears they had. + </p> + <p> + Now, I come, gentlemen, to the affidavit of June 20,1881. I would like the + letter of July 5, 1882, which is on page 3733. + </p> + <p> + You understand this affidavit was made in consequence of the conversation, + as he says, that he had with Dorsey after Dorsey came back from New York, + in which he said he would do anything except commit perjury, and when + Dorsey told him, "Damn it, what does that amount to when a friend is + involved? I would not hesitate a moment." Consequently he swears that he + made up his mind for the sake of friendship to swear to a lie for Mr. + Dorsey. That is what he says now. On the 5th of July, 1882, while we were + in the midst of the other trial, and when Mr. Rerdell, as he says, + contemplated going over to the Government, and when he would not put + evidence in our hands against himself, he wrote this letter: + </p> + <p> + July 5, 1882. + </p> + <p> + Senator: What I am going to say here may surprise you, while, judging from + certain circumstances that to me are easily to be seen, you may not be + taken by surprise. + </p> + <p> + To commence with this, it will be necessary to go back about a year to the + time when, looking forward to the inevitable result of the star-route + matters—I started to put myself in accord with the Government. At + that time I had no thought of being included in any prosecution or + indictment, supposing that as an agent I could not be held criminally + responsible. Had I for one moment thought it possible nothing could have + changed my mind, even anxious as I was to benefit you. The consequence + was, I listened to Bosler and did what I will ever regret. First, because + of the unenviable notoriety given me in consequence of doing what he + persuaded me to do. + </p> + <p> + Who persuaded him? Mr. Bosler. He writes that on the 5th of July, 1882, + when, as he said, he had made up his mind to go over to the Government, + and when he would not willingly put a club in our hands with which to dash + out his brains. + </p> + <p> + Second, because, let this case go as it may, I am still left under a cloud—That + is a pitiable statement. That man under a cloud!—both with your + friends and acquaintances, and the public generally. + </p> + <p> + Here comes, gentlemen, the blossom and flower of this paragraph: + </p> + <p> + And that, too, almost penniless. + </p> + <p> + Then the letter goes on: + </p> + <p> + These are stern facts, and cannot be ignored, while had I continued acting + with the Government my reputation would have been clear, and no doubt been + appointed to a good position. + </p> + <p> + The Government must have promised the gentleman an office when he went, in + June, 1881, to Woodward and to Clayton and to the Attorney-General and to + the Postmaster-General. According to this letter, among other things he + was to have an office, the steamboat route was to be reinstated, the + Jennings' claim was to be allowed, his father-in law was to get a + clerkship, and according to this letter he also was to have a position. + That is civil service reform! What does he say? + </p> + <p> + At least I have every reason to believe such would have been the result. + </p> + <p> + He would have had an office, he has every reason to believe. Why? They + must have promised it to him. + </p> + <p> + This now brings us to the present time. I have an opportunity to redeem + myself, and think it best to do so, as by so doing I can be entirely + relieved of the indictment. + </p> + <p> + The Government then must have promised him in 1882 that the indictment + should be dismissed as against him. Is it possible that he would tell a + lie, gentlemen? Is it possible the prosecution will say that he lied on + the 13th of July, 1882, but in 1883, having met with a change of heart, he + told the truth? No. + </p> + <p> + In taking this step let me say this: It is the result of much thought and + also of preparation. + </p> + <p> + I think so. The preparation of several papers. + </p> + <p> + I have realized the fact that all you and Bosler desired was to use me, + and when no longer needed I could go to the devil. + </p> + <p> + Well, I think that is where he has gone. + </p> + <p> + Therefore I have concluded to be used no longer, and propose to look out + for myself. + </p> + <p> + To-day I am putting things in order, so as to commence right tomorrow. I + regret this on your family's account, but I too have a family, and owe it + to them to put myself right. + </p> + <p> + You see, gentlemen, he wanted to leave an unspotted reputation to his + children. + </p> + <p> + I deem it as being due to you that I should give you notice of my + intention. Very truly, + </p> + <p> + M. C. RERDELL. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, he comes on the stand and swears that he made this + affidavit, not being overpersuaded by Bosler, but because Dorsey with + tears and groans besought him to make it. Yet on the 5th of July, 1882, he + says he made it because he was overpersuaded by Bosler, and he says, too, + "Had I remained with the Government my reputation would have been clear, + and I have every reason to believe I would have had a good position." He + says, "I have another opportunity to be entirely relieved from the + indictment." These gentlemen say he never was promised immunity. That + simply shows you cannot believe Mr. Rerdell when he is not under oath, and + what he has sworn to here shows you cannot believe him when he is under + oath. + </p> + <p> + Now I come to the affidavit. I will not spend a great deal of time upon + it. Mr. Rerdell, with extreme ease, without the slightest hesitation, went + through that entire affidavit, picking out with all the facility + imaginable, every paragraph written by Dorsey and every paragraph written + by himself. I was astonished at his exhibition of memory. I finally asked + to look at the copy of the paper he had, and when I got that in my hand I + found that every word that he swore was written by Dorsey had been + underscored with a blue pencil. That accounted for the facility with which + he testified. I found afterwards that that paper had been given him by Mr. + Woodward and that he had gone through and marked such portions as Mr. + Dorsey wrote, according to his testimony, or had marked those that he + wrote, leaving the others unmarked, so that at a glance he could tell + which way to swear. Before I get through with the papers in this case + there is another thing to which I want to call your attention. All the + papers as to which witnesses were called on the subject of handwriting are + marked. I will show you that every one has a little secret mark upon it, + so that the man who swore might know which way to swear simply by looking + at the signature and at no other part. There has been a great deal of + preparation in this case. + </p> + <p> + Now, Rerdell swears as to the parts of the affidavit that Dorsey wrote and + the parts that he wrote. His object in swearing was to entirely relieve + Messrs. James and MacVeagh from having made any bargain with him to steal + Mr. Dorsey's books, and to entirely relieve them from any suspicion, as + well as to relieve every other official of the Government from any + suspicion of having promised him any pay in any shape or manner for the + making of this affidavit. He swears in the first place, that Dorsey wrote + this: + </p> + <p> + My story captured them completely, and I took occasion to refer to the + steamboat route and the Jennings' claim. Mr. James remarked that he knew + all about the Jennings' matter, that Jennings had been badly treated, and + he ought to get the money, and should; that he would investigate the + steamboat route and see if anything could be done; that that was the worst + part, and his special agents had reported it; nevertheless he would see if + something could not be done. + </p> + <p> + On page 2506, in his cross-examination, Mr. Rerdell swears that the words—Mr. + James remarked—were not written by Dorsey, but were written by + himself. On the same page he swears that the words—That Jennings had + been badly treated—were not written by Mr. Dorsey, but were written + by himself. + </p> + <p> + On his examination-in-chief he swore that these words were written by + Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + On his examination-in-chief he swore that Dorsey wrote this: + </p> + <p> + And to further deceive them and learn their plans, carried the letter-book + containing—And then he wrote—the much-talked of Oregon + correspondence. + </p> + <p> + Afterward, when cross-examined, he swears, I think upon the same page, + 2506, that he himself wrote the words: + </p> + <p> + Carried the letter-book containing. + </p> + <p> + That Dorsey did not write them. He also swears in his examination-in-chief + that Dorsey wrote these words: + </p> + <p> + Making only one mistake, or rather slip, by which Mr. MacVeagh could, as a + good lawyer, have detected me, and that was by stating that I had kept a + set of books. + </p> + <p> + On his examination-in-chief he swears that Mr. Dorsey wrote those words. + On cross-examination he admits that Dorsey did not write them and that he + wrote them. + </p> + <p> + On his examination-in-chief he swears that he wrote this himself: + </p> + <p> + He said, "Well, Mr. Rerdell, I am in a position where I cannot make + promises, but if you will place yourself in full accord with the + Government, you shall not lose by it, and I would advise you not to + receive any salary from Dorsey this month. It will be all right." + </p> + <p> + On cross-examination he takes it back, and swears, on page 2503, that + Dorsey wrote the words: + </p> + <p> + It will be all right. + </p> + <p> + He was afraid those words might be given too wide a significance and might + in some way touch the Attorney-General, and consequently he swore that he + swore wrong when he swore that he wrote them, and that as a matter of fact + Dorsey wrote them. Then, on his examination-in-chief with the marked paper + before him, and having plenty of time to manufacture his testimony, he + swore that he wrote the words: + </p> + <p> + He asked me—In his own handwriting, and that Dorsey wrote these + words—when I was going to New York to get those books. I replied, + "On Sunday night." He said, "Don't put it off too long, as they are + all-important." + </p> + <p> + On his examination-in-chief he swore that Dorsey wrote those words, and on + cross-examination he admitted that he wrote every one of those words + himself. When he was cross-examined he had not the paper before him. His + memory was not refreshed by the blue pencil mark. So on his + examination-in-chief he swore that he wrote these words: + </p> + <p> + As I was about leaving he—Meaning the Attorney-General—said, + "Mr. Rerdell, you have put yourself in full accord with us, and I have + this to say, you shall be well taken care of and your matters shall be + attended to." + </p> + <p> + On cross-examination, on page 2500, he swears that Dorsey wrote the words: + </p> + <p> + Your matters shall be attended to. + </p> + <p> + But he still admitted that he, Rerdell, wrote the words and put them in + the mouth of the Attorney-General: + </p> + <p> + You shall be well taken care of. + </p> + <p> + He says in his letter of July 5, 1882: + </p> + <p> + If I had remained with the Government I have every reason to believe I + would have a good position. + </p> + <p> + What next? Mr. Rerdell, in his examination-in-chief, swears that he + himself wrote these words: + </p> + <p> + The next evening I called on Mr. Woodward to see if he had anything more + to say, and he told me a place had been found for my father-in-law, and to + give the application to Senator Clayton; to make the application for the + Interior Department, as it was best not to put him into the Post-Office + Department for fear of criticism; that the appointment should be made at + once. It was all arranged. The next day I saw Clayton, who said the same + thing. + </p> + <p> + On cross-examination, at page 2505, he swears that Dorsey wrote a part of + this; that Dorsey wrote the following words: + </p> + <p> + As it was best not to put him into the Post-Office Department for fear of + criticism. + </p> + <p> + When he testified on direct examination he had this marked paper before + him; in the absence of the paper, on the cross-examination, he takes his + solemn oath that he did not write it, but that Senator Dorsey did. What + confidence can you put in that kind of testimony? I would like to have + you, gentlemen, some time, or I would like to have anybody who has the + slightest interest in the thing, read this affidavit and see whether it is + the work of two or the work of one. You let two men write, one writing one + paragraph and the other another paragraph, and then you read it; there is + no man in the world accustomed to read books that cannot instantly detect + the difference in style, the different mode of expression, the different + use of language. Nobody can see any difference in the writing; nobody can + see the slightest difference in the mode of expression; the sharpest + verbal mechanic that ever lived cannot see a joint between these + paragraphs. They emanated from the same brain; they were written by the + same hand; and if any man, who has ever read one book clear through, will + read that, he will see that one person wrote it all. But Mr. Bliss tells + you that here is a passage that shows the handiwork of S. W. Dorsey, + because Dorsey was a politician: + </p> + <p> + He also said that you, Mr. President, had told Mr. Dorsey you could not + interfere in this investigation and prosecution; that if you did, the + public would say that the President and a Secretary, who shall be + nameless, but whose name I could guess, had taken the money of the + star-route ring while they were in Congress, or the Postmaster-General and + Attorney-General had taken it since, and therefore he (Dorsey) must look + to the courts for vindication. + </p> + <p> + That is the passage upon which Mr. Bliss relies, among others, to show + that this was formed in the brain of S. W. Dorsey; and yet Rerdell swears + that that passage he wrote himself. It will not do, gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + Now, in order that you may know just about how much force to give to that, + let me read you a little from page 2379; and I read this for the purpose + of letting you know the ideas that this man Rerdell entertains of right + and wrong. + </p> + <p> + I want you to get at the moral nature of this man; I want you to + thoroughly understand him. When you examine these affidavits, when you + think of his testimony, I want you to know exactly the kind of nature he + has, and I want you to remember that he came here upon this stand and + swore in this case that he did not consider that it was wrong to interline + petitions; that he did not think it was wrong to fill up affidavits; and + that is the reason he made the affidavit of July 13, 1882. Although he + then knew that these things had been done, still he did not regard them as + wrong. You see it is worth something to get at a man, to get at his + philosophy of right and wrong; it is worth something to know how he + thinks; why he acts; and when you have found that out about a man, then + you know whether to believe him or not. + </p> + <p> + I believe the jury did look at this paper and saw all the parts that had + been marked by blue pencil, and those parts, I believe, he said Dorsey + wrote. That is the paper he had before him at the time he testified in + chief. But when he came to be cross-examined, not having the paper then + before his eyes, he swore in very many important things exactly the other + way. We were all astonished at the facility with which he remembered, he + pretending to know what parts he wrote and what parts Mr. Dorsey wrote. I + want you to understand this man, and before I get through with him, you + will. I want you to know him. + </p> + <p> + Now we come to an exceedingly important thing in this case, in the eyes of + the prosecution. It is the principal pillar supporting the testimony of + Mr. Rerdell. Without that pillar absolutely nothing is left, everything + falls into perjured ruin. + </p> + <p> + The first question that arises with regard to the pencil memorandum (31 X) + is who wrote it, and in order to ascertain who wrote it we must take into + consideration all the facts and circumstances that have been established + in this case. It is already in evidence, as you remember it, that Rerdell + kept a route-book. You will also remember that Mr. Dorsey had books of his + own; that he had a bookkeeper of his own, Mr. Kellogg; that Mr. Kellogg + swears that he kept those books and that nobody else ever made a scratch + of the pen in them; that he kept them up till the fall of 1879; they were + then sent to New York; that Mr. Torrey took possession of those books on + the 27th of January, 1880, and kept them continuously to the last of + April, 1882, and that nobody else ever put a mark in them. That is the + evidence. The evidence also is that there was in those books a complete + mail account. The evidence is also that in those books kept by Mr. Kellogg + were the charges and credits growing out of the purchase of John W. + Dorsey's interest and Peck's interest in the mail routes. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Pardon me; point me to that evidence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I will refer to it hereafter. I do not wonder, gentlemen, + that they dislike this pencil memorandum. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. No, sir; I only want to keep you within correct limits. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I understand that. I do not blame anybody for disliking + that pencil memorandum. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. You can convict Rerdell as much as you like. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. When you come to show that he is guilty his countenance + will light up with the transfiguration of joy. There will be no more + delighted auditor than Mr. Rerdell when his crimes are painted blackest. + It shows you the moral nature of the man. + </p> + <p> + Now, as I say, the evidence is that there was a route-book kept; that that + route book contained all the information that Mr. Dorsey or any one else + would want about the routes themselves; consequently, that there was no + propriety in keeping any other set of books. Mr. Rerdell could keep books + for himself, but not for S. W. Dorsey. Dorsey had a set of books, and had + another book-keeper. Why should he have another set opened by Rerdell? + Rerdell kept a route-book that gave him all the information that he could + possibly desire. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Wilson. Rerdell did not handle the money. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Of course not; there was no money at that time to handle; + they had not got as far as the handle. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is another little point: Why should Dorsey voluntarily put + himself in the power of Rerdell by saying, "I have paid money to Brady"? + What was the necessity of it? What was the sense of it? Rerdell was his + clerk. Why should he take pains to put himself, the employer, absolutely + in the power of his clerk? Why should he take pains to make himself the + slave of the man he was hiring by the month? Why did he wish not only to + make Mr. Rerdell acquainted with his crime, but to put in the hands of + Rerdell evidence written by himself? See, gentlemen, you have got to look + at everything from a natural standpoint. Of what use was it to Mr. Dorsey + to keep that account? Dorsey at that time had no partner. Dorsey at that + time did not have to respond to anybody. Of what use was it to him to put + down in a book, "I paid Brady eighteen thousand dollars"? Was he afraid + Brady would forget it? Was he afraid he would forget it? Did he want his + clerk to help him keep the secret, knowing that if the secret got wings it + would render him infamous? Let us have some sense. The Government + introduced it. They also introduced a witness to prove that it was in + Dorsey's writing. Rerdell swore that it was. Their next witness, Boone, + thought part of it might be and part might not be; it did not look right + to him; he rather intimated that Mr. Rerdell wrote part of it. And right + there the Government dropped. No expert was brought. There were plenty of + experts right over here at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, plenty of + experts in Philadelphia and New York, plenty of judges of handwriting. + Right up here in Congress were twenty or thirty Senators who sat for six + years in the Senate with Stephen W. Dorsey, served on the same committees + with him and had seen him write every day; clerks of those committees who + had copied page after page of his writing. Not one of them was called. The + Government, with its almost infinite power, with everything at its + command, brought no expert. That was the most important piece of paper in + their case. And yet they allowed their own witness to discredit it; their + own witness swore, in fact, that Rerdell had manufactured the + incriminating part of it. And yet they sent for no expert to swear to this + writing. Don't you believe that they talked with somebody? Has not each + one of you in his mind a reason why they did not bring the ones that they + talked with? They left it right there without another word. Now, why? + Simply because they could get no man to swear, except Rerdell, that this + is in the handwriting of S. W. Dorsey. That is the reason. + </p> + <p> + You know that Rerdell "kept this as a voucher." What for? Was any money + paid out on it? No. Was it a receipt for any money? No. But he "kept it as + a voucher." You see he was in a difficulty. How did he come to keep it all + this time? It would hardly do for him to say that he did not try to keep + it, that it had just been in the waste-basket of forgetfulness, and had + suddenly come to life by a conspiracy of chance and awkwardness. It would + not do for him to say that he made it. So that he had to say that he kept + it, and then he had to give a reason for keeping it. What was the reason? + He said he "kept it for a voucher." I suppose you [addressing Mr. Greene., + a juror] have kept books. Is that what you would call a voucher? Yet that + is the reason the poor man had to give. I pitied the man when he got to + the point. I am of such a nature that I cannot entirely, absolutely, and + perfectly hate anybody, and when I see the worst man in trouble I do not + enjoy it much; at least I am soon satisfied, and would like to see him out + of it. Here he was swearing that he had this for a voucher. + </p> + <p> + Now, there are some little things about this to which I will call your + attention. Here is the name of J. H. Mitchell. An account was opened with + Mitchell, but he does not tell him to charge Mitchell with anything; there + is nothing opposite Mitchell's name. How would he open an account with + Mitchell without anything to be charged against him or to be credited? He + put in the index of the book, "J. H. Mitchell, page 21." You turn over to + page 21, and you find Mitchell debtor to nothing, creditor the same—silence. + Not a cent opposite the name on either side. Mitchell was not an employee. + Mitchell was not a fellow that they were to have an account with by the + day. Then John Smith is rubbed out and Samuel Jones written under it. + Rerdell says he wrote Samuel Jones. I say he did not. I want you to look + at it after awhile and see whether he wrote it or not. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, it so happened that when this pencil memorandum was + introduced it struck me that the M. C. R. looked a great deal like + Rerdell's handwriting, and you will remember that I suggested it + instantly, and said to the jury, "Look at the M. C. R." Now, gentlemen of + the jury, I want you to look at that M. C. R.; I want you to see how the + first line of the M. is brought around to the middle of the letter, and + then I want you to see exactly how the C. and the R. are made. Take it, + Mr. Foreman, and look at it carefully. And, in connection with that pencil + memorandum (31 X), I will ask the jury also to look at this settlement + with John W. Dorsey, made in 1879 (87 X), and compare the initials M. C. + R. where they occur on both papers. M. C. R. occurs twice, I believe, on + this (87 X.) Now look at the formation of the M. C. R. on both papers, Mr. + Lowery, and do a good job of looking, too. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, this is one of the most valuable pieces of paper I have + ever had in this case, and it is as good luck as ever happened. I want you + to look at the J. W. D. on that paper, and then compare it with the J. W. + D. on this paper; you cannot spend your time better. + </p> + <p> + I did not suppose I would ever find one paper that would have everything + on it. But, as if there had been a conspiracy as to this paper, there is + an S. W. D. on this paper which is substantially the same as the S. W. D. + on the other. The M. C. R., the S. W. D., and the J. W. D. on both these + papers are all substantially the same, and I think when the jury have + looked at it they will say they were written by the same hand. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, there was the testimony of Mr. Boone that he thinks the + upper portion of this pencil memorandum (31 X) was written by S. W. + Dorsey; that it looks like his handwriting down to and including "profit + and loss," I believe; I may be mistaken; it may be down to "cash;" and + then after "profit and loss" come the names of J. H. Mitchell and J. W. + D., exactly the same J. W. D. that appears on 87 X. + </p> + <p> + Now, what paper is that 87 X? That is an account of John W. Dorsey against + S. W. Dorsey in 1879. He had been out West to take care of some of the + routes, and when he came back he settled, and Mr. Rerdell wrote up the + account. That is 87 X, and I proved that it was made in 1879. I believe + the prosecution thought at first that it was 1878. + </p> + <p> + That paper shows that it was manufactured by the one who wrote this paper, + and by nobody else. + </p> + <p> + Now, as I said before, there is no account against J. H. Mitchell. + Opposite William Smith there are the figures eighteen thousand. And + Rerdell says that he wrote Samuel Jones himself at the suggestion of Mr. + Dorsey. Again I ask you, gentlemen, why would Mr. Dorsey give such a paper + to Rerdell? Why would he give him this false name? Why would he put + himself in his power? It is very natural that he should give the amounts + ten thousand five hundred dollars, ten thousand dollars for John W. Dorsey + and ten thousand dollars for Peck, because the evidence shows that those + transactions actually occurred. The evidence shows, not only in one place + but in many, that the ten thousand dollars was paid to John W. Dorsey, the + ten thousand dollars was paid to Peck, and that the ten thousand five + hundred dollars was advanced at that time by S. W. Dorsey. Consequently + that is natural; it is proper. But my opinion is that he never wrote one + word, one line of the pencil memorandum. It was all made, every mark upon + it, by Mr. Rerdell. He is the man that made it. Did he have it when he + went to MacVeagh? No. Did he have it when he went to the + Postmaster-General? No. Did he have it when he went to Woodward? No. Did + he have it when he made his affidavit in July, 1882? No; or he would not + have made it. Did he have it when he went to Mr. Woodward in September? + No; or else Mr. Woodward would have taken the stand and sworn to it. Did + he have it when he made his affidavit in November? I say no. Who made it? + Rerdell manufactured it for this purpose: That he might have something to + dispose of to this Government; that he might have something to swap for + immunity. He "kept it as a voucher." + </p> + <p> + Why did not these gentlemen bring Senator Mitchell to show that he had + some account with Senator Dorsey in May, 1879? Why did not the Government + bring Mr. Mitchell? They knew that their witness had to be corroborated. + They knew that the law distinctly says that such a witness cannot be + believed unless he is corroborated. They also know that the law is that + unless such a witness is wholly corroborated he cannot be believed; that + you are not allowed to pick the raisins of truth out of the pudding of his + perjury. You must believe him all or not at all. He must be received + entire by the jury, or with the foot of indignation he must be kicked from + the threshold of belief. They know it. Why did they not bring Senator + Mitchell to show that he had some account with S. W. Dorsey in 1879? But + we heard not a word from them. + </p> + <p> + What more? Rerdell says that was either in April, before he went West, or + in May, after his return; and at that time, according to his testimony—that + is, according to this memorandum—eighteen thousand dollars had been + paid to Mr. Brady for expedition. And then following, in the month of + June, before the quarter ended, eighteen thousand dollars more. That makes + thirty-six thousand dollars paid to Brady. What else? Ten thousand dollars + to John W. Dorsey; forty-six thousand dollars that makes. Ten thousand + dollars paid to Peck; fifty-six thousand dollars that makes. He had also + advanced himself ten thousand five hundred dollars; that makes sixty-six + thousand five hundred dollars advanced, and not a dollar yet received from + the Government. And that by a man who gave away seventy per cent, of a + magnificent conspiracy because he had not the money to go on. All you have + to do is to think about this. Just think of the situation of the parties + at the time. I tell you I am going to stick to this subject until you + understand it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gibbs swears that the name of Mitchell was not in the books when he + saw them, and yet those books were opened from this memorandum. Gibbs is + the man who has such a control over his mind that he can "try not to + remember." When I was a boy I used to hear a story of a man going around + saying that nobody could control his mind for a minute; that nobody could + think of one thing for a minute without thinking of something else. But + there was one fellow who said, "I can; I can think of a thing a minute and + not think of anything else." He was told, "If you do it, I will give you + my horse, and he is the best riding-horse in the country; if you can say + the first verse of 'Mary had a little lamb,' and not think of anything + else, I will give you my horse, and he is the best riding-horse in the + country." The fellow says, "How will you tell?" "Oh, I will take your word + for it." So the fellow shut up his eyes and said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Mary had a little lamb, + Its fleece was white as snow, + And everywhere that— +</pre> + <p> + "I suppose you will throw in the saddle and bridle?" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gibbs is the man who had such control of his mind, and he tells you + that the name of J. H. Mitchell was not in the book. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Donnelly says he does not remember any such name as J. H. Mitchell, + and yet he holds an office. He has the poorest memory for any one under + the present Administration, I ever saw. He does not remember the name of + J. H. Mitchell. Who does remember it? Mr. Rerdell. But Mr. Rerdell does + not say what he had charged to J. H. Mitchell; he does not say what was in + the book as against J. H. Mitchell; he fights clear of that charge. And + why? He was afraid that John H. Mitchell might testify. According, I + think, to Mr. Rerdell, there was a charge against Belford on those books. + I do not know why Belford's name did not appear on the memorandum, but I + will come to Belford afterwards. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Mr. Ingersoll, Mr. Donnelly does not mention in any way and is + not asked on the subject of Mr. Mitchell. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I think he is. I will find it after awhile if I can, and if + I cannot I will admit that you are right. I do not know where it is. I do + not wish to be interrupted. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I claim the right. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Well, go on; the poor man only had seven days in which to + make his speech. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I have before me Mr. Donnelly's evidence, and he does not + mention the name of Mitchell in any manner, and is not asked about it, so + far as I can see. I think when the statement is persisted in there should + be some reference given to the page. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. It is on page 2637. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Davidge. And at page 2639, about two inches from the top. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll.—It is sufficient for my purpose, which is this: That + he gave the names of all the accounts he could remember, and in that list + of names he did not give the name of J. H. Mitchell. So I think I can + fairly say to you that that man did not remember any account against J. H. + Mitchell. Mr. Gibbs was asked directly whether there was any account + against J. H. Mitchell, and he did not remember any such. Now, the only + person that swears to it at all is Mr. Rerdell. Then you come across this + contradiction: Why should the name of J. H. Mitchell be there with nothing + opposite to it? I do not know. The prosecution, of course, will be able to + find writing of S. W. Dorsey that will resemble some of the writing on + this pencil memorandum. There is no doubt about that. If it was written by + Rerdell in imitation of Dorsey's writing, it is not surprising that + writing really written by Dorsey can be found that looks like it. Why? + Because it was written in imitation of his writing, and therefore you can + find writing of Dorsey's that looks like it; otherwise it would not be an + imitation. The next question arises, Can you find writing of Rerdell's + that looks like it? Yes; 87 X. The M. C. R., the S. W. D., and the J. W. + D. are all exactly like it. Now, is it not infinitely surprising that + Dorsey should imitate Rerdell without trying and without an object? Is it + not perfectly wonderful that this memorandum should be in imitation of + Rerdell's writing, when it was written by Dorsey? But if it was forged by + Rerdell, it is not wonderful that it looks like Dorsey's writing. If + Dorsey wrote it without thinking of Rerdell, I say the accident is + infinitely wonderful that he imitated Rerdell. Which is the more probable—that + Dorsey imitated Rerdell without design and without trying, or that Rerdell + imitated Dorsey with a design, and when trying to do so? That is the way + to put this argument, and I hope the gentlemen will answer it. The + ingenuity that would be displayed in the answer would a thousand times pay + me for the loss of the point. I want them to account for this, how + Dorsey's natural handwriting comes to look like Rerdell's, and how it is + that this looks precisely like Rerdell's in many instances. Why is it, + gentlemen? I will tell you. Mr. Rerdell had written the initials J. W. D., + S. W. D., and M. C. R. so often that when he came to put them upon this + memorandum he forgot to disguise his hand. That is the reason. You find on + 87 X the J. W. D. precisely as it is on the pencil memorandum. You find + the M. C. R. precisely as it is on the pencil memorandum. You see if you + have done the same thing many times with your hand, the hand gets a mind + of its own. It is in that way that you learn to play upon the piano. The + hand becomes educated and follows the keys through all the mazes of melody + without asking one question of the mind. You can write a name so often, + you can make initials so often, that when you come to write them, no + matter what your object is, the hand, educated with a mind of its own, + pursues the old accustomed motions and paths. That is the reason that J. + W. D. and S. W. D. and M. C. R. are exactly in the handwriting of Rerdell + in this pencil memorandum. According to that, Dorsey had paid out in all, + I think, about $65,000, or something like that There is no truth in it, + gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + Now, in order to prepare your mind for the next point I am going to make, + and in order that you may know something about this man Rerdell, I will + give you some further information about him. I do not think you are + sufficiently acquainted with his character, and any little points that I + have I want to give to you. I want to paint his portrait in every + lineament, every mark. I want to give you every hair in his head. Remember + that this witness is to be corroborated. He is to be propped and indorsed. + Everybody admits that he is the pewter of perjury and has to be plated + with the silver of respectability gotten from somebody else. They all + admit that. He is an empty bag. Somebody has to fill him up before he can + stand upright. They admit that. I want to call your attention to a few + things as to which he lacked corroboration. + </p> + <p> + On page 2215, Rerdell swears that Miner told him that the amounts in the + bids were filled in by S. W. Dorsey. On page 4177 Miner denies this, and + says that he filled in the bids with only two exceptions. + </p> + <p> + On page 2216 Rerdell swears that the mail matter for J. W. Dorsey, Peck, + and Miner was handed him by S. W. Dorsey, and that Dorsey said that he was + going to take the business out of Boone's hands. On page 3766, Dorsey + swears that he had no such conversation with Rerdell. + </p> + <p> + On page 2217, Rerdell swears that S. W. Dorsey applied to him to go West. + On page 3768 Dorsey swears that he did not employ him to go West. + </p> + <p> + On page 2218, Rerdell swears that he received instructions from S. W. + Dorsey as to what to do on the Bismarck route. On page 3769, S. W. Dorsey + swears that that is utterly untrue. + </p> + <p> + On page 2219, Rerdell says that he was instructed to establish a <i>paper + post-office</i> sixty miles north of the route. What was that for? + According to his testimony there was a mistake in the advertisement, and + the route was too long, and this was a device to shorten it by adding + sixty miles to it to make a post-office thirty miles off the route, or + sixty altogether, so as to get pay for the increase of distance. If it was + to be a fraud, why put the post-office off the route? Why not have it on + the route? Where would the fraud be if they traveled the sixty miles + except in having a postoffice where none was needed? They certainly would + make nothing from the Government by traveling the sixty miles. If they + traveled the sixty miles they would be paid for that sixty miles, but if + they wanted pay for the sixty miles without traveling that sixty miles, + they would not have put the post-office so far off the route. They would + have put it on the route, or very near to it, and pretended that it was + off the route. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, it is infinitely absurd to suppose that Stephen W. Dorsey would + have instructed that man to go out in that country and get up a false + post-office. How long would a fraud like that last and live? How long + could the money be drawn for that service in that country? They say no + human being lived there. Who was to be postmaster? Who was to make the + reports? How long, in your judgment, would it be before the department + would find out that there was no such post-office, no postmaster, and no + mail? No one could think of a more shallow device than that Stephen W. + Dorsey, a man who is blest with as much brain as any man it is my pleasure + to know, would never dream of such an idiotic device. And yet, that is the + testimony of Mr. Rerdell. + </p> + <p> + It may be that Mr. Rerdell when he got out there thought he could start a + town and make money in some other way. But it will not do to say that + Stephen W. Dorsey told him to get up a false and fraudulent post-office + when Mr. Dorsey must have known that the mail could not have been carried + to it but a few days before it would have become known that there was no + such office. They would have to appoint a postmaster and he would have to + live there in his loneliness a hermit of the plain, and would have to make + a report like that from Agate that gave such delight to Mr. Bliss to read. + There was not a letter sent to that place; not one, nor would there be. + Mr. Dorsey knew if there was a postmaster appointed he would have to + report, and in three months from that time he would have to report, first, + that there was no post-office; second, that there had never been any mail; + and third, that he did not expect any. You see it is utterly absurd to lay + such a charge at the door of Stephen W. Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + On page 3769 Dorsey swears that the statement is a falsehood—that he + never did any such thing. He also denies it on page 3924. + </p> + <p> + On page 2220 Rerdell swears that he gave Pennell a petition for a + post-office. On page 2156 Joseph Pennell swears that he never saw the + petition; and on page 2171 that he never signed it, and that none was + sent. + </p> + <p> + On page 2221 Rerdell swears that he was instructed by S. W. Dorsey to + build stations fifteen or sixteen miles apart, and use every third + station. On page 3769 S. W. Dorsey swears that no such instructions were + given. On page 4092 J. W. Dorsey swears that they started to build the + stations about thirty miles apart, and that after he saw General Miles and + was told by that officer that there would be, and must be a daily mail, + then he concluded to build stations between the stations that he had built + going over. + </p> + <p> + That is a sensible, straight story. When he went out they built the + stations some thirty-odd miles apart, and when he talked with General + Miles, General Miles told him that there must be a daily service, and then + he determined to build intermediate stations as he went back. What was + that testimony sworn to by Rerdell for? To make you believe, gentlemen, + that Stephen W. Dorsey when he sent Rerdell out knew that there was to be + expedition, and knew it because he was in conspiracy with the Second + Assistant Postmaster-General. The testimony of John W. Dorsey lets the + light in upon that story. The sun rises, and the mist goes. What is his + story? "I went there and built the stations about thirty miles apart, and + when I talked with General Miles he assured me that there must be + expedition and a daily mail, and then I built stations at the intermediate + points as we went back." That is the story. It is consistent with itself. + </p> + <p> + Is it not wonderful that the Government did not also prove by Pennell that + Rerdell gave him instructions to build the ranches, and told him that he + had been so instructed by S. W. Dorsey? + </p> + <p> + On page 2233 Rerdell swears that Miner told him that Vaile was close to + Brady. On page 4177, Miner swears that it is not true; that he never had + any such conversation. Why did they want a man close to Brady? As I + explained to you before, gentlemen, they had already, according to their + testimony, as they claim, proved that Miner had conspired with Brady, and + yet he was going around trying to find a man close to Brady. Being a + co-conspirator was not close enough. So Mr. Rerdell is corroborated there + again by Mr. Miner who swears that what Rerdell swears is a lie. + </p> + <p> + On page 2224 Rerdell swears that in November, 1878, Miner asked him to + write certain words in a line on petition 40104. On page 4178, Miner + swears that he never asked him to interline any petition. + </p> + <p> + On page 2225 Rerdell swears he had a conversation with Vaile and Miner on + the 20th of December, 1878, at the National Hotel, about his employment, + and that he had a great many conversations there. On page 4020, Vaile + swears that there never was any such conversation. On page 4021, Vaile + also swears that he has no recollection of such a conversation then or at + anytime. On page 4178, Miner swears that the talk was between Rerdell and + himself, and that Vaile was not there. + </p> + <p> + On page 2225 Rerdell swears that Vaile told him that the mail service they + had ought to reach six hundred thousand or seven hundred thousand dollars. + On page 4021, Vaile swears that he does not think he ever said any such + thing—does not think it was possible that he ever said any such + thing. On page 4179 Miner swears that Vaile never made any such statement + in his presence. + </p> + <p> + On page 2226 Rerdell swears that at the instance of Vaile and Miner he + went West, January 4, 1879, to put service on the Rawlins route. On 4022 + Vaile swears that Rerdell did not go West at his instance; that Miner gave + him, Rerdell, a subcontract for the entire pay, for the whole term, and + that Rerdell undertook it on his own behalf. On 4179 Miner swears that he + made the arrangements with Rerdell himself. + </p> + <p> + On page 2227 Rerdell says that Vaile and Miner both told him that the + service would be increased right away, and to make subcontracts with that + in view. On page 4180 Miner swears that he gave him no such directions, + and that Rerdell did all he did on his own responsibility, and that Vaile + did not give him any such authority. It is for you to say., gentlemen, + which of these men you will believe. + </p> + <p> + On page 2228 Rerdell swears that in March, 1879, had a conversation with + Vaile about an affidavit, and received instructions from Vaile or Miner. + On page 4024 Vaile swears that he recollects no such conversation and does + not think he ever had it. + </p> + <p> + On page 2228 Rerdell swears that Vaile said in the presence of Miner that + he could get Brady to accept an affidavit from a subcontractor. On page + 4024 Vaile swears that he is very sure that he did not say so, and that he + never asked Brady any such question. On page 4182 Miner swears that he + never made any such statement in Vaile's presence. + </p> + <p> + On page 2228 Rerdell swears that a day or two after Vaile says he had seen + Brady, and that Brady had agreed to accept an affidavit from a + subcontractor. On page 4024 Vaile denies this. + </p> + <p> + On the same page, 2228, Rerdell swears that he was instructed by Vaile and + Miner to write to Perkins and get him to send his affidavit. On page 4024 + Vaile swears, "Never!"—that he did not know Perkins was a + subcontractor. On page 4182 Miner swears that he has no recollection of + it, and that he never instructed Rerdell to send any form of affidavit to + Mr. Perkins. + </p> + <p> + On page 2230 Rerdell swears that Miner wrote a form of affidavit. On page + 4182 Miner swears that he has no recollection of it, and that he never + instructed Rerdell to send any form to Perkins. As a matter of fact the + Perkins affidavit is in the handwriting of Rerdell. Yet he tells you that + Miner wrote the form. It will not do. + </p> + <p> + On page 2231 Rerdell swears that he filled in blanks under the direction + of S. W. Dorsey—that is, of the Perkins affidavit—and filed it + under the direction of S. W. Dorsey. On page 3793 Dorsey swears that he + never knew there was such an affidavit, and that he never gave such + instructions; and more than that, that he never at any time or place gave + Rerdell authority to change any affidavit or any petition that was to be + filed. + </p> + <p> + On page 2233 Rerdell swears he was instructed to make the subcontract + without any reference to expedition; and that he, Dorsey, would guarantee + the payments if they were not filed. On page 3771 S. IV. Dorsey swears + that he gave him no such instructions. + </p> + <p> + On page 2234 Rerdell swears that affidavits of Peck and Dorsey were + acknowledged in blank. On page 4189 Miner swears that so far as he + remembers they were filled in before they were signed. + </p> + <p> + Again, it may be proper for me to say here: Why did not the Government + call J. S. Taylor, the notary of New Mexico, to prove that the affidavits + were in blank when they were sworn to by John M. Peck? Why did they not? + The law presumes that every officer has done his duty, and when we find at + the foot of an affidavit the certificate of a notary public the law + presumes that the paper above it was in the precise condition at the time + the certificate was placed there in which it is then. That is the + presumption of law, and there is only one way to overcome that + presumption. You must prove to the contrary. One of the easiest ways on + earth to do that is to bring the officer. They did not bring J. S. Taylor + here from New Mexico, the man before whom Peck acknowledged the affidavit + in this case. It would have been easy to have him come, and to have asked + him whether Peck did not swear to all these affidavits in blank. They did + not call him. They had him here once and that was enough. They did not + call him this time. They did not call Rufus Wainwright, of Middlebury, + Vermont. He is the officer before whom John W. Dorsey swore to these + affidavits. The gentlemen of the prosecution say the affidavits were in + blank, and yet they dare not put upon the stand the notary before whom + they were sworn to. It was not because they did not think of it. It was + not because they had not the money. The Government had money by the + million and agents by the thousand. You recollect how they tried to prove + the destruction of those dispatches in the Western Union office. You + recollect how they brought here the superintendent, how they brought here + agent after agent, how they brought here the man that went around and + collected the dispatches, and the man that drove the wagon, and the man + that owned the wagon, and the boys that received the dispatches on the + street, and the man in the cellar that received them after they got there, + and the man that bought them, and the book-keeper that made out the check + to pay for them. They brought the man that receipted for them at the + railroad, and they followed them from the railroad to Holyoke, + Massachusetts, and brought the superintendent of the factory and the books + of the railroad to show they had arrived. They followed those dispatches + from paper to pulp and yet it never occurred to them to send to Middlebury + and get Rufus Wainwright. They never thought to have J. S. Taylor + subpoenaed from New Mexico. They had all the conveniences of modern + civilization at their command and yet they never thought of getting + Wainwright or Taylor. + </p> + <p> + On page 3771 S. W. Dorsey swears that he never instructed Rerdell to get + any affidavits in blank. On pages 4126, and 4107, J. W. Dorsey swears that + he made none in blank; that he has no recollection of any such thing. On + page 2240, Rerdell swears that he had a conversation with S. W. Dorsey + about getting blank affidavits. On page 3771 S. W. Dorsey denies it. On + page 2241 Rerdell swears that S. W. Dorsey instructed him to make up the + affidavit on route 41119 and gave him the per cent, of the increase of + pay. What does he say there? From one hundred and fifty to two hundred per + cent. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. That was afterwards corrected. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I thank you for the suggestion. That happened on Friday. We + adjourned until the next Monday morning. He came in the next Monday + morning, and he said that he had made a mistake, and that it ought to be + from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty per cent. I + immediately went and got the affidavits on the Toquerville route, because + I said the percentage must be over two hundred per cent, in that affidavit + or he would not have changed. I found in the affidavit that it was two + hundred and fifty-five per cent., and I found that was why he changed. I + followed that out, and I found that was the same route upon which Mr. + Rerdell stole nearly five thousand dollars, according to the testimony of + S. W. Dorsey, and Rerdell did not deny it. So much for Toquerville and + Adairville. We will come to it again perhaps. + </p> + <p> + Let me give the pages where all these matters are found. On page 3772 + Dorsey denies the conversation about the affidavits, and also on page + 3773. Rerdell's, change of his evidence will be found on page 2277. + </p> + <p> + On page 2243 Rerdell swears that while he was in jail S. W. Dorsey had a + key to what he called his, Rerdell's, office. On page 3735 S. W. Dorsey + swears that he never had a key to Rerdell's office, and that he never was + in the office but twice, both times with Rerdell, and that he never took a + paper out of the office except what Rerdell gave him. It will also be + remembered that when Rerdell was asked in his examination-in-chief whether + anybody had a key to his office he replied that S. W. Dorsey had a key to + his office. He did not at that time state that his wife had a key. Why? + Because he wanted it understood that S. W. Dorsey was the only person that + had a key, and that S. W. Dorsey, while Rerdell was in jail, went to that + office and opened it and robbed it. On cross-examination I made him swear + that his wife had a key, and we afterwards found that his wife went there. + He knew she had a key. Still, in his cross-examination, when asked who had + a key, he said S. W. Dorsey. What was that for, gentlemen? + </p> + <p> + So that you would Infer that S. W. Dorsey was the only person who had a + key, and that he went there and robbed that office, as I said before. On + pages 2634 and 2635 Mrs. Cushman swears that she went to Rerdell's office + with Mrs. Rerdell. When? About six o'clock in the morning. And that they + found the office open? No. They found the office locked, but found papers + in a confused condition, and took away some papers. They were there about + fifteen minutes. Recollect this was the third morning that Rerdell was in + jail. Rerdell went to jail Monday evening. That made the visit of Mrs. + Cushman and Mrs. Rerdell on Thursday morning, and they went there at six + o'clock. Keep that in mind. Rerdell got out of jail on Friday. George A. + Calvert, the janitor, visited every room frequently. His testimony is on + page 2672. He swears he found the door of Rerdell's room unlocked. When? + The day before Rerdell got out of jail. What time of day? In the morning. + What morning was that? Thursday morning. When did Rerdell get out of jail? + Friday morning. When did Mrs. Rerdell and Mrs. Cushman visit the room? + Thursday morning. What time in the morning? Six o'clock. When did Calvert + find the room open? That same morning. The women swear that when they went + there the room was locked. Now the question arises, who opened it? The + women. That is all there is to that. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Rerdell, on page 2635, swears she got the key on the second day after + Rerdell's incarceration, in the evening. That would be Wednesday evening. + She used it the next morning, Thursday. + </p> + <p> + On page 2247 Rerdell swears that on the 20th of December, 1878, Vaile + promised him a good salary. On page 4021 Vaile swears that he has no + recollection of any such promise. That is what they call corroboration. On + page 2348 Rerdell swears that in May, 1879, S. W. Dorsey said, "You know + that John is a man of very little judgment. He does not know how to talk + to these contractors." On page 3773 S. W. Dorsey swears that there never + was any such conversation. + </p> + <p> + On page 2249 Rerdell swears, "As secretary and manager, I kept the books + for a short time." On page 3636 W. F. Kellogg swears that he, Kellogg had + entire charge of Dorsey's books from the summer of 1872 to the fall of + 1879, and that nobody else ever made a scratch of a pen in those books. On + page 2270 Rerdell swears that Dorsey and Bosler were having a settlement + in New York and sent for the books, and that he took the original books + over and left them there, and that he went over to New York in June, 1881, + and saw both books there and brought the journal over and left the ledger. + On page 3955 Dorsey swears that the first settlement he had with Bosler + was in December, 1879, or January, 1880. Rerdell swears that the time he + got the copy made of his journal by the Gibbses, was between Christmas, + 1879, and 1880. Dorsey swears there was not another settlement until + November, 1882. The first settlement being in 1879, and Rerdell swearing + that he took the books over for a settlement, shows that he did not have + them here in Washington to be copied at the time he says and at the time + other people swear that they copied them. + </p> + <p> + On page 3788 S. W. Dorsey swears that he never sent for any transcript, + and that he, Dorsey, referred to the route-book, and that Rerdell never + sent any such book or books as he claimed. On page 2271 Rerdell swears + that he gave copies of the journal to Dorsey in June, 1881. That was the + time that he made the affidavit. His language by any natural + interpretation means that lie handed those copies over to Dorsey at the + time he made the affidavit on the 20th of June, 1881. On page 3988 Dorsey + swears that he did not, and on page 3785 he again swears that he never had + them. On page 3784 he again swears that Rerdell never brought any book to + him except the route-book. On page 2271 Rerdell swears that Dorsey, on the + 13th of May, 1879, him to make up a statement of the routes showing the + profits, and that he thinks he gave it to Bosler. On page 3875 Dorsey + swears that he never made up any such statement by his direction, and that + he never gave Rerdell such an order. Why should he? According to Rerdell's + own statement, in which there is not a particle of truth, Dorsey, on the + 13th of May, 1879, that very day, had written a letter to Bosler, in which + he told him about the profits, about how much it had cost him, and about + how much it would cost him, and about how much the profits would be, and + how much he paid to Brady. After writing such a letter to Bosler, + containing all the facts, why would he want Rerdell to make up a statement + that was already in the letter itself? Nobody can answer. There is not + genius enough in this world to make the answer. + </p> + <p> + On page 2272 Rerdell swears that he saw 7 B, which is a petition, in 1879, + and that there were three words in his own handwriting that were not there + when he first saw it, the three words being "and faster time." He also + swears that he was instructed to put them in by S. W. Dorsey. I now say + that Mr. Rerdell never wrote those three words. On page 783 it appears + that 7 B was filed April 18, 1879. On page 3786 S. W. Dorsey swears that + Rerdell's statement is false. I will now turn to the testimony of George + Sears about the petition, 7 B, which Mr. Rerdell swears was altered by + interlineation or the addition of three words, "and faster time." The page + is 829. + </p> + <p> + Here comes a witness of the Government, apparently a good and honest man, + and he swears that the words "and faster time" were in that petition when + he signed it. I will take his word for it. I will take his guess as + against the other man's oath. + </p> + <p> + On page 2273 Rerdell swears that he altered 11 B and 12 B by instructions + of S. W. Dorsey. Now, gentlemen, Stephen W. Dorsey got such a momentum of + crime on him and got running at such a rate that he could not stop, and + whenever a petition came in he had it altered without reading it. It did + not make a bit of difference what the petition asked for. He just said to + his clerk, "Look and see if there is not any line you can add something + to. I want something put in it, and I want it put in now." Mr. Rerdell + says he did these things without any thought. He just made the changes as + he was told, without considering whether it was right or wrong. He told + you here on the stand that at one time he was requested to get a petition, + and he had a lot of names on hand, and so he just wrote a petition and + stuck the names to it. He could not even remember the route it was on. It + was a matter of so little importance that he did not charge his memory + with it. He was told to get a petition in the regular way, and instead of + doing that he said he took some names that he had and just wrote a + petition and stuck the names on, because that was easier; and it was a + matter of so little importance he really did not remember. He was like the + gentleman in Texas who was tried for murder, but did not remember the name + of the man he killed; he did not charge his mind with it. + </p> + <p> + Now for 11 B: + </p> + <p> + Hon. D. M. Key, Postmaster-General: + </p> + <p> + We, the undersigned, citizens of the State of Colorado, residing near and + getting our mail at Muddy Creek post-office, on route 38135, from Pueblo + to Greenhorn, respectfully represent—I never noticed before that the + "p" is interlined in the word "represent." I have no doubt that was done + by order of Dorsey—that it is necessary that the service on said + route should be increased from two trips per week to six trips per week, + and a faster schedule. This section of the country is being rapidly + settled by people of intelelgence, and we ask the increased service for + the benefit of us who have already made our homes here, and also as an + inducement to others to settle. We also request that the schedule time be + reduced so as to run from Pueblo to Greenhorn in eight hours, so that + citizens along the route may get their mail at a seasonable hour. + </p> + <p> + I have read the petition as it was in the first place. The Government + tells you that after that petition came here, and after it had been + submitted to Stephen W. Dorsey, he told his clerk to add in the first part + of the words "on quicker time;" and yet if he had read the last paragraph + he would have seen quicker time was there called for. Rerdell says Dorsey + told him to insert the words "on quicker time," and when I read this last + paragraph to him he was stuck. Then what did he say? When he got into that + little corner and was looking for a mouse-hole, he said he didn't read it + and didn't know it was there. Do you believe that a man like Stephen W. + Dorsey would deliberately have a petition changed, would deliberately + forge a petition, without knowing what was in it and without knowing + whether the necessity existed for changing it or not? That falsehood has + not even a fig-leaf to cover its absurdity. + </p> + <p> + Here is 12 B. It would not have taken long to have read that. Rerdell said + Dorsey had him put in the words "and a faster schedule." I will read the + last paragraph to that: + </p> + <p> + We also respectfully request and urge that the running time be reduced so + as to run from Pueblo to Greenhorn in eight hours, so that citizens along + the line may get their mails in a seasonable hour. + </p> + <p> + He says Stephen W. Dorsey, a man of sense, got that petition, read it all + over, and then told this fellow to put in "and a faster schedule" when + right in the next paragraph it asked for eight hours. A man who will swear + that way had rather tell a lie on ninety days' credit than tell the truth + for cash. Just look at it. That is what they call a corroboration. The + more you look at this testimony the more absurdities you find. Every truth + has an infinite number of signs. Every truth has to fit an infinite number + of things. Infinite wisdom could not manufacture a falsehood that would + stand the test of investigation. + </p> + <p> + On page 2272 Rerdell says, speaking of the three petitions, 7 B, 11 B, and + 12 B, "We," meaning S. W. Dorsey and himself, "had examined these + petitions together, and he," meaning S. W. Dorsey, "told me to put in the + clause for expedition." Now, 7 B was filed April 18. That is the day he + left for the West, and 12 B were filed on the 8th of May. If they had them + all at one time together, and if he and Dorsey had talked about them, why + were they not filed at the same time? Why was one filed April 18th and the + other two on the 8th of May? That testimony of Rerdell's will not do. + </p> + <p> + On page 2279 Rerdell says that he found among Dorsey's papers the tabular + statement, about the middle of April, 1879. the first column was the + number of the route; in the second the termini; in the third the pay; in + the fourth the anticipated pay by percentages, and in the fifth the + percentage to T. J. B., thirty-three and one-third, with the figures + carried out at the end of the column. He tells you that he had that + tabular statement when he first went to MacVeagh. That tabular statement + was in the handwriting of S. W. Dorsey. Yet the Attorney-General was not + satisfied. He wanted that backed up by a book not in the handwriting of S. + W. Dorsey. That will not do. Rerdell also tells you that at the time he + went to the Attorney-General he not only had that tabular statement, but + he had a letter-press copy of the original letter that Dorsey wrote to + Bosler on the 13th day of May, 1879. He had that letter, the original of + which was in Dorsey's handwriting, in which he admitted he had paid Brady + twenty thousand dollars. He had the tabular statement in Dorsey's own + handwriting in which he was to pay thirty-three and one-third per cent, to + Brady. Yet the Attorney-General did not think there was sufficient + evidence, and said, "You had better go to New York and steal a book that + Dorsey never wrote a word in." Oh, no; that will not do. + </p> + <p> + On page 2280 Rerdell swears that he lost that memorandum. I guess he did. + On page 3785 S. W. Dorsey swears that he never made any such memorandum. + On page 2280 Rerdell swears that he employed Gibbs and wife to make a true + and correct copy of the books in March, 1880; that he was directed by S. + W. Dorsey to send him a true transcript of the books in order to settle + with Bosler, and that Gibbs and wife copied the journal and ledger, and + that he sent the copy to New York. On page 3788 Dorsey swears that he + never heard of the employment of Gibbs and wife, and that he never + received any such books or transcripts. On page 2644 Gibbs swears that his + wife copied only the journal, not the ledger. Yet Rerdell swears that he + copied the journal and the ledger. On page 2644 Gibbs again swears that + Rerdell brought him one book. What color was it, red, brown, or black? + Rerdell says he took him two red books. Gibbs swears he got one brown book + or one black book. That is what they call corroboration. On page 2320 + Rerdell swears with regard to the paper 2 A, that the words, "schedule + thirteen hours" were written by Miner. If those words, "schedule thirteen + hours," were not written by Rerdell, then—they were written by + somebody else. [2 A handed to Mr. Ingersoll.] I guess this is the petition + that was fixed up. It looks as if it had been to a hospital. Rerdell says + Miner wrote the words "schedule thirteen hours." Just look at that word + "thirteen," gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + You have no idea how it affects your imagination and brain to be indicted + seven times. On page 2209 Boone swears with regard to this same paper and + the same words, that there is nothing in the handwriting to indicate that + it was written by Miner; that it is a back-hand; a changed handwriting. On + page 4186 Miner swears that it is absolutely not true; that the words + "schedule thirteen hours" are absolutely and positively not in his + handwriting, and further that he never filed the petition. Gentlemen, + evidence of handwriting is very unsatisfactory necessarily. Men do not + always write the same. The same man does not always write the same hand. + There is the difference of pen, the difference of ink, the difference of + paper, the difference of position, and the difference, too, of the man's + feelings. At one time he feels in splendid health and at another time he + may be tired and worn out. The paper may not be in the same position. The + slope of the desk may be different. Countless reasons change the + handwriting of a person, and when a man swears that certain handwriting is + or is not another's handwriting he must swear on the general appearance; + he must swear on the impression that it first makes upon him. + </p> + <p> + I know Mr. Smith and I know Mr. Jones, but it may be that I could not + describe the differences in the faces of the two men so that a stranger + could afterwards tell them. Yet I know them. It is the effect of all the + features upon me. I cannot say it is because of the ear of one, or his + nose, or his mouth. I know the combination. I remember the grouping of the + features and the form, and that is all I remember. If I am shown a paper + and asked, "Is that Mr. Smith's handwriting?" I say it is, or I say no. + Why? Because it looks like it or it does not look like it. I cannot + recognize it because an "e" is made in a certain way or because a "d" is + turned in a certain way, because the next day he may turn it the other + way. You have got to go upon the general impression. On page 2336 Rerdell + swears that the oath on route 38140, marked 5 E, was filled in by S. W. + Dorsey; that the word "twelve" was written by him, Rerdell, after it was + filed, and was written because Turner told him that the schedule must be + twelve hours; that Turner handed him the oath and he thereupon changed the + "fifteen" to "twelve." On page 3355 Turner swears that he has no knowledge + of any alteration in any affidavit. On page 3793 S. W. Dorsey swears that + he did not know there was any such affidavit; and he also frequently + swears that he never asked Rerdell to change any affidavit that had been + filed, and that he never gave any such orders. These gentlemen find one + affidavit about which we did not ask Mr. Dorsey particularly and they say, + "You have not contradicted that." When a man swears that he never gave an + order about any affidavit, that covers every affidavit. + </p> + <p> + On page 2337 Rerdell swears that the oath marked 20 F, on route 38145, was + filled in by him after it was signed, under the direction of S. W. Dorsey. + On page 3793 Dorsey denies giving any such directions. + </p> + <p> + On page 2338 Rerdell swears that blanks in the oath 22 F, the second oath, + were filled in by S. W. Dorsey, but will not say whether before or after + execution. On page 3771 Dorsey says he does not remember doing any such + thing; but certainly there is no evidence that Dorsey did this after the + affidavit had been made. + </p> + <p> + On page 2339 Rerdell swears that the words "ninety-six" in the petition 14 + H, were written by Miner. Boone, on page 2709, declines to say that Miner + wrote them. On page 4273 Miner swears that the words are not in his + handwriting, that he never wrote them. On page 2298 Rerdell swears that he + signed a check "S. W. Dorsey by M. C. Rerdell," and that he had that check + at home. It may be that is one of the checks for June drawn upon + Middleton's bank that we could not find. + </p> + <p> + On page 2340 Rerdell says that the oath marked 8 I, on route 44140, was + filled in by him in Washington after it was signed and sworn to, under the + direction of S. W. Dorsey. On page 3792 S. W. Dorsey denies that he gave + any such directions. + </p> + <p> + On page 2342 Rerdell swears that S. W. Dorsey signed the name of J. M. + Peck to the warrant 55 G. I have forgotten the day that the draft was + given, but I think it was the 2d day of August. It was paid on August 25, + 1880. All I have to say is that there was an abundance of time for that + draft to go to New Mexico and to be signed by John M. Peck; there was + thousands of time. It makes not the slightest difference who signed the + name of John M. Peck to that warrant. The question is, was that money + coming to John M. Peck? No. John M. Peck had sold out his interest. He was + not entitled to one dollar, and it made no difference who signed his name + to the check. Does it show that there was a conspiracy if Dorsey signed + his name after Peck had sold out his interest in the routes? Any draft + coming to him came to him simply as the trustee and the draft was for the + benefit of the person who bought him out. Suppose Mr. Dorsey had signed + his name. Would that prove that there was any conspiracy? It would simply + be in accordance with his right as the matter then stood. He was entitled + to that draft and Peck was not entitled to that draft. Why? Because he had + bought him out and paid him ten thousand dollars for his interest. That + was all. Yet they would claim if that draft happened to be indorsed by Mr. + Dorsey that it would be evidence of a conspiracy entered into in the fall + of 1879. + </p> + <p> + On pages 2348 and 2361 Rerdell says that figures were inserted in all + affidavits given him by S. W. Dorsey, except on route 41119, and that + Dorsey told him, Rerdell, to put them in the blanks. On page 3793 S. W. + Dorsey denies that. + </p> + <p> + On page 2223 Rerdell says that in August, 1878, he had a talk with Miner, + who said that they could do nothing while Boone was in the combination; + that Brady was hostile to Boone, and that Boone's place was to be taken by + Vaile; and that Miner asked his opinion about Vaile, and asked what + Rerdell thought about Dorsey's approving it, adding that Vaile was very + close to Brady. On page 4177 Miner swears that he has no recollection of + the conversation, and does not believe any such conversation ever + occurred. + </p> + <p> + Ah, but they say that when a paper was handed to Mr. Miner, an affidavit, + for instance, he could not give you the history of it; he could not tell + you where he was when he wrote it; he could not tell you where he was when + he filled it. I would not have believed his testimony if he could. He had + to take care of some ninety-six routes. Upon those routes there were + numberless papers, notices from the department, notices of fines and + deductions, of remissions, and everything of that kind. On each route + there were probably a hundred papers, and may be more—petitions, + affidavits, and papers of all descriptions. If a man should stand up here + five years afterwards and pretend that he knew the history of each paper, + I would know he had not the slightest regard for truth. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Miner said when he was shown a paper, "I don't remember ever having + seen that paper before; I don't remember when it was written." That was + the truth. If he had wished to stain his heart with perjury he could have + said, "Yes, I remember it. I know absolutely the time I wrote it. I know I + sent it to New Mexico. I know it was filled up before it was sworn to"; + but he was honest enough and he was brave enough to face the truth and + say, "I don't remember," and I respected him for it when he did it. + Whenever you hear the truth, as a rule the first thought is, "May be it + won't do." But if it is the truth, the longer you think about it the + better it seems, while if it is a lie, the longer you think about it the + worse it gets. It would have been, apparently, to Mr. Miner's interest to + say, "I remember it perfectly," but the man had honor enough to tell the + truth. And when you come to investigate his evidence it sounds much better + than though he had pretended to remember time and place. + </p> + <p> + I call your attention to page 2446; that is about the affidavit. + </p> + <p> + On page 2384 Rerdell speaks of the charges made to Samuel Jones and James + B. Belford for two thousand dollars. Then Mr. Bliss in his speech, which I + will come to after a while, says that Mr. Rerdell spoke about a charge to + J. B. B. He never did, never. He said James B. Belford. I started the J. + B. B. business. I was the first one who ever said it, and Mr. Rerdell + never swore J. B. B. Then they sent out to Denver to get a fellow who had + the same initials. I will come to this man after a while. + </p> + <p> + On pages 2429 and 2430 Rerdell swears that he had two balance-sheets of + the books, made by Donnelly; that he showed them to MacVeagh and Woodward. + How does it happen that Woodward was not sworn about it? Nothing would + have been of more importance, if they wished to prove the existence of the + two red books, than to prove by Woodward that Mr. Rerdell, in June, 1881, + showed him copies of those balance-sheets or the balance-sheets + themselves. They did not bring Mr. Woodward on the stand. Why? Mr. + Woodward, in my judgment, had he come upon the stand, would have sworn to + the truth. Rerdell says, "I do not know where they are." Then he paused. + Then I saw the working of his mind just as plainly as though his skull had + been opened. He got himself together and swore that he gave them to Dorsey + in July, 1882. He had to get them out of his hands some way. + </p> + <p> + On page 3736 S. W. Dorsey swears that he, Rerdell, did not give him any + balance sheets. + </p> + <p> + On page 2434 Rerdell swears as to the papers he gave to Dorsey—the + original journal, and copy of the Oregon correspondence made by Miss + Nettie L. White. Miss White was not called. He gave these, he says, to + Dorsey, July 13, 1882. On page 2793 Dorsey swears that he did not give + them to him, nor did he give a paper of any kind. + </p> + <p> + On page 2461 Rerdell is asked if he did not admit to Judge + </p> + <p> + Carpenter, in January, 1882, that he had a memorandum written by himself, + which he showed to James and MacVeagh, and that he made it so much like + Dorsey's handwriting that he did not think anybody could tell it. What was + his answer? "I may have done so." Honest man! + </p> + <p> + On page 2462, in answer to the question, "Did you not tell Carpenter that + you brought no book from New York?" the honest man answered: + </p> + <p> + Very likely I said I brought no book over from New York. + </p> + <p> + On the same page, in answer to the question, "Did you not tell French that + you were trying to entrap James?" he admits that it is likely he was. + </p> + <p> + On page 2463 he admits that he may have told French that he had learned to + imitate the handwriting of Dorsey so well that Dorsey himself could not + tell the imitation; and that he wrote that memorandum in pencil because he + could the more easily deceive. Honest man! + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss holds S. W. Dorsey up to scorn because he endeavored to turn two + men out of the Cabinet on the testimony of Rerdell; and yet he is trying + to put four men in the penitentiary on the same oath. Do you not think + that it is better to get a man out of the Cabinet than to put another into + the penitentiary? And do you not think it is better that a man be put out + of office than that he be put into the penitentiary, his family destroyed, + and his home left to ruin, upon the oath of a man who swears that the oath + was a lie? Dorsey was an awfully wicked man to try to get Mr. MacVeagh out + of office on Rerdell's testimony. But now they turn around and want to put + Mr. Vaile and Mr. Miner into the penitentiary on the same testimony. The + other testimony was the best, because we did not promise him immunity. I + will come to it after a while. + </p> + <p> + On page 2465 Rerdell swears that he did not have any pencil memorandum + that he showed to MacVeagh, claiming that it was in the handwriting of + Dorsey, and was asked, "Did you not tell Bosler that you had?" What does + he say? "Possibly I did." "Did you not tell Bosler that you wrote it?" + "Possibly I did." + </p> + <p> + S. W. Dorsey swears on page 3810 that Rerdell told Bosler that it was in + the waste-basket, and Bosler took the pieces out and put them together. + Rerdell says he had written it, and in pencil, so that it would look more + like Dorsey's handwriting. Why did you not ask Bosler about it, gentlemen, + when you had him on the stand to prove your letter? Even Mr. Bliss, in his + speech, asked, "Why didn't they call Bosler?" Why didn't you have the + fairness to tell all the circumstances? I will tell them all when I get to + that part of it. Why did you not tell them that you had looked all through + Mr. Bosler's books? + </p> + <p> + On page 2466 Rerdell swears that he did not get that memorandum out of the + waste-basket, but got a note from Mac-Veagh, and that Dorsey was present. + </p> + <p> + On page 3810 Dorsey swears that it was a pencil memorandum imitating his + (Dorsey's) hand closely. + </p> + <p> + On page 2466 Rerdell admits that he very likely told Bosler in June, 1881, + that he had no book on the train and brought none from New York. In answer + to my question, he says, "Possibly I did," or "Probably I did," tell + Bosler. I cannot bring other witnesses to contradict him when he admits + that he did. That is enough for me. + </p> + <p> + On page 2467 he admits that he very likely told Judge Wilson about the + affidavit; that if he told him anything, he told him that no such book + existed, and that there was no necessity for any book except an expense + book. + </p> + <p> + On page 2469 Rerdell swears that he had a copy of the day-book and ledger + in June, 1881, in Dorsey's office; that Dorsey took them that day, and + that they had been there ever since they were made, to be carried to + Congress. Then he began to gather his ideas, and he says: + </p> + <p> + Hold on. I am mistaken. These books were all sent over to New York before + that, in the summer of 1880, when I carried the originals over for the + last settlement I was present at, between Dorsey and Bosler. + </p> + <p> + There was no settlement in 1880, the time he speaks of. Mr. Merrick then + says: + </p> + <p> + Q. There were two sets of those copies? + </p> + <p> + That would be four copies and two originals. + </p> + <p> + A. No, sir. + </p> + <p> + On page 3955, S. W. Dorsey swears that he had the first settlement with + Bosler in December, 1879, or January, 1880, and had no subsequent + adjustment until November or December, 1882; no settlement between those + dates. Yet Rerdell says that he took those books over in the summer of + 1880 for a settlement, when there was no settlement, and at the same time + carried the originals. A moment before he had sworn that the originals + were there in the office in June, 1881. + </p> + <p> + On page 2470 Rerdell swears that he did not give the books to Dorsey in + 1881. + </p> + <p> + On page 2447 he swears that he did not have the balance-sheet in New York; + that he had it in the office in June, 1881. + </p> + <p> + On page 2479, Rerdell, in speaking of the pencil memorandum, was cornered, + caught. He said, "I have kept it as a voucher." Then finally he admits + that it was not his property, but was the property of Dorsey; and the last + admission he made upon that subject was, "I stole it." He says that while + he was in jail somebody got into the office and destroyed his papers. And + yet, on page 2480, he tells that the first time it ever occurred to him to + use that pencil memorandum was after the first trial was over. Can you + believe that? He was trying to steal it on the 13th of July, 1882; was + trying to go over to the Government on the 5th day of July, 1882, and did + not think that he had that pencil memorandum! Writing a letter on that day + to Dorsey; giving him notice that he was going to desert him; saying in + that very letter that he had been persuaded by Bosler to make the first + affidavit; saying that he was making preparations to go to the Government, + was going to set himself right, and yet did not remember the pencil + memorandum! Why? Because he manufactured it afterwards. He says that + within a day or two after he was out of jail he found this paper a second + time. He found it before, and laid it carefully away as a voucher. Then he + lost sight of it. Then he was trying to sell it to the Government, and he + forgot it; trying to blackmail Bosler and Dorsey, and forgot it. When he + got out of jail he found it. That will not do. How does he say it got to + his house? His wife carried it from the office while he was in jail. And + yet he would have us believe that Dorsey broke into that office and stole + all the papers. And yet he says that was in the office, and Dorsey did not + take it. It will not do. He manufactured that paper after that time. + </p> + <p> + On page 2481 Rerdell swears that he did not know that he had that paper at + that time, at the time he says his wife got the papers. I say he did not; + I say he made it afterwards. + </p> + <p> + On page 2490 Rerdell swears that he had those red books in the office at + 1121 I street; that he never made any effort to conceal them. And yet + Kellogg never saw one of those books; never saw Rerdell working upon them, + and never saw them in the office. + </p> + <p> + On page 2491 Rerdell swears that he thinks Kellogg did some work on those + red books; that Kellogg helped him (Rerdell) make the first entries. On + page 3636 Kellogg swears not only that he did not help him to make those + entries, but positively swears that he never even saw any such books. + </p> + <p> + On page 3635 Kellogg swears positively that Rerdell did not keep any + books, but a private expense-book and a route-book; and that he (Kellogg) + never saw any other books; that he never saw a ledger or journal in red + leather, kept by Rerdell. He swears that he himself kept the three books + (the journal, ledger, and cash-book,) and that Rerdell never made an entry + in them. + </p> + <p> + On page 2512 Rerdell swears that he never imitated Dorsey's handwriting, + or tried to, in Kellogg's presence. On page 3636 Kellogg swears that he + saw him do it. + </p> + <p> + On the same page (2512) Rerdell swears that he never signed Dorsey's name + to show Kellogg that he could imitate it. On page 3636 Kellogg swears that + he did do it. + </p> + <p> + I have just given you a few, gentlemen, of the corroborations of this man + Rerdell. Recollect that you cannot believe him unless he is corroborated. + If you believe him at all you have got to believe all, unless you believe + he is mistaken. Where a man comes on the stand as an informer—and I + do not call him an informer—even in that capacity he has to be taken + altogether or not at all. + </p> + <p> + Now, with all these contradictions upon his head, I will now come to the + affidavit of July 13, 1882. You will remember that I read you the letter + of July 5, in which he says that Bosler got him to make the affidavit of + 1881. At page 2374 Rerdell gives an account of this affidavit. Dorsey got + him in Willard's Hotel, locked the door, and had him. Now, he said to him, + "Mr. Rerdell, I will tell you what I am going to do with you: I am going + to have you prosecuted for perjury." Let us imagine that conversation. + Rerdell replies, "What are you going to have me prosecuted for?" "For + making the affidavit of June, 1881." "Why," says Rerdell, "in that + affidavit I swore you were innocent." Says Dorsey, "Don't you know you + swore to a lie? Do you think I would stand a lie of that kind, sir? Do you + think I will allow any man willfully, maliciously, and with malice + aforethought, to swear that I am an innocent man? I will have you arrested + to-night, sir." "Well," says Rerdell, "my good God, ain't there any way I + can get out of this?" "Yes; make another affidavit just like it. Now, sir, + you have perjured yourself and I will arrest you for perjury unless you do + it again." "Well," says Rerdell, "when I get that done you will have two + cases against me." "I can't help it," Dorsey says. "Is that the way you + treat a friend? I swore to that lie from pure friendship. Don't you + remember you took me by both hands and begged me, for God's sake, and for + your wife's sake and your children's sake, to make that affidavit? And now + are you going to be such a perfect devil as to have me arrested for + perjury for making that same affidavit?" Dorsey says, "Yes, sir; that is + the kind of man I am." "Well, but," says Rerdell, "don't you know the + trial is going on now? They are trying to prove, now, that you are guilty, + and in that affidavit of mine I swore you are innocent, and how are you + going to prove a man guilty when you swear that he is innocent?" Dorsey + says, "That is my business, not yours. I am going to have you arrested." + "But," says Rerdell, "you had better hold on, I tell you." "Why?" "I have + got the red book that I got in New York." Dorsey says, "I don't care." + Rerdell says, "I have got the pencil memorandum that you made for me to + open the books upon, and charge William Smith with eighteen thousand + dollars. And you wrote John Smith first, and I changed it to Sam Jones, + don't you recollect, as otherwise there would be two Smiths? And there is + the account against J. H. Mitchell, and J. W. D., and cash, and profit and + loss." Dorsey says, "I don't care about that. I am not going to allow a + man to commit perjury. I am going to have you arrested." Rerdell says, + "You had better not have me arrested." Dorsey says, "Why? What else have + you got?" "I have got a copy of the letter that you wrote to Bosler on the + 13th of May, 1879, which you say that you paid twenty thousand dollars to + Thomas J. Brady. That copy was made by Miss Nettie L. White." "Do you + believe I care anything about that? You have perjured yourself, and it is + no difference to me whether it was in my favor or not. Justice must be + done, and I am going to have you arrested." Rerdell says, "You had better + not. I have got a tabular statement in your handwriting, Dorsey, where you + had a column for the amount due and the amount received, and another + column for thirty-three and one-third per cent, given to Brady, and then + at the top, in your handwriting, 'T. J. B., thirty-three and one-third.'" + Dorsey says, "I don't care what you have got." Rerdell says, "That ain't + all I have got, Dorsey. I tore out of your copy-book a copy of the letter + I wrote to Bosler on the 21st or 22d of May, 1880, in which I told him + that I had gone to Brady, and that Brady said you were a damn fool for + keeping a set of books, and suggested to me to have some copies made, and + I had the copies made, and I can prove the copies by Gibbs if he does not + try not to remember that he made them. Now, go on with your rat-killing; + go on with your perjury suit." Dorsey had him already locked up there, + don't you see? But Dorsey was bent on having that man arrested for perjury + because he had sworn that he (Dorsey) was innocent. Dorsey was implacable. + </p> + <p> + What else did he do? He put his hand in his pocket and said, "Do you see + those letters to that woman?" Then, sir, when he saw the handwriting he + was like that other gentlemen that saw the handwriting on the wall, and he + began to get weak in the knees, and says, "Dorsey, I hope you are not + going to have me arrested for perjury. I am willing to do it again right + now, on the same subject." + </p> + <p> + Now, it turns out that at that time Dorsey did not have those letters. + Dorsey swears that he never got those letters until after Rerdell was put + upon the stand. And after he swore that, the Government had the woman to + whom the letters were written subpoenaed. Why did they not place her on + the stand? That is for you to answer, gentlemen. That is the affidavit of + July 13. Recollect, there was a trial going on at that time in which + Dorsey was insisting that he was innocent, and although Rerdell had sworn + that he was, he was going to have him arrested right off. + </p> + <p> + What else did he have against Dorsey at that time? Now, says Rerdell, + "Dorsey, don't you have me arrested for perjury. I have got a memorandum + of that mining stock that was to be given to McGrew and Tyner and Turner + and Lilley for corrupt purposes." + </p> + <p> + What else did he have? After he had agreed to make the affidavit, Dorsey + wrote out what he wanted him to swear to, in pencil, and gave it to him. + And when he got his liberty, when he walked out of that room a free + citizen, he had all the papers I have spoken of not only, but he had in + his possession a draft, in Dorsey's handwriting, of the affidavit Dorsey + wanted him to make. He made the first affidavit from friendship; the + second from fright. You know he never took a dollar for an affidavit. He + was not that kind of a man. You might get around him by talking friendship + or you might scare him, but you could not bribe him; he wasn't that kind + of a man. Armed with all these papers he was frightened; so he made the + affidavit of July 13— + </p> + <p> + Now, let us see. He admits that—I will not say every word, but the + principal things in the affidavit of June, 1881, are false. He swore to + them knowing them to be false. But he tried to get out by saying he did + not write them all. Writing is not the crime. The crime is swearing that + they are true when they are not true. It does not make any difference who + wrote it. For instance, you swear to an affidavit, and you afterwards say, + "I did not write it." "Did you know the contents?" "Yes." "Did you swear + to it?" "Yes." What difference does it make who wrote it? And yet he + endeavors to get behind that breastwork and say, "I did not write all that + affidavit; I only wrote part of it. What I wrote was true, but what I + swore to was not." That will not do. + </p> + <p> + So the affidavit of July, 1882, he now swears was a lie. But he gives a + reason for writing that, that you know is utterly, perfectly, completely + false. You know that Dorsey never threatened to have him arrested for + perjury because he had sworn in favor of Dorsey. You know it, and all the + eloquence and all the genius of the world could not convince you that at + that time Rerdell was afraid that Dorsey would have him arrested for + perjury. No, sir. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us take the next step. Mr. Rerdell testified, on page 2275, that + this letter (32 X) was received by him in due course of mail in 1878. Upon + being asked whether he did not know that S. W. Dorsey was here in + Washington at that time, he replied that he knew he was not. I will read + it to you, gentlemen: + </p> + <p> + Chico Springs, P. O. + </p> + <p> + Mountain Spring Ranch, Colfax County, New Mexico, + </p> + <p> + "April 3, 1878. + </p> + <p> + "M. C. Rerdell, 1121 I Street: + </p> + <p> + "Dear Rerdell: I wish you would get fullest information in regard to all + the new post-office lettings and keep posted as to the schemes going on in + the department. There are certain routes we want advertised and others we + do not. I shall be in Washington as soon as the 12th unless something + unexpectedly happens, + </p> + <p> + "Faithfully, + </p> + <p> + "DORSEY." + </p> + <p> + Q. What Dorsey was that?—A. That is S. W. Dorsey's handwriting. + </p> + <p> + Q. And signature?—A. Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + There is where he first speaks of it. At the time that letter was + introduced, or in a little time, gentlemen, they also introduced the + envelope. I do not know that I should have suspected the letter if they + had not introduced the envelope. Whenever there is an effort to make a + thing too certain I always suspect it. When that Morey letter was gotten + up, what made me suspect it was that they had the envelope, and I said to + myself, "Why did they want the envelope if it was clearly in the + handwriting of Garfield? What difference did it make whether it was sent + to Morey or to somebody else? What difference did it make when it came + from Washington?" The only question was, "Did Garfield write it?" And upon + that subject the envelope threw no light. When a man feels weak and thinks + that other people will know what he does not want them to know, then it is + that he wants to barricade and strengthen before the attack. So they got + up this envelope, and when I looked at that it did not look to me as if + that stamp had been through the mail. I noticed the handwriting of "Chico + Springs, N. M.," and then I noticed the 3 or the B on the postage stamp, + and then I knew that the man who wrote "Chico Springs" never made the + letter or figure on that stamp. It is utterly impossible for the man who + wrote that "Chico Springs" to make that mark on the stamp. This stamp + looked awfully clean, and I said, "Well, I wouldn't wonder if that was an + envelope used here in the city which has been got through the mail in some + way." They had it stamped on the back and I said, "Perhaps that was + written in 1879." No. You see, if it was not written in 1879 it did not do + any harm, because in 1879 Dorsey was not a member of the Senate. Having + gone out on the 4th of March, 1879, that letter was dated in April, 1879, + why then there was no harm in his writing to Mr. Rerdell and telling him + to look after the mail business. But if it was written on the 3d of April, + 1878, it went far to show that Dorsey was personally interested at that + time in mail routes. You will notice the printed date, April 3, 1878. They + introduced that letter. I noticed that that envelope was a funny looking + thing, and that the writing on it did not correspond with the mark on the + stamp. I noticed also that upon the back they had the stamp. I do not know + how they got it. When the Post-Office Department has possession of a paper + they can put almost anything on it. + </p> + <p> + When I said to Mr. Rerdell on cross-examination, not knowing anything + about the letter, "Was that not written in 1879?" he said, '"No, sir." + Said I, "Don't you know, as a matter of fact, that Dorsey was not here on + the 3d of April, 1879?" He said, "As a matter of fact I know that he was + here on the 3d of April, 1879." "Don't you know, as a matter of fact, that + he was here on the 3d of April, 1878?" He says, "I know as a matter of + fact that he was not here on the 3d of April, 1878; he was at Chico + Springs." He knew as a matter of fact that he was here in 1879, and he + swore that so as to preclude the possibility of his having written the + letter in 1879. And he swore to the positive fact that he was not here on + the 3d of April, 1878, so as to show that he wrote him that letter from + Chico Springs. They wanted some letter from Dorsey in 1878, to show that + he was personally interested in these routes while in the Senate. They + submitted that letter to Mr. Boone, who was their witness. He looks at it + and he tells you that Dorsey did not write that letter. A clear forgery. + Whom else do they bring now? They leave it right there, and by that admit + that Rerdell forged that letter. Mr. Boone, their witness, swears it. + Nobody swears to the contrary except Rerdell. Boone threw the letter from + him contemptuously, and said, "That is not Dorsey's handwriting," and they + dare not bring another witness. The country is filled with experts, + gentlemen, who know about handwriting; the United States had plenty of men + and plenty of money, and they never brought a solitary man. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, do you want to know how this fellow got caught? I will + tell you. There is the letter, and they dare not put a man on the stand to + swear that it is in Dorsey's handwriting. Look it all over. But I want to + tell you how Rerdell got caught about Dorsey being present on the 3d of + April, 1878, and I might as well tell you how I found it out. I do not + want to pretend to be any more ingenious than I am. I found it out because + I made the same mistake myself. I stumbled on that same root. I hit my toe + of heedlessness on the same obstruction. I went up to look at the Senate + journal. I opened a book to see whether Dorsey was here on the 3d of + April, 1878. You see at the bottom there of the title page, Mr. Foreman—Washington: + Government Printing Office. 1877. + </p> + <p> + You know I was not looking for the book of 1877, so I shut that book up. I + then took the next book and opened it, and it said at just the same place: + </p> + <p> + Washington: Government Printing Office. 1878. + </p> + <p> + I thought it was the book. So I looked over here, and I found that there + was no session of the Senate in April, and I said to myself, "Is that + possible that there was no session in April, 1878? Why, there must have + been." But the book said "no." I looked back here, and it still said 1878. + Then I happened to look back to this book that said 1877, and it said that + the session commenced December 3d, 1877, and consequently April 3d, would + be found in the book marked 1877 on the title page. So I turned right over + here and looked up at the top and saw the date, April 3d, 1878. He was + looking for the 1878 book, and that included April, 1879, and when he got + to April, 1879, there was no session of the Senate. So he came right in + here and swore that Dorsey was not here in 1878, but that he was here in + April, 1879. I looked in that book and found that Mr. Dorsey, on the 3d of + April, 1878, was appointed by the Vice-President on a committee of + conferees, on the part of the Senate, together with Senators Windoin and + Beck, and I saw exactly how Mr. Rerdell made his mistake. He opened the + book, and at the bottom-of the title page it said 1877. That was not what + he was looking for. He was looking for 1878. And the book that said 1878 + showed that in April the Senate was not in session. The book that said + 1877 showed that in April the Senate was in session on April 3d, 1878. + That man thought he was backed by the records of the Senate, and thereupon + he manufactured that letter. And that is the letter sworn by Boone not to + be in the handwriting of S. W. Dorsey. Now, gentlemen, there is nothing in + this world that a man would be prevented from doing, for its baseness, who + would do that. + </p> + <p> + There is more evidence than this. I asked Mr. Rerdell, "When you got that + letter did you understand it?" He said, "No." "Did you do anything on + account of it?" "No." "Did you know what it meant?" "No." And yet he has + the temerity to swear that he received that on the 3d of April, 1878. + </p> + <p> + How did he come to spell the name Reddell? I will tell you. On page 2275 + he had a letter to go by. That is the very page on which the Government + puts in that letter. This letter is a letter of introduction. When Rerdell + manufactured that letter he had this letter of introduction to go by: + </p> + <p> + Hon. J. L. Routt, Denver: + </p> + <p> + My Dear Governor: I wish to introduce my friend, Mr. M. C. Reddell. + </p> + <p> + It was written Reddell in that letter, and when this man wanted to + manufacture one he had one in his possession that Dorsey wrote about that + time (April 14, 1879), and he noticed that in that he spelled the name + Reddell. So when he wanted to get up a fraud he spelled the name Reddell. + That is the way. There is no pretence that Dorsey wrote that letter, and + they dare not bring an expert or another man on earth acquainted with the + handwriting of Dorsey and submit it to him and expect him to say that that + is the handwriting of S. W. Dorsey. So much for that. + </p> + <p> + Now, it is claimed that while Torrey was writing up Dorsey's books, having + in his possession the check stubs, he was uncertain as to whether a charge + was twenty-five dollars or twenty-five cents, and he thereupon sent to + Rerdell to ascertain the true state of the account, so that he might open + his books. Thereupon Rerdell made the calculation in the evidence marked + (94 X,) and Donnelly wrote under it that it was right. Donnelly made that + little certificate at the bottom. Here is the important paper [submitting + 94 X to the jury], another piece manufactured out of whole cloth, not + whole paper. Now, I ask a few questions about this. In the first place, + they knew that unless this was corroborated it was good for nothing, and + we find on it: + </p> + <p> + Lewis Johnson & Co., note due 28th October, three thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + Was that note at Lewis Johnson & Co.'s? Why did they not bring some of + the officers of that bank, if there was such a note for three thousand + dollars there? But no one was brought. And yet they knew that everything + coming from Rerdell must be corroborated. + </p> + <p> + If Rerdell had come to Donnelly to find what the account was, how did it + happen to be in Rerdell's handwriting before it got to Donnelly? Donnelly + wrote this certificate at the bottom. Rerdell had written all the facts + before. If he went to Donnelly to get the facts, how did Rerdell happen to + write this before it got to Donnelly? It is like me wanting to get some + information from a man, and writing the information before going to him. + </p> + <p> + Now, if Donnelly wrote that after Rerdell had written, where did Rerdell + get the information? If Donnelly had the books, Donnelly should have given + the information. If Rerdell had the books, why did he want to go to + Donnelly for information? And if Donnelly had the books, how did Rerdell + write the information before he went to Donnelly? Then if he wanted that + information for Torrey, why did he not send it to him? How does it happen + that Rerdell wrote out the information for Donnelly, then got Donnelly to + certify it, because Torrey had asked it? And then how does it happen that + Rerdell kept it? It seems to me that that ought to have been sent to + Torrey. Torrey wrote to Rerdell for information; Rerdell wrote it all + down, and then got Mr. Donnelly to say it was so. If Donnelly had the + books, Donnelly should have given the information. If Rerdell had the + books, he did not have to go to Donnelly for information. That is another + manufactured paper. As I say, how does it happen to be in the possession + of Rerdell? They claim that it was for Torrey's benefit. I believe when + Torrey was on the stand they asked him if there was not some dispute about + thirty-five cents. Now they bring that here to show that there was a + dispute about twenty-five cents. Was there any reason for supposing that + it was twenty-five cents? No, except that it was in the dollar column, + that is all. Of what use was Donnelly's statement after Rerdell had made + the calculation? Nobody on earth can tell why that was given. Why did they + not bring some of the books or clerks from Lewis Johnson & Co.'s Bank + to show that there was a note there in October for three thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + There is another little matter, a conversation between Rerdell and Brady. + Rerdell said he had a conversation with Brady in which he told him about + the Congressional committee; that he was summoned to bring his books. + Brady was astonished that Dorsey would be "Damn fool enough to keep + books," and suggested to have them copied. If this is true, Brady at that + time made a confident of Rerdell. If it is true, Brady at that time + admitted to Rerdell that he (Brady) was a conspirator; that he had + conspired with Dorsey. And yet Brady says that he never had but three or + four conversations, I believe, with this man, and Rerdell himself admits + that he never had but four or five, and when he is pinned down on + cross-examination he accounts for enough of these interviews, without any + interviews on the subject of the books, to exceed all that he ever had. Do + you believe that he ever had any such conversation? Do you believe that + Brady would make a confident of him? Do you believe that Brady would + substantially admit in his presence that he had been bribed by Dorsey? I + do not. + </p> + <p> + Now, in order that you may know what this man is, I want you to have an + idea of his character. So we will come to the next point. Mr. Rerdell + admits that he sat with the defendants during the early part of this + trial; that he was willing to make a bargain with the Government; that he + proposed to the Government that he would sit with his co-defendants, and + would challenge from the jury the friends of the defendants. Did any man + wearing the human form ever propose a more corrupt and infamous bargain? + That proposition ought to have been written on the tanned hide of a + Tewksbury pauper. He went to the Government and deliberately said, + "Gentlemen, I am willing to make a bargain with you. I am willing to sit + with my co-defendants, pretending to be their friend, and while so + pretending I will challenge their friends from the jury. I will so arrange + it that their enemies may be upon the panel." "And why do you say that, + Mr. Rerdell?" "In order to show my good faith towards the Government." He + made the first affidavit for friendship, the second for fear, and he made + this proposition to show his good faith. There never was a meaner + proposition made by a human being, under the circumstances, than that. He + proposed to do it. Mr. Blackmar says that the proposition was rejected; + but that does not affect Mr. Rerdell. He was willing to carry it out. + </p> + <p> + What more does he swear? He swears that he tried to carry it out. In other + words, that although it had been rejected, that made no difference to him. + Mr. Blackmar says they would not do it. Rerdell swears that he tried to: + went right along and did his level best; and if the Court had allowed him + four challenges he would have challenged four friends of the defendants + from the jury. + </p> + <p> + What more does he admit? That when the Court decided that all of us + together only had four, he endeavored to challenge one. Why? Because he + believed he was a friend of the defendants; because he believed he would + be against the prosecution; and he wanted to get the friends of the + defendants away. Why? To the end that the defendants might be tried by an + enemy. That is what he was trying to accomplish. + </p> + <p> + Let us take another step. That proposition reveals the entire man; that + takes his hide off; that takes his flesh all off; that leaves his heart + bare, naked; you can see what he is made of, and it shows the workings of + his spirit, the motions of his mind; and you see in there a den of vipers; + you see entangled, knotted adders. And yet that man is put upon the stand + stamped by the seal of the Department of Justice, and that department says + to twelve men, "Here is a gentleman that you can believe; that gentleman + proposes to sell out his co-defendants to us, but we would not buy; he is + an honorable kind of gentleman, but we would not buy." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. It should be interpolated there—if you will pardon me a + moment—that the Government refused to accept Rerdell until he + himself had pleaded guilty. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I understand that. I say now, Mr. Merrick, that I would not + for anything in the world, on a subject of that kind, go the millionth + part of an inch beyond the testimony. Although you and I have not been + very cordial friends during this trial, and neither have I and Mr. Bliss, + yet if I know myself I would not for anything in this world put a stain + upon your reputation, or upon the reputation of either of you, by + misstating a word of this testimony. I would not do it. I am incapable of + it. I admit that the evidence is that the proposition was rejected, but I + also insist that the Government knew the proposition had been made, + otherwise it could not have been rejected. And so I say that after this + man had made that proposition, infamous enough to put a blush upon the + cheek of total depravity, the Government put that witness upon the stand, + sealed with the seal of the Department of Justice. + </p> + <p> + Now, we will go another step. He sat with us from day to day, gentlemen, + as you know, went in and out with us, as one of the co-defendants. In the + meantime—and there is a laughable side even to this infamy—he + borrowed money from Vaile. He went to him as a co-defendant, as a friend, + and said, "I want a hundred and forty dollars; I want to buy bread and + meat to give me strength to swear you into the penitentiary." And Vaile + gave him the money. Would you believe a man like that? You cannot think of + a man low enough, you cannot think of a defendant vile enough to be + convicted on such testimony. + </p> + <p> + Now, we will go another step. He wanted to make that bargain with Mr. + Blackmar. Mr. Blackmar swears that he told Mr. Merrick of it, and that Mr. + Merrick rejected it; would have nothing to do with it. + </p> + <p> + At that time Mr. Woodward had two affidavits of Rerdell in his possession—an + affidavit of Rerdell, made in September, supplemented by another + affidavit, I believe, of November, that he made in the city of Hartford, + covering seventy pages. When Mr. Woodward saw Mr. Rerdell sitting with the + defendants, pretending to go with them, he (Woodward) had those two + affidavits of Rerdell in his pocket. Did the prosecution know that Rerdell + had made the two affidavits? I do not say they did, gentlemen. I only go + right to the line of the evidence; there I stop. + </p> + <p> + Another thing: Mr. Blackmar swears that they had a signal to look at the + clock, and that night Rerdell would meet him at six or seven o'clock, I + have forgotten the hour; but Mr. Blackmar could not sit in his room all + the time waiting for him, and so he gave him a certain signal, so that he + would know he was to wait that night. Then what happened? Then Mr. Rerdell + came to Mr. Blackmar and gave to him written reports. Of what? I do not + know. He sat with the defendants; he gave to Mr. Blackmar written reports. + What were they? I do not know. What did Mr. Blackmar do with them? He + handed them to Colonel Bliss. What did he do with them? I do not know. Did + he read them? I do not know. Did he know that they were in the handwriting + of Mr. Rerdell? I do not know. That is for you. + </p> + <p> + Still another point: + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss, after this jury had been impaneled, stood before them while + Rerdell was sitting with us as a defendant, and said: + </p> + <p> + The ranks of the defendants are closed up, and he—Rerdell—stands + before you now as one of the defendants, whose testimony—Meaning the + confessions made to MacVeagh and to Postmaster-General James—will be + accepted by the Court and by you, &c. + </p> + <p> + The question arises, Did Mr. Bliss know at that time that Mr. Woodward had + in his pockets two affidavits made by Rerdell, one made in September and + the other in November? Did he know at that time that Rerdell had given his + papers over to Mr. Woodward? Did he know at that time that he had offered + to challenge the friends of the defendants from the panel? And so knowing, + did he give us to understand that Rerdell had passed from the influence of + the Government and was now acting as one of the co-defendants? Is it + possible that Mr. Bliss would furnish Rerdell with a mask behind which he + could gather information from the defendants and sell it to the Government + for immunity? Is it possible? Those were the circumstances. I do not say + that he knew. I do not know. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, I do not believe that it is the duty of a Government to + prosecute its citizens. I do not believe that it is the duty of a + Government to spread a net for one of the people whom it should protect. I + do not believe in the spy and informer system. I believe that every + Government should exist for the purpose of doing justice as between man + and man. The mission of a Government is to protect and preserve its + citizens from violence and fraud. The real object of a Government is to + enforce honest contracts, to protect the weak from the strong; not to + combine against the one, not to offer rewards for treachery, not to show + cold avarice in order that some citizen may have his liberty sworn away. + The objects of a good Government are the sublimest of which the + imagination can conceive. The means employed should be as pure as the ends + are noble and sacred. The Government should represent the opinions, + desires, and ideals of its greatest, its best, and its noblest citizens. + Every act of the Government should be a flower springing from the very + heart of honor. A Government should be incapable of deceit. The Department + of Justice should blow from the scales even the dust of prejudice. + Representing a supreme power, it should have the serenity and frankness of + omnipotence. Subterfuge is a confession of weakness. Behind every pretence + lurks cowardice. Our Government should be the incarnation of candor, of + courage, and of conscience. That is my idea of a great and noble + Government. + </p> + <p> + The next point to which I call your attention is the withdrawal of the + plea of not guilty by Mr. Rerdell. You probably remember the occurrence. I + will read to you what he said upon that occasion. I find it on page 2202: + </p> + <p> + After mature reflection and a full consideration of the whole subject, I + have determined to abandon any further defence of myself in this case, and + put myself at the mercy of the Court and the Government; and if desired to + do so by the counsel for the Government, to testify to all my knowledge of + any facts with reference to any of the defendants either against or for + them, myself included. Therefore, I now in person ask leave to withdraw my + plea of not guilty, heretofore interposed, and enter my plea of guilty, + and in so doing put myself upon the mercy of the Court I feel this to be a + duty I owe to myself, my family, and to truth. I have arrived at this + fixed determination upon my own reflections and responsibilities, and + without any previous consultation with my counsel, who, I believe, would + not have advised me to this course, and whom I now relieve from all and + any responsibility for the course I have adopted. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, is it not wonderful that if Mr. Rerdell was about to tell + the truth as a witness in this case, he could not even withdraw his plea + of not guilty without misstating the facts? Is it not wonderful that he + felt called upon at that time to tell several falsehoods? He says that he + took this step upon his own responsibility. He says that he did it without + the advice of his counsel. He tells you that he believes if he had asked + his counsel, his counsel would have been opposed to it. He says he is + willing to be a witness for the Government if the Government desires it, + leaving you to infer that at that time no arrangement had been made for + him to be a witness; that it was all in the regions of uncertainty; that + he had withdrawn into the recesses of his own mind, and consulting with + himself and nobody else had made up his mind to throw himself upon the + mercy of the Government and the Court, and took that step without even + allowing his counsel to know what he was about to do. + </p> + <p> + But he speaks further on the subject. I read from page 2523. I was then + examining him: + </p> + <p> + Q. How did you come to do it?—A. I finally made up my mind to what I + would do. I talked it over the evening before with my counsel. + </p> + <p> + He so states under oath; and yet when he stood up before this Court and + withdrew his plea of not guilty, he said he acted without the knowledge of + his counsel—I read this to show you that the statement he made to + the Court at the time he withdrew his plea was absolutely false. What + next? I will go on a little further. The same man Rerdell, after he had + made up his mind to go over to the Government; after he had made up his + mind to swear away, if it was within his power, the liberty of S. W. + Dorsey, admits, on page 2525, that he endeavored to get five thousand + dollars from Mr. Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + On page 2589 Mr. Rerdell swears positively that he did not know that he + was to be used as a witness for the Government until he was called in + court to take the stand. Let us look at the evidence of Mr. Bliss on page + 2590. I will read you what he said: + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Your Honor, we propose to show, in substance, that this + witness, for reasons with which we have nothing to do, connected with his + own views of his own safety, from an early period was desirous of being + accepted by the Government as a witness; that the counsel in the case + refused to communicate with him or to have anything to do with him until, + in the presence of his own counsel, he was brought to Mr. Merrick's + office, and there the whole thing was explained; and that then for the + first time the Government accepted his willingness to be a witness; and + they did it under circumstances which held out to him no inducement and + which involved no training or anything of the kind by anybody representing + the prosecution. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us go to the next step. I want to be perfectly fair. On page 2591 + Mr. Merrick asked Mr. Rerdell this question: + </p> + <p> + Q. When did you first learn that you would be put upon the stand after + pleading guilty?—A. It was the day before my plea was made in court. + </p> + <p> + Yet when he rose to withdraw the plea he expressed his willingness to go + upon the stand for the Government, leaving you to infer that no + arrangement had been made, and he afterwards finally swore that he did not + know that he was to be called until he was called. + </p> + <p> + These things, gentlemen, you must remember. + </p> + <p> + On page 2515 Rerdell swears that on the Sunday after he got out of jail he + proposed to Mr. Lilley to have Lilley act for him, and authorized Lilley + to say to the Government that if the Government would accept him he would + go on the stand and rebut Vaile. He told him that he had in his possession + a letter or two of Mr. Vaile's. Rerdell tells you that he made this + proposition on the 16th or 17th of September, 1882, which was after he + made the affidavit of June, 1881. On the same page he said it was just + after Vaile went off the stand. That is my recollection. In the last trial + Vaile testified on the 4th of August, 1882. So about that time Rerdell, + according to his testimony, went to Lilley and made a proposition to sell + out then. When he made the affidavit of July 13, 1882, the trial was then + in progress. The very next month, August, while the trial was still going + on, that same man, having made the affidavit of July 13, 1882, went to his + attorney, Mr. Lilley, and authorized him to say to the Government that Mr. + Rerdell would take the stand to swear against Mr. Vaile. Remember another + thing, gentlemen. The only thing he offered to do then to insure his own + safety was to swear against Vaile. He did not offer to swear against + Dorsey. He did not authorize Mr. Lilley to tell the Government about the + pencil memorandum and the tabular statement and his letter to Bosler and + Doisey's letter to Bosler and the Chico letter. Not a word. He simply went + and wanted to sell some letters he had that had been written by Vaile. Why + did he make that offer? Because that was all he had. + </p> + <p> + On page 2517 he says that nothing was said about pardon, but he says that + Lilley told him that he thought he could get him off. What does that mean? + That means pardon. On page 2518 he swears that he saw Woodward in November + in Hartford, and Woodward and he wrote out the statement, covering, I + believe, about seventy pages of legal cap. Then Mr. Rerdell, on page 2519, + swears that he never made an affidavit after that. Then he admits, on the + same page, that the day before he came into court he met Mr. Woodward and + made another affidavit. That was supplementary to the first. In the + meantime he found some new papers. So we find, according to his testimony, + these affidavits: + </p> + <p> + On page 2521 we find that he made an affidavit in June, 1881. Remember, + gentlemen, that he swore to that affidavit three or four times. + </p> + <p> + He made another affidavit in July, 1882, and another in September and + November of the same year, and another in February, 1883. And yet he + swears that he was not to have immunity. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, one point more about his plea of guilty. After having + withdrawn his plea of not guilty, after rising in court and solemnly + saying that he was guilty, and that he was guilty as charged in the + indictment, which says that Rerdell conspired with Brady and Vaile and + Miner and John W. Dorsey and S. W. Dorsey and Turner, that they all + conspired, and that all the false affidavits and false petitions and false + everything else mentioned in the indictment were made for the common + benefit of all, then on page 2570 he solemnly swears that he never entered + into any conspiracy or agreement with the defendants mentioned in the + indictment or any of them for the purpose of defrauding the Government. + When I asked him, With whom did you conspire, when did you conspire, and + what was the conspiracy? he could not tell; and yet he had stood up in + court and admitted that he was guilty, and then on oath denied it. Did he + not swear himself that after the division was made in the routes Stephen + W. Dorsey had not the interest of a cent in any route that went to Vaile + or Miner? Did he not also swear that Vaile and Miner had not the interest + of one cent in any route that went to Stephen W. Dorsey? Did he not swear + that they were not mutually interested, and yet did he not stand up in + court, and by a plea of guilty say that they were not only mutually + interested, but he was one of the interested parties himself? It seems + impossible for that man to tell the truth on any subject whatever. On page + 2571 he swears he never made any agreement with Vaile to defraud the + United States. He stood up in court and admitted, that he had. He swore + that he never made any agreement with John W. Dorsey. He admitted that he + had. He swore that he never made any agreement with S. W. Dorsey, and yet + stood up in court and admitted that he had. + </p> + <p> + Now let us see whether he expected immunity. He swears that he was taken + to Mr. Merrick's office by Mr. Woodward and his counsel. What Mr. Merrick + told him we find on page 2590: + </p> + <p> + Q. And did I not say that, under the circumstances, the Government would + have nothing to do with you unless you pleaded guilty?—A. You did. + </p> + <p> + Q. And that if you pleaded guilty you had nothing to trust to but the + mercy of the Government and the Court?—A. That is what you did, sir, + exactly. + </p> + <p> + Now, on page 2523: + </p> + <p> + Q. Was it not arranged that Mr. Woodward was to come to your house and + then take you to one of the attorneys for the prosecution, for the purpose + of arranging the terms and conditions upon which you were to take the + stand?—A. It was not. + </p> + <p> + In another place he swears that it was, and that the arrangement was + carried out. + </p> + <p> + The next point I wish to make, if the Court please, is that whenever what + is called an accomplice or an informer turns what is called State's + evidence, and whenever he is permitted by the court to be sworn as a + witness in a case, there is then upon the part of the Government an + implied promise that if he tells the truth he shall not be punished. I + read from the Whiskey cases, 9 Otto, page 595. Mr. Justice Clifford + delivers the opinion of the court. + </p> + <p> + Courts of justice everywhere agree that the established usage is that an + accomplice duly admitted as a witness in a criminal prosecution against + his associates in guilt, if he testifies fully and fairly, will not be + prosecuted for the same offence, and some of the decided cases and + standard text-writers give very satisfactory explanations of the origin + and scope of the usage in its ordinary application in actual practice. + </p> + <p> + The Court. What point are you now making to the Court? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I am making this point: It appears from the evidence that + Mr. Wilshire, the attorney of Mr. Rerdell told him at the time he was + making up his mind whether he would go to the Government or not, about the + whiskey cases. + </p> + <p> + I make the point that when an accomplice turns State's evidence the State + cannot prosecute him after that if he testifies fully and fairly; that the + usage is immemorial, and that there is not an exception in the records of + all the cases in the books; consequently that when Mr. Merrick told him, + "You must look simply to the Government and to the Court and you will have + just exactly what the law gives you and no more," his remarks meant that + the law gave him perfect immunity, provided he went upon the stand and + swore truthfully. + </p> + <p> + The Court. You have demonstrated, as far as you have been able to, that he + has not sworn truthfully. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. He has not; he has not; and if the Government will act + fairly with him he will get no immunity. + </p> + <p> + When he went to the Government he understood the law to be that if he + swore fully and fairly, or if he swore in such a way that they could not + prove that he did not swear fully and fairly, he was to have immunity. He + understood that the more he swore against the defendants the better was + his chance for immunity. He knew that the Government would never complain + of any lie he swore against the defendants. + </p> + <p> + Now, the next question is what is the law of accomplices, of informers? + There was a remark made by Mr. Bliss in his speech, that they had plenty + of evidence in this case without the testimony of Mr. Walsh or Mr. Moore + or Mr. Rerdell; plenty of evidence without the testimony of Mr. Rerdell. + If that had been so then the Government had no right to put Mr. Rerdell on + the stand. There is but one excuse for using the testimony of a man who + pleads guilty, and that is that without his testimony a conviction cannot, + in all probability, be obtained. And upon that point I refer to 10 + Pickering, 478, and to 9 Cowen, 711; and not only upon that point, but + upon the point I made at first, that whenever you put such a man upon the + stand that of itself amounts to a promise of absolute immunity: + </p> + <p> + The object of admitting the evidence of accomplices is in order to effect + the discovery and punishment of crimes which cannot be proved against the + offenders without the aid of an accomplice's testimony. In order to + prevent this entire failure of justice recourse is had to the evidence of + accomplices.—I Phillips on Evidence, 107. + </p> + <p> + If, therefore, there be sufficient evidence to convict without his + testimony, the court will refuse to admit him as a witness.—Roscoe's + Criminal Evidence, 127. + </p> + <p> + Neither do I believe that Mr. Rerdell had a right to go upon the stand + until his case was finally disposed of. Precisely the same language is + used by Wharton on Criminal Evidence, 439: + </p> + <p> + An accomplice is used by the Government because his evidence is necessary + to a conviction. + </p> + <p> + That is the opinion of Mr. Justice MacLean, in 4 MacLean's Circuit Court + Reports, 103. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. If not improper I may remark that all those cases refer to a + condition of things prior to the trial in which the party appears as the + witness. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. The usual question is—and the court determines that + question—whether a man shall be a witness or not. + </p> + <p> + The Court. How can the court determine that without passing upon the + evidence in the case? That is not the duty of the court; it belongs to the + jury. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. The prosecuting attorney has to pass upon that himself when + he makes up his mind to put him upon the stand; and he only has the right + to do that when he believes that no conviction can be had without that + testimony. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Then it belongs to the prosecuting attorney. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I go further than that, and say that the prosecuting + attorney cannot do that without consultation with the court, and without + saying to the court that he believes no conviction can be had without that + testimony. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. May I be allowed to suggest a point which probably you would + like to comment upon—that all these cases refer to accomplices prior + to the trial. My own opinion in reference to the case was that I would not + put Rerdell upon the stand until he had pleaded guilty. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I do not see the ground for the distinction between the cases. + Undoubtedly, when an accomplice goes over to the Government and offers his + testimony, he does it always in the hope of pardon or immunity from + prosecution. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That is all I want at present. I want it understood, if the + Court please, that I shall argue to the jury that at the time he made up + his mind to go to the Government, he understood that that meant immunity. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Oh, well, of course it did. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. The next point is that the Court has to take all his story + or none; and I read from the second volume of Starkie on Evidence, + side-page 24: + </p> + <p> + In judging of the credit due to the testimony of an accomplice, it seems + to be a necessary principle that his testimony must be wholly received as + that of a credible witness or wholly rejected. His evidence on points + where he is confirmed by unimpeachable evidence is useless. The question + is whether he is to be believed upon points where he received no + confirmation. And of this the jury are to form their opinion from the + nature of the testimony, his manner of delivering it, and the confirmation + which it receives derived from other evidence which is unsuspected. If his + character be established as a witness of truth, he is credible in matters + where he is not corroborated. If, on the other hand, nothwithstanding the + corroboration upon particular points, doubts and suspicions still remain + as to his credit, his whole testimony becomes useless. + </p> + <p> + That is the point I want to make. If they are only to take his evidence + where it is corroborated, they might as well have had the corroboration in + the first place without him. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, the evidence, in my judgment, shows, and shows beyond a + doubt—and I believe it is now admitted—that at the time Mr. + Rerdell made up his mind to go to the Government he expected that he was + to have absolute immunity. You must judge of his evidence in the light of + that fact, in the light of that knowledge, in the light of what had been + told him by his counsel. Now, it is for you to say. You know something of + this man. You have seen him from day to day. You saw his manner upon the + stand. Why, they tell you that at one time he was overcome with emotion, + and that that is evidence that he was telling the truth. It may be that + there is left in that man some little spark of goodness still. When he was + swearing, or endeavoring to swear, away the liberty of the man who had + been his friend, may be at that time the memory of the past did for a + moment rush upon him. He may have remembered the thousand acts of + kindness; he may have remembered the years of liberality; he may have + remembered the days that he had spent beneath that hospitable roof; he may + have remembered the wife and children; he may have remembered all these + things, and for just that moment he may have realized what a wretch he + was. In no other way can you account for his having emotion. + </p> + <p> + But I am about through with that gentleman. I shall not take up your time + in the remainder of my speech by commenting upon Mr. Rerdell. Let us + finish his testimony now; let us put him out of sight; let us put him in + his coffin, close the lid, nail it down: + </p> + <p> + First nail—affidavit of June 20, 1881; drive it in. + </p> + <p> + Second nail—the letter of July 5, 1882, when he says that affidavit + of 1881 was made by the persuasion of Bosler; drive it in. + </p> + <p> + Third nail—affidavit of July 13, 1882, where he swears that they + were all perfectly innocent. + </p> + <p> + Fourth nail—the pencil memorandum; drive that in. + </p> + <p> + Fifth nail—the tabular statement that gave thirty-three and + one-third per cent, to Brady; drive it in. + </p> + <p> + Sixth nail—his pretended letter to Bosler telling about the advice + of Brady; drive that in. + </p> + <p> + Seventh nail—the letter he pretends that Dorsey, on the 13th of May, + 1879, wrote to Bosler, the copies being made by Miss White; drive that in. + </p> + <p> + Wind his corpse up in the balance-sheets from the red books made by + Donnelly. + </p> + <p> + Then you want a plate for his coffin. Let us paste right on there the + Chico letter, April 3, 1878. + </p> + <p> + Now, we want grave-stones. Let us take the red books, put one at his head + and one at his feet. + </p> + <p> + And let his epitaph, written upon the red book placed at his head, be—Up + to this moment I have been faithful to every trust. + </p> + <p> + My prayer to Gabriel is, "When you pass over that grave don't blow." Let + him sleep. There are, there never were, there never will be twelve honest + men who will deprive any citizen of his liberty upon the evidence of a man + like Mr. Rerdell. It never happened; it never will. + </p> + <p> + And now, gentlemen, it becomes my duty to answer a few points made by the + gentlemen who have addressed you on behalf of the Government. The first + gentleman who addressed you was Mr. Ker, and he had something to say—considerable + to say—about what are known as the Clendenning bonds. + </p> + <p> + They claim, gentlemen, first, that an immense fraud was in view when these + proposals—I think they are proposals—with accompanying bonds + and oaths of sureties were sent to Mr. Clendenning. I wish to give you, in + the first place, my explanation of this paper. See if I understand it. If + you sent this paper to that officer or to that gentleman as a form to + guide him in making up the bonds, you would only fill up that portion of + the bond in giving him a sample which you wanted him to fill up, and you + would fill it up in order to show him exactly how he was to fill it up; + and you would leave out that part which was already filled up in the bond. + That is exactly what was done in this case. There was not one of those + bonds that had an oath of the surety or the names of the sureties, because + they were unknown. The names were unknown, and the amounts that the + postmaster would certify to, and so all that was left in blank in the bond + sent. But this being only a sample, it was sent to him so that he might + know how to fill up the bonds that were sent. Consequently that portion + which was absolutely blank in the bond sent would be filled up as a guide + to him, and that portion which was filled up in the bonds sent would be + left blank in the guide, because he had nothing to do with that part. Now, + that is all there is to it. + </p> + <p> + What was left out, as they claim? Why they claim that the name of the + bidder was left out and the amount of the bid. It makes no difference. + That is not the slightest evidence of fraud, is it? + </p> + <p> + What was the next thing? They were never used, never. No bond included in + that bundle was ever accepted by the Government. No bonds were ever made, + no contract ever based upon them, not a solitary cent taken from the + Government by those papers. Why, then, this secrecy? Because when a man is + in this business he does not want anybody else to know that he is bidding, + in the first place; and, in the second place, he does not want anybody to + know the amount of the bid. If the amount of the bid is put in, then the + persons going security will know it, and they may tell. The postmaster who + approves the security will know it, and he may tell. The object of the + secrecy is not to defraud the Government, but to prevent other people + finding the amount of the bid and then underbidding. That is the object, + and it is the only object. And yet this little, poor, dried-up bond, + soaked in the water of suspicion, swells almost to bursting in the minds + of the counsel for the prosecution. There is nothing of it. It was never + worthy of mention, in the first place. You will never think of it when you + retire. It will never enter your minds; but if it does, remember that the + object of the secrecy was simply as a precaution against other bidders, + and had nothing whatever to do with the Government. + </p> + <p> + There is one other point. I believe Mr. Dorsey did say, in his + examination-in-chief, that he did not talk to anybody about it, and it + afterwards occurred that he did go and ask Mr. Edmunds whether what he had + asked Clendenning to do was illegal or improper. To that contradiction you + are welcome. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker gives the date of Boone's circular to postmasters asking for + information, and says it was dated December 1, 1879. Thereupon Mr. Merrick + corrects him, and says it was in 1878. The Court does the same. As a + matter of fact, these circulars were dated December, 1877. Gentlemen, I + just simply speak of this to show how easy it is for people to be + mistaken. Those circulars were gotten up for the purpose of getting + information before bidding. All the bids were put in in February, 1878. + The circulars were sent out, I believe, in November and December, 1877. + And yet upon that one point Mr. Ker is mistaken two years. + </p> + <p> + On page 4512 Mr. Ker states that Miner, in April, 1878, said to Moore that + it all depended upon affidavits of the contractors, and that "they were + all good affidavit men." The object of this, if it had an object, was to + show that this conspiracy was entered into with Moore, and that S. W. + Dorsey was a part of it in April, 1878. The evidence of Moore is that the + conversation took place, not in April, but in July, 1878, at the city of + Denver. And yet Mr. Ker tells you that it was in April. 1878. It is not, + perhaps, a very material point, but it simply serves to show you the + manner in which this evidence is repeated to you by the counsel for the + prosecution. + </p> + <p> + At page 4537 Mr. Ker says that before J. W. Dorsey went West he made an + arrangement with his brother to sell out his interest for ten thousand + dollars; that he did this before he started West; that he did it before + there was any service put on; and that these contracts were taken at such + low figures; yet John W. Dorsey had raised his interest up to ten thousand + dollars. Mr. Ker tells you that the evidence shows that before any service + was put on and before John W. Dorsey went West he tried to sell out his + interest for ten thousand dollars. Now, what was the object in making this + statement, unless it was pure forgetfulness? Why it was to connect Vaile + with this business some time in April, 1878. + </p> + <p> + On pages 4100 and 4102 J. W. Dorsey swears that he was here in Washington + in November, 1878; before that time he had gone to the Tongue River route; + he had come back from Bismarck; and it was then, not in April; it was + then, not before he went West; it was then, not before any service was put + on, that he talked with Vaile about selling out to him for ten thousand + dollars; and it was in November that he left the instructions for his + brother to sell to Vaile. It was not in April; it was not before he went + West; it was not before any service was put on. + </p> + <p> + At page 4540 Mr. Ker states that—Dorsey held thirty-three routes, + and there was not one of them, I suppose, that was not expedited to the + fullest extent. + </p> + <p> + What evidence is there of that? Is there any evidence that any route of + Dorsey's was expedited not mentioned in this indictment? + </p> + <p> + Did not Mr. Ker know whether the routes had been expedited or not? Did not + I offer in this court to prove what was done with every solitary route we + had? I say to the gentleman that the other routes were not expedited. I + say to the gentleman that only two other routes were, and we were not + interested in them. And I say also that they know the record, and they + knew the record when this statement was made; but they may have forgotten + it. But is it fair, gentlemen, for a prosecuting officer to state to you + that he supposed all the routes of Dorsey were expedited? One of those in + the indictment was not expedited; and not a route outside of the + indictment belonging to Dorsey, in which he had an interest, was + expedited. So much for that statement. + </p> + <p> + At page 4546 you are told by Mr. Ker that—Nobody ever heard of + expedition on a route before. + </p> + <p> + We proved what form of contracts had been in the PostOffice Department for + twenty years, and proved that in every one of them there was a clause for + expedition. So much for that evidence, gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + At page 4546 Mr. Ker tells us that J. W. Dorsey testified—That the + routes were taken so low as to cut out other people, but that they knew + they were to be expedited, and they knew they were to be increased. + </p> + <p> + J. W. Dorsey testified upon that subject, and his testimony will be found + at page 4085: + </p> + <p> + Q. Did you have an arrangement by which you should bid an extremely small + amount on the routes, with the further understanding that the service was + to be increased and expedited?—A. No, sir; I never thought of such a + thing. + </p> + <p> + And in his entire testimony in chief and cross, I believe there is not + another question on that subject. + </p> + <p> + On page 4549, referring to the letter of John M. Peck, which was in fact + written by Miner, Mr. Ker says: + </p> + <p> + Cedarville ought to have had as many mails as the other points between, + according to the order, but they were going to supply it only once a week. + . + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, gentlemen, this letter was written on the 22d of + October, 1878, and at the time the letter was written the mail, according + to the contract, was carried only once a week on that route, and + consequently Cedarville would have had exactly the same mail as any other + point; that is to say, once a week. + </p> + <p> + Page 556 of the record shows that three trips a week were put upon this + route to Loup City with a schedule of thirteen hours, but not until the + 10th of July, 1879, nine months after this letter was written. + </p> + <p> + On page 4609 Mr. Ker, in commenting upon an affidavit on the Toquerville + and Adairville route, reads from the evidence of John W. Dorsey, citing + page 3945, and ends at this question and answer: + </p> + <p> + Q. It was done so entirely, was it not?—A. It ought to have been so. + </p> + <p> + Now, let me read you the balance: + </p> + <p> + Q. Was it not so done?—A. No, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q It was not?—A. No, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q For whose benefit was it done?.—A. He—Meaning Rerdell—stole + five thousand dollars on that route, or very nearly that—four + thousand nine hundred dollars on that very route. + </p> + <p> + Q. When did he steal that five thousand dollars?—A. About a year ago + or a year and a half; I do not remember the time. + </p> + <p> + Q. From whom?—A. From Mr. Bosler and myself. + </p> + <p> + Q. At what time?—A. I should think in February, 1882. + </p> + <p> + The question now arises, did Mr. Rerdell take this money as charged? Read + now from the record, at pages 734 and 735, and you will find in the last + line of the tabular statement introduced in this case that on this very + route four thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven dollars and + eighty-three cents was paid to M. C. Rerdell as subcontractor on that + route. We also find that it was paid on the 4th of February, 1882. This is + the money that Dorsey swears Rerdell stole, and that gentleman never took + the stand to deny it. + </p> + <p> + At page 4616, Mr. Ker, after going over all the evidence with regard to + the affidavits as to the impossibility of the number of men and horses + doing the service rendered necessary by the affidavit, comes to the + following conclusion: That under the oath the proportion was, as nine to + twenty-three; that under the oath of Johnson the real proportion should + have been, and was, eight to twenty-two. + </p> + <p> + In other words, the real proportion, according to Mr. Ker's own statement, + would have taken more money from the Treasury than the wrong proportion + made under the fraudulent affidavit, and that was nine to twenty-three. + Nine into twenty-three goes twice and five-ninths; that is, two hundred + and fifty-five per cent, and a fraction. That is the fraudulent + proportion. Mr. Ker says that the real proportion was not as nine into + twenty-three, but as eight to twenty two. Eight into twenty-two goes twice + and six-eighths; that is to say, two and three-quarters; that is to say, + two hundred and seventy-five per cent. The fraudulent proportion, + according to his claim, only gave us two hundred and fifty-five per cent. + The real proportion, which Mr. Ker admits was right, according to the + evidence of Johnson, would have given us two hundred and seventy-five per + cent. In other words, we got twenty per cent, less under the fraud than we + would under the evidence of Johnson that Mr. Ker admits to be correct. + Finding that it is twenty per cent, less under the fraudulent affidavit + than under Johnson's estimate, he shouts fraud. + </p> + <p> + On page 4617 Mr. Ker tells us that Sanderson "had no more to do with the + route than you or I had." On page 731 I find that Mr. Sanderson drew all + the money on the route from Saguache to Lake City, I believe, with one + exception—the third quarter of one year—1878, it may be. He + drew every dollar upon that route, anyhow, up to February 17, 1882, except + for one quarter. And yet Mr. Ker stood up before you and said that + Sanderson "had no more to do with the route than you or I had." + </p> + <p> + Let us see if we have any more evidence. I find on page 3271 a subcontract + executed on route 38150, from Saguache to Lake City, by Miner, Peck & + Company to Sanderson for the whole time until June 30, 1882. I find that + subcontract is signed by John R. Miner and J. L. Sanderson. This contract + was to be from the 1st of July, 1878, and was made the 15th of May, 1878, + and here it is in evidence. The evidence is that the contract was made + between Miner, Peck & Company and Sanderson; the evidence also is that + Sanderson drew the pay. And yet Mr. Ker stands up before you and says that + Sanderson "had no more to do with the route than you or I had." + </p> + <p> + The subcontract, gentlemen, states that Sanderson is to have the entire + pay, and it was before the contract term began. So much for that. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker. When was it filed? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Wilson. That does not make any difference. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. "When was it filed?" There was a trial in my town of a suit + against the city, I believe, for allowing a culvert to get filled up and + flood a man's cellar. They brought in evidence to prove, don't you see, + that the culvert was not filled up, and one witness swore that the day + before the rain he saw a dog go through there. One of the jurors got up + and said that he would like to ask a question; he said, "What was the + color of that dog?" + </p> + <p> + On page 4631 Mr. Ker states that during the investigation by Congress—Contractors + got out printed letters and sent them to every subcontractor upon every + star route in the country, asking them to write to their members of + Congress urging their members of Congress to vote for this appropriation. + </p> + <p> + On page 1346 is Rerdell's letter upon this very route, in which not one + word is said about the contractor doing anything one way or the other. + There is no evidence that any other letter was written on that route. I + call your attention to it to show how the prosecution strained every + possible point, and how they endeavored to patch and piece and putty and + veneer this evidence. Mr. Miner wrote a letter (page 669). I do not + remember any other evidence upon this subject. And certainly it would be + impossible to write a milder letter than Mr. Miner wrote. He did not ask + the people to get up petitions against reduction, or ask for more service. + Here is what he says, and I will read you Mr. Miner's letter: + </p> + <p> + It will be well for the people of your section to send to the member of + Congress from your district such petitions as will express their opinions + on the subject of this reduction. + </p> + <p> + Truly, yours, + </p> + <p> + JNO. R. MINER, Ag't. + </p> + <p> + Could you write a milder letter than that, to save your life, and refer to + the subject? Could you write a fairer letter than that, to save your life? + </p> + <p> + He does not say, "Get up petitions against it." He does not say, "Send + those petitions to your member of Congress and tell him to do what he can + to prevent it." Not one word of that kind. + </p> + <p> + Yet that is considered as evidence of fraud; that is considered as + evidence of conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + The next point made is that Mr. Ker states, at page 4632, that Brady + endeavored to bribe the members of Congress into making this appropriation + by doubling every star route in the Southern and Middle States, and did so + during the Congressional investigation. What are the facts? The deficiency + bill passed April 7, 1880.. That appropriated money only for the purpose + of carrying the mails up to June 30, 1880. The regular appropriation bill + was passed at the same session, and appropriated money to carry the mails + from the 1st of July, 1880. Now let us see if Brady doubled the trips in + these Southern and Middle States during that investigation. On page 3393 + Brady says: + </p> + <p> + Practically on July 1, 1880, we doubled up the entire service for all the + Southern and Middle States. + </p> + <p> + This was after the deficiency bill had passed; it was after the money + appropriated by that bill had been expended; and it was paid for out of + the regular appropriation for the Post-Office Department. + </p> + <p> + Yet that was a bribe. It just shows that Congress by the regular + appropriation indorsed the policy of Mr. Key to have a daily mail to every + place where there was a county-seat. + </p> + <p> + At page 4652, on the route from Mineral Park to Pioche, there were two + petitions, marked 17 K and 18 K. It is somewhat singular that the + Government brought no persons whose names are on these petitions to show + that they had not authorized their names to be signed thereto, but they + brought persons to show that the signatures were not genuine. + </p> + <p> + On page 1621 the witness Wright swears that the names are the same on both + petitions. He is then asked if he knows the signatures of any other + people, and he says "Yes." He then says that the signature of John Deland + is not genuine. He swears that he knows nearly every one of the people. He + is then asked whether these signatures are in the handwriting of the + people, and he replies that he thinks not. Then he is asked as to the + signature of Cornell, and he says; That is not in his handwriting. + </p> + <p> + Here is his cross-examination, gentlemen: * * * + </p> + <p> + I asked him, "Do you know these people;" made him swear that he knew Mr. + Street; that he knew the signatures of many; that he knew these people. I + proved where they were living; that they are living in the country now, + good, respectable, honest people. And yet the Government did not bring one + man whose name had been written here to prove that he had not authorized + it. Why? Because they could not. They knew by the testimony here that the + petitions were absolutely and perfectly honest. And it is in that way that + they seek to deprive men of their liberty. They did not call a man whose + name appeared on those petitions to say that his signature was not genuine + or not authorized. I proved that many of them are still living and + first-rate men. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, you remember besides that, that Mr. H. S. Stevens, the + delegate from that Territory, recommended the same thing asked for by + those petitions (pages 1635, 1636), where it was admitted by counsel for + the Government that the letters of Stevens were genuine. It is upon that + same route that General Fremont also wrote a letter (page 1636). And I + will show you that the names are exactly or substantially the same on 18 K + as those found at pages 1638 and 1639. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker and Mr. Bliss both endeavored to show that there were no petitions + on this route, and that it was simply done on a letter. If you will look + at page 1603 you will find the evidence of Mr. Krider, who was postmaster + at Mineral Park, in which he says there were petitions. + </p> + <p> + In order to show that there was a conspiracy between these parties, or + between Dorsey and Vaile, or Dorsey, Rerdell, and Vaile, Mr. Ker called + the attention of the jury to two letters, one written by Rerdell to the + Sixth Auditor, and one written by Vaile. Here is a letter dated the 21st + of August, 1880. It is introduced, of course, to show that there was a + conspiracy at that time between Mr. Vaile and Mr. Dorsey. It was written + by Mr. Rerdell to the Sixth Auditor: + </p> + <p> + To the Sixth Auditor: + </p> + <p> + Sir: H. M. Vaile was subcontractor on route 40104 during the first quarter + of 1879. In the first settlement for that quarter Vaile was paid for + certain expedited service—it was subsequently discovered that the + expedition thus paid for was never performed—the department + therefore, and very properly, too, charged back to the route the amount + thus paid for expedition never performed, viz, some two thousand eight + hundred dollars. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Vaile, who alone was in fault, had ceased to have any connection + with the route—the charging back, therefore, fell on the wrong man, + the man who was in no way responsible for the non-performance of the + expedition, except so far as he stood between the department and the + subcontractor. + </p> + <p> + It is true that this payment was made by the regular contractor to the + subcontractor, but it is equally true that it was, in a measure, a + compulsory payment. By the rules of the Post-Office Department it is made + obligatory on the regular contractor to pay the subcontractor before the + department will settle with him—it is not, therefore, a payment as + between two individuals. The receipt is on the form prescribed by the + Post-Office Department, and is witnessed by (the then) Postmaster Edmunds, + as the rules prescribe. It is on file in the Post-Office Department, and I + maintain that our covenants were fulfilled when we put the receipt on + file. If Vaile had performed the service as he agreed he would do, and for + doing which he received this money, we should have been reimbursed by a + certificate of service from the contract office. Now, will you permit + Vaile to take advantage of his own wrong, and thus enable him to defraud + another man out of his money? + </p> + <p> + I refrain from discussing the question as to what would be the duty of the + department if Vaile, who had received the money wrongfully, had ceased to + have any connection with the department, because it is not pertinent to + this issue; if it were, I could cite you to many authorities and + precedents to the effect that even then it would be your duty to refund + the money to me. But this is not necessary, because Vaile is still doing + business with the department. + </p> + <p> + He is subcontractor on route 44156 for the full contract pay, which is + twenty-two thousand dollars per annum, hence the department will have no + difficulty in reimbursing itself for what was, in simple truth, an + overpayment. + </p> + <p> + I think you will agree with me when I ask that this money be refunded to + the subcontractor on route 40104 and charged to route 44156, because it is + simply correcting an error. You have the same authority to charge it to + one as you have to charge it to the other, and you have already charged it + to me. + </p> + <p> + The law-merchant would experience no difficulty in adjusting a matter of + this sort. The merchant who would refuse to correct an error of this + character would be justly called a lame duck, and would be scouted from + "'Change" Vaile was erroneously paid for the performance of a service + which he never did perform. Therefore I ask that he be compelled to render + unto Caesar the things that he ceasers. + </p> + <p> + Respectfully, + </p> + <p> + M. C. RERDELL. + </p> + <p> + Acting for himself and for the regular contractor on route 40104. + </p> + <p> + That is to show also, gentlemen, that there was a conspiracy between Vaile + and Rerdell. Now, Mr. Vaile wrote a letter also to the same man. I will + read it: + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C., July 9, 1880. + </p> + <p> + Hon. J. McGrew: + </p> + <p> + Sir: In reply to yours of July 8th, relating to the Jennings case, I would + state that I did not receive the money in manner and form as stated by one + M. C. Rerdell, nor was the draft of J. W. Dorsey, on said route 40104, for + the quarter named, to get an advance of money for myself or for my own + use. + </p> + <p> + At the time I receipted for my pay as subcontractor on said route I did + not, in fact, receive any money, but did so receipt that J. W. Dorsey + might negotiate his draft on said route, and for no other purpose. + </p> + <p> + Although I was subcontractor of record on said route at the time named, I + was not a subcontractor in my own behalf, but as trustee for J. W. Dorsey, + S. W. Dorsey, Isaac Jennings, and others, to collect said money and pay it + over as said parties should direct. I further state that all money that + ever came into my hands from said route I did pay over to the parties + named as trustee, as by them directed. + </p> + <p> + Acting as trustee of said Jennings, and believing that he had performed + the mail service on said route as by him agreed, and in accordance with + the laws and regulations of the Post-Office Department, I did pay said + Jennings, on the 1st day of April, 1879, the sum of $1,257.73, a sum of + money he was entitled to provided he had carried the mail three days per + week on the schedule required, which I fully believed at that time he had + done, and for a long time after. + </p> + <p> + I further state that I am informed that said Jennings is not responsible; + that it would be utterly impossible for me to receive back the $2,800, or + any part thereof; that in fact this sum of money sought to be collected of + me, if collected for said Jennings's benefit, or go into his hands in + addition to the sum he now has unlawfully, doubly remunerating him for his + neglect of duty. + </p> + <p> + I further state that all the money collected on said route not paid to + said Jennings was paid to liquidate the debts of J. W. Dorsey, S. W. + Dorsey, and others previously contracted, and not one dollar ever remained + in my hands. + </p> + <p> + I further state I believe both J. W. Dorsey and S. W. Dorsey are + irresponsible, and it would be impossible for me to collect any part of + said money from them. As above stated, said money came into my hand only + as their agent or trustee, and at once paid out as they directed; that my + subcontract was put on file simply to enable J W. Dorsey to negotiate his + draft on said route, when in fact said Jennings was the real + subcontractor. Said Jennings agreed to perform the service on said route + strictly in accordance with the laws and regulations of the department, + for the annual sum of $12,600.00, the duplicate of which contract was + delivered over to S. W. Dorsey by myself, and which I believe is now in + the hands of M. C. Rerdell, and which, or a copy thereof, I demand shall + be filed with you in this case, that you may see what said Jennings agreed + to do. + </p> + <p> + This is certainly a strange claim. Jennings agreed to perform mail service + on said route. I believed he had done it, and paid him accordingly. It + turns out long after he did not properly perform the service, but was + attempting a swindle, and a deduction is ordered for not performing the + service properly. Then this man, the guilty party, having got money from + me, as trustee, wrongfully, as well as from the Government, and asks that + the Auditor compel me to pay him the sum of $2,800.00, when, as I am + informed, he is seeking to get this same deduction remitted. + </p> + <p> + Surely if he succeeded in all this he will make a good thing out of his + rascality and I a good victim without remedy. I state again I did not + hypothecate said draft for myself, did not receive one cent as + subcontractor, but became the payee of said draft that said J. W. Dorsey + might negotiate it, and I to dispose of the proceeds as he should direct, + all of which I did. Therefore I request you not to compel me to pay the + sum of money asked, but if I am liable at all let the parties seek their + redress at law, where all the facts can be obtained and justice rendered + me. And it is also well known that I am a man of means, and any judgment + rendered against me could and would be collected, dollar for dollar. + </p> + <p> + I am, very respectfully, + </p> + <p> + H. M. VAILE. + </p> + <p> + That was introduced to show that at the time Vaile was in a conspiracy + with S. W. Dorsey. Why did they introduce it? Simply for one line in it in + which he says he was acting as the trustee of S. W. Dorsey. He was. How? + Dorsey had advanced money. The routes were liable, and the persons who + held the routes had agreed to refund it. The subcontracts were made to + Vaile, and Vaile agreed out of the proceeds of the route to pay the debt + to S. W, Dorsey. To that extent he was the trustee of S. W. Dorsey. Dorsey + swears it. Vaile admits it, and we all claim it to be true. And yet they + introduced that letter simply because that line was there. Now, gentlemen, + I have read both of those letters, and I want you to remember them if you + can, and tell me whether at that time Vaile and Dorsey were in a + conspiracy together to defraud this Government. And yet the Government + introduced this letter just to prove that one thing, and no more. + </p> + <p> + On the Julian and Colton route there is this peculiarity: The Government + failed to prove the number of men and horses necessary on the original + schedule for three-times-a-week service, and consequently we are left + without any standard by which to judge; without any standard by which to + measure. + </p> + <p> + On page 4685 Mr. Ker calls attention to the fact that the proposal marked + 6 P, originally contained an offer to carry the mail at thirty-six hours + for seven thousand seven hundred and twenty-two dollars additional, but he + states that the thirty-six was rubbed out and twenty-six was put in its + place. + </p> + <p> + That is, they offered to carry it in thirty-six hours for seven thousand + and odd dollars, and then afterwards fraudulently, of course, rubbed out + the thirty-six and inserted twenty-six. But they did not change the sum + for which they offered to carry it. They offered to carry it in thirty-six + hours for seven thousand seven hundred and twenty-two dollars, and + afterwards they rubbed out the thirty-six and put in twenty-six, and then + offered to carry it in twenty-six hours for seven thousand seven hundred + and twenty-two dollars. The question arises, how did that hurt the + Government? The question arises, was that a fraud? If it had been + originally twenty-six hours and they had rubbed out those figures and put + in thirty-six hours, then you might say the intention was to defraud the + Government. But the proposition had to be accepted after that was done, + and consequently in no event could the Government be defrauded by the + change of the proposal before the Government accepted the proposal. I + might say to a man, "I will let you have a house and lot for ten thousand + dollars." He does not accept the proposal. Have I not the right on the + next day to charge him twelve thousand dollars for it? Is that a fraud? If + I tell him, "You may have it for ten thousand dollars," and he accepts, + then, as an honorable man, I cannot change the proposal. But if I tell him + he may have it for twelve thousand dollars and then afterwards tell him he + may have it for ten thousand dollars, Mr. Ker calls that a fraud of two + thousand dollars. If one of the jury should give me a contract to deliver + one hundred horses for ten thousand dollars, and I should scratch out the + one hundred and put in seventy-five, certainly you would not consider + yourself defrauded. Or if I agreed to carry the mail in thirty hours for + the Government for seven thousand seven hundred and twenty-two dollars, + and then afterwards changed and said I would carry it in ten hours less + time for the same price, can that be tortured into a fraud—unless I + might be indicted for defrauding myself? + </p> + <p> + On page 4569 Mr. Ker says that Mr. Farrish, who was the subcontractor + says: + </p> + <p> + I always carried the mail in from six to ten hours before expedition. I + carried the mail from Greenhorn to Pueblo. I did not stop at Saint + Charles. + </p> + <p> + On page 835 Mr. Farrish says he carried the mail for three months in 1881. + That is the only time Farrish carried the mail. This route was expedited + on the 26th day of June, 1879, and yet Mr. Ker says that Farrish carried + the mail before it was expedited and carried it in from six to ten hours. + Mr. Farrish did not carry the mail until about two years after it had been + expedited. + </p> + <p> + On page 4768 Mr. Ker, speaking of the two affidavits on the route from + Pueblo to Rosita, laughs at the idea that the proportion was the same in + both. + </p> + <p> + Now, what is the proportion in both? One affidavit says that on the then + schedule it would take eight men and horses; that is, the horses and men + added together make eight, and that on the proposed schedule it would take + twenty-four. Then they would be entitled to just three times the money + they were receiving on the original schedule, because three times eight + are twenty-four. Let me explain here what I mean by proportion. If I am + carrying the mail with, say, four horses and two men, making a total of + six, and if then that service is increased so that it takes twelve men and + horses, I get twice the original pay; if it takes eighteen men and horses, + I get three times the original pay. You understand that there is always a + relation between the pay and the number of men and horses used. If I am + using one man and one horse and am getting a thousand dollars for the + service, and if it is expedited so that I have to use two men and two + horses, I would get two thousand dollars. In the first affidavit they had + eight men and horses. If they put up the service to what they were going + to, it would take twenty-four. Three times eight are twenty-four. Then + they would get three times the original amount of money. In the second + affidavit he swears that it takes fifteen men and animals on the present + schedule, and on the proposed schedule it would take forty-five men and + animals. Three times fifteen are forty-five. Three times eight are + twenty-four. You see that on both affidavits you get the same amount of + money to a cent, because the proportion is absolutely and exactly the + same. Yet Mr. Ker laughs at the idea of the proportion being the same. It + took eight men and horses in the first affidavit on the present schedule, + and twenty-four on the proposed schedule. There the contractor would be + entitled to three times the original sum. In the next affidavit it took + fifteen men and horses on the original schedule and forty-five men and + horses on the proposed schedule. Again, he would be entitled to three + times the original sum. + </p> + <p> + On page 4579 Mr. Ker says the oath was put in for three trips. By looking + at page 867 we find that it was for seven trips and not three. There is + nothing like accuracy. + </p> + <p> + On page 4580 Ker says that Brady had on the jacket before him the evidence + that Hansom was a subcontractor at three thousand one hundred dollars a + year, and the contract gave the contractor a clear profit of five thousand + and forty-eight dollars. The fact is, that Brady's order was made on July + 8, 1879. That order is on page 866. Hansom's subcontract was filed October + 22, 1879, about three month's after Brady's order was made. And yet Mr. + Ker tells you that on that jacket when Brady made the order he had notice + of Hansom's subcontract. Unless he had the gift of seeing into the future + he knew nothing about it. He would have had to see into the future three + months in order to have had it before him at that time. + </p> + <p> + On page 4703 Mr. Ker says that the letter of J. W. Dorsey, written April + 26, 1879, referred to the Perkin's affidavit as not putting the number of + men and animals high enough. Let us see. Another case of arithmetic. The + letter refers to Dorsey's statement transmitted with the letter. It could + not be the way stated by Mr. Ker for the following reasons: The affidavit + of Perkins said three men and six animals one trip a week on the then + time. That makes nine. On one trip a week with the reduction to + eighty-four hours, eight men and twenty-four animals would be required. + That makes thirty-two. The proportion then gives three and five-ninths or + three hundred and fifty-five per cent, increase of pay. That is the + affidavit, he says, that Dorsey wrote out and said was not high enough, + and then fixed up one that was. The affidavit that John W. Dorsey sent in + the letter says that it will require for three trips a week on the then + time four men and twelve animals, making sixteen; on the proposed schedule + for the same number of trips eleven men and thirty-two animals, making + forty-three. As sixteen is to forty-three—that is, two hundred and + sixty-nine per cent, increase of pay. Now, that letter, he says, claims + that the Perkins affidavit did not put it high enough. I say that he did + not refer to the Perkins affidavit. He could not say that did not put it + high enough, because that put it at three hundred and fifty-five per + cent., and the affidavit he inclosed in the letter, put it at two hundred + and sixty-nine per cent.—nearly one hundred per cent. less. + According to Mr. Ker he was complaining that that affidavit was too low, + and so he inclosed one, one hundred per cent, lower. That will not do. + Besides all that the affidavit of John W. Dorsey is for forty-five hours, + while the first affidavit, I believe, is for eighty-four hours. John W. + Dorsey offers to carry it in forty-five hours for two hundred and + sixty-nine per cent., and the other affidavit on the basis of eighty-five + hours calls for three hundred and fifty-five per cent. Do you not see, + gentlemen, it is utterly impossible to believe that? + </p> + <p> + On page 4738 Mr. Ker again falls into mathematics. He says that Mr. Brady + allowed on the Bismarck route for three hundred men and three hundred + horses. + </p> + <p> + I tell you this prosecution ought to go into the stock business. One + hundred and fifty men and one hundred and fifty horses were called for by + the affidavit. Now, Mr. Ker says when Brady doubled the trips he doubled + the horses, and when he doubled the trips he doubled the men. That would + make three hundred men and three hundred horses. If he had doubled the + trips again he would have had six hundred men and six hundred horses, + enough cavalry to have protected that entire frontier. Yet after all the + Bismarck and Tongue River business, Mr. Vaile comes in and swears, on page + 4062, that the loss on that route to Vaile and Miner was at least fifty + thousand dollars; and Mr. Miner swears that the loss on the route was + between forty and fifty thousand dollars. Vaile says if he had known at + that time of the clause in the contract by which he could have gotten out + of it he would have abandoned the route, but that he had not read a + contract for ten or twelve years. Now, as a matter of fact, gentlemen, and + it seems to me the prosecution ought to be perfectly fair, Brady allowed + only forty per cent, of the affidavit made in regard to the one hundred + and fifty men and the one hundred and fifty horses, and yet according to + Mr. Ker he allowed for three hundred men and three hundred horses; instead + of allowing for forty per cent, of one hundred and fifty men and one + hundred and fifty horses, he allowed for one hundred per cent. more. That + would have run the pay up, I should think, to about a million dollars. Mr. + Ker also says that Mr. Vaile swears that he induced Brady to give an + extension to August 15th, and thereupon Mr. Ker makes the remarkable + statement that Vaile did not do it; that Boone did it; I am very thankful + for the admission. From that it appears that Boone was more potent with + Brady than Vaile was. + </p> + <p> + If he was, why did they have to get somebody close to Brady? Afterwards we + are told by Mr. Ker that Mr. Boone was kicked out to make a place for + Vaile, so as to get a man close to Brady. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker. Will you tell me what page it was I spoke about Boone? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. It was Mr. Bliss. It is Mr. Bliss's turn to explain now. + The notes that I have were handed to me by another, and I supposed + referred to Mr. Ker. Mr. Bliss said: + </p> + <p> + This, I think, can leave no doubt in the minds of any one that the + extension was obtained by Mr. Boone. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss says that on page 4899, and so I will relieve Mr. Ker of that + charge. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker. I am glad to be relieved of something. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I do not want to do any injustice to Mr. Ker; between Mr. + Bliss and Mr. Ker I am perfectly impartial. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker attacks the affidavit made by Vaile on the Vermillion and Sioux + Falls route. Let us get at the facts. The route was let as fifty miles + long. That is the distance that was given in the advertisement by the + Government. They wanted expedition on that route. The Government asked for + it. Mr. Vaile asked if he could make the affidavit, and he made it, + supposing the route was fifty miles long. He never had been over it. It + turned out that it was about seventy-three miles long, and consequently + the affidavit provided for too fast time. The affidavit called for ten + hours. That made over seven miles an hour; or, including the stoppages, I + presume about ten miles an hour. The difficulty arose out of the mistake + in the distance. Vaile so swears, on page 4030. He also swears that he + went to the department and there saw Mr. Brewer, who was in charge of that + bureau, or at least of that business, and it was Brewer who suggested to + him to make the affidavit. Mr. Vaile did not ask for any expedition on + that route. Mr. Brewer spoke to him about it. Mr. Vaile swears that Brewer + spoke to him first. Mr. Vaile swears that he made the affidavit at the + instigation of Mr. Brewer. Mr. Bliss says Brewer is an honest man, and + calls him honest Brewer. Why did he not call honest Brewer to the stand + and let him deny that he asked Mr. Vaile to make that affidavit? + </p> + <p> + The Court. Yes. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. [Resuming]. If the Court please, and gentlemen of the jury, + on page 4645 there is the letter from Miner to Carey. + </p> + <p> + John Carey, Esq., + </p> + <p> + Fort McDermitt, Nev. + </p> + <p> + Dear Sir: One S. H. Abbott, who was postmaster at Alvord, I find, by + accident, is writing to the department that you do not pay your bills, and + that there is no need of anything more than a weekly mail. + </p> + <p> + I wish you would see this man at once and satisfy him; pay him whatever is + reasonable and report to R. C. Williamson, at The Dalles. + </p> + <p> + I suppose that is what he is after. He knows nothing of the through mail, + and probably a weekly is all he needs; but more likely he wants some + money. He complained once before to the department that he had to make a + special trip to Camp McDermitt to make his returns, and I sent him thirty + dollars, and it was all right. Now, I suppose, he wants a little more + money. Yours, &c., + </p> + <p> + JOHN R. MINER. + </p> + <p> + That letter was introduced to show that there was a conspiracy between + Miner and Brady; and yet when that man complained that the service was not + put on at the time it should have been, and that he was postmaster, was + forced to carry his returns to the nearest post-office, and consequently + spent about thirty dollars, Miner sent him the money. Why? Because he and + Brady were not confederates; because they were not conspirators. For that + reason he sent the man thirty dollars. The letter says, "The man that was + postmaster." When this letter was written Mr. Abbott was not postmaster; + he had ceased to be postmaster. Yet they have endeavored to impress upon + you the idea that when this letter was written to Abbott he was then + postmaster. He had written a letter, stating that a weekly mail was all + that was wanted, and that Mr. Carey did not pay his bills. Mr. Miner wrote + to Carey on that account, "The man is trying to make trouble. He tried to + make trouble once before, and we sent him thirty dollars. He is not + postmaster now. He has no official position. Go and see him. Give him what + is reasonable, and tell him to mind his own business." Why? If he had been + in a conspiracy with Brady he would not care what Mr. Abbott wrote to the + department. If he was absolutely certain there he would not care anything + about it. But having no arrangement with the Second Assistant, having no + arrangement of the kind set forth in the indictment, he did not want Mr. + Abbott to write letters; he did not want Mr. Abbott to make trouble. That + letter, instead of showing that there was a conspiracy, shows absolutely + that there was not, and the letter was not written to him while he was an + official. The man was not then postmaster. He simply had been. + </p> + <p> + The next point made by Mr. Ker is a very powerful point, that Mr. Vaile + came from Independence, where the James boys came from, and where they + steal horses. Suppose I should say that Mr. Ker comes from Philadelphia, + the town that Mr. Phipps lives in, the man who stole the roof off of the + poorhouse. Would there be any argument in that? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker says that J. W. Dorsey wrote in his letter that the profits would + be one hundred thousand dollars a year. That was a mistake. I turn to the + letter and I find that it says one hundred thousand dollars in the life of + the contract, and not one hundred thousand dollars a year. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Your Honor, I claim the right to call attention to the fact + that Mr. Ker read the letter in full referring to the one hundred thousand + dollars clear of expenses. He read it and then followed it by the + statement of one hundred thousand dollars a year, which was obviously a + mistake. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That only makes it worse. After he had read the letter to + the jury, and while the echoes of the letter were still in the court-room, + he then said one hundred thousand dollars a year, while the letter said + one hundred thousand dollars within the life of the contract. Upon such + statements, gentlemen, they expect to strip a citizen of his liberty. [To + counsel for the Government.] You will have some work to do in a little + while. It may be that Mr. Ker forgets these things. I do not say how it + happened. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker also tells you that Miner wanted to cut out S. W. Dorsey and J. W. + Dorsey and Mr. Peck. Was that because he was a co-conspirator? He also + tells you that Miner deserted his friend S. W. Dorsey. Was he at that time + a conspirator? Mr. Ker tells you that S. W. Dorsey wanted to gratify his + spite against Vaile and that the first thing he did after he got out of + the Senate was to write that letter to the Second Assistant + Postmaster-General against the subcontracts. Does that show they were + co-conspirators? Did he want to gratify his spite because he had made a + bargain with them by which they were to realize hundreds of thousands of + dollars? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker also says that Miner's letter to Tuttle shows the conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + It is perfectly wonderful, gentlemen, how suspicion changes and poisons + everything. + </p> + <p> + Let me read you the letter from which Mr. Ker draws the inference that + there was a conspiracy. It is on page 885: + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C., August 19, 1878. Frank A. Tuttle, Box 44, Pueblo, + Colo., + </p> + <p> + Dear Sir: Yours 14th received. We accept your proposition, provided (so + that there shall be no conflict) that a friend of ours, who has recently + gone to Colorado, has not made different arrangements before we can get + him word. + </p> + <p> + The petition for expedition should be separate from the petition for + increase of number of trips. We make no boast of being solid with anybody, + but can get what is reasonable. Yours, truly, + </p> + <p> + MINER, PECK & CO. + </p> + <p> + You are told that is evidence of a conspiracy. Suppose the letter had been + this way: "We boast of being solid. We can get anything, whether + reasonable or not." That probably would have been evidence of perfect + innocence. He writes a letter and says: + </p> + <p> + We make no boast of being solid with anybody, but can get what is + reasonable. + </p> + <p> + They say that is evidence of conspiracy. Suppose he had written the + opposite, "We do boast of being solid and we can get anything, whether it + is reasonable or not." According to their logic that would have been + evidence of absolute innocence. Whenever you are suspicious you extract + poison from the fairest and sweetest flowers. Prejudice and suspicion turn + every fact against a defendant. + </p> + <p> + On page 4557 Mr. Ker tells us that Vaile never saw Peck, and yet had the + impudence to write that his subcontract was signed by Peck in person. The + subcontract is in evidence here. Nobody pretends that it was not signed by + Peck, and yet that is brought forward as a suspicious circumstance against + Mr. Vaile, because there is no evidence that Mr. Vaile ever saw Mr. Peck. + Is there anything in a point like that? "My contract was signed by Mr. + Peck in person." He does not mean by that that he saw him sign it. The + evidence here is that it was signed by Peck, and yet the fact that he says + Peck did sign it, and the fact that he had never seen Peck, Mr. Ker + endeavors to torture so that you will think he wrote what he knew to be + untrue. + </p> + <p> + On page 3251 Mr. Ker says that Miner does not deny writing the letter + marked 63 E. This letter was dated the 10th day of May, 1879, and was on + one of the Dorsey routes. + </p> + <p> + Miner swears that he never signed a paper, never touched pen to paper on + any of the Dorsey routes after the 5th day of May, 1879. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, after having made all these statements to you, and I have + only taken up a few of them, these misstatements, these mistakes, Mr. Ker + winds up by telling you it is the safer plan to find a verdict of guilty, + because if you find them guilty wrongfully the Court will upset your + verdict. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, you have sworn to try this case according to the law and the + evidence. You are the supreme arbiters of this case. It is for you to + decide upon this evidence, and for you alone. Yet you are told by Mr. Ker + to shirk that responsibility. You are told by him to violate your oaths + and find against these defendants, for the sake of certainty, and then + turn them over to the mercy of the Court. That is not the law. These + defendants are being tried before you. They have the right to your honest + judgment. If you have any doubt as to their guilt you must find them not + guilty or violate your oaths. You are told it is the safer way to find + them guilty and then let them appeal to the Court for mercy! That doctrine + is monstrous. It is deformed. Such a verdict would be the spawn of + prejudice, and cowardice, and perjury. You cannot give such a verdict and + retain your self-respect. You cannot give such a verdict and retain your + manhood! If you have any doubt as to the guilt of these defendants you + must say they are not guilty. You have no right to turn them over to the + Court, no matter whether the Court is merciful or unmerciful. You must + pass upon their guilt, and you must do it honestly. + </p> + <p> + I never heard so preposterous, so cruel a sentiment uttered in a court of + justice. It amounts to this, gentlemen: If you have any doubt of guilt + resolve the doubt against the defendant. If the evidence is not quite + sufficient, find against the defendants and turn them over to the mercy of + the Court. Why should we have a jury at all? Why should you sit here at + all? Why should you hear this evidence, if after all you are to shirk the + responsibility and turn the defendants over to the Court? You never will + do it, gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I wish to call your attention to a few points made by + Colonel Bliss. You must remember that Colonel Bliss has been very highly + complimented by his associates as a kind of peripatetic index of this + case, an encyclopedia of all the papers; that he never makes a mistake; + that he recollects amounts with absolute certainty, and that he is + infallible. Keeping all these things in your mind, I wish to call your + attention to some statements that he has made. First of all, I will refer + to a little of his philosophy, or law, and that is, that in every + affidavit you should state not the number necessary on the then schedule, + but the actual number, and that there could be no doubt about the number + of men and horses used at the time when an affidavit was made, and that + consequently anybody making an affidavit should put in the number then + actually used. + </p> + <p> + Let us see how that will work. He says the oaths are false because they do + not state the actual number of men and horses employed in carrying the + mail at the time they were made. He says that the person making the + affidavit swore to the number actually employed, and that where that + number was not employed that fact of itself shows the affidavits to be + false. I say that is not the law. The law calls for the number necessary, + not the number actually employed. Let me show how easy it would be to + cheat the Government on the principle laid down by the gentleman. I will + show you how infinitely silly that is. Let me illustrate. Here is a route + one hundred and fifty miles long, once a week. You know it is possible for + one man and one horse for a little while to carry that mail and to go one + hundred and fifty miles one way and one hundred and fifty miles the other, + making three hundred miles in a week. You can take a magnificent horse and + a good, stout, tough man, and you can do it. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Or a boy. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Or a stout, tough boy. + </p> + <p> + The Court. A boy would be best. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. You do not need any boy. Just one man and one horse will + answer. The man can ride the horse one hundred and fifty miles in three + days, and then ride one hundred and fifty miles back in the next three + days. All you have to swear to, according to Mr. Bliss, is the number + actually used, and so you would come in and swear to two on this route. + Now, when you are making an affidavit as to the number to be used on a + schedule to be made, you cannot swear to the number actually in use, + because they are not then in use. You have to swear to the number + necessary. You have to swear to the number required. + </p> + <p> + Now, see. On a mail route one hundred and fifty miles long I would only + want a good smart horse, and one good active man or boy. I would not need + to carry it more than one week, because I could make the affidavit for + that week, and then the question would be how many men and horses would be + required for a daily mail on the same route. I would put in a reasonable + number, and the difference between the number then actually used and the + reasonable number to use would be the standard by which to fix my pay. + </p> + <p> + If you take the man and horse actually used, and then take the number that + would reasonably be used, you would make a difference of a thousand per + cent. And yet that is the doctrine laid down here to guide us as to these + affidavits. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you what the law is. It does not make any difference what you + are really using at the time. You must swear to the number that would be + reasonably necessary to carry the mail on the then schedule. You must + swear to the number that would be reasonably necessary to carry the mail + on the proposed schedule. In the first place, if you put a great deal of + work on a man and horse, you must put the same proportion on man and horse + in the second schedule. If you are easy on man and horse in the first + schedule, you must be easy on man and horse in the second. The only + object, gentlemen, is to keep the proportion, because you are to be paid + according to the number of men and horses used. + </p> + <p> + Now, they say it would be necessary to go out there in order to tell how + many men and horses would be necessary, and that the men who made these + affidavits had never been on the routes. There was no need of being on the + routes. I could give you the number required on any route two hundred or + five hundred miles long. I could give you the number of men and horses + reasonably required to carry the mail once, twice, three times, or seven + times a week; and I could give you the number reasonably required to carry + it at the rate of three miles an hour or five miles an hour or six miles + an hour without going there. I need not go there for the purpose of the + affidavit. I can take it for granted that the road is good and level, and + I can keep exactly the same proportion and nobody can be defrauded. If you + take the rule of Colonel Bliss it would be the easiest thing on earth to + defraud the Government. That would be by taking the actual number in use + and then taking the number necessary. + </p> + <p> + Oil page 4761 Mr. Bliss makes the point that according to law the Second + Assistant Postmaster-General was not bound to allow according to the + affidavits. He is right as to that. That is what Mr. Bliss says, and that + is what John W. Dorsey swore he thought, and that is what Mr. Thomas J. + Brady swore he did. He did not take the affidavit as a finality. Mr. + Thomas J. Brady said that he took it for granted that the man, when he + made the affidavit, thought it was true, and that the man, when he made + the affidavit, swore to the best of his knowledge and belief. But Thomas + J. Brady never swore that he considered himself bound by the affidavit. On + the contrary, he swore that he had a standard in his own mind, and that + expedition was to cost thirty dollars a mile, or something of that kind. + He went by that standard, and he gauged the affidavits by it. + </p> + <p> + On page 4762 Mr. Bliss says that Brady admitted that he made no inquiry as + to the truth of affidavits, and that he accepted them as absolutely + conclusive. On page 3434 Mr. Brady swears: + </p> + <p> + I accepted their statement as conclusive so far as they knew. + </p> + <p> + Brady also swears that he had his standard in his own mind, as I said + before, and that he had an opinion of his own, and that by that standard + and opinion he was governed. + </p> + <p> + On page 4765 Mr. Bliss charges that Brady took the oath of Perkins on + route 38113 as the basis for the expedition. Mr. Turner's calculation on + file shows that that affidavit was not the basis of the calculation. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Your Honor, allow me to say that subsequently I stated to the + Court and to the jury distinctly that while the indorsement on the jacket + recited the Perkins affidavit as being the one used, or the affidavit of + the subcontractor, and while Mr. Brady transmitted to Congress that + Perkins affidavit as the one upon which he acted, I still believed that + the calculation showed that he used the other affidavit. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Wilson. He never made that statement until he made it during the + progress of my argument when I was discussing that very point. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. You are mistaken. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. He made it while I was here and I was not here during Mr. + Wilson's argument. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. If he has taken it back three times, that is enough. On + page 4766 Mr. Bliss charges Brady with having two affidavits on the Pueblo + and Greenhorn route, from John W. Dorsey, on the same day. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Mr. Henkle called my attention to the fact that it was not the + Greenhorn route, but the Pueblo and Rosita route, and I corrected it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Good enough. I did not know about his taking it back. I was + not here at the time. The fact was, however, that only one affidavit was + ever filed, and that was an affidavit, not by J. W. Dorsey, but by John R. + Miner. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. There were two on the Pueblo and Rosita route by John W. + Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. We will come to them. You will get tired of them before we + get through with them. + </p> + <p> + On page 4767 Mr. Bliss refers to two affidavits. The first affidavit, the + one not used, calls for three men and seven animals on the then schedule. + That makes ten. On the proposed schedule of eighty hours it called for + nine men and twenty-seven animals. That makes thirty-six. The proportion + then in this affidavit is 3.6, that is, the pay would be 3.6 times the + original pay. In the second affidavit five men and fifteen animals, twenty + in all, are called for on the then schedule, and on the proposed schedule + twelve men and forty-two animals. The proportion there is 2.7. So that the + affidavits, leaving out the fractions, which are substantially the same, + stand in this way: By the first the contract price would have been + multiplied by three and the contractor would have had three times the + original pay, and by the second he would have had twice the original pay. + Substituting an affidavit at only double the pay is called a fraud, + because they withdrew an affidavit for treble the pay. That is what Mr. + Bliss calls a fraud. He says still that it is a fraud. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, there were two affidavits, and these two affidavits, gentlemen, + Mr. Bliss well knew were filed on different schedules. The first affidavit + was filed on a proposed schedule of eighty hours. The second affidavit was + filed on a proposed schedule of fifty hours. The affidavit agreeing to + carry the mail in fifty hours offered to do it at double the pay. The + affidavit on eighty hours wanted three times the pay, or substantially + that. One was 3.7 and the other was 2.6. Just think of trying to make that + a fraud on the Government. Suppose they had filed a third affidavit and + offered to carry it for nothing. That would have been carrying a fraud to + the extreme. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Your Honor, with reference to that, I said, expressly referring + to these two affidavits: It is not a question of proportion. The question + is whether the mere existence of those double affidavits did not give + Brady conclusive notice that the man who could make those affidavits was + not a reliable man, because no matter what the time was to which it was to + be increased, he stated the number necessary on the then schedule, as so + and so in one affidavit and in the other he stated the number differently. + I referred to it solely in that connection, as the language shows on the + page referred to. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. For instance, a man writes, "You owe me five hundred + dollars according to my books," and writes the next day, "I have made a + mistake. You don't owe me anything." Mr. Bliss insists that the second + letter would show that the man was not to be relied upon. That is his idea + of honesty. If in the first letter he had written that I did not owe him + anything, and in the second letter I did, that might be suspicious. But + when in the first he writes that I owe him and in the second that I do + not, there can be no suspicion as to his honesty. In the first affidavit + this man stated so much, and in the second affidavit he put it one-third + less. That simply shows the man was paying attention to it and wanted to + make an honest offer. And yet everything in this case is poisoned with + prejudice and suspicion. + </p> + <p> + Another point: Mr. Bliss, on page 4770, says that on the Pueblo and Rosita + route the number of trips was seven and that there was no increase. Upon + that statement he bases an argument of fraud. The argument is that there + was no increase of trips. Now, on page 866, the order shows that in the + first place there was one trip a week and there were six trips added. That + makes seven. The original pay was three hundred and eighty-eight dollars. + Six trips were added, and the value of the six trips, which gave two + thousand three hundred and twenty-eight dollars of additional pay. Yet Mr. + Bliss tells you that there was no increase of trips. As a matter of fact, + six trips were added, and that was all that could be added. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Were they added coincidently with the affidavit for expedition? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. You say they were not added; I say they were. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. No, sir; I said at the time of the expedition there was no + increase of trips and the affidavit was based upon the seven trips. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I say that at that time there was an increase. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Your Honor, the point is this: I think I am right in saying + that the increase of trips took place after the expedition. That is my + recollection about it. I have not referred to the record. I think Colonel + Ingersoll will find that is so. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. We will see whether you are right. At the time the + affidavit was made there were just three trips, and afterward there were + four trips added. Let us get it exactly right. I read from page 866: + </p> + <p> + Date, July 8, 1879. State, Colorado. + </p> + <p> + Number of route, 38134. + </p> + <p> + Termini of route, Pueblo and Rosita. + </p> + <p> + Length of route, fifty miles. + </p> + <p> + Number of trips per week, one. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I see you are right. The trips were increased. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. When anybody gives it up I will stop. That is fair and that + is honorable. + </p> + <p> + Now, the next point. On page 4771 Mr. Bliss says that the oath on the + Toquerville and Adairville route was made for seven trips, although the + order only gave them six trips, of course the inference being that they + got as much pay for six trips as they were entitled to for seven trips. On + page 3290 the original order was for one trip. Two trips were added. Look + on page 949 and you will find that more trips were added. The second order + increased four trips, and that made seven in all; and yet Mr. Bliss makes + the statement that there were only six. That is another mistake. + </p> + <p> + Another point. On page 4772 Mr. Bliss states that Mr. Rerdell spoke in his + testimony about J. B. B. I have referred to that. I have referred before + to the claim that Rerdell was sustained by the testimony of Mr. Bissell. + As a matter of fact, I do not remember that Mr. Rerdell ever said one word + in his testimony as to charging anything to J. B. B. + </p> + <p> + Ninth point. At page 4778 Mr. Bliss states that Dorsey admitted in his + letter to Anthony Joseph that the average rate for mail service on star + routes was only five dollars a mile. Mr. Dorsey says in his letter no such + thing. He says the "average cost of horseback service"; he does not use + the language employed by Mr. Bliss, "The average rate for mail service on + star routes," but he says, "The average cost of horseback service." That + is a small point, but it shows how anxious the gentlemen are to get the + thing fully as big as it is. + </p> + <p> + Tenth point. At page 4783 Mr. Bliss says that Brady cut off forty-nine + thousand dollars of increase on the Mineral Park and Pioche route on the + 22d of January, 1879, because the mail bills showed so little business. + That is another mistake. The order cutting off the forty-nine thousand + dollars was made on the 22d of January, 1880, not 1879. I mention this + simply for the sake of accuracy. + </p> + <p> + Eleventh point. At page 4785 Mr. Bliss says that the mail bills on the + Silverton and Parrott City route showed that Brady ran the service up from + seven hundred and forty-five dollars to fourteen thousand nine hundred + dollars, and that the fourteen thousand nine hundred dollars was + afterwards increased to thirty-one thousand three hundred and forty-three + dollars and seventy-six cents. The record shows nothing of the kind (see + pages 1894-5). The original pay was one thousand four hundred and + eighty-eight dollars (page 1854). The pay under the order of June 12, + 1879, was six thousand five hundred and twelve dollars and twenty-eight + cents (page 1855). No other increase was ever made. On page 1855 is the + increase and expedition, being in all fourteen thousand eight hundred and + eight dollars and sixty three cents. The original pay was one thousand + four hundred and eighty-eight dollars. A little change was made in the + route that brought it up to one thousand seven hundred and three dollars + and sixty-five cents. That, together with the expedition, makes a total of + sixteen thousand five hundred and twelve dollars and twenty-eight cents. + And yet Mr. Bliss told you that it was thirty-one thousand three hundred + and forty-three dollars and seventy-six cents. So that this encyclopædia + of the papers made a mistake, in one year, of fourteen thousand eight + hundred and thirty-one dollars and forty-eight cents. For the whole + contract time it would be a mistake of forty-five thousand dollars. And + yet, strange as it may appear, that mistake was made against the + defendants. Well, let us go on. + </p> + <p> + Twelfth point. On page 4800, bottom line, Mr. Bliss says: + </p> + <p> + They got so much in the way of offering petitions that Mr. Rerdell being + told by Stephen W. Dorsey, upon this route from Pueblo to Greenhorn, to go + to work and alter the petitions, inserted the words "and faster time." + </p> + <p> + As to this petition, 7 B, in which are the words "and faster time," George + Sears swears, at pages 829 and 830, that it is in the same condition now + as when it was signed by him, he thinks. Thereupon Mr. Bliss told you that + he was mistaken in the paper. You must recollect these things. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Are there not two petitions there altered? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That is on another route. There were 7 B, 11 B, and 12 B. 7 + B was the written paper, and you introduced 11 B and 12 B. One said + "quicker time," and one said "on faster schedule," and yet in the very + next paragraph they asked to have it run in eight hours. Mr. Rerdell had + to admit that he put in the words without knowing what the petition called + for, and that Dorsey instructed him to put them in. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Your Honor, in the very same paragraph, the very line, where I + said "faster schedule," I called attention to the fact that the words were + unnecessary. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That is not the only point. The point is, who wrote "faster + time"? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. That is not what I said. You have not given the whole sentence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. You cannot expect me to read your whole seven days' speech. + That would be too much. This is what you said: + </p> + <p> + They got so much in the way of altering petitions that Mr. Rerdell being + told by Stephen W. Dorsey, upon this route from Pueblo to Greenhorn, to go + to work and alter the petitions, inserted the words "and faster time." + </p> + <p> + That is it exactly. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Then follows this: + </p> + <p> + He inserted "and faster schedule," "on quicker time," though there was not + any necessity for doing that, because if they had gone further down, after + some argument in the petition, to the request for expedition, they would + have seen that there was no necessity for that little forgery up there. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That is a magnificent admission. "There was no necessity + for" putting that in. I am glad he admits that. He would ask you to + believe that S. W. Dorsey, a man of intelligence and brains, would ask to + have a petition forged, altered, interlined, without knowing what was in + that petition. It will not do, gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + Thirteenth point. At page 4810, Mr. Bliss says that McBean told Moore, in + reference to route No. 44140, Eugene City to Bridge Creek, "that he could + carry all the mail in his pocket." + </p> + <p> + Now, as a matter of fact, Mr. McBean does not state any conversation with + Moore covering this route. That was another mistake. No matter. + </p> + <p> + Fourteenth point. At page 4814, Mr. Bliss, in speaking of the Ojo Caliente + route, says the service in fact never was performed in fifty hours; that + the evidence of that is conclusive. Now, let us see. Here is a jacket on + page 3008, and that jacket shows that out of seventy-eight half trips, + expedition was lost on twenty-three and made on fifty-five. Yet Mr. Bliss + tells you it never was made. The jacket on page 3040 shows that expedition + was lost on twelve half trips and made on sixty-six. And yet Mr. Bliss + says it was never made. The jacket on page 3056 shows that at the time + they were carrying seven trips a week, nineteen expeditions were lost out + of one hundred and ninety-two half trips. And yet Mr. Bliss says the + fifty-hour schedule never was made. Another mistake. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. That is long after the time I was referring to. As to the other + point, I simply repeat it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. It will not help it to repeat it. For every expedition lost + on this route or any other the Government did not pay. When the expedition + was lost, the pay was deducted; when the expedition was made the pay was + given, and not otherwise. You see, gentlemen, how they have endeavored to + get the facts before you; what a struggle it has been over all these + obstacles—lack of memory, the immensity of this record—how + they have climbed the Himalayas of difficulty; how they have gone over the + Andes and Rocky Mountains of trouble to get at the facts! + </p> + <p> + Fifteenth point. On page 4820 Mr. Bliss states that there could not have + been legally allowed, on the evidence on The Dalles route, on expedition + over $4,144. As a matter of fact, the evidence does not cover the whole + route as to the number of men and horses used. The Government never proved + the number of men and horses necessary to carry the mail over the whole + route, but only a part. Mr. Ker admits that the evidence is defective in + that regard. When you have no standard, gentlemen, you cannot measure. + </p> + <p> + Sixteenth point. On page 4820 Mr. Bliss, in speaking of the route from + Eugene City to Bridge Creek, says that, taking the undisputed facts as + they were, before and after the expedition, Brady could not legally have + allowed more than $2,991.23. The evidence is (page 1343) that Wyckoff was + the subcontractor from July, 1878, to 1880. Powers first carried the mail + in 1880. The route was increased and expedited in June, 1879. Mr. Powers + never carried it from the expedition. Mr. Wyckoff was the only man who did + that, and Mr. Wyckoff was not called. Consequently there was no evidence + as to the number of men and horses used on either schedule. That left the + gentleman without a standard and without a measure. + </p> + <p> + Seventeenth point. On page 4820 Mr. Bliss says that on the Silverton and + Parrott City route the oath was made for seven trips a week on the present + schedule, when it ought to have been two trips on the old schedule and + seven trips for the new schedule. As there is no evidence as to the number + of men and horses used on the old schedule, of course there is no evidence + in this record to impeach that oath; you cannot find it. + </p> + <p> + Eighteenth point. On page 4822 Mr. Bliss states that after the passage of + the act of April 7, 1880, there were two increases upon the White River + route. The fact is there was just one after the passage of that law. Of + course a little mistake like that does not make much difference in a case + of this magnitude. + </p> + <p> + Nineteenth point. On page 4824 Mr. Bliss states that Raton was put on the + Trinidad route April 24, 1879 (Page 1031 ). The office was embraced on the + routes July 1, 1878. The first order in reference to it was made June 6, + 1878. It was put on the route from July 1, 1878, increasing the distance + twenty-three miles. Yet Mr. Bliss tells you that it was put on the route + April 24, 1879. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Is not that the date of the order? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. It may have been the date of your order. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Is not that the date of the order in the case? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I do not know anything about that. I give you the exact + facts. + </p> + <p> + Twentieth point. On page 4825, Mr. Bliss, in speaking of the Ojo Caliente + route, charges that by the order increasing the trips on this route in + February, 1881, there was paid from the Treasury illegally two thousand + and eleven dollars and forty-six cents. As a matter of fact had we been + paid for that entire quarter it would have amounted to seven thousand one + hundred and thirty-nine dollars and forty-one cents. The pay was not + adjusted until April 22< 1881 (page 731). The amount that was then paid + was not seven thousand one hundred and thirty-nine dollars and forty-one + cents, but it was three thousand seven hundred and twenty-seven dollars + and twenty-two cents. It was not for the entire quarter, but simply for + the actual service rendered. The quarterly pay for the preceding quarter, + before the expedition, was three thousand three hundred and fifty-eight + dollars and twenty-six cents; showing that we received only for that + quarter an excess, on account of expedition, of three hundred and + sixty-eight dollars and ninety-six cents. But he told you that we got + illegally two thousand and eleven dollars and forty-six cents. That is a + small matter. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-first point. On page 4897, Mr. Bliss says in effect that Dorsey + undertook to state that he kept no books; that he was doing a business + amounting, I think he says, to six million dollars a year, and yet he kept + no books. On the contrary, Dorsey swore that he did keep books; on the + contrary, he swore that Kellogg was his book-keeper. Kellogg swore that he + did keep the books. Torrey swore that he was his book-keeper, and kept the + books. And yet Mr. Bliss stood up before this jury and said to you that + Mr. Dorsey wanted you to believe, or stated that he kept no hooks of that + immense business. It will not do. No books but the red books, I suppose, + were kept. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-second point. At page 4883, Mr. Bliss says that in regard to one of + Vaile and Miner's routes (Canyon City to Fort McDermitt) there were large + profits, amounting to twenty thousand dollars a year. Then he says eighty + thousand dollars during the four years. And yet Mr. Bliss knew at that + time that that expedition lasted only eleven months. Trying to fool the + jury about sixty-two thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-third point. On page 4815 Mr. Bliss states that the fines on the + Bismarck and Tongue River route, during Brady's administration, were only + thirteen thousand dollars. If you will look at page 727 of this record, + where the table is put in evidence as to the fines, you will find that he + deducted from the pay twenty-nine thousand two hundred and twenty-four + dollars. Mr. Bliss made a mistake of sixteen thousand two hundred and + twenty-four dollars. But in a case like this that is not important. + Gentlemen, you know you cannot always be accurate. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss is an accurate man, as a rule. He has been called the index of + this business for the Government. Twenty-fourth point. On page 4987 Mr. + Bliss says: + </p> + <p> + The one fact of the evidence of the payment of money by Dorsey to Brady + remains the same whether the books were put out of the way by Dorsey or by + Rerdell. That is the great central point, so far as the books were + concerned; and as to that the testimony is absolutely uncontradicted. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Brady swears that Dorsey never gave him a dollar. Dorsey swears that + he never had a money transaction with Brady amounting to one cent. Mr. + Rerdell does not pretend to swear that he knows of Mr. Dorsey having paid + a dollar to Mr. Brady. He does not pretend to swear that he knows of any + one of these defendants having paid one dollar to Mr. Brady. And yet Mr. + Bliss will tell you that the fact that Dorsey paid Brady money is + uncontradicted. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I did not intend that, Colonel Ingersoll. I do not think it is + capable of that interpretation. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. What did you mean? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. As to the statement being in the books it is uncontradicted. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Let me see. He now turns and says he did not mean the + money, he meant the books. The evidence is overwhelming on our side that + the books did not exist. When you deny the existence of the book I take it + you deny the existence of any item in it. It is a question whether any + such books ever existed, gentlemen. Rerdell swore in the affidavit of June + 20, 1881, and he swore to that affidavit three times hand-running, that no + such books existed. He swore substantially the same thing on the 13th of + July, 1882. He told Mr. French that no such books ever existed. He told + Judge Carpenter that no such books ever existed. He stated to Bosler that + no such books ever existed. And now this gentleman says the evidence is + uncontradicted that Brady was charged in those books. That is a good deal + worse than the other. Let us go on. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-fifth point. At page 4962 Mr Bliss says that Mr. Dorsey, according + to his own statement—Had brought Rerdell up and led him to infamy. + </p> + <p> + Did Dorsey make any such statement? Did Mr. Dorsey, gentlemen, in your + presence, swear that he had brought Rerdell up? Did he, in your presence, + swear that he had led him to infamy? Did he, in your presence, swear that + he had done anything of the kind? I have got the exact words. + </p> + <p> + Who, according to his own statement, he, Dorsey, had brought up, had led + to infamy, and who, according to his own statement, had stated that + MacVeagh had told a lie. + </p> + <p> + A curious use of the English language. I believe it is in that connection, + though, that he speaks about Mr. Dorsey having the impudence to go to the + President of the United States. That is not a very impudent proceeding. In + this country a President is not so far above the citizen. In this country + we have not gotten to the sublimity of snobbery that a citizen cannot give + his opinion to the President; especially a citizen who did all he could to + make him President; especially a citizen in whom he had confidence. Not + much impudence in that. I do not think that during the campaign General + Garfield would have regarded it impudent on the part of Mr. Dorsey to + speak to him. I do not believe in a man, the moment he is elected + President, feeding upon meat that makes him so great that the man who + helped put him there cannot approach him, and every man who voted for him + helped to put him there. I am a believer in the doctrine that the + President is a servant of the people. I have not yet reached that other + refinement of snobbery. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. In point of fact, Colonel Ingersoll, I made no such statement. + Now let me read the passage on the very page you refer to. + </p> + <p> + Patched up the affidavit of Mr. Rerdell, addressed it to the President, + admittedly went to the President with it, and then had the impudence to + come here and malign the character of General Garfield by saying that upon + that affidavit of an accused man, instead of seeking a trial, he would + have removed two members of his Cabinet. + </p> + <p> + I meant nothing about the impudence of going to the President. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. He had the impudence then to come here and malign Garfield + by saying that upon that statement he would have turned out two members of + his Cabinet. That is Mr. Bliss's idea of impudence; and yet, upon the + testimony of the same man, he wants to put five men in the penitentiary. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Not upon the sole testimony, I suppose. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Not upon the soulless testimony. Now, I think that Mr. + Dorsey had a right to go and see Mr. Garfield. I think he had a right to + take that affidavit with him. General Garfield was told what this man had + said concerning Mr. Dorsey. He had the right to take that affidavit of + that man with him so that General Garfield, or the then Attorney-General + rather, might know how much confidence to put in the statement of that + man. He had a right to do that. If he found in this way that his + Attorney-General and his Postmaster-General were seeking to have a man + convicted by means not entirely honorable, then it was not only his + privilege, but it was his duty to discharge them from his Cabinet. But I + am not saying anything in regard to them now, because they are not here to + defend themselves. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I want to correct myself. Further down on that page I see I did + refer to the impudence of this man going to Garfield. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Well, as Mr. Bliss has been fair enough to state it, I will + not follow up my advantage. On another page Mr. Bliss says that the idea + that Mr. Vaile did what he did for Miner out of any sympathy is "too + thin." Mr. Bliss cannot believe that Vaile became Miner's friend so + suddenly, but he thinks it highly probable that they conspired instantly. + That is his view of human nature. Friendship is of slow growth; conspiracy + is a hot-house plant. Gentlemen, is that your view of human nature, that a + man cannot become the friend of another suddenly? Whenever he does become + his friend the friendship has to be formed suddenly, does it not? There is + a first time to everything. A moment before it did not exist; a moment + afterwards it is dead very suddenly. + </p> + <p> + There was a boy came to town one morning and met an old friend. The old + friend asked the boy, "How is your father?" He says, "Pretty well, for + him." "How is your mother?" "Pretty well, for her." "Well, how is your + grandmother?" "She is dead." "Well," says the old man, "she must have died + suddenly." "Well," said the boy, "pretty sudden, for her." + </p> + <p> + Whenever one man becomes the friend of another's, a moment before that he + was not, and a moment after he was. It must be sudden. But I imagine that + there was a friendship sprang up between Vaile and Miner, and I will tell + you why. They have been partners ever since. You, gentlemen, have had the + same experience a thousand times. It is not necessary to conspire with a + man in order to like him. Neither is it necessary to like him to conspire + with him. Men have conspired without friendship a thousand times more, + probably, than they have formed friendships without conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss says that because Miner failed to produce the power of attorney + that Moore swore was given to him when he went West, the jury have a right + to infer that instructions to get up false petitions were in writing and + were included in that power of attorney. Mr. Moore did not swear to the + contents of that power of attorney. Do you think that it is within the + realm of probability that a man ever gave a power of attorney to another + and inserted in it: "You are hereby authorized to get up false petitions; + you are further authorized to have them so written that you can tear them + off and paste others on? + </p> + <p> + "N. B. You will make such contracts with all contractors. + </p> + <p> + "P. S. Don't tell anybody." + </p> + <p> + There was another witness in this case, Mr. Grimes (page 808). Not the one + that wore the coat—All buttoned down before—but Mr. Grimes, + postmaster at Kearney. He came all the way here to swear that he stopped + using mail bills on the route from Kearney to Kent because he was so + ordered by a letter from the Post-Office Department. Then it was + discovered that he did not have the letter with him; he went home to get + the letter, but he never came back any more. + </p> + <p> + We introduced Spangler (page 341) from the inspection division of the + Post-Office Department; I think he was in charge of that division. He + swore, as a matter of fact, that there never were any mail bills on that + route at all. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Carpenter. He was in charge of the mail bills on that route. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. The mail bills on that particular route. That man Grimes + was brought clear here to prove that he stopped using mail bills, and then + we proved that there never were any mail bills used on that route for him + to stop using. I do not suppose that that man was dishonest. These people + just got around him and talked to him until he "remembered it." They just + planted the seed in his mind, and then came the dew and the rain and the + lightning until it began to sprout and in time blossomed and bore fruit—mail + bills. When we come to find out that there never were any mail bills used, + away went Mr. Grimes. + </p> + <p> + On page 4969 Mr. Bliss says: + </p> + <p> + They have not, up to this moment, dared to state under oath, I think, that + those books are not in their possession. + </p> + <p> + On page 3784 Dorsey swears that he never received any such books. Never + saw any such books. He swore again and again that he never heard of any + such books. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I stated distinctly that the defendants had not stated that in + the form required to excuse them from the production. I stated that + distinctly. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. All right; away goes that. + </p> + <p> + On page 4983 Mr. Bliss says: + </p> + <p> + Is it not an absurdity to suppose that Dorsey would leave Rerdell in + charge of his business from July, 1879, to August, 1880, and then on from + that time until the close of the contract term in August, 1882; leave all + the business in that way, and then through Bosler settle the accounts with + Mr. Rerdell and have no knowledge in any way, not only of the entries + contained in the books which Rerdell kept, but have no knowledge that he + kept any books whatever? Is it not absurd to suppose any such thing? These + ten routes represented an income of two hundred and fifty-odd thousand + dollars a year, or a total business, including income and outgo, of five + hundred thousand dollars a year, for three years, going no further than + that. These ten routes alone represented transactions amounting to half a + million dollars a year. There were one hundred and thirty routes and Mr. + Dorsey took one-third in value if not in number. If the value was the + same, Mr. Dorsey took not less than forty routes. As ten routes involved a + business of one million five hundred thousand dollars in that period, the + forty routes involved in that proportion transactions amounting to six + million dollars. + </p> + <p> + You made a calculation on the supposition that all the routes were + expedited the same as those in the indictment, and when you made that + calculation you knew they were not expedited. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I object, your Honor, to his making any such statement as that. + In the first place, it is not evidence; and in the second place, which is + of more importance, it is not true. I did not know any such thing, and I + do not know any such thing. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Do you say now that the other routes of his, to the number + you talked of, were expedited? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I am not on the stand to be cross-examined now. But I do say to + your Honor that there is no evidence of that in this case. And then I go + beyond that, and say that I did not know those things then and I do not + know them now. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Very well; he made the argument on the supposition that all + the routes were expedited. I say that not one of them was expedited in + which Mr. Dorsey had an interest. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. There is no evidence on that subject. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Is there any evidence of what you say? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I put a supposititious case; you have stated a fact. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I will put another supposititious case, and mine is that + the other routes were not expedited. + </p> + <p> + The Court. That is the right way to meet it. Counsel ought not to turn to + counsel on the other side and make an appeal to his knowledge in regard to + matters not in evidence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I know, but he said he did not know it. Then I asked him, + as a matter of fact, if he did not know— + </p> + <p> + The Court. [Interposing.] He stated his supposition, and you met that + supposition— + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. [Interposing.] I am always glad to get information. Now, + then, I will go to another point, and that is the $7,500 check. Mr. Bliss + speaks of that check at page 4997, and he says: + </p> + <p> + There is a question raised as to whether it was drawn in Mr. Rerdell's + presence. + </p> + <p> + I do not think there was. How could such a question be raised, gentlemen? + The check was made payable to M. C. Rerdell, or his order. On the back of + the check is Mr. Rerdell's name, put there by himself. He is the only + indorser. And yet Mr. Bliss tells you that there is a question raised as + to whether the money was drawn in Mr. Rerdell's presence or not. The check + shows, and the evidence is absolutely perfect, that the money was paid to + Rerdell in person. The question is this: Whether it was drawn in Mr. + Rerdell's presence. If it was paid to him in person, I imagine that he was + in that neighborhood at that time. The check was written by him, + everything except the signature of Dorsey. It was drawn to Mr. Rerdell, or + order, and indorsed by Rerdell himself. There was no other indorser. So + that it is absolutely certain that he drew the money in question. And yet + Mr. Bliss says the question is whether it was drawn in Rerdell's presence + or not. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss continues and states that the money went to S. W. Dorsey. Did + it? Mr. Dorsey, on page 3965, states the circumstances. He was packing to + go away. He had not the time to go to the bank himself. He had the check + written payable to Mr. Rerdell, or order, and he signed it. Rerdell went + to the bank, got the money, brought it back and put it in his carpet-sack. + That is the testimony. + </p> + <p> + Now, Mr. Bliss says: + </p> + <p> + No evidence was given as to what Stephen W. Dorsey was wanting just at + that time with seven thousand five hundred dollars in bills. + </p> + <p> + According to Mr. Rerdell, he wanted that money to give to Mr. Brady. That + is what Mr. Rerdell intended to swear. But when he found that that check + was made payable to him, and indorsed by him, then they had to take + another tack. They dare not say then, "That is the check." They dare not + say then, "That is the money." Rerdell had forgotten at the time he swore + that that check was payable to his order. When he told his seven thousand + dollar story to MacVeagh he forgot about that check. When he told it to + the Postmaster-General, if he did—I have forgotten whether he did or + not—he forgot about that. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I will call your attention to the part to which I really + wish to direct your attention. It is an admission by the Government, an + admission by Colonel Bliss; it is in these words, on page 4997, speaking + of this very thing: + </p> + <p> + However that may be, they themselves put in a check here for seven + thousand five hundred dollars, drawn about the time Mr. Rerdell spoke of, + the money upon which admittedly went to Stephen W. Dorsey, though there is + a question raised as to whether it was drawn in Mr. Rerdell's presence or + whether it was not drawn by him. But the money went to Stephen W. Dorsey, + and there was a promise made to show you what was done with that seven + thousand five hundred dollars. But, like many another promise in this + case, it remains unfulfilled to-day. No evidence was given as to what + Stephen W. Dorsey was wanting just at that time with seven thousand five + hundred dollars in bills. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dorsey offered to tell you what he did with it, and you said you did + not want it; you did not want to know when he was on the stand. He offered + to tell you what he did with the money, and you would not take his + statement. Hear what he says: + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dorsey was not taking seven thousand five hundred dollars in bills to + the West. + </p> + <p> + How do you know? Who ever told Mr. Bliss that he was not taking seven + thousand five hundred dollars to the West? He must have got that from Mr. + Rerdell. May be that is the reason they would not allow Dorsey to tell, + because before that time they had been informed that he would swear that + he took the seven thousand five hundred dollars to the West. How else did + Mr. Bliss find this out? + </p> + <p> + It is not in the evidence, not a line. Somebody must have told him. Who + could have told him? Nobody, I think, except Mr. Rerdell. Is it possible, + then, that Mr. Bliss was afraid that Mr. Dorsey would swear that he took + it West? And was he afraid also that you would believe it? I do not know. + He did not want him to state. Now here is what I want to call your + attention to: + </p> + <p> + After all the talk about that evidence, all the talk about the seven + thousand dollars, all the talk about the seven thousand five hundred + dollar check, Mr. Bliss at least, admits to this jury: + </p> + <p> + Of course all that transaction might have occurred precisely as Mr. + Rerdell testified, and there might have involved no corruption on Mr. + Brady's part. + </p> + <p> + If, then, it may have occurred exactly as Rerdell swore, and involved no + corruption, certainly it might have occurred as Mr. S. W. Dorsey swore and + involved no corruption. I will go on now with a little more from Mr. + Bliss: + </p> + <p> + The drawing of the money and going to Mr. Brady's room might have been a + mere accident, as a call there to attend to some other business. + </p> + <p> + Of course, that is reasonable. I might go the bank and draw five thousand + dollars, and then I might stop in the Treasury Department, but that is no + evidence that I am bribing the Secretary of the Treasury. I might step + over to see the President; that would be no reason to believe that I + bribed the Executive. + </p> + <p> + Of course that is not conclusive. It is only a little straw in this case, + as showing a transaction of that kind involved in connection with all the + evidence you have in this case—A little straw evidence of Mr. + Brady's acts, and particularly as at the time when that occurs evidence in + connection with the large increases which Mr. Brady was then ordering; + evidence in connection with the books, and the evidence they bear; + evidence in connection with the declarations of Brady to Walsh—evidence + all consistent. + </p> + <p> + And then he adds this piece of gratuitous information: + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dorsey was not taking seven thousand five hundred dollars in bills to + the West. + </p> + <p> + How does he know? How did he find that out? And has it come to, this? Has + all the testimony upon that point—has the confession of Rerdell to + MacVeagh and James shrunk to this little measure—that it is "only a + straw"? Has it shrunk to this measure that Mr. Bliss admits that the whole + thing might have been exactly as Rerdell swears, and yet have been + perfectly innocent? Has it shrunk to this little measure? The Government + would not tell us—I presume the Government will not tell us, what + check it was, the proceeds of which were taken by Mr. Dorsey to Mr. Brady. + Neither will they say whether that sum was made up in one check or by + adding together a number of checks; and, if so, what number? + </p> + <p> + At page 295 Mr. Bliss told you, in his opening speech, that Rerdell had on + one occasion gone with Mr. Stephen W. Dorsey to the bank, and that seven + thousand dollars had been drawn; that he had gone with Dorsey to the door + of the Post-Office Department, or to Brady's room, at the time—he + would not undertake to say which—Mr. Dorsey stating to him that he + intended to pay that money to Mr. Brady, and that he (Mr. Dorsey) then + went in. But when they come to put this man on the stand he will not swear + that Dorsey ever told him that he intended to pay the money to Brady. + Probably that part of the statement, that Dorsey told him that he was + going to pay that money to Brady, can be found in the affidavit made + before Mr. Woodward, in September, and repeated in the affidavit made at + Hartford in November. But it is not in evidence here. + </p> + <p> + Now, we brought all the checks that we had given on Middleton's bank, with + the exception of two, I believe, that amounted to some hundred and odd + dollars. We gave the Government counsel notice that there were two others. + </p> + <p> + Among those checks was this one for seven thousand five hundred dollars. + There were many others. I asked the gentlemen to pick out their check; + they would not do it. I asked the gentlemen to pick out the checks; they + did not do it. And now if we had failed to produce checks that were + important in this case, the Government could have produced the books and + clerks of Middleton & Company, and shown exactly the checks we drew + upon that bank that month. They did not do it. As a matter of fact, I + offered all the checks on all the banks I could think of that we had any + business with in any way, except one, and that turned out to be the + German-American Savings Bank, and it turned out that that went into + bankruptcy eight months before this business; so there is no trouble about + that. Why did they not pick out the checks upon which they claimed that + the money was drawn that was paid to Brady? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Rerdell, on page 2254, in speaking of the money, swore that money was + charged to Brady on the stub. He says that Dorsey told him, "You will find + the amount on the stub of the check-book." The jury will notice that he + speaks of the "amount," the "stub," and the "book," all in the singular. + That was followed, I believe, by about six pages of discussion, and + everybody who took part in that discussion, the Court included, spoke of + the sum of money as an "amount," upon a "stub," in a "checkbook." + </p> + <p> + I call attention to 2254-'55-'56-'57-'58-'59. On all those pages it is + spoken of as a stub of a check-book, or amount on a stub in a check-book. + After the discussion was closed, then the witness began to talk about + "books," "checks," "stubs," and "amounts." Why did he do that? + </p> + <p> + His object was to get the evidence broad enough—checks and + check-books enough—to fit their notice, to the end that they might + get possession of all the check-books, and of all the amounts on all the + stubs. + </p> + <p> + What more? The discussion convinced Mr. Rerdell that it would be far safer + to say "stubs" than "stub"; that it would be far better to say + "check-books" than "checkbook," and far better to say "amounts" than + "amount"; because he would have a better chance in adding these up so as + to make six thousand five hundred dollars, or seven thousand dollars, or + six thousand dollars, than to be brought down to one check, one amount, + and one stub-book. So he went off into the region of safety, into the + domain of the plural. + </p> + <p> + Now, the last point—at least for this evening—so far as Mr. + Bliss is concerned, I believe, is about the red books. Mr. Bliss tells you + that Mrs. Cushman was telegraphed to from the far West. There was a little + anxiety, I believe, on the part of Rerdell about the book, and he + telegraphed her. She found it there in the wood-shed, you know, hanging + up, I think, in the old family carpet-sack—I have forgotten where + she found it—and she put it away. Now, there is a question I want to + ask here, and I know that Mr. Merrick when he closes will answer it to his + entire satisfaction; I do not know whether he will to yours or to mine: + How does it happen that Mrs. Rerdell never saw that red book? How does it + happen that Mrs. Rerdell, when she was put on the stand, never mentioned + that red book? How does it happen that she never heard of it when her + husband went to New York to get it; when everything he had in the world, + according to his idea, was depending upon it; when it was his + sheet-anchor; when it was the corner-stone of his safety? And yet his wife + never heard of it, never saw it, did not know it was in the wood-shed, + slept in that house night after night and did not even dream that her + husband's safety depended on any book in a carpet-sack hanging in the + wood-shed. She never said a word about it on the stand, not a word. + Gentlemen, nobody can answer that question except by admitting that the + book was not there and did not exist. + </p> + <p> + But perhaps I have said enough about the speeches of Mr. Ker and Mr. + Bliss. Of course, their business is to do what they can to convict. I do + not know that I ought to take up much more time with them. I feel a good + deal as that man did in Pennsylvania who was offered one-quarter of a + field of wheat if he would harvest it. He went out and looked at it. + "Well," he says, "I don't believe I will do it." The owner says, "Why?" + "Well," he says, "there is a good deal of straw, and I don't think there + is wheat enough to make a quarter." + </p> + <p> + So now, gentlemen, if the Court will permit, I would like to adjourn till + to-morrow morning. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, the next witness to whose testimony I will invite your + attention is Mr. Boone. Mr. Boone was relied upon by the Government to + show that this conspiracy was born in the brain of Mr. Dorsey; that these + other men were simply tools and instrumentalities directed by him; that he + was the man who devised this scheme to defraud the Government, and that it + was Dorsey who suggested the fraudulent subcontracts. They brought Mr. + Boone upon the stand for that purpose, and I do not think it is improper + for me to say that Mr. Boone was swearing under great pressure. It is + disclosed by his own testimony that he had eleven hundred routes, and that + he had been declared a failing contractor by the department; and it also + appeared in evidence that he had been indicted some seven or eight times. + Gentlemen, that man was swearing under great pressure. I told you once + before that the hand of the Government had him clutched by the throat, and + the Government relied upon his testimony to show how this conspiracy + originated. Now I propose to call your attention to the evidence of Mr. + Boone upon this subject. + </p> + <p> + On page 1352 Mr. Boone swears substantially that on his first meeting with + Stephen W. Dorsey—that is, after they met at the house—he said + to Dorsey that he (Boone) would be satisfied with a one-third interest. + Now, the testimony of Boone is that Mr. Dorsey then and there agreed that + he might have the one-third interest. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dorsey says it is not that way; that he told him that when the others + came they would probably give him that interest, or something to that + effect. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Boone further swears that when J. W. Dorsey did come there was a + contract—or articles of agreement you may call them—handed to + him by J. R. Miner, purporting to be articles of partnership between John + W. Dorsey and himself, and that he signed these articles; that that, I + believe, was on the 15th of January, 1878, and that it was by virtue of + that agreement that he had one-third. It was not by virtue of any talk he + had with S. W. Dorsey that he got an interest, and you will see how + perfectly that harmonizes with the statement of Stephen W. Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dorsey's statement is: "I cannot make the bargain with you, but when + John W. Dorsey comes I think he will, or they will." It turned out that + when John W. Dorsey did come in January he did enter into articles of + partnership with A. E. Boone, and did give him the one-third interest. So + the fact stands out that he got the one-third interest from John W. Dorsey + and not from Stephen W. Dorsey. If the paper had been written and signed + by Stephen W. Dorsey that would uphold the testimony of Boone. If Boone + had said, "I made the bargain with Stephen W. Dorsey," and the articles of + co-partnership were signed by him, I submit that that would have been a + perfect corroboration of Boone. Stephen W. Dorsey swears that the bargain + was made with John W. Dorsey, and you find that the agreement was signed + by John W. Dorsey, and not by Stephen W. Dorsey. I submit, therefore, that + that is a perfect corroboration of the testimony of Stephen W. Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + At page 1544 Mr. Boone says that, as a matter of fact, all contractors + endeavored to keep what they were doing secret from all other contractors. + Think of the talk we have heard about secrecy. If the bidders upon any of + these routes did not want the whole world to know the amount they had bid, + that secrecy was tortured into evidence of a criminal conspiracy. If John + W. Dorsey did not want the world to know what he was doing, if Mr. Boone + wanted to keep a secret, these gentlemen say it is because they were + engaged in a conspiracy to defraud the Government, and crime loves the + darkness. What does Mr. Boone say? As a matter of fact, that all + contractors endeavored to keep what they were doing secret from all other + contractors where they feared rivalry. Of course that is human nature. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Boone further says that he never knew of one contractor admitting even + that he was going to bid. He always pretended, don't you see, that he was + not going to bid. He wanted to throw the other contractors off their + guard. He did not want them to imagine that he was figuring upon that same + route, because if they thought he was, they might put in a much lower bid. + He wanted them to feel secure, so that they would put in a good high bid, + and then if he put in a tolerably low bid he would get the route. That is + simply human nature. + </p> + <p> + Boone further says that always when a letting came on he had his bids in; + that contractors keep their bids secret from rival contractors, not for + the purpose of defrauding the Government, but for the purpose of taking + care of their business. Now, gentlemen, when men make these proposals and + keep their business secret—as it turns out that in these cases they + were keeping their business secret—the fact that they are so doing + is not evidence going to show that they are keeping that business secret + because they have conspired. Have you not the right to draw the inference, + and is it not the law that you must draw the inference, that they kept + their business secret for the same reason that all honest men keep their + business secret? + </p> + <p> + At page 1545, Mr. Boone, swearing again about his talk with Mr. Dorsey + that night after the arrangement was concluded, says that he—Dorsey—told + me to be careful of Elkins, because Elkins was representing Roots & + Kerens, large contractors, * * * the largest in the department, at that + time, in the Southwest. + </p> + <p> + And yet that evidence has been alluded to as having in it the touch and + taint of crime, because S. W. Dorsey said to Boone to say nothing to + Elkins. Who was Elkins? He, at that time, as appears from the evidence, + was the attorney of Roots & Kerens; and who were they? Among the + largest, if not the largest contractors in the department; that is, the + largest in the Southwest. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Boone stated that the letter of Peck to S. W. Dorsey requested him to + get some man who knew the business to look after the bids or proposals. + Now, I want to ask you, gentlemen, and I want you to answer it like + sensible men, if Stephen W. Dorsey got up a conspiracy himself, why was it + that Peck wrote to him asking him to get some competent man to collect the + information about the bids—that is, about the country, about the + routes, about the cost of living, about wages, the condition of the roads, + and the topography of the country? + </p> + <p> + If it was hatched in the brain of Stephen W. Dorsey, how is it possible, + gentlemen, that a letter was written to him by Peck asking him to get a + competent man to gather that information? Mr. Boone swears that he had + such a letter. Mr. Boone swears that Dorsey showed the letter to him. Mr. + Boone swears that, in consequence of that letter, he went to work to + gather this information. Did Mr. Dorsey do anything about gathering + information? Nothing. Did he give any advice? None. Did he ask any + questions? Not one. Did he interfere with Mr. Boone in the business? + Never. + </p> + <p> + You know that was a very suspicious circumstance. I believe there was a + direction given that letters be sent to James H. Kepuer. That was another + suspicious circumstance. Mr. Boone swears that he was also in the mail + business; that he did not want the letters to go some place; that he had + to give at the department an address; that thereupon he chose the name of + James H. Kepner, his step-son, so that all the mail in regard to this + particular business would go in one box, and not be mingled with the mail + in reference to his individual business or the business represented by the + firm to which he belonged. What more does he swear? That neither Dorsey + nor any one of these defendants ever suggested that name, or ever + suggested that any such change be made; that it was made only as a matter + of convenience; that it was not intended to and could not in any way + defraud the Government. + </p> + <p> + Now, Mr. Boone has cleared up a little of this. He has cleared up the + letter; he has cleared up the charge of secrecy; he has cleared up the + charge that we had the letters addressed to James H. Kepner & Co.; he + has shown that everything done so far was perfectly natural, perfectly + innocent, and in accordance with the habits of men engaged in that + business. + </p> + <p> + Now I come to the next thing (page 1550). The next great circumstance in + this case, the great suspicious circumstance, was that the amount of the + bid was left blank in the proposals. The moment they saw those blanks in + the bids they knew then that the Government was to be defrauded, and they + brought Mr. Boone here for the purpose of showing that that was done to + lay the foundation for a fraud. What does Boone swear? He swears that he + always left that part of the proposal blank; always had done so; had been + engaged in the mail business for years, and never filled that blank up in + his life, in which the amount of the bid should be inserted. It was not + left blank to defraud the Government, but to prevent the postmasters and + sureties, or any other persons, finding out the amount of the bid. Away + goes that suspicious circumstance. + </p> + <p> + After the bids had been properly executed and came back into the hands of + the contractors, from the time the figures were put into those routes, + what does he say they did? + </p> + <p> + We slept with them until we could get them to the department. + </p> + <p> + He says they never allowed anybody to see them after the amount of the bid + had been inserted; that they would not allow anybody to see the amount of + the bids; that it was left out, however, only for self-protection, and for + no other reason. That is the Government's own witness. He is the man they + brought to show that this blank in the bid was a suspicious circumstance. + He is the man they brought here to show that because Stephen W. Dorsey had + told him to say nothing to Elkins, that injunction of secrecy was evidence + of a conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + At page 1552, Mr. Boone, in speaking of these same things, says that + however they were made, whether the name of the bidder or the route was + put in, or whatever he did—that is, Boone—he did not do it for + the purpose of defrauding the Government. They say to him, "Don't you know + that you left out not only the amount of the bid, but the name of the + bidder?" He says, "Whatever I did, whether I left out the amount of the + bid or the name of the bidder, I did not do it for the purpose of + defrauding the Government; I had no such idea, no idea of defrauding the + Government by leaving any blank or any blanks." He did the work. Stephen + W. Dorsey left no blank; A. E. Boone left every blank; and yet they + brought him forward to prove that that was the result of a conspiracy; and + after he comes upon the stand he swears, "I left those blanks myself; I + always left them in proposals exactly in that way; and whether I left out + the amount of the bid or the name of the bidder, I did not do it to + defraud the Government; I did it simply to protect myself, as I had the + right to do." So much for that. That is gone. + </p> + <p> + So, speaking of these other proposals (the Clendenning proposals) what + does Mr. Boone say—the witness for the Government, the very man who + got up those proposals, the man who wrote them, the man who wrapped them + up, and sealed them? What does he say? "Those proposals were not gotten up + for the purpose of defrauding the Government; I did not send them to + Clendenning for that purpose." That is the end of that. No conspiracy + there. + </p> + <p> + The object, don't you see, gentlemen, was to show by Boone that he acted + under the direction of Dorsey; that Dorsey was responsible for everything + that Boone did; and that although Boone was guilty of no crime in leaving + the bid blank, still if he did it by authority of Dorsey, Dorsey had an + ulterior motive of which Boone was ignorant. Let us see. + </p> + <p> + At page 1554, Mr. Boone swears that Dorsey never told him at any time or + any place that he wanted any blanks left. And yet they were endeavoring by + that witness to saddle that upon S. W. Dorsey. But that witness swears + that Dorsey never even told him that he wanted any blanks left in any + paper, proposal, bid, or bond. He says that Dorsey never at any time or + place told him (Boone) that he (Dorsey) wanted any blanks left, or any + proposals of any particular form printed, to the end that a fraud might be + perpetrated upon the Government—not a word. + </p> + <p> + And, gentlemen, I am now in that space of time where they say this + conspiracy was born. At page 1567, before Miner got here, Mr. Boone swears + that Dorsey told him that he would advance money for the other defendants, + and Mr. Boone swears that after he got here he never asked Dorsey for a + dollar except through Miner; that Dorsey never gave a dollar except + through Miner. + </p> + <p> + What more? This is the witness that is going to establish the guilt of + Stephen W. Dorsey. Stephen W. Dorsey never told Boone at any time that he + had any interest whatever in those mail routes. Boone never heard of it. + Dorsey never told him to print a proposal with a blank; never told him to + leave a blank after it was printed; never told him to do anything for the + purpose of defrauding the Government in any way at any time. This is + extremely good reading, gentlemen, when you take into consideration that + this is the witness of the Government, their main prop until the paragon + of virtue made his appearance upon the stand. + </p> + <p> + Page 1558. Another great point: That in preparing the subcontracts, Dorsey + having it in his mind to conspire against the Government, or really having + conspired, according to their story, wanted a provision in a subcontract + for increase and expedition. + </p> + <p> + Why, it strikes me, gentlemen, that that is evidence of honesty rather + than dishonesty. If these subcontracts were to hold good during the + contract term, and if in the contract given to the contractor by the + Government there was a clause for increase and expedition, why should not + the subcontract provide for the same contingencies that the contract + provided for with the Government? That looks honest, doesn't it? + </p> + <p> + It was advertising the subcontractor that the moment he signed his + subcontract the trips were liable to be increased and the time was liable + to be shortened, and that if the time was shortened or the trips increased + the pay was to be correspondingly increased. But I will go on with the + testimony. + </p> + <p> + Page 1558: In preparing the subcontract Mr. Dorsey instructed Boone to + provide for an expedition clause. That was a suspicious circumstance. What + for? To conform to the expedition clause in the contract with the + Government. If making it like the Government contract is evidence of + conspiracy, the fact that the Government contracts have that clause is + evidence that the Government conspired with somebody. It is just as good + one way as the other. The Government made a contract with the contractor, + the contractor made one with the subcontractor, and the contractor so far + forgot his duties, so far forgot his moral obligations, that he made it + just the same as his contract with the Government. Gentlemen, is there any + depth of depravity below that? Absolutely copying the contract that the + Government was going to make with him, and treating the subcontractor, so + far as the contract was concerned, as the Government had treated him, he + (Boone) prepared a clause which he thought filled the bill, and which he + still thinks, I believe, would have been better to use than the other. + When he showed that to Stephen W. Dorsey, Dorsey suggested another form. + It was the same thing exactly, but in different words. There was the + testimony I have read to you, and now here is what Mr. Bliss states about + it at page 4865: + </p> + <p> + But Stephen W. Dorsey, away back there, knew sufficient about expedition + to appreciate the importance of keeping for the contractors thirty-five + per cent, and giving to the men who were performing the service only + sixty-five per cent. + </p> + <p> + Why not? Is that a crime? Suppose I agreed to carry the mail four years + for $10,000 a year and I subcontract with another man. Have I not the + right to get it carried as cheaply as I can? I just ask you that as a + business proposition. Or has every mail to treat this Government as though + it was in its dotage? Must you do business with the Government as though + you were contracting with an infant or an idiot? Must you look at both + sides of the contract? That is the question. The Government, for instance, + advertises for so much granite, and I put in a bid which is accepted; at + the same time I know that I could furnish that granite for twenty-five per + cent. less. Is it my duty under such circumstances to go and notify the + Government that I have cheated it, and that I would like to have it put + the contract down? There may be heights of morality that would see the + propriety of such action, but it is not for every-day wear and tear. Very + few people have it; it scarcely ever comes into play in trading horses. + Must we treat the Government as though it were imbecile? I say it was a + simple business transaction. The Government advertises for proposals to + carry the mail; I make my bid for $10,000, and we will say that my bid is + accepted. Now, I admit that I could carry it for $5,000 and make money. + </p> + <p> + Am I criminal if I go on and perform the contract as I agreed and draw the + money? Or suppose the people along the route do not want it expedited and + increased, and so I talk to them about it; I go to Mr. Brown and say, "Mr. + Brown, you are living in this smart, thriving town, and you need a daily + mail." I go to the next village and I say, "Why, gentlemen, you will never + have a town here until you have a daily mail; I am the fellow now carrying + the mail." And I keep talking about it, you know, and finally get a fellow + to get up a petition, or I write one myself, and send it around, and say + to them, "Gentlemen, what you want is more mail, faster mail; the mail is + the pioneer of civilization, gentlemen; have a daily mail, and along the + line at once towns and villages and cities will spring up, and all the + hillsides will be covered with farms, and school-houses will be here, and + wealth will be universal." Any crime about that. Every railroad has been + built just that way. Every park has been laid out in every city by just + such means. Nearly every street that has been improved has been improved + in that way, by men who had some interest in the property, by men who were + to be benefited by it themselves, and who ought to be benefited. Should + the men that get the public attention in that direction be benefited, or + the men who do nothing? I say that the men who give attention to the + business have a right to be benefited by it. And yet here is the crime, + gentlemen. And then we only gave these fellows sixty-five per cent, and + took thirty-five ourselves, because we were bound to the Government to + fulfill the contract, as was explained to you so admirably, so perfectly, + by Judge Wilson. The contract was to run for four years, and I believe in + a certain contingency for six months thereafter. We had to carry out the + contract, whether the subcontractor carried out his contract with us or + not. + </p> + <p> + Now, this is what Mr. Bliss says: + </p> + <p> + So, after a large mass of subcontracts had been struck from the press, + which gave to the subcontractors all the increase—There never was a + subcontract that gave to the subcontractors all the increase; there is no + evidence that there ever was such a subcontract, he—That is, Stephen + W. Dorsey—directed them to be put back on the press. + </p> + <p> + I should think he would. If he found any subcontracts were printed that + gave to the subcontractor all the increase, I do not wonder that he had + them destroyed. + </p> + <p> + Here you get, we will say, a contract for ten thousand dollars for one + trip, with the agreement that if there are two trips the compensation + shall be twenty thousand dollars. Thereupon you make a contract with a + subcontractor, and you agree in that subcontract that he shall have all + the increase. Of course, you want that made over again; of course, you + would not make that kind of a subcontract. + </p> + <p> + He directed them to be put back on the press, and this provision giving + the subcontractor his money struck out and this other clause put in. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, that is an entire and absolute mistake. There is no such + evidence, there never was in this case, and I take it there never will be. + The evidence was—and you remember it; and you remember it; and you + remember it; and you [addressing different jurors]—that Stephen W. + Dorsey allowed to the subcontractor sixty-five per cent, of the + expedition, and that same subcontractor provided what he should have for + one trip, and what he should have for two trips; that is to say, what he + should have for increase; and it provided at the same time for sixty-five + per cent, on expedition. Mr. Boone swears it; others swear it. Not only + that, but it is printed in the record again and again and again. Why did + Stephen W. Dorsey do that? I can tell you why: He did not. Why did Stephen + W. Dorsey do that, if it was not because his fertile imagination had + already conceived the plan of defrauding the United States, and he was + making an arrangement by which that fraud could be consummated? How would + that help him consummate a fraud? Suppose he struck out all the per cent, + to the subcontractors; suppose he had not had any subcontract printed; + suppose the subcontract was printed, and printed on purpose to deceive and + defraud the subcontractors; how does that show that he was trying to + defraud the United States? Why, if it proves anything it proves the other, + that he had not entered into a conspiracy by which he could get the money + from the United States, but had endeavored to get it from the + subcontractors. If it proves anything it proves that. But the reason it + does not prove anything is because the statement is not correct. + </p> + <p> + Now, just see how a conspiracy can be built of that material. A man that + can do that can make a cover for Barnum's Circus with one postage-stamp; + he can make a suit of clothes out of a rabbit-skin; he can make a grain of + mustard seed cover the whole air without growing. + </p> + <p> + That is given as an evidence that Dorsey had conspired. There is not a + thing on the earth that he could have done that would not prove conspiracy + just as well as that—just exactly—no other act. Humph! That is + the way they build a conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + Why not take another step? Why not have a little bit of ordinary good hard + sense? On the 17th day of May, I believe, 1878, the act was passed + allowing the subcontractor to put his subcontract on file. Now, that + contract ought to provide for all the contingencies of the service, so + that if the trips were increased the Government would know how much to pay + that subcontractor; so that if the time was expedited the Government would + know how much to pay the subcontractor. The subcontract ought to have been + made in that way, and it would be perfectly proper to make it in that way. + </p> + <p> + I once went to see a friend of mine who had the erysipelas and who was a + little crazy. I sat down by his bedside, and he said, "Ingersoll, I have + made a discovery; I just tell you I am going to be a millionaire." Said I, + "What is it?" He says, "I have found out that if four persons take hold of + hands after they have had a hole made in the ground and put a piece of + stove-pipe in it, and then run around it as hard as they can from left to + right, a ball of butter will come out of the pipe." Now, I think that is + about as reasonable as the way conspiracies are made, according to Mr. + Bliss. + </p> + <p> + Now, we come to Mr. Boone (page 1560). He says that the action he had + taken was upon his own responsibility, and that at no time had any papers + been gotten up with any view of defrauding the Government. That was good. + </p> + <p> + I am like the Democrat who said, after hearing the returns from Berks + County, "That sounds good." Then, here is a question asked him: + </p> + <p> + Q. I understood you to say that the contract was made between you and + somebody, fixing your interest in all this business?—A. Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. Do you recollect about the date of that?—A. I think it is on the + day John W. Dorsey got here in Washington. + </p> + <p> + On page 1561 he swears that at the time Boone made that contract with John + W. Dorsey he and Dorsey had not conspired to defraud the Government in any + way, nor did they ever do so after that contract was made. When was that + contract made? It was made on the 15th day of January, 1878. Who made it? + John W. Dorsey of the one part, and Albert E. Boone of the other. And they + tell exactly what that contract was for. Here is the contract, on page + 1561, and this shows that the statement of Stephen W. Dorsey, that the + matter was deferred until John W Dorsey should come, is absolutely + correct: + </p> + <p> + That the parties to this agreement shall share in all the profits, gains, + and losses as follows: John W. Dorsey shall have two-thirds and Albert E. + Boone, share one-third. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, there was the original partnership agreement. Let us see + if that was ever dissolved. + </p> + <p> + The next contract was made on the 12th of September, 1878. + </p> + <p> + Now, therefore, in consideration of one dollar in hand paid, the receipt + whereof is hereby acknowledged, I hereby, sell, assign, and transfer to + Albert E. Boone all my said two-thirds interest in the routes in the name + of said Boone in the States of Texas, Louisiana Arkansas, Kansas, and + Nebraska, and in the name of said Dorsey in the States of Texas, + Louisiana, and Arkansas. + </p> + <p> + The reason he did that was because Mr. Miner had made a contract with + Boone to that effect; and probably I had better read that now so that you + will have it exactly and know what we are doing. I read from page 1569; + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C, August 7, 1878. + </p> + <p> + Whereas A. E. Boone has this day, for the purpose of saving a failure in + the routes in the name of John R. Miner, John M. Peck, and John W. Dorsey—"For + the purpose of saving a failure," recollect. Although Stephen W. Dorsey, + according to the prosecution, was a conspirator, and although John W. + Dorsey was another, and Peck was another, yet on the 7th day of August, + 1878, "for the purpose of saving a failure," they made this: assigned to + John R. Miner his one-third interest in the routes in their names, now, + therefore, I, John R. Miner, agree that John W. Dorsey shall assign his + interest in routes in the name of A. E. Boone in Kansas and Nebraska, + Texas and Louisiana, and Arkansas; in the name of John W. Dorsey, in + Texas, Louisiana, and Kansas. The latter clause not guaranteed. + </p> + <p> + JOHN R. MINER. + </p> + <p> + Now, he said to Mr. Boone, "I have got to have another man come in; we + haven't got the money to run these routes; I have got to get somebody with + us; if you will go out, I will agree that John W. Dorsey will assign to + you his two-thirds interest in all the routes in Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, + Louisiana, and Arkansas. I will agree that John W. Dorsey, although he has + a two-thirds interest in all these routes, shall assign them to you, A. E. + Boone, and they shall thereupon become your property." That agreement was + made on the 7th of August, 1878; and then, as I read you before, on the + 12th day of September, Miner made that promise good, and John W. Dorsey + did assign to Boone his two-thirds interest in all the routes that Miner + said he would. Then Boone was out of it. He had no more to do with Miner, + Peck & Co., and no more to do with John W. Dorsey; he went his road + and they went theirs. He went out in consideration that John W. Dorsey + would give him (Boone) two-thirds of all the routes that he before that + time had one-third in. Then Miner took in Mr. Vaile, because he had the + money to go on with the business. + </p> + <p> + Page 1562, still talking about Mr. Boone. There is another very suspicious + circumstance that was brought up by the prosecution. These bids were put + in in different names, and that was looked at as a very suspicious + circumstance. What does Boone say about that? He says that the object in + bidding in separate names was not to defraud the Government, but was to + have the service divided up and not to bid against each other. That was + reasonable. The arrangement was simply to keep from injuring themselves; + it was not made to defraud the Government, but it was made so that they + might not by accident injure each other. It was a common thing for members + of a firm to bid in that way, and it is a common thing for persons to + organize themselves for the purpose of bidding and running contracts, and + when they thus bid they always bid in their individual names. The fact + that we bid in our individual names was taken as a circumstance going to + show that we had conspired to defraud the Government, and a witness they + bring forward to prove that fact swears that it has been the custom for + all firms to bid in their individual names. Away goes that suspicion. The + coat-tail of that point horizontalizes in the dim distance. + </p> + <p> + Page 1563. The point was made, gentlemen, that we bid on long routes with + slow time, knowing—understand, knowing—that the service would + be increased and that the time would be shortened. The only word I object + to there is the word "knowing." That we bid on long routes with slow time + thinking that the service would be increased and the time shortened was + undoubtedly true. That we bid expecting that the service might be + increased and the time shortened is undoubtedly true. That when we bid we + took into consideration the probability of the service being increased and + the time shortened is undoubtedly true. The only difference is the + difference between thinking and knowing; between taking into account + probabilities and making the bid because we had made a bargain with the + Second Assistant Postmaster-General. That is the difference. Let us see + what Boone says about it. I read from page 1563: + </p> + <p> + On all service of three times a week and under there is a chance for + improvement in getting it up to six or seven times a week. + </p> + <p> + Everybody who has ordinary common sense knows that! If I bid on service + for once a week there is a great deal better chance for getting an + increase of trips than if there were seven when I started. Everybody knows + that. There is about six times as good a chance. + </p> + <p> + All contractors consider that—That chance—in their bids, and + bid lower on one, two, and three times a week service than on a daily + service—Why?—because the chances are the route will be + increased. + </p> + <p> + Boone swears on the same page that he always did that himself; that he + always had done it. Yet that is lugged in here as evidence of a + conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + There is a great deal better chance for expedition when a route is let at + two or three miles an hour, than when it is let at six or seven. + </p> + <p> + Of course there is. The slower it is let the better chance of getting it + expedited. The faster it is let the less chance of getting it expedited. + There is no need of bringing a man here to show that. You know that. If + you thought there was more money in expedition and increase than on the + original schedule, you would, as I insist, bid on such routes as the + advertisement showed the time was to be slow and the service infrequent + upon. Now, gentlemen, to take advantage of such a perfectly apparent thing + as that will not do. You have heard a good deal about star routes, + gentlemen. Every one of you by this time ought to make a pretty good + guess. + </p> + <p> + Postmaster-General; every one of you. If you do not know all about this + subject, you never will. + </p> + <p> + The Foreman (Mr. Crane). We ought to be good lawyers, too. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. You also ought to be good lawyers, at least on this + subject! I do not know that you have all the testimony in your minds, as + there have been so many misstatements made, but if you ever are to know + anything on this subject you know something now; and if you, Mr. Foreman, + or you Mr Renshaw, were to-morrow to go to work to bid on some star routes + you would bid on the longest routes, on the slowest time, and with the + most infrequent trips. You would do that. Then would you say, "That is + evidence that we have conspired"? Has a man got to be so stupid that he + will not take advantage of a perfectly plain thing in order to escape the + charge of conspiracy? If you were to put your money in land in the Western + country you would not go where the country was settled up, and give one + hundred dollars an acre for land. You would go where you could get laud + for two, or three, or four, or five dollars an acre, and say, "There is a + chance for land to rise." That is not conspiracy. So if you were going to + bid on mail service you would bid where the time is slow, or the route + long, and the service once a week. Then you would say that the country + might grow, that railroads might be built and that they might get the + service up to seven trips a week; and that instead of going on two miles + an hour may be they would want to make it seven miles an hour. That is the + service to make money on. Is it a crime to make money? Is it a crime to + make a good bargain with the Government? I suppose these gentlemen of the + prosecution made the best bargain they could with the Government + themselves. Is it a crime? I say no. Is a man to be regarded as a + conspirator because some outsider thinks he got too good a bargain? That + will not do. Boone says he always did that. Of course he did. He says + another thing. These gentlemen say that we did not go above three trips, + and that is another evidence of fraud. They say we did not bid on any + route with more than three trips a week. Mr. Boone tells you, on page + 1565, that the department never advertised for four trips a week. That is + the reason I think they did not bid on any of these. He also swears that + they never advertised for five trips. That is a good reason for our not + taking any routes with five trips, is it not? There were not any + advertised. The Government did not offer to let us have any. That is a + good reason for not taking any of them. The Government had not any of that + kind. After you get beyond three trips Boone swears that the next number + is six or seven; never four, never five. Don't you see? And yet it is a + very suspicious circumstance that we did not bid on any four-trip routes, + or any five-trip routes; that we stopped at three. Why did we stop at + three? Because if we had not stopped at three we would have had to go to + six. Why did we not go to six? Because at six trips a week we would have + been obliged to put up too much money, and to put up too many certified + checks. It required too many men to go on the bonds. That is the reason. + Gentlemen, if there had been a conspiracy it would have been just about as + well for us to bid on six or seven trips to get the expedition of time. If + there had been a conspiracy to make money, and it had been understood by + the Second Assistant Postmaster-General, he could have just as well given + us routes with seven trips a week, and put the service up to seven, eight, + nine, or ten miles an hour, and he could have done that in the + thickly-populated parts of the country; if it had been the result of a + conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + Let me read more from what Mr. Boone says on page 1565: + </p> + <p> + The proposals that I destroyed were upon routes of at least six times per + week. + </p> + <p> + How did he come to destroy them? Another suspicious circumstance against + Dorsey! Boone said when he went into the business he just took the + bidding-book and commenced at A, and was going right straight through to + X, Y, and Z, and make a bid, I believe, on every route that was in the + book. I think that is his testimony. Boone says: + </p> + <p> + I was going on without instructions. I was going on without authority from + anybody, working on the bids. + </p> + <p> + He thinks it was the same day that Miner got here, or the day afterwards, + and he—I suppose meaning Dorsey—came up to the room and saw + what the witness was doing. He was making up bids for every route in the + advertisement, going right along with big and little, when Dorsey said + there was a mistake. No proposals were to be made for over three times a + week or for routes under fifty miles. When Miner came into the room + witness asked what was the reason of that. I say upon this point that + Stephen W. Dorsey never said a word about it, and that Boone is mistaken. + But he says he asked Miner the reason. What did Miner say? Did he say to + him, "It is because we have got a conspiracy? We have got it fixed with + the Second Assistant Postmaster-General"? No. He said this, he said for + fear of failure in getting bonds; that they could not get the bonds for + all the service and could not get certified checks for all the service. + Boone was going clear through the book from preface to finis. They could + not get bonds for all the service and could not get certified checks for + all the service. You remember that for all the service over five thousand + dollars they had to put up five per cent., I think, in certified checks. + Now, there was an immense volume, of three or four thousand routes and he + was going to put in a bid on every one of them. That is what Boone was + going to do. He did not understand the conspiracy at that time. Miner + explained to him, "We cannot get the certified checks. We cannot get the + bondsmen." He did not tell him, "Good Lord, my friend, you don't understand + the terms of the conspiracy. We are taking no such service as that. We are + taking none over three times a week, because, don't you see, we want the + chance for increase. We want the lowest. If we can find any service where + the horses agree to stand still, that is the service to take. You must + look over the terms of the conspiracy and have some sense about it." + </p> + <p> + Boone says he was starting in, taking the advertisements, going right + through the territory, all over that country, and bidding on every route, + not missing one. He never saw Stephen W. Dorsey do any work on the bids. + The proposals sent down to the postmasters in Arkansas, including those to + Clendenning, he (Boone) fixed himself and sealed them. Gentlemen, there is + no evidence that Mr. Dorsey, as I understand it, ever saw one of those + papers, but simply the form that was written out by Boone that was sent to + Clendenning with instructions what to do with the proposals. That I + understand to be the evidence. They proved by Boone that Dorsey never saw + them; never wrote them; never ordered them to be written; never ordered a + blank to be left unfilled. And yet, gentlemen, he was the man whom they + say had brooded over this conspiracy; the man that gave to it life and + form. He is the man that used Boone and John W. Dorsey and Peck and Miner + as instrumentalities and tools. + </p> + <p> + What more? Did Boone take those bonds up to Dorsey and show them to him? + He says that he did not open them; that he did not show them to Dorsey. + That is what Mr. Boone swears. Surely Mr. Boone is an honorable man, + stamped with the seal of the Department of Justice. He did not even show + them to Dorsey. Dorsey never saw anything except the form after Boone had + made it out. I showed you that form on yesterday, I think, marked 16 X. + That is the only thing that Dorsey saw. He did not know what blanks were + left in the bonds, or whether any were left. He never gave any orders + about them, and never saw them. Yet the prosecution want you to hold him + responsible as a conspirator for those bonds. + </p> + <p> + What more, gentlemen? Those bonds were never used. Nobody was ever + defrauded. Not a proposal was put in the Post-Office Department. They + never came to life. Dead! No contract, says Mr. Boone, was ever awarded on + those proposals, even the proposals sent back, unless it was a contract to + him, Boone. That is what he swears. And yet Dorsey is to be held + responsible. + </p> + <p> + Let us hurry along, gentlemen. See how Dorsey came to do this. How did + that arch-conspirator, as they claim him to be, happen to write that + letter to Clendenning? On page 1567 Boone says that he suggested to Dorsey + that he had better send a note with the proposals to Clendenning. Boone + suggested it. He was not a conspirator, but he suggested it. Dorsey was + the conspirator, but never dreamed of it. How fortunate for a conspirator + to have an innocent man think of the means of carrying out a conspiracy; + never thinking of crime, but having it all suggested by perfect innocence + and then crime taking advantage of it. That is the position! He suggested + that Dorsey would better send a note with the proposals to Clendenning. I + will read from page 1568: + </p> + <p> + Q. Was there not danger that he would be declared a failing contractor? + Was it at that time the practice of the department if a man, for instance, + had fifty contracts and failed on one to declare him a failing contractor + on all?—A. No, sir; but they would declare him a failing contractor + on that one route and suspend his pay until he paid up the loss to the + Government—just my case now, exactly. + </p> + <p> + Q. That was one of the reasons that you had. Now, you were informed at + that time that they had not the money to carry this on. + </p> + <p> + When, as a matter of fact, did you go out of the concern?—A. The 8th + day of August, 1878. + </p> + <p> + Q. Was S. W. Dorsey then in Washington?—A. No, sir; he was not. He + had been gone ten or twelve days. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, we come to August 7, 1878, the time that Mr. Boone went out. He + did it for the purpose of saving a failure on the routes in the names of + Miner, Peck, Dorsey, and himself. That is what he went out for, and that + is his only reason. On page 1570 Mr. Boone swears that so far as he knows + neither John W. Dorsey, John R. Miner, John M. Peck, nor Stephen W. Dorsey + had any arrangement with the Second Assistant Postmaster-General to + increase the service; none whatever. + </p> + <p> + Boone went out on the 7th day of August, 1878. S. W. Dorsey was in New + Mexico. He did not return here until about the time Congress assembled in + December. Boone swears that he then learned from S. W. Dorsey that he, + Dorsey, did not know that Boone was out of the concern; did not know that + he had left on the 7th day of August, 1878. Now, gentlemen, if Stephen W. + Dorsey was the main conspirator, if he was doing this entire business, is + it possible that A. E. Boone went out on the 7th day of August, that John + W. Dorsey assigned his interest in all the routes mentioned in the + agreement, and John R. Miner took in Vaile, and the service was put on + those routes by the money furnished by Vaile, that all that was done and + yet Stephen W. Dorsey never heard of it and did not even know that Boone + was out, did not even know that Vaile was in? Besides that, gentlemen, as + I told you, Dorsey was not here. He was in New Mexico. He was in utter + ignorance of this entire business, and yet they claim that he was the + directing spirit. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Boone further testifies, on page 1571, that Brady showed him a + telegram from the postmistress at The Dalles, saying that the service was + down. When I read that I thought may be that was where Moore got his hint + to swear that he telegraphed to find out what was done with that service. + Boone further swears that Brady said that it must be put on; that he said + it could not be put on at the contract price, and that Brady told him, "I + advise you to telegraph and put it on at any price," and that unless all + the service was on by the 15th day of August he would declare the + contractor a failing contractor on every route the service was down upon. + That is what Brady told him. Stephen W. Dorsey was not here. According to + the testimony of Moore he knew when he went away that the service in + Oregon was not put on, but he abandoned it, and paid no attention to it. + He happened to meet Miner at Saint Louis, and told him, I believe, "There + are my notes for eight thousand five hundred dollars. That is all I will + do. I am through! I have already advanced thirteen or fourteen thousand + dollars. I will not advance another dollar." Why did not Miner tell him, + "If you are not going on with this conspiracy I am going home"? Why didn't + Miner tell him then, "What did you get up a conspiracy like this for, just + to abandon it"? Why did not Miner say to him, "This is your child. I + became a criminal at your suggestion. I entered into this conspiracy + because you urged me to, and now after we have got the routes, you are + going to abandon it"? Why did he not say to him, "Dorsey, if you are not + going on with this conspiracy I am going back to Sandusky"? Did Dorsey at + Saint Louis treat it as his bantling? or did he say to Miner, "This is all + I will do"? Did he mean for himself? No. "All I will do for you." + </p> + <p> + Certainly he would not have made the threat to Miner that he would not do + anything more for himself. He then said to Miner, "I am through!" Miner + knew at that time that Stephen W. Dorsey had not the interest of one + solitary dollar except the money he had advanced. Stephen W. Dorsey, + according to the testimony of this prosecution, knew when he left this + city that the routes were not in operation in Eastern Oregon. He went away + knowing that J. W. Dorsey and John R. Miner and John M. Peck were in + danger of being declared failing contractors. Yet he never even called on + Brady to see about it. He never asked to have the time extended a minute. + He never took the least interest in the business. He started for New + Mexico, and went by way of Oberlin, Ohio. He happened to meet Miner in + Saint Louis, and for Miner's sake, for Peck's sake, for John W. Dorsey's + sake, and not for his own sake, he gave them some notes to the extent of + eight thousand five hundred dollars that they could have discounted, and + said to Miner then and there. "That is the last dollar. That is the last + cent." What more did he do? He abandoned the whole business. He went to + New Mexico. He never wrote about it; he never spoke about it; he never + received a dispatch concerning it until the following December, when he + came back to Washington, and then for the first time found that Boone had + gone out and that Vaile had come in. What more? Although he was interested + to the extent of thirteen or fourteen thousand dollars, he did not know + until he came back in December that his security had been rendered + worthless. He found that out then for the first time. That is a fine model + of a conspirator. Reading again from Boone's testimony, on page 1371: + </p> + <p> + Fully a month and a half of the time had been taken up by the + Congressional investigation, and we—That is to say, Miner, Peck, + Boone, and the rest—did not know what to do with the service. We + dared not to move. We expected that the contracts would be taken from us. + </p> + <p> + Do you tell me that under such circumstances, if Stephen W. Dorsey had + conceived this thing, he would have gone off and left it? Do you tell me, + with the entire business trembling in the balance, without the money to + put the service on, at the mercy of Thomas J. Brady, that if Stephen W. + Dorsey had gotten up that conspiracy, and also put in thirteen or fourteen + thousand dollars, he would have gone away and left it, and told Miner and + the others, "I will have no more to do with it," and leave it so + effectually and so perfectly that he did not even know that Boone had gone + out and Vaile had come in until the following December, when he came here + to take his seat in the Senate? + </p> + <p> + On page 1580, again quoting from Mr. Boone: + </p> + <p> + The fact—Here is something that rises like the Rock of Gibraltar. It + is one of those indications of truth that rascality never had ingenuity + enough to invent: + </p> + <p> + The fact that Dorsey refused to advance any more money on account of this + business was taken into consideration by me when I made up my mind to go + out. + </p> + <p> + Do you want any better testimony than that, that Dorsey did refuse to + advance any more money? + </p> + <p> + Don't you see how everything fits together when you get at the facts? How + naturally they all blend and harmonize when you get at the facts. Now, + here is some more from Mr. Boone: + </p> + <p> + If I had not gone out the service would have undoubtedly failed, unless + they got the money to put it on. When Mr. Dorsey declined to furnish any + more money or to indorse any more notes, there was nothing else to do but + for me to go out and let somebody else come in who had the money. + </p> + <p> + That is a witness for the Government, and yet at the time that happened + they say there was a great conspiracy; that the Second Assistant + Postmaster-General was in it; that a Senator of the United States was in + it; and that these other men were simply tools. It will not do, gentlemen. + If that had been the case Stephen W. Dorsey would have remained here. He + would have gone to Mr. Brady and said, "I must have time," and Mr. Brady + would have given him all the time he desired, because, according to this + prosecution, it was their partnership business. Brady had ten times as + great an interest as Stephen W. Dorsey. According to the testimony of Mr. + Rerdell, Brady had an interest of thirty-three and one-third per cent., + and according to the testimony of Rerdell and Boone, Dorsey only had an + interest of seven-eighths of one per cent. + </p> + <p> + That means, as I understand it, according to their testimony, thirty-three + and one-third per cent, of the gross expedition; not profits, but of the + gross expedition. That is what they swear. When he gave on a route an + expedition of, say, six thousand dollars, two thousand dollars would go to + Brady each year. In other words, thirty-three and one-third per cent, of + the money paid for expedition went to Brady. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Walsh testified and gave the exact figures, and called the amount, if + the Court will recollect, sixty thousand dollars, and twenty per cent, he + said of that is twelve thousand dollars. That had to run, he says, for + three years, and that made thirty-six thousand dollars. That is the + testimony in this case, gentlemen. If you should have a row of men as long + as the row of kings that Banquo saw, stretching out "to the crack of + doom," and they should swear to it, I should still die an unbeliever; but + that is their testimony. Dorsey ran away and left his conspiracy and Brady + would not attend to his own business. Now, I read again from Boone: + </p> + <p> + With regard to the preparation of circulars, the sending of them to + postmasters, the printing of proposals, the printing of bonds and + subcontracts, there was nothing done differently from what I had always + done before. + </p> + <p> + Recollect that. He is a Government witness. Dorsey in a conspiracy got + Boone to help him, and in helping him Boone did nothing different from + what he had always done before. There is not much left of this case, + gentlemen, but I will keep going on just the same. Mr. Boone swears that + he followed the regular custom and practice of doing business. + </p> + <p> + Then, there is another suspicious circumstance. At the bottom of the + contracts published by the Government, for the purpose of informing + contractors as to how the bonds or contracts are to be signed, and exactly + what is to be done by each person, there are a lot of instructions. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Carpenter. On the proposals. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. On the proposals. When they got up the proposals of their + own, they, understanding the business, left off all those directions that + the Government put upon its forms. Why? Those directions were put there + for the benefit of men who did not understand the business. These men did + understand the business, and consequently it was nonsense for them if they + had to have the printing done, to put on the bottom of the contracts two + or three paragraphs of directions to themselves. They understood exactly + how to do it without the directions. + </p> + <p> + Who left them off? Stephen W. Dorsey? No. John W. Dorsey? No. He had + nothing to do with it. Miner? No. He had nothing to do with it. Who left + them off? Boone says he did. Was he instructed to do it? No. Did it take a + conspiracy to leave them off? No. He left them off for two reasons, and + good ones, too. One was to save the expense of printing. That was a good + reason. There was no conspiracy needed for that. The other was, that + knowing how to perfect the proposals, and understanding all those + instructions, there was no need of having them printed for their benefit. + </p> + <p> + Next, on page 1582. What instructions as a matter of fact did Mr. Boone + receive from Mr. Dorsey, if he received any? The question arises, upon + what subject? In reference to what particular point? Boone says on this + page that he received no instructions from Dorsey in reference to the + business except in regard to the subcontract blanks. + </p> + <p> + That is the one subject on which he received any instructions from S. W. + Dorsey. I have shown you that those instructions were in the interests of + honesty and fair dealing. Those were the only instructions he received. On + every other subject there is not a word. Why? Here Boone gives the reason. + "I did not require any." Why? Because he understood the business himself. + What else? "I was to go ahead and do whatever was necessary to be done." + He did it without consulting anybody. He did it in his own way. He did it + as he thought best for all concerned. Now, gentlemen, there will be an + effort made to convince you that Stephen W. Dorsey did everything during + all that period. If you are told that, when you are told it remember what + I tell you now: that Mr. Boone swears that he did it himself; that he + attended to the entire business, and that he was instructed by Dorsey in + no particular except as to that one blank, and that I have clearly + demonstrated was in the interests of honesty and in the interests of the + subcontractor, so that the subcontract might agree with or be similar to + the contract made with the Government. That is all. + </p> + <p> + Now we come to another point. You must recollect that Mr. Boone got out + the circulars. Mr. Boone sent to all the postmasters to know about the + roads and the price of grain and the price of labor, about the snow in + winter and the rain in the spring. He got all that up. He went through the + bidding-book originally and made the bids. He it was who prepared most of + these proposals. He did all the work until Miner came. S. W. Dorsey did + not do any of it. Boone never saw him working upon or touching the + proposals. What S. W. Dorsey did he did at Boone's request. What he did he + did at Miner's request. What he did he did simply because he was a friend. + Boone attended to it all. Now, what does Boone say on page 1584? He swears + that so far as he knew there never was any conspiracy on the part of these + defendants with him, with each other, or anybody else, in reference to + these routes, or any route bid for and awarded to them during that time. + There was no conspiracy to defraud the Government in any way. That is what + the Government witness swears to—a man brought here to stain the + reputation of Stephen W. Dorsey. That is what a Government witness swears; + swearing, too, under pressure; swearing, too, under circumstances where + the Post-Office Department could strip him of everything he had on earth; + swearing under circumstances where if he did not please the Government + they could pursue him as they have pursued us. Perhaps I had better read + what he says. I read from page 1583 of my examination: + </p> + <p> + Now, then, so far as you know, Mr. Boone, was there any conspiracy on the + part of any of these defendants with you, or with anybody else, to your + knowledge, in respect of these routes mentioned in the indictment or of + any routes bid for and awarded to them during that time—any + conspiracy to defraud the Government in any way? + </p> + <p> + And he answered: + </p> + <p> + No, sir. + </p> + <p> + That was a Government witness, acquainted with all the transactions during + that time. He was swearing under the shadow of power, with the sword + hanging over his head, and yet he swears he never knew or heard of any + such thing. + </p> + <p> + Let us go on. On page 1589 he swears that Mr. Dorsey told him to fix the + blanks and make them up and to write what he wanted done in Arkansas, and + that while he, Boone, was engaged in so doing he said to Dorsey, "Had you + not better write a note so that I can attach it to the blanks?" And Dorsey + did so. Dorsey told him to fill up what he wanted in Arkansas, and what + was necessary to be executed there, and he did so. + </p> + <p> + Boone indicated exactly what he wanted put in. I showed you the + Clendenning bonds yesterday and showed you just what Boone did. He filled + up the blanks that he wanted to have filled down there. Of course, the + blanks that were already filled in he did not want interfered with. That + is what he says. There is another part of his testimony. I want to call + the attention of the gentlemen to it. "I hand you," said they, "32 X." Mr. + Bliss did the handing. What was that? That was the Chico letter. What did + they want to introduce that for? To show that S. W. Dorsey was interested + personally in these routes in 1878. That was a magnificent piece of + testimony for them to show that Dorsey in 1878 was writing to Rerdell to + watch the advertisement of these routes. So they introduced that letter. + Mr. Boone looked at it. He was a Government witness. The noose was around + his neck and the other end of the rope was in the hands of Mr. Bliss. What + did Mr. Boone say? "Mr. Dorsey never wrote that letter." Then said Mr. + Bliss to him, "That is not Mr. Dorsey's writing?" And Mr. Boone said "No, + sir." And at the same time threw the forged scrap away contemptuously. + What else? On April 3, 1878, Mr. Dorsey was here. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Was Mr Dorsey here at that time? + </p> + <p> + Witness. He was here, sir; and I was in communication with him on that + very day. + </p> + <p> + That is the evidence of a Government witness; a man who was depended upon + to show that not only my client, but that Mr. Miner entered into a + conspiracy in the fall of 1877 to defraud this Government. I want you to + remember one thing which I was about to forget. Mr. Ker, I believe, spoke + six or seven days and I do not remember of his having mentioned the Chico + letter. He acted as if it had a contagious disease. He was followed by Mr. + Bliss in another week, but he did not mention the Chico letter; at least I + have never happened to read it in his speech. Both of them are as dumb as + oysters after a clap of thunder. Not a word. They did not, either of them, + have the courage to refer to it. They did not have the nerve to ask you to + believe it. I tell you one thing, gentlemen, I would either admit that it + was a forgery, or I would swear that it was genuine. I would do something + with it. I would not allow that paper, blown by the wind, to scare me from + the highway of the argument! I would do one thing or the other. I would + either admit that Mr. Rerdell forged it, or I would insist that it was the + handwriting of Stephen W. Dorsey. Why was it left where it was, gentlemen? + They could not get anybody to swear that it was Dorsey's handwriting. That + is all. + </p> + <p> + Now we will take the next step. They had so much confidence in that + witness that they concluded they would prove the pencil memorandum by him. + They had such a clutch on him. So they stuck that up to him. Recollecting + the position he was in, recollecting the danger, recollecting all that + might probably follow speaking the truth, here is what he says: + </p> + <p> + Everything above "profit and loss" in that memorandum favors the + handwriting of S. W. Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + What else? + </p> + <p> + And everything below favors the handwriting of M. C. Rerdell. + </p> + <p> + Fit conclusion for a Government witness, brought here to show that Stephen + W. Dorsey was the arch-conspirator. And they ended the witness; dismissed + him from the stand, after he had shown that Dorsey did not conspire; after + he had shown that he himself fixed the subcontracts, with the exception of + only one; after he had shown that he himself filled out the blanks to send + to Clendenning; after he had shown that he did everything without being + advised by S. W. Dorsey, and then he swore that their principal witness + was a forger. Then they dismissed him. That was the end of the Government + witness who was to brand the word "conspirator" upon the forehead of + Stephen W. Dorsey's reputation. But instead of putting "conspirator" + there, he put the word "forger" upon the principal witness for the + Government. Magnificent exchange! Now, gentlemen, you know as well as I do + that Mr. Boone knew all that was happening during that entire time. You + know as well as I do that he did not swear anything for the defence that + he could help swearing. + </p> + <p> + What else? Mr. Bliss, on page 303, says that: + </p> + <p> + Parties conspiring make an informal verbal agreement. + </p> + <p> + When did we make that agreement? When does the testimony show that we made + an informal verbal agreement? Who were present at the time? Where were we? + Do you recollect the number of the house? Do you recollect the day of the + month? Has any one of you ever had in his mind which side of the street + that was on? What town was it in? Could you locate it if you had a good + map? I do not care whether it is informal or formal. Did we make one? In + order to make a verbal agreement you have to use some words. Is there any + evidence as to the words we used? Not a word that I have heard, not a + word. + </p> + <p> + What else? He says that this is necessarily secret and intended to be + secret. The first thing done was that Dorsey told it to Moore. Then, for + fear it would get out, J. W. Dorsey told it to Pennell and to thirty + fellows around the camp-fire out in Dakota. And there was a suspicion in + Brady's mind that somebody might hear of it, and so he told Rerdell. He + says, "Get the books copied; this is a secret thing." Then Dorsey wrote it + to Bosler, and he was so awfully afraid that it would get out that he kept + a copy of the letter. You see, Mr. Bliss says the object was to keep it + secret. Then Miner and Vaile told it to Rerdell for fear he would not + believe it when Brady told him. They were bound the thing should not get + out. Yes, sir. And then Rerdell, just bursting with the importance of + keeping that secret, told it to Perkins and Taylor; went away out there + for that purpose. And then Moore, he gave it away to Major and McBean for + the purpose of keeping it secret. Then Miner told Moore. From whom did + they keep it secret? Nobody in God's world but Boone. He is the only + fellow that nobody told. Boone went through it all, saw all the plan and + heard all the whispering, and he is the only man in the country, I think, + that did not suspect it. And on the 7th day of August he left the concern + because there was not a conspiracy, and admits to you that if he had had + even a suspicion of it he would have staid—staid or died. + </p> + <p> + Now, was there ever a conspiracy published so widely, that one end of the + country kept so secret from the other? Was there ever a conspiracy like + that, the news of which ran through the West like wild-fire, while the + fellows at the East never heard of it? Everybody knew it out on the + plains. All you had to do was to subpoena a fellow that wanted to come to + Washington, and he would remember it. And yet that is the evidence that + the prosecution desires you to believe. I do not believe it. I do not + think I ever shall. But then they promised so much at the beginning, and + they have done so little in many respects. + </p> + <p> + Something had to be said, and so Mr. Bliss, on page 265, in a little burst + of confidence to the jury, says: + </p> + <p> + At least one United States Senator was the paid agent of these defendants. + </p> + <p> + Who was the Senator? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Did I say that, sir? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Look at page 265 and see whether you did. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Read all that I said there. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I will do that. + </p> + <p> + But we shall show to you that at least one United States Senator, urging + such increase, was the paid agent of these defendants. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I then went on and said we should show it if you put him on the + stand. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Yes, if we furnished you the evidence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. No, sir; that is not what I said. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Why didn't you produce the Senator? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Why didn't you put him on the stand? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. How did I know what Senator you meant? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Did you have two? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. No, sir; and we did not have the one. If you could have + proved it, it was your duty, as the attorney of the United States, to do + it, and if you did not do it, you did not do your duty in this case. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Whose name is expressed in the memorandum? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Why did you not say that to the jury? You dared not do it. + That is like what was said here the other day before this jury, and taken + out of the record. We will come to it. These are the gentlemen who did not + wish to stain the names of citizens. These are the gentlemen who did not + wish to bring anybody into this case that had not been indicted. And yet + Mr. Bliss, in his opening, said that he would show you at least one + Senator who was the paid agent of these defendants; and now, having failed + to do it, he stands here before you and asks whose name was on the pencil + memorandum, meaning that J. H. Mitchell was the paid agent of these + defendants. + </p> + <p> + Ah, gentlemen, I would not, for the sake of convicting any man on this + earth, stain the reputation of another in a place and in a way where that + other could not defend himself. I would not do it. I do not think there is + any crime beyond that. It is as bad to stab the reputation as it is to + stab the flesh; it is as bad to kill the honor of the man as to put a + dagger into his heart. + </p> + <p> + There are so many things in these papers that I would never get through, + if I commented upon them all, if I talked forty years. I now refer to page + 4509. I have to change from one of these lawyers to the other. Now, on + this subject of subcontracts, showing how we are endeavoring to cheat and + defraud the Government, Mr. Ker says, at page 4509: + </p> + <p> + Acting upon Stephen W. Dorsey's advice he put in this clause giving the + subcontractors sixty-five per cent, of the increase. I want you to + remember the sixty-five per cent., because I will show you some + subcontracts with that amount in, but I do not want you to think for one + moment that the subcontractors ever got a dollar out of it. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, the evidence is that the subcontractors were paid the amount + mentioned in their subcontracts. I believe all of them are on file in this + case, and on all that were filed in the department the money was paid + directly to the subcontractor. And yet Mr. Ker tells you that he does not + want you to think for a moment that the subcontractors ever got one dollar + out of it. Is it possible, gentlemen, that there is any necessity for + resorting to such statements? Can you conceive of any reason for doing it, + except that they are actually mistaken, except for the fact that they know + they have not the evidence to convict these defendants? + </p> + <p> + We are not begging of you. We are not upon our knees before you. But we do + want to be tried according to the evidence and according to the law. We do + not want your mind, nor yours, nor yours [addressing different jurors] + poisoned with a misstatement. We want to be tried, and we want the verdict + rendered by you when every fact is as luminous in your mind as the sun at + mid-day. We want every fact to stand out like stars in a perfect night, + without a cloud of doubt between you and the fact. That is the kind of a + verdict we want. We want a verdict that comes from a clear head and a + brave heart. We do not want a verdict simply from sympathy. We want a + verdict according to the evidence and according to the law. And when the + verdict is given we want every one of you to say, "That is my verdict; I + found it upon the evidence and upon the law; dig beneath it and you will + not find used as the corner-stone a misstatement, or a mistake, or a + falsehood; it stands upon the rock of fact, upon the foundation of + absolute truth." + </p> + <p> + Do you know that if I were prosecuting a man, trying to take from him his + liberty, trying to take from him his home, trying to rob his fireside and + make it desolate, and if I should succeed and afterwards know that I had + made a misstatement of the evidence to the jury, I could not sleep until I + had done what was in my power to release that man; and after he was + released, or even if he were not released, I would go to him when he was + wearing the prison garb, and I would get down on my knees and beg him to + forgive me. I would rather be sent to the penitentiary myself, I would + rather wear the stripes of eternal degradation, than to send another man + there by a misstatement or a mistake that I had made. That is my feeling. + I may be wrong. + </p> + <p> + It may be that I am guilty, according to Colonel Bliss, of sneering at + everything that people hold sacred. But I do not sneer at justice. I + believe that over all, justice sits the eternal queen, holding in her hand + the scales in which are weighed the deeds of men. I believe that it is my + duty to make the world a little better, because I have lived in it. I + believe in helping my fellow-men. I do no not sneer at charity; I do not + sneer at justice, and I do not sneer at liberty. And why did he make that + remark to you, gentlemen? Is it possible that for a moment he dreamed that + he might prejudice your minds against the case of my client, because, I, + his attorney, am not what is called a believer? Is it possible that he has + so mean an opinion of a Christian that a Christian would violate his oath + when upon the jury, simply to get even with a lawyer who happened to be an + infidel? Is that his idea of Christianity? It is not mine; it is not mine. + I stand before you to-day, gentlemen, as a man having the rights you have, + and no more; and I am willing to work and toil and suffer to give you + every right that I enjoy. And I know that not one of you will allow + himself to be prejudiced against my client because you and I happen to + disagree upon subjects about which none of us know anything for certain. I + do not believe you will. And yet, that remark was made, gentlemen—I + will not say that it was made, but may be it was—hoping that it + would lodge the seed of prejudice in your minds, hoping that it might + bring to life that little adder of hatred that sleeps unknown to us in + nearly all of our bosoms. I have too much confidence in you, too much + confidence in human nature to believe that can affect my client. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, there is no pretence, there is no evidence that every + subcontractor did not get the per cent, mentioned in his subcontract, + except one, and that was Mr. French, on the route from Kearney to Kent; + and the evidence there is that Miner settled with him, I believe, and gave + him a certain amount of money in lieu of expedition. That is the solitary + exception. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I come to a most interesting part of this discussion, and + I hope we will live through it. In the first place, what is a conspiracy? + Well, in this case, they must establish that it was an agreement entered + into between the persons mentioned in this indictment, or two of them, to + defraud the Government. How? By the means pointed out and described in the + indictment. While it may not be absolutely necessary to describe the + means, I hold that if they do describe them, tell how the conspiracy was + to be accomplished, they are bound by their description; they must prove + such a conspiracy as they describe. If a man is indicted for stealing a + horse and the color of the horse is given, it will not do to prove a horse + of another color. If they describe the offence they are bound by the + description. + </p> + <p> + Now, this is a conspiracy entered into, as they claim, by the persons + mentioned in the indictment, to do a certain thing. What is the object of + the conspiracy? To defraud the Government. And, gentlemen, I believe the + Court will instruct you that the conspiring is the crime. The object of + the conspiracy is to defraud the United States. What are the means? + According to this indictment false petitions, false oaths, false letters, + false orders. What I insist on is that the means cannot take the place of + the object; that the means cannot take the place of the conspiracy + described. When you describe a conspiracy by certain means to defraud the + Government, and set out the means so that the Second Assistant + Postmaster-General is a necessity, then you cannot turn and shift your + ground, and say that it was not the conspiracy set out in the indictment, + but that it was a conspiracy to do some of the things recited as means in + the indictment; you cannot say that it was not a conspiracy entered into + with the Second Assistant Postmaster-General, but was a conspiracy entered + into with some others to make a false petition or a false affidavit. The + ostrich of this prosecution will not be allowed to hide its head under the + leaf of an affidavit. They must prove, in my judgment, the conspiracy that + they describe in the indictment, and none other. + </p> + <p> + Now, what else? You must be prepared, gentlemen, when you make up a + verdict, if you say that there was a conspiracy, to say when it was + entered into and who entered into it. And I suppose when you retire, the + first question for you to decide will be: Was there a conspiracy? Has any + conspiracy been established beyond a reasonable doubt? If you say yes, + then the next question for you to decide is, who conspired? Who were the + members of that conspiracy? + </p> + <p> + After you do that there is one other thing you have to do: You have to + find that one of the conspirators, for the purpose of carrying the + conspiracy into effect, did something; that is called an overt act. You + have to find, that at least one of them did something to effect the object + of that conspiracy. You must remember, gentlemen, that the overt act must + come after the conspiracy. In other words, you cannot commit an overt act + and make a conspiracy to fit it; you must have the conspiracy first, and + then do an overt act for the purpose of accomplishing the object of that + conspiracy. The conspiracy must come first, and the overt act afterwards. + You all understand that now. + </p> + <p> + Now, this indictment is so framed that the earliest time within the life + of the statute of limitations for an overt act is the 23d day of May, + 1879. Why? The indictment charges that as the day, the conspiracy was + entered into. Any overt act in consequence of that conspiracy must have + been done after the 23d of May, 1879. Now, get that in your heads, level + and square. The conspiracy, according to this, is not back of the 23d of + May, 1879, and any overt act done, in order to be considered an overt act, + must be done after the date of that conspiracy. If they prove any act done + before that time, it shows that it was not an overt act belonging to the + conspiracy mentioned in the indictment. If it is an overt act at all, it + is an overt act of another conspiracy entered into before the date + mentioned in this indictment, and consequently will not do for an overt + act in this case. Now, I want you all to understand that. + </p> + <p> + I forget how many overt acts are charged in this indictment; some sixty or + seventy, I think. And understand me, now, gentlemen, no matter what date + they fix to an overt act in the indictment, no matter whether there is any + date to it or not in the indictment, if it turns out to have been done + before the time fixed for the conspiracy it is dead as an overt act: it is + good for nothing. The overt act is the fruit of the conspiracy; the + conspiracy is not the result of the overt act. Now let me make a statement + to you, so that you will understand it. + </p> + <p> + Every petition, every letter, every affidavit, upon which orders for + expedition were based, was filed before the 23d of May, 1879, except on + two routes—Toquerville to Adair-ville and Eugene City to Bridge + Creek. If that is true, then not a solitary petition filed in this case + can be considered as an overt act; and a conspiracy without an overt act + is nothing; it simply exists in the imagination; it is an agreement made + of words and air, and never was vitalized with an act done by one of the + conspirators for the purpose of giving it effect. Recollect that every + petition, every affidavit, every letter filed, was filed before the 23d + day of May, with the two exceptions I have mentioned. That is the date + when the conspiracy came into being. And consequently an overt act must be + after that time. + </p> + <p> + Now,'when they came to write this indictment, why did they not tell the + truth in it? I do not mean that in an offensive sense, because a man has + the right to write in that indictment what he wants to. That is a matter + of pleading. But why did they not tell the facts? Why did they put in the + indictment that a certain petition was filed on the 26th day of June, when + they had the petition before them and knew that it was filed in April, + 1879? Why did they put in that indictment that a certain affidavit was + filed on the 26th or 27th of May, I think it was, when they knew that it + was filed in April or March? Why? Because if they had put that in the + indictment the indictment would have been quashed, so far as their overt + acts were concerned. The Court would have said, "I cannot allow you to put + on paper that a man entered into a conspiracy on the 23d of May, and then + did an act to carry that conspiracy into effect in April before that time. + I cannot allow you to do that, because that is infinitely absurd, and + pleadings have to be reasonable on their face." But you see they stated + that this was done after the conspiracy. They had to do it or they would + be gone. I believe there is no dispute about this law that if they + describe the overt act—and they must describe it, because it is a + part of the offence—that is, the offence is not complete without it—they + must prove it exactly as they describe it. + </p> + <p> + If they describe it with infinite minuteness, they must prove it with + infinite minuteness. If they set out that an affidavit was written on + bark, they must produce a bark affidavit. If they were foolish enough to + say it was written in red ink they must produce it in red ink. If they + allege that an oath was sworn to twice before two notaries public they + must produce an oath sworn to twice. They are bound to prove exactly what + they charge, and if they were too particular about it that is their fault, + not ours. + </p> + <p> + I say that all these, with the exception of the two routes I have named, + were filed too early to play any important part in this case. Now, I will + come to those routes. Remember, that every overt act must be after the + conspiracy. There are two exceptions, and those two exceptions include + petitions and affidavits. And there is a splendid kind of justice in the + way this thing is coming out, so far as that is concerned. + </p> + <p> + The petitions filed on the Toquerville route and on Bridge Creek route, I + believe, are genuine; I believe the Government admits that they are + honest; and they were not attacked except upon one point, and that was + that a daily mail did not mean seven times a week. The point made by the + Government was that a daily mail meant six trips a week—that is, + where you have them every day. We took the ground that daily mail meant a + mail every day, and that in the Western country, as here, they have seven + days in a week. + </p> + <p> + We contended that you cannot have a daily mail without having seven trips + a week. I think that was the only point made against these petitions—that + they were for a daily mail, and that somebody put in a figure 7. + </p> + <p> + No petition for increase of service alone was ever attacked by the + Government in this case, except 25 L, on The Dalles route, and 20 H and 29 + H, on the Canyon City route. 25 L was filed April 23, 1879. That was one + month before the conspiracy had life. Consequently that is mustered out of + this case as an overt act. + </p> + <p> + 23 L was filed June 27, 1879, and is in time, provided it had been a + dishonest petition. And it is the only petition filed on the date alleged + in the indictment, and it was not attacked. It was signed by the business + men of Baker City, and is set out, I believe, on page 1617. + </p> + <p> + 20 H was filed May 7th. That is not in time. That is gone. + </p> + <p> + 29 H has no file mark, and never was proved. So that goes. + </p> + <p> + All the allegations as to false petitions for increase of service—and + by that I mean additional trips—are shown to have been genuine, + honest, true petitions. + </p> + <p> + There are but two affidavits, one correctly described. Both were made by + Peck. Mr. Bliss admits that Peck had nothing to do with any of these + routes after April 1, 1879, and both of them were made by Peck, and were + sworn to before that date. + </p> + <p> + The affidavit on the Toquerville route was filed by M. C. Rerdell, who + swears that he was not in any conspiracy to defraud the United States; + that he was not in a conspiracy with Vaile and Miner and John W. Dorsey, + nor with anybody else. It was filed by the subcontractor of record, M. C. + Rerdell, and it is the same route on which Mr. Rerdell, by virtue of his + subcontract, appropriated about five thousand dollars of money belonging + to other people. + </p> + <p> + The other exception is on the Bridge Creek route, and, strange as it may + appear, that was also filed by Mr. Rerdell. + </p> + <p> + And, strange as it may appear, it has not been successfully impeached as + to the men and horses necessary under the existing and proposed schedule. + The overt act is not proved, because the oath is not proved to be false, + and because Peck and Rerdell, according to Mr. Bliss's admission and + according to Rerdell's oath, were not in the conspiracy, and the overt act + has to be done by one of the conspirators, of course. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I understood—I do not know whether I have been under a + delusion all this time or not—that the indictment charged that these + affidavits and false petitions were the means by which the conspiracy was + to be carried into execution; that they were not the overt acts. If they + had been set out as overt acts in the indictment, the Court would have + seen that they antedated the time, and if an objection had been made to + them the Court would not have received them as overt acts. The reason why + they have been admitted and regarded as in the case all along, to my mind, + was that they were acts tending to prove, so far as they tended to prove + anything, the nature of the combination between these parties anterior to + the 23d of May. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Before the conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Before the conspiracy. So that whatever character belonged to + that association anterior to that time, if it was continued on after that + time, carried out with overt acts done subsequently to that time, they + were properly received as evidence going to establish the conspiracy—not + as overt acts, but as means to show the character of the combination + amongst the parties anterior to that date. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That saves me a great deal of argument. Now, I understand, + gentlemen, that the Court will instruct you that you cannot take any + petition, any letter, any oath, any paper of any kind that was filed or + written or used prior to the 23d of May, 1879, as an overt act; that all + that that evidence is for is to show you the relation sustained by the + parties before that time. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Yes; you are right. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Now, that saves a great deal of trouble. + </p> + <p> + There are on the Toquerville and Adairville route, and on the Eugene City + and Bridge Creek route, petitions filed after the 23d of May, 1879, set + out in indictment as overt acts. I shall insist, if the Court will allow + me, that if there is no evidence that those petitions were dishonest, no + evidence going to show that they were not genuine, those petitions cannot + be used as overt acts for the reason that they are charged in the + indictment as false and fraudulent petitions. So, gentlemen, I take that + ground, that as to the petitions filed after the 23d day of May on the + only two routes left for these gentlemen to find overt acts upon (Eugene + City to Bridge Creek, and Toquerville to Adairville), if those petitions + have not been proved to be false they cannot be regarded as overt acts for + the reason that they were described in the indictment itself as false and + fraudulent petitions. It is perfectly clear, is it not? + </p> + <p> + What else have we left? A couple of affidavits. Who made them? Mr. Peck. + When? Before the 1st day of April, 1879, and Mr. Bliss admits that from + that time on he never had anything to do with this business. Mr. Rerdell + filed them, and Mr. Rerdell swears that he was never in any conspiracy; + and Mr. Bliss admits that Peck, after the 1st of April, had nothing to do + with this business. That substantially knocks the bottom out of that dish. + </p> + <p> + Now, they attacked the affidavit on the Bridge Creek route, but they did + not succeed in showing that it was not an honest affidavit. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, after what the Court has decided I want to call your + attention to another thing. + </p> + <p> + Do not forget what the Court has decided—that all these things are + not overt acts, but that they simply show the relations of the parties. + </p> + <p> + Now, if you go and find Vaile and Miner getting up petitions on their + routes, and you also find Dorsey getting up petitions on his routes, then + they claim that that is the result of an agreement between them. That is + not the law. Neither is there in that the scintilla of common sense. If I + find you plowing in your field and your neighbor plowing in his field, I + have no right to draw the conclusion that you have conspired to plow or to + help each other. But if I find your neighbor and you plowing in your + field, and I afterwards find you and your neighbor plowing in his field, I + have the right to conclude that you have swapped work and that you have + something in common. If I find you plowing in your field and your neighbor + walking behind you sowing grain or dropping corn, and then I find you in + the fall shucking out the corn together, and I find your neighbor taking + half of it to his barn and you taking half of it to your barn, I make up + my mind that you have had some dealings on the corn question. + </p> + <p> + Now, we find that on May 5, 1879, these parties absolutely divided, and + after that, when Vaile and Miner got up a petition on their route, Dorsey + did not help them; and when Dorsey got up one on his, Vaile and Miner did + not help him. That shows what the relations of the parties were. Does that + show that they were then in a conspiracy? Does it show that they had any + conspiracy before that time? They had separated their interest; they had + ceased to act together; one did nothing for the other. If there had been a + conspiracy before that time that conspiracy died on the 5th of May, 1879; + and if it did, then there is no possibility of any conviction in this + case, no matter what the evidence is—not the slightest. + </p> + <p> + Now, I want you to understand that ground exactly. I am not begging the + question. I am not afraid to meet every point, every paper, every scratch, + in this case. But I want you to understand it. All those things were + allowed for the purpose of showing the relations of the parties, the + relations that the defendants sustained to each other; and the evidence is + that they sustained no relations to each other after 1879; that each went + his own road to attend to his own business in his own way. That is the + evidence. + </p> + <p> + Now comes the next point. What are the overt acts in the indictment? + Really they are the orders made by Mr. Brady, unless you take this poor + little affidavit made by Peck and filed by Rerdell. + </p> + <p> + Then comes the next point. You cannot treat anything as an overt act + unless it was made by one of the conspirators. Is there any evidence in + this case that Mr. Brady ever conspired with anybody? Not the slightest. + And unless he conspired with us, any other made by him cannot be regarded + as an overt act in this case. I think everybody will admit that. Unless + Brady conspired with us, and we with him, any order of his cannot be + regarded as an overt act. + </p> + <p> + I ask you, gentlemen, what evidence is there in this case that Mr. Brady + ever conspired with any of these defendants? I will answer that question + before I get through, and I think I will answer it to your entire + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + I will go a step further in this case, and I may go a little further than + the Court will go. I say that when they state in that indictment that an + order is made for the benefit of Miner, Vaile, and Dorsey, and the + evidence is that it was made for the benefit only of Vaile and Miner, that + is a fatal variance, and it cannot be treated as an overt act for any + conspiracy. And when the indictment charges that an order was made for the + benefit of S. W. Dorsey, and Vaile, and Miner, and it turns out that it + was made for the sole benefit of S. W. Dorsey, I claim that that is a + fatal variance. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, I was going through all these overt acts and all these terrible + false claims. But the decision of the Court has utterly and entirely + relieved me from that duty. So I will turn my attention to another person. + </p> + <p> + The next defendant to whom I may call your attention is Mr. John W. + Dorsey. It is claimed that John W. Dorsey was one of the original + conspirators; that he helped to hatch and plot this terrible design. Let + us see what interest John W. Dorsey had. You have heard me read the + agreement he made, have you not, with Miner? Now, let me read to you the + agreement that he made on the 16th day of August, 1878. Now, we will find + out what interest John W. Dorsey had in all this conspiracy. On the 16th + of August, 1878, there was no reason for telling any lie about it. They + could not get on the routes in August, 1878; they had not the money, and + so they took in Vaile. At that time, gentlemen, there was no reason for + their writing anything in this paper that was not true, not the slightest. + And I take it for granted that most people tell the truth when there is no + possible object in telling anything else, if their memory is good: + </p> + <p> + 4th. The profits accruing from the business shall be divided as follows: + From routes in Indian Territory, Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota, to H. M. + Vaile, one-third. + </p> + <p> + To John R. Miner, one-sixth; to John M. Peck, one-sixth; and to John W. + Dorsey, one-third. + </p> + <p> + From routes in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, + Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and California, to H. M. Vaile, + one-third; to John R. Miner, one-third; to John M. Peck, one-third. [Page + 4014.] + </p> + <p> + And to John W. Dorsey nothing. The entire interest of John W. Dorsey in + the whole business was one-third of the profits on routes in the Indian + Territory, Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota. This was signed by H. M. Vaile, + John R. Miner, John M. Peck, and John W. Dorsey, and I believe these are + all admitted to be the genuine signatures of the parties. + </p> + <p> + The only routes mentioned in this indictment in which John W. Dorsey on + the 16th day of August, 1878, had any interest whatever were: Kearney to + Kent in Nebraska, Vermillion to Sioux Falls in Dakota, and Bismarck to + Tongue River in Dakota. Remember that, gentlemen. That is very important. + The evidence is that he sold out his interest in the following December, + made a bargain for ten thousand dollars, and the evidence is that he + received the money, and the evidence is that after that he never had any + interest in the profits, no matter how much was made. And yet these + gentlemen say that he was part and parcel of a conspiracy formed on the + 23d of May, 1879. Long before that time he had sold out every dollar's + interest he had, and had no more interest in it than though he had never + existed. He got his ten thousand dollars; that was all. Now let us see + what he did when the routes were divided. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. When did you say he sold out and got the money? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. The bargain was made in December, and his brother wrote to + him at first that Vaile would not give it to him, and then that he would. + Don't you recollect the two letters you asked Dorsey so much about? + </p> + <p> + It had been agreed to once, and then after S. W. Dorsey came out of the + Senate John W. Dorsey was paid ten thousand dollars, and Miner swears that + the division was absolute, perfect, and complete; and that nothing was + signed by one for the other after the 5th of May, 1879. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Miner does not say when. He swore that he, signed no papers + after the 5th of May, 1879. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. He says that he signed no papers for the other side, and + that the other side signed none for Vaile and Miner. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Davidge. You are talking of two different things. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I will show you after awhile that you are wrong, as I + always do. I never made a mistake on you yet. + </p> + <p> + The only routes mentioned in this indictment in which John W. Dorsey on + the 16th day of August, 1878, had any interest whatever were from Kearney + to Kent, in Nebraska; Vermillion to Sioux Falls, in Dakota; and Bismarck + to Tongue River, in Dakota. And I will say right here that if at any time + I do injustice to Mr. Bliss or anybody else, if it is pointed out I will + take it back cheerfully, and if it is not pointed out, and they show that + I did it, I will get up and admit it and say that I was mistaken. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. You will have a great deal to admit. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Very well, I will do it, for I have the courage of + conviction, and I have the courage to say that I am mistaken when I am. + </p> + <p> + Now, the evidence is that John W. Dorsey sold out his interest for ten + thousand dollars, and that he received the money, and that after that he + had no interest in the profits when the three routes were divided, and the + only three were the ones I have mentioned. + </p> + <p> + On the first route, from Vermillion to Sioux Falls, John W. Dorsey was the + subcontractor and he gave Mr. Vaile the entire pay for all increases and + all expeditions. John W. Dorsey had the right to subcontract, and Mr. + Vaile had the right to make the contract. The statement on page 726 shows + simply that John W. Dorsey never drew a dollar upon that route. That is + one route fairly and squarely disposed of. Understand, I cast no + imputation upon Mr. Vaile for having the contract and for getting the + money. When I come to it I will show you that he had a right to. + </p> + <p> + The next route is from Kearney to Kent. John W. Dorsey had an interest in + that route, according to the agreement of August 16th, of one-third. You + will see from page 726 of the record that the first quarter John M. Peck + got the money, two hundred and forty-five dollars and six cents. John W. + Dorsey was entitled to one-third of that, if it was profit. The next + quarter was paid on the 22d of January, 1879—that is, for the fourth + quarter of 1878, and that was paid to H. M. Vaile. And never another + solitary cent was paid to anybody in such a way that John W. Dorsey was + entitled to any part or portion of it. That gets that route out of + trouble, so far as John W. Dorsey was concerned, no matter what the + increase may have been after that, no matter what the expedition was, no + matter whether French carried it for nothing, no matter what happened to + Cedarville or that city of Fitzalon; it was no interest to John W. Dorsey, + no matter whether the road ran direct from Fitzalon to Cedarville or not. + He was entitled to one-third of the profits on one payment to Peck, and + that payment was two hundred and forty-five dollars and six cents; whether + he ever got it I do not know. + </p> + <p> + Let us see how he came out on the next route, from Bismarck to Tongue + River. He went out there to build stations. I will come to that in a + little while. Now, I call attention to page 727. The third quarter from + July 1 to September 30, 1878, was paid November 8, 1878, to H. M. Vaile. + Never a solitary dollar on the route was paid to John W. Dorsey, according + to this record, if you can rely on these books. + </p> + <p> + That is the state of the case on these three routes. And yet it is + solemnly averred in the indictment that all the orders on these routes + were made for the joint benefit of John W. Dorsey and others. Now, before + another payment was made the division of the routes had been completed, + and John W. Dorsey sold out his interest in these routes and all others + for ten thousand dollars. So that he never received a dollar upon the + Bismarck route and the Vermillion route except as it is included in the + gross sum of ten thousand dollars which he received for his entire + interest, and that entire interest is described perfectly in the contract + of August 16, 1878. Now, it John W. Dorsey had no interest in any route + except as stated in the contract, of course nothing was done upon any + other route for his benefit; nothing was done in which he, by any + possibility, had the slightest pecuniary interest. How were the petitions + filed for his benefit? How were the affidavits made for his benefit? How + were the orders made for his benefit? He had no interest; he had parted + with it, and had nothing more to do with it than the attorneys for the + prosecution in this case. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed by Mr. Bliss that when John W. Dorsey sold out he agreed to + make the necessary papers for the routes, and he tried to impress upon + your minds the idea that the bargain was that John W. Dorsey knew that for + ten thousand dollars he had to commit perjury and forgery and several + other cheerful crimes, from time to time, as he might be called upon by + the gentlemen who had been his co-conspirators. + </p> + <p> + J. W. Dorsey frankly and cheerfully swore that he agreed to make the + necessary papers. He did not swear that he agreed to commit any frauds, + perjuries, or forgeries. Nothing of the kind. He agreed to execute, of + course, the necessary legal papers—the papers that, as contractor, + were necessary for him to make to vest title of the route in the person to + whom he had sold—just the necessary papers that would allow the man + who had paid him for the route to draw the money from the Government if he + performed the service. + </p> + <p> + Now, what were the papers? I say right here, gentlemen, that under the law + as it was then, under the law as it is now, it is impossible for a + contractor to assign his contract so as to be relieved from responsibility + to the Government; the Government will not permit it. The Government will + permit him to make a subcontract, and that is what John W. Dorsey did; + that is one of the things he agreed to do. In order to make that + subcontract absolutely certain; in order to put it beyond his power to do + anything with it, that subcontract was made for the entire pay, for the + entire increase and expedition. And what more? In order to make that + absolutely perfect, so they would not have a loop-hole anywhere, he signed + blank drafts upon the Post-Office Department for the entire pay of every + quarter during the contract term. And then, if they were fined—and + nobody knew how much they would be fined—they had the right to fill + up that order for the amount due them from the Post-Office Department + after deducting fines. + </p> + <p> + He sold out in March, 1879. The regulation or order making it necessary + for the contractor to make an oath as to additional stock and men was not + in existence, was not a binding law or regulation, until the 1st day of + July, 1879. When he sold out in March, unless he were gifted with + prophecy, he would not know what the regulation of the 1st of July + following would be. + </p> + <p> + Now, there were two affidavits made by John W. Dorsey on route 38134, + Pueblo to Rosita. Around those affidavits Mr. Bliss hovered and Mr. Ker + remained. John W. Dorsey testifies that he received one of those + affidavits in the morning and swore to it, and that it was filled up when + he swore to it. Mr. Bliss and Mr. Ker, I believe, both say that it was not + filled up. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. Where does Mr. Dorsey say that it was filled up when he swore + to it? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I have not the page here, but I will give it to you. He + swore that a dozen times, that he never swore to any blank affidavits. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss. I undertake to say that it cannot be found in his evidence. + </p> + <p> + The Court. He testified that he received them both by mail, and that the + second one was contained in a letter which said that there was an error in + the first, and the second was sent for the purpose of correcting that + error. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. There could not have been any error in the first unless it + had been filled up. You cannot make an error in blank. On page 4838, Mr. + Rerdell swore that he left this city on the 17th or 18th of April for the + West, and then he adds, "I think on the 18th." Then the Government brought + the hotel-keepers from Sydney, Nebraska, and from Denver, and from some + other place, nearly as many witnesses as you had about the paper pulp. And + they proved that Rerdell was beyond the Missouri River on the 21 st of + April. + </p> + <p> + Now see what Mr. Bliss says on page 4914: + </p> + <p> + And yet, gentlemen, it is beyond dispute that as early as the 15th of + April, 1879, Mr. Rerdell had left this city and gone West. + </p> + <p> + Why did he have it stated on the 15th, gentlemen? I will tell you. Oh, I + tell you the human mind is a queer thing when it gets to working. John W. + Dorsey was in Middlebury, Vermont; if a letter had been sent from here on + the 15th, it certainly would have got up there before the 21st. So they + wanted Rerdell out of this town as early as possible, so that it would + make it highly improbable that it would take a letter from that time to + the 21st to get to Middlebury. Now, the evidence is that he left here, he + thinks, on the 18th. When did the letter get up there? I think the 20th or + 21st. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Davidge. There was a Sunday intervened. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. They say, gentlemen, that there is no evidence that the + blanks were filled, and yet John W. Dorsey swears that he received a + letter stating that the first affidavit was erroneous, and the second one + was sent to him to correct it. How would you correct one affidavit in + blank by another affidavit in blank? How did he ever get those affidavits? + I will tell you. We will have that little matter settled. Here is what + Rerdell swears on page 2232: + </p> + <p> + Q. When did you return from that visit?—A. I returned about the 5th + of May. + </p> + <p> + Q. State whether or not after you returned, you found blank affidavits + among the papers connected with the business?—A. Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. How many did you find?—A. Well, there were several blank + affidavits of John W. Dorsey's and several of John M. Peck's. I don't know + how many there were. + </p> + <p> + Q. Were they blank affidavits?—A. Well, sir, they were blank + affidavits similar to that one I sent, leaving out the number of men and + animals in each case. + </p> + <p> + Q. Did they purport to have been sworn to?—A. Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. Were those affidavits among the papers when you left here to go West?—A. + Some of them were. I think those of Peck's were here, probably four or + five, or half a dozen, and I had made out, before I left here, a lot of + them and sent them to John W. Dorsey. In the mean time, when I returned + here, John W. Dorsey was here. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Rerdell swears that just before he went away he sent the affidavits to + John W. Dorsey, and the only question between them is, were they in blank, + or were they filled. John W. Dorsey swears that they were filled, because + when he received the second he received a letter stating that there was an + error in the first, and that error had been corrected in the second. The + last nail in the coffin of that doctrine. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. [Resuming.] May it please the Court and gentlemen of the + jury, before finishing what I am about to say in regard to the two + affidavits of John W. Dorsey I will now call your attention to a statement + made by Mr. Bliss, on page 304, in his opening speech to you: + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dorsey, while Senator, was, I think, chairman of the Committee on + Post-Offices, and chairman of the subcommittee in charge of all the + appropriations. That brought him, of course, directly in connection with + the Post-Office Department and its officials, and gave him, as we all + understand, necessarily, from the nature of the case, the possession of + some exceptional power over officials of the department—greater + power than a Senator would have when occupying som'-other position. + </p> + <p> + That statement was made to you, gentlemen, for the purpose of making you + believe that while Senator Dorsey was a member of the Senate he was also + chairman of the PostOffice Committee, and of the subcommittee having power + over the appropriations, and that he not only took advantage of being a + Senator, but by virtue of being chairman of that committee had exceptional + power over the officials of the Post-Office Department. He was trying to + convince you that, finding himself chairman of that committee, finding + himself with this power, he thereupon entered into a conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + What evidence did the Government offer upon that point? Nothing. Did Mr. + Bliss at that time suppose that Mr. Dorsey was chairman of that committee? + The records were all here. The Government had plenty of agents to + ascertain what the fact was; and yet, without knowing the facts, Mr. Bliss + stated to this jury that he believed that; that Dorsey was chairman of the + Post-Office Committee and of the sub-committee; wanting to poison your + minds with the idea that Mr. Dorsey had taken advantage of having held + that position. Now, the only evidence upon that point I find on page 3992, + and that is the evidence of Mr. Dorsey himself. He is asked, Were you a + member of the Post-Office Committee in 1877? No. In 1878? No. Or chairman + of the subcommittee? Here is what he says, that he had not been on that + Post-Office Committee "for nearly two years" prior to July 1, 1878. And + yet an attorney representing the United States, representing the greatness + and honor, the grandeur and the glory of fifty millions of people, for the + purpose of poisoning your minds, there made that statement without knowing + anything about it or without caring anything about it. I thought I would + clear that point up the first thing this morning. + </p> + <p> + Now we will go on with the affidavits. You know these terrible affidavits + that were sworn to in Vermont. It was stated that the first affidavit was + wrong and that the second affidavit was substituted for the first. Now, if + the second affidavit took more money out of the Treasury than the first + affidavit you might say that there was a sinister motive, a dishonest + motive in withdrawing the first and substituting the second, unless it + appeared clearly that the second was true. But suppose it turns out that + the substitution did not take an extra dollar from the United States? Then + what motive do you say they had in doing it? Was it a motive to steal + something, or was it a motive simply to be correct? What other motive + could there have been? + </p> + <p> + Now, let us see. The first affidavit said three men and twelve animals; + for the expedition, seven men and thirty-eight animals; and the proportion + was exactly three hundred per cent—that is, three times as much. + Now, then, they put in another affidavit. The second affidavit says two + men and six animals. That makes eight. And on the expedited schedule six + men and eighteen animals, which makes twenty-four; and three times eight + are twenty-four; exactly the same. Three times fifteen are forty-five, and + three times eight are twenty-four, and the amount of money drawn under the + second affidavit is precisely the same that would have been drawn under + the first affidavit. + </p> + <p> + Now, do you pretend to tell me that they took the trouble to withdraw the + first affidavit and put in the second affidavit because they were trying + to defraud somebody? On the contrary, they took that trouble because there + was a mistake made in the first affidavit and they wanted to correct it, + not for the purpose of getting more money, but for the purpose of getting + a correct affidavit. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Crane (foreman of the jury). Was not that first affidavit interlined? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. No, sir. + </p> + <p> + If there had been any fraud about it, would they not have withdrawn the + paper? They had a right to withdraw it. Yet they left the paper there; + they left it there as a witness. Why? Because it did not prove anything + against them; it only proved they desired to be correct. + </p> + <p> + My recollection is there were erasures in both affidavits. Let us find + them. Before I get through I will endeavor to show you that every erasure + and interlineation is an evidence of honesty instead of dishonesty. What + are the numbers of these affidavits? [Examining the papers.] They are + number 4 C and 5 C. Route 38134. I will read them. + </p> + <p> + Hon. Thomas J. Brady, + </p> + <p> + Second Assistant Postmaster-General: + </p> + <p> + Sir: The number of men and animals necessary to carry the mail on route + 38134 on the present schedule is three men and twelve animals. The number + necessary on a schedule of ten hours, seven times a week, is seven men and + thirty-eight animals. + </p> + <p> + Respectfully, + </p> + <p> + JOHN W. DORSEY, + </p> + <p> + Subcontractor. + </p> + <p> + There does not appear to be any erasure or interlineation or anything else + in that affidavit. Now, here is the other one: + </p> + <p> + Hon. Thomas J. Brady, + </p> + <p> + Second Assistant Postmaster-General: + </p> + <p> + Sir: The number of men and animals necessary to carry the mails on route + 38134 on the present schedule, seven times a week, is two men and six + animals. The number necessary on the schedule of ten hours, seven times a + week, is six men and eighteen animals. + </p> + <p> + Respectfully, + </p> + <p> + JOHN W. DORSEY, + </p> + <p> + Subcontractor. + </p> + <p> + That is the second affidavit. The first was withdrawn. That is, they had + permission to withdraw it, and in the second affidavit is the + interlineation "seven times a week," isn't it? That is simply an + interlineation, because there had been an omission to state the service + that was then being performed or that was to be performed. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Crane (foreman of the jury). That has puzzled me a good deal, to + understand the motive of those two affidavits. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. There certainly could not be any motive for putting in + seven or three times a week, for this is simply to make it agree with the + truth. If I give a note to a man for five hundred dollars and should + happen to write in the word "hundred" and not the word "five," and then + should take it back and write in the word "five" above it, that is not a + sign of fraud. + </p> + <p> + Will somebody give me number 18 K; I just happened to see something there + which may be worth something, or may not. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, here is a petition marked 2 A, that Rerdell swears that + the words "schedule thirteen hours" were written in by Miner. In one of + these papers I happened to see the word "schedule." Just notice the word + "schedule" on this paper [exhibiting to the jury,] and then have the + kindness to look at the word "schedule" in this other one [exhibiting to + the jury,] and see whether you think one man wrote them both. Rerdell says + he wrote the word "schedule" in that one [indicating,] and that Miner + wrote the word "schedule" in this other one [indicating.] + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, there is another charge against John W. Dorsey, on route + 38145, and upon that route he made two affidavits. In the first affidavit + he swore it would require three men and seven animals on the schedule as + it then was, and that makes ten; that with the proposed schedule it would + take eleven men and twenty-six animals, making thirty-seven. Now, if it + took ten on the schedule as it then was, and thirty-seven on the proposed + schedule, then the Government, which accepted that affidavit, would have + to pay him three times and seven-tenths as much, which is the relation + between ten and thirty-seven. The proportion then is three and + seven-tenths. On the first affidavit his pay would have been twelve + thousand nine hundred and thirty-five dollars and fifty-two cents a year. + </p> + <p> + Now I come to the second affidavit, which said that for the schedule as it + then stood ijt would take twenty men and animals. On the proposed schedule + he said it would take twelve men and forty-two animals, making fifty-four. + Now, the ratio of the second affidavit was as twenty is to fifty-four. The + ratio in the first affidavit was as ten is to thirty-seven, so that under + the second affidavit, which they say was willful and corrupt perjury, he + got eight thousand four hundred and fifty-seven dollars a year instead of + twelve thousand nine hundred and thirty-five dollars and fifty-two cents. + There were three years for the contract to run, and a little over. Under + the first affidavit he would have received thirteen thousand nine hundred + and ninety-two dollars and seventy-five cents during the contract term + more than he took under the second. An affidavit was put in there that he + thought was erroneous. He withdrew that affidavit and put in a second one. + If he had allowed the first to remain and they had calculated the amount + on the first he would have received thirteen thousand nine hundred and + ninety-two dollars and seventy-five cents more than he did under the + second affidavit. But he withdrew the first and put in the second, and + took from the Treasury thirteen thousand nine hundred and ninety-two + dollars and seventy-five cents less, and they charge that as a fraud, as + an evidence of conspiracy and perjury. Now, that is all there is against + John W. Dorsey. + </p> + <p> + On page 4090 John W. Dorsey swears that General Miles wanted to know how + far apart he (Dorsey) was building the stations on the Tongue River and + Bismarck route. Let us turn to page 4090. You know they were trying to + prove that when John W. Dorsey went out there and built the ranches that + he was going to build them about fifteen or seventeen miles apart, because + it was claimed that they knew there was to be increase and expedition. You + remember that. Now, when John W. Dorsey came upon the stand he swore that + when they went out there they started to build those stations, I believe, + somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty or thirty-five miles apart, as + they could get water. Then he swore that when he went himself over, I + think, to Miles City, where General Miles was, that General Miles asked + him how far he was building his stations apart. John W. Dorsey told him. + Then General Miles gave him his advice. Now, I want to read this to you. I + asked him this question: + </p> + <p> + Q. When you got to Fort Keogh did you go to see General Miles?—A. + Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. Did you have any conversation with him in regard to this route, with + regard to the needs of the country for mail service; and, if so, what was + it? A. I told him all about the business generally. He seemed to + understand it pretty well. He wanted to know how far apart we were + building stations. I told him. He wanted to know how often the mails would + run, and I told him it would be weekly service, I thought. "We have been + pent up here two or three years," he says, "with mails from eighteen to + twenty days apart, reaching us by the way of Ogden and Bozeman." And he + says, "We can get it in seven or eight days over this line." And now I + would like to say that he did not say that he knew there would be an + increase, but he said he should like to have it increased to three trips a + week, or daily, and fifty hours' time. I told him there was no use to try + to get it at all; that it could not be done at present; that nobody knew + the distance through that country; that we expected to have it measured; + that it was claimed by everybody that it was a good deal more than two + hundred and fifty and probably over three hundred miles, and nobody would + undertake to carry it. Said I, "If you extend it the contractor can throw + up his contract and you will be without any mail." He said, "We are going + to ask for what we want, but we will take what they will give us." + </p> + <p> + "Your stations are too far apart; you can't run any fast time with your + stations so far apart; you want more stations, and nearer together." The + result was that when I went back I met Mr. Pennell, who had built the + stations thirty to thirty-five miles apart, and going back we put in + intermediate stations. We only carried out lumber enough from Bismarck to + build eight or nine stations, for the windows, &c.; we did not think + of building any more at that time. Mr. Pennell says the order was to build + the stations seventeen to twenty miles apart in going out. That is no such + thing. There was not a station built going out closer than thirty to + thirty-five miles. + </p> + <p> + Q. What, if anything, did General Miles say that convinced you that you + ought to build stations nearer together? + </p> + <p> + Then he testifies that on account of what he said he did this, and that he + had no instructions from Washington. + </p> + <p> + That is the testimony. Mr. Bliss endeavored to frighten the witness by + stating in his presence that he (Bliss) did not believe General Miles + would swear to any such thing, judging, of course, from the conversation + that he (Mr. Bliss) had had with General Miles. Notwithstanding that + threat, John W. Dorsey, confident that he was telling the truth, knowing + that he was telling the truth, told his story, and the Government never + brought General Miles to contradict him. + </p> + <p> + Now, the next thing about John W. Dorsey is the conversation that he had + with some men in July or August out on the road, that I have spoken to you + about before. Nothing could be more perfectly improbable. It may be that + he did tell some man that he was a brother of Senator Dorsey, and, + perhaps, he did say that if he got into a tight place or hard up for money + he could borrow money from his brother. I do not know what he may have + said on that subject. But, gentlemen, there is not a man on this jury, not + one of you, who has the slightest suspicion that John W. Dorsey at that + time told those men substantially that his brother was in a conspiracy + with the Second Assistant Postmaster-General, and that he, John W. Dorsey, + was also a conspirator. There is not one of you who believes that, not + one, and you never will. Why not? Because it is so utterly and infinitely + unreasonable and absurd. Now, that is the evidence against John W. Dorsey. + My attention is called to one other point in his case, and so I will call + your attention to it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bliss, gentlemen, on page 243, in speaking of the two affidavits on + the Pueblo and Rosita route, says: + </p> + <p> + We find this extraordinary condition of things. On route 38134, from + Pueblo to Rosita, which, I think, is the same route upon which the + obliging Mr. John W. Dorsey, as I have just stated to you, was allowed to + make the affidavit instead of Mr. Miner. + </p> + <p> + Now, he goes on to describe these two affidavits, and then he says: + </p> + <p> + Those two affidavits were before Mr. Brady, made by John W. Dorsey on the + same day, and yet Mr. Brady chose to pick out one or the other of them and + say, "I believe that as the absolutely conclusive statement of the number + of men and animals that are now in use upon that route, and upon that + affidavit I will make my order taking from the Treasury thousands of + dollars of money." You will see that the first affidavit made the number + two men and six animals, making eight as the number of stock and carriers + then in use; but the other one called for three men and twelve animals, + making fifteen as the number then in use, and, therefore, according as he + accepted one or the other, by the rule of three, to which I called your + attention just now, there would be twice the amount of money allowed from + the Treasury under the one affidavit that there would be under the other. + </p> + <p> + Just think of that, gentlemen. The number of men and animals then in use + has nothing to do with the number of men and animals stated in the other + affidavit; those amounts bear no relation to each other. The number of men + and animals in use in the first affidavit, and the number that would be + necessary on the next schedule, do bear a relation to each other. The + number of men and animals on the second affidavit on the then schedule + bears relation to the proposed number on the proposed schedule, and not to + the number on the other affidavit. And yet Mr. Bliss stood right before + you, with those two affidavits that would take the same amount of money + out of the Treasury, to a fraction, precisely the same—not the + difference of the billionth part of a farthing—and stated to you + that one would take twice as much money from the Treasury as the other. + You will think that he is as defective in mathematics as in law. I say to + you now that the amount that would be taken out of the Treasury on those + two affidavits is precisely the same. + </p> + <p> + I did not think that anybody could excel Mr. Ker in mathematics, but Mr. + Bliss bears off the palm. He bean, off the palm even in misstatement, and + bears off the palm in mistake. The two affidavits would call for the same + amount of money precisely, and yet Mr. Bliss stands up before you and says + there is twice as much on one as the other. Now, what is that for? That is + to prejudice you: that is all. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, you saw John W. Dorsey; you heard his testimony; you know + whether he is a man to be believed. It is for you to judge whether he is + honest or dishonest, and I leave his testimony with you. It was direct; it + was to the point; and his manner on the stand was absolutely and perfectly + honest. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is another point made. You know you have to think of these + things as you can, and step on them and then go on. Another point is made, + and it was urged by Mr. Bliss day after day. And what is that? That Mr. + Brady took the affidavits of all these men as absolutely true; that he + allowed them to fix the limit of the money they would take out of the + Treasury; that he allowed interested men to make the affidavits, and then + he took the affidavits as absolutely true; that he allowed the contractors + themselves to fix the sum they would seize. Now let us see what that is. + Mr. Brady swears that he regarded the affidavit as the honest opinion of + the man who made it, but not as necessarily true; that he had a standard + of his own. Your views upon all such questions, gentlemen, will depend + upon which side of human nature you stand—whether you are a believer + in total depravity, or whether you think there is a little virtue left in + human nature. If you stand on the side of suspicion, if you allow the + snake of prejudice to forever whisper in your ear, why, your idea will be + that every man is a rascal; and whenever he does a decent action you will + say, "This action is a little velvet in the paw for the purpose of + covering the claw of some devilment that he has in store." If you judge + from that side you can torture any act, no matter what it is, into + evidence of guilt. But you may judge from the other side and say that men, + as a rule, are decent; that they would rather do a kind act than a mean + thing; that they would rather tell the truth than tell a lie. I tell you + to-day that there is an immensity of good in human nature. There are + hundreds and thousands and millions of men to-day who are honest, who + would not for anything stain the whiteness of their souls with a lie. They + are laboring-men, it may be, working by the day for a dollar or a dollar + and a half, and only taking enough of it to keep life and strength in + their bodies and giving the rest to wife and child. And there are battles + as grand as were ever won by a celebrated general, and just as bravely + fought, with poverty day after day; and the man who fights the battles + gains the victory and goes down to the grave with his manhood untarnished. + You know it, and so do I. And yet you are all the time told to suspect + everything, no matter what it is. There is a flower there; ah, but there + is a snake under it! Always making that remark; accounting for every + decent looking action by a base motive. That is not my view of human + nature. + </p> + <p> + Now, Mr. Brady says that he had a standard of his own; that he let these + men make their statements, and he took their statements as being what they + believed to be the truth. And why not? Suppose I say to a man, "What will + you take for that horse?" And the man says, "That horse is worth a hundred + dollars." Suppose he goes and swears to it; that would not make any + difference in the price I would give for the horse, not a bit. You see I + am not buying an affidavit, I am buying a horse. So, when Brady says to + the contractor, "What will you carry the mail at six miles an hour for?" + and the man says "Twenty-five thousand dollars," and he swears to it, + Brady is not buying the affidavit; it is the service. If he does not + believe the service is worth that much, he says, "I can't do it," and that + is all. But they say "No; that is not what Brady did." + </p> + <p> + Now, as a matter of fact, there are nineteen routes in this indictment, + and I believe eighteen of them were expedited. I have made a calculation + for the purpose of showing that the amount to be paid was a matter of + bargain; that it was a matter talked over between the parties; that it was + the result of agreement, and that Mr. Brady did not take the affidavit as + the actual amount, and that they were not bound to take the amount that he + actually said. Now, I have deducted what was allowed from what could have + been allowed on the affidavits, and I find that the price did not depend + upon the affidavits. I find that there was a difference between the amount + called for by the affidavits and the amount granted of over three hundred + thousand dollars. And yet these gentlemen say to you that Brady allowed + the men who made the affidavits absolutely to fix the amount. Gentlemen, + that will not do. It was a matter of agreement, a matter of bargain, the + same as any other agreement or any other bargain. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, suppose they had had a conspiracy and said, "We want to + get all the money we can out of the Treasury." They would have agreed upon + a per cent.; they would have had all those affidavits showing + substantially the same per cent., wouldn't they? Because they would have + wanted harmony in it. They would have said, "It won't do for you to make + an affidavit on that route with one thousand two hundred per cent., on + this route with five hundred, on that route with two hundred and twenty + per cent., and on the other route with three hundred and forty per cent. + That won't do; that is nonsense; we are in a conspiracy and we want all + these things to agree and harmonize." And the result would have been that + they would have had about the same per cent, in all those affidavits. And + yet those affidavits vary in per cent, all the way from two hundred and + twenty to one thousand two hundred. They say, "Result of conspiracy." I do + not look at it in that way. + </p> + <p> + It is also claimed that the persons who sold out—that is to say, + John M. Peck and John W. Dorsey—agreed to make the necessary papers + that the other parties required. That being so, why should not affidavits + have been made in blank? Now, I ask you if the other parties were willing + to swear to anything that these men would write, why were they made that + way? Why not avoid the suspicious circumstance of blanks and put the + amount in at first, knowing that the men would not hesitate to swear? Of + what use was it, gentlemen, to have an affidavit suspiciously made, to + have blanks suspiciously left, when the men were willing to swear to any + numbers they would put in? Why did not the parties who made the affidavits + write in the amounts? Does not that very fact, that blanks were left, show + that they were to take the judgment of the men who were to do the + swearing? Why would they leave blanks? Why did they not fill them up at + the time and have them sworn to? + </p> + <p> + Why were they not continuously written? That is another point, if this was + a conspiracy. Guilt is always conscious that it is guilty. Guilt is always + suspecting detection. Guilt is infinitely suspicious. Guilt would make all + the papers as nearly right as possible. Guilt would look out for erasures. + Guilt would abhor blots. Guilt would have avoided having blanks filled in + with different colored inks. Guilt would want everything fitting + everything else, nothing to excite suspicion. Innocence is negligent. The + man with honest intentions is the one that does not care. But the guilty + man does not travel in the snow. He wants no tracks left. + </p> + <p> + Now, another thing: The fact that no effort was made to have the + affidavits in the same handwriting, no effort to have the blanks + apparently filled at the same time, that they were interlined, that there + were erasures—all those things tend to show that the parties were + honest in what they did. It was just as easy to have one without an + erasure as with it; ii was just as easy to have one continuously written + as to have the blanks filled up; just as easy to have one without any + interlineations as with it. And yet these parties, knowing that they were + conspirators (according to these gentlemen), Mr. Brady occupying a high + and responsible position, were so careless of their reputations, that they + did not even endeavor to make the papers passable upon their face. + </p> + <p> + Another thing: These very routes were investigated by Congress in 1878—this + very business. If the parties at that time had been conscious of guilt, + why were any suspicious papers left on file? Why were not others + substituted that had no suspicious interlineations, no suspicious + erasures, no suspicious blanks that had been filed? Why were these very + affidavits at that time reported to Congress? + </p> + <p> + The first investigation was in 1878, and on account of that investigation + the contractors for about a month and a half were left. Then there was + another investigation in 1880. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Is there any evidence that they were all reported to + Congress? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I think so; I think that is here in the record. I + understand the evidence to be that it was all reported to Congress. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. The investigation of 1880 was general, and not as to these + particular routes. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. In 1878 there was a special investigation growing out of + these Clendenning bonds and out of the Peck bids, and out of the + connection that they said Stephen W. Dorsey had with this business. That + is what it grew out of. Now, in the light of that investigation, let us + take it for granted for one moment that according to their statement the + parties had conspired. If anything on earth would make them afraid about + papers I think it would have been that investigation; and yet no effort + was made to conceal one, not the slightest. + </p> + <p> + Then we will go another step. General Brady was Second Assistant + Postmaster-General. All these papers were absolutely in his power. He + could have called for them at any time. Every suspicious paper could have + been destroyed or an unsuspicious one substituted for it. + </p> + <p> + Now, I want to know if it is conceivable that General Brady, under these + charges, when the new administration came in, under the threat of the + Government, would voluntarily leave those papers upon the files if they + had been dishonest and he knew it? + </p> + <p> + Take another step. So far as we have learned from the prosecution I + believe there is one paper claimed by them to have been lost. They do + claim that there was a second affidavit on the Bismarck and Tongue River + route. One is gone and one remains. Which remains? The affidavit for one + hundred and fifty men and one hundred and fifty horses. It seems to me + absolutely capable of demonstration that we did not take the one that is + gone. Had we been going to take anything we would have taken the one for + one hundred and fifty men and one hundred and fifty horses, and left the + other. But the other, about which nobody ever did complain, was taken, and + the one upon which they build their great argument of fraud upon that + route was left. And then it turned out that General Brady only allowed + forty per cent, of that affidavit. + </p> + <p> + Now, this prosecution was not begun in a moment. It was talked about for + weeks and months, I might almost say for years. Talk, talk, talk in the + papers everywhere. These men were not suddenly charged with this offence. + They understood it; they knew it. I think I have been engaged in this + suit, or suits growing out of this business, for two years. It was a + matter of slow growth. Mr. Brady retired, I believe, some time in April, + 1881, knowing at that time that these charges had been made and that the + charges were being pressed. Mr. Dorsey knew it at the same time. All these + defendants knew it. Now they say that at that time we were in conspiracy + with Mr. Brady, and they say that at that time we were in conspiracy with + Mr. Turner. We had the papers in our power. + </p> + <p> + Now, if Mr. Dorsey was wicked enough to conspire, if Mr. Brady was + villainous enough to conspire, I ask you whether they would have left + behind the evidence of their conspiracy? Why were the papers left? Because + General Brady never dreamed that one of them was dishonest. + </p> + <p> + Why did not Vaile and Miner, John W. Dorsey and Peck and Stephen W. Dorsey + ask for the papers? Because they believed every one to be honest, and they + had no use for them. They were willing that the Government should make out + of them what it could. I ask again, is it conceivable that John R. Miner, + if he knew there was on the files of the department a petition that he had + changed, that he had erased, that he had interlined or forged, is it + conceivable, if he had been wicked enough to enter into the conspiracy, + that he would have been foolish enough to leave the paper there? Would he + not have gone to Brady and said to him, "I conspired; you know it; I + changed the petition, and I want it; I erased a word in a petition, I want + it; I signed a name to a petition, I want it"? And Brady would have said, + "Yes, and you ought to have called for it long ago; you can have it." If + S. W. Dorsey had interlined an affidavit or had filled a blank, if S. W. + Dorsey had made an erasure or an interlineation, he, of course, must have + known it, and if he conspired with Brady he must have known it, and he + must have gone to General Brady and said, "I want that affidavit on such a + route; we can write another, and I want that; I want that petition;" and + it would have been given. You cannot conceive of such infinite stupidity + as to say that those people knew that those papers were dishonest, and + that they still left them on file as weapons for their enemies. You cannot + do it. + </p> + <p> + So much, gentlemen, for the affidavits, and so much for the papers. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is another question, and I have no doubt that you have asked it + yourselves. It has been asked a great many times by the prosecution. That + question is this: Why did Dorsey retain Rerdell in his employ after the + 20th of June, 1881? These gentleman tell you that it is evidence of guilt + that he did it. I will tell you why he did it. At that time the public + mind was almost infinitely excited on this question. At that time the + public was ready to believe anything. It had its mouth wide open, like a + young robin, ready for worms or shingle-nails—it made no difference—anything + that dropped in. Every newspaper was charging that these defendants were + guilty, that Stephen W. Dorsey was a conspirator, that millions had been + taken from the Treasury, and there were nearly as many mistakes in the + press then as in the speech of Mr. Bliss now. But I can excuse that, + because it was before the evidence. Now, what was Mr. Dorsey to do in the + then state of the public mind? That man, no matter how bad he was, how + base he was, had the power to have him indicted. That man could have gone + before the grand jury and had Mr. Dorsey or any other public man indicted + in the then state of excitement and feeling of the public. What was the + result of his going even to James and MacVeagh? I believe Mr. Turner says + that on account of the statement of this man Rerdell, he (Turner) was + turned out of his office. That is the effect. What became of McGrew? What + became of Lilley? What became of Lake? What became of twenty or thirty + other officials upon whose reputation this man had breathed the poison of + slander? Stephen W. Dorsey at that time knew that that man in the then + state of public excitement was powerful for mischief. That man made the + affidavit of June, 1881, at the request of James W. Bosler, as he himself + says, and swore that he went to the Government simply to find out the + Government's secrets; swore that he was still upon the side of Stephen W. + Dorsey; took back what he had said, and swore that it was a lie. The + question then was what to do with him? Stephen W. Dorsey made up his mind + not to do anything more, just to let him alone, just let him stay as he + was. That was the wise course. It was the course that any wise man, in my + judgment, would have pursued under the circumstances. What else could he + do? Let him alone. Let him alone. He did not at that time expect that he + would ever be indicted. He shrank from an indictment, as every sensitive + man does, because when you have indicted a man you have put a stain upon + him that even the verdict of not guilty does not altogether remove. He did + not want that stain. He was a man of power; he was a man of position, a + man of social and political standing, a man wielding as much influence as + any other one man in the United States. He did not wish to be indicted. He + did not wish his reputation to be soiled and stained. And so he allowed + that man to stay where he was. He may have made a mistake, but whether + mistake or not, that is what he did. + </p> + <p> + There is another question. Why did we fail to produce our books and + papers? I will tell you. The notice to produce them was given to us on the + 13th day of February. We had noticed curious motions. Two days afterwards, + Mr. Rerdell went on the stand. What did they want the books and papers + for? For Mr. Rerdell to look at. Why did he want to look at the books and + papers? To stake out his testimony. He hated to depend upon his memory. We + took the responsibility of letting the witness swear to the contents of + the books and papers, and let them call that secondary evidence. We took + that responsibility rather than to furnish the books and papers to be + looked at by that man in order that he might make no mistakes in his + testimony. What happened afterwards justified our course. If we had shown + to him the books and papers, and checks, and stubs, do you think he would + have made any mistake about that seven thousand five hundred dollar check? + Would he have said that he went with Dorsey, and that Dorsey drew the + money, and that he looked over his shoulder, and that then he and Dorsey + walked down to the Post-Office Department, if he had known that that check + was drawn to his order? If he had known before he swore, that he indorsed + that check, he would have said he went down and got the money himself; he + would not have said that Dorsey did. He would have made no mistakes there. + He would not have been driven into the corner of saying "stub" or "stubs," + "checkbook" or "check-books," "amount" or "amounts." No, sir. And that one + thing justified absolutely the wisdom of our course. + </p> + <p> + Then the Court decided that, having failed to produce our books on notice + and allowed the other side to introduce secondary evidence of their + contents, we would not be allowed then to produce them. I insisted that we + had the right then to produce them, and the Court decided that we had not. + We took the responsibility of refusing, and we took that responsibility + because we made up our minds that we would not allow that man to look over + the books, checks, and stubs for the purpose of manufacturing his + testimony. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Where did you offer to produce the books? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Where did you offer the production of the books? That is just + what I was about to ask. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Carpenter. The Court said we could not. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Where did you make the offer? + </p> + <p> + The Court. I want to know. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Carpenter. Mr. Ingersoll did not say he made the offer. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. I think he did. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I think he did. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Carpenter. Just read it, Mr. Stenographer. He says nothing of the + kind. + </p> + <p> + The Stenographer, (reading) + </p> + <p> + I insisted that we had the right then to produce them, and the Court + decided that we had not. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That is exactly what I say. + </p> + <p> + The Court. The Court did not give any intimation at that time, but after + that point in the trial had passed, several days, several weeks, I think, + the attention of the Court was called to this question, and the Court + remarked, in the course of the opinion, that it understood the law to be + that after a party, upon whom notice had been given to produce books, had + failed to produce the books, and the other side had given secondary + evidence, then the Court would not allow the party having the books to + produce them for the purpose of contradicting the secondary evidence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That is all I claim. + </p> + <p> + The Court. But there was no such offer made, so far as I recollect. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Why should we make the offer after your Honor had decided + that we could not do it? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. I will answer the question. Because whether it would have + been accepted or not was a question for the counsel for the Government + when the offer was made. And again, the learned counsel will recollect + that after the notice was given, when S. W. Dorsey was on the stand on + cross-examination, I demanded those books and those stubs, and he asked + leave to consult his counsel. The Court denied that request, and then + there was a peremptory refusal to produce any book or any paper. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Oh, yes. Mr. Ingersoll and Mr. Davidge repeatedly announced to + the Court that they were not going to produce books to assist the + prosecution. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Yes; I said that twenty times, and the Court, as I + understood it, held that after we had refused to produce the books and + driven the other party to secondary evidence, we could not then produce + the books. + </p> + <p> + The Court. You made no offer to produce the books. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I resisted the opinion of the Court and made the best + argument I could, but the Court said that was not the law. + </p> + <p> + The Court. The remark of the Court arose upon an argument on the part of + Mr. Ingersoll, and if I am not mistaken, upon the effect of the refusal to + produce the books and papers, Mr. Ingersoll contending that there was no + presumption against his client on account of the refusal to produce the + books and papers, and that the jury ought to be instructed that the only + effect of refusing to produce the books and papers was to leave the case + upon the secondary evidence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I am not referring to that discussion, nor to that decision + of your Honor; I am referring to the decision you made during the trial. + </p> + <p> + The Court. That was the only occasion since this trial began, in which the + Court referred to that rule of law which denied the right to introduce + primary evidence for the purpose of contradicting the secondary evidence, + after the primary evidence had been withheld in the first instance. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Of course, I am not absolutely certain, I never am; but I + will endeavor to find in the record exactly what you said on that subject. + </p> + <p> + And now, in order that we may be perfectly correct, and in order to show, + too, how easy it is to be mistaken, Mr. Merrick just said upon that very + subject of the books and papers, that while Mr. Dorsey was upon the stand, + he asked leave to consult his counsel. If Mr. Merrick will read the + testimony he will find that Mr. Dorsey made that remark when he was asked + about the affidavit of June 20, 1881. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. You are right. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. That just shows how easy it is to make a mistake when it + comes to a matter of recollection. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. I think it was upon a question of the insertion of the change + in the character of the affidavit—its being addressed to the + President; and when I asked him if he had not made that change he asked + leave to consult his counsel. For the moment I thought it was upon the + books. But the substance still remains, that, on the question of the + books, I asked him on his cross-examination—and the counsel will + state his recollection to be the same—about the stubs and the books, + and called upon him to produce them, and the counsel replied, "We will + not." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I presume I did. I made that reply a good many times. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Will the counsel be frank enough to state when that decision + was made? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Which decision? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. When he was on the stand on cross-examination. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. And I said we would not produce them? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. After the testimony in chief and Rerdell was gone. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Then I said we would not produce them. And now I will say + that the decision of the Court was made before that time that we could not + produce them, and if I do not show it then I will publicly take it back. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I do not think you can show it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. If I do not, then I will beg your Honor's pardon, and if I + do—if I do—Now, I think what happened afterwards in this case + with that very witness justifies the course that we pursued. He also + stated at the time that we had, I believe, some twenty thousand pages of + letters on all possible subjects to a great number of people. We knew that + there was a spirit abroad—and some of it in a part of the + prosecution—to find something against somebody else somewhere. We + made up our minds that our private books and correspondence never should + be ransacked by this Department of Justice. We took the consequences, and + we are willing to take them. We say that the inference from our refusal is + an inference of fact, and must be decided by the jury, and is not an + inference of law. + </p> + <p> + We have been asked a good many times why we did not put James W. Bosler on + the stand. The prosecution subpoenaed Mr. Bosler. They appeared to have an + affection for him. They subpoenaed him, and he came here. Afterwards they + issued an attachment for him. They had him, arrested at midnight and + brought here. He gave some testimony, and you will find it on page 2611. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. I do not know that there was an attachment. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. You know you have a right to prove things by circumstances. + Now, it is said that he put the marshal out of the house; I think that is + evidence tending to show that an attachment was issued. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ker. And kept him out with a club. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I understood also that Mr. Dorsey kicked somebody else out of + his house about the same time. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Oh, yes; it has been a very lively term of court. + </p> + <p> + There were two very important things that they were to prove by Mr. + Bosler, and they were patting him on the back here for weeks. Friendship + sprang up between them. It was a very young plant at first, but the Bosler + ivy grew upon the oak of the prosecution. I saw him sitting here, + everything delightful. The prosecution, I hoped, began to flatter itself + that Mr. Bosler was on their side; I hoped that was so. Finally they put + Mr. Bosler on the stand. What did they want to prove by him? That Dorsey + wrote a letter to him on the 13th of May, 1879, telling how much money he + had given to Brady; that is one thing they wanted to prove by him. The + second thing was that Rerdell had written a letter to Bosler, I believe, + on the 20th of May or 22d of May, 1880, stating that he (Rerdell) had been + subpoenaed to go before the Congressional committee and take his books and + papers; that he got very much frightened; that he had taken the advice of + Brady and got a very valuable suggestion from Brady, which he was going to + follow. They wanted to prove that by Mr. Bosler. + </p> + <p> + Rerdell had already sworn that Dorsey sent a letter to Bosler on the 13th + of May, 1879. Rerdell had sworn to the contents of that letter; that the + contents were that he had paid Brady so much money, &c., which you + remember, and then that he, in 1880, had written a letter to Mr. Bosler, + and I believe he pretended to have a copy of it. Now, here comes Bosler's + testimony, on page 2611. + </p> + <p> + Q. Have you made a search among your papers to find a letter alleged to + have been written to you by Stephen W. Dorsey, and dated on or about the + 13th of May, 1879?—Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + That is the letter that Rerdell swore about. + </p> + <p> + Q. Have you searched?—A. I have. + </p> + <p> + Q. Did you find it?-A. No, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. Have you made search for a letter purporting to have been written by + him to you, and dated on or about the 22d of May, 1880?—A. Yes, sir. + </p> + <p> + Q. Did you find that letter?—A. I did not. + </p> + <p> + The Court: Was there ever such a letter? + </p> + <p> + Bosler replied: "There never was such a letter received by me." + </p> + <p> + There is the testimony of Mr. Bosler, and on that testimony the two + letters of May 13, 1879, and May 22, 1880, turn to dust and ashes. + </p> + <p> + Now, they say, "Why didn't you put Bosler on?" Not much necessity of Mr. + Bosler after that. And besides, gentlemen, I believe I will take you into + my confidence just a little bit. The evidence of Rerdell as to the + affidavit of June 20, 1881, and the affidavit of July 13, 1882 (an + affidavit in which he swore that there was nothing against Mr. Bosler, an + affidavit that was made apparently for the benefit of Bosler), all that + evidence, the evidence of Mr. Stephen W. Dorsey upon those questions, + advertised the prosecution that Mr. Bosler knew of many circumstances; + that he was present a portion of the time, and I did not know but finally + the prosecution would get so much confidence in Mr. Bosler that they would + call him. I was hoping they would. They did not. It did not work quite as + I expected. That is all there is about that. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is one further point to which I wish to call your attention. I + want you to remember that a partnership is not a conspiracy, although all + the facts about a partnership are consistent with the idea of a conspiracy + up to a certain point; and all the facts about a conspiracy are consistent + with a partnership up to a certain point. The fact that men act together + does not show that they have conspired; does not show that they have a + wicked design. The fact that they are engaged in the same business does + not show that they have a wicked design or that they are there by + conspiracy. In other words, I want your minds so that you will distinguish + between a fact that may be innocent, and generally is innocent, and a fact + that must be evidence of guilt. I want you to distinguish between the + facts common to all partnerships, common to all agreements, and those + facts that necessarily imply a criminal intent. If you wil do that + gentlemen, you will have but little trouble. + </p> + <p> + [At this point a volume of the report of the trial was handed up to the + Court by Mr. Ingersoll with a reference to a certain page]. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Without looking at the book I take risk of saying that the + Court never announced its opinion on that question until the case referred + to a few moments ago. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I just gave my memory on the subject. It does not make any + great difference in this case, of course. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Carpenter. This is during the cross-examination of Rerdell. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Yes, the Court did state on that occasion: + </p> + <p> + That is not the point here. If they are allowed to go on and cross-examine + this way without the production of the books, they cannot contradict the + witness afterwards by producing the books. + </p> + <p> + I had forgotten that I had announced it twice. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. If the Court please, I did not want to bring this up, + because I knew you had, and so I thought I would slip you the book and let + you off easy. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I do not think it weakens the position at all that the same + announcement has been made twice instead of once. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Carpenter. We thought it made it stronger. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Still, the books were not produced. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Now, if the Court please, I am not arguing— + </p> + <p> + The Court. [Interposing.] I will leave you to the jury. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Your Honor knows that I have always shown great modesty + about trying to do anything against any decision. + </p> + <p> + The Court. I do not dispute that. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Now, the next question, gentlemen, is what is meant by + corroboration? If you tell a man that he is not a great painter, he does + not get angry. He says he does not pretend to paint, or is not a great + sculptor. But if you tell him he has no logic, he loses his temper. Yet + logic is perhaps the rarest quality of the human mind. There are thousands + of painters and sculptors where there is one logician. A man swears, for + instance, that he went down to a man's house in the morning at six + o'clock, and that Mr. Thomas was standing just in front of the house, and + when he went in the dog tried to bite him, and that after he got in he had + such and such conversation. Now, there are thousands of people who have + brains of that quality that they think the fact that he did go there at + six o'clock in the morning, and did see Mr. Thomas standing out in front + of the house, and especially the fact that the dog did try to bite him, is + a corroboration of the conversation that took place in the house. There + are just such people. In this case, for instance, in Mr. Brady's matter, + they say that the fact of Walsh being in his house is important. Suppose + that he was, what of it? Is that corroboration? Corroboration must be on + the very point in dispute. It must be the very hinge of the question. Then + it is corroboration, if the question is what did the man say. It is not + corroboration to prove that the man was there unless the man swears that + he was not there. Then the inference is drawn that if he would lie about + being there he might lie about what he said. + </p> + <p> + Now, understand me. They will say, for instance, "Here is an affidavit, + and these blanks have been filled up. Rerdell says they were filled up, + and he says they were filled up after they were sworn to." Now, the fact + that the affidavit is there and that the blanks are filled up is not + corroboration, because the point to be corroborated is that it was done + after it was sworn to. And so the existence of the affidavit, while it is + necessary, is no corroboration; the filling up of the blank is no + corroboration; its being on file is no corroboration. Why? The point to be + corroborated is not that the blanks were filled, but that they were filled + after the paper had been sworn to! That is the point. And when they begin + to talk to you about corroboration I want you to have it in your minds all + the time that to be corroborated about an immaterial matter is nothing; it + has nothing to do with the question; but there must be corroboration on + the very heart of the point at issue! + </p> + <p> + There is another thing, gentlemen. It does not make any difference what I + say about this man, or that man, or the other man, unless there is reason + in what I say. If I tell you that the evidence of a witness is not worthy + of belief, I must tell you why. I must give you the reason. If I simply + say the witness is a perjurer, that shows that I either underrate your + sense, or have none of my own, because that is not calculated to convince + any human mind one way or the other. You are not to take my statement; you + are to take the evidence, and such reasons as I give, and only such as + appeal to your good sense. If I say, "You must not believe that man," I + must give you the reason why. If the reason I give is a good one, you will + act upon it. If it is a bad one I cannot make it better by piling epithet + upon epithet. There is no logic in abuse; there is no argument in an + epithet. + </p> + <p> + And there is another thing. An attorney has a certain privilege; he is + protected by the court. He is given almost absolute liberty of speech, and + it is a privilege that he never should abuse. He should remember if he + attacks a defendant, that the defendant cannot open his mouth. He should + remember that it does not take as much courage to attack, as it does not + to attack. He should remember, too, that by the use of epithets, by abuse, + that he is appealing to the lowest and basest part of every juror's head + and heart. It is on a low level. It is a fight with the club of a + barbarian instead of with an intellectual cimeter. There is no logic in + abuse. There is no argument in epithet. Remember that. The weight and + worth of an argument is the effect it has upon an unprejudiced mind, and + that is all it is worth. Therefore I do not want you, gentlemen, to be + carried away by any assault that may be made—I do not say that any + will be made—but any that may be made, that is not absolutely + justified by the evidence. + </p> + <p> + There has been one little thing said during this trial; that is, about the + testimony of defendants. I believe Mr. Bliss takes the ground that you + cannot believe a defendant; that defendants cannot be believed unless they + are corroborated. Mr. Bliss has the kindness to put the defendants in this + case on an equality with his witness Rerdell. Gentlemen, you cannot + believe any witness unless his evidence is reasonable. Every witness has + to be corroborated by the naturalness of his story. Every witness is to be + corroborated by his manner upon the stand and by the thousand little + indications that catch the eye of a juror or of a judge or of an attorney. + Congress has passed a law allowing defendants to swear when they are put + upon trial. Will you tell me that that law is a net, a snare, and a + delusion, and the moment a defendant takes the stand the prosecution is to + say, "Of course he will lie"? Why do they say that? Because he is a + defendant, and you cannot believe a word that he says; he is swearing in + his own behalf. There is that same low, slimy view of human nature again, + that a defendant who swears in his own behalf must swear falsely. I do not + take that view. The defendant has the same right upon the stand that + anybody else has, and if his character is not good his character can be + attacked; it can be impeached by the prosecution precisely as you would + impeach the reputation of any other witness. If he tells a story which is + reasonable you will believe it, and you will believe it notwithstanding he + is a defendant and notwithstanding he has an interest in the verdict. In + old times they would not allow a man to swear at all if he had the + interest of a cent in any civil suit. They would not allow him to testify + when he was on trial for his own liberty and his own life. That was + barbarism. The enemy—the man who hated him—he could tell his + story, but the man attacked, the man defending his own liberty and his own + life, his mouth was closed and sealed. We have gotten over that barbarism + in nearly all the States of this Union, and now we say, "Let every man + tell his story; don't allow any avenue to truth to be closed; let us hear + all sides, and whatever is reasonable take as the truth, and what is + unreasonable throw away." And, gentlemen, let me say here that it is not + your business to go to work picking a witness's testimony all apart and + saying, "Well, I guess there is a little scrap now that there is some + truth in," or "here is a line, and I guess that is so, but the next eleven + lines I do not believe; the next sentence, I think, will do." That is not + the way to do. If a witness is of that character you must throw his entire + evidence to the winds, for it is tainted and the fountains of justice + should not be tainted with such evidence, and a verdict should not be + touched and corrupted with such testimony. You will take the evidence of + these defendants as you would take that of any other man, and it is for + you to say whether that evidence is true. It is for you to say that. + </p> + <p> + If corroboration was so necessary why were not their witnesses + corroborated? Why didn't they call Mr. Bosler to corroborate their + witness? + </p> + <p> + Now, one of the defendants in this case is Mr. John R. Miner, and I want + you to think of the terrible things they have against him. One of the + charges made against him is that he wrote a petition and wrote in six + names attached to it. His explanation is, that if he did anything of that + kind it was because he received a petition which was so worn that it could + not be presented, and he copied it, and that the six names were found on + that petition. There was no other way on earth for him to get those names, + and we find them on the same route in, I believe, seven other petitions + which were filed; we find that those very names are on the other + petitions, and I think Mr. Hall's name—the one the most trouble was + made about—was on three or four petitions of the other kind. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Carpenter. He admitted that he wrote them. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Yes; Hall admitted that he wrote them. But I believe this + petition was never filed in the department. + </p> + <p> + I think Mr. Woodward said he found it among the papers at some other + place. + </p> + <p> + There is a petition called the Utah petition that has some names in Utah. + I think Mr. Woodward swore that he tound it in room No. 22 or 23. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. In the case itself, in the department. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Yes; but it has no file mark. Mr. Woodward says he does not + now remember how it got in there. As I was about to remark, there was a + petition called the Utah petition with some names of persons living off + the route, I believe—two or three sheets. The petition itself was + genuine, and was indorsed, I believe, by Senators Slater and Grover and by + Congressman Whiteaker. Now, then, how did these names come in there? The + petition is ample without those names; large enough. I will tell you what + I think. I think that it is a part of another petition, and that it was + the result of an accident. I think it was done in the Post-Office + Department, not intentionally, but as an accident. The evidence is that + they kept three routes in one pigeonhole, and that the papers sometimes + got mixed; that is Mr. Brewer's testimony. A very strange thing happened + to that petition. While it was before this jury it came apart again. And + if some clerk not absolutely familiar with the papers had taken it up, he + would have been just as liable to put it on the wrong petition as on the + right one. My plan is to account for a thing in some way consistent with + evidence, if I naturally can. I do not go out of my way hunting for + evidence of crime. And when there was a petition, large enough, with a + plenty of genuine names on it, I cannot imagine anybody would go and get + names from any other petition and paste them on to that. But being in this + same country, and the testimony being that they had three of these routes + in one pigeon-hole, my idea is that the papers got mixed and mingled + sometimes, and I say the probability is that it was an accident. That is + the best way to account for it. If Miner had known that that petition was + there that he had made, would he have allowed it to stay there? Why would + he want to do such a thing if he was in a conspiracy with Brady? Why would + he have to resort to perjury and interlineation in order to get Brady to + make orders that he, Brady, had conspired to make? Absurdity cannot go + beyond that. Here is the doctrine: "I have conspired with the Second + Assistant Postmaster-General. He will do anything for me that I want. Now, + I will go and forge some petitions." That seems to me perfectly idiotic. + This petition was indorsed by Senators Grover and Slater and Congressman + Whiteaker. + </p> + <p> + Then, there is another petition; that one I showed you this morning, with + the words "schedule thirteen hours," and the evidence was (that is, if you + call what Rerdell stated evidence) that Miner wrote the words "schedule + thirteen hours." I have shown you, this morning, those words, and without + any other particle of argument I want to leave it to you who wrote those + words—whether Rerdell wrote them or Miner. + </p> + <p> + Then, there is another wonderful thing about that petition. It is not on + any of the routes in this indictment, and has no business here—I + mean the Ehrenberg petition. The one I spoke of was the Kearney and Kent. + </p> + <p> + The next petition is the Ehrenberg and Mineral Park. They say that there + has been some word erased and another written in. Nobody pretends that it + is not a genuine petition. Nobody pretends that it was not signed by every + one of the persons by whom it purports to be signed. Then, another + peculiarity; it is not on any route in this indictment, and has no more to + do with this case than the last leaf of the Mormon Bible; not the least. + </p> + <p> + Let us see if they have any more of these terrible things. Here is + petition 2 A, on the Kearney and Kent route. That is the petition that has + the words "schedule thirteen hours." + </p> + <p> + That is the one indorsed by Senator Saunders. Petition 18 K, on the route + from Ehrenberg to Mineral Park, is not a route in this case. It turned out + that the names on it are genuine, and the genuineness of the petition has + not been challenged. The only point made is that the word "Ehrenberg" has + been written by somebody else. There is no evidence to show that the + petition was not properly signed; that the persons on there did not sign + their names or authorize somebody else to do it. The probability is there + may have been some mistake in the name, or it may have been misspelled. + There was some mistake made, and the word "Ehrenberg" was written in. On + page 4186 Mr. Miner swears positively that in regard to the petition 2 A + he never wrote the words "schedule thirteen hours." + </p> + <p> + Then, there is another petition, I think it is on page 1247, the Camp + McDermitt petition. There are the words "ninety-six hours." And they get + that down there to a fine point. Mr. Boone swore that he did not know who + wrote the word "ninety," but that Miner wrote the word "six.." Well, that + is too fine a point, gentlemen, to put on handwriting. It seems there is + an interlineation there of the words "ninety-six," and they say they do + not know who wrote the word "ninety" and that Miner wrote the word "six." + But Miner swears that he did not write it at all. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, you take away the evidence of Mr. Rerdell as to Miner, and what + is left? The evidence left is that of A. W. Moore. And what is that? It is + that Miner instructed him to get up false petitions. This was the first + time he ever went out. But Moore swore that he made arrangements to do + what Miner instructed him to do; that he made such arrangements with + Major; but Major swears he did not. Moore swore that he made some + arrangement with McBean, and the Government did not ask McBean whether he + did or not, but I will show that he did not. The testimony shows that on + the first trip, at the time he saw Major, he did not see McBean. Now, just + see. He swore, in the first place, that he made that arrangement with + Major and McBean. I find afterwards that his evidence shows that he did + not see McBean on the first trip, but he did see him on the second. + </p> + <p> + On page 1408 we find that when Moore went West the second time—when + he left here and had made a bargain with Dorsey for one-quarter interest + in his route, and Miner told him to go West and let Dorsey's routes go to + the devil, and he said he would, and never notified Dorsey that he was + going to do it—that man comes here now and swears that he made a + contract with Dorsey for one-quarter interest, and then started West and + made a contract with Miner, letting Dorsey's routes go. He did not have + the decency to even notify Dorsey that he was going to do so. That is the + man. On the first trip he did not agree with anybody about petitions. Now, + understand my point, because it kills Mr. Moore again. We have to keep + killing these people—keep killing them. It is something like the boy + who was found pounding a woodchuck. He was pounding him away in the road + with all his might, and a man came along and said to him, "What are you + pounding that woodchuck for?" He said, "Oh, I am just pounding him." + "But," the man said, "he is dead." "Yes, I know it," said the boy, "but I + am pounding him to show him that there is punishment after death." + </p> + <p> + Now, on page 1408, we find that this man Moore went to the West a second + time. I have shown you that the first time, he swears that he did not see + McBean at all. He saw Major and made the arrangement with him, he says. + Major swears that he did not. They do not put McBean on the stand. Now, he + goes a second time. + </p> + <p> + On the second trip, he says he had nothing to do with the petition + business at all, and did not explain the petition business to anybody + because he had not the time, and on the first trip did not see McBean at + all. And yet he swears that he made an arrangement with McBean about these + very petitions. The proof that he did not see Mc-Bean on his first trip is + found on page 1398. + </p> + <p> + There is one other point about which we have heard an immensity of talk + and upon which a great deal of air has been wasted, and that is, that + there was a bargain that Brady was to have fifty per cent, of all the + fines that he remitted. In other words, that he made a bargain with his + co-conspirators that if he fined them a thousand dollars and then remitted + it, that he was to have five hundred dollars or one-half of that fine. + That is a nice bargain; for me to put myself in the power of a man and + say, "Now, you fine me what you want to, and then if you will take it off, + I will give you half of it." It seems to me that that would be quite an + inducement for him to fine me. Yet, here is a man who makes a bargain that + Brady may impose a fine upon them and that he may have half of it back—that + is, upon their doctrine, although they have never proved it, but they + state it just the same as though they had. But here are the facts. Here + are the fines and deductions on twelve routes. The fines amount to + eighty-nine thousand six hundred and thirty-eight dollars and twenty-two + cents and the remissions amount to seven thousand four hundred and + twenty-eight dollars and fifty-four cents; that is all. And yet they + pretend that we had a bargain. Now, come to the mail routes, and we find + that the fines amounted to sixty-one thousand two hundred and thirty-two + dollars and twenty cents and all that they could get their co-conspirators + to take off of that (although according to the doctrine of the prosecution + they were to have fifty per cent.) was thirteen thousand eight hundred and + fifty dollars and sixteen cents. That was all they could get off. There + are the figures. There has been talk enough on that subject, but all the + air that wraps the earth could not answer those facts. Words enough to + wear out all human lips could not change those facts. Fines eighty-nine + thousand dollars, remissions seven thousand dollars; fines sixty-one + thousand dollars, remissions thirteen thousand dollars. And yet they + pretend that he had a bargain by which he had fifty per cent, of all he + remitted. I need not make any more argument on that point. + </p> + <p> + There have been one or two things in this trial that I have regretted, and + one I find in Mr. Ker's speech. And I find frequent reference to it in + other places, and that is the blindness of S. W. Dorsey. Affidavits were + made by Drs. Marmion, Bliss, and Sowers that Mr. Dorsey had lost at least + eleven-twelfths of his vision. And yet it has been constantly thrown out + to you that it was a ruse, a device, and I believe Mr. Ker said in his + speech that Mr. Dorsey saw a paper in Mr. Merrick's hand, Mr. Merrick, I + believe, holding a balance-sheet from the German-American Savings Bank—a + paper several feet wide or long—and because Mr. Dorsey said to him, + "I believe you have it in your hand," why they said this man is pretending + to be blind. His testimony was that he had been in a dark room for three + months; that his eyes had not been visited by one ray of light for three + months, and that for six months he had not read a solitary word. And yet + the prosecution sneeringly pretended that there was nothing the matter + with his eyes. They subpoenaed Dr. Marmion, but they dare not put him on + the stand. They threw out hints and innuendoes that these doctors had + sworn falsely, but they dare not put it to the test. It seems that nothing + in the world can satisfy them about Stephen W. Dorsey except to see him + convicted, except to have them put their feet upon his neck. Gentlemen, + you never will enjoy that pleasure. You never will while the world swings + in its orbit find twelve honest men to convict Stephen W. Dorsey—never. + This Government may put forth its utmost power; it may spend every dollar + in its Treasury; it may hire all the ingenuity and brain of the country, + and it can never find twelve men who will put Stephen W. Dorsey in the + penitentiary—never, and you might as well give it up one time as + another. Try it year after year; poison the mind of the entire public with + the newspapers; get all the informers you can; bring all the witnesses you + can find; put all of those whom you call accomplices on the stand, and I + give you notice that it never can be done, and I want you to know it. + Spend your millions, and you will end where you start. As long as the + average man runs there will always be one or two honest men in a dozen; so + you cannot convict one of these defendants. Go on, but it will never be + accomplished. + </p> + <p> + There is one other thing which perhaps may be worth noticing. I believe + that they proved by Mr. Dorsey that he wrote an account of his relation to + this business, and published it in the <i>New York Herald</i>. The only + point with which Mr. Merrick quarreled in that entire paper was the + statement that Peck was a large contractor, and when Dorsey was put on the + stand he explained that while Peck had not many routes in his own name, + that he was the partner of a man named Chidester. That is the only thing + of which he complained, and yet that communication pretended to tell the + relation that Dorsey sustained to this entire business, and if that had + not accorded precisely with Dorsey's testimony on the stand every word of + it would have been read to you again and again. And Mr. Ker says that + letter was written for the purpose of poisoning public opinion. Was the + letter of the Attorney-General of the United States, written just before + this trial began, written to bias public opinion also? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Is there any evidence of that letter in this trial? If not I + object to any reference to it. + </p> + <p> + The Court, You cannot refer to that, because it is not in the case. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I take it back. Was Dickson indicted to bias public + opinion? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. I object to that also. He was indicted by the grand jury on + competent testimony. + </p> + <p> + The Court. There is no evidence in this case that he was indicted. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I will take it back then. I would ask the Court, however, + after the attorney for the Government has said that Dorsey wrote that + letter to bias public opinion, if I have not the right to say that he + wrote that letter because letters had been written by others. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Not unless those letters are in proof. + </p> + <p> + The Court. The fact that he wrote the letter is in evidence in the case. + That of course makes it the proper subject of comment on either side. + Anything else not in evidence is not a subject of controversy. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I will take it for granted, however, that the jury + understand what is going on in this case. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick. Yes, they understand the evidence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I understand that the jury, as members of this community, + as citizens of the United States, have at least a vague idea of what the + Department of Justice has done. + </p> + <p> + It is also claimed, and has been claimed, and I have answered it again and + again and again, that S. W. Dorsey is the chief conspirator. Why? Is it + possible that it is because he was the chief man politically? Is it + possible that any politician was envious of his place and power? Is it + possible that any politician was envious of the influence he had with + President Garfield? Is it possible that he had interfered with the career + of some piece of mediocrity? Why is it that he is made the chief figure? + These are questions that are asked and questions that you can answer. How + does it happen that his name never figures in any division? That his name + never figures in any paper made in regard to this business? How does it + happen that when he was contending with the German-American National Bank + that he must be paid, how is it that it never occurred to Miner or Vaile + to tell him, "Why, this is a conspiracy of your own hatching. You advanced + this money to give life to your own bantling, and you have got to wait + until the conspiracy bears fruit, and if you are not willing to wait you + can do the next worse thing, have it made public"? If at that time, when + he was opposing and fighting Vaile because he had cut out his security, + Vaile had known that Dorsey was in the conspiracy, one word from him and + Stephen W. Dorsey's mouth would have remained shut forever. But it did not + occur to Miner, it did not occur to Vaile. That won't do. Why didn't Vaile + say to him, "Mr. Dorsey, you are making a great deal of fuss about a few + thousand dollars. You are in the Senate; you are interested in these + routes, and I want to hear no more from you"? Why didn't he say it? + Because it was not true; that is why. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, if what the prosecution claims is true, not only Stephen + W. Dorsey, not only Thomas J. Brady, not only John R. Miner, not only H. + M. Vaile, and John W. Dorsey are guilty of conspiracy, but hundreds and + hundreds of other people. Do you believe it is possible that all the + persons who petitioned for an increase of service, who petitioned for + expedition—do you believe they were in a conspiracy? Do you believe + they were dishonest men, and do you believe they asked for what they did + not want? Do you believe that these defendants had at their beck and call + the representatives of the entire great Northwest? Do you believe that + members of Congress of the Lower House and of the Senate were their agents + and tools? Was Senator Hill a conspirator? Was the present Secretary of + the Interior a conspirator? Were Senator Grover and Senator Slater also + conspirators? Were generals, judges, district attorneys, members of State + and Territorial Legislatures—were they all conspirators? Did they + indorse false petitions for the purpose of putting money in the pockets of + these defendants? Let us be honest. Do you believe that General Miles was + a conspirator, or that General Sherman, whose title is next to that of the + President, and whose name is one synonymous of victory, entered into a + conspiracy? Do you believe that he knows as much about the mail business + as Colonel Bliss? Do you believe that he knows as much about the wants of + the great Northwest as the gentlemen who are prosecuting this case? Was he + a conspirator with their Representative in Congress from Oregon? Was + Horace F. Page a conspirator? These are questions, gentlemen, that you + must answer. Were all these men, these officers of the Army, State + officers, Federal officers, and men of national reputation—were they + all engaged in a conspiracy; were they endeavoring to assist these + defendants in plundering the Treasury of these United States? These are + questions for you to ask and questions for you to answer. Is it not + wonderful that such a conspiracy should have existed in all the Western + States at one time? + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, is it wonderful that all the people of the West want mails? Do + you not know, and do I not know, that the mail is the substantial benefit + we get from the General Government? Don't you know that the mail is the + pioneer of civilization? Do you not know that there ought to be a mail + wherever the flag floats? Do you not know that the only way to keep a + great country like this together, a vast territory of three million square + miles—three million five hundred thousand square miles—is by + the free distribution of the mail? If you are going to keep the people who + populate that territory together, if you are going to keep them of one + heart and one mind, if you are going to make them keep step to this Union + and to the progress of this nation, you must have frequent intercourse + with them all. The telegraph must reach to the remotest hamlet; the little + electric spark, freighted with intelligence and patriotism, must visit + every home; and the newspaper and the letter, bearing words of love from + home and news from abroad, must visit every house, so that every man, + whether digging in the mine or working on the farm, may feel the throb and + thrill of the great world, and be a citizen of a mighty nation instead of + an ignorant provincial. + </p> + <p> + I am in favor of frequent mails everywhere, all over the plains, all + through the mountains, everywhere, wherever the flag flies, I want the man + who sits under it to feel that the Government has not forgotten him; that + is what I want. I take pride in this country. I am one of the men who + believe that there is only air enough in this entire continent to float + one flag. I am one of the men who believe that it is the destiny of the + United States to control every inch of soil from the Arctic to the + Antarctic, and that when a nation loses its ambition to grow, increase, + and expand it begins to die. And what right has a man who is carrying the + mail to interfere with the policy of the Post-Office Department? These are + large questions, gentlemen of the jury, and I want you to deal with them + in a large and splendid American spirit. I want you to feel that we are + citizens of the greatest Government on this globe. I want you to feel that + here, to every man, no matter from what clime he may come, no matter of + what people, no matter of what religion, the soil will give emolument, the + sun will give its light and heat, the Government will give its protection. + I like to feel that way about the Government. And yet, because the + department adopted a splendid and generous policy, it is tortured into + evidence of conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + Now let me speak just a moment about these people—the defendants in + this case. First, there is Stephen W. Dorsey. I take a great interest in + this case; I admit it. I would rather lose my right hand than have you + convict Stephen W. Dorsey. I admit it. I admit that if he were convicted I + would lose confidence in trial by jury; I would believe that there were no + twelve men in the world that had the honor and the manhood to stand by + what they believed to be the evidence and the law. I would feel as though + trial by jury was a failure. I admit I have that interest in it—all + that anybody can have in any case. You can only convict that man by the + testimony of A. W. Moore and M. C. Rerdell. That testimony withdrawn from + the record and there is not one word against him. I want you to know and I + want you to remember what kind of a man he is. You have seen him; you know + him; and you know something of him. It is for you to decide whether you + will take the testimony of Rerdell as against that man. It is for you to + decide whether you will take the testimony of A. W. Moore as against that + man. These men who are prosecuting him seem to forget who he is and what + he has been. Yet men disgrace the position that Stephen W. Dorsey helped + to give them, by attacking him. + </p> + <p> + John W. Dorsey can be convicted by the testimony of nobody. There is no + testimony against him, except that of one man. He is an honest man. He + told exactly what he did, and he told it like an honest man. He told why + he did not put his money in the bank at Middlebury, Vermont, because they + thought that he owed a debt which he did not think he owed. He need not + have told it, but he is an honest man, and that is the reason he told it. + The prosecution does not appreciate that kind of man, that is, they say + they do not. + </p> + <p> + The only witnesses against Miner are Rerdell and Moore, and they being + dead, that is the end of it. + </p> + <p> + What evidence is there against Harvey M. Vaile? One witness, Mr. Rerdell. + What did Harvey M. Vaile do? At the solicitation of Mr. Miner he advanced + money to prevent his having a failing contract. What else did he do? He + wrote a letter saying that he was trustee for S. W. Dorsey, and he was, + because the concern owed S. W. Dorsey a few thousand dollars, and agreed + out of the profits to repay Stephen W. Dorsey. That is all. That is all. + You have seen Mr. Vaile here from day to day. You know that he is a man of + mind. I think he is an honest man. I think he testified to the exact + truth. He did what any other man had the right to do, he helped a man, not + entirely from charity, but believing after all that it might be a good + investment, as you have done if you have ever had the opportunity. And + there is not the slightest scintilla of evidence against him, not the + slightest. I believe every word that he testified, and so do you. + </p> + <p> + And then they come to Thomas J. Brady, and they tell you that that man is + to be convicted upon the testimony of whom? Mr. Walsh. And who else? Mr. + Rerdell. You have some idea of human nature. You have a little and I have + a little. Here is Mr. Walsh, an athlete; a man who, had he lived in Rome + in ancient times, might have been a gladiator. He loans Mr. Brady + twenty-five thousand or thirty thousand dollars. For some of this money he + has notes, for other portions he has not. He sends word to Brady that he + would like to fix the interest. He goes there and Brady takes these notes + and puts them in his pocket and they part as philosophers. If we believe + that, we must believe it as idiots. You do not believe it. You do not + believe any man ever allowed another to take twenty-five thousand dollars + in notes belonging to him and put them in his pocket and walk off, he + taking off his hat at the door and you bowing and wishing him a happy + voyage. My mind is so constructed that I cannot believe that; I cannot + help it. I imagine your minds are built a little after the same model. I + do not believe the story; you do not. + </p> + <p> + Who is the next witness against Mr. Brady? Mr. Rerdell. + </p> + <p> + It is sufficient for me to speak the name. I need argue no further. That + is enough. You saw Mr. Brady on the stand and you heard him give his + testimony. No man could listen to it without knowing it to be true. I say + now to each one of you that when you heard it you believed it, and every + one of you believed it was the truth. Take from this record the testimony + of Rerdell, Walsh, and Moore, and what is left? Some papers, petitions, + orders, affidavits, all made, signed and filed in the cloudless light of + day. That is all that is left. Where is your conspiracy? Faded into thin + air, nothing left. + </p> + <p> + I presume it will be said by the prosecution that I spent about three days + on Mr. Rerdell. I admit it. Why? Because I regarded Rerdell as your case. + Because I made up my mind that when I killed Rerdell the case had breathed + its last. That is the reason. And had it been necessary to spend a few + weeks more I should have done so. But it is not necessary. Probably I + wasted a great deal of time upon the subject, but if he is not dead I do + not want it in the power of any human being to say that it was my fault. I + went at him with intent to kill, and I kept at him after I knew that he + was dead. I admit it. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, let us see what I have proved. Let us see what up to this + time I have substantiated in my judgment. + </p> + <p> + First, I think I have shown that John W. Dorsey, John M. Peck, and John R. + Miner agreed in 1877, to go into the mail business. That Peck wrote a + letter to Stephen W. Dorsey, who was then a United States Senator, asking + him to get some competent man to get reliable information as to the cost + of service on routes in the Western States and Territories then advertised + by the General Government. That S. W. Dorsey gave that letter to A. E. + Boone. That he told him to say nothing about it to other contractors. That + Boone sent out circulars for the purpose of getting the requisite + information; that is, the cost of corn and oats and the wages of men. + </p> + <p> + That John R. Miner came to Washington on the 1st of December, 1877. That + he went to the house of Stephen W. Dorsey, as had been the custom for + several years. That he occupied a room in that house, and that he and Mr. + Boone went on with the business of making proposals and getting up forms + of contracts. + </p> + <p> + That John W. Dorsey came here in the early part of January, 1878. That + after his arrival the partnership was formed between him and A. E. Boone, + and that the partnership was dated the 15th day of January, 1878. + </p> + <p> + That S. W. Dorsey, at the request of his brother and brother-in-law, + advanced the amount of money necessary to pay incidental expenses. That he + gave his advice whenever it was asked. That he assisted the parties all + that he conveniently could. + </p> + <p> + That the last bids or proposals were put in by these parties on the 2d of + February, 1878. That the awards were made on the 15th day of March of the + same year. That Miner, Peck, Dorsey, and Boone received about five times + as many awards as they had anticipated. Thereupon another partnership was + formed with the style of Miner, Peck & Co., and that the partners in + this firm were John R. Miner, John M. Peck, and John W. Dorsey. That + thereupon John W. Dorsey and John R. Miner went West for the purpose of + subcontracting the routes. That John R. Miner on his return from the West + met Stephen W. Dorsey at Saint Louis about the 16th of July, 1878. That + Stephen W. Dorsey up to that time had advanced eight thousand or nine + thousand dollars. That he then gave to Mr. Miner notes amounting to about + eight thousand five hundred dollars to be by him discounted at the + German-American National Bank of Washington. That Stephen W. Dorsey then + told Miner that he would advance no more and would indorse no more. That + Stephen W. Dorsey went from Saint Louis to New Mexico; that John R. Miner + came to the city of Washington, arriving here about the 20th of July. That + John R. Miner then found that service in eastern Oregon was not in + operation, although it had been subcontracted; but he then applied to + Thomas J. Brady for an extension of time. That Brady refused to give it. + That Miner, Peck & Co. had not the money to stock the routes not then + in operation, and that Stephen W. Dorsey had refused to advance further + means. That John W. Dorsey was then in the West and that John M. Peck was + then in New Mexico. That thereupon Mr. Miner applied to Harvey M. Vaile, + and that Mr. Vaile went to Mr. Brady and asked whether an extension of + time could be given, provided he undertook to put the service on those + routes. That Brady then gave him until the 16th day of August, 1878. That + thereupon Miner, under the authority of powers of attorney from John M. + Peck and John W. Dorsey, agreed upon the terms on which H. M. Vaile should + advance the money necessary to put the service in operation. + </p> + <p> + That the contract bears date the 16th day of August, 1878, and was duly + executed by all the parties on the last of September or first of October + of that year. + </p> + <p> + That the service was not in operation by the 16th of August, and that in + August, Brady telegraphed to H. M. Vaile to know what routes he was going + to put service on. + </p> + <p> + That thereupon Vaile replied that he would see that all the service of + Miner, Peck, and Dorsey was put in operation. That through the assistance + of Mr. Vaile the service was put in operation. + </p> + <p> + That before that time Stephen W. Dorsey had been secured by Miner, Peck, + and John W. Dorsey executing PostOffice drafts upon the routes that had + been awarded to them. + </p> + <p> + That on the 17th day of May, 1878, an act was passed by the Congress of + the United States allowing subcontractors to place their subcontracts on + file. + </p> + <p> + That after Vaile came in and agreed to furnish the money necessary to put + the service in operation, John R. Miner having powers of attorney from + Peck and John W. Dorsey, executed to H. M. Vaile subcontracts for the + purpose of securing him for the money he had advanced. + </p> + <p> + That H. M. Vaile put these subcontracts on file, thus cutting out and + rendering worthless as security the PostOffice drafts that had been given + to S. W. Dorsey for the purpose of securing him. + </p> + <p> + That John W. Dorsey returned from the Bismarck and Tongue River route in + November, 1878, and that he then offered to sell out his entire interest + in the business to Vaile for ten thousand dollars, and left instructions + authorizing his brother, S. W. Dorsey, to make such sale for such amount. + That John W. Dorsey then returned to the Tongue River route. + </p> + <p> + That Stephen W. Dorsey returned to Washington in December, 1878, and for + the first time found that the subcontracts had been given to Vaile. That + he and Mr. Vaile had a quarrel with the German-American National Bank on + that question. + </p> + <p> + That afterwards Dorsey was to give ten thousand dollars to John W. Dorsey, + and ten thousand dollars to John M. Peck. That he then concluded not to do + so. + </p> + <p> + That on the 4th day of March, when S. W. Dorsey's Senatorial term expired, + he immediately wrote a letter to Brady insisting that the subcontracts + that had been filed by Vaile were in fraud of his rights. That thereupon + the parties in interest came together. That S. W. Dorsey acting for Peck, + his brother, and himself agreed with Vaile and Miner to a division of the + routes. + </p> + <p> + That S. W. Dorsey paid Peck ten thousand dollars for his interest, paid + John W. Dorsey ten thousand dollars for his interest, and took + substantially thirty per cent, of the routes and paid himself the money + that was owing to him by Miner, Peck & Co. + </p> + <p> + That the parties at the time executed to each other subcontracts and such + other papers as were necessary to vest, as far as they then under the law + could vest, the routes so divided in the parties to whom they fell. + </p> + <p> + That on the 5th of May, 1879, the division was completed, and that from + that time forward Vaile and Miner had no interest in the routes that fell + to Stephen W. Dorsey, and that from that time forward Stephen W. Dorsey + had no interest in the routes that fell to Vaile and Miner, and that John + W. Dorsey and John M. Peck had no interest in any route from that date + forward until the present moment. That S. W. Dorsey took entire and + absolute control of his routes, and that Miner and Vaile took entire + control of their routes. That from that time until the present neither + party interfered with the routes of the other. + </p> + <p> + That Vaile and Miner made no paper of any sort, character, or kind for + Stephen W. Dorsey after the 5th of May, 1879, and that neither John W. + Dorsey, nor John M. Peck, made any papers of any kind, sort or character + for Miner or Vaile after that date, no matter what date papers bear that + were made before that time. That S. W. Dorsey made no papers for Miner or + Vaile after that date. And that Miner and Vaile made no papers for S. W. + Dorsey after that date, May 5, 1879. That all the papers bearing date + after the 5th of May, were in fact signed by the parties at or before that + time. That they were so signed for the purpose of making the division + complete. + </p> + <p> + That Vaile and Miner on their routes got up petitions that they had a + right to do. That S. W. Dorsey upon his routes got up petitions, as he had + a right to do. + </p> + <p> + That the routes were increased and expedited by the Second Assistant + Postmaster-General in accordance with the policy of the department and in + accordance with the petitions filed and the affidavits made, as he had a + right to do. + </p> + <p> + That it was not for the contractors to settle the policy of the + Post-Office Department. + </p> + <p> + That the evidence of A. W. Moore is unworthy of belief, and that his + statement that he settled with S. W. Dorsey is demonstrated to be false by + the receipts that he afterwards gave in final settlement to John R. Miner, + as admitted by himself. That his testimony as to the existence of a + conspiracy is rendered worthless and absurd by the fact that he sold out + not only his interest, but his services up to that time, for six hundred + and eighty-two dollars. That his conversations with Miner could not have + taken place. That he never made or offered to make such contracts with + Major as he pretended he was instructed to make, and as he swore that he + did make. That his conversation with S. W. Dorsey never occurred. + </p> + <p> + That the testimony of Rerdell is utterly and infinitely unworthy of + credit. That he is not only contradicted by all the evidence, but by + himself, and how can you corroborate a man who tells no truth? There must + be something to be corroborated. + </p> + <p> + That the red books never existed. + </p> + <p> + That the pencil memorandum was forged by himself. + </p> + <p> + That the Chico letter was written by him. + </p> + <p> + And that the letter from Dorsey to Bosler, said to have been dated May 13, + 1879, was born of the imagination of Mr. Rerdell. + </p> + <p> + That Rerdell's letter to Bosler of the 22d of May, 1880, was never sent, + was never received, and was never written until after this man made up his + mind to become a witness for the Government. That Bosler never received + that letter, or the letter pretended to have been written by Dorsey on the + 13th of May, 1879. + </p> + <p> + That the tabular statement in which thirty-three and one-third per cent, + was allowed to Brady never existed. That Rerdell did not visit Dorsey's + office in New York in June, 1881, and that he had no conversation with + Torrey. That Rerdell was not there. That he did not have the conversation + detailed by him with Dorsey at the Albermarle Hotel. That Dorsey did not + write the letter of the 13th of June, 1881. + </p> + <p> + That Rerdell swore in June, 1881, that Dorsey was entirely innocent. That + he swore to three affidavits of the same kind. That he again swore to the + same thing on the 13th of July, 1882. That he admitted by his letter of + July 5, 1882, that S. W. Dorsey did not even ask him to make the affidavit + of June, 1881, but that he was persuaded to do it by James W. Bosler. That + he was not locked up at Willard's Hotel. That he was not threatened with a + prosecution for perjury. That he was not shown the letters he had written + to a woman. That the whole story with regard to the making of that + affidavit was utterly and unqualifiedly false. That he never had the + conversation with Thomas J. Brady that he claimed. That Brady never + suggested to to him to have any books copied. That there were no books of + Dorsey's that needed to be copied. That he did not see S. W. Dorsey draw + any money at Middleton's bank at the time he states. That he, Rerdell, + drew the money himself. And that his entire testimony is absurd, + contradictory, and utterly unworthy of credit. + </p> + <p> + Let me say another thing to you, gentlemen, right here. It would be better + a thousand times that all the defendants tried in the next hundred years + should escape punishment than that one man should be convicted upon the + evidence of a man like this—a man who offered to the Government to + make a bargain while the trial was in progress, that he would challenge + from the jury all the friends of the defendants, and help the Government + to get the enemies of the defendants upon the jury. You never can afford + to take the evidence of such a man. It turns a court-house into a den of + wild beasts. You cannot do it. + </p> + <p> + I have shown that the story of Walsh is improbable, and that all that + Boone swears against these defendants cannot be believed. That Walsh never + loaned the money to Brady that he claimed, and that Brady never took from + him the notes as he says. That Brady never made in his presence the + admissions that he swears to. Think of it; Brady robbing Walsh, and at the + same time saying to Walsh, "I am a thief and public robber." + </p> + <p> + I have shown to you, gentlemen, it seems to me, that no reasonable human + being, taking all this evidence into consideration, can base upon it a + verdict of guilty. It cannot be done. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, the responsibility is upon you, and what is that + responsibility? You are to decide a question involving all that these + defendants are. You are to decide a question involving all that these + defendants hope to be. Their fate is in your hands. Everything they love, + everything they hold dear, is in your power. With this fearful + responsibility upon you, you have no right to listen to the whispers of + suspicion. You have no right to be guided or influenced by prejudice. You + have no right to act from fear. You must act with absolute and perfect + honesty. You must beware of prejudice. You must beware of taking anything + into consideration except the sworn testimony in this case. You must not + be controlled by the last word instead of by the last argument! You must + not be controlled by the last epithet instead of by the last fact. You + must give to every argument, whether made by defendant or prosecution, its + full and honest weight. You must put the evidence in the scales of your + judgment, and your manhood must stand at the scales, and then you must + have the courage to tell which side goes down and which side rises. + </p> + <p> + That is all we ask. We ask the mercy of an honest verdict, and of your + honest opinion. We ask the mercy of a verdict born of your courage, a + verdict born of your sense of justice, a verdict born of your manhood, + remembering that you are the peers of any in the world. And it is for you + to say, gentlemen, whether these defendants are worthy to live among their + fellow-citizens; whether they shall be taken from the sunshine and from + the free air, and whether they are worthy to be men among men. + </p> + <p> + It is for you to say whether they are to be taken from their homes, from + their pursuits, from their wives, from their children. That responsibility + rests upon you. + </p> + <p> + It is for you to say whether they shall be clothed in dishonor, whether + they shall be clad in shame, whether their day of life shall set without a + star in all the future's sky; that is for you. + </p> + <p> + It is for you to say whether Stephen W. Dorsey, John W. Dorsey, John R. + Miner, Thomas J. Brady, and H. M. Vaile shall be branded as criminals. + </p> + <p> + It is for you to say, after they have suffered what they have, after they + have been pursued by this Government as no defendants were ever pursued + before, whether they shall be branded as criminals. + </p> + <p> + It is for you to say whether their homes shall be blasted and blackened by + the lightning of a false verdict. + </p> + <p> + It is for you to say whether there shall be left to these defendants and + to those they love, a future of agony, of grief and tears. Nothing beneath + the stars of heaven is so profoundly sad as the wreck of a human being. + Nothing is so profoundly mournful as a home that has been covered with + shame—a wife that is worse than widowed—children worse than + orphaned. Nothing in this world is so infinitely sad as a verdict that + will cast a stain upon children yet unborn. + </p> + <p> + It is for you to say, gentlemen, whether there shall be such a verdict, or + whether there shall be a verdict in accordance with the evidence and in + accordance with law. + </p> + <p> + And let me say right here that I believe the attorneys for the + prosecution, eager as they are in the chase, excited with the hunt, after + the sober second thought, would be a thousand times better pleased with a + verdict of not guilty. Of course they want victory. They want to put in + their cap the little feather of success, and they want you to give in the + scales of your judgment greater weight to that feather than to the homes + and wives and children of these defendants. Do not do it. Do not do it. + </p> + <p> + I want a verdict in accordance with the evidence. I want a verdict in + accordance with the law. I want a verdict that will relieve my clients + from the agony of two years. I want a verdict that will drive the darkness + from the heart of the wife. I want a verdict that will take the cloud of + agony from the roof and the home. I want a verdict that will fill the + coming days and nights with joy. I want a verdict that, like a splendid + flower, will fill the future of their lives with a sense of thankfulness + and gratitude to you, gentlemen, one and all. + </p> + <p> + The Court. Let me inquire of the counsel for the defence if there are to + be any other arguments upon their side? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Henkle. May it please your Honor, inasmuch as I alone represent two of + the defendants, it is perhaps due to this jury and to myself to explain + why I do not propose to argue the case. I had prepared myself, with a good + deal of labor and painstaking, to submit an argument to the jury. + </p> + <p> + But after the exhaustive and able argument of my Brother Wilson, I and my + colleagues were of the opinion that there was room but for one more + argument on the part of the defence, and with entire unanimity we selected + our colleague, Brother Ingersoll, to make that argument. And how grandly + he has justified the choice, the jury, your Honor, and the spectators will + determine. + </p> + <p> + I saw some time ago a little paragraph in a paper in this city, which + represents the interest of the Government, in which it was said that the + defendants' counsel were afraid to argue this case because they would come + in collision with each other; that each would try to throw the conspiracy + at the door of the others and exonerate himself, and that therefore they + were afraid to argue the case. I want to say to your Honor that so far + from being afraid to argue the case, I should have been very happy to + pursue the argument, so far as I am concerned. But out of tender + consideration to the jury, who have been kept for six long months from + their business and their interests, which I know are suffering, we have + unanimously concluded that we would close the argument with that which + your Honor has just heard. And I simply want to say further, that I not + only do not antagonize with anything that has been said by my Brother + Wilson, or by my eloquent friend who has just concluded, but I indorse + most fully and cordially every word that has been uttered. And so far as + my clients are concerned, gentlemen of the jury, the case is with you. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Davidge. May it please your Honor, perhaps I ought to add a single + word. It was understood among counsel when Colonel Ingersoll, as stated by + General Henkle, was unanimously selected to represent the defendants, that + both Colonel Ingersoll and myself should have the privilege of addressing + the jury if, in the judgment of either, it should be necessary. I have + felt such a deep interest in the present case that I have almost hoped he + might leave unoccupied some portion of the field of argument. I have + listened to every word that has fallen from his lips. He has filled the + whole area of the case with such matchless ability and eloquence that I + have no ground upon which I could stand in making any further argument. He + has so fully uncovered the origin of this so-called prosecution, its + methods, and the character and weight of the evidence upon which a + conviction is sought, that I can add nothing whatever to what he has said. + I need not add that every syllable he has uttered receives my grateful + indorsement, as well as that of all the defendants and their counsel in + this case.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Twelve jury men decided this morning that the Government + had not legally established a case of conspiracy against the + Star Route defendants. This verdict of absolute acquittal + coming so unexpectedly has created a very marked sensation. + The announcement in the court room of the verdict was + followed by an uproarious scene of applause, tears, + hysterics and cheers. Every one expected the jury to + disagree. Judge Wylie himself, a week or ten days ago, + called up the counsel for the prosecution and said to them, + "I do not think you are going to get a verdict out of that + jury. I have watched it carefully, and I am certain that + four of the best men on it are in doubt." Last night an + employee of the Department of Justice reported that the jury + stood eleven to one for acquittal. This came from one of the + bailiffs, who claimed to have overheard a vote. + + At any rate the prosecution had intended, if a disagreement + was reported, to ask to have the jury dismissed, on the + ground of the condition of Juror Vernon. Had this been + attempted, Dr. Sowers, who attended Vernon yesterday would + have testified that Vernon was all right mentally, after he + had braced him up with two drinks of brandy. + + The court room was crowded when the jurors took their + places. Every one of the defendants was there. Dorsey sat by + his wife, flushed and expectant. Upon the left of Mrs. + Dorsey was her sister Mrs. Peck. Brady was just back of his + special counsel. Judge Wilson, looking as hard and grim as + ever. All of the counsel for the Star Route defendants were + in their seats. Colonel Ingersoll's face showed great self- + control, although he was evidently laboring under strong + nervous excitement. He was flanked by his entire family. + + Mr. Farrell, Mr. Baker (Colonel Ingersoll's secretary), and + the white-haired and white-bearded Mr. Bush, the hard + working associate of Colonel Ingersoll, were also present. + + When the jurors took their places in the court room + precisely at ten o'clock, Judge Wylie looked at them, and + said In his slow hesitating way: "Gentlemen, I have sent + for you to learn—ahem—to learn if you have agreed—ahem— + upon a verdict." Mr. Crane the foreman said: "We have + agreed." + + Judge Wylie gave a start of surprise and looked towards the + seats for the counsel of the Government. Not one of them was + present. This looked very ominous for the Government's case, + and indicated besides that the bailiffs must have betrayed + the secrets of the jury room to the prosecution, as neither + Bliss nor Merrick came to the court room at all. Mr. Ker, + one of the counsel for the prosecution, came in and stood In + the door as the Judge said to the Clerk, "Receive this + verdict." There was the usual silence as every one turned + toward the foreman. Mr. Crane said very deliberately. "We + find the defendants not guilty." + + Then there followed a scene of great confusion and uproar, + which the Judge could not restrain. Indeed he did not try. + The triumph of such an unexpected success after two years of + fighting in the face of the entire power of the Government, + made the humblest person connected in the most remote degree + with the defence crazy with joy. When Colonel Ingersoll came + out of the Court House a crowd gathered in front of him, and + then one stout-lunged, broad shouldered man cried out "Three + cheers for Colonel Ingersoll." There was a wild scene of + tiger-like cheering from the excited crowd. This + demonstration was a personal compliment to the Colonel, for + when the defendants passed out there was not the slightest + sign of approval or disapproval beyond the congratulations + of personal friends. Colonel Ingersoll stood on the broad + steps of the Court House and smiled with the benevolent air + of a popular orator in front of a congenial crowd, and + laughed outright when some over-euthusiastic admirer called, + "Speech, speech." + + The morning was clear and bright. Colonel Ingersoll watched + the crowd a moment, himself a picture of radiant good + nature, as he stood with his white straw hut encircled with + a blue band, pushed back from his face. His short thin black + coat was partially buttoned over a white duck waistcoat. He + rested his hands in the pockets of his gray trousers. The + request for "Speech, speech" so amused him that he chuckled + over It all the way to his open carriage, which came up a + moment after. He was driven through Pennsylvania Avenue with + his family. People called out to him from the sidewalk, and + he was obliged to lift his hat so much that he finally sat + bareheaded, like a conquering hero, waving his hands to the + right and to the left. His house was thronged all day. Mrs. + Blaine and her daughter Margaret were among the first who + called. There was a profession of people all day long who + had no sympathy at all with the defendants, and who were + perfectly indifferent whether they went to the penitentiary + or not, but who were most heartily glad that their friend + Colonel Ingersoll had accomplished such a great personal + victory. + + Now that the case is over, it is time to tell some facts + about the prosecution which have been withheld until the + case was closed. In the first place, the management of the + prosecution has been equally scandalous with the crimes + charged against the defendants. The District Attorney here + has always been allowed a five dollar fee for the + prosecution of cases. Attorney-Generals who preceded Mr. + Brewster ruled that this should be the official fee of + special counsel. This was made up by allowing the payment of + lump sums as retainers. When Bliss and Merrick were put upon + the extravagant pay of one hundred and fifty dollars per day + it was inevitable that they would prolong the case to the + uttermost. Bliss has, on top of all this pay, put in an + extraordinary list of personal expenses, which have been + allowed up to a very recent date. The amount of extra matter + run into this case only to prolong it has resulted in so + confusing the case as to materially aid the defence. + + Then the reporting of the case has been turned into a huge + job. The stenographers will clear between thirty and forty + thousand dollars on their work. + + The other day I estimated from official sources, the cost of + the Star Route trials at one million dollars. It will go + above that. It will foot up near one million two hundred + thousand dollars. This evening Col. Ingersoll was serenaded. + + There was a large gathering of friends of the Star Route + defendants at Colonel Ingersoll's house to-night. Indoors + the acquitted men, their counsel, and a large number of + their more intimate friends, many of them women, met to + exchange mutual congratulations. And in the street a crowd + had gathered, partly out of curiosity—and partly to express + their sympathy with the defendants. They cheered Ingersoll + and the other counsel as well as the defendants and the + jury, and called for speeches. Colonel Ingersoll and Judges + Wilson and Carpenter spoke briefly. + + Col. Ingersoll's speech was short and vigorous. He hailed + the verdict of the jury as a victory for truth and justice, + and as a notice to the administration that it could not + terrorize a jury by indicting jurymen, and a warning to the + President that he could not force a verdict by turning + honest servants out of office. + + The Sun, New York, June 15,1883. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0007" id="link0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE DAVIS WILL CASE. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The matchless eloquence of Ingersoll! Where will one look + for the like of it? What other man living has the faculty of + blending wit and humor, pathos and fact and logic with such + exquisite grace, or with such impressive force? Senator + Sanders this morning begged the jury to beware of the + oratory of Ingersoll as it transcended that of Greece. + Sanders was not far amiss. In fierce and terrible invective + Ingersoll is not to be compared to Demosthenes. But in no + other respect is Demosthenes his superior. To a modern + audience, at least, Demosthenes on the Crown would seem a + pretty poor sort of affair by the side of Ingersoll on the + Davis will. It was a great effort, and its chief greatness + lay in its extreme simplicity. + + Ingersoll stepped up to the jurors as near as he could get + and kept slowly walking up and down before them. At times he + would single out a single juryman, stop in front of him, + gaze steadily into his face and direct his remarks for a + minute or two to that one man alone. Again he would turn and + address himself to Senator Sanders, Judge Dixon or somebody + else of those interested in establishing the will as + genuine, At times the gravity of the jury and the audience + was so completely upset that Judge McHatton had to rap for + order, but presently the Colonel would change his mood and + the audience would be hushed into deepest silence. If the + jury could have retired immediately upon the conclusion of + Ingersoll's argument, there is little doubt as to what the + verdict would have been. + + If Ingersoll himself is not absolutely convinced that the + will is a forgery, he certainly had the art of making people + believe that he was so convinced. He said he hoped he might + never win a case that he ought not to win as a matter of + right and justice. The idea which he sought to convey and + which he did convey was that he believed he was right, no + matter whether he could make others believe as he did or + not. In that lies Ingersoll's power. + + Whether by accident or design the will got torn this + morning. A piece in the form of a triangle was torn from one + end. Ingersoll made quite a point this afternoon by passing + the pieces around among the jury, and asking each man of + them to note that the ink at the torn edges had not sunk + into, the paper. In doing this he adopted a conversational + tone and kept pressing the point until the juror he was + working upon nodded his head in approval. + + Both Judge Dixon and Senator Sanders interrupted Ingersoll + early in his speech to take exception to certain of his + remarks, but the Colonel's dangerous repartee and delicate + art in twisting anything they might say to his own advantage + soon put a stop to the interruptions and the speaker had + full sway during the rest of the time at his disposal. The + crowd—it was as big as circumstances would permit, every + available inch of space in the room and in the court house + corridors being occupied—enjoyed Ingersoll' a speech + immensely, and only respect for the proprieties of the place + prevented frequent bursts of applause as an accompaniment to + the frequent bursts of eloquence.—Anaconda Standard, Butte, + Montana, Sept. 5,1891. +</pre> + <p> + MAY it please the Court and gentlemen of the jury, waiving + congratulations, reminiscences and animadversions, I will proceed to the + business in hand. There are two principal and important questions to be + decided by you: First, is the will sought to be probated, the will of + Andrew J. Davis? Is it genuine? Is it honest? + </p> + <p> + And second, did Andrew J. Davis make a will after 1866 revoking all former + wills, or were the provisions such that they were inconsistent with the + provisions of the will of 1866? + </p> + <p> + These are the questions, and as we examine them, other questions arise + that have to be answered. The first question then is: Who wrote the will + of 1866? Whose work is it? When, where and by whom was it done? And I + don't want you, gentlemen, to pay any attention to what I say unless it + appeals to your reason and to your good sense. Don't be afraid of me + because I am a sinner.* I admit that I am. I am not like the other + gentleman who thanked God "that he was not as other men." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Col. Ingersoll when speaking of himself as a sinner in + this address is referring to the remarks made by Senator + Sanders, who in the preceding address said: + + "In an old book occur the words, 'My son if sinners entice + thee consent thou not.' I will not apply this to you, + gentlemen of the jury. But I have a right to demand of you + that you hold your minds and hearts free from all influences + calculated to swerve you until you have heard the last words + in this case." The Senator enjoined them not to be beguiled + by the eloquence of a man who was famed for his eloquence + over two continents and in the islands of the sea; a man + whose eloquence fittingly transcended that of Greece in the + time of Alexander. +</pre> + <p> + I have the faults and frailties common to the human race, but in spite of + being a sinner I strive to be at least a good-natured one, and I am such a + sinner that if there is any good in any other world I am willing to share + it with all the children of men. To that extent at least I am a sinner; + and I hope, gentlemen, that you will not be prejudiced against me on that + account, or decide for the proponent simply upon the perfections of + Senator Sanders. Now, I say, the question is: Who wrote this will? The + testimony offered by the proponent is that it was written by Job Davis. We + have heard a great deal, gentlemen, of the difference between fact and + opinion. There is a difference between fact and opinion, but sometimes + when we have to establish a fact by persons, we are hardly as certain that + the fact ever existed as we are of the opinion, and although one swears + that he saw a thing or heard a thing we all know that the accuracy of that + statement must be decided by something besides his word. + </p> + <p> + There is this beautiful peculiarity in nature—a lie never fits a + fact, never. You only fit a lie with another lie, made for the express + purpose, because you can change a lie but you can't change a fact, and + after a while the time comes when the last lie you tell has to be fitted + to a fact, and right there is a bad joint; consequently you must test the + statements of people who say they saw, not by what they say but by other + facts, by the surroundings, by what are called probabilities; by the + naturalness of the statement. If we only had to hear what witnesses say, + jurymen would need nothing but ears. Their brains could be dispensed with; + but after you hear what they say you call a council in your brain and make + up your mind whether the statement, in view of all the circumstances, is + true or false. + </p> + <p> + Did Job Davis write the will? I would be willing to risk this entire case + on that one proposition. Did Job Davis write this will? And I propose to + demonstrate to you by the evidence on both sides that Job Davis did not + write that will. Why do I say so? + </p> + <p> + First: The evidence of all the parties is that Job Davis wrote a very good + hand; that his letters were even. He wrote a good hand; a kind of + schoolmaster, copy-book hand. Is this will written in that kind of hand? I + ask Judge Woolworth to tell you whether that is written in a clerkly hand; + whether it was written by a man who wrote an even hand; whether it was + written by a man who closed his "a's" and "o's"; whether it was written by + one who made his "h's" and "b's" different. Job Davis was a good scholar. + </p> + <p> + No good penman ever wrote the body of that will. If there were nothing + else I would be satisfied, and, in my judgment, you would be, that it is + not the writing of Job Davis. + </p> + <p> + It is the writing; of a poor penman; it is the writing of a careless + penman, who, for that time, endeavored to write a little smaller than + usual, and why? When people forge a will they write the names first on the + blank paper. They will not write the body of the will and then forge the + name to it, because if they are not successful in the forgery of the name + they would have to write the whole business over again; so the first thing + they would do would be to write the name and the next thing that they + would do would be to write the will so as to bring it within the space + that was left, and here they wrote it a little shorter even than was + necessary and quit there [indicating on the will] and made these six or + seven marks and then turned over, and on the other side they were a little + crowded before they got to the name of A. J. Davis. + </p> + <p> + Now, the next question is, was Job Davis a good speller? Let us be honest + about it. How delighted they would have been to show that he was an + ignorant booby. But their witnesses and our witnesses both swear that he + was the best speller in the neighborhood; and when they brought men from + other communities to a spelling match, after all had fallen on the field, + after the floor was covered with dead and wounded, Job Davis stood proudly + up, not having missed a word. He was the best speller in that county, and + not only so, but at sixteen years of age he wasn't simply studying + arithmetic, he was in algebra; and not only so, after he had finished what + you may call this common school education in Salt Creek township, he went + to the Normal school of Iowa and prepared himself to be a teacher, and + came back and taught a school. + </p> + <p> + Now, did Job Davis write this will? Senator Sanders says there are three + or four misspelled words in this document, while the fact is there are + twenty words in the document that are clearly and absolutely misspelled. + And what kind of words are misspelled? Some of the easiest and most common + in the English language. Will you say upon your oaths that Job Davis, + having the reputation of the champion speller of the neighborhood—will + you, upon your oaths, say that when he wrote this will (probably the only + document of any importance, if he did write it, that he ever wrote) he + spelled shall "shal" every time it occurs in the will? Will you say that + this champion speller spelled the word whether with two "r's," and made it + "wherther," making two mistakes, first as to the word itself, and second, + as to the spelling? Will you say that this champion speller could not + spell the word dispose, but wrote it "depose"? And will you say the + ordinary word give was spelled by this educated young man "guive"? And it + seems that Colonel Sanders has ransacked the misspelled world to find + somebody idiotic enough to twist a "u" in the word give, and even in the + Century dictionary—I suppose they call it the Century dictionary + because they looked a hundred years to find that peculiarity of spelling—even + there, although give is spelled four ways, besides the right way, no "u" + is there. And will you say that Job Davis did not know the word + administrators? + </p> + <p> + Now, let us be honest about this matter—let us be fair. It is not a + personal quarrel between lawyers. I never quarrel with anybody; my + philosophy being that everybody does as he must, and if he is in bad luck + and does wrong, why, let us pity him, and if we happen to have good luck, + and take the path where roses bloom, why, let us be joyful. That is my + doctrine; no need of fighting about these little things. They are all over + in a little while anyway. Do you believe that Job Davis spelled sheet—a + sheet of paper—"sheat"? That is the way he spells it in this + document. Now, let us be honor bright with each other, and do not let the + lawyers on the other side treat you as if you were twelve imbeciles. You + would better be misled by a sensible sinner than by the most pious + absurdities that ever floated out from the lips of man. Let us have some + good, hard sense, as we would in ordinary business life. Do you believe + that Job Davis, the educated young man, the school teacher, the one who + attended the Normal school would put periods in the middle of sentences + and none at the end? That he would put a period on one side of an "n" and + then fearing the "n" might get away, put one on the other; and then when + he got the sentence done, be out of periods, so that he could not put one + there, and put so many periods in the writing that it looked as if it had + broken out with some kind of punctuation measles? + </p> + <p> + Job Davis, an educated man! And you are going to tell this jury that that + man wrote that will! I think your cheeks will get a little red while you + are doing it. This man, when he comes to this little word "is" in the + middle of a sentence, his desire for equality is so great that he wishes + to put that word on a level with others, and starts it with a capital, so + that it will not be ashamed to appear with longer words. + </p> + <p> + And yet the will was written by Job Davis, and Sconce saw him write it, + and Mrs. Downey saw him write it. If there were one million Sconces, and a + million Mrs. Downeys, and they held their hands up high and swore that + they did, I know that they did not, unless all the witnesses who have + testified to the education of Job Davis have testified lies. There is + where I told you a little while ago that when a lie comes in contact with + a fact it will not fit. These other people in Salt Creek township that + have come here and sworn to that, did not know whether it was spelled + right or wrong. They did not take that into consideration. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me utterly, absolutely, infinitely impossible that this will + was written by a good speller. I know it was not. So do you. There is not + a man on the jury that does not know it was not written by a good speller—not + a man. And you cannot, upon your oaths, say that you believe two things—first, + that Job Davis was a good speller, and, secondly, that he wrote this will. + Utterly impossible. There is another word here, "wordly"—"all my + wordly goods." "Worldly" it ought to be; but this Job Davis, this scholar, + did not know that there was such a word as worldly, he left out the "l" + and called it wordly, "all my wordly goods," and they want you to find on + your oath that it was written by a good speller. There are twenty words + misspelled in this short will, and the most common words, some of them, in + the English language. Now, I say that these twenty misspelled words are + twenty witnesses—twenty witnesses that tell the truth without being + on their oath, and that you cannot mix by cross-examination. Twenty + witnesses! Every misspelled word holds up its maimed and mutilated hand + and swears that Job Davis did not write that will—every one. Suppose + witnesses had sworn that Judge Woolworth wrote this will. How many Salt + Creekers do you think it would take to convince you that he was around + spelling sheet "sheat"? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Woolworth. I have done worse than that a great many times. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. You have acted worse than that, but you have never spelled + worse than that. + </p> + <p> + Now, this Job Davis died in 1868. Nobody has seen him write for + twenty-three years, but everybody, their witnesses and ours, positively + swears that he was a good speller. Now, comes another question: Who wrote + this will? Colonel Sanders tells us that it is immaterial whether Job + Davis wrote it or not. To me that is a very strange remark. If Job Davis + did not write it, Mr. Sconce has sworn falsely. If Job Davis did not write + it, then there was no will on the 20th of July, 1866, and all the Glasgows + and Quigleys and Downeys and the rest are mistaken—not one word of + truth in their testimony unless Job Davis wrote that will. + </p> + <p> + And yet a learned counsel, who says that his object is to assist you in + finding a correct verdict, says it don't make any difference whether Job + Davis wrote the will or not. I don't think it will in this case. + </p> + <p> + Who wrote the will? I am going to tell you, and I am going to demonstrate + it, so that you need not think anything about it—so that you will + know it; that is to say, it will be a moral certainty. + </p> + <p> + Who wrote this will? I will tell you who, and I have not the slightest + hesitation in saying it. James R. Eddy wrote this will. And why do I say + it? Many witnesses have sworn that they were well acquainted with Mr. + Eddy's handwriting—many. Several of the witnesses here had the + writing of Eddy with them. That writing was handed to the counsel on the + other side, so that they might frame questions for cross-examination. + Those witnesses founded their answers as to peculiarities upon the + writings given to the other side, and not on the writing in this will—just + on the writings of letters and documents they had in their possession, and + that we handed to the opposite counsel. Now, what do they say? Every + witness who has testified on that subject said that Eddy had this + peculiarity: First, that whenever a word ended with the letter "d," he + made that "d" separate from the rest of the word. + </p> + <p> + And, gentlemen, there are twenty-eight words in this short will ending + with the letter "d"; clearly, unequivocally, in twenty-seven of the words + ending in "d," the "d" is separate from the rest of the word. + </p> + <p> + I do not include the twenty-eighth, because there is a little doubt about + it. The testimony is unvarying, except the writing that Eddy has done + since he has been found out to be the forger of that will. Nobody has + sworn that he had a letter from him in which that is not the fact, unless + that letter was written since the institution of this suit. Twenty-seven + of these words end with "d" and the "d" is made separate from the rest of + the word. Will Judge Woolworth please tell the jury whether any witness + testified that Job Davis made these separate from the rest of the word? + Poor Job, dead, and his tombstone is being ornamented with "guive," and he + is now made to appear as an ignorant nobody. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-eight words ending with "d." Now, if that were all, I would say + that might be an accident—a coincidence, and that we could not build + upon that as a rock. I would say we must go further, we must find whether + any more peculiarities exist in Eddy's writing that also exist in this + will. We must be honest with him. Now, let us see. He always had the + peculiarity of terminating that "d" abruptly, down just above the line, or + at the line, lifting his pen suddenly, making no mark to the right. Every + one of the "d's" in the will is made exactly that way. Corroboration + number two. These twenty-seven witnesses, the "d's," swear that Eddy is + their father, that they are the children of his hand, that he made them. + </p> + <p> + Another peculiarity: They say that Eddy always made a double "l" in a + peculiar manner. The last "l" came down to the line of the up stroke, and + that "l" as a rule stopped there. It did not go on to the right—a + peculiarity. Now, let us see. In this will there are nine words that end + with a double "l" (and I want you to look at that when you go out); each + one is made exactly the same way—each one. Nine more witnesses that + take the stand and swear to the authorship of this will. + </p> + <p> + Has anybody shown that that was Job Davis's habit? Poor, dead dust cannot + swear; nobody has said that. Another peculiarity is that Eddy made a "p" + without making any loop to the right in the middle of it. Now and then he + makes one with a loop, but his habit is to make one without. Moses Downey + swore that Job Davis made a "p" with three loops, a loop at the top, a + loop at the bottom and a loop in the middle. That is exactly what he + swore, and he was the one who taught Job to write; and he said he made his + letters carefully, he closed his "a's" at the top, he made his "o's" + round, he made his "h's" after the orthodox pattern, he was all right on + the "b's"—your witness. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, you remember how that "p" looks, without any loop; and + there are twenty-one "p's" that have no loop to the right—twenty-one + in this will. Twenty-one more witnesses, and every one of them is worth a + hundred Sconces, with his sheep and hogs floating in the air. Twenty-one + witnesses that swear to the paternity of this will. Moses Downey, your own + witness, swears that Job made a "p" with three loops. There is not a "p" + in the will with three loops, and there are twenty-one without any, and + the evidence of all the witnesses on our side was that it was his habit to + make "p's" without any loop, and they were given the papers that they + might cross-examine every one. + </p> + <p> + Now, do you see, we are getting along on the edge of demonstration. + </p> + <p> + These things cannot conspire and happen. They may in Omaha, but they can't + in Butte, or even in Salt Creek township. Nature is substantially the same + everywhere and I believe her laws are substantially the same everywhere, + from a grain of sand to the blazing Arcturus; everywhere the probabilities + are the same. Let us take another step. + </p> + <p> + It is also sworn by intelligent men who have the writing of Eddy in their + possession, (writing shown to the other side) that it was his habit to use + "a's," "o's" and "u's" indiscriminately. For instance, "thut" that, you + all remember in the will. When you go out you will see it. He often uses + an "o" where an "a" should be, an "a" where a "u" should be, a "u" where + an "a" or "o" should be; in other words, he uses them interchangeably or + indiscriminately. How many cases of that occur in this will? Twenty-two—twenty-two + instances in this will in which one of these vowels is used where another + ought to have been used. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-two more witnesses that James R. Eddy wrote this will. Twenty-two + more. They have taken the stand; they won't have to be sworn, because they + can't lie. It would be splendid if all witnesses were under that + disability—that they had to tell the truth. That cannot be answered + by logwood ink. Eddy made "p's" just the same, whether he used logwood or + nigrosin, and he used his "a's" and "o's" and "u's" indiscriminately, no + matter whether he was writing in ink, red, blue, brown, iron, Carter's, + Arnold's, Stafford's, or anybody else's. Another witness testified that he + used "r" where he ought to use "s," and that he used "s" where he ought to + use "r," or that he made his "r's" and "s's" the same. Many instances of + that kind occur in this will, and every "r" says to Eddy, "you are the + man"—every one. Every "s" swears that your will is a poor, ignorant, + impudent forgery. + </p> + <p> + That is what it is—the most ignorant forgery ever presented in a + court of justice since the art of writing was invented. It comes in + covered with the ear marks of fraud. And yet I am told that it requires + audacity to say that it is a forgery. What on earth does it require to say + that it is genuine? Audacity, in comparison with what is essential to say + that it is genuine, is rank meekness and cowardice. Words lose their + meaning. All swear that Eddy scattered his periods with a liberal hand, + like a farmer sowing his grain. Now, we will take the twenty-third line of + the will. "To their use (period) and (period) benefit (another period) + forever (another period)"; twenty-fifth line: "Davis (period) and (another + period) Job (another period) Davis (another period) of (another period) + Davis (another period) County (another period)." What a spendthrift of + punctuation this man was! And yet he was well educated, studying algebra, + going to the Normal school in Iowa, champion speller of the neighborhood. + Every period certifies and swears that Job Davis did not write that will. + He had studied grammar. Punctuation is a part of grammar and no one but + the most arrant, blundering, stumbling ignoramus, would think of putting + six or eight periods along in a sentence, and then leaving the end of that + sentence naked without anything. Another peculiarity is, Mr. Eddy uses "b" + and "h" interchangeably. He makes a "b" exactly like an "h," makes an "h" + exactly like a "b." You can see that all through the will. There are + several instances of it, and each one says that Job Davis did not write + it. Downey says he did not write that way, and each one says that Mr. Eddy + did write it, and nobody else. + </p> + <p> + I am not through yet. The testimony is that Eddy was a poor speller. + </p> + <p> + Now, the learned counsel, Mr. Dixon, says that in this case we must be + governed by the probable, by the natural, by the reasonable—three + splendid words, and they should be in the mind of every juror when + examining this testimony. Is it natural, is it probable, is it reasonable? + We have shown that Eddy was the poorest speller in the business. Whenever + they went to a spelling match, at the first fire he dropped; never + outlived, I think, the first volley. And one man by the name of Sharp + distinctly recollects that they gave out a sentence to be spelled: "Give + alms to the poor," and Eddy had to spell the first word, give; and he + lugged in his "u" with both ears—"guive," and he dropped dead the + first fire. The man remembers it because it is such a curious spelling of + give; and if I had heard anybody spell it with a "u" when I was six years + old it would linger in my memory still. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us take Judge Dixon's test. It is a good one, well stated, and it + is for you to decide whether the misspelled words were misspelled by a + good speller or a poor speller. If you say Job Davis wrote it, then you + are unnatural, unreasonable and improbable. + </p> + <p> + Isn't it altogether more natural, more reasonable, more probable, to say + that a bad speller misspelled the words than that a good speller did? + </p> + <p> + Let us stick to his standard, and see if Eddy spelled give "guive"—and, + gentlemen, you cannot find in all the writing of James R. Eddy, written + before he was charged with this forgery, where the word give appears, that + it is not written with a "u"—I defy you to find a line in the world + where "given" is "guivin." Now, let us go another step. Everybody admits + that he was a poor speller, and is it not more reasonable to say that he + wrote the will on the spelling, than that the champion speller did? We + have some more evidence on Mr. Eddy as good as anything I have stated. + </p> + <p> + Now, do not be misled because I am a sinner. Let us stick to the facts. + William H. Davis testified to the spelling of Eddy, and while he + testified, held in his hand a will that he had seen James R. Eddy write. + In this will there were twenty words misspelled; shall, "shal" and in the + James Davis will, shall "shal." Good! Whether, in our will "wherther"; in + the other will, "wherther"—just the same; sheet of paper, "sheat" in + our will; "sheat" in the other will; in our will "guive," in that "guive." + Did Job Davis rise from the dead and write another will? Was one copied + from the other, and the copy so slavish that it was misspelled exactly the + same? You cannot say it was entirely copied, for now and then a word, by + accident, is right. + </p> + <p> + Judge Dixon tells you that Eddy did not disguise his spelling. Good Lord! + How could he disguise his spelling? He spelled as he thought was right. No + man of his education would think of disguising his spelling. He knows how + to spell give; he believes it is with a "u" still There is a prejudice + against "u" since he was charged with forgery, and so he has dropped it; + but he thinks it is right, nevertheless. Now, isn't it perfectly + wonderful, is it not a miracle, that James R. Eddy made exactly the same + mistakes in spelling and writing one will that Job Davis did in writing + another? + </p> + <p> + Isn't it wonderful beyond the circumference of belief, that a good speller + and bad speller happened to misspell the same words? It won't do. There is + something rotten about this will, and the rotten thing about it is that + James R. Eddy wrote it, and he wrote it about March, 1890. That is when he + wrote it, and he let the proponent in this case have it. We will get to + that shortly. So, gentlemen, I tell you that every misspelled word is a + witness in our favor. There is something more. Eddy uses the character "&" + in writing, instead of writing "and." The will is full of them; and it is + stated that sometimes when he endeavors to write out the word "and" he + only gets "an," and that peculiarity is in this will. "An" for "and"; that + you will find in the seventeenth line in the last word of the line. + Colonel Jacques swore that one of Eddy's misspelled words was the word + "judgment"; that he put in a superfluous "e," and in this case here is + "judgement"—"shall give the annuity that in the judgement of the + executors shall be final;" there is the superfluous "e"—judgement. + Now, there is another. Their witnesses swore that as a rule he turns the + bottom of his "y's" and "g's" to the left. Now, you will find the same + peculiarity in this will, and the amusing peculiarity that he turns the + "g's" a little more than he does the "y's." I don't want these things + answered by an essay on immutable justice. I want them to say how this is. + Another thing, how he makes a "t," with a little pot hook at the top, and + that hook has caught Mr. Eddy. You will find them made in the will, + exactly, where the "t" commences a word—where it is what we call the + initial letter. And what else? When he makes a small "e" commencing a + word, he always makes it like a capital "E," only smaller. That is the + testimony, and that happens in this will and it happens in the papers and + letters. + </p> + <p> + Now, I say, that all these peculiarities taken together, the same words + misspelled, the same letters used interchangeably, the same mistakes in + punctuation, the same mistakes in the words themselves—all these + things amount to an absolute demonstration. So, I told you, he uses the + capital "I" with the word "is" and that he does twice in this will. + </p> + <p> + Here are hundreds, almost, of witnesses that take the stand and swear that + Eddy is the author of that will. He wrote it—every word of it. He + negotiated with John A. Davis for it, and I will come to that after a + little. And how do they support this will that has in it the internal + evidence that it was written by James R. Eddy? Why do I say it is + impossible that he should have written it, and the will should be genuine? + Because at the date of that will, or the date it purports to bear, Eddy + was only eight years old. And we don't know the real date, gentlemen, of + that will yet. My opinion is that it was dated by mistake, so that it came + on a date that Davis was not there, or came on a day that was Sunday, and + then they folded up that will, and scratched it and rubbed it until the + date is absolutely illegible, and nobody can say whether it is June, July, + or January. There was a purpose. The day may have been Sunday, or they may + have afterward ascertained that he was not there. It is a suspicious + circumstance that the day is left loose so they can have a month to play + on, maybe more. Now, they say, can you impeach Sconce? + </p> + <p> + Every misspelled word in the will impeaches Sconce, ever; period impeaches + Sconce, every "a" that is used as "o" impeaches him, and "o" as "u"; every + "b" that is made like an "h" impeaches him, every "h" that is made like a + "b" impeaches him. + </p> + <p> + In other words, every peculiarity of James R. Eddy that appears in that + will impeaches J. C. Sconce, Sr.—Captain Sconce. There is a thing + about this will which, to my mind, is a demonstration. It may be that it + is because I am a sinner, but I find, and so do you find it in the second + initial of Sconce, in the letter "C." There are two punctures, and you + will find that exactly where the punctures are there is a little spatter + in the ink—a disturbance of the line, in the capital first; in the + small "c" there is another puncture and another disturbance of the line. + Professor Elwell says that these holes were made afterwards. Let's see. + There is a hole, and there is a splatter and a change of the line. There + is another hole and there is another change. There is another hole and + there is another change. What is natural? What is reasonable? What is + probable? It is that the hole being there, interrupted the pen, and + accounts for the diversion of the line, and for the spatter. That is + natural, isn't it? but they take the unnatural side. They say that these + holes were made after the writing. Would it not be a miracle that just + three holes should happen to strike just the three places where there had + been a division of the line and a little spatter of the ink? Take up your + table of logarithms and figure away until you are blind, and such an + accident could not happen in as many thousand, billion, trillion, + quintillion years as you can express by figures. + </p> + <p> + Three holes by accident hitting just the three places where the pen was + impeded and where the spatters were. Never such a thing in the world. It + might happen once. Nobody could make me believe that it happened twice—that + is, a hole might happen to get where the pen was interrupted once; as to + the second hole, I would bet all I have on earth, as to the third hole, I + know it did not. I just know it did not. And yet Mr. Elwell says that + these holes were made afterwards, and he goes still further, and says that + there is not any trouble in the line. If anybody will look at it, even + with the natural eye, they can see that there is; and, in a kind of + diversion, they called Professor Hagan, when he called attention to it, + Professor Pin-holes and pin-hole expert. He might have replied that that + was a pin-head objection. + </p> + <p> + Professor Elwell accounts for all the dirt on this will by perspiration, + all on one side and made by the thumb, and although there were four + fingers under it at the same time, the fingers were so contrary they + wouldn't perspire. This left the thumb to do all the sweating. I need not + call him a professor of perspiration, for that throws no light on the + subject; but I say to you, gentlemen, that those marks, those punctures, + were in that paper when Sconce wrote his name. Sconce says they were not—he + remembered. He has got a magnificent memory. I say that even that shows + that he is not telling the facts. + </p> + <p> + Now, what else? We went around among the neighbors. He was charged with + passing counterfeit money, with stealing sheep, with stealing hogs, with + stealing cattle and with stealing harness. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Woolworth. It was not proved that this man was accused of + counterfeiting, of passing counterfeit money. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I tell you how I prove it. A man by the name of Lanman was + on the stand. He swore he was acquainted with Sconce's reputation. Colonel + Sanders asked him who he had ever heard say anything about it. He said + Lewis Miller and Abraham Miller and a man by the name of Hopkins and + several others. What did they say? I asked them afterwards, and among + other things I recollect he was charged with passing counterfeit money, + stealing hogs, stealing sheep, stealing harness, killing another man's + heifer in the woods. I don't think I am mistaken, but if I am I will take + counterfeit money back. I won't try to pass counterfeit money myself, + although a sinner. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Woolworth. (Interrupting): He was not charged with killing a heifer. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. No, no; the heifer was there. I have a very good memory; I + suppose it comes from the habit of taking no notes. Lanman was the man, + and while we are on Sconce there is a thing almost too good to be passed. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jackson was on the stand, Senator Sanders asked him, "Whoever told you + anything against him?" "Well," Jackson answered, "I asked Hopkins—" + "Who else?" "Well," he said, "I had a private conversation, I don't like + to tell." "You have got to tell." Mr. Jackson said to the Court: "Must I + tell; it was a private conversation." "You must tell." "Well," he said, + "it was with Mr. Carruthers, one of the counsel for proponent;" and he + said that what Mr. Carruthers said had more influence upon him than + anything else, because Carruthers was in a position to know. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sanders. (Interrupting). Were those his exact words? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Yes, that he was an attorney. I tell you that was a + death-blow; that came like thunder out of a clear sky, when you haven't + seen a cloud for a month. + </p> + <p> + Besides that he was impeached in open court. What else? The witnesses that + came to the rescue of Sconce; how did they rescue him? They lived down + there and never heard anything against him. All these rumors, thick in the + air, the bleating of sheep following him wherever lie went; the low of + cattle and yet these people never heard it. Tried for stealing harness, + they never heard of it They were not acquainted with him. They said that + they had some personal dealings with him and he was all right and one man + endeavored to draw a distinction between truth and honesty. A man could be + a very truthful man and a very dishonest man. Just think of that + distinction, a man of truth but dishonest. That won't do. Even Senator + Sanders said: "Some accusations, probably a dozen," to use his excellent + language—what memories we have! Let me read the exact words: "Some + accusations; probably a dozen or more, of stealing sheep and hogs <i>lit + on</i> Sconce." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sanders: I didn't say that. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. I don't insist; but those are the exact words I remember. + And don't you remember that he went into a kind of homily on neighborhood + gossip, that hardly anybody escaped? I believe a good many of this jury + have escaped and a good many in this audience have escaped. You can pick + out a great many men that a dozen accusations of stealing hogs and sheep + and heifers have not lit on. + </p> + <p> + Then, there is another thing about Sconce that I don't like, gentlemen. + Sconce, in giving the history of the affair in Arkansas, was asked if he + didn't say, "Did I say that Davis' name was on it when I signed it?" and + right there he skulked and stated under oath that when he said that he + alluded to the photograph. Could he by any possibility have alluded to the + photograph when he said: "Did I say that Davis's name was on it when I + signed it?" Did he ever sign the photograph? No; he never signed the + photograph. Davis never signed the photograph, and if he ever said those + words he said them with reference to the original will, and he knows it. + And yet, in your presence, under oath, he pretended that when he made that + remark he alluded to the photograph. I wish somebody would reply to that + and tell us whether, as a matter of fact, he alluded to the photograph. + </p> + <p> + Now, Mr. Sconce, as you know, has the most peculiar memory in the world. + He remembers things that had nothing whatever to do with the subject, + photographed in all details, everywhere; and yet, gentlemen, your + knowledge of human nature is sufficient to tell you that that kind of + memory is not the possession of any human being. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of people imagine that detail in memory is evidence of truth. I + don't think it; if there is something in the details that is striking, + then there is; but naturalness, and, above all, probability, is the test + of truth. Probability is the torch that every juryman should hold, and by + the light of that torch he should march to his verdict. Probability! Now, + let us take that for a text. Probability is the test of truth. Let us + follow the natural, let us follow the reasonable. + </p> + <p> + At the time they say this will was made, Andrew J. Davis had removed from + Iowa years before; had settled, I believe, in Gallatin county. His + interests in Iowa were nothing compared with his interests in this + Territory at that time. From the time he left Iowa he began to make money; + I mean money of some account. He began to amass wealth. He was, I think, a + sagacious man. + </p> + <p> + Judge Dixon says that he was a man of great business sagacity. I am + thankful for that admission. In a little while he became worth several + hundreds of thousands of dollars. Afterwards he acquired millions. Now, + during all that time, from the 20th of July, 1866, up to the day of his + death, he never inquired after the James Davis will. It is a little + curious he never wrote a letter to James Davis and said, "Where is the + will, have you got it?" Not once. They have not shown a letter of that + kind, not a word. Threw it in the waste-basket of forgetfulness and turned + his face to Montana. Years rolled by, he never wrote about it, never + inquired after it. + </p> + <p> + They have brought no witnesses to show that A. J. Davis ever spoke of the + will; not a word. Gentlemen, let us be controlled by the natural, by the + reasonable, by the probable. + </p> + <p> + In 1868 one of the executors died—Job Davis. I think Colonel Sanders + said that if a man of Judge Davis's intelligence, knowing what a difficult + thing a will is to write, should have allowed Mr. Knight, a Kentucky + lawyer, to draw his will, who had not had much practice, why, he is + astonished at that, and in the next breath tells you that Andrew J. Davis + employed a twenty-two year old boy who could not spell "give" to draw up + his will in 1866. Isn't it wonderful what strange things people can + swallow and then find fault with others! Now, remember: + </p> + <p> + In 1868 Job Davis died; then there was only one executor to that will. A. + J. Davis went on piling up his money, thousands on thousands. Greed grew + with age, as it generally does. Gold is spurned by the young and loved by + the old. There is something magnificent after all about the extravagance + of youth, and there is something pitiful about the greed of old age. But + he kept getting money, more and more, and in '85 he had sold the Lexington + mine. He was then a millionaire. In '85, I think. They say he sold that + mine in '81, maybe he was then a millionaire. There was the will of '66 + down in Salt Creek township, used as a model for other wills, for the + purpose of teaching the neighbors spelling and elocution, to say nothing + of punctuation. They got up little will soirees down there—will + parties—and all the neighbors came in and Mrs. Downey read it aloud + and wept when she thought it was the writing of her brother Job. That + accounts for the tear drops, I suppose; the round spots on the will. 1885; + Andrew J. Davis worth millions. Then what happened? Then James Davis, the + other executor, died. Then there was a will floating around down in Salt + Creek township, sometimes in a trunk, sometimes in a box, other times in + an old envelope, other times in a wrapper, and when I think of the shadowy + adventures of that document it makes me lonesome. James is dead, poor Job + nothing but dust; a will down there with no executors at all; and A. J. + Davis did not know in whose possession it was, and never wrote to find + out. Let us be governed by the natural, gentlemen, by the probable. Never + found out, never inquired, and after James Davis died he lived four years + more. I think James Davis died on the 5th of December, 1885, then he lived + a little more than three years after he knew that both executors were dead + and did not know whether the will existed or not. Judge Dixon tells us + perhaps if he had made a will before he died it would have been different + from this. I think perhaps it would. What makes him think that it would + have been different? If that will existed in Salt Creek township he knew + it, and he knew it in 1885, 6, 7, 8, 9, and when death touched with his + icy finger his heart he knew it then, and if he made that will in '66, it + was his will when he died unless it had been revoked. He knew what he was + doing. + </p> + <p> + I tell you there was no will down in Salt Creek township at all; there + wasn't any here. There have been a good many since. Now, where is the + evidence that he ever thought of this will, that he ever spoke of it? + </p> + <p> + What else? He appointed three executors of his will, that is, in '66, if + he made it, and in that he provided that a like maintenance should be + given to Thomas Jefferson, Pet Davis and Miss Bergett, all three of Van + Buren County, State of Iowa. What else did he say? That the executors + should have the right of fixing that amount, and whatever amount in their + judgment should be fixed should be final. What is the legal effect of + that? The legal effect of that is that the estate could not have passed to + John A. Davis until the last who had a life interest was dead. The + proceeds could have been taken, every cent of them, from that estate and + given to the three persons for life maintenance, and the youngest of those + persons was four years old. John A. Davis would have had to wait seventeen + years. And do you think that A. J. Davis ever made a will like that, + putting it into the power of two executors to divert the entire income to + certain persons and that there could be no division until they were all + dead. + </p> + <p> + Now, another improbability. Recollect, all the time, that we are to be + governed by reason and naturalness. Now, then, it was claimed that Judge + Davis held certain relations with a certain Miss Caroline Bergett. It was + claimed that a daughter known as Pet Davis was his. It was also claimed + that a boy, Thomas Jefferson Davis, was his son. Nobody tells the truth in + this will although it has been alluded to and argued as well, I think, as + could be. There is this trouble in the will that though the boy Jeff was + never in Van Buren County until he was twelve years old—was never + there until six years after the will was dated, yet his supposed father + describes him as of Van Buren County. + </p> + <p> + Next, Miss Caroline Bergett had married a man by the name of W. V. Smith + in 1853, and in 1858, W. V. Smith took his wife and children and moved to + Texas—eight years before this will was made, and yet A. J. Davis + forgot her name, forgot her residence, forgot the residence of the boy + that was imputed to him; that of itself is enough to show that he was not + present when the will was made. If there is anything on earth that he + would remember this is it, and you know it. Although Mrs. Downey could not + remember when she was married or when her first child was born, she does + remember the time it took her to dust the room where there was a + clothes-press, a table and three or four chairs. She recollects that. + </p> + <p> + Another improbability: + </p> + <p> + John A. Davis, the proponent, had charge of the Davis farm down in Iowa + and stayed there for six years after this alleged will was made, and + although he was acquainted with the Quigleys, the Henshaws, the Sconces, + and all the aristocracy of the neighborhood, he says he never heard of the + existence of this will which so many people of that section talked about. + What a place for keeping secrets! + </p> + <p> + Senator Sanders says that the reason Judge Davis made his will in Salt + Creek township was because in that township they knew about this woman or + these women and these children, and he didn't want to go into any other + community and make his will. + </p> + <p> + Any need of publishing his will? Any need of reading any more than the + attesting clause to the attesting witnesses? Any need to divulge a line? + None. Ah, but Senator Sanders said that he wanted to keep the secret. That + is the reason he left the will upon that table and rode away in a + debonnair kind of style on his roan horse with the bobtail, leaving a + congregation of Salt Creek loafers to read his will. He wanted to keep it + secret; hoped that it would never get out. Imagine the scene, Job Davis + writing the will; Mrs. Downey with a duster tucked under her arm like the + soubrette in a theatre. Well, when he was writing the will she was looking + over his shoulder and read the will as fast as he wrote it. That makes me + think of the fellow who was writing a letter and there was a man looking + over his shoulder, so he said: "I would write more but there is a dirty + dog looking over my shoulder," and the fellow said: "You are a liar." + </p> + <p> + Everybody read it. Mrs. Downey read it; she read it as Job wrote it; then + he read it aloud; and then he went and got Sconce and read it again; then + in comes Glasgow and he read it. I think Mrs. Downey must have read this + will ten or twelve times. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Myers. She said twenty-five. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll. Oh, yes; twenty-five, because it was in Job's handwriting; + and whenever the twilight crept around the farm bringing a little sadness, + a little pathetic feeling, she would light a candle and hunt the will, and + read it just to think about Job. She would see the words "guive" and + "wherther" and all that brought back Job, and she used to wonder + "wherther" he was in Paradise or not. + </p> + <p> + Now, John A. lived down there and knew all these people and never heard of + that will. + </p> + <p> + What do you think of that? Why is it that John never got any information + from Sconce? Sconce, who saw the will written and who was one of the + attesting witnesses. Why didn't he hear of it from old Downey? Why didn't + he hear of it from the Quigleys or the Dotsons? Why didn't he hear of it + in Salt Creek township, when it was seen and read and read and read again + until I think many of them knew it by heart? And yet the only person + really interested was walking around unconscious of his great good + fortune, and nobody ever told him. There is another thing: For four months + after Andrew J. Davis died nobody told John about the will. Nearly four + months passed away; I think he died on the 11th of March, 1890, and this + will came to John on the first day of July. All the neighbors knew it. + Just as soon as A. J. died, they all said: "John is coming right into the + fortune now" only nobody told John; and the first man we find with the + will is James R. Eddy, and the next man we find with the will is John A. + Davis, the proponent. When John A. Davis saw this will, leaving him four + or five million dollars, it did not take much to convince him that the + signature was genuine. Human nature is made that way. If it was leaving + four or five millions to either of us, including the sinner who addresses + you, the probability is that I would say, "Well, that looks pretty genuine—pretty + genuine." And then if I could get a few other fellows to swear that it + was, I would feel certain, and say, "That is my money." + </p> + <p> + Now, another improbability. All the evidence shows that Judge Davis was a + business-like, quiet, methodical, careful, suspicious man, secretive, + keeping his business to himself, keeper of his own counsels; and when he + did make a will it was sealed; it was given to one of his friends to put + away, and to keep. It did not become the common property of the + neighborhood. He did not mount his roan horse and ask the people of the + community to look at it. He was a methodical, business-like man, and I + suppose many of you, gentlemen of the jury, knew him; and I shall rely + somewhat on your knowledge of A. J. Davis, for you to say whether he made + this will, whether in 1866 he left his old father naked to the world; + whether he cared nothing for brothers and sisters; whether he cared + nothing for the children of the sister that raised him. I leave it for you + to say. You probably know something about this matter. Andrew J. Davis, + when he was a child, when all the children were gathered around the same + knee, the children that had been nourished at the same tender and holy + breast, he would not have done this then. If some good fortune came to + one, it was divided. + </p> + <p> + How beautiful the generosity, the hospitality of childhood! But as they + grow old there comes the love of gold, and the love of gold seems to have + the same effect upon the heart that it does upon the country where it is + found. All the roses fade, the beautiful green trees lose their leaves, + and there is nothing in the heart but sage brush. And so it is with the + land that holds within the miserly grip of rocks what we call the precious + metals. + </p> + <p> + The next question in the case is the Knight will. Was any such will made? + And I say here to-day, knowing what I am saying, I never saw upon the + witness stand a man who appeared to be more candid, more anxious and + desirous of telling the exact truth than E. W. Knight, and from what I + have heard there is not a man in Montana with a better reputation. He has + no interest in this business, not one penny; and it was months and months + after the death of Judge Davis that we knew such a will ever existed—that + is, on our side. Either Mr. Knight was telling what he believed to be + true, or he was perjuring himself. No ifs and ands about it. He is a man + of intelligence and knows what he is saying. He swears that A. J. Davis + made a will. + </p> + <p> + And what else does he swear to? That there was also the draft of a will, + which gave away the mine or provided for its working, and then at the end + of that draft, provided that the rest of the property should be divided in + accordance with the statute. Thereupon Mr. Knight told him: "Your heirs + would interfere by injunction, and you had better bequeath your whole + property and fix the amount to be expended in the development of the + mine." Thereupon he made another will, and that will was signed. + </p> + <p> + Now, Mr. Knight knows whether it was signed or not. The will was signed or + Mr Knight committed perjury knowingly, willfully and corruptly. What does + he say? That it was signed. What else? That it was attested. Then these + gentlemen came forward with Mr. Talbot, who says that Knight said that + when Davis came to the bank to get the will he thought he was going to + execute it. That is, the idea being, it was not signed. + </p> + <p> + What was it attested for if it was not signed? That is absurd to the verge + of idiocy. But they say that Mr. Knight is not corroborated. Let us see. + He says that Andrew J. Davis made a will. Mr. Keith swears that A. J. + Davis made a will. Knight says that Davis went out and brought Keith in, + and Keith swears that he lived next door and A. J. Davis did come in there + and get him and he knows the time on account of the sickness of his child. + Corroboration number two. Knight swears that Davis then went for another + man. Keith says that he did go and get Caleb Irvine. Corroboration number + three. Knight said one of the men who signed the will was in his working + clothes. Corroboration number four. Knight swears that Davis read the + attesting clause. Keith swears the same. Keith swears that Davis signed + it, that he signed it, and then Irvine signed it. What more? He swears + that Knight wrote it, and he was writing it when he went in. And yet they + have—and I will use an expression of one of the learned counsel—the + audacity to say that Mr. Knight has not been corroborated. + </p> + <p> + And they would have you believe that Knight took that will over to Helena + and put it in the safe when it was not signed by A. J. Davis, and they + would make you think besides that, that it was attested by two witnesses, + and that two witnesses had to say that they saw A. J. Davis sign it, that + he signed it in their presence, and that they attested his signature in + his presence and in the presence of each other. They proved a little too + much, gentlemen. They proved that by Talbot. They proved that by Andrew J. + Davis, Jr., who expects to fall heir to all that is taken, and they proved + it also by John A. Davis, the proponent. + </p> + <p> + Recess. + </p> + <p> + May it please the Court and gentlemen: When we adjourned I was talking + about the testimony of Mr. Knight, and the making of the Knight will. The + evidence is, the way that will came to be made, or what started it, is, as + follows: A. J. Davis borrowed of the First National Bank of Helena forty + thousand dollars to put in the mines, and Governor Hauser remarked when he + got the money: "Another old man going to fool with mines until he gets + broke." And that it seems piqued A. J. Davis, touched his vanity a little, + and then he said: "That mine shall be developed whether I live or die. I + am satisfied that it is a good mine, and I am going to make a will and I + am going to provide in that will for the mine being developed." And + thereupon he talked with Mr. Knight. And finally Knight drew up a draft of + a will, according to his testimony, providing for the working of that + mine. And what did he say when he got through with it? "Now as to the + balance of the property, let it be divided according to law. That makes a + good will." That is what he said. Then Mr. Knight said to him: "If you + make the will that way it may be that the heirs will come in and enjoin + the working of the mine on the ground that it is a waste of money. You had + better make a full will and dispose of all your property as you may + desire, and fix the amount to be used in the devolopment of that mine." + </p> + <p> + Now, this is either true or false. It is true if Mr. Knight can be + believed; and he can be believed if any gentleman can be trusted. + </p> + <p> + What more? Knight says that A. J. Davis made the memoranda from which to + draw that will, had his manager come, and in that will it told how the + shafts should be run, how much work should be done, and charged his + trustees to do development work up to a certain amount. + </p> + <p> + Is that all born of the fancy of this gentleman? And can you believe that + a man like Mr. Knight, who has run the largest bank in Montana for + twenty-five years—can you believe that such a man, who is not in any + necessity, who is not in need of money, comes here and swears to what he + knows to be a lie, and makes this all out of his own head, carves it out + of his imagination? + </p> + <p> + The second will was made, the second will was signed, the second will was + attested, the second will was given Mr. Knight to keep. They say it was + not signed, and yet Mr. Knight swears he told one man about it. He told + Mr. Kleinschmidt, so that if anything happened to him, Knight, he would + know that Knight had in that vault the will of Andrew J. Davis. Do you + think he would have done that if the will had not been signed, if it were + worth only waste paper? And yet they are driven to that absurdity for the + purpose of attacking the evidence of this man. It will not do. + </p> + <p> + Judge Knowles said that in a conversation at Garrison, he said that in the + will the mine was left to Erwin Davis, and the reason given for it was + that Erwin Davis was a business man. Now, the only way that can be + explained, is one of two ways. One is that Judge Knowles has gotten two + matters mixed; the other is that he is absolutely mistaken. + </p> + <p> + Judge Knowles, the President of the First National Bank of Butte—Judge + Knowles, who has been the attorney of Andrew J. Davis, Jr.—Judge + Knowles had this conversation, or some conversation, with Knight; and why + would Knight have taken pains to tell him a deliberate falsehood? + </p> + <p> + There is something more. After all this occurred, Andrew J. Davis, Jr. + went to Mr. Knight and asked him to write out what he remembered about + that will, and Knight dictated it on the spot and sent it to him. + </p> + <p> + Where is that letter? Here it is. I want to read that letter to this jury. + That was a letter written long ago. A letter written before this will was + filed in this court. A letter written before Mr. Knight knew that A. J. + Davis, Jr. had any will. A letter written before Knight imagined there + could ever be a lawsuit on the subject. Andrew J. Davis Jr. went to him + and asked him to write out what he knew about that will, and he turned, + according to his own testimony, and dictated it, and sent it to him, like + a frank, candid, honest man; and before I get through I will read that + letter, and when it is read I want you to see how it harmonizes absolutely + and perfectly with his testimony here on the stand. + </p> + <p> + I will draw another distinction. Mr. Knight gave two depositions in this + case. These depositions have not been suppressed like the deposition taken + of Sconce. Not suppressed. Why? Because we are willing that the jury + should read the two depositions and hear his testimony besides, and there + is not the slightest contradiction in the depositions themselves, or + between the depositions or either one of them and his evidence that he + gave here—except two that they claim; and think what immense + contradictions they are. + </p> + <p> + In one deposition he says that A. J. Davis left some bequests to some + aunts. Mr. Knight swears on the stand that he never said aunts, he said + sisters, but if he did say aunts he meant sisters, because he never heard + of his having any aunts, and yet that is held up as a contradiction, and + to such an extent that you are to throw away the testimony of this man. + </p> + <p> + Now, here is the letter. This will was filed July 24, 1890, and when he + wrote this letter he did not know that A. J. Davis Jr. knew of a will, or + that John A. Davis knew of a will. And this is what he writes: + </p> + <p> + Helena, Montana, July 22, 1890. + </p> + <p> + I beg to say that some time in 1877 or 1878, I made a draft of a will for + your uncle Andrew J. Davis, which he duly executed, and left the same on + file with me, as a special deposit for two or three years, when the same + was canceled and destroyed; when I was led to believe and to conclude that + he had made and executed a will to supersede and take the place of that. + </p> + <p> + That explains Talbot's testimony. Instead of saying to Talbot that A. J. + Davis came there, as he thought, to execute the will, and destroyed that + will, it not being signed, what he said was that he destroyed the will, + but from the way he acted he thought he was going to make another, that he + was going to execute a will; and this is exactly what Mr. Talbot said. To + execute a will, and it took a re-direct examination to swap the "a" for + "the." + </p> + <p> + I cannot satisfactorily recall the considerations and provisions of said + will drawn by me, but the main burden and desire was that the work on the + mine known as the Lexington, should be continued to a certain amount of + development, and that the mill should be carried on under a certain + management, and after providing for the payment of his just debts, he made + certain bequests naming certain nephews and nieces, running from ten + thousand to fifteen thousand dollars each, and you are especially named + for the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, and if the estate exceeded in + value the net sum of five hundred thousand dollars, then those bequests + were to be increased; and if in excess of one million dollars, the further + increase was named and specified. + </p> + <p> + That is the letter he wrote before he ever knew there would be this suit; + before he knew of the existence of this will. + </p> + <p> + A certain boy named Jefferson—claimed to be his son—was given + the sum of twenty thousand dollars to be paid to him in yearly sums of + five thousand dollars for four years, and the same provision as to a + certain girl, claimed to be his child. + </p> + <p> + Is that not exactly what he swore to on this stand? + </p> + <p> + Certain executors named E. W. Knight, S. T. Hauser, and W. W. Dixon, each + to receive the sum of ten thousand dollars for services. + </p> + <p> + Yours truly, + </p> + <p> + E. W. KNIGHT. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, they were informed of the existence of that will and of + its destruction, and were so informed before John A. Davis filed this + will. And when we pleaded this will, John A. Davis pleaded that it had + been republished, and yet no evidence was given in of any republication. + They knew that under the statute of Montana, when a man makes will number + one, and afterwards makes will number two, and afterwards destroys will + number two, that will number one is not revived; that the making of the + second will kills the first, and the destruction of the second kills that, + and leaves the man intestate and without any will. Now, there is the + letter of Mr. Knight—full, free, frank, candid, honorable, like the + man himself. He says there that he does not remember all the provisions, + but he does remember that he provided for some nephews and nieces, and + provided for Andrew J. Davis, Jr., twenty-five thousand dollars, for one + Jefferson twenty thousand, for the girl about the same, and that he + provided also for the executors of the will, and appointed Knight, Hauser, + and Dixon as his executors. That is exactly what he says here. + </p> + <p> + Now, was that will made? Have they impeached Mr. Keith? I tell them now + that they cannot impeach him. He has sworn to the making of that will, + apart and separate from Mr. Knight. Oh, they say, why didn't they bring + Knight in, and prove by him that he then recollected Mr. Keith? What has + that to do with it? Mr. Keith recollected Mr. Knight, swore that he wrote + the will, and that he was writing it when he came in, and swore that he + attested it, that Davis signed it, and Irvine also signed it. What more do + we want on that will? I say, gentlemen, that the will of 1880 ends this + case. There is not ingenuity enough in the world to get around it, and + there was and never will be enough brains crammed into one head to dodge + it. That will was made, and every man on the jury knows it. That will was + executed by Andrew J. Davis, every man of you knows it, and the will was + afterwards destroyed. + </p> + <p> + Now, the question is, did that second will revoke the first will? Had it a + revoking clause in it? E. W. Knight swears it had, and he swears that he + copied it from a will made by an uncle of his named John Knight, and he + had that will in his possession here and in that will there are two + revocation clauses, and Knight swears that he copied those clauses, and + right here it may be well enough to make another remark. When he read the + will to A. J. Davis, and the passage "hereby revoking all wills," Davis + said: "There is no need of putting that in. I never made any other will. + This is the first." Knight said to him, "Well, that is the way, that is + the form, and I think it is safer to have it that way." And Davis said: + "All right; let it go." + </p> + <p> + How do you fix that? There is no way out of it, that the will was made in + 1880, revoking all former wills. What else? The conditions of the will of + 1880, with regard to working the mine, with regard to bequests to nephews, + with regard to bequests to others, with regard to the twenty thousand + dollars given to Jeff Davis, and the twenty thousand dollars given to the + girl; these provisions are absolutely inconsistent with the provisions of + this will of 1866. So on both grounds the will of 1880 destroys, cancels, + and forever renders null and void the will of 1866, even if it had been + the genuine will of A. J. Davis, and the Court will instruct you to that + effect. + </p> + <p> + And after Mr. Keith had testified, the proponents in this case subpoenaed + Mr. Knight, and if they thought that Knight would swear that Keith was not + the man, why did they not put him on the stand? They ran no risk. He is an + honest man. He would tell the truth. I never had the slightest fear in + bringing an honest man on the stand. Never. I want facts, and I hope as + long as I live that I shall never win a case that I ought not to win on + the facts. No man should wish or endeavor to win a case that he knows is + wrong. + </p> + <p> + I say there is not a man on this jury but believes in his heart and soul + this minute that this will was made. You have to throw aside the testimony + of a perfectly good man, and no matter whether what he said about Erwin + Davis to Judge Knowles was true or not—and I must say that I never + saw a witness on the stand in my life more eager to tell his story than + Judge Knowles was. Never. He was bound to get it in or die. He answered + questions over objections before the Court was allowed to pass upon the + objections. Why? Because he is the President of the First National Bank. + Now, without saying that he was dishonest about it, I say he was mistaken. + Knight never said one word of that kind to him. + </p> + <p> + It was impossible that he could have said it. So is Mr. Talbot mistaken. + So is Andrew J. Davis, Jr. mistaken, and so is John A. Davis mistaken. + Think of the idiotic idea that a will, not signed, was given to Knight to + keep, attested by two witnesses, and not signed by the testator. Idiotic! + Now, as I understand it, gentlemen, you will have to find that that will + was made. + </p> + <p> + Now, what is the next great question in this case, and the question that + will be argued at some length, probably, by the other side? And why? + Because it is the first and only point, so far as facts are concerned, + that they have won in this case. Just one. And what is that? Our experts + said that they thought that the ink was nigrosin ink, and the fact that + they wanted a test proves that they were sincere. Their witnesses said + they did not think it was nigrosin ink. Mr. Hodges said it had too much + lustre, but that there was only one way in which it could be absolutely + determined and that was by a chemical test. But, say these gentlemen, or + rather said Judge Dixon, "the moment that ink turned red the whole case of + the contestants was wrecked." Let us see. + </p> + <p> + If there had been no logwood ink in existence—not a particle—after + the 20th day of July, 1866; if, on the night of the 20th of July, 1866, + all the logwood ink on earth had been destroyed and then this ink had + turned out to be logwood, why, of course, it would have been a + demonstration that this paper was written as far back as the 20th of July, + 1866. If it had turned out that it was written in nigrosin ink and that + that had only been invented in 1878, it would have been a demonstration + that the will was a forgery. But you must recollect the fact that it is + written in logwood ink is not only consistent with its genuineness, but + consistent with its being a forgery. Why? There was logwood ink in + existence in 1890, plenty of it, and if Mr. Eddy wrote this will in 1890, + he could have written it in logwood ink; and the fact that it is written + in logwood ink does not show that it was written in 1866. Why? Because + there was logwood ink in existence every year since 1866, till now. + </p> + <p> + Suppose I said that the paper was only ten years old and it turned out + that it was forty, is that a demonstration in favor of the other side? If + it turned out to be ten, it is a demonstration on our side. + </p> + <p> + But if it turned out to be forty, is not that consistent with the + genuineness of the instrument, and also with the spuriousness of the same + instrument? You can see that. Nobody's smart enough to fool you on that. + Nobody. Take the whole question of ink out and the question is still + whether Eddy wrote it or not. Take the ink all out and it is still the + question whether Job Davis wrote it or not. Absolutely, and all the test + proved was, that our experts—some of them—were mistaken about + its being nigrosin ink. Mr. Tolman stated that it was impossible to tell + without a chemical test; that it looked like nigrosin ink and from the + manner in which it seemed to run he thought it was nigrosin ink, but that + it was impossible to tell without a test. Mr. Hodges, their expert, said + it looked to him like logwood ink; that it had too much lustre for + nigrosin, but he added that it was impossible to tell without a chemical + test. That is what he said. Mr. Ames said the same thing, and I appeal to + you, gentlemen, if Mr. Ames did not have the appearance of an honest, of a + candid, and of a fair man. Professor Hagan said that it was nigrosin ink, + but he admitted that the only way to know was to test it. And what else? + Their own expert, Mr. Hodges, said that logwood ink penetrates the paper. + If this ink has been on here twenty-five years it penetrates the paper. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes an accident happens in our favor; a piece of that will was torn + off this morning. You see the edge there torn off slanting. You see that + "o-f"; how much that ink has sunk into that paper. Not the millionth part + of a hair. It lies dead upon the top. Just see how the ink went in there—not + a particle. It lies right on top. I would call that "float." There is the + other edge. There is where the ink stops. It has not entered a particle. + And when you go to your room I want you to look at it. That ink has not + penetrated a particle. And let us see what this witness Hodges says: + "Logwood ink penetrates the paper." + </p> + <p> + There it is, "to determine the nature of the ink, use hydrochloric acid." + What else? + </p> + <p> + "I think this will was written with Reimal's ink, and that was made in + Germany in the neighborhood of 1840. Reimal's ink penetrates the paper." + And then they say that we endeavored to draw a distinction between modern + and ancient. This is what Mr. Hodges says about it. + </p> + <p> + On the addition of hydrochloric acid to logwood ink it will turn to a + bright red. The old-fashioned ink was manufactured by mixing a decoction + of logwood with chromide of potash and formed a blue black solution. + Logwood inks as made to-day differ from those, in that the modern logwood + inks contain another sort of chrome than chromide of potash; they contain + chromium in the form of an acetate or a chlorine. + </p> + <p> + Hodges was the man that talked about ancient and modern logwood inks; and + he, before the test was made, said that the old logwood ink would turn a + bright red, modern logwood not so bright. And after the evidence was all + in, Professor Elwell came smilingly to the post and said, "they have got + it exactly wrong end to; the older the duller and the newer the brighter." + And after a moment said, "This was kind of dull." Before the test was + made, Mr. Tolman swore, "I agree with Professor Hodges that if it is an + old logwood ink it will turn a bright, scarlet red. In the case of modern + logwood inks I don't agree with him, but to that extent I think his tests + are good," and he drew that distinction before the test was made. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, you saw this will. I want to call your attention to it again. + You see that "J" in Sconce's name, that is pretty red. Not so awfully + scarlet, though, that it would affect a turkey gobbler. You see it in + "Job"; you see it in "James Davis," but there it is brown, and not red, + and not scarlet, and no flame in it, and Professor Hodges himself said + that although both were logwood inks, he would not swear that Job Davis + and James Davis were written with the same ink. Do you see the red in that + "Job"? + </p> + <p> + Now find the red on that "s" of "James." He said he would not swear that + they were written in the same ink, but both in logwood ink, that is to + say, they might have been different inks. While I would not swear that + they were the same inks, I would swear that both inks contained logwood. + And that is all he swore to, and I must say that I believe he was a + perfectly honest, fair gentleman. + </p> + <p> + Now, all that the ink test proves on earth is that it is logwood instead + of nigrosin, and that does not prove that Eddy did not write the will, + because there was plenty of logwood ink when he did write it. That is the + kind of ink he used. And it has no more bearing—the fact that it + turned out to be logwood—to show that it is a genuine will than + though it had turned out to be iron ink. Suppose the experts had been + wrong on both sides, and it had turned out to be iron ink, what would have + happened then? Is it a genuine will? Nothing can be more absurd than to + argue that that test settled the genuineness of this will. + </p> + <p> + Hodges says another thing; that perhaps the pen went to the bottom of the + ink bottle and got a little of the settlings of the ink on it, when he + wrote "James Davis," and consequently that has a different color. Well, if + the pen had gotten some of this sediment on it, the more sediment the more + logwood, and the more logwood the brighter the color. Instead of that, it + is dull. + </p> + <p> + There is another trouble: With regard to the experts, while undoubtedly + there are some men who do not swear to the exact truth, whether paid or + not, undoubtedly some men swear truthfully who are paid. I do not believe + that you doubt the testimony of Hodges simply because you paid him so much + a day. I don't. And certainly we have found no men philanthropic enough to + go around the country swearing for nothing. I judge of the man's oath, not + by what he is paid, but by the manner in which he gives his testimony—by + the reason there is behind it. That is the way I judge and yet Senator + Sanders judges otherwise, as he told you in a burst of Montana zeal. * * * + </p> + <p> + I like Montana, too, and I believe the Montana people are big enough and + broad enough not to have prejudice against a man because he comes from + another State. Every State in this Union is represented in Montana, and + the people who left the old settled States and came out to the new + Territories, dropped their prejudices on the way—and sometimes I + have thought that that is what killed the grass. I like a good, brave, + free, candid, chivalric people. I don't care where you come from—I + don't care where you were born. We are all men, and we all have our + rights; and as long as the old flag floats over me, I have just as many + rights in Montana as I have in New York. And when you come to New York I + will see that you have as many rights, if you are in my neighborhood, as + you have in Montana. That is the kind of nationality I believe in. I hate + this little, provincial prejudice; and yet Senator Sanders invoked that + prejudice. That insults you. We did not insult you when we asked you when + you went on the jury, if you cared whether the money stayed in Butte or + not, or whether you were interested or not, or related or not. Those were + the questions asked every juror, and we relied absolutely on your answers + when you said that you were unprejudiced, and that you would give us a + fair trial; and we believe you will. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, with regard to these experts, you have got to judge each one by + his testimony; and it is foolish it seems to me, to call them vipers and + pirates, as Senator Sanders did. A very strong expression—"vipers, + pirates" living off, he said, the substance of others; and yet he had an + expert on the stand, Mr. Dickinson; he had another, Mr. Elwell; he had + another, Mr. Hodges; and after that he rises up before this jury and calls + them "three vipers" and "three pirates." I never will do that, If I ask a + man to swear for me, and he does the best he can, I will leave the + "pirate" out. + </p> + <p> + I will drop the "viper," and I will stand by him, if I think he is telling + the truth; and if he is not I won't say much about him; I don't want to + hurt his feelings. But I want to call your attention again to the fact + that every expert on our side swore, knowing that they had three experts + on the other side, and that if we made a mistake they could catch us in + it; and we did make a mistake in that ink; and the test showed that we + made a mistake, and that is all the test did show; but it did not show + that the will is genuine any more than if it had turned out to be carbon + ink; then both sides would have been mistaken. And yet after all it did + turn out to be modern logwood ink, and it did turn out not to be Reimal's + logwood ink, made of the chromate of potassium; did turn out not to be + that, and I say on this will that there is an absolute, decided and + distinct difference between the color on the name Job Davis and the name + James Davis. And right here, I might as well say that that man Jackson, + who came here from Butler, Mo.—and when I said Butler was a pretty + tough place, rose up in his wrath and said it was as good as New York any + day—that man says that when he saw the will he does not remember of + seeing the names of James Davis and Sconce in it, but he did remember of + seeing the name of Job Davis. I don't think he saw any of it. Now, there + is another question here—because I have said enough about ink, at + least enough to give you an inkling of my views. + </p> + <p> + There is another question. Why didn't John A. Davis take the stand? That + is a serious question. John A. Davis had sworn, on the 13th of March, + 1890, that his brother died without a will. John A. Davis, on the 24th day + of July, 1890, filed a will in which he was the legatee. That will came + into his possession under suspicious circumstances. What would a perfectly + frank and candid man have done? What would you have done? You would not + have allowed yourself to remain under suspicion one moment. You would have + said, "I got that will so and so." You would have let in the light, "I + obtained it in such a place, it is an honest, genuine will, and here it + is, and here are the witnesses to that will." But instead of that, John A. + Davis never opened his mouth, except to file a petition swearing that it + came into his possession on the first day of July. He knew that he was + suspected, didn't he? He knew that the men in whose veins his blood flowed + believed that the will was a forgery—knew that good men and women + believed that he was a robber, and that he was endeavoring to steal their + portion. He knew that, and any man that loves his own reputation and any + man that ever felt the glow of honor in his heart one moment, would not + have been willing to rest under such a suspicion or under such an + imputation. He would have said: "Here is its history, here is where I got + it, it is not a forged will. It is genuine. Here are the witnesses that + know all about it. Here is how I came into possession of it." + </p> + <p> + No, sir. Not a word. Speechless—tongueless. And he comes into this + court and comes on to this stand to be a witness, and is asked about a + conversation he had with Burchett, and then we asked him, "How did you + come into the possession of that will?" All his lawyers leaped between him + and the answer to that question. They objected. If he came by that will + honestly he would have said, "I am going to tell the whole story." He + wants you to believe that he came by it honestly, doesn't he? He wants you + to believe it. He not only wants you to believe it, gentlemen, but he asks + twelve men—you—to swear that he came by it honestly, doesn't + he? If you give your verdict that that is a genuine will, then you give + your oath that John A. Davis came by it honestly; and he wants you twelve + men to swear it. And yet he dare not swear it himself. He wants you to do + his swearing. He is afraid to stand in your presence and tell the history + of that will. He is afraid to tell the name of the man from whom he + received it. He is afraid to tell how much he gave for it; afraid to tell + how much he promised. He is afraid to tell how they obtained witnesses to + substantiate it in the way they have. Well, now, ought not you to let him + tell his own story, ought not you, gentlemen, to be clever enough to let + him do his own swearing? + </p> + <p> + Now, I will ask you again if he came by that will honestly, fairly, above + board, would he not be glad to tell you the story? Would he not be glad to + make it plain to you? If that was a perfectly honest will and came to him + through perfectly pure channels, would he not want you to know it? Would + he not want every man and woman in this city to know it? Would he not want + all his neighbors to know it? And yet, he is willing, when this case is + being tried, and when he is on the stand, and asked how he got the will—he + is willing to close his mouth—willing to admit that he is afraid to + tell; and I tell you to-day, gentlemen, that the silence of John A. Davis + is a confession of guilt, and he knows it, and his attorneys know it. A + client afraid to swear that he did not forge a will, or have it forged, + and then want to hire a man to defend him and call him honest! Well, he + would have to hire him; he would not get anybody for nothing. And yet he + is asking you to do it. If John A. Davis came properly by it, let him say + so under oath. Don't you swear to it for him, not one of you. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is another question. Why did not James R. Eddy take the stand? + We charged him with forging the will. We made an affidavit setting forth + that he did forge the will, and in this very court Mr. Dixon arose and + said he was glad that the charge had been fixed, and the man had been + designated. Judge Dixon said here, before this jury, when this case was + opened, "the man who was charged with forging this will will be here. He + will stand before this jury face to face; and he will explain his + connections with the will to your satisfaction." That is what Judge Dixon + said. Where is your witness? Where is James R. Eddy? Why did you not bring + him forward? I know he is here now—delighted with the notoriety that + this charge of forgery gives him—with a moral nature that is an + abyss of shallowness,—delighted to be charged with it, and he will + probably be my friend as long as he lives, because I have added to his + notoriety by saying he is a forger. Why did they not bring him on the + stand? Mr. Dixon gives one reason. Because the jury would not believe him. + And that is the man who is first found in possession of this will. That is + the man in whose hands it is, and it is from that man that John A. Davis + received it. And the reason that he is not put on the stand is that it is + the deliberate opinion of the learned counsel in this case that no jury + would believe him. + </p> + <p> + How does that work with you? James R. Eddy here—his deposition here—and + they could not read his deposition because he was here—and they had + him here and kept him here, so that we could not read his deposition. They + were bound that he should not go on the stand. Why? Because the moment he + got there he could be asked, Where did you find the will? Who was present + when you found it? When did you first tell anybody about it? When did you + first show it to John A. Davis? How much did he agree to give you for it? + What witnesses have you talked to in this case? What witnesses have you + written to in this case? What work have you done in this case? What + affidavits have you made in this case? And what have you done with the + other three wills that you have in this case? + </p> + <p> + Such questions might be asked him, and they were afraid to put him on the + stand. Every letter that he had written would have been identified by him + if he had been put on the stand. Maybe he would have been compelled to + write in the presence of the jury, to see whether he would spell words + correctly. + </p> + <p> + They knew that the moment he went on the stand their case was as dead as + Julius Cæsar. They knew it and kept him off. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is only one way for them to win this case. And that is to keep + out the evidence. Only one way to win the case—suppress John A. + Davis. Keep your mouth closed or defeat will leap out of it. Eddy, keep + still. Don't let anything be seen that will throw any light upon this. I + ask you, gentlemen of the jury, to take cognizance of what has been done + in this case. Who is it that has tried to get the light? Who is it that + has tried to get the evidence? Who is it that has objected? Who is it that + wants you to try this case in the dark? Who is it that wants you to guess + on your oaths? The failure of Eddy to testify is a confession of guilt. + They dare not put him on the stand—dare not. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, there is a little more evidence in this case to which I am + going to call your attention. Something has been said about a conversation + in March, 1891. Sconce had his deposition taken in Bloomfield, Iowa. That + deposition has been suppressed. John A. Davis was there at the time it was + taken. John A. Davis and Sconce went into the passage leading up to the + office of Carruthers. Mr. Burchett, sheriff of the county, a man having no + possible earthly or heavenly interest in this business, happened to stop + at the corner to read his paper—looked at it as he opened it—and + he then and there heard John A. Davis say, "Stick to that story and I will + see that you get all the money you have been promised," and thereupon + Sconce replied, "All right I'll do it." Sconce denies it, and that denial + is not worth the breath that he wasted in forming the denial. John A. + Davis denies it. Of course he denies it. But he dare not tell where he got + that will. He dare not do it. He wants you to do that for him. He wants + you to lift him out of the gutter and wash the mud off him. He is afraid + to do it himself. + </p> + <p> + I want to call your attention to that conversation, and that of itself is + enough to impeach Sconce. That is enough of itself to show that John A. + Davis was entering into a conspiracy or rather had entered into one with + Mr. Sconce. Now, gentlemen, there is another thing, and we must not forget + it. Curious people down in Salt Creek township, on the other side; of + course there are plenty of good men there or the township could not exist, + and we had a good many of them here—good, straight, honest, + intelligent looking men. But the other side had some—all in the + family—all of them. + </p> + <p> + Swaim, he was not in the family, but he is a clerk in Trimble's bank, + where Wallace is the cashier, where they suppress depositions; say they + are not finished when they are signed by the person who swears to them. + </p> + <p> + John C. Sconce, the only living witness, whose "ancient but ignoble blood + has crept through rascals ever since the flood," cousin to James Davis, + cousin to Job Davis, cousin to Mrs. Downey, cousin to Eddy, cousin to Dr. + Downey by marriage, brother to T. J. Sconce, Jr., brother-in-law to Abe + Wilkinson, cousin to Tom Glasgow and Sam, cousin to Moses Davis, cousin to + Alex. Davis, uncle to Henshaw's daughter, and father-in-law of George + Quigley. Every one of them united. Blood is thicker than water. Eddy stuck + to his family. + </p> + <p> + James R. Eddy—cousin to Sconce, son of Mrs. Downey, (Mrs. Downey, + the duster lady, who remembers that Davis asked her to remain, but didn't + ask her advice, didn't have her sign the will, didn't give her any + bequest, but there she was with her duster), grandson of James Davis, + nephew of Job Davis, and related by blood or marriage to both the + Glasgows, Moses and Alexander Davis, to T. J. Scotice and J. C. Sconce, + Jr., Abe Wilkinson, George Quigley, S M. Henshaw, (the celebrated lawyer). + J. L. Hughes, and Eli Dye, brother-in-law to C. O. Hughes, and foster + brother to John Lisle, and Mrs. A. S. Bishop. And it is just lovely about + John Lisle. + </p> + <p> + John Lisle is one of the fellows that saw this will. "How did you come to + see it, John?" "James Davis," he says, "was my guardian and he had to give + a bond, and so one day when James Davis was away from home, I thought I + would go and see the bond." + </p> + <p> + Of course he thought James Davis kept the bond that he gave to somebody + else—to the county judge; but Mr. Lisle pretends that he thought the + bond would be in the possession of the man who gave it. And so he sneaked + in to look among the papers. Now, do you believe such a story—that + he thought that man had the bond? Didn't he know that the bond was given + to somebody else? Foolish! Bishop swears the same thing; James Davis was + guardian for his wife, and he was looking to see if James had the bond; + and another fellow by the name of Sconce, was looking for a note, and when + he opened this double sheet of paper folded four times and happened to see + Sconce's name he said: "Here it is—a promissory note." + </p> + <p> + Mary Ann Davis—that is to say, Mrs. Eddy, that is to say, Mrs. + Downey, is the mother of J. R. Eddy, daughter of James Davis, sister to + Job, second cousin to Sconce, wife of Downey, and related by blood or + marriage to Tom and Sam Glasgow, Moses and Alexander Davis, Abe Wilkinson, + S. M. Henshaw, J. C. Sconce, Jr., T. J. Sconce, George Quigley and C. O. + Hughes. All right in there, woven together. + </p> + <p> + E. H. Downey—son-in-law of James Davis, brother-in-law of Job, + husband of Mary Ann Davis-Eddy-Downey, and step-father of Mr. Eddy. + </p> + <p> + J. C. Sconce. Jr.—cousin to Eddy, nephew of J. C. Sconce, Sr., + cousin to Mrs. Downey, cousin of E. H. Downey, son-in-law of Henshaw, + cousin to George Quigley, related to Tom and Sam Glasgow, Abe Wilkinson + and Moses and Alex. Davis. + </p> + <p> + George Quigley—son-in-law of Sconce. + </p> + <p> + Sam Glasgow—cousin of Sconce, son-in-law of Dye, brother to Tom + Glasgow, brother-in-law to Moses and Alex. Davis, cousin to Abe Wilkinson, + and related by marriage to J. R. Eddy. Here they are, same blood. All have + the same kind of memory; runs in the blood. + </p> + <p> + Henshaw—father-in-law to J. C. Sconce, Jr. Lisle—adopted son + of James Davis, and his ward, and foster brother to Eddy. A. S. Bishop—married + to Allie Lisle, ward of James Davis, foster sister of James R. Eddy. + </p> + <p> + T. J. Sconce—Eddy's cousin, J. R. Sconce's brother, brother-in-law + and cousin to the Glasgows, cousin to Alex, and Moses Davis, + brother-in-law to Abe Wilkinson and uncle to J. C. Sconce, Jr. + </p> + <p> + Moses Davis—cousin of Sconce, brother-in-law to the Glasgows, cousin + to Abe Wilkinson, brother of Alex. Davis, and related to Eddy and Arthur + Quigley. + </p> + <p> + Alexander Davis—cousin to Sconce, brother of Moses Davis, + brother-in-law to the Glasgows, cousin to Wilkinson and related by + marriage to Arthur Quigley. + </p> + <p> + Abe Wilkinson—brother-in-law to Sconce, cousin to Alex, and Moses + Davis, and cousin to the Glasgows. + </p> + <p> + Tom Glasgow—cousin to Sconce, and Abe Wilkinson, and a + brother-in-law of Moses Davis, and a brother to Sam Glasgow, and related + by marriage to Eddy. + </p> + <p> + Arthur Quigley—brother-in-law to Alex. Davis, and brother to George + Quigley, who is a son-in-law of Sconce. John L. Hughes—his nephew + married Eddy's wife's sister. Eli Dye—father-in-law of Sam Glasgow. + </p> + <p> + There they are, all of them related except Swaim and Duckworth and Taylor; + and Duckworth, he is in the tie business along with Eddy. There is the + family tree. All growing on the same tree, and there is a wonderful + likeness in the fruit. Why, that Glasgow has as good a memory as Sconce. + He remembers that this is the same will he saw—paper like that, and + he swears—I think it is Sam Glasgow—that he did not read the + contents or see a signature. And yet he comes here, twenty-five years + afterwards, and swears it is the same paper. And then the paper was clean + and now it is covered with all kinds and sorts of stains. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, take the signature of A. J. Davis, and I want you all to + look at it. I say it is made of pieces. I say it is a patchwork. It is a + dead signature. It has no personality—no vitality in it, and I want + you to look at it, and look at it carefully. I say it is made of pieces. + Of course every counterfeit that is worth anything, looks like the + original, and the nearer it looks like the original the better the + counterfeit. All the witnesses on the side of the proponent who have sworn + that it is his signature, also swear that he wrote a rapid, firm hand—nervous, + bold, free, and that he scarcely ever took his pen from the paper from the + time he commenced his name until he finished; and I want you to look at + that name. I will risk your sense; I will risk your judgment—honest, + fair and free—whether that is a made signature, or whether it is the + honest signature of any human being. + </p> + <p> + And now, gentlemen, one word more. I contend, first, that the evidence + shows beyond all doubt that Job Davis did not write this will. Second, + that it is shown beyond all doubt, that James R. Eddy did write this will, + and that that evidence amounts to a demonstration. I claim that the will + of 1880 was made precisely as E. W. Knight and Mr. Keith swear; that that + will was utterly inconsistent with the will of 1866, even if that had been + genuine; that it revokes that will, that its provisions were inconsistent, + and that afterwards that will was destroyed, and that there is not one + particle of evidence beneath the canopy of heaven to show that it was not + made and to show that it was not destroyed. + </p> + <p> + And the Court will instruct you that the will of 1866, even if genuine, is + not revived. + </p> + <p> + This is the end of the case. So I claim that the probabilities, the + reason, the naturalness, are all on the side of the contestants in this + case—all. And I tell you, that if the evidence can be depended on at + all, A. J. Davis went to his grave with the idea that the law made a will + good enough for him. Do you believe, if he were here, if he had a voice, + that he would take this property and give it to John A. Davis; that he + would leave out the children of the very woman who raised him; that he + would leave out his other sisters, that he would leave out the children of + his sisters and brothers? Do you believe it? I know that not one man on + that jury believes it. + </p> + <p> + This case is in your hands. That property is in your hands. All the + millions, however many there may be, are in your hands; they are to be + disposed of by you under instructions from the Court as to the law. You + are to do it. And, do you know, there is no prouder position in the world, + there is no more splendid thing, than to be in a place where you can do + justice. Above everybody and above everything should be the idea of + justice; and whenever a man happens to sit on a jury in a case like this, + or in any other important case, he ought to congratulate himself that he + has the opportunity of showing, first, that he is a man, and second, of + doing what in his judgment ought to be done, and there will never be a + prouder recollection come to you hereafter than that you did your honest + duty in this case. Say to this proponent: "If you wanted to show us that + you got this will honestly, why didn't you swear it; if you wanted us to + believe it was a genuine will, why didn't you have the nerve to take your + oath that it is a genuine will?" + </p> + <p> + Now, you have the opportunity, gentlemen, of doing what is right. Your + prejudice has been appealed to, but I say that you have the manhood, that + you have the intelligence, and that you have the honesty to do exactly + what you believe to be right; and whether you agree with me or not, I + shall not call in question your integrity or your manhood. I am generous + enough to allow for differences of opinion. But when you come to make up + your verdict, I implore you to demand of yourselves the reasons; to be + guided by what is natural; to be guided by what is reasonable. I want you + to find that this will was found in the possession of Eddy in April or + March, next in the hands of John A. Davis; and that John A. Davis dare not + tell how he came in possession of it. John A. Davis, on the edge of the + grave—for this world but a few days, and according to the law + without that will he could have had an income of over fifty thousand a + year. He was not satisfied with that. He wanted to take from his own + brothers and sisters, wanted to leave his own blood in beggary. + </p> + <p> + He never saw the time in his life that he could earn five thousand a year—never. + And he was not satisfied with fifty thousand—he wanted four and a + half millions for himself. . + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, I want you to do justice between all these heirs. I want you to + show to the United States that you have the manhood, that you are free + from prejudice, that you are influenced only by the facts, only by the + evidence, and that being so influenced, you give a perfectly fair verdict—a + verdict that you will be proud of as long as you live. How would you feel, + to find a verdict here that this is a good will, and afterwards have it + turn out to be what it is—an impudent, ignorant forgery? + </p> + <p> + Now, all I ask of you is to take this evidence into consideration. Don't + be misled even by a Christian, or by a sinner, for that matter. Let us be + absolutely honest with each other. We have been together for several + weeks. We have gotten tolerably well acquainted. I have tried to treat + everybody fairly and kindly, and I have tried to do so in this address. + </p> + <p> + I have had hard work to keep within certain limits. There would words get + into my mouth and insist on coming out, but I said: "go away; go away." I + don't want to hurt people's feelings if I can help it. I don't want anyone + unnecessarily humiliated, but I say whatever stands between you and + justice must give way; and if you have to walk over reputations—and + if they become pavement you cannot help it. You must do exactly what is + right, and let those who have done wrong bear the consequences. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I have confidence in you. I have confidence in this + verdict. I think I know what it will be. It will be that the will is + spurious, and that the will of 1880 revoked it, whether spurious or not. + That is my judgment, and I don't think there is any man in the world smart + enough or ingenious enough to get any other verdict from you as long as + John A. Davis was afraid to swear that it was an honest will; as long as + James R. Eddy, the forger, dare not take the stand; and they will never + get a verdict in this world without taking the stand, and if they do take + it, that is the end. There is where they are. + </p> + <p> + Now, all I ask in the world, as I said, is a fair, honest, impartial + verdict at your hands. That I expect. More than that I do not ask. And + now, gentlemen, I may never see you again after this trial is over—separated + we may be forever—but I want to thank you from the bottom of my + heart for the attention you have paid to the evidence in this case and for + the patient hearing you have given me. + </p> + <p> + Note: The Jury disagreed and the case was compromised. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0008" id="link0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ARGUMENT BEFORE THE VICE-CHANCELLOR IN THE RUSSELL CASE. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Russell vs. Russell, before Martin P. Grey. V. C., Camden, + N. J., June 21, 1899. This was Colonel Ingersoll's last + appearance in public. The report of this argument has been + made from the stenographer's notes and therefore of + necessity incomplete. It was delivered without notes and the + proofs were not seen or corrected by the author. No + decision in this case has as yet been rendered, August 1, + 1900 +</pre> + <p> + IF your Honor please: I agree with Mr. Pancoast at least in one remark + that he made—I think about the only one—that John Russell is + dead. I think there is no controversy about that. But as to the other + remarks made and the positions taken by him, I fail to agree. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, for several hundred years the courts of England, and + for more than a hundred years the courts of this country, have very + jealously guarded the right of dower; and wherever a woman has by + antenuptial agreement given up her right of dower, all the courts have + decided—and I know of no exception, and Mr. Pancoast has brought + forward none—that at the time she made the contract waiving her + dower she must have been in the possession of all of the facts, so that + she could act with absolutely full knowledge. And where a man seeks to + make an agreement by virtue of which the wife, or the supposed wife, shall + waive her dower, decision after decision says that he must tell the truth, + and the whole truth, and that it is just as fraudulent to suppress a fact + as to manufacture one. He must tell the absolute truth. The relation of + the parties is such, and the dower right is such, that the courts will not + take the right away from the woman unless she gives it freely, and, at the + time she gives it, knows all the facts bearing upon the question as to + whether she should or should not release or waive her dower. + </p> + <p> + Now, on that same line the courts have taken another step. They do not put + upon the wife the burden of showing that the husband was guilty of fraud + directly; they simply put the burden upon the wife of showing what his + property was and what the consideration was in the agreement; and then the + court steps forward and says that if the amount is disproportionate when + you take into consideration his wealth, then the burden is immediately + shifted, and the person seeking something under his will, or seeking his + property, must show that when the woman signed the antenuptial agreement + she had been put in possession of all the facts; that she then knew, and + knew from him, what he was worth; and that if she did not and the amount + in the agreement is disproportionate to his estate, the agreement is null + and void. Then gentlemen who represented the heirs of the testator, or the + legatees, said: "Well, it was generally known that he was a rich man; that + was his reputation in the neighborhood; and she, if she had taken any + pains or acted with reasonable discretion, could have ascertained the + fact." + </p> + <p> + The Court then took another step in advance and said that it was not her + duty; she was not bound to inquire as to his wealth; and yet Mr. Pancoast + talks as though the maxim of caveat emptor applies in this business—as + though it had been a bargain between two sharpers, she making what she + could out of his admiration, and he cheapening her to the extent of his + power, driving the best possible bargain, saying that she should have + looked out for her rights; that she should have investigated and found out + about his property; that she should have called in a detective to + ascertain what it was, and that the courtship should have been carried on + in that commercial spirit. + </p> + <p> + But the law says: No; she is not obliged to ask a question. She is not + obliged to take into consideration any thing that is said in the + neighborhood. She relies upon one source for her information, and that is + the man whom she is going to marry. And the law says he shall meet her + with perfect candor, and there shall pass from his lips nothing but words + of truth; and then if, being in full possession of all the truth, she + makes the contract, that contract shall stand; otherwise, that it shall + not. + </p> + <p> + There is no use of my quoting these decisions—there is no decision + any other way. + </p> + <p> + The first question that arises is as to the condition of this contract + under evidence—this antenuptial contract. Is the amount + disproportionate to his estate? + </p> + <p> + If we are to try this case relying on the notions of Mr. Russell, and say + that his opinion shall govern, why, it may be said that Russell imagined + that he was generous. That would be astonishing, but hardly as astonishing + as the fact that Mr. Pancoast thinks he is generous. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pancoast: You don't know me very well. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll: I don't think you would do so badly as that. It may be that + Russell imagined that one thousand dollars in stock of some bank was a + liberal provision in his will. I don't know whether he did, and I do not + care whether he did or not. The question is not for Mr. Russell; it is not + a question for Mr. Pancoast, and it is not a question for myself; it is + for your Honor to decide. Is the amount mentioned in this antenuptial + contract, taken together, if you please, with the fifteen hundred dollars + in the will—is the amount made by the addition of the two amounts—disproportionate + to this estate? + </p> + <p> + There is a case here from Illinois, Achilles vs. Achilles (which ought to + be a strong case), in which I believe the man was worth seventeen or + eighteen thousand dollars; and my recollection is that he provided an + annuity of three hundred dollars for his wife, with rent free of a house; + also rent free of a vacant lot for a garden. That is what he gave her—what + would be about four hundred dollars or five hundred dollars a year; and he + had eighteen thousand dollars. The Supreme Court of Illinois thought that + amount so disproportionate to the value of the estate that the provision + was set aside. + </p> + <p> + Now, in this case, five thousand dollars or six thousand dollars—we + will say five thousand anyhow—is the amount; and there is an estate + worth a quarter of a million or, to come even within their own testimony, + worth two hundred thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + The first question for your Honor to decide is whether that amount is so + disproportionate to his estate that—unless the other side show that + she was put in possession of all the facts—it must be set aside. + </p> + <p> + The defendants in this case have not endeavored to show that Mr. Russell + ever informed the complainant what he was worth. The only evidence we have + on that point is what he said with regard to his poverty—not one + word about how much he had, and as to his poverty, only indirectly. And + here is the way the old man's mind worked: They were first engaged to be + married. Mr. Pancoast believes, or at least he has expressed himself as + though he thought, that a man of seventy-five could not be in love (I do + not know what his experience is, but I hope no fate like that will + overtake me), and that a woman of fifty could not feel the tender flame. I + do not know enough about biology to state with accuracy how that is, but I + heard a story once about a colored woman having lived to be one hundred + and twenty-five, and a man interested in the question that Mr. Pancoast + has raised asked this aged lady how old a woman had to be before she + ceased to have thoughts about love? + </p> + <p> + And the old woman said: "I don't know, honey; you will have to ask + somebody older than I is." And I guess that is about the experience of the + race. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Russell said to this woman: "I want to make a contract with you, and I + will give you fifteen thousand dollars." She said that was satisfactory, + and Russell—having a little Semitic blood in his veins, I guess—said + to himself, "I must have offered too much, she accepted so readily." So + the next time he saw her he said, "I do not think I can make it more than + ten thousand dollars." "Well," she said, "all right; ten thousand dollars + will do." In the meantime he was getting a little older, and the last time + he came he said he could not make it more than five thousand dollars, + because his estate was so entangled that he did not know that he would be + able to pay it—that it would be a pretty difficult job to pay that + amount within six months. Well, she accepted, and in order that she should + accept it, he said that, in addition, he would provide well for her in his + will—that he would make a liberal provision. There is the contract. + No evidence in the world that he told her what he was worth; the only + evidence is that he pleaded poverty. + </p> + <p> + And right at this point, I say that all the decisions I know of declare + the contract void unless the defence, on their part, show that she was put + in full possession of all the facts; and that the defence in this case did + not do. + </p> + <p> + Now, so far as this contract is concerned, on the evidence it is void, and + void notwithstanding the fact that the trustees paid her five hundred + dollars; and Mr. Pancoast, according to my recollection, is mistaken when + he says that she demanded the balance. He offered her the balance, and she + stated that she had been informed that she had some rights against the + estate, and therefore refused to receive it. That is the fact about it. He + sent her five hundred dollars, and wanted to send her the balance, but she + would not have it. Then he asked her to take it, and showed her a receipt + to be signed, in which she waived everything, and she refused to sign it. + </p> + <p> + Under those circumstances I do not think it is possible for your Honor to + say that she has been estopped. + </p> + <p> + The next point raised by Mr. Pancoast is that the oral agreement to + provide well for her in the will is void under the statute of frauds. + </p> + <p> + Well, I am free to say that I do not know how it is in New Jersey, but in + every other State in which I am acquainted with the law, the statute of + frauds, to be operative, must always be pleaded. I do not know how it is + here. That statute has not been pleaded in this case, and I never heard of + it until the argument to-day. If it is to be pleaded before it can be + invoked, it is too late to cite it now. But let us go on the supposition + that he is right, that the antenuptial contract is void, and that the + other contract to provide for her in the will is also void. Then where + does that leave us? That leaves us exactly as though no contract had been + made. That leaves us without any antenuptial contract, without any + agreement to provide liberally for her in the will. Then what is our + condition? Then the wife is entitled to her dower in the real estate; that + follows as a necessity. She loses her interest in the personalty, because + that is given away by the will, but if the antenuptial contract and parole + agreement are both dead—one because disproportionate to the estate + and because of the fraud of Russell, and the other on account of the + statute of frauds, then she is left with her dower in the real estate. It + is impossible, it seems to me, to arrive at any other conclusion. It + certainly would be inequitable to say that she had been estopped on + account of what was done with the five thousand dollars in the hands of + the trustees. + </p> + <p> + There is another view of it. There has been, if the contracts are good, a + partial performance; and that of itself would take it out of the statute + of frauds. + </p> + <p> + Then the question is, if it is out of the statute of frauds, and if it is + out because the contract has been partially performed, the next question, + and, it seems to me, the only question that arises, is, has a court of + equity the right to determine what the words "You shall be well provided + for," "I will provide for you liberally in my will," or "I will make a + liberal provision for you in my will"—what those words mean? + </p> + <p> + According to the idea of counsel on the other side, the Court is bound to + decide according to the meaning that was in the mind of Mr. Russell. But + there comes in here another principle. The only way we can find the + meaning in his mind is by finding the words that he used; and we are not + to import his meanness into the words, if he had meanness; neither would + we import his generosity, if he had generosity. We would give to those + words their natural meaning, apart from the thought of the one who used + them, and apart from the thought of the one who heard them, because the + words are known, their meaning is known and can be ascertained by the + Court. + </p> + <p> + Now, the word "reasonable" is about as hard a word to define as a court + was ever called upon to define, and yet courts of law and courts of + equity, in hundreds and thousands of instances, have passed upon the + meaning of the word "reasonable," and have not only passed upon its + meaning, but have given it from time to time definitions. + </p> + <p> + A man must give reasonable care to the property of another given into his + keeping. Well, what is reasonable care? Is it reasonable for him to take + such care of it as he does of his own? Not if he is unreasonably careless + of his own. And the law takes another step, and says you must take such + care of it as is reasonable, as a reasonable man would, and the courts + then go on to define what a reasonable man under the circumstances would + do. Now, there is no word in the language that courts have been called + upon to define that is vaguer—where the line between dawn and dusk, + between light and dawn, has to be drawn with greater care or greater + intelligence—than that word "reasonable." The word "appropriate" has + been decided again and again. The word "necessary," the word "convenient," + the word "suitable"—"suitable to his or her condition in life"—"suitable + to the condition of the party"—all these words have been given + judicial meaning hundreds and thousands of times. + </p> + <p> + And now we come to the word "liberal," is that a hard word to define? + </p> + <p> + Everybody in the world has his notion of what liberal means. Given the + circumstances and the actions of the man, and everyone you meet is ready + to decide whether he is liberal or illiberal. A man loses his pocketbook; + five thousand dollars in it; a boy finds it, returns it to him, and he + gives the boy five cents. There is not a man in the world, no matter + whether he is a judge or not, who would say that was liberal—nobody. + If there was only a dollar in the pocketbook and he gave him half of it, + you would say that was liberal. You would have to take the circumstances + into consideration. You also take into consideration the circumstances of + the man who found it. If he is a poor man you can not be liberal unless + you give him more than you would give the man who did not need it. + </p> + <p> + What is a liberal provision for a wife that has no means of making her own + living? If the man is able, nothing less than a sufficient sum to take + care of her. Suppose Mr. Vanderbilt, who is worth two or three hundred + millions—I do not know what he is worth, and I do not care, but I + suppose he is worth a hundred millions—should agree to make a + liberal provision for his wife, and make it so that he gets away from the + statute of frauds, and thereupon leaves her twenty-five hundred dollars. + Nobody would say that was liberal. Why? Because that word is capable of a + clear and reasonably exact definition. To be liberal, he would have to + leave her enough to live in the same style that she has been living in + with him, and enough to keep her during her life. Anything less than that + would be illiberal, mean, contemptible. + </p> + <p> + So I might go through all the actions of men in regard to contracts, + payments, divisions. We all know what liberal means, and it always means a + little more than the law could compel you to do. If a man hires another + and says, "I will give you five dollars a day," and the other works twenty + days, and he gives him one hundred dollars; nobody says he is liberal, and + nobody says he is mean. But when the man goes further and says, "You have + worked well; I am very much pleased with what you have done; there is + fifty dollars (or twenty-five dollars) as a present," everybody says, + "Why, that is liberal, that is generous." But no man ever yet got the + reputation of being generous by doing exactly what he was bound to do. He + may have the reputation of being just, honest, of keeping his contracts, + of being a good, fair, square man, but he never got the reputation of + being generous, and he never got the reputation of being liberal, by + simply doing what the law compelled him to do, or what his contract + compelled him to do, or what he did in consideration of that for which he + had received value. + </p> + <p> + In this case Russell said, "I will make a liberal provision for you in my + will." If he had made no will the law would have given her one-third of + his personal property. That would not have been liberal. That would simply + have been the law. That is the law, and that is what the law has said is + just. Whether the law is right or not, I do not know, but that is what the + law says. That is just, and no man can be liberal unless he goes just a + little beyond justness—just a little. + </p> + <p> + So when he says, "I will provide for you liberally in my will," in order + to comply with that agreement he has got to go somewhat beyond the law, + and the law says one-third; it is impossible for him to be liberal without + going a little beyond one-third, and then he is only liberal to the extent + that he does go beyond what the law fixes. + </p> + <p> + Now, it seems to me that there is no escape from that. Neither does it + seem to me that there is the slightest difficulty in your Honor fixing + what is liberal—no more difficulty than you would have in saying + what is right; and we have hundreds of cases where a man has said, "If you + will do so and so I will do what is right," and it has been enforced—has + been enforced thousands and thousands of times. "I will do what is right," + "I will do what is just," "I will do what is liberal," "I will do what is + necessary and proper"—all these words have been judicially + determined and their meaning fixed by hundreds and thousands of decisions. + I do not see the slightest trouble in that. + </p> + <p> + So, in this case, looking at the parole contract as bad—and it is + bad—the woman is at the very least entitled to her dower; and the + only way that she can be robbed of it is by holding that a contract is + good which was made by her without any knowledge of the value of the + property that he held. But every decision says that makes the contract + void, and that she is not bound to make examination herself; he is bound + to give her that information. The law says that when two hearts come + together in that way, and there is supposed to be affection, they must be + candid. He must conceal nothing. His hands must be open; not only must + what he says be the truth, but he must tell it all, and she cannot be + bound by any contract that she does not make in the full blaze of all the + facts. She must have them all, and if he keeps back any, if he makes + himself poorer than he is, he destroys the contract. If he tries to take + advantage of her the law says he only takes advantage of himself. The + Court is her attorney; the Court appears for her for the preservation of + her dower right; and the Court will not allow a man to take advantage of + any misstatement, of any suppression, of any fraud, no matter whether + active fraud, or a fraud that rests in non-action. The Court is her + attorney and says the contract is bad, and if you try to deceive her you + deceive yourself; and if you fail to put her in possession of all the + facts the consideration of the contract fails and it is dead and done. + </p> + <p> + If these decisions have any meaning, that is the law, and if there is a + decision on the other side, I should like to hear it. I haven't found one, + not one; and in all the cases where applications have been made to set + aside an antenuptial contract, I have not found one where the + disproportion was as great as it appears in this case. The difference is + between six thousand five hundred dollars and an estate of a quarter of a + million. I have not found one that had anywhere near that disproportion, + and yet case after case is set aside on the disproportion of about four + hundred dollars or five hundred dollars a year and the fortune of eighteen + thousand dollars—one where it is thirty thousand and she gets about + five hundred dollars. I do not know of a solitary case where the deception + was as great as in this. I do not say that he intentionally deceived, + because I do not know, and, as Mr. Pancoast remarked, he is dead. We + simply go on the facts that are shown. + </p> + <p> + Now, as to the value of the property, I do not think there is any real + dispute about that. Mr. Russell is one of the executors, and when he went + over the real estate here on the stand he had in his hand a list of all + that real estate, with the values put upon it by our two witnesses; and he + was asked the value, and he looked at the parcel, and he looked at the + amount, and I tried it here myself, just to see if I could guess what his + answer would be. I deducted in my own mind fifty per cent, sometimes, + sometimes thirty per cent., sometimes forty per cent., and I hit it within + five dollars in fifteen cases, just guessing by myself what he would say, + because I knew that he was going by the figures without the slightest + reference, in many cases, to what the property was worth. He estimated one + parcel at two thousand two hundred dollars; I think it was worth about + five thousand dollars. He fixed another at three thousand two hundred and + fifty dollars; I think it is worth about five thousand dollars. He fixed a + third at four hundred dollars; I think it is worth about six hundred + dollars. When he was asked about those same parcels, without the figures + he sometimes went beyond the price that our experts had fixed; sometimes + he doubled his own price, and sometimes he fell below his price. I think + in one or two instances he even fell below; but that at the time he had in + his mind, any knowledge apart from the figures that had been made by the + experts, I do not believe. + </p> + <p> + The Vice Chancellor: Is it of any significance? If your argument is right + the disproportion is so great that it makes no difference. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ingersoll: Perhaps not. Then his co-executor was not called at all. So + I take it that we can safely say that the property was worth in all two + hundred thousand dollars, taking it according to their own estimate. The + estimate of the man who fixed it on account of the inheritance tax, I do + not think is of any weight. He did not go over it all and did not see it. + I say the disproportion is so great—they having failed to show that + the knowledge was in her possession, put there by him—that the + contract must be set aside. That we insist upon. + </p> + <p> + One of two things has to be done, it seems to me: Both those contracts set + aside and her dower in the real estate given to her, or both contracts + allowed to stand and the court to fix what is a liberal provision in the + will—and in that, for one, I see no difficulty. "Liberal" is a word + as easily understood at least as the word "reasonable"—certainly as + the word "necessary," certainly as the word "convenient," certainly as the + word "suitable," and in fact I might say as almost any other word except + some scientific term that limits its own definition. + </p> + <p> + Now, we have already said that a liberal provision could not be less than + the law gives us. In that view of the case, she should have, in lieu of + her dower, the five thousand dollars, and, on account of the will she + should have at least whatever one-third of the personal property is worth. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that one of those two courses must be pursued. Here is an + old man who wants to get a woman some twenty-five years younger than he + is. Just think how Mr. Pancoast's blood would throb at a woman twenty-five + years younger than he. Think what visions would haunt his brain. Think of + the Cupids that, with outstretched wings, would follow in the darkness of + the night as he contemplated his happiness. Here was a man of that age who + wanted this woman, and taking into consideration his ideas of money—a + man that considered a thousand dollars a liberal provision; one worth two + hundred and thirty thousand dollars or two hundred and forty thousand + dollars, offering her five thousand dollars—he wanted her badly. You + can hardly think of a more wonderful thought visiting his brain than that + of giving all that money for a woman nearly twenty-five years younger than + himself. + </p> + <p> + I want to be kind to Mr. Russell; I want to say that he was honestly in + love with this woman. I want to be respectful to her by saying that the + affection was reciprocated, and that on her part it was absolutely honest. + But I do say that Mr. Russell withheld from her the information as to his + property. Mr. Russell endeavored to drive the best bargain he could, and I + say that by keeping back the facts that he was bound to make known to her, + he defeated himself—that while he did deceive her, he destroyed his + contract. + </p> + <p> + Now, by no way of reasoning I can think of can you arrive at any different + conclusion. All matters of this kind, of course, should be dealt with from + a high standard, the highest standard we have, the very highest. The + affection that man has for woman is, in my judgment, the holiest and the + most beautiful thing in nature; the affection that woman has for man—that + affection, that something that we call love—has done all there is of + value in the world. It has civilized mankind; made all the poems, painted + all the pictures, and composed all the music. Take it from the world and + we shall be simply wild beasts—far worse than wild beasts, for they + have affection for each other and for their young. + </p> + <p> + So I say this should be treated from the highest possible standpoint, and + treating it in that way your Honor must say that a woman must act with a + full knowledge of every fact that had any bearing upon the question to be + decided by her; and if she was not put in possession of all of these + facts, by the man who said he loved her, then the contract is void. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, if the contract is held valid, and with it the + agreement to provide liberally for her in his will, then I say that there + can be no liberality that does not go beyond the law. In the one case she + is entitled to five thousand dollars and one-third of the personalty, and + in the other case she is entitled to her dower. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. +10 (of 12), by Robert G. 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Ingersoll, Vol. 11 (of 12) by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 11 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 11 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Miscellany + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38811] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + "TO PLOW IS TO PRAY; TO PLANT IS TO PROPHESY,<br /> AND THE HARVEST ANSWERS + AND FULFILLS." + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + IN TWELVE VOLUMES, VOLUME XI. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + MISCELLANY + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1900 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DRESDEN EDITION + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38811/old/orig38811-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage (64K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="frontispiece (64K)" src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <br /> North View of "Walston," Dobbs Ferry-on-Hudson, New York <br /> <br /> + </h4> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkTOC">CONTENTS OF VOLUME XI.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">ADDRESS ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">TRIAL OF C. B. REYNOLDS FOR BLASPHEMY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">GOD IN THE CONSTITUTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">A REPLY TO BISHOP SPALDING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">CRIMES AGAINST CRIMINALS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">A WOODEN GOD.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">SOME INTERROGATION POINTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">ART AND MORALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">THE DIVIDED HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">WHY AM I AN AGNOSTIC?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">HUXLEY AND AGNOSTICISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">ERNEST RENAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">TOLSTOÏ AND "THE KREUTZER SONATA."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0015">THE THREE PHILANTHROPISTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0016">SHOULD THE CHINESE BE EXCLUDED?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0017">A WORD ABOUT EDUCATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0018">WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0019">FOOL FRIENDS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0020">INSPIRATION</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0021">THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0022">HOW TO EDIT A LIBERAL PAPER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0023">SECULARISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0024">CRITICISM OF "ROBERT ELSMERE," "JOHN WARD, PREACHER," + AND "AN AFRICAN FARM."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0025">THE LIBEL LAWS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0026">REV. DR. NEWTON'S SERMON ON A NEW RELIGION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0027">AN ESSAY ON CHRISTMAS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0028">HAS FREETHOUGHT A CONSTRUCTIVE SIDE?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0029">THE IMPROVED MAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0030">EIGHT HOURS MUST COME.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0031">THE JEWS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0032">CRUMBLING CREEDS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0033">OUR SCHOOLS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0034">VIVISECTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0035">THE CENSUS ENUMERATOR'S OFFICIAL CATECHISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0036">THE AGNOSTIC CHRISTMAS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0037">SPIRITUALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0038">SUMTER'S GUN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0039">WHAT INFIDELS HAVE DONE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0040">CRUELTY IN THE ELMIRA REFORMATORY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0041">LAW'S DELAY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0042">THE BIGOTRY OF COLLEGES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0043">A YOUNG MAN'S CHANCES TO-DAY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0044">SCIENCE AND SENTIMENT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0045">SOWING AND REAPING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0046">SHOULD INFIDELS SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SUNDAY SCHOOL?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0047">WHAT WOULD YOU SUBSTITUTE FOR THE BIBLE AS A MORAL + GUIDE?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0048">GOVERNOR ROLLINS' FAST-DAY PROCLAMATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0049">A LOOK BACKWARD AND A PROPHECY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0050">POLITICAL MORALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0051">A FEW REASONS FOR DOUBTING THE INSPIRATION OF THE + BIBLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF VOLUME XI. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">ADDRESS ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Introduction by Frederick Douglass("Abou Ben Adhem")—Decision + of<br /> the United States Supreme Court pronouncing the Civil Rights Act<br /> + Unconstitutional—Limitations of Judges—Illusion Destroyed by + the<br /> Decision in the Dred Scott Case—Mistake of Our Fathers in + adopting<br /> the Common Law of England—The 13th Amendment to the + Constitution<br /> Quoted—The Clause of the Constitution upholding + Slavery—Effect of<br /> this Clause—Definitions of a State by + Justice Wilson and Chief Justice<br /> Chase—Effect of the + Thirteenth Amendment—Justice Field on Involuntary<br /> Servitude—Civil + Rights Act Quoted—Definition of the Word Servitude by<br /> the + Supreme Court—Obvious Purpose of the Amendment—Justice + Miller<br /> on the 14th Amendment—Citizens Created by this + Amendment—Opinion<br /> of Justice Field—Rights and + Immunities guaranteed by the<br /> Constitution—Opinion delivered + by Chief-Justice Waite—Further Opinions<br /> of Courts on the + question of Citizenship—Effect of the 13th, 14th and<br /> 15th + Amendments—"Corrective" Legislation by Congress—Denial of + equal<br /> "Social" Privileges—Is a State responsible for the + Action of its Agent<br /> when acting contrary to Law?—The Word + "State" must include the People<br /> of the State as well as the + Officers of the State—The Louisiana Civil<br /> Rights Law, and a + Case tried under it—Uniformity of Duties essential to<br /> the + Carrier—Congress left Powerless to protect Rights conferred by the<br /> + Constitution—Definition of "Appropriate Legislation"—Propositions + laid<br /> down regarding the Sovereignty of the State, the powers of the + General<br /> Government, etc.—A Tribute to Justice Harlan—A + Denial that Property<br /> exists by Virtue of Law—Civil Rights not + a Question of Social<br /> Equality—Considerations upon which + Social Equality depends—Liberty not<br /> a Question of Social + Equality—The Superior Man—Inconsistencies of the<br /> Past—No + Reason why we should Hate the Colored People—The Issues that<br /> + are upon Us.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0002">TRIAL OF C. B. REYNOLDS FOR BLASPHEMY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> ADDRESS TO THE JURY.<br /> Report of the Case from the New York + Times (note)—The Right to express<br /> Opinions—Attempts to + Rule the Minds of Men by Force—Liberty the<br /> Greatest Good—Intellectual + Hospitality Defined—When the Catholic<br /> Church had Power—Advent + of the Protestants—The Puritans, Quakers.<br /> Unitarians, + Universalists—What is Blasphemy?—Why this Trial should not<br /> + have Taken Place—Argument cannot be put in Jail—The + Constitution of<br /> New Jersey—A higher Law than Men can Make—The + Blasphemy Statute<br /> Quoted and Discussed—Is the Statute + Constitutional?—The Harm done<br /> by Blasphemy Laws—The + Meaning of this Persecution—Religions are<br /> Ephemeral—Let + us judge each other by our Actions—Men who have braved<br /> Public + Opinion should be Honored—The Blasphemy Law if enforced would<br /> + rob the World of the Results of Scientific Research—It declares + the<br /> Great Men of to-day to be Criminals—The Indictment Read + and Commented<br /> upon—Laws that go to Sleep—Obsolete + Dogmas the Denial of which was<br /> once punished by Death—Blasphemy + Characterized—On the Argument<br /> that Blasphemy Endangers the + Public Peace—A Definition of real<br /> Blasphemy—Trials for + Blasphemy in England—The case of Abner<br /> Kneeland—True + Worship, Prayer, and Religion—What is Holy and<br /> Sacred—What + is Claimed in this Case—For the Honor of the State—The<br /> + word Liberty—Result of the Trial (note).<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0003">GOD IN THE CONSTITUTION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Feudal System—Office and Purpose of our Constitution—Which + God<br /> shall we Select?—The Existence of any God a Matter of + Opinion—What is<br /> entailed by a Recognition of a God in the + Constitution—Can the Infinite<br /> be Flattered with a + Constitutional Amendment?—This government is<br /> Secular—The + Government of God a Failure—The Difference between the<br /> + Theological and the Secular Spirit—A Nation neither Christian nor<br /> + Infidel—The Priest no longer a Necessity—Progress of Science + and the<br /> Development of the Mind.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0004">A REPLY TO BISHOP SPALDING.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> On God in the Constitution—Why the Constitutional Convention + ignored<br /> the Question of Religion—The Fathers Misrepresented—Reasons + why the<br /> Attributes of God should not form an Organic Part of the + Law of the<br /> Land—The Effect of a Clause Recognizing God.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0005">CRIMES AGAINST CRIMINALS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Three Pests of a Community—I. Forms of Punishment and + Torture—More<br /> Crimes Committed than Prevented by Governments—II. + Are not Vices<br /> transmitted by Nature?—111. Is it Possible for + all People to be<br /> Honest?—Children of Vice as the natural + Product of Society—Statistics:<br /> the Relation between Insanity, + Pauperism, and Crime—IV. The Martyrs of<br /> Vice—Franklin's + Interest in the Treatment of Prisoners—V. Kindness<br /> as a + Remedy—Condition of the Discharged Prisoner—VI. Compensation<br /> + for Convicts—VII. Professional Criminals—Shall the Nation + take<br /> Life?—Influence of Public Executions on the Spectators—Lynchers<br /> + for the Most Part Criminals at Heart—VIII. The Poverty of the Many + a<br /> perpetual Menace—Limitations of Land-holding.—IX. + Defective Education<br /> by our Schools—Hands should be educated + as well as Head—Conduct<br /> improved by a clearer Perception of + Consequences—X. The Discipline of<br /> the average Prison + Hardening and Degrading—While Society cringes before<br /> Great + Thieves there will be Little Ones to fill the Jails—XI. Our<br /> + Ignorance Should make us Hesitate.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0006">A WOODEN GOD.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> On Christian and Chinese worship—Report of the Select + Committee<br /> on Chinese Immigration—The only true God as + contrasted with<br /> Joss—Sacrifices to the "Living God"—Messrs. + Wright, Dickey, O'Connor<br /> and Murch on the "Religious System" of the + American Union—How to prove<br /> that Christians are better than + Heathens—Injustice in the Name of<br /> God—An honest + Merchant the best Missionary—A Few Extracts from<br /> Confucius—The + Report proves that the Wise Men of China who predicted<br /> that + Christians could not be Trusted were not only Philosophers but<br /> + Prophets.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">SOME INTERROGATION POINTS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> A New Party and its Purpose—The Classes that Exist in every<br /> + Country—Effect of Education on the Common People—Wants + Increased by<br /> Intelligence—The Dream of 1776—The + Monopolist and the Competitor—The<br /> War between the Gould and + Mackay Cables—Competition between<br /> Monopolies—All + Advance in Legislation made by Repealing Laws—Wages<br /> and + Values not to be fixed by Law—Men and Machines—The Specific + of<br /> the Capitalist: Economy—The poor Man and Woman devoured by<br /> + their Fellow-men—Socialism one of the Worst Possible forms of<br /> + Slavery—Liberty not to be exchanged for Comfort—Will the + Workers<br /> always give their Earnings for the Useless?—Priests, + Successful Frauds,<br /> and Robed Impostors.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">ART AND MORALITY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Origin of Man's Thoughts—The imaginative Man—"Medicinal + View" of<br /> Poetry—Rhyme and Religion—The theological + Poets and their Purpose in<br /> Writing—Moral Poets and their + "Unwelcome Truths"—The really Passionate<br /> are the Virtuous—Difference + between the Nude and the Naked—Morality<br /> the Melody of Conduct—The + inculcation of Moral Lessons not contemplated<br /> by Artists or great + Novelists—Mistaken Reformers—Art not a<br /> Sermon—Language + a Multitude of Pictures—Great Pictures and Great<br /> Statues + painted and chiseled with Words—Mediocrity moral from a<br /> + Necessity which it calls Virtue—Why Art Civilizes—The Nude—The + Venus<br /> de Milo—This is Art.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">THE DIVIDED HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Way in which Theological Seminaries were Endowed—Religious<br /> + Guide-boards—Vast Interests interwoven with Creeds—Pretensions + of<br /> Christianity—Kepler's Discovery of his Three Great Laws—Equivocations<br /> + and Evasions of the Church—Nature's Testimony against the<br /> + Bible—The Age of Man on the Earth—"Inspired" Morality of the<br /> + Bible—Miracles—Christian Dogmas—What the church has + been Compelled to<br /> Abandon—The Appeal to Epithets, Hatred and + Punishment—"Spirituality"<br /> the last Resource of the Orthodox—What + is it to be Spiritual?—Two<br /> Questions for the Defenders of + Orthodox Creeds.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">WHY AM I AN AGNOSTIC?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Part I. Inharmony of Nature and the Lot of Man with the Goodness + and<br /> Wisdom of a supposed Deity—Why a Creator is Imagined—Difficulty + of the<br /> Act of Creation—Belief in Supernatural Beings—Belief + and Worship among<br /> Savages—Questions of Origin and Destiny—Progress + impossible without<br /> Change of Belief—Circumstances Determining + Belief—How may the<br /> True Religion be Ascertained?—Prosperity + of Nations nor Virtue<br /> of Individuals Dependent on Religions or Gods—Uninspired + Books<br /> Superior—Part II. The Christian Religion—Credulity—Miracles + cannot<br /> be Established—Effect of Testimony—Miraculous + Qualities of all<br /> Religions—Theists and Naturalists—The + Miracle of Inspiration—How<br /> can the alleged Fact of + Inspiration be Established?—God's work and<br /> Man's—Rewards + for Falsehood offered by the Church.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">HUXLEY AND AGNOSTICISM.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Statement by the Principal of King's College—On the + Irrelevancy of a<br /> Lack of Scientific Knowledge—Difference + between the Agnostic and<br /> the Christian not in Knowledge but in + Credulity—The real name of<br /> an Agnostic said to be "Infidel"—What + an Infidel is—"Unpleasant"<br /> significance of the Word—Belief + in Christ—"Our Lord and his Apostles"<br /> possibly Honest Men—Their + Character not Invoked—Possession by evil<br /> spirits—Professor + Huxley's Candor and Clearness—The splendid Dream<br /> of Auguste + Comte—Statement of the Positive Philosophy—Huxley and<br /> + Harrison.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">ERNEST RENAN.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> His Rearing and his Anticipated Biography—The complex + Character of the<br /> Christ of the Gospels—Regarded as a Man by + Renan—The Sin against the<br /> Holy Ghost—Renan on the + Gospels—No Evidence that they were written<br /> by the Men whose + Names they Bear—Written long after the Events they<br /> Describe—Metaphysics + of the Church found in the Gospel of John—Not<br /> Apparent why + Four Gospels should have been Written—Regarded as<br /> legendary + Biographies—In "flagrant contradiction one with another"—The<br /> + Divine Origin of Christ an After-growth—Improbable that he + intended to<br /> form a Church—Renan's Limitations—Hebrew + Scholarship—His "People of<br /> Israel"—His Banter and + Blasphemy.<br /> TOLSTOY AND "THE KREUTZER SONATA."<br /> Tolstoy's Belief + and Philosophy—His Asceticism—His View of Human<br /> Love—Purpose + of "The Kreutzer Sonata"—Profound Difference between the<br /> Love + of Men and that of Women—Tolstoy cannot now found a Religion, but<br /> + may create the Necessity for another Asylum—The Emotions—The + Curious<br /> Opinion Dried Apples have of Fruit upon the Tree—Impracticability + of<br /> selling All and giving to the Poor—Love and Obedience—Unhappiness + in<br /> the Marriage Relation not the fault of Marriage.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Life by Moncure D. Conway—Early Advocacy of Reforms against + Dueling<br /> and Cruelty to Animals—The First to write "The United + States of<br /> America"—Washington's Sentiment against Separation + from Great<br /> Britain—Paine's Thoughts in the Declaration of + Independence—Author of<br /> the first Proclamation of Emancipation + in America—Establishment of a<br /> Fund for the Relief of the Army—H's + "Farewell Address"—The "Rights of<br /> Man"—Elected to the + French Convention—Efforts to save the Life of the<br /> King—His + Thoughts on Religion—Arrested—The "Age of Reason" and the<br /> + Weapons it has furnished "Advanced Theologians"—Neglect by + Gouverneur<br /> Morris and Washington—James Monroe's letter to + Paine and to the<br /> Committee of General Safety—The vaunted + Religious Liberty of<br /> Colonial Maryland—Orthodox Christianity + at the Beginning of the 19th<br /> Century—New Definitions of God—The + Funeral of Paine.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0015">THE THREE PHILANTHROPISTS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> I. Mr. A., the Professional Philanthropist, who established a + Colony<br /> for the Enslavement of the Poor who could not take care of + themselves,<br /> amassed a large Fortune thereby, built several + churches, and earned<br /> the Epitaph, "He was the Providence of the + Poor"—II. Mr. B.,<br /> the Manufacturer, who enriched himself by + taking advantage of the<br /> Necessities of the Poor, paid the lowest + Rate of Wages, considered<br /> himself one of God's Stewards, endowed + the "B Asylum" and the "B<br /> College," never lost a Dollar, and of + whom it was recorded, "He Lived<br /> for Others." III. Mr. C., who + divided his Profits with the People who had<br /> earned it, established + no Public Institutions, suppressed Nobody; and<br /> those who have + worked for him said, "He allowed Others to live for<br /> Themselves."<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0016">SHOULD THE CHINESE BE EXCLUDED?</a> + </p> + <p> + SHOULD THE CHINESE BE EXCLUDED?<br /> Trampling on the Rights of + Inferiors—Rise of the Irish and Germans<br /> to Power—The + Burlingame Treaty—Character of Chinese Laborers—Their<br /> + Enemies in the Pacific States—Violation of Treaties—The + Geary Law—The<br /> Chinese Hated for their Virtues—More + Piety than Principle among the<br /> People's Representatives—Shall + we go back to Barbarism?<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0017">A WORD ABOUT EDUCATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> What the Educated Man Knows—Necessity of finding out the + Facts<br /> of Nature—"Scholars" not always Educated Men; from + necessaries to<br /> luxuries; who may be called educated; mental misers; + the first duty of<br /> man; university education not necessary to + usefulness, no advantage in<br /> learning useless facts.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0018">WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Would have the Kings and Emperors resign, the Nobility drop their<br /> + Titles, the Professors agree to teach only What they Know, the<br /> + Politicians changed to Statesmen, the Editors print only the<br /> Truth—Would + like to see Drunkenness and Prohibition abolished,<br /> Corporal + Punishment done away with, and the whole World free.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0019">FOOL FRIENDS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Fool Friend believes every Story against you, never denies a + Lie<br /> unless it is in your Favor, regards your Reputation as Common + Prey,<br /> forgets his Principles to gratify your Enemies, and is so + friendly that<br /> you cannot Kick him.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0020">INSPIRATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Nature tells a different Story to all Eyes and Ears—Horace + Greeley and<br /> the Big Trees—The Man who "always did like + rolling land"—What the<br /> Snow looked like to the German—Shakespeare's + different Story for each<br /> Reader—As with Nature so with the + Bible.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0021">THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> People who live by Lying—A Case in point—H. Hodson + Rugg's Account of<br /> the Conversion of Ingersoll and 5,000 of his + Followers—The "Identity of<br /> Lost Israel with the British + Nation"—Old Falsehoods about Infidels—The<br /> New York + Observer and Thomas Paine—A Rascally English Editor—The<br /> + Charge that Ingersoll's Son had been Converted—The Fecundity of<br /> + Falsehood.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0022">HOW TO EDIT A LIBERAL PAPER.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Editor should not narrow his Horizon so that he can see only<br /> + One Thing—To know the Defects of the Bible is but the Beginning of<br /> + Wisdom—The Liberal Paper should not discuss Theological Questions<br /> + Alone—A Column for Children—Candor and Kindness—Nothing + should be<br /> Asserted that is not Known—Above All, teach the + Absolute Freedom of the<br /> Mind.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0023">SECULARISM.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The religion of Humanity; what it Embraces and what it Advocates—A<br /> + Protest against Ecclesiastical Tyranny—Believes in Building a Home<br /> + here—Means Food and Fireside—The Right to express your + Thought—Its<br /> advice to every Human Being—A Religion + without Mysteries, Miracles, or<br /> Persecutions.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0024">CRITICISM OF "ROBERT ELSMERE," "JOHN WARD, + PREACHER," AND "AN AFRICAN FARM."</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Religion unsoftened by Infidelity—The Orthodox Minister + whose Wife has<br /> a Heart—Honesty of Opinion not a Mitigating + Circumstance—Repulsiveness<br /> of an Orthodox Life—John + Ward an Object of Pity—Lyndall of the<br /> "African Farm"—The + Story of the Hunter—Death of Waldo—Women the<br /> Caryatides + of the Church—Attitude of Christianity toward other<br /> Religions—Egotism + of the ancient Jews.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0025">THE LIBEL LAWS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> All Articles appearing in a newspaper should be Signed by the<br /> + Writer—The Law if changed should throw greater Safeguards around + the<br /> Reputation of the Citizen—Pains should be taken to give + Prominence to<br /> Retractions—The Libel Laws like a Bayonet in + War.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0026">REV. DR. NEWTON'S SERMON ON A NEW RELIGION.</a> + </p> + <p> + REV. DR. NEWTON'S SERMON ON A NEW RELIGION.<br /> Mr. Newton not Regarded + as a Sceptic—New Meanings given to Old<br /> Words—The + vanishing Picture of Hell—The Atonement—Confidence being<br /> + Lost in the Morality of the Gospel—Exclusiveness of the Churches—The<br /> + Hope of Immortality and Belief in God have Nothing to do with Real<br /> + Religion—Special Providence a Mistake.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0027">AN ESSAY ON CHRISTMAS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Day regarded as a Holiday—A Festival far older<br /> than + Christianity—Relics of Sun-worship in Christian<br /> Ceremonies—Christianity + furnished new Steam for an old Engine—Pagan<br /> Festivals + correspond to Ours—Why Holidays are Popular—They must be for<br /> + the Benefit of the People.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0028">HAS FREETHOUGHT A CONSTRUCTIVE SIDE?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Object of Freethought—what the Religionist calls + "Affirmative<br /> and Positive"—The Positive Side of Freethought—Constructive + Work of<br /> Christianity.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0029">THE IMPROVED MAN.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> He will be in Favor of universal Liberty, neither Master nor + Slave; of<br /> Equality and Education; will develop in the Direction of + the Beautiful;<br /> will believe only in the Religion of this World—His + Motto—Will not<br /> endeavor to change the Mind of the "Infinite"—Will + have no Bells or<br /> Censers—Will be satisfied that the + Supernatural does not exist—Will be<br /> Self-poised, Independent, + Candid and Free.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0030">EIGHT HOURS MUST COME.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Working People should be protected by Law—Life of no + particular<br /> Importance to the Man who gets up before Daylight and + works till<br /> after Dark—A Revolution probable in the Relations + between Labor and<br /> Capital—Working People becoming Educated + and more Independent—The<br /> Government can Aid by means of Good + Laws—Women the worst Paid—There<br /> should be no Resort to + Force by either Labor or Capital.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0031">THE JEWS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Much like People of other Religions—Teaching given Christian + Children<br /> about those who die in the Faith of Abraham—Dr. John + Hall on<br /> the Persecution of the Jews in Russia as the Fulfillment of<br /> + Prophecy—Hostility of Orthodox early Christians excited by Jewish<br /> + Witnesses against the Faith—An infamous Chapter of History—Good<br /> + and bad Men of every Faith—Jews should outgrow their own<br /> + Superstitions—What the intelligent Jew Knows.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0032">CRUMBLING CREEDS.</a> + </p> + <p> + CRUMBLING CREEDS.<br /> The Common People called upon to Decide as + between the Universities and<br /> the Synods—Modern Medicine, Law, + Literature and Pictures as against the<br /> Old—Creeds agree with + the Sciences of their Day—Apology the Prelude<br /> to Retreat—The + Presbyterian Creed Infamous, but no worse than<br /> the Catholic—Progress + begins when Expression of Opinion is<br /> Allowed—Examining the + Religions of other Countries—The Pulpit's<br /> Position Lost—The + Dogma of Eternal Pain the Cause of the orthodox<br /> Creeds losing + Popularity—Every Church teaching this Infinite Lie must<br /> Fall.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0033">OUR SCHOOLS.</a> + </p> + <p> + OUR SCHOOLS.<br /> Education the only Lever capable of raising Mankind—The<br /> + School-house more Important than the Church—Criticism of New + York's<br /> School-Buildings—The Kindergarten System Recommended—Poor + Pay of<br /> Teachers—The great Danger to the Republic is + Ignorance.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0034">VIVISECTION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Hell of Science—Brutal Curiosity of Vivisectors—The + Pretence that<br /> they are working for the Good of Man—Have these + scientific Assassins<br /> added to useful Knowledge?—No Good to + the Race to be Accomplished by<br /> Torture—The Tendency to + produce a Race of intelligent Wild Beasts.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0035">THE CENSUS ENUMERATOR'S OFFICIAL CATECHISM.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Right of the Government to ask Questions and of the Citizen to + refuse<br /> to answer them—Matters which the Government has no + Right to pry<br /> into—Exposing the Debtor's financial Condition—A + Man might decline to<br /> tell whether he has a Chronic Disease or not.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0036">THE AGNOSTIC CHRISTMAS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Natural Phenomena and Myths celebrated—The great Day of the + first<br /> Religion, Sun-worship—A God that Knew no Hatred nor + Sought Revenge—The<br /> Festival of Light.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0037">SPIRITUALITY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> A much-abused Word—The Early Christians too Spiritual to be<br /> + Civilized—Calvin and Knox—Paine, Voltaire and Humboldt not<br /> + Spiritual—Darwin also Lacking—What it is to be really + Spiritual—No<br /> connection with Superstition.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0038">SUMTER'S GUN.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> What were thereby blown into Rags and Ravelings—The Birth of + a<br /> new Epoch announced—Lincoln made the most commanding Figure + of the<br /> Century—Story of its Echoes.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0039">WHAT INFIDELS HAVE DONE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> What might have been Asked of a Christian 100 years after<br /> + Christ—Hospitals and Asylums not all built for Charity—Girard<br /> + College—Lick Observatory—Carnegie not an Orthodox Christian—Christian<br /> + Colleges—Give us Time.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0040">CRUELTY IN THE ELMIRA REFORMATORY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Brockway a Savage—The Lash will neither develop the Brain + nor cultivate<br /> the Heart—Brutality a Failure—Bishop + Potter's apostolical Remark.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0041">LAW'S DELAY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Object of a Trial—Justice can afford to Wait—The + right of<br /> Appeal—Case of Mrs. Maybrick—Life Imprisonment + for Murderers—American<br /> Courts better than the English.<br /> + BIGOTRY OF COLLEGES.<br /> Universities naturally Conservative—Kansas + State University's<br /> Objection to Ingersoll as a commencement Orator—Comment + by Mr. Depew<br /> (note)—Action of Cornell and the University of + Missouri.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0043">A YOUNG MAN'S CHANCES TO-DAY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Chances a few Years ago—Capital now Required—Increasing<br /> + competition in Civilized Life—Independence the first Object—If + he has<br /> something to say, there will be plenty to listen.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0044">SCIENCE AND SENTIMENT.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Science goes hand in hand with Imagination—Artistic and + Ethical<br /> Development—Science destroys Superstition, not true + Religion—Education<br /> preferable to Legislation—Our + Obligation to our Children.<br /> "SOWING AND REAPING."<br /> Moody's + Belief accounted for—A dishonest and corrupting Doctrine—A<br /> + want of Philosophy and Sense—Have Souls in Heaven no Regrets?—Mr.<br /> + Moody should read some useful Books.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0046">SHOULD INFIDELS SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SUNDAY + SCHOOL?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Teachings of orthodox Sunday Schools—The ferocious God of + the<br /> Bible—Miracles—A Christian in Constantinople would + not send his<br /> Child to a Mosque—Advice to all Agnostics—Strangle + the Serpent of<br /> Superstition.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0047">WHAT WOULD YOU SUBSTITUTE FOR THE BIBLE AS A MORAL + GUIDE?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Character of the Bible—Men and Women not virtuous because of + any<br /> Book—The Commandments both Good and Bad—Books that + do not help<br /> Morality—Jehovah not a moral God—What is + Morality?—Intelligence the<br /> only moral guide.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0048">GOVERNOR ROLLINS' FAST-DAY PROCLAMATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Decline of the Christian Religion in New Hampshire—Outgrown<br /> + Beliefs—Present-day Views of Christ and the Holy Ghost—Abandoned<br /> + Notions about the Atonement—Salvation for Credulity—The + Miracles<br /> of the New Testament—The Bible "not true but + inspired"—The "Higher<br /> Critics" riding two Horses—Infidelity + in the Pulpit—The "restraining<br /> Influences of Religion" as + illustrated by Spain and Portugal—Thinking,<br /> Working and + Praying—The kind of Faith that has Departed.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0049">A LOOK BACKWARD AND A PROPHECY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The <i>Truth Seeker</i> congratulated on its Twenty-fifth Birthday—Teachings<br /> + of Twenty-five Years ago—Dodging and evading—The Clerical + Assault<br /> on Darwin—Draper, Buckle, Hegel, Spencer, Emerson—Comparison<br /> + of Prejudices—Vanished Belief in the Devil—Matter and<br /> + Force—Contradictions Dwelling in Unity—Substitutes for + Jehovah—A<br /> Prophecy.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0050">POLITICAL MORALITY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Argument in the contested Election Case of Strobach against + Herbert—The<br /> Importance of Honest Elections—Poisoning + the Source of Justice—The<br /> Fraudulent Voter a Traitor to his + Sovereign, the Will of the<br /> People—Political Morality + Imperative.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0051">A FEW REASONS FOR DOUBTING THE INSPIRATION OF THE + BIBLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + Date and Manner of Composing the Old Testament—Other Books not now + in<br /> Existence, and Disagreements about the Canon—Composite + Character of<br /> certain Books—Various Versions—Why was + God's message given to the Jews<br /> alone?—The Story of the + Creation, of the Flood, of the Tower, and<br /> of Lot's wife—Moses + and Aaron and the Plagues of Egypt—Laws of<br /> Slavery—Instructions + by Jehovah Calculated to excite Astonishment and<br /> Mirth—Sacrifices + and the Scapegoat—Passages showing that the Laws of<br /> Moses + were made after the Jews had left the Desert—Jehovah's dealings<br /> + with his People—The Sabbath Law—Prodigies—Joshua's + Miracle—Damned<br /> Ignorance and Infamy—Jephthah's + Sacrifice—Incredible Stories—The<br /> Woman of Endor and the + Temptation of David—Elijah and Elisha—Loss of<br /> the + Pentateuch from Moses to Josiah—The Jews before and after being<br /> + Abandoned by Jehovah—Wealth of Solomon and other Marvels.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADDRESS ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT. + </h2> + <p> + ON the 22d of October, 1883, a vast number of citizens met at Lincoln + Hall, Washington, D. C., to give expression to their views concerning the + decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, in which it is held + that the Civil Rights Act is unconstitutional. + </p> + <p> + Col. Robert G. Ingersoll was one of the speakers. + </p> + <p> + The Hon. Frederick Douglass introduced him as follows: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Abou Ben Adhem—(may his tribe increase!) + Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, + And saw within the moonlight of his room, + Making it rich and like a lily in bloom, + An angel writing in a book of gold: + Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold; + And to the presence in the room he said, + "What writest thou?" The vision raised its head, + And, with a look made all of sweet accord, + Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." + "And is mine one?" asked Abou. "Nay, not so," + Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, + But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then, + Write me as one that loves his fellow-men." + The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night + It came again, with a great wakening light, + And showed the names whom love of God had blest; + And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. +</pre> + <p> + I have the honor to introduce Robert G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + MR. INGERSOLL'S SPEECH. + </p> + <p> + Ladies and Gentlemen: + </p> + <p> + We have met for the purpose of saying a few words about the recent + decision of the Supreme Court, in which that tribunal has held the first + and second sections of the Civil Rights Act to be unconstitutional; and so + held in spite of the fact that for years the people of the North and South + have, with singular unanimity, supposed the Act to be constitutional—supposed + that it was upheld by the 13th and 14th Amendments,—and so supposed + because they knew with certainty the intention of the framers of the + amendments. They knew this intention, because they knew what the enemies + of the amendments and the enemies of the Civil Rights Act claimed was the + intention. And they also knew what the friends of the amendments and the + law admitted the intention to be. The prejudices born of ignorance and of + slavery had died or fallen asleep, and even the enemies of the amendments + and the law had accepted the situation. + </p> + <p> + But I shall speak of the decision as I feel, and in the same manner as I + should speak even in the presence of the Court. You must remember that I + am not attacking persons, but opinions—not motives, but reasons—not + judges, but decisions. + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court has decided: + </p> + <p> + 1. That the first and second sections of the Civil Rights Act of March 1, + 1875, are unconstitutional, as applied to the States—not being + authorized by the 13th and 14th Amendments. + </p> + <p> + 2. That the 14th Amendment is prohibitory upon the States only, and the + legislation forbidden to be adopted by Congress for enforcing it, is not + "direct" legislation, but "corrective,"—such as may be necessary or + proper for counteracting and restraining the effect of laws or acts passed + or done by the several States. + </p> + <p> + 3. That the 13th Amendment relates only to slavery and involuntary + servitude, which it abolishes. + </p> + <p> + 4. That the 13th Amendment establishes universal freedom in the United + States. + </p> + <p> + 5. That Congress may probably pass laws directly enforcing its provisions. + </p> + <p> + 6. That such legislative power in Congress extends only to the subject of + slavery, and its incidents. + </p> + <p> + 7. That the denial of equal accommodations in inns, public conveyances and + places of public amusement, imposes no badge of slavery or involuntary + servitude upon the party, but at most infringes rights which are protected + from State aggression by the 14th Amendment. + </p> + <p> + 8. The Court is uncertain whether the accommodations and privileges sought + to be protected by the first and second sections of the Civil Rights Act + are or are not rights constitutionally demandable,—and if they are, + in what form they are to be protected. + </p> + <p> + 9. Neither does the Court decide whether the law, as it stands, is + operative in the Territories and the District of Columbia. + </p> + <p> + 10. Neither does the Court decide whether Congress, under the commercial + power, may or may not pass a law securing to all persons equal + accommodations on lines of public conveyance between two or more States. + </p> + <p> + 11. The Court also holds, in the present case, that until some State law + has been passed, or some State action through its officers or agents has + been taken adverse to the rights of citizens sought to be protected by the + 14th Amendment, no legislation of the United States under said amendment, + or any proceeding under such legislation, can be called into activity, for + the reason that the prohibitions of the amendment are against State laws + and acts done under State authority. The essence of said decision being, + that the managers and owners of inns, railways, and all public + conveyances, of theatres and all places of public amusement, may + discriminate on account of race, color, or previous condition of + servitude, and that the citizen so discriminated against, is without + redress. + </p> + <p> + This decision takes from seven millions of people the shield of the + Constitution. It leaves the best of the colored race at the mercy of the + meanest of the white. It feeds fat the ancient grudge that vicious + ignorance bears toward race and color. It will be approved and quoted by + hundreds of thousands of unjust men. The masked wretches who, in the + darkness of night, drag the poor negro from his cabin, and lacerate with + whip and thong his quivering flesh, will, with bloody hands, applaud the + Supreme Court. The men who, by mob violence, prevent the negro from + depositing his ballot—who with gun and revolver drive him from the + polls, and those who insult with vile and vulgar words the inoffensive + colored girl, will welcome this decision with hyena joy. The basest will + rejoice—the noblest will mourn. + </p> + <p> + But even in the presence of this decision, we must remember that it is one + of the necessities of government that there should be a court of last + resort; and while all courts will more or less fail to do justice, still, + the wit of man has, as yet, devised no better way. Even after reading this + decision, we must take it for granted that the judges of the Supreme Court + arrived at their conclusions honestly and in accordance with the best + light they had. While they had the right to render the decision, every + citizen has the right to give his opinion as to whether that decision is + good or bad. Knowing that they are liable to be mistaken, and honestly + mistaken, we should always be charitable enough to admit that others may + be mistaken; and we may also take another step, and admit that we may be + mistaken about their being mistaken. We must remember, too, that we have + to make judges out of men, and that by being made judges their prejudices + are not diminished and their intelligence is not increased. No matter + whether a man wears a crown or a robe or a rag. Under the emblem of power + and the emblem of poverty, the man alike resides. The real thing is the + man—the distinction often exists only in the clothes. Take away the + crown—there is only a man. Remove the robe—there remains a + man. Take away the rag, and we find at least a man. + </p> + <p> + There was a time in this country when all bowed to a decision of the + Supreme Court. It was unquestioned. It was regarded as "a voice from on + high." The people heard and they obeyed. The Dred Scott decision destroyed + that illusion forever. From that day to this the people have claimed the + privilege of putting the decisions of the Supreme Court in the crucible of + reason. These decisions are no longer exempt from honest criticism. While + the decision remains, it is the law. No matter how absurd, no matter how + erroneous, no matter how contrary to reason and justice, it remains the + law. It must be overturned either by the Court itself (and the Court has + overturned hundreds of its own decisions), or by legislative action, or by + an amendment to the Constitution. We do not appeal to armed revolution. + Our Government is so framed that it provides for what may be called + perpetual peaceful revolution. For the redress of any grievance, for the + purpose of righting any wrong, there is the perpetual remedy of an appeal + to the people. + </p> + <p> + We must remember, too, that judges keep their backs to the dawn. They find + what has been, what is, but not what ought to be. They are tied and + shackled by precedent, fettered by old decisions, and by the desire to be + consistent, even in mistakes. They pass upon the acts and words of others, + and like other people, they are liable to make mistakes. In the olden time + we took what the doctors gave us, we believed what the preachers said; and + accepted, without question, the judgments of the highest court. Now it is + different. We ask the doctor what the medicine is, and what effect he + expects it to produce. We cross-examine the minister, and we criticise the + decision of the Chief-Justice. We do this, because we have found that some + doctors do not kill, that some ministers are quite reasonable, and that + some judges know something about law. In this country, the people are the + sovereigns. All officers—including judges—are simply their + servants, and the sovereign has always the right to give his opinion as to + the action of his agent. The sovereignty of the people is the rock upon + which rests the right of speech and the freedom of the press. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately for us, our fathers adopted the common law of England—a + law poisoned by kingly prerogative—by every form of oppression, by + the spirit of caste, and permeated, saturated, with the political heresy + that the people received their rights, privileges and immunities from the + crown. The thirteen original colonies received their laws, their forms, + their ideas of justice, from the old world. All the judicial, legislative, + and executive springs and sources had been touched and tainted. + </p> + <p> + In the struggle with England, our fathers justified their rebellion by + declaring that Nature had clothed all men with the right to life, liberty, + and the pursuit of happiness. The moment success crowned their efforts, + they changed their noble declaration of equal rights for all, and basely + interpolated the word "white." They adopted a Constitution that denied the + Declaration of Independence—a Constitution that recognized and + upheld slavery, protected the slave-trade, legalized piracy upon the high + seas—that demoralized, degraded, and debauched the nation, and that + at last reddened with brave blood the fields of the Republic. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers planted the seeds of injustice, and we gathered the harvest. + In the blood and flame of civil war, we retraced our fathers' steps. In + the stress of war, we implored the aid of Liberty, and asked once more for + the protection of Justice. We civilized the Constitution of our fathers. + We adopted three Amendments—the 13th, 14th and 15th—the + Trinity of Liberty. + </p> + <p> + Let us examine these amendments: + </p> + <p> + "Neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for + crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within + the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction. + </p> + <p> + "Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate + legislation." + </p> + <p> + Before the adoption of this amendment, the Constitution had always been + construed to be the perfect shield of slavery. In order that slavery might + be protected, the slave States were considered as sovereign. Freedom was + regarded as a local prejudice, slavery as the ward of the Nation, the + jewel of the Constitution. For three-quarters of a century, the Supreme + Court of the United States exhausted judicial ingenuity in guarding, + protecting and fostering that infamous institution. For the purpose of + preserving that infinite outrage, words and phrases were warped, and + stretched, and tortured, and thumbscrewed, and racked. Slavery was the one + sacred thing, and the Supreme Court was its constitutional guardian. + </p> + <p> + To show the faithfulness of that tribunal, I call your attention to the 3d + clause of the 2d section of the 4th article of the Constitution: + </p> + <p> + "No person held to service or labor in any State under the laws thereof, + escaping to another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation + therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered + up on the claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due." + </p> + <p> + The framers of the Constitution were ashamed to use the word "slave," and + thereupon they said "person." They were ashamed to use the word "slavery," + and they evaded it by saying, "held to service or labor." They were + ashamed to put in the word "master," so they called him "the party to whom + service or labor may be due." + </p> + <p> + How can a slave owe service? How can a slave owe labor? How could a slave + make a contract? How could the master have a legal claim against a slave? + And yet, the Supreme Court of the United States found no difficulty in + upholding the Fugitive Slave Law by virtue of that clause. There were + hundreds of decisions declaring that Congress had power to pass laws to + carry that clause into effect, and it was carried into effect. + </p> + <p> + You will observe the wording of this clause: + </p> + <p> + "No person held to service or labor in any State under the laws thereof, + escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation + therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered + up on the claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due." + </p> + <p> + To whom was this clause directed? To individuals or to States? It + expressly provides that the "person" held to service or labor shall not be + discharged from such service or labor in consequence of any law or + regulation in the "State" to which he has fled. Did that law apply to + States, or to individuals? + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court held that it applied to individuals as well as to + States. Any "person," in any State, interfering with the master who was + endeavoring to steal the person he called his slave, was liable to + indictment, and hundreds and thousands were indicted, and hundreds + languished in prisons because they were noble enough to hold in infinite + contempt such infamous laws and such infamous decisions. The best men in + the United States—the noblest spirits under the flag—were + imprisoned because they were charitable, because they were just, because + they showed the hunted slave the path to freedom, and taught him where to + find amid the glittering host of heaven the blessed Northern Star. + </p> + <p> + Every fugitive slave carried that clause with him when he entered a free + State; carried it into every hiding place; and every Northern man was + bound, by virtue of that clause, to act as the spy and hound of slavery. + The Supreme Court, with infinite ease, made a club of that clause with + which to strike down the liberty of the fugitive and the manhood of the + North. + </p> + <p> + In the Dred Scott decision it was solemnly decided that a man of African + descent, whether a slave or not, was not, and could not be, a citizen of a + State or of the United States. The Supreme Court held on the even tenor of + its way, and in the Rebellion that tribunal was about the last fort to + surrender. + </p> + <p> + The moment the 13th Amendment was adopted, the slaves became freemen. The + distinction between "white" and "colored" vanished. The negroes became as + though they had never been slaves—as though they had always been + free—as though they had been white. They became citizens—they + became a part of "the people," and "the people" constituted the State, and + it was the State thus constituted that was entitled to the constitutional + guarantee of a republican government. + </p> + <p> + These freed men became citizens—became a part of the State in which + they lived. + </p> + <p> + The highest and noblest definition of a State, in our Reports, was given + by Justice Wilson, in the case of Chisholm, &c., vs. Georgia; + </p> + <p> + "By a State, I mean a complete body of free persons, united for their + common benefit, to enjoy peaceably what is their own, and to do justice to + others." + </p> + <p> + Chief Justice Chase declared that: + </p> + <p> + "The people, in whatever territory dwelling, whether temporarily or + permanently, or whether organized under regular government, or united by + less definite relations, constitute the State." + </p> + <p> + Now, if the people, the moment the 13th Amendment was adopted were all + free, and if these people constituted the State; if, under the + Constitution of the United States, every State is guaranteed a republican + government, then it is the duty of the General Government to see to it + that every State has such a government. If distinctions are made between + free men on account of race or color, the government is not republican. + The manner in which this guarantee of a republican form of government is + to be enforced or made good, must be left to the wisdom and discretion of + Congress. + </p> + <p> + The 13th Amendment not only destroyed, but it built. It destroyed the + slave-pen, and on its site erected the temple of Liberty. It did not + simply free slaves—it made citizens. It repealed every statute that + upheld slavery. It erased from every Report every decision against + freedom. It took the word "white" from every law, and blotted from the + Constitution all clauses acknowledging property in man. + </p> + <p> + If, then, all the people in each State, were, by virtue of the 13th + Amendment, free, what right had a majority to enslave a minority? What + right had a majority to make any distinctions between free men? What right + had a majority to take from a minority any privilege, or any immunity, to + which they were entitled as free men? What right had the majority to make + that unequal which the Constitution made equal? + </p> + <p> + Not satisfied with saying that slavery should not exist, we find in the + amendment the words "nor involuntary servitude." This was intended to + destroy every mark and badge of legal inferiority. + </p> + <p> + Justice Field upon this very question, says: + </p> + <p> + "It is, however, clear that the words 'involuntary servitude' include + something more than slavery, in the strict sense of the term. They include + also serfage, vassalage, villanage, peonage, and all other forms of + compulsory service for the mere benefit or pleasure of others. Nor is this + the full import of the term. The abolition of slavery and involuntary + servitude was intended to make every one born in this country a free man, + and as such to give him the right to pursue the ordinary avocations of + life without other restraint than such as affects all others, and to enjoy + equally with them the fruits of his labor. A person allowed to pursue only + one trade or calling, and only in one locality of the country, would not + be, in the strict sense of the term, in a condition of slavery, but + probably no one would deny that he would be in a condition of servitude. + He certainly would not possess the liberties, or enjoy the privileges of a + freeman." + </p> + <p> + Justice Field also quotes with approval the language of the counsel for + the plaintiffs in the case: + </p> + <p> + "Whenever a law of a State, or a law of the United States, makes a + discrimination between classes of persons which deprives the one class of + their freedom or their property, or which makes a caste of them, to + subserve the power, pride, avarice, vanity or vengeance of others—there + involuntary servitude exists within the meaning of the 13th Amendment." + </p> + <p> + To show that the framers of the 13th Amendment intended to blot out every + form of slavery and servitude, I call attention to the Civil Rights Act, + approved April 9, 1866, which provided, among other things, that: + </p> + <p> + "All persons born in the United States, and not subject to any foreign + power—excluding Indians not taxed—are citizens of the United + States; and such citizens, of every race and color, without regard to any + previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude, are entitled to + the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of + person and property enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be subject to + like punishments, pains and penalties—and to none other—any + law, statute, ordinance, regulation or custom to the contrary + notwithstanding; and they shall have the same rights in every State and + Territory of the United States as white persons." + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court, in <i>The Slaughter-House Cases,</i> (16 Wallace, 69) + has said that the word servitude has a larger meaning than the word + slavery. "The word 'servitude' implies subjection to the will of another + contrary to the common right." A man is in a state of involuntary + servitude when he is forced to do, or prevented from doing, a thing, not + by the law of the State, but by the simple will of another. He who enjoys + less than the common rights of a citizen, he who can be forced from the + public highway at the will of another, who can be denied entrance to the + cars of a common carrier, is in a state of servitude. + </p> + <p> + The 13th Amendment did away with slavery not only, and with involuntary + servitude, but with every badge and brand and stain and mark of slavery. + It abolished forever distinctions on account of race and color. + </p> + <p> + In the language of the Supreme Court: + </p> + <p> + "It was the obvious purpose of the 13th Amendment to forbid all shades and + conditions of African slavery." + </p> + <p> + And to that I add, it was the obvious purpose of that amendment to forbid + all shades and conditions of slavery, no matter of what sort or kind—all + marks of legal inferiority. Each citizen was to be absolutely free. All + his rights complete, whole, unmaimed and unabridged. + </p> + <p> + From the moment of the adoption of that amendment, the law became + color-blind. All distinctions on account of complexion vanished. It took + the whip from the hand of the white man, and put the nation's flag above + the negro's hut. It gave horizon, scope and dome to the lowest life. It + stretched a sky studded with stars of hope above the humblest head. + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court has admitted, in the very case we are now discussing, + that: + </p> + <p> + "Under the 13th Amendment the legislation meaning the legislation of + Congress—so far as necessary or proper to eradicate all forms and + incidents of slavery and involuntary servitude, may be direct and primary, + operating upon the acts of individuals, whether sanctioned by State + legislation or not." + </p> + <p> + Here we have the authority for dealing with individuals. + </p> + <p> + The only question then remaining is, whether an individual, being the + keeper of a public inn, or the agent of a railway corporation, created by + a State, can be held responsible in a Federal Court for discriminating + against a citizen of the United States on account of race, color, or + previous condition of servitude. If such discrimination is a badge of + slavery, or places the party discriminated against in a condition of + involuntary servitude, then the Civil Rights Act may be upheld by the 13th + Amendment. + </p> + <p> + In The United Slates vs. Harris, 106 U. S., 640, the Supreme Court says: + </p> + <p> + "It is clear that the 13th Amendment, besides abolishing forever slavery + and involuntary servitude within the United States, gives power to + Congress to protect all citizens from being in any way subjected to + slavery or involuntary servitude, except for the punishment of crime, and + in the enjoyment of that freedom which it was the object of the amendment + to secure." + </p> + <p> + This declaration covers the entire case. + </p> + <p> + I agree with Justice Field: + </p> + <p> + "The 13th Amendment is not confined to African slavery. It is general and + universal in its application—prohibiting the slavery of white men as + well as black men, and not prohibiting mere slavery in the strict sense of + the term, but involuntary servitude in every form." 16 Wallace, 90. + </p> + <p> + The 13th Amendment declares that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude + shall exist. Who must see to it that this declaration is carried out? + There can be but one answer. It is the duty of Congress. + </p> + <p> + At last the question narrows itself to this: Is a citizen of the United + States, when denied admission to public inns, railway cars and theatres, + on account of his race or color, in a condition of involuntary servitude? + If he is, then he is under the immediate protection of the General + Government, by virtue of the 13th Amendment; and the Civil Rights Act is + clearly constitutional. + </p> + <p> + If excluded from one inn, he may be from all; if from one car, why not + from all? The man who depends for the preservation of his privileges upon + a conductor, instead of the Constitution, is in a condition of involuntary + servitude. He who depends for his rights—not upon the laws of the + land, but upon a landlord, is in a condition of involuntary servitude. + </p> + <p> + The framers of the 13th Amendment knew that the negro would be persecuted + on account of his race and color—knew that many of the States could + not be trusted to protect the rights of the colored man; and for that + reason, the General Government was clothed with power to protect the + colored people from all forms of slavery and involuntary servitude. + </p> + <p> + Of what use are the declarations in the Constitution that slavery and + involuntary servitude shall not exist, and that all persons born or + naturalized in the United States shall be citizens—not only of the + United States, but of the States in which they reside—if, behind + these declarations, there is no power to act—no duty for the General + Government to discharge? + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the 13th Amendment had been adopted—notwithstanding + slavery and involuntary servitude had been legally destroyed—it was + found that the negro was still the helpless victim of the white man. + Another amendment was needed; and all the Justices of the Supreme Court + have told us why the 14th Amendment was adopted. + </p> + <p> + Justice Miller, speaking for the entire court, tells us that: + </p> + <p> + "In the struggle of the civil war, slavery perished, and perished as a + necessity of the bitterness and force of the conflict." + </p> + <p> + That: + </p> + <p> + "When the armies of freedom found themselves on the soil of slavery, they + could do nothing else than free the victims whose enforced servitude was + the foundation of the war." + </p> + <p> + He also admits that: + </p> + <p> + "When hard pressed in the contest, the colored men (for they proved + themselves men in that terrible crisis) offered their services, and were + accepted, by thousands, to aid in suppressing the unlawful rebellion." + </p> + <p> + He also informs us that: + </p> + <p> + "Notwithstanding the fact that the Southern States had formerly recognized + the abolition of slavery, the condition of the slave, without further + protection of the Federal Government, was almost as bad as it had been + before." + </p> + <p> + And he declares that: + </p> + <p> + "The Southern States imposed upon the colored race onerous disabilities + and burdens—curtailed their rights in the pursuit of liberty and + property, to such an extent that their freedom was of little value, while + the colored people had lost the protection which they had received from + their former owners from motives of interest." + </p> + <p> + And that: + </p> + <p> + "The colored people in some States were forbidden to appear in the towns + in any other character than that of menial servants—that they were + required to reside on the soil without the right to purchase or own it—that + they were excluded from many occupations of gain and profit—that + they were not permitted to give testimony in the courts where white men + were on trial—and it was said that their lives were at the mercy of + bad men, either because laws for their protection were insufficient, or + were not enforced." + </p> + <p> + We are informed by the Supreme Court that, "under these circumstances," + the proposition for the 14th Amendment was passed through Congress, and + that Congress declined to treat as restored to full participation in the + Government of the Union, the States which had been in insurrection, until + they ratified that article by a formal vote of their legislative bodies. + </p> + <p> + Thus it will be seen that the rebel States were restored to the Union by + adopting the 14th Amendment. In order to become equal members of the + Federal Union, these States solemnly agreed to carry out the provisions of + that amendment. + </p> + <p> + The 14th Amendment provides that: + </p> + <p> + "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the + jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State + wherein they reside." + </p> + <p> + That is affirmative in its character. That affirmation imposes the + obligation upon the General Government to protect its citizens everywhere. + That affirmation clothes the Federal Government with power to protect its + citizens. Under that clause, the Federal arm can reach to the boundary of + the Republic, for the purpose of protecting the weakest citizen from the + tyranny of citizens or States. That clause is a contract between the + Government and every man—a contract wherein the citizen promises + allegiance, and the nation promises protection. + </p> + <p> + By this clause, the Federal Government adopted all the citizens of all the + States and Territories, including the District of Columbia, and placed + them under the shield of the Constitution—made each one a ward of + the Republic. + </p> + <p> + Under this contract, the Government is under direct obligation to the + citizen. The Government cannot shirk its responsibility by leaving a + citizen to be protected in his rights, as a citizen of the United States, + by a State. The obligation of protection is direct. The obligation on the + part of the citizen to the Government is direct. The citizen cannot be + untrue to the Government because his State is, The action of the State + under the 14th Amendment is no excuse for the citizen. He must be true to + the Government. In war, the Government has a right to his service. In + peace, he has the right to be protected. + </p> + <p> + If the citizen must depend upon the State, then he owes the first + allegiance to that government or power that is under obligation to protect + him. Then, if a State secedes from the Union, the citizen should go with + the State—should go with the power that protects. + </p> + <p> + That is not my doctrine. My doctrine is this: The first duty of the + General Government is to protect each citizen. The first duty of each + citizen is to be true—not to his State, but to the Republic. + </p> + <p> + This clause of the 14th Amendment made us all citizens of the United + States—all children of the Republic. Under this decision, the + Republic refuses to acknowledge her children. Under this decision of the + Supreme Court, they are left upon the doorsteps of the States. Citizens + are changed to foundlings. + </p> + <p> + If the 14th Amendment created citizens of the United States, the power + that created must define the rights of the citizens thus created, and must + provide a remedy where such rights are infringed. The Federal Government + speaks through its representatives—through Congress; and Congress, + by the Civil Rights Act, defined some of the rights, privileges and + immunities of a citizen of the United States—and Congress provided a + remedy when such rights and privileges were invaded, and gave jurisdiction + to the Federal courts. + </p> + <p> + No State, or the department of any State, can authoritatively define the + rights, privileges and immunities of a citizen of the United States. These + rights and immunities must be defined by the United States, and when so + defined, they cannot be abridged by State authority. + </p> + <p> + In the case of Bartemeyer vs. Iowa, 18 Wall., p. 140, Justice Field, in a + concurring opinion, speaking of the 14th Amendment, says: + </p> + <p> + "It grew out of the feeling that a nation which had been maintained by + such costly sacrifices was, after all, worthless, if a citizen could not + be protected in all his fundamental rights, everywhere—North and + South, East and West—throughout the limits of the Republic. The + amendment was not, as held in the opinion of the majority, primarily + intended to confer citizenship on the negro race. It had a much broader + purpose. It was intended to justify legislation extending the protection + of the National Government over the common rights of all citizens of the + United States, and thus obviate objection to the legislation adopted for + the protection of the emancipated race. It was intended to make it + possible for all persons—which necessarily included those of every + race and color—to live in peace and security wherever the + jurisdiction of the nation reached. It therefore recognized, if it did not + create, a national citizenship. This national citizenship is primary and + not secondary.". + </p> + <p> + I cannot refrain from calling attention to the splendor and nobility of + the truths expressed by Justice Field in this opinion. + </p> + <p> + So, Justice Field, in his dissenting opinion in what are known as <i>The + Slaughter-House Cases</i>, found in 16 Wallace, p. 95, still speaking of + the 14th Amendment, says: + </p> + <p> + "It recognizes in express terms—if it does not create—citizens + of the United States, and it makes their citizenship dependent upon the + place of their birth or the fact of their adoption, and not upon the + constitution or laws of any State, or the condition of their ancestry. + </p> + <p> + "A citizen of a State is now only a citizen of the United States residing + in that State. The fundamental rights, privileges and immunities which + belong to him as a free man and a free citizen of the United States, are + not dependent upon the citizenship of any State. * * * + </p> + <p> + "They do not derive their existence from its legislation, and cannot be + destroyed by its power." + </p> + <p> + What are "the fundamental rights, privileges and immunities" which belong + to a free man? Certainly the rights of all citizens of the United States + are equal. Their immunities and privileges must be the same. He who makes + a discrimination between citizens on account of color, violates the + Constitution of the United States. + </p> + <p> + Have all citizens the same right to travel on the highways of the country? + Have they all the same right to ride upon the railways created by State + authority? A railway is an improved highway. It was only by holding that + it was an improved highway that counties and States aided in their + construction. It has been decided, over and over again, that a railway is + an improved highway. A railway corporation is the creation of a State—an + agent of the State. It is under the control of the State—and upon + what principle can a citizen be prevented from using the highways of a + State on an equality with all other citizens? + </p> + <p> + These are all rights and immunities guaranteed by the Constitution of the + United States. + </p> + <p> + Now, the question is—and it is the only question—can these + rights and immunities, thus guaranteed and thus confirmed, be protected by + the General Government? + </p> + <p> + In the case of <i>The U. S. vs. Reese, et al.</i>, 92 U. S., p. 207, the + Supreme Court decided, the opinion having been delivered by Chief-Justice + Waite, as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Rights and immunities created by, and dependent upon, the Constitution of + the United States can be protected by Congress. The form and the manner of + the protection may be such as Congress in the legitimate exercise of its + legislative discretion shall provide. This may be varied to meet the + necessities of the particular right to be protected." + </p> + <p> + This decision was acquiesced in by Justices Strong, Bradley, Swayne, + Davis, Miller and Field. Dissenting opinions were filed by Justices + Clifford and Hunt, but neither dissented from the proposition that: + </p> + <p> + "Rights and immunities created by or dependent upon the Constitution of + the United States can be protected by Congress," and that "the form and + manner of the protection may be such as Congress in the exercise of its + legitimate discretion shall provide." + </p> + <p> + So, in the same case, I find this language: + </p> + <p> + "It follows that the Amendment"—meaning the 15th—"has invested + the citizens of the United States with a new constitutional right, which + is within the protecting power of Congress. This, under the express + provisions of the second section of the Amendment, Congress may enforce by + appropriate legislation." + </p> + <p> + If the 15th Amendment invested the citizens of the United States with a + new constitutional right—that is, the right to vote—and if for + that reason that right is within the protecting power of Congress, then I + ask, if the 14th Amendment made certain persons citizens of the United + States, did such citizenship become a constitutional right? And is such + citizenship within the protecting power of Congress? Does citizenship mean + anything except certain "rights, privileges and immunities"? + </p> + <p> + Is it not an invasion of citizenship to invade the immunities or + privileges or rights belonging to a citizen? Are not, then, all the + immunities and privileges and rights under the protecting power of + Congress? + </p> + <p> + The 13th Amendment found the negro a slave, and made him a free man. That + gave to him a new constitutional right, and according to the Supreme + Court, that right is within the protecting power of Congress. + </p> + <p> + What rights are within the protecting power of Congress? All the rights + belonging to a free man. + </p> + <p> + The 14th Amendment made the negro a citizen. What then is under the + protecting power of Congress? All the rights, privileges and immunities + belonging to him as a citizen. + </p> + <p> + So, in the case of <i>Tennessee vs, Davis</i>, 100 U, S,, 263, the Supreme + Court, held that: + </p> + <p> + "The United States is a government whose authority extends over the whole + territory of the Union, acting upon all the States, and upon all the + people of all the States. + </p> + <p> + "No State can exclude the Federal Government from the exercise of any + authority conferred upon it by the Constitution, or withhold from it for a + moment the cognizance of any subject which the Constitution has committed + to it." + </p> + <p> + This opinion was given by Justice Strong, and acquiesced in by + Chief-Justice Waite, Justices Miller, Swayne, Bradley and Harlan. + </p> + <p> + So in the case of <i>Pensacola Tel. Co. vs. Western Union Tel. Co</i>., 96 + U. S., p. 10, the opinion having been delivered by Chief-Justice Waite, I + find this: + </p> + <p> + "The Government of the United States, within the scope of its power, + operates upon every foot of territory under its jurisdiction. It + legislates for the whole Nation, and is not embarrassed by State lines." + </p> + <p> + This was acquiesced in by Justices Clifford, Strong, Bradley, Swayne and + Miller. + </p> + <p> + So we are told by the entire Supreme Court in the case of <i>Tiernan vs. + Rynker</i>, 102 U. S., 126, that: + </p> + <p> + "When the subject to which the power applies is national in its character, + or of such a nature as to admit of uniformity of regulation, the power is + exclusive of State authority." + </p> + <p> + Surely the question of citizenship is "national in its character." Surely + the question as to what are the rights, privileges and immunities of a + citizen of the United States is "national in its character." + </p> + <p> + Unless the declarations and definitions, the patriotic paragraphs, and the + legal principles made, given, uttered and defined by the Supreme Court are + but a judicial jugglery of words, the Civil Rights Act is upheld by the + intent, spirit and language of the 14th Amendment. + </p> + <p> + It was found that the 13th Amendment did not protect the negro. Then the + 14th was adopted. Still the colored citizen was trodden under foot. Then + the 15th was adopted. The 13th made him free, and, in my judgment, made + him a citizen, and clothed him with all the rights of a citizen. That was + denied, and then the 14th declared that he was a citizen. In my judgment, + that gave him the right to vote. But that was denied—then the 15th + was adopted, declaring that his right to vote should never be denied. + </p> + <p> + The 13th Amendment made all free. It broke the chains, pulled up the + whipping-posts, overturned the auction-blocks, gave the colored mother her + child, put the shield of the Constitution over the cradle, destroyed all + forms of involuntary servitude, and in the azure heaven of our flag it put + the Northern Star. + </p> + <p> + The 14th Amendment made us all citizens. It is a contract between the + Republic and each individual—a contract by which the Nation agrees + to protect the citizen, and the citizen agrees to defend the Nation. This + amendment placed the crown of sovereignty on every brow. + </p> + <p> + The 15th Amendment secured the citizen in his right to vote, in his right + to make and execute the laws, and put these rights above the power of any + State. This amendment placed the ballot—the sceptre of authority—in + every sovereign hand. + </p> + <p> + We are told by the Supreme Court, in the case under discussion, that: + </p> + <p> + "We must not forget that the province and scope of the 13th and 14th + Amendments are different;" that the 13th Amendment "simply abolished + slavery," and that the 14th Amendment "prohibited the States from + abridging the privileges and immunities of citizens of the United States; + from depriving them of life, liberty or property, without due process of + law; and from denying to any the equal protection of the laws." + </p> + <p> + We are told that: + </p> + <p> + "The amendments are different, and the powers of Congress under them are + different. What Congress has power to do under one it may not have power + to do under the other." That "under the 13th Amendment it has only to do + with slavery and its incidents;" but that "under the 14th Amendment it has + power to counteract and render nugatory all State laws or proceedings + which have the effect to abridge any of the privileges or immunities of + the citizens of the United States, or to deprive them of life, liberty or + property, without due process of law, or to deny to any of them the equal + protection of the laws." + </p> + <p> + Did not Congress have that power under the 13th Amendment? Could the + States, in spite of the 13th Amendment, deprive free men of life or + property without due process of law? Does the Supreme Court wish to be + understood, that until the 14th Amendment was adopted the States had the + right to rob and kill free men? Yet, in its effort to narrow and belittle + the 13th Amendment, it has been driven to this absurdity. Did not + Congress, under the 13th Amendment, have power to destroy slavery and + involuntary servitude? Did not Congress, under that amendment, have the + power to protect the lives, liberty and property of free men? And did not + Congress have the power "to render nugatory all State laws and proceedings + under which free men were to be deprived of life, liberty or property, + without due process of law"? + </p> + <p> + If Congress was not clothed with such power by the 13th Amendment, what + was the object of that amendment? Was that amendment a mere opinion, or a + prophecy, or the expression of a hope? + </p> + <p> + The 14th Amendment provides that: + </p> + <p> + "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges + or immunities of citizens of the United States. Nor shall any State + deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of + law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection + of its laws." + </p> + <p> + We are told by the Supreme Court that Congress has no right to enforce the + 14th Amendment by direct legislation, but that the legislation under that + amendment can only be of a "corrective" character—such as may be + necessary or proper for counteracting and redressing the effect of + unconstitutional laws passed by the States. In other words, that Congress + has no duty to perform, except to counteract the effect of + unconstitutional laws by corrective legislation. + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court has also decided, in the present case, that Congress has + no right to legislate for the purpose of enforcing these clauses until the + States shall have taken action. What action can the State take? If a State + passes laws contrary to these provisions or clauses, they are void. If a + State passes laws in conformity to these provisions, certainly Congress is + not called on to legislate. Under what circumstances, then, can Congress + be called upon to act by way of "corrective" legislation, as to these + particular clauses? What can Congress do? Suppose the State passes no law + upon the subject, but allows citizens of the State—managers of + railways, and keepers of public inns, to discriminate between their + passengers and guests on account of race or color—what then? + </p> + <p> + Again, what is the difference between a State that has no law on the + subject, and a State that has passed an unconstitutional law? In other + words, what is the difference between no law and a void law? If the + "corrective" legislation of Congress is not needed where the State has + passed an unconstitutional law, is it needed where the State has passed no + law? What is there in either case to correct? Surely it requires no + particular legislation on the part of Congress to kill a law that never + had life. + </p> + <p> + The States are prohibited by the Constitution from making any regulations + of foreign commerce. Consequently, all regulations made by the States are + null and void, no matter what the motive of the States may have been, and + it requires no law of Congress to annul such laws or regulations. This was + decided by the Supreme Court of the United States, long ago, in what are + known as <i>The License Cases</i>. The opinion may be found in the 5th of + Howard, 583. + </p> + <p> + "The nullity of any act inconsistent with the Constitution, is produced by + the declaration that the Constitution is supreme." + </p> + <p> + This was decided by the Supreme Court, the opinion having been delivered + by Chief Justice Marshall, in the case of <i>Gibbons vs. Ogden</i>, 9 + Wheat, 210. + </p> + <p> + The same doctrine was held in the case of <i>Henderson et al., vs. Mayor + of New York, et al.</i>, 92 U. S. 272—the opinion of the Court being + delivered by Justice Miller. + </p> + <p> + So it was held in the case of <i>The Board of Liquidation vs. McComb</i>—2 + Otto, 541. + </p> + <p> + "That an unconstitutional law will be treated by the courts as null and + void"—citing <i>Osborn vs. The Bank of the United States</i>, 9 + Wheaton, 859, and <i>Davis vs. Gray</i>, 16 Wallace, 220. + </p> + <p> + Now, if the legislation of Congress must be "corrective," then I ask, + corrective of what? Certainly not of unconstitutional and void laws. That + which is void, cannot be corrected. That which is unconstitutional is not + the subject of correction. Congress either has the right to legislate + directly, or not at all; because indirect or corrective legislation can + apply only, according to the Supreme Court, to unconstitutional and void + laws that have been passed by a Stale; and as such laws cannot be + "corrected," the doctrine of "corrective legislation" dies an extremely + natural death. + </p> + <p> + A State can do one of three things: 1. It can pass an unconstitutional + law; 2. It can pass a constitutional law; 3. It can fail to pass any law. + The unconstitutional law, being void, cannot be corrected. The + constitutional law does not need correction. And where no law has been + passed, correction is impossible. + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court insists that Congress can not take action until the + State does. A State that fails to pass any law on the subject, has not + taken action. This leaves the person whose immunities and privileges have + been invaded, with no redress except such as he may find in the State + Courts in a suit at law; and if the State Court takes the same view that + is apparently taken by the Supreme Court in this case,—namely, that + it is a "social question," one not to be regulated by law, and not covered + in any way by the Constitution—then, discrimination can be made + against citizens by landlords and railway conductors, and they are left + absolutely without remedy. + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court asks, in this decision, + </p> + <p> + "Can the act of a mere individual—the owner of the inn, or public + conveyance, or place of amusement, refusing the accommodation, be justly + regarded as imposing any badge of slavery or servitude upon the applicant, + or only as inflicting an ordinary civil injury properly cognizable by the + laws of the State, and presumably subject to redress by those laws, until + the contrary appears?" + </p> + <p> + How is "the contrary to appear"? Suppose a person denied equal privileges + upon the railway on account of race and color, brings suit and is + defeated? And suppose the highest tribunal of the State holds that the + question is of a "social" character—what then? If, to use the + language of the Supreme Court, it is "an ordinary civil injury, imposing + no badge of slavery or servitude," then, no Federal question is involved. + </p> + <p> + Why did not the Supreme Court tell us what may be done when "the contrary + appears"? Nothing is clearer than the intention of the Supreme Court in + this case—and that is, to decide that denying to a man equal + accommodations at public inns on account of race or color, is not an + abridgment of a privilege or immunity of a citizen of the United States, + and that such person, so denied, is not in a condition of involuntary + servitude, or denied the equal protection of the laws. In other words—that + it is a "social question." + </p> + <p> + I have been told by one who heard the decision when it was read from the + bench, that the following phrase was in the opinion: + </p> + <p> + "<i>There are certain physiological differences of race that cannot be + ignored</i>." + </p> + <p> + That phrase is a lamp, in the light of which the whole decision should be + read. + </p> + <p> + Suppose that in one of the Southern States, the negroes being in a decided + majority and having entire control, had drawn the color line, had insisted + that: + </p> + <p> + "There were certain physiological differences between the races that could + not be ignored," and had refused to allow white people to enter their + hotels, to ride in the best cars, or to occupy the aristocratic portion of + a theatre; and suppose that a white man, thrust from the hotels, denied + the entrance to cars, had brought his suit in the Federal Court. Does any + one believe that the Supreme Court would have intimated to that man that + "there is only a social question involved,—a question with which the + Constitution and laws have nothing to do, and that he must depend for his + remedy upon the authors of the injury"? Would a white man, under such + circumstances, feel that he was in a condition of involuntary servitude? + Would he feel that he was treated like an underling, like a menial, like a + serf? Would he feel that he was under the protection of the laws, shielded + like other men by the Constitution? Of course, the argument of color is + just as strong on one side as on the other. The white man says to the + black, "You are not my equal because you are black;" and the black man can + with the same propriety, reply, "You are not my equal because you are + white." The difference is just as great in the one case as in the other. + The pretext that this question involves, in the remotest degree, a social + question, is cruel, shallow, and absurd. + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court, some time ago, held that the 4th Section of the Civil + Rights Act was constitutional. That section declares that: + </p> + <p> + "No citizen possessing all other qualifications which are or maybe + prescribed by law, shall be disqualified for service as grand or petit + juror in any court of the United States or of any State, on account of + color or previous condition of servitude." + </p> + <p> + It also provides that: + </p> + <p> + "If any officer or other person charged with any duty in the selection or + summoning of jurors, shall exclude, or fail to summon, any citizen in the + case aforesaid, he shall, on conviction, be guilty of misdemeanor and be + fined not more than five hundred dollars." + </p> + <p> + In the case known as <i>Ex-parte vs. Virginia</i>—found in 100 U. S. + 339—it was held that an indictment against a State officer, under + this section, for excluding persons of color from the jury, could be + sustained. Now, let it be remembered, there was no law of the State of + Virginia, by virtue of which a man was disqualified from sitting on the + jury by reason of race or color. The officer did exclude, and did fail to + summon, a citizen on account of race or color or previous condition of + servitude. And the Supreme Court held: + </p> + <p> + "That whether the Statute-book of the State actually laid down any such + rule of disqualification or not, the State, through its officer, enforced + such rule; and that it was against such State action, through its officers + and agents, that the last clause of the section was directed." + </p> + <p> + The Court further held that: + </p> + <p> + "This aspect of the law was deemed sufficient to divest it of any + unconstitutional character." + </p> + <p> + In other words, the Supreme Court held that the officer was an agent of + the State, although acting contrary to the statute of the State; and that, + consequently, such officer, acting outside of law, was amenable to the + Civil Rights Act, under the 14th Amendment, that referred only to States. + The question arises: Is a State responsible for the action of its agent + when acting contrary to law? In other words: Is the principal bound by the + acts of his agent, that act not being within the scope of his authority? + Is a State liable—or is the Government liable—for the act of + any officer, that act not being authorized by law? + </p> + <p> + It has been decided a thousand times, that a State is not liable for the + torts and trespasses of its officers. How then can the agent, acting + outside of his authority, be prosecuted under a law deriving its entire + validity from a constitutional amendment applying only to States? Does an + officer, by acting contrary to State law, become so like a State that the + word State, used in the Constitution, includes him? + </p> + <p> + So it was held in the case of <i>Neal vs. Delaware</i>,—103 U. S., + 307,—that an officer acting contrary to the laws of the State—in + defiance of those laws—would be amenable to the Civil Rights Act, + passed under an amendment to the Constitution now held applicable only to + States. + </p> + <p> + It is admitted, and expressly decided in the case of <i>The U. S. vs. + Reese et al.</i>, (already quoted) that when the wrongful refusal at an + election is because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude, + Congress can interfere and provide for the punishment of any individual + guilty of such refusal, no matter whether such individual acted under or + against the authority of the State. + </p> + <p> + With this statement I most heartily agree. I agree that: + </p> + <p> + "When the wrongful refusal is because of race, color, or previous + condition of servitude, Congress can interfere and provide for the + punishment of any individual guilty of such refusal." + </p> + <p> + That is the key that unlocks the whole question. Congress has power—full, + complete, and ample,—to protect all citizens from unjust + discrimination, and from being deprived of equal privileges on account of + race, color, or previous condition of servitude. And this language is just + as applicable to the 13th and 14th, as to the 15th Amendment. If a citizen + is denied the accommodations of a public inn, or a seat in a railway car, + on account of race or color, or deprived of liberty on account of race or + color, the Constitution has been violated, and the citizen thus + discriminated against or thus deprived of liberty, is entitled to redress + in a Federal Court. + </p> + <p> + It is held by the Supreme Court that the word "State" does not apply to + the "people" of the State—that it applies only to the agents of the + people of the State. And yet, the word "State," as used in the + Constitution, has been held to include not only the persons in office, but + the people who elected them—not only the agents, but the principals. + In the Constitution it is provided that "no State shall coin money; and no + State shall emit bills of credit." According to this decision, any person + in any State, unless prevented by State authority, has the right to coin + money and to emit bills of credit, and Congress has no power to legislate + upon the subject—provided he does not counterfeit any of the coins + or current money of the United States. Congress would have to deal—not + with the individuals, but with the State; and unless the State had passed + some act allowing persons to coin money, or emit bills of credit, Congress + could do nothing. Yet, long ago, Congress passed a statute preventing any + person in any State from coining money. No matter if a citizen should coin + it of pure gold, of the requisite fineness and weight, and not in the + likeness of United States coins, he would be a criminal. We have a silver + dollar, coined by the Government, worth eighty-five cents; and yet, if any + person, in any State, should coin what he called a dollar, not like our + money, but with a dollar's worth of silver in it, he would be guilty of a + crime. + </p> + <p> + It may be said that the Constitution provides that Congress shall have + power to coin money, and provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the + securities and current coin of the United States; in other words, that the + Constitution gives power to Congress to coin money and denies it to the + States, not only, but gives Congress the power to legislate against + counterfeiting. So, in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, power is given + to Congress, and power is denied to the States, not only, but Congress is + expressly authorized to enforce the amendments by appropriate legislation. + Certainly the power is as broad in the one case as in the other; and in + both cases, individuals can be reached as well as States. + </p> + <p> + So the Constitution provides that: + </p> + <p> + "Congress shall have power to regulate commerce among the several States." + </p> + <p> + Under this clause Congress deals directly with individuals. The States are + not engaged in commerce, but the people are; and Congress makes rules and + regulations for the government of the people so engaged. + </p> + <p> + The Constitution also provides that: + </p> + <p> + "Congress shall have power to regulate commerce with the Indian tribes." + </p> + <p> + It was held in the case of <i>The United States vs. Holliday</i>, 3 Wall., + 407, that: + </p> + <p> + "Commerce with the Indian tribes means commerce with the individuals + composing those tribes." + </p> + <p> + And under this clause it has been further decided that Congress has the + power to regulate commerce not only between white people and Indian + tribes, but between Indian tribes; and not only that, but between + individual Indians. <i>Worcester vs. The State, 6 Pet., 575; The United + States vs. 4.3 Gallons, 93 U. S., 188; The United States vs. Shawmux, 2 + Saw., 304.</i> + </p> + <p> + Now, if the word "tribe" includes individual Indians, may not the word + "State" include citizens? + </p> + <p> + In this decision it is admitted by the Supreme Court that where a subject + is submitted to the general legislative power of Congress, then Congress + has plenary powers of legislation over the whole subject. Let us apply + these words to the 13th Amendment. In this very decision I find that the + 13th Amendment: + </p> + <p> + "By its own unaided force and effect, abolished slavery and established + universal freedom." + </p> + <p> + The Court admits that: + </p> + <p> + "Legislation may be necessary and proper to meet all the various cases and + circumstances to be affected by it, and to prescribe proper modes of + redress for its violation in letter or spirit." + </p> + <p> + The Court further admits: + </p> + <p> + "And such legislation may be primary and direct in its character." + </p> + <p> + And then gives the reason: + </p> + <p> + "For the amendment is not a mere prohibition of State laws establishing or + upholding slavery, but an absolute declaration that slavery or involuntary + servitude shall not exist in any part of the United States." + </p> + <p> + I now ask, has that subject—that is to say, Liberty,—been + submitted to the general legislative power of Congress? The 13th Amendment + provides that Congress shall have power to enforce that amendment by + appropriate legislation. + </p> + <p> + In construing the 13th and 14th Amendments and the Civil Rights Act, it + seems to me that the Supreme Court has forgotten the principle of + construction that has been laid down so often by courts, and that is this: + that in construing statutes, courts may look to the history and condition + of the country as circumstances from which to gather the intention of the + Legislature. So it seems to me that the Court failed to remember the rule + laid down by Story in the case of <i>Prigg vs. The Commonwealth of + Pennsylvania,</i> 16 Pet., 611, a rule laid down in the interest of + slavery—laid down for the purpose of depriving human beings of their + liberty: + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps the safest rule of interpretation, after all, will be found to be + to look to the nature and objects of the particular powers, duties and + rights with all the lights and aids of contemporary history, and to give + to the words of each just such operation and force consistent with their + legitimate meaning, as may fairly secure and attain the ends proposed." + </p> + <p> + It must be admitted that certain rights were conferred by the 13th + Amendment. Surely certain rights were conferred by the 14th Amendment; and + these rights should be protected and upheld by the Federal Government. And + it was held in the case last cited, that: + </p> + <p> + "If by one mode of interpretation the right must become shadowy and + unsubstantial, and without any remedial power adequate to the end, and by + another mode it will attain its just end and secure its manifest purpose—it + would seem, upon principles of reasoning absolutely irresistable, that the + latter ought to prevail. No court of justice can be authorized so as to + construe any clauses of the Constitution as to defeat its obvious ends, + when another construction, equally accordant with the words and sense + thereof, will enforce and protect them." + </p> + <p> + In the present case, the Supreme Court holds, that Congress can not + legislate upon this subject until the State has passed some law contrary + to the Constitution. + </p> + <p> + I call attention in reply to this, to the case of <i>Hall vs. De Cuir,</i> + 95 U. S., 486. The State of Louisiana, in 1869, acting in the spirit of + these amendments to the Constitution, passed a law requiring that all + persons engaged within that State in the business of common carriers of + passengers, should make no discrimination on account of race, color, or + previous condition of servitude. Under this law, Mrs. De Cuir, a colored + woman, took passage on a steamer, buying a ticket from New Orleans to + Hermitage—the entire trip being within the limits of the State. The + captain of the boat refused to give her equal accommodations with other + passengers—the refusal being on the ground of her color. She + commenced suit against the captain in the State Court of Louisiana, and + recovered judgment for one thousand dollars. The defendant appealed to the + Supreme Court of that State, and the judgment of the lower court was + sustained. Thereupon, the captain died, and the case was taken to the + Supreme Court of the United States by his administrator, on the ground + that a Federal question was involved. + </p> + <p> + You will see that this was a case where the State had acted, and had acted + exactly in accordance with the constitutional amendments, and had by law + provided that the privileges and immunities of the citizen of the United + States—residing in the State of Louisiana—should not be + abridged, and that no distinction should be made on account of race or + color. But in that case the Supreme Court of the United States solemnly + decided that the legislation of the State was void—that the State of + Louisiana had no right to interfere—no right, by law, to protect a + citizen of the United States from being discriminated against under such + circumstances. + </p> + <p> + You will remember that the plaintiff, Mrs. De Cuir, was to be carried from + New Orleans to Hermitage, and that both places were within the State of + Louisiana. Notwithstanding this, the Supreme Court held: + </p> + <p> + "That if the public good required such legislation, it must come from + Congress and not from the State." + </p> + <p> + What reason do you suppose was given? It was this: The Constitution gives + to Congress power to regulate commerce between the States; and it appeared + from the evidence given in that case, that the boat plied between the + ports of New Orleans and Vicksburg. Consequently, it was engaged in + interstate commerce. Therefore, it was under the protection of Congress; + and being under the protection of Congress, the State had no authority to + protect its citizens by a law in perfect harmony with the Constitution of + the United States, while such citizens were within the limits of + Louisiana. The Supreme Court scorns the protection of a State! + </p> + <p> + In the case recently decided, and about which we are talking to-night, the + Supreme Court decides exactly the other way. It decides that if the public + good requires such legislation, it must come from the States, and not from + Congress; that Congress cannot act until the State has acted, and until + the State has acted wrong, and that Congress can then only act for the + purpose of "correcting" such State action. The decision in <i>Hall vs. De + Cuir</i> was rendered in 1877. The Civil Rights Act was then in force, and + applied to all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States, and + provided expressly that: + </p> + <p> + "All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall be + entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations, + privileges, and facilities of inns, public conveyances on land or water, + theatres, and other places of public amusement, without regard to race or + color." + </p> + <p> + And yet the Supreme Court said: + </p> + <p> + "No carrier of passengers can conduct his business with satisfaction to + himself, or comfort to those employing him, if on one side of a State line + his passengers, both white and colored, must be permitted to occupy the + same cabin, and on the other to be kept separate." + </p> + <p> + What right had the other State to pass a law that passengers should be + kept separate, on account of race or color? How could such a law have been + constitutional? The Civil Rights Act applied to all States, and to both + sides of the lines between all States, and produced absolute uniformity—and + did not put the captain to the trouble of dividing his passengers. The + Court further said: + </p> + <p> + "Uniformity in the regulations by which the carrier is to be governed from + one end to the other of his route, is a necessity in his business." + </p> + <p> + The uniformity had been guaranteed by the Civil Rights Act, and the + statute of the State of Louisiana was in exact conformity with the 14th + Amendment and the Civil Rights Act. The Court also said: + </p> + <p> + "And to secure uniformity, Congress, which is untrammeled by State lines, + has been invested with the exclusive power of determining what such + regulations shall be." + </p> + <p> + Yes. Congress has been invested with such power, and Congress has used it + in passing the Civil Rights Act—and yet, under these circumstances, + the Court proceeds to imagine the difficulty that a captain would have in + dividing his passengers as he crosses a State line, keeping them apart + until he reaches the line of another State, and then bringing them + together, and so going on through the process of dispersing and huddling, + to the end of his unfortunate route. + </p> + <p> + It is held by the Supreme Court, that uniformity of duties is essential to + the carrier, and so essential, that Congress has control of the whole + matter. If uniformity is so desirable for the carrier that Congress takes + control, then uniformity as to the rights of passengers is equally + desirable; and under the 13th and 14th Amendments, Congress has the + exclusive power to state what the rights, privileges and immunities of + passengers shall be. So that, in 1877, the Supreme Court decided that the + <i>States could not</i> legislate; and in 1883, that <i>Congress could not</i>, + unless the State had. If Congress controls interstate commerce upon the + navigable waters, it also controls interstate commerce upon the railways. + And if Congress has exclusive jurisdiction in the one case, it has in the + other. And if it has exclusive jurisdiction, it does not have to wait + until States take action. If it does not have to wait until States take + action, then the Civil Rights Act, in so far as it refers to the rights of + passengers going from one State to another, must be constitutional. + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered, in this discussion, that the 8th Section of the + Constitution conferred upon Congress the power: + </p> + <p> + "To make all laws that may be necessary and proper for carrying into + execution the powers vested by the Constitution in the Government of the + United States." + </p> + <p> + So the 2nd Section of the 13th Article provides: + </p> + <p> + "Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate + legislation." + </p> + <p> + The same language is used in the 14th and 15th Amendments. + </p> + <p> + "This clause does not limit—it enlarges—the powers vested in + the General Government. It is an additional power—not a restriction + on those already granted. It does not impair the right of the Legislature + to exercise its best judgment in the selection of measures to carry into + execution the constitutional powers of the Government. A sound + construction of the Constitution must allow to the National Legislature + that discretion with respect to the means by which the powers it confers + are to be carried into execution, which will enable that body to perform + the high duties assigned to it in the manner most beneficial to the + people. Let the end be legitimate—let it be within the scope of the + Constitution, and all means which are appropriate—which are plainly + adapted to that end—are constitutional." + </p> + <p> + This is the language of Chief Justice Marshall, in the case of <i>M'Caulay, + vs. The State</i>, 4 Wheaton, 316. + </p> + <p> + "Congress must possess the choice of means, and must be empowered to use + any means which are in fact conducive to the exercise of a power granted + by the Constitution." U. S. vs. Fisher, 2 Cranch, 358. + </p> + <p> + Again: + </p> + <p> + "The power of Congress to pass laws to enforce rights conferred by the + Constitution is not limited to the express powers of legislation + enumerated in the Constitution. The powers which are necessary and proper + as means to carry into effect rights expressly given and duties expressly + enjoined, are always implied. The end being given, the means to accomplish + it are given also." <i>Prigs vs. The Commonwealth</i>, 16 Peters, 539. + </p> + <p> + This decision was delivered by Justice Story, and is the same one already + referred to, in which liberty was taken from a human being by judicial + construction. It was held in that case that the 2nd Section of the 4th + Article of the Constitution, to which I have already called attention, + contained "a positive and unqualified recognition of the right" of the + owner in a slave, unaffected by any State law or regulation. If this is + so, then I assert that the 13th Amendment "contains a positive and + unqualified recognition of the right" of every human being to liberty; + that the 14th Amendment "contains a positive and unqualified recognition + of the right" to citizenship; and that the 15th Amendment "contains a + positive and unqualified recognition of the right" to vote. + </p> + <p> + Justice Story held in that case that: + </p> + <p> + "Under and by virtue of that section of the Constitution the owner of a + slave was clothed with entire authority in every State in the nation to + seize and recapture his slave." + </p> + <p> + He also held that: + </p> + <p> + "In that sense, and to that extent, that clause of the Constitution might + properly be said to execute itself, and to require no aid from legislation—State + or National." + </p> + <p> + "But," says Justice Story: + </p> + <p> + "The clause of the Constitution does not stop there, but says that he, the + slave, shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or + labor may be due." + </p> + <p> + And he holds that: + </p> + <p> + "Under that clause of the section Congress became clothed with the + appropriate authority to legislate for its enforcement." + </p> + <p> + Now let us look at the 13th and 14th Amendments in the light of that + decision. + </p> + <p> + First. Liberty and citizenship were given the colored people by this + amendment. And Justice Story tells us that: + </p> + <p> + "The power of Congress to enforce rights conferred by the Constitution is + not limited to the express powers of legislation enumerated in the + Constitution, but the powers which are necessary to protect such rights + are always implied." + </p> + <p> + Language cannot be stronger; words cannot be clearer. But now this + decision has been reversed by the Supreme Court, and Congress is left + powerless to protect rights conferred by the Constitution. It has been + shorn of implied powers. It has duties to perform, and no power to act. It + has rights to protect, but cannot choose the means. It is entangled in its + own strength. It is a prisoner in the bastile of judicial construction. + </p> + <p> + Let us go further. Justice Story tells us that: + </p> + <p> + "The words 'but shall be given up on the claim of the person to whom such + labor or service may be due,' clothes Congress with the appropriate + authority to legislate for its enforcement." + </p> + <p> + In the light of this remark, let us look at the 14th Amendment: + </p> + <p> + "All persons bom or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the + jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State + wherein they reside." + </p> + <p> + To which are added these words: + </p> + <p> + "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges + or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State + deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of + law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection + of the laws." + </p> + <p> + Now, if the words: "But shall be delivered up on claim of the party to + whom such service or labor may be due," clothes Congress with power to + legislate upon the entire subject, then I ask if the words in the 14th + Amendment declaring that "no law shall be made by any State, or enforced, + which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United + States; and that no State shall deprive any person of life, liberty or + property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its + jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws," does not clothe Congress + with the power to legislate upon the entire subject? + </p> + <p> + In the two cases there is only this difference: The first decision was + made in the interest of human slavery—made to protect property in + man; and the second decision ought to have been made for exactly the + opposite purpose. Under the first decision, Congress had the right to + select the means—but now that is denied. And yet it was decided in + <i>M'Cauley vs. The State</i>, 4 Wheaton, 316, that: + </p> + <p> + "When the Government has a right to do an act, and has imposed on it the + duty of performing an act, then it must, according to the dictates of + reason, be allowed to select the means." + </p> + <p> + Again: + </p> + <p> + "The Government has the right to employ freely every means not prohibited, + for the fulfillment of its acknowledged duties." + </p> + <p> + <i>The Legal Tender Cases</i>—12 Wallace, 457. + </p> + <p> + It will thus be seen that Congress has the undoubted right to make all + laws necessary for the exercise of all the powers vested in it by the + Constitution. When the Constitution imposes a duty upon Congress, it + grants the necessary means. Congress certainly, then, has the right to + pass all necessary laws for the enforcement of the 13th, 14th and 15th + Amendments. Any legislation is "appropriate" that is calculated to + accomplish the end sought and that is not repugnant to the Constitution. + Within these limits Congress has the sovereign power of choice. No better + definition of "appropriate legislation" has been given than that by the + Supreme Court of California, in the case of The People vs. Washington, 38 + California, 658: + </p> + <p> + "Legislation which practically tends to facilitate the securing to all, + through the aid of the judicial and executive departments of the + Government, the full enjoyment of personal freedom, is appropriate." + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court despairingly asks: + </p> + <p> + "If this legislation is appropriate for enforcing the prohibitions of the + Amendment, it is difficult to see where it is to stop. Why may not + Congress, with equal show of authority, enact a code of laws for the + enforcement and vindication of all rights of life, liberty and property?" + </p> + <p> + My answer is: The legislation will stop when and where the discriminations + on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude, stop. + Whenever an immunity or privilege of a citizen of the United States is + trodden down by the State, or by an individual, under the circumstances + mentioned in the Civil Rights Act—that is to say, on account of + race, color, or previous condition of servitude—then the Federal + Government must interfere. The Government must defend the immunities and + privileges of its citizens, not only from State invasion, but from + individual invaders, when that invasion is based upon the distinction of + race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The Government has taken + upon itself that duty. This duty can be discharged by a law making a + uniform rule, obligatory not only upon States, but upon individuals. All + this will stop when the discriminations stop. + </p> + <p> + After such examination of the authorities as I have been able to make, I + lay down the following propositions, namely: + </p> + <p> + 1. The sovereignty of a State extends only to that which exists by its own + authority. + </p> + <p> + 2. The powers of the General Government were not conferred by the people + of a single State; they were given by the people of the United States; and + the laws of the United States, in pursuance of the Constitution, are + supreme over the entire Republic. + </p> + <p> + 3. The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of each State. + </p> + <p> + 4. The United States is a Government whose authority extends over the + whole territory of the Union, acting upon all the States and upon all the + people of all the States. + </p> + <p> + 5. No State can exclude the Federal Government from the exercise of any + authority conferred upon it by the Constitution, or withhold from it, for + a moment, the cognizance of any subject which that instrument has + committed to it. + </p> + <p> + 6. It is the duty of Congress to enforce the Constitution, and it has been + clothed with power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into + execution all the powers vested by the Constitution in the General + Government. + </p> + <p> + 7. It is the duty of the Government to protect every citizen of the United + States in all his rights, everywhere, without regard to race, color, or + previous condition of servitude; and this the Government has the right to + do by direct legislation. + </p> + <p> + 8. Every citizen, when his privileges and immunities are invaded by the + legislature of a State, has the right of appeal from such. State to the + Supreme Court of the nation. + </p> + <p> + 9. When a State fails to pass any law protecting a citizen from + discrimination on account of race or color, and fails, in fact, to protect + such citizen, then such citizen has the right to find redress in the + Federal Courts. + </p> + <p> + 10. Whenever, in the Constitution, a State is prohibited from doing + anything that in the nature of the thing can be done by any citizen of + that State, then the word "State" embraces and includes all the people of + a State. + </p> + <p> + 11. The 13th Amendment declares that neither slavery nor involuntary + servitude shall exist within the jurisdiction of the United States. + </p> + <p> + This is not a mere negation—it is a splendid affirmation. The duty + is imposed upon the General Government by that amendment to see to it that + neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist. + </p> + <p> + It is a question absolutely within the power of the Federal Government, + and the Federal Government is clothed with power to make all necessary + laws to enforce that amendment against States and persons. + </p> + <p> + 12. The 14th Amendment provides that all persons born or naturalized in + the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of + the United States and of the States wherein they reside. This is also an + affirmation. It is not a prohibition. The moment that amendment was + adopted, it became the duty of the United States to protect the citizens + recognized or created by that amendment. We are no longer citizens of the + United States because we are citizens of a State, but we are citizens of + the United States because we have been born or have been naturalized + within the jurisdiction of the United States. It therefore follows, that + it is not only the right, but it is the duty, of Congress, to pass all + laws necessary for the protection of citizens of the United States. + </p> + <p> + 13. Congress can not shirk this responsibility by leaving citizens of the + United States to the care and keeping of the several States. + </p> + <p> + The recent decision of the Supreme Court cuts, as with a sword, the tie + that binds the citizen to the nation. Under the old Constitution, it was + not certainly known who were citizens of the United States. There were + citizens of the States, and such citizens looked to their several States + for protection. The Federal Government had no citizens. Patriotism did not + rest on mutual obligation. Under the 14th Amendment, we are all citizens + of a common country; and our first duty, our first obligation, our highest + allegiance, is not to the State in which we reside, but to the Federal + Government. The 14th Amendment tends to destroy State prejudices and lays + a foundation for national patriotism. + </p> + <p> + 14. All statutes—all amendments to the Constitution—in + derogation of natural rights, should be strictly construed. + </p> + <p> + 15. All statutes and amendments for the preservation of natural rights + should be liberally construed. Every court should, by strict construction, + narrow the scope of every law that infringes upon any natural human right; + and every court should, by construction, give the broadest meaning to + every statute or constitutional provision passed or adopted for the + preservation of freedom. + </p> + <p> + 16. In construing the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, the Supreme Court + need not go back to decisions rendered in the days of slavery—when + every statute was construed in favor of the sovereignty of the State and + the rights of the master. These amendments utterly obliterated such + decisions. The Supreme Court should begin with the amendments. It need not + look behind them. They are a part of the fundamental organic law of the + nation. They were adopted to destroy the old statutes, to obliterate the + infamous clauses in the Constitution, and to lay a new foundation for a + new nation. + </p> + <p> + 17. Congress has the power to eradicate all forms and incidents of slavery + and involuntary servitude, by direct and primary legislation binding upon + States and individuals alike. And when citizens are denied the exercise of + common rights and privileges—when they are refused admittance to + public inns and railway cars, on an equality with white persons—and + when such denial and refusal are based upon race and color, such citizens + are in a condition of involuntary servitude. + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court has failed to take into consideration the intention of + the framers of these amendments. It has failed to comprehend the spirit of + the age. It has undervalued the accomplishment of the war. It has not + grasped in all their height and depth the great amendments to the + Constitution and the real object of government. To preserve liberty is the + only use for government. There is no other excuse for legislatures, or + presidents, or courts, for statutes or decisions. Liberty is not simply a + means—it is an end. Take from our history, our literature, our laws, + our hearts—that word, and we are naught but moulded clay. Liberty is + the one priceless jewel. It includes and holds and is the weal and wealth + of life. Liberty is the soil and light and rain—it is the plant and + bud and flower and fruit—and in that sacred word lie all the seeds + of progress, love and joy. + </p> + <p> + This decision, in my judgment, is not worthy of the Court by which it was + delivered. It has given new life to the serpent of State Sovereignty. It + has breathed upon the dying embers of ignorant hate. It has furnished food + and drink, breath and blood, to prejudices that were perishing of famine, + and in the old case of <i>Civilization vs. Barbarism</i>, it has given the + defendant a new trial. + </p> + <p> + From this decision, John M. Harlan had the breadth of brain, the goodness + of heart, and the loyalty to logic, to dissent. By the fortress of + Liberty, one sentinel remains at his post. For moral courage I have + supreme respect, and I admire that intellectual strength that breaks the + cords and chains of prejudice and damned custom as though they were but + threads woven in a spider's loom. This judge has associated his name with + freedom, and he will be remembered as long as men are free. + </p> + <p> + We are told by the Supreme Court that: + </p> + <p> + "Slavery cannot exist without law, any more than property and lands and + goods can exist without law." + </p> + <p> + I deny that property exists by virtue of law. I take exactly the opposite + ground. It was the fact that man had property in lands and goods, that + produced laws for the protection of such property. The Supreme Court has + mistaken an effect for a cause. Laws passed for the protection of + property, sprang from the possession and ownership of the thing to be + protected. When one man enslaves another, it is a violation of all justice—a + subversion of the foundation of all law. Statutes passed for the purpose + of enabling man to enslave his fellow-man, resulted from a conspiracy + entered into by the representatives of brute force. Nothing can be more + absurd than to call such a statute, born of such a conspiracy a law. + According to the idea of the Supreme Court, man never had property until + he had passed a law upon the subject. The first man who gathered leaves + upon which to sleep, did not own them, because no law had been passed on + the leaf subject. The first man who gathered fruit—the first man who + fashioned a club with which to defend himself from wild beasts, according + to the Supreme Court, had no property in these things, because no laws had + been passed, and no courts had published their decisions. + </p> + <p> + So the defenders of monarchy have taken the ground that societies were + formed by contract—as though at one time men all lived apart, and + came together by agreement and formed a government. We might just as well + say that the trees got into groves by contract or conspiracy. Man is a + social being. By living together there grow out of the relation, certain + regulations, certain customs. These at last hardened into what we call law—into + what we call forms of government—and people who wish to defend the + idea that we got everything from the king, say that our fathers made a + contract. Nothing can be more absurd. Men did not agree upon a form of + government and then come together; but being together, they made rules for + the regulation of conduct. Men did not make some laws and then get some + property to fit the laws, but having property they made laws for its + protection. + </p> + <p> + It is hinted by the Supreme Court that this is in some way a question of + social equality. It is claimed that social equality cannot be enforced by + law. Nobody thinks it can. This is not a question of social equality, but + of equal rights. A colored citizen has the same right to ride upon the + cars—to be fed and lodged at public inns, and to visit theatres, + that I have. Social equality is not involved. + </p> + <p> + The Federal soldiers who escaped from Libby and Andersonville, and who in + swamps, in storm, and darkness, were rescued and fed by the slave, had no + scruples about eating with a negro. They were willing to sit beneath the + same tree and eat with him the food he brought. The white soldier was then + willing to find rest and slumber beneath the negro's roof. Charity has no + color. It is neither white nor black. Justice and Patriotism are the same. + Even the Confederate soldier was willing to leave his wife and children + under the protection of a man whom he was fighting to enslave. + </p> + <p> + Danger does not draw these nice distinctions as to race or color. Hunger + is not proud. Famine is exceedingly democratic in the matter of food. In + the moment of peril, prejudices perish. The man fleeing for his life does + not have the same ideas about social questions, as he who sits in the + Capitol, wrapped in official robes. Position is apt to be supercilious. + Power is sometimes cruel. Prosperity is often heartless. + </p> + <p> + This cry about social equality is born of the spirit of caste—the + most fiendish of all things. It is worse than slavery. Slavery is at least + justified by avarice—by a desire to get something for nothing—by + a desire to live in idleness upon the labor of others—but the spirit + of caste is the offspring of natural cruelty and meanness. + </p> + <p> + Social relations depend upon almost an infinite number of influences and + considerations. We have our likes and dislikes. We choose our companions. + This is a natural right. You cannot force into my house persons whom I do + not want. But there is a difference between a public house and a private + house. The one is for the public. The private house is for the family and + those they may invite. The landlord invites the entire public, and he must + serve those who come if they are fit to be received. A railway is public, + not private. It derives its powers and its rights from the State. It takes + private land for public purposes. It is incorporated for the good of the + public, and the public must be served. The railway, the hotel, and the + theatre, have a right to make a distinction between people of good and bad + manners—between the clean and the unclean. There are white people + who have no right to be in any place except a bath-tub, and there are + colored people in the same condition. An unclean white man should not be + allowed to force himself into a hotel, or into a railway car—neither + should the unclean colored. What I claim is, that in public places, no + distinction should be made on account of race or color. The bad black man + should be treated like the bad white man, and the good black man like the + good white man. Social equality is not contended for—neither between + white and white, black and black, nor between white and black. + </p> + <p> + In all social relations we should have the utmost liberty—but public + duties should be discharged and public rights should be recognized, + without the slightest discrimination on account of race or color. Riding + in the same cars, stopping at the same inns, sitting in the same theatres, + no more involve a social question, or social equality, than speaking the + same language, reading the same books, hearing the same music, traveling + on the same highway, eating the same food, breathing the same air, warming + by the same sun, shivering in the same cold, defending the same flag, + loving the same country, or living in the same world. + </p> + <p> + And yet, thousands of people are in deadly fear about social equality. + They imagine that riding with colored people is dangerous—that the + chance acquaintance may lead to marriage. They wish to be protected from + such consequences by law. They dare not trust themselves. They appeal to + the Supreme Court for assistance, and wish to be barricaded by a + constitutional amendment. They are willing that colored women shall + prepare their food—that colored waiters shall bring it to them—willing + to ride in the same cars with the porters and to be shown to their seats + in theatres by colored ushers—willing to be nursed in sickness by + colored servants. They see nothing dangerous—nothing repugnant, in + any of these relations,—but the idea of riding in the same car, + stopping at the same hotel, fills them with fear—fear for the future + of our race. Such people can be described only in the language of Walt + Whitman. "They are the immutable, granitic pudding-heads of the world.". + </p> + <p> + Liberty is not a social question. Civil equality is not social equality. + We are equal only in rights. No two persons are of equal weight, or + height. There are no two leaves in all the forests of the earth alike—no + two blades of grass—no two grains of sand—no two hairs. No two + any-things in the physical world are precisely alike. Neither mental nor + physical equality can be created by law, but law recognizes the fact that + all men have been clothed with equal rights by Nature, the mother of us + all. + </p> + <p> + The man who hates the black man because he is black, has the same spirit + as he who hates the poor man because he is poor. It is the spirit of + caste. The proud useless despises the honest useful. The parasite idleness + scorns the great oak of labor on which it feeds, and that lifts it to the + light. + </p> + <p> + I am the inferior of any man whose rights I trample under foot. Men are + not superior by reason of the accidents of race or color. They are + superior who have the best heart—the best brain. Superiority is born + of honesty, of virtue, of charity, and above all, of the love of liberty. + The superior man is the providence of the inferior. He is eyes for the + blind, strength for the weak, and a shield for the defenceless. He stands + erect by bending above the fallen. He rises by lifting others. + </p> + <p> + In this country all rights must be preserved, all wrongs redressed, + through the ballot. The colored man has in his possession in his care, a + part of the sovereign power of the Republic. At the ballot-box he is the + equal of judges and senators, and presidents, and his vote, when counted, + is the equal of any other. He must use this sovereign power for his own + protection, and for the preservation of his children. The ballot is his + sword and shield. It is his political providence. It is the rock on which + he stands, the column against which he leans. He should vote for no man + who dees not believe in equal rights for all—in the same privileges + and immunities for all citizens, irrespective of race or color. + </p> + <p> + He should not be misled by party cries, or by vague promises in political + platforms. He should vote for the men, for the party, that will protect + him; for congressmen who believe in liberty, for judges who worship + justice, whose brains are not tangled by technicalities, and whose hearts + are not petrified by precedents; and for presidents who will protect the + blackest citizen from the tyranny of the whitest State. As you cannot + trust the word of some white people, and as some black people do not + always tell the truth, you must compel all candidates to put their + principle' in black and white. + </p> + <p> + Of one thing you can rest assured: The best white people are your friends. + The humane, the civilized, the just, the most intelligent, the grandest, + are on your side. The sympathies of the noblest are with you. Your enemies + are also the enemies of liberty, of progress and of justice. The white men + who make the white race honorable believe in equal rights for you. The + noblest living are, the noblest dead were, your friends. I ask you to + stand with your friends. + </p> + <p> + Do not hold the Republican party responsible for this decision, unless the + Republican party endorses it. Had the question been submitted to that + party, it would have been decided exactly the other way—at least a + hundred to one. That party gave you the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. + They were given in good faith. These amendments put you on a + constitutional and political equality with white men. That they have been + narrowed in their application by the Supreme Court, is not the fault of + the Republican party. Let us wait and see what the Republican party will + do. That party has a strange history, and in that history is a mingling of + cowardice and courage. The army of progress always becomes fearful after + victory, and courageous after defeat. It has been the custom for principle + to apologize to prejudice. The Proclamation of Emancipation gave liberty + only to slaves beyond our lines—those beneath our flag were left to + wear their chains. We said to the Southern States: "Lay down your arms, + and you shall keep your slaves." We tried to buy peace at the expense of + the negro. + </p> + <p> + We offered to sacrifice the manhood of the North, and the natural rights + of the colored man, upon the altar of the Union. The rejection of that + offer saved us from infamy. At one time we refused to allow the loyal + black man to come within our lines. We would meet him at the outposts, + receive his information, and drive him back to chain and lash. The + Government publicly proclaimed that the war was waged to save the Union, + with slavery. We were afraid to claim that the negro was a man—afraid + to admit that he was property—and so we called him "contraband." We + hesitated to allow the negro to fight for his own freedom—hesitated + to let him wear the uniform of the nation while he battled for the + supremacy of its flag. + </p> + <p> + These are some of the inconsistencies of the past. In spite of them we + advanced. We were educated by events, and at last we clearly saw that + slavery was rebellion; that the "institution" had borne its natural fruit—civil + war; that the entire country was responsible for slavery, and that slavery + was responsible for rebellion. We declared that slavery should be + extirpated from the Republic. The great armies led by the greatest + commander of the modern world, shattered, crushed and demolished the + Rebellion. The North grew grand. The people became sublime. The three + sacred amendments were adopted. The Republic was free. + </p> + <p> + Then came a period of hesitation, apology and fear. The colored citizen + was left to his fate. For years the Federal arm, palsied by policy, was + powerless to protect; and this period of fear, of hesitation, of apology, + of lack of confidence in the right, has borne its natural fruit—this + decision of the Supreme Court. + </p> + <p> + But it is not for me to give you advice. Your conduct has been above all + praise. You have been as patient as the earth beneath, as the stars above. + You have been law-abiding and industrious, You have not offensively + asserted your rights, or offensively borne your wrongs. You have been + modest and forgiving. You have returned good for evil. When I remember + that the ancestors of my race were in universities and colleges and common + schools while you and your fathers were on the auction-block, in the + slave-pen, or in the field beneath the cruel lash, in States where reading + and writing were crimes, I am astonished at the progress you have made. + </p> + <p> + All that I—all that any reasonable man—can ask is, that you + continue doing as you have done. Above all things—educate your + children—strive to make yourselves independent—work for homes—work + for yourselves—and wherever it is possible become the masters of + yourselves. + </p> + <p> + Nothing gives me more pleasure than to see your little children with books + under their arms, going and coming from school. + </p> + <p> + It is very easy to see why colored people should hate us, but why we + should hate them is beyond my comprehension. They never sold our wives. + They never robbed our cradles.. They never scarred our backs. They never + pursued us with bloodhounds. They never branded our flesh. + </p> + <p> + It has been said that it is hard to forgive a man to whom we have done a + great injury. I can conceive of no other reason why we should hate the + colored people. To us they are a standing reproach. Their history is our + shame. Their virtues seem to enrage some white people—their patience + to provoke, and their forgiveness to insult. Turn the tables—change + places—and with what fierceness, with what ferocity, with what + insane and passionate intensity we would hate them! + </p> + <p> + The colored people do not ask for revenge—they simply ask for + justice. They are willing to forget the past—willing to hide their + scars—anxious to bury the broken chains, and to forget the miseries + and hardships, the tears and agonies, of two hundred years. + </p> + <p> + The old issues are again upon us. Is this a Nation? Have all citizens of + the United States equal rights, without regard to race or color? Is it the + duty of the General Government to protect its citizens? Can the Federal + arm be palsied by the action or non-action of a State? + </p> + <p> + Another opportunity is given for the people of this country to take sides. + According to my belief, the supreme thing for every man to do is to be + absolutely true to himself. All consequences—whether rewards or + punishments, whether honor and power, or disgrace and poverty, are as + dreams undreamt. I have made my choice. I have taken my stand. Where my + brain and heart go, there I will publicly and openly walk. Doing this, is + my highest conception of duty. Being allowed to do this, is liberty. + </p> + <p> + If this is not now a free Government; if citizens cannot now be protected, + regardless of race or color; if the three sacred amendments have been + undermined by the Supreme Court—we must have another; and if that + fails, then another; and we must neither stop, nor pause, until the + Constitution shall become a perfect shield for every right, of every human + being, beneath our flag. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0002" id="link0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + TRIAL OF C. B. REYNOLDS FOR BLASPHEMY. + </h2> + <h3> + Address to the Jury. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Within thirty miles of New York, in the city of + Morristown, New Jersey, a man was put on trial yesterday for + distributing a pamphlet argument against the infallibility + of the Bible. The crime which the Indictment alleges Is + Blasphemy, for which the statutes of New Jersey provide a + penalty of two hundred dollars fine, or twelve months + imprisonment, or both. It is the first case of the kind ever + tried in New Jersey, although the law dates back to colonial + days. Charles B. Reynolds is the man on trial, and the State + of New Jersey, through the Prosecuting Attorney of Morris + County, is the prosecutor. The Circuit Court, Judge Francis + Child, assisted by County Judges Munson and Quimby, sit upon + the case. Prosecutor Wilder W. Cutler represents the State, + and Robert G. Ingersoll appears for the defendant. + + Mr. Reynolds went to Boonton last summer to hold "free- + thought" meetings. Announcing his purpose without any + flourish, he secured a piece of ground, pitched a tent upon + it, and invited the towns-people to come and hear him. It + was understood that he had been a Methodist minister: that, + finding it impossible to reconcile his mind to some of the + historical parts of the Bible, and unable to accept it in + its entirety as a moral guide, he left the church and set + out to proclaim his conclusions. The churches in Boonton + arrayed themselves against him. The Catholics and Methodists + were especially active. Taking this opposition as an excuse, + one element of the town invaded his tent. They pelted + Reynolds with ancient eggs and vegetables. They chopped away + the guy ropes of the tent and slashed the canvas with their + knives. When the tent collapsed, the crowd rushed for the + speaker to inflict further punishment by plunging him in the + duck pond They rummaged the wrecked tent, but in vain. He + had made his way ont in the confusion and was no more seen + in Boonton. + + But what he had said did not leave Boonton with him, and the + pamphlets he had distributed were read by many who probably + would not have looked between their covers had his visit + been attended by no unusual circumstances. Boonton was still + agitated up on the subject when Mr. Reynolds appeared in + Morristown. This time he did not try to hold meetings, but + had his pamphlets with him. + + Mr. Reynolds appeared in Morristown with the pamphlets on + October thirteenth. A Boonton delegation was there, + clamoring for his indictment for blasphemy. The Grand Jury + heard of his visit and found two indictments against him; + one for blasphemy at + + Boonton and the second for blasphemy at Morristown. He + furnished a five hundred dollar bond to appear for trial. On + account of Colonel Ingersoll's throat troubles the case was + adjourned several times through the winter and until Monday + last, when it was set peremptorily for trial yesterday. + + The public feeling excited at Boonton was overshadowed by + that at Morristown and the neighboring region. For six + months no topic was so interesting to the public as this. It + monopolized attention at the stores, and became a fruitful + subject of gossip in social and church circles. Under such + circumstances it was to be expected that everybody who could + spare the time would go to court yesterday. Lines of people + began to climb the court house hill early in the morning. At + the hour of opening court the room set apart for the trial + was packed, and distaffs had to be stationed at the foot of + the stairs to keep back those who were not early enough. + From nine thirty to eleven o'clock the crowd inside talked + of blasphemy in all the phases suggested by this case, and + the outsiders waited patiently on the lawn and steps and + along the dusty approaches to the gray building. + + Eleven o'clock brought the train from New York and on it + Colonel Ingersoll. His arrival at the court house with his + clerk opened a new chapter in the day's gossip. The event + was so absorbing indeed, that the crowd failed entirely to + notice an elderly man wearing a black frock snit, a silk + hat, with an army badge pinned to his coat, and looking like + a merchant of means, who entered the court house a few + minutes behind the famous lawyer. The last comer was the + defendant. + + All was ready for the case. Within five minutes five jurors + were in the box. Then Colonel Ingersoll asked what were his + rights about challenges. He was informed that he might make + six peremptory challenges and must challenge before the + jurors took their seats. The only disqualification the Court + would recognize would be the inability of a juror to change + his opinion in spite of evidence. Colonel Ingersoll induced + the Court to let him examine the five in the box and + promptly ejected two Presbyterians. + + Thereafter Colonel Ingersoll examined every juror as soon as + presented. He asked particularly about the nature of each + man's prejudice, if he had one. To a juror who did not know + that he understood the word, the Colonel replied: "I may not + define the word legally, but my own idea is that a man is + prejudiced when he has made up his mind on a case without + knowing anything about it." This juror thought that he came + under that category. + + Presbyterians had a rather hard time with the examiner. + After twenty men had been examined and the defence had + exercised five of its peremptory challenges, the following + were sworn as jurymen. * * * * + + The jury having been sworn, Prosecutor Cutler announced that + he would try only the indictment for the offence in + Morristown. He said that Reynolds was charged with + distributing pamphlets containing matter claimed to be + blasphemous under the law. If the charge could be proved he + asked a verdict of guilty. Then he called sixteen towns- + people, to most of whom Reynolds had given a pamphlet. + + Colonel Ingersoll tried to get the Presbyterian witnesses to + say that they had read the pamphlet. Not one of them + admitted it. Further than this he attempted no + cross-examination. + + "I do not know that I shall have any witnesses one way or + the other," Colonel Ingersoll said, rising to suggest a + recess. "Perhaps after dinner I may feel like making a few + remarks." + + "There will be great disappointment if you do not" Judge + Child responded, in a tone that meant a word for himself as + well as for the other listeners. The spectators nodded + approval to this sentiment. At 4:20 o'clock Col. Ingersoll + having spoken since 2 o'clock, Judge Child adjourned court + until this morning. + + As Colonel Ingersoll left the room a throng pressed after + him to offer congratulations. One old man said: "Colonel + Ingersoll I am a Presbyterian pastor, but I must say that + was the noblest speech in defence of liberty I ever heard! + Your hand, sir; your hand,"—The Times, New York, May + 20,1887. +</pre> + <p> + GENTLEMEN of the Jury: I regard this as one of the most important cases + that can be submitted to a jury. It is not a case that involves a little + property, neither is it one that involves simply the liberty of one man. + It involves the freedom of speech, the intellectual liberty of every + citizen of New Jersey. + </p> + <p> + The question to be tried by you is whether a man has the right to express + his honest thought; and for that reason there can be no case of greater + importance submitted to a jury. And it may be well enough for me, at the + outset, to admit that there could be no case in which I could take a + greater—a deeper interest. For my part, I would not wish to live in + a world where I could not express my honest opinions. Men who deny to + others the right of speech are not fit to live with honest men. + </p> + <p> + I deny the right of any man, of any number of men, of any church, of any + State, to put a padlock on the lips—to make the tongue a convict. I + passionately deny the right of the Herod of authority to kill the children + of the brain. A man has a right to work with his hands, to plow the earth, + to sow the seed, and that man has a right to reap the harvest. If we have + not that right, then all are slaves except those who take these rights + from their fellow-men. If you have the right to work with your hands and + to gather the harvest for yourself and your children, have you not a right + to cultivate your brain? Have you not the right to read, to observe, to + investigate—and when you have so read and so investigated, have you + not the right to reap that field? And what is it to reap that field? It is + simply to express what you have ascertained—simply to give your + thoughts to your fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + If there is one subject in this world worthy of being discussed, worthy of + being understood, it is the question of intellectual liberty. Without + that, we are simply painted clay; without that, we are poor, miserable + serfs and slaves. If you have not the right to express your opinions, if + the defendant has not this right, then no man ever walked beneath the blue + of heaven that had the right to express his thought. If others claim the + right, where did they get it? How did they happen to have it, and how did + you happen to be deprived of it? Where did a church or a nation get that + right? + </p> + <p> + Are we not all children of the same Mother? Are we not all compelled to + think, whether we wish to or not? Can you help thinking as you do? When + you look out upon the woods, the fields,—when you look at the solemn + splendors of the night—these things produce certain thoughts in your + mind, and they produce them necessarily. No man can think as he desires. + No man controls the action of his brain, any more than he controls the + action of his heart. The blood pursues its old accustomed ways in spite of + you. The eyes see, if you open them, in spite of you. The ears hear, if + they are unstopped, without asking your permission. And the brain thinks + in spite of you. Should you express that thought? Certainly you should, if + others express theirs. You have exactly the same right. He who takes it + from you is a robber. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years people have been trying to force other people to + think their way. Did they succeed? No. Will they succeed? No. Why? Because + brute force is not an argument. You can stand with the lash over a man, or + you can stand by the prison door, or beneath the gallows, or by the stake, + and say to this man: "Recant or the lash descends, the prison door is + locked upon you, the rope is put about your neck, or the torch is given to + the fagot." And so the man recants. Is he convinced? Not at all. Have you + produced a new argument? Not the slightest. And yet the ignorant bigots of + this world have been trying for thousands of years to rule the minds of + men by brute force. They have endeavored to improve the mind by torturing + the flesh—to spread religion with the sword and torch. They have + tried to convince their brothers by putting their feet in iron boots, by + putting fathers, mothers, patriots, philosophers and philanthropists in + dungeons. And what has been the result? Are we any nearer thinking alike + to-day than we were then? + </p> + <p> + No orthodox church ever had power that it did not endeavor to make people + think its way by force and flame. And yet every church that ever was + established commenced in the minority, and while it was in the minority + advocated free speech—every one. John Calvin, the founder of the + Presbyterian Church, while he lived in France, wrote a book on religious + toleration in order to show that all men had an equal right to think; and + yet that man afterward, clothed in a little authority, forgot all his + sentiments about religious liberty, and had poor Servetus burned at the + stake, for differing with him on a question that neither of them knew + anything about. In the minority, Calvin advocated toleration—in the + majority, he practiced murder. + </p> + <p> + I want you to understand what has been done in the world to force men to + think alike. It seems to me that if there is some infinite being who wants + us to think alike, he would have made us alike. Why did he not do so? Why + did he make your brain so that you could not by any possibility be a + Methodist? Why did he make yours so that you could not be a Catholic? And + why did he make the brain of another so that he is an unbeliever—why + the brain of another so that he became a Mohammedan—if he wanted us + all to believe alike? + </p> + <p> + After all, may be Nature is good enough and grand enough and broad enough + to give us the diversity born of liberty. May be, after all, it would not + be best for us all to be just the same. What a stupid world, if everybody + said yes to everything that everybody else might say. + </p> + <p> + The most important thing in this world is liberty. More important than + food or clothes—more important than gold or houses or lands—more + important than art or science—more important than all religions, is + the liberty of man. + </p> + <p> + If civilization tends to do away with liberty, then I agree with Mr. + Buckle that civilization is a curse. Gladly would I give up the splendors + of the nineteenth century—gladly would I forget every invention that + has leaped from the brain of man—gladly would I see all books ashes, + all works of art destroyed, all statues broken, and all the triumphs of + the world lost—gladly, joyously would I go back to the abodes and + dens of savagery, if that were necessary to preserve the inestimable gem + of human liberty. So would every man who has a heart and brain. + </p> + <p> + How has the church in every age, when in authority, defended itself? + Always by a statute against blasphemy, against argument, against free + speech. And there never was such a statute that did not stain the book + that it was in, and that did not certify to the savagery of the men who + passed it. Never. By making a statute and by defining blasphemy, the + church sought to prevent discussion—sought to prevent argument—sought + to prevent a man giving his honest opinion. Certainly a tenet, a dogma, a + doctrine, is safe when hedged about by a statute that prevents your + speaking against it. In the silence of slavery it exists. It lives because + lips are locked. It lives because men are slaves. + </p> + <p> + If I understand myself, I advocate only the doctrines that in my judgment + will make this world happier and better. If I know myself, I advocate only + those things that will make a man a better citizen, a better father, a + kinder husband—that will make a woman a better wife, a better mother—doctrines + that will fill every home with sunshine and with joy. And if I believed + that anything I should say to-day would have any other possible tendency, + I would stop. I am a believer in liberty. That is my religion—to + give to every other human being every right that I claim for myself, and I + grant to every other human being, not the right—because it is his + right—but instead of granting I declare that it is his right, to + attack every doctrine that I maintain, to answer every argument that I + urge—in other words, he must have absolute freedom of speech. + </p> + <p> + I am a believer in what I call "intellectual hospitality." A man comes to + your door. If you are a gentleman and he appears to be a good man, you + receive him with a smile. You ask after his health. You say: "Take a + chair; are you thirsty, are you hungry, will you not break bread with me?" + That is what a hospitable, good man does—he does not set the dog on + him. Now, how should we treat a new thought? I say that the brain should + be hospitable and say to the new thought: "Come in; sit down; I want to + cross-examine you; I want to find whether you are good or bad; if good, + stay; if bad, I don't want to hurt you—probably you think you are + all right,—but your room is better than your company, and I will + take another idea in your place." Why not? Can any man have the egotism to + say that he has found it all out? No. Every man who has thought, knows not + only how little he knows, but how little every other human being knows, + and how ignorant, after all, the world must be. + </p> + <p> + There was a time in Europe when the Catholic Church had power. And I want + it distinctly understood with this jury, that while I am opposed to + Catholicism I am not opposed to Catholics—while I am opposed to + Presbyterianism I am not opposed to Presbyterians. I do not fight people,—I + fight ideas, I fight principles, and I never go into personalities. As I + said, I do not hate Presbyterians, but Presbyterianism—that is, I am + opposed to their doctrine. I do not hate a man that has the rheumatism—I + hate the rheumatism when it has a man. So I attack certain principles + because I think they are wrong, but I always want it understood that I + have nothing against persons—nothing against victims. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when the Catholic Church was in power in the Old World. + All at once there arose a man called Martin Luther, and what did the dear + old Catholics think? "Oh," they said, "that man and his followers are + going to hell." But they did not go. They were very good people. They may + have been mistaken—I do not know. I think they were right in their + opposition to Catholicism—but I have just as much objection to the + religion they founded as I have to the church they left. But they thought + they were right, and they made very good citizens, and it turned out that + their differing from the Mother Church did not hurt them. And then after + awhile they began to divide, and there arose Baptists; and-the other + gentlemen, who believed in this law that is now in New Jersey, began + cutting off their ears so that they could hear better; they began putting + them in prison so that they would have a chance to think. But the Baptists + turned out to be good folks—first rate—good husbands, good + fathers, good citizens. And in a little while, in England, the people + turned to be Episcopalians, on account of a little war that Henry VIII. + had with the Pope,—and I always sided with the Pope in that war—but + it made no difference; and in a little while the Episcopalians turned out + to be just about like other folks—no worse—and, as I know of, + no better. + </p> + <p> + After awhile arose the Puritan, and the Episcopalian said, "We don't want + anything of him—he is a bad man;" and they finally drove some of + them away and they settled in New England, and there were among them + Quakers, than whom there never were better people on the earth—industrious, + frugal, gentle, kind and loving—and yet these Puritans began hanging + them. They said: "They are corrupting our children; if this thing goes on, + everybody will believe in being kind and gentle and good, and what will + become of us?" They were honest about it. So they went to cutting off + ears. But the Quakers were good people and none of the prophecies were + fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + In a little while there came some Unitarians and they said, "The world is + going to ruin, sure;"—but the world went on as usual, and the + Unitarians produced men like Channing—one of the tenderest spirits + that ever lived—they produced men like Theodore Parker—one of + the greatest brained and greatest hearted men produced upon this continent—a + good man—and yet they thought he was a blasphemer—they even + prayed for his death—on their bended knees they asked their God to + take time to kill him. Well, they were mistaken. Honest, probably. + </p> + <p> + After awhile came the Universalists, who said: "God is good. He will not + damn anybody always, just for a little mistake he made here. This is a + very short life; the path we travel is very dim, and a great many shadows + fall in the way, and if a man happens to stub his toe, God will not burn + him forever." And then all the rest of the sects cried out, "Why, if you + do away with hell, everybody will murder just for pastime—everybody + will go to stealing just to enjoy themselves." But they did not. The + Universalists were good people—just as good as any others. Most of + them much better. None of the prophecies were fulfilled, and yet the + differences existed. + </p> + <p> + And so we go on until we find people who do not believe the Bible at all, + and when they say they do not, they come within this statute. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I am going to try to show you, first, that this statute + under which Mr. Reynolds is being tried is unconstitutional—that it + is not in harmony with the constitution of New Jersey; and I am going to + try to show you in addition to that, that it was passed hundreds of years + ago, by men who believed it was right to burn heretics and tie Quakers to + the end of a cart; men and even modest women—stripped naked—and + lash them from town to town. They were the men who originally passed that + statute, and I want to show you that it has slept all this time, and I am + informed—I do not know how it is—that there never has been a + prosecution in this State for blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, what is blasphemy? Of course nobody knows what it is, + unless he takes into consideration where he is. What is blasphemy in one + country would be a religious exhortation, in another. It is owing to where + you are and who is in authority. And let me call your attention to the + impudence and bigotry of the American Christians. We send missionaries to + other countries. What for? To tell them that their religion is false, that + their gods are myths and monsters, that their saviors and apostles were + impostors, and that our religion is true. You send a man from Morristown—a + Presbyterian, over to Turkey. He goes there, and he tells the Mohammedans—and + he has it in a pamphlet and he distributes it—that the Koran is a + lie, that Mohammed was not a prophet of God, that the angel Gabriel is not + so large that it is four hundred leagues between his eyes—that it is + all a mistake—there never was an angel so large as that. Then what + would the Turks do? Suppose the Turks had a law like this statute in New + Jersey. They would put the Morristown missionary in jail, and he would + send home word, and then what would the people of Morristown say? Honestly—what + do you think they would say? They would say, "Why, look at those poor, + heathen wretches. We sent a man over there armed with the truth, and yet + they were so blinded by their idolatrous religion, so steeped in + superstition, that they actually put that man in prison." Gentlemen, does + not that show the need of more missionaries? I would say, yes. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us turn the tables. A gentleman comes from Turkey to Morristown. + He has got a pamphlet. He says, "The Koran is the inspired book, Mohammed + is the real prophet, your Bible is false and your Savior simply a myth." + Thereupon the Morristown people put him in jail. Then what would the Turks + say? They would say, "Morristown needs more missionaries," and I would + agree with them. + </p> + <p> + In other words, what we want is intellectual hospitality. Let the world + talk. And see how foolish this trial is. I have no doubt that the + prosecuting attorney-agrees with me to-day, that whether this law is good + or bad, this trial should not have taken place. And let me tell you why. + Here comes a man into your town and circulates a pamphlet. Now, if they + had just kept still, very few would ever have heard of it. That would have + been the end. The diameter of the echo would have been a few thousand + feet. But in order to stop the discussion of that question, they indicted + this man, and that question has been more discussed in this country since + this indictment than all the discussions put together since New Jersey was + first granted to Charles II.'s dearest brother James, the Duke of York.. + And what else? A trial here that is to be reported and published all over + the United States, a trial that will give Mr. Reynolds a congregation of + fifty millions of people. And yet this was done for the purpose of + stopping a discussion of this subject. I want to show you that the thing + is in itself almost idiotic—that it defeats itself, and that you + cannot crush out these things by force. Not only so, but Mr. Reynolds has + the right to be defended, and his counsel has the right to give his + opinions on this subject. + </p> + <p> + Suppose that we put Mr. Reynolds in jail. The argument has not been sent + to jail. That is still going the rounds, free as the winds. Suppose you + keep him at hard labor a year—all the time he is there, hundreds and + thousands of people will be reading some account, or some fragment, of + this trial. There is the trouble. If you could only imprison a thought, + then intellectual tyranny might succeed. If you could only take an + argument and put a striped suit of clothes on it—if you could only + take a good, splendid, shining fact and lock it up in some dungeon of + ignorance, so that its light would never again enter the mind of man, then + you might succeed in stopping human progress. Otherwise, no. + </p> + <p> + Let us see about this particular statute. In the first place, the State + has a constitution. That constitution is a rule, a limitation to the power + of the Legislature, and a certain breastwork for the protection of private + rights, and the constitution says to this sea of passions and prejudices: + "Thus far and no farther." The constitution says to each individual: "This + shall panoply you; this is your complete coat of mail; this shall defend + your rights." And it is usual in this country to make as a part of each + constitution several general declarations—called the Bill of Rights. + So I find that in the old constitution of New Jersey, which was adopted in + the year of grace 1776, although the people at that time were not educated + as they are now—the spirit of the Revolution at that time not having + permeated all classes of society—a declaration in favor of religious + freedom. The people were on the eve of a revolution. This constitution was + adopted on the third day of July, 1776, one day before the immortal + Declaration of Independence. Now, what do we find in this—and we + have got to go by this light, by this torch, when we examine the statute. + </p> + <p> + I find in that constitution, in its Eighteenth Section, this: "No person + shall ever in this State be deprived of the inestimable privilege of + worshiping God, in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own + conscience; nor under any pretence whatever be compelled to attend any + place of worship contrary to his own faith and judgment; nor shall he be + obliged to pay tithes, taxes, or any other rates for the purpose of + building or repairing any church or churches, contrary to what he believes + to be true." That was a very great and splendid step. It was the divorce + of church and state. It no longer allowed the State to levy taxes for the + support of a particular religion, and it said to every citizen of New + Jersey: All that you give for that purpose must be voluntarily given, and + the State will not compel you to pay for the maintenance of a church in + which you do not believe. So far so good. + </p> + <p> + The next paragraph was not so good. "There shall be no establishment of + any one religious sect in this State in preference to another, and no + Protestant inhabitants of this State shall be denied the enjoyment of any + civil right merely on account of his religious principles; but all persons + professing a belief in the faith of any Protestant sect, who shall demean + themselves peaceably, shall be capable of being elected to any office of + profit or trust, and shall fully and freely enjoy every privilege and + immunity enjoyed by other citizens." + </p> + <p> + What became of the Catholics under that clause, I do not know—whether + they had any right to be elected to office or not under this Act. But in + 1844, the State having grown civilized in the meantime, another + constitution was adopted. The word Protestant was then left out. There was + to be no establishment of one religion over another. But Protestantism did + not render a man capable of being elected to office any more than + Catholicism, and nothing is said about any religious belief whatever. So + far, so good. + </p> + <p> + "No religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office of + public trust. No person shall be denied the enjoyment of any civil right + on account of his religious principles." + </p> + <p> + That is a very broad and splendid provision. "No person shall be denied + any civil right on account of his religious principles." That was copied + from the Virginia constitution, and that clause in the Virginia + constitution was written by Thomas Jefferson, and under that clause men + were entitled to give their testimony in the courts of Virginia whether + they believed in any religion or not, in any bible or not, or in any god + or not. + </p> + <p> + That same clause was afterward adopted by the State of Illinois, also by + many other States, and wherever that clause is, no citizen can be denied + any civil right on account of his religious principles. It is a broad and + generous clause. This statute, under which this indictment is drawn, is + not in accordance with the spirit of that splendid sentiment. Under that + clause, no man can be deprived of any civil right on account of his + religious principles, or on account of his belief. And yet, on account of + this miserable, this antiquated, this barbarous and savage statute, the + same man who cannot be denied any political or civil right, can be sent to + the penitentiary as a common felon for simply expressing his honest + thought. And before I get through I hope to convince you that this statute + is unconstitutional. + </p> + <p> + But we will go another step: "Every person may freely speak, write, or + publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of + that right." + </p> + <p> + That is in the constitution of nearly every State in the Union, and the + intention of that is to cover slanderous words—to cover a case where + a man under pretence of enjoying the freedom of speech falsely assails or + accuses his neighbor. Of course he should be held responsible for that + abuse. + </p> + <p> + Then follows the great clause in the constitution of 1844—more + important than any other clause in that instrument—a clause that + shines in that constitution like a star at night.— + </p> + <p> + "No law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of + the press." + </p> + <p> + Can anything be plainer—anything be more forcibly stated? + </p> + <p> + "No law shall be passed to abridge the liberty of speech." + </p> + <p> + Now, while you are considering this statute, I want you to keep in mind + this other statement: + </p> + <p> + "No law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of + the press." + </p> + <p> + And right here there is another thing I want to call your attention to. + There is a constitution higher than any statute. There is a law higher + than any constitution. It is the law of the human conscience, and no man + who is a man will defile and pollute his conscience at the bidding of any + legislature. Above all things, one should maintain his selfrespect, and + there is but one way to do that, and that is to live in accordance with + your highest ideal. + </p> + <p> + There is a law higher than men can make. The facts as they exist in this + poor world—the absolute consequences of certain acts—they are + above all. And this higher law is the breath of progress, the very + outstretched wings of civilization, under which we enjoy the freedom we + have. Keep that in your minds. There never was a legislature great enough—there + never was a constitution sacred enough, to compel a civilized man to stand + between a black man and his liberty. There never was a constitution great + enough to make me stand between any human being and his right to express + his honest thoughts. Such a constitution is an insult to the human soul, + and I would care no more for it than I would for the growl of a wild + beast. But we are not driven to that necessity here. This constitution is + in accord with the highest and noblest aspirations of the heart—"No + law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech." + </p> + <p> + Now let us come to this old law—this law that was asleep for a + hundred years before this constitution was adopted—this law coiled + like a snake beneath the foundations of the Government—this law, + cowardly, dastardly—this law passed by wretches who were afraid: to + discuss—this law passed by men who could not, and who knew they + could not, defend their creed—and so they said: "Give us the sword + of the State and we will cleave the heretic down." And this law was made + to control the minority. When the Catholics were in power they visited + that law upon their opponents. When the Episcopalians were in power, they + tortured and burned the poor Catholic who had scoffed and who had denied + the truth of their religion. Whoever was in power used that, and whoever + was out of power cursed that—and yet, the moment he got in power he + used it: The people became civilized—but that law was on the statute + book. It simply remained. There it was, sound asleep—its lips drawn + over its long and cruel teeth. Nobody savage enough to waken it. And it + slept on, and New Jersey has flourished. Men have done well. You have had + average health in this country. Nobody roused the statute until the + defendant in this case went to Boonton, and there made a speech in which + he gave his honest thought, and the people not having an argument handy, + threw stones. Thereupon Mr. Reynolds, the defendant, published a pamphlet + on Blasphemy and in it gave a photograph of the Boonton Christians. That + is his offence. Now let us read this infamous statute: + </p> + <p> + "<i>If any person shall willfully blaspheme the holy name of God by + denying, cursing, or contumeliously reproaching his being</i>"— + </p> + <p> + I want to say right here—many a man has cursed the God of another + man. The Catholics have cursed the God of the Protestant. The + Presbyterians have cursed the God of the Catholics—charged them with + idolatry—cursed their images, laughed at their ceremonies. And these + compliments have been interchanged between all the religions of the world. + But I say here to-day that no man, unless a raving maniac, ever cursed the + God in whom he believed. No man, no human being, has ever lived who cursed + his own idea of God. He always curses the idea that somebody else + entertains. No human being ever yet cursed what he believed to be infinite + wisdom and infinite goodness—and you know it. Every man on this jury + knows that. He feels that that must be an absolute certainty. Then what + have they cursed? Some God they did not believe in—that is all. And + has a man that right? I say, yes. He has a right to give his opinion of + Jupiter, and there is nobody in Morristown who will deny him that right. + But several thousands years ago it would have been very dangerous for him + to have cursed Jupiter, and yet Jupiter is just as powerful now as he was + then, but the Roman people are not powerful, and that is all there was to + Jupiter—the Roman people. + </p> + <p> + So there was a time when you could have cursed Zeus, the god of the + Greeks, and like Socrates, they would have compelled you to drink hemlock. + Yet now everybody can curse this god. Why? Is the god dead? No. He is just + as alive as he ever was. Then what has happened? The Greeks have passed + away. That is all. So in all of our churches here. Whenever a church is in + the minority it clamors for free speech. When it gets in the majority, no. + I do not believe the history of the world will show that any orthodox + church when in the majority ever had the courage to face the free lips of + the world. It sends for a constable. And is it not wonderful that they + should do this when they preach the gospel of universal forgiveness—when + they say, "if a man strike you on one cheek turn to him the other also—but + if he laughs at your religion, put him in the penitentiary"? Is that the + doctrine? Is that the law? + </p> + <p> + Now, read this law. Do you know as I read it I can almost hear John Calvin + laugh in his grave. That would have been a delight to him. It is written + exactly as he would have written it. There never was an inquisitor who + would not have read that law with a malicious smile. The Christians who + brought the fagots and ran with all their might to be at the burning, + would have enjoyed that law. You know that when they used to burn people + for having said something against religion, they used to cut their tongues + out before they burned them. Why? For fear that if they did not, the poor, + burning victims might say something that would scandalize the Christian + gentlemen who were building the fire. All these persons would have been + delighted with this law. + </p> + <p> + Let us read a little further: + </p> + <p> + "—<i>Or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching Jesus Christ</i>." + </p> + <p> + Why, whoever did, since the poor man, or the poor God, was crucified? How + did they come to crucify him? Because they did not believe in free speech + in Jerusalem. How else? Because there was a law against blasphemy in + Jerusalem—a law exactly like this. Just think of it. Oh, I tell you + we have passed too many mile-stones on the shining road of human progress + to turn back and wallow in that blood, in that mire. + </p> + <p> + No: Some men have said that he was simply a man. Some believed that he was + actually a God. Others believed that he was not only a man, but that he + stood as the representative of infinite love and wisdom. No man ever said + one word against that Being for saying "Do unto others as ye would that + others should do unto you." No man ever raised his voice against him + because he said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." + And are they the "merciful" who when some man endeavors to answer their + argument, put him in the penitentiary? No. The trouble is, the priests—the + trouble is, the ministers—the trouble is, the people whose business + it was to tell the meaning of these things, quarreled' with each other, + and they put meanings upon human expressions by malice, meanings that the + words will not bear. And let me be just to them. I believe that nearly all + that has been done in this world has been honestly done. I believe that + the poor savage who kneels down and prays to a stuffed snake—prays + that his little children may recover from the fever—is honest, and + it seems to me that a good God would answer his prayer if he could, if it + was in accordance with wisdom, because the poor savage was doing the best + he could, and no one can do any better than that. + </p> + <p> + So I believe that the Presbyterians who used to think that nearly + everybody was going to hell, said exactly what they believed. They were + honest about it, and I would not send one of them to jail—would + never think of such a thing—even if he called the unbelievers of the + world "wretches," "dogs," and "devils." What would I do? I would simply + answer him—that is all; answer him kindly. I might laugh at him a + little, but I would answer him in kindness. + </p> + <p> + So these divisions of the human mind are natural. They are a necessity. Do + you know that all the mechanics that ever lived—take the best ones—cannot + make two clocks that will run exactly alike one hour, one minute? They + cannot make two pendulums that will beat in exactly the same time, one + beat. If you cannot do that, how are you going to make hundreds, + thousands, billions of people, each with a different quality and quantity + of brain, each clad in a robe of living, quivering flesh, and each driven + by passion's storm over the wild sea of life—how are you going to + make them all think alike? This is the impossible thing that Christian + ignorance and bigotry and malice have been trying to do. This was the + object of the Inquisition and of the foolish Legislature that passed this + statute. + </p> + <p> + Let me read you another line from this ignorant statute:— + </p> + <p> + "<i>Or the Christian religion</i>." + </p> + <p> + Well, what is the Christian religion? "If you scoff at the Christian + religion—if you curse the Christian religion." Well what is it? + Gentlemen, you hear Presbyterians every day attack the Catholic Church. Is + that the Christian religion? The Catholic believes it is the Christian + religion, and you have to admit that it is the oldest one, and then the + Catholics turn round and scoff at the Protestants. Is that the Christian + religion? If so, every Christian religion has been cursed by every other + Christian religion. Is not that an absurd and foolish statute? + </p> + <p> + I say that the Catholic has the right to attack the Presbyterian and tell + him, "Your doctrine is all wrong." I think he has the right to say to him, + "You are leading thousands to hell." If he believes it, he not only has + the right to say it, but it is his duty to say it; and if the Presbyterian + really believes the Catholics are all going to the devil, it is his duty + to say so. Why not? I will never have any religion that I cannot defend—that + is, that I do not believe I can defend. I may be mistaken, because no man + is absolutely certain that he knows. We all understand that. Every one is + liable to be mistaken. The horizon of each individual is very narrow, and + in his poor sky the stars are few and very small. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Or the Word of God</i>—" + </p> + <p> + What is that? + </p> + <p> + "<i>The canonical Scriptures contained in the books of the Old and New + Testaments</i>." + </p> + <p> + Now, what has a man the right to say about that? Has he the right to show + that the book of Revelation got into the canon by one vote, and one only? + Has he the right to show that they passed in convention upon what books + they would put in and what they would not? Has he the right to show that + there were twenty-eight books called "The Books of the Hebrew's"? Has he + the right to show that? Has he the right to show that Martin Luther said + he did not believe there was one solitary word of gospel in the Epistle to + the Romans? Has he the right to show that some of these books were not + written till nearly two hundred years afterward? Has he the right to say + it, if he believes it? I do not say whether this is true or not, but has a + man the right to say it if he believes it? + </p> + <p> + Suppose I should read the Bible all through right here in Morristown, and + after I got through I should make up my mind that it is not a true book—what + ought I to say? Ought I to clap my hand over my mouth and start for + another State, and the minute I got over the line say, "It is not true, It + is not true"? Or, ought I to have the right and privilege of saying right + here in New Jersey, "My fellow-citizens, I have read the book—I do + not believe that it is the word of God"? Suppose I read it and think it is + true, then I am bound to say so. If I should go to Turkey and read the + Koran and make up my mind that it is false, you would all say that I was a + miserable poltroon if I did not say so. + </p> + <p> + By force you can make hypocrites—men who will agree with you from + the teeth out, and in their hearts hate you. We want no more hypocrites. + We have enough in every community. And how are you going to keep from + having more? By having the air free,—by wiping from your statute + books such miserable and infamous laws as this. + </p> + <p> + "<i>The Holy Scriptures</i>." + </p> + <p> + Are they holy? Must a man be honest? Has he the right to be sincere? There + are thousands of things in the Scriptures that everybody believes. + Everybody believes the Scriptures are right when they say, "Thou shalt not + steal"—everybody. And when they say "Give good measure, heaped up + and running over," everybody says, "Good!" So when they say "Love your + neighbor," everybody applauds that. Suppose a man believes that, and + practices it, does it make any difference whether he believes in the flood + or not? Is that of any importance? Whether a man built an ark or not—does + that make the slightest difference? A man might deny it and yet be a very + good man. Another might believe it and be a very mean man. Could it now, + by any possibility, make a man a good father, a good husband, a good + citizen? Does it make any difference whether you believe it or not? Does + it make any difference whether or not you believe that a man was going + through town, and his hair was a little short, like mine, and some little + children laughed at him, and thereupon two bears from the woods came down + and tore to pieces about forty of these children? Is it necessary to + believe that? Suppose a man should say, "I guess that is a mistake; they + did not copy that right; I guess the man that reported that was a little + dull of hearing and did not get the story exactly right." Any harm in + saying that? Is a man to be sent to the penitentiary for that? Can you + imagine an infinitely good God sending a man to hell because he did not + believe the bear story? + </p> + <p> + So I say if you believe the Bible, say so; if you do not believe it, say + so. And here is the vital mistake, I might almost say, in Protestantism + itself. The Protestants when they fought the Catholics said: "Read the + Bible for yourselves—stop taking it from your priests—read the + sacred volume with your own eyes; it is a revelation from God to his + children, and you are the children." And then they said: "If after you + read it you do not believe it, and you say anything against it, we will + put you in jail, and God will put you in hell." That is a fine position to + get a man in. It is like a man who invited his neighbor to come and look + at his pictures, saying: "They are the finest in the place, and I want + your candid opinion. A man who looked at them the other day said they were + daubs, and I kicked him downstairs—now I want your candid judgment." + So the Protestant Church says to a man, "This Bible is a message from your + Father,—your Father in heaven. Read it. Judge for yourself. But if + after you have read it you say it is not true, I will put you in the + penitentiary for one year." + </p> + <p> + The Catholic Church has a little more sense about that—at least more + logic. It says: "This Bible is not given to everybody. It is given to the + world, to be sure, but it must be interpreted by the church. God would not + give a Bible to the world unless he also appointed some one, some + organization, to tell the world what it means." They said: "We do not want + the world filled with interpretations, and all the interpreters fighting + each other." And the Protestant has gone to the infinite absurdity of + saying: "Judge for yourself, but if you judge wrong you will go to the + penitentiary here and to hell hereafter.". + </p> + <p> + Now, let us see further: + </p> + <p> + "<i>Or by profane scoffing expose them to ridicule</i>" + </p> + <p> + Think of such a law as that, passed under a constitution that says, "No + law shall abridge the liberty of speech." But you must not ridicule the + Scriptures. Did anybody ever dream of passing a law to protect Shakespeare + from being laughed at? Did anybody ever think of such a thing? Did anybody + ever want any legislative enactment to keep people from holding Robert + Burns in contempt? The songs of Burns will be sung as long as there is + love in the human heart. Do we need to protect him from ridicule by a + statute? Does he need assistance from New Jersey? Is any statute needed to + keep Euclid from being laughed at in this neighborhood? And is it possible + that a work written by an infinite Being has to be protected by a + legislature? Is it possible that a book cannot be written by a God so that + it will not excite the laughter of the human race? + </p> + <p> + Why, gentlemen, humor is one of the most valuable things in the human + brain. It is the torch of the mind—it sheds light. Humor is the + readiest test of truth—of the natural, of the sensible—and + when you take from a man all sense of humor, there will only be enough + left to make a bigot. Teach this man who has no humor—no sense of + the absurd—the Presbyterian creed, fill his darkened brain with + superstition and his heart with hatred—then frighten him with the + threat of hell, and he will be ready to vote for that statute. Such men + made that law. + </p> + <p> + Let us read another clause:— + </p> + <p> + "<i>And every person so offending shall, on conviction, be fined nor + exceeding two hundred dollars, or imprisoned at hard labor not exceeding + twelve months, or both</i>." + </p> + <p> + I want you to remember that this statute was passed in England hundreds of + years ago—just in that language. The punishment, however, has been + somewhat changed. In the good old days when the king sat on the throne—in + the good old days when the altar was the right-bower of the throne—then, + instead of saying: "Fined two hundred dollars and imprisoned one year," it + was: "All his goods shall be confiscated; his tongue shall be bored with a + hot iron, and upon his forehead he shall be branded with the letter B; and + for the second offence he shall suffer death by burning." Those were the + good old days when people maintained the orthodox religion in all its + purity and in all its ferocity. + </p> + <p> + The first question for you, gentlemen, to decide in this case is: Is this + statute constitutional? Is this statute in harmony with, the part of the + constitution of 1844 which says: "The liberty of speech shall not be + abridged"? That is for you to say. Is this law constitutional, or is it + simply an old statute that fell asleep, that was forgotten, that people + simply failed to repeal? I believe I can convince you, if you will think a + moment, that our fathers never intended to establish a government like + that. When they fought for what they believed to be religious liberty—when + they fought for what they believed to be liberty of speech, they believed + that all such statutes would be wiped from the statute books of all the + States. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you another reason why I believe this. We have in this country + naturalization laws. People may come here irrespective of their religion. + They must simply swear allegiance to this country—they must forswear + allegiance to every other potentate, prince and power—but they do + not have to change their religion. A Hindoo may become a citizen of the + United States, and the Constitution of the United States, like the + constitution of New Jersey, guarantees religious liberty. That Hindoo + believes in a God—in a God that no Christian does believe in. He + believes in a sacred book that every Christian looks upon as a collection + of falsehoods. He believes, too, in a Savior—in Buddha. Now, I ask + you,—when that man comes here and becomes a citizen—when the + Constitution is about him, above him—has he the right to give his + ideas about his religion? Has he the right to say in New Jersey: "There is + no God except the Supreme Brahm—there is no Savior except Buddha, + the Illuminated, Buddha the Blest"? I say that he has that right—and + you have no right, because in addition to that he says, "You are mistaken; + your God is not God; your Bible is not true, and your religion is a + mistake," to abridge his liberty of speech. He has the right to say it, + and if he has the right to say it, I insist before this Court and before + this jury, that he has the right to give his reasons for saying it; and in + giving those reasons, in maintaining his side, he has the right, not + simply to appeal to history, not simply to the masonry of logic, but he + has the right to shoot the arrows of wit, and to use the smile of + ridicule. Anything that can be laughed out of this world ought not to stay + in it. + </p> + <p> + So the Persian—the believer in Zoroaster, in the spirits of Good and + Evil, and that the spirit of Evil will finally triumph forever—if + that is his religion—has the right to state it, and the right to + give his reasons for his belief. How infinitely preposterous for you, one + of the States of this Union, to invite a Persian or a Hindoo to come to + your shores. You do not ask him to renounce his God. You ask him to + renounce the Shah. Then when he becomes a citizen, having the rights of + every other citizen, he has the right to defend his religion and to + denounce yours. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing. What was the spirit of our Government at that + time? You must look at the leading men. Who were they? What were their + opinions? Were most of them as guilty of blasphemy as is the defendant in + this case? Thomas Jefferson—and there is, in my judgment, only one + name on the page of American history greater than his—only one name + for which I have a greater and tenderer reverence—and that is + Abraham Lincoln, because of all men who ever lived and had power, he was + the most merciful. And that is the way to test a man. How does he use + power? Does he want to crush his fellow citizens? Does he like to lock + somebody up in the penitentiary because he has the power of the moment? + Does he wish to use it as a despot, or as a philanthropist—like a + devil, or like a man? Thomas Jefferson entertained about the same views + entertained by the defendant in this case, and he was made President of + the United States. He was the author of the Declaration of Independence, + founder of the University of Virginia, writer of that clause in the + constitution of that State, that made all the citizens equal before the + law. And when I come to the very sentences here charged as blasphemy, I + will show you that these were the common sentiments of thousands of very + great, of very intellectual and admirable men. + </p> + <p> + I have no time, and it may be this is not the place and the occasion, to + call your attention to the infinite harm that has been done in almost + every religious nation by statutes such as this. Where that statute is, + liberty can not be; and if this statute is enforced by this jury and by + this Court, and if it is afterwards carried out, and if it could be + carried out in the States of this Union, there would be an end of all + intellectual progress. We would go back to the Dark Ages. Every man's + mind, upon these subjects at least, would become a stagnant pool, covered + with the scum of prejudice and meanness. + </p> + <p> + And wherever such laws have been enforced, have the people been friends? + Here we are to-day in this blessed air—here amid these happy fields. + Can we imagine, with these surroundings, that a man for having been found + with a crucifix in his poor little home, had been taken from his wife and + children and burned—burned by Protestants? You cannot conceive of + such a thing now. Neither can you conceive that there was a time when + Catholics found some poor Protestant contradicting one of the dogmas of + the church, and took that poor honest wretch—while his wife wept—while + his children clung to his hands—to the public square, drove a stake + in the ground, put a chain or two about him, lighted the fagots, and let + the wife whom he loved and his little children see the flames climb around + his limbs—you cannot imagine that any such infamy was ever + practiced. And yet I tell you that the same spirit made this detestable, + infamous, devilish statute. + </p> + <p> + You can hardly imagine that there was a time when the same kind of men + that made this law said to another man: "You say this world is round?" + "Yes, sir; I think it is, because I have seen its shadow on the moon." + "You have?"—Now, can you imagine a society, outside of hyenas and + boa-constrictors, that would take that man, put him in the penitentiary, + in a dungeon, turn the key upon him, and let his name be blotted from the + book of human life? Years afterward some explorer amid ruins finds a few + bones. The same spirit that did that, made this statute—the same + spirit that did that, went before the grand jury in this case—exactly. + Give the men that had this man indicted, the power, and I would not want + to live in that particular part of the country. I would not willingly live + with such men. I would go somewhere else, where the air is free, where I + could speak my sentiments to my wife, to my children, and to my neighbors. + </p> + <p> + Now, this persecution differs only in degree from the infamies of the + olden times. What does it mean? It means that the State of New Jersey has + all the light it wants. And what does that mean? It means that the State + of New Jersey is absolutely infallible—that it has got its growth + and does not propose to grow any more. New Jersey knows enough, and it + will send teachers to the penitentiary. + </p> + <p> + It is hardly possible that this State has accomplished all that it is ever + going to accomplish. Religions are for a day. They are the clouds. + Humanity is the eternal blue. Religions are the waves of the sea. These + waves depend upon the force and direction of the wind—that is to + say, of passion; but Humanity is the great sea. And so our religions + change from day to day, and it is a blessed thing that they do. Why? + Because we grow, and we are getting a little more civilized every day,—and + any man that is not willing to let another man express his opinion, is not + a civilized man, and you know it. Any man that does not give to everybody + else the rights he claims for himself, is not in honest man. + </p> + <p> + Here is a man who says, "I am going to join the Methodist Church." What + right has he? Just the same right to join it that I have not to join it—no + more, no less. But if you are a Methodist and I am not, it simply proves + that you do not agree with me, and that I do not agree with you—that + is all. Another man is a Catholic. He was born a Catholic, or is convinced + that Catholicism is right. That is his business, and any man that would + persecute him on that account, is a poor barbarian—a savage; any man + that would abuse him on that account, is a barbarian—a savage. + </p> + <p> + Then I take the next step. A man does not wish to belong to any church. + How are you going to judge him? Judge him by the way he treats his wife, + his children, his neighbors. Does he pay his debts? Does he tell the + truth? Does he help the poor? Has he got a heart that melts when he hears + grief's story? That is the way to judge him. I do not care what he thinks + about the bears, or the flood, about bibles or gods. When some poor mother + is found wandering in the street with a babe at her breast, does he quote + Scripture, or hunt for his pocket-book? That is the way to judge. And + suppose he does not believe in any bible whatever? If Christianity is + true, that is his misfortune, and everybody should pity the poor wretch + that is going down the hill. Why kick him? You will get your revenge on + him through all eternity—is not that enough? + </p> + <p> + So I say, let us judge each other by our actions, not by theories, not by + what we happen to believe—because that depends very much on where we + were born. + </p> + <p> + If you had been born in Turkey, you probably would have been a Mohammedan. + If I had been born among the Hindoos, I might have been a Buddhist—I + can't tell. If I had been raised in Scotland, on oatmeal, I might have + been a Covenanter—nobody knows. If I had lived in Ireland, and seen + my poor wife and children driven into the street, I think I might have + been a Home-ruler—no doubt of it. You see it depends on where you + were born—much depends on our surroundings. + </p> + <p> + Of course, there are men born in Turkey who are not Mohammedans, and there + are men born in this country who are not Christians—Methodists, + Unitarians, or Catholics, plenty of them, who are unbelievers—plenty + of them who deny the truth of the Scriptures—plenty of them who say: + </p> + <p> + "I know not whether there be a God or not." Well, it is a thousand times + better to say that honestly than to say dishonestly that you believe in + God. + </p> + <p> + If you want to know the opinion of your neighbor, you want his honest + opinion. You do not want to be deceived. You do not want to talk with a + hypocrite. You want to get straight at his honest mind—and then you + are going to judge him, not by what he says but by what he does. It is + very easy to sail along with the majority—easy to sail the way the + boats are going—easy to float with the stream; but when you come to + swim against the tide, with the men on the shore throwing rocks at you, + you will get a good deal of exercise in this world. + </p> + <p> + And do you know that we ought to feel under the greatest obligation to men + who have fought the prevailing notions of their day? There is not a + Presbyterian in Morristown that does not hold up for admiration the man + that carried the flag of the Presbyterians when they were in the minority—not + one. There is not a Methodist in this State who does not admire John and + Charles Wesley and Whitefield, who carried the banner of that new and + despised sect when it was in the minority. They glory in them because they + braved public opinion, because they dared to oppose idiotic, barbarous and + savage statutes like this. And there is not a Universalist that does not + worship dear old Hosea Ballou—I love him myself—because he + said to the Presbyterian minister: "You are going around trying to keep + people out of hell, and I am going around trying to keep hell out of the + people." Every Universalist admires him and loves him because when + despised and railed at and spit upon, he stood firm, a patient witness for + the eternal mercy of God. And there is not a solitary Protestant who does + not honor Martin Luther—who does not honor the Covenanters in poor + Scotland, and that poor girl who was tied out on the sand of the sea by + Episcopalians, and kept there till the rising tide drowned her, and all + she had to do to save her life was to say, "God save the king," but she + would not say it without the addition of the words, "If it be God's will." + No one, who is not a miserable, contemptible wretch, can fail to stand in + admiration before such courage, such self-denial—such heroism. No + matter what the attitude of your body may be, your soul falls on its knees + before such men and such women. + </p> + <p> + Let us take another step. Where would we have been if authority had always + triumphed? Where would we have been if such statutes had always been + carried out? We have now a science called astronomy. That science has done + more to enlarge the horizon of human thought than all things else. We now + live in an infinite universe. We know that the sun is a million times + larger than our earth, and we know that there are other great luminaries + millions of times larger than our sun. We know that there are planets so + far away that light, traveling at the rate of one hundred and eighty-five + thousand miles a second, requires fifteen thousand years to reach this + grain of sand, this tear, we call the earth—and we now know that all + the fields of space are sown thick with constellations. If that statute + had been enforced, that science would not now be the property of the human + mind. That science is contrary to the Bible, and for asserting the truth + you become a criminal. For what sum of money, for what amount of wealth, + would the world have the science of astronomy expunged from the brain of + man? We learned the story of the stars in spite of that statute. + </p> + <p> + The first men who said the world was round were scourged for scoffing at + the Scriptures. And even Martin Luther, speaking of one of the greatest + men that ever lived, said: "Does he think with his little lever to + overturn the Universe of God?" Martin Luther insisted that such men ought + to be trampled under foot. If that statute had been carried into effect, + Galileo would have been impossible. Kepler, the discoverer of the three + laws, would have died with the great secret locked in his brain, and + mankind would have been left ignorant, superstitious, and besotted. And + what else? If that statute had been carried out, the world would have been + deprived of the philosophy of Spinoza; of the philosophy, of the + literature, of the wit and wisdom, the justice and mercy of Voltaire, the + greatest Frenchman that ever drew the breath of life—the man who by + his mighty pen abolished torture in a nation, and helped to civilize a + world. + </p> + <p> + If that statute had been enforced, nearly all the books that enrich the + libraries of the world could not have been written. If that statute had + been enforced, Humboldt could not have delivered the lectures now known as + "The Cosmos." If that statute had been enforced, Charles Darwin would not + have been allowed to give to the world his discoveries that have been of + more benefit to mankind than all the sermons ever uttered. In England they + have placed his sacred dust in the great Abbey. If he had lived in New + Jersey, and this statute could have been enforced, he would have lived one + year at least in your penitentiary. Why? That man went so far as not + simply to deny the truth of your Bible, but absolutely to deny the + existence of your God. Was he a good man? Yes, one of the noblest and + greatest of men. Humboldt, the greatest German who ever lived, was of the + same opinion. + </p> + <p> + And so I might go on with the great men of to-day. Who are the men who are + leading the race upward and shedding light in the intellectual world? They + are the men declared by that statute to be criminals. Mr. Spencer could + not publish his books in the State of New Jersey. He would be arrested, + tried, and imprisoned; and yet that man has added to the intellectual + wealth of the world. + </p> + <p> + So with Huxley, so with Tyndall, so with Helmholtz—so with the + greatest thinkers and greatest writers of modern times. + </p> + <p> + You may not agree with these men—and what does that prove? It simply + proves that they do not agree with you—that is all. Who is to blame? + I do not know. They may be wrong, and you may be right; but if they had + the power, and put you in the penitentiary simply because you differed + with them, they would be savages; and if you have the power and imprison + men because they differ from you, why then, of course, you are savages. + </p> + <p> + No; I believe in intellectual hospitality. I love men that have a little + horizon to their minds—a little sky, a little scope. I hate anything + that is narrow and pinched and withered and mean and crawling, and that is + willing to live on dust. I believe in creating such an atmosphere that + things will burst into blossom. I believe in good will, good health, good + fellowship, good feeling—and if there is any God on the earth, or in + heaven, let us hope that he will be generous and grand. Do you not see + what the effect will be? I am not cursing you because you are a Methodist, + and not damning you because you are a Catholic, or because you are an + Infidel—a good man is more than all of these. The grandest of all + things is to be in the highest and noblest sense a man. + </p> + <p> + Now let us see the frightful things that this man, the defendant in this + case, has done. Let me read the charges against him as set out in this + indictment. + </p> + <p> + I shall insist that this statute does not cover any publication—that + it covers simply speech—not in writing, not in book or pamphlet. Let + us see: + </p> + <p> + "<i>This Bible describes God as so loving that he drowned the whole world + in his mad fury</i>." + </p> + <p> + Well, the great question about that is, is it true? Does the Bible + describe God as having drowned the whole world with the exception of eight + people? Does it, or does it not? I do not know whether there is anybody in + this county who has really read the Bible, but I believe the story of the + flood is there. It does say that God destroyed all flesh, and that he did + so because he was angry. He says so, himself, if the Bible be true. + </p> + <p> + The defendant has simply repeated what is in the Bible. The Bible says + that God is loving, and says that he drowned the world, and that he was + angry. Is it blasphemy to quote from the "Sacred Scriptures"? + </p> + <p> + "<i>Because it was so much worse than he, knowing all things, ever + supposed it could be.</i>" + </p> + <p> + Well, the Bible does say that he repented having made man. Now, is there + any blasphemy in saying that the Bible is true? That is the only question. + It is a fact that God, according to the Bible, did drown nearly everybody. + If God knows all things, he must have known at the time he made them that + he was going to drown them. Is it likely that a being of infinite wisdom + would deliberately do what he knew he must undo? Is it blasphemy to ask + that question? Have you a right to think about it at all? If you have, you + have the right to tell somebody what you think—if not, you have no + right to discuss it, no right to think about it. All you have to do is to + read it and believe it—to open your mouth like a young robin, and + swallow—worms or shingle nails—no matter which. + </p> + <p> + The defendant further blasphemed and said that:— + </p> + <p> + "<i>An all-wise, unchangeable God, who got out of patience with a world + which was just what his own stupid blundering had made it, knew no better + way out of the muddle than to destroy it by drowning!</i>" + </p> + <p> + Is that true? Was not the world exactly as God made it? Certainly. Did he + not, if the Bible is true, drown the people? He did. Did he know he would + drown them when he made them? He did. Did he know they ought to be drowned + when they were made? He did. Where then, is the blasphemy in saying so? + There is not a minister in this world who could explain it—who would + be permitted to explain it—under this statute. And yet you would + arrest this man and put him in the penitentiary. But after you lock him in + the cell, there remains the question still. Is it possible that a good and + wise God, knowing that he was going to drown them, made millions of + people? What did he make them for? I do not know. I do not pretend to be + wise enough to answer that question. Of course, you cannot answer the + question. Is there anything blasphemous in that? Would it be blasphemy in + me to say I do not believe that any God ever made men, women and children—mothers, + with babes clasped to their breasts, and then sent a flood to fill the + world with death? + </p> + <p> + A rain lasting for forty days—the water rising hour by hour, and the + poor wretched children of God climbing to the tops of their houses—then + to the tops of the hills. The water still rising—no mercy. The + people climbing higher and higher, looking to the mountains for salvation—the + merciless rain still falling, the inexorable flood still rising. Children + falling from the arms of mothers—no pity. The highest hills covered—infancy + and old age mingling in death—the cries of women, the sobs and sighs + lost in the roar of waves—the heavens still relentless. The + mountains are covered—a shoreless sea rolls round the world, and on + its billows are billions of corpses. + </p> + <p> + This is the greatest crime that man has imagined, and this crime is called + a deed of infinite mercy. + </p> + <p> + Do you believe that? I do not believe one word of it, and I have the right + to say to all the world that this is false. + </p> + <p> + If there be a good God, the story is not true. If there be a wise God, the + story is not true. Ought an honest man to be sent to the penitentiary for + simply telling the truth? + </p> + <p> + Suppose we had a statute that whoever scoffed at science—whoever by + profane language should bring the rule of three into contempt, or whoever + should attack the proposition that two parallel lines will never include a + space, should be sent to the penitentiary—what would you think of + it? It would be just as wise and just as idiotic as this. + </p> + <p> + And what else says the defendant? + </p> + <p> + "<i>The Bible-God says that his people made him jealous." "Provoked him to + anger.</i>" + </p> + <p> + Is that true? It is. If it is true, is it blasphemous? + </p> + <p> + Let us read another line— + </p> + <p> + "<i>And now he will raise the mischief with them; that his anger bums like + hell</i>." + </p> + <p> + That is true. The Bible says of God—"My anger burns to the lowest + hell." And that is all that the defendant says. Every word of it is in the + Bible. He simply does not believe it—and for that reason is a + "blasphemer." + </p> + <p> + I say to you now, gentlemen,—and I shall argue to the Court,—that + there is not in what I have read a solitary blasphemous word—not a + word that has not been said in hundreds of pulpits in the Christian world. + Theodore Parker, a Unitarian, speaking of this Bible-God said: "Vishnu + with a necklace of skulls, Vishnu with bracelets of living, hissing + serpents, is a figure of Love and Mercy compared to the God of the Old + Testament." That, we might call "blasphemy," but not what I have read. + </p> + <p> + Let us read on:— + </p> + <p> + "<i>He would destroy them all were it not that he feared the wrath of the + enemy</i>." + </p> + <p> + That is in the Bible—word for word. Then the defendant in + astonishment says: + </p> + <p> + "<i>The Almighty God afraid of his enemies!</i>" + </p> + <p> + That is what the Bible says. What does it mean? If the Bible is true, God + was afraid. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Can the mind conceive of more horrid blasphemy?</i>" + </p> + <p> + Is not that true? If God be infinitely good and wise and powerful, is it + possible he is afraid of anything? If the defendant had said that God was + afraid of his enemies, that might have been blasphemy—but this man + says the Bible says that, and you are asked to say that it is blasphemy. + Now, up to this point there is no blasphemy, even if you were to enforce + this infamous statute—this savage law. + </p> + <p> + "<i>The Old Testament records for our instruction in morals, the most foul + and bestial instances of fornication, incest, and polygamy, perpetrated by + God's own saints, and the New Testament indorses these lecherous wretches + as examples for all good Christians to follow</i>.". + </p> + <p> + Now, is it not a fact that the Old Testament does uphold polygamy? Abraham + would have gotten into trouble in New Jersey—no doubt of that. Sarah + could have obtained a divorce in this State—no doubt of that. What + is the use of telling a falsehood about it? Let us tell the truth about + the patriarchs. + </p> + <p> + Everybody knows that the same is true of Moses. We have all heard of + Solomon—a gentleman with five or six hundred wives, and three or + four hundred other ladies with whom he was acquainted. This is simply what + the defendant says. Is there any blasphemy about that? It is only the + truth. If Solomon were living in the United States to-day, we would put + him in the penitentiary. You know that under the Edmunds Mormon law he + would be locked up. If you should present a petition signed by his eleven + hundred wives, you could not get him out. + </p> + <p> + So it was with David. There are some splendid things about David, of + course. I admit that, and pay my tribute of respect to his courage—but + he happened to have ten or twelve wives too many, so he shut them up, put + them in a kind of penitentiary and kept them there till they died. That + would not be considered good conduct even in Morristown. You know that. Is + it any harm to speak of it? There are plenty of ministers here to set it + right—thousands of them all over the country, every one with his + chance to talk all day Sunday and nobody to say a word back. The pew + cannot reply to the pulpit, you know; it has just to sit there and take + it. If there is any harm in this, if it is not true, they ought to answer + it. But it is here, and the only answer is an indictment. + </p> + <p> + I say that Lot was a bad man. So I say of Abraham, and of Jacob. Did you + ever know of a more despicable fraud practiced by one brother on another + than Jacob practiced on Esau? My sympathies have always been with Esau. He + seemed to be a manly man. Is it blasphemy to say that you do not like a + hypocrite, a murderer, or a thief, because his name is in the Bible? How + do you know what such men are mentioned for? May be they are mentioned as + examples, and you certainly ought not to be led away and induced to + imagine that a man with seven hundred wives is a pattern of domestic + propriety, one to be followed by yourself and your sons. I might go on and + mention the names of hundreds of others who committed every conceivable + crime, in the name of religion—who declared war, and on the field of + battle killed men, women and babes, even children yet unborn, in the name + of the most merciful God. The Bible is filled with the names and crimes of + these sacred savages, these inspired beasts. Any man who says that a God + of love commanded the commission of these crimes is, to say the least of + it, mistaken. If there be a God, then it is blasphemous to charge him with + the commission of crime. + </p> + <p> + But let us read further from this indictment: + </p> + <p> + "The aforesaid printed document contains other scandalous, infamous and + blasphemous matters and things, to the tenor and effect following, that is + to say—" + </p> + <p> + Then comes this particularly blasphemous line: + </p> + <p> + "<i>Now, reader, take time and calmly think it over</i> ." + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, there are many things I have read that I should not have + expressed in exactly the same language used by the defendant, and many + things that I am going to read I might not have said at all, but the + defendant had the right to say every word with which he is charged in this + indictment. He had the right to give his honest thought, no matter whether + any human being agreed with what he said or not, and no matter whether any + other man approved of the manner in which he said these things. I defend + his right to speak, whether I believe in what he spoke or not, or in the + propriety of saying what he did. I should defend a man just as cheerfully + who had spoken against my doctrine, as one who had spoken against the + popular superstitions of my time. It would make no difference to me how + unjust the attack was upon my belief—how maliciously ingenious; and + no matter how sacred the conviction that was attacked, I would defend the + freedom of speech. And why? Because no attack can be answered by force, no + argument can be refuted by a blow, or by imprisonment, or by fine. You may + imprison the man, but the argument is free; you may fell the man to the + earth, but the statement stands. + </p> + <p> + The defendant in this case has attacked certain beliefs, thought by the + Christian world to be sacred. Yet, after all, nothing is sacred but the + truth, and by truth I mean what a man sincerely and honestly believes. The + defendant says: + </p> + <p> + "<i>Take time to calmly think it over: Was a Jewish girl the mother of + God, the mother of your God?</i>" + </p> + <p> + The defendant probably asked this question, supposing that it must be + answered by all sensible people in the negative. If the Christian religion + is true, then a Jewish girl was the mother of Almighty God. Personally, if + the doctrine is true, I have no fault to find with the statement that a + Jewish maiden was the mother of God.—Millions believe, that this is + true—I do not believe,—but who knows? If a God came from the + throne of the universe, came to this world and became the child of a pure + and loving woman, it would not lessen, in my eyes, the dignity or the + greatness of that God. + </p> + <p> + There is no more perfect picture on the earth, or within the imagination + of man, than a mother holding in her thrilled and happy arms a child, the + fruit of love. + </p> + <p> + No matter how the statement is made, the fact remains the same. A Jewish + girl became the mother of God. If the Bible is true, that is true, and to + repeat it, even according to your law, is not blasphemous, and to doubt + it, or to express the doubt, or to deny it, is not contrary to your + constitution. + </p> + <p> + To this defendant it seemed improbable that God was ever born of woman, + was ever held in the lap of a mother; and because he cannot believe this, + he is charged with blasphemy. Could you pour contempt on Shakespeare by + saying that his mother was a woman,—by saying that he was once a + poor, crying, little, helpless child? Of course he was; and he afterwards + became the greatest human being that ever touched the earth,—the + only man whose intellectual wings have reached from sky to sky; and he was + once a crying babe. What of it? Does that cast any scorn or contempt upon + him? Does this take any of the music from "Midsummer Night's Dream"?—any + of the passionate wealth from "Antony and Cleopatra," any philosophy from + "Macbeth," any intellectual grandeur from "King Lear"? On the contrary, + these great productions of the brain show the growth of the dimpled babe, + give every mother a splendid dream and hope for her child, and cover every + cradle with a sublime possibility. + </p> + <p> + The defendant is also charged with having said that: "<i>God cried and + screamed</i>." + </p> + <p> + Why not? If he was absolutely a child, he was like other children,—like + yours, like mine. I have seen the time, when absent from home, that I + would have given more to have heard my children cry, than to have heard + the finest orchestra that ever made the air burst into flower. What if God + did cry? It simply shows that his humanity was real and not assumed, that + it was a tragedy, real, and not a poor pretence. And the defendant also + says that if the orthodox religion be true, that the + </p> + <p> + "<i>God of the Universe kicked, and flung about his little arms, and made + aimless dashes into space with his little fists</i>." + </p> + <p> + Is there anything in this that is blasphemous? One of the best pictures I + ever saw of the Virgin and Child was painted by the Spaniard, Murillo. + Christ appears to be a truly natural, chubby, happy babe. Such a picture + takes nothing from the majesty, the beauty, or the glory of the + incarnation. + </p> + <p> + I think it is the best thing about the Catholic Church that it lifts up + for adoration and admiration, a mother,—that it pays what it calls + "Divine honors" to a woman. There is certainly goodness in that, and where + a church has so few practices that are good, I am willing to point this + one out. It is the one redeeming feature about Catholicism, that it + teaches the worship of a woman. + </p> + <p> + The defendant says more about the childhood of Christ. He goes so far as + to say, that: + </p> + <p> + "<i>He was found staring foolishly at his own little toes.</i>" + </p> + <p> + And why not? The Bible says, that "he increased in wisdom and stature." + The defendant might have referred to something far more improbable. In the + same verse in which St. Luke says that Jesus increased in wisdom and + stature, will be found the assertion that he increased in favor with God + and man. The defendant might have asked how it was that the love of God + for God increased. + </p> + <p> + But the defendant has simply stated that the child Jesus grew, as other + children grow; that he acted like other children, and if he did, it is + more than probable that he did stare at his own toes. I have laughed many + a time to see little children astonished with the sight of their feet. + They seem to wonder what on earth puts the little toes in motion. + Certainly there is nothing blasphemous in supposing that the feet of + Christ amused him, precisely as the feet of other children have amused + them. There is nothing blasphemous about this; on the contrary, it is + beautiful. If I believed in the existence of God, the Creator of this + world, the Being who, with the hand of infinity, sowed the fields of space + with stars, as a farmer sows his grain, I should like to think of him as a + little, dimpled babe, overflowing with joy, sitting upon the knees of a + loving mother. The ministers themselves might take a lesson even from the + man who is charged with blasphemy, and make an effort to bring an infinite + God a little nearer to the human heart. + </p> + <p> + The defendant also says, speaking of the infant Christ, "<i>He was nursed + at Mary's breast.</i>" + </p> + <p> + Yes, and if the story be true, that is the tenderest fact in it. Nursed at + the breast of woman. No painting, no statue, no words can make a deeper + and a tenderer impression upon the heart of man than this: The infinite + God, a babe, nursed at the holy breast of woman. + </p> + <p> + You see these things do not strike all people the same. To a man that has + been raised on the orthodox desert, these things are incomprehensible. He + has been robbed of his humanity. He has no humor, nothing but the stupid + and the solemn. His fancy sits with folded wings. + </p> + <p> + Imagination, like the atmosphere of spring, woos every seed of earth to + seek the blue of heaven, and whispers of bud and flower and fruit. + Imagination gathers from every field of thought and pours the wealth of + many lives into the lap of one. To the contracted, to the cast-iron people + who believe in heartless and inhuman creeds, the words of the defendant + seem blasphemous, and to them the thought that God was a little child is + monstrous. + </p> + <p> + They cannot bear to hear it said that he nursed at the breast of a maiden, + that he was wrapped in swaddling clothes, that he had the joys and sorrows + of other babes. I hope, gentlemen, that not only you, but the attorneys + for the prosecution, have read what is known as the "Apocryphal New + Testament," books that were once considered inspired, once admitted to be + genuine, and that once formed a part of our New Testament. I hope you have + read the books of Joseph and Mary, of the Shepherd of Hermes, of the + Infancy and of Mary, in which many of the things done by the youthful + Christ are described—books that were once the delight of the + Christian world; books that gave joy to children, because in them they + read that Christ made little birds of clay, that would at his command + stretch out their wings and fly with joy above his head. If the defendant + in this case had said anything like that, here in the State of New Jersey, + he would have been indicted; the orthodox ministers would have shouted + "blasphemy," and yet, these little stories made the name of Christ dearer + to children. + </p> + <p> + The church of to-day lacks sympathy; the theologians are without + affection. After all, sympathy is genius. A man who really sympathizes + with another understands him. A man who sympathizes with a religion, + instantly sees the good that is in it, and the man who sympathizes with + the right, sees the evil that a creed contains. + </p> + <p> + But the defendant, still speaking of the infant Christ, is charged with + having said: + </p> + <p> + "<i>God smiled when he was comfortable. He lay in a cradle and was rocked + to sleep.</i>" + </p> + <p> + Yes, and there is no more beautiful picture than that. Let some great + religious genius paint a picture of this kind—of a babe smiling with + content, rocked in the cradle by the mother who bends tenderly and proudly + above him. There could be no more beautiful, no more touching, picture + than this. What would I not give for a picture of Shakespeare as a babe,—a + picture that was a likeness,—rocked by his mother? I would give more + for this than for any painting that now enriches the walls of the world. + </p> + <p> + The defendant also says, that: + </p> + <p> + "<i>God was sick when cutting his teeth.</i>" + </p> + <p> + And what of that? We are told that he was tempted in all points, as we + are. That is to say, he was afflicted, he was hungry, he was thirsty, he + suffered the pains and miseries common to man. Otherwise, he was not + flesh, he was not human. + </p> + <p> + "<i>He caught the measles, the mumps, the scarlet fever and the whooping + cough</i>." + </p> + <p> + Certainly he was liable to have these diseases, for he was, in fact, a + child. Other children have them. Other children, loved as dearly by their + mothers as Christ could have been by his, and yet they are taken from the + little family by fever; taken, it may be, and buried in the snow, while + the poor mother goes sadly home, wishing that she was lying by its side. + All that can be said of every word in this address, about Christ and about + his childhood, amounts to this; that he lived the life of a child; that he + acted like other children. I have read you substantially what he has said, + and this is considered blasphemous. + </p> + <p> + He has said, that: + </p> + <p> + "<i>According to the Old Testament, the God of the Christian world + commanded people to destroy each other.</i>" + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is true, then the statement of the defendant is true. Is it + calculated to bring God into contempt to deny that he upheld polygamy, + that he ever commanded one of his generals to rip open with the sword of + war, the woman with child? Is it blasphemy to deny that a God of infinite + love gave such commandments? Is such a denial calculated to pour contempt + and scorn upon the God of the orthodox? + </p> + <p> + Is it blasphemous to deny that God commanded his children to murder each + other? Is it blasphemous to say that he was benevolent, merciful and just? + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to say that the Bible is true and that God is good. I do + not believe that a God made this world, filled it with people and then + drowned them. I do not believe that infinite wisdom ever made a mistake. + If there be any God he was too good to commit such an infinite crime, too + wise, to make such a mistake. Is this blasphemy? Is it blasphemy to say + that Solomon was not a virtuous man, or that David was an adulterer? + </p> + <p> + Must we say when this ancient King had one of his best generals placed in + the front of the battle—deserted him and had him murdered for the + purpose of stealing his wife, that he was "a man after God's own heart"? + Suppose the defendant in this case were guilty of something like that? + Uriah was fighting for his country, fighting the battles of David, the + King. David wanted to take from him his wife. He sent for Joab, his + commander-in-chief, and said to him: + </p> + <p> + "Make a feint to attack a town. Put Uriah at the front of the attacking + force, and when the people sally forth from the town to defend its gate, + fall back so that this gallant, noble, patriotic man may be slain." + </p> + <p> + This was done and the widow was stolen by the King. Is it blasphemy to + tell the truth and to say exactly what David was? Let us be honest with + each other; let us be honest with this defendant. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years men have taught that the ancient patriarchs were + sacred, that they were far better than the men of modern times, that what + was in them a virtue, is in us a crime. Children are taught in Sunday + schools to admire and respect these criminals of the ancient days. The + time has come to tell the truth about these men, to call things by their + proper names, and above all, to stand by the right, by the truth, by mercy + and by justice. If what the defendant has said is blasphemy under this + statute then the question arises, is the statute in accordance with the + constitution? If this statute is constitutional, why has it been allowed + to sleep for all these years? I take this position: Any law made for the + preservation of a human right, made to guard a human being, cannot sleep + long enough to die; but any law that deprives a human being of a natural + right—if that law goes to sleep, it never wakes, it sleeps the sleep + of death. + </p> + <p> + I call the attention of the Court to that remarkable case in England + where, only a few years ago, a man appealed to trial by battle. The law + allowing trial by battle had been asleep in the statute book of England + for more than two hundred years, and yet the court held that, in spite of + the fact that the law had been asleep—it being a law in favor of a + defendant—he was entitled to trial by battle. And why? Because it + was a statute at the time made in defence of a human right, and that + statute could not sleep long enough or soundly enough to die. In + consequence of this decision, the Parliament of England passed a special + act, doing away forever with the trial by battle. + </p> + <p> + When a statute attacks an individual right, the State must never let it + sleep. When it attacks the right of the public at large and is allowed to + pass into a state of slumber, it cannot be raised for the purpose of + punishing an individual. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, a few words more. I take an almost infinite interest in + this trial, and before you decide, I am exceedingly anxious that you + should understand with clearness the thoughts I have expressed upon this + subject I want you to know how the civilized feel, and the position now + taken by the leaders of the world. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago almost everything spoken against the grossest possible + superstition was considered blasphemous. The altar hedged itself about + with the sword; the Priest went in partnership with the King. In those + days statutes were leveled against all human speech. Men were convicted of + blasphemy because they believed in an actual personal God; because they + insisted that God had body and parts. Men were convicted of blasphemy + because they denied that God had form. They have been imprisoned for + denying the doctrine of transubstantiation, and they have been torn in + pieces for defending that doctrine. There are but few dogmas now believed + by any Christian church that have not at some time been denounced as + blasphemous. + </p> + <p> + When Henry VIII. put himself at the head of the Episcopal Church a creed + was made, and in that creed there were five dogmas that must, of + necessity, be believed. Anybody who denied any one, was to be punished—for + the first offence, with fine, with imprisonment, or branding, and for the + second offence, with death. Not one of these five dogmas is now a part of + the creed of the Church of England. + </p> + <p> + So I could go on for days and weeks and months, showing that hundreds and + hundreds of religious dogmas, to deny which was death, have been either + changed or abandoned for others nearly as absurd as the old ones were. It + may be, however, sufficient to say, that wherever the church has had power + it has been a crime for any man to speak his honest thought. No church has + ever been willing that any opponent should give a transcript of his mind. + Every church in power has appealed to brute force, to the sword, for the + purpose of sustaining its creed. Not one has had the courage to occupy the + open field. The church has not been satisfied with calling Infidels and + unbelievers blasphemers. Each church has accused nearly every other church + of being a blasphemer. Every pioneer has been branded as a criminal. The + Catholics called Martin Luther a blasphemer, and Martin Luther called + Copernicus a blasphemer. Pious ignorance always regards intelligence as a + kind of blasphemy. Some of the greatest men of the world, some of the + best, have been put to death for the crime of blasphemy, that is to say, + for the crime of endeavoring to benefit their fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + As long as the church has the power to close the lips of men, so long and + no longer will superstition rule this world. + </p> + <p> + "Blasphemy is the word that the majority hisses into the ear of the few." + </p> + <p> + After every argument of the church has been answered, has been refuted, + then the church cries, "blasphemy!" + </p> + <p> + Blasphemy is what an old mistake says of a newly discovered truth. + </p> + <p> + Blasphemy is what a withered last year's leaf says to a this year's bud. + </p> + <p> + Blasphemy is the bulwark of religious prejudice. + </p> + <p> + Blasphemy is the breastplate of the heartless. + </p> + <p> + And let me say now, that the crime of blasphemy, as set out in this + statute, is impossible. No man can blaspheme a book. No man can commit + blasphemy by telling his honest thought. No man can blaspheme a God, or a + Holy Ghost, or a Son of God. The Infinite cannot be blasphemed. + </p> + <p> + In the olden time, in the days of savagery and superstition, when some + poor man was struck by lightning, or when a blackened mark was left on the + breast of a wife and mother, the poor savage supposed that some god, + angered by something he had done, had taken his revenge. What else did the + savage suppose? He believed that this god had the same feelings, with + regard to the loyalty of his subjects, that an earthly chief had, or an + earthly king had, with regard to the loyalty or treachery of members of + his tribe, or citizens of his kingdom. So the savage said, when his + country was visited by a calamity, when the flood swept the people away, + or the storm scattered their poor houses in fragments: "We have allowed + some Freethinker to live; some one is in our town or village who has not + brought his gift to the priest, his incense to the altar; some man of our + tribe or of our country does not respect our god." Then, for the purpose + of appeasing the supposed god, for the purpose of again winning a smile + from heaven, for the purpose of securing a little sunlight for their + fields and homes, they drag the accused man from his home, from his wife + and children, and with all the ceremonies of pious brutality, shed his + blood. They did it in self-defence; they believed that they were saving + their own lives and the lives of their children; they did it to appease + their god. Most people are now beyond that point. Now when disease visits + a community, the intelligent do not say the disease came because the + people were wicked; when the cholera comes, it is not because of the + Methodists, of the Catholics, of the Presbyterians, or of the Infidels. + When the wind destroys a town in the far West, it is not because somebody + there had spoken his honest thoughts. We are beginning to see that the + wind blows and destroys without the slightest reference to man, without + the slightest care whether it destroys the good or the bad, the + irreligious or the religious. When the lightning leaps from the clouds it + is just as likely to strike a good man as a bad man, and when the great + serpents of flame climb around the houses of men, they burn just as gladly + and just as joyously, the home of virtue, as they do the den and lair of + vice. + </p> + <p> + Then the reason for all these laws has failed. The laws were made on + account of a superstition. That superstition has faded from the minds of + intelligent men, and, as a consequence, the laws based on the superstition + ought to fail. + </p> + <p> + There is one splendid thing in nature, and that is that men and nations + must reap the consequences of their acts—reap them in this world, if + they live, and in another if there be one. The man who leaves this world a + bad man, a malicious man, will probably be the same man when he reaches + another realm, and the man who leaves this shore good, charitable and + honest, will be good, charitable and honest, no matter on what star he + lives again. The world is growing sensible upon these subjects, and as we + grow sensible, we grow charitable. + </p> + <p> + Another reason has been given for these laws against blasphemy, the most + absurd reason that can by any possibility be given. It is this: There + should be laws against blasphemy, because the man who utters blasphemy + endangers the public peace. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that Christians will break the peace? Is it possible that + they will violate the law? Is it probable that Christians will congregate + together and make a mob, simply because a man has given an opinion against + their religion? What is their religion? They say, "If a man smites you on + one cheek, turn the other also." They say, "We must love our neighbors as + we love ourselves." Is it possible then, that you can make a mob out of + Christians,—that these men, who love even their enemies, will attack + others, and will destroy life, in the name of universal love? And yet, + Christians themselves say that there ought to be laws against blasphemy, + for fear that Christians, who are controlled by universal love, will + become so outraged, when they hear an honest man express an honest + thought, that they will leap upon him and tear him in pieces. + </p> + <p> + What is blasphemy? I will give you a definition; I will give you my + thought upon this subject. What is real blasphemy? + </p> + <p> + To live on the unpaid labor of other men—that is blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + To enslave your fellow-man, to put chains upon his body—that is + blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + To enslave the minds of men, to put manacles upon the brain, padlocks upon + the lips—that is blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + To deny what you believe to be true, to admit to be true what you believe + to be a lie—that is blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + To strike the weak and unprotected, in order that you may gain the + applause of the ignorant and superstitious mob—that is blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + To persecute the intelligent few, at the command of the ignorant many—that + is blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + To forge chains, to build dungeons, for your honest fellow-men—that + is blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + To pollute the souls of children with the dogma of eternal pain—that + is blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + To violate your conscience—that is blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + The jury that gives an unjust verdict, and the judge who pronounces an + unjust sentence, are blasphemers. + </p> + <p> + The man who bows to public opinion against his better judgment and against + his honest conviction, is a blasphemer. + </p> + <p> + Why should we fear our fellow-men? Why should not each human being have + the right, so far as thought and its expression are concerned, of all the + world? What harm can come from an honest interchange of thought? + </p> + <p> + I have been giving you my real ideas. I have spoken freely, and yet the + sun rose this morning, just the same as it always has. There is no + particular change visible in the world, and I do not see but that we are + all as happy to-day as though we had spent yesterday in making somebody + else miserable. I denounced on yesterday the superstitions of the + Christian world, and yet, last night I slept the sleep of peace. You will + pardon me for saying again that I feel the greatest possible interest in + the result of this trial, in the principle at stake. This is my only + apology, my only excuse, for taking your time. For years I have felt that + the great battle for human liberty, the battle that has covered thousands + of fields with heroic dead, had finally been won. When I read the history + of this world, of what has been endured, of what has been suffered, of the + heroism and infinite courage of the intellectual and honest few, battling + with the countless serfs and slaves of kings and priests, of tyranny, of + hypocrisy, of ignorance and prejudice, of faith and fear, there was in my + heart the hope that the great battle had been fought, and that the human + race, in its march towards the dawn, had passed midnight, and that the + "great balance weighed up morning." This hope, this feeling, gave me the + greatest possible joy. When I thought of the many who had been burnt, of + how often the sons of liberty had perished in ashes, of how many o! the + noblest and greatest had stood upon scaffolds, and of the countless + hearts, the grandest that ever throbbed in human breasts, that had been + broken by the tyranny of church and state, of how many of the noble and + loving had sighed themselves away in dungeons, the only consolation was + that the last bastile had fallen, that the dungeons of the Inquisition had + been torn down and that the scaffolds of the world could no longer be wet + with heroic blood. + </p> + <p> + You know that sometimes, after a great battle has been fought, and one of + the armies has been broken, and its fortifications carried, there are + occasional stragglers beyond the great field, stragglers who know nothing + of the fate of their army, know nothing of the victory, and for that + reason, fight on. There are a few such stragglers in the State of New + Jersey. They have never heard of the great victory. They do not know that + in all civilized countries the hosts of superstition have been put to + flight. They do not know that Freethinkers, Infidels, are to-day the + leaders of the intellectual armies of the world. + </p> + <p> + One of the last trials of this character, tried in Great Britain,—and + that is the country that our ancestors fought in the sacred name of + liberty,—one of the last trials in that country, a country ruled by + a state church, ruled by a woman who was born a queen, ruled by dukes and + nobles and lords, children of ancient robbers—was in the year 1843. + George Jacob Holyoake, one of the best of the human race, was imprisoned + on a charge of Atheism, charged with having written a pamphlet and having + made a speech in which he had denied the existence of the British God. The + judge who tried him, who passed sentence upon him, went down to his grave + with a stain upon his intellect and upon his honor. All the real + intelligence of Great Britain rebelled against the outrage. There was a + trial after that to which I will call your attention. Judge Coleridge, + father of the present Chief Justice of England, presided at this trial. A + poor man by the name of Thomas Pooley, a man who dug wells for a living, + wrote on the gate of a priest, that, if people would burn their Bibles and + scatter the ashes on the lands, the crops would be better, and that they + would also save a good deal of money in tithes. He wrote several sentences + of a kindred character. He was a curious man. He had an idea that the + world was a living, breathing animal. He would not dig a well beyond a + certain depth for fear he might inflict pain upon this animal, the earth. + He was tried before Judge Coleridge, on that charge. An infinite God was + about to be dethroned, because an honest well-digger had written his + sentiments on the fence of a parson. He was indicted, tried, convicted and + sentenced to prison. Afterward, many intelligent people asked for his + pardon, on the ground that he was in danger of becoming insane. The judge + refused to sign the petition. The pardon was refused. Long before his + sentence expired, he became a raving maniac. He was removed to an asylum + and there died. Some of the greatest men in England attacked that judge, + among these, Mr. Buckle, author of "The History of Civilization in + England," one of the greatest books in this world. Mr. Buckle denounced + Judge Coleridge. He brought him before the bar of English opinion, and + there was not a man in England, whose opinion was worth anything, who did + not agree with Mr. Buckle, and did not with him, declare the conviction of + Thomas Pooley to be an infamous outrage. What were the reasons given? + This, among others: The law was dead; it had been asleep for many years; + it was a law passed during the ignorance of the Middle Ages, and a law + that came out of the dungeon of religious persecution; a law that was + appealed to by bigots and by hypocrites, to punish, to imprison an honest + man. + </p> + <p> + In many parts of this country, people have entertained the idea that New + England was still filled with the spirit of Puritanism, filled with the + descendants of those who killed Quakers in the name of universal + benevolence, and traded Quaker children in the Barbadoes for rum, for the + purpose of establishing the fact that God is an infinite father. + </p> + <p> + Yet, the last trial in Massachusetts on a charge like this, was when Abner + Kneeland was indicted on a charge of Atheism. He was tried for having + written this sentence: "The Universalists believe in a God which I do + not." He was convicted and imprisoned. Chief Justice Shaw upheld the + decision, and upheld it because he was afraid of public opinion; upheld + it, although he must have known that the statute under which Kneeland was + indicted was clearly and plainly in violation of the Constitution. No man + can read the decision of Justice Shaw without being convinced that he was + absolutely dominated, either by bigotry, or hypocrisy. One of the judges + of that court, a noble man, wrote a dissenting opinion, and in that + dissenting opinion is the argument of a civilized, of an enlightened + jurist. No man can answer the dissenting opinion of Justice Morton. The + case against Kneeland was tried more than fifty years ago, and there has + been none since in the New England States; and this case, that we are now + trying, is the first ever tried in New Jersey. The fact that it is the + first, certifies to my interpretation of this statute, and it also + certifies to the toleration and to the civilization of the people of this + State. The statute is upon your books. You inherited it from your ignorant + ancestors, and they inherited it from their savage ancestors. The people + of New Jersey were heirs of the mistakes and of the atrocities of ancient + England. + </p> + <p> + It is too late to enforce a law like this. Why has it been allowed to + slumber? Who obtained this indictment? Were they actuated by good and + noble motives? Had they the public weal at heart, or were they simply + endeavoring to be revenged upon this defendant? Were they willing to + disgrace the State, in order that they might punish him? + </p> + <p> + I have given you my definition of blasphemy, and now the question arises, + what is worship? Who is a worshiper? What is prayer? What is real + religion? Let me answer these questions. + </p> + <p> + Good, honest, faithful work, is worship. The man who ploughs the fields + and fells the forests; the man who works in mines, the man who battles + with the winds and waves out on the wide sea, controlling the commerce of + the world; these men are worshipers. The man who goes into the forest, + leading his wife by the hand, who builds him a cabin, who makes a home in + the wilderness, who helps to people and civilize and cultivate a + continent, is a worshiper. + </p> + <p> + Labor is the only prayer that Nature answers; it is the only prayer that + deserves an answer,—good, honest, noble work. + </p> + <p> + A woman whose husband has gone down to the gutter, gone down to + degradation and filth; the woman who follows him and lifts him out of the + mire and presses him to her noble heart, until he becomes a man once more, + this woman is a worshiper. Her act is worship. + </p> + <p> + The poor man and the poor woman who work night and day, in order that they + may give education to their children, so that they may have a better life + than their father and mother had; the parents who deny themselves the + comforts of life, that they may lay up something to help their children to + a higher place—they are worshipers; and the children who, after they + reap the benefit of this worship, become ashamed of their parents, are + blasphemers. + </p> + <p> + The man who sits by the bed of his invalid wife,—a wife prematurely + old and gray,—the husband who sits by her bed and holds, her thin, + wan hand in his as lovingly, and kisses it as rapturously, as + passionately, as when it was dimpled,—that is worship; that man is a + worshiper; that is real religion. + </p> + <p> + Whoever increases the sum of human joy, is a worshiper. He who adds to the + sum of human misery, is a blasphemer. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, you can never make me believe—no statute can ever + convince me, that there is any infinite Being in this universe who hates + an honest man. It is impossible to satisfy me that there is any God, or + can be any God, who holds in abhorrence a soul that has the courage to + express his thought. Neither can the whole world convince me that any man + should be punished, either in this world or in the next, for being candid + with his fellow-men. If you send men to the penitentiary for speaking + their thoughts, for endeavoring to enlighten their fellows, then the + penitentiary will become a place of honor, and the victim will step from + it—not stained, not disgraced, but clad in robes of glory. + </p> + <p> + Let us take one more step. + </p> + <p> + What is holy, what is sacred? I reply that human happiness is holy, human + rights are holy. The body and soul of man—these are sacred. The + liberty of man is of far more importance than any book; the rights of man + more sacred than any religion—than any Scriptures, whether inspired + or not. + </p> + <p> + What we want is the truth, and does any one suppose that all of the truth + is confined in one book—that the mysteries of the whole world are + explained by one volume? + </p> + <p> + All that is—all that conveys information to man—all that has + been produced by the past—all that now exists—should be + considered by an intelligent man. All the known truths of this world—all + the philosophy, all the poems, all the pictures, all the statues, all the + entrancing music—the prattle of babes, the lullaby of mothers, the + words of honest men, the trumpet calls to duty—all these make up the + bible of the world—everything that is noble and true and free, you + will find in this great book. + </p> + <p> + If we wish to be true to ourselves,—if we wish to benefit our + fellow-men—if we wish to live honorable lives—we will give to + every other human being every right that we claim for ourselves. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing that should be remembered by you. You are the + judges of the law, as well as the judges of the facts. In a case like + this, you are the final judges as to what the law is; and if you acquit, + no court can reverse your verdict. To prevent the least misconception, let + me state to you again what I claim: + </p> + <p> + First. I claim that the constitution of New Jersey declares that: + </p> + <p> + "<i>The liberty of speech shall not be abridged</i>." Second. That this + statute, under which this indictment is found, is unconstitutional, + because it does abridge the liberty of speech; it does exactly that which + the constitution emphatically says shall not be done. + </p> + <p> + Third. I claim, also, that under this law—even if it be + constitutional—the words charged in this indictment do not amount to + blasphemy, read even in the light, or rather in the darkness, of this + statute. + </p> + <p> + Do not, I pray you, forget this point. Do not forget, that, no matter what + the Court may tell you about the law—how good it is, or how bad it + is—no matter what the Court may instruct you on that subject—do + not forget one thing, and that is: That the words charged in the + indictment are the only words that you can take into consideration in this + case. Remember that no matter what else may be in the pamphlet—no + matter what pictures or cartoons there may be of the gentlemen in Boonton + who mobbed this man in the name of universal liberty and love—do not + forget that you have no right to take one word into account except the + exact words set out in this indictment—that is to say, the words + that I have read to you. Upon this point the Court will instruct you that + you have nothing to do with any other line in that pamphlet; and I now + claim, that should the Court instruct you that the statute is + constitutional, still I insist that the words set out in this indictment + do not amount to blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + There is still another point. This statute says: "Whoever shall <i>willfully</i> + speak against." Now, in this case, you must find that the defendant + "willfully" did so and so—that is to say, that he made the + statements attributed to him knowing that they were not true. If you + believe that he was honest in what he said, then this statute does not + touch him. Even under this statute, a man may give his honest opinion. + Certainly, there is no law that charges a man with "willfully" being + honest—"willfully" telling his real opinion—"willfully" giving + to his fellow-men his thought. + </p> + <p> + Where a man is charged with larceny, the indictment must set out that he + took the goods or the property with the intention to steal—with what + the law calls the <i>animus furandi</i>. If he took the goods with the + intention to steal, then he is a thief; but if he took the goods believing + them to be his own, then he is guilty of no offence. So in this case, + whatever was said by the defendant must have been "willfully" said. And I + claim that if you believe that what the man said was honestly said, you + cannot find him guilty under this statute. + </p> + <p> + One more point: This statute has been allowed to slumber so long, that no + man had the right to awaken it. For more than one hundred years it has + slept; and so far as New Jersey is concerned, it has been sound asleep + since 1664. For the first time it is dug out of its grave. The breath of + life is sought to be breathed into it, to the end that some people may + wreak their vengeance on an honest man. + </p> + <p> + Is there any evidence—has there been any—to show that the + defendant was not absolutely candid in the expression of his opinions? Is + there one particle of evidence tending, to show that he is not a perfectly + honest and sincere man? Did the prosecution have the courage to attack his + reputation? No. The State has simply proved to you that he circulated that + pamphlet—that is all. + </p> + <p> + It was claimed, among other things, that the defendant circulated this + pamphlet among children. There was no such evidence—not the + slightest. The only evidence about schools, or school-children was, that + when the defendant talked with the bill-poster,—whose business the + defendant was interfering with,—he asked him something about the + population of the town, and about the schools. But according to the + evidence, and as a matter of fact, not a solitary pamphlet was ever given + to any child, or to any youth. According to the testimony, the defendant + went into two or three stores,—laid the pamphlets on a show case, or + threw them upon a desk—put them upon a stand where papers were sold, + and in one instance handed a pamphlet to a man. That is all. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, however, there would have been no harm in giving this + pamphlet to every citizen of your place. + </p> + <p> + Again I say, that a law that has been allowed to sleep for all these years—allowed + to sleep by reason of the good sense and by reason of the tolerant spirit + of the State of New Jersey, should not be allowed to leap into life + because a few are intolerant, or because a few lacked good sense and + judgment. This snake should not be warmed into vicious life by the blood + of anger. + </p> + <p> + Probably not a man on this jury agrees with me about the subject of + religion. Probably not a member of this jury thinks that I am right in the + opinions that I have entertained and have so often expressed. Most of you + belong to some church, and I presume that those who do, have the good of + what they call Christianity at heart. There maybe among you some + Methodists. If so, they have read the history of their church, and they + know that when it was in the minority, it was persecuted, and they know + that they can not read the history of that persecution without becoming + indignant. They know that the early Methodists were denounced as heretics, + as ranters, as ignorant pretenders. + </p> + <p> + There are also on this jury, Catholics, and they know that there is a + tendency in many parts of this country to persecute a man now because he + is a Catholic. They also know that their church has persecuted in times + past, whenever and wherever it had the power; and they know that + Protestants, when in power, have always persecuted Catholics; and they + know, in their hearts, that all persecution, whether in the name of law, + or religion, is monstrous, savage, and fiendish. + </p> + <p> + I presume that each one of you has the good of what you call Christianity + at heart. If you have, I beg of you to acquit this man. If you believe + Christianity to be a good, it never can do any church any good to put a + man in jail for the expression of opinion. Any church that imprisons a man + because he has used an argument against its creed, will simply convince + the world that it cannot answer the argument. + </p> + <p> + Christianity will never reap any honor, will never reap any profit, from + persecution. It is a poor, cowardly, dastardly way of answering arguments. + No gentleman will do it—no civilized man ever did do it—no + decent human being ever did, or ever will. + </p> + <p> + I take it for granted that you have a certain regard, a certain affection, + for the State in which you live—that you take a pride in the + Commonwealth of New Jersey. If you do, I beg of you to keep the record of + your State clean. Allow no verdict to be recorded against the freedom of + speech. At present there is not to be found on the records of any inferior + court, or on those of the Supreme tribunal—any case in which a man + has been punished for speaking his sentiments. The records have not been + stained—have not been polluted—with such a verdict. + </p> + <p> + Keep such a verdict from the Reports of your State—from the Records + of your courts. No jury has yet, in the State of New Jersey, decided that + the lips of honest men are not free—that there is a manacle upon the + brain. + </p> + <p> + For the sake of your State—for the sake of her reputation throughout + the world—for your own sakes—and those of your children, and + their children yet to be—say to the world that New Jersey shares in + the spirit of this age,—that New Jersey is not a survival of the + Dark Ages,—that New Jersey does not still regard the thumbscrew as + an instrument of progress,—that New Jersey needs no dungeon to + answer the arguments of a free man, and does not send to the penitentiary, + men who think, and men who speak. Say to the world, that where arguments + are without foundation, New Jersey has confidence enough in the brains of + her people to feel that such arguments can be refuted by reason. + </p> + <p> + For the sake of your State, acquit this man. For the sake of something of + far more value to this world than New Jersey—for the sake of + something of more importance to mankind than this continent—for the + sake of Human Liberty, for the sake of Free Speech, acquit this man. + </p> + <p> + What light is to the eyes, what love is to the heart, Liberty is to the + soul of man. Without it, there come suffocation, degradation and death. + </p> + <p> + In the name of Liberty, I implore—and not only so, but I insist—that + you shall find a verdict in favor of this defendant. Do not do the + slightest thing to stay the march of human progress. Do not carry us back, + even for a moment, to the darkness of that cruel night that good men hoped + had passed away forever. + </p> + <p> + Liberty is the condition of progress. Without Liberty, there remains only + barbarism. Without Liberty, there can be no civilization. + </p> + <p> + If another man has not the right to think, you have not even the right to + think that he thinks wrong. If every man has not the right to think, the + people of New Jersey had no right to make a statute, or to adopt a + constitution—no jury has the right to render a verdict, and no court + to pass its sentence. + </p> + <p> + In other words, without liberty of thought, no human being has the right + to form a judgment. It is impossible that there should be such a thing as + real religion without liberty. Without liberty there can be no such thing + as conscience, no such word as justice. All human actions—all good, + all bad—have for a foundation the idea of human liberty, and without + Liberty there can be no vice, and there can be no virtue. + </p> + <p> + Without Liberty there can be no worship, no blasphemy—no love, no + hatred, no justice, no progress. + </p> + <p> + Take the word Liberty from human speech and all the other words become + poor, withered, meaningless sounds—but with that word realized—with + that word understood, the world becomes a paradise. + </p> + <p> + Understand me. I am not blaming the people. I am not blaming the + prosecution, or the prosecuting attorney. The officers of the court are + simply doing what they feel to be their duty. They did not find the + indictment. That was found by the grand jury. The grand jury did not find + the indictment of its own motion. Certain people came before the grand + jury and made their complaint—gave their testimony, and upon that + testimony, under this statute, the indictment was found. + </p> + <p> + While I do not blame these people—they not being on trial—I do + ask you to stand on the side of right. + </p> + <p> + I cannot conceive of much greater happiness than to discharge a public + duty, than to be absolutely true to conscience, true to judgment, no + matter what authority may say, no matter what public opinion may demand. A + man who stands by the right, against the world, cannot help applauding + himself, and saying: "I am an honest man." + </p> + <p> + I want your verdict—a verdict born of manhood, of courage; and I + want to send a dispatch to-day to a woman who is lying sick. I wish you to + furnish the words of this dispatch—only two words—and these + two words will fill an anxious heart with joy. They will fill a soul with + light. It is a very short message—only two words—and I ask you + to furnish them: "Not guilty." + </p> + <p> + You are expected to do this, because I believe you will be true to your + consciences, true to your best judgment, true to the best interests of the + people of New Jersey, true to the great cause of Liberty. + </p> + <p> + I sincerely hope that it will never be necessary again, under the flag of + the United States—that flag for which has been shed the bravest and + best blood of the world—under that flag maintained by Washington, by + Jefferson, by Franklin and by Lincoln—under that flag in defence of + which New Jersey poured out her best and bravest blood—I hope it + will never be necessary again for a man to stand before a jury and plead + for the Liberty of Speech. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Note: The jury in this case brought in a verdict of guilty. + The Judge imposed a fine of twenty-five dollars and costs + amounting in all to seventy-five dollars, which Colonel + Ingersoll paid, giving his services free.—C. P. Farrell. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link0003" id="link0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + GOD IN THE CONSTITUTION. + </h2> + <p> + "<i>All governments derive their just powers from the consent of the + governed</i>." + </p> + <p> + IN this country it is admitted that the power to govern resides in the + people themselves; that they are the only rightful source of authority. + For many centuries before the formation of our Government, before the + promulgation of the Declaration of Independence, the people had but little + voice in the affairs of nations. The source of authority was not in this + world; kings were not crowned by their subjects, and the sceptre was not + held by the consent of the governed. The king sat on his throne by the + will of God, and for that reason was not accountable to the people for the + exercise of his power. He commanded, and the people obeyed. He was lord of + their bodies, and his partner, the priest, was lord of their souls. The + government of earth was patterned after the kingdom on high. God was a + supreme autocrat in heaven, whose will was law, and the king was a supreme + autocrat on earth whose will was law. The God in heaven had inferior + beings to do his will, and the king on earth had certain favorites and + officers to do his. These officers were accountable to him, and he was + responsible to God. + </p> + <p> + The Feudal system was supposed to be in accordance with the divine plan. + The people were not governed by intelligence, but by threats and promises, + by rewards and punishments. No effort was made to enlighten the common + people; no one thought of educating a peasant—of developing the mind + of a laborer. The people were created to support thrones and altars. Their + destiny was to toil and obey—to work and want. They were to be + satisfied with huts and hovels, with ignorance and rags, and their + children must expect no more. In the presence of the king they fell upon + their knees, and before the priest they groveled in the very dust. The + poor peasant divided his earnings with the state, because he imagined it + protected his body; he divided his crust with the church, believing that + it protected his soul. He was the prey of Throne and Altar—one + deformed his body, the other his mind—and these two vultures fed + upon his toil. He was taught by the king to hate the people of other + nations, and by the priest to despise the believers in all other + religions. He was made the enemy of all people except his own. He had no + sympathy with the peasants of other lands, enslaved and plundered like + himself., He was kept in ignorance, because education is the enemy of + superstition, and because education is the foe of that egotism often + mistaken for patriotism. + </p> + <p> + The intelligent and good man holds in his affections the good and true of + every land—the boundaries of countries are not the limitations of + his sympathies. Caring nothing for race, or color, he loves those who + speak other languages and worship other gods. Between him and those who + suffer, there is no impassable gulf. He salutes the world, and extends the + hand of friendship to the human race. He does not bow before a provincial + and patriotic god—one who protects his tribe or nation, and abhors + the rest of mankind. + </p> + <p> + Through all the ages of superstition, each nation has insisted that it was + the peculiar care of the true God, and that it alone had the true religion—that + the gods of other nations were false and fraudulent, and that other + religions were wicked, ignorant and absurd. In this way the seeds of + hatred had been sown, and in this way have been kindled the flames of war. + Men have had no sympathy with those of a different complexion, with those + who knelt at other altars and expressed their thoughts in other words—and + even a difference in garments placed them beyond the sympathy of others. + Every peculiarity was the food of prejudice and the excuse for hatred. + </p> + <p> + The boundaries of nations were at last crossed by commerce. People became + somewhat acquainted, and they found that the virtues and vices were quite + evenly distributed. At last, subjects became somewhat acquainted with + kings—peasants had the pleasure of gazing at princes, and it was + dimly perceived that the differences were mostly in rags and names. + </p> + <p> + In 1776 our fathers endeavored to retire the gods from politics. They + declared that "all governments derive their just powers from the consent + of the governed." This was a contradiction of the then political ideas of + the world; it was, as many believed, an act of pure blasphemy—a + renunciation of the Deity. It was in fact a declaration of the + independence of the earth. It was a notice to all churches and priests + that thereafter mankind would govern and protect themselves. Politically + it tore down every altar and denied the authority of every "sacred book," + and appealed from the Providence of God to the Providence of Man. + </p> + <p> + Those who promulgated the Declaration adopted a Constitution for the great + Republic. + </p> + <p> + What was the office or purpose of that Constitution? + </p> + <p> + Admitting that all power came from the people, it was necessary, first, + that certain means be adopted for the purpose of ascertaining the will of + the people, and second, it was proper and convenient to designate certain + departments that should exercise certain powers of the Government. There + must be the legislative, the judicial and the executive departments. Those + who make laws should not execute them. Those who execute laws should not + have the power of absolutely determining their meaning or their + constitutionality. For these reasons, among others, a Constitution was + adopted. + </p> + <p> + This Constitution also contained a declaration of rights. It marked out + the limitations of discretion, so that in the excitement of passion, men + shall not go beyond the point designated in the calm moment of reason. + </p> + <p> + When man is unprejudiced, and his passions subject to reason, it is well + he should define the limits of power, so that the waves driven by the + storm of passion shall not overbear the shore. + </p> + <p> + A constitution is for the government of man in this world. It is the chain + the people put upon their servants, as well as upon themselves. It defines + the limit of power and the limit of obedience. + </p> + <p> + It follows, then, that nothing should be in a constitution that cannot be + enforced by the power of the state—that is, by the army and navy. + Behind every provision of the Constitution should stand the force of the + nation. Every sword, every bayonet, every cannon should be there. + </p> + <p> + Suppose, then, that we amend the Constitution and acknowledge the + existence and supremacy of God—what becomes of the supremacy of the + people, and how is this amendment to be enforced? A constitution does not + enforce itself. It must be carried out by appropriate legislation. Will it + be a crime to deny the existence of this constitutional God? Can the + offender be proceeded against in the criminal courts? Can his lips be + closed by the power of the state? Would not this be the inauguration of + religious persecution? + </p> + <p> + And if there is to be an acknowledgment of God in the Constitution, the + question naturally arises as to which God is to have this honor. Shall we + select the God of the Catholics—he who has established an infallible + church presided over by an infallible pope, and who is delighted with + certain ceremonies and placated by prayers uttered in exceedingly common + Latin? Is it the God of the Presbyterian with the Five Points of + Calvinism, who is ingenious enough to harmonize necessity and + responsibility, and who in some way justifies himself for damning most of + his own children? Is it the God of the Puritan, the enemy of joy—of + the Baptist, who is great enough to govern the universe, and small enough + to allow the destiny of a soul to depend on whether the body it inhabited + was immersed or sprinkled? + </p> + <p> + What God is it proposed to put in the Constitution? Is it the God of the + Old Testament, who was a believer in slavery and who justified polygamy? + If slavery was right then, it is right now; and if Jehovah was right then, + the Mormons are right now. Are we to have the God who issued a commandment + against all art—who was the enemy of investigation and of free + speech? Is it the God who commanded the husband to stone his wife to death + because she differed with him on the subject of religion? Are we to have a + God who will re-enact the Mosaic code and punish hundreds of offences with + death? What court, what tribunal of last resort, is to define this God, + and who is to make known his will? In his presence, laws passed by men + will be of no value. The decisions of courts will be as nothing. But who + is to make known the will of this supreme God? Will there be a supreme + tribunal composed of priests? + </p> + <p> + Of course all persons elected to office will either swear or affirm to + support the Constitution. Men who do not believe in this God, cannot so + swear or affirm. Such men will not be allowed to hold any office of trust + or honor. A God in the Constitution will not interfere with the oaths or + affirmations of hypocrites. Such a provision will only exclude honest and + conscientious unbelievers. Intelligent people know that 110 one knows + whether there is a God or not. The existence of such a Being is merely a + matter of opinion. Men who believe in the liberty of man, who are willing + to die for the honor of their country, will be excluded from taking any + part in the administration of its affairs. Such a provision would place + the country under the feet of priests. + </p> + <p> + To recognize a Deity in the organic law of our country would be the + destruction of religious liberty. The God in the Constitution would have + to be protected. There would be laws against blasphemy, laws against the + publication of honest thoughts, laws against carrying books and papers in + the mails in which this constitutional God should be attacked. Our land + would be filled with theological spies, with religious eavesdroppers, and + all the snakes and reptiles of the lowest natures, in this sunshine of + religious authority, would uncoil and crawl. + </p> + <p> + It is proposed to acknowledge a God who is the lawful and rightful + Governor of nations; the one who ordained the powers that be. If this God + is really the Governor of nations, it is not necessary to acknowledge him + in the Constitution. This would not add to his power. If he governs all + nations now, he has always controlled the affairs of men. Having this + control, why did he not see to it that he was recognized in the + Constitution of the United States? If he had the supreme authority and + neglected to put himself in the Constitution, is not this, at least, <i>prima + facie</i> evidence that he did not desire to be there? + </p> + <p> + For one, I am not in favor of the God who has "ordained the powers that + be." What have we to say of Russia—of Siberia? What can we say of + the persecuted and enslaved? What of the kings and nobles who live on the + stolen labor of others? What of the priest and cardinal and pope who + wrest, even from the hand of poverty, the single coin thrice earned? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible to flatter the Infinite with a constitutional amendment? + The Confederate States acknowledged God in their constitution, and yet + they were overwhelmed by a people in whose organic law no reference to God + is made. All the kings of the earth acknowledge the existence of God, and + God is their ally; and this belief in God is used as a means to enslave + and rob, to govern and degrade the people whom they call their subjects. + </p> + <p> + The Government of the United States is secular. It derives its power from + the consent of man. It is a Government with which God has nothing whatever + to do—and all forms and customs, inconsistent with the fundamental + fact that the people are the source of authority, should be abandoned. In + this country there should be no oaths—no man should be sworn to tell + the truth, and in no court should there be any appeal to any supreme + being. A rascal by taking the oath appears to go in partnership with God, + and ignorant jurors credit the firm instead of the man. A witness should + tell his story, and if he speaks falsely should be considered as guilty of + perjury. Governors and Presidents should not issue religious + proclamations. They should not call upon the people to thank God. It is no + part of their official duty. It is outside of and beyond the horizon of + their authority. There is nothing in the Constitution of the United States + to justify this religious impertinence. + </p> + <p> + For many years priests have attempted to give to our Government a + religious form. Zealots have succeeded in putting the legend upon our + money: "In God We Trust;" and we have chaplains in the army and navy, and + legislative proceedings are usually opened with prayer. All this is + contrary to the genius of the Republic, contrary to the Declaration of + Independence, and contrary really to the Constitution of the United + States. We have taken the ground that the people can govern themselves + without the assistance of any supernatural power. We have taken the + position that the people are the real and only rightful source of + authority. We have solemnly declared that the people must determine what + is politically right and what is wrong, and that their legally expressed + will is the supreme law. This leaves no room for national superstition—no + room for patriotic gods or supernatural beings—and this does away + with the necessity for political prayers. + </p> + <p> + The government of God has been tried. It was tried in Palestine several + thousand years ago, and the God of the Jews was a monster of cruelty and + ignorance, and the people governed by this God lost their nationality. + Theocracy was tried through the Middle Ages. God was the Governor—the + pope was his agent, and every priest and bishop and cardinal was armed + with credentials from the Most High—and the result was that the + noblest and best were in prisons, the greatest and grandest perished at + the stake. The result was that vices were crowned with honor, and virtues + whipped naked through the streets. The result was that hypocrisy swayed + the sceptre of authority, while honesty languished in the dungeons of the + Inquisition. + </p> + <p> + The government of God was tried in Geneva when John Calvin was his + representative; and under this government of God the flames climbed around + the limbs and blinded the eyes of Michael Servetus, because he dared to + express an honest thought. This government of God was tried in Scotland, + and the seeds of theological hatred were sown, that bore, through hundreds + of years, the fruit of massacre and assassination. This government of God + was established in New England, and the result was that Quakers were + hanged or burned—the laws of Moses re-enacted and the "witch was not + suffered to live." The result was that investigation was a crime, and the + expression of an honest thought a capital offence. This government of God + was established in Spain, and the Jews were expelled, the Moors were + driven out, Moriscoes were exterminated, and nothing left but the ignorant + and bankrupt worshipers of this monster. This government of God was tried + in the United States when slavery was regarded as a divine institution, + when men and women were regarded as criminals because they sought for + liberty by flight, and when others were regarded as criminals because they + gave them food and shelter. The pulpit of that day defended the buying and + selling of women and babes, and the mouths of slave-traders were filled + with passages of Scripture, defending and upholding the traffic in human + flesh. + </p> + <p> + We have entered upon a new epoch. This is the century of man. Every effort + to really better the condition of mankind has been opposed by the + worshipers of some God. The church in all ages and among all peoples has + been the consistent enemy of the human race. Everywhere and at all times, + it has opposed the liberty of thought and expression. It has been the + sworn enemy of investigation and of intellectual development. It has + denied the existence of facts, the tendency of which was to undermine its + power. It has always been carrying fagots to the feet of Philosophy. It + has erected the gallows for Genius. It has built the dungeon for Thinkers. + And to-day the orthodox church is as much opposed as it ever was to the + mental freedom of the human race. + </p> + <p> + Of course, there is a distinction made between churches and individual + members. There have been millions of Christians who have been believers in + liberty and in the freedom of expression—millions who have fought + for the rights of man—but churches as organizations, have been on + the other side. It is true that churches have fought churches—that + Protestants battled with the Catholics for what they were pleased to call + the freedom of conscience; and it is also true that the moment these + Protestants obtained the civil power, they denied this freedom of + conscience to others. + </p> + <p> + 'Let me show you the difference between the theological and the secular + spirit. Nearly three hundred years ago, one of the noblest of the human + race, Giordano Bruno, was burned at Rome by the Catholic Church—that + is to say, by the "Triumphant Beast." This man had committed certain + crimes—he had publicly stated that there were other worlds than this—other + constellations than ours. He had ventured the supposition that other + planets might be peopled. More than this, and worse than this, he had + asserted the heliocentric theory—that the earth made its annual + journey about the sun. He had also given it as his opinion that matter is + eternal. For these crimes he was found unworthy to live, and about his + body were piled the fagots of the Catholic Church. This man, this genius, + this pioneer of the science of the nineteenth century, perished as + serenely as the sun sets. The Infidels of to-day find excuses for his + murderers. They take into consideration the ignorance and brutality of the + times. They remember that the world was governed by a God who was then the + source of all authority. This is the charity of Infidelity,—of + philosophy. But the church of to-day is so heartless, is still so cold and + cruel, that it can find no excuse for the murdered. + </p> + <p> + This is the difference between Theocracy and Democracy—between God + and man. + </p> + <p> + If God is allowed in the Constitution, man must abdicate. There is no room + for both. If the people of the great Republic become superstitious enough + and ignorant enough to put God in the Constitution of the United States, + the experiment of self-government will have failed, and the great and + splendid declaration that "all governments derive their just powers from + the consent of the governed" will have been denied, and in its place will + be found this: All power comes from God; priests are his agents, and the + people are their slaves. + </p> + <p> + Religion is an individual matter, and each soul should be left entirely + free to form its own opinions and to judge of its accountability to a + supposed supreme being. With religion, government has nothing whatever to + do. Government is founded upon force, and force should never interfere + with the religious opinions of men. Laws should define the rights of men + and their duties toward each other, and these laws should be for the + benefit of man in this world. + </p> + <p> + A nation can neither be Christian nor Infidel—a nation is incapable + of having opinions upon these subjects. If a nation is Christian, will all + the citizens go to heaven? If it is not, will they all be damned? Of + course it is admitted that the majority of citizens composing a nation may + believe or disbelieve, and they may call the nation what they please. A + nation is a corporation. To repeat a familiar saying, "it has no soul." + There can be no such thing as a Christian corporation. Several Christians + may form a corporation, but it can hardly be said that the corporation + thus formed was included in the atonement. For instance: Seven Christians + form a corporation—that is to say, there are seven natural persons + and one artificial—can it be said that there are eight souls to be + saved? + </p> + <p> + No human being has brain enough, or knowledge enough, or experience + enough, to say whether there is, or is not, a God. Into this darkness + Science has not yet carried its torch. No human being has gone beyond the + horizon of the natural. As to the existence of the supernatural, one man + knows precisely as much, and exactly as little as another. Upon this + question, chimpanzees and cardinals, apes and popes, are upon exact + equality. The smallest insect discernible only by the most powerful + microscope, is as familiar with this subject, as the greatest genius that + has been produced by the human race. + </p> + <p> + Governments and laws are for the preservation of rights and the regulation + of conduct. One man should not be allowed to interfere with the liberty of + another. In the metaphysical world there should be no interference + whatever, The same is true in the world of art. Laws cannot regulate what + is or is not music, what is or what is not beautiful—and + constitutions cannot definitely settle and determine the perfection of + statues, the value of paintings, or the glory and subtlety of thought. In + spite of laws and constitutions the brain will think. In every direction + consistent with the well-being and peace of society, there should be + freedom. No man should be compelled to adopt the theology of another; + neither should a minority, however small, be forced to acquiesce in the + opinions of a majority, however large. + </p> + <p> + If there be an infinite Being, he does not need our help—we need not + waste our energies in his defence. It is enough for us to give to every + other human being the liberty we claim for ourselves. There may or may not + be a Supreme Ruler of the universe—but we are certain that man + exists, and we believe that freedom is the condition of progress; that it + is the sunshine of the mental and moral world, and that without it man + will go back to the den of savagery, and will become the fit associate of + wild and ferocious beasts. + </p> + <p> + We have tried the government of priests, and we know that such governments + are without mercy. In the administration of theocracy, all the instruments + of torture have been invented. If any man wishes to have God recognized in + the Constitution of our country, let him read the history of the + Inquisition, and let him remember that hundreds of millions of men, women + and children have been sacrificed to placate the wrath, or win the + approbation of this God. + </p> + <p> + There has been in our country a divorce of church and state. This follows + as a natural sequence of the declaration that "governments derive their + just powers from the consent of the governed." The priest was no longer a + necessity. His presence was a contradiction of the principle on which the + Republic was founded. He represented, not the authority of the people, but + of some "Power from on High," and to recognize this other Power was + inconsistent with free government. The founders of the Republic at that + time parted company with the priests, and said to them: "You may turn your + attention to the other world—we will attend to the affairs of this." + Equal liberty was given to all. But the ultra theologian is not satisfied + with this—he wishes to destroy the liberty of the people—he + wishes a recognition of his God as the source of authority, to the end + that the church may become the supreme power. + </p> + <p> + But the sun will not be turned backward. The people of the United States + are intelligent. They no longer believe implicitly in supernatural + religion. They are losing confidence in the miracles and marvels of the + Dark Ages. They know the value of the free school. They appreciate the + benefits of science. They are believers in education, in the free play of + thought, and there is a suspicion that the priest, the theologian, is + destined to take his place with the necromancer, the astrologer, the + worker of magic, and the professor of the black art. + </p> + <p> + We have already compared the benefits of theology and science. When the + theologian governed the world, it was covered with huts and hovels for the + many, palaces and cathedrals for the few. To nearly all the children of + men, reading and writing were unknown arts. The poor were clad in rags and + skins—they devoured crusts, and gnawed bones. The day of Science + dawned, and the luxuries of a century ago are the necessities of to-day. + Men in the middle ranks of life have more of the conveniences and + elegancies than the princes and kings of the theological times. But above + and over all this, is the development of mind. There is more of value in + the brain of an average man of to-day—of a master-mechanic, of a + chemist, of a naturalist, of an inventor, than there was in the brain of + the world four hundred years ago. + </p> + <p> + These blessings did not fall from the skies, These benefits did not drop + from the outstretched hands of priests. They were not found in cathedrals + or behind altars—neither were they searched for with holy candles. + They were not discovered by the closed eyes of prayer, nor did they come + in answer to superstitious supplication. They are the children of freedom, + the gifts of reason, observation and experience—and for them all, + man is indebted to man. + </p> + <p> + Let us hold fast to the sublime declaration of Lincoln. Let us insist that + this, the Republic, is "A government of the people, by the people, and for + the people."—The Arena, Boston, Mass., January, 1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004" id="link0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A REPLY TO BISHOP SPALDING. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * An unfinished reply to Bishop J. L. Spalding's article + "God in the Constitution," which appeared in the Arena. + Boston, Mass., April, 1890. +</pre> + <p> + BISHOP SPALDING admits that "The introduction of the question of religion + would not only have brought discord into the Constitutional convention, + but would have also engendered strife throughout the land." Undoubtedly + this is true. I am compelled to admit this, for the reason that in all + times and in all lands the introduction of the question of religion has + brought discord and has engendered strife. + </p> + <p> + He also says: "In the presence of such danger, like wise men and patriots, + they avoided irritating subjects"—the irritating subject being the + question of religion. I admit that it always has been, and promises always + to be, an "irritating subject," because it is not a subject decided by + reason, but by ignorance, prejudice, arrogance and superstition. + Consequently he says: "It was prudence, then, not skepticism, which + induced them to leave the question of religion to the several States." The + Bishop admits that it was prudent for the founders of this Government to + leave the question of religion entirely to the States. It was prudent + because the question of religion is irritating—because religious + questions engender strife and hatred. Now, if it was prudent for the + framers of the Constitution to leave religion out of the Constitution, and + allow that question to be settled by the several States themselves under + that clause preventing the establishment of religion or the free exercise + thereof, why is it not wise still—why is it not prudent now? + </p> + <p> + My article was written against the introduction of religion into the + Constitution of the United States. I am opposed to a recognition of God + and of Jesus Christ in that instrument; and the reason I am opposed to it + is, that: "The introduction of the question of religion would not only + bring discord, but would engender strife throughout the land." I am + opposed to it for the reason that religion is an "irritating subject," and + also because if it was prudent when the Constitution was made, to leave + God out, it is prudent now to keep him out. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop is mistaken—as bishops usually are—when he says: + "Had our fathers been skeptics, or anti-theists, they would not have + required the President and Vice-President, the Senators and + Representatives in Congress, and all executive and judicial officers of + the United States, to call God to witness that they intended to perform + their duties under the Constitution like honest men and loyal citizens." + </p> + <p> + The framers of the Constitution did no such thing. They allowed every + officer, from the President down, either to swear or to affirm, and those + who affirmed did not call God to witness. In other words, our Constitution + allowed every officer to abolish the oath and to leave God out of the + question. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop informs us, however, that: "The causes which would have made it + unwise to introduce any phase of religious controversy into the + Constitutional convention have long since ceased to exist." Is there as + much division now in the religious world as then? Has the Catholic Church + thrown away the differences between it and the Protestants? Are we any + better friends to-day than we were in 1789? As a matter of fact, is there + not now a cause which did not to the same extent exist then? Have we not + in the United States, millions of people who believe in no religion + whatever, and who regard all creeds as the work of ignorance and + superstition? + </p> + <p> + The trouble about putting God in the Constitution in 1789 was, that they + could not agree on the God to go in; and the reason why our fathers did + not unite church and state was, that they could not agree on which church + was to be the bride. The Catholics of Maryland certainly would not have + permitted the nation to take the Puritan Church, neither would the + Presbyterians of Pennsylvania have agreed to this, nor would the + Episcopalians of New York, or of any Southern State. Each church said: + "Marry me, or die a bachelor." + </p> + <p> + The Bishop asks whether there are "still reasons why an express + recognition of God's sovereignty and providence should not form part of + the organic law of the land"? I ask, were there any reasons, in 1789, why + an express recognition of God's sovereignty and providence should not form + part of the organic law of the land? Did not the Bishop say, only a few + lines back of that, "that the introduction of the question of religion + into that body would have brought discord, and would have engendered + strife throughout the land." What is the "question of religion" to which + he referred? Certainly "the recognition of God's sovereignty and + providence," with the addition of describing the God as the author of the + supposed providence. Thomas Jefferson would have insisted on having a God + in the Constitution who was not the author of the Old and New Testaments. + Benjamin Franklin would have asked for the same God; and on that question + John Adams would have voted yes. Others would have voted for a Catholic + God—others for an Episcopalian, and so on, until the representatives + of the various creeds were exhausted. + </p> + <p> + I took the ground, and I still take the ground, that there is nothing in + the Constitution that cannot on occasion be enforced by the army and navy—that + is to say, that cannot be defended and enforced by the sword. Suppose God + is acknowledged in the Constitution, and somebody denies the existence of + this God—what are you to do with him? Every man elected to office + must swear or affirm that he will support the Constitution. Can one who + does not believe in this God, conscientiously take such oath, or make such + affirmation? + </p> + <p> + The effect, then, of such a clause in the Constitution would be to drive + from public life all except the believers in this God, and this + providence. The Government would be in fact a theocracy and would resort + for its preservation to one of the old forms of religious persecution. + </p> + <p> + I took the ground in my article, and still maintain it, that all + intelligent people know that no one knows whether there is a God or not. + This cannot be answered by saying, "that nearly all intelligent men in + every age, including our own, have believed in God and have held that they + had rational grounds for such faith." This is what is called a departure + in pleading—it is a shifting of the issue. I did not say that + intelligent people do not believe in the existence of God. What I did say + is, that intelligent people know that no one knows whether there is a God + or not. + </p> + <p> + It is not true that we know the conditions of thought. Neither is it true + that we know that these conditions are unconditioned. There is no such + thing as the unconditioned conditional. We might as well say that the + relative is unrelated—that the unrelated is the absolute—and + therefore that there is no difference between the absolute and the + relative. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop says we cannot know the relative without knowing the absolute. + The probability is that he means that we cannot know the relative without + admitting the existence of the absolute, and that we cannot know the + phenomenal without taking the noumenal for granted. Still, we can neither + know the absolute nor the noumenal for the reason that our mind is limited + to relations. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0005" id="link0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CRIMES AGAINST CRIMINALS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "An Address delivered before the State Bar Association at + Albany, N. Y., January 1, 1890." +</pre> + <p> + IN this brief address, the object is to suggest—there being no time + to present arguments at length. The subject has been chosen for the reason + that it is one that should interest the legal profession, because that + profession to a certain extent controls and shapes the legislation of our + country and fixes definitely the scope and meaning of all laws. + </p> + <p> + Lawyers ought to be foremost in legislative and judicial reform, and of + all men they should understand the philosophy of mind, the causes of human + action, and the real science of government. + </p> + <p> + It has been said that the three pests of a community are: A priest without + charity; a doctor without knowledge, and, a lawyer without a sense of + justice. + </p> + <p> + I. + </p> + <p> + All nations seem to have had supreme confidence in the deterrent power of + threatened and inflicted pain. They have regarded punishment as the + shortest road to reformation. Imprisonment, torture, death, constituted a + trinity under whose protection society might feel secure. + </p> + <p> + In addition to these, nations have relied on confiscation and degradation, + on maimings, whippings, brandings, and exposures to public ridicule and + contempt. Connected with the court of justice was the chamber of torture. + The ingenuity of man was exhausted in the construction of instruments that + would surely reach the most sensitive nerve. All this was done in the + interest of civilization—for the protection of virtue, and the + well-being of states. Curiously it was found that the penalty of death + made little difference. Thieves and highwaymen, heretics and blasphemers, + went on their way. It was then thought necessary to add to this penalty of + death, and consequently, the convicted were tortured in every conceivable + way before execution. They were broken on the wheel—their joints + dislocated on the rack. They were suspended by their legs and arms, while + immense weights were placed upon their breasts. Their flesh was burned and + torn with hot irons. They were roasted at slow fires. They were buried + alive—given to wild beasts—molten lead was poured in their + ears—their eye-lids were cut off and, the wretches placed with their + faces toward the sun—others were securely bound, so that they could + move neither hand nor foot, and over their stomachs were placed inverted + bowls; under these bowls rats were confined; on top of the bowls were + heaped coals of fire, so that the rats in their efforts to escape would + gnaw into the bowels of the victims. They were staked out on the sands of + the sea, to be drowned by the slowly rising tide—and every means by + which human nature can be overcome slowly, painfully and terribly, was + conceived and carried into execution. And yet the number of so-called + criminals increased. Enough, the fact is that, no matter how severe the + punishments were, the crimes increased. + </p> + <p> + For petty offences men were degraded—given to the mercy of the + rabble. Their ears were cut off, their nostrils slit, their foreheads + branded. They were tied to the tails of carts and flogged from one town to + another. And yet, in spite of all, the poor wretches obstinately refused + to become good and useful citizens. + </p> + <p> + Degradation has been thoroughly tried, with its maimings and brandings, + and the result was that those who inflicted the punishments became as + degraded as their victims. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago there were more than two hundred offences in Great + Britain punishable by death. The gallows-tree bore fruit through all the + year, and the hangman was the busiest official in the kingdom—but + the criminals increased. + </p> + <p> + Crimes were committed to punish crimes, and crimes were committed to + prevent crimes. The world has been filled with prisons and dungeons, with + chains and whips, with crosses and gibbets, with thumbscrews and racks, + with hangmen and headsmen—and yet these frightful means and + instrumentalities and crimes have accomplished little for the preservation + of property or life. It is safe to say that governments have committed far + more crimes than they have prevented. + </p> + <p> + Why is it that men will suffer and risk so much for the sake of stealing? + Why will they accept degradation and punishment and infamy as their + portion? Some will answer this question by an appeal to the dogma of + original sin; others by saying that millions of men and women are under + the control of fiends—that they are actually possessed by devils; + and others will declare that all these people act from choice—that + they are possessed of free wills, of intelligence—that they know and + appreciate consequences, and that, in spite of all, they deliberately + prefer a life of crime. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + Have we not advanced far enough intellectually to deny the existence of + chance? Are we not satisfied now that back of every act and thought and + dream and fancy is an efficient cause? Is anything, or can anything, be + produced that is not necessarily produced? Can the fatherless and + motherless exist? Is there not a connection between all events, and is not + every act related to all other acts? Is it not possible, is it not + probable, is it not true, that the actions of all men are determined by + countless causes over which they have no positive control? + </p> + <p> + Certain it is that men do not prefer unhappiness to joy. + </p> + <p> + It can hardly be said that man intends permanently to injure himself, and + that he does what he does in order that he may live a life of misery. On + the other hand, we must take it for granted that man endeavors to better + his own condition, and seeks, although by mistaken ways, his own + well-being. The poorest man would like to be rich—the sick desire + health—and no sane man wishes to win the contempt and hatred of his + fellow-men. Every human being prefers liberty to imprisonment. + </p> + <p> + Are the brains of criminals exactly like the brains of honest men? Have + criminals the same ambitions, the same standards of happiness or of + well-being? If a difference exists in brain, will that in part account for + the difference in character? Is there anything in heredity? Are vices as + carefully transmitted by nature as virtues? Does each man in some degree + bear burdens imposed by ancestors? We know that diseases of flesh and + blood are transmitted—that the child is the heir of physical + deformity. Are diseases of the brain—are deformities of the soul, of + the mind, also transmitted? + </p> + <p> + We not only admit, but we assert, that in the physical world there are + causes and effects. We insist that there is and can be no effect without + an efficient cause. When anything happens in that world, we are satisfied + that it was naturally and necessarily produced. The causes may be obscure, + but we as implicitly believe in their existence as when we know positively + what they are. In the physical world we have taken the ground that there + is nothing miraculous—that everything is natural—and if we + cannot explain it, we account for our inability to explain, by our own + ignorance. Is it not possible, is it not probable, that what is true in + the physical world is equally true in the realm of mind—in that + strange world of passion and desire? Is it possible that thoughts or + desires or passions are the children of chance, born of nothing? Can we + conceive of nothing as a force, or as a cause? If, then, there is behind + every thought and desire and passion an efficient cause, we can, in part + at least, account for the actions of men. + </p> + <p> + A certain man under certain conditions acts in a certain way. There are + certain temptations that he, with his brain, with his experience, with his + intelligence, with his surroundings cannot withstand. He is irresistibly + led to do, or impelled to do, certain things; and there are other things + that he can not do. If we change the conditions of this man, his actions + will be changed. Develop his mind, give him new subjects of thought, and + you change the man; and the man being Changed, it follows of necessity + that his conduct will be different. + </p> + <p> + In civilized countries the struggle for existence is severe—the + competition far sharper than in savage lands. The consequence is that + there are many failures. These failures lack, it may be, opportunity or + brain or moral force or industry, or something without which, under the + circumstances, success is impossible. Certain lines of conduct are called + legal, and certain others criminal, and the men who fail in one line may + be driven to the other. How do we know that it is possible for all people + to be honest? Are we certain that all people can tell the truth? Is it + possible for all men to be generous or candid or courageous? + </p> + <p> + I am perfectly satisfied that there are millions of people incapable of + committing certain crimes, and it may be true that there are millions of + others incapable of practicing certain virtues. We do not blame a man + because he is not a sculptor, a poet, a painter, or a statesman. We say he + has not the genius. Are we certain that it does not require genius to be + good? Where is the man with intelligence enough to take into consideration + the circumstances of each individual case? Who has the mental balance with + which to weigh the forces of heredity, of want, of temptation,—and + who can analyze with certainty the mysterious motions of the brain? Where + and what are the sources of vice and virtue? In what obscure and shadowy + recesses of the brain are passions born? And what is it that for the + moment destroys the sense of right and wrong? + </p> + <p> + Who knows to what extent reason becomes the prisoner of passion—of + some strange and wild desire, the seeds of which were sown, it may be, + thousands of years ago in the breast of some savage? To what extent do + antecedents and surroundings affect the moral sense? + </p> + <p> + Is it not possible that the tyranny of governments, the injustice of + nations, the fierceness of what is called the law, produce in the + individual a tendency in the same direction? Is it not true that the + citizen is apt to imitate his nation? Society degrades its enemies—the + individual seeks to degrade his. Society plunders its enemies, and now and + then the citizen has the desire to plunder his. Society kills its enemies, + and possibly sows in the heart of some citizen the seeds of murder. + </p> + <p> + III. + </p> + <p> + Is it not true that the criminal is a natural product, and that society + unconsciously produces these children of vice? Can we not safely take + another step, and say that the criminal is a victim, as the diseased and + insane and deformed are victims? We do not think of punishing a man + because he is afflicted with disease—our desire is to find a cure. + We send him, not to the penitentiary, but to the hospital, to an asylum. + We do this because we recognize the fact that disease is naturally + produced—that it is inherited from parents, or the result of + unconscious negligence, or it may be of recklessness—but instead of + punishing, we pity. If there are diseases of the mind, of the brain, as + there are diseases of the body; and if these diseases of the mind, these + deformities of the brain, produce, and necessarily produce, what we call + vice, why should we punish the-criminal, and pity those who are physically + diseased? + </p> + <p> + Socrates, in some respects at least one of the wisest of men, said: "It is + strange that you should not be angry when you meet a man with an + ill-conditioned body, and yet be vexed when you encounter one with an + ill-conditioned soul." + </p> + <p> + We know that there are deformed bodies, and we are equally certain that + there are deformed minds. + </p> + <p> + Of course, society has the right to protect itself, no matter whether the + persons who attack its well-being are responsible or not, no matter + whether they are sick in mind, or deformed in brain. The right of + self-defence exists, not only in the individual, but in society. The great + question is, How shall this right of self-defence be exercised? What + spirit shall be in the nation, or in society—the spirit of revenge, + a desire to degrade and punish and destroy, or a spirit born of the + recognition of the fact that criminals are victims? + </p> + <p> + The world has thoroughly tried confiscation, degradation, imprisonment, + torture and death, and thus far the world has failed. In this connection I + call your attention to the following statistics gathered in our own + country: + </p> + <p> + In 1850, we had twenty-three millions of people, and between six and seven + thousand prisoners. + </p> + <p> + In 1860—thirty-one millions of people, and nineteen thousand + prisoners. + </p> + <p> + In 1870—thirty-eight millions of people, and thirty-two thousand + prisoners. + </p> + <p> + In 1880—fifty millions of people, and fifty-eight thousand + prisoners. + </p> + <p> + It may be curious to note the relation between insanity, pauperism and + crime: + </p> + <p> + In 1850, there were fifteen thousand insane; in 1860, twenty-four + thousand; in 1870, thirty-seven thousand; in 1880, ninety-one thousand. + </p> + <p> + In the light of these statistics, we are not succeeding in doing away with + crime. There were in 1880, fifty-eight thousand prisoners, and in the same + year fifty-seven thousand homeless children, and sixty-six thousand + paupers in almshouses. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that we must go to the same causes for these effects? + </p> + <p> + IV. + </p> + <p> + There is no reformation in degradation. To mutilate a criminal is to say + to all the world that he is a criminal, and to render his reformation + substantially impossible. Whoever is degraded by society becomes its + enemy. The seeds of malice are sown in his heart, and to the day of his + death he will hate the hand that sowed the seeds. + </p> + <p> + There is also another side to this question. A punishment that degrades + the punished will degrade the man who inflicts the punishment, and will + degrade the government that procures the infliction. The whipping-post + pollutes, not only the whipped, but the whipper, and not only the whipper, + but the community at large. Wherever its shadow falls it degrades. + </p> + <p> + If, then, there is no reforming power in degradation—no deterrent + power—for the reason that the degradation of the criminal degrades + the community, and in this way produces more criminals, then the next + question is, Whether there is any reforming power in torture? The trouble + with this is that it hardens and degrades to the last degree the ministers + of the law. Those who are not affected by the agonies of the bad will in a + little time care nothing for the sufferings of the good. There seems to be + a little of the wild beast in men—a something that is fascinated by + suffering, and that delights in inflicting pain. When a government + tortures, it is in the same state of mind that the criminal was when he + committed his crime. It requires as much malice in those who execute the + law, to torture a criminal, as it did in the criminal to torture and kill + his victim. The one was a crime by a person, the other by a nation. + </p> + <p> + There is something in injustice, in cruelty, that tends to defeat itself. + There were never as many traitors in England as when the traitor was drawn + and quartered—when he was tortured in every possible way—when + his limbs, torn and bleeding, were given to the fury of mobs or exhibited + pierced by pikes or hung in chains. These frightful punishments produced + intense hatred of the government, and traitors continued to increase until + they became powerful enough to decide what treason was and who the + traitors were, and to inflict the same torments on others. + </p> + <p> + Think for a moment of what man has suffered in the cause of crime. Think + of the millions that have been imprisoned, impoverished and degraded + because they were thieves and forgers, swindlers and cheats. Think for a + moment of what they have endured—of the difficulties under which + they have pursued their calling, and it will be exceedingly hard to + believe that they were sane and natural people possessed of good brains, + of minds well-poised, and that they did what they did from a choice + unaffected by heredity and the countless circumstances that tend to + determine the conduct of human beings. + </p> + <p> + The other day I was asked these questions: "Has there been as much heroism + displayed for the right as for the wrong? Has virtue had as many martyrs + as vice?" + </p> + <p> + For hundreds of years the world has endeavored to destroy the good by + force. The expression of honest thought was regarded as the greatest of + crimes. Dungeons were filled by the noblest and the best, and the blood of + the bravest was shed by the sword or consumed by flame. It was impossible + to destroy the longing in the heart of man for liberty and truth. Is it + not possible that brute force and cruelty and revenge, imprisonment, + torture and death are as impotent to do away with vice as to destroy + virtue? + </p> + <p> + In our country there has been for many years a growing feeling that + convicts should neither be degraded nor tortured. It was provided in the + Constitution of the United States that "cruel and unusual punishments + should not be inflicted." Benjamin Franklin took great interest in the + treatment of prisoners, being a thorough believer in the reforming + influence of justice, having no confidence whatever in punishment for + punishment's sake. + </p> + <p> + To me it has always been a mystery how the average man, knowing something + of the weakness of human nature, something of the temptations to which he + himself has been exposed—remembering the evil of his life, the + things he would have done had there been opportunity, had he absolutely + known that discovery would be impossible—should have feelings of + hatred toward the imprisoned. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that the average man assaults the criminal in a spirit of + self-defence? Does he wish to convince his neighbors that the evil thought + and impulse were never in his mind? Are his words a shield that he uses to + protect himself from suspicion? For my part, I sympathize sincerely with + all failures, with the victims of society, with those who have fallen, + with the imprisoned, with the hopeless, with those who have been stained + by verdicts of guilty, and with those who, in the moment of passion have + destroyed, as with a blow, the future of their lives. + </p> + <p> + How perilous, after all, is the state of man. It is the work of a life to + build a great and splendid character. It is the work of a moment to + destroy it utterly, from turret to foundation stone. How cruel hypocrisy + is! + </p> + <p> + Is there any remedy? Can anything be done for the reformation of the + criminal? + </p> + <p> + He should be treated with kindness. Every right should be given him, + consistent with the safety of society. He should neither be degraded nor + robbed. The State should set the highest and noblest example. The powerful + should never be cruel, and in the breast of the supreme there should be no + desire for revenge. + </p> + <p> + A man in a moment of want steals the property of another, and he is sent + to the penitentiary—first, as it is claimed, for the purpose of + deterring others; and secondly, of reforming him. The circumstances of + each individual case are rarely inquired into. Investigation stops when + the simple fact of the larceny has been ascertained. No distinctions are + made except as between first and subsequent offences. Nothing is allowed + for surroundings. + </p> + <p> + All will admit that the industrious must be protected. In this world it is + necessary to work. Labor is the foundation of all prosperity. Larceny is + the enemy of industry. Society has the right to protect itself. The + question is, Has it the right to punish?—has it the right to + degrade?—or should it endeavor to reform the convict? + </p> + <p> + A man is taken to the penitentiary. He is clad in the garments of a + convict. He is degraded—he loses his name—he is designated by + a number. He is no longer treated as a human being—he becomes the + slave of the State. Nothing is done for his improvement—nothing for + his reformation. He is driven like a beast of burden; robbed of his labor; + leased, it may be, by the State to a contractor, who gets out of his + hands, out of his muscles, out of his poor brain, all the toil that he + can. He is not allowed to speak with a fellow-prisoner. At night he is + alone in his cell. The relations that should exist between men are + destroyed. He is a convict. He is no longer worthy to associate even with + his keepers. The jailer is immensely his superior, and the man who turns + the key upon him at night regards himself, in comparison, as a model of + honesty, of virtue and manhood. The convict is pavement on which those who + watch him walk. He remains for the time of his sentence, and when that + expires he goes forth a branded man. He is given money enough to pay his + fare back to the place from whence he came. + </p> + <p> + What is the condition of this man? Can he get employment? Not if he + honestly states who he is and where he has been. The first thing he does + is to deny his personality, to assume a name. He endeavors by telling + falsehoods to lay the foundation for future good conduct. The average man + does not wish to employ an ex-convict, because the average man has no + confidence in the reforming power of the penitentiary. He believes that + the convict who comes out is worse than the convict who went in. He knows + that in the penitentiary the heart of this man has been hardened—that + he has been subjected to the torture of perpetual humiliation—that + he has been treated like a ferocious beast; and so he believes that this + ex-convict has in his heart hatred for society, that he feels he has been + degraded and robbed. Under these circumstances, what avenue is opened to + the ex-convict? If he changes his name, there will be some detective, some + officer of the law, some meddlesome wretch, who will betray his secret. He + is then discharged. He seeks employment again, and he must seek it by + again telling what is not true. He is again detected and again discharged. + And finally he becomes convinced that he cannot live as an honest man. He + naturally drifts back into the society of those who have had a like + experience; and the result is that in a little while he again stands in + the dock, charged with the commission of another crime. Again he is sent + to the penitentiary—and this is the end. He feels that his day is + done, that the future has only degradation for him. + </p> + <p> + The men in the penitentiaries do not work for themselves. Their labor + belongs to others. They have no interest in their toil—no reason for + doing the best they can—and the result is that the product of their + labor is poor. This product comes in competition with the work of + mechanics, honest men, who have families to support, and the cry is that + convict labor takes the bread from the mouths of virtuous people. + </p> + <p> + VI. + </p> + <p> + Why should the State take without compensation the labor of these men; and + why should they, after having been imprisoned for years, be turned out + without the means of support? Would it not be far better, far more + economical, to pay these men for their labor, to lay aside their earnings + from day to day, from month to month, and from year to year—to put + this money at interest, so that when the convict is released after five + years of imprisonment he will have several hundred dollars of his own—not + merely money enough to pay his way back to the place from which he was + sent, but enough to make it possible for him to commence business on his + own account, enough to keep the wolf of crime from the door of his heart? + </p> + <p> + Suppose the convict comes out with five hundred dollars. This would be to + most of that class a fortune. It would form a breastwork, a fortress, + behind which the man could fight temptation. This would give him food and + raiment, enable him to go to some other State or country where he could + redeem himself. If this were done, thousands of convicts would feel under + immense obligation to the Government. They would think of the penitentiary + as the place in which they were saved—in which they were redeemed—and + they would feel that the verdict of guilty rescued them from the abyss of + crime. Under these circumstances, the law would appear beneficent, and the + heart of the poor convict, instead of being filled with malice, would + overflow with gratitude. He would see the propriety of the course pursued + by the Government. He would recognize and feel and experience the benefits + of this course, and the result would be good, not only to him, but to the + nation as well. + </p> + <p> + If the convict worked for himself, he would do the best he could, and the + wares produced in the penitentiaries would not cheapen the labor of other + men. + </p> + <p> + VII. + </p> + <p> + There are, however, men who pursue crime as a vocation—as a + profession—men who have been convicted again and again, and who will + persist in using the liberty of intervals to prey upon the rights of + others. What shall be done with these men and women? + </p> + <p> + Put one thousand hardened thieves on an island—compel them to + produce what they eat and use—and I am almost certain that a large + majority would be opposed to theft. Those who worked would not permit + those who did not, to steal the result of their labor. In other words, + self-preservation would be the dominant idea, and these men would + instantly look upon the idlers as the enemies of their society. + </p> + <p> + Such a community would be self-supporting. Let women of the same class be + put by themselves. Keep the sexes absolutely apart. Those who are beyond + the power of reformation should not have the liberty to reproduce + themselves. Those who cannot be reached by kindness—by justice—those + who under no circumstances are willing to do their share, should be + separated. They should dwell apart, and dying, should leave no heirs. + </p> + <p> + What shall be done with the slayers of their fellow-men—with + murderers? Shall the nation take life? + </p> + <p> + It has been contended that the death penalty deters others—that it + has far more terror than imprisonment for life. What is the effect of the + example set by a nation? Is not the tendency to harden and degrade not + only those who inflict and those who witness, but the entire community as + well? + </p> + <p> + A few years ago a man was hanged in Alexandria, Virginia. One who + witnessed the execution, on that very day, murdered a peddler in the + Smithsonian grounds at Washington. He was tried and executed, and one who + witnessed his hanging went home, and on the same day murdered his wife. + </p> + <p> + The tendency of the extreme penalty is to prevent conviction. In the + presence of death it is easy for a jury to find a doubt. Technicalities + become important, and absurdities, touched with mercy, have the appearance + for a moment of being natural and logical. Honest and conscientious men + dread a final and irrevocable step. If the penalty were imprisonment for + life, the jury would feel that if any mistake were made it could be + rectified; but where the penalty is death a mistake is fatal. A + conscientious man takes into consideration the defects of human nature—the + uncertainty of testimony, and the countless shadows that dim and darken + the understanding, and refuses to find a verdict that, if wrong, cannot be + righted. + </p> + <p> + The death penalty, inflicted by the Government, is a perpetual excuse for + mobs. + </p> + <p> + The greatest danger in a Republic is a mob, and as long as States inflict + the penalty of death, mobs will follow the example. If the State does not + consider life sacred, the mob, with ready rope, will strangle the + suspected. The mob will say: "The only difference is in the trial; the + State does the same—we know the man is guilty—why should time + be wasted in technicalities?" In other words, why may not the mob do + quickly that which the State does slowly? + </p> + <p> + Every execution tends to harden the public heart—tends to lessen the + sacredness of human life. In many States of this Union the mob is supreme. + For certain offences the mob is expected to lynch the supposed criminal. + It is the duty of every citizen—and as it seems to me especially of + every lawyer—to do what he can to destroy the mob spirit. One would + think that men would be afraid to commit any crime in a community where + the mob is in the ascendency, and yet, such are the contradictions and + subtleties of human nature, that it is exactly the opposite. And there is + another thing in this connection—the men who constitute the mob are, + as a rule, among the worst, the lowest, and the most depraved. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago, in Illinois, a man escaped from jail, and, in escaping, + shot the sheriff. He was pursued, overtaken—lynched. The man who put + the rope around his neck was then out on bail, having been indicted for an + assault to murder. And after the poor wretch was dead, another man climbed + the tree from which he dangled and, in derision, put a cigar in the mouth + of the dead; and this man was on bail, having been indicted for larceny. + </p> + <p> + Those who are the fiercest to destroy and hang their fellow-men for having + committed crimes, are, for the most part, at heart, criminals themselves. + </p> + <p> + As long as nations meet on the fields of war—as long as they sustain + the relations of savages to each other—as long as they put the + laurel and the oak on the brows of those who kill—just so long will + citizens resort to violence, and the quarrels of individuals be settled by + dagger and revolver. + </p> + <p> + VIII. + </p> + <p> + If we are to change the conduct of men, we must change their conditions. + Extreme poverty and crime go hand in hand. Destitution multiplies + temptations and destroys the finer feelings. The bodies and souls of men + are apt to be clad in like garments. If the body is covered with rags, the + soul is generally in the same condition. Selfrespect is gone—the man + looks down—he has neither hope nor courage. He becomes sinister—he + envies the prosperous—hates the fortunate, and despises himself. + </p> + <p> + As long as children are raised in the tenement and gutter, the prisons + will be full. The gulf between the rich and poor will grow wider and + wider. One will depend on cunning, the other on force. It is a great + question whether those who live in luxury can afford to allow others to + exist in want. The value of property depends, not on the prosperity of the + few, but on the prosperity of a very large majority. Life and property + must be secure, or that subtle thing called "value" takes its leave. The + poverty of the many is a perpetual menace. If we expect a prosperous and + peaceful country, the citizens must have homes. The more homes, the more + patriots, the more virtue, and the more security for all that gives worth + to life. + </p> + <p> + We need not repeat the failures of the old world. To divide lands among + successful generals, or among favorites of the crown, to give vast estates + for services rendered in war, is no worse than to allow men of great + wealth to purchase and hold vast tracts of land. The result is precisely + the same—that is to say, a nation composed of a few landlords and of + many tenants—the tenants resorting from time to time to mob + violence, and the landlords depending upon a standing army. The property + of no man, however, should be taken for either private or public use + without just compensation and in accordance with law. There is in the + State what is known as the right of eminent domain. The State reserves to + itself the power to take the land of any private citizen for a public use, + paying to that private citizen a just compensation to be legally + ascertained. When a corporation wishes to build a railway, it exercises + this right of eminent domain, and where the owner of land refuses to sell + a right of way, or land for the establishment of stations or shops, and + the corporation proceeds to condemn the land to ascertain its value, and + when the amount thus ascertained is paid, the property vests in the + corporation. This power is exercised because in the estimation of the + people the construction of a railway is a public good. + </p> + <p> + I believe that this power should be exercised in another direction. It + would be well as it seems to me, for the Legislature to fix the amount of + land that a private citizen may own, that will not be subject to be taken + for the use of which I am about to speak. The amount to be thus held will + depend upon many local circumstances, to be decided by each State for + itself. Let me suppose that the amount of land that may be held for a + farmer for cultivation has been fixed at one hundred and sixty acres—and + suppose that A has several thousand acres. B wishes to buy one hundred and + sixty acres or less of this land, for the purpose of making himself a + home. A refuses to sell. Now, I believe that the law should be so that B + can invoke this right of eminent domain, and file his petition, have the + case brought before a jury, or before commissioners, who shall hear the + evidence and determine the value, and on the payment of the amount the + land shall belong to B. + </p> + <p> + I would extend the same law to lots and houses in cities and villages—the + object being to fill our country with the owners of homes, so that every + child shall have a fireside, every father and mother a roof, provided they + have the intelligence, the energy and the industry to acquire the + necessary means. + </p> + <p> + Tenements and flats and rented lands are, in my judgment, the enemies of + civilization. They make the rich richer, and the poor poorer. They put a + few in palaces, but they put many in prisons. + </p> + <p> + I would go a step further than this. I would exempt homes of a certain + value not only from levy and sale, but from every kind of taxation, State + and National—so that these poor people would feel that they were in + partnership with nature—that some of the land was absolutely theirs, + and that no one could drive them from their home—so that mothers + could feel secure. If the home increased in value, and exceeded the limit, + then taxes could be paid on the excess; and if the home were sold, I would + have the money realized exempt for a certain time in order that the family + should have the privilege of buying another home. + </p> + <p> + The home, after all, is the unit of civilization, of good government; and + to secure homes for a great majority of our citizens, would be to lay the + foundation of our Government deeper and broader and stronger than that of + any nation that has existed among men. + </p> + <p> + IX. + </p> + <p> + No one places a higher value upon the free school than I do; and no one + takes greater pride in the prosperity of our colleges and universities. + But at the same time, much that is called education simply unfits men + successfully to fight the battle of life. Thousands are to-day studying + things that will be of exceedingly little importance to them or to others. + Much valuable time is wasted in studying languages that long ago were + dead, and histories in which there is no truth. + </p> + <p> + There was an idea in the olden time—and it is not yet dead—that + whoever was educated ought not to work; that he should use his head and + not his hands. Graduates were ashamed to be found engaged in manual labor, + in ploughing fields, in sowing or in gathering grain. To this manly kind + of independence they preferred the garret and the precarious existence of + an unappreciated poet, borrowing their money from their friends, and their + ideas from the dead. The educated regarded the useful as degrading—they + were willing to stain their souls to keep their hands white. + </p> + <p> + The object of all education should be to increase the use fulness of man—usefulness + to himself and others. Every human being should be taught that his first + duty is to take care of himself, and that to be self-respecting he must be + self-supporting. To live on the labor of others, either by force which + enslaves, or by cunning which robs, or by borrowing or begging, is wholly + dishonorable. Every man should be taught some useful art. His hands should + be educated as well as his head. He should be taught to deal with things + as they are—with life as it is. This would give a feeling of + independence, which is the firmest foundation of honor, of character. + Every man knowing that he is useful, admires himself. + </p> + <p> + In all the schools children should be taught to work in wood and iron, to + understand the construction and use of machinery, to become acquainted + with the great forces that man is using to do his work. The present system + of education teaches names, not things. It is as though we should spend + years in learning the names of cards, without playing a game. + </p> + <p> + In this way boys would learn their aptitudes—would ascertain what + they were fitted for—what they could do. It would not be a guess, or + an experiment, but a demonstration. Education should increase a boy's + chances for getting a living. The real good of it is to get food and roof + and raiment, opportunity to develop the mind and the body and live a full + and ample life. + </p> + <p> + The more real education, the less crime—and the more homes, the + fewer prisons. + </p> + <p> + X. + </p> + <p> + The fear of punishment may deter some, the fear of exposure others; but + there is no real reforming power in fear or punishment. Men cannot be + tortured into greatness, into goodness. All this, as I said before, has + been thoroughly tried. The idea that punishment was the only relief, found + its limit, its infinite, in the old doctrine of eternal pain; but the + believers in that dogma stated distinctly that the victims never would be, + and never could be, reformed. + </p> + <p> + As men become civilized they become capable of greater pain and of greater + joy. To the extent that the average man is capable of enjoying or + suffering, to that extent he has sympathy with others. The average man, + the more enlightened he becomes, the more apt he is to put himself in the + place of another. He thinks of his prisoner, of his employee, of his + tenant—and he even thinks beyond these; he thinks of the community + at large. As man becomes civilized he takes more and more into + consideration circumstances and conditions. He gradually loses faith in + the old ideas and theories that every man can do as he wills, and in the + place of the word "wills," he puts the word "must." The time comes to the + intelligent man when in the place of punishments he thinks of + consequences, results—that is to say, not something inflicted by + some other power, but something necessarily growing out of what is done. + The clearer men perceive the consequences of actions, the better they will + be. Behind consequences we place no personal will, and consequently do not + regard them as inflictions, or punishments. Consequences, no matter how + severe they may be, create in the mind no feeling of resentment, no desire + for revenge.' We do not feel bitterly toward the fire because it burns, or + the frost that freezes, or the flood that overwhelms, or the sea that + drowns—because we attribute to these things no motives, good or bad. + So, when through the development of the intellect man perceives not only + the nature, but the absolute certainty of consequences, he refrains from + certain actions, and this may be called reformation through the intellect—and + surely there is no better reformation than this. Some may be, and probably + millions have been, reformed, through kindness, through gratitude—made + better in the sunlight of charity. In the atmosphere of kindness the seeds + of virtue burst into bud and flower. Cruelty, tyranny, brute force, do not + and can not by any possibility better the heart of man. He who is forced + upon his knees has the attitude, but never the feeling, of prayer. + </p> + <p> + I am satisfied that the discipline of the average prison hardens and + degrades. It is for the most part a perpetual exhibition of arbitrary + power. There is really no appeal. The cries of the convict are not heard + beyond the walls. The protests die in cells, and the poor prisoner feels + that the last tie between him and his fellow-men has been broken. He is + kept in ignorance of the outer world. The prison is a cemetery, and his + cell is a grave. + </p> + <p> + In many of the penitentiaries there are instruments of torture, and now + and then a convict is murdered. Inspections and investigations go for + naught, because the testimony of a convict goes for naught. He is + generally prevented by fear from telling his wrongs; but if he speaks, he + is not believed—he is regarded as less than a human being, and so + the imprisoned remain without remedy. When the visitors are gone, the + convict who has spoken is prevented from speaking again. + </p> + <p> + Every manly feeling, every effort toward real reformation, is trampled + under foot, so that when the convict's time is out there is little left on + which to build. He has been humiliated to the last degree, and his spirit + has so long been bent by authority and fear that even the desire to stand + erect has almost faded from the mind. The keepers feel that they are safe, + because no matter what they do, the convict when released will not tell + the story of his wrongs, for if he conceals his shame, he must also hide + their guilt. + </p> + <p> + Every penitentiary should be a real reformatory. That should be the + principal object for the establishment of the prison. The men in charge + should be of the kindest and noblest. They should be filled with divine + enthusiasm for humanity, and every means should be taken to convince the + prisoner that his good is sought—that nothing is done for revenge—nothing + for a display of power, and nothing for the gratification of malice. He + should feel that the warden is his unselfish friend. When a convict is + charged with a violation of the rules—with insubordination, or with + any offence, there should be an investigation in due and proper form, + giving the convict an opportunity to be heard. He should not be for one + moment the victim of irresponsible power. He would then feel that he had + some rights, and that some little of the human remained in him still. They + should be taught things of value—instructed by competent men. Pains + should be taken, not to punish, not to degrade, but to benefit and + ennoble. + </p> + <p> + We know, if we know anything, that men in the penitentiaries are not + altogether bad, and that many out are not altogether good; and we feel + that in the brain and heart of all, there are the seeds of good and bad. + We know, too, that the best are liable to fall, and it may be that the + worst, under certain conditions, may be capable of grand and heroic deeds. + Of one thing we may be assured—and that is, that criminals will + never be reformed by being robbed, humiliated and degraded. + </p> + <p> + Ignorance, filth, and poverty are the missionaries of crime. As long as + dishonorable success outranks honest effort—as long as society bows + and cringes before the great thieves, there will be little ones enough to + fill the jails. + </p> + <p> + XI. + </p> + <p> + All the penalties, all the punishments, are inflicted under a belief that + man can do right under all circumstances—that his conduct is + absolutely under his control, and that his will is a pilot that can, in + spite of winds and tides, reach any port desired. All this is, in my + judgment, a mistake. It is a denial of the integrity of nature. It is + based upon the supernatural and miraculous, and as long as this mistake + remains the corner-stone of criminal jurisprudence, reformation will be + impossible. + </p> + <p> + We must take into consideration the nature of man—the facts of mind—the + power of temptation—the limitations of the intellect—the force + of habit—the result of heredity—the power of passion—the + domination of want—the diseases of the brain—the tyranny of + appetite—the cruelty of conditions—the results of association—the + effects of poverty and wealth, of helplessness and power. + </p> + <p> + Until these subtle things are understood—until we know that man, in + spite of all, can certainly pursue the highway of the right, society + should not impoverish and degrade, should not chain and kill those who, + after all, may be the helpless victims of unknown causes that are deaf and + blind. + </p> + <p> + We know something of ourselves—of the average man—of his + thoughts, passions, fears and aspirations—something of his sorrows + and his joys, his weakness, his liability to fall—something of what + he resists—the struggles, the victories and the failures of his + life. We know something of the tides and currents of the mysterious sea—something + of the circuits of the wayward winds—but we do not know where the + wild storms are born that wreck and rend. Neither do we know in what + strange realm the mists and clouds are formed that darken all the heaven + of the mind, nor from whence comes the tempest of the brain in which the + will to do, sudden as the lightning's flash, seizes and holds the man + until the dreadful deed is done that leaves a curse upon the soul. + </p> + <p> + We do not know. Our ignorance should make us hesitate. Our weakness should + make us merciful. + </p> + <p> + I cannot more fittingly close this address than by quoting the prayer of + the Buddhist: "I pray thee to have pity on the vicious—thou hast + already had pity on the virtuous by making them so." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0006" id="link0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A WOODEN GOD. + </h2> + <h3> + To the Editor: + </h3> + <p> + To-day Messrs. Wright, Dickey, O'Connor, and Murch, of the select + committee on the causes of the present depression of labor, presented the + majority special report upon Chinese immigration. + </p> + <p> + These gentlemen are in great fear for the future of our most holy and + perfectly authenticated religion, and have, like faithful watchmen, from + the walls and towers of Zion, hastened to give the alarm. They have + informed Congress that "Joss has his temple of worship in the Chinese + quarters, in San Francisco. Within the walls of a dilapidated structure is + exposed to the view of the faithful the god of the Chinaman, and here are + his altars of worship. Here he tears up his pieces of paper; here he + offers up his prayers; here he receives his religious consolations, and + here is his road to the celestial land;" that "Joss is located in a long, + narrow room in a building in a back alley, upon a kind of altar;" that "he + is a wooden image, looking as much like an alligator as like a human + being;" that the Chinese "think there is such a place as heaven;" that + "all classes of Chinamen worship idols;" that "the temple is open every + day at all hours;" that "the Chinese have no Sunday;" that this heathen + god has "huge jaws, a big red tongue, large white teeth, a half-dozen + arms, and big, fiery eyeballs. About him are placed offerings of meat and + other eatables—a sacrificial offering." + </p> + <p> + *A letter to the Chicago Times, written at Washington, D. C., March + 27,1880. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that these members of the committee were shocked at such an + image of God, knowing as they did that the only true God was correctly + described by the inspired lunatic of Patmos in the following words: + </p> + <p> + "And there sat in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks one like unto + the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about + the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like + wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet + like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the + sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of + his mouth went a sharp, two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the + sun shineth in his strength." + </p> + <p> + Certainly a large mouth filled with white teeth is preferable to one used + as the scabbard of a sharp, two-edged sword. Why should these gentlemen + object to a god with big, fiery eyeballs, when their own Deity has eyes + like a flame of fire? + </p> + <p> + Is it not a little late in the day to object to people because they + sacrifice meat and other eatables to their god? We all know that for + thousands of years the "real" God was exceedingly fond of roasted meat; + that he loved the savor of burning flesh, and delighted in the perfume of + fresh, warm blood. + </p> + <p> + The following account of the manner in which the "living God" desired that + his chosen people should sacrifice, tends to show the degradation and + religious blindness of the Chinese: + </p> + <p> + "Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin + offering, which was for himself. And the sons of Aaron brought the blood + unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns + of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar: But the + fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he + burnt upon the altar; as the Lord commanded Moses. And the flesh and the + hide he burnt with fire without the camp. And he slew the burnt offering; + and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round + about upon the altar. * * * And he brought the meat offering, and took a + handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar. * * * He slew also the + bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offering, which was for the + people: and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled + upon the altar round about, and the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the + rump, and that which covereth the inwards and the kidneys, and the caul + above the liver, and they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the + fat upon the altar. And the breast and the right shoulder Aaron waved for + a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses commanded." + </p> + <p> + If the Chinese only did something like this, we would know that they + worshiped the "living" God. The idea that the supreme head of the + "American system of religion" can be placated with a little meat and + "ordinary eatables" is simply preposterous. He has always asked for blood, + and has always asserted that without the shedding of blood there is no + remission of sin. + </p> + <p> + The world is also informed by these gentlemen that "the idolatry of the + Chinese produces a demoralizing effect upon our American youth by bringing + sacred things into disrespect, and making religion a theme of disgust and + contempt." + </p> + <p> + In San Francisco there are some three hundred thousand people. Is it + possible that a few Chinese can bring our "holy religion" into disgust and + contempt? In that city there are fifty times as many churches as + joss-houses. Scores of sermons are uttered every week; religious books and + papers are plentiful as leaves in autumn, and somewhat dryer; thousands of + Bibles are within the reach of all. And there, too, is the example of a + Christian city. + </p> + <p> + Why should we send missionaries to China if we can not convert the heathen + when they come here? When missionaries go to a foreign land, the poor, + benighted people have to take their word for the blessings showered upon a + Christian people; but when the heathen come here they can see for + themselves. What was simply a story becomes a demonstrated fact. They come + in contact with people who love their enemies. They see that in a + Christian land men tell the truth; that they will not take advantage of + strangers; that they are just and patient, kind and tender; that they + never resort to force; that they have no prejudice on account of color, + race, or religion; that they look upon mankind as brethren; that they + speak of God as a universal Father, and are willing to work, and even to + suffer, for the good not only of their own countrymen, but of the heathen + as well. All this the Chinese see and know, and why they still cling to + the religion of their country is to me a matter of amazement. + </p> + <p> + We all know that the disciples of Jesus do unto others as they would that + others should do unto them, and that those of Confucius do not unto others + anything that they would not that others should do unto them. Surely, such + peoples ought to live together in perfect peace. + </p> + <p> + Rising with the subject, growing heated with a kind of holy indignation, + these Christian representatives of a Christian people most solemnly + declare that: + </p> + <p> + "Anyone who is really endowed with a correct knowledge of our religious + system, which acknowledges the existence of a living God and an + accountability to him, and a future state of reward and punishment, who + feels that he has an apology for this abominable pagan worship is not a + fit person to be ranked as a good citizen of the American Union. It is + absurd to make any apology for its toleration. It must be abolished, and + the sooner the decree goes forth by the power of this Government the + better it will be for the interests of this land." + </p> + <p> + I take this, the earliest opportunity, to inform these gentlemen composing + a majority of the committee, that we have in the United States no + "religious system"; that this is a secular Government. That it has no + religious creed; that it does not believe or disbelieve in a future state + of reward and punishment; that it neither affirms nor denies the existence + of a "living God"; and that the only god, so far as this Government is + concerned, is the legally expressed will of a majority of the people. + Under our flag the Chinese have the same right to worship a wooden god + that you have to worship any other. The Constitution protects equally the + church of Jehovah and the house of Joss. Whatever their relative positions + may be in heaven, they stand upon a perfect equality in the United States. + </p> + <p> + This Government is an Infidel Government. We have a Constitution with man + put in and God left out; and it is the glory of this country that we have + such a Constitution. + </p> + <p> + It may be surprising to you that I have an apology for pagan worship, yet + I have. And it is the same one that I have for the writers of this report. + I account for both by the word <i>superstition</i>. Why should we object + to their worshiping God as they please? If the worship is improper, the + protestation should come not from a committee of Congress, but from God + himself. If he is satisfied that is sufficient. + </p> + <p> + Our religion can only be brought into contempt by the actions of those who + profess to be governed by its teachings. This report will do more in that + direction than millions of Chinese could do by burning pieces of paper + before a wooden image. If you wish to impress the Chinese with the value + of your religion, of what you are pleased to call "The American system," + show them that Christians are better than heathens. Prove to them that + what you are pleased to call the "living God" teaches higher and holier + things, a grander and purer code of morals than can be found upon pagan + pages. Excel these wretches in industry, in honesty, in reverence for + parents, in cleanliness, in frugality; and above all by advocating the + absolute liberty of human thought. + </p> + <p> + Do not trample upon these people because they have a different conception + of things about which even this committee knows nothing. + </p> + <p> + Give them the same privilege you enjoy of making a God after their own + fashion. And let them describe him as they will. Would you be willing to + have them remain, if one of their race, thousands of years ago, had + pretended to have seen God, and had written of him as follows: + </p> + <p> + "There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth + devoured: coals were kindled by it, * * * and he rode upon a cherub and + did fly." + </p> + <p> + Why should you object to these people on account of their religion? Your + objection has in it the spirit of hate and intolerance. Of that spirit the + Inquisition was born. That spirit lighted the fagot, made the thumbscrew, + put chains upon the limbs, and lashes upon the backs of men. The same + spirit bought and sold, captured and kidnapped human beings; sold babes, + and justified all the horrors of slavery. + </p> + <p> + Congress has nothing to do with the religion of the people. Its members + are not responsible to God for the opinions of their constituents, and it + may tend to the happiness of the constituents for me to state that they + are in no way responsible for the religion of the members. Religion is an + individual, not a national, matter. And where the nation interferes with + the right of conscience, the liberties of the people are devoured by the + monster superstition. + </p> + <p> + If you wish to drive out the Chinese, do not make a pretext of religion. + Do not pretend that you are trying to do God a favor. Injustice in his + name is doubly detestable. The assassin can not sanctify his dagger by + falling on his knees, and it does not help a falsehood if it be uttered as + a prayer. Religion, used to intensify the hatred of men toward men under + the pretence of pleasing God, has cursed this world. + </p> + <p> + A portion of this most remarkable report is intensely religious. There is + in it almost the odor of sanctity; and when reading it, one is impressed + with the living piety of its authors. But on the twenty-fifth page there + are a few passages that must pain the hearts of true believers. + </p> + <p> + Leaving their religious views, the members immediately betake themselves + to philosophy and prediction. Listen: + </p> + <p> + "The Chinese race and the American citizen, whether native-born or one who + is eligible to our naturalization laws and becomes a citizen, are in a + state of antagonism. They cannot, or will not, ever meet upon common + ground, and occupy together the same social level. This is impossible. The + pagan and the Christian travel different paths. This one believes in a + living God; and that one in a type of monsters and the worship of wood and + stone. Thus in the religion of the two races of men they are as wide apart + as the poles of the two hemispheres. They cannot now and never will + approach the same religious altar. The Christian will not recede to + barbarism, nor will the Chinese advance to the enlightened belt (whatever + it is) of civilization. * * * He cannot be converted to those modern ideas + of religious worship which have been accepted by Europe and which crown + the American system." + </p> + <p> + Christians used to believe that through their religion all the nations of + the earth were finally to be blest. In accordance with that belief + missionaries have been sent to every land, and untold wealth has been + expended for what has been called the spread of the gospel. + </p> + <p> + I am almost sure that I have read somewhere that "Christ died for <i>all</i> + men," and that "God is no respecter of persons." It was once taught that + it was the duty of Christians to tell all people the "tidings of great + joy." I have never believed these things myself, but have always contended + that an honest merchant was the best missionary. Commerce makes friends, + religion makes enemies; the one enriches and the other impoverishes; the + one thrives best where the truth is told, the other where falsehoods are + believed. For myself, I have but little confidence in any business or + enterprise or investment that promises dividends only after the death of + the stockholders. + </p> + <p> + But I am astonished that four Christian statesmen, four members of + Congress, in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, who seriously + object to people on account of their religious convictions, should still + assert that the very religion in which they believe—and the only + religion established by the "living God," head of the American system—is + not adapted to the spiritual needs of one-third of the human race. It is + amazing that these four gentlemen have, in the defence of the Christian + religion, announced the discovery that it is wholly inadequate for the + civilization of mankind; that the light of the cross can never penetrate + the darkness of China; "that all the labors of the missionary, the example + of the good, the exalted character of our civilization, make no impression + upon the pagan life of the Chinese;" and that even the report of this + committee will not tend to elevate, refine, and Christianize the yellow + heathen of the Pacific coast. In the name of religion these gentlemen have + denied its power, and mocked at the enthusiasm of its founder. Worse than + this, they have predicted for the Chinese a future of ignorance and + idolatry in this world, and, if the "American system" of religion is true, + hell-fire in the next. + </p> + <p> + For the benefit of these four philosophers and prophets I will give a few + extracts from the writings of Confucius, that will, in my judgment, + compare favorably with the best passages of their report: + </p> + <p> + "My doctrine is that man must be true to the principles of his nature, and + the benevolent exercise of them toward others. + </p> + <p> + With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and with my bended arm for a + pillow, I still have joy. + </p> + <p> + Riches and honor acquired by injustice are to me but floating clouds. + </p> + <p> + The man who, in view of gain, thinks of righteousness; who, in view of + danger, forgets life, and who remembers an old agreement, however far back + it extends, such a man may be reckoned a complete man. + </p> + <p> + Recompense injury with justice, and kindness with kindness. + </p> + <p> + There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's + life: Reciprocity is that word." + </p> + <p> + When the ancestors of the four Christian Congressmen were barbarians, when + they lived in caves, gnawed bones, and worshiped dried snakes, the + infamous Chinese were reading these sublime sentences of Confucius. When + the forefathers of these Christian statesmen were hunting toads to get the + jewels out of their heads, to be used as charms, the wretched Chinese were + calculating eclipses, and measuring the circumference of the earth. When + the progenitors of these representatives of the "American system of + religion" were burning women charged with nursing devils, the people + "incapable of being influenced by the exalted character of our + civilization," were building asylums for the insane. + </p> + <p> + Neither should it be forgotten that, for thousands of years, the Chinese + have honestly practiced the great principle known as Civil Service Reform—a + something that even the administration of Mr. Hayes has reached only + through the proxy of promise. + </p> + <p> + If we wish to prevent the immigration of the Chinese, let us reform our + treaties with the vast empire from whence they came. For thousands of + years the Chinese secluded themselves from the rest of the world. They did + not deem the Christian nations fit to associate with. We forced ourselves + upon them. We called, not with cards, but with cannon. The English + battered down the door in the names of opium and Christ. This infamy was + regarded as another triumph for the gospel. At last, in self-defence, the + Chinese allowed Christians to touch their shores. Their wise men, their + philosophers, protested, and prophesied that time would show that + Christians could not be trusted. This report proves that the wise men were + not only philosophers, but prophets. + </p> + <p> + Treat China as you would England. Keep a treaty while it is in force. + Change it if you will, according to the laws of nations, but on no account + excuse a breach of national faith by pretending that we are dishonest for + God's sake. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0007" id="link0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SOME INTERROGATION POINTS. + </h2> + <p> + A NEW party is struggling for recognition—a party with leaders who + are not politicians, with followers who are not seekers after place. Some + of those who suffer and some of those who sympathize, have combined. Those + who feel that they are oppressed are organized for the purpose of + redressing their wrongs. The workers for wages, and the seekers for work + have uttered a protest. This party is an instrumentality for the + accomplishment of certain things that are very near and very dear to the + hearts of many millions. + </p> + <p> + The object to be attained is a fairer division of profits between + employers and employed. There is a feeling that in some way the workers + should not want—that the industrious should not be the indigent. + There is a hope that men and women and children are not forever to be the + victims of ignorance and want—that the tenement house is not always + to be the home of the poor, or the gutter the nursery of their babes. + </p> + <p> + As yet, the methods for the accomplishment of these aims have not been + agreed upon. Many theories have been advanced and none has been adopted. + The question is so vast, so complex, touching human interests in so many + ways, that no one has yet been great enough to furnish a solution, or, if + any one has furnished a solution, no one else has been wise enough to + understand it. + </p> + <p> + 'The hope of the future is that this question will finally be understood. + It must not be discussed in anger. If a broad and comprehensive view is to + be taken, there is no place for hatred or for prejudice. Capital is not to + blame. Labor is not to blame. Both have been caught in the net of + circumstances. The rich are as generous as the poor would be if they + should change places. Men acquire through the noblest and the tenderest + instincts. They work and save not only for themselves, but for their wives + and for their children. There is but little confidence in the charity of + the world. The prudent man in his youth makes preparation for his age. The + loving father, having struggled himself, hopes to save his children from + drudgery and toil. + </p> + <p> + In every country there are classes—that is to say, the spirit of + caste, and this spirit will exist until the world is truly civilized. + Persons in most communities are judged not as individuals, but as members + of a class. Nothing is more natural, and nothing more heartless. These + lines that divide hearts on account of clothes or titles, are growing more + and more indistinct, and the philanthropists, the lovers of the human + race, believe that the time is coming when they will be obliterated. We + may do away with kings and peasants, and yet there may still be the rich + and poor, the intelligent and foolish, the beautiful and deformed, the + industrious and idle, and it may be, the honest and vicious. These + classifications are in the nature of things. They are produced for the + most part by forces that are now beyond the control of man—but the + old rule, that men are disreputable in the proportion that they are + useful, will certainly be reversed. The idle lord was always held to be + the superior of the industrious peasant, the devourer better than the + producer, and the waster superior to the worker. + </p> + <p> + While in this country we have no titles of nobility, we have the rich and + the poor—no princes, no peasants, but millionaires and mendicants. + The individuals composing these classes are continually changing. The rich + of to-day may be the poor of to-morrow, and the children of the poor may + take their places. In this country, the children of the poor are educated + substantially in the same schools with those of the rich. All read the + same papers, many of the same books, and all for many years hear the same + questions discussed. They are continually being educated, not only at + schools, but by the press, by political campaigns, by perpetual + discussions on public questions, and the result is that those who are rich + in gold are often poor in thought, and many who have not whereon to lay + their heads have within those heads a part of the intellectual wealth of + the world. + </p> + <p> + Years ago the men of wealth were forced to contribute toward the education + of the children of the poor. The support of schools by general taxation + was defended on the ground that it was a means of providing for the public + welfare, of perpetuating the institutions of a free country by making + better men and women. This policy has been pursued until at last the + schoolhouse is larger than the church, and the common people through + education have become uncommon. They now know how little is really known + by what are called the upper classes—how little after all is + understood by kings, presidents, legislators, and men of culture. They are + capable not only of understanding a few questions, but they have acquired + the art of discussing those that no one understands. With the facility of + politicians they can hide behind phrases, make barricades of statistics, + and <i>chevaux-de-frise</i> of inferences and assertions. They understand + the sophistries of those who have governed. + </p> + <p> + In some respects these common people are the superiors of the so-called + aristocracy. While the educated have been turning their attention to the + classics, to the dead languages, and the dead ideas and mistakes that they + contain—while they have been giving their attention to ceramics, + artistic decorations, and compulsory prayers, the common people have been + compelled to learn the practical things—to become acquainted with + facts—by doing the work of the world. The professor of a college is + no longer a match for a master mechanic. The master mechanic not only + understands principles, but their application. He knows things as they + are. He has come in contact with the actual, with realities. He knows + something of the adaptation of means to ends, and this is the highest and + most valuable form of education. The men who make locomotives, who + construct the vast engines that propel ships, necessarily know more than + those who have spent their lives in conjugating Greek verbs, looking for + Hebrew roots, and discussing the origin and destiny of the universe. + </p> + <p> + Intelligence increases wants. By education the necessities of the people + become increased. The old wages will not supply the new wants. Man longs + for a harmony between the thought within and the things without. When the + soul lives in a palace the body is not satisfied with rags and patches. + The glaring inequalities among men, the differences in condition, the + suffering and the poverty, have appealed to the good and great of every + age, and there has been in the brain of the philanthropist a dream—a + hope, a prophecy, of a better day. + </p> + <p> + It was believed that tyranny was the foundation and cause of the + differences between men—that the rich were all robbers and the poor + all victims, and that if a society or government could be founded on equal + rights and privileges, the inequalities would disappear, that all would + have food and clothes and reasonable work and reasonable leisure, and that + content would be found by every hearth. + </p> + <p> + There was a reliance on nature—an idea that men had interfered with + the harmonious action of great principles which if left to themselves + would work out universal wellbeing for the human race. Others imagined + that the inequalities between men were necessary—that they were part + of a divine plan, and that all would be adjusted in some other world—that + the poor here would be the rich there, and the rich here might be in + torture there. Heaven became the reward of the poor, of the slave, and + hell their revenge. + </p> + <p> + When our Government was established it was declared that all men are + endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which were + life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It was then believed that if + all men had an equal opportunity, if they were allowed to make and execute + their own laws, to levy their own taxes, the frightful inequalities seen + in the despotisms and monarchies of the old world would entirely + disappear. This was the dream of 1776. The founders of the Government knew + how kings and princes and dukes and lords and barons had lived upon the + labor of the peasants. They knew the history of those ages of want and + crime, of luxury and suffering. But in spite of our Declaration, in spite + of our Constitution, in spite of universal suffrage, the inequalities + still exist. We have the kings and princes, the lords and peasants, in + fact, if not in name. Monopolists, corporations, capitalists, workers for + wages, have taken their places, and we are forced to admit that even + universal suffrage cannot clothe and feed the world. + </p> + <p> + For thousands of years men have been talking and writing about the great + law of supply and demand—and insisting that in some way this + mysterious law has governed and will continue to govern the activities of + the human race. It is admitted that this law is merciless—that when + the demand fails, the producer, the laborer, must suffer, must perish—that + the law feels neither pity nor malice—it simply acts, regardless of + consequences. Under this law capital will employ the cheapest. The single + man can work for less than the married. Wife and children are luxuries not + to be enjoyed under this law. The ignorant have fewer wants than the + educated, and for this reason can afford to work for less. The great law + will give employment to the single and to the ignorant in preference to + the married and intelligent. The great law has nothing to do with food or + clothes, with filth or crime. It cares nothing for homes, for + penitentiaries, or asylums. It simply acts—and some men triumph, + some succeed, some fail, and some perish. + </p> + <p> + Others insist that the curse of the world is monopoly. And yet, as long as + some men are stronger than others, as long as some are more intelligent + than others, they must be, to the extent of such advantage, monopolists. + Every man of genius is a monopolist. + </p> + <p> + We are told that the great remedy against monopoly—that is to say, + against extortion, is free and unrestricted competition. But after all, + the history of this world shows that the brutalities of competition are + equaled only by those of monopoly. The successful competitor becomes a + monopolist, and if competitors fail to destroy each other, the instinct of + self-preservation suggests a combination. In other words, competition is a + struggle between two or more persons or corporations for the purpose of + determining which shall have the uninterrupted privilege of extortion. + </p> + <p> + In this country the people have had the greatest reliance on competition. + If a railway company charged too much a rival road was built. As a matter + of fact, we are indebted for half the railroads of the United States to + the extortion of the other half, and the same may truthfully be said of + telegraph lines. As a rule, while the exactions of monopoly constructed + new roads and new lines, competition has either destroyed the weaker, or + produced the pool which is a means of keeping both monopolies alive, or of + producing a new monopoly with greater needs, supplied by methods more + heartless than the old. When a rival road is built the people support the + rival because the fares and freights are somewhat less. Then the old and + richer monopoly inaugurates war, and the people, glorying in the benefits + of competition, are absurd enough to support the old. In a little while + the new company, unable to maintain the contest, left by the people at the + mercy of the stronger, goes to the wall, and the triumphant monopoly + proceeds to make the intelligent people pay not only the old price, but + enough in addition to make up for the expenses of the contest. + </p> + <p> + Is there any remedy for this? None, except with the people themselves. + When the people become intelligent enough to support the rival at a + reasonable price; when they know enough to allow both roads to live; when + they are intelligent enough to recognize a friend and to stand by that + friend as against a known enemy, this question will be at least on the + edge of a solution. + </p> + <p> + So far as I know, this course has never been pursued except in one + instance, and that is the present war between the Gould and Mackay cables. + The Gould system had been charging from sixty to eighty cents a word, and + the Mackay system charged forty. Then the old monopoly tried to induce the + rival to put the prices back to sixty. The rival refused, and thereupon + the Gould combination dropped to twelve and a half, for the purpose of + destroying the rival. The Mackay cable fixed the tariff at twenty-five + cents, saying to its customers, "You are intelligent enough to understand + what this war means. If our cables are defeated, the Gould system will go + back not only to the old price, but will add enough to reimburse itself + for the cost of destroying us. If you really wish for competition, if you + desire a reasonable service at a reasonable rate, you will support us." + Fortunately an exceedingly intelligent class of people does business by + the cables. They are merchants, bankers, and brokers, dealing with large + amounts, with intricate, complicated, and international questions. Of + necessity, they are used to thinking for themselves. They are not dazzled + into blindness by the glare of the present. They see the future. They are + not duped by the sunshine of a moment or the promise of an hour. They see + beyond the horizon of a penny saved. These people had intelligence enough + to say, "The rival who stands between us and extortion is our friend, and + our friend shall not be allowed to die." + </p> + <p> + Does not this tend to show that people must depend upon themselves, and + that some questions can be settled by the intelligence of those who buy, + of those who use, and that customers are not entirely helpless? + </p> + <p> + Another thing should not be forgotten, and that is this: there is the same + war between monopolies that there is between individuals, and the + monopolies for many years have been trying to destroy each other. They + have unconsciously been working for the extinction of monopolies. These + monopolies differ as individuals do. You find among them the rich and the + poor, the lucky and the unfortunate, millionaires and tramps. The great + monopolies have been devouring the little ones. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago, the railways in this country were controlled by + local directors and local managers. The people along the lines were + interested in the stock. As a consequence, whenever any legislation was + threatened hostile to the interests of these railways, they had local + friends who used their influence with legislators, governors and juries. + During this time they were protected, but when the hard times came many of + these companies were unable to pay their interest. They suddenly became + Socialists. They cried out against their prosperous rivals. They felt like + joining the Knights of Labor. They began to talk about rights and wrongs. + But in spite of their cries, they have passed into the hands of the richer + roads—they were seized by the great monopolies. Now the important + railways are owned by persons living in large cities or in foreign + countries. They have no local friends, and when the time conies, and it + may come, for the General Government to say how much these companies shall + charge for passengers and freight, they will have no local friends. It may + be that the great mass of the people will then be on the other side. So + that after all, the great corporations have been busy settling the + question against themselves. + </p> + <p> + Possibly a majority of the American people believe to-day that in some way + all these questions between capital and labor can be settled by + constitutions, laws, and judicial decisions. Most people imagine that a + statute is a sovereign specific for any evil. But while the theory has all + been one way, the actual experience has been the other—just as the + free traders have all the arguments and the protectionists most of the + facts. + </p> + <p> + The truth is, as Mr. Buckle says, that for five hundred years all real + advance in legislation has been made by repealing laws. Of one thing we + must be satisfied, and that is that real monopolies have never been + controlled by law, but the fact that such monopolies exist, is a + demonstration that the law has been controlled. In our country, + legislators are for the most part controlled by those who, by their wealth + and influence, elect them. The few, in reality, cast the votes of the + many, and the few influence the ones voted for by the many. Special + interests, being active, secure special legislation, and the object of + special legislation is to create a kind of monopoly—that is to say, + to get some advantage. Chiefs, barons, priests, and kings ruled, robbed, + destroyed, and duped, and their places have been taken by corporations, + monopolists, and politicians. The large fish still live on the little + ones, and the fine theories have as yet failed to change the condition of + mankind. + </p> + <p> + Law in this country is effective only when it is the recorded will of a + majority. When the zealous few get control of the Legislature, and laws + are passed to prevent Sabbath-breaking, or wine-drinking, they succeed + only in putting their opinions and provincial prejudices in legal phrase. + There was a time when men worked from fourteen to sixteen hours a day. + These hours have not been lessened, they have not been shortened by law. + The law has followed and recorded, but the law is not a leader and not a + prophet. It appears to be impossible to fix wages—just as impossible + as to fix the values of all manufactured things, including works of art. + The field is too great, the problem too complicated, for the human mind to + grasp. + </p> + <p> + To fix the value of labor is to fix all values—labor being the + foundation of all values. The value of labor cannot be fixed unless we + understand the relations that all things bear to each other and to man. If + labor were a legal tender—if a judgment for so many dollars could be + discharged by so many days of labor,—and the law was that twelve + hours of work should be reckoned as one day, then the law could change the + hours to ten or eight, and the judgments could be paid in the shortened + days. But it is easy to see that in all contracts made after the passage + of such a law, the difference in hours would be taken into consideration. + </p> + <p> + We must remember that law is not a creative force. It produces nothing. It + raises neither corn nor wine. The legitimate object of law is to protect + the weak, to prevent violence and fraud, and to enforce honest contracts, + to the end that each person may be free to do as he desires, provided only + that he does not interfere with the rights of others. Our fathers tried to + make people religious by law. They failed. Thousands are now trying to + make people temperate in the same manner. Such efforts always have been + and probably always will be failures. People who believe that an infinite + God gave to the Hebrews a perfect code of laws, must admit that even this + code failed to civilize the inhabitants of Palestine. + </p> + <p> + It seems impossible to make people just or charitable or industrious or + agreeable or successful, by law, any more than you can make them + physically perfect or mentally sound. Of course we admit that good people + intend to make good laws, and that good laws faithfully and honestly + executed, tend to the preservation of human rights and to the elevation of + the race, but the enactment of a law not in accordance with a sentiment + already existing in the minds and hearts of the people—the very + people who are depended upon to enforce this law—is not a help, but + a hindrance. A real law is but the expression, in an authoritative and + accurate form, of the judgment and desire of the majority. As we become + intelligent and kind, this intelligence and kindness find expression in + law. + </p> + <p> + But how is it possible to fix the wages of every man? To fix wages is to + fix prices, and a government to do this intelligently, would necessarily + have to have the wisdom generally attributed to an infinite Being. It + would have to supervise and fix the conditions of every exchange of + commodities and the value of every conceivable thing. Many things can be + accomplished by law, employeers may be held responsible for injuries to + the employed. The mines can be ventilated. Children can be rescued from + the deformities of toil—burdens taken from the backs of wives and + mothers—houses made wholesome, food healthful—that is to say, + the weak can be protected from the strong, the honest from the vicious, + honest contracts can be enforced, and many rights protected. + </p> + <p> + The men who have simply strength, muscle, endurance, compete not only with + other men of strength, but with the inventions of genius. What would + doctors say if physicians of iron could be invented with curious cogs and + wheels, so that when a certain button was touched the proper prescription + would be written? How would lawyers feel if a lawyer could be invented in + such a way that questions of law, being put in a kind of hopper and a + crank being turned, decisions of the highest court could be prophesied + without failure? And how would the ministers feel if somebody should + invent a clergyman of wood that would to all intents and purposes answer + the purpose? + </p> + <p> + Invention has filled the world with the competitors not only of laborers, + but of mechanics—mechanics of the highest skill. To-day the ordinary + laborer is for the most part a cog in a wheel. He works with the tireless—he + feeds the insatiable. When the monster stops, the man is out of + employment, out of bread; He has not saved anything. The machine that he + fed was not feeding him, was not working for him—the invention was + not for his benefit. The other day I heard a man say that it was almost + impossible for thousands of good mechanics to get employment, and that, in + his judgment, the Government ought to furnish work for the people. A few + minutes after, I heard another say that he was selling a patent for + cutting out clothes, that one of his machines could do the work of twenty + tailors, and that only the week before he had sold two to a great house in + New York, and that over forty cutters had been discharged. + </p> + <p> + On every side men are being discharged and machines are being invented to + take their places. When the great factory shuts down, the workers who + inhabited it and gave it life, as thoughts do the brain, go away and it + stands there like an empty skull. A few workmen, by the force of habit, + gather about the closed doors and broken windows and talk about distress, + the price of food and the coming winter. They are convinced that they have + not had their share of what their labor created. They feel certain that + the machines inside were not their friends. They look at the mansion of + the employeer and think of the places where they live. They have saved + nothing—nothing but themselves. The employeer seems to have enough. + Even when employeers fail, when they become bankrupt, they are far better + off than the laborers ever were. Their worst is better than the toilers' + best. + </p> + <p> + The capitalist comes forward with his specific. He tells the workingman + that he must be economical—and yet, under the present system, + economy would only lessen wages. Under the great law of supply and demand + every saving, frugal, self-denying workingman is unconsciously doing what + little he can to reduce the compensation of himself and his fellows. The + slaves who did not wish to run away helped fasten chains on those who did. + So the saving mechanic is a certificate that wages are high enough. Does + the great law demand that every worker live on the least possible amount + of bread? Is it his fate to work one day, that he may get enough food to + be able to work another? Is that to be his only hope—that and death? + </p> + <p> + Capital has always claimed and still claims the right to combine. + Manufacturers meet and determine upon prices, even in spite of the great + law of supply and demand. Have the laborers the same right to consult and + combine? The rich meet in the bank, the clubhouse, or parlor. Workingmen, + when they combine, gather in the street. All the organized forces of + society are against them. Capital has the army and the navy, the + legislative, the judicial, and the executive departments. When the rich + combine, it is for the purpose of "exchanging ideas." When the poor + combine, it is a "conspiracy." If they act in concert, if they really do + something, it is a "mob." If they defend themselves, it is "treason." How + is it that the rich control the departments of government? In this country + the political power is equally divided among the men. There are certainly + more poor than there are rich. Why should the rich control? Why should not + the laborers combine for the purpose of controlling the executive, + legislative, and judicial departments? Will they ever find how powerful + they are? + </p> + <p> + In every country there is a satisfied class—too satisfied to care. + They are like the angels in heaven, who are never disturbed by the + miseries of earth. They are too happy to be generous. This satisfied class + asks no questions and answers none. They believe the world is as it should + be. All reformers are simply disturbers of the peace. When they talk low, + they should not be listened to; when they talk loud, they should be + suppressed. + </p> + <p> + The truth is to-day what it always has been—what it always will be—those + who feel are the only ones who think. A cry comes from the oppressed, from + the hungry, from the down-trodden, from the unfortunate, from men who + despair and from women who weep. There are times when mendicants become + revolutionists—when a rag becomes a banner, under which the noblest + and bravest battle for the right. + </p> + <p> + How are we to settle the unequal contest between men and machines? Will + the machine finally go into partnership with the laborer? Can these forces + of nature be controlled for the benefit of her suffering children? Will + extravagance keep pace with ingenuity? Will the workers become intelligent + enough and strong enough to be the owners of the machines? Will these + giants, these Titans, shorten or lengthen the hours of labor? Will they + give leisure to the industrious, or will they make the rich richer, and + the poor poorer? + </p> + <p> + Is man involved in the "general scheme of things"? Is there no pity, no + mercy? Can man become intelligent enough to be generous, to be just; or + does the same law or fact control him that controls the animal and + vegetable world? The great oak steals the sunlight from the smaller trees. + The strong animals devour the weak—everything eating something else—everything + at the mercy of beak and claw and hoof and tooth—of hand and club, + of brain and greed—inequality, injustice, everywhere. + </p> + <p> + The poor horse standing in the street with his dray, overworked, + over-whipped, and under-fed, when he sees other horses groomed to mirrors, + glittering with gold and silver, scorning with proud feet the very earth, + probably indulges in the usual socialistic reflections, and this same + horse, worn out and old, deserted by his master, turned into the dusty + road, leans his head on the topmost rail, looks at donkeys in a field of + clover, and feels like a Nihilist. + </p> + <p> + In the days of savagery the strong devoured the weak—actually ate + their flesh. In spite of all the laws that man has made, in spite of all + advance in science, literature and art, the strong, the cunning, the + heartless still live on the weak, the unfortunate, and foolish. True, they + do not eat their flesh, they do not drink their blood, but they live on + their labor, on their self-denial, their weariness and want. The poor man + who deforms himself by toil, who labors for wife and child through all his + anxious, barren, wasted life—who goes to the grave without even + having had one luxury—has been the food of others. He has been + devoured by his fellow-men. The poor woman living in the bare and lonely + room, cheerless and fireless, sewing night and day to keep starvation from + a child, is slowly being eaten by her fellow-men. When I take into + consideration the agony of civilized life—the number of failures, + the poverty, the anxiety, the tears, the withered hopes, the bitter + realities, the hunger, the crime, the humiliation, the shame—I am + almost forced to say that cannibalism, after all, is the most merciful + form in which man has ever lived upon his fellow-man. + </p> + <p> + Some of the best and purest of our race have advocated what is known as + Socialism. They have not only taught, but, what is much more to the + purpose, have believed that a nation should be a family; that the + government should take care of all its children; that it should provide + work and food and clothes and education for all, and that it should divide + the results of all labor equitably with all. + </p> + <p> + Seeing the inequalities among men, knowing of the destitution and crime, + these men were willing to sacrifice, not only their own liberties, but the + liberties of all. + </p> + <p> + Socialism seems to be one of the worst possible forms of slavery. Nothing, + in my judgment, would so utterly paralyze all the forces, all the splendid + ambitions and aspirations that now tend to the civilization of man. In + ordinary systems of slavery there are some masters, a few are supposed to + be free; but in a socialistic state all would be slaves. + </p> + <p> + If the government is to provide work it must decide for the worker what he + must do. It must say who shall chisel statues, who shall paint pictures, + who shall compose music, and who shall practice the professions. Is any + government, or can any government, be capable of intelligently performing + these countless duties? It must not only control work, it must not only + decide what each shall do, but it must control expenses, because expenses + bear a direct relation to products. Therefore the government must decide + what the worker shall eat and wherewithal he shall be clothed; the kind of + house in which he shall live; the manner in which it shall be furnished, + and, if this government furnishes the work, it must decide on the days or + the hours of leisure. More than this, it must fix values; it must decide + not only who shall sell, but who shall buy, and the price that must be + paid—and it must fix this value not simply upon the labor, but on + everything that can be produced, that can be exchanged or sold. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible to conceive of a despotism beyond this? + </p> + <p> + The present condition of the world is bad enough, with its poverty and + ignorance, but it is far better than it could by any possibility be under + any government like the one described. There would be less hunger of the + body, but not of the mind. Each man would simply be a citizen of a large + penitentiary, and, as in every well regulated prison, somebody would + decide what each should do. The inmates of a prison retire early; they + rise with the sun; they have something to eat; they are not dissipated; + they have clothes; they attend divine service; they have but little to say + about their neighbors; they do not suffer from cold; their habits are + excellent, and yet, no one envies their condition. Socialism destroys the + family. The children belong to the state. Certain officers take the places + of parents. Individuality is lost. + </p> + <p> + The human race cannot afford to exchange its liberty for any possible + comfort. You remember the old fable of the fat dog that met the lean wolf + in the forest. The wolf, astonished to see so prosperous an animal, + inquired of the dog where he got his food, and the dog told him that there + was a man who took care of him, gave him his breakfast, his dinner, and + his supper with the utmost regularity, and that he had all that he could + eat and very little to do. The wolf said, "Do you think this man would + treat me as he does you?" The dog replied, "Yes, come along with me." So + they jogged on together toward the dog's home. On the way the wolf + happened to notice that some hair was worn off the dog's neck, and he + said, "How did the hair become worn?" "That is," said the dog, "the mark + of the collar—my master ties me at night." "Oh," said the wolf, "Are + you chained? Are you deprived of your liberty? I believe I will go back. I + prefer hunger." + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for any man with a good heart to be satisfied with this + world as it now is. No one can truly enjoy even what he earns—what + he knows to be his own, knowing that millions of his fellow-men are in + misery and want. When we think of the famished we feel that it is almost + heartless to eat. To meet the ragged and shivering makes one almost + ashamed to be well dressed and warm—one feels as though his heart + was as cold as their bodies. + </p> + <p> + In a world filled with millions and millions of acres of land waiting to + be tilled, where one man can raise the food for hundreds, millions are on + the edge of famine. Who can comprehend the stupidity at the bottom of this + truth? + </p> + <p> + Is there to be no change? Are "the law of supply and demand," invention + and science, monopoly and competition, capital and legislation always to + be the enemies of those who toil? + </p> + <p> + Will the workers always be ignorant enough and stupid enough to give their + earnings for the useless? Will they support millions of soldiers to kill + the sons of other workingmen? Will they always build temples for ghosts + and phantoms, and live in huts and dens themselves? Will they forever + allow parasites with crowns, and vampires with mitres, to live upon their + blood? Will they remain the slaves of the beggars they support? How long + will they be controlled by friends who seek favors, and by reformers who + want office? Will they always prefer famine in the city to a feast in the + fields? Will they ever feel and know that they have no right to bring + children into this world that they cannot support? Will they use their + intelligence for themselves, or for others? Will they become wise enough + to know that they cannot obtain their own liberty by destroying that of + others? Will they finally see that every man has a right to choose his + trade, his profession, his employment, and has the right to work when, and + for whom, and for what he will? Will they finally say that the man who has + had equal privileges with all others has no right to complain, or will + they follow the example that has been set by their oppressors? Will they + learn that force, to succeed, must have a thought behind it, and that + anything done, in order that it may endure, must rest upon the + corner-stone of justice? + </p> + <p> + Will they, at the command of priests, forever extinguish the spark that + sheds a little light in every brain? Will they ever recognize the fact + that labor, above all things, is honorable—that it is the foundation + of virtue? Will they understand that beggars cannot be generous, and that + every healthy man must earn the right to live? Will honest men stop taking + off their hats to successful fraud? Will industry, in the presence of + crowned idleness, forever fall upon its knees, and will the lips unstained + by lies forever kiss the robed impostor's hand?—North American + Review, March, 1887. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0008" id="link0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ART AND MORALITY. + </h2> + <p> + ART is the highest form of expression, and exists for the sake of + expression. Through art thoughts become visible. Back of forms are the + desire, the longing, the brooding creative instinct, the maternity of mind + and the passion that give pose and swell, outline and color. + </p> + <p> + Of course there is no such thing as absolute beauty or absolute morality. + We now clearly perceive that beauty and conduct are relative. We have + outgrown the provincialism that thought is back of substance, as well as + the old Platonic absurdity, that ideas existed before the subjects of + thought. So far, at least, as man is concerned, his thoughts have been + produced by his surroundings, by the action and interaction of things upon + his mind; and so far as man is concerned, things have preceded thoughts. + The impressions that these things make upon us are what we know of them. + The absolute is beyond the human mind. Our knowledge is confined to the + relations that exist between the totality of things that we call the + universe, and the effect upon ourselves. + </p> + <p> + Actions are deemed right or wrong, according to experience and the + conclusions of reason. Things are beautiful by the relation that certain + forms, colors, and modes of expression bear to us. At the foundation of + the beautiful will be found the fact of happiness, the gratification of + the senses, the delight of intellectual discovery and the surprise and + thrill of appreciation. That which we call the beautiful, wakens into life + through the association of ideas, of memories, of experiences, of + suggestions of pleasure past and the perception that the prophecies of the + ideal have been and will be fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + Art cultivates and kindles the imagination, and quickens the conscience. + It is by imagination that we put ourselves in the place of another. When + the wings of that faculty are folded, the master does not put himself in + the place of the slave; the tyrant is not locked in the dungeon, chained + with his victim. The inquisitor did not feel the flames that devoured the + martyr. The imaginative man, giving to the beggar, gives to himself. Those + who feel indignant at the perpetration of wrong, feel for the instant that + they are the victims; and when they attack the aggressor they feel that + they are defending themselves. Love and pity are the children of the + imagination. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers read with great approbation the mechanical sermons in rhyme + written by Milton, Young and Pollok. Those theological poets wrote for the + purpose of convincing their readers that the mind of man is diseased, + filled with infirmities, and that poetic poultices and plasters tend to + purify and strengthen the moral nature of the human race. Nothing to the + true artist, to the real genius, is so contemptible as the "medicinal + view." + </p> + <p> + Poems were written to prove that the practice of virtue was an investment + for another world, and that whoever followed the advice found in those + solemn, insincere and lugubrious rhymes, although he might be exceedingly + unhappy in this world, would with great certainty be rewarded in the next. + These writers assumed that there was a kind of relation between rhyme and + religion, between verse and virtue; and that it was their duty to call the + attention of the world to all the snares and pitfalls of pleasure. They + wrote with a purpose. They had a distinct moral end in view. They had a + plan. They were missionaries, and their object was to show the world how + wicked it was and how good they, the writers, were. They could not + conceive of a man being so happy that everything in nature partook of his + feeling; that all the birds were singing for him, and singing by reason of + his joy; that everything sparkled and shone and moved in the glad rhythm + of his heart. They could not appreciate this feeling. They could not think + of this joy guiding the artist's hand, seeking expression in form and + color. They did not look upon poems, pictures, and statues as results, as + children of the brain fathered by sea and sky, by flower and star, by love + and light. They were not moved by gladness. They felt the responsibility + of perpetual duty. They had a desire to teach, to sermonize, to point out + and exaggerate the faults of others and to describe the virtues practiced + by themselves. Art became a colporteur, a distributer of tracts, a + mendicant missionary whose highest ambition was to suppress all heathen + joy. + </p> + <p> + Happy people were supposed to have forgotten, in a reckless moment, duty + and responsibility. True poetry would call them back to a realization of + their meanness and their misery. It was the skeleton at the feast, the + rattle of whose bones had a rhythmic sound. It was the forefinger of + warning and doom held up in the presence of a smile. + </p> + <p> + These moral poets taught the "unwelcome truths," and by the paths of life + put posts on which they painted hands pointing at graves. They loved to + see the pallor on the cheek of youth, while they talked, in solemn tones, + of age, decrepitude and lifeless clay. + </p> + <p> + Before the eyes of love they thrust, with eager hands, the skull of death. + They crushed the flowers beneath their feet and plaited crowns of thorns + for every brow. + </p> + <p> + According to these poets, happiness was inconsistent with virtue. The + sense of infinite obligation should be perpetually present. They assumed + an attitude of superiority. They denounced and calumniated the reader. + They enjoyed his confusion when charged with total depravity. They loved + to paint the sufferings of the lost, the worthlessness of human life, the + littleness of mankind, and the beauties of an unknown world. They knew but + little of the heart. They did not know that without passion there is no + virtue, and that the really passionate are the virtuous. + </p> + <p> + Art has nothing to do directly with morality or immorality. It is its own + excuse for being; it exists for itself. + </p> + <p> + The artist who endeavors to enforce a lesson, becomes a preacher; and the + artist who tries by hint and suggestion to enforce the immoral, becomes a + pander. + </p> + <p> + There is an infinite difference between the nude and the naked, between + the natural and the undressed. In the presence of the pure, unconscious + nude, nothing can be more contemptible than those forms in which are the + hints and suggestions of drapery, the pretence of exposure, and the + failure to conceal. The undressed is vulgar—the nude is pure. + </p> + <p> + The old Greek statues, frankly, proudly nude, whose free and perfect limbs + have never known the sacrilege of clothes, were and are as free from + taint, as pure, as stainless, as the image of the morning star trembling + in a drop of perfumed dew. + </p> + <p> + Morality is the harmony between act and circumstance. It is the melody of + conduct. A wonderful statue is the melody of proportion. A great picture + is the melody of form and color. A great statue does not suggest labor; it + seems to have been created as a joy. A great painting suggests no + weariness and no effort; the greater, the easier it seems. So a great and + splendid life seems to have been without effort. There is in it no idea of + obligation, no idea of responsibility or of duty. The idea of duty changes + to a kind of drudgery that which should be, in the perfect man, a perfect + pleasure. + </p> + <p> + The artist, working simply for the sake of enforcing a moral, becomes a + laborer. The freedom of genius is lost, and the artist is absorbed in the + citizen. The soul of the real artist should be moved by this melody of + proportion as the body is unconsciously swayed by the rhythm of a + symphony. No one can imagine that the great men who chiseled the statues + of antiquity intended to teach the youth of Greece to be obedient to their + parents. We cannot believe that Michael Angelo painted his grotesque and + somewhat vulgar "Day of Judgment" for the purpose of reforming Italian + thieves. The subject was in all probability selected by his employeer, and + the treatment was a question of art, without the slightest reference to + the moral effect, even upon priests. We are perfectly certain that Corot + painted those infinitely poetic landscapes, those cottages, those sad + poplars, those leafless vines on weather-tinted walls, those quiet pools, + those contented cattle, those fields flecked with light, over which bend + the skies, tender as the breast of a mother, without once thinking of the + ten commandments. There is the same difference between moral art and the + product of true genius, that there is between prudery and virtue. + </p> + <p> + The novelists who endeavor to enforce what they are pleased to call "moral + truths," cease to be artists. They create two kinds of characters—types + and caricatures. The first never has lived, and the second never will. The + real artist produces neither. In his pages you will find individuals, + natural people, who have the contradictions and inconsistencies + inseparable from humanity. The great artists "hold the mirror up to + nature," and this mirror reflects with absolute accuracy. The moral and + the immoral writers—that is to say, those who have some object + besides that of art—use convex or concave mirrors, or those with + uneven surfaces, and the result is that the images are monstrous and + deformed. The little novelist and the little artist deal either in the + impossible or the exceptional. The men of genius touch the universal. + Their words and works throb in unison with the great ebb and flow of + things. They write and work for all races and for all time. + </p> + <p> + It has been the object of thousands of reformers to destroy the passions, + to do away with desires; and could this object be accomplished, life would + become a burden, with but one desire—that is to say, the desire for + extinction. Art in its highest forms increases passion, gives tone and + color and zest to life. But while it increases passion, it refines. It + extends the horizon. The bare necessities of life constitute a prison, a + dungeon. Under the influence of art the walls expand, the roof rises, and + it becomes a temple. + </p> + <p> + Art is not a sermon, and the artist is not a preacher. Art accomplishes by + indirection. The beautiful refines. The perfect in art suggests the + perfect in conduct. The harmony in music teaches, without intention, the + lesson of proportion in life. The bird in his song has no moral purpose, + and yet the influence is humanizing. The beautiful in nature acts through + appreciation and sympathy. It does not browbeat, neither does it + humiliate. It is beautiful without regard to you. Roses would be + unbearable if in their red and perfumed hearts were mottoes to the effect + that bears eat bad boys and that honesty is the best policy. + </p> + <p> + Art creates an atmosphere in which the proprieties, the amenities, and the + virtues unconsciously grow. The rain does not lecture the seed. The light + does not make rules for the vine and flower. + </p> + <p> + The heart is softened by the pathos of the perfect. + </p> + <p> + The world is a dictionary of the mind, and in this dictionary of things + genius discovers analogies, resemblances, and parallels amid opposites, + likeness in difference, and corroboration in contradiction. Language is + but a multitude of pictures. Nearly every word is a work of art, a picture + represented by a sound, and this sound represented by a mark, and this + mark gives not only the sound, but the picture of something in the outward + world and the picture of something within the mind, and with these words + which were once pictures, other pictures are made. + </p> + <p> + The greatest pictures and the greatest statues, the most wonderful and + marvelous groups, have been painted and chiseled with words. They are as + fresh to-day as when they fell from human lips. Penelope still ravels, + weaves, and waits; Ulysses' bow is bent, and through the level rings the + eager arrow flies. Cordelia's tears are falling now. The greatest gallery + of the world is found in Shakespeare's book. The pictures and the marbles + of the Vatican and Louvre are faded, crumbling things, compared with his, + in which perfect color gives to perfect form the glow and movement of + passion's highest life. + </p> + <p> + Everything except the truth wears, and needs to wear, a mask. Little souls + are ashamed of nature. Prudery pretends to have only those passions that + it cannot feel. Moral poetry is like a respectable canal that never + overflows its banks. It has weirs through which slowly and without damage + any excess of feeling is allowed to flow. It makes excuses for nature, and + regards love as an interesting convict. Moral art paints or chisels feet, + faces, and rags. It regards the body as obscene. It hides with drapery + that which it has not the genius purely to portray. Mediocrity becomes + moral from a necessity which it has the impudence to call virtue. It + pretends to regard ignorance as the foundation of purity and insists that + virtue seeks the companionship of the blind. + </p> + <p> + Art creates, combines, and reveals. It is the highest manifestation of + thought, of passion, of love, of intuition. It is the highest form of + expression, of history and prophecy. It allows us to look at an unmasked + soul, to fathom the abysses of passion, to understand the heights and + depths of love. + </p> + <p> + Compared with what is in the mind of man, the outward world almost ceases + to excite our wonder. The impression produced by mountains, seas, and + stars is not so great, so thrilling, as the music of Wagner. The + constellations themselves grow small when we read "Troilus and Cres-sida," + "Hamlet," or "Lear." What are seas and stars in the presence of a heroism + that holds pain and death as naught? What are seas and stars compared with + human hearts? What is the quarry compared with the statue? + </p> + <p> + Art civilizes because it enlightens, develops, strengthens, ennobles. It + deals with the beautiful, with the passionate, with the ideal. It is the + child of the heart. To be great, it must deal with the human. It must be + in accordance with the experience, with the hopes, with the fears, and + with the possibilities of man. No one cares to paint a palace, because + there is nothing in such a picture to touch the heart. It tells of + responsibility, of the prison, of the conventional. It suggests a load—it + tells of apprehension, of weariness and ennui. The picture of a cottage, + over which runs a vine, a little home thatched with content, with its + simple life, its natural sunshine and shadow, its trees bending with + fruit, its hollyhocks and pinks, its happy children, its hum of bees, is a + poem—a smile in the desert of this world. + </p> + <p> + The great lady, in velvet and jewels, makes but a poor picture. There is + not freedom enough in her life. She is constrained. She is too far away + from the simplicity of happiness. In her thought there is too much of the + mathematical. In all art you will find a touch of chaos, of liberty; and + there is in all artists a little of the vagabond—that is to say, + genius. + </p> + <p> + The nude in art has rendered holy the beauty of woman. Every Greek statue + pleads for mothers and sisters. From these marbles come strains of music. + They have filled the heart of man with tenderness and worship. They have + kindled reverence, admiration and love. The Venus de Milo, that even + mutilation cannot mar, tends only to the elevation of our race. It is a + miracle of majesty and beauty, the supreme idea of the supreme woman. It + is a melody in marble. All the lines meet in a kind of voluptuous and glad + content. The pose is rest itself. The eyes are filled with thoughts of + love. The breast seems dreaming of a child. + </p> + <p> + The prudent is not the poetic; it is the mathematical. Genius is the + spirit of abandon; it is joyous, irresponsible. It moves in the swell and + curve of billows; it is careless of conduct and consequence. For a moment, + the chain of cause and effect seems broken; the soul is free. It gives an + account not even to itself. Limitations are forgotten; nature seems + obedient to the will; the ideal alone exists; the universe is a symphony. + </p> + <p> + Every brain is a gallery of art, and every soul is, to a greater or less + degree, an artist. The pictures and statues that now enrich and adorn the + walls and niches of the world, as well as those that illuminate the pages + of its literature, were taken originally from the private galleries of the + brain. + </p> + <p> + The soul—that is to say the artist—compares the pictures in + its own brain with the pictures that have been taken from the galleries of + others and made visible. This soul, this artist, selects that which is + nearest perfection in each, takes such parts as it deems perfect, puts + them together, forms new pictures, new statues, and in this way creates + the ideal. + </p> + <p> + To express desires, longings, ecstasies, prophecies and passions in form + and color; to put love, hope, heroism and triumph in marble; to paint + dreams and memories with words; to portray the purity of dawn, the + intensity and glory of noon, the tenderness of twilight, the splendor and + mystery of night, with sounds; to give the invisible to sight and touch, + and to enrich the common things of earth with gems and jewels of the mind—this + is Art.—North American Review, March, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009" id="link0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DIVIDED HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH. + </h2> + <p> + "Let determined things to destiny hold unbewailed their way." THERE is a + continual effort in the mind of man to find the harmony that he knows must + exist between all known facts. It is hard for the scientist to implicitly + believe anything that he suspects to be inconsistent with a known fact. He + feels that every fact is a key to many mysteries—that every fact is + a detective, not only, but a perpetual witness. He knows that a fact has a + countless number of sides, and that all these sides will match all other + facts, and he also suspects that to understand one fact perfectly—like + the fact of the attraction of gravitation—would involve a knowledge + of the universe. + </p> + <p> + It requires not only candor, but courage, to accept a fact. When a new + fact is found it is generally denied, resisted, and calumniated by the + conservatives until denial becomes absurd, and then they accept it with + the statement that they always supposed it was true. + </p> + <p> + The old is the ignorant enemy of the new. The old has pedigree and + respectability; it is filled with the spirit of caste; it is associated + with great events, and with great names; it is intrenched; it has an + income—it represents property. Besides, it has parasites, and the + parasites always defend themselves. + </p> + <p> + Long ago frightened wretches who had by tyranny or piracy amassed great + fortunes, were induced in the moment of death to compromise with God and + to let their money fall from their stiffening hands into the greedy palms + of priests. In this way many theological seminaries were endowed, and in + this way prejudices, mistakes, absurdities, known as religious truths, + have been perpetuated. In this way the dead hypocrites have propagated and + supported their kind. + </p> + <p> + Most religions—no matter how honestly they originated—have + been established by brute force. Kings and nobles have used them as a + means to enslave, to degrade and rob. The priest, consciously and + unconsciously, has been the betrayer of his followers. + </p> + <p> + Near Chicago there is an ox that betrays his fellows. Cattle—twenty + or thirty at a time—are driven to the place of slaughter. This ox + leads the way—the others follow. When the place is reached, this + Bishop Dupanloup turns and goes back for other victims. + </p> + <p> + This is the worst side: There is a better. + </p> + <p> + Honest men, believing that they have found the whole truth—the real + and only faith—filled with enthusiasm, give all for the purpose of + propagating the "divine creed." They found colleges and universities, and + in perfect, pious, ignorant sincerity, provide that the creed, and nothing + but the creed, must be taught, and that if any professor teaches anything + contrary to that, he must be instantly dismissed—that is to say, the + children must be beaten with the bones of the dead. + </p> + <p> + These good religious souls erect guide-boards with a provision to the + effect that the guide-boards must remain, whether the roads are changed or + not, and with the further provision that the professors who keep and + repair the guide-boards must always insist that the roads have not been + changed. + </p> + <p> + There is still another side. + </p> + <p> + Professors do not wish to lose their salaries. They love their families + and have some regard for themselves. There is a compromise between their + bread and their brain. On pay-day they believe—at other times they + have their doubts. They settle with their own consciences by giving old + words new meanings. They take refuge in allegory, hide behind parables, + and barricade themselves with oriental imagery. They give to the most + frightful passages a spiritual meaning—and while they teach the old + creed to their followers, they speak a new philosophy to their equals. + </p> + <p> + There is still another side. + </p> + <p> + A vast number of clergymen and laymen are perfectly satisfied. They have + no doubts. They believe as their fathers and mothers did. The "scheme of + salvation" suits them because they are satisfied that they are embraced + within its terms. They give themselves no trouble. They believe because + they do not understand. They have no doubts because they do not think. + They regard doubt as a thorn in the pillow of orthodox slumber. Their + souls are asleep, and they hate only those who disturb their dreams. These + people keep their creeds for future use. They intend to have them ready at + the moment of dissolution. They sustain about the same relation to daily + life that the small-boats carried by steamers do to ordinary navigation—they + are for the moment of shipwreck. Creeds, like life-preservers, are to be + used in disaster. + </p> + <p> + We must also remember that everything in nature—bad as well as good—has + the instinct of self-preservation. All lies go armed, and all mistakes + carry concealed weapons. Driven to the last corner, even non-resistance + appeals to the dagger. + </p> + <p> + Vast interests—political, social, artistic, and individual—are + interwoven with all creeds. Thousands of millions of dollars have been + invested; many millions of people obtain their bread by the propagation + and support of certain religious doctrines, and many millions have been + educated for that purpose and for that alone. Nothing is more natural than + that they should defend themselves—that they should cling to a creed + that gives them roof and raiment. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago Christianity was a complete system. It included and + accounted for all phenomena; it was a philosophy satisfactory to the + ignorant world; it had an astronomy and geology of its own; it answered + all questions with the same readiness and the same inaccuracy; it had + within its sacred volumes the history of the past, and the prophecies of + all the future; it pretended to know all that was, is, or ever will be + necessary for the well-being of the human race, here and hereafter. + </p> + <p> + When a religion has been founded, the founder admitted the truth of + everything that was generally believed that did not interfere with his + system. Imposture always has a definite end in view, and for the sake of + the accomplishment of that end, it will admit the truth of anything and + everything that does not endanger its success. + </p> + <p> + The writers of all sacred books—the inspired prophets—had no + reason for disagreeing with the common people about the origin of things, + the creation of the world, the rising and setting of the sun, and the uses + of the stars, and consequently the sacred books of all ages have indorsed + the belief general at the time. You will find in our sacred books the + astronomy, the geology, the philosophy and the morality of the ancient + barbarians. The religionist takes these general ideas as his foundation, + and upon them builds the supernatural structure. For many centuries the + astronomy, geology, philosophy and morality of our Bible were accepted. + They were not questioned, for the reason that the world was too ignorant + to question. + </p> + <p> + A few centuries ago the art of printing was invented. A new world was + discovered. There was a complete revolution in commerce. The arts were + born again. The world was filled with adventure; millions became + self-reliant; old ideas were abandoned—old theories were put aside—and + suddenly, the old leaders of thought were found to be ignorant, shallow + and dishonest. The literature of the classic world was discovered and + translated into modern languages. The world was circumnavigated; + Copernicus discovered the true relation sustained by our earth to the + solar system, and about the beginning of the seventeenth century many + other wonderful discoveries were made. In 1609, a Hollander found that two + lenses placed in a certain relation to each other magnified objects seen + through them. This discovery was the foundation of astronomy. In a little + while it came to the knowledge of Galileo; the result was a telescope, + with which man has read the volume of the skies. + </p> + <p> + On the 8th day of May, 1618, Kepler discovered the greatest of his three + laws. These were the first great blows struck for the enfranchisement of + the human mind. A few began to suspect that the ancient Hebrews were not + astronomers. From that moment the church became the enemy of science. In + every possible way the inspired ignorance was defended—the lash, the + sword, the chain, the fagot and the dungeon were the arguments used by the + infuriated church. + </p> + <p> + To such an extent was the church prejudiced against the new philosophy, + against the new facts, that priests refused to look through the telescope + of Galileo. + </p> + <p> + At last it became evident to the intelligent world that the inspired + writings, literally translated, did not contain the truth—the Bible + was in danger of being driven from the heavens. + </p> + <p> + The church also had its geology. The time when the earth was created had + been definitely fixed and was certainly known. This fact had not only been + stated by inspired writers, but their statement had been indorsed by + priests, by bishops, cardinals, popes and ecumenical councils; that was + settled. + </p> + <p> + But a few men had learned the art of seeing. There were some eyes not + always closed in prayer. They looked at the things about them; they + observed channels that had been worn in solid rock by streams; they saw + the vast territories that had been deposited by rivers; their attention + was called to the slow inroads upon continents by seas—to the + deposits by volcanoes—to the sedimentary rocks—to the vast + reefs that had been built by the coral, and to the countless evidences of + age, of the lapse of time—and finally it was demonstrated that this + earth had been pursuing its course about the sun for millions and millions + of ages. + </p> + <p> + The church disputed every step, denied every fact, resorted to every + device that cunning could suggest or ingenuity execute, but the conflict + could not be maintained. The Bible, so far as geology was concerned, was + in danger of being driven from the earth. + </p> + <p> + Beaten in the open field, the church began to equivocate, to evade, and to + give new meanings to inspired words. Finally, falsehood having failed to + harmonize the guesses of barbarians with the discoveries of genius, the + leading churchmen suggested that the Bible was not written to teach + astronomy, was not written to teach geology, and that it was not a + scientific book, but that it was written in the language of the people, + and that as to unimportant things it contained the general beliefs of its + time. + </p> + <p> + The ground was then taken that, while it was not inspired in its science, + it was inspired in its morality, in its prophecy, in its account of the + miraculous, in the scheme of salvation, and in all that it had to say on + the subject of religion. + </p> + <p> + The moment it was suggested that the Bible was not inspired in everything + within its lids, the seeds of suspicion were sown. The priest became less + arrogant. The church was forced to explain. The pulpit had one language + for the faithful and another for the philosophical, i. e., it became + dishonest with both. + </p> + <p> + The next question that arose was as to the origin of man. + </p> + <p> + The Bible was being driven from the skies. The testimony of the stars was + against the sacred volume. The church had also been forced to admit that + the world was not created at the time mentioned in the Bible—so that + the very stones of the earth rose and united with the stars in giving + testimony against the sacred volume. + </p> + <p> + As to the creation of the world, the church resorted to the artifice of + saying that "days" in reality meant long periods of time; so that no + matter how old the earth was, the time could be spanned by six periods—in + other words, that the years could not be too numerous to be divided by + six. + </p> + <p> + But when it came to the creation of man, this evasion, or artifice, was + impossible. The Bible gives the date of the creation of man, because it + gives the age at which the first man died, and then it gives the + generations from Adam to the flood, and from the flood to the birth of + Christ, and in many instances the actual age of the principal ancestor is + given. So that, according to this account—according to the inspired + figures—man has existed upon the earth only about six thousand + years. There is no room left for any people beyond Adam. + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is true, certainly Adam was the first man; consequently, we + know, if the sacred volume be true, just how long man has lived and + labored and suffered on this earth. + </p> + <p> + The church cannot and dare not give up the account of the creation of Adam + from the dust of the earth, and of Eve from the rib of the man. The church + cannot give up the story of the Garden of Eden—the serpent—the + fall and the expulsion; these must be defended because they are vital. + Without these absurdities, the system known as Christianity cannot exist. + Without the fall, the atonement is a <i>non sequitur.</i> Facts bearing + upon these questions were discovered and discussed by the greatest and + most thoughtful of men. Lamarck, Humboldt, Haeckel, and above all, Darwin, + not only asserted, but demonstrated, that man is not a special creation. + If anything can be established by observation, by reason, then the fact + has been established that man is related to all life below him—that + he has been slowly produced through countless years—that the story + of Eden is a childish myth—that the fall of man is an infinite + absurdity. + </p> + <p> + If anything can be established by analogy and reason, man has existed upon + the earth for many millions of ages. We know now, if we know anything, + that people not only existed before Adam, but that they existed in a + highly civilized state; that thousands of years before the Garden of Eden + was planted men communicated to each other their ideas by language, and + that artists clothed the marble with thoughts and passions. + </p> + <p> + This is a demonstration that the origin of man given in the Old Testament + is untrue—that the account was written by the ignorance, the + prejudice and the egotism of the olden time. + </p> + <p> + So, if anything outside of the senses can be known, we do know that + civilization is a growth—that man did not commence a perfect being, + and then degenerate, but that from small beginnings he has slowly risen, + to the intellectual height he now occupies. + </p> + <p> + The church, however, has not been willing to accept these truths, because + they contradict the sacred word. Some of the most ingenious of the clergy + have been endeavoring for years to show that there is no conflict—that + the account in Genesis is in perfect harmony with the theories of Charles + Darwin, and these clergymen in some way manage to retain their creed and + to accept a philosophy that utterly destroys it. + </p> + <p> + But in a few years the Christian world will be forced to admit that the + Bible is not inspired in its astronomy, in its geology, or in its + anthropology—that is to say, that the inspired writers knew nothing + of the sciences, knew nothing of the origin of the earth, nothing of the + origin of man—in other words, nothing of any particular value to the + human race. + </p> + <p> + It is, however, still insisted that the Bible is inspired in its morality. + Let us examine this question. + </p> + <p> + We must admit, if we know anything, if we feel anything, if conscience is + more than a word, if there is such a thing as right and such a thing as + wrong beneath the dome of heaven—we must admit that slavery is + immoral. If we are honest, we must also admit that the Old Testament + upholds slavery. It will be cheerfully admitted that Jehovah was opposed + to the enslavement of one Hebrew by another. Christians may quote the + commandment "Thou shalt not steal" as being opposed to human slavery, but + after that commandment was given, Jehovah himself told his chosen people + that they might "buy their bondmen and bondwomen of the heathen round + about, and that they should be their bondmen and their bondwomen forever." + So all that Jehovah meant by the commandment "Thou shalt not steal" was + that one Hebrew should not steal from another Hebrew, but that all Hebrews + might steal from the people of any other race or creed. + </p> + <p> + It is perfectly apparent that the Ten Commandments were made only for the + Jews, not for the world, because the author of these commandments + commanded the people to whom they were given to violate them nearly all as + against the surrounding people. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago it did not occur to the Christian world that slavery was + wrong. It was upheld by the church. Ministers bought and sold the very + people for whom they declared that Christ had died. Clergymen of the + English church owned stock in slave-ships, and the man who denounced + slavery was regarded as the enemy of morality, and thereupon was duly + mobbed by the followers of Jesus Christ. Churches were built with the + results of labor stolen from colored Christians. Babes were sold from + mothers and a part of the money given to send missionaries from America to + heathen lands with the tidings of great joy. Now every intelligent man on + the earth, every decent man, holds in abhorrence the institution of human + slavery. + </p> + <p> + So with the institution of polygamy. If anything on the earth is immoral, + that is. If there is anything calculated to destroy home, to do away with + human love, to blot out the idea of family life, to cover the hearthstone + with serpents, it is the institution of polygamy. The Jehovah of the Old + Testament was a believer in that institution. + </p> + <p> + Can we now say that the Bible is inspired in its morality? Consider for a + moment the manner in which, under the direction of Jehovah, wars were + waged. Remember the atrocities that were committed. Think of a war where + everything was the food of the sword. Think for a moment of a deity + capable of committing the crimes that are described and gloated over in + the Old Testament. The civilized man has outgrown the sacred cruelties and + absurdities. + </p> + <p> + There is still another side to this question. + </p> + <p> + A few centuries ago nothing was more natural than the unnatural. Miracles + were as plentiful as actual events. In those blessed days, that which + actually occurred was not regarded of sufficient importance to be + recorded. A religion without miracles would have excited derision. A creed + that did not fill the horizon—that did not account for everything—that + could not answer every question, would have been regarded as worthless. + </p> + <p> + After the birth of Protestantism, it could not be admitted by the leaders + of the Reformation that the Catholic Church still had the power of working + miracles. If the Catholic Church was still in partnership with God, what + excuse could have been made for the Reformation? The Protestants took the + ground that the age of miracles had passed. This was to justify the new + faith. But Protestants could not say that miracles had never been + performed, because that would take the foundation not only from the + Catholics but from themselves; consequently they were compelled to admit + that miracles were performed in the apostolic days, but to insist that, in + their time, man must rely upon the facts in nature. Protestants were + compelled to carry on two kinds of war; they had to contend with those who + insisted that miracles had never been performed; and in that argument they + were forced to insist upon the necessity for miracles, on the probability + that they were performed, and upon the truthfulness of the apostles. A + moment afterward, they had to answer those who contended that miracles + were performed at that time; then they brought forward against the + Catholics the same arguments that their first opponents had brought + against them. + </p> + <p> + This has made every Protestant brain "a house divided against itself." + This planted in the Reformation the "irrepressible conflict." + </p> + <p> + But we have learned more and more about what we call Nature—about + what we call facts. Slowly it dawned upon the mind that force is + indestructible—that we cannot imagine force as existing apart from + matter—that we cannot even think of matter existing apart from force—that + we cannot by any possibility conceive of a cause without an effect, of an + effect without a cause, of an effect that is not also a cause. We find no + room between the links of cause and effect for a miracle. We now perceive + that a miracle must be outside of Nature—that it can have no father, + no mother—that is to say, that it is an impossibility. + </p> + <p> + The intellectual world has abandoned the miraculous. + </p> + <p> + Most ministers are now ashamed to defend a miracle. Some try to explain + miracles, and yet, if a miracle is explained, it ceases to exist. Few + congregations could keep from smiling were the minister to seriously + assert the truth of the Old Testament miracles. + </p> + <p> + Miracles must be given up. That field must be abandoned by the religious + world. The evidence accumulates every day, in every possible direction in + which the human mind can investigate, that the miraculous is simply the + impossible. + </p> + <p> + Confidence in the eternal constancy of Nature increases day by day. The + scientist has perfect confidence in the attraction of gravitation—in + chemical affinities—in the great fact of evolution, and feels + absolutely certain that the nature of things will remain forever the same. + </p> + <p> + We have at last ascertained that miracles can be perfectly understood; + that there is nothing mysterious about them; that they are simply + transparent falsehoods. + </p> + <p> + The real miracles are the facts in nature. No one can explain the + attraction of gravitation. No one knows why soil and rain and light become + the womb of life. No one knows why grass grows, why water runs, or why the + magnetic needle points to the north. The facts in nature are the eternal + and the only mysteries. There is nothing strange about the miracles of + superstition. They are nothing but the mistakes of ignorance and fear, or + falsehoods framed by those who wished to live on the labor of others. + </p> + <p> + In our time the champions of Christianity, for the most part, take the + exact ground occupied by the Deists. They dare not defend in the open + field the mistakes, the cruelties, the immoralities and the absurdities of + the Bible. They shun the Garden of Eden as though the serpent was still + there. They have nothing to say about the fall of man. They are silent as + to the laws upholding slavery and polygamy. They are ashamed to defend the + miraculous. They talk about these things to Sunday schools and to the + elderly members of their congregations; but when doing battle for the + faith, they misstate the position of their opponents and then insist that + there must be a God, and that the soul is immortal. + </p> + <p> + We may admit the existence of an infinite Being; we may admit the + immortality of the soul, and yet deny the inspiration of the Scriptures + and the divine origin of the Christian religion. These doctrines, or these + dogmas, have nothing in common. The pagan world believed in God and taught + the dogma of immortality. These ideas are far older than Christianity, and + they have been almost universal. + </p> + <p> + Christianity asserts more than this. It is based upon the inspiration of + the Bible, on the fall of man, on the atonement, on the dogma of the + Trinity, on the divinity of Jesus Christ, on his resurrection from the + dead, on his ascension into heaven. + </p> + <p> + Christianity teaches not simply the immortality of the soul—not + simply the immortality of joy—but it teaches the immortality of + pain, the eternity of sorrow. It insists that evil, that wickedness, that + immorality and that every form of vice are and must be perpetuated + forever. It believes in immortal convicts, in eternal imprisonment and in + a world of unending pain. It has a serpent for every breast and a curse + for nearly every soul. This doctrine is called the dearest hope of the + human heart, and he who attacks it is denounced as the most infamous of + men. + </p> + <p> + Let us see what the church, within a few years, has been compelled + substantially to abandon,—that is to say, what it is now almost + ashamed to defend. + </p> + <p> + First, the astronomy of the sacred Scriptures; second, the geology; third, + the account given of the origin of man; fourth, the doctrine of original + sin, the fall of the human race; fifth, the mathematical contradiction + known as the Trinity; sixth, the atonement—because it was only on + the ground that man is accountable for the sin of another, that he could + be justified by reason of the righteousness of another; seventh, that the + miraculous is either the misunderstood or the impossible; eighth, that the + Bible is not inspired in its morality, for the reason that slavery is not + moral, that polygamy is not good, that wars of extermination are not + merciful, and that nothing can be more immoral than to punish the innocent + on account of the sins of the guilty; and ninth, the divinity of Christ. + </p> + <p> + All this must be given up by the really intelligent, by those not afraid + to think, by those who have the courage of their convictions and the + candor to express their thoughts. What then is left? + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you. Everything in the Bible that is true, is left; it still + remains and is still of value. It cannot be said too often that the truth + needs no inspiration; neither can it be said too often that inspiration + cannot help falsehood. Every good and noble sentiment uttered in the Bible + is still good and noble. Every fact remains. All that is good in the + Sermon on the Mount is retained. The Lord's Prayer is not affected. The + grandeur of self-denial, the nobility of forgiveness, and the ineffable + splendor of mercy are with us still. And besides, there remains the great + hope for all the human race. + </p> + <p> + What is lost? All the mistakes, all the falsehoods, all the absurdities, + all the cruelties and all the curses contained in the Scriptures. We have + almost lost the "hope" of eternal pain—the "consolation" of + perdition; and in time we shall lose the frightful shadow that has fallen + upon so many hearts, that has darkened so many lives. + </p> + <p> + The great trouble for many years has been, and still is, that the clergy + are not quite candid. They are disposed to defend the old creed. They have + been educated in the universities of the Sacred Mistake—universities + that Bruno would call "the widows of true learning." They have been taught + to measure with a false standard; they have weighed with inaccurate + scales. In youth, they became convinced of the truth of the creed. This + was impressed upon them by the solemnity of professors who spoke in tones + of awe. The enthusiasm of life's morning was misdirected. They went out + into the world knowing nothing of value. They preached a creed outgrown. + Having been for so many years entirely certain of their position, they met + doubt with a spirit of irritation—afterward with hatred. They are + hardly courageous enough to admit that they are wrong. + </p> + <p> + Once the pulpit was the leader—it spoke with authority. By its side + was the sword of the state, with the hilt toward its hand. Now it is + apologized for—it carries a weight. It is now like a living man to + whom has been chained a corpse. It cannot defend the old, and it has not + accepted the new. In some strange way it imagines that morality cannot + live except in partnership with the sanctified follies and falsehoods of + the past. + </p> + <p> + The old creeds cannot be defended by argument. They are not within the + circumference of reason—they are not embraced in any of the facts + within the experience of man. All the subterfuges have been exposed; all + the excuses have been shown to be shallow, and at last the church must + meet, and fairly meet, the objections of our time. + </p> + <p> + Solemnity is no longer an argument. Falsehood is no longer sacred. People + are not willing to admit that mistakes are divine. Truth is more important + than belief—far better than creeds, vastly more useful than + superstitions. The church must accept the truths of the present, must + admit the demonstrations of science, or take its place in the mental + museums with the fossils and monstrosities of the past. + </p> + <p> + The time for personalities has passed; these questions cannot be + determined by ascertaining the character of the disputants; epithets are + no longer regarded as arguments; the curse of the church produces + laughter; theological slander is no longer a weapon; argument must be + answered with argument, and the church must appeal to reason, and by that + standard it must stand or fall. The theories and discoveries of Darwin + cannot be answered by the resolutions of synods, or by quotations from the + Old Testament. + </p> + <p> + The world has advanced. The Bible has remained the same. We must go back + to the book—it cannot come to us—or we must leave it forever. + In order to remain orthodox we must forget the discoveries, the + inventions, the intellectual efforts of many centuries; we must go back + until our knowledge—or rather our ignorance—will harmonize + with the barbaric creeds. + </p> + <p> + It is not pretended that all the creeds have not been naturally produced. + It is admitted that under the same circumstances the same religions would + again ensnare the human race. It is also admitted that under the same + circumstances the same efforts would be made by the great and intellectual + of every age to break the chains of superstition. + </p> + <p> + There is no necessity of attacking people—we should combat error. We + should hate hypocrisy, but not the hypocrite—larceny, but not the + thief—superstition, but not its victim. We should do all within our + power to inform, to educate, and to benefit our fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + There is no elevating power in hatred. There is no reformation in + punishment. The soul grows greater and grander in the air of kindness, in + the sunlight of intelligence. + </p> + <p> + We must rely upon the evidence of our senses, upon the conclusions of our + reason. + </p> + <p> + For many centuries the church has insisted that man is totally depraved, + that he is naturally wicked, that all of his natural desires are contrary + to the will of God. Only a few years ago it was solemnly asserted that our + senses were originally honest, true and faithful, but having been + debauched by original sin, were now cheats and liars; that they constantly + deceived and misled the soul; that they were traps and snares; that no man + could be safe who relied upon his senses, or upon his reason;—he + must simply rely upon faith; in other words, that the only way for man to + really see was to put out his eyes. + </p> + <p> + There has been a rapid improvement in the intellectual world. The + improvement has been slow in the realm of religion, for the reason that + religion was hedged about, defended and barricaded by fear, by prejudice + and by law. It was considered sacred. It was illegal to call its truth in + question. Whoever disputed the priest became a criminal; whoever demanded + a reason, or an explanation, became a blasphemer, a scoffer, a moral + leper. + </p> + <p> + The church defended its mistakes by every means within its power. + </p> + <p> + But in spite of all this there has been advancement, and there are enough + of the orthodox clergy left to make it possible for us to measure the + distance that has been traveled by sensible people. + </p> + <p> + The world is beginning to see that a minister should be a teacher, and + that "he should not endeavor to inculcate a particular system of dogmas, + but to prepare his hearers for exercising their own judgments." + </p> + <p> + As a last resource, the orthodox tell the thoughtful that they are not + "spiritual"—that they are "of the earth, earthy"—that they + cannot perceive that which is spiritual. They insist that "God is a + spirit, and must be worshiped in spirit." + </p> + <p> + But let me ask, What is it to be spiritual? In order to be really + spiritual, must a man sacrifice this world for the sake of another? Were + the selfish hermits, who deserted their wives and children for the + miserable purpose of saving their own little souls, spiritual? Were those + who put their fellow-men in dungeons, or burned them at the state* on + account of a difference of opinion, all spiritual people? Did John Calvin + give evidence of his spirituality by burning Servetus? Were they spiritual + people who invented and used instruments of torture—who denied the + liberty of thought and expression—who waged wars for the propagation + of the faith? Were they spiritual people who insisted that Infinite Love + could punish his poor, ignorant children forever? Is it necessary to + believe in eternal torment to understand the meaning of the word + spiritual? Is it necessary to hate those who disagree with you, and to + calumniate those whose argument you cannot answer, in order to be + spiritual? Must you hold a demonstrated fact in contempt; must you deny or + avoid what you know to be true, in order to substantiate the fact that you + are spiritual? + </p> + <p> + What is it to be spiritual? Is the man spiritual who searches for the + truth—who lives in accordance with his highest ideal—who loves + his wife and children—who discharges his obligations—who makes + a happy fireside for the ones he loves—who succors the oppressed—who + gives his honest opinions—who is guided by principle—who is + merciful and just? + </p> + <p> + Is the man spiritual who loves the beautiful—who is thrilled by + music, and touched to tears in the presence of the sublime, the heroic and + the self-denying? Is the man spiritual who endeavors by thought and deed + to ennoble the human race? + </p> + <p> + The defenders of the orthodox faith, by this time, should know that the + foundations are insecure. + </p> + <p> + They should have the courage to defend, or the candor to abandon. If the + Bible is an inspired book, it ought to be true. Its defenders must admit + that Jehovah knew the facts not only about the earth, but about the stars, + and that the Creator of the universe knew all about geology and astronomy + even four thousand years ago. + </p> + <p> + The champions of Christianity must show that the Bible tells the truth + about the creation of man, the Garden of Eden, the temptation, the fall + and the flood. They must take the ground that the sacred book is + historically correct; that the events related really happened; that the + miracles were actually performed; that the laws promulgated from Sinai + were and are wise and just, and that nothing is upheld, commanded, + indorsed, or in any way approved or sustained that is not absolutely + right. In other words, if they insist that a being of infinite goodness + and intelligence is the author of the Bible, they must be ready to show + that it is absolutely perfect. They must defend its astronomy, geology, + history, miracle and morality. + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is true, man is a special creation, and if man is a special + creation, millions of facts must have conspired, millions of ages ago, to + deceive the scientific world of to-day. + </p> + <p> + If the Bible is true, slavery is right, and the world should go back to + the barbarism of the lash and chain. If the Bible' is true, polygamy is + the highest form of virtue. If the Bible is true, nature has a master, and + the miraculous is independent of and superior to cause and effect. If the + Bible is true, most of the children of men are destined to suffer eternal + pain. If the Bible is true, the science known as astronomy is a collection + of mistakes—the telescope is a false witness, and light is a + luminous liar. If the Bible is true, the science known as geology is false + and every fossil is a petrified perjurer. + </p> + <p> + The defenders of orthodox creeds should have the courage to candidly + answer at least two questions: First, Is the Bible inspired? Second, Is + the Bible true? And when they answer these questions, they should remember + that if the Bible is true, it needs no inspiration, and that if not true, + inspiration can do it no good.—North American Review, August, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0010" id="link0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHY AM I AN AGNOSTIC? + </h2> + <h3> + I. + </h3> + <p> + "With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls." + </p> + <p> + THE same rules or laws of probability must govern in religious questions + as in others. There is no subject—and can be none—concerning + which any human being is under any obligation to believe without evidence. + Neither is there any intelligent being who can, by any possibility, be + flattered by the exercise of ignorant credulity. The man who, without + prejudice, reads and understands the Old and New Testaments will cease to + be an orthodox Christian. The intelligent man who investigates the + religion of any country without fear and without prejudice will not and + cannot be a believer. + </p> + <p> + Most people, after arriving at the conclusion that Jehovah is not God, + that the Bible is not an inspired book, and that the Christian religion, + like other religions, is the creation of man, usually say: "There must be + a Supreme Being, but Jehovah is not his name, and the Bible is not his + word. There must be somewhere an over-ruling Providence or Power." + </p> + <p> + This position is just as untenable as the other. He who cannot harmonize + the cruelties of the Bible with the goodness of Jehovah, cannot harmonize + the cruelties of Nature with the goodness and wisdom of a supposed Deity. + He will find it impossible to account for pestilence and famine, for + earthquake and storm, for slavery, for the triumph of the strong over the + weak, for the countless victories of injustice. He will find it impossible + to account for martyrs—for the burning of the good, the noble, the + loving, by the ignorant, the malicious, and the infamous. + </p> + <p> + How can the Deist satisfactorily account for the sufferings of women and + children? In what way will he justify religious persecution—the + flame and sword of religious hatred? Why did his God sit idly on his + throne and allow his enemies to wet their swords in the blood of his + friends? Why did he not answer the prayers of the imprisoned, of the + helpless? And when he heard the lash upon the naked back of the slave, why + did he not also hear the prayer of the slave? And when children were sold + from the breasts of mothers, why was he deaf to the mother's cry? + </p> + <p> + It seems to me that the man who knows the limitations of the mind, who + gives the proper value to human testimony, is necessarily an Agnostic. He + gives up the hope of ascertaining first or final causes, of comprehending + the supernatural, or of conceiving of an infinite personality. From out + the words Creator, Preserver, and Providence, all meaning falls. + </p> + <p> + The mind of man pursues the path of least resistance, and the conclusions + arrived at by the individual depend upon the nature and structure of his + mind, on his experience, on hereditary drifts and tendencies, and on the + countless things that constitute the difference in minds. One man, finding + himself in the midst of mysterious phenomena, comes to the conclusion that + all is the result of design; that back of all things is an infinite + personality—that is to say, an infinite man; and he accounts for all + that is by simply saying that the universe was created and set in motion + by this infinite personality, and that it is miraculously and + supernaturally governed and preserved. This man sees with perfect + clearness that matter could not create itself, and therefore he imagines a + creator of matter. He is perfectly satisfied that there is design in the + world, and that consequently there must have been a designer. It does not + occur to him that it is necessary to account for the existence of an + infinite personality. He is perfectly certain that there can be no design + without a designer, and he is equally certain that there can be a designer + who was not designed. The absurdity becomes so great that it takes the + place of a demonstration. He takes it for granted that matter was created + and that its creator was not. He assumes that a creator existed from + eternity, without cause, and created what is called matter out of nothing; + or, whereas there was nothing, this creator made the something that we + call substance. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible for the human mind to conceive of an infinite personality? + Can it imagine a beginningless being, infinitely powerful and intelligent? + If such a being existed, then there must have been an eternity during + which nothing did exist except this being; because, if the Universe was + created, there must have been a time when it was not, and back of that + there must have been an eternity during which nothing but an infinite + personality existed. Is it possible to imagine an infinite intelligence + dwelling for an eternity in infinite nothing? How could such a being be + intelligent? What was there to be intelligent about? There was but one + thing to know, namely, that there was nothing except this being. How could + such a being be powerful? There was nothing to exercise force upon. There + was nothing in the universe to suggest an idea. Relations could not exist—except + the relation between infinite intelligence and infinite nothing. + </p> + <p> + The next great difficulty is the act of creation. My mind is so that I + cannot conceive of something being created out of nothing. Neither can I + conceive of anything being created without a cause. Let me go one step + further. It is just as difficult to imagine something being created with, + as without, a cause. To postulate a cause does not in the least lessen the + difficulty. In spite of all, this lever remains without a fulcrum. + </p> + <p> + We cannot conceive of the destruction of substance. The stone can be + crushed to powder, and the powder can be ground to such a fineness that + the atoms can only be distinguished by the most powerful microscope, and + we can then imagine these atoms being divided and subdivided again and + again and again; but it is impossible for us to conceive of the + annihilation of the least possible imaginable fragment of the least atom + of which we can think. Consequently the mind can imagine neither creation + nor destruction. From this point it is very easy to reach the + generalization that the indestructible could not have been created. + </p> + <p> + These questions, however, will be answered by each individual according to + the structure of his mind, according to his experience, according to his + habits of thought, and according to his intelligence or his ignorance, his + prejudice or his genius. + </p> + <p> + Probably a very large majority of mankind believe in the existence of + supernatural beings, and a majority of what are known as the civilized + nations, in an infinite personality. In the realm of thought majorities do + not determine. Each brain is a kingdom, each mind is a sovereign. + </p> + <p> + The universality of a belief does not even tend to prove its truth. A + large majority of mankind have believed in what is known as God, and an + equally large majority have as implicitly believed in what is known as the + Devil. These beings have been inferred from phenomena. They were produced + for the most part by ignorance, by fear, and by selfishness. Man in all + ages has endeavored to account for the mysteries of life and death, of + substance, of force, for the ebb and flow of things, for earth and star. + The savage, dwelling in his cave, subsisting on roots and reptiles, or on + beasts that could be slain with club and stone, surrounded by countless + objects of terror, standing by rivers, so far as he knew, without source + or end, by seas with but one shore, the prey of beasts mightier than + himself, of diseases strange and fierce, trembling at the voice of + thunder, blinded by the lightning, feeling the earth shake beneath him, + seeing the sky lurid with the volcano's glare,—fell prostrate and + begged for the protection of the Unknown. + </p> + <p> + In the long night of savagery, in the midst of pestilence and famine, + through the long and dreary winters, crouched in dens of darkness, the + seeds of superstition were sown in the brain of man. The savage believed, + and thoroughly believed, that everything happened in reference to him; + that he by his actions could excite the anger, or by his worship placate + the wrath, of the Unseen. He resorted to flattery and prayer. To the best + of his ability he put in stone, or rudely carved in wood, his idea of this + god. For this idol he built a hut, a hovel, and at last a cathedral. + Before these images he bowed, and at these shrines, whereon he lavished + his wealth, he sought protection for himself and for the ones he loved. + The few took advantage of the ignorant many. They pretended to have + received messages from the Unknown. They stood between the helpless + multitude and the gods. They were the carriers of flags of truce. At the + court of heaven they presented the cause of man, and upon the labor of the + deceived they lived. + </p> + <p> + The Christian of to-day wonders at the savage who bowed before his idol; + and yet it must be confessed that the god of stone answered prayer and + protected his worshipers precisely as the Christian's God answers prayer + and protects his worshipers to-day. + </p> + <p> + My mind is so that it is forced to the conclusion that substance is + eternal; that the universe was without beginning and will be without end; + that it is the one eternal existence; that relations are transient and + evanescent; that organisms are produced and vanish; that forms change,—but + that the substance of things is from eternity to eternity. It may be that + planets are born and die, that constellations will fade from the infinite + spaces, that countless suns will be quenched,—but the substance will + remain. + </p> + <p> + The questions of origin and destiny seem to be beyond the powers of the + human mind. + </p> + <p> + Heredity is on the side of superstition. All our ignorance pleads for the + old. In most men there is a feeling that their ancestors were exceedingly + good and brave and wise, and that in all things pertaining to religion + their conclusions should be followed. They believe that their fathers and + mothers were of the best, and that that which satisfied them should + satisfy their children. With a feeling of reverence they say that the + religion of their mother is good enough and pure enough and reasonable + enough for them. In this way the love of parents and the reverence for + ancestors have unconsciously bribed the reason and put out, or rendered + exceedingly dim, the eyes of the mind. + </p> + <p> + There is a kind of longing in the heart of the old to live and die where + their parents lived and died—a tendency to go back to the homes of + their youth. Around the old oak of manhood grow and cling these vines. Yet + it will hardly do to say that the religion of my mother is good enough for + me, any more than to say the geology or the astronomy or the philosophy of + my mother is good enough for me. Every human being is entitled to the best + he can obtain; and if there has been the slightest improvement on the + religion of the mother, the son is entitled to that improvement, and he + should not deprive himself of that advantage by the mistaken idea that he + owes it to his mother to perpetuate, in a reverential way, her ignorant + mistakes. + </p> + <p> + If we are to follow the religion of our fathers and mothers, our fathers + and mothers should have followed the religion of theirs. Had this been + done, there could have been no improvement in the world of thought. The + first religion would have been the last, and the child would have died as + ignorant as the mother. Progress would have been impossible, and on the + graves of ancestors would have been sacrificed the intelligence of + mankind. + </p> + <p> + We know, too, that there has been the religion of the tribe, of the + community, and of the nation, and that there has been a feeling that it + was the duty of every member of the tribe or community, and of every + citizen of the nation, to insist upon it that the religion of that tribe, + of that community, of that nation, was better than that of any other. We + know that all the prejudices against other religions, and all the egotism + of nation and tribe, were in favor of the local superstition. Each citizen + was patriotic enough to denounce the religions of other nations and to + stand firmly by his own. And there is this peculiarity about man: he can + see the absurdities of other religions while blinded to those of his own. + The Christian can see clearly enough that Mohammed was an impostor. He is + sure of it, because the people of Mecca who were acquainted with him + declared that he was no prophet; and this declaration is received by + Christians as a demonstration that Mohammed was not inspired. Yet these + same Christians admit that the people of Jerusalem who were acquainted + with Christ rejected him; and this rejection they take as proof positive + that Christ was the Son of God. + </p> + <p> + The average man adopts the religion of his country, or, rather, the + religion of his country adopts him. He is dominated by the egotism of + race, the arrogance of nation, and the prejudice called patriotism. He + does not reason—he feels. He does not investigate—he believes. + To him the religions of other nations are absurd and infamous, and their + gods monsters of ignorance and cruelty. In every country this average man + is taught, first, that there is a supreme being; second, that he has made + known his will; third, that he will reward the true believer; fourth, that + he will punish the unbeliever, the scoffer, and the blasphemer; fifth, + that certain ceremonies are pleasing to this god; sixth, that he has + established a church; and seventh, that priests are his representatives on + earth. And the average man has no difficulty in determining that the God + of his nation is the true God; that the will of this true God is contained + in the sacred scriptures of his nation; that he is one of the true + believers, and that the people of other nations—that is, believing + other religions—are scoffers; that the only true church is the one + to which he belongs; and that the priests of his country are the only ones + who have had or ever will have the slightest influence with this true God. + All these absurdities to the average man seem self-evident propositions; + and so he holds all other creeds in scorn, and congratulates himself that + he is a favorite of the one true God. + </p> + <p> + If the average Christian had been born in Turkey, he would have been a + Mohammedan; and if the average Mohammedan had been born in New England and + educated at Andover, he would have regarded the damnation of the heathen + as the "tidings of great joy." + </p> + <p> + Nations have eccentricities, peculiarities, and hallucinations, and these + find expression in their laws, customs, ceremonies, morals, and religions. + And these are in great part determined by soil, climate, and the countless + circumstances that mould and dominate the lives and habits of insects, + individuals, and nations. The average man believes implicitly in the + religion of his country, because he knows nothing of any other and has no + desire to know. It fits him because he has been deformed to fit it, and he + regards this fact of fit as an evidence of its inspired truth. + </p> + <p> + Has a man the right to examine, to investigate, the religion of his own + country—the religion of his father and mother? Christians admit that + the citizens of all countries not Christian have not only this right, but + that it is their solemn duty. Thousands of missionaries are sent to + heathen countries to persuade the believers in other religions not only to + examine their superstitions, but to renounce them, and to adopt those of + the missionaries. It is the duty of a heathen to disregard the religion of + his country and to hold in contempt the creed of his father and of his + mother. If the citizens of heathen nations have the right to examine the + foundations of their religion, it would seem that the citizens of + Christian nations have the same right. Christians, however, go further + than this; they say to the heathen: You must examine your religion, and + not only so, but you must reject it; and, unless you do reject it, and, in + addition to such rejection, adopt ours, you will be eternally damned. Then + these same Christians say to the inhabitants of a Christian country: You + must not examine; you must not investigate; but whether you examine or + not, you must believe, or you will be eternally damned. + </p> + <p> + If there be one true religion, how is it possible to ascertain which of + all the religions the true one is? There is but one way. We must + impartially examine the claims of all. The right to examine involves the + necessity to accept or reject. Understand me, not the right to accept or + reject, but the necessity. From this conclusion there is no possible + escape. If, then, we have the right to examine, we have the right to tell + the conclusion reached. Christians have examined other religions somewhat, + and they have expressed their opinion with the utmost freedom—that + is to say, they have denounced them all as false and fraudulent; have + called their gods idols and myths, and their priests impostors. + </p> + <p> + The Christian does not deem it worth while to read the Koran. Probably not + one Christian in a thousand ever saw a copy of that book. And yet all + Christians are perfectly satisfied that the Koran is the work of an + impostor, No Presbyterian thinks it is worth his while to examine the + religious systems of India; he knows that the Brahmins are mistaken, and + that all their miracles are falsehoods. No Methodist cares to read the + life of Buddha, and no Baptist will waste his time studying the ethics of + Confucius. Christians of every sort and kind take it for granted that + there is only one true religion, and that all except Christianity are + absolutely without foundation. The Christian world believes that all the + prayers of India are unanswered; that all the sacrifices upon the + countless altars of Egypt, of Greece, and of Rome were without effect. + They believe that all these mighty nations worshiped their gods in vain; + that their priests were deceivers or deceived; that their ceremonies were + wicked or meaningless; that their temples were built by ignorance and + fraud, and that no God heard their songs of praise, their cries of + despair, their words of thankfulness; that on account of their religion no + pestilence was stayed; that the earthquake and volcano, the flood and + storm went on their ways of death—while the real God looked on and + laughed at their calamities and mocked at their fears. + </p> + <p> + We find now that the prosperity of nations has depended, not upon their + religion, not upon the goodness or providence of some god, but on soil and + climate and commerce, upon the ingenuity, industry, and courage of the + people, upon the development of the mind, on the spread of education, on + the liberty of thought and action; and that in this mighty panorama of + national life, reason has built and superstition has destroyed. + </p> + <p> + Being satisfied that all believe precisely as they must, and that + religions have been naturally produced, I have neither praise nor blame + for any man. Good men have had bad creeds, and bad men have had good ones. + Some of the noblest of the human race have fought and died for the wrong. + The brain of man has been the trysting-place of contradictions. + </p> + <p> + Passion often masters reason, and "the state of man, like to a little + kingdom, suffers then the nature of an insurrection." + </p> + <p> + In the discussion of theological or religious questions, we have almost + passed the personal phase, and we are now weighing arguments instead of + exchanging epithets and curses. They who really seek for truth must be the + best of friends. Each knows that his desire can never take the place of + fact, and that, next to finding truth, the greatest honor must be won in + honest search. + </p> + <p> + We see that many ships are driven in many ways by the same wind. So men, + reading the same book, write many creeds and lay out many roads to heaven. + To the best of my ability, I have examined the religions of many countries + and the creeds of many sects. They are much alike, and the testimony by + which they are substantiated is of such a character that to those who + believe is promised an eternal reward. In all the sacred books there are + some truths, some rays of light, some words of love and hope. The face of + savagery is sometimes softened by a smile—the human triumphs, and + the heart breaks into song. But in these books are also found the words of + fear and hate, and from their pages crawl serpents that coil and hiss in + all the paths of men. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I prefer the books that inspiration has not claimed. Such is + the nature of my brain that Shakespeare gives me greater joy than all the + prophets of the ancient world. There are thoughts that satisfy the hunger + of the mind. I am convinced that Humboldt knew more of geology than the + author of Genesis; that Darwin was a greater naturalist than he who told + the story of the flood; that Laplace was better acquainted with the habits + of the sun and moon than Joshua could have been, and that Haeckel, Huxley, + and Tyndall know more about the earth and stars, about the history of man, + the philosophy of life—more that is of use, ten thousand times—than + all the writers of the sacred books. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the religion of reason—the gospel of this world; in the + development of the mind, in the accumulation of intellectual wealth, to + the end that man may free himself from superstitious fear, to the end that + he may take advantage of the forces of nature to feed and clothe the + world. + </p> + <p> + Let us be honest with ourselves. In the presence of countless mysteries; + standing beneath the boundless heaven sown thick with constellations; + knowing that each grain of sand, each leaf, each blade of grass, asks of + every mind the answer-less question; knowing that the simplest thing + defies solution; feeling that we deal with the superficial and the + relative, and that we are forever eluded by the real, the absolute,—let + us admit the limitations of our minds, and let us have the courage and the + candor to say: We do not know. + </p> + <p> + North American Review, December, 1889. + </p> + <p> + II. + </p> + <p> + THE Christian religion rests on miracles. There are no miracles in the + realm of science. The real philosopher does not seek to excite wonder, but + to make that plain which was wonderful. He does not endeavor to astonish, + but to enlighten. He is perfectly confident that there are no miracles in + nature. He knows that the mathematical expression of the same relations, + contents, areas, numbers and proportions must forever remain the same. He + knows that there are no miracles in chemistry; that the attractions and + repulsions, the loves and hatreds, of atoms are constant. Under like + conditions, he is certain that like will always happen; that the product + ever has been and forever will be the same; that the atoms or particles + unite in definite, unvarying proportions,—so many of one kind mix, + mingle, and harmonize with just so many of another, and the surplus will + be forever cast out. There are no exceptions. Substances are always true + to their natures. They have no caprices, no prejudices, that can vary or + control their action. They are "the same yesterday, to-day, and forever." + </p> + <p> + In this fixedness, this constancy, this eternal integrity, the intelligent + man has absolute confidence. It is useless to tell him that there was a + time when fire would not consume the combustible, when water would not + flow in obedience to the attraction of gravitation, or that there ever was + a fragment of a moment during which substance had no weight. + </p> + <p> + Credulity should be the servant of intelligence. The ignorant have not + credulity enough to believe the actual, because the actual appears to be + contrary to the evidence of their senses. To them it is plain that the sun + rises and sets, and they have not credulity enough to believe in the + rotary motion of the earth—that is to say, they have not + intelligence enough to comprehend the absurdities involved in their + belief, and the perfect harmony between the rotation of the earth and all + known facts. They trust their eyes, not their reason. Ignorance has always + been and always will be at the mercy of appearance. Credulity, as a rule, + believes everything except the truth. The semi-civilized believe in + astrology, but who could convince them of the vastness of astronomical + spaces, the speed of light, or the magnitude and number of suns and + constellations? If Hermann, the magician, and Humboldt, the philosopher, + could have appeared before savages, which would have been regarded as a + god? + </p> + <p> + When men knew nothing of mechanics, nothing of the correlation of force, + and of its indestructibility, they were believers in perpetual motion. So + when chemistry was a kind of sleight-of-hand, or necromancy, something + accomplished by the aid of the supernatural, people talked about the + transmutation of metals, the universal solvent, and the philosopher's + stone. Perpetual motion would be a mechanical miracle; and the + transmutation of metals would be a miracle in chemistry; and if we could + make the result of multiplying two by two five, that would be a miracle in + mathematics. No one expects to find a circle the diameter of which is just + one fourth of the circumference. If one could find such a circle, then + there would be a miracle in geometry. + </p> + <p> + In other words, there are no miracles in any science. The moment we + understand a question or subject, the miraculous necessarily disappears. + If anything actually happens in the chemical world, it will, under like + conditions, happen again. + </p> + <p> + No one need take an account of this result from the mouths of others: all + can try the experiment for themselves. There is no caprice, and no + accident. + </p> + <p> + It is admitted, at least by the Protestant world, that the age of miracles + has passed away, and, consequently, miracles cannot at present be + established by miracles; they must be substantiated by the testimony of + witnesses who are said by certain writers—or, rather, by uncertain + writers—to have lived several centuries ago; and this testimony is + given to us, not by the witnesses themselves, not by persons who say that + they talked with those witnesses, but by unknown persons who did not give + the sources of their information. + </p> + <p> + The question is: Can miracles be established except by miracles? We know + that the writers may have been mistaken. It is possible that they may have + manufactured these accounts themselves. The witnesses may have told what + they knew to be untrue, or they may have been honestly deceived, or the + stories may have been true as at first told. Imagination may have added + greatly to them, so that after several centuries of accretion a very + simple truth was changed to a miracle. + </p> + <p> + We must admit that all probabilities must be against miracles, for the + reason that that which is probable cannot by any possibility be a miracle. + Neither the probable nor the possible, so far as man is concerned, can be + miraculous. The probability therefore says that the writers and witnesses + were either mistaken or dishonest. + </p> + <p> + We must admit that we have never seen a miracle ourselves, and we must + admit that, according to our experience, there are no miracles. If we have + mingled with the world, we are compelled to say that we have known a vast + number of persons—including ourselves—to be mistaken, and many + others who have failed to tell the exact truth. The probabilities are on + the side of our experience, and, consequently, against the miraculous; and + it is a necessity that the free mind moves along the path of least + resistance. + </p> + <p> + The effect of testimony depends on the intelligence and honesty of the + witness and the intelligence of him who weighs. A man living in a + community where the supernatural is expected, where the miraculous is + supposed to be of almost daily occurrence, will, as a rule, believe that + all wonderful things are the result of supernatural agencies. He will + expect providential interference, and, as a consequence, his mind will + pursue the path of least resistance, and will account for all phenomena by + what to him is the easiest method. Such people, with the best intentions, + honestly bear false witness. They have been imposed upon by appearances, + and are victims of delusion and illusion. + </p> + <p> + In an age when reading and writing were substantially unknown, and when + history itself was but the vaguest hearsay handed down from dotage to + infancy, nothing was rescued from oblivion except the wonderful, the + miraculous. The more marvelous the story, the greater the interest + excited. Narrators and hearers were alike ignorant and alike honest. At + that time nothing was known, nothing suspected, of the orderly course of + nature—of the unbroken and unbreakable chain of causes and effects. + The world was governed by caprice. Everything was at the mercy of a being, + or beings, who were themselves controlled by the same passions that + dominated man. Fragments of facts were taken for the whole, and the + deductions drawn were honest and monstrous. + </p> + <p> + It is probably certain that all of the religions of the world have been + believed, and that all the miracles have found credence in countless + brains; otherwise they could not have been perpetuated. They were not all + born of cunning. Those who told were as honest as those who heard. This + being so, nothing has been too absurd for human credence. + </p> + <p> + All religions, so far as I know, claim to have been miraculously founded, + miraculously preserved, and miraculously propagated. The priests of all + claimed to have messages from God, and claimed to have a certain + authority, and the miraculous has always been appealed to for the purpose + of substantiating the message and the authority. + </p> + <p> + If men believe in the supernatural, they will account for all phenomena by + an appeal to supernatural means or power. We know that formerly everything + was accounted for in this way except some few simple things with which man + thought he was perfectly acquainted. After a time men found that under + like conditions like would happen, and as to those things the supposition + of supernatural interference was abandoned; but that interference was + still active as to all the unknown world. In other words, as the circle of + man's knowledge grew, supernatural interference withdrew and was active + only just beyond the horizon of the known. + </p> + <p> + Now, there are some believers in universal special providence—that + is, men who believe in perpetual interference by a supernatural power, + this interference being for the purpose of punishing or rewarding, of + destroying or preserving, individuals and nations. + </p> + <p> + Others have abandoned the idea of providence in ordinary matters, but + still believe that God interferes on great occasions and at critical + moments, especially in the affairs of nations, and that his presence is + manifest in great disasters. This is the compromise position. These people + believe that an infinite being made the universe and impressed upon it + what they are pleased to call "laws," and then left it to run in + accordance with those laws and forces; that as a rule it works well, and + that the divine maker interferes only in cases of accident, or at moments + when the machine fails to accomplish the original design. + </p> + <p> + There are others who take the ground that all is natural; that there never + has been, never will be, never can be any interference from without, for + the reason that nature embraces all, and that there can be no without or + beyond. + </p> + <p> + The first class are Theists pure and simple; the second are Theists as to + the unknown, Naturalists as to the known; and the third are Naturalists + without a touch or taint of superstition. + </p> + <p> + What can the evidence of the first class be worth? This question is + answered by reading the history of those nations that believed thoroughly + and implicitly in the supernatural. There is no conceivable absurdity that + was not established by their testimony. Every law or every fact in nature + was violated. Children were bom without parents; men lived for thousands + of years; others subsisted without food, without sleep; thousands and + thousands were possessed with evil spirits controlled by ghosts and + ghouls; thousands confessed themselves guilty of impossible offences, and + in courts, with the most solemn forms, impossibilities were substantiated + by the oaths, affirmations, and confessions of men, women, and children. + </p> + <p> + These delusions were not confined to ascetics and peasants, but they took + possession of nobles and kings; of people who were at that time called + intelligent; of the then educated. No one denied these wonders, for the + reason that denial was a crime punishable generally with death. Societies, + nations, became insane—victims of ignorance, of dreams, and, above + all, of fears. Under these conditions human testimony is not and cannot be + of the slightest value. We now know that nearly all of the history of the + world is false, and we know this because we have arrived at that phase or + point of intellectual development where and when we know that effects must + have causes, that everything is naturally produced, and that, + consequently, no nation could ever have been great, powerful, and rich + unless it had the soil, the people, the intelligence, and the commerce. + Weighed in these scales, nearly all histories are found to be fictions. + </p> + <p> + The same is true of religions. Every intelligent American is satisfied + that the religions of India, of Egypt, of Greece and Rome, of the Aztecs, + were and are false, and that all the miracles on which they rest are + mistakes. Our religion alone is excepted. Every intelligent Hindoo + discards all religions and all miracles except his own. The question is: + When will people see the defects in their own theology as clearly as they + perceive the same defects in every other? + </p> + <p> + All the so-called false religions were substantiated by miracles, by signs + and wonders, by prophets and martyrs, precisely as our own. Our witnesses + are no better than theirs, and our success is no greater. If their + miracles were false, ours cannot be true. Nature was the same in India and + in Palestine. + </p> + <p> + One of the corner-stones of Christianity is the miracle of inspiration, + and this same miracle lies at the foundation of all religions. How can the + fact of inspiration be established? How could even the inspired man know + that he was inspired? If he was influenced to write, and did write, and + did express thoughts and facts that to him were absolutely new, on + subjects about which he had previously known nothing, how could he know + that he had been influenced by an infinite being? And if he could know, + how could he convince others? + </p> + <p> + What is meant by inspiration? Did the one inspired set down only the + thoughts of a supernatural being? Was he simply an instrument, or did his + personality color the message received and given? Did he mix his ignorance + with the divine information, his prejudices and hatreds with the love and + justice of the Deity? If God told him not to eat the flesh of any beast + that dieth of itself, did the same infinite being also tell him to sell + this meat to the stranger within his gates? + </p> + <p> + A man says that he is inspired—that God appeared to him in a dream, + and told him certain things. Now, the things said to have been + communicated may have been good and wise; but will the fact that the + communication is good or wise establish the inspiration? If, on the other + hand, the communication is absurd or wicked, will that conclusively show + that the man was not inspired? Must we judge from the communication? In + other words, is our reason to be the final standard? + </p> + <p> + How could the inspired man know that the communication was received from + God? If God in reality should appear to a human being, how could this + human being know who had appeared? By what standard would he judge? Upon + this question man has no experience; he is not familiar enough with the + supernatural to know gods even if they exist. Although thousands have + pretended to receive messages, there has been no message in which there + was, or is, anything above the invention of man. There are just as + wonderful things in the uninspired as in the inspired books, and the + prophecies of the heathen have been fulfilled equally with those of the + Judean prophets. If, then, even the inspired man cannot certainly know + that he is inspired, how is it possible for him to demonstrate his + inspiration to others? The last solution of this question is that + inspiration is a miracle about which only the inspired can have the least + knowledge, or the least evidence, and this knowledge and this evidence not + of a character to absolutely convince even the inspired. + </p> + <p> + There is certainly nothing in the Old or the New Testament that could not + have been written by uninspired human beings. To me there is nothing of + any particular value in the Pentateuch. I do not know of a solitary + scientific truth contained in the five books commonly attributed to Moses. + There is not, as far as I know, a line in the book of Genesis calculated + to make a human being better. The laws contained in Exodus, Leviticus, + Numbers, and Deuteronomy are for the most part puerile and cruel. Surely + there is nothing in any of these books that could not have been produced + by uninspired men. Certainly there is nothing calculated to excite + intellectual admiration in the book of Judges or in the wars of Joshua; + and the same may be said of Samuel, Chronicles, and Kings. The history is + extremely childish, full of repetitions of useless details, without the + slightest philosophy, without a generalization bom of a wide survey. + Nothing is known of other nations; nothing imparted of the slightest + value; nothing about education, discovery, or invention. And these idle + and stupid annals are interspersed with myth and miracle, with flattery + for kings who supported priests, and with curses and denunciations for + those who would not hearken to the voice of the prophets. If all the + historic books of the Bible were blotted from the memory of mankind, + nothing of value would be lost. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that the writer or writers of First and Second Kings were + inspired, and that Gibbon wrote "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" + without supernatural assistance? Is it possible that the author of Judges + was simply the instrument of an infinite God, while John W. Draper wrote + "The Intellectual Development of Europe" without one ray of light from the + other world? Can we believe that the author of Genesis had to be inspired, + while Darwin experimented, ascertained, and reached conclusions for + himself. + </p> + <p> + Ought not the work of a God to be vastly superior to that of a man? And if + the writers of the Bible were in reality inspired, ought not that book to + be the greatest of books? For instance, if it were contended that certain + statues had been chiselled by inspired men, such statues should be + superior to any that uninspired man has made. As long as it is admitted + that the Venus de Milo is the work of man, no one will believe in inspired + sculptors—at least until a superior statue has been found. So in the + world of painting. We admit that Corot was uninspired. Nobody claims that + Angelo had supernatural assistance. Now, if some one should claim that a + certain painter was simply the instrumentality of God, certainly the + pictures produced by that painter should be superior to all others. + </p> + <p> + I do not see how it is possible for an intelligent human being to conclude + that the Song of Solomon is the work of God, and that the tragedy of Lear + was the work of an uninspired man. We are all liable to be mistaken, but + the Iliad seems to me a greater work than the Book of Esther, and I prefer + it to the writings of Haggai and Hosea. �?schylus is superior to + Jeremiah, and Shakespeare rises immeasurably above all the sacred books of + the world. + </p> + <p> + It does not seem possible that any human being ever tried to establish a + truth—anything that really happened—by what is called a + miracle. It is easy to understand how that which was common became + wonderful by accretion,—by things added, and by things forgotten,—and + it is easy to conceive how that which was wonderful became by accretion + what was called supernatural. But it does not seem possible that any + intelligent, honest man ever endeavored to prove anything by a miracle. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, miracles could only satisfy people who demanded no + evidence; else how could they have believed the miracle? It also appears + to be certain that, even if miracles had been performed, it would be + impossible to establish that fact by human testimony. In other words, + miracles can only be established by miracles, and in no event could + miracles be evidence except to those who were actually present; and in + order for miracles to be of any value, they would have to be perpetual. It + must also be remembered that a miracle actually performed could by no + possibility shed any light on any moral truth, or add to any human + obligation. + </p> + <p> + If any man has, ever been inspired, this is a secret miracle, known to no + person, and suspected only by the man claiming to be inspired. It would + not be in the power of the inspired to give satisfactory evidence of that + fact to anybody else. + </p> + <p> + The testimony of man is insufficient to establish the supernatural. + Neither the evidence of one man nor of twelve can stand when contradicted + by the experience of the intelligent world. If a book sought to be proved + by miracles is true, then it makes no difference whether it was inspired + or not; and if it is not true, inspiration cannot add to its value. + </p> + <p> + The truth is that the church has always—unconsciously, perhaps—offered + rewards for falsehood. It was founded upon the supernatural, the + miraculous, and it welcomed all statements calculated to support the + foundation. It rewarded the traveller who found evidences of the + miraculous, who had seen the pillar of salt into which the wife of Lot had + been changed, and the tracks of Pharaoh's chariots on the sands of the Red + Sea. It heaped honors on the historian who filled his pages with the + absurd and impossible. It had geologists and astronomers of its own who + constructed the earth and the constellations in accordance with the Bible. + With sword and flame it destroyed the brave and thoughtful men who told + the truth. It was the enemy of investigation and of reason. Faith and + fiction were in partnership. + </p> + <p> + To-day the intelligence of the world denies the miraculous. Ignorance is + the soil of the supernatural. The foundation of Christianity has crumbled, + has disappeared, and the entire fabric must fall. The natural is true. The + miraculous is false. + </p> + <p> + North American Review, March, 1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0011" id="link0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HUXLEY AND AGNOSTICISM. + </h2> + <p> + PROFESSOR HUXLEY AND AGNOSTICISM. + </p> + <p> + IN the February number of the Nineteenth Century, 1889, is an article by + Professor Huxley, entitled "Agnosticism." It seems that a church congress + was held at Manchester in October, 1888, and that the Principal of King's + College brought the topic of Agnosticism before the assembly and made the + following statement: + </p> + <p> + "But if this be so, for a man to urge as an escape from this article of + belief that he has no means of a scientific knowledge of an unseen world, + or of the future, is irrelevant. His difference from Christians lies, not + in the fact that he has no knowledge of these things, but that he does not + believe the authority on which they are stated. He may prefer to call + himself an Agnostic, but his real name is an older one—he is an + infidel; that is to say, an unbeliever. The word infidel, perhaps, carries + an unpleasant significance. Perhaps it is right that it should. It is, and + it ought to be, an unpleasant thing for a man to have to say plainly that + he does not believe in Jesus Christ." + </p> + <p> + Let us examine this statement, putting it in language that is easily + understood; and for that purpose we will divide it into several + paragraphs. + </p> + <p> + First.—"For a man to urge that he has no means of a scientific + knowledge of the unseen world, or of the future, is irrelevant." + </p> + <p> + Is there any other knowledge than a scientific knowledge? Are there + several kinds of knowing? Is there such a thing as scientific ignorance? + If a man says, "I know nothing of the unseen world because I have no + knowledge upon that subject," is the fact that he has no knowledge + absolutely irrelevant? Will the Principal of King's College say that + having no knowledge is the reason he knows? When asked to give your + opinion upon any subject, can it be said that your ignorance of that + subject is irrelevant? If this be true, then your knowledge of the subject + is also irrelevant? + </p> + <p> + Is it possible to put in ordinary English a more perfect absurdity? How + can a man obtain any knowledge of the unseen world? He certainly cannot + obtain it through the medium of the senses. It is not a world that he can + visit. He cannot stand upon its shores, nor can he view them from the + ocean of imagination. The Principal of King's College, however, insists + that these impossibilities are irrelevant. + </p> + <p> + No person has come back from the unseen world. No authentic message has + been delivered. Through all the centuries, not one whisper has broken the + silence that lies beyond the grave. Countless millions have sought for + some evidence, have listened in vain for some word. + </p> + <p> + It is most cheerfully admitted that all this does not prove the + non-existence of another world—all this does not demonstrate that + death ends all. But it is the justification of the Agnostic, who candidly + says, "I do not know." + </p> + <p> + Second.—The Principal of King's College states that the difference + between an Agnostic and a Christian "lies, not in the fact that he has no + knowledge of these things, but that he does not believe the authority on + which they are stated." + </p> + <p> + Is this a difference in knowledge, or a difference in belief—that is + to say, a difference in credulity? + </p> + <p> + The Christian believes the Mosaic account. He reverently hears and admits + the truth of all that he finds within the Scriptures. Is this knowledge? + How is it possible to know whether the reputed authors of the books of the + Old Testament were the real ones? The witnesses are dead. The lips that + could testify are dust. Between these shores roll the waves of many + centuries. Who knows whether such a man as Moses existed or not? Who knows + the author of Kings and Chronicles? By what testimony can we substantiate + the authenticity of the prophets, or of the prophecies, or of the + fulfillments? Is there any difference between the knowledge of the + Christian and of the Agnostic? Does the Principal of King's College know + any more as to the truth of the Old Testament than the man who modestly + calls for evidence? Has not a mistake been made? Is not the difference one + of belief instead of knowledge? And is not this difference founded on the + difference in credulity? Would not an infinitely wise and good being—where + belief is a condition to salvation—supply the evidence? Certainly + the Creator of man—if such exist—knows the exact nature of the + human mind—knows the evidence necessary to convince; and, + consequently, such a being would act in accordance with such conditions. + </p> + <p> + There is a relation between evidence and belief. The mind is so + constituted that certain things, being in accordance with its nature, are + regarded as reasonable, as probable. + </p> + <p> + There is also this fact that must not be overlooked: that is, that just in + the proportion that the brain is developed it requires more evidence, and + becomes less and less credulous. Ignorance and credulity go hand in hand. + Intelligence understands something of the law of average, has an idea of + probability. It is not swayed by prejudice, neither is it driven to + extremes by suspicion. It takes into consideration personal motives. It + examines the character of the witnesses, makes allowance for the ignorance + of the time,—for enthusiasm, for fear,—and comes to its + conclusion without fear and without passion. + </p> + <p> + What knowledge has the Christian of another world? The senses of the + Christian are the same as those of the Agnostic. + </p> + <p> + He hears, sees, and feels substantially the same. His vision is limited. + He sees no other shore and hears nothing from another world. + </p> + <p> + Knowledge is something that can be imparted. It has a foundation in fact. + It comes within the domain of the senses. It can be told, described, + analyzed, and, in addition to all this, it can be classified. Whenever a + fact becomes the property of one mind, it can become the property of the + intellectual world. There are words in which the knowledge can be + conveyed. + </p> + <p> + The Christian is not a supernatural person, filled with supernatural + truths. He is a natural person, and all that he knows of value can be + naturally imparted. It is within his power to give all that he has to the + Agnostic. + </p> + <p> + The Principal of King's College is mistaken when he says that the + difference between the Agnostic and the Christian does not lie in the fact + that the Agnostic has no knowledge, "but that he does not believe the + authority on which these things are stated." + </p> + <p> + The real difference is this: the Christian says that he has knowledge; the + Agnostic admits that he has none; and yet the Christian accuses the + Agnostic of arrogance, and asks him how he has the impudence to admit the + limitations of his mind. To the Agnostic every fact is a torch, and by + this light, and this light only, he walks. + </p> + <p> + It is also true that the Agnostic does not believe the authority relied on + by the Christian. What is the authority of the Christian? Thousands of + years ago it is supposed that certain men, or, rather, uncertain men, + wrote certain things. It is alleged by the Christian that these men were + divinely inspired, and that the words of these men are to be taken as + absolutely true, no matter whether or not they are verified by modern + discovery and demonstration. + </p> + <p> + How can we know that any human being was divinely inspired? There has been + no personal revelation to us to the effect that certain people were + inspired—it is only claimed that the revelation was to them. For + this we have only their word, and about that there is this difficulty: we + know nothing of them, and, consequently, cannot, if we desire, rely upon + their character for truth. This evidence is not simply hearsay—it is + far weaker than that. We have only been told that they said these things; + we do not know whether the persons claiming to be inspired wrote these + things or not; neither are we certain that such persons ever existed. We + know now that the greatest men with whom we are acquainted are often + mistaken about the simplest matters. We also know that men saying + something like the same things, in other countries and in ancient days, + must have been impostors. The Christian has no confidence in the words of + Mohammed; the Mohammedan cares nothing about the declarations of Buddha; + and the Agnostic gives to the words of the Christian the value only of the + truth that is in them. He knows that these sayings get neither truth nor + worth from the person who uttered them. He knows that the sayings + themselves get their entire value from the truth they express. So that the + real difference between the Christian and the Agnostic does not lie in + their knowledge,—for neither of them has any knowledge on this + subject,—but the difference does lie in credulity, and in nothing + else. The Agnostic does not rely on the authority of Moses and the + prophets. He finds that they were mistaken in most matters capable of + demonstration. He finds that their mistakes multiply in the proportion + that human knowledge increases. He is satisfied that the religion of the + ancient Jews is, in most things, as ignorant and cruel as other religions + of the ancient world. He concludes that the efforts, in all ages, to + answer the questions of origin and destiny, and to account for the + phenomena of life, have all been substantial failures. + </p> + <p> + In the presence of demonstration there is no opportunity for the exercise + of faith. Truth does not appeal to credulity—it appeals to evidence, + to established facts, to the constitution of the mind. It endeavors to + harmonize the new fact with all that we know, and to bring it within the + circumference of human experience. + </p> + <p> + The church has never cultivated investigation. It has never said: Let him + who has a mind to think, think; but its cry from the first until now has + been: Let him who has ears to hear, hear. + </p> + <p> + The pulpit does not appeal to the reason of the pew; it speaks by + authority and it commands the pew to believe, and it not only commands, + but it threatens. + </p> + <p> + The Agnostic knows that the testimony of man is not sufficient to + establish what is known as the miraculous. We would not believe to-day the + testimony of millions to the effect that the dead had been raised. The + church itself would be the first to attack such testimony. If we cannot + believe those whom we know, why should we believe witnesses who have been + dead thousands of years, and about whom we know nothing? + </p> + <p> + Third.—The Principal of King's College, growing somewhat severe, + declares that "he may prefer to call himself an Agnostic, but his real + name is an older one—he is an infidel; that is to say, an + unbeliever." + </p> + <p> + This is spoken in a kind of holy scorn. According to this gentleman, an + unbeliever is, to a certain extent, a disreputable person. + </p> + <p> + In this sense, what is an unbeliever? He is one whose mind is so + constituted that what the Christian calls evidence is not satisfactory to + him. Is a person accountable for the constitution of his mind, for the + formation of his brain? Is any human being responsible for the weight that + evidence has upon him? Can he believe without evidence? Is the weight of + evidence a question of choice? Is there such a thing as honestly weighing + testimony? Is the result of such weighing necessary? Does it involve moral + responsibility? If the Mosaic account does not convince a man that it is + true, is he a wretch because he is candid enough to tell the truth? Can he + preserve his manhood only by making a false statement? + </p> + <p> + The Mohammedan would call the Principal of King's College an unbeliever,—so + would the tribes of Central Africa,—and he would return the + compliment, and all would be equally justified. Has the Principal of + King's College any knowledge that he keeps from the rest of the world? Has + he the confidence of the Infinite? Is there anything praiseworthy in + believing where the evidence is sufficient, or is one to be praised for + believing only where the evidence is insufficient? Is a man to be blamed + for not agreeing with his fellow-citizen? Were the unbelievers in the + pagan world better or worse than their neighbors? It is probably true that + some of the greatest Greeks believed in the gods of that nation, and it is + equally true that some of the greatest denied their existence. If + credulity is a virtue now, it must have been in the days of Athens. If to + believe without evidence entities one to eternal reward in this century, + certainly the same must have been true in the days of the Pharaohs. + </p> + <p> + An infidel is one who does not believe in the prevailing religion. We now + admit that the infidels of Greece and Rome were right. The gods that they + refused to believe in are dead. Their thrones are empty, and long ago the + sceptres dropped from their nerveless hands. To-day the world honors the + men who denied and derided these gods. + </p> + <p> + Fourth.—The Principal of King's College ventures to suggest that + "the word infidel, perhaps, carries an unpleasant significance; perhaps it + is right that it should." + </p> + <p> + A few years ago the word infidel did carry "an unpleasant significance." A + few years ago its significance was so unpleasant that the man to whom the + word was applied found himself in prison or at the stake. In particularly + kind communities he was put in the stocks, pelted with offal, derided by + hypocrites, scorned by ignorance, jeered by cowardice, and all the priests + passed by on the other side. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when Episcopalians were regarded as infidels; when a true + Catholic looked upon a follower of Henry VIII. as an infidel, as an + unbeliever; when a true Catholic held in detestation the man who preferred + a murderer and adulterer—a man who swapped religions for the sake of + exchanging wives—to the Pope, the head of the universal church. + </p> + <p> + It is easy enough to conceive of an honest man denying the claims of a + church based on the caprice of an English king. The word infidel "carries + an unpleasant significance" only where the Christians are exceedingly + ignorant, intolerant, bigoted, cruel, and unmannerly. + </p> + <p> + The real gentleman gives to others the rights that he claims for himself. + The civilized man rises far above the bigotry of one who has been "born + again." Good breeding is far gentler than "universal love." + </p> + <p> + It is natural for the church to hate an unbeliever—natural for the + pulpit to despise one who refuses to subscribe, who refuses to give. It is + a question of revenue instead of religion. The Episcopal Church has the + instinct of self-preservation. It uses its power, its influence, to compel + contribution. It forgives the giver. + </p> + <p> + Fifth.—The Principal of King's College insists that "it is, and it + ought to be, an unpleasant thing for a man to have to say plainly that he + does not believe in Jesus Christ." + </p> + <p> + Should it be an unpleasant thing for a man to say plainly what he + believes? Can this be unpleasant except in an uncivilized community—a + community in which an uncivilized church has authority? + </p> + <p> + Why should not a man be as free to say that he does not believe as to say + that he does believe? Perhaps the real question is whether all men have an + equal right to express their opinions. Is it the duty of the minority to + keep silent? Are majorities always right? If the minority had never + spoken, what to-day would have been the condition of this world? Are the + majority the pioneers of progress, or does the pioneer, as a rule, walk + alone? Is it his duty to close his lips? Must the inventor allow his + inventions to die in the brain? Must the discoverer of new truths make of + his mind a tomb? Is man under any obligation to his fellows? Was the + Episcopal religion always in the majority? Was it at any time in the + history of the world an unpleasant thing to be called a Protestant? Did + the word Protestant "carry an unpleasant significance"? Was it "perhaps + right that it should"? Was Luther a misfortune to the human race? + </p> + <p> + If a community is thoroughly civilized, why should it be an unpleasant + thing for a man to express his belief in respectful language? If the + argument is against him, it might be unpleasant; but why should simple + numbers be the foundation of unpleasantness? If the majority have the + facts,—if they have the argument,—why should they fear the + mistakes of the minority? Does any theologian hate the man he can answer? + </p> + <p> + It is claimed by the Episcopal Church that Christ was in fact God; and it + is further claimed that the New Testament is an inspired account of what + that being and his disciples did and said. Is there any obligation resting + on any human being to believe this account? Is it within the power of man + to determine the influence that testimony shall have upon his mind? + </p> + <p> + If one denies the existence of devils, does he, for that reason, cease to + believe in Jesus Christ? Is it not possible to imagine that a great and + tender soul living in Palestine nearly twenty centuries ago was + misunderstood? Is it not within the realm of the possible that his words + have been inaccurately reported? Is it not within the range of the + probable that legend and rumor and ignorance and zeal have deformed his + life and belittled his character? + </p> + <p> + If the man Christ lived and taught and suffered, if he was, in reality, + great and noble, who is his friend—the one who attributes to him + feats of jugglery, or he who maintains that these stories were invented by + zealous ignorance and believed by enthusiastic credulity? + </p> + <p> + If he claimed to have wrought miracles, he must have been either dishonest + or insane; consequently, he who denies miracles does what little he can to + rescue the reputation of a great and splendid man. + </p> + <p> + The Agnostic accepts the good he did, the truth he said, and rejects only + that which, according to his judgment, is inconsistent with truth and + goodness. + </p> + <p> + The Principal of King's College evidently believes in the necessity of + belief. He puts conviction or creed or credulity in place of character. + According to his idea, it is impossible to win the approbation of God by + intelligent investigation and by the expression of honest conclusions. He + imagines that the Infinite is delighted with credulity, with belief + without evidence, faith without question. + </p> + <p> + Man has but little reason, at best; but this little should be used. No + matter how small the taper is, how feeble the ray of light it casts, it is + better than darkness, and no man should be rewarded for extinguishing the + light he has. + </p> + <p> + We know now, if we know anything, that man in this, the nineteenth + century, is better capable of judging as to the happening of any event, + than he ever was before. We know that the standard is higher to-day—we + know that the intellectual light is greater—we know that the human + mind is better equipped to deal with all questions of human interest, than + at any other time within the known history of the human race. + </p> + <p> + It will not do to say that "our Lord and his apostles must at least be + regarded as honest men." Let this be admitted, and what does it prove? + Honesty is not enough. Intelligence and honesty must go hand in hand. We + may admit now that "our Lord and his apostles" were perfectly honest men; + yet it does not follow that we have a truthful account of what they said + and of what they did. It is not pretended that "our Lord" wrote anything, + and it is not known that one of the apostles ever wrote a word. + Consequently, the most that we can say is that somebody has written + something about "our Lord and his apostles." Whether that somebody knew or + did not know is unknown to us. As to whether what is written is true or + false, we must judge by that which is written. + </p> + <p> + First of all, is it probable? is it within the experience of mankind? We + should judge of the gospels as we judge of other histories, of other + biographies. We know that many biographies written by perfectly honest men + are not correct. We know, if we know anything, that honest men can be + mistaken, and it is not necessary to believe everything that a man writes + because we believe he was honest. Dishonest men may write the truth. + </p> + <p> + At last the standard or criterion is for each man to judge according to + what he believes to be human experience. We are satisfied that nothing + more wonderful has happened than is now happening. We believe that the + present is as wonderful as the past, and just as miraculous as the future. + If we are to believe in the truth of the Old Testament, the word evidence + loses its meaning; there ceases to be any standard of probability, and the + mind simply accepts or denies without reason. + </p> + <p> + We are told that certain miracles were performed for the purpose of + attesting the mission and character of Christ. How can these miracles be + verified? The miracles of the Middle Ages rest upon substantially the same + evidence. The same may be said of the wonders of all countries and of all + ages. How is it a virtue to deny the miracles of Mohammed and to believe + those attributed to Christ? + </p> + <p> + You may say of St. Augustine that what he said was true or false. We know + that much of it was false; and yet we are not justified in saying that he + was dishonest. Thousands of errors have been propagated by honest men. As + a rule, mistakes get their wings from honest people. The testimony of a + witness to the happening of the impossible gets no weight from the honesty + of the witness. The fact that falsehoods are in the New Testament does not + tend to prove that the writers were knowingly untruthful. No man can be + honest enough to substantiate, to the satisfaction of reasonable men, the + happening of a miracle. + </p> + <p> + For this reason it makes not the slightest difference whether the writers + of the New Testament were honest or not. Their character is not involved. + Whenever a man rises above his contemporaries, whenever he excites the + wonder of his fellows, his biographers always endeavor to bridge over the + chasm between the people and this man, and for that purpose attribute to + him the qualities which in the eyes of the multitude are desirable. + </p> + <p> + Miracles are demanded by savages, and, consequently, the savage biographer + attributes miracles to his hero. What would we think now of a man who, in + writing the life of Charles Darwin, should attribute to him supernatural + powers? What would we say of an admirer of Humboldt who should claim that + the great German could cast out devils? We would feel that Darwin and + Humboldt had been belittled; that the biographies were written for + children and by men who had not outgrown the nursery. + </p> + <p> + If the reputation of "our Lord" is to be preserved—if he is to stand + with the great and splendid of the earth—if he is to continue a + constellation in the intellectual heavens, all claim to the miraculous, to + the supernatural, must be abandoned. + </p> + <p> + No one can overestimate the evils that have been endured by the human race + by reason of a departure from the standard of the natural. The world has + been governed by jugglery, by sleight-of-hand. Miracles, wonders, tricks, + have been regarded as of far greater importance than the steady, the + sublime and unbroken march of cause and effect. The improbable has been + established by the impossible. Falsehood has furnished the foundation for + faith. + </p> + <p> + Is the human body at present the residence of evil spirits, or have these + imps of darkness perished from the world? Where are they? If the New + Testament establishes anything, it is the existence of innumerable devils, + and that these satanic beings absolutely took possession of the human + mind. Is this true? Can anything be more absurd? Does any intellectual man + who has examined the question believe that depraved demons live in the + bodies of men? Do they occupy space? Do they live upon some kind of food? + Of what shape are they? Could they be classified by a naturalist? Do they + run or float or fly? If to deny the existence of these supposed beings is + to be an infidel, how can the word infidel "carry an unpleasant + significance"? + </p> + <p> + Of course it is the business of the principals of most colleges, as well + as of bishops, cardinals, popes, priests, and clergymen to insist upon the + existence of evil spirits. All these gentlemen are employeed to counteract + the influence of these supposed demons. Why should they take the bread out + of their own mouths? Is it to be expected that they will unfrock + themselves? + </p> + <p> + The church, like any other corporation, has the instinct of + self-preservation. It will defend itself; it will fight as long as it has + the power to change a hand into a fist. + </p> + <p> + The Agnostic takes the ground that human experience is the basis of + morality. Consequently, it is of no importance who wrote the gospels, or + who vouched or vouches for the genuineness of the miracles. In his scheme + of life these things are utterly unimportant. He is satisfied that "the + miraculous" is the impossible. He knows that the witnesses were wholly + incapable of examining the questions involved, that credulity had + possession of their minds, that "the miraculous" was expected, that it was + their daily food. + </p> + <p> + All this is very clearly and delightfully stated by Professor Huxley, and + it hardly seems possible that any intelligent man can read what he says + without feeling that the foundation of all superstition has been weakened. + The article is as remarkable for its candor as for its clearness. Nothing + is avoided—everything is met. No excuses are given.. He has left all + apologies for the other side. When you have finished what Professor Huxley + has written, you feel that your mind has been in actual contact with the + mind of another, that nothing has been concealed; and not only so, but you + feel that this mind is not only willing, but anxious, to know the actual + truth. + </p> + <p> + To me, the highest uses of philosophy are, first, to free the mind of + fear, and, second, to avert all the evil that can be averted, through + intelligence—that is to say, through a knowledge of the conditions + of well-being. + </p> + <p> + We are satisfied that the absolute is beyond our vision, beneath our + touch, above our reach. We are now convinced that we can deal only with + phenomena, with relations, with appearances, with things that impress the + senses, that can be reached by reason, by the exercise of our faculties. + We are satisfied that the reasonable road is "the straight road," the only + "sacred way." + </p> + <p> + Of course there is faith in the world—faith in this world—and + always will be, unless superstition succeeds in every land. But the faith + of the wise man is based upon facts. His faith is a reasonable conclusion + drawn from the known. He has faith in the progress of the race, in the + triumph of intelligence, in the coming sovereignty of science. He has + faith in the development of the brain, in the gradual enlightenment of the + mind. And so he works for the accomplishment of great ends, having faith + in the final victory of the race. + </p> + <p> + He has honesty enough to say that he does not know. He perceives and + admits that the mind has limitations. He doubts the so-called wisdom of + the past. He looks for evidence, and he endeavors to keep his mind free + from prejudice. He believes in the manly virtues, in the judicial spirit, + and in his obligation to tell his honest thoughts. + </p> + <p> + It is useless to talk about a destruction of consolations. That which is + suspected to be untrue loses its power to console. A man should be brave + enough to bear the truth. + </p> + <p> + Professor Huxley has stated with great clearness the attitude of the + Agnostic. It seems that he is somewhat severe on the Positive Philosophy, + While it is hard to see the propriety of worshiping Humanity as a being, + it is easy to understand the splendid dream of August Comte. Is the human + race worthy to be worshiped by itself—that is to say, should the + individual worship himself? Certainly the religion of humanity is better + than the religion of the inhuman. The Positive Philosophy is better far + than Catholicism. It does not fill the heavens with monsters, nor the + future with pain. + </p> + <p> + It may be said that Luther and Comte endeavored to reform the Catholic + Church. Both were mistaken, because the only reformation of which that + church is capable is destruction. It is a mass of superstition. + </p> + <p> + The mission of Positivism is, in the language of its founder, "to + generalize science and to systematize sociality." It seems to me that + Comte stated with great force and with absolute truth the three phases of + intellectual evolution or progress. + </p> + <p> + First.—"In the supernatural phase the mind seeks causes—aspires + to know the essence of things, and the How and Why of their operation. In + this phase, all facts are regarded as the productions of supernatural + agents, and unusual phenomena are interpreted as the signs of the pleasure + or displeasure of some god." + </p> + <p> + Here at this point is the orthodox world of to-day. The church still + imagines that phenomena should be interpreted as the signs of the pleasure + or displeasure of God. Nearly every history is deformed with this childish + and barbaric view. + </p> + <p> + Second.—The next phase or modification, according to Comte, is the + metaphysical. "The supernatural agents are dispensed with, and in their + places we find abstract forces or entities supposed to inhere in + substances and capable of engendering phenomena." + </p> + <p> + In this phase people talk about laws and principles as though laws and + principles were forces capable of producing phenomena. + </p> + <p> + Third.—"The last stage is the Positive. The mind, convinced of the + futility of all enquiry into causes and essences, restricts itself to the + observation and classification of phenomena, and to the discovery of the + invariable relations of succession and similitude—in a word, to the + discovery of the relations of phenomena." + </p> + <p> + Why is not the Positive stage the point reached by the Agnostic? He has + ceased to inquire into the origin of things. He has perceived the + limitations of the mind. He is thoroughly convinced of the uselessness and + futility and absurdity of theological methods, and restricts himself to + the examination of phenomena, to their relations, to their effects, and + endeavors to find in the complexity of things the true conditions of human + happiness. + </p> + <p> + Although I am not a believer in the philosophy of Auguste Comte, I cannot + shut my eyes to the value of his thought; neither is it possible for me + not to applaud his candor, his intelligence, and the courage it required + even to attempt to lay the foundation of the Positive Philosophy. + </p> + <p> + Professor Huxley and Frederic Harrison are splendid soldiers in the army + of Progress. They have attacked with signal success the sacred and solemn + stupidities of superstition. Both have appealed to that which is highest + and noblest in man. Both have been the destroyers of prejudice. Both have + shed light, and both have won great victories on the fields of + intellectual conflict. They cannot afford to waste time in attacking each + other. + </p> + <p> + After all, the Agnostic and the Positivist have the same end in view—both + believe in living for this world. + </p> + <p> + The theologians, finding themselves unable to answer the arguments that + have been urged, resort to the old subterfuge—to the old cry that + Agnosticism takes something of value from the life of man. Does the + Agnostic take any consolation from the world? Does he blot out, or dim, + one star in the heaven of hope? Can there be anything more consoling than + to feel, to know, that Jehovah is not God—that the message of the + Old Testament is not from the infinite? + </p> + <p> + Is it not enough to fill the brain with a happiness unspeakable to know + that the words, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire," will + never be spoken to one of the children of men? + </p> + <p> + Is it a small thing to lift from the shoulders of industry the burdens of + superstition? Is it a little thing to drive the monster of fear from the + hearts of men?—North American Review, April, 1889. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0012" id="link0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ERNEST RENAN. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Blessed are those + Whose blood and judgment are so well co-mingled + That they are not a pipe for fortune's finger + To sound what stop she please." +</pre> + <p> + ERNEST RENAN is dead. Another source of light; another force of + civilization; another charming personality; another brave soul, graceful + in thought, generous in deed; a sculptor in speech, a colorist in words—clothing + all in the poetry born of a delightful union of heart and brain—has + passed to the realm of rest. + </p> + <p> + Reared under the influences of Catholicism, educated for the priesthood, + yet by reason of his natural genius, he began to think. Forces that + utterly subjugate and enslave the mind of mediocrity sometimes rouse to + thought and action the superior soul. + </p> + <p> + Renan began to think—a dangerous thing for a Catholic to do. Thought + leads to doubt, doubt to investigation, investigation to truth—the + enemy of all superstition. + </p> + <p> + He lifted the Catholic extinguisher from the light and flame of reason. He + found that his mental vision was improved. He read the Scriptures for + himself, examined them as he did other books not claiming to be inspired. + He found the same mistakes, the same prejudices, the same miraculous + impossibilities in the book attributed to God that he found in those known + to have been written by men. + </p> + <p> + Into the path of reason, or rather into the highway, Renan was led by + Henriette, his sister, to whom he pays a tribute that has the perfume of a + perfect flower. + </p> + <p> + "I was," writes Renan, "brought up by women and priests, and therein lies + the whole explanation of my good qualities and of my defects." In most + that he wrote is the tenderness of woman, only now and then a little touch + of the priest showing itself, mostly in a reluctance to spoil the ivy by + tearing down some prison built by superstition. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the heartless "scheme" of things he still found it in his + heart to say, "When God shall be complete, He will be just," at the same + time saying that "nothing proves to us that there exists in the world a + central consciousness—a soul of the universe—and nothing + proves the contrary." So, whatever was the verdict of his brain, his heart + asked for immortality. He wanted his dream, and he was willing that others + should have theirs. Such is the wish and will of all great souls. + </p> + <p> + He knew the church thoroughly and anticipated what would finally be + written about him by churchmen: "Having some experience of ecclesiastical + writers I can sketch out in advance the way my biography will be written + in Spanish in some Catholic review, of Santa Fé, in the year 2,000. + Heavens! how black I shall be! I shall be so all the more, because the + church when she feels that she is lost will end with malice. She will bite + like a mad dog." + </p> + <p> + He anticipated such a biography because he had thought for himself, and + because he had expressed his thoughts—because he had declared that + "our universe, within the reach of our experience, is not governed by any + intelligent reason. God, as the common herd understand him, the living + God, the acting God—the God-Providence, does not show himself in the + universe"—because he attacked the mythical and the miraculous in the + life of Christ and sought to rescue from the calumnies of ignorance and + faith a serene and lofty soul. + </p> + <p> + The time has arrived when Jesus must become a myth or a man. The idea that + he was the infinite God must be abandoned by all who are not religiously + insane. Those who have given up the claim that he was God, insist that he + was divinely appointed and illuminated; that he was a perfect man—the + highest possible type of the human race and, consequently, a perfect + example for all the world. + </p> + <p> + As time goes on, as men get wider or grander or more complex ideas of + life, as the intellectual horizon broadens, the idea that Christ was + perfect may be modified. + </p> + <p> + The New Testament seems to describe several individuals under the same + name, or at least one individual who passed through several stages or + phases of religious development. Christ is described as a devout Jew, as + one who endeavored to comply in all respects with the old law. Many + sayings are attributed to him consistent with this idea. He certainly was + a Hebrew in belief and feeling when he said, "Swear not by Heaven, because + it is God's throne, nor by earth, for it is his footstool; nor by + Jerusalem, for it is his holy city." These reasons were in exact + accordance with the mythology of the Jews. God was regarded simply as an + enormous man, as one who walked in the garden in the cool of the evening, + as one who had met man face to face, who had conversed with Moses for + forty days upon Mount Sinai, as a great king, with a throne in the + heavens, using the earth to rest his feet upon, and regarding Jerusalem as + his holy city. + </p> + <p> + Then we find plenty of evidence that he wished to reform the religion of + the Jews; to fulfill the law, not to abrogate it Then there is still + another change: he has ceased his efforts to reform that religion and has + become a destroyer. He holds the Temple in contempt and repudiates the + idea that Jerusalem is the holy city. He concludes that it is unnecessary + to go to some mountain or some building to worship or to find God, and + insists that the heart is the true temple, that ceremonies are useless, + that all pomp and pride and show are needless, and that it is enough to + worship God under heaven's dome, in spirit and in truth. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to harmonize these views unless we admit that Christ was + the subject of growth and change; that in consequence of growth and change + he modified his views; that, from wanting to preserve Judaism as it was, + he became convinced that it ought to be reformed. That he then abandoned + the idea of reformation, and made up his mind that the only reformation of + which the Jewish religion was capable was destruction. If he was in fact a + man, then the course he pursued was natural; but if he was God, it is + perfectly absurd. If we give to him perfect knowledge, then it is + impossible to account for change or growth. If, on the other hand, the + ground is taken that he was a perfect man, then, it might be asked, Was he + perfect when he wished to preserve, or when he wished to reform, or when + he resolved to destroy, the religion of the Jews? If he is to be regarded + as perfect, although not divine, when did he reach perfection? + </p> + <p> + It is perfectly evident that Christ, or the character that bears that + name, imagined that the world was about to be destroyed, or at least + purified by fire, and that, on account of this curious belief, he became + the enemy of marriage, of all earthly ambition and of all enterprise. With + that view in his mind, he said to himself, "Why should we waste our + energies in producing food for destruction? Why should we endeavor to + beautify a world that is so soon to perish?" Filled with the thought of + coming change, he insisted that there was but one important thing, and + that was for each man to save his soul. He should care nothing for the + ties of kindred, nothing for wife or child or property, in the shadow of + the coming disaster. He should take care of himself. He endeavored, as it + is said, to induce men to desert all they had, to let the dead, bury the + dead, and follow him. He told his disciples, or those he wished to make + his disciples, according to the Testament, that it was their duty to + desert wife and child and property, and if they would so desert kindred + and wealth, he would reward them here and hereafter. + </p> + <p> + We know now—if we know anything—that Jesus was mistaken about + the coming of the end, and we know now that he was greatly controlled in + his ideas of life, by that mistake. Believing that the end was near, he + said, "Take no thought for the morrow, what ye shall eat or what ye shall + drink or wherewithal ye shall be clothed." It was in view of the + destruction of the world that he called the attention of his disciples to + the lily that toiled not and yet excelled Solomon in the glory of its + raiment. Having made this mistake, having acted upon it, certainly we + cannot now say that he was perfect in knowledge. + </p> + <p> + He is regarded by many millions as the impersonation of patience, of + forbearance, of meekness and mercy, and yet, according to the account, he + said many extremely bitter words, and threatened eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + We also know, if the account be true, that he claimed to have supernatural + power, to work miracles, to cure the blind and to raise the dead, and we + know that he did nothing of the kind. So if the writers of the New + Testament tell the truth as to what Christ claimed, it is absurd to say + that he was a perfect man. If honest, he was deceived, and those who are + deceived are not perfect. + </p> + <p> + There is nothing in the New Testament, so far as we know, that touches on + the duties of nation to nation, or of nation to its citizens; nothing of + human liberty; not one word about education; not the faintest hint that + there is such a thing as science; nothing calculated to stimulate + industry, commerce, or invention; not one word in favor of art, of music + or anything calculated to feed or clothe the body, nothing to develop the + brain of man. + </p> + <p> + When it is assumed that the life of Christ, as described in the New + Testament, is perfect, we at least take upon ourselves the burden of + deciding what perfection is. People who asserted that Christ was divine, + that he was actually God, reached the conclusion, without any laborious + course of reasoning, that all he said and did was absolute perfection. + They said this because they had first been convinced that he was divine. + The moment his divinity is given up and the assertion is made that he was + perfect, we are not permitted to reason in that way. They said he was God, + therefore perfect. Now, if it is admitted that he was human, the + conclusion that he was perfect does not follow. We then take the burden + upon ourselves of deciding what perfection is. To decide what is perfect + is beyond the powers of the human mind. + </p> + <p> + Renan, in spite of his education, regarded Christ as a man, and did the + best he could to account for the miracles that had been attributed to him, + for the legends that had gathered about his name, and the impossibilities + connected with his career, and also tried to account for the origin or + birth of these miracles, of these legends, of these myths, including the + resurrection and ascension. I am not satisfied with all the conclusions he + reached or with all the paths he traveled. The refraction of light caused + by passing through a woman's tears is hardly a sufficient foundation for a + belief in so miraculous a miracle as the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing attributed to Christ that seems to me conclusive + evidence against the claim of perfection. Christ is reported to have said + that all sins could be forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost. + This sin, however, is not defined. Although Christ died for the whole + world, that through him all might be saved, there is this one terrible + exception: There is no salvation for those who have sinned, or who may + hereafter sin, against the Holy Ghost. Thousands of persons are now in + asylums, having lost their reason because of their fear that they had + committed this unknown, this undefined, this unpardonable sin. + </p> + <p> + It is said that a Roman Emperor went through a form of publishing his laws + or proclamations, posting them so high on pillars that they could not be + read, and then took the lives of those who ignorantly violated these + unknown laws. He was regarded as a tyrant, as a murderer. And yet, what + shall we say of one who declared that the sin against the Holy Ghost was + the only one that could not be forgiven, and then left an ignorant world + to guess what that sin is? Undoubtedly this horror is an interpolation. + </p> + <p> + There is something like it in the Old Testament. It is asserted by + Christians that the Ten Commandments are the foundation of all law and of + all civilization, and you will find lawyers insisting that the Mosaic Code + was the first information that man received on the subject of law; that + before that time the world was without any knowledge of justice or mercy. + If this be true the Jews had no divine laws, no real instruction on any + legal subject until the Ten Commandments were given. Consequently, before + that time there had been proclaimed or published no law against the + worship of other gods or of idols. Moses had been on Mount Sinai talking + with Jehovah. At the end of the dialogue he received the Tables of Stone + and started down the mountain for the purpose of imparting this + information to his followers. When he reached the camp he heard music. He + saw people dancing, and he found that in his absence Aaron and the rest of + the people had cast a molten calf which they were then worshiping. This so + enraged Moses that he broke the Tables of Stone and made preparations for + the punishment of the Jews. Remember that they knew nothing about this + law, and, according to the modern Christian claims, could not have known + that it was wrong to melt gold and silver and mould it in the form of a + calf. And yet Moses killed about thirty thousand of these people for + having violated a law of which they had never heard; a law known only to + one man and one God. Nothing could be more unjust, more ferocious, than + this; and yet it can hardly be said to exceed in cruelty the announcement + that a certain sin was unpardonable and then fail to define the sin. + Possibly, to inquire what the sin is, is the sin. + </p> + <p> + Renan regards Jesus as a man, and his work gets its value from the fact + that it is written from a human standpoint. At the same time he, + consciously or unconsciously, or may be for the purpose of sprinkling a + little holy water on the heat of religious indignation, now and then seems + to speak of him as more than human, or as having accomplished something + that man could not. + </p> + <p> + He asserts that "the Gospels are in part legendary; that they contain many + things not true; that they are full of miracles and of the supernatural." + At the same time he insists that these legends, these miracles, these + supernatural things do not affect the truth of the probable things + contained in these writings. He sees, and sees clearly, that there is no + evidence that Matthew or Mark or Luke or John wrote the books attributed + to them; that, as a matter of fact, the mere title of "according to + Matthew," "according to Mark," shows that they were written by others who + claimed them to be in accordance with the stories that had been told by + Matthew or by Mark. So Renan takes the ground that the Gospel of Luke is + founded on anterior documents and "is the work of a man who selected, + pruned and combined, and that the same man wrote the Acts of the Apostles + and in the same way." + </p> + <p> + The gospels were certainly written long after the events described, and + Renan finds the reason for this in the fact that the Christians believed + that the world was about to end; that, consequently, there was no need of + composing books; it was only necessary for them to preserve in their + hearts during the little margin of time that remained a lively image of + Him whom they soon expected to meet in the clouds. For this reason the + gospels themselves had but little authority for 150 years, the Christians + relying on oral traditions. Renan shows that there was not the slightest + scruple about inserting additions in the gospels, variously combining + them, and in completing some by taking parts from others; that the books + passed from hand to hand, and that each one transcribed in the margin of + his copy the words and parables he had found elsewhere which touched him; + that it was not until human tradition became weakened that the text + bearing the names of the apostles became authoritative. + </p> + <p> + Renan has criticised the gospels somewhat in the same spirit that he would + criticise a modern work. He saw clearly that the metaphysics filling the + discourses of John were deformities and distortions, full of mysticism, + having nothing to do really with the character of Jesus. He shows too + "that the simple idea of the Kingdom of God, at the time the Gospel + according to St. John was written, had faded away; that the hope of the + advent of Christ was growing dim, and that from belief the disciples + passed into discussion, from discussion to dogma, from dogma to ceremony," + and, finding that the new Heaven and the new Earth were not coming as + expected, they turned their attention to governing the old Heaven and the + old Earth. The disciples were willing to be humble for a few days, with + the expectation of wearing crowns forever. They were satisfied with + poverty, believing that the wealth of the world was to be theirs. The + coming of Christ, however, being for some unaccountable reason delayed, + poverty and humility grew irksome, and human nature began to assert + itself. + </p> + <p> + In the Gospel of John you will find the metaphysics of the church. There + you find the Second Birth. There you find the doctrine of the atonement + clearly set forth. There you find that God died for the whole world, and + that whosoever believeth not in him is to be damned. There is nothing of + the kind in Matthew. Matthew makes Christ say that, if you will forgive + others, God will forgive you. The Gospel "according to Mark" is the same. + So is the Gospel "according to Luke." There is nothing about salvation + through belief, nothing about the atonement. In Mark, in the last chapter, + the apostles are told to go into all the world and preach the gospel, with + the statement that whoever believed and was baptised should be saved, and + whoever failed to believe should be damned. But we now know that that is + an interpolation. Consequently, Matthew, Mark and Luke never had the + faintest conception of the "Christian religion." They knew nothing of the + atonement, nothing of salvation by faith—nothing. So that if a man + had read only Matthew, Mark and Luke, and had strictly followed what he + found, he would have found himself, after death, in perdition. + </p> + <p> + Renan finds that certain portions of the Gospel "according to John" were + added later; that the entire twenty-first chapter is an interpolation; + also, that many places bear the traces of erasures and corrections. So he + says that it would be "impossible for any one to compose a life of Jesus, + with any meaning in it, from the discourses which John attributes to him, + and he holds that this Gospel of John is full of preaching, Christ + demonstrating himself; full of argumentation, full of stage effect, devoid + of simplicity, with long arguments after each miracle, stiff and awkward + discourses, the tone of which is often false and unequal." He also insists + that there are evidently "artificial portions, variations like that of a + musician improvising on a given theme." + </p> + <p> + In spite of all this, Renan, willing to soothe the prejudice of his time, + takes the ground that the four canonical gospels are authentic, that they + date from the first century, that the authors were, generally speaking, + those to whom they are attributed; but he insists that their historic + value is very diverse. This is a back-handed stroke. Admitting, first, + that they are authentic; second, that they were written about the end of + the first century; third, that they are not of equal value, disposes, so + far as he is concerned, of the dogma of inspiration. + </p> + <p> + One is at a loss to understand why four gospels should have been written. + As a matter of fact there can be only one true account of any occurrence, + or of any number of occurrences. Now, it must be taken for granted, that + an inspired account is true. Why then should there be four inspired + accounts? It may be answered that all were not to write the entire story. + To this the reply is that all attempted to cover substantially the same + ground. + </p> + <p> + Many years ago the early fathers thought it necessary to say why there + were four inspired books, and some of them said, because there were four + cardinal directions and the gospels fitted the north, south, east and + west. Others said that there were four principal winds—a gospel for + each wind. They might have added that some animals have four legs. + </p> + <p> + Renan admits that the narrative portions have not the same authority; + "that many legends proceeded from the zeal of the second Christian + generation; that the narrative of Luke is historically weak; that + sentences attributed to Jesus have been distorted and exaggerated; that + the book was written outside of Palestine and after the siege of + Jerusalem; that Luke endeavors to make the different narratives agree, + changing them for that purpose; that he softens the passages which had + become embarrassing; that he exaggerated the marvelous, omitted errors in + chronology; that he was a compiler, a man who had not been an eye-witness + himself, and who had not seen eye-witnesses, but who labors at texts and + wrests their sense to make them agree." This certainly is very far from + inspiration. So "Luke interprets the documents according to his own idea; + being a kind of anarchist, opposed to property, and persuaded that the + triumph of the poor was approaching; that he was especially fond of the + anecdotes showing the conversion of sinners, the exaltation of the humble, + and that he modified ancient traditions to give them this meaning." + </p> + <p> + Renan reached the conclusion that the gospels are neither biographies + after the manner of Suetonius nor fictitious legends in the style of + Philostratus, but that they are legendary biographies like the legends of + the saints, the lives of Plotinus and Isidore, in which historical truth + and the desire to present models of virtue are combined in various + degrees; that they are "inexact" that they "contain numerous errors and + discordances." So he takes the ground that twenty or thirty years after + Christ, his reputation had greatly increased, that "legends had begun to + gather about Him like clouds," that "death added to His perfection, + freeing Him from all defects in the eyes of those who had loved Him, that + His followers wrested the prophecies so that they might fit Him. They + said, 'He is the Messiah.' The Messiah was to do certain things; therefore + Jesus did certain things. Then an account would be given of the doing." + All of which of course shows that there can be maintained no theory of + inspiration. + </p> + <p> + It is admitted that where individuals are witnesses of the same + transaction, and where they agree upon the vital points and disagree upon + details, the disagreement may be consistent with their honesty, as tending + to show that they have not agreed upon a story; but if the witnesses are + inspired of God then there is no reason for their disagreeing on anything, + and if they do disagree it is a demonstration that they were not inspired, + but it is not a demonstration that they are not honest. While perfect + agreement may be evidence of rehearsal, a failure to perfectly agree is + not a demonstration of the truth or falsity of a story; but if the + witnesses claim to be inspired, the slightest disagreement is a + demonstration that they were not inspired. + </p> + <p> + Renan reaches the conclusion, proving every step that he takes, that the + four principal documents—that is to say, the four gospels—are + in "flagrant contradiction one with another." He attacks, and with perfect + success, the miracles of the Scriptures, and upon this subject says: + "Observation, which has never once been falsified, teaches us that + miracles never happen, but in times and countries in which they are + believed and before persons disposed to believe them. No miracle ever + occurred in the presence of men capable of testing its miraculous + character." He further takes the ground that no contemporary miracle will + bear inquiry, and that consequently it is probable that the miracles of + antiquity which have been performed in popular gatherings would be shown + to be simple illusion, were it possible to criticise them in detail. In + the name of universal experience he banishes miracles from history. These + were brave things to do, things that will bear good fruit. As long as men + believe in miracles, past or present they remain the prey of superstition. + The Catholic is taught that miracles were performed anciently not only, + but that they are still being performed. This is consistent inconsistency. + Protestants teach a double doctrine: That miracles used to be performed, + that the laws of nature used to be violated, but that no miracle is + performed now. No Protestant will admit that any miracle was performed by + the Catholic Church. Otherwise, Protestants could not be justified in + leaving a church with whom the God of miracles dwelt. So every Protestant + has to adopt two kinds of reasoning: that the laws of Nature used to be + violated and that miracles used to be performed, but that since the + apostolic age Nature has had her way and the Lord has allowed facts to + exist and to hold the field. A supernatural account, according to Renan, + "always implies credulity or imposture,"—probably both. + </p> + <p> + It does not seem possible to me that Christ claimed for himself what the + Testament claims for him. These claims were made by admirers, by + followers, by missionaries. + </p> + <p> + When the early Christians went to Rome they found plenty of demigods. It + was hard to set aside the religion of a demigod by telling the story of a + man from Nazareth. These missionaries, not to be outdone in ancestry, + insisted—and this was after the Gospel "according to St. John" had + been written—that Christ was the Son of God. Matthew believed that + he was the son of David, and the Messiah, and gave the genealogy of + Joseph, his father, to support that claim. + </p> + <p> + In the time of Christ no one imagined that he was of divine origin. This + was an after-growth. In order to place themselves on an equality with + Pagans they started the claim of divinity, and also took the second step + requisite in that country: First, a god for his father, and second, a + virgin for his mother. This was the Pagan combination of greatness, and + the Christians added to this that Christ was God. + </p> + <p> + It is hard to agree with the conclusion reached by Renan, that Christ + formed and intended to form a church. Such evidence, it seems to me, is + hard to find in the Testament. Christ seemed to satisfy himself, according + to the Testament, with a few statements, some of them exceedingly wise and + tender, some utterly impracticable and some intolerant. + </p> + <p> + If we accept the conclusions reached by Renan we will throw away, the + legends without foundation; the miraculous legends; and everything + inconsistent with what we know of Nature. Very little will be left—a + few sayings to be found among those attributed to Confucius, to Buddha, to + Krishna, to Epictetus, to Zeno, and to many others. Some of these sayings + are full of wisdom, full of kindness, and others rush to such extremes + that they touch the borders of insanity. When struck on one cheek to turn + the other, is really joining a conspiracy to secure the triumph of + brutality. To agree not to resist evil is to become an accomplice of all + injustice. We must not take from industry, from patriotism, from virtue, + the right of self-defence. + </p> + <p> + Undoubtedly Renan gave an honest transcript of his mind, the road his + thought had followed, the reasons in their order that had occurred to him, + the criticisms born of thought, and the qualifications, softening phrases, + children of old sentiments and emotions that had not entirely passed away. + He started, one might say, from the altar and, during a considerable part + of the journey, carried the incense with him. The farther he got away, the + greater was his clearness of vision and the more thoroughly he was + convinced that Christ was merely a man, an idealist. But, remembering the + altar, he excused exaggeration in the "inspired" books, not because it was + from heaven, not because it was in harmony with our ideas of veracity, but + because the writers of the gospel were imbued with the Oriental spirit of + exaggeration, a spirit perfectly understood by the people who first read + the gospels, because the readers knew the habits of the writers. + </p> + <p> + It had been contended for many years that no one could pass judgment on + the veracity of the Scriptures who did not understand Hebrew. This + position was perfectly absurd. No man needs to be a student of Hebrew to + know that the shadow on the dial did not go back several degrees to + convince a petty king that a boil was not to be fatal. Renan, however, + filled the requirement. He was an excellent Hebrew scholar. This was a + fortunate circumstance, because it answered a very old objection. + </p> + <p> + The founder of Christianity was, for his own sake, taken from the divine + pedestal and allowed to stand like other men on the earth, to be judged by + what he said and did, by his theories, by his philosophy, by his spirit. + </p> + <p> + No matter whether Renan came to a correct conclusion or not, his work did + a vast deal of good. He convinced many that implicit reliance could not be + placed upon the gospels, that the gospels themselves are of unequal worth; + that they were deformed by ignorance and falsehood, or, at least, by + mistake; that if they wished to save the reputation of Christ they must + not rely wholly on the gospels, or on what is found in the New Testament, + but they must go farther and examine all legends touching him. Not only + so, but they must throw away the miraculous, the impossible and the + absurd. + </p> + <p> + He also has shown that the early followers of Christ endeavored to add to + the reputation of their Master by attributing to him the miraculous and + the foolish; that while these stories added to his reputation at that + time, since the world has advanced they must be cast aside or the + reputation of the Master must suffer. + </p> + <p> + It will not do now to say that Christ himself pretended to do miracles. + This would establish the fact at least that he was mistaken. But we are + compelled to say that his disciples insisted that he was a worker of + miracles. This shows, either that they were mistaken or untruthful. + </p> + <p> + We all know that a sleight-of-hand performer could gain a greater + reputation among savages than Darwin or Humboldt; and we know that the + world in the time of Christ was filled with barbarians, with people who + demanded the miraculous, who expected it; with people, in fact, who had a + stronger belief in the supernatural than in the natural; people who never + thought it worth while to record facts. The hero of such people, the + Christ of such people, with his miracles, cannot be the Christ of the + thoughtful and scientific. + </p> + <p> + Renan was a man of most excellent temper; candid; not striving for + victory, but for truth; conquering, as far as he could, the old + superstitions; not entirely free, it may be, but believing himself to be + so. He did great good. He has helped to destroy the fictions of faith. He + has helped to rescue man from the prison of superstition, and this is the + greatest benefit that man can bestow on man. + </p> + <p> + He did another great service, not only to Jews, but to Christendom, by + writing the history of "The People of Israel." Christians for many + centuries have persecuted the Jews. They have charged them with the + greatest conceivable crime—with having crucified an infinite God. + This absurdity has hardened the hearts of men and poisoned the minds of + children. The persecution of the Jews is the meanest, the most senseless + and cruel page in history. Every civilized Christian should feel on his + cheeks the red spots of shame as he reads the wretched and infamous story. + </p> + <p> + The flame of this prejudice is fanned and fed in the Sunday schools of our + day, and the orthodox minister points proudly to the atrocities + perpetrated against the Jews by the barbarians of Russia as evidences of + the truth of the inspired Scriptures. In every wound God puts a tongue to + proclaim the truth of his book. + </p> + <p> + If the charge that the Jews killed God were true, it is hardly reasonable + to hold those who are now living responsible for what their ancestors did + nearly nineteen centuries ago. + </p> + <p> + But there is another point in connection with this matter: If Christ was + God, then the Jews could not have killed him without his consent; and, + according to the orthodox creed, if he had not been sacrificed, the whole + world would have suffered eternal pain. Nothing can exceed the meanness of + the prejudice of Christians against the Jewish people. They should not be + held responsible for their savage ancestors, or for their belief that + Jehovah was an intelligent and merciful God, superior to all other gods. + Even Christians do not wish to be held responsible for the Inquisition, + for the Torquemadas and the John Calvins, for the witch-burners and the + Quaker-whippers, for the slave-traders and child-stealers, the most of + whom were believers in our "glorious gospel," and many of whom had been + bom the second time. + </p> + <p> + Renan did much to civilize the Christians by telling the truth in a + charming and convincing way about the "People of Israel." Both sides are + greatly indebted to him: one he has ably defended, and the other greatly + enlightened. + </p> + <p> + Having done what good he could in giving what he believed was light to his + fellow-men, he had no fear of becoming a victim of God's wrath, and so he + laughingly said: "For my part I imagine that if the Eternal in his + severity were to send me to hell I should succeed in escaping from it. I + would send up to my Creator a supplication that would make him smile. The + course of reasoning by which I would prove to him that it was through his + fault that I was damned would be so subtle that he would find some + difficulty in replying. The fate which would suit me best is Purgatory—a + charming place, where many delightful romances begun on earth must be + continued." + </p> + <p> + Such cheerfulness, such good philosophy, with cap and bells, such banter + and blasphemy, such sound and solid sense drive to madness the priest who + thinks the curse of Rome can fright the world. How the snake of + superstition writhes when he finds that his fangs have lost their poison. + </p> + <p> + He was one of the gentlest of men—one of the fairest in discussion, + dissenting from the views of others with modesty, presenting his own with + clearness and candor. His mental manners were excellent. He was not + positive as to the "unknowable." He said "Perhaps." He knew that knowledge + is good if it increases the happiness of man; and he felt that + superstition is the assassin of liberty and civilization. He lived a life + of cheerfulness, of industry, devoted to the welfare of mankind. + </p> + <p> + He was a seeker of happiness by the highway of the natural, a destroyer of + the dogmas of mental deformity, a worshiper of Liberty and the Ideal. As + he lived, he died—hopeful and serene—and now, standing in + imagination by his grave, we ask: Will the night be eternal? The brain + says, Perhaps; while the heart hopes for the Dawn.—North American + Review, November, 1892. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0013" id="link0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + TOLSTOÏ AND "THE KREUTZER SONATA." + </h2> + <p> + COUNT TOLSTOÏ is a man of genius. He is acquainted with Russian life + from the highest to the lowest—that is to say, from the worst to the + best. He knows the vices of the rich and the virtues of the poor. He is a + Christian, a real believer in the Old and New Testaments, an honest + follower of the Peasant of Palestine. He denounces luxury and ease, art + and music; he regards a flower with suspicion, believing that beneath + every blossom lies a coiled serpent. He agrees with Lazarus and denounces + Dives and the tax-gatherers. He is opposed, not only to doctors of + divinity, but of medicine. + </p> + <p> + From the Mount of Olives he surveys the world. + </p> + <p> + He is not a Christian like the Pope in the Vatican, or a cardinal in a + palace, or a bishop with revenues and retainers, or a millionaire who + hires preachers to point out the wickedness of the poor, or the director + of a museum who closes the doors on Sunday. He is a Christian something + like Christ. + </p> + <p> + To him this life is but a breathing-spell between the verdict and the + execution; the sciences are simply sowers of the seeds of pride, of + arrogance and vice. Shocked by the cruelties and unspeakable horrors of + war, he became a non-resistant and averred that he would not defend his + own body or that of his daughter from insult and outrage. In this he + followed the command of his Master: "Resist not evil." He passed, not + simply from war to peace, but from one extreme to the other, and advocated + a doctrine that would leave the basest of mankind the rulers of the world. + This was and is the error of a great and tender soul. + </p> + <p> + He did not accept all the teachings of Christ at once. His progress has + been, judging from his writings, somewhat gradual; but by accepting one + proposition he prepared himself for the acceptance of another. He is not + only a Christian, but has the courage of his convictions, and goes without + hesitation to the logical conclusion. He has another exceedingly rare + quality; he acts in accordance with his belief. His creed is translated + into deed. He opposes the doctors of divinity, because they darken and + deform the teachings of the Master. He denounces the doctors of medicine, + because he depends on Providence and the promises of Jesus Christ. To him + that which is called progress is, in fact, a profanation, and property is + a something that the organized few have stolen from the unorganized many. + He believes in universal labor, which is good, each working for himself. + He also believes that each should have only the necessaries of life—which + is bad. According to his idea, the world ought to be filled with peasants. + There should be only arts enough to plough and sow and gather the harvest, + to build huts, to weave coarse cloth, to fashion clumsy and useful + garments, and to cook the simplest food. Men and women should not adorn + their bodies. They should not make themselves desirable or beautiful. + </p> + <p> + But even under such circumstances they might, like the Quakers, be proud + of humility and become arrogantly meek. + </p> + <p> + Tolstoi would change the entire order of human development. As a matter of + fact, the savage who adorns himself or herself with strings of shells, or + with feathers, has taken the first step towards civilization. The tatooed + is somewhat in advance of the unfrescoed. At the bottom of all this is the + love of approbation, of the admiration of their fellows, and this feeling, + this love, cannot be torn from the human heart. + </p> + <p> + In spite of ourselves we are attracted by what to us is beautiful, because + beauty is associated with pleasure, with enjoyment. The love of the + well-formed, of the beautiful, is prophetic of the perfection of the human + race. It is impossible to admire the deformed. They may be loved for their + goodness or genius, but never because of their deformity. There is within + us the love of proportion. There is a physical basis for the appreciation + of harmony, which is also a kind of proportion. + </p> + <p> + The love of the beautiful is shared with man by most animals. The wings of + the moth are painted by love, by desire. This is the foundation of the + bird's song. This love of approbation, this desire to please, to be + admired, to be loved, is in some way the cause of all heroic, + self-denying, and sublime actions. + </p> + <p> + Count Tolstoï, following parts of the New Testament, regards love as + essentially impure. He seems really to think that there is a love superior + to human love; that the love of man for woman, of woman for man, is, after + all, a kind of glittering degradation; that it is better to love God than + woman; better to love the invisible phantoms of the skies than the + children upon our knees—in other words, that it is far better to + love a heaven somewhere else than to make one here. He seems to think that + women adorn themselves simply for the purpose of getting in their power + the innocent and unsuspecting men. He forgets that the best and purest of + human beings are controlled, for the most part unconsciously, by the + hidden, subtle tendencies of nature. He seems to forget the great fact of + "natural selection," and that the choice of one in preference to all + others is the result of forces beyond the control of the individual. To + him there seems to be no purity in love, because men are influenced by + forms, by the beauty of women; and women, knowing this fact, according to + him, act, and consequently both are equally guilty. He endeavors to show + that love is a delusion; that at best it can last but for a few days; that + it must of necessity be succeeded by indifference, then by disgust, lastly + by hatred; that in every Garden of Eden is a serpent of jealousy, and that + the brightest days end with the yawn of ennui. + </p> + <p> + Of course he is driven to the conclusion that life in this world is + without value, that the race can be perpetuated only by vice, and that the + practice of the highest virtue would leave the world without the form of + man. Strange as it may sound to some, this is the same conclusion reached + by his Divine Master: "They did eat, they drank, they married, they were + given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered the ark and the flood + came and destroyed them all." "Every one that hath forsaken houses, or + brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or + lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit + everlasting life." + </p> + <p> + According to Christianity, as it really is and really was, the Christian + should have no home in this world—at least none until the earth has + been purified by fire. His affections should be given to God; not to wife + and children, not to friends or country. He is here but for a time on a + journey, waiting for the summons. This life is a kind of dock running out + into the sea of eternity, on which he waits for transportation. Nothing + here is of any importance; the joys of life are frivolous and corrupting, + and by losing these few gleams of happiness in this world he will bask + forever in the unclouded rays of infinite joy. Why should a man risk an + eternity of perfect happiness for the sake of enjoying himself a few days + with his wife and children? Why should he become an eternal outcast for + the sake of having a home and fireside here? + </p> + <p> + The "Fathers" of the church had the same opinion of marriage. They agreed + with Saint Paul, and Tolstoï agrees with them. They had the same + contempt for wives and mothers, and uttered the same blasphemies against + that divine passion that has filled the world with art and song. + </p> + <p> + All this is to my mind a kind of insanity; nature soured or withered—deformed + so that celibacy is mistaken for virtue. The imagination becomes polluted, + and the poor wretch believes that he is purer than his thoughts, holier + than his desires, and that to outrage nature is the highest form of + religion. But nature imprisoned, obstructed, tormented, always has sought + for and has always found revenge. Some of these victims, regarding the + passions as low and corrupting, feeling humiliated by hunger and thirst, + sought through maimings and mutilations the purification of the soul. + </p> + <p> + Count Tolstoi in "The Kreutzer Sonata," has drawn, with a free hand, one + of the vilest and basest of men for his hero. He is suspicious, jealous, + cruel, infamous. The wife is infinitely too good for such a wild + unreasoning beast, and yet the writer of this insane story seems to + justify the assassin. If this is a true picture of wedded life in Russia, + no wonder that Count Tolstoï looks forward with pleasure to the + extinction of the human race. + </p> + <p> + Of all passions that can take possession of the heart or brain jealousy is + the worst. For many generations the chemists sought for the secret by + which all metals could be changed to gold, and through which the basest + could become the best. Jealousy seeks exactly the opposite. It endeavors + to transmute the very gold of love into the dross of shame and crime. + </p> + <p> + The story of "The Kreutzer Sonata" seems to have been written for the + purpose of showing that woman is at fault; that she has no right to be + attractive, no right to be beautiful; and that she is morally responsible + for the contour of her throat, for the pose of her body, for the symmetry + of her limbs, for the red of her lips, and for the dimples in her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + The opposite of this doctrine is nearer true. It would be far better to + hold people responsible for their ugliness than for their beauty. It may + be true that the soul, the mind, in some wondrous way fashions the body, + and that to that extent every individual is responsible for his looks. It + may be that the man or woman thinking high thoughts will give, + necessarily, a nobility to expression and a beauty to outline. + </p> + <p> + It is not true that the sins of man can be laid justly at the feet of + woman. Women are better than men; they have greater responsibilities; they + bear even the burdens of joy. This is the real reason why their faults are + considered greater. + </p> + <p> + Men and women desire each other, and this desire is a condition of + civilization, progress, and happiness, and of everything of real value. + But there is this profound difference in the sexes: in man this desire is + the foundation of love, while in woman love is the foundation of this + desire. + </p> + <p> + Tolstoï seems to be a stranger to the heart of woman. + </p> + <p> + Is it not wonderful that one who holds self-denial in such high esteem + should say, "That life is embittered by the fear of one's children, and + not only on account of their real or imaginary illnesses, but even by + their very presence"? + </p> + <p> + Has the father no real love for the children? Is he not paid a thousand + times through their caresses, their sympathy, their love? Is there no joy + in seeing their minds unfold, their affections develop? Of course, love + and anxiety go together. That which we love we wish to protect. The + perpetual fear of death gives love intensity and sacredness. Yet Count + Tolstoï gives us the feelings of a father incapable of natural + affection; of one who hates to have his children sick because the orderly + course of his wretched life is disturbed. So, too, we are told that modern + mothers think too much of their children, care too much for their health, + and refuse to be comforted when they die. Lest these words may be thought + libellous, the following extract is given; + </p> + <p> + "In old times women consoled themselves with the belief, The Lord hath + given, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. They + consoled themselves with the thought that the soul of the departed had + returned to him who gave it; that it was better to die innocent than to + live in sin. If women nowadays had such a comfortable faith to support + them, they might take their misfortunes less hard." + </p> + <p> + The conclusion reached by the writer is that without faith in God, woman's + love grovels in the mire. + </p> + <p> + In this case the mire is made by the tears of mothers falling on the clay + that hides their babes. + </p> + <p> + The one thing constant, the one peak that rises above all clouds, the one + window in which the light forever burns, the one star that darkness cannot + quench, is woman's love. + </p> + <p> + This one fact justifies the existence and the perpetuation of the human + race. Again I say that women are better than men; their hearts are more + unreservedly given; in the web of their lives sorrow is inextricably woven + with the greatest joys; self-sacrifice is a part of their nature, and at + the behest of love and maternity they walk willingly and joyously down to + the very gates of death. + </p> + <p> + Is there nothing in this to excite the admiration, the adoration, of a + modern reformer? Are the monk and nun superior to the father and mother? + </p> + <p> + The author of "The Kreutzer Sonata" is unconsciously the enemy of mankind. + He is filled with what might be called a merciless pity, a sympathy almost + malicious. Had he lived a few centuries ago, he might have founded a + religion; but the most he can now do is, perhaps, to create the necessity + for another asylum. + </p> + <p> + Count Tolstoi objects to music—not the ordinary kind, but to great + music, the music that arouses the emotions, that apparently carries us + beyond the limitations of life, that for the moment seems to break the + great chain of cause and effect, and leaves the soul soaring and free. + "Emotion and duty," he declares, "do not go hand in hand." All art touches + and arouses the emotional nature. The painter, the poet, the sculptor, the + composer, the orator, appeal to the emotions, to the passions, to the + hopes and fears. The commonplace is transfigured; the cold and angular + facts of existence take form and color; the blood quickens; the fancies + spread their wings; the intellect grows sympathetic; the river of life + flows full and free; and man becomes capable of the noblest deeds. Take + emotion from the heart of man and the idea of obligation would be lost; + right and wrong would lose their meaning, and the word "ought" would never + again be spoken. We are subject to conditions, liable to disease, pain, + and death. We are capable of ecstasy. Of these conditions, of these + possibilities, the emotions are born. + </p> + <p> + Only the conditionless can be the emotionless. + </p> + <p> + We are conditioned beings; and if the conditions are changed, the result + may be pain or death or greater joy. We can only live within certain + degrees of heat. If the weather were a few degrees hotter or a few degrees + colder, we could not exist. We need food and roof and raiment. Life and + happiness depend on these conditions. We do not certainly know what is to + happen, and consequently our hopes and fears are constantly active—that + is to say, we are emotional beings. The generalization of Tolstoï, + that emotion never goes hand in hand with duty, is almost the opposite of + the truth. The idea of duty could not exist without emotion. Think of men + and women without love, without desires, without passions? Think of a + world without art or music—a world without beauty, without emotion. + </p> + <p> + And yet there are many writers busy pointing out the loathsomeness of love + and their own virtues. Only a little while ago an article appeared in one + of the magazines in which all women who did not dress according to the + provincial prudery of the writer were denounced as impure. Millions of + refined and virtuous wives and mothers were described as dripping with + pollution because they enjoyed dancing and were so well formed that they + were not obliged to cover their arms and throats to avoid the pity of + their associates. And yet the article itself is far more indelicate than + any dance or any dress, or even lack of dress. What a curious opinion + dried apples have of fruit upon the tree! + </p> + <p> + Count Tolstoï is also the enemy of wealth, of luxury. In this he + follows the New Testament. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye + of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven." He + gathers his inspiration from the commandment, "Sell all that thou hast and + give to the poor." + </p> + <p> + Wealth is not a crime any more than health or bodily or intellectual + strength. The weak might denounce the strong, the sickly might envy the + healthy, just as the poor may denounce or envy the rich. A man is not + necessarily a criminal because he is wealthy. He is to be judged, not by + his wealth, but by the way he uses his wealth. The strong man can use his + strength, not only for the benefit of himself, but for the good of others. + So a man of intelligence can be a benefactor of the human race. + Intelligence is often used to entrap the simple and to prey upon the + unthinking, but we do not wish to do away with intelligence. So strength + is often used to tyrannize over the weak, and in the same way wealth may + be used to the injury of mankind. To sell all that you have and give to + the poor is not a panacea for poverty. The man of wealth should help the + poor man to help himself. Men cannot receive without giving some + consideration, and if they have not labor or property to give, they give + their manhood, their self-respect. Besides, if all should obey this + injunction, "Sell what thou hast and give to the poor," who would buy? We + know that thousands and millions of rich men lack generosity and have but + little feeling for their fellows. The fault is not in the money, not in + the wealth, but in the individuals. They would be just as bad were they + poor. The only difference is that they would have less power. The good man + should regard wealth as an instrumentality, as an opportunity, and he + should endeavor to benefit his fellow-men, not by making them the + recipients of his charity, but by assisting them to assist themselves. The + desire to clothe and feed, to educate and protect, wives and children, is + the principal reason for making money—one of the great springs of + industry, prudence, and economy. + </p> + <p> + Those who labor have a right to live. They have a right to what they earn. + He who works has a right to home and fireside and to the comforts of life. + Those who waste the spring, the summer, and the autumn of their lives must + bear the winter when it comes. Many of our institutions are absurdly + unjust. Giving the land to the few, making tenants of the many, is the + worst possible form of socialism—of paternal government. In most of + the nations of our day the idlers and non-producers are either beggars or + aristocrats, paupers or princes, and the great middle laboring class + support them both. Rags and robes have a liking for each other. Beggars + and kings are in accord; they are all parasites, living on the same blood, + stealing the same labor—one by beggary, the other by force. And yet + in all this there can be found no reason for denouncing the man who has + accumulated. One who wishes to tear down his bams and build greater has + laid aside something to keep the wolf of want from the door of home when + he is dead. + </p> + <p> + Even the beggars see the necessity of others working, and the nobility see + the same necessity with equal clearness. But it is hardly reasonable to + say that all should do the same kind of work, for the reason that all have + not the same aptitudes, the same talents. Some can plough, others can + paint; some can reap and mow, while others can invent the instruments that + save labor; some navigate the seas; some work in mines; while others + compose music that elevates and refines the heart of the world. + </p> + <p> + But the worst thing in "The Kreutzer Sonata" is the declaration that a + husband can by force compel the wife to love and obey him. Love is not the + child of fear; it is not the result of force. No one can love on + compulsion. Even Jehovah found that it was impossible to compel the Jews + to love him. He issued his command to that effect, coupled with threats of + pain and death, but his chosen people failed to respond. + </p> + <p> + Love is the perfume of the heart; it is not subject to the will of + husbands or kings or God. + </p> + <p> + Count Tolstoï would establish slavery in every house; he would make + every husband a tyrant and every wife a trembling serf. No wonder that he + regards such marriage as a failure. He is in exact harmony with the curse + of Jehovah when he said unto the woman: "I will greatly multiply thy + sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children, and + thy desire shall be unto thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." + </p> + <p> + This is the destruction of the family, the pollution of home, the + crucifixion of love. + </p> + <p> + Those who are truly married are neither masters nor servants. The idea of + obedience is lost in the desire for the happiness of each. Love is not a + convict, to be detained with bolts and chains. Love is the highest + expression of liberty. Love neither commands nor obeys. + </p> + <p> + The curious thing is that the orthodox world insists that all men and + women should obey the injunctions of Christ; that they should take him as + the supreme example, and in all things follow his teachings. This is + preached from countless pulpits, and has been for many centuries. And yet + the man who does follow the Savior, who insists that he will not resist + evil, who sells what he has and gives to the poor, who deserts his wife + and children for the love of God, is regarded as insane. + </p> + <p> + Tolstoï, on most subjects, appears to be in accord with the founder + of Christianity, with the apostles, with the writers of the New Testament, + and with the Fathers of the church; and yet a Christian teacher of a + Sabbath school decides, in the capacity of Postmaster-General, that "The + Kreutzer Sonata" is unfit to be carried in the mails. + </p> + <p> + Although I disagree with nearly every sentence in this book, regard the + story as brutal and absurd, the view of life presented as cruel, vile, and + false, yet I recognize the right of Count Tolstoï to express his + opinions on all subjects, and the right of the men and women of America to + read for themselves. + </p> + <p> + As to the sincerity of the author, there is not the slightest doubt. He is + willing to give all that he has for the good of his fellow-men. He is a + soldier in what he believes to be a sacred cause, and he has the courage + of his convictions. He is endeavoring to organize society in accordance + with the most radical utterances that have been attributed to Jesus + Christ. The philosophy of Palestine is not adapted to an industrial and + commercial age. Christianity was born when the nation that produced it was + dying. It was a requiem—a declaration that life was a failure, that + the world was about to end, and that the hopes of mankind should be lifted + to another sphere. Tolstoï stands with his back to the sunrise and + looks mournfully upon the shadow. He has uttered many tender, noble, and + inspiring words. There are many passages in his works that must have been + written when his eyes were filled with tears. He has fixed his gaze so + intently on the miseries and agonies of life that he has been driven to + the conclusion that nothing could be better than the effacement of the + human race. + </p> + <p> + Some men, looking only at the faults and tyrannies of government, have + said: "Anarchy is better." Others, looking at the misfortunes, the + poverty, the crimes, of men, have, in a kind of pitying despair, reached + the conclusion that the best of all is death. These are the opinions of + those who have dwelt in gloom—of the self-imprisoned. + </p> + <p> + By comparing long periods of time, we see that, on the whole, the race is + advancing; that the world is growing steadily, and surely, better; that + each generation enjoys more and suffers less than its predecessor. We find + that our institutions have the faults of individuals. Nations must be + composed of men and women; and as they have their faults, nations cannot + be perfect. The institution of marriage is a failure to the extent, and + only to the extent, that the human race is a failure. Undoubtedly it is + the best and the most important institution that has been established by + the civilized world. If there is unhappiness in that relation, if there is + tyranny upon one side and misery upon the other, it is not the fault of + marriage. Take homes from the world and only wild beasts are left. + </p> + <p> + We cannot cure the evils of our day and time by a return to savagery. It + is not necessary to become ignorant to increase our happiness. The highway + of civilization leads to the light. The time will come when the human race + will be truly enlightened, when labor will receive its due reward, when + the last institution begotten of ignorance and savagery will disappear. + The time will come when the whole world will say that the love of man for + woman, of woman for man, of mother for child, is the highest, the noblest, + the purest, of which the heart is capable. + </p> + <p> + Love, human love, love of men and women, love of mothers fathers, and + babes, is the perpetual and beneficent force. Not the love of phantoms, + the love that builds cathedrals and dungeons, that trembles and prays, + that kneels and curses; but the real love, the love that felled the + forests, navigated the seas, subdued the earth, explored continents, built + countless homes, and founded nations—the love that kindled the + creative flame and wrought the miracles of art, that gave us all there is + of music, from the cradle-song that gives to infancy its smiling sleep to + the great symphony that bears the soul away with wings of fire—the + real love, mother of every virtue and of every joy.—North American + Review, September, 1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0014" id="link0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THOMAS PAINE. + </h2> + <h3> + A MAGAZINE ARTICLE. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "A great man's memory may outlive his life half a year, + But, by'r lady, he must build churches then." +</pre> + <p> + EIGHTY-THREE years ago Thomas Paine ceased to defend himself. The moment + he became dumb all his enemies found a tongue. He was attacked on every + hand. The Tories of England had been waiting for their revenge. The + believers in kings, in hereditary government, the nobility of every land, + execrated his memory. Their greatest enemy was dead. The believers in + human slavery, and all who clamored for the rights of the States as + against the sovereignty of a Nation, joined in the chorus of denunciation. + In addition to this, the believers in the inspiration of the Scriptures, + the occupants of orthodox pulpits, the professors in Christian colleges, + and the religious historians, were his sworn and implacable foes. + </p> + <p> + This man had gratified no ambition at the expense of his fellow-men; he + had desolated no country with the flame and sword of war; he had not wrung + millions from the poor and unfortunate; he had betrayed no trust, and yet + he was almost universally despised. He gave his life for the benefit of + mankind. Day and night for many, many weary years, he labored for the good + of others, and gave himself body and soul to the great cause of human + liberty. And yet he won the hatred of the people for whose benefit, for + whose emancipation, for whose civilization, for whose exaltation he gave + his life. + </p> + <p> + Against him every slander that malignity could coin and hypocrisy pass was + gladly and joyously taken as genuine, and every truth with regard to his + career was believed to be counterfeit. He was attacked by thousands where + he was defended by one, and the one who defended him was instantly + attacked, silenced, or destroyed. + </p> + <p> + At last his life has been written by Moncure D. Conway, and the real + history of Thomas Paine, of what he attempted and accomplished, of what he + taught and suffered, has been intelligently, truthfully and candidly given + to the world. Henceforth the slanderer will be without excuse. + </p> + <p> + He who reads Mr. Conway's pages will find that Thomas Paine was more than + a patriot—that he was a philanthropist—a lover not only of his + country, but of all mankind. He will find that his sympathies were with + those who suffered, without regard to religion or race, country or + complexion. He will find that this great man did not hesitate to attack + the governing class of his native land—to commit what was called + treason against the king, that he might do battle for the rights of men; + that in spite of the prejudices of birth, he took the side of the American + Colonies; that he gladly attacked the political abuses and absurdities + that had been fostered by altars and thrones for many centuries; that he + was for the people against nobles and kings, and that he put his life in + pawn for the good of others. + </p> + <p> + In the winter of 1774, Thomas Paine came to America. After a time he was + employeed as one of the writers on the <i>Pennsylvania Magazine.</i> + </p> + <p> + Let us see what he did, calculated to excite the hatred of his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + The first article he ever wrote in America, and the first ever published + by him anywhere, appeared in that magazine on the 8th of 'March, 1775. It + was an attack on American slavery—a plea for the rights of the + negro. In that article will be found substantially all the arguments that + can be urged against that most infamous of all institutions. Every is full + of humanity, pity, tenderness, and love of justice. + </p> + <p> + Five days after this article appeared the American Anti-Slavery Society + was formed. Certainly this should not excite our hatred. To-day the + civilized world agrees with the essay written by Thomas Paine in 1775. + </p> + <p> + At that time great interests were against him. The owners of slaves became + his enemies, and the pulpits, supported by slave labor, denounced this + abolitionist. + </p> + <p> + The next article published by Thomas Paine, in the same magazine, and for + the next month, was an attack on the practice of dueling, showing that it + was barbarous, that it did not even tend to settle the right or wrong of a + dispute, that it could not be defended on any just grounds, and that its + influence was degrading and cruel. The civilized world now agrees with the + opinions of Thomas Paine upon that barbarous practice. + </p> + <p> + In May, 1775, appeared in the same magazine another article written by + Thomas Paine, a Protest Against Cruelty to Animals. He began the work that + was so successfully and gloriously carried out by Henry Bergh, one of the + noblest, one of the grandest, men that this continent has produced. + </p> + <p> + The good people of this world agree with Thomas Paine. + </p> + <p> + In August of the same year he wrote a plea for the Rights of Woman, the + first ever published in the New World. Certainly he should not be hated + for that. + </p> + <p> + He was the first to suggest a union of the colonies. Before the + Declaration of Independence was issued, Paine had written of and about the + Free and Independent States of America. He had also spoken of the United + Colonies as the "Glorious Union," and he was the first to write these + words: "The United States of America." + </p> + <p> + In May, 1775, Washington said: "If you ever hear of me joining in any such + measure (as separation from Great Britain) you have my leave to set me + down for everything wicked." He had also said; "It is not the wish or + interest of the government (meaning Massachusetts), or of any other upon + this continent, separately or collectively, to set up for independence." + And in the same year Benjamin Franklin assured Chatham that no one in + America was in favor of separation. As a matter of fact, the people of the + colonies wanted a redress of their grievances—they were not dreaming + of separation, of independence. + </p> + <p> + In 1775 Paine wrote the pamphlet known as "Common Sense." This was + published on the 10th of January, 1776. It was the first appeal for + independence, the first cry for national life, for absolute separation. No + pamphlet, no book, ever kindled such a sudden conflagration,—a + purifying flame, in which the prejudices and fears of millions were + consumed. To read it now, after the lapse of more than a hundred years, + hastens the blood. It is but the meagre truth to say that Thomas Paine did + more for the cause of separation, to sow the seeds of independence, than + any other man of his time. Certainly we should not despise him for this. + The Declaration of Independence followed, and in that declaration will be + found not only the thoughts, but some of the expressions of Thomas Paine. + </p> + <p> + During the war, and in the very darkest hours, Paine wrote what is called + "The Crisis," a series of pamphlets giving from time to time his opinion + of events, and his prophecies. These marvelous publications produced an + effect nearly as great as the pamphlet "Common Sense." These strophes, + written by the bivouac fires, had in them the soul of battle. + </p> + <p> + In all he wrote, Paine was direct and natural. He touched the very heart + of the subject. He was not awed by names or titles, by place or power. He + never lost his regard for truth, for principle—never wavered in his + allegiance to reason, to what he believed to be right. His arguments were + so lucid, so unanswerable, his comparisons and analogies so apt, so + unexpected, that they excited the passionate admiration of friends and the + unquenchable hatred of enemies. So great were these appeals to patriotism, + to the love of liberty, the pride of independence, the glory of success, + that it was said by some of the best and greatest of that time that the + American cause owed as much to the pen of Paine as to the sword of + Washington. + </p> + <p> + On the 2d day of November, 1779, there was introduced into the Assembly of + Pennsylvania an act for the abolition of slavery. The preamble was written + by Thomas Paine. To him belongs the honor and glory of having written the + first Proclamation of Emancipation in America—Paine the first, + Lincoln the last. + </p> + <p> + Paine, of all others, succeeded in getting aid for the struggling colonies + from France. "According to Lamartine, the King, Louis XVI., loaded Paine + with favors, and a gift of six millions was confided into the hands of + Franklin and Paine. On the 25th of August, 1781, Paine reached Boston + bringing two million five hundred thousand livres in silver, and in convoy + a ship laden with clothing and military stores." + </p> + <p> + "In November, 1779, Paine was elected clerk to the General Assembly of + Pennsylvania. In 1780, the Assembly received a letter from General + Washington in the field, saying that he feared the distresses in the army + would lead to mutiny in the ranks. This letter was read by Paine to the + Assembly. He immediately wrote to Blair McClenaghan, a Philadelphia + merchant, explaining the urgency, and inclosing five hundred dollars, the + amount of salary due him as clerk, as his contribution towards a relief + fund. The merchant called a meeting the next day, and read Paine's letter. + A subscription list was immediately circulated, and in a short time about + one million five hundred thousand dollars was raised. With this capital + the Pennsylvania bank—afterwards the bank of North America—was + established for the relief of the army." + </p> + <p> + In 1783 "Paine wrote a memorial to Chancellor Livingston, Secretary of + Foreign Affairs, Robert Morris, Minister of Finance, and his assistant, + urging the necessity of adding a Continental Legislature to Congress, to + be elected by the several States. Robert Morris invited the Chancellor and + a number of eminent men to meet Paine at dinner, where his plea for a + stronger Union was discussed and approved. This was probably the earliest + of a series of consultations preliminary to the Constitutional + Convention." + </p> + <p> + "On the 19th of April, 1783, it being the eighth anniversary of the Battle + of Lexington, Paine printed a little pamphlet entitled 'Thoughts on Peace + and the Probable Advantages Thereof.'" In this pamphlet he pleads for "a + supreme Nationality absorbing all cherished sovereignties." Mr. Conway + calls this pamphlet Paine's "Farewell Address," and gives the following + extract: + </p> + <p> + "It was the cause of America that made me an author. The force with which + it struck my mind, and the dangerous condition in which the country was + in, by courting an impossible and an unnatural reconciliation with those + who were determined to reduce her, instead of striking out into the only + line that could save her,—a Declaration of Independence.—made + it impossible for me, feeling as I did, to be silent; and if, in the + course of more than seven years, I have rendered her any service, I have + likewise added something to the reputation of literature, by freely and + disinterestedly employing it in the great cause of mankind.... But as the + scenes of war are closed, and every man preparing for home and happier + times, I therefore take leave of the subject. I have most sincerely + followed it from beginning to end, and through all its turns and windings; + and whatever country I may hereafter be in, I shall always feel an honest + pride at the part I have taken and acted, and a gratitude to nature and + providence for putting it in my power to be of some use to mankind." + </p> + <p> + Paine had made some enemies, first, by attacking African slavery, and, + second, by insisting upon the sovereignty of the Nation. + </p> + <p> + During the Revolution our forefathers, in order to justify making war on + Great Britain, were compelled to take the ground that all men are entitled + to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In no other way could they + justify their action. After the war, the meaner instincts began to take + possession of the mind, and those who had fought for their own liberty + were perfectly willing to enslave others. We must also remember that the + Revolution was begun and carried on by a noble minority—that the + majority were really in favor of Great Britain and did what they dared to + prevent the success of the American cause. The minority, however, had + control of affairs. They were active, energetic, enthusiastic, and + courageous, and the majority were overawed, shamed, and suppressed. But + when peace came, the majority asserted themselves and the interests of + trade and commerce were consulted. Enthusiasm slowly died, and patriotism + was mingled with the selfishness of traffic. + </p> + <p> + But, after all, the enemies of Paine were few, the friends were many. He + had the respect and admiration of the greatest and the best, and was + enjoying the fruits of his labor. + </p> + <p> + The Revolution was ended, the colonies were free. They had been united, + they formed a Nation, and the United States of America had a place on the + map of the world. + </p> + <p> + Paine was not a politician. He had not labored for seven years to get an + office. His services were no longer needed in America. He concluded to + educate the English people, to inform them of their rights, to expose the + pretences, follies and fallacies, the crimes and cruelties of nobles, + kings, and parliaments. In the brain and heart of this man were the dream + and hope of the universal republic. He had confidence in the people. He + hated tyranny and war, despised the senseless pomp and vain show of + crowned robbers, laughed at titles, and the "honorable" badges worn by the + obsequious and servile, by fawners and followers; loved liberty with all + his heart, and bravely fought against those who could give the rewards of + place and gold, and for those who could pay only with thanks. + </p> + <p> + Hoping to hasten the day of freedom, he wrote the "Rights of Man"—a + book that laid the foundation for all the real liberty that the English + now enjoy—a book that made known to Englishmen the Declaration of + Nature, and convinced millions that all are children of the same mother, + entitled to share equally in her gifts. Every Englishman who has outgrown + the ideas of 1688 should remember Paine with love and reverence. Every + Englishman who has sought to destroy abuses, to lessen or limit the + prerogatives of the crown, to extend the suffrage, to do away with "rotten + boroughs," to take taxes from knowledge, to increase and protect the + freedom of speech and the press, to do away with bribes under the name of + pensions, and to make England a government of principles rather than of + persons, has been compelled to adopt the creed and use the arguments of + Thomas Paine. In England every step toward freedom has been a triumph of + Paine over Burke and Pitt. No man ever rendered a greater service to his + native land. + </p> + <p> + The book called the "Rights of Man" was the greatest contribution that + literature had given to liberty. It rests on the bed-rock. No attention is + paid to precedents except to show that they are wrong. Paine was not + misled by the proverbs that wolves had written for sheep. He had the + intelligence to examine for himself, and the courage to publish his + conclusions. As soon as the "Rights of Man" was published the Government + was alarmed. Every effort was made to suppress it. The author was + indicted; those who published, and those who sold, were arrested and + imprisoned. But the new gospel had been preached—a great man had + shed light—a new force had been born, and it was beyond the power of + nobles and kings to undo what the author-hero had done. + </p> + <p> + To avoid arrest and probable death, Paine left England. He had sown with + brave hand the seeds of thought, and he knew that he had lighted a fire + that nothing could extinguish until England should be free. + </p> + <p> + The fame of Thomas Paine had reached France in many ways—principally + through Lafayette. His services in America were well known. The pamphlet + "Common Sense" had been published in French, and its effect had been + immense. "The Rights of Man" that had created, and was then creating, such + a stir in England, was also known to the French. The lovers of liberty + everywhere were the friends and admirers of Thomas Paine. In America, + England, Scotland, Ireland, and France he was known as the defender of + popular rights. He had preached a new gospel. He had given a new Magna + Charta to the people. + </p> + <p> + So popular was Paine in France that he was elected by three constituencies + to the National Convention. He chose to represent Calais. From the moment + he entered French territory he was received with almost royal honors. He + at once stood with the foremost, and was welcomed by all enlightened + patriots. As in America, so in France, he knew no idleness—he was an + organizer and worker. The first thing he did was to found the first + Republican Society, and the next to write its Manifesto, in which the + ground was taken that France did not need a king; that the people should + govern themselves. In this Manifesto was this argument: + </p> + <p> + "What kind of office must that be in a government which requires neither + experience nor ability to execute? that may be abandoned to the desperate + chance of birth; that may be filled with an idiot, a madman, a tyrant, + with equal effect as with the good, the virtuous, the wise? An office of + this nature is a mere nonentity; it is a place of show, not of use." + </p> + <p> + He said: + </p> + <p> + "I am not the personal enemy of kings. Quite the contrary. No man wishes + more heartily than myself to see them all in the happy and honorable state + of private individuals; but I am the avowed, open and intrepid enemy of + what is called monarchy; and I am such by principles which nothing can + either alter or corrupt, by my attachment to humanity, by the anxiety + which I feel within myself for the dignity and honor of the human race." + </p> + <p> + One of the grandest things done by Thomas Paine was his effort to save the + life of Louis XVI. The Convention was in favor of death. Paine was a + foreigner. His career had caused some jealousies. He knew the danger he + was in—that the tiger was already crouching for a spring—but + he was true to his principles. He was opposed to the death penalty. He + remembered that Louis XVI. had been the friend of America, and he very + cheerfully risked his life, not only for the good of France, not only to + save the king, but to pay a debt of gratitude. He asked the Convention to + exile the king to the United States. He asked this as a member of the + Convention and as a citizen of the United States. As an American he felt + grateful not only to the king, but to every Frenchman. He, the adversary + of all kings, asked the Convention to remember that kings were men, and + subject to human frailties. He took still another step, and said: "As + France has been the first of European nations to abolish royalty, let us + also be the first to abolish the punishment of death." + </p> + <p> + Even after the death of Louis had been voted, Paine made another appeal. + With a courage born of the highest possible sense of duty he said: + </p> + <p> + "France has but one ally—the United States of America. That is the + only nation that can furnish France with naval provisions, for the + kingdoms of Northern Europe are, or soon will be, at war with her. It + happens that the person now under discussion is regarded in America as a + deliverer of their country. I can assure you that his execution will there + spread universal sorrow, and it is in your power not thus to wound the + feelings of your ally. Could I speak the French language I would descend + to your bar, and in their name become your petitioner to respite the + execution of your sentence on Louis. Ah, citizens, give not the tyrant of + England the triumph of seeing the man perish on the scaffold who helped my + dear brothers of America to break his chains." + </p> + <p> + This was worthy of the man who had said: "Where Liberty is <i>not</i>, + there is my country." + </p> + <p> + Paine was second on the committee to prepare the draft of a constitution + for France to be submitted to the Convention. He was the real author, not + only of the draft of the Constitution, but of the Declaration of Rights. + </p> + <p> + In France, as in America, he took the lead. His first thoughts seemed to + be first principles. He was clear because he was profound. People without + ideas experience great difficulty in finding words to express them. + </p> + <p> + From the moment that Paine cast his vote in favor of mercy—in favor + of life—the shadow of the guillotine was upon him. He knew that when + he voted for the King's life, he voted for his own death. Paine remembered + that the king had been the friend of America, and to him ingratitude + seemed the worst of crimes. He worked to destroy the monarch, not the man; + the king, not the friend. He discharged his duty and accepted death. This + was the heroism of goodness—the sublimity of devotion. + </p> + <p> + Believing that his life was near its close, he made up his mind to give to + the world his thoughts concerning "revealed religion." This he had for + some time intended to do, but other matters had claimed his attention. + Feeling that there was no time to be lost, he wrote the first part of the + "Age of Reason," and gave the manuscript to Joel Barlow. Six hours after, + he was arrested. The second part was written in prison while he was + waiting for death. + </p> + <p> + Paine clearly saw that men could not be really free, or defend the freedom + they had, unless they were free to think and speak. He knew that the + church was the enemy of liberty, that the altar and throne were in + partnership, that they helped each other and divided the spoils. + </p> + <p> + He felt that, being a man, he had the right to examine the creeds and the + Scriptures for himself, and that, being an honest man, it was his duty and + his privilege to tell his fellow-men the conclusions at which he arrived. + </p> + <p> + He found that the creeds of all orthodox churches were absurd and cruel, + and that the Bible was no better. Of course he found that there were some + good things in the creeds and in the Bible. These he defended, but the + infamous, the inhuman, he attacked. + </p> + <p> + In matters of religion he pursued the same course that he had in things + political. He depended upon experience, and above all on reason. He + refused to extinguish the light in his own soul. He was true to himself, + and gave to others his honest thoughts. He did not seek wealth, or place, + or fame. He sought the truth. + </p> + <p> + He had felt it to be his duty to attack the institution of slavery in + America, to raise his voice against dueling, to plead for the rights of + woman, to excite pity for the sufferings of domestic animals, the + speechless friends of man; to plead the cause of separation, of + independence, of American nationality, to attack the abuses and crimes of + mon-archs, to do what he could to give freedom to the world. + </p> + <p> + He thought it his duty to take another step. Kings asserted that they + derived their power, their right to govern, from God. To this assertion + Paine replied with the "Rights of Man." Priests pretended that they were + the authorized agents of God. Paine replied with the "Age of Reason." + </p> + <p> + This book is still a power, and will be as long as the absurdities and + cruelties of the creeds and the Bible have defenders. The "Age of Reason" + affected the priests just as the "Rights of Man" affected nobles and + kings. The kings answered the arguments of Paine with laws, the priests + with lies. Kings appealed to force, priests to fraud. Mr. Conway has + written in regard to the "Age of Reason" the most impressive and the most + interesting chapter in his book. + </p> + <p> + Paine contended for the rights of the individual,—tor the + jurisdiction of the soul. Above all religions he placed Reason, above all + kings, Men, and above all men, Law. + </p> + <p> + The first part of the "Age of Reason" was written in the shadow of a + prison, the second part in the gloom of death. From that shadow, from that + gloom, came a flood of light. This testament, by which the wealth of a + marvelous brain, the love of a great and heroic heart were given to the + world, was written in the presence of the scaffold, when the writer + believed he was giving his last message to his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + The "Age of Reason" was his crime. + </p> + <p> + Franklin, Jefferson, Sumner and Lincoln, the four greatest statesmen that + America has produced, were believers in the creed of Thomas Paine. + </p> + <p> + The Universalists and Unitarians have found their best weapons, their best + arguments, in the "Age of Reason." + </p> + <p> + Slowly, but surely, the churches are adopting not only the arguments, but + the opinions of the great Reformer. + </p> + <p> + Theodore Parker attacked the Old Testament and Calvinistic theology with + the same weapons and with a bitterness excelled by no man who has + expressed his thoughts in our language. + </p> + <p> + Paine was a century in advance of his time. If he were living now his + sympathy would be with Savage, Chadwick, Professor Briggs and the + "advanced theologians." He, too, would talk about the "higher criticism" + and the latest definition of "inspiration." These advanced thinkers + substantially are repeating the "Age of Reason." They still wear the old + uniform—clinging to the toggery of theology—but inside of + their religious rags they agree with Thomas Paine. + </p> + <p> + Not one argument that Paine urged against the inspiration of the Bible, + against the truth of miracles, against the barbarities and infamies of the + Old Testament, against the pretensions of priests and the claims of kings, + has ever been answered. + </p> + <p> + His arguments in favor of the existence of what he was pleased to call the + God of Nature were as weak as those of all Theists have been. But in all + the affairs of this world, his clearness of vision, lucidity of + expression, cogency of argument, aptness of comparison, power of statement + and comprehension of the subject in hand, with all its bearings and + consequences, have rarely, if ever, been excelled. + </p> + <p> + He had no reverence for mistakes because they were old. He did not admire + the castles of Feudalism even when they were covered with ivy. He not only + said that the Bible was not inspired, but he demonstrated that it could + not all be true. This was "brutal." He presented arguments so strong, so + clear, so convincing, that they could not be answered. This was "vulgar." + </p> + <p> + He stood for liberty against kings, for humanity against creeds and gods. + This was "cowardly and low." He gave his life to free and civilize his + fellow-men. This was "infamous." + </p> + <p> + Paine was arrested and imprisoned in December, 1793. He was, to say the + least, neglected by Gouverneur Morris and Washington. He was released + through the efforts of James Monroe, in November, 1794. He was called back + to the Convention, but too late to be of use. As most of the actors had + suffered death, the tragedy was about over and the curtain was falling. + Paine remained in Paris until the "Reign of Terror" was ended and that of + the Corsican tyrant had commenced. + </p> + <p> + Paine came back to America hoping to spend the remainder of his life + surrounded by those for whose happiness and freedom he had labored so many + years. He expected to be rewarded with the love and reverence of the + American people. + </p> + <p> + In 1794 James Monroe had written to Paine these words: + </p> + <p> + "It is unnecessary for me to tell you how much all your countrymen, I + speak of the great mass of the people, are interested in your welfare. + They have not forgot the history of their own Revolution and the difficult + scenes through which they passed; nor do they review its several stages + without reviving in their bosoms a due sensibility of the merits of those + who served them in that great and arduous conflict. The crime of + ingratitude has not yet stained, and I hope never will stain, our national + character. You are considered by them as not only having rendered + important services in our own Revolution, but as being on a more extensive + scale the friend of human rights and a distinguished and able advocate of + public liberty. To the welfare of Thomas Paine we are not and cannot be + indifferent." + </p> + <p> + In the same year Mr. Monroe wrote a letter to the Committee of General + Safety, asking for the release of Mr. Paine, in which, among other things, + he said: + </p> + <p> + "The services Thomas Paine rendered to his country in its struggle for + freedom have implanted in the hearts of his countrymen a sense of + gratitude never to be effaced as long as they shall deserve the title of a + just and generous people." + </p> + <p> + On reaching America, Paine found that the sense of gratitude had been + effaced. He found that the Federalists hated him with all their hearts + because he believed in the rights of the people and was still true to the + splendid principles advocated during the darkest days of the Revolution. + In almost every pulpit he found a malignant and implacable foe, and the + pews were filled with his enemies. The slaveholders hated him. He was held + responsible even for the crimes of the French Revolution. He was regarded + as a blasphemer, an Atheist, an enemy of God and man. The ignorant + citizens of Bordentown, as cowardly as orthodox, longed to mob the author + of "Common Sense" and "The Crisis." They thought he had sold himself to + the Devil because he had defended God against the slanderous charges that + he had inspired the writers of the Bible—because he had said that a + being of infinite goodness and purity did not establish slavery and + polygamy. + </p> + <p> + Paine had insisted that men had the right to think for themselves. This so + enraged the average American citizen that he longed for revenge. + </p> + <p> + In 1802 the people of the United States had exceedingly crude ideas about + the liberty of thought and expression Neither had they any conception of + religious freedom. Their highest thought on that subject was expressed by + the word "toleration," and even this toleration extended only to the + various Christian sects. Even the vaunted religious liberty of colonial + Maryland was only to the effect that one kind of Christian should not + fine, imprison and kill another kind of Christian, but all kinds of + Christians had the right, and it was their duty, to brand, imprison and + kill Infidels of every kind. + </p> + <p> + Paine had been guilty of thinking for himself and giving his conclusions + to the world without having asked the consent of a priest—just as he + had published his political opinions without leave of the king. He had + published his thoughts on religion and had appealed to reason—to the + light in every mind, to the humanity, the pity, the goodness which he + believed to be in every heart. He denied the right of kings to make laws + and of priests to make creeds. He insisted that the people should make + laws, and that every human being should think for himself. While some + believed in the freedom of religion, he believed in the religion of + freedom. + </p> + <p> + If Paine had been a hypocrite, if he had concealed his opinions, if he had + defended slavery with quotations from the "sacred Scriptures"—if he + had cared nothing for the liberties of men in other lands—if he had + said that the state could not live without the church—if he had + sought for place instead of truth, he would have won wealth and power, and + his brow would have been crowned with the laurel of fame. + </p> + <p> + He made what the pious call the "mistake" of being true to himself—of + living with an unstained soul. He had lived and labored for the people. + The people were untrue' to him. They returned evil for good, hatred for + benefits received, and yet this great chivalric soul remembered their + ignorance and loved them with all his heart, and fought their oppressors + with all his strength. + </p> + <p> + We must remember what the churches and creeds were in that day, what the + theologians really taught, and what the people believed. To save a few in + spite of their vices, and to damn the many without regard to their + virtues, and all for the glory of the Damner:—<i>this was Calvinism</i>. + "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," but he that hath a brain to + think must not think. He that believeth without evidence is good, and he + that believeth in spite of evidence is a saint. Only the wicked doubt, + only the blasphemer denies. <i>This was orthodox Christianity</i>. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine had the courage, the sense, the heart, to denounce these + horrors, these absurdities, these infinite infamies. He did what he could + to drive these theological vipers, these Calvinistic cobras, these fanged + and hissing serpents of superstition from the heart of man. + </p> + <p> + A few civilized men agreed with him then, and the world has progressed + since 1809. Intellectual wealth has accumulated; vast mental estates have + been left to the world. Geologists have forced secrets from the rocks, + astronomers from the stars, historians from old records and lost + languages. In every direction the thinker and the investigator have + ventured and explored, and even the pews have begun to ask questions of + the pulpits. Humboldt has lived, and Darwin and Haeckel and Huxley, and + the armies led by them, have changed the thought of the world. + </p> + <p> + The churches of 1809 could not be the friends of Thomas Paine. No church + asserting that belief is necessary to salvation ever was, or ever will be, + the champion of true liberty. A church founded on slavery—that is to + say, on blind obedience, worshiping irresponsible and arbitrary power, + must of necessity be the enemy of human freedom. + </p> + <p> + The orthodox churches are now anxious to save the little that Paine left + of their creed. If one now believes in God, and lends a little financial + aid, he is considered a good and desirable member. He need not define God + after the manner of the catechism. He may talk about a "Power that works + for righteousness," or the tortoise Truth that beats the rabbit Lie in the + long run, or the "Unknowable," or the "Unconditioned," or the "Cosmic + Force," or the "Ultimate Atom," or "Protoplasm," or the "What"—provided + he begins this word with a capital. + </p> + <p> + We must also remember that there is a difference between independence and + liberty. Millions have fought for independence—to throw off some + foreign yoke—and yet were at heart the enemies of true liberty. A + man in jail, sighing to be free, may be said to be in favor of liberty, + but not from principle; but a man who, being free, risks or gives his life + to free the enslaved, is a true soldier of liberty. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine had passed the legendary limit of life. One by one most of + his old friends and acquaintances had deserted him. Maligned on every + side, execrated, shunned and abhorred—his virtues denounced as vices—his + services forgotten—his character blackened, he preserved the poise + and balance of his soul. He was a victim of the people, but his + convictions remained unshaken. He was still a soldier in the army of + freedom, and still tried to enlighten and civilize those who were + impatiently waiting for his death. Even those who loved their enemies + hated him, their friend—the friend of the whole world—with all + their hearts. + </p> + <p> + On the 8th of June, 1809, death came—Death, almost his only friend. + </p> + <p> + At his funeral no pomp, no pageantry, no civic procession, no military + display. In a carriage, a woman and her son who had lived on the bounty of + the dead—On horseback, a Quaker, the humanity of whose heart + dominated the creed of his head—and, following on foot, two negroes + filled with gratitude—constituted the funeral cortege of Thomas + Paine. + </p> + <p> + He who had received the gratitude of many millions, the thanks of generals + and statesmen—he who had been the friend and companion of the wisest + and best—he who had taught a people to be free, and whose words had + inspired armies and enlightened nations, was thus given back to Nature, + the mother of us all. + </p> + <p> + If the people of the great Republic knew the life of this generous, this + chivalric man, the real story of his services, his sufferings and his + triumphs—of what he did to compel the robed and crowned, the priests + and kings, to give back to the people liberty, the jewel of the soul; if + they knew that he was the first to write, "The Religion of Humanity"; if + they knew that he, above all others, planted and watered the seeds of + independence, of union, of nationality, in the hearts of our forefathers—that + his words were gladly repeated by the best and bravest in many lands; if + they knew that he attempted, by the purest means, to attain the noblest + and loftiest ends—that he was original, sincere, intrepid, and that + he could truthfully say: "The world is my country, to do good my religion"—if + the people only knew all this—the truth—they would repeat the + words of Andrew Jackson: "Thomas Paine needs no monument made with hands; + he has erected a monument in the hearts of all lovers of liberty."—North + American Review, August, 1893. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0015" id="link0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE THREE PHILANTHROPISTS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Well, while I am a beggar, I will rail, + And say there is no sin but to be rich." +</pre> + <p> + MR. A. lived in the kingdom of————. He was a + sincere professional philanthropist. He was absolutely certain that he + loved his fellow-men, and that his views were humane and scientific. He + concluded to turn his attention to taking care of people less fortunate + than himself. + </p> + <p> + With this object in view he investigated the common people that lived + about him, and he found that they were extremely ignorant, that many of + them seemed to take no particular interest in life or in business, that + few of them had any theories of their own, and that, while many had + muscle, there was only now and then one who had any mind worth speaking + of. Nearly all of them were destitute of ambition. They were satisfied if + they got something to eat, a place to sleep, and could now and then + indulge in some form of dissipation. They seemed to have great confidence + in to-morrow—trusted to luck, and took no thought for the future. + Many of them were extravagant, most of them dissipated, and a good many + dishonest. + </p> + <p> + Mr. A. found that many of the husbands not only failed to support their + families, but that some of them lived on the labor of their wives; that + many of the wives were careless of their obligations, knew nothing about + the art of cooking; nothing about keeping house; and that parents, as a + general thing, neglected their children or treated them with cruelty. He + also found that many of the people were so shiftless that they died of + want and exposure. + </p> + <p> + After having obtained this information Mr. A. made up his mind to do what + little he could to better their condition. He petitioned the king to + assist him, and asked that he be allowed to take control of five hundred + people in consideration that he would pay a certain amount into the + treasury of the kingdom. The king being satisfied that Mr. A. could take + care of these people better than they were taking care of themselves, + granted the petition. + </p> + <p> + Mr. A., with the assistance of a few soldiers, took these people from + their old homes and haunts to a plantation of his own. He divided them + into groups, and over each group placed a superintendent. He made certain + rules and regulations for their conduct. They were only compelled to work + from twelve to fourteen hours a day, leaving ten hours for sleep and + recreation. Good and substantial food was provided. Their houses were + comfortable and their clothing sufficient. Their work was laid out from + day to day and from month to month, so that they knew exactly what they + were to do in each hour of every day. These rules were made for the good + of the people, to the end that they might not interfere with each other, + that they might attend to their duties, and enjoy themselves in a + reasonable way. They were not allowed to waste their time, or to use + stimulants or profane language. They were told to be respectful to the + superintendents, and especially to Mr. A.; to be obedient, and, above all, + to accept the position in which Providence had placed them, without + complaining, and to cheerfully perform their tasks. + </p> + <p> + Mr. A. had found out all that the five hundred persons had earned the year + before they were taken control of by him—just how much they had + added to the wealth of the world. He had statistics taken for the year + before with great care showing the number of deaths, the cases of sickness + and of destitution, the number who had committed suicide, how many had + been convicted of crimes and misdemeanors, how many days they had been + idle, and how much time and money they had spent in drink and for + worthless amusements. + </p> + <p> + During the first year of their enslavement he kept like statistics. He + found that they had earned several times as much; that there had been no + cases of destitution, no drunkenness; that no crimes had been committed; + that there had been but little sickness, owing to the regular course of + their lives; that few had been guilty of misdemeanors, owing to the + certainty of punishment; and that they had been so watched and + superintended that for the most part they had traveled the highway of + virtue and industry. + </p> + <p> + Mr. A. was delighted, and with a vast deal of pride showed these + statistics to his friends. He not only demonstrated that the five hundred + people were better off than they had been before, but that his own income + was very largely increased. He congratulated himself that he had added to + the well-being of these people not only, but had laid the foundation of a + great fortune for himself. On these facts and these figures he claimed not + only to be a philanthropist, but a philosopher; and all the people who had + a mind to go into the same business agreed with him. + </p> + <p> + Some denounced the entire proceeding as unwarranted, as contrary to reason + and justice. These insisted that the five hundred people had a right to + live in their own way provided they did not interfere with others; that + they had the right to go through the world with little food and with poor + clothes, and to live in huts, if such was their choice. But Mr. A. had no + trouble in answering these objectors. He insisted that well-being is the + only good, and that every human being is under obligation, not only to + take care of himself, but to do what little he can towards taking care of + others; that where five hundred people neglect to take care of themselves, + it is the duty of somebody else, who has more intelligence and more means, + to take care of them; that the man who takes five hundred people and + improves their condition, gives them on the average better food, better + clothes, and keeps them out of mischief, is a benefactor. + </p> + <p> + "These people," said Mr. A., "were tried. They were found incapable of + taking care of themselves. They lacked intelligence or will or honesty or + industry or ambition or something, so that in the struggle for existence + they fell behind, became stragglers, dropped by the wayside, died in + gutters; while many were destined to end their days either in dungeons or + on scaffolds. Besides all this, they were a nuisance to their prosperous + fellow-citizens, a perpetual menace to the peace of society. They + increased the burden of taxation; they filled the ranks of the criminal + classes, they made it necessary to build more jails, to employ more + policemen and judges; so that I, by enslaving them, not only assisted + them, not only protected them against themselves, not only bettered their + condition, not only added to the well-being of-society at large, but + greatly increased my own fortune." + </p> + <p> + Mr. A. also took the ground that Providence, by giving him superior + intelligence, the genius of command, the aptitude for taking charge of + others, had made it his duty to exercise these faculties for the + well-being of the people and for the glory of God. Mr. A. frequently + declared that he was God's steward. He often said he thanked God that he + was not governed by a sickly sentiment, but that he was a man of sense, of + judgment, of force of character, and that the means employeed by him were + in accordance with the logic of facts. + </p> + <p> + Some of the people thus enslaved objected, saying that they had the same + right to control themselves that Mr. A. had to control himself. But it + only required a little discipline to satisfy them that they were wrong. + Some of the people were quite happy, and declared that nothing gave them + such perfect contentment as the absence of all responsibility. Mr. A. + insisted that all men had not been endowed with the same capacity; that + the weak ought to be cared for by the strong; that such was evidently the + design of the Creator, and that he intended to do what little he could to + carry that design into effect. + </p> + <p> + Mr. A. was very successful. In a few years he had several thousands of + men, women, and children working for him. He amassed a large fortune. He + felt that he had been intrusted with this money by Providence. He + therefore built several churches, and once in a while gave large sums to + societies for the spread of civilization. He passed away regretted by a + great many people—not including those who had lived under his + immediate administration. He was buried with great pomp, the king being + one of the pall-bearers, and on his tomb was this: + </p> + <p> + HE WAS THE PROVIDENCE OF THE POOR. II. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And, being rich, my virtue then shall be + To say there is no vice but beggary." +</pre> + <p> + Mr. B. did not believe in slavery. He despised the institution with every + drop of his blood, and was an advocate of universal freedom. He held all + the ideas of Mr. A. in supreme contempt, and frequently spent whole + evenings in denouncing the inhumanity and injustice of the whole business. + He even went so far as to contend that many of A.'s slaves had more + intelligence than A. himself, and that, whether they had intelligence or + not, they had the right to be free. He insisted that Mr. A.'s philanthropy + was a sham; that he never bought a human being for the purpose of + bettering that being's condition; that he went into the business simply to + make money for himself; and that his talk about his slaves committing less + crime than when they were free was simply to justify the crime committed + by himself in enslaving his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Mr. B. was a manufacturer, and he employeed some five or six thousand men. + He used to say that these men were not forced to work for him; that they + were at perfect liberty to accept or reject the terms; that, so far as he + was concerned, he would just as soon commit larceny or robbery as to force + a man to work for him. "Every laborer under my roof," he used to say, "is + as free to choose as I am." + </p> + <p> + Mr B. believed in absolutely free trade; thought it an outrage to + interfere with the free interplay of forces; said that every man should + buy, or at least have the privilege of buying, where he could buy + cheapest, and should have the privilege of selling where he could get the + most. He insisted that a man who has labor to sell has the right to sell + it to the best advantage, and that the purchaser has the right to buy it + at the lowest price. He did not enslave men—he hired them. Some said + that he took advantage of their necessities; but he answered that he + created no necessities, that he was not responsible for their condition, + that he did not make them poor, that he found them poor and gave them + work, and gave them the same wages that he could employ others for. He + insisted that he was absolutely just to all; he did not give one man more + than another, and he never refused to employ a man on account of the man's + religion or politics; all that he did was simply to employ that man if the + man wished to be employed, and give him the wages, no more and no less, + that some other man of like capacity was willing to work for. + </p> + <p> + Mr. B. also said that the price of the article manufactured by him fixed + the wages of the persons employed, and that he, Mr. B., was not + responsible for the price of the article he manufactured; consequently he + was not responsible for the wages of the workmen. He agreed to pay them a + certain price, he taking the risk of selling his articles, and he paid + them regularly just on the day he agreed to pay them, and if they were not + satisfied with the wages, they were at perfect liberty to leave. One of + his private sayings was: "The poor ye have always with you." And from this + he argued that some men were made poor so that others could be generous. + "Take poverty and suffering from the world," he said, "and you destroy + sympathy and generosity." + </p> + <p> + Mr. B. made a large amount of money. Many of his workmen complained that + their wages did not allow them to live in comfort. Many had large + families, and therefore but little to eat. Some of them lived in crowded + rooms. Many of the children were carried off by disease; but Mr. B. took + the ground that all these people had the right to go, that he did not + force them to remain, that if they were not healthy it was not his fault, + and that whenever it pleased Providence to remove a child, or one of the + parents, he, Mr. B., was not responsible. + </p> + <p> + Mr. B. insisted that many of his workmen were extravagant; that they + bought things that they did not need; that they wasted in beer and + tobacco, money that they should save for funerals; that many of them + visited places of amusement when they should have been thinking about + death, and that others bought toys to please the children when they hardly + had bread enough to eat. He felt that he was in no way accountable for + this extravagance, nor for the fact that their wages did not give them the + necessaries of life, because he not only gave them the same wages that + other manufacturers gave, but the same wages that other workmen were + willing to work for. + </p> + <p> + Mr. B. said,—and he always said this as though it ended the + argument,—and he generally stood up to say it: "The great law of + supply and demand is of divine origin; it is the only law that will work + in all possible or conceivable cases; and this law fixes the price of all + labor, and from it there is no appeal. If people are not satisfied with + the operation of the law, then let them make a new world for themselves." + </p> + <p> + Some of Mr. B.'s friends reported that on several occasions, forgetting + what he had said on others, he did declare that his confidence was + somewhat weakened in the law of supply and demand; but this was only when + there seemed to be an over-production of the things he was engaged in + manufacturing, and at such times he seemed to doubt the absolute equity of + the great law. + </p> + <p> + Mr. B. made even a larger fortune than Mr. A., because when his workmen + got old he did not have to care for them, when they were sick he paid no + doctors, and when their children died he bought no coffins. In this way he + was relieved of a large part of the expenses that had to be borne by Mr. + A. When his workmen became too old, they were sent to the poorhouse; when + they were sick, they were assisted by charitable societies; and when they + died, they were buried by pity. + </p> + <p> + In a few years Mr. B. was the owner of many millions. He also considered + himself as one of God's stewards; felt that Providence had given him the + intelligence to combine interests, to carry out great schemes, and that he + was specially raised up to give employment to many thousands of people. He + often regretted that he could do no more for his laborers without + lessening his own profits, or, rather, without lessening his fund for the + blessing of mankind—the blessing to begin immediately after his + death. He was so anxious to be the providence of posterity that he was + sometimes almost heartless in his dealings with contemporaries. He felt + that it was necessary for him to be economical, to save every dollar that + he could, because in this way he could increase the fund that was finally + to bless mankind. He also felt that in this way he could lay the + foundations of a permanent fame—that he could build, through his + executors, an asylum to be called the "B. Asylum," that he could fill a + building with books to be called the "B. Library," and that he could also + build and endow an institution of learning to be called the "B. College," + and that, in addition, a large amount of money could be given for the + purpose of civilizing the citizens of less fortunate countries, to the end + that they might become imbued with that spirit of combination and + manufacture that results in putting large fortunes in the hands of those + who have been selected by Providence, on account of their talents, to make + a better distribution of wealth than those who earned it could have done. + </p> + <p> + Mr. B. spent many thousands of dollars to procure such legislation as + would protect him from foreign competition. He did not believe the law of + supply and demand would work when interfered with by manufacturers living + in other countries. + </p> + <p> + Mr. B., like Mr. A., was a man of judgment. He had what is called a level + head, was not easily turned aside from his purpose, and felt that he was + in accord with the general sentiment of his time. By his own exertions he + rose from poverty to wealth. He was born in a hut and died in a palace. He + was a patron of art and enriched his walls with the works of the masters. + He insisted that others could and should follow his example. For those who + failed or refused he had no sympathy. He accounted for their poverty and + wretchedness by saying: "These paupers have only themselves to blame." He + died without ever having lost a dollar. His funeral was magnificent, and + clergymen vied with each other in laudations of the dead. Over his dust + rises a monument of marble with the words: + </p> + <p> + HE LIVED FOR OTHERS. III + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "But there are men who steal, and vainly try + To gild the crime with pompous charity." +</pre> + <p> + There was another man, Mr. C., who also had the genius for combination. He + understood the value of capital, the value of labor; knew exactly how much + could be done with machinery; understood the economy of things; knew how + to do everything in the easiest and shortest way. And he, too, was a + manufacturer and had in his employ many thousands of men, women, and + children. He was what is called a visionary, a sentimentalist, rather weak + in his will, not very obstinate, had but little egotism; and it never + occurred to him that he had been selected by Providence, or any + supernatural power, to divide the property of others. It did not seem to + him that he had any right to take from other men their labor without + giving them a full equivalent. He felt that if he had more intelligence + than his fellow-men he ought to use that intelligence not only for his own + good but for theirs; that he certainly ought not to use it for the purpose + of gaining an advantage over those who were his intellectual inferiors. He + used to say that a man strong intellectually had no more right to take + advantage of a man weak intellectually than the physically strong had to + rob the physically weak. + </p> + <p> + He also insisted that we should not take advantage of each other's + necessities; that you should not ask a drowning man a greater price for + lumber than you would if he stood on the shore; that if you took into + consideration the necessities of your fellow-man, it should be only to + lessen the price of that which you would sell to him, not to increase it. + He insisted that honest men do not take advantage of their fellows. He was + so weak that he had not perfect confidence in the great law of supply and + demand as applied to flesh and blood. He took into consideration another + law of supply and demand; he knew that the workingman had to be supplied + with food, and that his nature demanded something to eat, a house to live + in, clothes to wear. + </p> + <p> + Mr. C. used to think about this law of supply and demand as applicable to + individuals. He found that men would work for exceedingly small wages when + pressed for the necessaries of life; that under some circumstances they + would give their labor for half of what it was worth to the employer, + because they were in a position where they must do something for wife or + child. He concluded that he had no right to take advantage of the + necessities of others, and that he should in the first place honestly find + what the work was worth to him, and then give to the man who did the work + that amount. + </p> + <p> + Other manufacturers regarded Mr. C. as substantially insane, while most of + his workmen looked upon him as an exceedingly good-natured man, without + any particular genius for business. Mr. C., however, cared little about + the opinions of others, so long as he maintained his respect for himself. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the first year he found that he had made a large profit, and + thereupon he divided this profit with the people who had earned it. Some + of his friends said to him that he ought to endow some public institution; + that there should be a college in his native town; but Mr. C. was of such + a peculiar turn of mind that he thought justice ought to go before + charity, and a little in front of egotism, and a desire to immortalize + one's self. He said that it seemed to him that of all persons in the world + entitled to this profit were the men who had earned it, the men who had + made it by their labor, by days of actual toil. He insisted that, as they + had earned it, it was really theirs, and if it was theirs, they should + have it and should spend it in their own way. Mr. C. was told that he + would make the workmen in other factories dissatisfied, that other + manufacturers would become his enemies, and that his course would + scandalize some of the greatest men who had done so much for the + civilization of the world and for the spread of intelligence. Mr. C. + became extremely unpopular with men of talent, with those who had a genius + for business. He, however, pursued his way, and carried on his business + with the idea that the men who did the work were entitled to a fair share + of the profits; that, after all, money was not as sacred as men, and that + the law of supply and demand, as understood, did not apply to flesh and + blood. + </p> + <p> + Mr. C. said: "I cannot be happy if those who work for me are defrauded. If + I feel I am taking what belongs to them, then my life becomes miserable. + To feel that I have done justice is one of the necessities of my nature. I + do not wish to establish colleges. I wish to establish no public + institution. My desire is to enable those who work for me to establish a + few thousand homes for themselves. My ambition is to enable them to buy + the books they really want to read. I do not wish to establish a hospital, + but I want to make it possible for my workmen to have the services of the + best physicians—physicians of their own choice. + </p> + <p> + "It is not for me to take their money and use it for the good of others or + for my own glory. It is for me to give what they have earned to them. + After I have given them the money that belongs to them, I can give them my + advice—I can tell them how I hope they will use it; and after I have + advised them, they will use it as they please. You cannot make great men + and great women by suppression. Slavery is not the school in which genius + is born. Every human being must make his own mistakes for himself, must + learn for himself, must have his own experience; and if the world + improves, it must be from choice, not from force; and every man who does + justice, who sets the example of fair dealing, hastens the coming of + universal honesty, of universal civilization." + </p> + <p> + Mr. C. carried his doctrine out to the fullest extent, honestly and + faithfully. When he died, there were at the funeral those who had worked + for him, their wives and their children. Their tears fell upon his grave. + They planted flowers and paid to him the tribute of their love. Above his + silent dust they erected a monument with this inscription: + </p> + <p> + HE ALLOWED OTHERS TO LIVE FOR THEMSELVES. + </p> + <p> + North American Review, December, 1831. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0016" id="link0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SHOULD THE CHINESE BE EXCLUDED? + </h2> + <p> + THE average American, like the average man of any country, has but little + imagination. People who speak a different language, or worship some other + god, or wear clothing unlike his own, are beyond the horizon of his + sympathy. He cares but little or nothing for the sufferings or misfortunes + of those who are of a different complexion or of another race. His + imagination is not powerful enough to recognize the human being, in spite + of peculiarities. Instead of this he looks upon every difference as an + evidence of inferiority, and for the inferior he has but little if any + feeling. If these "inferior people" claim equal rights he feels insulted, + and for the purpose of establishing his own superiority tramples on the + rights of the so-called inferior. + </p> + <p> + In our own country the native has always considered himself as much better + than the immigrant, and as far superior to all people of a different + complexion. At one time our people hated the Irish, then the Germans, then + the Italians, and now the Chinese. The Irish and Germans, however, became + numerous. They became citizens, and, most important of all, they had + votes. They combined, became powerful, and the political parties sought + their aid. They had something to give in exchange for protection—in + exchange for political rights. In consequence of this they were flattered + by candidates, praised by the political press, and became powerful enough + not only to protect themselves, but at last to govern the principal cities + in the United States. As a matter of fact the Irish and the Germans drove + the native Americans out of the trades and from the lower forms of labor. + They built the railways and canals. They became servants. Afterward the + Irish and the Germans were driven from the canals and railways by the + Italians. + </p> + <p> + The Irish and Germans improved their condition. They went into other + businesses, into the higher and more lucrative trades. They entered the + professions, turned their attention to politics, became merchants, + brokers, and professors in colleges. They are not now building railroads + or digging on public works. They are contractors, legislators, holders of + office, and the Italians and Chinese are doing the old work. + </p> + <p> + If matters had been allowed to work in a natural way, without the + interference of mobs or legislators, the Chinese would have driven the + Italians to better employments, and all menial labor would, in time, be + done by the Mongolians. + </p> + <p> + In olden times each nation hated all others. This was considered natural + and patriotic. Spain, after many centuries of war, expelled the Moors, + then the Moriscoes, and then the Jews. And Spain, in the name of religion + and patriotism, succeeded in driving from its territory its industry, its + taste and its intelligence, and by these mistakes became poor, ignorant + and weak. France started on the same path when the Huguenots were + expelled, and even England at one time deported the Jews. In those days a + difference of race or religion was sufficient to justify any absurdity and + any cruelty. + </p> + <p> + In our country, as a matter of fact, there is but little prejudice against + emigrants coming from Europe, except among naturalized citizens; but + nearly all foreign-born citizens are united in their prejudice against the + Chinese. + </p> + <p> + The truth is that the Chinese came to this country by invitation. Under + the Burlingame Treaty, China and the United States recognized: + </p> + <p> + "The inherent and inalienable right of man to change his home and + allegiance, and also the mutual advantage of free migration and emigration + of their citizens and subjects respectively from one country to the other + for purposes of curiosity, of trade, or as permanent residents." + </p> + <p> + And it was provided: + </p> + <p> + "That the citizens of the United States visiting or residing in China and + Chinese subjects visiting or residing in the United States should + reciprocally enjoy the same privileges, immunities and exemptions, in + respect to travel or residence, as shall be enjoyed by the citizens or + subjects of the most favored nation, in the country in which they shall + respectively be visiting or residing." + </p> + <p> + So, by the treaty of 1880, providing for the limitation or suspension of + emigration of Chinese labor, it was declared: + </p> + <p> + "That the limitation or suspension should apply only to Chinese who + emigrated to the United States as laborers; but that Chinese laborers who + were then in the United States should be allowed to go and come of their + own free will and should be accorded all the rights, privileges, + immunities and exemptions, which were accorded to the citizens and + subjects of the most favored nations." + </p> + <p> + It will thus be seen that all Chinese laborers who came to this country + prior to the treaty of 1880 were to be treated the same as the citizens + and subjects of the most favored nation; that is to say, they were to be + protected by our laws the same as we protect our own citizens. + </p> + <p> + These Chinese laborers are inoffensive, peaceable and law-abiding. They + are honest, keeping their contracts, doing as they agree. They are + exceedingly industrious, always ready to work and always giving + satisfaction to their employers. They do not interfere with other people. + They cannot become citizens. They have no voice in the making or the + execution of the laws. They attend to their own business. They have their + own ideas, customs, religion and ceremonies—about as foolish as our + own; but they do not try to make converts or to force their dogmas on + others. They are patient, uncomplaining, stoical and philosophical. They + earn what they can, giving reasonable value for the money they receive, + and as a rule, when they have amassed a few thousand dollars, they go back + to their own country. They do not interfere with our ideas, our ways or + customs. They are silent workers, toiling without any object, except to do + their work and get their pay. They do not establish saloons and run for + Congress. Neither do they combine for the purpose of governing others. Of + all the people on our soil they are the least meddlesome. Some of them + smoke opium, but the opium-smoker does not beat his wife. Some of them + play games of chance, but they are not members of the Stock Exchange. They + eat the bread that they earn; they neither beg nor steal, but they are of + no use to parties or politicians except as they become fuel to supply the + flame of prejudice. They are not citizens and they cannot vote. Their + employers are about the only friends they have. + </p> + <p> + In the Pacific States the lowest became their enemies and asked for their + expulsion. They denounced the Chinese and those who gave them work. The + patient followers of Confucius were treated as outcasts—stoned by + boys in the streets and mobbed by the fathers. Few seemed to have any + respect for their rights or their feelings. They were unlike us. They wore + different clothes. They dressed their hair in a peculiar way, and + therefore they were beyond our sympathies. These ideas, these practices, + demoralized many communities; the laboring people became cruel and the + small politicians infamous. + </p> + <p> + When the rights of even one human being are held in contempt the rights of + all are in danger. We cannot destroy the liberties of others without + losing our own. By exciting the prejudices of the ignorant we at last + produce a contempt for law and justice, and sow the seeds of violence and + crime. + </p> + <p> + Both of the great political parties pandered to the leaders of the crusade + against the Chinese for the sake of electoral votes, and in the Pacific + States the friends of the Chinese were forced to keep still or to publicly + speak contrary to their convictions. The orators of the "Sand Lots" were + in power, and the policy of the whole country was dictated by the most + ignorant and prejudiced of our citizens. Both of the great parties + ratified the outrages committed by the mobs, and proceeded with alacrity + to violate the treaties and solemn obligations of the Government. These + treaties were violated, these obligations were denied, and thousands of + Chinamen were deprived of their rights, of their property, and hundreds + were maimed or murdered. They were driven from their homes. They were + hunted like wild beasts. All this was done in a country that sends + missionaries to China to tell the benighted savages of the blessed + religion of the United States. + </p> + <p> + At first a demand was made that the Chinese should be driven out, then + that no others should be allowed to come, and laws with these objects in + view were passed, in spite of the treaties, preventing the coming of any + more. For a time that satisfied the haters of the Mongolian. Then came a + demand for more stringent legislation, so that many of the Chinese already + here could be compelled to leave. The answer or response to this demand is + what is known as the Geary Law. + </p> + <p> + By this act it is provided, among other things, that any Chinaman + convicted of not being lawfully in the country shall be removed to China, + after having been imprisoned at hard labor for not exceeding one year. + This law also does away with bail on <i>habeas corpus</i>, proceedings + where the right to land has been denied to a Chinaman. It also compels all + Chinese laborers to obtain, within one year after the passage of the law, + certificates of residence from the revenue collectors, and if found + without such certificate they shall be held to be unlawfully in the United + States. + </p> + <p> + It is further provided that if a Chinaman claims that he failed to get + such certificate by "accident, sickness or other unavoidable cause," then + he must clearly establish such claim to the satisfaction of the judge "by + at least one credible white witness." + </p> + <p> + If we were at war with China then we might legally consider every Chinaman + as an enemy, but we were and are at peace with that country. The Geary Act + was passed by Congress and signed by the President simply for the sake of + votes. The Democrats in Congress voted for it to save the Pacific States + to the Democratic column; and a Republican President signed it so that the + Pacific States should vote the Republican ticket. Principle was forgotten, + or rather it was sacrificed, in the hope of political success. It was then + known, as now, that China is a peaceful nation, that it does not believe + in war as a remedy, that it relies on negotiation and treaty. It is also + known that the Chinese in this country were helpless, without friends, + without power to defend themselves. It is possible that many members of + Congress voted in favor of the Act believing that the Supreme Court would + hold it unconstitutional, and that in the meantime it might be politically + useful. + </p> + <p> + The idea of imprisoning a man at hard labor for a year, and this man a + citizen of a friendly nation, for the crime of being found in this country + without a certificate of residence, must be abhorrent to the mind of every + enlightened man. Such punishment for such an "offence" is barbarous and + belongs to the earliest times of which we know. This law makes industry a + crime and puts one who works for his bread on a level with thieves and the + lowest criminals, treats him as a felon, and clothes him in the stripes of + a convict,—and all this is done at the demand of the ignorant, of + the prejudiced, of the heartless, and because the Chinese are not voters + and have no political power. + </p> + <p> + The Chinese are not driven away because there is no room for them. Our + country is not crowded. There are many millions of acres waiting for the + plow. There is plenty of room here under our flag for five hundred + millions of people. These Chinese that we wish to oppress and imprison are + people who understand the art of irrigation. They can redeem the deserts. + They are the best of gardeners. They are modest and willing to occupy the + lowest seats. They only ask to be day-laborers, washers and ironers. They + are willing to sweep and scrub. They are good cooks. They can clear lands + and build railroads. They do not ask to be masters—they wish only to + serve. In every capacity they are faithful; but in this country their + virtues have made enemies, and they are hated because of their patience, + their honesty and their industry. + </p> + <p> + The Geary Law, however, failed to provide the ways and means for carrying + it into effect, so that the probability is it will remain a dead letter + upon the statute book. The sum of money required to carry it out is too + large, and the law fails to create the machinery and name the persons + authorized to deport the Chinese. Neither is there any mode of trial + pointed out. According to the law there need be no indictment by a grand + jury, no trial by a jury, and the person found guilty of being here + without a certificate of residence can be imprisoned and treated as a + felon without the ordinary forms of trial. + </p> + <p> + This law is contrary to the laws and customs of nations. The punishment is + unusual, severe, and contrary to our Constitution, and under its + provisions aliens—citizens of a friendly nation—can be + imprisoned without due process of law. The law is barbarous, contrary to + the spirit and genius of American institutions, and was passed in + violation of solemn treaty stipulations. + </p> + <p> + The Congress-that passed it is the same that closed the gates of the + World's Fair on the "blessed Sabbath," thinking it wicked to look at + statues and pictures on that day. These representatives of the people seem + to have had more piety than principle. + </p> + <p> + After the passage of such a law by the United States is it not indecent + for us to send missionaries to China? Is there not work enough for them at + home? We send ministers to China to convert the heathen; but when we find + a Chinaman on our soil, where he can be saved by our example, we treat him + as a criminal. + </p> + <p> + It is to the interest of this country to maintain friendly relations with + China. We want the trade of nearly one-fourth of the human race. We want + to pay for all we get from that country in articles of our own + manufacture. We lost the trade of Mexico and the South American Republics + because of slavery, because we hated people in whose veins was found a + drop of African blood, and now we are losing the trade of China by + pandering to the prejudices of the ignorant and cruel. + </p> + <p> + After all, it pays to do right. This is a hard truth to learn—especially + for a nation. A great nation should be bound by the highest conception of + justice and honor. Above all things it should be true to its treaties, its + contracts, its obligations. It should remember that its responsibilities + are in accordance with its power and intelligence. + </p> + <p> + Our Government is founded on the equality of human rights—on the + idea, the sacred truth, that all are entitled to life, liberty and the + pursuit of happiness. Our country is an asylum for the oppressed of all + nations—of all races. Here, the Government gets its power from the + consent of the governed. After the abolition of slavery these great truths + were not only admitted, but they found expression in our Constitution and + laws. + </p> + <p> + Shall we now go back to barbarism? + </p> + <p> + Russia is earning the hatred of the civilized world by driving the Jews + from their homes. But what can the United States say? Our mouths are + closed by the Geary Law. We are in the same business. Our law is as + inhuman as the order or ukase of the Czar. + </p> + <p> + Let us retrace our steps, repeal the law and accomplish what we justly + desire by civilized means. Let us treat China as we would England; and, + above all, let us respect the rights of men,—North American Review, + July, 1893. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0017" id="link0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A WORD ABOUT EDUCATION. + </h2> + <p> + THE end of life—the object of life—is happiness. Nothing can + be better than that—nothing higher. In order to be really happy, man + must be in harmony with his surroundings, with the conditions of + well-being. In order to know these surroundings, he must be educated, and + education is of value only as it contributes to the wellbeing of man, and + only that is education which increases the power of man to gratify his + real wants—wants of body and of mind. + </p> + <p> + The educated man knows the necessity of finding out the facts in nature, + the relations between himself and his fellow-men, between himself and the + world, to the end that he may take advantage of these facts and relations + for the benefit of himself and others. He knows that a man may understand + Latin and Greek, Hebrew and Sanscrit, and be as ignorant of the great + facts and forces in nature as a native of Central Africa. + </p> + <p> + The educated man knows something that he can use, not only for the benefit + of himself, but for the benefit of others. Every skilled mechanic, every + good farmer, every man who knows some of the real facts in nature that + touch him, is to that extent an educated man. The skilled mechanic and the + intelligent farmer may not be what we call "scholars," and what we call + scholars may not be educated men. + </p> + <p> + Man is in constant need. He must protect himself from cold and heat, from + sun and storm. He needs food and raiment for the body, and he needs what + we call art for the development and gratification of his brain. Beginning + with what are called the necessaries of life, he rises to what are known + as the luxuries, and the luxuries become necessaries, and above luxuries + he rises to the highest wants of the soul. + </p> + <p> + The man who is fitted to take care of himself, in the conditions he may be + placed, is, in a very important sense, an educated man. The savage who + understands the habits of animals, who is a good hunter and fisher, is a + man of education, taking into consideration his circumstances. The + graduate of a university who cannot take care of himself—no matter + how much he may have studied—is not an educated man. + </p> + <p> + In our time, an educated man, whether a mechanic, a farmer, or one who + follows a profession, should know something about what the world has + discovered. He should have an idea of the outlines of the sciences. He + should have read a little, at least, of the best that has been written. He + should know something of mechanics, a little about politics, commerce, and + metaphysics; and in addition to all this, he should know how to make + something. His hands should be educated, so that he can, if necessary, + supply his own wants by supplying the wants of others. + </p> + <p> + There are mental misers—men who gather learning all their lives and + keep it to themselves. They are worse than hoarders of gold, because when + they die their learning dies with them, while the metal miser is compelled + to leave his gold for others. + </p> + <p> + The first duty of man is to support himself—to see to it that he + does not become a burden. His next duty is to help others if he has a + surplus, and if he really believes they deserve to be helped. + </p> + <p> + It is not necessary to have what is called a university education in order + to be useful or to be happy, any more than it is necessary to be rich, to + be happy. Great wealth is a great burden, and to have more than you can + use, is to care for more than you want. The happiest are those who are + prosperous, and who by reasonable endeavor can supply their reasonable + wants and have a little surplus year by year for the winter of their + lives. + </p> + <p> + So, it is no use to learn thousands and thousands of useless facts, or to + fill the brain with unspoken tongues. This is burdening yourself with more + than you can use. The best way is to learn the useful. + </p> + <p> + We all know that men in moderate circumstances cau have just as + comfortable houses as the richest, just as comfortable clothing, just as + good food. They can see just as fine paintings, just as marvelous statues, + and they can hear just as good music. They can attend the same theatres + and the same operas. They can enjoy the same sunshine, and above all, can + love and be loved just as well as kings and millionaires. + </p> + <p> + So the conclusion of the whole matter is, that he is educated who knows + how to take care of himself; and that the happy man is the successful man, + and that it is only a burden to have more than you want, or to learn those + things that you cannot use.—The High School Register, Omaha, + Nebraska, January. 1891. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0018" id="link0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS. + </h2> + <p> + IF I had the power to produce exactly what I want for next Christmas, I + would have all the kings and emperors resign and allow the people to + govern themselves. + </p> + <p> + I would have all the nobility drop their titles and give their lands back + to the people. I would have the Pope throw away his tiara, take off his + sacred vestments, and admit that he is not acting for God—is not + infallible—but is just an ordinary Italian. I would have all the + cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests and clergymen admit that they + know nothing about theology, nothing about hell or heaven, nothing about + the destiny of the human race, nothing about devils or ghosts, gods or + angels. I would have them tell all their "flocks" to think for themselves, + to be manly men and womanly women, and to do all in their power to + increase the sum of human happiness. + </p> + <p> + I would have all the professors in colleges, all the teachers in schools + of every kind, including those in Sunday schools, agree that they would + teach only what they know, that they would not palm off guesses as + demonstrated truths. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see all the politicians changed to statesmen,—to men + who long to make their country great and free,—to men who care more + for public good than private gain—men who long to be of use. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see all the editors of papers and magazines agree to print + the truth and nothing but the truth, to avoid all slander and + misrepresentation, and to let the private affairs of the people alone. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see drunkenness and prohibition both abolished. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see corporal punishment done away with in every home, in + every school, in every asylum, reformatory, and prison. Cruelty hardens + and degrades, kindness reforms and ennobles. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see the millionaires unite and form a trust for the public + good. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see a fair division of profits between capital and labor, + so that the toiler could save enough to mingle a little June with the + December of his life. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see an international court established in which to settle + disputes between nations, so that armies could be disbanded and the great + navies allowed to rust and rot in perfect peace. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see the whole world free—free from injustice—free + from superstition. + </p> + <p> + This will do for next Christmas. The following Christmas, I may want more.—The + Arena, Boston, December, 1897. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0019" id="link0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + FOOL FRIENDS. + </h2> + <h3> + NOTHING hurts a man, nothing hurts a party so terribly as fool friends. + </h3> + <p> + A fool friend is the sewer of bad news, of slander and all base and + unpleasant things. + </p> + <p> + A fool friend always knows every mean thing that has been said against you + and against the party. + </p> + <p> + He always knows where your party is losing, and the other is making large + gains. + </p> + <p> + He always tells you of the good luck your enemy has had. + </p> + <p> + He implicitly believes every story against you, and kindly suspects your + defence. + </p> + <p> + A fool friend is always full of a kind of stupid candor. + </p> + <p> + He is so candid that he always believes the statement of an enemy. + </p> + <p> + He never suspects anything on your side. + </p> + <p> + Nothing pleases him like being shocked by horrible news concerning some + good man. + </p> + <p> + He never denies a lie unless it is in your favor. + </p> + <p> + He is always finding fault with his party, and is continually begging + pardon for not belonging to the other side. + </p> + <p> + He is frightfully anxious that all his candidates should stand well with + the opposition. + </p> + <p> + He is forever seeing the faults of his party and the virtues of the other. + </p> + <p> + He generally shows his candor by scratching the ticket. + </p> + <p> + He always searches every nook and comer of his conscience to find a reason + for deserting a friend or a principle. + </p> + <p> + In the moment of victory he is magnanimously on your side. + </p> + <p> + In defeat he consoles you by repeating prophecies made after the event. + </p> + <p> + The fool friend regards your reputation as common prey for all the + vultures, hyenas and jackals. + </p> + <p> + He takes a sad pleasure in your misfortunes. + </p> + <p> + He forgets his principles to gratify your enemies. + </p> + <p> + He forgives your maligner, and slanders you with all his heart. + </p> + <p> + He is so friendly that you cannot kick him. + </p> + <p> + He generally talks for you but always bets the other way. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0020" id="link0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + INSPIRATION + </h2> + <p> + WE are told that we have in our possession the inspired will of God. What + is meant by the word "inspired" is not exactly known; but whatever else it + may mean, certainly it means that the "inspired" must be the true. If it + is true, there is in fact no need of its being inspired—the truth + will take care of itself. + </p> + <p> + The church is forced to say that the Bible differs from all other books; + it is forced to say that it contains the actual will of God. Let us then + see what inspiration really is. A man looks at the sea, and the sea says + something to him. It makes an impression upon his mind. It awakens memory, + and this impression depends upon the man's experience—upon his + intellectual capacity. Another looks upon the same sea. He has a different + brain; he has had a different experience. The sea may speak to him of joy; + to the other of grief and tears. The sea cannot tell the same thing to any + two human beings, because no two human beings have had the same + experience. + </p> + <p> + Another, standing upon the shore, listening to what the great Greek + tragedian called "The multitudinous laughter of the sea," may say: Every + drop has visited all the shores of the earth; every one has been frozen in + the vast and icy North; every one has fallen in snow, has been whirled by + storms around mountain peaks; every one has been kissed to vapor by the + sun; every one has worn the seven-hued garment of light; every one has + fallen in pleasant rain, gurgled from springs and laughed in brooks while + lovers wooed upon the banks, and every one has rushed with mighty rivers + back to the sea's embrace. Everything in Nature tells a different story to + all eyes that see, and to all ears that hear. + </p> + <p> + Once in my life, and once only, I heard Horace Greeley deliver a lecture. + I think the title was "Across the Continent." At last he reached the + mammoth trees of California, and I thought, "Here is an opportunity for + the old man to indulge his fancy. Here are trees that have outlived a + thousand human governments. There are limbs above his head older than the + pyramids. While man was emerging from barbarism to something like + civilization, these trees were growing. Older than history, every one + appeared to be a memory, a witness, and a prophecy. The same wind that + filled the sails of the Argonauts had swayed these trees." But these trees + said nothing of this kind to Mr. Greeley. Upon these subjects not a word + was told him. Instead, he took his pencil, and after figuring awhile, + remarked: "One of these trees, sawed into inch boards, would make more + than three hundred thousand feet of lumber." + </p> + <p> + I was once riding in the cars in Illinois. There had been a violent + thunder storm. The rain had ceased, the sun was going down. The great + clouds had floated toward the west, and there they assumed most wonderful + architectural shapes. There were temples and palaces domed and turreted, + and they were touched with silver, with amethyst and gold. They looked + like the homes of the Titans, or the palaces of the gods. A man was + sitting near me. I touched him and said, "Did you ever see anything so + beautiful?" He looked out. He saw nothing of the cloud, nothing of the + sun, nothing of the color; he saw only the country, and replied, "Yes, it + is beautiful; I always did like rolling land." + </p> + <p> + On another occasion I was riding in a stage. There had been a snow, and + after the snow a sleet, and all the trees were bent, and all the boughs + were arched. Every fence, every log cabin, had been transfigured, touched + with a glory almost beyond this world. The great fields were a pure and + perfect white; the forests, drooping beneath their load of gems, made + wonderful caves, from which one almost expected to see troops of fairies + come. The whole world looked like a bride, jeweled from head to foot. A + German on the back seat, hearing our talk, and our exclamations of wonder, + leaned forward, looked out of the stage window, and said, "Y-a-a-s; it + looks like a clean table cloth!" + </p> + <p> + So, when we look upon a flower, a painting, a statue, a star, or a violet, + the more we know, the more we have experienced, the more we have thought, + the more we remember,—the more the statue, the star, the painting, + the violet, has to tell. Nature says to me all that I am capable of + understanding—gives all that I can receive. + </p> + <p> + As with star or flower or sea, so with a book. A man reads Shakespeare. + What does he get from him? All that he has the mind to understand. He gets + his little cup full. Let another read him who knows nothing of the drama, + nothing of the impersonations of passion, and what does he get? Almost + nothing. Shakespeare has a different story for each reader. He is a world + in which each recognizes his acquaintances—he may know a few—he + may know all. + </p> + <p> + The impression that Nature makes upon the mind, the stories told by sea + and star and flower, must be the natural food of thought. Leaving out for + the moment the impression gained from ancestors, the hereditary fears and + drifts and trends—the natural food of thought must be the impression + made upon the brain by coming in contact, through the medium of the five + senses, with what we call the outward world. The brain is natural. Its + food is natural. The result—thought—must be natural. The + supernatural can be constructed with no material except the natural. Of + the supernatural we can have no conception. + </p> + <p> + "Thought" may be deformed, and the thought of one may be strange to, and + denominated as unnatural by, another; but it cannot be supernatural. It + may be weak, it may be insane, but it is not supernatural. Above the + natural, man cannot rise. There can be deformed ideas, as there are + deformed persons. There can be religious monstrosities and misshapen, but + they must be naturally produced. Some people have ideas about what they + are pleased to call the supernatural; what they call the supernatural is + simply the deformed. The world is to each man according to each man. It + takes the world as it really is, and that man to make that man's world, + and that man's world cannot exist without that man. + </p> + <p> + You may ask, and what of all this? I reply: As with everything in Nature, + so with the Bible. It has a different story for each reader. Is then, the + Bible a different book to every human being who reads it? It is. Can God, + then, through the Bible, make the same revelation to two persons? He + cannot. Why? Because the man who reads it is the man who inspires. + Inspiration is in the man, as well as in the book. God should have + "inspired" readers as well as writers. + </p> + <p> + You may reply, God knew that his book would be understood differently by + each one; really intended that it should be understood as it is understood + by each. If this is so, then my understanding of the Bible is the real + revelation to me. If this is so, I have no right to take the understanding + of another. I must take the revelation made to me through my + understanding, and by that revelation I must stand. Suppose, then, that I + do read this Bible honestly, carefully, and when I get through I am + compelled to say, "The book is not true!" + </p> + <p> + If this is the honest result, then you are compelled to say, either that + God has made no revelation to me, or that the revelation that it is not + true is the revelation made to me, and by which I am bound. If the book + and my brain are both the work of the same infinite God, whose fault is it + that the book and the brain do not agree? Either God should have written a + book to fit my brain, or should have made my brain to fit his book. + </p> + <p> + The inspiration of the Bible depends upon the ignorance of him who reads.—The + Truth Seeker Annual, New York, 1885. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0021" id="link0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TRUTH OF HISTORY. + </h2> + <p> + THOUSANDS of Christians have asked: How was it possible for Christ and his + apostles to deceive the people of Jerusalem? How came the miracles to be + believed? Who had the impudence to say that lepers had been cleansed, and + that the dead had been raised? How could such impostors have escaped + exposure? + </p> + <p> + I ask: How did Mohammed deceive the people of Mecca? How has the Catholic + Church imposed upon millions of people? Who can account for the success of + falsehood? + </p> + <p> + Millions of people are directly interested in the false. They live by + lying. To deceive is the business of their lives. Truth is a cripple; lies + have wings. It is almost impossible to overtake and kill and bury a lie. + If you do, some one will erect a monument over the grave, and the lie is + born again as an epitaph. Let me give you a case in point. + </p> + <p> + A few days ago the Matlock <i>Register</i>, a paper published in England, + printed the following: + </p> + <p> + CONVERSION OF THE ARCH ATHEIST. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Isaac Loveland, of Shoreham, desires us to insert the following:— + </p> + <p> + "November 27, 1886. + </p> + <p> + "Dear Mr. Loveland.—A day or two since, I received from Mr. Hine the + exhilarating intelligence that through his lectures on the 'Identity of + the British Nation with Lost Israel,' in Canada and the United States, + that Col. Bob Ingersoll, the arch Atheist, has been converted to + Christianity, and has joined the Episcopal Church. Praise the Lord!!! + 5,000 of his followers <i>have been won for Christ</i> through Mr. Hine's + grand mission work, the other side of the Atlantic. The Colonel's cousin, + the Rev. Mr. Ingersoll, wrote to Mr. Hine soon after he began lecturing in + America, informing him that his lectures had made a great impression on + the Colonel and other Atheists. I noted it at the time in the Messenger. + Bradlaugh will yet be converted; his brother has been, and has joined a + British Israel Identity Association. This is progress, and shows what an + energetic, determined man (like Mr. Hine), who is earnest in his faith, + can do. + </p> + <p> + "Very faithfully yours, + </p> + <p> + "H. HODSON RUGG. + </p> + <p> + "Grove-road, St. John's Wood, London." + </p> + <p> + How can we account for an article like that? Who made up this story? Who + had the impudence to publish it? + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, I never saw Mr. Hine, never heard of him until this + extract was received by me in the month of December. I never read a word + about the "Identity of Lost Israel with the British Nation." It is a + question in which I never had, and never expect to have, the slightest + possible interest. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more preposterous than that the Englishman in whose veins + can be found the blood of the Saxon, the Dane, the Norman, the Piet, the + Scot and the Celt, is the descendant of "Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." The + English language does not bear the remotest resemblance to the Hebrew, and + yet it is claimed by the Reverend Hod-son Rugg that not only myself, but + five thousand other Atheists, were converted by the Rev. Mr. Hine, because + of his theory that Englishmen and Americans are simply Jews in disguise. + </p> + <p> + This letter, in my judgment, was published to be used by missionaries in + China, Japan, India and Africa. + </p> + <p> + If stories like this can be circulated about a living man, what may we not + expect concerning the dead who have opposed the church? + </p> + <p> + Countless falsehoods have been circulated about all the opponents of + superstition. Whoever attacks the popular falsehoods of his time will find + that a lie defends itself by telling other lies. Nothing is so prolific, + nothing can so multiply itself, nothing can lay and hatch as many eggs, as + a good, healthy, religious lie. + </p> + <p> + And nothing is more wonderful than the credulity of the believers in the + supernatural. They feel under a kind of obligation to believe everything + in favor of their religion, or against any form of what they are pleased + to call "Infidelity." + </p> + <p> + The old falsehoods about Voltaire, Paine, Hume, Julian, Diderot and + hundreds of others, grow green every spring. They are answered; they are + demonstrated to be without the slightest foundation; but they rarely die. + And when one does die there seems to be a kind of Cæsarian + operation, so that in each instance although the mother dies the child + lives to undergo, if necessary, a like operation, leaving another child, + and sometimes two. + </p> + <p> + There are thousands and thousands of tongues ready to repeat what the + owners know to be false, and these lies are a part of the stock in trade, + the valuable assets, of superstition. No church can afford to throw its + property away. To admit that these stories are false now, is to admit that + the church has been busy lying for hundreds of years, and it is also to + admit that the word of the church is not and cannot be taken as evidence + of any fact. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago, I had a little controversy with the editor of the New + York <i>Observer</i>, the Rev. Irenaeus Prime, (who is now supposed to be + in heaven enjoying the bliss of seeing Infidels in hell), as to whether + Thomas Paine recanted his religious opinions. I offered to deposit a + thousand dollars for the benefit of a charity, if the reverend doctor + would substantiate the charge that Paine recanted. I forced the New York + <i>Observer</i> to admit that Paine did not recant, and compelled that + paper to say that "Thomas Paine died a blaspheming Infidel." + </p> + <p> + A few months afterward an English paper was sent to me—a religious + paper—and in that paper was a statement to the effect that the + editor of the New York <i>Observer</i> had claimed that Paine recanted; + that I had offered to give a thousand dollars to any charity that Mr. + Prime might select, if he would establish the fact that Paine did recant; + and that so overwhelming was the testimony brought forward by Mr. Prime, + that I admitted that Paine did recant, and paid the thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + This is another instance of what might be called the truth of history. + </p> + <p> + I wrote to the editor of that paper, telling the exact facts, and offering + him advertising rates to publish the denial, and in addition, stated that + if he would send me a copy of his paper with the denial, I would send him + twenty-five dollars for his trouble. I received no reply, and the lie is + in all probability still on its travels, going from Sunday school to + Sunday school, from pulpit to pulpit, from hypocrite to savage,—that + is to say, from missionary to Hottentot—without the slightest + evidence of fatigue—fresh and strong, and in its cheeks the roses + and lilies of perfect health. + </p> + <p> + Some person, expecting to add another gem to his crown of glory, put in + circulation the story that one of my daughters had joined the Presbyterian + Church,—a story without the slightest foundation—and although + denied a hundred times, it is still being printed and circulated for the + edification of the faithful. Every few days I receive some letter of + inquiry as to this charge, and I have industriously denied it for years, + but up to the present time, it shows no signs of death—not even of + weakness. + </p> + <p> + Another religious gentleman put in print the charge that my son, having + been raised in the atmosphere of Infidelity, had become insane and died in + an asylum. Notwithstanding the fact that I never had a son, the story + still goes right on, and is repeated day after day without the semblance + of a blush. + </p> + <p> + Now, if all this is done while I am alive and well, and while I have all + the facilities of our century for spreading the denials, what will be done + after my lips are closed? + </p> + <p> + The mendacity of superstition is almost enough to make a man believe in + the supernatural. + </p> + <p> + And so I might go on for a hundred columns. Billions of falsehoods have + been told and there are trillions yet to come. The doctrines of Malthus + have nothing to do with this particular kind of reproduction. + </p> + <p> + "And there are also many other falsehoods which the church has told, the + which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world + itself could not contain the books that should be written."—The + Truth Seeker, New York, February, 19,1887. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0022" id="link0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HOW TO EDIT A LIBERAL PAPER. + </h2> + <h3> + A LIBERAL paper should be edited by a Liberal man. + </h3> + <p> + And by the word Liberal I mean, not only free, not only one who thinks for + himself, not only one who has escaped from the prisons of customs and + creed, but one who is candid, intelligent and kind. + </p> + <p> + This Liberal editor should not forever play upon one string, no matter how + wonderful the music. He should not have his attention forever fixed upon + one question—that is to say, he should not look through a reversed + telescope and narrow his horizon to that degree that he sees only one + thing. + </p> + <p> + To know that the Bible is the literature of a barbarous people, to know + that it is uninspired, to be certain that the supernatural does not and + cannot exist—all this is but the beginning of wisdom. This only lays + the foundation for unprejudiced observation. To kill weeds, to fell + forests, to drive away or exterminate wild beasts—this is + preparatory to doing something of greater value. Of course the weeds must + be killed, the forests must be felled, and the beasts must be destroyed + before the building of homes and the cultivation of fields. + </p> + <p> + A Liberal paper should not discuss theological questions alone. + Intelligent people everywhere have given up most of the old superstitions. + They have pretty well made up their minds what is false, and they want to + know some others. + </p> + <p> + That is to say, liberal toward everything that is true. For this reason, a + Liberal paper should keep abreast of the discoveries of the human mind. No + science should be neglected; no fact should be overlooked. Inventions + should be described and understood. And not only this, but the beautiful + in thought, in form and color, should be preserved. The paper should be + filled with things calculated to interest thoughtful, intelligent and + serious people. There should be a column for children as well as for men. + </p> + <p> + Above all, it should be perfectly kind and candid. In discussion there is + no place for hatred, no opportunity for slander. A personality is always + out of place. An angry man can neither reason himself, nor perceive the + reason of what another says. The orthodox world has always dealt in + personalities. Every minister can answer the argument of an opponent by + attacking the character of the opponent. This example should never be + followed by a Liberal man. Nobody can be bad enough to prove that the + Bible is uninspired, and nobody can be good enough to prove that it is the + word of God. These facts have no relation. They neither stand nor fall + together. + </p> + <p> + Nothing should be asserted that is not known. Nothing should be denied, + the falsity of which has not been, or cannot be, demonstrated. Opinions + are simply given for what they are worth. They are guesses, and one + guesser should give to another guesser all the right of guessing that he + claims for himself. Upon the great questions of origin, of destiny, of + immortality, of punishment and reward in other worlds, every honest man + must say, "I do not know." Upon these questions, this is the creed of + intelligence. Nothing is harder to bear than the egotism of ignorance and + the arrogance of superstition. The man who has some knowledge of the + difficulties surrounding these subjects, who knows something of the + limitations of the human mind, must, of necessity, be mentally modest. And + this condition of mental modesty is the only one consistent with + individual progress. + </p> + <p> + Above all, and over all, a Liberal paper should teach the absolute freedom + of the mind, the utter independence of the individual, the perfect liberty + of speech. We should remember that the world is as it must be; that the + present is the necessary offspring of the past; that the future must be + what the present makes it, and that the real work of the reformer, of the + philanthropist, is to change the conditions of the present, to the end + that the future may be better. + </p> + <p> + Secular Thought, Toronto, January 8,1887. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0023" id="link0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SECULARISM. + </h2> + <p> + SEVERAL people have asked me the meaning of this term. + </p> + <p> + Secularism is the religion of humanity; it embraces the affairs of this + world; it is interested in everything that touches the welfare of a + sentient being; it advocates attention to the particular planet in which + we happen to live; it means that each individual counts for something; it + is a declaration of intellectual independence; it means that the pew is + superior to the pulpit, that those who bear the burdens shall have the + profits and that they who fill the purse shall hold the strings. It is a + protest against theological oppression, against ecclesiastical tyranny, + against being the serf, subject or slave of any phantom, or of the priest + of any phantom. It is a protest against wasting this life for the sake of + one that we know not of. It proposes to let the gods take care of + themselves. It is another name for common sense; that is to say, the + adaptation of means to such ends as are desired and understood. + </p> + <p> + Secularism believes in building a home here, in this world. It trusts to + individual effort, to energy, to intelligence, to observation and + experience rather than to the unknown and the supernatural. It desires to + be happy on this side of the grave. + </p> + <p> + Secularism means food and fireside, roof and raiment, reasonable work and + reasonable leisure, the cultivation of the tastes, the acquisition of + knowledge, the enjoyment of the arts, and it promises for the human race + comfort, independence, intelligence, and above all, liberty. It means the + abolition of sectarian feuds, of theological hatreds. It means the + cultivation of friendship and intellectual hospitality. It means the + living for ourselves and each other; for the present instead of the past, + for this world rather than for another. It means the right to express your + thought in spite of popes, priests, and gods. It means that impudent + idleness shall no longer live upon the labor of honest men. It means the + destruction of the business of those who trade in fear. It proposes to + give serenity and content to the human soul. It will put out the fires of + eternal pain. It is striving to do away with violence and vice, with + ignorance, poverty and disease. It lives for the ever present to-day, and + the ever coming to-morrow. It does not believe in praying and receiving, + but in earning and deserving. It regards work as worship, labor as prayer, + and wisdom as the savior of mankind. It says to every human being, Take + care of yourself so that you may be able to help others; adorn your life + with the gems called good deeds; illumine your path with the sunlight + called friendship and love. + </p> + <p> + Secularism is a religion, a religion that is understood. It has no + mysteries, no mummeries, no priests, no ceremonies, no falsehoods, no + miracles, and no persecutions. It considers the lilies of the field, and + takes thought for the morrow. It says to the whole world, Work that you + may eat, drink, and be clothed; work that you may enjoy; work that you may + not want; work that you may give and never need.—The Independent + Pulpit, Waco, Texas, 1887. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0024" id="link0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CRITICISM OF "ROBERT ELSMERE," "JOHN WARD, PREACHER," AND "AN AFRICAN + FARM." + </h2> + <p> + IF one wishes to know what orthodox religion really is—I mean that + religion unsoftened by Infidelity, by doubt—let him read "John Ward, + Preacher." This book shows exactly what the love of God will do in the + heart of man. This shows what the effect of the creed of Christendom is, + when absolutely believed. In this case it is the woman who is free and the + man who is enslaved. In "Robert Els-mere" the man is breaking chains, + while the woman prefers the old prison with its ivy-covered walls. + </p> + <p> + Why should a man allow human love to stand between his soul and the will + of God—between his soul and eternal joy? Why should not the true + believer tear every blossom of pity, of charity, from his heart, rather + than put in peril his immortal soul? + </p> + <p> + An orthodox minister has a wife with a heart. Having a heart she cannot + believe in the orthodox creed. She thinks God better than he is. She + flatters the Infinite. This endangers the salvation of her soul. If she is + upheld in this the souls of others may be lost. Her husband feels not only + accountable for her soul, but for the souls of others that may be injured + by what she says, and by what she does. He is compelled to choose between + his wife and his duty, between the woman and God. He is not great enough + to go with his heart. He is selfish enough to side with the + administration, with power. He lives a miserable life and dies a miserable + death. + </p> + <p> + The trouble with Christianity is that it has no element of compromise—it + allows no room for charity so far as belief is concerned. Honesty of + opinion is not even a mitigating circumstance. You are not asked to + understand—you are commanded to believe. There is no common ground. + The church carries no flag of truce. It does not say, Believe you must, + but, You must believe. No exception can be made in favor of wife or + mother, husband or child. All human relations, all human love must, if + necessary, be sacrificed with perfect cheerfulness. "Let the dead bury + their dead—follow thou me. Desert wife and child. Human love is + nothing—nothing but a snare. You must love God better than wife, + better than child." John Ward endeavored to live in accordance with this + heartless creed. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more repulsive than an orthodox life—than one who + lives in exact accordance with the creed. It is hard to conceive of a more + terrible character than John Calvin. It is somewhat difficult to + understand the Puritans, who made themselves unhappy by way of recreation, + and who seemed to enjoy themselves when admitting their utter + worthlessness and in telling God how richly they deserved to be eternally + damned. They loved to pluck from the tree of life every bud, every + blossom, every leaf. The bare branches, naked to the wrath of God, excited + their admiration. They wondered how birds could sing, and the existence of + the rainbow led them to suspect the seriousness of the Deity. How can + there be any joy if man believes that he acts and lives under an infinite + responsibility, when the only business of this life is to avoid the + horrors of the next? Why should the lips of men feel the ripple of + laughter if there is a bare possibility that the creed of Christendom is + true? + </p> + <p> + I take it for granted that all people believe as they must—that all + thoughts and dreams have been naturally produced—that what we call + the unnatural is simply the uncommon. All religions, poems, statues, vices + and virtues, have been wrought by nature with the instrumentalities called + men. No one can read "John Ward, Preacher," without hating with all his + heart the creed of John Ward; and no one can read the creed of John Ward, + preacher, without pitying with all his heart John Ward; and no one can + read this book without feeling how much better the wife was than the + husband—how much better the natural sympathies are than the + religions of our day, and how much superior common sense is to what is + called theology. + </p> + <p> + When we lay down the book we feel like saying: No matter whether God + exists or not; if he does, he can take care of himself; if he does, he + does not take care of us; and whether he lives or not we must take care of + ourselves. Human love is better than any religion. It is better to love + your wife than to love God. It is better to make a happy home here than to + sunder hearts with creeds. This book meets the issues far more frankly, + with far greater candor. This book carries out to its logical sequence the + Christian creed. It shows how uncomfortable a true believer must be, and + how uncomfortable he necessarily makes those with whom he comes in + contact. It shows how narrow, how hard, how unsympathetic, how selfish, + how unreasonable, how unpoetic, the creed of the orthodox church is. + </p> + <p> + In "Robert Elsmere" there is plenty of evidence of reading and + cultivation, of thought and talent. So in "John Ward, Preacher," there is + strength, purpose, logic, power of statement, directness and courage. But + "The Story of an African Farm" has but little in common with the other + two. + </p> + <p> + It is a work apart—belonging to no school, and not to be judged by + the ordinary rules and canons of criticism. There are some puerilities and + much philosophy, trivialities and some of the profoundest reflections. In + addition to this, there is a vast and wonderful sympathy. + </p> + <p> + The following upon love is beautiful and profound: "There is a love that + begins in the head and goes down to the heart, and grows slowly, but it + lasts till death and asks less than it gives. There is another love that + blots out wisdom, that is sweet with the sweetness of life and bitter with + the bitterness of death, lasting for an hour; but it is worth having lived + a whole life for that hour. It is a blood-red flower, with the color of + sin, but there is always the scent of a god about it." + </p> + <p> + There is no character in "Robert Elsmere" or in "John Ward, Preacher," + comparable for a moment to Lyndall in the "African Farm." In her there is + a splendid courage. She does not blame others for her own faults; she + accepts. There is that splendid candor that you find in Juliet in "Measure + for Measure." She is asked: + </p> + <p> + "Love you the man that wronged you?" + </p> + <p> + And she replies: + </p> + <p> + "Yes; as I love the woman that wronged him." + </p> + <p> + The death of this wonderful girl is extremely pathetic. + </p> + <p> + None but an artist could have written it: + </p> + <p> + "Then slowly, without a sound, the beautiful eyes closed. The dead face + that the glass reflected was a thing of marvellous beauty and + tranquillity. The gray dawn crept in over it and saw it lying there." + </p> + <p> + So the story of the hunter is wonderfully told. This hunter climbs above + his fellows—day by day getting away from human sympathy, away from + ignorance. He lost at last his fellow-men, and truth was just as far away + as ever. Here he found the bones of another hunter, and as he looked upon + the poor remains the wild faces said: + </p> + <p> + "So he lay down here, for he was very tired. He went to sleep forever. He + put himself to sleep. Sleep is very tranquil. You are not lonely when you + are asleep, neither do your hands ache nor your heart." + </p> + <p> + So the death of Waldo is most wonderfully told. The book is filled with + thought, and with thoughts of the writer—nothing is borrowed. It is + original, true and exceedingly sad. It has the pathos of real life. There + is in it the hunger of the heart, the vast difference between the actual + and the ideal: + </p> + <p> + "I like to feel that strange life beating up against me. I like to realize + forms of life utterly unlike my own. When my own life feels small and I am + oppressed with it, I like to crush together and see it in a picture, in an + instant, a multitude of disconnected, unlike phases of human life—a + mediaeval monk with his string of beads pacing the quiet orchard, and + looking up from the grass at his feet to the heavy fruit trees; little + Malay boys playing naked on a shining sea-beach; a Hindoo philosopher + alone under his banyan tree, thinking, thinking, thinking, so that in the + thought of God he may lose himself; a troop of Bacchanalians dressed in + white, with crowns of vine-leaves, dancing along the Roman streets; a + martyr on the night of his death looking through the narrow window to the + sky and feeling that already he has the wings that shall bear him up; an + epicurean discoursing at a Roman bath to a knot of his disciples on the + nature of happiness; a Kafir witch-doctor seeking for herbs by moonlight, + while from the huts on the hillside come the sound of dogs barking and the + voices of women and children; a mother giving bread and milk to her + children in little wooden basins and singing the evening song. I like to + see it all; I feel it run through me—that life belongs to me; it + makes my little life larger, it breaks down the narrow walls that shut me + in." + </p> + <p> + The author, Olive Schreiner, has a tropic zone in her heart. She sometimes + prattles like a child, then suddenly, and without warning, she speaks like + a philosopher—like one who had guessed the riddle of the Sphinx. + She, too, is overwhelmed with the injustice of the world—with the + negligence of nature—and she finds that it is impossible to find + repose for heart or brain in any Christian creed. + </p> + <p> + These books show what the people are thinking—the tendency of modern + thought. Singularly enough the three are written by women. Mrs. Ward, the + author of "Robert Elsmere," to say the least is not satisfied with the + Episcopal Church. She feels sure that its creed is not true. At the same + time, she wants it denied in a respectful tone of voice, and she really + pities people who are compelled to give up the consolation of eternal + punishment, although she has thrown it away herself and the tendency of + her book is to make other people do so. It is what the orthodox call "a + dangerous book." It is a flank movement calculated to suggest a doubt to + the unsuspecting reader, to some sheep who has strayed beyond the + shepherd's voice. + </p> + <p> + It is hard for any one to read "John Ward, Preacher," without hating + Puritanism with all his heart and without feeling certain that nothing is + more heartless than the "scheme of salvation;" and whoever finishes "The + Story of an African Farm" will feel that he has been brought in contact + with a very great, passionate and tender soul. Is it possible that women, + who have been the Caryatides of the church, who have borne its insults and + its burdens, are to be its destroyers? + </p> + <p> + Man is a being capable of pleasure and pain. The fact that he can enjoy + himself—that he can obtain good—gives him courage—courage + to defend what he has, courage to try to get more. The fact that he can + suffer pain sows in his mind the seeds of fear. Man is also filled with + curiosity. He examines. He is astonished by the uncommon. He is forced to + take an interest in things because things affect him. He is liable at + every moment to be injured. Countless things attack him. He must defend + himself. As a consequence his mind is at work; his experience in some + degree tells him what may happen; he prepares; he defends himself from + heat and cold. All the springs of action lie in the fact that he can + suffer and enjoy. The savage has great confidence in his senses. He has + absolute confidence in his eyes and ears. It requires many years of + education and experience before he becomes satisfied that things are not + always what they appear. It would be hard to convince the average + barbarian that the sun does not actually rise and set—hard to + convince him that the earth turns. He would rely upon appearances and + would record you as insane. + </p> + <p> + As man becomes civilized, educated, he finally has more confidence in his + reason than in his eyes. He no longer believes that a being called Echo + exists. He has found out the theory of sound, and he then knows that the + wave of air has been returned to his ear, and the idea of a being who + repeats his words fades from his mind; he begins then to rely, not upon + appearances, but upon demonstration, upon the result of investigation. At + last he finds that he has been deceived in a thousand ways, and he also + finds that he can invent certain instruments that are far more accurate + than his senses—instruments that add power to his sight, to his + hearing and to the sensitiveness of his touch. Day by day he gains + confidence in himself. + </p> + <p> + There is in the life of the individual, as in the life of the race, a + period of credulity, when not only appearances are accepted without + question, but the declarations of others. The child in the cradle or in + the lap of its mother, has implicit confidence in fairy stories—believes + in giants and dwarfs, in beings who can answer wishes, who create castles + and temples and gardens with a thought. So the race, in its infancy, + believed in such beings and in such creations. As the child grows, facts + take the place of the old beliefs, and the same is true of the race. + </p> + <p> + As a rule, the attention of man is drawn first, not to his own mistakes, + not to his own faults, but to the mistakes and faults of his neighbors. + The same is true of a nation—it notices first the eccentricities and + peculiarities of other nations. This is especially true of religious + systems. Christians take it for granted that their religion is true, that + there can be about that no doubt, no mistake. They begin to examine the + religions of other nations. They take it for granted that all these other + religions are false. They are in a frame of mind to notice contradictions, + to discover mistakes and to apprehend absurdities. In examining other + religions they use their common sense. They carry in the hand the lamp of + probability. The miracles of other Christs, or of the founders of other + religions, appear unreasonable—they find that they are not supported + by evidence. Most of the stories excite their laughter. Many of the laws + seem cruel, many of the ceremonies absurd. These Christians satisfy + themselves that they are right in their first conjecture—that is, + that other religions are all made by men. Afterward the same arguments + they have used against other religions were found to be equally forcible + against their own. They find that the miracles of Buddha rest upon the + same kind of evidence as the miracles in the Old Testament, as the + miracles in the New—that the evidence in the one case is just as + weak and unreliable as in the other. They also find that it is just as + easy to account for the existence of Christianity as for the existence of + any other religion, and they find that the human mind in all countries has + traveled substantially the same road and has arrived at substantially the + same conclusions. + </p> + <p> + It may be truthfully said that Christianity by the examination of other + religions laid the foundation for its own destruction. The moment it + examined another religion it became a doubter, a sceptic, an investigator. + It began to call for proof. This course being pursued in the examination + of Christianity itself, reached the result that had been reached as to + other religions. In other words, it was impossible for Christians + successfully to attack other religions without showing that their own + religion could be destroyed. The fact that only a few years ago we were + all provincial should be taken into consideration. A few years ago nations + were unacquainted with each other—no nation had any conception of + the real habits, customs, religions and ideas of any other. Each nation + imagined itself to be the favored of heaven—the only one to whom God + had condescended to make known his will—the only one in direct + communication with angels and deities. Since the circumnavigation of the + globe, since the invention of the steam engine, the discovery of + electricity, the nations of the world have become acquainted with each + other, and we now know that the old ideas were born of egotism, and that + egotism is the child of ignorance and savagery. + </p> + <p> + Think of the egotism of the ancient Jews, who imagined that they were "the + chosen people"—the only ones in whom God took the slightest + interest! Imagine the egotism of the Catholic Church, claiming that it is + the only church—that it is continually under the guidance of the + Holy Ghost, and that the pope is infallible and occupies the place of God. + Think of the egotism of the Presbyterian, who imagines that he is one of + "the elect," and that billions of ages before the world was created, God, + in the eternal counsel of his own good pleasure, picked out this + particular Presbyterian, and at the same time determined to send billions + and billions to the pit of eternal pain. Think of the egotism of the man + who believes in special providence. The old philosophy, the old religion, + was made in about equal parts of ignorance and egotism. This earth was the + universe. The sun rose and set simply for the benefit of "God's chosen + people." The moon and stars were made to beautify the night, and all the + countless hosts of heaven were for no other purpose than to decorate what + might be called the ceiling of the earth. It was also believed that this + firmament was solid—that up there the gods lived, and that they + could be influenced by the prayers and desires of men. + </p> + <p> + We have now found that the earth is only a grain of sand, a speck, an atom + in an infinite universe. We now know that the sun is a million times + larger than the earth, and that other planets are millions of times larger + than the sun; and when we think of these things, the old stories of the + Garden of Eden and Sinai and Calvary seem infinitely out of proportion. + </p> + <p> + At last we have reached a point where we have the candor and the + intelligence to examine the claims of our own religion precisely as we + examine those of other countries. We have produced men and women great + enough to free themselves from the prejudices born of provincialism—from + the prejudices, we might almost say, of patriotism. A few people are great + enough not to be controlled by the ideas of the dead—great enough to + know that they are not bound by the mistakes of their ancestors—and + that a man may actually love his mother without accepting her belief. We + have even gone further than this, and we are now satisfied that the only + way to really honor parents is to tell our best and highest thoughts. + These thoughts ought to be in the mind when reading the books referred to. + There are certain tendencies, certain trends of thought, and these + tendencies—these trends—bear fruit; that is to say, they + produce the books about which I have spoken as well as many others. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0025" id="link0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LIBEL LAWS + </h2> + <p> + Question. Have you any suggestions to make in regard to remodeling the + libel laws? + </p> + <p> + Answer. I believe that every article appearing in a paper should be signed + by the writer. If it is libelous, then the writer and the publisher should + both be held responsible in damages. The law on this subject, if changed, + should throw greater safeguards around the reputation of the citizen. It + does not seem to me that the papers have any right to complain. Probably a + good many suits are brought that should not be instituted, but just think + of the suits that are not brought. + </p> + <p> + Personally I have no complaint to make, as it would be very hard to find + anything in any paper against me, but it has never occurred to me that the + press needed any greater liberty than it now enjoys. + </p> + <p> + It might be a good thing for a paper to publish each week, a list of + mistakes, if this could be done without making that edition too large. But + certainly when a false and scandalous charge has been made by mistake or + as the result of imposition, great pains should be taken to give the + retraction at once and in a way to attract attention. + </p> + <p> + I suppose the papers are liable to be imposed upon—liable to print + thousands of articles to which the attention of the editor or proprietor + was not called. Still, that is not the fault of the man whose character is + attacked. On the whole I think the papers have the advantage of the + average citizen as the law now is. + </p> + <p> + If all articles had to be signed by the writer, I am satisfied the writer + would be more careful and less liable to write anything of a libelous + nature. I am willing to admit that I have given but little attention to + the subject, probably for the reason that I have never been a sufferer. + </p> + <p> + It would hardly do to hold only the writer responsible. Suppose a man + writes a libelous article, leaves the country, and then the article is + published; is there no remedy? A suit for libel is not much of a remedy, I + admit, but it is some. It is like the bayonet in war. Very few are injured + by bayonets, but a good many are afraid that they may be. + </p> + <p> + —The Herald, New York, October 26,1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0026" id="link0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + REV. DR. NEWTON'S SERMON ON A NEW RELIGION. + </h2> + <p> + I HAVE read the report of the Rev. R. Heber Newton's sermon and I am + satisfied, first, that Mr. Newton simply said what he thoroughly believes + to be true, and second, that some of the conclusions at which he arrives + are certainly correct. I do not regard Mr. Newton as a heretic or sceptic. + Every man who reads the Bible must, to a greater or less extent, think for + himself. He need not tell his thoughts; he has the right to keep them to + himself. But if he undertakes to tell them, then he should be absolutely + honest. + </p> + <p> + The Episcopal creed is a few ages behind the thought of the world. For + many, years the foremost members and clergymen in that church have been + giving some new meanings to the old words and phrases. Words are no more + exempt from change than other things in nature. A word at one time rough, + jagged, harsh and cruel, is finally worn smooth. A word known as slang, + picked out of the gutter, is cleaned, educated, becomes respectable and + finally is found in the mouths of the best and purest. + </p> + <p> + We must remember that in the world of art the picture depends not alone on + the painter, but on the one who sees it. So words must find some part of + their meaning in the man who hears or the man who reads. In the old times + the word "hell" gave to the hearer or reader the picture of a vast pit + filled with an ocean of molten brimstone, in which innumerable souls were + suffering the torments of fire, and where millions of devils were engaged + in the cheerful occupation of increasing the torments of the damned. This + was the real old orthodox view. + </p> + <p> + As man became civilized, however, the picture grew less and less vivid. + Finally, some expressed their doubts about the brimstone, and others began + to think that if the Devil was, and is, really an enemy of God he would + not spend his time punishing sinners to please God. Why should the Devil + be in partnership with his enemy, and why should he inflict torments on + poor souls who were his own friends, and who shared with him the feeling + of hatred toward the Almighty? + </p> + <p> + As men became more and more civilized, the idea began to dawn in their + minds that an infinitely good and wise being would not have created + persons, knowing that they would be eternal failures, or that they were to + suffer eternal punishment, because there could be no possible object in + eternal punishment—no reformation, no good to be accomplished—and + certainly the sight of all this torment would not add to the joy of + heaven, neither would it tend to the happiness of God. + </p> + <p> + So the more civilized adopted the idea that punishment is a consequence + and not an infliction. Then they took another step and concluded that + every soul, in every world, in every age, should have at least the chance + of doing right. And yet persons so believing still used the word "hell," + but the old meaning had dropped out. + </p> + <p> + So with regard to the atonement. At one time it was regarded as a kind of + bargain in which so much blood was shed for so many souls. This was a + barbaric view. Afterward, the mind developing a little, the idea got in + the brain that the life of Christ was worth its moral effect. And yet + these people use the word "atonement," but the bargain idea has been lost. + </p> + <p> + Take for instance the word "justice." The meaning that is given to that + word depends upon the man who uses it—depends for the most part on + the age in which he lives, the country in which he was born. The same is + true of the word "freedom." Millions and millions of people boasted that + they were the friends of freedom, while at the same time they enslaved + their fellow-men. So, in the name of justice every possible crime has been + perpetrated and in the name of mercy every instrument of torture has been + used. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Newton realizes the fact that everything in the world changes; that + creeds are influenced by civilization, by the acquisition of knowledge, by + the progress of the sciences and arts—in other words, that there is + a tendency in man to harmonize his knowledge and to bring about a + reconciliation between what he knows and what he believes. This will be + fatal to superstition, provided the man knows anything. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Newton, moreover, clearly sees that people are losing confidence in + the morality of the gospel; that its foundation lacks common sense; that + the doctrine of forgiveness is unscientific, and that it is impossible to + feel that the innocent can rightfully suffer for the guilty, or that the + suffering of innocence can in any way justify the crimes of the wicked. I + think he is mistaken, however, when he says that the early church softened + or weakened the barbaric passions. I think the early church was as + barbarous as any institution that ever gained a footing in this world. I + do not believe that the creed of the early church, as understood, could + soften anything. A church that preaches the eternity of punishment has + within it the seed of all barbarism and the soil to make it grow. + </p> + <p> + So Mr. Newton is undoubtedly right when he says that the organized + Christianity of to-day is not the leader in social progress. No one now + goes to a synod to find a fact in science or on any subject. A man in + doubt does not ask the average minister; he regards him as behind the + times. He goes to the scientist, to the library. He depends upon the + untrammelled thought of fearless men. + </p> + <p> + The church, for the most part, is in the control of the rich, of the + respectable, of the well-to-do, of the unsympathetic, of the men who, + having succeeded themselves, think that everybody ought to succeed. The + spirit of caste is as well developed in the church as it is in the average + club. There is the same exclusive feeling, and this feeling in the next + world is to be heightened and deepened to such an extent that a large + majority of our fellow-men are to be eternally excluded. + </p> + <p> + The peasants of Europe—the workingmen—do not go to the church + for sympathy. If they do they come home empty, or rather empty hearted. + So, in our own country the laboring classes, the mechanics, are not + depending on the churches to right their wrongs. They do not expect the + pulpits to increase their wages. The preachers get their money from the + well-to-do—from the employeer class—and their sympathies are + with those from whom they receive their wages. + </p> + <p> + The ministers attack the pleasures of the world. They are not so much + scandalized by murder and forgery as by dancing and eating meat on Friday. + They regard unbelief as the greatest of all sins. They are not touching + the real, vital issues of the day, and their hearts do not throb in unison + with the hearts of the struggling, the aspiring, the enthusiastic and the + real believers in the progress of the human race. + </p> + <p> + It is all well enough to say that we should depend on Providence, but + experience has taught us that while it may do no harm to say it, it will + do no good to do it. We have found that man must be the Providence of man, + and that one plow will do more, properly pulled and properly held, toward + feeding the world, than all the prayers that ever agitated the air. + </p> + <p> + So, Mr. Newton is correct in saying, as I understand him to say, that the + hope of immortality has nothing to do with orthodox religion. Neither, in + my judgment, has the belief in the existence of a God anything in fact to + do with real religion. The old doctrine that God wanted man to do + something for him, and that he kept a watchful eye upon all the children + of men; that he rewarded the virtuous and punished the wicked, is + gradually fading from the mind. We know that some of the worst men have + what the world calls success. We know that some of the best men lie upon + the straw of failure. We know that honesty goes hungry, while larceny sits + at the banquet. We know that the vicious have every physical comfort, + while the virtuous are often clad in rags. + </p> + <p> + Man is beginning to find that he must take care of himself; that special + providence is a mistake. This being so, the old religions must go down, + and in their place man must depend upon intelligence, industry, honesty; + upon the facts that he can ascertain, upon his own experience, upon his + own efforts. Then religion becomes a thing of this world—a religion + to put a roof above our heads, a religion that gives to every man a home, + a religion that rewards virtue here. + </p> + <p> + If Mr. Newton's sermon is in accordance with the Episcopal creed, I + congratulate the creed. In any event, I think Mr. Newton deserves great + credit for speaking his thought. Do not understand that I imagine that he + agrees with me. The most I will say is that in some things I agree with + him, and probably there is a little too much truth and a little too much + humanity in his remarks to please the bishop. + </p> + <p> + There is this wonderful fact, no man has ever yet been persecuted for + thinking God bad. When any one has said that he believed God to be so good + that he would, in his own time and way, redeem the entire human race, and + that the time would come when every soul would be brought home and sit on + an equality with the others around the great fireside of the universe, + that man has been denounced as a poor, miserable, wicked wretch.—New + York Herald, December 13,1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0027" id="link0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + AN ESSAY ON CHRISTMAS. + </h2> + <p> + MY family and I regard Christmas as a holiday—that is to say, a day + of rest and pleasure—a day to get acquainted with each other, a day + to recall old memories, and for the cultivation of social amenities. The + festival now called Christmas is far older than Christianity. It was known + and celebrated for thousands of years before the establishment of what is + known as our religion. It is a relic of sun-worship. It is the day on + which the sun triumphs over the hosts of darkness, and thousands of years + before the New Testament was written, thousands of years before the + republic of Rome existed, before one stone of Athens was laid, before the + Pharaohs ruled in Egypt, before the religion of Brahma, before Sanscrit + was spoken, men and women crawled out of their caves, pushed the matted + hair from their eyes, and greeted the triumph of the sun over the powers + of the night. + </p> + <p> + There are many relics of this worship—among which is the shaving of + the priest's head, leaving the spot shaven surrounded by hair, in + imitation of the rays of the sun. There is still another relic—the + ministers of our day close their eyes in prayer. When men worshiped the + sun—when they looked at that luminary and implored its assistance—they + shut their eyes as a matter of necessity. Afterward the priests looking at + their idols glittering with gems, shut their eyes in flattery, pretending + that they could not bear the effulgence of the presence; and to-day, + thousands of years after the old ideas have passed away, the modern + parson, without knowing the origin of the custom, closes his eyes when he + prays. + </p> + <p> + There are many other relics and souvenirs of the dead worship of the sun, + and this festival was adopted by Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and by + Christians. As a matter of fact, Christianity furnished new steam for an + old engine, infused a new spirit into an old religion, and, as a matter of + course, the old festival remained. + </p> + <p> + For all of our festivals you will find corresponding pagan festivals. For + instance, take the eucharist, the communion, where persons partake of the + body and blood of the Deity. This is an exceedingly old custom. Among the + ancients they ate cakes made of corn, in honor of Ceres and they called + these cakes the flesh of the goddess, and they drank wine in honor of + Bacchus, and called this the blood of their god. And so I could go on + giving the pagan origin of every Christian ceremony and custom. The + probability is that the worship of the sun was once substantially + universal, and consequently the festival of Christ was equally wide + spread. + </p> + <p> + As other religions have been produced, the old customs have been adopted + and continued, so that the result is, this festival of Christmas is almost + world-wide. It is popular because it is a holiday. Overworked people are + glad of days that bring rest and recreation and allow them to meet their + families and their friends. They are glad of days when they give and + receive gifts—evidences of friendship, of remembrance and love. It + is popular because it is really human, and because it is interwoven with + our customs, habits, literature, and thought. + </p> + <p> + For my part I am willing to have two or three a year—the more + holidays the better. Many people have an idea that I am opposed to Sunday. + I am perfectly willing to have two a week. All I insist on is that these + days shall be for the benefit of the people, and that they shall be kept + not in a way to make folks miserable or sad or hungry, but in a way to + make people happy, and to add a little to the joy of life. Of course, I am + in favor of everybody keeping holidays to suit himself, provided he does + not interfere with others, and I am perfectly willing that everybody + should go to church on that day, provided he is willing that I should go + somewhere else.—The Tribune, New York, December, 1889. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0028" id="link0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + HAS FREETHOUGHT A CONSTRUCTIVE SIDE? + </h2> + <p> + THE object of the Freethinker is to ascertain the truth—the + conditions of well-being—to the end that this life will be made of + value. This is the affirmative, positive, and constructive side. + </p> + <p> + Without liberty there is no such thing as real happiness. There may be the + contentment of the slave—of one who is glad that he has passed the + day without a beating—one who is happy because he has had enough to + eat—but the highest possible idea of happiness is freedom. + </p> + <p> + All religious systems enslave the mind. Certain things are demanded—certain + things must be believed—certain things must be done—and the + man who becomes the subject or servant of this superstition must give up + all idea of individuality or hope of intellectual growth and progress. + </p> + <p> + The religionist informs us that there is somewhere in the universe an + orthodox God, who is endeavoring to govern the world, and who for this + purpose resorts to famine and flood, to earthquake and pestilence—and + who, as a last resort, gets up a revival of religion. That is called + "affirmative and positive." + </p> + <p> + The man of sense knows that no such God exists, and thereupon he affirms + that the orthodox doctrine is infinitely absurd. This is called a + "negation." But to my mind it is an affirmation, and is a part of the + positive side of Freethought. + </p> + <p> + A man who compels this Deity to abdicate his throne renders a vast and + splendid service to the human race. + </p> + <p> + As long as men believe in tyranny in heaven they will practice tyranny on + earth. Most people are exceedingly imitative, and nothing is so gratifying + to the average orthodox man as to be like his God. + </p> + <p> + These same Christians tell us that nearly everybody is to be punished + forever, while a few fortunate Christians who were elected and selected + billions of ages before the world was created, are to be happy. This they + call the "tidings of great joy." The Freethinker denounces this doctrine + as infamous beyond the power of words to express. He says, and says + clearly, that a God who would create a human being, knowing that that + being was to be eternally miserable, must of necessity be an infinite + fiend. + </p> + <p> + The free man, into whose brain the serpent of superstition has not crept, + knows that the dogma of eternal pain is an infinite falsehood. He also + knows—if the dogma be true—that every decent human being + should hate, with every drop of his blood, the creator of the universe. He + also knows—if he knows anything—that no decent human being + could be happy in heaven with a majority of the human race in hell. He + knows that a mother could not enjoy the society of Christ with her + children in perdition; and if she could, he knows that such a mother is + simply a wild beast. The free man knows that the angelic hosts, under such + circumstances, could not enjoy themselves unless they had the hearts of + boa-constrictors. + </p> + <p> + It will thus be seen that there is an affirmative, a positive, a + constructive side to Freethought. + </p> + <p> + What is the positive side? + </p> + <p> + First: A denial of all orthodox falsehoods—an exposure of all + superstitions. This is simply clearing the ground, to the end that seeds + of value may be planted. It is necessary, first, to fell the trees, to + destroy the poisonous vines, to drive out the wild beasts. Then comes + another phase—another kind of work. The Freethinker knows that the + universe is natural—that there is no room, even in infinite space, + for the miraculous, for the impossible. The Freethinker knows, or feels + that he knows, that there is no sovereign of the universe, who, like some + petty king or tyrant, delights in showing his authority. He feels that all + in the universe are conditioned beings, and that only those are happy who + live in accordance with the conditions of happiness, and this fact or + truth or philosophy embraces all men and all gods—if there be gods. + </p> + <p> + The positive side is this: That every good action has good consequences—that + it bears good fruit forever—and that every bad action has evil + consequences, and bears bad fruit. The Freethinker also asserts that every + man must bear the consequences of his actions—that he must reap what + he sows, and that he cannot be justified by the goodness of another, or + damned for the wickedness of another. + </p> + <p> + There is still another side, and that is this: The Freethinker knows that + all the priests and cardinals and popes know nothing of the supernatural—they + know nothing about gods or angels or heavens or hells—nothing about + inspired books or Holy Ghosts, or incarnations or atonements. He knows + that all this is superstition pure and simple. He knows also that these + people—from pope to priest, from bishop to parson, do not the + slightest good in this world—that they live upon the labor of others—that + they earn nothing themselves—that they contribute nothing toward the + happiness, or well-being, or the wealth of mankind. He knows that they + trade and traffic in ignorance and fear, that they make merchandise of + hope and grief—and he also knows that in every religion the priest + insists on five things—First: There is a God. Second: He has made + known his will. Third: He has selected me to explain this message. Fourth: + We will now take up a collection; and Fifth: Those who fail to subscribe + will certainly be damned. + </p> + <p> + The positive side of Freethought is to find out the truth—the facts + of nature—to the end that we may take advantage of those truths, of + those facts—for the purpose of feeding and clothing and educating + mankind. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, we wish to find that which will lengthen human life—that + which will prevent or kill disease—that which will do away with pain—that + which will preserve or give us health. + </p> + <p> + We also want to go in partnership with these forces of nature, to the end + that we may be well fed and clothed—that we may have good houses + that protect us from heat and cold. And beyond this—beyond these + simple necessities—there are still wants and aspirations, and + free-thought will give us the highest possible in art—the most + wonderful and thrilling in music—the greatest paintings, the most + marvelous sculpture—in other words, free-thought will develop the + brain to its utmost capacity. Freethought is the mother of art and + science, of morality and happiness. + </p> + <p> + It is charged by the worshipers of the Jewish myth, that we destroy, that + we do not build. + </p> + <p> + What have we destroyed? We have destroyed the idea that a monster created + and governs this world—the declaration that a God of infinite mercy + and compassion upheld slavery and polygamy and commanded the destruction + of men, women, and babes. We have destroyed the idea that this monster + created a few of his children for eternal joy, and the vast majority for + everlasting pain. We have destroyed the infinite absurdity that salvation + depends upon belief, that investigation is dangerous, and that the torch + of reason lights only the way to hell. We have taken a grinning devil from + every grave, and the curse from death—and in the place of these + dogmas, of these infamies, we have put that which is natural and that + which commends itself to the heart and brain. + </p> + <p> + Instead of loving God, we love each other. Instead of the religion of the + sky—the religion of this world—the religion of the family—the + love of husband for wife, of wife for husband—the love of all for + children. So that now the real religion is: Let us live for each other; + let us live for this world, without regard for the past and without fear + for the future. Let us use our faculties and our powers for the benefit of + ourselves and others, knowing that if there be another world, the same + philosophy that gives us joy here will make us happy there. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more absurd than the idea that we can do something to + please or displease an infinite Being. If our thoughts and actions can + lessen or increase the happiness of God, then to that extent God is the + slave and victim of man. + </p> + <p> + The energies of the world have been wasted in the service of a phantom—millions + of priests have lived on the industry of others and no effort has been + spared to prevent the intellectual freedom of mankind. + </p> + <p> + We know, if we know anything, that supernatural religion has no foundation + except falsehood and mistake. To expose these falsehoods—to correct + these mistakes—to build the fabric of civilization on the foundation + of demonstrated truth—is the task of the Freethinker. To destroy + guide-boards that point in the wrong direction—to correct charts + that lure to reef and wreck—to drive the fiend of fear from the mind—to + protect the cradle from the serpent of superstition and dispel the + darkness of ignorance with the sun of science—is the task of the + Freethinker. + </p> + <p> + What constructive work has been done by the church? Christianity gave us a + flat world a few thousand years ago—a heaven above it where Jehovah + dwells and a hell below it where most people will dwell. Christianity took + the ground that a certain belief was necessary to salvation and that this + belief was far better and of more importance than the practice of all the + virtues. It became the enemy of investigation—the bitter and + relentless foe of reason and the liberty of thought. It committed every + crime and practiced every cruelty in the propagation of its creed. It drew + the sword against the freedom of the world. It established schools and + universities for the preservation of ignorance. It claimed to have within + its keeping the source and standard of all truth. If the church had + succeeded the sciences could not have existed. + </p> + <p> + Freethought has given us all we have of value. It has been the great + constructive force. It is the only discoverer, and every science is its + child.—The Truth Seeker, New York 1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0029" id="link0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE IMPROVED MAN. + </h2> + <p> + THE Improved Man will be in favor of universal liberty, that is to say, he + will be opposed to all kings and nobles, to all privileged classes. He + will give to all others the rights he claims for himself. He will neither + bow nor cringe, nor accept bowing and cringing from others. He will be + neither master nor slave, neither prince nor peasant—simply man. + </p> + <p> + He will be the enemy of all caste, no matter whether its foundation be + wealth, title or power, and of him it will be said: "Blessed is that man + who is afraid of no man and of whom no man is afraid." + </p> + <p> + The Improved Man will be in favor of universal education. He will believe + it the duty of every person to shed all the light he can, to the end that + no child may be reared in darkness. By education he will mean the gaining + of useful knowledge, the development of the mind along the natural paths + that lead to human happiness. + </p> + <p> + He will not waste his time in ascertaining the foolish theories of extinct + peoples or in studying the dead languages for the sake of understanding + the theologies of ignorance and fear, but he will turn his attention to + the affairs of life, and will do his utmost to see to it that every child + has an opportunity to learn the demonstrated facts of science, the true + history of the world, the great principles of right and wrong applicable + to human conduct—the things necessary to the preservation of the + individual and of the state, and such arts and industries as are essential + to the preservation of all. + </p> + <p> + He will also endeavor to develop the mind in the direction of the + beautiful—of the highest art—so that the palace in which the + mind dwells may be enriched and rendered beautiful, to the end that these + stones, called facts, may be changed into statues. + </p> + <p> + The Improved Man will believe only in the religion of this world. He will + have nothing to do with the miraculous and supernatural. He will find that + there is no room in the universe for these things. He will know that + happiness is the only good, and that everything that tends to the + happiness of sentient beings is good, and that to do the things—and + no other—that add to the happiness of man is to practice the highest + possible religion. His motto will be: "Sufficient unto each world is the + evil thereof." He will know that each man should be his own priest, and + that the brain is the real cathedral. He will know that in the realm of + mind there is no authority—that majorities in this mental world can + settle nothing—that each soul is the sovereign of its own world, and + that it cannot abdicate without degrading itself. He will not bow to + numbers or force; to antiquity or custom. He, standing under the flag of + nature, under the blue and stars, will decide for himself. He will not + endeavor by prayers and supplication, by fastings and genuflections, to + change the mind of the "Infinite" or alter the course of nature, neither + will he employ others to do those things in his place. He will have no + confidence in the religion of idleness, and will give no part of what he + earns to support parson or priest, archbishop or pope. He will know that + honest labor is the highest form of prayer. He will spend no time in + ringing bells or swinging censers, or in chanting the litanies of + barbarism, but he will appreciate all that is artistic—that is + beautiful—that tends to refine and ennoble the human race. He will + not live a life of fear. He will stand in awe neither of man nor ghosts. + He will enjoy not only the sunshine of life, but will bear with fortitude + the darkest days. He will have no fear of death. About the grave, there + will be no terrors, and his life will end as serenely as the sun rises. + </p> + <p> + The Improved Man will be satisfied that the supernatural does not exist—that + behind every fact, every thought and dream is an efficient cause. He will + know that every human action is a necessary product, and he will also know + that men cannot be reformed by punishment, by degradation or by revenge. + He will regard those who violate the laws of nature and the laws of States + as victims of conditions, of circumstances, and he will do what he can for + the wellbeing of his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + The Improved Man will not give his life to the accumulation of wealth. He + will find no happiness in exciting the envy of his neighbors. He will not + care to live in a palace while others who are good, industrious and kind + are compelled to huddle in huts and dens. He will know that great wealth + is a great burden, and that to accumulate beyond the actual needs of a + reasonable human being is to increase not wealth, but responsibility and + trouble. + </p> + <p> + The Improved Man will find his greatest joy in the happiness of others and + he will know that the home is the real temple. He will believe in the + democracy of the fireside, and will reap his greatest reward in being + loved by those whose lives he has enriched. + </p> + <p> + The Improved Man will be self-poised, independent, candid and free. He + will be a scientist. He will observe, investigate, experiment and + demonstrate. He will use his sense and his senses. He will keep his mind + open as the day to the hints and suggestions of nature. He will always be + a student, a learner and a listener—a believer in intellectual + hospitality. In the world of his brain there will be continuous summer, + perpetual seed-time and harvest. Facts will be the foundation of his + faith. In one hand he will carry the torch of truth, and with the other + raise the fallen.—The World, New York, February 28,1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0030" id="link0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + EIGHT HOURS MUST COME. + </h2> + <p> + I HARDLY know enough on the subject to give an opinion as to the time when + eight hours are to become a day's work, but I am perfectly satisfied that + eight hours will become a labor day. + </p> + <p> + The working people should be protected by law; if they are not, the + capitalists will require just as many hours as human nature can bear. We + have seen here in America street-car drivers working sixteen and seventeen + hours a day. It was necessary to have a strike in order to get to + fourteen, another strike to get to twelve, and nobody could blame them for + keeping on striking till they get to eight hours. + </p> + <p> + For a man to get up before daylight and work till after dark, life is of + no particular importance. He simply earns enough one day to prepare + himself to work another. His whole life is spent in want and toil, and + such a life is without value. + </p> + <p> + Of course, I cannot say that the present effort is going to succeed—all + I can say is that I hope it will. I cannot see how any man who does + nothing—who lives in idleness—can insist that others should + work ten or twelve hours a day. Neither can I see how a man who lives on + the luxuries of life can find it in his heart, or in his stomach, to say + that the poor ought to be satisfied with the crusts and crumbs they get. + </p> + <p> + I believe there is to be a revolution in the relations between labor and + capital. The laboring people a few generations ago were not very + intellectual. There were no schoolhouses, no teachers except the church, + and the church taught obedience and faith—told the poor people that + although they had a hard time here, working for nothing, they would be + paid in Paradise with a large interest. Now the working people are more + intelligent—they are better educated—they read and write. In + order to carry on the works of the present, many of them are machinists of + the highest order. They must be reasoners. Every kind of mechanism insists + upon logic. The working people are reasoners—their hands and heads + are in partnership. They know a great deal more than the capitalists. It + takes a thousand times the brain to make a locomotive that it does to run + a store or a bank. Think of the intelligence in a steamship and in all the + thousand machines and devices that are now working for the world. These + working people read. They meet together—they discuss. They are + becoming more and more independent in thought. They do not believe all + they hear. They may take their hats off their heads to the priests, but + they keep their brains in their heads for themselves. + </p> + <p> + The free school in this country has tended to put men on an equality, and + the mechanic understands his side of the case, and is able to express his + views. Under these circumstances there must be a revolution. That is to + say, the relations between capital and labor must be changed, and the time + must come when they who do the work—they who make the money—will + insist on having some of the profits. + </p> + <p> + I do not expect this remedy to come entirely from the Government, or from + Government interference. I think the Government can aid in passing good + and wholesome laws—laws fixing the length of a labor day; laws + preventing the employment of children; laws for the safety and security of + workingmen in mines and other dangerous places. But the laboring people + must rely upon themselves; on their intelligence, and especially on their + political power. They are in the majority in this country. They can if + they wish—if they will stand together—elect Congresses and + Senates, Presidents and Judges. They have it in their power to administer + the Government of the United States. + </p> + <p> + The laboring man, however, ought to remember that all who labor are their + brothers, and that all women who labor are their sisters, and whenever one + class of workingmen or working women is oppressed all other laborers ought + to stand by the oppressed class. Probably the worst paid people in the + world are the working-women. Think of the sewing women in this city—and + yet we call ourselves civilized! I would like to see all working people + unite for the purpose of demanding justice, not only for men, but for + women. + </p> + <p> + All my sympathies are on the side of those who toil—of those who + produce the real wealth of the world—of those who carry the burdens + of mankind. + </p> + <p> + Any man who wishes to force his brother to work—to toil—more + than eight hours a day is not a civilized man. + </p> + <p> + My hope for the workingman has its foundation in the fact that he is + growing more and more intelligent. I have also the same hope for the + capitalist. The time must come when the capitalist will clearly and + plainly see that his interests are identical with those of the laboring + man. He will finally become intelligent enough to know that his prosperity + depends on the prosperity of those who labor. When both become intelligent + the matter will be settled. + </p> + <p> + Neither labor nor capital should resort to force.—The Morning + Journal, April 27, 1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0031" id="link0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE JEWS. + </h2> + <p> + WHEN I was a child, I was taught that the Jews were an exceedingly + hard-hearted and cruel people, and that they were so destitute of the + finer feelings that they had a little while before that time crucified the + only perfect man who had appeared upon the earth; that this perfect man + was also perfect God, and that the Jews had really stained their hands + with the blood of the Infinite. + </p> + <p> + When I got somewhat older, I found that nearly all people had been guilty + of substantially the same crime—that is, that they had destroyed the + progressive and the thoughtful; that religionists had in all ages been + cruel; that the chief priests of all people had incited the mob, to the + end that heretics—that is to say, philosophers—that is to say, + men who knew that the chief priests were hypocrites—might be + destroyed. + </p> + <p> + I also found that Christians had committed more of these crimes than all + other religionists put together. + </p> + <p> + I also became acquainted with a large number of Jewish people, and I found + them like other people, except that, as a rule, they were more + industrious, more temperate, had fewer vagrants among them, no beggars, + very few criminals; and in addition to all this, I found that they were + intelligent, kind to their wives and children, and that, as a rule, they + kept their contracts and paid their debts. + </p> + <p> + The prejudice was created almost entirely by religious, or rather + irreligious, instruction. All children in Christian countries are taught + that all the Jews are to be eternally damned who die in the faith of + Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; that it is not enough to believe in the + inspiration of the Old Testament—not enough to obey the Ten + Commandments—not enough to believe the miracles performed in the + days of the prophets, but that every Jew must accept the New Testament and + must be a believer in Christianity—that is to say, he must be + regenerated—or he will simply be eternal kindling wood. + </p> + <p> + The church has taught, and still teaches, that every Jew is an outcast; + that he is to-day busily fulfilling prophecy; that he is a wandering + witness in favor of "the glad tidings of great joy;" that Jehovah is + seeing to it that the Jews shall not exist as a nation—that they + shall have no abiding place, but that they shall remain scattered, to the + end that the inspiration of the Bible may be substantiated. + </p> + <p> + Dr. John Hall of this city, a few years ago, when the Jewish people were + being persecuted in Russia, took the ground that it was all fulfillment of + prophecy, and that whenever a Jewish maiden was stabbed to death, God put + a tongue in every wound for the purpose of declaring the truth of the Old + Testament. + </p> + <p> + Just as long as Christians take these positions, of course they will do + what they can to assist in the fulfillment of what they call prophecy, and + they will do their utmost to keep the Jewish people in a state of exile, + and then point to that fact as one of the corner-stones of Christianity. + </p> + <p> + My opinion is that in the early days of Christianity all sensible Jews + were witnesses against the faith, and in this way excited the hostility of + the orthodox. Every sensible Jew knew that no miracles had been performed + in Jerusalem. They all knew that the sun had not been darkened, that the + graves had not given up their dead, that the veil of the temple had not + been rent in twain—and they told what they knew. They were then + denounced as the most infamous of human beings, and this hatred has + pursued them from that day to this. + </p> + <p> + There is no other chapter in history so infamous, so bloody, so cruel, so + relentless, as the chapter in which is told the manner in which Christians—those + who love their enemies—have treated the Jewish people. This story is + enough to bring the blush of shame to the cheek, and the words of + indignation to the lips of every honest man. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be more unjust than to generalize about nationalities, and to + speak of a race as worthless or vicious, simply because you have met an + individual who treated you unjustly. There are good people and bad people + in all races, and the individual is not responsible for the crimes of the + nation, or the nation responsible for the actions of the few. Good men and + honest men are found in every faith, and they are not honest or dishonest + because they are Jews or Gentiles, but for entirely different reasons. + </p> + <p> + Some of the best people I have ever known are Jews, and some of the worst + people I have known are Christians. The Christians were not bad simply + because they were Christians, neither were the Jews good because they were + Jews. A man is far above these badges of faith and race. Good Jews are + precisely the same as good Christians, and bad Christians are wonderfully + like bad Jews. + </p> + <p> + Personally, I have either no prejudices about religion, or I have equal + prejudice against all religions. The consequence is that I judge of people + not by their creeds, not by their rites, not by their mummeries, but by + their actions. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, at the bottom of this prejudice lies the coiled + serpent of superstition. In other words, it is a religious question. It + seems impossible for the people of one religion to like the people + believing in another religion. They have different gods, different + heavens, and a great variety of hells. For the followers of one god to + treat the followers of another god decently is a kind of treason. In order + to be really true to his god, each follower must not only hate all other + gods, but the followers of all other gods. + </p> + <p> + The Jewish people should outgrow their own superstitions. It is time for + them to throw away the idea of inspiration. The intelligent jew of to-day + knows that the Old Testament was written by barbarians., and he knows that + the rites and ceremonies are simply absurd. He knows that no intelligent + man should care anything about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, three dead + barbarians. In other words, the Jewish people should leave their + superstition and rely on science and philosophy. + </p> + <p> + The Christian should do the same. He, by this time, should know that his + religion is a mistake, that his creed has no foundation in the eternal + verities. The Christian certainly should give up the hopeless task of + converting the Jewish people, and the Jews should give up the useless task + of converting the Christians. There is no propriety in swapping + superstitions—neither party can afford to give any boot. + </p> + <p> + When the Christian throws away his cruel and heartless superstitions, and + when the Jew throws away his, then they can meet as man to man. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, the world will go on in its blundering way, and I shall + know and feel that everybody does as he must, and that the Christian, to + the extent that he is prejudiced, is prejudiced by reason of his + ignorance, and that consequently the great lever with which to raise all + mankind into the sunshine of philosophy, is intelligence. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0032" id="link0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CRUMBLING CREEDS. + </h2> + <p> + THERE is a desire in each brain to harmonize the knowledge that it has. If + a man knows, or thinks he knows, a few facts, he will naturally use those + facts for the purpose of determining the accuracy of his opinions on other + subjects. This is simply an effort to establish or prove the unknown by + the known—a process that is constantly going on in the minds of all + intelligent people. + </p> + <p> + It is natural for a man not governed by fear, to use what he knows in one + department of human inquiry, in every other department that he + investigates. The average of intelligence has in the last few years + greatly increased. Man may have as much credulity as he ever had, on some + subjects, but certainly on the old subjects he has less. There is not as + great difference to-day between the members of the learned professions and + the common people. Man is governed less and less by authority. He cares + but little for the conclusions of the universities. He does not feel bound + by the actions of synods or ecumenical councils—neither does he bow + to the decisions of the highest tribunals, unless the reasons given for + the decision satisfy his intellect. One reason for this is, that the + so-called "learned" do not agree among themselves—that the + universities dispute each other—that the synod attacks the + ecumenical council—that the parson snaps his fingers at the priest, + and even the Protestant bishop holds the pope in contempt. If the learned + cau thus disagree, there is no reason why the common people should hold to + one opinion. They are at least called upon to decide as between the + universities or synods; and in order to decide, they must examine both + sides, and having examined both sides, they generally have an opinion of + their own. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when the average man knew nothing of medicine—he + simply opened his mouth and took the dose. If he died, it was simply a + dispensation of Providence—if he got well, it was a triumph of + science. Now this average man not only asks the doctor what is the matter + with him—not only asks what medicine will be good for him,—but + insists on knowing the philosophy of the cure—asks the doctor why he + gives it—what result he expects—and, as a rule, has a judgment + of his own. + </p> + <p> + So in law. The average business man has an exceedingly good idea of the + law affecting his business. There is nothing now mysterious about what + goes on in courts or in the decisions of judges—they are published + in every direction, and all intelligent people who happen to read these + opinions have their ideas as to whether the opinions are right or wrong. + They are no longer the victims of doctors, or of lawyers, or of courts. + </p> + <p> + The same is true in the world of art and literature. The average man has + an opinion of his own. He is no longer a parrot repeating what somebody + else says. He not only has opinions, but he has the courage to express + them. In literature the old models fail to satisfy him. He has the courage + to say that Milton is tiresome—that Dante is prolix—that they + deal with subjects having no human interest. He laughs at Young's "Night + Thoughts" and Pollok's "Course of Time"—knowing that both are filled + with hypocrisies and absurdities. He no longer falls upon his knees before + the mechanical poetry of Mr. Pope. He chooses—and stands by his own + opinion. I do not mean that he is entirely independent, but that he is + going in that direction. + </p> + <p> + The same is true of pictures. He prefers the modern to the old masters. He + prefers Corot to Raphael. He gets more real pleasure from Millet and + Troyon than from all the pictures of all the saints and donkeys of the + Middle Ages. + </p> + <p> + In other words, the days of authority are passing away. + </p> + <p> + The same is true in music. The old no longer satisfies, and there is a + breadth, color, wealth, in the new that makes the old poor and barren in + comparison. + </p> + <p> + To a far greater extent this advance, this individual independence, is + seen in the religious world. The religion of our day—that is to say, + the creeds—at the time they were made, were in perfect harmony with + the knowledge, or rather with the ignorance, of man in all other + departments of human inquiry. All orthodox creeds agreed with the sciences + of their day—with the astronomy and geology and biology and + political conceptions of the Middle Ages. These creeds were declared to be + the absolute and eternal truth. They could not be changed without + abandoning the claim that made them authority. The priests, through a kind + of unconscious self-defence, clung to every word. They denied the truth of + all discovery. They measured every assertion in every other department by + their creeds. At last the facts against them became so numerous—their + congregations became so intelligent—that it was necessary to give + new meanings to the old words. The cruel was softened—the absurd was + partially explained, and they kept these old words, although the original + meanings had fallen out. They became empty purses, but they retained them + still. + </p> + <p> + Slowly but surely came the time when this course could not longer be + pursued. The words must be thrown away—the creeds must be changed—they + were no longer believed—only occasionally were they preached. The + ministers became a little ashamed—they began to apologize. Apology + is the prelude to retreat. + </p> + <p> + Of all the creeds, the Presbyterian, the old Congregational, were the most + explicit, and for that reason the most absurd. When these creeds were + written, those who wrote them had perfect confidence in their truth. They + did not shrink because of their cruelty. They cared nothing for what + others called absurdity. They failed not to declare what they believed to + be "the whole counsel of God." + </p> + <p> + At that time, cruel punishments were inflicted by all governments. People + were torn asunder, mutilated, burned. Every atrocity was perpetrated in + the name of justice, and the limit of pain was the limit of endurance. + These people imagined that God would do as they would do. If they had had + it in their power to keep the victim alive for years in the flames, they + would most cheerfully have supplied the fagots. They believed that God + could keep the victim alive forever, and that therefore his punishment + would be eternal. As man becomes civilized he becomes merciful, and the + time came when civilized Presbyterians and Congregationalists read their + own creeds with horror. + </p> + <p> + I am not saying that the Presbyterian creed is any worse than the + Catholic. It is only a little more specific. Neither am I saying that it + is more horrible than the Episcopal. It is not. All orthodox creeds are + alike infamous. All of them have good things, and all of them have bad + things. You will find in every creed the blossom of mercy and the oak of + justice, but under the one and around the other are coiled the serpents of + infinite cruelty. + </p> + <p> + The time came when orthodox Christians began dimly to perceive that God + ought at least to be as good as they were. They felt that they were + incapable of inflicting eternal pain, and they began to doubt the + propriety of saying that God would do that which a civilized Christian + would be incapable of. + </p> + <p> + We have improved in all directions for the same reasons. We have better + laws now because we have a better sense of justice. We are believing more + and more in the government of the people. Consequently we are believing + more and more in the education of the people, and from that naturally + results greater individuality and a greater desire to hear the honest + opinions of all. + </p> + <p> + The moment the expression of opinion is allowed in any department, + progress begins. We are using our knowledge in every direction. The + tendency is to test all opinions by the facts we know. All claims are put + in the crucible of investigation—the object being to separate the + true from the false. He who objects to having his opinions thus tested is + regarded as a bigot. + </p> + <p> + If the professors of all the sciences had claimed that the knowledge they + had was given by inspiration—that it was absolutely true, and that + there was no necessity of examining further, not only, but that it was a + kind of blasphemy to doubt—all the sciences would have remained as + stationary as religion has. Just to the extent that the Bible was appealed + to in matters of science, science was retarded; and just to the extent + that science has been appealed to in matters of religion, religion has + advanced—so that now the object of intelligent religionists is to + adopt a creed that will bear the test and criticism of science. + </p> + <p> + Another thing may be alluded to in this connection. All the countries of + the world are now, and have been for years, open to us. The ideas of other + people—their theories, their religions—are now known; and we + have ascertained that the religions of all people have exactly the same + foundation as our own—that they all arose in the same way, were + substantiated in the same way, were maintained by the same means, having + precisely the same objects in view. + </p> + <p> + For many years, the learned of the religious world were examining the + religions of other countries, and in that work they established certain + rules of criticism—pursued certain lines of argument—by which + they overturned the claims of those religions to supernatural origin. + After this had been successfully done, others, using the same methods on + our religion, pursuing the same line of argument, succeeded in overturning + ours. We have found that all miracles rest on the same basis—that + all wonders were born of substantially the same ignorance and the same + fear. + </p> + <p> + The intelligence of the world is far better distributed than ever before. + The historical outlines of all countries are well known. The arguments for + and against all systems of religion are generally understood. The average + of intelligence is far higher than ever before. All discoveries become + almost immediately the property of the whole civilized world, and all + thoughts are distributed by the telegraph and press with such rapidity, + that provincialism is almost unknown. The egotism of ignorance and + seclusion is passing away. The prejudice of race and religion is growing + feebler, and everywhere, to a greater extent than ever before, the light + is welcome. + </p> + <p> + These are a few of the reasons why creeds are crumbling, and why such a + change has taken place in the religious world. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago the pulpit was an intellectual power. The pews + listened with wonder, and accepted without question. There was something + sacred about the preacher. He was different from other mortals. He had + bread to eat which they knew not of. He was oracular, solemn, dignified, + stupid. + </p> + <p> + The pulpit has lost its position. It speaks no longer with authority. The + pews determine what shall be preached. They pay only for that which they + wish to buy—for that which they wish to hear. Of course in every + church there is an advance guard and a conservative party, and nearly + every minister is obliged to preach a little for both. He now and then + says a radical thing for one part of his congregation, and takes it mostly + back on the next Sabbath, for the sake of the others. Most of them ride + two horses, and their time is taken up in urging one forward and in + holding the other back. + </p> + <p> + The great reason why the orthodox creeds have become unpopular is, that + all teach the dogma of eternal pain. + </p> + <p> + In old times, when men were nearly wild beasts, it was natural enough for + them to suppose that God would do as they would do in his place, and so + they attributed to this God infinite cruelty, infinite revenge. This + revenge, this cruelty, wore the mask of justice. They took the ground that + God, having made man, had the right to do with him as he pleased. At that + time they were not civilized to the extent of seeing that a God would not + have the right to make a failure, and that a being of infinite wisdom and + power would be under obligation to do the right, and that he would have no + right to create any being whose life would not be a blessing. The very + fact that he made man, would put him under obligation to see to it that + life should not be a curse. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of eternal punishment is in perfect harmony with the savagery + of the men who made the orthodox creeds. It is in harmony with torture, + with flaying alive and with burnings. The men who burned their fellow-men + for a moment, believed that God would burn his enemies forever. + </p> + <p> + No civilized men ever believed in this dogma. The belief in eternal + punishment has driven millions from the church. It was easy enough for + people to imagine that the children of others had gone to hell; that + foreigners had been doomed to eternal pain; but when it was brought home—when + fathers and mothers bent above their dead who had died in their sins—when + wives shed their tears on the faces of husbands who had been born but once—love + suggested doubts and love fought the dogma of eternal revenge. + </p> + <p> + This doctrine is as cruel as the hunger of hyenas, and is infamous beyond + the power of any language to express—yet a creed with this doctrine + has been called "the glad tidings of great joy"—a consolation to the + weeping world. It is a source of great pleasure to me to know that all + intelligent people are ashamed to admit that they believe it—that no + intelligent clergyman now preaches it, except with a preface to the effect + that it is probably untrue. + </p> + <p> + I have been blamed for taking this consolation from the world—for + putting out, or trying to put out, the fires of hell; and many orthodox + people have wondered how I could be so wicked as to deprive the world of + this hope. + </p> + <p> + The church clung to the doctrine because it seemed a necessary excuse for + the existence of the church. The ministers said: "No hell, no atonement; + no atonement, no fall of man; no fall of man, no inspired book; no + inspired book, no preachers; no preachers, no salary; no hell, no + missionaries; no sulphur, no salvation." + </p> + <p> + At last, the people are becoming enlightened enough to ask for a better + philosophy. The doctrine of hell is now only for the poor, the ragged, the + ignorant. Well-dressed people won't have it. Nobody goes to hell in a + carriage—they foot it. Hell is for strangers and tramps. No soul + leaves a brown-stone front for hell—they start from the tenements, + from jails and reformatories. In other words, hell is for the poor. It is + easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a poor man + to get into heaven, or for a rich man to get into hell. The ministers + stand by their supporters. Their salaries are paid by the well-to-do, and + they can hardly afford to send the subscribers to hell. Every creed in + which is the dogma of eternal pain is doomed. Every church teaching the + infinite lie must fall, and the sooner the better.—The Twentieth + Century, N, Y., April 21,1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0033" id="link0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + OUR SCHOOLS. + </h2> + <p> + I BELIEVE that education is the only lever capable of raising mankind. If + we wish to make the future of the Republic glorious we must educate the + children of the present. The greatest blessing conferred by our Government + is the free school. In importance it rises above everything else that the + Government does. In its influence it is far greater. + </p> + <p> + The schoolhouse is infinitely more important than the church, and if all + the money wasted in the building of churches could be devoted to education + we should become a civilized people. Of course, to the extent that + churches disseminate thought they are good, and to the extent that they + provoke discussion they are of value, but the real object should be to + become acquainted with nature—with the conditions of happiness—to + the end that man may take advantage of the forces of nature. I believe in + the schools for manual training, and that every child should be taught not + only to think, but to do, and that the hand should be educated with the + brain. The money expended on schools is the best investment made by the + Government. + </p> + <p> + The schoolhouses in New York are not sufficient. Many of them are small, + dark, unventilated, and unhealthy. They should be the finest public + buildings in the city. It would be far better for the Episcopalians to + build a university than a cathedral. Attached to all these schoolhouses + there should be grounds for the children—places for air and + sunlight. They should be given the best. They are the hope of the Republic + and, in my judgment, of the world. + </p> + <p> + We need far more schoolhouses than we have, and while money is being + wasted in a thousand directions, thousands of children are left to be + educated in the gutter. It is far cheaper to build schoolhouses than + prisons, and it is much better to have scholars than convicts. + </p> + <p> + The Kindergarten system should be adopted, especially for the young; + attending school is then a pleasure—the children do not run away + from school, but to school. We should educate the children not simply in + mind, but educate their eyes and hands, and they should be taught + something that will be of use, that will help them to make a living, that + will give them independence, confidence—that is to say, character. + </p> + <p> + The cost of the schools is very little, and the cost of land—giving + the children, as I said before, air and light—would amount to + nothing. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing: Teachers are poorly paid. Only the best should be + employeed, and they should be well paid. Men and women of the highest + character should have charge of the children, because there is a vast deal + of education in association, and it is of the utmost importance that the + children should associate with real gentlemen—that is to say, with + real men; with real ladies—that is to say, with real women. + </p> + <p> + Every schoolhouse should be inviting, clean, well ventilated, attractive. + The surroundings should be delightful. Children forced to school, learn + but little. The schoolhouse should not be a prison or the teachers + turnkeys. + </p> + <p> + I believe that the common school is the bread of life, and all should be + commanded to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge. It would have been + far better to have expelled those who refused to eat. + </p> + <p> + The greatest danger to the Republic is ignorance. Intelligence is the + foundation of free government.—The World, New York, September 7, + 1800. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0034" id="link0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIVISECTION. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *A letter written to Philip G. Peabody. May 27, 1800. +</pre> + <p> + VIVISECTION is the Inquisition—the Hell—of Science. + </p> + <p> + All the cruelty which the human—or rather the inhuman—heart is + capable of inflicting, is in this one word. Below this there is no depth. + This word lies like a coiled serpent at the bottom of the abyss. + </p> + <p> + We can excuse, in part, the crimes of passion. We take into consideration + the fact that man is liable to be caught by the whirlwind, and that from a + brain on fire the soul rushes to a crime. But what excuse can ingenuity + form for a man who deliberately—with an unaccelerated pulse—with + the calmness of John Calvin at the murder of Servetus—seeks, with + curious and cunning knives, in the living, quivering flesh of a dog, for + all the throbbing nerves of pain? The wretches who commit these infamous + crimes pretend that they are working for the good of man; that they are + actuated by philanthropy; and that their pity for the sufferings of the + human race drives out all pity for the animals they slowly torture to + death. But those who are incapable of pitying animals are, as a matter of + fact, incapable of pitying men. A physician who would cut a living rabbit + in pieces—laying bare the nerves, denuding them with knives, pulling + them out with forceps—would not hesitate to try experiments with men + and women for the gratification of his curiosity. + </p> + <p> + To settle some theory, he would trifle with the life of any patient in his + power. By the same reasoning he will justify the vivisection of animals + and patients. He will say that it is better that a few animals should + suffer than that one human being should die; and that it is far better + that one patient should die, if through the sacrifice of that one, several + may be saved. + </p> + <p> + Brain without heart is far more dangerous than heart without brain. + </p> + <p> + Have these scientific assassins discovered anything of value? They may + have settled some disputes as to the action of some organ, but have they + added to the useful knowledge of the race? + </p> + <p> + It is not necessary for a man to be a specialist in order to have and + express his opinion as to the right or wrong of vivisection. It is not + necessary to be a scientist or a naturalist to detest cruelty and to love + mercy. Above all the discoveries of the thinkers, above all the inventions + of the ingenious, above all the victories won on fields of intellectual + conflict, rise human sympathy and a sense of justice. + </p> + <p> + I know that good for the human race can never be accomplished by torture. + I also know that all that has been ascertained by vivisection could have + been done by the dissection of the dead. I know that all the torture has + been useless. All the agony inflicted has simply hardened the hearts of + the criminals, without enlightening their minds. + </p> + <p> + It may be that the human race might be physically improved if all the + sickly and deformed babes were killed, and if all the paupers, liars, + drunkards, thieves, villains, and vivisectionists were murdered. All this + might, in a few ages, result in the production of a generation of + physically perfect men and women; but what would such beings be worth,—men + and women healthy and heartless, muscular and cruel—that is to say, + intelligent wild beasts? + </p> + <p> + Never can I be the friend of one who vivisects his fellow-creatures. I do + not wish to touch his hand. + </p> + <p> + When the angel of pity is driven from the heart; when the fountain of + tears is dry,—the soul becomes a serpent crawling in the dust of a + desert. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0035" id="link0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CENSUS ENUMERATOR'S OFFICIAL CATECHISM. + </h2> + <p> + I SUPPOSE the Government has a right to ask all of these questions, and + any more it pleases, but undoubtedly the citizen would have the right to + refuse to answer them. Originally the census was taken simply for the + purpose of ascertaining the number of people—first, as a basis of + representation; second, as a basis of capitation tax; third, as a basis to + arrive at the number of troops that might be called from each State; and + it may be for some other purposes, but I imagine that all are embraced in + the foregoing. + </p> + <p> + The Government has no right to invade the privacy of the citizen; no right + to inquire into his financial condition, as thereby his credit might be + injured; no right to pry into his affairs, into his diseases, or his + deformities; and, while the Government may have the right to ask these + questions, I think it was foolish to instruct the enumerators to ask them, + and that the citizens have a perfect right to refuse to answer them. + Personally, I have no objection to answering any of these questions, for + the reason that nothing is the matter with me that money will not cure. + </p> + <p> + I know that it is thought advisable by many to find out the amount of + mortgages in the United States, the rate of interest that is being paid, + the general indebtedness of individuals, counties, cities and States, and + I see no impropriety in finding this out in any reasonable way. But I + think it improper to insist on the debtor exposing his financial + condition. My opinion is that Mr. Porter only wants what is perfectly + reasonable, and if left to himself, would ask only those questions that + all people would willingly answer. + </p> + <p> + I presume we can depend on medical statistics—on the reports of + hospitals, etc., in regard to diseases and deformities, without + interfering with the patients. As to the financial standing of people, + there are already enough of spies in this country attending to that + business. I don't think there is any danger of the courts compelling a man + to answer these questions. Suppose a man refuses to tell whether he has a + chronic disease or not, and he is brought up before a United States Court + for contempt. In my opinion the judge would decide that the man could not + be compelled to answer. It is bad enough to have a chronic disease without + publishing it to the world. All intelligent people, of course, will be + desirous of giving all useful information of a character that cannot be + used to their injury, but can be used for the benefit of society at large. + </p> + <p> + If, however, the courts shall decide that the enumerators have the right + to ask these questions, and that everybody must answer them, I doubt if + the census will be finished for many years. There are hundreds and + thousands of people who delight in telling all about their diseases, when + they were attacked, what they have taken, how many doctors have given them + up to die, etc., and if the enumerators will stop to listen, the census of + 1890 will not be published until the next century.—The World, New + York, June 8, 1890. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0036" id="link0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE AGNOSTIC CHRISTMAS + </h2> + <p> + AGAIN we celebrate the victory of Light over Darkness, of the God of day + over the hosts of night. Again Samson is victorious over Delilah, and + Hercules triumphs once more over Omphale. In the embrace of Isis, Osiris + rises from the dead, and the scowling Typhon is defeated once more. Again + Apollo, with unerring aim, with his arrow from the quiver of light, + destroys the serpent of shadow. This is the festival of Thor, of Baldur + and of Prometheus. Again Buddha by a miracle escapes from the tyrant of + Madura, Zoroaster foils the King, Bacchus laughs at the rage of Cadmus, + and Chrishna eludes the tyrant. + </p> + <p> + This is the festival of the sun-god, and as such let its observance be + universal. + </p> + <p> + This is the great day of the first religion, the mother of all religions—the + worship of the sun. + </p> + <p> + Sun worship is not only the first, but the most natural and most + reasonable of all. And not only the most natural and the most reasonable, + but by far the most poetic, the most beautiful. + </p> + <p> + The sun is the god of benefits, of growth, of life, of warmth, of + happiness, of joy. The sun is the all-seeing, the all-pitying, the + all-loving. + </p> + <p> + This bright God knew no hatred, no malice, never sought for revenge. + </p> + <p> + All evil qualities were in the breast of the God of darkness, of shadow, + of night. And so I say again, this is the festival of Light. This is the + anniversary of the triumph of the Sun over the hosts of Darkness. + </p> + <p> + Let us all hope for the triumph of Light—of Right and Reason—for + the victory of Fact over Falsehood, of Science over Superstition. + </p> + <p> + And so hoping, let us celebrate the venerable festival of the Sun.—The + Journal, New York, December 25,1892. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0037" id="link0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SPIRITUALITY. + </h2> + <p> + IF there is an abused word in our language, it is "spirituality." + </p> + <p> + It has been repeated over and over for several hundred years by pious + pretenders and snivelers as though it belonged exclusively to them. + </p> + <p> + In the early days of Christianity, the "spiritual" renounced the world + with all its duties and obligations. They deserted their wives and + children. They became hermits and dwelt in caves. They spent their useless + years in praying for their shriveled and worthless souls. They were too + "spiritual" to love women, to build homes and to labor for children. They + were too "spiritual" to earn their bread, so they became beggars and stood + by the highways of Life and held out their hands and asked alms of + Industry and Courage. They were too "spiritual" to be merciful. They + preached the dogma of eternal pain and gloried in "the wrath to come." + They were too "spiritual" to be civilized, so they persecuted their + fellow-men for expressing their honest thoughts. They were so "spiritual" + that they invented instruments of torture, founded the Inquisition, + appealed to the whip, the rack, the sword and the fagot. They tore the + flesh of their fellow-men with hooks of iron, buried their neighbors + alive, cut off their eyelids, dashed out the brains of babes and cut off + the breasts of mothers. These "spiritual" wretches spent day and night on + their knees, praying for their own salvation and asking God to curse the + best and noblest of the world. + </p> + <p> + John Calvin was intensely "spiritual" when he warmed his fleshless hands + at the flames that consumed Servetus. + </p> + <p> + John Knox was constrained by his "spirituality" to utter low and loathsome + calumnies against all women. All the witch-burners and Quaker-maimers and + mutilators were so "spiritual" that they constantly looked heavenward and + longed for the skies. + </p> + <p> + These lovers of God—these haters of men—looked upon the Greek + marbles as unclean, and denounced the glories of Art as the snares and + pitfalls of perdition. + </p> + <p> + These "spiritual" mendicants hated laughter and smiles and dimples, and + exhausted their diseased and polluted imaginations in the effort to make + love loathsome. + </p> + <p> + From almost every pulpit was heard the denunciation of all that adds to + the wealth, the joy and glory of life. It became the fashion for the + "spiritual" to malign every hope and passion that tends to humanize and + refine the heart. Man was denounced as totally depraved. Woman was + declared to be a perpetual temptation—her beauty a snare and her + touch pollution. + </p> + <p> + Even in our own time and country some of the ministers, no matter how + radical they claim to be, retain the aroma, the odor, or the smell of the + "spiritual." + </p> + <p> + They denounce some of the best and greatest—some of the benefactors + of the race—for having lived on the low plane of usefulness—and + for having had the pitiful ambition to make their fellows happy in this + world. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Paine was a groveling wretch because he devoted his life to the + preservation of the rights of man, and Voltaire lacked the "spiritual" + because he abolished torture in France and attacked, with the enthusiasm + of a divine madness, the monster that was endeavoring to drive the hope of + liberty from the heart of man. + </p> + <p> + Humboldt was not "spiritual" enough to repeat with closed eyes the + absurdities of superstition, but was so lost to all the "skyey influences" + that he was satisfied to add to the intellectual wealth of the world. + </p> + <p> + Darwin lacked "spirituality," and in its place had nothing but sincerity, + patience, intelligence, the spirit of investigation and the courage to + give his honest conclusions to the world. He contented himself with giving + to his fellow-men the greatest and the sublimest truths that man has + spoken since lips have uttered speech. + </p> + <p> + But we are now told that these soldiers of science, these heroes of + liberty, these sculptors and painters, these singers of songs, these + composers of music, lack "spirituality" and after all were only common + clay. + </p> + <p> + This word "spirituality" is the fortress, the breastwork, the rifle-pit of + the Pharisee. It sustains the same relation to sincerity that Dutch metal + does to pure gold. + </p> + <p> + There seems to be something about a pulpit that poisons the occupant—that + changes his nature—that causes him to denounce what he really loves + and to laud with the fervor of insanity a joy that he never felt—a + rapture that never thrilled his soul. Hypnotized by his surroundings, he + unconsciously brings to market that which he supposes the purchasers + desire. + </p> + <p> + In every church, whether orthodox or radical, there are two parties—one + conservative, looking backward, one radical, looking forward, and + generally a minister "spiritual" enough to look both ways. + </p> + <p> + A minister who seems to be a philosopher on the street, or in the home of + a sensible man, cannot withstand the atmosphere of the pulpit. The moment + he stands behind the Bible cushion, like Bottom, he is "translated" and + the Titania of superstition "kisses his large, fair ears." + </p> + <p> + Nothing is more amusing than to hear a clergyman denounce worldliness—ask + his hearers what it will profit them to build railways and palaces and + lose their own souls—inquire of the common folks before him why they + waste their precious years in following trades and professions, in + gathering treasures that moths corrupt and rust devours, giving their days + to the vulgar business of making money,—and then see him take up a + collection, knowing perfectly well that only the worldly, the very people + he has denounced, can by any possibility give a dollar. + </p> + <p> + "Spirituality" for the most part is a mask worn by idleness, arrogance and + greed. + </p> + <p> + Some people imagine that they are "spiritual" when they are sickly. + </p> + <p> + It may be well enough to ask: What is it to be really spiritual? + </p> + <p> + The spiritual man lives to his ideal. He endeavors to make others happy. + He does not despise the passions that have filled the world with art and + glory. He loves his wife and children—home and fireside. He + cultivates the amenities and refinements of life. He is the friend and + champion of the oppressed. His sympathies are with the poor and the + suffering. He attacks what he believes to be wrong, though defended by the + many, and he is willing to stand for the right against the world. He + enjoys the beautiful. In the presence of the highest creations of Art his + eyes are suffused with tears. When he listens to the great melodies, the + divine harmonies, he feels the sorrows and the raptures of death and love. + He is intensely human. He carries in his heart the burdens of the world. + He searches for the deeper meanings. He appreciates the harmonies of + conduct, the melody of a perfect life. + </p> + <p> + He loves his wife and children better than any god. He cares more for the + world he lives in than for any other. He tries to discharge the duties of + this life, to help those that he can reach. He believes in being useful—in + making money to feed and clothe and educate the ones he loves—to + assist the deserving and to support himself. He does not wish to be a + burden on others. He is just, generous and sincere. + </p> + <p> + Spirituality is all of this world. It is a child of this earth, born and + cradled here. It comes from no heaven, but it makes a heaven where it is. + </p> + <p> + There is no possible connection between superstition and the spiritual, or + between theology and the spiritual. + </p> + <p> + The spiritually-minded man is a poet. If he does not write poetry, he + lives it. He is an artist. If he does not paint pictures or chisel + statues, he feels them, and their beauty softens his heart. He fills the + temple of his soul with all that is beautiful, and he worships at the + shrine of the Ideal. + </p> + <p> + In all the relations of life he is faithful and true. He asks for nothing + that he does not earn. He does not wish to be happy in heaven if he must + receive happiness as alms He does not rely on the goodness of another. He + is not ambitious to become a winged pauper. + </p> + <p> + Spirituality is the perfect health of the soul. It is noble, manly, + generous, brave, free-spoken, natural, superb. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is more sickening than the "spiritual" whine—the pretence + that crawls at first and talks about humility and then suddenly becomes + arrogant and says: "I am 'spiritual.' I hold in contempt the vulgar joys + of this life. You work and toil and build homes and sing songs and weave + your delicate robes. You love women and children and adorn yourselves. You + subdue the earth and dig for gold. You have your theatres, your operas and + all the luxuries of life; but I, beggar that I am, Pharisee that I am, am + your superior because I am 'spiritual.'" + </p> + <p> + Above all things, let us be sincere.—The Conservator, Philadelphia, + 1891. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0038" id="link0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SUMTER'S GUN. + </h2> + <p> + 1861—April 12th—1891 + </p> + <p> + FOR about three-quarters of a century the statesmen, that is to say, the + politicians, of the North and South', had been busy making compromises, + adopting constitutions and enacting laws; busy making speeches, framing + platforms and political pretences, to the end that liberty and slavery + might dwell in peace and friendship under the same flag. + </p> + <p> + Arrogance on one side, hypocrisy on the other. + </p> + <p> + Right apologized to Wrong for the sake of the Union. + </p> + <p> + The sources of justice were poisoned, and patriotism became the defender + of piracy. In the name of humanity mothers were robbed of their babes. + </p> + <p> + Thirty years ago to-day a shot was fired, and in a moment all the + promises, all the laws, all the constitutional amendments, and all the + idiotic and heartless decisions of courts, and all the speeches of orators + inspired by the hope of place and power, were blown into rags and + ravelings, pieces and patches. + </p> + <p> + The North and South had been masquerading as friends, and in a moment, + while the sound of that shot was ringing in their ears, they faced each + other as enemies. + </p> + <p> + The roar of that cannon announced the birth of a new epoch. The echoes of + that shot went out, not only over the bay of Charleston, but over the + hills, the prairies and forests of the continent. + </p> + <p> + These echoes said marvelous things and uttered prophecies that none were + wise enough to understand. + </p> + <p> + Who at that time had the slightest conception of the immediate future? Who + then was great enough to see the end? Who then was wise enough to know + that the echoes would be kept alive and repeated for years by thousands + and thousands of cannon, by millions of muskets, on the fields of ruthless + war? + </p> + <p> + At that time Abraham Lincoln, an Illinois lawyer, was barely a month in + the President's chair, and that shot made him the most commanding and + majestic figure of the nineteenth century—a figure that stands + alone. + </p> + <p> + Who could have guessed the names of the heroes to be repeated by countless + lips before the echoes of that shot should have died away? + </p> + <p> + There was at that time a young man at Galena, silent, unobtrusive, + unknown; and yet, the moment that shot was fired he was destined to lead + the greatest host ever marshaled on a field of war, destined to receive + the final sword of the Rebellion. + </p> + <p> + There was another, in the Southwest, who heard one of the echoes of that + shot, and who afterward marched from Atlanta to the sea; and another, far + away by the Pacific, who also heard one of the echoes, and who became one + of the immortal three. + </p> + <p> + But, above all, the echoes were heard by millions of men and women in the + fields of unpaid toil, and they knew not the meaning, but felt that they + had heard a prophecy of freedom. And the echoes told of death and glory + for many thousands—of the agonies of women—the sobs of orphans—the + sighs of the imprisoned, and the glad shouts of the delivered, the + enfranchised, the redeemed. + </p> + <p> + They who fired that gun did not dream that they were giving liberty to + millions of people, including themselves, white as well as black, North as + well as South, and that before the echoes should die away, all the + shackles would be broken, all the constitutions and statutes of slavery + repealed, and all the compromises merged and lost in a great compact made + to preserve the liberties of all. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0039" id="link0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT INFIDELS HAVE DONE. + </h2> + <p> + ONE HUNDRED years after Christ had died suppose some one had asked a + Christian, What hospitals have you built? What asylums have you founded? + They would have said "None." Suppose three hundred years after the death + of Christ the same questions had been asked the Christian, he would have + said "None, not one." Two hundred years more and the answer would have + been the same. And at that time the Christian could have told the + questioner that the Mohammedans had built asylums before the Christians. + He could also have told him that there had been orphan asylums in China + for hundreds and hundreds of years, hospitals in India, and hospitals for + the sick at Athens. + </p> + <p> + Here it may be well enough to say that all hospitals and asylums are not + built for charity. They are built because people do not want to be annoyed + by the sick and the insane. If a sick man should come down the street and + sit upon your doorstep, what would you do with him? You would have to take + him into your house or leave him to suffer. Private families do not wish + to take the burden of the sick. Consequently, in self-defence, hospitals + are built so that any wanderer coming to a house, dying, or suffering from + any disease, may immediately be packed off to a hospital and not become a + burden upon private charity. The fact that many diseases are contagious + rendered hospitals necessary for the preservation of the lives of the + citizens. The same thing is true of the asylums. People do not, as a rule, + want to take into their families, all the children who happen to have no + fathers and mothers. So they endow and build an asylum where those + children can be sent—and where they can be whipped according to law. + Nobody wants an insane stranger in his house. The consequence is, that the + community, to get rid of these people, to get rid of the trouble, build + public institutions and send them there. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, to come to the point, to answer the interrogatory often flung + at us from the pulpit, What institutions have Infidels built? In the first + place, there have not been many Infidels for many years and, as a rule, a + known Infidel cannot get very rich, for the reason that the Christians are + so forgiving and loving they boycott him. If the average Infidel, freely + stating his opinion, could get through the world himself, for the last + several hundred years, he has been in good luck. But as a matter of fact + there have been some Infidels who have done some good, even from a + Christian standpoint. The greatest charity ever established in the United + States by a man—not by a community to get rid of a nuisance, but by + a man who wished to do good and wished that good to last after his death—is + the Girard College in the city of Philadelphia. Girard was an Infidel. He + gained his first publicity by going like a common person into the + hospitals and taking care of those suffering from contagious diseases—from + cholera and smallpox. So there is a man by the name of James Lick, an + Infidel, who has given the finest observatory ever given to the world. And + it is a good thing for an Infidel to increase the sight of men. The reason + people are theologians is because they cannot see. Mr. Lick has increased + human vision, and I can say right here that nothing has been seen through + the telescope, calculated to prove the astronomy of Joshua. Neither can + you see with that telescope a star that bears a Christian name. The reason + is that Christianity was opposed to astronomy. So astronomers took their + revenge, and now there is not one star that glitters in all the vast + firmament of the boundless heavens that has a Christian name. Mr. Carnegie + has been what they call a public-spirited man. He has given millions of + dollars for libraries and other institutions, and he certainly is not an + orthodox Christian. + </p> + <p> + Infidels, however, have done much better even than that. They have + increased the sum of human knowledge. John W. Draper, in his work on "The + Intellectual Development of Europe," has done more good to the American + people and to the civilized world than all the priests in it. He was an + Infidel. Buckle is another who has added to the sum of human knowledge. + Thomas Paine, an Infidel, did more for this country than any other man who + ever lived in it. + </p> + <p> + Most of the colleges in this country have, I admit, been founded by + Christians, and the money for their support has been donated by + Christians, but most of the colleges of this country have simply + classified ignorance, and I think the United States would be more learned + than it is to-day if there never had been a Christian college in it. But + whether Christians gave or Infidels gave has nothing to do with the + probability of the Jonah story or with the probability that the mark on + the dial went back ten degrees to prove that a little Jewish king was not + going to die of a boil. And if the Infidels are all stingy and the + Christians are all generous it does not even tend to prove that three men + were in a fiery furnace heated seven times hotter than was its wont + without even scorching their clothes. + </p> + <p> + The best college in this country—or, at least, for a long time the + best—was the institution founded by Ezra Cornell. That is a school + where people try to teach what they know instead of what they guess. Yet + Cornell University was attacked by every orthodox college in the United + States at the time it was founded, because they said it was without + religion. + </p> + <p> + Everybody knows that Christianity does not tend to generosity. + Christianity says: "Save your own soul, whether anybody else saves his or + not." Christianity says: "Let the great ship go down. You get into the + little life-boat of the gospel and paddle ashore, no matter what becomes + of the rest." Christianity says you must love God, or something in the + sky, better than you love your wife and children. And the Christian, even + when giving, expects to get a very large compound interest in another + world. The Infidel who gives, asks no return except the joy that comes + from relieving the wants of another. + </p> + <p> + Again the Christians, although they have built colleges, have built them + for the purpose of spreading their superstitions, and have poisoned the + minds of the world, while the Infidel teachers have filled the world with + light. Darwin did more for mankind than if he had built a thousand + hospitals. Voltaire did more than if he had built a thousand asylums for + the insane. He will prevent thousands from going insane that otherwise + might be driven into insanity by the "glad tidings of great joy." Haeckel + is filling the world with light. + </p> + <p> + I am perfectly willing that the results of the labors of Christians and + the labors of Infidels should be compared. Then let it be understood that + Infidels have been in this world but a very short time. A few years ago + there were hardly any. I can remember when I was the only Infidel in the + town where I lived. Give us time and we will build colleges in which + something will be taught that is of use. We hope to build temples that + will be dedicated to reason and common sense, and where every effort will + be made to reform mankind and make them better and better in this world. + </p> + <p> + I am saying nothing against the charity of Christians; nothing against any + kindness or goodness. But I say the Christians, in my judgment, have done + more harm than they have done good. They may talk of the asylums they have + built, but they have not built asylums enough to hold the people who have + been driven insane by their teachings. Orthodox religion has opposed + liberty. It has opposed investigation and free thought. If all the + churches in Europe had been observatories, if the cathedrals had been + universities where facts were taught and where nature was studied, if all + the priests had been real teachers, this world would have been far, far + beyond what it is to-day. + </p> + <p> + There is an idea that Christianity is positive, and Infidelity is + negative. If this be so, then falsehood is positive and truth is negative. + What I contend is that Infidelity is a positive religion; that + Christianity is a negative religion. Christianity denies and Infidelity + admits. Infidelity stands by facts; it demonstrates by the conclusions of + the reason. Infidelity does all it can to develop the brain and the heart + of man. That is positive. Religion asks man to give up this world for one + he knows nothing about. That is negative. I stand by the religion of + reason. I stand by the dogmas of demonstration. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0040" id="link0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CRUELTY IN THE ELMIRA REFORMATORY. + </h2> + <p> + IN my judgment, no human being was ever made better, nobler, by being + whipped or clubbed. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Brockway, according to his own testimony, is simply a savage. He + belongs to the Dark Ages—to the Inquisition, to the torture-chamber, + and he needs reforming more than any prisoner under his control. To put + any man within his power is in itself a crime. Mr. Brockway is a believer + in cruelty—an apostle of brutality. He beats and bruises flesh to + satisfy his conscience—his sense of duty. He wields the club himself + because he enjoys the agony he inflicts. + </p> + <p> + When a poor wretch, having reached the limit of endurance, submits or + becomes unconscious, he is regarded as reformed. During the remainder of + his term he trembles and obeys. But he is not reformed. In his heart is + the flame of hatred, the desire for revenge; and he returns to society far + worse than when he entered the prison. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Brockway should either be removed or locked up, and the Elmira + Reformatory should be superintended by some civilized man—some man + with brain enough to know, and heart enough to feel. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe that one brute, by whipping, beating and lacerating the + flesh of another, can reform him. The lash will neither develop the brain + nor cultivate the heart. There should be no bruising, no scarring of the + body in families, in schools, in reformatories, or prisons. A civilized + man does not believe in the methods of savagery. Brutality has been tried + for thousands of years and through all these years it has been a failure. + </p> + <p> + Criminals have been flogged, mutilated and maimed, tortured in a thousand + ways, and the only effect was to demoralize, harden and degrade society + and increase the number of crimes. In the army and navy, soldiers and + sailors were flogged to death, and everywhere by church and state the + torture of the helpless was practiced and upheld. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago there were two hundred and twenty-three offences + punished with death in England. Those who wished to reform this savage + code were denounced as the enemies of morality and law. They were regarded + as weak and sentimental. + </p> + <p> + At last the English code was reformed through the efforts of men who had + brain and heart. But it is a significant fact that no bishop of the + Episcopal Church, sitting in the House of Lords, ever voted for the repeal + of one of those savage laws. Possibly this fact throws light on the recent + poetic and Christian declaration by Bishop Potter to the effect that + "there are certain criminals who can only be made to realize through their + hides the fact that the State has laws to which the individual must be + obedient." + </p> + <p> + This orthodox remark has the true apostolic ring, and is in perfect accord + with the history of the church. But it does not accord with the + intelligence and philanthropy of our time. Let us develop the brain by + education, the heart by kindness. Let us remember that criminals are + produced by conditions, and let us do what we can to change the conditions + and to reform the criminals. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0041" id="link0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LAW'S DELAY. + </h2> + <p> + THE object of a trial is not to convict—neither is it to acquit. The + object is to ascertain the truth by legal testimony and in accordance with + law. + </p> + <p> + In this country we give the accused the benefit of all reasonable doubts. + We insist that his guilt shall be really established by competent + testimony. + </p> + <p> + We also allow the accused to take exceptions to the rulings of the judge + before whom he is tried, and to the verdict of the jury, and to have these + exceptions passed upon by a higher court. + </p> + <p> + We also insist that he shall be tried by an impartial jury, and that + before he can be found guilty all the jurors must unite in the verdict. + </p> + <p> + Some people, not on trial for any crime, object to our methods. They say + that time is wasted in getting an impartial jury; that more time is wasted + because appeals are allowed, and that by reason of insisting on a strict + compliance with law in all respects, trials sometimes linger for years, + and that in many instances the guilty escape. + </p> + <p> + No one, so far as I know, asks that men shall be tried by partial and + prejudiced jurors, or that judges shall be allowed to disregard the law + for the sake of securing convictions, or that verdicts shall be allowed to + stand unsupported by sufficient legal evidence. Yet they talk as if they + asked for these very things. We must remember that revenge is always in + haste, and that justice can always afford to wait until the evidence is + actually heard. + </p> + <p> + There should be no delay except that which is caused by taking the time to + find the truth. Without such delay courts become mobs, before which, + trials in a legal sense are impossible. It might be better, in a city like + New York, to have the grand jury in almost perpetual session, so that a + man charged with crime could be immediately indicted and immediately + tried. So, the highest court to which appeals are taken should be in + almost constant session, in order that all appeals might be quickly + decided. + </p> + <p> + But we do not wish to take away the right of appeal. That right tends to + civilize the trial judge, reduces to a minimum his arbitrary power, puts + his hatreds and passions in the keeping and control of his intelligence. + That right of appeal has an excellent effect on the jury, because they + know that their verdict may not be the last word. The appeal, where the + accused is guilty, does not take the sword from the State, but it is a + shield for the innocent. + </p> + <p> + In England there is no appeal. The trials are shorter, the judges more + arbitrary, the juries subservient, and the verdict often depends on the + prejudice of the judge. The judge knows that he has the last guess—that + he cannot be reviewed—and in the passion often engendered by the + conflict of trial he acts much like a wild beast. + </p> + <p> + The case of Mrs. Maybrick is exactly in point, and shows how dangerous it + is to clothe the trial judge with supreme power. + </p> + <p> + Without doubt there is in this country too much delay, and this, it seems + to me, can be avoided without putting the life or liberty of innocent + persons in peril. Take only such time as may be necessary to give the + accused a fair trial, before an impartial jury, under and in accordance + with the established forms of law, and to allow an appeal to the highest + court. + </p> + <p> + The State in which a criminal cannot have an impartial trial is not + civilized. People who demand the conviction of the accused without regard + to the forms of law are savages. + </p> + <p> + But there is another side to this question. Many people are losing + confidence in the idea that punishment reforms the convict, or that + capital punishment materially decreases capital crimes. + </p> + <p> + My own opinion is that ordinary criminals should, if possible, be + reformed, and that murderers and desperate wretches should be imprisoned + for life. I am inclined to believe that our prisons make more criminals + than they reform; that places like the Reformatory at Elmira plant and + cultivate the seeds of crime. + </p> + <p> + The State should never seek revenge; neither should it put in peril the + life or liberty of the accused for the sake of a hasty trial, or by the + denial of appeal. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, defective as our criminal courts and methods are, they are + far better than the English. + </p> + <p> + Our judges are kinder, more humane; our juries nearer independent, and our + methods better calculated to ascertain the truth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0042" id="link0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BIGOTRY OF COLLEGES. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A newspaper dispatch from Lawrence, Kansas, published + yesterday, stated that Col. Robert O. Ingersoll had been + invited by the law students of the Kansas State University + to address them at the commencement exercises, and that the + faculty council had objected and had invited Chauncey M. + Depew instead. + + The dispatch also stared that the council had notified + representatives of the law school that if they insisted on + the great Agnostic speaking before the school, the faculty + would take heroic measures to thwart their design. + + It was also stated that the law students had made it clearly + understood that the lecture Ingersoll had been invited to + deliver was to be on the subject of law, and that his views + on religion, the Bible and the Deity were not to be alluded + to, and they considered that the faculty council had + "subjected them to an insult," and had gone out of its way, + also, to affront Colonel Ingersoll without cause. + + Colonel Ingersoll, when seen yesterday and questioned about + the matter, took it, as he does all things of that nature, + philosophically and in a true manly spirit. + + Chauncey M. Depew was seen at his residence, No. 43 West + Fifty-fourth Street, last night and asked if he had been + invited to address the students of the Kansas University in + the place of Colonel Ingersoll. He said he had not. + + "Would you go if you were invited?" he was asked. + + "No; I would not," he answered. "You see, I am so busy here; + besides, my social and semi-political engagements are such + that I would not have time to go to such a distant point, + anyhow. + + "No, I do not care to express any opinion regarding the + action of the faculty council of the Kansas University, but + I consider Colonel Ingersoll one of the greatest intellects + of the century, from whose teaching all can profit."—The + Journal, New York, January 24, im. +</pre> + <p> + UNIVERSITIES are naturally conservative. They know that if suspected of + being really scientific, orthodox Christians will keep their sons away, so + they pander to the superstitions of the times. + </p> + <p> + Most of the universities are exceedingly poor, and poverty is the enemy of + independence. Universities, like people, have the instinct of + self-preservation. The University of Kansas is like the rest. + </p> + <p> + The faculty of Cornell, upon precisely the same question, took exactly the + same action, and the faculty of the University of Missouri did the same. + These institutions must be the friends and defenders of superstition. + </p> + <p> + The Vanderbilt College, or University of Tennessee, discharged Professor + Winchell because he differed with the author of Genesis on geology. + </p> + <p> + These colleges act as they must, and we should blame nobody. If Humboldt + and Darwin were now alive they would not be allowed to teach in these + institutions of "learning." + </p> + <p> + We need not find fault with the president and professors. They want to + keep their places. The probability is that they would like to do better—that + they desire to be free, and, if free, would, with all their hearts, + welcome the truth. Still, these universities seem to do good. The minds of + their students are developed to that degree, that they naturally turn to + me as the defender of their thoughts. + </p> + <p> + This gives me great hope for the future. The young, the growing, the + enthusiastic, are on my side. All the students who have selected me are my + friends, and I thank them with all my heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0043" id="link0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A YOUNG MAN'S CHANCES TO-DAY. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Col. Robert G. Ingersoll represents what is intellectually + highest among the whole world's opponents of religion. He + counts theology as the science of a superstition. He decries + religion as it exists, and holds that the broadest thing a + man, or all human nature, can do is to acknowledge ignorance + when it cannot know. He accepts nothing on faith. He is the + American who is forever asking, "Why?"—who demands a reason + and material proof before believing. + + As Christianity's corner-stone is faith, he rejects + Christianity, and argues that all men who are broad enough + to know when to narrow their ideas down to fact or + demonstrable theory must reject it. Believe as he does or + not, all Americans must be interested in him. His mind is + marvelous, his tongue is silvern, his logic is invincible— + as logic. + + Col. Ingersoll is a shining example of the oft-quoted fact + that, given mental ability, health and industry, a young man + may make for himself whatever place in life he desires and + is fitted to fill. His early advantages were limited, for + his father, a Congregational minister whose field of labor + often changed, was a man of far too small an income to send + his sons to college. Whatever of mental training the young + man had he was obliged to get by reason of his own exertion, + and his splendid triumphs as an orator, and his solid + achievements as a lawyer are all the result of his own + efforts. The only help he had was that which is the common + heritage of all American young men—the chance to fight even + handed for success. It is not surprising, therefore, that + Col. Ingersoll feels a deep interest in every bright young + man of his acquaintance who is struggling manfully for the + glittering prize so brilliantly won by the great Agnostic + himself. He does not believe, however, that the young man + who goes out mto the world nowadays to seek his fortune has + so easy a battle to fight as had the young men of thirty + years ago. In conversation with the writer Col. Ingersoll + spoke earnestly upon this subject. + + Col. Ingersoll's views regarding the Bible and Christianity + were not generally understood by the public for some time + after he had become famous as an orator, although he began + to diverge from orthodoxy when quite young, and was as + pronounced an Agnostic when he went into the army, as he is + now. + + Col. Ingersoll is an inch less than six feet tall, and + weighs ten more than two hundred pounds. He will be sixty- + one next August, and his hair is snowy. His shoulders are + broad and as straight as they were eighteen years ago when + he electrified a people and place! his own name upon the + list of a nation's greatest orators with his matchless + "Plumed Knight" speech in nominating + + James G. Blaine for the presidency. His blue eyes look + straight into yours when he speaks to you, and his sentences + are punctuated by engaging little tricks of facial + expression—now the brow is criss-crossed with the lines of + a frown, sometimes quizzical and sometimes indignant—next, + the smooth-shaven lips break into a curving smile, which may + grow into a broad grin if the point just made were a + humorous one, and this is quite likely to be followed by a + look of sueh intense earnestness that you wonder if he will + ever smile again. And all the time his eyes flash, + illuminating, sometimes anticipatory, glances that add + immensely to the clearness with which the thought he is + expressing is set before you. He delights to tell a story, + and he never tells any but good ones, but—and in this he is + like Lincoln—he is apt to use his stories to drive some + proposition home. This is almost invariably true, even when + he sets out to spin a yarn for the story's simple sake. His + mentality seems to be duplex, quadruplex, multiplex, if you + please—and while his lips and tongue are effectively + delivering the story, his wonderful brain is, seemingly, + unconsciously applying the point of the story to the proving + of a pet theory, and when the tale has been told the verbal + application follows. + + His birthplace was Dresden, N. Y. His early boyhood was + passed in New York State and his youth and young manhood in + Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin. + + His handgrasp is hearty and his manner and words are the + very essence of straightforward directness. I called at his + office once when the Colonel was closeted with a person who + wished to retain him in a law case involving a good deal of + money. After a bit I was told that I could see him, and as I + entered he was saying: "The case can't be won, for you are + in the wrong. I don't want it." + + "But," pleaded the would-be client, "It seems to me that a + good deal can be done in such a case by the way it is + handled before the jury, and I thought if you were to be the + man I might get a verdict." + + "No, sir," was the reply, and the words fell like the lead + of a plumb line; "I won't take it. Good morning, sir." + + It has been sometimes said, indulgently, of Col. Ingersoll + that he is indolent, but no one can hold that view who is at + all familiar with him or his work. As a matter of fact, his + industry is phenomenal, though, indeed, it is not carried on + after the fashion of less brainy men. When he has an + important case ahead of him his devotion to the mastery of + its details absorbs him at once and completely. It sometimes + becomes necessary for him to take up a line of chemical + inquiry entirely new to him; again, to elaborate + genealogical researches are necessary; still again, it may + be essential for him to thoroughly inform himself concerning + hitherto uninvestigated local historical records. But + whatever is needful to be studied he studies, and so + thoroughly that his mind becomes saturated with the + knowledge required. And once acquired no sort of information + ever leaves him, for he has a memory quite as marvelous as + any other of his altogether marvelous characteristics. + + It is the same when he has an address to prepare. Every + authority that can be consulted upon the subject to be + treated in the address, is consulted, and often the material + that suggests some of the most telling points is one which + no one but Ingersoll himself would think of referring to. + Here again his wonderful memory stands him in good stead for + he has packed away within the convolutions of his brain a + lot of facts that bear upon almost every conceivable branch + of human thought or investigation. + + His memory is quite as retentive of the features of a man he + has seen as of other matters; it retains voices also, as a + war time friend of his discovered last summer. It was a busy + day with the Colonel, who had given instructions to his + office boy that under no circumstances was he to be + disturbed; so when his old friend called he was told that + Col. Ingersoll could not see him "But," said the visitor: "I + must see him. I haven't seen him for twenty years; I am + going out of town this afternoon, and I wouldn't miss + talking with him for a few minutes for a good deal of + money." + + "Well," said the boy, "he wasn't to be disturbed by + anybody." + + At this moment the door of the Colonel's private office + opened, and the Colonel's portly form appeared upon the + scene. + + "Why, Maj. Blank," he said, "come in. I did tell the boy I + wouldn't see anybody, but you are more important than the + biggest law case in the world." + + The Colonel's memory had retained the sound of the major's + voice, and because of that, the latter was not obliged to + leave New York without seeing and renewing his old + acquaintance. + + Col. Ingersoll's retorts are as quick as a flash-light and + as searching. One of them was so startling and so effective + as to give a certain famous long drawn out railroad suit the + nickname. "The Ananias and Sapphira ease." Ingersoll was + speaking and had made certain statements highly damaging to + the other side, in such a way as to thoroughly anger a + member of the opposing counsel, who suddenly interrupted the + speaker with the abrupt and sarcastic remark: + + "I suppose the Colonel, in the nature of things, never heard + of the story of Ananias ana Sapphira." + + There were those present who expected to witness an angry + outburst on the part of Ingersoll in response to this plain + implication that his statement had not the quality of + veracity, but they were disappointed. Ingersoll didn't even + get angry. He turned slightly, fixed his limpid blue eyes + upon the speaker, and looked cherubically. Then he gently + drawled out. + + "Oh, yes, I have, yes, I have. And I've watched the + gentleman who has just spoken all through this case with a + curious Interest. I've been expecting every once in a while + to see him drop dead, but he seems to be all right down to + the present moment." + + Ingersoll never gets angry when he is interrupted, even if + it is in the middle of an address or a lecture. A man + interrupted him in Cincinnati once, cutting right into one + of the lecturer's most resonant periods with a yell: + + "That's a lie. Bob lngersoll, and you know it." + + The audience was in an uproar in an instant, and cries of + "Put him out!" "Throw him down stairs!" and the like were + heard from all parts of the house. Ingersoll stopped talking + for a moment, and held up his hands, smiling. + + "Don't hurt the man," he said. "He thinks he is right. But + let me explain this thing for his especial benefit." + + Then he reasoned the matter out in language so simple and + plain that no one of any intelligence whatever could fail to + comprehend. The man was not ejected, but sat through the + entire address, and at the close asked the privilege of + begging the lecturer's pardon. + + Like most men of genius, Colonel lngersoll is a passionate + lover of music, and the harmonies of Wagner seem to him to + be the very acme of musical expression.... + + Notwithstanding his thoroughly heretical beliefs or lack of + beliefs, or, as he would say, because of them, Colonel + lngersoll is a very tender-hearted man. No one has ever made + so strong an argument against vivisection in the alleged + interests of science as lngersoll did in a speech a few + years ago. To the presentation of his views against the + refinements of scientific cruelty he brought his most vivid + imagination, his most careful thought and his most + impassioned oratory. + + Colonel Ingersoll's popularity with those who know him is + proverbial. The clerks in his offices not only admire him + for his ability and his achievements, but they esteem him + for his kindliness of heart and his invariable courtesy in + his intercourse with them. His offices are located in one of + the buildings devoted to corporations and professional men + on the lower part of Nassau street and consist of three + rooms. The one used by the head of the firm is farthest from + the entrance. All are furnished in solid black walnut. In + the Colonel's room there is a picture of his loved brother + Ebon, and hanging below the frame thereof is the tin sign + that the two brothers hung out for a shingle when they went + into the law business in Peoria. There are also pictures of + a judge or two. The desks in all the rooms are littered with + papers. Books are piled to the ceiling. Everywhere there is + an air of personal freedom. There is no servility either to + clients or the head of the business, but there is everywhere + an informal courtesy somewhat akin to that which is born of + a fueling of great comradeship. + + Of the Colonel's ideal home life the world has often been + told. He lives during the winter at his town house in Fifth + Avenue; in the summer at Dobbs Ferry, a charming place a few + miles up the Hudson from New York.—Boston Herald, July, + 1894. +</pre> + <p> + A FEW years ago there were many thousand miles of railroads to be built, a + great many towns and cities to be located, constructed and filled; vast + areas of uncultivated land were waiting for the plow, vast forests the + axe, and thousands of mines were longing to be opened. In those days every + young man of energy and industry had a future. The professions were not + overcrowded; there were more patients than doctors, more litigants than + lawyers, more buyers of goods than merchants. The young man of that time + who was raised on a farm got a little education, taught school, read law + or medicine—some of the weaker ones read theology—and there + seemed to be plenty of room, plenty of avenues to success and distinction. + </p> + <p> + So, too, a few years ago a political life was considered honorable, and so + in politics there were many great careers. So, hundreds of towns wanted + newspapers, and in each of those towns there was an opening for some + energetic young man. At that time the plant cost but little; a few dollars + purchased the press—the young publisher could get the paper stock on + credit. + </p> + <p> + Now the railroads have all been built; the canals are finished; the cities + have been located; the outside property has been cut into lots, and sold + and mortgaged many times over. Now it requires great capital to go into + business. The individual is counting for less and less; the corporation, + the trust, for more and more. Now a great merchant employs hundreds of + clerks; a few years ago most of those now clerks would have been + merchants. And so it seems to be in nearly every department of life. Of + course, I do not know what inventions may leap from the brains of the + future; there may be millions and millions of fortunes yet to be made in + that direction, but of that I am not speaking. + </p> + <p> + So, I think that a few years ago the chances were far more numerous and + favorable to young men who wished to make a name for themselves, and to + succeed in some department of human energy than now. + </p> + <p> + In savage life a living is very easy to get. Most any savage can hunt or + fish; consequently there are few failures. But in civilized life + competition becomes stronger and sharper; consequently, the percentage of + failures increases, and this seems to be the law. The individual is + constantly counting for less. It may be that, on the average, people live + better than they did formerly, that they have more to eat, drink and wear; + but the individual horizon has lessened; it is not so wide and cloudless + as formerly. So I say that the chances for great fortunes, for great + success, are growing less and less. + </p> + <p> + I think a young man should do that which is easiest for him to do, + provided there is an opportunity; if there is none, then he should take + the next. The first object of every young man should be to be + self-supporting, no matter in what direction—be independent. He + should avoid being a clerk and he should avoid giving his future into the + hands of any one person. He should endeavor to get a business in which the + community will be his patron, and whether he is to be a lawyer, a doctor + or a day-laborer depends on how much he has mixed mind with muscle. + </p> + <p> + If a young man imagines that he has an aptitude for public speaking—that + is, if he has a great desire to make his ideas known to the world—the + probability is that the desire will choose the way, time and place for him + to make the effort. + </p> + <p> + If he really has something to say, there will be plenty to listen. If he + is so carried away with his subject, is so in earnest that he becomes an + instrumentality of his thought—so that he is forgotten by himself; + so that he cares neither for applause nor censure—simply caring to + present his thoughts in the highest and best and most comprehensive way, + the probability is that he will be an orator. + </p> + <p> + I think oratory is something that cannot be taught. Undoubtedly a man can + learn to be a fair talker. He can by practice learn to present his ideas + consecutively, clearly and in what you may call "form," but there is as + much difference between this and an oration as there is between a skeleton + and a living human being clad in sensitive, throbbing flesh. + </p> + <p> + There are millions of skeleton makers, millions of people who can express + what may be called "the bones" of a discourse, but not one in a million + who can clothe these bones. + </p> + <p> + You can no more teach a man to be an orator than you can teach him to be + an artist or a poet of the first class. When you teach him, there is the + same difference between the man who is taught, and the man who is what he + is by virtue of a natural aptitude, that there is between a pump and a + spring—between a canal and a river—between April rain and + water-works. It is a question of capacity and feeling—not of + education. There are some things that you can tell an orator not to do. + For instance, he should never drink water while talking, because the + interest is broken, and for the moment he loses control of his audience. + He should never look at his watch for the same reason. He should never + talk about himself. He should never deal in personalities. He should never + tell long stories, and if he tells any story he should never say that it + is a true story, and that he knew the parties. This makes it a question of + veracity instead of a question of art. He should never clog his discourse + with details. He should never dwell upon particulars—he should touch + universals, because the great truths are for all time. + </p> + <p> + If he wants to know something, if he wishes to feel something, let him + read Shakespeare. Let him listen to the music of Wagner, of Beethoven, or + Schubert. If he wishes to express himself in the highest and most perfect + form, let him become familiar with the great paintings of the world—with + the great statues—all these will lend grace, will give movement and + passion and rhythm to his words. A great orator puts into his speech the + perfume, the feelings, the intensity of all the great and beautiful and + marvelous things that he has seen and heard and felt. An orator must be a + poet, a metaphysician, a logician—and above all, must have sympathy + with all. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0044" id="link0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SCIENCE AND SENTIMENT. + </h2> + <p> + IT was thought at one time by many that science would do away with poetry—that + it was the enemy of the imagination. We know now that is not true. We know + that science goes hand in hand with imagination. We know that it is in the + highest degree poetic and that the old ideas once considered so beautiful + are flat and stale. Compare Kepler's laws with the old Greek idea that the + planets were boosted or pushed by angels. The more we know, the more + beauty, the more poetry we find. Ignorance is not the mother of the poetic + or artistic. + </p> + <p> + So, some people imagine that science will do away with sentiment. In my + judgment, science will not only increase sentiment but sense. + </p> + <p> + A person will be attracted to another for a thousand reasons, and why a + person is attracted to another, may, and in some degree will, depend upon + the intellectual, artistic and ethical development of each. + </p> + <p> + The handsomest girl in Zululand might not be attractive to Herbert + Spencer, and the fairest girl in England might not be able to hasten the + pulse of a Choctaw brave. This does not prove that there is any lack of + sentiment. Men are influenced according to their capacity, their + temperament, their knowledge. + </p> + <p> + Some men fall in love with a small waist, an arched instep or curly hair, + without the slightest regard to mind or muscle. This we call sentiment. + </p> + <p> + Now, educate such men, develop their brains, enlarge their intellectual + horizon, teach them something of the laws of health, and then they may + fall in love with women because they are developed grandly in body and + mind. The sentiment is still there—still controls—but back of + the sentiment is science. + </p> + <p> + Sentiment can never be destroyed, and love will forever rule the human + race. + </p> + <p> + Thousands, millions of people fear that science will destroy not only + poetry, not only sentiment, but religion. This fear is idiotic. Science + will destroy superstition, but it will not injure true religion. Science + is the foundation of real religion. Science teaches us the consequences of + actions, the rights and duties of all. Without science there can be no + real religion. + </p> + <p> + Only those who live on the labor of the ignorant are the enemies of + science. Real love and real religion are in no danger from science. The + more we know the safer all good things are. + </p> + <p> + Do I think that the marriage of the sickly and diseased ought to be + prevented by law? + </p> + <p> + I have not much confidence in law—in law that I know cannot be + carried out. The poor, the sickly, the diseased, as long as they are + ignorant, will marry and help fill the world with wretchedness and want. + </p> + <p> + We must rely on education instead of legislation. + </p> + <p> + We must teach the consequences of actions. We must show the sickly and + diseased what their children will be. We must preach the gospel of the + body. I believe the time will come when the public thought will be so + great and grand that it will be looked upon as infamous to perpetuate + disease—to leave a legacy of agony. + </p> + <p> + I believe the time will come when men will refuse to fill the future with + consumption and insanity. Yes, we shall study ourselves. We shall + understand the conditions of health and then we shall say: We are under + obligation to put the flags of health in the cheeks of our children. + </p> + <p> + Even if I should get to heaven and have a harp, I know that I could not + bear to see my descendants still on the earth, diseased, deformed, crazed—all + suffering the penalties of my ignorance. Let us have more science and more + sentiment—more knowledge and more conscience—more liberty and + more love. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0045" id="link0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SOWING AND REAPING. + </h2> + <p> + I HAVE read the sermon on "Sowing and Reaping," and I now understand Mr. + Moody better than I did before. The other day, in New York, Mr. Moody said + that he implicitly believed the story of Jonah and really thought that he + was in the fish for three days. + </p> + <p> + When I read it I was surprised that a man living in the century of + Humboldt, Darwin, Huxley, Spencer and Haeckel, should believe such an + absurd and idiotic story. + </p> + <p> + Now I understand the whole thing. I can account for the amazing credulity + of this man. Mr. Moody never read one of my lectures. That accounts for it + all, and no wonder that he is a hundred years behind the times. He never + read one of my lectures; that is a perfect explanation. + </p> + <p> + Poor man! He has no idea of what he has lost. He has been living on + miracles and mistakes, on falsehood and foolishness, stuffing his mind + with absurdities when he could have had truth, facts and good, sound + sense. + </p> + <p> + Poor man! + </p> + <p> + Probably Mr. Moody has never read one word of Darwin and so he still + believes in the Garden of Eden and the talking snake and really thinks + that Jehovah took some mud, moulded the form of a man, breathed in its + nostrils, stood it up and called it Adam, and that he then took one of + Adam's ribs and some more mud and manufactured Eve. Probably he has never + read a word written by any great geologist and consequently still believes + in the story of the flood. Knowing nothing of astronomy, he still thinks + that Joshua stopped the sun. + </p> + <p> + Poor man! He has neglected Spencer and has no idea of evolution. He thinks + that man has, through all the ages, degenerated, the first pair having + been perfect. He does not believe that man came from lower forms and has + gradually journeyed upward. + </p> + <p> + He really thinks that the Devil outwitted God and vaccinated the human + race with the virus of total depravity. + </p> + <p> + Poor man! + </p> + <p> + He knows nothing of the great scientists—of the great thinkers, of + the emancipators of the human race; knows nothing of Spinoza, of Voltaire, + of Draper, Buckle, of Paine or Renan. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Moody ought to read something besides the Bible—ought to find + out what the really intelligent have thought. He ought to get some new + ideas—a few facts—and I think that, after he did so, he would + be astonished to find how ignorant and foolish he had been. He is a good + man. His heart is fairly good, but his head is almost useless. + </p> + <p> + The trouble with this sermon, "Sowing and Reaping," is that he contradicts + it. I believe that a man must reap what he sows, that every human being + must bear the natural consequences of his acts. Actions are good or bad + according to their consequences. That is my doctrine. + </p> + <p> + There is no forgiveness in nature. But Mr. Moody tells us that a man may + sow thistles and gather figs, that having acted like a fiend tor seventy + years, he can, between his last dose of medicine and his last breath, + repent; that he can be washed clean by the blood of the lamb, and that + myriads of angels will carry his soul to heaven—in other words, that + this man will not reap what he sowed, but what Christ sowed, that this + man's thistles will be changed to figs. + </p> + <p> + This doctrine, to my mind, is not only absurd, but dishonest and + corrupting. + </p> + <p> + This is one of the absurdities in Mr. Moody's theology. The other is that + a man can justly be damned for the sin of another. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can exceed the foolishness of these two ideas—first: "Man + can be justly punished forever for the sin of Adam." Second: "Man can be + justly rewarded with eternal joy for the goodness of Christ." + </p> + <p> + Yet the man who believes this, preaches a sermon in which he says that a + man must reap what he sows. Orthodox Christians teach exactly the + opposite. They teach that no matter what a man sows, no matter how wicked + his life has been, that he can by repentance change the crop. That all his + sins shall be forgotten and that only the goodness of Christ will be + remembered. + </p> + <p> + Let us see how this works: + </p> + <p> + Mr. A. has lived a good and useful life, kept his contracts, paid his + debts, educated his children, loved his wife and made his home a heaven, + but he did not believe in the inspiration of Mr. Moody's Bible. He died + and his soul was sent to hell. Mr. Moody says that as a man sows so shall + he reap. + </p> + <p> + Mr. B. lived a useless and wicked life. By his cruelty he drove his wife + to insanity, his children became vagrants and beggars, his home was a + perfect hell, he committed many crimes, he was a thief, a burglar, a + murderer. A few minutes before he was hanged he got religion and his soul + went from the scaffold to heaven. And yet Mr. Moody says that as a man + sows so shall he reap. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Moody ought to have a little philosophy—a little good sense. + </p> + <p> + So Mr. Moody says that only in this life can a man secure the reward of + repentance. + </p> + <p> + Just before a man dies, God loves him—loves him as a mother loves + her babe—but a moment after he dies, he sends his soul to hell. In + the other world nothing can be done to reform him. The society of God and + the angels can have no good effect. Nobody can be made better in heaven. + This world is the only place where reform is possible. Here, surrounded by + the wicked in the midst of temptations, in the darkness of ignorance, a + human being may reform if he is fortunate enough to hear the words of some + revival preacher, but when he goes before his maker—before the + Trinity—he has no chance. God can do nothing for his soul except to + send it to hell. + </p> + <p> + This shows that the power for good is confined to people in this world and + that in the next world God can do nothing to reform his children. This is + theology. This is what they call "Tidings of great joy." + </p> + <p> + Every orthodox creed is savage, ignorant and idiotic. + </p> + <p> + In the orthodox heaven there is no mercy, no pity. In the orthodox hell + there is no hope, no reform. God is an eternal jailer, an everlasting + turnkey. + </p> + <p> + And yet Christians now say that while there may be no fire in hell—no + actual flames—yet the lost souls will feel forever the tortures of + conscience. + </p> + <p> + What will conscience trouble the people in hell about? They tell us that + they will remember their sins. + </p> + <p> + Well, what about the souls in heaven? They committed awful sins, they made + their fellow-men unhappy. They took the lives of others—sent many to + eternal torment. Will they have no conscience? Is hell the only place + where souls regret the evil they have done? Have the angels no regret, no + remorse, no conscience? + </p> + <p> + If this be so, heaven must be somewhat worse than hell. + </p> + <p> + In old times, if people wanted to know anything they asked the preacher. + Now they do if they don't. + </p> + <p> + The Bible has, with intelligent men, lost its authority. + </p> + <p> + The miracles are now regarded by sensible people as the spawn of ignorance + and credulity. On every hand people are looking for facts—for truth—and + all religions are taking their places in the museum of myths. + </p> + <p> + Yes, the people are becoming civilized, and so they are putting out the + fires of hell. They are ceasing to believe in a God who seeks eternal + revenge. + </p> + <p> + The people are becoming sensible. They are asking for evidence. They care + but little for the winged phantoms of the air—for the ghosts and + devils and supposed gods. The people are anxious to be happy here and they + want a little heaven in this life. + </p> + <p> + Theology is a curse. Science is a blessing. We do not need preachers, but + teachers; not priests, but thinkers; not churches, but schools; not + steeples, but observatories. We want knowledge. + </p> + <p> + Let us hope that Mr. Moody will read some really useful books. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0046" id="link0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SHOULD INFIDELS SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SUNDAY SCHOOL? + </h2> + <p> + SHOULD parents, who are Infidels, unbelievers or Atheists, send their + children to Sunday schools and churches to give them the benefit of + Christian education? + </p> + <p> + Parents who do not believe the Bible to be an inspired book should not + teach their children that it is. They should be absolutely honest. + Hypocrisy is not a virtue, and, as a rule, lies are less valuable than + facts. + </p> + <p> + An unbeliever should not allow the mind of his child to be deformed, + stunted and shriveled by superstition. He should not allow the child's + imagination to be polluted. Nothing is more outrageous than to take + advantage of the helplessness of childhood to sow in the brain the seeds + of falsehoods, to imprison the soul in the dungeon of Fear, to teach + dimpled infancy the infamous dogma of eternal pain—filling life with + the glow and glare of hell. + </p> + <p> + No unbeliever should allow his child to be tortured in the orthodox + inquisitions. He should defend the mind from attack as he would the body. + He should recognize the rights of the soul. In the orthodox Sunday + schools, children are taught that it is a duty to believe—that + evidence is not essential—that faith is independent of facts and + that religion is superior to reason. They are taught not to use their + natural sense—not to tell what they really think—not to + entertain a doubt—not to ask wicked questions, but to accept and + believe what their teachers say. In this way the minds of the children are + invaded, corrupted and conquered. Would an educated man send his child to + a school in which Newton's statement in regard to the attraction of + gravitation was denied—in which the law of falling bodies, as given + by Galileo, was ridiculed—Kepler's three laws declared to be + idiotic, and the rotary motion of the earth held to be utterly absurd? + </p> + <p> + Why then should an intelligent man allow his child to be taught the + geology and astronomy of the Bible? Children should be taught to seek for + the truth—to be honest, kind, generous, merciful and just. They + should be taught to love liberty and to live to the ideal. + </p> + <p> + Why then should an unbeliever, an Infidel, send his child to an orthodox + Sunday school where he is taught that he has no right to seek for the + truth—no right to be mentally honest, and that he will be damned for + an honest doubt—where he is taught that God was ferocious, + revengeful, heartless as a wild beast—that he drowned millions of + his children—that he ordered wars of extermination and told his + soldiers to kill gray-haired and trembling age, mothers and children, and + to assassinate with the sword of war the babes unborn? + </p> + <p> + Why should an unbeliever in the Bible send his child to an orthodox Sunday + school where he is taught that God was in favor of slavery and told the + Jews to buy of the heathen and that they should be their bondmen and + bondwomen forever; where he is taught that God upheld polygamy and the + degradation of women? + </p> + <p> + Why should an unbeliever, who believes in the uniformity of Nature, in the + unbroken and unbreakable chain of cause and effect, allow his child to be + taught that miracles have been performed; that men have gone bodily to + heaven; that millions have been miraculously fed with manna and quails; + that fire has refused to burn clothes and flesh of men; that iron has been + made to float; that the earth and moon have been stopped and that the + earth has not only been stopped, but made to turn the other way; that + devils inhabit the bodies of men and women; that diseases have been cured + with words, and that the dead, with a touch, have been made to live again? + </p> + <p> + The thoughtful man knows that there is not the slightest evidence that + these miracles ever were performed. Why should he allow his children to be + stuffed with these foolish and impossible falsehoods? Why should he give + his lambs to the care and keeping of the wolves and hyenas of + superstition? + </p> + <p> + Children should be taught only what somebody knows. Guesses should not be + palmed off on them as demonstrated facts. If a Christian lived in + Constantinople he would not send his children to the mosque to be taught + that Mohammed was a prophet of God and that the Koran is an inspired book. + Why? Because he does not believe in Mohammed or the Koran. That is reason + enough. So, an Agnostic, living in New York, should not allow his children + to be taught that the Bible is an inspired book. I use the word "Agnostic" + because I prefer it to the word Atheist. As a matter of fact, no one knows + that God exists and no one knows that God does not exist. To my mind there + is no evidence that God exists—that this world is governed by a + being of infinite goodness, wisdom and power, but I do not pretend to + know. What I insist upon is that children should not be poisoned—should + not be taken advantage of—that they should be treated fairly, + honestly—that they should be allowed to develop from the inside + instead of being crammed from the outside—that they should be taught + to reason, not to believe—to think, to investigate and to use their + senses, their minds. + </p> + <p> + Would a Catholic send his children to a school to be taught that + Catholicism is superstition and that Science is the only savior of + mankind? + </p> + <p> + Why then should a free and sensible believer in Science, in the + naturalness of the universe, send his child to a Catholic school? + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be more irrational, foolish and absurd. + </p> + <p> + My advice to all Agnostics is to keep their children from the orthodox + Sunday schools, from the orthodox churches, from the poison of the + pulpits. + </p> + <p> + Teach your children the facts you know. If you do not know, say so. Be as + honest as you are ignorant. Do all you can to develop their minds, to the + end that they may live useful and happy lives. + </p> + <p> + Strangle the serpent of superstition that crawls and hisses about the + cradle. Keep your children from the augurs, the soothsayers, the + medicine-men, the priests of the supernatural. Tell them that all + religions have been made by folks and that all the "sacred books" were + written by ignorant men. + </p> + <p> + Teach them that the world is natural. Teach them to be absolutely honest. + Do not send them where they will contract diseases of the mind—the + leprosy of the soul. Let us do all we can to make them intelligent. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0047" id="link0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT WOULD YOU SUBSTITUTE FOR THE BIBLE AS A MORAL GUIDE? + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Written for The Boston Investigator. +</pre> + <p> + YOU ask me what I would "substitute for the Bible as a moral guide.". + </p> + <p> + I know that many people regard the Bible as the only moral guide and + believe that in that book only can be found the true and perfect standard + of morality. + </p> + <p> + There are many good precepts, many wise sayings and many good regulations + and laws in the Bible, and these are mingled with bad precepts, with + foolish sayings, with absurd rules and cruel laws. + </p> + <p> + But we must remember that the Bible is a collection of many books written + centuries apart, and that it in part represents the growth and tells in + part the history of a people. We must also remember that the writers treat + of many subjects. Many of these writers have nothing to say about right or + wrong, about vice or virtue. + </p> + <p> + The book of Genesis has nothing about morality. There is not a line in it + calculated to shed light on the path of conduct. No one can call that book + a moral guide. It is made up of myth and miracle, of tradition and legend. + </p> + <p> + In Exodus we have an account of the manner in which Jehovah delivered the + Jews from Egyptian bondage. + </p> + <p> + We now know that the Jews were never enslaved by the Egyptians; that the + entire story is a fiction. We know this, because there is not found in + Hebrew a word of Egyptian origin, and there is not found in the language + of the Egyptians a word of Hebrew origin. This being so, we know that the + Hebrews and Egyptians could not have lived together for hundreds of years. + </p> + <p> + Certainly Exodus was not written to teach morality. In that book you + cannot find one word against human slavery. As a matter of fact, Jehovah + was a believer in that institution. + </p> + <p> + The killing of cattle with disease and hail, the murder of the first-born, + so that in every house was death, because the king refused to let the + Hebrews go, certainly was not moral; it was fiendish. The writer of that + book regarded all the people of Egypt, their children, their flocks and + herds, as the property of Pharaoh, and these people and these cattle were + killed, not because they had done anything wrong, but simply for the + purpose of punishing the king. Is it possible to get any morality out of + this history? + </p> + <p> + All the laws found in Exodus, including the Ten Commandments, so far as + they are really good and sensible, were at that time in force among all + the peoples of the world. + </p> + <p> + Murder is, and always was, a crime, and always will be, as long as a + majority of people object to being murdered. + </p> + <p> + Industry always has been and always will be the enemy of larceny. + </p> + <p> + The nature of man is such that he admires the teller of truth and despises + the liar. Among all tribes, among all people, truth-telling has been + considered a virtue and false swearing or false speaking a vice. + </p> + <p> + The love of parents for children is natural, and this love is found among + all the animals that live. So the love of children for parents is natural, + and was not and cannot be created by law. Love does not spring from a + sense of duty, nor does it bow in obedience to commands. + </p> + <p> + So men and women are not virtuous because of anything in books or creeds. + </p> + <p> + All the Ten Commandments that are good were old, were the result of + experience. The commandments that were original with Jehovah were foolish. + </p> + <p> + The worship of "any other God" could not have been worse than the worship + of Jehovah, and nothing could have been more absurd than the sacredness of + the Sabbath. + </p> + <p> + If commandments had been given against slavery and polygamy, against wars + of invasion and extermination, against religious persecution in all its + forms, so that the world could be free, so that the brain might be + developed and the heart civilized, then we might, with propriety, call + such commandments a moral guide. + </p> + <p> + Before we can truthfully say that the Ten Commandments constitute a moral + guide, we must add and subtract. We must throw away some, and write others + in their places. + </p> + <p> + The commandments that have a known application here, in this world, and + treat of human obligations are good, the others have no basis in fact, or + experience. + </p> + <p> + Many of the regulations found in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and + Deuteronomy, are good. Many are absurd and cruel. + </p> + <p> + The entire ceremonial of worship is insane. + </p> + <p> + Most of the punishment for violations of laws are un-philosophic and + brutal.... The fact is that the Pentateuch upholds nearly all crimes, and + to call it a moral guide is as absurd as to say that it is merciful or + true. + </p> + <p> + Nothing of a moral nature can be found in Joshua or Judges. These books + are filled with crimes, with massacres and murders. They are about the + same as the real history of the Apache Indians. + </p> + <p> + The story of Ruth is not particularly moral. + </p> + <p> + In first and second Samuel there is not one word calculated to develop the + brain or conscience. + </p> + <p> + Jehovah murdered seventy thousand Jews because David took a census of the + people. David, according to the account, was the guilty one, but only the + innocent were killed. + </p> + <p> + In first and second Kings can be found nothing of ethical value. All the + kings who refused to obey the priests were denounced, and all the crowned + wretches who assisted the priests, were declared to be the favorites of + Jehovah. In these books there cannot be found one word in favor of + liberty. + </p> + <p> + There are some good Psalms, and there are some that are infamous. Most of + these Psalms are selfish. Many of them, are passionate appeals for + revenge. + </p> + <p> + The story of Job shocks the heart of every good man. In this book there is + some poetry, some pathos, and some philosophy, but the story of this drama + called Job, is heartless to the last degree. The children of Job are + murdered to settle a little wager between God and the Devil. Afterward, + Job having remained firm, other children are given in the place of the + murdered ones. Nothing, however, is done for the children who were + murdered. + </p> + <p> + The book of Esther is utterly absurd, and the only redeeming feature in + the book is that the name of Jehovah is not mentioned. + </p> + <p> + I like the Song of Solomon because it tells of human love, and that is + something I can understand. That book in my judgment, is worth all the + ones that go before it, and is a far better moral guide. + </p> + <p> + There are some wise and merciful Proverbs. Some are selfish and some are + flat and commonplace. + </p> + <p> + I like the book of Ecclesiastes because there you find some sense, some + poetry, and some philosophy. Take away the interpolations and it is a good + book. + </p> + <p> + Of course there is nothing in Nehemiah or Ezra to make men better, nothing + in Jeremiah or Lamentations calculated to lessen vice, and only a few + passages in Isaiah that can be used in a good cause. + </p> + <p> + In Ezekiel and Daniel we find only ravings of the insane. + </p> + <p> + In some of the minor prophets there is now and then a good verse, now and + then an elevated thought. + </p> + <p> + You can, by selecting passages from different books, make a very good + creed, and by selecting passages from different books, you can make a very + bad creed. + </p> + <p> + The trouble is that the spirit of the Old Testament, its disposition, its + temperament, is bad, selfish and cruel. The most fiendish things are + commanded, commended and applauded. + </p> + <p> + The stories that are told of Joseph, of Elisha, of Daniel and Gideon, and + of many others, are hideous; hellish. + </p> + <p> + On the whole, the Old Testament cannot be considered a moral guide. + </p> + <p> + Jehovah was not a moral God. He had all the vices, and he lacked all the + virtues. He generally carried out his threats, but he never faithfully + kept a promise. + </p> + <p> + At the same time, we must remember that the Old Testament is a natural + production, that it was written by savages who were slowly crawling toward + the light. We must give them credit for the noble things they said, and we + must be charitable enough to excuse their faults and even their crimes. + </p> + <p> + I know that many Christians regard the Old Testament as the foundation and + the New as the superstructure, and while many admit that there are faults + and mistakes in the Old Testament, they insist that the New is the flower + and perfect fruit. + </p> + <p> + I admit that there are many good things in the New Testament, and if we + take from that book the dogmas of eternal pain, of infinite revenge, of + the atonement, of human sacrifice, of the necessity of shedding blood; if + we throw away the doctrine of non-resistance, of loving enemies, the idea + that prosperity is the result of wickedness, that poverty is a preparation + for Paradise, if we throw all these away and take the good, sensible + passages, applicable to conduct, then we can make a fairly good moral + guide,—narrow, but moral. + </p> + <p> + Of course, many important things would be left out. You would have nothing + about human rights, nothing in favor of the family, nothing for education, + nothing for investigation, for thought and reason, but still you would + have a fairly good moral guide. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, if you would take the foolish passages, the extreme + ones, you could make a creed that would satisfy an insane asylum. + </p> + <p> + If you take the cruel passages, the verses that inculcate eternal hatred, + verses that writhe and hiss like serpents, you can make a creed that would + shock the heart of a hyena. + </p> + <p> + It may be that no book contains better passages than the New Testament, + but certainly no book contains worse. + </p> + <p> + Below the blossom of love you find the thorn of hatred; on the lips that + kiss, you find the poison of the cobra. + </p> + <p> + The Bible is not a moral guide. + </p> + <p> + Any man who follows faithfully all its teachings is an enemy of society + and will probably end his days in a prison or an asylum. + </p> + <p> + What is morality? + </p> + <p> + In this world we need certain things. We have many wants. We are exposed + to many dangers. We need food, fuel, raiment and shelter, and besides + these wants, there is, what may be called, the hunger of the mind. + </p> + <p> + We are conditioned beings, and our happiness depends upon conditions. + There are certain things that diminish, certain things that increase, + well-being. There are certain things that destroy and there are others + that preserve. + </p> + <p> + Happiness, including its highest forms, is after all the only good, and + everything, the result of which is to produce or secure happiness, is + good, that is to say, moral. Everything that destroys or diminishes + well-being is bad, that is to say, immoral. In other words, all that is + good is moral, and all that is bad is immoral. + </p> + <p> + What then is, or can be called, a moral guide? The shortest possible + answer is one word: Intelligence. + </p> + <p> + We want the experience of mankind, the true history of the race. We want + the history of intellectual development, of the growth of the ethical, of + the idea of justice, of conscience, of charity, of self-denial. We want to + know the paths and roads that have been traveled by the human mind. + </p> + <p> + These facts in general, these histories in outline, the results reached, + the conclusions formed, the principles evolved, taken together, would form + the best conceivable moral guide. + </p> + <p> + We cannot depend on what are called "inspired books," or the religions of + the world. These religions are based on the supernatural, and according to + them we are under obligation to worship and obey some supernatural being, + or beings. All these religions are inconsistent with intellectual liberty. + They are the enemies of thought, of investigation, of mental honesty. They + destroy the manliness of man. They promise eternal rewards for belief, for + credulity, for what they call faith. + </p> + <p> + This is not only absurd, but it is immoral. + </p> + <p> + These religions teach the slave virtues. They make inanimate things holy, + and falsehoods sacred. They create artificial crimes. To eat meat on + Friday, to enjoy yourself on Sunday, to eat on fast-days, to be happy in + Lent, to dispute a priest, to ask for evidence, to deny a creed, to + express your sincere thought, all these acts are sins, crimes against some + god. To give your honest opinion about Jehovah, Mohammed or Christ, is far + worse than to maliciously slander your neighbor. To question or doubt + miracles, is far worse than to deny known facts. Only the obedient, the + credulous, the cringers, the kneelers, the meek, the unquestioning, the + true believers, are regarded as moral, as virtuous. It is not enough to be + honest, generous and useful; not enough to be governed by evidence, by + facts. In addition to this, you must believe. These things are the foes of + morality. They subvert all natural conceptions of virtue. + </p> + <p> + All "inspired books," teaching that what the supernatural commands is + right, and right because commanded, and that what the supernatural + prohibits is wrong, and wrong because prohibited, are absurdly + unphilosophic. + </p> + <p> + And all "inspired books," teaching that only those who obey the commands + of the supernatural are, or can be, truly virtuous, and that unquestioning + faith will be rewarded with eternal joy, are grossly immoral. + </p> + <p> + Again I say: Intelligence is the only moral guide. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0048" id="link0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + GOVERNOR ROLLINS' FAST-DAY PROCLAMATION. + </h2> + <p> + THE Governor of New Hampshire, undoubtedly a good and sincere man, issued + a Fast-Day Proclamation to the people of his State, in which I find the + following paragraph: + </p> + <p> + "The decline of the Christian religion, particularly in our rural + communities, is a marked feature of the times, and steps should be taken + to remedy it. No matter what our belief may be in religious matters, every + good citizen knows that when the restraining influences of religion are + withdrawn from a community, its decay, moral, mental and financial, is + swift and sure. To me this is one of the strongest evidences of the + fundamental truth of Christianity. I suggest to-day, as far as possible on + Fast-Day, union meetings be held, made up of all shades of belief, + including all who are interested in the welfare of our State, and that in + your prayers and other devotions and in your mutual councils you remember + and consider the problem of the condition of religion in the rural + communities. There are towns where no church bell sends forth its solemn + call from January to January. There are villages where children grow to + manhood unchristened. There are communities where the dead are laid away + without the benison of the name of the Christ, and where marriages are + solemnized only by Justices of the Peace. This is a matter worthy of your + thoughtful consideration, citizens of New Hampshire. It does not augur + well for the future. You can afford to devote one day in the year to your + fellow-men, to work and thought and prayer for your children and your + children's children." + </p> + <p> + These words of the Governor have caused surprise, discussion and danger. + Many ministers have denied that Christianity is declining, and have + attacked the Governor with the malice of meekness and the savagery of + humility. The question is: Is Christianity declining? + </p> + <p> + In order to answer this question we must state what Christianity is. + </p> + <p> + Christians tell us that there are certain fundamental truths that must be + believed. + </p> + <p> + We must believe in God, the creator and governor of the universe; in Jesus + Christ, his only begotten son; in the Holy Ghost; in the atonement made by + Christ; in salvation by faith; in the second birth; in heaven for + believers, in hell for deniers and doubters, and in the inspiration of the + Old and New Testaments. They must also believe in a prayer-hearing and + prayer-answering God, in special providence, and in addition to all this + they must practice a few ceremonies. This, I believe, is a fair skeleton + of Christianity. Of course I cannot give an exact definition. Christians + do not and never have agreed among themselves. They have been disputing + and fighting for many centuries, and to-day they are as far apart as ever. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago Christians believed the "fundamental truths" They had no + doubts. They knew that God existed; that he made the world. They knew when + he commenced to work at the earth and stars and knew when he finished. + They knew that he, like a potter, mixed and moulded clay into the shape of + a man and breathed into its nostrils the breath of life. They knew that he + took from this man a rib and framed the first woman. + </p> + <p> + It must be admitted that sensible Christians have outgrown this belief. + Jehovah the gardener, the potter, the tailor, has been dethroned. The + story of creation is believed only by the provincial, the stupid, the + truly orthodox. People who have read Darwin and Haeckel and had sense + enough to understand these great men, laugh at the legends of the Jews. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago most Christians believed that Christ was the son of God, + and not only the son of God, but God himself. + </p> + <p> + This belief is slowly fading from the minds of Christians, from the minds + of those who have minds. + </p> + <p> + Many Christians now say that Christ was simply a man—a perfect man. + Others say that he was divine, but not actually God—a union of God + and man. Some say that while Christ was not God, he was as nearly like God + as it is possible for man to be. + </p> + <p> + The old belief that he was actually God—that he sacrificed himself + unto himself—that he deserted himself; that he bore the burden of + his own wrath; that he made it possible to save a few of his children by + shedding his own blood; that he could not forgive the sins of men until + they murdered him—this frightful belief is slowly dying day by day. + Most ministers are ashamed to preach these cruel and idiotic absurdities. + The Christ of our time is not the Christ of the New Testament—not + the Christ of the Middle Ages; nor of Luther, Wesley or the Puritan + fathers. + </p> + <p> + The Christ who was God—who was his own son and his own father—who + was born of a virgin, cast out devils, rose from the dead, and ascended + bodily to heaven—is not the Christ of to-day. + </p> + <p> + The Holy Ghost has never been accurately defined or described. He has + always been a winged influence—a divine aroma; a disembodied + essence; a spiritual climate; an enthusiastic flame; a something sensitive + and unforgiving; the real father of Jesus Christ. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago the clergy had a great deal to say about the Holy Ghost, + but now the average minister, while he alludes to this shadowy deity to + round out a prayer, seems ta have but little confidence in him. This deity + is and always has been extremely vague. He has been represented in the + form of a dove; but this form is not associated with much intelligence. + </p> + <p> + Formerly it was believed that all men were by nature wicked, and that it + would be perfectly just for God to damn the entire human race. In fact, it + was thought that God, feeling that he had to damn all his children, + invented a scheme by which some could be saved and at the same time + justice could be satisfied. God knew that without the shedding of blood + there could be no remission of sin. For many centuries he was satisfied + with the blood of oxen, lambs and doves. But the sins continued to + increase. A greater sacrifice was necessary. So God concluded to make the + greatest possible sacrifice—to shed his own blood, that is to say, + to have it shed by his chosen people. This was the atonement—the + scheme of salvation—a scheme that satisfied justice and partially + defeated the Devil. + </p> + <p> + No intelligent Christians believe in this atonement. It is utterly + unphilosophic. The idea that man made salvation possible by murdering God + is infinitely absurd. This makes salvation the blossom of a crime—the + blessed fruit of murder. According to this the joys of heaven are born of + the agonies of innocence. If the Jews had been civilized—if they had + believed in freedom of conscience and had listened kindly and calmly to + the teachings of Christ, the whole world, including Christ's mother, would + have gone to hell. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers had two absurdities. They balanced each other. They said that + God could justly damn his children for the sin of Adam, and that he could + justly save his children on account of the sufferings and virtues of + Christ; that is to say, on account of his own sufferings and virtues. + </p> + <p> + This view of the atonement has mostly been abandoned. It is now preached, + not that Christ bought souls with his blood, but that he has ennobled + souls by his example. The supernatural part of the atonement has, by the + more intelligent, been thrown away. So the idea of imputed sin—of + vicarious vice—has been by many abandoned. + </p> + <p> + Salvation by faith is growing weak. People are beginning to see that + character is more important than belief; that virtue is above all creeds. + Civilized people no longer believe in a God who will damn an honest, + generous man. They see that it is not honest to offer a reward for belief. + The promise of reward is not evidence. It is an attempt to bribe. + </p> + <p> + If God wishes his children to believe, he should furnish evidence. He + should not endeavor to make promises and threats take the place of facts. + To offer a reward for credulity is dishonest and immoral—infamous. + </p> + <p> + To say that good people who never heard of Christ ought to be damned for + not believing on him is a mixture of idiocy and savagery. + </p> + <p> + People are beginning to perceive that happiness is a result, not a reward; + that happiness must be earned; that it is not alms. It is also becoming + apparent that sins cannot be forgiven; that no power can step between + actions and consequences; that men must "reap what they sow;" that a man + who has lived a cruel life cannot, by repenting between the last dose of + medicine and the last breath, be washed in the blood of the Lamb, and + become an angel—an angel entitled to an eternity of joy. + </p> + <p> + All this is absurd, but you may say that it is not cruel. But to say that + a man who has lived a useful life; who has made a happy home; who has + lifted the fallen, succored the oppressed and battled to uphold the right; + to say that such a man, because he failed to believe without evidence, + will suffer eternal pain, is to say that God is an infinite wild beast. + </p> + <p> + Salvation for credulity means damnation for investigation. + </p> + <p> + At one time the "second birth" was regarded as a divine mystery—as a + miracle—a something done by a supernatural power; probably by the + Holy Ghost. Now ministers are explaining this mystery. A change of heart + is a change of ideas. About this there is nothing miraculous. + </p> + <p> + This happens to most men and women—happens many times in the life of + one man. If this happens without excitement—as the result of thought—it + is called reformation. If it occurs in a revival—if it is the result + of fright—it is called the "second birth." + </p> + <p> + A few years ago Christians believed in the inspiration of the Bible. They + had no doubts. The Bible was the standard. If some geologist found a fact + inconsistent with the Scriptures he was silenced with a text. If some + doubter called attention to a contradiction in the Bible he was denounced + as an ungodly and blaspheming wretch. Christians then knew that the + universe was only about six thousand years old, and any man who denied + this was an enemy of Christ and a friend of the Devil. + </p> + <p> + All this has changed. The Bible is no longer the standard. Science has + dethroned the inspired volume. Even theologians are taking facts into + consideration. Only ignorant bigots now believe in the plenary inspiration + of the Bible. + </p> + <p> + The intelligent ministers know that the Holy Scriptures are filled with + mistakes, contradictions and interpolations. They no longer believe in the + flood, in Babel, in Lot's wife or in the fire and brimstone storm. They + are not sure about the burning bush, the plagues of Egypt, the division of + the Red Sea or the miracles in the wilderness. All these wonders are + growing foolish. They belong to the Mother Goose of the past, and many + clergymen are ashamed to say that they believe them. So, the lengthening + of the day in order that General Joshua might have more time to kill, the + journey of Elijah to heaven, the voyage of Jonah in the fish, and many + other wonders of a like kind, have become so transparently false that even + a theologian refuses to believe. + </p> + <p> + The same is true of many of the miracles of the New Testament. No sensible + man now believes that Christ cast devils and unclean spirits out of the + bodies of men and women. A few years ago all Christians believed all these + devil miracles with all the mind they had. A few years ago only Infidels + denied these miracles, but now the theologians who are studying the + "Higher Criticism" are reaching the conclusions of Voltaire and Paine. + They have just discovered that the objections made to the Bible by the + Deists are supported by the facts. + </p> + <p> + At the same time these "Higher Critics," while they admit that the Bible + is not true, still insist that it is inspired. + </p> + <p> + The other evening I attended Forepaugh & Sell's Circus at Madison + Square Garden and saw a magnificent panorama of performances. While + looking at a man riding a couple of horses I thought of the "Higher + Critics." They accept Darwin and cling to Genesis. They admit that Genesis + is false in fact, and then assert that in a higher sense it is absolutely + true. + </p> + <p> + A lie bursts into blossom and has the perfume of truth. These critics + declare that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and then establish the + truth of the declaration by showing that it is filled with contradictions, + absurdities and false prophecies. + </p> + <p> + The horses they ride, sometimes get so far apart that it seems to me that + walking would be easier on the legs. + </p> + <p> + So, I saw at the circus the "Snake Man." I saw him tie himself into all + kinds of knots; saw him make a necktie of his legs; saw him throw back his + head and force it between his knees; saw him twist and turn as though his + bones were made of rubber, and as I watched him I thought of the mental + doublings and contortions of the preachers who have answered me. + </p> + <p> + Let Christians say what they will, the Bible is no longer the actual word + of God; it is no longer perfect; it is no longer quite true. + </p> + <p> + The most that is now claimed for the Bible by the "Higher Critics" is, + that some passages are inspired; that some passages are true, and that God + has left man free to pick these passages out. + </p> + <p> + The ministers are preaching Infidelity. What would Lyman Beecher have + thought of a man like Dr. Abbott? he would have consigned him to hell. + What would John Wesley have thought of a Methodist like Dr. Cadman? He + would have denounced him as a child of the Devil. What would Calvin have + thought of a Presbyterian like Professor Briggs? He would have burned him + at the stake, and through the smoke and flame would have shouted, "You are + a dog of Satan." How would Jeremy Taylor have treated an Episcopalian like + Heber Newton? + </p> + <p> + The Governor of New Hampshire is right when he says that Christianity has + declined. The flames of faith are flickering, zeal is cooling and even + bigotry is beginning to see the other side. I admit that there are still + millions of orthodox Christians whose minds are incapable of growth, and + who care no more for facts than a monitor does for bullets. Such + obstructions on the highway of progress are removed only by death. + </p> + <p> + The dogma of eternal pain is no longer believed by the reasonably + intelligent. People who have a sense of justice know that eternal revenge + cannot be enjoyed by infinite goodness. They know that hell would make + heaven impossible. If Christians believed in hell as they once did, the + fagots would be lighted again, heretics would be stretched on the rack, + and all the instruments of torture would again be stained with innocent + blood. Christianity has declined because intelligence has increased. + </p> + <p> + Men and women who know something of the history of man, of the horrors of + plague, famine and flood, of earthquake, volcano and cyclone, of religious + persecution and slavery, have but little confidence in special providence. + They do not believe that a prayer was ever answered. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of people who accept Christ as a moral guide have thrown, away + the supernatural. + </p> + <p> + Christianity does not satisfy the brain and heart. It contains too many + absurdities. It is unphilosophic, unnatural, impossible. Not to resist + evil is moral suicide. To love your enemies is impossible. To desert wife + and children for the sake of heaven is cowardly and selfish. To promise + rewards for belief is dishonest. To threaten torture for honest unbelief + is infamous. Christianity is declining because men and women are growing + better. + </p> + <p> + The Governor was not satisfied with saying that Christianity had declined, + but he added this: "Every good citizen knows that when the restraining + influences of religion are withdrawn from a community, its decay, moral, + mental and financial is swift and sure." + </p> + <p> + The restraining influences of religion have never been withdrawn from + Spain or Portugal, from Austria or Italy. The "restraining influences" are + still active in Russia. Emperor William relies on them in Germany, and the + same influences are very busy taking care of Ireland. If these influences + should be withdrawn from Spain there would be "mental, moral and financial + decay." Is not this statement perfectly absurd? + </p> + <p> + The fact is that religion has reduced Spain to a guitar, Italy to a hand + organ and Ireland to exile. What are the restraining influences of + religion? I admit that religion can prevent people from eating meat on + Friday, from dancing in Lent, from going to the theatre on holy days and + from swearing in public. In other words, religion can restrain people from + committing artificial offences. But the real question is: Can religion + restrain people from committing natural crimes? + </p> + <p> + The church teaches that God can and will forgive sins. + </p> + <p> + Christianity sells sin on a credit. It says to men and women, "Be good; do + right; but no matter how many crimes you commit you can be forgiven." How + can such a religion be regarded as a restraining influence! There was a + time when religion had power; when the church ruled Christendom; when + popes crowned and uncrowned kings. Was there at that time moral, mental + and financial growth? Did the nations thus restrained by religion, + prosper? When these restraining influences were weakened, when popes were + humbled, when creeds were denied, did morality, intelligence and + prosperity begin to decay? + </p> + <p> + What are the restraining influences of religion? Did anybody ever hear of + a policeman being dismissed because a new church had been organized? + </p> + <p> + Christianity teaches that the man who does right carries a cross. The + exact opposite of this is true. The cross is carried by the man who does + wrong. I believe in the restraining influences of intelligence. + Intelligence is the only lever capable of raising mankind. If you wish to + make men moral and prosperous develop the brain. Men must be taught to + rely on themselves. To supplicate the supernatural is a waste of time. + </p> + <p> + The only evils that have been caused by the decline of Christianity, as + pointed out by the Governor, are that in some villages they hear no solemn + bells, that the dead are buried without Christian ceremony, that marriages + are contracted before Justices of the Peace, and that children go + unchristened. + </p> + <p> + These evils are hardly serious enough to cause moral, mental and financial + decay. The average church bell is not very musical—not calculated to + develop the mind or quicken the conscience. The absence of the ordinary + funeral sermon does not add to the horror of death, and the failure to + hear a minister say, as he stands by the grave, "One star differs in glory + from another star. There is a difference between the flesh of fowl and + fish. Be not deceived. Evil communications corrupt good manners," does not + necessarily increase the grief of the mourners. So far as children are + concerned, if they are vaccinated, it does not make much difference + whether they are christened or not. + </p> + <p> + Marriage is a civil contract, and God is not one of the contracting + parties. It is a contract with which the church has no business to + interfere. Marriage with us is regulated by law. The real marriage—the + uniting of hearts, the lighting of the sacred flame in each—is the + work of Nature, and it is the best work that nature does. The ceremony of + marriage gives notice to the world that the real marriage has taken place. + Ministers have no real interest in marriages outside of the fees. + Certainly marriages by Justices of the Peace cannot cause the mental, + moral and financial decay of a State. + </p> + <p> + The things pointed out by the Governor were undoubtedly produced by the + decline of Christianity, but they are not evils, and they cannot possibly + injure the people morally, mentally or financially. The Governor calls on + the people to think, work and pray. With two-thirds of this I agree. If + the people of New Hampshire will think and work without praying they will + grow morally, mentally and financially. If they pray without working and + thinking, they will decay. + </p> + <p> + Prayer is beggary—an effort to get something for nothing. Labor is + the honest prayer. + </p> + <p> + I do not think that the good and true in Christianity are declining. The + good and true are more clearly perceived and more precious than ever. The + supernatural, the miraculous part of Christianity is declining. The New + Testament has been compelled to acknowledge the jurisdiction of reason. If + Christianity continues to decline at the same rate and ratio that it has + declined in this generation, in a few years all that is supernatural in + the Christian religion will cease to exist. There is a conflict—a + battle between the natural and the supernatural. The natural was baffled + and beaten for thousands of years. The flag of defeat was carried by the + few, by the brave and wise, by the real heroes of our race. They were + conquered, captured, imprisoned, tortured and burned. Others took their + places. The banner was kept in the air. In spite of countless defeats the + army of the natural increased. It began to gain victories. It did not + torture and kill the conquered. It enlightened and blessed. It fought + ignorance with science, cruelty with kindness, slavery with justice, and + all vices with virtues. In this great conflict we have passed midnight. + When the morning comes its rays will gild but one flag—the flag of + the natural. + </p> + <p> + All over Christendom religions are declining. Only children and the + intellectually undeveloped have faith—the old faith that defies + facts. Only a few years ago to be excommunicated by the pope blanched the + cheeks of the bravest. Now the result would be laughter. Only a few years + ago, for the sake of saving heathen souls, priests would brave all dangers + and endure all hardships. + </p> + <p> + I once read the diary of a priest—one who long ago went down the + Illinois River, the first white man to be borne on its waters. In this + diary he wrote that he had just been paid for all that he had suffered. He + had added a gem to the crown of his glory—had saved a soul for + Christ. He had baptized a papoose. + </p> + <p> + That kind of faith has departed from the world. + </p> + <p> + The zeal that flamed in the hearts of Calvin, Luther and Knox, is cold and + dead. Where are the Wesleys and Whitfields? Where are the old evangelists, + the revivalists who swayed the hearts of their hearers with words of + flame? The preachers of our day have lost the Promethean fire. They have + lost the tone of certainty, of authority. "Thus saith the Lord" has + dwindled to "perhaps." Sermons, messages from God, promises radiant with + eternal joy, threats lurid with the flames of hell—have changed to + colorless essays; to apologies and literary phrases; to inferences and + peradventures. + </p> + <p> + "The blood-dyed vestures of the Redeemer are not waving in triumph over + the ramparts of sin and rebellion," but over the fortresses of faith float + the white flags of truce. The trumpets no longer sound for battle, but for + parley. The fires of hell have been extinguished, and heaven itself is + only a dream. The "eternal verities" have changed to doubts. The torch of + inspiration, choked with ashes, has lost its flame. There is no longer in + the church "a sound from heaven as of a rushing, mighty wind;" no "cloven + tongues like as of fire;" no "wonders in the heaven above," and no "signs + in the earth beneath." The miracles have faded away and the sceptre is + passing from superstition to science—science, the only possible + savior of mankind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0049" id="link0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A LOOK BACKWARD AND A PROPHECY. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Written for the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Number of the + New York Truth Seeker, September 3, 1898. +</pre> + <p> + I CONGRATULATE <i>The Truth Seeker</i> on its twenty-fifth birthday. It + has fought a good fight. It has always been at the front. It has carried + the flag, and its flag is a torch that sheds light. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-five years ago the people of this country, for the most part, were + quite orthodox. The great "fundamental" falsehoods of Christianity were + generally accepted. Those who were not Christians, as a rule, admitted + that they ought to be; that they ought to repent and join the church, and + this they generally intended to do. + </p> + <p> + The ministers had few doubts. The most of them had been educated not to + think, but to believe. Thought was regarded as dangerous, and the clergy, + as a rule, kept on the safe side. Investigation was discouraged. It was + declared that faith was the only road that led to eternal joy. + </p> + <p> + Most of the schools and colleges were under sectarian control, and the + presidents and professors were defenders of their creeds. The people were + crammed with miracles and stuffed with absurdities. They were taught that + the Bible was the "inspired" word of God, that it was absolutely perfect, + that the contradictions were only apparent, and that it contained no + mistakes in philosophy, none in science. The great scheme of salvation was + declared to be the result of infinite wisdom and mercy. Heaven and hell + were waiting for the human race. Only those could be saved who had faith + and who had been born twice. + </p> + <p> + Most of the ministers taught the geology of Moses, the astronomy of + Joshua, and the philosophy of Christ. They regarded scientists as enemies, + and their principal business was to defend miracles and deny facts. They + knew, however, that men were thinking, investigating in every direction, + and they feared the result. They became a little malicious—somewhat + hateful. With their congregations they relied on sophistry, and they + answered their enemies with epithets, with misrepresentations and + slanders; and yet their minds were filled with a vague fear, with a + sickening dread. Some of the people were reading and some were thinking. + Lyell had told them something about geology, and in the light of facts + they were reading Genesis again. The clergy called Lyell an Infidel, a + blasphemer, but the facts seemed to care nothing for opprobrious names. + Then the "called," the "set apart," the "Lord's anointed" began changing + the "inspired" word. They erased the word "day" and inserted "period," and + then triumphantly exclaimed: "The world was created in six periods." This + answer satisfied bigotry, hypocrisy, and honest ignorance, but honest + intelligence was not satisfied. + </p> + <p> + More and more was being found about the history of life, of living things, + the order in which the various forms had appeared and the relations they + had sustained to each other. Beneath the gaze of the biologist the fossils + were again clothed with flesh, submerged continents and islands + reappeared, the ancient forest grew once more, the air was filled with + unknown birds, the seas with armored monsters, and the land with beasts of + many forms that sought with tooth and claw each other's flesh. + </p> + <p> + Haeckel and Huxley followed life through all its changing forms from monad + up to man. They found that men, women, and children had been on this poor + world for hundreds of thousands of years. + </p> + <p> + The clergy could not dodge these facts, this conclusion, by calling "days" + periods, because the Bible gives the age of Adam when he died, the lives + and ages to the flood, to Abraham, to David, and from David to Christ, so + that, according to the Bible, man at the birth of Christ had been on this + earth four thousand and four years and no more. + </p> + <p> + There was no way in which the sacred record could be changed, but of + course the dear ministers could not admit the conclusion arrived at by + Haeckel and Huxley. If they did they would have to give up original sin, + the scheme of the atonement, and the consolation of eternal fire. + </p> + <p> + They took the only course they could. They promptly and solemnly, with + upraised hands, denied the facts, denounced the biologists as irreverent + wretches, and defended the Book. With tears in their voices they talked + about "Mother's Bible," about the "faith of the fathers," about the + prayers that the children had said, and they also talked about the + wickedness of doubt. This satisfied bigotry, hypocrisy, and honest + ignorance, but honest intelligence was not satisfied. + </p> + <p> + The works of Humboldt had been translated, and were being read; the + intellectual horizon was enlarged, and the fact that the endless chain of + cause and effect had never been broken, that Nature had never been + interfered with, forced its way into many minds. This conception of nature + was beyond the clergy. They did not believe it; they could not comprehend + it. They did not answer Humboldt, but they attacked him with great + virulence. They measured his works by the Bible, because the Bible was + then the standard. + </p> + <p> + In examining a philosophy, a system, the ministers asked: "Does it agree + with the sacred book?" With the Bible they separated the gold from the + dross. Every science had to be tested by the Scriptures. Humboldt did not + agree with Moses. He differed from Joshua. He had his doubts about the + flood. That was enough. + </p> + <p> + Yet, after all, the ministers felt that they were standing on thin ice, + that they were surrounded by masked batteries, and that something + unfortunate was liable at any moment to happen. This increased their + efforts to avoid, to escape. The truth was that they feared the truth. + They were afraid of facts. They became exceedingly anxious for morality, + for the young, for the inexperienced. They were afraid to trust human + nature. They insisted that without the Bible the world would rush to + crime. They warned the thoughtless of the danger of thinking. They knew + that it would be impossible for civilization to exist without the Bible. + They knew this because their God had tried it. He gave no Bible to the + antediluvians, and they became so bad that he had to destroy them. He gave + the Jews only the Old Testament, and they were dispersed. Irreverent + people might say that Jehovah should have known this without a trial, but + after all that has nothing to do with theology. + </p> + <p> + Attention had been called to the fact that two accounts of creation are in + Genesis, and that they do not agree and cannot be harmonized, and that, in + addition to that, the divine historian had made a mistake as to the order + of creation; that according to one account Adam was made before the + animals, and Eve last of all, from Adam's rib; and by the other account + Adam and Eve were made after the animals, and both at the same time. A + good many people were surprised to find that the Creator had written + contradictory accounts of the creation, and had forgotten the order in + which he created. + </p> + <p> + Then there was another difficulty. Jehovah had declared that on Tuesday, + or during the second period, he had created the "firmament" to divide the + waters which were below the firmament from the waters above the firmament. + It was found that there is no firmament; that the moisture in the air is + the result of evaporation, and that there was nothing to divide the waters + above, from the waters below. So that, according to the facts, Jehovah did + nothing on the second day or period, because the moisture above the earth + is not prevented from falling by the firmament, but because the mist is + lighter than air. + </p> + <p> + The preachers, however, began to dodge, to evade, to talk about "oriental + imagery." They declared that Genesis was a "sublime poem," a divine + "panorama of creation," an "inspired vision;" that it was not intended to + be exact in its details, but that it was true in a far higher sense, in a + poetical sense, in a spiritual sense, conveying a truth much higher, much + grander than simple, fact. The contradictions were covered with the mantle + of oriental imagery. This satisfied bigotry, hypocrisy, and honest + ignorance, but honest intelligence was not satisfied. + </p> + <p> + People were reading Darwin. His works interested not only the scientific, + but the intelligent in all the walks of life. Darwin was the keenest + observer of all time, the greatest naturalist in all the world. He was + patient, modest, logical, candid, courageous, and absolutely truthful. He + told the actual facts. He colored nothing. He was anxious only to + ascertain the truth. He had no prejudices, no theories, no creed. He was + the apostle of the real. + </p> + <p> + The ministers greeted him with shouts of derision. From nearly all the + pulpits came the sounds of ignorant laughter, one of the saddest of all + sounds. The clergy in a vague kind of way believed the Bible account of + creation; they accepted the Miltonic view; they believed that all animals, + including man, had been made of clay, fashioned by Jehovah's hands, and + that he had breathed into all forms, not only the breath of life, but + instinct and reason. They were not in the habit of descending to + particulars; they did not describe Jehovah as kneading the clay or + modeling his forms like a sculptor, but what they did say included these + things. + </p> + <p> + The theory of Darwin contradicted all their ideas on the subject, vague as + they were. He showed that man had not appeared at first as man, that he + had not fallen from perfection, but had slowly risen through many ages + from lower forms. He took food, climate, and all conditions into + consideration, and accounted for difference of form, function, instinct, + and reason, by natural causes. He dispensed with the supernatural. He did + away with Jehovah the potter. + </p> + <p> + Of course the theologians denounced him as a blasphemer, as a dethroner of + God. They even went so far as to smile at his ignorance. They said: "If + the theory of Darwin is true the Bible is false, our God is a myth, and + our religion a fable." + </p> + <p> + In that they were right. + </p> + <p> + Against Darwin they rained texts of Scripture like shot and shell. They + believed that they were victorious and their congregations were delighted. + Poor little frightened professors in religious colleges sided with the + clergy. Hundreds of backboneless "scientists" ranged themselves with the + enemies of Darwin. It began to look as though the church was victorious. + </p> + <p> + Slowly, steadily, the ideas of Darwin gained ground. He began to be + understood. Men of sense were reading what he said. Men of genius were on + his side. In a little while the really great in all departments of human + thought declared in his favor. The tide began to turn. The smile on the + face of the theologian became a frozen grin. The preachers began to hedge, + to dodge. They admitted that the Bible was not inspired for the purpose of + teaching science—only inspired about religion, about the spiritual, + about the divine. The fortifications of faith were crumbling, the old guns + had been spiked, and the armies of the "living God" were in retreat. + </p> + <p> + Great questions were being discussed, and freely discussed. People were + not afraid to give their opinions, and they did give their honest + thoughts. Draper had shown in his "Intellectual Development of Europe" + that Catholicism had been the relentless enemy of progress, the bitter foe + of all that is really useful. The Protestants were delighted with this + book. + </p> + <p> + Buckle had shown in his "History of Civilization in England" that + Protestantism had also enslaved the mind, had also persecuted to the + extent of its power, and that Protestantism in its last analysis was + substantially the same as the creed of Rome. + </p> + <p> + This book satisfied the thoughtful. + </p> + <p> + Hegel in his first book had done a great work and it did great good in + spite of the fact that his second book was almost a surrender. Lecky in + his first volume of "The History of Rationalism" shed a flood of light on + the meanness, the cruelty, and the malevolence of "revealed religion," and + this did good in spite of the fact that he almost apologizes in the second + volume for what he had said in the first. + </p> + <p> + The Universalists had done good. They had civilized a great many + Christians. They declared that eternal punishment was infinite revenge, + and that the God of hell was an infinite savage. + </p> + <p> + Some of the Unitarians, following the example of Theodore Parker, + denounced Jehovah as a brutal, tribal God. All these forces worked + together for the development of the orthodox brain. + </p> + <p> + Herbert Spencer was being read and understood. The theories of this great + philosopher were being adopted. He overwhelmed the theologians with facts, + and from a great height he surveyed the world. Of course he was attacked, + but not answered. + </p> + <p> + Emerson had sowed the seeds of thought—of doubt—in many minds, + and from many directions the world was being flooded with intellectual + light. The clergy became apologetic; they spoke with less certainty; with + less emphasis, and lost a little confidence in the power of assertion. + They felt the necessity of doing something, and they began to harmonize as + best they could the old lies and the new truths. They tried to get the + wreck ashore, and many of them were willing to surrender if they could + keep their side-arms; that is to say, their salaries. + </p> + <p> + Conditions had been reversed. The Bible had ceased to be the standard. + Science was the supreme and final test. + </p> + <p> + There was no peace for the pulpit; no peace for the shepherds. Students of + the Bible in England and Germany had been examining the inspired + Scriptures. They had been trying to find when and by whom the books of the + Bible were written. They found that the Pentateuch was not written by + Moses; that the authors of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, + Chronicles, Esther, and Job were not known; that the Psalms were not + written by David; that Solomon had nothing to do with Proverbs, + Ecclesiastes, or the Song; that Isaiah was the work of at least three + authors; that the prophecies of Daniel were written after the happening of + the events prophesied. They found many mistakes and contradictions, and + some of them went so far as to assert that the Hebrews had never been + slaves in Egypt; that the story of the plagues, the exodus, and the + pursuit was only a myth. + </p> + <p> + The New Testament fared no better than the Old. These critics found that + nearly all of the books of the New Testament had been written by unknown + men; that it was impossible to fix the time when they were written; that + many of the miracles were absurd and childish, and that in addition to all + of this, the gospels were found filled with mistakes, with interpolations' + and contradictions; that the writers of Matthew, Mark, and Luke did not + understand the Christian religion as it was understood by the author of + the gospel according to John. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the critics were denounced from most of the pulpits, and the + religious papers, edited generally by men who had failed as preachers, + were filled with bitter denials and vicious attacks. The religious editors + refused to be enlightened. They fought under the old flag. When dogmas + became too absurd to be preached, they were taught in the Sunday schools; + when worn out there, they were given to the missionaries; but the dear old + religious weeklies, the Banners, the Covenants, the Evangelists, continued + to feed their provincial subscribers with known mistakes and refuted lies. + </p> + <p> + There is another fact that should be taken into consideration. All + religions are provincial. Mingled with them all and at the foundation of + all are the egotism of ignorance, of isolation, the pride of race, and + what is called patriotism. Every religion is a natural product—the + result of conditions. When one tribe became acquainted with another, the + ideas of both were somewhat modified. So when nations and races come into + contact a change in thought, in opinion, is a necessary result. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago nations were strangers, and consequently hated each + other's institutions and religions. Commerce has done a great work in + destroying provincialism. To trade commodities is to exchange ideas. So + the press, the steamships, the railways, cables, and telegraphs have + brought the nations together and enabled them to compare their prejudices, + their religions, laws and customs. + </p> + <p> + Recently many scholars have been studying the religions of the world and + have found them much the same. They have also found that there is nothing + original in Christianity; that the legends, miracles, Christs, and + conditions of salvation, the heavens, hells, angels, devils, and gods were + the common property of the ancient world. They found that Christ was a new + name for an old biography; that he was not a life, but a legend; not a + man, but a myth. + </p> + <p> + People began to suspect that our religion had not been supernaturally + revealed, while others, far older and substantially the same, had been + naturally produced. They found it difficult to account for the fact that + poor, ignorant savages had in the darkness of nature written so well that + Jehovah thousands of years afterwards copied it and adopted it as his own. + They thought it curious that God should be a plagiarist. + </p> + <p> + These scholars found that all the old religions had recognized the + existence of devils, of evil spirits, who sought in countless ways to + injure the children of men. In this respect they found that the sacred + books of other nations were just the same as our Bible, as our New + Testament. + </p> + <p> + Take the Devil from our religion and the entire fabric falls. No Devil, no + fall of man. No Devil, no atonement. No Devil, no hell. + </p> + <p> + The Devil is the keystone of the arch. + </p> + <p> + And yet for many years the belief in the existence of the Devil—of + evil spirits—has been fading from the minds of intelligent people. + This belief has now substantially vanished. The minister who now seriously + talks about a personal Devil is regarded with a kind of pitying contempt. + </p> + <p> + The Devil has faded from his throne and the evil spirits have vanished + from the air. + </p> + <p> + The man who has really given up a belief in the existence of the Devil + cannot believe in the inspiration of the New Testament—in the + divinity of Christ. If Christ taught anything, if he believed in anything, + he taught a belief in the existence of the Devil..His principal business + was casting out devils. He himself was taken possession of by the Devil + and carried to the top of the temple. + </p> + <p> + Thousands and thousands of people have ceased to believe the account in + the New Testament regarding devils, and yet continue to believe in the + dogma of "inspiration" and the divinity of Christ. + </p> + <p> + In the brain of the average Christian, contradictions dwell in unity. + </p> + <p> + While a belief in the existence of the Devil has almost faded away, the + belief in the existence of a personal God has been somewhat weakened. The + old belief that back of nature, back of all substance and force, was and + is a personal God, an infinite intelligence who created and governs the + world, began to be questioned. The scientists had shown the + indestructibility of matter and force. Büchner's great work had + convinced most readers that matter and force could not have been created. + They also became satisfied that matter cannot exist apart from force and + that force cannot exist apart from matter. + </p> + <p> + They found, too, that thought is a form of force, and that consequently + intelligence could not have existed before matter, because without matter, + force in any form cannot and could not exist. + </p> + <p> + The creator of anything is utterly unthinkable. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago God was supposed to govern the world. He rewarded the + people with sunshine, with prosperity and health, or he punished with + drought and flood, with plague and storm. He not only attended to the + affairs of nations, but he watched the actions of individuals. He sank + ships, derailed trains, caused conflagrations, killed men and women with + his lightnings, destroyed some with earthquakes, and tore the homes and + bodies of thousands into fragments with his cyclones. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the church, in spite of the ministers, the people began to + lose confidence in Providence. The right did not seem always to triumph. + Virtue was not always rewarded and vice was not always punished. The good + failed; the vicious succeeded; the strong and cruel enslaved the weak; + toil was paid with the lash; babes were sold from the breasts of mothers, + and Providence seemed to be absolutely heartless. + </p> + <p> + In other words, people began to think that the God of the Christians and + the God of nature were about the same, and that neither appeared to take + any care of the human race. + </p> + <p> + The Deists of the last century scoffed at the Bible God. He was too cruel, + too savage. At the same time they praised the God of nature. They laughed + at the idea of inspiration and denied the supernatural origin of the + Scriptures. + </p> + <p> + Now, if the Bible is not inspired, then it is a natural production, and + nature, not God, should be held responsible for the Scriptures. Yet the + Deists denied that God was the author and at the same time asserted the + perfection of nature. + </p> + <p> + This shows that even in the minds of Deists contradictions dwell in unity. + </p> + <p> + Against all these facts and forces, these theories and tendencies, the + clergy fought and prayed. It is not claimed that they were consciously + dishonest, but it is claimed that they were prejudiced—that they + were incapable of examining the other side—that they were utterly + destitute of the philosophic spirit. They were not searchers for the + facts, but defenders of the creeds, and undoubtedly they were the product + of conditions and surroundings, and acted as they must. + </p> + <p> + In spite of everything a few rays of light penetrated the orthodox mind. + Many ministers accepted some of the new facts, and began to mingle with + Christian mistakes a few scientific truths. In many instances they excited + the indignation of their congregations. Some were tried for heresy and + driven from their pulpits, and some organized new churches and gathered + about them a few people willing to listen to the sincere thoughts of an + honest man. + </p> + <p> + The great body of the church, however, held to the creed—not quite + believing it, but still insisting that it was true. + </p> + <p> + In private conversation they would apologize and admit that the old ideas + were outgrown, but in public they were as orthodox as ever. In every + church, however, there were many priests who accepted the new gospel; that + is to say, welcomed the truth. + </p> + <p> + To-day it may truthfully be said that the Bible in the old sense is no + longer regarded as the inspired word of God. Jehovah is no longer accepted + or believed in as the creator of the universe. His place has been taken by + the Unknown, the Unseen, the Invisible, the Incomprehensible Something, + the Cosmic Dust, the First Cause, the Inconceivable, the Original Force, + the Mystery. The God of the Bible, the gentleman who walked in the cool of + the evening, who talked face to face with Moses, who revenged himself on + unbelievers and who gave laws written with his finger on tables of stone, + has abdicated. He has become a myth. + </p> + <p> + So, too, the New Testament has lost its authority. People reason about it + now as they do about other books, and even orthodox ministers pick out the + miracles that ought to be believed, and when anything is attributed to + Christ not in accordance with their views, they take the liberty of + explaining it away by saying "interpolation." + </p> + <p> + In other words, we have lived to see Science the standard instead of the + Bible. We have lived to see the Bible tested by Science, and, what is + more, we have lived to see reason the standard not only in religion, but + in all the domain of science. Now all civilized scientists appeal to + reason. They get their facts, and then reason from the foundation. Now the + theologian appeals to reason. Faith is no longer considered a foundation. + The theologian has found that he must build upon the truth and that he + must establish this truth by satisfying human reason. + </p> + <p> + This is where we are now. + </p> + <p> + What is to be the result? Is progress to stop? Are we to retrace our + steps? Are we going back to superstition? Are we going to take authority + for truth? + </p> + <p> + Let me prophesy. + </p> + <p> + In modern times we have slowly lost confidence in the supernatural and + have slowly gained confidence in the natural. We have slowly lost + confidence in gods and have slowly gained confidence in man. For the cure + of disease, for the stopping of plague, we depend on the natural—on + science. We have lost confidence in holy water and religious processions. + We have found that prayers are never answered. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, all belief in the supernatural will be driven from the + human mind. All religions must pass away. The augurs, the soothsayers, the + seers, the preachers, the astrologers and alchemists will all lie in the + same cemetery and one epitaph will do for them all. In a little while all + will have had their day. They were naturally produced and they will be + naturally destroyed. Man at last will depend entirely upon himself—on + the development of the brain—to the end that he may take advantage + of the forces of nature—to the end that he may supply the wants of + his body and feed the hunger of his mind. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, teachers will take the place of preachers and the + interpreters of nature will be the only priests. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0050" id="link0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + POLITICAL MORALITY. + </h2> + <p> + THE room of the House Committee on Elections was crowded this morning with + committeemen and spectators to listen to an argument by Col. Robert G. + Ingersoll in the contested election case of Strobach against Herbert, of + the IId Alabama district. Colonel Ingersoll appeared for Strobach, the + contestant. While most of his argument was devoted to the dry details of + the testimony, he entered into some discussion of the general principles + involved in contested election cases, and spoke with great eloquence and + force. + </p> + <p> + The mere personal controversy, as between Herbert and Strobach, is not + worth talking about. It is a question as to whether or not the republican + system is a failure. Unless the will of the majority can be ascertained, + and surely ascertained, through the medium of the ballot, the foundation + of this Government rests upon nothing—the Government ceases to be. I + would a thousand time rather a Democrat should come to Congress from this + district, or from any district, than that a Republican should come who was + not honestly elected. I would a thousand times rather that this country + should honestly go to destruction than dishonestly and fraudulently go + anywhere. We want it settled whether this form of government is or is not + a failure. That is the real question, and it is the question at issue in + every one of these cases. Has Congress power and has Congress the sense to + say to-day, that no man shall sit as a maker of laws for the people who + has not been honestly elected? Whenever you admit a man to Congress and + allow him to vote and make laws, you poison the source of justice—you + poison the source of power; and the moment the people begin to think that + many members of Congress are there through fraud, that moment they cease + to have respect for the legislative department of this Government—that + moment they cease to have respect for the sovereignty of the people + represented by fraud. + </p> + <p> + Now, as I have said, I care nothing about the personal part of it, and, + maybe you will not believe me, but I care nothing about the political + part. The question is, Who has the right on his side? Who is honestly + entitled to this seat? That is infinitely more important than any personal + or party question. My doctrine is that a majority of the people must + control—that we have in this country a king, that we have in this + country a sovereign, just as truly as they can have in any other, and, as + a matter of fact, a republic is the only country that does in truth have a + sovereign, and that sovereign is the legally expressed will of the people. + So that any man that puts in a fraudulent vote is a traitor to that + sovereign; any man that knowingly counts an illegal vote is a traitor to + that sovereign, and is not fit to be a citizen of the great Republic. Any + man who fraudulently throws out a vote, knowing it to be a legal vote, + tampers with the source of power, and is, in fact, false to our + institutions. Now, these are the questions to be decided, and I want them + decided, not because this case happens to come from the South any more + than if it came from the North. It is a matter that concerns the whole + country. We must decide it. There must be a law on the subject. We have + got to lay down a stringent rule that shall apply to these cases. There + should be—there must be—such a thing as political morality so + far as voting is concerned.—New York Tribune, May 13, 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0051" id="link0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A FEW REASONS FOR DOUBTING THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Printed from manuscript notes found among Colonel + Ingersoll's papers, evidently written in the early '80's. + While much of the argument and criticism will be found + embodied in his various lectures magazine articles and + contributions to the press, it was thought too valuable in + its present form to be left out of a complete edition of his + works, on account of too much repetition. Undoubtedly it was + the author's intention to go through the Bible in this same + manner and to publish in book form. "A few Reasons for + doubting the Inspiration of the Bible." +</pre> + <p> + THE Old Testament must have been written nearly two thousand years before + the invention of printing. There were but few copies, and these were in + the keeping of those whose interest might have prompted interpolations, + and whose ignorance might have led to mistakes. + </p> + <p> + Second. The written Hebrew was composed entirely of consonants, without + any points or marks standing for vowels, so that anything like accuracy + was impossible. Anyone can test this for himself by writing an English + sentence, leaving out the vowels. It will take far more inspiration to + read than to write a book with consonants alone. + </p> + <p> + Third. The books composing the Old Testament were not divided into + chapters or verses, and no system of punctuation was known. Think of this + a moment and you will see how difficult it must be to read such a book. + </p> + <p> + Fourth. There was not among the Jews any dictionary of their language, and + for this reason the accurate meaning of words could not be preserved. Now + the different meanings of words are preserved so that by knowing the age + in which a writer lived we can ascertain with reasonable certainty his + meaning. + </p> + <p> + Fifth. The Old Testament was printed for the first time in 1488. Until + this date it existed only in manuscript, and was constantly exposed to + erasures and additions. + </p> + <p> + Sixth. It is now admitted by the most learned in the Hebrew language that + in our present English version of the Old Testament there are at least one + hundred thousand errors. Of course the believers in inspiration assert + that these errors are not sufficient in number to cast the least suspicion + upon any passages upholding what are called the "fundamentals." + </p> + <p> + Seventh. It is not certainly known who in fact wrote any of the books of + the Old Testament. For instance, it is now generally conceded that Moses + was not the author of the Pentateuch. + </p> + <p> + Eighth. Other books, not now in existence, are referred to in the Old + Testament as of equal authority, such as the books of Jasher, Nathan, + Ahijah, Iddo, Jehu, Sayings of the Seers. + </p> + <p> + Ninth. The Christians are not agreed among themselves as to what books are + inspired. The Catholics claim as inspired the books of Maccabees, Tobit, + Esdras, etc. Others doubt the inspiration of Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the + Song of Solomon. + </p> + <p> + Tenth. In the book of Esther and the Song of Solomon the name of God is + not mentioned, and no reference is made to any supreme being, nor to any + religious duty. These omissions would seem sufficient to cast a little + doubt upon these books. + </p> + <p> + Eleventh. Within the present century manuscript copies of the Old + Testament have been found throwing new light and changing in many + instances the present readings. In consequence a new version is now being + made by a theological syndicate composed of English and American divines, + and after this is published it may be that our present Bible will fall + into disrepute. + </p> + <p> + Twelfth. The fact that language is continually changing, that words are + constantly dying and others being born; that the same word has a variety + of meanings during its life, shows hew hard it is to preserve the original + ideas that might have been expressed in the Scriptures, for thousands of + years, without dictionaries, without the art of printing, and without the + light of contemporaneous literature. + </p> + <p> + Thirteenth. Whatever there was of the Old Testament seems to have been + lost from the time of Moses until the days of Josiah, and it is probable + that nothing like the Bible existed in any permanent form among the Jews + until a few hundred years before Christ. It is said that Ezra gave the + Pentateuch to the Jews, but whether he found or originated it is unknown. + So it is claimed that Nehemiah gathered up the manuscripts about the kings + and prophets, while the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ruth, + Ecclesiastes, and some others were either collected or written long after. + The Jews themselves did not agree as to what books were really inspired. + </p> + <p> + Fourteenth. In the Old Testament we find several contradictory laws about + the same thing, and contradictory accounts of the same occurrences. In the + twentieth chapter of Exodus we find the first account of the giving of the + Ten Commandments. In the thirty-fourth chapter another account is given. + These two accounts could never have been written by the same person. Read + these two accounts and you will be forced to admit that one of them cannot + be true. So there are two histories of the creation, of the flood, and of + the manner in which Saul became king. + </p> + <p> + Fifteenth. It is now generally admitted that Genesis must have been + written by two persons, and the parts written by each can be separated, + and when separated they are found to contradict each other in many + important particulars. + </p> + <p> + Sixteenth. It is also admitted that copyists made verbal changes not only, + but pieced out fragments; that the speeches of Elihu in the book of Job + were all interpolated, and that most of the prophecies were made by + persons whose names we have never known. + </p> + <p> + Seventeenth. The manuscripts of the Old Testament were not alike, and the + Greek version differed from the Hebrew, and there was no absolutely + received text of the Old Testament until after the commencement of the + Christian era. Marks and points to denote vowels were invented probably + about the seventh century after Christ. Whether these vowels were put in + the proper places or not is still an open question. + </p> + <p> + Eighteenth. The Alexandrian version, or what is known as the Septuagint, + translated by seventy learned Jews, assisted by "miraculous power," about + two hundred years before Christ, could not have been, it is said, + translated from the Hebrew text that we now have. The differences can only + be accounted for by supposing that they had a different Hebrew text. The + early Christian Churches adopted the Septuagint, and were satisfied for a + time. But so many errors were found, and so many were scanning every word + in search of something to sustain their peculiar views, that several new + versions appeared, all different somewhat from the Hebrew manuscripts, + from the Septuagint, and from each other. All these versions were in + Greek. The first Latin Bible originated in Africa, but no one has ever + found out which Latin manuscript was the original. Many were produced, and + all differed from each other. These Latin versions were compared with each + other and with the Hebrew, and a new Latin version was made in the fifth + century, but the old Latin versions held their own for about four hundred + years, and no one yet knows which were right. Besides these there were + Egyptian, Ethiopie, Armenian, and several others, all differing from each + other as well as from all others in the world. + </p> + <p> + It was not until the fourteenth century that the Bible was translated into + German, and not until the fifteenth that Bibles were printed in the + principal languages of Europe. Of these Bibles there were several kinds—Luther's, + the Dort, King James's, Genevan, French, besides the Danish and Swedish. + Most of these differed from each other, and gave rise to infinite disputes + and crimes without number. The earliest fragment of the Bible in the + "Saxon" language known to exist was written sometime in the seventh + century. The first Bible was printed in England in 1538. In 1560 the first + English Bible was printed that was divided into verses. Under Henry VIII. + the Bible was revised; again under Queen Elizabeth, and once again under + King James. This last was published in 1611, and is the one now in general + use. + </p> + <p> + Nineteenth. No one in the world has learning enough, nor has he time + enough even if he had the learning, and could live a thousand years, to + find out what books really belong to and constitute the Old Testament, the + authors of these books, when they were written, and what they really mean. + And until a man has the learning and the time to do all this he cannot + certainly tell whether he believes the Bible or not. + </p> + <p> + Twentieth. If a revelation from God was actually necessary to the + happiness of man here and to his salvation hereafter, it is not easy to + see why such revelation was not given to all the nations of the earth. Why + were the millions of Asia, Egypt, and America left to the insufficient + light of nature. Why was not a written, or what is still better, a printed + revelation given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? And why were the + Jews themselves without a Bible until the days of Ezra the scribe? Why was + nature not so made that it would give light enough? Why did God make men + and leave them in darkness—a darkness that he, knew would fill the + world with want and crime, and crowd with damned souls the dungeons of his + hell? Were the Jews the only people who needed a revelation? It may be + said that God had no time to waste with other nations, and gave the Bible + to the Jews that other nations through them might learn of his existence + and his will. If he wished other nations to be informed, and revealed + himself to but one, why did he not choose a people that mingled with + others? Why did he give the message to those who had no commerce, who were + obscure and unknown, and who regarded other nations with the hatred born + of bigotry and weakness? What would we now think of a God who made his + will known to the South Sea Islanders for the benefit of the civilized + world? If it was of such vast importance for man to know that there is a + God, why did not God make himself known? This fact could have been + revealed by an infinite being instantly to all, and there certainly was no + necessity of telling it alone to the Jews, and allowing millions for + thousands of years to die in utter ignorance. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-first. The Chinese, Japanese, Hindus, Tartars, Africans, Eskimo, + Persians, Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Polynesians, and many other peoples, are + substantially ignorant of the Bible. All the Bible societies of the world + have produced only about one hundred and twenty millions of Bibles, and + there are about fourteen hundred million people. There are hundreds of + languages and tongues in which no Bible has yet been printed. Why did God + allow, and why does he still allow, a vast majority of his children to + remain in ignorance of his will? + </p> + <p> + Twenty-second. If the Bible is the foundation of all civilization, of all + just ideas of right and wrong, of our duties to God and each other, why + did God not give to each nation at least one copy to start with? He must + have known that no nation could get along successfully without a Bible, + and he also knew that man could not make one for himself. Why, then, were + not the books furnished? He must have known that the light of nature was + not sufficient to reveal the scheme of the atonement, the necessity of + baptism, the immaculate conception, transubstantiation, the arithmetic of + the Trinity, or the resurrection of the dead. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-third. It is probably safe to say that not one-third of the + inhabitants of this world ever heard of the Bible, and not one-tenth ever + read it. It is also safe to say that no two persons who ever read it + agreed as to its meaning, and it is not likely that even one person has + ever understood it. Nothing is more needed at the present time than an + inspired translator. Then we shall need an inspired commentator, and the + translation and the commentary should be written in an inspired universal + language, incapable of change, and then the whole world should be inspired + to understand this language precisely the same. Until these things are + accomplished, all written revelations from God will fill the world with + contending sects, contradictory creeds and opinions. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-fourth. All persons who know anything of constitutions and laws + know how impossible it is to use words that will convey the same ideas to + all. The best statesmen, the profoundest lawyers, differ as widely about + the real meaning of treaties and statutes as do theologians about the + Bible. When the differences of lawyers are left to courts, and the courts + give written decisions, the lawyers will again differ as to the real + meaning of the opinions. Probably no two lawyers in the United States + understand our Constitution alike. To allow a few men to tell what the + Constitution means, and to hang for treason all who refuse to accept the + opinions of these few men, would accomplish in politics what most churches + have asked for in religion. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-fifth. Is it very wicked to deny that the universe was created of + nothing by an infinite being who existed from all eternity? The human mind + is such that it cannot possibly conceive of creation, neither can it + conceive of an infinite being who dwelt in infinite space an infinite + length of time. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-sixth. The idea that the universe was made in six days, and is but + about six thousand years old, is too absurd for serious refutation. + Neither will it do to say that the six days were six periods, because this + does away with the Sabbath, and is in direct violation of the text. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-seventh. Neither is it reasonable that this God made man out of + dust, and woman out of one of the ribs of the man; that this pair were put + in a garden; that they were deceived by a snake that had the power of + speech; that they were turned out of this garden to prevent them from + eating of the tree of life and becoming immortal; that God himself made + them clothes; that the sons of God intermarried with the daughters of men; + that to destroy all life upon the earth a flood was sent that covered the + highest mountains; that Noah and his sons built an ark and saved some of + all animals as well as themselves; that the people tried to build a tower + that would reach to heaven; that God confounded their language, and in + this way frustrated their design. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-eighth. It is hard to believe that God talked to Abraham as one man + talks to another; that he gave him land that he pointed out; that he + agreed to give him land that he never did; that he ordered him to murder + his own son; that angels were in the habit of walking about the earth + eating veal dressed with butter and milk, and making bargains about the + destruction of cities. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-ninth. Certainly a man ought not to be eternally damned for + entertaining an honest doubt about a woman having been turned into a + pillar of salt, about cities being destroyed by storms of fire and + brimstone, and about people once having lived for nearly a thousand years. + </p> + <p> + Thirtieth. Neither is it probable that God really wrestled with Jacob and + put his thigh out of joint, and that for that reason the Jews refused "to + eat the sinew that shrank," as recounted in the thirty-second chapter of + Genesis; that God in the likeness of a flame inhabited a bush; that he + amused himself by changing the rod of Moses into a serpent, and making his + hand leprous as snow. + </p> + <p> + Thirty-first. One can scarcely be blamed for hesitating to believe that + God met Moses at a hotel and tried to kill him that afterward he made this + same Moses a god to Pharaoh, and gave him his brother Aaron for a + prophet;2 that he turned all the ponds and pools and streams and all the + rivers into blood,3 and all the water in vessels of wood and stone; that + the rivers thereupon brought forth frogs;4 that the frogs covered the + whole land of Egypt; that he changed dust into lice, so that all the men, + women, children, and animals were covered with them;6 that he sent swarms + of flies upon the Egyptians;8 that he destroyed the innocent cattle with + painful diseases; that he covered man and beast with blains and boils;7 + that he so covered the magicians of Egypt with boils that they could not + stand before Moses for the purpose of performing the same feats, that he + destroyed every beast and every man that was in the fields, and every + herb, and broke every tree with storm of hail and fire;9 that he sent + locusts that devoured every herb that escaped the hail, and devoured every + tree that grew;10 that he caused thick darkness over the land and put + lights in the houses of the Jews;11 that he destroyed all of the firstborn + of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh upon the throne to the firstborn + of the maidservant that sat behind the mill,"12 together with the + firstborn of all beasts, so that there was not a house in which the dead + were not." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Ex. iv, 24. 5 Ex. viii, 16, 17. 9 Ex. ix, 25. + + 2 Ex. vii. 1. 6 Ex. viii, 21. 10 Ex. x, 15. + + 3 Ex. viii, 19. 7 Ex. ix, 9. 11 Ex. x, 22, 23. + + 4 Ex. viii, 3. 8 Ex. ix, 11. 12 Ex. xi, 5. + + 13 Ex. xii, 29. +</pre> + <p> + Thirty-second. It is very hard to believe that three millions of people + left a country and marched twenty or thirty miles all in one day. To + notify so many people would require a long time, and then the sick, the + halt, and the old would be apt to impede the march. It seems impossible + that such a vast number—six hundred thousand men, besides women and + children—could have been cared for, could have been fed and clothed, + and the sick nursed, especially when we take into consideration that "they + were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared + for themselves any victual." 1 + </p> + <p> + Thirty-third. It seems cruel to punish a man forever for denying that God + went before the Jews by day "in a pillar of a cloud to lead' them the way, + and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light to go by day and + night," or for denying that Pharaoh pursued the Jews with six hundred + chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and that the six hundred + thousand men of war of the Jews were sore afraid when they saw the + pursuing hosts. It does seems strange that after all the water in a + country had been turned to blood—after it had been overrun with + frogs and devoured with flies; after all the cattle had died with the + murrain, and the rest had been killed by the fire and hail and the + remainder had suffered with boils, and the firstborn of all that were left + had died; that after locusts had devoured every herb and eaten up every + tree of the field, and the firstborn had died, from the firstborn of the + king on the throne to the firstborn of the captive in the dungeon; that + after three millions of people had left, carrying with them the jewels of + silver and gold and the raiment of their oppressors, the Egyptians still + had enough soldiers and chariots and horses left to pursue and destroy an + army of six hundred thousand men, if God had not interfered. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Ex. xii, 37-39 +</pre> + <p> + Thirty-fourth. It certainly ought to satisfy God to torment a man for four + or five thousand years for insisting that it is but a small thing for an + infinite being to vanquish an Egyptian army; that it was rather a small + business to trouble people with frogs, flies, and vermin; that it looked + almost malicious to cover people with boils and afflict cattle with + disease; that a real good God would not torture innocent beasts on account + of something the owners had done; that it was absurd to do miracles before + a king to induce him to act in a certain way, and then harden his heart so + that he would refuse; and that to kill all the firstborn of a nation was + the act of a heartless fiend. + </p> + <p> + Thirty-fifth. Certainly one ought to be permitted to doubt that twelve + wells of water were sufficient for three millions of people, together with + their flocks and herds,1 and to inquire a little into the nature of manna + that was cooked by baking and seething and yet would melt in the sun,2 and + that would swell or shrink so as to make an exact omer, no matter how much + or how little there really was.3 Certainly it is not a crime to say that + water cannot be manufactured by striking a rock with a stick, and that the + fate of battle cannot be decided by lifting one hand up or letting it + fall.4 Must we admit that God really did come down upon Mount Sinai in the + sight of all the people; that he commanded that all who should go up into + the Mount or touch the border of it should be put to death, and that even + the beasts that came near it should be killed?5 Is it wrong to laugh at + this? Is it sinful to say that God never spoke from the top of a mountain + covered with clouds these words to Moses, "Go down, charge the people, + lest they break through unto the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish; + and let the priests also, which come near to the Lord, sanctify + themselves, lest the Lord break forth upon them"?6 + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Ex. xv, 27. 3 Ex. xix. 12. 5 Ex. xix, 13, 13. + + 2 Ex. xvi, 23, 21 4 Ex. xvii, 11, 13. 6 Ex. xix, 21, 22 +</pre> + <p> + Can it be that an infinite intelligence takes delight in scaring savages, + and that he is happy only when somebody trembles? Is it reasonable to + suppose that God surrounded himself with thunderings and lightnings and + thick darkness to tell the priests that they should not make altars of + hewn stones, nor with stairs? And that this God at the same time he gave + the Ten Commandments ordered the Jews to break the most of them? According + to the Bible these infamous words came from the mouth of God while he was + wrapped and clothed in darkness and clouds upon the Mount of Sinai: + </p> + <p> + If thou buy an Hebrew servant six years he shall serve: and in the seventh + he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself he shall go out + by himself; if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. If + his master have given him a wife, and she have borne him sons or + daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall + go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, + my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: then his master shall + bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door or unto the + doorpost; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he + shall serve him forever.2 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, + with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall be surely punished. + Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished; + for he is his money.3 + </p> + <p> + Do you really think that a man will be eternally damned for endeavoring to + wipe from the record of God those barbaric words? + </p> + <p> + Thirty-sixth. Is it because of total depravity that some people refuse to + believe that God went into partnership with insects and granted letters of + marque and reprisal to hornets;4 that he wasted forty days and nights + furnishing Moses with plans and specifications for a tabernacle, an ark, a + mercy seat and two cherubs of gold, a table, four rings, some dishes and + spoons, one candlestick, three bowls, seven lamps, a pair of tongs, some + snuff dishes (for all of which God had patterns), ten curtains with fifty + loops, a roof for the tabernacle of rams' skins dyed red, a lot of boards, + an altar with horns, ash pans, basins, and flesh hooks, and fillets of + silver and pins of brass; that he told Moses to speak unto all the + wise-hearted that he had filled with wisdom, that they might make a suit + of clothes for Aaron, and that God actually gave directions that an ephod + "shall have the two shoulder-pieces thereof joined at the two edges + thereof." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Ex. xix, 25, 26. 3 Ex. xxi, 20, 21 + + 2 Ex. xxi, 2-6, 4 Ex, xxiii, 28 +</pre> + <p> + And gave all the orders concerning mitres, girdles, and onyx stones, + ouches, emeralds, breastplates, chains, rings, Urim and Thummim, and the + hole in the top of the ephod like the hole of a habergeon?1 + </p> + <p> + Thirty-seventh. Is there a Christian missionary who could help laughing if + in any heathen country he had seen the following command of God carried + out? "And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put + their hands upon the head of the ram. Then shalt thou kill the ram and + take of his blood and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and + upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their + right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot."2 Does one have to + be born again to appreciate the beauty and solemnity of such a + performance? Is not the faith of the most zealous Christian somewhat + shaken while reading the recipes for cooking mutton, veal, beef, birds, + and unleavened dough, found in the cook book that God made for Aaron and + his sons? + </p> + <p> + Thirty-eighth. Is it to be wondered at that some people have doubted the + statement that God told Moses how to make some ointment, hair oil, and + perfume, and then made it a crime punishable with death to make any like + them? Think of a God killing a man for imitating his ointment!3 Think of a + God saying that he made heaven and earth in six days and rested on the + seventh day and was refreshed!4 Think of this God threatening to destroy + the Jews, and being turned from his purpose because Moses told him that + the Egyptians might mock him!5 + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Ex. xxvii and xxviii. 3 Ex. xxx, 23. 5 Ex. xxxii, 11, 12 + + 2 Ex. xxix, 19, 20 4 Ex. xxxi, 17. +</pre> + <p> + Thirty-ninth. What must we think of a man impudent enough to break in + pieces tables of stone upon which God had written with his finger? What + must we think of the goodness of a man that would issue the following + order: "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his + side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay + every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his + neighbor. Consecrate yourselves to-day to the Lord, even every man upon + his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this + day"?1 Is it true that the God of the Bible demanded human sacrifice? Did + it please him for man to kill his neighbor, for brother to murder his + brother, and for the father to butcher his sou? If there is a God let him + cause it to be written in the book of his memory, opposite my name, that I + refuted this slander and denied this lie. + </p> + <p> + Fortieth. Can it be true that God was afraid to trust himself with the + Jews for fear he would consume them? Can it be that in order to keep from + devouring them he kept away and sent one of his angels in his place?2 Can + it be that this same God talked to Moses "face to face, as a man speaketh + unto his friend," when it is declared in the same chapter, by God himself, + "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live"?3 + </p> + <p> + Forty-first. Why should a man, because he has done a bad action, go and + kill a sheep? How can man make friends with God by cutting the throats of + bullocks and goats? Why should God delight in the shedding of blood? Why + should he want his altar sprinkled with blood, and the horns of his altar + tipped with blood, and his priests covered with blood? Why should burning + flesh be a sweet savor in the nostrils of God? Why did he compel his + priests to be butchers, cutters and stabbers? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Ex. xxxii, 27-29. 2 Ex. xxxiii, 2, 3. + + 3 Ex. xxxiii, 11, 20. +</pre> + <p> + Why should the same God kill a man for eating the fat of an ox, a sheep, + or a goat? + </p> + <p> + Forty-second. Could it be a consolation to a man when dying to think that + he had always believed that God told Aaron to take two goats and draw cuts + to see which goat should be killed and which should be a scapegoat?1 And + that upon the head of the scapegoat Aaron should lay both his hands and + confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all + their transgressions, and put them all on the head of the goat, and send + him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness; and that the goat + should bear upon him all the iniquities of the people into a land not + inhabited?2 How could a goat carry away a load of iniquities and + transgressions? Why should he carry them to a land uninhabited? Were these + sins contagious? About how many sins could an average goat carry? Could a + man meet such a goat now without laughing? + </p> + <p> + Forty-third. Why should God object to a man wearing a garment made of + woolen and linen? Why should he care whether a man rounded the corners of + his beard?3 Why should God prevent a man from offering the sacred bread + merely because he had a flat nose, or was lame, or had five fingers on one + hand, or had a broken foot, or was a dwarf? If he objected to such people, + why did he make them?4 + </p> + <p> + Forty-fourth. Why should we believe that God insisted upon the sacrifice + of human beings? Is it a sin to deny this, and to deny the inspiration of + a book that teaches it? Read the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth verses of + the last chapter of Leviticus, a book in which there is more folly and + cruelty, more stupidity and tyranny, than in any other book in this world + except some others in the same Bible. Read the thirty-second chapter of + Exodus and you will see how by the most infamous of crimes man becomes + reconciled to this God. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Lev, xvi, 8. 2 Lev. xvi, 21, 22. 3 Lev. xix, 19, 27, + + 4 Lev. xxi, 18-20. +</pre> + <p> + You will see that he demands of fathers the blood of their sons. Read the + twelfth and thirteenth verses of the third chapter of Numbers, "And I, + behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel," etc. + </p> + <p> + How, in the desert of Sinai, did the Jews obtain curtains of fine linen? + How did these absconding slaves make cherubs of gold? Where did they get + the skins of badgers, and how did they dye them red? How did they make + wreathed chains and spoons, basins and tongs? Where did they get the blue + cloth and their purple? Where did they get the sockets of brass? How did + they coin the shekel of the sanctuary? How did they overlay boards with + gold? Where did they get the numberless instruments and tools necessary to + accomplish all these things? Where did they get the fine flour and the + oil? Were all these found in the desert of Sinai? Is it a sin to ask these + questions? Are all these doubts born of a malignant and depraved heart? + Why should God in this desert prohibit priests from drinking wine, and + from eating moist grapes? How could these priests get wine? + </p> + <p> + Do not these passages show that these laws were made long after the Jews + had left the desert, and that they were not given from Sinai? Can you + imagine a God silly enough to tell a horde of wandering savages upon a + desert that they must not eat any fruit of the trees they planted until + the fourth year? + </p> + <p> + Forty-fifth. Ought a man to be despised and persecuted for denying that + God ordered the priests to make women drink dirt and water to test their + virtue? 1 Or for denying that over the tabernacle there was a cloud during + the day and fire by night, and that the cloud lifted up when God wished + the Jews to travel, and that until it was lifted they remained in their + tents?2 + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Num. v, 12-31. 2 Num. ix, 16-18. +</pre> + <p> + Can it be possible that the "ark of the covenant" traveled on its own + account, and that "when the ark set forward" the people followed, as is + related in the tenth chapter of the holy book of Numbers? + </p> + <p> + Forty-sixth. Was it reasonable for God to give the Jews manna, and nothing + else, year after year? He had infinite power, and could just as easily + have given them something good, in reasonable variety, as to have fed them + on manna until they loathed the sight of it, and longingly remembered the + fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic of Egypt. And yet when + the poor people complained of the diet and asked for a little meat, this + loving and merciful God became enraged, sent them millions of quails in + his wrath, and while they were eating, while the flesh was yet between + their teeth, before it was chewed, this amiable God smote the people with + a plague and killed all those that lusted after meat. In a few days after, + he made up his mind to kill the rest, but was dissuaded when Moses told + him that the Canaanites would laugh at him.1 No wonder the poor Jews + wished they were back in Egypt. No wonder they had rather be the slaves of + Pharaoh than the chosen people of God. No wonder they preferred the wrath + of Egypt to the love of heaven. In my judgment, the Jews would have fared + far better if Jehovah had let them alone, or had he even taken the side of + the Egyptians. + </p> + <p> + When the poor Jews were told by their spies that the Canaanites were + giants, they, seized with fear, said, "Let us go back to Egypt." For this, + their God doomed all except Joshua and Caleb to a wandering death. Hear + the words of this most merciful God: "But as for you, your carcasses they + shall fall in this wilderness, and your children shall wander in the + wilderness forty years and bear your sins until your carcasses be wasted + in the wilderness."2 And yet this same God promised to give unto all these + people a land flowing with milk and honey. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Num. xiv, 15, 16. 2 Num. xiv. 32-33. +</pre> + <p> + Forty-seventh. "And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness + they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day. + </p> + <p> + "And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and + Aaron, and unto all the congregation. + </p> + <p> + "And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done + to him. + </p> + <p> + "And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death; all + the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. + </p> + <p> + "And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him + with stones, and he died." 1 + </p> + <p> + When the last stone was thrown, and he that was a man was but a mangled, + bruised, and broken mass, this God turned, and, <i>touched with pity</i>, + said: "Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them + fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and + that they put upon the fringe of the borders a riband of blue."2 + </p> + <p> + In the next chapter, this Jehovah, whose loving kindness is over all his + works, because Korah, Dathan, and Abiram objected to being starved to + death in the wilderness, made the earth open and swallow not only them, + but their wives and their little ones. Not yet satisfied, he sent a plague + and killed fourteen thousand seven hundred more. There never was in the + history of the world such a cruel, revengeful, bloody, jealous, fickle, + unreasonable, and fiendish ruler, emperor, or king as Jehovah. No wonder + the children of Israel cried out, "Behold we die, we perish, we all + perish." + </p> + <p> + Forty-eighth. I cannot believe that a dry stick budded, blossomed, and + bore almonds; that the ashes of a red heifer are a purification for sin;3 + that God gave the cities into the hands of the Jews because they solemnly + agreed to murder all the inhabitants; that God became enraged and induced + snakes to bite his chosen people; that God told Balaam to go with the + Princess of Moab, and then got angry because he did go; that an animal + ever saw an angel and conversed with a man. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Num. xv, 32-36. 2 Num. xv, 38, 3 Num. xix, 2-10. +</pre> + <p> + I cannot believe that thrusting a spear through the body of a woman ever + stayed a plague;1 that any good man ever ordered his soldiers to slay the + men and keep the maidens alive for themselves; that God commanded men not + to show mercy to each other; that he induced men to obey his commandments + by promising them that he would assist them in murdering the wives and + children of their neighbors; or that he ever commanded a man to kill his + wife because she differed with him about religion;2 or that God was + mistaken about hares chewing the cud;3 or that he objected to the people + raising horses 4 or that God wanted a camp kept clean because he walked + through it at night;5 or that he commanded widows to spit in the faces of + their brothers-in-law;6 or that he ever threatened to give anybody the + itch;7 or that he ever secretly buried a man and allowed the corpse to + write an account of the funeral. + </p> + <p> + Forty-ninth. Does it necessarily follow that a man wishes to commit some + crime if he refuses to admit that the river Jordan cut itself in two and + allowed the lower end to run away? Or that seven priests could blow seven + ram's horns loud enough to throw down the walls of a city;8 or that God, + after Achan had confessed that he had secreted a garment and a wedge of + gold, became good natured as soon as Achan and his sons and daughters had + been stoned to death and their bodies burned?10 Is it not a virtue to + abhor such a God? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Num. XXV, 8. 4 Deut. xvii, 16. 7 Deut. xxviii, 27. + + 2 Deut. xiii, 6-10. 5 Deut. xxiii, 13, 14. 8 Josh, iii, 16. + + 3 Deut. xiv, 7. 6 Deut. xxv, 9., 9 Josh. vi, 20. + + 10 Josh, vii, 24, 25. +</pre> + <p> + Must we believe that God sanctioned and commanded all the cruelties and + horrors described in the Old Testament; that he waged the most relentless + and heartless wars; that he declared mercy a crime; that to spare life was + to excite his wrath; that he smiled when maidens were violated, laughed + when mothers were ripped open with a sword, and shouted with joy when + babes were butchered in their mothers' arms? Read the infamous book of + Joshua, and then worship the God who inspired it if you can. + </p> + <p> + Fiftieth. Can any sane man believe that the sun stood still in the midst + of heaven and hasted not to go down about a whole day, and that the moon + stayed?1 That these miracles were performed in the interest of massacre + and bloodshed; that the Jews destroyed men, women, and children by the + million, and practiced every cruelty that the ingenuity of their God could + suggest? Is it possible that these things really happened? Is it possible + that God commanded them to be done? Again I ask you to read the book of + Joshua. After reading all its horrors you will feel a grim satisfaction in + the dying words of Joshua to the children of Israel: "Know for a certainty + that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from + before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in + your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good + land."2 + </p> + <p> + Think of a God who boasted that he gave the Jews a land for which they did + not labor, cities which they did not build, and allowed them to eat of + oliveyards and vineyards which they did not plant.3 Think of a God who + murders some of his children for the benefit of the rest, and then kills + the rest because they are not thankful enough. Think of a God who had the + power to stop the sun and moon, but could not defeat an army that had iron + chariots.4 + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Josh, x, 13. 2 Josh, xiii, 13. 3 Josh. xxiv, 13. + + 4 Judges i, 19. +</pre> + <p> + Fifty-first. Can we blame the Hebrews for getting tired of their God? + Never was a people so murdered, starved, stoned, burned, deceived, + humiliated, robbed, and outraged. Never was there so little liberty among + men. Never did the meanest king so meddle, eavesdrop, spy out, harass, + torment, and persecute his people. Never was ruler so jealous, + unreasonable, contemptible, exacting, and ignorant as this God of the + Jews. Never was such ceremony, such mummery, such stuff about bullocks, + goats, doves, red heifers, lambs, and unleavened dough—never was + such directions about kidneys and blood, ashes and fat, about curtains, + tongs, fringes, ribands, and brass pins—never such details for + killing of animals and men and the sprinkling of blood and the cutting of + clothes. Never were such unjust laws, such punishments, such damned + ignorance and infamy! Fifty-second. Is it not wonderful that the creator + of all worlds, infinite in power and wisdom, could not hold his own + against the gods of wood and stone? Is it not strange that after he had + appeared to his chosen people, delivered them from slavery, fed them by + miracles, opened the sea for a path, led them by cloud and fire, and + overthrown their pursuers, they still preferred a calf of their own + making? Is it not beyond belief that this God, by statutes and + commandments, by punishments and penalties, by rewards and promises, by + wonders and plagues, by earthquakes and pestilence, could not in the least + civilize the Jews—could not get them beyond a point where they + deserved killing? What shall we think of a God who gave his entire time + for forty years to the work of converting three millions of people, and + succeeded in getting only two men, and not a single woman, decent enough + to enter the promised land? Was there ever in the history of man so + detestible an administration of public affairs? Is it possible that God + sold his children to the king of Mesopotamia; that he sold them to Jabin, + king of Canaan, to the Philistines, and to the children of Ammon? Is it + possible that an angel of the Lord devoured unleavened cakes and broth + with fire that came out of the end of a stick as he sat under an + oak-tree?1 Can it be true that God made known his will by making dew fall + on wool without wetting the ground around it?2 Do you really believe that + men who lap water like a dog make the best soldiers?3 Do you think that a + man could hold a lamp in his left hand, a trumpet in his right hand, blow + his trumpet, shout "the sword of the Lord and of Gideon," and break + pitchers at the same time? 4 + </p> + <p> + Fifty-third. Read the story of Jephthah and his daughter, and then tell me + what you think of a father who would sacrifice his daughter to God, and + what you think of a God who would receive such a sacrifice. This one story + should be enough to make every tender and loving father hold this book in + utter abhorrence. Is it necessary, in order to be saved, that one must + believe that an angel of God appeared unto Manoah in the absence of her + husband; that this angel afterward went up in a flame of fire; that as a + result of this visit a child was born whose strength was in his hair? a + child that made beehives of lions, incendiaries of foxes, and had a wife + that wept seven days to get the answer to his riddle? Will the wrath of + God abide forever upon a man for doubting the story that Samson killed a + thousand men with a new jawbone? Is there enough in the Bible to save a + soul with this story left out? Is hell hungry for those who deny that + water gushed from a "hollow place" in a dry bone? Is it evidence of a new + heart to believe that one man turned over a house so large that over three + thousand people were on the roof? For my part, I cannot believe these + things, and if my salvation depends upon my credulity I am as good as + damned already. I cannot believe that the Philistines took back the ark + with a present of five gold mice, and that thereupon God relented.5 + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 Judges vi, 21. 2 Judges vi, 37. 3 Judges vii, 5. + + 4 Judges vii, 20. 5 I Sam. vi. 4. +</pre> + <p> + I can not believe that God killed fifty thousand men for looking into a + box.1 It seems incredible, after all the Jews had done, after all their + wars and victories, even when Saul was king, that there was not among them + one smith who could make a sword or spear, and that they were compelled to + go to the Philistines to sharpen every plowshare, coulter, and mattock.2 + Can you believe that God said to Saul, "Now go and smite Amalek, and + utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man + and woman, infant and suckling"? Can you believe that because Saul took + the king alive after killing every other man, woman, and child, the ogre + called Jehovah was displeased and made up his mind to hurl Saul from the + throne and give his place to another?3 I cannot believe that the + Philistines all ran away because one of their number was killed with a + stone. I cannot justify the conduct of Abigail, the wife of Nabal, who + took presents to David. David hardly did right when he said to this woman, + "I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person." It could + hardly have been chance that made Nabal so deathly sick next morning and + killed him in ten days. All this looks wrong, especially as David married + his widow before poor Nabal was fairly cold.4 + </p> + <p> + Fifty-fourth. Notwithstanding all I have heard of Katie King, I cannot + believe that a witch at Endor materialized the ghost of Samuel and caused + it to appear with a cloak on.5 I cannot believe that God tempted David to + take the census, and then gave him his choice of three punishments: First, + Seven years of famine; Second, Flying three months before their enemies; + Third, A pestilence of three days; that David chose the pestilence, and + that God destroyed seventy thousand men.6 + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 I Sam. vi, 19. 3 I Sam. xv. 5 I Sam. xxviii. + + 2 I Sam. xiii, 19, 20. 4 I Sam. xxv. 6 2 Sam. xxiv. +</pre> + <p> + Why should God kill the people for what David did? Is it a sin to be + counted? Can anything more brutally hellish be conceived? Why should man + waste prayers upon such a God? + </p> + <p> + Fifty-fifth. Must we admit that Elijah was fed by ravens; that they + brought him bread and flesh every morning and evening? Must we believe + that this same prophet could create meal and oil, and induce a departed + soul to come back and take up its residence once more in the body? That he + could get rain by praying for it; that he could cause fire to burn up a + sacrifice and altar, together with twelve barrels of water?1 Can we + believe that an angel of the Lord turned cook and prepared two suppers in + one night for Elijah, and that the prophet ate enough to last him forty + days and forty nights?* Is it true that when a captain with fifty men went + after Elijah, this prophet caused fire to come down from heaven and + consume them all? Should God allow such wretches to manage his fire? Is it + true that Elijah consumed another captain with fifty men in the same way?3 + Is it a fact that a river divided because the water was struck with a + cloak? Did a man actually go to heaven in a chariot of fire drawn by + horses of fire, or was he carried to Paradise by a whirlwind? Must we + believe, in order to be good and tender fathers and mothers, that because + some "little children" mocked at an old man with a bald head, God—the + same God who said, "Suffer little children to come unto me"—sent two + she-bears out of the wood and tare forty-two of these babes? Think of the + mothers that watched and waited for their children. Think of the wailing + when these mangled ones were found, when they were brought back and + pressed to the breasts of weeping women. What an amiable gentleman Mr. + Elisha must have been.4 + </p> + <p> + Fifty-sixth. It is hard to believe that a prophet by lying on a dead body + could make it sneeze seven times.5 + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 I Kings xviii. 3 2 Kings i. 5 2 Kings iv. + + 2 I Kings xix. 4 2 Kings ii. +</pre> + <p> + It is hard to believe that being dipped seven times in the Jordan could + cure the leprosy.1 Would a merciful God curse children, and children's + children yet unborn, with leprosy for a father's fault?2 Is it possible to + make iron float in water?3 Is it reasonable to say that when a corpse + touched another corpse it came to life?4 Is it a sign that a man wants to + commit a crime because he refuses to believe that a king had a boil and + that God caused the sun to go backward in heaven so that the shadow on a + sun-dial went back ten degrees as a sign that the aforesaid would get + well?5 Is it true that this globe turned backward, that its motion was + reversed as a sign to a Jewish king? If it did not, this story is false, + and that part of the Bible is not true even if it is inspired. + </p> + <p> + Fifty-seventh. How did the Bible get lost?5 Where was the precious + Pentateuch from Moses to Josiah? How was it possible for the Jews to get + along without the directions as to fat and caul and kidney contained in + Leviticus? Without that sacred book in his possession a priest might take + up ashes and carry them out without changing his pantaloons. Such mistakes + kindled the wrath of God. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Pentateuch was found Josiah began killing wizards and such + as had familiar spirits. + </p> + <p> + Fifty-eighth. I cannot believe that God talked to Solomon, that he visited + him in the night and asked him what he should give him; I cannot believe + that he told him, "I will give thee riches and wealth and honor, such as + none of the kings have had before thee, neither shall there any after thee + have the like."7 If Jehovah said this he was mistaken. It is not true that + Solomon had fourteen hundred chariots of war in a country without roads. + It is not true that he made gold and silver at Jerusalem as plenteous as + stones. There were several kings in his day, and thousands since, that + could have thrown away the value of Palestine without missing the amount. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 2 Kings v. 3 2 Kings, vi. 6. 5 2 Kings xx, 1-11. + + 2 2 Kings v. 27. 4 2 Kings xiii, 21. 6 2 Kings xxii, 8. + + 7 2 Chron. i, 7, 12. +</pre> + <p> + The Holy Land was and is a wretched country. There are no monuments, no + ruins attesting former wealth and greatness. The Jews had no commerce, + knew nothing of other nations, had no luxuries, never produced a painter, + a sculptor, architect, scientist, or statesman until after the destruction + of Jerusalem. As long as Jehovah attended to their affairs they had + nothing but civil war, plague, pestilence, and famine. After he abandoned, + and the Christians ceased to persecute them, they became the most + prosperous of people. Since Jehovah, in anger and disgust, cast them away + they have produced painters, sculptors, scientists, statesmen, composers, + and philosophers. + </p> + <p> + Fifty-ninth. I cannot admit that Hiram, the King of Tyre, wrote a letter + to Solomon in which he admitted that the "God of Israel made heaven and + earth." 1 This King was not a Jew. It seems incredible that Solomon had + eighty thousand men hewing timber for the temple, with seventy thousand + bearers of burdens, and thirty-six hundred overseers.2 + </p> + <p> + Sixtieth. I cannot believe that God shuts up heaven and prevents rain, or + that he sends locusts to devour a land, or pestilence to destroy the + people.3 I cannot believe that God told Solomon that his eyes and heart + should perpetually be in the house that Solomon had built.4 + </p> + <p> + Sixty-first. I cannot believe that Solomon passed all the kings of the + earth in riches; that all the kings of the earth sought his presence and + brought presents of silver and gold, raiment, harness, spices, and mules—a + rate year by year.5 Is it possible that Shishak, a King of Egypt, invaded + Palestine with seventy thousand horsemen and twelve hundred chariots of + war?6 + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 2 Chron. ii, 12. 3 2 Chron. vii, 13. 5 2 Chron. ix, 22-24. + + 2 2 Chron. ii, 18. 4 2 Chron. vii, 16. 6 2 Chron. xii, 2, 3. +</pre> + <p> + I cannot believe that in a battle between Jeroboam and Abijah, the army of + Abijah actually slew in one day five hundred thousand chosen men.1 Does + anyone believe that Zerah, the Ethiopian, invaded Palestine with a million + men?2 I cannot believe that Jehoshaphat had a standing army of nine + hundred and sixty thousand men.3 I cannot believe that God advertised for + a liar to act as his messenger.4 I cannot believe that King Amaziah did + right in the sight of the Lord, and that he broke in pieces ten thousand + men by casting them from a precipice.5 I cannot think that God smote a + king with leprosy because he tried to burn incense.6 I cannot think that + Pekah slew one hundred and twenty thousand men in one day.7 + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 2 Chron. xiii, 17. 3 2 Chron. xvii, 14-19. 5 2 Chron. xxv, 12. + + 2 2 Chron. xiv, 9. 4 2 Chron. xviii, 19-22. 6 2 Chron. xxvi, 19. + + 7 2 Chron. xxviii, 6. +</pre> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. +11 (of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + +***** This file should be named 38811-h.htm or 38811-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/8/1/38811/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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Ingersoll, Vol. 12 (of 12) by Robert G. Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 12 +(of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 12 (of 12) + Dresden Edition--Miscellany + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38812] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <a name="title" id="title"></a> + </p> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <h3> + "MY CREED IS THIS: HAPPINESS IS THE ONLY GOOD.<br /> THE PLACE TO BE HAPPY + IS HERE. THE TIME TO BE HAPPY<br /> IS NOW. THE WAY TO BE HAPPY IS TO HELP + MAKE OTHERS SO." + </h3> + <h4> + IN TWELVE VOLUMES, VOLUME XII. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + MISCELLANY + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1900 + </h3> + <h3> + Dresden Edition + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38812/old/orig38812-h/main.htm">This + file has been formatted in a very plain format for use with tablet + readers. Those wishing to view this eBook in its normal more + appealing format for laptops and other computers may click on this + line to to view the original HTML file.</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage (254K)" src="images/titlepage.png" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="portrait (276K)" src="images/portrait.png" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0001">PROF. VAN BUREN DENSLOW'S "MODERN THINKERS."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkPREF1">PREFACE TO DR. EDGAR C. BEALL'S "THE BRAIN AND THE + BIBLE."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkPREF2">PREFACE TO "MEN, WOMEN AND GODS."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkPREF3">PREFACE TO "FOR HER DAILY BREAD."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkPREF4">PREFACE TO "AGNOSTICISM AND OTHER ESSAYS."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkPREF5">PREFACE TO "FAITH OR FACT."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0007">THE GRANT BANQUET.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0008">THIRTEEN CLUB DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0009">ROBSON AND CRANE DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0010">THE POLICE CAPTAINS' DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0011">GENERAL GRANT'S BIRTHDAY DINNER</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0012">LOTOS CLUB DINNER, TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0013">MANHATTAN ATHLETIC CLUB DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0014">THE LIEDERKRANZ CLUB, SEIDL-STANTON BANQUET.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0015">THE FRANK B. CARPENTER DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0016">UNITARIAN CLUB DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0017">WESTERN SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC BANQUET.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0018">LOTOS CLUB DINNER IN HONOR OF ANTON SEIDL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0019">LOTOS CLUB DINNER IN HONOR OF REAR ADMIRAL SCHLEY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0020">ADDRESS TO THE ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0021">THE CHILDREN OF THE STAGE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0022">ADDRESS TO THE PRESS CLUB.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0023">THE CIRCULATION OF OBSCENE LITERATURE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0024">CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL LIBERAL LEAGUE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0025">CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN SECULAR UNION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0026">THE RELIGIOUS BELIEF OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0027">ORGANIZED CHARITIES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0028">SPAIN AND THE SPANIARDS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0029">OUR NEW POSSESSIONS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0030">A FEW FRAGMENTS ON EXPANSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0031">IS IT EVER RIGHT FOR HUSBAND OR WIFE TO KILL RIVAL?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0032">PROFESSOR BRIGGS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0033">FRAGMENTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0034">EFFECT OF THE WORLD'S FAIR ON THE HUMAN RACE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0035">SABBATH SUPERSTITION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0036">A TRIBUTE TO GEORGE JACOB HOLYOAKE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0037">AT THE GRAVE OF BENJAMIN W. PARKER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0038">A TRIBUTE TO EBON C. INGERSOLL</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0039">A TRIBUTE TO THE REV. ALEXANDER CLARK.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0040">AT A CHILD'S GRAVE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0041">A TRIBUTE TO JOHN G. MILLS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0042">A TRIBUTE TO ELIZUR WRIGHT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0043">A TRIBUTE TO MRS. IDA WHITING KNOWLES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0044">A TRIBUTE TO HENRY WARD BEECHER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0045">A TRIBUTE TO ROSCOE CONKLING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0046">A TRIBUTE TO RICHARD H. WHITING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0047">A TRIBUTE TO COURTLANDT PALMER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0048">A TRIBUTE TO MRS. MARY H. FISKE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0049">A TRIBUTE TO HORACE SEAVER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0050">A TRIBUTE TO LAWRENCE BARRETT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0051">A TRIBUTE TO WALT WHITMAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0052">A TRIBUTE TO PHILO D. BECKWITH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0053">A TRIBUTE TO ANTON SEIDL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0054">A TRIBUTE TO DR. THOMAS SETON ROBERTSON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0055">A TRIBUTE TO THOMAS CORWIN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0056">A TRIBUTE TO ISAAC H. BAILEY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0057">JESUS CHRIST.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link0058">LIFE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link0001" id="link0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROF. VAN BUREN DENSLOW'S "MODERN THINKERS." + </h2> + <p> + IF others who read this book get as much information as I did from the + advance sheets, they will feel repaid a hundred times. It is perfectly + delightful to take advantage of the conscientious labors of those who go + through and through volume after volume, divide with infinite patience the + gold from the dross, and present us with the pure and shining coin. Such + men may be likened to bees who save us numberless journeys by giving us + the fruit of their own. + </p> + <p> + While this book will greatly add to the information of all who read it, it + may not increase the happiness of some to find that Swedenborg was really + insane. But when they remember that he was raised by a bishop, and + disappointed in love, they will cease to wonder at his mental condition. + Certainly an admixture of theology and "dis-prized love" is often + sufficient to compel reason to abdicate the throne of the mightiest soul. + </p> + <p> + The trouble with Swedenborg was that he changed realities into dreams, and + then out of the dreams made facts upon which he built, and with which he + constructed his system. + </p> + <p> + He regarded all realities as shadows cast by ideas. To him the material + was the unreal, and things were definitions of the ideas of God. He seemed + to think that he had made a discovery when he found that ideas were back + of words, and that language had a subjective as well as an objective + origin; that is that the interior meaning had been clothed upon. Of + course, a man capable of drawing the conclusion that natural reason cannot + harmonize with spiritual truth because in a dream, he had seen a beetle + that could not use its feet, is capable of any absurdity of which the + imagination can conceive. The fact is, that Swedenborg believed the Bible. + That was his misfortune. His mind had been overpowered by the bishop, but + the woman had not utterly destroyed his heart. He was shocked by the + liberal interpretation of the Scriptures, and sought to avoid the + difficulty by giving new meanings consistent with the decency and goodness + of God. He pointed out a way to preserve the old Bible with a new + interpretation. In this way Infidelity could be avoided; and, in his day, + that was almost a necessity. Had Swedenborg taken the ground that the + Bible was not inspired, the ears of the world would have been stopped. His + readers believed in the dogma of inspiration, and asked, not how to + destroy the Scriptures, but for some way in which they might be preserved. + He and his followers unconsciously rendered immense service to the cause + of intellectual enfranchisement by their efforts to show the necessity of + giving new meanings to the barbarous laws, and cruel orders of Jehovah. + For this purpose they attacked with great fury the literal text, taking + the ground that if the old interpretation was right, the Bible was the + work of savage men. They heightened in every way the absurdities, + cruelties and contradictions of the Scriptures for the purpose of showing + that a new interpretation must be found, and that the way pointed out by + Swedenborg was the only one by which the Bible could be saved. + </p> + <p> + Great men are, after all the instrumentalities of their time. The heart of + the civilized world was beginning to revolt at the cruelties ascribed to + God, and was seeking for some interpretation of the Bible that kind and + loving people could accept. The method of interpretation found by + Swedenborg was suitable for all. Each was permitted to construct his own + "science of correspondence" and gather such fruits as he might prefer. In + this way the ravings of revenge can instantly be changed to mercy's + melting tones, and murder's dagger to a smile of love. In this way and in + no other, can we explain the numberless mistakes and crimes ascribed to + God. Thousands of most excellent people, afraid to throw away the idea of + inspiration, hailed with joy a discovery that allowed them to write a + Bible for themselves. + </p> + <p> + But, whether Swedenborg was right or not, every man who reads a book, + necessarily gets from that book all that he is capable of receiving. Every + man who walks in the forest, or gathers a flower, or looks at a picture, + or stands by the sea, gets all the intellectual wealth he is capable of + receiving. What the forest, the flower, the picture or the sea is to him, + depends upon his mind, and upon the stage of development he has reached. + So that after all, the Bible must be a different book to each person who + reads it, as the revelations of nature depend upon the individual to whom + they are revealed, or by whom they are discovered. And the extent of the + revelation or discovery depends absolutely upon the intellectual and moral + development of the person to whom, or by whom, the revelation or discovery + is made. So that the Bible cannot be the same to any two people, but each + one must necessarily interpret it for himself. Now, the moment the + doctrine is established that we can give to this book such meanings as are + consistent with our highest ideals; that we can treat the old words as + purses or old stockings in which to put our gold, then, each one will, in + effect, make a new inspired Bible for himself, and throw the old away. If + his mind is narrow, if he has been raised by ignorance and nursed by fear, + he will believe in the literal truth of what he reads. If he has a little + courage he will doubt, and the doubt will with new interpretations modify + the literal text; but if his soul is free he will with scorn reject it + all. + </p> + <p> + Swedenborg did one thing for which I feel almost grateful. He gave an + account of having met John Calvin in hell. Nothing connected with the + supernatural could be more perfectly natural than this. The only thing + detracting from the value of this report is, that if there is a hell, we + know without visiting the place that John Calvin must be there. + </p> + <p> + All honest founders of religions have been the dreamers of dreams, the + sport of insanity, the prey of visions, the deceivers of others and of + themselves. All will admit that Swedenborg was a man of great intellect, + of vast acquirements and of honest intentions; and I think it equally + clear that upon one subject, at least, his mind was touched, shattered and + shaken. + </p> + <p> + Misled by analogies, imposed upon by the bishop, deceived by the woman, + borne to other worlds upon the wings of dreams, living in the twilight of + reason and the dawn of insanity, he regarded every fact as a patched and + ragged garment with a lining of the costliest silk, and insisted that the + wrong side, even of the silk, was far more beautiful than the right. + </p> + <p> + Herbert Spencer is almost the opposite of Swedenborg. He relies upon + evidence, upon demonstration, upon experience, and occupies himself with + one world at a time. He perceives that there is a mental horizon that we + cannot pierce, and that beyond that is the unknown—possibly the + unknowable. He endeavors to examine only that which is capable of being + examined, and considers the theological method as not only useless, but + hurtful. After all, God is but a guess, throned and established by + arrogance and assertion. Turning his attention to those things that have + in some way affected the condition of mankind, Spencer leaves the + unknowable to priests and to the believers in the "moral government" of + the world. He sees only natural causes and natural results, and seeks to + induce man to give up gazing into void and empty space, that he may give + his entire attention to the world in which he lives. He sees that right + and wrong do not depend upon the arbitrary will of even an infinite being, + but upon the nature of things; that they are relations, not entities, and + that they cannot exist, so far as we know, apart from human experience. + </p> + <p> + It may be that men will finally see that selfishness and self-sacrifice + are both mistakes; that the first devours itself; that the second is not + demanded by the good, and that the bad are unworthy of it. It may be that + our race has never been, and never will be, deserving of a martyr. + Sometime we may see that justice is the highest possible form of mercy and + love, and that all should not only be allowed, but compelled to reap + exactly what they sow; that industry should not support idleness, and that + they who waste the spring and summer and autumn of their lives should bear + the winter when it comes. The fortunate should assist the victims of + accident; the strong should defend the weak, and the intellectual should + lead, with loving hands, the mental poor; but Justice should remove the + bandage from her eyes long enough to distinguish between the vicious and + the unfortunate. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Spencer is wise enough to declare that "acts are called good or bad + according as they are well or ill adjusted to ends;" and he might have + added, that ends are good or bad according as they affect the happiness of + mankind. + </p> + <p> + It would be hard to over-estimate the influence of this great man. From an + immense intellectual elevation he has surveyed the world of thought. He + has rendered absurd the idea of special providence, born of the egotism of + savagery. He has shown that the "will of God" is not a rule for human + conduct; that morality is not a cold and heartless tyrant; that by the + destruction of the individual will, a higher life cannot be reached, and + that after all, an intelligent love of self extends the hand of help and + kindness to all the human race. + </p> + <p> + But had it not been for such men as Thomas Paine, Herbert Spencer could + not have existed for a century to come. Some one had to lead the way, to + raise the standard of revolt, and draw the sword of war. Thomas Paine was + a natural revolutionist. He was opposed to every government existing in + his day. Next to establishing a wise and just republic based upon the + equal rights of man, the best thing that can be done is to destroy a + monarchy. + </p> + <p> + Paine had a sense of justice, and had imagination enough to put himself in + the place of the oppressed. He had, also, what in these pages is so + felicitously expressed, "a haughty intellectual pride, and a willingness + to pit his individual thought against the clamor of a world." + </p> + <p> + I cannot believe that he wrote the letters of "Junius," although the two + critiques combined in this volume, entitled "Paine" and "Junius," make by + far the best argument upon that subject I have ever read. First, Paine + could have had no personal hatred against the men so bitterly assailed by + Junius. Second, He knew, at that time, but little of English politicians, + and certainly had never associated with men occupying the highest + positions, and could not have been personally acquainted with the leading + statesmen of England. Third., He was not an unjust man. He was neither a + coward, a calumniator, nor a sneak. All these delightful qualities must + have lovingly united in the character of Junius. Fourth, Paine could have + had no reason for keeping the secret after coming to America. + </p> + <p> + I have always believed that Junius, after having written his letters, + accepted office from the very men he had maligned, and at last became a + pensioner of the victims of his slander. "Had he as many mouths as Hydra, + such a course must have closed them all." Certainly the author must have + kept the secret to prevent the loss of his reputation. + </p> + <p> + It cannot be denied that the style of Junius is much like that of Paine. + Should it be established that Paine wrote the letters of Junius, it would + not, in my judgment, add to his reputation as a writer. Regarded as + literary efforts they cannot be compared with "Common Sense," "The + Crisis," or "The Rights of Man." + </p> + <p> + The claim that Paine was the real author of the Declaration of + Independence is much better founded. I am inclined to think that he + actually wrote it; but whether this is true or not, every idea contained + in it had been written by him long before. It is now claimed that the + original document is in Paine's handwriting. It certainly is not in + Jefferson's. Certain it is, that Jefferson could not have written anything + so manly, so striking, so comprehensive, so clear, so convincing, and so + faultless in rhetoric and rhythm as the Declaration of Independence. + </p> + <p> + Paine was the first man to write these words, "The United States of + America." He was the first great champion of absolute separation from + England. He was the first to urge the adoption of a Federal Constitution; + and, more clearly than any other man of his time, he perceived the future + greatness of this country. + </p> + <p> + He has been blamed for his attack on Washington. The truth is, he was in + prison in France. He had committed the crime of voting, against the + execution of the king It was the grandest act of his life, but at that + time to be merciful was criminal. Paine; being an American citizen, asked + Washington, then President, to say a word to Robespierre in his behalf. + Washington remained silent. In the calmness of power, the serenity, of + fortune, Washington the President, read the request of Paine, the + prisoner, and with the complacency of assured fame, consigned to the + wastebasket of forgetfulness the patriot's cry for help. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back, + Wherein he puts alms for oblivion, + A great-sized monster of ingratitudes. + Those scraps are good deeds past, which are devour'd + As fast as they are made, forgot as soon + As done." +</pre> + <p> + In this controversy, my sympathies are with the prisoner. + </p> + <p> + Paine did more to free the mind, to destroy the power of ministers and + priests in the New World, than any other man. In order to answer his + arguments, the churches found it necessary to attack his character. There + was a general resort to falsehood. In trying to destroy the reputation of + Paine, the churches have demoralized themselves. Nearly every minister has + been a willing witness against the truth. Upon the grave of Thomas Paine, + the churches of America have sacrificed their honor. The influence of the + Hero author increases every day, and there are more copies of the "Age of + Reason" sold in the United States, than of any work written in defence of + the Christian religion. Hypocrisy, with its forked tongue, its envious and + malignant heart, lies coiled upon the memory of Paine, ready to fasten its + poisonous fangs in the reputation of any man who dares defend the great + and generous dead. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the dust and glory of revolutions, let us spend a moment of quiet + with Adam Smith. I was glad to find that a man's ideas upon the subject of + protection and free trade depend almost entirely upon the country in which + he lives, or the business in which he happens to be engaged, and that, + after all, each man regards the universe as a circumference of which he is + the center. It gratified me to learn that even Adam Smith was no exception + to this rule, and that he regarded all "protection as a hurtful and + ignorant interference," except when exercised for the good of Great + Britain. Owing to the fact that his nationality quarreled with his + philosophy, he succeeded in writing a book that is quoted with equal + satisfaction by both parties. The protectionists rely upon the exceptions + he made for England, and the free traders upon the doctrines laid down for + other countries. + </p> + <p> + He seems to have reasoned upon the question of money precisely as we have, + of late years, in the United States; and he has argued both sides equally + well. Poverty asks for inflation. Wealth is conservative, and always says + there is money enough. + </p> + <p> + Upon the question of money, this volume contains the best thing I have + ever read: "The only mode of procuring the service of others, on any large + scale, in the absence of money, is by force, which is slavery. Money, by + constituting a medium in which the smallest services can be paid for, + substitutes wages for the lash, and renders the liberty of the individual + consistent with the maintenance and support of society." There is more + philosophy in that one paragraph than Adam Smith expresses in his whole + work. It may truthfully be said, that without money, liberty is + impossible. No one, whatever his views may be, can read the article on + Adam Smith without profit and delight. + </p> + <p> + The discussion of the money question is in every respect admirable, and is + as candid as able. The world will sooner or later learn that there is + nothing miraculous in finance; that money is a real and tangible thing, a + product of labor, serving not merely as a medium of exchange but as a + basis of credit as well; that it cannot be created by an act of the + Legislature; that dreams cannot be coined, and that only labor, in some + form, can put, upon the hand of want, Alladin's magic ring. + </p> + <p> + Adam Smith wrote upon the wealth of nations, while Charles Fourier labored + for the happiness of mankind. In this country, few seem to understand + communism. While here, it may be regarded as vicious idleness, armed with + the assassin's knife and the incendiary's torch, in Europe, it is a + different thing. There, it is a reaction from Feudalism. Nobility is + communism in its worst possible form. Nothing can be worse than for + idleness to eat the bread of industry. Communism in Europe is not the + "stand and deliver" of the robber, but the protest of the robbed. + Centuries ago, kings and priests, that is to say, thieves and hypocrites, + divided Europe among themselves. Under this arrangement, the few were + masters and the many slaves. Nearly every government in the Old World + rests upon simple brute force. It is hard for the many to understand why + the few should own the soil. Neither can they clearly see why they should + give their brain and blood to those who steal their birthright and their + bread. It has occurred to them that they who do the most should not + receive the least, and that, after all, an industrious peasant is of far + more value to the world than a vain and idle king. + </p> + <p> + The Communists of France, blinded as they were, made the Republic + possible. Had they joined with their countrymen, the invaders would have + been repelled, and some Napoleon would still have occupied the throne. + Socialism perceives that Germany has been enslaved by victory, while + France found liberty in defeat. In Russia the Nihilists prefer chaos to + the government of the bayonet, Siberia and the knout, and these intrepid + men have kept upon the coast of despotism one beacon fire of hope. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, every society is a species of communism—a kind + of co-operation in which selfishness, in spite of itself, benefits the + community. Every industrious man adds to the wealth, not only of his + nation, but to that of the world. Every inventor increases human power, + and every sculptor, painter and poet adds to the value of human life. + Fourier, touched by the sufferings of the poor as well as by the barren + joys of hoarded wealth, and discovering the vast advantages of combined + effort, and the immense economy of co-operation, sought to find some way + for men to help themselves by helping each other. He endeavored to do away + with monopoly and competition, and to ascertain some method by which the + sensuous, the moral, and the intellectual passions of man could be + gratified. + </p> + <p> + For my part I can place no confidence in any system that does away, or + tends to do away, with the institution of marriage. I can conceive of no + civilization of which the family must not be the unit. + </p> + <p> + Societies cannot be made; they must grow. Philosophers may predict, but + they cannot create. They may point out as many ways as they please; but + after all, humanity will travel in paths of its own. + </p> + <p> + Fourier sustained about the same relation to this world that Swedenborg + did to the other. There must be something wrong about the brain of one who + solemnly asserts that, "the elephant, the ox and the diamond, were created + by the sun; the horse, the lily and the ruby, by Saturn; the cow, the + jonquil and the topaz by Jupiter; and the dog, the violet and the opal + stones by the earth itself." + </p> + <p> + And yet, forgetting these aberrations of the mind, this lunacy of a great + and loving soul, for one, I hold in tender-est regard the memory of + Charles Fourier, one of the best and noblest of our race. + </p> + <p> + While Fourier was in his cradle, Jeremy Bentham, who read history when + three years old, played on the violin at five, "and at fifteen detected + the fallacies of Blackstone," was demonstrating that the good was the + useful; that a thing was right because it paid in the highest and best + sense; that utility was the basis of morals; that without allowing + interest to be paid upon money commerce could not exist; and that the + object of all human governments should be to secure the greatest happiness + of the greatest number. He read Hume and Helvetius, threw away the + Thirty-nine Articles, and endeavored to impress upon the English Law the + fact that its ancestor was a feudal savage. He held the past in contempt, + hated Westminster and despised Oxford. He combated the idea that + governments were originally founded on contract. Locke and Blackstone + talked as though men originally lived apart, and formed societies by + agreement. These writers probably imagined that at one time the trees were + separated like telegraph poles, and finally came together and made groves + by agreement. I believe that it was Pufendorf who said that slavery was + originally founded on contract. To which Voltaire replied:—"If my + lord Pufendorf will produce the original contract <i>signed by the party + who was to be the slave</i>, I will admit the truth of his statement." + </p> + <p> + A contract back of society is a myth manufactured by those in power to + serve as a title to place, and to impress the multitude with the idea that + they are, in some mysterious way, bound, fettered, and even benefited by + its terms. + </p> + <p> + The glory of Bentham is, that he gave the true basis of morals, and + furnished statesmen with the star and compass of this sentence:—"The + greatest happiness of the greatest number." + </p> + <p> + Most scientists have deferred to the theologians. They have admitted that + some questions could not, at present, be solved. These admissions have + been thankfully received by the clergy, who have always begged for some + curtain to be left, behind which their God could still exist. Men calling + themselves "scientific" have tried to harmonize the "apparent" + discrepancies between the Bible and the <i>other</i> works of Jehovah. In + this way they have made reputations. They were at once quoted by the + ministers as wonderful examples of piety and learning. These men + discounted the future that they might enjoy the ignorant praise of the + present. Agassiz preferred the applause of Boston, while he lived, to the + reverence of a world after he was dead. Small men appear great only when + they agree with the multitude. + </p> + <p> + The last Scientific Congress in America was opened with prayer. Think of a + science that depends upon the efficacy of words addressed to the Unknown + and Unknowable! + </p> + <p> + In our country, most of the so-called scientists are professors in + sectarian colleges, in which Moses is considered a geologist, and Joshua + an astronomer. For the most part their salaries depend upon the ingenuity + with which they can explain away facts and dodge demonstration. + </p> + <p> + The situation is about the same in England. When Mr. Huxley saw fit to + attack the Mosaic account of the creation, he did not deem it advisable to + say plainly what he meant. He attacked the account of creation as given by + Milton, although he knew that the Mosaic and Miltonic were substantially + the same. Science has acted like a guest without a wedding garment, and + has continually apologized for existing. In the presence of arrogant + absurdity, overawed by the patronizing airs of a successful charlatan, it + has played the role of a "poor relation," and accepted, while sitting + below the salt, insults as honors. + </p> + <p> + There can be no more pitiable sight than a scientist in the employ of + superstition dishonoring himself without assisting his master. But there + are a multitude of brave and tender men who give their honest thoughts, + who are true to nature, who give the facts and let consequences shirk for + themselves, who know the value and meaning of a truth, and who have + bravely tried the creeds by scientific tests. + </p> + <p> + Among the bravest, side by side with the greatest of the world, in + Germany, the land of science, stands Ernst Haeckel, who may be said to + have not only demonstrated the theories of Darwin, but the Monistic + conception of the world. Rejecting all the puerile ideas of a personal + Creator, he has had the courage to adopt the noble words of Bruno:—"A + spirit exists in all things, and no body is so small but it contains a + part of the divine substance within itself, by which it is animated." He + has endeavored—and I think with complete success—to show that + there is not, and never was, and never can be the <i>Creator</i> of + anything. There is no more a personal Creator than there is a personal + destroyer. Matter and force must have existed from eternity, all + generation must have been spontaneous, and the simplest organisms must + have been the ancestors of the most perfect and complex. + </p> + <p> + Haeckel is one of the bitterest enemies of the church, and is, therefore, + one of the bravest friends of man. + </p> + <p> + Catholicism was, at one time, the friend of education—of an + education sufficient to make a Catholic out of a barbarian. Protestantism + was also in favor of education—of an education sufficient to make a + Protestant out of a Catholic. But now, it having been demonstrated that + real education will make Freethinkers, Catholics and Protestants both are + the enemies of true learning. + </p> + <p> + In all countries where human beings are held in bondage, it is a crime to + teach a slave to read and write. Masters know that education is an + abolitionist, and theologians know that science is the deadly foe of every + creed in Christendom. + </p> + <p> + In the age of Faith, a personal god stood at the head of every department + of ignorance, and was supposed to be the King of kings, the rewarder and + punisher of individuals, and the governor of nations. + </p> + <p> + The worshipers of this god have always regarded the men in love with + simple facts, as Atheists in disguise. And it must be admitted that + nothing is more Atheistic than a fact. Pure science is necessarily + godless, It is incapable of worship. It investigates, and cannot afford to + shut its eyes even long enough to pray. There was a time when those who + disputed the divine right of kings were denounced as blasphemous; but the + time came when liberty demanded that a personal god should be retired from + politics. In our country this was substantially done in 1776, when our + fathers declared that all power to govern came from the consent of the + governed. The cloud-theory was abandoned, and one government has been + established for the benefit of mankind. Our fathers did not keep God out + of the Constitution from principle, but from jealousy. Each church, in + colonial times, preferred to live in single blessedness rather than see + some rival wedded to the state. Mutual hatred planted our tree of + religious liberty. A constitution without a god has at last given us a + nation without a slave. + </p> + <p> + A personal god sustains the same relation to religion as to politics. The + Deity is a master, and man a serf; and this relation is inconsistent with + true progress. The Universe ought to be a pure democracy—an infinite + republic without a tyrant and without a chain. + </p> + <p> + Auguste Comte endeavored to put humanity in the place of Jehovah, and no + conceivable change can be more desirable than this. This great man did + not, like some of his followers, put a mysterious something called law in + the place of God, which is simply giving the old master a new name. Law is + this side of phenomena, not the other. It is not the cause, neither is it + the result of phenomena. The fact of succession and resemblance, that is + to say, the same thing happening under the same conditions, is all we mean + by law. No one can conceive of a law existing apart from matter, or + controlling matter, any more than he can understand the eternal procession + of the Holy Ghost, or motion apart from substance. We are beginning to see + that law does not, and cannot exist as an entity, but that it is only a + conception of the mind to express the fact that the same entities, under + the same conditions, produce the same results. Law does not produce the + entities, the conditions, or the results, or even the sameness of the + results. Neither does it affect the relations of entities, nor the result + of such relations, but it stands simply for the fact that the same causes, + under the same conditions, eternally have produced and eternally will + produce the same results. + </p> + <p> + The metaphysicians are always giving us explanations of phenomena which + are as difficult to understand as the phenomena they seek to explain; and + the believers in God establish their dogmas by miracles, and then + substantiate the miracles by assertion. + </p> + <p> + The Designer of the teleologist, the First Cause of the religious + philosopher, the Vital Force of the biologist, and the law of the + half-orthodox scientist, are all the shadowy children of ignorance and + fear. + </p> + <p> + The Universe is all there is. It is both subject and object; contemplator + and contemplated; creator and created; destroyer and destroyed; preserver + and preserved; and within itself are all causes, modes, motions and + effects. + </p> + <p> + Unable in some things to rise above the superstitions of his day, Comte + adopted not only the machinery, but some of the prejudices, of + Catholicism. He made the mistake of Luther. He tried to reform the Church + of Rome. Destruction is the only reformation of which that church is + capable. Every religion is based upon a misconception, not only of the + cause of phenomena, but of the real object of life; that is to say, upon + falsehood; and the moment the truth is known and understood, these + religions must fall. In the field of thought, they are briers, thorns, and + noxious weeds; on the shores of intellectual discovery, they are sirens, + and in the forests that the brave thinkers are now penetrating, they are + the wild beasts, fanged and monstrous. + </p> + <p> + You cannot reform these weeds. Sirens cannot be changed into good + citizens; and such wild beasts, even when tamed, are of no possible use. + Destruction is the only remedy. Reformation is a hospital where the new + philosophy exhausts its strength nursing the old religion. + </p> + <p> + There was, in the brain of the great Frenchman, the dawn of that happy day + in which humanity will be the only religion, good the only god, happiness + the only object, restitution the only atonement, mistake the only sin, and + affection, guided by intelligence, the only savior of mankind. This dawn + enriched his poverty, illuminated the darkness of his life, peopled his + loneliness with the happy millions yet to be, and filled his eyes with + proud and tender tears. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago I asked the superintendent of Pere La Chaise if he knew + where I could find the tomb of Auguste Comte. He had never heard even the + name of the author of the "Positive Philosophy." I asked him if he had + ever heard of Napoleon Bonaparte. In a half-insulted tone, he replied, "Of + course I have, why do you ask me such a question?" "Simply," was my + answer, "that I might have the opportunity of saying, that when everything + connected with Napoleon, except his crimes, shall have been forgotten, + Auguste Comte will be lovingly remembered as a benefactor of the human + race." + </p> + <p> + The Jewish God must be dethroned! A personal Deity must go back to the + darkness of barbarism from whence he came. The theologians must abdicate, + and popes, priests, and clergymen, labeled as "extinct species," must + occupy the mental museums of the future. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, this book, filled with original thought, will hasten the + coming of that blessed time. + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C., Nov. 29,1879. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkPREF1" id="linkPREF1"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE TO DR. EDGAR C. BEALL'S "THE BRAIN AND THE BIBLE." + </h2> + <p> + THIS book, written by a brave and honest man, is filled with brave and + honest thoughts. The arguments it presents can not be answered by all the + theologians in the world. The author is convinced that the universe is + natural, that man is naturally produced, and that there is a necessary + relation between character and brain. He sees, and clearly sees, that the + theological explanation of phenomena is only a plausible absurdity, and, + at best, as great a mystery as it tries to solve. I thank the man who + breaks, or tries to break, the chains of custom, creed, and church, and + gives in plain, courageous words, the product of his brain. + </p> + <p> + It is almost impossible to investigate any subject without somewhere + touching the religious prejudices of ourselves or others. Most people + judge of the truth of a proposition by the consequences upon some + preconceived opinion. Certain things they take as truths, and with this + little standard in their minds, they measure all other theories. If the + new facts do not agree with the standard, they are instantly thrown away, + because it is much easier to dispose of the new facts than to reconstruct + an entire philosophy. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago, when men began to say that character could be determined + by the form, quantity, and quality of the brain, the religious world + rushed to the conclusion that this fact might destroy what they were + pleased to call the free moral agency of man. They admitted that all + things in the physical world were links in the infinite chain of causes + and effects, and that not one atom of the material universe could, by any + possibility, be entirely exempt from the action of every other. They + insisted that, if the motions of the spirit—the thoughts, dreams, + and conclusions of the brain, were as necessarily produced as stones and + stars, virtue became necessity, and morality the result of forces capable + of mathematical calculation. In other words, they insisted that, while + there were causes for all material phenomena, a something called the Will + sat enthroned above all law, and dominated the phenomena of the + intellectual world. They insisted that man was free; that he controlled + his brain; that he was responsible for thought as well as action; that the + intellectual world of each man was a universe in which his will was king. + They were afraid that phrenology might, in some way, interfere with the + scheme of salvation, or prevent the eternal torment of some erring soul. + </p> + <p> + It is insisted that man is free, and is responsible, because he knows + right from wrong. But the compass does not navigate the ship; neither does + it, in any way, of itself, determine the direction that is taken. When + winds and waves are too powerful, the compass is of no importance. The + pilot may read it correctly, and may know the direction the ship ought to + take, but the compass is not a force. So men, blown by the tempests of + passion, may have the intellectual conviction that they should go another + way; but, of what use, of what force, is the conviction? + </p> + <p> + Thousands of persons have gathered curious statistics for the purpose of + showing that man is absolutely dominated by his surroundings. By these + statistics is discovered what is called "the law of average." They show + that there are about so many suicides in London every year, so many + letters misdirected at Paris, so many men uniting themselves In marriage + with women older than themselves in Belgium, so many burglaries to one + murder in France, or so many persons driven insane by religion in the + United States. It is asserted that these facts conclusively show that man + is acted upon; that behind each thought, each dream, is the efficient + cause, and that the doctrine of moral responsibility has been destroyed by + statistics. + </p> + <p> + But, does the fact that about so many crimes are committed on the average, + in a given population, or that so many any things are done, prove that + there is no freedom in human action? + </p> + <p> + Suppose a population of ten thousand persons; and suppose, further, that + they are free, and that they have the usual wants of mankind. Is it not + reasonable to say that they would act in some way? They certainly would + take measures to obtain food, clothing, and shelter. If these people + differed in intellect, in surroundings, in temperament, in strength, it is + reasonable to suppose that all would not be equally successful. Under such + circumstances, may we not safely infer that, in a little while, if the + statistics were properly taken, a law of average would appear? In other + words, free people would act; and, being different in mind, body, and + circumstances, would not all act exactly alike. All would not be alike + acted upon. The deviations from what might be thought wise, or right, + would sustain such a relation to time and numbers that they could be + expressed by a law of average. + </p> + <p> + If this is true, the law of average does not establish necessity. + </p> + <p> + But, in my supposed case, the people, after all, are not free. They have + wants. They are under the necessity of feeding, clothing, and sheltering + themselves. To the extent of their actual wants, they are not free. Every + limitation is a master. Every finite being is a prisoner, and no man has + ever yet looked above or beyond the prison walls. + </p> + <p> + Our highest conception of liberty is to be free from the dictation of + fellow prisoners. + </p> + <p> + To the extent that we have wants, we are not free. To the extent that we + do not have wants, we do not act. + </p> + <p> + If we are responsible for our thoughts, we ought not only to know how they + are formed, but we ought to form them. If we are the masters of our own + minds, we ought to be able to tell what we are going to think at any + future time. Evidently, the food of thought—its very warp and woof—is + furnished through the medium of the senses. If we open our eyes, we cannot + help seeing. If we do not stop our ears, we cannot help hearing. If + anything touches us, we feel it. The heart beats in spite of us. The lungs + supply themselves with air without our knowledge. The blood pursues its + old accustomed rounds, and all our senses act without our leave. As the + heart beats, so the brain thinks. The will is not its king. As the blood + flows, as the lungs expand, as the eyes see, as the ears hear, as the + flesh is sensitive to touch, so the brain thinks. + </p> + <p> + I had a dream, in which I debated a question with a friend. I thought to + myself: "This is a dream, and yet I can not tell what my opponent is going + to say. Yet, if it is a dream, I am doing the thinking for both sides, and + therefore ought to know in advance what my friend will urge." But, in a + dream, there is some one who seems to talk to us. Our own brain tells us + news, and presents an unexpected thought. Is it not possible that each + brain is a field where all the senses sow the seeds of thought? Some of + these fields are mostly barren, poor, and hard, producing only worthless + weeds; and some grow sturdy oaks and stately palms; and some are like the + tropic world, where plants and trees and vines seem royal children of the + soil and sun. + </p> + <p> + Nothing seems more certain than that the capacity of a human being + depends, other things being equal, upon the amount, form, and quality of + his brain. We also know that health, disposition, temperament, occupation, + food, surroundings, ancestors, quality, form, and texture of the brain, + determine what we call character. Man is, collectively and individually, + what his surroundings have made him. Nations differ from each other as + greatly as individuals in the same nation. Nations depend upon soil, + climate, geographical position, and countless other facts. Shakespeare + would have been impossible without the climate of England. There is a + direct relation between Hamlet and the Gulf Stream. Dr. Draper has shown + that the great desert of Sahara made negroes possible in Africa. If the + Caribbean Sea had been a desert, negroes might have been produced in + America. + </p> + <p> + Are the effects of climate upon man necessary effects? Is it possible for + man to escape them? Is he responsible for what he does as a consequence of + his surroundings? Is the mind dependent upon causes? Does it act without + cause? Is every thought a necessity? Can man choose without reference to + any quality in the thing chosen? + </p> + <p> + No one will blame Mr. Brown or Mr. Jones for not writing like Shakespeare. + Should they be blamed for not acting like Christ? We say that a great + painter has genius. Is it not possible that a certain genius is required + to be what is called "good"? All men cannot be great. All men cannot be + successful. Can all men be kind? Can all men be honest? + </p> + <p> + It may be that a crime appears terrible in proportion as we realize its + consequences. If this is true, morality may depend largely upon the + imagination. Man cannot have imagination at will; that, certainly, is a + natural product. And yet, a man's action may depend largely upon the want + of imagination. One man may feel that he really wishes to kill another. He + may make preparations to commit the deed; and yet, his imagination may + present such pictures of horror and despair; he may so vividly see the + widow clasping the mangled corpse; he may so plainly hear the cries and + sobs of orphans, while the clods fall upon the coffin, that his hand is + stayed. Another, lacking imagination, thirsting only for revenge, seeing + nothing beyond the accomplishment of the deed, buries, with blind-and + thoughtless hate, the dagger in his victim's heart. + </p> + <p> + Morality, for the most part, is the verdict of the majority. This verdict + depends upon the intelligence of the people; and the intelligence depends + upon the amount, form, and quality of the average brain. + </p> + <p> + If the mind depends upon certain organs for the expression of its thought, + does it have thought independently of those organs? Is there any mind + without brain? Does the mind think apart from the brain, and then express + its thought through the instrumentality of the brain? Theologians tell us + that insanity is not a disease of the soul, but of the brain; that the + soul is perfectly untouched; but that the instrument with which, and + through which, it manifests itself, is impaired. The fact, however, seems + to be, that the mind, the something that is the man, is unconscious of the + fact that anything is out of order in the brain. Insane people insist that + they are sane. + </p> + <p> + If we should find a locomotive off the track, and the engineer using the + proper appliances to put it back, we would say that the machine is out of + order, but the engineer is not. But, if we found the locomotive upside + down, with wheels in air, and the engineer insisting that it was on the + track, and never running better, we would then conclude that something was + wrong, not only with the locomotive, but with the engineer. + </p> + <p> + We are told in medical books of a girl, who, at about the age of nine + years, was attacked with some cerebral disease. When she recovered, she + had forgotten all she ever knew, and had to relearn the alphabet, and the + names of her parents and kindred. In this abnormal state, she was not a + good girl; in the normal state, she was. After having lived in the second + state for several years, she went back to the first; and all she had + learned in the second state was forgotten, and all she had learned in the + first was remembered. + </p> + <p> + I believe she changed once more, and died in the abnormal state. In which + of these states was she responsible? Were her thoughts and actions as free + in one as in the other? It may be contended that, in her diseased state, + the mind or soul could not correctly express itself. If this is so, it + follows that, as no one is perfectly healthy, and as no one has a perfect + brain, it is impossible that the soul should ever correctly express + itself. Is the soul responsible for the defects of the brain? Is it not + altogether more rational to say, that what we call mind depends upon the + brain, and that the child—mind, inherits the defects of its parent—brain? + </p> + <p> + Are certain physical conditions necessary to the production of what we + call virtuous actions? Is it possible for anything to be produced without + what we call cause, and, if the cause was sufficient, was it not + necessarily produced? Do not most people mistake for freedom the right to + examine their own chains? If morality depends upon conditions, should it + not be the task of the great and good to discover such conditions? May it + not be possible so to understand the brain that we can stop producing + criminals? + </p> + <p> + It may be insisted that there is something produced by the brain besides + thought—a something that takes cognizance of thoughts—a + something that weighs, compares, reflects and pronounces judgment. This + something cannot find the origin of itself. Does it exist independently of + the brain? Is it merely a looker-on? If it is a product of the brain, then + its power, perception, and judgment depend upon the quantity, form, and + quality of the brain. + </p> + <p> + Man, including all his attributes, must have been necessarily produced, + and the product was the child of conditions. + </p> + <p> + Most reformers have infinite confidence in creeds, resolutions, and laws. + They think of the common people as raw material, out of which they propose + to construct institutions and governments, like mechanical contrivances, + where each person will stand for a cog, rope, wheel, pulley, bolt, or + fuel, and the reformers will be the managers and directors. They forget + that these cogs and wheels have opinions of their own; that they fall out + with other cogs, and refuse to turn with other wheels; that the pulleys + and ropes have ideas peculiar to themselves, and delight in mutiny and + revolution. These reformers have theories that can only be realized when + other people have none. + </p> + <p> + Some time, it will be found that people can be changed only by changing + their surroundings. It is alleged that, at least ninety-five per cent. of + the criminals transported from England to Australia and other penal + colonies, became good and useful citizens in a new world. Free from former + associates and associations, from the necessities of a hard, cruel, and + competitive civilization, they became, for the most part, honest people. + This immense fact throws more light upon social questions than all the + theories of the world. All people are not able to support themselves. They + lack intelligence, industry, cunning—in short, capacity. They are + continually falling by the way. In the midst of plenty, they are hungry. + Larceny is born of want and opportunity. In passion's storm, the will is + wrecked upon the reefs and rocks of crime. + </p> + <p> + The complex, tangled web of thought and dream, of perception and memory, + of imagination and judgment, of wish and will and want—the woven + wonder of a life—has never yet been raveled back to simple threads. + </p> + <p> + Shall we not become charitable and just, when we know that every act is + but condition's fruit; that Nature, with her countless hands, scatters the + seeds of tears and crimes—of every virtue and of every joy; that all + the base and vile are victims of the Blind, and that the good and great + have, in the lottery of life, by chance or fate, drawn heart and brain? + </p> + <p> + Washington, December 21, 1881. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkPREF2" id="linkPREF2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE TO "MEN, WOMEN AND GODS." + </h2> + <p> + NOTHING gives me more pleasure, nothing gives greater promise for the + future, than the fact that woman is achieving intellectual and physical + liberty. + </p> + <p> + It is refreshing to know that here, in our country, there are thousands of + women who think, and express their thoughts—who are thoroughly free + and thoroughly conscientious—who have neither been narrowed nor + corrupted by a heartless creed—who do not worship a being in heaven + whom they would shudderingly loathe on earth—women who do not stand + before the altar of a cruel faith, with downcast eyes of timid + acquiescence, and pay to impudent authority the tribute of a thoughtless + yes. They are no longer satisfied with being told. They examine for + themselves. They have ceased to be the prisoners of society—the + satisfied serfs of husbands, or the echoes of priests. They demand the + rights that naturally belong to intelligent human beings. If wives, they + wish to be the equals of husbands. If mothers, they wish to rear their + children in the atmosphere of love, liberty and philosophy. They believe + that woman can discharge all her duties without the aid of superstition, + and preserve all that is true, pure, and tender, without sacrificing in + the temple of absurdity the convictions of the soul. + </p> + <p> + Woman is not the intellectual inferior of man. She has lacked, not mind, + but opportunity. In the long night of barbarism, physical strength and the + cruelty to use it, were the badges of superiority. Muscle was more than + mind. In the ignorant age of Faith, the loving nature of woman was abused. + Her conscience was rendered morbid and diseased. It might almost be said + that she was betrayed by her own virtues. At best she secured, not + opportunity, but flattery—the preface to degradation. She was + deprived of liberty, and without that, nothing is worth the having. She + was taught to obey without question, and to believe without thought. There + were universities for men before the alphabet had been taught to women. At + the intellectual feast, there were no places for wives and mothers. Even + now they sit at the second table and eat the crusts and crumbs. The + schools for women, at the present time, are just far enough behind those + for men, to fall heirs to the discarded; on the same principle that when a + doctrine becomes too absurd for the pulpit, it is given to the + Sunday-school. + </p> + <p> + The ages of muscle and miracle—of fists and faith—are passing + away. Minerva occupies at last a higher niche than Hercules. Now a word is + stronger than a blow. At last we see women who depend upon themselves—who + stand, self poised, the shocks of this sad world, without leaning for + support against a church—who do not go to the literature of + barbarism for consolation, or use the falsehoods and mistakes of the past + for the foundation of their hope—women brave enough and tender + enough to meet and bear the facts and fortunes of this world. + </p> + <p> + The men who declare that woman is the intellectual inferior of man, do + not, and cannot, by offering themselves in evidence, substantiate their + declaration. + </p> + <p> + Yet, I must admit that there are thousands of wives who still have faith + in the saving power of superstition—who still insist on attending + church while husbands prefer the shores, the woods, or the fields. In this + way, families are divided. Parents grow apart, and unconsciously the pearl + of greatest price is thrown away. The wife ceases to be the intellectual + companion of the husband. She reads <i>The Christian Register</i>, sermons + in the Monday papers, and a little gossip about folks and fashions, while + he studies the works of Darwin, Haeckel, and Humboldt. Their sympathies + become estranged. They are no longer mental friends. The husband smiles at + the follies of the wife, and she weeps for the supposed sins of the + husband. Such wives should read this book. They should not be satisfied to + remain forever in the cradle of thought, amused with the toys of + superstition. + </p> + <p> + The parasite of woman is the priest. + </p> + <p> + It must also be admitted that there are thousands of men who believe that + superstition is good for women and children—who regard falsehood as + the fortress of virtue, and feel indebted to ignorance for the purity of + daughters and the fidelity of wives. These men think of priests as + detectives in disguise, and regard God as a policeman who prevents + elopements. Their opinions about religion are as correct as their estimate + of woman. + </p> + <p> + The church furnishes but little food for the mind. People of intelligence + are growing tired of the platitudes of the pulpit—the iterations of + the itinerants. The average sermon is "as tedious as a twice told tale + vexing the ears of a drowsy man." + </p> + <p> + One Sunday a gentleman, who is a great inventor, called at my house. Only + a few words had passed between us, when he arose, saying that he must go + as it was time for church. Wondering that a man of his mental wealth could + enjoy the intellectual poverty of the pulpit, I asked for an explanation, + and he gave me the following: "You know that I am an inventor. Well, the + moment my mind becomes absorbed in some difficult problem, I am afraid + that something may happen to distract my attention. Now, I know that I can + sit in church for an hour without the slightest danger of having the + current of my thought disturbed." + </p> + <p> + Most women cling to the Bible because they have been taught that to give + up that book is to give up all hope of another life—of ever meeting + again the loved and lost. They have also been taught that the Bible is + their friend, their defender, and the real civilizer of man. + </p> + <p> + Now, if they will only read this book—these three lectures, without + fear, and then read the Bible, they will see that the truth or falsity of + the dogma of inspiration has nothing to do with the question of + immortality. Certainly the Old Testament does not teach us that there is + another life, and upon that question even the New is obscure and vague. + The hunger of the heart finds only a few small and scattered crumbs. There + is nothing definite, solid, and satisfying. United with the idea of + immortality we find the absurdity of the resurrection. A prophecy that + depends for its fulfillment upon an impossibility, cannot satisfy the + brain or heart. + </p> + <p> + There are but few who do not long for a dawn beyond the night. And this + longing is born of and nourished by the heart. Love wrapped in shadow—bending + with tear-filled eyes above its dead, convulsively clasps the outstretched + hand of hope. + </p> + <p> + I had the pleasure of introducing Miss Gardener to her first audience, and + in that introduction said a few words that I will repeat. + </p> + <p> + "We do not know, we cannot say, whether death is a wall or a door; the + beginning or end of a day; the spreading of pinions to soar, or the + folding forever of wings; the rise or the set of a sun, or an endless life + that brings the rapture of love to every one. + </p> + <p> + "Under the seven-hued arch of hope let the dead sleep." + </p> + <p> + They will also discover, as they read the "Sacred Volume," that it is not + the friend of woman. They will find that the writers of that book, for the + most part, speak of woman as a poor beast of burden, a serf, a drudge, a + kind of necessary evil—as mere property. Surely, a book that upholds + polygamy is not the friend of wife and mother. + </p> + <p> + Even Christ did not place woman on an equality with man. He said not one + word about the sacredness of home, the duties of the husband to the wife—nothing + calculated to lighten the hearts of those who bear the saddest burdens of + this life. + </p> + <p> + They will also find that the Bible has not civilized mankind. A book that + establishes and defends slavery and wanton war is not calculated to soften + the hearts of those who believe implicitly that it is the work of God. A + book that not only permits, but commands, religious persecution, has not, + in my judgment, developed the affectional nature of man. Its influence has + been bad and bad only. It has filled the world with bitterness, revenge + and crime, and retarded in countless ways the progress of our race. + </p> + <p> + The writer of this volume has read the Bible with open eyes. The mist of + sentimentality has not clouded her vision. She has had the courage to tell + the result of her investigations. She has been quick to discover + contradictions. She appreciates the humorous side of the stupidly solemn. + Her heart protests against the cruel, and her brain rejects the childish, + the unnatural and absurd. There is no misunderstanding between her head + and heart. She says what she thinks, and feels what she says. + </p> + <p> + No human being can answer her arguments. There is no answer. All the + priests in the world cannot explain away her objections. There is no + explanation. They should remain dumb, unless they can show that the + impossible is the probable—that slavery is better than freedom—that + polygamy is the friend of woman—that the innocent can justly suffer + for the guilty, and that to persecute for opinion's sake is an act of love + and worship. + </p> + <p> + Wives who cease to learn—who simply forget and believe—will + fill the evening of their lives with barren sighs and bitter tears. + </p> + <p> + The mind should outlast youth. If when beauty fades, Thought, the deft and + unseen sculptor, hath not left his subtle lines upon the face, then all is + lost. No charm is left. The light is out. There is no flame within to + glorify the wrinkled clay. + </p> + <p> + Hoffman House, New York, July, 22, 1885. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkPREF3" id="linkPREF3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE TO "FOR HER DAILY BREAD." + </h2> + <p> + I HAVE read, this story, this fragment of a life mingled with fragments of + other lives, and have been pleased, interested, and instructed. It is + filled with the pathos of truth, and has in it the humor that accompanies + actual experience. It has but little to do with the world of imagination; + certain feelings are not attributed to persons born of fancy, but it is + the history of a heart and brain interested in the common things of life. + There are no kings, no lords, no titled ladies, but there are real people, + the people of the shop and street whom every reader knows, and there are + lines intense and beautiful, and scenes that touch the heart. You will + find no theories of government, no hazy outlines of reform, nothing but + facts and folks, as they have been, as they are, and probably will be for + many centuries to come. + </p> + <p> + If you read this book you will be convinced that men and women are good or + bad, charitable or heartless, by reason of something within, and not by + virtue of any name they bear, or any trade or profession they follow, or + of any creed they may accept. You will also find that men sometimes are + honest and mean; that women may be very virtuous and very cruel; that + good, generous and sympathetic men are often disreputable, and that some + exceedingly worthy citizens are extremely mean and uncomfortable + neighbors. + </p> + <p> + It takes a great deal of genius and a good deal of selfdenial to be very + bad or to be very good. Few people understand the amount of energy, + industry, and self-denial it requires to be consistently vicious. People + who have a pride in being good and fail, and those who have a pride in + being bad and fail, in order to make their records consistent generally + rely upon hypocrisy. The people that live and hope and fear in this book, + are much like the people who live and hope and fear in the actual world. + The professor is much like the professor in the ordinary college. You will + find the conscientious, half-paid teacher, the hopeful poor, the anxious + rich, the true lover, the stingy philanthropist, who cares for people only + in the aggregate,—the individual atom being too small to attract his + notice or to enlist his heart; the sympathetic man who loves himself, and + gives, not for the sake of the beggar, but for the sake of getting rid of + the beggar, and you will also find the man generous to a fault—with + the money of others. And the reader will find these people described + naturally, truthfully and without exaggeration, and he will feel certain + that all these people have really lived. + </p> + <p> + The reader of this story will get some idea as to what is encountered by a + girl in an honest effort to gain her daily bread. He will find how steep, + how devious and how difficult is the path she treads. + </p> + <p> + There are so few occupations open to woman, so few things in which she can + hope for independence, that to be thrown upon her own resources is almost + equivalent to being cast away. Besides, she is an object of continual + suspicion, watched not only by men but by women. If she does anything that + other women are not doing, she is at once suspected, her reputation is + touched, and other women, for fear of being stained themselves, withdraw + not only the hand of help, but the smile of recognition. A young woman + cannot defend herself without telling the charge that has been made + against her. This, of itself, gives a kind of currency to slander. To + speak of the suspicion that has crawled across her path, is to plant the + seeds of doubt in other minds; to even deny it, admits that it exists. To + be suspected, that is enough. There is no way of destroying this + suspicion. There is no court in which suspicions are tried; no juries that + can render verdicts of not guilty. Most women are driven at last to the + needle, and this does not allow them to live; it simply keeps them from + dying. + </p> + <p> + It is hard to appreciate the dangers and difficulties that lie in wait for + woman. Even in this Christian country of ours, no girl is safe in the + streets of any city after the sun has gone down. After all, the sun is the + only god that has ever protected woman. In the darkness she has been the + prey of the wild beast in man. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all charitable people, so-called, imagine that nothing is easier + than to obtain work. They really feel that anybody, no matter what his + circumstances may be, can get work enough to do if he is only willing to + do the work. They cannot understand why any healthy human being should + lack food or clothes. Meeting the unfortunate and the wretched in the + streets of the great city, they ask them in a kind of wondering way, why + they do not go to the West, why they do not cultivate the soil, and why + they are so foolish, stupid, and reckless as to remain in the town. It + would be just as sensible to ask a beggar why he does not start a bank or + a line of steamships, as to ask him why he does not cultivate the soil, or + why he does not go to the West. The man has no money to pay his fare, and + if his fare were paid he would be, when he landed in the West, in + precisely the same condition as he was when he left the East. Societies + and institutions and individuals supply the immediate wants of the hungry + and the ragged, but they afford only the relief of the moment. + </p> + <p> + Articles by the thousand have been written for the purpose of showing that + women should become servants in houses, and the writers of these articles + are filled with astonishment that any girl should hesitate to enter + domestic service. They tell us that nearly every family needs a good cook, + a good chambermaid, a good sweeper of floors and washer of dishes, a good + stout girl to carry the baby and draw the wagon, and these good people + express the greatest astonishment that all girls are not anxious to become + domestics. They tell them that they will be supplied with good food, that + they will have comfortable beds and warm clothing, and they ask, "What + more do you want?" These people have not, however, solved the problem. If + girls, as a rule, keep away from kitchens and chambers, if they hate to be + controlled by other women, there must be a reason. When we see a young + woman prefer a clerkship in a store,—a business which keeps her upon + her feet all day, and sends her to her lonely room, filled with weariness + and despair, and when we see other girls who are willing to sew for a few + cents a day rather than become the maid of "my lady," there must be some + reason, and this reason must be deemed sufficient by the persons who are + actuated by it. What is it? + </p> + <p> + Every human being imagines that the future has something in store for him. + It is natural to build these castles in Spain. It is natural for a girl to + dream of being loved by the noble, by the superb, and it is natural for + the young man to dream of success, of a home, of a good, a beautiful and + loving wife. These dreams are the solace of poverty; they keep back the + tears in the eyes of the young and the hungry. To engage in any labor that + degrades, in any work that leaves a stain, in any business the mention of + which is liable to redden the cheek, seems to be a destruction of the + foundation of hope, a destruction of the future; it seems to be a + crucifixion of his or her better self. It assassinates the ideal. + </p> + <p> + It may be said that labor is noble, that work is a kind of religion, and + whoever says this tells the truth, But after all, what has the truth to do + with this question? What is the opinion of society?—What is the + result? It cures no wound to say that it was wrongfully inflicted. The + opinion of sensible people is one way, the action of society is + inconsistent with that opinion. Domestic servants are treated as though + their employment was and is a degradation. Bankers, merchants, + professional men, ministers of the gospel, do not want their sons to + become the husbands of chambermaids and cooks. Small hands are beautiful; + they do not tell of labor. + </p> + <p> + I have given one reason; there is another. The work of a domestic is never + done. She is liable to be called at any moment, day or night. She has no + time that she can call her own. A woman who works by the piece can take a + little rest; if she is a clerk she has certain hours of labor and the rest + of the day is her own. + </p> + <p> + And there is still another reason that I almost hate to give, and that is + this: As a rule, woman is exacting with woman. As a rule, woman does not + treat woman as well as man treats man, or as well as man treats woman. + There are many other reasons, but I have given enough. + </p> + <p> + For many years, women have been seeking employment other than that of + domestic service. They have so hated this occupation, that they have + sought in every possible direction for other ways to win their bread. At + last hundreds of employments are open to them, and, as a consequence, + domestic servants are those who can get nothing else to do. + </p> + <p> + In the olden time, servants sat at the table with the family; they were + treated something like human beings, harshly enough to be sure, but in + many cases almost as equals. Now the kitchen is far away from the parlor. + It is another world, occupied by individuals of a different race. There is + no bond of sympathy—no common ground. This is especially true in a + Republic. In the Old World, people occupying menial places account for + their positions by calling attention to the laws—to the hereditary + nobility and the universal spirit of caste. Here, there are no such + excuses. All are supposed to have equal opportunities, and those who are + compelled to labor for their daily bread, in avocations that require only + bodily strength, are regarded as failures. It is this fact that stabs like + a knife. And yet in the conclusion drawn, there is but little truth. Some + of the noblest and best pass their lives in daily drudgery and + unremunerative toil—while many of the mean, vicious and stupid reach + place and power. + </p> + <p> + This story is filled with sympathy for the destitute, for the struggling, + and tends to keep the star of hope above the horizon of the unfortunate. + After all, we know but little of the world, and have but a faint + conception of the burdens that are borne, and of the courage and heroism + displayed by the unregarded poor. Let the rich read these pages; they will + have a kinder feeling toward those who toil; let the workers read them, + and they will think better of themselves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkPREF4" id="linkPREF4"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE TO "AGNOSTICISM AND OTHER ESSAYS." + </h2> + <p> + I. + </p> + <p> + EDGAR FAWCETT—a great poet, a metaphysician and logician—has + been for years engaged in exploring that strange world wherein are + supposed to be the springs of human action. He has sought for something + back of motives, reasons, fancies, passions, prejudices, and the countless + tides and tendencies that constitute the life of man. + </p> + <p> + He has found some of the limitations of mind, and knows that beginning at + that luminous centre called consciousness, a few short steps bring us to + the prison wall where vision fails and all light dies. Beyond this wall + the eternal darkness broods. This gloom is "the other world" of the + supernaturalist. With him, real vision begins where the sight fails. He + reverses the order of nature. Facts become illusions, and illusions the + only realities. He believes that the cause of the image, the reality, is + behind the mirror. + </p> + <p> + A few centuries ago the priests said to their followers: The other world + is above you; it is just beyond where you see. Afterward, the astronomer + with his telescope looked, and asked the priests: Where is the world of + which you speak? And the priests replied: It has receded—it is just + beyond where you see. + </p> + <p> + As long as there is "a beyond," there is room for the priests' world. + Theology is the geography of this beyond. + </p> + <p> + Between the Christian and the Agnostic there is the difference of + assertion and question—between "There is a God" and "Is there a + God?" The Agnostic has the arrogance to admit his ignorance, while the + Christian from the depths of humility impudently insists that he knows. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Fawcett has shown that at the root of religion lies the coiled serpent + of fear, and that ceremony, prayer, and worship are ways and means to gain + the assistance or soften the heart of a supposed deity. + </p> + <p> + He also shows that as man advances in knowledge he loses confidence in the + watchfulness of Providence and in the efficacy of prayer. + </p> + <p> + II. SCIENCE. + </p> + <p> + The savage is certain of those things that cannot be known. He is + acquainted with origin and destiny, and knows everything except that which + is useful. The civilized man, having outgrown the ignorance, the + arrogance, and the provincialism of savagery, abandons the vain search for + final causes, for the nature and origin of things. + </p> + <p> + In nearly every department of science man is allowed to investigate, and + the discovery of a new fact is welcomed, unless it threatens some creed. + </p> + <p> + Of course there can be no advance in a religion established by infinite + wisdom. The only progress possible is in the comprehension of this + religion. + </p> + <p> + For many generations, what is known under a vast number of disguises and + behind many masks as the Christian religion, has been propagated and + preserved by the sword and bayonet—that is to say, by force. The + credulity of man has been bribed and his reason punished. Those who + believed without the slightest question, and whose faith held evidence in + contempt, were saints; those who investigated were dangerous, and those + who denied were destroyed. + </p> + <p> + Every attack upon this religion has been made in the shadow of human and + divine hatred—in defiance of earth and heaven. At one time + Christendom was beneath the ignorant feet of one man, and those who denied + his infallibility were heretics and Atheists. At last, a protest was + uttered. The right of conscience was proclaimed, to the extent of making a + choice between the infallible man and the infallible book. Those who + rejected the man and accepted the book became in their turn as merciless, + as tyrannical and heartless, as the followers of the infallible man. The + Protestants insisted that an infinitely wise and good God would not allow + criminals and wretches to act as his infallible agents. + </p> + <p> + Afterward, a few protested against the infallibility of the book, using + the same arguments against the book that had formerly been used against + the pope. They said that an infinitely wise and good God could not be the + author of a cruel and ignorant book. But those who protested against the + book fell into substantially the same error that had been fallen into by + those who had protested against the man. While they denounced the book, + and insisted that an infinitely wise and good being could not have been + its author, they took the ground that an infinitely wise and good being + was the creator and governor of the world. + </p> + <p> + Then was used against them the same argument that had been used by the + Protestants against the pope and by the Deists against the Protestants. + Attention was called to the fact that Nature is as cruel as any pope or + any book—that it is just as easy to account for the destruction of + the Canaanites consistently with the goodness of Jehovah as to account for + pestilence, earthquake, and flood consistently with the goodness of the + God of Nature. + </p> + <p> + The Protestant and Deist both used arguments against the Catholic that + could in turn be used with equal force against themselves. So that there + is no question among intelligent people as to the infallibility of the + pope, as to the inspiration of the book, or as to the existence of the + Christian's God—for the conclusion has been reached that the human + mind is incapable of deciding as to the origin and destiny of the + universe. + </p> + <p> + For many generations the mind of man has been traveling in a circle. It + accepted without question the dogma of a First Cause—of the + existence of a Creator—of an Infinite Mind back of matter, and + sought in many ways to define its ignorance in this behalf. The most + sincere worshipers have declared that this being is incomprehensible,—that + he is "without body, parts, or passions"—that he is infinitely + beyond their grasp, and at the same time have insisted that it was + necessary for man not only to believe in the existence of this being, but + to love him with all his heart. + </p> + <p> + Christianity having always been in partnership with the state,—having + controlled kings and nobles, judges and legislators—having been in + partnership with armies and with every form of organized destruction,—it + was dangerous to discuss the foundation of its authority. To speak lightly + of any dogma was a crime punishable by death. Every absurdity has been + bastioned and barricaded by the power of the state. It has been protected + by fist, by club, by sword and cannon. + </p> + <p> + For many years Christianity succeeded in substantially closing the mouths + of its enemies, and lived and flourished only where investigation and + discussion were prevented by hypocrisy and bigotry. The church still talks + about "evidence," about "reason," about "freedom of conscience" and the + "liberty of speech," and yet denounces those who ask for evidence, who + appeal to reason, and who honestly express their thoughts. + </p> + <p> + To-day we know that the miracles of Christianity are as puerile and false + as those ascribed to the medicine-men of Central Africa or the Fiji + Islanders, and that the "sacred Scriptures" have the same claim to + inspiration that the Koran has, or the Book of Mormon—no less, no + more. These questions have been settled and laid aside by free and + intelligent people. They have ceased to excite interest; and the man who + now really believes in the truth of the Old Testament is regarded with a + smile— looked upon as an aged child—still satisfied with the + lullabys and toys of the cradle. + </p> + <p> + III. MORALITY. + </p> + <p> + It is contended that without religion—that is to say, without + Christianity—all ideas of morality must of necessity perish, and + that spirituality and reverence will be lost. + </p> + <p> + What is morality? + </p> + <p> + Is it to obey without question, or is it to act in accordance with + perceived obligation? Is it something with which intelligence has nothing + to do? Must the ignorant child carry out the command of the wise father—the + rude peasant rush to death at the request of the prince? + </p> + <p> + Is it impossible for morality to exist where the brain and heart are in + partnership? Is there no foundation for morality except punishment + threatened or reward promised by a superior to an inferior? If this be + true, how can the superior be virtuous? Cannot the reward and the threat + be in the nature of things? Can they not rest in consequences perceived by + the intellect? How can the existence or non-existence of a deity change my + obligation to keep my hands out of the fire? + </p> + <p> + The results of all actions are equally certain, but not equally known, not + equally perceived. If all men knew with perfect certainty that to steal + from another was to rob themselves, larceny would cease. It cannot be said + too often that actions are good or bad in the light of consequences, and + that a clear perception of consequences would control actions. That which + increases the sum of human happiness is moral; and that which diminishes + the sum of human happiness is immoral. Blind, unreasoning obedience is the + enemy of morality. Slavery is not the friend of virtue. Actions are + neither right nor wrong by virtue of what men or gods can say—the + right or wrong lives in results—in the nature of things, growing out + of relations violated or caused. + </p> + <p> + Accountability lives in the nature of consequences—in their absolute + certainty—in the fact that they cannot be placated, avoided, or + bribed. + </p> + <p> + The relations of human life are too complicated to be accurately and + clearly understood, and, as a consequence, rules of action vary from age + to age. The ideas of right and wrong change with the experience of the + race, and this change is wrought by the gradual ascertaining of + consequences—of results. For this reason the religion of one age + fails to meet the standard of another, precisely as the laws that + satisfied our ancestors are repealed by us; so that, in spite of all + efforts, religion itself is subject to gradual and perpetual change. + </p> + <p> + The miraculous is no longer the basis of morals. Man is a sentient being—he + suffers and enjoys. In order to be happy he must preserve the conditions + of well-being—must live in accordance with certain facts by which he + is surrounded. If he violates these conditions the result is unhappiness, + failure, disease, misery. + </p> + <p> + Man must have food, roof, raiment, fireside, friends—that is to say, + prosperity; and this he must earn—this he must deserve. He is no + longer satisfied with being a slave, even of the Infinite. He wishes to + perceive for himself, to understand, to investigate, to experiment; and he + has at last the courage to bear the consequences that he brings upon + himself. He has also found that those who are the most religious are not + always the kindest, and that those who have been and are the worshipers of + God enslave their fellow-men. He has found that there is no necessary + connection between religion and morality. + </p> + <p> + Morality needs no supernatural assistance—needs neither miracle nor + pretence. It has nothing to do with awe, reverence, credulity, or blind, + unreasoning faith. Morality is the highway perceived by the soul, the + direct road, leading to success, honor, and happiness. + </p> + <p> + The best thing to do under the circumstances is moral. + </p> + <p> + The highest possible standard is human. We put ourselves in the places of + others. We are made happy by the kindness of others, and we feel that a + fair exchange of good actions is the wisest and best commerce. We know + that others can make us miserable by acts of hatred and injustice, and we + shrink from inflicting the pain upon others that we have felt ourselves; + this is the foundation of conscience. + </p> + <p> + If man could not suffer, the words right and wrong could never have been + spoken. + </p> + <p> + The Agnostic, the Infidel, clearly perceives the true basis of morals, + and, so perceiving, he knows that the religious man, the superstitious + man, caring more for God than for his fellows, will sacrifice his fellows, + either at the supposed command of his God, or to win his approbation. He + also knows that the religionist has no basis for morals except these + supposed commands. The basis of morality with him lies not in the nature + of things, but in the caprice of some deity. He seems to think that, had + it not been for the Ten Commandments, larceny and murder might have been + virtues. + </p> + <p> + IV. SPIRITUALITY. + </p> + <p> + What is it to be spiritual? + </p> + <p> + Is this fine quality of the mind destroyed by the development of the + brain? As the domain wrested by science from ignorance increases—as + island after island and continent after continent are discovered—as + star after star and constellation after constellation in the intellectual + world burst upon the midnight of ignorance, does the spirituality of the + mind grow less and less? Like morality, is it only found in the company of + ignorance and superstition? Is the spiritual man honest, kind, candid?—or + dishonest, cruel and hypocritical? Does he say what he thinks? Is he + guided by reason? Is he the friend of the right?—the champion of the + truth? Must this splendid quality called spirituality be retained through + the loss of candor? Can we not truthfully say that absolute candor is the + beginning of wisdom? + </p> + <p> + To recognize the finer harmonies of conduct—to live to the ideal—to + separate the incidental, the evanescent, from the perpetual—to be + enchanted with the perfect melody of truth—open to the influences of + the artistic, the beautiful, the heroic—to shed kindness as the sun + sheds light—to recognize the good in others, and to include the + world in the idea of self—this is to be spiritual. + </p> + <p> + There is nothing spiritual in the worship of the unknown and unknowable, + in the self-denial of a slave at the command of a master whom he fears. + Fastings, prayings, mutilations, kneelings, and mortifications are either + the results of, or result in, insanity. + </p> + <p> + This is the spirituality of Bedlam, and is of no kindred with the soul + that finds its greatest joy in the discharge of obligation perceived. + </p> + <p> + V. REVERENCE. + </p> + <p> + What is reverence? + </p> + <p> + It is the feeling produced when we stand in the presence of our ideal, or + of that which most nearly approaches it—that which is produced by + what we consider the highest degree of excellence. + </p> + <p> + The highest is reverenced, praised, and admired without qualification. + </p> + <p> + Each man reverences according to his nature, his experience, his + intellectual development. He may reverence' Nero or Marcus Aurelius, + Jehovah or Buddha, the author of Leviticus or Shakespeare. Thousands of + men reverence John Calvin, Torquemada, and the Puritan fathers; and some + have greater respect for Jonathan Edwards than for Captain Kidd. + </p> + <p> + A vast number of people have great reverence for anything that is covered + by mould, or moss, or mildew. They bow low before rot and rust, and adore + the worthless things that have been saved by the negligence of oblivion. + </p> + <p> + They are enchanted with the dull and fading daubs of the old masters, and + hold in contempt those miracles of art, the paintings of to-day. + </p> + <p> + They worship the ancient, the shadowy, the mysterious, the wonderful. They + doubt the value of anything that they understand. + </p> + <p> + The creed of Christendom is the enemy of morality. It teaches that the + innocent can justly suffer for the guilty, that consequences can be + avoided by repentance, and that in the world of mind the great fact known + as cause and effect does not apply. + </p> + <p> + It is the enemy of spirituality, because it teaches that credulity is of + more value than conduct, and because it pours contempt upon human love by + raising far above it the adoration of a phantom. + </p> + <p> + It is the enemy of reverence. It makes ignorance the foundation of virtue. + It belittles the useful, and cheapens the noblest of! the virtues. It + teaches man to live on mental alms, and glorifies the intellectual pauper. + It holds candor in contempt, and is the malignant foe of mental manhood. + </p> + <p> + VI. EXISTENCE OF GOD. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Fawcett has shown conclusively that it is no easier to establish the + existence of an infinitely wise and good being by the existence of what we + call "good" than to establish the existence of an infinitely bad being by + what we call "bad." + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be surer than that the history of this world furnishes no + foundation on which to base an inference that it has been governed by + infinite wisdom and goodness. So terrible has been the condition of man, + that religionists in all ages have endeavored to excuse God by accounting + for the evils of the world by the wickedness of men. And the fathers of + the Christian Church were forced to take the ground that this world had + been filled with briers and thorns, with deadly serpents and with + poisonous weeds, with disease and crime and earthquake and pestilence and + storm, by the curse of God. + </p> + <p> + The probability is that no God has cursed, and that no God will bless, + this earth. Man suffers and enjoys according to conditions. The sun shines + without love, and the lightning blasts without hate. Man is the Providence + of man. + </p> + <p> + Nature gives to our eyes all they can see, to our ears all they can hear, + and to the mind what it can comprehend. The human race reaps the fruit of + every victory won on the fields of intellectual or physical conflict. We + have no right to expect something for nothing. Man will reap no harvest + the seeds of which he has not sown. + </p> + <p> + The race must be guided by intelligence, must be free to investigate, and + must have the courage and the candor not only to state what is known, but + to cheerfully admit the limitations of the mind. + </p> + <p> + No intelligent, honest man can read what Mr. Fawcett has written and then + say that he knows the origin and destiny of things—that he knows + whether an infinite Being exists or not, and that he knows whether the + soul of man is or is not immortal. + </p> + <p> + In the land of————, the geography of which is not + certainly known, there was for many years a great dispute among the + inhabitants as to which road led to the city of Miragia, the capital of + their country, and known to be the most delightful city on the earth. For + fifty generations the discussion as to which road led to the city had been + carried on with the greatest bitterness, until finally the people were + divided into a great number of parties, each party claiming that the road + leading to the city had been miraculously made known to the founder of + that particular sect. The various parties spent most of their time putting + up guide-boards on these roads and tearing down the guide-boards of + others. Hundreds of thousands had been killed, prisons were filled, and + the fields had been ravaged by the hosts of war. + </p> + <p> + One day, a wise man, a patriot, wishing to bring peace to his country, met + the leaders of the various sects and asked them whether it was absolutely + certain that the city of Miragia existed. He called their attention to the + facts that no resident of that city had ever visited them and that none of + their fellow-men who had started for the capital had ever returned, and + modestly asked whether it would not be better to satisfy themselves beyond + a doubt that there was such a city, adding that the location of the city + would determine which of all the roads was the right one. + </p> + <p> + The leaders heard these words with amazement. They denounced the speaker + as a wretch without morality, spirituality, or reverence, and thereupon he + was torn in pieces. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkPREF5" id="linkPREF5"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE TO "FAITH OR FACT." + </h2> + <p> + I LIKE to know the thoughts, theories and conclusions of an honest, + intelligent man; candor is always charming, and it is a delight to feel + that you have become acquainted with a sincere soul. + </p> + <p> + I have read this book with great pleasure, not only because I know, and + greatly esteem the author, not only because he is my unwavering friend, + but because it is full of good sense, of accurate statement, of sound + logic, of exalted thoughts happily expressed, and for the further reason + that it is against tyranny, superstition, bigotry, and every form of + injustice, and in favor of every virtue. + </p> + <p> + Henry M. Taber, the author, has for many years taken great interest in + religious questions. He was raised in an orthodox atmosphere, was + acquainted with many eminent clergymen from whom he endeavored to find out + what Christianity is—and the facts and evidence relied on to + establish the truth of the creeds. He found that the clergy of even the + same denomination did not agree—that some of them preached one way + and talked another, and that many of them seemed to regard the creed as + something to be accepted whether it was believed or not. He found that + each one gave his own construction to the dogmas that seemed heartless or + unreasonable. While some insisted that the Bible was absolutely true and + the creed without error, others admitted that there were mistakes in the + sacred volume and that the creed ought to be revised. Finding these + differences among the ministers, the shepherds, and also finding that no + one pretended to have any evidence except faith, or any facts but + assertions, he concluded to investigate the claims of Christianity for + himself. + </p> + <p> + For half a century he has watched the ebb and flow of public opinion, the + growth of science, the crumbling of creeds—the decay of the + theological spirit, the waning influence of the orthodox pulpit, the loss + of confidence in special providence and the efficacy of prayer. + </p> + <p> + He has lived to see the church on the defensive—to hear faith asking + for facts—and to see the shot and shell of science batter into + shapelessness the fortresses of superstition. He has lived to see + Infidels, blasphemers and Agnostics the leaders of the intellectual world. + In his time the supernaturalists have lost the sceptre and have taken + their places in the abject rear. + </p> + <p> + Fifty years ago the orthodox Christians believed their creeds. To them the + Bible was an actual revelation from God. Every word was true. Moses and + Joshua were regarded as philosophers and scientists. All the miracles and + impossibilities recorded in the Bible were accepted as facts. Credulity + was the greatest of virtues. Everything, except the reasonable, was + believed, and it was considered wickedly presumptuous to doubt anything + except facts. The reasonable things in the Bible could safely be doubted, + but to deny the miracles was like the sin against the Holy Ghost. In those + days the preachers were at the helm. They spoke with authority. They knew + the origin and destiny of the soul. They were on familiar terms with the + Trinity—the three-headed God. They knew the narrow path that led to + heaven and the great highway along which the multitude were traveling to + the Prison of Pain. + </p> + <p> + While these reverend gentlemen were busy trying to prevent the development + of the brain and to convince the people that the good in this life were + miserable, that virtue wore a crown of thorns and carried a cross, while + the wicked and ungodly walked in the sunshine of joy, yet that after death + the wicked would be eternally tortured and the good eternally rewarded. + According to the pious philosophy the good God punished virtue, and + rewarded vice, in this world—and in the next, rewarded virtue and + punished vice. These divine truths filled their hearts with holy peace—with + pious resignation. It would be difficult to determine which gave them the + greater joy—the hope of heaven for themselves, or the certainty of + hell for their enemies. For the grace of God they were fairly thankful, + but for his "justice" their gratitude was boundless. From the heights of + heaven they expected to witness the eternal tragedy in hell. + </p> + <p> + While these good divines, these doctors of divinity, were busy + misinterpreting the Scriptures, denying facts and describing the glories + and agonies of eternity, a good many other people were trying to find out + something about this world. They were busy with retort and crucible, + searching the heavens with the telescope, examining rocks and craters, + reefs and islands, studying plant and animal life, inventing ways to use + the forces of nature for the benefit of man, and in every direction + searching for the truth. They were not trying to destroy religion or to + injure the clergy. Many of them were members of churches and believed the + creeds. The facts they found were honestly given to the world. Of course + all facts are the enemies of superstition. The clergy, acting according to + the instinct of self-preservation, denounced these "facts" as dangerous + and the persons who found and published them, as Infidels and scoffers. + </p> + <p> + Theology was arrogant and bold. Science was timid. For some time the + churches seemed to have the best of the controversy. Many of the + scientists surrendered and did their best to belittle the facts and patch + up a cowardly compromise between Nature and Revelation—that is, + between the true and the false. + </p> + <p> + Day by day more facts were found that could not be reconciled with the + Scriptures, or the creeds. Neither was it possible to annihilate facts by + denial. The man who believed the Bible could not accept the facts, and the + man who believed the facts could not accept the Bible. At first, the Bible + was the standard, and all facts inconsistent with that standard were + denied. But in a little while science became the standard, and the + passages in the Bible contrary to the standard had to be explained or + given up. Great efforts were made to harmonize the mistakes in the Bible + with the demonstrations of science. It was difficult to be ingenious + enough to defend them both. The pious professors twisted and turned but + found it hard to reconcile the creation of Adam with the slow development + of man from lower forms. They were greatly troubled about the age of the + universe. It seemed incredible that until about six thousand years ago + there was nothing in existence but God—and nothing. And yet they + tried to save the Bible by giving new meanings to the inspired texts, and + casting a little suspicion on the facts. + </p> + <p> + This course has mostly been abandoned, although a few survivals, like Mr. + Gladstone, still insist there is no conflict between Revelation and + Science. But these champions of Holy Writ succeed only in causing the + laughter of the intelligent and the amazement of the honest. The more + intelligent theologians confessed that the inspired writers could not be + implicitly believed. As they personally know nothing of astronomy or + geology and were forced to rely entirely on inspiration, it is wonderful + that more mistakes were not made. So it was claimed that Jehovah cared + nothing about science, and allowed the blunders and mistakes of the + ignorant people concerning everything except religion, to appear in his + supernatural book as inspired truths. + </p> + <p> + The Bible, they said, was written to teach religion in its highest and + purest form—to make mankind fit to associate with God and his + angels. True, polygamy was tolerated and slavery established, yet Jehovah + believed in neither, but on account of the wickedness of the Jews was in + favor of both. + </p> + <p> + At the same time quite a number of real scholars were investigating other + religions, and in a little while they were enabled to show that these + religions had been manufactured by men—that their Christs and + apostles were myths and that all their sacred books were false and + foolish. This pleased the Christians. They knew that theirs was the only + true religion and that their Bible was the only inspired book. + </p> + <p> + The fact that there is nothing original in Christianity, that all the + dogmas, ceremonies and festivals had been borrowed, together with some + mouldy miracles used as witnesses, weakened the faith of some and sowed + the seeds of doubt in many minds. But the pious petrifactions, the fossils + of faith, still clung to their book and creed. While they were quick to + see the absurdities in other sacred books, they were either unconsciously + blind or maliciously shut their eyes to the same absurdities in the Bible. + They knew that Mohammed was an impostor, because the citizens of Mecca, + who knew him, said he was, and they knew that Christ was not an impostor, + because the people of Jerusalem who knew him, said he was. The same fact + was made to do double duty. When they attacked other religions it was a + sword and when their religion was attacked it became a shield. + </p> + <p> + The men who had investigated other religions turned their attention to + Christianity. They read our Bible as they had read other sacred books. + They were not blinded by faith or paralyzed by fear, and they found that + the same arguments they had used against other religions destroyed our + own. + </p> + <p> + But the real old-fashioned orthodox ministers denounced the investigators + as Infidels and denied every fact that was inconsistent with the creed. + They wanted to protect the young and feeble minded. They were anxious + about the souls of the "thoughtless." + </p> + <p> + Some ministers changed their views just a little, not enough to be driven + from their pulpits—but just enough to keep sensible people from + thinking them idiotic. These preachers talked about the "higher criticism" + and contended that it was not necessary to believe every word in the + Bible, that some of the miracles might be given up and some of the books + discarded. But the stupid doctors of divinity had the Bible and the creeds + on their side and the machinery of the churches was in their control. They + brought some of the offending clergymen to the bar, and had them tried for + heresy, made some recant and closed the mouths of others. Still, it was + not easy to put the heretics down. The congregations of ministers found + guilty, often followed the shepherds. Heresy grew popular, the liberal + preachers had good audiences, while the orthodox addressed a few bonnets, + bibs and benches. + </p> + <p> + For many years the pulpit has been losing influence and the sacred calling + no longer offers a career to young men of talent and ambition. + </p> + <p> + When people believed in "special providence," they also believed that + preachers had great influence with God. They were regarded as celestial + lobbyists and they were respected and feared because of their supposed + power. + </p> + <p> + Now no one who has the capacity to think, believes in special providence. + Of course there are some pious imbeciles who think that pestilence and + famine, cyclone and earthquake, flood and fire are the weapons of God, the + tools of his trade, and that with these weapons, these tools, he kills and + starves, rends and devours, drowns and burns countless thousands of the + human race. + </p> + <p> + If God governs this world, if he builds and destroys, if back of every + event is his will, then he is neither good nor wise, He is ignorant and + malicious. + </p> + <p> + A few days ago, in Paris, men and women had gathered together in the name + of Charity. The building in which they, were assembled took fire and many + of these men and women perished in the flames. + </p> + <p> + A French priest called this horror an act of God. + </p> + <p> + Is it not strange that Christians speak of their God as an assassin? + </p> + <p> + How can they love and worship this monster who murders, his children? + </p> + <p> + Intelligence seems to be leaving the orthodox church. The great divines + are growing smaller, weaker, day by day. Since the death of Henry Ward + Beecher no man of genius has stood in the orthodox pulpit. The ministers + of intelligence are found in the liberal churches where they are allowed + to express their thoughts and preserve their manhood. Some of these + preachers keep their faces toward the East and sincerely welcome the + light, while their orthodox brethren stand with their backs to the sunrise + and worship the sunset of the day before. + </p> + <p> + During these years of change, of decay and growth, the author of this book + looked and listened, became familiar with the questions raised, the + arguments offered and the results obtained. For his work a better man + could not have been found. He has no prejudice, no hatred. He is by nature + candid, conservative, kind and just. He does not attack persons. He knows + the difference between exchanging epithets and thoughts. He gives the + facts as they appear to him and draws the logical conclusions. He charges + and proves that Christianity has not always been the friend of morality, + of civil liberty, of wives and mothers, of free though and honest speech. + He shows that intolerance is its nature, that it always has, and always + will persecute to the extent of its power, and that Christianity will + always despise the doubter. + </p> + <p> + Yet we know that doubt must inhabit every finite mind. We know that doubt + is as natural as hope, and that man is no more responsible for his doubts + than for the beating of his heart. Every human being who knows the nature + of evidence, the limitations of the mind, must have "doubts" about gods + and devils, about heavens and hells, and must know that there is not the + slightest evidence tending to show that gods and devils ever existed. + </p> + <p> + God is a guess. + </p> + <p> + An undesigned designer, an uncaused cause, is as incomprehensible to the + human mind as a circle without a diameter. + </p> + <p> + The dogma of the Trinity multiplies the difficulty by three. + </p> + <p> + Theologians do not, and cannot believe that the authority to govern comes + from the consent of the governed. They regard God as the monarch, and + themselves as his agents. They always have been the enemies of liberty. + </p> + <p> + They claim to have a revelation from their God, a revelation that is the + rightful master of reason. As long as they believe this, they must be the + enemies of mental freedom. They do not ask man to think, but command him + to obey. + </p> + <p> + If the claims of the theologians are admitted, the church becomes the + ruler of the world, and to support and obey priests will be the business + of mankind. All these theologians claim to have a revelation from their + God, and yet they cannot agree as to what the revelation reveals. The + other day, looking from my window at the bay of New York, I saw many + vessels going in many directions, and yet all were moved by the same wind. + The direction in which they were going did not depend on the direction of + the breeze, but on the set of the sails. In this way the same Bible + furnishes creeds for all the Christian sects. But what would we say if the + captains of the boats I saw, should each swear that his boat was the only + one that moved in the same direction the wind was blowing? + </p> + <p> + I agree with Mr. Taber that all religions are founded on mistakes, + misconceptions and falsehoods, and that superstition is the warp and woof + of every creed. + </p> + <p> + This book will do great good. It will furnish arguments and facts against + the supernatural and absurd. It will drive phantoms from the brain, fear + from the heart, and many who read these pages will be emancipated, + enlightened and ennobled. + </p> + <p> + Christianity, with its ignorant and jealous God—its loving and + revengeful Christ—its childish legends—its grotesque miracles—its + "fall of man"—its atonement—its salvation by faith—its + heaven for stupidity and its hell for genius, does not and cannot satisfy + the free brain and the good heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0007" id="link0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GRANT BANQUET. + </h2> + <h3> + Chicago, November 13, 1879. + </h3> + <p> + TWELFTH TOAST. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The meteoric display predicted to take place last Thursday + night did not occur, but there did occur on that evening a + display of oratorical brilliancy at Chicago seldom if ever + surpassed. The speeches at the banquet of the Army of the + Tennessee, taken together, constitute one of the most + remarkable collections of extemporaneous eloquence on + record. The principal speakers of the evening were Gen. U. + S. Grant, Gen. John A. Logan Col. Win, F. Vilas, Gen. + Stewart L. Woodford, General Pope, Col. R. G. Ingersoll, + Gen. J. H. Wilson, and "Mark Twain." In an oratorical + tournament General Grant is, of course, better as a listener + than as a talker; he is a man of deeds rather than of words. + The same might be said of General Sherman, though, as + presiding officer and toast-master of the occasion, his + impromptu remarks were always pertinent and keen. His advice + to speakers not to talk longer than they could hold their + audience, and to the auditors not to drag out their applause + or to drawl out their laughter, would serve as a good + standing rule for all similar occasions Colonel Ingersoll + responded to the twelfth toast, "The Volunteer Soldiers of + the Union Army, whose Valor and Patriotism saved to the + world a Government of the People, by the People, and for the + people." + + Colonel Ingersoll's position was a difficult one. His + reputation as the first orator in America caused the + distinguished audience to expect a wonderful display of + oratory from him. He proved fully equal to the occasion and + delivered a speech of wonderful eloquence, brilliancy and + power. To say it was one of the best he ever delivered is + equivalent to saying it was one of the best ever delivered + by any man, for few greater orators have ever lived than + Colonel Ingersoll. The speech is both an oration and a poem. + It bristles with ideas and sparkles with epigrammatic + expressions. It is full of thoughts that breathe and words + that burn. The closing sentences read like blank verse. It + is wonderful oratory, marvelous eloquence. Colonel + Ingersoll fully sustained his reputation as the finest + orator In America. + + Editorial from The Journal Indianapolis, Ind., November + 17,1879. + + The Inter-Ocean remarked yesterday that the gathering and + exercises at the Palmer House banquet on Thursday evening + constituted one of the most remarkable occasions known in + the history of this country. This was not alone because of + the distinguished men who lent their presence to the scone; + they were indeed illustrious; but they only formed a part of + the grand picture that must endure while the memory of our + great conflict survives. To the eminent men assembled may be + traced the signal success of the affair, for they gave + inspiration to the minds and the tongues of others; but it + was the fruit of that inspiration that rolled like a glad + surprise across the banqueting sky, and made the 13th of + November renowned in the calendar of days... When Robert G. + Ingersoll rose after the speech of General Pope, to respond + to the toast, "The Volunteer Soldiers," a large part of the + audience rose with him, and the cheering was long and loud. + Colonel Ingersoll may fairly be regarded as the foremost + orator of America, and there was the keenest interest to + hear him after all the brilliant speeches that had preceded; + and this interest was not unnmixed with a fear that he would + not be able to successfully strive against both his own + great reputation and the fresh competitors who had leaped + suddenly into the oratorical arena like mighty gladiators + and astonished the audience by their unexpected eloquence. + But Ingersoll had not proceeded far when the old fire broke + out, and flashing metaphor, bold denunciation, and all the + rich imagery and poetical beauty which mark his great + efforts stood revealed before the delighted listeners: Long + before the last word was uttered, all doubt as to the + ability of the great orator to sustain himself had departed, + and rising to their feet, the audience cheered till the hall + rang with shouts. Like Henry, "The forest-born Demosthenes, + whose thunder shook the Philip of the seas," Ingersoll still + held the crown within his grasp. + + Editorial from The Inter-Ocean, Chicago, November 15, 1879. +</pre> + <p> + The Volunteer Soldiers of the Union Army, whose Valor and Patriotism saved + to the world "a Government of the People, by the People, and for the + People." + </p> + <p> + WHEN the savagery of the lash, the barbarism of the chain, and the + insanity of secession confronted the civilization of our country, the + question "Will the great Republic defend itself?" trembled on the lips of + every lover of mankind. + </p> + <p> + The North, filled with intelligence and wealth—children of liberty—marshaled + her hosts and asked only for a leader. From civil life a man, silent, + thoughtful, poised and calm, stepped forth, and with the lips of victory + voiced the Nation's first and last demand: "Unconditional and immediate + surrender." From that 'moment' the end was known. That utterance was the + first real declaration of real war, and, in accordance with the dramatic + unities of mighty events, the great soldier who made it, received the + final sword of the Rebellion. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers of the Republic were not seekers after vulgar glory. They + were not animated by the hope of plunder or the love of conquest. They + fought to preserve the homestead of liberty and that their children might + have peace. They were the defenders of humanity, the destroyers of + prejudice, the breakers of chains, and in the name of the future they slew + the monster of their time. They finished what the soldiers of the + Revolution commenced. They re-lighted the torch that fell from their + august hands and filled the world again with light. They blotted from the + statute-book laws that had been passed by hypocrites at the instigation of + robbers, and tore with indignant hands from the Constitution that infamous + clause that made men the catchers of their fellow-men. They made it + possible for judges to be just, for statesmen to be humane, and for + politicians to be honest. They broke the shackles from the limbs of + slaves, from the souls of masters, and from the Northern brain. They kept + our country on the map of the world, and our flag in heaven. They rolled + the stone from the sepulchre of progress, and found therein two angels + clad in shining garments—Nationality and Liberty. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers were the saviors of the Nation; they were the liberators of + men. In writing the Proclamation of Emancipation, Lincoln, greatest of our + mighty dead, whose memory is as gentle as the summer air when reapers, + sing amid the gathered sheaves, copied with the pen what Grant and his + brave comrades wrote with swords. + </p> + <p> + Grander than the Greek, nobler than the Roman, the soldiers of the + Republic, with patriotism as shoreless as the air, battled for the rights + of others, for the nobility of labor; fought that mothers might own their + babes, that arrogant idleness should not scar the back of patient toil, + and that our country should not be a many-headed monster made of warring + States, but a Nation, sovereign, great, and free. + </p> + <p> + Blood was water, money was leaves, and life, was only common air until one + flag floated over a Republic without a master and without a slave. + </p> + <p> + And then was asked the question: "Will a free, people tax themselves to + pay a Nation's debt?" + </p> + <p> + The soldiers went home to their waiting wives, to their glad children, and + to the girls they loved—they went back-to the fields, the shops, and + mines. They had not been demoralized. They had been ennobled. They were as + honest in peace as they had been brave in war. Mocking at poverty, + laughing at reverses, they made a friend of toil. They said: "We saved the + Nation's life, and what is life without honor?" They worked and wrought + with all of labor's royal sons that every pledge the Nation gave might be + redeemed. And their great leader, having put a shining band of friendship—a + girdle of clasped and happy hands—around the globe, comes home and + finds that every promise made in war has now the ring and gleam of gold. + </p> + <p> + There is another question still:—Will all the wounds of war be + healed? I answer, Yes. The Southern people must submit,—not to the + dictation of the North, but to the Nation's will and to the verdict of + mankind. They were wrong, and the time will come when they will say that + they are victors who have been vanquished by the right. Freedom conquered + them, and freedom will cultivate their fields, educate their children, + weave for them the robes of wealth, execute their laws, and fill their + land with happy homes. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers of the Union saved the South as well as the North. They made + us a Nation. Their victory made us free and rendered tyranny in every + other land as insecure as snow upon volcanoes' lips. + </p> + <p> + And now let us drink to the volunteers—to those who sleep in + unknown, sunken graves, whose names are only in the hearts of those they + loved and left—of those who only hear in happy dreams the footsteps + of return. Let us drink to those who died where lipless famine mocked at + want; to all the maimed whose scars give modesty a tongue; to all who + dared and gave to chance the care and keeping of their lives; to all the + living and to all the dead,—to Sherman, to Sheridan, and to Grant, + the laureled soldier of the world, and last, to Lincoln, whose loving + life, like a bow of peace, spans and arches all the clouds of war. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0008" id="link0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THIRTEEN CLUB DINNER. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Response of Col. R. G. Ingersoll to the sentiment "The + Superstitions of Public Men," at the regular monthly dinner + of the Thirteen Club. Monday evening, December 18, 1886. +</pre> + <p> + New York, December 13, 1886, + </p> + <p> + THE SUPERSTITIONS OF PUBLIC MEN, + </p> + <p> + MR. CHIEF RULER-AND GENTLEMEN: I suppose that the superstition most + prevalent with public men, is the idea that they are of great importance + to the public. As a matter of fact, public men,—that is to say, men + in office,—reflect the average intelligence of the people, and no + more. A public man, to be successful, must not assert anything unless it + is exceedingly popular. And he need not deny anything unless everybody is + against it. Usually he has to be like the center of the earth,—draw + all things his way, without weighing anything himself. + </p> + <p> + One of the difficulties, or rather, one of the objections, to a government + republican in form, is this: Everybody imagines that he is everybody's: + master. And the result has been to make most of our public men exceedingly + conservative in the expression of their real opinions. A man, wishing to + be elected to an office, generally agrees with 'most everybody he meets. + If he meets a Prohibitionist, he says: "Of course I am a temperance man. I + am opposed to all excesses; my dear friend, and no one knows better than + myself the evils that have been caused by intemperance." The next man + happens to keep a saloon, and happens to be quite influential in that part + of the district, and the candidate immediately says to him:—"The + idea that these Prohibitionists can take away the personal liberty of the + citizen is simply monstrous!" In a moment after, he is greeted by a + Methodist, and he hastens to say, that while he does not belong to that + church himself, his wife does; that he would gladly be a member, but does + not feel that he is good enough. He tells a Presbyterian that his + grandfather was of that faith, and that he was a most excellent man, and + laments from the bottom of his heart that he himself is not within that + fold. A few moments after, on meeting a skeptic, he declares, with the + greatest fervor, that reason is the only guide, and that he looks forward + to the time when superstition will be dethroned. In other words, the + greatest superstition now entertained by public men is, that hypocrisy is + the royal road to success. + </p> + <p> + Of course, there are many other superstitions, and one is, that the + Democratic party has not outlived its usefulness. Another is, that the + Republican party should have power for what it has done, instead of what + it proposes to do. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, these statesmen are mistaken. The people of the United + States, after all, admire intellectual honesty and have respect for moral + courage. The time has come for the old ideas and superstitions in politics + to be thrown away—not in phrase, not in pretence, but in fact; and + the time has come when a man can safely rely on the intelligence and + courage of the American people. + </p> + <p> + The most significant fact in this world to-day, is, that in nearly every + village under the American flag the school-house is larger than the + church. People are beginning to have a little confidence in intelligence + and in facts. Every public man and every private man, who is actuated in + his life by a belief in something that no one can prove,—that no one + can demonstrate,—is, to that extent, a superstitious man. + </p> + <p> + It may be that I go further than most of you, because if I have any + superstition, it is a superstition against superstition. It seems to me + that the first things for every man, whether in or out of office, to + believe in,—the first things to rely on, are demonstrated facts. + These are the corner stones,—these are the columns that nothing can + move,—these are the stars that no darkness can hide,—these are + the true and only foundations of belief. + </p> + <p> + Beyond the truths that have been demonstrated is the horizon of the + Probable, and in the world of the Probable every man has the right to + guess for himself. Beyond the region of the Probable is the Possible, and + beyond the Possible is the Impossible, and beyond the Impossible are the + religions of this world. My idea is this: Any man who acts in view of the + Improbable or of the Impossible—that is to say of the Supernatural—is + a superstitious man. Any man who believes that he can add to the happiness + of the Infinite, by depriving himself of innocent pleasure, is + superstitious. Any man who imagines that he can make some God happy, by + making himself miserable, is superstitious. Any one who thinks he can gain + happiness in another world, by raising hell with his fellow-men in this, + is simply superstitious. Any man who believes in a Being of infinite + wisdom and goodness, and yet belives that that Being has peopled a world + with failures, is superstitious. Any man who believes that an infinitely + wise and good God would take pains to make a man, intending at the time + that the man should be eternally damned, is absurdly superstitious. In + other words, he who believes that there is, or that there can be, any + other religious duty than to increase the happiness of mankind, in this + world, now and here, is superstitious. + </p> + <p> + I have known a great many private men who were not men of genius. I have + known some men of genius about whom it was kept private, and I have known + many public men, and my wonder increased the better I knew them, that they + occupied positions of trust and honor. + </p> + <p> + But, after all, it is the people's fault. They who demand hypocrisy must + be satisfied with mediocrity... Our public men will be better and greater, + and less superstitious, when the people become greater and better and less + superstitious. There is an old story, that we have all heard, about + Senator Nesmith. He was elected a Senator from Oregon. When he had been in + Washington a little while, one of the other Senators said to him: "How did + you feel when you found yourself sitting here in the United States + Senate?" He replied: "For the first two months, I just sat and wondered + how a damned fool like me ever, broke into the Senate. Since that, I have + done nothing but wonder how the other fools got here." + </p> + <p> + To-day the need of our civilization is public men who have the courage to + speak as they think. We need a man for President who will not publicly + thank God for earthquakes. We need somebody with the courage to say that + all that happens in nature happens without design, and without reference + to man; somebody who will say that the men and women killed are not + murdered by supernatural beings, and that everything that happens in + nature, happens without malice and without mercy. We want somebody who + will have courage enough not to charge, an infinitely good and wise Being + with all the cruelties and agonies and sufferings of this world. We want + such men in public places,—men who will appeal to the reason of + their fellows, to the highest intelligence of the people; men who will + have courage enough, in this the nineteenth century, to agree with the + conclusions of science. We want some man who will not pretend to believe, + and who does not in fact believe, the stories that Superstition has told + to Credulity. + </p> + <p> + The most important thing in this world is the destruction of superstition. + Superstition interferes with the happiness of mankind. Superstition is a + terrible serpent, reaching in frightful coils from heaven to earth and + thrusting its poisoned fangs into the hearts of men. While I live, I am + going to do what little I can for the destruction of this monster. + Whatever may happen in another world—and I will take my chances + there,—I am opposed to superstition in this. And if, when I reach + that other world, it needs reforming, I shall do what little I can there + for the destruction of the false. + </p> + <p> + Let me tell you one thing more, and I am done. The only way to have brave, + honest, intelligent, conscientious public men, men without superstition, + is to do what we can to make the average citizen brave, conscientious and + intelligent. If you wish to see courage in the presidential chair, + conscience upon the bench, intelligence of the highest order in Congress; + if you expect public men to be great enough to reflect honor upon the + Republic, private citizens must have the courage and the intelligence to + elect, and to sustain, such men. I have said, and I say it again, that + never while I live will I vote for any man to be President of the United + States, no matter if he does belong to my party, who has not won his spurs + on some field of intellectual conflict. We have had enough mediocrity, + enough policy, enough superstition, enough prejudice, enough + provincialism, and the time has come for the American citizen to say: + "Hereafter I will be represented by men who are worthy, not only of the + great Republic, but of the Nineteenth Century." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009" id="link0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ROBSON AND CRANE DINNER. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, November 21, 1887. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The theatre party and supper given by Charles P. Palmer, + brother of Courtlandt Palmer, on Monday evening were + unusually attractive in many ways. Mr Palmer has recently + returned from Europe, and took this opportunity to gather + around him his old club associates and friends, and to show + his admiration of the acting of Messrs. Robson and Crane. + The appearance of Mr. Palmer's fifty guests in the theatre + excited much interest in all parts of the house. It is not + often that theatre-goers have the opportunity of seeing in a + single row, Channcey M. Depew, Gen. William T. Sherman, Gen. + Horace Porter and Robert G. Ingersoll, with Leonard Jerome + and his brother Lawrence, Murat Halstead and other well- + known men in close proximity + + The supper table at Delmonico's was decorated with a lavish + profusion of flowers rarely approached even at that famous + restaurant. + + Mr. Palmer was a charming host, full of humor, jollity and + attention to every guest. He opened the speaking with a few + apt words. Then Stuart Rodson made some witty remarks, and + called upon William H. Crane, whose well-rounded speech was + heartily applauded General Sherman, Chauncey M. Depew, + General Porter, Lawrence Jerome and Colonel Ingersoll were + all in their best moods, and the sallies of wit and the + abundance of genuine humor in their informal addresses kept + their hearers in almost continuous laughter. Lawrence Jerome + was in especially fine form. He sang songs, told stories and + said: "Depew and Ingersoll know so much that intelligence + has become a drag in the market, and it's no use to tell you + what a good speech I would have made." J. Seaver Page made + an uncommonly witty and effective speech. Murat Halstead + related some reminiscences of his last European tour and of + his experiences in London with Lawrence and Leonard Jerome, + which were received with shouts of laughter. Altogether the + supper was one to be long remembered by all present.—The + Tribune, New York, November 23, 1887; +</pre> + <p> + TOAST: COMEDY AND TRAGEDY. + </p> + <p> + I BELIEVE in the medicine of mirth, and in what I might call the longevity + of laughter. Every man who has caused real, true, honest mirth, has been a + benefactor of the human race. In a world like this, where there is so much + trouble—a world gotten up on such a poor plan—where sometimes + one is almost inclined to think that the Deity, if there be one, played a + practical joke—to find, I say, in such a world, something that for + the moment allows laughter to triumph over sorrow, is a great piece of + good fortune. I like the stage, not only because General Sherman likes it—and + I do not think I was ever at the theatre in my life but I saw him—I + not only like it because General Washington liked it, but because the + greatest man that ever touched this grain of sand and tear we call the + world, wrote for the stage, and poured out a very Mississippi of + philosophy and pathos and humor, and everything calculated to raise and + ennoble mankind. + </p> + <p> + I like to see the stage honored, because actors are the ministers, the + apostles, of the greatest man who ever lived, and because they put flesh + upon and blood and passion within the greatest characters that the + greatest man drew. This is the reason I like the stage. It makes us human. + A rascal never gained applause on the stage. A hypocrite never commanded + admiration, not even when he was acting a clergyman—except for the + naturalness of the acting. No one has ever yet seen any play in which, in + his heart, he did not applaud honesty, heroism, sincerity, fidelity, + courage, and self-denial. Never. No man ever heard a great play who did + not get up a better, wiser, and more humane man; and no man ever went to + the theatre and heard Robson and Crane, who did not go home + better-natured, and treat his family that night a little better than on a + night when he had not heard these actors. + </p> + <p> + I enjoy the stage; I always did enjoy it. I love the humanity of it. I + hate solemnity; it is the brother of stupidity—always. You never + knew a solemn man who was not stupid, and you never will. There never was + a man of true genius who had not the simplicity of a child, and over whose + lips had not rippled the river of laughter—never, and there never + will be. I like, I say, the stage for its wit and for its humor. I do not + like sarcasm; I do not like mean humor. There is as much difference + between humor and malicious wit as there is between a bee's honey and a + bee's sting, and the reason I like Robson and Crane is that they have the + honey without the sting. + </p> + <p> + Another thing that makes me glad is, that I live in an age and generation + and day that has sense enough to appreciate the stage; sense enough to + appreciate music; sense enough to appreciate everything that lightens the + burdens of this life. Only a few years ago our dear ancestors looked upon + the theatre as the vestibule of hell; and every actor was going "the + primrose way to the everlasting bonfire." In those good old days, our + fathers, for the sake of relaxation, talked about death and graves and + epitaphs and worms and shrouds and dust and hell. In those days, too, they + despised music, cared nothing for art; and yet I have lived long enough to + hear the world—that is, the civilized world—say that + Shakespeare wrote the greatest book that man has ever read. I have lived + long enough to see men like Beethoven and Wagner put side by side with the + world's greatest men—great in imagination—and we must remember + that imagination makes the great difference between men. I have lived long + enough to see actors placed with the grandest and noblest, side by side + with the greatest benefactors of the human race. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing in which I cannot quite agree with what has been said. + I like tragedy, because tragedy is only the other side of the shield and I + like both sides. I love to spend an evening on the twilight boundary line + between tears and smiles. There is nothing that pleases me better than + some scene, some act, where the smile catches the tears in the eyes; where + the eyes are almost surprised by the smile, and the smile touched and + softened by the tears. I like that. And the greatest comedians and the + greatest tragedians have that power; and, in conclusion, let me say, that + it gives me more than pleasure to acknowledge the debt of gratitude I owe, + not only to the stage, but to the actors whose health we drink to-night. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0010" id="link0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE POLICE CAPTAINS' DINNER. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, January 24, 1888. + </h3> + <p> + TOAST: DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF THE PRESS. + </p> + <p> + ONLY a little while ago, the nations of the world were ignorant and + provincial. Between these nations there were the walls and barriers of + language, of prejudice, of custom, of race and of religion. Each little + nation had the only perfect form of government—the only genuine + religion—all others being adulterations or counterfeits. + </p> + <p> + These nations met only as enemies. They had nothing to exchange but blows—nothing + to give and take but wounds. + </p> + <p> + Movable type was invented, and "civilization was thrust into the brain of + Europe on the point of a Moorish lance." The Moors gave to our ancestors + paper, and nearly all valuable inventions that were made for a thousand + years. + </p> + <p> + In a little while, books began to be printed—the nations began to + exchange thoughts instead of blows. The classics were translated. These + were read, and those who read them began to imitate them—began to + write themselves; and in this way there was produced in each nation a + local literature. There came to be an exchange of facts, of theories, of + ideas. + </p> + <p> + For many years this was accomplished by books, but after a time the + newspaper was invented, and the exchange increased. + </p> + <p> + Before this, every peasant thought his king the greatest being in the + world. He compared this king—his splendor, his palace—with the + peasant neighbor, with his rags and with his hut. All his thoughts were + provincial, all his knowledge confined to his own neighborhood—the + great world was to him an unknown land. + </p> + <p> + Long after papers were published, the circulation was small, the means of + intercommunication slow, painful, few and costly. + </p> + <p> + The same was true in our own country, and here, too, was in a great + degree, the provincialism of the Old World. + </p> + <p> + Finally, the means of intercommunication increased, and they became + plentiful and cheap. + </p> + <p> + Then the peasant found that he must compare his king with the kings of + other nations—the statesmen of his country with the statesmen of + others—and these comparisons were not always favorable to the men of + his own country. + </p> + <p> + This enlarged his knowledge and his vision, and the tendency of this was + to make him a citizen of the world. + </p> + <p> + Here in our own country, a little while ago, the citizen of each State + regarded his State as the best of all. To love that State more than all + others, was considered the highest evidence of patriotism. + </p> + <p> + The Press finally informed him of the condition of other States. He found + that other States were superior to his in many ways—in climate, in + production, in men, in invention, in commerce and in influence. Slowly he + transferred the love of State, the prejudice of locality—what I call + mud patriotism—to the Nation, and he became an American in the best + and highest sense. + </p> + <p> + This, then, is one of the greatest things to be accomplished by the Press + in America—namely, the unification of the country—the + destruction of provincialism, and the creation of a patriotism broad as + the territory covered by our flag. + </p> + <p> + The same ideas, the same events, the same news, are carried to millions of + homes every day. The result of this is to fix the attention of all upon + the same things, the same thoughts and theories, the same facts—and + the result is to get the best judgment of a nation. + </p> + <p> + This is a great and splendid object, but not the greatest. + </p> + <p> + In Europe the same thing is taking place. The nations are becoming + acquainted with each other. The old prejudices are dying out. The people + cf each nation are beginning to find that they are not the enemies of any + other. They are also beginning to suspect that where they have no cause of + quarrel, they should neither be called upon to fight, nor to pay the + expenses of war. + </p> + <p> + Another thing: The kings and statesmen no longer act as they formerly did. + Once they were responsible only to their poor and wretched-subjects, whose + obedience they compelled at the point of the bayonet. Now a king knows, + and his minister knows, that they must give account for what they do to + the civilized world. They know that kings and rulers must be tried before + the great bar of public opinion—a public opinion that has been + formed by the facts given to them in the Press of the world. They do not + wish to be condemned at that great bar. They seek not only not to be + condemned—not only to be acquitted—but they seek to be + crowned. They seek the applause, not simply of their own nation, but of + the civilized world. + </p> + <p> + There was for uncounted centuries a conflict between civilization and + barbarism. Barbarism was almost universal, civilization local. The torch + of progress was then held by feeble hands, and barbarism extinguished it + in the blood of its founders. But civilizations arose, and kept rising, + one after another, until now the great Republic holds and is able to hold + that torch against a hostile world. + </p> + <p> + By its invention, by its weapons of war, by its intelligence, civilization + became capable of protecting itself, and there came a time when in the + struggle between civilization and barbarism the world passed midnight. + </p> + <p> + Then came another struggle,—the struggle between the people and + their rulers. + </p> + <p> + Most peoples sacrificed their liberty through gratitude to some great + soldier who rescued them from the arms of the barbarian. But there came a + time when the people said: "We have a right to govern ourselves." And that + conflict has been waged for centuries. + </p> + <p> + And I say, protected and corroborated by the flag of the greatest of all + Republics, that in that conflict the world has passed midnight. + </p> + <p> + Despotisms were softened by parliaments, by congresses—but at last + the world is beginning to say: "The right to govern rests upon the consent + of the governed. The power comes from the people—not from kings. It + belongs to man, and should be exercised by man." + </p> + <p> + In this conflict we have passed midnight. The world is destined to be + republican. Those who obey the laws will make the laws. + </p> + <p> + Our country—the United States—the great Republic—owns + the fairest portion of half the world. We have now sixty millions of free + people. Look upon the map of our country. Look upon the great valley of + the Mississippi—stretching from the Alleghenies to the Rockies. See + the great basin drained by that mighty river. There you will see a + territory large enough to feed and clothe and educate five hundred + millions of human beings. + </p> + <p> + This country is destined to remain as one. The Mississippi River is + Nature's protest against secession and against division. + </p> + <p> + We call that nation civilized when its subjects submit their differences + of opinion, in accordance with the forms of law, to fellow-citizens who + are disinterested and who accept the decision as final. + </p> + <p> + The nations, however, sustain no such relation to each other. Each nation + concludes for itself. Each nation defines its rights and its obligations; + and nations will not be civilized in respect of their relations to each + other, until there shall have been established a National Court to decide + differences between nations, to the judgment of which all shall bow. + </p> + <p> + It is for the Press—the Press that photographs the human activities + of every day—the Press that gives the news of the world to each + individual—to bend its mighty energies to the unification and the + civilization of mankind; to the destruction of provincialism, of prejudice—to + the extirpation of ignorance and to the creation of a great and splendid + patriotism that embraces the human race. + </p> + <p> + The Press presents the daily thoughts of men. It marks the progress of + each hour, and renders a relapse into ignorance and barbarism impossible. + No catastrophe can be great enough, no ruin wide-spread enough, to engulf + or blot out the wisdom of the world. + </p> + <p> + Feeling that it is called to this high destiny, the Press should appeal + only to the highest and to the noblest in the human heart. + </p> + <p> + It should not be the bat of suspicion, a raven, hoarse with croaking + disaster, a chattering jay of gossip, or a vampire fattening on the + reputations of men. + </p> + <p> + It should remain the eagle, rising and soaring high in the cloudless blue, + above all mean and sordid things, and grasping only the bolts and arrows + of justice. + </p> + <p> + Let the Press have the courage always to defend the right, always to + defend the people—and let it always have the power to clutch and + strangle any combination of men, however intellectual or cunning or rich, + that feeds and fattens on the flesh and blood of honest men. + </p> + <p> + In a little while, under our flag there will be five hundred millions of + people. The great Republic will then dictate to the world—that is to + say, it will succor the oppressed—it will see that justice is done—it + will say to the great nations that wish to trample upon the weak: "You + must not—you shall not—strike." It will be obeyed. + </p> + <p> + All I ask is—all I hope is—that the Press will always be + worthy of the great Republic. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0011" id="link0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + GENERAL GRANT'S BIRTHDAY DINNER + </h2> + <h3> + New York, April 27, 1888. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The tribute at Delmonico's last night was to the man + Grant as a supreme type of the confidence of the American + Republic in its own strength and destiny. Soldiers over + whose lost cause the wheels of a thousand cannons rolled, + and whose doctrines were ground to dust under the heels of + conquering legions, poured out their souls at the feet of + the great commander. Magnanimity, mercy, faith—these were + the themes of every orator. Christian and Infidel, blue and + gray, Republican and Democrat talked of Grant almost as men + have come to talk of Washington. + + And, alas! In the midst of it all, with its soft glow of + lights, its sweet breath of flowers, its throb of music and + bewildering radiance of banners, there was a vacant chair. + Upon it hung a wreath of green, tied with a knot of white + ribbon. Soldier and statesman and orator walked past that + chair and seemed to reverence it. It was the seat intended + for the trumpet tongued advocate of Grant in war, Grant in + victory, Grant in peace, Grant in adversity—the seat of + Roscoe Conkling. A little later and a clergyman jostled into + the vacant chair and brushed the green circlet to the floor. + + Gray and grim old General Sherman presided. About the nine + round, flower heaped tables were grouped the long list of + distinguisned men from every walk or life and from every + section of the country. + + Among the speakers was Ex-Minister Edwards Pierrepont who + was one of Grant's cabinet and who made a long speech, part + of which was devoted to explaining the court etiquette of + dukes and earls and ministers in England, and how an ex- + President of the United States ranks in Europe when an + American Minister helps him out. The rest of the speech + seemed to be an attempt to get up a presidential boom for + the Prince of Wales. + + When Mr. Pierrepont sat down, General Sherman explained that + Col. Robert Ingersoll did not want to speak, but a group of + gentlemen lifted the orator up and carried him forward by + main force.—New York Herald, April 28,1888. +</pre> + <p> + TOAST: GENERAL GRANT + </p> + <p> + GEN. SHERMAN and Gentlemen: I firmly believe that any nation great enough + to produce and appreciate a great and splendid man is great enough to keep + his memory green. No man admires more than I do men who have struggled and + fought for what they believed to be right. I admire General Grant, as well + as every soldier who fought in the ranks of the Union,—not simply + because they were fighters, not simply because they were willing to march + to the mouth of the guns, but because they fought for the greatest cause + that can be expressed in human language—the liberty of man. And + to-night while General Mahone was speaking, I could not but think that the + North was just as responsible for the war as the South. The South upheld + and maintained what is known as human slavery, and the North did the same; + and do you know, I have always found in my heart a greater excuse for the + man who held the slave, and lived on his labor, and profited by the + rascality, than I did for a Northern man that went into partnership with + him with a distinct understanding that he was to have none of the profits + and half of the disgrace. So I say, that, in a larger sense—that is, + when we view the question from a philosophic height—the North was as + responsible as the South; and when I remember that in this very city, <i>in + this very city</i>, men were mobbed simply for advocating the abolition of + slavery, I cannot find it in my heart to lay a greater blame upon the + South than upon the North. If this had been a war of conquest, a war + simply for national aggrandizement, then I should not place General Grant + side by side with or in advance of the greatest commanders of the world. + But when I remember that every blow was to break a chain, when I remember + that the white man was to be civilized at the same time the black man was + made free, when I remember that this country was to be made absolutely + free, and the flag left without a stain, then I say that the great General + who commanded the greatest army ever marshaled in the defence of human + rights, stands at the head of the commanders of this world. + </p> + <p> + There is one other idea,—and it was touched upon and beautifully + illustrated by Mr. Depew. I do not believe that a more merciful general + than Grant ever drew his sword. All greatness is merciful. All greatness + longs to forgive. All true grandeur and nobility is capable of shedding + the divine tear of pity. + </p> + <p> + Let me say one more word in that direction. The man in the wrong defeated, + and who sees the justice of his defeat, is a victor; and in this view—and + I say it understanding my words fully—the South was as victorious as + the North. + </p> + <p> + No man, in my judgment, is more willing to do justice to all parts of this + country than I; but, after all, I have a little sentiment—a little. + I admire great and splendid deeds, the dramatic effect of great victories; + but even more than that I admire that "touch of nature which makes the + whole world kin." I know the names of Grant's victories. I know that they + shine like stars in the heaven of his fame. I know them all. But there is + one thing in the history of that great soldier that touched me nearer and + more deeply than any victory he ever won, and that is this: When about to + die, he insisted that his dust should be laid in no spot where his wife, + when she sleeps in death, could not lie by his side. That tribute to the + great and splendid institution that rises above all others, the + institution of the family, touched me even more than the glories won upon + the fields of war. + </p> + <p> + And now let me say, General Sherman, as the years go by, in America, as + long as her people are great, as long as her people are free, as long as + they admire patriotism and courage, as long as they admire deeds of + self-denial, as long as they can remember the sacred blood shed for the + good of the whole nation, the birthday of General Grant will be + celebrated. And allow me to say, gentlemen, that there is another with us + to-night whose birthday will be celebrated. Americans of the future, when + they read the history of General Sherman, will feel the throb and thrill + that all men feel in the presence of the patriotic and heroic. + </p> + <p> + One word more—when General Grant went to England, when he sat down + at the table with the Ministers of her Britannic Majesty, he conferred + honor upon them. There is one change I wish to see in the diplomatic + service—and I want the example to be set by the great Republic—I + want precedence given here in Washington to the representatives of + Republics. Let us have some backbone ourselves. Let the representatives of + Republics come first and the ambassadors of despots come in next day. In + other words, let America be proud of American institutions, proud of a + Government by the people. We at last have a history, we at last are a + civilized people, and on the pages of our annals are found as glorious + names as have been written in any language. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0012" id="link0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LOTOS CLUB DINNER, TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, March 22, 1890. + </h3> + <p> + YOU have talked so much of old age and gray hairs and thin locks, so much + about the past, that I feel sad. Now, I want to destroy the impression + that baldness is a sign of age. The very youngest people I ever saw were + bald. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes I think, and especially when I am at a meeting where they have + what they call reminiscences, that a world with death in it is a mistake. + What would you think of a man who built a railroad, knowing that every + passenger was to be killed—knowing that there was no escape? What + would you think of the cheerfulness of the passengers if every one knew + that at some station, the name of which had not been called out, there was + a hearse waiting for him; backed up there, horses fighting flies, driver + whistling, waiting for you? Is it not wonderful that the passengers on + that train really enjoy themselves? Is it not magnificent that every one + of them, under perpetual sentence of death, after all, can dimple their + cheeks with laughter; that we, every one doomed to become dust, can yet + meet around this table as full of joy as spring is full of life, as full + of hope as the heavens are full of stars? + </p> + <p> + I tell you we have got a good deal of pluck. + </p> + <p> + And yet, after all, what would this world be without death? It may be from + the fact that we are all victims, from the fact that we are all bound by + common fate; it may be that friendship and love are born of that fact; but + Whatever the fact is, I am perfectly satisfied that the highest possible + philosophy is to enjoy to-day, not regretting yesterday, and not fearing + to-morrow. So, let us suck this orange of life dry, so that when death + does come, we can politely say to him, "You are welcome to the peelings. + What little there was we have enjoyed." + </p> + <p> + But there is one splendid thing about the play called Life. Suppose that + when you die, that is the end. The last thing that you will know is that + you are alive, and the last thing that will happen to you is the curtain, + not falling, but the curtain rising on another thought, so that as far as + your consciousness is concerned you will and must live forever. No man can + remember when he commenced, and no man can remember when he ends. As far + as we are concerned we live both eternities, the one past and the one to + come, and it is a delight to me to feel satisfied, and to feel in my own + heart, that I can never be certain that I have seen the faces I love for + the last time. + </p> + <p> + When I am at such a gathering as this, I almost wish I had had the making + of the world. What a world I would have made! In that world unhappiness + would have been the only sin; melancholy the only crime; joy the only + virtue. And whether there is another world, nobody knows. Nobody can + affirm it; nobody can deny it. Nobody can collect tolls from me, claiming + that he owns a turnpike, and nobody can certainly say that the crooked + path that I follow, beside which many roses are growing, does not lead to + that place. He doesn't know. But if there is such a place, I hope that all + good fellows will be welcome. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0013" id="link0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + MANHATTAN ATHLETIC CLUB DINNER. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, December 27, 1890. + </h3> + <p> + TOAST: ATHLETICS AMONG THE ANCIENTS. + </p> + <p> + THE first record of public games is found in the twentythird Book of the + Iliad. These games were performed at the funeral of Patroclus, and there + were: + </p> + <p> + First. A chariot race, and the first prize was: + </p> + <p> + "A woman fair, well skilled in household care." + </p> + <p> + Second. There was a pugilistic encounter, and the first prize, + appropriately enough, was a mule. + </p> + <p> + It gave me great pleasure to find that Homer did not hold in high esteem + the victor. I have reached this conclusion, because the poet put these + words in the mouth of Eppius, the great boxer winding up with the + following refined declaration concerning his opponent: + </p> + <p> + "I mean to pound his flesh and smash his bones." + </p> + <p> + After the battle, the defeated was helped from the field. He spit forth + clotted gore. His head rolled from side to side, until he fell + unconscious. + </p> + <p> + Third, wrestling; fourth, foot-race; fifth, fencing; sixth, throwing the + iron mass or bar; seventh, archery, and last, throwing the javelin. + </p> + <p> + All of these games were in honor of Patroclus. This is the same Patroclus + who, according to Shakespeare, addressed Achilles in these words: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "In the battle-field I claim no special praise; + 'Tis not for man in all things to excel—" + + "Rouse yourself, and the weak wanton Cupid + Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold, + And, like a dew-drop from the lion's mane, + Be shook to air." +</pre> + <p> + These games were all born of the instinct of self-defence. The chariot was + used in war. Man should know the use of his hands, to the end that he may + repel assault. He should know the use of the sword, to the end that he may + strike down his enemy. He should be skillful with the arrow, to the same + end. If overpowered, he seeks safety in flight—he should therefore + know how to run. So, too, he could preserve himself by the skillful + throwing of the javelin, and in the close encounter a knowledge of + wrestling might save his life. + </p> + <p> + Man has always been a fighting animal, and the art of self-defence is + nearly as important now as ever—and will be, until man rises to that + supreme height from which he will be able to see that no one can commit a + crime against another without injuring himself. + </p> + <p> + The Greeks knew that the body bears a certain relation to the soul—that + the better the body—other things being equal—the greater the + mind. They also knew that the body could be developed, and that such + development would give or add to the health, the courage, the endurance, + the self-confidence, the independence and the morality of the human race. + They knew, too, that health was the foundation, the corner-stone, of + happiness. + </p> + <p> + They knew that human beings should know something about themselves, + something of the capacities of body and mind, to the end that they might + ascertain the relation between conduct and happiness, between temperance + and health. + </p> + <p> + It is needless to say that the Greeks were the most intellectual of all + races, and that they were in love with beauty, with proportion, with the + splendor of the body and of mind; and so great was their admiration for + the harmoniously developed, that Sophocles had the honor of walking naked + at the head of a great procession. + </p> + <p> + The Greeks, through their love of physical and mental development, gave us + the statues—the most precious of all inanimate things—of far + more worth than all the diamonds and rubies and pearls that ever glittered + in crowns and tiaras, on altars or thrones, or, flashing, rose and fell on + woman's billowed breast. In these marbles we find the highest types of + life, of superb endeavor and supreme repose. In looking at them we feel + that blood flows, that hearts throb and souls aspire. These miracles of + art are the richest legacies the ancient world has left our race. + </p> + <p> + The nations in love with life, have games. To them existence is + exultation. They are fond of nature. They, seek the woods and streams. + They love the winds and waves of the sea. They enjoy the poem of the day, + the drama of the year. + </p> + <p> + Our Puritan fathers were oppressed with a sense of infinite + responsibility. They were disconsolate and sad, and no more thought of + sport, except the flogging of; Quakers, than shipwrecked wretches huddled + on a raft would turn their attention to amateur theatricals. + </p> + <p> + For many centuries the body was regarded as a decaying; casket, in which + had been placed the gem called the soul, and the nearer rotten the casket + the more brilliant the jewel. + </p> + <p> + In those blessed days, the diseased were sainted and insanity born of + fasting and self-denial and abuse of the body, was looked upon as evidence + of inspiration. Cleanliness was not next to godliness—it was the + opposite; and in those days, what was known as "the odor of sanctity" had + a substantial foundation. Diseased bodies produced all kinds of mental + maladies. There is a direct relation between sickness and superstition. + Everybody knows that Calvinism was the child of indigestion. + </p> + <p> + Spooks and phantoms hover about the undeveloped and diseased, as vultures + sail above the dead. + </p> + <p> + Our ancestors had the idea that they ought to be spiritual, and that good + health was inconsistent with the highest forms of piety. This heresy crept + into the minds even of secular writers, and the novelists described their + heroines as weak and languishing, pale as lilies, and in the place of + health's brave flag they put the hectic flush. + </p> + <p> + Weakness was interesting, and fainting captured the hearts of all. Nothing + was so attractive as a society belle with a drug-store attachment. + </p> + <p> + People became ashamed of labor, and consequently, of the evidences of + labor. They avoided "sun-burnt mirth"—were proud of pallor, and + regarded small, white hands as proof that they had noble blood within + their veins. It was a joy to be too weak to work, too languishing to + labor. + </p> + <p> + The tide has turned. People are becoming sensible enough to desire health, + to admire physical development, symmetry of form, and we now know that a + race with little feet and hands has passed the climax and is traveling + toward the eternal night. + </p> + <p> + When the central force is strong, men and women are full of life to the + finger tips. When the fires burn low, they begin to shrivel at the + extremities—the hands and feet grow small, and the mental flame + wavers and wanes. + </p> + <p> + To be self-respecting we must be self-supporting. + </p> + <p> + Nobility is a question of character, not of birth. + </p> + <p> + Honor cannot be received as alms—it must be earned. + </p> + <p> + It is the brow that makes the wreath of glory green. + </p> + <p> + All exercise should be for the sake of development—that is to say, + for the sake of health, and for the sake of the mind—all to the end + that the person may become better, greater, more useful. The gymnast or + the athelete should seek for health as the student should seek for truth; + but when athletics degenerate into mere personal contests, they become + dangerous, because the contestants lose sight of health, as in the + excitement of debate the students prefer personal victory to the + ascertainment of truth. + </p> + <p> + There is another thing to be avoided by all athletic clubs, and that is, + anything that tends to brutalize, destroy or dull the finer feelings. + Nothing is more disgusting, more disgraceful, than pugilism—nothing + more demoralizing than an exhibition of strength united with ferocity, and + where the very body developed by exercise is mutilated and disfigured. + </p> + <p> + Sports that can by no possibility give pleasure, except to the unfeeling, + the hardened and the really brainless, should be avoided. No gentleman + should countenance rabbit-coursing, fighting of dogs, the shooting of + pigeons, simply as an exhibition of skill. + </p> + <p> + All these things are calculated to demoralize and brutalize not only the + actors, but the lookers on. Such sports are savage, fit only to be + participated in and enjoyed by the cannibals of Central Africa or the + anthropoid apes. + </p> + <p> + Find what a man enjoys—what he laughs at—what he calls + diversion—and you know what he is. Think of a man calling himself + civilized, who is in raptures at a bull fight—who smiles when he + sees the hounds pursue and catch and tear in pieces the timid hare, and + who roars with laughter when he watches the pugilists pound each other's + faces, closing each other's eyes, breaking jaws and smashing noses. Such + men are beneath the animals they torture—on a level with the + pugilists they applaud. Gentlemen should hold such sports in unspeakable + contempt. No man finds pleasure in inflicting pain. + </p> + <p> + In every public school there should be a gymnasium. + </p> + <p> + It is useless to cram minds and deform bodies. Hands should be educated as + well as heads. All should be taught the sports and games that require + mind, muscle, nerve and judgment. + </p> + <p> + Even those who labor should take exercise, to the end that the whole body + may be developed. Those who work at one employment become deformed. + Proportion is lost. But where harmony is preserved by the proper exercise, + even old age is beautiful. + </p> + <p> + To the well developed, to the strong, life seems rich, obstacles small, + and success easy. They laugh at cold and storm. Whatever the season may be + their hearts are filled with summer. + </p> + <p> + Millions go from the cradle to the coffin without knowing what it is to + live. They simply succeed in postponing death. Without appetites, without + passions, without struggle, they slowly rot in a waveless pool. They never + know the glory of success, the rapture of the fight. + </p> + <p> + To become effeminate is to invite misery. In the most delicate bodies may + be found the most degraded souls. It was the Duchess Josiane whose + pampered flesh became so sensitive that she thought of hell as a place + where people were compelled to sleep between coarse sheets. + </p> + <p> + We need the open air—we need the experience of heat and cold. We + need not only the rewards and caresses, but the discipline of our mother + Nature. Life is not all sunshine, neither is it all storm, but man should + be enabled to enjoy the one and to withstand the other. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the religion of the body—of physical development—in + devotional exercise—in the beatitudes of cheerfulness, good health, + good food, good clothes, comradeship, generosity, and above all, in + happiness. I believe in salvation here and now. Salvation from deformity + and disease—from weakness and pain—from ennui and insanity. I + believe in heaven here and now—the heaven of health and good + digestion—of strength and long life—of usefulness and joy. I + believe in the builders and defenders of homes. + </p> + <p> + The gentlemen whom we honor to-night have done a great work. To their + energy we are indebted for the nearest perfect, for the grandest athletic + clubhouse in the world. Let these clubs multiply. Let the example be + followed, until our country is filled with physical and intellectual + athletes—superb fathers, perfect mothers, and every child an heir to + health and joy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0014" id="link0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LIEDERKRANZ CLUB, SEIDL-STANTON BANQUET. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, April 2, 1891 + </h3> + <p> + TOAST: MUSIC, NOBLEST OF THE ARTS. + </p> + <p> + IT is probable that I was selected to speak about music, because, not + knowing one note from another, I have no prejudice on the subject. + </p> + <p> + All I can say is, that I know what I like, and, to tell the truth, I like + every kind, enjoy it all, from the hand organ to the orchestra. + </p> + <p> + Knowing nothing of the science of music, I am not always looking for + defects, or listening for discords. As the young robin cheerfully swallows + whatever comes, I hear with gladness all that is played. + </p> + <p> + Music has been, I suppose, a gradual growth, subject to the law of + evolution; as nearly everything, with the possible exception of theology, + has been and is under this law. + </p> + <p> + Music may be divided into three kinds: First, the music of simple time, + without any particular emphasis—and this may be called the music of + the heels; second, music in which time is varied, in which there is the + eager haste and the delicious delay, that is, the fast and slow, in + accordance with our feelings, with our emotions—and this may be + called the music of the heart; third, the music that includes time and + emphasis, the hastening and the delay, and something in addition, that + produces not only states of feeling, but states of thought. This may be + called the music of the head,—the music of the brain. + </p> + <p> + Music expresses feeling and thought, without language. It was below and + before speech, and it is above and beyond all words. Beneath the waves is + the sea—above the clouds is the sky. + </p> + <p> + Before man found a name for any thought, or thing, he had hopes and fears + and passions, and these were rudely expressed in tones. + </p> + <p> + Of one thing, however, I am certain, and that is, that Music was born of + Love. Had there never been any human affection, there never could have + been uttered a strain of music. Possibly some mother, looking in the eyes + of her babe, gave the first melody to the enraptured air. + </p> + <p> + Language is not subtle enough, tender enough, to express all that we feel; + and when language fails, the highest and deepest longings are translated + into music. Music is the sunshine—the climate—of the soul, and + it floods the heart with a perfect June. + </p> + <p> + I am also satisfied that the greatest music is the most marvelous mingling + of Love and Death. Love is the greatest of all passions, and Death is its + shadow. Death gets all its terror from Love, and Love gets its intensity, + its radiance, its glory and its rapture, from the darkness of Death. Love + is a flower that grows on the edge of the grave. + </p> + <p> + The old music, for the most part, expresses emotion, or feeling-, through + time and emphasis, and what is known as melody. Most of the old operas + consist of a few melodies connected by unmeaning recitative. There should + be no unmeaning music. It is as though a writer should suddenly leave his + subject and write a paragraph consisting of nothing but a repetition of + one word like "the," "the," "the," or "if," "if." "if," varying the + repetition of these words, but without meaning,—and then resume the + subject of his article. + </p> + <p> + I am not saying that great music was not produced before Wagner, but I am + simply endeavoring to show-the steps that have been taken. It was + necessary that all the music should have been written, in order that the + greatest might be produced. The same is true of the drama, Thousands and + thousands prepared the way for the supreme dramatist, as millions prepared + the way for the supreme composer. + </p> + <p> + When I read Shakespeare, I am astonished that he has expressed so much + with common words, to which he gives new meaning; and so when I hear + Wagner, I exclaim: Is it possible that all this is done with common air? + </p> + <p> + In Wagner's music there is a touch of chaos that suggests the infinite. + The melodies seem strange and changing forms, like summer clouds, and + weird harmonies come like sounds from the sea brought by fitful winds, and + others moan like waves on desolate shores, and mingled with these, are + shouts of joy, with sighs and sobs and ripples of laughter, and the + wondrous voices of eternal love. + </p> + <p> + Wagner is the Shakespeare of Music. + </p> + <p> + The funeral march for Siegfried is the funeral music for all the dead; + Should all the gods die, this music would be perfectly appropriate. It is + elemental, universal, eternal. + </p> + <p> + The love-music in Tristan and Isolde is, like Romeo and Juliet, an + expression of the human heart for all time. So the love-duet in The Flying + Dutchman has in it the consecration, the infinite self-denial, of love. + The whole heart is given; every note has wings, and rises and poises like + an eagle in the heaven of sound. + </p> + <p> + When I listen to the music of Wagner, I see pictures, forms, glimpses of + the perfect, the swell of a hip, the wave of a breast, the glance of an + eye. I am in the midst of great galleries. Before me are passing, the + endless panoramas. I see vast landscapes with valleys of verdure and vine, + with soaring crags, snow-crowned. I am on the wide seas, where countless + billows burst into the white caps of joy. I am in the depths of caverns + roofed with mighty crags, while through some rent I see the eternal stars. + In a moment the music, becomes a river of melody, flowing through some + wondrous land; suddenly it falls in strange chasms, and the mighty + cataract is changed to seven-hued foam. . + </p> + <p> + Great music is always sad, because it tells us of the perfect; and such is + the difference between what we are and that which music suggests, that + even in the vase of joy we find some tears. + </p> + <p> + The music of Wagner has color, and when I hear the violins, the morning + seems to slowly come. A horn puts a star above the horizon. The night, in + the purple hum of the bass, wanders away like some enormous bee across + wide fields of dead clover. The light grows whiter as the violins + increase. Colors come from other instruments, and then the full orchestra + floods the world with day. + </p> + <p> + Wagner seems not only to have given us new tones, new combinations, but + the moment the orchestra begins to play his music, all the instruments are + transfigured. They seem to utter the sounds that they have been longing to + utter. The horns run riot; the drums and cymbals join in the general joy; + the old bass viols are alive with passion; the 'cellos throb with love; + the violins are seized with a divine fury, and the notes rush out as eager + for the air as pardoned prisoners for the roads and fields. + </p> + <p> + The music of Wagner is filled with landscapes. There are some strains, + like midnight, thick with constellations, and there are harmonies like + islands in the far seas, and others like palms on the desert's edge. His + music satisfies the heart and brain. It is not only for memory; not only + for the present, but for prophecy. + </p> + <p> + Wagner was a sculptor, a painter, in sound. When he died, the greatest + fountain of melody that ever enchanted the world, ceased. His music will + instruct and refine forever. + </p> + <p> + All that I know about the operas of Wagner I have learned from Anton + Seidl. I believe that he is the noblest, tenderest and the most artistic + interpreter of the great composer that has ever lived. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0015" id="link0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FRANK B. CARPENTER DINNER. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, December 1, 1891 + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * There was a notable gathering of leading artists, authors, + scientists, journalists, lawyer, clergymen and other + professional men at Sherry's last evening. The occasion was + a dinner tendered to Mr. F. B. Carpenter, the famous + portrait and portrait group artist, by his immediate friends + to celebrate the completion of his new historical painting, + entitled "International Arbitration," which is to be sent to + Queen Victoria next week as the gift of a wealthy American + lady. No such tribute has ever been paid before to an artist + of-this country. Let us hope that the extraordinary + attention thus paid to Mr. Carpenter will give our "English + cousins" some idea of how he is prized and his work indorsed + at home. The dinner to Mr. Carpenter was a great success— + most enjoyable in every way. The table was laid in the form + ol a horse shoe with a train of smilax, and sweet flowers + extending the entire length of the table, amid pots of + chrysanthemums and roses. Ex-Minister Andrew D White + presided in the absence of John Russell + + Young..........Mr. White said: "During the entire course of + these proceedings we have been endeavoring to find a + representative of the great Fourth Estate who would present + its claims in relation to arbitration on this occasion. + There are present men whose names are household words in + connection with the press throughout this land. There is + certainly one distinguished as orator: there is another + distinguished as a scholar. But they prefer to be silent. We + will therefore consider that the toast of 'The Press in + Connection with War and Peace' has been duly honored + although it has not been responded to, and now there is one + subject which I think you will consider as coming strangely + at this late hour. It is a renewal of the subject with which + we began, and I am to ask to speak to it a man who is + admired and feared throughout the country. At one moment he + smashes the most cherished convictions of the country, and + at another he raises our highest aspirations for the future + of humanity. + + "It happened several years ago that I was crossing the + Atlantic, and when I had sufficiently recovered from + seasickness to sit out on the deck I came across Colonel + Ingersoll, and of all subjects of discussion you can imagine + we fell upon the subject of art, and we went at it hot and + heavy. So I said to him to-night that I had a rod in pickle + for him and that he was not to know anything about it until + it was displayed. + + "I now call upon him to talk to us about art, and if he + talks now as he talked on the deck of the steamer I do not + know whether it would clear the room, but it would make a + sensation in this State and country. I have great pleasure + in announcing Colonel Ingersoll, to speak on the subject of + art—or on any other subject, for no matter upon what he + speaks his words are always welcome." + + New York Press, December 2, 1891. +</pre> + <p> + TOAST: ART. + </p> + <p> + I PRESUME I take about as much interest in what that picture represents as + anybody else. I believe that it has been said this evening that the world + will never be civilized so long as differences between nations are settled + by gun or cannon or sword. Barbarians still settle their personal + differences with clubs or arms, and finally, when they agree to submit + their differences to their peers, to a court, we call them civilized. Now, + nations sustain the same relations to each other that barbarians sustain; + that is, they settle their differences by force; each nation being the + judge of the righteousness of its cause, and its judgment depending + entirely—or for the most part—on its strength; and the + strongest nation is the nearest right. Now, until nations submit their + differences to an international court—a court with the power to + carry its judgment into effect by having the armies and navies of all the + rest of the world pledged to support it—the world will not be + civilized. Our differences will not be settled by arbitration until more + of the great nations set the example, and until that is done, I am in + favor of the United States being armed. Until that is done it will give me + joy to know that another magnificent man-of-war has been launched upon our + waters. And I will tell you why. Look again at that picture. There is + another face; it is not painted there, and yet without it that picture + would not have been painted, and that is the face of U. S. Grant. The + olive branch, to be of any force, to be of any beneficent power, must be + offered by the mailed hand. It must be offered by a nation which has back + of the olive branch the force. It cannot be offered by weakness, because + then it will excite only ridicule. The powerful, the imperial, must offer + that branch. Then it will be accepted in the true spirit; otherwise not. + So, until the world is a little more civilized I am in favor of the + largest guns that can be made and the best navy that floats. I do not want + any navy unless we have the best, because if you have a poor one you will + simply make a present of it to the enemy as soon as war opens. We should + be ready to defend ourselves against the world. Not that I think there is + going to be any war, but because I think that is the best way to prevent + it. Until the whole world shall have entered into the same spirit as the + artist when he painted that picture, until that spirit becomes general we + have got to be prepared for war. And we cannot depend upon war suasion. If + a fleet of men-of-war should sail into our harbor, talk would not be of + any good; we must be ready to answer them in their own way. + </p> + <p> + I suppose I have been selected to speak on art because I can speak on that + subject without prejudice, knowing nothing about it. I have on this + subject no hobbies, no pet theories, and consequently will give you not + what I know, but what I think. I am an Agnostic in many things, and the + way I understand art is this: In the first place we are all invisible to + each other. There is something called soul; something that thinks and + hopes and loves. It is never seen. It occupies a world that we call the + brain, and is forever, so far as we know, invisible. Each soul lives in a + world of its own, and it endeavors to communicate with another soul living + in a world of its own, each invisible to the other, and it does this in a + variety of ways. That is the noblest art which expresses the noblest + thought, that gives to another the noblest emotions that this unseen soul + has. In order to do this we have to seize upon the seen, the visible. In + other words, nature is a vast dictionary that we use simply to convey from + one invisible world to another what happens in our invisible world. The + man that lives in the greatest world and succeeds in letting other worlds + know what happens in his world, is the greatest artist. + </p> + <p> + I believe that all arts have the same father and the same mother, and no + matter whether you express what happens in these unseen worlds in mere + words—because nearly all pictures have been made with words—or + whether you express it in marble, or form and color in what we call + painting, it is to carry on that commerce between these invisible worlds, + and he is the greatest artist who expresses the tenderest, noblest + thoughts to the unseen worlds about him. So that all art consists in this + commerce, every soul being an artist and every brain that is worth talking + about being an art gallery, and there is no gallery in this world, not in + the Vatican or the Louvre or any other place, comparable with the gallery + in every great brain. The millions of pictures that are in every brain + to-night; the landscapes, the faces, the groups, the millions of millions + of millions of things that are now living here in every brain, all unseen, + all invisible forever! Yet we communicate with each other by showing each + other these pictures, these studies, and by inviting others into our + galleries and showing them what we have, and the greatest artist is he who + has the most pictures to show to other artists. + </p> + <p> + I love anything in art that suggests the tender, the beautiful. What is + beauty? Of course there is no absolute beauty. All beauty is relative. + Probably the most beautiful thing to a frog is the speckled belly of + another frog, or to a snake the markings of another snake. So there is no + such thing as absolute beauty. But what I call beauty is what suggests to + me the highest and the tenderest thought; something that answers to + something in my world. So every work of art has to be born in some brain, + and it must be made by the unseen artist we call the soul. Now, if a man + simply copies what he sees, he is nothing but a copyist. That does not + require genius. That requires industry and the habit of observation. But + it is not genius; it is not art. Those little daubs and shreds and patches + we get by copying, are pieces of iron that need to be put into the flame + of genius to be molten and then cast in noble forms; otherwise there is no + genius. + </p> + <p> + The great picture should have, not only the technical part of art, which + is neither moral nor immoral, but in addition some great thought, some + great event. It should contain not only a history but a prophecy. There + should be in it soul, feeling, thought I love those little pictures of the + home, of the fireside, of the old lady, boiling the kettle, the vine + running over the cottage door, scenes suggesting to me happiness, + contentment. I think more of them than of the great war pieces, and I hope + I shall have a few years in some such scenes, during which I shall not + care what time it is, what day of the week or month it is. Just that + feeling of content when it is enough to live, to breathe, to have the blue + sky above you and to hear the music of the water. All art that gives us + that content, that delight, enriches this world and makes life better and + holier. + </p> + <p> + That, in a general kind of way, as I said before, is my idea of art, and I + hope that the artists of America—and they ought to be as good here + as in any place on earth—will grow day by day and year by year + independent of all other art in the world, and be true to the American or + republican spirit always. As to this picture, it is representative, it is + American. There is one word Mr. Daniel Dougherty said to which I would + like to refer. I have never said very much in my life in defence of + England, at the same time I have never blamed England for being against us + during our war, and I will tell you why. We had been a nation of + hypocrites. We pretended to be in favor of liberty and yet we had four or + five millions of our people enslaved. That was a very awkward position. We + had bloodhounds to hunt human beings and the apostles setting them on; and + while this was going on these poor wretches sought and found liberty on + British soil. Now, why not be honest about it? We were rather a + contemptible people, though Mr. Dougherty thinks the English were wholly + at fault. But England abolished the slave-trade in 1803; she abolished + slavery in her colonies in 1833. We were lagging behind. That is all there + is about it. No matter why, we put ourselves in the position of pretending + to be a free people while we had millions of slaves, and it was only + natural that England should dislike it. + </p> + <p> + I think the chairman said that there had been no great historic picture of + the signing of the Constitution. There never should be, never! It was fit, + it was proper, to have a picture of the signing of the Declaration of + Independence. That was an honest document. Our people wanted to give a + good reason for fighting Great Britain, and in order to do that they had + to dig down to the bed-rock of human rights, and then they said all men + are created equal. But just as soon as we got our independence we made a + Constitution that gave the lie to the Declaration of Independence, and + that is why the signing of the Constitution never ought to be painted. We + put in that Constitution a clause that the slave-trade should not be + interfered with for years, and another clause that this entire Government + was pledged to hand back to slavery any poor woman with a child at her + breast, seeking freedom by flight. It was a very poor document. A little + while ago they celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of that business + and talked about the Constitution being such a wonderful thing; yet what + was in that Constitution brought on the most terrible civil war ever + known, and during that war they said: "Give us the Constitution as it is + and the Union as it was." And I said then: "Curse the Constitution as it + is and the Union as it was. Don't talk to me about fighting for a + Constitution that has brought on a war like this; let us make a new one." + No, I am in favor of a painting that would celebrate the adoption of the + amendment to the Constitution that declares that there shall be no more + slavery on this soil. + </p> + <p> + I believe that we are getting a little more free every day—a little + more sensible all the time. A few years ago a woman in Germany made a + speech, in which she asked: "Why should the German mother in pain and + agony give birth to a child and rear that child through industry and + poverty, and teach him that when he arrives at the age of twenty-one it + will be his duty to kill the child of the French mother? And why should + the French mother teach her son, that it will be his duty sometime to kill + the child of the German mother?" There is more sense in that than in all + the diplomacy I ever read, and I think the time is coming when that + question will be asked by every mother—Why should she raise a child + to kill the child of another mother? + </p> + <p> + The time is coming when we will do away with all this. Man has been taught + that he ought to fight for the country where he was born; no matter about + that country being wrong, whether it supported him or not, whether it + enslaved him and trampled on every right he had, still it was his duty to + march up in support of that country. The time will come when the man will + make up his mind himself whether the country is worth while fighting for, + and he is the greatest patriot who seeks to make his country worth + fighting for, and not he who says, I am for it anyhow, whether it is right + or not. These patriots will be the force Mr. George was speaking about. If + war between this country and Great Britain were declared, and there were + men in both countries sufficient to take a right view of it, that would be + the end of war. The thing would be settled by arbitration—settled by + some court—and no one would dream of rushing to the field of battle. + So, that is my hope for the world; more policy, more good, solid, sound + sense and less mud patriotism. + </p> + <p> + I think that this country is going to grow. I think it will take in Mr. + Wiman's country. I do not mean that we are going to take any country. I + mean that they are going to come to us. I do not believe in conquest. + Canada will come just as soon as it is to her interest to come, and I + think she will come or be a great country to herself. I do not believe in + those people, intelligent as they are, sending three thousand miles for + information they have at home. I do not believe in their being governed by + anybody except themselves. So if they come we shall be glad to have them, + if they don't want to come I don't want them. + </p> + <p> + Yes, we are growing. I don't know how many millions of people we have now, + probably over sixty-two if they all get counted; and they are still + coming. I expect to live to see one hundred millions here. I know some say + that we are getting too many foreigners, but I say the more that come the + better. We have got to have somebody to take the places of the sons of our + rich people. So I say let them come. There is plenty of land here, + everywhere. I say to the people of every country, come; do your work here, + and we will protect you against other countries. We will give you all the + work to supply yourselves and your neighbors. + </p> + <p> + Then if we have differences with another country we shall have a strong + navy, big ships, big guns, magnificent men and plenty of them, and if we + put out the hand of fellowship and friendship they will know there is no + foolishness about it. They will know we are not asking any favor. We will + just say: We want peace, and we tell you over the glistening leaves of + this olive branch that if you don't compromise we will mop the earth with + you. + </p> + <p> + That is the sort of arbitration I believe in, and it is the only sort, in + my judgment, that will be effectual for all time. And I hope that we may + still grow, and grow more and more artistic, and more and more in favor of + peace, and I pray that we may finally arrive at being absolutely worthy of + having presented that picture, with all that it implies, to the most + warlike nation in the world—to the nation that first sends the + gospel and then the musket immediately after, and says: You have got to be + civilized, and the only evidence of civilization that you can give is to + buy our goods and to buy them now, and to pay for them. I wish us to be + worthy of the picture presented to such a nation, and my prayer is that + America may be worthy to have sent such a token in such a spirit, and my + second prayer is that England may be worthy to receive it and to keep it, + and that she may receive it in the same spirit that it is sent. + </p> + <p> + I am glad that it is to be sent by a woman. The gentleman who spoke to the + toast, "Woman as a Peacemaker," seemed to believe that woman brought all + the sorrows that ever happened, not only of war, but troubles of every + kind. I want to say to him that I would rather live with the woman I love + in a world of war, in a world full of troubles and sorrows, than to live + in heaven with nobody but men. I believe that woman is a peacemaker, and + so I am glad that a woman presents this token to another woman; and woman + is a far higher title than queen, in my judgment; far higher. There are no + higher titles than woman, mother, wife, sister, and when they come to + calling them countesses and duchesses and queens, that is all rot. That + adds nothing to that unseen artist who inhabits the world called the + brain. That unseen artist is great by nature and cannot be made greater by + the addition of titles. And so one woman gives to another woman the + picture that prophesies war is finally to cease, and the civilized nations + of the world will henceforth arbitrate their differences and no longer + strew the plains with corpses of brethren. That is the supreme lesson that + is taught by this picture, and I congratulate Mr. Carpenter that his name + is associated with it and also with the "Proclamation of Emancipation." In + the latter work he has associated his name with that of Lincoln, which is + the greatest name in history, and the gentlest memory in this world. Mr. + Carpenter has associated his name with that and with this and with that of + General Grant, for I say that this picture would never have been possible + had there not been behind it Grant; if there had not been behind it the + victorious armies of the North and the great armies of the South, that + would have united instantly to repel any foreign foe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0016" id="link0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + UNITARIAN CLUB DINNER. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, January 15,1892. + </h3> + <p> + TOAST: THE IDEAL. + </p> + <p> + MR. PRESIDENT, Ladies and Gentlemen: In the first place, I wish to tender + my thanks to this club for having generosity and sense enough to invite me + to speak this evening. It is probably the best thing the club has ever + done. You have shown that you are not afraid of a man simply because he + does not happen to agree entirely with you, although in a very general way + it may be said that I come within one of you. + </p> + <p> + So I think, not only that you have honored me—that, I most + cheerfully and gratefully admit—but, upon my word, I think that you + have honored yourselves. And imagine the distance the religious world has + traveled in the last few years to make a thing of this kind possible! You + know—I presume every one of you knows—that I have no religion—not + enough to last a minute—none whatever—that is, in the ordinary + sense of that word. And yet you have become so nearly civilized that you + are willing to hear what I have to say; and I have become so nearly + civilized that I am willing to say what I think. + </p> + <p> + And, in the second place, let me say that I have great respect for the + Unitarian Church. I have great respect for the memory of Theodore Parker. + I have great respect for every man who has assisted in reaving the heavens + of an infinite monster. I have great respect for every man who has helped + to put out the fires of hell. In other words, I have great respect for + every man who has tried to civilize my race. + </p> + <p> + The Unitarian Church has done more than any other church—and may be + more than all other churches—to substitute character for creed, and + to say that a man should be judged by his spirit; by the climate of his + heart; by the autumn of his generosity; by the spring of his hope; that he + should be judged by what he does; by the influence that he exerts, rather + than by the mythology he may believe. And whether there be one God or a + million, I am perfectly satisfied that every duty that devolves upon me is + within my reach; it is something that I can do myself, without the help of + anybody else, either in this world or any other. + </p> + <p> + Now, in order to make myself plain on this subject—I think I was to + speak about the Ideal—I want to thank the Unitarian Church for what + it has done; and I want to thank the Universalist Church, too. They at + least believe in a God who is a gentleman; and that is much more than was + ever done by an orthodox church. They believe, at least, in a heavenly + father who will leave the latch string out until the last child gets home; + and as that lets me in—especially in reference to the "last"—I + have great respect for that church. + </p> + <p> + But now I am coming to the Ideal; and in what I may say you may not all + agree. I hope you won't, because that would be to me evidence that I am + wrong. You cannot expect everybody to agree in the right, and I cannot + expect to be always in the right myself. I have to judge with the standard + called my reason, and I do not know whether it is right or not; I will + admit that. But as opposed to any other man's, I will bet on mine. That is + to say, for home use. In the first place, I think it is said in some book—and + if I am wrong there are plenty here to correct me—that "the fear of + the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." I think a knowledge of the + limitations of the human mind is the beginning of wisdom, and, I may + almost say, the end of it—really to understand yourself. + </p> + <p> + Now, let me lay down this proposition. The imagination of man has the + horizon of experience; and beyond experience or nature man cannot go, even + in imagination. Man is not a creator. He combines; he adds together; he + divides; he subtracts; he does not create, even in the world of + imagination. Let me make myself a little plainer: Not one here—not + one in the wide, wide world can think of a color that he never saw. No + human being can imagine a sound that he has not heard, and no one can + think of a taste that he has not experienced. He can add to—that is + add together—combine; but he cannot, by any possibility, create. + </p> + <p> + Man originally, we will say—go back to the age of barbarism, and you + will not have to go far; our own childhood, probably, is as far as is + necessary—but go back to what is called the age of savagery; every + man was an idealist, as every man is to-day an idealist. Every man in + savage or civilized time, commencing with the first that ever crawled out + of a cave and pushed the hair back from his forehead to look at the sun—commence + with him and end with Judge Wright—the last expression on the God + question—and from that cave to the soul that lives in this temple, + everyone has been an idealist and has endeavored to account in some way + for what he saw and for what he felt; in other words, for the phenomena of + nature. The easiest way to account for it by the rudest savage, is the way + it has been accounted for to-night. What makes the river run? There's a + god in it. What makes the tree grow? There's a god in it. What makes the + star shine? There's a god in it. What makes the sun rise? Why, he is a god + himself. And what makes the nightingale sing until the air is faint with + melody? There's a god in it. + </p> + <p> + They commenced making gods to account for everything that happens; gods of + dreams and gods of love and friendship, and heroism and courage. Splendid! + They kept making more and more. The more they found out in nature, up to a + certain point, the more gods they needed; and they kept on making gods + until almost every wave of the sea bore a god. Gods on every mountain, and + in every vale and field, and by every stream! Gods in flowers, gods in + grass; gods everywhere! All accounting for this world and for what + happened in this world. + </p> + <p> + Then, when they had got about to the top, when their ingenuity had been + exhausted, they had not produced anything, and they did not produce + anything beyond their own experience. We are told that they were + idolaters. That is a mistake, except in the sense that we are all + idolaters. They said, "Here is a god; let us express our idea of him. He + is stronger than a man; let us give him the body of a lion. He is swifter + than a man; let us give him the wings of an eagle. He is wiser than a man"—and + when a man was very savage he said, "let us give him the head of a + serpent;" a serpent is wonderfully wise; he travels without feet; he + climbs without claws; he lives without food, and he is of the simplest + conceivable form. + </p> + <p> + And that was simply to represent their idea of power, of swiftness, of + wisdom. And yet this impossible monster was simply made of what man had + seen in nature, and he put the various attributes or parts together by his + imagination. He created nothing. He simply took these parts of certain + beasts, when beasts were supposed to be superior to man in some + particulars, and in that way expressed his thought. + </p> + <p> + You go into the territory of Arizona to-day, and you will find there + pictures of God. He was clothed in stone, through which no arrow could + pierce, and so they called God the Stone-Shirted whom no Indian could + kill. That was for the simple and only reason that it was impossible to + get an arrow through his armor. They got the idea from the armadillo. + </p> + <p> + Now, I am simply saying this to show that they were making gods for all + these centuries, and making them out of something they found in nature. + Then, after they got through with the beast business, they made gods after + the image of man; and they are the best gods, so far as I know, that have + been made. + </p> + <p> + The gods that were first made after the image of man were not made after + the pattern of very good men; but they were good men according to the + standard of that time, because, as I will show you in a moment, all these + things are relative. The qualities or things that we call mercy, justice, + charity and religion are all relative. There was a time when the victor on + the field of battle was exceedingly merciful if he failed to eat his + prisoner; he was regarded as a very charitable gentleman if he refused to + eat the man he had captured in battle. Afterward he was regarded as an + exceedingly benevolent person if he would spare a prisoner's life and make + him a slave. + </p> + <p> + So that—but you all know it as well as I do or you would not be + Unitarians—all this has been simply a growth from year to year, from + generation to generation, from age to age. And let me tell you the first + thing about these gods that they made after the image of men. After a time + there were men on the earth who were better than these gods in heaven. + </p> + <p> + Then those gods began to die, one after another, and dropped from their + thrones. The time will probably come in the history of this world when an + insurance company can calculate the average life of gods as well as they + do now of men; because all these gods have been made by folks. And, let me + say right here, the folks did the best they could. I do not blame them. + Everybody in the business has always done his best. I admit it. I admit + that man has traveled from the first conception up to Unitarianism by a + necessary road. Under the conditions he could have come up in no other + way. I admit all that. I blame nobody. But I am simply trying to tell, in + a very feeble manner, how it is. + </p> + <p> + Now, in a little while, I say, men got better than their gods. Then the + gods began to die. Then we began to find out a few things in nature, and + we found out that we were supporting more gods than were necessary—that + fewer gods could do the business—and that, from an economical point + of view, expenses ought to be cut down. There were too many temples, too + many priests, and you always had to give tithes of something to each one, + and these gods were about to eat up the substance of the world. + </p> + <p> + And there came a time when it got to that point that either the gods would + eat up the people or the people must destroy some gods, and of course they + destroyed the gods—one by one and in their places they put forces of + nature to do the business—forces of nature that needed no church, + that needed no theologians; forces of nature that you are under no + obligation to; that you do not have to pay anything to keep working. We + found that the attraction of gravitation would attend to its business, + night and day, at its own expense. There was a great saving. I wish it + were the same with all kinds of law, so that we could all go into some + useful business, including myself. + </p> + <p> + So day by day, they dispensed with this expense of deities; and the world + got along just as well—a good deal better. They used to think—a + community thought—that if a man was allowed to say a word against a + deity, the god would visit his vengeance upon the entire nation. But they + found out, after a while, that no harm came of it; so they went on + destroying the gods. Now, all these things are relative; and they made + gods a little better all the time—I admit that—till we struck + the Presbyterian, which is probably the worst ever made. The Presbyterians + seem to have bred back. + </p> + <p> + But no matter. As man became more just, or nearer just, as he became more + charitable, or nearer charitable, his god grew to be a little better and a + little better. He was very bad in Geneva—the three that we then had. + They were very bad in Scotland—horrible! Very bad in New England—infamous! + I might as well tell the truth about it—very bad! And then men went + to work, finally, to civilize their gods, to civilize heaven, to give + heaven the benefit of the freedom of this brave world. That's what we did. + We wanted to civilize religion—civilize what is known as + Christianity. And nothing on earth needed civilization more; and nothing + needs it more than that to-night. Civilization! I am not so much for the + freedom of religion as I am for the religion of freedom. + </p> + <p> + Now, there was a time when our ancestors—good people, away back, all + dead, no great regret expressed at this meeting on that account—there + was a time when our ancestors were happy in their belief that nearly + everybody was to be lost, and that a few, including themselves, were to be + saved. That religion, I say, fitted that time. It fitted their geology. It + was a very good running mate for their astronomy. It was a good match for + their chemistry. In other words, they were about equal in every department + of human ignorance. + </p> + <p> + And they insisted that there lived up there somewhere—generally up—exactly + where nobody has, I believe, yet said—a being, an infinite person + "without body, parts, or passions," and yet without passions he was angry + at the wicked every day; without body he inhabited a certain place; and + without parts he was, after all, in some strange and miraculous manner, + organized so that he thought. + </p> + <p> + And I don't know that it is possible for anyone here—I don't know + that anyone here is gifted with imagination enough—to conceive of + such a being. Our fathers had not imagination enough to do so, at least, + and so they said of this God, that he loves and he hates; he punishes and + he rewards; and that religion has been described perfectly tonight by + Judge Wright as really making God a monster, and men poor, helpless + victims. And the highest possible conception of the orthodox man was, + finally, to be a good servant—just lucky enough to get in—feathers + somewhat singed, but enough left to fly. That was the idea of our fathers. + And then came these divisions, simply because men began to think. + </p> + <p> + And why did they begin to think? Because in every direction, in all + departments, they were getting more and more information. And then the + religion did not fit. When they found out something of the history of this + globe they found out that the Scriptures were not true. I will not say not + inspired, because I do not know whether they are inspired or not. It is a + question, to me, of no possible importance, whether they are inspired or + not. The question is: Are they true? If they are true, they do not need + inspiration; and if they are not true, inspiration will not help them. So + that is a matter that I care nothing about. + </p> + <p> + On every hand, I say, they studied and thought. They began to grow—to + have new ideas of mercy, kindness, justice; new ideas of duty—new + ideas of life. The old gods, after we got past the civilization of the + Greeks, past their mythology—and it is the best mythology that man + has ever made—after we got past that, I say, the gods cared very + little about women. Women occupied no place in the state—no place by + the hearth, except one of subordination, and almost of slavery. So the + early churches made God after that image who held women in contempt. It + was only natural—I am not blaming anybody—they had to do it, + it was part of the <i>must!</i> + </p> + <p> + Now, I say that we have advanced up to the point that we demand not only + intelligence, but justice and mercy, in the sky; we demand that—that + idea of God. Then comes my trouble. I want to be honest about it. Here is + my trouble—and I want it also understood that if I should see a man + praying to a stone image or to a stuffed serpent, with that man's wife or + daughter or son lying at the point of death, and that poor savage on his + knees imploring that image or that stuffed serpent to save his child or + his wife, there is nothing in my heart that could suggest the slightest + scorn, or any other feeling than that of sympathy; any other feeling than + that of grief that the stuffed serpent could not answer the prayer and + that the stone image did not feel; I want that understood. And wherever + man prays for the right—no matter to whom or to what he prays; where + he prays for strength to conquer the wrong, I hope his prayer may be + heard; and if I think there is no one else to hear it I will hear it, and + I am willing to help answer it to the extent of my power. + </p> + <p> + So I want it distinctly understood that that is my feeling. But here is my + trouble: I find this world made on a very cruel plan. I do not say it is + wrong—I just say that that is the way it seems to me. I may be wrong + myself, because this is the only world I was ever in; I am provincial. + This grain of sand and tear they call the earth is the only world I have + ever lived in. And you have no idea how little I know about the rest of + this universe; you never will know how little I know about it until you + examine your own minds on the same subject. + </p> + <p> + The plan is this: Life feeds on life. Justice does not always triumph: + Innocence is not a perfect shield. There is my trouble. No matter now, + whether you agree with me or not; I beg of you to be honest and fair with + me in your thought, as I am toward you in mine. + </p> + <p> + I hope, as devoutly as you, that there is a power somewhere in this + universe that will finally bring everything as it should be. I take a + little consolation in the "perhaps"—in the guess that this is only + one scene of a great drama, and that when the curtain rises on the fifth + act, if I live that long, I may see the coherence and the relation of + things. But up to the present writing—or speaking—I do not. I + do not understand it—a God that has life feed on life; every joy in + the world born of some agony! I do not understand why in this world, over + the Niagara of cruelty, should run this ocean of blood. I do not + understand it. And, then, why does not justice always triumph? Why is not + innocence a perfect shield? These are my troubles. + </p> + <p> + Suppose a man had control of the atmosphere, knew enough of the secrets of + nature, had read enough in "nature's infinite book of secrecy" so that he + could control the wind and rain; suppose a man had that power, and suppose + that last year he kept the rain from Russia and did not allow the crops to + ripen when hundreds of thousands were famishing and when little babes were + found with their lips on the breasts of dead mothers! What would you think + of such a man? Now, there is my trouble. If there be a God he understood + this. He knew when he withheld his rain that the famine would come. He saw + the dead mothers, he saw the empty breasts of death, and he saw the + helpless babes. There is my trouble. I am perfectly frank with you and + honest. That is my trouble. + </p> + <p> + Now, understand me! I do not say there is no God. I do not know. As I told + you before, I have traveled but very little—only in this world. + </p> + <p> + I want it understood that I do not pretend to know. I say I think. And in + my mind the idea expressed by Judge Wright so eloquently and so + beautifully is not exactly true. I cannot conceive of the God he endeavors + to describe, because he gives to that God will, purpose, achievement, + benevolence, love, and no form—no organization—no wants. + There's the trouble. No wants. And let me say why that is a trouble. Man + acts only because he wants. You civilize man by increasing his wants, or, + as his wants increase he becomes civilized. You find a lazy savage who + would not hunt an elephant tusk to save your life. But let him have a few + tastes of whiskey and tobacco, and he will run his legs off for tusks. You + have given him another want and he is willing to work. And they nearly all + started on the road toward Unitarianism—that is to say, toward + civilization—in that way. You must increase their wants. + </p> + <p> + The question arises: Can an infinite being want anything? If he does and + cannot get it, he is not happy. If he does not want anything, I cannot + help him. I am under no obligation to do anything for anybody who does not + need anything and who does not want anything. Now, there is my trouble. I + may be wrong, and I may get paid for it some time, but that is my trouble. + </p> + <p> + I do not see—admitting that all is true that has been said about the + existence of God—I do not see what I can do for him; and I do not + see either what he can do for me, judging by what he has done for others. + </p> + <p> + And then I come to the other point, that religion so-called, explains our + duties to this supposed being, when we do not even know that he exists; + and no human being has got imagination enough to describe him, or to use + such words that you understand what he is trying to say. I have listened + with great pleasure to Judge Wright this evening, and I have heard a great + many other beautiful things on the same subject—none better than + his. But I never understood them—never. + </p> + <p> + Now, then, what is religion? I say, religion is all here in this world—right + here—and that all our duties are right here to our fellow-men; that + the man that builds a home; marries the girl that he loves; takes good + care of her; likes the family; stays home nights, as a general thing; pays + his debts; tries to find out what he can; gets all the ideas and beautiful + things that his mind will hold; turns a part of his brain into a gallery + of fine arts; has a host of paintings and statues there; then has another + niche devoted to music—a magnificent dome, filled with winged notes + that rise to glory—now, the man who does that gets all he can from + the great ones dead; swaps all the thoughts he can with the ones that are + alive; true to the ideal that he has here in his brain—he is what I + call a religious man, because he makes the world better, happier; he puts + the dimples of joy in the cheeks of the ones he loves, and he lets the + gods run heaven to suit themselves. And I am not saying that he is right; + I do not know. + </p> + <p> + This is all the religion that I have; to make somebody else happier if I + can. + </p> + <p> + I divide this world into two classes—the cruel and the kind; and I + think a thousand times more of a kind man than I do of an intelligent man. + I think more of kindness than I do of genius, I think more of real, good, + human nature in that way—of one who is willing to lend a helping + hand and who goes through the world with a face that looks as if its owner + were willing to answer a decent question—I think a thousand times + more of that than I do of being theologically right; because I do not care + whether I am theologically right or not. It is something that is not worth + talking about, because it is something that I never, never, never shall + understand; and every one of you will die and you won't understand it + either—until after you die at any rate. I do not know what will + happen then. + </p> + <p> + I am not denying anything. There is another ideal, and it is a beautiful + ideal. It is the greatest dream that ever entered the heart or brain of + man—the Dream of Immortality. It was born of human affection. It did + not come to us from heaven. It was born of the human heart. And when he + who loved, kissed the lips of her who was dead, there came into his heart + the dream: We may meet again. + </p> + <p> + And, let me tell you, that hope of immortality never came from any + religion. That hope of immortality has helped make religion. It has been + the great oak around which have climbed the poisonous vines of + superstition—that hope of immortality is the great oak. + </p> + <p> + And yet the moment a man expresses a doubt about the truth of Joshua or + Jonah or the other three fellows in a furnace, up hops some poor little + wretch and says, "Why, he doesn't want to live any more; he wants to die + and go down like a dog, and that is the end of him and his wife and + children." They really seem to think that the moment a man is what they + call an Infidel he has no affections, no heart, no feeling, no hope—nothing—nothing. + Just anxious to be annihilated! But, if the orthodox creed be true, I make + my choice to-night. I take hell. And if it is between hell and + annihilation, I take annihilation. + </p> + <p> + I will tell you why I take hell in making the first choice. We have heard + from both of those places—heaven and hell. According to the New + Testament there was a rich man in hell, and a poor man, Lazarus, in + heaven. And there was another gentleman by the name of Abraham. The rich + man in hell was in flames, and he called for water, and they told him they + couldn't give him any. No bridge! But they did not express the slightest + regret that they could not give him any water. Mr. Abraham was not decent + enough to say he would if he could; no, sir; nothing. It did not make any + difference to him. But this rich man in hell—in torment—his + heart was all right, for he remembered his brothers; and he said to this + Abraham, "If you cannot go, why, send a man to my five brethren, so that + they will not come to this place!" Good fellow, to think of his five + brothers when he was burning up. Good fellow. Best fellow we ever heard + from on the other side—in either world. + </p> + <p> + So, I say there is my place. And, incidentally, Abraham at that time gave + his judgment as to the value of miracles. He said, "Though one should + arise from the dead he wouldn't help your five brethren!" "There are Moses + and the prophets." No need of raising people from the dead. + </p> + <p> + That is my idea, in a general way, about religion; and I want the + imagination to go to work upon it, taking the perfections of one church, + of one school, of one system, and putting them together, just as the + sculptor makes a great statue by taking the eyes from one, the nose from + another, the limbs from another, and so on; just as they make a great + painting from a landscape by putting a river in this place, instead of + over there, changing the location of a tree and improving on what they + call nature—that is to say, simply by adding to, taking from; that + is all we can do. But let us go on doing that until there shall be a + church in sympathy with the best human heart and in harmony with the best + human brain. + </p> + <p> + And, what is more, let us have that religion for the world we live in. + Right here! Let us have that religion until it cannot be said that they + who do the most work have the least to eat. Let us have that religion here + until hundreds and thousands of women are not compelled to make a living + with the needle that has been called "the asp for the breast of the poor," + and to live in tenements, in filth, where modesty is impossible. + </p> + <p> + I say, let us preach that religion here until men will be ashamed to have + forty or fifty millions, or any more than they need, while their brethren + lack bread—while their sisters die from want. Let us preach that + religion here until man will have more ambition to become wise and good + than to become rich and powerful. Let us preach that religion here among + ourselves until there are no abused and beaten wives. Let us preach that + religion until children are no longer afraid of their own parents and + until there is no back of a child bearing the scars of a father's lash. + Let us preach it, I say, until we understand and know that every man does + as he must, and that, if we want better men and women, we must have better + conditions. + </p> + <p> + Let us preach this grand religion until everywhere, the world over, men + are just and kind to each other. And then, if there be another world, we + shall be prepared for it. And if I come into the presence of an infinite, + good, and wise being, he will say, "Well, you did the best you could. You + did very well, indeed. There is plenty of work for you to do here. Try and + get a little higher than you were before." Let us preach that one drop of + restitution is worth an ocean of repentance. + </p> + <p> + And if there is a life of eternal progress before us, I shall be as glad + as any other angel to find that out. + </p> + <p> + But I will not sacrifice the world I have for one I know not of. I will + not live here in fear, when I do not know that that which I fear lives. + </p> + <p> + I am going to live a perfectly free man. I am going to reap the harvest of + my mind, no matter how poor it is, whether it is wheat or corn or + worthless weeds. And I am going to scatter it. Some may "fall on stony + ground." But I think I have struck good soil to-night. + </p> + <p> + And so, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you a thousand times for your + attention. I beg that you will forgive the time that I have taken, and + allow me to say, once more, that this event marks an epoch in Religious + Liberty in the United States. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0017" id="link0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + WESTERN SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC BANQUET. + </h2> + <h3> + Chicago, January 31, 1894. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Every soldier of the Army of the Potomac: remembers, the + colors that for two years floated over the headquarters of + Gen. Meade. Last night when one hundred and fifty men who + fought in that army gathered around the banquet board at the + Grand Pacific hotel a fac-simile of that flag floated over + them. It was a handsome guidon, on one side a field of + solferino red bearing a life-sized golden eagle surrounded + by a silver wreath of laurel; on the other were the national + colors with the names of the corps of the army. + + The fifth annual banquet of the Western Society of the Army + of the Potomac will be remembered on account of the presence + of many distinguished men. The cigars had not been lighted + when Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, escorted by Gen. Newberry and + Col. Burbanks, came in. The bald head and sparse gray hair + of the famous orator were recognized by all, and he was + given a mighty welcome. + + Save for the emblems of the Union and the fac-simile of Gen. + Meade's flag the decorations were simple. There were no + flowers, but the soldiers could read on little signs stuck + up around the tables such names as "Petersburg," "White + Oak," "Mine Run," "Cold Harbor," "Fair Oaks" and "South + Mountain." The exercises began and ended with bugle call and + military song, and the heroes of the Potomac showed that + they still remembered the words of the songs sung in camp. + + Col. Freeman Connor, the retiring president, acted as + toastmaster. Seated near him were Maj.-Gen. Nelson Miles, + United States army; Gen. Newberry, Col. Ingersoll, Thomas B. + Bryan, Col. James A.. Sexton, Maj. E. A. Blodgett, Fred W. + Spink, Col. Williston and Maj. Heyle. + + The exercises began with the singing of "America" by all + Col. Conner made a few remarks and then Col. C. S. McEntee + presented the new-comer to the society. When Colonel + Ingersoll was introduced, the veterans jumped up on chairs, + waved their handkerchiefs and greeted him with a mighty + shout. The Colonel spoke only fifteen minutes. + + At the conclusion of Colonel Ingersoll's speech he was again + cheered for several minutes. A motion was made to make him + an honorary member of the Western Society of the Army of the + Potomac. The toastmaster in putting the question said: "All + who are in favor will rise and yell," and every comrade + yelled. + + —Chicago Record, February 1, 1894. +</pre> + <p> + FIRST of all, I wish to thank you for allowing me to be present. Next, I + wish to congratulate you that you are all alive. I congratulate you that + you were born in this century, the greatest century in the world's + history, the greatest century of intellectual genius and of physical, + mental and moral progress that the world ever knew. I congratulate you all + that you are members of the Army of the Potomac. I believe that no better + army ever marched under the flag of any nation. There was no difficulty + that discouraged you; no defeat that disheartened you. For years you bore + the heat and burden of battle; for years you saw your comrades torn by + shot and shell, but wiping the tears, from your cheeks you marched on with + greater determination than ever to fight to the end. + </p> + <p> + To the Army of the Potomac belongs the eternal honor of having obtained + finally the sword of Rebellion. I congratulate you because you fought for + the Republic, and I thank you for your courage. For by you the United + States was kept on the map of the world, and our flag was kept floating. + If not for your work, neither would have been there. You removed from it + the only stain that was ever on it. You fought not only the battle of the + Union, but of the whole world. + </p> + <p> + I congratulate you that you live in a period when the North has attained a + higher moral altitude than was ever attained by any nation. You now live + in a country which believes in absolute freedom for all. In this country + any man may reap what he sows and may give his honest thought to his + fellow-men. It is wonderful to think what this Nation was before the Army + of the Potomac came into existence. It believed in liberty as the convict + believes in liberty. It was a country where men that had honest thoughts + were ostracized. I thank you and your courage for what we are. Nothing + ennobles a man so much as fighting for the right. Whoever fights for the + wrong wounds himself. I believe that every man who fought in the Union + army came out a stronger and a better and a nobler man. + </p> + <p> + I believe in this country. I am so young and so full of enthusiasm that I + am a believer in National growth. I want this country to be territorial + and to become larger than it is. I want a country worthy of Chicago. I + want to pick up the West Indies, take in the Bermudas, the Bahamas and + Barbadoes. They are our islands. They belong to this continent and it is a + piece of impudence for any other nation to think of owning them. We want + to grow. Such is the extravagance of my ambition that I even want the + Sandwich Islands. They say that these islands are too far away from us; + that they are two thousand miles from our shores. But they are nearer to + our shores than to any other. I want them. I want a naval station there. I + want America to be mistress of the Pacific. Then there is another thing in + my mind. I want to grow North and South. I want Canada—good people—good + land. I want that country. I do not want to steal it, but I want it. I + want to go South with this Nation. My idea is this: There is only air + enough between the Isthmus of Panama and the North Pole for one flag. A + country that guarantees liberty to all cannot be too large. If any of + these people are ignorant, we will educate them; give them the benefit of + our free schools. Another thing—I might as well sow a few seeds for + next fall. I have heard many reasons why the South failed in the + Rebellion, and why with the help of Northern dissensions and a European + hatred the South did not succeed. I will tell you. In my judgment, the + South failed, not on account of its army, but from other conditions. + Luckily for us, the South had always been in favor of free trade. + </p> + <p> + Secondly—The South raised and sold raw material, and when the war + came it had no foundries, no factories, and no looms to weave the cloth + for uniforms; no shops to make munitions of war, and it had to get what + supplies it could by running the blockade. We of the North had the cloth + to clothe our soldiers, shops to make our bayonets; we had all the curious + wheels that invention had produced, and had labor and genius, the power of + steam, and the water to make what we needed, and we did not require + anything from any other country. Suppose this whole country raised raw + material and shipped it out, we would be in the condition that the South + was. We want this Nation to be independent of the whole world. A nation to + be ready to settle questions of dispute by war should be in a condition of + absolute independence. For that reason I want all the wheels turning in + this country, all the chimneys full of fire, all the looms running, the + iron red hot everywhere. I want to see all mechanics having plenty of work + with good wages and good homes for their families, good food, schools for + their children, plenty of clothes, and enough to take care of a child if + it happens to take sick. I am for the independence of America, the growth + of America physically, mentally, and every other way. The time will come + when all nations combined cannot take that flag out of the sky. I want to + see this country so that if a deluge sweeps every other nation from the + face of the globe we would have all we want made right here by our + factories, by American brain and hand. + </p> + <p> + I thank you that the Republic still lives. I thank you that we are all + lovers of freedom. I thank you for having helped establish a Government + where every child has an opportunity, and where every avenue of + advancement if open to all. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0018" id="link0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LOTOS CLUB DINNER IN HONOR OF ANTON SEIDL. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, February 2, 1895. + </h3> + <p> + MR. PRESIDENT, Mr. Anton Seidl, and Gentlemen: I was enjoying myself with + music and song; why I should be troubled, why I should be called upon to + trouble you, is a question I can hardly answer. Still, as the president + has remarked, the American people like to hear speeches. Why, I don't + know. It has always been a matter of amazement that anybody wanted to hear + me. Talking is so universal; with few exceptions—the deaf and dumb—everybody + seems to be in the business. Why they should be so anxious to hear a rival + I never could understand. But, gentlemen, we are all pupils of nature; we + are taught by the countless things that touch us on every side; by field + and flower and star and cloud and river and sea, where the waves break + into whitecaps, and by the prairie, and by the mountain that lifts its + granite forehead to the sun; all things in nature touch us, educate us, + sharpen us, cause the heart to bud, to burst, it may be, into blossom; to + produce fruit. In common with the rest of the world I have been educated a + little that way; by the things I have seen and by the things I have heard + and by the people I have met. But there are a few things that stand out in + my recollection as having touched me more deeply than others, a few men to + whom I feel indebted for the little I know, and for the little I happen to + be. Those men, those things, are forever present in my mind. But I want to + tell you to-night that the first man that let up the curtain in my mind, + that ever opened a blind, that ever allowed a little sunshine to straggle + in, was Robert Burns. I went to get my shoes mended, and I had to go with + them. And I had to wait till they were done. I was like the fellow + standing by the stream naked washing his shirt. A lady and gentleman were + riding by in a carriage, and upon seeing him the man indignantly shouted, + "Why don't you put on another shirt when you are washing one?" The fellow + said, "I suppose you think I've got a hundred shirts!" + </p> + <p> + When I went into the shop of the old Scotch shoemaker he was reading a + book, and when he took my shoes in hand I took his book, which was "Robert + Burns." In a few days I had a copy; and, indeed, gentlemen, from that time + if "Burns" had been destroyed I could have restored more than half of it. + It was in my mind day and night. Burns you know is a little valley, not + very wide, but full of sunshine; a little stream runs down making music + over the rocks, and children play upon the banks; narrow roads overrun + with vines, covered with blossoms, happy children, the hum of bees, and + little birds pour out their hearts and enrich the air. That is Burns. + Then, you must know that I was raised respectably. Certain books were not + thought to be good for the young person; only such books as would start + you in the narrow road for the New Jerusalem. But one night I stopped at a + little hotel in Illinois, many years ago, when we were not quite + civilized, when the footsteps of the red man were still in the prairies. + While I was waiting for supper an old man was reading from a book, and + among others who were listening was myself. I was filled with wonder. I + had never heard anything like it. I was ashamed to ask him what he was + reading; I supposed that an intelligent boy ought to know. So I waited, + and when the little bell rang for supper I hung back and they went out. I + picked up the book; it was Sam Johnson's edition of Shakespeare. The next + day I bought a copy for four dollars. My God! more than the national debt. + You talk about the present straits of the Treasury! For days, for nights, + for months, for years, I read those books, two volumes, and I commenced + with the introduction. I haven't read that introduction for nearly fifty + years, certainly forty-five, but I remember it still. Other writers are + like a garden diligently planted and watered, but Shakespeare a forest + where the oaks and elms toss their branches to the storm, where the pine + towers, where the vine bursts into blossom at its foot. That book opened + to me a new world, another nature. While Burns was the valley, here was a + range of mountains with thousands of such valleys; while Burns was as + sweet a star as ever rose into the horizon, here was a heaven filled with + constellations. That book has been a source of perpetual joy to me from + that day to this; and whenever I read Shakespeare—if it ever happens + that I fail to find some new beauty, some new presentation of some + wonderful truth, or another word that bursts into blossom, I shall make up + my mind that my mental faculties are failing, that it is not the fault of + the book. Those, then, are two things that helped to educate me a little. + </p> + <p> + Afterward I saw a few paintings by Rembrandt, and all at once I was + overwhelmed with the genius of the man that could convey so much thought + in form and color. Then I saw a few landscapes by Corot, and I began to + think I knew something about art. During all my life, of course, like + other people, I had heard what they call music, and I had my favorite + pieces, most of those favorite pieces being favorites on account of + association; and nine-tenths of the music that is beautiful to the world + is beautiful because of the association, not because the music is good, + but because of association.. We cannot write a very poetic thing about a + pump or about water works; they are not old enough. + </p> + <p> + We can write a poetic thing about a well and a sweep and an old + moss-covered bucket, and you can write a poem about a spring, because a + spring seems a gift of nature, something that cost no trouble and no work, + something that will sing of nature under the quiet stars of June. So, it + is poetic on account of association. The stage coach is more poetic than + the car, but the time will come when cars will be poetic, because human + feelings, love's remembrances, will twine around them, and consequently + they will become beautiful. There are two pieces of music, "The Last Rose + of Summer," and "Home Sweet Home," with the music a little weak in the + back; but association makes them both beautiful. So, in the "Marseillaise" + is the French Revolution, that whirlwind and flame of war, of heroism the + highest possible, of generosity, of self-denial, of cruelty, of all of + which the human heart and brain are capable; so that music now sounds as + though its notes were made of stars, and it is beautiful mostly by + association. + </p> + <p> + Now, I always felt that there must be some greater music somewhere, + somehow. You know this little music that comes back with recurring + emphasis every two inches or every three-and-a-half inches; I thought + there ought to be music somewhere with a great sweep from horizon to + horizon, and that could fill the great dome of sound with winged notes + like the eagle; if there was not such music, somebody, sometime, would + make it, and I was waiting for it. One day I heard it, and I said, "What + music is that?" "Who wrote that?" I felt it everywhere. I was cold. I was + almost hysterical. It answered to my brain, to my heart; not only to + association, but to all there was of hope and aspiration, all my future; + and they said this is the music of Wagner. I never knew one note from + another—of course I would know it from a promissory note—and + was utterly and absolutely ignorant of music until I heard Wagner + interpreted by the greatest leader, in my judgment, in the world—Anton + Seidl. He not only understands Wagner in the brain, but he feels him in + the heart, and there is in his blood the same kind of wild and splendid + independence that was in the brain of Wagner. I want to say to-night, + because there are so many heresies, Mr. President, creeping into this + world, I want to say and say it with all my might, that Robert Burns was + not Scotch. He was far wider than Scotland: he had in him the universal + tide, and wherever it touches the shore of a human being it finds access. + Not Scotch, gentlemen, but a man, a man! I can swear to it, or rather + affirm, that Shakespeare was not English, but another man, kindred of all, + of all races and peoples, and who understood the universal brain and heart + of the human race, and who had imagination enough to put himself in the + place of all. + </p> + <p> + And so I want to say to-night, because I want to be consistent, Richard + Wagner was not a German, and his music is not German; and why? Germany + would not have it. Germany denied that it was music. The great German + critics said it was nothing in the world but noise. The best interpreter + of Wagner in the world is not German, and no man has to be German to + understand Richard Wagner. In the heart of nearly every man is an �?olian + harp, and when the breath of true genius touches that harp, every man that + has one, or that knows what music is or has the depth and height of + feeling necessary to appreciate it, appreciates Richard Wagner. To + understand that music, to hear it as interpreted by this great leader, is + an education. It develops the brain; it gives to the imagination wings; + the little earth grows larger; the people grow important; and not only + that, it civilizes the heart; and the man who understands that music can + love better and with greater intensity than he ever did before. The man + who understands and appreciates that music, becomes in the highest sense + spiritual—and I don't mean by spiritual, worshiping some phantom, or + dwelling upon what is going to happen to some of us—I mean spiritual + in the highest sense; when a perfume arises from the heart in gratitude, + and when you feel that you know what there is of beauty, of sublimity, of + heroism and honor and love in the human heart. This is what I mean by + being spiritual. I don't mean denying yourself here and living on a crust + with the expectation of eternal joy—that is not what I mean. By + spiritual I mean a man that has an ideal, a great ideal, and who is + splendid enough to live to that ideal; that is what I mean by spiritual. + And the man who has heard the music of Wagner, that music of love and + death, the greatest music, in my judgment, that ever issued from the human + brain, the man who has heard that and understands it has been civilized. + </p> + <p> + Another man to whom I feel under obligation whose name I do not know—I + know Burns, Shakespeare, Rembrandt and Wagner, but there are some other + fellows whose names I do not know—is he who chiseled the Venus de + Milo. This man helped to civilize the world; and there is nothing under + the sun so pathetic as the perfect. Whoever creates the perfect has + thought and labored and suffered; and no perfect thing has ever been done + except through suffering and except through the highest and holiest + thought, and among this class of men is Wagner. Let me tell you something + more. You know I am a great believer. There is no man in the world who + believes more in human nature than I do. No man believes more in the + nobility and splendor of humanity than I do; no man feels more grateful + than I to the self-denying, heroic, splendid souls who have made this + world fit for ladies and gentlemen to live in. But I believe that the + human mind has reached its top in three departments. I don't believe the + human race—no matter if it lives millions of years more upon this + wheeling world—I don't believe the human race will ever produce in + the world anything greater, sublimer, than the marbles of the Greeks. I do + not believe it. I believe they reach absolutely the perfection of form and + the expression of force and passion in stone. The Greeks made marble as + sensitive as flesh and as passionate as blood. I don't believe that any + human being of any coming race—no matter how many suns may rise and + set, or how many religions may rise and fall, or how many languages be + born and decay—I don't believe any human being will ever excel the + dramas of Shakespeare. Neither do I believe that the time will ever come + when any man with such instruments of music as we now have, and having + nothing but the common air that we now breathe, will ever produce greater + pictures in sound, greater music, than Wagner. Never! Never! And I don't + believe he will ever have a better interpreter than Anton Seidl. Seidl is + a poet in sound, a sculptor in sound. He is what you might call an + orchestral orator, and as such he expresses the deepest feelings, the + highest aspirations and the in-tensest and truest love of which the brain + and heart of man are capable. + </p> + <p> + Now, I am glad, I am delighted, that the people here in this city and in + various other cities of our great country are becoming civilized enough to + appreciate these harmonies; I am glad they are civilized at last enough to + know that the home of music is tone, not tune; that the home of music is + in harmonies where you braid them like rainbows; I am glad they are great + enough and civilized enough to appreciate the music of Wagner, the + greatest music in this world. Wagner sustains the same relation to other + composers that Shakespeare does to other dramatists, and any other + dramatist compared with Shakespeare is like one tree compared with an + immeasurable forest, or rather like one leaf compared with a forest; and + all the other composers of the world are embraced in the music of Wagner. + </p> + <p> + "Nobody has written anything more tender than he, nobody anything sublimer + than he. Whether it is the song of the deep, or the warble of the mated + bird, nobody has excelled Wagner; he has expressed all that the human + heart is capable of appreciating. And now, gentlemen, having troubled you + long enough, and saying long live Anton Seidl, I bid you good-night." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0019" id="link0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LOTOS CLUB DINNER IN HONOR OF REAR ADMIRAL SCHLEY. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, November 26, 1898. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Lotos Club did honor to Rear Admiral Winfield Scott + Schley, and incidentally, to the United States, at its + clubhouse in Fifth Avenue last night. All day long the + square, blue pennant, blazoned with the two stars of a Rear + Admiral, snapped in the wind, signifying to all who saw it + that the Lotos Clubhouse was for the time being the flagship + of the erstwhile Flying Squadron. + + Within the home of the club were gathered men who like the + guest of the evening were prominent in the war with Spain, + The navy was represented by Capt. Charles D. Sigs-Dee, Capt. + A. T. Mahan and Captain Goodrich. From the army there was + Brig. Gen. W F. Randolph, and from civil life many men + prominent in the business, professional and social life of + the city. The one impulse that led these men to brave the + storm was their desire to pay their respects to one of the + men who had done so much to win laurels for the American + arms. + + The parlors and dining rooms of the clubhouse wore thrown + into one in order to accommodate the three hundred men + present fit the dinner. Smilax covered the walls, save hero + and there where the American flag was draped in graceful + folds. From the archway under which the table of honor was + spread, hung a large National ensign and a Rear Admiral's + pennant. + + The menu was unique. Etched on a cream-tinted paper appeared + an open nook, and on the tops of the pages was inscribed, + "Logge of the Goode Ship Lotos." "Dinner to Rear Admiral + Winfield Scott Schley, given in the cabin of ye Shippe, Nov. + 26, l898, Lat. 40 degrees 42 minutes 43 seconds north; + longitude, 74 degrees 3 seconds west." + + On each side of the menu was stretched a string of signal + flags, giving the orders made famous by Admiral Schley in + the naval engagement of July 3, 1898. On the second page of + the menu was a fine etching of the Brooklyn, Admiral + Schley's flagship. The souvenir menu was inclosed in blue + paper, upon which were two white stars, the whole + representing Rear Admiral Schley's pennant. +</pre> + <p> + MR.PRESIDENT, Gentlemen of the Club—Boys: I congratulate all of you + and I congratulate myself, and I will tell you why. In the first place, we + were well born, and we were all born rich, all of us. We belong to a great + race. That is something; that is having a start, to feel that in your + veins flows heroic blood, blood that has accomplished great things and has + planted the flag of victory on the field of war. It is a great thing to + belong to a great race. + </p> + <p> + I congratulate you and myself on another thing; we were born in a great + nation, and you can't be much of a man without having a nation behind you, + with you; Just think about it! What would Shakespeare have been, if he had + been born in Labrador? I used to know an old lawyer in southern Illinois, + a smart old chap, who mourned his unfortunate surroundings. He lived in + Pinkneyville, and occasionally drank a little too freely of Illinois wine; + and when in his cups he sometimes grew philosophic and egotistic. He said + one day, "Boys, I have got more brains than you have, I have, but I have + never had a chance. I want you just to think of it. What would Daniel + Webster have been, by God, if he had settled in Pinkneyville?" + </p> + <p> + So I congratulate you all that you were born in a great nation, born rich; + and why do I say rich? Because you fell heir to a great, expressive, + flexible language; that is one thing. What could a man do who speaks a + poor language, a language of a few words that you could almost count on + your fingers? What could he do? You were born heirs to a great literature, + the greatest in the world—in all the world. All the literature of + Greece and Rome would not make one act of "Hamlet." All the literature of + the ancient world added to all of the modern world, except England, would + not equal the literature that we have. We were born to it, heirs to that + vast intellectual possession. + </p> + <p> + So I say you were all born rich, all. And then you were very fortunate in + being born in this country, where people have some rights, not as many as + they should have, not as many as they would have if it were not for the + preachers, may be, but where we have some; and no man yet was ever great + unless a great drama was being played on some great stage and he got a + part. Nature deals you a hand, and all she asks is for you to have the + sense to play it. If no hand is dealt to you, you win no money. You must + have the opportunity, must be on the stage, and some great drama must be + there. Take it in our own country. The Revolutionary war was a drama, and + a few great actors appeared; the War of 1812 was another, and a few + appeared; the Civil war another. Where would have been the heroes whose + brows we have crowned with laurel had there been no Civil war? What would + have become of Lincoln, a lawyer in a country town? What would have become + of Grant? He would have been covered with the mantle of absolute + obscurity, tucked in at all the edges, his name never heard of by any + human being not related to him. + </p> + <p> + Now, you have got to have the chance, and you cannot create it. I heard a + gentleman say here a few minutes ago that this war could have been + averted. That is not true. I am not doubting his veracity, but rather his + philosophy. Nothing ever happened beneath the dome of heaven that could + have been avoided. Everything that is possible happens. That may not suit + all the creeds, but it is true. And everything that is possible will + continue to happen. The war could not have been averted, and the thing + that makes me glad and proud is that it was not averted. I will tell you + why. + </p> + <p> + It was the first war in the history of this world that was waged + unselfishly for the good of others; the first war. Almost anybody will + fight for himself; a great many people will fight for their country, their + fellow-men, their fellow-citizens; but it requires something besides + courage to fight for the rights of aliens; it requires not only courage, + but principle and the highest morality. This war was waged to compel Spain + to take her bloody hands from the throat of Cuba. That is exactly what it + was waged for. Another great drama was put upon the boards, another play + was advertised, and the actors had their opportunity. Had there been no + such war, many of the actors would never have been heard of. + </p> + <p> + But the thing is to take advantage of the occasion when it arrives. In + this war we added to the greatness and the glory of our history. That is + another thing that we all fell heirs to—the history of our people, + the history of our Nation. We fell heirs to all the great and grand things + that had been accomplished, to all the great deeds, to the splendid + achievements either in the realm of mind or on the field of battle. + </p> + <p> + Then there was another great drama. The first thing we knew, a man in the + far Pacific, a gentleman from Vermont, sailed one May morning into the bay + of Manila, and the next news was that the Spanish fleet had been beached, + burned, destroyed, and nothing had happened to him. I have read a little + history, not much, and a good deal that I have read was not true. I have + read something about our own navy, not much. I recollect when I was a boy + my hero was John Paul Jones; he covered the ocean; and afterward I knew of + Hull and Perry and Decatur and Bainbridge and a good many others that I + don't remember now. And then came the Civil war, and I remember a little + about Farragut, a great Admiral, as great as ever trod a deck, in my + judgment. And I have also read about other admirals and sailors of the + world. I knew something of Drake and I have read the "Life of Nelson" and + several other sea dogs; but when I got the news from Manila I said, "There + is the most wonderful victory ever won upon the sea;" and I did not think + it would ever be paralleled. I thought such things come one in a box. But + a little while afterward another of Spain's fleets was heard from. Oh, + those Spaniards! They have got the courage of passion, but that is not the + highest courage. They have got plenty of that; but it is necessary to be + coolly courageous, and to have the brain working with the accuracy of an + engine—courageous, I don't care how mad you get, but there must not + be a cloud in the heaven of your judgment. That is Anglo-Saxon courage, + and there is no higher type. The Spaniards sprinkled the holy water on + their guns, then banged away and left it to the Holy Ghost to direct the + rest. + </p> + <p> + Another fleet, at Santiago, ventured out one day, and another great + victory was won by the American Navy. I don't know which victory was the + more wonderful, that at Manila Bay or that at Santiago. The Spanish ships + were, some of them, of the best class and type, and had fine guns, yet in + a few moments they were wrecks on the shore of defeat, gone, lost. + </p> + <p> + Now, when I used to read about these things in the olden times, what ideas + I had of the hero! I never expected to see one; and yet to-night I have + the happiness of dining with one, with one whose name is associated with + as great a victory, in my judgment, as was ever won; a victory that + required courage, intelligence, that power of will that holds itself firm + until the thing sought has been accomplished; and that has my greatest + admiration. I thank Admiral Schley for having enriched my country, for + having added a little to my own height, to my own pride, so that I utter + the word America with a little more unction than I ever did before, and + the old flag looks a little brighter, better, and has an added glory. When + I see it now, it looks as if the air had burst into blossom, and it stands + for all that he has accomplished. + </p> + <p> + Admiral Schley has added not only to our wealth, but to the wealth of the + children yet unborn that are going to come into the great heritage not + only of wealth, but of the highest possible riches, glory, honor, + achievement. That is the reason I congratulate you to-night. And I + congratulate you on another thing, that this country has entered upon the + great highway, I believe, of progress. I believe that the great nation has + the sentiment, the feeling of growth. The successful farmer wants to buy + the land adjoining him; the great nation loves to see its territory + increase. And what has been our history? Why, when we bought Louisiana + from Napoleon, in 1803, thousands of people were opposed to "imperialism," + to expansion; the poor old moss-backs were opposed to it. When we bought + Florida, it was the same. When we took the vast West from Mexico in 1848 + it was the same. When we took Alaska it was the same. Now, is anybody in + favor of modifying that sentiment? + </p> + <p> + We have annexed Hawaii, and we have got the biggest volcano in the + business. A man I know visited that volcano some years ago and came back + and told me about his visit. He said that at the little hotel they had a + guest-book in which the people wrote their feelings on seeing the volcano + in action. "Now," he said, "I will tell you this so that you may know how + you are spreading out yourself. One man had written in that book, 'if Bob + Ingersoll were here, I think he would change his mind about hell.'" + </p> + <p> + I want that volcano. I want the Philippines. It would be simply infamous + to hand those people back to the brutality of Spain. Spain has been + Christianizing them for about four hundred years. The first thing the poor + devils did was to sign a petition asking for the expulsion of the priests. + That was their idea of the commencement of liberty. They are not quite so + savage as some people imagine. I want those islands; I want all of them, + and I don't know that I disagree with the Rev. Mr. Slicer as to the use we + can put them to. I don't know that they will be of any use, but I want + them; they might come handy. And I wanted to pick up the small change, the + Ladrones and the Carolines. I am glad we have got Porto Rico. I don't know + as it will be of any use, but there's no harm in having the title. I want + Cuba whenever Cuba wants us, and I favor the idea of getting her in the + notion of wanting us. I want it in the interest, as I believe, of + humanity, of progress; in other words, of human liberty. That is what the + war was waged for, and the fact that it was waged for that, gives an + additional glory to these naval officers and to the officers in the army. + They fought in the first righteous war; I mean righteous in the sense that + we fought for the liberty of others. + </p> + <p> + Now, gentlemen, I feel that we have all honored ourselves to-night by + honoring Rear Admiral Schley. I want you to know that long after we are + dead and long after the Admiral has ceased to sail, he will be remembered, + and in the constellation of glory one of the brightest stars will stand + for the name of Winfield Scott Schley, as brave an officer as ever sailed + a ship. I am glad I am here to-night, and again, gentlemen, I congratulate + you all upon being here. I congratulate you that you belong to this race, + to this nation, and that you are equal heirs in the glory of the great + Republic. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0020" id="link0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADDRESS TO THE ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, June 5, 1888. + </h3> + <p> + MR. PRESIDENT, Ladies and Gentlemen: I have addressed, or annoyed, a great + many audiences in my life and I have not the slightest doubt that I stand + now before more ability, a greater variety of talent, and more real genius + than I ever addressed in my life. + </p> + <p> + I know all about respectable stupidity, and I am perfectly acquainted with + the brainless wealth and success of this life, and I know, after all, how + poor the world would be without that divine thing that we call genius—what + a worthless habitation, if you take from it all that genius has given. + </p> + <p> + I know also that all joy springs from a love of nature. I know that all + joy is what I call Pagan. The natural man takes delight in everything that + grows, in everything that shines, in everything that enjoys—he has + an immense sympathy with the whole human race. + </p> + <p> + Of that feeling, of that spirit, the drama is born. People must first be + in love with life before they can think it worth representing. They must + have sympathy with their fellows before they can enter into their feelings + and know what their heart throbs about. So, I say, back of the drama is + this love of life, this love of nature. And whenever a country becomes + prosperous—and this has been pointed cut many times—when a + wave of wealth runs over a land,—behind it you will see all the sons + and daughters of genius. When a man becomes of some account he is worth + painting. When by success and prosperity he gets the pose of a victor, the + sculptor is inspired; and when love is really in his heart, words burst + into blossom and the poet is born. When great virtues appear, when + magnificent things are done by heroines and heroes, then the stage is + built, and the life of a nation is compressed into a few hours, or—to + use the language of the greatest—"turning the accomplishment of many + years into an hour-glass"; the stage is born, and we love it because we + love life—and he who loves the stage has a kind of double life. + </p> + <p> + The drama is a crystallization of history, an epitome of the human heart. + The past is lived again and again, and we see upon the stage, love, + sacrifice, fidelity, courage—all the virtues mingled with all the + follies. + </p> + <p> + And what is the great thing that the stage does? It cultivates the + imagination. And let me say now, that the imagination constitutes the + great difference between human beings. + </p> + <p> + The imagination is the mother of pity, the mother of generosity, the + mother of every possible virtue. It is by the imagination that you are + enabled to put yourself in the place of another. Every dollar that has + been paid into your treasury came from an imagination vivid enough to + imagine himself or herself lying upon the lonely bed of pain, or as having + fallen by the wayside of life, dying alone. It is this imagination that + makes the difference in men. + </p> + <p> + Do you believe that a man would plunge the dagger into the heart of + another if he had imagination enough to see him dead—imagination + enough to see his widow throw her arms about the corpse and cover his face + with sacred tears—imagination enough to see them digging his grave, + and to see the funeral and to hear the clods fall upon the coffin and the + sobs of those who stood about—do you believe he would commit the + crime? Would any man be false who had imagination enough to see the woman + that he once loved, in the darkness of night, when the black clouds were + floating through the sky hurried by the blast as thoughts and memories + were hurrying through her poor brain—if he could see the white + flutter of her garment as she leaped to the eternal, blessed sleep of + death—do you believe that he would be false to her? I tell you that + he would be true. + </p> + <p> + So that, in my judgment, the great mission of the stage is to cultivate + the human imagination. That is the reason fiction has done so much good. + Compared with the stupid lies-called history, how beautiful are the + imagined things with painted wings. Everybody detests a thing that + pretends to be true and is not; but when it says, "I am about to create," + then it is beautiful in the proportion that it is artistic, in the + proportion that it is a success. + </p> + <p> + Imagination is the mother of enthusiasm. Imagination fans the little spark + into a flame great enough to warm the human race; and enthusiasm is to the + mind what spring is to the world. . + </p> + <p> + Now I am going to say a few words because I want to, and because I have + the chance. + </p> + <p> + What is known as "orthodox religion" has always been the enemy of the + theatre. It has been the enemy of every possible comfort, of every + rational joy—that is to say, of amusement. And there is a reason for + this. Because, if that religion be true, there should be no amusement. If + you believe that in every moment is the peril of eternal pain—do not + amuse yourself. Stop the orchestra, ring down the curtain, and be as + miserable as you can. That idea puts an infinite responsibility upon the + soul—an infinite responsibility—and how can there be any art, + how can there be any joy, after that? You might as well pile all the Alps + on one unfortunate ant, and then say, "Why don't you play? Enjoy + yourself." + </p> + <p> + If that doctrine be true, every one should regard time as a kind of dock, + a pier running out into the ocean of eternity, on which you sit on your + trunk and wait for the ship of death—solemn, lugubrious, melancholy + to the last degree. + </p> + <p> + And that is why I have said joy is Pagan. It comes from a love of nature, + from a love of this world, from a love of this life. According to the idea + of some good people, life is a kind of green-room, where you are getting + ready for a "play" in some other country. + </p> + <p> + You all remember the story of "Great Expectations," and I presume you have + all had them. That is another thing about this profession of acting that I + like—you do not know how it is coming out—and there is this + delightful uncertainty. + </p> + <p> + You have all read the book called "Great Expectations," written, in my + judgment, by the greatest novelist that ever wrote the English language—the + man who created a vast realm of joy. I love the joy-makers—not the + solemn, mournful wretches. And when I think of the church asking something + of the theatre, I remember that story of "Great Expectations." You + remember Miss Haversham—she was to have been married some fifty or + sixty years before that time—sitting there in the darkness, in all + of her wedding finery, the laces having turned yellow by time, the old + wedding cake crumbled, various insects having made it their palatial + residence—you remember that she sent for that poor little boy Pip, + and when he got there in the midst of all these horrors, she looked at him + and said, "Pip, play!" And if their doctrine be true, every actor is in + that situation. + </p> + <p> + I have always loved the theatre—loved the stage, simply because it + has added to the happiness of this life. "Oh, but," they say, "is it + moral?" A superstitious man suspects everything that is pleasant. It seems + inbred in his nature, and in the nature of most people. You let such a man + pull up a little weed and taste it, and if it is sweet and good, he says, + "I'll bet it is poison." But if it tastes awful, so that his face becomes + a mask of disgust, he says, "I'll bet you that it is good medicine." + </p> + <p> + Now, I believe that everything in the world that tends to make man happy, + is moral. That is my definition of morality. Anything that bursts into bud + and blossom, and bears the fruit of joy, is moral. + </p> + <p> + Some people expect to make the world good by destroying desire—by a + kind of pious petrifaction, feeling that if you do not want anything, you + will not want anything bad. In other words, you will be good and moral if + you will only stop growing, stop wishing, turn all your energies in the + direction of repression, and if from the tree of life you pull every leaf, + and then every bud—and if an apple happens to get ripe in spite of + you, don't touch it—snakes! + </p> + <p> + I insist that happiness is the end—virtue the means—and + anything that wipes a tear from the face of man is good. Everything that + gives laughter to the world—laughter springing from good nature, + that is the most wonderful music that has ever enriched the ears of man. + And let me say that nothing can be more immoral than to waste your own + life, and sour that of others. + </p> + <p> + Is the theatre moral? I suppose you have had an election to-day. They had + an election at the Metropolitan Opera House for bishops, and they voted + forged tickets; and after the election was over, I suppose they asked the + old question in the same solemn tone: "Is the theatre moral?" + </p> + <p> + At last, all the intelligence of the world admits that the theatre is a + great, a splendid instrumentality for increasing the well-being of man. + But only a few years ago our fathers were poor barbarians. They only + wanted the essentials of life, and through nearly all the centuries Genius + was a vagabond—Art was a servant. He was the companion of the clown. + Writers, poets, actors, either sat "below the salt" or devoured the + "remainder biscuit," and drank what drunkenness happened to leave, or + lived on crumbs, and they had less than the crumbs of respect. The painter + had to have a patron, and then in order to pay the patron, he took the + patron's wife for Venus—and the man, he was the Apollo! So the + writer had to have a patron, and he endeavored to immortalize him in a + preface of obsequious lies. The writer had no courage. The painter, the + sculptor—poor wretches—had "patrons." Some of the greatest of + the world were treated as servants, and yet they were the real kings of + the human race. + </p> + <p> + Now the public is the patron. The public has the intelligence to see what + it wants. The stage does not have to flatter any man. The actor now does + not enroll himself as the servant of duke or lord. He has the great + public, and if he is a great actor, he stands as high in the public + estimation as any other man in any other walk of life. + </p> + <p> + And these men of genius, these "vagabonds," these "sturdy vagrants" of the + old law—and let me say one thing right here: I do not believe that + there ever was a man of genius that had not a little touch of the vagabond + in him somewhere—just a little touch of chaos—that is to say, + he must have generosity enough now and then absolutely to forget himself—he + must be generous to that degree that he starts out without thinking of the + shore and without caring for the sea—and that is that touch of + chaos. And yet, through all those years the poets and the actors lacked + bread. Imagine the number of respectable dolts who felt above them. The + men of genius lived on the bounty of the few, grudgingly given. + </p> + <p> + Now, just think what would happen, what we would be, if you could blot + from this world what these men have done. If you could take from the walls + the pictures; from the niches the statues; from the memory of man the + songs that have been sung by "The Plowman"—take from the memory of + the world what has been done by the actors and play-writers, and this + great globe would be like a vast skull emptied of all thought. + </p> + <p> + And let me say one word more, and that is as to the dignity of your + profession. + </p> + <p> + The greatest genius of this world has produced your literature. I am not + now alluding simply to one—but there has been more genius lavished + upon the stage—more real genius, more creative talent, than upon any + other department of human effort. And when men and women belong to a + profession that can count Shakespeare in its number, they should feel + nothing but pride. + </p> + <p> + Nothing gives me more pleasure than to speak of Shakespeare—Shakespeare, + in whose brain were the fruits of all thoughts past, the seeds of all to + be—Shakespeare, an intellectual ocean toward which all rivers ran, + and from which now the isles and continents of thought receive their dew + and rain. + </p> + <p> + A profession that can boast that Shakespeare was one of its members, and + that from his brain poured out that mighty intellectual cataract—that + Mississippi that will enrich all coming generations—the man that + belongs to that profession—should feel that no other man by reason + of belonging to some other, can be his superior. + </p> + <p> + And such a man, when he dies—or the friend of such a man, when that + man dies—should not imagine that it is a very generous and liberal + thing for some minister to say a few words above the corpse—and I do + not want to see this profession cringe before any other. + </p> + <p> + One word more. I hope that you will sustain this splendid charity. I do + not believe that more generous people exist than actors. I hope you will + sustain this charity. And yet, there was one little thing I saw in your + report of last year, that I want to call attention to. You had "benefits" + all over this country, and of the amount raised, one hundred and + twenty-five thousand dollars were given to religious societies and twelve + thousand dollars to the Actors' Fund—and yet they say actors are not + Christians! Do you not love your enemies? After this, I hope that you will + also love your friends. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0021" id="link0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHILDREN OF THE STAGE. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, March 23, 1899. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Col. Robert G. Ingersoll was the special star among stars + at the benefit given yesterday afternoon at the Fifth Avenue + Theatre for the Actors' Fund. There were a great many other + stars and a very long programme. The consequence was that + the performance began before one o'clock and was not over + until almost dinner time. + + Usually in such cases the least important performers are + placed at the beginning and the audience straggles in + leisurely without worrying a great deal over what it has + missed. Yesterday, however, it had been announced in advance + that Col. Ingersoll would start the ball a-rolling and the + result was that before the overture was finished the house + was packed to the doors. + + Col. Ingersoll's contribution was a short address delivered + in his characteristic style of florid eloquence.—The World, + New York, March 24, 1899. +</pre> + <p> + Disguise it as we may, we live in a frightful world, with evils, with + enemies, on every side. From the hedges along the path of life, leap the + bandits that murder and destroy; and every human being, no matter how + often he escapes, at last will fall beneath the assassin's knife. + </p> + <p> + To change the figure: We are all passengers on the train of life. The + tickets give the names of the stations where we boarded the car, but the + destination is unknown. At every station some passengers, pallid, + breathless, dead, are put away, and some with the light of morning in + their eyes, get on. + </p> + <p> + To change the figure again: On the wide sea of life we are all on ships or + rafts or spars, and some by friendly winds are borne to the fortunate + isles, and some by storms are wrecked on the cruel rocks. And yet upon the + isles the same as upon the rocks, death waits for all. And death alone can + truly say, "All things come to him who waits." + </p> + <p> + And yet, strangely enough, there is in this world of misery, of misfortune + and of death, the blessed spirit of mirth. The travelers on the path, on + the train, on the ships, the rafts and spars, sometimes forget their + perils and their doom. + </p> + <p> + All blessings on the man whose face was first illuminated by a smile! + </p> + <p> + All blessings on the man who first gave to the common air the music of + laughter—the music that for the moment drove fears from the heart, + tears from the eyes, and dimpled cheeks with joy! + </p> + <p> + All blessings on the man who sowed with merry hands the seeds of humor, + and at the lipless skull of death snapped the reckless fingers of disdain! + Laughter is the blessed boundary line between the brute and man. + </p> + <p> + Who are the friends of the human race? They who hide with vine and flower + the cruel rocks of fate—the children of genius, the sons and + daughters of mirth and laughter, of imagination, those whose thoughts, + like moths with painted wings, fill the heaven of the mind. + </p> + <p> + Among these sons and daughters are the children of the stage, the citizens + of the mimic world—the world enriched by all the wealth of genius—enriched + by painter, orator, composer and poet. The world of which Shakespeare, the + greatest of human beings, is still the unchallenged emperor. These + children of the stage have delighted the weary travelers on the thorny + path, amused the passengers on the fated train, and filled with joy the + hearts of the clingers to spars, and the floaters on rafts. + </p> + <p> + These, children of the stage, with fancy's wand rebuild the past. The dead + are brought to life and made to act again the parts they played. The + hearts and lips that long ago were dust, are made to beat and speak again. + The dead kings are crowned once more, and from the shadows of the past + emerge the queens, jeweled and sceptred as of yore. Lovers leave their + graves and breathe again their burning vows; and again the white breasts + rise and fall in passion's storm. The laughter that died away beneath the + touch of death is heard again and lips that fell to ashes long ago are + curved once more with mirth. Again the hero bares his breast to death; + again the patriot falls, and again the scaffold, stained with noble blood, + becomes a shrine. + </p> + <p> + The citizens of the real world gain joy and comfort from the stage. The + broker, the speculator ruined by rumor, the lawyer baffled by the + intelligence of a jury or the stupidity of a judge, the doctor who lost + his patience because he lost his patients, the merchant in the dark days + of depression, and all the children of misfortune, the victims of hope + deferred, forget their troubles for a little while when looking on the + mimic world. When the shaft of wit flies like the arrow of Ulysses through + all the rings and strikes the centre; when words of wisdom mingle with the + clown's conceits; when folly laughing shows her pearls, and mirth holds + carnival; when the villain fails and the right triumphs, the trials and + the griefs of life for the moment fade away. + </p> + <p> + And so the maiden longing to be loved, the young man waiting for the "Yes" + deferred; the unloved wife, hear the old, old story told again,—and + again within their hearts is the ecstasy of requited love. + </p> + <p> + The stage brings solace to the wounded, peace to the troubled, and with + the wizard's wand touches the tears of grief and they are changed to the + smiles of joy. + </p> + <p> + The stage has ever been the altar, the pulpit, the cathedral of the heart. + There the enslaved and the oppressed, the erring, the fallen, even the + outcast, find sympathy, and pity gives them all her tears—and there, + in spite of wealth and power, in spite of caste and cruel pride, true love + has ever triumphed over all. + </p> + <p> + The stage has taught the noblest lesson, the highest truth, and that is + this: It is better to deserve without receiving than to receive without + deserving. As a matter of fact, it is better to be the victim of villainy + than to be a villain. Better to be stolen from than to be a thief, and in + the last analysis the oppressed, the slave, is less unfortunate than the + oppressor, the master. + </p> + <p> + The children of the stage, these citizens of the mimic world, are not the + grasping, shrewd and prudent people of the mart; they are improvident + enough to enjoy the present and credulous enough to believe the promises + of the universal liar known as Hope. Their hearts and hands are open. As a + rule genius is generous, luxurious, lavish, reckless and royal. And so, + when they have reached the ladder's topmost round, they think the world is + theirs and that the heaven of the future can have no cloud. But from the + ranks of youth the rival steps. Upon the veteran brows the wreaths begin + to fade, the leaves to fall; and failure sadly sups on memory. They tread + the stage no more. They leave the mimic world, fair fancy's realm; they + leave their palaces and thrones; their crowns are gone, and from their + hands the sceptres fall. At last, in age and want, in lodgings small and + bare, they wait the prompter's call; and when the end is reached, maybe a + vision glorifies the closing scene. Again they are on the stage; again + their hearts throb high; again they utter perfect words; again the flowers + fall about their feet; and as the curtain falls, the last sound that + greets their ears, is the music of applause, the "bravos" for an encore. + </p> + <p> + And then the silence falls on darkness. + </p> + <p> + Some loving hands should close their eyes, some loving lips should leave + upon their pallid brows a kiss; some friends should lay the breathless + forms away, and on the graves drop blossoms jeweled with the tears of + love. + </p> + <p> + This is the work of the generous men and women who contribute to the + Actors' Fund. This is charity; and these generous men and women have + taught, and are teaching, a lesson that all the world should learn, and + that is this: The hands that help are holier than the lips that pray. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0022" id="link0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADDRESS TO THE PRESS CLUB. + </h2> + <h3> + New Orleans, February 1, 1898. + </h3> + <p> + LADIES AND GENTLEMEN of the New Orleans + </p> + <p> + Press Club: I do not remember to have agreed or consented to make any + remarks about the press or anything else on the present occasion, but I am + glad of this opportunity to say a word or two. Of course, I have the very + greatest respect for this profession, the profession of the press, knowing + it, as I do, to be one of the greatest civilizers of the world. Above all + other institutions and all other influences, it is the greatest agency in + breaking down the hedges of provincialism. In olden times one nation had + no knowledge or understanding of another nation, and no insight or + understanding into its life; and, indeed, various parts of one nation held + the other parts of it somewhat in the attitude of hostility, because of a + lack of more thorough knowledge; and, curiously enough, we are prone to + look upon strangers more or less in the light of enemies. Indeed, enemy + and stranger in the old vocabularies are pretty much of the same + significance. A stranger was an enemy. I think it is Darwin who alludes to + the instinctive fear a child has of a stranger as one of the heritages of + centuries of instinctive cultivation, the handed-down instinct of years + ago. And even now it is a fact that we have very little sympathy with + people of a different country, even people speaking the same language, + having the same god with a different name, or another god with the same + name, recognizing the same principles of right and wrong. + </p> + <p> + But the moment people began to trade with each other, the moment they + began to enjoy the results of each other's industry and brain, the moment + that, through this medium, they began to get an insight into each other's + life, people began to see each other as they were; and so commerce became + the greatest of all missionaries of civilization, because, like the press, + it tended to do away with provincialism. + </p> + <p> + You know there is no one else in the world so egotistic as the man who + knows nothing. No man is more certain than the man who knows nothing. The + savage knows everything. The moment man begins to be civilized he begins + to appreciate how little he knows, how very circumscribed in its very + nature human knowledge is. + </p> + <p> + Now, after commerce came the press. From the Moors, I believe, we learned + the first rudiments of that art which has civilized the world. With the + invention of movable type came an easy and cheap method of preserving the + thoughts and history of one generation to another and transmitting the + life of one nation to another. Facts became immortal, and from that day to + this the intelligence of the world has rapidly and steadily increased. + </p> + <p> + And now, if we are provincial, it is our own fault, and if we are hateful + and odious and circumscribed and narrow and peevish and limited in the + light we get from the known universe, it is our own fault. + </p> + <p> + Day by day the world is growing smaller and men larger. But a few years + ago the State of New York was as large as the United States is to-day. It + required as much time to reach Albany from New York as it now requires to + reach San Francisco from the same city, and so far as the transmission of + thought goes the world is but a hamlet. + </p> + <p> + I count as one of the great good things of the modern press—as one + of the specific good things—that the same news, the same direction + of thought is transmitted to many millions of people each day. So that the + thoughts of multitudes of men are substantially tending at the same time + along the same direction. It tends more and more to make us citizens in + the highest sense of the term, and that is the reason that I have so much + respect for the press. + </p> + <p> + Of course I know that the news and opinions are written by folks liable to + the same percentage of error as characterizes all mankind. No one makes no + mistakes but the man who knows everything—no one makes no mistakes + but the hypocrite. + </p> + <p> + I must confess, however, that there are things about the press of to-day + that I would have changed—that I do not like. + </p> + <p> + I hate to see brain the slave of the material god. I hate to see money own + genius. So I think that every writer on every paper should be compelled to + sign his name to everything he writes. There are many reasons why he has a + right to the reputation he makes. His reputation is his property, his + capital, his stock in trade, and it is not just or fair or right that it + should be absorbed by the corporation which employs him. After giving + great thoughts to the world, after millions of people have read his + thoughts with delight, no one knows this lonely man or his solitary name. + If he loses the good will of his employer, he loses his place and with it + all that his labor and time and brain have earned for himself as his own + inalienable property, and his corporation or employer reaps the benefit of + it. + </p> + <p> + There is another reason establishing the absolute equity of this + proposition, a reason pointing in other directions than to the writer and + his rights. It is no more than right to the reader that the opinion or the + narrative should be that of Mr. Smith or Mr. Brown or Mr. So and So, and + not that of, say, the <i>Picayune</i>. That is too impersonal. It is no + more than right that a single man should have his honor at stake for what + is said, and not an impersonal something. I know that we are all liable to + believe it if the <i>Picayune</i> says it, and yet, after all, it is the + individual man who is saying it and it is in the interest of justice that + the reader be apprised of the fact. + </p> + <p> + I believe I have just a little fault to find with the tendency of the + modern press to go into personal affairs—into so-called private + affairs. In saying this, I have no complaint to lodge on my own behalf, + for I have no private affairs. I am not so much opposed to what is called + sensationalism, for that must exist as long as crime is considered news, + and believe me, when virtue becomes news it can only be when this will + have become an exceedingly bad world. At the same time I think that the + publication of crime may have more or less the tendency of increasing it. + </p> + <p> + I read not long ago that if some heavy piece of furniture were dropped in + a room in which there was a string instrument, the strings in harmony with + the vibrations of the air made by that noise would take up the sound. Now + a man with a tendency to crime would pick up that criminal feeling + inspiring the act which he sees blazoned forth in all its detail in the + press. In that view of the matter it seems to me better not to give + details of all offences. + </p> + <p> + Now, as to the matter of being too personal, I think that one of the + results of that sort of journalism is to drive a great many capable and + excellent men out of public life. I heard a little story quite recently of + a man who was being urged for the Legislature, and yet hesitated because + of his fear of newspaper criticism of this character. "I don't want to + run," said he to his wife, who urged that this was an opportunity to do + himself and his friends honor, and that it was a sort of duty in him. "I + would if I were you," said his wife. "Well, but there is no saying," he + responded, "what the newspapers might print about me." "Why, your life has + always been honorable," said she; "they could not say anything to your + disparagement." "But they might attack my father." "Well, there was + nothing in his career of which any one might feel ashamed. He was as + irreproachable as you." "Ay, but they might attack you and tell of some + devilment you went into before we were married." "Then you better not + run," said his wife promptly. I think this fear on the part of husband and + wife is identical with that which keeps many a great man out of public + service. + </p> + <p> + Now, there is another thing which every one ought to abhor. All men and + newspapers are entirely too apt to criticise the motives of men. It is a + fault common to all good men—except the clergy, of course—this + habit of attacking motives. And whenever we see a man do something which + is great and praiseworthy, let us talk about the act itself and not go + into a speculation or an attack upon the motive which prompted the act. + Attack what a man actually does. + </p> + <p> + But these are only small matters. The press is the most powerful of all + agencies for the dissemination of intelligence, and as such I hail it + always. It has nearly always been very friendly and kind to me and + certainly I have received at the hands of the New Orleans press a + treatment I shall never forget. + </p> + <p> + Our Sunday newspapers, to my mind, rank among the greatest institutions of + the present day. One finds in them matter that could not be found in + several hundreds of books,—beautiful thoughts, broad intelligence, a + range of information perfectly startling in its usefulness and perfectly + charming in its entertainment. Contrast, please, how we are enabled by + their good offices to spend the Sabbath, with the descriptions of hell + with all its terrors and all the gloom characterizing the Sabbaths our + forefathers had to spend. The Sunday newspaper is an absolute blessing to + the American people, a picture gallery, short stories, little poems, a + symposium of brain and intelligence and refinement and—divorce + proceedings. + </p> + <p> + As I have said, the good will and the fair treatment of the American press + have nearly always been my lot. There have been some misguided people who + have said harsh things, but when I remember all the misguided things I + have done, I am inclined to be charitable for their shortcomings. + </p> + <p> + I do not know that I have anything else to say, except that I wish you all + good luck and sunshine and prosperity, and enough of it to last you + through a long life. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0023" id="link0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CIRCULATION OF OBSCENE LITERATURE. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * From "Ingersoll As He Is," by E. M. Macdonald. +</pre> + <p> + "ONE of the charges most persistently made against Colonel Ingersoll is + that during and after the trial of D. M. Bennett, persecuted by Anthony + Comstock, the Colonel endeavored to have the law against sending obscene + literature through the mail repealed. That the charge is maliciously false + is fully shown by the following brief history of events connected with the + prosecution of D. M. Bennett, and Mr. Ingersoll's efforts in his + behalf.... + </p> + <p> + "After Mr. Bennett's arrest in 1877, he printed a petition to Congress, + written by T. B. Wakeman, asking for the <i>repeal or modification</i> of + Comstock's law by which he expected to stamp out the publications of + Freethinkers.... + </p> + <p> + "The connection of Mr. Ingersoll with this petition is soon explained. Mr. + Ingersoll knew of Comstock's attempts to suppress heresy by means of this + law, and when called upon by the Washington committee in charge of the + petition, he allowed his name to go on the petition for modification, but + he told them distinctly and plainly that he was <i>not</i> in favor of the + <i>repeal</i> of the law, as he was willing and anxious that obscenity + should be suppressed by all legal means. His sentiments are best expressed + by himself in a letter to the <i>Boston Journal</i>. He says: + </p> + <p> + "'Washington, March 18, 1878. + </p> + <p> + "'To the Editor of the Boston Journal: + </p> + <p> + "'My attention has been called to the following article that recently + appeared in your paper: + </p> + <p> + "'Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, and others, feel aggrieved because Congress, + in 1873, enacted a law for the suppression of obscene literature, and, + believing it an infringement of the rights of certain citizens, and an + effort to muzzle the press and conscience, petition for its repeal. When a + man's conscience permits him to spread broadcast obscene literature, it is + time that conscience was muzzled. The law is a terror only to evil-doers." + </p> + <p> + "'No one wishes the repeal of any law for the suppression of obscene + literature. For my part, I wish all such laws rigidly enforced. The only + objection I have to the law of 1873 is, that it has been construed to + include books and pamphlets written against the religion of the day, + although containing nothing that can be called obscene or impure. Certain + religious fanatics, taking advantage of the word "immoral" in the law, + have claimed that all writings against what they are pleased to call + orthodox religion are immoral, and such books have been seized and their + authors arrested. To this, and this only, I object. + </p> + <p> + "'Your article does me great injustice, and I ask that you will have the + kindness to publish this note. + </p> + <p> + "'From the bottom of my heart I despise the publishers of obscene + literature. Below them there is no depth of filth. And I also despise + those, who, under the pretence of suppressing obscene literature, endeavor + to prevent honest and pure men from writing and publishing honest and pure + thoughts. Yours truly. + </p> + <p> + "'R. G. Ingersoll.' + </p> + <p> + "This is sufficiently easy of comprehension even for ministers, but of + course they misrepresented and lied about the writer. From that day to + this he has been accused of favoring the dissemination of obscene + literature. That the friends of Colonel Ingersoll may know just how + infamous this is, we will give a brief history of the repeal or + modification movement.... + </p> + <p> + "On October 26, the National Liberal League held its Congress in Syracuse. + At this Congress the League left the matter of repeal or modification of + the laws open, taking no action as an organization, either way, but + elected officers known to be in favor of repeal. On December 10, Mr. + Bennett was again arrested. He was tried, and found guilty; he appealed, + the conviction was affirmed, and he was sentenced to thirteen months' + imprisonment at hard labor. + </p> + <p> + "After the trial Colonel Ingersoll interposed, and endeavored to get a + pardon for Mr. Bennett, who was held in Ludlow street jail pending + President Hayes's reply. The man who occupied the President's office + promised to pardon the Infidel editor; then he went back on his word, and + Mr. Bennett served his term of imprisonment. + </p> + <p> + "Then preachers opened the sluiceways of vituperation and billingsgate + upon Colonel Ingersoll for having interceded for a man convicted of + mailing obscene literature. The charges were as infamously false then as + they are now, and to show it, it is only necessary to quote Colonel + Ingersoll's words during the year or two succeeding, when the Freethinkers + and the Christians were not only opposing each other vigorously, but the + Freethinkers themselves were divided on the question. In 1879, while Mr. + Bennett was in prison, a correspondent of the Nashville, Tenn., <i>Banner</i> + said that the National Liberal League and Colonel Ingersoll were in favor + of disseminating obscene literature. To this Colonel Ingersoll replied in + a letter to a friend: + </p> + <p> + "1417 G St., Washington, Aug. 21, 1879. + </p> + <p> + "'My Dear Sir: The article in the Nashville <i>Banner</i> by "J. L." is + utterly and maliciously false. + </p> + <p> + "'A petition was sent to Congress praying for the repeal or modification + of certain postal laws, to the end that the freedom of conscience and of + the press should not be abridged. + </p> + <p> + "'Nobody holds in greater contempt than I the writers, publishers, or + dealers in obscene literature. One of my objections to the Bible is that + it contains hundreds of grossly obscene passages not fit to be read by any + decent man, thousands of passages, in my judgment, calculated to corrupt + the minds of youth. I hope the time will soon come when the good sense of + the American people will demand a Bible with all obscene passages left + out. + </p> + <p> + "'The only reason a modification of the postal laws is necessary is that + at present, under color of those laws, books and pamphlets are excluded + from the mails simply because they are considered heterodox and + blasphemous. In other words, every man should be allowed to write, + publish, and send through the mails his thoughts upon any subject, + expressed in a decent and becoming manner. As to the propriety of giving + anybody authority to overhaul mails, break seals, and read private + correspondence, that is another question. + </p> + <p> + "'Every minister and every layman who charges me with directly or + indirectly favoring the dissemination of anything that is impure, retails + what he knows to be a wilful and malicious lie. I remain, Yours truly, + </p> + <p> + "'R. G. Ingersoll.' + </p> + <p> + "Three weeks after this letter was written the National Liberal League + held its third annual Congress at Cincinnati. Colonel Ingersoll was + chairman of the committee on resolutions and platform and unfinished + business of the League. One of the subjects to be dealt with was these + Comstock laws. The following are Colonel Ingersoll's remarks and the + resolutions he presented: + </p> + <p> + "'It may be proper, before presenting the resolutions of the committee, to + say a word in explanation. The committee were charged with the + consideration of the unfinished business of the League. It seems that at + Syracuse there was a division as to what course should be taken in regard + to the postal laws of the United States. These laws were used as an engine + of oppression against the free circulation of what we understand to be + scientific literature. Every honest man in this country is in favor of + allowing every other human being every right that he claims for himself. + The majority at Syracuse were at that time simply in favor of the absolute + repeal of those laws, believing them to be unconstitutional—not + because they were in favor of anything obscene, but because they were + opposed to the mails of the United States being under the espionage and + bigotry of the church. They therefore demanded an absolute repeal of the + law. Others, feeling that they might be misunderstood, and knowing that + theology can coin the meanest words to act as the vehicle of the lowest + lies, were afraid of being misunderstood, and therefore they said, Let us + amend these laws so that our literature shall be upon an equality with + that of theology. I know that there is not a Liberal here, or in the + United States, that is in favor of the dissemination of obscene + literature. One of the objections which we have to the book said to be + written by God is that it is obscene. + </p> + <p> + "'The Liberals of this country believe in purity, and they believe that + every fact in nature and in science is as pure as a star. We do not need + to ask for any more than we want. We simply want the laws of our country + so framed that we are not discriminated against. So, taking that view of + the vexed question, we want to put the boot upon the other foot. We want + to put the charge of obscenity where it belongs, and the committee, of + which I have the honor to be one of the members, have endeavored to do + just that thing. Men have no right to talk to me about obscenity who + regard the story of Lot and his daughters as a fit thing for men, women, + and children to read, and who worship a God in whom the violation of [<i>Cheers + drowned the conclusion of this sentence so the reporters could not hear + it.</i>] Such a God I hold in infinite contempt. + </p> + <p> + "'Now I will read you the resolutions recommended by the committee. + </p> + <p> + "'RESOLUTIONS. + </p> + <p> + "'Your committee have the honor to submit the following report: "'First, + As to the unfinished business of the League, your committee submits the + following resolutions: + </p> + <p> + "'Resolved., That we are in favor of such postal laws as will allow the + free transportation through the mails of the United States of all books, + pamphlets, and papers, irrespective of the religious, irreligious, + political, and scientific views they may contain, so that the literature + of science may be placed upon an equality with that of superstition. + </p> + <p> + "'Resolved, That we are utterly opposed to the dissemination, through the + mails, or by any other means, of obscene literature, whether "inspired" or + uninspired, and hold in measureless contempt its authors and + disseminators. + </p> + <p> + "'Resolved, That we call upon the Christian world to expunge from the + so-called "sacred" Bible every passage that cannot be read without + covering the cheek of modesty with the blush of shame; and until such + passages are expunged, we demand that the laws against the dissemination + of obscene literature be impartially enforced. '... + </p> + <p> + "We believe that lotteries and obscenity should be dealt with by State and + municipal legislation, and offenders punished in the county in which they + commit their offence. So in those days we argued for the repeal of the + Comstock laws, as did dozens of others—James Parton, Elizur Wright, + O. B. Frothingham, T. C. Leland, Courtlandt Palmer, and many more whose + names we do not recall. But Colonel Ingersoll did not, and when the + National Liberal League met the next year at Chicago (September 17, 1880), + he was opposed to the League's making a pledge to defend every case under + the Comstock laws, and he was opposed to a resolution demanding a repeal + of those laws. The following is what Colonel Ingersoll said upon the + subject: + </p> + <p> + "'Mr. Chairman, I wish to offer the following resolution in place and + instead of resolutions numbered 5 and 6: + </p> + <p> + "'Resolved, That the committee of defence, whenever a person has been + indicted for what he claims to have been an honest exercise of the freedom + of thought and expression, shall investigate the case, and if it appears + that such person has been guilty of no offence, then it shall be the duty + of said committee to defend such person if he is unable to defend + himself.' + </p> + <p> + "'Now, allow me one moment to state my reasons. I do not, I have not, I + never shall, accuse or suspect a solitary member of the Liberal League of + the United States of being in favor of doing any act under heaven that he + is not thoroughly convinced is right. We all claim freedom of speech, and + it is the gem of the human soul. We all claim a right to express our + honest thoughts. Did it ever occur to any Liberal that he wished to + express any thought honestly, truly, and legally that he considered + immoral? How does it happen that <i>we</i> have any interest in what is + known as immoral literature? I deny that the League has any interest in + that kind of literature. Whenever we mention it, whenever we speak of it, + we put ourselves in a false position. What do we want? We want to see to + it that the church party shall not smother the literature of Liberalism. + We want to see to it that the viper of intellectual slavery shall not + sting our cause. We want it so that every honest man, so that every honest + woman, can express his or her honest thought upon any subject in the + world. And the question, and the only question, as to whether they are + amenable to the law, in my mind, is, Were they honest? Was their effort to + benefit mankind? Was that their intention? And no man, no woman, should be + convicted of any offence that that man or woman did not intend to commit. + Now, then, suppose some person is arrested, and it is claimed that a work + written by him is immoral, is illegal. Then, I say, let our committee of + defence examine that case, and if our enemies are seeking to trample out + Freethought under the name of immorality, and under the cover and shield + of our criminal law, then let us defend that man to the last dollar we + have. But we do not wish to put ourselves in the position of general + defenders of all the slush that may be written in this or any other + country. You cannot afford to do it. You cannot afford to put into the + mouth of theology a perpetual and continual slur. You cannot afford to do + it. And this meeting is not the time to go into the question of what + authority the United States may have over the mails. It is a very wide + question. It embraces many others. Has the Government a right to say what + shall go into the mails? Why, in one sense, assuredly. Certainly they have + a right to say you shall not send a horse and wagon by mail. They have a + right to fix some limit; and the only thing we want is that the literature + of liberty, the literature of real Freethought, shall not be discriminated + against. And we know now as well as if it had been perfectly and + absolutely demonstrated, that the literature of Freethought will be + absolutely pure. We know it, We call upon the Christian world to expunge + obscenity from their book, and until that is expunged we demand that the + laws against obscene literature shall be executed. And how can we, in the + next resolution, say those laws ought all to be repealed? We cannot do + that. I have always been in favor of such an amendment of the law that by + no trick, by no device, by no judicial discretion, an honest, high, + pure-minded man should be subjected to punishment simply for giving his + best and his honest thought. What more do we need? What more can we ask? I + am as much opposed as my friend Mr. Wakeman can be to the assumption of + the church that it is the guardian of morality. If our morality is to be + guarded by that sentiment alone, then is the end come. The natural + instinct of self-defence in mankind and in all organized society is the + fortress of the morality in mankind. The church itself was at one time the + outgrowth of that same feeling, but now the feeling has outgrown the + church. Now, then, we will have a Committee of Defence. That committee + will examine every case. Suppose some man has been indicted, and suppose + he is guilty. Suppose he has endeavored to soil the human mind. Suppose he + has been willing to make money by pandering to the lowest passions in the + human breast. What will that committee do with him then? We will say, "Go + on; let the law take its course." But if, upon reading his book, we find + that he is all wrong, horribly wrong, idiotically wrong, but make up our + minds that he was honest in his error, I will give as much as any other + living man of my means to defend that man. And I believe you will all bear + me witness when I say that I have the cause of intellectual liberty at + heart as much as I am capable of having anything at heart. And I know + hundreds of others here just the same. I understand that. I understand + their motive. I believe it to be perfectly good, but I truly and honestly + think they are mistaken. + </p> + <p> + If we have an interest in the business, I would fight for it. If our cause + were assailed by law, then I say fight; and our cause is assailed, and I + say fight. They will not allow me, in many States of this Union, to + testify. I say fight until every one of those laws is repealed. They + discriminate against a man simply because he is honest. Repeal such laws. + The church, if it had the power to-day, would trample out every particle + of free literature in this land. And when they endeavor to do that, I say + fight. But there is a distinction wide as the Mississippi—yes, wider + than the Atlantic, wider than all the oceans—between the literature + of immorality and the literature of Freethought. One is a crawling, slimy + lizard, and the other an angel with wings of light. Now, let us draw this + distinction, let us understand ourselves, and do not give to the common + enemy a word covered with mire, a word stained with cloaca, to throw at + us. We thought we had settled that question a year ago. We buried it then, + and I say let it rot. + </p> + <p> + "'This question is of great importance. It is the most important one we + have here. I have fought this question; I am ever going to do so, and I + will not allow anybody to put a stain upon me. This question must be + understood if it takes all summer. Here is a case in point. Some lady has + written a work which, I am informed, is a good work, and that has nothing + wrong about it. Her opinions may be foolish or wise. Let this committee + examine that case. If they find that she is a good woman, that she had + good intentions, no matter how terrible the work may be, if her intentions + are good, she has committed no crime. I want the honest thought. I think I + have always been in favor of it. But we haven't the time to go into all + these questions. + </p> + <p> + "'Then comes the question for this house to decide in a moment whether + these cases should have been tried in the State or Federal court. I want + it understood that I have confidence in the Federal courts of the nation. + There may be some bad judges, there may be some idiotic jurors. I think + there was in that case [of Mr. Bennett]. But the Committee of Defence, if + I understand it, supplied means, for the defence of that man. They did, + but are we ready now to decide in a moment what courts shall have + jurisdiction? Are we ready to say that the Federal courts shall be denied + jurisdiction in any case arising about the mails? Suppose somebody robs + the mails? Before whom shall we try the robber? Try him before a Federal + judge. Why? Because he has violated a Federal law. We have not any time + for such an investigation as this. What we want to do is to defend free + speech everywhere. What we want to do is to defend the expression of + thought in papers, in pamphlets, in books. What we want to do is to see to + it that these books, papers, and pamphlets are on an equality with all + other books, papers, and pamphlets in the United States mails. And then + the next step we want to take, if any man is indicted under the pretence + that he is publishing immoral books, is to have our Committee of Defence + well examine the case; and if we believe the man to be innocent we will + help defend him if he is unable to defend himself; and if we find that the + law is wrong in that particular, we will go for the amendment of that law. + I beg of you to have some sense in this matter. We must have it. If we + don't, upon that rock we shall split—upon that rock we shall again + divide. Let us not do it. The cause of intellectual liberty is the highest + to the human mind. Let us stand by it, and we can help all these people by + this resolution. We can do justice everywhere with it, while if we agree + to the fifth and sixth resolutions that have been offered I say we lay + ourselves open to the charge, and it will be hurled against us, no matter + how unjustly, that we are in favor of widespread immorality. + </p> + <p> + "'Mr. Clarke: We are not afraid of it. + </p> + <p> + "'Colonel Ingersoll: You may say we are not afraid. I am not afraid. He + only is a fool who rushes into unnecessary danger. + </p> + <p> + "'Mr. Clarke: What are you talking about, anyway? + </p> + <p> + "'Colonel Ingersoll: I am talking with endeavor to put a little sense into + such men as you. Your very question shows that it was necessary that I + should talk. And now I move that my resolution be adopted. + </p> + <p> + "'Mr. Wakeman moved that it be added to that portion of the sixth + resolution which recommended the constitution of the Committee of Defence. + </p> + <p> + "'Col. Ingersoll: I cannot agree to the sixth resolution. I think nearly + every word of it is wrong in principle. I think it binds us to a course of + action that we shall not be willing to follow; and my resolution covers + every possible case. My resolution binds us to defend every honest man in + the exercise of his right. I can't be bound to say that the Government + hasn't control of its morals—that we cannot trust the Federal courts—that, + under any circumstances, at any time, I am bound to defend, either by word + or money, any man who violates the laws of this country. + </p> + <p> + "'Mr. Wakeman: We do not say that. + </p> + <p> + "'Colonel Ingersoll: I beg of you, I beseech you, not to pass the sixth + resolution. If you do, I wouldn't give that [snapping his fingers] for the + platform. A part of the Comstock law authorizes the vilest possible trick. + We are all opposed to that. + </p> + <p> + "'Mr. Leland: What is the question? + </p> + <p> + "'Colonel Ingersoll: Don't let us be silly. Don't let us say we are + opposed to what we are not opposed to. If any man here is opposed to + putting down the vilest of all possible trash he ought to go home. We are + opposed to only a part of the law—opposed to it whenever they + endeavor to trample Freethought under foot in the name of immorality. + </p> + <p> + Afterward, at the same session of the Congress, the following colloquy + took place between Colonel Ingersoll and T. B. Wakeman: + </p> + <p> + "'Colonel Ingersoll: You know as well as I that there are certain books + not fit to go through the mails—books and pictures not fit to be + delivered. + </p> + <p> + "'Mr. Wakeman: That is so. + </p> + <p> + "'Colonel Ingersoll: There is not a man here who is not in favor, when + these books and pictures come into the control of the United States, of + burning them up when they are manifestly obscene. You don't want any grand + jury there. + </p> + <p> + "'Mr. Wakeman: Yes, we do. + </p> + <p> + "'Colonel Ingersoll: No, we don't. When they are manifestly obscene, burn + them up. + </p> + <p> + "'A delegate: Who is to be judge of that? + </p> + <p> + "'Colonel Ingersoll: There are books that nobody differs about. There are + certain things about which we can use discretion. If that discretion is + abused, a man has his remedy. We stand for the free thought of this + country. We stand for the progressive spirit of the United States. We + can't afford to say that all these laws should be repealed. If we had time + to investigate them we could say in what they should be amended. Don't tie + us to this nonsense—to the idea that we have an interest in immoral + literature. Let us remember that Mr. Wakeman is sore. He had a case before + the Federal courts, and he imagines, having lost that case, you cannot + depend on them. I have lost hundreds of cases. I have as much confidence + in the Federal courts as in the State courts. I am not to be a party to + throwing a slur upon the Federal judiciary. All we want is fair play. We + want the same chance for our doctrines that others have for theirs. And + how this infernal question of obscenity ever got into the Liberal League I + could never understand. If an innocent man is convicted of larceny, should + we repeal all the laws on the subject? I don't pretend to be better than + other people. + </p> + <p> + It is easy to talk right—so easy to be right that I never care to + have the luxury of being wrong. I am advocating something that we can + stand upon. I do not misunderstand Mr. Wakeman's motives. I believe they + are perfectly good—that he is thoroughly honest. Why not just say we + will stand by freedom of thought and its expression? Why not say that we + are in favor of amending any law that is wrong? But do not make the + wholesale statement that all these laws ought to be repealed. They ought + not to be repealed. Some of them are good." The law against sending + instruments of vice in the mails is good, as is the law against sending + obscene books and pictures, and the law against letting ignorant hyenas + prey upon sick people, and the law which prevents the getters up of bogus + lotteries sending their letters through the mail.' + </p> + <p> + "At the evening session of the Congress, on the same day, Mr. Ingersoll + made this speech in opposition to the resolution demanding the repeal of + the Comstock laws: + </p> + <p> + "'I am not in favor of the repeal of those laws. I have never been, and I + never expect to be. But I do wish that every law providing for the + punishment of a criminal offence should distinctly define the offence. + That is the objection to this law, that it does not define the offence, so + that an American citizen can readily know when he is about to violate it + and consequently the law ought in all probability to be modified in that + regard. I am in favor of every law defining with perfect distinctness the + offence to be punished, but I cannot say by wholesale these laws should be + repealed. I have the cause of Freethought too much at heart. Neither will + I consent to the repeal simply because the church is in favor of those + laws. In so far as the church agrees with me, I congratulate the church. + In so far as superstition is willing to help me, good! I am willing to + accept it. I believe, also, that this League is upon a secular basis, and + there should be nothing in our platform that would prevent any Christian + from acting with us. What is our platform?—and we ought to leave it + as it is. It needs no amendment. Our platform is for a secular government. + Is it improper in a secular government to endeavor to prevent the spread + of obscene literature? It is the business of a secular government to do + it, but if that government attempts to stamp out Freethought in the name + of obscenity, it is then for the friends of Freethought to call for a + definition of the word, and such a definition as will allow Freethought to + go everywhere through all the mails of the United States. We are also in + favor of secular schools. Good! We are in favor of doing away with every + law that discriminates against a man on account of his belief. Good! We + are in favor of universal education. Good! We are in favor of the taxation + of church property. Good!—because the experience of the world shows + that where you allow superstition to own property without taxing it, it + will absorb the net profits. Is it time now that we should throw into the + scale, against all these splendid purposes, an effort to repeal some + postal laws against obscenity? As well might we turn the League into an + engine to do away with all laws against the sale of stale eggs. + </p> + <p> + "'What have we to do with those things? Is it possible that Freethought + can be charged with being obscene? Is it possible that, if the charge is + made, it can be substantiated? Can you not attack any superstition in the + world in perfectly pure language? Can you not attack anything you please + in perfectly pure language? And where a man intends right, no law should + find him guilty; and if the law is weak in that respect, let it be + modified. But I say to you that I cannot go with any body of men who + demand the unconditional repeal of these laws. I believe in liberty as + much as any man that breathes. I will do as much, according to my ability, + as any other man to make this an absolutely free and secular government I + will do as much as any other man of my strength and of my intellectual + power to give every human being every right that I claim for myself. But + this obscene law business is a stumbling block. Had it not been for this, + instead of the few people voting here—less than one hundred—we + would have had a Congress numbered by thousands. Had it not been for this + business, the Liberal League of the United States would to-night hold in + its hand the political destiny of the United States. Instead of that, we + have thrown away our power upon a question in which we are not interested. + Instead of that, we have wasted our resources and our brain for the repeal + of a law that we don't want repealed. If we want anything, we simply want + a modification. Now, then, don't stain this cause by such a course. And + don't understand that I am pretending, or am insinuating, that anyone here + is in favor of obscene literature. It is a question, not of principle, but + of means, and I beg pardon of this Convention if I have done anything so + horrible as has been described by Mr. Pillsbury. I regret it if I have + ever endeavored to trample upon the rights of this Convention. + </p> + <p> + "'There is one thing I have not done—I have not endeavored to cast + five votes when I didn't have a solitary vote. Let us be fair; let us be + fair. I have simply given my vote. I wish to trample upon the rights of no + one; and when Mr. Pillsbury gave those votes he supposed he had a right to + give them; and if he had a right, the votes would have been counted. I + attribute nothing wrong to him, but I say this: I have the right to make a + motion in this Congress, I have the right to argue that motion, but I have + no more rights than any other member, and I claim none. But I want to say + to you—and I want you to know and feel it—that I want to act + with every Liberal man and woman in this world. I want you to know and + feel it that I want to do everything I can to get every one of these + statutes off our books that discriminates against a man because of his + religious belief—that I am in favor of a secular government, and of + all these rights. But I cannot, and I will not, operate with any + organization that asks for the unconditional repeal of those laws. I will + stand alone, and I have stood alone. I can tell my thoughts to my + countrymen, and I will do it, and whatever position you take, whether I am + with you or not, you will find me battling everywhere for the absolute + freedom of the human mind. You will find me battling everywhere to make + this world better and grander; and whatever my personal conduct may be, I + shall endeavor to keep my theories right. I beg of you, I implore you, do + not pass the resolution No. 6. It is not for our interest; it will do us + no good. It will lose us hosts of honest, splendid friends. Do not do it; + it will be a mistake; and the only reason I offered the motion was to give + the members time to think this over. I am not pretending to know more than + other people. I am perfectly willing to say that in many things I know + less. But upon this subject I want you to think. No matter whether you are + afraid of your sons, your daughters, your wives, or your husbands, that + isn't it—I don't want the splendid prospects of this League put in + jeopardy upon such an issue as this. I have no more to say. But if that + resolution is passed, all I have to say is that, while I shall be for + liberty everywhere, I cannot act with this organization, and I will not.' + </p> + <p> + "The resolution was finally adopted, and Colonel Ingersoll resigned his + office of vice-president in the League, and never acted with it again + until the League dropped all side issues, and came back to first + principles—the enforcement of the Nine Demands of Liberalism." + </p> + <p> + In 1892, writing upon this subject in answer to a minister who had + repeated these absurd charges, Colonel Ingersoll made this offer: + </p> + <p> + "I will pay a premium of one thousand dollars a word for each and every + word I ever said or wrote in favor of sending obscene publications through + the mails." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0024" id="link0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL LIBERAL LEAGUE. + </h2> + <h3> + Cincinnati, O., September 14.1878. + </h3> + <p> + LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Allow me to say that the cause nearest my heart, and + to which I am willing to devote the remainder of my life, is the absolute, + the <i>absolute</i>, enfranchisement of the human mind. I believe that the + family is the unit of good government, and that every good government is + simply an aggregation of good families. I therefore not only believe in + perfect civil and religious liberty, but I believe in the one man loving + the one woman. I believe the real temple of the human heart is the + hearthstone, and that there is where the sacrifice of life should be made; + and just in proportion as we have that idea in this country, just in that + proportion we shall advance and become a great, glorious and splendid + nation. I do not want the church or the state to come between the man and + wife. I want to do what little I can while I live to strengthen and render + still more sacred the family relation. I am also in favor of granting + every right to every other human being that I claim for myself; and when I + look about upon the world and see how the children that are born to-day, + or this year, or this age, came into a world that has nearly all been + taken up before their arrival; when I see that they have not even an + opportunity to labor for bread; when I see that in our splendid country + some who do the most have the least, and others who do the least have the + most; I say to myself there is something wrong somewhere, and I hope the + time will come when every child that nature has invited to our feast will + have an equal right with all the others. There is only one way, in my + judgment, to bring that about; and that is, first, not simply by the + education of the head, but by the universal education of the heart. The + time will come when a man with millions in his possession will not be + respected unless with those millions he improves the condition of his + fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + The time will come when it will be utterly impossible for a man to go down + to death, grasping millions in the clutch of avarice. The time will come + when it will be impossible for such a man to exist, for he will be + followed by the scorn and execration of mankind. The time will come when + such a man when stricken by death, cannot purchase the favor of posterity + by leaving a portion of the gains which he has wrung from the poor, to + some church or Bible society for the glory of God. + </p> + <p> + Now, let me say that we have met together as a Liberal League. We have + passed the same platform again; but if you will read that platform you + will see that it covers nearly every word that I have spoken—universal + education—the laws of science included, not the guesses of + superstition—universal education, not for the next world but for + this—happiness, not so much for an unknown land beyond the clouds as + for this life in this world. I do not say that there is not another life. + If there is any God who has allowed his children to be oppressed in this + world he certainly needs another life to reform the blunders he has made + in this. + </p> + <p> + Now, let us all agree that we will stand by each other splendidly, + grandly; and when we come into convention let us pass resolutions that are + broad, kind, and genial, because, if you are true Liberals, you will hold + in a kind of tender pity the most outrageous superstitions in the world. I + have said some things in my time that were not altogether charitable; but, + after all, when I think it over, I see that men are as they are, because + they are the result of every thing that has ever been. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes I think the clergy a necessary evil; but I say, let us be genial + and kind, and let us know that every other person has the same right to be + a Catholic or a Presbyterian, and gather consolation from the doctrine of + reprobation, that he has the same right to be a Methodist or a Christian + Disciple or a Baptist; the same right to believe these phantasies and + follies and superstitions—[<i>A voice—"And to burn heretics?"</i>] + </p> + <p> + No—The same right that we have to believe that it is all + superstition. But when that Catholic or Baptist or Methodist endeavors to + put chains on the bodies or intellects of men, it is then the duty of + every Liberal to prevent it at all hazards. If we can do any good in our + day and generation, let us do it. + </p> + <p> + There is no office I want in this world. I will make up my mind as to the + next when I get there, because my motto is—and with that motto I + will close what I have to say—My motto is: One world at a time! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0025" id="link0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN SECULAR UNION. + </h2> + <h3> + Albany, N. Y., September 13, 1885. + </h3> + <p> + LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: While I have never sought any place in any + organization, and while I never intended to accept any place in any + organization, yet as you have done me the honor to elect me president of + the American Secular Union, I not only accept the place, but tender to you + each and all my sincere thanks. + </p> + <p> + This is a position that a man cannot obtain by repressing his honest + thought. Nearly all other positions he obtains in that way. But I am glad + that the time has come when men can afford to preserve their manhood in + this country. Maybe they cannot be elected to the Legislature, cannot + become errand boys in Congress, cannot be placed as weather-vanes in the + presidential chair, but the time has come when a man can express his + honest thought and be treated like a gentleman in the United States. We + have arrived at a point where priests do not govern, and have reached that + stage of our journey where we, as Harriet Martineau expressed it, are + "free rovers on the breezy common of the universe." Day by day we are + getting rid of the aristocracy of the air. We have been the slaves of + phantoms long enough, and a new day, a day of glory, has dawned upon this + new world—this new world which is far beyond the old in the real + freedom of thought. + </p> + <p> + In the selection of your officers, without referring to myself, I think + you have shown great good sense. The first man chosen as vice-president, + Mr. Charles Watts, is a gentleman of sound, logical mind; one who knows + what he wants to say and how to say it; who is familiar with the + organization of Secular societies, knows what we wish to accomplish and + the means to attain it. I am glad that he is about to make this country + his home, and I know of no man who, in my judgment, can do more for the + cause of intellectual liberty. + </p> + <p> + The next vice-president, Mr. Remsburg, has done splendid work all over the + country. He is an absolutely fearless man, and tells really and truly what + his mind produces. We need such men everywhere. + </p> + <p> + You know it is almost a rule, or at any rate the practice, in political + parties and in organizations generally, to be so anxious for success that + all the offices and places of honor are given to those who will come in at + the eleventh hour. The rule is to hold out these honors as bribes for + newcomers instead of conferring them upon those who have borne the heat + and burden of the day. I hope that the American Secular Union will not be + guilty of any such injustice. Bestow your honors upon the men who stood by + you when you had few friends, the men who enlisted for the war when the + cause needed soldiers. Give your places to them, and if others want to + join your ranks, welcome them heartily to the places of honor in the rear + and let them learn how to keep step. + </p> + <p> + In this particular, leaving out myself as I have said, you have done + magnificently well. Mrs. Mattie Krekel, another vice-president, is a woman + who has the courage to express her opinions, and she is all the more to be + commended because, as you know, women have to suffer a little more + punishment than men, being amenable to social laws that are more exacting + and tyrannical than those passed by Legislatures. + </p> + <p> + Of Mr. Wakeman it is not necessary to speak. You all know him to be an + able, thoughtful, and experienced man, capable in every respect; one who + has been in this organization from the beginning, and who is now president + of the New York society. Elizur Wright, one of the patriarchs of + Freethought, who was battling for liberty before I was born, and who will + be found in the front rank until he ceases to be. You have honored + yourselves by electing James Parton, a thoughtful man, a scholar, a + philosopher, and a philanthropist—honest, courageous, and logical—with + a mind as clear as a cloudless sky. Parker Pillsbury, who has always been + on the side of liberty, always willing, if need be, to stand alone—a + man who has been mobbed many times because he had the goodness and courage + to denounce the institution of slavery—a man possessed of the true + martyr spirit. Messrs. Algie and Adams, our friends from Canada, men of + the highest character, worthy of our fullest confidence and esteem—conscientious, + upright, and faithful. + </p> + <p> + And permit me to say that I know of no man of kinder heart, of gentler + disposition, with more real, good human feeling toward all the world, with + a more forgiving and tender spirit, than Horace Seaver. He and Mr. Mendum + are the editors of the <i>Investigator</i>, the first Infidel paper I ever + saw, and I guess the first that any one of you ever saw—a paper once + edited by Abner Kneeland, who was put in prison for saying, "The + Universalists believe in a God which I do not." The court decided that he + had denied the existence of a Supreme Being, and at that time it was not + thought safe to allow a remark of that kind to be made, and so, for the + purpose of keeping an infinite God from tumbling off his throne, Mr. + Kneeland was put in jail. But Horace Seaver and Mr. Mendum went on with + his work. They are pioneers in this cause, and they have been absolutely + true to the principles of Freethought from the first day until now. + </p> + <p> + If there is anybody belonging to our Secular Union more enthusiastic and + better calculated to impart something of his enthusiasm to others than + Samuel P. Putnam, our secretary, I do not know him. Courtlandt Palmer, + your treasurer, you all know, and you will presently know him better when + you hear the speech he is about to make, and that speech will speak better + for him than I possibly can. Wait until you hear him, as he is now waiting + for me to get through that you may hear him. He will give you the + definition of the true gentleman, and that definition will be a truthful + description of himself. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Reynolds is on our side if anybody is or ever was, and Mr. Macdonald, + editor of <i>The Truth Seeker</i>, aiming not only to seek the truth but + to expose error, has done and is doing incalculable good in the cause of + mental freedom. + </p> + <p> + All these men and women are men and women of character, of high purpose; + in favor of Freethought not as a peculiarity or as an eccentricity of the + hour, but with all their hearts, through and through, to the very center + and core of conviction, life, and purpose. + </p> + <p> + And so I can congratulate you on your choice, and believe that you have + entered upon the most prosperous year of your existence. I believe that + you will do all you can to have every law repealed that puts a hypocrite + above an honest mail. We know that no man is thoroughly honest who does + not tell his honest thought. We want the Sabbath day for ourselves and our + families. Let the gods have the heavens. Give us the earth. If the gods + want to stay at home Sundays and look solemn, let them do it; let us have + a little wholesome recreation and pleasure. If the gods wish to go out + with their wives and children, let them go. If they want to play billiards + with the stars, so they don't carom on us, let them play. + </p> + <p> + We want to do what we can to compel every church to pay taxes on its + property as other people pay on theirs. Do you know that if church + property is allowed to go without taxation, it is only a question of time + when they will own a large per cent, of the property of the civilized + world? It is the same as compound interest; only give it time. If you + allow it to increase without taxing it for its protection, its growth can + only be measured by the time in which it has to grow. The church builds an + edifice in some small town, gets several acres of land. In time a city + rises around it. The labor of others has added to the value of this + property, until it is worth millions. If this property is not taxed, the + churches will have so much in their hands that they will again become + dangerous to the liberties of mankind. There never will be real liberty in + this country until all property is put upon a perfect equality. If you + want to build a Joss house, pay taxes. If you want to build churches, pay + taxes. If you want to build a hall or temple in which Freethought and + science are to be taught, pay taxes. Let there be no property untaxed. + When you fail to tax any species of property, you increase the tax of + other people owning the rest. To that extent, you unite church and state. + You compel the Infidel to support the Catholic. I do not want to support + the Catholic Church. It is not worth supporting. It is an unadulterated + evil. Neither do I want to reform the Catholic Church. The only + reformation of which that church or any orthodox church is capable, is + destruction. I want to spend no more money on superstition. Neither should + our money be taken to support sectarian schools. We do not wish to employ + any chaplains in the navy, or in the army, or in the Legislatures, or in + Congress. It is useless to ask God to help the political party that + happens to be in power. We want no President, no Governor "clothed with a + little brief authority," to issue a proclamation as though he were an + agent of God, authorized to tell all his loving subjects to fast on a + certain day, or to enter their churches and pray for the accomplishment of + a certain object. It is none of his business. When they called on Thomas + Jefferson to issue a proclamation, he said he had no right to do it, that + religion was a personal, individual matter, and that the state had no + right, no power, to interfere. + </p> + <p> + I now have the pleasure of introducing Mr. Courtlandt Palmer, who will + speak to you on the "Aristocracy of Freethought," in my judgment the + aristocracy not only of the present, but the aristocracy of the future. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0026" id="link0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE RELIGIOUS BELIEF OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, May 28, 1896. + </h3> + <p> + MY DEAR MR. SEIP: I have carefully read your article on the religious + belief of Abraham Lincoln, and in accordance with your request I will not + only give you my opinion of the evidence upon which you rely, as set out + in your article, but my belief as to the religious opinions of Mr. + Lincoln, and the facts on which my belief rests. + </p> + <p> + You speak of a controversy between myself and General Collis upon this + subject. A few years ago I delivered a lecture on Mr. Lincoln, in this + city, and in that lecture said that Lincoln, so far as his religious + opinions were concerned, substantially agreed with Franklin, Jefferson, + Paine and Voltaire. Thereupon General Collis wrote me a note contradicting + what I had said and asserting that "Lincoln invoked the power of Almighty + God, not the Deist God, but the God whom he worshiped under the forms of + the Christian church of which he was a member." To this I replied saying + that Voltaire and Paine both believed in God, and that Lincoln was never a + member of any Christian church. + </p> + <p> + General Collis wrote another letter to which, I think, I made no reply, + for the reason that the General had demonstrated that he knew nothing + whatever on the subject. It was evident that he had never read the life of + Lincoln, because if he had, he would not have said that he was a member of + a church. It was also evident that he knew nothing about the religious + opinions of Franklin, Voltaire or Paine, or he would have known that they + were believers in the existence of a Supreme Being. It did not seem to me + that his letter was worthy of a reply. + </p> + <p> + Now as to your article: I find in what you have written very little that + is new. I do not remember ever to have seen anything about the statement + of the daughter of the Rev. Mr. Gurley in regard to Lincoln's letters. The + daughter, however, does not pretend to know the contents of the letters + and says that they were destroyed by fire; consequently these letters, so + far as this question is concerned, are of no possible importance. The only + thing in your article tending to show that Lincoln was a Christian is the + following: "I think I can say with sincerity that I hope I am a Christian. + I had lived until my Willie died without fully realizing these things. + That blow overwhelmed me. It showed me my weakness as I had never felt it + before, and I think I can safely say that I know something of a change of + heart, and I will further add that it has been my intention for some time, + at a suitable opportunity, to make a public religious profession." + </p> + <p> + Now, if you had given the name of the person to whom this was said, and if + that person had told you that Lincoln did utter these words, then the + evidence would have been good; but you are forced to say that this was + said to an eminent Christian lady. You do not give this lady's name. I + take it for granted that her name is unknown, and that the name of the + person to whom she told the story is also unknown, and that the name of + the man who gave the story to the world is unknown. This falsehood, + according to your own showing, is an orphan, a lonely lie without father + or mother. Such testimony cannot be accepted. It is not even good hearsay. + </p> + <p> + In the next point you make, you also bring forward the remarks claimed to + have been made by Mr. Lincoln when some colored people of Baltimore + presented him with a Bible. You say that he said that the Bible was God's + best gift to man, and but for the Bible we could not know right from + wrong. It is impossible that Lincoln should have uttered these words. He + certainly would not have said to some colored people that the book that + instituted human slavery was God's best gift to man; neither could he have + said that but for this book we could not know right from wrong. If he said + these things he was temporarily insane. Mr. Lincoln was familiar with the + lives of Socrates, Epictetus, Epicurus, Zeno, Confucius, Zoroaster and + Buddha, not one of whom ever heard of the Bible. Certainly these men knew + right from wrong. In my judgment they would compare favorably with + Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and the Jews that crucified Christ. These + pretended remarks must be thrown away; they could have been uttered only + by an ignorant and thoughtless zealot, not by a sensible, thoughtful man. + Neither can we rely on any new evidence given by the Rev. Mr. Gurley. If + Mr. Gurley at any time claimed that Lincoln was a Christian, such claim + was born of an afterthought. Mr. Gurley preached a funeral sermon over the + body of Lincoln at the White House, and in that sermon he did not claim + that Mr. Lincoln was in any sense a Christian. He said nothing about + Christ. So, the testimony of the Rev. Mr. Sunderland amounts to nothing. + Lincoln did not tell him that he was a Christian or that he believed in + Christ. Not one of the ministers that claim that Lincoln was a Christian, + not one, testifies that Lincoln so said in his hearing. So, the lives that + have been written of Lincoln by Holland and Arnold are of no possible + authority. Holland knew nothing about Lincoln; he relied on gossip, and + was exceedingly anxious to make Lincoln a Christian so that his Life would + sell. As a matter of fact, Mr. Arnold knew little of Lincoln, and knew no + more of his religious opinions than he seems to have known about the + opinions of Washington. + </p> + <p> + I find also in your article a claim that Lincoln said to somebody that + under certain conditions, that is to say, if a church had the Golden Rule + for its creed, he would join that church; but you do not give the name of + the friend to whom Lincoln made this declaration. Still, if he made it, it + does not tend to show that he was a Christian. A church founded on the + Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you," + would not in any sense be a Christian church. It would be an ethical + society. The testimony of Mr. Bateman has been changed by himself, he + having admitted that it was colored, that he was not properly reported; so + the night-walking scene given by James E. Murdoch, does not even tend to + show that Lincoln was a Christian. According to Mr. Murdoch he was praying + to the God of Solomon and he never mentioned the name of Christ. I think, + however, Mr. Murdoch's story is too theatrical, and my own opinion is that + it was a waking dream. I think Lincoln was a man of too much sense, too + much tact, to have said anything to God about Solomon. Lincoln knew that + what God did for Solomon ended in failure, and if he wanted God to do + something for him (Lincoln) he would not have called attention to the + other case. So Bishop Simpson, in his oration or funeral sermon, said + nothing about Lincoln's having been a Christian. + </p> + <p> + Now, what is the testimony that you present that Lincoln was a Christian? + </p> + <p> + First, Several of your witnesses say that he believed in God. + </p> + <p> + Second, Some say that he believed in the efficacy of prayer. + </p> + <p> + Third, Some say that he was a believer in Providence. + </p> + <p> + Fourth, An unknown person says that he said to another unknown person that + he was a Christian. + </p> + <p> + Fifth, You also claim that he said the Bible was the best gift of God to + man, and that without it we could not have known right from wrong. + </p> + <p> + The anonymous testimony has to be thrown away, so nothing is left except + the remarks claimed to have been made when the Bible was presented by the + colored people, and these remarks destroy themselves. It is absolutely + impossible that Lincoln could have uttered the words attributed to him on + that occasion. I know of no one who heard the words, I know of no witness + who says he heard them or that he knows anybody who did. These remarks + were not even heard by an "eminent Christian lady," and we are driven to + say that if Lincoln was a Christian he took great pains to keep it a + secret. + </p> + <p> + I believe that I am familiar with the material facts bearing upon the + religious belief of Mr. Lincoln, and that I know what he thought of + orthodox Christianity. I was somewhat acquainted with him and well + acquainted with many of his associates and friends, and I am familiar with + Mr. Lincoln's public utterances. Orthodox Christians have the habit of + claiming all great men, all men who have held important positions, men of + reputation, men of wealth. As soon as the funeral is over clergymen begin + to relate imaginary conversations with the deceased, and in a very little + while the great man is changed to a Christian—possibly to a saint. + </p> + <p> + All this happened in Mr. Lincoln's case. Many pious falsehoods were told, + conversations were manufactured, and suddenly the church claimed that the + great President was an orthodox Christian. The truth is that Lincoln in + his religious views agreed with Franklin, Jefferson, and Voltaire. He did + not believe in the inspiration of the Bible or the divinity of Christ or + the scheme of salvation, and he utterly repudiated the dogma of eternal + pain. + </p> + <p> + In making up my mind as to what Mr. Lincoln really believed, I do not take + into consideration the evidence of unnamed persons or the contents of + anonymous letters; I take the testimony of those who knew and loved him, + of those to whom he opened his heart and to whom he spoke in the freedom + of perfect confidence. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Herndon was his friend and partner for many years. I knew Mr. Herndon + well. I know that Lincoln never had a better, warmer, truer friend. + Herndon was an honest, thoughtful, able, studious man, respected by all + who knew him. He was as natural and sincere as Lincoln himself. On several + occasions Mr. Herndon told me what Lincoln believed and what he rejected + in the realm of religion. He told me again and again that Mr. Lincoln did + not believe in the inspiration of the Bible, the divinity of Christ, or in + the existence of a personal God. There was no possible reason for Mr. + Herndon to make a mistake or to color the facts. + </p> + <p> + Justice David Davis was a life-long friend and associate of Mr. Lincoln, + and Judge Davis knew Lincoln's religious opinions and knew Lincoln as well + as anybody did. Judge Davis told me that Lincoln was a Freethinker, that + he denied the inspiration of the Bible, the divinity of Christ, and all + miracles. Davis also told me that he had talked with Lincoln on these + subjects hundreds of times. + </p> + <p> + I was well acquainted with Col. Ward H. Lamon and had many conversations + with him about Mr. Lincoln's religious belief, before and after he wrote + his life of Lincoln. He told me that he had told the exact truth in his + life of Lincoln, that Lincoln never did believe in the Bible, or in the + divinity of Christ, or in the dogma of eternal pain; that Lincoln was a + Freethinker. + </p> + <p> + For many years I was well acquainted with the Hon. Jesse W. Fell, one of + Lincoln's warmest friends. Mr. Fell often came to my house and we had many + talks about the religious belief of Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Fell told me that + Lincoln did not believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures, and that he + denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. Mr. Fell was very liberal in his own + ideas, a great admirer of Theodore Parker and a perfectly sincere and + honorable man. + </p> + <p> + For several years I was well acquainted with William G. Green, who was a + clerk with Lincoln at New Salem in the early days, and who admired and + loved Lincoln with all his heart. Green told me that Lincoln was always an + Infidel, and that he had heard him argue against the Bible hundreds of + times. Mr. Green knew Lincoln, and knew him well, up to the time of + Lincoln's death. + </p> + <p> + The Hon. James Tuttle of Illinois was a great friend of Lincoln, and he + is, if living, a friend of mine, and I am a friend of his. He knew Lincoln + well for many years, and he told me again and again that Lincoln was an + Infidel. Mr. Tuttle is a Freethinker himself and has always enjoyed the + respect of his neighbors. A man with purer motives does not live. + </p> + <p> + So I place great reliance on the testimony of Col. John G. Nicolay. Six + weeks after Mr. Lincoln's death Colonel Nicolay said that he did not in + any way change his religious ideas, opinions or belief from the time he + left Springfield until the day of his death. + </p> + <p> + In addition to all said by the persons I have mentioned, Mrs. Lincoln said + that her husband <i>was not a Christian</i>. There are many other + witnesses upon this question whose testimony can be found in a book + entitled "Abraham Lincoln, was he a Christian?" written by John E. + Remsburg, and published in 1893. In that book will be found all the + evidence on both sides. Mr. Remsburg states the case with great clearness + and demonstrates that Lincoln was not a Christian. + </p> + <p> + Now, what is a Christian? + </p> + <p> + First. He is a believer in the existence of God, the Creator and Governor + of the Universe. + </p> + <p> + Second. He believes in the inspiration of the Old and New Testaments. + </p> + <p> + Third. He believes in the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ; that the Holy + Ghost was his father. + </p> + <p> + Fourth. He believes that this Christ was offered as a sacrifice for the + sins of men, that he was crucified, dead and buried, that he arose from + the dead and that he ascended into heaven. + </p> + <p> + Fifth. He believes in the "fall of man," in the scheme of redemption + through the atonement. + </p> + <p> + Sixth. He believes in salvation by faith, that the few are to be eternally + happy, and that the many are to be eternally damned. + </p> + <p> + Seventh. He believes in the Trinity, in God the Father, God the Son and + God the Holy Ghost. + </p> + <p> + Now, is there the slightest evidence to show that Lincoln believed in the + inspiration of the Old and New Testaments? + </p> + <p> + Has anybody said that he was heard to say that he so believed? + </p> + <p> + Does anybody testify that Lincoln believed in the miraculous birth of + Jesus Christ, that the Holy Ghost was the father or that Christ was or is + God? + </p> + <p> + Has anybody testified that Lincoln believed that Christ was raised from + the dead? + </p> + <p> + Did anyone ever hear him say that he believed in the ascension of Jesus + Christ? Did anyone ever hear him assert that he believed in the + forgiveness of sins, or in salvation by faith, or that belief was a virtue + and investigation a crime? + </p> + <p> + Where, then, is the evidence that he was a Christian? + </p> + <p> + There is another reason for thinking that Lincoln never became a + Christian. + </p> + <p> + All will admit that he was an honest man, that he discharged all + obligations perceived, and did what he believed to be his duty. If he had + become a Christian it was his duty publicly to say so. He was President; + he had the ear of the nation; every citizen, had he spoken, would have + listened. It was his duty to make a clear, explicit statement of his + conversion, and it was his duty to join some orthodox church, and he + should have given his reasons. He should have endeavored to reach the + heart and brain of the Republic. It was unmanly for him to keep his + "second birth" a secret and sneak into heaven leaving his old friends to + travel the road to hell. + </p> + <p> + Great pains have been taken to show that Mr. Lincoln believed in, and + worshiped the one true God. This by many is held to have been his greatest + virtue, the foundation of his character, and yet, the God he worshiped, + the God to whom he prayed, allowed him to be assassinated. + </p> + <p> + Is it possible that God will not protect his friends? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0027" id="link0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + ORGANIZED CHARITIES. + </h2> + <p> + I HAVE no great confidence in organized charities. Money is left and + buildings are erected and sinecures provided for a good many worthless + people. Those in immediate control are almost, or when they were appointed + were almost, in want themselves, and they naturally hate other beggars. + </p> + <p> + They regard persons who ask assistance as their enemies. There is an old + story of a tramp who begged a breakfast. After breakfast another tramp + came to the same place to beg his breakfast, and the first tramp with + blows and curses drove him away, saying at the same time: "I expect to get + dinner here myself." + </p> + <p> + This is the general attitude of beggar toward beggar. + </p> + <p> + Another trouble with organized charities is the machinery, the various + methods they have adopted to prevent what they call fraud. They are + exceedingly anxious that the needy, that those who ask help, who have been + without fault, shall be attended to, their rule apparently being to assist + only the unfortunate perfect. + </p> + <p> + The trouble is that Nature produces very few specimens of that kind. As a + rule, men come to want on account of their imperfections, on account of + their ignorance, on account of their vices, and their vices are born of + their lack of capacity, of their want of brain. In other words, they are + failures of Nature, and the fact that they need help is not their own + fault, but the fault of their construction, their surroundings. + </p> + <p> + Very few people have the opportunity of selecting their parents, and it is + exceedingly difficult in the matter of grandparents. Consequently, I do + not hold people responsible for hereditary tendencies, traits and vices. + Neither do I praise them for having hereditary virtues. + </p> + <p> + A man going to one of these various charitable establishments is + cross-examined. He must give his biography. And after he has answered all + the supercilious, impudent questions, he is asked for references. + </p> + <p> + Then the people referred to are sought out, to find whether the statements + made by the applicant are true. By the time the thing is settled the man + who asked aid has either gotten it somewhere else or has, in the language + of the Spiritualists, "passed over to the other side." + </p> + <p> + Of course this does not trouble the persons in charge of the organized + charities, because their salaries are going on. + </p> + <p> + As a rule, these charities were commenced by the best of people. Some + generous, philanthropic man or woman gave a life to establish a "home," it + may be, for aged women, for orphans, for the waifs of the pavements. + </p> + <p> + These generous people, filled with the spirit of charity, raised a little + money, succeeded in hiring or erecting a humble building, and the money + they collected, so honestly given, they honestly used to bind up the + wounds and wipe away the tears of the unfortunate, and to save, if + possible, some who had been wrecked on the rocks and reefs of crime. + </p> + <p> + Then some very rich man dies who had no charity and who would not have + left a dollar could he have taken his money with him. This rich man, who + hated his relatives and the people he actually knew, gives a large sum of + money to some particular charity—not that he had any charity, but + because he wanted to be remembered as a philanthropist. + </p> + <p> + Then the organized charity becomes rich, and the richer the meaner, the + richer the harder of heart and the closer of fist. + </p> + <p> + Now, I believe that Trinity Church, in this city, would be called an + organized charity. The church was started to save, if possible, a few + souls from eternal torment, and on the plea of saving these souls money + was given to the church. + </p> + <p> + Finally the church became rich. It is now a landlord—has many + buildings to rent. And if what I hear is true there is no harder landlord + in the city of New York. + </p> + <p> + So, I have heard it said of Dublin University, that it is about the + hardest landlord in Ireland. + </p> + <p> + I think you will find that all such institutions try to collect the very + last cent, and, in the name of pity, drive pity from their hearts. + </p> + <p> + I think it is Shakespeare who says, "Pity drives out pity," and he must + have had organized charities in his mind when he uttered this remark. Of + course a great many really good and philanthropic people leave vast sums + of money to charities. + </p> + <p> + I find that it is sometimes very difficult to get an injured man, or one + seized with some sudden illness, taken into a city hospital. There are so + many rules and so many regulations, so many things necessary to be done, + that while the rules are being complied with the soul of the sick or + injured man, weary of the waiting, takes its flight. And after the man is + dead, the doctors are kind enough to certify that he died of heart + failure. + </p> + <p> + So—in a general way—I speak of all the asylums, of all the + homes for orphans. When I see one of those buildings I feel that it is + full of petty tyranny, of what might be called pious meanness, devout + deviltry, where the object is to break the will of every recipient of + public favor. + </p> + <p> + I may be all wrong. I hope I am. At the same time I fear that I am + somewhere near right. + </p> + <p> + You may take our prisons; the treatment of prisoners is often infamous. + The Elmira Reformatory is a worthy successor of the Inquisition, a + disgrace, in my judgment, to the State of New York, to the civilization of + our day. Every little while something comes to light showing the cruelty, + the tyranny, the meanness, of these professional distributers of public + charity—of these professed reformers. + </p> + <p> + I know that they are visited now and then by committees from the + Legislature, and I know that the keepers of these places know when the + "committee" may be expected. + </p> + <p> + I know that everything is scoured and swept and burnished for the + occasion; and I know that the poor devils that have been abused or whipped + or starved, fear to open their mouths, knowing that if they do they may + not be believed and that they will be treated afterward as though they + were wild beasts. + </p> + <p> + I think these public institutions ought to be open to inspection at all + times. I think the very best men ought to be put in control of them. I + think only those doctors who have passed, and recently passed, + examinations as to their fitness, as to their intelligence and + professional acquirements, ought to be put in charge. + </p> + <p> + I do not think that hospitals should be places for young doctors to + practice sawing off the arms and legs of paupers or hunting in the + stomachs of old women for tumors. I think only the skillful, the + experienced, should be employed in such places. Neither do I think + hospitals should be places where medicine is distributed by students to + the poor. + </p> + <p> + Ignorance is a poor doctor, even for the poor, and if we pretend to be + charitable we ought to carry it out. + </p> + <p> + I would like to see tyranny done away with in prisons, in the + reformatories, and in all places under the government or supervision of + the State. + </p> + <p> + I would like to have all corporal punishment abolished, and I would also + like to see the money that is given to charity distributed by charity and + by intelligence. I hope all these institutions will be overhauled. + </p> + <p> + I hope all places where people are pretending to take care of the poor and + for which they collect money from the public, will be visited, and will be + visited unexpectedly and the truth told. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment there is some better way. I think every hospital, every + asylum, every home for waifs and orphans should be supported by taxation, + not by charity; should be under the care and control of the State + absolutely. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe in these institutions being managed by any individual or + by any society, religious or secular, but by the State. I would no more + have hospitals and asylums depend on charity than I would have the public + school depend on voluntary contributions. + </p> + <p> + I want the schools supported by taxation and to be controlled by the + State, and I want the hospitals and asylums and charitable institutions + founded and controlled and carried on in the same way. Let the property of + the State do it. + </p> + <p> + Let those pay the taxes who are able. And let us do away forever with the + idea that to take care of the sick, of the helpless, is a charity. It is + not a charity. It is a duty. It is something to be done for our own sakes. + It is no more a charity than it is to pave or light the streets, no more a + charity than it is to have a system of sewers. + </p> + <p> + It is all for the purpose of protecting society and of civilizing + ourselves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0028" id="link0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SPAIN AND THE SPANIARDS. + </h2> + <p> + SPAIN has always been exceedingly religious and exceedingly cruel. That + country had an unfortunate experience. The Spaniards fought the Moors for + about seven hundred or eight hundred years, and during that time + Catholicism and patriotism became synonymous. They were fighting the + Moslems. It was a religious war. For this reason they became intense in + their Catholicism, and they were fearful that if they should grant the + least concession to the Moor, God would destroy them. Their idea was that + the only way to secure divine aid was to have absolute faith, and this + faith was proved by their hatred of all ideas inconsistent with their own. + </p> + <p> + Spain has been and is the victim of superstition. The Spaniards expelled + the Jews, who at that time represented a good deal of wealth and + considerable intelligence. This expulsion was characterized by infinite + brutality and by cruelties that words can not express. They drove out the + Moors at last. Not satisfied with this, they drove out the Moriscoes. + These were Moors who had been converted to Catholicism. + </p> + <p> + The Spaniards, however, had no confidence in the honesty of the + conversion, and for the purpose of gaining the good will of God, they + drove them out. They had succeeded in getting rid of Jews, Moors and + Moriscoes; that is to say, of the intelligence and industry of Spain. + Nothing was left but Spaniards; that is to say, indolence, pride, cruelty + and infinite superstition. So Spain destroyed all freedom of thought + through the Inquisition, and for many years the sky was livid with the + flames of the <i>Auto da fe</i>; Spain was busy carrying fagots to the + feet of philosophy, busy in burning people for thinking, for + investigating, for expressing honest opinions. The result was that a great + darkness settled over Spain, pierced by no star and shone upon by no + rising sun. + </p> + <p> + At one time Spain was the greatest of powers, owner of half the world, and + now she has only a few islands, the small change of her great fortune, the + few pennies in the almost empty purse, souvenirs of departed wealth, of + vanished greatness. Now Spain is bankrupt, bankrupt not only in purse, but + in the higher faculties of the mind, a nation without progress, without + thought; still devoted to bull fights and superstition, still trying to + affright contagious diseases by religious processions. Spain is a part of + the mediæval ages, belongs to an ancient generation. It really has + no place in the nineteenth century. + </p> + <p> + Spain has always been cruel. S. S. Prentice, many years ago, speaking of + Spain said: "On the shore of discovery it leaped an armed robber, and + sought for gold even in the throats of its victims." The bloodiest pages + in the history of this world have been written by Spain. Spain in Peru, in + Mexico, Spain in the low countries—all possible cruelties come back + to the mind when we say Philip II., when we say the Duke of Alva, when we + pronounce the names of Ferdinand and Isabella. Spain has inflicted every + torture, has practiced every cruelty, has been guilty of every possible + outrage. There has been no break between Torquemada and Weyler, between + the Inquisition and the infamies committed in Cuba. + </p> + <p> + When Columbus found Cuba, the original inhabitants were the kindest and + gentlest of people. They practiced no inhuman rites, they were good, + contented people. The Spaniards enslaved them or sought to enslave them. + The people rising, they were hunted with dogs, they were tortured, they + were murdered, and finally exterminated. This was the commencement of + Spanish rule on the island of Cuba. The same spirit is in Spain to-day + that was in Spain then. The idea is not to conciliate, but to coerce, not + to treat justly, but to rob and enslave. No Spaniard regards a Cuban as + having equal rights with himself. He looks upon the island as property, + and upon the people as a part of that property, both equally belonging to + Spain. + </p> + <p> + Spain has kept no promises made to the Cubans and never will. At last the + Cubans know exactly what Spain is, and they have made up their minds to be + free or to be exterminated. There is nothing in history to equal the + atrocities and outrages that have been perpetrated by Spain upon Cuba. + What Spain does now, all know is only a repetition of what Spain has done, + and this is a prophecy of what Spain will do if she has the power. + </p> + <p> + So far as I am concerned, I have no idea that there is to be any war + between Spain and the United States. A country that can't conquer Cuba, + certainly has no very flattering chance of overwhelming the United States. + A man that cannot whip one of his own boys is foolish when he threatens to + clean out the whole neighborhood. Of course, there is some wisdom even in + Spain, and the Spaniards who know anything of this country know that it + would be absolute madness and the utmost extreme of folly to attack us. I + believe in treating even Spain with perfect fairness. I feel about the + country as Burns did about the Devil: "O wad ye tak' a thought an' mend!" + I know that nations, like people, do as they must, and I regard Spain as + the victim and result of conditions, the fruit of a tree that was planted + by ignorance and watered by superstition. + </p> + <p> + I believe that Cuba is to be free, and I want that island to give a new + flag to the air, whether it ever becomes a part of the United States or + not. My sympathies are all with those who are struggling for their rights, + trying to get the clutch of tyranny from their throats; for those who are + defending their homes, their firesides, against tyrants and robbers. + </p> + <p> + Whether the Maine was blown up by the Spaniards is still a question. I + suppose it will soon be decided. In my own opinion, the disaster came from + the outside, but I do not know, and not knowing, I am willing to wait for + the sake of human nature. I sincerely hope that it was an accident. I hate + to think that there are people base and cruel enough to commit such an + act. Still, I think that all these matters will be settled without war. + </p> + <p> + I am in favor of an international court, the members to be selected by the + ruling nations of the world; and before this court I think all questions + between nations should be decided, and the only army and the only navy + should be under its direction, and used only for the purpose of enforcing + its decrees. Were there such a court now, before which Cuba could appear + and tell the story of her wrongs, of the murders, the assassinations, the + treachery, the starvings, the cruelty, I think that the decision would + instantly be in her favor and that Spain would be driven from the island. + Until there is such a court there is no need of talking about the world + being civilized. + </p> + <p> + I am not a Christian, but I do believe in the religion of justice, of + kindness. I believe in humanity. I do believe that usefulness is the + highest possible form of worship. The useful man is the good man, the + useful man is the real saint. I care nothing about supernatural myths and + mysteries, but I do care for human beings. I have a little short creed of + my own, not very hard to understand, that has in it no contradictions, and + it is this: Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The + place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so. + </p> + <p> + I think this creed if adopted, would do away with war. I think it would + destroy superstition, and I think it would civilize even Spain. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0029" id="link0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + OUR NEW POSSESSIONS. + </h2> + <p> + AS I understand it, the United States went into this war against Spain in + the cause of freedom. For three years Spain has been endeavoring to + conquer these people. The means employed were savage. Hundreds of + thousands were starved. Yet the Cubans, with great heroism, were + continuing the struggle. In spite of their burned homes, their wasted + fields, their dead comrades, the Cubans were not conquered and still waged + war. Under those circumstances we said to Spain, "You must withdraw from + the Western World. The Cubans have the right to be free!" They have been + robbed and enslaved by Spanish officers and soldiers. Undoubtedly they + were savages when first found, and undoubtedly they are worse now than + when discovered—more barbarous. They wouldn't make very good + citizens of the United States; they are probably incapable of + self-government, but no people can be ignorant enough to be justly robbed + or savage enough to be rightly enslaved. I think that we should keep the + islands, not for our own sake, but for the sake of these people. + </p> + <p> + It was understood and declared at the time, that we were not waging war + for the sake of territory, that we were not trying to annex Cuba, but that + we were moved by compassion—a compassion that became as stern as + justice. I did not think at the time there would be war. I supposed that + the Spanish people had some sense, that they knew their own condition and + the condition of this Republic. But the improbable happened, and now, + after the successes we have had, the end of the war appears to be in + sight, and the question arises: What shall we do with the Spanish islands + that we have taken already, or that we may take before peace comes? + </p> + <p> + Of course, we could not, without stultifying ourselves and committing the + greatest of crimes, hand back Cuba to Spain. But to do that would be no + more criminal, no more infamous, than to hand back the Philippines. In + those islands there are from eight to ten millions of people. + </p> + <p> + As far as the Philippines are concerned, I think that we should endeavor + to civilize them, and to do this we should send teachers, not preachers. + We should not endeavor to give them our superstition in place of Spanish + superstition. They have had superstition enough. They don't need churches, + they need schools. We should teach them our arts; how to cultivate the + soil, how to manufacture the things they need. In other words, we should + deal honestly with them, and try our best to make them a self-supporting + and a self-governing people. The eagle should spread its wings over those + islands for that and for no other purpose. We can not afford to give them + to other nations or to throw fragments of them to the wild beasts of + Europe. We can not say to Russia, "You may have a part," and to Germany, + "You may have a share," and to France, "You take something," and so divide + out these people as thieves divide plunder. That we will never do. + </p> + <p> + There is, moreover, in my mind, a little sentiment mixed with this matter. + Manila Bay has been filled with American glory. There was won one of our + greatest triumphs, one of the greatest naval victories of the world—won + by American courage and genius. We can not allow any other nation to + become the owner of the stage on which this American drama was played. I + know that we can be of great assistance to the inhabitants of the + Philippines. I know that we can be an unmixed blessing to them, and that + is the only ambition I have in regard to those islands. I would no more + think of handing them back to Spain than I would of butchering the entire + population in cold blood. Spain is unfit to govern. Spain has always been + a robber. She has never made an effort to civilize a human being. The + history of Spain, I think, is the darkest page in the history of the + world. + </p> + <p> + At the same time I have a kind of pity for the Spanish people. I feel that + they have been victims—victims of superstition. Their blood has been + sucked, their energies have been wasted and misdirected, and they excite + my sympathies. Of course, there are many good Spaniards, good men, good + women. Cervera appears to be a civilized man, a gentleman, and I feel + obliged to him for his treatment of Hobson. The great mass of the + Spaniards, however, must be exceedingly ignorant. Their so-called leaders + dare not tell them the truth about the progress of this war. They seem to + be afraid to state the facts. They always commence with a lie, then change + it a little, then change it a little more, and may be at last tell the + truth. They never seem to dare to tell the truth at first, if the truth is + bad. They put me in mind of the story of a man telegraphing to a wife + about the condition of her husband. The first dispatch was, "Your husband + is well, never better." The second was, "Your husband is sick, but not + very." The third was, "Your husband is much worse, but we still have + hope." The fourth was, "You may as well know the truth—we buried + your husband yesterday." That is about the way the Spanish people get + their war news. + </p> + <p> + That is why it may be incorrect to assume that peace is coming quickly. If + the Spaniards were a normal people, who acted as other folks do, we might + prophesy a speedy peace, but nobody has prophetic vision enough to tell + what such a people will do. In spite of all appearances, and all our + successes, and of all sense, the war may drag on. But I hope not, not only + for our own sake, but for the sake of the Spaniards themselves. I can't + help thinking of the poor peasants who will be killed, neither can I help + thinking of the poor peasants who will have to toil for many years on the + melancholy fields of Spain to pay the cost of this war. I am sorry for + them, and I am sorry also for the widows and orphans, and no one will be + more delighted when peace comes. + </p> + <p> + The argument has been advanced in the National Senate and elsewhere, that + the Federal Constitution makes no provision for the holding of colonies or + dependencies, such as the Philippines would be; that we can only acquire + them as territories, and eventually must take them in as States, with + their population of mixed and inferior races. That is hardly an effective + argument. + </p> + <p> + When this country was an infant, still in its cradle, George Washington + gave the child some very good advice; told him to beware of entangling + alliances, to stay at home and attend to his own business. Under the + circumstances this was all very good. But the infant has been growing, and + the Republic is now one of the most powerful nations in the world, and + yet, from its infant days until now, good, conservative people have been + repeating the advice of Washington. It was repeated again and again when + we were talking about purchasing Louisiana, and many Senators and + Congressmen became hysterical and predicted the fall of the Republic if + that was done. The same thing took place when we purchased Florida, and + again when we got one million square miles from Mexico, and still again + when we bought Alaska. These ideas about violating the Constitution and + wrecking the Republic were promulgated by our great and wise statesmen on + all these previous occasions, but, after all, the Constitution seems to + have borne the strain. There seems to be as much liberty now as there was + then, and, in fact, a great deal more. Our Territories have given us no + trouble, while they have greatly added to our population and vastly + increased our wealth. + </p> + <p> + Beside this, the statesmen of the olden time, the wise men with whom + wisdom was supposed to have perished, could not and did not imagine the + improvements that would take place after they were gone. In their time, + practically speaking, it was farther from New York to Buffalo than it is + now from New York to San Francisco, and so far as the transportation of + intelligence is concerned, San Francisco is as near New York as it would + have been in their day had it been just across the Harlem River. Taking + into consideration the railways, the telegraphs and the telephones, this + country now, with its area of three million five hundred thousand square + miles, is not so large as the thirteen original colonies were; that is to + say, the distances are more easily traveled and more easily overcome. In + those days it required months and months to cross the continent. Now it is + the work of four or five days. + </p> + <p> + Yet, when we came to talk about annexing the Hawaiian Islands, the advice + of George Washington was again repeated, and the older the Senator the + fonder he was of this advice. These Senators had the idea that the + Constitution, having nothing in favor of it, must contain something, at + least in spirit, against it. Of course, our fathers had no idea of the + growth of the Republic. We have, because with us it is a matter of + experience. I don't see that Alaska has imperiled any of the liberties of + New York. We need not admit Alaska as a State unless it has a population + entitling it to admission, and we are not bound to take in the Sandwich + Islands until the people are civilized, until they are fit companions of + free men and free women. It may be that a good many of our citizens will + go to the Sandwich Islands, and that, in a short time, the people there + will be ready to be admitted as a State. All this the Constitution can + stand, and in it there is no danger of imperialism. + </p> + <p> + I believe in national growth. As a rule, the prosperous farmer wants to + buy the land that adjoins him, and I think a prosperous nation has the + ambition of growth. It is better to expand than to shrivel; and, if our + Constitution is too narrow to spread over the territory that we have the + courage to acquire, why we can make a broader one. It is a very easy + matter to make a constitution, and no human happiness, no prosperity, no + progress should be sacrificed for the sake of a piece of paper with + writing on it; because there is plenty of paper and plenty of men to do + the writing, and plenty of people to say what the writing should be. I + take more interest in people than I do in constitutions. I regard + constitutions as secondary; they are means to an end, but the dear, old, + conservative gentlemen seem to regard constitutions as ends in themselves. + </p> + <p> + I have read what ex-President Cleveland had to say on this important + subject, and I am happy to say that I entirely disagree with him. So, too, + I disagree with Senator Edmunds, and with Mr. Bryan, and with Senator + Hoar, and with all the other gentlemen who wish to stop the growth of the + Republic. I want it to grow. + </p> + <p> + As to the final destiny of the island possessions won from Spain, my idea + is that the Philippine Islands will finally be free, protected, it may be + for a long time, by the United States. I think Cuba will come to us for + protection, naturally, and, so far as I am concerned, I want Cuba only + when Cuba wants us. I think that Porto Rico and some of those islands will + belong permanently to the United States, and I believe Cuba will finally + become a part of our Republic. + </p> + <p> + When the opponents of progress found that they couldn't make the American + people take the back track by holding up their hands over the + Constitution, they dragged in the Monroe doctrine. When we concluded not + to allow Spain any longer to enslave her colonists, or the people who had + been her colonists, in the New World, that was a very humane and wise + resolve, and it was strictly in accord with the Monroe doctrine. For the + purpose of conquering Spain, we attacked her fleet in Manila Bay, and + destroyed it. I can not conceive how that action of ours can be twisted + into a violation of the Monroe doctrine. The most that can be said is, + that it is an extension of that doctrine, and that we are now saying to + Spain, "You shall not enslave, you shall not rob, anywhere that we have + the power to prevent it." + </p> + <p> + Having taken the Philippines, the same humanity that dictated the + declaration of what is called the Monroe doctrine, will force us to act + there in accordance with the spirit of that doctrine. The other day I saw + in the paper an extract, I think, from Goldwin Smith, in which he says + that if we were to bombard Cadiz we would give up the Monroe doctrine. I + do not see the application. We are at war with Spain, and we have a right + to invade that country, and the invasion would have nothing whatever to do + with the Monroe doctrine. War being declared, we have the right to do + anything consistent with civilized warfare to gain the victory. The + bombardment of Cadiz would have no more to do with the Monroe doctrine + than with the attraction of gravitation. If, by the Monroe doctrine is + meant that we have agreed to stay in this hemisphere, and to prevent other + nations from interfering with any people on this hemisphere, and if it is + said that, growing out of this, is another doctrine, namely, that we are + pledged not to interfere with any people living on the other hemisphere, + then it might be called a violation of the Monroe doctrine for us to + bombard Cadiz. But such is not the Monroe doctrine. If, we being at war + with England, she should bombard the city of New York, or we should + bombard some city of England, would anybody say that either nation had + violated the Monroe doctrine? I do not see how that doctrine is involved, + whether we fight at sea or on the territory of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + This is the first war, so far as I know, in the history of the world that + has been waged absolutely in the interest of humanity; the only war born + of pity, of sympathy; and for that reason I have taken a deep interest in + it, and I must say that I was greatly astonished by the victory of Admiral + Dewey in Manila Bay. I think it one of the most wonderful in the history + of the world, and I think all that Dewey has done shows clearly that he is + a man of thought, of courage and of genius. So, too, the victory over the + fleet of Cervera by Commodore Schley, is one of the most marvelous and the + most brilliant in all the annals of the world. The marksmanship, the + courage, the absolute precision with which everything was done, is to my + mind astonishing. Neither should we forget Wainwright's heroic exploit, as + commander of the Gloucester, by which he demonstrated that torpedo + destroyers have no terrors for a yacht manned by American pluck. Manila + Bay and Santiago both are surpassingly wonderful. There are no words with + which to describe such deeds—deeds that leap like flames above the + clouds and glorify the whole heavens. + </p> + <p> + The Spanish have shown in this contest that they possess courage, and they + have displayed what you might call the heroism of desperation, but the + Anglo-Saxon has courage and coolness—courage not blinded by passion, + courage that is the absolute servant of intelligence. The Anglo-Saxon has + a fixedness of purpose that is never interfered with by feeling; he does + not become enraged—he becomes firm, unyielding, his mind is + absolutely made up, clasped, locked, and he carries out his will. With the + Spaniard it is excitement, nervousness; he becomes frantic. I think this + war has shown the superiority, not simply of our ships, or our armor, or + our guns, but the superiority of our men, of our officers, of our gunners. + The courage of our army about Santiago was splendid, the steadiness and + bravery of the volunteers magnificent. I think that what has already been + done has given us the admiration of the civilized world. + </p> + <p> + I know, of course, that some countries hate us. Germany is filled with + malice, and has been just on the crumbling edge of meanness for months, + wishing but not daring to interfere; hateful, hostile, but keeping just + within the overt act. We could teach Germany a lesson and her ships would + go down before ours just the same as the Spanish ships have done. + Sometimes I have almost wished that a hostile German shot might be fired. + But I think we will get even with Germany and with France—at least I + hope so. + </p> + <p> + And there is another thing I hope—that the good feeling now existing + between England and the United States may be eternal. In other words, I + hope it will be to the interests of both to be friends. I think the + English-speaking peoples are to rule this world. They are the kings of + invention, of manufactures, of commerce, of administration, and they have + a higher conception of human liberty than any other people. Of course, + they are not entirely free; they still have some of the rags and tatters + and ravelings of superstition; but they are tatters and they are rags and + they are ravelings, and the people know it. And, besides all this, the + English language holds the greatest literature of the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0030" id="link0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A FEW FRAGMENTS ON EXPANSION. + </h2> + <p> + A NATION rises from infancy to manhood and sinks from dotage to death. I + think that the great Republic is in the morning of her life—the sun + just above the horizon—the grass still wet with dew. + </p> + <p> + Our country has the courage and enthusiasm of youth—her blood flows + full—her heart beats strong and her brow is fair. We stand on the + threshold of a great, a sublime career. All the conditions are favorable—the + environment kind. The best part of this hemisphere is ours. We have a + thousand million acres of fertile land, vast forests, whole States + underlaid with coal; ranges of mountains filled with iron, silver and + gold, and we have seventy-five millions of the most energetic, active, + inventive, progressive and practical people in the world. The great + Republic is a happy combination of mind and muscle, of head and heart, of + courage and good nature. We are growing. We have the instinct of + expansion. We are full of life and health. We are about to take our + rightful place at the head of the nations. The great powers have been + struggling to obtain markets. They are fighting for the trade of the East. + They are contending for China. We watched, but we did not act. They paid + no attention to us or we to them. Conditions have changed. We own the + Hawaiian Islands. We will own the Philippines. + </p> + <p> + Japan and China will be our neighbors—our customers. Our interests + must be protected. In China we want the "open door," and we will see to it + that the door is kept open. The nation that tries to shut it, will get its + fingers pinched. We have taught the Old World that the Republic must be + consulted. We have entered on the great highway, and we are destined to + become the most powerful, the most successful and the most generous of + nations. I am for expansion. The more people beneath the flag the better. + Let the Republic grow.. + </p> + <p> + I BELIEVE in growth. Of course there are many moss-back conservatives who + fear expansion. Thousands opposed the purchase of Louisiana from Napoleon, + thousands were against the acquisition of Florida and of the vast + territory we obtained from Mexico. So, thousands were against the purchase + of Alaska, and some dear old mummies opposed the annexation of the + Sandwich Islands, and yet, I do not believe that there is an intelligent + American who would like to part with one acre that has been acquired by + the Government. Now, there are some timid, withered statesmen who do not + want Porto Rico—who beg us in a trembling, patriotic voice not to + keep the Philippines. But the sensible people feel exactly the other way. + They love to see our borders extended. They love to see the flag floating + over the islands of the tropics,—showering its blessings upon the + poor people who have been robbed and tortured by the Spanish. Let the + Republic grow! Let us spread the gospel of Freedom! In a few years I hope + that Canada will be ours—I want Mexico—in other words, I want + all of North America. I want to see our flag waving from the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + I think it was a mistake to appoint a peace commission. The President + should have demanded the unconditional surrender of Cuba, Porto Rico and + the Philippines. Spain was helpless. The war would have ended on our + terms, and all this commission nonsense would have been saved. Still, I + make no complaint. It will probably come out right, though it would have + been far better to have ended the business when we could—when Spain + was prostrate. It was foolish to let her get up and catch her breath and + hunt for friends. + </p> + <p> + ONLY a few days ago our President, by proclamation, thanked God for giving + us the victory at Santiago. He did not thank him for sending the yellow + fever. To be consistent the President should have thanked him equally for + both. Man should think; he should use all his senses; he should examine; + he should reason. The man who cannot think is less than man; the man who + will not think is a traitor to himself; the man who fears to think is + superstition's slave. I do not thank God for the splendid victory in + Manila Bay. I don't know whether he had anything to do with it; if I find + out that he did I will thank him readily. Meanwhile, I will thank Admiral + George Dewey and the brave fellows who were with him. + </p> + <p> + I do not thank God for the destruction of Cervera's fleet at Santiago. No, + I thank Schley and the men with the trained eyes and the nerves of steel, + who stood behind the guns. I do not thank God because we won the battle of + Santiago. I thank the Regular Army, black and white—the Volunteers—the + Rough Riders, and all the men who made the grand charge at San Juan Hill. + I have asked, "Why should God help us to whip Spain?" and have been + answered: "For the sake of the Cubans, who have been crushed and + ill-treated by their Spanish masters." Then why did not God help the + Cubans long before? Certainly, they were fighting long enough and needed + his help badly enough. But, I am told, God's ways are inscrutable. Suppose + Spain had whipped us; would the Christians then say that God did it? Very + likely they would, and would have as an excuse, that we broke the Sabbath + with our base-ball, our bicycles and bloomers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0031" id="link0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + IS IT EVER RIGHT FOR HUSBAND OR WIFE TO KILL RIVAL? + </h2> + <p> + HOW far should a husband or wife go in defending the sanctity of home? + </p> + <p> + Is it right for the husband to kill the paramour of his wife? + </p> + <p> + Is it right for the wife to kill the paramour of her husband? + </p> + <p> + These three questions are in substance one, and one answer will be + sufficient for all. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, we should have an understanding of the real relation + that exists, or should exist, between husband and wife. + </p> + <p> + The real good orthodox people, those who admire St. Paul, look upon the + wife as the property of the husband. He owns, not only her body, but her + very soul. This being the case, no other man has the right to steal or try + to steal this property. The owner has the right to defend his possession, + even to the death. In the olden time the husband was never regarded as the + property of the wife. She had a claim on him for support, and there was + usually some way to enforce the claim. If the husband deserted the wife + for the sake of some other woman, or transferred his affections to + another, the wife, as a rule, suffered in silence. Sometimes she took her + revenge on the woman, but generally she did nothing. Men killed the + "destroyers" of their homes, but the women, having no homes, being only + wives, nothing but mothers—bearers of babes for masters—allowed + their destroyers to live. + </p> + <p> + In recent years women have advanced. They have stepped to the front. Wives + are no longer slaves. They are the equals of husbands. They have homes to + defend, husbands to protect and "destroyers" to kill. The rights of + husbands and wives are now equal. They live under the same moral code. + Their obligations to each other are mutual. Both are bound, and equally + bound, to live virtuous lives. + </p> + <p> + Now, if A falls in love with the wife of B, and she returns his love, has + B the right to kill him? Or if A falls in love with the husband of B, and + he returns her love, has B the right to kill her? + </p> + <p> + If the wronged husband has the right to kill, so has the wronged wife. + </p> + <p> + Suppose that a young man and woman are engaged to be married, and that she + falls in love with another and marries him, has the first lover a right to + kill the last? + </p> + <p> + This leads me to another question: What is marriage? Men and women cannot + truly be married by any set or form of words, or by any ceremonies however + solemn, or by contract signed, sealed and witnessed, or by the words or + declarations of priests or judges. All these put together do not + constitute marriage. At the very best they are only evidences of the fact + of marriage—something that really happened between the parties. + Without pure, honest, mutual love there can be no real marriage. Marriage + without love is only a form of prostitution. Marriage for the sake of + position or wealth is immoral. No good, sensible man wants to marry a + woman whose heart is not absolutely his, and no good, sensible woman wants + to marry a man whose heart is not absolutely hers. Now, if there can be no + real marriage without mutual love, does the marriage outlast the love? If + it is immoral for a woman to marry a man without loving him, is it moral + for her to live as the wife of a man whom she has ceased to love? Is she + bound by the words, by the ceremony, after the real marriage is dead? Is + she so bound that the man she hates has the right to be the father of her + babes? + </p> + <p> + If a girl is engaged and afterward meets her ideal, a young man whose + presence is joy, whose touch is ecstasy, is it her duty to fulfill her + engagement? Would it not be a thousand times nobler and purer for her to + say to the first lover: "I thought I loved you; I was mistaken. I belong + heart and soul to another, and if I married you I could not be yours." + </p> + <p> + So, if a young man is engaged and finds that he has made a mistake, is it + honorable for him to keep his contract? Would it not be far nobler for him + to tell her the truth? + </p> + <p> + The civilized man loves a woman not only for his own sake, but for her + sake. He longs to make her happy—to fill her life with joy. He is + willing to make sacrifices for her, but he does not want her to sacrifice + herself for him. The civilized husband wants his wife to be free—wants + the love that she cannot help giving him. He does not want her, from a + sense of duty, or because of the contract or ceremony, to act as though + she loved him, when in fact her heart is far away. He does not want her to + pollute her soul and live a lie for his sake. The civilized husband places + the happiness of his wife above his own. Her love is the wealth of his + heart, and to guard her from evil is the business of his life. + </p> + <p> + But the civilized husband knows when his wife ceases to love him that the + real marriage has also ceased. He knows that it is then infamous for him + to compel her to remain his wife. He knows that it is her right to be free—that + her body belongs to her, that her soul is her own. He knows, too, if he + knows anything, that her affection is not the slave of her will. + </p> + <p> + In a case like this, the civilized husband would, so far as he had the + power, release his wife from the contract of marriage, divide his property + fairly with her and do what he could for her welfare. Civilized love never + turns to hatred. + </p> + <p> + Suppose he should find that there was a man in the case, that another had + won her love, or that she had given her love to another, would it then be + his right or duty to kill that man? Would the killing do any good? Would + it bring back her love? Would it reunite the family? Would it annihilate + the disgrace or the memory of the shame? Would it lessen the husband's + loss? + </p> + <p> + Society says that the husband should kill the man because he led the woman + astray. + </p> + <p> + How do we know that he betrayed the woman? Mrs. Potiphar left many + daughters, and Joseph certainly had but few sons. How do we know that it + was not the husband's fault? She may for years have shivered in the winter + of his neglect. She may have borne his cruelties of word and deed until + her love w'as dead and buried side by side with hope. Another man comes + into her life. He pities her. She looks and loves. He lifts her from the + grave. Again she really lives, and her poor heart is rich with love's red + blood. Ought this man to be killed? He has robbed no husband, wronged no + man. He has rescued a victim, released an innocent prisoner and made a + life worth living. But the brutal husband says that the wife has been led + astray; that he has been wronged and dishonored, and that it is his right, + his duty, to shed the seducer's blood. He finds the facts himself. He is + witness, jury, judge and executioner. He forgets his neglect, his + cruelties, his faithlessness; forgets that he drove her from his heart, + remembers only that she loves another, and then in the name of justice he + takes the life of the one she loves. + </p> + <p> + A husband deserts his wife, leaves her without money, without the means to + live, with his babes in her arms. She cannot get a divorce; she must wait, + and in the meantime she must live. A man falls in love with her and she + with him. He takes care of her and the deserted children. The "wronged" + husband returns and kills the "betrayer" of his wife. He believes in the + sacredness of marriage, the holiness of home. + </p> + <p> + It may be admitted that the deserted wife did wrong, and that the man who + cared for her and her worse than fatherless children also did wrong, but + certainly he had done nothing for which he deserved to be murdered. + </p> + <p> + A woman finds that her husband is in love with another woman, that he is + false, and the question is whether it is her right to kill the other + woman. The wronged husband has always claimed that the man led his wife + astray, that he had crept and crawled into his Eden, but now the wronged + wife claims that the woman seduced her husband, that she spread the net, + wove the web and baited the trap in which the innocent husband was caught. + Thereupon she kills the other woman. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, how can she be sure of the facts? How does she know + whose fault it was? Possibly she was to blame herself. + </p> + <p> + But what good has the killing done? It will not give her back her + husband's love. It will not cool the fervor of her jealousy. It will not + give her better sleep or happier dreams. + </p> + <p> + It would have been far better if she had said to her husband: "Go with the + woman you love. I do not want your body without your heart, your presence + without your love." + </p> + <p> + So, it would be better for the wronged husband to say to the unfaithful + wife: "Go with the man you love. Your heart is his, I am not your master. + You are free." + </p> + <p> + After all, murder is a poor remedy. If you kill a man for one wrong, why + not for another? If you take the law into your own hands and kill a man + because he loves your wife and your wife loves him, why not kill him for + any injury he may inflict on you or yours?... + </p> + <p> + In a civilized nation the people are governed by law. They do not redress + their own wrongs. They submit their differences to courts. If they are + wronged they appeal to the law. Savages redress what they call their + wrongs. They appeal to knife or gun. They kill, they assassinate, they + murder; and they do this to preserve their honor. Admit that the seducer + of the wife deserves death, that the woman who leads the husband astray + deserves death, admit that both have justly forfeited their lives, the + question yet remains whether the wronged husband and the wronged wife have + the right to commit murder. + </p> + <p> + If they have this right, then there ought to be some way provided for + ascertaining the facts. Before the husband kills the "betrayer," the fact + that the wife was really led astray should be established, and the + "wronged" husband who claims the right to kill, should show that he had + been a good, loving and true husband. + </p> + <p> + As a rule, the wives of good and generous men are true and faithful. They + love their homes, they adore their children. In poverty and disaster they + cling the closer. But when husbands are indolent and mean, when they are + cruel and selfish, when they make a hell of home, why should we insist + that their wives should love them still? + </p> + <p> + When the civilized man finds that his wife loves another he does not kill, + he does not murder. He says to his wife, "You are free." + </p> + <p> + When the civilized woman finds that her husband loves another she does not + kill, she does not murder. She says to her husband, "I am free." This, in + my judgment, is the better way. It is in accordance with a far higher + philosophy of life, of the real rights of others. The civilized man is + governed by his reason, his intelligence; the savage by his passions. The + civilized, man seeks for the right, regardless of himself; the savage for + revenge, regardless of the rights of others. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe that murder guards the sacredness of home, the purity of + the fireside. I do not believe that crime wins victories for virtue. I + believe in liberty and I believe in law. That country is free where the + people make and honestly uphold the law. I am opposed to a redress of + grievances or the punishment of criminals by mobs and I am equally opposed + to giving the "wronged" husbands and the "wronged" wives the right to kill + the men and women they suspect. In other words, I believe in civilization. + </p> + <p> + A few years ago a merchant living in the West suspected that his wife and + bookkeeper were in love. One morning he started for a distant city, + pretending that he would be absent for a couple of weeks. He came back + that night and found the lovers occupying the same room. He did not kill + the man, but said to him: "Take her; she is yours. Treat her well and you + will not be troubled. Abuse or desert her and I will be her avenger." + </p> + <p> + He did not kill his wife, but said: "We part forever. You are entitled to + one-half of the property we have accumulated. You shall have it. + Farewell!" + </p> + <p> + The merchant was a civilized man—a philosopher. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0032" id="link0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROFESSOR BRIGGS. + </h2> + <p> + To the study of the Bible he has given the best years of his life. When he + commenced this study he was probably a devout believer in the plenary + inspiration of the Scripture—thought that the Bible was without an + error; that all the so-called contradictions could be easily explained. He + had been educated by Presbyterians and had confidence in his teachers. + </p> + <p> + In spite of his early training, in spite of his prejudices, he was led, in + some mysterious way, to rely a little on his own reason. This was a + dangerous thing to do. The moment a man talks about reason he is on + dangerous ground. He is liable to contradict the "Word of God." Then he + loses spirituality and begins to think more of truth than creed. This is a + step toward heresy—toward Infidelity. + </p> + <p> + Professor Briggs began to have doubts about some of the miracles. These + doubts, like rats, began to gnaw the foundations of his faith. He examined + these wonderful stories in the light of what is known to have happened, + and in the light of like miracles found in the other sacred books of the + world. And he concluded that they were not quite true. He was not ready to + say that they were actually false; that would be too brutally candid. + </p> + <p> + I once read of an English lord who had a very polite gamekeeper. The lord + wishing to show his skill with the rifle fired at a target. He and the + gamekeeper went to see where the bullet had struck. The gamekeeper was + first at the target, and the lord cried out: "Did I miss it?" + </p> + <p> + "I would not," said the gamekeeper, "go so far as to say that your + lordship missed it, but—but—you didn't hit it." + </p> + <p> + Professor Briggs saw clearly that the Bible was the product, the growth of + many centuries; that legends and facts, mistakes, contradictions, + miracles, myths and history, interpolations, prophecies and dreams, + wisdom, foolishness, justice, cruelty, poetry and bathos were mixed, + mingled and interwoven. In other words, that the gold of truth was + surrounded by meaner metals and worthless stones. + </p> + <p> + He saw that it was necessary to construct what might be called a sacred + smelter to divide the true from the false. + </p> + <p> + Undoubtedly he reached this conclusion in the interest of what he believed + to be the truth. He had the mistaken but honest idea that a Christian + should really think. Of course, we know that all heresy has been the + result of thought. It has always been dangerous to grow. Shrinking is + safe. + </p> + <p> + Studying the Bible was the first mistake that Professor Briggs made, + reasoning was the second, and publishing his conclusions was the third. If + he had read without studying, if he had believed without reasoning, he + would have remained a good, orthodox Presbyterian. He probably read the + works of Humboldt, Darwin and Haeckel, and found that the author of + Genesis was not a geologist, not a scientist. He seems to have his doubts + about the truth of the story of the deluge. Should he be blamed for this? + Is there a sensible man in the wide world who really believes in the + flood? + </p> + <p> + This flood business puts Jehovah in such an idiotic light. + </p> + <p> + Of course, he must have known, after the "fall" of Adam and Eve, that he + would have to drown their descendants. Certainly it would have been more + merciful to have killed Adam and Eve, made a new pair and kept the serpent + out of the Garden of Eden. If Jehovah had been an intelligent God he never + would have created the serpent. Then there would have been no fall, no + flood, no atonement, no hell. + </p> + <p> + Think of a God who drowned a world! What a merciless monster! The cruelty + of the flood is exceeded only by its stupidity. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of little theologians have tried to explain this miracle. This + is the very top of absurdity. To explain a miracle is to destroy it. Some + have said that the flood was local. How could water that rose over the + mountains remain local? + </p> + <p> + Why should we expect mercy from a God who drowned millions of men, women + and babes? I would no more think of softening the heart of such a God by + prayer than of protecting myself from a hungry tiger by repeating poetry. + </p> + <p> + Professor Briggs has sense enough to see that the story of the flood is + but an ignorant legend. He is trying to rescue Jehovah from the frightful + slander. After all, why should we believe the unreasonable? Must we be + foolish to be virtuous? The rain fell for forty days; this caused the + flood. The water was at least thirty thousand feet in depth. Seven hundred + and fifty feet a day—more than thirty feet an hour, six inches a + minute; the rain fell for forty days. Does any man with sense enough to + eat and breathe believe this idiotic lie? + </p> + <p> + Professor Briggs knows that the Jews got the story of the flood from the + Babylonians, and that it is no more inspired than the history of "Peter + Wilkins and His Flying Wife." The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is + another legend. + </p> + <p> + If those cities were destroyed sensible people believe the phenomenon was + as natural as the destruction of Herculaneum and Pompeii. They do not + believe that in either case it was the result of the wickedness of the + people. + </p> + <p> + Neither does any thinking man believe that the wife of Lot was changed or + turned into a pillar of salt as a punishment for having looked back at her + burning home. How could flesh, bones and blood be changed to salt? This + presupposes two miracles. First, the annihilation of the woman, and + second, the creation of salt. A God cannot annihilate or create matter. + Annihilation and creation are both impossible—unthinkable. A grain + of sand can defy all the gods. What was Mrs. Lot turned to salt for? What + good was achieved? What useful lesson taught? What man with a head fertile + enough to raise one hair can believe a story like this? + </p> + <p> + Does a man who denies the truth of this childish absurdity weaken the + foundation of virtue? Does he discourage truth-telling by denouncing lies? + Should a man be true to himself? If reason is not the standard, what is? + Can a man think one way and believe another? Of course he can talk one way + and think another. If a man should be honest with himself he should be + honest with others. A man who conceals his doubts lives a dishonest life. + He defiles his own soul. + </p> + <p> + When a truth-loving man reads about the plagues of Egypt, should he reason + as he reads? Should he take into consideration the fact that like stories + have been told and believed by savages for thousands of years? Should he + ask himself whether Jehovah in his efforts to induce the Egyptian King to + free the Hebrews acted like a sensible God? Should he ask himself whether + a good God would kill the babes of the people on account of the sins of + the king? Whether he would torture, mangle and kill innocent cattle to get + even with a monarch? + </p> + <p> + Is it better to believe without thinking than to think without believing? + If there be a God can we please him by believing that he acted like a + fiend? + </p> + <p> + Probably Professor Briggs has a higher conception of God than the author + of Exodus. The writer of that book was a barbarian—an honest + barbarian, and he wrote what he supposed was the truth. I do not blame him + for having written falsehoods. Neither do I blame Professor Briggs for + having detected these falsehoods. In our day no man capable of reasoning + believes the miracles wrought for the Hebrews in their flight through the + wilderness. The opening of the sea, the cloud and pillar, the quails, the + manna, the serpents and hornets are no more believed than the miracles of + the Mormons when they crossed the plains. + </p> + <p> + The probability is that the Hebrews never were in Egypt. In the Hebrew + language there are no Egyptian words, and in the Egyptian no Hebrew. This + proves that the Hebrews could not have mingled with the Egyptians for four + hundred and thirty years. As a matter of fact, Moses is a myth. The + enslavement of the Hebrews, the flight, the journey through the wilderness + existed only in the imagination of ignorance. + </p> + <p> + So Professor Briggs has his doubts about the sun and moon having been + stopped for a day in order that Gen. Joshua might kill more heathen. + Theologians have gathered around this miracle like moths around a flame. + They have done their best to make it reasonable. They have talked about + refraction and reflection, about the nature of the air having been changed + so that the sun was visible all night. They have even gone so far as to + say that Joshua and his soldiers killed so many that afterward, when + thinking about it, they concluded that it must have taken them at least + two days. + </p> + <p> + This miracle can be accounted for only in one way. Jehovah must have + stopped the earth. The earth, turning over at about one thousand miles an + hour—weighing trillions of tons—had to be stopped. Now we know + that all arrested motion changes instantly to heat. It has been calculated + that to stop the earth would cause as much heat as could be produced by + burning three lumps of coal, each lump as large as this world. + </p> + <p> + Now, is it possible that a God in his right mind would waste all that + force? The Bible also tells us that at the same time God cast hailstones + from heaven on the poor heathen. If the writer had known something of + astronomy he would have had more hailstones and said nothing about the sun + and moon. + </p> + <p> + Is it wise for ministers to ask their congregations to believe this story? + Is it wise for congregations to ask their ministers to believe this story? + If Jehovah performed this miracle he must have been insane. There should + be some relation, some proportion, between means and ends. No sane general + would call into the field a million soldiers and a hundred batteries to + kill one insect. And yet the disproportion of means to the end sought + would be reasonable when compared with what Jehovah is claimed to have + done. + </p> + <p> + If Jehovah existed let us admit that he had some sense. + </p> + <p> + If it should be demonstrated that the book of Joshua is all false, what + harm could follow? There would remain the same reasons for living a useful + and virtuous life; the same reasons against theft and murder. Virtue would + lose no prop and vice would gain no crutch. Take all the miracles from the + Old Testament and the book would be improved. Throw away all its cruelties + and absurdities and its influence would be far better. + </p> + <p> + Professor Briggs seems to have doubts about the inspiration of Ruth. Is + there any harm in that? What difference does it make whether the story of + Ruth is fact or fiction; history or poetry? Its value is just the same. + Who cares whether Hamlet or Lear lived? Who cares whether Imogen and + Perdita were real women or the creation of Shakespeare's imagination? + </p> + <p> + The book of Esther is absurd and cruel. It has no ethical value. There is + not a line, a word in it calculated to make a human being better. The king + issued a decree to kill the Jews. Esther succeeded in getting this decree + set aside, and induced the king to issue another decree that the Jews + should kill the other folks, and so the Jews killed some seventy-five + thousand of the king's subjects. Is it really important to believe that + the book of Esther is inspired? Is it possible that Jehovah is proud of + having written this book? Does he guard his copyright with the fires of + hell? Why should the facts be kept from the people? Every intelligent + minister knows that Moses did not write the Pentateuch; that David did not + write the Psalms, and that Solomon was not the author of the song or the + book of Ecclesiastes. Why not say so? + </p> + <p> + No intelligent minister believes the story of Daniel in the Lion's den, or + of the three men who were cast into the furnace, or the story of Jonah. + These miracles seem to have done no good—seem to have convinced + nobody and to have had no consequences. Daniel w'as miraculously saved + from the lions, and then the king sent for the men who had accused Daniel, + for their wives and their children, and threw them all into the den of + lions and they were devoured by beasts almost as cruel as Jehovah. What a + beautiful story! How can any man be wicked enough to doubt its truth? + </p> + <p> + God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. Jonah ran away, took a boat for another + place. God raised a storm, the sailors became frightened, threw Jonah + overboard, and the poor wretch was swallowed and carried ashore by a fish + that God had prepared. Then he made his proclamation in Nineveh. Then the + people repented and Jonah was disappointed. Then he became malicious and + found fault with God. Then comes the story of the gourd, the worm and the + east wind, and the effect of the sun on a bald-headed prophet. Would not + this story be just as beautiful with the storm and fish left out? Could we + not dispense with the gourd, the worm and the east wind? + </p> + <p> + Professor Briggs does not believe this story. He does not reject it + because he is wicked or because he wishes to destroy religion, but + because, in his judgment, it is not true. This may not be religious, but + it is honest. It may not become a minister, but it certainly becomes a + man. + </p> + <p> + Professor Briggs wishes to free the Old Testament from interpolations, + from excrescences, from fungus growths, from mistakes and falsehoods. + </p> + <p> + I am satisfied that he is sincere, actuated by the noblest motives. + </p> + <p> + Suppose that all the interpolations in the Bible should be found and the + original be perfectly restored, what evidence would we have that it was + written by inspired men? How can the fact of inspiration be established? + When was it established? Did Jehovah furnish anybody with a list of books + he had inspired? Does anybody know that he ever said that he had inspired + anybody? Did the writer of Genesis claim that he was inspired? Did any + writer of any part of the Pentateuch make the claim? Did the authors of + Joshua, Judges, Kings or Chronicles pretend that they had obtained their + facts from Jehovah? Does the author of Job or of the Psalms pretend to + have received assistance from God? + </p> + <p> + There is not the slightest reference to God in Esther or in Solomon's + Song. Why should theologians say that those books were inspired? The dogma + of inspiration rests on no established fact. It rests only on assertion—the + assertion of those who have no knowledge on the subject. Professor Briggs + calls the Bible a "holy" book. He seems to think that much of it was + inspired; that it is in some sense a message from God. The reasons he has + for thinking so I cannot even guess. He seems also to have his doubts + about certain parts of the New Testament. He is not certain that the angel + who appeared to Joseph in a dream was entirely truthful, or he is not + certain that Joseph had the dream. + </p> + <p> + It seems clear that when the gospel according to Matthew was first written + the writer believed that Christ was a lineal descendant of David, through + his father, Joseph. The genealogy is given for the purpose of showing that + the blood of David flowed in the veins of Christ. The man who wrote that + genealogy had never heard that the Holy Ghost was the father of Christ. + That was an afterthought. + </p> + <p> + How is it possible to prove that the Holy Ghost was the father of Christ? + The Holy Ghost said nothing on the subject. Mary wrote nothing and we have + no evidence that Joseph had a dream. + </p> + <p> + The divinity of Christ rests upon a dream that somebody said Joseph had. + </p> + <p> + According to the New Testament, Mary herself called Joseph the father of + Christ. She told Christ that Joseph, his father, had been looking for him. + Her statement is better evidence than Joseph's dream—if he really + had it. If there are legends in Holy Scripture, as Professor Briggs + declares, certainly the divine parentage of Christ is one of them. The + story lacks even originality. Among the Greeks many persons had gods for + fathers. Among Hindoos and Egyptians these god-men were common. So in many + other countries the blood of gods was in the veins of men. Such wonders, + told in Sanscrit, are just as reasonable as when told in Hebrew—just + as reasonable in India as in Palestine. Of course, there is no evidence + that any human being had a god for a father, or a goddess for a mother. + Intelligent people have outgrown these myths. Centaurs, satyrs, nymphs and + god-men have faded away. Science murdered them all. + </p> + <p> + There are many contradictions in the gospels. They differ not only on + questions of fact, but as to Christianity itself. According to Matthew, + Mark and Luke, if you will forgive others God will forgive you. This is + the one condition of salvation. But in John we find an entirely different + religion. According to John you must be born again and believe in Jesus + Christ. There you find for the first time about the atonement—that + Christ died to save sinners. The gospel of John discloses a regular + theological system—a new one. To forgive others is not enough. You + must have faith. You must be born again. + </p> + <p> + The four gospels cannot be harmonized. If John is true the others are + false. If the others are true John is false. From this there is no escape. + I do not for a moment suppose that Professor Briggs agrees with me on + these questions. He probably regards me as a very bad and wicked man, and + my opinions as blasphemies. I find no fault with him for that. I believe + him to be an honest man; right in some things and wrong in many. He seems + to be true to his thought and I honor him for that. + </p> + <p> + He would like to get all the stumbling-blocks out of the Bible, so that a + really thoughtful man can "believe." If theologians cling to the miracles + recorded in the New Testament the entire book will be disparaged and + denied. The "Gospel ship" is overloaded. Somethings must be thrown + overboard or the boat will go down. If the churches try to save all they + will lose all. + </p> + <p> + They must throw the miracles away. They must admit that Christ did not + cast devils out of the bodies of men and women—that he did not cure + diseases with a word, or blindness with spittle and clay; that he had no + power over winds and waves; that he did not raise the dead; that he was + not raised from the dead himself, and that he did not ascend bodily to + heaven. These absurdities must be given up, or in a little while the + orthodox ministers will be preaching the "tidings of great joy" to + benches, bonnets and bibs. + </p> + <p> + Professor Briggs, as I understand him, is willing to give up the absurdest + absurdities, but wishes to keep all the miracles that can possibly be + believed. He is anxious to preserve the important miracles—the great + central falsehoods—but the little lies that were told just to + embellish the story—to furnish vines for the columns—he is + willing to cast aside. + </p> + <p> + But Professor Briggs was honest enough to say that we do not know the + authors of most of the books in the Bible; that we do not know who wrote + the Psalms or Job or Proverbs or the Song of Songs or Ecclesiastes or the + Epistle to the Hebrews. He also said that no translation can ever take the + place of the original Scriptures, because a translation is at best the + work of men. In other words, that God has not revealed to us the names of + the inspired books. That this must be determined by us. Professor Briggs + puts reason above revelation. By reason we are to decide what books are + inspired. By reason we are to decide whether anything has been improperly + added to those books. By reason we are to decide the real meaning of those + books. + </p> + <p> + It therefore follows that if the books are unreasonable they are + uninspired. It seems to me that this position is absolutely correct. There + is no other that can be defended. The Presbyterians who pretend to answer + Professor Briggs seem to be actuated by hatred. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Da Costa answers with vituperation and epithet. He answers no + argument; brings forward no fact; points out no mistake. He simply attacks + the man. He exhibits the ordinary malice of those who love their enemies. + </p> + <p> + President Patton, of Princeton, is a despiser of reason; a hater of + thought. Progress is the only thing that he fears. He knows that the Bible + is absolutely true. He knows that every word is inspired. According to + him, all questions have been settled, and criticism said its last word + when the King James Bible was printed. The Presbyterian Church is + infallible, and whoever doubts or denies will be damned. Morality is + worthless without the creed. This, is the religion, the philosophy, of Dr. + Patton. He fights with the ancient weapons, with stone and club. He is a + private in Captain Calvin's company, and he marches to defeat with the + courage of invincible ignorance. + </p> + <p> + I do not blame the Presbyterian Church for closing the mouth of Professor + Briggs. That church believes the Bible—all of it—and the + members did not feel like paying a man for showing that it was not all + inspired. Long ago the Presbyterians stopped growing. They have been + petrified for many years. Professor Briggs had been growing. He had to + leave the church or shrink. He left. Then he joined the Episcopal Church. + He probably supposed that that church preferred the living to the dead. He + knew about Colenso, Stanley, Temple, Heber Newton, Dr. Rainsford and + Farrar, and thought that the finger and thumb of authority would not + insist on plucking from the mind the buds of thought. + </p> + <p> + Whether he was mistaken or not remains to be seen. + </p> + <p> + The Episcopal Church may refuse to ordain him, and by such refusal put the + bigot brand upon its brow. + </p> + <p> + The refusal cannot injure Professor Briggs. It will leave him where it + found him—with too much science for a churchman and too much + superstition for a scientist; with his feet in the gutter and his head in + the clouds. + </p> + <p> + I admire every man who is true to himself, to his highest ideal, and who + preserves unstained the veracity of his soul. + </p> + <p> + I believe in growth. I prefer the living to the dead. Men are superior to + mummies. Cradles are more beautiful than coffins. Development is grander + than decay. I do not agree with Professor Briggs. I do not believe in + inspired books, or in the Holy Ghost, or that any God has ever appeared to + man. I deny the existence of the supernatural. I know of no religion that + is founded on facts. + </p> + <p> + But I cheerfully admit that Professor Briggs appears to be candid, good + tempered and conscientious—the opposite of those who attack him. He + is not a Freethinker, but he honestly thinks that he is free. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0033" id="link0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + FRAGMENTS. + </h2> + <p> + CLOVER. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A letter written to Col. Thomas Donaldson, of Philadelphia, + declining an invitation to be a guest of the Clover Club of + that city. +</pre> + <p> + I regret that I cannot be "in clover" with you on the 28th instant. + </p> + <p> + A wonderful thing is clover! It means honey and cream,—that is to + say, industry and contentment,—that is to say, the happy bees in + perfumed fields, and at the cottage gate "bos" the bountiful serenely + chewing satisfaction's cud, in that blessed twilight pause that like a + benediction falls between all toil and sleep. + </p> + <p> + This clover makes me dream of happy hours; of childhood's rosy cheeks; of + dimpled babes; of wholesome, loving wives; of honest men; of springs and + brooks and violets and all there is of stainless joy in peaceful human + life. + </p> + <p> + A wonderful word is "clover"! Drop the "c," and you have the happiest of + mankind. Drop the "r," and "c," and you have left the only thing that + makes a heaven of this dull and barren earth. Drop the "r," and there + remains a warm, deceitful bud that sweetens breath and keeps the peace in + countless homes whose masters frequent clubs. After all, Bottom was right: + </p> + <p> + "Good hay, sweet hay, hath no fellow." + </p> + <p> + Yours sincerely and regretfully, + </p> + <p> + R. G. INGERSOLL. + </p> + <p> + Washington, D. C., January 16, 1883. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + SUPERSTITION puts belief above goodness—credulity above virtue. + </p> + <p> + Here are two men. One is industrious, frugal, honest, generous. He has a + happy home—loves his wife and children—fills their lives with + sunshine. He enjoys study, thoughts, music, and all the subtleties of Art—but + he does not believe the creed—cares nothing for sacred books, + worships no god and fears no devil. + </p> + <p> + The other is ignorant, coarse, brutal, beats his wife and children—but + he believes—regards the Bible as inspired—bows to the priests, + counts his beads, says his prayers, confesses and contributes, and the + Catholic Church declares and the Protestant Churches declare that he is + the better man. + </p> + <p> + The ignorant believer, coarse and brutal as he is, is going to heaven. He + will be washed in the blood of the Lamb. He will have wings—a harp + and a halo. + </p> + <p> + The intelligent and generous man who loves his fellow-men—who + develops his brain, who enjoys the beautiful, is going to hell—to + the eternal prison. + </p> + <p> + Such is the justice of God—the mercy of Christ. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + WHILE reading the accounts of the coronation of the Czar, of the pageants, + processions and feasts, of the pomp and parade, of the barbaric splendor, + of cloth of gold and glittering gems, I could not help thinking of the + poor and melancholy peasants, of the toiling, half-fed millions, of the + sad and ignorant multitudes who belong body and soul to this Czar. + </p> + <p> + I thought of the backs that have been scarred by the knout, of the + thousands in prisons for having dared to say a whispered word for freedom, + of the great multitude who had been driven like cattle along the weary + roads that lead to the hell of Siberia. + </p> + <p> + The cannon at Moscow were not loud enough, nor the clang of the bells, nor + the blare of the trumpets, to drown the groans of the captives. + </p> + <p> + I thought of the fathers that had been torn from wives and children for + the crime of speaking like men. + </p> + <p> + And when the priests spoke of the Czar as the "God-selected man," the + "God-adorned man," my blood grew warm. + </p> + <p> + When I read of the coronation of the Czarina I thought of Siberia. I + thought of girls working in the mines, hauling ore from the pits with + chains about their waists; young girls, almost naked, at the mercy of + brutal officials; young girls weeping and moaning their lives away because + between their pure lips the word Liberty had burst into blossom. + </p> + <p> + Yet law neglects, forgets them, and crowns the Czarina. The injustice, the + agony and horror in this poor world are enough to make mankind insane. + </p> + <p> + Ignorance and superstition crown impudence and tyranny. Millions of money + squandered for the humiliation of man, to dishonor the people. + </p> + <p> + Back of the coronation, back of all the ceremonies, back of all the + hypocrisy there is nothing but a lie. + </p> + <p> + It is not true that God "selected" this Czar to rule and rob a hundred + millions of human beings. + </p> + <p> + It is all an ignorant, barbaric, superstitious lie—a lie that pomp + and pageant, and flaunting flags, and robed priests, and swinging censers, + cannot change to truth. + </p> + <p> + Those who are not blinded by the glare and glitter at Moscow see millions + of homes on which the shadows fall; see millions of weeping mothers, whose + children have been stolen by the Czar; see thousands of villages without + schools, millions of houses without books, millions and millions of men, + women and children in whose future there is no star and whose only friend + is death. + </p> + <p> + The coronation is an insult to the nineteenth century. + </p> + <p> + Long live the people of Russia! + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + MUSIC.—The savage enjoys noises—explosion—the imitation + of thunder. This noise expresses his feeling. He enjoys concussion. His + ear and brain are in harmony. So, he takes cognizance of but few colors. + The neutral tints make no impression on his eyes. He appreciates the + flames of red and yellow. That is to say, there is a harmony between his + brain and eye. As he advances, develops, progresses, his ear catches other + sounds, his eye other colors. He becomes a complex being, and there has + entered into his mind the idea of proportion. The music of the drum no + longer satisfies him. He sees that there is as much difference between + noises and melodies as between stones and statues. The strings in Corti's + Harp become sensitive and possibly new ones are developed. + </p> + <p> + The eye keeps pace with the ear, and the worlds of sound and sight + increase from age to age. + </p> + <p> + The first idea of music is the keeping of time—a recurring emphasis + at intervals of equal length or duration. This is afterward modified—the + music of joy being fast, the emphasis at short intervals, and that of + sorrow slow. + </p> + <p> + After all, this music of time corresponds to the action of the blood and + muscles. There is a rise and fall under excitement of both. In joy the + heart beats fast, and the music corresponding to such emotion is quick. In + grief—in sadness, the blood is delayed. In music the broad division + is one of time. In language, words of joy are born of light—that + which shines—words of grief of darkness and gloom. There is still + another division: The language of happiness comes also from heat, and that + of sadness from cold. + </p> + <p> + These ideas or divisions are universal. In all art are the light and + shadow—the heat and cold. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + OF COURSE ENGLAND has no love for America. By England I mean the governing + class. Why should monarchy be in love with republicanism, with democracy? + The monarch insists that he gets his right to rule from what he is pleased + to call the will of God, whereas in a republic the sovereign authority is + the will of the people. It is impossible that there should be any real + friendship between the two forms of government. + </p> + <p> + We must, however, remember one thing, and that is, that there is an + England within England—an England that does not belong to the titled + classes—an England that has not been bribed or demoralized by those + in authority; and that England has always been our friend, because that + England is the friend of liberty and of progress everywhere. But the + lackeys, the snobs, the flatterers of the titled, those who are willing to + crawl that they may rise, are now and always have been the enemies of the + great Republic. + </p> + <p> + It is a curious fact that in monarchical governments the highest and + lowest are generally friends. There may be a foundation for this + friendship in the fact that both are parasites—both live on the + labor of honest men. After all, there is a kinship between the prince and + the pauper. Both extend the hand for alms, and the fact that one is + jeweled and the other extremely dirty makes no difference in principle—and + the owners of these hands have always been fast friends, and, in + accordance with the great law of ingratitude, both have held in contempt + the people who supported them. + </p> + <p> + One thing we must not forget, and that is that the best people of England + are our friends. The best writers, the best thinkers are on our side. It + is only natural that all who visit America should find some fault. We find + fault ourselves, and to be thin-skinned is almost a plea of guilty. For my + part, I have no doubt about the future of America. It not only is, but is + to be for many, many generations, the greatest nation of the world. + </p> + <p> + I DO not care so much where, as with whom, I live. If the right folks are + with me I can manage to get a good deal of happiness in the city or in the + country. Cats love places and become attached to chimney-corners and all + sorts of nooks—but I have but little of the cat in me, and am not + particularly in love with places. After all, a palace without affection is + a poor hovel, and the meanest hut with love in it is a palace for the + soul. + </p> + <p> + If the time comes when poverty and want cease for the most part to exist, + then the city will be far better than the country. People are always + talking about the beauties of nature and the delights of solitude, but to + me some people are more interesting than rocks and trees. As to city and + country life I think that I substantially agree with Touchstone: + </p> + <p> + "In respect that it is solitary I like it very well; but in respect that + it is private it is a very vile life. Now, in respect it is in the fields + it pleaseth me well; but in respect it is not in the court it is tedious." + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + WHAT do I think of the lynchings in Georgia? + </p> + <p> + I suppose these outrages—these frightful crimes—make the same + impression on my mind that they do on the minds of all civilized people. I + know of no words strong enough, bitter enough, to express my indignation + and horror. Men who belong to the "superior" race take a negro—a + criminal, a supposed murderer, one alleged to have assaulted a white woman—chain + him to a tree, saturate his clothing with kerosene, pile fagots about his + feet. This is the preparation for the festival. The people flock in from + the neighborhood—come in special trains from the towns. They are + going to enjoy themselves. + </p> + <p> + Laughing and cursing they gather about the victim. A man steps from the + crowd—a man who hates crime and loves virtue. He draws his knife, + and in a spirit of merry sport cuts off one of the victim's ears. This he + keeps for a trophy—a souvenir. Another gentlemen fond of a jest cuts + off the other ear. Another cuts off the nose of the chained and helpless + wretch. The victim suffered in silence. He uttered no groan, no word—the + one man of the two thousand who had courage. + </p> + <p> + Other white heroes cut and slashed his flesh. The crowd cheered. The + people were intoxicated with joy. Then the fagots were lighted and the + bleeding and mutilated man was clothed in flame. + </p> + <p> + The people were wild with hideous delight. With greedy eyes they watched + him burn; with hungry ears they listened for his shrieks—for the + music of his moans and cries. He did not shriek. The festival was not + quite perfect. + </p> + <p> + But they had their revenge. They trampled on the charred and burning + corpse. They divided among themselves the broken bones. They wanted + mementos—keepsakes that they could give to their loving wives and + gentle babes. + </p> + <p> + These horrors were perpetrated in the name of justice. The savages who did + these things belong to the superior race. They are citizens of the great + Republic. And yet, it does not seem possible that such fiends are human + beings. They are a disgrace to our country, our century and the human + race. + </p> + <p> + Ex-Governor Atkinson protested against this savagery. He was threatened + with death. The good people were helpless. While these lynchers murder the + blacks they will destroy their own country. No civilized man wishes to + live where the mob is supreme. He does not wish to be governed by + murderers. + </p> + <p> + Let me say that what I have said is flattery compared with what I feel. + When I think of the other lynching—of the poor man mutilated and + hanged without the slightest evidence, of the negro who said that these + murders would be avenged, and who was brutally murdered for the utterance + of a natural feeling—I am utterly at a loss for words. + </p> + <p> + Are the white people insane? Has mercy fled to beasts? Has the United + States no power to protect a citizen? A nation that cannot or will not + protect its citizens in time of peace has no right to ask its citizens to + protect it in time of War. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + OUR COUNTRY.—Our country is all we hope for—all we are. It is + the grave of our father, of our mother, of each and every one of the + sacred dead. + </p> + <p> + It is every glorious memory of our race. Every heroic deed. Every act of + self-sacrifice done by our blood. It is all the accomplishments of the + past—all the wise things said—all the kind things done—all + the poems written and all the poems lived—all the defeats sustained—all + the victories won—the girls we love—the wives we adore—the + children we carry in our hearts—all the firesides of home—all + the quiet springs, the babbling brooks, the rushing rivers, the mountains, + plains and woods—the dells and dales and vines and vales. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + GIFT GIVING.—I believe in the festival called Christmas—not in + the celebration of the birth of any man, but to celebrate the triumph of + light over darkness—the victory of the sun. + </p> + <p> + I believe in giving gifts on that day, and a real gift should be given to + those who cannot return it; gifts from the rich to the poor, from the + prosperous to the unfortunate, from parents to children. + </p> + <p> + There is no need of giving water to the sea or light to the sun. Let us + give to those who need, neither asking nor expecting return, not even + asking gratitude, only asking that the gift shall make the receiver happy—and + he who gives in that way increases his own joy. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + We have no right to enslave our children. We have no right to bequeath + chains and manacles to our heirs. We have no right to leave a legacy of + mental degradation. + </p> + <p> + Liberty is the birthright of all. Parents should not deprive their + children of the great gifts of nature. We cannot all leave lands and gold + to those we love; but we can leave Liberty, and that is of more value than + all the wealth of India. + </p> + <p> + The dead have no right to enslave the living. To worship ancestors is to + curse posterity. He who bows to the Past insults the Future; and allows, + so to speak, the dead to rob the unborn. The coffin is good enough in its + way, but the cradle is far better. With the bones of the fathers they beat + out the brains of the children. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + RANDOM THOUGHTS.—The road is short to anything we fear. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Joy lives in the house beyond the one we reach. + In youth the time is halting, slow and lame. + In age the time is winged and eager as a flame. + The sea seems narrow as we near the farther shore. +</pre> + <p> + Youth goes hand in hand with hope—old age with fear. . + </p> + <p> + Youth has a wish—old age a dread. + </p> + <p> + In youth the leaves and buds seem loath to grow. + </p> + <p> + Youth shakes the glass to speed the lingering sands. + </p> + <p> + Youth says to Time: O crutched and limping laggard, get thee wings. + </p> + <p> + The dawn comes slowly, but the Westering day leaps like a lover to the + dusky bosom of the Ethiop night. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + I THINK that all days are substantially alike in the long run. It is no + worse to drink on Sunday than on Monday. The idea that one day in the week + is holy is wholly idiotic. Besides, these closing laws do no good. + </p> + <p> + Laws are not locks and keys. Saloon doors care nothing about laws. Law or + no law, people will slip in, and then, having had so much trouble getting + there, they will stay until they stagger out. These nasty, meddlesome, + Pharisaic, hypocritical laws make sneaks and hypocrites. The children of + these laws are like the fathers of the laws. Ever since I can remember, + people have been trying to make other people temperate by intemperate + laws. I have never known of the slightest success. It is a pity that + Christ manufactured wine, a pity that Paul took heart and thanked God when + he saw the sign of the Three Taverns; a pity that Jehovah put alcohol in + almost everything that grows; a great pity that prayer-meetings are not + more popular than saloons; a pity that our workingmen do not amuse + themselves reading religious papers and the genealogies in the Old + Testament. + </p> + <p> + Rum has caused many quarrels and many murders. + </p> + <p> + Religion has caused many wars and covered countless fields with dead. + </p> + <p> + Of course, all men should be temperate,—should avoid excess—should + keep the golden path between extremes—should gather roses, not + thorns. The only way to make men temperate is to develop the brain. + </p> + <p> + When passions and appetites are stronger than the intellect, men are + savages; when the intellect governs the passions, when the passions are + servants, men are civilized. The people need education—facts—philosophy. + Drunkenness is one form of intemperance, prohibition is another form. + Another trouble is that these little laws and ordinances can not be + enforced. + </p> + <p> + Both parties want votes, and to get votes they will allow unpopular laws + to sleep, neglected, and finally refuse to enforce them. These spasms of + virtue, these convulsions of conscience are soon over, and then comes a + long period of neglectful rest. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE OLD AND NEW YEAR.—For countless ages the old earth has been + making, in alternating light and shade, in gleam and gloom, the whirling + circuit of the sun, leaving the record of its flight in many forms—in + leaves of stone, in growth of tree and vine and flower, in glittering gems + of many hues, in curious forms of monstrous life, in ravages of flood and + flame, in fossil fragments stolen from decay by chance, in molten masses + hurled from lips of fire, in gorges worn by waveless, foamless cataracts + of ice, in coast lines beaten back by the imprisoned sea, in mountain + ranges and in ocean reefs, in islands lifted from the underworld—in + continents submerged and given back to light and life. + </p> + <p> + Another year has joined his shadowy fellows in the wide and voiceless + desert of the past, where, from the eternal hour-glass forever fall the + sands of time. Another year, with all its joy and grief, of birth and + death, of failure and success—of love and hate. And now, the first + day of the new o'er arches all. Standing between the buried and the babe, + we cry, "Farewell and Hail!"—January 1,1893. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + KNOWLEDGE consists in the perception of facts, their relations—conditions, + modes and results of action. Experience is the foundation of knowledge—without + experience it is impossible to know. It may be that experience can be + transmitted—inherited. Suppose that an infinite being existed in + infinite space. He being the only existence, what knowledge could he gain + by experience? He could see nothing, hear nothing, feel nothing. He would + have no use for what we call the senses. Could he use what we call the + faculties of the mind? He could not compare, remember, hope or fear. He + could not reason. How could he know that he existed? How could he use + force? There was in the universe nothing that would resist—nothing. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Most men are economical when dealing with abundance, hoarding gold and + wasting time—throwing away the sunshine of life—the few + remaining hours, and hugging to their shriveled hearts that which they do + not and cannot even expect to use. Old age should enjoy the luxury of + giving. How divine to live in the atmosphere, the climate of gratitude! + The men who clutch and fiercely hold and look at wife and children with + eyes dimmed by age and darkened by suspicion, giving naught until the end, + then give to death the gratitude that should have been their own. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + DEATH OF THE AGED. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * From a letter of condolence written to a friend on the + death of his mother. +</pre> + <p> + After all, there is something tenderly appropriate in the serene death of + the old. Nothing is more touching than the death of the young, the strong. + But when the duties of life have all been nobly done; when the sun touches + the horizon; when the purple twilight falls upon the past, the present, + and the future; when memory, with dim eyes, can scarcely spell the blurred + and faded records of the vanished days—then, surrounded by kindred + and by friends, death comes like a strain of music. The day has been long, + the road weary, and the traveler gladly stops at the welcome inn. + </p> + <p> + Nearly forty-eight years ago, under the snow, in the little town of + Cazenovia, my poor mother was buried. I was but two years old. I remember + her as she looked in death. That sweet, cold face has kept my heart warm + through all the changing years. + </p> + <hr /> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + There is no cunning art to trace + In any feature, form or face, + + Or wrinkled palm, with criss-cross lines + The good or bad in peoples' minds. + + Nor can we guess men's thoughts or aims + By seeing how they write their names. + + We could as well foretell their acts + By getting outlines of their tracks. + + Ourselves we do not know—how then + Can we find out our fellow-men? + + And yet—although the reason laughs— + + We like to look at autographs— + + And almost think that we can guess + What lines and dots of ink express. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * From the autograph collection of Miss Eva Ingersoll + Farrell. + + August 11, 1892. R. G. Ingersoll. +</pre> + <hr /> + <p> + The World is Growing Poor.—Darwin the naturalist, the observer, the + philosopher, is dead. Wagner the greatest composer the world has produced, + is silent. Hugo the poet, patriot and philanthropist, is at rest. Three + mighty rivers have ceased to flow. The smallest insect was made + interesting by Darwin's glance; the poor blind worm became the farmer's + friend—the maker of the farm,—and even weeds began to dream + and hope. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + But if we live beyond life's day and reach the dusk, and slowly travel in + the shadows of the night, the way seems long, and being weary we ask for + rest, and then, as in our youth, we chide the loitering hours. When eyes + are dim and memory fails to keep a record of events; when ears are dull + and muscles fail to obey the will; when the pulse is low and the tired + heart is weak, and the poor brain has hardly power to think, then comes + the dream, the hope of rest, the longing for the peace of dreamless sleep. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + SAINTS.—The saints have poisoned life with piety. They have soured + the mother's milk. They have insisted that joy is crime—that beauty + is a bait with which the Devil captures the souls of men—that + laughter leads to sin—that pleasure, in its every form, degrades, + and that love itself is but the loathsome serpent of unclean desire. They + have tried to compel men to love shadows rather than women—phantoms + rather than people. + </p> + <p> + The saints have been the assassins of sunshine,—the skeletons at + feasts. They have been the enemies of happiness. They have hated the + singing birds, the blossoming plants. They have loved the barren and the + desolate—the croaking raven and the hooting owl—tombstones, + rather than statues. + </p> + <p> + And yet, with a strange inconsistency, happiness was to be enjoyed + forever, in another world. There, pleasure, with all its corrupting + influences, was to be eternal. No one pretended that heaven was to be + filled with self-denial, with fastings and scourgings, with weepings and + regrets, with solemn and emaciated angels, with sad-eyed seraphim, with + lonely parsons, with mumbling monks, with shriveled nuns, with days of + penance and with nights of prayer. + </p> + <p> + Yet all this self-denial on the part of the saints was founded in the + purest selfishness. They were to be paid for all their sufferings in + another world. They were "laying up treasures in heaven." They had made a + bargain with God. He had offered eternal joy to those who would make + themselves miserable here. The saints gladly and cheerfully accepted the + terms. They expected pay for every pang of hunger, for every groan, for + every tear, for every temptation resisted; and this pay was to bean + eternity of joy. The selfishness of the saints was equaled only by the + stupidity of the saints. + </p> + <p> + It is not true that character is the aim of life. Happiness should be the + aim—and as a matter of fact is and always has been the aim, not only + of sinners, but of saints. The saints seemed to think that happiness was + better in another world than here, and they expected this happiness beyond + the clouds. They looked upon the sinner as foolish to enjoy himself for + the moment here, and in consequence thereof to suffer forever. Character + is not an end, it is a means to an end. The object of the saint is + happiness hereafter—the means, to make himself miserable here. The + object of the philosopher is happiness here and now, and hereafter,—if + there be another world. + </p> + <p> + If struggle and temptation, misery and misfortune, are essential to the + formation of what you call character, how do you account for the + perfection of your angels, or for the goodness of your God? Were the + angels perfected through misfortune? If happiness is the only good in + heaven, why should it not be considered the only good here? + </p> + <p> + In order to be happy, we must be in harmony with the conditions of + happiness. It cannot be obtained by prayer,—it does not come from + heaven—it must be found here, and nothing should be done, or left + undone, for the sake of any supernatural being, but for the sake of + ourselves and other natural beings. + </p> + <p> + The early Christians were preparing for the end of the world. In their + view, life was of no importance except as it gave them time to prepare for + "The Second Coming." They were crazed by fear. Since that time, the world + not coming to the expected end, they have been preparing for "The Day of + Judgment," and have, to the extent of their ability, filled the world with + horror. For centuries, it was, and still is, their business to destroy the + pleasures of this life. In the midst of prosperity they have prophesied + disaster. At every feast they have spoken of famine, and over the cradle + they have talked of death. They have held skulls before the faces of + terrified babes. On the cheeks of health they see the worms of the grave, + and in their eyes the white breasts of love are naught but corruption and + decay. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE WASTE FORCES OF NATURE.—For countless years the great cataracts, + as for instance, Niagara, have been singing their solemn songs, filling + the savage with terror, the civilized with awe; recording its achievements + in books of stone—useless and sublime; inspiring beholders with the + majesty of purposeless force and the wastefulness of nature. + </p> + <p> + Force great enough to turn the wheels of the world, lost, useless. + </p> + <p> + So with the great tides that rise and fall on all the shores of the world—lost + forces. And yet man is compelled to use to exhaustion's point the little + strength he has. + </p> + <p> + This will be changed. + </p> + <p> + The great cataracts and the great tides will submit to the genius of man. + They are to be for use. Niagara will not be allowed to remain a barren + roar. It must become the servant of man. It will weave robes for men and + women. It will fashion implements for the farmer and the mechanic. It will + propel coaches for rich and poor. It will fill streets and homes with + light, and the old barren roar will be changed to songs of success, to the + voices of love and content and joy. + </p> + <p> + Science at last has found that all forces are convertible into each other, + and that all are only different aspects of one fact. + </p> + <p> + So the flood is still a terror, but, in my judgment, the time will come + when the floods will be controlled by the genius of man, when the + tributaries of the great rivers and their tributaries will be dammed in + such a way as to collect the waters of every flood and give them out + gradually through all the year, maintaining an equal current at all times + in the great rivers. + </p> + <p> + We have at last found that force occupies a circle, that Niagara is a + child of the Sun—that the sun shines, the mist rises, clouds form, + the rain falls, the rivers flow to the lakes, and Niagara fills the + heavens with its song. Man will arrest the falling flood; he will change + its force to electricity; that is to say, to light, and then force will + have made the circuit from light to light. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + ARE Men's characters fully determined at the age of thirty? + </p> + <p> + It depends, first, on what their opportunities have been—that is to + say, on their surroundings, their education, their advantages; second, on + the shape, quality and quantity of brain they happen to possess; third, on + their mental and moral courage; and, fourth, on the character of the + people among whom they live. + </p> + <p> + The natural man continues to grow. The longer he lives, the more he ought + to know, and the more he knows, the more he changes the views and opinions + held by him in his youth. Every new fact results in a change of views more + or less radical. This growth of the mind may be hindered by the "tyrannous + north wind" of public opinion; by the bigotry of his associates; by the + fear that he cannot make a living if he becomes unpopular; and it is to + some extent affected by the ambition of the person; that is to say, if he + wishes to hold office the tendency is to agree with his neighbor, or at + least to round off and smooth the corners and angles of difference. If a + man wishes to ascertain the truth, regardless of the opinions of his + fellow-citizens, the probability is that he will change from day to day + and from year to year—that is, his intellectual horizon will widen—and + that what he once deemed of great importance will be regarded as an + exceedingly small segment of a greater circle. + </p> + <p> + Growth means change. If a man grows after thirty years he must necessarily + change. Many men probably reach their intellectual height long before they + have lived thirty years, and spend the balance of their lives in defending + the mistakes of their youth. A great man continues to grow until his + death, and growth—as I said before—means change. Darwin was + continually finding new facts, and kept his mind as open to a new truth as + the East is to the rising of another sun. Humboldt at the age of ninety + maintained the attitude of a pupil, and was, until the moment of his + death, willing to learn. + </p> + <p> + The more a man knows, the more willing he is to learn. The less a man + knows, the more positive, a? is that he knows everything. + </p> + <p> + The smallest minds mature the earliest. The less there is to a man the + quicker he attains his growth. I have known many people who reached their + intellectual height while in their mother's arms. I have known people who + were exceedingly smart babies to become excessively stupid people. It is + with men as with other things. The mullein needs only a year, but the oak + a century, and the greatest men are those who have continued to grow as + long as they have lived. Small people delight in what they call + consistency—that is, it gives them immense pleasure to say that they + believe now exactly as they did ten years ago. This simply amounts to a + certificate that they have not grown—that they have not developed—and + that they know just as little now as they ever did. The highest possible + conception of consistency is to be true to the knowledge of to-day, + without the slightest reference to what your opinion was years ago. + </p> + <p> + There is another view of this subject. Few men have settled opinions + before or at thirty. Of course, I do not include persons of genius. At + thirty the passions have, as a rule, too much influence; the intellect is + not the pilot. At thirty most men have prejudices rather than opinions—that + is to say, rather than judgments—and few men have lived to be sixty + without materially modifying the opinions they held at thirty. + </p> + <p> + As I said in the first place, much depends on the shape, quality and + quantity of brain; much depends on mental and moral courage. There are + many people with great physical courage who are afraid to express their + opinions; men who will meet death without a tremor and will yet hesitate + to express their views. + </p> + <p> + So, much depends on the character of the people among whom we live. A man + in the old times living in New England thought several times before he + expressed any opinion contrary to the views of the majority. But if the + people have intellectual hospitality, then men express their views—and + it may be that we change somewhat in proportion to the decency of our + neighbors. In the old times it was thought that God was opposed to any + change of opinion, and that nothing so excited the auger of the deity as + the expression of a new thought. That idea is fading away. + </p> + <p> + The real truth is that men change their opinions as long as they grow, and + only those remain of the same opinion still who have reached the + intellectual autumn of their lives; who have gone to seed, and who are + simply waiting for the winter of death. Now and then there is a brain in + which there is the climate of perpetual spring—men who never grow + old—and when such a one is found we say, "Here is a genius." + </p> + <p> + Talent has the four seasons: spring, that is to say, the sowing of the + seeds; summer, growth; autumn, the harvest; winter, intellectual death. + But there is now and then a genius who has no winter, and, no matter how + many years he may live, on the blossom of his thought no snow falls. + Genius has the climate of perpetual growth. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE MOIETY SYSTEM.—The Secretary of the Treasury recommends a + revival of the moiety system. Against this infamous step every honest + citizen ought to protest. + </p> + <p> + In this country, taxes cannot be collected through such instrumentalities. + An <i>informer</i> is not indigenous to our soil. He always has been and + always will be held in merited contempt. + </p> + <p> + Every inducement, by this system, is held out to the informer to become a + liar. The spy becomes an officer of the Government. He soon becomes the + terror of his superior. He is a sword without a hilt and without a + scabbard. Every taxpayer becomes the lawful prey of a detective whose + property depends upon the destruction of his prey. + </p> + <p> + These informers and spies are corrupters of public morals. They resort to + all known dishonest means for the accomplishment of what they pretend to + be an honest object. With them perjury becomes a fine art. Their words are + a commodity bought and sold in courts of justice. + </p> + <p> + This is the first phase. In a little while juries will refuse to believe + them, and every suit in which they are introduced will be lost by the + Government. Of this the real thieves will be quick to take advantage. So + many honest men will have been falsely charged by perjured informers and + moiety miscreants, that to convict the guilty will become impossible. If + the Government wishes to collect the taxes it must set an honorable + example. It must deal kindly and honestly with the people. It must not + inaugurate a vampire system of espionage. It must not take it for granted + that every manufacturer and importer is a thief, and that all spies and + informers are honest men. + </p> + <p> + The revenues of this country are as honestly paid as they are expended. + There has been as much fair dealing outside as inside of the Treasury + Department. + </p> + <p> + But, however that may be, the informer system will not make them honest + men, but will in all probability produce exactly the opposite result. If + our system of taxation is so unpopular that the revenues cannot be + collected without bribing men to tell the truth; if our officers must be + offered rewards beyond their salaries to state the facts; if it is + impossible to employ men to discharge their duties honestly, then let us + change the system. The moiety system makes the Treasury Department a vast + vampire sucking the blood of the people upon shares. Americans detest + informers, spies, detectives, turners of State's evidence, eavesdroppers, + paid listeners, hypocrites, public smellers, trackers, human hounds and + ferrets. They despise men who "suspect" for a living; they hate legal + lyers-in-wait and the highwaymen of the law. They abhor the betrayers of + friends and those who lead and tempt others to commit a crime in order + that they may detect it. In a monarchy, the detective system is a + necessity. The great thief has to be sustained by smaller ones.—December + 4,1877. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + LANGUAGE.—Most people imagine that men have always talked; that + language is as old as the race; and it is supposed that some language was + taught by some mythological god to the first pair. But we now know, if we + know anything, that language is a growth; that every word had to be + created by man, and that back of every word is some want, some wish, some + necessity of the body or mind, and also a genius to embody that want or + that wish, to express that thought in some sound that we call a word. + </p> + <p> + At first, the probability is that men uttered sounds of fear, of content, + of anger, or happiness. And the probability is that the first sounds or + cries expressed such feelings, and these sounds were nouns, adjectives, + and verbs. + </p> + <p> + After a time, man began to give his ideas to others by rude pictures, + drawings of animals and trees and the various other things with which he + could give rude thoughts. At first he would make a picture of the whole + animal. Afterward some part of the animal would stand for the whole, and + in some of the old picture-writings the curve of the nostril of a horse + stands for the animal. This was the shorthand of picture-writing. But it + was a long journey to where marks would stand, not for pictures, but for + sounds. And then think of the distance still to the alphabet. Then to + writing, so that marks took entirely the place of pictures. Then the + invention of movable type, and then the press, making it possible to save + the wealth of the brain; making it possible for a man to leave not simply + his property to his fellow-man, not houses and lands and dollars, but his + ideas, his thoughts, his theories, his dreams, the poetry and pathos of + his soul. Now each generation is heir to all the past. + </p> + <p> + If we had free thought, then we could collect the wealth of the + intellectual world. In the physical world, springs make the creeks and + brooks, and they the rivers, and the rivers empty into the great sea. So + each brain should add to the sum of human knowledge. If we deny freedom of + thought, the springs cease to gurgle, the rivers to run, and the great + ocean of knowledge becomes a desert of barren, ignorant sand. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THIS IS AN AGE OF MONEY-GETTING, of materialism, of cold, unfeeling + science. The question arises, Is the world growing less generous, less + heroic, less chivalric? + </p> + <p> + Let us answer this. The experience of the individual is much like the + experience of a generation, or of a race. An old man imagines that + everything was better when he was young; that the weather could then be + depended on; that sudden changes are recent inventions. So he will tell + you that people used to be honest; that the grocers gave full weight and + the merchants full measure, and that the bank cashier did not spend the + evening of his days in Canada. + </p> + <p> + He will also tell you that the women were handsome and virtuous. There + were no scandals then, no divorces, and that in religion all were orthodox—no + Infidels. Before he gets through, he will probably tell you that the art + of cooking has been lost—that nobody can make biscuit now, and that + he never expects to eat another slice of good bread. + </p> + <p> + He mistakes the twilight of his own life for the coming of the night of + universal decay and death. He imagines that that has happened to the + world, which has only happened to him. It does not occur to him that + millions at the moment he is talking are undergoing the experience of his + youth, and that when they become old they will praise the very days that + he denounces. + </p> + <p> + The Garden of Eden has always been behind us. The Golden Age, after all, + is the memory of youth—it is the result of remembered pleasure in + the midst of present pain. + </p> + <p> + To old age youth is divine, and the morning of life cloudless. + </p> + <p> + So now thousands and millions of people suppose that the age of true + chivalry has gone by and that honesty has about concluded to leave the + world. As a matter of fact, the age known as the age of chivalry was the + age of tyranny, of arrogance and cowardice. Men clad in complete armor cut + down the peasants that were covered with leather, and these soldiers of + the chivalric age armored themselves to that degree that if they fell in + battle they could not rise, held to the earth by the weight of iron that + their bravery had got itself entrenched within. Compare the difference in + courage between going to war in coats of mail against sword and spear, and + charging a battery of Krupp guns! + </p> + <p> + The ideas of justice have grown larger and nobler. Charity now does, + without a thought, what the average man a few centuries ago was incapable + of imagining. In the old times slavery was upheld, and imprisonment for + debt. Hundreds of crimes—or rather misdemeanors—were + punishable by death. Prisons were loathsome beyond description. Thousands + and thousands died in chains. The insane were treated like wild beasts; no + respect was paid to sex or age. Women were burned and beheaded and torn + asunder as though they had been hyenas, and children were butchered with + the greatest possible cheerfulness. + </p> + <p> + So it seems to me that the world is more chivalric, more generous, nearer + just and fair, more charitable, than ever before. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE COLORED MAN is doing well. He is hungry for knowledge. Their children + are going to school. Colored boys are taking prizes in the colleges. A + colored man was the orator of Harvard. They are industrious, and in the + South many are becoming rich. As the people, black and white, become + educated they become better friends. The old prejudice is the child of + ignorance. The colored man will succeed if the South succeeds. The South + is richer to-day than ever before, more prosperous, and both races are + really improving. The greatest danger in the South, and for that matter + all over the country, is the mob. It is the duty of every good citizen to + denounce the mob. Down with the mob. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + FREEDOM OF RELIGION is the destruction of religion. In Rome, after people + were allowed to worship their own gods, all gods fell into disrepute. It + will be so in America. Here is freedom of religion, and all devotees find + that the gods of other devotees are just as good as theirs. They find that + the prayers of others are answered precisely as their prayers are + answered. + </p> + <p> + The Protestant God is no better than the Catholic, and the Catholic is no + better than the Mormon, and the Mormon is no better than Nature for + answering prayers. In other words, all prayers die in the air which they + uselessly agitate. There is undoubtedly a tendency among the Protestant + denominations to unite. This tendency is born of weakness, not of + strength. In a few years, if all should unite, they would hardly have + power enough to obstruct, for any considerable time, the march of the + intellectual host destined to conquer the world. But let us all be good + natured; let us give to others all the rights that we claim for ourselves. + The future, I believe, has both hands full of blessings for the human + race. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE DEISTS AND NATURE.—We who deny the supernatural origin of the + Bible, must admit not only that it exists, but that it was naturally + produced. If it is not supernatural, it is natural. It will hardly do for + the worshipers of Nature to hold the Bible in contempt, simply because it + is not a supernatural book. + </p> + <p> + The Deists of the last century made a mistake. They proceeded to show that + the Bible is immoral, untrue, cruel and absurd, and therefore came to the + conclusion that it could not have been written by a being of infinite + wisdom and goodness,—the being whom they believed to be the author + of Nature. Could not infinite wisdom and goodness just as easily command + crime as to permit it? Is it really any worse to order the strong to slay + the weak, than to stand by and refuse to protect the weak? + </p> + <p> + After all, is Nature, taken together, any better than the Bible? If God + did not command the Jews to murder the Canaanites, Nature, to say the + least, did not prevent it. If God did not uphold the practice of polygamy, + Nature did. The moment we deny the supernatural origin of the Bible, we + declare that Nature wrote its every word, commanded all its cruelties, + told all its falsehoods. The Bible is, like Nature, a mixture of what we + call "good" and "bad,"—of what appears, and of what in reality is. + </p> + <p> + The Bible must have been a perfectly natural production not only, but a + necessary one. There was, and is, no power in the universe that could have + changed one word. All the mistakes in translation were necessarily made, + and not one, by any possibility, could have been avoided. That book, like + all other facts in Nature, could not have been otherwise than it is. The + fact being that Nature has produced all superstitions, all persecution, + all slavery, and every crime, ought to be sufficient to deter the average + man from imagining that this power, whatever it may be, is worthy of + worship. + </p> + <p> + There is good in Nature. It is the nature in us that perceives the evil, + that pursues the right. In man, Nature not only contemplates herself, but + approves or condemns her actions. Of course, "good" and "bad" are relative + terms, and things are "good" or "bad" as they affect man well or ill. + </p> + <p> + Infidels, skeptics,—that is to say, Freethinkers, have opposed the + Bible on account of the bad things in it, and Christians have upheld it, + not on account of the bad, but on account of the good. Throw away the + doctrine of inspiration, and the Bible will be more powerful for good and + far less for evil. Only a few years ago, Christians looked upon the Bible + as the bulwark of human slavery. It was the word of God, and for that + reason was superior to the reason of uninspired man. Had it been + considered simply as the work of man, it would not have been quoted to + establish that which the man of this age condemns. Throw away the idea of + inspiration, and all passages in conflict with liberty, with science, with + the experience of the intelligent part of the human race, instantly become + harmless. They are no longer guides for man. They are simply the opinions + of dead barbarians. The good passages not only remain, but their influence + is increased, because they are relieved of a burden. + </p> + <p> + No one cares whether the truth is inspired or not. The truth is + independent of man, not only, but of God. And by truth I do not mean the + absolute, I mean this: Truth is the relation between things and thoughts, + and between thoughts and thoughts. The perception of this relation bears + the same relation to the logical faculty in man, that music does to some + portion of the brain—that is to say, it is a mental melody. This + sublime strain has been heard by a few, and I am enthusiastic enough to + believe that it will be the music of the future. + </p> + <p> + For the good and for the true in the Old and New Testaments I have the + same regard that I have for the good and true, no matter where they may be + found. We who know how false the history of to-day is; we who know the + almost numberless mistakes that men make who are endeavoring to tell the + truth; we who know how hard it is, with all the facilities we now have—with + the daily press, the telegraph, the fact that nearly all can read and + write—to get a truthful report of the simplest occurrence, must see + that nothing short of inspiration (admitting for the moment the + possibility of such a thing,) could have prevented the Scriptures from + being filled with error. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + AT LAST, THE SCHOOLHOUSE is larger than the church. The common people + have, through education, become uncommon. They now know how little is + really known by kings, presidents, legislators, and professors. At last, + they are capable of not only understanding a few questions, but they have + acquired the art of discussing those that no one understands. With the + facility of the cultured, they can now hide behind phrases and make + barricades of statistics. They understand the sophistries of the upper + classes; and while the cultured have been turning their attention to the + classics, to the dead languages, and the dead ideas that they contain,—while + they have been giving their attention to ceramics, artistic decorations, + and compulsory prayers, the common people have been compelled to learn the + practical things. They are acquainted with facts, because they have done + the work of the world. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + CRUELTY.—Sometimes it has seemed to me that cruelty is the climate + of crime, and that generosity is the Spring, Summer and Autumn of virtue. + Every form of wickedness, of meanness, springs from selfishness, that is + to say, from cruelty. Every good man hates and despises the wretch who + abuses wife and child—who rules by curses and blows and makes his + home a kind of hell. So, no generous man wishes to associate with one who + overworks his horse and feeds the lean and fainting beast with blows. + </p> + <p> + The barbarian delights in inflicting pain. He loves to see his victim + bleed,—but the civilized man staunches blood, binds up wounds and + decreases pain. He pities the suffering animal as well as the suffering + man. + </p> + <p> + He would no more inflict wanton wounds upon a dog than on a man. The heart + of the civilized man speaks for the dumb and helpless. + </p> + <p> + A good man would no more think of flaying a living animal than of + murdering his mother. The man who cuts a hoof from the leg of a horse is + capable of committing any crime that does not require courage. Such an + experiment can be of no use. Under no circumstances are hoofs taken from + horses for the good of the horses any more than their heads would be cut + off. + </p> + <p> + Think of the pain inflicted by separating the hoof of a living horse from + the flesh! If the poor beast could speak what would he say? The same + knowledge could be obtained by cutting away the hoof of a dead horse. + Knowledge of every bone, ligament, artery and vein, of every cartilage and + joint can be obtained by the dissection of the dead. "But," says the + biologist, "we must dissect the living." + </p> + <p> + Well, millions of living animals have been cut in pieces; millions of + experiments have been tried; all the nerves have been touched; every + possible agony has been inflicted that ingenuity could invent and cruelty + accomplish. Many volumes have been published filled with accounts of these + experiments, giving all the details and the results. People who are + curious about such things can read these reports. There is no need of + repeating these savage experiments. It is now known how long a dog can + live with all the pores of his skin closed, how long he can survive the + loss of his skin, or one lobe of his brain, or both of his kidneys, or + part of his intestines, or without his liver, and there is no necessity of + mutilating and mangling thousands of other dogs to substantiate what is + already known. + </p> + <p> + Of what possible use is it to know just how long an animal can live + without water—at what time he becomes insane from thirst, or blind + or deaf? + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE WORLD'S FAIR will do great good. A great many thousand people of the + Old World will for the first time understand the new; will for the first + time appreciate what a free people can do. For the first time they will + know the value of free institutions, of individual independence, of a + country where people express their thoughts, are not afraid of each other, + not afraid to try—a people so accustomed to success that disaster is + not taken into calculation. Of course, we have great advantages. We have a + new half of the world. We have soil better than is found in other + countries, and the soil is new and generous and anxious to be cultivated. + So we have everything in hill and mountain that man can need—silver, + and gold, and iron beyond computation—and, in addition to all that, + our people are the most inventive. We sustain about the same relation to + invention that Italy in her palmy days did to art, or that Spain did to + superstition. + </p> + <p> + And right here it may be well enough to say that I think it was + exceedingly unfortunate that this country was discovered under the + auspices of Spain. Ferdinand and Isabella were a couple of wretches. The + same year that Columbus discovered America, these sovereigns expelled the + Jews from Spain, and the expulsion was accompanied by every outrage, by + every atrocity to which man—that is to say, savage man—that is + to say, the superstitious savage—is capable of inflicting. + </p> + <p> + The Spaniards came to America and destroyed two civilizations far better + than their own. They were natural robbers, buccaneers, and thought nothing + of murdering thousands for gold. I am perfectly willing to celebrate the + fact of discovery, but for the sovereigns of Spain I am not willing to + celebrate, except, perhaps their deaths. There is at least some joy to be + extracted from that. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the untoward circumstances under which the continent was + discovered and settled, there is one thing that counteracted to a certain + degree the influence of the Old World in the New. Possibly we owe our + liberty to the Indians. If there had been no hostile savages on this + continent, the kings and princes of the Old World would have taken + possession and would have divided it out among their favorites. They tried + to do that, but their favorites could not take possession. They had to + fight for the soil and in the conflict of centuries they found that a good + fighter was a good citizen, and the ideas of caste were slowly lost. + </p> + <p> + Then another thing was of benefit to us. The settlers felt that they had + earned the soil; that they had fought for it, gained it by their + sufferings, their courage, their selfdenial, and their labor; and the idea + crept into their heads that the kings in Europe, who had done nothing, had + no right to dictate to them. + </p> + <p> + Thus at first the spirit of caste was destroyed by respectability resting + on usefulness. The spirit of subserviency to the Old World also died, and + the people who had rescued the land made up their minds not only to own + it, but to control it. They were also firmly convinced that the profits + belonged to them. In this way manhood was recognized in the New World. In + this way grew up the feeling of nationality here. + </p> + <p> + What I wish to see celebrated in this great exposition are the triumphs + that have been achieved in this New World. These I wish to see above all. + At the same time I want the best that labor and thought have produced in + all countries. It seems to me that in the presence of the wonderful + machines, of those marvelous mechanical contrivances by which we take + advantage of the forces of nature, by which we make servants of the + elemental powers—in the presence, I say, of these, it seems to me + respect for labor must be born. We shall begin to appreciate the men of + use instead of those who have posed as decorations. All the beautiful + things, all the useful things, come from labor, and it is labor that has + made the world a fit habitation for the human race. + </p> + <p> + Take from the World's Fair what labor has produced—the work of the + great artists—and nothing will be left. What have the great + conquerors to show in this great exhibition? What shall we get from the + Caesars and the Napoleons? What shall we get from popes and cardinals? + What shall we get from the nobility? From princes and lords and dukes? + What excuse have they for having existence and for having lived on the + bread earned by honest men? They stand in the show-windows of history, lay + figures, on which fine goods are shown, but inside the raiment there is + nothing, and never was. This exposition will be the apotheosis of labor. + No man can attend it without losing, if he has any sense at all, the + spirit of caste; or, if he still maintains it, he will put the useful in + the highest class, and the useless, whether carrying sceptres or dishes + for alms, in the lowest.—October, 1892. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE SAVAGE made of the river, the tree, the mountain, a fetich. He put + within, or behind these things, a spirit—according to Mr. Spencer, + the spirit of a dead ancestor. This is considered by the modern Christian, + and in fact by the modern philosopher, as the lowest possible phase of the + religious idea. To put behind the river or the tree, or within them, a + spirit, a something, is considered the religion of savagery; but to put + behind the universe, or within it, the same kind of fetich, is considered + the height of philosophy. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I see no possible distinction in these systems, except that + the view of the savage is altogether the more poetic. The <i>fetich</i> of + the savage is the <i>noumenon</i> of the Greek, the <i>God</i> of the + theologian, the <i>First Cause</i> of the metaphysician, the <i>Unknowable</i> + of Spencer. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE UNTHINKABLE.—It is admitted by all who have thought upon the + question that a First Cause is unthinkable—that a creative power is + beyond the reach of human thought. It therefore follows that the + miraculous is unthinkable. There is no possible way in which the human + mind can even think of a miracle. It is infinitely beyond our power of + conception. We can conceive of the statement, but not of the thing. It is + impossible for the intellect to conceive of a clay pot producing oil. It + is impossible to conceive even, of human life being perpetuated in the + midst of fire. This is just as unthinkable as that twice two are + twenty-seven. A man can say that three times three are two, but it is + impossible to think of any such thing—that is, to think of such a + statement as true. A man may say that he heard a stone sing a song and + heard it afterward repeat a part of Milton's "Paradise Lost." Now, I can + conceive of a man telling such a falsehood, but I cannot conceive of the + thing having happened. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + CAN HUMAN TESTIMONY Overcome the Apparently Impossible Without + Explanation?—It can only be believed by a philosophic mind when + explained—that is to say, by being destroyed as a miracle, and + persisting simply as a fact. + </p> + <p> + Now, I say that a miracle is unthinkable because a power above Nature, a + power that created Nature, is unthinkable. And if a power above Nature be + unthinkable, the miracles claiming to be supernatural are unthinkable. In + other words, all consequences flowing from a belief in an infinite Creator + are necessarily unthinkable. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + EDOUARD REMENYI.—This week the great violinist, Edouard Remenyi, as + my guest, visited the Bass Rocks House, Cape Ann, Mass., and for three + days delighted and entranced the fortunate idlers of the beach. He played + nearly all the time, night and day, seemingly carried away with his own + music. Among the many selections given, were the andante from the Tenth + Sonata in E flat, also from the Twelfth Sonata in G minor, by Mozart. + Nothing could exceed the wonderful playing of the selections from the + Twelfth Sonata. A hush as of death fell upon the audience, and when he + ceased, tears fell upon applauding hands. Then followed the Elegie from + Ernst; then "The Ideal Dance" composed by himself—a fairy piece, + full of wings and glancing feet, moonlight and melody, where fountains + fall in showers of pearl, and waves of music die on sands of gold—then + came the "Barcarole" by Schubert, and he played this with infinite spirit, + in a kind of inspired frenzy, as though music itself were mad with joy; + then the grand Sonata in G, in three movements, by Beethoven.—August, + 1880. + </p> + <p> + Remenyi's Playing.—In my mind the old tones are still rising and + falling—still throbbing, pleading, beseeching, imploring, wailing + like the lost—rising winged and triumphant, superb and victorious—then + caressing, whispering every thought of love—intoxicated, delirious + with joy—panting with passion—fading to silence as softly and + imperceptibly as consciousness is lost in sleep. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE KINDERGARTEN is perfectly adapted to the natural needs and desires of + children. Most children dislike the old system and go "unwillingly to + school." They feel imprisoned and wait impatiently for their liberty. They + learn without understanding and take no interest in their lessons. In the + Kindergarten there is perfect liberty, and study is transformed into play. + To learn is a pleasure. There are no wearisome tasks—no mental + drudgery—nothing but enjoyment,—the enjoyment of natural + development in natural ways. Children do not have to be driven to the + Kindergarten. To be kept away is a punishment. + </p> + <p> + The experience in many towns and cities justifies our belief that the + Kindergarten is the only valuable school for little children. They are + brought in contact with actual things—with forms and colors—things + that can be seen and touched, and they are taught to use their hands and + senses—to understand qualities and relations, and all is done under + the guise of play. We agree with Froebel who said: "Let us live for our + children." + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE METHODIST CHURCH STATISTICS.—First. In 1800, a resolution in + favor of gradual emancipation was defeated. + </p> + <p> + Second. In 1804, resolutions passed requiring ministers to exhort slaves + to be obedient to their masters. + </p> + <p> + Third. In 1808, everything about laymen owning slaves Stricken out. + </p> + <p> + Fourth. In 1820, a resolution that ministers should not hold slaves was + defeated. + </p> + <p> + Fifth. In 1836, a resolution passed that the Methodist Church opposed, + abolition of slavery—one hundred and twenty to fourteen. + </p> + <p> + Sixth. In 1845-1846, the Methodist Church divided—Bishop Andrews + owned slaves. + </p> + <p> + Seventh. As late as 1860 there were over ten thousand Methodists who were + slaveholders in the M. E. Church, North. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + 117 East 21st Str., N. Y. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Response to an invitation to a dinner and a billiard + tournament at the Manhattan Athletic Club, New York City. +</pre> + <p> + Feby. 18, 1899. + </p> + <p> + My Dear Dr. Ranney: + </p> + <p> + I go to Boston to-morrow. So, you see it is impossible for me to be with + you on the 22d inst. I would like to make a few remarks on "orthodox + billiards." The fact is that the whole world is a table, we are the balls + and Fate plays the game. We are knocked and whacked against each other,—followed + and drawn—whirled and twisted, pocketed and spotted, and all the + time we think that we are doing the playing. But no matter, we feel that + we are in the game, and a real good illusion is, after all, it may be, the + only reality that we know. At the same time, I feel that Fate is a + careless player—that he is always a little nervous and generally + forgets to chalk his cue. I know that he has made lots of mistakes with me—lots + of misses. + </p> + <p> + With many thanks, I remain, yours always. + </p> + <p> + R. G. Ingersoll. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THOUGHTS ON CHRISTMAS, 1891.—It is beautiful to give one day to the + ideal—to have one day apart; one day for generous deeds, for good + will, for gladness; one day to forget the shadows, the rains, the storms + of life; to remember the sunshine, the happiness of youth and health; one + day to forget the briers and thorns of the winding path, to remember the + fruits and flowers; one day in which to feed the hungry, to salute the + poor and lowly; one day to feel the brotherhood of man; one day to + remember the heroic and loving deeds of the dead; one day to get + acquainted with children, to remember the old, the unfortunate and the + imprisoned; one day in which to forget yourself and think lovingly of + others; one day for the family, for the fireside, for wife and children, + for the love and laughter, the joy and rapture, of home; one day in which + bonds and stocks and deeds and notes and interest and mortgages and all + kinds of business and trade are forgotten, and all stores and shops and + factories and offices and banks and ledgers and accounts and lawsuits are + cast aside, put away and locked up, and the weary heart and brain are + given a voyage to fairyland. + </p> + <p> + Let us hope that such a day is a prophecy of what all days will be. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE ORTHODOX PREACHERS are several centuries in the rear. They all love + the absurd, and glory in believing the impossible. They are also as + conservative as though they were dead—good people—the leaders + of those who are going backward. + </p> + <hr /> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Man who builds a home erects a temple. + The flame upon the hearth is the sacred fire. + He who loves wife and children is the true worshiper. + Forms and ceremonies, kneelings and fastings are born of selfish fear. + A good deed is the best prayer. + A loving life is the best religion. + No one knows whether the Unknown is worthy of worship or not. +</pre> + <hr /> + <p> + WE TWO, THE DOUBTING BRAIN AND HOPING HEART, with somber thought and + radiant wish, in dusk and dawn, in light and shade 'neath star and sun, + together journeying toward the night. And then the end, sighs the doubting + brain—but there is no end, says the hoping heart. O Brain! if you + knew, you would not doubt. O Heart! if you knew, you would not hope. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + RIGHTS AND DUTIES spring from the same source. He who has no rights has no + duties. Without liberty there can be no responsibility and no conscience. + Man calls himself to an account for the use of his power, and passes + judgment upon himself. The standard of such judgment we call conscience. + In the proportion that man uses his liberty, his power, for the good of + all, he advances, becomes civilized. Civilization does not consist merely + in invention, discovery, material advancement, but in doing justice. By + civilization is meant all discoveries, facts, theories, agencies, that add + to the happiness of man. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + AT BAY.—Sometimes in the darkness of night I feel as though + surrounded by the great armies of effacement—that the horizon is + growing smaller every moment—that the final surrender is only + postponed—that everything is taking something from me—that + Nature robs me with her countless hands—that my heart grows weaker + with every beat—that even kisses wear me away, and that every + thought takes toll of my brief life. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY.*—One year of perfect health—of + countless smiles—of wonder and surprise—of growing thought and + love—was duly celebrated on this day, and all paid tribute to the + infant queen. There were whirling things that scattered music as they + turned—and boxes filled with tunes—and curious animals of + whittled wood—and ivory rings with tinkling bells—and little + dishes for a fairy-feast—horses that rocked, and bleating sheep and + monstrous elephants of painted tin. A baby-tender, for a tender babe, + garments of silk and cushions wrought with flowers, and pictures of her + mother when a babe—and silver dishes for another year—and + coach and four and train of cars—and bric-a-brac for a baby's house—and + last of all, a pearl, to mark her first round year of life and love. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Written on the first anniversary of his grandchild, Eva + Ingersoll-Brown, August 27, 1892. +</pre> + <hr /> + <p> + SHELLEY.—The light of morn beyond the purple hills—a palm that + lifts its coronet of leaves above the desert's sands—an isle of + green in some far sea—a spring that waits for lips of thirst—a + strain of music heard within some palace wrought of dreams—a cloud + of gold above a setting sun—a fragrance wafted from some unseen + shore. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + FATE.—Never hurried, never delayed, passionless, pitiless, patient, + keeping the tryst—neither early nor late—there, on the very + stroke and center of the instant fixed. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + QUIET, and introspective calm come with the afternoon. Toward evening the + mind grows satisfied and still. The flare and flicker of youth are gone, + and the soul is like the flame of a lamp where the air is at rest. Age + discards the superfluous, the immaterial, the straw and chaff, and hoards + the golden grain. The highway is known, and the paths no longer mislead. + Clouds are not mistaken for mountains. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE OLD MAN has been long at the fair. He is acquainted with the jugglers + at the booths. His curiosity has been satisfied. He no longer cares for + the exceptional, the monstrous, the marvelous and deformed. He looks + through and beyond the gilding, the glitter and gloss, not only of things, + but of conduct, of manners, theories, religions and philosophies. He sees + clearer. The light no longer shines in his eyes. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The time will come when even selfishness will be charitable for its own + sake, because at that time the man will have grown and developed to that + degree that selfishness demands generosity and kindness and justice. The + self becomes so noble that selfishness is a virtue. The lowest form of + selfishness is when one is willing to be happy, or wishes to be happy, at + the expense or the misery of another. The highest form of selfishness is + when a man becomes so noble that he finds his happiness in making others + so. This is the nobility of selfishness. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + CUBA fell upon her knees—stretched her thin hands toward the great + Republic. We saw her tear-filled eyes—her withered breasts—her + dead babes—her dying—her buried and unburied dead. We heard + her voice, and pity, roused to action by her grief, became as stern as + justice, and the great Republic cried to Spain: "Sheathe the dagger of + assassination; take your bloody hand from the throat of the helpless; and + take your flag from the heaven of the Western World." + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Perhaps I have reached the years of discretion. But it may be that + discretion is the enemy of happiness. If the buds had discretion there + might be no fruit. So it may be that the follies committed in the spring + give autumn the harvest.—August 11,1892. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Dickens wrote for homes—Thackeray for clubs. Byron did not care for + the fireside—for the prattle of babes—for the smiles and tears + of humble life. He was touched by grandeur rather than goodness,—loved + storm and crag and the wild sea. But Burns lived in the valley, touched by + the joys and griefs of lowly lives. + </p> + <p> + Imagine amethysts, rubies, diamonds, emeralds and opals mingled as liquids—then + imagine these marvelous glories of light and color changed to a tone, and + you have the wondrous, the incomparable voice of Scalchi. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE ORGAN.—The beginnings—the timidities—the half + thoughts—blushes—suggestions—a phrase of grace and + feeling—a sustained note—the wing on the wind—confidence—the + flight—rising with many harmonies that unite in the voluptuous swell—in + the passionate tremor—rising still higher—flooding the great + dome with the soul of enraptured sound. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + NEW MEXICO is a most wonderful country. It is a ragged miser with billions + of buried treasure. It looks as if Nature had guarded her silver and gold + with enough desolation to deter all but the brave. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + WHY SHOULD THE INDIAN SUMMER of a life be lost—the long, serene, and + tender days when earth and sky are friends? The falling leaves disclose + the ripened fruit—and so the flight of youth with dreams and fancies + should show the wealth of bending bough. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Give milk to babes, and wine to youth. But for old age, when ghosts of + more than two-score years are wandering on the traveled road, the fragrant + tea, that loosens gossip's tongue, is best.—December 25,1892. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [From a letter thanking a friend for a Christmas present of + a chest of tea.] +</pre> + <hr /> + <p> + ON MEMORIAL DAY our hearts blossom in gratitude as we lovingly remember + the brave men upon whose brows Death, with fleshless hands, placed the + laurel wreath of fame. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE SOUL IS AN ARCHITECt—it builds a habitation for itself—and + as the soul is, is the habitation. Some live in dens and caves, and some + in lowly homes made rich with love, and overrun with vine and flower. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + SCIENCE at last holds with honest hand the scales wherein are weighed the + facts and fictions of the world. She neither kneels nor prays, she stands + erect and thinks. Her tongue is not a traitor to her brain. Her thought + and speech agree. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE NEGRO who can pass me in the race of life will receive my admiration, + and he can count on my friendship. No man ever lived who proved his + superiority by trampling on the weak. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + RELIGION is like a palm tree—it grows at the top. The dead leaves + are all orthodox, while the new ones and the buds are all heretics. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + MEMORY is the miser of the mind; forgetfulness the spendthrift. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + HOPE is the only bee that makes honey without flowers. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + THE FIRES OF THE NEXT WORLD sustain the same relation to churches that + those in this world sustain to insurance companies. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Now and then there arises a man who on peril's edge draws from the + scabbard of despair the sword of victory. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The falling leaf that tells of autumn's death is, in a subtler sense, a + prophecy of spring. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Vice lives either before Love is born, or after Love is dead. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Intellectual freedom is only the right to be honest. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + I believe that finally man will go through the phase of religion before + birth. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + When shrill chanticleer pierces the dull ear of morn. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Orthodoxy is the refuge of mediocrity. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The ocean is the womb of all that will be, the tomb of all that has been. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Jealousy never knows the value of a fact. + </p> + <p> + Envy cannot reason, malice cannot prophesy. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Love has a kind of second sight. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + I have never given to any one a sketch of my life. According to my idea a + life should not be written until it has been lived.—July 1, 1888. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0034" id="link0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + EFFECT OF THE WORLD'S FAIR ON THE HUMAN RACE. + </h2> + <p> + THE Great Fair should be for the intellectual, mechanical, artistic, + political and social advancement of the world. Nations, like small + communities, are in danger of becoming provincial, and must become so, + unless they exchange commodities, theories, thoughts, and ideals. + Isolation is the soil of ignorance, and ignorance is the soil of egotism; + and nations, like individuals who live apart, mistake provincialism for + perfection, and hatred of all other nations for patriotism. With most + people, strangers are not only enemies, but inferiors. They imagine that + they are progressive because they know little of others, and compare their + present, not with the present of other nations, but with their own past. + </p> + <p> + Few people have imagination enough to sympathize with those of a different + complexion, with those professing another religion or speaking another + language, or even wearing garments unlike their own. Most people regard + every difference between themselves and others as an evidence of the + inferiority of the others. They have not intelligence enough to put + themselves in the place of another if that other happens to be outwardly + unlike themselves. + </p> + <p> + Countless agencies have been at work for many years destroying the hedges + of thorn that have so long divided nations, and we at last are beginning + to see that other people do not differ from us, except in the same + particulars that we differ from them. At last, nations are becoming + acquainted with each other, and they now know that people everywhere are + substantially the same. We now know that while nations differ outwardly in + form and feature, somewhat in theory, philosophy and creed, still, + inwardly—that is to say, so far as hopes and passions are concerned—they + are much the same, having the same fears, experiencing the same joys and + sorrows. So we are beginning to find that the virtues belong exclusively + to no race, to no creed, and to no religion; that the humanities dwell in + the hearts of men, whomever and whatever they may happen to worship. We + have at last found that every creed is of necessity a provincialism, + destined to be lost in the universal. + </p> + <p> + At last, Science extends an invitation to all nations, and places at their + disposal its ships and its cars; and when these people meet—or + rather, the representatives of these people—they will find that, in + spite of the accidents of birth, they are, after all, about the same; that + their sympathies, their ideas' of right and wrong, of virtue and vice, of + heroism and honor, are substantially alike. They will find that in every + land honesty is honored, truth respected and admired, and that generosity + and charity touch all hearts. + </p> + <p> + So it is of the greatest importance that the inventions of the world + should be brought beneath one roof. These inventions, in my judgment, are + destined to be the liberators of mankind. They enslave forces and compel + the energies of nature to work for man. These forces have no backs to feel + the lash, no tears to shed, no hearts to break. + </p> + <p> + The history of the world demonstrates that man becomes What we call + civilized by increasing his wants. As his necessities increase, he becomes + industrious and energetic. If his heart does not keep pace with his brain, + he is cruel, and the physically or mentally strong enslave the physically + or mentally weak. At present these inventions, while they have greatly + increased the countless articles needed by man, have to a certain extent + enslaved mankind. In a savage state there are few failures. Almost any one + succeeds in hunting and fishing. The wants are few, and easily supplied. + As man becomes civilized, wants increase; or rather as wants increase, man + becomes civilized. Then the struggle for existence becomes complex; + failures increase. + </p> + <p> + The first result of the invention of machinery has been to increase the + wealth of the few. The hope of the world is that through invention man can + finally take such advantage of these forces of nature, of the weight of + water, of the force of wind, of steam, of electricity, that they will do + the work of the world; and it is the hope of the really civilized that + these inventions will finally cease to be the property of the few, to the + end that they may do the work of all for all. + </p> + <p> + When those who do the work own the machines, when those who toil control + the invention, then, and not till then, can the world be civilized or + free. When these forces shall do the bidding of the individual, when they + become the property of the mechanic instead of the monopoly, when they + belong to labor instead of what is called capital, when these great powers + are as free to the individual laborer as the air and light are now free to + all, then, and not until then, the individual will be restored and all + forms of slavery will disappear. + </p> + <p> + Another great benefit will come from the Fair. Other nations in some + directions are more artistic than we, but no other nation has made the + common as beautiful as we have. We have given beauty of form to machines, + to common utensils, to the things of every day, and have thus laid the + foundation for producing the artistic in its highest possible forms. It + will be of great benefit to us to look upon the paintings and marbles of + the Old World. To see them is an education. + </p> + <p> + The great Republic has lived a greater poem than the brain and heart of + man have as yet produced, and we have supplied material for artists and + poets yet unborn; material for form and color and song. The Republic is + to-day Art's greatest market. + </p> + <p> + Nothing else is so well calculated to make friends of all nations as + really to become acquainted with the best that each has produced. + </p> + <p> + The nation that has produced a great poet, a great artist, a great + statesman, a great thinker, takes its place on an equality with other + nations of the world, and transfers to all of its citizens some of the + genius of its most illustrious men. + </p> + <p> + This great Fair will be an object lesson to other nations. They will see + the result of a government, republican in form, where the people are the + source of authority, where governors and presidents are servants—not + rulers. We want all nations to see the great Republic as it is, to study + and understand its growth, development and destiny. We want them to know + that here, under our flag, are sixty-five millions of people and that they + are the best fed, the best clothed and the best housed in the world. We + want them to know that we are solving the great social problems, and that + we are going to demonstrate the right and power of man to govern himself. + We want the subjects of other nations to see aland filled with citizens—not + subjects; aland in which the pew is above the pulpit; where the people are + superior to the state; where legislators are representatives and where + authority means simply the duty to enforce the people's will. + </p> + <p> + Let us hope above all things that this Fair will bind the nations together + closer and stronger; and let us hope that this will result in the + settlement of all national difficulties by arbitration instead of war. In + a savage state, individuals settle their own difficulties by an appeal to + force. After a time these individuals agree that their difficulties shall + be settled by others. This is the first great step toward civilization. + The result is the establishment of courts. Nations at present sustain to + each other the same relation that savage does to savage. Each nation is + left to decide for itself, and it generally decides according to its + strength—not the strength of its side of the case, but the strength + of its army. The consequence is that what is called "the Law of Nations" + is a savage code. The world will never be civilized until there is an + international court. Savages begin to be civilized when they submit their + difficulties to their peers. Nations will become civilized when they + submit their difficulties to a great court, the judgments of which can be + carried out, all nations pledging the co-operation of their armies and + their navies for that purpose. + </p> + <p> + If the holding of the great Fair shall result in hastening the coming of + that time it will be a blessing to the whole world. + </p> + <p> + And here let me prophesy: The Fair will be worthy of Chicago, the most + wonderful city of the world—of Illinois, the best State in the Union—of + the United States, the best country on the earth. It will eclipse all + predecessors in every department. It will represent the progressive spirit + of the nineteenth century. Beneath its ample roofs will be gathered the + treasures of Art, and the accomplishments of Science. At the feet of the + Republic will be laid the triumphs of our race, the best of every land.—The + illustrated World's Fair, Chicago, November, 1891. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0035" id="link0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + SABBATH SUPERSTITION. + </h2> + <p> + THE idea that one day in the week is better than the others and should be + set apart for religious purposes; that it should be considered holy; that + no useful work should be done on that day; that it should be given over to + pious idleness and sad ceremonies connected with the worship of a supposed + Being, seems to have been originated by the Jews. + </p> + <p> + According to the Old Testament, the Sabbath was marvelously sacred for two + reasons; the first being, that Jehovah created the universe in six days + and rested on the seventh: and the second, because the Jews had been + delivered from the Egyptians. + </p> + <p> + The first of these reasons we now know to be false; and the second has + nothing, so far as we are concerned, to do with the question. + </p> + <p> + There is no reason for our keeping the seventh day because the Hebrews + were delivered from the Egyptians. + </p> + <p> + The Sabbath was a Jewish institution, and, according to the Bible, only + the Jews were commanded to keep that day. Jehovah said nothing to the + Egyptians on that subject; nothing to the Philistines, nothing to the + Gentiles. + </p> + <p> + The Jews kept that day with infinite strictness, and with them this space + of time known as the Sabbath became so holy that he who violated it by + working was put to death. Sabbath-breaking and murder were equal crimes. + On the Sabbath the pious Jew would not build a fire in his house. He ate + cold victuals and thanked God. The gates of the city were closed. No + business was done, and the traveler who arrived at the city on that day + remained outside until evening. If he happened to fall, he remained where + he fell until the sun had gone done. + </p> + <p> + The early Christians did not hold the seventh day in such veneration. As a + matter of fact, they ceased to regard it as holy, and changed the sacred + day from the seventh to the first. This change was really made by + Constantine, because the first day of the week was the Sunday of the + Pagans; and this day had been given to pleasure and recreation and to + religious ceremonies for many centuries. + </p> + <p> + After Constantine designated the first day to be kept and observed by + Christians, our Sunday became the sacred time. + </p> + <p> + The early Christians, however, kept the day much as it had been kept by + the Pagans. They attended church in the morning, and in the afternoon + enjoyed themselves as best they could.. + </p> + <p> + The Catholic Church fell in with the prevailing customs, and to + accommodate itself to Pagan ways and superstitions, it agreed, as far as + it could, with the ideas of the Pagan. + </p> + <p> + Up to the time of the Reformation, Sunday had been divided between the + discharge of religious duties and recreation. + </p> + <p> + Luther did not believe in the sacredness of the Sabbath. After church he + enjoyed himself by playing games, and wanted others to do the same. + </p> + <p> + Even John Calvin, whose view had been blurred by the "Five Points," + allowed the people to enjoy themselves on Sunday afternoon. + </p> + <p> + The reformers on the continent never had the Jewish idea of the sacredness + of the Sabbath. + </p> + <p> + In Geneva, Germany and France, all kinds of innocent amusement were + allowed on that day; and I believe the same was true of Holland. + </p> + <p> + But in Scotland the Jewish idea was adopted to the fullest extent. There + Sabbath-breaking was one of the blackest and one of the most terrible + crimes. Nothing was considered quite as sacred as the Sabbath. + </p> + <p> + The Scotch went so far as to take the ground that it was wrong to save + people who were drowning on Sunday, the drowning being a punishment + inflicted by God. Upon the question of keeping the Sabbath most of the + Scottish people became insane. + </p> + <p> + The same notions about the holy day were adopted by the Dissenters in + England, and it became the principal tenet in their creed. + </p> + <p> + The Puritans and Pilgrims were substantially crazy about the sacredness of + Sunday. With them the first day of the week was set apart for preaching, + praying, attending church, reading the Bible and studying the catechism. + Walking, riding, playing on musical instruments, boating, swimming and + courting, were all crimes. + </p> + <p> + No one had the right to be happy on that blessed day. It was a time of + gloom, sacred, solemn and religiously stupid. + </p> + <p> + They did their best to strip their religion of every redeeming feature. + They hated art and music—everything calculated to produce joy. They + despised everything except the Bible, the church, God, Sunday and the + creed. + </p> + <p> + The influence of these people has been felt in every part of our country. + The Sabbath superstition became almost universal. No laughter, no smiles + on that day; no games, no recreation, no riding, no walking through the + perfumed fields or by the winding streams or the shore of the sea. No + communion with the subtile beauties of nature; no wandering in the woods + with wife and children, no reading of poetry and fiction; nothing but + solemnity and gloom, listening to sermons, thinking about sin, death, + graves, coffins, shrouds, epitaphs and ceremonies and the marvelous truths + of sectarian religion, and the weaknesses of those who were natural enough + and sensible enough to enjoy themselves on the Sabbath day. + </p> + <p> + So universal became the Sabbath superstition that the Legislatures of all + the States, or nearly all, passed laws to prevent work and enjoyment on + that day, and declared all contracts void relating to business entered + into on Sunday. + </p> + <p> + The Germans gave us the first valuable lesson on this subject. They came + to this country in great numbers; they did not keep the American Sabbath. + They listened to music and they drank beer on that holy day. They took + their wives and children with them and enjoyed themselves; yet they were + good, kind, industrious people. They paid their debts and their credit was + the best. + </p> + <p> + Our people saw that men could be good and women virtuous without "keeping" + the Sabbath. + </p> + <p> + This did us great good, and changed the opinions of hundreds of thousands + of Americans. + </p> + <p> + But the churches insisted on the old way. Gradually our people began to + appreciate the fact that one-seventh of the time was being stolen by + superstition. They began to ask for the opening of libraries, for music in + the parks and to be allowed to visit museums and public places on the + Sabbath. + </p> + <p> + In several States these demands were granted, and the privileges have + never been abused. The people were orderly, polite to officials and to + each other. + </p> + <p> + In 1876, when the Centennial was held at Philadelphia, the Sabbatarians + had control. Philadelphia was a Sunday city, and so the gates of the + Centennial were closed on that day. + </p> + <p> + This was in Philadelphia where the Sabbath superstition had been so + virulent that chains had been put across the streets to prevent stages and + carriages from passing at that holy time. + </p> + <p> + At that time millions of Americans felt that a great wrong was done by + closing the Centennial to the laboring people; but the managers—most + of them being politicians—took care of themselves and kept the gates + closed. + </p> + <p> + In 1876 the Sabbatarians triumphed, and when it was determined to hold a + world's fair at Chicago they made up their minds that no one should look + upon the world's wonders on the Sabbath day. + </p> + <p> + To accomplish this pious and foolish purpose committees were appointed all + over the country; money was raised to make a campaign; persons were + employed to go about and arouse the enthusiasm of religious people; + petitions by the thousand were sent to Congress and to the officers of the + World's Fair, signed by thousands of people who never saw them; + resolutions were passed in favor of Sunday closing by conventions, + presbyteries, councils and associations. Lobbyists were employed to + influence members of Congress. Great bodies of Christians threatened to + boycott the fair and yet the World's Fair is open on Sunday. + </p> + <p> + What is the meaning of this? Let me tell you. It means that in this + country the Scotch New England Sabbath has ceased to be; it means that it + is dead. The last great effort for its salvation has been put forth, and + has failed. It belonged to the creed of Jonathan Edwards and the belief of + the witch-burners, and in this age it is out of place. + </p> + <p> + There was a time when the minister and priest were regarded as the + foundation of wisdom; when information came from the altar, from the + pulpit; and when the sheep were the property of the shepherd. + </p> + <p> + That day in intelligent communities has passed. We no longer go to the + minister or the church for information. The orthodox minister is losing + his power, and the Sabbath is now regarded as a day of rest, of recreation + and of pleasure. + </p> + <p> + The church must keep up with the people. The minister must take another + step. The multitude care but little about controversies in churches, but + they do care about the practical questions that directly affect their + daily lives. + </p> + <p> + Must we waste one day in seven; must we make ourselves unhappy or + melancholy one-seventh of the time? + </p> + <p> + These are important questions and for many years the church in our country + has answered them both in the affirmative, and a vast number of people not + Christians have also said "yes" because they wanted votes, or because they + feared to incite the hatred of the church. + </p> + <p> + Now in this year of 1893 a World's Fair answered this question in the + negative, and a large majority of the citizens of the Republic say that + the officers of the Fair have done right. + </p> + <p> + This marks an epoch in the history of the Sabbath. It is to be sacred in a + religious sense in this country no longer. Henceforth in the United States + the Sabbath is for the use of man. + </p> + <p> + Many of those who labored for the closing of the Fair on Sunday took the + ground that if the gates were opened, God would visit this nation with + famine, flood and fire. + </p> + <p> + It hardly seems possible that God will destroy thousands of women and + children who had nothing to do with the opening of the Fair; still, if he + is the same God described in the Christian Bible, he may destroy our babes + as he did those of the Egyptians. It is a little hard to tell in advance + what a God of that kind will do. + </p> + <p> + It was believed for many centuries that God punished the Sabbath-breaking + individual and the Sabbath-breaking nation. Of course facts never had + anything to do with this belief, and the prophecies of the pulpit were + never fulfilled. People who were drowned on Sunday, according to the + church, lost their lives by the will of God. Those drowned on other days + were the victims of storm or accident. The nations that kept the Sabbath + were no more prosperous than those that broke the sacred day. Certainly + France is as prosperous as Scotland. + </p> + <p> + Let us hope, however, that these zealous gentlemen who have predicted + calamities were mistaken; let us be glad that hundreds of thousands of + workingmen and women will be delighted and refined by looking at the + statues, the paintings, the machinery, and the countless articles of use + and beauty gathered together at the great Fair, and let us be glad that on + the one day that they can spare from toil, the gates will be open to them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0036" id="link0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO GEORGE JACOB HOLYOAKE. + </h2> + <p> + TWO articles have recently appeared attacking the motives of George Jacob + Holyoake. He is spoken of as a man governed by a desire to please the rich + and powerful, as one afraid of public opinion and who in the perilous hour + denies or conceals his convictions. + </p> + <p> + In these attacks there is not one word of truth. They are based upon + mistakes and misconceptions. + </p> + <p> + There is not in this world a nobler, braver man. In England he has done + more for the great cause of intellectual liberty than any other man of + this generation. He has done more for the poor, for the children of toil, + for the homeless and wretched than any other living man. He has attacked + all abuses, all tyranny and all forms of hypocrisy. His weapons have been + reason, logic, facts, kindness, and above all, example. He has lived his + creed. He has won the admiration and respect of his bitterest antagonists. + He has the simplicity of childhood, the enthusiasm of youth and the wisdom + of age. He is not abusive, but he is clear and conclusive.. He is intense + without violence—firm without anger. He has the strength of perfect + kindness. He does not hate—he pities. He does not attack men and + women, but dogmas and creeds. And he does not attack them to get the + better of people, but to enable people to get the better of them. He gives + the light he has. He shares his intellectual wealth with the orthodox + poor. He assists without insulting, guides without arrogance, and + enlightens without outrage. Besides, he is eminent for the exercise of + plain common sense. He knows that there are wrongs besides those born of + superstition—that people are not necessarily happy because they have + renounced the Thirty-nine Articles—and that the priest is not the + only enemy of mankind. He has for forty years been preaching and + practicing industry, economy, self-reliance, and kindness. He has done all + within his power to give the workingman a better home, better food, better + wages, and better opportunities for the education of his children. He has + demonstrated the success of co-operation—of intelligent combination + for the common good. As a rule, his methods have been perfectly legal. In + some instances he has knowingly violated the law, and did so with the + intention to take the consequences. He would neither ask nor accept a + pardon, because to receive a pardon carries with it the implied promise to + keep the law, and an admission that you were in the wrong. He would not + agree to desist from doing what he believed ought to be done, neither + would he stain his past to brighten his future, nor imprison his soul to + free his body. He has that happy mingling of gentleness and firmness found + only in the highest type of moral heroes. He is an absolutely just man, + and will never do an act that he would condemn in another. He admits that + the most bigoted churchman has a perfect right to express his opinions not + only, but that he must be met with argument couched in kind and candid + terms. Mr. Holyoake is not only the enemy of a theological hierarchy, but + he is also opposed to mental mobs. He will not use the bludgeon of + epithet. + </p> + <p> + Perfect fairness is regarded by many as weakness. Some people have + altogether more confidence in their beliefs than in their own arguments. + They resort to assertion. If what they assert be denied, the "debate" + becomes a question of veracity. On both sides of most questions there are + plenty of persons who imagine that logic dwells only in adjectives, and + that to speak kindly of an opponent is a virtual surrender. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Holyoake attacks the church because it has been, is, and ever will be + the enemy of mental freedom, but he does not wish to deprive the church + even of its freedom to express its opinion against freedom. He is true to + his own creed, knowing that when we have freedom we can take care of all + its enemies. + </p> + <p> + In one of the articles to which I have referred it is charged that Mr. + Holyoake refused to sign a petition for the pardon of persons convicted of + blasphemy. If this is true, he undoubtedly had a reason satisfactory to + himself. You will find that his action, or his refusal to act, rests upon + a principle that he would not violate in his own behalf. + </p> + <p> + Why should we suspect the motives of this man who has given his life for + the good of others? I know of no one who is his mental or moral superior. + He is the most disinterested of men. His name is a synonym of candor. He + is a natural logician—an intellectual marksman. Like an unerring + arrow his thought flies to the heart and center. He is governed by + principle, and makes no exception in his own favor. He is intellectually + honest. He shows you the cracks and flaws in his own wares. He calls + attention to the open joints and to the weakest links. He does not want a + victory for himself, but for truth. He wishes to expose and oppose, not + men, but error. He is blessed with that cloudless mental vision that + appearances cannot deceive, that interest cannot darken, and that even + ingratitude cannot blur. Friends cannot induce and enemies cannot drive + this man to do an act that his heart and brain would not applaud. That + such a character was formed without the aid of the church, without the + hope of harp or fear of flame, is a demonstration against the necessity of + superstition. + </p> + <p> + Whoever is opposed to mental bondage, to the shackles wrought by cruelty + and worn by fear, should be the friend of this heroic and unselfish man. + </p> + <p> + I know something of his life—something of what he has suffered—of + what he has accomplished for his fellow-men. He has been maligned, + imprisoned and impoverished. "He bore the heat and burden of the + unregarded day" and "remembered the misery of the many." For years his + only recompense was ingratitude. At last he was understood. He was + recognized as an earnest, honest, gifted, generous, sterling man, loving + his country, sympathizing with the poor, honoring the useful, and holding + in supreme abhorrence tyranny and falsehood in all their forms. The idea + that this man could for a moment be controlled by any selfish motive, by + the hope of preferment, by the fear of losing a supposed annuity, is + simply absurd. The authors of these attacks are not acquainted with Mr. + Holyoake. Whoever dislikes him does not know him. + </p> + <p> + Read his "Trial of Theism"—his history of "Co-operation in England"—if + you wish to know his heart—to discover the motives of his life—the + depth and tenderness of his sympathy—the nobleness of his nature—the + subtlety of his thought—the beauty of his spirit—the force and + volume of his brain—the extent of his information—his candor, + his kindness, his genius, and the perfect integrity of his stainless soul. + </p> + <p> + There is no man for whom I have greater respect, greater reverence, + greater love, than George Jacob Holyoake.— + </p> + <p> + August 8, 1883. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0037" id="link0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + AT THE GRAVE OF BENJAMIN W. PARKER. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This was the first tribute ever delivered by Colonel + Ingersoll at a grave. Mr. Parker himself was an Agnostic, + was the father of Mrs. Ingersoll, and was always a devoted + friend and admirer of the Colonel even before the latter's + marriage with his daughter. +</pre> + <p> + Peoria, Ill., May 24, 1876. + </p> + <p> + FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS: To fulfill a promise made many years ago, I wish to + say a word. + </p> + <p> + He whom we are about to lay in the earth, was gentle, kind and loving in + his life. He was ambitious only to live with those he loved. He was + hospitable, generous, and sincere. He loved his friends, and the friends + of his friends. He returned good for good. He lived the life of a child, + and died without leaving in the memory of his family the record of an + unkind act. Without assurance, and without fear, we give him back to + Nature, the source and mother of us all. + </p> + <p> + With morn, with noon, with night; with changing clouds and changeless + stars; with grass and trees and birds, with leaf and bud, with flower and + blossoming vine,—with all the sweet influences of nature, we leave + our dead. + </p> + <p> + Husband, father, friend, farewell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0038" id="link0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO EBON C. INGERSOLL + </h2> + <h3> + Washington, D. C., May 31, 1879. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The funeral of the Hon. E. C. Ingersoll took place + yesterday afternoon at four o'clock, from his late + residence, 1403 K Street The only ceremony at the house, + other than the viewing of the remains, was a most affecting + pathetic, and touching address by Col. Robert G. ingersoll, + brother of the deceased. Not only the speaker, but every one + of his hearers were deeply affected. When he began to read + his eloquent characterization of the dead man his eyes at + once filled with tears. He tried to hide them, but he could + not do it, and finally he bowed his head upon the dead man's + coffin in uncontrollable grief It was only after some delay, + and the greatest efforts a self-mastery, that Colonel + Ingersoll was able to finish reading his address. When he + had ceased speaking, the members of the bereaved family + approached the casket and looked upon the form which it + contained, for the last time. The scene was heartrending. + The devotion of all connected with the household excited + the sympathy of all and there was not a dry eye to be seen. + The pall-bearers—Senator William B. Allison, Senator James + G. Blaine, Senator David Davis, Senator Daniel W Voorhees. + Representative James A. Garfield, Senator A. S Paddock, + Representative Thomas Q. Boyd of Illinois, the Hon. Ward H. + Lermon, ex-Congressman Jere Wilson, and Representative Adlai + E. Stevenson of Illinois—then bore the remains to the + hearse, and the lengthy cortege proceeded to the Oak Hill + Cemetery, where the remains were interred, in the presence + of the family and friends, without further ceremony.— + National Republican, Washington, D. C., June 3, 1879. +</pre> + <p> + DEAR FRIENDS: I am going to do that which the dead oft promised he would + do for me. + </p> + <p> + The loved and loving brother, husband, father, friend, died where + manhood's morning almost touches noon, and while the shadows still were + falling toward the west. + </p> + <p> + He had not passed on life's highway the stone that marks the highest + point; but being weary for a moment, he lay down by the wayside, and using + his burden for a pillow, fell into that dreamless sleep that kisses down + his eyelids still. While yet in love with life and raptured with the + world, he passed to silence and pathetic dust. + </p> + <p> + Yet, after all, it may be best, just in the happiest, sunniest hour of all + the voyage, while eager winds are kissing every sail, to dash against the + unseen rock, and in an instant hear the billows roar above a sunken ship. + For whether in mid-sea or 'mong the breakers of the farther shore, a wreck + at last must mark the end of each and all. And every life, no matter if + its every hour is rich with love and every moment jeweled with a joy, + will, at its close, become a tragedy as sad and deep and dark as can be + woven of the warp and woof of mystery and death. + </p> + <p> + This brave and tender man in every storm of life was oak and rock; but in + the sunshine he was vine and flower. He was the friend of all heroic + souls. He climbed the heights, and left all superstitions far below, while + on his forehead fell the golden dawning of the grander day. + </p> + <p> + He loved the beautiful, and was with color, form, and music touched to + tears. He sided with the weak, the poor, and wronged, and lovingly gave + alms. With loyal heart and with the purest hands he faithfully discharged + all public trusts. + </p> + <p> + He was a worshiper of liberty, a friend of the oppressed. A thousand times + I have heard him quote these words: "<i>For Justice all place a temple, + and all season, summer</i>." He believed that happiness is the only good, + reason the only torch, justice the only worship, humanity the only + religion, and love the only priest. He added to the sum of human joy; and + were every one to whom he did some loving service to bring a blossom to + his grave, he would sleep tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers. + </p> + <p> + Life is a narrow vale between the cold and barren peaks of two eternities. + We strive in vain to look beyond the heights. We cry aloud, and the only + answer is the echo of our wailing cry. From the voiceless lips of the + unreplying dead there comes no word; but in the night of death hope sees a + star and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing. + </p> + <p> + He who sleeps here, when dying, mistaking the approach of death for the + return of health, whispered with his latest breath, "I am better now." Let + us believe, in spite of doubts and dogmas, of fears and tears, that these + dear words are true of all the countless dead. + </p> + <p> + The record of a generous life runs like a vine around the memory of our + dead, and every sweet, unselfish act is now a perfumed flower. + </p> + <p> + And now, to you, who have been chosen, from among the many men he loved, + to do the last sad office for the dead, we give his sacred dust. + </p> + <p> + Speech cannot contain our love. There was, there is, no gentler, stronger, + manlier man. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0039" id="link0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO THE REV. ALEXANDER CLARK. + </h2> + <h3> + Washington, D. C. July 13, 1879. + </h3> + <p> + UPON the grave of the Reverend Alexander Clark I wish to place one flower. + Utterly destitute of cold, dogmatic pride, that often passes for the love + of God; without the arrogance of the "elect;" simple, free, and kind—this + earnest man made me his friend by being mine. I forgot that he was a + Christian, and he seemed to forget that I was not, while each remembered + that the other was at least a man. + </p> + <p> + Frank, candid, and sincere, he practiced what he preached, and looked with + the holy eyes of charity upon the failings and mistakes of men. He + believed in the power of kindness, and spanned with divine sympathy the + hideous gulf that separates the fallen from the pure. + </p> + <p> + Giving freely to others the rights that he claimed for himself, it never + occurred to him that his God hated a brave and honest unbeliever. He + remembered that even an Infidel had rights that love respects; that hatred + has no saving power, and that in order to be a Christian it is not + necessary to become less than a human being. He knew that no one can be + maligned into kindness; that epithets cannot convince; that curses are not + arguments, and that the finger of scorn never points toward heaven. With + the generosity of an honest man, he accorded to all the fullest liberty of + thought, knowing, as he did, that in the realm of mind a chain is but a + curse. + </p> + <p> + For this man I felt the greatest possible regard. In spite of the taunts + and jeers of his brethren, he publicly proclaimed that he would treat + Infidels with fairness and respect; that he would endeavor to convince + them by argument and win them with love. He insisted that the God he + worshiped loved the well-being even of an Atheist. In this grand position + he stood almost alone. Tender, just, and loving where others were harsh, + vindictive, and cruel, he challenged the admiration of every honest man. A + few more such clergymen might drive calumny from the lips of faith and + render the pulpit worthy of esteem. + </p> + <p> + The heartiness and kindness with which this generous man treated me can + never be excelled. He admitted that I had not lost, and could not lose, a + single right by the expression of my honest thought. Neither did he + believe that a servant could win the respect of a generous master by + persecuting and maligning those whom the master would willingly forgive. + </p> + <p> + While this good man was living, his brethren blamed him for having treated + me with fairness. But, I trust, now that he has left the shore touched by + the mysterious sea that never yet has borne, on any wave, the image of a + homeward sail, this crime will be forgiven him by those who still remain + to preach the love of God. + </p> + <p> + His sympathies were not confined within the prison, of a creed, but ran + out and over the walls like vines, hiding the cruel rocks and rusted bars + with leaf and flower. He could not echo with his heart the fiendish + sentence of eternal fire. In spite of book and creed, he read "between the + lines" the words of tenderness and love, with promises for all the world.. + Above, beyond, the dogmas of his church—humane even to the verge of + heresy—causing some to doubt his love of God because he failed to + hate his unbelieving fellow-men, he labored for the welfare of mankind and + to his work gave up his life with all his heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0040" id="link0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + AT A CHILD'S GRAVE. + </h2> + <h3> + Washington, D. C., January 8, 1882. + </h3> + <p> + MY FRIENDS: I know how vain it is to gild a grief with words, and yet I + wish to take from every grave its fear. Here in this world, where life and + death are equal kings, all should be brave enough to meet what all the + dead have met. The future has been filled with fear, stained and polluted + by the heartless past. From the wondrous tree of life the buds and + blossoms fall with ripened fruit, and in the common bed of earth, + patriarchs and babes sleep side by side. + </p> + <p> + Why should we fear that which will come to all that is? We cannot tell, we + do not know, which is the greater blessing—life or death. We cannot + say that death is not a good. We do not know whether the grave is the end + of this life, or the door of another, or whether the night here is not + somewhere else a dawn. Neither can we tell which is the more fortunate—the + child dying in its mother's arms, before its lips have learned to form a + word, or he who journeys all the length of life's uneven road, painfully + taking the last slow steps with staff and crutch. + </p> + <p> + Every cradle asks us "Whence?" and every coffin "Whither?" The poor + barbarian, weeping above his dead, can answer these questions just as well + as the robed priest of the most authentic creed. The tearful ignorance of + the one, is as consoling as the learned and unmeaning words of the other. + No man, standing where the horizon of a life has touched a grave, has any + right to prophesy a future filled with pain and tears. + </p> + <p> + May be that death gives all there is of worth to life. If those we press + and strain within our arms could never die, perhaps that love would wither + from the earth. May be this common fate treads from out the paths between + our hearts the weeds of selfishness and hate. And I had rather live and + love where death is king, than have eternal life where love is not. + Another life is nought, unless we know and love again the ones who love us + here. + </p> + <p> + They who stand with breaking hearts around this little grave, need have no + fear. The larger and the nobler faith in all that is, and is to be, tells + us that death, even at its worst, is only perfect rest. We know that + through the common wants of life—the needs and duties of each hour—their + grief will lessen day by day, until at last this grave will be to them a + place of rest and peace—almost of joy. There is for them this + consolation: The dead do not suffer. If they live again, their lives will + surely be as good as ours. We have no fear. We are all children of the + same mother, and the same fate awaits us all. We, too, have our religion, + and it is this: Help for the living—Hope for the dead. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0041" id="link0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO JOHN G. MILLS. + </h2> + <h3> + Washington, D. C., April 15, 1883. + </h3> + <p> + MY FRIENDS: Again we are face to face with the great mystery that shrouds + this world. We question, but there is no reply. Out on the wide waste + seas, there drifts no spar. Over the desert of death the sphinx gazes + forever, but never speaks. + </p> + <p> + In the very May of life another heart has ceased to beat. Night has fallen + upon noon. But he lived, he loved, he was loved. Wife and children pressed + their kisses on his lips. This is enough. The longest life contains no + more. This fills the vase of joy. + </p> + <p> + He who lies here, clothed with the perfect peace of death, was a kind and + loving husband, a good father, a generous neighbor, an honest man,—and + these words build a monument of glory above the humblest grave. He was + always a child, sincere and frank, as full of hope as Spring. He divided + all time into to-day and to-morrow. To-morrow was without a cloud, and of + to-morrow he borrowed sunshine for to-day. He was my friend. He will + remain so. The living oft become estranged; the dead are true. He was not + a Christian. In the Eden of his hope there did not crawl and coil the + serpent of eternal pain. In many languages he sought the thoughts of men, + and for himself he solved the problems of the world. He accepted the + philosophy of Auguste Comte. Humanity was his God; the human race was his + Supreme Being. In that Supreme Being he put his trust. He believed that we + are indebted for what we enjoy to the labor, the self-denial, the heroism + of the human race, and that as we have plucked the fruit of what others + planted, we in thankfulness should plant for others yet to be. + </p> + <p> + With him immortality was the eternal consequences of his own acts. He + believed that every pure thought, every disinterested deed, hastens the + harvest of universal good. This is a religion that enriches poverty; that + enables us to bear the sorrows of the saddest life; that peoples even + solitude with the happy millions yet to live,—a religion born not of + selfishness and fear, but of love, of gratitude, and hope,—a + religion that digs wells to slake the thirst of others, and gladly bears + the burdens of the unborn. + </p> + <p> + But in the presence of death, how beliefs and dogmas wither and decay! How + loving words and deeds burst into blossom! Pluck from the tree of any life + these flowers, and there remain but the barren thorns of bigotry and + creed. + </p> + <p> + All wish for happiness beyond this life. All hope to meet again the loved + and lost. In every heart there grows this sacred flower. Immortality is a + word that Hope through all the ages has been whispering to Love. The + miracle of thought we cannot understand. The mystery of life and death we + cannot comprehend. This chaos called the world has never been explained. + The golden bridge of life from gloom emerges, and on shadow rests. Beyond + this we do not know. Fate is speechless, destiny is dumb, and the secret + of the future has never yet been told. We love; we wait; we hope. The more + we love, the more we fear. Upon the tenderest heart the deepest shadows + fall. All paths, whether filled with thorns or flowers, end here. Here + success and failure are the same. The rag of Wretchedness and the purple + robe of power all difference and distinction lose in this democracy of + death. Character survives; goodness lives; love is immortal. + </p> + <p> + And yet to all a time may come when the fevered lips of life will long for + the cool, delicious kiss of death—when tired of the dust and glare + of day we all shall hear with joy the rustling garments of the night. + </p> + <p> + What can we say of death? What can we say of the dead? Where they have + gone, reason cannot go, and from thence revelation has not come. But let + us believe that over the cradle Nature bends and smiles, and lovingly + above the dead in benediction holds her outstretched hands. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0042" id="link0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO ELIZUR WRIGHT. + </h2> + <h3> + New York. December 19, 1885. + </h3> + <p> + ANOTHER hero has fallen asleep—one who enriched the world with an + honest life. + </p> + <p> + Elizur Wright was one of the Titans who attacked the monsters, the Gods, + of his time—one of the few whose confidence in liberty was never + shaken, and who, with undimmed eyes, saw the atrocities and barbarisms of + his day and the glories of the future. + </p> + <p> + When New York was degraded enough to mob Arthur Tappan, the noblest of her + citizens; when Boston was sufficiently infamous to howl and hoot at + Harriet Martineau, the grandest Englishwoman that ever touched our soil; + when the North was dominated by theology and trade, by piety and piracy; + when we received our morals from merchants, and made merchandise of our + morals, Elizur Wright held principle above profit, and preserved his + manhood at the peril of his life. + </p> + <p> + When the rich, the cultured, and the respectable,—when church + members and ministers, who had been "called" to preach the "glad tidings," + and when statesmen like Webster joined with bloodhounds, and in the name + of God hunted men and mothers, this man rescued the fugitives and gave + asylum to the oppressed. + </p> + <p> + During those infamous years—years of cruelty and national + degradation—years of hypocrisy and greed and meanness beneath the + reach of any English word, Elizur Wright became acquainted with the + orthodox church. He found that a majority of Christians were willing to + enslave men and women for whom they said that Christ had died—that + they would steal the babe of a Christian mother, although they believed + that the mother would be their equal in heaven forever. He found that + those who loved their enemies would enslave their friends—that + people who when smitten on one cheek turned the other, were ready, willing + and anxious to mob and murder those who simply said: "The laborer is + worthy of his hire." + </p> + <p> + In those days the church was in favor of slavery, not only of the body but + of the mind. According to the creeds, God himself was an infinite master + and all his children serfs. He ruled with whip and chain, with pestilence + and fire. Devils were his bloodhounds, and hell his place of eternal + torture. + </p> + <p> + Elizur Wright said to himself, why should we take chains from bodies and + enslave minds—why fight to free the cage and leave the bird a + prisoner? He became an enemy of orthodox religion—that is to say, a + friend of intellectual liberty. + </p> + <p> + He lived to see the destruction of legalized larceny; to read the + Proclamation of Emancipation; to see a country without a slave, a flag + without a stain. He lived long enough to reap the reward for having been + an honest man; long enough for his "disgrace" to become a crown of glory; + long enough to see his views adopted and his course applauded by the + civilized world; long enough for the hated word "abolitionist" to become a + title of nobility, a certificate of manhood, courage and true patriotism. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago, the heretic was regarded as an enemy of the human + race. The man who denied the inspiration of the Jewish Scriptures was + looked upon as a moral leper, and the Atheist as the worst of criminals. + Even in that day, Elizur Wright was grand enough to speak his honest + thought, to deny the inspiration of the Bible; brave enough to defy the + God of the orthodox church—the Jehovah of the Old Testament, the + Eternal Jailer, the Everlasting Inquisitor. + </p> + <p> + He contended that a good God would not have upheld slavery and polygamy; + that a loving Father would not assist some of his children to enslave or + exterminate their brethren; that an infinite being would not be unjust, + irritable, jealous, revengeful, ignorant, and cruel. + </p> + <p> + And it was his great good fortune to live long enough to find the + intellectual world on his side; long enough to know that the greatest' + naturalists, philosophers, and scientists agreed with him; long enough to + see certain words change places, so that "heretic" was honorable and + "orthodox" an epithet. To-day, the heretic is known to be a man of + principle and courage—one blest with enough mental independence to + tell his thought. To-day, the thoroughly orthodox means the thoroughly + stupid. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years ago it was taken for granted that an "unbeliever" could + not be a moral man; that one who disputed the inspiration of the legends + of Judea could not be sympathetic and humane, and could not really love + his fellow-men. Had we no other evidence upon this subject, the noble life + of Elizur Wright would demonstrate the utter baselessness of these views. + </p> + <p> + His life was spent in doing good—in attacking the hurtful, in + defending what he believed to be the truth. Generous beyond his means; + helping others to help themselves; always hopeful, busy, just, cheerful; + filled with the spirit of reform; a model citizen—always thinking of + the public good, devising ways and means to save something for posterity, + feeling that what he had he held in trust; loving Nature, familiar with + the poetic side of things, touched to enthusiasm by the beautiful thought, + the brave word, and the generous deed; friendly in manner, candid and kind + in speech, modest but persistent; enjoying leisure as only the industrious + can; loving and gentle in his family; hospitable,—judging men and + women regardless of wealth, position or public clamor; physically + fearless, intellectually honest, thoroughly informed; unselfish, sincere, + and reliable as the attraction of gravitation. Such was Elizur Wright,—one + of the staunchest soldiers that ever faced and braved for freedom's sake + the wrath and scorn and lies of place and power. + </p> + <p> + A few days ago I met this genuine man. His interest in all human things + was just as deep and keen, his hatred of oppression, his love of freedom, + just as intense, just as fervid, as on the day I met him first. True, his + body was old, but his mind was young, and his heart, like a spring in the + desert, bubbled over as joyously as though it had the secret of eternal + youth. But it has ceased to beat, and the mysterious veil that hangs where + sight and blindness are the same—the veil that revelation has not + drawn aside—that science cannot lift, has fallen once again between + the living and the dead. + </p> + <p> + And yet we hope and dream. May be the longing for another life is but the + prophecy forever warm from Nature's lips, that love, disguised as death, + alone fulfills. We cannot tell. And yet perhaps this Hope is but an antic, + following the fortunes of an uncrowned king, beguiling grief with jest and + satisfying loss with pictured gain. We do not know. + </p> + <p> + But from the Christian's cruel hell, and from his heaven more heartless + still, the free and noble soul, if forced to choose, should loathing turn, + and cling with rapture to the thought of endless sleep. + </p> + <p> + But this we know: good deeds are never childless. A noble life is never + lost. A virtuous action does not die. Elizur Wright scattered with + generous hand the priceless seeds, and we shall reap the golden grain. His + words and acts are ours, and all he nobly did is living still. + </p> + <p> + Farewell, brave soul! Upon thy grave I lay this tribute of respect and + love. When last our hands were joined, I said these parting words: "Long + life!" And I repeat them now. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0043" id="link0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO MRS. IDA WHITING KNOWLES. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, Dec, 16, 1887. + </h3> + <p> + MY FRIENDS: Again we stand in the shadow of the great mystery—a + shadow as deep and dark as when the tears of the first mother fell upon + the pallid face of her lifeless babe—a mystery that has never yet + been solved. + </p> + <p> + We have met in the presence of the sacred dead, to speak a word of praise, + of hope, of consolation. + </p> + <p> + Another life of love is now a blessed memory—a lingering strain of + music. + </p> + <p> + The loving daughter, the pure and consecrated wife, the sincere friend, + who with tender faithfulness discharged the duties of a life, has reached + her journey's end. + </p> + <p> + A braver, a more serene, a more chivalric spirit—clasping the loved + and by them clasped—never passed from life to enrich the realm of + death. No field of war ever witnessed greater fortitude, more perfect, + smiling courage, than this poor, weak and helpless woman displayed upon + the bed of pain and death. + </p> + <p> + Her life was gentle and her death sublime. She loved the good and all the + good loved her. + </p> + <p> + There is this consolation: she can never suffer more; never feel again the + chill of death; never part again from those she loves. Her heart can break + no more. She has shed her last tear, and upon her stainless brow has been + set the wondrous seal of everlasting peace. + </p> + <p> + When the Angel of Death—the masked and voiceless—enters the + door of home, there come with her all the daughters of Compassion, and of + these Love and Hope remain forever. + </p> + <p> + You are about to take this dear dust home—to the home of her + girlhood, and to the place that was once my home. You will lay her with + neighbors whom I have loved, and who are now at rest. You will lay her + where my father sleeps. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Lay her i' the earth, + And from her fair and unpolluted flesh + May violets spring." +</pre> + <p> + I never knew, I never met, a braver spirit than the one that once + inhabited this silent form of dreamless clay. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0044" id="link0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO HENRY WARD BEECHER. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, June 26,1887. + </h3> + <p> + HENRY WARD BEECHER was born in a Puritan penitentiary, of which his father + was one of the wardens—a prison with very narrow and closely-grated + windows. Under its walls were the rayless, hopeless and measureless + dungeons of the damned, and on its roof fell the shadow of God's eternal + frown. In this prison the creed and catechism were primers for children, + and from a pure sense of duty their loving hearts were stained and scarred + with the religion of John Calvin. + </p> + <p> + In those days the home of an orthodox minister was an inquisition in which + babes were tortured for the good of their souls. Children then, as now, + rebelled against the infamous absurdities and cruelties of the creed. No + Calvinist was ever able, unless with blows, to answer the questions of his + child. Children were raised in what was called "the nurture and admonition + of the Lord"—that is to say, their wills were broken or subdued, + their natures were deformed and dwarfed, their desires defeated or + destroyed, and their development arrested or perverted. Life was robbed of + its Spring, its Summer and its Autumn. Children stepped from the cradle + into the snow. No laughter, no sunshine, no joyous, free, unburdened days. + God, an infinite detective, watched them from above, and Satan, with + malicious leer, was waiting for their souls below. Between these monsters + life was passed. Infinite consequences were predicated of the smallest + action, and a burden greater than a God could bear was placed upon the + heart and brain of every child. To think, to ask questions, to doubt, to + investigate, were acts of rebellion. To express pity for the lost, + writhing in the dungeons below, was simply to give evidence that the enemy + of souls had been at work within their hearts. + </p> + <p> + Among all the religions of this world—from the creed of cannibals + who devoured flesh, to that of Calvinists who polluted souls—there + is none, there has been none, there will be none, more utterly heartless + and inhuman than was the orthodox Congregationalism of New England in the + year of grace 1813. It despised every natural joy, hated pictures, + abhorred statues as lewd and lustful things, execrated music, regarded + nature as fallen and corrupt, man as totally depraved and woman as + somewhat worse. The theatre was the vestibule of perdition, actors the + servants of Satan, and Shakespeare a trifling wretch whose words were + seeds of death. And yet the virtues found a welcome, cordial and sincere; + duty was done as understood; obligations were discharged; truth was told; + self-denial was practiced for the sake of others, and many hearts were + good and true in spite of book and creed. + </p> + <p> + In this atmosphere of theological miasma, in this hideous dream of + superstition, in this penitentiary, moral and austere, this babe first saw + the imprisoned gloom. The natural desires ungratified, the laughter + suppressed, the logic brow-beaten by authority, the humor frozen by fear—of + many generations—were in this child, a child destined to rend and + wreck the prison's walls. + </p> + <p> + Through the grated windows of his cell, this child, this boy, this man, + caught glimpses of the outer world, of fields and skies. New thoughts were + in his brain, new hopes within his heart. Another heaven bent above his + life. There came a revelation of the beautiful and real. + </p> + <p> + Theology grew mean and small. Nature wooed and won and saved this mighty + soul. + </p> + <p> + Her countless hands were sowing seeds within his tropic brain. All sights + and sounds—all colors, forms and fragments—were stored within + the treasury of his mind. His thoughts were moulded by the graceful curves + of streams, by winding paths in woods, the charm of quiet country roads, + and lanes grown indistinct with weeds and grass—by vines that cling + and hide with leaf and flower the crumbling wall's decay—by cattle + standing in the summer pools like statues of content. + </p> + <p> + There was within his words the subtle spirit of the season's change—of + everything that is, of everything that lies between the slumbering seeds + that, half awakened by the April rain, have dreams of heaven's blue, and + feel the amorous kisses of the sun, and that strange tomb wherein the + alchemist doth give to death's cold dust the throb and thrill of life + again. He saw with loving eyes the willows of the meadow-streams grow red + beneath the glance of Spring—the grass along the marsh's edge—the + stir of life beneath the withered leaves—the moss below the drip of + snow—the flowers that give their bosoms to the first south wind that + wooes—the sad and timid violets that only bear the gaze of love from + eyes half closed—the ferns, where fancy gives a thousand forms with + but a single plan—the green and sunny slopes enriched with daisy's + silver and the cowslip's gold. + </p> + <p> + As in the leafless woods some tree, aflame with life, stands like a rapt + poet in the heedless crowd, so stood this man among his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + All there is of leaf and bud, of flower and fruit, of painted insect life, + and all the winged and happy children of the air that Summer holds beneath + her dome of blue, were known and loved by him. He loved the yellow Autumn + fields, the golden stacks, the happy homes of men, the orchard's bending + boughs, the sumach's flags of flame, the maples with transfigured leaves, + the tender yellow of the beech, the wondrous harmonies of brown and gold—the + vines where hang the clustered spheres of wit and mirth. He loved the + winter days, the whirl and drift of snow—all forms of frost—the + rage and fury of the storm, when in the forest, desolate and stripped, the + brave old pine towers green and grand—a prophecy of Spring. He heard + the rhythmic sounds of Nature's busy strife, the hum of bees, the songs of + birds, the eagle's cry, the murmur of the streams, the sighs and + lamentations of the winds, and all the voices of the sea. He loved the + shores, the vales, the crags and cliffs, the city's busy streets, the + introspective, silent plain, the solemn splendors of the night, the silver + sea of dawn, and evening's clouds of molten gold. The love of nature freed + this loving man. + </p> + <p> + One by one the fetters fell; the gratings disappeared, the sunshine smote + the roof, and on the floors of stone, light streamed from open doors. He + realized the darkness and despair, the cruelty and hate, the starless + blackness of the old, malignant creed. The flower of pity grew and + blossomed in his heart. The selfish "consolation" filled his eyes with + tears. He saw that what is called the Christian's hope is, that, among the + countless billions wrecked and lost, a meagre few perhaps may reach the + eternal shore—a hope that, like the desert rain, gives neither leaf + nor bud—a hope that gives no joy, no peace, to any great and loving + soul. It is the dust on which the serpent feeds that coils in heartless + breasts. + </p> + <p> + Day by day the wrath and vengeance faded from the sky—the Jewish God + grew vague and dint—the threats of torture and eternal pain grew + vulgar and absurd, and all the miracles seemed strangely out of place. + They clad the Infinite in motley garb, and gave to aureoled heads the cap + and bells. + </p> + <p> + Touched by the pathos of all human life, knowing the shadows that fall on + every heart—the thorns in every path, the sighs, the sorrows, and + the tears that lie between a mother's arms and death's embrace—this + great and gifted man denounced, denied, and damned with all his heart the + fanged and frightful dogma that souls were made to feed the eternal hunger—ravenous + as famine—of a God's revenge. + </p> + <p> + Take out this fearful, fiendish, heartless lie—compared with which + all other lies are true—and the great arch of orthodox religion + crumbling falls. + </p> + <p> + To the average man the Christian hell and heaven are only words. He has no + scope of thought. He lives but in a dim, impoverished now. To him the past + is dead—the future still unborn. He occupies with downcast eyes that + narrow line of barren, shifting sand that lies between the flowing seas. + But Genius knows all time. For him the dead all live and breathe, and act + their countless parts again. All human life is in his now, and every + moment feels the thrill of all to be. + </p> + <p> + No one can overestimate the good accomplished by this marvelous, + many-sided man. He helped to slay the heart-devouring monster of the + Christian world. He tried to civilize the church, to humanize the creeds, + to soften pious breasts of stone, to take the fear from mothers' hearts, + the chains of creed from every brain, to put the star of hope in every sky + and over every grave. Attacked on every side, maligned by those who + preached the law of love, he wavered not, but fought whole-hearted to the + end. + </p> + <p> + Obstruction is but virtue's foil. From thwarted light leaps color's flame. + The stream impeded has a song. + </p> + <p> + He passed from harsh and cruel creeds to that serene philosophy that has + no place for pride or hate, that threatens no revenge, that looks on sin + as stumblings of the blind and pities those who fall, knowing that in the + souls of all there is a sacred yearning for the light. He ceased to think + of man as something thrust upon the world—an exile from some other + sphere. He felt at last that men are part of Nature's self—kindred + of all life—the gradual growth of countless years; that all the + sacred books were helps until outgrown, and all religions rough and + devious paths that man has worn with weary feet in sad and painful search + for truth and peace. To him these paths were wrong, and yet all gave the + promise of success. He knew that all the streams, no matter how they + wander, turn and curve amid the hills or rocks, or linger in the lakes and + pools, must some time reach the sea. These views enlarged his soul and + made him patient with the world, and while the wintry snows of age were + falling on his head, Spring, with all her wealth of bloom, was in his + heart. + </p> + <p> + The memory of this ample man is now a part of Nature's wealth. He battled + for the rights of men. His heart was with the slave. He stood against the + selfish greed of millions banded to protect the pirate's trade. His voice + was for the right when freedom's friends were few. He taught the church to + think and doubt. He did not fear to stand alone. His brain took counsel of + his heart. To every foe he offered reconciliation's hand. He loved this + land of ours, and added to its glory through the world. He was the + greatest orator that stood within the pulpit's narrow curve. He loved the + liberty of speech. There was no trace of bigot in his blood. He was a + brave and generous man. + </p> + <p> + With reverent hands, I place this tribute on his tomb. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0045" id="link0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO ROSCOE CONKLING. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Delivered before the New York State Legislature, at Albany, + N. Y, May 9,1888. +</pre> + <p> + ROSCOE CONKLING—a great man, an orator, a statesman, a lawyer, a + distinguished citizen of the Republic, in the zenith of his fame and power + has reached his journey's end; and we are met, here in the city of his + birth, to pay our tribute to his worth and work. He earned and held a + proud position in the public thought. He stood for independence, for + courage, and above all for absolute integrity, and his name was known and + honored by many millions of his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + The literature of many lands is rich with the tributes that gratitude, + admiration and love have paid to the great and honored dead. These + tributes disclose the character of nations, the ideals of the human race. + In them we find the estimates of greatness—the deeds and lives that + challenged praise and thrilled the hearts of men. + </p> + <p> + In the presence of death, the good man judges as he would be judged. He + knows that men are only fragments—that the greatest walk in shadow, + and that faults and failures mingle with the lives of all. + </p> + <p> + In the grave should be buried the prejudices and passions born of + conflict. Charity should hold the scales in which are weighed the deeds of + men. Peculiarities, traits born of locality and surroundings—these + are but the dust of the race—these are accidents, drapery, clothes, + fashions, that have nothing to do with the man except to hide his + character. They are the clouds that cling to mountains. Time gives us + clearer vision. That which was merely local fades away. The words of envy + are forgotten, and all there is of sterling worth remains. He who was + called a partisan is a patriot. The revolutionist and the outlaw are the + founders of nations, and he who was regarded as a scheming, selfish + politician becomes a statesman, a philosopher, whose words and deeds shed + light. + </p> + <p> + Fortunate is that nation great enough to know the great. + </p> + <p> + When a great man dies—one who has nobly fought the battle of a life, + who has been faithful to every trust, and has uttered his highest, noblest + thought—one who has stood proudly by the right in spite of jeer and + taunt, neither stopped by foe nor swerved by friend—in honoring him, + in speaking words of praise and love above his dust, we pay a tribute to + ourselves. + </p> + <p> + How poor this world would be without its graves, without the memories of + its mighty dead. Only the voiceless speak forever. + </p> + <p> + Intelligence, integrity and courage are the great pillars that support the + State. + </p> + <p> + Above all, the citizens of a free nation should honor the brave and + independent man—the man of stainless integrity, of will and + intellectual force. Such men are the Atlases on whose mighty shoulders + rest the great fabric of the Republic. Flatterers, cringers, crawlers, + time-servers are the dangerous citizens of a democracy. They who gain + applause and power by pandering to the mistakes, the prejudices and + passions of the multitude, are the enemies of liberty. + </p> + <p> + When the intelligent submit to the clamor of the many, anarchy begins and + the Republic reaches the edge of chaos. Mediocrity, touched with ambition, + flatters the base and calumniates the great, while the true patriot, who + will do neither, is often sacrificed. + </p> + <p> + In a government of the people a leader should be a teacher—he should + carry the torch of truth. + </p> + <p> + Most people are the slaves of habit—followers of custom—believers + in the wisdom of the past—and were it not for brave and splendid + souls, "the dust of antique time would lie unswept, and mountainous error + be too highly heaped for truth to overpeer." Custom is a prison, locked + and barred by those who long ago were dust, the keys of which are in the + keeping of the dead. + </p> + <p> + Nothing is grander than when a strong, intrepid man breaks chains, levels + walls and breasts the many-headed mob like some great cliff that meets and + mocks the innumerable billows of the sea. + </p> + <p> + The politician hastens to agree with the majority—insists that their + prejudice is patriotism, that their ignorance is wisdom;—not that he + loves them, but because he loves himself. The statesman, the real + reformer, points out the mistakes of the multitude, attacks the prejudices + of his countrymen, laughs at their follies, denounces their cruelties, + enlightens and enlarges their minds and educates the conscience—not + because he loves himself, but because he loves and serves the right and + wishes to make his country great and free. + </p> + <p> + With him defeat is but a spur to further effort. He who refuses to stoop, + who cannot be bribed by the promise of success, or the fear of failure—who + walks the highway of the right, and in disaster stands erect, is the only + victor. Nothing is more despicable than to reach fame by crawling,—position + by cringing. + </p> + <p> + When real history shall be written by the truthful and the wise, these + men, these kneelers at the shrines of chance and fraud, these brazen idols + worshiped once as gods, will be the very food of scorn, while those who + bore the burden of defeat, who earned and kept their self-respect, who + would not bow to man or men for place or power, will wear upon their brows + the laurel mingled with the oak. + </p> + <p> + Roscoe Conkling was a man of superb courage. + </p> + <p> + He not only acted without fear, but he had that fortitude of soul that + bears the consequences of the course pursued without complaint. He was + charged with being proud. The charge was true—he was proud. His + knees were as inflexible as the "unwedgeable and gnarled oak," but he was + not vain. Vanity rests on the opinion of others—pride, on our own. + The source of vanity is from without—of pride, from within. Vanity + is a vane that turns, a willow that bends, with every breeze—pride + is the oak that defies the storm. One is cloud—the other rock. One + is weakness—the other strength. + </p> + <p> + This imperious man entered public life in the dawn of the reformation—at + a time when the country needed men of pride, of principle and courage. The + institution of slavery had poisoned all the springs of power. Before this + crime ambition fell upon its knees,—politicians, judges, clergymen, + and merchant-princes bowed low and humbly, with their hats in their hands. + The real friend of man was denounced as the enemy of his country—the + real enemy of the human race was called a statesman and a patriot. Slavery + was the bond and pledge of peace, of union, and national greatness. The + temple of American liberty was finished—the auction-block was the + corner-stone. + </p> + <p> + It is hard to conceive of the utter demoralization, of the political + blindness and immorality, of the patriotic dishonesty, of the cruelty and + degradation of a people who supplemented the incomparable Declaration of + Independence with the Fugitive Slave Law. + </p> + <p> + Think of the honored statesmen of that ignoble time who wallowed in this + mire and who, decorated with dripping filth, received the plaudits of + their fellow-men. The noble, the really patriotic, were the victims of + mobs, and the shameless were clad in the robes of office. + </p> + <p> + But let us speak no word of blame—let us feel that each one acted + according to his light—according to his darkness. + </p> + <p> + At last the conflict came. The hosts of light and darkness prepared to + meet upon the fields of war. The question was presented: Shall the + Republic be slave or free? The Republican party had triumphed at the + polls. The greatest man in our history was President elect. The victors + were appalled—they shrank from the great responsibility of success. + In the presence of rebellion they hesitated—they offered to return + the fruits of victory. Hoping to avert war they were willing that slavery + should become immortal. An amendment to the Constitution was proposed, to + the effect that no subsequent amendment should ever be made that in anyway + should interfere with the right of man to steal his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + This, the most marvelous proposition ever submitted to a Congress of + civilized men, received in the House an overwhelming majority, and the + necessary two-thirds in the Senate. The Republican party, in the moment of + its triumph, deserted every principle for which it had so gallantly + contended, and with the trembling hands of fear laid its convictions on + the altar of compromise. + </p> + <p> + The Old Guard, numbering but sixty-five in the House, stood as firm as the + three hundred at Thermopylae. Thad-deus Stevens—as maliciously right + as any other man was ever wrong—refused to kneel. Owen Lovejoy, + remembering his brother's noble blood, refused to surrender, and on the + edge of disunion, in the shadow of civil war, with the air filled with + sounds of dreadful preparation, while the Republican party was retracing + its steps, Roscoe Conkling voted No. This puts a wreath of glory on his + tomb. From that vote to the last moment of his life he was a champion of + equal rights, staunch and stalwart. + </p> + <p> + From that moment he stood in the front rank. He never wavered and he never + swerved. By his devotion to principle—his courage, the splendor of + his diction,—by his varied and profound knowledge, his conscientious + devotion to the great cause, and by his intellectual scope and grasp, he + won and held the admiration of his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Disasters in the field, reverses at the polls, did not and could not shake + his courage or his faith. He knew the ghastly meaning of defeat. He knew + that the great ship that slavery sought to strand and wreck was freighted + with the world's sublimest hope. + </p> + <p> + He battled for a nation's life—for the rights of slaves—the + dignity of labor, and the liberty of all. He guarded with a father's care + the rights of the hunted, the hated and despised. He attacked the savage + statutes of the reconstructed States with a torrent of invective, scorn + and execration. He was not satisfied until the freedman was an American + Citizen—clothed with every civil right—until the Constitution + was his shield—until the ballot was his sword. + </p> + <p> + And long after we are dead, the colored man in this and other lands will + speak his name in reverence and love. Others wavered, but he stood firm; + some were false, but he was proudly true—fearlessly faithful unto + death. + </p> + <p> + He gladly, proudly grasped the hands of colored men who stood with him as + makers of our laws, and treated them as equals and as friends. The cry of + "social equality" coined and uttered by the cruel and the base, was to him + the expression of a great and splendid truth. He knew that no man can be + the equal of the one he robs—that the intelligent and unjust are not + the superiors of the ignorant and honest—and he also felt, and + proudly felt, that if he were not too great to reach the hand of help and + recognition to the slave, no other Senator could rightfully refuse. + </p> + <p> + We rise by raising others—and he who stoops above the fallen, stands + erect. + </p> + <p> + Nothing can be grander than to sow the seeds of noble thoughts and + virtuous deeds—to liberate the bodies and the souls of men—to + earn the grateful homage of a race—and then, in life's last shadowy + hour, to know that the historian of Liberty will be compelled to write + your name. + </p> + <p> + There are no words intense enough,—with heart enough—to + express my admiration for the great and gallant souls who have in every + age and every land upheld the right, and who have lived and died for + freedom's sake. + </p> + <p> + In our lives have been the grandest years that man has lived, that Time + has measured by the flight of worlds. + </p> + <p> + The history of that great Party that let the oppressed go free—that + lifted our nation from the depths of savagery to freedom's cloudless + heights, and tore with holy hands from every law the words that sanctified + the cruelty of man, is the most glorious in the annals of our race. Never + before was there such a moral exaltation—never a party with a + purpose so pure and high. It was the embodied conscience of a nation, the + enthusiasm of a people guided by wisdom, the impersonation of justice; and + the sublime victory achieved loaded even the conquered with all the rights + that freedom can bestow. + </p> + <p> + Roscoe Conkling was an absolutely honest man. Honesty is the oak around + which all other virtues cling. Without that they fall, and groveling die + in weeds and dust. He believed that a nation should discharge its + obligations. He knew that a promise could not be made often enough, or + emphatic enough, to take the place of payment. He felt that the promise of + the Government was the promise of every citizen—that a national + obligation was a personal debt, and that no possible combination of words + and pictures could take the place of coin. He uttered the splendid truth + that "the higher obligations among men are not set down in writing signed + and sealed, but reside in honor." He knew that repudiation was the + sacrifice of honor—the death of the national soul. He knew that + without character, without integrity, there is no wealth, and that below + poverty, below bankruptcy, is the rayless abyss of repudiation. He upheld + the sacredness of contracts, of plighted national faith, and helped to + save and keep the honor of his native land. This adds another laurel to + his brow. + </p> + <p> + He was the ideal representative, faithful and incorruptible. He believed + that his constituents and his country were entitled to the fruit of his + experience, to his best and highest thought. No man ever held the standard + of responsibility higher than he. He voted according to his judgment, his + conscience. He made no bargains—he neither bought nor sold. + </p> + <p> + To correct evils, abolish abuses and inaugurate reforms, he believed was + not only the duty, but the privilege, of a legislator. He neither sold nor + mortgaged himself. He was in Congress during the years of vast + expenditure, of war and waste—when the credit of the nation was + loaned to individuals—when claims were thick as leaves in June, when + the amendment of a statute, the change of a single word, meant millions, + and when empires were given to corporations. He stood at the summit of his + power—peer of the greatest—a leader tried and trusted. He had + the tastes of a prince, the fortune of a peasant, and yet he never + swerved. No corporation was great enough or rich enough to purchase him. + His vote could not be bought "for all the sun sees, or the close earth + wombs, or the profound seas hide." His hand was never touched by any + bribe, and on his soul there never was a sordid stain. Poverty was his + priceless crown. + </p> + <p> + Above his marvelous intellectual gifts—above all place he ever + reached,—above the ermine he refused,—rises his integrity like + some great mountain peak—and there it stands, firm as the earth + beneath, pure as the stars above. + </p> + <p> + He was a great lawyer. He understood the frame-work, the anatomy, the + foundations of law; was familiar with the great streams and currents and + tides of authority. + </p> + <p> + He knew the history of legislation—the principles that have been + settled upon the fields of war. He knew the maxims,—those + crystallizations of common sense, those hand-grenades of argument. He was + not a case-lawyer—a decision index, or an echo; he was original, + thoughtful and profound. He had breadth and scope, resource, learning, + logic, and above all, a sense of justice. He was painstaking and + conscientious—anxious to know the facts—preparing for every + attack, ready for every defence. He rested only when the end was reached. + During the contest, he neither sent nor received a flag of truce. He was + true to his clients—making their case his. Feeling responsibility, + he listened patiently to details, and to his industry there were only the + limits of time and strength. He was a student of the Constitution. He knew + the boundaries of State and Federal jurisdiction, and no man was more + familiar with those great decisions that are the peaks and promontories, + the headlands and the beacons, of the law. + </p> + <p> + He was an orator,—logical, earnest, intense and picturesque. He laid + the foundation with care, with accuracy and skill, and rose by "cold + gradation and well balanced form" from the corner-stone of statement to + the domed conclusion. He filled the stage. He satisfied the eye—the + audience was his. He had that indefinable thing called presence. Tall, + commanding, erect—ample in speech, graceful in compliment, Titanic + in denunciation, rich in illustration, prodigal of comparison and metaphor—and + his sentences, measured and rhythmical, fell like music on the enraptured + throng. + </p> + <p> + He abhorred the Pharisee, and loathed all conscientious fraud. He had a + profound aversion for those who insist on putting base motives back of the + good deeds of others. He wore no mask. He knew his friends—his + enemies knew him. + </p> + <p> + He had no patience with pretence—with patriotic reasons for unmanly + acts. He did his work and bravely spoke his thought. + </p> + <p> + Sensitive to the last degree, he keenly felt the blows and stabs of the + envious and obscure—of the smallest, of the weakest—but the + greatest could not drive him from conviction's field. He would not stoop + to ask or give an explanation. He left his words and deeds to justify + themselves. + </p> + <p> + He held in light esteem a friend who heard with half-believing ears the + slander of a foe. He walked a highway of his own, and kept the company of + his self-respect. He would not turn aside to avoid a foe—to greet or + gain a friend. + </p> + <p> + In his nature there was no compromise. To him there were but two paths—the + right and wrong. He was maligned, misrepresented and misunderstood—but + he would not answer. He knew that character speaks louder far than any + words. He was as silent then as he is now—and his silence, better + than any form of speech, refuted every charge. + </p> + <p> + He was an American—proud of his country, that was and ever will be + proud of him. He did not find perfection only in other lands. He did not + grow small and shrunken, withered and apologetic, in the presence of those + upon whom greatness had been thrust by chance. He could not be overawed by + dukes or lords, nor flattered into vertebrate-less subserviency by the + patronizing smiles of kings. In the midst of conventionalities he had the + feeling of suffocation. He believed in the royalty of man, in the + sovereignty of the citizen, and in the matchless greatness of this + Republic. + </p> + <p> + He was of the classic mould—a figure from the antique world. He had + the pose of the great statues—the pride and bearing of the + intellectual Greek, of the conquering Roman, and he stood in the wide free + air as though within his veins there flowed the blood of a hundred kings. + </p> + <p> + And as he lived he died. Proudly he entered the darkness—or the dawn—that + we call death. Unshrinkingly he passed beyond our horizon, beyond the + twilight's purple hills, beyond the utmost reach of human harm or help—to + that vast realm of silence or of joy where the innumerable dwell, and he + has left with us his wealth of thought and deed—the memory of a + brave, imperious, honest man, who bowed alone to death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0046" id="link0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO RICHARD H. WHITING. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, May 24., 1888. + </h3> + <p> + MY FRIENDS: The river of another life has reached the sea. + </p> + <p> + Again we are in the presence of that eternal peace that we call death. + </p> + <p> + My life has been rich in friends, but I never had a better or a truer one + than he who lies in silence here. He was as steadfast, as faithful, as the + stars. + </p> + <p> + Richard H. Whiting was an absolutely honest man. His word was gold—his + promise was fulfillment—and there never has been, there never will + be, on this poor earth, any thing nobler than an honest, loving soul. + </p> + <p> + This man was as reliable as the attraction of gravitation—he knew no + shadow of turning. He was as generous as autumn, as hospitable as summer, + and as tender as a perfect day in June. He forgot only himself, and asked + favors only for others. He begged for the opportunity to do good—to + stand by a friend, to support a cause, to defend what he believed to be + right. + </p> + <p> + He was a lover of nature—of the woods, the fields and flowers. He + was a home-builder. He believed in the family and the fireside—in + the sacredness of the hearth. + </p> + <p> + He was a believer in the religion of deed, and his creed was to do good. + No man has ever slept in death who nearer lived his creed. + </p> + <p> + I have known him for many years, and have yet to hear a word spoken of him + except in praise. + </p> + <p> + His life was full of honor, of kindness and of helpful deeds. Besides all, + his soul was free. He feared nothing, except to do wrong. He was a + believer in the gospel of help and hope. He knew how much better, how much + more sacred, a kind act is than any theory the brain has wrought. + </p> + <p> + The good are the noble. His life filled the lives of others with sunshine. + He has left a legacy of glory to his children. They can truthfully say + that within their veins is right royal blood—the blood of an honest, + generous man, of a steadfast friend, of one who was true to the very gates + of death. + </p> + <p> + If there be another world, another life beyond the shore of this,—if + the great and good who died upon this orb are there,—then the + noblest and the best, with eager hands, have welcomed him—the equal + in honor, in generosity, of any one that ever passed beyond the veil. + </p> + <p> + To me this world is growing poor. New friends can never fill the places of + the old. + </p> + <p> + Farewell! If this is the end, then you have left to us the sacred memory + of a noble life. If this is not the end, there is no world in which you, + my friend, will not be loved and welcomed. Farewell! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0047" id="link0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO COURTLANDT PALMER. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, July 26, 1888. + </h3> + <p> + MY FRIENDS: A thinker of pure thoughts, a speaker of brave words, a doer + of generous deeds has reached the silent haven that all the dead have + reached, and where the voyage of every life must end; and we, his friends, + who even now are hastening after him, are met to do the last kind acts + that man may do for man—to tell his virtues and to lay with + tenderness and tears lay ashes in the sacred place of rest and peace. + </p> + <p> + Some one has said, that in the open hands of death we find only what they + gave away. + </p> + <p> + Let us believe that pure thoughts, brave words and generous deeds can + never die. Let us believe that they bear fruit and add forever to the + well-being of the human race. Let us believe that a noble, self-denying + life increases the moral wealth of man, and gives assurance that the + future will be grander than the past. + </p> + <p> + In the monotony of subservience, in the multitude of blind followers, + nothing is more inspiring than a free and independent man—one who + gives and asks reasons; one who demands freedom and gives what he demands; + one who refuses to be slave or master. Such a man was Courtlandt Palmer, + to whom we pay the tribute of respect and love. + </p> + <p> + He was an honest man—he gave the rights he claimed. This was the + foundation on which he built. To think for himself—to give his + thought to others; this was to him not only a privilege, not only a right, + but a duty. + </p> + <p> + He believed in self-preservation—in personal independence—that + is to say, in manhood. + </p> + <p> + He preserved the realm of mind from the invasion of brute force, and + protected the children of the brain from the Herod of authority. + </p> + <p> + He investigated for himself the questions, the problems and the mysteries + of life. Majorities were nothing to him. No error could be old enough—popular, + plausible or profitable enough—to bribe his judgment or to keep his + conscience still. + </p> + <p> + He knew that, next to finding truth, the greatest joy is honest search. + </p> + <p> + He was a believer in intellectual hospitality, in the fair exchange of + thought, in good mental manners, in the amenities of the soul, in the + chivalry of discussion. + </p> + <p> + He insisted that those who speak should hear; that those who question + should answer; that each should strive not for a victory over others, but + for the discovery of truth, and that truth when found should be welcomed + by every human soul. + </p> + <p> + He knew that truth has no fear of investigation—of being understood. + He knew that truth loves the day—that its enemies are ignorance, + prejudice, egotism, bigotry, hypocrisy, fear and darkness, and that + intelligence, candor, honesty, love and light are its eternal friends. + </p> + <p> + He believed in the morality of the useful—that the virtues are the + friends of man—the seeds of joy. + </p> + <p> + He knew that consequences determine the quality of actions, and "that + whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap." + </p> + <p> + In the positive philosophy of Auguste Comte he found the framework of his + creed. In the conclusions of that great, sublime and tender soul he found + the rest, the serenity and the certainty he sought. + </p> + <p> + The clouds had fallen from his life. He saw that the old faiths were but + phases in the growth of man—that out from the darkness, up from the + depths, the human race through countless ages and in every land had + struggled toward the ever-growing light. + </p> + <p> + He felt that the living are indebted to the noble dead, and that each + should pay his debt; that he should pay it by preserving to the extent of + his power the good he has, by destroying the hurtful, by adding to the + knowledge of the world, by giving better than he had received; and that + each should be the bearer of a torch, a giver of light for all that is, + for all to be. + </p> + <p> + This was the religion of duty perceived, of duty within the reach of man, + within the circumference of the known—a religion without mystery, + with experience for the foundation of belief—a religion understood + by the head and approved by the heart—a religion that appealed to + reason with a definite end in view—the civilization and development + of the human race by legitimate, adequate and natural means—that is + to say, by ascertaining the conditions of progress and by teaching each to + be noble enough to live for all. + </p> + <p> + This is the gospel of man; this is the gospel of this world; this is the + religion of humanity; this is a philosophy that comtemplates not with + scorn, but with pity, with admiration and with love all that man has done, + regarding, as it does, the past with all its faults and virtues, its + sufferings, its cruelties and crimes, as the only road by which the + perfect could be reached. + </p> + <p> + He denied the supernatural—the phantoms and the ghosts that fill the + twilight-land of fear. To him and for him there was but one religion—the + religion of pure thoughts, of noble words, of self-denying deeds, of + honest work for all the world—the religion of Help and Hope. + </p> + <p> + Facts were the foundation of his faith; history was his prophet; reason + his guide; duty his deity; happiness the end; intelligence the means. + </p> + <p> + He knew that man must be the providence of man. + </p> + <p> + He did not believe in Religion and Science, but in the Religion of Science—that + is to say, wisdom glorified by love, the Savior of our race—the + religion that conquers prejudice and hatred, that drives all superstition + from the mind, that ennobles, lengthens and enriches life, that drives + from every home the wolves of want, from every heart the fiends of + selfishness and fear, and from every brain the monsters of the night. + </p> + <p> + He lived and labored for his fellow-men. He sided with the weak and poor + against the strong and rich. He welcomed light. His face was ever toward + the East. + </p> + <p> + According to his light he lived. "The world was his country—to do + good his religion." There is no language to express a nobler creed than + this; nothing can be grander, more comprehensive, nearer perfect. This was + the creed that glorified his life and made his death sublime. + </p> + <p> + He was afraid to do wrong, and for that reason was not afraid to die. + </p> + <p> + He knew that the end was near. He knew that his work was done. He stood + within the twilight, within the deepening gloom, knowing that for the last + time the gold was fading from the West and that there could not fall again + within his eyes the trembling lustre of another dawn. He knew that night + had come, and yet his soul was filled with light, for in that night the + memory of his generous deeds shone out like stars. + </p> + <p> + What can we say? What words can solve the mystery of life, the mystery of + death? What words can justly pay a tribute to the man who lived to his + ideal, who spoke his honest thought, and who was turned aside neither by + envy, nor hatred, nor contumely, nor slander, nor scorn, nor fear? + </p> + <p> + What words will do that life the justice that we know and feel? + </p> + <p> + A heart breaks, a man dies, a leaf falls in the far forest, a babe is + born, and the great world sweeps on. + </p> + <p> + By the grave of man stands the angel of Silence. + </p> + <p> + No one can tell which is better—Life with its gleams and shadows, + its thrills and pangs, its ecstasy and tears, its wreaths and thorns, its + crowns, its glories and Golgothas, or Death, with its peace, its rest, its + cool and placid brow that hath within no memory or fear of grief or pain. + </p> + <p> + Farewell, dear friend. The world is better for your life—The world + is braver for your death. + </p> + <p> + Farewell! We loved you living, and we love you now. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0048" id="link0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO MRS. MARY H. FISKE. + </h2> + <h3> + At Scottish Rite Hall, New York, February 6, 1889. + </h3> + <p> + MY FRIENDS: In the presence of the two great mysteries, Life and Death, we + are met to say above this still, unconscious house of clay, a few words of + kindness, of regret, of love, and hope. + </p> + <p> + In this presence, let us speak of the goodness, the charity, the + generosity and the genius of the dead. + </p> + <p> + Only flowers should be laid upon the tomb. In life's last pillow there + should be no thorns. + </p> + <p> + Mary Fiske was like herself—she patterned after none. She was a + genius, and put her soul in all she did and wrote. She cared nothing for + roads, nothing for beaten paths, nothing for the footsteps of others—she + went across the fields and through the woods and by the winding streams, + and down the vales, or over crags, wherever fancy led. She wrote lines + that leaped with laughter and words that were wet with tears. She gave us + quaint thoughts, and sayings filled with the "pert and nimble spirit of + mirth." Her pages were flecked with sunshine and shadow, and in every word + were the pulse and breath of life. + </p> + <p> + Her heart went out to all the wretched in this weary world—and yet + she seemed as joyous as though grief and death were nought but words. She + wept where others wept, but in her own misfortunes found the food of hope. + She cared for the to-morrow of others, but not for her own. She lived for + to-day. + </p> + <p> + Some hearts are like a waveless pool, satisfied to hold the image of a + wondrous star—but hers was full of motion, life and light and storm. + </p> + <p> + She longed for freedom. Every limitation was a prison's wall. Rules were + shackles, and forms were made for serfs and slaves. + </p> + <p> + She gave her utmost thought. She praised all generous deeds; applauded the + struggling and even those who failed. + </p> + <p> + She pitied the poor, the forsaken, the friendless. No one could fall below + her pity, no one could wander beyond the circumference of her sympathy. To + her there were no outcasts—they were victims. She knew that the + inhabitants of palaces and penitentiaries might change places without + adding to the injustice of the world. She knew that circumstances and + conditions determine character—that the lowest and the worst of our + race were children once, as pure as light, whose cheeks dimpled with + smiles beneath the heaven of a mother's eyes. She thought of the road they + had traveled, of the thorns that had pierced their feet, of the deserts + they had crossed, and so, instead of words of scorn she gave the eager + hand of help. + </p> + <p> + No one appealed to her in vain. She listened to the story of the poor, and + all she had she gave. A god could do no more. + </p> + <p> + The destitute and suffering turned naturally to her. The maimed and hurt + sought for her open door, and the helpless put their hands in hers. + </p> + <p> + She shielded the weak—she attacked the strong. + </p> + <p> + Her heart was open as the gates of day. She shed kindness as the sun sheds + light. If all her deeds were flowers, the air would be faint with perfume. + If all her charities could change to melodies, a symphony would fill the + sky. + </p> + <p> + Mary Fiske had within her brain the divine fire called genius, and in her + heart the "touch of nature that makes the whole world kin." + </p> + <p> + She wrote as a stream runs, that winds and babbles through the shadowy + fields, that falls in foam of flight and haste and laughing joins the sea. + </p> + <p> + A little while ago a babe was found—one that had been abandoned by + its mother—left as a legacy to chance or fate. The warm heart of + Mary Fiske, now cold in death, was touched. She took the waif and held it + lovingly to her breast and made the child her own. + </p> + <p> + We pray thee, Mother Nature, that thou wilt take this woman and hold her + as tenderly in thy arms, as she held and pressed against her generous, + throbbing heart, the abandoned babe. + </p> + <p> + We ask no more. + </p> + <p> + In this presence, let us remember our faults, our frailties, and the + generous, helpful, self-denying, loving deeds of Mary Fiske. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0049" id="link0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO HORACE SEAVER. + </h2> + <h3> + At Paine Hall, Boston, August 25, 1889. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The eulogy pronounced at the funeral of Horace Shaver In + Paine Hall last Sunday was the tribute of one great man to + another. To have Robert G. Ingersoll speak words of praise + above the silent form is fame; to deserve these words is + immortality.—The Boston Investigator, August 28, 1889. +</pre> + <p> + HORACE SEAVER was a pioneer, a torch-bearer, a toiler in that great field + we call the world—a worker for his fellow-men. At the end of his + task he has fallen asleep, and we are met to tell the story of his long + and useful life—to pay our tribute to his work and worth. + </p> + <p> + He was one who saw the dawn while others lived in night. He kept his face + toward the "purpling east" and watched the coming of the blessed day. + </p> + <p> + He always sought for light. His object was to know—to find a reason + for his faith—a fact on which to build. + </p> + <p> + In superstition's sands he sought the gems of truth; in superstition's + night he looked for stars. + </p> + <p> + Born in New England—reared amidst the cruel superstitions of his age + and time, he had the manhood and the courage to investigate, and he had + the goodness and the courage to tell his honest thoughts. + </p> + <p> + He was always kind, and sought to win the confidence of men by sympathy + and love. There was no taint or touch of malice in his blood. To him his + fellows did not seem depraved—they were not wholly bad—there + was within the heart of each the seeds of good. He knew that back of every + thought and act were forces uncontrolled. He wisely said: "Circumstances + furnish the seeds of good and evil, and man is but the soil in which they + grow." Horace Seaver was crowned with the wreath of his own deeds, woven + by the generous hand of a noble friend. He fought the creed, and loved the + man. He pitied those who feared and shuddered at the thought of death—who + dwelt in darkness and in dread. + </p> + <p> + The religion of his day filled his heart with horror. + </p> + <p> + He was kind, compassionate, and tender, and could not fall upon his knees + before a cruel and revengeful God—he could not bow to one who slew + with famine, sword and fire—to one pitiless as pestilence, + relentless as the lightning stroke. Jehovah had no attribute that he could + love. + </p> + <p> + He attacked the creed of New England—a creed that had within it the + ferocity of Knox, the malice of Calvin, the cruelty of Jonathan Edwards—a + religion that had a monster for a God—a religion whose dogmas would + have shocked cannibals feasting upon babes. + </p> + <p> + Horace Seaver followed the light of his brain—the impulse of his + heart. He was attacked, but he answered the insulter with a smile; and + even he who coined malignant lies was treated as a friend misled. He did + not ask God to forgive his enemies—he forgave them himself. He was + sincere. Sincerity is the true and perfect mirror of the mind. It reflects + the honest thought. It is the foundation of character, and without it + there is no moral grandeur. + </p> + <p> + Sacred are the lips from which has issued only truth. Over all wealth, + above all station, above the noble, the robed and crowned, rises the + sincere man. Happy is the man who neither paints nor patches, veils nor + veneers. Blessed is he who wears no mask. + </p> + <p> + The man who lies before us wrapped in perfect peace, practiced no art to + hide or half conceal his thought. He did not write or speak the double + words that might be useful in retreat. He gave a truthful transcript of + his mind, and sought to make his meaning clear as light. + </p> + <p> + To use his own words, he had "the courage which impels a man to do his + duty, to hold fast his integrity, to maintain a conscience void of + offence, at every hazard and at every sacrifice, in defiance of the + world." + </p> + <p> + He lived to his ideal. He sought the approbation of himself. He did not + build his character upon the opinions of others, and it was out of the + very depths of his nature that he asked this profound question: + </p> + <p> + "What is there in other men that makes us desire their approbation, and + fear their censure more than our own?" + </p> + <p> + Horace Seaver was a good and loyal citizen of the mental republic—a + believer in, intellectual hospitality, one who knew that bigotry is born + of ignorance and fear—the provincialisms of the brain. He did not + belong to the tribe, or to the nation, but to the human race. His sympathy + was wide as want, and, like the sky, bent above the suffering world. + </p> + <p> + This man had that superb thing called moral courage—courage in its + highest form. He knew that his thoughts were not the thoughts of others—that + he was with the few, and that where one would take his side, thousands + would be his eager foes. He knew that wealth would scorn and cultured + ignorance deride, and that believers in the creeds, buttressed by law and + custom, would hurl the missiles of revenge and hate. He knew that lies, + like snakes, would fill the pathway of his life—and yet he told his + honest thought—told it without hatred and without contempt—told + it as it really was. And so, through all his days, his heart was sound and + stainless to the core. + </p> + <p> + When he enlisted in the army whose banner is light, the honest + investigator was looked upon as lost and cursed, and even Christian + criminals held him in contempt. The believing embezzler, the orthodox + wife-beater, even the murderer, lifted his bloody hands and thanked God + that on his soul there was no stain of unbelief. + </p> + <p> + In nearly every State of our Republic, the man who denied the absurdities + and impossibilities lying at the foundation of what is called orthodox + religion, was denied his civil rights. He was not canopied by the ægis + of the law. He stood beyond the reach of sympathy. He was not allowed to + testify against the invader of his home, the seeker for his life—his + lips were closed. He was declared dishonorable, because he was honest. His + unbelief made him a social leper, a pariah, an outcast. He was the victim + of religious hate and scorn. Arrayed against him were all the prejudices + and all the forces and hypocrisies of society. All mistakes and lies were + his enemies. Even the Theist was denounced as a disturber of the peace, + although he told his thoughts in kind and candid words. He was called a + blasphemer, because he sought to rescue the reputation of his God from the + slanders of orthodox priests. + </p> + <p> + Such was the bigotry of the time, that natural love was lost. The + unbelieving son was hated by his pious sire, and even the mother's heart + was by her creed turned into stone. + </p> + <p> + Horace Seaver pursued his way. He worked and wrought as best he could, in + solitude and want. He knew the day would come. He lived to be rewarded for + his toil—to see most of the laws repealed that had made outcasts of + the noblest, the wisest, and the best. He lived to see the foremost + preachers of the world attack the sacred creeds. He lived to see the + sciences released from superstition's clutch. He lived to see the orthodox + theologian take his place with the professor of the black art, the + fortune-teller, and the astrologer. He lived to see the greatest of the + world accept his thought—to see the theologian displaced by the true + priests of Nature—by Humboldt and Darwin, by Huxley and Haeckel. + </p> + <p> + Within the narrow compass of his life the world was changed. The railway, + the steamship, and the telegraph made all nations neighbors. Countless + inventions have made the luxuries of the past the necessities of to-day. + Life has been enriched, and man ennobled. The geologist has read the + records of frost and flame, of wind and wave—the astronomer has told + the story of the stars—the biologist has sought the germ of life, + and in every department of knowledge the torch of science sheds its sacred + light. + </p> + <p> + The ancient creeds have grown absurd. The miracles are small and mean. The + inspired book is filled with fables told to please a childish world, and + the dogma of eternal pain now shocks the heart and brain. + </p> + <p> + He lived to see a monument unveiled to Bruno in the city of Rome—to + Giordano Bruno—that great man who two hundred and eighty-nine years + ago suffered death for having proclaimed the truths that since have filled + the world with joy. He lived to see the victim of the church a victor—lived + to see his memory honored by a nation freed from papal chains. + </p> + <p> + He worked knowing what the end must be—expecting little while he + lived—but knowing that every fact in the wide universe was on his + side. He knew that truth can wait, and so he worked patient as eternity. + </p> + <p> + He had the brain of a philosopher and the heart of a child. + </p> + <p> + Horace Seaver was a man of common sense. + </p> + <p> + By that I mean, one who knows the law of average. He denied the Bible, not + on account of what has been discovered in astronomy, or the length of time + it took to form the delta of the Nile—but he compared the things he + found with what he knew. + </p> + <p> + He knew that antiquity added nothing to probability—that lapse of + time can never take the place of cause, and that the dust can never gather + thick enough upon mistakes to make them equal with the truth. + </p> + <p> + He knew that the old, by no possibility, could have been more wonderful + than the new, and that the present is a perpetual torch by which we know + the past. + </p> + <p> + To him all miracles were mistakes, whose parents were cunning and + credulity. He knew that miracles were not, because they are not. + </p> + <p> + He believed in the sublime, unbroken, and eternal march of causes and + effects—denying the chaos of chance, and the caprice of power. + </p> + <p> + He tested the past by the now, and judged of all the men and races of the + world by those he knew. + </p> + <p> + He believed in the religion of free thought and good deed—of + character, of sincerity, of honest endeavor, of cheerful help—and + above all, in the religion of love and liberty—in a religion for + every day—for the world in which we live—for the present—the + religion of roof and raiment, of food, of intelligence, of intellectual + hospitality—the religion that gives health and happiness, freedom + and content—in the religion of work, and in the ceremonies of honest + labor. + </p> + <p> + He lived for this world; if there be another, he will live for that. + </p> + <p> + He did what he could for the destruction of fear—the destruction of + the imaginary monster who rewards the few in heaven—the monster who + tortures the many in perdition. + </p> + <p> + He was a friend of all the world, and sought to civilize the human race. + </p> + <p> + For more than fifty years he labored to free the bodies and the souls of + men—and many thousands have read his words with joy. He sought the + suffering and oppressed. He sat by those in pain—and his helping + hand was laid in pity on the brow of death. + </p> + <p> + He asked only to be treated as he treated others. He asked for only what + he earned, and had the manhood cheerfully to accept the consequences of + his actions. He expected no reward for the goodness of another. + </p> + <p> + But he has lived his life. We should shed no tears except the tears of + gratitude. We should rejoice that he lived so long. + </p> + <p> + In Nature's course, his time had come. The four seasons were complete in + him. The Spring could never come again. The measure of his years was full. + </p> + <p> + When the day is done—when the work of a life is finished—when + the gold of evening meets the dusk of night, beneath the silent stars the + tired laborer should fall asleep. To outlive usefulness is a double death. + "Let me not live after my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff of younger + spirits." + </p> + <p> + When the old oak is visited in vain by Spring—when light and rain no + longer thrill—it is not well to stand leafless, desolate, and alone. + It is better far to fall where Nature softly covers all with woven moss + and creeping vine. + </p> + <p> + How little, after all, we know of what is ill or well! How little of this + wondrous stream of cataracts and pools—this stream of life, that + rises in a world unknown, and flows to that mysterious sea whose shore the + foot of one who comes has never pressed! How little of this life we know—this + struggling ray of light 'twixt gloom and gloom—this strip of land by + verdure clad, between the unknown wastes—this throbbing moment + filled with love and pain—this dream that lies between the shadowy + shores of sleep and death! + </p> + <p> + We stand upon this verge of crumbling time. We love, we hope, we + disappear. Again we mingle with the dust, and the "knot intrinsicate" + forever falls apart. + </p> + <p> + But this we know: A noble life enriches all the world. + </p> + <p> + Horace Seaver lived for others. He accepted toil and hope deferred. + Poverty was his portion. Like Socrates, he did not seek to adorn his body, + but rather his soul with the jewels of charity, modesty, courage, and + above all, with a love of liberty. + </p> + <p> + Farewell, O brave and modest man! + </p> + <p> + Your lips, between which truths burst into blossom, are forever closed. + Your loving heart has ceased to beat. Your busy brain is still, and from + your hand has dropped the sacred torch. + </p> + <p> + Your noble, self-denying life has honored us, and we will honor you. + </p> + <p> + You were my friend, and I was yours. Above your silent clay I pay this + tribute to your worth. + </p> + <p> + Farewell! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0050" id="link0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO LAWRENCE BARRETT. + </h2> + <h3> + At the Broadway Theatre, New York, March 22, 1891. + </h3> + <p> + MY heart tells me that on the threshold of my address it will be + appropriate for me to say a few words about the great actor who has just + fallen into that sleep that we call death. Lawrence Barrett was my friend, + and I was his. He was an interpreter of Shakespeare, to whose creations he + gave flesh and blood. He began at the foundation of his profession, and + rose until he stood next to his friend—next to one who is regarded + as the greatest tragedian of our time—next to Edwin Booth. + </p> + <p> + The life of Lawrence Barrett was a success, because he honored himself and + added glory to the stage. + </p> + <p> + He did not seek for gain by pandering to the thoughtless, ignorant or + base. He gave the drama in its highest and most serious form. He shunned + the questionable, the vulgar and impure, and gave the intellectual, the + pathetic, the manly and the tragic. He did not stoop to conquer—he + soared. He was fitted for the stage. He had a thoughtful face, a vibrant + voice and the pose of chivalry, and besides he had patience, industry, + courage and the genius of success. + </p> + <p> + He was a graceful and striking Bassanio, a thoughtful Hamlet, an intense + Othello, a marvelous Harebell, and the best Cassius of his century. + </p> + <p> + In the drama of human life, all are actors, and no one knows his part. In + this great play the scenes are shifted by unknown forces, and the + commencement, plot and end are still unknown—are still unguessed. + One by one the players leave the stage, and others take their places. + There is no pause—the play goes on. No prompter's voice is heard, + and no one has the slightest clue to what the next scene is to be. + </p> + <p> + Will this great drama have an end? Will the curtain fall at last? Will it + rise again upon some other stage? Reason says perhaps, and Hope still + whispers yes. Sadly I bid my friend farewell, I admired the actor, and I + loved the man. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0051" id="link0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO WALT WHITMAN. + </h2> + <h3> + Camden, N. J., March 30, 1892. + </h3> + <p> + MY FRIENDS: Again we, in the mystery of Life, are brought face to face + with the mystery of Death. A great man, a great American, the most eminent + citizen of this Republic, lies dead before us, and we have met to pay a + tribute to his greatness and his worth. + </p> + <p> + I know he needs no words of mine. His fame is secure. He laid the + foundations of it deep in the human heart and brain. He was, above all I + have known, the poet of humanity, of sympathy. He was so great that he + rose above the greatest that he met without arrogance, and so great that + he stooped to the lowest without conscious condescension. He never claimed + to be lower or greater than any of the sous of men. + </p> + <p> + He came into our generation a free, untrammeled spirit, with sympathy for + all. His arm was beneath the form of the sick. He sympathized with the + imprisoned and despised, and even on the brow of crime he was great enough + to place the kiss of human sympathy. + </p> + <p> + One of the greatest lines in our literature is his, and the line is great + enough to do honor to the greatest genius that has ever lived. He said, + speaking of an outcast: "Not till the sun excludes you do I exclude you." + </p> + <p> + His charity was as wide as the sky, and wherever there was human + suffering, human misfortune, the sympathy of Whitman bent above it as the + firmament bends above the earth. + </p> + <p> + He was built on a broad and splendid plan—ample, without appearing + to have limitations—passing easily for a brother of mountains and + seas and constellations; caring nothing for the little maps and charts + with which timid pilots hug the shore, but giving himself freely with + recklessness of genius to winds and waves and tides; caring for nothing as + long as the stars were above him. He walked among men, among writers, + among verbal varnishers and veneerers, among literary milliners and + tailors, with the unconscious majesty of an antique god. + </p> + <p> + He was the poet of that divine democracy which gives equal rights to all + the sons and daughters of men. He uttered the great American voice; + uttered a song worthy of the great Republic. No man ever said more for the + rights of humanity, more in favor of real democracy, of real justice. He + neither scorned nor cringed, was neither tyrant nor slave. He asked only + to stand the equal of his fellows beneath the great flag of nature, the + blue and stars. + </p> + <p> + He was the poet of Life. It was a joy simply to breathe. He loved the + clouds; he enjoyed the breath of morning, the twilight, the wind, the + winding streams. He loved to look at the sea when the waves burst into the + whitecaps of joy. He loved the fields, the hills; he was acquainted with + the trees, with birds, with all the beautiful objects of the earth. He not + only saw these objects, but understood their meaning, and he used them + that he might exhibit his heart to his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + He was the poet of Love. He was not ashamed of that divine passion that + has built every home in the world; that divine passion that has painted + every picture and given us every real work of art; that divine passion + that has made the world worth living in and has given some value to human + life. + </p> + <p> + He was the poet of the natural, and taught men not to be ashamed of that + which is natural. He was not only the poet of democracy, not only the poet + of the great Republic, but he was the poet of the human race. He was not + confined to the limits of this country, but his sympathy went out over the + seas to all the nations of the earth. + </p> + <p> + He stretched out his hand and felt himself the equal of all kings and of + all princes, and the brother of all men, no matter how high, no matter how + low. + </p> + <p> + He has uttered more supreme words than any writer of our century, possibly + of almost any other. He was, above all things, a man, and above genius, + above all the snow-capped peaks of intelligence, above all art, rises the + true man. Greater than all is the true man, and he walked among his + fellow-men as such. + </p> + <p> + He was the poet of Death. He accepted all life and all death, and he + justified all. He had the courage to meet all, and was great enough and + splendid enough to harmonize all and to accept all there is of life as a + divine melody. + </p> + <p> + You know better than I what his life has been, but let me say one thing. + Knowing, as he did, what others can know and what they cannot, he accepted + and absorbed all theories, all creeds, all religions, and believed in + none. His philosophy was a sky that embraced all clouds and accounted for + all clouds. He had a philosophy and a religion of his own, broader, as he + believed—and as I believe—than others. He accepted all, he + understood all, and he was above all. + </p> + <p> + He was absolutely true to himself. He had frankness and courage, and he + was as candid as light. He was willing that all the sons of men should be + absolutely acquainted with his heart and brain. He had nothing to conceal. + Frank, candid, pure, serene, noble, and yet for years he was maligned and + slandered, simply because he had the candor of nature. He will be + understood yet, and that for which he was condemned—his frankness, + his candor—will add to the glory and greatness of his fame. + </p> + <p> + He wrote a liturgy for mankind; he wrote a great and splendid psalm of + life, and he gave to us the gospel of humanity—the greatest gospel + that can be preached. + </p> + <p> + He was not afraid to live, not afraid to die. For many years he and death + were near neighbors. He was always willing and ready to meet and greet + this king called death, and for many months he sat in the deepening + twilight waiting for the night, waiting for the light. + </p> + <p> + He never lost his hope. When the mists filled the valleys, he looked upon + the mountain tops, and when the mountains in darkness disappeared, he + fixed his gaze upon the stars. + </p> + <p> + In his brain were the blessed memories of the day, and in his heart were + mingled the dawn and dusk of life. + </p> + <p> + He was not afraid; he was cheerful every moment. The laughing nymphs of + day did not desert him. They remained that they might clasp the hands and + greet with smiles the veiled and silent sisters of the night. And when + they did come, Walt Whitman stretched his hand to them. On one side were + the nymphs of the day, and on the other the silent sisters of the night, + and so, hand in hand, between smiles and tears, he reached his journey's + end. + </p> + <p> + From the frontier of life, from the western wave-kissed shore, he sent us + messages of content and hope, and these messages seem now like strains of + music blown by the "Mystic Trumpeter" from Death's pale realm. + </p> + <p> + To-day we give back to Mother Nature, to her clasp and kiss, one of the + bravest, sweetest souls that ever lived in human clay. + </p> + <p> + Charitable as the air and generous as Nature, he was negligent of all + except to do and say what he believed he should do and should say. + </p> + <p> + And I to-day thank him, not only for you but for myself, for all the brave + words he has uttered. I thank him for all the great and splendid words lie + has said in favor of liberty, in favor of man and woman, in favor of + motherhood, in favor of fathers, in favor of children, and I thank him for + the brave words that he has said of death. + </p> + <p> + He has lived, he has died, and death is less terrible than it was before. + Thousands and millions will walk down into the "dark valley of the shadow" + holding Walt Whitman by the hand. Long after we are dead the brave words + he has spoken will sound like trumpets to the dying. + </p> + <p> + And so I lay this little wreath upon this great mans tomb. I loved him + living, and I love him still. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0052" id="link0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO PHILO D. BECKWITH. + </h2> + <h3> + Dowagiac, Mich., January 25, 1893. + </h3> + <p> + LADIES and Gentlemen: Nothing is nobler than to plant the flower of + gratitude on the grave of a generous man—of one who labored for the + good of all—whose hands were open and whose heart was full. + </p> + <p> + Praise for the noble dead is an inspiration for the noble living. + </p> + <p> + Loving words sow seeds of love in every gentle heart. Appreciation is the + soil and climate of good and generous deeds. + </p> + <p> + We are met to-night not to pay, but to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to + one who lived and labored here—who was the friend of all and who for + many years was the providence of the poor. To one who left to those who + knew him best, the memory of countless loving deeds—the richest + legacy that man can leave to man. + </p> + <p> + We are here to dedicate this monument to the stainless memory of Philo D. + Beckwith—one of the kings of men. + </p> + <p> + This monument—this perfect theatre—this beautiful house of + cheerfulness and joy—this home and child of all the arts—this + temple where the architect, the sculptor and painter united to build and + decorate a stage whereon the drama with a thousand tongues will tell the + frailties and the virtues of the human race, and music with her thrilling + voice will touch the source of happy tears. + </p> + <p> + This is a fitting monument to the man whose memory we honor—to one, + who broadening with the years, outgrew the cruel creeds, the heartless + dogmas of his time—to one who passed from superstition to science—from + religion to reason—from theology to humanity—from slavery to + freedom—from the shadow of fear to the blessed light of love and + courage. To one who believed in intellectual hospitality—in the + perfect freedom of the soul, and hated tyranny, in every form, with all + his heart. + </p> + <p> + To one whose head and hands were in partnership constituting the firm of + Intelligence and Industry, and whose heart divided the profits with his + fellow-men. To one who fought the battle of life alone, without the aid of + place or wealth, and yet grew nobler and gentler with success. + </p> + <p> + To one who tried to make a heaven here and who believed in the blessed + gospel of cheerfulness and love—of happiness and hope. + </p> + <p> + And it is fitting, too, that this monument should be adorned with the + sublime faces, wrought in stone, of the immortal dead—of those who + battled for the rights of man—who broke the fetters of the slave—of + those who filled the minds of men with poetry, art, and light—of + Voltaire, who abolished torture in France and who did more for liberty + than any other of the sons of men—of Thomas Paine, whose pen did as + much as any sword to make the New World free—of Victor Hugo, who + wept for those who weep—of Emerson, a worshiper of the Ideal, who + filled the mind with suggestions of the perfect—of Goethe, the + poet-philosopher—of Whitman, the ample, wide as the sky—author + of the tenderest, the most pathetic, the sublimest poem that this + continent has produced—of Shakespeare, the King of all—of + Beethoven, the divine,—of Chopin and Verdi and of Wagner, grandest + of them all, whose music satisfies the heart and brain and fills + imagination's sky—of George Eliot, who wove within her brain the + purple robe her genius wears—of George Sand, subtle and sincere, + passionate and free—and with these—faces of those who, on the + stage, have made the mimic world as real as life and death. + </p> + <p> + Beneath the loftiest monuments may be found ambition's worthless dust, + while those who lived the loftiest lives are sleeping now in unknown + graves. + </p> + <p> + It may be that the bravest of the brave who ever fell upon the field of + ruthless war, was left without a grave to mingle slowly with the land he + saved. + </p> + <p> + But here and now the Man and Monument agree, and blend like sounds that + meet and melt in melody—a monument for the dead—a blessing for + the living—a memory of tears—a prophecy of joy. + </p> + <p> + Fortunate the people where this good man lived, for they are all his heirs—and + fortunate for me that I have had the privilege of laying this little + laurel leaf upon his unstained brow. + </p> + <p> + And now, speaking for those he loved—for those who represent the + honored dead—I dedicate this home of mirth and song—of poetry + and art—to the memory of Philo D. Beckwith—a true philosopher—a + real philanthropist. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0053" id="link0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO ANTON SEIDL. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A telegram read at the funeral services in the Metropolitan + Opera House, New York City, March 31, 1898. +</pre> + <p> + IN the noon and zenith of his career, in the flush and glory of success, + Anton Seidl, the greatest orchestral leader of all time, the perfect + interpreter of Wagner, of all his subtlety and sympathy, his heroism and + grandeur, his intensity and limitless passion, his wondrous harmonies that + tell of all there is in life, and touch the longings and the hopes of + every heart, has passed from the shores of sound to the realm of silence, + borne by the mysterious and resistless tide that ever ebbs but never + flows. + </p> + <p> + All moods were his. Delicate as the perfume of the first violet, wild as + the storm, he knew the music of all sounds, from the rustle of leaves, the + whisper of hidden springs, to the voices of the sea. + </p> + <p> + He was the master of music, from the rhythmical strains of irresponsible + joy to the sob of the funeral march. + </p> + <p> + He stood like a king with his sceptre in his hand, and we knew that every + tone and harmony were in his brain, every passion in his breast, and yet + his sculptured face was as calm, as serene as perfect art. He mingled his + soul with the music and gave his heart to the enchanted air. + </p> + <p> + He appeared to have no limitations, no walls, no chains. He seemed to + follow the pathway of desire, and the marvelous melodies, the sublime + harmonies, were as free as eagles above the clouds with outstretched + wings. + </p> + <p> + He educated, refined, and gave unspeakable joy to many thousands of his + fellow-men. He added to the grace and glory of life. He spoke a language + deeper, more poetic than words—the language of the perfect, the + language of love and death. + </p> + <p> + But he is voiceless now; a fountain of harmony has ceased. Its inspired + strains have died away in night, and all its murmuring melodies are + strangely still. + </p> + <p> + We will mourn for him, we will honor him, not in words, but in the + language that he used. + </p> + <p> + Anton Seidl is dead. Play the great funeral march. Envelop him in music. + Let its wailing waves cover him. Let its wild and mournful winds sigh and + moan above him. Give his face to its kisses and its tears. + </p> + <p> + Play the great funeral march, music as profound as death. That will + express our sorrow—that will voice our love, our hope, and that will + tell of the life, the triumph, the genius, the death of Anton Seidl. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0054" id="link0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO DR. THOMAS SETON ROBERTSON. + </h2> + <h3> + New York September 8, 1898. + </h3> + <p> + IN the pulseless hush of death, silence seems more expressive, more + appropriate—than speech. In the presence of the Great Mystery, the + great mystery that waits to enshroud us all, we feel the uselessness of + words. But where a fellow-mortal has reached his journey's end—where + the darkness from which he emerged has received him again, it is but + natural for his friends to mingle with their grief, expressions of their + love and loss. + </p> + <p> + He who lies before us in the sleep of death was generous to his + fellow-men. His hands were always stretched to help, to save. He pitied + the friendless, the unfortunate, the hopeless—proud of his skill—of + his success. He was quick to decide—to act—prompt, tireless, + forgetful of self. He lengthened life and conquered pain—hundreds + are well and happy now because he lived. This is enough. This puts a star + above the gloom of death. + </p> + <p> + He was sensitive to the last degree—quick to feel a slight—to + resent a wrong—but in the warmth of kindness the thorn of hatred + blossomed. He was not quite fashioned for this world. The flints and + thorns on life's highway bruised and pierced his flesh, and for his wounds + he did not have the blessed balm of patience. He felt the manacles, the + limitations—the imprisonments of life and so within the walls and + bars he wore his very soul away. He could not bear the storms. The tides, + the winds, the waves, in the morning of his life, dashed his frail bark + against the rocks. + </p> + <p> + He fought as best he could, and that he failed was not his fault. + </p> + <p> + He was honest, generous and courageous. These three great virtues were + his. He was a true and steadfast friend, seeing only the goodness of the + ones he loved. Only a great and noble heart is capable of this. + </p> + <p> + But he has passed beyond the reach of praise or blame—passed to the + realm of rest—to the waveless calm of perfect peace. + </p> + <p> + The storm is spent—the winds are hushed—the waves have died + along the shore—the tides are still—the aching heart has + ceased to beat, and within the brain all thoughts, all hopes and fears—ambitions, + memories, rejoicings and regrets—all images and pictures of the + world, of life, are now as though they had not been. And yet Hope, the + child of Love—the deathless, beyond the darkness sees the dawn. And + we who knew and loved him, we, who now perform the last sad rites—the + last that friendship can suggest—"will keep his memory green." + </p> + <p> + Dear Friend, farewell! "If we do meet again we shall smile indeed—if + not, this parting is well made." Farewell! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0055" id="link0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO THOMAS CORWIN. + </h2> + <h3> + Lebanon, Ohio, March 5, 1899. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * An Impromptu preface to Colonel Ingersoll's lecture at + Lebanon, Ohio. +</pre> + <p> + LADIES and Gentlemen: Being for the first time where Thomas Corwin lived + and where his ashes rest, I cannot refrain from saying something of what I + feel. Thomas Corwin was a natural orator—armed with the sword of + attack and the shield of defence. + </p> + <p> + Nature filled his quiver with perfect arrows. He was the lord of logic and + laughter. He had the presence, the pose, the voice, the face that mirrored + thoughts, the unconscious gesture of the orator. He had intelligence—a + wide horizon—logic as unerring as mathematics—humor as rich as + autumn when the boughs and vines bend with the weight of ripened fruit, + while the forests flame with scarlet, brown and gold. He had wit as quick + and sharp as lightning, and like the lightning it filled the heavens with + sudden light. + </p> + <p> + In his laughter there was logic, in his wit wisdom, and in his humor + philosophy and philanthropy. He was a supreme artist. He painted pictures + with words. He knew the strength, the velocity of verbs, the color, the + light and shade of adjectives. + </p> + <p> + He was a sculptor in speech—changing stones to statues. He had in + his heart the sacred something that we call sympathy. He pitied the + unfortunate, the oppressed and the outcast His words were often wet with + tears—tears that in a moment after were glorified by the light of + smiles. All moods were his. He knew the heart, its tides and currents, its + calms and storms, and like a skillful pilot he sailed emotion's troubled + sea. He was neither solemn nor dignified, because he was neither stupid + nor egotistic. He was natural, and had the spontaneity of winds and waves. + He was the greatest orator of his time, the grandest that ever stood + beneath our flag. Reverently I lay this leaf upon his grave. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0056" id="link0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TRIBUTE TO ISAAC H. BAILEY. + </h2> + <h3> + New York, March 27, 1899. + </h3> + <p> + MY FRIENDS: When one whom we hold dear has reached the end of life and + laid his burden down, it is but natural for us, his friends, to pay the + tribute of respect and love; to tell his virtues, to express our sense of + loss and speak above the sculptured clay some word of hope. + </p> + <p> + Our friend, about whose bier we stand, was in the highest, noblest sense a + man. He was not born to wealth—he was his own providence, his own + teacher. With him work was worship and labor was his only prayer. He + depended on himself, and was as independent as it is possible for man to + be. He hated debt, and obligation was a chain that scarred his flesh. He + lived a long and useful life. In age he reaped with joy what he had cown + in youth. He did not linger "until his flame lacked oil," but with his + senses keen, his mind undimmed, and with his arms filled with gathered + sheaves, in an instant, painlessly, unconsciously, he passed from + happiness and health to the realm of perfect peace. We need not mourn for + him, but for ourselves, for those he loved. + </p> + <p> + He was an absolutely honest man—a man who kept his word, who + fulfilled his contracts, gave heaped and rounded measure and discharged + all obligations with the fabled chivalry of ancient knights. He was + absolutely honest, not only with others but with himself. To his last + moment his soul was stainless. He was true to his ideal—true to his + thought, and what his brain conceived his lips expressed. He refused to + pretend. He knew that to believe without evidence was impossible to the + sound and sane, and that to say you believed when you did not, was + possible only to the hypocrite or coward. He did not believe in the + supernatural. He was a natural man and lived a natural life. He had no + fear of fiends. He cared nothing for the guesses of inspired savages; + nothing for the threats or promises of the sainted and insane. + </p> + <p> + He enjoyed this life—the good things of this world—the clasp + and smile of friendship, the exchange of generous deeds, the reasonable + gratification of the senses—of the wants of the body and mind. He + was neither an insane ascetic nor a fool of pleasure, but walked the + golden path along the strip of verdure that lies between the deserts of + extremes. + </p> + <p> + With him to do right was not simply a duty, it was a pleasure. He had + philosophy enough to know that the quality of actions depends upon their + consequences, and that these consequences are the rewards and punishments + that no God can give, inflict, withhold or pardon. + </p> + <p> + He loved his country, he was proud of the heroic past, dissatisfied with + the present, and confident of the future. He stood on the rock of + principle. With him the wisest policy was to do right. He would not + compromise with wrong. He had no respect for political failures who became + reformers and decorated fraud with the pretence of philanthropy, or sought + to gain some private end in the name of public good. He despised + time-servers, trimmers, fawners and all sorts and kinds of pretenders. + </p> + <p> + He believed in national honesty; in the preservation of public faith. He + believed that the Government should discharge every obligation—the + implied as faithfully as the expressed. And I would be unjust to his + memory if I did not say that he believed in honest money, in the best + money in the world, in pure gold, and that he despised with all his heart + financial frauds, and regarded fifty cents that pretended to be a dollar, + as he would a thief in the uniform of a policeman, or a criminal in the + robe of a judge. + </p> + <p> + He believed in liberty, and liberty for all. He pitied the slave and hated + the master; that is to say, he was an honest man. In the dark days of the + Rebellion he stood for the right. He loved Lincoln with all his heart—loved + him for his genius, his courage and his goodness. He loved Conkling—loved + him for his independence, his manhood, for his unwavering courage, and + because he would not bow or bend—loved him because he accepted + defeat with the pride of a victor. He loved Grant, and in the temple of + his heart, over the altar, in the highest niche, stood the great soldier. + </p> + <p> + Nature was kind to our friend. She gave him the blessed gift of humor. + This filled his days with the climate of Autumn, so that to him even + disaster had its sunny side. On account of his humor he appreciated and + enjoyed the great literature of the world. He loved Shakespeare, his + clowns and heroes. He appreciated and enjoyed Dickens. The characters of + this great novelist were his acquaintances. He knew them all; some were + his friends and some he dearly loved. He had wit of the keenest and + quickest. The instant the steel of his logic smote the flint of absurdity + the spark glittered. And yet, his wit was always kind. The flower went + with the thorn. The targets of his wit were not made enemies, but + admirers. + </p> + <p> + He was social, and after the feast of serious conversation he loved the + wine of wit—the dessert of a good story that blossomed into mirth. + He enjoyed games—was delighted by the relations of chance—the + curious combinations of accident. He had the genius of friendship. In his + nature there was no suspicion. He could not be poisoned against a friend. + The arrows of slander never pierced the shield of his confidence. He + demanded demonstration. He defended a friend as he defended himself. + Against all comers he stood firm, and he never deserted the field until + the friend had fled. I have known many, many friends—have clasped + the hands of many that I loved, but in the journey of my life I have never + grasped the hand of a better, truer, more unselfish friend than he who + lies before us clothed in the perfect peace of death. He loved me living + and I love him now. + </p> + <p> + In youth we front the sun; we live in light without a fear, without a + thought of dusk or night. We glory in excess. There is no dread of loss + when all is growth and gain. With reckless hands we spend and waste and + chide the flying hours for loitering by the way. + </p> + <p> + The future holds the fruit of joy; the present keeps us from the feast, + and so, with hurrying feet we climb the heights and upward look with eager + eyes. But when the sun begins to sink and shadows fall in front, and + lengthen on the path, then falls upon the heart a sense of loss, and then + we hoard the shreds and crumbs and vainly long for what was cast away. And + then with miser care we save and spread thin hands before December's + half-fed flickering flames, while through the glass of time we moaning + watch the few remaining grains of sand that hasten to their end. In the + gathering gloom the fires slowly die, while memory dreams of youth, and + hope sometimes mistakes the glow of ashes for the coming of another morn. + </p> + <p> + But our friend was an exception. He lived in the present; he enjoyed the + sunshine of to-day. Although his feet had touched the limit of four-score, + he had not reached the time to stop, to turn and think: about the traveled + road. He was still full of life and hope, and had the interest of youth in + all the affairs of men. + </p> + <p> + He had no fear of the future—no dread. He was ready for the end. I + have often heard him repeat the words of Epicurus: "Why should I fear + death? If I am, death is not. If death is, I am not. Why should I fear + that which cannot exist when I do?" + </p> + <p> + If there is, beyond the veil, beyond the night called death, another world + to which men carry all the failures and the triumphs of this life; if + above and over all there be a God who loves the right, an honest man has + naught to fear. If there be another world in which sincerity is a virtue, + in which fidelity is loved and courage honored, then all is well with the + dear friend whom we have lost. + </p> + <p> + But if the grave ends all; if all that was our friend is dead, the world + is better for the life he lived. Beyond the tomb we cannot see. We listen, + but from the lips of mystery there comes no word. Darkness and silence + brooding over all. And yet, because we love we hope. Farewell! And yet + again, Farewell! + </p> + <p> + And will there, sometime, be another world? We have our dream. The idea of + immortality, that like a sea has ebbed and flowed in the human heart, + beating with its countless waves against the sands and rocks of time and + fate, was not born of any book or of any creed. It was born of affection. + And it will continue to ebb and flow beneath the mists and clouds of doubt + and darkness, as long as love kisses the lips of death. We have our dream! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0057" id="link0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + JESUS CHRIST. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * An unfinished lecture which Colonel Ingersoll commenced a + few days before his death. +</pre> + <p> + FOR many centuries and by many millions of people, Christ has been + worshiped as God. Millions and millions of eulogies on his character have + been pronounced by priest and layman, in all of which his praises were + measured only by the limitations of language—words were regarded as + insufficient to paint his perfections. + </p> + <p> + In his praise it was impossible to be extravagant. Sculptor, poet and + painter exhausted their genius in the portrayal of the peasant, who was in + fact the creator of all worlds. + </p> + <p> + His wisdom excited the wonder, his sufferings the pity and his + resurrection and ascension the astonishment of the world. + </p> + <p> + He was regarded as perfect man and infinite God. It was believed that in + the gospels was found the perfect history of his life, his words and + works, his death, his triumph over the grave and his return to heaven. For + many centuries his perfection, his divinity—have been defended by + sword and fire. + </p> + <p> + By the altar was the scaffold—in the cathedral, the dungeon—the + chamber of torture. + </p> + <p> + The story of Christ was told by mothers to their babes. For the most part + his story was the beginning and end of education. It was wicked to doubt—infamous + to deny. + </p> + <p> + Heaven was the reward for belief and hell the destination of the denier. + </p> + <p> + All the forces of what we call society, were directed against + investigation. Every avenue to the mind was closed. On all the highways of + thought, Christians placed posts and boards, and on the boards were the + words "No Thoroughfare," "No Crossing." The windows of the soul were + darkened—the doors were barred. Light was regarded as the enemy of + mankind. + </p> + <p> + During these Christian years faith was rewarded with position, wealth and + power. Faith was the path to fame and honor. The man who investigated was + the enemy, the assassin of souls. The creed was barricaded on every side, + above it were the glories of heaven—below were the agonies of hell. + The soldiers of the cross were strangers to pity. Only traitors to God + were shocked by the murder of an unbeliever. The true Christian was a + savage. His virtues were ferocious, and compared with his vices were + beneficent. The drunkard was a better citizen than the saint. The + libertine and prostitute were far nearer human, nearer moral, than those + who pleased God by persecuting their fellows. + </p> + <p> + The man who thought, and expressed his thoughts, died in a dungeon—on + the scaffold or in flames. + </p> + <p> + The sincere Christian was insane. His one object was to save his soul. He + despised all the pleasures of sense. He believed that his nature was + depraved and that his desires were wicked. + </p> + <p> + He fasted and prayed—deserted his wife and children—inflicted + tortures on himself and sought by pain endured to gain the crown. * * * + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0058" id="link0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + LIFE. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Written for Mr. Harrison Grey Fiske, editor of The New + York Dramatic Mirror, December 18,1886. +</pre> + <p> + BORN of love and hope, of ecstasy and pain, of agony and fear, of tears + and joy—dowered with the wealth of two united hearts—held in + happy arms, with lips upon life's drifted font, blue-veined and fair, + where perfect peace finds perfect form—rocked by willing feet and + wooed to shadowy shores of sleep by siren mother singing soft and low—looking + with wonder's wide and startled eyes at common things of life and day—taught + by want and wish and contact with the things that touch the dimpled flesh + of babes—lured by light and flame, and charmed by color's wondrous + robes—learning the use of hands and feet, and by the love of mimicry + beguiled to utter speech—releasing prisoned thoughts from crabbed + and curious marks on soiled and tattered leaves—puzzling the brain + with crooked numbers and their changing, tangled worth—and so + through years of alternating day and night, until the captive grows + familiar with the chains and walls and limitations of a life. + </p> + <p> + And time runs on in sun and shade, until the one of all the world is wooed + and won, and all the lore of love is taught and learned again. Again a + home is built with the fair chamber wherein faint dreams, like cool and + shadowy vales, divide the billowed hours of love. Again the miracle of a + birth—the pain and joy, the kiss of welcome and the cradle-song + drowning the drowsy prattle of a babe. + </p> + <p> + And then the sense of obligation and of wrong—pity for those who + toil and weep—tears for the imprisoned and despised—love for + the generous dead, and in the heart the rapture of a high resolve. + </p> + <p> + And then ambition, with its lust of pelf and place and power, longing to + put upon its breast distinction's worthless badge. Then keener thoughts of + men, and eyes that see behind the smiling mask of craft—flattered no + more by the obsequious cringe of gain and greed—knowing the + uselessness of hoarded gold—of honor bought from those who charge + the usury of self-respect—of power that only bends a coward's knees + and forces from the lips of fear the lies of praise. Knowing at last the + unstudied gesture of esteem, the reverent eyes made rich with honest + thought, and holding high above all other things—high as hope's + great throbbing star above the darkness of the dead—the love of wife + and child and friend. + </p> + <p> + Then locks of gray, and growing love of other days and half-remembered + things—then holding withered hands of those who first held his, + while over dim and loving eyes death softly presses down the lids of rest. + </p> + <p> + And so, locking in marriage vows his children's hands and crossing others + on the breasts of peace, with daughters' babes upon his knees, the white + hair mingling with the gold, he journeys on from day to day to that + horizon where the dusk is waiting for the night.—At last, sitting by + the holy hearth of home as evening's embers change from red to gray, he + falls asleep within the arms of her he worshiped and adored, feeling upon + his pallid lips love's last and holiest kiss. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <img alt="letter1 (418K)" src="images/letter1.png" + height="714" width="952" /><br /> <img alt="lertter2 (445K)" + src="images/lertter2.png" height="695" width="920" /> <br /> Fac-simile of + the Last Letter written by Ingersoll <br /> <img alt="urn (281K)" + src="images/urn.png" height="829" width="506" /> <br /> Urn Containing the + Ashes of Ingersoll + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <big><big><a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38813/38813-h/38813-h.htm"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ALL 12 EBOOKS IN THIS SET</a></big></big> + </td> + <td></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. +12 (of 12), by Robert G. Ingersoll + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF INGERSOLL *** + +***** This file should be named 38812-h.htm or 38812-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/8/1/38812/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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content="HTML-Kit Tools HTML Tidy plugin" /> + <title> + The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Contents of the 12 Volumes by Robert G. + Ingersoll + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Complete +Contents, by Robert G. Ingersoll + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Complete Contents + Dresden Edition--Twelve Volumes + +Author: Robert G. Ingersoll + +Editor: David Widger + +Release Date: February 9, 2012 [EBook #38813] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONTENTS OF INGERSOLL'S WORKS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <h1> + THE WORKS OF ROBERT G. INGERSOLL, + </h1> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF THE 12 VOLUMES + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert G. Ingersoll + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Edited and Compiled by David Widger + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + "The Destroyer Of Weeds, Thistles And Thorns Is A Benefactor,<br /> Whether + He Soweth Grain Or Not." + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1900 + </h3> + <h4> + THE DRESDEN EDITION + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Titlepage (64K)" src="images/Titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Birthplace (64K)" src="images/Birthplace.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Portrait (62K)" src="images/Portrait.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="Frontispiece (64K)" src="images/Frontispiece.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#vol_1">VOLUME I.</a> + </td> + <td> + <a href="#vol_2">VOLUME II.</a> + </td> + <td> + <a href="#vol_3">VOLUME III.</a> + </td> + <td> + <a href="#vol_4">VOLUME IV.</a> + </td> + <td> + <a href="#vol_5">VOLUME V.</a> + </td> + <td> + <a href="#vol_6">VOLUME VI.</a><br /> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#vol_7">VOLUME VII.</a> + </td> + <td> + <a href="#vol_8">VOLUME VIII.</a> + </td> + <td> + <a href="#vol_9">VOLUME IX.</a> + </td> + <td> + <a href="#vol_10">VOLUME X.</a> + </td> + <td> + <a href="#vol_11">VOLUME XI.</a> + </td> + <td> + <a href="#vol_12">VOLUME XII.</a><br /> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_1" id="vol_1"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#title">VOLUME + I.--LECTURES</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#linkTOC"><big> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0001"> + PUBLISHER'S PREFACE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0002"> + THE GODS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0003"> + HUMBOLDT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0004"> + THOMAS PAINE</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0005"> + INDIVIDUALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0006"> + HERETICS AND HERESIES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0007"> + THE GHOSTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0009"> + THE LIBERTY OF MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0010"> + LIBERTY OF WOMAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0011"> + THE LIBERTY OF CHILDREN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#linkCONC">CONCLUSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0013"> + ABOUT FARMING IN ILLINOIS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0014"> + WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0016"> + I. WHAT WE MUST DO TO BE SAVED</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0017"> + II. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0018"> + III. THE GOSPEL OF MARK</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0019"> + IV. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0020"> + V. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0021"> + VI. THE CATHOLICS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0022"> + VII. THE EPISCOPALIANS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0023"> + VIII. THE METHODISTS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0024"> + IX. THE PRESBYTERIANS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0025"> + X. THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc2"> + <a href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0026"> + XI. WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0002"> + THE GODS.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1872.)<br /> An Honest God is the Noblest Work of Man—Resemblance + of Gods to<br /> their Creators—Manufacture and Characteristics of + Deities—Their<br /> Amours—Deficient in many Departments of + Knowledge—Pleased with the<br /> Butchery of Unbelievers—A + Plentiful Supply—Visitations—One God's<br /> Laws of War—The + Book called the Bible—Heresy of Universalism—Faith<br /> an + unhappy mixture of Insanity and Ignorance—Fallen Gods, or<br /> + Devils—Directions concerning Human Slavery—The first + Appearance of<br /> the Devil—The Tree of Knowledge—Give me + the Storm and Tempest of<br /> Thought—Gods and Devils Natural + Productions—Personal Appearance<br /> of Deities—All Man's + Ideas suggested by his Surroundings—Phenomena<br /> Supposed to be + Produced by Intelligent Powers—Insanity and Disease<br /> + attributed to Evil Spirits—Origin of the Priesthood—Temptation + of<br /> Christ—Innate Ideas—Divine Interference—Special + Providence—The<br /> Crane and the Fish—Cancer as a proof of + Design—Matter and<br /> Force—Miracle—Passing the Hat + for just one Fact—Sir William Hamilton<br /> on Cause and Effect—The + Phenomena of Mind—Necessity and Free Will—The<br /> Dark Ages—The + Originality of Repetition—Of what Use have the Gods been<br /> to + Man?—Paley and Design—Make Good Health Contagious—Periodicity + of<br /> the Universe and the Commencement of Intellectual Freedom—Lesson + of<br /> the ineffectual attempt to rescue the Tomb of Christ from the<br /> + Mohammedans—The Cemetery of the Gods—Taking away Crutches—Imperial<br /> + Reason<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0003"> + HUMBOLDT.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1869.)<br /> The Universe is Governed by Law—The Self-made Man—Poverty + generally<br /> an Advantage—Humboldt's Birth-place—His + desire for Travel—On what<br /> Humboldt's Fame depends—His + Companions and Friends—Investigations<br /> in the New World—A + Picture—Subjects of his Addresses—Victory of the<br /> Church + over Philosophy—Influence of the discovery that the World is<br /> + governed by Law—On the term Law—Copernicus—Astronomy—Aryabhatta—<br /> + Descartes—Condition of the World and Man when the morning of + Science<br /> Dawned—Reasons for Honoring Humboldt—The World + his Monument<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0004"> + THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1870.)<br /> With his Name left out the History of Liberty cannot be + Written—Paine's<br /> Origin and Condition—His arrival in + America with a Letter of<br /> Introduction by Franklin—Condition + of the Colonies—"Common Sense"—A<br /> new Nation Born—Paine + the Best of Political Writers—The "Crisis"—War<br /> not to + the Interest of a trading Nation—Paine's Standing at the Close<br /> + of the Revolution—Close of the Eighteenth Century in France-The<br /> + "Rights of Man"—Paine Prosecuted in England—"The World is my<br /> + Country"—Elected to the French Assembly—Votes against the + Death of<br /> the King—Imprisoned—A look behind the Altar—The + "Age of Reason"—His<br /> Argument against the Bible as a + Revelation—Christianity of Paine's<br /> Day—A Blasphemy Law + in Force in Maryland—The Scotch "Kirk"—Hanging<br /> of + Thomas Aikenhead for Denying the Inspiration of the<br /> Scriptures—"Cathedrals + and Domes, and Chimes and Chants"—Science—"He<br /> Died in + the Land his Genius Defended,"<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0005"> + INDIVIDUALITY.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1873.)<br /> "His Soul was like a Star and Dwelt Apart"—Disobedience + one of the<br /> Conditions of Progress.—Magellan—The Monarch + and the Hermit-Why<br /> the Church hates a Thinker—The Argument + from Grandeur and<br /> Prosperity-Travelers and Guide-boards—A + Degrading Saying—Theological<br /> Education—Scotts, Henrys + and McKnights—The Church the Great<br /> Robber—Corrupting + the Reason of Children—Monotony of Acquiescence: For<br /> God's + sake, say No—Protestant Intolerance: Luther and Calvin—Assertion<br /> + of Individual Independence a Step toward Infidelity—Salute to<br /> + Jupiter—The Atheistic Bug-Little Religious Liberty in America—God + in<br /> the Constitution, Man Out—Decision of the Supreme Court of + Illinois<br /> that an Unbeliever could not testify in any Court—Dissimulation—Nobody<br /> + in this Bed—The Dignity of a Unit<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0006"> + HERETICS AND HERESIES.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1874.)<br /> Liberty, a Word without which all other Words are Vain—The + Church, the<br /> Bible, and Persecution—Over the wild Waves of War + rose and fell<br /> the Banner of Jesus Christ—Highest Type of the + Orthodox<br /> Christian—Heretics' Tongues and why they should be + Removed before<br /> Burning—The Inquisition Established—Forms + of Torture—Act of Henry<br /> VIII for abolishing Diversity of + Opinion—What a Good Christian was<br /> Obliged to Believe—The + Church has Carried the Black Flag—For what Men<br /> and Women have + been Burned—John Calvin's Advent into the<br /> World—His + Infamous Acts—Michael Servetus—Castalio—Spread of<br /> + Presbyterianism—Indictment of a Presbyterian Minister in Illinois + for<br /> Heresy—Specifications—The Real Bible<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0007"> + THE GHOSTS.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1877.)<br /> Dedication to Ebon C. Ingersoll—Preface—Mendacity + of the Religious<br /> Press—"Materialism"—Ways of Pleasing + the Ghosts—The Idea of<br /> Immortality not Born of any Book—Witchcraft + and Demon-ology—Witch<br /> Trial before Sir Matthew Hale—John + Wesley a Firm Believer in<br /> Ghosts—"Witch-spots"—Lycanthropy—Animals + Tried and Convicted—The<br /> Governor of Minnesota and the + Grasshoppers—A Papal Bull against<br /> Witchcraft—Victims of + the Delusion—Sir William Blackstone's<br /> Affirmation—Trials + in Belgium—Incubi and Succubi—A Bishop<br /> Personated by + the Devil—The Doctrine that Diseases are caused by<br /> Ghosts—Treatment—Timothy + Dwight against Vaccination—Ghosts as<br /> Historians—The + Language of Eden—Leibnitz, Founder of the Science<br /> of Language—Cosmas + on Astronomy—Vagaries of Kepler and Tycho<br /> Brahe—Discovery + of Printing, Powder, and America—Thanks to the<br /> Inventors—The + Catholic Murderer and the Meat—Let the Ghosts Go<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0009"> + THE LIBERTY OF MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1877.)<br /> Liberty sustains the same Relation to Mind that Space does + to<br /> Matter—The History of Man a History of Slavery—The + Infidel Our<br /> Fathers in the good old Time—The iron Arguments + that Christians<br /> Used—Instruments of Torture—A Vision of + the Inquisition—Models of<br /> Man's Inventions—Weapons, + Armor, Musical Instruments, Paintings,<br /> Books, Skulls—The + Gentleman in the Dug-out—Homage to Genius and<br /> Intellect—Abraham + Lincoln—What I mean by Liberty—The Man who cannot<br /> + afford to Speak his Thought is a Certificate of the Meanness of the<br /> + Community in which he Resides—Liberty of Woman—Marriage and + the<br /> Family—Ornaments the Souvenirs of Bondage-The Story of + the Garden of<br /> Eden—Adami and Heva—Equality of the + Sexes-The word "Boss"—The Cross<br /> Man-The Stingy Man—Wives + who are Beggars—How to Spend Money—By<br /> the Tomb of the + Old Napoleon—The Woman you Love will never Grow<br /> Old—Liberty + of Children—When your Child tells a Lie—Disowning<br /> + Children—Beating your own Flesh and Blood—Make Home Pleasant—Sunday<br /> + when I was a Boy—The Laugh of a Child—The doctrine of + Eternal<br /> Punishment—Jonathan Edwards on the Happiness of + Believing Husbands<br /> whose Wives are in Hell—The Liberty of + Eating and Sleeping—Water in<br /> Fever—Soil and Climate + necessary to the production of Genius—Against<br /> Annexing Santo + Domingo—Descent of Man—Conclusion<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0013"> + ABOUT FARMING IN ILLINOIS.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1877.)<br /> To Plow is to Pray; to Plant is to Prophesy, and the + Harvest Answers and<br /> Fulfills—The Old Way of Farming—Cooking + an Unknown Art-Houses, Fuel,<br /> and Crops—The Farmer's Boy—What + a Farmer should Sell—Beautifying<br /> the Home—Advantages of + Illinois as a Farming State—Advantages of the<br /> Farmer over the + Mechanic—Farm Life too Lonely-On Early Rising—Sleep<br /> the + Best Doctor—Fashion—Patriotism and Boarding Houses—The + Farmer and<br /> the Railroads—Money and Confidence—Demonetization + of Silver-Area of<br /> Illinois—Mortgages and Interest—Kindness + to Wives and Children—How<br /> a Beefsteak should be Cooked—Decorations + and Comfort—Let the Children<br /> Sleep—Old Age<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38801-h/38801-h.htm#link0014"> + WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED?</a> + </p> + <p> + (1880.)<br /> Preface—The Synoptic Gospels—Only Mark Knew of + the Necessity of<br /> Belief—Three Christs Described—The + Jewish Gentleman and the Piece of<br /> Bacon—Who Wrote the New + Testament?—Why Christ and the Apostles wrote<br /> Nothing—Infinite + Respect for the Man Christ—Different Feeling for<br /> the + Theological Christ—Saved from What?—Chapter on the Gospel of<br /> + Matthew—What this Gospel says we must do to be Saved—Jesus + and the<br /> Children—John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards conceived + of as Dimpled<br /> Darlings—Christ and the Man who inquired what + Good Thing he should<br /> do that he might have Eternal Life—Nothing + said about Belief—An<br /> Interpolation—Chapter on the + Gospel of Mark—The Believe or be Damned<br /> Passage, and why it + was written—The last Conversation of Christ with<br /> his + Disciples—The Signs that Follow them that Believe—Chapter on<br /> + the Gospel of Luke—Substantial Agreement with Matthew and Mark—How<br /> + Zaccheus achieved Salvation—The two Thieves on the Cross—Chapter<br /> + on the Gospel of John—The Doctrine of Regeneration, or the New<br /> + Birth—Shall we Love our Enemies while God Damns His?—Chapter + on the<br /> Catholics—Communication with Heaven through Decayed + Saints—Nuns and<br /> Nunneries—Penitentiaries of God should + be Investigated—The<br /> Athanasian Creed expounded—The + Trinity and its Members—Chapter on the<br /> Episcopalians—Origin + of the Episcopal Church—Apostolic Succession<br /> an Imported + Article—Episcopal Creed like the Catholic, with a<br /> few + Additional Absurdities—Chapter on the Methodists—Wesley and<br /> + Whitfield—Their Quarrel about Predestination—Much Preaching + for Little<br /> Money—Adapted to New Countries—Chapter on + the Presbyterians—John<br /> Calvin, Murderer—Meeting between + Calvin and Knox—The Infamy of<br /> Calvinism—Division in the + Church—The Young Presbyterian's Resignation<br /> to the Fate of + his Mother—A Frightful, Hideous, and Hellish<br /> Creed—Chapter + on the Evangelical Alliance—Jeremy Taylor's Opinion of<br /> + Baptists—Orthodoxy not Dead—Creed of the Alliance—Total + Depravity,<br /> Eternal Damnation—What do You Propose?—The + Gospel of Good-fellowship,<br /> Cheerfulness, Health, Good Living, + Justice—No Forgiveness—God's<br /> Forgiveness Does not Pay + my Debt to Smith—Gospel of Liberty, of<br /> Intelligence, of + Humanity—One World at a Time—"Upon that Rock I<br /> Stand"<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_2" id="vol_2"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#title">VOLUME + II.--LECTURES</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#linkTOC"><big> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#linkPREF">PREFACE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#link0002"> + SOME MISTAKES OF MOSES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#link0003"> + SOME REASONS WHY</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#link0004"> + ORTHODOXY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#link0005"> + MYTH AND MIRACLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC_"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#link0002"> + SOME MISTAKES OF MOSES.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1879.)<br /> Preface—I. He who endeavors to control the Mind + by Force is a<br /> Tyrant, and he who submits is a Slave—All I Ask—When + a Religion<br /> is Founded—Freedom for the Orthodox Clergy—Every + Minister an<br /> Attorney—Submission to the Orthodox and the Dead—Bounden + Duty of<br /> the Ministry—The Minister Factory at Andover—II. + Free Schools—No<br /> Sectarian Sciences—Religion and the + Schools—Scientific<br /> Hypocrites—III. The Politicians and + the Churches—IV. Man and Woman the<br /> Highest Possible Titles—Belief + Dependent on Surroundings—Worship of<br /> Ancestors—Blindness + Necessary to Keeping the Narrow Path—The Bible the<br /> Chain that + Binds—A Bible of the Middle Ages and the Awe it Inspired—V.<br /> + The Pentateuch—Moses Not the Author—Belief out of which Grew<br /> + Religious Ceremonies—Egypt the Source of the Information of Moses—VI.<br /> + Monday—Nothing, in the Light of Raw Material—The Story of + Creation<br /> Begun—The Same Story, substantially, Found in the + Records of Babylon,<br /> Egypt, and India—Inspiration Unnecessary + to the Truth—Usefulness of<br /> Miracles to Fit Lies to Facts—Division + of Darkness and Light—VII.<br /> Tuesday—The Firmament and + Some Biblical Notions about it—Laws of<br /> Evaporation Unknown to + the Inspired Writer—VIII. Wednesday—The Waters<br /> Gathered + into Seas—Fruit and Nothing to Eat it—Five Epochs in the<br /> + Organic History of the Earth—Balance between the Total Amounts of<br /> + Animal and Vegetable Life—Vegetation Prior to the Appearance of + the<br /> Sun—IX. Thursday—Sun and Moon Manufactured—Magnitude + of the Solar<br /> Orb—Dimensions of Some of the Planets—Moses' + Guess at the Size of Sun<br /> and Moon—Joshua's Control of the + Heavenly Bodies—A Hypothesis Urged<br /> by Ministers—The + Theory of "Refraction"—Rev. Henry Morey—Astronomical<br /> + Knowledge of Chinese Savants—The Motion of the Earth Reversed by<br /> + Jehovah for the Reassurance of Ahaz—"Errors" Renounced by Button—X.<br /> + "He made the Stars Also"—Distance of the Nearest Star—XI.<br /> + Friday—Whales and Other Living Creatures Produced—XII.<br /> + Saturday—Reproduction Inaugurated—XIII. "Let Us Make Man"—Human<br /> + Beings Created in the Physical Image and Likeness of God—Inquiry + as<br /> to the Process Adopted—Development of Living Forms + According to<br /> Evolution—How Were Adam and Eve Created?—The + Rib Story—Age of<br /> Man Upon the Earth—A Statue Apparently + Made before the World—XIV.<br /> Sunday—Sacredness of the + Sabbath Destroyed by the Theory of Vast<br /> "Periods"—Reflections + on the Sabbath—XV. The Necessity for a Good<br /> Memory—The + Two Accounts of the Creation in Genesis I and II—Order<br /> of + Creation in the First Account—Order of Creation in the Second<br /> + Account—Fastidiousness of Adam in the Choice of a Helpmeet—Dr.<br /> + Adam Clark's Commentary—Dr. Scott's Guess—Dr. Matthew + Henry's<br /> Admission—The Blonde and Brunette Problem—The + Result of Unbelief and<br /> the Reward of Faith—"Give Him a Harp"—XVI. + The Garden—Location of<br /> Eden—The Four Rivers—The + Tree of Knowledge—Andover Appealed<br /> To—XVII. The Fall—The + Serpent—Dr. Adam Clark Gives a Zoological<br /> Explanation—Dr. + Henry Dissents—Whence This Serpent?—XVIII.<br /> Dampness—A + Race of Giants—Wickedness of Mankind—An Ark Constructed—A<br /> + Universal Flood Indicated—Animals Probably Admitted to the Ark—How + Did<br /> They Get There?—Problem of Food and Service—A + Shoreless Sea Covered<br /> with Innumerable Dead—Drs. Clark and + Henry on the Situation—The Ark<br /> Takes Ground—New + Difficulties—Noah's Sacrifice—The Rainbow as a<br /> + Memorandum—Babylonian, Egyptian, and Indian Legends of a Flood—XIX.<br /> + Bacchus and Babel—Interest Attaching to Noah—Where Did Our + First<br /> Parents and the Serpent Acquire a Common Language?—Babel + and the<br /> Confusion of Tongues—XX. Faith in Filth—Immodesty + of Biblical<br /> Diction—XXI. The Hebrews—God's Promises to + Abraham—The Sojourning<br /> of Israel in Egypt—Marvelous + Increase—Moses and Aaron—XXII.<br /> The Plagues—Competitive + Miracle Working—Defeat of the Local<br /> Magicians—XXIII. + The Flight Out of Egypt—Three Million People in a<br /> Desert—Destruction + of Pharaoh ana His Host—Manna—A Superfluity of<br /> Quails—Rev. + Alexander Cruden's Commentary—Hornets as Allies of the<br /> + Israelites—Durability of the Clothing of the Jewish People—An + Ointment<br /> Monopoly—Consecration of Priests—The Crime of + Becoming a Mother—The<br /> Ten Commandments—Medical Ideas of + Jehovah—Character of the God of<br /> the Pentateuch—XXIV. + Confess and Avoid—XXV. "Inspired" Slavery—XXVI.<br /> + "Inspired" Marriage-XXVII. "Inspired" War-XXVIII. "Inspired" Religious<br /> + Liberty—XXIX. Conclusion.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#link0003"> + SOME REASONS WHY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1881.)<br /> I—Religion makes Enemies—Hatred in the + Name of Universal<br /> Benevolence—No Respect for the Rights of + Barbarians—Literal<br /> Fulfillment of a New Testament Prophecy—II. + Duties to God—Can we<br /> Assist God?—An Infinite + Personality an Infinite Impossibility-Ill.<br /> Inspiration—What + it Really Is—Indication of Clams—Multitudinous<br /> Laughter + of the Sea—Horace Greeley and the Mammoth Trees—A Landscape<br /> + Compared to a Table-cloth—The Supernatural is the Deformed—Inspiration<br /> + in the Man as well as in the Book—Our Inspired Bible—IV. + God's<br /> Experiment with the Jews—Miracles of One Religion never + astonish the<br /> Priests of Another—"I am a Liar Myself"—V. + Civilized Countries—Crimes<br /> once regarded as Divine + Institutions—What the Believer in the<br /> Inspiration of the + Bible is Compelled to Say—Passages apparently<br /> written by the + Devil—VI. A Comparison of Books—Advancing a Cannibal<br /> + from Missionary to Mutton—Contrast between the Utterances of + Jehovah<br /> and those of Reputable Heathen—Epictetus, Cicero, + Zeno,<br /> Seneca—the Hindu, Antoninus, Marcus Aurelius—The + Avesta—VII.<br /> Monotheism—Egyptians before Moses taught + there was but One God<br /> and Married but One Wife—Persians and + Hindoos had a Single Supreme<br /> Deity—Rights of Roman Women—Marvels + of Art achieved without the<br /> Assistance of Heaven—Probable + Action of the Jewish Jehovah incarnated<br /> as Man—VIII. The New + Testament—Doctrine of Eternal Pain brought to<br /> Light—Discrepancies—Human + Weaknesses cannot be Predicated of<br /> Divine Wisdom—Why there + are Four Gospels according to Irenæus—The<br /> Atonement—Remission + of Sins under the Mosaic Dispensation—Christians<br /> say, "Charge + it"—God's Forgiveness does not Repair an Injury—Suffering<br /> + of Innocence for the Guilty—Salvation made Possible by Jehovah's<br /> + Failure to Civilize the Jews—Necessity of Belief not taught in the<br /> + Synoptic Gospels—Non-resistance the Offspring of Weakness—IX. + Christ's<br /> Mission—All the Virtues had been Taught before his + Advent—Perfect and<br /> Beautiful Thoughts of his Pagan + Predecessors—St. Paul Contrasted<br /> with Heathen Writers—"The + Quality of Mercy"—X. Eternal Pain—An<br /> Illustration of + Eternal Punishment—Captain Kreuger of the Barque<br /> Tiger—XI. + Civilizing Influence of the Bible—Its Effects on the<br /> Jews—If + Christ was God, Did he not, in his Crucifixion, Reap what<br /> he had + Sown?—Nothing can add to the Misery of a Nation whose King is<br /> + Jehovah<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#link0004"> + ORTHODOXY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1884.)<br /> Orthodox Religion Dying Out—Religious Deaths + and Births—The Religion<br /> of Reciprocity—Every Language + has a Cemetery—Orthodox Institutions<br /> Survive through the + Money invested in them—"Let us tell our Real<br /> Names"—The + Blows that have Shattered the Shield and Shivered the Lance<br /> of + Superstition—Mohammed's Successful Defence of the Sepulchre of<br /> + Christ—The Destruction of Art—The Discovery of America—Although<br /> + he made it himself, the Holy Ghost was Ignorant of the Form of this<br /> + Earth—Copernicus and Kepler—Special Providence—The Man + and the Ship<br /> he did not Take—A Thanksgiving Proclamation + Contradicted—Charles<br /> Darwin—Henry Ward Beecher—The + Creeds—The Latest Creed—God as<br /> a Governor—The + Love of God—The Fall of Man—We are Bound<br /> by + Representatives without a Chance to Vote against Them—The<br /> + Atonement—The Doctrine of Depravity a Libel on the Human Race—The<br /> + Second Birth—A Unitarian Universalist—Inspiration of the<br /> + Scriptures—God a Victim of his own Tyranny—In the New + Testament<br /> Trouble Commences at Death—The Reign of Truth and + Love—The Old<br /> Spaniard who Died without an Enemy—The + Wars it Brought—Consolation<br /> should be Denied to Murderers—At + the Rate at which Heathen are being<br /> Converted, how long will it + take to Establish Christ's Kingdom on<br /> Earth?—The Resurrection—The + Judgment Day—Pious Evasions—"We shall<br /> not Die, but we + shall all be Hanged"—"No Bible, no Civilization"<br /> Miracles of + the New Testament—Nothing Written by Christ or his<br /> + Contemporaries—Genealogy of Jesus—More Miracles—A + Master of<br /> Death—Improbable that he would be Crucified—The + Loaves and Fishes—How<br /> did it happen that the Miracles + Convinced so Few?—The Resurrection—The<br /> Ascension—Was + the Body Spiritual—Parting from the Disciples—Casting<br /> + out Devils—Necessity of Belief—God should be consistent in + the<br /> Matter of forgiving Enemies—Eternal Punishment—Some + Good Men who are<br /> Damned—Another Objection—Love the only + Bow on Life's dark Cloud—"Now<br /> is the accepted Time"—Rather + than this Doctrine of Eternal Punishment<br /> Should be True—I + would rather that every Planet should in its Orbit<br /> wheel a barren + Star—What I Believe—Immortality—It existed long before<br /> + Moses—Consolation—The Promises are so Far Away, and the Dead + are so<br /> Near—Death a Wall or a Door—A Fable—Orpheus + and Eurydice.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38802-h/38802-h.htm#link0005"> + MYTH AND MIRACLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1885.)<br /> I. Happiness the true End and Aim of Life—Spiritual + People and<br /> their Literature—Shakespeare's Clowns superior to + Inspired<br /> Writers—Beethoven's Sixth Symphony Preferred to the + Five Books of<br /> Moses—Venus of Milo more Pleasing than the + Presbyterian Creed—II.<br /> Religions Naturally Produced—Poets + the Myth-makers—The Sleeping<br /> Beauty—Orpheus and + Eurydice—Red Riding Hood—The Golden Age—Elysian<br /> + Fields—The Flood Myth—Myths of the Seasons—III. The + Sun-god—Jonah,<br /> Buddha, Chrisnna, Horus, Zoroaster—December + 25th as a Birthday of<br /> Gods—Christ a Sun-God—The Cross a + Symbol of the Life to Come—When<br /> Nature rocked the Cradle of + the Infant World—IV. Difference between<br /> a Myth and a Miracle—Raising + the Dead, Past and Present—Miracles<br /> of Jehovah—Miracles + of Christ—Everything Told except the Truth—The<br /> Mistake + of the World—V. Beginning of Investigation—The Stars as<br /> + Witnesses against Superstition—Martyrdom of Bruno—Geology—Steam + and<br /> Electricity—Nature forever the Same—Persistence of + Force—Cathedral,<br /> Mosque, and Joss House have the same + Foundation—Science the<br /> Providence of Man—VI. To Soften + the Heart of God—Martyrs—The God was<br /> Silent—Credulity + a Vice—Develop the Imagination—"The Skylark" and<br /> "The + Daisy"—VII. How are we to Civilize the World?—Put Theology + out<br /> of Religion—Divorce of Church and State—Secular + Education—Godless<br /> Schools—VIII. The New Jerusalem—Knowledge + of the Supernatural<br /> possessed by Savages—Beliefs of Primitive + Peoples—Science is<br /> Modest—Theology Arrogant—Torque-mada + and Bruno on the Day of<br /> Judgment—IX. Poison of Superstition + in the Mother's Milk—Ability<br /> of Mistakes to take Care of + Themselves—Longevity of Religious<br /> Lies—Mother's + religion pleaded by the Cannibal—The Religion of<br /> Freedom—O + Liberty, thou art the God of my Idolatry<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_3" id="vol_3"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#title">VOLUME + III--LECTURES</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Contents + </h3> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#linkTOC"><big> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME III.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0001"> + SHAKESPEARE</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0002"> + ROBERT BURNS.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0003"> + ABRAHAM LINCOLN</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0004"> + VOLTAIRE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0005"> + LIBERTY IN LITERATURE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0006"> + THE GREAT INFIDELS.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#linkCONC">CONCLUSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0008"> + WHICH WAY?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0009"> + ABOUT THE HOLY BIBLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC__"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME III. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0001"> + SHAKESPEARE</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1891.)<br /> I. The Greatest Genius of our World—Not of + Supernatural Origin or<br /> of Royal Blood—Illiteracy of his + Parents—Education—His Father—His<br /> Mother a Great + Woman—Stratford Unconscious of the Immortal<br /> Child—Social + Position of Shakespeare—Of his Personal<br /> Peculiarities—Birth, + Marriage, and Death—What we Know of Him—No Line<br /> written + by him to be Found—The Absurd Epitaph—II. Contemporaries<br /> + by whom he was Mentioned—III. No direct Mention of any of his<br /> + Contemporaries in the Plays—Events and Personages of his Time—IV.<br /> + Position of the Actor in Shakespeare's Time—Fortunately he was Not<br /> + Educated at Oxford—An Idealist—His Indifference to + Stage-carpentry<br /> and Plot—He belonged to All Lands—Knew + the Brain and Heart of Man—An<br /> Intellectual Spendthrift—V. + The Baconian Theory—VI. Dramatists before<br /> and during the Time + of Shakespeare—Dramatic Incidents Illustrated in<br /> Passages + from "Macbeth" and "Julius Cæsar"—VII. His Use of the Work + of<br /> Others—The Pontic Sea—A Passage from "Lear"—VIII. + Extravagance that<br /> touches the Infinite—The Greatest + Compliment—"Let me not live after<br /> my flame lacks oil"—Where + Pathos almost Touches the Grotesque—IX.<br /> An Innovator and + Iconoclast—Disregard of the "Unities"—Nature<br /> Forgets—Violation + of the Classic Model—X. Types—The Secret of<br /> Shakespeare—Characters + who Act from Reason and Motive—What they Say<br /> not the Opinion + of Shakespeare—XI. The Procession that issued from<br /> + Shakespeare's Brain—His Great Women—Lovable Clowns—His + Men—Talent<br /> and Genius—XII. The Greatest of all + Philosophers—Master of the<br /> Human Heart—Love—XIII. + In the Realm of Comparison—XIV. Definitions:<br /> Suicide, Drama, + Death, Memory, the Body, Life, Echo, the<br /> World, Rumor—The + Confidant of Nature—XV. Humor and<br /> Pathos—Illustrations—XVI. + Not a Physician, Lawyer, or Botanist—He was<br /> a Man of + Imagination—He lived the Life of All—The Imagination had a<br /> + Stage in Shakespeare's Brain.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0002"> + ROBERT BURNS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1878.)<br /> Poetry and Poets—Milton, Dante, Petrarch—Old-time + Poetry in<br /> Scotland—Influence of Scenery on Literature—Lives + that are<br /> Poems—Birth of Burns—Early Life and Education—Scotland + Emerging from<br /> the Gloom of Calvinism—A Metaphysical Peasantry—Power + of the Scotch<br /> Preacher—Famous Scotch Names—John + Barleycorn vs. Calvinism—Why Robert<br /> Burns is Loved—His + Reading—Made Goddesses of Women—Poet of Love: His<br /> + "Vision," "Bonnie Doon," "To Mary in Heaven"—Poet of Home:<br /> + "Cotter's Saturday Night," "John Anderson, My Jo"—Friendship: + "Auld<br /> Lang-Syne"—Scotch Drink: "Willie brew'd a peck o' maut"—Burns + the<br /> Artist: The "Brook," "Tam O'Shanter"—A Real Democrat: "A + man's a man<br /> for a' that"—His Theology: The Dogma of Eternal + Pain, "Morality,"<br /> "Hypocrisy," "Holy Willie's Prayer"—On the + Bible—A Statement of his<br /> Religion—Contrasted with + Tennyson—From Cradle to Coffin—His Last<br /> words—Lines + on the Birth-place of Burns.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0003"> + ABRAHAM LINCOLN.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1894.)<br /> I. Simultaneous Birth of Lincoln and Darwin—Heroes + of Every<br /> Generation—Slavery—Principle Sacrificed to + Success—Lincoln's<br /> Childhood—His first Speech—A + Candidate for the Senate against<br /> Douglass—II. A Crisis in the + Affairs of the Republic—The South Not<br /> Alone Responsible for + Slavery—Lincoln's Prophetic Words—Nominated for<br /> + President and Elected in Spite of his Fitness—III. Secession and<br /> + Civil War—The Thought uppermost in his Mind—IV. A Crisis in + the<br /> North—Proposition to Purchase the Slaves—V. The + Proclamation of<br /> Emancipation—His Letter to Horace Greeley—Waited + on by Clergymen—VI.<br /> Surrounded by Enemies—Hostile + Attitude of Gladstone, Salisbury,<br /> Louis Napoleon, and the Vatican—VII. + Slavery the Perpetual<br /> Stumbling-block—Confiscation—VIII. + His Letter to a Republican<br /> Meeting in Illinois—Its Effect—IX. + The Power of His Personality—The<br /> Embodiment of Mercy—Use + of the Pardoning Power—X. The Vallandigham<br /> Affair—The + Horace Greeley Incident—Triumphs of Humor—XI. Promotion of<br /> + General Hooker—A Prophecy and its Fulfillment—XII.—States + Rights vs.<br /> Territorial Integrity—XIII. His Military Genius—The + Foremost Man in<br /> all the World: and then the Horror Came—XIV. + Strange Mingling of Mirth<br /> and Tears—Deformation of Great + Historic Characters—Washington now<br /> only a Steel Engraving—Lincoln + not a Type—Virtues Necessary in a<br /> New Country—Laws of + Cultivated Society—In the Country is the Idea<br /> of Home—Lincoln + always a Pupil—A Great Lawyer—Many-sided—Wit and<br /> + Humor—As an Orator—His Speech at Gettysburg contrasted with + the<br /> Oration of Edward Everett—Apologetic in his Kindness—No + Official<br /> Robes—The gentlest Memory of our World.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0004"> + VOLTAIRE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1894.)<br /> I. Changes wrought by Time—Throne and Altar + Twin Vultures—The King and<br /> the Priest—What is + Greatness?—Effect of Voltaire's Name on Clergyman<br /> and Priest—Born + and Baptized—State of France in 1694—The Church<br /> at the + Head—Efficacy of Prayers and Dead Saints—Bells and Holy<br /> + Water—Prevalence of Belief in Witches, Devils, and Fiends—Seeds + of<br /> the Revolution Scattered by Noble and Priest—Condition in + England—The<br /> Inquisition in full Control in Spain—Portugal + and Germany burning<br /> Women—Italy Prostrate beneath the + Priests, the Puritans in America<br /> persecuting Quakers, and stealing + Children—II. The Days of Youth—His<br /> Education—Chooses + Literature as a Profession and becomes a Diplomat—In<br /> Love and + Disinherited—Unsuccessful Poem Competition—Jansenists<br /> + and Molinists—The Bull Unigenitus—Exiled to Tulle—Sent + to the<br /> Bastile—Exiled to England—Acquaintances made + there—III. The Morn<br /> of Manhood—His Attention turned to + the History of the Church—The<br /> "Triumphant Beast" Attacked—Europe + Filled with the Product of his<br /> Brain—What he Mocked—The + Weapon of Ridicule—His Theology—His<br /> "Retractions"—What + Goethe said of Voltaire—IV. The Scheme of<br /> Nature—His + belief in the Optimism of Pope Destroyed by the Lisbon<br /> Earthquake—V. + His Humanity—Case of Jean Calas—The Sirven Family—The<br /> + Espenasse Case—Case of Chevalier de la Barre and D'Etallonde—Voltaire<br /> + Abandons France—A Friend of Education—An Abolitionist—Not<br /> + a Saint—VI. The Return—His Reception—His Death—Burial + at<br /> Romilli-on-the-Seine—VII. The Death-bed Argument—Serene + Demise of<br /> the Infamous—God has no Time to defend the Good and + protect the<br /> Pure—Eloquence of the Clergy on the Death-bed + Subject—The<br /> Second Return—Throned upon the Bastile—The + Grave Desecrated by<br /> Priests—Voltaire.<br /> A Testimonial to + Walt Whitman—Let us put Wreaths on the Brows of the<br /> Living—Literary + Ideals of the American People in 1855—"Leaves of<br /> Grass"—Its + reception by the Provincial Prudes—The Religion of the<br /> Body—Appeal + to Manhood and Womanhood—Books written for the<br /> Market—The + Index Expurgatorius—Whitman a believer in<br /> Democracy—Individuality—Humanity—An + Old-time Sea-fight—What is<br /> Poetry?—Rhyme a Hindrance to + Expression—Rhythm the Comrade of<br /> the Poetic—Whitman's + Attitude toward Religion—Philosophy—The Two<br /> Poems—"A + Word Out of the Sea"—"When Lilacs Last in the Door"—"A Chant<br /> + for Death"—<br /> The History of Intellectual Progress is written + in the Lives of<br /> Infidels—The King and the Priest—The + Origin of God and Heaven, of<br /> the Devil and Hell—The Idea of + Hell born of Ignorance, Brutality,<br /> Cowardice, and Revenge—The + Limitations of our Ancestors—The Devil<br /> and God—Egotism + of Barbarians—The Doctrine of Hell not an Exclusive<br /> + Possession of Christianity—The Appeal to the Cemetery—Religion + and<br /> Wealth, Christ and Poverty—The "Great" not on the Side of + Christ and<br /> his Disciples—Epitaphs as Battle-cries—Some + Great Men in favor of<br /> almost every Sect—Mistakes and + Superstitions of Eminent Men—Sacred<br /> Books—The Claim + that all Moral Laws came from God through<br /> the Jews—Fear—Martyrdom—God's + Ways toward Men—The Emperor<br /> Constantine—The Death Test—Theological + Comity between Protestants and<br /> Catholics—Julian—A + childish Fable still Believed—Bruno—His Crime,<br /> his + Imprisonment and<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0005"> + LIBERTY IN LITERATURE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1890.)<br /> "Old Age"—"Leaves of Grass"<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0006"> + THE GREAT INFIDELS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1881.)<br /> Martyrdom—The First to die for Truth without + Expectation of Reward—The<br /> Church in the Time of Voltaire—Voltaire—Diderot—David + Hume—Benedict<br /> Spinoza—Our Infidels—Thomas Paine—Conclusion.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0008"> + WHICH WAY?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1884.)<br /> I. The Natural and the Supernatural—Living for + the Benefit of<br /> your Fellow-Man and Living for Ghosts—The + Beginning of Doubt—Two<br /> Philosophies of Life—Two + Theories of Government—II. Is our God<br /> superior to the Gods of + the Heathen?—What our God has done—III. Two<br /> Theories + about the Cause and Cure of Disease—The First Physician—The<br /> + Bones of St. Anne Exhibited in New York—Archbishop Corrigan and<br /> + Cardinal Gibbons Countenance a Theological Fraud—A Japanese Story—The<br /> + Monk and the Miraculous Cures performed by the Bones of a Donkey<br /> + represented as those of a Saint—IV.—Two Ways of accounting + for Sacred<br /> Books and Religions—V-Two Theories about Morals—Nothing + Miraculous<br /> about Morality—The Test of all Actions—VI. + Search for the<br /> Impossible—Alchemy—"Perpetual Motion"—Astrology—Fountain + of Perpetual<br /> Youth—VII. "Great Men" and the Superstitions in + which they have<br /> Believed—VIII. Follies and Imbecilities of + Great Men—We do not know<br /> what they Thought, only what they + Said—Names of Great Unbelievers—Most<br /> Men Controlled by + their Surroundings—IX. Living for God in Switzerland,<br /> + Scotland, New England—In the Dark Ages—Let us Live for Man—X. + The<br /> Narrow Road of Superstition—The Wide and Ample Way—Let + us Squeeze the<br /> Orange Dry—This Was, This Is, This Shall Be.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38803-h/38803-h.htm#link0009"> + ABOUT THE HOLY BIBLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1894.)<br /> The Truth about the Bible Ought to be Told—I. The + Origin of the<br /> Bible—Establishment of the Mosaic Code—Moses + not the Author of the<br /> Pentateuch—Some Old Testament Books of + Unknown Origin—II. Is the Old<br /> Testament Inspired?—What + an Inspired Book Ought to Be—What the Bible<br /> Is—Admission + of Orthodox Christians that it is not Inspired as to<br /> Science—The + Enemy of Art—III. The Ten Commandments—Omissions and<br /> + Redundancies—The Story of Achan—The Story of Elisha—The + Story of<br /> Daniel—The Story of Joseph—IV. What is it all + Worth?—Not True, and<br /> Contradictory—Its Myths Older than + the Pentateuch—Other Accounts<br /> of the Creation, the Fall, etc.—Books + of the Old Testament Named<br /> and Characterized—V. Was Jehovah a + God of Love?—VI. Jehovah's<br /> Administration—VII. The New + Testament—Many Other Gospels besides<br /> our Four—Disagreements—Belief + in Devils—Raising of the Dead—Other<br /> Miracles—Would + a real Miracle-worker have been Crucified?—VIII.<br /> The + Philosophy of Christ—Love of<br /> Enemies—Improvidence—Self-Mutilation—The + Earth as a<br /> Footstool—Justice—A Bringer of War—Division + of Families—IX. Is Christ<br /> our Example?—X. Why should we + place Christ at the Top and Summit of the<br /> Human Race?—How did + he surpass Other Teachers?—What he left Unsaid,<br /> and Why—Inspiration—Rejected + Books of the New Testament—The Bible and<br /> the Crimes it has + Caused.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_4" id="vol_4"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#title">VOLUME + IV.--LECTURES</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#linkTOC"><big> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME IV.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0001"> + WHY I AM AN AGNOSTIC.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0002"> + THE TRUTH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0004"> + HOW TO REFORM MANKIND.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0005"> + A THANKSGIVING SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0006"> + A LAY SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0007"> + THE FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0008"> + SUPERSTITION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0009"> + THE DEVIL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0010"> + PROGRESS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0012"> + WHAT IS RELIGION?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC___"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME IV. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0001"> + WHY I AM AN AGNOSTIC.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1896.)<br /> I. Influence of Birth in determining Religious Belief—Scotch, + Irish,<br /> English, and Americans Inherit their Faith—Religions + of Nations<br /> not Suddenly Changed—People who Knew—What + they were Certain<br /> About—Revivals—Character of Sermons + Preached—Effect of Conversion—A<br /> Vermont Farmer for whom + Perdition had no Terrors—The Man and his<br /> Dog—Backsliding + and Re-birth—Ministers who were Sincere—A Free Will<br /> + Baptist on the Rich Man and Lazarus—II. The Orthodox God—The<br /> + Two Dispensations—The Infinite Horror—III. Religious Books—The<br /> + Commentators—Paley's Watch Argument—Milton, Young, and + Pollok—IV.<br /> Studying Astronomy—Geology—Denial and + Evasion by the Clergy—V. The<br /> Poems of Robert Burns—Byron, + Shelley, Keats, and Shakespeare—VI.<br /> Volney, Gibbon, and + Thomas Paine—Voltaire's Services to Liberty—Pagans<br /> + Compared with Patriarchs—VII. Other Gods and Other Religions—Dogmas,<br /> + Myths, and Symbols of Christianity Older than our Era—VIII. The + Men<br /> of Science, Humboldt, Darwin, Spencer, Huxley, Haeckel—IX. + Matter and<br /> Force Indestructible and Uncreatable—The Theory of + Design—X. God an<br /> Impossible Being—The Panorama of the + Past—XI. Free from Sanctified<br /> Mistakes and Holy Lies.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0002"> + THE TRUTH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1897.)<br /> I. The Martyrdom of Man—How is Truth to be + Found—Every Man should be<br /> Mentally Honest—He should be + Intellectually Hospitable—Geologists,<br /> Chemists, Mechanics, + and Professional Men are Seeking for the Truth—II.<br /> Those who + say that Slavery is Better than Liberty—Promises are not<br /> + Evidence—Horace Greeley and the Cold Stove—III. "The Science + of<br /> Theology" the only Dishonest Science—Moses and Brigham + Young—Minds<br /> Poisoned and Paralyzed in Youth—Sunday + Schools and Theological<br /> Seminaries—Orthodox Slanderers of + Scientists—Religion has nothing<br /> to do with Charity—Hospitals + Built in Self-Defence—What Good has the<br /> Church Accomplished?—Of + what use are the Orthodox Ministers, and<br /> What are they doing for + the Good of Mankind—The Harm they are<br /> Doing—Delusions + they Teach—Truths they Should Tell about the<br /> Bible—Conclusions—Our + Christs and our Miracles.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0004"> + HOW TO REFORM MANKIND.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1896.)<br /> I. "There is no Darkness but Ignorance"—False + Notions Concerning<br /> All Departments of Life—Changed Ideas + about Science, Government and<br /> Morals—II. How can we Reform + the World?—Intellectual Light the First<br /> Necessity—Avoid + Waste of Wealth in War—III. Another Waste—Vast Amount<br /> + of Money Spent on the Church—IV. Plow can we Lessen Crime?—Frightful<br /> + Laws for the Punishment of Minor Crimes—A Penitentiary should be a<br /> + School—Professional Criminals should not be Allowed to Populate + the<br /> Earth—V. Homes for All-Make a Nation of Householders—Marriage<br /> + and Divorce-VI. The Labor Question—Employers cannot Govern<br /> + Prices—Railroads should Pay Pensions—What has been + Accomplished<br /> for the Improvement of the Condition of Labor—VII. + Educate the<br /> Children—Useless Knowledge—Liberty cannot + be Sacrificed for the Sake<br /> of Anything—False worship of + Wealth—VIII. We must Work and Wait.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0005"> + A THANKSGIVING SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1897.)<br /> I. Our fathers Ages Ago—From Savagery to + Civilization—For the<br /> Blessings we enjoy, Whom should we + Thank?—What Good has the Church<br /> Done?-Did Christ add to the + Sum of Useful Knowledge—The Saints—What<br /> have the + Councils and Synods Done?—What they Gave us, and What they<br /> + did Not—Shall we Thank them for the Hell Here and for the Hell of<br /> + the Future?—II. What Does God Do?—The Infinite Juggler and + his<br /> Puppets—What the Puppets have Done—Shall we Thank + these<br /> Gods?—Shall we Thank Nature?—III. Men who deserve + our Thanks—The<br /> Infidels, Philanthropists and Scientists—The + Discoverers and<br /> Inventors—Magellan—Copernicus—Bruno—Galileo—Kepler, + Herschel,<br /> Newton, and LaPlace—Lyell—What the Worldly + have Done—Origin and<br /> Vicissitudes of the Bible—The + Septuagint—Investigating the Phenomena<br /> of Nature—IV. We + thank the Good Men and Good Women of the Past—The<br /> Poets, + Dramatists, and Artists—The Statesmen—Paine, Jefferson,<br /> + Ericsson, Lincoln. Grant—Voltaire, Humboldt, Darwin.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0006"> + A LAY SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1886.)<br /> Prayer of King Lear—When Honesty wears a Rag + and Rascality a Robe-The<br /> Nonsense of "Free Moral Agency "—Doing + Right is not Self-denial-Wealth<br /> often a Gilded Hell—The Log + House—Insanity of Getting<br /> More—Great Wealth the Mother + of Crime—Separation of Rich and<br /> Poor—Emulation—Invention + of Machines to Save Labor—Production and<br /> Destitution—The + Remedy a Division of the Land—Evils of Tenement<br /> Houses—Ownership + and Use—The Great Weapon is the Ballot—Sewing<br /> Women—Strikes + and Boycotts of No Avail—Anarchy, Communism, and<br /> Socialism—The + Children of the Rich a Punishment for Wealth—Workingmen<br /> Not a + Danger—The Criminals a Necessary Product—Society's Right<br /> + to Punish—The Efficacy of Kindness—Labor is Honorable—Mental<br /> + Independence.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0007"> + THE FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1895.)<br /> I. The Old Testament—Story of the Creation—Age + of the Earth and<br /> of Man—Astronomical Calculations of the + Egyptians—The Flood—The<br /> Firmament a Fiction—Israelites + who went into Egypt—Battles of the<br /> Jews—Area of + Palestine—Gold Collected by David for the Temple—II. The<br /> + New Testament—Discrepancies about the Birth of Christ—Herod + and<br /> the Wise Men—The Murder of the Babes of Bethlehem—When + was Christ<br /> born—Cyrenius and the Census of the World—Genealogy + of Christ<br /> according to Matthew and Luke—The Slaying of + Zacharias—Appearance of<br /> the Saints at the Crucifixion—The + Death of Judas Iscariot—Did<br /> Christ wish to be Convicted?—III. + Jehovah—IV. The Trinity—The<br /> Incarnation—Was + Christ God?—The Trinity Expounded—"Let us pray"—V.<br /> + The Theological Christ—Sayings of a Contradictory Character—Christ + a<br /> Devout Jew—An ascetic—His Philosophy—The + Ascension—The Best that Can<br /> be Said about Christ—The + Part that is beautiful and Glorious—The Other<br /> Side—VI. + The Scheme of Redemption—VII. Belief—Eternal Pain—No + Hope<br /> in Hell, Pity in Heaven, or Mercy in the Heart of God—VIII. + Conclusion.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0008"> + SUPERSTITION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1898.)<br /> I. What is Superstition?—Popular Beliefs about + the Significance<br /> of Signs, Lucky and Unlucky Numbers, Days, + Accidents, Jewels,<br /> etc.—Eclipses, Earthquakes, and Cyclones + as Omens—Signs and Wonders<br /> of the Heavens—Efficacy of + Bones and Rags of Saints—Diseases and<br /> Devils—II. + Witchcraft—Necromancers—What is a Miracle?—The + Uniformity<br /> of Nature—III. Belief in the Existence of Good + Spirits or Angels—God<br /> and the Devil—When Everything was + done by the Supernatural—IV. All<br /> these Beliefs now Rejected + by Men of Intelligence—The Devil's Success<br /> Made the Coming of + Christ a Necessity—"Thou shalt not Suffer a Witch<br /> to Live"—Some + Biblical Angels—Vanished Visions—V. Where are Heaven<br /> + and Hell?—Prayers Never Answered—The Doctrine of Design—Why + Worship<br /> our Ignorance?—Would God Lead us into Temptation?—President + McKinley's<br /> Thanks giving for the Santiago Victory—VI. What + Harm Does Superstition<br /> Do?—The Heart Hardens and the Brain + Softens—What Superstition has Done<br /> and Taught—Fate of + Spain—Of Portugal, Austria, Germany—VII. Inspired<br /> Books—Mysteries + added to by the Explanations of Theologians—The<br /> Inspired + Bible the Greatest Curse of Christendom—VIII. Modifications<br /> + of Jehovah—Changing the Bible—IX. Centuries of Darkness—The + Church<br /> Triumphant—When Men began to Think—X. Possibly + these Superstitions are<br /> True, but We have no Evidence—We + Believe in the Natural—Science is the<br /> Real Redeemer.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0009"> + THE DEVIL.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1899.)<br /> I. If the Devil should Die, would God Make Another?—How + was the Idea<br /> of a Devil Produced—Other Devils than Ours—Natural + Origin of these<br /> Monsters—II. The Atlas of Christianity is The + Devil—The Devil of the<br /> Old Testament—The Serpent in + Eden—"Personifications" of Evil—Satan<br /> and Job—Satan + and David—III. Take the Devil from the Drama<br /> of Christianity + and the Plot is Gone—Jesus Tempted by the Evil<br /> One—Demoniac + Possession—Mary Magdalene—Satan and Judas—Incubi<br /> + and Succubi—The Apostles believed in Miracles and Magic—The + Pool of<br /> Bethesda—IV. The Evidence of the Church—The + Devil was forced to<br /> Father the Failures of God—Belief of the + Fathers of the Church<br /> in Devils—Exorcism at the Baptism of an + Infant in the Sixteenth<br /> Century—Belief in Devils made the + Universe a Madhouse presided over by<br /> an Insane God—V. + Personifications of the Devil—The Orthodox Ostrich<br /> Thrusts + his Head into the Sand—If Devils are Personifications so are<br /> + all the Other Characters of the Bible—VI. Some Queries about the<br /> + Devil, his Place of Residence, his Manner of Living, and his Object in<br /> + Life—Interrogatories to the Clergy—VII. The Man of Straw the + Master<br /> of the Orthodox Ministers—His recent Accomplishments—VIII. + Keep the<br /> Devils out of Children—IX. Conclusion.—Declaration + of the Free.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0010"> + PROGRESS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1860-64.)<br /> The Prosperity of the World depends upon its + Workers—Veneration for the<br /> Ancient—Credulity and Faith + of the Middle Ages—Penalty for Reading<br /> the Scripture in the + Mother Tongue—Unjust, Bloody, and Cruel Laws—The<br /> + Reformers too were Persecutors—Bigotry of Luther and Knox—Persecution<br /> + of Castalio—Montaigne against Torture in France—"Witchcraft" + (chapter<br /> on)—Confessed Wizards—A Case before Sir + Matthew Hale—Belief<br /> in Lycanthropy—Animals Tried and + Executed—Animals received<br /> as Witnesses—The Corsned or + Morsel of Execution—Kepler an<br /> Astrologer—Luther's + Encounter with the Devil—Mathematician<br /> Stoefflers, + Astronomical Prediction of a Flood—Histories Filled with<br /> + Falsehood—Legend about the Daughter of Pharaoh invading Scotland + and<br /> giving the Country her name—A Story about Mohammed—A + History of the<br /> Britains written by Archdeacons—Ingenuous + Remark of Eusebius—Progress<br /> in the Mechanic Arts—England + at the beginning of the Eighteenth<br /> Century—Barbarous + Punishments—Queen Elizabeth's Order Concerning<br /> Clergymen and + Servant Girls—Inventions of Watt, Arkwright, and<br /> Others—Solomon's + Deprivations—Language (chapter on)—Belief that the<br /> + Hebrew was< the original Tongue—Speculations about the Language<br /> + of Paradise—Geography (chapter on)—The Works of Cosmas—Printing<br /> + Invented—Church's Opposition to Books—The Inquisition—The<br /> + Reformation—"Slavery" (chapter on)—Voltaire's Remark on + Slavery as<br /> a Contract—White Slaves in Greece, Rome, England, + Scotland, and<br /> France—Free minds make Free Bodies—Causes + of the Abolition of White<br /> Slavery in Europe—The French + Revolution—The African Slave Trade,<br /> its Beginning and End—Liberty + Triumphed (chapter head)—Abolition of<br /> Chattel Slavery—Conclusion.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38804-h/38804-h.htm#link0012"> + WHAT IS RELIGION?</a> + </p> + <p> + (1899.)<br /> I. Belief in God and Sacrifice—Did an Infinite God + Create the Children<br /> of Men and is he the Governor of the Universe?—II. + If this God Exists,<br /> how do we Know he is Good?—Should both + the Inferior and the Superior<br /> thank God for their Condition?—III. + The Power that Works for<br /> Righteousness—What is this Power?—The + Accumulated Experience of the<br /> World is a Power Working for Good?—Love + the Commencement of the Higher<br /> Virtues—IV. What has our + Religion Done?—Would Christians have been<br /> Worse had they + Adopted another Faith?—V. How Can Mankind be Reformed<br /> Without + Religion?—VI. The Four Corner-stones of my Theory—VII. + Matter<br /> and Force Eternal—Links in the Chain of Evolution—VIII. + Reform—The<br /> Gutter as a Nursery—Can we Prevent the Unfit + from Filling the World<br /> with their Children?—Science must make + Woman the Owner and Mistress<br /> of Herself—Morality Born of + Intelligence—IX. Real Religion and Real<br /> Worship.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_5" id="vol_5"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#title">VOLUME + V.--DISCUSSIONS</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#linkTOC"><big> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME V.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#linkPREF">PREFACE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0002"> + <big><b>INGERSOLL'S INTERVIEWS ON TALMAGE.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0003"> + FIRST INTERVIEW.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0004"> + SECOND INTERVIEW.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0005"> + THIRD INTERVIEW.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0006"> + FOURTH INTERVIEW.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0007"> + FIFTH INTERVIEW,</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0008"> + SIXTH INTERVIEW.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0009"> + THE TALMAGIAN CATECHISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0010"> + <big><b>A VINDICATION OF THOMAS PAINE.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#linkCONC">CONCLUSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0012"> + THE OBSERVER'S SECOND ATTACK</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0013"> + INGERSOLL'S SECOND REPLY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC____"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS OF VOLUME V. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0002"> + INGERSOLL'S SIX INTERVIEWS ON TALMAGE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1882.)<br /> Preface—First Interview: Great Men as Witnesses<br /> + to the Truth of the Gospel—No man should quote<br /> the Words of + Another unless he is willing to<br /> Accept all the Opinions of that Man—Reasons + of<br /> more Weight than Reputations—Would a general<br /> + Acceptance of Unbelief fill the Penitentiaries?—<br /> My Creed—Most + Criminals Orthodox—Relig-ion and<br /> Morality not Necessarily + Associates—On the<br /> Creation of the Universe out of Omnipotence—Mr.<br /> + Talmage's Theory about the Pro-duction of Light<br /> prior to the + Creation of the Sun—The Deluge and<br /> the Ark—Mr. + Talmage's tendency to Belittle the<br /> Bible Miracles—His + Chemical, Geological, and<br /> Agricultural Views—His Disregard of + Good Manners-<br /> -Second Interview: An Insulting Text—God's + Design<br /> in Creating Guiteau to be the Assassin of<br /> Garfield—Mr. + Talmage brings the Charge of<br /> Blasphemy—Some Real Blasphemers—The + Tabernacle<br /> Pastor tells the exact Opposite of the Truth about<br /> + Col. Ingersoll's Attitude toward the Circulation<br /> of Immoral Books—"Assassinating" + God—Mr.<br /> Talmage finds Nearly All the Invention of Modern<br /> + Times Mentioned in the Bible—The Reverend<br /> Gentleman corrects + the Translators of the Bible in<br /> the Matter of the Rib Story—Denies + that Polygamy<br /> is permitted by the Old Testament—His De-fence + of<br /> Queen Victoria and Violation of the Grave of<br /> George Eliot—Exhibits + a Christian Spirit—Third<br /> Interview: Mr. Talmage's Partiality + in the<br /> Bestowal of his Love—Denies the Right of Laymen<br /> + to Examine the Scriptures—Thinks the Infidels<br /> Victims of + Bibliophobia —He explains the Stopping<br /> of the Sun and Moon at + the Command of Joshua—<br /> Instances a Dark Day in the Early Part + of the<br /> Century—Charges that Holy Things are Made Light<br /> + of—Reaffirms his Confidence in the Whale and<br /> Jonah Story—The + Commandment which Forbids the<br /> making of Graven Images—Affirmation + that the<br /> Bible is the Friend of Woman—The Present<br /> + Condition of Woman—Fourth Interview: Colonel<br /> Ingersoll + Compared by Mr. Talmage tojehoiakim, who<br /> Consigned Writings of + Jeremiah to the Flames—An<br /> Intimation that Infidels wish to + have all copies<br /> of the Bible Destroyed by Fire—Laughter<br /> + Deprecated—Col. Ingersoll Accused of Denouncing<br /> his Father—Mr. + Talmage holds that a Man may be<br /> Perfectly Happy in Heaven with His + Mother in Hell-<br /> -Challenges the Infidel to Read a Chapter from St.<br /> + John—On the "Chief Solace of the World"—Dis-<br /> covers an + Attempt is being made to Put Out the<br /> Light-houses of the Farther + Shore—Affirms our<br /> Debt to Christianity for Schools, + Hospitals,<br /> etc.—Denies that Infidels have ever Done any<br /> + Good—<br /> Fifth Interview: Inquiries if Men gather Grapes of<br /> + Thorns, or Figs of Thistles, and is Answered in<br /> the Negative—Resents + the Charge that the Bible is<br /> a Cruel Book—Demands to Know + where the Cruelty of<br /> the Bible Crops out in the Lives of Christians—<br /> + Col. Ingersoll Accused of saying that the Bible<br /> is a Collection of + Polluted Writings—Mr. Talmage<br /> Asserts the Orchestral Harmony + of the Scriptures<br /> from Genesis to Revelation, and Repudiates the<br /> + Theory of Contradictions—His View of Mankind<br /> Indicated in + Quotations from his Confession of<br /> Faith—He Insists that the + Bible is Scientific—<br /> Traces the New Testament to its Source + with St.<br /> John—Pledges his Word that no Man ever Died for a<br /> + Lie Cheerfully and Triumphantly—As to Prophecies<br /> and + Predictions—Alleged "Prophetic" Fate of the<br /> Jewish People—Sixth + Interview: Dr. Talmage takes<br /> the Ground that the Unrivalled + Circulation of the<br /> Bible Proves that it is Inspired—Forgets' + that a<br /> Scientific Fact does not depend on the Vote of<br /> Numbers—Names + some Christian Millions—His<br /> Arguments Characterized as the + Poor-est, Weakest,<br /> and Best Possible in Support of the Doctrine of<br /> + Inspira-tion—Will God, in Judging a Man, take<br /> into + Consideration the Cir-cumstances of that<br /> Man's Life?—Satisfactory + Reasons for Not Believ-<br /> ing that the Bible is inspired.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0009"> + THE TALMAGIAN CATECHISM.</a> + </p> + <p> + THE TALMAGIAN CATECHISM.<br /> The Pith and Marrow of what Mr. Talmage + has been<br /> Pleased to Say, set forth in the form of a Shorter<br /> + Catechism.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38805-h/38805-h.htm#link0010"> + A VINDICATION OF THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1877.)<br /> Letter to the New York Observer—An Offer to Pay<br /> + One Thousand Dollars in Gold for Proof that Thomas<br /> Paine or + Voltaire Died in Terror because of any<br /> Religious Opinions Either + had Expressed—<br /> Proposition to Create a Tribunal to Hear the<br /> + Evidence—The Ob-server, after having Called upon<br /> Col. + Ingersoll to Deposit the Money, and<br /> Characterized his Talk as + "Infidel 'Buncombe,'"<br /> Denies its Own Words, but attempts to Prove + them—<br /> Its Memory Refreshed by Col. Ingersoll and the<br /> + Slander Refuted—Proof that Paine did Not Recant -<br /> -Testimony + of Thomas Nixon, Daniel Pelton, Mr.<br /> Jarvis, B. F. Has-kin, Dr. + Manley, Amasa<br /> Woodsworth, Gilbert Vale, Philip Graves, M. D.,<br /> + Willet Hicks, A. C. Hankinson, John Hogeboom, W.<br /> J. Hilton, Tames + Cheetham, Revs. Milledollar and<br /> Cunningham, Mrs. Hedden, Andrew A. + Dean, William<br /> Carver,—The Statements of Mary Roscoe and Mary<br /> + Hindsdale Examined—William Cobbett's Account of a<br /> Call upon + Mary Hinsdale—Did Thomas Paine live the<br /> Life of a Drunken + Beast, and did he Die a Drunken,<br /> Cowardly, and Beastly Death?—Grant + Thorbum's<br /> Charges Examined—Statement of the Rev. J. D.<br /> + Wickham, D.D., shown to be Utterly False—False<br /> Witness of the + Rev. Charles Hawley, D.D.—W. H.<br /> Ladd, James Cheetham, and + Mary Hinsdale—Paine's<br /> Note to Cheetham—Mr-Staple, Mr. + Purdy, Col. John<br /> Fellows, James Wilburn, Walter Morton, Clio<br /> + Rickman, Judge Herttell, H. Margary, Elihu Palmer,<br /> Mr.<br /> XV<br /> + Lovett, all these Testified that Paine was a<br /> Temperate Man—Washington's + Letter to Paine—<br /> Thomas Jefferson's—Adams and + Washing-ton on<br /> "Common Sense"—-James Monroe's Tribute—<br /> + Quotations from Paine—Paine's Estate and His<br /> Will—The + Observer's Second Attack (p. 492):<br /> Statements of Elkana Watson, + William Carver, Rev.<br /> E. F. Hatfield, D.D., James Cheetham, Dr. J. + W.<br /> Francis, Dr. Manley, Bishop Fenwick—Ingersoll's<br /> + Second Reply (p. 516): Testimony Garbled by the<br /> Editor of the + Observer—Mary Roscoeand Mary Hins-<br /> dale the Same Person—Her + Reputation for Veracity-<br /> -Letter from Rev. A. W. Cornell—Grant + Thorburn<br /> Exposed by James Parton—The Observer's Admission<br /> + that Paine did not Recant—Affidavit of<br /> William B. Barnes.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_6" id="vol_6"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#title">VOLUME + VI.--DISCUSSIONS</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#linkTOC"><big> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME VI.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0001"> + THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION; INGERSOLL'S OPENING PAPER</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0002"> + THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BY JEREMIAH S. BLACK.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0003"> + THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BY ROBERT G. INGERSOLL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0004"> + FAITH OR AGNOSTICISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0005"> + THE FIELD-INGERSOLL DISCUSSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0006"> + A REPLY TO THE REV. HENRY M. FIELD, D.D.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0007"> + A LAST WORD TO ROBERT G. INGERSOLL</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0008"> + LETTER TO DR. FIELD.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0009"> + CONTROVERSY ON CHRISTIANTY</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0010"> + COL. INGERSOLL TO MR. GLADSTONE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0011"> + ROME OR REASON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0012"> + THE CHURCH ITS OWN WITNESS, By Cardinal Manning.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0013"> + ROME OR REASON: A REPLY TO CARDINAL MANNING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0014"> + IS DIVORCE WRONG?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0016"> + DIVORCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0017"> + IS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT DEGRADING?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC_____"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME VI. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0001"> + THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION; INGERSOLL'S OPENING PAPER</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1881.)<br /> I. Col. Ingersoll's Opening Paper—Statement of + the Fundamental Truths<br /> of Christianity—Reasons for Thinking + that Portions of the Old Testament<br /> are the Product of a Barbarous + People—Passages upholding<br /> Slavery, Polygamy, War, and + Religious Persecution not Evidences of<br /> Inspiration—If the + Words are not Inspired, What Is?—Commands of<br /> Jehovah compared + with the Precepts of Pagans and Stoics—Epictetus,<br /> Cicero, + Zeno, Seneca, Brahma—II. The New Testament—Why were<br /> + Four Gospels Necessary?—Salvation by Belief—The Doctrine of<br /> + the Atonement—The Jewish System Culminating in the Sacrifice of<br /> + Christ—Except for the Crucifixion of her Son, the Virgin Mary + would be<br /> among the Lost—What Christ must have Known would + Follow the Acceptance<br /> of His Teachings—The Wars of Sects, the + Inquisition, the Fields of<br /> Death—Why did he not Forbid it + All?—The Little that he Revealed—The<br /> Dogma of Eternal + Punishment—Upon Love's Breast the Church has Placed<br /> the + Eternal Asp—III. The "Inspired" Writers—Why did not God + furnish<br /> Every Nation with a Bible?<br /> II. Judge Black's Reply—His + Duty that of a Policeman—The Church not<br /> in Danger—Classes + who Break out into Articulate Blasphemy—The<br /> Sciolist—Personal + Remarks about Col. Ingersoll—Chief-Justice Gibson of<br /> + Pennsylvania Quoted—We have no Jurisdiction or Capacity to Rejudge + the<br /> Justice of God—The Moral Code of the Bible—Civil + Government of the<br /> Jews—No Standard of Justice without Belief + in a God—Punishments for<br /> Blasphemy and Idolatry Defended—Wars + of Conquest—Allusion to Col.<br /> Ingersoll's War Record—Slavery + among the Jews—Polygamy Discouraged by<br /> the Mosaic + Constitution—Jesus of Nazareth and the Establishment of<br /> his + Religion—Acceptance of Christianity and Adjudication upon its<br /> + Divinity—The Evangelists and their Depositions—The + Fundamental Truths<br /> of Christianity—Persecution and Triumph of + the Church—Ingersoll's<br /> Propositions Compressed and the + Compressions Answered—Salvation as a<br /> Reward of Belief—Punishment + of Unbelief—The Second Birth, Atonement,<br /> Redemption, + Non-resistance, Excessive Punishment of Sinners, Christ and<br /> + Persecution, Christianity and Freedom of Thought, Sufficiency of the<br /> + Gospel, Miracles, Moral Effect of Christianity.<br /> III. Col. + Ingersoll's Rejoinder—How this Discussion Came About—Natural<br /> + Law—The Design Argument—The Right to Rejudge the Justice + even of a<br /> God—Violation of the Commandments by Jehovah—Religious + Intolerance<br /> of the Old Testament—Judge Black's Justification + of Wars of<br /> Extermination—His Defence of Slavery—Polygamy + not "Discouraged" by the<br /> Old Testament—Position of Woman + under the Jewish System and under that<br /> of the Ancients—a + "Policeman's" View of God—Slavery under Jehovah<br /> and in Egypt—The + Admission that Jehovah gave no Commandment against<br /> Polygamy—The + Learned and Wise Crawl back in Cribs—Alleged Harmony of<br /> Old + and New Testaments—On the Assertion that the Spread of + Christianity<br /> Proves the Supernatural Origin of the Gospel—The + Argument applicable to<br /> All Religions—Communications from + Angels ana Gods—Authenticity of<br /> the Statements of the + Evangelists—Three Important Manuscripts—Rise<br /> of + Mormonism—Ascension of Christ—The Great Public Events + alleged<br /> as Fundamental Truths of Christianity—Judge Black's + System<br /> of "Compression"—"A Metaphysical Question"—Right + and<br /> Wrong—Justice—Christianity and Freedom of Thought—Heaven + and<br /> Hell—Production of God and the Devil—Inspiration of + the Bible<br /> dependent on the Credulity of the Reader—Doubt of + Miracles—The<br /> World before Christ's Advent—Respect for + the Man Christ—The Dark<br /> Ages—Institutions of Mercy—Civil + Law.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0005"> + THE FIELD-INGERSOLL DISCUSSION.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1887.)<br /> An Open Letter to Robert G. Ingersoll—Superstitions—Basis + of<br /> Religion—Napoleon's Question about the Stars—The + Idea of God—Crushing<br /> out Hope—Atonement, Regeneration, + and Future Retribution—Socrates and<br /> Jesus—The Language + of Col. Ingersoll characterized as too Sweeping—The<br /> Sabbath—But + a Step from Sneering at Religion to Sneering at Morality.<br /> A Reply + to the Rev. Henry M. Field, D. D.—Honest Differences of<br /> + Opinion—Charles Darwin—Dr. Field's Distinction between + Superstition<br /> and Religion—The Presbyterian God an Infinite + Torquemada—Napoleon's<br /> Sensitiveness to the Divine Influence—The + Preference of Agassiz—The<br /> Mysterious as an Explanation—The + Certainty that God is not what he<br /> is Thought to Be—Self-preservation + the Fibre of Society—Did<br /> the Assassination of Lincoln + Illustrate the Justice of God's<br /> Judgments?—Immortality—Hope + and the Presbyterian Creed—To a Mother<br /> at the Grave of Her + Son—Theological Teaching of Forgiveness—On<br /> Eternal + Retribution—Jesus and Mohammed—Attacking the Religion of<br /> + Others—Ananias and Sapphira—The Pilgrims and Freedom to + Worship—The<br /> Orthodox Sabbath—Natural Restraints on + Conduct—Religion and<br /> Morality—The Efficacy of Prayer—Respect + for Belief of Father and<br /> Mother—The "Power behind Nature"—Survival + of the Fittest—The Saddest<br /> Fact—"Sober Second Thought."<br /> + A Last Word to Robert G. Ingersoll, by Dr. Field—God not a<br /> + Presbyterian—Why Col. Ingersoll's Attacks on Religion are Resented—God<br /> + is more Merciful than Man—Theories about the Future Life—Retribution<br /> + a Necessary Part of the Divine Law—The Case of Robinson<br /> + Crusoe—Irresistible Proof of Design—Col. Ingersoll's View of<br /> + Immortality—An Almighty Friend.<br /> Letter to Dr. Field—The + Presbyterian God—What the Presbyterians<br /> Claim—The + "Incurably Bad"—Responsibility for not seeing Things<br /> Clearly—Good + Deeds should Follow even Atheists—No Credit in<br /> Belief—Design + Argument that Devours Itself—Belief as a Foundation<br /> of Social + Order—No Consolation in Orthodox Religion—The "Almighty<br /> + Friend" and the Slave Mother—a Hindu Prayer—Calvinism—Christ + not the<br /> Supreme Benefactor of the Race.<br /> COLONEL INGERSOLL ON + CHRISTIANITY.<br /> (1888.)<br /> Some Remarks on his Reply to Dr. Field + by the Hon. Wm. E.<br /> Gladstone—External Triumph and Prosperity + of the Church—A Truth Half<br /> Stated—Col. Ingersoll's + Tumultuous Method and lack of Reverential<br /> Calm—Jephthah's + Sacrifice—Hebrews xii Expounded—The Case of<br /> Abraham—Darwinism + and the Scriptures—Why God demands Sacrifices of<br /> Man—Problems + admitted to be Insoluble—Relation of human Genius<br /> to Human + Greatness—Shakespeare and Others—Christ and the Family<br /> + Relation—Inaccuracy of Reference in the Reply—Ananias and<br /> + Sapphira—The Idea of Immortality—Immunity of Error in Belief + from<br /> Moral Responsibility—On Dishonesty in the Formation of + Opinion—A<br /> Plausibility of the Shallowest kind—The + System of Thuggism—Persecution<br /> for Opinion's Sake—Riding + an Unbroken Horse.<br /> Col. Ingersoll to Mr. Gladstone—On the + "Impaired" State of the human<br /> Constitution—Unbelief not Due + to Degeneracy—Objections to the<br /> Scheme of Redemption—Does + Man Deserve only Punishment?—"Reverential<br /> Calm"—The + Deity of the Ancient Jews—Jephthah and Abraham—Relation<br /> + between Darwinism and the Inspiration of the Scriptures—Sacrifices + to<br /> the Infinite—What is Common Sense?—An Argument that + will Defend every<br /> Superstition—The Greatness of Shakespeare—The + Absolute Indissolubility<br /> of Marriage—Is the Religion of + Christ for this Age?—As to Ananias and<br /> Sapphira—Immortality + and People of Low Intellectual Development—Can<br /> we Control our + Thought?—Dishonest Opinions Cannot be Formed—Some<br /> + Compensations for Riding an "Unbroken Horse."<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0011"> + ROME OR REASON.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1888.)<br /> "The Church Its Own Witness," by Cardinal Manning—Evidence<br /> + that Christianity is of Divine Origin—The Universality of the<br /> + Church—Natural Causes not Sufficient to Account for the Catholic<br /> + Church—-The World in which Christianity Arose—Birth of + Christ—From<br /> St Peter to Leo XIII.—The First Effect of + Christianity—Domestic<br /> Life's Second Visible Effect—Redemption + of Woman from traditional<br /> Degradation—Change Wrought by + Christianity upon the Social, Political<br /> and International Relations + of the World—Proof that Christianity is of<br /> Divine Origin and + Presence—St. John and the Christian Fathers—Sanctity<br /> of + the Church not Affected by Human Sins.<br /> A Reply to Cardinal Manning—I. + Success not a Demonstration of either<br /> Divine Origin or Supernatural + Aid—Cardinal Manning's Argument<br /> More Forcible in the Mouth of + a Mohammedan—Why Churches Rise and<br /> Flourish—Mormonism—Alleged + Universality of the Catholic Church—Its<br /> "inexhaustible + Fruitfulness" in Good Things—The Inquisition and<br /> Persecution—Not + Invincible—Its Sword used by Spain—Its Unity not<br /> + Unbroken—The State of the World when Christianity was Established—The<br /> + Vicar of Christ—A Selection from Draper's "History of the + Intellectual<br /> Development of Europe"—Some infamous Popes—Part + II. How the Pope<br /> Speaks—Religions Older than Catholicism and + having the Same Rites<br /> and Sacraments—Is Intellectual + Stagnation a Demonstration of Divine<br /> Origin?—Integration and + Disintegration—The Condition of the World 300<br /> Years Ago—The + Creed of Catholicism—The "One true God" with a Knowledge<br /> of + whom Catholicism has "filled the World"—Did the Catholic Church<br /> + overthrow Idolatry?—Marriage—Celibacy—Human Passions—The + Cardinal's<br /> Explanation of Jehovah's abandonment of the Children of + Men for<br /> four thousand Years—Catholicism tested by Paganism—Canon + Law<br /> and Convictions had Under It—Rival Popes—Importance + of a Greek<br /> "Inflection"—The Cardinal Witnesses.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0014"> + IS DIVORCE WRONG?</a> + </p> + <p> + (1889.)<br /> Preface by the Editor of the North American Review—Introduction, + by the<br /> Rev. S. W. Dike, LL. D.—A Catholic View by Cardinal + Gibbons—Divorce<br /> as Regarded by the Episcopal Church, by + Bishop, Henry C. Potter—Four<br /> Questions Answered, by Robert G. + Ingersoll.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0016"> + DIVORCE.</a> + </p> + <p> + Reply to Cardinal Gibbons—Indissolubility of Marriage a Reaction<br /> + from Polygamy—Biblical Marriage—Polygamy Simultaneous and<br /> + Successive—Marriage and Divorce in the Light of Experience—Reply<br /> + to Bishop Potter—Reply to Mr. Gladstone—Justice Bradley—Senator<br /> + Dolph—The argument Continued in Colloquial Form—Dialogue + between<br /> Cardinal Gibbons and a Maltreated Wife—She Asks the + Advice of Mr.<br /> Gladstone—The Priest who Violated his Vow—Absurdity + of the Divorce<br /> laws of Some States.<br /> REPLY TO DR. LYMAN ABBOTT.<br /> + (1890)<br /> Dr. Abbott's Equivocations—Crimes Punishable by Death + under Mosaic<br /> and English Law—Severity of Moses Accounted for + by Dr. Abbott—The<br /> Necessity for the Acceptance of + Christianity—Christians should be<br /> Glad to Know that the Bible + is only the Work of Man and that the New<br /> Testament Life of Christ + is Untrue—All the Good Commandments, Known<br /> to the World + thousands of Years before Moses—Human Happiness of<br /> More + Consequence than the Truth about God—The Appeal to Great<br /> + Names—Gladstone not the Greatest Statesman—What the Agnostic + Says—The<br /> Magnificent Mistakes of Genesis—The Story of + Joseph—Abraham as a<br /> "self-Exile for Conscience's Sake."<br /> + REPLY TO ARCHDEACON FARRAR.<br /> (1890.)<br /> Revelation as an Appeal to + Man's "Spirit"—What is Spirit and what is<br /> "Spiritual + Intuition"?—The Archdeacon in Conflict with St. Paul—II.<br /> + The Obligation to Believe without Evidence—III. Ignorant Credulity—IV.<br /> + A Definition of Orthodoxy—V. Fear not necessarily Cowardice—Prejudice<br /> + is Honest—The Ola has the Advantage in an Argument—St.<br /> + Augustine—Jerome—the Appeal to Charlemagne—Roger Bacon—Lord + Bacon<br /> a Defender of the Copernican System—The Difficulty of + finding out<br /> what Great Men Believed—Names Irrelevantly Cited—Bancroft + on the<br /> Hessians—Original Manuscripts of the Bible—VI. + An Infinite Personality<br /> a Contradiction in Terms—VII. A + Beginningless Being—VIII. The<br /> Cruelties of Nature not to be + Harmonized with the Goodness of a<br /> Deity—Sayings from the + Indian—Origen, St. Augustine, Dante, Aquinas.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38806-h/38806-h.htm#link0017"> + IS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT DEGRADING?</a> + </p> + <p> + (1890.)<br /> A Reply to the Dean of St. Paul—Growing Confidence in + the Power of<br /> Kindness—Crimes against Soldiers and Sailors—Misfortunes + Punished<br /> as Crimes—The Dean's Voice Raised in Favor of the + Brutalities of the<br /> Past—Beating of Children—Of Wives—Dictum + of Solomon.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_7" id="vol_7"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#title">VOLUME + VII.--DISCUSSIONS</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#linkTOC"><big> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME VII.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0001"> + MY REVIEWERS REVIEWED.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0002"> + MY CHICAGO BIBLE CLASS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0003"> + TO THE INDIANAPOLIS CLERGY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0004"> + THE BROOKLYN DIVINES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0005"> + THE LIMITATIONS OF TOLERATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0006"> + A CHRISTMAS SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0007"> + SUICIDE OF JUDGE NORMILE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0008"> + IS SUICIDE A SIN?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0009"> + IS AVARICE TRIUMPHANT?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0010"> + A REPLY TO THE CINCINNATI GAZETTE AND CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0011"> + AN INTERVIEW ON CHIEF JUSTICE COMEGYS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0012"> + A REPLY TO REV. DRS. THOMAS AND LORIMER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0013"> + A REPLY TO REV. JOHN HALL AND WARNER VAN NORDEN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0014"> + A REPLY TO THE REV. DR. PLUMB.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0015"> + A REPLY TO THE NEW YORK CLERGY ON SUPERSTITION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC______"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME VII. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0001"> + MY REVIEWERS REVIEWED.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1877.)<br /> Answer to San Francisco Clergymen—Definition of + Liberty, Physical<br /> and Mental—The Right to Compel Belief—Woman + the Equal of Man—The<br /> Ghosts—Immortality—Slavery—Witchcraft—Aristocracy + of the<br /> Air—Unfairness of Clerical Critics—Force and + Matter—Doctrine of<br /> Negation—Confident Deaths of + Murderers—Childhood Scenes returned to<br /> by the Dying—Death-bed + of Voltaire—Thomas Paine—The First<br /> Sectarians Were + Heretics—Reply to Rev. Mr. Guard—Slaughter of<br /> the + Canaanites—Reply to Rev. Samuel Robinson—Protestant<br /> + Persecutions—Toleration—Infidelity and Progress—The<br /> + Occident—Calvinism—Religious Editors—Reply to the Rev. + Mr.<br /> Ijams—Does the Bible teach Man to Enslave his Brothers?—Reply + to<br /> California <i>Christian Advocate</i>—Self-Government of + French People at<br /> and Since the Revolution—On the Site of the + Bastile—French<br /> Peasant's Cheers for Jesus Christ—Was + the World created in Six<br /> Days—Geology—What is the + Astronomy of the Bible?—The Earth the Centre<br /> of the Universe—Joshua's + Miracle—Change of Motion into Heat—Geography<br /> and + Astronomy of Cosmas—Does the Bible teach the Existence of<br /> + that Impossible Crime called Witchcraft?—Saul and the Woman of<br /> + Endor—Familiar Spirits—Demonology of the New Testament—Temptation + of<br /> Jesus—Possession by Devils—Gadarene Swine Story—Test + of Belief—Bible<br /> Idea of the Rights of Children—Punishment + of the Rebellious<br /> Son—Jephthah's Vow and Sacrifice—Persecution + of Job—The Gallantry<br /> of God—Bible Idea of the Rights of + Women—Paul's Instructions to<br /> Wives—Permission given to + Steal Wives—Does the Bible Sanction<br /> Polygamy and Concubinage?—Does + the Bible Uphold and Justify Political<br /> Tyranny?—Powers that + be Ordained of God—Religious Liberty of<br /> God—Sun-Worship + punishable with Death—Unbelievers to be damned—Does<br /> the + Bible describe a God of Mercy?—Massacre Commanded—Eternal<br /> + Punishment Taught in the New Testament—The Plan of Salvation—Fall<br /> + and Atonement Moral Bankruptcy—Other Religions—Parsee<br /> + Sect—Brahmins—Confucians—Heretics and Orthodox.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0002"> + MY CHICAGO BIBLE CLASS.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1879.)<br /> Rev. Robert Collyer—Inspiration of the Scriptures—Rev. + Dr.<br /> Thomas—Formation of the Old Testament—Rev. Dr. + Kohler—Rev. Mr.<br /> Herford—Prof. Swing—Rev. Dr. + Ryder.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0003"> + TO THE INDIANAPOLIS CLERGY.</a> + </p> + <p> + TO THE INDIANAPOLIS CLERGY.<br /> (1882.)<br /> Rev. David Walk—Character + of Jesus—Two or Three Christs Described<br /> in the Gospels—Christ's + Change of Opinions—Gospels Later than the<br /> Epistles—Divine + Parentage of Christ a Late Belief—The Man Christ<br /> probably a + Historical Character—Jesus Belittled by his Worshipers—He<br /> + never Claimed to be Divine—Christ's Omissions—Difference + between<br /> Christian and other Modern Civilizations—Civilization + not Promoted<br /> by Religion—Inventors—French and American + Civilization: How<br /> Produced—Intemperance and Slavery in + Christian Nations—Advance due to<br /> Inventions and Discoveries—Missionaries—Christian + Nations Preserved by<br /> Bayonet and Ball—Dr. T. B. Taylor—Origin + of Life on this Planet—Sir<br /> William Thomson—Origin of + Things Undiscoverable—Existence after<br /> Death—Spiritualists—If + the Dead Return—Our Calendar—Christ and<br /> Christmas-The + Existence of Pain—Plato's Theory of Evil—Will God do<br /> + Better in Another World than he does in this?—Consolation—Life + Not a<br /> Probationary Stage—Rev. D.O'Donaghue—The Case of + Archibald Armstrong<br /> and Jonathan Newgate—Inequalities of Life—Can + Criminals live a<br /> Contented Life?—Justice of the Orthodox God + Illustrated.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0004"> + THE BROOKLYN DIVINES.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1883.)<br /> Are the Books of Atheistic or Infidel Writers Extensively<br /> + Read?—Increase in the Number of Infidels—Spread of + Scientific<br /> Literature—Rev. Dr. Eddy—Rev. Dr. Hawkins—Rev. + Dr. Haynes—Rev.<br /> Mr. Pullman—Rev. Mr. Foote—Rev. + Mr. Wells—Rev. Dr. Van Dyke—Rev.<br /> Carpenter—Rev. + Mr. Reed—Rev. Dr. McClelland—Ministers Opposed to<br /> + Discussion—Whipping Children—Worldliness as a Foe of the + Church—The<br /> Drama—Human Love—Fires, Cyclones, and + Other Afflictions as Promoters<br /> of Spirituality—Class + Distinctions—Rich and Poor—Aristocracies—The<br /> + Right to Choose One's Associates—Churches Social Affairs—Progress<br /> + of the Roman Catholic Church—Substitutes for the Churches—Henry<br /> + Ward Beecher—How far Education is Favored by the Sects—Rivals + of the<br /> Pulpit—Christianity Now and One Hundred Years Ago—French + Revolution<br /> produced by the Priests—Why the Revolution was a + Failure—Infidelity<br /> of One Hundred Years Ago—Ministers + not more Intellectual than a Century<br /> Ago—Great Preachers of + the Past—New Readings of Old Texts—Clerical<br /> Answerers + of Infidelity—Rev. Dr. Baker—Father Fransiola—Faith + and<br /> Reason—Democracy of Kindness—Moral Instruction—Morality + Born of Human<br /> Needs—The Conditions of Happiness—The + Chief End of Man.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0005"> + THE LIMITATIONS OF TOLERATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1888.)<br /> Discussion between Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Hon. Frederic + R. Coudert,<br /> and ex-Gov. Stewart L. Woodford before the Nineteenth + Century Club of<br /> New York—Propositions—Toleration not a + Disclaimer but a Waiver of the<br /> Right to Persecute—Remarks of + Courtlandt Palmer—No Responsibility for<br /> Thought—Intellectual + Hospitality—Right of Free Speech—Origin of the<br /> term + "Toleration"—Slander and False Witness—Nobody can Control + his own<br /> Mind: Anecdote—Remarks of Mr. Coudert—Voltaire, + Rousseau, Hugo, and<br /> Ingersoll—General Woodford's Speech—Reply + by Colonel Ingersoll—A<br /> Catholic Compelled to Pay a Compliment + to Voltaire—Responsibility for<br /> Thoughts—The Mexican + Unbeliever and his Reception in the Other Country.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0006"> + A CHRISTMAS SERMON.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1891.)<br /> Christianity's Message of Grief—Christmas a Pagan + Festival—Reply<br /> to Dr. Buckley—Charges by the Editor of + the Christian Advocate—The<br /> Tidings of Christianity—In + what the Message of Grief Consists—Fear<br /> and Flame—An + Everlasting Siberia—Dr. Buckley's Proposal to Boycott the<br /> + Telegram—Reply to Rev. J. M. King and Rev. Thomas Dixon, Jr. Cana + Day<br /> be Blasphemed?—Hurting Christian feelings—For + Revenue only What is<br /> Blasphemy?—Balaam's Ass wiser than the + Prophet—The Universalists—Can<br /> God do Nothing for this + World?—The Universe a Blunder if Christianity<br /> is true—The + Duty of a Newspaper—Facts Not Sectarian—The Rev.<br /> Mr. + Peters—What Infidelity Has Done—Public School System not<br /> + Christian—Orthodox Universities—Bruno on Oxford—As to + Public<br /> Morals—No Rewards or Punishments in the Universe—The + Atonement<br /> Immoral—As to Sciences and Art—Bruno, + Humboldt, Darwin—Scientific<br /> Writers Opposed by the Church—As + to the Liberation of Slaves—As to<br /> the Reclamation of + Inebriates—Rum and Religion—The Humanity<br /> of Infidelity—What + Infidelity says to the Dying—The Battle<br /> Continued—Morality + not Assailed by an Attack on Christianity—The<br /> Inquisition and + Religious Persecution—Human Nature Derided by<br /> Christianity—Dr. + DaCosta—"Human Brotherhood" as exemplified by<br /> the History of + the Church—The Church and Science, Art and<br /> Learning——Astronomy's + Revenge—Galileo and Kepler—Mrs. Browning:<br /> Science + Thrust into the Brain of Europe—Our Numerals—Christianity + and<br /> Literature—Institution's of Learning—Stephen Girard—James + Lick—Our<br /> Chronology—Historians—Natural Philosophy—Philology—Metaphysical<br /> + Research—Intelligence, Hindoo, Egyptian—Inventions—John<br /> + Ericsson—Emancipators—Rev. Mr. Ballou—The Right of Goa + to<br /> Punish—Rev. Dr. Hillier—Rev. Mr. Haldeman—George + A. Locey—The "Great<br /> Physician"—Rev. Mr. Talmage—Rev. + J. Benson Hamilton—How Voltaire<br /> Died—The Death-bed of + Thomas Paine—Rev. Mr. Holloway—Original<br /> Sin—Rev. + Dr. Tyler—The Good Samaritan a Heathen—Hospitals and<br /> + Asylums—Christian Treatment of the Insane—Rev. Dr. Buckley—The<br /> + North American Review Discussion—Judge Black, Dr. Field,<br /> Mr. + Gladstone—Circulation of Obscene Literature—Eulogy of<br /> + Whiskey—Eulogy of Tobacco—Human Stupidity that Defies the + Gods—Rev.<br /> Charles Deems—Jesus a Believer in a Personal + Devil—The Man Christ.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0007"> + SUICIDE OF JUDGE NORMILE.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1892.)<br /> Reply to the <i>Western Watchman</i>—Henry D'Arcy—Peter's<br /> + Prevarication-Some Excellent Pagans-Heartlessness of a<br /> Catholic—Wishes + do not Affect the Judgment—Devout Robbers—Penitent<br /> + Murderers—Reverential Drunkards—Luther's Distich—Judge<br /> + Normile—Self-destruction.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0008"> + IS SUICIDE A SIN?</a> + </p> + <p> + (1894.)<br /> Col. Ingersoll's First Letter in <i>The New York World</i>—Under + what<br /> Circumstances a Man has the Right to take his Own Life—Medicine + and the<br /> Decrees of God—Case of the Betrayed Girl—Suicides + not Cowards—Suicide<br /> under Roman Law—Many Suicides + Insane—Insanity Caused by Religion—The<br /> Law against + Suicide Cruel and Idiotic—Natural and Sufficient Cause for<br /> + Self-destruction—Christ's Death a Suicide—Col. Ingersoll's + Reply to his<br /> Critics—Is Suffering the Work of God?—It + is not Man's Duty to<br /> Endure Hopeless Suffering—When Suicide + is Justifiable—The<br /> Inquisition—Alleged Cowardice of + Suicides—Propositions<br /> Demonstrated—Suicide the + Foundation of the Christian<br /> Religion—Redemption and Atonement—The + Clergy on Infidelity<br /> and Suicide—Morality and Unbelief—Better + injure yourself than<br /> Another—Misquotation by Opponents—Cheerful + View the Best—The<br /> Wonder is that Men endure—Suicide a + Sin (Interview in The New<br /> York Journal)—Causes of Suicide—Col. + Ingersoll Does Not Advise<br /> Suicide—Suicides with Tracts or + Bibles in their Pockets—Suicide a Sin<br /> (Interview in The New + York Herald)—Comments on Rev. Alerle St. Croix<br /> Wright's + Sermon—Suicide and Sanity (Interview in The York World)—As + to<br /> the Cowardice of Suicide—Germany and the Prevalence of + Suicide—Killing<br /> of Idiots and Defective Infants—Virtue, + Morality, and Religion.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0009"> + IS AVARICE TRIUMPHANT?</a> + </p> + <p> + (1891.)<br /> Reply to General Rush Hawkins' Article, "Brutality and + Avarice<br /> Triumphant"—Croakers and Prophets of Evil—Medical + Treatment<br /> for Believers in Universal Evil—Alleged Fraud in + Army<br /> Contracts—Congressional Extravagance—Railroad + "Wreckers"—How<br /> Stockholders in Some Roads Lost Their Money—The + Star-Route<br /> Trials—Timber and Public Lands—Watering + Stock—The Formation<br /> of Trusts—Unsafe Hotels: European + Game and Singing Birds—Seal<br /> Fisheries—Cruelty to + Animals—Our Indians—Sensible and Manly<br /> Patriotism—Days + of Brutality—Defence of Slavery by the Websters,<br /> Bentons, and + Clays—Thirty Years' Accomplishment—Ennobling Influence of<br /> + War for the Right—The Lady ana the Brakeman—American Esteem + of Honesty<br /> in Business—Republics do not Tend to Official + Corruption—This the Best<br /> Country in the World.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0010"> + A REPLY TO THE CINCINNATI GAZETTE AND CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1878.)<br /> Defence of the Lecture on Moses—How Biblical Miracles + are sought to<br /> be Proved—Some <i>Non Sequiturs</i>—A + Grammatical Criticism—Christianity<br /> Destructive of Manners—Cuvier + and Agassiz on Mosaic Cosmogony—Clerical<br /> Advance agents—Christian + Threats and Warnings—Catholicism the Upas<br /> Tree—Hebrew + Scholarship as a Qualification for Deciding Probababilities<br /> —Contradictions + and Mistranslations of the Bible—Number of Errors in<br /> the + Scriptures—The Sunday Question.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0011"> + AN INTERVIEW ON CHIEF JUSTICE COMEGYS.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1881.)<br /> Charged with Blasphemy in the State of Delaware—Can a + Conditionless<br /> Deity be Injured?—Injustice the only Blasphemy—The + Lecture<br /> in Delaware—Laws of that State—All Sects in + turn Charged with<br /> Blasphemy—Heresy Consists in making God + Better than he is Thought<br /> to Be—A Fatal Biblical Passage—Judge + Comegys—Wilmington<br /> Preachers—States with Laws against + Blasphemy—No Danger of Infidel<br /> Mobs—No Attack on the + State of Delaware Contemplated—Comegys a<br /> Resurrection—Grand + Jury's Refusal to Indict—Advice about the Cutting<br /> out of + Heretics' Tongues—Objections to the Whipping-post—Mr. + Bergh's<br /> Bill—One Remedy for Wife-beating.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0012"> + A REPLY TO REV. DRS. THOMAS AND LORIMER.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1882.)<br /> Solemnity—Charged with Being Insincere—Irreverence—Old + Testament<br /> Better than the New—"Why Hurt our Feelings?"—Involuntary + Action of<br /> the Brain—Source of our Conceptions of Space—Good + and Bad—Right and<br /> Wrong—The Minister, the Horse and the + Lord's Prayer—Men Responsible<br /> for their Actions—The + "Gradual" Theory Not Applicable to<br /> the Omniscient—Prayer + Powerless to Alter Results—Religious<br /> Persecution—Orthodox + Ministers Made Ashamed of their<br /> Creed—Purgatory—Infidelity + and Baptism Contrasted—Modern Conception<br /> of the Universe—The + Golden Bridge of Life—"The Only Salutation"—The<br /> Test + for Admission to Heaven—"Scurrility."<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0013"> + A REPLY TO REV. JOHN HALL AND WARNER VAN NORDEN.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1892.)<br /> Dr. Hall has no Time to Discuss the subject of Starving<br /> + Workers—Cloakmakers' Strike—Warner Van Norden of the Church + Extension<br /> Society—The Uncharitableness of Organized Charity—Defence + of the<br /> Cloakmakers—Life of the Underpaid—On the + Assertion that Assistance<br /> encourages Idleness and Crime—The + Man without Pity an Intellectual<br /> Beast—Tendency of Prosperity + to Breed Selfishness—Thousands Idle<br /> without Fault—Egotism + of Riches—Van Norden's Idea of Happiness—The<br /> Worthy + Poor.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0014"> + A REPLY TO THE REV. DR. PLUMB.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1898.)<br /> Interview in a Boston Paper—Why should a Minister + call this a "Poor"<br /> World?—Would an Infinite God make People + who Need a Redeemer?—Gospel<br /> Gossip—Christ's Sayings + Repetitions—The Philosophy of Confucius—Rev.<br /> Mr. Mills—The + Charge of "Robbery"—The Divine Plan.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38807-h/38807-h.htm#link0015"> + A REPLY TO THE NEW YORK CLERGY ON SUPERSTITION.</a> + </p> + <p> + (1898.)<br /> Interview in the New York Journal—Rev. Roberts. + MacArthur—A<br /> Personal Devil—Devils who held + Conversations with Christ not simply<br /> personifications of Evil—The + Temptation—The "Man of Straw"—Christ's<br /> Mission + authenticated by the Casting Out of Devils—Spain—God<br /> + Responsible for the Actions of Man—Rev. Dr. J. Lewis Parks—Rev. + Dr. E.<br /> F. Moldehnke—Patience amidst the Misfortunes of Others—Yellow + Fever<br /> as a Divine Agent—The Doctrine that All is for the Best—Rev. + Mr.<br /> Hamlin—Why Did God Create a Successful Rival?—A + Compliment by the<br /> Rev. Mr. Belcher—Rev. W. C. Buchanan—No + Argument Old until it is<br /> Answered—Why should God Create + sentient Beings to be Damned?—Rev. J.<br /> W. Campbell—Rev. + Henry Frank—Rev. E. C.J. Kraeling on Christ and the<br /> Devil—Would + he make a World like This?<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_8" id="vol_8"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#title">VOLUME + VIII.--INTERVIEWS</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0001"> + INTERVIEWS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0002"> + THE BIBLE AND A FUTURE LIFE</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0003"> + MRS. VAN COTT, THE REVIVALIST</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0004"> + EUROPEAN TRIP AND GREENBACK QUESTION</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0005"> + THE PRE-MILLENNIAL CONFERENCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0006"> + THE SOLID SOUTH AND RESUMPTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0007"> + THE SUNDAY LAWS OF PITTSBURG.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0008"> + POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0009"> + POLITICS AND GEN. GRANT</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0010"> + POLITICS, RELIGION AND THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0011"> + REPLY TO CHICAGO CRITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0012"> + THE REPUBLICAN VICTORY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0013"> + INGERSOLL AND BEECHER.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0014"> + POLITICAL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0015"> + RELIGION IN POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0016"> + MIRACLES AND IMMORTALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0017"> + THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0018"> + MR. BEECHER, MOSES AND THE NEGRO.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0019"> + HADES, DELAWARE AND FREETHOUGHT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0020"> + A REPLY TO THE REV. MR. LANSING.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0021"> + BEACONSFIELD, LENT AND REVIVALS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0022"> + ANSWERING THE NEW YORK MINISTERS.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0023"> + GUITEAU AND HIS CRIME.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0024"> + DISTRICT SUFFRAGE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0025"> + FUNERAL OF JOHN G. MILLS AND IMMORTALITY.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0026"> + STAR ROUTE AND POLITICS.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0027"> + THE INTERVIEWER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0028"> + POLITICS AND PROHIBITION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0029"> + THE REPUBLICAN DEFEAT IN OHIO.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0030"> + THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0031"> + JUSTICE HARLAN AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0032"> + POLITICS AND THEOLOGY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0033"> + MORALITY AND IMMORTALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0034"> + POLITICS, MORMONISM AND MR. BEECHER</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0035"> + FREE TRADE AND CHRISTIANITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0036"> + THE OATH QUESTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0037"> + WENDELL PHILLIPS, FITZ JOHN PORTER AND BISMARCK.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0038"> + GENERAL SUBJECTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0039"> + REPLY TO KANSAS CITY CLERGY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0040"> + SWEARING AND AFFIRMING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0041"> + REPLY TO A BUFFALO CRITIC.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0042"> + BLASPHEMY.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0043"> + POLITICS AND BRITISH COLUMBIA.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0044"> + INGERSOLL CATECHISED.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0045"> + BLAINE'S DEFEAT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0046"> + BLAINE'S DEFEAT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0047"> + PLAGIARISM AND POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0048"> + RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0049"> + CLEVELAND AND HIS CABINET.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0050"> + RELIGION, PROHIBITION, AND GEN. GRANT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0051"> + HELL OR SHEOL AND OTHER SUBJECTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0052"> + INTERVIEWING, POLITICS AND SPIRITUALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0053"> + MY BELIEF.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0054"> + SOME LIVE TOPICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0055"> + THE PRESIDENT AND SENATE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0056"> + ATHEISM AND CITIZENSHIP.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0057"> + THE LABOR QUESTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0058"> + RAILROADS AND POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0059"> + PROHIBITION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0060"> + HENRY GEORGE AND LABOR.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0061"> + LABOR QUESTION AND SOCIALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0062"> + HENRY GEORGE AND SOCIALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0063"> + REPLY TO THE REV. B. F. MORSE.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0064"> + INGERSOLL ON McGLYNN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0065"> + TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO ANARCHISTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0066"> + THE STAGE AND THE PULPIT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0067"> + ROSCOE CONKLING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0068"> + THE CHURCH AND THE STAGE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0069"> + PROTECTION AND FREE TRADE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0070"> + LABOR, AND TARIFF REFORM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0071"> + CLEVELAND AND THURMAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0072"> + THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM OF 1888.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0073"> + JAMES G. BLAINE AND POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0074"> + THE MILLS BILL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0075"> + SOCIETY AND ITS CRIMINALS*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0076"> + WOMAN'S RIGHT TO DIVORCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0077"> + SECULARISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0078"> + SUMMER RECREATION—MR. GLADSTONE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0079"> + PROHIBITION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0080"> + ROBERT ELSMERE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0081"> + WORKING GIRLS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0082"> + PROTECTION FOR AMERICAN ACTORS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0083"> + LIBERALS AND LIBERALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0084"> + POPE LEO XIII.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0085"> + THE SACREDNESS OF THE SABBATH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0086"> + THE WEST AND SOUTH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0087"> + THE WESTMINSTER CREED AND OTHER SUBJECTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0088"> + SHAKESPEARE AND BACON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0089"> + GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY, AND PRESBYTERIANISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0090"> + CREEDS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0091"> + THE TENDENCY OF MODERN THOUGHT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0092"> + WOMAN SUFFRAGE, HORSE RACING, AND MONEY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0093"> + MISSIONARIES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0094"> + MY BELIEF AND UNBELIEF.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0095"> + MUST RELIGION GO?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0096"> + WORD PAINTING AND COLLEGE EDUCATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0097"> + PERSONAL MAGNETISM AND THE SUNDAY QUESTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0098"> + AUTHORS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0099"> + INEBRIETY.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0100"> + MIRACLES, THEOSOPHY AND SPIRITUALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0101"> + TOLSTOY AND LITERATURE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0102"> + WOMAN IN POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0103"> + SPIRITUALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0104"> + PLAYS AND PLAYERS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0105"> + WOMAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0106"> + STRIKES, EXPANSION AND OTHER SUBJECTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0107"> + SUNDAY A DAY OF PLEASURE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0108"> + THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0109"> + CLEVELAND'S HAWAIIAN POLICY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0110"> + ORATORS AND ORATORY.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0111"> + CATHOLICISM AND PROTESTANTISM. THE POPE, THE A. P. A., AGNOSTICISM</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0112"> + WOMAN AND HER DOMAIN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0113"> + PROFESSOR SWING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0114"> + SENATOR SHERMAN AND HIS BOOK.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0115"> + REPLY TO THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0116"> + SPIRITUALISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0117"> + A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0118"> + IS LIFE WORTH LIVING—CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND POLITICS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0119"> + VIVISECTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0120"> + DIVORCE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0121"> + MUSIC, NEWSPAPERS, LYNCHING AND ARBITRATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0122"> + A VISIT TO SHAW'S GARDEN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0123"> + THE VENEZUELAN BOUNDARY DISCUSSION AND THE WHIPPING-POST.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0124"> + COLONEL SHEPARD'S STAGE HORSES.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0125"> + A REPLY TO THE REV. L. A. BANKS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0126"> + CUBA—ZOLA AND THEOSOPHY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0127"> + HOW TO BECOME AN ORATOR.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0128"> + JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG AND EXPANSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0129"> + PSYCHICAL RESEARCH AND THE BIBLE.*</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0130"> + THIS CENTURY'S GLORIES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0131"> + CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND THE WHIPPING-POST.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38808-h/38808-h.htm#link0132"> + EXPANSION AND TRUSTS.*</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_9" id="vol_9"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#title">VOLUME + IX.--POLITICAL</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#linkTOC"><big> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME IX.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0001"> + AN ADDRESS TO THE COLORED PEOPLE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0002"> + SPEECH AT INDIANAPOLIS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0003"> + CENTENNIAL ORATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0004"> + BANGOR SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0005"> + COOPER UNION SPEECH, NEW YORK.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0006"> + INDIANAPOLIS SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0007"> + CHICAGO SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0008"> + EIGHT TO SEVEN ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0009"> + HARD TIMES AND THE WAY OUT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0010"> + SUFFRAGE ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0011"> + WALL STREET SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0012"> + BROOKLYN SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0013"> + ADDRESS TO THE 86TH ILLINOIS REGIMENT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0014"> + DECORATION DAY ORATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0015"> + DECORATION DAY ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0016"> + RATIFICATION SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0017"> + REUNION ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0018"> + THE CHICAGO AND NEW YORK GOLD SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC_______"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME IX. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0001"> + AN ADDRESS TO THE COLORED PEOPLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1867.)<br /> Slavery and its Justification by Law and Religion—Its + Destructive<br /> Influence upon Nations—Inauguration of the Modern + Slave Trade by the<br /> Portuguese Gonzales—Planted upon American + Soil—The Abolitionists,<br /> Clarkson, Wilberforce, and Others—The + Struggle in England—Pioneers<br /> in San Domingo, Oge and + Chevannes—Early Op-posers of Slavery in<br /> America—William + Lloyd Garrison—Wendell Phillips, Charles Sumner, John<br /> Brown—The + Fugitive Slave Law—The Emancipation Proclamation—Dread of<br /> + Education in the South—Advice to the Colored People.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0006"> + INDIANAPOLIS SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1868.)<br /> Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus—Precedent + Established by the<br /> Revolutionary Fathers—Committees of Safety + appointed by the<br /> Continental Congress—Arrest of Disaffected + Persons in Pennsylvania<br /> and Delaware—Interference with + Elections—Resolution of Continental<br /> Congress with respect to + Citizens who Opposed the sending of Deputies<br /> to the Convention of + New York—Penalty for refusing to take Continental<br /> Money or + Pray for the American Cause—Habeas Corpus Suspended during the<br /> + Revolution—Interference with Freedom of the Press—Negroes + Freed and<br /> allowed to Fight in the Continental Army—Crispus + Attacks—An Abolition<br /> Document issued by Andrew Jackson—Majority + rule—Slavery and the<br /> Rebellion—Tribute to General + Grant.<br /> SPEECH NOMINATING BLAINE.<br /> (1876.)<br /> Note descriptive + of the Occasion—Demand of the Republicans of the<br /> United + States—Resumption—The Plumed Knight.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0003"> + CENTENNIAL ORATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1876.)<br /> One Hundred Years ago, our Fathers retired the Gods + from Politics—The<br /> Declaration of Independence—Meaning + of the Declaration—The Old Idea<br /> of the Source of Political + Power—Our Fathers Educated by their<br /> Surroundings—The + Puritans—Universal Religious Toleration declared by<br /> the + Catholics of Maryland—Roger Williams—Not All of our Fathers + in<br /> favor of Independence—Fortunate Difference in Religious + Views—Secular<br /> Government—Authority derived from the + People—The Declaration and<br /> the Beginning of the War—What + they Fought For—Slavery—Results of<br /> a Hundred Years of + Freedom—The Declaration Carried out in Letter and<br /> Spirit.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0004"> + BANGOR SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1876.)<br /> The Hayes Campaign—Reasons for Voting the + Republican Ticket—Abolition<br /> of Slavery—Preservation of + the Union—Reasons for Not Trusting the<br /> Democratic Party—Record + of the Republican Party—Democrats Assisted<br /> the South—Paper + Money—Enfranchisement of the Negroes—Samuel J.<br /> Tilden—His + Essay on Finance.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0005"> + COOPER UNION SPEECH, NEW YORK.</a> + </p> + <p> + COOPER UNION SPEECH, NEW YORK.<br /> (1876.)<br /> All Citizens + Stockholders in the United States of America—The<br /> Democratic + Party a Hungry Organization—Political Parties<br /> Contrasted—The + Fugitive Slave Law a Disgrace to Hell in its Palmiest<br /> Days—Feelings + of the Democracy Hurt on the Subject of Religion—Defence<br /> of + Slavery in a Resolution of the Presbyterians, South—State of the<br /> + Union at the Time the Republican Party was Born—Jacob Thompson—The<br /> + National Debt—Protection of Citizens Abroad—Tammany Hall: + Its Relation<br /> to the Penitentiary—The Democratic Party of New + York City—"What<br /> Hands!"—Free Schools.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0006"> + INDIANAPOLIS SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1876.)<br /> Address to the Veteran Soldiers of the Rebellion—Objections + to<br /> the Democratic Party—The Men who have been Democrats—Why + I am a<br /> Republican—Free Labor and Free Thought—A Vision + of War—Democratic<br /> Slander of the Greenback—Shall the + People who Saved the Country Rule<br /> It?—On Finance—Government + Cannot Create Money—The Greenback Dollar<br /> a Mortgage upon the + Country—Guarantees that the Debt will be Paid-'The<br /> + Thoroughbred and the Mule—The Column of July, Paris—The + Misleading<br /> Guide Board, the Dismantled Mill, and the Place where + there had been a<br /> Hotel,<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0007"> + CHICAGO SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1876.)<br /> The Plea of "Let Bygones be Bygones"—Passport + of the Democratic<br /> Party—Right of the General Government to + send Troops into Southern<br /> States for the Protection of Colored + People—Abram S. Hewitt's<br /> Congratulatory Letter to the Negroes—The + Demand for Inflation of the<br /> Currency—Record of Rutherford B. + Hayes—Contrasted with Samuel J.<br /> Tilden—Merits of the + Republican Party—Negro and Southern White—The<br /> Superior + Man—"No Nation founded upon Injustice can Permanently Stand."<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0008"> + EIGHT TO SEVEN ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1877.)<br /> On the Electoral Commission—Reminiscences of + the Hayes-Tilden Camp—<br /> Constitution of the Electoral College—Characteristics + of the Members—<br /> Frauds at the Ballot Box Poisoning the + Fountain of Power—Reforms<br /> Suggested—Elections too + Frequent—The Professional Office-seeker—A<br /> Letter on + Civil Service Reform—Young Men Advised against Government<br /> + Clerkships—Too Many Legislators and too Much Legislation—Defect + in the<br /> Constitution as to the Mode of Electing a President—Protection + of<br /> Citizens by State and General Governments—The Dual + Government in South<br /> Carolina—Ex-Rebel Key in the President's + Cabinet—Implacables and<br /> Bourbons South and North—"I + extend to you each and all the Olive Branch<br /> of Peace."<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0009"> + HARD TIMES AND THE WAY OUT.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1878.)<br /> Capital and Labor—What is a Capitalist?—The + Idle and the Industrious<br /> Artisans—No Conflict between Capital + and Labor—A Period of Inflation<br /> and Speculation—Life + and Fire Insurance Agents—Business done on<br /> Credit—The + Crash, Failure, and Bankruptcy—Fall in the Price of Real<br /> + Estate a Form of Resumption—Coming back to Reality—Definitions + of<br /> Money Examined—Not Gold and Silver but Intelligent Labor + the Measure<br /> of Value—Government cannot by Law Create Wealth—A + Bill of Fare not<br /> a Dinner—Fiat Money—American Honor + Pledged to the Maintenance of the<br /> Greenbacks—The Cry against + Holders of Bonds—Criminals and Vagabonds to<br /> be supported—Duty + of Government to Facilitate Enterprise—More Men must<br /> + Cultivate the Soil—Government Aid for the Overcoming of Obstacles + too<br /> Great for Individual Enterprise—The Palace Builders the + Friends of<br /> Labor—Extravagance the best Form of Charity—Useless + to Boost a Man<br /> who is not Climbing—The Reasonable Price for + Labor—The Vagrant and his<br /> strange and winding Path—What + to tell the Working Men.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0010"> + SUFFRAGE ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1880.)<br /> The Right to Vote—All Women who desire the + Suffrage should have<br /> It—Shall the People of the District of + Columbia Manage their Own<br /> Affairs—Their Right to a + Representative in Congress and an Electoral<br /> Vote—Anomalous + State of Affairs at the Capital of the Republic—Not the<br /> + Wealthy and Educated alone should Govern—The Poor as Trustworthy + as the<br /> Rich—Strict Registration Laws Needed.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0011"> + WALL STREET SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1880.)<br /> Obligation of New York to Protect the Best Interests + of the<br /> Country—Treason and Forgery of the Democratic Party in + its Appeal to<br /> Sword and Pen—The One Republican in the + Penitentiary of Maine—The<br /> Doctrine of State Sovereignty—Protection + for American Brain and<br /> Muscle—Hancock on the Tariff—A + Forgery (the Morey letter) Committed<br /> and upheld—The Character + of James A. Garfield.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0012"> + BROOKLYN SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> (1880.)<br /> Introduced by Henry Ward Beecher (note)—Some + Patriotic<br /> Democrats—Freedom of Speech North and South—An + Honest Ballot—<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0013"> + ADDRESS TO THE 86TH ILLINOIS REGIMENT.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0014"> + DECORATION DAY ORATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0015"> + DECORATION DAY ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0016"> + RATIFICATION SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0017"> + REUNION ADDRESS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38809-h/38809-h.htm#link0018"> + THE CHICAGO AND NEW YORK GOLD SPEECH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_10" id="vol_10"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#title">VOLUME + X.--LEGAL</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#linkTOC"><big> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME X.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0001"> + ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE MUNN TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0002"> + CLOSING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE FIRST STAR ROUTE TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0004"> + OPENING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE SECOND STAR ROUTE TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0005"> + CLOSING ADDRESS IN SECOND STAR ROUTE TRIAL</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0007"> + ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE DAVIS WILL CASE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0008"> + ARGUMENT BEFORE THE VICE-CHANCELLOR IN THE RUSSELL CASE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC________"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME X. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0001"> + ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE MUNN TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p> + Demoralization caused by Alcohol—Note from the Chicago<br /> <i>Times</i>—Prejudice—Review + of the Testimony of Jacob Rehm—Perjury<br /> Characterized—The + Defendant and the Offence Charged (p. 21)—Testimony<br /> of Golsen + Reviewed—Rehm's Testimony before the Grand Jury—Good<br /> + Character (p. 29)—Suspicion not Evidence.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0002"> + CLOSING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE FIRST STAR ROUTE TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p> + CLOSING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE FIRST STAR ROUTE TRIAL.<br /> Note + from the Washington <i>Capital</i>—The Assertion Denied that we + are<br /> a Demoralized Country and that our Country is Distinguished + among<br /> the Nations only for Corruption—Duties of Jurors and + Duties of<br /> Lawyers—Section under which the Indictment is Found—Cases + cited to<br /> Show that Overt Acts charged and also the Crime itself + must be Proved<br /> as Described—Routes upon which Indictments are + Based and Overt Acts<br /> Charged (pp. 54-76)—Routes on which the + Making of False Claims is<br /> Alleged—Authorities on Proofs of + Conspiracy (pp. 91-94)—Examination<br /> of the Evidence against + Stephen W. and John W. Dorsey (pp. 96-117)—The<br /> Corpus Delicti + in a Case of Conspiracy and the Acts Necessary to be Done<br /> in Order + to Establish Conspiracy (pp. 120-123)—Testimony of Walsh<br /> and + the Confession of Rerdell—Extravagance in Mail Carrying (p.<br /> + 128)—Productiveness of Mail Routes (p. 131)—Hypothesis of + Guilt and<br /> Law of Evidence—Dangerous Influence of Suspicion—Terrorizing + the<br /> Jury—The Woman at Her Husband's Side.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0004"> + OPENING ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE SECOND STAR ROUTE TRIAL.</a> + </p> + <p> + Juries the Bulwark of Civil Liberty—Suspicion Not Evidence—Brief<br /> + Statement of the Case—John M. Peck, John W. Dorsey, Stephen W. + Dorsey,<br /> John R. Miner, Mr. (A. E. ) Boone (p.p. 150-156)—The + Clendenning<br /> Bonds—Miner's, Peck's, and Dorsey's Bids—Why + they Bid on Cheap<br /> Routes—Number of Routes upon which there + are Indictments—The<br /> Arrangement between Stephen W. Dorsey and + John R. Miner—Appearance<br /> of Mr. Vaile in the Contracts—Partnership + Formed—The Routes<br /> Divided—Senator Dorsey's Course after + Getting the Routes—His Routes<br /> turned over to James W. Bosler—Profits + of the Business (p. 181)—The<br /> Petitions for More Mails—Productive + and Unproductive Post-offices—Men<br /> who Add to the Wealth of + the World—Where the Idea of the Productiveness<br /> of Post routes + was Hatched—Cost of Letters to Recipients in 1843—The<br /> + Overland Mail (p. 190)—Loss in Distributing the Mail in the + District<br /> of Columbia and Other Territories—Post-office the + only Evidence<br /> of National Beneficence—Profit and Loss of Mail + Carrying—Orders<br /> Antedated, and Why—Routes Increased and + Expedited—Additional Bonds for<br /> Additional Trips—The + Charge that Pay was Received when the Mail was<br /> not Carried—Fining + on Shares—Subcontracts for Less than the Original<br /> Contracts—Pay + on Discontinued Routes—Alleged False Affidavits—Right<br /> + of Petition—Reviewing the Ground.<br /> CLOSING ADDRESS TO THE JURY + IN THE SECOND STAR ROUTE TRIAL.<br /> Scheme of the Indictment—Story + of the Case—What Constitutes Fraudulent<br /> Bidding—How a + Conspiracy Must be Proved—The Hypothesis of Guilt and<br /> Law of + Evidence—Conversation Unsatisfactory Evidence—Fallibility of<br /> + Memory—Proposition to Produce Mr. Dorsey's Books—Interruption + of the<br /> Court to Decide that Primary Evidence, having Once been + Refused, can not<br /> afterwards be Introduced to Contradict Secondary + Evidence—A Defendant<br /> may not be Presumed into the + Penitentiary—A Decision by Justice<br /> Field—The Right of + Petition—Was there a Conspiracy?—Dorsey's<br /> Benevolence + (p. 250)—The Chico Springs Letter—Evidence of Moore<br /> + Reviewed—Mr. Ker's Defective Memory—The Informer System—Testimony<br /> + of Rerdell Reviewed—His Letter to Dorsey (p. 304)—The + Affidavit of<br /> Rerdell and Dorsey—Petitions for Faster Time—Uncertainty + Regarding<br /> Handwriting—Government Should be Incapable of + Deceit—Rerdell's<br /> withdrawal of the Plea of Not Guilty (p. + 362)—Informers, their Immunity<br /> and Evidence—Nailing + Down the Lid of Rerdell's Coffin—Mistakes of<br /> Messrs. Ker and + Merrick and the Court—Letter of H. M. Vaile to the<br /> Sixth + Auditor—Miner's Letter to Carey—Miner, Peck & Co. to + Frank A.<br /> Tuttle—Answering Points Raised by Mr. Bliss (396 et + seq.)—Evidence<br /> regarding the Payment of Money by Dorsey to + Brady—A. E. Boone's<br /> Testimony Reviewed—Secrecy of + Contractors Regarding the Amount of their<br /> Bids—Boone's + Partnership Agreement with Dorsey—Explanation of Bids<br /> in + Different Names—Omission of Instructions from Proposals (p.<br /> + 450)—Accusation that Senator Mitchell was the Paid Agent of<br /> + the Defendants—Alleged Sneers at Things held Sacred—What is + a<br /> Conspiracy?—The Theory that there was a Conspiracy—Dorsey's + Alleged<br /> Interest—The Two Affidavits in Evidence—Inquiry + of General Miles—Why<br /> the Defendant's Books were not Produced—Tames + W. Bosler's Testimony<br /> Read (p. 500)—The Court shown to be + Mistaken Regarding a Decision<br /> Previously Made (pp. 496-502)—No + Logic in Abuse—Charges against John<br /> W. Miner—Testimony + of A. W. Moore Reviewed-The Verdict Predicted—The<br /> Defendants + in the Case—What is left for the Jury to Say—Remarks of<br /> + Messrs. Henkle and Davidge—The Verdict.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0007"> + ADDRESS TO THE JURY IN THE DAVIS WILL CASE.</a> + </p> + <p> + Note from the Anaconda <i>Standard</i>—Senator Sander's Warning to + the Jury<br /> Not to be Enticed by Sinners—Evidence, based on + Quality of Handwriting,<br /> that Davis did not Write the Will—Evidence + of the Spelling—Assertion<br /> that the Will was Forged—Peculiarities + of Eddy's Handwriting—Holes<br /> in Sconce's Signature and + Reputation—His Memory—Business Sagacity<br /> of Davis—His + Alleged Children—Date of his Death—Testimony of Mr.<br /> + Knight—Ink used in Writing the Will—Expert Evidence—Speechlessness<br /> + of John A. Davis—Eddy's Failure to take the Stand—Testimony + of<br /> Carruthers—Relatives of Sconce—Mary Ann Davis's + Connections—The<br /> Family Tree—The Signature of the Will—What + the Evidence Shows—Duty<br /> and Opportunity of the Jury.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38810-h/38810-h.htm#link0008"> + ARGUMENT BEFORE THE VICE-CHANCELLOR IN THE RUSSELL CASE.</a> + </p> + <p> + Antenuptial Waiving of Dower by Women—A Case from Illinois—At + What<br /> Age Men and Women Cease to Feel the Tender Flame—Russell's + Bargain with<br /> Mrs. Russell—Antenuptial Contract and Parole + Agreement—Definition<br /> of "Liberal Provision "—The Woman + not Bound by a Contract Made in<br /> Ignorance of the Facts—Contract + Destroyed by Deception.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_11" id="vol_11"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#title">VOLUME + XI.--MISCELLANY</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#linkTOC"><big> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME XI.</b></big></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0001"> + ADDRESS ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0002"> + TRIAL OF C. B. REYNOLDS FOR BLASPHEMY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0003"> + GOD IN THE CONSTITUTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0004"> + A REPLY TO BISHOP SPALDING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0005"> + CRIMES AGAINST CRIMINALS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0006"> + A WOODEN GOD.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0007"> + SOME INTERROGATION POINTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0008"> + ART AND MORALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0009"> + THE DIVIDED HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0010"> + WHY AM I AN AGNOSTIC?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0011"> + HUXLEY AND AGNOSTICISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0012"> + ERNEST RENAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0013"> + TOLSTOÏ AND "THE KREUTZER SONATA."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0014"> + THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0015"> + THE THREE PHILANTHROPISTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0016"> + SHOULD THE CHINESE BE EXCLUDED?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0017"> + A WORD ABOUT EDUCATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0018"> + WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0019"> + FOOL FRIENDS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0020"> + INSPIRATION</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0021"> + THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0022"> + HOW TO EDIT A LIBERAL PAPER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0023"> + SECULARISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0024"> + CRITICISM OF "ROBERT ELSMERE," "JOHN WARD, PREACHER," AND "AN AFRICAN + FARM."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0025"> + THE LIBEL LAWS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0026"> + REV. DR. NEWTON'S SERMON ON A NEW RELIGION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0027"> + AN ESSAY ON CHRISTMAS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0028"> + HAS FREETHOUGHT A CONSTRUCTIVE SIDE?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0029"> + THE IMPROVED MAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0030"> + EIGHT HOURS MUST COME.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0031"> + THE JEWS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0032"> + CRUMBLING CREEDS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0033"> + OUR SCHOOLS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0034"> + VIVISECTION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0035"> + THE CENSUS ENUMERATOR'S OFFICIAL CATECHISM.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0036"> + THE AGNOSTIC CHRISTMAS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0037"> + SPIRITUALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0038"> + SUMTER'S GUN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0039"> + WHAT INFIDELS HAVE DONE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0040"> + CRUELTY IN THE ELMIRA REFORMATORY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0041"> + LAW'S DELAY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0042"> + THE BIGOTRY OF COLLEGES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0043"> + A YOUNG MAN'S CHANCES TO-DAY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0044"> + SCIENCE AND SENTIMENT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0045"> + SOWING AND REAPING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0046"> + SHOULD INFIDELS SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SUNDAY SCHOOL?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0047"> + WHAT WOULD YOU SUBSTITUTE FOR THE BIBLE AS A MORAL GUIDE?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0048"> + GOVERNOR ROLLINS' FAST-DAY PROCLAMATION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0049"> + A LOOK BACKWARD AND A PROPHECY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0050"> + POLITICAL MORALITY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0051"> + A FEW REASONS FOR DOUBTING THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name="linkTOC" id="linkTOC_________"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </div> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS OF VOLUME XI. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0001"> + ADDRESS ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Introduction by Frederick Douglass("Abou Ben Adhem")—Decision + of<br /> the United States Supreme Court pronouncing the Civil Rights Act<br /> + Unconstitutional—Limitations of Judges—Illusion Destroyed by + the<br /> Decision in the Dred Scott Case—Mistake of Our Fathers in + adopting<br /> the Common Law of England—The 13th Amendment to the + Constitution<br /> Quoted—The Clause of the Constitution upholding + Slavery—Effect of<br /> this Clause—Definitions of a State by + Justice Wilson and Chief Justice<br /> Chase—Effect of the + Thirteenth Amendment—Justice Field on Involuntary<br /> Servitude—Civil + Rights Act Quoted—Definition of the Word Servitude by<br /> the + Supreme Court—Obvious Purpose of the Amendment—Justice + Miller<br /> on the 14th Amendment—Citizens Created by this + Amendment—Opinion<br /> of Justice Field—Rights and + Immunities guaranteed by the<br /> Constitution—Opinion delivered + by Chief-Justice Waite—Further Opinions<br /> of Courts on the + question of Citizenship—Effect of the 13th, 14th and<br /> 15th + Amendments—"Corrective" Legislation by Congress—Denial of + equal<br /> "Social" Privileges—Is a State responsible for the + Action of its Agent<br /> when acting contrary to Law?—The Word + "State" must include the People<br /> of the State as well as the + Officers of the State—The Louisiana Civil<br /> Rights Law, and a + Case tried under it—Uniformity of Duties essential to<br /> the + Carrier—Congress left Powerless to protect Rights conferred by the<br /> + Constitution—Definition of "Appropriate Legislation"—Propositions + laid<br /> down regarding the Sovereignty of the State, the powers of the + General<br /> Government, etc.—A Tribute to Justice Harlan—A + Denial that Property<br /> exists by Virtue of Law—Civil Rights not + a Question of Social<br /> Equality—Considerations upon which + Social Equality depends—Liberty not<br /> a Question of Social + Equality—The Superior Man—Inconsistencies of the<br /> Past—No + Reason why we should Hate the Colored People—The Issues that<br /> + are upon Us.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0002"> + TRIAL OF C. B. REYNOLDS FOR BLASPHEMY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> ADDRESS TO THE JURY.<br /> Report of the Case from the New York + Times (note)—The Right to express<br /> Opinions—Attempts to + Rule the Minds of Men by Force—Liberty the<br /> Greatest Good—Intellectual + Hospitality Defined—When the Catholic<br /> Church had Power—Advent + of the Protestants—The Puritans, Quakers.<br /> Unitarians, + Universalists—What is Blasphemy?—Why this Trial should not<br /> + have Taken Place—Argument cannot be put in Jail—The + Constitution of<br /> New Jersey—A higher Law than Men can Make—The + Blasphemy Statute<br /> Quoted and Discussed—Is the Statute + Constitutional?—The Harm done<br /> by Blasphemy Laws—The + Meaning of this Persecution—Religions are<br /> Ephemeral—Let + us judge each other by our Actions—Men who have braved<br /> Public + Opinion should be Honored—The Blasphemy Law if enforced would<br /> + rob the World of the Results of Scientific Research—It declares + the<br /> Great Men of to-day to be Criminals—The Indictment Read + and Commented<br /> upon—Laws that go to Sleep—Obsolete + Dogmas the Denial of which was<br /> once punished by Death—Blasphemy + Characterized—On the Argument<br /> that Blasphemy Endangers the + Public Peace—A Definition of real<br /> Blasphemy—Trials for + Blasphemy in England—The case of Abner<br /> Kneeland—True + Worship, Prayer, and Religion—What is Holy and<br /> Sacred—What + is Claimed in this Case—For the Honor of the State—The<br /> + word Liberty—Result of the Trial (note).<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0003"> + GOD IN THE CONSTITUTION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Feudal System—Office and Purpose of our Constitution—Which + God<br /> shall we Select?—The Existence of any God a Matter of + Opinion—What is<br /> entailed by a Recognition of a God in the + Constitution—Can the Infinite<br /> be Flattered with a + Constitutional Amendment?—This government is<br /> Secular—The + Government of God a Failure—The Difference between the<br /> + Theological and the Secular Spirit—A Nation neither Christian nor<br /> + Infidel—The Priest no longer a Necessity—Progress of Science + and the<br /> Development of the Mind.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0004"> + A REPLY TO BISHOP SPALDING.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> On God in the Constitution—Why the Constitutional Convention + ignored<br /> the Question of Religion—The Fathers Misrepresented—Reasons + why the<br /> Attributes of God should not form an Organic Part of the + Law of the<br /> Land—The Effect of a Clause Recognizing God.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0005"> + CRIMES AGAINST CRIMINALS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Three Pests of a Community—I. Forms of Punishment and + Torture—More<br /> Crimes Committed than Prevented by Governments—II. + Are not Vices<br /> transmitted by Nature?—111. Is it Possible for + all People to be<br /> Honest?—Children of Vice as the natural + Product of Society—Statistics:<br /> the Relation between Insanity, + Pauperism, and Crime—IV. The Martyrs of<br /> Vice—Franklin's + Interest in the Treatment of Prisoners—V. Kindness<br /> as a + Remedy—Condition of the Discharged Prisoner—VI. Compensation<br /> + for Convicts—VII. Professional Criminals—Shall the Nation + take<br /> Life?—Influence of Public Executions on the Spectators—Lynchers<br /> + for the Most Part Criminals at Heart—VIII. The Poverty of the Many + a<br /> perpetual Menace—Limitations of Land-holding.—IX. + Defective Education<br /> by our Schools—Hands should be educated + as well as Head—Conduct<br /> improved by a clearer Perception of + Consequences—X. The Discipline of<br /> the average Prison + Hardening and Degrading—While Society cringes before<br /> Great + Thieves there will be Little Ones to fill the Jails—XI. Our<br /> + Ignorance Should make us Hesitate.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0006"> + A WOODEN GOD.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> On Christian and Chinese worship—Report of the Select + Committee<br /> on Chinese Immigration—The only true God as + contrasted with<br /> Joss—Sacrifices to the "Living God"—Messrs. + Wright, Dickey, O'Connor<br /> and Murch on the "Religious System" of the + American Union—How to prove<br /> that Christians are better than + Heathens—Injustice in the Name of<br /> God—An honest + Merchant the best Missionary—A Few Extracts from<br /> Confucius—The + Report proves that the Wise Men of China who predicted<br /> that + Christians could not be Trusted were not only Philosophers but<br /> + Prophets.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0007"> + SOME INTERROGATION POINTS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> A New Party and its Purpose—The Classes that Exist in every<br /> + Country—Effect of Education on the Common People—Wants + Increased by<br /> Intelligence—The Dream of 1776—The + Monopolist and the Competitor—The<br /> War between the Gould and + Mackay Cables—Competition between<br /> Monopolies—All + Advance in Legislation made by Repealing Laws—Wages<br /> and + Values not to be fixed by Law—Men and Machines—The Specific + of<br /> the Capitalist: Economy—The poor Man and Woman devoured by<br /> + their Fellow-men—Socialism one of the Worst Possible forms of<br /> + Slavery—Liberty not to be exchanged for Comfort—Will the + Workers<br /> always give their Earnings for the Useless?—Priests, + Successful Frauds,<br /> and Robed Impostors.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0008"> + ART AND MORALITY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Origin of Man's Thoughts—The imaginative Man—"Medicinal + View" of<br /> Poetry—Rhyme and Religion—The theological + Poets and their Purpose in<br /> Writing—Moral Poets and their + "Unwelcome Truths"—The really Passionate<br /> are the Virtuous—Difference + between the Nude and the Naked—Morality<br /> the Melody of Conduct—The + inculcation of Moral Lessons not contemplated<br /> by Artists or great + Novelists—Mistaken Reformers—Art not a<br /> Sermon—Language + a Multitude of Pictures—Great Pictures and Great<br /> Statues + painted and chiseled with Words—Mediocrity moral from a<br /> + Necessity which it calls Virtue—Why Art Civilizes—The Nude—The + Venus<br /> de Milo—This is Art.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0009"> + THE DIVIDED HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Way in which Theological Seminaries were Endowed—Religious<br /> + Guide-boards—Vast Interests interwoven with Creeds—Pretensions + of<br /> Christianity—Kepler's Discovery of his Three Great Laws—Equivocations<br /> + and Evasions of the Church—Nature's Testimony against the<br /> + Bible—The Age of Man on the Earth—"Inspired" Morality of the<br /> + Bible—Miracles—Christian Dogmas—What the church has + been Compelled to<br /> Abandon—The Appeal to Epithets, Hatred and + Punishment—"Spirituality"<br /> the last Resource of the Orthodox—What + is it to be Spiritual?—Two<br /> Questions for the Defenders of + Orthodox Creeds.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0010"> + WHY AM I AN AGNOSTIC?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Part I. Inharmony of Nature and the Lot of Man with the Goodness + and<br /> Wisdom of a supposed Deity—Why a Creator is Imagined—Difficulty + of the<br /> Act of Creation—Belief in Supernatural Beings—Belief + and Worship among<br /> Savages—Questions of Origin and Destiny—Progress + impossible without<br /> Change of Belief—Circumstances Determining + Belief—How may the<br /> True Religion be Ascertained?—Prosperity + of Nations nor Virtue<br /> of Individuals Dependent on Religions or Gods—Uninspired + Books<br /> Superior—Part II. The Christian Religion—Credulity—Miracles + cannot<br /> be Established—Effect of Testimony—Miraculous + Qualities of all<br /> Religions—Theists and Naturalists—The + Miracle of Inspiration—How<br /> can the alleged Fact of + Inspiration be Established?—God's work and<br /> Man's—Rewards + for Falsehood offered by the Church.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0011"> + HUXLEY AND AGNOSTICISM.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Statement by the Principal of King's College—On the + Irrelevancy of a<br /> Lack of Scientific Knowledge—Difference + between the Agnostic and<br /> the Christian not in Knowledge but in + Credulity—The real name of<br /> an Agnostic said to be "Infidel"—What + an Infidel is—"Unpleasant"<br /> significance of the Word—Belief + in Christ—"Our Lord and his Apostles"<br /> possibly Honest Men—Their + Character not Invoked—Possession by evil<br /> spirits—Professor + Huxley's Candor and Clearness—The splendid Dream<br /> of Auguste + Comte—Statement of the Positive Philosophy—Huxley and<br /> + Harrison.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0012"> + ERNEST RENAN.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> His Rearing and his Anticipated Biography—The complex + Character of the<br /> Christ of the Gospels—Regarded as a Man by + Renan—The Sin against the<br /> Holy Ghost—Renan on the + Gospels—No Evidence that they were written<br /> by the Men whose + Names they Bear—Written long after the Events they<br /> Describe—Metaphysics + of the Church found in the Gospel of John—Not<br /> Apparent why + Four Gospels should have been Written—Regarded as<br /> legendary + Biographies—In "flagrant contradiction one with another"—The<br /> + Divine Origin of Christ an After-growth—Improbable that he + intended to<br /> form a Church—Renan's Limitations—Hebrew + Scholarship—His "People of<br /> Israel"—His Banter and + Blasphemy.<br /> TOLSTOY AND "THE KREUTZER SONATA."<br /> Tolstoy's Belief + and Philosophy—His Asceticism—His View of Human<br /> Love—Purpose + of "The Kreutzer Sonata"—Profound Difference between the<br /> Love + of Men and that of Women—Tolstoy cannot now found a Religion, but<br /> + may create the Necessity for another Asylum—The Emotions—The + Curious<br /> Opinion Dried Apples have of Fruit upon the Tree—Impracticability + of<br /> selling All and giving to the Poor—Love and Obedience—Unhappiness + in<br /> the Marriage Relation not the fault of Marriage.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0014"> + THOMAS PAINE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Life by Moncure D. Conway—Early Advocacy of Reforms against + Dueling<br /> and Cruelty to Animals—The First to write "The United + States of<br /> America"—Washington's Sentiment against Separation + from Great<br /> Britain—Paine's Thoughts in the Declaration of + Independence—Author of<br /> the first Proclamation of Emancipation + in America—Establishment of a<br /> Fund for the Relief of the Army—H's + "Farewell Address"—The "Rights of<br /> Man"—Elected to the + French Convention—Efforts to save the Life of the<br /> King—His + Thoughts on Religion—Arrested—The "Age of Reason" and the<br /> + Weapons it has furnished "Advanced Theologians"—Neglect by + Gouverneur<br /> Morris and Washington—James Monroe's letter to + Paine and to the<br /> Committee of General Safety—The vaunted + Religious Liberty of<br /> Colonial Maryland—Orthodox Christianity + at the Beginning of the 19th<br /> Century—New Definitions of God—The + Funeral of Paine.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0015"> + THE THREE PHILANTHROPISTS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> I. Mr. A., the Professional Philanthropist, who established a + Colony<br /> for the Enslavement of the Poor who could not take care of + themselves,<br /> amassed a large Fortune thereby, built several + churches, and earned<br /> the Epitaph, "He was the Providence of the + Poor"—II. Mr. B.,<br /> the Manufacturer, who enriched himself by + taking advantage of the<br /> Necessities of the Poor, paid the lowest + Rate of Wages, considered<br /> himself one of God's Stewards, endowed + the "B Asylum" and the "B<br /> College," never lost a Dollar, and of + whom it was recorded, "He Lived<br /> for Others." III. Mr. C., who + divided his Profits with the People who had<br /> earned it, established + no Public Institutions, suppressed Nobody; and<br /> those who have + worked for him said, "He allowed Others to live for<br /> Themselves."<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0016"> + SHOULD THE CHINESE BE EXCLUDED?</a> + </p> + <p> + SHOULD THE CHINESE BE EXCLUDED?<br /> Trampling on the Rights of + Inferiors—Rise of the Irish and Germans<br /> to Power—The + Burlingame Treaty—Character of Chinese Laborers—Their<br /> + Enemies in the Pacific States—Violation of Treaties—The + Geary Law—The<br /> Chinese Hated for their Virtues—More + Piety than Principle among the<br /> People's Representatives—Shall + we go back to Barbarism?<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0017"> + A WORD ABOUT EDUCATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> What the Educated Man Knows—Necessity of finding out the + Facts<br /> of Nature—"Scholars" not always Educated Men; from + necessaries to<br /> luxuries; who may be called educated; mental misers; + the first duty of<br /> man; university education not necessary to + usefulness, no advantage in<br /> learning useless facts.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0018"> + WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Would have the Kings and Emperors resign, the Nobility drop their<br /> + Titles, the Professors agree to teach only What they Know, the<br /> + Politicians changed to Statesmen, the Editors print only the<br /> Truth—Would + like to see Drunkenness and Prohibition abolished,<br /> Corporal + Punishment done away with, and the whole World free.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0019"> + FOOL FRIENDS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Fool Friend believes every Story against you, never denies a + Lie<br /> unless it is in your Favor, regards your Reputation as Common + Prey,<br /> forgets his Principles to gratify your Enemies, and is so + friendly that<br /> you cannot Kick him.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0020"> + INSPIRATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Nature tells a different Story to all Eyes and Ears—Horace + Greeley and<br /> the Big Trees—The Man who "always did like + rolling land"—What the<br /> Snow looked like to the German—Shakespeare's + different Story for each<br /> Reader—As with Nature so with the + Bible.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0021"> + THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> People who live by Lying—A Case in point—H. Hodson + Rugg's Account of<br /> the Conversion of Ingersoll and 5,000 of his + Followers—The "Identity of<br /> Lost Israel with the British + Nation"—Old Falsehoods about Infidels—The<br /> New York + Observer and Thomas Paine—A Rascally English Editor—The<br /> + Charge that Ingersoll's Son had been Converted—The Fecundity of<br /> + Falsehood.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0022"> + HOW TO EDIT A LIBERAL PAPER.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Editor should not narrow his Horizon so that he can see only<br /> + One Thing—To know the Defects of the Bible is but the Beginning of<br /> + Wisdom—The Liberal Paper should not discuss Theological Questions<br /> + Alone—A Column for Children—Candor and Kindness—Nothing + should be<br /> Asserted that is not Known—Above All, teach the + Absolute Freedom of the<br /> Mind.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0023"> + SECULARISM.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The religion of Humanity; what it Embraces and what it Advocates—A<br /> + Protest against Ecclesiastical Tyranny—Believes in Building a Home<br /> + here—Means Food and Fireside—The Right to express your + Thought—Its<br /> advice to every Human Being—A Religion + without Mysteries, Miracles, or<br /> Persecutions.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0024"> + CRITICISM OF "ROBERT ELSMERE," "JOHN WARD, PREACHER," AND "AN AFRICAN + FARM."</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Religion unsoftened by Infidelity—The Orthodox Minister + whose Wife has<br /> a Heart—Honesty of Opinion not a Mitigating + Circumstance—Repulsiveness<br /> of an Orthodox Life—John + Ward an Object of Pity—Lyndall of the<br /> "African Farm"—The + Story of the Hunter—Death of Waldo—Women the<br /> Caryatides + of the Church—Attitude of Christianity toward other<br /> Religions—Egotism + of the ancient Jews.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0025"> + THE LIBEL LAWS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> All Articles appearing in a newspaper should be Signed by the<br /> + Writer—The Law if changed should throw greater Safeguards around + the<br /> Reputation of the Citizen—Pains should be taken to give + Prominence to<br /> Retractions—The Libel Laws like a Bayonet in + War.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0026"> + REV. DR. NEWTON'S SERMON ON A NEW RELIGION.</a> + </p> + <p> + REV. DR. NEWTON'S SERMON ON A NEW RELIGION.<br /> Mr. Newton not Regarded + as a Sceptic—New Meanings given to Old<br /> Words—The + vanishing Picture of Hell—The Atonement—Confidence being<br /> + Lost in the Morality of the Gospel—Exclusiveness of the Churches—The<br /> + Hope of Immortality and Belief in God have Nothing to do with Real<br /> + Religion—Special Providence a Mistake.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0027"> + AN ESSAY ON CHRISTMAS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Day regarded as a Holiday—A Festival far older<br /> than + Christianity—Relics of Sun-worship in Christian<br /> Ceremonies—Christianity + furnished new Steam for an old Engine—Pagan<br /> Festivals + correspond to Ours—Why Holidays are Popular—They must be for<br /> + the Benefit of the People.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0028"> + HAS FREETHOUGHT A CONSTRUCTIVE SIDE?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Object of Freethought—what the Religionist calls + "Affirmative<br /> and Positive"—The Positive Side of Freethought—Constructive + Work of<br /> Christianity.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0029"> + THE IMPROVED MAN.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> He will be in Favor of universal Liberty, neither Master nor + Slave; of<br /> Equality and Education; will develop in the Direction of + the Beautiful;<br /> will believe only in the Religion of this World—His + Motto—Will not<br /> endeavor to change the Mind of the "Infinite"—Will + have no Bells or<br /> Censers—Will be satisfied that the + Supernatural does not exist—Will be<br /> Self-poised, Independent, + Candid and Free.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0030"> + EIGHT HOURS MUST COME.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Working People should be protected by Law—Life of no + particular<br /> Importance to the Man who gets up before Daylight and + works till<br /> after Dark—A Revolution probable in the Relations + between Labor and<br /> Capital—Working People becoming Educated + and more Independent—The<br /> Government can Aid by means of Good + Laws—Women the worst Paid—There<br /> should be no Resort to + Force by either Labor or Capital.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0031"> + THE JEWS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Much like People of other Religions—Teaching given Christian + Children<br /> about those who die in the Faith of Abraham—Dr. John + Hall on<br /> the Persecution of the Jews in Russia as the Fulfillment of<br /> + Prophecy—Hostility of Orthodox early Christians excited by Jewish<br /> + Witnesses against the Faith—An infamous Chapter of History—Good<br /> + and bad Men of every Faith—Jews should outgrow their own<br /> + Superstitions—What the intelligent Jew Knows.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0032"> + CRUMBLING CREEDS.</a> + </p> + <p> + CRUMBLING CREEDS.<br /> The Common People called upon to Decide as + between the Universities and<br /> the Synods—Modern Medicine, Law, + Literature and Pictures as against the<br /> Old—Creeds agree with + the Sciences of their Day—Apology the Prelude<br /> to Retreat—The + Presbyterian Creed Infamous, but no worse than<br /> the Catholic—Progress + begins when Expression of Opinion is<br /> Allowed—Examining the + Religions of other Countries—The Pulpit's<br /> Position Lost—The + Dogma of Eternal Pain the Cause of the orthodox<br /> Creeds losing + Popularity—Every Church teaching this Infinite Lie must<br /> Fall.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0033"> + OUR SCHOOLS.</a> + </p> + <p> + OUR SCHOOLS.<br /> Education the only Lever capable of raising Mankind—The<br /> + School-house more Important than the Church—Criticism of New + York's<br /> School-Buildings—The Kindergarten System Recommended—Poor + Pay of<br /> Teachers—The great Danger to the Republic is + Ignorance.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0034"> + VIVISECTION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Hell of Science—Brutal Curiosity of Vivisectors—The + Pretence that<br /> they are working for the Good of Man—Have these + scientific Assassins<br /> added to useful Knowledge?—No Good to + the Race to be Accomplished by<br /> Torture—The Tendency to + produce a Race of intelligent Wild Beasts.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0035"> + THE CENSUS ENUMERATOR'S OFFICIAL CATECHISM.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Right of the Government to ask Questions and of the Citizen to + refuse<br /> to answer them—Matters which the Government has no + Right to pry<br /> into—Exposing the Debtor's financial Condition—A + Man might decline to<br /> tell whether he has a Chronic Disease or not.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0036"> + THE AGNOSTIC CHRISTMAS.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Natural Phenomena and Myths celebrated—The great Day of the + first<br /> Religion, Sun-worship—A God that Knew no Hatred nor + Sought Revenge—The<br /> Festival of Light.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0037"> + SPIRITUALITY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> A much-abused Word—The Early Christians too Spiritual to be<br /> + Civilized—Calvin and Knox—Paine, Voltaire and Humboldt not<br /> + Spiritual—Darwin also Lacking—What it is to be really + Spiritual—No<br /> connection with Superstition.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0038"> + SUMTER'S GUN.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> What were thereby blown into Rags and Ravelings—The Birth of + a<br /> new Epoch announced—Lincoln made the most commanding Figure + of the<br /> Century—Story of its Echoes.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0039"> + WHAT INFIDELS HAVE DONE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> What might have been Asked of a Christian 100 years after<br /> + Christ—Hospitals and Asylums not all built for Charity—Girard<br /> + College—Lick Observatory—Carnegie not an Orthodox Christian—Christian<br /> + Colleges—Give us Time.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0040"> + CRUELTY IN THE ELMIRA REFORMATORY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Brockway a Savage—The Lash will neither develop the Brain + nor cultivate<br /> the Heart—Brutality a Failure—Bishop + Potter's apostolical Remark.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0041"> + LAW'S DELAY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Object of a Trial—Justice can afford to Wait—The + right of<br /> Appeal—Case of Mrs. Maybrick—Life Imprisonment + for Murderers—American<br /> Courts better than the English.<br /> + BIGOTRY OF COLLEGES.<br /> Universities naturally Conservative—Kansas + State University's<br /> Objection to Ingersoll as a commencement Orator—Comment + by Mr. Depew<br /> (note)—Action of Cornell and the University of + Missouri.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0043"> + A YOUNG MAN'S CHANCES TO-DAY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The Chances a few Years ago—Capital now Required—Increasing<br /> + competition in Civilized Life—Independence the first Object—If + he has<br /> something to say, there will be plenty to listen.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0044"> + SCIENCE AND SENTIMENT.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Science goes hand in hand with Imagination—Artistic and + Ethical<br /> Development—Science destroys Superstition, not true + Religion—Education<br /> preferable to Legislation—Our + Obligation to our Children.<br /> "SOWING AND REAPING."<br /> Moody's + Belief accounted for—A dishonest and corrupting Doctrine—A<br /> + want of Philosophy and Sense—Have Souls in Heaven no Regrets?—Mr.<br /> + Moody should read some useful Books.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0046"> + SHOULD INFIDELS SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SUNDAY SCHOOL?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Teachings of orthodox Sunday Schools—The ferocious God of + the<br /> Bible—Miracles—A Christian in Constantinople would + not send his<br /> Child to a Mosque—Advice to all Agnostics—Strangle + the Serpent of<br /> Superstition.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0047"> + WHAT WOULD YOU SUBSTITUTE FOR THE BIBLE AS A MORAL GUIDE?</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Character of the Bible—Men and Women not virtuous because of + any<br /> Book—The Commandments both Good and Bad—Books that + do not help<br /> Morality—Jehovah not a moral God—What is + Morality?—Intelligence the<br /> only moral guide.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0048"> + GOVERNOR ROLLINS' FAST-DAY PROCLAMATION.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Decline of the Christian Religion in New Hampshire—Outgrown<br /> + Beliefs—Present-day Views of Christ and the Holy Ghost—Abandoned<br /> + Notions about the Atonement—Salvation for Credulity—The + Miracles<br /> of the New Testament—The Bible "not true but + inspired"—The "Higher<br /> Critics" riding two Horses—Infidelity + in the Pulpit—The "restraining<br /> Influences of Religion" as + illustrated by Spain and Portugal—Thinking,<br /> Working and + Praying—The kind of Faith that has Departed.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0049"> + A LOOK BACKWARD AND A PROPHECY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> The <i>Truth Seeker</i> congratulated on its Twenty-fifth Birthday—Teachings<br /> + of Twenty-five Years ago—Dodging and evading—The Clerical + Assault<br /> on Darwin—Draper, Buckle, Hegel, Spencer, Emerson—Comparison<br /> + of Prejudices—Vanished Belief in the Devil—Matter and<br /> + Force—Contradictions Dwelling in Unity—Substitutes for + Jehovah—A<br /> Prophecy.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0050"> + POLITICAL MORALITY.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Argument in the contested Election Case of Strobach against + Herbert—The<br /> Importance of Honest Elections—Poisoning + the Source of Justice—The<br /> Fraudulent Voter a Traitor to his + Sovereign, the Will of the<br /> People—Political Morality + Imperative.<br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a + href="38811-h/38811-h.htm#link0051"> + A FEW REASONS FOR DOUBTING THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE.</a> + </p> + <p> + Date and Manner of Composing the Old Testament—Other Books not now + in<br /> Existence, and Disagreements about the Canon—Composite + Character of<br /> certain Books—Various Versions—Why was + God's message given to the Jews<br /> alone?—The Story of the + Creation, of the Flood, of the Tower, and<br /> of Lot's wife—Moses + and Aaron and the Plagues of Egypt—Laws of<br /> Slavery—Instructions + by Jehovah Calculated to excite Astonishment and<br /> Mirth—Sacrifices + and the Scapegoat—Passages showing that the Laws of<br /> Moses + were made after the Jews had left the Desert—Jehovah's dealings<br /> + with his People—The Sabbath Law—Prodigies—Joshua's + Miracle—Damned<br /> Ignorance and Infamy—Jephthah's + Sacrifice—Incredible Stories—The<br /> Woman of Endor and the + Temptation of David—Elijah and Elisha—Loss of<br /> the + Pentateuch from Moses to Josiah—The Jews before and after being<br /> + Abandoned by Jehovah—Wealth of Solomon and other Marvels.<br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="vol_12" id="vol_12"></a> + </p> + <h1> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#title">VOLUME + XII.--MISCELLANY</a> + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0001"> + PROF. VAN BUREN DENSLOW'S "MODERN THINKERS."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#linkPREF1">PREFACE + TO DR. EDGAR C. BEALL'S "THE BRAIN AND THE BIBLE."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#linkPREF2">PREFACE + TO "MEN, WOMEN AND GODS."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#linkPREF3">PREFACE + TO "FOR HER DAILY BREAD."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#linkPREF4">PREFACE + TO "AGNOSTICISM AND OTHER ESSAYS."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#linkPREF5">PREFACE + TO "FAITH OR FACT."</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0007"> + THE GRANT BANQUET.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0008"> + THIRTEEN CLUB DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0009"> + ROBSON AND CRANE DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0010"> + THE POLICE CAPTAINS' DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0011"> + GENERAL GRANT'S BIRTHDAY DINNER</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0012"> + LOTOS CLUB DINNER, TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0013"> + MANHATTAN ATHLETIC CLUB DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0014"> + THE LIEDERKRANZ CLUB, SEIDL-STANTON BANQUET.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0015"> + THE FRANK B. CARPENTER DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0016"> + UNITARIAN CLUB DINNER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0017"> + WESTERN SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC BANQUET.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0018"> + LOTOS CLUB DINNER IN HONOR OF ANTON SEIDL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0019"> + LOTOS CLUB DINNER IN HONOR OF REAR ADMIRAL SCHLEY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0020"> + ADDRESS TO THE ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0021"> + THE CHILDREN OF THE STAGE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0022"> + ADDRESS TO THE PRESS CLUB.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0023"> + THE CIRCULATION OF OBSCENE LITERATURE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0024"> + CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL LIBERAL LEAGUE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0025"> + CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN SECULAR UNION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0026"> + THE RELIGIOUS BELIEF OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0027"> + ORGANIZED CHARITIES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0028"> + SPAIN AND THE SPANIARDS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0029"> + OUR NEW POSSESSIONS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0030"> + A FEW FRAGMENTS ON EXPANSION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0031"> + IS IT EVER RIGHT FOR HUSBAND OR WIFE TO KILL RIVAL?</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0032"> + PROFESSOR BRIGGS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0033"> + FRAGMENTS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0034"> + EFFECT OF THE WORLD'S FAIR ON THE HUMAN RACE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0035"> + SABBATH SUPERSTITION.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0036"> + A TRIBUTE TO GEORGE JACOB HOLYOAKE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0037"> + AT THE GRAVE OF BENJAMIN W. PARKER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0038"> + A TRIBUTE TO EBON C. INGERSOLL</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0039"> + A TRIBUTE TO THE REV. ALEXANDER CLARK.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0040"> + AT A CHILD'S GRAVE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0041"> + A TRIBUTE TO JOHN G. MILLS.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0042"> + A TRIBUTE TO ELIZUR WRIGHT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0043"> + A TRIBUTE TO MRS. IDA WHITING KNOWLES.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0044"> + A TRIBUTE TO HENRY WARD BEECHER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0045"> + A TRIBUTE TO ROSCOE CONKLING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0046"> + A TRIBUTE TO RICHARD H. WHITING.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0047"> + A TRIBUTE TO COURTLANDT PALMER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0048"> + A TRIBUTE TO MRS. MARY H. FISKE.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0049"> + A TRIBUTE TO HORACE SEAVER.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0050"> + A TRIBUTE TO LAWRENCE BARRETT.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0051"> + A TRIBUTE TO WALT WHITMAN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0052"> + A TRIBUTE TO PHILO D. BECKWITH.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0053"> + A TRIBUTE TO ANTON SEIDL.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0054"> + A TRIBUTE TO DR. THOMAS SETON ROBERTSON.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0055"> + A TRIBUTE TO THOMAS CORWIN.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0056"> + A TRIBUTE TO ISAAC H. BAILEY.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0057"> + JESUS CHRIST.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="38812-h/38812-h.htm#link0058"> + LIFE.</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, +Complete Contents, by Robert G. 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